She's been gone for hours she thought, panic building in the pit of her stomach. I hope nothing-

Her train of thought was interrupted by the front door suddenly opening, a disheveled azure pony staggering inside.

Twilight's gasped in horror as she took in the sight.

Trixie was a mess. Her usually flowing silver mane was a mass of knots and was caked in mud. Tiny scratches and what appeared to be bite marks adorned her legs. She left muddy hoofprints behind her as she walked in. In her mouth was a large white paper bag which was in pristine clean condition, standing in stark contrast to the filthy pony holding it.

''Oh my gosh Trixie!'' Twilight exclaimed. ''Are you ok? I'm so sorry I thought you'd be fine going out by yourself! Clearly the ponies in this town are far less forgiving than I expect-''

''It's ok Twilight, calm down,'' Trixie interrupted, placing the bag down. She was smiling. Twilight only now noticed that the mare actually looked rather happy despite her current condition.

''But what happened to you?'' Twilight asked feeling slightly relieved.

''Trixie will tell you all about it after she takes a shower,'' Trixie replied, walking towards the stairs. ''Care to assist Trixie?'' she cooed.

''Why would you need help ... oh,'' Twilight responded, blushing as the invitation dawned on her. The art of flirting was still foreign to her.

*

''You want to do WHAT?!'' Twilight yelled in shock, her right hoof holding open the library's front door. An exasperated pink earth pony and a bored looking cyan pegasus sat on the patio in front of her.

''You, Trixie, Me and Dashie; why is this so hard to understand?'' Pinkie explained, holding a questioning hoof in the air.

''I ... how ... why ... NO!'' the confused unicorn yelled in response. ''Rainbow, are you encouraging this idea too?!''

''Meh, I'm always up for trying something new,'' the pegasus responded.

''You ponies are crazy! Get out of here!'' Twilight exclaimed, slamming the door shut in the process.

''I told you she wouldn't go for it,'' Twilight heard Rainbow's distant voice explain through an open window.

Twilight shook her head in disbelief. She glanced over at her writing desk. Piles of books and papers lay scattered on and around it. A half written document with an inked quill atop it was sitting in the centre.

I'll never get any work done with these constant distractions Twilight thought angrily to herself. At least Trixie is still-

''Twilight, who was at the door?'' a sleepy voice questioned from above.

Great Twilight thought to herself, groaning as she looked up to see a bedraggled Trixie emerge from the bedroom. Twilight mentally bid her farewells to any more productive work getting done.

''Oh, it was just Pinkie and Rainbow with some ridiculous idea,'' Twilight answered, blushing slightly as she remembered the lewd proposition.

''Which was?'' Trixie asked curiously.

Twilight told Trixie about the offer as the groggy unicorn made her way down the stairs.

''And what did you say?'' the show pony replied curiously.

''I said no of course!'' Twilight shouted back in surprise. ''Don't tell me you would have gone for that?!''

''Trixie would probably try anything right now, Trixie is soooooo booooooored,'' she groaned, sitting down and placing her head on Twilight's writing desk.

''Well that's because you sit around here all day Trixie, you have to start going out by yourself,'' Twilight explained softly. ''You have been out with me plenty of times since you've been staying here; I thought you'd start to feel more comfortable by now.''

Trixie just pouted and looked at Twilight with her big purple eyes, obviously clamoring for pity.

''But Trixie still feels nervous outside without Twilight,'' she complained. Twilight rolled her eyes, not falling for the ploy.

''Well I have a lot of work to catch up on Trixie,'' Twilight rebutted, ignoring the look. She returned to her desk. ''So you will either have to sit here and be bored or find something else to do. Oh, and please leave poor Spike alone; your pranks on him are getting a little out of hand lately, those bee stings still haven't healed.''

Trixie giggled at the scolding. ''He can take it, he's got thick scales,'' she replied nonchalantly.

''Well I don't think he's finding them too funny anymore,'' Twilight added. ''Now please, I need to get some work done.'' Twilight enveloped her quill in magic and levitated it to the document, feverishly placing words on the paper.

