Chapter Forty Nine
Written by TheCrimsonDM
Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie were both enjoying themselves while sitting on Pinkie's balcony and watching the clouds lazily drift in the sky. All set on predetermined paths to move at certain speeds, they all looked so pretty. Of course not as pretty as Pinkie herself, as far as Rainbow Dash was concerned. Still she couldn’t deny that she felt a sharp stabbing pain in her heart from time to time. It wasn't just the the beak up, it was fear, fear that she might lose Pinkie in the same exact way.
Pinkie Pie leaned her head onto Rainbow Dash's shoulder. "You know, Dashy. Just because we're dating doesn't mean we have to change you know? Like, we can still be the same old ponies we always were, but if we do change that's okay too."
Rainbow Dash nuzzled into Pinkie's mane. "Yeah?"
"Yeppers, and I know you’re scared of losing me. Of pushing me away. But I want to make it clear, that I love having too much attention from my friends. So you don't have to worry."
"Thanks, Pinkie."
"No, thank you. I didn't think I’d be lucky enough to keep you. This means the world to me."
Rainbow Dash smiled as she held Pinkie close to her. "Just us two?"
"I don’t need anypony else, just you."
That was an answer that Rainbow Dash could live with.
***
It was feeling like a much better day out here in Ponyville, and Trixie couldn't help but to enjoy it. With Twilight by her side, the two of them were currently on their way toward Sweet Apple Acers. At first Twilight was against the idea, but Trixie managed to convince her to come by simply declaring she was going with or without her. Twilight was unlikely to let Trixie go by herself for a few different reasons, not the least of which involved the fact Fluttershy was there.
It was a quiet walk but a warm one. Still Trixie wasn't feeling the best about this visit herself. She had to do this regardless of her own desires, it still sucked. "Twilight, Trixie still feels guilty over this."
Twilight nodded. "So do I. I feel like there had to be something I could have done to fix it. Like I missed something and it made a huge mess."
The two of them felt guilty over this, yet Trixie could say with some clarity that neither of them should feel guilty. It wasn't like they went out of their way to break up Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. No those two did that to themselves, yet it was at their home it all came to a crashing end. So of course they felt bad. Even if Rainbow Dash seemed happier with Pinkie, it was not what anyone had expected.
Well at least she heard Luna was staying there quite frequently, she even had a new friend with her. That was something that Trixie was interested in learning more about. Luna was always kind of a loner, so she was excited to see who it was that could befriend the nighttime princess.
Sweet Apple Acers appeared in the distance. The first thing Trixie noticed was that Fluttershy was out by the trees and picking a few of the hard to reach apples off the top of the trees, bringing them down and putting them into the giant bucket of apples. Applejack nodded approvingly of Fluttershy's help. Once the two of them got closer Fluttershy landed and looked at them. She couldn't quite seem to meet either Twilight, or Trixie's eyes.
Trixie spoke first. "It would seem your doing good on the farm, Trixie is impressed."
Fluttershy squeaked out a response.
Applejack rolled her eyes. "Of course she's doing good. She's a great farmhoof."
Twilight added. "So how is it staying on the farm?"
Fluttershy lowered her head and looked down at the ground instead of answering. Applejack pet the top of Fluttershy's head. "She's doing better here. You know the state we found her in. Still Ah think it'll take a few more days before she's really talking again."
Fluttershy closed her eyes and then managed to squeak out actual words instead of sounds. "I'm seeing a therapist now."
Twilight offered a small smile. "That’s good to hear."
Fluttershy lowered her head further still. "I'm sorry. I was awful in your home."
Twilight looked at Trixie as if asking for help with how to respond. Trixie cleared her throat. "You still have one up on Trixie, all you did was act mean and break up with Rainbow Dash. Trixie enslaved the entire town. So, we'll forgive you."
Twilight snapped. "I could have come up with something kinder than that."
Fluttershy raised her head a bit and looked at Trixie. The lust that had been there previously had faded. She just looked sad, but at least she was smiling. "Thank you, Trixie."
As much as Trixie wanted that to mean Fluttershy was doing a lot better, she quieted up after that and eventually vanished into the house. Applejack didn't seem worried, in fact she was smiling. "She's spoke more just now than she's spoken since she first came here."
Twilight frowned. "I hope she gets better soon."
Applejack nodded. "Me too."
Trixie glanced at Applejack. "So how are Luna and her new friend?"
