You are Anon
And life, from what you can tell, is good.
You've got work, work equals to money, and money equals to doing stuff.
That is, if doing stuff you mean hanging out with friends, going for dinner and just general buying of things.
Then yes, money equals good things.
Ever since you returned from Equestria, things have gotten better for you.
A new perspective on life.
A new leaf was turned and you're ready to put yourself into a better step of living.
You work night shifts again, not too pleasant, but the work you did in Equestria had been helpful, you always felt...energized... when you did your shifts.
It was good, people liked and respected you, and of course, your coworkers and supervisors were happy with you.
Life was good.
But then, you can't ever forget about Equestria.
You found out that when you returned, the few weeks you were gone had been only a few hours back home. Having woke from the celebrations to seeing your clock say 8am when you had fallen asleep around midnight.
It was..comforting...but at the same time disheartening.
You did enjoy being there, it was fun, exciting.
And of course, seeing what other people would consider being a nut-job, you never told a soul, not even your best friend.
It was tight, but ever since you got back into the swing of things you kept the Equestria escapade to yourself
No one needs to know you went about with ponies.
No one needs to know it was a fictional world that you've seen on TV.
No one...that is... no one but the Ponies
need to know you really don't feel like going back.
But...this is YOUR story, and as an Anon In Equestria.
It would only be a matter of time before you're pulled back in.
Not that it was a bad thing, you took a lot out of the experience the first time you went there, and returned home soon after with a whole new outlook on life, as well as a few extra things.
Like Raritys wardrobe.
The ensemble she made you was utterly eye catching.
You couldn't remember the last time so many girls decided to speak to you.
That and other who found...interest....in the design.
Oddly enough it got a bit discomforting, so you decided to find a better solution.
You made wardrobes slightly better with what you got. For instance, right now, you were wearing a nice jacket atop a lose t-shirt, black pants and shoes; the vest and gauntlet you got from your trip don't often leave your side.
You wear the vest every day, oddly enough you find that it never needs to be clean;
whatever material Rarity used didn't need to be washed,
and sweat seemed to just wick right off it.
It didn't even hold an odor either.
It was fortunate, real fortunate, how the heck were you even suppose to clean something with diamonds inside it.
The gauntlet on the other hand was...different.
You often kept it away in a drawer, never wanting to test it in the real world.
For all you know, some military organization might get wind of it, and that's a one way trip to military testing.
Ahah...no thank you.
You ain't no military toy....you're you.
But whenever you went out by yourself, you....liked to wear it.
It didn't function the one time you tired, more or less it acted simply as a fancy 'carrying case' for your phone, and no matter how many times people asked, all you say "it was a gift."
But that's beside the point.
You're driving off to your friends place, a nice quiet 'you time' with your bro's during such a wonderful spring evening.
Its been a good, hard week of work, and now with your weekend upon you, it was off the lair to chill with your compadre'se and joke about things all nerd-like and stuff.
You had to thank your time in Equestria, things had opened your eyes to the value of friendship and you put your best foot forward in meeting and spending time with those friends you still had. Of course, there was also the premise of your similar interests as you eye your backpack on the passenger seat.
You'd be bringing a slew of goodies, as well as some of your tech to work on some crap you have sitting around.
Laptop, phone charger, the basics yah know? Certainly its fitting to always be prepared, considering you did game with most of these guys in the various online multi-player scapes you would enjoy.
Humming as you listen to your phones musical beats on the aux, you slowly make a turn down another side-street, pulling into a deep hill as you ease downward, slowly coming to the base as you suddenly notice something...strange.
Fog...or...perhaps something else as you slowly pull to a stop at a stop-sign.
The weather never said for fog, clearly someone was derping around, and without any Pegasus to blame, you just had to figure either the worlds going to hell, or someone really hot-boxed their place.
That or a fire...fires were kinda cool to watch.
You shake your head, suffice to say, you had to drive through it to get to your destination, so off you went into the fog, unaware that something would befall your trip as the road went from smooth, to suddenly very bumpy.
THUNK!
Your car suddenly hits off the road, landing hard on a lower, beveled ground as you suddenly hear the rough noise of gravel or dirt beneath your tires.
Your car shakes, unsuspecting the sudden change as you grip the wheel tightly, eventually finding it sliding...downwards.
OH SHIT!
Your going downhill again as you ease your foot onto the break, finding that your wheels simply slid down whatever hill you were going, faster and faster as you close your eyes.
WHUMP!
Your car comes to a stop...slowly you open your eyes to find your headlights blaring through the slowly fading fog to expose a tree-line before you.
It soon clears, showing just the forest, or wood, or whatever that was in front of you as you blink, putting the car into park and slowly stepping outside.
You look at the wilderness that now seemed to surround you, the only way out was up that gravel hill, but if you couldn't even break going down it, trying to go up it with such terrible grip would be a nightmare.
You are driving an SUV for Pete sakes, and even THAT had trouble as you scratch your head.
'I don't recall any construction signs...' you mutter to yourself as you turn to your car, suddenly seeing its lights and engine just stop...and go dead.
You blink, seeing the once live car now sitting there, its lights off, engine stopped as you look curiously at it.
You had just filled the thing, why would it suddenly die as you slip back inside and turn the key.
The engine revs, but nothing happens.
Press the gas a few times.
Still nothing.
Shit man, whats going on here?
You sigh, looking around as you can see the darkness of the night still around you as you sigh.
'Guess its always a first for car sleeping.' you mutter as you curl up in the driver seat and try to get some sleep.
Morning comes sooner than you'd like, then again, you didn't sleep too well as the sun's rays cascades through the tall canopy of the forest around you. The few beams already streaking through the trees and into your car as it stirs you from your slumber. You groan, trying your best to un-crick your poor body as you've been sleeping sitting in a chair. Opening the door, slipping out and stretching from your compact interior as you let out a yawn and rub your head.
'Well...guess I better hoof it from here...' you mutter, giving a sign as you take your keys, your backpack, and close the car door with a slam, pressing the lock-button but getting no response from the now dead machine.
'Piece of shit...' you mutter, shaking your head as you grab your windbreaker on the passenger sear and slung your bag over your shoulder.
