//------------------------------// // A Great and Powerful Crusader! (Part Three) // Story: sPxHoLEic ~ A Great And Powerful Friendship ~ // by MythrilMoth //------------------------------// The week had gone by in a blur for Trixie, who found herself spending more and more time with the Crusaders and less time at the castle. Before she knew it, the night of the Grand Galloping Gala had finally arrived. A sizeable party filled a private carriage on the Friendship Express, presently puffing its way up the mountain to Canterlot. In one corner, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were playing cards to pass the time; Spike and Trixie had joined in on their game. Initially, Spike hadn't wanted to attend the Gala, but Sunset and Twilight had cajoled him into going as Twilight's plus-one. He'd only caved in and agreed when Twilight pointed out that it meant Rarity would have to make a new tuxedo for him. As for the others... Twilight wore a simple, elegant light blue dress with darker blue floral accents around the train and collar, as well as a large orange ribbon around her barrel, tied in a huge bow atop her back; her mane was gathered in a loose bun in the back. Sunset Shimmer wore a dazzling layered dress in red, orange, and gold, with her mane styled in tight, springy curls and topped with a sunflower pin that matched the brooch at the front of her dress. Fluttershy wore a dress that was a deep blue-green in the front, with a pale green skirt with yellow trim and a peacock feather motif. An ornamental feathery pin held half of her mane to one side, while the other half had been wound into a spiral bun on one side. Her friend Tree Hugger wore a simple light lavender dress with a wreath of daisies around her head. Pinkie Pie wore a loud, layered yellow dress with orange polka dots, a purple ruffle, and a purple-and-white striped bow and round ornaments shaped like purple starlight mints in her mane. Her sister Maud wore a simple speckled dark blue-green dress. Rainbow Dash's minimalist dress largely consisted of a dark blue, star-spangled skirt and scalloped orange front, with pale gold silk straps holding the dress together. Rarity wore a tasteful purple affair with blue trim and jewel accents; her mane was done up in high, curled ringlets, held with a bejeweled hairpin. Applejack wore a floral-print light green dress with red rose accents, along with a matching hat with a shiny red apple on the hatband. Apple Bloom's simple pink and white dress had a flower clasp in the front, with a matching pin in her mane. Sweetie Belle's dress was pale aqua with a seafoam ribbon and clasp, and a blue tulip pin in her mane. Scootaloo's dress and sash were two shades of light lavender and purple, with a dragonfly clasp in her mane. Trixie wore a two-layered dress; the lower layer was a light purple, matching the cape she normally wore, while the top layer was a diaphanous sky blue. A light purple hat, flat with a pale blue band that had a blue-and-gold star-shaped pin on the band, sat atop her head. "Ah sure hope this don't turn out like th' last Gala we all went to," Applejack muttered. "You said it," Rainbow agreed, grimacing as she toyed with the fit of her dress around her wing joints. Rarity seized Rainbow's dress in her magic and began straightening it. "So long as I don't encounter that lout again, I'll be content." Sunset tilted her head. "What was so bad about the Gala?" "WHAT WASN'T?" the six Harmony Bearers chorused before breaking into giggles. Twilight shook her head. "A few years ago, Celestia invited us all to the Gala. We sort of had...certain expectations...that the evening didn't exactly live up to." "It was a total disaster!" Pinkie said cheerfully. "We totally trashed the ballroom!" "Hey now, that was mostly Rainbow an' Fluttershy," Applejack said. "No, we were all to blame," Rarity said. "Although there were mitigating circumstances." Fluttershy ducked her head. "I, umm...I lost my temper. I'm still pretty embarrassed about that." "Let's face it, that whole Gala sucked," Rainbow said. "And we're all to blame." "Yeah, we went in plot-first an' didn't turn around an' open our eyes till it was too late," Applejack agreed. "But this time, we know better," Twilight said with a smile. "Yeah!" Pinkie agreed. "We've got our plus-ones, we know the Gala is super boring so we're actually ready for it, and we know better than to go all RAAAAH! and trash the place again!" "I certainly hope so," Rarity said. "Not to put too fine a point on it, but our little group doesn't exactly have the best track record with high-society events in Canterlot." "Hey!" Rainbow protested. "It was