//------------------------------// // Celestia Returns // Story: Why Did I Choose to be Trixie? // by Mike the Red //------------------------------// My parents followed me to the room Trixie was in. I noticed Trixie was recovering quite quickly, little Marina practically jumping up and down on her bed, giggling excitedly, a big smile on her face. My parents followed me into the room. "How are you feeling now, Trixie?" I asked her. "Oh, much better, Amethyst! Those antibiotics you obtained worked a miracle!" she smiled. She got a good look at my parents this time. "You -- you are -- Amethysts' -- parents?" "Yes, Trixie -- we were worried about Mike and were quite surprised to see he has taken a pony for his wife," my dad stated. "Dad, I remember how you and mom reacted when I married that black woman," I responded flatly. "You practically disowned me after that wedding. I will admit that our new marriage might not be in the best shape, but I love Trixie. I wanted to be by her side, and I was for a time, but when I returned to being an Alicorn, there were responsibilities I could not delegate." "Trixie promises she will stay here in Canterlot now, Amethyst," the show-mare stated almost sullenly. "The way you refer to yourself in third pony used to bother me, Trixie, but I find it most endearing," I observed. My dad chuckled. "Trixie, can I feel how soft your mane is?" my mom asked. "Trixie supposes you may -- Amethyst? You never told me their names?" "Trixie, this is my dad, Stan, and my mom, Martha. Mom, Dad, I hope you're not too upset about me taking Trixie as my new wife. Marina, what do you think of your paternal grandparents?" "I like your Mom, she's real nice!" the little filly exclaimed. My mom had started scratching Trixie behind her ears and the show-mare sighed softly. "Trixie thinks she could get used to humans scratching her ears," she grinned. Martha chuckled softly as she continued to lazily scratch behind the show-mare's right ear. Trixie continued to moan lightly, trying to get my mom to scratch lower on her neck and her withers. "I'm pleased to see you've recovered so quickly -- Marina can't be without her mother, you know!" Stan said, smiling warmly. The little filly continued to jump up and down on Trixie's bed, giggling as she landed. "Mama! Please don't leave any more!" the little filly exclaimed as she stopped bouncing for a moment. "I'll stay here in Canterlot, Marina. Amethyst, I am sorry for leaving you like that," Trixie offered, smiling softly at me. "Is Marina an Alicorn like you, Mike?" asked my dad. He smiled at the little filly who returned his smile. "She's actually a winged unicorn, Dad. She has more magic power than a standard unicorn, but not as much as a full-fledged Alicorn," I explained. "The only way for a full-fledged Alicorn to be born is if a male and female Alicorn mate to produce a foal. And no, Celestia has not asked me for such a favor," I chuckled. "That's rather interesting," he mused. Trixie glared at me for a moment and my Mom saw this. "You'd better not cheat on Trixie again," she nearly growled at me. My parents turned to me in surprise and asked me about the circumstances. I related the story of Trixie and me being in Las Pegasus and everything we had to go through in order to regain use of our magic, though I tried to sanitize some of the details regarding a certain brown pegasus mare. "Her name was Chocolate Sweetness," Trixie stated almost angrily. "And Amethyst wanted to start a herd and add her to it! Trixie does not like to share her love!" At that point, the heart-rate monitor started beeping an alarm and the doctor rushed in and gave the show-mare a mild sedative. "Please, don't stress her any further -- her condition is improving, but it will be awhile before she has made a full recovery. Even so, I am amazed by how efficient those antibiotics are!" "Mike, why did you cheat on her?" Mom asked me. "We didn't actually have intercourse -- so technically, I didn't cheat on her," I stated flatly, looking over my left shoulder almost nervously. "Don't lie to me, Mike," my mom stated a little more firmly. "Perhaps it is time I return you two back to Earth," I mused, trying to change the subject. I started fidgeting a little, my left forehoof tapping the floor lightly, the golden hoofguard clinking on the floor tiles. "There's something you're not telling me," my mom deduced, glaring at me in disapproval. "There is a proper time and place for explanations and I am