Chapter 22
-- A Great and Powerful Friend --
Three days have passed since the hearing, and things slowly went back to normal. Students returned and had an unofficial celebration of the fact that Tourmaline was finally gone. Comet and her friends definitely joined in the fun, everyone actually looking forward to going back to school.
As for the teachers, Twilight had recovered from the experience, finally getting all her frustrations off her chest. The rest of the element bearers each had their own feelings about the event. But all still had one thing in common. That threat that Lord Rhinestone made sent shivers down their spines.
Starlight was laughing to the point of near tears, sitting in her chair outside the cafe. Trail was laughing as well, his hat had nearly fallen off.
When she could breathe again, Starlight looked at Trail, “She seriously did that?”
“Yeah, Zala and I still haven’t let her live it down. Her fur didn’t grow back for weeks.” Trail said through his laughter.
“What did she think was gonna happen? Flying through ten fire hoops in less than a minute? Without protective gear?” Starlight asked.
“She said, and I quote, “Badasses don’t worry about burns”” Trail said.
Starlight laughed again, both of them starting to feel lightheaded from their laughter.
After a while, they started to get their breath back and enjoy their lunch. The day was going great, the weather couldn’t be better.
“So Starlight, how is everything going at the school now?” Trail asked.
“I’d say it’s back to normal. All the students are glad to be back and a lot of them are glad to be rid of Tourmaline.”
“That’s good. I’m happy things are starting to go back to normal. Comet seems to be doing a lot better as well. Though I’m sure I have you to thank for that Starlight.”
Starlight blushed a little, “I appreciate the compliment Trail but I’m sure her friends were a bigger help than I was.”
“Don’t sell yourself short Starlight. Comet adores you, never a night me and my sisters don’t hear how incredible it is to learn magic under the tutelage of the great Starlight Glimmer.” Trail said with a grin.
Starlight’s blush deepened at that statement and she looked away. This made Trail chuckle, and at the same time, he felt something else. Something he couldn’t quite put his hoof on.
“Thank you Trail, you’re really sweet.” Starlight said softly.
They looked at each other, eyes staring into each other, no words between them for a few seconds. The world seemed to be empty as they focused so much on each other. Trail could see a sparkle in her eye, losing himself in them. Starlight saw something in Trail’s eyes, but she couldn’t quite tell what.
Suddenly, an explosion came from the center of town. Both ponies turned along with every other pony in the immediate area. Smoke obscured the view of the source of the explosion, but soon the smoke cleared to reveal a wagon with a small stage at its front. A mare with a blue coat wearing a cape and a hat stood on her hind legs at the center of the stage.
“Greetings Ponyville! Rejoice, for the Great and Powerful Trixie has returned!” Trixie exclaimed loudly.
More explosions and fireworks shot out as the mare on stage gave her announcement to the town of her arrival. Some ponies cheered for the display, others groaned and moved on with their day.
Trail looked at the mare with curiosity, her display of magic and theatrics was pretty well done in his opinion. But as he turned to see what Starlight thought of the show, he found that she was no longer by his side.
Before he could wonder where she went, he turned back to the stage to find her running onto it. The blue mare saw Starlight in an instant and ran to meet her as she stepped onto the stage. Both mares bounced in place as they hugged. The sight was sweet and heartwarming, clearly those two were good friends.
Trail walked up to the stage as everypony else left the area to continue their day. The two mares had not noticed him, they were far too busy squealing like school fillies.
“Trixie! You told me you’d be back next week!” Starlight said, pulling back to look at the mare.
“Trixie might have finished her business in Saddle Arabia a bit early and decided to come home and surprise you.” Trixie said with a sideways smile.
“Oh you. It’s so great to have you home, Trixie.” Starlight said, hugging the mare.
Trixie was about to say something before she saw Trail walking up behind Starlight. Seeing him, she got a curious look that quickly turned into excitement. Starlight noticed her look and turned to see Trail walking towards them. Before Starlight could greet the stallion, Trixie was already in front of him, her cape waving in the wind.
“Greetings Gentlestallion, the Great and Powerful Trixie always has time for her fans. Would you like Trixie’s autograph?”
