//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: Days Gone By // Story: The Magician's Mantle // by DEI Caboose //------------------------------// Fillydelphia Forest - 4 Months Later The bumping of the wheels and the constant shifting of weight was almost unbearable. Trixie was forced to effectively drag her decrepit caravan through the undergrowth using a yoke, because try as she might her magical manipulation of the wheels just wasn’t getting the job done. Her journey had taken her from Hollow Shades right through the Foal Mountain, which laid between her and her destination of Fillydelphia. It had been nothing short of hellish; the terrain was uneven, the weather was getting colder every day as winter neared ever closer, she had run short on supplies, and there wasn’t a soul to be found the entire length of the trip. The latter had been the worst part. Life on the road was lonely. Trixie had discovered and accepted that many years ago. Rather than let it get to her she decided to make the most of it, be her own mare without having to aspire to the expectations and values of others. But inevitably it does get to her. Trixie was made to be in front of others. That was literally what she was destined for, assuming she had interpreted her cutie mark correctly. Isolation could only be enjoyed for so long before it became torture. Trixie was thankful however that her torture was now over. The cloudy but still very bright sun-lit sky became exposed from behind the canopy of thick branches that had shielded it. The rushing winds of winter hit her full force as she exposed herself as well, dragging her home all the way. She stopped short of a steep, but still very climbable grassy ridge, which fortunately for her shielded some of the unrelenting breeze. Trixie decided to unhook herself from the heavy cart in order to get a closer look, wanting to see just how much ground she had left to cover. After mounting her home on its stands to prevent it rolling away, she turned towards the ridge and began to climb, carefully and firmly to prevent an accident. Upon reaching the top, Trixie gave a gleeful sigh, relieved she could say that her trek was over, at least for now. Fillydelphia wasn’t exactly a marvel to behold like the Canterlot spire still visible in the distance; it was simply an average urban city not unlike Manehatten, though admittedly it had a degraded feel to it. She could practically see the smog in the air, a sight and smell she was familiar with, and even longed for to an extent. The water in the sea along the coastline appeared as grey on account of the reflections of the gloomy clouds, which had the added affect of making the tall skyscrapers that littered the city appear as if they were made of stone rather than glass. It may not have looked like, or even be anyplace special, but right now to Trixie it represented salvation, and for the time being; home. 'Assuming news of Ponyville hasn’t spread this far,' she thought grimly. A popular gossip column that had originated in Ponyville did not do her reputation any favours, which is why Trixie decreed to herself that if she ever came across the one called 'Gabby Gums' she would inflict unsavoury, and admittedly completely disproportionate punishment upon her. But the line between disproportionate and deserved had blurred as of late. Biting her lip in annoyance at her thoughts, Trixie proceeded to get a move on. She had errands to run and quite frankly wanted to get a good night’s sleep for once… or at least attempt to. It was just the little things she needed to acquire, which would involve venturing into the city itself. Food, water, scouting out a venue, and most important of all, finding out what had happened in the world since she had been isolated in the middle of nowhere. They didn't exactly sell newspapers in mountain caves. Trixie retreated into the interior of her trailer, concealed by the surrounding tree barks and undergrowth shrubbery. It would only get colder as the day went on so she donned one of her less conspicuous garments, a simple dark cloak with a hood, the very same one she wore when she had acquired the Alicorn Amulet. Trixie shook at the memory which had contributed so much to her nightmares, not wanting the thoughts to pester her more than they already had. It wasn't due to her actions while wearing it, her regret for doing so, or even what other ponies thought of her because of it. It's the fact that while she had worn the Amulet. She enjoyed it. It was power, and it was hers. It was also the reason why she could barely look herself in the mirror anymore, why she couldn't face the Princess's student that day at the festival, even though she had already forgiven her. Trixie had yet to forgive herself, and didn't know if she could. Taking a deep breath, something she noticed she seemed to be doing a lot of these days, Trixie exited her home and sealed it tight with her magic. Just because she wished to be a better pony didn't mean she couldn't take precautions against those who didn't share in her perspectives. Fillydelphia was undeniably a mess of a city, but not in the way Trixie expected. Colorful decorations of tinsel and false snow were being piled up in certain places, at first Trixie thought she might have missed Hearth's Warming Eve, a prime time for street performances. But upon looking further, she could see evidence of the recent removal of Nightmare Night decorations, signalling the end of the holiday in preparation for the next one, and creating quite the mess while doing so. "Darn," she seethed out. Nightmare Night was always an excellent opportunity for a show, but she had evidently missed it whilst on the road from Hollow Shades. 