Villainy
Chapter 2: Welcome to the Family
Trixie gasped. It was magnificent. It was beautiful. It was everything she’d wanted and more. It was hers. Trixie took a few more moments to revel in the presence of her new wagon. Her first wagon had been a labor of love, full of tacked-on features, ad-hoc firework dispensers, and a hoof-painted finish. This one was not a labor of love, but a labor of a professional carpenter who actually knew what he was doing, and it was the result of her initial payment that Grayscale had offered her to get started. It was significantly larger than her first wagon, and even had a section for her and her newly appointed drivers, Meteora and Hurricane, not to mention hidden compartments for certain other goods.
“Normally, we’d be on other, more local projects,” Meteora explained, “but this is kinda important. Grayscale won’t admit how much we need this new business. My bro will be helping you learn the ropes when it comes to getting new clients, and we’ll also be providing protection if things go sour.”
“Sour?” Trixie’s attention was suddenly rapt. “Trixie is not so certain she is comfortable with sour.”
“Trixie just joined an illegal bootlegging operation,” Hurricane said flatly. “Did Trixie expect a no-risk job?”
“A reasonable point, Trixie admits... The two of you will be able to protect Trixie in such circumstances? No offense intended, but Meteora doesn’t seem built for hoof-to-hoof combat.” Trixie idly checked a spring on the wagon that held part of the stage mechanism in place.
“That’s a perfectly valid point. I think so too.” Meteora smiled wildly. “That’s why I don’t bother with hoof-to-hoof combat. Check the compartment to your left, the one that you have to tilt the mirror for.”
Trixie, for the second time that day, was awestruck. Bows, crossbows, a few blades and truncheons, and even rare and valuable black powder weapons. Meteora nuzzled a battered repeating crossbow affectionately. "Celestia has all four hooves in the weapons industry, so guns are pretty expensive. Not worth the trouble if you ask me, I'll take the accuracy and silence of a crossbow any day.” Trixie was somewhat taken aback by the enthusiasm Meteora was showing for the weaponry.
As Meteora continued to ramble about this weapon or that one, Trixie, as she had been compelled to do much lately, was pondering the direction her life had taken. It was worth it, though, to be able to perform again. It’s not like she’d be doing this forever. Once she had gotten back on her hooves, she could leave and resume her life as a professional entertainer, without the mistakes that had cost her so much the first time around. Things would be better this time.
- - - -
“We’ve received word that a speakeasy in Fillydelphia needs a new supplier.” Grayscale paced back and forth in front of his employees, all business. “I want to jump on this before those kids in Canterlot do. Our brews are better, and we can distribute it at lower costs. The Canterlot foals are there already, but their costs are driving customers away. I've already been in contact with a middlemare who will store for us. Hotshot, you and your ponies need to clear out the muscle so the pitch team can get in there and seal the deal. You have your assignments. Get to it.”
Trixie couldn’t help but feel a little nervous. This was going to be her first assignment since she had been hired. As the meeting dispersed, several of the other employees walked up to her to wish her luck, including the colt from the brewery, and Hotshot, the self-proclaimed ‘Combat Affairs Specialist’, who, Trixie couldn’t help but note, made her extremely uncomfortable with the calm and professional demeanor he kept about his grim job, though Trixie was admittedly curious as to how she had never heard of all of the fighting that seemed to occur between establishments. Hotshot was only too pleased to oblige. “Well, most ponies who work in the black market or other related jobs don’t stay in their hometown, and since laws regarding relocation and identification have been heavily relaxed since Luna resumed duties, it’s been easier to move unnoticed. The changes were intended to help nomadic ponies, like gypsies and other wanderers, but it helped us just as much. I heard Celestia was pretty unhappy that it went through for just that reason, but she didn’t want to undermine Luna. That being said, when a pony disappears, it takes a very long time for the appropriate authorities to notice, and by then, the evidence is fertilizer.”
“Trixie didn’t realize how much the changes would help her, when they were first decreed.” Trixie’s voice was flat, with perhaps a hint of sarcasm. “Trixie supposes that is a sensible explanation, though. Trixie admits that she is completely new to anything like this line of work. Trixie hasn’t been exposed to alcohol at all since her younger, more wild days, and did not know that there was such an interesting scene behind the product. To be honest, Trixie is not entirely sure why it was banned.”
“Well, the official story is that a drunken ambassador almost caused a war with the griffons, and Celestia decided that such a vice could only hurt society. Of course, there's been rumors ever since that Celestia had taken a bit too much of a liking to the bottle, and was using the event as a way cut herself off. Now that Luna's back, a lot of ponies in our profession say that it was guilt about banishing Luna in the first place. Kinda ironic, 'cause I also heard that Luna was pretty upset about it when she got back. After one thousand years on the moon, she apparently was wanting a bit of stress relief. Back in the day, she apparently was a pretty big patron of the brewing arts. They even named a style of brewing after her. She’s been fighting the ban tooth and hoof since she found out about it.” Hotshot chuckled. “At least we know that she’s on our side, at least somewhat. Doesn’t make her any less harsh on lawbreakers though. Anyway, you better get ready. My crew will be traveling with yours for most of the trip, probably, so we can talk more then, if you’d like.”