just that one time!" "I count three," Rarity said. She paused, then amended, "Well...two actually. We can hardly be blamed for the Changeling invasion during Princess Cadance's wedding." Twilight tilted her head. "Two? What was the other one?" Rarity arched an eyebrow. "The garden party? The one your birthday party spilled over into?" "Okay whoa," Rainbow objected. "That was on you for party-hopping on us." "She has a point, though," Fluttershy said. "I mean, we did crash the garden party and, umm...turn it into a Ponyville party." "We did 'em a favor!" Rainbow said, throwing up her hooves. "Actually, I think I have to agree with Rarity and Fluttershy on this one," Pinkie said, her ears drooping a little. "If there's one thing I've learned about parties in Canterlot, it's that they aren't really meant to be fun." She blinked. "I can't believe I just said that." "You're right though," Sunset put in. "When I was Princess Celestia's student, I had to suffer through a lot of those so-called 'parties'." She rolled her eyes. "The Canterlot elite don't care about fun. They care about being seen in the right places by the right ponies." She smiled. "I'd rather go to a Pinkie Pie party or a plain old school dance any day." "Wait, so...you mean this isn't gonna be any fun?" Apple Bloom piped up. The mares turned to see the Crusaders standing nearby, looking crestfallen. "Now, girls," Rarity said, "it most certainly will be fun, because we'll all be there together." "Yeah," Applejack agreed, licking her hoof and smoothing down Apple Bloom's mane in the front. "We'll make our own fun!" As the train chugged on and the fillies and their sisters talked, Sunset turned to Fluttershy. "So exactly what made you lose your temper at the Gala?" Fluttershy ducked her head. "Well..." * * * * * Upon arriving at the station in Canterlot, the party was met by a trio of extravagant carriages, each staffed by two members of the Royal Guard. The stallions assisted the mares, fillies, and dragon into the carriages, then hitched themselves up and began cantering off toward the castle. Twilight sat across from Sunset and Trixie, reclining in the plush velvet seat with a happy sigh. "Okay, as much as I don't like to make a big deal about me being a princess? This kind of thing can be pretty...nice." Sunset chuckled. "The perks of royalty, huh?" She smiled. "You should just let yourself enjoy everything ponies want to do for you. It's what I'd do if—" She grimaced. "Well, if I'd listened to Princess Celestia and..." She sighed. Twilight reached across and patted her hoof. "I think you found your place in life without getting wings," she said. "This—" she gestured at her own wings, "—may have been my destiny, but something tells me yours was always to find the life you have now." "Maybe so," Sunset said. She shrugged. "Anyway, you really should just own your status. Stop resisting all the cool stuff that comes with being a princess!" Twilight pursed her lips. "It really isn't me," she said. "I like to keep my life simple. Well, as simple as it gets when my friends and I are constantly battling monsters, immortals, bullies, jerks, and things like that. As long as I have a good book and a hot mug of tea and somewhere to curl up and read, that's all I really need out of life. Well, that and my friends." She smiled. "All this fancy princess stuff isn't for me." The carriage stopped, and the doors opened. The party stepped out into a sea of excited, screaming ponies. Dozens of camera flashes went off. Questions were shouted at Twilight by society reporters. Roses flew through the air, landing at her hooves. "Yes," Trixie said dryly, "clearly you are in your own personal Tartarus." Twilight rolled her eyes and led the way down the carpet, Spike to her right, Sunset to her left, with Trixie just behind her. The rest of their friends followed in their wake, their plus-ones lined up at their flanks. As the grand doors opened, a herald blew a fanfare on a trumpet. "Announcing Her Highness, Princess Twilight Sparkle of Ponyville, and entourage!" Princess Celestia glided gracefully down from the dais at the end of the ballroom as they entered, landing before Twilight. "Good evening, Twilight! Your dress is quite lovely!" Twilight curtsied. "Your Majesty," she said. "You look as radiant as always." Celestia smiled, then looked everypony else over. "You all look lovely this evening," she said. "I hope you will all enjoy the Gala. Come, Twilight. There are several important ponies we must greet." "Of course," Twilight said. She looked at her friends, sighed, and smiled. "Go ahead and enjoy yourselves. Hopefully I'll find a way out of