Cloak and Bragger

by shadowdemon137

Rating: everyone
Tags: Slice of Life, Main 6, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Original Character, Trixie, Spike
Length: 7011

Trixie comes back to Ponyville, and she brings a little friend whom tests the ponies trust.

Trixie returns to Ponyville, and brings a friend along for the ride. But with this new friend, will the trust of the main six be put to the test?

Author's Note: This story happens in-between Boast Busters and Magic Duel. Also, picture is placeholder until I get a better one.

Published 2012-06-05 19:14:01 UTC
Last updated 2013-03-16 01:44:32 UTC

The Return

“Hey Spike, do you know where ‘Mythical Powers’ is?” The purple unicorn stopped her writing for a second, scratching her head with the feathery top of the pen.

“I’ve got it!” answered a green and purple baby dragon, running into the next room, out of sight. He returned with a medium sized book and handed it to the unicorn. The book became enveloped in a purple hue and started flipping through by itself as the unicorn looked for the section she needed.

Spike went and grabbed a feather duster, getting ready to do his chores. “Pretty quiet today, eh Twilight?” he said, dusting off some shelves.

The unicorn nodded, levitating her pen again and scribbling on her scroll. “It sure is. I’m actually pretty happy it’s quiet. It allows me to study in peace.”

Spike picked up a couple of strewn books and started to climb a ladder to return them. “I kinda wish something would happen though. Y’know, so it’s not as boring?”

“Make way!” came a voice from outside, soon followed by a crash of the front door swinging open. Spike stumbled off of the ladder with the books landing around him.

Twilight Sparkle turned her head, putting her pen down on the stand. “Snips, Snails, what’s going on?”

The blue stout unicorn jumped up and down feverishly. “Haven’t you heard the news?” he responded.

Twilight looked at Snips curiously as Spike came over to join the conversation. “No, I haven’t,” she said. “What happened?”

“Snails, how about you tell them?” said Snips.

The tall orange unicorn gave a slight chuckle. “The Great and Powerful Trixie has returned!”

Twilight and Spike gasped, remembering how much the azure unicorn boasted about her powers and how Snips and Snails brought an Ursa Minor to Ponyville to see if her boasting was true.

“Yeah,” said Snips. “And she’s here to apologize!”

Spike shook his head quickly at the thought of Trixie actually apologizing. He finally had to sit down, with Twilight having a speechless expression on her face.

“It’s true,” said Snails. “Come on, let’s go!”

Twilight and Spike, both dumbfounded at the thought, decided that they had to see this spectacle with their own eyes and followed the two young colts out of the library towards the main square.

Twilight and Spike headed towards the Main Square, the sun shining its beautiful rays on the town. Many other ponies heard about the return of Trixie, and were either gossiping with others or running towards the square to see the boastful unicorn.

“Hey Twilight!”

Twilight looked up behind her and saw two pegasi flying towards her.

“Hey Rainbow. Hey Fluttershy. Did you hear the news?”

The blue pegasus nodded, swishing her rainbow tail around. “I heard it from Snips and Snails, and so I got Flutter here to come along.”

The yellow pegasus landed and walked alongside Twilight, hiding one of her eyes with her long pink mane. “Umm... Do you think Trixie is actually going to apologize? I mean, she is a little boastful, I guess.”

“I honestly don’t know Fluttershy,” said Twilight. “I thought we saw the last of her when the Ursa came to town. I’m just as surprised as any of you.”

“Well, she better not be saying this just to boast some more,” responded Rainbow, “or else I’m going to showcase my latest move that will knock her horn off!” Rainbow proceeded to do a couple back flips in the air to show off.

“Rainbow, you shouldn’t respond to boasting with more boasting,” Twilight said, giving the pegasus a stern look. “It just causes more problems.”

“Umm... Girls?” Fluttershy muttered.

“Oh yeah?” Rainbow said. “Well, she’s one big problem.”

“And your boasting will cause more problems,” Twilight replied, dodging an ecstatic mint unicorn running alongside a cream-colored mare.

“Girls?” Fluttershy tried her best to get their attention.

“Are you calling me a problem too?” Rainbow got straight into Twilight’s face.

“No, I’m saying you could cause more problems.”

“That means you are calling me a problem!”

“Girls!”

Both ponies stopped and looked at Fluttershy, who quickly hid herself behind her mane again.

“I’m sorry,” she muttered. “I just wanted to inform you that we are here.”

Twilight turned her head to see that they indeed arrived. Many ponies were crowding the square, eagerly anticipating the awaited news. Some merchant ponies were even selling merchandise made on-the-spot for this occasion. In front of the crowd stood a small mobile house, with a brick-red roof and a sign of a moon and two stars hanging on the side.

