//------------------------------// // The Show Must Go On // Story: Trixie's Revenge // by Outlaw Quadrant //------------------------------// In the middle of the field in Hoofington Arena, the remains of the crimson wagon had been cleared away, replaced by a table where Twilight and her posse of friends were in deep conversation. “I still can’t believe we’re doin’ this” Applejack moaned. “It feels like we’re rewardin’ that Trixie for all the trouble she caused us. For goodness sakes, I have to build her a new wagon AND sell caramel apples!” “But this plan sounds so like much fun!” said Pinkie. “I’ve always wanted to be a clown!” “Oh, did you get the names of ponies from Hocus that could help us?” Twilight inquired. “Sure did! And he even told us how to get some animals!” “Good. Fluttershy, I’ll leave you to take care of that. Let’s see. What else do we—” “Um, Twilight?” said the yellow Pegasus, tapping her hoof on the table. “Are you sure it’s okay to—“ “Don’t worry about it. I’m sure these animals are used to a carnival setting. You can just ask them in case—” Rainbow’s snoring caught everypony’s attention. “Wake up!” Twilight shouted. The cyan mare grumbled awake. “Yeah, yeah. I know what I’m doing already. Set up all the posters and junk. I still don’t like the idea of being in a dunk tank and—” “Too bad!” She then ran down further down her checklist. “Rarity, you got the design for the posters ready yet so that we can get them out?” The white unicorn burned her quill on parchment. “Not…ready…yet!” “Please hurry. We only have until noon tomorrow and don’t forget you’re supposed to play fortune teller as well.” Rarity snapped her quill and glared at Twilight. Spike brought her another one. “Hey, cheer up! Think of it as an opportunity to drum up your business. I’m going to use this chance to practice my announcing skills. They have gotten a little rusty.” They were all interrupted by the arrival of the purple unicorn. “What are they doing here?” said Trixie, raising her muzzle at them. Twilight sat up. “I asked for their help and fortunately, they all said yes.” Her friends grumbled incomprehensive frustration. “Also, we already have a plan set out.” The bookworm levitated over the list. Trixie’s eyes drew narrower the more lines she read. “Unacceptable. The Great and Powerful Trixie does not perform at foallike events such as carnivals.” Twilight walked right up to the magician. “After your little magic show yesterday, we couldn’t convince the town to let us do another one, at least, not without throwing some other things in! It’s either this or I send the letter off right now!” “Hmfff! That voice and those words, they disturb Trixie! Very well. All of you, run along with your duties.” All of Twilight’s friends stood in place, crossing their hooves. “Trixie, say please” Twilight said. “That is a word Trixie does not require.” “You’re going to need it from now on so just say it. Otherwise, we can all just stand around here and do nothing.” Trixie huffed at the lecturer and strained her mouth muscles. “P…please?” For a moment, no pony did anything but with a motion from Twilight, her friends left the scene, complaining on their way out. Twilight breathed in deep and released all her frustration. “Ok, I’m going to start practicing. Trixie, you can watch and learn on how to properly carry yourself on the stage. I’m sure you can give me some pointers as well.” “Trixie does not find any interest in such a mundane activity.” “Get used to it” she replied flatly. A few hours later, Applejack and small group of ponies was at a corner of the field assembling the new magic wagon along with some wood stands. The others were either spreading the word or getting additional help, giving Twilight and Trixie more time to work on the magic act for tomorrow. “Tada!” said Twilight. Trixie did a face hoof. “You call yourself a user of magic but you lack the refinement and grace to hold the name of Great and Powerful Trixie.” “Well, I’m trying my best and you’re not really helping a lot! How about you just do the switch now?” “Trixie will do no such thing. The crowds first, Twilight. That was the deal.” “Well, you’re not making this easy on me.” “You’re not making this easy on Trixie.” Twilight shook her head. “I’m not going that far.” “You ask for help from the Great and Powerful Trixie and that’s the response you provide?” “If I keep saying Trixie all the time, it’s going to make me sound too important.” “But Trixie is important.” Twilight stomped her hoof. “No, you’re not! And even if you were, you don’t need to carry this persona around you all the time! I mean, don’t your friends get annoyed with it? It’s sure rubbing me the wrong way right now!” It struck a sensitive nerve and Trixie couldn’t answer back. The smart unicorn put her head