> Manehattan Lies > by Lvl11Bard > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Manehattan Lies > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Twilight trotted happily to Ponyville's train station, Spike in tow and rather eager to get to their destination. Today was the day that Rarity and Rainbow Dash were getting back from their trip to Manehattan and the princess wanted to greet their friends while Spike just wanted to see Rarity again. Rarity had gone to attend this season's fashion show and Rainbow Dash tagged along when she heard that the Wonderbolts were doing an appearance in their new uniforms. They were only gone for the weekend, but it was a long enough for the dragon to be anxious to see his crush. “C'mon Twilight, were going to be late,” Spike complained, pushing on the mare's back legs. “Relax, Spike, the train isn't scheduled to arrive for another fifteen minutes,” Twilight chuckled, but increased her pace anyways. “I know, but if we're not there when Rarity shows up, she might think that I didn't miss her and she'll get upset and she won't want me helping her anymore!” Spike exclaimed. Twilight only responded by rolling her eyes. In a few moments, the duo stepped onto the platform only a couple of minutes passed before the train pulled in. The doors opened and many ponies piled out, off to do their own business. Soon, the familiar white unicorn and blue Pegasus were spotted and met with their welcoming party. “Girls, it's great to see you again!” Twilight greeted. “Hi Rarity!” Spike quickly added. However, upon seeing twilight, Rarity avoided her gaze and blushed deeply. Rainbow shook a bit before breaking into a fit of laughter. “Um... OK, did you have a good trip? Were the shows entertaining?” Twilight asked, confused by her friends reactions. Rainbow Dashes laughter became louder until Rarity elbowed her in the side. “We agreed to be adults about this,” the unicorn hissed. “I know, but come on, you have to admit it's a bit funny,” Rainbow replied. “What's funny?” Twilight asked with a frown. Rarity gave her travel partner a glare before she eyed the alicorn carefully, taking in a deep breath. “Twilight, darling, listen. While we were in Manehattan, the fashion show ended sooner than we thought, so we wondered around a bit before going back to the hotel when we passed a theatre hosting another show... a magic show.” “OK...” Twilight drawled while trying to think of a reason that a magic show would evoke such behaviour in her friends. “Trixie was the performer.” Rarity stated. Twilight's eyes widened. She hadn't seen or heard from Trixie since the whole Alicorn Amulet indecent. She had wondered if the showmare was doing well or even where she was. This news was certainly exciting, for the alicorn was hoping that she meet the now potential friend again. “That's great! I'm happy she got her business back. How was the show?” “Well, that's the thing. Remember how Trixie would lie and boast during her performances...” “Yeah,” Twilight answered with a sinking feeling in her chest. “Well, she didn't learn her lesson,” Rainbow dash cut in. Twilight groaned. “She's not saying she beat an Ursa Major again, is she?” “No, it isn't that...” Rarity was avoiding Twilight's gaze again. “Then what is it?” Twilight pressed, starting to become agitated from her friends vagueness. “Um, listen. I think you need to see it for yourself. I still have a couple of days off, so why don't we take another trip tomorrow?” “Yeah, I booked a couple weeks off, so I can tag along,” Rainbow Dash added. “Why a couple weeks? I thought the show was only this weekend?” Twilight asked. Rainbow Dash chuckled. “You know, in case something happened... like a sudden need for naps.” “Cool! Trip to Manehattan!” Spike cheered. Rarity's pupils shrank as she turned to the dragon. “Oh, Spikey-Wikey, I don't think you should come along.” “Aw, but why?” Spike whined. Rarity fluttered her eyelashes. “Don't be sad. I'd love to have you along but, um, well... I'll tell you when your older. Can you just trust me?” Spike caved immediately. “Oh, alright.” “OK, I guess I can see what this is all about,” Twilight agreed. The rest of the day went by normally with the trio agreeing to meet up the next day, although Rarity kept avoiding questions while Rainbow Dash would only snicker and answer with “You'll see”. The next morning arrived and Twilight caught up with her friends at their scheduled time. With a friendly greeting to one another, the mares boarded the locomotive. After the train ride, were Rarity was uncharacteristically quiet and Rainbow Dash kept grinning mischievously, the trio arrived in Manehattan. It was getting dark at this point and Luna had already raised the moon when Rarity had led Twilight to a small community theatre. Twilight eyed the sign, curious as to why a magic show would be rated R. Inside, it appeared to already have some props set up and a growing audience was in attendance. The mares took some seats near the back when show began. Just like Rarity claimed, Trixie appeared on stage, emerging from a puff of smoke. Twilight was conflicted, happy to see that Trixie had gotten her act back together, both figuratively and literally, but was concerned about what her friends were reacting to. For the first little while, the show seemed like a typical magic act, including the abundance of claims that the “Great and Powerful Trixie” was the greatest unicorn to ever live and an abundance of fantastic stories. Twilight wasn't sure about the authenticity of the boastful mare's tales, but none of them seemed too outrageous. It wasn't until about twenty minutes in that Twilight learned as to what her friends were acting up about. “And so not only is Trixie the most