Twilight proceeded to the front of the crowd, followed by Fluttershy and Rainbow. She saw three of her friends already waiting for the show and headed for them.

“Hey girls,” said Twilight.

The white unicorn turned her head and smiled. The golden sun hat she made shone in the sun’s rays. “Hello Twilight. I think the show is about to start.”

“Has anypony actually seen Trixie yet?” Twilight asked, walking to the white unicorn’s side.

“Not t’my knowledge,” replied the farm pony in the middle, fixing the Stetson hat on top of her head. “I just want to see her actually apologize for boasting so much in the past, not t’mention making a fool of me.”

“Now Applejack,” the designer said to the farmer. “I thought you put that dreadful memory behind you?”

“Oh, and like you did, Rarity?” Applejack retorted.

“Well, I most certainly am over the whole charade.”

“An’ yet you’re here, instead of designin’ all day long!”

“Girls, girls, girls!” replied the pink pony, appearing randomly out of Rarity’s hat, startling the unicorn. “You should be happy Trixie is apologizing! I mean, c’mon! It’s Trixie!”

“Pinkie Pie is right,” Fluttershy muttered. “Be happy.”

“Easy for you to say,” mumbled Applejack.

“Shh!” Spike said, riding on Twilight’s back. “I think it’s starting.”

The six ponies turned their attention towards the stage, noticing that it was getting darker around them.

‘Hmm, seems like she’s got more tricks up her sleeve,’ thought Twilight to herself, before her head filled with a voice coming from the stage.

“Welcome everypony!” The voice sounded through the crowd, clear and crisp. “You are in the presence of a pony who has traveled far and wide across Equestria, battled countless monsters and criminals, and spent years training to be the best unicorn in all of Equestria! Please welcome, the Great and Powerful Trixie!”

As soon as the voice stopped, the trailer that was in front of the crowd opened up to make what appeared to be a stage. Fireworks shot out from the newly-made stage, cracking like a crunchy leaf. Lights flickered all over the stage, and fanfare could be heard clear as day. A mist exploded onto the stage, only to disappear just as fast, and inside the mist appeared Trixie, sporting her purple starry cape and hat. A cheer from the audience replaced the dying fanfare, allowing the unicorn to soak in all the attention.

Rainbow opened her wings and prepped herself to pounce. “Why that little...”

“Easy Rainbow,” said Applejack, grabbing Rainbow’s tail with her mouth. “She is a boaster. She needs a great intro.”

“Why hello to all of my faithful admirers,” Trixie exclaimed. “And to those who aren’t faithful,” she gave a short glimpse to Twilight and her friends before reverting her gaze, “Welcome. As you may have heard, I have come, not to boast about my amazing powers and truly awesome storytelling, but to apologize. After I left Ponyville to continue my quest of self-proclamation, I thought about everything that had happened to me before.” She trotted around the stage, speaking as if she were giving another performance. “I have realized that what I’ve done is wrong, and I finally understand that I have hurt people in the past.”

“Most definitely,” Rarity replied.

Trixie glanced at Rarity with a half-caring look, then continued. “So now, before this crowd, I shall do the biggest, most dramatic performance I have ever done in my entire life. I shall apolo-”

“Maxie! What in Celestia’s name are you doing?” Another cloud of mist suddenly appeared, revealing a second Trixie on the stage, giving the first Trixie a hard stare.

The crowd gasped at the appearance of this new Trixie, followed closely by muttered chatter. Nopony could explain what was going on, not even Twilight.

“Trixie, what are you doing?” muttered the first Trixie.

“What is Trixie doing?!” the second Trixie exclaimed, inching closer to the first Trixie. “The Great and Powerful Trixie was out getting supplies for her adventures, when she came back to see that somepony had opened her stage and was performing without Trixie!”

Rainbow flew onto the stage, hovering above the two Trixies. “Wait wait wait... I thought we were going to hear someone apologize? What is all this?”

“APOLOGIZE?!” The second Trixie glared at the first one. “The Great and Powerful Trixie never apologizes, unless it is to help her performing credit. This is not the case.”

“Then,” Applejack said. “What in the hay is going on here?”

The first Trixie chuckled. “I apologize for confusing everyone. Allow me to introduce myself.”

The first Trixie spun in place, covering herself in her cloak. The bundled cloak then hovered, spinning and flashing bright lights all around. One final bright flash covered the stage, blinding the crowd for a second, then it disappeared. Standing where the first Trixie stood was a stallion, jet-black with a short sapphire mane, a long tail, and a cutie mark of a cloak with lights surrounding it. His cape turned as black as his coat, and the purple hat on top of his head disappeared, revealing his gleaming silver eyes. He took a stance, as if he just performed a legendary trick in front of Princess Celestia herself.