this part of the Gala quickly." "Well, I'm hittin' the buffet," Rainbow said. "You comin', Squirt?" "You bet!" Scootaloo said, following Rainbow across the room. "We should mingle," Rarity said to Sweetie Belle. "I'll introduce you to Fancy Pants...if I can find him in this crowd." "Let's find a good spot for pony-watching, Maud!" Pinkie said. Maud followed silently behind her as she made her way through the crowd. Applejack and Apple Bloom wandered off into the assorted guests as well, with Fluttershy and Tree Hugger not too far behind. Sunset looked at Trixie and Spike. "Well, what do you want to do?" she asked. "Hang close to the Princesses?" "Perhaps the three of you might keep me company," a voice intruded. They turned to see Princess Luna approaching gracefully, wearing a deep black gown with dark blue accents and silvery spangles. "A perk of being the long-exiled sister of the ruler of Equestria and nominal protector of the night is that I am not shackled to the same duties as my sister during functions such as this." "They're still afraid of you, huh?" Spike said bluntly. Luna gave him a half-lidded, irritated stare, but sighed and nodded. "Somewhat. Though to be fair, I do not put as much effort into easing the fears of these nobles as I do when it comes to the common ponies and children of Equestria." "I don't blame you," Sunset said with a smirk. "If the Canterlot elite are anything like they were before I, umm..." She coughed and brushed one hoof with the other. "Well, they could probably use a little scare from time to time." "Indeed." Luna looked around. "In truth, I would prefer to be anywhere else but here. Such parties often tend to be unbearably dull." Twilight appeared in front of them in a flash. "Good evening, Princess Luna," she said. "Sunset, Princess Celestia wants you to spend the evening close to her, if that's alright." Sunset blinked. "Really? She—" Her mouth worked soundlessly for a long moment. "Of...of course! I'd be...yes!" Luna smiled. "Then I will keep Spike and the young filly here company," she said. As Twilight and Sunset trotted away, she glanced at Trixie. "Have we met? You seem familiar, but I cannot place a name to your face." "This is Trixie," Spike said. "You know, as in the Great and Powerful Trixie?" Luna's muzzle crinkled. "Surely not the same Trixie presently studying under Twilight Sparkle?" Trixie ducked her head. "Yes," she said. Luna tilted her head. "I had thought you would be...older." "She usually is," Spike said cheerfully. "She bombed an age spell and got herself stuck like this." Luna raised an eyebrow. "I see," she said. "And just what were you doing attempting such dangerous magic, if I might ask?" Trixie wouldn't meet her eyes. "I..." "She got jealous of Sunset Shimmer and tried to turn her into a foal to show her up," Spike said with a smirk. Trixie shot him a cross glare and kicked him. Luna gave Trixie a half-lidded stare and a thin-lipped frown. Trixie hung her head low, her ears folding back. "Trixie has...issues," she said meekly. Luna shook her head. "I am the last pony who should be lecturing you after what my own bitterness and jealousy led to," she said. "Still, perhaps you should reflect on your life choices and strive to be a better pony." "Yes, Your Highness," Trixie said. "Good." Luna looked around. "Now, let us see if we can find some entertainment in this dull—" "Announcing the Spirit of Chaos, Discord, and his guest, the Smooze!" Luna raised an eyebrow and glanced over at the entrance to the ballroom. "I believe that will do nicely," she said. "Oh brother," Spike said, staring at the green blob that followed Discord into the room. "Twilight's gonna go ballistic." * * * * * "I must say, it's been very nice having you take over some of the planning responsibilities for this year's Gala," Celestia said. "I know you've had quite a bit on your plate lately, between your new student and Starlight Glimmer." "It was my pleasure, believe me," Twilight said. "I'm always happy to help—" The herald blew his trumpet again. "Announcing the Spirit of Chaos, Discord, and his guest, the—" he paused. "—the Smooze!" Twilight, Sunset, and Celestia stared at the green blob that slurched into the ballroom at Discord's side. "What the—" Sunset said. Twilight frowned. "I'll take care of this." As she stormed off muttering to herself, Celestia turned to Sunset. "I suppose you're a bit confused as to the sudden appearance of Discord." Sunset's brow furrowed. "Actually, I ran into him in Ponyville the other day," she said. "I meant to ask Twilight about that, but I got distracted and forgot all about it. So...what's going on with