//------------------------------// // A Twixie Finale // Story: A Twixie Love Story // by Yukito //------------------------------// “Did you pack your lunch?” “Yes.” “Have you got your money?” Trixie pulled out a small pouch from within her cape. “Got your ticket?” Trixie flashed her ticket to Twilight Sparkle. “Got plenty of paper? Some quills? Books to read on the train?” “Twilight, Trixie is only going to visit Feathermay. Why would she need paper and quills?” “Well… you never know…” The two mares heard the sound of the train nearing, and picked up the pace towards the Ponyville train station. “You’re sure you’ve got everything?” Trixie rolled her eyes, and used her magic to undo her saddlebag. “Would you like to check yourself?” she asked sarcastically, though this was apparently lost on the purple mare, who immediately grabbed the bag and began to rummage through the contents. Twilight found something in Trixie’s bag that made her look up at the showmare with her eyes narrowed. “… Trixie, where did all of these sugar sticks come from?” Trixie turned away and whistled innocently. “I said you could take three! I don’t want to have to travel to Canterlot to bail you out of jail because of some sugar-induced frenzy!” “But a train ride without you will be so boring that Trixie will need all this sugar to stay awake!” Trixie pleaded as she ran a hoof gently across Twilight’s cheek. “Nice try,” Twilight said flatly, using her magic to remove a large pile of sugar sticks out of Trixie’s bag. “You can take three. If you feel tired on the train, feel free to go to sleep. You’ll need your energy for tonight, after all.” Trixie grinned and closed in on Twilight with a sultry look. “Oh? What have you got planned for the Great and Powerful Trixie?” Twilight’s face reddened, and she quickly pushed Trixie away. “I-Idiot! I meant the Wonderbolts’ show tonight! It goes on until midnight, and Rainbow Dash went through a lot of trouble to get those tickets so that we could all go together!” Trixie adjusted her hat, and then reached out for her saddlebag, taking it back from Twilight now that her inspection was finished. “Trixie would have preferred just the two of us going…” ‘Although a bigger audience does have its merits, too.’ “I know, but then, it’s been a month since the seven of us really did anything together all as a group…” “The last time we all got together was before the Royal Wedding, if Trixie recalls correctly.” Twilight nodded in confirmation. “Trixie still can’t believe she got sick and missed that whole thing. She never thought she’d say this, but Trixie misses having Nightmare Moon inside her mind.” Twilight shuddered at the memory brought on by that comment. “You hardly ever got sick before because her influence was protecting you. It made your body sturdier than most other ponies, and strengthened your immune system.” “That’s what Luna said,” Trixie confirmed. “Since Nightmare Moon couldn’t break free of the seal binding her, she instead used her power to increase Trixie’s chances of survival. In a way, it is thanks to her that Trixie is alive today. All so that she could take Trixie’s body for herself…” Trixie leaned in to whisper into Twilight’s ear: “But she never stood a chance, ‘cause Trixie’s body belongs to you.” Twilight’s blush intensified, and she let out a startled yelp as Trixie blew into her ear. “In the end, love triumphed over darkness,” Trixie continued, pulling away from the bright-red librarian. “Just like a fairytale. Only this one is real.” “… True love will always triumph in the end. This incident, and the incident with the changeling Queen, both showed that quite well…” The sound of the train making its last call for passengers to board interrupted the two mares’ conversation. “It looks like you’d better get on board. Are you sure you have everything?” “For the last time, Trixie has everything that she-” Trixie was interrupted by a sudden kiss by Twilight, which lasted for a full ten seconds, before the purple mare pulled away. “… Oh yeah. Almost forgot that.” “Good job I remembered then,” Twilight giggled. “I guess I’ll see you this afternoon then, when you get back. Make sure you say ‘hello’ to Feathermay for me.” Trixie nodded, and then waved goodbye to her marefriend, before making her way towards the train that had pulled into the station. Twilight waited until the train left three minutes later, taking Trixie away to the city of Canterlot. Trixie tapped her hoof irritably on the table in front of her, staring up at the clock beside her as her patience steadily left her. “Hey! How long must the Great and Powerful Trixie be expected to wait?!” “As long as it takes, ma’am. The prisoner was in the middle of her shower when you came in. You’re lucky we’re allowing you to wait here, instead of asking you to come back later.” “Honestly, wasting Trixie’s valuable time like this. Can’t you move her shower schedule around a bit?” “… No. We cannot.” The door on the other side of the glass to Trixie opened up, and a purple Pegasus pony walked inside the room on the other side. “Here she is,” the guard accompanying her announced. “You’ve got fifteen minutes.” Feathermay sat down opposite Trixie, smiling despite her situation. “Hey there. Glad to see you’re okay.” “That should be Trixie’s line,” Trixie said, frowning as she faced her friend. “Sorry… You got found out because of Trixie. If you hadn’t been brought in for questioning, your involvement with Boss and the others wouldn’t have been found.” Feathermay shook her head. “It’s fine. The only connection they found was that I was helping them avoid capture. Therefore, my sentence is much shorter than what it would have been otherwise, and most of my time is spent with a therapist.” Feathermay leaned closer to whisper to Trixie. “I’ve convinced them that my mental state is unstable as a result of witnessing those murders, so that they go easy on me. I get my own cell, and don’t have to do physical labour.” Trixie grinned, and would have hoof bumped her, if not for the layer of glass in-between them. Instead, they settled for bumping their hooves on the glass itself. “Anyway,” Feathermay continued, “I’m just glad they didn’t discover your connection, too.” “They did,” Trixie said. “But legally, Trixie didn’t exist during her time with the gang, so the only pony who can testify against her is you. As for harbouring her, there is no evidence regarding that. As for how Trixie knew where to find you, she can just testify that she was investigating a lead, as an honorary member of the Royal Guard.” “I see… On another topic, how’s your relationship going?” “It’s going great. Twilight’s friends have, for the most part, forgiven Trixie for scaring them like that, and although Twilight is now a bit more paranoid about Trixie’s actions, she’s still the best marefriend in all of Equestria.” “That’s great to hear,” Feathermay said, a dreamy look on her face. “When I get out of here, the first thing I’m gonna do is find myself a nice stallion.” Feathermay looked up at the clock beside her, and then back at Trixie. “We still have some time left. I wanted to ask you about that incident… If that’s okay with you, that is.” Trixie nodded hesitantly. “Yeah, that’s fine. It was difficult, but thanks to all the time that Trixie has spent with Twilight, she has pretty much gotten over it now.” Trixie brought a hoof up to her eye patch. “And even though Trixie’s body isn’t as tough as it once was, serving as