down. “You don’t have any friends, do you?” “They…could not stand being in the presence of such…” The magician’s veil finally fell off. “…no, none of them could stand being with me. They left me…just like my audience.” Twilight sighed. “Well, Trixie, you just need to act a little more…nice.” “Preposterous! Trixie does not—” “Please stop. Just give it a chance. I mean, what are you going to lose by showing everypony that you’re not this big shot magician but instead, just plain old Trixie?” Trixie took a few seconds to think it through and despite not feeling much camaraderie with the pony in front of her, she had a point. “You can be quite persistent, Twilight. I’ll give it a chance if it keeps you quiet.” “That’s all I’m asking.” From afar, Applejack yelled “We’re finished! Come and take a gander!” The purple unicorn caught sight of her new wagon, one that looked just the old one except with a covering of the soft purple hue from her trademark cape. She knocked over Applejack and her helpers and went inside. Everything in place but it was newer, cleaner, and had a little extra pizazz. Trixie hopped off and after looking over her wagon again, let out a squeal of joy. Applejack took off her hat and scratched her mane. “Wasn’t expectin’ that.” Twilight cracked a smile. “She sure does seem…happy.” Trixie turned around and realized everypony giving her a surprised look. With a cough, she slipped back to her usual self. “It looks…fine. Trixie requires…ahem, I need a smoothie so I’ll be back.” She trotted off into the distance. “Was that…a compliment?” said Applejack. “Really wasn’t expecting that. Did ‘ya put some kind a spell on her, Twilight?” “I…pretty much asked her to act nicer but…yeah. Maybe we just need to give her a chance.” As Trixie approached Hoofington Arena, she smacked her lips, satisfied to finally get her beverage of choice before her ears picked up the sounds of conversation and banging nails. She turned the corner and entered the field which now bustled with activity. Ponies, some who looked familiar, were building stands, putting up a large tent or practicing their respective talents: juggling, face painting, shaping balloons, and acrobatics. “It’s almost like before” Trixie whispered to herself. With each step brought more memories of her days as a small filly on days just like this one. Although the scale was nowhere close to the carnivals of old, she felt the aura of anticipation and excitement from her surroundings and soon got the urge to talk with the workers. She found out that a few of them had worked at the old carnivals and many were their direct descendants but they all believed the same thing. The days of traveling carnivals had passed on by but they were all still part of a family and they just couldn’t turn down the chance for one final hurrah. They also shared something that wasn’t as favorable and with her foreign image, allowed her to hear what it was and reflected on them once she heard enough. “I sure have disappointed a lot of them for leaving early” thought Trixie. “But they don’t understand! They were holding me down! No, they were holding me up. If I had worked harder, then I would have been fine on my own. This is my second chance, isn’t it? Well, I better make good use of it, then. Otherwise, I’ll be left with nothing.” Finally, she reached Twilight along with all her friends, taking a break. “What took you so long?” asked the purple unicorn. “Trixie was…I performed an inspection of the work being doing outside these fields.” Rarity took minor offense. “Oh, you don’t trust what we’re doing?” Trixie opened her mouth with an insult ready but her mind gave her a slap. “That…not it. It’s just that…I have more experience with carnivals and thought I could…provide some suggestions.” The group of ponies gossiped amongst each other. Rainbow raised her eye. “So, what did we do wrong?” Again, Trixie fought off the temptation to belittle the ponies in front of her. “Let’s see. The posters were…actually, the design was amazing…and the ponies around town, they…sounded like they were excited about the carnival…and I thought the animals I passed by looked quite cuddly.” Now the group of friends all murmured compliments to themselves. “In fact, everything seems to be in order except for one thing. Twilight, I need to get you ready for tomorrow. You’re not ready to entertain the ponyfolk just yet but that can be fixed if we work on it all night.” Twilight’s jaw dropped. “Wait. You seriously want to help now?” “Isn’t that what I said? I bet you already did a mock run with your friends and found you to be…” Trixie made a long yawn. “…boring.” Everypony snickered except for the one being slighted. “Was I that bad?” said Twilight, letting her ears down. “Ok, guess we better get started, then.” The