Chapter 2 Return The Favor

"So Trixie, what happened to your 'The Grrreat and Powerful Trrrrrrixie' bit that you used to do all the time? I've noticed that you haven't said that even once."

Trixie blushed slightly at the lavender princess's attempt at her old catchphrase. "Trixie knows it could get quite annoying, and while Trixie normally wouldn't care if it annoyed anypony, she doesn’t want to annoy the pony who is generously letting her stay with her at her castle. Besides, Trixie has hardly been either 'Great' or 'Powerful' lately."

As the train ride went on, the two mares continued to talk. Soon their conversation fell into a rhythm, Twilight would ask Trixie a question about herself and the former showmare would answer politely, rarely asking a question of her own. While Trixie was as eager to learn about her new castle-mate as Twilight was, the last thing she wanted was to offend the pretty mare who was being so kind to her. Her uncharacteristic behavior, however, did not go unnoticed.

"You seem to be on your best behavior Trixie"

"Of course. Trixie does not wish to make you angry. Trixie couldn't bear it if she upset or annoyed her savior."

"Your Savior? I wouldn't go that far."

"If Trixie may, that is the most preposterous thing she has ever heard. You fed her and you’re even let her stay with you at your castle. Sweet Celestia, your CASTLE! Trixie still can't believe that you’re a princess. This morning she woke up shivering and hungry in a cardboard box, tonight she’s going to be going to sleep, belly full, in princess’s caste and it’s all because of you."

"Well, alright then, I guess it’s okay to be appreciative."

"Trixie is a lot more than just appreciative."

Twilight rolled her eyes, then asked a question she’s wanted to ask for a while now. "Trixie, would you care to explain just exactly what happened after your escapade at Ponyville?"

"OK, but could Trixie talk to you about what happened in Ponyville first, tell you her side of the story?"

"By all means. go ahead."

Trixie started to tell her about her past, about how she was a Great and Powerful magician that everypony loved and adored. How her shows were some of the best in all of Equestria. How everything changed once she decided to have a show in Ponyville, and how her boisterous personality cost her everything once those two idiotic colts went and brought an Ursa Minor into the town. After that everypony decided that she was fraud and nopony wanted her to perform anymore, no matter where she went. All because those three ponies couldn't handle her performance, and because those two colts couldn’t tell the difference between a show put on to entertain ponies and reality. Then Twilight removed the Ursa after she’d failed completely.

"After that, everything fell apart. Except for a few of the youngest foals, ponies had never truly believed Trixie’s stories, even before Ponyville. Still, there’s a difference between hearing tales of danger and bravery from a mysterious stranger with an impressive patter, and hearing a mare who, as you read about in the paper, needed some small-town librarian to save her from from an Ursa Minor she couldn’t even slow, claiming she’d defeated Ursa Majors, saved Alicorns, or any of Trixie’s other stories."

"Wow. hearing the story from that perspective makes me feel incredibly guilty."

"No No No, Twilight, that's not at all what I was trying to imply. I'm not stupid enough to blame you for protecting the town you lived in when no one else could."

Twilight winced slightly, regretting her words. For a while there Trixie had gone back to referring to herself in the third pony and there had been some confidence in her voice, but the fear in Trixie’s voice when she’d rushed to reassure her had been as clear as the shift in pronoun.

***

Trixie wasn’t sure whether the trip from Canterlot to Ponyville really did take as long as it felt to her it did, but eventually the train pulled into the station. Following Twilight, she hopped off the train and started across the platform. As they left, she noticed several ponies were staring at her and whispering. Just as they reached the exit, they passed close enough to one of the pairs of whisperers for her to overhear their conversation.

"Ugh what is she doing here?" A grey mare whispered

"Yea, everypony saw what a fraud she was, I’m surprised she’s willing to show her face here again." Her friend whispered back.

Trixie looked at the ground as her face fell. She was used to the jabs and whispers, but it still hurt that everypony seemed to hate her, especially when it was all because of something that hadn’t really even been her fault.

Glancing to the side, Twilight noticed the glum look that had spread across the face of the blue mare trotting along beside her. Wrapping a wing around Trixie in a comforting hug, she focused an intent glare at the pair of whispering ponies, silently telling, no, ordering them to shut up and back off. Flinching at the fury evident in their princess’s glare, both ponies snapped their mouths shut and hurriedly trotted away.

"Don't listen to those idiots, Trixie, they're not even worth giving the time of day." Twilight reassured, while pulling the former showmare a little bit close.

As Trixie fell into step with her, their barrels practically touching, Twilight’s nose wrinkled slightly "First thing we're doing when we get to the castle, we're going to get you cleaned up."

"Trixie hasn't had a bath in ages, it would be wonderful to feel clean again. Don't you want one first though? You've been out and about all day, after all."

