The following morning, life progressed as per usual. The incident the night before was still fresh in the minds of everyone who helped fight the blaze, but their routine would not cease. The cause of the fire had not yet been determined, though there were rumors of the involvement of the loveable but accident prone Derpy Hooves. Zecora had been questioned about it, but she claimed to be just as clueless as everyone else as to what started it all. The normality of the town, however, would once again be broken as the angered screams of a troubled pony sounded from the Everfree Forest. Many rushed to help the pony in need, until they discovered the source of the commotion. Fuming out of the forest was a unicorn all too familiar to the denizens of Ponyville. Wearing a large muddied wizard's hat and a tattered cloak, the "Great and Powerful" Trixie stormed through the crowd with angry determination. As she passed, she was heard muttering to herself, though what it was about was anyone's guess.
"Mayor..." Trixie hissed dangerously, the closest of the crowd taking a step back. "Where...is the Mayor..." she continued, sweeping a deadly gaze over the group of ponies. It wasn't long until the Mayor of Ponyville was retrieved and brought forward. She looked a bit frightened, after seeing the state of the unicorn requesting her presence. Before the Mayor could speak, Trixie rounded on her, one eye twitching as she turned to face her.
"You wanted to see me-" the Mayor began with a nervous cough, trying to retain her formal appearance.
"LOOK WHAT THEY DID TO ME!" Trixie shrieked, shoving a torn piece of the cloak under the Mayor's nose, breathing heavily as she spoke. "They tore apart my brand new carriage! Do you KNOW how much that cost me after the last time?!"
"I...uh, what?" the Mayor responded, taking a step back away from the infuriated unicorn. The crowd around her did the same.
"Those...THINGS...in that disgusting swamp! They ambushed me and tore my brand new carriage apart! I could barely get out alive!" Trixie fumed, taking a few deep breathes before composing herself. "I demand compensation."
It took a moment for the mayor to work up enough courage to respond.
"Well...uh...Trixie...I'm afraid the city of Ponyville cannot be liable for damage to property in the Everfree Forest. It is quite the dangerous place, after all!" the older mare explained with a nervous laugh. Trixie was not amused, but she managed to curb her wrath...for now.
"That is unacceptable. I am not leaving until my carriage is replaced and I am compensated for the trauma I have endured," the stubborn mare declared, turning her nose up at the Mayor.
"You are welcome to stay at one of our fine inns until we can come to an agreement," the Mayor responded, hoping to defuse the situation before Trixie made an even larger scene out of it. The "Great and Powerful" unicorn scoffed loudly, but, much to the surprise of all parties involved, allowed herself to be led away from the crowd by the Mayor.
"I cannot believe the Great and Powerful Trixie must stay in this ratty little town," Trixie stated rather loudly as the two gradually made their way to one particular inn on the outskirts of town. The crowd that had formed over the commotion slowly dispersed, the various denizens of Ponyville getting back to their lives. A few nearby ponies glared at Trixie for her comment, though the egotistical unicorn did not seem to notice.
"I'm sure in time you'll be able to see the beauty in our quaint little town," Mayor Mare responded with a forced smile. She wondered, silently, how much of a mess Trixie would cause until they were finally rid of her. Perhaps it was better just to buy the crazed unicorn a new carriage, to spare the town from her presence.
"I highly doubt that," Trixie hissed, as if insulted by the very thought.
This was going to be a long day...