The Trick to Rock Farmingby Silent StriderChaptersThe Gray CityFarming RocksMaking BitsIt's MagicBackThe Gray CityTrixie looked around, her head sagging. This was the dullest village she had ever seen; everywhere she looked it was the same dull gray and muted brown, the same identical stone facades, the same lack of decoration or color. The ponies were just as dull. In other villages the ponies at least came to her shows, even if just to poke fun at her; in this one nopony even showed. She let her haunches fall to the ground, groaning. Do ponies here even know what fun is? How is a showmare supposed to earn a living in this village? Just laying there was alluring. Why even bother trying? Everywhere she went Trixie was ridiculed, seen as just a joke, a fake. Even her stage name, “The Great and Powerful Trixie”, was tainted; if it was mentioned by anypony at all it was to a chorus guffaws, of ponies snickering, like a cruel soundtrack meant to crush the performer. Tempting as just staying down was, her stomach spoke louder than her head. Trixie scanned around; no ponies close enough to have heard. She felt her neck relax even as she stood on her wobbling hooves; the last thing she needed was to be taken for a vagrant. First things first, then. Food. She was out of bits, but perhaps somepony would be generous with her… No. Her head jolted upright. I am The Great and Powerful Trixie. I can earn my lunch without begging even if nopony wants to watch my performance. Trixie approached a bakery and looked at the shop window, filled with all kinds of baked goods. All those mouth watering cakes, muffins, breads… Her stomach betrayed her again, louder this time. “Are you new here, dear?” Trixie felt her face heat up even as her ears dropped. She surveyed the speaker; like everything else in this village she was gray, light gray for the body with a dark gray mane. Even her cutie mark was gray; three rocks. The only splashes of color on her were her golden spectacles, a golden necklet, and her blue eyes. It’s not her fault, though Trixie. There was something calming about the older mare, a gentle tone in her voice. Perhaps she can help me find a job, at least until other ponies forget about what happened in Ponyville. Trixie cleared her throat in an attempt to steady her voice. “I’m just a traveling performer, but this town doesn’t seem to need my services. Do you know where I can find a job, earn a few bits?” The older mare nodded once. “I do know where you can find a job.” She pointed to the bakery door. “Why don’t we talk inside over some tea and cakes? I would love to hear about your travels, life in the old farm can get a little…” she touched a hoof to her chin. “Uneventful.” Trixie rubbed her neck, letting a lock of her mane fall in front of her face. “Can’t we discuss the job here? I’m not hungry.” The older mare looked over Trixie for a few seconds, an understanding smile in her face. “I insist. Hearin’ your story is sure worth treatin’ you to some tea. My name is Cloudy Quartz, but you can call me Cloudy.” Trixie lifted her head, a gleam in her eyes. If Cloudy was giving her lunch in exchange for a story, Trixie would make it worth every last bit. On the other hoof, perhaps I should drop the Great and Powerful thing for a while. “My name is Trixie, Magician Extraordinaire. Prepare to hear some of the most spectacular stories ever heard by ponykind!” “... and that is how Trixie saved the town of Ponyville from the rampage of an Ursa Minor, with a little help of the town librarian.” Trixie finished another muffin and took a sip of the tea. “That was sure excitin’.” Cloudy lifted her spectacles and looked directly at Trixie. “But you know, I do have a daughter livin’ in Ponyville.” Trixie gulped. Uh oh. “She told that story in a different way. How a traveling magician had bragged about being able to vanquish an Ursa Major, but in the end couldn’t even handle an Ursa Minor and fled after her ruse was discovered.” Trixie’s ears went flush against her falling head as she made a motion to stand. “If you want me to leave —” Cloudy glared at the magician, her voice assuming a commanding tone. “Ya sit there and listen to the end. I’m not finished with you, for granite’s sake.” Her voice, and glare, softened. “She also told me that the magician stood against the Ursa. She did try to save the town, even though she knew she was a fake. First rule if you are going to work for me, you don’t lie. Not to myself, not to my family, not to our customers.” Trixie