//------------------------------// // Chapter 28: No Second Prances // Story: Light and Dark: Road to Redemption // by MXCDarkHorse2020 //------------------------------// Chapter 28: No Second Prances Inside the castle, Twilight has gathered Starlight together for her first attempted lesson to Starlight Glimmer a friendship lesson while carrying a tray of dishes and utensils. "First lesson of the day…" Twilight began as she placed a plate on the table with her mouth then briefly adjusted the setting of it so that it’s perfect in place. "…We very carefully set the table without using magic, so that…Yikes!" She screamed as she ducked down as her student had quickly used her magic to set the table in a matter of seconds. "Did you...?! How? When? What?!" She exclaimed in shock. "What?" Starlight asked confused by her surprised exclamations. "I said no magic.” Twilight clarified as she recovered from her brief shock. “You were supposed to do it by hoof so that I could work in a friendship lesson." "Oh, I heard 'set the table' and just went for it?" Starlight apologetically replied. "Well, if you hadn't used magic, you'd have heard me say, uh...." Twilight told Starlight before she paused realizing that she trully didn’t think through of how she was going to work it into friendship lesson. "This plate represents your head, this spoon is your heart, and the knives... are sharp! Always be careful with knives." She gave up and sighed. "The metaphors make more sense when you’re actually setting the table. I was just trying to find a new friendship lesson for you out of this but came up empty-hoofed." “Should I... change it back?" Starlight asked feeling a little apologetic for immediately using her magic to set the table without letting her mentor fully explain the insturctions. “No, it’s okay.” Twilight assured her it’s no big deal. “I just want to make sure you're ready for this dinner. Princess Celestia will be joining us tomorrow night to see how your friendship lessons are going!" “If it's just you, me, and Princess Celestia, why are there four seats? Isn’t Spike out for another guy’s night with Big Mac?" Starlight questioned the place seat format while noting that Spike isn’t attending because he’s not someone who enjoys formal dinners and had already made plans to spend time with Big for another guy’s night. "He is. The reason there is a fourth place setting is for your new friend.” Twilight answered. "The whole point is for you to bring a new friend. That way, the princess will see for herself just how far you've come. And how good a teacher you have." She added with a nudge on Starlight’s shoulder with a knowing smirk. "Well I can’t choose I like all of your friends." Starlight responded she has no idea who to choose out of the Mane Five. “That’s the best part! You have to make a new friend.” Twilight told her as she smiled. “Really?” Starlight asked surprised by that. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? I mean I know you trying to get me more adjusted to friendship but I’m honestly not sure that if anypony is just going to willing offer their friendship to me especially after learning of my past.” She honestly expressed her doubts over it. “I’m sure.” Twilight replied to ease Starlight when she is nervous at the thought. "I know this is hard, but by doing so you get to prove to other ponies that you really have changed. Think of this as your next friendship lesson, another opportunity for you to expand your friendship more out of our inner circle while you’re at it." "A new friend, huh?" Starlight pondered as she thought of something. "Hey, maybe I'll just force friendships by magically enslaving the entire population of Ponyville!" "Starlight!" Twilight scolded with a cross expression like she was serious. "Just kidding! I was just joking!" Starlight responded as she laughed nervously with a wide smile as Twilight sighed as she refrains from saying something harsh to her student. “Just please try to refrain from saying something like that at the dinner tomorrow.” Twilight kindly asked of her. “I know you didn’t mean anything by it but I just don’t want this to come as a big step backwards instead of forwards in your lessons.” “Of course.” Starlight obliged to her request as she wonders how she is going to make a new friend outside of the Mane Six. Later she trotted out and around Ponyville in search of her new friend. "Let's see. Make new friends in Ponyville, the friendliest place in Equestria. Shouldn't be hard..." She said to herself as Pinkie popped her head to face Starlight and took her by surprise. “Need to make a new friend.” Pinkie eagerly offered as she pulled her into Sugarcube Corner. "Starlight Glimmer, meet Mrs. Cake. Mrs. Cake, this is Starlight Glimmer, a new friend of mine." Pinkie introduced the unicorn to the cake baker who was just putting frosting on her cake. "How are you dearie?" Mrs. Cake greeted. "Are you baking?" Starlight asked, hoping she'd found common ground with her as she really took an interest. "Can I help?" She then used her magic to pull out everything she needs in order to make a cake and just in a matter of seconds managed to whip up a cake in the blink of an eye. “Look what your new friend made you!” Pinkie told Mrs. Cake as Starlight presents her the cake with her