Trixie is Pregnant and It's Twilight's Problem

by TheCrimsonDM

First published 16th of November, 2020

What happens when a pregnant Trixie shows up at the Golden Oaks Library during a storm? Twilight ending up as an unwilling caretaker of the showmare and her unborn child is what. What happens after that is all chaos.

What happens when a pregnant Trixie shows up at the Golden Oaks Library during a storm? Twilight ending up as an unwilling caretaker of the showmare and her unborn child is what. What happens after that is all chaos.

Chapter one: Of Pregnant Trixie and Stuffy Librarians

Trixie was the great and powerful yet she somehow found herself in the kind of situation that she never wanted to be in. After the recent events of the alicorn amulet the last thing she wanted to do was come back to Ponyville. Still when she thought back to where the safest places in Equestria were, all of them paled in comparison to Ponyville. Even with her devastated reputation this was about the only place she could think of that would be safe, and there was one pony in question she realized might be, just might be willing to help her.

She let out a sigh as she dragged herself forward. Hidden in a gray cloak as the skies turned stormy above. She had come at the worst possible timing too. A rainstorm was not exactly what one would call safe. Still she had to do something. The rock farm she had been before was far too distant from her and even if she went there and begged for them to forgive the way she left so hastily, they’d put her to work and right then she couldn’t risk the heavy labor. She had something more important to do, something to protect.

Pride… pride was something Trixie was filled with and it was one thing she would absolutely defend until she died. In the face of this new challenge though she couldn’t risk her own demise so foolishly anymore. Flirting with destruction was a favored pastime but those gambles might have been the exact problem that put her here to begin with.

Each step into the town made her body scream with paranoia. The sky rumbled with thunder. Any signs of the sun were gone from the sky now. She shivered as a cold wind blew through. The first droplets of rain came down and were freezing; they quickly became a downpour causing her to move quickly. She had to find it, the Golden Oaks Library.

After a minute or two of galloping she could feel her body protesting the motion but she saw it, the library was just ahead of her. Its lights were all dimmed but it was there. Trixie slid through the mud and stopped at the door. Lightning flashed in the sky above her and struck the mud some distance away causing a large splash and tingles to go through the air. The roar of its thunder was far more dangerous than she’d planned.

Trixie knocked on the door several times as loudly as she could. No response came. This was a public library was it not? Could she not just enter the lobby and wait? She tried pushing the door open and found it locked. A small sign said that the place was closed. This was not what she needed.

Trixie was nothing if not persistent. With a bit of telekinesis Trixie was able to move the gears in the lock and with a click her efforts were rewarded. The door opened and trailing mud behind her she ventured inside and shut the door behind her. It was dark in here. Too dark for anypony to be home. She called out, “Hello?”

There came no reply. Trixie let out a sigh and found a place nearby the door to lay down. At least it was dry in here and she could take her cloak off. The thing was covered in mud and soaking wet. Most of her fur was soaked through as well. She was freezing but could at least warm up in here.

“Safe, Trixie is safe.” She stroked her barrel for a moment. “Safe.”

She lay there shivering from the cold for what felt like ages. Eventually she began to wonder if she had the right place. Did Twilight Sparkle have her own house someplace else and only worked here? If that was the case chances were she’d be here all night by herself and frozen to death by the morning… that metaphor was a bit too dark to think of at the moment.

For awhile she lay there listening to the pitter patter of the rain and the occasional lightning bolt causing an applause of thunder. It was a fierce storm outside, the kind of which was dangerous for normal ponies to be out in. With her condition she was even more vulnerable.

The alicorn amulet had caused some serious problems in her life. It had caused her to do some vile disgusting things. It had ruined her already damaged reputation. It had even cost her a good job and place to stay. But it did do one good thing for her, just one. She rubbed at her barrel once more at the thought.

Luckily she heard some voices eventually. They were muffled through the sound of the constant downpour but she felt she could make out a female and a young colt. The door handle began to turn and then there was a pause. Oh no, Trixie had forgotten to lock the door. Would that be a problem? What would Twilight think if she was coming in here… what if it wasn’t Twilight?

The door opened a crack and Trixie saw the tip of a horn poke through. A red light began to surround the horn and Trixie cried out. “Wait, it’s just Trixie, please!”

The aura didn’t vanish but the door did open all the way. Twilight stood there with narrowed eyes and the small dragon on her back had much the same expression of discontent as they looked at Trixie. Twilight walked in, looked around at the mud and growled. “So, you break and enter into my home and you have the audacity to leave mud everywhere.”

Trixie swallowed. “Trixie does not break and enter, you should feel lucky that she choose to come to you instead of anypony else.”

Twilight shot the glare right at her, their eyes met and that aura grew a little stronger. “I don’t really care, your leaving. Now!”

Trixie felt her body growing light and the red aura was surrounding her. She was being lifted into the air. “NO WAIT PLEASE!”

Twilight glared at her. “You were just here a weeks ago and tormented the entire town, why should I ‘wait’ when you’re obviously planning something else.”

“Trixie is not!”

Twilight met her eyes, for a moment the anger held but it began to soften. “So what are you here for?”

“Please, set Trixie down, this can’t be safe. Trixie needs safe, not scary or painful.”

Trixie began to fall. “NO!”

Much to Trixie’s surprise she realized she didn’t fall, Twilight had set her down safely. Twilight was staring at her with wide eyes. “Were you… scared? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you scared. At least without a giant monster on your tail.”

Trixie was shivering, now more from fear than cold. She sat up and began inspecting her belly. “Shhh, it’s okay. It’s okay.” She shivered. “Trixie is not scared. She is in need of help, and there is nopony in Equestria who could offer her safety. She knows you hate her, and for good reason, but Trixie asks for safety from you none the less, not for her sake, but for the sake of her unborn daughter.”

Twilight blinked. “You’re what?”