Trixie stared bored at Twilight, her head still resting on the desk. She then grinned slyly to herself.

Twilight felt the heat of a pony's body lower itself onto her back. Hot breath fell on her left ear, followed by a damp tongue and teeth. A heat rose up in her as the teeth clamped gently around the ear, nibbling softly at its edges.

''Trixie, please ...'' Twilight requested breathlessly, her eyes rolling back. She released a soft moan as the teeth found their way down to her neck. The heat flushed throughout her, and a tingling began in her extremities. She began to close her eyes.

''NO!'' Twilight yelled, summoning all her willpower to stand up on her hind legs and shove the lustful mare off her back, causing Trixie to roll onto her own.

''Look Trixie, I have to get this work done,'' Twilight announced sternly. ''I know you're still afraid to go out but you need to get past this. Do it for yourself if not just for me.''

Trixie pouted again, righting herself onto her hooves. Eventually her face fell into a look of defeat.

''I suppose Trixie could try,'' she agreed dejectedly.

''Go find some of the gang,'' Twilight suggested. ''Pinkie and Rainbow are probably still wandering around, they love a good prank you know, I'd say you would have a lot of fun with them!'' she announced smiling.

''Hmmph, very well,'' the azure unicorn announced, still sulking as she walked to the front door. ''But you better be ready to pick up where we left off when Trixie gets back.''

''See you later Trixie,'' Twilight replied flatly, ignoring the last comment. ''And remember what I told you about being polite to other ponies. You'll get on better with them if you're less blunt.''

''Yes Miss,'' Trixie responded sarcastically as she walked out the door, rolling her eyes. ''I promise I'll be a good little pony.''

A rattling emanated from a nearby cupboard shortly after the front door closed. It swung open, revealing a shifty looking purple dragon.

''Is ... is she gone?'' Spike asked, eyes darting left and right.

''Yes Spike she's gone, only after wasting a ton of my time,'' Twilight answered. ''And now I'm going to have to waste another ten minutes taking a cold shower,'' she explained through gritted teeth as she climbed the stairs to the bathroom.

''Why do you need to ...''

''Never mind Spike,'' she cut the dragon off. ''Stupid sexy Trixie,'' she mumbled to herself as she entered the bathroom.

*

Twilight smiled as she placed the period at the end of her final sentence. The writing desk had transformed from its previously haphazard state to housing organized stacks of books and papers. Her luck had finally turned as she had not received a single interruption since Trixie left.

Trixie! she remembered suddenly.

She looked outside to see Celestia's sun beginning to set.

After a very long shower (much to Spike's chagrin, who had to go down to Sugarcube Corner to use a toilet) the two ponies emerged from the bathroom.

''So are you going to tell me what you got up to today?'' Twilight asked as they walked into the bedroom.

''Indeed, get comfortable Miss Sparkle!'' Trixie instructed as they jumped up onto the bed. Twilight settled in as she anticipated the tale from Trixie. Twilight always enjoyed listening to a story from the show pony.

''Alright, so Trixie left the library ...''

*

Trixie walked nervously out of the safe haven of the library with her head hung low, trying hard to keep her thoughts from straying to possible nasty situations she could end up in. In truth, she hadn't run into any trouble since the initial incident when she arrived in the town for the second time, but she had always had Twilight with her. Twilight was right though, Trixie knew she couldn't keep up this dependence long. I'm going to be brave, for Twilight. I am the great and powerful Trixie! Nearby, muffled whispers resonated from a seemingly innocent cloud.

''I dunno Dashie,'' a pink earth pony argued. ''I don't think it's a good idea to prank Trixie. I'm pretty sure this is the first time she's gone outside without Twilight. Traumatizing her ten seconds after she left the house probably isn't the kindest thing.'' She looked down at Rainbow. She was perched on her back, front hooves wrapped around the pegasus' neck, who in turn was standing on the cloud.

Oh sure, it's okay though that she humiliated me in front of the whole town Rainbow decided not to verbalize the thought. She really didn't need to hear another one of Pinkie's songs, which would be the inevitable result of such a sour comment.