“I am Maxie,” the stallion responded, his earthen voice resonating throughout the crowd. “I am the big brother of Trixie. We are traveling around Equestria, doing shows and performing amazing feats for all the ponies to see and cheer for. We were stopping by Ponyville, and I had heard that Trixie had boasted a little into trouble, so I was trying to cure some bad mojo in the town by apologizing in her steed.”

“So, what is your talent exactly?” a pony in the crowd asked.

“As you have just seen,” he swooped his hoof towards Trixie. “I can take the appearance of anypony and anything.”

“Oh really?” Rainbow said, still hovering above the two stage ponies. “How about you show us something else?”

“Excellent suggestion,” he said, sounding like a stage performer. “Want to be my assistant?”

“Uhh... Sure,” Rainbow said, landing on the stage in front of Maxie.

Maxie walked around Rainbow, taking notice of every detail and curve of the blue pegasus. When he went around a full 360 degrees, he whipped his cape around his body, and disappeared within the blackness. A flash went off, and when it dimmed, there on the stage stood another Rainbow Dash. Rainbow, flabbergasted at the impostor, stood speechless on the stage.

Maxie responded to everyone’s surprise in Rainbow’s voice. “As you can hear and see,” he opened his wings and flew up off the stage, hovering over the crowd. “I can do everything that the other pony can do, even if I couldn’t do it in my regular state. Whether it be flying,” he landed on the stage and gave a bright flash, revealing Applejack within the light. “Lassoin’,” he pulled out a lasso and roped an apple from a tree, grabbing it with his mouth. Another bright flash went off, and Rarity appeared. “Or designing,” he used his magic to make the curtains hanging above the stage into a magnificent dress, which he displayed with no delay. One final flash went off, and Maxie returned to his original state.

The crowd cheered at these amazing feats, some even throwing roses onto the stage. Twilight trotted up onto the stage, as amazed as everypony else was.

“That is certainly amazing feats of magic,” Twilight said. “But why don’t you have your own show? And why are you with Trixie?”

“You have much to learn Twilight Sparkle,” Maxie said.

Twilight stood astounded at how he knew her name. “How did you...”

“Twilight,” Maxie responded, smiling at her. “In order to take the appearance of somepony,” he disappeared inside his cloak and came back out in the guise of Twilight, “You’ve got to know about that pony.”

Twilight sat down, dumbfounded at this magic. She never would have believed you could take the form of somepony else, let alone perform feats that only that pony could do.

“However,” he said, turning back into his former self. “I can’t do everything that the other pony could accomplish; specifically speaking, I can’t do actions that require lots of power or magic, such as Rainbow Dash’s sonic rainboom or Celestia’s and Luna’s raising of the sun and moon.”

“Now, to answer your questions,” he exclaimed. “I am on the road with my sister to see and study how stage performing works, and to try and solve any problems she has brought with her to each town. The reason I don’t have a show of my own is because, as my talent shows, I often hide in the crowd away from all the attention. I don’t usually boast or stage perform unless I have a reason, such as now to explain who I am.”

“How long are ya’ll stayin’ here?” Applejack said, dusting off her hat which had fallen off in astonishment.

“We only came to Ponyville to stop for supplies and a possible apology,” Maxie glanced at Trixie for a response, but only got a scoff from the proud mare. “We shall be leaving tomorrow at dawn. If there are no more questions, we shall be taking our leave.”

At the response of a silent crowd, Maxie and Trixie left the stage, folding it back into the small caravan. Trixie left to get more supplies from the town while Maxie went to Twilight and her friends.

“I have heard from Trixie that you girls are the ones who got the horn of the bull?” Maxie asked, trotting up to the six ponies.

“Yeah, what about it?” Applejack walked up to Maxie and crossed her front legs.

“Well, I know that Trixie will not learn how to apologize until much later in her life,” he said, shuffling his hooves in embarrassment. “So, I came to apologize for her.”

“I appreciate your offer, but if it’s not comin’ from Trixie, then it ain’t sincere.”

“AJ,” Twilight retorted. “At least say thanks.”

“Sorry Twi,” she turned around and confronted the unicorn. “But if that pony is too boastful to even apologize for her wrong doin’, then it doesn’t sound right comin’ from another.”

Applejack trotted off, followed closely by the other four ponies. Twilight stood in place, a concerned look swept across her face.

“They don’t trust me.”

She turned her head around and saw that Maxie stood right next to her.

“I wouldn’t say that,” she replied, feeling his strong aura pulsating in the air. She turned her head back to watch the other ponies walk off.

“It’s pretty obvious Twilight. I tried to apologize twice, and they still won’t accept it.”

