Trixie scowled as she trotted back to the outskirts of Ponyville. Not even the majestic vibrancy of its serene environment could appease her rage right now. The blue mare stormed across the fresh grass, trampling flowers left and right, her mind swarming with memories.
It had been almost a year since she'd been run out of this deadbeat town, and it'd all been downhill from there. Her once popular shows drew little to no attendance, and the only ones who did only came to mock her. Cruel jeers, taunts, and even destruction of her property on a few occasions was all she could find for months!
But that was all about to change, oh yes.. In a little while everything would be just perfect! Trixie beamed with a mad grin as she started walking off the planned path and slightly to the right. Her plan would be slow going, something Trixie didn't really like of course, she always was a pony who lived by the moment, but alas. If it meant destroying Twilight Sparkle then it would all be worth it in the long run.
Oh yes, Twilight Sparkle would pay for destroying Trixie's life in the most fitting fashion possible. She'd destroyed Trixie's previously perfect reputation by defeating that Ursa Minor after all. Destroying Twilight's life would be the best form of punishment after all. And Trixie knew just how to do it, and now she finally had the means to.
Running a hoof through her cloak pocket, Trixie's mad grin stretched even further up her face as she felt it meet a cold metallic vial. She didn't pull it out though, she knew it wasn't time just yet, and she had to be patient after all. Putting her hoof back on the ground, Trixie trotted onward to her goal, a small secluded cottage.
The quaint brick cottage was unique in its use of a tree like roof, a small stone bridge running above a stream being the only thing separating it from the rest of the world. The grass around the small hut grew wildly, sprouts shot up in every direction, however it only gave an impression of peace to anyone who admired it. Dozens animals cried out from various birdhouses, animal pens, burrows, and the small chicken coop outside. Overall, despite it's unusual atmosphere, most visitors got a serene feeling when they visited this off the road cottage, and Trixie was no different.
Carefully trotting over the stone bridge she went over her plan again in her head. Simply walk up there, knock on the door, get invited inside, use the stuff and the rest would work itself out! And then the mare inside, and everypony in Equestria would all bow down to the GREAT, AND POWERFUL, TRIXIE!
Knocking on the door, Trixie used a subtle soothing spell to calm the animals around her. Normally she wouldn't use it as ponies weren't affected, but in this instance it was rather useful. She grinned as the spell took its effect, the owner's pets starting to drop over from exhaustion and start snoring.
The door creaked open slightly and a pair of big blue eye gently poked its way into Trixie's line of sight. They shrank in fear when they met Trixie however, and the door quickly shut. Cursing under her breath, Trixie quickly knocked again.
"Please don't shut the door! The grrrreat, and powerful, TRRRRRRRRRIXIE! Only wishes to talk and apologize." Trixie said, hoping the mare would be gullible enough to buy it. A few minutes later, Trixie having started to tap her light blue hoof against the gray pavement in frustration, the door finally opened a little more. Standing in front of Trixie was the blue eyed Pegasus, her yellow body fidgeting shyly.
"I-I ummm.." The Pegasus said in a muted shy, feminine voice. Trixie gave a mental groan at the mares behavior, but she knew it'd all be worth it if she could just get inside.
"I know that Trixie has not been the most kind before." Trixie lied easily, her show mare roots coming through. "But Trixie has felt..Shame, for her behavior when last she was here." She said having to spit that part out. She was the best show mare in Equestria yes, but even Trixie had her limits.
"O-Oh my.." The mare said simply. Trixie grunted at her inept words, but kept a fake smile on her face nonetheless. "B-But why me?.." She asked again, her long pink mane falling over her face. Trixie simply let her fake nervous smile grow wider and she let her hoof run through her own silver mane elegantly.
"Well why not?! You seem like the nicest of all the Elements, Fluttershy." Trixie said simply, flourishing her purple star cape as per her usual dramatic self. "I was nervous about talking to Twilight Sparkle or the others first, I thought perhaps you might hear me out?"
"O-Okay...Please come in." Fluttershy whispered as she opened the door for Trixie to step inside. Trixie grinned and stepped inside the small wood interior. At Fluttershy's nervous wave over, she and Trixie took a seat in two very plush green chairs by a small window, the sun streaming across both their muzzles. "W-Would you like anything to drink?" Fluttershy asked nervously, Trixie's presence scaring her despite the words of comfort.
"No thank you, Trixie is fine Fluttershy." Trixie said letting her body melt into the plush chair. "Now onto business, Trixie wanted to know how she might find the forgiveness of everypony in town." Trixie said. Of course she already knew how she was going to do it. Fluttershy just needed to drop her guard, and everything would fall into place.
