Twilight sulked for the duration of her final class. Not even the glorious wonders of Math could do anything to cheer her up. Of course word spread of Twilight's words and actions towards Trixie, but it seemed that the other students didn't take much of an interest in it more than any other high school gossip. Twilight mindlessly finished the problems on the sheet before her until the final bell rang. The purple girl slung her back pack on and trudged out of the school. Upon reaching the front doors, Twilight was met with a near bone crushing hug.
“Twilight! Dear, Fluttershy told me what happened. Are you okay?” Rarity asked as she pulled back to look Twilight in the eyes.
“Not really,” Twilight sniffled, “I don't think that that could've gone any worse.”
“Don't cry, Darling, I'm sure it wasn't that bad,” Rarity tried to comfort.
Before Twilight could reply, the two could hear a high pitched squealing rapidly approaching. Pinkie Pie rocketed out of the school and bee-lined for Twilight.
“Twilight! How did it go? Did you take our advice? Did you smooch? Are you two in love? CAN I PLAN YOUR WEDDING!?” Pinkie rambled until Rarity placed a palm over her mouth.
“Pinkie, I don't believe right now is the best time,” Rarity explained.
Pinkie eyes darted to Twilight, who was still wearing a saddened face and realized that something was amiss.
Removing Rarity's hand, Pinkie spoke much more calmly. “What happened?”
“I messed up majorly and now Trixie hates me,” Twilight answered.
The girls moved to the bleachers where the rest of their friends joined them. Twilight explained what happened, with the unwanted help from Rainbow. After the explanation, Sunset was the first to speak up.
“Why did you call her fat?”
“I panicked and what Pinkie said was the first thing that came to mind,” Twilight replied as tears began to form.
“Oh, don't cry,” Pinkie said as she started to tear up as well. “I'm sorry for giving you bad advice.”
“It's not your fault that I'm such a screw up,” Twilight began to cry.
“You are not a screw up.” Sunset sat down next to Twilight and hugged her. “And I'm sure Trixie will forgive you. Maybe not soon, but she will.”
Unfortunately, this did not relieve Twilight, who began to sob.
After a moment, Twilight quieted down to a sniffle. “I'm sorry for wasting your time like this.”
“No sweat, Twi. We keep telling you, this is what friends do,” Rainbow stated.
“I may have an idea on how to cheer our dear Twilight up,” Rarity started.
“An how's that?” Applejack asked.
“Retail therapy!” Rarity exclaimed.
“Retail therapy?” Twilight echoed.
“We'll go to the mall, spend some money and we'll make you feel like a girl that could get any... girl she wanted,” Rarity explained.
“Really Rarity? Shopping?” Rainbow asked incredulously.
“It always helps me when I'm feeling down. I'll even buy you whatever you want,” Rarity turned to Twilight.
“I don't know...” Twilight mumbled.
“Come on Twilight, it could help to take your mind off of things. It's a good way to spend time with your friends,” Sunset urged.
“I guess we could try it,” Twilight relented, a little happy that her friends would go to such lengths to help her.
“Wonderful! Trust me, Twilight, we'll get you smiling again,” Rarity happily squealed.
“Well, Ah'd love to go with ya, but Ah promised Granny Smith that Ah would help her move a new shipment of apple cider in the cafeteria. Don't get too down now, alright Twi?”
“Alright,” Twilight nodded as she managed a small smile.
The girls waved goodbye as the cowgirl departed.
“I just need to let my mom know that I'll be home late,” Twilight explained as she pulled out her cell phone and started dialling.
“Hello?” Velvet answered.
“Hi mom,” Twilight greeted.
“Hi sweetie. How are you? Is everything okay?” Velvet questioned.
“Yes, everything's fine. I'm just letting you know that I'm going to be home late tonight.”
“Oh, and why's that?”
“My friends and I are going shopping. I hope that's OK.”
“Of course it is, Sweetie. Do you want me to put some more money in your account?”
“No, what I have should be enough. Besides, Rarity said she was going to buy me something.”
“Rarity? The same one you brought over yesterday?”
“Yep!”
“And she's buying you things now. For any particular reason?”
“She's just trying to make me happy. I'll explain later.”
“... I hope you do.” Twilight couldn't help but hear the suspicion in her mothers voice, but shrugged it off. “I hope you have fun.”
“Thanks mom, I'll see you later.”
“Bye Sweetie. Don't be too late.”
Twilight hung up and headed out with her friends.
Meanwhile, Applejack was headed back into the school when something caught her eye. Leaving was a very disgruntled Trixie, scowling as she descended the front steps. Applejack weighed her options for a moment before she decided that the embodiment of honesty should at least try to set things straight.
“Hey Trixie!”
Trixie looked up, but her frown deepened upon seeing Applejack. “Great. Another one. Here to make fun of Trixie's hair?”
