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// Chapter 2 
// Story: Trixie: Take two 
// by MrGreat 
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	Trixie’s mind was racing. What had she done to upset Celestia enough to call the guards on her? She was beginning to hyperventilate when she noticed Luna leaning back on the bed laughing hysterically. Had she not been surrounded by guards, she would’ve given her a piece of her mind. She turned her attention back to Celestia and noticed that, in the corner of her harsh scorn, there was a hint of a smile.

She had to admit, even though Celestia had imprisoned her for a thousand years, this was still hilarious. “My stars, she’s good at this! I wonder how long she’ll keep it up.” Luna couldn’t help but laugh and laugh and laugh, in spite of Trixie’s harsh gaze. She noticed her sister was beginning to cave, so she stepped over and lightly poked Celestia in the sides and whispered “Tia, you’re scaring her! I didn’t want you to scare her this badly, she looks as though she’s about to cry!” Celestia conceded that this was true and called off her guards.

Trixie was dumbfounded. A few seconds ago, Luna had been laughing harder than Trixie had ever seen anyone laugh, but now she stood up to the mightiest Pony in all of Equestria to save her! “That’s 2 times in 24 hours,” Trixie remarked “best not to question it, I suppose.” Trixie was handed a pair of warm, clean clothes to change in to, which she politely refused; from what she’d seen, Canterlot clothing looked dreadfully uncomfortable. She was then escorted along with Princess Luna to the dining hall for breakfast. Upon entering, she noticed the incredible contrast in the regal granite table, with antique wooden chairs (3 set out for the occasion) and an intricately designed ornate rug, when all that was on the table was 3 plates of plain old toast with a glass of orange juice to eat and drink. She sat awkwardly, intimidated by the presence around her, quietly sipping her orange juice between bites.

“This is certainly an odd breakfast… I wonder what’s gotten into our guest. Perhaps the prank was a little much…” Luna began to feel a pang of guilt, fearing that her prank was the cause of the lack of conversation. She attempted to start a conversation about the weather schedule, but Celestia excused herself to raise the sun and begin the necessary routines to begin the day. Luna’s face lit up all of a sudden. “Trixie!” She said enthusiastically, “You’ve travelled all around Equestria, correct?” a feeble “yes” was the only response she received. “Well, perhaps you could show me around? I hear you were quite popular in Ponyville, and my sister has taken such a fascination with the place!” She noticed Trixie light up at the mention of Ponyville, and assumed this was a welcomed idea.

Trixie’s face became a mixture of both shock and realization; “That purple pony! She must be responsible for the atrocious welcome the Great and Po-“ She stopped mid-thought, “perhaps she has something to do with the inappropriate greeting I received…” She had started realizing that she had to stop talking in 3rd person; it was just too painful to think about. “Perhaps her highness would simply like to entertain ourselves in the castle? I would very much enjoy a tour!” But her words fell upon deaf ears as Luna called a servant over to alert Princess Celestia of her plans for an expedition to Ponyville.

Luna was overjoyed, her ideas were rarely heard, and even less commonly agreed with! She had heard Trixie say something about a tour, and assumed she offered a tour of Ponyville. She ordered a nearby Servant to deliver a note post haste, and another to pack 2 day packs with the necessary items needed for a picnic. “Wait a minute…” She thought to herself. “Weren’t those ponies that saved me from… her… in Ponyville? They WERE! Perhaps they’d like to attend the picnic as well!” She couldn’t contain her excitement, although she did order 2 pairs of over coats and sun glasses so that she (and her guest, if she pleased) could go and maintain a low profile, which Trixie accepted, much to her surprise. The hot air balloon was readied, and the two took off with no further delay.

***

The balloon ride was majorly uneventful, for Luna had already seen the ground from above, and Trixie seemed to be trembling with excitement, which made Luna even more impatient. She had arranged to have the balloon stop about a mile away from the village to avoid too much attention.

Trixie was shaking with fearful anxiety. Surely the ponies had not forgotten about their little mishap already! She appreciated the fact that she had an overcoat to conceal her identity, but had Luna forgotten what she had told her? After little contemplation, she decided to express her concerns. “Luna, are you sure this is a good-“ but the look she got was too much. Luna had the look of a young filly, giddy about a new doll. It was both disarming and reassuring at the same time. Trixie found herself almost sympathizing with the Princess, but she didn’t know why. The look she was giving the show-pony was so naïve and hopeful that she simply didn’t have the nerve to disappoint her. She let out a quiet sigh, smiled and said, with a combination of resignation and relief “Do you have a bottle of water?” Luna eagerly reached into her saddle pack and offered her a bottle.

“Oh, this is going to be so much fun! It’s been so long since I was around anypony besides Tia, and now I not only get to spend time with the Great and Powerful Trixie, I also get to… ‘hang’? Yes, ‘hang’ with the 6 ponies that saved me!” She felt a tinge of pain as she remembered the things Nightmare moon had whispered to her during those awful days on the moon, of the long nights she spent alone, yearning for company… She suddenly felt the urge to open up to somepony, and Trixie was right there, so…

Trixie was completely blindsided by the Princess’ sudden confessions, and listened in both fascination and pity. 
“I… I don’t have many, neigh, any friends, fair Trixie. I want to thank you. You’re the first pony I’ve trusted in quite awhile. It’s hard, not being able to trust those around you, or even yourself. Being trapped on the moon taught me to loathe the one pony in this world I could trust. Even though I purged myself through the aid of 6 young mares, I still find it difficult to trust others. I know you must be humbled by this, but I am no different than you, or anypony else. I too have 4 legs, and 4 hooves. I have a special talent, and a horn, and a mane. The only thing that sets us apart is my sister, bless her heart. I know she’s only looking out for me, but she rarely let’s me leave the castle. Part of- I think,” she quickly corrected herself “She does it because she is over protective of me, but I also think she fears I’ll become lost again… I don’t know why, Trixie, but I trust you.” She smiled over at Trixie, who looked away for fear of beginning to cry. She hadn’t even gotten to Ponyville, and she had already found a use for the glasses she wore. “Thank you…” she whispered, although she didn’t think Luna could hear her.

“Oh, Luna, what were you thinking? Simply because she stayed at your castle over night does not make her your best friend!” She thought to herself, thinking Trixie had turned away out of discomfort. “I apologize for putting you in such an awkward position, Trixie; I am just unaccustomed to having a friend.” She heard her whisper something, but could not quite make out what it was. She was shocked when Trixie stared at her through her sunglasses. “Thank you” she said shakily. “Thank you so much…” Luna could see a single tear starting to roll down her cheek from under her shades.
The two sat in silence for a moment so Trixie could regain her composure, when she suddenly blurted out “Oh, and Pr… Luna? What did you tell Princess Celestia this morning to save me?”

Luna looked over with a shy smile and said “All I said was that the joke had gone on far enough!” She was surprised to see Trixie start laughing; she had thought she would be furious. Soon, she found herself laughing, and the pair rolled on the floor of the balloon’s carriage, laughing harder than they ever had, Ponyville a mere half-hour away.

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Please, feel free to offer any forms of criticism, either by comment, private message, or even messenger hawk if you'd like! At any rate, thank you for reading this, and I hope I did not disappoint!
-MrGreat