''Fine, who can we get though,'' Rainbow asked. As if in response, Rainbow spotted a purple maned unicorn emerging from Carousel Boutique. The pegasus smiled deviously as a brilliant plan entered her mind upon spotting Rarity's perfectly curled mane and tail.

''I'm gonna have to let you down for this one Pinkie,'' she announced, floating down to the ground.

''Okie dokie lokie,'' Pinkie sang, hopping off Rainbow's back as they reached the ground. ''What are you up to?''

''You'll see,'' Rainbow grinned, returning to the cloud.

Pinkie spotted a pensive Trixie walking rather aimlessly in the direction of the boutique. I bet Trixie would enjoy seeing a good prank! It might even put a smile on her face! Pinkie bounced enthusiastically over to the pensieve unicorn, the thought of making an unhappy pony smile fueling her movements.

''Hey Trixie!'' Pinkie greeted upon reaching the show pony, who snapped out of her reverie and jumped in surprise upon hearing the voice.

''WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!'' Trixie yelled angrily after she got over her shock. ''WHAT KIND OF PONY-,'' Trixie caught herself mid-sentence, noticing the upset look on Pinkie's face. Twilight's politeness lectures rang in her mind.

''Umm, Trixie means ... hello Pinkie,'' the unicorn grumbled. ''What do you want?''

Luckily the earth pony seemed to brush past the initial outburst.

''Wanna see something fun?'' Pinkie asked, smiling enthusiastically again.

''Uhh sure, I guess?'' Trixie responded uncertainly.

''Follow me!'' Pinkie began bouncing in the direction of Rarity's shop.

Trixie walked beside the bouncing pony, giving her a wide berth due to her rather odd manner of travel, slightly weirded out by the audible springing sound that emanated from the pony with each hop. What are her legs made from? she wondered as she walked.

They eventually reached Rarity who began walking away from her shop until she spotted the approaching pair.

''Hi girls!'' the unicorn greeted.

The pair returned the greeting, whilst above a mischievous pegasus began to rub her hooves rapidly back and forth off a cloud. She glanced down at the party below her, who were now engaging in small talk. This is gonna be great she sniggered to herself.

Rarity turned to Trixie. ''So Trixie, how are you finding-''

Rarity's question was interrupted by the surprise appearance of a pegasus. ''Hey Rarity!'' Rainbow greeted, floating down from the cloud. She approached the white unicorn and raised a hoof out to her, still hovering above the ground as she did so.

''Oh, hello Rainbow,'' she responded, eyeing the hoof in front of her face with a questioning glance. ''Something wrong with your hoof?'' she asked.

Rainbow rolled her eyes. ''It's a high hoof Rarity. Geez you're even more square than I thought,'' she jested.

''Well excuse me for not being well versed in such impolite greetings, as a lady I-''

''Come on Rarity!'' Rainbow cut into Rarity's rant. ''Don't leave me hanging here!'' she asked desperately, fearing her plan was about to fail.

''Well, I suppose it couldn't hurt ...'' Rarity admitted. She threw her hoof at Rainbow's.

The unicorn squealed as a sharp pain quickly shot up her hoof. It only lasted half a second, but that wasn't the extent of the prank. Her ears soon filled with the laughter of the pegasus as the plan unfolded. She could hear giggling coming from Pinkie as well.

''Hmmpf, you ruffians are so easily amused,'' Rarity announced haughtily. ''If a simple shock is all you could come up with-''

Rarity then glanced over at Trixie, who was trying her best to hide her laughter behind a hoof, her eyes were nearly tearing up from the strain.

''What is so funny about me getting-'' she gasped in shock as the realization dawned on her.

Rarity hastily conjured up a small mirror with her magic.

''AHHH MY HAIR!'' she yelled. Her previously perfectly curled mane and tail now resembled a style that was probably making Pinkie Pie proud. It was pouffed out in random directions, the static having caused most of the hairs to stand on end.