"O-Oh, well it probably won't be easy." Fluttershy whisper-mumbled again. Trixie rolled her eyes, causing Fluttershy to sink into her hair again. "I-I'm sorry..I know that probably wasn't very helpful."
"Oh it's fine Fluttershy! Really, Trixie understands." Trixie said, putting her annoyance in check for now. "But perhaps Trixie could show her apologies by doing something for them. Is there something they might like?"
"Umm, I-I suppose that might work, and perhaps..I think maybe Rarity might like something from the city, that could help?" Fluttershy said looking up a bit more. Trixie let out a devilish grin, and silently pulled out the small object in her cape pocket. Fluttershy quivered in fear when she saw Trixie's expression, and the shaking didn't stop when that thing came out. "W-What is?.."
"Oh this? Just an old relic Trixie found." Trixie explained. Fluttershy stared at the small silver object with morbid curiosity. It was a slim cylindrical rod, with a small symbol engraved on the end Trixie was pointing at Fluttershy. Upon further examination, Fluttershy could make it out as a small pink gem. It looked refined and polished, only a tiny amount of dust traced the sides Trixie grasped it with. "Trixie thought perhaps this might impress Twilight enough to warrant an audience? So Trixie can apologize formally."
"O-Oh I see..I-I guess that could work..." Fluttershy whimpered, quivering slightly less. Trixie realized her grin was probably scaring the cowardly pony and let it fade. Even if it was rude of her to not admire Trixie's magnificent grin it was alright. She would learn soon enough, they would ALL learn soon enough..
"Oh but Trixie isn't sure!" Trixie cried in mock despair, silently praising her acting abilities. She knew she could have been an actress in Manehatten if not for her true talent of performing magic. "Trixie had heard this artifact had mystical powers! But Trixie has been unable to make it work!"
"Oh..." Fluttershy whispered slightly. "P-Perhaps Twilight could help?.."
"No!-I-Trixie means, she was wondering if you might take a look at it?" Trixie asked anxiously. If Twilight found out before it was time, then Trixie's entire plan was ruined! And Trixie couldn't have that happen, not this time.
"I-I'm not sure I could do that.." Fluttershy whispered. "I'm an animal expert, not a magic one." Fluttershy whispered.
"Oh it's fine, Trixie is sure you can help!" Trixie said simply. "Please? Trixie is begging you!" Trixie said begrudgingly getting on her knees. Humiliating yes, but Trixie knew her victory was in hooves reach. Looking up slightly, Fluttershy saw Trixie's 'desperation' and after a few seconds, nodded slightly.
"O-Okay...Since you seem so sincere.."
"OH THANK YOU! TRIXIE THANKS YOU FLUTTERSHY!" Trixie shot up hugging Fluttershy, an expression of mad glee on Trixie's face. Trixie was glad Fluttershy had been Trixie's first target. Her weak and pitifully trusting nature made her a prime test subject after all, and an excellent starting point for Trixie's master plan.
"I-It's no problem." Fluttershy whispered a little dizzily. Trixie quickly let go of Fluttershy's body, the poor mare a little woozy after the intensity of Trixie's mighty hug.
"So sorry, Trixie was just excited to have your help Fluttershy!" Trixie explained. Fluttershy just weakly nodded and sat back up, taking a minute to collect herself. "Let's see if this works!" Trixie said putting the artifact under Fluttershy's nose.
CLICK!
Suddenly, the small symbol on the end started glowing with a eerie magical aura. Fluttershy let out a nervous squeak but it quickly died out as the aura started snaking around her. In an instant, a few tendrils shot from the cylinder and into her ears, eyes, and brain. Fluttershy went slack and fell back onto the couch, her body glowing with that dark pinkish aura.
"Fluttershy?" Trixie asked nervously, putting the cylinder down on the wooden coffee table. "Can you hear Trixie?"
"..." No response. Poking her a few times to make sure, Trixie grinned as she sat up and started channeling a bit of magic through her horn. The aura around Fluttershy's body tickling a little bit as Trixie's horn shot a stream of light at it.
"Now Fluttershy, listen carefully..."
Fluttershy found herself in a deep void of pink darkness, her eyes slightly dimmed against the void's light. Yet, strangely enough, she wasn't scared. She knew she should be, being in a strange place like this without any explanation. But she couldn't find the fear inside of her, all of it seemed to just wash away like the pebbles cascading down a riverbed.
A slow smile crept up her face as the magic wiggled it's way further into her mind. Every corner of her brain felt the foreign, yet strangely soft energies tickling against them. She smiled as they did so, not even putting up a struggle of protest. After all, it felt so nice..
