//------------------------------// // Trixie in the Changeling Hive // Story: Society as We Know It // by Comma Typer //------------------------------// Thorax walked past a group of changelings working on something—glue and tape, pieces of wood, paint cans and paint brushes laying about. The changelings there were in the procress of creating art in its various stages of completion: the mentally chaotic yet physically quiet first step of actually knowing what to make, the social second step of talking with others about how to go about making that thing and sparking in others an inspiring thought—or, rather an inspiring modification to improve upon their work though, of course, they would give their thanks and their credit beforehoof—and, finally, the long and most active third step which involved the actual doing of artistic and creative work. Nevertheless, their eyes glistened with glimmer and joy as they marvelled at the result of their own imaginative undertaking. There was nigh a frown or a similar expression among them and even when there was, it was only on the changelings who focused almost purely on the job at hoof. Thorax walked to them who were all huddled together at an open, spacious place in the hive, moss and vines and other plants decorating the room with natural beauty. "Hi, King Thorax!" "Hey, Thorax!" "Thorax!" "Do you need something, Thorax?" "Uh, it's alright, I don't need anything," Thorax replied, waving it away with a hoof. Then, he sat down among a group of changelings sitting on the floor, engaged in their art. He looked at the changeling beside him. "So, what are you making now?" "We're making popsicle stick trees!" he answered by shouting, bringing his unfinished product right in front of Thorax's eyes. The trunk and half of the leaves and branches were done. "That's great!" Thorax answered, grinning. Then, he gave the changeling an asking look. Without saying a word, the changeling nodded. Thorax slowly took it out of the owner's hoof and examined it, turning and rotating it around with eyes wide open. "I can't wait to see it when it's done." He hoofed it back. The changeling smiled at that. "May I join?" Thorax's grin grew even wider. "Why not?!" the changeling yelled in reply, throwing both of his forehooves in the air (while not throwing the art he had away). Then, he stood up and placed a hoof around his mouth. "Guys, Thorax is going to make a popsickle stick tree!" And loud, roaring cheers and shouts and even screams came out of the area. Thorax shyed a little, backing away and displaying a now timid grin, his eyes a little bit angled now. "Hooray for craft time!" the changeling shouted. "Hooray for craft time!" everyone else shouted in reply. Except Thorax. He was shivering, but he then raised a hoof in the air and shouted, too, "Hooray for craft time!" "Hooray for craft time!" everyone else again shouted in reply. A few changelings went out to Thorax and brought him the materials: glue, tape, pieces of wood, paint cans and paint brushes. "We can go with the standard design," the changeling who had given him his half-finished popsicle stick tree said, "because that's what we're going for. Hearth's Warming Eve is getting closer by the minute. Nearing the end of spring, that's it!" Thorax smiled at him. "Tell me more, Antenna." Then, he relaxed, gathered the materials in front of him, and immediately held a popsicle stick. He joined in the happy discussion that ensued from there, not only talking about what to do and admiring others' work but also drifting to how the day was going, what their plan was for the day and for the week, and what they wanted to make the next arts and crafts time. Thorax walked on in the hive, passing by more of his cheery subjects who were either walking or flying. Several gave him a waving greeting, and Thorax waved back. Others gave a simple verbal "Hello!" or "Hi!" or "Good morning!" Thorax replied by nodding or saying "How are you doing?" In response to the latter, the changelings quipped a short answer: One said, "Just fine!"—another said, "Going out to see some of my pony friends in Dodge Junction!"—yet another said "I was about to finish up reading a book!" Combined with the plants that livened up the hive and the bright blue sky with its shining sun, it was indeed a lovely place. Then, creaks of a cart. His ears perked up as he turned around at the sounds' source. That wooden cart or, rather, wagon, pulled by Trixie herself who was clothed in her robe and her hat. "Trixie!" "Thorax!" Thorax flew to her and landed in front of the wagon. "Another magic show for us?" "Well, you changelings have always been a good audience to the magic of the Great and Powerful Trixie." Trixie then adjusted her hat which was about to fall from her head. "But, you've been here several times already," Thorax said, his tone cooling down to an anxious one. "Are you sure about this?" "They have always been dazzled by the fireworks. The Great and Powerful Trixie is more than certain that this day's magic show will be more astounding than the last one! Besides—" She turned her head up, half-closing her eyes "—I have brought my magic up to a caliber that only the Great and Powerful Trixie can handle." "Just you?" Thorax asked, leaning his head to the side. "You're forgetting to tell