Trixie met Twilight’s eyes and felt she shaking more. “Trixie is pregnant.”

Chapter Two: Of Bubbles and Baths

Twilight stared down at Trixie, her heart was racing and her mind blank. Did Trixie just say she was pregnant? As in with child? As in her oven of life was full? If that was true… oh she almost did something horrible. She was going to… not exactly hurt Trixie but a pregnant pony needed extra care.

Twilight looked down at the wet, shivering form of Trixie who had gone back to lying in her puddle. Her eyes couldn’t even meet Twilight’s, instead choosing to stay planted firmly on the floor. There were a lot of questions Twilight had but for now she settled on action. She summoned forth a towel and dropped it over Trixie’s back. The poor mare flinched as it touched her. She was terrified.

“Trixie,” Twilight said as gently as she could. “Why did you come to me?”

Trixie spoke but her voice had a steel tone to it. “Trixie needed assistance.”

“What about your parents?”

“Trixie has none.”

That felt like a barbed thorn being lodged into Twilight’s heart. “Um… friends?”

Trixie blinked. “Those are what ponies have when they know somepony for a while and speak to them yes? Then Trixie has you.”

Twilight sat down. “You consider me a friend?”

“Trixie has never had need of friends before so she doesn’t know if you count, but you seem to be close to what Trixie expects a friend is like.”

That was a mouth full that really only amounted to ‘she has never had a friend and doesn’t understand friendship’ which meant Twilight now had two reasons to think about Trixie’s presence here. One Trixie was clearly in distress and needed help. Having a child with no one around to help you or explain how it worked was difficult. Looking back over at Spike who was busy mopping up the mud the three of them had left behind only solidified Twilight’s knowledge in how hard that could be. Two: Trixie had friendship problems, and Twilight wanted to kick herself for not having thought about it sooner. Of course Trixie had friendship problems and twice now she’d just let Trixie go out on her own and not fixed them… they’d even fixed Discord, well they began to do so, so why did Twilight leave Trixie alone?

Twilight let out a sigh, she already knew where this was going and really didn’t like it. Still, she was the element of magic, the leader of the elements of harmony and this might just prove to be an amazing friendship lesson to give Celestia. To think about the praise she could get for helping a pregnant pony find friendship, well Twilight could easily enjoy some adoration from her favorite princess.

“So,” Twilight began, “Why exactly come to me? What are you expecting?”

“A baby filly.”

Twilight rolled her eyes. “I meant what are you expecting of me?”

“Trixie… isn’t’ sure.” There was sincere doubt in her tone. “Trixie knows you are a good pony, the second best in Equestria one might argue, next to Trixie of course. So she thought you might know what to do? Trixie just needs to be safe until her baby is here and then she can be a proper mommy and raise the best filly in all of Equestria.”

“Okay, I think I know what to do, but when did you get pregnant?”

“Trixie was not under the best influence when she was using the Alicorn Amulet, she was in fact in heat and made some fun but tactical errors thinking they would not come to last after the incident was over.”

Twilight nodded. “The Amulet does have a way of lowering inhibitions to the point of doing some… let’s not get into this.”

“Agreed.”

Twilight offered a smile. “I’ll help you. If anypony can understand how scary it is to have a kid and have absolutely no help, or no idea on what to do it would be me. So if there is anything I can help with I will. I will ask of you a single condition though.”

Trixie looked up at her. Her main had fallen over half her face only letting one purple eye stay visible. “F-fine, just be gentle.”

Twilight choked. “I… what? What, what do you think I’m going to ask?”

“The same things everypony does. Either I work, or I give them my… just… what do you want?”

Twilight felt head was starting to split. “I just want you to learn about friendship. That’s all.”

Trixie stared at her. “Is that really all? No hard physical labor, no favors, just learning?”

“Of course. I mean, friends do favors for each other sometimes but that’s for you to learn later.”

“Trixie will… she’ll do as you ask, if you keep her safe so her baby can be born.”

Twilight stood up and reached out with a hoof. Trixie stared at it for a long moment. Twilight finally said, “Take my hoof, your soaking wet, shivering and covered in mud. We’re getting you cleaned up, warmed up, and full of food before this night is over.”

Trixie took Twilight’s hoof and with a little effort Trixie stood up. Twilight was surprised to find herself happy with this situation. Sure she was angry at first and concerned with Trixie’s sudden appearance, but after hearing what it was that Trixie wanted, and how lost she really was, she was positive that this was the right course of action to take. It also couldn’t be understated how powerful of a friendship lesson this would make, the letter for this one was going to be amazing.

Well at least she wasn’t cold anymore. In fact Trixie might be able to say she was quite comfortable. The hot, bubbly water splashed around her as she relaxed. Twilight was sitting off to the side and had been talking to her almost nonstop since they got up here. It was honestly a bit concerning considering how little they’d ever conversed in the past. Still it wasn’t bad to have a fan, friend, pony who could keep the silence away.

Twilight finally said something that was actually interesting though causing Trixie to actually respond. “Did you just say Trixie is sleeping in the bed?”

Twilight nodded. “Of course, I’d never ask a pregnant mare to sleep on anything less.”

“Will you be sleeping on the floor? Or is there a couch hidden in here that Trixie has somehow missed?”

Twilight blinked. “No, I’m sleeping in bed too silly.”

Trixie sat up straight. She knew better than to expect Twilight was really innocent. She’d prepared for this, but she was not pleased. Still if it kept her child safe, she could stomach it, and besides, she might be able to use such activities to manipulate the foolish unicorn. Ponies who were pleased were easily swayed after all.

Spike called out from behind them. He was reading a comic book near the fire place. “Twilight, she thinks you’re going to be sharing a bed.”

Twilight’s face paled. “Oh no, I um, I have two beds. I’m letting you use my guest bed.”