blinked. “Wait, what?” “You need a job. My husband needs more help with the Pie family farm. If you are ready to work, I can take ya.” Cloudy left some bits on the table and stood. “You comin’?” Author's Note Feel free to point flaws, errors, or to make suggestions; I'm here to learn. Farming RocksTrixie eyed the farm; like everything else in the town it was gray and brown. In the center of a large field covered with loose stones stood a fenced area; inside the fence there was a gray tower silo, a windmill, and a two-story farmhouse. The small fenced area was also notable for what it lacked; stones. “Now, sugar, wait here. I will get my husband.” Trixie nodded and tried to smile, though her smile didn’t reach her eyes. She had never worked for another pony before — or, at least, not after leaving Celestia’s school, but that didn’t count — so her head raced through everything that could happen. And, the longer she waited, the worser the possibilities she imagined. Trixie was ready to bolt when a large brown stallion left the house. She couldn’t help but stare at the old fashioned way he looked; his mane was close cropped, light gray and white, and he wore a black necktie and a black wide brim hat. His cutie mark was a pickaxe. The stallion focused on her, his face unreadably neutral. “All right, so you are the helper Cloudy found. Any experience with rock farmin’?” Trixie gulped, remembering her promise to Cloudy. “Uh…” The corners of his mouth quirked up. “Calm down... Trixie, wasn’t it? The job is hard, but simple; I’m sure you will learn fast. The work starts just after the Sun rises, so you better be an early riser or learn to become one. We can’t pay much, but lodgin’ and food is included. Still interested?” Trixie let go her breath, noticing that she had been holding it. For her first job interview it wasn’t as scary as she thought. “I am. Mister...” “Igneous Rock. You will be working with Maud; she can teach you all that you’ll need.” He looked to the field, where a gray mare was… sniffing? … the rocks. “Maud, come here.” Maud looked at them and started walking, never raising her pace. Watching her, Trixie almost groaned; she was slow, her purple mane styled with a straight cut, her cutie mark a stone. This Maud seemed to embody the opposite of everything Trixie learned as a showmare. When Maud finally arrived she surprised Trixie again by being so un-Trixie. Her face never changed expression, her voice kept to a single tone, as she asked her father, “Did you call me?” Working with Maud was a… unique experience. She seemed unable to express emotions, no matter how happy, frustrated, irritated, whatever she should be; Maud would talk to Trixie in the exact same tone whether she was instructing her, reprimanding her, reciting some rock poetry, or even attempting a rock joke. For a showmare like Trixie, for whom learning to read the audience is a survival trait, it was deeply unsettling. Trixie made various attempts at small talk while working, telling stories of her days at Celestia’s school and about her travels, but she soon gave up; not only it was impossible to gauge if Maud was interested, her answers were invariably monotonous. Soon Trixie was concentrating only on her work, talking to Maud only when needed. The end of the work day, when the Pie family got together for supper, was a relief, but it wasn’t the end of Trixie’s problems. Without practice in using her levitation for such a long period of time, and with such heavy things as stone, Trixie could feel her neck and horn throbbing, the effort of the day taking its toll. Her magic was unsteady as she attempted to lift a spoon, wobbling all the way to her plate, so much that for the rest of the dinner she used her hooves to eat earth pony style. At least nopony laughed at her misery; at that point, Trixie was glad for any small blessing that came her way. After supper Trixie went directly to bed, complaining under her breath when she found out that her mattress was as stone hard. Despite that she slipped into sleep as soon as her head hit the hay despite the stone hard bed, but not even sleep brought relief; Trixie dreamed she was back in Ponyville, but this time, instead of the myriad ponies watching her, every pony had the same unreadable face as Maud. She woke in the middle of the night, desperately clinging to her pillow while whimpering softly. Trixie blinked, groggily shaking her head in an attempt to clear away her drowsiness. “What?” “The Sun has risen,” repeated Maud