The Great and Powerful Trixie has a secret. She hasn't told anypony but her family, and even then her family life was complicated to say the least. Trixie may have been a showmare, but her personal life remained an enigma to the world. It wasn't by choice she kept her secret. She could have told anypony had they ever bothered to ask, not that she wanted to tell anypony. She still would have been happier if some ponies cared more, at least. Her patrons did care, that much she knew. She could feel their love and adoration as she performed her parlor tricks and theatrics. Only a handful of unicorns ever showed up to her performances, obviously because magic wasn't a scarce talent to them. Despite that fact, few unicorns truly understood the tricks of the trade, and those that did tended to yearn for more ways to improve their own technique by watching others.
Trixie knew which audience members could see past her façade, and they were few and far in between. Rarely would one approach her after a performance and compliment her on her display of trickery. The Great and Powerful unicorn's stage presence was of course just an act. She had figured out long ago that not just any unicorn can grab attention for their magic skills. They had to back it up with a real demonstration. Trixie was well versed in illusory spells and thanks to a bit of practice, possessed slight of hoof. These traits earned her many stories blown out of proportion in her favor like defeating an ursa major. She wasn't so convinced by her own talent that she believed she could do such things, but sometimes the attention and adoration would just rush to her head. Trixie never realized she was playing her part so well until just after she stepped offstage. She felt guilty every once in a while, but knew that she needed the affection she received as much as the air she breathed. Her secret was nothing compared to her hunger for the spotlight.
Needless to say her metaphorical hunger got her into a bit of a bind every once in a while when a couple of devoted fillies or colts would do something irrational like actually waking a dangerous animal for her to vanquish. She would usually apologize for misleading them once the situation were resolved, but every now and then she would have an off-performance when she didn't get the attention she wanted and refused to drop her pompous act. This described several of her most recent performances to a tee, so she knew that sooner or later she would have to revise her act, or abandon the stage life to pursue another career. Once, she tried other jobs, like working on a rock farm, and as a result cringed at the very notion of a career change. She didn't relish the thought of returning home either.
Trixie worked in many cities, great and small. One of her least favorite places to work was Canterlot, where she would be hired to make an appearance at a young unicorn's birthday party, or perform a pyrotechnical show for a rock band. She never liked the noise of the large cities, but even with a population of mostly unicorns, The Great and Powerful Trixie was still a well received show in places like Canterlot. She preferred small towns like Ponyville where interaction with her audience could be more intimate and rewarding. She could settle down and meet some of the ponies in small towns and enjoy her quiet and respected life. Sadly, Ponyville was not as she expected. Almost every pony there had been everything she hoped to have in a model audience with seven exceptions. Namely, those exceptions were the Elements of Harmony and Twilight Sparkle's assistant, Spike.
Trixie didn't mind a little competition once in a while, but the Elements of Harmony had treated her like a mortal enemy. She was convinced they were just playing along with her Great and Powerful act at first, but that quickly dissolved into a rivalry between her and the resident librarian. Had she gotten her fill of attention (and bits), she would have gladly dropped her act and settled the matter like adults by explaining her situation. She did want to be adored, but she was also just doing her job. She couldn't help but to act if she were on stage, and she wished the elements would just notice that. Her first visit to Ponyville ended in being shunned and disliked, and she hadn't a clue what compelled her to return a second time. After the incident with the Alicorn Amulet, she was met with friendship rather than hostility, but she was still too bitter to drop her act. She was, after all, known to them only as "The Great and Powerful" Trixie and nothing else.
Before departing from that cursed town, she was met by a single fan. Such an act caught her off guard, causing her to lower her mask if only for a moment.
"Hiya!" A minty green unicorn mare with a lyre cutie mark greeted.
"Huh, what?" The startled showmare asked, "Are you talking to me?"
"Of course I'm talking to you, but what happened to all that talking in third person? Isn't that your trademark?" The bubbly mare inquired.
"Oh that, of course. Trixie does not always have to speak like this, but if it pleases you, she can continue," Trixie's cheeks became slightly warm.
"Oh, I love it when you talk like that! Has anypony ever told you that you have a really cute voice?"
