It was about midday when the duo pulled the wagon into Ponyville. The town was bustling with ponies lunching and shopping; a typical afternoon. The two unicorns had to cut through the town in order to get to the school efficiently, but it wasn’t too long before Trixie’s stomach started to growl. She had been the one pulling the caravan since the incident on the hill and was growing tired.
“I could use a break,” she said.
“Yeah I can hear your stomach grumbling from here,” said Starlight. “Let’s stop for some lunch.”
“Ugh, I could devour an ocean of peanut butter crackers right now.”
“I don’t know what that means, Trix.”
“Never mind. Lead the way!”
The two made their way through the crowds of Ponyville until they arrived at Chamomile Corner, one of their favourite tea shops and cafés. Before you ask, no, they did not sell peanut butter crackers. They did, however, have an assortment of sandwiches and pastries that would satiate the hunger of the pickiest of ponies.
Trixie backed the wagon up next to the shop and unhooked herself from the harness. The two of them rounded the corner to the front of the restaurant. There were a few empty tables available for the taking out front. Perfect for such a clear day like this.
“Remember where we parked,” Trixie deadpanned.
“Ahehehehe…” Starlight humoured.
“Is that the kind of laugh you expect to get whenever you tell a bad joke?”
“Every time. And don’t you forget it, sister.”
The two friends shared a genuine chuckle between them.
“I’ll go inside and get us something to eat,” offered Starlight.
“You would do that?! For me?!” Trixie said with wide eyes.
“Oh, shut up and grab us a table,” Starlight turned to head inside.
“Some mint tea for me, please,” said Trixie.
“Sure thing.”
“Oh, make sure you get some fresh daffodil sandwiches.”
“Of course.”
“And a side of hayfries to split.”
“Will do.”
“Oh, and can you get that thing they do where they have a little tower and they put a bunch of little tarts and dessert squares on all the different levels? I love that.”
Starlight turned back to face Trixie.
“So our usual then?”
Trixie tilted her head and grinned. “Thank you, Star!”
Starlight rolled her eyes and headed into the shop. Trixie settled at an empty table for two next to the fence that created a perimeter around the restaurant’s patio area. She leaned back into her chair and breathed a sigh of relaxation.
Everything was coming together for her. In a few days time she’ll be back in her element with her best friend at her side. She closed her eyes and basked in the sun. It wasn’t too long however until her sun was blocked by an annoying shadow. She opened her eyes to see a stallion standing in between her and the sun. He was looking off at something, lost in thought.
“Excuse me sir,” said Trixie with a glare. “You’re blocking my sun.”
The pony turned his attention to Trixie. “Huh? Oh, sorry ma’am, I didn’t realize. Pardon me.” The earth pony stepped to the side. He clearly had no intention of causing any bother.
“Thank, you sir.”
He turned his attention back to what he was staring at before. Now that he wasn’t creating an eclipse, Trixie could get a clearer look at him. He was young, a shiny brown colour with a neatly trimmed sliver mane. He wore a silver business suit to match.
He turned back to Trixie. “Beg your pardon, ma’am. But you aren’t by chance the owner of that marvelous caravan, are you?”
Trixie looked in the direction the pony’s gaze. He had been staring at her wagon the whole time!
“What make you think it’s mine?” Trixie asked.
“The paint job matches the patterns on your coat. And your cutie mark.”
Of course, Trixie thought. She was so accustomed to the way her wagon looked it always slips her mind that it matches her look. Even though she was flattered at the compliment her caravan had gotten, she was a little irked that some strange pony had been contemplating her cutie mark without her knowing.
“It’s not for sale,” she said dismissively as she turned away from him.
“Oh, I’m not looking to buy,” clarified the stallion. “I’m just admiring it. That’s a fine-looking show-wagon.”
This comment caused Trixie to perk right up. The stallion now had her full attention. “How can you tell it’s a show-wagon?” she asked.
“I can see the seams where the stage unfolds. It’s my job to have an eye for these things. The name’s Star Search.”
The stallion pulled out a business card and passed it to Trixie. She took a close look at it and saw a picture of a yellow star with a microphone in front of it. When she looked back up to him, she saw his cutie mark was the exact same image.
“I’m a talent scout from Las Pegasus,” he continued.
Trixie all but jumped out of her chair. “Did you say Las Pegasus?!”
“That’s right ma’am,” Star Search affirmed with a chuckle.
Her eyes grew as wide as saucers; her hooves tingled with excitement at the mere mention of the name. Las Pegasus! It was the entertainment capital of Equestria! The finest, most respected, most thrilling entertainers performed there. Only the best of the best, the most dazzling acts, could have the opportunity to sign a contract guaranteeing a residency at a theatre or an arena.
