Trixie trotted back and forth behind the tent, biting her lip as she wracked her brain for some of her best acts. What would be good enough to impress these beasts? They wanted to kill them just for being in the mountains!
Taking her hat off her head, she would hyperventilate into it for a few minutes, trying not to panic at the thought of facing all of them.
The showpony had hardly, if ever, experienced stage fright, but this was far above anything she had faced before. If Trixie bombed it out there, it would be worse than being a laughing stock. They'd probably get trampled, or worse!
She took a deep breath and put her hat back onto her head. It didn't matter now. She'd just have to go through with it. Climbing inside her ruined wagon, she began picking out the few supplies that weren't completely destroyed.
"That Starlight Glimmer owes me thousands in bits! If we ever get back to Equestria, I'm suing her for everything she has!" She hissed under her breath, pulling out a small box of bottlerockets, a slightly burnt rainbow scarf, and a few rings. The cut-in-half gag had fallen out during their escape from the city, so that was a bust...
Trixie sighed and slammed her head against the wagon, murmuring a small "ow" before closing her eyes.
Thorax stared in a cracked mirror resting on the side of the cart, examining himself before turning to the showmare. "I have an idea for a trick; why don't we do a teleporting act with you and me. I'll hide in a box, and you teleport' to the other one, then I step out transformed as you?"
Trixie only slightly twitched at the sound of Thorax's voice, mulling over his offer. It wasn't a terrible idea.
Thorax glanced over at the showpony, "I'm sure you'll do great either way… anyways, Uhm, have you seen Starlight?"
The unicorn quickly teleported behind the two, "Sorry, I was just scouting out on the edge of town in case you-know-who was around…."
Thorax squealed as he spun around, nearly colliding into Trixie before he was subdued by Starlight's magic.
"It's so nice to have my magic again; that yak tea really is something… so what's the plan 'o great and powerful Trixie.'"
Sighing, the showpony turned around and gave Starlight an unimpressed look.
"Well, since you destroyed nearly all of my supplies I had at hoof, I'm not working with very much. My cut-in-half trick would have been perfect, but nooooo...." Trixie whined before gesturing at Thorax, "But I suppose his idea could work. If we had a box! Do you know how many bits I spent on that thing?"
"So unless you can magic me up some supplies, I will have to wing it. And I'm not a pegasus!" The showpony grabbed the sack of supplies, setting them near the tent flap.
Starlight rolled his eyes, "You really are making a mountain out of a molehill; why do you just make Thorax the focus of your act? He's a changeling; he has magic neither of us could ever dream of attaining. He can be anything you want him to be and then some!"
"Please, do you think I can always rely on his abilities? My act would have been perfect if I just had my supplies." Trixie sighed, flicking her mane.
Thorax smiled bashfully, "Ah well, it's just my biology… besides Trixie, you can do simple tricks too, card tricks… illusions," he'd quickly snap his body into that of a rabbit, "We can even stick to the classics~" he'd playfully offer.
Looking down at Thorax in his rabbit form, tapping a hoof to her chin, "Well, that beats trying to catch a rabbit out here. Fine, we'll do it your way." She pointed at Starlight, "But you better also be on standby; you are my wagon-puller, after all." She smirked playfully.
Starlight rolled her eyes, "Fine since you're so insistent on your act, I'll handle the lights and what little we have in terms of… supply. But need I remind you that this isn't some bar where you can fumble your way through an act."
"Please, you think I don't know the gravity of our situation? At least they might give me a wide berth since they've seen I'm the powerful one. You on the other hoof? I'm not so sure." Trixie snorted derisively.
Thorax waved Starlight off, "It'll be fine; we got this."
"Now, I think the hat trick will be our opener. You hop out when I take it off, and I'll introduce you as my assistant. Of course, it's my magic turning you into a rabbit, don't let them think otherwise."
The showpony began coaching. "It's all for effect. We need to stupefy them!"
Thorax attentively listened to Trixie as he nodded, "Right, right… we might need a sheet or blanket, however… uh…changeling magic kinda freaks creatures out judging from how you two first reacted to my disguise."
"It is a bit… brutal-looking," admitted Starlight.
"Hmm... I think my cape might do the trick; it should be long enough. We don't want them thinking I'm breaking your bones or something..." Trixie tapped a hoof to her chin before smirking, "Or do we?"
Thorax slowly drummed his hooves against the ground as he bounced in place idly, "Uhm…no…?" he answered, skeptical of Trixie.
"Well, if I am a great and powerful mage who can do such things to you, imagine what they think I could do to them? And..." Trixie chuckled, "... what Twilight Sparkle could do as well."