in the same deadpan tone. “Breakfast is on the table.” Trixie got up wondering what Maud was feeling. Annoyance at having to wake her? Concern? Was she just being friendly? It was strange, not having a clue, but Trixie just shook her head; if she was going to spend any time here she needed to get used to it. Descending the stairs Trixie found the Pie family around the table, talking in polite, if animated, tones. She noticed the two younger sisters, one a pale gray mare with darker mane, the other a darker purplish-gray mare with almost white mane. Sitting, Trixie took a daisy sandwich with her magic and smiled sheepishly. “Sorry about yesterday, I was too tired.” “Your magic is steady now.” Trixie looked at Maud, eyebrows furrowing together. “Thanks… I guess?” Cloudy’s clear laugh cut through the conversation. “Don’t worry, dear. You’re not the first to be stumped with our Maud here. But she does seem to like you, I’m sure you will be understanding each other in no time.” Maud looked from her mother to Trixie. “If you want I can say what I’m feeling.” Trixie took a hoof to her chin, wondering how it would sound; certainly strange. Kindness; your magic is steady now. Her face contorting in an effort to suppress a laugh, she looked back at Maud. “No, thanks. I will take my chances with guessing.” “Can you handle today’s chores?” Trixie looked at Maud; she was going to assume she spoke in concern. And her horn was certainly feeling better. “Well, I am the Great Trixie. I can handle a few rocks.” It certainly was more than a few rocks. On the other hoof, Trixie didn’t feel as tired as in the previous day; she had eaten well and slept in a good, if hard, bed for a change, and that had done wonders to her disposition. The hard work also helped her forget about how she was humiliated whenever she attempted her show routine those last weeks. She looked back at Maud, effortlessly moving a rock Trixie could barely shift. Now that she knew Maud cared about her even deciphering her mood seemed possible, if still hard. Making small talk with her was more enjoyable than silence, at least, and Maud seemed to enjoy it even if she didn’t show. Of course, with how her luck had been, something had to go wrong. “What, is this all?” Trixie was pointing at a paltry pile of bits in front of her. “I do back-breaking labor the whole day and that is all I get?” Igneous Rock looked impassive. “That, plus food and a bed. I said from the start that we can’t pay much.” “Of course, you can’t pay more.” Trixie waved her hoof. “Look at this. I bet I could run the farm better than you.” Igneous Rock’s eye was starting to twitch. “You bet, you say?” “Yes, I bet my wages! The Great and Powerful Trixie can do anything! Of course —” “Mother will be disappointed.” Maud’s monotone voice shattered the discussion like a stone thrown at a glass, leaving the two arguing ponies looking sheepishly. “Sorry —” “I got carried —” The two ponies looked at each other, then looked down. “Trixie needs her wages. We need a farmhand.” Trixie tried to look at Maud’s eyes, but couldn’t hold her gaze steady. “You are right. I need the job. But I need to get my life back, and at this rate it will take months —” “Trixie and I will do our chores; Trixie will get her full wage. I will help Trixie make the farm earn more bits; we will split the extra income. Is this acceptable?” Igneous Rock gave her daughter a shy smile. “Can you keep this a secret from Cloudy? If she finds out I lost my temper…” “I will not tell.” Trixie felt her cheeks burn as Igneous Rock fixed at her. “Your secret is safe with Trixie.” He laughed. “Then I accept. I don’t know what Maud saw in you, but if she trusts you, I can trust you too. I’m goin’ to tell of our arrangement to Cloudy; see you at lunch.” After Igneous Rock left, Trixie allowed her eyebrows to furrow as her head tilted. “Thank you; I really need this job. But why did you make that offer?” “I know you can do it.” “So,” Trixie lifted her head high, laughing. “you are using the Great and Powerful Trixie to help the farm? Well played.” “You can’t do it without me.” Trixie blinked. Sarcasm? It was hard to tell with the monotone voice and the expressionless face. But she had a point. “Well,” Trixie rubbed her neck, “how exactly does the farm earn bits?” Author's Note Yes, I like Knights of the Old Republic. Feel free to point flaws, errors, or to make suggestions; I'm here to learn. Making BitsTrixie snapped out of her doze as a tiny pebble hit her head. Groggily, she