Tonight had been extra special, Pinkie Pie was throwing one of her parties and of course Rainbow had no desire to miss it the moment she got the invite. As Mare Do Well she’d managed to save a deejay and just yesterday had flown to Appleloosa to stop some, of all things, cowpony-themed villain called King Slinger who had been trying to raid apple shipments. With the villain in jail and her back in Ponyville, Rainbow Dash had plenty to feel good about.
Grinning as she saw the party was already starting, Rainbow trotted into Applejack’s barn. “Hey, girls! Hope I’m not too late!” She said. In response, however, the others just gave her funny looks. “Uh… something up?” She asked.
“I should say SO, first of all why the disguise?” Rarity asked, causing Rainbow to cock her head in confusion. Far as she knew she wasn’t wearing anything, least of all something out of the ordinary, and quick look-over confirmed as much.
“Excuse me? This is how I usually look.” The cyan pegasus answered.
“Now we all know that ain’t true.” Applejack said, a cross look on her face. “Seriously, why’d ya’ll come in here wearin’ that?”
“Okay, now you’re REALLY making no sense.” Rainbow replied, backing a little towards the door as Twilight immediately approached.
“Really, stop pretending to be somepony else. Take that off NOW.” She said, grabbing Rainbow’s ear with her teeth and giving a firm yank. Oddly, Rainbow Dash felt no pain, and her eyes widened as what had to have been her skin just slid right off like a tablecloth. “Good to see the real you for a change.” Rainbow Dash suddenly was looking over at a big mirror that she swore wasn’t there before, she saw she was now in the Mare Do Well costume. How did that all just happen?!
“Wait, no, this is…” She hurriedly pulled the hat and mask off, only to find another underneath.
“Ooh! Ooh! That was so neat! How many more you got on?” Pinkie Pie asked, bouncing around as Fluttershy just sighed a little and turned away sadly.
Rainbow struggled to take the mask off again, finding yet another underneath. And another. And another. And another.
“Would ya just stop lyin’ to yerself, Mare Do Well? Ya can’t just go around pretendin’ to be somepony you’re not!” Applejack scolded.
“No, you got it all wrong, I’m my own pony, Mare Do Well’s the costume—“ Rainbow insisted, now up to her flank in Mare Do Well masks and hats as…
Rainbow Dash jerked up from her bed, wide awake and breathing heavily from the weird nightmare she’d experienced. After a few moments and managing to calm down, the pegasus mare looked over, seeing if she’d disturbed Tank. He remained sound asleep in his bed, earning a small smile from her before it faded as realization from the dream set back in. “What’s happening to me…” She wondered. “Mare Do Well is really me, not the other way around, right?”
~
“The GREAT and POWERFUL Trixie feels such disappointment in this relocation!” A blue unicorn mare in a purple hat and cape covered in star patterns mourned. She’d hoped the Enigmare Playhouse would still be open, but regrettably it had closed down two months ago. Alas had she come sooner it’d have surely thrived. As a switch, she’d be performing at an amphitheater normally reserved for music. It lacked the décor but it’d do for her show, one which had helped provide her a more positive image ever since she brought it on tour.
Her train of thought halted when she noticed a small box lying on her dresser she was surprised to have missed while brushing her mane. It did not surprise her to see things from fans arrive, though usually it came after the shows. Intrigued, her horn glowed and the box unwrapped and opened. Peering within, Trixie saw an odd disk with a hypnoswirl design on it.
“What manner of—“ Trixie began, and suddenly the hypnoswirl spun for a second, causing her to jerk back as she felt an odd headache that lasted for a second or two. Shrugging it off, Trixie swatted the object aside. “Somepony seeks practical jokes? Trixie is not amused!” The unicorn muttered in disappointment, leaving the room to begin her show.
“Clap your hooves, let out a cheer, because The Great and Powerful Trixie Lulamoon is HERE!” The announcer declared, and in a magnificent burst of sparkles and smoke, Trixie stood before her audience, swishing back her cape and a brilliant swirl of light spun around her and into the air, exploding into fireworks.
“Greetings, Fillydelphians! As you know, I am the GREAT, and POWERFUL TRIXIE, and I am here to tell you a story unlike any other! A story of heroes, corruption, and redemption!” The showmare announced, images of Twilight, herself, and the cursed relic that had nearly driven her mad. “It all began when the Great, but VENGEFUL Trixie had sought to even a score against a unicorn who had humiliated her, but Trixie’s intentions were wrong, for she could not see her mistakes!” The image became of Trixie wandering Equestria. “Her misfortunes only fueled her grudge, as she suddenly learned of a powerful artifact that could give her the power to have her revenge, but how could Trixie have known of the cost?” She asked dramatically as the image became that of the Alicorn Amulet, its eyes flashed red.
“Forged from black crystal by the ancient tyrant King Sombra himself, the amulet—“ Trixie began, when suddenly the image broke apart into a swarm of hideous batlike creatures that flew around her and Trixie herself grew uncomfortable; this wasn’t part of the show… the creatures’ eyes flashed red, their mouths spread open revealing rows of teeth as they all flew at her. Trixie screamed and ran offstage as fast as she could, overwhelmed with terror. The audience murmured, staring at the Alicorn Amulet image as it faded and wondering why the showmare suddenly panicked. Up in the rafters, a hooded figure chuckled and slipped into the shadows.