Trixie reddened completely before mumbling, "well... no, actually. You're the first."
"That's a shame. I love your act! How do you do all of those tricks, like the age spells or making Pinkie Pie stop talking?"
"The Great and Apologetic Trixie humbly apologizes for the distress she has caused Ponyville. She was driven by the magic of the amulet."
"Ohh, that's too bad," The minty mare paused before continuing, "I liked your first show too, by the way. You have a lot of confidence on stage, and I think that it's really cute."
"Cute?" The nervous showmare slowed her gait and turned to face her fan, vainly attempting to hide her embarrassment, "You think Trixie is," she hesitated, "cute?"
"Mhm. My name's Lyra. Lyra Heartstrings. Do you always go by 'The Great and Powerful' Trixie?"
"Uhm," Trixie giggled flirtatiously, "No. Actually, my name is Trixie Lulamoon. It's nice to meet you, Miss Heartstrings."
"You can call me Lyra, Miss Lulamoon," she winked, "That's a cute name too... Lulamoon," she mused.
"I would prefer if you just call me Trixie, actually."
Lyra's attitude could have rivaled Pinkie Pie's throughout the conversation. In fact, Lyra really was a big fan of Trixie's and she enjoyed her shows almost as much as Pinkie enjoyed talking. She really did find the mare cute, and she had an affinity for things like illusions, slight of hoof, and mythology. Two of which were talents of The Great and Powerful Trixie. She was mesmerized by Trixie's performances and she would have even rooted for Trixie in the magic duel if the stakes weren't Twilight's residence in Ponyville. "That's great!" Lyra beamed, "Trixie, would you consider joining me for dinner sometime?" Lyra's leap of faith may have been straightforward, but if her previous attempts at romance were anything to judge by, it wouldn't matter how Lyra asked Trixie out.
Lyra asked out many mares in her life, and given the mare to stallion ratio of Ponyville, she was decieved into thinking that there were bound to be more mares like her. She was rejected every time. She wasn't sure whether it was because the mares just weren't interested in mares like that or if she was just generally avoided by everypony. She was so used to rejection that she never bothered feeling bad about it. It wasn't something she could change, and it wasn't like she needed romance in her life or anything. She had wisely said to herself many times, "while a relationship can brighten a mood greatly, it still can't bring true happiness. True happiness comes from within." She firmly believed that mantra and recited it to herself every time she was turned down for a date, and in some cases, even casual conversation.
Despite all of her misgivings about asking mares out, she remained confident in herself and never passed up an opportunity when it presented itself. This led to her catching The Great and Unprepared Trixie off guard. She stammered something unintelligible before composing herself to return a warm smile, and even maintain her confident quirk, "Trixie would love to join you for a date. Just name the time and place and she will be there," she let out in a softer voice than usual.
Lyra gasped in response, "REALLY? DID YOU REALLY JUST AGREE TO A DATE WITH ME?" She squeaked in excitement, "Sweet Celestia, I've finally found somepony!" She cheered, bouncing on her hooves in a very Pinkie-esque manner.
Lyra and Trixie's first date had gone off without a hitch. Their second date followed soon after and quickly their friendly relationship bloomed into a beautiful romance, and they finally fell in love. They were together for nearly a year before there were even any remote signs of their relationship faltering. Lyra still lived with her best friend Bon Bon, and Trixie had continued to perform her magical act, but returned to Ponyville to see her new marefriend as often as she could. Soon, she saved up enough bits to buy a small house in Ponyville, and was almost ready to tell her new best friend and partner about her achievement and ask her to move in. However, she still harbored her secret. She felt guilty for holding out for so long with somepony she clearly loved so much, but she was constantly afraid of what would happen if her marefriend found out.
"Lyra?"
"Yeah Trix?"
"That's 'The Great and Powerful' Trix to you, peasant," she stuck her muzzle in the air and cocked her head to the side jokingly to lighten the mood.
Lyra caught on and corrected herself, "What is it, oh Great and Sexy Trixie?"
"That's better. Now, The Great and Powerful Trixie has wonderful news to share with you. Is her adoring fan prepared?"
