//------------------------------// // Chapter 23: Starlight’s New Friend // Story: A Place in Equestria // by GoebelTron //------------------------------// The next day, Starlight woke up and got out of her bed, then walked over to the conference room where the table was, but saw Twilight setting up the table neatly and set up the silverware nicely. “Twilight? What are you doing?” Starlight asked. “Oh! Good morning, Starlight. I’m just setting the table up for dinner in two days,” Twilight said. “Princess Celestia’s also coming over to check on your progress. Maybe you could go out and make some friends. Friendship is usually important, you know.” “I think I may have time for that,” Starlight said. Later on, she walked around Ponyville trying to find a friend. “Ugh... there’s nopony to look for. But at least it’s not that hard. Oh, what am I gonna do?!” She then decided to head over to Sugarcube Corner for a little snack. When she entered, Starlight saw Pinkie Pie at the counter, “Hey, Pinkie. I know you don’t usually see me more often other than Nightmare Night, but I was wondering if I could get a small box of umm... apple cupcakes to go please?” “Sure thing!” Pinkie Pie said, then she went to retrieve the cupcakes and got them in a box, then Starlight got out her bag and paid her 4 bits, and then she went off and started eating her cupcakes one at a time and slowly. When she finished her cupcakes later on, she laid on a park bench and saw many ponies making friends with each other, until she heard a relatable voice, “Auntie Starlight? Are you okay?” She looked up and saw Thomas standing there, “Sorry, honey. Auntie Starlight’s just having a rough day today.” “Oh... can I sit with you?” Thomas asked. “Yeah, sure,” Starlight said, then Thomas climbed up onto the bench and sat next to her but towards her chest, then she comforted him with her forelegs and held him after she sat up. “You’re probably wondering what I’m going through. Well, sweetie, the reason is because I’m not really sure if anypony wants to be friends with me. I mean you and I kinda have something in common, but with different pasts. I blamed cutie mark magic and enslaved an entire village, then vowed revenge on Twilight by changing the past, and you somehow were suffering with a broken heart. I know it was hard for you, but at least you got over it, right?” Thomas nodded, “Yeah. I did.” “Aww... Sorry, sweetie. I didn’t mean to bring it up,” Starlight said, hugging the little colt. “But if only there were somepony who could relate to both of us.” “I know. Tell me about it,” said a voice. “Really? You ever had one of those days? Since when?” Starlight asked. “Well, for me, they’re all one of those days,” she said back. “Ponyville’s sometimes nice to visit, you know?” “I’m not from here either. I may have been knowing some things about friends, but I may have been a teensy bit... completely and utterly evil?” Starlight said. “But thanks to this adorable nephew of mine, he was able to soothe my pain and accept me as his aunt.” She then gave Thomas a kiss on the top of his head. “Well, I’m happy for you, but ponies usually judge me on my past too,” the pony said. “Well, finally, somepony I can relate too,” Starlight said. “Umm... Miss? I’m not trying to be rude, but... who are you?” Thomas asked. Twilight was almost done setting up the table with the silverware and drinking glasses, until Starlight came over with exciting news. “Twilight, good news! I just made a new friend!” she said. “That’s fantastic news! So who is this pony?” Twilight asked. Starlight stood aside, and then a unicorn mare with brilliant azure blue fur, a pale cornflower blue straight like curly mane and tail with very pale cerulean blue streaks, dark grayish violet eyes, and her flank had a cutie mark of a wand casting a spell in the shape of a crescent moon. She was wearing a purple hat and cowled cape with yellow and light blue stars all over and the cape had a cyan gem in the middle. “Hello, princess. So good to see you again,” she said. “TRIXIE?!” Twilight asked. “What are you doing here?” “Oh, nothing much. Just visiting Ponyville, but only for another tour. One that the Grrreat and Powerful Trrrixie calls “The Humble and Penitent Trixie’s Equestrian Tour!” For many sympathies for my past temptations against you,” Trixie explained. “Oh, so your still going on tours regarding the second chance I gave you?” Twilight asked. “Exactly, and I have to say, this little nephew of yours is simply precious,” Trixie said, after placing her hoof underneath his chin. It caused him to blush, then Trixie looked at the table set up nicely, but then used her magic to fold the napkins. “Starlight, could I talk to you in private?” Twilight asked. “Okay,” Starlight said, then she followed Twilight to a distant corner away from Trixie. “Starlight, I know you think Trixie might be a good option, but are you sure that’s what you really want?” “Yes. Trixie said she’s had one of those days like I’ve had, and Thomas, too,” Starlight said. “He even accepted her.” Twilight then turned around and took a little look at Trixie, “Okay, I’ll give you a chance to prove that Trixie can be trusted.” Starlight nodded, “I was also thinking...” Thomas went up to Trixie and then looked up at her, until she looked down at him, “Yes?” Thomas then thought of something, “Is it okay if I tell you about my past, after you tell me yours?” “Certainly,” Trixie said, then she sat down on