"Just think about it; if they believe we're on their side and we're that powerful, they might want to protect us even more."
"Whatever, I guess my ideas are just too complicated and complex for you dullards to understand." Trixie hmphed, nose in the air, already expecting them to disregard her idea.
Starlight slowly perked her head up, "Actually...that's not a bad idea, Trixie… subtle, which is surprising for somepony like you. But a good idea nonetheless. Thorax, incorporate transforming into part of the act."
"See? You think I'm stupid, but I see far more than you ever could," Trixie sniffed, closing her eyes as she stroked her ego.
"Don't you even start; you're lucky I was still sick when you pulled off that maneuver with the yaks…" scoffed Starlight.
Thorax shuffled a bit, appearing uneasy with the request, "Well, I don't want to freak them out; what if it scares them too much?"
"Don't worry, it's all part of the act; they'll understand. Right, Trixie?" assured Starlight.
"Well, of course. Besides, whenever I begin a show, I warn them of the shock and awe they may experience. And, if it gets bad, I'll transform Thorax into a fearsome beast." Trixie smirked, wrapping a hoof around the changeling.
Thorax sighed, "Let's hope this works because I don't want to march back down the mountain."
"Alright, alright. Get into my hat, and let's get this show on the road..." Trixie pulled off her hat, allowing the rabbit to jump in before putting it back on. It was surprisingly roomy inside.
Peeking inside the tent, Trixie looked around. Prince Rutherford and his Elders were inside, waiting for her to start the show before they began their feast. The show pony took in a deep breath, gathering her courage.
Lighting up her horn, she dimmed the fire inside the large tent before stepping inside. The yaks murmured as quietly as yaks could, wondering what was happening.
Wisps of light began to flitter through the tent as she waved her horn back and forth, swirling around in a circle. The vortex of colors finally coalesced before exploding in the air, raining down sparkling light on the audience below.
Stepping onto what would have been a stage, Trixie allowed the fire to roar back to life, appearing to the Yaks she had teleported in front of them.
"Trixie, thanks your Majesty for allowing her to perform for such a magnificent audience. Trixie promises this will be a performance you will never forget."
The showpony bowed, a smug smile on her lips, "Trixie must warn you, if any member of this audience has medical issues, please leave now. Trixie is not responsible for any harm caused by shock."
Tossing her mane, Trixie would pull off her hat, holding it out for the audience to see inside. The false bottom of the hat perfectly hid the rabbit-changeling inside.
"This is a simple trick, but one I'm quite effective with." Trixie tapped her horn three times on the brim, signaling the changeling to jump out.
Thorax quickly popped out of the hat as he put on his best smile for the crowd. The yaks stamped excitedly.
Prince Rutherford stomped his hooves against the earth, "I know of that trick! It's a classic!"
"Oh really? You haven't seen anything yet!" Trixie would smile widely before turning to the rabbit, giving him a wink as she lit up her horn. She wasn't performing any spell; it was simply for show.
Thorax took a deep breath as he hopped out of the hat and onto the stage, transforming midair as he revealed himself to the audience.
The crowd let out a mix of horror and shock as they erupted into cheers, the earth shaking beneath everyone from the sheer amount of yaks stamping and stomping.
"See? Told you it would work!" Trixie hissed towards Thorax, doing her best not to let the grin fall off her face.
"Thank you, thank you. As you should know, I am the Great and Powerful, Trrrrrrixie!"
The showpony threw up her hooves, lighting up her horn to throw another colorful light show into the air, "And this is Trixie's Great and Powerful assistant… Thorax!"
Trixie allowed a moment for applause before continuing. "I shall now perform the most terrifying and dangerous acts known to creature kind, the transformation spell! I will turn my assistant into one of the most horrifying creatures known to ponykind: the terrifying dragon!" The mare lit her horn again, aiming it at the changeling.
Thorax sighed, knowing how tiring the transformation would be. He took a deep breath as his body began to twist and force itself to take shape. His hooves slowly transformed into sharp talons and claws as his back and wings elongated before taking their bat-like shape. The changeling grew larger and bulkier despite his frail and weak appearance.
It was unimaginable to think this ghastly beast was once a small, nimble creature. Thorax's dark fur turned into scales as his teal-colored eyes turned amber and reptilian-like. The changeling towered over the audience, the dark beast looming over them menacingly. He was certainly putting in his end of the bargain.
Even Trixie was impressed with his transformation, doing her best not to step back in fear at just his sheer size. Clearing her throat, she looked back at the audience to gauge their reaction.
"Don't worry, my faithful audience; this beast shall not harm you!" Trixie would stamp her hoof. "Now, heel beast!"