Maxie looked down at the ground, sorrow in his eyes. “I love my sister, but she’s naive in life and gets herself into so much trouble. I usually have to resolve these problems, but sometimes the pain she brings is too strong for even the most forgiving of ponies to understand.”

Twilight turned her head back and put her hoof onto Maxie’s shoulder. “It’s alright Maxie. I forgive her and respect your trust towards your sister.”

Maxie looked up at Twilight, smiling through soft eyes. “Thank you so much Twilight. It really makes me feel wonderful hearing you say that. I have to go now, so if you’ll excuse me.”

He gave Twilight a hug, and walked off towards the caravan. She watched him go off, amazed at the power and grace he carried himself with. After he disappeared from view, she proceeded home to continue her studies.

The Truth about Lies

Applejack slammed her hooves against the tough bark which caused the apples above to fall like rain into her basket. She looked up towards the trees and gave a sigh of appreciation. The orchard was more beautiful than ever today, and the apples glistened like stars with the morning dew.

It had been a couple days since Trixie and Maxie had been in Ponyville. Fascinated gossip turned to mere chatter since their departure and everypony had gone back to working like nothing changed.

“APPLEJACK!!”

She turned her head to the source of the sound and spotted a very cross-looking Rainbow Dash floating over her.

“Well howdy Rainbow,” she said, kicking the tree again. “Great day we’re havin’, ain’t it? Why ya here?”

“The better question is, why are YOU here??” Rainbow slowly drifted downward and stopped right above Applejack, hovering a few feet away.

“What are ya talkin’ about, sugarcube?”

“I’m talking about you saying you needed me today!” She flew straight into Applejack’s face, meeting her gaze. “I waited for three hours in Ponyville for you, and you never showed up!”

Applejack gave her a confused look. “What in the hay are you talkin’ about? I never asked ya for anythin’.”

“You asked me two days ago to help you with something in Ponyville. You told me to meet you in the town square today and you never showed up!”

“I did no such thing.”

“I can clearly remember you with your muddy hat and southern accent. It’s not that hard to remember, sugarcube.” She mocked Applejack’s voice on the last word.

“I don’t remember askin’ ya for anythin’.”

“Well, you did!!”
  “I did not!”

“Hmph.” Rainbow moved back, crossing her front legs and looking at Applejack displeasingly. “Sounds like a liar to me.”

“LIAR?!” Applejack glared at Rainbow. “Of all your friends to call a liar, you throw the most honest one under the wagon?”

“Well, you’re not being honest now!” Rainbow flew into her face again, glaring into her eyes.

“Rainbow, on my honor, I am speaking words of truth!” Applejack glared back at her, the intensity sparking between them.

“Maybe through your false teeth!”

“I’m tellin’ the truth!!”

“You are not!!!”

“Hey darlings,” Rarity said as she encountered the two ponies. “What’s going-”

“Hmph.” Rainbow got out of Applejack’s face and flew away, leaving a cross orange mare in her wake.

“Well, what was that fuss about?” Rarity asked.

Applejack turned back to bucking trees. “It’s nothin’, Rarity.”

“Are you sure, sweetie?”

“Course I am. Whatcha need?”

Rarity looked into her eyes, concern etched on her face. “Well, I was going to ask you if you could help me with a dress I was making, but seeing this awful confrontation...”

“It’s ok Rarity,” Applejack gave her a sweet smile. “I’d be happy to help.”

“Oh, thank you ever so much Applejack,” Rarity gave a big smile. “Come to my boutique whenever you have the time. Au revoir!” At that, Rarity turned around and left.

Applejack continued to buck some more apples before she left, thinking about what Rainbow had said. ‘Callin’ me a liar,’ she thought. ‘The nerve of that pony...’

“Sweetie Belle,” Rarity asked. “Can you please go grab me some ribbon?”

“You’re really letting me help you sis?”

“Of course, sweetie.”

“ALRIGHT!!!... Umm... Where is the ribbon?”

“Oh silly.” Rarity chuckled at her sister’s confusion. “I’ll get it.”

Rarity walked to her shelves and grabbed the orange ribbon. “Do you think you could go fetch me some water?”

“Of course sis! I’ll be a... Umm... ‘Water Fetcher’!” She scurried out of the room, leaving a high-spirited Rarity to giggle at the young filly’s enthusiasm.

‘Sweetie Belle sure is growing up,’ Rarity thought. ‘I wonder what will happen to all this excitement when she finds her cutie mark. Hopefully it will continue through and through.’ She went back to her sewing, weaving the ribbon carefully through the dress.

