Chapter 3:
After a restful sleep, Trixie and Pinkie drank delicious juice and discussed Pinkie’s love of baking: all at once, they were excited and anxious about Pinkie’s training throughout the conversation. Pinkie prodded Trixie for her favorite treats and she admitted that she had a “proclivity for the confections of the blueberry kind,” an answer which seemed to please Pinkie a great deal for unknown reasons. Pinkie gave her a strange, happy look that Trixie could scarcely decipher.
They both decided that they had wasted enough time in pleasant conversation. And so, they trotted along in peaceful silence as Trixie imagined all the ways she could impart wisdom on her new protégé. She might have been nervous if she were anypony else, never having had an apprentice in the stage magic arts. Trixie was certain however, that Pinkie’s bizarre mannerisms would make her an ideal candidate for magic. And of course, the only candidate capable of allowing such natural talent to flourish was Trixie. Trixie who was not even slightly concerned. Nope.
Contrary to the impression Trixie got on the rock farm, it seemed that Pinkie was fully capable of holding her tongue for minutes at a time. Although the entire time, Pinkie was looking at every movement and sound she could perceive.
Trixie glanced to the side, taking note of the blue, starred cape that flapped slightly as Pinkie walked. Because of her own generosity, Trixie was forced to wear the cape she had prepared for Pinkie; a simple black thing, much the same as her old cape but lacking in color and design.
Trixie felt rather annoyed that her outfit no longer matched, but seeing the proud look on Pinkie’s face when she wore her favorite cape made her rather…well, she wasn’t sure.
‘Ah! It must be friendship I feel!’ Trixie thought to herself, satisfied. Friendship was truly illusive.
Trixie noticed that Pinkie grew more and more excited as they walked until she was quite literally bouncing again. Trixie noticed, with some interest and a small smile on her face, that Pinkie did not simply jump up and down. She instead bounced as though she were traveling atop a trampoline instead of the earth everypony else travelled.
It seemed that Pinkie could no longer contain herself, and she looked at Trixie. “When do I get a cool hat too?”
Trixie, having expected such a question, smirked. “You will have one once Trixie has imparted all of her wisdom upon you; when you are a true stage magician.”
In response, Pinkie simply smiled, nodded, and continued her bouncing.
Trixie gave a side-long glance as they approached the stage she had already set up. “So then, do you have any experience in stage performance of any kind?”
Perhaps for the first time since she Trixie had met her, Pinkie’s sunny disposition had almost vanished completely. “Well, I guess I have…”
Feeling her body tense, Trixie was nearly panicking. She searched the deep, dark corners of her mind for the appropriate response. She then nearly smashed her hooves on the ground in triumphant pride when she remembered something she read in one of her Power Ponies comic books. “Don’t worry, Pinkie. You can tell me anything. We’re friends, right?” It was rather strange. Trixie found that her chest tightened and hurt at the sight of her usually jubilant friend losing her cheer. Perhaps this was why Pinkie went to such lengths to bring out her friends’ happiness.
Pinkie gave her a much more tame smile than usual. Her hair had lost most of its bounce. “I always kinda wanted to be a stage-pony,” Pinkie admitted. “But, I’m kind of…bad at it.” The last part had broken into a whisper.
“Trixie is certain it’s not as bad as you think.”
Pinkie looked embarrassed. “I sort of started a war one time,” she admitted.
Trixie flinched, but nodded in understanding. “Sometimes the work we do can be divisive.”
“No, I mean that it started a literal war between the buffalo and the ponies. It was one of the shortest wars ever and it was fought exclusively with pies.”
Trixie massaged her head to combat the oncoming headache. “Trixie would never believe such an outrageous claim if she did not read the incredulous news reports.” She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter…look, Pinkie, you may want to sit down for this one.”
Pinkie shook her head. Her eyes were wide with anticipation and her face portrayed a good deal of confusion. “I’m okay.”
Trixie was surprised to hear the subdued tone in Pinkie’s voice. She almost sounded like a different pony. She sighed, expecting that the following story would be quite difficult. “Trixie has never admitted this before, so I hope you feel quite honored!” Suddenly, she was struck with an inability to speak. It felt as though her throat refused to allow her to form words.
Pinkie was flattered and sad all at the same time. She wondered, not for the first time, how Trixie managed to never have friends. Pinkie put a reassuring hoof on her shoulder and Trixie looked grateful before her typical confidence made its return.
