Chapter One: Up On High
The sky is a domain of the privileged. Somewhere up beyond the clouds a world exists that is forbidden to those weighed down by the chains of a mundane individual. For those ground-dwellers the sky is a symbol of freedom, the ability to go wherever one wants and choose their own fate, for better or worse. To others, those graced with wings or augmentations of a mythical nature, it's a playground. The expanse of fluffy white is a sea or a spring that they can play in to their heart's content, their own private wonderland. There are those who reject the laws of the world, those who challenge the natural. For some individuals, ones of courage, ingenuity, and above all: spirit, the sky is closer than it seems.
“WOOOOOOO!”
Birds scattered, the sound of an exuberant shout tearing across the peaceful silence of the sky. The terrible shriek of a predator followed as the birds fled for safer skies. A bulge emerged in the patch of clouds, a triumphant laughter echoed across the horizon, and the pointed tip of a purple hat emerged through the sea of white. With a single last beat of it's powerful wings a creature blasted out of the cloud cover, shrieking again as if to challenge the heavens themselves. The griffon climbed higher, and its rider cackled. The unicorn stood on hind-legs atop the creature, one hoof wrapped around the griffon's neck and the other clamped on the brim of her witches hat. The mare's coat was a parallel to the sky itself, her long curved mane a shade of silver-blue. Fierce purple eyes watched the cloud-front ahead of them as her lengthy cape flapped wildly in the breeze.
Trixie whooped again, a challenge to whatever false-god that would dare to challenge her place in the air. “Is that all you've got, feather-brain?” she bellowed over the wind, “Help Trixie show the world the true meaning of speed!”
The griffon shrieked again, banking slightly left and allowing its wingtip to cut along the cloud surface below them. Trixie adjusted accordingly, not the least bit concerned that the griffon would be able to throw her in the event that it tried. There was a feeling of elation like no other in her breast. Of all the ponies in the world, she deserved this. They walked on the ground below, less than specks to her now, because they were nothing compared to Trixie. No tenacity, no soul, no drive, they were still stranded on that dust-ball. Not Trixie, since day one she'd told herself that there was no force that could stop her, that The Great and Powerful Trixie was simply the best. Period.
Trixie's dangerous mount kicked its head back, jolting Trixie as it prepared to dive back down through the clouds. The unicorn braced herself as the creature's beak plunged through the first layer and its wings folded, the griffon going vertical. Trixie held her breath, snapping her eyes shut and shivering against the cold and the moisture as they plummeted down. Halfway through the dive she began to lose her grip, after all she didn't have much to hang on with. To compensate for her woefully basic appendages she released a spark of magic, utilizing a gravity spell to keep her hooves firmly planted along the griffon's spine.
“Hah! That's what Trixie's talking about!” The force of wind giving her a natural facelift did little to hold back her boisterous voice. The griffon chattered beneath her, seemingly pleased to have done well by the great magician.
They shattered through the lower clouds. Equestria rolled along beneath Trixie, tranquil and wild as ever. Rolling green hills and expansive forests. So much land left unpopulated, but here and there she could spy a town or a small city, even a number of farms strewn throughout the nowhere territories. All of it was sovereign to Princess Celestia, but in the mind of the azure mare on high, she had just as much right to that world as anypony else.
Their destination was close now, more than sight she could feel it. Trixie had been training for a long time, how long she couldn't even remember. The time had finally come for her to establish herself freshly in the minds of those few who had doubted her. Those insignificant ponies who thought to laugh and cast scorn towards a humble showmare. Trixie had tamed the sky itself, there was no obstacle that she couldn't overcome, and no objective that she could not take into her possession.
It was time. The world slowed for her. The griffon's wings took long minutes to reach their peak before powering back downward. Trixie took a deep breath... and released her grip on the monster. The unicorn stepped backwards, spreading her forelegs above her head as if announcing her next big show. Trixie felt the curved flank of the griffon, the base of its tail a nub underhoof. Somewhere far away the griffon cried out its predator's yell. Letting gravity do its thing, Trixie jumped. Trixie fell.
A blue speck fell out of the sky, a mystery for any who looked up to see it. Trixie might as well have been a star falling out of space. The mare's hat clung snugly to her head, her cape almost threatening to be torn off as she dove headfirst towards the ground. The ballots were closed, the time for do-or-die had come at last. Trixie kept her eyes open as long as she could, but the wind dried them out and they were soon watering as her body attempted to keep them moist. The portrait beneath her grew more and more detailed. Trixie could see individual houses, the fence surrounding a farm, the ponies strolling down countryside roads. The wind rushed in her ears, and she clamped them down against her head to stifle it so that she could think. For the first time she wondered if she'd gone too far, if The Great and Powerful Trixie had overestimated herself and stepped willingly to her own death.