Suddenly, the warmth receded deeper into her, and she blinked her eyes in suprise. The mare found herself facing six familiar looking gems, the Elements of Harmony. A smile crossed her face, the magic still working it's calming effect. She liked the Elements, they had started a lot of trouble true, but they had brought her five wonderful friends.
Applejack, Rarity, Trixie, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash...
Wait...
Fluttershy frowned, her dim eyes giving a small glow of conscious confusion. Trixie wasn't her friend, Trixie was..
Fluttershy started poking her forehead with her hoof. What was wrong with her? She was getting her thoughts mixed up, her friend was Trixie Lulamoon, Element of Magic! Not Twilight Sparkle that silly bookworm..
By this point Fluttershy had started squirming, her body shaking the tendrils of magic loose. Something was wrong and she knew it, her brain might have said Trixie was her friend, but she knew that wasn't true, Trixie was her friend not Twilight! Fluttershy wiggled more, silently begging her brain to stop being so confused.
Whimpering, she adjusted herself upward to face the six glowing elements, the center one shining the brightest. The pink star gem's soft magenta glow easing Fluttershy's mind much to her astonishment. Fluttershy smiled as she watched it pulsate, her mind centering again.
Twilight's cutie mark..That's right, Twilight is my friend! Not Trixie, s-she must have done something to me! I need to wake up, wake up!
Come to me oh Kind One, I beg of you.
Fluttershy was torn from her thoughts by the soft yet commanding voice. Her whimper returning, she looked towards the source of the voice to see Twilight's element pulsating in front of her once again.
"H-Hello?" She asked cowering, the tendrils having completely vanished from her body by this point.
Yes kind one, you see me don't you? I am the consciousness of your TRUE friend. The Element of Magic whispered gently in her mind.
Fluttershy felt a sudden chill run down her spine, something that made her yellow fur shiver on end. But that was ridiculous wasn't it, this was the Element Twilight embodied, she could trust it..Right?
I am not surprised by your fear kind one. Most would run away if they were in your position, that's why I chose you.
"C-Chose me?.." Fluttershy asked, her shaking having devolved into a complete cower. "B-But you're Twilight's element, what are you talking about?.." The very back of her mind urged her to fly away. It didn't matter where she went, but her brain was screaming the words again and again like a drumbeat in a marching band. But, this was Twilight's element after all, she could trust Twilight..
I am dying oh kind one. The mare known as the GREAT AND POWERFUL TRIIIIIIIIIXXXXXXXXXIIIIIEEEEE! Has poisoned me from the inside.
"O-Oh no!" Fluttershy said poking her head out. While her mind was screaming about how the Element had pronounced Trixie's arrogant show name she chose to ignore it. Twilight's Element was in trouble after all, and if the Element of Magic died it could screw Equestria over big time! Even worse, Twilight could suffer or...
No. Fluttershy decided shaking her head. She wouldn't let that happen, not to one of her best friends.
"How can I help?" Fluttershy asked taking a deep breath as she faced the large looming star. The pulsating aura around it started pulsing faster, and Fluttershy was sure she could hear the sound of mad laughter somewhere. But she pushed it out of her mind, she had work to do.
Come to me my little kind one. I need the power of ALL the Elements to fully recover. But for now, yours shall at least provide me with enough energy to continue onward for a while more.
Fluttershy nodded in understanding and trotted forward. The star was right in front of her dying, and she could help it. She just had to touch it...
STOP IT! Her mind shouted desperately, but she ignored it. She was getting closer now, no less than forty hoof steps at least.
PLEASE! WE HAVE TO STOP! Frowning once again, she pushed that silly thought further into the back of her brain. Why would she stop now? She was less than thirty hoof steps now, and she wasn't going to stop when she was this close..
NO MORE! P-PLEASE! Now Fluttershy groaned in frustration, her foolish thoughts starting to grate on her a bit. Why was her brain being so unresonable?! She had to help Twilight, her Elemen-
THAT'S NOT THE REAL ELEMENT! She was fifteen hoof steps away now, but she found herself slowing down after that. Not the real Element? But it looked exactly like Twilight's Element, and she felt so at ease looking at it, listening to it..
IT'S A LIE! PLEASE LISTEN TO ME!
Ignore your worries, come closer kind one. You can trust me.
Trust... Fluttershy liked trust, friendship needed trust. And Twilight was her friend after all, she could trust the Element her friend represented. Eight hoof steps, five, three...
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The voice in her head died out, much to Fluttershy's relief. The gap had finally closed as Fluttershy stepped right up to the Element. Her face reflecting in the purplish hue of the gem, just staring at it gave her a feeling of pure bliss.