- - - -
It had been quite a while since Trixie had been in Fillydelphia, and the circumstances had been a lot worse then. Word had already spread of her spectacular failure in Ponyville, and now, without any of her equipment, or even her hat and cape, she lacked the materials, reputation, and confidence needed to hold a crowd. The tips hadn’t even been enough to buy a sandwich. Back then, Trixie still had tears to shed over her predicament. Now, it was time for her triumphant return to this collection of hotels that cost more than their worth, food that didn’t taste as good as it cost, and ponies that earned more than they deserved. Maybe they’d remember Trixie, that loser who had made so much of a fool of herself that even children’s newspapers had felt inclined to point and laugh. That’d be okay, though. She could show them that she was back, and better than ever. The entire trip from Manehattan to Fillydelphia, Trixie had been working hard to perfect her new act, and she felt like she was ready to start rebuilding her image. Hopefully, she could earn enough money and reputation to set back on her own as soon as she had completed enough tasks to pay Grayscale back for his help. As friendly as everypony involved had been, and as grateful as Trixie was for the assistance, Hotshot was walking beside her right now as a living testament to the darker side of this profession, a fact that made her feel conflicted and uncomfortable. She did not want to stay with them longer than necessary.
Trixie brought herself back to the present with a shake of her head, and looked around. She’d never had stagehooves before to help her set up, and she had to admit, it was a nice change. Meteora and Hurricane knew the mechanisms of Trixie’s wagon/stage combination as well as she did, and were quick to begin unpacking the stage equipment after they’d filed the appropriate paperwork with the city. Of course, Trixie had been the only one to use her real name, but she wasn’t concerned. Her over-the-top mannerisms would provide a decent enough cover against anyone snooping too far into her private time. That, and living alone on the road came with the added knowledge of being somewhat street-smart. Trixie would be just fine.
The amphitheatre that the trio had chosen was in the middle of a park near the center of the city, and it was ideal; close enough to the bustle of the city to attract attention, green enough for ponies to feel more comfortable and relaxed, and far enough from anything more interesting that her show was more likely to hold a crowd. Trixie took a deep breath, slowly releasing it as she mentally prepared herself.
“Nervous? I understand things didn’t go so well last time,” Hurricane said, pausing somewhat awkwardly before continuing, “Uh, if it means anything, we got your back, and judging by your practice, it’ll be a good show, and by the time we’re done, Hotshot and his crew should be too.”
Trixie shuddered slightly at the thought of Hotshot’s colts ‘taking care of’ the enforcers from the rival brewery in Canterlot. “Trixie is not nervous. Trixie is never nervous, she is simply excited for the opportunity to perform again, though Trixie is willing to admit that her last trip to Fillydelphia did not exactly go as planned. Trixie appreciates the sentiment, though.”
Already, a crowd was beginning to gather around the stage, and Trixie’s heart fluttered for a moment, despite her claims. It was only a few minutes now until the show would begin, and even if her pride wouldn’t allow her to admit it to anyone but herself, she felt a little scared. Her performances since that fateful day in Ponyville had all been disastrous or depressing in some way, and part of her worried that this would be no different. Already she could hear whispers about ‘that one mare that almost got Ponyville destroyed’, and the ‘phony who Twilight Sparkle had to save from an Ursa’.
Hurricane nudged her. “It’s go time. Show ‘em who’s Great and Powerful.” Trixie nodded, and smiled in response. “Before you do, though, Grayscale sent you a little gift.” Hurricane gestured towards a black box that he’d set near the stage. Curious, Trixie approached the box, tentatively opening it with her magic.
It felt as if the wind had been knocked out of her as she lifted the fabric from its container. It was as if a little part of her had been brought back to life, in the form of an exact replica of her hat and cape, with only one difference. Whereas her original cape and hat had been decorated by a field of stars speckled onto a sky-blue field only slightly darker than her own coat, this set was midnight blue, every bit as breathtaking as Luna’s night sky. Trixie’s heart stilled itself, and she smiled once more as she began to strut onto the stage.
“Come one and come all, to see the amazing power of the GREAT and POWERFUL TRIXIE! Fillies and colts, mares and stallions, come and be entertained and astounded by her dazzling acts of magic and showmareship!” Trixie flashed a winner’s smile, and triggered a burst of fireworks, adding in her own illusionary magic in the form of extra sparks and swirls in the air. This was probably the cheapest part of her act; flashes and explosions would always draw the attention of small children, who in turn would drag the more skeptical parents towards her stage, where she would have the opportunity to ply her more subtle tricks. The important thing now was numbers. Crowds drew crowds, and the more ponies were here, the more interesting her act would appear to passers-by.
