Inside Twilight’s castle of friendship, Trixie was busy bragging to other ponies about her most recent achievement, and while most times ponies would be annoyed with her by then, a few of them were all too busy gazing at her medal. The Equestrian Pink Heart of Courage worn around Trixie’s neck glistened all too noticeably in the light for her to be ignored that day. Twilight, Starlight and Celestia hadn’t seen her behave this confidently about herself in a long while. Twilight was even a little surprised to find herself enjoying the nostalgia of how boastful Trixie could truly be.
It had been a good while into the party, and Twilight had just given Starlight her mirror. That’s when Trixie overheard Celestia from the far side of the room say to Luna, “I should go have a word with Trixie. If you’ll excuse me…”
Trixie was just in the middle of telling everypony her version of the story again when she heard this. Discord was in the middle of correcting her as far as what had actually happened when she suddenly said, “And with that, Trixie leaves you all. Celestia requires Trixie’s presence, she believes.”
She left them abruptly, and turned to face her approaching mentor. All Celestia had to do was smile Trixie’s way, and she then walk out the entrance. Trixie followed close behind, and once enough ponies were far enough away, Trixie spoke while headed down the long, narrow hallway, “You don’t think Trixie’s being too boastful, do you?”
“It could be toned down, but it’s good to see that you’re enjoying yourself. All in all, I just wanted to say, it seems you’ve progressed rather admirably as of late.”
Trixie walked side by side with Celestia, her medal jingling energetically with every trot she made. “Trixie didn’t really know what she was getting into that day, when she left Canterlot. A lot has happened since she last saw you, but…”
As they reached the end, they found nothing more but a round, yellow, stained glass window and one door leading to the furthermost closet of the castle. Celestia finished for Trixie as they stood there, “Little time has actually passed. I know... In that short amount of time, though, I was able to come up with a new activity for you to embark on.”
“What might that be?” Trixie asked.
“I want you to go out into the world, and do as you were before you became my student. Put your new skills to practice, but most importantly, you should make a new friend.”
Trixie tilted her head in confusion, and asked with a slight attitude, “A new friend? But, Trixie’s already made so many friends. There’s Starlight Glimmer, Twilight Sparkle, Wolf, Druid Shield, Moon Dancer, and, uh…”
Celestia took the opportunity to speak up while Trixie lost count. “I would still think it best if you made another new friend.
“Why?”
Celestia simply blinked, and said, “Because friendship is magic, of course.”
Trixie blinked as well, and brought her hoof up to her lip. “Friendship is magic, huh?”
The words seemed to repeat themselves over and over again in her head. Celestia said, “It’s a saying that actually pertains to the whole, wide world as we know it. You may not understand it, Trixie, but all of the world you see around you is because of friendship. That… is one of the most important lessons that I wish to teach you; that friendship is magic.”
Trixie shrugged, and said, “If you say so, you’re highness. Friendship is magic, and stuff.” She then breathed deeply with raised eyebrows, and admitted, “Trixie hasn’t got much of an idea as to where she should start, though. She supposes audience members don’t count?”
Celestia giggled at this, and said while shaking her head, “No, they don’t.”
“Trixie supposes she could go to a town she hasn’t been to yet, and start from there…”
Celestia asked, “Do you have any place in particular that comes to mind?”
Trixie shook her head. “No, Trixie doesn’t. She’ll have to check the map, and see… Then again…”
Celestia pried, “Yes?”
“There’s Fenceland… Trixie was going to go there after Canterlot before she ended up meeting you, since it’s just down the mountain from Canterlot. Ponyville would’ve been her next stop after that. Trixie forgot all about checking out that small, rural town… Perhaps, she’ll start there.”
Celestia nodded slowly, and thought for a second. “My apologies for changing the subject, but had I known you’d end up doing what you did for your friend, Starlight Glimmer, I might’ve made you better equipped to face the changelings.”
Trixie joked, “What fun would that’ve been? Besides, Trixie did just fine. She just… missed you the whole time is all.”
Celestia couldn’t help but to sigh at this, and grasped Trixie in one of her hooves. She then said into Trixie’s ear, “I can’t begin to tell you how proud I am of you… Of Twilight, too, and Starlight, and everypony… You’ve all done such a fantastic job at spreading friendship all over Equestria…” Celestia released Trixie, and asked, “What would you like as a reward, Trixie? I’ve asked everypony else donning the Heart except you.”
Of course, Trixie was slightly caught off guard, but while she looked down the hallway, she came to a decision rather quickly. She held her medal in her hoof, and said, “Actually, this is all I really wanted. To be noticed, and appreciated, but not just for being some stage pony. Trixie wanted to be recognized for being something much more than that. This medal… This Heart is all Trixie ever really wanted. And… friendship as well. Trixie could use friendship from time to time.”
Celestia chimed, “You have my friendship at all times.” She then frowned, and asked Trixie with a bit of awe in her voice, “Does that mean you don’t want a nice, hefty pile of bits before you’re on your way?”
Predictably, Trixie wouldn’t deny that such a gift could definitely be useful. However, she also told Celestia, “I’m actually not ready to leave Ponyville just yet, though. Starlight’s informed Trixie of how she wishes to do some magical training with Trixie. So, hope you don’t mind, but Trixie was hoping she could just… put off the assignment until she completes her training with Starlight?”
Celestia looked at Trixie, her smirk still present. She nodded, and said, “Very well. Shall we return to the party?”
Trixie trailed alongside her mentor, back to where the festivities were being held. For the most part, things just wound down from then, and it wouldn’t be long until the next day arrived. The weeks spent with Starlight went by, and during that time, Trixie learned a fair deal about magic. This included how to turn things into teacups. Eventually, however, it would come time for Trixie to depart from Ponyville, if only for a short period of time. After all, the assignment Celestia wanted Trixie to do wasn’t going to get done in a town where everypony knew who Trixie was.
The End