As if Trixie would make it so easy for you, Reaper, the mare taunted in her mind, currently unable to speak or hear herself even if she chose to. The ground had to be close now, at least on the relative scale of things. Trixie knew she had to force her eyes open if she was going to have any chance at survival. Above - and below her at the same time - her cape was twisting and cocooning around her body, trapping and distracting the mare. You'll have to stare into the face of defeat this time. She concluded her thought.
Energy coursed throughout her length. The mare channeled it in pulsing lines from each of her limbs. Trixie could almost feel the magic tingling at the tips of each hair in her mane as it coalesced at the spot just beneath the base of her horn, waiting to be released. There was a zen-like peace to channeling magic, and Trixie had gotten it down to an art. One of the simplest ways for a unicorn to amplify her power was to learn how to focus energy not just from one's mind, but their entire body. For all that the universe was concerned, Trixie may as well have been the conductor of energy itself, waving her wand as the symphony elegantly gathered her natural strength and pooled it between her eyes.
Now or never. Trixie's eyes snapped open, fighting against the wind. The roar had returned, threatening to shatter any semblance of concentration. The unicorn's horn glowed with a severe intensity and quickly warmed to the temperature of an oven burner on one of its lower settings. Trixie knew what to do, clarity was just another score on the board that hung below her title. The air around her compressed somewhat, bending and protesting as Trixie's magic gripped it. At such speed it was hard to gauge how best to snag the air rushing around her, but she caught on quickly to its game. More magic. It was practically exploding off of her. If she hadn't looked like a falling star before, she certainly did now as the purple light surrounding her turned her into a beacon.
It was simple. Trixie could shed the kinetic energy from her fall into the air around her. With magic she could convert it into raw energy to burn off as fuel for the very spell that was drawing it in. Controlling the air around her she could thicken and contract it until it was as if she were sliding to safety down a little glass tube. Still, it took concentration. Trixie bit down on her lip, muting her own ego for once as she she dropped out of the air and fired off wave after wave of magic. Sparks lit up around her, electrical discharges as she turned excess energy to physical form and let it disperse. It wasn't enough, Trixie forced more power to twist to her will. Arcs of lightning flashed beside her, startling and nearly interrupting her flow. Another flash, something singed the edges of her hat. Grunting with effort, she tried to expand the area in which the energy was discharging. The lightning lanced out all around her in a semi-sphere, each bolt fizzling out just as the next one came into being. So concentrated on the act, Trixie didn't notice a simple fact: it was working.
The ground was in full detail. Trixie could see leaves swaying, grass bowing to the horizontal breeze as the unicorn battled a vertical one. The showmare's flashy descent had slowed, for sure, but she was still going dangerously fast. Trixie swallowed a hard lump before taking a stab in the dark. The unicorn curled and flattened herself out until she was upright again, hooves pointed at the ground. Trixie picked up speed slightly as her concentration was diverted from the field around her, but not enough to make a difference if her bid succeeded. Power trickled out of her horn, supplementing her limbs instead and reinforcing bone and muscle tissue.
Trixie can do this, she thought. I can do this.
Impact was brutal. The ground gave off a blunted boom as four hooves touched down, forcing Trixie into a crouch and causing her to collapse onto her stomach over the imprint her landing had made on the earth. Trixie's horn was still hot, in her panic she hadn't released the flow of magic yet and it was burning off energy without any focus. There was pain, Trixie could feel her limbs screaming at her for doing such a stupid thing in the first place as her mind berated poor Trixie for choosing style over logic, for doing such a thing purely to see if she could. Those voices in her head were muted though, muted by a much louder shout, one that sounded more like her own voice.
“HAH! Take that universe! Trixie is the master of land and sky, Trixie cannot be destroyed by the force of gravity itself. Trixie bends the energy of the natural world as if it were her little toy doll.” Trixie got to her legs, ignoring the pain and stamping out an applauding rhythm as she delighted in her own success. “Behold,” she bellowed to the silent field of daisies that surrounded her. “The Great and Powerful Trixie!”
“Well that's a relief,” a condescending and sarcastic voice called. “I thought everypony would have forgotten you by now, at least you still have Trixie to remember you.”
Trixie looked up, matching glares with the figure whom she had traveled to face. It had been over a year, but she looked just the same. “Twilight Sparkle!” she spat, “You and your friends poked fun at Trixie, but Trixie is back to prove that you were then, and always will be, less than Trixie.”
“Trixie...” the purple unicorn replied, false concern dripped from her tone and belayed the sly grin she was aiming Trixie's way. “How do you prove you're better at magic if you don't even have a horn?”