“Now, no need to be hostile. I just want to talk,” Applejack said as she rose her hands defensively.
“And why does The Great and Powerful Trixie have to talk to you,” Trixie growled.
“You don't have to do nothin. But It'd be mighty kind of ya to hear me out,” Applejack explained.
Trixie gave Applejack a concerned and suspicious look, but nodded. “Go on then.”
“Now, ah heard about what happened between you and Twilight and ah'd like to set the record straight.”
“What is there to set straight? Sparkle made a joke of Trixie's hobby, played a harsh trick and outright insulted Trixie!” Trixie spat.
“Ah know, but ah want you to know that she didn't mean any of that. She really was just trying to be your friend,” Applejack continued.
“She sure has a funny way of doing it,” Trixie crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes.
“She also transformed into a evil demon and plotted to take over the world during the Friendship Games. Ah love her, but she ain't so smart when it comes to social pressure.”
“Do you mean literally? Like, Trixie thought she had a meltdown and people were over exaggerating.”
“It's all true. Twi would never do anything to hurt someone intentionally,” Applejack concluded.
“Alright, let's say Trixie believes you,” Trixie started, “then why was Sparkle trying to befriend Trixie? Well, Trixie knows that everyone wants to be her friend, but why is she stepping up?”
Applejack froze, trying to think of a way of talking her way around the question without revealing Twilight's secret. Aware that she was the schools worst liar, she tried to divert the conversation.
“Well it certainly wasn't to insult ya like that. Do you think you can forgive her?” Applejack chuckled nervously.
Trixie thought for a moment. “Trixie supposes she might, but she did not appreciate the comments about her weight!”
Applejack could see that she was losing Trixie and quickly interjected. “That one can be placed on a friend of ours. She told Twi that phat was slang for cool.”
Trixie didn't look like she believed that. “Really, that's the best you could come up with?”
“I ain't lyin',” Applejack snapped. “Why can't you let it go?”
Trixie recoiled before she scowled at the ground with a sigh. “You're right. Trixie should be sorry. It's her fault again. Like it always is.”
Applejack had flashbacks to the Battle of the Bands and felt sick to her stomach. “Nah, Ah should apologize. Ah didn't mean to lash out at ya. Ah'm just upset that this misunderstanding caused such a kerfuffle. This ain't your fault.”
Trixie looked up questioningly. “You're apologizing... to Trixie?”
Applejack walked over and placed an arm on the blue girls shoulder. “Ah am. And ah'm starting to think me an my friends owe you an apology for treating you like a villain after the Battle of the Bands. That wasn't right of us.”
Trixie gave a small smile. “That... means a lot to Trixie. She admits that she does feel guilty for helping the sirens, but she didn't want to admit that she was tricked. Trixie is the one with the tricks.”
“No shame in it. They got us too. I'll talk to my friends. Ah'm sure they'd like to talk things out as well.”
“You're actually very nice. Trixie is surprisingly glad that she talked to you.”
“Wouldn't have happened in the first place if it wasn't for Twi.”
“Trixie guesses you're right. Very well! Trixie will give Sparkle another chance. But now, Trixie is off!”
“Big plans for the night?” Applejack asked.
“No, Trixie just wishes to go to the mall to pick up some things before it gets late,” Trixie replied.
“Meeting up with your friends?”
Trixie stammered a bit. “Er, no. She will be going alone.”
“Well ah wish you luck. Have a great day Trixie,” Applejack waved as she departed.
“Same to you,” Trixie called as she continued on her path.
Applejack felt great. She was happy that Trixie didn't turn out to be as thick headed as she thought. Also, she couldn't wait to tell Twilight that Trixie was willing to forgive her. Of course, they were going to have to have a sit down to make sure Twilight would be ready next time she met Trix-
“Wait, did Trixie say she was going to the mall?” Applejack wondered out loud. “That has disaster written all over it. Ah should let the girls know.”
Applejack frantically searched her pockets,but the cowgirl couldn't find her cellphone.
“Horse apples! Where in blazes did ah leave that thing?”
It only took about half an hour for Twilight and her friends to reach the mall.
“I've never been to the mall with friends before,” Twilight commented as they walked through the doors.
“Sounds like you're feeling better already,” Rarity said cheerfully. “Now what store should we visit first? There are plenty of clothing stores. Maybe we could get you a new outfit?”
“Actually, if you don't mind, there's a new book on the study of string theory I would like if we can stop by the book store,” Twilight asked.
Rarity deflated but retained her smile. “Of course dear, we're here for you.”
The girls stopped at several stores, including the book store where Rarity bought Twilight the book that she wanted. After some time had passed, the group went to the food court.
“I have to admit, that was more fun than I thought it would be,” Twilight, now much happier, smiled.
“And I guess shopping wasn't that bad,” Rainbow added, “when you're with friends at least.”
