Trix of the Trade - Chapter 30 & Epilogue

>”Anonymous? May I ask you something?”
>Celestia’s voice breaks you out of the trance you’ve been in for a last few minutes.
“Of course.”
>”It’s rather personal.”
“I don’t mind, really.”
>”Very well. I’ve heard lots of stories about your adventures through Equestria. A showpony whose personality could push away even the most tolerant of stallions, and a sapient being not of this world who uprooted his comfortable life in Ponyville to try and help this pony succeed.”
“Yeah. I know it’s weird.”
>”There’s more. I recall your first performance with her in Hoofington. And Pinkie had told me of your exploits in Baltimare several times. And of course, your escapades in Fillydelphia and here in Manehatten.”
>You’re unsure of where the Princess is going with this.
>”You’ve been traveling for… over a year, was it?”
“That’s right.”
>”That’s longer than you lived in Ponyville, isn’t it?”
“Yeah. I think over five months, actually.”
>”Hm. So, my question is… what do you think of when you think of home?”
“Earth. My home back… home.”
>Celestia is slightly taken aback by your answer.
“I know you were fishing for something there but… I still never stop thinking of my home.”
>”I’m… sorry, Anonymous. With how well you interact with others, it’s easy to forget that you don’t belong on this world.”
>You sigh through your nose and lean your head back on the chair.
>”I’ll tell you one thing. You’ve significantly improved the life of one pony on this world of ours. That’s more than I can say for many others.”
>You chuckle under your breath.
“Yeah. She was a mess, wasn’t she? A drinking, loose loser. Can’t believe I used to stand that.”
>You see Celestia’s face contort out of the corner of your eye. When you make eye contact, you see she’s plainly scowling at you.
“Hey, I wasn’t so great, myself. Complete pushover with no real idea of what I’m doing. I feel like I had no sense of direction or purpose… until like, after Hoofington… Hm. I guess I remember Trixie starting to act differently after that, too.”
>”That’s when you started to like her?”
“No. Don’t put words into my mouth.”
>”But is that not true? Because it’s quite clear that you like her just as much as she likes you.”
“I hope not, because I don’t think she likes me very much.”

>You are Trixie. You’re in a speeding wagon on its way to the hotel Princess Celestia is at. You’re on your way there to tell a stupid, ugly, inconsiderate human how much you like him. Which is a lot.
>To your sides are ponies Applejack, Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, Rarity and Pinkie Pie while another pony, Rainbow Dash, matches your speed on her wings outside. These ponies are not your friends. At least you think they aren’t.
>You find yourself in the awkward position of needing their help and actually getting it. Despite all the history between you all, they’re giving you helpful advice and encouraging smiles. Any other circumstance, you’d be at odds with them. But today the seven of you are attempting to stop Anonymous from leaving you for some loose tramp.
>Vinyl Scratch is only a few minutes ahead of you. That’s easily enough time to swoop in and stop whatever malicious plans she has.
>”Trixie? Trixie!” Twilight Sparkle’s voice breaks you from your own trance.
“Hng? Uh, yes?”
>”Go over you plan with me. Quick! We need to be prepared.”
“Ah. Well, I was thinking that I—AH!” You almost fall out of your seat as you feel something slide into your mane and tug on a knot. “What?”
>”Sorry, dear.” Rarity tunes in. “But we didn’t have time to finish your hair at the wagon.”
“Th-thanks? Anyway, my plan… My plan is…”
>”What will you tell him?” Twilight blurts out.
“Erm. I’ll say… Ahem, ‘The Great And Powerful Trixie has graced you with her presence for long enough, now! She now wishes to grant you… her romantic… -ness… and affection.”
>They give you blank stares.
“Yes, still working on it. But I’ll be ready. I promise.”
>”Well you’d better hurry up because we’re almost there.”
>Just outside the window, you can see the hotel start to come into view. The Goldshoe. A massive dome with a thick spire coming out of the top sits in between two three-story hotels painted white and gold, with two skyways from the third stories connecting to the spire. Each room a penthouse with almost anything you can ask for. Or as they say, since no one but the richest can afford to stay there. Oh, if you’re lucky you might see the inside of one of the rooms! Wait. Trixie, focus!

>”This is as far as they let us go, ladies.” The pony pulling the carriage says while stopping. The six of you climb out onto the roundabout in front of the hotel. You’ve ran out of time, you need a plan. But you can’t think of anything.
>”Ready?!” Twilight shouts.
>All the other girls excitedly respond, but you’re shaking in your horseshoes here. You can already feel sweat in your pits and you have a lump in your throat that feels like it’s the size of an apple.
>The girls start to trot their way to the grand hotel. Your muscles feel so weak for no reason and it almost feels like you’re out of breath, but you convince yourself to take a few steps. Then a few more, and just a few after that. Your body feels like its begging you to stop but not about the walking.
>”Are you okay?” Pinkie’s voice rings in your ear.
“Gyeh!” You nearly jump at the sound of her voice so close. “F-fine. Just… still thinking of a plan.”
>”Ooh, a plan? To make Anon like you?! I can help! I can help!” She screams, basically letting this and the next few galaxies know why you’re here.
“Shut up! Just to help… him. By making him stay with me. Okay?”
>”Okay! But you know we already know about—“
“That doesn’t mean you can freely tell the whole city!”
>”Pinkie!” Twilight calls her friend. “I need you and Rainbow Dash to run ahead and try to delay Vinyl Scratch as long as possible!”
>”Wheee!” Pinkie is gone with that exclamation, with Rainbow Dash closely behind.
>Then the others turn their attention to you.