"I guess I do need one huh, heheh." Twilight replied, a faint note of irritation audible in her tone.

Trixie apologetically nuzzles her savior's cheek as they come up to the lavender alicorn's castle. "Wow, It's amazing. Trixie can't believe she gets to live here with you now."

As they approached the door, she realized Twilight had kept her wing wrapped around her for their entire walk through Ponyville. Not that she objected, having the warm wing draped over her felt quite nice. Still, she wanted to keep her savior happy with her, so, sighing quietly to herself at the loss of the comforting wing, she quickly trotted forward and pushed the door open for her princess, then followed her inside.

Twilight paused for a moment at Trixie’s words, taking a moment to truly look at her castle. The feel of the blue mare slipping out from her hug quickly pulled her back to the moment and she trotted through the door that had just been opened for her.

"It really is a nice castle isn’t it.” Twilight replied thoughtfully. “Though I’m not sure if Amethyst Star is ever going to forgive me. Anyway, the best bathroom is on the 5th floor, so that's where we're headed. We'll be sharing the bath. No buts, it's my decision."

Trixie, blushed and stifled the objection she had already had on the tip of her her tongue. "O-Ok, Twilight."

Following the purple princess up to the bathroom she considered the situation. She’d only been going to object because that would have been the, normal, thing to do. In reality, she couldn't be more excited, the idea of sharing a bath with the Princess of Friendship was extremely appealing. Besides, she wouldn't dare argue with her goddess of salvation.

"Wow. This bathroom is HUGE! Can we even call that a bath tub? It looks bigger than most pools Trixie has seen."

Twilight chuckles at the former showmare's reaction. "It is pretty huge isn't it? Well, better get the water ready!"

Smiling slightly in anticipation, she activated her magic, setting the dials to a comfortable temperature. Even with the tub set to a faster fill speed than she normally used it would take a while to fill up the humongous tub. Deciding not to wait, she lit her horn once again and used her magic to fill the tub up with warm water. In hindsight, she probably should have simply done that in the first place but oh well.

As Trixie stepped into the bath, she shuddered at just how good the warm water felt against her fur. "Aaaah. Oh this is just great. Thank you for letting me use this bath, Twi."

Twilight got in the bath right after Trixie. "Don't mention it Trixie, we both definitely needed some relaxation after today. Now come here, I’m going to wash you."

Trixie Blushed deeply "H-Huh?! Um, T-Twi. T-Trixie can wash herse-"

"I'm not asking. As your princess I'm demanding that you to let me wash you."

"Y-You're seriously going to pull rank over t-this?"

"Yep."

"O-Ok then." Trixie swam over to the lavender alicorn and moved to sit next to her on the bench in the bath. Before she could fully settle onto the bench, Twilight gave her head a quick shake and motioned towards her lap.

"S-Seriously?"

When Twilight simply nodded in response, Trixie felt her blush deepen. Still, she couldn’t deny the idea had a certain appeal to it, so, hoping that her blush didn’t actually set her coat on fire, she settled into her princess’s lap. As she watched, Twilight’s horn lit and shampoo, soap, and a sponge flew over to her. Pouring both fluids onto the sponge the Alicorn started to rub the blue mare's mane & back.

"Meep!"

'Oh Celestia, that was just too adorable.' Twilight thought to herself.

Once she’d finished thoroughly washing Trixie’s mane and fur, she moved on to the mare’s barrel and forehooves. As she reached the chest area and noticed how the ribs were visible, her scrubbing became even more gentle. Determined not to hurt the mare sitting in her lap, she worked slowly, vowing silently that she was going keep Trixie stuffed with food until not a rib could be seen. Once she was done washing, she thoroughly brushed the former showpony's mane, fur, and tail.

"There you're all cleaned and brushed. Now, wash me, Trixie"

"H-Huh?!"

"It's just natural that you, return the favor, so to speak."

Trixie froze at that comment, the words 'return the favor' echoing in her head over and over. "O-OK. Twi."
'I need to return the favor that twilight did for saving me from that horrible life.’ Pouring soap and shampoo onto the sponge, she began to wash her savior's mane and coat just as the princess had done for her.

'How can I pay her back for what she did for me. I don't have anything nearly as valuable as what she’s given to me. Oh! I Know!' An idea came to her and she started to massage her goddess of salvation.

"Ooh, Trixie. That feels so gooood." Twilight moaned.

"Good. Trixie thinks you deserve a bit of stress relief, she assumes your princess duties are neither easy nor relaxing."

Even as she worked her way down Twilight’s back, she continued to think. 'Who am I kidding? There's no way this is enough. I won’t be able to live with myself, knowing I wasn't able to repay Twilight properly after she so selflessly saved me and gave me my life back. So, what do I do?'