Now outside, Trixie stumbled into a puddle, the horrible things still chasing her. She had to get away from them! Screaming hysterically past confused ponies, she fled into an alley, trying to hide. The creatures were no where to be found and with a sigh, Trixie brushed back her mane. She’d have to try her hardest to convince her audience that it was all an act. As she shook her head and prepared to leave the alley, a burst of purple smoke exploded in front of her, and standing within it was a figure in a flowing purple hooded cloak and black bodysuit. The oddest feature about him, however, was the massive reptilian green eye that seemed to be where his face should have been, and seconds later, the eye faded into another hypnoswirl. As more horrible beings formed from the shadows, the showmare screamed in terror as she saw them descend upon her.
~
“Daring Do and the Manticore Mantle, here I come!” Rainbow Dash said proudly, it being a bright afternoon perfect for flying to the library to enjoy the next of her favorite series. Her intent had been to knock and have Twilight open the door, but she realized too late how fast she was going…
Looking up from the ground after having crashed into the door, Rainbow saw that in the time she’d attempted to stop seeing double of everything Twilight had answered and was now looking down at her. “Hey, Twi.” The cyan mare said sheepishly. “Guess I kinda went faster then I thought.”
“Hi, Rainbow.” Twilight said in an oddly curt tone as she greeted her. “Come on in if you’re okay to stand.” She said, turning and entering the library. Shaking her head and getting up, Rainbow Dash hoped she wasn’t having another weird identity crisis dream.
“Something wrong, Twi?” She asked. Rather then answer, a pair of newspapers appeared in front of the pegasus’ face, one of which detailing Mare Do Well’s apprehending Shockwave in Van Hoover when he’d gone after Vinyl Scratch, and a paper dated for today that showed a picture of King Slinger and his gang barely conscious in a manure mound after having been bested by a similarly detailed costumed vigilante in Appleloosa.
“I collect every paper in the major cities and towns of Equestria, Rainbow. Got something you want to confess to?” She asked.
“Uhhh…” Rainbow began, rubbing the back of her head. “Know what, Twi, I just remembered I left something back home, so I’m gonna—“ She prepared to leave but was greeted with closed doors.
“Rainbow, I didn’t tell any of the others, but… I need to know why you’re still doing this? You’re not just looking for thrills are you?” Twilight asked.
“No! It’s nothing like that!” Rainbow answered. “Ever since all the stuff that happened back then I’ve been, I dunno, different! I think about how many ponies I saved, I think about my dad and Scootaloo when I stopped Gilda from blowing up the factory! I think about the filly I saved in the fire, I feel like I gotta be there for when stuff like that happens again, and by being Mare Do Well they can all have somepony to look up to!”
Twilight sighed. “Are you serious about that?” She asked.
“Twi, I wouldn’t lie about a thing like that!” Rainbow answered defensively.
The unicorn shook her head. “Well if you are, then here’s something else you may want to see.” She said, and she brought up the Fillydelphia Press, its front page left the pegasus staring agape.
“Sensational Showmare’s Psychotic Breakdown?” Rainbow read aloud. The photo featured Trixie who had been strapped down to a hospital bed, with a story about having found her rambling about an eye and monsters.
“Well?” Twilight asked, a stern look still on her face. “Look, I’m curious about this whole returning to the Mare Do Well role thing going on with you, so if you’re interested in investigating this and finding out who attacked Trixie, I’ll be glad to teleport us there right away.”
“Us?” Rainbow asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Yes. Us. I want to see this through, and not to mention save you the trip back, for better or for worse. You’d best go get anything you might want to bring.” She said, levitating her saddlebag and looking for any books that might help explain whatever happened to the eccentric showmare. With a nod and a promise to return in just a few seconds, Rainbow Dash was out the door and on the way back home.
~
In a brilliant flash of light, Rainbow Dash and Twilight found themselves standing in front of the Phillydelphia General Hospital. Shaking her head a little, the pegasus fought off the slight dizziness from the teleportation. “You alright, Rainbow?”
“Yeah, fine as ever.” The pegasus answered.
“Well, this is the first time I’ve teleported another pony this far, even if it’s with me, so I guess side effects were to be expected.” Twilight said sheepishly, earning an eyeroll from her friend.
“Whatever, we should probably go see Trixie now.” Rainbow answered, hoping next time around would be easier on her system.
Getting in was easy enough, Twilight leveraged her own position with Celestia to get security to allow them through and to see Trixie, what had been the hard part was seeing the unicorn herself. The magician was hysterical, curled up in a fetal position and sobbing uncontrollably as orderlies kept a safe distance.
“Trixie? It’s me, Twilight Sparkle… remember?” Twilight asked softly.
“No! Come no closer to Trixie! Trixie will not look!” The blue unicorn said, tears rolling down her cheeks. Looking to the orderlies, Twilight’s horn lit up and her saddlebag opened, she looked over a particular page she’d marked then closed her eyes, her horn lighting up. In a flash of light, Trixie seemed to calm down.
“Where am I…?” The showmare asked, then noticed Twilight. “Uh—Twilight Sparkle! What brings you before the Great and Powerful Trixie?” She questioned in what Twilight and Rainbow Dash could only guess was an attempt to reclaim some of her dignity.
“Look, drop the titles, you’re not on stage, Trixie.” Rainbow Dash ordered as Twilight gave the orderlies a look to give them privacy.
“The Great and Powerful Trixie is not amused by your belief in her use of ‘titles’, she has performed for Fillydelphia many times and thus refers to herself as she is, no more and no less.” Trixie said with a hoofwave. “She would like to know of your reason for being in Fillydelphia, as Trixie is certain the show was here yesterday and you were not.”
“Yeah, yeah, about all that; any idea how you ended up running out on your show and getting found in the streets screaming about monsters and scary eyes?” Rainbow asked. “Not exactly the stuff that comes to mind about you lately.”
