//------------------------------//
// Great (and powerful snuggles) 
// Story: Great and Powerful With You 
// by Diasweetus 
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	A sad and disheartened mare entered the town of Ponyville. She was alone as the weather was matching her current mood. The sky was black with anger as a stormed brewed above her. 
"Stupid pegasai," muttered the mare. 
If you haven't figured it out already, the mare in question was Trixie Lulamoon, and she was having a very bad day. Even though the last couple of years had been horrible, today took the cake. While traveling through the desert, the magician was assaulted by a pack of Diamond Dogs. After easily defeating her, they wrecked her caravan and took the last few bits she had. At that moment she had thought about giving up, but even in her demoralized state she had too much pride to do so. After a good thirty minutes of crying, she picked herself up and looked at her map in order to find the closest town, Ponyville. 
She abhorred that town. To her it represented the end of her career. Even so, she knew it was all her fault. News had spread quickly after her last "visit." The bad publicity had ruined business for her. None of the big cities wanted to be entertained by someone who had been headlined by The National Equinerer as, "The New Sombra." 
Her head hung low as she entered town. She walked the empty streets at a slow, exhausted pace, hoping to find an inn nearby. She only had twelve bits. She hoped it would be enough to buy her one night's rest. 


 
Trixie was on the verge of tears. Apparently her money was no good in Ponyville. The showpony sat down in the middle of the vacant street as rain poured. She felt as if any ounce of willpower she possessed was slowly waning. She had no idea what she was to do. At that point, she felt as if she had two options: cut her hair and changer her name, or give up on life. As her resolve broke down she finally descended into tears. 
All of the sudden she noticed that the rain was no longer hitting her. Although she could still hear the rain, she didn't feel it. She tilted her head up to notice a purple aura of magic above her, acting as an umbrella.  
purple magic? she thought. There was only one mare she knew in Ponyville who had purple magic. Twilight Sparkle.  
"Trixie?" Asked Twilight. Her voice was filled with a mixture of confusion and concern. She never expected to see "The 
Great and Powerful TrRrRIXIE" in such a state. At the same time she was legitimately worried. Even after said mare tried to turn Ponyville into an autocracy.  
As soon as Trixie realized who it was she pulled her hat down to cover her face, "Do not look upon The SAD AND BEGUILED TrRrRIXIE! For she does not want anypony to see her in such a MISERABLE state of being!" 
Twilight sighed and slightly rolled her eyes. Though she did want to help Trixie, she didn't know how much melodrama she could handle from her former rival. The princess got enough from Rarity, and she was friend. Even so, she knew it wasn't her job to judge, she didn't know what Trixie had been through yet. "It's ok Trixie, I won't look at you any differently. I want to help you. Could you please just tell me what happened?... In first person," Twilight gently requested.
Trixie looked up for a brief moment at her old nemesis. Though she didn't feel like talking at the moment, the caring expression she saw helped to convince her otherwise. "Ok, Trixie will- err I will tell you, just promise you won't tell anypony else. I still have pride you know," The magician requested in return.
Twilight simply nodded, "I promise." 
Trixie took a moment before beginning her story, "Well, you see, it all started going to Tartarus after Trix- sorry, I left Ponyville..." 


 
"...and that's how I ended up here, broken and humiliated." By the time her story was over, the once great and powerful magician had her head hung in shame.                    
Twilight blinked, "wow Trixie, sounds awful. I had no idea you had to go through all of that! If I would have know that was going to happen I would have let you stay here in Ponyville for a while. In fact, I can find you a place to stay now if you want." 
"And get run out of town by an angry mob? Gee thanks!" Trixie retorted, poking a hoof at the ground.
"I'm sure everyone's forgiven you, have you tried the inn yet?" 
"Yes, and I got kicked out." 
"They're still angry? It's been two years, and everyone knows it was the Alicorn Amulet that made you act that way," Twilight said in a slightly-agitated manner. After a few seconds of thinking Twilight continued, "well I'm sure I know just how to convince everypony that-" 
"No Twilight, it's ok, Nopony has to know I'm here, I'll be gone soon anyways," Trixie mumbled.