''Do you know how long it takes me to get my mane so perfect?!'' she yelled at Rainbow, who was currently rolling on the floor with laughter, eyes shut and watering from the scene she had caused. The pegasus opened her eyes just in time to see the enraged unicorn dive at her. She nimbly slipped away, taking to the air as she did so. ''Catch ya later Hairity!'' she laughed as she flew away.

''Wait for me Dashie!'' Pinkie yelled, bouncing after her marefriend.

''UHHH! Don't those two have anything better to do than make my life a misery?!'' the unicorn enquired to nobody in particular.

Trixie stood there, still struggling to hold back laughter. She took a deep breath to compose herself. She had to admit to herself that the pair really did know a good prank.

''Uhhh, it's going to take me forever to fix this again,'' Rarity announced agitated. Trixie observed the unicorn’s hair, remembering the prank she had herself played on her, turning the purple mane green. She came up with an idea.

''Umm, Trixie may be able to help,'' the show pony offered, snorting a little as small giggles escaped her mouth. ''As a travelling pony one must know a few ways of preparing oneself quickly.''

''I suppose,'' Rarity agreed uncertainly. ''I'm really not in the mood to fix this mane again. I had just got it perfect!''

Slivers of transparent light began to circle Trixie's horn as she concentrated on a spell. After a few moments, the glowing particles floated dreamily over to Rarity's assaulted mane. They began weaving in and out of it, pulling the strands of hair along with them. Rarity glanced up nervously as the magic did its work.

''All done!'' Trixie announced.

Rarity levitated her mirror before her eyes once again. They lit up upon seeing her reflection.

''Oh my, it’s ... gorgeous!'' she announced gleefully. The magic had perfectly smoothened out the unruly hair in her mane and tail. They now lay perfectly straight, in a style similar to Trixie's own. ''I think you may have introduced me to a new look darling! Why didn't you tell me you were such a fashionista?''

Trixie smiled in triumph, appreciating the praise. ''Oh it's nothing; Trixie has many tricks up her sleeve.'' Who says Trixie can't be kind? she thought smugly.

''Indeed, it's clear you're not only adept at destroying manes,'' Rarity said playfully.

Trixie grinned nervously at the memory. ''Oh yes well, that was all just part of the performance. Purely professional you understand.''

''Of course,'' Rarity replied, picking up on the almost-apology in the show pony's words. ''Oh this new look gives me so many idea's! You simply must come in and model some new dresses for me!

''Sure, why not?'' Trixie agreed, following the unicorn inside the shop. ''But be warned, your dresses may look better on Trixie than any other pony, I may not be a fair model,'' she jested.

*

Trixie emerged from the boutique a couple of hours later, levitating in front of her a white bag with an image of the store. That was so much fun! Who knew I could have gotten on so well with a pony who I humiliated in front of an entire town? Trixie contemplated on the sheer irony of her situation. Her experience with the town she currently resided in had gone from her worst stage show ever to being horribly humiliated herself, twice. Now it held for her a pony who she was starting to realize was very dear to her, and also that it held for her what could be becoming her first real friends. Life sure is unpredictable she smiled to herself.

A sudden 'WHOOSH!' from above caught the unicorn's attention. She looked up to see Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie once again mounted on her back, flight goggles covering her eyes. I wonder what they are up to now. She remembered the previous prank on Rarity, and wondered if they were up to something else hilarious. Trixie began to run after the pair, just managing to keep them in her sight. Luckily for her, Pinkie's weight was slowing Rainbow down. She sprinted as fast as she could after them, levitating the bag into her mouth to eliminate the concentration required to keep it airborne.

Just as Trixie was about to give up due to lack of breath the pair finally stopped. She dropped the bag and gasped for air, her legs tingling from the effort of the run. I really need to start working out again she noted mentally. She took in her surroundings. She found herself at the entrance to Sweet Apple Acres. The ponies she had been following were once again hiding behind a cloud, mischievous mutterings emerging from it.

''This is gonna be even better than the Rarity prank!'' Rainbow giggled. ''I just need to ... ah!'' The pegasus was caught off guard by a small pebble striking her head. She looked down to see Trixie grinning up at her.

