Unfinished Business: Chapter 4

Twilight Sparkle looked at the mare lying next to her and needed every bit of her willpower to keep from bursting out in laughter. The Great and Powerful Trixie looked back at her with what was probably the most dumbfounded expression that she had ever seen. The only time she could recall a pony’s jaw dropping closer to the floor was when Rarity had convinced her to go clubbing several months before. She still didn’t really understand what the point is to go out and dance to loud music, but those stallions sure had looked surprised when Rarity passed by them.

After collecting herself somewhat, Trixie began to speak softly: “Trixie had heard rumors… but she didn’t believe that they could be true. It really was your friendship that defeated Nightmare Moon.”

Twilight’s eyes glinted softly as she reminisced. “Trixie, if there’s one thing I’ve become absolutely sure of, it’s that friendship is the most powerful magic in the world. Every day that I’ve spent here in Ponyville has only reinforced that.”

At this, Trixie’s shoulders slumped. “Twilight,” she hesitated. “What is it like having friends as good as yours?”

The purple unicorn cocked her head and gave a quizzical look. What is she getting at? “Well,” she began, and the rest seemed to come naturally as she gushed about her friends. “They’re the best friends that anypony could ask for! Applejack is the most dependable pony you’ll ever meet, and Rainbow Dash would never leave anypony hanging. Fluttershy is the kindest, most caring creature in all of Equestria and Rarity is probably the most generous. Don’t even get me started about Pinkie Pie—” Twilight looked towards Trixie and immediately cut herself off.

What Twilight saw confused her. Trixie sat before her with her eyes closed and a pained expression on her face. “Trixie, are you okay?” Twilight asked.

The blue unicorn slowly opened her eyes and recoiled a bit at the proximity of her concerned host. She shifted her gaze downward and fiddled her hoof on the floor. “Trixie has never... had any friends before.” Tears slowly welled up in the corners of her eyes and made their way down the sides of her face. Her voice quivered slightly as she continued. “Of course, that can be the price of being a performer... but hearing about how wonderful your friends are has made Trixie long for friends of her own.”

Twilight gazed upon her in confusion for several seconds. Eventually what Trixie was saying sunk in and the confusion gave way to concern. How can I help her?

Twilight patted her back with a tender hoof, and turning towards her, said “Trixie, I understand how you feel. Before I came to Ponyville, my only real friends were Spike and my books. What I’ve learned is that there are plenty of amazing ponies out there to be friends with.” She smiled softly as she continued. “You just have to give them a chance.” Twilight hesitated and pulled her hoof back slightly, did I overdo it? I know she’s sad, but Trixie is just so... independant. Does she even want my help?

All of her doubts vanished as Trixie turned to face her. The magician’s eyes still shined from the tears, but a gleam of hopefulness showed Twilight that her kindness had not been misplaced. “Twilight?” Trixie asked. “Is this...? What there is between us... is this friendship?”

A warm smile crossed the purple mare’s face as warmth spread throughout her chest. She didn’t know what could have possibly caused this change in Trixie. But whatever the cause, it simply felt comfortable talking to her. “Yes, this is friendship, I’m sure of it.”

“You aren’t just saying that to make me feel better, are you?” Trixie’s voice was tinged with doubt. “After all, I was terrible to you and your friends when I was last here. I would understand if you had trouble forgiving me.”

“Trixie, everypony deserves a second chance... and of course I want to be friends with you. You’re fun to be around.” She blushed a bit at the last statement.

This reaction was either not noticed or simply ignored by the blue magician, who continued “I enjoy your company as well, Twilight; and I appreciate the hospitality. I admit that I would likely not be so welcoming if I were in your position. At least, after... last time.”

Twilight wasn’t sure what to think. She hadn’t wanted to broach that touchy subject herself; it appeared that Trixie wasn’t really comfortable discussing it either despite the fact that she had brought it up. Twilight opened her mouth to respond, but was cut off by Trixie’s unsteady voice.

