//------------------------------// // Chapter 14 // Story: May the Best Friends Win // by Trinary //------------------------------// & & & Dear Princess Celestia, Hey C. Rainbow Dash here. I used to think that Twilight probably had more to learn about friendship than I did, especially since she never really had any before. But now I’m starting to think that having too many friends can be almost as challenging as having too few...especially when they don’t get along. I always thought making friends was a snap but keeping friends, especially ones with different interests and goals, is a lot harder. When Trixie and Rainbow Dash returned to the hospital, they found that word had spread and a number of ponies came with their foals to see to Dinky, including Applejack and Rarity; along with their little sisters. From the death-glares the two mares were shooting Trixie, they had already spoken to Twilight. The truth is that there are times when you realize that some friendships are built on a stronger foundation than others and not all friendships can be maintained. Sometimes you find out that somepony you thought was a friend was really a false-friend and that there’s nothing you can do but let them go. Trixie shrank down and tried to hide behind Rainbow Dash as much as possible. Rainbow just nodded to the two of them and gave Trixie a comforting nod. Hesitantly, hat in hoof, Trixie walked over to Applejack and Rarity and their sisters and began to apologize. This time though? I got lucky. “Trixie…wishes to apologize.” She fidgeted as she addressed Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom. “Trix—I—want you to know that there is no one way to get your cutie mark. It will reveal itself in its own time. You do not need to leave your sisters…who love you very much.” She walked away, not waiting for a response as she went over to the next pony on her list: Twilight. When the walls came down and I got to see a glimpse of the real Trixie, I didn’t like what I saw. I don’t think she did either. Trixie bowed her head underneath Twilight’s glare. “I…am sorry Twilight Sparkle. I-I do not know what else to say.” But even underneath all of her pettiness and arrogance, I still saw something there worth salvaging. Even more fortunately, she did too. Trixie flinched as Twilight reached out…and put a hoof on her shoulder. “Then don’t say anything. If you want to be a better pony who deserves Rainbow Dash’s friendship, then be that pony. Don’t just talk, act.” Cloud Kicker stood by, watching. She nodded in approval. Trixie looked furtively at Cloud Kicker as the lavender pegasus walked over. Before she could even get a word in, Cloud Kicker winked at her. “You better behave there Trix. Cuz, I KNOW how to deal with ponies who’ve been…naughty.” She slapped Trixie’s rump with her wing, making the showmare squeak and blush. Twilight held a hoof over her face, trying not to make her amusement too obvious. Eager to escape this scene, Trixie hightailed it to the hospital so she could apologize to Dinky. Trixie ruffled a lot of feathers. Honestly? I’m not sure I would’ve been able to forgive her, let alone even talk to her—if the others hadn’t been willing to. And they were willing to because they didn’t want to put me in the position of throwing a friend of mine out of town. They really are the greatest friends ever. Trixie sat on the edge of Dinky’s bed. The little filly only had to have two or three stitches put in. The wound would heal over completely, not even leaving a scar and would, in any case, be easily obscured by her mane. Listening to Trixie apologize, Dinky did what came natural to her: she got up and walked over to give her a hug. Shaking, Trixie hugged the foal back as her body wracked with sobs; touched by the sweet innocence of a filly she had needlessly risked. And while most ponies were willing to forgive Trixie, that isn’t to say that there weren’t…consequences. The door to Dinky’s room opened, alerting Trixie and Dinky to somepony walking in. “Hi momma!” Trixie’s brow beaded with sweat as she slowly turned around. She quailed underneath Ditzy’s furious glower. “M-Miss Doo…” Trixie began. Ditzy’s eyes narrowed. “Outside. Now.” She snapped her wing so fast that it cracked like a whip as she pointed outside. The unicorn hung her head as she meekly marched out. Ditzy closed the door behind them. She brusquely nodded to an empty room across the hall. Trixie gulped as she hesitantly walked into the room. Ditzy Doo gently closed the door behind her with a click. What followed was a series of loud smacks