''Hey what's the big deal? Why are you throwing things at me?'' Rainbow yelled indignantly.

''Oh relax, it was a tiny stone. I thought you were made of tough stuff Rainbow,'' the show pony smirked. ''I want in on your next prank. I thought what you did to Rarity was hilarious!''

Rainbow looked uncertain. She still wasn't sure if she liked the boastful mare. Tolerate her sure, but hang out with her? She was about to reject the request when she was interrupted by the pony on her back that she had somehow forgotten about.

''Sure Trixie, the more the merrier!'' Pinkie accepted. Rainbow rolled her eyes but gave in, floating down to the ground. Pinkie hopped off her back when she alighted.

''So what have you two got planned next?'' Trixie enquired.

''You'll see, just help us put these in that tree,'' Rainbow instructed. She approached a nearby bush and pulled aside its leaves, revealing a large pile of seemingly inconspicuous boxes.

''What's in it?'' Trixie enquired, picking up a box and moving her hoof to open it.

''Don't open it!'' Rainbow yelled. ''It won't work if you break the box. You'll see exactly what they are though, don't worry,'' she grinned. She then proceeded to fly to and from the tree, retrieving boxes from the stack and placing them in its branches. Trixie levitated a few boxes up onto the limbs, while Pinkie climbed up the tree and moved the boxes to specific positions.

''Alright, now we wait!'' Rainbow announced. ''Over here!'' Rainbow pointed to another bush and dove behind it. Trixie and Pinkie followed. They had a clear view of the tree from their hiding spot.

''What are we waiting for?'' Trixie asked, growing impatient with being kept in the dark.

''Her!'' Rainbow announced, pointing a hoof towards an approaching orange earth pony pulling a large cart filled with buckets. She then threw the hoof over her mouth to suppress a giggle. ''This is gonna be hilarious!''

Applejack approached the tree, completely oblivious to the sabotage that lay ahead. She lay three buckets beneath the tree, and turned her back to it. She leaned forward onto her front hooves, the strong muscles in her back legs tensing as she readied herself. In one fluid movement, her front legs swung down, and the rear hooves contacted with the tree with a resounding 'CRACK'. The following sounds the pony heard were not expected.

A flurry of loud explosions assaulted Applejack's ears. She was blinded as all around her loud white flashes dominated her vision. A strong burning smell infiltrated her nose. She jumped in shock, her hat flying off her head in the process.

''LANSAKES, WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!'' the earth pony yelled. With her senses overloaded by the sudden shock, her only reaction was to dive to the ground and cover her head with her hooves as the loud bangs continued around her. She had no idea how long she cowered in this position, but eventually the bangs were replaced with a much more familiar sound, laughter.

''Huh?'' she muttered, raising her head from her protective hooves.

The guffaws were coming from a nearby bush. ''What in tarnation?'' she mumbled as she approached the gales of laughter. She parted the leaves to see three familiar ponies rolling on their backs, tears streaming down their eyes.

''Ah should'a known!'' Applejack yelled. ''Don't you snakes have anything better to do than waste other ponies times?!'' Her question was only answered by more laughter. Applejack marched angrily away from the bush.

''Oh ... I can't breathe,'' Rainbow gasped between fits of laughter. ''That was ... priceless!''

''I think I'm gonna be sick!'' Pinkie laughed, clutching her stomach.

Trixie was the first to stand up, wiping a tear from her eye. ''Trixie must admit, you two know a good prank,'' she praised, still chuckling. ''But don't you think Applejack will-''

Her question was answered as a thick, warm, semi-fluid material struck the side of her face. Pinkie's mane and Rainbow's snout were soon similarly assaulted. Trixie wiped away the sludge to see a raging Applejack, a muddy bucket armed in her hooves. She scooped up more from a nearby puddle and tossed it in Trixie's direction. The unicorn ducked just in time to avoid the missile.

''Let's get out of here!'' Pinkie yelled, dashing away fast enough to leave a cloud of dust behind her. Rainbow followed close behind. Trixie dove out of the bush, looking for the white bag she had set down earlier. Another barrage of mud struck her mane.