Applejack smiled. "Much to my surprise, they’re both great. Ah don't reckon I've seen a pony so happy except for Pinkie Pie. I've even caught her new friend singing to himself a few times. He might look like he lost a fight to a blender but he's happier than most ponies have any right to be."
Trixie laughed. "Well if he's that ugly it's nice to hear he's happy about it."
Still something felt a little off by the description. The air in front of them took on a dark blue tint and out from the nothingness stepped two ponies. One was the dark, beautiful form of Princess Luna, the other was a small unicorn stallion, taller than Trixie but inferior to Princess Luna. Trixie felt herself shaking as she stared at him. His gray fur complemented his dark mane. He wore bright orange robes. Everywhere his flesh was exposed, his neck, face, and hooves were all covered in scars.
Luna spoke. "Thank you for the help, I didn't think I'd be able to handle all of those giant rats by myself. Well in a timely fashion at least."
He chuckled and shook his head. "No problem, Princess Luna. It was an honor to serve by your side, and I guess you could say we won that rat race."
She laughed. "And you’re just delightful to talk too. Honestly, whatever did my sister not see in your skills?"
He looked over. "Oh its old history, I'm just glad to still of some use to y-" his words got caught in his throat as he saw Trixie. "Trixie?"
Instinct came over Trixie and she galloped to him. She jumped into him and wrapped her forelegs around him nearly shouting, "Shadow Heart! You’re alive!"
He hugged her back. "Trixie! You remember me? Oh thank the goddess, I thought she took that from you too."
Trixie knew he was talking about Celestia. "She did, but I've been remembering things. I don't even know why I'm hugging you, but I'm happy. So happy to see your okay."
Twilight stammered. "You mean Professor Shadow Heart is the stallion who mentored you? But, he's one of Celestia's older apprentices!"
Shadow Heart looked past Trixie and at Twilight. "Trixie, did you and your rival become friends?"
Trixie finally pulled away. "Oh, you could say that. I prefer the term lovers though."
Applejack whispered to Twilight. "Uh, is it just me or did Trixie just lose her third-person speech all of a sudden?"
Twilight nodded. "I agree, she slips out of it from time to time, but rarely this consistently."
Trixie glared at them. "I can use whatever accent I want. I am the great and powerful Trixie after all."
Shadow Heart laughed joyfully. "You seem happy. I'm glad for you. You also seem to have picked up a little weight too."
Trixie took a few steps back and puffed up her cheeks. "No, I didn't. Well I mean, I guess I did, but it's my beautiful perfect baby's fault. Applebutter will be the best version of me out there."
He sat down. "Pregnant?" he glanced from her to Twilight and then back to her. "Don't tell me Twilight used a gender-swapping spell to... you know?"
Trixie rolled her eyes. "No, it was her boyfriend who knocked me up." she pointed at Luna.
Luna’s entire face went red. "I-I um, well... I didn't start dating Big Mac until after he already did that so..."
Shadow Heart laughed. "It sounds like you've entered into a very strange place in life. But at least you seem happy. That's all I could ever ask for."
Trixie beamed up at him. "I am happy. Happier than I ever thought possible in my entire life."
Shadow Heart reached out and pet the top of her head. "Well let’s just hope that everything stays happy for you. I'm glad you remember me, but perhaps there are a few things that should remain forgotten right?"
She shrugged. "I wouldn't know. I don't remember them."
He glanced at Luna. "About what we had discussed earlier?"
Luna smiled and nodded. "I approve. I hadn't realized Trixie was the apprentice you had mentioned, she is not such a bad pony. Even if my relationship with her is a strange one."
Trixie stuck out her tongue. "You’re the strange one."
Applejack looked over her shoulders. "Please don't tell me Celestia is going to show up now? She kinda scares me."
Luna shook her head. "I already told you, my sister forgave you for the apple incident. She's not evil or anything."
Trixie returned to Twilight's side and nuzzled in. "Trixie truly is happy here. With friends, family, and you."
Twilight wrapped a leg around Trixie and pulled her close. "I'm happy too. Now, I want to get to know my predecessor if you don't mind sharing."
"Trixie is great at sharing."
"You literally ate every pickle in the house last night."
"When it's not food-related, she's good at sharing."
Shadow Heart whispered to Luna, in such a quiet voice that Trixie almost missed it, in fact she doubted anyone else even heard it. "Speaking in third person. It could be a side effect of the spell Celestia used."
Luna nodded. "I agree. Let’s just keep an eye on her and figure out what to do from there."
"Thank you for the help, Luna."
"She's family, I don't have a choice."