Trixie felt a lot easier about that revelation. She didn’t want to think about getting nearly that cozy with the crazy mare, at least not too soon. It felt like she was trying to take shelter under a dragon. Safe from any threat in the world but only so long as the dragon didn’t notice her.

Twilight then asked, “So how far along are you anyway?”

Trixie paused. “One and a half months.”

Twilight frowned. “That early huh? That’s a good ten and a half months before you give birth. And your right in the middle of the scary part, we won’t know if you’re really safe until 9 weeks have passed. We’ll need to sort out a diet plan for you shortly… and your sure your having a filly?”

Trixie smiled. “Trixie knows she will have a beautiful baby filly and it will be named Trixie Two!”

Spike added. “Electric boogaloo.”

Trixie replied. “The sequel will be better than the first.”

Twilight was smiling again. Not the kind of smile that showed patience toward Trixie but an earnest one that showed pleasure. She’d seen this kind of smile several times but only when watching ponies from afar or the few ponies that had enjoyed her show before it was so thoroughly ruined. “Why are you smiling?”

Twilight shook her head as if it was the silliest question she’d ever heard. “Because I’m happy for you. You seem really excited to have a foal, most mares in your position are normally upset.”

Trixie beamed and waved a hoof through the air. “And why should Trixie be at all upset? Sure her own parents were awful, but that’s why she is here to show she will be the Greatest and Best mommy in the whole world.”

Twilight smiled. “So do you know who the stallion is?”

Trixie shrugged. “Handsome, strong, and big. In all the best ways.”

Twilight blinked. “Like… his muscles or something?”

Did she really not understand or was this some kind of play at innocence. If it was the former this might become an annoying ‘friendship’ really quickly, but if the later, Trixie could exploit it. “Well he did have a fair few of those too. But mostly he was large, and hot. Yet somehow only as rough as Trixie needed.”

Twilight stared at her, her eyes narrowed and lip being bit with this look of concentration like the gears in her head were turning as hard as they could. Several seconds went by before she finally asked, “Did you want him to be rough? Or do you mean like he had a rough and rugged appearance?”

Before she could get to it, Spike had palm slapped his forehead. “Twilight, how is it that I am the kid here and I understand more about sex talk than you do.”

Twilight glared back at him. “She did not mention any breading, Spike. Honestly, you’re getting so weird now that you’re getting older. It’s probably puberty.”

Trixie had to ask, “Have you ever had sex?”

Twilight’s cheeks turned a little pink. “I have too had the sex! And it was with a handsome stallion. It was good.”

Spike called back. “She’s lying.”

Twilight glared at him. “You haven’t had it either.”

Spike was in the middle of drinking from a cup of hot chocolate. He coughed a few times before choking out, “Y-yeah, sure I havne’t. Nope, never had sex. Don’t know what it’s like at all.”

Twilight smiled. “So… um… no. No I have not. I’ve never really had the reason too. I have my books and my studies to tend too.”

Well at least this made Trixie feel more secure about staying here. Twilight was not going to take advantage of Trixie’s body. Still it meant that Twilight truly was innocent, and as funny as that could be it also meant she might be annoying as well. If only there was a peaceful, non sexual way to destroy that innocence so that Twilight could speak on her level. Oh well, that would have to wait she was going to have a whole ten months to plan that out.

Oh, by Celestia’s thick and hot rump, ten months. This was going to be a nightmare wasn’t it? She rubbed her belly again. The small life inside of her was only just beginning to take form and experience things. She could bare ten months of this, so long as it kept her and her baby safe.

That was all that mattered.

Chapter Three: of Biscuits and Coffee

It was late into the night and Trixie found herself lying awake in the bed Twilight had offered. It was smaller than the enormous thing Twilight slept in. Honestly Twilight’s bed was so large it was actually bigger than Trixie’s old wagon. Still it wasn’t uncomfortable so she was happy with it. The bed Trixie occupied was on the top level of the tree house sitting on the opposite side of the floor as Twilights. Spike had taken the dog bed making her question a lot of things about how Twilight viewed him.

Was this a mistake? Coming here and asking for assistance from Twilight had worked out so far. Tartarus she hadn’t even needed to do much besides ask for the help and promise to learn about friendship. This was still one of the few places in Equestria that Trixie wanted to be but when she had weighed her options from Canterlot to Manehatten no place was safe for a mare like her. If only her reputation hadn’t been absolutely crushed, she’d have been able to do some stage magic, save some money, and then eke out a living in some inn at a no nothing town or something.

Even with that said what was she going to do now?

It was late at night and the gears in her mind were spinning. She could stay here, be somewhere safe, and then once she had her child she would take the baby and leave. Where to, she had no idea, but Twilight was already kind enough to let her stay this long. Relying on that kindness to last that long was a gamble, to hope it extended any further was impossible. No, she knew that despite whatever kind words came from Twilight’s lips, she’d be thrown out once the kid arrived.

That was okay though, in a year’s time maybe her reputation would have healed some. If not she could always pretend to use another stage name for awhile. The thought of that tasted sour… that wouldn’t work. The Great and Powerful Trixie could lie about anything, except about who she was.

Trixie rolled over. The sound of rain had eased up a little and what was left was somehow relaxing. Reminiscent of the rogue rainclouds sometimes found on the road. Her eyelids felt as heavy as her heart as she continued listening into the pitter patter against the window.

One question still bothered her. What did Twilight get out of this act of charity? Nopony did things free of charge, so there had to be something. Trixie feared it could be something more than she bargained for, but really hoped that the way Twilight portrayed herself was accurate to who she really was. An innocent, good natured, fool.

Twilight woke with a start. There was an unfamiliar noise in her room. Like a chainsaw going off. She looked around quickly only to see a bed on the opposite side of her room. In it lay a slumbering Trixie, mouth open and snoring as loudly as Rainbow Dash. For a moment she stared unsure of how it was Trixie got there but as her brain began to wake up with her she remembered the events of yesterday.