Rarity was surprised, to say the least. Many days she had at least one customer an hour, and her boutique was usually bustling with action. Today, she had no customers at all. Rarity did recall seeing a couple ponies arguing across from her boutique, and another couple when she went outside to get her mail. She noted that tension was high between ponies in town, but she paid no heed to it, not wanting to barge into other ponies problems.

“Hey sis! Applejack is here to see you!”

Rarity turned around and saw Sweetie Belle with Applejack by her side. She smiled towards the farmer and received a smile back.

“Thank you sweetie.” She levitated the glass of water from Sweetie Belle and took a sip. “So, what can I do for you today, Applejack?”

Applejack gave her a quizzical look. “What? You asked me to come over here, remember?”

Rarity returned AJ’s look with a puzzled look of her own. “I don’t ever recall asking for you, my dear.”

“You went to my farm earlier today an’ asked me to help with your dressmakin’.”

“Darling, I’ve been here all day taking care of Sweetie Belle. I never left the boutique.”

“Rarity, I’m sure I saw you!”

Rarity shook her head. “I’m sorry Applejack, but I’m telling the truth, even ask Sweetie Belle.” She gestured to the little filly, who responded with a rapid nod of her head.

“Ugh!” Applejack turned around to head out. “First Rainbow calls me a liar, then you waste my time.”

“Wait, Rainbow Dash called you a liar? What happened?”

“Like you wouldn’t know.”

“I honestly don’t know Applejack. What happ-”

Applejack swung around and faced Rarity. “You saw me and Rainbow fight! I talked to ya! I know that you went to my farm Rarity, I saw you!!”

Rarity gave her a stern look. “I swear that I did not leave this boutique, and I definitely did not go to your farm, Applejack.”

“Hmph. I’m done playin’ games. I need to go actually do some work.” Applejack left her room and headed downstairs to leave. Rarity turned back to her work, trying to keep her composure.

“Hey Applejack!” came a voice from downstairs. “What’s going on?”

*SLAM*

Twilight appeared through the door, concern spread across her face.

“Hi Rarity. Is something wrong with Applejack?”

“She had a fight with Rainbow Dash earlier today, then fought with my sis,” Sweetie Belle said, before getting a puzzled look on her muzzle. “I think.”

Rarity gave a stern look to the young filly, implying that that conversation was over. “It’s nothing my dear. What brings you here to my boutique?”

Twilight’s concern twisted her face into a frown. “I was going to ask you if you could help me with a spell, but I can go ask another pony if need be.”

“I can do that,” she said, threading a dress through the sewing machine. “When do you need me?”

“Actually, forget about it. I don’t need to do it today.” Twilight turned around and headed for the door.

“No, it’s quite alright Twilight,” she tried to reassure the purple unicorn with a smile.

“Are you sure?”

“Of course, my dear. Am I not the element of generosity?” She batted her eyelashes, showing off her beautiful sapphire eyes.

“Well, alright. Thank you for helping me Rarity. Come by my library when you have the time.” Twilight showed a slight smile and walked downstairs.

“Sis?”

“What is it, Sweetie Belle?”

“If both you and Applejack were telling the truth, then who is telling the lie?”

Rarity thought about this question for a second. With nothing coming to mind, she shrugged her shoulders.

“I don’t know. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens.”

Spike rushed around the library, looking for the book Twilight requested. He finally found it, laying next to “Old Teachings Taught by the Old Teachers”, and brought it to her.

“Thank you Spike,” she responded, levitating the book to her stand.

“If I may ask Twilight, why do you need ‘Ancient Spells of Ponymorphic Proportions’?” Spike asked.

“Because,” Twilight answered, turning her head to the small dragon. “That Maxie character intrigued me a lot on how he performed those spells and his talents. I want to try and figure out how he became so knowledgeable.”

Spike’s mouth grew into a smirk as he tried to contain a laugh.

“Or... Maybe it’s because you like him?”

Twilight turned around, her purple cheeks turning a rosy indigo. “Honestly Spike, I have no idea what you are talking about.”

Spike stifled a laugh and went back to cleaning the strewn books on the floor. Twilight attempted to read the book, but the thought of Maxie’s powers kept invading her space, causing her to drift out of focus.

“Spike,” yelled Twilight. “I’m going to make something to eat. Do you want anything?”

“No thanks,” came the response. Twilight shrugged and went to the kitchen. She levitated ingredients over a pot of water for soup and dropped them in surprise from the doorbell.

“Hey Spike, can you get the door? I’m kinda busy.”

“Sure thing!” The scratching of dragon claws reassured her of his task being completed.

“Hello? Oh, h-h-hi R-r-ra-rar-ohh.” Twilight overheard a body collapsing on the floor and rushed into the room. Rarity stood at the door, confused at the dragon’s reaction to her appearance. Sweetie Belle stood next to her, just as confused.