“W-what?! Trixie has... did you not see... t-there was falling, and Trixie...” The unicorn ceased babbling. Trixie stared up and inwards as she fell to Twilight's mind-games. Of course she had a- oh no.
The showmare's eyes went wide, she scratched and prodded at her face and tried to will the protrusion back into existence. It was undeniable, her horn was just gone. Trixie's horn was gone and Twilight stood across from her, the insufferable nobody that she was, grinning. Happily grinning at her second victory over an obviously superior opponent. What could Trixie do? What use was there trying to fight a unicorn without magic? All that training. All that time spent developing her technique, wasted?
“Never!” Trixie screamed, launching herself at Twilight as-
* * *
-As the showmare tumbled off of her bed. Trixie face-planted on a wood floor as the room around her skidded to an abrupt stop. The unicorn was still breathing heavily, trying to get her bearings and drag herself out of the scratchy tasseled blanket that she was now caught in. It took a few furious moments to realize that she was completely alone and in a dark and safe place that could only be described by the mare as 'home'. Trixie sighed rubbing her forehead softly as a vicious headache rocked her world. The mare forced a small nervous chuckle as she righted herself and moved to the window.
The curtain was pulled back by magic and sunlight poured in. The small sheet of fabric had induced near black-out darkness, but the sun shone brightly outside and threatened to blind Trixie as it overtook her caravan. The light spilled over a cramped space that was filled with various props and tools of her trade. Makeup was strewn below her vanity table, where it had lurched away from its corner in the sudden stop. Playing cards were everywhere, along with a thin layer of bright green dust that glittered in the sun. A rack had fallen over, spilling her star-spangled hat and cape onto the floor.
Trixie picked up those sacred objects. The fabric was thoroughly worn, there were several minor breaks in the seams of her cape, and her hat's brim had lost some of its stability. The unicorn carried them over to the windowsill, staring out across the green grass that blanketed the scenery beside the road. The unicorn looked down at her hat and cape, fondly remembering each performance back to the day she'd acquired them. Gently, and very bluntly, she tossed them out the window.
A 'hmph' escaped her lips. “Trixie needs a new costume,” she announced, turning away from the window.
In no time she was hitched up to the wagon yoke and trudging along. Magic was a convenient way to keep her caravan moving whilst she slumbered, but the headache she acquired from the prolonged task was a force to be reckoned with, even for Trixie. Trixie's destination was just ahead now, the city on the mountain: Canterlot. It was still a ways off, but she was glad that she could at least see the gold and white spires of the city now. Trixie's enthusiasm was dampened by the thought that she'd soon be dragging her caravan up those dangerous exhausting slopes.
“Hah... Trixie knew she should have just taken over Equestria and became an empress instead. A life of travel seems much more glorious before you experience its 'charms'...”
The showmare looked fondly at the city creeping closer and closer. Canterlot wasn't quite home, but it was special to her nonetheless. It was where she'd cultivated her talent for magic, where she'd honed herself into the spectacular performer and magician that she had become. It was where she'd grown up. Canterlot was the city where she'd proven that a little filly with absolutely no clue what she was doing could become something great if she tried hard enough. Trixie had been all around Equestria,but nothing beat getting back to one's roots.
Trixie squinted against the sun in her eyes. The loss of her hat may have been premature. Trixie won't be compared to some aged old hat, she thought, justifying her betrayal as she left the clothing articles behind. She’d been looking to update her show anyways. Perhaps Trixie's dream was prophetic, she mused. A griffon would certainly be an interesting addition to the show. Although she loathed the idea of sharing a stage, it was worth the consideration. If she could find a feral griffon it would be the same difference as a wild animal. A pet. She made a mental note to keep her eye open.
* * *
The closer she got the more ponies Trixie passed. Some were royal guards doing their rounds. As always, she drew stares. Despite her agitation at the heat and the effort she exerted to keep the wagon moving she smiled and waved, holding her head high. Trixie will be damned before she lets these ponies think a task this slight could wear her down. A few loud greetings, a couple prolonged stares, and Trixie was satisfied that she’d be able to count on at least a few of the passing ponies to take interest in her next show. Being a performer was as much about salesmanship as it was about the magic. No one wanted to see a magician who didn’t look the part in her off-time too.
A few curious mobs later and she was up to the gates. The guards were always a hassle in bigger towns like Canterlot. For the most part they didn't bother anypony coming or going, but they were obligated to search caravans and traders' wagons. That quickly became a problem for Trixie. Being great and powerful also came with its share of jabs and malcontent hecklers. It just so happened that guards often fell into that group.