''Wait stop, please!'' Trixie begged, still smiling despite the dirt covering her.

''Get outta here!'' Applejack yelled.

''I just need to find something important first, and I really can't get it dirty,'' Trixie explained.

''Should'a thought o' that before you decided to waste mah time!'' the earth pony yelled back.

''Trixie just watched! She had no idea what they were up to!'' Trixie half lied. ''Well, Trixie did kinda put a couple of those things in the tree ...'' she admitted. ''But you have got to admit it was pretty funny.''

''Ugh, ah don't mind their pranks but they start tah get old after a while,'' Applejack said as she began to calm down. ''What you doin' with dem two foals anyway?''

''Oh, well Twilight suggested that Trixie go out and try to enjoy herself without her company,'' Trixie explained. ''And Trixie must say those two ponies know a good time.''

''Dey sure do, that's the problem. Darned pair don't know the meaning of work.'' Applejack sighed. ''You find what you were lookin' for?''

''Yes, here it is!'' Trixie announced as she picked up the white bag with her magic, taking care to not touch it with her muddy hooves.

''Well then ah'll be seein' you around, ah've ah lot of work to do.''

''Good day Applejack,'' Trixie said, turning away. A thought struck her as she faced away from the pony, and she promptly turned back around.

''Oh, Trixie wants to mention that the whole hogtieing incident during her show was just part of the performance. It was nothing personal,'' she explained, thinking back to what she said to Rarity earlier.

''What, during you're silly show all that time back?'' Applejack chortled. ''Don' worry about that friend, that's ancient history. Heck, ah'd forgotten all about it 'til you mentioned it again now!''

Trixie smiled. Twilight sure found some forgiving friends

''Ahem well, Trixie will see you later,'' Trixie replied, regaining her composure.

''See ya!'' Applejack waved.

*

Trixie began wandering back in the general direction of Ponyville's town square, but then decided to take a more scenic route. She was becoming braver, the events of the day causing her confidence to grow. She had managed to shake off most of the mud from the attack earlier, but some still coated her mane and tail. She decided she would need a good shower when she got back. She soon found herself wandering by a serene cottage. Out its front lay the habitats of many various animals from rabbits and hares to chickens and hens. She was busy observing her surroundings rather than observing where she was going, causing her to collide with something that emitted a quiet squeak upon contact. Trixie shook her head and stepped back to see a yellow pegasus hiding behind her pink mane.

''Oh, please excuse Trixie,'' the show pony apologized.

''Oh umm ... it's ok,'' Fluttershy replied meekly.

''You're ... Flappershy right?'' Trixie enquired, struggling to remember the quiet pony's name. She had spoken to her very little in the time she had been in Ponyville.

''It's um ... Fluttershy,'' she whispered, seeming more embarrassed at having to correct Trixie than having her name said wrong.

''Oh, Trixie apologizes.'' An awkward silence built as the pair stood there, Fluttershy brushing a hoof nervously off the ground. The various sounds of the surrounding animals did nothing to ease the tension. What's this pony's problem? Trixie thought irritably. She was about to walk away when she remembered that Fluttershy was one of Twilight's close friends. I suppose I should make an effort she thought begrudgingly.

''So ... do you look after these animals Fluttershy?'' Trixie enquired, grasping for conversation.

''Oh yes um, it's my special talent actually,'' Fluttershy explained, blushing as though admitting her special talent was something she was ashamed of.

Is this pony shy of everything? Trixie thought, observing the nervous pegasus. She struggled to understand how a pony could be so shy. Trixie loved nothing more than talking about herself! She then took notice of the basket of carrots lying beside her. Nearby a group of rabbits peered hungrily over at the container from behind a fence. Trixie caught sight of the fluffy white creatures and felt a rush of excitement.

''Ohmygosh those bunnies are so cute!'' she yelled, startling Fluttershy. It was Trixie's turn to blush as she realized her sudden outburst. ''Ahem ... Trixie means, what adorable little creatures, were you just about to feed them?'' she corrected herself, trying to hide her embarrassment.

''Yes, I always feed them around this time.''

