“Y’all wanna do what now?” Applejack raised an eyebrow at the suggestion.
“Trixie assures you that she means no harm. Please tell them, Twilight Sparkle.”
“It’s just a bit of stage magic you guys. Trixie’s not going to do anything bad, she tried it on me already and I’m just fine. She just needs to practice it on a few more ponies before her next show.” Twilight tried to reassure her friends. “And Trixie, you don’t have to keep calling me by my full name, I thought we were closer than that.”
“Trixie is sorry.” The blue showmare’s ears folded back. “Old habits are hard to break sometimes.”
“Okay, okay, I’ll volunteer.” Rainbow Dash stepped forward. “But it better be awesome!”
Trixie smiled brightly. “Trixie assures you that it will be quite awesome.” Trixie’s horn shone a pale purple as she conjured a watch on a chain out of thin air. “Now, please keep your eyes on this watch, Rainbow Dash.”
Dash’s eyes followed the watch back and forth as Trixie swung it on it’s chain in front of her face. “You are becoming sleepy, Rainbow Dash. Your eyelids are growing heavy.”
As the five other ponies in the room watched, Dash’s eyelids did start to droop, a dopey expression taking over her face. Trixie droned on. “Very sleepy, you cannot keep your eyes open, very sleepy.”
After a few more moments, Dash’s eyes closed completely and Trixie grinned. “You are now under my power Rainbow Dash, you will follow my commands. Acknowledge each one with a nod.”
“I will follow your commands.” Dash responded in a flat monotone.
“When you hear the word ‘wing’, you will...” Trixie pointed at Pinkie for a suggestion.
“Bark like a dog!” Pinkie said, bouncing excitedly.
“Bark like a dog.” Trixie repeated. Dash nodded her head. “When you see your reflection, you will...” Trixie pointed at Rarity this time.
“Groom your mane.” Rarity’s suggestion was rather predictable.
“Groom your mane.” Trixie commanded, earning another nod. “And when you are offered a drink, you will...” Fluttershy was singled out by a blue hoof.
“Oh, um... relive your happiest moment, um... involving that drink?” Fluttershy posed.
Trixie shrugged and repeated. “Relive your happiest moment involving that drink.” Dash nodded a third time. “When I stomp my hoof, you will wake up and remember none of this.”
Dash blinked her eyes as she heard Trixie’s hoof clack against the wood floor of the library. “Did it work?” She asked, quirking her head to the side.
“It seemed to.” Twilight answered. “Stretch out your wing for a moment.”
At the word ‘wing’ Rainbow’s eyes dropped to half mast and she did a very good impression of WInona. “What’s so funny, what’d she do?” Rainbow asked as everypony started laughing for some reason.
“Here, see for yerself.” Applejack hoofed over a small mirror that Trixie had set out, getting into the spirit of the show.
Rainbow’s hoof moved involuntarily to her mane, straightening it out as soon as she caught sight of her reflection. “Seriously, what’s so funny?” Dash couldn’t figure out why everypony was giggling yet again.
“Here Dashie,” Pinkie hoofed over a mug, “some cider will make you feel all better.”
Dash held the mug between her hooves, but she paid it no mind as her eyes were at half mast again. She moaned softly and started to croon. “Ooooh Spitfire, now I’m covered in cider, you’d better clean it all up.”
Five ponies looked over at Applejack, expecting her to be angry, instead finding her blushing a bright red. The next words out of Dash’s mouth cleared up the confusion. “Mmmm, I love you AJ. Best birthday present, ever!”
Applejack pulled her stetson over her face. “Trixie, Ah’d be much obliged if y’all’d undo whatever y’all did ta Rainbow.” She paused for a moment. “An’ let’s never speak of this again.”
Five ponies looked back and forth at each other with nervous grins, nodding silently.