Trixie was looking out at the night sky from the upper floors of the Golden Oaks Library, where she shared with Twilight and her other adopted family members. She was thinking back to her own redemption, and thinking on what she learned about Starlight, Sunset, and Silverlay. She began to think, "How? How can one pony be so affectionate? So... unyieldingly caring?" Not only was Trixie surrounded folks who accepted her "just because," but she now felt like Twilight was an adoptive sister to her. The sister she didn't know she wanted until she was there.



Between Twilight's seemingly-endless compassion and the new bonds she forged with Silverlay, Sunset Shimmer, and Starlight Glimmer--as well as getting in the good books of Spike, Bugzzy, and Nyx, Twi's adopted sons and daughter--Trixie felt like she was part of something that had been missing for years. The word "family" stuck out more than any other.



But somehow... Trixie felt like it was too good to be true.



"Trixie...?" a voice behind her called. Trixie turned and saw her best friend, her savior... Princess Twilight Sparkle.



"Oh... Hi, Twilight..." Trixie muttered sadly.



Twilight only took a fraction of a second to realize Trixie was struggling with something. She wasted no time in trotting over to her. Trixie didn't want to talk about it, but she new her brainy comrade wouldn't leave until she did.



"Trixie, I know that look as well as I remember every cold Spike had. What's wrong?" Twilight asked, her voice full of concern.



Trixie's first inclination was to say "no." But then again, she knew she couldn't keep letting this eat away at her. So, she turned to face Twilight. She looked at her up and down, smiled... then, inexplicably, she shut her eyes.



Twilight looked puzzled. "Trixie, what... What are you doing?"



Trixie's voice was just a tad lower than indoor levels. "Twilight... Do you know how often I dream?"



Twilight said, "Ummm… A lot?"



"Yep. And not all of them good," Trixie spoke solemnly. "That makes Trixie's good dreams all the more precious. That's why I don't want... THIS... to only end up being just another dream."



Twilight became worried by her friend's tone. "Whatever could you mean, Trixie?"



"Remember when you saved me from the Alicorn Amulet, Twilight?" Trixie responded. "Up until then, I never had any real friends. And my family and I have been out of touch for what feels like ages. I was on my own for a long, long time, and I never really felt much for what little applause I got. Whatever dreams I have are what keeps me going. Sadly, many of my good dreams turned out to only be that. Dreams..."



As Trixie went on, Twilight was becoming heartbroken over the things her friend was saying. "How do I know I'm not having a dream right now? What if I open my eyes... only to find myself in my trailer back on the road? Waiting out a thunderstorm? Once again winding up alone...?"



Undaunted, Twilight steps forwards and wraps her hooves around Trixie. "Listen, Trixie... I want you to open your eyes. I promise you that this is NOT a dream. I'm as real now as I was back then. We love you... now and forever."



"I-I can't..." Trixie said with a sputter. "I'm scared... I don't want my new friendships to have been just wishful thinking...!"



"Trixie. I need you to trust me, okay? Just open your eyes. I promise I'll still be here," Twilight said sternly.



Hesitantly, Trixie opened her shut eyes...



...And true to her word, Twilight was still standing right there. But she wasn't alone. Trixie noticed that they were also joined by Sunset, Silverlay, and Starlight. Then, she felt three smaller bodies clinging to her. She looked down and saw Spike, Nyx, and Bugzzy hugging her by the belly.



"Trixie, there's something you should know," Silverlay suddenly interjected. "I know I'm not always the friendliest pony around. But there is one thing I have in common with my sister here. I can't STAND seeing one of my friends hurting. Few things hurt more than feeling like you're all alone in this world, believe me."



"Another thing," Sunset continued, "is that your good dreams don't have to stay dreams. You dreamt about having a circle of friends? Well, because you redeemed yourself from the whole Amulet-thing, you have it now."



"So don't think badly about your good dreams, and don't worry about your bad dreams will always come true," Starlight said whilst putting a hoof on Trixie's shoulder. "When you feel alone, just think about how much we all care about you, then you'll find we're always there, even if you can't see us."



Trixie wrapped her hooves around as many of her friends as she could. Sniffling, she quietly asked, "You... You all love making Trixie cry, don't you?" Then, she performed a Soul-Touch with Twilight, like they did the night she was forgiven for her actions.



Compelled by the gesture, the other six inhabitants did the exact same thing with her. Through the unspoken promise, Trixie remembered, "My friends will never leave me. They just can't get enough of the Great and Powerful magician they welcomed with open hooves... hahaha..."