Out of the corner of your eye, you notice a path to your far right, leading through the wilderness, without much choice, you decide to take it, stepping from the clearing your car had unfortunately sunk into before making your way through the wood.
You eventually come to a clearing in the brush, finding the tree's leaves to have changed from a deep green to a various hue of fall colours, reds, golds, browns in hues you haven't seen in ages around your neck of the woods.
And why would you, it was almost spring back home, now you were going into fall?
Did you just miss the best season of the year or was someone playing tricks on you?
Regardless, you look closely at the trees, seeing how they are...all
Very...similar.
A shot passed your mind as you realized there was only ONE place in the whole universe where trees were the exact same, and their colours with this bright... You were back in Equestria.....
and boy were you not prepared for this,
'OH COME ON!' You shout to the sky 'Why the HECK would you do this to me now?!'
You get no answer, of course, there wasn't anyone...or any pony who COULD answer it...save for Celestia or Luna if they were in some way responsible for pulling you from the comfort of your pre-weekend evening and into Equestria.
They better have a DAMN good reason if they are responsible...or heads will roll.
With a huff, you plant your back against a tree and slinking to the base of it, head down as you sigh.
You didn't mind...deep down anyway...being back here. Equestria was fun, a nice cozy place where you could do crazy things and be super awesome without people...or ponies...judging you wrongly. You felt good here, wanted even at some regard, especially since Celestia and Luna had a thing for you. Regardless, it was a bit of a shame you missed out with your bros, but how often did you get pulled into Cartoon Magical Land with ponies?
You give a few chuckles as your ears suddenly pick up the clopping of hooves and turn down the road to notice a caravan cresting the hill to your left.
The carts were large and wooden, easily something from an old fairy tale as they were lined with streamers, but not party streamers, this was more of a carnal type; traveling gypsies even as you watch the lead cart being pulled by two rugged looking stallions as they notice you, somewhat wide eye before coming to a stop and waving a bit.
"Well...howyd there!" one calls, slowly easing himself from the reigns.
"Aint see nuttin liek you before partner, what brings ya;ll down here?"
'Uhh...' you begin.
"Ah...you be lost er sumthing?"
'Lets go with that...yeah.'
"Ah...mighty fine then mista, where yah be headin?"
'Well...I guess Ponyville if thats not too far.'
"Ponyville?" Chirped another voice from behind as the sudden rustle of reigns being removed and the trotting of a third pony approaching your gathering.
She too was a unicorn, a brilliant light blue coat with a white mane to boot. Her cutie mark, a magic wand with
a very big star on the tip, waving upwards with a trail of magic behind it as she smiled softly.
"Ah, Trixie was just planning on going there too!" she said before passing and looking at the Stallions as they shot her a glance. "Trixie...er...wouldn't mind the traveling companionship."
'Really?' you say...she almost sounded a bit...too interested in the prospect of going with someone she never met as you look at the stallions. He has a quizzical look on his face.
'And you are?'
She smiled, standing up straight and proper "I am the great and powerful-" she paused "err...you can just call
me Trixie, I'm a magician."
'A magician?'
"Y-yes...Trixie guess's you can say my talent is magic."
You smirk, knowing another pony with oddly the same talent.
'Well, thats fine and dandy, good to know someopony also needs to go to Ponyville...I take you rest aren't?'
"nah say we can, we're just passing through ta make our way ta Hoofington, Miss Trixie came along some time before we found you, ah bet she's probably just as lost as you are."
Trixie looked away, her expression a bit...ashamed?
Of course you noticed something about her when the Stallion looked at her.
No one seemed to smile as they looked at her, perhaps... was it something about that line she paused at, Great
and Powerful was it going to be?
Well, can't complain showvanistic magicians, even back home they acted like they were 'all powerful', can't blame a mare for being like that.
'Alright, I don't mind tagging along with you guys, i don't suppose you can spare some sleeping space.'
"You can use my cart, Trixie....wouldn't mind the company and she has ample space."
Trixie asked as you look at her, then at the stallion, he shrugs, not sure what to say.
'Alright then, I guess...thank you.'
She smiled and bowed, totting off back to her cart.
"Ah'd be careful with her..." spoke the stallion "shes an...unusual 'un."
You look at him seriously 'unusual? Why?'
"She's a boasting type..." he replied, rather cut and dry "She went on bout being all great and powerful, but she was mur den just a handful ta deal with...spoiled a tad if you ask me."
'Hrmmm...well...she IS a magician, they live on the showbiz and stuff.'
The stallion nodded "Ah can understand at, but ah ain't one ta much like those type, we're a traveling show group, each time we try ta show, she tends ta be all..boastful and ruin it."
"Three so far..." spoke the other stallion "that's how many shows we nearly lost ta her."
You blink for a second, the word being an unsual term to hear as you turn towards the Stallion.
'Lost?' you ask as the stallion nodded.
"She likes attentuin, she takes center stage and goes on about all her magic. Ponies love her, but...well...when yah keep getting side-showed...it bugs yer group, we dun want her, but we aint the kind ta just exclude her."
You nod 'I understand...trust me I've seen it before....maybe if I talk with her a bit...maybe help her out.'
"Ah be wary too, she's a stubborn one...but if yah can do it, den more power to yeh."
You nod, smirking as you look back at Trixies cart
'Fine, I'll go settle with her, just say when ur ready to go and I'll be set.'
"Well, we betta get movin soonish, if yah want to go to Ponyville, then its a good three days from here."
'Three days of travel?'
"Yessum, you're not too far, but still far enough."
'Thanks, anyway besides walking is good enough for me.'
The stallion chuckles "go rest yer haunches, we got it."
You step over to Trixie's cart, she's already settled into her reigns as she looks surprised to see you.
'Trixie right? Pleasure to meet you I-'
"Trixie knows who you are Anon..." Trixie began giving a rather delighted grin "A lot of ponies know you, you're name is quite...famous among Equestria."
'Oh...Really?'
"Word travels fast of the Human that aided Luna during the trial against her and helped Celestia vanquish the crystal dragon...such praise only beset by a creature such as yourself...and seeing as you're definitely not a pony, Trixie could only assume that you are what they call a human."