The great and pregnant Trixie was staying with her. Oh… that might have been more than she bargained for. Thinking back to it, she had felt so sorry for Trixie’s predicament she hadn’t considered the long run. Ten and a half months, plus however long it would take Trixie to heal from after birth. This was going to be a long year. The thought of the friendship letters she could write to Celestia were starting to feel less important now.

Twilight shook her head. She had already made her promise, and furthermore Trixie had agreed to learn about friendship. Surely things would be just fine, maybe even better than fine as things went on. Twilight rolled herself out of bed and managed to drag herself downstairs. Once on the first floor the scent of freshly brewed coffee made Twilight’s hooves curl. Following the scent she found Spike in the kitchen drinking a cup for himself with a plate of biscuits sitting in the middle of the table. There were a fair few more biscuits than usual.

Once cup of coffee and three biscuits later Twilight was ready to socialize again. “Good morning, Spike.”

Spike replied. “Morning, Twilight. You wake up to the sound of a bear roaring too?”

Twilight laughed. “I wasn’t expecting it, but yes. I managed to get some good sleep despite it though.”

Spike rolled his eyes. “Well she’s not the only one who snores at night.”

Twilight didn’t care much for his insinuation but choose better than to react to it. Instead she had a concern of her own t address. “How in the world do we explain this to the girls?”

Spike took a sip of coffee. “Easy. ‘Hey everypony, Trixie got knocked up and we’re taking pity on her. Try to be nice to her okay.’”

Twilight glared at him. “That is not exactly tactful.”

“Does it really need to be?”

“Considering the situation I’d say yes. Explaining how and why I’m taking on this role is going to be rough.”

Spike looked up at her. “Why exactly are you doing this again?”

“Because she needs somepony and… I can actually relate to what she’s going through. At least a little bit. I know you can’t remember what it was like when I first had you, but if I ever had any criticism with Celestia, and I don’t, it would be that she kind of, sort of, dropped a child on my lap with no help or explanation of how to raise one.” Twilight let out a sigh. “Honestly, I’m grateful for the experience because it taught me that I can do anything, but I don’t want anypony else to feel that way so if I can help prepare Trixie for motherhood, even a little, I want to.”

Spike’s claws tightened around his cup of coffee. “Y-yeah… must have been hard.”

Even Twilight could tell that his demeanor had changed. It always did when the subject of his hatching and raising came up. “Spike, I’m so very happy to have had you. Honestly, I’m the luckiest mare in the whole world because I got you.”

He smiled. “Thanks… but why did Celestia have a dragon egg anyway? Like what happened to the dragons that laid me?”

Twilight shook her head. “I don’t know. I’ve even tried to research it but from what I have heard, you weren’t really supposed to be a dragon egg. You were supposed to be a rock somepony painted to look like one. The fact you were an egg and that I hatched you is a miracle and I don’t need to know how it happened, I’m just glad it did.”

Spike looked up. “Do you think Trixie feels the same way?”

Twilight smiled. “Judging from how she smiles when she talks about her baby, I do.”

Spike stood up. “Okay, you can count me in. I don’t know what I can really do to help but I’m all for it.”

Twilight nodded. “That’s the spirit. Now how do we get the others to feel the same way?”

Once Trixie had finally awoken she managed to drag herself out of bed. At first she was confused by her surroundings but as she recalled the night before she remembered she would be staying with Twilight for some time. However, all of that paled in comparison to the scent of coffee wafting up from downstairs.

Trixie walked downstairs still half asleep and as she approached the kitchen she heard Twilight mention, “Now how do we get the others to feel the same way?”

Trixie looked at her. “Others feel what way?”

Twilight offered her a warm smile. “To want to help you out and be friends with you of course.”

Trixie looked at the coffee. “Trixie… does not want them to know everything.”

Twilight seemed to noticed Trixie’s stare. “Go ahead and have some. There’s a cup and plenty of biscuits on the table.”

Trixie did not hesitate to grab herself a cup of coffee and then three, four, or five biscuits, before sitting down. She was starving but then again it wasn’t just her who was hungry. She ate greedily as Twilight continued to smile at her. Normally Trixie loved a captive audience but she did not like the smile, it felt odd, too warm for her.

Twilight asked, “So what did you not want me to tell the others?”

Trixie swallowed the last bite of her biscuit. “That Trixie is with child.”

Twilight blinked. “But… but isn’t that the most amazing part?”

“Sure, if most ponies were understanding. Yet most ponies expect certain things like, Trixie to be married, or at least have a significant other. Trixie is very much single and they might look down upon that fact.”

Twilight looked down at her cup of half finished coffee. “I didn’t think of it that way. I was just happy for you. I guess you’re right though, I’m sure Fluttershy would love to get close to you if she knew but I’m not so certain about the others.”

“And prey tell why would this Fluttershy want to be close to Trixie?”

Spike answered. “She’s baby hungry.”

Twilight replied. “Fluttershy does not want to consume children, Spike. I think she just wants to have one.”

Spike face palmed. Trixie followed the motion. Twilight looked at both of them. “What?”

Spike explained. “It’s a phrase, Twilight. Why, why do I know more about these things than you do?”

Twilight’s ears folded back. “I just read a lot of books, I don’t always know every current phrase that ponies have to say.”

Trixie could see it in Twilight’s features. She was at least mildly upset about not knowing what the term ‘baby hungry’ meant. In fact that could be a general discomfort with being out of touch with phrases or socializing in general. She wasn’t sure but that might come in useful later, if nothing else it was oddly cute.

Twilight shook her head. “Alright, so I won’t tell them about your pregnancy. I still need to explain why you’ll be living with me.”

