The Great and Powerful Plan (Part Two)
“Thank you again for helping to arrange this.” Trixie said, sitting at a large table reserved for the massive group of people expected. “Still wish they could have had one of the talkative ones waiting here, but Trixie supposes beggars can’t be choosers.”
“Sorry.” Ark apologized blandly.
“Don’t apologize, you nitwit!” Trixie said to the man sitting across from her. Ark shrugged, eliciting a groan from the woman. “Why couldn’t Trixie get the creepy masked one?”
“He wanted to arrive with his girlfriend.” Trixie looked over towards him, trying to find a hint of a joke in his face, but it was still a stone.
“Well, at least you can talk.” Trixie said. “Girlfriend, huh? I suppose it is none of my business, but what exactly happened when you guys arrived?”
“Classified.” Ark responded blandly. Trixie stared inquisitively.
“You can’t be serious.” Trixie didn’t believe that Ark was telling the truth, even if he technically was. His only response, a nod, did nothing to induce believability. “Fine, don’t tell me then.”
“Okay.” Ark’s simple response left Trixie glaring. Never had so few words been so utterly infuriating. “Hello Reader.”
“What are you babbling about now?” Trixie said, though babble was one word incapable of describing him, it did warrant a subtle response to him pointing to a bald man walking past the table, a stunned look on his face. He wore his usual blue mages robe, covering up everything and anything below the neck. Next to him was an older woman, her hair a light gray, but still younger looking regardless. She wore a simple black dress as well as glasses shielding her deep blue eyes. The man’s eyes stared into Arks cold, golden gaze, almost leaving him paralyzed.
“Umm…A-Ark, young lad. What brings you to this fine eatery?” Reader’s voice was jumpy, his eyes darting around.
“Can’t you read minds?” Ark asked.
“I try to not delve into yours…I will not lie, it is scary.” Trixie stared between the two, watching them communicate.
“Just helping someone.” Ark spoke, answering the older man’s question. “You?”
“T-Taking a dear friend out to eat! Yes…that is indeed the truth.” Reader said. Ark was about to comment, but the man’s attention was instantly seized by the opening of the restaurant door, Reader breaking into a nervous sweat. He stared wide eyed as he watched a group enter.
“Reader?!”
“Trixie?!”
“Twilight?!”
“Miss Mayor?!”
Ark watched, clueless, as everyone started to say everyone else’s name. Perry and Catacomb had managed to successfully arrive with all of the girls, as well as Spike. Everyone stood around, confused and trying to figure out what was going on at this point in time. Catacomb quickly stepped up to the plate, taking a swing at explaining everything he could to the best of his ability. “Everyone, just chill for a second, please?!” Catacomb asked loudly. All mouths closed quickly and eyes focused on him, waiting patiently. Catacomb looked around, and nodded. “Can’t believe that actually worked. Okay, first things first. Ladies. Trixie is here because she wants to be given a chance to…umm…hey Twi?”
“Yes, Cata?” Twilight responded calmly, having an inkling at where all of this was going.
“What is that word that means something like making amends and doing the… redeem! That’s it. Thanks Twilight!” Catacomb said happily, Twilight shaking her head and smiling. “Redeem herself to us all.” Everyone nodded in understanding, though the looks on their faces said several stories, most of them more than likely filled with many inappropriate words. “As for the Reader and the other girl…Ark?”
“Meeting a friend for dinner.” Ark answered robotically, repeating what he was told by Reader.
“See, everything is normal!” Catacomb said, making his way over to the large table and finding a seat.
“Cata, yer definition of normal is a tad off.” Applejack said, Rainbow holding back a laugh of her own.
“I think it is a wonderful idea.” Fluttershy said, smiling innocently. She sat down at the table, Perry silently following in shortly after.
“We shall be on our way then.” Reader said, not wanting to be a part of whatever it was that they were planning.
“Nonono! Don’t go Reedy!” Pinkie said, quickly getting up in his face. “The more the merrier and we haven’t seen ya in ages! Hiya Miss Mayor Mare.” Pinkie finished turning towards the woman with him.
“Umm…hello Pinkie.” Mayor Mare responded, not really sure how she got involved in such a chaotic situation. “Jackie, you never told me that they were your friends.” Perry and Catacomb both looked at each other, slight snickers escaping their lips.