“Indeed, the Great and Powerful—“ Trixie began, before noticing the annoyed expression the cyan pegasus wore and the head shake Twilight gave and sighed. “Very well, I don’t remember much of it really… I barely even remember being found or getting here. I just remember these…” She cringed. “THINGS, horrible little things with red eyes and mouths full of teeth, wings like bats, they were all around me, chasing me out of the amphitheater!” She explained, the memory still sending chills down her back.
“But that’s the thing, Trixie…” Twilight began, walking over. “Nopony else saw anything like that. They just saw you completely lose it and run out screaming.”
“How could they NOT see them?! They were all around me!” Trixie protested. She looked down and saw she didn’t have any of the scratch marks anymore from the previous night.
“What else? What about this eye they said you were all freaked out about?” Rainbow asked.
Trixie shook her head. “I don’t know. At first I thought it was another pony, he had a hood and cape, but he didn’t have a face, just a big eyeball!” She explained, causing the other two mares to exchange a glance.
Imaginary monsters and eyeball-headed ponies? Never a dull moment now. Rainbow thought to herself.
“Okay, that is weird.” Twilight said, using her magic to scribble it down on a notepad she brought. Anything else? Like did anything weird go on before the show, maybe? Anything that seemed even a little off?” She asked.
“Now that you mention it, I recall getting a rather odd gift shortly before the performance! It didn’t have a name or anything, but I am used to gifts from fans so I opened it, and there was of all things a hypnoswirl disk inside, barely of better quality then a filly’s toy.” The unicorn said.
“Thank you, that’s all I’ll need.” Twilight said with a smile. “Look, we’ll help you get to the bottom of this, in the meantime get well.” She said, turning to leave, ushering Rainbow follow.
“Trixie would much like to be out of here by tonight! More time to decide on an encore without these odd happenings!” The showmare said, lying back on her bed in annoyance.
“Well good luck with that.” Rainbow Dash said dryly. “But hey, look, how about doing me one little favor to cheer you up?” She asked, an idea in mind.
Moments later, Rainbow caught up with Twilight downstairs in the lobby. “What happened?” The unicorn asked.
Rainbow grinned and shrugged, something in her teeth which she allowed Twilight to take. “Gotcha an autograph.” She said.
“You of all ponies wanting her autograph? You’re more insane then I realized, Dash.” Twilight said with a facehoof.
“No, no, look at the picture. I specifically asked for it and guess what, she’s still proud enough to do it.” The pegasus said, and Twilight gave a look, noticing the picture was an image of Trixie in her dressing room before the show she’d had. “Figure it’d make teleporting in easier if we know where we’re going.”
Twilight grinned. “Yeah, it would! Good thinking.” She said, and after giving the picture a good look, closed her eyes and focused, and in a flash of light, the two ponies vanished.
~
“Yeah, this is her dressing room alright.” Twilight muttered, noticing all the photos of Trixie that seemed to frame the large mirror. Trixie would always be Trixie, she supposed, even if she were noticeably nicer now. The empty gift box lay on the corner sideways, and the lid on the floor just near it. “The thing she got has to be around here somewhere. I don’t think the police would have been here yet.” She said.
Rainbow Dash looked around, then spied something sticking out halfway under a wardrobe. Sliding it out with her hoof, Rainbow Dash noticed it looked like a disk-shaped object with a hypnoswirl on it. “Hey, Twi, this what we’re—“ Suddenly she felt a dizzy spell come over her, the room got blurry for a second but then returned to normal.
“Careful!” Twilight said, using her magic to yank it away and placed it in her saddlebag. “You okay? That thing could be dangerous!”
“Yeah, I’m fine.” Rainbow said, wondering what had come over her back there.
“Well, we got what we came for.” Twilight explained. “I’m gonna go back to Ponyville so I have all my books and lab to study this thing.”
“And me?” Rainbow asked.
“I’ll send you back to the hospital. It may take me some time to study this thing but they’re probably gonna release Trixie from the hospital since she should be recovered by now. I think it’d be a good idea if somepony watches her back, in case whoever attacked her comes back, don’t you think?” Twilight asked. “I mean, that is what heroes do, right?”
Rainbow gave a salute. “You can count on me!” She said. As annoying as Trixie could be, she had been trying to turn her life around after the incident with the Alicorn Amulet and was still a victim in need, somepony Mare Do Well was meant to protect. With that, Twilight teleported her away, then did the same for herself.
~
“The Great and Recovered Trixie appreciates release from this establishment!” The blue unicorn announced as she was escorted out of the hospital and was greeted by two unicorn guard ponies the hospital had contacted.
“Miss Lulamoon, we’re here to provide you escort to your hotel room, in case of another attack. We’ll keep watch after.” One guard said, gesturing to the carriage.
“The Great and Powerful Trixie is in your debt.” The unicorn showmare said with a smile as she boarded the carriage, and they departed shortly after. As they left, unknown to anypony, a costumed pegasus leapt from the hospital roof and flew after them, creeping from cloud to cloud and building to building, keeping careful watch over them.
As the carriage continued its course down the nighttime streets of Fillydelphia, the guards noticed something up ahead, a thick purple mist that seemed to be gathering. Slowing to a stop, the guards grew concerned. “Stay inside, Miss Lulamoon. Something’s going on out here.” One of the guards said.
Before the blue unicorn could reply, however, the carriage was suddenly turned over by violet magic, sending it rolling a few times. Trixie grunted in pain as she got up, somewhat dazed and climbing out of the broken doorway.
“Uh oh…” Rainbow Dash muttered to herself, flying closer but keeping hidden, waiting for the assailant to reveal themselves. She didn’t have to wait long, as seconds later, within the purple smoke, stood a pony in a flowing dark purple hooded cape and black bodysuit. His hooves were covered with harnessed gauntlets and he wore some kind of vest guard with odd symbols on it. His horn jutted out of the top of the hood, but his most unusual feature however, was the glowing green reptilian-looking eye that was under the hood in place of a face.