>”Goodness gracious, Trixie. Are you alright?”
>”Yeah, you’re startin’ to look kinda sick there.” Applejack says with concern while placing a hoof on your forehead.
“I’m fine. Stop asking me that.”
>”Tsk, oh, dear.” Rarity kindly nuzzles your face. “It’s okay to be nerv—“ She pauses for a moment after noticing your sweat all over her face now. “…-ous… Ahem. It’s normal to worry. But you have us, now!”
“Y-yeah.”
>There’s an uncomfortable pause for a moment before Twilight speaks up again.
>”Trixie, I understand if you’re unsure about us. We’ve never really worked well together. At all. But we promise that we’re here to help. Because we know that Anon can make his own decisions. The right decisions. And I know that Anon will choose you over us or Vinyl.”
“I-I don’t know.”
>”He will! We didn’t come here to help you win Anon over or help come up with a master plan to beat Vinyl. We’re here just because… well, we think you deserve to be with Anon the most. You two clearly care for each other.
 >You don’t catch her meaning, and the look on your face reflects it.
>”Look, it’s easy. You just need to talk to him, okay?”
“But what am I supposed to say?”
>”Doesn’t matter. We know you can do this, Trixie. There’s no other pony with as much confidence as you, so use it.”
>Confidence? Getting on stage and throwing out magic tricks for a bunch of ponies you’ll never see again is easy.
>But talking about feelings to someone you actually want to see again. That should sound terrifying, and it is. Except with Anon. You don’t feel overwhelmed when you talk to him… except right now, dang it! This should be like any other day. And it will be, just as soon as you take care of Vinyl.
>Vinyl… she’s…
”She’s the problem…” You whisper to yourself, drawing the confusion of the ponies around you. “I think… I got it!”

>The girls quietly murmur speculation for a second while you compose yourself.
“Talking to Anon is going to be… hard. Or just, not as easy as it always is. But… I just need to make sure Vinyl doesn’t get him. And I can take care of Vinyl!”
>You look around for a second before talking again.
“Why are we still out here?! We need to find him! Let’s go!”
>Quickly galloping passed the girls, you run right into the immaculate hotel, smacking into one of the check-in desks as you stop.
>But it hardly phases you as you quickly blurt out words to the mare behind the counter.
“Quick! The human… princess Celestia this hotel also white pony!”
>The mare squints in concern.
>”Uhm,” Twilight trots into the lobby behind you. “Sorry about her. But we need to see Princess Celestia and we’re in a hurry!”
>”The princess? I’m afraid she isn’t staying here.”
>”What? But I saw a royal guard on my way in! In fact…” Twilight looks a little to the right. “There’s one right over there! Wait, I know him!” Twilight waves to the white stallion in armor standing next to the elevator. “Hi, Marble! It’s me, Twilight Sparkle!”
>He waves back. “Hi, Twilight!”
>”Could you do me a favor?!”
>”Oh… I don’t—“
>”Could you two stop shouting in the lobby?” The receptionist interjects.
>”Ooh, sorry.” Twilight gestures to the guard to come over. The guard trots on over with a smile on his face and stands at attention in front of Twilight. “This is private Marble, everyone! I used to pass him on my way to the library almost every day, back when I lived in Canterlot.”
>”Actually it’s Sargent Marble now… heh.”
>”Oh, really!”
>”Yep, all thanks to your big brother, I got a promotion!”
>”That’s great! Have you spoken to him much since he moved to The Crystal Empire?”

“Twilight.”
>”Oh, er… alright. Sorry.”
>”Hey, Marble. Do you know if Anonymous is with Princess Celestia?”
>”The human? Mmhm! Been up there all day, all alone!”
>You gasp.
>Twilight gives you a cold look.
>”Don’t… don’t even think what you’re thinking is remotely possible. Ever.” She turns back to the guard. “But that’s good! Do you think we could go talk to her, too?”
>”Of course!”
>”Great. What room is she in?”
>”If the guard says it’s okay,” She dips below her desk and pulls out a key a moment later. “This will let you into the skyline to the penthouse. Please return it when you’re done.”
“Yes!” You magically snatch the key before it hits the desk. “Let’s go, ladies!”
>Before you take a step, Fluttershy asks, “Wait, have you seen a white unicorn come through here earlier?”
>”Mhm! The guard there knew her, too!”
>”How’d you know Vinyl Scratch, Marble?” Twilight asks.
>He looks away toward nothing and begins to stammer, “O-o-old friend… y’know. Just like us! Yep!”
>Twilight stares him down for another second before the lot of you read through his stammering.
“Are you serious?”
>”M-Marble?! That’s disgusting! That’s so messed up! She’s a… and you let her see the princess!”
“We have to hurry!”
>”Yes! Quick, into the elevator!”
>The five of you rush into the elevator and Applejack hammers the ‘3rd Floor’ button. Once the doors close, the elevator begins to slowly rise.
>A silence lingers only disrupted by the slowing, heavy-breathing of five mares.
>There’s a few minutes of nothing, broken for a moment when Rarity quietly comments, “This place is quite lovely.” Then another minute later, Twilight mutters, “’Friends like us’ Can’t believe him…”

>The elevator makes a quiet, ‘ding’ before opening, and all of you walk out. You point out a board a few feet away that gives you directions to several places on the floor, including the exit for the penthouse. All five of you rush towards the door, running into Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash in a perpendicular hallway. Almost literally. Twilight catches them up and you’re all quickly back on it.
>A guard stands in front of the door but quickly steps aside at the side of Twilight. Those Canterlot connections, y’know?
>You spend no time marveling the sight of the city across the skyway, jamming the key through the lock while still half-way across the room to lose no time.
>As you step through the door, you come into a curved hallway that you assume goes all the way around the spire. You immediately hear loud conversation a little around the bend, just out of sight.
>You recognize Vinyl’s voice saying, “Are you serious? I just need to get him out here real quick. I know he’s in there!”
>Taking a moment to get a couple sighs of relief in, you let the other girls catch up to you.
>They too recognize Vinyl’s voice and all adopt a mixture of smiles and smug grins. Together, you all walk down the hallway until you all plainly see Vinyl Scratch in the shadow of two massive ponies guarding a large arch door to the center of the spire.
>She immediately sees the lot of you.
>”Ah… aw, aw man. It’s you cocksuckers.”
>Fluttershy and Rarity cringe a little at her language.

