Harpflank and Sweets: Forced Introspection

by Arcainum

Breaking The Surface: The Great and Powerful Trixie

“Hmph.”

Discord cocked an ear mockingly and beckoned Trixie to say more.

“I’ll admit that, at times, I have had... doubts. My Lady’s cause, M.A.R.E’s chances of victory... my own talents.”

“Do go on.”

Trixie glanced at the hat Discord was casually spinning around one claw.

“First, I would like my hat back.”

“Nope.”

“My hat, Discord.”

“Nah.”

“My hat.”

The hat vanished from Discord’s grip in a blue flash and reappeared on Trixie’s head, where she adjusted it self-consciously. Discord gave her an infuriating smile, receiving a toss of her mane in response.

“So, yes, you’re right there. I have doubts. But if you think that having doubts makes me any less of a pony...” She scoffed. “You are sorely mistaken.”

Trixie began pacing back and forth as she spoke, her voice slipping into the smooth, practised tones of her showmare past.

“You see, Discord, it is my doubts that have driven me! Am I the pony I think I am? No? Then I shall become her! A worm on the throne, as you say, is just a worm in a funny hat.”

She spun on her heels with a flourish and shot Discord a withering glance.

“But what if the worm is a great ruler? Then the worm is no longer just wearing a funny hat, she is a queen! A mare of power, influence and, dare I say it, beauty! She is, in short, the Grrreat and Powerful Trixie!”

As she finished, crackling magical fireworks erupted at her hooves, the grandest finale she could conjure in the void.

Discord stared at her, then shrugged.

“Mix whatever metaphor you want. Delusion only lasts so long.”

~

Trixie awoke to find her vision filled with the terrified face of Twilight Sparkle. Yelping in surprise, she pushed her pupil away and leapt to her hooves.

“Ah, refreshing! Nothing like a power-nap to break up research!”

She stopped as she saw Twilight’s expression.

"What... what is it?”

“Trixie, I just saw all the colour drain out of you.”

“Oh, come now, I may have had a mildly disturbing dream, but-”

Twilight shook her head as Trixie laughed.

“No, I mean the actual colour. It was like... like the life was gone from you.”

Trixie looked down at herself in confusion. Her coat was the same blue it had always been. She shook her head.

“We shall discuss this later. You really need to see what’s in this book...”

Comments

[RTStephens]

The Great and Powerful Trixie scoffs at your attempts to bring her down! Tis folly!

Looking forward to how all this ties together!

[Exuno]

So I've just reread this, and I still can't see why you have a problem with it. Sure, having these confrontations take place by themselves, instead of being worked into a larger narrative isn't the most ambitious of structures, but regardless, what you have here are a series of incredibly powerful scenes. You've managed to take characters that were honestly a little flat, and give them problems; problems that have always been there now, in retrospect, and problems that are very real. Lyra comes to an understanding and explains the nature of sacrifice more succinctly than anyone has, ever. I don't think I've ever seen something like Bon-Bon's curiosity tackled, and it's something I deal with personally. And of course, Trixie proves herself as the best Element of Magic by reminding me of my favorite line, "Magic’s kind of like lying to the world so well that the world believes you, and by the time you’re done, you aren’t lying to it anymore.” Tavi and Scratch have always had the strongest characterizations, so I'm really excited to see their convictions.

Is this really not canon anymore, though? It definitely seems like exactly the sort of thing that would come up to start the season finale. I hope these sparks of characterization will carry over, at least.