powerful and talented unicorn to ever live, she also is the most charming. There is no stallion or mare who could resist her... not even a princess,” Trixie shouted to her audience after levitating a series of metal rings off the stage. Twilight's ears perked up. Trixie with a princess? In what way? Was there some romantic scandal that one of the other princesses was hiding? Cadence was married, and faithful, so did that mean Luna or even Celestia? And why did Twilight feel a surge of jealousy? The purple alicorn leaned forward in her seat as Trixie continued. “That's right ladies and gentlecolts, I will know tell you the story of how I seduced the newly crowned princess Twilight Sparkle,” Trixie exclaimed as some of the audience members whistled and cheered, Twilight reeled back in her seat with her mouth agape. Cheeks aflame, the princess only sat in her spot, stunned, while Trixie continued. “That's right, while the timid princess would never say anything about it, Trixie is not afraid to share her exploits!” “How do we know you're not lying?” A Stallion from the audience called out. “Please,” Trixie laughed and did a spin in place, “do you think anypony could resist this?” After the cheers and whistles died down, Trixie began again. “And besides, it's not a secret that the princess and I have... a bit if a history. However we did make up. And boy, did we ever make up.” Twilight made no reaction other than the occasional eye twitch as Trixie went on about how she pretty much had her way with the princess of friendship and even described some of the acts that they supposedly did. The alicorn had gone from purple to red after another forty minutes when the show was done. “I'm so sorry darling,” Rarity patted her friend on the back. “We can talk to the owner about stopping her shows.” Even Rainbow dash lost her mirth at this point. “Yeah, or I can knock some sense into Trixie if you want.” Twilight shook her head and took a deep breath. “No. I think I'm just going to have a talk with Trixie myself.” “Alright darling. I think her trailer is out back. We'll be here if you need us,” Rarity reassured. Twilight smiled back. “That won't be necessary. You two go get a hotel room. I might be a while.” The other two shrugged and left the purple pony to go take care of the showmare. Trixie sat in her waggon, checking herself in the mirror, pleased with another perfect performance when a loud knocking came from her door. “Ugh, Trixie is not signing autographs right now.” The knocking only began again harder. “I said Trixie does not wish to see you. She needs to rest right now.” However the knocking did not stop. Trixie rolled her eyes and grinned. It was understandable that some of her fans just had to see her. The unicorn trotted to the door and swung it open, only to have her confidence replaced with dread. “Hello Trixie. I caught your show tonight,” Twilight said calmly with narrowed eyes. “T-Twilight!? H-how nice t-to see you again...” The unicorn stammered. “About the show, you see-” Trixie did the only rational thing she could do and slammed the door in Twilight's face. Then, the showmare ran to hide under her bed, but didn't even make it half way before her door was blasted off its hinges. “L-listen Twilight, I know you may not approve of everything I said tonight...” “Lying isn't a very good thing, Trixie. I thought you learned your lesson,” Twilight said evenly a she cornered the unicorn. “I know, I know, but please don't make me tell the truth. I worked so hard to get my act back and if I discredit myself now, I'll be ruined for sure,” Trixie pleaded. Twilight didn't react at first, which caused Trixie to worry, but then the princess grinned, which made Trixie worry even more. “Very well Trixie. If I don't want you lying and you don't want to admit the truth, then I think there's only one thing we can do.” “A-and w-what's that?” Trixie stuttered. Twilight leaned in while levitating the door back into place and whispered “We make it the truth.” Trixie's eyes went wide as she turned crimson. “You mean right here? Right now?” Twilight giggled. “And you claimed I was the timid one. Well, how about it?” “O-OK,” Trixie squeaked. A short while passed before the heavily damaged door of Trixie's trailer opened. Twilight stepped out, grinning despite her deep blush. Trixie wobbled out behind her and leaned on the door frame. “So Trixie, did you learn your lesson this time?” Twilight asked, starting to recover. “Trixie thinks she has,” the showmare replied giddily. “Good. So from now on I only want you to tell the truth,” Twilight stated. “Which is...?” “You did manage to capture a princesses heart, and that she would like it if you were her special somepony,” Twilight turned her gaze to the ground with a nervous smile. Trixie mirrored the alicorn. “I'd like that.” Twilight let out a sigh of relief. “Great. And also, keep it simple. Boasting is one thing, but leave the details out. I don't want anypony knowing the specifics.” “But that's the best part of Trixie's act!” Trixie complained. “It's how Trixie got her audience back in the first place.” “How about I come to your show again tomorrow before I leave and verify our relationship. Then you can fill the rest of your act with tricks. You're a good a performer, I know you can do it.” Trixie blushed and couldn't contain her smile. “I guess that would be nice.” “Then it's settled. And, if your good, I visit again really soon so we can have another 'talk' about your show,” Twilight winked before saying her goodbye and trotting off. “I hope Rarity and Rainbow Dash are asleep,” Twilight muttered to herself. “It would be awkward to explain to them how Trixie and I became a couple before I have a chance to wash off.”