“Twilight, I never got the chance to properly thank you. When you saved me from that Ursa, it made me realize that actions speak louder than words. I may have run off without saying anything, but I was merely upset that you had made me look so foalish. I have had a lot of time to think about it since then, though. When I finally cooled down a bit I started to understand that there is a difference between being confident and just plain cocky; and I certainly used to push that boundary, to say the least.” She brushed a few strands of her silver mane out of her face and blushed slightly.

Twilight furrowed her brow, hardly believing what she heard. Never in a million years would she have expected Trixie to have been so affected by the Ursa incident. It was embarrassing, of course, but had nopony ever called any of her bluffs before? Regardless, she was definitely here in the flesh– Twilight had done some reality checks that she had learned from a book on lucid dreaming just to be sure– and despite it going against everything that Twilight thought she knew in the world, the brash mare was actually confiding in her. Was this all just because of their new-found friendship? Twilight felt another idea nagging in the back of her mind, yet she couldn’t quite pin it down.

The look of shock on her face must have registered with her guest, as Trixie broke the awkward silence without missing a beat, “Anyway... thank you, Twilight. You taught me a lesson that I can never forget.”

“Trixie, I never wanted to make you look bad in front of everypony. I couldn’t just stand by while an Ursa Minor destroyed the town though. You shouldn’t be thanking me for this though; I just didn’t want my friends to think I’m a braggart.”

Trixie gave her a deadpan look. “Twilight,” she spoke matter-of-factly “you are simply too gracious; but you are much more naïve than Trixie took you for. The most powerful unicorn in all of Equestria is thanking you.” She struck a pose for emphasis. “And yet you still deflect the compliments? Trixie demands that you accept her gratitude.”

The librarian raised an eyebrow at her. “So you’re going to make me? I suppose you’re welcome, Trixie. But really, I was just doing what anypony would do in that situation. I don’t need any thanks.”

“Such modesty. I suppose I will have to teach you to be less of a pushover. But that can wait, I suppose, it is getting late, perhaps I should depart soon.”

The two unicorns had indeed been working much longer than they had thought. Lunch had been entirely unnecessary with the amount of food they had both consumed at breakfast, and they had barely even noticed the passage of time. The sun was just beginning to set, the bright rays of warm summer light fading to a calm orange that peeked through the windows, creating a shadowing effect only partially dispelled by the interior lighting.

“Trixie, you don’t have to leave now. I would be happy to have you stay for dinner,” proposed Twilight cheerily, holding a smile that was perhaps a bit too inviting. She stood still for a moment, nervously glancing at the unicorn in front of her. It had been a long time since she had had a heart to heart with anypony, and frankly, it was nice. Aside from that, she was actually getting to know Trixie. Hopefully that would eventually give her a better picture of why Trixie had come back.

At this thought, both mares became acutely aware of the scent wafting in from the kitchen: hayfries and carrot soup. They had skipped lunch, after all, Trixie might have exploded if she had eaten anything more earlier in the day, and the hunger had crept back up on them while they had busied themselves in conversation. Spike had stolen away from the main room of the library several hours earlier– listening to a story he was already familiar with sounded like a great way to waste an afternoon– and had eventually made his way to the kitchen to cook dinner.

Trixie’s face lit up at the suggestion. “Twilight, I would love to stay and indulge in more of your assistant...”

“Spike,” Twilight corrected.

“Yes, my stomach has finally cleared itself of those delicious pancakes. I would love to try another meal prepared by Spike, ” continued Trixie. “Of course, if it isn’t an imposition.”

“I thought we decided that we were friends!” joked Twilight. “You don’t have to worry about imposing on me. Come on, I bet that Spike is nearly done cooking.” She trotted towards the kitchen happily, her pink and purple tail bobbing with each step as Trixie followed close behind.

“Twilight, you are a very fortunate pony to have such an excellent chef for an assistant,” stated Trixie as she lifted the last few drops of soup to her mouth. “Spike, Trixie must admit that you have a talent.”