'Well, you're certainly on the ball for this one.'
"Ball? What ball? Do I look like a seal?"
'Uh No...its an figure of speech.'
"Oh...THOSE...it mentioned that often of you."
'What did?'
Trixie blinks "oh...that's right, you departed soon after..." she magics a newspaper from inside her cart over to you, you read it dating back sometime ago, not sure when considering you never bothered to keep dates.
It was on the front page, an article, and a picture of you with Celestia and Luna...
Whoever took this shot was quite a skilled photographer, so you can't be ashamed of it....just
"Surprised?"
'Very much so...' you reply as you read the article, speaking quiet positively of you and praising your bravery despite being an 'unusual creature of the night'.
"It would seem both princess's see very highly of you, Trixie is impressed, certainly not often you read something like that."
'Well...it wasn't easy considering how much insanity I had to endure.'
"Oh?"
You look at Trixie, there's this light in her eyes, she's quite interested, perhaps more so, but...at the back of your mind you're being very wary of her considering what the stallion said. It was his word over her's, but your gut was telling you just to take heed, no one wants to befriend a strange Unicorn right off the bat.
"A'ight all yeh lazy yubbers, lets get a'movon!"
And the carts began to move once more.
It was a good few hours hike as you sat atop Trixie's cart while she pulled. She didn't seem to mind carrying a 'celebrity' as she made you out to be, and would go on for hours asking you all sorts of questions; more or less how to deal with the fans.
'I never had to deal with fans.'
"Wha? But you were well known?"
'Perhaps...but...I left before the fame could reach me, heck, I doubt that many ponies would still believe I was around, but certainly returning to Ponyville would whip up a frenzy of congrats and welcome backs.'
Trixie looks away "Trixie..sees...that's quite impressive of you."
'I wouldn't say that....I'm not for the fame, but...I did what I had to do and the results were this, I'm more or less taken away by how much they spoke about me for that article.'
"Its...nice isn't it? Trixie always wanted to be well known, to be praised for her skills...but...guess even Trixie can't be granted such wonderful desires."
'Now why do you say that?'
She paused, looking away before exhaling "It...doesn't matter now." she said as you eye her.
She certainly was hiding something.
"Trixie...doesn't like to think about it."
'Why not?'
Trixie looks back "Trixie made a mess of things the...first time...she was in Ponyville."
You blink 'So, you were there before?'
She was about to speak when the carts suddenly came to a halt.
"A'ight everyone, take ur rest, daylights waning, we betta get some sleep befur we head out tummorow!" called a voice at the front. Trixie sighed, slowly unhinging herself from the reigns.
"Do...do you want to come in?" She asked "Trixie...would never ask a celebrity to stay outside."
'Ah....sure...but cut it with the celebrity stuff, don't treat me like I'm amazing or anything, I'm just a normal...human...per say...nothing special, heck...' you chuckle as you follow her 'I'm sure you're far more special than I am.'
Trixie paused mid trot inside her cart "R-really?" she said, hiding some blush
'Well...yeah, I mean, you know magic for one, I don't...that alone is pretty cool.'
"Well...t-thank you" she said as she stepped inside, you followed yourself in after her.
The cart inside was... a lot bigger than it looked outside, quiet cozy for one person. Trixie of course didn't seem to lavish herself as you'd think she might considering be a 'show hog'. She had a simple desk with a mirror, a closet, a bed, and a table and chair set.
Fitting for someone living on the move.
As you ease inside, she closes the door gently behind you.
"Can Trixie get you anything?"
'Hrmmm? Oh...maybe something to eat and drink?'
"Trixie has plenty of that...do you mind hayseed and bread with sweet milk?"
'Sounds delightful.'
"Wonderful! Then Allow the great and....ehehe....Allow Trixie to prepare it for you! Trixie always wanted to try this." she said before she trotted over to a small kitchenette in the corner and began to fix a pair of sandwiches and milk.
You eye her cart...there isn't much to say that furnishes the thing; its pretty drab if you wanted to be blunt honesty about it, but something about it was also very...homey.
You scan the walls, a few pictures pinned up as you look over the first.
It was of Trixie, of course, as a small fillie, with a magical hat and cape oversize for her little head and body, but she was more interested in performing her magic as she stood on her hind hooves and was casting a spell on an orange.
"Eheh....one of my first shows...I turned an apple into an orange...wasn't...easy, but I learned how and loved the amazement of showbiz from the start."
You nod, eying the next one.
'Whats this?' you ask, pointing to one of Trixie with a band of other ponies.
"Oh..." she said, turning to trot over to the desk and chairs as she magicked the plates and drinks to them "that was long time ago, when I was living in Phillideplhia, I met a troupe of performers. We all worked together to make a living and it was...wonderful."
'I take it something happened?'
She nodded "Two of them were caught stealing, the third was arrested for attempt arson...and me..."
she paused again "I was told by each I was a sham." she placed the plates and glasses on the table as she turned to you.
"How can you feel happy when your...friends...the ponies you trust, say you're a flop?"
'Uhhh not easily...certainly not good friends either.'
Trixie sighs "Trixie would guess not...but...Trixie admits she did steal the show quiet often...and....maybe she did shadow them behind her."
She rubbed the back of her head as you sigh.
'The Caravan master told me you were a bit like that.'
"He did what!?"
'Hey relax...he was warning me about it, but look, I'm going to be honest, I can see you're trying not to be the bragging type right?"
Trixie was a bit on edge from being told someone said something about her behind her back, but...she calmed for a moment.
"Y-you're serious...you're not pulling Trixie's leg?"
'No...look, I've been through a lot of crap during my life, I can understand the desire of being the star, but sometimes it can get to your head and mess with you. If they...those ponies were your friends, then that must have been exciting, at least, you know, you weren't caught doing something stupid, while they get taken away, you still performed, but...' you pause 'i can imagine taking the show away from those who want in isn't a good thing.'
"No...Trixie knows it isn't" Trixie said, sighing a bit as she sat at the table, obviously waiting for you as you turn and do so, sitting in the chair.
She didn't seem interested in speaking as she gulped her drink and began to eat her sandwich.
Perhaps something got her uneasy, but as soon as you go for your drink.