said, “Sorry.” “I don’t mind.” Listening to a full explanation about how rock farming works was boring; listening to a full explanation about how rock farming works, delivered in Maud’s monotone voice and repetitive phrasing, required a heroic effort to stay awake. Early in the explanation Trixie asked Maud to wake her if she drowsed off again, and as with anything she did Maud chose stones to do the job. Trixie shook her head to drive away the drowsiness. “I think I’ve heard enough; correct me if I’m wrong. The farm can grow, or develop, stones in specific ways; it’s a long process, but still cheaper than quarrying stones of the quality you make. The main produce of the farm is ornamental stones, and you can also provide stones that meet specific requirements given enough time.” “You are right.” Trixie nodded. “What about advertisement? Going to fairs?” “Our customers know the farm. I went with my father to fairs before; it never helped.” Trixie’s mouth went agape. Maud and Igneous Rock trying to sell their wares on a fair? No wonder it never helped. Still, something bugged Trixie. “I’m guessing advertisement and going to fairs isn’t why you decided to help me.” “It is not.” Trixie cocked one eyebrow. “Then why?” “The stones with special requirements. We don’t understand why some ponies pay so much for them.” “Well,” Trixie scratched her ear, “aren’t those stones flawless, or made to fit exact places? That kind of work seems expensive.” “Some stones are; not all of them.” Trixie’s ears swiveled towards Maud. “What about those other stones?” “Those stones do not look perfect. Some look rough. A big client is coming in a few days; I will show you then.” “Okay, I’ll wait. But we can make some extra bits before that. Do you still have the cart and stall you used in fairs?” Trixie looked at the stone in front of her, her eyes narrowed in concentration. It was the last one for today, and Maud should be back with the cart and the stall soon. A few more taps with the hammer and… There! Trixie smiled as the stone split in half. The chores of the day were done, with enough time left to plan the trip. “Maud told me you two are goin’ to the fair tomorrow.” Igneous Rock stopped in front of Trixie. “You didn’t forget about our deal, I take it. That you would still do your chores.” “Don’t worry.” Trixie was beaming. “I’ve just finished my chores for today.” Igneous Rock pointed at something behind Trixie. “And your chores for tomorrow?” Trixie looked at what he was pointing, her pupils shrinking as she noticed the pile of rocks. “What?” “If you won’t be here tomorrow you will need to finish the chores for tomorrow too before leaving.” Trixie’s ears deflated. “But…” His eyebrows lowering gently, Igneous Rock shook his head slowly. “I don’t want to be harsh, but we have a deal. You can go on your day off, or you can do chores in advance until you are a day ahead of schedule. But I can’t allow you to leave your chores behind.” “I will help.” Igneous Rock looked at Maud, who had just arrived pulling a loaded cart. “As long as both your chores and Trixie’s for today and tomorrow are done you can go.” “Understood.” Maud took off the harness. “Then I will let you girls to your work. See you at dinner.” He waved and walked away. Trixie levitated her hammer to Maud, leaving it at her hooves, and turned towards the house. “Here, take this. I will go get another hammer, perhaps we can finish in time for dinner.” She heard a loud noise from behind her, sounding like… a woodpecker pecking stone? “I don’t need the hammer.” Trixie turned back, her chin almost hitting the ground. The pile of rocks was reduced to a pile of rubble on the ground, just the right size to be carted away. “How…” “I hit it.” Trixie woke the next day in high spirits. She was humming to herself as she knocked on Maud’s door. “Come on, Maud, we agreed to leave before sunrise!” “Coming.” Her voice was the exactly same monotone as always. The door opened, Trixie taking a look on Maud’s blank face. “Good, you were awake. Let’s —” “I was sleeping.” Wait, she has the same voice and face seconds after waking? Trixie shook her head and pointed down, her smile returning. “Anyway, let’s eat breakfast and hit the road.” The two ponies were soon crossing the country, Maud pulling a cart fully loaded with the best stones from the farm (“It’s just stone,” she said when Trixie asked to help) and Trixie pulling the cart with the stall. Maud, for once, broke the silence. “You seem happy.” “Oh, I am happy!” Trixie