a constant reminder of what Trixie has lost… No, it’s thanks to that, that Trixie is able to move on, and leave the past where it belongs.” “I see,” Feathermay said with a smile. “Give Twilight my thanks, for looking after you.” “Oh, that reminds Trixie. Twilight says: ‘Hello’.” “… I’m glad she’s not angry at me, for letting you go off on your own like that… Anyway, what I wanted to ask you, is whether or not that group’s been caught yet.” “Oh, right. Well, Shining’s lead proved more promising than expected, though the loss of their leader Amaranth was probably quite a lethal blow to them. ‘Nightmare Policy’, as they call themselves, has been disbanded, since the Royal Guard discovered their hideout and raided the place.” “So nopony will come after you then?” “Hopefully not. Although, if any remnants still exist, the possibility remains, since Trixie is a Lulamoon, after all. It was the Lulamoons that first defeated Nightmare Moon, by sealing her away. According to Shining Armour, they did it in secret, without even the Princesses knowing about it. Therefore, as long as this blood runs through Trixie’s veins, she is a natural enemy to them. “But, their first order of business would undoubtedly be to re-establish their order, providing that Nightmare Moon is even still alive.” “You mean, there’s a chance that that’s possible?!” “Yes. Nightmare Moon’s past is shrouded in mystery… but she’s very adaptable. She doesn’t need a body to survive, only to be seen.” Trixie let out a heavy sigh. “… Anyway, it seems our time together is almost up.” Feathermay pouted and turned her head away. “Man, this sucks! I think I preferred my freedom to being locked away like this!” “Well, duh,” Trixie said with a roll of her eyes. “That’s kind of the whole point.” The two shared a quick laugh together, before a guard came to escort Feathermay back to her cell. “Trixie will come back next week, at the same time.” Feathermay nodded. “I’ll be waiting. And Trixie, that Twilight’s one fine mare! Don’t do something stupid and end up losing her.” Trixie harrumphed and flicked her mane. “How dare you? The Great and Powerful Trixie is many things, but an idiot isn’t one of them.” “Could have fooled me,” Feathermay muttered, receiving a glare from Trixie in response. “Later then, Trixie!” “… Later.” Trixie watched as Feathermay left the room on the other side of the glass, and then, with a loud yawn, jumped off of her stool and stretched her legs. “Alright, that’s that done. Now, just one quick stop, and then Trixie will make her way back to Ponyville.” “Hello? Can you hear me?” “Hey, Seashell, Bubbles! Have you seen Wind Whistler anywhere?” “We haven’t, but have you tried the library? You know how she likes to coop herself up in there.” “Hello?” “Good idea! I’ll try that!” “Wait up! I’ll come with you.” “Me too!” “… Nobody can see me. Nobody can hear me. Am I… alone?” “Why? Why am I alive? If nobody can even notice me, what is my point of being? Are there more of my kind out there?” “Fascinating!” “Little one, can you not sense my presence right beside you? What has you so enthralled? Another one of your ‘books’?” “This mind control theory is simply fascinating! But it’s far too dangerous. I can understand why this research was halted. I had better hide these notes away, so that the wrong pony does not find them.” “Mind control… These notes are incomplete. I wonder if I could…” “It worked. I no longer have to be alone anymore! Amaranth… Amaranth, can you hear me? Can you see me?!” “I can, my Queen… and I thank you for giving me life.” “‘Queen’?” “Yes. If you wish, I could address you in some way else.” “… No. That is fine. Amaranth, you can interact with the world around you, can’t you?” “I can.” “Then, there is something that I wish for you to do for me. There is a certain book that I would like to read, but I cannot touch it myself.” “Your wish is my command, my Queen.” “Excuse me, miss.” Trixie groaned, and stirred as she slowly opened her eye. “I’m sorry to disturb you, but I need to see your ticket, ma’am.” “… Here,” Trixie said in a groggy voice as she sat up in her seat. She cleared her throat, and handed the train conductor her ticket. “Here.” “Thank you, ma’am.” The stallion examined her ticket for a moment, before returning it to the showmare. “This seems to be in order. Please enjoy the rest of your travel.” “Mm… Will do,” Trixie yawned as she rubbed her eye. ‘About thirty minutes until the train arrives at the Ponyville train station. I can’t go back to sleep now… Guess I’ll go take a walk around the train cars, to wake myself up.’ Trixie rose from her seat and moved through the empty passenger car. As she moved through the train, her mind drifted to her plans for later today. ‘After Pinkie Pie’s party, there should be enough time to ‘play’ with Twilight before we have to leave for the Wonderbolts’ show. I’ll have to find some excuse to move away from the group to confirm-’ “Heading somewhere?” Trixie stopped halfway through yet another empty passenger car (apparently, not many ponies were travelling on this train), and focused her attention on the light-grey-coated, red-maned Pegasus mare standing before. “To the dining car, perhaps?” “Hm? Well, not that it’s any of your business, but yes.” Trixie titled her head as she examined the mare’s face. “Have we met before? You look familiar.” “Yes, I imagine I would. After all, I was there that time you investigated Amaranth in Manechester.” ‘Amaranth?!’ Trixie quickly lowered her head and started to charge magic into her horn. “Ah-ah-ah. If you do that, you might attract unwanted attention, and put innocent ponies in harm’s way.” “What do you want? Nightmare Policy should be disbanded right now.” “And it is. But I’m not here as a member of that group…” The mare took a few steps closer to Trixie, prompting the showmare to remove her hat, to give her horn a clear shot at the mare. “I’m here on more personal business.” “Personal? What, you upset that Trixie defeated your Queen? News flash: killing Trixie will accomplish nothing, other than you revealing yourself. And then, you’ll find it even harder to find your Queen again.” The mare scoffed. “Please, I couldn’t care less about Nightmare Moon. Truth be told, I was never that loyal to her anyway… No, I’m here to avenge Amaranth, not Nightmare Moon.” The mare motioned to the door behind Trixie. “Let’s take a walk, shall we? Oh, and by the way, my name is Agrimonia.” “And why should Trixie take a walk with you?” “Like I said, you don’t want innocent ponies getting involved, do you? I’d also like to avoid that, if at all possible. This battle is just between you and me, but I will have no problem involving unrelated ponies if you refuse to comply.” “… Very well then. Lead the way.” Trixie followed Agrimonia through the train, back the way she had just come from, cancelling her magic for now, but still keeping a close eye on the mare. “Where are we going?” “To somewhere where we can be alone, without any interruptions.” Agrimonia looked over her shoulder at Trixie, glaring hard at the showmare. “You don’t remember your father, isn’t that right?” “… I didn’t, but as a consequence if Nightmare Moon’s seal being broken, my memories of him, even though they were from when I was just a baby, returned to me.” “I see. You’re lucky; I don’t remember a thing about my father, or of my mother, for that matter. I was abandoned at such a young age, and an injury made me forget everything I once knew