"You bet your sweet flank, I am! What is it?" Lyra put down her House Special Daisy Sandwich to look up at her partner. They were enjoying breakfast at an open air café. Lyra had been eating hers with her hooves rather than using her magic, as usual. Trixie hadn't touched her meal, as usual.
Trixie contained her excitement and calmly proceeded, "Trixie bought a house here in Ponyville."
Lyra's eyes widened and her heartbeat sped, "Does that mean we can finally-"
"No," Trixie cut her off, "at least not yet," her expression dimmed considerably, and she dropped her show voice, "I need something from you first."
Lyra was confused. "What is it? This must be serious."
"I've been hiding something from you."
"Oh no, are you really with somepony else?" Lyra had her suspicions about her marefriend for some time. She didn't really believe Trixie was cheating on her, or anything like that, but she could always see a possibility. She knew Trixie was at least hiding something because they had been together for so long and they never once shared a bed. It wasn't that Lyra was always thinking about sex, but she knew something was up when Trixie didn't respond to any of her advances. She stopped dropping subtle hints after a while and flat-out asked if she wanted a roll in the hay a few times, but Trixie simply refused and apologized each time.
"No!" Trixie exclaimed, "Nothing like that! I promise, you're the only one for me," she smiled with sincerity.
"Then what is it?" Lyra became concerned.
"I," She stopped, took a deep breath, and resumed, "You have to promise two things first." When Lyra didn't respond, she whispered, "First, you can't tell anypony no matter what. I need your word on that."
"I promise I won't tell anypony," Lyra spoke slowly to emphasize her honesty. Lyra was definitely a mare who could keep a secret. She was known to have many odd interests, but as her housemate Bon Bon knew, 'they didn't know the half of it.' "What else?"
"Promise me you won't run away, no matter how bad what I tell you is."
"Why would I run away from you, you're the greatest pony I've ever met!"
"Trixie believes you, but she still thinks that you won't love her anymore when you find out," Trixie frowned, falling back into her defensive mask of language, close to tears that she hadn't been honest with her marefriend. She closed her eyes and turned her face away.
Lyra put a hoof on Trixie's muzzle, turning her head to look into her eyes. Trixie looked up instinctually in response, eyes watering in response. Lyra closed the distance with a loving kiss, and when their lips parted, she very seriously stated, "Trixie, I love you. I've loved you for a long time now. I loved you when you performed your first show, I loved you more when you came back, and I love you more even now. I'll love you after you tell me what you've been hiding, and I'll love you tomorrow, too. If you give me the chance, I'll love you next year, and every year after that until I die. Trust me Trixie, there is nothing you can tell me that will make me stop loving you."
Trixie's lips curved into a small smile as a stray tear escaped her eye, which she wiped away with a fetlock. She was almost convinced, but she still had to ask, "What if Trixie was not as great and powerful as she says she is? What if Trixie didn't look attractive anymore?"
"Trixie, you are great and powerful. Don't let anypony tell you otherwise. And I don't care if you looked like Discord, I would still love you. You know none of that matters."
Trixie shed a few more tears, but said nothing, her smile fading still. Lyra took Trixie's face in both hooves and delivered a kiss twice as passionate as before. That time, when they separated, Lyra stood on her chair with her hind legs and reached over the table to embrace Trixie in a hug. Trixie gratefully accepted, "Okay," Trixie started, "I trust you," she whispered into Lyra's mane. They parted and Lyra, having no room to maneuver herself back to her chair, placed her forelegs on the table and then awkwardly jumped to the ground. "Are you finished? Trixie does not wish to speak of such things in public, and she doesn't want to interrupt your meal," she giggled nervously, still shaken from the emotional moment they shared.
"I'm finished. How about you?" Lyra asked, having lost her appetite.
Trixie nodded in response, already seated on the ground next to Lyra, who somehow made a chair appear at the table when they began earlier. She rose to all four hooves and beckoned for her marefriend to follow. They trotted to Trixie's new house near a sizeable pasture on the edge of Ponyville. They entered the almost-empty house and Lyra followed Trixie through the halls to the only room with furniture; Trixie's bedroom.