her haunches and then Thomas walked closer to her so he could listen to her story, then she began. “When I first met Twilight and her friends, I was about to put on a show for all of them, but they decided to challenge me, but Twilight was too hesitant. I told them a little lie about me facing off an Ursa Major, until those two colts, Snips and Snails went to the Everfree Forest and woke up an Ursa Minor, which was a baby, and brought it to Ponyville. They all thought I, the Great and Powerful Trixie could stop that beast, but I was truly a coward and a fraud. Twilight somehow was courageous enough to send the Ursa Minor back to its mother and then I managed to flee. The next time I arrived, I was wearing a dangerous relic called the Alicorn Amulet, a necklace that contains raw magic and corrupts the bearer’s soul. I challenged Twilight to a magic duel, and when she failed, I forced her to leave Ponyville forever, and covered the entire town with a giant glass dome. I conquered Ponyville and forced all the ponies to do my bidding, but when Twilight came back, she challenged me to a rematch, and she used something that I thought was another amulet, but it was one of Zecora’s doorstops, so she used the magic of friendship to help. I was broken because I never knew friendship was important, so I decided to have a change of heart and try to learn about friendship.” Thomas was surprised that Trixie used to be evil and boastful, then he decided to tell her about his past. He started off on the part about the orphanage where he grew up and his painful suffering from his broken heart, and why he was never adopted or why no one wanted to be there for him. He then told Trixie about his wish that hid Auntie Luna granted, and how he met his momma and his new family, and finished off with how he’s been enjoying Equestria so far. Trixie felt sorry for him and then brought him close to her chest, “Oh, you poor thing. I am so sorry for the painful torment you’ve suffered from the past.” Thomas stroked Trixie’s chest fur and then wiped her tears with his hands, “It’s okay, Trixie. I’ve put it behind me now and moved on.” “Trixie?” Twilight asked. “Yes?” Trixie asked. “I know you may not be the certain type of pony I can trust Starlight to be friends with, but if you prove yourself, I’ll accept it,” Twilight said. “And as an extra, I was wondering if you could put on a show for our nephew, and I’ll think about inviting you to our dinner conference with Princess Celestia that appears soon.” “I’d be honored!” Trixie said. “This entertainment I’m performing is a magical illumination act as always but with newer additions!” Thomas was amazed, until Trixie chuckled and rubbed his head with her hoof, “But I’ll make sure it’s special enough for you, little Thomas.” “Thank you, Trixie,” Twilight said. “Starlight can help you set up the stage, while I take Thomas home to Fluttershy.” Starlight and Trixie nodded and went to set up the stage while Thomas climbed onto Twilight’s back and then she flew off to Fluttershy’s cottage. The next day, before Twilight’s dinner started, the students of the Ponyville Elementary School were running off, and Thomas saw his mother with Twilight standing there waiting for him. “Hi, Momma!” Thomas said, running over to Fluttershy and hugged her chest, until she hugged him back and nuzzled the top of his head. “Hi, sweetie. How was school today?” she asked. “It was pretty good,” Thomas said. “We were learning a new math lesson, but some of the students got bored of it, except me because I love math.” “Well, I’m glad. By the way, Auntie Twilight told me that you were going to her dinner conference at her castle,” Fluttershy said, until Thomas nodded. “I thought about it, and I thought about coming along, so that you and I could sit together and talk to Princess Celestia together.” “Okay, but can we see Trixie’s show first?” Thomas asked. “That’s where were going first, because our dinner starts afterwards,” Twilight said. “Okay, Auntie Twilight,” Thomas said. After Thomas climbed up onto Fluttershy’s back, they walked over Ponyville. As they approached the town, they saw many ponies sitting on their haunches waiting for Trixie to start. They also saw the others sitting. “Howdy, y’all! You’re just in time,” Applejack said. They all sat down together and then waited for the show to start. After a few minutes of waiting, a small blast of white sparks exploded on the stage and in a flash, Trixie appeared wearing her cape and hat. “Hello, citizens of Ponyville! It is I, the Great and Powerful Trixie! And welcome one and all to experience the thrilling experience of my Humble and Penitent Trixie’s Equestrian Tour!” she exclaimed as she stood up on her hind legs and threw her forelegs in the air as some fireworks suddenly shot out from above the stage and exploded into a colorful show of light. Thomas looked up in awe at the fireworks and enjoyed their colors, and then she showed off her illumination magic tricks. Later on, Trixie’s magic show caused some cheers and applauds, “Now, for my final trick, the Great and Powerful Trixie will perform the most dangerously thrilling experience nopony has ever survived doing! The Moonshot Manticore Mouth Dive!” The crowd gasped nervously, until Thomas cowered underneath Fluttershy’s mane thinking about what a manticore would look like. Rarity stroked his small form softly, “It’s alright, darling. There’s nothing to be afraid of.” Trixie