''Can Trixie help?'' Trixie suggested, eager to get closer to the cute creatures, the feeding a convenient excuse.

''Um ... sure I guess. You have to be careful though.'' Fluttershy instructed.

''How hard could giving some carrots to a rabbit be?'' Trixie retorted haughtily. She scooped out a carrot with a hoof and approached one of the creatures at her normal walking pace.

''Slow down Trixie!'' Fluttershy exclaimed, which in her case meant she said it in a volume just above a whisper. ''They don't recognize you and might-''

''OW!''

''-bite.''

Trixie dropped the carrot in surprise, and the offending bunny bounced quickly away. A small bite mark adorned her right front hoof. She rubbed it in pain with her other hoof. ''Trixie had no idea such little creatures could be so ... violent,'' she pouted.

''You just have to take it slowly, like this.'' Fluttershy picked up a carrot between her teeth and slowly approached the same bunny. She dropped the carrot to the ground and scooched it toward the frightened animal with her nose, smiling as she did so. The bunny picked up the carrot with its front paws and began chomping on it merrily.

''See, you just have to be gentle.''

Trixie was about to retort when she decided against it. Twilight's words about keeping negative thoughts to herself rang in her head. Stupid bookworm is always right ... she thought disdainfully to herself. Instead, she simply picked up another carrot and, following Fluttershy's advice, approached another bunny. She successfully managed to get the carrot to this creature without being attacked. Easy she thought, smiling smugly to herself.

She continued feeding the rabbits with Fluttershy, coming away with only two more bite marks on her hooves. She refused to accept responsibility for these ones though. They had both come from the same rabbit, one Fluttershy called 'Angel'. Once again Trixie found it extremely difficult to hold back the torrent of criticism she had, wanting to suggest many other more fitting names for the demon rabbit. She managed to get through the feeding without spurting more insults.

Trixie sat licking her wounds when something caught her eye, causing her mood to lighten instantly. She ran over and picked up the glorious object she had found with her horn, levitating it over to Fluttershy.

''Hey! Look what I found!'' Trixie beamed, presenting her prize to Fluttershy, who only responded with a dumbfounded expression.

''Umm ... a pinecone?'' the confused pegasus wondered.

''Yes a pinecone! It's huge and it looks particularly ripe to!'' Trixie squealed in delight.

Fluttershy just continued to look at her. Trixie brought her hoof to her face. ''Don't tell me you've never tried pinecones either?'' How am I the only pony in Equestria who has discovered these treats?

''Tried them?'' Fluttershy asked.

''Yes tried, as in eaten?'' Trixie explained irritably.

''You eat pinecones?!'' Fluttershy asked shocked, raising her voice for the first time since Trixie had arrived. To Trixie's dismay, she could see the beginning of a grin forming on the pegasus' mouth. Here we go ...

Fluttershy tried her best to stifle her laughter, covering her mouth with her hooves, but she failed to stop a few giggles getting through. How many times had Trixie gone through this before?

''Yes yes, it's hilarious, but you won't be laughing when you try it!''

''You're serious?'' Fluttershy asked, still giggling.

''Yes, Trixie is serious. Just you wait. Go fetch Trixie some butter and a breadknife,'' the show pony instructed.

Fluttershy followed the order, curiosity getting the better of her. She went inside her cottage and emerged with a small plate in her mouth carrying a breadknife and small stick of butter.

Trixie levitated the provisions from Fluttershy. She began scooping the butter up with the knife, smearing it delicately along the sides of the pinecone. Fluttershy watched as the butter seemed to melt into the pinecone, sinking in between its scales. When Trixie was done, she levitated the alleged foodstuff over to the pegasus.

''Take a nice big bite,'' Trixie instructed, smiling.

''I don't know, Trixie ...''

''Do it!''

Not wanting to argue, Fluttershy bit into the floating seed, taking half of it in a mouthful. Her eyes lit up with surprise.

