The lock on the door was easier than Trixie had expected. Trixie had thought that a purvieror of ancient and mystical artifacts would have employed tighter security measures. It was of no importance. His loss was Trixie’s gain.
Trixie sneaked as best Trixie could into the store, and succeeded flawlessly, as expected. Of course, the vase Trixie had knocked over had made an awful din. And that cat Trixie had stepped on refused to be quiet. No shouts of, “Thief, there’s a great and powerful thief breaking into my store!” rang out. Just as Trixie planned, of course.
The Answer was just where Trixie knew it would be. After finding a reference to it in a musty tome from the Canterlot Archives, Trixie searched night and day for the key to Trixie’s success. For years ponies had laughed at Trixie, obviously jealous of Trixie’s blinding brilliance and bounding bounty. Trixie had used a name once, but it had become obvious the title was a falsehood. The answer had been obvious. Now Trixie stood, tired and huffing from the perfect execution of Trixie’s skills, before the Answer.
Trixie had never expected the Answer to be a mask. It was of impressive craft, vibrant in every color Trixie could imagine. An impressive mask for an impressive mare. Trixie took the artifact from its place, and felt the power brimming within. Yes, Trixie thought, YES! Trixie gingerly place the mask on Trixie’s face, and felt something.
She found herself shaking with naked fear. This wasn’t what she thought it was. It was…deeper. It had been around for far longer than ponykind had, and it knew them well. She didn’t understand, the books said it would help her, make her into what she wanted to b-
No. This was right. The books were right. She had been weak. And now, now Trixie wasn’t a good name. No. A small smile twisted her lip as she exited the shop. The time for the Great and Powerful Trixie was here. And none would deny her. The show, would go on.