>Whatever venom-tipped words you were ready to sling out at Vinyl, they seem to get caught in your throat. You have little energy left now that the adrenaline has left your body. But if you really are about to speak to Anon about these ridiculous feelings, you might need a second wind.
“I don’t have the time for you. Twilight” You glance backwards to see she is already enthusiastic about whatever it is you’re going to ask. “Could you get me in there, please?”
>”Of course! Guards, I am Twilight Sparkle, otherwise known as the Element of Magic! Would you allow me and my friends entry into that room?”
“W-… I didn’t mean all of—“
>”Hmmm… I dunno…” The guard on the left gives Twilight a suspicious look. “Do you have any… proof to that claim?”
>”What? I mean… I think…”
>”Whoa, whoa, whoa. That’s obviously Twilight Sparkle. Look she’s all purple.”
>”Lots of ponies are purple.”
>”And she has those legs. Y’know, like in the pictures.”
>”What?!” Twilight quickly scans her legs. “What about my legs?”
>”Heh, hey she does have the same legs.”
>”Did you mean my cutie mark?”
>”Hm? Ah, I don’t know. I never paid attention to it.”
“So will you let us in?!”
>”Uh… no. Still not really proof you are all the Elements of harmony.”
>”But we’ve been through so much as the elements!” Twilight complains. Then Rainbow Dash chimes in, “Yeah! And we’ve beaten off tons of monsters to save all of ponykind!”
>”And made friends along the way.” Fluttershy says from the back.
>”Exactly!” Applejack pipes up. “And there’s nothin’ that—“
>”Look, we don’t really care.” The guard interrupts. “No proof, no entry. Even if you had proof, it wouldn’t matter.”
>”Why?” Twilight asks.
>”Because the princess ain’t here. Now beat it.”

“No! I’m not leaving until I speak to Anon!”
>”Who?”
“The human!”
>”Oh, so that’s his name. And he’s not here!”
“Liar! I’m not leaving until I get an audience with him!”
>”Yeah!” Vinyl agrees. “But I was here first so after me, you guys let her in!”
“Shut up!” You feel your anger reaching a boiling point. This is starting to fall apart very quickly and between the guards and Vinyl.
>”Wow…” Vinyl turns to the guards. “She is so rude…”
>Suddenly everything looks a little redder.
“Stop talking! Stop! All you do is open your mouth and spew garbage whenever you’re not using it as an industrial cock inhaler!”
>”Oh, what. You expect me to believe you’re not gonna go in there and suck his dick and hope he decides to stick around for less money and a pony who treats him like garbage?”
”I’ll suck his dick a thousand times if I have to. And I won’t treat him like that! It’s not like that anymore!”
>”Why are we talking about Anonymous’ genitals, now…?” Twilight mutters.
“I don’t know just who you think you are but you’re not just going to steal him away when I finally start figuring out all… this?”
>”Awwh, do you have special feelings for Anon?”
“YES!”
>You hoped there’d be some follow-up from anyone but all that followed for a few moments was your own heavy breathing. To break the tension, Rainbow Dash quietly blurts out, “Gross.”
>”Hush, it’s adorable!” Rarity snaps back.
>”No I agree.” Vinyl points at Rainbow Dash. “That is kinda gross.”
>You feel a small amount of shame for what you just said, while a blush creeps across your face.
>But instead of trying to retract your statement, you decide to roll with it.

“Yeah, I do like him. A lot” You feel like that one statement drained you, with shaky knees and heavier breath. But it’s satisfying to say. “I… treated him awful at times. Even when I knew I was starting to like him, I’d say and do awful things. But I—“
>”No kidding,” Vinyl interrupts. “You treated him like garbage every day. I get why. You have the personality of a cornered raccoon. Why do you think he’ll put up with it because you ‘like’ him a bit?”
“It wasn’t every day! And, and for your information, I don’t just like him, I…” Whoa, whoa, whoa. Those words don’t need to fly out of your mouth.
>But it looks like it’s too late. Everyone’s ears and perked and their eyes are wide.
>”Now, what was that?” Vinyl permeates the silence.
“That’s not something… Don’t look at me like that! I wasn’t going to say anything!”
>”Yeah. You want to marry him and have two beautiful kids or whatever. That doesn’t mean you still won’t treat him like dirt. Look I’m done arguing about this. You’re not even going to get in there so you can cry all over his dick while you suck it so get comfortable. Or just leave. I know for a FACT that he hates you.”
“Hmph!” You take a seat on the floor a few feet from Vinyl. “Then I’m staying right he—“
>You hear the knob on the guarded door squeak and immediately stop yourself.
>From the other side, Anon opens the door and stares down on the two of you. He looks completely non-phased by the seven ponies standing outside his door.
>”Uh… you know, that room isn’t very soundproof.”

