"I've watched as countless heroes lay their destiny's out before themselves. The choices they make bend and twist the very world around them. They all came from all different walks of life. One came from a simple life... my brother was born to loving parents. Dreams of being a hero, a powerful wizard, or dark Warrior filled his head. Another was an orphan who was being raised by their older sister till her life was taken away from her. Finally there was a hero who came from royalty and had to make choices that would affect their kingdom in an uprising against their own brother. So it was quite the surprise to find the next hero I must guide to not hail from my own world. She is not human but of a race that is made of... Ponies? I will keep an eye on this new hero. The web of destiny is being woven and when the time comes I must guide our hero to her true calling. Though what she chooses to do along the path will build to a greater outcome."
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"Mama look!" A young light blue unicorn filly with a lighter shade of blue for her mane and tail galloped to her mother.
The unicorn mare of a light blue shade with white mane and tail looked up from her book under the shady tree she rested under with a smile. Her Cutie Mark was of a spell book and wizards cap.
"What is it dear?" She asked as the filly kept hopping around.
"I learned a new magic trick! I learned it all by myself too. Want to see it mama?"
Putting the book aside she sat up.
"Of course!"
The filly then lifted herself on her rear legs as she cleared her throat. "I, The Great and Powerful Trixie shall amaze you with her power. Behold!" With a glow of her horn a small green explosion shot up into the air soon followed by a blue and red one. She watched as her mother covered her mouth. Confused she noticed a shining white light on her flank. "Mama what's happening?" Before her mother could answer the light went away as a magic wand with a blue sparkling wave behind it was left on her flank. "I-is that my..."
"Oh honey you got your Cutie Mark!" Her mother exclaimed, almost in tears as she hugged her daughter.
"I have a Cutie Mark! A Cutie Mark of magic too!" Again Trixie was hopping around as the explosions kept going off around them.
"Please be careful, your spell might set the tree on fire." The mother then warned her filly as the lights slowly died down.
"S-sorry mama I was too excited."
"With good reason too. Let's go home and I'll make you a very special gift to celebrate." With that the mother levitated the book she was reading into a small bag before putting in on her back. Trixie followed her as she kept looking at her Cutie Mark.
"Mama Do you think I can become a great magician, even if I don't go to magic school?"
Her mother stopped as she turned back to her filly. "Of course dear, look how far you've gotten by yourself with just a few books. I think The Great and Powerful Trixie Lulamoon can do just about anything."
"Tomorrow can I buy a new book?" The filly noticed her mother suddenly sadden at this question.
"We'll see... maybe I can trade the one's you already read for some new ones in the next town we come to." Again she started for the small wagon they called home.
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Years Later...
A small knock on the door woke Trixie from her sleep as it slowly open. "Excuse me, Miss Trixie?" a mares voice called out as she poked her head in. "We need to..." She paused as she noticed a tear running down her cheek. "Are you okay?"
"What do you mean?" Trixie asked as she started to rub her eye's only to notice the tear herself. "Fine! Trixie is just fine! I had dust in my eye is all."
"Okay... any case we need to see you down stairs." The grayish, blue Earth mare then closed the door behind her as she could be heard making her way down the stairs.
Trixie slowly climbed out of bed. Her head, neck, and jaw ached and popped as she moved to the mirror that hung on the wall. After the ursa minor incident she lost any face she had all around Equestria. From Manehatten to Los Pegasus she was heckled and laughed at. With no income coming in from her one pony act she turned to working for a rock farmer to earn bits. She found what seemed like an easy job to wear her down not just physically but mentally too. Pushing her magic to the point that her horn felt as if it was going to pop. From there she would take the tool in her mouth to finish the day's work.
After moving her jaw in around to get it to loosen up she walked past her old cape and hat that lay on the bed on top of a pile of magic books. Pausing at the door she looked back at them with a knot in her throat.
"The Great and Powerful Trixie is going to need a magic hat and cape."
"I love them mama, they're beautiful!"
Again she found a tear running down her cheeks. She went back to the cape and looked over the blue gem that was fitted as a clip.
"Is it really magical?"
"With this gem I can always be with you."
Throwing the cape at the wall as the gem clanked, she couldn't hold back the tears as she curled herself on the bed again. There was another knock at the door.
"Are you okay? I'm coming in!"
"N-no it's fine! I'll be down in a second."
A long and uncomfortable silent's followed as again the sounds off hooves made their way down the stairs. Knowing she was starting to worry the other ponies Trixie exited her room and over to the bathroom across the hall. Using her magic to turn on the water she took a cloth and wiped her face. After collecting herself she went down to find the couple of Earth ponies sitting at the table as breakfast was being served.
The husband, a tan colored colt with white and gray mane that matched his beard with the Cutie Mark of a pickaxe sighed as he sat across from Trixie. "You've been a good worker Trixie. After my daughters left the farm we've been short hooved around here. You may be a little odd at times but you worked your tail off." He started.
"Thank you..." Trixie said with a heavy sigh.
"That's why it pains me to have to let you go."
"W-what?"
