Sugarcube corner had been open for less than ten minutes and a crowd had already formed around one of the tables. Pinkie, her fellow elements, and Trixie sat on the edge of their seats, listening in rapt attention.
"I fully expected the show to go over about as well as a lead balloon," Twilight read aloud from the newspaper in her hooves. "Trixie Lulamoon instantly lit up the stage with her natural charisma and the comedic timing of her partner Pinkie Pie. With Trixie playing the aloof heel, and the bubbly Pinkie Pie to counter her, the entire show hit the ground running. With an in your face and dynamic attitude when it comes to magic, this duo really stands out. If this pair of ponies, gifted in the illusionary arts performs again, absolutely go see them, no matter the cost. I went to the show with some tomatoes stowed away in my saddlebag fully expecting to chuck them at Trixie. Now, I think I'll use them for spaghetti instead to celebrate such a wonderful performance."
Confetti exploded as Pinkie bounced around like a superball. "Did you hear that, Trixie? They loved it!"
Twilight folded the newspaper and put it to the side. “I'd say they did. Especially if the author rushed to get it in the newspaper today."
"Even better," Mrs. Cake began, "we made more than enough money to get a new stove!"
Pinkie somersaulted, firing off even more confetti. "Best day ever!"
Mrs. Cake set a small bag of bits in front of Trixie and Applejack.
"We had that much left over?" Trixie asked in astonishment.
"We sure did. Oh, this is just wonderful!"
A customer entered the shop and headed straight for the counter. "Gotta go, girls," Mrs. Cake said, rushing to the register.
Trixie opened the pouch of bits, giddy at the sight. Just then, however, something hit her. She opened the pouch, counted out half, and shoved it to Pinkie Pie.
"I never could have done this without my partner's help, and partners split fifty-fifty."
Pinkie blushed and scooped up the pile of bits. "Awww, just doing my Pinkie-best."
"Well I'll be. Looks like things are turning out pretty well so far. Why, you'll probably be able to afford that wagon and be on the road in no time!" Applejack said.
A twinge of sadness made itself known in Trixie's heart. She had always intended to leave at some point, but, now more than ever, she didn't want to even think about leaving Ponyville.
"Yes, Trixie supposes she will be ready to leave at some point in the future.
"Have you ever thought about staying here in Ponyville?" Twilight suggested.
Rarity cleared her throat. "You can't be serious, darling. I know we have had so much fun together, but if there's one thing Ponyville doesn't need, it's a hobo sticking about."
"Rarity, we've been through this," Twilight said, putting her hoof on the table. "If Trixie were out for revenge, she's had plenty of time to do something already."
"I can see there's no convincing you all," Rarity said, leaving her seat. "Know this, when she does make her move, I'll be the one to say I told you so!"
Everypony sat in uncomfortable silence as Rarity left the shop.
"Well, uh, Trixie. You have anything planned today?" Applejack asked, breaking the silence.
"Nothing too strenuous for me today. Maybe I’ll just relax a bit."
"Sounds like a good idea. You're welcome to rest up on the farm if ya like," Applejack suggested.
"I'd go with you, but the Cakes need me to help with the shop while the repair ponies install the new oven," Pinkie explained.
"Then perhaps I'll take you up on your offer, Applejack.”
“Just make sure you take care if you wander on the east orchard. That’s where some of them fruit bats have holed up, and they might take a liking to any sort of snack you bring,” Applejack warned her.
Trixie waved her away with a dismissive hoof. “Sure, sure, fruit bats, got it.”
The thought of a relaxing day appealed to Trixie so much that she dropped a few bits for some snacks. Packing some cupcakes into her saddlebags, she wandered out Sugarcube Corner. Just as she stepped out the door, she came face to face with a pony she had seen around several times. She was a pink mare with yellow(?) hair and a flower for a cutie mark.
“Oh, sorry. I’m in the way aren’t I?” Trixie asked, stepping off to the side.