Trixie began, “You see, Trixie’s cutie mark, the indication of her natural talents, is not at all for stage magic,” she divulged as Pinkie’s jaw dropped in surprise.
Pinkie managed to collect herself speedily. “But that’s your passion, right?”
Trixie nodded, paused, and shook her head. “Yes and no. Trixie loves stage magic truly, but her cutie mark was in magic itself. At Celestia’s School For Gifted Unicorns it was considered quite the honor. The thought was that for a pony’s special talent to be magic itself they must be something special. Trixie felt that her gifts went unappreciated however, so she left to pursue her passions her own way; it was much the reason for Trixie’s hatred for hecklers. But, that’s a long story and it’s not the point,” she paused and took a deep breath. “What Trix- I am trying to say is that even I wasn’t always the brilliant stage magician you see today. In fact, I was…bad at some point, some ponies might say.”
Now, Pinkie was in awe. Trixie had admitted her own shortcomings. She said ‘I.’ Pinkie had to restrain herself from launching into a hug at Trixie’s showing of vulnerability.
“The point is,” Trixie continued, looking as though she had swallowed something sour. “Even Trixie makes mistakes. And not even she, as great as she is, can become a great stage magician immediately without a cutie mark. Simply try your hardest and Trixie will show you the way!” she said, typical attitude returning.
A pink blur smashed into her and began squeezing her tightly as Trixie hugged back slightly, unsure of how she should react. “Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!” Pinkie sputtered at incredible speed. “Maud was so right about you. You’re super awesome! You’re the best! You’re great, and powerful, and and nice, and beautiful-“ Just as fast as it arrived, Pinkie’s smile was gone. She escaped the hug as though Trixie had suddenly become too hot to remain in contact with.
Trixie had blushed at the compliments, especially at the last one, and had been prepared to thank Pinkie until she saw the look on her face. “Pinkie…?”
Pinkie realized she was probably making her friend uncomfortable. “Sorry! Um, thank you!” she repeated, her smile returning.
“Uh, what are friends for…?” Even Trixie wasn’t sure to whom the question was directed. She rid herself of all reservations and doubts. “It is time to begin…your training!” she stated ominously.
After a demonstration of the play-that-had-started-a-war, Trixie let out a sigh of relief. “That was not nearly so bad! Trixie has seen far worse.”
Pinkie looked hopefully, and a little doubtfully, at Trixie. “Really?”
Trixie laughed haughtily. “Worry not! The great and powerful Trixie shall make you one of the greatest stage magicians in all of Equestria! No, the world! Then, after we spread joy far and wide, we will crush that evil Twilight with the weight of our great success!”
“…come again?”
Twilight sipped her tea, having calmed down significantly due to Spike’s reassurances. What an amazing little assistant she has; she should get him something nice.
“Mail is in,” Spike commented as he entered the room. He laid the letters in his hands on the table and made to attend his other assistant duties.
“Thanks, Spike,” Twilight said. She began combing through the letters and she spotted a rather peculiar one.
“Were we supposed to organize books today or tomorrow?” Spike asked.
“Twilight? Twilight…?” He saw that she was frozen in place with an open letter in her hoof; her mouth was open in abject terror. Spike snatched the letter and began scanning the page
Dear Twilight,
Pretty please don’t panic, but I’m pretty sure someone stole your identity. Trixie said that someone named Twilight was running around doing evil stuff and her description sounded just like you! She sounds like a real meanie-pants so be on the lookout! This crazy Nega-Twilight practically ruined Trixie’s life! I guess it might be a clone from the mirror pool. You didn’t use the mirror pool did you? I’ve always kind of wanted to try it.
P.S. Tell Spike that the Power Pony comics are super awesome
P.S.S. I totally forgot to mention that Trixie is my teacher! She’s this super awesome blue unicorn that does stage magic! We’re practically best friends already!
Hugs,
Pinkie Pie
Spike lowered the letter slowly. “She sure has a variety of different writing styles,” he observed, trying to lighten the mood.
His words seemed to snap Twilight out of her trance. “Spike! We need to gather the girls and find Pinkie as soon as possible. She’s being slowly manipulated by a stage magician out for revenge!”
Spike looked at the letter while he scratched his neck. Those weren’t words he expected to hear when the day started.
“How would we even find her?” he questioned.
“We will just have to figure it out,” she said resolutely.
There would be no talking her out of this now. Besides, this actually was pretty suspicious. He just nodded, resigned to his fate. Twilight threw him on her back and prepared to tell her friends the news.
.