'Hearth's Warming it will have to be,' Trixie begrudgingly decided. She was discouraged however upon realising she would have to ration a lot in the coming weeks, as she wouldn't have the finances to support herself effectivly. She also grew worried due to the fact that her potential to perform was a gamble also. 'That's assuming they don't run me out,' she thought fearfully. The risk of being recognised for her pardoned crimes was a constant one, the good word of the Element of Magic just wasn't enough for some ponies. Not that they weren't justified in their negative responses she reasoned. Trixie trotted down the paved roads, her face held low so she could conceal it in the shadow of her hood. She wandered passed multiple couples huddled together and fillies and colts perched on their guardians backs, all excited for the coming celebrations of the holiday. Everypony was so absorbed in whatever they were doing that Trixie just waltzed through them without getting so much as a second glance, a necessity she accepted, but something that irked her also. Trixie was made for the spotlight. She wished to be adored, to be marvelled at for her skills. Ever since she was stripped of everything she had been working her way back up once again. She had admittedly never been that successful, but she still used to have more than she ever did now. 'Past Trixie deserved it, Present Trixie just wants to get on with her life.' Turning a corner, the magician approached a local food stand, noticing it to be located in an outdoor market, comprised of several run-down stands with different vendors all attempting to sell their wares. It certainly pleased Trixie, as a place like this was good for buying in bulk at a reasonable price, so without stalling, Trixie approached a pony for the first time in weeks, a forced smile etching itself out upon her muzzle as she tapped her hoof upon the wood of an apple stand. "Excuse me, Sir?" she announced, her voice inviting. A burly golden stallion with a mint coloured mane turned to face Trixie from behind the table he was positioned a. His cutie mark displayed a dozen apples resting within a wooden bucket and he held a stoic but friendly look on his face, greeting Trixie with a welcoming smile. Trixie almost thought he looked familiar for a moment but couldn't place her hoof on it. Noticing the stallion's patient look, Trixie realised that he was waiting for her to speak. "Oh! A dozen of your finest apples, please," she answered to his silent question of what she wanted. Instead of him responding to her however, she instead became momentarily startled by an orange-shaded mare bursting out from under the stall, bag of fruit in hand. Trixie was adamant that she wasn't there before. "Well thank you kindly, Miss! First Apple family customer of the day!" The also minty-maned mare announced, though hers had a noticeable white streak running through it. She was seemingly vibrating with glee. The burly pony just rolled his eyes at the display, before turning around to unload more carts of produce. Trixie reached for the bag. "Apple?" Trixie froze with fright. The Apples were one of the most tightly knit clans in Equestria, they would move mountains for each other, everypony knew that, and she was all too aware of the fact that they had residents in Ponyville. Trixie did nothing except stand in anticipation for the inevitable moment she was recognised and probably attacked. "Darn right we're Apples! Speaking of which, here's yours!" the Apple mare gleefully replied, hurling the sack of apples at Trixie who instinctively caught it with her magic, a reflex she had developed from her knife throwing days. The mare nodded to Trixie. "Y'all come back now," proclaimed the energetic mare, before retreating into the back of the stall to continue with whatever it was she was doing before. Her stallion companion simply nodded to Trixie also before continuing with his own work. Trixie brow furrowed in confusion, and then finally in realisation. They hadn't recognised her, heck they were even being friendly to her! "Yes, er... thank you." Trixie for the first time in a long time gave a genuine smile before turning away, an orange hoof waving from beneath the stall as she went. She continued at a brisk pace past many other stalls, retrieving her bag of bits