then took a huge blanket of cloth and wrapped it around a mysterious object, “Behold, your fears come true. A pony-eating manticore!” The crowd gasped as they saw the manticore tied up with a shackle around its neck, then Trixie warned the crowd, “Now, now, save your gasps for when I defy the beast’s jaws of doom and appear inside that black box!” Thomas shook nervously, until Fluttershy and Rarity looked, then Applejack took him and held him against her chest for a hug, “If ya don’t wanna look, sugarcube, that’s fine. We’ll let ya know if it’s all over.” Thomas nodded and nuzzled with her chest fur. “Now, prepare to witness Trixie’s attempt from the launch of this cannon and into the mouth of the manticore, and then into the box!” Trixie said, while tucked inside the cannon with a helmet on her head, then she lit the fuse. With a full blast from the cannon, Trixie was then shot into the mouth of the manticore, until a flash brought her from inside its stomach into the black box, and then revealed herself, “Behold! The Peat and Growerful Triskie...!” The crowd applauded, until Thomas looked at her, until he then saw Starlight come out. “And now, I’d like to present my great and powerful assistant... and best friend, Starlight Glimmer!” Trixie announced to the crowd, who applauded for her bravery. Starlight looked down at Thomas and winked at him. Later on, when Trixie was finished with her performance, Twilight, along with Fluttershy, Starlight, Trixie, who was not wearing her cape and hat, and Thomas, walked into the main room until they saw Princess Celestia sitting at the table. “Thank you for coming, Princess Celestia,” Twilight said. “It’s a pleasure, Twilight. Plus, you don’t need to thank me. I’m always happy to visit,” Princess Celestia said. “Oh, okay,” Twilight said. Princess Celestia then looked down and saw Thomas with a soft smile, “Hi,” Thomas said. “Hello, Thomas,” Princess Celestia said, and then helped him with his seat where it was next to Fluttershy. “So, Trixie. It has been quite a while since we’ve last met. I believe it happened after you’ve apologized to everypony from an incident with a certain magical amulet if I’m not mistaken.” “Yes, your majesty. And I’ve tried for many days to take that back,” Trixie said. Princess Celestia nodded, “So, you’ve made friends with Starlight Glimmer?” Trixie nodded, “Correct, your highness. And it really is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, since you have a human child who suffered so much.” Thomas blushed softly, and then he saw Spike come out with plates full of salads and vegetarian meatballs, but one had a pasta dish with creamy pesto sauce and steamed broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots for Thomas. While they were eating, Princess Celestia decided to ask Fluttershy some questions about Thomas, “So, Fluttershy... how has your son been doing so far? I’ve heard about his performance in his school talent show, and I was simply impressed by his talent of music.” “Well, he’s been getting along with everypony in Equestria, especially his new marefriend, Diamond Tiara. She used to be a bully to him, but thanks to his kindness, he helped her stand up to her cruel mother, Spoiled Rich, and accepted his love for her,” Fluttershy said. “Really? I’m very proud of you, sweetie, as your mother is,” Princess Celestia said. “Thank you, Princess Celestia. I just don’t like being rude to others, or be too angry at them. Because anger leads to hating someone,” Thomas said. “That’s true,” Twilight said. Later on, the conversation continued and they enjoyed their meals, until the dinner conference ended, and it was time to depart. “Well, everpony, Trixie thanks you all for your kind and humble hospitality for this evening. I really enjoyed the meal, but now it’s time for me to depart,” she said. “Trixie, if you’re in town again, I’ll write to you if I wanna see you again,” Starlight said, then Thomas came over and gave Trixie a hug. “Thank you for your performance tonight. I enjoyed it,” Thomas said, nuzzling his cheek on her chest fur. “Aww... well, you are certainly welcome, sweetie pie,” Trixie said, hugging him back. “Umm... if it’s okay, am I allowed to call you Auntie Trixie?” Thomas asked. Trixie looked up at Twilight and Fluttershy who gave her warm smiles, and then she leaned her head down and kissed him gently on the forehead, “Yes, your Great and Powerful Auntie Trixie grants you permission!” “Hey, that’s not pretty bad. Great and Powerful Auntie Trixie,” Starlight said. Trixie nodded, and then she left through the door and walked to her wagon to pack up. After Trixie was gone, Thomas climbed onto Fluttershy’s back and then they went home. When they got home, Thomas changed into his pajamas and then climbed into bed, then Fluttershy tucked him underneath the bedsheets and hugged him, “Did you like Auntie Trixie?” Thomas nodded, “She was pretty friendly.” Fluttershy giggled, then Thomas thought of something, “Will we see her again, Momma?” “Of course we will, sweetheart. We will,” Fluttershy said, then she laid him back down on the mattress and gently placed his head on the pillow until he started getting sleepy, “Goodnight, Momma.” After he was asleep, she tucked him under the blankets again, and then gave him a kiss on the forehead. “Goodnight, my precious little one. I love you,” she whispered. After he was snug and warm under the blankets, she left the room to let her son sleep.