magic. “Ha, ha, ha, new friend I like the sound of…” Mrs. Cake paid little attention to what Starlight had just created until she saw the cake herself. "Howza-wowza!" She exclaimed. “A-Are you trying to put me out of business with your fancy magical-thingy-whatsit cake?!” She immediately accused Starlight as she places the cake aside on one of the counters beside her as she looks at her apologetically. "No.” Starlight said innocently and glumly feeling hurt as she was just hit with a hard-hitting accusation. “I wasn’t trying to upstage you. I was just trying to befriend you by making you this cake.” She then said as she picked up the cake with her magic and made her way towards the door with a downcast expression. “Sorry for wasting your time.” “Wait, Starlight!” Pinkie called out to her to stop her from leaving just as she was halfway out the door. “Can I please have the cake?” “Here.” Starlight simply replied as she handed Pinkie the cake with her magic before taking her leave with the party pony wasting no time in chomping her teeth. “Well that went poorly.” Starlight said to herself feeling hurt that Mrs. Cake took it the wrong way. “Maybe I’ll try my luck at Sweet Apple Acres.” She then hoped as she trotted towards the farm’s direction. When she got there Applejack had already arranged for someone in mind for Starlight to meet as they made their way out to one of the orchards where Big Macintosh was busy bucking apple trees. "I think I have just the pony for you, Starlight. Meet Big Mac!" Applejack said with a smile. "Yep." The large red stallion greeted with his usual one word reply. "He's not much of a talker." Applejack told Starlight as they walked up to him. "Nope." Big Macintosh simply replied in agreement. "Oh, that's too bad. I love a good conversation." Starlight replied sounding disappointed until she came up with an idea as she lit up her horn and sent a stream of magic into Big Mac's mouth. "Eeyup-yup-yup-yup-yup-yup-yup-yup-y-y-y-y-you did something!" He shouted at Starlight, suddenly unable to keep control his talking. "Whoa! What's happening? I feel really weird! I'm talkin' so much! And I'm so articulate! Enunciating with such precise pronunciation!" He put a hoof in his mouth to try and stop himself to no avail. "Annie Apple awoke and accidentally ate an auburn azalea!" He spoke, then he screamed and ran off while shouting! "Make it stop!" Applejack glared at Starlight for casting a spell on him like that. "Okay.” Starlight spoke in defense with an innocent smile. ”That spell didn’t go the way I hoped but I honestly was just seeking something a little more talkative." She explained as Applejack strengthen her glared at Starlight. "And I guess my first instinct probably shouldn't be to magically command ponies to act the way I want them to?" Starlight added hoping that would ease Applejack’s anger to no avail as she glared at her again for the third time in a row. "Alright, alright, I'll change him back!" She told the angry farm pony she will undo the spell. After leaving Sweet Apple Acres she turned to Rarity’s and Fluttershy’s for ideas on new friends with no luck as the former only had new fashion ideas which didn't fit her style and the latter only had critter friends to offer but Starlight kindly joined in on their picnic so she doesn't hurt the animal-loving peagsus's feelings. So with that said and done she then goes to Rainbow Dash where she explains her situation to her. “Nopony's gonna make friends with you just because of your outfit.” Rainbow Dash told her in response after telling her the part where she visited Rarity. “The only thing that you want a new friend to be draped in is coolness." She added as she flew around Starlight. "Like you?" Starlight asked Rainbow. "Well, yeah, but you already know me, so…" She replied and then she gasped when she got an idea. "I've got it, Spitfire!" She said as she unintentionally spit onto Starlight's face as she said this. "Heh. Sorry about that." She quickly apologized. “Who’s that?” Starlight asked. "Only the most awesome and Wonderboltiest of all The Wonderbolts!" Rainbow Dash told her. "Come on, I'll introduce you!" She flew away at great speed creating a small sonic boom and then returned a few seconds later when she saw Starlight wasn't following her. "So, you coming or what?" She asked. "Um, I guess my first question would be, 'What's a Wonderbolt, exactly?'" Starlight nervously said to Rainbow who gasped as she could hardly believe what she had just heard. "You've never heard of the Wonderbolts before?! Where have you been?!" She asked with a horrified tone and expression. "Enslaving villages, I guess..." Starlight nervously laughed as she didn’t know what else to say as Rainbow flies down to the ground. "Right." Rainbow replied skeptically. “Sorry.” Starlight apologized. “But I really have been out of touch with Equestria outside of the village I used to control.” “Point taken.” Rainbow eased up on Starlight there. “I’ll try to see if any of the Wonderbolts are interested in befriending you but I can’t guarantee anything in time for Twilight’s dinner.” “Right.” Starlight glumly understood. “Don’t worry!” Rainbow assured her. “There’s plenty of ponies around, just keeping trying until you find somepony that you share common ground with. Like