“Who’s there? Who are you?” One of the guards asked, getting up from the sudden attack that had happened to the carriage they were pulling.
“You may call me Decepto, master sorcerer and manipulator of the mind!” The hooded figure declared in a low, reverberating voice. “I am here to exact vengeance against the so-called ‘great and powerful’ Trixie Lulamoon. You will not stand in my way!”
“Think again!” The guards said, their horns charged up as they fired blasts of magic at the costumed unicorn, who waved his hoof and their attacks seemed to just go right through him. Another burst of purple smoke appeared, engulfing the guards and Trixie, the guards attempted to fire again, but their horns only fizzled and sparked helplessly.
“My turn.” Decepto said, rearing back on his hind legs, his horn glowing. “Quia mundus semper fuit ardens suus fuerit conversus!” He chanted, and suddenly a massive wall of flame appeared before him and rushed at the guards, engulfing them. The guards screamed and ran away in a panic, covered in flames as Decepto let out a sinister laugh and began to approach.
“Trixie will not be defeated so easily this time!” The unicorn showmare declared, leaping into action and charging her magic, only for it to fizzle out as well. “…W-what? My magic?!”
“..Is no good against a sorcerer like myself.” Decepto said. “Observe!” He raised his right hoof and his horn glowed again. “Sulum contemno tertius ingenero!” Suddenly, ghostly snakes materialized around him and lunged at Trixie, wrapping around her and causing her to collapse to the ground.
“What have I done to you? Tell me!” The blue unicorn pleaded. She had made some ponies dislike her in the past, but she didn’t recall anything that could lead them to going this extreme against her.
“All in good time, you fraudulent foal!” Decepto said with a laugh, standing over her.
“How about you tell us everything!” Mare Do Well declared, swooping down at the costumed unicorn at high speed. Much to her surprise, however, when she impacted with him, the hooded villain exploded into a swarm of bats. Unable to focus, Mare Do Well lost speed and tumbled across the street. Turning, she saw the bats reform back into the costumed unicorn. “Cool trick, but try this one!” She said, using a sudden burst of speed, then faking him out with a loop and striking him from behind, only for Decepto to vanish in a flash of light this time, briefly blinding her.
“Ugh, okay that’s cheating!” Rainbow grumbled in annoyance, rubbing her eyes and attempting to turn but was suddenly hit from behind by Decepto. Falling, but recovering quickly, the costumed pegasus quickly rolled and bucked her hind legs out, kicking the unicorn villain in the chest and knocking him over and giving her momentum to land back on all fours. Decepto grunted in pain for a moment, then prepared to turn over but was immediately pinned down by Mare Do Well.
“Alright, pal. Start talking or I put that big ugly eye of yours out first!” She threatened, raising her hoof, but Decepto simply laughed.
“Very well, I’ll start at the beginning; Did you find my little gift I left her the other day?” He asked.
“Yes.” Mare Do Well answered, striking him in the chest, but he seemed unafraid.
“That’s all I needed to know.” He said, and with a terrifying laugh his eye transformed into a undulating hypnoswirl. The weird feeling Rainbow had suffered when she’d found that thing in Trixie’s dressing room earlier quickly came back, and suddenly Decepto’s hypnoswirl eye seemed to grow larger, taking up her entire field of vision as a horrible screeching sound began to grow within her mind as well, then she felt like she was falling, odd whispers all around her that she could only barely make out.
Get out of here! Get out of here! Get out of here!
Mind playing tricks on you!
Rainbow Crash! Rainbow Crash!
The undulating hypnoswirl suddenly transformed into four padded walls with a tiny barred window showing a night sky, and she herself was bound in a straightjacket, the locked door the only apparent exit. “Where…?” Rainbow Dash wondered, hearing a faint barking she could have sworn came from a nearby cell.
“Someone here to see you, Rainbow Dash.” A unicorn orderly said as he opened the door, and Twilight entered.
“Twilight!” Rainbow cried out, falling over and she could hear the whispers again. Shaking her head, she looked up at her friend, who did not look happy to see her at all.
“I should have known you couldn’t do it.” Twilight said coldly. “It was wrong of me to let this whole Mare Do Well thing slide with you. Trixie’s gone, and I don’t think you’re worth letting out. I’ll see where my own work gets me from now on with friends I know I can actually count on. Not ponies obsessed with proving themselves.”
“Twi, this wasn’t my fault! He did this thing to me, I couldn’t fight it off! I can’t let him hurt Trixie!” Rainbow pleaded.
“Oh he already HAS!” Twilight said viciously, flinging a newspaper in front of the bound pegasus, whose eyes widened in horror at the headlines.
“Showmare Slain By Sorceror Supervillain!?" She read aloud. “Oh no… oh no oh no…” Rainbow Dash stammered, unable to believe what she saw. She hadn’t just lost to this villain, she’d… failed.
“You’re a failure after all, Rainbow Dash. Goodbye.” Twilight said, turning to leave.
“No! Twi! I’m sorry! I’m sorry! Please, don’t go!” I’m sorry!” She begged, breaking into a sob as Twilight and the orderly left, and the walls began to close in around her, prompting a horrified scream from the young pegasus.
~
“Rainbow Dash! Rainbow Dash! Wake up!” Twilight pleaded, her horn glowing as she tried to wake the pegasus screaming and thrashing about hysterically on the hotel bed. “Come on, wake up!” The unicorn’s horn glowed brighter, and Rainbow Dash suddenly jerked up screaming but now completely awake.
