//------------------------------//
// Epilogue 
// Story: Of Two Minds 
// by CTVulpin 
//------------------------------//

As a result of her role in stopping Gilda’s gang, and Celestia putting in a good word for her, Trixie was able to spend a couple days in Ponyville to re-supply for her trip to Manehatten.  However, despite taking the stage to make a formal apology for her rude behavior in the past, the showmare was denied the opportunity to publically rehearse her new act.  She made do with practicing out in Whitetail Wood with Twilight, Spike, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash for company.  The showmare and the prismatic pegasus continued to butt egos from time to time, but the others were able to keep them in line.

When the day came for Trixie to leave, Twilight and company met up at the edge of town to see her off.  “Good luck,” Pinkie said.  The sentiment was echoed by Fluttershy, AJ, and Rarity.
“After all you’ve done, you better knock ‘em off their hooves,” Dash said, giving Trixie a challenging smile.
“Thank you,” Trixie said, returning the smile, “I’ll be sure to give you proper credit when I talk about how I saved Ponyville from a marauding army of griffons; you’ll be the fearless defender who held out until Trixie could arrive.”
Dash mulled that over in her mind and then smirked.  “Darn right,” she said.
“Of course,” Trixie continued with a mischievous glint in her eye, “it may be more dramatic if you were to die seconds before Trixie could get to you.”  Dash’s smug look vanished, the pegasus puzzling over whether that was a good thing or not.
Have a safe trip Trixe,” Twilight said, horn aglow as she floated a scroll toward the showmare.  Trixie took the scroll and looked at it curiously.  “That’s a copy of the wing-making spell,” Twilight explained, “I thought you might like to have it, just in case someone challenges you to fly again.”
“Oh,” Trixie said, surprised, “Thank you.  I’ll put it to good use.”  She opened the wagon door and dropped the scroll inside.
“Feel free to stop by if you’re ever in the area again,” Twilight said, “I can’t speak for everypony in town, but my door will always be open for you.  And if you still feel you need to test your skills against mine…”
Trixie chuckled.  “Oh, don’t you worry about that Twilight Sparkle,” she said, “Having you in my head for over a day has given me more than enough opportunity to come to terms with our differences.”  She turned away and stepped up into her wagon.  Pausing in the doorway, she looked back with a smug smile and said, “However, the Great and Powerful Trixie never turns down a challenge.  If you’re ever itching to prove yourself, I’ll be waiting for you in Manehatten.”  She took the last few steps into the wagon, closed the lower half of the door, and turned around to look out at the group.  With a final “Farewell!” she activated her horn and guided the wagon down the road.  



Dear Princess Celestia,
Your student, Twilight Sparkle, has given me a brief overview about her studies on “The Magic of Friendship,” and encouraged me to attempt to write a report of my own.  I

If you are reading this, it means I, Trixie, have decided that I have indeed learned some things that I would not mind telling you about.
First, I’ve learned that friendships can arise from the oddest of situations.  It wouldn’t be an exaggeration that the time I spent with Twilight in my head is the closest I have ever been to another pony, but even so, she’s the only pony besides my parents I can recall spending time with outside of my stage persona.  At times it felt like she was trying too hard to make me happy, but I can tell she can be a reliable anchor when things get rough.  She probably had me on her list of friends before I was even willing to consider the possibility.
From Rainbow Dash, I learned that being loyal to one’s friends can occasionally lead to pain and disappointment.  It takes a strong heart to be ready to forgive and forget old wounds, but an even stronger one to get through the moments where you realize that those wounds might never heal.  I do hope that Dash learned from me and Twilight that true friends never stop giving each other second chances.  The griffon, Gilda, may never change her ways, but for Dash’s sake I hope she does.
Lastly, I’ve learned what may be the most important lesson of all: if you want to make a friend, be a friend.

Sincerely,
Trixie

P.S. On behalf of Mr. Proscenium Arch, I’d like to cordially invite you and Princess Luna to the opening night of the Silver Halter’s new season, starring none other than the Great and Powerful Trixie.  It would be an honor to perform for you, and this time the show should reach its proper conclusion.