Two armored pegasi approached her wagon, each taking one side and looking over it. Trixie's caravan was in much better shape than her cape and hat, in no small part due to the fact that she'd had to acquire a new one in the events at Ponyville. The new wagon was slightly smaller, painted in an icy blue, but of a lightweight construction that made it considerably easier to haul around. The red roof had returned, if a little flatter than her old wagon's roof. Trixie unhitched herself with a quick shot of magic and chased the pegasus on her left to ensure he didn't muck about with Trixie's instruments.
“Great and Powerful, eh?” the guard scoffed, reading the curly gold script painted across the side.
Trixie nodded definitively, “Of course, Trixie is the foremost magical performer in all of Equestria. Trixie's show boasts record breaking attendance numbers amongst traveling entertainers.” The mare looked down at her hoof nonchalantly. No big deal, really. Relatively low on Trixie's list of accolades. She was still intensely proud each time she said it.
The guard shook his head. “Sounds like a bunch of hot-air. How can you stand working for a phony like that? She pay you in smoke and mirrors?” The guard chortled, nudging her.
“Ha. Ha.” Trixie replied, callously. “No, Trixie pays assistants quite generously.”
The guard didn't catch on to her tone, or didn't care. Either way, he reached the rear of the caravan and shoved it open. Without so much as a pause, he stepped up and observed the mess inside. Trixie watched, digging at the ground impatiently, as the pegasus sniffed at the dust that had spilled all over the floor and poked at a cushion in one corner. The showmare was abruptly aware of the box of fireworks sitting in plain sight beside her bed. For the love of Celestia, don't let this oaf-
“These explosives?” The guard asked as he sniffed at the head of a bottle rocket. What was he doing sniffing everything anyways? Was his mother a hound dog?
“They're fireworks, obviously,” Trixie corrected. “Trixie uses them to attract a crowd and set the scene for more elaborate parts of the performance.”
The pegasus looked around the caravan again, still not cluing in on a very simple fact. “Does your boss have a permit for this stuff? Where is she anyways, get lost pulling a rabbit out of a hat or something?”
“I'm Trixie, you dolt!” she snapped, swinging the door of her caravan inwards so he could see her cutie mark painted brightly against the dark wood. “And of course Trixie has the proper certification for all of the props in this caravan, as well as a license to perform on public property!” she cut him off before he could inquire about that tidbit as well.
The guard looked from the painting on the door to Trixie – or, more accurately, her flank – before soaking in a few moments of silence. The pegasus was a statue as his minuscule mind tried to work out whether he should be boorish or respectfully penitent. Evidently he decided on the option that allowed him to flaunt his authority. “Well, Miss Trixie, or is that just 'Great and Powerful'? We're taking your wagon for further investigation, as well as your certification to confirm its legitimacy.” The pegasus smiled triumphantly.
Trixie's eyes narrowed. “Have you ever seen a pony sawed in half?” she asked grimly.
“Nah, just some cheap illusions from two-bit magicians.” The guard flicked a wing, pointedly saying 'get out of the way' with the gesture.
Trixie would destroy you. She thought, venom coursing through her. If there was one thing from her dream that had been true to life, it was that she had been training. The mare's already astounding magical prowess had grown in leaps and bounds as she struggled to improve her show everywhere she went. Then again... the last thing Trixie needed was a chase throughout Canterlot, or a stay in the dungeons. There was always the option of hit-and-run, but Trixie would rather die fending off Celestia herself than be forced to replace her wagon again.
“Very well, Trixie will accompany you to the legal offices. Don't touch Trixie's things!” The mare snapped, stepping down and allowing the guard to exit her property. When he was clear she slammed the door shut, catching a bit of his tail on the way.
The guard yelped as a clump of hair was yanked out. Trixie resisted the urge to point and bellow triumphantly as he drew the crowd’s attention. The pegasus shot her a glare and snorted angrily, Trixie shrugged benignly, a satisfied smile on her face. The guard took off, regrouping with his companion and leading the way through the gates with a few shouts. Trixie smugly hitched herself back up to the wagon and pulled it along into the city.
A/N: Hope you enjoyed this chapter and I hope you're game for more to come. In the coming chapters we'll be introducing the rest of the crew and hopefully sticking to an 'omnipotent' writing style instead of just focusing on Trixie's magnificence (although I could totally write an entire novel about Trixie's magnificence alone). For those of you who were hoping for the epic showdown between T. Sparkle and Trixie, sorry guys. That's not this story. This story focuses on Trixie and her group of allies, whom we'll meet very shortly. From here on in, there will likely not even be a mention of Twilight or other members of the Main Six.
Besides one or two look-overs by myself, this hasn't been pre-read. So feel free to point out grammatical errors, wording errors, unclear descriptions, or just anything you think could improve the story with a bit of a tweak. Unless you think I should simplify Trixie's (awesome) freefalling scene. Because I like it too much.
Thanks for reading!