“It’s okay, Rainbow. You’re alright now.”
“Twilight? Where? How did I get here? You’re not—“ The pegasus asked, trying to stop shaking.
“I made it back earlier then I expected, I found you in the street unconscious, then brought you back here and suddenly started screaming like you were having a nightmare.” The unicorn explained.
“I was… the guy’s called Decepto, he ambushed the carriage and attacked. I almost had him then suddenly he did this hypno-thing with his eye, and I woke up in a mental institute. You were there, called me a failure and said Trixie was killed!” Realization hit her. “Ohmygosh, Trixie! Where is she?” She asked, fearing the worst now.
“She’s missing. They found the guards running around thinking they were on fire. They’re okay now, I guess whatever he did to them wore off.” Twilight explained.
“Well we need to find her. What did you find out about that… thingy?” She asked, eyeing the saddlebag Twilight had with her.
“It’s an enchanted item. I think our ‘Decepto’ enchanted it with some kind of hypnosis spell, when a pony looks at it, it lowers their resistance, makes them more susceptible to hallucinatory magic and other spells involving mind manipulation. Which reminds me!” Twilight said, her horn glowing and a gem and a tissue with purple residue floated out and landed gently on the bed. “This gem was also enchanted, take a look.” She said, her horn glowing and the gem shimmered, and suddenly a wall of fire emerged from it.
“WHOA! TWI! WATCH IT!” Rainbow cried out, barely avoiding the wall of flame as it vanished, and noticed the bed and wall were unharmed.
“It was an illusion, Rainbow. It can’t hurt you.” Twilight explained.
“That explains how I couldn’t touch him when I attacked him most of the time. But what about those guards? They seemed sure they were on fire and they didn’t look at any hypno-thing.”
“That brings me to the next part. This residue. It’s made from an herb that’s used for several different things, spas use small doses of it for making a pony’s skin more sensitive, for massages and such and treating aches and pains but can also dull a unicorn’s magic a little bit… but at this level of concentration it’d do way more then that. It’s also been mixed in herbs used to raise anxiety as well, used to be used long ago for horror plays to make them more intense, but well…” Twilight said with a light shrug. “For obvious reasons it’s been out of practice since. I think this Decepto is more smoke and mirrors then actual magical power.”
“Well this guy obviously knows his stuff, and he’s got a serious grudge on Trixie.” Rainbow explained. “But then again, Trixie having enemies is no surprise, even if she’s changed.”
“Well she’s not around to ask, and we gotta work fast if we’re gonna find her.” Twilight replied. “But I think if Decepto has got a lot of skill with stage tricks, and he knows Trixie enough to want revenge on her for something he’s gotta have been in the business before.”
“And Trixie changed her ways awhile ago, and has been doing shows ever since, far as I’ve heard. Why wait till now, though?” Rainbow asked.
“Maybe there’s something about Fillydelphia that matters to him.” Twilight wondered. “Ooh! I know where we can go to find out!” She said, suddenly enthusiastic to the point if Rainbow wondered if the unicorn had forgotten the situation at hoof. “Oh. Sorry, just I’ve been always wanting to see this place. The Fillydelphia Library should have plenty of old newspapers we can find something out about any shows Trixie held here!”
With a roll of her eyes, Rainbow Dash packed her saddlebag and they left for their destination.
~
The library was, needless to say, capable of making the one Twilight Sparkle lived in look tiny in comparison. A massive stone structure with a statue of Record Reader, the building’s founder, stood proudly in the front. As they entered, they were greeted by a light gray unicorn stallion with a dull maroon mane at the desk.
“Hello, I was wondering if I could visit the newspaper archives? I’m doing a research project for my schoolwork, I wouldn’t want to disappoint Celestia.” Twilight said with her best smile. The librarian adjusted his glasses.
“So you’re the unicorn she was teaching. Heard about you.” The librarian said. “I suppose I can’t turn that sort of request down.” He mused. “Take the right hallway and make your first left, the archives will be in the room at the end. Just let me know if you or your friend need help finding anything.” He explained with a friendly smile.
“Thank you, sir.” Twilight said, while Rainbow settled for a small salute and they headed to their destination. “Well he seemed nice.” Twilight said, looking around at the walls covered in books.
“Yeah, I guess, weird cutie mark though, wouldn’t expect a librarian to have a mirror on his flank.” Rainbow remarked. “Why? The egghead got a crush?” She teased.
“Oh, hush, Rainbow. Just taking in all the scenery. This place isn't as big as the one in Canterlot, but it’s been awhile since I really got to appreciate a big library.” The unicorn said.
“Whatever you say, Twi.” Rainbow said as they reached the archives room.
“Okay, Trixie’s shows in Fillydelphia would probably be front-page news given all the hype she used to make about herself.” Twilight explained. “We need to find any paper that talks about the times she’s been in town.
“Well we don’t have a lot of time, Trixie’s still out there and I gotta help her! Any spells you know that can make the search a little faster?” Rainbow asked impatiently.
“Actually, I do!” Twilight said with a smile, remembering a spell she’d studied to make searching her library easier. Closing her eyes and focusing on Trixie, several of the newspapers floated out of their place and landed before the ponies. “Any paper that mentions Trixie is right here. Let’s look them over.”
About a halfhour later, Rainbow Dash noticed something. “Hey, Twi, check this out!” She said, prompting the unicorn over. “According to these, Trixie used to work with assistants, but she kept firing them. Guess she loved having all the attention on herself.” She said.
“Yeah, some ponies have that problem sometimes don’t they?” Twilight said, looking at the cyan pegasus.