from beneath her cloak as she- 'You idiot, Trixie!' she screamed in her head. She hadn't paid for the apples, they had been so welcoming and she didn't even get her bits out for them! Trixie turned so fast it was a blur to anypony watching and sprinted back to the apple stand, the stoic stallion from before continuing with his work unassumingly. "Uh excuse me, Ms. Apple?" Trixie began meekly, peering over the stand. An abundance of negative outcomes to the encounter rushing through her mind. The youthful mare in question shot up again, the welcoming smile returning to her face. "Please, Ms. Apple is mah mother. Name's, Apple Leaves! This here's mah brother, Bushel." The stallion responded by once again nodding. Apple Leaves turned her attention back to Trixie, head tilted in questioning. "Som'thin' else y'all need? We got sum juicy Apple pies if you're lookin!" The mare's enthusiasm did not quell Trixie's evolving unease, she decided to simply get this conversation over and done with as quickly as possible. She floated her bag of bits in front of Apple Leaves' face, a pleading look in her eyes. "I'm sorry, but I never paid for the apples, I was just... sorry," she finished dejectedly, accepting whatever was about to happen to her. She didn't expect for the orange mare to gasp, in a tone Trixie easily identified as surprise mixed with... joy? She looked up to see the stallion, now identified as Bushel, giving Apple Leaves an unamused look, who returned it with a sheepish smile and an awkward laugh. Leaves turned back to Trixie looking as grateful as can be, much to Trixie's bemusement. "Thank you so much. I'm kinda new at this, don't really do a lot a selling. It's... not the first time ah forgot to pick up the money." Her tone was enough to make Trixie forget her own apprehensions, scoffing in response. "Nonsense! I, as the customer, am just as responsible, if not more so," she proclaimed, if with a little too much pride. Apple Leaves couldn't help but chuckle at the display, wordlessly deciding that she liked this mystery mare. "Tell ya what, how 'bout we forget about our mistakes and start over. Hey, I'm Apple Leaves, apple farmer." She held out a hoof in a mock greeting, which Trixie decided to return, bumping their hooves together. Her cutie mark was also visible now, a red apple with an abundance of leaves protruding from the bottom. Appropriate. "The Great and Powerful Trixie, magical extraordinaire," she responded, a smirk quickly growing on her face, before it promptly dropped in terror once again. They may not have recognised her appearance, but her name might jog some buried memories. "Trixie eh? Well, nice to meet ya, Trixie. Ain't seen you around before, you from Filly'?" Leaves asked with genuine curiosity, causing Trixie to non-visibly exhale at not being identified. "No I'm... just passing through," Trixie replied, noticing that she sounded far more disappointed than she intended to. Leaves clicked her lips in disappointment. "Darn shame, Fillys' great this time of year, a real hoot! Still, we all got places to go, friends to greet, and families to be-" Trixie involuntarily reared back, much to Leaves' initial confusion then horror, realising the implications of what she said. She fumbled out a response, "Oh I'm so sorry! I wasn't thinking. Ah, ah didn't mean to-" "It's alright," Trixie calmly replied. Much too calmly for Leaves' taste. "No harm done." Apple Leaves banged her head with her hoof. "Ah... Just don't think sometimes," she sombrely replied, her gaze failing to meet Trixie's. The illusionist's silence prompted Leaves to raise her head again however, fearing the worst. Instead she was met with a reassuring grin, one that seemed to say 'Don't we all?' It significantly improved her mood. "How much for the apples?" Trixie said, remembering the reason she came back to the stand in the first place, and wishing to change the subject. Leaves' giddiness seemed to return, eager to move away from the sensitive topic she had unwittingly brought up. "Right that will be uh... six bits!" "Three bits," a deep voice announced. Apple Leaves turned towards her brother, who had just spoken. Trixie just stared at the large earth pony in shock, a small smile adorning his otherwise stoic face. "Three bits, for a dozen apples?" "Eeyup." "But that's... ludicrous! Why do want me to pay less?" Trixie asked with genuine confusion, both at the price reduction, but also towards why she was complaining at all. Bushel kept his warm grin, which Apple Leaves also adopted, apparently in understanding. "You could've taken advantage of mah sister's mistake, instead you came back to pay your dues. If there's one thing Apples value next to family, it's honesty, and you ma'am are an honest mare." 