about them.” “Is that so? Join the club. There are ponies like that everywhere.” “Indeed, but how many of them actually survive more than a few years? And of those that do, how many of them are able to fit back into society?” Trixie didn’t respond to that, because she knew what the answer was, but didn’t want to speak it. “You’re one of the lucky ones, Trixie Lulamoon. By finding Boss, you were able to raise the money to pay for tuition for school. From that point on, you were practically on your way to a perfectly normal life. You could get an education, and with that, a job to support yourself. “In a way, I am lucky too. Because, just like you, I was saved. Amaranth found me, lying half-dead in a gutter in Manehatten, and took me away.” A tear rolled down the mare’s face, and she stopped for a second to wipe it away. “He fed me, bathed me, gave me a place to sleep… In many ways, I considered him my father. And all he asked in return was my loyalty. Heck, it’s not like I had anything to live for before. I was more than happy to live my life for him, as thanks for saving my life. “And then you killed him. The one family I had in this world. My one reason for living!” Agrimonia slammed her hoof on the floor beneath her, her nostrils flared and blowing steam in her rage. “I’m sure that you of all ponies knows what it’s like to be all alone, and then to find somepony that makes life worth living.” The image of Twilight crossed Trixie’s mind right away. “Yeah… I know.” “Well, Amaranth was the only thing keeping me in this world! And now he’s dead! Dead by your hoof! And I swear, that no matter what it takes, I will have my revenge!” Agrimonia turned around and began to walk again. “I will kill you, Trixie Lulamoon. So prepare yourself… I’ll give you until we get to our arena for you to say your prayers.” “‘Arena’?” Agrimonia stopped by a ladder in the car that the two mares were currently passing through, and motioned for Trixie to climb up. “I’ve unlocked the hatch. We’ll fight up there. That way, nopony else will get involved.” “And if Trixie refuses to fight you?” “Like I said, this is just for the sake of others. But if you refuse, then I will have no problem carrying out my revenge right here and now, even if it puts innocent ponies at risk.” The two mares shared a hard glare, before Trixie ultimately gave in and, with a reluctant sigh, began to climb the ladder, up to the top of the train car. She stopped halfway to throw her hat and saddlebag to the floor, and then continued. After opening the hatch, Trixie climbed outside, onto the top of the fast-moving train car. “What do you think?” Agrimonia asked. “Not a bad place for a duel, huh?” “… It’s a little cliché. Train top duels are so overdone these days. Trixie would have preferred a fight atop an airship.” “Those things are way too expensive for ponies like us, and you know it.” Trixie turned around to see Agrimonia standing some distance away from her, carrying a dagger in her hoof. “Oh, you don’t have a weapon? That’s too bad…” Trixie narrowed her eye, and noticed the green liquid on the end of the dagger. “A poisoned dagger? Really?” she asked in a condescending tone. “The Great and Powerful Trixie is supposed to be intimidated by that? You obviously have no idea just who you’re dealing with, do you?” “Yeah, talk tough, Trixie… I’ll enjoy very much making you eat those words as you gag for your last breath!” Agrimonia charged forward, dagger pointed towards Trixie, and screaming at the top of her lungs: “DIIIIIIIIE!” Trixie fired a few spells to try to make her drop the knife, by striking the nerves in her hoof, but they were blocked by Agrimonia’s wings, which began to twitch and spasm as a result of being hit. Before she could charge the spell again, the enraged mare was already in front of her, and had thrust the knife towards her chest. Trixie pulled her cape in front of it, and the knife deflected back, not being able to pierce the piece of clothing. “What?!” “Thanks, Twilight!” Trixie shouted as she kicked the mare’s hoof with her hind leg, forcing the knife up into the air. She then fired a spell at the airborne object, sending it flying off into the distance. ‘Hope that doesn’t hit anything… It’s a good job I have that manepin that Twilight made me on the inside of my cape, or I would have been a goner!’ “Who says I need a weapon to fight?!” Agrimonia shouted as she lunged forward, extending her forehooves towards Trixie’s abdomen. Trixie responded by blocking with her forehooves, but underestimated the other mare’s power, and was sent flying back along the train. ‘C-Crap! I can’t teleport on a fast-moving object like this! I’ve gotta grab a hold of something!’ Reaching her hooves out for anything that she could grab onto, Trixie just barely managed to find the railing on the side of the train car’s roof, before she was sent flying off of the fast-moving locomotive. “Oh no you don’t!” Agrimonia shouted, charging towards Trixie. However, as she ran, the pain in her forehoof from Trixie’s earlier kick caused the mare to stumble over, and roll along the train car’s roof towards the edge. “N-NOOOOO!” “Gotcha!” Trixie shouted as she reached a forehoof out, grabbing Agrimonia’s hind leg as she fell off the train. “Hang on! I’m gonna try to teleport us, but it’ll take some time!” “W-What are you doing?! Do you not understand the concept of a duel?!” “Shut up! I’ve already killed one pony, I’m not gonna kill another! And I’m certainly not going to abandon somepony who’s all alone!” “Y-You’re insane! I tried to kill you!” “I know!” “I’m out for your blood!” “I know!” “I’m with the ponies that killed-” “I. KNOW!” Trixie turned her head and bared her teeth at the mare. “But that’s all in the past! I live in the future, and the future is not built through spilt blood! And besides… I can totally understand where you’re coming from.” Agrimonia managed to bring her head up to give Trixie a bewildered look. “You… You what?” “I said that I understand your feelings! As somepony who was also abandoned by the world, I know what it’s like when somepony finally accepts you… And when you find that somepony, I know that you’d be willing to do anything to ensure you don’t ever lose them. But you focus so much on not losing them, that you fail to plan for the day when you do lose them. “And when I lost Boss and the others, and Amaranth threatened to take Twilight away from me, too, the only thing I could think of, was that Amaranth had to pay! I didn’t know how else to deal with it, so I just came up with something simple: I’m good, and he’s evil. With that, I could bring myself to go after his life.” Trixie’s horn began to glow, and both mares remained silent as Trixie concentrated hard. Teleportation was a difficult enough spell on its own, but teleporting on a moving surface – especially one as fast-moving as a train – required much more effort than usual. The slightest slipup could cost you your life. Add to the equation the extra pony that she had to teleport along with herself, and it was no surprise that her mind felt like it would explode from trying to pull of this spell. Suddenly, a bright light exploded where the two were previously hanging, and when it faded away, they were gone. “Well… that could have gone better,” Trixie commented as she pulled a small mirror out of her cape. “My hair’s all black now…” “Why the hell did you teleport us into the coal car?!” Agrimonia yelled after pulling her head out from