HEART OF STONE
Chapter Twenty Seven: The Great and Powerful Trixie
Written by TheCrimsonDM
Everything was black for a few seconds until with a sudden burst of light Trixie found herself momentarily blinded. After a second or two Trixie could hear the cheers around her as she stood in the middle of a stage. Suddenly Trixie stood on her hind legs and said in a loud and powerful voice, “You all came to see magic, and tonight your wish has been granted, by the one and only, Great and Powerful TRIXIE!”
With that Trixie’s horn began to glow and she took off her purple wizard hat, the final trick of tonight’s show was about to start. Trixie created a magical glowing pink heart above the stage. Six white doves then flew out from Trixie’s hat and flew around in a spiral formation until each on passed through the glowing heart, and each time they did a spray of colorful magic would splash out from where they exited.
It had been hard work to train those doves, but the pay off was well worth it as the crowd before her made sounds of amazement. When they were done Trixie bowed before her audience, sweeping her foreleg wide and looking upon each member of the crowd in the first row. Amongst them was really cute yellow pegasus with a long pink mane.
Trixie grinned as she said, “and now you have witnessed the greatest show in Equestria. The Great and Powerful Trixie must now take her leave.”
After that Trixie used her final spell and disappeared into a poof of smoke. The audience all gasped and for a second nothing happened, but quickly they all began stomping there hooves and cheering in approval. Trixie’s biggest show yet was a success.
***
Trixie later found herself sitting inside her changing room. There had guards positioned outside her door just in case something bad were to happen. Trixie looked at herself in the mirror, and smiled. It was wonderful having an audience, and even more so, they enjoyed her show. Better still was the fact that Trixie’s horn didn’t hurt after the show tonight, usually it did hurt a little after long shows like tonight’s. She didn’t have the magical stamina that some other ponies did, but she knew how to run a show.
Trixie continued to grin at the mirror before getting a little bored. She began making silly faces at the mirror. Sticking her tongue out as far as she could, crossing her eyes and puffing up her cheeks Trixie managed to create a face so silly that she burst into laughter. Tonight had been a wonderful night for Trixie the magician.
All of a sudden Trixie began to hear the two stallions outside her room talking. Though not to each other, it sounded like they were talking to another pony, but Trixie couldn’t hear whoever it was. Trixie snuck up to the door and placed her head against it to listen more. She began feeling like some kind of ninja as she attempted to stay very quiet.
Trixie heard the other pony now, it was a mare with a very quiet voice.
“Sorry but the Great and Powerful Trixie doesn’t talk to ponies after the show,” said the bodyguard his voice was deep, and a little scary.
“B-b-but I paid for a backstage p-p-pass. All I want is t-t-to see her,” pleaded the soft voiced mare.
“The answer is still no, she doesn’t see anypony after the show. Not even fans,” reaffirmed the stallion.
“But…it was so expensive…okay I-I-I’ll just...leave,” said the mare, her soft voice so full of disappointment.
Trixie had enough of this. She had the guards to protect her, not harm her reputation or even worse hurt her fans. Trixie opened the door and said, “how dare you treat one of Trixie’s fans like this, Trixie demands that you make way for her fan this instant.”
The bodyguards looked at Trixie for only a second before moving out of the way of the door. To Trixie’s surprise the fan that had come to visit her was the cute yellow mare that she had spotted during the show. Trixie smiled, pleased with this turn of events. “Come on in little filly, Trixie would love to speak with you.”
The yellow pegasus eyes lit up as she walked into Trixie’s changing room very carefully. She looked excited to see what Trixie’s changing room looked like. It was a little bit of a surprise to Trixie to see this mare so happy simply to be inside this room. It also surprised Trixie that her fan was little taller than her, but Trixie didn’t mind. She had a thing for taller mares.
Trixie closed the door behind them with her magic and asked, “so tell Trixie, what is it that you like most about Trixie?”
The yellow pegasus looked nervous and squeaked a response. It was a little hard for Trixie to hear the yellow pegasus. Not wanting to be rude to her nervous fan, Trixie sat down by the mirror and said, “I am Trixie Lulamoon, the great and powerful magician. What is your name?”
The yellow pegasus seemed to find her courage, or at least a little bit as she said in a quiet voice, “I’m Fluttershy…it’s nice to meet you.”
“Ah so Fluttershy, are you thirsty? Trixie has milk to offer if you want, it is chocolate,” Trixie enticed.
Fluttershy looked a little confused as she said, “um…okay, I…would’ve thought you had cider, or um something. N-n-not that I’m complaining, I’m just a little confused…I’m sorry.”