She takes it.
And drinks it.
'Excuse me?' You ask as she looks at you.
"Trixie was thirsty." she said rather spitefully as you roll your eyes.
'I see....well...whatever.' You reach down into your bag and pull out your water-bottle, popping the top and drinking back a swing before putting it down 'Not in the mood for milk anyway.'
Trixie looks at you deeply, eying the water-bottle as she suddenly magicked it away and tried to squirt its contents into her maw.
Nothing.
"W-what?"
You yank it bank
'Scues me for being blunt, but what the hay you doing taking someone elses drink?'
Trixie huffed "I'm still thirsty!"
'Then go get some more milk?'
"Trixie demands you do! This IS Trixie's cart!"
You blink
Wow...what a change of heart.
'Fine...geeze.'
Leaving the chair, you walk towards the kitchen, muttering something under your breath as you take both glasses from the table, ease over to the kitchenette and pull out the milk from the fridge.
The sparsely packed fridge.
Nothing inside it but a few packs of hayseed and bread... and milk, two jugs of it.
Poor thing was eating nothing at all, yet she doesn't look malnourished as you look at her...now...eating your sammich.
'HEY! I thought you made that for me?'
Trixie looks over "Trixie is hungry!"
'Yet you made one for yourself...wow...that's low.'
She huffed "Trixie does what she wants."
'Oh really, because this is your cart?'
She nods as she finishes, and then eyes your bag with glee.
'Don't....' you mutter '...you dare think about it.'
She dosen't listen as you notice her horn glow, and your bag suddenly become envloped in a light blue arua as its slowly lifted from your grasp and brought towards the mare.
Trixie studied your pack, having never seen such a item being, what being more use to saddle bags and probably less about zippers as she starts to turn your bag around, upsidwon, shaking it to get its contents out before she turns it upright and studies the zipper, seeing it...slide open a little before she began to pull it open fully.
She doesn't even have a chance to look in before you yank it away.
'The heck is wrong with you, prissy little....mare. Looking through other pe-ponies stuff?'
"You look about mine, shall Trixie not have the same regard?"
'Not with a closed backpack, your pictures are in the open.'
She huffs, magicking it, trying to pull it back "Trixie demands to inspect your bag to see if anything dangerous may be inside."
'Not on your life.'
Trixie scowls "We...shall see!" she barked as she yanks back again, actually gripping it with her fore-hooves as you hold it tight. Oddly enough, you barely feel her pulling it as you stand there, simply holding it.
She's struggling like crazy before you pulling back and she looses her grip, flopping to the floor before you.
"Ack, what are you doing?"
she demands as you turn.
'Leaving...I don't plan on being with some prissy showpony who hasn't a care for anyone but herself.'
You begin to open the door, she magics it shut, locking it.
"You cannot leave, Trixie requested you to come here, you shall stay till she says otherwise, and Trixie demand to see that bag!"
You turn back to her, a "I don't give a fuck" expression on your face, zipping it shut as you toss the bag down.
'A'ight, if you want to look into it, then you going to have to take it.'
Trixie looks at you, scrunching her nose a bit "Well then...Trixie..." she pause a bit, looking at you, then the bag.
"Trixie...shall leave it be, on condition you do not leave." she finished as she eased back, you huffed.
'Damn right.' you mutter 'I can accept that, but this bag aint going anywhere.'
Trixie looks at you, but, you start to see something...odd with her.
She starts to tear up.
And then cry.
And boy does sh-
"Why does it ALWAYS happen to Trixie!?" she bawled "Why does Trixie have such a hard time finding friends to be with without...stupid...arrogance showing its face!?" she slumped to the floor, hooves covering her head as you blink.
The heck was wrong with her.
Did she have like Bipolar or something, she's definitely off her rocker a little bit.
That or her attitude is waked.
'Hey...' you mutter, easing over to her and heaping her up into her arms.
She meeps, flailing a bit as you fwump onto the bed and rest her on your lap.
Sighing, you begin to run a hand through her mane as she squirms, somewhat suprised, perking her tail for a moment before turning to you, blush radiating across her face.
"W-what are you doing?"
'Calming you down, mare's shouldn't cry needlessly...'
"I....Trixie..." she paused again before exhaling, and gazing up at you, her expression soft, almost meek "Thank you...I'm...sorry...sorry for what I did. I don't know how to explain it but..."
'Let me guess, you speak about yourself in third person to avoid saying you for what you do?'
She blinked "not...exactly..."
'Then what?'
She sighed "When I was little...my parents always put me on a pedestal, always...making me seem so great and amazing, I guess....I guess it got to my head when I started to realize how...well...wrong I was acting."
'I can agree to that.'
"No I mean...before...before all this...I guess you can say it started when I was in Ponyville. I...hoped to show my stuff as an amazing pony but....those six..."
'Hold on...you mean Twilight and her friends.'
She paused "you know them?"
'Yes...they are my friends.'
Trixie blinks and looks away, blushing madly "i...I see...p-erhaps Trixie shall refrain from-"
'Go on, spill it...I guess your boasting got you into trouble with them?'
"Much....very much."
'I see....bad mare...'
She shakes her head quickly "Trixie...I didn't...mean it to be like that, I, just...wanted to put on a good show, but...they all thought I was boasting and bragging."
'You probably were.'
She scrunched her nose and looked at you, huffing a bit.
"Details..."
'Not really...'
She huffed "Is this MY Story to tell?"
You raise both hands apologetically.
"I...showed them all who was the best, but...when some little fillies took my yammering too far...I....I ended up looking like a fool."
'Servers you right.'
"You dare mock me?"
'Damn right I do, after what I saw, glad you were made a fool.'
She begins to fidget, trying to get out of your grip
"Call Trixie a ....fool you little-" she falls from your lap onto the floor, landing on her back, eying up at you as she flailed on the floor.
You face palm for a moment as a sigh passes your lips, seeing the mare squrim about in defeat on the floor as her hooves waggle in the air.
'Look, can you not try showing off or doing something stupid...I get what your saying and your attitude certainly shows it, but...that doesn't mean its not...workable.'
"Workable?" she asked lifting her head.