maybe the spa.” She suggested and encouraged her. “Thanks.” Starlight said as she set forward back to town. “No problem!” Rainbow said as she flew off in a flash. Starlight later trotted around town while still having no luck with befriending anypony. "What is going on? This is Ponyville, for crying out loud! If I can't make a friend here, there's gotta be something wrong with me!" Starlight groaned as she looked around before looking at her reflection in the nearby fountain. "Okay, calm down, Starlight," She said to herself. "Nopony's gonna wanna make friends with a total stress case." But as Starlight looked around, the more she felt isolated and alone seeing that many ponies are spending time with their friends while leaving her the friendless loner. "Stop stressing..." She said to herself before she shouted out loud. "Stop stressing!" The crows went silent as they all stare at her who quickly ran off after sporting an embarrassed grin before she could make a scene. Starlight honestly doesn’t know what she was going to do now but knows she can’t come back empty hoofed out of fear of disappointing her teacher. She worried to herself as she hears the sound of a ringing bell and then saw her eyes falling upon the Ponyville Spa just like Rainbow had suggested earlier. “The Ponyville Spa.” She said with a smile with a potential idea up her hooves going there. “Maybe a little relaxation to sooth my nerves will help me think more clearly. I’ll have to thank Rainbow Dash for the sugguestion the next time I see her.” She said as she trotted towards the spa’s direction. When Starlight comes inside she shortly finds herself resting on one of the spa beds with her face covered in a green make-up facial and her eyes covered by cucumbers, while two spa ponies worked on massaging her arms and limbs. "This is just what I needed." Starlight said to herself with a sigh. "Tell me about it, I've never felt so relaxed in all my life." A voice in the room told her thinking that she was referring to her. "You ever have one of those days?" Starlight asked said the mare without realizing that she is right behind her because of the cucumber eye mask. "For me, they're all one of those days.” The mare responded to which Starlight giggled in return. "I'm gonna start coming here every time I visit Ponyville." "I've been trying to make some new friends, but it's not easy. They're not saying it, but I think everypony knows about my past," Starlight explained to the mare owner. "I may have been a tiny bit... completely and utterly evil?" "Ponies judge me on my past as well," The mare replied as Starlight removed the cucumbers from her face to turn to the mare behind her. "Finally, a pony I can relate to other than Twilight." She said. “Twilight you say?” The mare asked with intrigued interest. Meanwhile back at the castle, Twilight was readjusting the silverware on the table. "Soup spoon, salad fork, pasta spoon, strawberry pick," She said to herself, as she made sure everything was in proper place. "I'm beginning to think that after friendship, the greatest magic of all is proper silverware placement!" She said with a smile and then giggled at her own comment as Starlight came dashing into the castle with a huge smile on her face! "Twilight, guess what? I made a new friend!" "That's fantastic news!" Twilight replied. "Well, she's great!" Starlight began. "Great!" Twilight smiled. "She's powerful!" Starlight added. "Powerful?" Twilight asked confused is if it sounds familiar. "She's..." Starlight began, only to be cut off by said mare. "Hello....princess." The voice greeted, and just inside the room was a familiar light blue coated unicorn mare, with a light blue mane and tail with violet eyes, wearing a light purple hat and cape with white stars and swirls on them. "Trixie?!" Twilight said in surprise to see the unicorn again. Starlight seemed to be quite surprised by the unfriendly vibes and tension Twilight and Trixie exchanged. "You two know each other?" Starlight asked them. "You could say that." Twilight said to Starlight, while eyeing away from Trixie with both suspicion and slight tension as Trixie approaches her. "We've had our differences, as I'm sure the princess will tell you." Trixie explained. "We’ve crossed paths under different circumstances where she played me as a patsy in her little game. What matters is Twilight or should I say Midnight gave me a second chance, and I appreciate it.” She then said as she paused for a moment as she and Twilight stare each other down while sporting devious and forced smiles, before the latter made her way to the table. "So, um, what brings you to Ponyville, Trixie?" Twilight asked as she pressed forward with the conversation. "The Grrrreat and Powerful Trrrrixie has come to perform a new stage show of grand illusion!" She proclaimed as she waved her hoof through the air in a dramatic gesture. "I am calling it 'The Humble and Penitent Trixie's Equestrian Wide Apology Tour'!" "That's kind of a mouthful." Starlight commented as she leaned in to whisper to her. "It's a working title." Trixie answered in the same tone as Twilight cleared her throat "Starlight? A moment? Over here?" She asked her student seriously as she then used her magic to pull Starlight and whisper to her. "I know I said you could make