purple and azure unicorn headed away from everypony else. Rainbow rubbed her mane. “Um, is that the same Trixie from today?” “My, her behavior is …different than usual” remarked Rarity. “Do you think she’s beginning to turn around?” asked Fluttershy. Applejack shrugged. “Well, doesn’t matter much to me but she better keep up her end. C’mon everypony. We got work to do!” At the entrance to Hoofington Arena, a steady stream of ponies came in and out, going past a little purple dragon in a suit. “Welcome to the carnival!” Spike announced to the masses. “Come and enjoy our various wares games and stick around for our magic show later today!” From a distance cried out the sales calls of Applejack. “Get ur Caramel Apples on a Stick right here! Double the flavor, double the fun!” A pink pony in a cloud costume suddenly popped up in front. “Oh, tarnation! Pinkie! I told ‘ya to not scare me like that!” Pinkie the Clown honked her fake red nose. “Hey, I need three more of those caramel apples for my stunt.” “Not again. You couldn’t balance ‘em all the first two times.” “Third time’s the charm, right?” “All righty then…” Applejack tossed three apples. “…but just careful this time. You don’t wanna upset the balloon ponies again.” “Okie-dokey!” Pinkie then rushed over to a group of young fillies and colts and chucked the apples up into the air. She jumped on a unicycle and allowed the stick end to fall on both her front hooves and her muzzle. The young little ponies cheered as the pink clown did a few circles before tossing the apples again, one by one. She ate up the first and second one but her gaping mouth never got the third one. The clown looked up and saw it fly over to the dunk tank where Rainbow, with wings tied with a rope, gobbled it up. “Oh, thanks, clownie” said the cyan Pegasus. She then turned her attention to the growing crowd. “Heh! C’mon! You’ve all given up already?” Out came grumbles about the setup of the game. “Hey! It’s not my fault the target is small! Well, maybe it is.” An old yellow stallion was next up and chucked the beanbag far short of the mark. Rainbow cackled. “Hey, old timer! Maybe we should put an age limit on this. You must be this young to not look silly!” The elder wasn’t going to back off. “Oh, you think this is funny? I’ll have my grandfilly show ‘ya a thing or two ‘bout manners!” A young blue filly stepped forward and made her attempt. The beanbag flew right over the target, adding to Rainbow’s amusement. “Oh, that’s the way to show me! She couldn’t hit the side of a cloud!” Then, Fluttershy came along with a line of exotic birds, a baby elephant, a small giraffe, and a pair of baby lion cubs. She calmly came to the front, giving the animals a chance to play around with the audience. “Rainbow, maybe you should, you know, be nice to the crowd? We are supposed to keep them happy.” The cyan mare gave a raspberry. “Yeah, right! It’s not my fault I’m making fun of them. I mean, they have the worst aim I’ve ever seen, well, maybe except for yours.” Fluttershy tried to open her mouth but her friend cut her off with more laughter, making her sigh. She picked up the beanbag and with one motion, silenced the boastful cyan mare with water, gaining her a cheer from the crowd. Rainbow pulled herself out of the tank. “Wha…how did you—” Fluttershy slinked some pride in her smile. “My aim isn’t that bad.” She then motioned for the animals to continue on and they did, following her down the path and past a small white tent. Inside, a peach-colored mare stood across Rarity, now wearing colorful veils and waving her hooves on a globe. The white unicorn did a little cough, making up a mysterious voice. “What is it that you seek my young mare?” “So, do you think my coltfriend and I will…” The customer couldn’t finish and instead, fidgeted in anticipation. Rarity’s horn glowed and projected fuzzy images. “Oh, yes. I foresee many great things for you two. In fact, I could see your parents…and all the family and…ah, yes, wedding bells.” A high-pitched squeal could be heard halfway across the fields. “Um, yes, well, such a great event requires only the best of wear and…ah, you decided to visit a boutique in…Ponyville. Yes, you were so amazed with the wonderful designs that you spent most of the day there.” “Oh really? Maybe I should pay that place an early visit.” “That would be a wise decision, my dear. Go on and spread the good news.” The peach mare giggled and burst out of the tent. A low voice whispered from behind. “Psst, hey, Rarity.” She turned around and saw a purple head peeking in. “Oh, Spike. Let me guess. The magic show’s about to start.” “That’s right. So, you got time to step out and watch me announce?” “Maybe for the later show but good luck to you. Make sure that Trixie reverses the spell.” Spike gave a salute