Chapter 2: In which the Great and Powerful Trixie casts a spell Google docs
Blueblood carefully combed his damp mane, a process which usually took quite some time to get just perfect. The mud was now gone, thankfully, although the wound to his pride would likely linger for some while.
“Ahem.” A pale blue pegasus was standing in the doorway to his suite, draped in a rather ridiculous looking cape and hat. “The Great and Powerful Trixie wishes an audience with the Prince.”
His guard was up now, he wasn't about to get caught out again. “Yes, well she'll have to wait. One only just finished cleaning oneself up after the last one of you damn foals messed up one's coat. What is it this time? Mud again? Cake? Glue? That last one is in particularly bad taste I must say.”
“Oh, but you misunderstand me my Prince! In fact Trixie is here to discuss Rarity...”
“No, that's exactly what I understood you to be doing.” Interrupted Blueblood. “I must warn you that I am not above involving the guards if you intend to cause trouble, and believe me when I tell you that whatever jape you have planned will seem much less amusing from the inside of a jail cell.”
“Is that so? How unfortunate...” Trixie feigned disappointment. “Well in that case Trixie will just have to leave you to your own devices. And after all the effort Trixie put into a most excellent 'jape', as you call it. Why it would have been glorious to see that smile wiped off Rarity's horrible, uncouth, common face when Trixie's plan came to fruition, but if you aren't interested-”
“Wait!” Blueblood darted in front of Trixie, slamming the door shut before she could leave. “You're telling me that Trixie... er... you, that is, think that I am the one who was wronged?” He was warming to this unicorn. It was... odd how she kept referring to herself in the third person, but then again one did that oneself sometimes. Perhaps it was a sign that she was a bit more refined than she had at first appeared.
“Why of course! Was there ever any doubt?” Exclaimed Trixie. “She was disrespectful, rude, entirely out of line and inconsiderate of your noble position! The Great and Powerful Trixie has confronted her before, and don't you worry- Rarity was soundly humiliated! But this time, it will be even better...” She paused, to give him time to properly take this all in. “So... are you in?”
The Prince grinned. Oh revenge, sweet revenge! “Yes Indeed! I'm 'in' as you say. So what's the plan? I want to know EVERYTHING!”
The next closest pony that Trixie had seen in Luna's spell had been Photo Finish. Her studio was in Canterlot, however by the time that the pair of them got there she was nowhere in sight, perhaps unsurprisingly since she had already been on her way out when Trixie had last seen her.
Fortunately, as they arrived, the model from the shoot earlier was just leaving. The running make-up on her face indicated that she had been crying, but Trixie had little patience for such mushiness, and didn't seem to notice. “The Great and Powerful Trixie is looking for Photo Finish. Where is she?”
“I don't know. She just... stormed out...” The model began to sob again. “Wh-what am I going to do? My career is over...”
“Yes, yes, very tragic I'm sure.” Blueblood yawned pointedly. “But that doesn't help us find her.”
“Um... she might be lunching in 'La Jeune Jument', but I'm afraid that's just a guess... I'm sorry I can't be more help... I suppose I really am useless...” The tears were flowing freely now.
“Indeed you are! What good is 'might'? I'll have you know that we are on very important business and need to find this Photo Finish at once.” Blueblood's cruel words were apparently too much for the young model, and at that point she ran off sobbing uncontrollably. “What a rude girl...” He muttered. “We ask her a simple question and she just refuses to give us a straight answer.”
Trixie sighed frustratedly; the more time they spent looking for Photo Finish, the harder it was going to be to find the others. “We should check out the café at least.”
La Jeune Jumet was a classy establishment in the most expensive part of Canterlot, save for the castle itself. It sat on a slight rise overlooking a bustling square, and anypony who was anypony could be found there. It certainly seemed like a reasonable bet to look for a fashion photographer.
As it turned out, they were in luck. On entering the café Trixie spotted Photo Finish, who had apparently ditched her assistants at some point, eating alone in the back. However, just as she was about to walk over, she found her path blocked by a waiter.
“Do you have a reservation?”
“The Great and Powerful Trixie does not need a reservation!”
“Yes she does. At least if she wishes to avail herself of this establishment that is.”
Just as Trixie was about to explode with rage, Blueblood intervened, attracting the waiter's attention with a very pointed cough. In an instant, his attitude transformed. “Oh, my unreserved apologies Prince Blueblood. I did not notice you there. Of course if you are with this... Lady then I will prepare a table once away.”
“Actually, we are here to meet with Photo Finish...” Explained the Prince.
“Oh? She didn't mention that she was expecting visitors...” The Prince shot the waiter an angry glance, and he immediately caved in. “But of course why would she bother to mention such a thing to me? I will lead you to her.”
As the waiter led them through the restaurant, Blueblood leant over to Trixie to whisper conspiratorially in her ear. “I think it would be best if I do the talking. My Princely charm will no doubt work wonders towards convincing her to join our cause.”