friends with anypony, but, well, with Trixie's past, and your past, I'm not sure she's the best... first friend. Did she tell you about what happened when me and Trixie last met or the time before that?" She gestured to the smirking Trixie as she observes the table setting. “Other than telling me about the fact that you two met when you were Midnight nothing else.” Starlight responded as she eyed her teacher. “Was there more? She asked if there is something else between them. “Well, nothing other me using her as part of my scheme to obtain the Alicorn Amulet while tricking her into thinking I was around and then later dead at the time the last time we met.” Twilight explained in a straight to the point fashion. “Along with nearly and accidentally dooming Ponyville when she brought in an Ursa Minor to town.” “But you have forgiven her right?” Starlight asked to which Twilight didn’t seem keen on answering at first but still stepped forward to honestly answer her question. “Well not exactly…” Twilight began. “...Since we haven’t seen each other since then and I was off plotting the takeover of Equestria at the time. And we haven’t really said anything about it nor met up until now.” She then sighed as she continued to get across to her point. “Point being, I'm just trying to look out for you. Trixie isn't exactly the nicest pony, and I'm concerned she might be a bad influence on you. It’s more like ensuring that you don’t slip back to your old ways and make the mistakes I did in the past." "And I appreciate that, but if this is to work out more, I need to be sure that you trust me to make new friends on my own and forgive her. After all, you forgave me when I did things worse than her when you didn’t have too much like when Princess Celestia forgave you and trusted you to make new friends when you did things much worse than both of us combined?" Starlight replied. Twilight sighed in defeat as she acknowledged that Starlight had a point there. "You're right.” She replied and then cautioned. "Just be back in time for the dinner tomorrow, okay?" "Thanks, Twilight!" Starlight said happily. "I promise you, you won't regret it!" "I sure hope not," Twilight sighed, as she turned to Trixie. "All right Trixie. Let me make one thing clear.” Twilight started crossly yet keeping her tone in check. ”Even though Starlight trusts you and I trust her doesn’t give me reason that you’re not as reformed as you claimed because I’ve been there before. So I suggest you treat Starlight like a friend like you say you are because if I hear and find out that you have hurt Starlight’s feelings then you’re going to have answer to me and trust me, those who have tried to fight me come out very, very sore. And I hope you good insurance cause you’ll need it if it comes down to that so watch it. Understand?!” Twilight sternly warned her. "Don’t worry, princess," Trixie shrugged off her threats lightly. "Nothing’s going to happen to her." She said as she followed Starlight out of the castle as Twilight watches after them still suspicious of her before turning back to the table to see the little figurine Trixie had made out of the silverware to which Twilight proceeds to use her magic to undo it with an annoyed expression on her face. Trixie and Starlight then made their way to the park where Trixie planned to use the stage to perform her magic show. "This magic show's gonna be the greatest thing Ponyville's ever seen!” Trixie told Starlight as they both set up the stage. As Starlight and Trixie both continued working, a couple of ponies walked by who both secretly whispered to each other but their comments were clearly heard by the two unicorns. "Everypony always says they'll give you a second chance, but deep down, they never forget," Trixie bitterly said taking offense to their comments. "That's what I'm worried about," Starlight commented to Trixie. “Even though the saying is true, question is do they ever let bygones be bygones?” She told Trixie who nods in agreement as she sighs. "What is it?" Starlight asked Trixie. "I heard what Twilight said about me, and she's right. I wasn't very nice.” Trixie acknowledged her distrustful claims. “So I'd understand if you didn't want to be friends." "Are you kidding? You're the first pony I've met all day who has any idea how I feel other than Twilight!" Starlight replied. “She was willing to befriend me even after I did things worse than you and her friends in return did the same after she did worse than both of us combined. So if I’m sure she’ll forgive you in no time at all if everypony is willing to forgive her.” She assured the blue unicorn as she looked around before whispering to her. "Can you keep a secret?" She asked. "Uh, sure? What are friends for?" Starlight asked Trixie as she looked around to make sure no pony was in hearing range. "What is it?" "The things I've done? I did them because I was jealous of Twilight. She's just the best at everything, and I wanted to beat her at something!" She secretly confessed. "Your secret's safe with me." Starlight whispered to Trixie. "Thanks," Trixie thanked with a smile as she asked Starlight. "So, wanna help me unpack my wagon?” She offered. “I would love too.” Starlight replied with a smile too. As the two unicorns walk over to her wagon, Twilight is secretly