that?" Celestia chuckled as she watched Twilight threaten Discord. "I decided to have Twilight Sparkle and her friends try to reform Discord. They succeeded. Well, mostly Fluttershy, as I understand it. While he...had a bit of a relapse recently," Celestia grimaced, "for the most part, Discord is reformed, and using his powers for the good of Equestria." Sunset's jaw dropped. "Wow. I've missed a lot." "Yes," Celestia said with a smile. "Yes you have." * * * * * Luna, Trixie, and Spike crept through the crowd, shadowing Discord. "What do you suppose he's up to?" Spike whispered. "Personally, I'm more worried about that thing he brought with him," Trixie whispered. "In case you didn't notice, it's eating anything shiny it sees." "Believe me, I noticed," Spike answered. "He seems to have a specific purpose in mind," Luna muttered with a thoughtful frown. While Discord's path through the Gala was meandering and, well, chaotic, his eyes never left one specific point. Trixie followed Luna's gaze, then caught on. She followed Discord's gaze. "Fluttershy," she said thoughtfully. "He's headed toward Fluttershy." Spike looked over to Fluttershy and her new friend. He shrugged. "Makes sense. Fluttershy's his best pony friend." "Let's get closer," Luna suggested. They snuck closer to Fluttershy's table, following a different path than the one Discord and the Smooze had taken. They managed to find a decent spot a good ten feet away, out of sight, just as Discord horned in on the two mares' conversation. Luna raised an eyebrow. "Oh my. I do believe Discord is...jealous." "Of what?" Trixie wondered. "Fluttershy is simply having a good time with a friend. It's not as though..." She trailed off as she caught the look Spike was giving her. "What?" Spike shook his head, then looked back at Discord, Fluttershy, and Tree Hugger. He tilted his head as he listened in on their conversation. "Wow. That's getting awkward." Suddenly, Discord let out an indignant shout, then followed the Smooze off into the party. "Treezie? Really?" he called to Fluttershy. "Sort of a juvenile nickname, don't you think? —Smoozie, wait up!" Spike watched Discord with a half-lidded stare. "So, bets on just how ugly Discord's meltdown's gonna be?" Trixie shuddered. "This is Discord. I'd rather not think about what he might do." Luna frowned thoughtfully. "Perhaps I should have a brief word with my sister. Excuse me." She glided silently away into the crowd, leaving Spike and Trixie alone in the middle of the Gala. Spike shuffled his feet awkwardly. "Well...now what?" "Trixie is going to the buffet table," Trixie announced, trotting briskly away. "H-hey, wait up!" * * * * * Once Twilight had returned from dealing with Discord, she'd spent another half hour greeting guests with Celestia and Sunset. After a while, Celestia had encouraged Sunset to mingle; apparently, Sunset was even more bored than Twilight, because she eagerly seized the opportunity, making a beeline for Applejack and Apple Bloom on the dance floor. "By the way, Twilight, there's somepony I want you to meet," Celestia whispered as she waited for the next guest in the queue to approach. Once she and Twilight had greeted two more guests, she signaled for a herald to take over welcoming duties, then led Twilight through the ballroom. They approached a powder-blue unicorn mare whose ice-colored mane was tied in massive twin ponytails. She wore a simple, severe dark purple and black dress; a pair of small, angular salmon-framed glasses was perched on her muzzle. She gave them a level, measuring stare as they approached. "Sugarcoat, I'm so glad you made it tonight!" Celestia smiled at the mare. Sugarcoat nodded briefly. "Your Majesty." She looked around the room. "The Gala's as boring as usual. Are you planning to troll the snobby nobles again?" She glanced at Twilight, then added, "I see you brought Princess Crazy-Pants along." Twilight blinked. "Ex...cuse me?" Sugarcoat snorted. "Everypony in Canterlot knows you're neurotic and obsessive-compulsive. Probably everypony in Ponyville too. It's just that now that you're a princess, nopony's going to call you out on it." She paused. "I hope you do something really neurotic tonight. It'll make this Gala more interesting." Twilight's left eye twitched. "Neurotic?!" Celestia chuckled. "Now, Sugarcoat," she said, "I'd appreciate if you'd save your candor for the ponies that truly deserve it. Especially since you're going to be working for Princess Twilight from now on." Twilight's head snapped around, her wings flaring. "What?!" Sugarcoat stared at Celestia with flat disbelief. "What." Celestia smiled. "Twilight, Sugarcoat is the pony