>You are Anon.
>You’ve been enjoying your tea with Celestia all morning up until when you heard the yells of ponies outside the room. But before all the commotion, Celestia gave you the opportunity to sort of ‘unload’ about how things have been. Your problems, your good experiences, but she kept circling the conversation back towards Trixie.
>’Your friend, Trixie.’ ‘Speaking of Trixie.’ ‘What were Trixie’s feelings on the matter?’ It almost began to annoy you, but then Celestia knew what buttons to press. She knew the questions that would make you remember fond times with her. And just like that, Trixie appears. You could recognize her voice even through the door. Even while muffled, you could easily remember that tone of hers.
>When you open the door, you’re surprised to see not only Trixie, but also literally every other mare you know.
”Uh… you know, that room isn’t very soundproof.” You say to awkwardly break the ice.
>All of them jump in at once, talking over each other in their high-pitched, girly horse voices. Shit, man. Today has been alright, too.
“Stop!” You yell. They immediately fall silent and focus on you. “Christ’s sake… Alright, one at a time. Vinyl.” You choose her only for being furthest to the left. “You first.”
>”Yes! Alright, I’m glad you chose me because I’m here to… uh… tell you not to talk to these losers and leave with me. Like, ASAP. So, come on. Let’s go.”
“No.”
>”Come on… I know you wanna talk to them but trust meee! Remember last night? Imagine that for your life… like, forever!”
>A silent chuckle escapes you, earning you disapproving stares from everyone else. But you’re having a hard time caring. Last night was a hell of a lot of fun. But it got a little intense. Still…
“Sorry, but no. Trixie.”
>She quickly freezes up.
>”I-I-I… I have something to, to tell you.”
“Okay…”
>”Um… but we need privacy. Please.”
>”What? No way!” Vinyl shoves Trixie away. “Look, I ain’t giving her time to suck your dick and make you feel like she’s worth your time!”
“Vinyl, stop. She’s not like that. She’s not like…”
>”What? Like me?”
“…Well…”
>”Look, I know what I am. I ain’t afraid to use I what I got to speed me along.”
“Right. And Trixie isn’t like that.”
>”Hey, man! Are you seriously taking her side? You know how much time I spent listening to you bitch about her? You said it yourself last night, you don’t like being around her.”
>Shit.
>Trixie immediately looks hurt. Her breath stutters and she has an expression like she doesn’t want to believe it.
“I… look-“
>”Am I wrong?”
>Now, in your defense, she asked how you felt about Trixie less than a minute after you finished dicking her. But that’s really not an excuse you want to admit to the ponies—especially the princess. Speaking of, you look backwards for a moment to see her scowling at you from off to the side.
>”What?” You silently mouth to her.
>Her expression doesn’t change but it sends a, “You know what.” Message back.
>Even the girls are upset.
“Look, that doesn’t matter. Why are you all here anyway? Just this?”
>”Yeah. Pretty much.” Vinyl responds. Trixie doesn’t really regard what you said.
>Twilight leans over to her and whispers a couple words into her ear. Trixie nods while avoid anyone’s gaze. You hear Twilight say, “Are you sure?” And Trixie nods again.
>”Trixie…” Twilight starts nervously. “Still wants a few minutes alone with you.”
>”And I say that’s a load of crap.” Vinyl interjects. “Seriously, you can’t just do that. It’s not fair.”
>”You had plenty of time alone with him last night. A few minutes is more than fair.” Trixie breaks her silence with almost a growl of a sentence.
>”Sorry. Didn’t hear ‘ya. Sound like you’ve got MULE in your throat!”
>The insults being to fly awfully quickly as things escalate. You turn back to Celestia for council.
“Um…”
>”I’m not helping you with this one.”
“Seriously?! You spend an entire day asking me about Trixie and don’t even help me with this?”
>She gives you a blank stare for a moment before trotting up next to you and peering out to the others
>”Ladies.” She says in a soft voice. Everyone suddenly shuts up and pays attention. “Vinyl Scratch and Trixie Lulamoon will both come inside, if you please.”
>Twilight steps up. “Not us?”
>”I’m sorry, Twilight. But this is not a discussion for you. I’m sure Trixie is grateful for what you’ve done, but please give her a moment.”
>”Y-yes, princess.”
>Vinyl enters the room with Trixie right behind her.
>They enter the large, circular room that’s covered in book cases from wall to wall with chairs and tables being nearly places on all sides of the room. Upstairs are the balconies for the view, as well as the bedroom and parlor.
>The two of them stop in the middle of the room as Celestia closes the door behind her and proceeds up the stairs.
>”You’ll have the privacy you’ll need. I suggest all of you,” Celestia looks between you and Trixie. “Be honest with each other.”
>With that said, she continues upstairs, her rainbow hair fluttering behind her and eventually disappearing.
>That leaves the three of you alone. Before anyone says anything, you pull a few chairs away from one of the tables and position two in front of you and the other next to you.
“Have a seat, c’mon.”
>”Thanks, bro.”
>Vinyl takes one of the seats and Trixie silently sits in the one next to her. You, too take your seat. Albeit it’s a little uncomfortable due to its size.
“Alright, sorry. It was just too chaotic out there. Vinyl, you keep talking about how Trixie is… well, I mean…” If only you knew a delicate way to say, ‘She’s here to suck my cock’. “Yeah. Is that the only reason you came here?”
>”Basically. And now she can’t.” She blinks, then looks at Trixie. “Actually, knowing her…”
“That’s enough.”
>You used to think the banter between them was funny. But you hear them both complain about each other all the god damn time. More than half the times you went on a tear on Trixie with Vinyl is when she brought it up in the first place. She probably thinks you don’t care enough to notice but it gets annoying.
>”… Ch’yeah, whatever. I just wanted to make sure she didn’t try and convince ya by sucking your dick.”
>”Oh, haha!” Trixie is quick to respond. “That’s just sooo ironic! And I’m here to do more than just that!”
“Um—“
>”Whoa, you actually are gonna do it?”
>”No! Stop… making me say… okay, Trixie… compose yourself…”
>Trixie begins talking to herself a little. You’re worried, but Vinyl seems to be amused.
>”Anon… ym—Anonymous… I’m having a lot of trouble saying this. The emotions I feel. The words I want to say… I’m not… good at that. But, but I know what I am good at.”
>She slides off the chair and starts looking around the room. She finds a tablecloth on one of the tables and yanks it off, wrapping it around her neck afterward. Trixie notices the look you’re giving her. “Humor me.” She says. And you do. You’re curious about this. Trixie isn’t normally at a total loss for words so what she’s trying to say must be hard.
>Trixie pulls three random books off their shelves and places them in front of you, then clears her throat.
>”Behold,” She quickly regains her bravado while in character. ”The Great and Powerful Trixie has returned with another miraculous spectacle! She is here to shock and awe all who stand before her!”
>”What a load of crap.”
>Trixie seems unaffected by Vinyl once she’s in character.
>”First… I would like a volunteer… ah, the tall one in the front!” She points at you. “Pick any of these books, any of their pages, any word! Pick that word and keep it in your head.”
>You almost can’t believe how ridiculous Trixie is being, but you actually like it. This is the kind of ridiculous you’ve been enjoying for the last year, after all.
>You reach over to choose a book and you can feel her purple eyes bore into you. She’s not concentrating on what you do, but just you. You don’t think it matters what you choose.
>A red book in the middle named, ‘A Pony’s Dream Of Clouds’. Sounds awful. Or wonderful. You open the book somewhere in the middle and choose the first word you see, and then hand it back to Trixie. She nods, and then concentrates her magic.
>”Now watch as Trixie makes it simply impossible to find the same page!”
>With a flick of her horn, dozens of books fly of the shelf and begin to fly around the room. Trixie cocks her head and immediately the pages of the books shoot from one to another. Each book rapidly firing their pages off to random other books, creating a storm of paper with the sound of paper whipping in the wind blocking anything else.
>And it finishes. It only lasted ten seconds at most. But the amount of pages that flew by went too fast to keep track of. The books lower to make a circle around Trixie.
>”And with little effort… Trixie shall locate the word you’ve chosen.”
>She closes her eyes and begins humming while slowly waving her hoof over the book. The psychic act drops quickly, as she determines which book it’s in. She levitates a big black book into your hands and uses her magic to open it.
>”Behold. This is the word, out of the millions in here, this is the word you chose.”
>The pages flip to somewhere near the end. It stops on a page with almost no words on it. The only words there are, “I like you.”
>Your mind double-takes. Your first thought is, ‘That’s not what I chose.’
“Trixie, I… um…”
>”It… it says that I like you.” She drops the act quickly and become nervous again.
>Vinyl bursts out into laughter, even going as far as to fall out of her seat.
“Vinyl.”
>”What?! It’s hilarious!”
>”It’s not hilarious!” Trixie snaps back. “I’m TRYING to be honest. Anon…” She looks at you with hesitation. “I—“ Her words get caught in her throat. You see her eyes start to water. “I… know I can be a… nuisance at times. And other things… But, when I’m with you, my magic is… great. I feel… stronger, and better at it!” She starts inching her way towards you. “And it’s not just that! I have a friend I can talk to, someone to help me be a better me. We used to fight a lot but look at us now! We, we’re friends! I don’t know what that means to you… but it means a lot to me.”
>Trixie pauses, and Vinyl takes it as an opportunity to get another chuckle in.
>”And, and her!” Trixie points at Vinyl. “Just when I finally start to feel... just when we’re starting to become friends, she comes along and tries to pry us apart!”
>”Yeah!” Vinyl finally gets back up. Her smile and laugher are gone, replaced by frustration and a cold demeanor. “Trixie, I saw how you treated him and I couldn’t believe such a great guy was putting up with you! I felt bad for him, I genuinely did! So maybe I put my nose where I belong. But that’s sometimes what you need to do for friends to help them!”
>”He’s not your friend!” Trixie has matched Vinyl’s tone with perhaps a fair amount of more anger. “All you’ve done is sleep with him and offer him money! You treat him like something to use! Then you’re going to toss him to the side when he’s no longer useful.”
>”You think so? Then maybe you could tell me what makes your ‘friendship’ so legitimate? Aren’t you literally just doing half of what I’m doing?”
>”No, you don’t understand at all! I NEED him! Okay!”
>Hearing all this, everything about you. It’s almost turned you on autopilot. All these truths about you, how these two see you and interact with you. What they keep you around for. It’s a brain numbing concept on its own. Yet, to see and hear it from their mouths for the first time is a surreal experience.
>Both you and Vinyl take a moment of silence. Trixie takes it a cue to keep going.
>”Anonymous, I’m sorry for everything I’ve said and done. I just… don’t know how to… be with other ponies.”  She chokes up some more tears, trying to disguise it as a laugh. “Hah. To think, I have a persona who’s actually charismatic… But, you know just how hard it is for me to get along with anyone. You and I… I don’t have anything else like this in my life.”
>She lurches forward, burying her face in between your hand and your knee.
>”I need you, Anonymous.”
>Beyond Trixie’s voice, you can only hear the thumping of your heart. With Trixie’s face in you palm, you think back to everything you’ve experienced with her.
>Your trip to Appaloosa where you got to play cowboy for a day. Hoofington, Trixie’s first truly successful show. Then Fillydelphia where you and Trixie really began to get along.
>Then Baltimare, where Vinyl began to convince Trixie was a bad influence for you. How she’d do so much better for you.
>Vinyl’s conversations really stuck with you. It made you evaluate all your bad times with Trixie. Vinyl made those moments feel worse. Worst of all, it made you forget the good times. The times when you felt genuine joy to be with Trixie. When you felt the kinship of a fellow outsider. On top of all that, you’ve seen her improve so much since you first met her. But you’ve never connected it to yourself.
>”Um…” Vinyl breaks your trance. “I-I don’t really have anything to say. That was… pretty heavy.”
>She pauses, maybe hoping for a response from any of you. But you both remain silent.
>”Y-yeah… I’m just gonna go… come talk to me later, Anon. If you want. You… know my room number. Peace…”
>She awkwardly leaves while keeping eyes on both you and Trixie. You hear murmurs from the other ponies outside as she leaves, but they quickly fall silent when the door closes.
>It’s just you a Trixie, and she still stays quiet.
>And you finally realize that it’s your time to say something.
“I… uh… Okay… I’ll, I’ll stay. I really like… doing what we do.” You muster up a chuckle. “I’m not really good at this either.”
>”That’s okay.” Trixie whispers before climbing onto your lap, wrapping her hooves around your chest and laying her head on your neck. You wrap your arms around her too and close your eyes.
>Right now, everything about this feels good. Trixie coarse hair against your arms. Her warmth against yours. You can even feel her heartbeat.
>Several minutes pass, you think. You finally open your eyes. Trixie is still there. But you look towards the stairs, and you can see a suspicious shadow on the wall.
“Trixie.” You whisper. “Move for a sec, I gotta do something.”
>She does as you ask and you bend down to reach for one of the books Trixie left on the ground. Then you chuck it as hard as you can upstairs. It collides with the wall the shadow is cast on, and you see it jump as you hear Celestia yelp from upstairs.
“No snooping!” You yell.
>”I wasn’t snooping!”
>She peeks her head out with a shitty grin.
“Alright, come on down. Trixie, could you let everyone else in?”
>She nods and walks to the door.
>As Trixie opens the door and addresses the others, Celestia finishes walking down the steps and approaches you.
>”I take it everything went well?” She asks in a low voice.
“Uhh… it was pretty intense. I really don’t know what to say.”
>”Do you believe in your decision?”
“Yeah. I don’t think I could have gone with Vinyl anyway.”
>”She doesn’t seem like your type.”
“I don’t even know my type…”
>Your friends from Ponyville are brought it. They’re already smiling.
“Hey, girls. I’ve got some bad news.”
>”Are you going with Trixie?!” Twilight says excitedly.
“Uh… yeah.”
>”Woohoo!” Pinkie jumps up in joy. “They did it! They’re in love!”
“What? Pinkie—“
>”That’s not—“ Trixie says synonymously.
>”This calls for a party! Rarity, music! Princess Celestia, grab your booze because we all know you have a lot!”

