Trixie stood confidently in front of her make up mirror, giving a confident smile back at herself while applying the last of the dark blue eyeshadow to her already marvelous magenta eyes. Satisfied with the results, she moved her hoof up and down her chest taking slow deep breaths in an attempt to calm her racing heart. Despite her years of being a show mare, she still couldn't quite shake the intense emotions that lingered before a big show. At yet, at the same time, she felt excited even gleeful. It had taken a lot of hard work, along with a few therapy sessions to pull herself back together after the series of unfortunate events. She had emerged as a new mare, determined to be a great and powerful performer for all to see and aww. No longer an arrogant show boaster, who’d inflate her own talents to seem better than the rest. Now she would rather inspire others to seek their own paths and show that with hard work anypony could be amazing. She even updated her attire using a new cape and hat that glowed with a darker shade of purple. The pins and stars had been replaced as well by small glittering silver ones that sparkled in the spotlight.
As she clipped the blue gemstone latch closed over her neck, she heard her new manager knocking on the door.
“Come in,” Trixie turned to face the door as it swung open adjusting her mane.
The rather slim stallion entered the room sporting a bright red jacket, complementing his charcoal coat. Resting upon his left chest sat a golden pinned name tag with the words, Starcrest - manage.
“Ah Trixie, there you are,” he made a quick adjustment to his tie as he spoke. “I just came by to remind you that you can’t use pyrotechnics indoors. Can’t have you burning the stage down,” he let out a little chuckle being light hearted..
Trixie nodded setting her star mane clip in place, moving loose strands out of her eyes. “Trixie would never make such a mistake. Beside most of her props are fireproof,” she stated, remembering the last time she had inadvertently set her cape on fire during one of her shows. A rather embarrassing moment for sure, but a learning experience nonetheless.
“I was just making sure,” he said, smiling all the while. “Anyway I can’t wait to see your new act.” With that, he turned left, no doubt on his way to mingle with the attendees of this evening’s show.
She been very lucky to get this job after her reputation had been soured. Each employer she had came across that heard of that particular incident with the Alicorn Amulet acted suspicious towards her despite having done nothing wrong. She had been under the influence of dark magic after all. At least that what she told herself to feel better.
Trixie watched Starcrest leave shutting the door behind him. She quickly turned back to her mirror and worked on her smile. As she did so, her mind began to wonder. Today’s show was unlike the others she had put on before. To everypony else it would be a showcase of magical arts and illusions. But for Trixie, it was a very special show, her time to shine and redeem herself for her past deeds. Not but a week prior, she had sent Twilight Sparkle a letter in the faintest hopes that she would show up and watch Trixie perform. Her hopes were to show off her true talents and show she wasn’t some boasting pony like before. Her goal was simple, show her that she was great at what she could do and to hopefully amaze her at the same time. Sure she couldn't teleport or fly, but her illusionary magic had grown quite impressive.
Without any further delay, she exited her dressing room and trotted down the carpeted hallway and entering the backstage area. Muffled laughter could be heard from the crowd through the layers of curtains that divided the stage. The comedian was causing a storm out there, always the casino’s favorite if the tips were to be believed. Not that Trixie cared much, she would astound them without having to resort to cheap jokes, she was above such things afterall.
She stood at the edge of the doorway taking one last deep breath to clear her mind and getting into character. “Are you ready, Mirage?” Trixie asked, putting her hat upon her head.
Her assistant appeared from a side room with a pleasant natural smile on her muzzle. She adjusted her blue dress which complemented her silver coat and dark silver mane. “Yes ma'am,” she replied, using her magic to pin a star into her mane.
“Then let’s do this.” Striking a proud stance, Trixie and her assistant strode onto the stage. Their garments glimmered in the spotlights as the crowd clapped in approval. Trixie stood tall as she cleared her throat. ‘Mares and Gentlecolts, watch in amazement as the Great and Powerful Trixie performs illusions like you have never seen before.” Her assistant wheeled over a bird cage, covered up by a simple red sheet. Her horn light up as the spotlights were moved to focus attention on the cage and Trixie herself.
Trixie took a breath as the audience watched as her horn began to glow. Moments later wisps of multiple coloured light snaked out of her horn and were soon flying about the stage before soaring out over the audience. Each sprite danced and twisted around each other, the vibrant colours shining in the dark. The crowd began to oh and aww at the spectacle since it was quite the impressive display. It had taken quite a while for her to learn this trick, since moving multiple sprites at the same time require a considerable amount of concentration. Meanwhile she gave a quick glance at Mirage who was focused on the spell to cast on her cue. Trixie swiveled her head in a small circles drawing the balls of light back towards her. As they shot towards her like comets in the night sky, she rose to her hind legs smiling as she felt the tingle of her assistant’s spell being cast. Her blue fur glowed vibrant as the balls of energy sank into her like droplets into a pool. The colours expanding outwards along her body rippling before they faded away into the radiating blue aura that took over. The glittering aura lasted a second before fading and Trixie returned to all fours.