Trixie's ears and tail hung low, and her face reflected the regret for having led her favorite mare on for so long. Lyra waited patiently for her marefriend to speak, but words never came. Trixie's horn glowed green rather than her usual magenta aura as her body began to change. Transparent wings sprouted from her back, and the tip of her horn began to turn black, followed by the rest of her body. Her mane receded into her neck, and holes began to appear in her legs. Two of her teeth became elongated and sharp while her eyes turned a pale green and her pupils disappeared. Trixie looked away as the transformation completed and her disguise faded. Lyra gazed upon the new form of her marefriend, or rather her original form, in awe.
The Great and Powerful Trixie was a changeling.
The changeling waited for hoofsteps to lead out of the room, but no sounds came. It glanced up to meet the gaze of its marefriend, with its marefriend's eyes shimmering with curiosity. The changeling began to speak, "I'm so sorry I lied to you all this time," it said in an almost masculine voice. Lyra's expression soon faded to confusion and alarm.
"Wait, are you a stallion?" She pressed, almost disappointed.
"What do you mean? I'm a changeling."
"Like, were you only pretending to be a mare? Because your voice is way different."
"Oh, that. No, I'm neither mare or stallion. We don't have genders."
Lyra, who was oddly present during Canterlot's recent changeling invasion, wasn't so easily convinced, "Wait, isn't your leader a queen? That would mean she's a -" She was cut off by the changeling.
"Queen. Queen Chrysalis is a queen changeling. We reproduce asexually."
"Oh. No sex?" Lyra constantly had her mind in the gutter. Nopony would blame her especially for being in a very intimate location with her marefiend, but given the circumstances, she expected better from herself.
"No sex."
"Bummer." Lyra was disappointed.
"So, you don't hate me for what I am?"
"Well, it sucks that we can't have a roll in the hay, but I still love you. I told you I would. It's not like I've been seeing somepony else and you're just impersonating them. Are you?"
"No, Lyra. The Great and Powerful Trixie and I are one in the same."
"Do you have another name? Or should I just keep calling you Trixie?"
"I have no other name. We don't get names when we're born. We only give them to each other when we have to, but we always just take the names of ponies we replace."
"So does that mean you participated in the invasion?"
"No!" The changeling shouted before clearing its throat, "I mean, no. I never believed in taking love by force. I've found that it's just so much better when it's given earnestly. I really do love you. I didn't try to trick you or anything. I promise."
"So Trixie really doesn't exist anywhere else in the world? You just made her up?"
"Not entirely. The Great and Powerful bit was something I made up for attention. I did that to feed myself, but I really was myself the whole time we were together."
"You don't have to tell me twice, sweetheart. I know who you are, and I know you love me just as much as I love you." The changeling visibly blushed. "I'm so sorry you thought you had to hide from me. I know it must have been so hard for you to keep a secret for so long, and I understand why you did it. But to tell the truth, I kind of like you better as a mare. No offense."
The changeling quickly transformed into Discord, "What happened to, 'I don't care if you look like Discord?'" His voice matched Discord's perfectly as he gave a twisted grin to the nervously shifting unicorn.
"I uh... I mean I still love you and all, but I'm just not really attracted to Draconnequui, or stallions for that matter," she said carefully before quickly adding, "but really! Any form you like is okay with me!"
The changeling let out Discord's chaotic chuckle before changing back to Trixie. "I've lived as a unicorn for so long that it's second nature to me," she cooed, "and I prefer looking as pretty as The Great and Adorable Trixie!" She cheered throwing tiny fireworks in the air. She gave a knowing look to her lover and walked into a full body embrace from Lyra. They eventually ended up making out on the floor of Trixie's bedroom until realization hit them that there was a bed in the room. Lyra looked to Trixie with a mischievous grin.
"You know, if you ever want to try being somepony else, I'm rather open minded. It could make things interesting in bed if you want to," she winked, "you know."
Trixie's coat turned white, and her mane and tail turned purple and styled at the ends. Her cutie mark rearranged itself into three diamonds, and she responded, "Darling, I don't have the slightest inkling what you're going on about. Please, elaborate," she said, narrowing her eyes to shoot a knowing look at her partner more fitting for the intimate bedroom setting. They both darted to the bed in excitement, ready for the rides of their lives.