I've chosen as the chief of staff for your palace." Twilight's jaw dropped. "You've gotta be kidding!" She looked from Celestia to Sugarcoat and back. "The first thing she did was insult me and call me crazy!" "Exactly," Celestia said. "She's the perfect pony to keep you on your toes. Sugarcoat, well...she tends to be extremely forthright and observant. In a way, she's like your friend Applejack. Every word out of her mouth is honest and true. It's just..." She paused, tilting her head. "Unfiltered." "You have broccoli in your teeth," Sugarcoat said. "See?" Celestia paused, then conjured up a toothpick and tried to discreetly dislodge the broccoli. "I don't think I want to live in Ponyville," Sugarcoat said. "It's an entire town of crazy ponies." "That's true," Celestia said, "but I'm tired of listening to the Canterlot nobles complain about you." Sugarcoat frowned so hard her massive forehead folded into deep grooves. "That was harsh." Twilight snorted. "If that isn't the pot calling the kettle black." * * * * * Sunset found Applejack, Apple Bloom, Trixie, and Spike in a group on the dance floor. They were all watching Fluttershy, Tree Hugger, and Discord. "Hey guys. What's going on?" "Trouble," Spike said. "Discord ditched that blob he came with and now he's trying to horn in on Fluttershy's evening." "I never thought I'd say this," Rainbow said, "but I actually miss when Discord was an evil jerk, because this? This is just sad." A shrill scream pierced the general noise of the Gala, and a door burst open. Rarity entered, covered in slime. "That creature took my jewels!" she cried. The group craned their necks to look past the open door and saw the Smooze roaming around, gleefully sucking up anything shiny the party guests were wearing. They looked at one another, brows furrowed. "Uhh...shouldn't y'all be doin' somethin' about that?" Apple Bloom asked. "Yeah, that seems like the kind of thing the Elements of Harmony usually deal with," Scootaloo agreed. "Ah think we should let Twilight handle this," Applejack said. "Y'know, on account of her bein' a Princess an' all." The Smooze slurched over two ponies, leaving them covered in ooze. "Yeah, definitely an alicorn problem," Rainbow agreed, rapidly nodding her head. Sunset rolled her eyes. "Oh, for..." She trotted off in the direction of the Smooze. Spike followed in her wake; Trixie, not wanting to be shown up, trotted after them. Out of the corner of her eye, Trixie saw Discord appear behind Rarity with a vacuum cleaner and suck not only the slime off her body, but also her entire dress. Rarity shuffled off, a mortified look on her face. Trixie smirked. "It's alright, everypony!" Twilight called out. "Let's just get back to enjoying this magical evening!" Sunset, Spike, and Trixie watched as Discord led the Smooze off toward a side door, complaining at it the entire way. "Wow. Some 'friend', huh?" Spike muttered. Sunset's brow furrowed. "Wait a minute," she said. "That's..." Her eyes widened as Discord shoved the Smooze through the door and locked it. "Oh horseapples!" In a teal flash, she vanished. "Wonder where she's going?" Spike said, tilting his head. Twilight trotted over. "Are you two having a good time?" she asked. "Twilight, what's going on with Discord?" Spike asked. Twilight grimaced. "I don't know, but he's seriously making a mess of—" "THIEF!" a guard yelled. Everypony snapped their heads around. Sunset Shimmer was standing in the middle of the hall, a canvas tarp dripping with gold and gems hovering in her magic. She looked around, eyes wide and wild. "No!" she cried. "It's not what it looks like!" "What the—?!" Twilight ran over to Sunset, even as Celestia slowly approached. Trixie raised an eyebrow and followed, Spike hot on her hooves. "Sunset Shimmer?" Celestia asked softly. "Why have you emptied out the contents of the Royal—" "Discord locked the Smooze in there!" Sunset shouted over her. "If I hadn't noticed where he was headed, that thing would've eaten all of the most priceless treasures in Canterlot!" Dozens of heads turned slowly to face Discord. He tapped his talons and claws together, his eyes darting left and right. "Oopsie?" he offered, chuckling sheepishly. "Discord," Twilight said in a warning tone, "I told you to keep an eye on that thing, not shove it in a closet full of priceless treasures!" "Well how was I supposed to know that was where Celestia keeps all her shiny junk?" Discord whined. The collection of treasures Sunset held wreathed itself in a soft blue aura. "I'll take care of these," Luna said. "They will be safe in my tower until after the Gala." "Thank you, Your Highness," Sunset said