As she finished cleaning her savior's mane and back, she started to move towards Twilight's barrel, then paused, blushing. "Do you wish for me to wash your, chest area, as well?"

"I want you to wash, All of me, Trixie. Barrel, hooves, Everything." Twilight replied suggestively.

Trixie shivered slightly 'The way she said that. If I'm going to be honest, it’s REALLY hot. And so...demanding. Ah, I know how I can return the favor. I'll have to look into it, then ask her about it when it seems appropriate. But for now,'

"OK, Twilight."

As she thoroughly washes her goddess from horn tip to hoof, another thought occurred to her. 'should I should preen her? No, she would've asked me to if she wants me to. She clearly has no problem with intimacy, though.'

After brushing the lavender alicorn's mane, tail, and coat, just as she’d done for her, she followed her savior out of the tub.

"In hindsight we probably should've left the brushing until after we got out and dried off." Twilight said sheepishly.

"It's fine. Trixie does not mind more brushing. And of course, if you wish, she certainly doesn't mind brushing you some more."

After watching Twilight dry them both off with magic, she set about thoroughly brushing her again. Once she finished, she stood and simply enjoyed the feeling of Twilight gently brushing her.

Twilight smiled as Trixie started to make a cute purring noise, clearly enjoying being tenderly taken care of. 'I'm so going to take advantage of this in the future.'

Once she was done brushing her blue unicorn, she led them out of the bathroom. "So, Trixie, I have to go do something now, feel free to explore the castle while I'm out."

"OK, Twi."

After ten minutes of trotting up one corridor and down another Trixie was fairly certain of one thing. ‘Trixie swears, this place is much bigger on the inside.’

As the hall she was walking through ended, it opened into the most interesting room she'd seen yet. Surrounded by six thrones with familiar cutie-marks on them, an unusual table sat in the very center of the room. Looking closer she realized that it wasn’t just an ornate table, but an extremely detailed map as well.

"Wow. This map covers the entirety of Equestria." She murmured in wonder.

After marveling at the map and thrones for a bit, she then notices the amazing chandelier hanging above it.

"That is so beautiful."

Scanning the rest of the room, her eye was caught by a large door. Once she’d pushed it open, she let out a groan, another long hall way stretched out in front of her. Sighing to herself, she walked down the hallway until she noticed an opening to left. Curios, she poked her head through and was greeted by the sight of the greatest kitchen she’d ever set hoof in or seen.

"Sweet Celestia! This kitchen is just perfect!"

After a moment of simply staring at the kitchen, it occurred to her that Twilight hadn't had anything to eat since finding Trixie in that alleyway, over six hours ago. Humming to herself in thought, the former showpony set about to make something delicious, something fit for her goddess of salvation's tongue.

After about forty-five minutes she heard the clip clop of hooves coming from the hallway. Hurrying with the finishing touches, she let out a relieved sigh when the final garnish settled perfectly into place, just before the hooves owner arrived.

Waiting until she heard the approaching pony enter the kitchen, she turned around, a wide smile on her face, eager to greet her savior. She felt her smile slip and fear sink its icy fangs into her as she saw not the Princess of Friendship, but an unknown unicorn.

"Who are you and what are you doing in here?! How did you even get in?!" The mystery pony asked, looking slightly alarmed.

Terrified, Trixie began to slowly back away, not responding to the mare's question.

"I asked you a question, answer me." The mare demanded, clearly suspicious of the blue unicorn in front of her.

"I-I Um I uh" Trixie stammered nervously before sighing in relief as she heard another set of hooves coming down the hallway.

"Trixie! Are you in the kitchen? Whatever you're making smells absolutely wonderful!" A familiar voice called. "I can't wait to-Oh! Starlight! You're back from your festival!"

"There you are Twilight! I was looking all over Ponyville for you earlier." Starlight Glimmer replied with enthusiasm.

"I was busy with things in Canterlot. Oh! I see you've met Trixie!"

"Wait, you know this pony?"

"Why Yes! Of course!"

"Oh my gosh! I thought she was a burglar!" The OP unicorn turned back to Trixie. "I'm sorry! It was extremely rude of me to assume such a thing, please forgive me."

"O-Oh don't worry about it. It's fine." Trixie replied nervously.

"Allow me to introduce you two. Starlight, this is Trixie Lulamoon, she is going to be living with us from now on. Trixie, meet Starlight Glimmer, she’s my pupil."

"Y-You're the princess's p-pupil!?" Trixie’s eye’s widened, the unicorn in front of her was the pupil of her goddess of salvation? Then she must be a great pony!

"Yep. I've learned a lot from her. She is easily the greatest thing to ever happen to me." The alicorn's protégé said wistfully.