“Hey, I may be the most awesome flier around still, but I’m not that bad about it anymore.” Rainbow said defensively. “Anyway, this guy they’re talking about here was her last one, a unicorn named Smokin Mirrors who was pretty talented himself and worked with her at this playhouse called Enigmare, but that’s not where she was attacked.”
“Yeah, no reason it should be, this paper says it got closed down pretty recently. Trixie was pretty upset about it.” Twilight said, showing another paper. “Any pictures of that assistant? I mean, getting fired and all by her over personal glory might be reason for revenge.” Rainbow turned the paper to where it continued, revealing a picture of him. “It says he was really good at illusions and stage tricks, Trixie decided he was getting too much attention and cut him loose.” Then her eyes widened as she noticed something about him. The face, the cutie mark…
“Twi… that’s the librarian we just saw earlier…” Rainbow said, preparing to grab her costume.
“Come on, then!” Twilight said, but before either pony could act, explosions of the familiar purple smoke filled the room.
“Oh no, do stay awhile, nosy little fillies!” Decepto’s voice declared, the doors closing on them as he appeared above them, hovering in the air. “Venit fulgur!” He shouted, raising his hooves and his horn glowing, and clouds gathered in the ceiling, and lightning struck everywhere.
“We gotta go! Now!” Twilight said urgently, charging up her horn to teleport them outside, but her horn sparked violently, the smoke beginning to affect her, Rainbow Dash abruptly vanished, Twilight did not, her horn then fizzled out.
“Poor little mare, all alone…” Decepto taunted, floating towards her. Twilight desperately tried to use her magic, but to no avail, her horn was unresponsive.
“Where’s Trixie?” Twilight demanded.
“Oh, she’s quite well. I’ll be glad to take you to her.” Decepto replied with a laugh.
With no other option, she attempted a charge, but flew right through him as he burst into a puff of smoke, then reappeared behind her, pinning her against the wall. “Don’t worry, this won’t hurt… much…” His eye then glowed brightly and transformed into an undulating hypnoswirl and Twilight only had just enough time to scream as a horrific screeching could be heard within her mind...
~
“Ughh.. Twi warn me next time…” Rainbow Dash muttered after having finished vomiting from the teleportation spell, causing a few ponies passing by to give her funny looks. She wondered if whatever that stuff Decepto used may have had part in it or if Twilight was so urgent with the spell it had this effect.
Wait, where was Twilight?
Rainbow looked around frantically, realizing Twilight was no where to be found. Did that mean…
“Oh no!” Rainbow Dash galloped back inside, other guests running out of the library passed her as the smoke spread around the place. Taking to the air, Rainbow Dash flew several circles as fast as she could, causing a small tornado to suck up all the smoke, then flew off towards the archive room. “Twilight!” She called out, only to find the room empty, with a single open window. Decepto had already taken her. “Great… now what…” She muttered, then heard a faint crinkle under her hoof, noticing the open newspaper showing the closing of the Enigmare Playhouse. Realization hit her… that had to be where he was hiding out, and he probably had Trixie and Twilight there too! Grinning, the pegasus opened her saddlebag and put on the costume as quickly as she could.
“Twi, Trixie, I won’t leave ya hanging.” Mare Do Well said, memorizing the address as the paper listed and with that, she flew out the open window to find them.
~
Twilight groaned as she slowly came to, opening her eyes, the unicorn shuddered at the discovery she was drifting in outer space somehow. “What in Celestia’s mane—“ She cried out.
“My apologies.” Decepto’s voice echoed around her, and the scenery faded, revealing a basement area, the unmasked Decepto stood before her, his horn glowing as a gem by his hoof flickered and faded out. “Welcome to the Enigmare Playhouse, Trixie over there I’m sure is familiar with it.” He stated, gesturing to the bound Trixie who had appeared next to Twilight when the illusions had faded. “After all, our last performance was here, if I’m not mistaken.” He said with a laugh. “Don’t attempt any magic. The smoke you both have been breathing has dampened your power.”
“You’re Smokin Mirrors, right?” Twilight asked. “Look, I know Trixie hurt you in the past, but she’s changed, she’s different now. You need to forgive her, and as Celestia’s student I can promise if you let us go I’ll see to it she’s lenient on you.”
“Smokin Mirrors… is that really you?” Trixie asked, trying to sit up despite being bound up as the unmasked villain turned toward her. “I’m so sorry for how I treated you back then.” She said, sincere guilt in her voice. “I had hoped when I came here to look you up after the show and apologize. It was wrong of me to throw aside someone as talented as you were, especially just because I wanted the attention for myself. If anything, I should have taught you, and helped you get into the show business too.” She said, the tone and her pained look as well as having broken her third-person stage persona was all Twilight needed to know the other unicorn was completely honest and sorry towards her former assistant.
Decepto stepped back slightly, pausing for a moment, then turned away.
“It’s too late for apologies, Trixie.” He said, letting out a crazed chuckle. “…Or for the Princess’s forgiveness.” He turned around, a sneer on his face. “Imagine the respect I’ll gain when I’m known for having conquered two of Equestria’s most talented magicians! The respect I’ve deserved all these years! The respect YOU denied me!” He shouted, his horn glowing and his helmet sliding out and reassembling from within his hood, forming into the familiar glowing eye.
“You’re insane. This won’t get you what you want.” Twilight threatened. “And I know you won’t win.”
The unicorn sorcerer laughed. “Oh, are you referring to that costumed superhero pony I bested so easily last night? If she’s smart, she’ll have given up by now or I’ll do far worse to her then I did the last time.”
“That’s the thing. She never gives up… and she really hates losing.” Twilight said, a confident smirk on her face which earned a dumbfounded look from her fellow captive who hoped Twilight knew what she was talking about.