Trixie thought that Fluttershy was cute when nervous. Trixie gave out a small laugh before saying, “Trixie is only sixteen. Trixie not supposed to drink cider yet, or at least not the fun kind.” Trixie then went to the mini fridge and pulled out two small cartons of chocolate milk. She levitated one out towards Fluttershy who grabbed it and looked a little misplaced at the milk.
“How old are you, if Trixie might ask?” asked Trixie.
Fluttershy opened the milk carton with her mouth and hooves and said, “I’m…um…nineteen…”
Trixie grinned widely and said excitedly, “Trixie has a fan that old! Wow Trixie is really thankful for your support of Trixie’s show. Trixie used to only run shows for children before now.”
Fluttershy smiled with a small pink blush appearing on her face. Fluttershy took a drink from the milk carton and said, more to herself then to Trixie, “wow, I haven’t drank one of these since I was in school.”
They sat down and drank the milk in silence for a few minutes before Trixie finally said, “you know why Trixie’s show is the greatest show in all of Equestria, right?” When Fluttershy shook her head, Trixie continued, “because of her fans, ponies like you make Trixie’s show the greatest. Without you Trixie would be nothing, and that would be sad.”
Fluttershy looked away blushing a little more as she said, “oh, but I um…I don’t think you need to worry…you were so confident out there…on the stage I mean. I could never do that, although I wish could.”
Trixie smiled, she enjoyed seeing the cute mare blush. “Trixie was not as confident as you think. This has been Trixie’s biggest show to date. Trixie was scared of being heckled. If not for Celestia’s help, Trixie could not have accomplished this. Trixie even graduated early just so she could start her dream, her dream of being a famous magician.”
Fluttershy smiled at Trixie’s kind words and then Trixie had an idea. “Why do you think Trixie does this show?”
Fluttershy shook her head saying, “I don’t know, but it makes me feel like I could maybe be as confident as you one day, when I see you perform…”
Trixie smiled and said, “that is one reason for the show, but another one is that ponies sometimes ponies need a persona like The Great and Powerful Trixie. It makes them laugh, smile and be happy. Even the few times that ponies have rudely heckled Trixie’s show, Trixie has been able to make the audience laugh still. But you are still right, Trixie believes that everypony can be great and powerful, even you Fluttershy.”
Fluttershy’s mouth opened in shock but Trixie continued speaking before Fluttershy could say anything. “Fluttershy, you could go on stage. You could do magic too. You could even be almost as good as Trixie is, maybe one day with enough training you could even work with Trixie on stage. Trixie wants to be good, like Starswirl, or Kilic, or Midnight Sonata. Trixie doesn’t know if she will be that good, but she wants to try. And when Trixie gets old she wants to teach little fillies and colts how to be as great and powerful as she is. What do you think about that? It’s a little silly is it not?”
Fluttershy smiled gently as she said, “no it’s not silly. I mean…I thought you were older because of how good you are at magic. But now I know that you are really young…then I know you will only get better, maybe you could even be better than my friend is at magic one day.”
Trixie smiled up at Fluttershy and said, “Trixie really hopes so, Trixie loves magic. Magic is made to make ponies smile and laugh, not to hurt them. Trixie knows of a unicorn who really doesn’t seem to understand that difference, and Trixie finds it sad.”
Fluttershy nodded in agreement. And after that the two of them continued talking for a long time. Eventually Trixie even showed Fluttershy how to do a few magic tricks involving cards, Fluttershy seemed to have knack for it. The night wore on, and together the two of them simply talked for hours on end.
Eventually Trixie felt that she liked Fluttershy enough to say, “Trixie has decided. Fluttershy, you are to be Trixie’s new friend, you do not have a choice. Trixie has determined that you will be a wonderful new friend, and if you would like, Trixie would love to show you around Canterlot personally.”
Fluttershy blushed and Trixie grinned at the sight. Fluttershy then explained, “I…um…I uh won’t be in Canterlot for long.”
Fluttershy was even more attractive when blushing, Trixie’s mind to wonder about things that weren’t entirely proper. Trixie said aloud, “Trixie’s stage persona is kinda silly is it not?”
There was no answer for a moment but then Fluttershy said, “um…well it is a little bit silly. But I think that’s one of the things that makes it so wonderful. I really enjoy the kinds of shows where ponies act a little foolish, and um…full of themselves…and…um.”
“Arrogant,” Trixie finished with a smile. “Fluttershy that is on purpose, ponies are attracted to others who show themselves to be better than them. To be famous Trixie needs to be somewhat like an alpha pony. But there is no alpha pony without their wonderful followers. So Trixie does indeed respect and love all of her fans even if she does not act like it while in character. Trixie also knows that magicians do not work without being a little rude, but Trixie tries to not be mean about it. It is after all only a show. No pony should take what happens on stage too seriously. It is like getting angry at the actors who are in a play, because you did not enjoy the story.”
