//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1 - the beginning of the end 
// Story: How the great and powerful have fallen 
// by coffeebrony 
//------------------------------//

It was a stormy night in Equestria, and all across the land there wasn't a single pony about. Thunder and lightning danced across the sky and struck the earth and a driving rain soaked the earth. The worst affected area was a mountainous range miles from Ponyville, and nestled on a secluded, wooded path through the mountains stood a small trailer seeking shelter, but to no avail. 
The rain was coming down hard and pelting the window of the lone trailer, the light coming from the window cast a faint, yellow shimmer across the wet leaves of the surrounding plants. Despite the warming glow of the lamp, the atmosphere inside the trailer was far from warm. A single Mare was sobbing profusely, her face hidden by a star spangled hat, the light reflecting off her tears as they fell, before shattering upon hitting the floor, culminating in a small puddle at her folded hooves.

She raised her head, wiping her eyes trying to try and stop the tears from falling. Upon finally regaining some composure she took a deep breath and muttered to herself. 'Why!? It's all her fault, so why do i have this feeling?'
A faint glow enveloped her hat raising it up and gliding it over towards a small hat rack, on which it rested. The glow then enveloped a similarly spangled cape which then flew across the room and draped itself over the pony, covering her from neck to flank.
'This is all the fault of Twilight Sparkle, it's because of her that I've lost everything.Before i met her, I, the great and powerful Trixie, was well respected and adored by all.' She grumbled. ' Ever since I met that wretched mare my life has been nothing but a string of humiliation, ridicule and..... and....' She sniffed, tears once more welling up in her eyes, but this time quickly choked them back. Trotting across the interior of the trailer Trixie moved towards the back section where a small bed was made up, she lay down then rested her head on her left fore leg. ' And yet, why don't i feel angry? Why do i feel guilty? WHY? WHY? WHY!?' 

This feeling of guilt was not common for Trixie, never before had she sincerely meant an apology, never once had she admitted she was wrong, but now this feeling hung over her like a dark, looming cloud, all the while complaining it was Twilight Sparkles fault. She tried to be angry, but that only lead to more humiliation, she tried to deny any fault of her own, but that lead to the feeling growing heavier and heavier on her conscience. 'Uuuurgh, whats the use?' she sighed. 'I know why, it's all my fault. i brought this all on myself.'
This was a first for Trixie. Not only had she just expressed true sorrow, but also was honest to herself.
'I only wanted to be famous and well loved, i just wanted people to yell my name in delight when they saw me. I wanted everypony to know the name of the great and powerful Trixie!' As she said this her head raised itself in a proud and dignified pose, a smile beamed across her face. 'Ponies of all ages would marvel at my illusions and tricks, they would cheer my name and give me their bits to see my show, and that feeling of being needed and wanted felt fantastic.' She said this with such fond affection her smile shrinking into a humble grin,but then it soon disappeared,her expression became vacant as a thought shot through her mind.' But i let that feeling get the better of me. i wanted more admiration, and my showmanship to perform better tricks became boastful and conceited.' With this she closed her eye, lowering her head back to rest it on her foreleg once more.

Just as Trixie was about to fall asleep There was a blinding flash, and she was suddenly awoken by a colossal crash outside. 'AIEEEE! WHAT WAS THAT!?' She shot up and ran to the window, but stopped abruptly upon thinking about all the possible things it could be. 'What if its an Ursa?' At that utterance memories flashed in her mind. Memories of herself standing helplessly as an Ursa Minor charged towards her, and how she was saved by the quick thinking of another.
Plucking up all her courage she peered out of her window to try and see what the origin of the sound was, outside the trailer, the surroundings were pitch black and the only thing that could be seen was the reflection of the still falling rain on the window pane.' Urrghhh, whatever it is, it doesn't seem to be moving, but i still cant see what it is.' With a quick flash she picked up her Lamp and levitated it over next to her.
The Light given off by the lamp only illuminated a small part of the gloom, not enough to see what had created the noise. 'Oh this is just ridiculous.' Trixie grumbled, before looking over at the door realizing that if she was going find the answer, she would have to go outside. 

Trixie had some difficulty getting the door open as the wind fought to push it shut from the other side, but she managed to force it open. As soon as she had she was buffeted by the swirling cold, and her mane was soaked by the rain. 'This could not get any worse.' Although she was soon to find that it could. Once more the lamp was picked up, this time accompanied by a small plate which hovered over it as to deflect the rain from getting into the top.
Once outside Trixie soon saw what had caused the Loud noise that had woken her, A large tree had fallen across the path a few meters ahead, the base was singed and charred, stray lightning bolt had struck and fell the entire tree.
'This...this.....urrrghh!' Trixie growled, unable to find words to properly express herself. She shut her eyes tight in concentration where, from the confines of her trailer, she tried to envelope the monstrous trunk with her magic, and after struggling for a few minutes, gave up exhausted. Retiring into the sanctity of her trailer, Trixie shook her mane to remove most of the rain water before drying the rest off with her cape. 'Uggh, this is terrible, i cant proceed forward, so that means i have to go backwards.' She winced upon saying this realizing what that meant. ' And the nearest village from here is .............Ponyville.' This made Trixie's heart sink. But for now there was nothing she could do but go to sleep and wait for the morning to come. She lay down, closing her eyes trying not to think about what would happen when she stepped back into Ponyville, and as she drifted off to sleep one final thought crossed her mind. ' At least if i go back there i can.......say..........sorry.......to................Twi................' and before she could finish the thought, she drifted off to sleep.