'We all have...qualms about what we are like, you boast, I'm rather silent...but...we can change that.'
"We can?"
You nod 'Peo-Ponies....can change just as easily as anyone else, even if your talent is magic, it shouldn't affect your ability to be a nice mare to others...and not brag.'
"Trixie...I...never through of that..."
'How did you meet your first friends then? I'm sure your attitude wasn't all bad if you could meet those ponies...aside from them being bad influences...'
"It was...more they found me, and like my parents..." she sighed "they made me feel wonderful, then again, none of them had their magic talents I had..."
'Ah....I see then...so they used you.'
"The great and powerful Trixie is used by NO ONE!" she barked "i...sorta...tipped off the authorities when they started doing bad things..."
'I see...well...I wouldn't say that's ALL bad...but damn...you really are something else.'
She smiled a bit "T-thank you Anon..."
You sigh, eying the clock hanging on the wall 'Say, lets get some rest, I'll even help you pull the cart tomorrow.'
"nonsense Anon, it would be rude of Trixie to ask their guest of something such as that!" she said with great delight as she eased back onto the bed, taking the whole thing as you sigh.
'Do you have a couch?'
Trixie nodded with her head on a pillow as her horn magicked a closet open and pulled out a rather...nice...couch from within.
'Thank you.'
Sleep time.
-1-
You're dreaming
Or at least you think you are.
Back outside, walking through the woods.
The Everfree woods.
The wilds of those trees and the moving clouds definitely said otherwise.
You move about with care, eying everything as you hear rustling around you.,
You whip about, trying to find the source.
More rustling
its coming closer.
You have no blade, you cannot defend.
As you see something...familiar...leap at you.
You fall back to avoid it, seeing the red and black scales of the drakess pass over you as you're suddenly tumbling back, down and down a limitless sky.
"Wake up!"
came a voice
"wake up!"
It was getting louder.
"WAKE UP!" it shouted as you suddenly slam into the ground.
Only, its not the ground.
You're on the floor of Trixie's cart, the mare standing above you, her expression quizzical.
"Trixie demands you wake up!" she stomped a hoof on the ground as you quickly get up.
'Alright alright geeze, no need to make a scene.'
"Scene? Are we in a movie?"
'No...just...never mind.'
"Trixie shall...but then, what would you prefer for breakfast?"
'If its the same as last night's dinner, I'll have that, only...' you walk past her 'let me prepare it.'
Trixie blinks, watching you walk over to the kitchenette and preparing a meal like its your own home.
You make two sammiches, bigger than yesterdays, and pour a tall glass of milk for Trixie and a modest size one for yourself.
You go to the table and set down the larger portions for Trixie who looks at you, and then your smaller portions as you set yourself across from her.
You're about to eat when she magicked the plates around.
'What the?'
"Trixie demands to have your share instead!"
'But...last night you got hungry that you ate both, I made the extra large for you!'
"Trixie does not WANT extra large, Trixie has an image to hold!"
'Considering what you eat....' you mutter as you take her sammich, not wasting any time actually...eating it.
It tasted alright, bland, but palpable for something to eat on, seriously bad to eat this all the time as you drink down the glass, finishing everything before Trixie had even begun to finish her milk.
"You...you eat so much!" she said
'S'why I made you the bigger portion, miss "big stomach", then again, you wanted mine so what was I left with but to eat the big un.' You pat your chest as you brup 'scuse me.'
Trixie just blinks as she finishes hers, of course, she did want the bigger portion, but...it was too late to argue as she finished her milk and sammich, eying you with a renewed...interest.
There was a sudden knock at the door.
"Oi, betta get urself sorted, we be departing soon!" came a shout from outside as you roll your shoulders and step out.
You can see the weather to be a tad nipper than yesterday as you inhale the brisk autumn air.
Easing your coat back on and hat, you step outside as you look around.
The carts were all a bustle of activity as ponies moved to and fro, packing things, securing tarps, everything you'd expect from a traveling group.
Without much wait, the troupe was on again, and you and Trixie began by pulling the cart....only...you were pulling it this time.
'I thought we were both going to do this?'
"Trixie requires compensation for staying in her cart and eating her food, so, you must repay her by taking the load."
'Yeah...figured...' you roll your eyes as you push the cart from the harness.
Its not bad, nor is it heavy, just....ugh...this isn't what you'd expect to do as you continue on with the group.
Never once does Trixie ask to take over, she just walks by your side, not even saying much either.
Its boring.
'Hey...' you ask as you pull the cart in towards the afternoon, the hills slowly subsiding as you can see Canterlot in the distance.
"What is it?" Trixie replied, almost annoyed.
'Just....let me get one thing straight...what did you do in Ponyville to get everyone angry with you?'
Trixie blinks a few times, but then looks away "Trixie...lied about defeating a powerful celestial creature known as an Ursa Major."
'Lied about defeating a monster?'
"Yes...well...Trixie did, but...it wasn't a real one...it was a baby, and Trixie had prepared everything so...."
'Pretty much you set the whole thing up the first time, but...when you went to Ponyville.'
She looked down, sighing "Trixie bragged about it, on and on, and considering the great and powerful Trixie was second to none, she thought it would be seen as an accomplished Mare."
'Boastful, but not accomplished.'
"You do not think I did such a thing?"
'You have no proof, no pictures...so what happened next?'
She looked down again "Two little fillies decided to find a...ursa major..only...they did and brought it back to Ponyville."
'I take it THAT was something you couldn't handle?'
She sighed "oh how atrocious it was, the Great and Powerful Trixie to be nearly squashed by such a beast...and then....having Twilight..." she grumbled a bit "stealing the show and saving the town...Trixie...never felt so..."
'Ashamed? Seconded? Beasted?'
"Allured..."
You pause mid-step as Trixie blushed vibrantly for a moment, quickly looking away.
"E-ever since then, Trixie wanted to go back and...face...Twilight, mare to mare, magic on magic....her powers were simply amazing and Trixie couldn't dare find myself SECOND to her..."
'So thats why you're going back?'
"Welll...yes...that and I...would like nothing more than to show I'm not some...upstart or snob..."
'You really want to improve how ponies see you?'
