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// A fond memory (Trixie Story) 
// Story: Equestrian Mothers 
// by DouglasTrotter 
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“To think the Great -- to think I wouldn’t have made it…” Trixie said to herself, her voice silencing.  Her eyes were met with a vast landscape of the Neighshores Overlook near the eastern ocean.  Each push plunged her hooves deeper into the mud until she loosened the cart.  She stared off into the sunset.  “I’m just glad I managed, despite the setback with my great and powerful apology to that pony.” 

A few gleams of light continued to illuminate Equestria from the sun that began to disappear on the horizon.  The unicorn prepared for her event, a performance for one; though it was meant for one, the show was one the purveyor of magical entertainment dare not forget.

“For 200 bits, it worked out nicely,” the pony said with a calm smile, running her hoof across the wagon’s sides.  A grassy meadow, with a sun setting in the distance, had greeted the showmare and the wagon she pulled behind her; scars and blemishes ran along the wooden planks of the wagon’s sides, and the metal trim of the wagon’s wheels had begun to rust.  “For the true showmare, there is no rest.”  

Trixie raised her hoof and opened her mouth, prepared to curse at the wagon’s contents that refused to budge.  Ever the show mare, Trixie levitated her hat up and then sat it down on her head before she looked at the ground.  After a few moments, the arduous task was resumed.  With her magic strained, Trixie lifted each of seven crates out of the wagon, one-by-one with care; not a single scratch marred one inch of the wooden boxes.  

“Red Blooms, Yellow Flower Spectacles, and Pink Crescendos from Ponyville.  I have the Nightshade Extravagance from Canterlot.  There are the Green Dragon Dazzlers from Las Pegasus.  Last but not least, we got the Blue and Purple Dancing Debutants from Phillydelphia and Baltimare.  Good, they’re all here.” Trixie said with a nod.  

With magic at her side, she unpacked all but one of the crates in a fluid motion while using the same precision and delicacy to inspect the precious cargo.  A once tired expression gave way to a hearty grin.   Each firework was in pristine condition, and, after a quick check, they were placed into their respective launching tubes on the wagon.

“Still can’t believe that shopkeep charged me six hundred bits for these Nightshade Extravagance fireworks.  Don’t care if they were ‘rare’ and ‘unusual’ finds.  He could have given the wonderful Trixie a better price.  ” The pony said while she worked to control her words.  With the crate’s top opened, Trixie’s right hoof quivered as it ran along the three black rockets, each having a shadowy blue and purple flower design on them, in a gentle manner. “I can do this.” 

A few glimmers of light from the setting sun illuminated the mare’s work as she put the final touches on her grandest performance of the year.  The sun’s setting gave birth to Equestria’s night; stars twinkled in the sky above as the moon rose on the distant horizon behind the mare.

“It’s time,” She said with a murmur.  Trixie pulled down on the brim of her extravagant hat.  Her mouth quivered as she continued to fight it back.  Overshadowed by the rocket’s thunderous blast, the showmare said, “Time for the greatest show that nopony will ever see.”

A screeching noise came from the Red Blooms as they hurtled into the air, and then burst into the shape of a rich, red hued sphere.  The magnificent display continued with the second, third, fourth, and fifth volleys of the majestic rockets.  Sparks illuminated the waves below the outlook the pony had picked for her venue.  Equestria granted a calm evening for the mare’s show as each firework rocketed into the air before it exploded in a powerful explosion. 

One last rocket of the Red Blooms remained, and signaled the showmare to switch to her Pink Crescendos.  The calm, cool air of Equestria was greeted with a thunderous blast.  The second set of fireworks launched towards the sky, lighting up the nearby clouds.  Each shot fired echoed in near unison as they never missed a beat with each other.  

“Just glad that pink pony from Ponyville forgave me for taking her mouth.  It was actually kind to sell Trixie such wonderful pieces for nearly free,” She said with a smirk, “Trixie’s performance was great and powerful to those little fillies and colts for that birthday party.”