and ran through the crowds before slipping into one of the many openings of the large red tent. He immediately made a right and hopped onto the wagon to knock on the door. Twilight, already wearing the hat and cape, swung the top half open. “Oh, looks like you’re ready” said the azure magician. Spike glanced inside. “Trixie’s not here yet?” “Afraid not. We stayed up much of the night nailing down the act so she might have overslept.” “Do you think she ran off?” Another voice came in from behind. “Now, why would I do such a thing?” The duo turned around, spotting Trixie. “All that effort and then not see the end result?” said the purple unicorn, shaking her head. “Like I was going to let that happen. So, Twilight, are you ready?” “Well, I’m actually kinda nervous. I mean, the crowd’s much larger than I thought. What if I screw up or—” “Does Twilight already forget the words I said last night? Such thoughts must be cast away before facing the audience. Begin with confidence, end with confidence.” One of the carnival workers gestured at the little purple dragon and after a few head nods, disappeared. “What is that supposed to mean, Spike?” asked Twilight. “That means it’s show time! Get ready!” The small dragon walked off to the center of the large tent where ponies of all ages and sizes sat all around, waiting for him to speak. A pair of lights shone on top of him and a band on the side drummed up some music. “Fillies and Gentlecolts! Today, the carnival is proud to present a magician that will bedazzle you with feats beyond your imagination. Put your hooves down for…Trixie!” Twilight waltzed into the center stage, waving at the cheering crowd. Already, she could feel the tingling of anxiety but also, a rush of excitement. To think that all the ponies were out here to watch her perform, she thought. Now she began to understand how Trixie could have been allured to focus on the fame. She glanced back to her rival, standing within the shadows of the entrance, already fidgeting to go out on her own. Whatever doubt the bookworm had about Trixie reneging on the deal vanished. Now it was her turn to fulfill her end of the deal. After a bow, Twilight lifted her cap and levitated out a set of purple tarot cards, all having an image of doves. She sent them skywards and spun them around in a circle before they went up in a puff of smoke. Then, out of misty grey came real white doves, gaining the magician oohs and aahs from the audience before they changed back to cards and given to the crowds as a souvenir. Spike feigned disinterest. “Not bad but I believe Trixie has more in store.” Twilight took out a solitary card with a picture of a baby elephant and made it grow in size before a swirl of smoke hid it from view. Out of it, the real deal appeared and trumpeted its nose, garnering approving hoof stomps. The magician looked it over and shook her head. “Looks like Trixie isn’t satisfied with the size. But I bet you can fix that, right?” The azure magician nodded and powered up her horn. She encased the animal in a spiral aura before it sent out a bright flash, blinding the entire room for a second. Suddenly, the baby elephant had become an adult and made a louder noise than before, same with the audience. Twilight then raised her front hooves and covered the animal with a huge smoke screen. Once it cleared, the elephant was no more, replaced by the original card. “Nicely done, Trixie. Oh but you have another trick for us? Well, let us see it, then!” The azure pony conjured up one solid metal ring. With her hoof, she moved it about, showing its form before a box on wheels came up to the center. Twilight tossed herself in and allowed her head and hind legs to show through the holes. Then the ring moved about and spun rapidly. Spike put his hand on his mouth. “Don’t tell me you’re doing this again! It took us forever to put you back together the last time!” The ring hovered over the box and slammed down and up, splitting the box in two. The crowd winced and then watched in fascination as Twilight used her horn to spin her two halves around the arena before putting the boxes back together. Again the ring cut through the middle and once the lid opened up, the azure pony hopped out safe and sound. The crowd hollered and whistled while the small purple announcer shook his head. “Now you’re scaring me Trixie. I still can’t believe you’re doing this last stunt! You haven’t gotten it right all week!” Twilight hung the metal ring in the air and it spit out other rings. They all landed in different spots and began to circle the magician before spontaneously catching on fire, making the crowd murmur, wondering what was going to happen. Then, the magician closed her eyes and levitated a few inches off the ground. With a wave of her hooves, the