//------------------------------//
// Epilogue: Crying in a Bottle (Reprise) 
// Story: Crying in a Bottle 
// by Starlight_Flight 
//------------------------------//

Epilogue: Crying in a Bottle (Reprise)

The trip to Ponyville took almost a week. Two days out, two days to hire a few laborers, and two days back. Inspector Thunder Star spent most of her time just out of sight of the two fillies, checking out fallen trees, and later investigating Twilight Sparkle and learning about the purple unicorn's incredible gifts. Both of their reports to Princess Celestia included descriptions of the meeting, of course. Trixie stayed well away from the (almost ubiquitous) group of friends, but even she couldn't avoid Pinkie Pie.

The party was loud, fun, and embarrassing, at least to Trixie. She would rather have been in and out, and done. Twilight and Trixie met face to face.

"I'm glad to see you came back. I'm sorry, we couldn't save much of your wagon. I made Snips and Snails clean up while my assistant, Spike, supervised."

"I'm strong. I'll survive."

"We did find a sack of bits and other things. Even your strongbox was smashed. But one thing I rescued, I wanted to give to you right away."

It was a photograph of her mother. Trixie couldn't help hugging Twilight and crying in front of everypony there. And then the blue unicorn asked Pinkie to put on a different record, and took the floor to sing.

It was the song she'd sung in Wellshod, but somehow, it had changed...

I'm crying in a bottle
And selling my tears
'Cause diamonds are better than gold
I'm crying in a bottle
And selling my tears
This world deserves my love

It was one of Trixie's best nights ever.

Months later, a new caravan pulled into Ponyville's public square. The stage wall popped down with a bang, and fireworks streamed out with sparkles, crackles, and squeals. Ponies all about ran over to see what was happening. A magically amplified voice echoed over the crowd.

"Welcome everypony to Trixie's Travelling Showhouse! I, the Great and Powerful Trixie, am your host. Later tonight, I'll be putting on a magic show for you, demonstrating new tricks and inviting new friends to teach us theirs! However, for our first performance, we have a storyteller soon to be famous throughout Equestria, Dusty Tales! Everywhere he's gone, someone has had a story to be told, and lessons to be learned. Listen, dear colts and gentlefillies, and listen well..."

And then the illusions started, as Dusty's practiced voice told the tale of a sleeping prince, and the rough-and-tumble adventuress who rescued him from his fate only to discover the true nature of his curse.

Twilight and her friends gathered to listen and watch.

Dear Princess Celestia,

When you're feeling sad, sometimes you build a wall of hurt to protect you, like thorns around a castle. And even once that wall is broken, you might fight with everything you have to keep the pain away, and end up hurting others in the process. But when a true friend reaches through that wall, and brings you out into the changing world, they can help you find your soul.

Your faithful student,

Twilight Sparkle