me about how Starlight helped you get there in the first place." "Why should I forget?" Trixie said, putting on a surprised face. "I was about to mention her before you decided to ask!" "Yeah." Thorax then gave her a smug look. "I was serious, Thorax." He gave a sigh. "Well, if that's the case—what are you planning for this one?" "Why should the Great and Powerful Trixie reveal the secrets to her tricks?" Thorax sighed, but still smiling. "Alright, then." Then, they both walked on, Trixie pulling the wagon. Thorax looked at her. "Uh, do you need help with that?" "I am used to it by now," Trixie replied. "I have travelled far greater distances than the one from Dodge Junction to here with my wagon." A slight look away. Thorax's ears perked up again. "Are you sure you're OK, Trixie?" "I am about to perform in front of a pleasing crowd," Trixie answered. "What makes you think that the Great and Powerful Trixie is not OK if she is about to do what she is talented at and loves?" "Well, I noticed that you weren't so, uh, cheerful just a few seconds ago." "What? My face does that from time to time, and probably everypony else's! Facial expressions are not always a sure way of indicating somepony's feelings!" "They are indicating your feelings now," Thorax replied. "Now, you're sounding a lot like Twilight." "I was just repeating what you said." "Not exactly, Thorax!" "Woah!" Thorax finally let out, holding his front hooves in the air. "Are you really sure you're OK?" Trixie became silent and still, looking at Thorax with neither a smile nor a frown. "Come on, Trixie. We're friends!" He walked up to her, and patted her on her torso. "If you want to tell me something, then go! There's no need to be afraid. A few seconds of silence, Thorax patiently waiting for a response. Then, Trixie sighed and opened her mouth. "I was just remembering the long days and nights I've had when I had nopony to stick with me, before you guys: Starlight, Discord, Thorax. I have other friends, of course, but you're the ones who I can trust to be with me. But, when I look back to those days on the open path with no one to talk to—and, even if there was, it's just some fan, not really a true friend." Trixie then sighed, adjusting her hat. A few more seconds of silence, a while of it. A steady, gentle hoof on her shoulder. A head faced upward. A smile. "That's all in the past now—in the old days, right, Trixie?" Looking at each other, intentful faces. "Like I said, I was just remembering." Her voice was a little choked. "It's not like I don't believe in the f-friends I have today." "Then, why are you so sad about it?" Thorax asked. "Today, you have a bunch of best friends who won't leave your side and will come to your call whenever you need us! So, what's wrong?" A wider smile. "Nothing." "Why the sadness?" More silent seconds, the wind coming by to grace the two with its loud gust. The two paid no attention to it. They kept on looking at each other. "It's because—" A glance away—a glance back "—because, w-when I remember those lonely days when I was alone with just me and my wagon and my load of tricks, I also remember that I now have someone to talk to—more than just a someone, I have several someones!" She raised her forehooves in the air, a desperate smile clinging on to her. Landing back on her four hooves. "And, when I remember that, I also remember that these days are just...better. There's no need to do it all alone when you have...such f-friends." Watery eyes. No tears. Thorax smiled. A firmer grip on her shoulder. A walk closer. A hug. It was quiet. "I knew that you were more than just a showpony," Thorax said, still embracing her, "but I haven't heard you open up like that so emotionally." Trixie stepped away from the hug, her calm smile turning into a full-blown grin—complete with arched eyebrows and an adjustment of her hat. "Well, Thorax, that was...good." Then, a laugh. "Thanks for telling me that, Thorax. And, for just being there. But, now, the Great and Powerful Trixie has a craving crowd to entertain—no, not to just entertain but to bring your changelings under the awe for the magical feats of the Great and Powerful Trixie shall shock them into pure amazement at the sheer display of ability!" Thorax giggled. Then, walking away with a beckoning hoof, he said, "Well, follow me, Trixie!" Then, he eyed the wagon. "And, I almost forgot one more thing!" "What would that be?" Trixie asked, sounding curious. Eyeing the changeling king, she saw him hover over to the back of the wagon. "Now, get in!" Thorax said. "I'll push this for you!" "Aww, you don't have to, Thorax," Trixie said. Then, laughing with glee, she hurried inside her cart and closed the door. Thorax smiled as he pushed the heavy wagon, its wheels creaking more loudly than before. "A mini circus," Monoclad muttered as he sat down in front of a large wooden stage. "This is going to be interesting." The stage was abuzz with rumbling activity as changelings assisted Trixie—who was merely standing on the stage itself—by delivering requested items and by fixing all the stage equipment there which included lights despite the bright sky as of current. However, Trixie also delved into the good that could be done by, sometimes, going out of her famous and outstanding place and helping