almost bounced, despite the attached cart. “It’s just like old times, before all that mess in Ponyville! Well, that is if I was a traveling stone salespony, but being on the road again, expecting ponies to welcome me at a new town…” Trixie looked down. “That is, if that horrible rumor about Trixie being a fake magician didn’t arrive first.” “You are not going as a magician. You are going as a stone salespony.” Trixie chuckled, a sly smile gracing her lips. “True. I can’t let that get me down. Even if I’m not going as a magician, I’m still the Great Trixie, and I do know how to draw a crowd.” “Well, that went better than I expected.” Trixie looked at the empty cart Maud was pulling. “They purchased even the peebles! You sure know every use for a rock.” Maud looked back at her. “You know how to make ponies interested.” “Ha! That Trixie does. It’s how I earned bits before; making ponies so interested they would pay just to see the Great and Powerful Trixie.” “Ponies were interested in seeing our stall.” The image came back to Trixie; she had used a few spells to make slabs glow in different colors, and Maud proved surprisingly good at arranging the stones in a pleasant way. It was not just Trixie, though; she found an artist that could draw pleasant images in rock and had him draw flowers and landscapes on some of the slabs, which Maud proceeded to carve. Trixie hated to admit, but a mare carving stone with her bare hooves might have drawn a larger public than the glowing stones, and the carvings did sell like hot cakes. Or perhaps hot rock cakes. Though, of course, Trixie couldn’t use the spells, fireworks, and the fanfare she had in her own shows. Trixie looked at the strongbox securely tied in her own cart. “I wonder how much I’ve earned.” “About a week’s worth of wages, with lodging and food converted to bits.” Trixie opened and closed her mouth before asking, “How do you know? And didn’t we sell more?” “I handle the bits back at the farm. And that is your part. There’s another identical part for me, and the cost of the stone.” “Good to hear it, ladies. Now pass those bits here.” “Yes, pass them.” The two mares looked at the new speakers, a pair of lanky earth pony stallions with a dangerous look in their eyes, both white. Trixie glanced at Maud and back at the stallions, a vicious smile appearing in her face. This might be fun, and she had a pony that could smash stones with her bare hooves to help if things went out of hoof. “You dare challenge the magical might of the Great and Powerful Trixie? Don’t you know that Trixie could defeat you with barely any effort?” The larger of the stallions shot her an incredulous look. “Wait, you are Trixie?” “Yes, you are in the presence of the Great and Powerful Trixie. Now run away before —” She was cut short by laughter. “Wow, you are the fake magician?” Trixie’s nostrils flared. “I heard that you fled from a cub.” The fur along her spine stood up. “I heard she was beaten up by a librarian!” Trixie turned to Maud, her voice cold and controlled. “If they try to flee, crush them.” “Sure.” Trixie turned back to the two stallions, her horn glowing. “Now, about you…” “Look, bro.” one of them pointed up, snickering. “A tiny raincloud. Is she trying to give us a cold?” “Or perhaps —” The other one’s ears perked as a flute sounded. “— she wants to put us to sleep.” “Hey, a tiny rainbow! Isn’t she cute?” The first one was again pointing up. Trixie’s cold eyes fixed on the two stallions. “Laugh while you can, ruffians.The Great and Powerful Trixie used those spells to vanquish mares far more talented than you two put together.” “How, did they stand in awe at the rain—” The rainbow floated in the air, circling around the stallions in ever increasing speeds. Before they could react they were spinning in a colorful whirlwind, screaming all the while. A rope shoot from Trixie’s cart and lassoed the whirlwind as it rose in the air, quickly vanishing in the circling rainbow. The whirlwind floated over Maud’s empty cart, depositing its load inside. Trixie walked towards the two bound ponies, her horn glowing as she secured them to the cart. “For your information, ruffians, Trixie might not have defeated the Ursa, but she faced the beast. A beast higher than a house, with teeth larger than your head. And —” A lightning bolt struck the ground behind her. “— Trixie struck the beast with deathly spells that could have easily defeated a pony. Thank the merciful Trixie for not using those spells on you.” The two ponies