Normally, Trixie would have vigorously contested any suggestion that anypony could do anything better than her, but this time she decided to hold her tongue. She wanted to see what her new ally was capable of. Plus she rather suspected that the Prince was overestimating his charm, and she always enjoyed watching other ponies fail. And once he did fail, of course, the Great and Powerful Trixie would step in to save the day!
The waiter had now reached Photo Finish's table, and left the three of them alone, perhaps intuitively detecting the impending clash of egos. “Vat do you vant?” Asked Photo Finish curtly.
“Good day, I am Prince Blueblood, and-”
“Don't care. Go.”
“B-But, I am a Prince of Equ-”
“Are you a model? A designer? A journalist?”
“Well, no, bu-”
“Don't care. Go.”
Time for the Great and Powerful Trixie to make her move! “I know a model...”
“So? I know lots of models.” Countered Photo Finish. “Go.”
“May I say just one more word?” Asked Trixie, sweetly.
“You just did.” Photo Finish paused for a moment, then relented. “But fine, say one more. Zen go.”
“Fluttershy...”
That was the magic word, all right. All of a sudden Photo Finish was standing on the table, her face inches from Trixie's. “You can get her for me?”
“Well... no, but...”
In an instant, Photo Finish was seated once again, her disinterested expression returning to her face. “Zen go.”
“Fluttershy is a shadow hanging over your legacy. As long as she is around, you will never be able to put her behind you. If she will not model for you, then you need to be rid of her. Permanently. The Great and Powerful Trixie can help you with that.”
Photo finish sat in thought for a moment, before finally making her decision. “Yes.... YES! Zat could vork! Tell Photo Finish more...”
The changing rooms at Wimbridle were well appointed, luxurious and, most importantly for Ace in his current mood, closed to the public. So it was quite an unwelcome surprise when three ponies that he didn't know burst in on him, interrupting his busy afternoon of moping around feeling sorry for himself. “How did you get in here?” He asked angrily. “I told security I didn't want to speak to anypony!”
“Those amateurs could not prevent a pony as brilliant as the Great and Powerful Trixie from going where she pleases!” In fact, it had been Blueblood's royal heritage which had opened doors for them once again, but Trixie never let an opportunity to brag pass her by.
“If you're journalists, I'm not doing any interviews.” Ace snapped.
“I, Photo Finish, do not stoop to journalism!” Cried Photo Finish incredulously. “Certainly not SPORTS journalism!”
“Then what are you here for?” Ace asked exasperatedly. “I'm a busy pony you know...”
“Really?” Prince Blueblood scratched his head. “Surely you should be free all week since I thought you'd just been knocked ou-”
Trixie swiftly stuffed her hoof into the Prince's mouth. She didn't need him antagonising potential new recruits. How to play this? The tennis player was superstitious to the brink of insanity, best to work off that. “You have problems with a curse, correct? The Great and Powerful Trixie can help you with that.”
As she had planned, that prospect perked him up immediately. “You can? How?”
“Simple, for one as powerful as Trixie.” Trixie smirked. “All we have to do is eliminate the source of the curse, and then the curse itself will just fade away. I take it you know who placed this curse on you?” She already knew his mind, but thought it better to let him think this was a collaborative effort.
“Applejack...” Ace grinned. “Funny, I had the same idea myself... But how?”
Like putty in Trixie's hooves! “Don't worry yourself, the Great and Powerful Trixie has formed a plan already!”
It was turning dark at the rock farm by the time that Trixie and her new allies arrived, but Inkimena was still out in the fields working. It wasn't often that anypony visited the farm, so she was quite surprised to see four arrive at once. “Hello, are you lost?” She asked. “Ponyville is on a different road, if that's what you were looking for.”
“Oh, we're on our way to Ponyville all right.” Admitted Trixie. “But the Great and Powerful Trixie does not get lost! You see, before we headed there we needed to talk to you first...”
“M-me?” Her jaw dropped. “Wh-what could you possibly need to talk to me about?”
“Why, about your sister of course...” Prince Blueblood explained.
Ah. Well that explained it. They weren't interested in her at all, they were after Pinkimena. “I HAVE NO SISTER.” Wait... no that wasn't right. Her sister was busy looking after her parents right now. “I mean... I do have a sister. But not the same sister that you're thinking of.”
“Let Trixie do the talking, Blueblood. It isn't your strong suit...” Hissed Trixie in the Prince's ear, before switching to her best attempt at a sweet and reassuring voice as she turned back to Inkimena. “Trixie knows how terribly your sister has treated you. That's why we're here! With your help, we can get her back for all the trouble she has caused you.”
The glimmer of a smile appeared on Inkimena's face as she considered the offer these strange ponies had placed before her. Could this be it? A chance for Pinkimena to finally get her comeuppance? Then her head sank. No... of course it was too good to be true. “I'm sorry, but I can't help you. I can't leave the farm, not when I'm already so far behind.”