“Greetings, greetings, my fellow ponies, and welcome to Trixie’s magic show, the most amazingly entertaining display of illusionary magic from here to Canterlot. Watch and be amazed as the Great and Powerful Trixie befuddles and astounds your senses with her extraordinary acts of magical prowess.” Trixie sent up another round of fireworks for punctuation, and surveyed her crowd. It was about time to stop pitching and start her act, as she’d gathered enough of a crowd to be visually drawing to anypony passing by. “Let’s start things off simply. Call Trixie cliche, or overly sentimental, but she’s always held a special place in her heart for the magician’s classic: playing cards.” Meteora walked onto the stage, and Trixie took the deck of cards that Meteora had brought with her with a telekinetic pull. “Trixie admits she might be a little out of practice with this one, as it’s been a while, so she is compelled to ask her lovely audience for a volunteer to assist her.” The adults were still skeptical, but fillies and colts in the audience were already squirming and trying to make their hooves visible in the air for Trixie to see. After a few moments of pondering with her most thoughtful expression, she settled on a filly with an electric blue coat and white mane. “You there, with the blue coat and white mane! How would you like to assist the Great and Powerful Trixie with her act? Who knows, you might end up with a cutie mark in performance!”
The target filly squealed and giggled in delight as her parents helped her onto the stage. Trixie passed the deck to the filly, and turned back to her crowd. “Now this one is an old one, but a classic nonetheless. It is now up to my wonderful assistant to pick a card, and show it to all of you without letting me see, and then place it face-down on the stage.” Trixie gave the filly a few seconds to show the crowd the ace of diamonds .“Be sure that you don’t forget what card it is, that’s very, very important.” After the filly had set the card on the ground, Trixie stared intensely at the card, her face scrunching up in concentration. A few seconds later, the card burst into flame and was promptly incinerated, eliciting a slight gasp from the crowd. “We’ll come back to that at the end of the show, folks. For now, Trixie humbly asks that you indulge her as she wows you with astound feats of illusion, transmutation, and other acts of magical manipulation.”
Trixie had gotten the ball rolling, and obtained her audience’s attention. For about an hour and a half, she regaled the ponies in front of her with tales of things she had seen and done, illustrated by beautifully crafted illusions, accompanied by occasional tricks of misdirection and sleight of hoof. Trixie was truly in her element, using magic and charisma to entertain a crowd, and even the adults, some of which who had heard of her reputation, began to soften a little partway through the show. After noticing Hurricane nodding at her to the side though, she decided it was time to wrap things up.
“Trixie will leave her audience with a few of her personal observations regarding a certain species of bird, rumored to be the pet of our very own Princess Celestia. Of course, Trixie speaks of none other than the mystical phoenix.” Trixie concentrated, and summoned the image of a fiery bird circling the stage. “Among other magical properties is immortality, which, in conjunction with the predations of the dragons local to their natural habitat, contributes to an extraordinarily low birth rate.” Trixie paused for a moment, guiding her illusion to the tiny pile of ash that was once a card. “This is not to say that they aren’t without their own peculiar life cycle. On the contrary, when a phoenix reaches the end of its ‘lifespan’ it will burst into flame, becoming nothing more than ash in a matter of moments.” With a cry and a flash, the beautiful phoenix had ignited and collapsed into the pile of ash it was standing over. “Perhaps the reason I’m so fond of card tricks, as I mentioned before, is that my deck is an enchanted deck made with the feathers of a phoenix, given to me as a gift by a dear friend, and like a phoenix, its life is never truly over, and both are destined to be gloriously reborn from the ashes!” The ashes sparked and ignited again, and a new, brighter phoenix burst from them, a card in its beak, in a dazzling display of illusory fire and light. “It is fortunate, as well. After all, the ace of diamonds is Trixie’s favorite card.” The phoenix passed the card to Trixie, who revealed to the audience that it was the very same card that they had just seen incinerated previously, and soon applause reached Trixie’s ears, which she drank in like a mare finding water in a desert. “Thank you, thank you, you’ve been a wonderful audience. If you appreciated Trixie’s show, feel free to leave a small donation in the drop box by the stage.”
As Trixie walked off the stage, she was met by Meteora and Hurricane, the former of which was in her normal bouncy and euphoric mood as she bounded to Trixie. “Great show! You really had them going! How’d you know what filly picked? Those were some pretty illusions too! I really liked the finale too? Are phoenixes really like that? Can you-”
Trixie rolled her eyes as Hurricane’s hoof was promptly shoved into his sister’s mouth. “It was nothing really. Just a mixture of old misdirection tricks like the Magician’s Choice, an invisibility spell, and a glamour spell.”
Hurricane nodded, smiling slightly. “Yeah, you did good. Now, we have other business to attend to. Hotshot should be through by now, and it’s time to meet up with him before giving you a taste of... business negotiations. You ready? No going back after this.”
Trixie nodded, wearing a half-sincere and somewhat weak grin. “Yes... Trixie is ready to become a criminal.”