”I will lobotomize the both of you if you don’t cut it out right now.” Reader injected his thoughts into the two, the younger men knowing better than to piss him off further. Perry’s mask may have hid it, but his partner in crime still held a grin on his face.
”Don’t worry Jackie, I would never dream of telling everyone how delicious you taste right now.” Catacomb loudly thought, the glare of the older man saying what the silence could not.
“I appreciate the offer, Pinkie, but it looks like you already have quite the group as is. Right, Mina?” Reader asked, emphasizing the last part.
“Mina? I could have sworn your name was simply mayor!” Pinkie said, getting up close to the confused woman.
“No, dear, though it is quite alright. I try to keep my private life umm… private.” Miss Mayor, or Mina as Reader had called her, responded. “I will have to decline your invitation, though. We have umm…important business…yes! Very important business to discuss. Right?”
“Indeed. The topic in which we are discussing is to remain top secret, so I do apologize. Umm…maybe some other time perhaps?” Reader responded, his tone slightly shaky. Pinkie put her face uncomfortably close to his, Reader backing away slightly.
“Hmmm…” Pinkie stared at him, trying to grind him out. Reader, knowing better than to try and listen in on her thoughts, simply remained as stoic as possible. “Oookaay then. Take care, Reedy. Have fun you two and don’t stay out too late!” Pinkie quickly said, smiling widely. Both Reader and the mayor just nodded, both blushing lightly as they turned to walk away. Catacomb, sitting backwards on his seat, made kissy faces the entire time as they made their way to the booth.
“I am starting to think that this was a bad idea.” Trixie mumbled quietly, finding out that the men helping her are nothing short of incompetent.
With the first distraction finally gone, everyone began to take a seat at the table, sitting in awkward silence in the presence of their unexpected guest. Trixie was easily trying to hide her embarrassment behind an annoyed scowl as all of the woman sent different looks her way. Between unsure and angry, someone needed to break the ice.
“I guess I will start this little intervention off.” Perry said, caution in his words. He didn’t want to overstep his boundary, as he hasn’t heard the rest of the story from the girls yet. “Cata, Ark, and I, attempting to use the valuable lessons learned here, wanted to extend a helping hand to a fellow misfit.”
“She pretty much told us the whole story, I think.” Catacomb added in, finally back in a normal sitting position. “Besides, haven’t we easily caused more trouble since we got here?” He grinned, sending a wink towards Twilight. She nodded, understanding where her two friends were coming from. “That about covers it. Anything you wanna add Ark?”
“Her magic show was nice.” Ark responded, not bothering to look up from the menu he picked up. “Service is slow.”
“Oh that? I asked the waiting staff to hold off when I made the reservation.” Perry chimed in. “Figured we’d wait to see how this went before ordering. I thing we are about wrapped up here. Trixie, the stage belongs to you now. We can only do so much.” Trixie looked into the masked eyeholes of the host, nodding nervously. All eyes were now on her, the six woman showing caution as they waited. Hard to blame them, and all things considering, she was surprised that not a one of them had left. She turned towards Twilight, who nodded in understanding. The one she treated the worst, and had done nothing but make her miserable, was still on her side regardless. It was reassurance, something Trixie desperately searched for in her time of need.
“I am sorry. I don’t know what else to say, but what else can I say?” Trixie started to speak, everyone remaining quiet. “I have caused you all nothing but trouble, even after I have left, I apparently continued to make people miserable here. All I wanted was my old life back, the one you took away from me.” Trixie was fighting back her emotions, wanting to make her point clear. “But the more I continued to think about it, the more I noticed that you freed me from what I was instead. I can’t stand the woman I used to be. I hurt so many people, and I shouldn’t even be allowed to ask for forgiveness.” Trixie took a big breath of air, swallowing her emptions and her pride in one big gulp. “The meek and humbled Trixie ask that, even though terrible things were done, you could still find forgiveness.” Trixie sighed, glad to finally be done and over with being all heartfelt. It didn’t suit her at all.
“It’s ok, Trixie. I forgive you.” Fluttershy said with a small smile. It didn’t really surprise anyone, though. Fluttershy was just that kind of person.