watching them from her orb as she makes sure everything is ready for Celestia’s visit. “I tend to spend a lot of time on the road with my wagon, so it might be a tad messy." Trixie lightly warned Starlight on the way over. “I think we can arrange cleaning up whatever mess there is inside.” Starlight shrugged off as it’s no big deal. As she watches the two unicorns strike up a conversation together with more common ground, Twilight pondered her stance towards Trixie. On one hoof considering she has done worse than both unicorns combined she on the other hoof correctly feels considering how Trixie had just arrived and still acts a little arrogant and boastful with the smirks she gives has reason to believe this is a false friendship to which Twilight herself did early on when she was Midnight. “I just hope you don’t make a bigger mess in regards to messing up your friendship with Starlight.” Twilight said to herself with a sigh as there is nothing she can do about it unless she wants to set a bad example for her student and the concept of trust and friendship. As much as she wants to do something about it before something happens she promised she trusted her student’s judgement so she is going to keep her word. “I mean Trixie had just arrived in Ponyville and hasn’t shown signs that she’s completely changed but on the other hoof I’ve done worse than both of them combined and just trying to which just have me come across as hypocritical.” She said to herself as she trotted around and observed the two unicorns who are both unpacking Trixie’s wagon. “I’m just going to have to stay on guard in case something does happen and let this play out by itself.” She then said as she continued setting the castle up for the important dinner. "I was thinking…" Starlight said as she pushed yet another heavy trunk out of the wagon and onto the ground. "You said Twilight is better than you at everything, but that's not actually true. You're better at magic." "Only when I'm wearing a soul-sucking evil amulet so I don’t think that counts." Trixie replied unconvinced. "I meant stage magic," Starlight clarified. "That's why you call yourself The Great and Powerful Trixie, right?" "Well, of course!" Trixie smiled as she pulled out magic accessories from her trunk. "Great? Yes. Powerful? Obviously. But I'm not the best. As great and powerful as I am, there's one trick I've never been able to do – the Moonshot Manticore Mouth Dive! Only one magician has ever pulled it off!" She said as she further explained. "My hero, Hoofdini! You are supposed to blast yourself into the open mouth of a hungry manticore! And after the manticore chews you up and swallows you, you magically step out of a box on the other side of the stage! Completely unharmed!" "That sounds very..." Starlight began. "Dangerous?" Trixie interrupted to ask. "I was gonna say cool!” Starlight answered sounding amazed by it. "I knew I liked you for a reason." Trixie complimented as they hoof-bumped. "I don't know how he did it! If I tried it, I'd get chewed up and swallowed by that manticore.” "Not if you could use real magic." Starlight brought up. "Obviously. Way to rub it in." Trixie commented very annoyed. "No, I mean I could help!” Starlight quickly clarified what she meant by that. “You could start the trick, and right before you got chewed up, I could use magic to save you…" She said as she lit up her horn and teleported Trixie into the nearby black box. "And make you appear in the black box on the stage!" "I guess that would work," Trixie acknowledged that’s possible is she thought of something. "But if you made one mistake, I'd be a goner for sure." Starlight laughed it off undeterred by that. "When it comes to magic, I don't make mistakes," She proudly proclaimed as she placed a hoof to her chest. "Maybe I could be your magic show helper pony." She offered. "We call it 'assistant' in the magician biz. And... nopony's ever offered to help before." Trixie said while sounding surprised that anyone was willing to make her said offer. "Well, I'd be honored." Starlight offered. "You may have just made my great and powerful magic show even better! Which I didn't think was even possible!" She happily said as she pulled out a flyer to advertise her upcoming show which presented Trixie holding a crystal ball. "We're gonna blow them all away tonight!" Hearing that caused Starlight to groan and put a hoof to her forehead, as she remembered what else was to take place that evening. "I can't! Tonight's this incredibly important dinner with Twilight." Starlight explained. "Oh." Trixie said as she rolled up the scroll in disappointment. "Can I vent for a second or two?" Starlight asked Trixie. "What are friends for?" Trixie obliged to her request. "Even after Twilight says she trusts me, I get the feeling that she clearly doesn't trust me enough to choose my own friends. It’s like I am being constantly watched over by her even though she means well.” Starlight explained as she sighed. "A pity, but I can't say I'm shocked," Trixie responded unsurprised. "Well, lucky for Princess Twilight, I have my magic show tonight." "I’m sorry but I promised Twilight I'd be there for the dinner." Starlight apologetically told her. “And I promised I bring my new friend there with me to show how much I learned