>Despite initial hesitation, you were able to get into the mood to have a few drinks and have a little fun. Celestia only owned tea time classical music and all she had to drink was wine. Holy hell, there was a lot of wine. Rarity, Twilight and Trixie especially enjoyed pretending to be fancy. And Trixie was also able to enjoy herself. She definitely wasn’t miserable, like the last one you went to. She still wasn’t too talkative but you’d hear her entertain someone with a story. Celestia was unfortunately so quick to retreat back upstairs when the alcohol came out. The life of a ruler—can’t be seen drinking and partying like this. Not by anyone. You do take comfort in that you saw her at least snag a bottle of white wine before retiring to her bedroom. Nothing’s wrong with a party of one. Trixie gets to the point of teetering on drunk and starts to put on a magic show. She’s actually still quite good, but has to remind herself, “No explosive tricks…” a few times during the performance.
>The celebration comes to a close shortly after two. Applejack, Rarity and Fluttershy have already gone to sleep. Twilight is cleaning up before going to sleep. Rainbow Dash is humming a tune to herself while nursing her glass of red wine, all while barely staying awake. Pinkie Pie is dancing way too enthusiastically to the music. Lastly, Trixie his standing by the door, trying not to look like she’s ready to go. And considering how late it is, you think it’s time to call it.
“Alright, my dudes. I’m peaceing out.”
>”What?” Twilight asks.
“Gonna call it a night. And yeah, guess I’m also leaving in the morning. I—“
>You’re nearly tackled to the ground as Pinkie Pie throws herself at you and embraces you in a hug.
>”I’m gonna miss you, Anon!”
>You feel Twilight then wrap her hooves around your waist.
>”Good luck, Anon. We’ll miss you.”
“… I’ll miss you guys, too.”
>There’s a moment of silence, soon broken by the flapping of wings.
>”Awww daaaang.” Rainbow Dash burps a little. “Gotta say goodbye to my favorite guy!” She flies up to you and grasps your face. “By the way,” She whispers. “I slee-slept with Trixie last night. I hope this ain’t a problem.”

