The houses were fading as she raced away. Her head up, an engaging smile on her face.
Proud.
Maybe beaten but far from broken - a pony standing tall, strong and brave.
Then, just out of earshot distance, the bright azure coated unicorn slowed down her gallop to a low walk. Atop the hill she stopped eventually.
Her smile vanished. She wasn't able to maintain it any longer.
Trixie - the Great and Powerful, greatest magician in all of Equestria - felt bad. No - crestfallen. Defeated.
To make things worse, she just couldn't blame it on anypony but herself.
Who could have known this 'Alicorn Amulet'-thing would end in such a catastrophe?
Maybe she had have known better. Had learned her lesson the last time.
All she wanted was to be admired, to be loved for the tremendous power of herself. To punish those who embarrassed her the last time.
No, she shook her head, to get rid of this nauseating feeling. That wasn't true. She thought so before. Whilst wearing this cursed amulet. The last foggy remembrance of this awkward feeling was about to wear off.
All she wanted was a place to stay, beloved by others. A crowd cheering for her performance. Or better - cheering because of her performance.
But now... she messed up just everything.
Even if Twilight Sparkle kinda had accepted her apology. Which other pony around could probably forgive her?
Even if Trixie felt sorry and knew for sure, she wouldn't do such a thing again. Who would trust her? Who could trust her?
Maybe she could have asked to stay - at least for a while.
Maybe she could have asked for help. Or better for chance to really apologize. To make up for all the things she had done. Somehow...
But she knew this attempt would backfire badly. Especially after her second appearance here.
Never let them see you bleed!
One of the first lessons she had learned in her life: Showing weakness just makes you a victim.
This was true long ago and it was true now.
She looked back to the warm lighted spots shimmering in the night, with the moon gazing over the trees.
Trixie blinked for a long moment. She sighed low.
Then, she drew herself up and took a deep breath.
Smiling. Standing tall. Maybe beaten, but far from broken.
The Great and Powerful Trixie had to look forward. As she ever had done in the past.
* * *
It was long after dark, as Twilight Sparkle wandered from Town Square back to her home. It has been a long evening, the purple coated unicorn pondered. Enough time to think about the last few days. And even if she struggled to keep her eyes open, there was something gnawing on her.
"Ey? What's up?" the voice came from above her.
Twilight Sparkle lifted her head, as Rainbow Dash descended in an impressive manner. The sky-blue Pegasus lied in the air, on her back, flapping soft. Her forelegs crossed behind her head, her rainbow-colored mane waved in the gentle evening breeze; a curious expression stood on her face.
"Why this long face? Anything wrong?" with a swift barrel-roll she turned around and landed besides Twilight gazing at her with her cherry-red eyes.
"Hm. Nothing, I think," Twilight replied. No, it was not nothing. It was just hard to put the hoof on it.
"Wow ow ow... don't believe that. Last time you looked like this was... uh.. yeah a long time ago. Something's not OK?"
"Oh. I don't now. Really. I shouldn't be worried. But in fact... I am," she gave back with a sigh hanging her head low.
"So - what's bothering you? An egghead-problem? Or something I could help you with? Just tell," Dash grinned, obviously trying to cheer her up.
"Its about Trixie," now she had spilled the beans.
"She isn't back, is she?" Rainbow gazed unbelieving before she tilted her head around to spot the enemy.
"No. Not that I know of. But that's exactly the problem, I think."
The smile on Dash's face froze, as she perceived the words.
"Wait? What? You are worried of The GREAT and POWERFUL jerk NOT being around? You crazy? She is... just... -" her friend gestured hefty "- Celestias sake - look what she did. All the trouble. The curses - she... she banished you. And you... MISS her?!"
"Not missing, but I'm worried about her. And yeah... she caused lots of problems...," Twilight replied. "But in the end... Gah. How should I say... She seemed really sorry for what she had done."
"Better so. She definitely should be sorry...," Dash stated stomping her hoof on the ground.
"Yes. You're right. But otherwise - this time she wasn't responsible for her actions. It was the amulet, which controlled her. And afterwards she seemed different."
"She ran off with a hoity-toity face, like a diva. Saw her leaving the town. I bet she is searching the next evil artefact right now...," Rainbow snorted bad tempered. Twilight could hear the anger in her voice.
"I don't think so. She apologized to me. And I am certain she meant it. But then she ran off - before I could talk to her. She didn't seem like she was suffering or so. So I just... let her go. But now - I'm not sure any more."
"Ah. She seemed fine enough to leave. For me at least," Dash answered, rolling her eyes.
"Yeah. But after all - she is a showpony. She could have faked her mood."
"Couldn't imagine why," the blue Pegasus stared at a imaginary point above and left of Twilight, "with her attitude - she had been in worse trouble, I bet."
Rainbow Dash was right. Trixie wasn't somepony, who gave up easily. She would find her way.