Trixie face dropped in sudden horror. "Oh no! Trixie didn't prepare enough food for three ponies! Trixie only made enough for Princess Twilight! She didn't realize that the princess had a protégé! Trixie's Sorry!"

Trixie was horrified by her mistake. 'Twilight's going to see how useless I am. I didn't even ask for permission to use her castle's kitchen. She's not going to want me to stay anymore. She’s going to kick me out. I'll be-'

"It's fine. I had lunch already, Trixie" Starlight said quickly, hoping to calm the clearly distraught unicorn.

Just as Trixie started to visibly relax, she realized Twilight wasn’t standing in front of them anymore. "Wait, where did Twilight go?"

Standing beside the counter, Twilight looked down at the food. While as an Alicorn she didn’t actually need to eat, the food that Trixie made her smelled fantastic. Pouring some of the vegetable soup into a bowl she levitated a soup spoon over and eagerly took a bite.

"Mmm! Wow Trixie! This is delicious!!" Twilight exclaimed

"R-Really?" Trixie asks with bated breath.

"YES Oh Celestia. This is probably the best vegetable soup I've had in my life!" Twilight confirmed with delight.

Trixie's heart fluttered at the complement. She’d succeeded in her task of make something worthy of her savior's taste-buds.

"Trixie's delighted to hear you like it."

"Aw, now I wish I hadn't eaten already if it's THAT good." Starlight says.

"Well you can't have any, Trixie made it for Twilight not you!" Trixie says instinctively.

The former showmare's eyes widen and her face paled as she realized what she’d just said. Looking at Starlight, she saw a look of surprise on her face, then, barely daring to breath, she looked to her savior, only to have her mouth almost fall open. After yelling at her protégé she’d been sure Twilight would look angry, or at least disappointed, she’d been totally unprepared for the amused smile that was playing across her lips.

"Trixie didn't mean to say that! It just came out instinctively! She'll make you a bowl right away, please don't hate her! Trixie's sorry!" The cerulean mare rushes back to the stove and eagerly poured a bowl of the soup. Rushing back, she offered the bowl to the baffled looking unicorn.

"Uh, thanks, Trixie." Starlight said a little hesitantly

"Don't thank Trixie! She was rude to you for no reason. She will gladly give her portion of the meal to you to make amends."

"Starlight, why don't you take your bowl of soup and head up to your room, please." Twilight asked neutrally.

"Ok. Sure thing princess!" Starlight conceded.

"Trixie. Sit down."

"Yes, Princess." The former showmare said, taking the seat next to the princess.

"I'm not mad at you Trixie." Twilight assured her in a calm tone. "On the contrary I'm rather happy with this turn of events."

"Y-You are?"

"Yes. You see, I know a spell that lets me read ponies minds. I used it on you earlier when I was brushing your mane. I know what you want to do n order to repay me for, and I quote, 'saving you from the horrible life you were having'." Twilight said with a smirk.

Trixie Gulped. "A-are you mad at me, Twilight?"

The Alicorn shook her head then smiled firmly. "No, quite the opposite. As I've said already, I am quite pleased with this turn of events. I think I should show you what I went to get earlier."

The lavender princess levitated a package over to the two of them.

"Open it." Twilight all but ordered.

Trixie hurriedly moved to obey the command. Quickly opening the package, she levitated out the item inside. Looking at the beautiful collar that was now floating in front of her, a wave of pure joy overwhelmed her. It had a fur-lined purple band that clasped at the back. The fur on it was the softest thing she has ever touched. But the part that made her the happiest, was the charm dangling from a d ring in the front. It was her savior's cutie mark. No, the magnificent pony before her was no longer just her savior, she was her Mistress. Below the cutie mark, words were inscribed "Belongs to Twilight Sparkle. Under NO circumstances, Is ANYPONY allowed to harm in ANY way.

In that moment, the blue mare clasped the collar that showed who she belonged to around her neck and oh, it felt so, so wonderful. Tears of joy stinging Trixie's eyes as it glowed as it sealed itself around her permanently, she flung herself towards her mistress and hugged her.

"Trixie Loves it!! Trixie loves you, Mistress! Thank you so much."

Twilight lovingly ran a hoof through her new pet's mane "I know, love. You no longer have to worry about your life. I will take care of you. By accepting this, you have already returned the favor that you so badly needed to. No one will hurt you ever again"

Trixie nuzzled her Mistress's chest lovingly. She finally had somepony who cared about her. No longer able to control herself, she sobbed with joy.

Author's Notes:

I know this could possibly come off as rushed but this is my fanfic and my first one at that so please don't hate it because i don't do things the normal way. I also understand that some people will probably view Trixie as Out Of Character, but it's fanfiction not the cannon story-line. This chapter was just updated with the edited version!

Also yes the Doctor Who reference was on purpose