“I'm glad you're feeling better Twilight,” Rarity stated.
“Too bad it's getting late. I promised the Cakes I'd help close the shop tonight,” Pinkie sighed, “so I should get going.”
“I need to go too. My animal friends need to be fed,” Fluttershy muttered.
“Yeah, if you don't mind Twi, Sun and I were going to see that new action flick and the last show is in an hour,” Rainbow mumbled with a mouth full of food.
“Don't worry. You girls have done more than enough. I only have one more place I want to go anyways,” Twilight replied.
“As well as I.” Rarity started, “How about we meet at the front entrance in twenty minutes to walk to the bus station?”
“Sure. Bye everyone, thanks for being there for me,” Twilight waved as she got up from the table and left.
Twilight was happy that no one asked where she was going, for she would be too embarrassed to explain. Twilight's bras were getting old and worn and she had been meaning to buy some new ones and preferred to do so quickly without anyone else around. Twilight entered a popular underwear shop. The products were a little flashy and the store had some more risque options, but they had quality products. Twilight quickened her pace to the section that held the plainest bras and proceeded to pick out a few. In her rush, Twilight spun around to the cash register, only to collide with another girl. The two stumbled back a couple of steps and regained their balance.
“I'm sorry, I wasn't looking where I was-” Twilight stopped upon seeing who she bumped into.
Trixie rubbed her head as she looked up at Twilight, her eyes widening with surprise. “Sparkle? What are you doing here?”
Twilight stuttered a bit before her answer came out. “I'm so sorry. About earlier I mean. I didn't-”
Trixie held up her hand. “Your friend already explained it to Trixie. Trixie isn't happy, but she is willing to forgive you.”
“Really? That's great! I mean, I just wanted to get to know you better,” Twilight started to fiddle with the bags she was carrying, but her eyes were drawn to what Trixie was holding.
The blue girl held a set of very small, very frilly, lingerie. Twilight's cheeks began to glow red as she desperately tried to fight away the images of Trixie wearing nothing but the thin cloth. Trixie noticed the other girl's stare and hid the underwear behind her back with a blush of her own.
“T-Trixie was feeling insecure and wanted to get something to make herself fell... attractive."
Twilight wanted to say that Trixie was already incredibly attractive as she was, but could not bring up the courage. Instead, she focused her energy on not having a panic attack.
“Anyways, Trixie might be inclined to give you another chance, especially if you don't tell anyone about this,” Trixie awkwardly offered.
Twilight could only manage a nod.
“What's wrong with you?” Trixie asked, becoming frustrated.
Twilight finally snapped out of her trance. “Nothing! I mean, I won't say a thing. And... again, I want to apologize. I got flustered because you just looked so beau, er, cool and I really wanted to be your friend, but I'm sort of new to the whole friendship thing.”
Trixie seemed to appreciate the compliment. “Ah, of course. Trixie supposes she can't blame you for getting tongue tied in her presence. Very well, Trixie forgives you. On the condition that you avoid insulting her.”
“Does that mean we're friends?” Twilight asked hopefully.
Trixie scoffed. “Don't be so hasty, Sparkle. Trixie has forgiven you, so we will start with a clean slate. We'll talk tomorrow so that you may try to impress Trixie.”
“Um, OK,” Twilight nodded.
Trixie began to walk away, but turned around before she rounded the isle corner. “Oh, and remember, what you saw here is our little secret,” she said as she placed a finger to her lips and winked.
Once she was out of sight, Twilight whipped out her inhaler and took a deep breath from it. After making her purchase, Twilight met up with Rarity at the entrance to tell her what happened.
“That's wonderful news?” Rarity squealed. “She must have felt better after talking to Applejack. Our country friend just texted me saying that she saw Trixie and talked to her after we parted ways. I must commend Applejack. She really did quite a job recovering the whole ordeal.”
“I need to thank her,” Twilight said happily, but stopped in her tracks.
“”What is it dear?” Rarity asked, concerned.
“I just realized that Trixie told me to try and impress her tomorrow, but I have no idea how to do that.”
Rarity's concerned face turned into a huge smile. “Well, if you'd like, I could come over before school tomorrow and help you with some makeup and do your hair.”
“Before school? That's too early for me to ask you to do that,” Twilight protested.
“Darling, appearances are my passion! It would be no trouble,” Rarity responded.
“Are you sure it wouldn't be too much trouble?” Twilight started to relent at the sight of her friends enthusiasm.
“I would consider it you doing me a favour to let me work with that hair!”
“Alright, what time should I expect you?”
Rarity thought for a moment. “Five AM.”
“Five AM!” Twilight cried out with shock. “That's almost three hours before I leave for the bus!”
“Hmm, you do have a point,” Rarity responded. “Four thirty it is then!”
Twilight sighed, but couldn't help but feel a little excited for her makeover the next day.