>You eventually manage to pull yourself away from the sappy mares and walk back to the wagon with Trixie.
>She’s drunk at this point, but not very. She’ll bump into you from time to time and she’ll occasionally say hello to the few passing ponies. At this time, the streets of Manehatten are still active with life. Night owl types, nightclub types, tourists who would rather wander the streets than sleep, ponies who just got off a late night of work. You take it all in, and feel closer to Earth than you have in a long time.
>Everywhere you went; it felt like you’ve stepped back in time. But Manehatten almost felt modern. You could look up, look away from the ponies and pretend you were on Earth for just a moment.
>Your brief nostalgia trip wasn’t as brief as you’d thought, as the two of you arrive at the wagon shortly.
>Trixie begins to climb into the wagon until she whips her head around to face you.
>”What do you say we… drive this wagon ten miles out of the city so I can get a head start on leaving forever?”
“I dunno, I kinda liked it here.”
>Trixie holds in a chuckle with a snort.
“And… besides. I need to go do something before we leave.”
>”What, like groceries?”
“Yeah, that too…”
>”Great.” She begins to stumble inside. “Please retrieve some marshmallows for The Great and Powerful Trixie’s celebration tomorrow.”
“For what?”
>”I’m going to eat them! Obviously!” She then closes the door but reopens it seconds later. “I’m, I’m sorry. Was that too mean? I’m going to need to work on this.”
“You’re fine. Chill.”
>”Okay… Goodnight. And please, I was serious about the marshmallows.” She closes the door for good this time.
>You depart immediately afterwards. After hailing a carriage taxi, you give him vague instructions to the hotel you remember going to last night. It takes a couple hours but he manages to find the place on the other side of the city. The hotel in question was called The Blue Moon, which has a ton of Luna-inspired decorations and color palettes. Although you find it hilariously ironic that the place doesn’t have a bar. You know what room you’re looking for and after a short trip up the elevator, you come to a familiar door. You give the door a couple knocks, and almost immediately it opens. In front of you stands a haggard looking Vinyl. Even with her glasses blocking her eyes, you can tell she’s tired.
>”Oh… so you’re here?”
“Yeah. Thought you’d be up. We gotta talk.”
>Vinyl sighs and welcomes you in. The lights inside are a dim blue but you can make out the circular couch in the middle of the living space. You also made out on this couch in the middle of the living space.
“Did you wake up recently?”
>”Didn’t sleep.”
“Are you serious?”
>“Felt like horse shit after what happened. Took some uppers. They’re still goin’. I think. Look, can you just hurry up and tell me you’re leaving?”
>You sigh and stuff your hands in your pockets.
“Yeah… I’m leaving with Trixie tomorrow morning.”
>You thought she expected that answer but she looks like you just stabbed her mother.
>”Awh… awh…. What?! Why would you… why would you choose her over ME? We had so many plans!”
“Vinyl, everything exciting we talked about was either when we were drunk or having sex!”
>”So?”
“So… yeah! We were just hooking up and having sex talk!”
>”There’s no way talking about money and the future is sex talk!”
“Yes it is when we’re talking about making fuckloads of cash by being awesome at sex!”
>”And other things!”
“Look, we’re getting way off topic. I wanted to say goodbye, it was fun but I’m leaving with my friend, someone who needs me. Any good person wouldn’t say no. So, goodbye.”
>She stares at you with her jaw hanging.
>”Just like that, huh? Yeah, whatever. You’re still getting pushed around and doing whatever anyone tells you to do.”
“No I’m not! I am not just going with whatever someone tells me to do. I chose to do this! I looked at what few opportunities I had and I CHOSE to leave Ponyville with Trixie, despite her bossy, whiney, self-obsessed attitude!”
>”So why aren’t you choosing to leave with me instead? First off, you get paid better. Second, you get laid better. And third, I have tons of drugs and booze. And—“
“That’s just it! You think this shit is the most important thing in life and not your music or your career. Fuck, you threw it all away in Canterlot and… ah, fuck.”
>You hang your head and rub your eyes after you manage to quickly calm down. Vinyl is dead silent.
“I didn’t come here to do this. I only wanted to say goodbye before I left.”
>Vinyl’s expression hasn’t changed since your outburst. She refuses to say or do anything.
“I’m… gonna go. But, I feel like we’ll see each other again. So… see ya later, alright?”
>You begin to shuffle towards the door, waiting for maybe a response. But she just keeps staring from behind those glasses with a blank face. It’s making you feel even worse for having to come over to say goodbye.
>With no response, you find your own way out and awkwardly leave. Once the door latches behind you, Vinyl speaks again.
>”Fucking… asshole.” She exasperates. Then she sighs and immediately pulls out a large bottle of whisky from one of her kitchen counters. She crawls onto her couch, almost cradling the bottle in her forelegs. “Fucking Trixie.” Vinyl whispers, and then twists the cap off after laying down on the loveseat. She takes a massive few gulps. She nearly gags, cutting herself off quickly so she could give her throat a rest. “Aaaaahhh… fucking… Pinkie Pie.”