rings of fires stopped their circular motion and came right at the middle at the same time, causing a column of fire to erupt and envelop Twilight. The crowd gasped out loud and Spike played into their fears. “Oh no! Is this the end of our lovely magician?” When the flames extinguished, Twilight was already on the ground with not a burn mark on her. “Give it up for—” Spike’s remaining words were drowned out by the noise of the spectators, with a few of them beginning to chant the name of the magician. Twilight held her bow before waving goodbye for the crowd and entered the tunnel with a big smile. Trixie stood with eyes wide open. “Twilight…you…you actually did it.” “Only because we worked on it. Even if they’re just illusions, they’re not that easy to pull off. I’m glad you pointed out my flaws.” The crowd began chanting for more of the magician, giving Twilight the opening she needed. “Well, sounds like they want you out there so—” Trixie turned towards the arena and a small tear ran past her small smile. “Are you all right?” Trixie cleared her throat. “Oh, yes, of course I am. Well, Twilight, I suppose it’s time to make the exchange.” Back in the center of the arena, Spike caught a glimpse of amber and azure light from the entrance and rushed towards it. When he arrived, his green eyes saw two mares lying on the ground and the amber amulet, faintly glowing before it finally gave out. The purple pony got up first and rubbed her head, moaning. Her eyes then spotted the little dragon. “Hey, Spike. Don’t worry, I’m back in my own body.” “How do I know that—” “You still owe me that favor so when we get back, you’re going to clean the Treehouse from top to bottom.” Spike gave her friend a hug. “It is you, Twilight! So, any way I can—” “No. You’re stuck with the chore.” “It was worth a shot.” They both turned around, hearing the azure unicorn get up. “Such a wretched spell” Trixie muttered. “That’s the last time Trixie uses it.” Twilight hung her head. “Don’t tell me you’re going back to that behavior again.” “How absurd. You actually thought you could reform the Great and Powerful Trixie?” The bookworm and her assistant frowned. Trixie then had a good laugh. “Twilight, it is that easy to deceive you? Trixie still has an image to maintain, you know, but…” She allowed her guard to drop. “…that doesn’t mean I have to carry it around all the time.” The ponies within the arena were now chanting for encores. “Sounds like my crowds await me and Trixie must please them. The show must go on.” Twilight and Spike watched Trixie get on center stage and bask in the glory of the audience. Inside a small tent, Twilight and her friends were eating carnival food and conversing about their day at the carnival. Just outside, the leftover ponies began the process of clearing up the fields. Rainbow was covered in a towel, shivering. “So glad that’s over with.” “Sure wasn’t expectin’ so many ponies” said Applejack, yawning and putting her hat down. “I’m just relieved that Twilight is back where she belongs” said Rarity. “Same here” Twilight remarked. “I just don’t know what to make of Trixie, though. It’s like she was just starting to open up but I’m not sure if she’ll stay that way.” Spike momentarily stopped munching on some popcorn. “Her performance was just like yours, though. Then again, was that in itself an act?” The unicorn in question walked in. “Such a trivial question to ask regarding Trixie.” Twilight waved her hoof. “Hey, Trixie. Do you want to join us?” “Trixie needs to converse with others first. There is good news to be told.” “And what’s that?” “The traveling carnival has made its triumphant return. We are to depart next week, with Trixie as the star act, of course.” The group grumbled, believing the azure magician was back to her old self again. Twilight’s ears dropped as did her voice. “That’s…great. Well, we won’t keep you, then.” Trixie made a motion to leave but then turned back. “Oh, and before it escapes the mind, Trixie…no, I…acknowledge what all of you have done today and I am in your debt.” The magician left the tent and scurried off. For a moment, none of Twilight’s friends could say anything until the small dragon spoke up. “Did she just…thank us?” Spike asked. Pinkie bounced around. “She did! That one counts!” Applejack didn’t share the excitement. “Pretty lousy if you ask me.” Twilight took a step into the light of the moon and watched the azure magician greet a few of the other ponies in similar fashion before disappearing into the horizon. Unlike the last time she saw the azure pony running off from Ponyville, the smart unicorn believed that the lesson had stuck into the mind of the Great and Powerful Trixie and in the end, that was the best she could have hoped for. “Well, it’s not perfect but hey, it’s a start.”