Trixie picked her jaw off the ground and shook her head to focus back on the pony in front of her, the pony who just became much more interesting to her. She put her front hooves on the fence and leaned on it in a forced-casual way.
“So…,” she started with a flick of her mane. “Las Pegasus… What brings you all the way to Ponyville?”
“I’m here on business. See, it’s my job to scour Equestria in search of fresh talent. Sapphire Shores is retiring next year and that’ll leave an opening to be filled at Somnambula’s Palace.”
“Did you just say Somnam-,“ Trixie managed to squeak out before losing her grip, falling forward, and smacking her jaw on the fence.
“Are you alright, ma’am?”
“Oh yes I’m fine,” Trixie said, picking herself up, embarrassed. “It’s just that Somnambula’s Palace… That’s the ‘Home of the Greatest Entertainers in Equestria.’”
“That’s what it says on the marquee,” Star Search chuckled. “We try to take that slogan seriously though. Ponies pay a hefty sum to get a ticket and we make sure they get their bit’s worth.”
“You represent Somnambula’s Palace?” Trixie asked, still in awe.
“Yes indeed,” said Star Search proudly. “And I’m a touch embarrassed to say I’m a little lost. I’m supposed to see a local for an audition. Somepony by the name of Crescendo. Can you tell me where to find City Hall? That’s where I’m supposed to meet them.”
Trixie had no idea who this ‘Crescendo’ was. She must have been out of the entertainment scene longer than she realized. Then again, it’s not like she paid any attention to acts other than hers in the first place.
“Sure thing,” she said. It’s just down the road and to the left around Sugarcube Corner.”
“Thanks a bunch. Nice talking to you Miss…”
“Trixie. It’s been a pleasure.”
“Take care, now.”
Star Search turned to leave. Suddenly a pang of anxiety hit her. She couldn’t let him leave. A powerful instinct inside her forced her to call out to him before he got even half a step away.
“Ihaveanacttoo,” she blurted out before she even realized she did.
He turned back. “Beg your pardon?”
Trixie cleared her throat and tried to calm herself down but still couldn’t help talking with a little more force than she was used to. She was nervous beyond compare. “I said I have an act too. It’s mine. It’s a magic act. It’s my magic act.” She fluttered her eyelashes at him.
“I figured that’s what the wagon was for.”
“You’re so … observant.” Trixie was trying her hardest to flatter him but honestly didn’t have a lot to go on. “You may have heard of me: The Great and Powerful Trixie?” she said with a not-so-subtle flourish.
“Ehhh, sorry can’t say I have,” he replied.
“Well you’re going to hear all about me if you’re in town for the next few days. I’m doing a, uh … a gig, at the School of Friendship.”
“Aha,” he said, clearly onto her game. “Listen ma’am, I’m sure it’s a good act, but Sonambula’s Palace isn’t really looking for a magic show at this time.”
“Well you’ve never seen a show like this before.”
“I don’t know, I’ve seen an awful lot. There are a lot of magic acts in Las Pegasus.”
“But have you seen magic performed by a magician that bested the changeling army in order to rescue the Princesses of Equestria?”
“I heard that story. Wait you’re that Trixie?!”
“The one and only!” Trixie never hesitated to tell somepony about the time Princess Twilight needed her help, even if Starlight and Thorax did most of the legwork on that adventure, a fact she didn’t mind leaving out from time to time.
“If that’s the case I’ve got to see what you can do first-hand,” the stallion decided.
“Wonderful! I’ll set a ticket aside for you.” The show was free but he didn’t need to know that. It was much more impressive if he thought she was raking in bits. “See you at the school in three days then?”
“I’ll be there. See you around!”
And with that, he was off. Trixie beamed and waved after him. “Don’t be a stranger!”
Once he turned a corner and was out of sight, Trixie’s chest suddenly felt heavy. She sat back down in her chair as a wave of anxiety took over. It was like she was having an out of body experience, out of control of her actions until just now when she became aware of what she had done. This was just supposed to be a revival brought on by nostalgia. A throwback. A one-off for old time’s sake. Now she was going to be putting it all out there for a big wig Las Pegasus talent agent.
I just couldn’t help myself, she thought. I saw an opportunity and I seized it. I couldn’t just let him walk away. And it worked! I’m going to perform for a real representative of the Las Pegasus entertainment world! But why do I feel nervous? What have I got to lose?
She fiddled with Star Search’s business card, spinning on the table with her hooves.
“Who were you talking to?”
The familiar voice startled Trixie. It was Starlight, using magic to make their food orbit around her head before she started setting the table.
“I saw you out the window. Was that a friend of yours?” she continued, setting Trixie’s tea in front of her.