“I suppose we can give you another chance, darling.” Rarity said soon after. “Just never…mess…with my hair…again!” Trixie flinched back, knowing full well that her comment was akin to a death threat. She nodded quickly, Rarity’s face quickly switching to a smile.
“Me next!” Pinkie quickly yelled out, jumping from her seat. “You may have gotten off easy with the other girls so far, but let me tell you missy, that with me it is gonna be a whole different story!” All eyes were on the normally bubbly party planner, not sure what to expect. “You have avoided it for too long. Three times now, and each time…you avoided one of my superbalifically fantasmical welcoming parties.” Trixie, who was nervous the entire time, suddenly was left baffled. “Perry, begin preparations for a code beta omega pi!”
“But…umm…Pinkie?” Perry began to speak, though suddenly silence with her sudden intrusion into his personal space as she placed her face against his mask, glaring into his tinted eyeholes.
“Don’t you see?! This is a party emergency!” Pinkie said quickly.
“Yes, but a code beta omega pi is a dinner party…which this technically is…” Perry said slowly to avoid aggravating the excitable woman.
“I knew I could count on you!” Pinkie said with a smile, finding her way back to her chair. “You deserve your spot as my number one party planner, just so you know.” She finished with a silly grin, before turning back towards the group, no one sure of how to respond to the sudden and random show.
“Ahem…Well I’ll go next then.” Applejack said after the moment of silence. “I can tell ya mean it. It will take some time, but I reckon I can forgive ya in time.” Applejack gave her a hint of a smile. Nothing flashy, yet sincere.
It was down to Rainbow Dash now, Twilight having made her peace the last time. “Trixie, you humiliated all of us. You messed with my wings, which was definitely uncool, and you made everyone here miserable.” Trixie’s heart sunk, knowing that everything Rainbow said was completely true. “But staying mad won’t do either of us any good, so I can let it slide, I guess.” Rainbow crossed her arms and rolled her eyes, letting a lite sigh escape from her. Trixie smiled happily, a small tear rolling down her eye.
“Thank you all, I really mean it. I will become a better person, I swear it.” Trixie smiled as she spoke.
“So we can eat now?” Ark asked, still staring into the menu, completely oblivious to the tender moment he went and ruined. Everything was quite, then a small snicker, followed by another, and soon everyone at the table was laughing joyfully, with the exception of the confused Ark.
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The night rolled on, and eventually everyone had to make their ways home, with the exception of Catacomb and Twilight. They decided to walk Trixie back to her stage home.
“The great and powerful Trixie would like to extend her wishes for your happiness, Twilight.” Trixie spoke with great enthusiasm, as if her word was the truth. Even after everything, some people wouldn’t change all that much.
“Thank you, Trixie. You make sure that you try and be a bit nicer yourself. Good luck with the show.” Twilight responded happily. Catacomb quickly moved between them, wrapping and arm over each of their shoulders.
“Such a touching moment, you do know what this calls for, right?” Both of the woman turned towards Catacomb, his smile only spinning a small tale of the plans in his mind.
“Against my better judgment…” Twilight began, looking over at him.
“…What does it call for?” Trixie finished Twilights sentence.
“Group Hug!” Catacomb quickly pulled the two women into him before they had a chance to defend themselves. The women blushed as they were squished against each other and Catacomb simultaneously. They flailed about as he maintained his hold on him. “Feel the love! Feel it!” Catacomb yelled out gleefully, oblivious to the two storm clouds forming above him.
“Hmm Caa!” Catacomb finally released his grip on the two, as they backed away quickly, glaring at him. They looked at each other and nodded.
“Umm…you’re not mad, are ya?” Catacomb asked, a nervous grin on his face.
“Of course not, honey…” Twilight said, her smile turning to something that could scare Perry.
“Not at all…” Trixie added, her own smirk something akin to someone seeking revenge.
“…I just wanna say…I regret nothing.”
“LIGHTNING!” The two magic users fired of their spells, both bolts striking Catacomb and causing him to flail and twist from the electricity, before falling onto the ground, his stupid grin still painted on his face.
“Did we kill him?” Trixie asked, staring at the convulsing body.
“Doubt it. He is harder to kill than a cockroach.” Twilight added, coldly walking away from him. Trixie shrugged and followed, leaving Catacomb to his little dirt nap.