the coal that it was buried in just moments ago. “It’s not like that was Trixie’s intention! Just count yourself lucky that we wound up on the train at all!” “You should have just saved yourself, you moron! What was all that crap about understanding me, anyway?! Big deal if we were both alone, we also both grew up under different circumstances; you were able to go to school, whilst I was brought up by a group wanted by the Royal Guard!” “You know, we’re not all that different,” Trixie said, patting her mane to try and get all of the black out of it. “There was a time that Trixie herself actually wanted to dethrone Princess Celestia. Trixie knows how easy it is to go down a dark path, when there’s nopony to guide you any other way. After all, the darkness offers an irresistible attraction.” Agrimonia scoffed. “What, so you think I could have been ‘saved’ if things had turned out differently?” “Trixie never said that. She just said that she understands. However, if our situations were reversed, then Trixie believes that the results would have been reversed, too. Trixie would have joined Nightmare Policy, and you would have been able to integrate into society.” “…” “You know, loneliness can force ponies to do all kinds of things out of desperation. And not just ponies, either.” “What d’you mean?” “… Before Nightmare Moon left me, her memories came flooding into my brain. I saw Nightmare Moon for what she really was, and how she started down the path that made her the figure of terror she is known as today.” “Isn’t she just somepony with an insatiable lust for power?” Trixie shook her head. “No. She’s just… like you and me. Alone.” Agrimonia remained silent, and Trixie continued. “She was tired of being alone, of ponies not even being able to see or hear her, and of being the only one of her kind. So one day, when she learned that she could create a pony that could interact with the world, using her own body as a template, she created Amaranth, and asked him to help her in her quest to interact with ponies. “In her desperation, she used the possession spell to take over the mind of a pony, so that she could finally have a visible body of her own, so that she could mingle with society, and make friends. However, in her desperation, she overlooked two important things: she can only posses ponies with darkness in their hearts, and when she does possess them, she becomes them. “In other words, she would possess somepony with the desire to destroy the world, or rule it in a state of eternal night, and then, before she even realised it, she would assume their dream. She would essentially become that pony she possessed, and lose herself in the process.” Agrimonia looked shocked to hear all of this, and a little sad. “No way… And then, she was sealed away because of this?” Trixie nodded. “Sad, isn’t it? That’s how the world works. Innocent ponies, who want nothing more than to be accepted, become desperate in their quest to find that place to belong, and if they aren’t saved quickly enough, they find their own twisted way to become recognised. They become murderers, or thieves, or con-artists… So many innocent souls fall victim to despair, simply because the world forsakes them from an early age. And I never want to see that again.” Agrimonia turned her attention to the pile of coal beneath her hooves, a serious frown on her face as she thought about everything that Trixie had just said. “But… you took him away from me.” “Taking my life will not bring him back,” Trixie said flatly, rising to her hooves and approaching Agrimonia. “Instead of needlessly taking a life from this world, why don’t you focus your efforts into something different? Something that will make worthwhile the life that you’ve been given?” “Like what? I’m a wanted criminal. I’ve got nowhere to go…” A blue hoof extended towards the light-grey mare, and she looked up at Trixie’s face, which was staring back at her with strong, confident eyes. “Well, how about this?” “Here it comes!” Twilight announced as she jumped excitedly off of the bench she was sitting on. In the distance, she could see the train that should have been carrying Trixie approaching. Next to Twilight, Spike was also waiting, carrying a small, wrapped-up present in his claws. “Twilight, don’t get so close!” the baby dragon called out as he watched the purple mare running up to the edge of the platform. “I’m not a child, Spike! And I know not to get too close!” The train pulled into the station, slowing to a stop. The doors opened, and a few ponies departed slowly. However, Trixie didn’t seem to be among them. “Where is she?” “Where is who?” a female voice asked behind Twilight, startling her. She turned around and glared at the laughing blue Unicorn behind her. “Trixie! Stop sneaking up on me like that! You’re going to give me a heart attack, and then I won’t be able to finish my research!” “Sorry, sorry,” Trixie said, moving in to kiss Twilight. Spike would have been making a gagging expression with his face, had he not been distracted by the light-grey mare accompanying Trixie. He was about to ask who she was, before she shot him a glare that froze him stiff. “Oh, Twilight,” Trixie said after she pulled back from their kiss, “There’s somepony that Trixie wants you to meet.” She motioned over to the mare standing behind her with a hoof. “… Berrirose,” the mare said in a bored tone of voice. “Berrirose?” Twilight asked. “…” “Are you sure?” Agrimonia asked as she followed Trixie along the train car rooves. “You really think you can pull something like that off?” “Who knows? But Trixie wants to at least try. And to do it, she’ll need help.” Trixie stopped in her tracks, and turned to the mare behind her. “Neither of us are the weak fillies we once were. We both have the power to influence this world. Killing each other now would not only be a waste, but it would be an insult, to all those who helped us to get where we are.” “… And, you really want me to help you? After I tried to kill you?” “The past is the past. The Great and Powerful Trixie looks toward the future.” “…” “If there’s a chance that we can save even one pony from suffering the same fate as us, then it’s worth it. Don’t you think?” The sound of the train’s whistles told the mares that they were nearing the Ponyville train station. “I… don’t know…” “That’s fine. Just think about it, and give Trixie your answer later.” Trixie turned around, and was about to continue walking towards the open hatch ahead of her. “Oh, that’s right. You’ll need a new name, to avoid the Royal Guard, right?” “Huh? Oh. Yeah… I guess I will.” “Then, how about Berrirose?” “‘Berrirose’?” “That’s right. In the language of flower, it means…” ‘To chose your own destiny.’ Agrimonia nodded. “That’s right. My name is Berrirose. That a problem?” Twilight shook her head quickly. “Oh, no! It’s not a problem at all! It’s a very nice name, actually.” “So, who are you, exactly?” Spike asked. “How do you and Trixie know each other?” “Well, that’s-” “A strip club,” Agrimonia said, cutting Trixie off. Twilight, Trixie, and Spike’s eyes all widened simultaneously, and the Pegasus mare grinned at the response. “We both ran into each other in a strip club, and I bought her a drink.” Twilight shot her marefriend a glare. “Trixiiiiie?” “N-No! She’s lying!” Trixie turned to Agrimonia with a pleading look. “Tell her you’re lying!” “Oh, no need to be upset, Miss Sparkle. After all, this was back in our student days together, longbefore she had ever met you/” “Is that so?” Twilight asked, her glare not softening one bit. “It is,” Agrimonia confirmed, relishing the murderous gaze being sent her way by Trixie. “I met Trixie by chance on the train, on my way to Ponyville. I’m going to be staying here for a bit, you see.” “Wait, how do you know my name?” “Trixie’s told me so much about you.” At that, Twilight gaze softened a little bit, but she still looked rather angry at the showmare. “Hey, guys?” Spike asked, gaining everypony’s attention. “I think we should probably get going soon. You know how Pinkie Pie hates it when ponies are late to her parties. Especially her surprise ones.” “Oh, you’re going to a party?” Agrimonia asked, before observing the present in Spike’s claws. “Ah, that would explain that, then.” “Oh, that’s right!” Twilight said, looking over at the station clock. “We should hurry! It’s almost time!” “Berrirose, why don’t you come along?” Trixie asked, receiving a quizzical look from the Pegasus. “Hey, yeah! Pinkie Pie loves meeting new ponies!” Spike said in a cheerful tone. “And her parties are always so fun!” “Thanks for the offer, but I’d much rather get myself to the inn and-” “You can do that later,” Trixie interrupted. “There’ll be lots of cake there.” Agrimonia’s ears twitched at the mention of cake, and she shuffled her hooves about on the station platform a bit. “… Well, I guess I could check it out a little bit.” “Great! Well then, let’s not dawdle!” Trixie grabbed Twilight’s hoof with her own, and started to walk off into the town, with Spike and Agrimonia following behind. A mischievous grin formed itself on Trixie’s face. ‘This’ll get her back for the train ride, and for just now!’ “SUR-PRIIIIISE!” The surprise party for Aura, a young Unicorn filly that just turned nine today, was a smashing success. The white Unicorn filly entered Sugarcube Corner with two of her friends, and all three were startled when the lights suddenly turned on, and many ponies jumped out from behind the tables. As the party progressed, and ponies began to mingle into groups and talk to each other, Trixie decided to introduce ‘Berrirose’ to her friends (and to one pink pony in particular). “Guys, this is Trixie’s… friend…” The word still felt strange to Trixie to use to describe this mare, and Agrimonia didn’t seem to like it much either, cringing as the word left Trixie’s mouth and entered the Pegasus’ ear. “… Berrirose.” “Wow,” Rainbow Dash said, sending Trixie a playful grin. “You have friends?” Trixie rolled her eyes. “Oh, very original, Rainbow Crash.” Rainbow Dash nudged Trixie, prompting the showmare to retaliate in kind. The two mares began to squabble in the background, and so Applejack decided to introduce herself first. “Nice ta meet ya, Miss Berrirose. Mah name’s Applejack, and it’s always a pleasure to make a new pony’s acquaintance.” Applejack offered her hoof to the new mare. “If you say so,” Agrimonia said, ignoring Applejack’s outstretched hoof. “And what about you?” she asked the white mare beside Applejack. “My name is Rarity. It is most lovely to-” Agrimonia cut Rarity off by turning to the yellow Pegasus beside her. “And you?” Rarity frowned, but decided not to say anything. Applejack moved over to where Rainbow Dash was pinning Trixie to the floor, demanding she say ‘uncle’, with Trixie stubbornly refusing. “Alright, you two. Break it up now.” Rainbow Dash flapped her wings, and hovered up into the air, freeing Trixie. “Trixie? No offence to yer friend or anythin’, but she seems kinda… antisocial.” Trixie looked over at Agrimonia, who was on her way to a nearby table topped with cupcakes. On her way, Apple Bloom tried to introduce herself, but the Pegasus mare simply walked right past her, not even offering a greeting for the little filly. “Yeah, seems so,” Trixie said. “But hey, at least she’s not coming at you with a poison-coated dagger.” “… Wait, wha?” “Don’t worry. Trixie’s got this.” Trixie, with a mischievous grin on her face, walked past her friends, and over to Agrimonia, who was helping herself to many of the cupcakes before her. “Hey. How’s it going?” “… Well, the cupcakes are good.” “And the ponies?” “… I don’t let ponies get close to me. You never know who you can trust, and I don’t want to give anypony the chance to hurt me.” “Yeah… Trixie’s been there.” Trixie levitated a cupcake into the air with her magic. “But you know, there is one pony that Trixie recommends you talk to. Somepony that she thinks you should at least introduce yourself to.” “What, you mean the innkeeper?” “… Okay, two ponies.” Trixie pointed a hoof behind her, and Agrimonia looked over her shoulder, to see a pink Earth Pony mare standing at the other side of the room. “Her name’s Pinkie Pie. Tell her you’re new here, and that you have no friends.” “Why?” “Just trust Trixie. It’ll be worth it.” “… Alright, whatever.” Agrimonia turned around, but stopped to say something, before leaving. “Oh, and Trixie… I haven’t forgiven you. But I can see what you mean. Killing you wouldn’t solve anything… And I’ll consider your proposal.” Trixie smiled, and almost felt guilty about her prank as she watched Agrimonia walk off towards her impending doom. Almost. “Trixie?” Trixie turned around to see Twilight standing behind her. “Is everything okay? I’ve heard that Berrirose isn’t exactly getting along well with everypony.” “It’s fine. Berrirose has her reasons for being so distant.” “YOU WHAT?!” Everypony in the room turned to the centre, to see Agrimonia slowly backing away from a teary-eyed Pinkie Pie, only for the pink pony to capture her by grabbing her shoulders with her forehooves, rendering her unable to escape. “That’s so sad! Everypony should have friends! I know! I can’t throw you a party right now, because today is Aura’s birthday party day, but come back here tomorrow and I’ll have sooooo many ponies here and they can all be your friends, and you can tell us about yourself and we can all play fun games together and dance together and tell funny stories to each other and-” Trixie laughed as Agrimonia constantly tried to get a word in, and struggled against the pink pony’s apparently vice-like grip, only to be forced into submission by Pinkie Pie’s high-speed rambling. ‘Success.’ “Well, looks like making friends might not be such a problem for her,” Twilight said, feeling sorry for the poor mare. “… So… you don’t still go to them, do you?” Trixie raised an eyebrow. “Go to what?” “… Strip clubs,” Twilight whispered. Trixie blushed, and quickly started to shake her head. “O-Of course I don’t! Why would I?” “It’s okay if you do.” “I-Wait, what?” Twilight shied her eyes away from Trixie. “Y-You’re a grown mare, and you have needs,” she said, keeping her voice down, so as to not be overheard by anypony around them. “And, if I can’t satisfy them…” Trixie’s bewildered look washed away quickly, and became replaced by a harsh, stern look. “Twilight Sparkle! That is enough of that.” She placed both of her hooves on either side of Twilight’s face, and held her head so that their eyes met. “Of course you can satisfy Trixie. Heck, you do more for Trixie than what even a hundred mares could do. If anything, Trixie should be feeling guilty for keeping you all to herself.” “Trixie…” Trixie leaned in, closer to Twilight’s ear. “You don’t believe the Great and Powerful Trixie? Then what say you to leaving this party, so that Trixie can prove that what she says is true, right now?” A light