As the audience applauded her first act, she tried peering into the crowd hoping to spot Twilight amongst them. The effort however was hard due to the darkness beyond the stage and the light shining down from above. Her smile wavered only for a moment before focusing back at the task at hand, the show had to go on.
The show proceeded with many other illusions, Trixie even managing to do a mirror dance at one point. As her time on stage neared its conclusion, she prepped for her final act.
Trixie rose to her hind legs again flapping her cape in the air to be dramatic. “And now for Trixie’s final act, I will use this volunteer.” Mirage pulled back the red sheet from the cage from the beginning of the show with her magic. Inside was a sparkling red phoenix. Trixie could only imagine what the manager face was right now. Her illusion was working as everypony seemed to be entranced as she let the bird out of its cage. The fiery being made no noise as it landing on Trixie outstretched foreleg. “Isn’t he cute?” She asked while flipping her mane.
As on cue, the phoenix squaked and pecked the magician’s hoof. She yelps pretending it hurt as the bird flew into the air and spread it’s wings. Time to wow them. “How dare you bite the Great and Powerful Trixie!” she shot small purple beams of her magic at the beast making her best grr face. The bird dodged as planned before igniting its wings to cause a flare. Trixie shielded her eyes having not expected it to be that bright. Gah Mirage is overdoing it. Her assistant kept her expression in shock still holding the sheet in her magic. This however was just to cover up her part in the act since she was infact controlling the illusionary phoenix while Trixie controlled the fire effects that were to come.
Trixie swiftly jumped to the side just as the phoenix let out a burst of fire leaving a burning trail on the stage floor. Ponies gasped as the flames burned but oddly there was no heat. “You dare attack Trixie, come at the.” She stood on her hind legs waving her forehoof in taunting manner. The bird dodged another bolt of magic before flying over the crowding in a wide arc before heading towards Trixie menacingly. She smirked as she reached into the pocket pulling out a mint popping into her mouth. The phoenix continued to close in as Trixie took a few breaths and lit her horn puffing out her chest. Once the bird was within a pony length away, she exhaled blowing out a flurry of snow like particles in the phoenix’s face making it evaporate into steam. The flame soon vanished as the act ended a silence falling over the room for a few brief moments.
It only took a second for the audience to start clapping and cheer at the performance making Trixie very happy and proud of herself. She was proud of Mirage too for this act had been no easy task without her help. She took her time to scan the crowd for her guest of honor hoping that she had actually shown up. She beamed once she was able to spot Twilight in the back making eye contact. The alicorn waved as Trixie made her way backstage. It took all her wit to not let out the squeal she felt building up. ‘She actually showed up!” she squeed at Mirage as they go into her room.
“Yeah, that’s great to hear.” Mirage rubbed her ear checking to see if she could still hear after Trixie’s fan squealing. “Why? Did you doubt she would?”
Trixie sat her hat on the coat rack and turned to face her. “Well in all honestly, yes. After what I did to her town, not to mention she a princess now. Why would she ever want to see my face again.” Trixie turned towards the door when she heard a voice from behind her.
“Because I forgave you.” Twilight smiled at Trixie humbly standing in the doorway all relaxed.
Trixie felt herself blush looking away from the princes. “O-oh I guess that was an obvious answer.” She rubbed her neck feeling a bit embarrassed. “But didn’t think I was wort-”
Twilight shot her hoof up to object. “Worthy, woah easy there Trixie. I may be a princess but I don’t think of anyone lesser than me because of these.” She spread her wings out for a second before retracting them.
The blue unicorn’s smile grew a bit more as she looked at Twilight. “So you’re not still mad.”
The alicorn in response rolled her eyes. “Over something that happened months ago? I got over it and seeing your act today i’m rather impressed.”
Trixie beamed with inner pride. “Of course you are, Trixie does impress,” she coughed and blushed. “I mean...thank you that means a lot.”
Mirage moved beside Trixie patting her on the back. “See I told you that you were over worrying.”
“Oh shut up.” Trixie pushed her assistant back gently letting out a chuckle of relief .
Twilight chuckled too. “I”m very proud of you Trixie, you seem to be doing great for yourself since the last time we met” she paused before blushing finding an irony in her words. Her being a alicorn now didn’t help any.”Oh wow I sound like Celestia.”
Suddenly out of the blue, Trixie came up and gave the Twilight a hug. “Oh thank you, thank you, thank you,” she felt overjoyed. “Is there anything I can do for you?”
The alicorn simply let out a laugh hearing Trixie stomach rumble. “No i’m good, but how about we go catch up on old times with a bite to eat.”
“Y-yeah sound like a great Idea princess.”
“Please no titles or will be here all day.”
Trixie laughed a bit feeling better than she ever had been before. As she followed Twilight out into the calm evening streets, she couldn't help but feel she had just made a new friend all over again.