“It’s okay,” The pony started. “I wanted to say I enjoyed your show very much. My name is Lily.”
“Thank you. Trixie was happy to help the Cakes with their problem, and she got to perform again, so you know… bonus!”
Lily smiled. “Hope to see you around, Trixie.”
Trixie watched, almost bemused as Lily walked into the shop.
Is this what it’s like when ponies like you? When they aren’t scared of you? Trixie could get used to this.
With an added spring in her step, Trixie headed for the applestand to grab a little something extra for her solo picnic.
Finding a suitable spot in the orchards wasn’t hard. Trixie could have plopped down anywhere and felt perfectly content. Trixie, being the pony she was, took her time and searched quite a while for the perfect spot. After at least thirty minutes, she stumbled upon a clearing which afforded her a view of the farm house. Unpacking her basket, she placed a blanket on the ground and a couple of apples she purchased from the stand, along with a bottle of apple juice. She turned to dig out the rest of her picnic when she heard a noise, picking her ears up.
“What was that?”
The sound cut through the air again.
“Sounds like it’s coming from the trees…”
A fluttering of wings disturbed the peace as rustling leaves and branches shook above Trixie. The sky suddenly dimmed as a swarm filled the air.
”Ahhhhh!”
Hurriedly, Trixie grabbed her blanket and crammed it into the basket, carrying it all with her magic. Her eyes darted wildly, looking for any escape from the swarm. At the edge of the orchard was a line of bushes where the Apple family’s land ended and Whitetail woods began. Kicking up her hooves, the showmare panted as she struggled to stay ahead of the swarm.
“Trixie did nothing! Leave her be!”
Trixie’s protests did nothing to dissuade the horde. She ran as fast as her legs could carry her.
“Oh Celestia! I think they’re in my hair!” she screamed as she felt something touch her right ear. Diving into the brush, she endured the whipping of foliage as the swarm fell behind. The sound of flapping wings and screeching fell away giving Trixie a chance to look back. A quick glance showed that her pursuers were turning around, unwilling to follow into the brush.
She turned around just in time to see a sticker brush slap her cheek.
“Ow!”
Crying out in pain, she slowed her gallop, giving her a moment to breathe. While she panted for air, her eyes went back to the retreating swarm.
“Oh… right. Fruit bats. I guess I should have been paying more attention.”
Touching the fresh wound with her hoof, Trixie grumbled and turned back to the farm, this time to find a safer spot to relax.
I must admit, there is a certain rustic charm to a place like this.
Trixie sat against an apple tree with her hooves behind her head, eyes closed, and a smile on her face. Without the pressure of chores, hauling apples, or running from fruit bats, Sweet Apple Acres was quite a relaxing getaway. In another time, and another world, Trixie thought she might like to be a farmer. She could make her own hours, she wouldn’t have to answer to anyone but herself, and ponies from all over would come to get a mere sample of Trixie’s extraordinary produce.
It was right about then that memories of giving Scampers a bath returned to her.
On second thought, I'm fine with a profession outside of the mud.
"Say cheese!"
Trixie's eyes fluttered open just in time to catch a flash from a camera. Rubbing her eyes, she cleared them out just quick enough to see the tail-end of the three fillies hightailing it with a camera. She recognized one of them as Applebloom, but she had yet to meet the other two. Of course, by the time Trixie realized what happened, it was far too late to give chase.
I wonder what that was about.
Trixie turned and looked at the setting sun just barely peeking over the horizon behind her.
Did I really sleep here all day? I guess I needed to relax more than I thought. Maybe I should give a surprise visit to Twilight and see if she has any books regarding illusionary magic I have yet to read.
Slowly, Trixie rose to her hooves and made her way towards Ponyville as the setting sun fell behind her. In the scant few minutes it too her to make it back to Ponyville, the sun had already set and night blanketed the town. Walking toward the castle, she saw Twilight standing in the doorway.