'I am?' "You sure?" she asked, both to him, and unknowingly to herself. "We won't take no for an answer." Trixie couldn't believe it. Rewarded for a common curtesy? Why? She either came back to pay, or she was a thief. Why reward somepony for doing what should be done? Whatever the reason Trixie didn't decide to question the pair further. She levitated the agreed upon three bits out of the sack that housed them, into the waiting hooves of Apple Leaves. "Much appreciated, Trixie. Hey how long you in Filly' for again?" replied the ever joy-filled mare, again to Trixie's initial confusion. After the transaction was complete, she had no reason to stay, and yet she didn't leave, almost like she wanted the conversation to continue. "Well..." Trixie began but couldn't continue. Honestly she didn't know how long she would stay in Fillydelphia. 'For Hearth's Warming Eve at least but after that...'. "You know what," the illusionist began, her showmareship taking over as she puffed out her chest. "I think I'll be around for the foreseeable future, Filly' does seem like a nice place this time of year." "Yee-haw!" Leaves bucked the air, surprising Trixie yet again, she steadied herself before continuing, her grin never faltering. "That's good ta hear Trixie. You ever need anything, just head on down to the family farm, it's out of the city, just east of the mountain, ya can't miss it!" Trixie had to chuckle, the green-maned mare's attitude was infectious. "Trixie may just take you up on that offer," she happily replied whilst turning away, lowering her hood as she did so, convinced she wouldn't need it for the duration of her trip. "See ya around, Trixie! Ah mean it!" Leaves yelled as Trixie walked away, waving enthusiastically. Her mood greatly improved, Trixie strutted through the market with purpose. Her hesitations replaced with anticipation at what the rest of the city would offer her. "Quite an impressive haul today, Trixie." The light had dropped significantly during Trixie's outing, Luna's moon was visible across the sea, with the sunset being concealed behind the mountain, leading to a purple glow throughout the sky, reflecting off the water in a serene beauty Trixie paused to appreciate. She felt rejuvenated. Her trek through the bustling, but still warm city, and her encounters with its welcoming locals did wonders for her mood. After a certain point she had forgotten about her fears of being recognised, and waltzed through the streets adamant that nothing would ruin her day. And as much as she thought she would jinx it. It was true. Nothing did spoil her day. She had returned to her mobile home, with bags upon bags of food and basic supplies. Intending to gorge herself whilst getting up to date with the news of the land from the many newspapers she had purchased, acquired, and in one case taken out of the garbage; she had seen in be thrown away and would rather it didn't go to waste. Undoing the sealing spell upon her wagon, Trixie swung the door open and skipped inside, hastily shutting it behind her in an attempt to combat the quickly chilling air. She placed her bags on her desk and the ruggedly carpeted floor, lighting a lantern with her magic after she did so in order to illuminate her unsightly yet humble home and provide a minor source of warmth. She couldn't help but twirl and spin as she used her magic to unpack an apple and a jar of precious peanut butter from her baggage. She laid down on her thickly blanketed bed as the apple split into eight precise pieces before her, dangling in the air as the jar was unfastened. She scooped a piece of apple into the substance before plopping it into her mouth. The sensation was enough to make her groan. She'd run out of peanut butter weeks ago. She savored every moment. After every piece of the apple was gone, Trixie couldn't help but whimper as she returned the precious jar to its bag. As tempting as it was she knew she had to conserve the treat this time, lest she end up in another scenario where she runs out. Getting comfortable on her bed, Trixie stretched out, hearing and feeling her back give a satisfying 'click'. She leaned against her pillow, levitating a newspaper over as she did. 'The Fillydelphia Times' it read. 'Too localised,' she thought. It would be useful later on but for now she needed something broader. 'Equestria Daily' was next, and it was just what she wanted. "What's been happening," she said as she leaned back in comfort, opening the paper to a random page. 'Launch of the Fancy Free.' 'Boring.' 'Prince Blueblood to marry?' 'No.' 'New Train developed for The Crystal Empire.' 