nodded fervently but silently, their muzzles bound by the rope. “By the way, I would not try to escape if I were you.” Trixie glanced at Maud. Maud stood immobile. “Maud, show what will happen if they try to flee.” Maud continued immobile. Trixie took a hoof to her face. “Maud, crush a rock.” The color fled from the two ponies as they watched a simple mare crush a rock with her bare hooves. Maud looked at Trixie. “You are scary.” Author's Note Feel free to point flaws, errors, or to make suggestions; I'm here to learn. It's MagicTrixie lay down on her bed, her unfocused eyes pointed at the ceiling. The publicity from the fair and word of mouth were drawing more ponies to purchase stones at the farm, and Igneous Rock was gracious enough to give Trixie a raise. There was also the reward for the bandits and the profits from the fair; though she couldn’t count on more of those; she wasn’t here to hunt bandits, and new trips to the fair before new clients could appear would be a waste of time. Trixie sighed. Even with those extra bits it would be a couple months before Trixie could get back to the roads with a wagon of her own, a couple of months living as a simple rock farmer. “Come.” Trixie looked at Maud through the open door, wondering what could make the quiet mare enter another pony’s room. Maud went to her own bedroom, leading Trixie, and pointed at the window. Looking out of the window Trixie gasped. “Princess Celestia! What is she doing here?” “The Princess came to collect stones.” Trixie’s eyebrows clumped together. “What, her stones? Does she always comes here?” “Stones for her school. The stones are usually delivered to a guard.” Celestia spoke something to the bowed ponies in front of her — Igneous Rock and Cloudy Quartz, Trixie recognized — and looked at the house. For a moment Trixie imagined Celestia was looking directly at her; it ended quickly, though, as Celestia stepped inside her chariot and took off. Maud looked directly at Trixie. “Can you tell why the Princess purchases those stones?” “Perhaps.” Trixie raised an eyebrow. “Do you know which kinds of stone she purchases?” Maud pointed at an open box by the window. “Samples.” “Can you identify them?” Maud nodded. A smile spreading in her face, Trixie asked, “Does this town have a library?” As it turned out the town did have a Library. Outside it was a featureless, if large, gray stone box, with a few windows and a large front door. At least it was fire proof. Trixie was looking at one of the few books about magic in the whole library. “Those stones are for potion making. They must be ground up to be used; it’s why Celestia doesn’t care what those stones look like.” Maud looked up from a book on stones. “Can we sell them? To others?” “We might be able to. But I’m not exactly on friendly terms with any alchemist; it will take time to find buyers, perhaps months.” Trixie went to put the book back on the shelf when she noticed a familiar name in a binding; Stone Cold. She heard that name at Celestia’s School, of that she was certain. Was it at the Artifacts class? Pulling the book she saw that it was a journal. “Found something?” Trixie looked at the book floating in her magic aura. “This one piqued my curiosity. I think I will take it back home.” It had been two weeks already since Trixie started working at the farm. Things had fallen into a pattern; go to the fair once per week, do the chores the other days, sleep, eat. It was calming, at least, and nopony had called her a fake during that time, apart from those bandits. Still, something was missing. Trixie sighed, looking back at her salad. “Are you all right, sugar?” Trixie looked at Cloudy’s kind eyes. “I was just thinking about my old life. I miss the shows, the magic, the fireworks…” Cloudy took Trixie’s hoof on her own. “I know, dear. But don’t worry, you will be back to your old life before you notice it.” Her eyes suddenly glimmered. “Wait, ya said fireworks? My cousin Rose Quartz is throwing a birthday party in a couple days; perhaps I can convince her to have fireworks. Would you like that?” Trixie smiled. “It would help, thank you. I would need to make the fireworks, but I think I can find most of the material here on the farm…” Trixie’s eyes went wide, her mouth agape. Cloudy inched close. “Dear?” “Maud, that’s it! Fireworks! They use the same mineral ingredients as potions, and I know who to sell them to!” Trixie stood, stumbling in her haste. “Maud, come! I have some letters to write, and I need your help to