“Oh, it was just…” Trixie hesitated. She didn’t know how her friend would react. Would she laugh in Trixie’s face? Or would she be concerned Trixie had ulterior motives for staging this show? Truth be told, Trixie didn’t know what her intentions were anymore.
She decided not to tell Starlight. At least not right now. “He was just somepony new to town; asking for directions.”
“Aren’t you Little Miss Helpful,” the headmare said as she blew on her hot cup of tea. “I saw the way he looked at you. I think he likes you.”
“Pfft, don’t you think he’s a bit young?”
“Sure. He matches your young heart.”
“You’re too kind Star, really.”
“Well, it’s good you have a young hear because your face isn’t doing you any favours.”
“Watch it missy!”
The two unicorns continued their banter, laughing and enjoying their lunch together, but not before Trixie slipped the business card into her coat pocket, unseen by Starlight.
She and Starlight had finished pulling the cart all the way to the school and parking it behind the building. That night Trixie hadn’t slept a wink. She had been tossing and turning, thinking about the sights of Las Pegasus. The lights of the hotels at night, so bright it was like walking in a dream. Hotels and resorts that towered above the clouds. Being a city that was already built on the clouds helped that last fact a lot.
A city where anypony could make their dreams come true.
That morning she was sitting in her office, her face flat on the desk. She was exhausted but she couldn’t slow down her thoughts.
She had just invited Star Search on a lark to impress him. All she ever did was try to impress ponies and this was no different. But what kind of impact would she leave now that he was actually coming? The impending reality of that performance seemed much more nerve wracking now.
She lifted her head off the desk. “Maybe he’ll like me and maybe he won’t.” Trixie said to her fish, Gail. “If he doesn’t like the show it’s no harm, no foul. Life goes on and I’m still guidance counselling every day… Right here… In this room…”
She took a moment to look around the room. For some reason, at this very moment, it seemed smaller than ever. It certainly felt like the farthest she could be from the expanse that was Las Pegasus. She stood up and begun pacing in circles.
“Though I guess I would embarrass myself for not living up to the expectations I set for him. And he’ll tell all his associates back in Las Pegasus about what a disappointment I was. That’d be the worst-case scenario.”
She paused for a moment before going back to those words: “Las Pegasus. Las Pegasus.” She let the words flow over her tongue like honey. She actually felt lighter every time she said them as if they were lifting her away to paradise.
“What about the best-case scenario? What if he does like me? What if he offers me a contract right there on the spot? What if I have my own residency at Sonambula’s Palace?”
The venue was the most famous entertainment complex and hotel in the city. Legendary performers had walked that stage: Countess Coloratura, Sapphire Shores, not to mention renowned magicians like Big Bucks and Jack Pot.
Trixie pressed her face right up to Gail’s bowl. “What have they got that I don’t? I could make it out there if I actually tried, right?”
Gail just blubbed in response.
“Why not? What makes me so different from them? I’m the Great and Powerful Trixie!! I beat Twilight Sparkle in a magic duel! I faced the changeling hive! I could have anything I wanted!!”
She sighed. She was getting so excited she realized she was out of breath.
“I’d have to quit the school. Starlight would understand. She always understands. It’s not like we wouldn’t be friends anymore. Plus, there are loads of ponies who can do this job just as well as I can. Maybe better… Maybe… But this is my dream we’re talking about.”
It was at that moment she realized performing in front of an enormous crowd had never stopped being her dream. Not just a fantasy or a pastime but a full-fledged life goal. Having the stability of the school job had been nice, especially since she was working every day with her best friend, but they also helped suppress this dream of hers all this time. Trixie admitted she now felt a little resentment for the school now. It had been holding her back from her true potential, and it just wouldn’t give her satisfaction anymore. She wouldn’t let it.
She opened her trunk of tricks and took out three juggling balls. She tossed them in the air one at a time. No magic this time, just her hooves and sheer concentration and reflexes. She was able to keep them all in the air in perfect synchronization. She hadn’t lost her touch one bit. All those years of practicing had not gone wasted.
Then a thought occurred to her. “This won’t be enough,” she said aloud, maintaining her juggling. “If I want to make it to Las Pegasus I need something more. This trunk of knick knacks is just a bunch of parlour tricks compared to what the show ponies of Las Pegasus can do. The magicians there are all about spectacle. Bright lights. Danger. They have high flying stunts. They use big dangerous animals to…”
One by one she caught the balls in her hooves and dropped them on her desk. “I know what to do,” she said, filled with determination.
Gail blubbed in response.
“ … um … you want what?” Fluttershy asked.