“Well, then, I’ll look forward to showing you how I beat her last time, first-hand!” Decepto replied, and turned to leave.
~
“This must be the place.” Mare Do Well muttered to herself as she looked at the now-worn down building. The playhouse was quite large, and no doubt had been quite beautiful in its prime. Windows were boarded, the door was chained up, but she knew Twilight and Trixie were there, along with their captor. Descending, the costumed pegasus circled the building, looking for any sign of a way in, and spied a broken window on the third floor. Flying towards it, Mare Do Well flew carefully in and landed, finding herself in an empty storage room. Moving through it quietly, the costumed pegasus carefully opened the door, and found herself in a long hallway. Stepping in, she noticed the odd smell in the air and couldn’t help but cough. As soon as she stopped coughing, however, she noticed everything getting blurred and warped, and Decepto’s laughter was suddenly heard all around her. Looking ahead, at the end of the hallway, she saw him standing there. Before she could do anything, though, he suddenly flew right at her, his hood transforming into a hideous, fanged, snarling maw.
Instinctively, the costumed superheroine raised her hooves to defend herself, thrusting her right hoof out at the terrifying creature as it flew right through her like a phantom.
“More illusions…” Rainbow muttered under the mask as she fought off the dizziness from the gas and approached the door at the end of the hall, finding a tiny glimmering gem stuck to it. Kicking it loose with her hoof, she watched as it fell to the floor, and the false image of the monstrous visage Decepto had assumed reinacted its laughter and lunging at the ceiling like a recording. “Cute. Probably thought he’d scare me out.” She muttered with a laugh. Still, it meant he was prepared.
Pushing open the door, Mare Do Well felt the air get better and everything cleared up, finding herself in a smaller hallway that led left, and followed it, finding herself on the balcony overlooking the stage. And there on the stage, bound and gagged, were Trixie and Twilight Sparkle. Spreading her wings to fly to their rescue, the costumed pegasus prepared to go help them but hesitated, realizing this could be another trap.
“Welcome, Mare Do Well.” Decepto’s voice announced from all around the room, then he descended from the rafters, illuminated by his unicorn magic and his eye glowing as it glared intently at the pegasus heroine. “Trixie was doomed from the start, but this little one, much like you, should have stayed out of trouble. Now, I’m willing to let you leave with your flank unharmed, if you do so right now. What’ll it be, Mare Do Well?” He asked.
“I say no bucking way.” The costumed pegasus answered. “Plus, any schoolfilly can see this is a trap.”
“You catch on.” Decepto answered, the images of Twilight and Trixie vanishing and leaving behind more gems. “But it won’t save you!” He glowed brighter, and the curtains spread, revealing a massive undulating hypnoswirl, causing Mare Do Well to fall from the balcony from a brief dizzy spell, and flapped her wings as quickly as she could to slow her fall and fly at the costumed unicorn.
“Ego puto verus lamia operor non mico!” Decepto chanted, and reality itself seemed to shatter before Mare Do Well’s eyes, the stage, floor, chairs, and chunks of wall now drifted about in a swirling maelstrom surrounded by outer space.
“Oh, Tartatus…” Mare Do Well muttered, pausing as she took in her new sights and landing on one of the scattered pieces of solid ground. Decepto laughed maniacally as he suddenly grew much, much, much larger, to the point Mare Do Well was practically an insect compared to him in size. “What will you do now, puny little hero?” The giant asked in a booming voice that would have made Princess Luna’s Royal Canterlot Voice sound like a meek whisper as he sent several asteroids her way that she managed to dodge, and seconds later the giant’s horn fired a bolt of lightning at her.
Mare Do Well rolled out of the way on the tiny piece of land she now drifted on and spread her wings, flying to a floating chair, then to a chunk of wall, avoiding a blast of lightning that shattered it apart. His giant eye glowed, seeking her out like a searchlight.
“You can run, but you can’t hide!” He taunted, swinging his gigantic hoof at the wall she hid behind, sending it flying as she fell to a lower chunk of ground that had once been the stage. “Peek-a-boo!” He declared, his horn glowing again as he fired another lightning bolt which she narrowly avoided, and attempted to fly, only to suddenly feel gravity dramatically increase where she stood. “It’s no use, GIVE UP!” Decepto’s voice taunted. Mare Do Well could hear the voices of her friends.
“Give it up!”
“You were gonna fail sooner or later!”
“Fail!”
“Fail!”
Failfailfailfailfailfailfailfailfailfailfailfailfailfailfailfailfail—
“No. No. NO!” Rainbow cried out. She then remembered something else, something that gave her the resolve she’d been looking for…
We all have our destinies, Rainbow Dash. Even you. While I cannot say what it is, I believe as you grow and learn, you will find yourself coming ever closer to your true purpose in life. But you must never give up, not on yourself and least of all on those you love. That sense of loyalty has always been your finest quality and I hope that you will never lose it, no matter how dark the situation may seem.
~Signed Princess Celestia
“This isn’t real, this isn’t real…” She told herself, the gravity crushing her against the drifting piece of land and suddenly, for a brief second, Decepto’s eye became a hypnoswirl, and everything faded, revealing he had pinned her down in an otherwise normal stage auditorium, then the nightmarish illusion reappeared. This time, however, Rainbow Dash grinned under the mask and closed her eyes, swinging her hoof as hard as she could.