>You return to the wagon a couple hours later, the sun already beginning to rise. While it creaks and groans when you climb in, the noises of you walking through the wagon don’t wake Trixie as you crawl into your shitty little bed in a closet and try to fall asleep. Of course, you can’t seem to do it. You try to empty your mind but you keep running today’s—well, yesterday and today’s events through your head. It all seems so surreal and hectic that you almost want to chalk it up to another day of drama. But it hasn’t really sunk in that you probably just lost a friend. You haven’t quite been able understand that you might not see all your friends again for quite a long time. And you haven’t grasped that after a little over a year with Trixie, you decided to keep going with her for an unknown amount of your time. This is such a big deal, but it doesn’t feel like it. Maybe its comfort in your decision, maybe you’re just too damn tired.
>How long have you been thinking about this? You sluggishly stand up and take a peek outside of the closet. It’s brighter than in here, but it doesn’t really help. After gaining a little of your sight back, you shuffle to the wagon door and push it open.
>An unwelcome burst of noise ruffles your feathers as you open the door. The city is awake and bustling already. Hundreds of loud ponies are marching their way down the sidewalk or driving their carriage down the road make a little too much noise.
>The sun is well up, but still only midmorning roughly. You take a moment to stretch before ducking back inside the wagon. You take a moment to longingly stare at your door, wishing you’d just sleep bit you honestly don’t think you can.
>Feeling the need to be productive this morning, you grab a bowl from the kitchen and put in a few different fresh fruits before climbing the ladder to the hatch. The noise blasts you again when you allow the outside noise in, but you quickly get used to it. You close the hatch behind you, take a seat on the bench and pick up the reins with your free hand. Trixie said she wanted to leave and you’re looking forward to getting out of here, yourself. You pull your head back and stare at the skyscrapers once more before you sigh and pull wagon out into the road

>The city traffic quickly dissipates as you reach the outskirts of the city. Nearly half-an-hour later, you reach the city limit, finally leaving Manehatten in your dust. Not exactly sure where you’re going, you choose to go westward for the time being. You hear the ponies in Hollow Shades have an affinity for strange magics and alchemy. Trixie could learn a thing or two there at the very least.
>Just as she crosses your mind, you can hear her stomping up the steps. Trixie emerges with her hat and cape on already, looking just as sleepy as you.
>”Already out of the city? When did you wake up?”
“Couldn’t fall asleep actually. I thought I’d at least get us out of town if I wasn’t going to rest.”
>”Oh! That’s terrible!” She rushes to your side, moving the fruit bowl out of the way so she could sit next to you. “Why couldn’t you sleep?”
“Just… thinking of stuff. The future, you know?”
>”Really?” She scoots a few inches closer and leans on your arm. “Are you… worried?”
“No, just unsure.”
>”Hmm… well I, for one, am confident in this decision. We have nowhere to go but up from here!”
“Actually, we’re doing pretty well. We could easily sink lower from here.”
>”Don’t ruin the mood, Anonymous!” She hugs your arm a little tighter. “Onward, to our next destination!”
“I was thinking Hollow Shades? That city in that dark as hell forest.”
>”Excellent! Trixie shall prepare her spooky routine! The crowd will eat it up.”
“If you have a death-defying stunt you know, you should pull it out on these guys. They‘d probably be really into that. And maybe I could get a local alchemist to create a draught that would keep a layer of mist on the stage floor for the performance?”
>”Mhm, mhm. Excellent ideas. See!” She holds you tighter. “This was the right pick. Thank you.”
>You open your mouth but you find no words.
>You still have no idea whether or not this was the best decision. But, as you gaze around the green, tree littered terrain, and you feel Trixie’s warmth putting you to sleep and the breeze on your face, you know this couldn’t have been the bad decision.
>Feeling a little more confident, you pull the reins a little tighter and hold them with your free hand while you wrap the other around Trixie and pull her in tighter.
>Whether you wanted it to or not, you began a new adventure today. One that you feel will last years and will set the course for the rest of your life. And the entire way, you’ll be with the most egotistical, showboating, ungrateful, jealous, passionate, dedicated, crowd-pleasing, The Great and Powerful Trixie Lulamoon.