since becoming Twilight’s student.” “Well if you have to go to the dinner, I completely understand," Trixie dramatically said as she then added in a somber tone. "I just hope I find a way to pull off the Moonshot Manticore Mouth Dive without my new assistant!" She guilt tripped Starlight on the last part to bait her into skipping the dinner. Twilight watching this and having seen enough puts her orb away as she thinks of how to carefully approach this as she places a hoof on her chin. By the time the dinner is going to happen with everything in place, no pony else has arrived as Twilight checks one last time to make sure everything is in order. So having correctly suspected that Trixie managed to convince Starlight into abandoning the dinner especially without telling her in advance she made her way into town while knowing exactly where Starlight as she arrives at the park where Trixie’s magic show is happening when she stops at the top of hill. When she sees everything is all set up for Trixie’s magic show she then narrows her eyes as she approaches to where Starlight and Trixie are. A huge crowd had gathered for Trixie's show as they approach the stage which is where Pinkie Pie and Applejack were doing having just arrived themselves. "Huh, so this is the Humble and Penitent Trixie's Equestrian Wide Apology Tour?" Pinkie asked Applejack. "Ain't that a mouthful of molasses?" Applejack noted. Trixie having heard that poked her head out from the curtains briefly to tell her quickly. "It's a working title!" Back behind the curtain Starlight is behind her as Trixie expresses her excitement. "Oh, this is gonna be the greatest night of my life!" She said as Starlight has a brief surprised look. "Excuse me. Our lives." She corrected herself. “I’m so glad I’m not at that boring dinner.” Starlight expressed though not quite as excited as Trixie. “I just hope I can give Twilight a good cover-up story for all of this because I really would hate to see the look on her face if she found out what I was really up to.” She added somewhat humorously but really feeling uncomfortable for being dishonest with her teacher. “Oh you don’t have to worry about that, Starlight!” Twilight sternly voiced having seen and heard their conversation from the door which led to the two mares flinching in surprise by her sudden appearance. "And I got to say I am very disappointed in you!" Twilight then wasted no time as she scolded her student. "The fact that you just decided to skip our dinner without telling me.” "Oh boy." Starlight said to herself seeing that she is a dead mare now as her teacher continues to reprimand her. “Up to this point I been considering myself a reasonable mare, I trusted you that you knew what you were doing in making a new friend and even respected your wishes and this is what it comes to?! But it seems like we are back to square one in that regard." She said to her student. "To the point where you can’t even be completely honest with me or even give me some kind of head’s up with what you were doing. Princess Celestia is waiting for you at a table with exquisite silverware placement?! She can't be expected to be kept waiting without knowing what is going on!" She further scolded Starlight who can only hang her head in shame as she turns to Trixie. “And the same applies for you too Trixie, for convincing my student to help with your magic show without asking me after I gave you a chance to prove yourself that you are a redeemed pony. Did you actually think that was going to fly?!” Instead of feeling guilty about what she did, she then points a hoof in her direction with a smug and triumphant expression. "A-ha! You still don't trust me!” Trixie approached the alicorn with her suspicions confirmed as she gets in her face. “But guess what, princess? It doesn't matter if you want to give me a second chance or not. Starlight had to choose between you and me, and she chose me! Your pupil chose me, so ha! I win!. "You win?” Starlight asked in confusion before asking while hopeful she is making this up and didn't mean what she had just said. “That sounds like you just made friends with me to beat Twilight.” “Exactly!” Trixie confirmed without realizing what she was saying as Starlight shows a completely shocked and betrayed look on her face before tearing up feeling completely heartbroken at the revelation of this false friendship. “Wait, no!” Trixie quickly tried to contradict her statement after realizing what she said. “I got caught up in the moment! I like you! Beating Twilight was just a bonus!" She then gasped and face-hoofed herself after realizing she dug herself deeper there. "Oh, saying that didn't help, did it? "I should've known.” Starlight tearfully responded. “Nopony else in Ponyville wanted to be my friend. Why would you? Why did I even listen to you in the first place instead of Twilight who genuinely offered her friendship?" She angrily said to Trixie’s face before she ran away sobbing with tears in her eyes. “What it’s not like that! I am your friend!” Trixie desperately called out to her to come back with no success. "Well, I hope you're happy!