nibble on her ear was all that Twilight needed, and, summoning up her willpower to push Trixie away, she turned around and walked over to Applejack and Rarity, to let them know that she and Trixie would be leaving early. Though the reason why they were leaving early, she naturally kept to herself. “Ready to go?” Trixie asked, offering her hoof to Twilight. With a blush, Twilight took Trixie’s hoof with her own. “Show me what you got, ‘Great and Powerful’ Trixie.” Twilight lay her head down onto her pillow, panting heavily as she watched the ceiling above her seem to spin around. Next to her, Trixie wrapped her forelegs around the purple mare’s waist, holding her close as the two snuggled up close together. “So, has the Great and Powerful Trixie proven her point?” Twilight simply smiled and nodded. “Good. And we still have some time before we have to hit the shower…” Twilight wrapped her own forelegs around Trixie’s neck, and nuzzled her marefriend’s cheek softly. “Can we just stay like this until then?” “You read Trixie’s mind,” Trixie said with a chuckle, before running her hoof through Twilight’s mane as the two lay together peacefully. “… Hey, Twilight?” “Yes?” “There’s something that Trixie wants to talk to you about, before we go to the show tonight.” “Go ahead. You know you can tell me anything, Trixie.” “… Well… it’s something that Trixie has been thinking about for some time now, ever since the whole Nightmare Moon fiasco.” This caught Twilight’s attention, and the purple mare sat up and faced Trixie with a serious look on her face. “As you know, Trixie’s life hasn’t exactly been the easiest… But all things considered, Trixie has been able to lead a pretty decent life, considering what she had to start with.” “I think you’ve lead a wonderful life, Trixie.” Trixie smiled and kissed her marefriend, before pulling back to continue. “But, Trixie isn’t the only pony that has suffered through life, and she is by no means the last one, either. There are ponies still living on their own out there, in a world that they feel has forsaken them. “… Nightmare Moon felt that way, too. That’s what started this whole thing off. It’s what causes groups like Nightmare Policy to grow so powerful, what causes ponies like Princess Luna to do things they later regret, and…” ‘It’s what caused me to take somepony’s life.’ “It all starts with somepony being on their own, and nopony around them giving them even one shred of love, or kindness. Then, that pony, not knowing any other reason for being alive, makes a reason. And, more often than not, that reason is something along the lines of ‘revenge against those that have abandoned me’. “Trixie never wants to see that again. She never wants to see another pony feel as if the world doesn’t care about them, or to descend into darkness because it’s the only path open to them.” Twilight nodded, to show that she was keeping up so far. “So… what do you plan to do?” “Trixie-I want to… build an orphanage. One that can house all of the fillies and colts that have nowhere else to go, and bring them up to be bright, happy citizens of Equestria.” “Just the fillies and colts?” Trixie nodded. “Yes. Naturally, I will still do whatever I can to help those that are older, and also forced to live out on the streets, but I am no fool. I know that I must start small, and work my way up… And I also know, that this will be no easy feat. That’s why, Twilight, I am asking… if you will help me. If you will stay by my side, through this endeavour.” Twilight didn’t even take a second to think before giving her answer. “Do you even have to ask? Of course I’ll stay by your side!” She pulled Trixie towards her and into a hug. “If that’s what you want to do, then I’ll do whatever I can to make it work! And I’m sure you can count on our friends to help you out, too.” “… Thank you,” Trixie said, sniffling as she felt a tear form in her eye. “… Are you crying?” “Of course not! Why would the Great and Powerful Trixie be crying?” Twilight pushed Trixie forward to confirm this, but Trixie was already one full step ahead of her, and as soon as Twilight had pushed her away, the showmare had closed in on the librarian, and connected their lips together into a deep, passionate kiss. Twilight suddenly forgot all about her plans of teasing the Great and Powerful showmare, and instead just placed her forehooves onto the back on Trixie’s head, pulling her deeper into the kiss. That night, Twilight, Trixie, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rarity, Applejack, and Spike, all arrived together at the Cloudsdale stadium (the non-Pegasus ponies using the cloud walking spell, so that they wouldn’t plummet to their deaths), and all eight of them were excited for the show, with Rainbow Dash visibly being the most excited. “C’mon, guys!” Rainbow Dash shouted, flying in the air much further away from the rest of the group. “Pick up the pace already! C’mon!” “She does realise that the show doesn’t start for another hour, right?” Rarity asked, simply watching in amusement as the rainbow-maned mare continued to motion for them to move faster. “Anypony else tempted ta slow down, jus’ ta see her reaction?” “As tempting as that sounds,” Twilight started, “I think we should probably hurry up. She looks like she’s about blow.” “Hmmm… Guess ye’re right,” Applejack conceded. “C’mon, everypony. Let’s hurry up ‘fore she starts shouting death threats to us.” After about thirty minutes of queuing, which was made enthralling by Rainbow Dash’s lecture on the history of the Wonderbolts, and on all the things that made them so great, the group was finally inside the stadium. A mere two seconds later, Rainbow Dash was already called out to by a security pony. “Sorry, ma’am, but there’s no flying in the stadium.” “What?! Why not?!” “Because there may be ponies that attempt to sneak in by flying, or try to cause trouble and then make a quick getaway. You’re lucky I just saw you enter, but if you’re caught flying inside, you’ll be pulled aside for inspection, and possibly kicked out.” “You gotta be kidding me!” “Rules are rules, ma’am.” With an annoyed groan, Rainbow Dash landed on the cloud floor beneath her, and folded her wings away. The security pony thanked her, and moved back to her patrol post. Rainbow Dash stuck her tongue out at the pony as she walked away. Trixie looked up at a nearby clock on a wall, and then turned her attention to Twilight. “Trixie is going to visit the restroom before the show starts.” “Oh, I need to go, too,” Fluttershy said. ‘Of course you do,’ Trixie thought to herself, resisting the urge to slam a hoof to her face. “Very well then. Will the rest of you wait here, or shall we meet you at our seats?” “Let’s go check out our seats!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, almost dashing off on her own, but being stopped by Applejack as the farm pony clamped her teeth down on her rainbow-coloured tail. “Hey! What gives?” “Let’s wait here,” Applejack said, spitting the Pegasus’ tail out of her mouth. “We’ll go an’ find our seats together when they’re done.” “Tch. Fine.” “We won’t be long,” Fluttershy said. “Trixie might be,” Trixie corrected, before turning around and walking alongside Fluttershy towards the nearby restrooms. ‘Now let’s see… How should Trixie lose her?’ “How did you manage to lose each other on the way to the bathroom?” Twilight asked as she took her seat in-between Trixie and Spike (who was begrudgingly sitting on a foal’s seat booster, on account of his smaller size). “And how did it take you ten minutes to realise that Trixie was gone?” “I… I don’t know…” Fluttershy responded meekly. “It’s quite simple, actually,” Trixie said. “Trixie merely pointed out all of the cute stuffed animals inside of a nearby crane machine, and how lifelike they looked.” ‘Well, I may have said something like: ‘That one moved! I think it’s actually alive!’’ “Fluttershy panicked, and rushed to the poor creature’s aid. Since there was no getting through to her, and since Trixie really needed to go, she left Fluttershy there, thinking she just wanted to get a souvenir or something.” Fluttershy blushed and sank down into her seat. “S-Sorry…” “Oh, no!” Twilight said quickly. “It’s fine! Really! I was… just amazed by the fact that you and Trixie somehow managed to lose track of each other-” She turned her gaze to Trixie. “-For fifteen whole minutes! That’s all.” Trixie shrugged. “It’s a big stadium. We’re lucky we managed to find each other that quickly.” “Hey, guys!” Rainbow Dash shouted across to her friends. “The show’s starting!” The sounds of explosions drew everypony’s attention to the centre of the huge stadium, where fireworks were being set off as each member of the Wonderbolts introduced themselves, one-by-one. Twilight’s suspicions were pushed to the back of her mind, and she simply joined the ponies around her in watching the show with awe and wonder. After introducing themselves by performing some stunts, the Wonderbolts opened up their show with a quick race around the stadium. After that, Soarin showed his high speed and agility by playing a one-on-three match of wingball against Fleetfoot, Rapidfire, and Misty Fly. Spitfire then set the stage for a cloud clearing match under extreme weather conditions, which the audience was protected from by the Canterlot Royal Guard’s Special Magic Division. At the show’s half-way point, the Wonderbolts declared a thirty minute break before their next performance, allowing everypony a chance to use the restrooms and buy some more refreshments. “This. Is. AWESOME!” Rainbow Dash shouted, flapping her wings excitedly and gaining some lift. “Rainbow! Yer wings!” Applejack shouted, reminding the Pegasus about the security pony’s warning earlier. “Oh, right!” Rainbow Dash quickly folded her wings back up again, and looked around to make sure that she was safe. “Man, this is just dumb! I’m gonna give that mare an earful when I finally become one of the Wonderbolts!” “Hey guys?” Twilight said. “I’m going to go buy some more drinks. Do any of you want anything?” Trixie’s ears twitched, and she quickly grabbed Twilight’s foreleg and pulled her back into her seat. “T-Trixie thinks you shouldn’t bother! The lines are going to be so big, and-” “I don’t mind waiting in line. I’m just so thirsty.” Trixie levitated her bottle of half-finished cola in front of Twilight. “Here. It’s still somewhat cold.” “Er, thanks, but, I think I’ll just go and get a fresh one from the stand outside.” ‘Oh no you don’t!’ Trixie ran several ideas through her head quickly, and acted on the first one that seemed like it might have a chance of working. “O-Oooh! The Great and Powerful Trixie has such a splitting headache!” Trixie lay head down in Twilight’s lap, preventing the purple mare from standing up. “Twilight, could you stroke Trixie’s mane for her?” “Trixie?” “Y-Yes?” “Why are you acting so weird?” Trixie didn’t answer, but still kept her head on Twilight’s lap. “C’mon, get up… Ponies are looking at us.” “J-Just a little longer.” ‘Come on already!’ “Trixie, are you up to something?” Twilight asked, looking down at her marefriend suspiciously. “Why, whatever do you mean?” Trixie asked in feigned innocence. Before Twilight could answer, the sounds of more fireworks going off, followed by the emittance of smoke that filled the arena, drew her, and everypony else’s, attention towards it. “W-What’s going on?” Twilight asked. “I dunno,” Rainbow Dash said with a shrug. “This wasn’t in the programme, I don’t think…” The smoke cleared up, and the lingering trail of the Wonderbolts’ high-speed flying could be seen, soon followed by some clouds, floating in the centre of the arena, high up in the sky. The Wonderbolts could be seen flying around the clouds, breaking them apart piece-by-piece. When the smoke had cleared completely, the clouds could be seen clearly, and they formed a message: ‘TWILIGHT SPARKLE, WILL YOU MARRY ME?’ Before anypony could react, most of the stadium lights went out, and a spotlight turned on in one of the stands, shining on a single blue mare, who was kneeling on the cloud floor beneath her, holding a small velvet box in her magic, and presenting the contents to the wide-eyed, purple mare beside her. “Twilight Sparkle… you are the most amazing pony I have ever met, even including myself.” Twilight’s face started to turn red, and Trixie was doing her best not to blush, too. “I’m… not too good at this, and the Wonderbolts only allowed me a minute to do this-” This earned a bout of laughter from the audience, who could hear what she was saying through the monitor displaying her proposal. “-So… I’ll make it short. I love you. And I want to spend my entire life with you, raise a family with you, grow old with you, and always have you at my side… “And so, Twilight Sparkle… will you marry me?” A hushed silence fell over the stadium, as everypony watched in anticipation of the other mare’s response. There was a slight disturbance on the opposite side from somepony disagreeing with mares marrying each other, but that was settled quickly by the stadium’s security staff, who escorted that group of ponies out. Twilight looked at the ring presented to her, with a small, but beautiful diamond planted on it. A tear fell down her eyes, and a smile formed on her face. “Yes,” she whispered, before jumping out of her seat to hug Trixie. “Yes yes yes yes yes YEEEES!” Trixie managed to pry Twilight off of her long enough to place the ring on Twilight’s hoof, and as soon as it was on, Twilight pulled Trixie back, this time to lock lips with the showmare. The stadium erupted in cheers and whistling as the two mares shared this moment together, their lips locked for a full minute before they had to break apart for air. “I love you, Twilight.” “I love you, too, Trixie.” “Oh no oh no oh no OH NO!” Twilight shouted as she ran around her changing room tent, with Rarity and Cadance watching her in mild amusement. “What am I going to do? What if something goes wrong? What if the cake doesn’t arrive on time, or the mayor forgets her lines, or the ice sculpture is in a position in the room that some ponies might feel colder than others, and then they think that we purposefully put them there because we don’t like them as much, and then-” “Twilight, darling,” Rarity said, placing herself in front of the worrying mare to make her stop her racing about. “Honestly, you worry far too much! Spike has been your assistant ever since he learned how to talk, has he not?” “Well, not exactly. Even when he could talk, he still couldn’t write, or carry things, or really understand what anypony was saying, or-” “Okay, okay, I get it. But what I mean is, you should have more faith in him. I’m positive that he will do a spot-on job.” “She’s right, Twilight,” Cadance interjected. “In fact, I’ve had a look around myself, and everything seems to be going fairly well. I assure you, you have nothing to worry about.” “… You’re