Time came for the Green Dragon Dazzlers and Yellow Flower Spectacles with the final rocket of the Pink Crescendos preparing to launch.  Trixie hurried to the tube.  She checked it as the last Pink Crescendo finished its skyward flight, exploding into a beautiful color that reflected off the moist grass. 

“A show mare always moves forward no matter what.  A show mare…” Trixie wiped away her tears, and lit the fuses to the next firework volley.  Her voice and heart synced while she counted in a calm tone.  “One, two, three, here we go.”

The sky quickly lit up with a green outline of a dragon’s eye; it sparkled in unison with the stars above it.  One quick succession followed behind before the outline faded.  The next rocket burst, giving rise to a yellow flower with pink petals and two green leaves on the side.  One after another the dragon’s eye rockets flew into the air and synced in near complete unison with the flower behind it.  

Time was on Trixie’s side, but the pony didn’t care as she moved from station to station that she had prepared for herself.  It seemed like fifteen minutes was never enough, but the unicorn always found the time to make it work before her show began. 

“Now, onto you lot.” the pony said, finishing with a gentle smirk. “The Blue and Purple Dancing Debutants.” 

The two sets of ten tubes sat on the grassy ground as the mare set them off, continuing to illuminate the night’s sky.

“Those ponies don’t really know how to utilize them.  Though the packages say they work best alone, the debutants always play nicely together.  Still, I’m surprised that stallion from Phillydelphia knew how to utilize them and sold them to me as a complete kit with his brother in Baltimare supplying the rest.” 

“Time for the finale,” she said, her hoof shaking as she watched the event unfold. 

Three fireworks sat in front of her, waiting to be launched.  The unicorn cautiously placed them into the specially designed launching stations on the wagon, and prepared to launch them towards the heavens.  Trixie knew of their finicky nature, leading to them being rather expensive.  Though the amount of bits didn’t matter, what mattered weren’t just the rare ingredients used to make them, but how they could fail.  The Nightshade Extravagances could instantly explode into a fireball.  Others said they could possible not work at all.  Either worst case scenario would cause them to not emit a single beautiful hue of shadowy blue and purple light that would fade gently into the sky.  

With a quick gulp, the pony swallowed her nervousness and adjusted the three rockets on her wagon.  Time froze.  She lit the fuse. It crawled towards the tubes that housed the unique, magically enhanced powdered inside.   

The Dancing Debutants had almost finished their skyward melody and required a grand finale to send the whole show off with a bang.

“Please, I beg Celestia, please let this work,” The pony said in a quivered tone while she tugged on her cloak.

Each fuse entered the Rocket.  A long pause followed.  Trixie’s gaze remained fixated while sweat poured from beneath her hat. 

She hung her head.  Ten seconds elapsed and nothing.  Each year was always a test of skill, yet she always succeeded.  Behind Trixie, the last of the Blue and Purple Dancing Debutants emitted a powerful blast.  Though the firework’s light lit up the clouds in the night sky and the grass below, the moment did little to sooth the unicorn’s troubled soul.  She felt a cold sensation run over her. 

As the wind blew past the seemingly distraught entertainer extraordinaire, a voice carried on it. “Always remember my little showmare, keep them entertained.”

Trixie raised her head and removed her hat.  The Nightshade Extravagances lifted off with a nearly inaudible rocket blast, the light trail reflecting off the unicorn’s tears.  Each rocket soared just as high as any pegasus had flown and emitted a beautiful light that engulfed the area below.  Trixie closed her eyes before she turned towards the sea.  As she opened them, smiling at the lesson she had nearly forgotten in her travels, Trixie bowed her head.

“Ha-Hap…,” She struggled to find her words, but realized the strength within her. Not as a unicorn. Not as The Great and Powerful Trixie. Only as a showmare, did she find the strength to say those words with a smile as she wiped away the tears. “Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!” 

With a final showing to top the Nightshade Extravagances, the pony dug deeper than before into her magic and emitted several powerful blasts from her horn to light up the night sky one final time.  The showmare put her hat back on then smiled as she gazed at the sky.  

“Now comes the cleanup,” She said with a huff.