"Yes...oh Anon yes! Trixie is not a bad pony, but Trixie does not like to be ridiculed for....what she had done, she wants to be cared and admired, not joked..." she exhaled softly as you pat her head.
She blinks, blushing a bit as you stroke her mane.
'I wouldn't put it past you, it can be done, just got to really put your mind to it.'
She smiled as she suddenly shoved you aside, taking the reigns.
"Trixie thinks it is now her turn to pull the cart."
The two of you continue onward on the rather dull voyage towards your destination as you pass the time by talking about ways to impress ponies, without being a show off.
'You got to get the audience to want to know more, to make them crave more if you will. Showing off is fine and dandy, but...why not ask them to show how they can do better what You can do?'
Trixie nearly tumbled from the surprise "You mean....let others prove themselves...BETTER than Trixie?"
'Welll, just for the show...the audience matters just as much as the host.'
Trixie hurmmms a bit "how so?" she asked, eyes fixated on you.
'Well...if its a Pegasus, try making something fly in a maneuver they may have difficulty doing...for an Earth Pony, maybe a test of strength, and another unicorn...'
You pause for a moment 'All I could guess would be to just see if they can't do a trick you can do.'
Trixie blinks for a moment, both surprised and impressed as she nods
"That...sounds like a wonderful idea, Trixie would like to make it so!"
'Great!'
"Would Anon be willing to...help...Trixie in preparing such a show?"
Your turn to pause and nearly tumble "ahah....heh sure, I can't see a problem with that.'
Trixie smiles brightly as she pauses, the caravan had yet again stopped...time for rest.
Dinner was short, no changing of plates - equal portions of everything were made again,no fuss, no switch, in return, you showed Trixie your bags contents as her curiosity to see what you could do perked her.
At first you showed her your sketchbook, she liked it, admitting that the style was...par...but finding quiet an interest to how you can create it.
'Its just one of my talents, humans have many of them, though we don't have cutie marks telling others what we can do the best.'
"Trixie sees...what else is there?"
The laptop came out next, it wasn't on, and you really didn't want to show it just yet to anypony.
Trixie asks about the 'device' you had used before, pointing to the article where the reported had mentioned a magical 'object on his wrist.'
You show her your phone.
She magics it, looking at it curiously, trying to see how it worked.
"It....is not as impressive as Trixie thought..." she said, passing it back to you.
'You'd be surprised, but, I guess since I don't have a need for it, probably just shut off for the moment, it has proven itself though, never judge something just because it looks simple.'
Trixie nods "Wise words...Trixie shall remember them."
You nod, putting your phone away and closing the backpack.
"You humans are certainly interested, Trixie is surprised you are not of this land."
'I'm glad we aren't....I wouldn't be so quick to like humans for just me, we're not a very pleasant species...but...that's nothing to really bother about.'
"Oh...why do you say that?"
You look away from her
'Because...the world I came from is not as impressive as I'd like to say it is, and people...humans...we're not a very nice race if you see what we've done...'
"Trixie...understands..." she says, and not a word was said more.
It was sleep time soon after, you on the couch and she in the bed, only, you didn't fall asleep right away.
You kept hearing a soft whimpering coming from Trixie.
"no....please..." she muttered "please, don't leave me alone..." more whimpering as she seemed to hug a pillow tight.
She...certainly wasn't all that great and powerful when you had only yourself to show off too...
"I...I am great and p-powerful...you'll see...*sniffle* you'll all see!"
-2-
The following morning went smoothly.
Trixie Enjoyed your breakfast making and after finding she had a working stove, you decide to make her something special.
Borrowing a few eggs and some butter, you begin about making her a bunch of french toast.
She's is of course flattered by it, hiding it behind the seriousness of her "Trixie this and Trixie that" demanding you show her how you made it.
You've grown use to it.
Its just...well...part of her, can't blame her for being who she is.
Problem was, not many ponies were as smooth and easy as you, certainly it would have to be touched on.
Perhaps...you think as you serve plates of three toast bits each to yourself and her, that maybe if she's given the chances, she could prove herself a powerful unicorn... she just needed a means to.
Mid way through the day, as you were beside Trixie as she was pulling the cart, and going over some ideas for the show, you find yourself suddenly stopping as the group have come to a rather difficulty obstacle.
Apparently, a rock slide had occurred sometime ago and the pathway that went between two mountains was blocked.
Nopony was sure what to do as the Stallion approached.
"Ah can't believe it, dis here wus just clear last month, why now does it have ta be all a mess."
He tried to magic a boulder away, lifting it gently off the others, but it slipped, not able to hold the spell long before it thumped down loudly before them.
You and Trixie look over as she huffs.
"Would take nothing more than a simple telekinesis spell to move it all."
'Then why don't you do it?'
"ME? Why would Trixie sink to such a-"
she paused, looking at you.
Serious face on.
'Look, you want to get into good graces with peo-ponies...you help them, do things for them, and sometimes just because its the right thing to do.'
Trixie huffed "You...sure care for Trixie to tell her something like that."
'I only seek the best in all.'
She blushed a bit and nodded, slowly easing forward.
"Trixie cannot help but notice you have some trouble with these rocks, perhaps the Great and Powe-"
'Ahem...'
She blinked, pausing and exhaled a bit "ahem...perhaps Trixie can be of some assistance?"
The two stallions look at one another.
"If ya'll think you can move at, then by all means fillie, go on and do it."
They step back, giving Trixie room as she looks at the rock pile.
So many...
But....Twilight could do this, she could move it, just like she moved that water tower and the Ursa Minor....
Trixie WOULD NOT be shown up again.
She began to move the boulders, one by one, putting them to the side like guardians of the road.
One
by
One.
Slowly of course, no rushing her as she moved each one until the final bits of rock simply scattered about like pebbles before she exhaled.
"There...Trixie has...moved them." she took deep breaths as she heard a rousing cheer from behind.
Three mares had begun to hoof stomp for her, cheering her on as everyone else began to do so.
You smirk, clapping in turn as Trixie turned, eyes alight at what she had done and the reward she was given...all she could do was bow.
'I told you...' you mutter as she recoups with you in line with the carts.
"You we're right...Trixie...can admit that."