"Well if you want you can stay at my place, no one has to know about it," Twilight offered. 
"Why are you being so kind to me?" Trixie asked with a confused air about her. 
"Because you're my friend," Twilight smiled and put a hoof on Trixie's shoulder. 
"Friend? But-but I-" 
"It's ok, even after the... incident... you did more than apologize, you helped with the magic show instead of skipping town right away. To me that more than makes up for what you did. Plus, It know wasn't really you that did all those terrible things, it was the dark magic from the amulet distorting your mind." Twilight smiled reassuringly. Though she understood why the townsponies were mad at her, she wasn't about to say that when Trixie was in such a fragile state. Truly rectifying her problems could come later, but first Twilight just wanted to help out the beguiled blue unicorn. 
Trixie mulled it over in her mind for a while. She sighed and realized that she really didn't have any other option but to accept Twilight's proposal. "Ok, I will stay for one night... but that's all," the magician stated. 
"Glad to hear it, now let's get going before we get soaked," Twilight said with a smile.
The walk back to the library was silent and awkward. Trixie asked about life as a princess and Twilight asked about life on the road. Even so, neither of the mares had much to say about their life styles. Trixie spent the whole walk staring at the ground as Twilight focused on her spell.



Trixie came running down the stairs with the speed of a fleeting demon. "It's as hot as TARTARUS now!"
Twilight rolled her eyes, "Trixie, this is the fourth time you've come running down here. I asked if you needed help operating the shower and you said no. I assumed that meant you knew how to not make the water too hot or too cold. Unless you want me to come up there and help you, please try and figure it out on your own. I already told you what to do. Left is hot and right is cold." 
The show pony displayed the most adorable puppy-dog face in the history of cuteness before asking, "can you help Trixie?" 
Twilight was going to call her out for using third person but the site was so cute she decided not to. She rolled her eyes and said, "Finally, if you would have asked earlier this whole ordeal could have been a lot simpler." 
Trixie squeed with a slight blush.  
Up at the shower, Twilight used her magic to adjust the knob to the perfect temperature. She tested the water with her hoof to confirm it was the right temperature. "There," Twilight said, "Just let me know if you need anything else." 
Trixie got in and moaned. It had been so long since she had taken a proper shower. A blast of powerful, blue magic drew the curtain as the magician began to incessantly wash. Twilight's mouth cured into a happy smile as she left Trixie to herself. 
Trixie came down the stairs with a towel wrapped around her head. "Did you enjoy yourself? I could hear you from down here!" Twilight teased. 
"I did as a matter of fact... It's just been so long since I've taken a proper shower," Trixie admitted, "sorry about the noise." 
"No problem. Dinner should be ready any time. My friend spike isn't here tonight so I've attempted to cook. Sorry if it's not that good..." 
"Oh come now, I'm sure it will be satisfactory." 
A few minutes later, dinner was ready. What came out of the oven was ungodly. It was black burnt, and arguably alive. 
Both ponies seemed genuinely scared as they gingerly prodded the "meal" before them. 
"Uhm... bon appetite?" Twilight sheepishly said. 
"I think we should kill it," Trixie said bluntly.  
Twilight sighed, "I really didn't want to ask this considering everything you've been through, but can you cook?" 
"I've made my share of meals whilst on the road. It won't be great but it will still be better than... that," the magician replied, pointing a hoof at the meal-mister in disgust.
"Well if you really don't mind, the pantry is right next to the kitchen." 
"It's really fine Twilight. In fact, you will be one of the FEW ponies to ever try TRrRrRIXIE'S signature dish!" Trixie announced, her voice reminiscent of her on-stage persona. 
The purple mare raised an eyebrow, "signature meal? I didn't know you had a signature meal." 
Trixie rummaged through the pantry as she responded, "Oh yes, it is the most GREAT AND POWERFUL meal to EVER be devised!" 
Twilight didn't know whether she should be genuinely excited or roll her eyes. The glow of blue magic lit up Trixie's horn as she approached Twilight with a smirk on her face. She cleared her throne and spoke, "Behind my back... is the most DELICIOUS and MOUTHWATERING snack of ALL TIME!" 