Trixie raised a hoof. “OH, you could tell them we are a couple now. That would explain why I sleep in the same house as you.”

Twilight’s eyes became pinpricks and nearly budged from her skull. “A c-c-couple!”

“Yes, and to truly fool them we could share the same bed or even kiss in their presence. That would silence any doubts before they arise.”

Twilight scooted back in her chair. “K-kiss!”

Trixie leaned forward and pouted. “Is this not a great idea?”

Twilight stammered for a good moment. She was positively frazzled and Trixie had to admit it was equal parts adorable and hilarious. This stay could actually be a lot of fun. Twilight finally managed to say, “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

Trixie let a cruel smile grow across her lips. “Trixie was only joking. The lie would be a difficult one to keep up with.”

Twilight out a sigh of relief. “Oh thank goodness. I don’t want my first kiss to be a lie.”

Trixie raised an eyebrow. “Have you not even kissed? Have you never had an interest in somepony before?”

Twilight looked from side to side a few times as if expecting eavesdropping ears. “I have… had thoughts before. B-but never acted on them.”

Spike replied. “That’s because she keeps rejecting you.”

Twilight narrowed her eyes at him and growled. “She does not reject me, Spike. She simply doesn’t realize how I feel.”

“Sure, nopony else knows about your super not obvious crush.”

Twilight glared. “The same could be said for you.”

Spike swallowed. “Oh uh…”

Twilight swiftly turned that glare into a friendly smile, with such speed Trixie was sure she was used to changing her emotional appearance in a moment flat. “It’s okay, Spike. We can just keep our secrets secret for now.”

Spike nodded.

Trixie had the distinct feeling that they were trying to keep certain facts hidden in front of her but it was fun to know that both of these two had crushes. Of course she was sure they’d both never act on them… scratch that, the dragon boy seemed to have had some knowledge or dare she wonder, experience with certain things that Twilight had not yet. He might act on his.

Twilight shook her head. “Okay, I think I have it. I’m going to tell them the truth, but not the whole truth. You needed help and wanted to learn about friendship so I’m taking you in as my pupil to learn about the magic of friendship as well as helping you get back on your hooves. How does that sound?”

Trixie looked at her. “This is acceptable. That way you do not have to attempt lying, which you are far from skilled in, and Trixie can keep her baby a secret until she is ready to trust these ponies.”

Twilight put a hoof to her chin. “You know, if your one and a half months along we should get you to a doctor. See if we can find out if you have a baby girl or boy.”

Trixie huffed. “Trixie does not need to have a doctor tell her the gender. She already knows. Besides, does it not ruin the fun to know such things?”

Twilight smiled. “Maybe it does, I wouldn’t know… but you know, mares do have a tendency to um… slip. So I want to make sure we go to a doctor for you and your baby’s safety.”

“Trixie and Trixie Two-“

Spike cut in. “The Trixiening.”

“-would appreciate that, but um… we don’t have any money for one.”

Twilight grinned. “Don’t worry about that. I’ll take care of it. I’ll take a few days to research who the very best doctor is nearby. Just promise that when I introduce you to my friends you’ll do your best to try and become friends with them too.”

The ones Trixie had thoroughly trounced in the past, tormented, or otherwise humiliated… that seemed unlikely but if they were anything Like Twilight maybe it was possible. She still wasn’t’ sure about this whole ‘friend’ thing but if it was Twilight’s only stipulation than she’d have to take it. Trixie offered her favorite practiced smile, “Sure thing.”

Chapter Four: Of Friends and Cookies

The gathering of Twilight’s friends was about as easy as ever and within the hour she had summoned all of them to her treehouse. They all sat downstairs around the table with cups of tea and a bowl of cookies in the middle. Twilight was happy to see them all here but it was still weighing on the back of her mind that she was going to be omitting some information that they might need to fully understand the situation, but it was a promise she’d made and she was going to keep it.

She really hoped they’d believe her based on the secondary reason Trixie was staying. With a jittery heart Twilight announced, “Good news everypony. I have an announcement to make.”

Pinkie Pie exclaimed, “Did you finally tell Celestia you have the hots for her?”

Twilight balked. “W-what?”

Pinkie feigned a frown and replied, “Oh phooey, I was hoping that would be today’s meeting. Guess that’s next week.”

Twilight blinked several times trying to comprehend anything that Pinkie had just said. There was zero chance in Tartarus that Twilight was ever going to tell Celestia anything even remotely close to that. Although maybe she wanted to? She wasn’t sure, but she was sure that her head was now filled with odd thoughts she needed to suppress. Shove them into the mind closet with all the other thoughts that bothered her and she would be just fine. No need to open that closet, not ever.

Rarity gently prodded Twilight. “Darling, what did you bring us here for?”

Twilight cleared her throat. “Yes, um, that. I have a new guest staying with me for some time. She’s going to be learning about the Magic of Friendship from me and has become my pupil.”

Pinkie Pie gasped. “Ooooohhh, that was this week. Okay. I got my timeline straight now.”

Twilight chose, very wisely, to ignore Pinkie. “She’s been through a lot and was in a very bad situation but I am helping her get back on her hooves and doing what I probably should have done last year. I’m helping her learn about something she doesn’t know anything about, friendship.”

Rarity smiled. “That’s wonderful, darling. You do always love to show ponies how friendship works.”

Rainbow Dash added. “It’s kinda your whole deal. I’d be surprised if you didn’t do something like this eventually.”

Applejack nodded. “Agreed, Ah figured that you’d be helping some poor lost soul like that.”

Fluttershy smiled. “Reminds me of when I adopt a new furry friend.”

Rainbow Dash snickered at that. The others smiled as if trying not to laugh at the comparison. Was it really like taking in a wounded animal? Well maybe it kinda was, but ponies were not animals so it couldn’t be considered too much. Still they were happy with the news so far, hopefully this would continue to go well.