You made good progress, but Trixie clearly had done more than normal, she was tired.
You insisted she rest.
She refused, and kept along side you, demanding you talked more about her show for Ponyville.
'I really don't have much of an idea yet Trixie, perhaps it will come to me.'
Trixie huffed, but deep down, she really wanted to have a wonderful show not only to show up Twilight, but to also give those ponies a better outlook on her. Of course, you had other ideas, perhaps something to surprise them, or maybe just something to really let Trixie go wild. Fact was, she had to make a good impression, and hopefully the overall idea could be that.
Your thought train would have continue had you not suddenly fwumped into the behind of the ahead cart as they stopped suddenly.
A river
and the Bridge they often took was out.
"ah gosh darnit..." spoke one of the stallions as you and Trixie make your way to the front.
"Some varmin gone and chew up dem lines." he said, picking up one with his magic and drawing in a...half...bridge.
"Seems we betta take the long way round en."
You nudge Trixie a bit 'you got any bridge spells?'
"Bridge? I don't think its a good time for games."
You shake your head and point 'I mean that, can you...make one?'
"Maybe...."
'Then why not ask if anypony can help.'
Trixie blinked as she nodded, gulping as she inhaled...
"If Trixie may ask, good Stallion." she began "Perhaps she can help perform a bridge making trick."
"you?" he asked suprised "Ah...not to sure if ya'll can handle at..."
"You question-" she paused, looking at you as you shake
your head "Ahah...Well, Trixie would need every Unicorn to help her make it."
The others look about as the main stallion hrmms a bit.
"A'ight then, we give yeh a shot." He called back "Hey, Any Unicorns able ta, we need yah help up front!"
Soon, a small crowd of Unicorns, young and old gathered about as Trixie looked at them. She coughed a bit before looking at the river.
"Trixie...requires each one of you to charge as much energy into her as you can. Once you do, She shall create the bridge." she turned her backside to everyone, slowly lowering her head as her horn glowed,brilliance with a light violet colour before drawing the bridge out halfway, and then...slowly creating a bridge made out of light to span the rest of it.
As soon as everypony saw, they began to seem in awe as the Unciorns did as Trixie asked, sending magic into her as the bridge got brighter and brighter.
"Aha...t-there!" Trixie exclaimed as the carts didn't hesitate to move across, one by one they went over the light bridge.
Each cart began to weigh down more and more onto the energy being given, and the strain seemed to phase Trixie slightly. But
The magic given to her by everypony made it work.
Soon, as everypony made it across, Trixie, her cart, you and her 'entourage' slowly began to proceed across the bridge, slowly...slowly until everypony was off, and Trixie, being the one holding it, was the last to jump off, stopping the spell as she nearly collapses onto the ground.
Only to be caught by you.
Sly dog you.
She gazed at you
"Trixie...I did it."
'Hell yeh you did...' you ease her upright and start to clap
"Round of applause for the Great and Powerful Trixie!'
Everypony began to shout and stomp hooves as you look at her.
'Feels better when its doing a good job, and not just performing isn't it?'
Trixie blushed as everypony cheered
"Hehe...it certainly is.'
You continue on, Ponyville just up beyond the next hill as you stop for a rest.
Trixie out of everypony else deserve it the most. She had done two very taxing spells today and she certainly wasn't about to give up by how determined she looked.
'I still say you need rest.'
"And Trixie refuses, I still have it in me, Twilight would...never rest!"
'You really want to show her up?'
She pants "Yes...as....foolish as it may seem, I wish to show her I am a better Magician, I may not be the talent of magic, but I can still..." she paused, chugging back a jug of water and exhaling "...use my powers just as well as she can."
'She did defeat a ursa minor...that's still something...'
"Well..." she paused, looking away "I wouldn't bother with fighting monsters anytime-"
"EEEEK!"
You're both up like lighting as you rush off to the noise.
You see a pair of mares hiding behind their cart as something its thrashing about inside it.
"It...it came out of nowehere and s-scared us!" one said as they cowered underneath, the grunting sounds of something big inside.
You want to go in, but Trixie stops you.
"Trixie asks if she is allowed to enter."
You step back 'fine...take point, I won't hesitate to enter if you nee-'
She lept inside in an instant...silence for a moment.
"Aha, so you seek the challenge the Great and Powerful Trixie!? I shall show you NO QUARTER!" Zap zap...magical bolts blasted about as the commotion was more of Trixie's banter than anything else as you watch the cart shift and jump and finally come to a pause as a sudden "KICK" from the inside sent.... what looked like a board....right out the door.
Trixie trotted out slowly, her mane a mess, but she was more or less in one piece as the two mares instantly hug her.
"Oh thank you!" they said, squeezing Trixie between them.
"We were so worried."
"You must have really showed that monster a thing or two!"
Everypoony came up, surprised to see Trixie had done something like that.
A few congrats went about as Trixie came back to you.
Sheepish smile.
'Feels good?'
"Oh yes...such joy to be helpful...Trixie...I...am surprised I never thought of it...that way."
'Its a good thing to help others, even if you do end up a bit...messy...' you poke her mane as she sighs "I guess I better go visit the bath cart...and clean up." she sighed, making her way over...and for some odd reason, there was an odd...strut...in her step.
You go back inside the cart while Trixie went to wash up, easing down on the couch, you look over your bag and open it up.
You had checked most of your belongings, but you didn't check the other pockets. Your bag had two large ones and a single small one as you open the second big pocket.
Low and behold, you find spare t-shirt, underpants and some deodorant stick.
You sigh, easing the sack up a bit and hearing the clinking noise in the front pocket, opening it up to pull out a thin metal cylinder, and a small matching tin.
The smell...
That smell...
You inhale before stuffing it back inside quickly as you hear trotting from outside and see Trixie walking in, a towel wrapped around her head. She passes you a look before trotting past and into the kitchen grabbing a glass and pouring herself some milk.
"Ah, you're here, was wondering if you were spying on the Great and Powerful Trixie at her...most vulnerable moment."
'Keep dreaming...' you mutter as you lay back on the couch.
She smirked a bit, showing off her behind with a cute flick of her tail as she downed the glass in one gulp. With a grin, she turned, easing over with an alluring strut in her step before pausing only a few inches from your laid-back form.