not prepared to address this issue right now. I'm sure your time is short and I believe you two would rather not spend the rest of your lives here in Equestria," I stated flatly. I glanced at Trixie as she resumed her slumber, the sedative working its magic quickly. Marina curled up next to her mother and fell asleep fairly quickly as well as it appeared she had no interest in listening to the discussion I was having with my parents. "If you don't want to tell us, that's fine, but it's wrong of you to cheat on your wife -- please don't disappoint us, son," my dad stated firmly. "We can discuss this matter briefly when I return you to your home," I offered. "Are you ready to go, or would you like a tour of the Castle?" "We would like a tour, Mike! This place is huge!" my mom smiled. I opened the door to the hallway with my telekinesis just as Princess Celestia reached the doorway. She entered just as I was about to leave. "Amethyst, I just received the news that Trixie had been injured," the Sun Goddess stated in a worried tone. Her expression turned to one of surprise upon seeing my parents. "Mom, Dad, this is Princess Celestia, Solar Regent, Princess of the Sun, Diarch of Equestria," I stated reverently. "Celestia, it's good to see you once again. Did you enjoy your vacation?" "Your parents, Amethyst? Pleased to make your acquaintance --" "Stan," my dad stated. "Martha," my mom replied. "Stan and Martha! I would like to thank you for providing me with such a wonderful pony!" she smiled. "Amethyst, the vacation could have gone a little better," she said with some concern. "It appears that King Sombra returned in the other Equestria while I was conversing with my counterpart. Even though Twilight and Trixie in that other universe are Alicorns, their magic combined is not strong enough --" "Please don't tell me they died attempting to defeat him," I stated with deep concern. "No, but they were badly injured and are in hospital. We need to proceed immediately to dispatch him," the Sun Goddess replied. "I had no idea such dangers existed," my dad mused. "Yes, there are certain powerful entities we must deal with from time to time," I explained. "I must return you to Earth at once so I may address this new threat. I regret I can't spend more time with you, Dad." "Amethyst, they can stay here in the company of Twilight until we return," Celestia stated. "That is, of course, if you would like to do so," she smiled as she addressed my parents. "Mike was going to give us a tour of the castle," my dad offered, returning her smile. "I would be interested in seeing more of it." "One moment while I summon the Princess of Magic," the Sun Goddess replied and teleported to find her protege, returning very shortly with the lavender Alicorn. "Twilight, have you met Amethyst's parents?" "Yes, Celestia, I have. Nice to see you again! Um, Celestia, why did you bring me here again?" "Amethyst and I have an important matter to attend to. I would like for you to escort his parents around the Castle, giving them a tour of various locations. They are welcome to stay overnight and have dinner in the Royal Dining Hall," the Solar Princess stated warmly. "We should return shortly and depending on how soon we return, we may join you in the dining hall." "Thank you for your hospitality, Princess Celestia, however when we were brought here, it was relatively early in the morning for us. We appreciate the offer of food, though, and we will gladly accept it," my dad stated almost reverently. "It is my honor to be blessed with your presence," the Diarch offered warmly, maintaining her serene smile as she gazed at my parents. "Um, Stan? Martha? It would be my pleasure to escort you on a grand tour of the Castle! Please, follow me!" the lavender Alicorn smiled. "Okay, Mike, seeya later. Be careful!" my mom advised as she and my dad followed Twilight as they began the tour. "Seeya later, Mom, Dad. Twilight, thanks again," I said softly, giving her a warm smile. "Celestia, I think we should reconnoiter with your counterpart to find out exactly what's going on over there." "I will apprise you of the details, Amethyst. We have precious little time to waste with such pleasantries as the dark unicorn seeks to expand his empire," she admonished. "If you care about your friends in that other universe, we should make haste." "I've never dealt with an entity capable of wielding dark magic, Celestia. I'm not sure how to approach that matter," I stated apprehensively.