know which materials we can offer!” “Sure.” Maud stood and left. Around the table four ponies stood baffled, looking at where Maud was sitting before. Trixie’s voice sounded from the stairs. “Oh, and if your cousin wants fireworks, tell her that she can have the greatest firework display she has ever seen. It will serve as advertisement, even!” Trixie looked at the fireworks in her hooves. The fireworks display at Rose Quartz’s party had been the talk of the town for the last week, making Trixie the pony to go if anypony needed fireworks. Igneous Rock allowed her to make fireworks in the farm, as long as she did so in her free time and stored them away from the house and the silo, and gave her a discount on the materials the farm could provide; between that, and the requests for raw materials for fireworks that were starting to come — of which Trixie got a cut, as per her standing deal with Igneous Rock — Trixie was earning bits far faster than before. In just a week she should have enough bits saved to get a new wagon, complete with everything she needs for her shows. And if everything else fails, if ponies still think of me as a fake, I can always return here, perhaps lie low for a while. Trixie looked back at the journal she had taken from the library. She knew a bit more about the pony from the journal, she knew that he was important, but she couldn’t remember why; perhaps if she had paid more attention to the classes... The journal itself was unbelievably boring; Stone Cold was an earth pony with great interest in unicorn artifacts, but he had a tendency to just ramble on and on, filling pages and pages with incessant drivel. Trixie wondered if anypony could read that volume without going insane. No matter; she would be ready to go in a week, at which point she would return the journal to the library and forget about it. She left the journal fall upon her workbench… And a piece of paper dropped. Trixie took it in her magic, examining it. The paper was a receipt from a curio shop; Stone Cold apparently sold something to the shop for the sum of… Trixie’s jaw dropped. That was more than she would spend on her whole wagon! What in equestria could be worth so much? Intrigued, Trixie opened the journal, quickly flipping pages back and forth. After a few minutes she found what she was looking for, a page where a square paper was previously attached. This time the author’s incessant drivel might be useful; if he wrote down every little detail, the name of the item would certainly be there. Going back half a dozen pages Trixie found the name she was after, as well as a drawing. “What? He sold the Alicorn Amulet?” A malicious smile took over Trixie’s face; This was just what she needed to win her rematch against Twilight. The amount of bits was a problem, though. Perhaps Igneous Rock will allow me to remain here for a couple more months, until I earn enough to purchase the amulet... Author's Note The next chapter happens after Magic Duel; it also references another story of mine, Fireworks for a Princess. Feel free to point flaws, errors, or to make suggestions; I'm here to learn. BackTrixie got out of the train, proudly wearing her hat and cape once more. She looked around; it was still the same old, gray and brown town, but now it wasn’t oppressive anymore. Without the weight of her failure pressing on her Trixie could see the beauty in the details. The flower pots gracing a window, the flowers painting a mosaic of color; glittering stones tracing patterns in a wall; crystal windows with intricate paneling, some as beautiful as the palace’s own glass work. She walked around, trying to place faces. She recognized Rose Quartz, but almost nopony else; last time she was here Trixie rarely came to the town, hidden from the world in a rock farm. “Trixie!” Looking where the voice came from Trixie saw Igneous Rock smiling at her. “Hello, Iggy. How’s the farm?” “Doin’ better now that Maud learned which stones potion makers and firework makers want. Do you know people still ask when we will get our salesmare back?” Trixie laughed. “I might try it again someday, but not now. I need material to make fireworks, a lot of it. Princess Luna has hired me to create the greatest firework show in the history of Canterlot, and the Great Trixie will sure make it happen!” Igneous Rock lowered his eyebrows. “You aren’t boasting again, are you?” Her laughter took a musical quality. “No, not this time; I have really been hired by Princess Luna.” Igneous Rock eyed her carefully. “You have changed, you know. When you left you smiled like you were going to crush somepony under your hoof; now you smile like you are happy. You remind me of my hyperactive daughter, she always has a true smile on her face.” “The one that lives in Ponyville?” Trixie blinked. “Wait, is she a pink pony that deals with everything like a party?” Author's Note Feel free to point flaws, errors, or to make suggestions; I'm here to learn.