"You are playing the hard to get?"
'I'm not playing anything...why do you ask?'
She wiggles her behind a bit, passing a look back to it with a cute pout "Ponies tend to admire my backside once they see it, I hope you had a peek when I did leave to clean up?" she asked, turning about in place to let you admire her.
Eye roll times two 'Yeah I did...but you're a pony, I'm a human, that's the difference.'
She huffed, somewhat unsettled how difficult you were before she rose up and placed her fore-hooves on your gut, causing you to gasp in surprise with the weight as you shot her a look, which she returned in kind.
"Are you stubborn?" she demands as she leans closer to you.
'Are you nuts?' You reply, glaring as you press your head a bit closer to hers.
You can smell her.
She smells sweet
Vanilla with a hint of peppermint as your faces hung within inches of eachother before she suddenly eases off.
"Fine...if you wish to play as hard to get...then so shall Trixie!" she trots over to her bed and fwumps down, easing the blankets over and coiling about.
You lay there as the lights dim, eying her for a moment as you start to see her shift and move.
Of course, you're concerned for her, last night she was crying in her sleep as you sigh and lay back, closing your eyes.
"Anon?"
You open your eyes some time later, seeing Trixie...standing beside you, eyes...gazing at you with this deep uneasiness, almost a longing as you sit up slightly.
'Whats up Tixie?' You mutter, somewhat groggily.
"Trixie....I....had a bad dream."
'A bad dream?' you reiterate, considering what happened last night with her sniffling.
"Yes...a Nightmare...and..." she looked at you "May I...ask you to sleep...with me."
WHOA
HOLD HORSES
And a Record Scratch too.
She wants you to sleep.
With
Her.
The fuck is this shit?
First chapter in and we're already upping this to PG13?
You sigh, looking at her as you shake your head a bit.
'Trixie, you're a grown mare...I can't-'
"Please....Anon..." she whispered a bit "I....just want to be with somepony...not a pillow, not a stuffed toy...somepony...please Anon?"
You sigh, rolling your eyes, the things you do for these ponies...
'Fine'
She smiled wide "Oh...thank you Anon..Trixie...I...am happy you agree." she eased aside, letting you get up and walk over to the bed.
It was...rather large for a single pony.
Perhaps she like the space as you sigh and fwump down onto the left side of the bed, easing your head right against the pillows as she draped sheets over you, and then quickly got onto the other side, snuggling right up.
She was...warm...soft too.
Guess bathing always does good for ponies...can't say the same for you...you haven't really bathed since you left, but considering you haven't....well....sweat or anything...you shrug and go with it.
She doesn't seem to mind.
She's out like a light in a few moments, tugging tight to your shirt as she keeps her body pressed against you.
And for once...no sniffles....
You can even see her smile.
-3-
You were up earlier than usual.
Sneaking off to the bath cart Trixie mentioned to get yourself cleaned.
Clothing all neatly put aside as you begin washing in one of the big wooden tubs.
Its funny, you'd expect showers, but it seems these ponies did it the old 'sponge down' way.
Nothing difficult, you wet the sponge, soap, and lather.
Obviously nopony would be up this early, and thank god for that.
Each time you were bare naked and ponies were around, you were either asleep or unconscious.
Not this time.
You were going to wash and like it.
You scrub and rinse before easing up, grabbing a towel and wrapping it around your waist, covering your goods as you grab a second and dry the rest of yourself. You feel quite relived to be clean as you suddenly hear trotting of hooves from outside.
"Anon?" Trixie asked as she opened the door, stepped inside with her eyes closed for a moment before they opened.
Seeing you, bare chested with a towel on your head and around your waist.
Silence...
She blushed deep red.
"Uhm...Trixie will go wait outside..." she said slowly as she trotted out backwards, almost stiff in step before closing the door.
Well...so much for that.
You walk out fully dressed sometime later, seeing Trixie just...easing back and forth outside the cart.
'You okay?' You ask, she looks at you
"I...never expected humans to look so...impressive."
she whispered, eying you "Nopony could ever look....well..." she blushed even more as you sigh
'Keep dreaming...c'mon, we're only a few hours out, lets just get this trip done.'
She watched you leave, you can feel her gaze planted on you as she soon followed and settled back with you in the cart.
She made breakfast this time.
Eggs.
Good enough.
You sit down and start to eat, she's just staring at you, smiling from across the table as she even leans on her forehooves.
"You like?"
'Hrmmm'
"I asked one of the mares from the monster incident yesterday how to make em"
'Hrmm?'
"I hope they don't taste too salty."
'hrmmm deere good eggs.' You mutter, stuffing your face as she giggled
"My, you do have an appetite." she smirked, eying her plate before eating the eggs there, eventually you both finish and sigh contently.
"Well, that was wonderful yes?"
'I must admit, despite starting out with sammiches, you really know how to cook.'
"Well..." she looked away "A mares got to have other talents right?"
'Touche.'
"Oi!" came a voice outside "get yourselves sorted, we be hittin Ponyville in the hour!"
"Guess this is our stop?"
'You sure you want to do this? Could easily slip away.'
"No..." Trixie says, easing upright "Trixie...I...Must do this, I have to face what my failure was and bring about something better...or else I'll be shamed forever."
'Harsh much?'
"You think?"
'Look, stuff happens alright? Best to put it behind you, you're not an antagonist of this tale, besides...lets see if we can settle something for the show, remember what I said before?'
"How to let the audience have some fun?"
'Yes, well..lets make it a little show, you know, you and me?'
She smiled, you can tell she'd like that.
You go on to explain the idea of a comedic act, Trixie of course is a bit taken back, seeing as she'd be more of a fool then a magician.
'No, you're not thinking right, you can use that power to really bring out some good stuff, think of it this way, act silly, be friendly, and then say "Now then, lets see who can do what I can do, any challengers?" That should bring home some interest.'
"and...if not?"
'Then...' you smirk 'they have no taste in shows.'
Trixie clops her forehooves together
"Trixie likes this idea! So, how do we start?"
'Well, I don't think Anypony is expecting a riveting show from The Great and Powerful Trixie...sooo~"