“Well, well, well!” announced Spike as he munched on a hayfry. “You hear that, Twilight?”

“Spike! I like your cooking. I just think you could be a little bit nicer about it when I try to cook,” retorted Twilight.

The three were gathered around the table in the kitchen of the library finishing their food. Spike sat atop a chair while the two mares stood. All were comfortably full; Trixie had been able to restrain her eating this time. Outside, night had fallen over the warm summer landscape: a serene atmosphere populated by the twinkling stars and fireflies.

Trixie found herself staring out a darkened window as her hosts continued their banter. Without shifting her gaze, she stated “Trixie should be going now, it is getting quite late. I think I would do well to spend some time mulling over your Nightmare Moon story.”

Twilight looked up from her argument with her foster-brother. “Oh, you have to leave now? You have a place to stay, right? If you don’t, you would be welcome to stay here. But, umm, only if you need to.” A liminal blush crossed her face.

“No, that won’t be necessary, Trixie will be... fine. Thank you for your hospitality, Twilight. Perhaps you can help me plan out the show sometime soon,” answered Trixie, starting in the direction of the door.

“Any time, Trixie. This was a lot more fun than I expected. I’d love to keep helping you out.” Twilight hurried up to Trixie, not wanting to make her guest walk alone.

The pair reached the door and Twilight held it open with her magic. The glow of her horn produced a soft purple light which flickered throughout the shadowy room.

As Trixie stepped out the threshold, Twilight reminded her “Don’t forget to come back any time. I’ll be glad to have you stop by.”

“I’ll be back, Twilight.” She clapped a hoof to Twilight’s shoulder. “And I’m glad to have you as a friend.” She turned to leave but was stopped on her third step by Twilight’s unsteady voice behind her.

“Trixie... I’m glad that you came back.”

Trixie looked back over her shoulder and raised an eyebrow. “Yes, Trixie is starting to think it wasn’t such a bad idea as well.”

As Trixie turned to continue on her way, Twilight quickly shut the door behind her, a blush quickly spreading on her face. Why did I have to say that? Where did that thought even come from? She’s going to think that I’m so weird now! All I can ever seem to do around that pony is act stupid and awkward. Maybe I need to read up on some social skills...

I still feel like I don’t know anything about her, and I just spent an entire day with her! Why can’t anything make sense? Ugh! Everything is even more confusing than it was this morning. It seems like she’s just not telling me everything. Why didn’t she say anything about where she’s staying?

She nearly fell over herself rushing towards the stairs. Maybe I can find out where she’s going... She stopped herself at the window next to her bed and gazed out. As her eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness, she picked out the speck of light that she was looking for. The soft beacon was far in the distance, but easily visible from Twilight’s elevated vantage point. As the glimmer emanating from Trixie’s horn slowly moved through the darkness, Twilight became conscious of her destination. The glow lingered for a brief moment, and extinguished itself right at the edge of...

The Everfree Forest?

Author's Note: Whew. That took forever to get this one to you guys! I apologize for that, but this is an important chapter and I wanted to make sure that I got it right. Speaking of getting it right, my editors/prereaders Dr. Jekyll and Railrugs helped me a ton on this chapter. Some of the stuff I had was a total mess before I got to revising it.

Chapter 5 is probably going to take a while. I'm going to rewrite most of chapter 1 and some of chapter 2 in an effort to get this up to snuff so I can submit this baby to Equestria Daily. Haha it would be pretty amazing to make it up there, so wish me luck I guess :P. The good news is that I plan on chapter 5 being from Trixie's perspective, so you'll get to see a different side of things for sure. Hopefully I can burn through these rewrites at a decent pace and get chapter 5 out in a reasonable amount of time. I can keep you guys updated via my blog, so just check my userpage if you're wondering anything. Once again, thanks for reading, and I hope you're enjoying the story.

-Fission

Rates and comments are always appreciated!