The purple princess was genuinely became excited. Even though she knew showponyship was Trixie's special talent, she couldn't help herself from being interested. 
Trixie withdrew the tray of food from behind her back as she announced, "I present to you, THE GREAT AND POWERFUL PEANUTBUTTER AND CRACKERS!" 
Twilight's dreams of a super gourmet meal had been shattered, but at least it was better than the monstrous meal she had cooked up. She was about to object when she felt a giggle work her way up her throat and out her mouth. 
Trixie set the tray down on the table and used her magic to pick up one of the peanut butter crackers and levitate it towards Twilight's mouth. The purple alicorn blushed slightly at Trixie's actions, she Hadn't been fed like this since she was a foal... nor had she eaten peanut butter crackers since she was a foal. Trixie smirked playfully and said, "Do you dare balk at my delicious snack?"   
Twilight blushed even more, "No I-" 
"Then open up," Trixie requested. 
The princess tentatively opened her mouth and the cracker floated in. Her eyes light up as she began to chew on the treat, it was surprisingly good. Once she swallowed she said, "Wow Trixie, I forgot how good these were." 
"They are quite marvelous aren't they? On they road they were my staple... simple and delicious," the magician stated with a sense of nostalgia in her voice. 
"Sorry for doubting your great and powerful cooking ability," Twilight playfully responded as she levitated another cracker. At that, the two mares leisurely ate and cordially chatted. It had been forever since Trixie had been in good company. 
The two mares decided it was time to get to bed. Twilight lead Trixie up the stairs to the bedroom. Once they got there, Trixie looked out the window and announced, "look, the storm is over and the stars are out. I'm going to go stargaze for a little... If that's alright with you." 
"sure, I'll keep the bed warm" Twilight languidly said as she prepared to sleep. 
Trixie went out and looked at the stars. Seconds turned to minutes as she began reflecting on the days events. 
I came to Ponyville humiliated and broken... and then, my former arch nemesis took me in, let me clean up, gave me food, and for a while I felt like a whole new mare. For a while I didn't have to worry about my problems. For a while I felt like someone cared about me, but... that all ends tomorrow.   
When it occurred to the mare that she would have to return to the same life he was living earlier today, a tear rolled down her face. It had been so long since she had felt any kind of joy. She couldn't bare to think of leaving it all behind again. She lightly begin to sob as the tears fell. Trixie didn't even try to hold it in, she began to audibly weep. After a few minutes, her sorrow was interrupted when a comforting wing land on her back. The blue mare looked to her right and saw a concerned Twilight standing beside her. Though the purple mare had an idea about what might be the matter, she still couldn't help but ask. 
"what's wrong Trixie? I thought you were happy," The princess asked. 
"I was, that's why I'm crying," Trixie replied with a sniffle. 
Twilight raised an eyebrow in confusion. 
"You see... ever since I was a foal I pushed ponies away from me, thinking it was the best thing to do. That was how I learned to succeed. Even as a foal I had no real friends. Sure I had an entourage but none of them really cared about me. I didn't even admire anypony... except you. In school, nopony cared that you were the princes' apprentice, they cared about my magic because it was cool and flashy. Even so, you were the only pony I tried to impress, but you just kept studying and getting better while I kept learning useless parlor tricks. I eventually forgot about you when I hit the road, then, someone told me that you were in Ponyville, so I came to try and impress you with my magic. Even so, at the end of the day what happened? My big mouth almost got the town destroyed and I was run out. It was then that that I saw the true meaning of loneliness. Ever since then that's what my life has been, lonely, until today. Even so I know that things will just go back to normal tomorrow," Trixie hung her head after she finished speaking. 
Twilight pulled Trixie closer and began to speak for herself, "first off, your powers aren't useless, they are special and unique. I just think you have been misusing them. Instead of using your powers simply to impress others, use them to make others happy. Use them to bring people wonder and amazement. Sure people will be impressed with you, and that's a good thing. But if you keep using your powers only to make yourself look good, at the end of the day you'll end up with no real satisfaction. I also remember school. I remember that at the time I was impressed with your powers, but I was too shy to talk to you, a popular filly. I really didn't have friends either until I moved here to Ponyville. Plus, I said you could stay here as long as you wanted, remember? And don't even worry about what the other townsponies will think, I'll make sure nothing bad happens to you."  Twilight smiled reassuringly and looked into Trixie's eyes.  