"We've been doing so well because every pony needed to rebuild all the damages from the craziness as of late but... things are calming down now." He could see Trixie was starting to become upset as he took a rather large bag of bits from under the table. "Here's your pay and a bit extra we can spare." It surprised him that this didn't seem to cheer her up and she started to cry again.
"I-I understand... I'll pack up and be on my way." Trixie was stopped as the wife put a plate of food down in front of her.
"Stay a few more nights if you need to. You're always welcome here as far as we're concerned." Trixie then stood up from the table.
"Thank you for everything but I think it's time for me to go." Taking the bag of bits from the table, Trixie headed up to her room to pack and start moving back into her wagon. She stopped at the first few steps and looked back to the couple. "I mean it... thank you." The two smiled and offered to help her only to be turned down as Trixie again headed to her room to pack.
"I think that's the first time she didn't use third person." The mare said as she started to put Trixie's meal in a box so she could take it with her.
"She's a good mare that one. I don't care what other ponies say about her."
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With a few grunts Trixie finally pulled her wagon up the hill leading to town just as night was setting in. The rain was heavy and making the road muddy. The restless days on the road was starting to take it out of her at this point. "Even if I stayed a few more nights with the Pie's I would have had to do leave at some point... better I left before becoming too attached." She said to herself as she stated looking for a place to park her wagon so the local guards wouldn't complain, parking just behind the wood line.
She missed the days when she parked her wagon in the middle of town. With a few simple spells she would set the stage and attract ponies with her magic fireworks. "Why did I start telling that lie?"
When she first set off on her own the simple performance magic was enough to keep ponies entertained. Her hat covered her horn so it made other ponies think an Earth pony was performing magic. "Maybe if I never let ponies know I was a unicorn I would have done better?"
Once she took off her hat for the final bow she lost the crowd.
"Every pony knows unicorns can use magic."
"What's so great and powerful about her?"
"I can't believe I gave a few bits for that little side show."
"W-wait every pony... I... The Great and Powerful Trixie have once saved Hoovington from a monstrous ursa major."
Finding a black hooded cape in her wagon Trixie set out to town under the cover of night. Doing the best she could to hide her face she ran down the streets.
"I've been practicing my magic since the incident. I must have read every book I could find on magic twice. Yet even now... it doesn't feel like it's enough." She took cover in an ally as she looked down the street to a small shop. "Luckily I read on an amulet that can increase my power tenfold!" Looking around to make sure no pony was watching she took a deep breath before turning back to the shop. "I know none of this would have happen if it wasn't for Twilight Sparkle!"
"Is that really who you blame for the root of your problems?" Trixie scream before turning to the voice of an elder mare. She was a dark brown with graying black mane and her eyes seem to have a milky look to them. She wore a red robe with white patches and designs along the edges; this also covered her cutie mark. "You boasted a lie to make yourself a hero. The Great and Powerful Trixie who saved a town from-"
"Trixie doesn't need to be reminded! Yes she was caught in a lie and now she can't even walk down the street without feeling herself shrink in the gaze of other ponies" Trixie then started out of the ally before turning to the elder mare, pointing her hoof at her. "Who are you to lecture Trixie anyway? It doesn't surprise Trixie you heard how she was embarrassed. That spread like wild fire and forced Trixie to work on a rock farm! Trixie's show was ruined! All thanks too Twilight Sparkle. Who by the way was Trixie suppose to know was the personal student of Princess Celestia anyway?"
"Mm hm~" The Elder mare hummed as she started past Trixie. "I know what you're going for..."
"Do you old mare?"
"The Alicorn Amulet..."
Trixie was taken aback by this. "H-how did yo-"
"It's my gift to see into the future of others... along with other things." The elder mare waited as Trixie stepped back into the ally.
"Then tell Trixie, what is the outcome if she used the amulet to challenge Twilight Sparkle to a duel?"
"I cannot tell you..."
"Then what good was it to waste my time with you?"
"I can however hint you to a second option." She could tell this caught her attention.
"Go on..."
"You have worked so hard on your own to become stronger. You have a natural ability to learn and a strong will that pushes you to your goals. This is only a few things that shine's in a hero." Trixie only raised a brow at this. "It's your choice at this point. Go ahead and take the Alicorn Amulet, take your revenge and waste all that time you spent making a better... Pony out of yourself..."
"Or?" Trixie asked.
"Go back to your wagon and make your way to the Everfree Forest. Take the path that leads you to Ponyville."
"Wait, that path is dangerous and full of animals that would only want to make a meal out of Trixie. What can Trixie possibly find there?"
"I can only point you in the direction you need to go for now and the answers will only come to you as you progress down whatever path you choose."
"So you're saying there is something better for Trixie waiting in the Everfree Forest?" The elder mare didn't say a word as she started past Trixie and down the street. The rain seemed to pick up as a fog rolled in. "Wait! Answer me!" Trixie ran to catch up with the elder mare but found she vanished into the fog.
Looking back at the shop she felt herself torn. She had a for sure way to become more powerful, or a hint of something that was another day of travel. Though this second option was shrouded in mystery, the worst outcome would be she wasted a day of travel on the road. With a huff Trixie started back to her wagon. "This better not be some kind of wild goose chase."