Rarity chimed in with a question that made Twilight’s heart skip a beat. “So, who is this mystery mare you invited into your home?”

Twilight swallowed, her throat was dry. She took a sip of tea. Still dry. “B-before I get to the who, let’s cover a few rules first. I really want… no I really need this first meeting to go well. So please, even if it’s challenging keep an open mind, and be willing to give her a chance. She has never had a friend before me so she doesn’t understand a lot of things. Think of me when I first got here to Ponyville only… in a worse position.”

Most of them were starting to frown. They could already sense this was going to be a problem. Only Pinkie Pie was still smiling. In fact Pinkie was the only one to respond, “Of course we will play nice, silly. Any friend of Twilight’s is a friend of mine. I honestly think it’s amazing you took her in. Proud of ya.”

Twilight stared at her. “Do you know who it is?”

Pinkie Pie rolled her eyes. “She’s only stuck her head down the stairs three times since I’ve been here to look at us. She looks so silly being nervous.”

Twilight spun around to only to see a trail of white and cobalt hair flying upstairs. She really hoped nopony else had seen her. At the very least this meant that Pinkie was okay with her presence. Maybe… maybe she could trust her friends after all.

Twilight swallowed. “Will you all give her a chance?”

Everypony looked at each other as if unsure. After the recent introduction of Discord into their lives it was understandable that another force of mystery and chaos was not exactly welcomed but after a moment every pony gave a nod and a verbal agreement. They would give her a chance and that was all that mattered.

Twilight stood up and walked over to the staircase. “You can come down now.”

Trixie’s voice called back. “How are you so sure?”

Twilight offered a smile towards the staircase as if hoping Trixie could see it. “Because they are my friends and I trust them. One of the first lessons of friendship is trust.”

Trixie replied. “Trust is what foolish ponies believe in before being betrayed and intelligent ponies use against you to betray you.”

“Come on, I promise you, I’m here and you trust me right?”

There was silence for a moment before Trixie finally replied. “F-fine. Only because a promise was made…”

Twilight watched with eager eyes as Trixie walked down the steps. Her head hung low and avoiding eyesight. The gasps from behind Twilight set off warning bells making her body tense up but she was prepared. Every possible encounter from them really liking Trixie to getting violent had been prepared for and Twilight was not going to let anything happen to her ward. Not when it was two lives on the line.

Trixie finally reached the last step and spoke. “The Great and Reluctant Trixie is finally here to- ‘sniff sniff’ to- ‘sniff’ are those peanut butter cookies?” Trixie raised her head and all the anxiety she imagined was gone as her eyes scanned for the nearest bowl of cookies. Seemingly having forgotten her fear she trotted to the table and dragged the bowl over to her to start pulling cookies out and eating them.

Everypony was watching Trixie with a mix of mistrust and confusion. Twilight sighed but at least this was not the worst case scenario. Twilight took a seat next to Trixie and explained, “Yes, it is Trixie Lulamoon that will be staying with me.”

Trixie replied between bites of her third cookie. “The Great and Powerful.”

Twilight offered a smile. “Yes, The Great and Powerful Trixie Lulamoon.”

“Close enough.”

Rainbow Dash was the first to speak. “Wait… but… why her?”

She was going to need patience for Rainbow Dash, too bad that wasn’t an element of harmony. “Because she needs help and wants to learn about friendship, do I need any more reason to take her on as a pupil?”

Rarity swallowed and said, “Well… darling, it is your life and your choices, but yes, yes you do.”

Twilight glared at her. “If it’s my life and my choices I believe I can make them with any sort of reasons. If it helps, I am taking a play out of Fluttershy’s book here.”

Fluttershy’s eyes widened. “I-I-I um…”

Applejack rolled her eyes. “Because it worked so well with Discord?”

“Exactly. Discord was a force of mean chaos but he’s learning friendship and becoming a much better person for it. At least Trixie won’t be flooding any pony’s farm.”

Trixie had eaten six cookies so far. She finally looked up to see every eye on her. There was a brief moment where Twilight saw the reflex. Eyes widening, breathing stopped, lip quiver. It lasted only a fraction of a second, enough for an observant Twilight to see the fear in Trixie’s body. It quickly turned into a scowl and Trixie spoke, “Trixie is fine with all the attention but you all should be thanking her, honestly, Twilight is lucky to have Trixie as a pupil.”

The tension in the air tightened. This was not going as well…

Pinkie Pie replied. “Of course she is. Anypony would be lucky to get to know you.”

Trixie smiled but it seemed less than genuine, more practiced than anything else. “Of course, Trixie is glad you understand Pink Pony.”

Pinkie Pie grinned. “After all, you’ve spent so much time distancing yourself from everypony that letting anypony in even a little is a miracle. We thought you’d be prickly forevah.”

Trixie choked. “Prickly!”

Damage control Twilight, how to do damage control with Pinkie around. “Like a coconut!”

Everypony looked at Twilight with confusion. Especially Trixie. Twilight found herself standing on the tip of a knife, what was she saying. “Prickly like a coconut. Y-you know with the sweat tender inside but you need to be patient with it to find out how good it really is?” At this point she didn’t even believe herself.

Trixie took a bite of another cookie. “Trixie is not prickly… but she might be a coconut, so long as it’s mixed in with peanut butter. Speaking of which, something is wrong with your bowl.”

Twilight glanced at her. “O-oh?”

Trixie set it down. Empty. “It would seem that the cookies have all vanished from it and Trixie requires more.”

Rainbow Dash whistled. “Wow… didn’t think anypony other than Pinkie could eat like that. Trying to beat Pinkie at some kind of sweets contest?”

Trixie glared at her. “Trixie has no idea what you mean, she only ate one… or two… or three.”

Twilight groaned. This was certainly going to be a mess. What if they asked more about why Trixie was eating so much?