sure?” “Absolutely,” Fluttershy answered, hovering into the air to place a white veil onto Twilight’s head. “Today is your special day, Twilight. You shouldn’t let your paranoia destroy that for you.” “… Yeah. Yeah, you’re right!” Twilight straightened up, and faced a nearby mirror as she righted herself. “Today is my wedding day, and I won’t let myself get swept up in the worries of neatness and proper organization!” “That’s the spirit!” Cadance said, levitating a brush to Twilight’s mane. “Excuse me,” a voice called from outside. “Is it okay to come in?” “Of course it is,” Rarity said. “Why wouldn’t it be?” “Oh, well, I thought that Twiley was still getting changed.” “Shining,” Cadance said with a giggle, “You know we don’t normally wear clothes, right?” “Uh, right…” Shining Armour entered the tent, and stopped as his sister turned around to greet him. “Twiley… you look… great.” “Great?” Cadance teased. “Is that all you have to say?” “She looks positively stunning!” Rarity exclaimed, bringing a blush to Twilight’s face. “Why, it almost makes me wish I was the one marrying her.” “I don’t think that would be a good idea,” Shining said. “Oh? Why not?” “Because then Spike would eat all of your gems!” The four ponies laughed together, before said baby dragon popped his head into the tent. “Hey guys, I-” His eyes widened upon seeing Twilight Sparkle. “T-Twilight…” “Yes, Spike?” Twilight asked, walking closer to the stunned dragon. “… I-I just wanted to let you know, that Mayor Mare is ready whenever you are.” “Thanks Spike. Is Trixie ready yet?” “I don’t know. I was going to check on her next.” “Well, we’ll be about another five minutes, okay?” Spike nodded, and remained staring in silence for a few moments. “Was there… something else?” “… You… You look… great.” Cadance rolled her eyes. “Why do boys have so much trouble saying what’s on their minds?” Rarity and Fluttershy giggled together. “I think having trouble expressing your true feelings is the mark of a good person,” Fluttershy said. “Thank you, Spike,” Twilight said, leaning down to nuzzle the baby dragon’s cheek. “Now, do you think you could go and check on Trixie for me?” “R-Right! Of course!” Spike said with a salute, before turning around and running outside of the tent. “I told ya, ya’ve gotta put it on this way!” Applejack shouted. “Why? It looks cooler this way!” Rainbow Dash argued. “It’s not about bein’ cool! It’s about it not fallin’ off in the middle of the ceremony!” “It won’t fall off! Not unless she suddenly decides she wants to run a marathon!” “You’re both wrong,” Agrimonia said, walking over to the disgruntled Trixie, and adjusting her dress. “It goes on like this. Honestly, and you call yourselves mares?” Rainbow Dash scoffed at her remark. “Whatever! When I get married, it’ll be in my Wonderbolts uniform!” “That’s nice an’ all,” Applejack said, “But ya should still know a thing or two about how ta put on dresses.” “You didn’t know either!” “Ah was closer than you!” “By the way,” Agrimonia said to Trixie, ignoring the two arguing mares beside her, “Why don’t you know how to do this?” “Trixie does know. Those two just wouldn’t give her a chance to tell them…” Trixie used her magic to separate the two mares in the middle of a hoof wrestling match. “Hey, bridesmaids. The Great and Powerful Trixie would like to be married before this day is done, so stop squabbling and get working!” “Slave driver,” Rainbow Dash muttered as she flew over to Trixie. “I don’t know why you picked us. Besides your bachelorette party, we really don’t know anything about this stuff!” “Ya gotta admit, though: that was one hay of a party!” “Well, Trixie was hoping that her best mare would be here by now, but it seems that the train got delayed…” The tent door suddenly opened, and everypony turned around to see a purple Pegasus pony walking in. “Hey guys! Sorry I’m late!” “You’re here! Finally!” Trixie shouted. “Oh my goodness! Trixie, you can’t go out looking like that!” “Trixie is aware of this! That’s why she wants you to hurry up and fix her, Feathermay!” “I’m on it!” Feathermay shouted with a salute. “By the way, my parole officer’s kinda invited herself to the wedding.” “Uh-oh,” Applejack said, rubbing the back of her neck nervously. “That ain’t good. Twi’s not gonna like it if there’s suddenly one more guest on the list.” “But she’s not the one handling it, this time,” Rainbow Dash pointed out. “Still, ah don’t think we should let her know about this. At least not just yet.” “… Agreed.” “Hey guys!” Spike shouted as he entered the tent. “Twilight’s gonna be ready in five minutes! How’re things on your end?” “Not good,” Trixie responded. “At this rate, Trixie predicts that it will take another thirty minutes to prepare.” Feathermay chuckled menacingly, drawing the group’s attention to her. “Trixie, please don’t insult me…” Feathermay’s wings shot out from her sides, and her feathers wrapped themselves around various grooming instruments. “Dragon boy, you tell Twilight that we’ll be ready in ten minutes!” “Got it!” Spike answered, running back outside of the tent. Feathermay began to run a brush through Trixie’s mane, whilst simultaneously instructing Applejack and Rainbow Dash to handle minor jobs for her. Not too long after she had started, she was hit by a sudden realisation, and stopped completely as a thought ran through her mind. “Wait, was that a dragon?” “And now, by the power vested in me by the Church of Faust, I hereby pronounce you mare, and mare! You may kiss… each other, I suppose.” As the two now-married mares shared their first kiss as a wed couple, Mayor Mare smiled, and considered her first same-sex marriage a smashing success. Twilight and Trixie walk together, hoof-in-hoof, down the red carpet leading from the altar to their chariot, being showered metaphorically with cheers, and physically with flowers along the way. Trixie stopped Twilight as they reached the chariot, and opened the door for her new wife. Twilight climbed into the vehicle, and Trixie followed her soon afterwards. “Ready?” Trixie asked. Twilight nodded. “On three?” “One… two… THREE!” As they both finished counting down, they threw their bouquet of flowers together blindly through the air behind them. In the crowd, Rarity was looking up at the incoming bouquet with a sparkle in her eyes. “It’s mine, it’s mine, it’s mine, it’s MINE!” “It’s mine!” a voice overhead shouted, as a pair of grey forelegs grabbed the bouquet. “Yay! I got it!” “Nice one, Derpy!” Lyra shouted. “Hey, anypony seen Turner?” Roseluck asked, causing her friends around her to giggle. Rarity pouted, and stomped a hoof on the ground in frustration. “Aw, c’mon now, Rarity,” Applejack said, putting a hoof on her friend’s shoulder to calm her down. “Can’t win all the time!” “I suppose… But as far as love is concerned, I never seem to win at all!” “Ye’re a great mare, Rarity! Y’all will be with the perfect pony soon, just you wait an’ see!” Rarity smiled, and shared a hug with her friend. “Thank you, Applejack.” “Alright, let’s go!” Trixie shouted from inside the chariot. “To our new life together!” Twilight nodded. “And, towards new memories!” As the chariot rode off into the distance, Twilight and Trixie shared the quiet, peaceful ride in each other’s embrace, both mares smiling as they held on to each other, knowing full well that, whatever may happen in the future, they would always have each other. And together, there was nothing that they couldn’t overcome.