"Hey, Twilight! Is it okay if I come in real quick? I wanted to see if you ha- what the?"
Trixie felt two pairs of strong hooves grab her and force her front hooves together. A set of shackles were slapped on her hooves, latching them together. She looked up to see two royal guards, clad in imposing armor, blocking her way.
"Trixie Lulamoon, you are hereby under arrest for wanton destruction of property exceeding two thousand bits in damage. You're coming with us," one of the guards prattled off.
Twilight dashed from the castle and approached the guards. "What's going on here?"
"Nothing you need to be concerned with, Your Highness," the guard said as he started dragging Trixie away. Twilight grabbed the guard with fire in her eyes, her horn lit and ready to take action.
"You're arresting my friend, so it does concern me!"
The guard shrank back apologetically. "I-I'm sorry, Your Highness. I’m simply following the mayor’s order. If you need to know more, please come to the courthouse. They will be able to explain it better than I can."
Twilight grunted, but finally relented, letting the guard go. "Don't worry, Trixie, I'm going to go tell Spike not to wait up for me and I'll be right there!"
Trixie just nodded dumbly and followed along with the guards, her eyes following Twilight as she ran to the castle.
"Lulamoon, Trixie."
The unicorn's ears perked up upon hearing her name. Knowing that Twilight would be there soon, the guards, rather than take her to a cell, took her to the visitor center instead. Rising to her hooves, she followed the guard as he led her to a stall with a chair and reinforced glass with holes for speaking through. Trixie walked in, greeted by the worried faces of Twilight and Pinkie Pie.
Trixie sat down in the chair, but was still too shocked to say anything.
"We talked with the mayor and the guards. They said you destroyed somepony's stand in town today," Twilight explained flatly.
Trixie leaned forward, pressing her hooves against the glass. "Why in Equestria would I do something like that? Besides, I was at Sweet Apple Acres almost all day. I couldn't have done it!"
Twilight closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Trixie, tell me right now you're innocent. I have to know."
"Of course I'm innocent! There's no reason for me to do something like that! Please, Sparkle, you’re a princess, can’t you get me out of here?”
At this, Twilight’s ears folded. “I wish I could, but I already did when you enslaved Ponyville. The mayor threatened to send a message to Canterlot if I pardoned you again.”
"I see. Isn’t there anything you can do?" Trixie asked hopefully.
"Yes. I'll defend you in court. They're bringing in a prosecutor from Canterlot. She's supposedly undefeated in court. Trixie, I’ve never done this before. I don’t know if I can win."
"Please, Twilight, you have to try! I have no one else to turn to!" Trixie pleaded.
Twilight nodded. "I'll do my best. Here, Pinkie had something to tell you.”
Pinkie squeezed in, flattening Twilight against the wall of the tiny stall. "Trixie! Just hang in there! If anypony is super smart enough to save you from this mess, it's Twilight. I'll be cheering you on tomorrow!"
Trixie felt a small smile grace her face. "Thank you, Pinkie Pie. Take care until I'm out of here, alright?"
Pinkie nodded. Trixie jumped as a guard rapped his baton on the glass.
"Your time is up. You gotta go to your cell."
Trixie stood up and slowly walked away, seeing the sad faces on her friends and their hooves upon the glass.
Trixie's cell wasn't that bad. It had all the amenities a pony would need. Decent bed, functional toilet, good lighting...
...But it was still a prison cell. Trixie had done some awful things in the past, but never once did she think she'd end up in prison.
I suppose I should be grateful Twilight pardoned me after enslaving Ponyville.
Nevertheless, she was still here in prison. Her life had been a rollercoaster as of late. Going from such highs to such lows was starting to wear thin, and Trixie was just about ready for it all to stop.
Curling up on the stark white bed which smelled of cleaning chemicals, Trixie covered her eyes and cried as she wished she was back at Sugarcube Corner, sharing that large bed with her pink friend.