“ Twilight just as angry as her heartbroken pupil. “Once again you’ve proven to be the same pony I met from day one by going off and hurting my student’s feelings all over again. At least I was sincere when I offered my friendship to her.” Trixie however started to cry feeling more guilty for hurting Starlight. "Looks like The Great and Powerful Trixie is back to being a solo show," She said with a sigh. “Trixie?” Twilight asked somewhat taken aback by her solemn expression. “Which is exactly the way she likes it! Thank you, Princess Twilight, for getting rid of that annoying pony who wanted to be my first friend! I am not sad at all!” Trixie angrily accused Twilight. “Oh, so now you’re blaming me never mind what had just happened a minute ago?!” Twilight correctly retorted back for trying to pin the blame back on her. “Well at least Trixie didn’t go as far as using friendship to take over Equestria and using friendship to further her own goals Midnight!” Trixie fired back. “ Seems to me you still have a cold heart seeing that you can’t see mine is breaking into a million pieces! Ever since when first meet I was humiliated and then you show up and use me as a pawn in your little game to obtain the Alicorn Amulet so you can use for yourself! At least I was really growing to enjoy friendship only to regret backstabbing somepony immediately afterwards along with using magic under the amulet's influence. Something you never did until much later.” Before Twilight could respond to counter her verbal attack, Trixie turned away, walked back up to the stage and shut the stage door and locked it. "Trixie! Stop! You can’t do that magic trick, you’ll die!” Twilight tried to reason with Trixie seeing that she is going to perform it alone and knowing she will die doing so. “This isn’t worth throwing your life away for!” "Sorry, princess! But the show must go on and Trixie plans and making sure to make good on her promise to give them a show they’ll never forget." Trixie refused to listen as she still plans on carrying through with her performance. Seeing that this is going anywhere, Twilight turned around and took off to find Starlight as the curtains unroll as Trixie begins her performance by walking up into the spotlight. "Come one, come all. Come and see the Pathetic and Friendless Trixie's 'Way-To-Go-Dum-Dum-You-Really-Messed-It-Up-This-Time Repentance Tour'," She said with emotionless passion in her tone of voice. The crowd exchanged confused glances and words, both at the sudden title change and Trixie's behavior and appearance. "It's a working title!" Trixie yelled out to everypony as she unveiled the manticore she had chained up ready for the performance. "Behold, your fears come true. A pony-eating manticore.” The manticore then roared as Fluttershy clinged onto Applejack trembling greatly. “For tonight, the Great and Powerful Trixie will be performing the Moonshot Manticore Mouth Dive." The crowd then gasped in shock while Fluttershy still shields her eyes. "Now, now, save your gasps for when I defy the beast's jaws of doom and appear inside that black box," She then said to the audience, as her tone of voice changed to a more regretful one as she added. "I was supposed to perform this trick with my great and powerful assistant, who was also my great and powerful friend!” She concluded as she made her way to the cannon while the crowd pleads and cries out to her to not to go through with this with no success as Trixie easily ignores them while using her magic to force her way to the cannon and keep ponies away from her. Starlight was watching the show as she was sitting on a nearby hill from afar who was still feeling hurt by Trixie’s betrayal as Twilight approached her. “Please don’t.” Starlight spoke up before Twilight could say a word. “You were right to wary of Trixie and you have every right to be mad at me for buying into Trixie’s manipulations. She was using to me just to get one over you.” She said very guilty and could only blame herself for being gullible enough to fall for it. "Starlight, when I first came to Ponyville, Princess Celestia gave me room to make my own decisions and my own friends. I need to give you the same freedom even if that leads to heartbreak." Twilight comfortably told her student. “I don’t know if there’s anything you can say that could make me think that when all I did was ignore your warnings from the start? What if Trixie really was using me just to one-up you?” Starlight asked Twilight as she turned to face her as Trixie puts on her helmet and readies the aim of her canon in the manticore’s direction. "From what I've seen, she's the real thing.” Twilight comfortably told her as Trixie lights the fuse on her cannon. “But it's not my place to judge. It's all up to you. And no matter what happens I'll always be here for you." Starlight looked at Twilight, then looked down at Trixie as the fuse of the cannon was nearly set to blow. “Starlight? If you're out there and you still want to be friends, let's be great and powerful together! Please?” Trixie said to herself her last words before meeting her fate as the fuse hit its mark launching Trixie into the direction of the manticore. Trixie then shrieks and shields herself for what’s about to happen as she flies into the manticore’s mouth in one bite and gulps her down with a swallow much to the crowd’s horror as Fluttershy faints. At that moment there was a flash of magic as the black box on the stage fell apart to