The pinecone had the strangest blend of flavours. It tasted almost sweet, with an oaky touch. The butter had invaded every scale, causing a burst of flavour with each bite. Each time Fluttershy chewed, it caused a satisfying crunch and another explosion of sweet buttery flavour, the strength of the oak taste increasing with each bite. It was bizarre, not only did the pinecone taste great but eating it was almost ... fun!

Trixie held a smug expression on her face as she observed Fluttershy hungrily devour the second half. This always made the teasing worth it. Every pony she introduced to pinecones thought she was mad, but the results were almost always the same.

''Wow Trixie, this is amazing!'' Fluttershy said after swallowing the treat.

''You doubted Trixie?'' the show pony replied smugly.

''I did, and I apologize. However did you discover such a treat?''

''Well as a show pony Trixie has travelled far and wide, and sometimes one does not always have food at hand. I've developed some foraging skills on my travels, just one of Trixie's many talents,'' she bragged. ''I even have some spells that help Trixie identify poisonous fruits and berries!''

''Oh that's so interesting, I love everything in nature, I've got books upon books in my house about all different types of flora and fauna.'' Fluttershy gushed, the volume and speed of her talking showing her clear sincerity behind the words. ''We should go on a nature walk sometime; you probably know lots of other interesting things.''

Trixie was taken aback by the compliment, feeling genuinely touched. She quickly composed herself. ''Um ... indeed! Trixie would enjoy that,'' she said quickly, trying to hide a newly forming blush. ''But for now, Trixie must return home. Good day Fluttershy!''

''Goodbye Trixie!'' Fluttershy waved happily.

Trixie picked up her white bag with her magic once again and began her journey back to the library.

*

''So that explains the mud and bite marks!'' Twilight said at the end of the tale. ''I'm so happy Trixie, it sounds like you had a wonderful day!''

''It was enjoyable,'' Trixie admitted, trying to sound aloof.

''Aww come on you had a good time. Admit that the Great and Powerful Twilight was right again,'' she teased. Trixie only responded with a kiss, avoiding the admission of defeat. It worked, as Twilight was instantly distracted by the gesture. Twilight soon broke it though.

''You still haven't told me what's in that bag,'' Twilight remembered.

''Oh of course!'' Trixie yelled, jumping off the bed. ''Be right back!'' She dashed out of the room, returning moments later with the bag in question. She jumped up onto the bed again beside Twilight.

''When Trixie was at Rarity's, she had her make something special.''

Trixie concentrated her magic on the bag. As her aura began to surround it, the bag's contents began to glow. A folded piece of cloth began to rise slowly out of the bag. It glimmered in the light of the bedroom lamp, showing it was made of what appeared to be silk. Trixie began to unfold the cloth, and Twilight was able to see what the object was.

It was a cape, its blue colour perfectly matching that of Trixie's coat. It was adorned with stars, each the exact purple of Trixie's eyes. It perfectly resembled Trixie's showmare cape save for the colour changes. At the collar hung a golden chain supporting a pink star, a perfect replica of Twilight's cutie mark.

''Wow Trixie, it’s beautiful,'' Twilight observed, still staring at the garment.

Trixie levitated the cape over to Twilight and wrapped it around her shoulders, magically sealing the clasp around her neck. The soft touch of the cape as it brushed Twilight's coat confirmed her earlier suspicions that it was made of silk.

''Trixie had it made for you so that even when she is not around, she can still be holding you,'' the show pony explained softly.

Twilight's heart nearly exploded twice. She felt the tears welling up in her eyes at Trixie's last words. She blinked, causing them to roll down her cheeks. Her mouth was turned up into an uncontrollable smile.

''Trixie, I ... I don't know what to say,'' Twilight choked between sobs. Trixie just wrapped her hooves around her. They sat there like that in silence for a few minutes, Twilight sniffling softly into Trixie's shoulder, tightening her embrace. After a few more moments Twilight spoke up.

''Actually, I do know what to say,'' the purple unicorn announced, gazing into Trixie's eyes.

''I ... I love you Trixie.''

It was Trixie's turn for the waterworks. The tears welled up in her own eyes.

''Trixie ... I love you too Twilight,'' the show pony responded.

The two lovers embraced once again.