>From Hollow Shades to Vanhoover. Los Pegasus to Cloudsdale and finally Canterlot.
>The Great and Powerful Trixie climbed the entertainment ladder and came out a star. Her showboating and ability to back up her words with mesmerizing, creative, and unique performances captivated audiences around the world. There were hardships, even tragedies but they always come with moments of joy and triumph. Trixie finally achieved the fame she was looking for when she killed it at a Cloudsdale Equestria Games kickoff event. Since then, she spent most of her time in Canterlot. But, she would find herself longing for the road again, and just after two years in Canterlot, Trixie sets out on another adventure.
>She would not go alone, of course.
>You are Anon, and it’s been six years since you’ve started travelling with Trixie. It hasn’t been easy but things improved drastically once you and Trixie became close. Of course you two had your squabbles but becoming Trixie’s manager was the most satisfying thing you’ve done with your life. The two of you have accomplished so much. While you’ve been kept in the background for most of Trixie’s success, she frequently reminds you how much you’ve contributed to her amazing career.
>Not so long ago, Trixie proposed that she go back out on the road, claiming that performing in one city was too boring for her.
>This was shocking since she’s always talk about how much she loved it in Canterlot. You two made good money there. But you shared the same feelings about it. Ever since the two of you settled in Canterlot, things have gotten stale. So you were quickly convinced that this was the best option.
>Trixie wasn’t content with spending more time in a wagon, though. She got rid of the thing when she moved into her first apartment. And after that, she moved into a penthouse. You had a hard time imagining her wanting anything less than a fleet of private jets for her. Funnily enough, she decided on the probably the closest thing you could find in Equestria. The deposit nearly made the two of you broke. But for the price, you and Trixie got yourselves a balloon aircraft with a gondola the size of a small house.
>Today, you and Trixie finished up all your affairs in Canterlot and departed for your first destination. You had almost no time to plan this trip but you and Trixie decided it would be smart to start with Cloudsdale. Having a flying vehicle makes getting there easier, too.
>You left early during an autumn morning, ready to leave the city and enjoy the road once more.
>Watching the clouds drift by your window, you stir on your bed and make up excuses to not get up. But you find it odd you aren’t anchored to the ground this early in the morning. The large clock on the opposite side of the wall says it’s hardly past seven.
>You force yourself out of bed with an action roll and put on some casual clothes before leaving the room. You pass through the living room and the kitchen and enter the control room.
>Trixie sits comfortably in the captain’s chair while reading a book and steering the small airship with her magic. She jumps in surprise when you close the door.
>”H-hey! You’re up early!”
“You’re one to talk. You were piloting all day yesterday. Want me to take over?”
>”Oh, no. I’m quite comfortable. Why don’t you go make yourself some breakfast?”
>She seems nervous about something, but you figure you can interrogate her after you make yourself something to eat.
“Sure. I’ll be back in a bit.”
>You come back to the kitchen and begin making something simple. But after gathering a few ingredients, you take a look through a window and notice you’re actually descending through the clouds. When you and Trixie left Canterlot in this thing, you both agreed upon making Cloudsdale your first stop, and you’re pretty sure you don’t get to Cloudsdale by going underneath the clouds.
>After making yourself a plate of toast, eggs and frozen berries, you enter the control room again and find a place to sit along the sides of the compartment.
“You know that Cloudsdale is pretty high in the sky, right?”
>”Of course.”
“So why are we going down?”
>”Um… don’t worry about it, alright?”
>You can’t help but feel a little suspicious. For what reason would Trixie want to stop before to two of you get to Cloudsdale?
>The answer to that appears in your head almost immediately. There’s only one place you can think of in the area.
“Are we—“
>”You’ve been saying how much you’ve wanted to visit.”
“… Trixie.”
>A feeling of mirth and excitement begins to well up inside you. It’s been so long since you’ve visited Ponyville and seen all your old friends. While you’ve grown close to Trixie, you can’t forget the ponies who accepted you when you first arrived. When you appeared in this world, cold and scared, they would appear warm and welcoming. So many nights that should have been spent crying in a dark room, they’d do everything to help you forget the sorrow of being so out of place. Forget the drama and the craziness they wrapped your life in—they made it a life worth living in this world. You have them to thank for who you are now.
>”Not even a kiss?”
“Hm? Ah…” You got completely lost in thought and forgot about Trixie for a moment. “Sorry, I’m just—“
>”You’re not giving Trixie the credit she deserves!”
“Can’t even explain myself.” You sigh and get up in feigned exasperation. “Fiiiine, if I must.”
>You take a few long strides to the middle of the room and loom over Trixie in her captain’s chair. She stares at you with a satisfied look. As she straightens her posture, you bow down to her level. Your lips connect, but only for a second. The two of you are left motionless, drifting with that same expression for a moment before you both lower yourselves back down to reality.
“I love you.”
>A sly grin spreads across her face.
>”I know.” Her expression softens. “I love you, too.
>The airship is quick to descend. Before you know it, you land next to the ruins of Twilight’s library.
>So much has happened since you’ve last seen your old friends. And you know that for everyone, there’s so much more to come.
>You can’t wait to experience it all with your best friend and the love of your life, The Great and Powerful Trixie Lulamoon.



*Writer's note*: I just wanted to thank all my readers for taking the time to read my story. I know that it's far from perfect and for many, it's not even good. But my appreciation to everyone who read my dumb story about a man and a horse cannot be put into words. Thank you all very much for everything. After over 3 years and nearly 160,000 words, I've completed the largest project I've ever started and it's all thanks to everyone who joined me.
My focuses are no longer associated with My Little Pony fanfiction anymore so I'm afraid I will not be producing more content of that nature but I have AiE to thank for helping me realize how much I like to create worlds with words. That's something I'll keep with me for the rest of my life.
Thank you all, again. Peace, dudes.