“A manticore. The bigger the better,” said Trixie. “I want the crowd to see drool dripping from its fangs, even if they’re sitting in the back row!”
The two of them were in the middle of Fluttershy’s animal sanctuary. The yellow Pegasus was pouring bird seed from one of the bags she was carrying into an assortment of colourful feeders. “I … um … don’t have any manticores here.”
Fluttershy sung out a simple yet elegant melody. On cue, a small group of birds flew over and began to eat from the feeders.
“But it’s for my grand finale!” pleaded Trixie. “I’m supposed to fire myself out of a cannon, into the open mouth of the manticore, then teleport myself out before I get eaten. It was my greatest death-defying stunt and it brought down the house every time.”
Trixie was using her hooves and body language to help Fluttershy visualize how much of a spectacle this trick was meant to be, though Fluttershy was devoting her attention to making sure her animals were being fed properly.
“It’s the Moonshot Manticore Mouth Dive!” Trixie continued. “I can’t do the Moonshot Manticore Mouth Dive without a manticore!”
“I remember that trick. It was certainly exciting,” said Fluttershy before adding “and dangerous” under her breath. “But I’m sorry I just don’t keep any manticores here. When they’re tamed, they still make the other animals feel unsafe. Even the lions, tigers and bears.”
“Oh my…” sighed Trixie. She really didn’t have time to go into the Everfree Forest, find a manticore and train it in a couple of days. “I guess they’ll have to do.”
“I’m sorry what?” asked Fluttershy.
“The lions, tigers and bears. I’ll take one of each, thanks.”
“I’m sorry but they aren’t for sale.”
“I don’t intend to buy them. I just want to borrow them for my show. Any dangerous beasts will do.”
“But they aren’t trained for the stage. And they aren’t dangerous. They’re quite peaceful.”
Fluttershy gestured to the pen where the predators were kept. They were all lounging around half-asleep, quite content with life.
Trixie rolled her eyes and grunted. “The audience won’t know that. I can make them look scary.”
“I don’t know…”
“Just one? How about just one measly little lion for an afternoon. You won’t even know he’s gone.”
“I’ll have to think about it.”
Trixie followed Fluttershy through the animal sanctuary until they came to a dozen small food dishes. From another one of her bags, Fluttershy dumped chopped lettuce and carrots into each dish before ringing a nearby dinner bell. A dozen white rabbits seemed to appear all around them in an instant and started to feast on their meals with glee.
“Aww they’re so cute!” Trixie exclaimed.
“I know,” said Fluttershy as she pointed at each bunny. “This is Snowball, and this one is Willow, and this one is Angel Jr., and this one-”
Trixie cut her off with another observation. “They’re well trained, Fluttershy.” Trixie put her hoof on her chin.
“Oh, thank you. They’re all very special to me.”
“Hmmm… You know Fluttershy,” Trixie began, “I used to pull a rabbit out of my hat during my old act. But I’ve never pulled a dozen rabbits out of my hat.”
“Goodness,” Fluttershy replied. “How would you even get that many rabbits into your hat?”
“A great and powerful magician never reveals her secrets. You’ll just have to check out my comeback performance to see how amazing the trick looks when these little cuties pop out of my hat one by one.”
“You want my bunnies in your show, too?” asked Fluttershy with mild panic. “They’re awfully young still. And they’ve never been in a magic show before.”
“They wouldn’t have to do much,” Trixie assured. “They’re already trained well enough to follow the sound of a bell. Besides, think of how the audience will react when they see them all onstage together. It’ll be completely safe I promise.”
“Well…”
“Pleeeeease!!!” Trixie got down on her knees and made her eyes as wide and sad as possible.
“If it’s going to be totally safe I suppose-”
“Great. You can bring the bunnies along with that lion the day of the show!” said Trixie jumping back to all fours.
“Okay I’ll… Wait…”
“I still have a lot of preparations to make but I’ll talk to you later. See you around, Flutters!”
Trixie took off, leaving a cloud of dust in her wake. She was in business mode, her mind on one track to get what she needed in time for the show. She left Fluttershy standing there with a confused look on her face. She turned to her bunny friends who were staring back at her in equal confusion.
“Did she just call me ‘Flutters’?”
Trixie was running out of time. She could have done the show any day she wanted. But no, she had to tell Star Search she was performing in just a few day’s time. She couldn’t change the date now; that would just look unprofessional. Stupid!
Lucky for her, she was a professional and she could make last minute additions to her act without any stress. Without much stress, at least. She already purchased as many fireworks as she could fit into the caravan. That took care of a bulk of the razzle dazzle. Now she had some live animals to make the act pop. All it needed now was a sense of danger.
She thought to herself aloud: “Where can I find a table saw at this time of day?”