Not so Bad

by Coconut

Rating: everyone
Tags: Slice of Life, Trixie, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Comedy, Romance, Sunset Shimmer
Length: 1449

Friendships can start from the oddest things. Even if those things include getting hit in the head with a runaway rocket.

Trixie Lulamoon is your run of the mill showpony. She travels place to place in Equestria, putting on magic shows for the little foals and ponies alike to hopefully earn a few bits to get by. She's a bit of a boaster, and she isn't the best Unicorn to go to for magic. And on top of that, she's never had a friend before.

At least, not until Sunset Shimmer comes to town.

Cover art by Xaztein.

Published 2013-08-24 15:50:02 UTC
Last updated 2013-11-04 23:02:09 UTC

Oops

And for my next trick, maybe I'll be a bit better.

Trixie Lulamoon was a showpony, nothing more than what the cutie mark on her side told her to be. Ever since she was younger she knew what she was destined for. Using her magic for beautiful, entertaining spells. Ones that would bring smiles to ponies faces as they found wonder and enchantment in her performances. She'd do signings, and get hugs from complete strangers. They'd thank her for such a spectacular show, and her name would be all over Equestria.

That isn't how it happened at all, though. Or at least, not in the right away.

Her name was known, but certainly not that far. The places ponies did know her name? It wasn't for good reason. Rumors had spread around about what had happened back in Ponyville, and how quickly it happened she wasn't sure. What she did know is that mothers moved their children out of the way when she walked by, and some even spit at her hooves. Looks of disapproval etched in her mind, and she found herself pulling her hood up over her head more often than not. Hiding her face so she could avoid apples and other various foods being tossed at her.

"Get out of here," they'd say, "you're nothing but a fraud!"

A fraud with nowhere to go, and nothing to her name except a cart full of tricks and a heart full of potential, just dying to be seen. By now, she didn't even want all of Equestria. The giant shows and fans she had visioned when she was a little filly no longer held her interest. Instead, she longed for a friend. One pony in the world who would just appreciate what she did, and clap their hooves whenever she made a rabbit appear out of a hat.

What a silly thought that was.

It was midday when she entered town. Pulling her small cart along, it was a place she had never been. Hopefully it could work in her favor, and nopony would know her. This way, she had a shot. For a while she had been practicing some new and different tricks. They were a little more advanced than what she was used to, but she had to step up her game if she wanted money to get food for herself the next day.

The town square had a good sized crowd. Some gave her their attention, curiosity lingering. It had become obvious quickly that they were unaware of her past mistakes, and she felt confident enough to actually sport a smile. There had been a time when Trixie was proud of what she did. It was part of her charm, and also part of the reason ponies would trot over to see what the big deal was. "Come on, come all," she'd say. "The great, and powerful Trixie will awe you with her amazing magic!"

Today felt lucky. Maybe she could go back to those roots, just for one day.

Coming to a stop, she unhooked herself from the cart and walked over to the side. Searching through her supplies, taking out a few things for set up. Her older cart used to be larger, and it was much easier to get ready than this. Heck, half of it used to do it on it's own. How she had downgraded since then.

Her hat, a few fireworks and some other things needed for her show were placed on the lush grass. They reflected the colors of her mane and coat, usually consisting of a ghostly white and blue. A pony or two would walk by a bit slower to see what she had going on, and it was far from unnoticed to her. Excitement started to show up, a feeling that had been long lost for some time. Yes, today definitely felt lucky.

Now, if fate thought this was some kind of sick joke, she was going to round house kick it in the stomach. Use of the word lucky soon lost it's meaning, because as the mare was trying to set up a firework some little foal called out. It made her turn her head in their direction, which also made her lose focus. A simple slip, hit, and then lots of loud, crackling noises filled the square.

Ponies gasped and ducked down, the multicolored rocket zooming over their heads while it gave off it's ear popping sound. Trixie could only watch in embarrassment as it soared around in the sky, but what really got her was when it finally came to a stop. None the less, hitting a pony square in the forehead.

Youch!

Trixie had lifted one hoof to her mouth in shock, watching for a few moments before reality finally had reached her thought process. "O-oh!" She stammered, running over to the victim of the runaway instrument of magic. "I'm so sorry!" She started, leaning over the dazed pony and offering them help up. "Are you okay?"

"Ugh, watch.." The pony trailed off, then cleared her throat. "Um, yeah. I'm fine." As she replied, it was then that Trixie finally got a good look at her.

Her mane resembled flames. Yellow and red mixed together in jagged lines, complementing the color of her coat which was a light orange. Her eyes were a duller shade of cyan, and from the look on her face, it was a fitting color. She didn't seem very pleased after what had just happened, but then again, what pony would? She only hoped she hadn't been injured, but she didn't appear so.

"Was that your firework?"

"What?" Trixie replied, blinking a few times. Oh, how rude of her! She didn't even notice she had been staring as she thought to herself. Widening her eyes, she looked away awkwardly for a moment before clearing her own throat. "Oh, um, yes. The great, and p-" Stop. Rewind. "I mean," She smiled meekly, "I'm sorry about that." The whole title thing still slipped out sometimes. It was an odd force of habit.

The nameless pony raised a brow. "Yeah, it's fine. Just.. watch where you fire those things off." She said, turning around and trotting away.

It couldn't be as simple as that.. could it?

Before Trixie could really think about it, she ran after her so they were side by side. "I certainly will." Giving another light smile, she glanced up to notice her hood had accidentally flipped back over her head. She grumbled inwardly, tilting her head back so it fell back over and allowed the sunlight to hit her mane. "Also, um.. I don't believe I received your name. My name is Trixie!" The way she said this spoke volumes about her personality.

The other just stared at her, as if she had two heads. It was as if she was deciding whether or not to run, but apparently she wasn't all that weirded out, because she replied after a moment or two of silence. "Sunset Shimmer."

Trixie smiled. "It's nice to meet you."

"Nice to.. meet you too, I guess." Sunset greeted.

She rarely spoke to ponies. She had never had a friend before. All the stuff her old rival, Twilight, had spewed about the 'power of friendship' had always been lost to her. It was like she was speaking a different language, because Trixie had never really experienced it for herself. Although, after that last defeat in Ponyville, she had decided to at least make herself more approachable. Be nicer, a little bit more welcoming. Maybe then she could make a friend or too.

Firing a firework in somepony's face wasn't the way to start, though. Perhaps she could make it up to her.

"Listen, I feel bad about what happen back there," She started, "that's never happened before and to be honest I can't believe it did." Ah, that had been awkward. She tried to cover it up with a laugh. "If you aren't too busy, would you like to get lunch? Consider it my apology."

Sunset Shimmer continued to look forward as they strolled along. She allowed the offer to roll through her mind a bit. Well, she hadn't eaten anything today yet.. a daffodil and daisy sandwich sounded delightful right about now. Allowing a look of thought to cross her expression, her eyes carefully flickered to glance at the pony beside her.

"Sure."

The showpony smiled. "Good!" Without another word, they both started towards their lunch spot. Trixie Lulamoon was starting to consider this one of her most lucky days.

Maybe she could make a friend after all.

Author's Note

A gift for a friend.