the changelings herself, adjusting this and tweaking that and bringing this and rotating that with her unicorn magic. "It's always interesting to you," Nastic replied, sitting beside him and holding a bucket of popcorn while Long Winded grabbed greedily from the pile and stuffing his mouth with the buttered food and making a rude and unmannerly noise about it as he did so. "No matter my opinion on this whole matter, I can enjoy some fun." He then took out a modest portion of popcorn and simply ate it, still facing Monoclad. As the minutes went, the small audience gradually grew as more and more changelings either walked or flew to sit down on the floor, watch the preparations advance, and talk with each other in light-hearted, casual fashion. Among those that arrived later on was that group of four changelings: Blue Alarm, Red Noise, Humerus, and Neon Guard. They sat in front of Monoclad, Nastic, and Long Winded. The two groups looked at each other. "Another one, huh?" Neon Guard said first, bringing out a hoof as Nastic and then Long Winded shook his hoof. "That Trixie sure is creative—she never runs out of ideas, or else we'll be getting bored of her very quickly." "I think we're not supposed to," Nastic responded. "She's a Changeling Hive hero. Who knows the consequences?" "She's not that mean!" Humerus spoke up, still seated. "Trixie—actually, the Great and Powerful Trixie—" "Do you have to say that every time you mention her name?" Red Noise interrupted, shooting a glance at his enthusiastic friend. "You're wasting precious time! What if you're in an emergency and you couldn't get help in time because you had to spell out her name plus the title she gives to herself?" "Oh, but that's what makes Trixie...uh, Trixie!" "I bet even she doesn't call herself 'the Great and Powerful Trixie' all the time," Red Noise answered, folding his arms and resuming his mean glance at Humerus. "I agree," Long Winded said, raising his hoof in the air and causing a few pieces of popcorn to drop. "Hmph!" Red Noise unfolded his arms. "At least someone agrees with me. Now, what do you have to say about that, Humerus?" "Actually," Long Winded said, "I think that Trixie calls herself 'the Great and Powerful Trixie' most of the time." Red Noise groaned. Blue Alarm looked at Monoclad. "So, what's going on with your new job?" Monoclad's ears perked up as he faced the blue changeling. "It's doing well." Blue Alarm nodded. "How well, exactly?" "Better than I expected," Monoclad answered, then, scratching his head, he went on. "Although, it didn't have the greatest of starts. Yes, I was able to make Rarity give some bits to me for my Big McIntosh impression—guess I shouldn't be calling that an impression, then." "They're clearly not," Blue Alarm commented. "They're much more than that." "Yeah, but, moving on—" Monoclad moved his hoof around, rotating it "—it was good that Rarity was one of my first customers, but she's the Element of Generosity. I bet that if I did a good enough job, she would've given me those bits anyway." Blue Alarm looked on, leaning closer with his ear toward him. "I know that it doesn't excuse me being lazy and only doing my best when certain ponies are looking at me. But, Rarity was there. "So, I moved on to the next set, the next group of customers. Spike was there but so was this other pony named Derpy." "You mean one of the mailponies of Ponyville?" Blue Alarm asked. Monoclad nodded. "Yeah, her. Pegasus. I thought that Spike and Derpy, together, weren't viable options for me as a changeling in this field. But, I slipped somewhere and Derpy caught me trying to go away. That caught the attention of Spike and then I ended up having to do a number of requests. Shining Armor, Trenderhoof, Hoity-Toity, Zephyr Breeze, Thunderlane, Cherry Fizzy, Tall Order, Cranky Doodle Donkey—and that's one long list of names." "And, they were happy with what you did?" "Happy? I was surprised when they kept telling me to disguise myself as this and that pony after ten minutes of constantly telling me the same thing!" He placed his front hooves on his head, looking confused. "It's certainly weird now—ponies now love it when we shape-shift for some cash, saying that it's good for them since it can bring in some good laughs here and then. I thought that's what Pinkie Pie was for." "She cannot perfectly impersonate other ponies, that's what I know," Blue Alarm said. "If you manage to impress her, tell me about it. I would like to know." Monoclad let out a hearty laugh that lasted a while with Blue Alarm watching it all along with those around him before he finally calmed down. Looking at Blue Alarm, he said, "I'm going to do just that tomorrow? About that, huh?!" "Wait, you're going to be shape-shifting in front of Pinkie Pie?!" "Yes." Monoclad gave Humerus a dashing smile. "And, that's how I want it to be. Give her a laugh of my own. Just look at me! I liked doing work to get an honest salary, but this doesn't feel like work at all!" "Good to hear that my advice has gotten you a steady life," Nastic said, smiling at him though not so obviously. "If we're good at shape-shifting and acting, why not go after those as jobs? I've already said it before and I'll say it again just so you'll remember it all—" He eyed the rest of the changelings there