Thorax rolled his eyes as he let out a thundering, ear-piercing roar. The crowd quickly shuffled in their seats unexpectedly. Before Thorax slowly lowered himself, resting his head on the stage, giving the unicorn a rather unimpressed look.
The showpony would give him a look as if to say, 'keep it convincing!' before turning back to her audience.
She then realized she wasn't exactly sure where else to go. She had already had him transform into something impressive and commanded him; now, what else?
One particular trick came to mind...
"Trixie shall now perform a most daring trick! She shall now step into the mouth of the beast and reappear unharmed!" Trixie yelled loud enough for Starlight to hear. Hopefully, the mare could teleport her decently...
Starlight peered from behind the tent flap as she frantically gestured for her to NOT go through with the act, while Thorax appeared uneasy as he slowly looked between the pair, giving them a subtle unsure shrug of the shoulders.
Trixie's ears flatten down to her mane at the expression on Starlight's face. Then it turned into frustration; she had said her magic was better; she should be able to perform!
"Yes! Yes! Step into the beast's mouth!" Thundered the yak prince, "Show off your teleportation spell, pony mage!"
Starlight sighed as she charged up her horn and gestured for Trixie to get ready as Thorax slowly opened his maul for the showpony to step inside.
"Trixie promised a performance of a lifetime, and..." She gulped, "Trixie is going to!"
With a shaky hoof, she took her first step toward Thorax, taking deep breaths to calm her nerves. Once she was a step away from walking into his mouth, she closed her eyes and forced herself forward.
Thorax slowly closed his mouth as he felt nauseous; Trixie didn't exactly taste good, what with not having a bath in days and the fact he wasn't a carnivore. The changeling gestured to Starlight to get a move on as he turned green.
Starlight sighed as she teleported into the changeling's mouth, appearing next to Trixie. Gagging at the foul scent of the dragon's breath and wet humid mouth.
Thorax covered his maul as he did his best not to retch at another pony's taste before Starlight teleported Trixie behind the tent flap where she once was.
Starlight glared at Trixie as she shook the saliva off of herself, "Don't you ever speak of this…."
The changeling slowly swallowed as he showed his empty mouth to the horrified crowds.
Trixie was somewhat dazed from the experience; breathing in the fumes from a dragon wasn't exactly healthy. If she remembered correctly, dragons produced methane gas in their bodies which the dragon could expel from glands in their throat, so long as they kept a proper diet.
"Yeah... this isn't a highlight for me either," Trixie mumbled as she stumbled forward, pushing past the tent flap to re-enter.
"Ta-da! Your Great and P-Powerful magician Trixie prevails!" She raised a hoof before pointing her horn at Thorax, barely producing enough light to call it a spell. "Now, return to your original form, my Great and Powerful Assistant!"
Thorax quickly snapped back into his original form as he wobbled a bit on his hooves, appearing to be somewhat exhausted from transforming into such a massive and complex creature. As the audience erupted into thunderous applause, the showmare stumbled over and helped keep Thorax on his hooves, giving the audience a tired smile.
"Thank you, thank you, you've been a great audience! Trixie and her magnificent assistant must rest now, but don't worry, we'll be here for as long as we are welcome!" Trixie slowly began edging backward before leading Thorax out of the tent.
"Oh goodness, I'm so dizzy." Trixie fell down before pulling her hat over her eyes, trying not to vomit. "Good job, though. You exceeded my expectations."
Thorax slowly looked up at Trixie, blinking sluggishly before slowly toppling to the ground and passing out.
Starlight clapped her hooves, “Bravo, bravo. I'd say that qualifies as an outstanding performance, don't you?"
Trixie lay on the ground, trying not to throw up what little she had eaten earlier.
"Please... just get us to the wagon... and I won't talk for an hour."
Starlight chuckled, "Well, I'm holding you to that…" with a spark from her horn, she'd levitate Thorax and Trixie from the ground and carry them toward the wagon. Carefully placing them in the back, she slammed the door behind them.
Trixie rolled inside the wagon, using the last bit of her strength to pull a small wool blanket over Thorax and herself. She was too exhausted to move, her horn sending out sparks as the blanket slowly fell over them.
Finally, the showpony's eyes closed, and the mare slipped into a dreamless sleep.
Finally, a moment to really enjoy her newfound freedom. She had gotten away with her crimes in Equestria, and The Crystal Empire paid off her debts to Trixie and fulfilled her promise. They were safe and free to live their lives in Yakyakistan.
She'd sigh before slowly sitting down against the wagon's wheel and resting her eyes for a moment.