With a loud crack, her hoof impacted something, and the illusions flickered and vanished, revealing them back in the playhouse auditorium on the stage. Decepto was stumbling backwards, his hoof to his eye which now had a jagged crack in it. Quickly getting up, the costumed pegasus lunged forward with another swing of her hoof, striking him hard enough to shatter the helmet. “Show’s over, Decepto!” grabbing him with her forehooves, Mare Do Well lifted the unicorn off the ground and with a spin, flung him into the screen displaying the hypnoswirl, and the illusionist tore through it and crashed into the wall behind it, causing the screen and several other pieces of debris to fall on top of him as he fell to the floor, unconscious.
Taking a few breaths, and smirking in satisfaction, Rainbow looked around for any sign of Twilight or Trixie, a search quickly concluded when she heard shouting from under the stage.
“Is anypony up there?” Trixie’s voice pleaded. Pushing the door open with her hoof, Mare Do Well dropped under the stage and found the captive unicorns.
“R—Mare Do Well! You came!” Twilight said, nearly falling over from being bound up.
“Of course I did. I wouldn’t let anypony be left hanging. No matter who they are.” She said, giving a glance over to Trixie. Going behind Twilight and sliding up the mask slightly, she bit the ropes loose so Twilight could get free. “Not bad, huh?” She asked with a smirk as she slid the mask back into place.
“He didn’t give you too much trouble did he?” Twilight asked.
“Eh, nothing the Mysterious Mare Do Well can’t handle.” The costumed pegasus said. “We’d better get him tied up so the police can deal with him.”
“If it’s not too much trouble, the Grateful and Patient Trixie would appreciate being freed as well!” The blue unicorn said nearby, prompting Twilight to rush over and free her.
“It’s alright now. Decepto’s out for the count, I’ll get you to the authorities.” Mare Do Well said, leading them back up to the stage.
“Where is he?” Trixie asked.
“He’s…” Mare Do Well froze, where the costumed unicorn had been was now empty. “Great…”
“He was always good at fooling his audience, Trixie will credit him for that.” Trixie remarked.
Once outside, Mare Do Well flew ahead, making sure the unicorns were safe as she led them to the police station, pausing once they got to the entrance. “Well, you two should probably give your report and all. I’m gonna leave now. Stay safe, you two!” With that, she flew off into the night.
~
“So the authorities still haven’t found Decepto, but I doubt he’s going to be causing any trouble right now. The stage was filled with that smoke of his and once he got exposed his magic got dampened as well. That gives Trixie plenty of time to leave town.” Twilight explained as the two sat at a lunch bar. Rainbow Dash just sighed.
“I know, but I can’t believe he got away. Next time, I see him, I’m gonna make him stick around for a world of pain!” Rainbow said angrily.
“That aside, Rainbow, you did well, you stood up to him, and you saved me and Trixie. I was wrong for doubting you about this whole Mare Do Well thing.” Twilight said with a smile, enjoying her lemonade. “As for me, I don’t know if that’s the sort of thing I want to get mixed up in again.” She said.
“Twi, I dunno if I want to do this by myself. Having you around really made it better, you’ve got brains and a lot of skills and stuff that can be a big help, and… this.” She said, opening her saddlebag and showing the letter from Celestia. “Twi, I’m starting to feel like this is part of me whether I want it or not. Maybe even, I dunno, something I was really meant for.”
Twilight read the letter, smiling from Celestia’s encouraging words that had been written on it, and thoughts of some of her past interactions with her Princess and mentor reminded her of similar things about having a bigger purpose in life then she’d thought as well. “Maybe I can do something. Like help on investigating stuff when you need it, but I’m staying out of the fights, okay?” She asked, getting a cocky smile from her friend.
“Well yeah, fighting crime’s no place for an egghead like you, Twi. Leave that to an awesome pony like me.” Rainbow Dash said with a grin. “But all that aside…” Her expression grew serious and she hugged Twilight. “Thanks, Twi. It means a lot.”
“You’re welcome, just so long as you don’t do anything really stupid I’ll support you however I can.” The unicorn said.
“Um, the Great and Powerful Trixie is not interrupting anything, is she?” A familiar voice asked, causing the two friends to turn and look at their visitor.
“Hey, Trixie. Hope you’re doing well.” Twilight said.
“The Great and Powerful Trixie is well, thank you. And feels safer now thanks to the, she shall admit, remarkable intervention from Mare Do Well. Still, you are fortunate to have been absent from the events, Rainbow Dash.” Trixie replied.
“I’ll manage.” Rainbow replied.
“Anyway, the Great and Powerful Trixie was hoping to find you, Twilight, and your friend, to invite you free of charge to see a second performance due to the last one’s… unfortunate interruption. This one, however, shall be a new tale, one of how Trixie and Celestia’s personal student would have met their end if not for the deeds of a brave superhero pony.” She said. “Please tell me you’ll make it.” She gave her best pout.
“Well, one more night here wouldn’t hurt, would it, Twi?” Rainbow replied. If anything did happen, she’d be here to watch over the showmare.
Twilight gave a shrug. “No, I suppose not.”
~
The unmasked Decepto growled in anger as he moved through the alleys as the sky grew dark again. His magic had finally returned but his hideout and most of his things were unavailable and therefore he could not gear up again for the time being. “Trixie… she’s not worth it anymore. Make no mistake, Mare Do Well, you haven’t seen the last of me.”
As he took a few steps back, he bumped into a dark brown earth pony with sunglasses and a hat. “Decepto, correct?” He asked. Immediately the costumed unicorn hoofed him in the face. As the pony fell over, a letter fell out from his hat when it fell from his head. Curious, Decepto’s horn glowed and floated it up to him, opening the envelope and reading its contents.
Decepto, I’m sorry to hear of your failure to defeat Mare Do Well, but your cunning and talent proved capable of impressing me, nonetheless. Keep a low profile and continue to prove your worth and eventually, we shall meet to deal with this mutual foe.
Signed
Big Shot