'Seriously?' Disgruntled, Trixie turned to the first page, surely that had to contain something interesting, and indeed it did. The words 'Shining Armor Promoted' adorned the paper. Along with a picture of the Prince himself, smiling with his wife by his side, his parents, and his sister. Stood with her cutie mark for all to see. Trixie snorted at the sight. She had been on the rock farm at the time of the royal wedding, and could remember the Pie family's concerns for their daughter on account of the changeling invasion all too well, only finding out later that said mare also resided in Ponyville; the pink one if she remembered corrected. Trixie gave the story a look over, it had something to do with the re-emergence of the Crystal Empire; apparently the Princesses had agreed to have Shining Armor oversee all the royal guards in Equestria in addition to the Empire, as opposed to the singular guarding of Canterlot. "To better efficiency,” she read. There was also something about somepony called 'Juror', whoever the heck that was. It wasn't interesting enough for Trixie's taste so she gave one last look at the paper before preparing to throw it away in exchange for another. "What's on her- ?" Trixie squinted at the purple unicorn displayed in the picture; something was different, she was sure of it. She was taller, her horn elongated, a tiara adorned her head, and there were things on her back that suspiciously resembled wings. Trixie blinked, and then blinked again. "She's an Alicorn!" Trixie stared at the photo in shock, her jaw hanging wide. She was an alicorn, and the proof was right there in front of her. Trixie re-read the story more thoroughly, but it didn't offer anything relevant. The newly crowned Princess would be in attendance to the event displayed, but the article was about Shining Armor at its core. Trixie re-read it again, and again. Slack jawed each time. "She's an Alicorn." She threw the paper aside, splattering it against the wood. Glaring at the wall before her, she seethed in a way she thought was behind her. Rising from the bed to the stack of newspapers she had collected from her trip into the city, she threw each one aside until she came across the one she was looking for. "Ponyville Press" she read aloud. She had found it at the train station, discovered discarded on a seat as she was acquiring a timetable. It was suppose to be for a bit of light reading, but now it might prove instrumental in spreading light on her quickly gathering questions. Skimming through each page, her eyes darting onto every word, every headline. 'It's her home town, there's got to-', her thoughts became blank as she found another picture, it was her again, surrounded by her five friends and a baby dragon in what she assumed to be the Ponyville library, it's wooden interior and columns of books were a dead giveaway. They were all smiling at the camera, the pink one was even hugging the rainbow maned one, and below them all lay the title: 'Equestria's Newest Princess to remain in Ponyville.' Trixie couldn't stop her eyes from watering. The sight of her and the wings together was just too much to bear. Whatever terms they had parted under seemed meaningless now, like any chance, and any effort Trixie made meant nothing anymore. How could she compete? She was out of her league before, but she was nothing to her now. It was petty and Trixie knew it, but she didn't care. It was just so agonising to look at. Shakily exhaling, she focused on the words, their meanings, there implications, trying to get a sense of what all this meant. It didn't help much, but it did confirm one thing for Trixie. 'Day equals ruined.' Word after word she read, but they provided no comfort, only serving to remind Trixie how utterly outclassed she was, and by extension, how pathetically insignificant. She didn't want revenge, she didn't want any harm to come to any pony whatsoever. "I just need to matter." Her mood destroyed, Trixie turned her gaze back to the paper, spotting a series of bright photos in the corner that peaked her interest. With nothing better to do, and no incentive to exert herself getting another paper, she simply read the section entitled 'Alicorn Trivia.' 'Did you know... Recent historical works retrieved from The Crystal Empire identify a 'Princess Amore' as being the true ruler of the Empire 1000 years ago?' 'Did you know... Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, better know as 'Princess Cadance', was born a Pegasus?' 'Did you know... In Ponyville, a mare dubbed 'The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well' emerged, becoming a hero to the town and is a rumoured to be an Alicorn?' "Hey it's the balloon," Trixie exclaimed in recognition. Her eyes fell on the photo of the black and purple clothed mare, the same piercing eyes from before seeming to leap of off the paper. Intrigued, she decided to read on. 'Nopony knows who The Mare-Do-Well is or where she came from, but during her short stay in Ponyville she gathered the attention and the love of the masses for her selflessness and her death-defying acts of heroism. At a parade in her honor Mare-Do-Well disappeared, leaving a loving hole in Ponyville's collective consciousness. Many believe that Mare-Do-Well is still out there, ready to re-emerge and win the hearts of everypony once again.' Trixie could feel the gears turning in her mind, a plan forming under the weight of her inadequacies, her fears and self-loathing. She looked at the photo of the masked mare again, and didn't even try to stop the smile that was growing on her face. "The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well huh? Trixie can work with that!"