“Why hello Rarity. What happened to Spike?”

Rarity looked up at Twilight and smiled. “Greetings Twilight. He passed out right as he opened the door, almost as if he saw a ghost.”

‘More like Cupid,’ thought Twilight to herself, and she chuckled. “Alright. So what is the occasion? Need a designer’s book?”

Rarity laughed. “No, silly. I’m here to help you with a couple spells, remember?”

“I don’t remember asking you anything.”

Rarity blinked and slightly laughed again. “Of course you did, dear. You came by my boutique earlier today. Even Sweetie Belle saw you.” At this, Sweetie nodded her head.

Twilight shook her head. “I never went to the boutique today. Even ask Spike.”

“She didn’t,” came the faint, muffled response.

“But I saw you!” Rarity exclaimed, her voice hinting confusion and irritation. “I saw you come through my door and ask me to help you.”

Twilight shook her head again. “I’m sorry Rarity. Maybe you were mistaken because you were working?”

“How can I be mistaken? You’re one of a kind!”

“Well, in this world, yes. But in other worlds and dimensions, there could be several versions of m-”

“UGH!” Rarity threw her head up in disbelief. “This doesn’t make any sense. Applejack gets in a fight with Rainbow Dash, then comes and explodes at me, and now you’re saying that I’m lying? I told myself to stay out of affairs, and now I know why. I don’t have time for this.” Rarity stormed out of the library.

“Rarity, wait!” yelled Twilight as she ran outside, only to receive silence from the angered mare. Sweetie Belle hopped out of the library to follow Rarity.

“Sweetie Belle, can I ask you a question?”

Sweetie stopped mid-hop and spun towards Twilight. “Sure thing Twilight! What’s up?”

“Umm... What happened with your sister? And what was she talking about?”

Sweetie’s grin faded a little as she thought over the day. “Well... Applejack went to my sister’s boutique earlier today and said that my sis was at the farm when she wasn’t. Then AJ said something about... Umm... Rainbow Dash being mad at her. Then you arrived.”

“Sweetie Belle!” Rarity’s stern voice called for her sister. “Let’s go!”

“Coming sis!” Sweetie smiled towards Twilight, told her goodbye, and hopped off towards the boutique.

Twilight pondered what the filly said as she opened the door, only to find a peeping Spike. Twilight gave a slight smirk when she saw the dragon.

“And who was saying something about ‘liking’ other ponies?”

Spike blushed. “I-I wasn’t stalking, I was listening to you and Sweetie Belle.”

Twilight’s smirk quickly faded. “Speaking of which, isn’t that strange? I mean, that ponies are where they aren’t? It’s physically impossible!”

“Impossible? I wouldn’t say impossible. Maybe they did lie to each other?”

“But Spike. I wasn’t lying, and you know I wasn’t. Something deeper than what we think is happening.”

Spike shrugged his shoulders and walked off. “Maybe they saw another pony and was mistaken.”

Twilight thought upon what Spike said. “Maybe they did see another pony,” she said, “and he was disguised...”

She decided on going to Applejack’s farm to try and figure out all the confusion. She turned around to head out the door, and got her face slammed by Snips and Snails, who had barged through.

“Hey guys,” yelled Snails. “Where are you? We have an announcement to make.”

“Right here,” mumbled Twilight from behind the door, sliding slowly to the floor. Once she regained her composure, she glanced to the two colts, still recovering from her head injury as she placed a hoof on it. “This better not be an announcement that Pinkie is having an ear flop, eye-flutter, knee-twitch.”

The two colts gave weird looks to Twilight.

“What...?” asked Snips, before shaking his head rapidly. “Never mind that, we have to come quick!”

“Let me guess...” groaned the impatient mare. “Is it Trixie?”

“Eh hehe... Not exactly,” replied Snips.

“Maxie?”

“Not him either.”

“Well then tell me!” The stress of the situation finally got to Twilight as she glared at the two colts.

Snips jumped back, startled to see this side of Twilight. Snails stood still, blankly staring at her, and said, “Princess Celestia has come to Ponyville to make an announcement.”

Twilight couldn’t control herself. Angered at what was going on, she took a couple steps towards Snails.

“You better not be joking with me,” she said. “I have too many problems going on right now to take any jokes. Is Celestia really here in Ponyville?”

“Yes,” replied Snails, with a nod from Snips reassuring the answer.

Without another word, Twilight galloped outside, headed towards the main plaza.

‘There is no way Princess Celestia can be here,’ she thought. ‘She wouldn’t come unannounced, at least not to me.’