“No, no, no!” Exclaimed Photo Finish. “Ve need you for ze magic! You simply must! You must!”
“Magic you say? Why yes of course!” Trixie grinned triumphantly. “The Great and Powerful Trixie's magic will once again save the day! You need these rocks moved, yes? Where?”
Inkimena gestured towards a large rock pile. “But even if you all help it will take several days to finish this field, and then I'd have to get started on the next one.”
“Oh, but you underestimate the Great and Powerful Trixie! Just watch!” Her horn began to glow, shining from beneath her hat, and the rocks began to rise around them, and throw themselves at high speed towards the rock pile. “Blueblood, while Trixie is quite capable of doing this alone, your assistance would speed this along!”
“Surely you cannot expect a Prince to-”
Trixie interrupted him before he could even finish his complaint. “Do you want your revenge on Rarity or not?”
With a sigh, Blueblood summoned up his magic. His horn began to glow as well, and more rocks joined the aerial procession towards the rock pile. With the two unicorns working together, the harvest was complete in a matter of minutes. “Are we done now?” He asked. “We don't have all day...”
“I... I don't believe it...” Inkimena was dumbstruck. She dashed up to Blueblood and Trixie and embraced them. “It would have taken weeks for me to do that on my own!” Her joyful expression hardened into one of fierce determination. “Now I can come with you, and teach Pinkemena a lesson she won't forget...”
“Yes, yes very good.” Blueblood pulled himself away and brushed himself off. “Now can we please get out of here before all this dust ruins my mane?”
Gilda was gliding along absent mindedly when suddenly something whizzed past her face at high speed. “What the?” Again, on the opposite side. Something small, round and yellow... She looked behind her, trying to see where they were coming from. Down below, she spotted a group of five ponies gesticulating at her. One of them was holding a tennis racket, presumably the source of what she now realised had been balls hurtling past her.
With a sudden burst of speed, she dived down towards them, landing right in front of them in a skid. Pulling herself up to her full height in an attempt to look as menacing as possible, she growled an angry greeting. “What in the hay do you want?”
“I want the curse on my racket to end!”
“I vant somepony who can model for me like Fluttershy could!”
“I want my sister to pay for abandoning her family!”
“I want Rarity to rue the day that she humiliated me!”
“The Great and Powerful Trixie wants to destroy Twilight Sparkle and show the whole world that Trixie is the greatest pony that has ever lived!” She paused, trying to regain her composure. “But that's really not important right now, what really matters is what do YOU want?”
“Right now?” Gilda glared at them angrily. “Right now I quite fancy banging five dweebs' heads together for nearly knocking me out of the sky!”
“OK, yes, anger is good...” Trixie giggled nervously. While of course the Great and Powerful Trixie was scared of nothing, an angry griffin a few inches from her face was rather... unsettling. “But perhaps you could channel it better towards a certain pale blue pony with a mane all the colours of the rainbow?”
Well that was interesting. Almost as if this pony could read her mind... Gilda leant back, her fury subsiding for now. “Fine, you've got my attention. Tell me more...”
It took a while for Trixie to lay out her full plan for the others, and it was nearing midnight by the time the explanation was drawing to a close. “OK,” said Gilda, trying to get her head around it all. “So I get that we each have a bone to pick with one of the Elements of Harmony? What you're saying is that there are these opposing elements...”
“The Elements of Anarchy, yes...”
“And we can use these to get our revenge?”
“Yes, that's all very interesting and all,” Blueblood interjected before Trixie could reply. “But where exactly are we supposed to get these Elements from?”
Oh, she had been looking forward to this moment... Saving the best till last. “Why, don't you understand? The spirits of the Elements of Anarchy are right here!” As she spoke she began to summon up her magic, however instead of glowing, her horn seemed to absorbing light into itself, shrouding their moonlit surroundings in a growing darkness.
“Ace, who when faced with defeat resorted to lies and coercion in a desperate attempt to gain victory, represents the spirit of... DECEPTION!” As she spoke, the darkness spread towards him, surrounding him in a black mist.
“Photo Finish, who thinks nothing of shattering a pony's dreams with nothing more than a word represents the spirit of... CRUELTY!” Now she too was coated in the fog, fanning her hooves uselessly to try to clear it away from her face.
“Inkimena, who has, Trixie must say, possibly the dullest and most uninspiring existence imaginable, represents the spirit of... DEPRESSION!” Unlike Photo Finish the grey pony seemed resigned to the darkness now engulfing her, and made no attempt to resist it.
“Prince Blueblood, who cares about nopony but himself, represents the spirit of... GREED!” The Prince stood tall as the wisps of smoke curled around him, his chest swelling with pride.
“And Gilda, who by joining with us is turning against her oldest friend, represents the spirit of... BETRAYAL!” The blackness was flowing around all of them now, so thick that they could no longer see the fields, the stars, or the moon, only each other.
“When those elements are ignited by the spark of common hatred that resides in the heart of us all, it creates the sixth element. The element of...”
“POWER!”