Trixie was at a loss of words, all she could say was, "why... why are you so nice to me?" 
"Because we're friends, now let's hit the hay. I'm tired." 
Trixie and Twilight silently made their way into the bedroom. Shortly after Twilight climbed into bed, she felt a warm mass of fur press up against her back.  
"Uhm... Trixie?" Twilight asked. 
"Yes?" The magician warmly responded. 
"why are you so close?" Though it didn't necessarily feel bad, the Alicorn felt as if she had to ask. 
"Oh... you mean you don't like it?" Trixie asked sounding a bit disheartened. 
"I mean... it feels nice-" 
"then why are you objecting?" Trixie nuzzled the back of Twilight's neck and inhaled the scent of her lavender mane. 
Twilight instantly blushed and wondered why her former nemesis was being so affectionate to her. Twilight cleared her throat and answered, "well... I don't know... this is just so abrupt." 
Trixie, slightly hurt rolled to the other side of the bed. "well then I guess I can just sleep cold and alone then," She pouted. 
Twilight attempted to get comfortable on her own. Though her bed usually seemed warm and snuggly, the warmth of another body provided her with something she felt uncomfortable without. Even so, Twilight had snuggled before, and the feeling other ponies had provided seemed less... special to the feeling that the blue unicorn provided. She began to think back on her life, she began to think back on the feelings she was forced to oppress. As a filly Twilight had always shown more of an interest towards mares. Her parents noticed quickly. They told her those thoughts were lies from Discord. Of course, Twilight knew by now that those pony-tales were ridiculous, but she still tried to repress those thoughts, especially now that she was a princess. If all of Equestria found out about her little "secret," it could mean a terrible scandal and loss of friends. She really didn't need that in her life even though most ponies in her generation didn't care one way or the other. As she continued to think a crimson blush came across her face as a thought popped into her head. 
What if I have a crush on Trixie... I mean... In grade school she always made me nervous. I've always been sympathetic of her even when she's done terrible things. I can't help but think that she is a very attractive mare. I do find her mannerisms endearing... when she's not trying to take over Ponyville or being flat-out rude. No Twilight, get those thoughts out of your head, Trixie is a friend and nothing more. Just-  
Trixie interrupted her thoughts in the same pouty, "Twilight... when are you going to invite me to your side of the bed again? I'm lonely." 
"Listen, I know you're used to getting your way... and I'm really not trying to be rude but..." Twilight's lecture ended after she had rolled over to talk to Trixie face-to-face. She lay in silence as she saw the face of the blue magician illuminated by a magical aura. She looked beautiful under the light of her own spell. Trixie's large and demanding eyes nearly hypnotized Twilight along with her other attractive features. As if a magnet were between them, Twilight found herself being pulled toward her ex nemesis. It didn't help that the same thing was happening to Trixie. Twilight felt her mind pulse with excitement and confusion as the two came together, and at the moment their lips met, her heart nearly stopped. 
The two were only connected for a few seconds before both parties slowly pulled away. When Trixie went back in for more, Twilight gently stopped her with a hoof. Trixie's ears went down when this happened. Twilight softly spoke, "Trixie... I'm not ready yet... for me this all happening so fast... and I'm just... dealing with a lot of turmoil right now so Pl-" 
"All Trixie wanted was another kiss," The magician stated plainly with a very subtly hint of playfulness. 
Twilight smiled tentatively, "I suppose that's fine by me. It's just that I need to get used to... this. I mean, I've always liked mares but my parents started telling me a bunch of crazy homophobic nonsense when they found out... and it still affects me. Also... I know you're hurting and you want a partner to help you cope and the thing is... I'm kinda afraid to get hurt if that's the case." 
"Oh Twilight," Trixie began as she snuggled herself into Twilight's embrace, "It's not that I want a partner to help me. I want you.Do you remember that hearts and hooves day when you got the secret admirer letter?" 
"of course I do. I spent the rest of the year trying to figure out who it was," Twilight responded.