“Oh um, I don’t…” Trail stammered, not knowing what to say.
Starlight immediately came to the stallion’s rescue and stood next to the two ponies.
“Alright, easy Trixie. Trail, this is my best friend Trixie. Trixie, this is my new friend Trail Blazer.”
“Nice meeting ya Miss Trixie” Trail greeted her with a hoof, after getting his bearings.
“Just Trixie is fine. Any friend of Starlight’s is a friend of Trixie’s.”
Trixie accepted the hoofshake, smiling at the stallion. Trail couldn’t help but smile. She seemed like a nice mare. And any friend of Starlight’s must be a pretty good character.
“So are you from around here Trixie?” Trail asked.
“No Trixie is not. But Princess Twilight allows Trixie to have her wagon right by the castle. Trixie is from a small suburb outside of Manehatten. Though Trixie did go to school in Manehatten.”
“Oh, I’ve been around that area I think. Manehatten is a bit too big for my taste. But I like to visit from time to time.” Trail replied, thinking of times he’d had in the big city.
“Oh, you travel? Trixie does as well. As a stage magician, she must go where her fans can marvel at her greatness.”
Trixie gave another wave of her cape, almost losing her hat when she lost her footing. Then Trixie gave Trail another strange look as she got a better look at him.
“Is something wrong Trixie?” Starlight asked, looking a little weirded out at her best friend staring at the stallion.
“Has Trixie met you before? You seem familiar to Trixie.” She said, rubbing her chin.
“Well Trixie, he is a famous explorer. Trail Blazer, the pony who has explored more dangerous habitats and environments than even Daring Doo?” Starlight said, gesturing to the pony.
Suddenly Trixie’s eyes widened, pointing at the stallion.
“Trixie does remember you! You saved Trixie and her wagon from falling into the Galloping Gorge on her way to Vanhoover.” Trixie exclaimed.
Trail looked at the mare a little funny before rubbing his own chin and looking at her wagon more carefully. Then it clicked for him. Memories of a mare who had lost control of her wagon and was rolling down a hill towards the steep canyon.
“Oh that was you! I remember that. Almost didn’t make it to ya. Glad to see you fixed up your wagon since then.”
“Trixie did indeed make upgrades to her wagon after that incident. Though Trixie now remembers she never truly thanked you for saving her.”
Trail chuckled, “Yeah, as I recall you just yelled at me for not getting to you sooner.”
“Trixie!” Starlight shouted.
Trixie held up her hooves in defense, looking at her friend, “Trixie was a different pony back then. Trixie knows better now!”
Trail just laughed, “It’s alright Starlight. No point in dwelling on the past. I don’t hold grudges that easily.”
Both mares smiled at the stallion and they soon joined in his laughter. As the laughter started to die down, Trail spoke up.
“So Trixie, me and Starlight were having breakfast at the cafe’, care to join us?”
“Trixie would be delighted to join you. She just needs to move her cart out of the center of town.” Trixie said, turning to the hitch of her wagon.
Before she could make it there, Trail had already raced ahead and began to strap himself in.
“Allow me then Trixie.” Trail said, hitching himself to the wagon.
Trixie was taken aback by his action. Chivalry wasn’t dead apparently. She nodded and turned back to Starlight. Both mares walked alongside the wagon as Trail effortlessly pulled it along to the cafe, parking it on the outside edge where their table was.
As the three sat down at the table, the waiter returned to take Trixie’s order. She ordered iced tea and nothing else, saying that she ate on the way to town. After her tea arrived, the group went on with conversation.
“So Trixie, how was Saddle Arabia?” Starlight asked.
“Trixie dazzled the audience of the desert kingdom of course! They loved her performance so much, the first two shows sold out completely.” Trixie exclaimed.
Starlight beamed at her, “That’s great Trixie! I knew those new tricks would do well.”
“Oh they certainly did! Trixie was flawless, all thanks to you.” Trixie beamed back.
“Sorry, but can I get a clue here?” Trail chuckled.
“Oh sorry Trail. Trixie and I made some new tricks for her show that she can perform without me. I can’t leave the school with my counselor duties.” Starlight said.