However, that blissful feeling suddenly became overwhelmed by a sense of wrong. Opening her eyes Fluttershy gasped with horror as the Element of Magic started fragmenting. The star shook with every crack extending from its core to each of its ends, Fluttershy letting out a scream as she watched. Suddenly, she found her own hand shaking violently, and looked at it in a sudden shot of intense horror.
The Element finally broke down, a new figure taking its place from the inside out. Fluttershy stared as the large purple star became replaced by a shimmering blue moon crystal, a few silver stars twinkling in the center. Next too it was a light blue crystal wand, the end of it being a five point blue star. Fluttershy's brow furrowed as she stared at the oddly familiar looking symbol, but a few seconds later, it clicked.
That's..The REAL Element of Magic..
WAKE UP FLUTTERSHY! The harsh and loving voice of the true Element rang in her ear. Blinking, she saw the Element and the purple world start to wobble and shimmer from view. She reached her hooves out desperately trying to keep holding onto it, but she couldn't. It was fading, fading.. Fading...
And she woke up. Opening her eyes in complete shock, she looked around in confusion before she felt a hoof rest on her shoulder.
"Hey there, take it easy Fluttershy!" She looked up to see Trixie looking at her in concern. What was she?..
"W-What happened Trixie?" Fluttershy asked, her brain feeling a little wobbly. Why was Trixie here again?
"Oh thank Celestia! You passed out in the middle of tea, Trixie was so worried!" The mare said patting Fluttershy's shoulder. Fluttershy's brow furrowed for a second before she felt the front of her brain snap a bit.
That was right, Fluttershy realized. Her best friend Trixie had stopped by for their normal tea when she had been overcome by a dizzy spell. Trixie must have helped her recover afterwards. That was nice of her, Trixie was such a good best friend..
"Oh I'm sorry Trixie! I guess I just stayed up a little too late tending to my little friends last night.." Fluttershy said feeling at ease around Trixie. Trixie had that effect on her after all, when they talked Fluttershy could just let her anxieties melt in the radiant aura of her Great and Powerful friend.
"It's okay Fluttershy, the GRRRRRREAT, AND POWERFUL, TRRRRRRRRRIIIXXXXXIIEEEEEEEE! Forgives you for falling asleep." Trixie said her face grinning from one ear to the other. Fluttershy smiled at her best friend, who simply flashed her hooves with her usual dramatic fashion. Fluttershy had always loved her friends dramatic way of acting, ever since she first came to Ponyville.
Fluttershy smiled as she remembered that day, the day when Ponyville became the best town in the world. Princess Celestia had sent Trixie to town so she could help setup the Summer Sun Celebration. But of course, they didn't need to do anything else once Trixie came along with her magic show. The sheer brilliance of Trixie's performance put everypony else's contributions to shame, and they all knew it, happily accepting their places.
And once Nightmare Moon returned, it had been Trixie who had led them to victory. Her sheer magical power and brilliance saving them at every turn on the journey there. And when she summoned the Elements forward, they realized just how Great and Powerful she was, happily accepting her as their newest friend and town member.
To this day, Trixie Lulamoon remained the pride and joy of the small town, everypony in Equestria knowing their name because of her! And everypony loved her oh so much, especially the other elements and her little dragon friend Spike, anyone who didn't like Trixie was an idiot plain and simple. Fluttershy really loved her amazing friend, building her up to be nothing less than her idol!
"Trixie hopes you're feeling better now?" Trixie asked smiling. "Our weekend slumber party would be rather boring without you Fluttershy. As amazing as Trixie is she can't entertain herself without you!" Trixie said, Fluttershy smiling at her friends kind words.
"Of course! I'm so happy you decided to sleepover Trixie, I know my cottage isn't very comfy.. B-But it's just as much you're home as it is mine!" Fluttershy said nervously, eager to please her superior friend.
"Oh it's perfectly fine! The Grrrrrrrreeaaaaattttttttt and Powerful TRRRIIIIXXXXXXXIIIEEEEEEEEE! Is happy to be here." Trixie smiled, making Fluttershy happy. "And Trixie will be even happier once her other friends arrive!"
"Oh of course!" Fluttershy smiled. "Do you want me to invite them over now, oh Great and Powerful Trixie?"
"One at a time please Fluttershy, Trixie does not wish to be overwhelmed." The mare said, her arrogance showing itself. Fluttershy admired
that, a pony who knew just how powerful she was and wasn't afraid to hide it.
"Of course. I'll get right on it best friend forever!" Fluttershy smiled widely and darted off the couch, eager to do her best for Trixie.
As she darted into town she felt herself sighing with joy. She had the best friend in the world, and her name was Trixie Lulamoon..