who replied with mixed looks "—that ponies will be intrigued to see how a good changeling makes money out of the former and ponies already have the latter as a big thing especially in places like Bridleway. Would I love to go to Bridleway and see a changeling act there—not to be left as just changelings you bring in because some of the ponies were sick." He gave a mean, low scoff at that and regained his smile. The others looked at him with silence and neutral expresions. "Hey, Monoclad was following what I just said and he's making money, so isn't that good? I'm just stating the obvious, the logical conclusion to the facts that we have here." Then, he took another hoofful of popcorn and just held it there as he looked at the stage. The rest turned their gazes toward the stage as well. More minutes went, the crowd continuing to grow in number, the chatter among them rising in volume. Trixie and Thorax helping along with the materials, the tools, the equipment—everything that was supposed to bring the magic show from its start and all the way through to its end. Several laughs, several questions, and the lights turned on, brightening the already lit up open space area in the hive. With that, Trixie rushed her way to the back of the stage and Thorax flew his way to the back of the bustling audience. "What happens if she starts getting all to the next level of flashiness?" a changeling asked. "She'll have lights as the theme of her magic show today and then we're going to be having lots of lights here. I don't know about that." "Trixie is a competent mare," another changeling replied. "She's also close to Thorax, so he must've already told her that we changelings have a thing about bright lights." "But, there's the stage lights already," the first changeling pointed out. "More stage lights than I can ever remember." "Probably just to to show that she is going to have a much better magic show this time than last time." The first changeling placed a hoof on his chin and nodded. The second changeling didn't say anything at all and both looked on at the stage. The loud chatter became quiet yet collective mutter which then turned into hushed silence, with even the quietest of questions standing out among the changelings. Finally, Trixie walked on the brightly lit stage, strutting on it. The changelings, already, rose to a grand roaring cheer, smiling at her entrance and shouting at her with much joy and delight. Trixie merely basked in it all, turning her head around while her eyes were closed. Then, she stood on her two hind legs, grinned, and fireworks appeared and exploded behind her, dotting the air with sudden noise and clamor which only escalated the level of excitement that the audience had. "You have come to the magic show, the magic tour, of the Great and Powerful Trixie!" Trixie yelled, going back on her four hooves. "Yes, the Great and Powerful Trixie is right on this very stage, about to show you what spectacular acts of magic I shall perform today! I shall bring you up on your hooves and will astound you with unheard of tricks that you have certainly never even thought of or imagined! You may want to do so now, but it is a useless effort, for the Great and Powerful Trixie is not only great and powerful in the feats of magic but also even in the thinking up of those very feats of magic that you are about to be a witness to. So, behold, the Great and Powerful Trixie!" She stood again on her two hind legs. More fireworks exploded behind her. The crowd grew to a rousing, roaring cry of cheer. Thorax smiled. And, it was over. Confetti, streamers, balloons—these several changelings were collecting for clean up yet they had smiles on their faces. All around, there was merriment in the air as the changelings went about, telling to each other how great this act or how dazzling that trick was. There was in those discussions a sense of respect, of admiring wonder at "the Great and Powerful Trixie." When Trixie was in the vicinity, the changelings looked at her. Before saying anything, they allowed several seconds of silence to pass, observing her every major move. Then, after that time has gone, they attempted to go near her, some running and flying their way there, others taking their time and moving about at a leisurely pace. Inquiries and questions were asked, requests for her thoughts about this topic or that thing—Trixie answered them with a haughty yet kind enough feel, a gentle arrogance if there could ever be such a thing. This is coupled with the robe and the hat that she was still wearing there. They were all smiling, the changelings meeting Trixie off the stage with happy smiles and excited minds and Trixie getting the attention that she was getting—which was a lot since, at one point, a huge crowd was around her and there wasn't much room to walk around in. After a while, things calmed down as the changelings went about their separate ways and said their goodbyes to Trixie as she brought several things back into her wagon or trailer. Some changeings helped her bring them up inside. And, as Trixie pulled her wagon away from the hive, with changelings waving at her, she also saw Thorax. "Have a good day, Trixie!" Thorax yelled. Trixie smiled at that. Thorax kept looking at her until she was gone beyond the horizon.