"well, that was from me, and I got in trouble for it, because I had to sneak in to the class during lunch to set it on your desk. My parents were called up to the school. They were told what had happened and apparently I was to be punished for sneaking in at lunch to deliver the note, even though the teacher knew half of the colts and fillies in class did it. My parents ended up getting mad at the school because they saw the punishment as a homophobic action. After they had brought me home, they taught me a lesson I would never forget. They said, 'Trixie, don't let ANYPONY tell you that you're not special, because the truth is, being a little bit different is part of what makes you special. And one day, you're going to find somepony just as special as you are, and you'll be glad you weren't made any other way.' My parents were great... bu-but that's aside the point. What I am trying to say is I think you're special... and I always have. Even so, If you only want to be friends Trixie is ok with that too," Trixie frowned and lowered her head slightly as she finished what she was saying.  
Twilight smiled and tilted Trixie's chin up with her hoof and looked into her eyes, "Trixie, of course I want to be more than friends, I just don't want to take it too fast. This is going to be my first ever relationship with a mare- well, it's my first relationship ever. I'm just tentative... but I trust you, and to be honest I never though5t I'd say that. Tonight you were real. You weren't just a magician on a stage, you were genuine. And the genuine you is a you I think the world needs to see more of." 
Trixie smiled and leaned into Twilight's lips momentarily. After a short yet loving kiss Trixie pulled away and buried her muzzle into Twilight's neck, nuzzling and kissing it lightly. The purple alicorn giggled at these actions, her neck was very sensitive. The blue unicorn kissed her way down to the base of Twilight's neck, where she nibbled her collar bone lightly. She then nuzzled her way up to the princess' jaw where she pulled back and raised an eyebrow, "Is somepony sensitive?" 
Twilight was already blushing from her special treatment, but when Trixie asked this question she blushed even harder. Instead of responding, she pulled the magician into the warmth of her body and lightly kissed her horn's base. She used the horn on the upturned side of her body to drape over Trixie. The blue Unicorn nuzzled the tip of her nose under it as a foal may do on a cold winter's night. Trixie got comfortable very quickly and shut her eyes. Twilight looked down and smiled at her new marefriend. she looked so cute and peaceful like that. She decided to get some revenge for the tickle attack of earlier. The purple Alicorn smirked to herself and lightly bit Trixie's ear. It ears soft and velvety between her teeth. Trixie's head jerked up and she blushed, "hey, I was trying to get to sleep!" 
Twilight couldn't hold it in, she laugh and snorted slightly. It usually would embarrass her but it didn't matter in this moment. In this moment she was at peace. Once she had finished laughing she said, "that's revenge for tickling me earlier. You're ears are so soft Trixie."
Trixie put her ears back and whined, "they won't be if you keep biting them." 
"I barely put it between my teeth. Is somepony sensitive?" Twilight asked in a playful tone. 	
Trixie rolled her eyes but was smiling still. She laid he head back down and looked up into Twilight's eyes. She languidly asked with a yawn, "so, how did your parents find out about your... tendencies towards mares?" 
Twilight thought for a minute before replying, "They had noticed for a long time as I always seemed to talk about fillies like I should talk about colts. It wasn't until I was in my last year of formal school that they confronted me on it. I had found a mare-friend named Lyra Heartstrings. When they found out about it they grounded me, to put it euphemistically." 
There was so much more Trixie wanted to know, but with the way Twilight went about talking about it she knew it would be best to keep quiet. Trixie simply scooted up eye-level to Twilight and touched her forehead to the Alicorn, their horns crossing. She nuzzled into her lover's face gently and closed her eyes. Twilight closed her eyes at the intimate act of affection. It felt so nice to feel cared for by company she cared for. She pulled back slightly and opened her eyes. She knew something that made her feel so special couldn't be evil. Trixie opened here eyes as well and on her face was a look of concern, "I just hope nothing bad happens when you parents and the other townsponies find out abut this." 
Twilight smiled reassuringly and said, "it's ok, because no matter what happens I will have The Great And Powerful Trrixie at my side." 
Trixie's eyes welled up as she responded, "oh Twilight, I'm only great and powerful with you." 
At this both mares closed their eyes and slowly drifted to sleep.