gratefully, dispelling her own magic. "Well," Celestia said brightly as Luna flew away. "No harm done." She raised her voice. "It's alright, everypony! There's nothing to see here. As you were!" Sunset sighed heavily. "Whew." "That was pretty quick thinking," Twilight said. She ducked her head. "Sorry I..." She coughed. "For a second there, I thought—" Sunset rolled her eyes. "It's okay. I'm used to it." "No, it's not okay," Twilight said. She shook her head. "Come on, let's...let's get some punch, then maybe dance. I could use a little rest." "What about Discord?" Spike asked. Trixie looked around. "Where is Discord?" Twilight's head darted to and fro, her eyes wide. Her ears fell back. "Oh camel crap," she said. "It's okay, Twilight," Sunset said. "If Princess Celestia trusts him, I'm sure—" The lights died. "—she's completely out of her mind." A stage appeared out of thin air, and Discord walked out onto it. The Gala attendees watched in horrified, awkward confusion as Discord attempted an impromptu stand-up comedy routine. Sunset Shimmer facehoofed. "This just...this just hurts to watch," she said. "Seriously, this is the being that ruled Equestria in a state of absolute chaos thousands of years ago?" "It's a bit underwhelming," Trixie agreed. Chunks of watermelon splattered on her dress. She narrowed her eyes. "Oh, he did not just ruin Trixie's dress!" She stormed up onto the stage and seized Discord by the suspenders he was wearing. "LOOK HERE, YOU! This happens to be an elegant, classy social affair, and you and your shenanigans are ruining it! Trixie gets that you're jealous of your friend spending time with somepony else! Trixie gets that you want all the attention for yourself and you're not getting your way!" She paused, then ducked her head. "Trixie gets that being jealous can make you do things that you regret later..." She looked back up. "But this! You're ruining everyone's night! Take that horrid blob you brought with you and go home!" The entire room fell deathly silent. Discord gave her a half-lidded stare. "Are you through?" "Yes. Yes, Trixie is through." Trixie released Discord's suspenders. "Good." Discord snapped his talons. The locked door to the treasury burst open. The Smooze slorched out into the room, frightening the ponies around him. Discord snapped his talons again. A giant golden statue of Twilight Sparkle with an absolutely ridiculous expression on her face appeared in front of the Smooze. "Wait!" Twilight cried. "Don't—" And then everything was covered in slime. * * * * * "Well, that happened," Sunset said sourly. The Gala had ended ten minutes ago. Sunset stood alongside Twilight, Trixie, Spike, and Sugarcoat, to whom she had been introduced after Fluttershy and Discord had their little lovers' spat and Tree Hugger had been spared the fate of being fed to a Mexican sock puppet. The rest of the evening had been relatively calm, if a bit strained. "I'm so sorry everything turned out so awful tonight," Twilight said. "If I'd known this was going to happen..." "It's not your fault, Twilight," Spike said. "It's Celestia's. She's the one who invited Discord, remember? Just like when she invited us all to that one Gala hoping you'd do exactly what you all did." "He's right," Sugarcoat said. "Princess Celestia's always looking for some way to wreck the Grand Galloping Gala. It's a tradition around here." Sunset shook her head. "I can't believe I ever wanted to be like her," she said with an amused smirk. "Still," Twilight said, "tonight could've ended in disaster if Fluttershy hadn't been able to rein in Discord." "You really should've turned him back to stone," Sugarcoat said. Twilight sighed. "There are days I wish we had," she said. "Then again, if we had, Tirek would have stolen all the magic in Equestria and we'd probably all be dead now." "Oh," Sugarcoat said. She paused for a moment. "I have no response to that." "Well," Trixie said, "now that the Gala is over, Trixie looks forward to being restored to her normal age." She frowned, shuffling her hooves. "Trixie also owes you an apology, Sunset Shimmer. Trixie let her jealousy get the better of her. After what happened tonight, Trixie finally understands that just because Twilight Sparkle seems to prefer your company to Trixie's, it doesn't mean..." She looked up at Twilight. "It doesn't mean she isn't still my friend." Twilight smiled. "Well said, Trixie." "I told you I didn't come here to show you up," Sunset said. "I'm just glad you finally understand. I hope...I hope maybe we can be friends too." Trixie turned her nose up with a smirk. "If you're lucky." Twilight laughed. "Okay, I guess since Trixie