and yelping. Still, all things considered, I think things turned out well. Your most awesome and loyal student, Rainbow Dash As Rainbow Dash stuck her letter to the Princess in the mail, she noticed Trixie hobbling over towards her. “Hey Trix. How’s it going?” Trixie grumbled, grateful her cape was long enough to cover her red backside. “Fine.” She said icily. Rainbow shrugged. “Hey, Ditz is real protective of her daughter. You’re lucky you’re still in one piece. Still, since that’s behind us, er, no offense, we can start fresh! Ha, just wait until Pinkie throws you a proper welcome party! Trust me it’s—” “I—I can’t stay.” Trixie forced out. “—gonna be awesome.” Rainbow finished weakly. “What? Why? I thought the point was for you to apologize so you could stay!” She shook her head. “No…I wanted to stay your friend. But I don’t think I can stay here. This…this is your life. I’d always feel like an outsider here, like I was intruding on something of yours. Even your friends, if they ever liked me, would be friends with me because you were friends with me. I want—I want to make some friends, on my own. I can’t do that here…with you.” Rainbow felt her heart sink. “…oh.” “But I still want to be friends! I can come by and do some more shows with you and—and…” Trixie’s face fell. “I’m sorry. I just…I just need something of my own. You were right; I did try to use you to advance my career and I don’t want to do that again.” “That isn’t the same thing!” “It is to me!” Trixie shook her head. “Look…my mind’s made up. I won’t be gone as long this time, I promise. I’ll swing back in time for Hearth’s Warming Eve. Maybe I’ll even have some friends for you to meet this time. O-okay?” She smiled encouragingly. Rainbow sighed but knew she’d never talk Trixie out of it. “Sounds great,” she agreed hollowly. “You, uh, may wanna get going. You know, before Pinkie throws you a greeting and a farewell party.” Trixie chuckled. “You’re probably right. Never fear though, you have not seen the last of the Great and Powerful Trixie!” She reared up, accompanied by a puff of smoke. By the time it cleared, Trixie was gone and her carriage was already on the move. Rainbow Dash’s eyes stung. Clearly from the smoke. Clearly. The cyan pegasus stood there for several minutes, just watching Trixie’s stagecoach roll off into the distance. Then there was the sound of somepony clearing their throat behind her. Dash turned around. “Hey, Rainbow Dash.” Raindrops offered hesitantly. “Hey, Raindrops.” Rainbow returned with an uncomfortable smile. Awkward pause. “…nice weather we’re having?” Rainbow offered lamely. Raindrops nodded. “Could use a little more cirrocumulus laconusi.” Raindrops critiqued then she grimaced. “So…I-I guess that’s whoever you’re hiring to replace me’s problem, isn’t it?” Dash shook her head. “I’m not replacing you. You’re not in any trouble.” She paused. “Look I’ve had some stuff going on and…well…I get where you’re coming from: it sucks to put your all into something only to have somepony else do it and make it seem like a snap without even trying. So, uh, I guess what I’m trying to say is….sorry?” She offered feebly, rubbing the back of her head. “If…well, if you want to come back, your job’s still open. A-and, I guess I can try to not…um,” “It’s okay.” Raindrops sighed, smiling slightly. “My way isn’t the only way. If the work gets done and done well, then I guess I really shouldn’t complain if your method is different than mine. Just…could you not rub it in?” “You’re asking for a lot you know.” Rainbow said, half-jokingly. “But I’ll try.” “…thank you.” Raindrops said. “So, uh, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow morning?” Rainbow Dash started to agree when she paused. “Actually, I’m thinking about grabbing a bite to eat. Want to join me?” Blinking in surprise, Raindrops nodded. “Uh, sure.” "Cool." The two started walking together. "I was also thinking about this epic prank on Cloud Kicker. You want in?" Raindrops smirked. "Sounds like a plan." P.S. Also, I learned that it's good to realize that different ponies have different methods of approaching things and that there isn't any one right way (well, there's my way but that's if you want it done fast and awesomely). But the best results come from different ponies with different abilities coming together to achieve their goal. And that's awesome too. -Rainbow Dash P.P.S. One more thing: if you ever come into town? There's this one pegasus named Cloud Kicker who's been dying to meet you. Feel free to stop by her place and say hi. Just because. & & &