Fluttershy nodded, and was earnestly paying attention to what Trixie said. Not many ponies actually gave Trixie the time of day to speak to them. Trixie found herself wanting to do something special for the kind Fluttershy. It wasn’t often that Ponies did nice things like stay and talk to Trixie like this, so she wanted to repay the kindness. “Trixie thinks you are a very kind pony, Fluttershy. So tell Trixie, what can we do for you? Anything at all.”
Fluttershy looked away and said, “Oh...um…well…I would…no never mind, it’s not important.”
Trixie put her hooves onto Fluttershy’s shoulders, Trixie then looked deeply into Fluttershy’s soft teal eyes and said gently, “it is important to Trixie. You are the first pony to befriend us in a while. So please, tell Trixie whatever it is that you want.”
Fluttershy looked into Trixie’s eyes, her face was blushing again. Fluttershy said in a tiny voice, “I live in Ponyville, and I would like you to come and perform. I could invite my friends and together we could all enjoy your show. There are a lot of ponies who would enjoy your show. I think that everypony would enjoy your over the top performance…um if you don’t mind.”
Trixie leaned back and looked up at the ceiling. She had planned on going to Ponyville at some point, but not until she was already famous. Trixie was booked for the next four weeks; her show was quickly growing in popularity here in Canterlot. Trixie let out a sigh and said, “Trixie can be there in four weeks. We will send you a message ahead of time using our familiar, wherever that owl ran off to. Trixie will run her show in Ponyville, and on top of that it will be completely free of charge for anypony to see. It will be a show just for you, Fluttershy, and any neighsayers will rue that day, for Trixie values her friends over all else in the world. This shall be the greatest show in Equestria, and the greatest show of your life. This we promise you, Fluttershy.”
Trixie then leaned closer, and stuck her head up a little higher, and then Trixie kissed Fluttershy on the cheek. Fluttershy’s entire face turned a shade of red that Trixie had never seen before, and Trixie giggled at the sight saying, “that was a kissing oath. Now I am bound to deliver an unforgettable show, or I shall forever be cursed with bad luck.” Trixie really just wanted to kiss Fluttershy, but this seemed like a good excuse to do so.
Fluttershy couldn’t speak properly but through squeaks Trixie swore she caught the words, “thank you.”
After that Trixie yawned from exhaustion, and together with Fluttershy the two of them left the changing room. Trixie had a new friend, and a cute one at that. Trixie was overjoyed to be with Fluttershy, she had never met a kinder pony. Trixie’s heart began to beat more rapidly, as she walked with Fluttershy. A new feeling was growing her heart. Trixie walked Fluttershy back to her hotel room, to keep her safe from harm.
Standing outside the door Trixie let out another yawn, and then nearly fell over from just how tired she was. Fluttershy looked a little worried and said, “um…you probably shouldn’t walk home right now…I…um there are two beds in my room…if you um….need a place to sleep…”
Trixie smiled tiredly at Fluttershy and said, “I’d love to. I’ve never had a sleep over before.” Trixie then stumbled into Fluttershy’s hotel and laid down on the extra bed. The second she closed her eyes she was falling asleep. The show and the long conversation with Fluttershy had exhausted Trixie. With a final defiant yawn Trixie fell asleep.
***
Trixie opened her eyes and saw the clear blue sky above her. The fresh memory was a little awkward, but it was still very nice. At the height of Trixie’s career, before she lost it all, she had been a nice and kind pony. Unfortunately that didn’t last long. She played the part of an arrogant pony, and with purpose. Flashes of how happy the ponies looked at her ponyville show, how they laughed as she showed up those completely rude and horribly cruel ponies. They came in and ruined Fluttershy’s show…but wait, weren’t these ponies all of Trixie’s friends…and they were supposed to be Fluttershy’s as well.
Trixie’s old feelings of righteous fury for the defense of her friend were rising in her heart. As she sat up her head screamed at her in intense pain. She quickly forgot all about her anger as Applejack forced her back down saying, “shh, don’t try and move. You were hit by a mail carrier’s package. But yer lucky, this time it wasn’t a piano or anvil.”
A gray pegasus mare with a golden blond mane stood just behind Applejack. Trixie thought she was kinda cute, but then again Trixie liked gray fur. Trixie looked up at the gray mares face and saw a worried expression in the mare’s unaligned eyes. Trixie closed her eyes and said, “Trixie will be okay…Trixie just remembered something…something explains a whole freaking a lot about Trixie’s life.”