Rarity studied Trixie for a moment. “When did you get here, darling?”

Trixie replied. “Yesterday night, Trixie arrived much like a true hero would in the middle of a rain storm.”

Rarity nodded. “Did you eat much since then?”

Trixie put a hoof to her chin. “Not as much as Trixie would like.”

Rarity asked, “And how long was it since you had a proper meal before that.”

Trixie’s ears twitched and folded back a little. “Trixie eats properly every night, she has never gone hungry and never will. What do you think she is some kind of poor pony? Trixie will have you know she eats like a queen and always has.”

Rarity nodded. “Of course, I’m sorry for any ill implication.”

“Trixie forgives you, not all of you could be as astute as her.”

Rarity eyed Twilight as if trying to say something in her eyes. The words she spoke were, “So have you fed Trixie like a queen since she’s been here?”

Twilight raised a hoof and then lowered it. What did they eat for dinner last night? Some nachos maybe… oh… oh no, had Trixie really not eaten enough since she arrived? Twilight stood up swiftly. “SPIKE, can you go prepare a meal… a big one.”

Trixie glanced up at her. “What are you planning?”

Twilight smiled. “You deserve to eat well, don’t you?”

Trixie eyed her suspiciously for a moment but then relaxed. “Assuming you did not poison it, then yes.”

Twilight attempted to smile at her. “I wouldn’t do that.”

Trixie let out a sigh. “Trixie knows…”

Spike and Trixie quickly left to go feed her in the kitchen. Once she was gone everypony was staring at Rarity. Rarity smiled and explained. “So, Twilight, how long ago was it that Trixie actually ate a real meal?”

Chapter Five: Of Mac and of Cheese

Fluttershy had stared at Trixie as she got up and left the table. There was something about Trixie that she couldn’t quite place her hoof on. She looked a little warmer, a little brighter. Was it the effect of having Twilight as a friend? No, there was something else going on. Even watching her eat all the cookies, Fluttershy had felt mesmerized by Trixie.

Once Trixie had left she felt the desire to follow her. Getting up from the table Fluttershy excused herself quietly which was fine as nopony seemed to even notice her leaving. Rarity and Twilight were going into a conversation about Trixie. Fluttershy entered the kitchen and saw Trixie sitting there staring up at all of cupboards and poking her head through the pantry.

Spike asked, “So, uh… what do you want?”

“The great and decisive Trixie will tell you when she decides.” She looked around almost wide eyed. “How does one pony and her dragon child have this much food? It is like you cleared out an entire grocery store.”

Spike shrugged. “Seems like a normal amount to me.”

Fluttershy looked around and didn’t see much more food than she owned at her home. Just enough to last the month and then some. Fluttershy felt her tiny voice crack a little as she asked, “I-is it really that m-much?”

Trixie replied. “If Trixie had attempted to put this much food into her wagon she’d have nowhere to sleep. That is if Trixie still had a wagon.”

The last sentence held a bit of venom. Fluttershy had remembered the cute little wagon that Trixie had come to town in originally. If memory served her right she recalled hearing it was destroyed by the Ursa Minor. Honestly for as scary as that sounded Fluttershy wished she wouldn’t have remained hidden that day because the Ursa Minor sounded sooo cute. She lamented not having gotten a chance to pet the Ursa Minor.

Trixie paused to look up at one of the cupboards. A lavender aura grappled with a box of mac’n’cheese bringing it down. She set it on the table and stared at it. “Hmm… Trixie feels she is missing something but will figure that out later. She wants this.”

Spike rolled his eyes. “Okay, suit yourself. It’ll take like, ten minutes.”

While Spike got to work turning on the gas for the stove he used a small spit of flames to light it and then began the process of boiling water. Trixie meanwhile took a seat at the table and waited. Fluttershy seeing this as a good opportunity took a seat across from her. For a moment she stared into Trixie’s eyes watching them change from interest, to confusion, to concern.

“What do you want with Trixie, yellow pony?”

Fluttershy offered a small smile. “M-my name is Fluttershy.”

Trixie stared at her. “Trixie feels she should know you…”

Fluttershy shook her head. “You p-probably don’t. B-but um…” she needed to figure out what was up with Trixie and why she seemed to look so amazing for lack of a better term.

Trixie stared at her; the look was turning from concern to one with narrowed eyes and sharp eyebrows. “What do you want?”

Fluttershy swallowed. “I-I just want to g-get to know you. Um, if that’s okay.”

Trixie offered a smile but it didn’t quite touch her eyes. “Oh, a fan, Trixie appreciates her fans, if you so choose to spend your time worshiping Trixie she will accept.”

Fluttershy felt her wings twitching. What was wrong with her? “W-well… I-I did like your show. I-I went to everyone you had h-here b-b-before-“

Trixie stood up from her chair with such speed Fluttershy felt her heart stop for a moment. “That is where Trixie knows you from! You were one of the ponies that actually enjoyed Trixie’s show… er that is to say, one of the few Ponyville ponies to have such great tastes as to recognize her natural born talent.”

Fluttershy was lost for words. Trixie was leaning halfway over the table and was a lot closer to her than she expected. Wings were starting to move on their own and heart racing, Fluttershy couldn’t tell what was going on inside her but she wanted to stay around Trixie, to look at her more to figure out why she looked so colorful and warm.

Rainbow Dash appeared at the doorway leading to the kitchen. “Hey, Fluttershy, what’s up?”

Fluttershy shook her head. “N-nothing.”

Rainbow Dash stared at Trixie for a long moment. “Yeah… right. Anyway, your missing the conversation. Let’s go hang with the others.”

It was a bit weird for Rainbow Dash to be checking on her like this, the mare usually was pretty good at giving Fluttershy some space when she needed it. Still, Fluttershy wasn’t exactly about to say no to Rainbow Dash either. For as bright as Trixie was right then, Rainbow Dash was always so colorful and she’d follow that rainbow trail anywhere. Even to places that Rainbow Dash might feel a bit embarrassed by.