Twilight arrived at the town square to find a crowd had already formed outside of a roughly built stage. Ponies murmured amongst themselves as Twilight took a look at her surroundings and walked through the crowd. She finally found Applejack on the outskirts of the audience, her legs crossed in her normal fashion and her hat hung low on her head.

“Hi Applejack,” Twilight said as she approached the mare, receiving a slight tip of the hat for acknowledgement. “What’s going on?”

“Apparently the princess is makin’ an appearance today to talk about somethin’ important,” said Applejack. “Of all days to come though, she had to choose today.”

“You mean about Rarity and Rainbow?” Twilight asked.

Applejack nodded. “Them ponies think I lied to them. Me! The Element of Honesty!” She scoffed at the thought and moved her hat over her muzzle.

Twilight didn’t know what else to say, so she just watched the stage until it was time for the announcement.

Princess Celestia walked onto the stage, her wings extended and looking as graceful as always. To Twilight’s surprise, she had no accompanying fanfare or guards around her as she made her entrance.

“Greetings everypony,” she said, her voice carrying like the wind. “I apologize for the sudden appearance here, but I have a confession to make to all of you, especially for you little ponies who have had recent quarrels with others as of late.”

Quiet murmurs of concern started spreading through the crowd, wondering what the princess meant by a confession. Twilight turned her head to Applejack to see her hat was tilted upward in curiosity, her eyes trained on the princess.

Princess Celestia looked out over the crowd, and a slight smile grew across her face.

“I see you’re all wondering how I know this. Well, to be honest, I am not who you think I am.”

She flapped her wings and raised herself above the stage, the crowd watching with confused eyes. Her horn started to glow, and she was surrounded by a bright light for a brief second. Everypony except Twilight shielded their eyes from the light. Twilight knew who it was, and watched the spectacle from start to finish.

When the flash had dimmed, everypony looked back to the stage to see a black stallion standing in the steed of Celestia. The crowd started to groan and complain, and turned to head back to their homes.

“Wait everypony,” Maxie yelled out, trying not to sound desperate. “Please don’t go. If I hadn’t been Princess Celestia, you would have not come here to hear my confession.”

“What confession are you talking about?” yelled a cream-colored mare, a cross look across her face. “I have better things to do, like ignore my friend, than to listen to you, so if this doesn’t concern me, I’m going to be on my way.” She turned around and started walking off.

“Actually...” came a pleasant voice from the stage, causing everypony to turn back around. “It concerns all of you.”

The cream colored mare turned around and covered her mouth with her hooves, almost bursting into tears when she saw the mint-colored unicorn standing on the stage, looking straight at her. A simple flash and Maxie turned back into his own self.

“Now,” he announced proudly, knowing he had the audience’s attention. “Here is my confession. Since my visit with my sister, I have been hiding in and around the town, changing into ponies and doing little things for my own amusement. I had done this in previous towns we visited, and nothing serious ever happened. It always ended in fun, and so I never noticed what I was doing.”

He hung his head, looking down at the ground in sorrow.

“I knew that this town was hit hardest on Trixie’s visits, but in my mind I didn’t think that was a problem, so I went ahead with my shenanigans. After a couple days, I noticed friends arguing, ponies in bad tempers, and overall terrible behavior, and I knew I had caused it all.”

His eyes started to water, getting to the hard part of his confession. Twilight noted how brave he was to accept facts and how truthful he was being, even though she knew he had done it.

“I finally decided I had to stop,” he said. “But I didn’t know how to make it right. I figured that if a visit from the princess would get this town wrecked in a matter of minutes, a sudden appearance would have everyone in the town come to hear the announcement. From there, I was actually unsure of where to go, but here we are now.”

He looked towards the crowd, meeting everyone’s eyes. He stopped at Twilight and gave her a smile, causing her to blush a little. Applejack simply scoffed and continued watching him.

“So, now that you know what has happened, I can now say that I’m sorry. I’m sorry that I went into your personal lives, I’m sorry if I messed with you, and I hope you all will accept my apology.”

He stood on the platform and bowed to the audience in a genuine fashion, then walked off. Ponies started to drift apart, some off to their homes and others to the stage. Applejack had already gone off, so Twilight walked towards the stage. She went around the back and found Maxie talking to Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Applejack. After he stopped talking, the three mares gave him a hug in comfort and walked off. Twilight decided that this would be a good time to talk with him, so she walked up next to him.

“I’m glad your friends are so forgiving,” he said, a slight smile on his face as they watched the three mares walk off. “I was dreading a decline of my apology, especially from Applejack.”

“Well,” she replied, looking towards him. “You definitely did what was not expected from your sister, so I guess they knew that you were genuine with it.”