learned her lesson and everything worked out alright..." Her horn lit up. In a bright magenta flash, the filly Trixie was replaced with the full-grown Great and Powerful Trixie. Even her dress grew to fit her proper form. Trixie blinked several times as she conjured a mirror and examined herself from several angles. "Trixie is restored? As easily as that?" "Yep!" Twilight said. Trixie frowned. "But...but you said you didn't know a counterspell," she said. Twilight gave her a small smile, rolling her eyes toward the ceiling. Trixie narrowed her eyes. "You lied," she accused. "I conveniently forgot I knew the right spell to undo this," Twilight amended. "I remembered the spell right around the time you learned your lesson." Spike and Sunset snickered. Trixie snorted, pawing the floor with a hoof. "Twilight Sparkle, so help me, I'll—" "Think twice before you do something that stupid again?" Twilight interrupted. Trixie paused, then deflated. "Fair enough." Sugarcoat raised an eyebrow. "Maybe working for the Princess of Neuroses will be more interesting than I thought." "Anyway, we'd better get moving," Twilight said with a sigh. "The last train to Ponyville's about to leave and I want to curl up in my bed and sleep until noon." "I hear you," Sunset said, cracking a huge yawn. "Let's go." Once the entire group was aboard the train to Ponyville, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo walked up to Trixie, who was slumped on a bench by herself, half asleep. "Hey, Trixie?" Sweetie Belle asked. Trixie cracked an eye open and looked at the three of them. "Yes?" "We're glad you got turned back to normal an' all," Apple Bloom said, "but jes' so you know...if you ever wanna hang out some more, all you gotta do is ask." Trixie smiled sleepily. "Trixie will think about it." * * * * * The morning sun filtered dimly through the high, grimy windows in the warehouse hideout of Starlight Glimmer and her cult. Starlight surveyed her followers' work with pride. "Good work, everypony! I do believe we're almost ready!" She strode up and down the two lines of smiling ponies to either side of her, adjusting the tie on a cloak here, straightening a mane there. "Now, I have to make a little business trip to Canterlot. I'll be gone a few days. I'm taking Coco with me. Hard Sell, I'm leaving you in charge here. We've stored enough food and water for everypony to hold out two weeks, so I don't want anypony leaving the camp until I return. You've already seen how the ponies out there are quick to judge us. I wouldn't want any of you to suffer at the hooves of those selfish, miserable fools in the city." She smiled brightly. "Okay! So we'll be back in a few days!" She nodded to Coco, who adjusted her own cloak as she settled heavy saddlebags onto her back. * * * * * Princess Celestia, Twilight, Trixie, Spike, and all their friends stood in the portal room. Sunset Shimmer stood before the portal, saddlebags full of souvenirs strapped across her back. "I wish you didn't have to go so soon," Twilight said. Sunset smiled. "I had a lot of fun. But my friends need me, just like yours need you." She rolled her eyes. "They're all insane, but they grow on you, you know? Hanging around here with their doubles...it's just made me miss them even more." "I know what you mean," Twilight said. Celestia stepped forward. "Take care of yourself, Sunset," she said softly. Sunset sniffled. "I will," she said. "If...if you ever wanna write to me, just...y'know...Twilight has the book." She smiled. "I will be in touch," Celestia said. Sunset turned to Twilight. "Let me know if you find Starlight Glimmer. I might not be able to come right away if I'm somewhere I can't get to the portal, but I promise I'll come as soon as I can." Twilight nodded. "Thank you. It means a lot to me knowing I can count on you." Sunset looked at everypony, then swallowed. "Well...see you," she said. Turning, she stepped through the glowing portal. * * * * * The next day, Twilight met Sugarcoat at the train station and led her to the ornate crystal tree-castle on the opposite end of town. Celestia had notified her that the rest of the staff would be arriving the following day. "Well, Sugarcoat, welcome to the Castle of Friendship!" Twilight said cheerfully once they arrived. "Your castle is an eyesore," Sugarcoat said as she trotted through the gate. Twilight's grin faltered. "Great...thanks...come on in." A tiny, gelatinous blue blob bounced into the entrance hall. It had Trixie's face, Trixie's mane, and a wobbly little horn on top. It regarded them with big, baleful purple eyes. "What...the..." "Trixie does not want to talk about it," the blob said.