reveal an unharmed Trixie with her hat and cape torn up. "Behold, the Peat and Growerful Triskie...!" She said, wobbling while dazed from what had just happened as she tumbled over to her side. Fortunately, Starlight was there at her side to help her to stand up as the crowd cheered very impressed as Starlight winked at Trixie, who smiled back as Starlight accepted her apology. "And now, I'm proud to introduce my great and powerful assistant!” She then said back to her confident and proudly tone of voice. "And best friend, Starlight Glimmer!" The crowd all cheered for them as the two unicorns bowed before their audience. The curtains closed as Starlight and Trixie hug each other after having made amends with each other as Twilight appeared backstage. "Trixie!" Twilight called as she approached them. "What do you want?“ Trixie asked sounding annoyed and irritated with her presence. "Come to punish Trixie for hurting your prized pupil?” "I was wrong.” Twilight instead said. “I'm sorry for today and what happened in the past. And I have to hoof it to you. I could never have pulled off a trick quite like that.” Trixie was surprised to hear that as she stepped forward. “Well thank you, princess.” Trixie smiled at the compliment. “As the Great and Powerful Trixie owes you an apology too for hurting your student like that. It was wrong of Trixie to use false friendship to further her goals like that. And blaming you for my humiliation following that Ursa Minor incident.” Trixie sincerely apologized. “Well you’re not wrong there since I too used my friends and the princess’s trust in me into becoming a princess in the first place so that I had the power to back myself up with when I was ready to backstab them to take over Equestria.” Twilight brought up her past again. “Even after doing things much worse that both of you combined they still forgave me. So now I would also like to say I truly and sincerely forgive you, Trixie.” Twilight continued with her apology as Starlight smiled at both her and Trixie to which she responds by taking off her hat. "Thank you, princess." Trixie gratefully told the alicorn as she and Starlight then set off some celebratory fireworks. As the fireworks lit up the sky as the show came to an end Twilight then spoke up. "Now that your magic show is a success. Perhaps you two would like to join me back at the castle for an important dinner that’s supposed to be happening tonight." Twilight told the two. “Of course.” Trixie replied as Twilight huddled both unicorns close to her so she can perform a quick teleportation spell back to the castle. The three ponies are now back at the castle where the dinner table. Once Twilight breaks up the huddle she quickly uses her magic to place the food onto the table from the kitchen and refreeze the ice sculpture that had melted back to its original state. “And perfect timing.” Twilight added as she heard a knock on the door to which she answered as said mare was Princess Celestia. “Hello, Twilight.” Celestia replied with a warm smile after showing a somewhat tired look as Twilight spoke up. "Sorry I had to delay the dinner a little…" Twilight apologized to the princess as Starlight and Trixie both drop their jaws and eye each other in shock hearing that she delayed the dinner. “But there were some last-minute setbacks in the final preparations that needed to be dealt with. And considering me you know how much I like to ensure everything is perfect.” Twilight then laughed off and covered for her new friends. “No troubles, at least you gave me a heads-up well in advance, Twilight.” Celestia assured her it’s no big deal as she focuses her attention to Starlight and Trixie. “And this must be your student’s new friend.” She said as the two unicorns as they recover from their shock that Twilight was secretly prepared for this. “Yes it is, Princess.” Starlight replied as she and Trixie bowed to her. “Princess Celestia, this is my new friend Trixie.” She introduced her friend. “Nice to meet you, Trixie.” Celestia greeted. “It’s been a while since your previous visits to Ponyville.” “I suppose Twilight told you about it?” Trixie questioned. “Yes, but the past is now the past.” Celestia answered with a smile. “And I trust you have done the same now following in both Twilight and Starlight’s examples?” “After everything I’ve been through I can honestly say that I have and truly have changed since then.” Trixie honestly and humbly responded. “Nice to hear.” Celestia said as the four ponies made their way to the table. “Now how about we take this discussion to the table because I sure am famished from all of that waiting.” She added as she eyes the food Twilight and set up for them to enjoy. “Why does Trixie get the feeling that Twilight had anticipated this would happen.” Trixie whispered to Starlight as they watch as the smiling lavender alicorn helps the princess seat herself in her chair. “Because she’s very smart and always a step ahead no matter what.” Starlight whispered back to her. “Believe when I tell you there is no beating her even if you try to play her own game.” Nevertheless, the four mares would proceed to pass around dishes as they set up the dinner plates as they prepare to enjoy a nice quiet and enjoyable dinner as they display good manners through and through.