Maxie looked back at her, his silver eyes shined with welled-up tears. “I assume you knew what was going on once Rarity went to your house, right?”

She nodded her head. “I didn’t understand at first, but after a little thinking I figured it out.”

Maxie closed his eyes and nodded, turning his head back to the town. “When I did this trick in other towns, like Manehattan and Canterlot, I would show myself after I did the joke so they knew it was for fun. It all ended in good fun, even for those ponies. I used Ponyville for a test to see what happens if I didn’t show myself, mainly for the fact that Ponyville is not as hoity toity as the other towns. You can see as clear as I can that the results weren’t what I expected.”

“But that’s what experiments are for, and at least you learned that some things don’t work and that others do.”

He nodded his head again. “Indeed. Good thing you are such a good student.” He turned his eyes towards her and winked. She turned her head back to the town, blushing again.

“I must be off,” he said as he faced her. “My sister probably has gotten halfway to home at this point, and I don’t want her to get into too much trouble on the way.”

He gave her a kiss on the cheek, turning her rosy blush into an indigo facial. He smiled at her and covered himself in his cloak, disappearing in a flash and leaving a dove in his wake. Twilight watched the dove fly off, putting her hoof on her cheek and smiling.

“So girls,” Twilight said. “You ready to write the letter?”

“Mhmm,” replied Rarity, Applejack and Rainbow Dash.

“Spike, take a note please.”

“Alrighty,” replied Spike, pulling out a pen and scroll paper.

“Dear Princess Celestia,” started Applejack. “It’s great to have friends, especially when your friends like to help you and others out.”

“But,” continued Rarity. “If your friend says that something is not true, you should take them for their word, even if it sounds preposterous.”

“Otherwise,” Rainbow Dash retorted. “You’ll end up with crummy friendships, and that’s no good.”

“Signed,” Applejack finished. “Your Loyal Subjects.”

After Spike sent the letter with a glittery flame, the four friends exchanged goodbyes and left the library, leaving the purple unicorn to go back to her studies. She raised her feathery pen and started writing.

“Hey Spike, could you bring me a book please?”

With no response, she turned around, her pen still writing.

“Spike? You there?”

Her gaze fell on the dragon clutching his stomach and a note magically appearing from his mouth.

“A response already?” she exclaimed, raising the scroll to her face. “That was fast.”

Pushing the thought that the scroll looked different than usual out of her mind, she began to read out loud.

“Dear Twilight Sparkle, I hope that you are well. It’s been a couple of days since we last spoke, but this couldn’t wait much longer. I’m actually about to start traveling on my own, and wouldn’t have access to give you this.”

She gave a quizzical look to Spike, who only shrugged. She decided to continue reading.

“The fact is, you gave me inspiration to try this on my own without my sister, so for that I thank you. I even have a stage name, and I find it brilliant if I do say so myself. Maxiemillion Galactica... Yeah, that’s a good name.”

She smirked at this with Spike trying to contain a chuckle. She continued reading.

“But I digress. I hope you are doing well, and maybe I’ll visit Ponyville on my travels. We can get together and talk about a multitude of things, and maybe even try pranking your friends, if you so wish. Anyways, that’s all I got left to say. Hope to see you later. Sincerely yours, Maxiemillion Galactica, a.k.a Maxie.”

“P.S. I included a perfect fire ruby for Spike in the next delivery, in apologies for the big package.”

When she finished reading, she turned her head to see Spike clutching his stomach again and groaning a bit. He let out a gigantic flame, causing Twilight to jump behind her hatrack in surprise. When the flame died down, a book and a fire ruby laid in its wake. Spike went straight for the ruby and ran upstairs, trying to find his jewel tuner to see if Maxie was correct. Twilight smirked at his excitement and levitated the book, reading the title aloud.

“‘The Peculiar Practice of Ponymorphy.’ So this is what he used to learn how to do those spells.”

She flipped the book around to see that it was a good sized book; at least 4000 pages if her calculations were correct. ‘This’ll be a good read,’ she thought and put it on her stand, moving the paper she was writing to the side.

“Oh no you don’t Owlowiscious! I know you’ll try and eat my jewel!”

Twilight tuned her ears above her, listening to the conversation happening upstairs.

“Who?” replied Owlowiscious.

“You! You’ll try and eat my jewel, but it’s mine!”

“Who!”

“Me, Spike!”

“Who?”

“URRRGHH!!!”

Twilight chuckled and shook her head, not believing Spike still falls for that trick. She also thought about why Maxie sent it now, why he couldn’t send it later, and why he did this anyways.

‘But enough of that,’ she thought. She flipped open the book, excited to see what was inside, and saw that it was a lot of text and ancient writing.

“Oh boy,” she said. “This is going to be a long night.”