Fluttershy gave one final smile at Trixie. “T-talk to you later.”

She left to go meet with the rest of the group. Oddly enough Rainbow Dash didn’t take her eyes off Trixie for one second. Was she really that concerned?

Trixie finally emerged from the kitchen with a huge bowl full of mac’n’cheese and a jar of peanut butter both being lifted in her telekinetic aura. The looks everypony gave her were making her feel like she was a circus. She took a seat by Twilight and dug a spoon into the jar of peanut butter taking a massive bite before swallowing and saying, “The great and fed Trixie will now socialize.”

Twilight rolled her eyes and whispered. “The weird food started already.”

Pinkie Pie was staring at Trixie with a wide eyed grin. Somehow her smile stretched from ear to ear and was almost terrifyingly huge. “Looks tasty. I’ve never tried that combination before, but I have tried hot dogs, eggs, ketchup, and well you name it in man’n’cheese before.”

Trixie stared at her. “Trixie is not sure what this ‘hot dog’ is, but it sounds… surprisingly tasty. Trixie thinks her taste buds might be broken.”

Applejack nodded. “Ah don’t think that’s the only thing broken bout you.”

Trixie glared at her. “And what is that supposed to mean, hayseed?”

Applejack shot the glare right back.

Twilight rose up. “Um, um, um girls. Please.”

Applejack seemed to realize she bit off more than she could chew and looked away. “Sorry.”

Twilight looked at Trixie and offered a patient smile. Trixie simply stared at her for what felt like the longest moment. Was she expecting something from Trixie? What could she be expecting? Trixie was completely clueless but maybe she was hoping she’d offer some mercy to the earth pony. “Trixie forgives the orange one.”

Twilight’s smile faltered for a half second. That must have been the wrong answer. Judging by the looks from everypony else she realized this must have been some kind of test. Trixie did not feel up for any such things but in order to keep her safe place to live she needed to pass it. Unfortunately she had no idea what she was supposed to do or say. She glanced over looking at each of them feeling their eyes on hers. The only one who seemed helpful was Fluttershy who was mouthing something. Trixie attempted to read those lips, part of her skills as a magician included being acceptable at that.

“Trixie is, is… apple… Apollo… geeze. Geese. Trixie is-“ Trixie finally got it. “Trixie wants to apologize… wait, she does?” ponies were now looking from her to Fluttershy, the extra attention seemed to have made the mare turn bright pink in her cheeks and lower her head so they couldn’t see her eyes.

Trixie looked at Twilight. “Is that what Trixie is supposed to do? But why?”

Twilight let out a sigh. “Because you were rude to her.”

“But she started it by saying Trixie was broken.”

“Yes and she apologized. So you should only say sorry back.”

Trixie blinked dumbfounded. “This makes zero sense. Is this like some kind of greeting, like when one pony says hello, you must say hello back?”

Twilight looked around. “See, she needs friendship lessons. This is why she’s staying with me.”

Rainbow Dash cut in making a mock motion of punching her hoof into her other hoof. “More like she needs to be taught a lesson alright.”

The hint was easily picked up by Trixie and she felt a cold shiver run down her spine. No, that rainbow colored mare was not going to get the chance, not when Trixie was in such a fragile state. She felt herself inching toward Twilight. Lucky for her Twilight actually seemed to catch on as well and was placing herself just in front of Trixie even if only a few inches.

Twilight spoke in a tone that brokered no arguments. “Rainbow Dash! Leave.”

Rainbow Dash blinked. “What?”

Twilight met her eyes and Trixie had never seen such steel in them. At least not when it wasn’t aimed at her. Twilight added. “You are grounded from the library until you apologize.”

Rainbow Dash stood up straight. “I just said what everypony was thinking!”

Twilight glared at her. “Even I’m not stupid enough to not catch the threat you just made. Against my pupil and guest. Please leave.”

Rainbow Dash growled. “You know what, FINE! I don’t want to be friends with a monster of a pony anyway. Fluttershy, come on.”

Fluttershy looked up. “Um, um, b-but, I-“

Rainbow Dash was already halfway to the door. “Fluttershy.”

Fluttershy lowered her head and stood up. “I’m sorry, Trixie.”

The pair of them left and Trixie realized that even if Twilight had done the right thing, and kept her safe as she had promised, it only caused further problems. Rainbow Dash looked like she could have destroyed the entire library, now that she was angry and her anger aimed at Trixie how could she feel safe anywhere? Trixie looked up as the door closed gently behind Fluttershy. Twilight’s face was a steel mask not betraying any emotion. At least until the mask cracked and a look of hurt covered it. Trixie lowered her head. She was getting on Twilight’s bad side too.

Trixie pawed at the wooden floor. “Is… is this why Trixie is supposed to say sorry?”

Twilight patted Trixie’s back gently with a hoof. “It’s okay, Rainbow Dash went too far. She’ll realize her mistake in a few hours and probably apologize by the end of the day. This time you didn’t do anything wrong.”

Trixie felt so confused. How was she supposed to understand these rules? When she defended herself against Applejack’s insult she was in the wrong but when Twilight kicks Rainbow Dash out for threats of violence it was okay? This was not as easy to grasp as Trixie first thought. Lucky for her if she really wanted to understand more she was already in a library and could read up on it later.

Unfortunately this had the negative effect of causing the whole meeting to feel sour. Trixie managed to barely learn everyone’s name before the conversations got too awkward and she excused herself to go upstairs and rest a bit. Nopony really argued with her or even asked why, maybe they assumed that even the greatest of unicorns sometimes needed a stress break. Worse than anything else, why was there this pinching feeling in her chest that made her want to cry, not that she would, but she wanted too.