“Oh, what kind of tricks?” Trail asked.
“You shall see them at tomorrow nights show. Trixie shall dazzle Ponyville with her spectacular performance!” Trixie exclaimed.
“Sounds like a lot of fun. I bet Comet would love to see a magic show.” Trail said, smiling at the idea.
“Who is Comet?” Trixie asked.
“That’s his daughter. She’s also my personal magic student at Twilight’s school.” Starlight explained.
“Oh, Trixie did not know you took a student! She must be magnificent with you as her teacher!” Trixie beamed.
Starlight blushed and looked away, “She’s improving a lot. She has a lot of potential.”
“Trixie would love to meet her. You must bring her to Trixie’s show tomorrow. Trixie insists!” Trixie exclaimed proudly to both ponies.
Trail and Starlight laughed at the blue mare’s antics. Smiling to each other before turning to Trixie.
“I’d be glad to bring her along. I look forward to the show Trixie.” Trail said.
Trixie clapped her hooves in excitement, making Starlight giggle at her friend’s reaction. All three ponies enjoyed their time at the cafe, asking for the occasional refill and talking about all kinds of topics. Trixie took a particular interest in Trail’s stories, asking about all the places he’s been to. Trixie had apparently wanted to try out new areas for her shows but didn’t know much about the terrain.
Trail offered her copies of all the books she would need for her travels, which the mare happily accepted. Starlight chimed in with an occasional question about certain places that she had wanted to visit. Neighgra Falls, Tenochtitlan Basin, Macintosh Hills.
“I think we should let somepony else have this table.” Trail said, getting up from his chair.
“Hey, why don’t we go to my office? I shouldn’t have any students for a while. Classes are going strong right now.” Starlight asked cheerfully.
“Trixie would enjoy some quiet time.” Trixie said, stretching out some stiffness from sitting too long.
“Sounds like a plan. I didn’t have plans to go into the forest today.” Trail said.
All three ponies started making their way to the school, walking along the path with little traffic. Most ponies seemed to be heading to the market or were already at work.
As they continued down the way, Starlight felt a tug on her tail. Looking over her shoulder, she saw Trixie falling back a bit and gesturing with her head for Starlight to join her.
Confused, Starlight slowed down to be right next to Trixie, “What’s up Trixie?”
Trixie got a smirk on her face as she leaned in to whisper to her friend, “Trixie must admit Starlight, you have good tastes.”
Starlight blinked, “Good taste in what? Cafes?”
Trixie rolled her eyes, “Oh, no need to play dumb with Trixie. She knows what’s going on.”
“Going on? Trixie, what’s this about?” Starlight asked.
Trixie’s smirk returned in full, “Trixie knows that you like this stallion.”
Starlight raised an eyebrow, “Trail? Yeah I like him. He’s a good friend.”
Trixie looked at Starlight, straight in the eye, “Trixie means, you “like” him Starlight.”
Starlight looked at her friend for about a minute, not sure what she was getting at. Then a thought came to her, and immediately her face went red as a tomato. She nearly stumbled around her own hooves but managed to correct herself.
“Trixie! What are you talking about!?” Starlight yelled as quietly as possible.
“Please Starlight, Trixie could see it a mile away.” Trixie said smugly.
“We are just friends!” Starlight said, her voice straining to keep out of Trail’s earshot.
“Oh come now Starlight, it’s nothing to be embarrassed about. He’s tall, handsome, strong, well traveled, smart. Trixie is a little jealous she didn’t find him first.” Trixie grinned.
Starlight almost lost her footing again, but once again caught herself and pushed against her friend’s side.
“It’s not like that!” Starlight shot at her.
Trixie was surprised at the little push but didn’t lose her smirk.
“Alright, if you say so Starlight.” Trixie said, picking up her pace a little.
She looked back at Starlight over her shoulder, “So does that mean Trixie can try?”
Starlight’s face grew more red and she chased after her friend, not because she was jealous, but because she couldn’t let her just flirt with her friend.
The two mares had fallen behind so far, Trail had stopped and looked back to make sure he hadn’t lost them. He had no clue what they were talking about, but he supposed it was mare things.