The Gray CityTrixie looked around, her head sagging. This was the dullest village she had ever seen; everywhere she looked it was the same dull gray and muted brown, the same identical stone facades, the same lack of decoration or color. The ponies were just as dull. In other villages the ponies at least came to her shows, even if just to poke fun at her; in this one nopony even showed. She let her haunches fall to the ground, groaning. Do ponies here even know what fun is? How is a showmare supposed to earn a living in this village? Just laying there was alluring. Why even bother trying? Everywhere she went Trixie was ridiculed, seen as just a joke, a fake. Even her stage name, “The Great and Powerful Trixie”, was tainted; if it was mentioned by anypony at all it was to a chorus guffaws, of ponies snickering, like a cruel soundtrack meant to crush the performer. Tempting as just staying down was, her stomach spoke louder than her head. Trixie scanned around; no ponies close enough to have heard. She felt her neck relax even as she stood on her wobbling hooves; the last thing she needed was to be taken for a vagrant. First things first, then. Food. She was out of bits, but perhaps somepony would be generous with her… No. Her head jolted upright. I am The Great and Powerful Trixie. I can earn my lunch without begging even if nopony wants to watch my performance. Trixie approached a bakery and looked at the shop window, filled with all kinds of baked goods. All those mouth watering cakes, muffins, breads… Her stomach betrayed her again, louder this time. “Are you new here, dear?” Trixie felt her face heat up even as her ears dropped. She surveyed the speaker; like everything else in this village she was gray, light gray for the body with a dark gray mane. Even her cutie mark was gray; three rocks. The only splashes of color on her were her golden spectacles, a golden necklet, and her blue eyes. It’s not her fault, though Trixie. There was something calming about the older mare, a gentle tone in her voice. Perhaps she can help me find a job, at least until other ponies forget about what happened in Ponyville. Trixie cleared her throat in an attempt to steady her voice. “I’m just a traveling performer, but this town doesn’t seem to need my services. Do you know where I can find a job, earn a few bits?” The older mare nodded once. “I do know where you can find a job.” She pointed to the bakery door. “Why don’t we talk inside over some tea and cakes? I would love to hear about your travels, life in the old farm can get a little…” she touched a hoof to her chin. “Uneventful.” Trixie rubbed her neck, letting a lock of her mane fall in front of her face. “Can’t we discuss the job here? I’m not hungry.” The older mare looked over Trixie for a few seconds, an understanding smile in her face. “I insist. Hearin’ your story is sure worth treatin’ you to some tea. My name is Cloudy Quartz, but you can call me Cloudy.” Trixie lifted her head, a gleam in her eyes. If Cloudy was giving her lunch in exchange for a story, Trixie would make it worth every last bit. On the other hoof, perhaps I should drop the Great and Powerful thing for a while. “My name is Trixie, Magician Extraordinaire. Prepare to hear some of the most spectacular stories ever heard by ponykind!” “... and that is how Trixie saved the town of Ponyville from the rampage of an Ursa Minor, with a little help of the town librarian.” Trixie finished another muffin and took a sip of the tea. “That was sure excitin’.” Cloudy lifted her spectacles and looked directly at Trixie. “But you know, I do have a daughter livin’ in Ponyville.” Trixie gulped. Uh oh. “She told that story in a different way. How a traveling magician had bragged about being able to vanquish an Ursa Major, but in the end couldn’t even handle an Ursa Minor and fled after her ruse was discovered.” Trixie’s ears went flush against her falling head as she made a motion to stand. “If you want me to leave —” Cloudy glared at the magician, her voice assuming a commanding tone. “Ya sit there and listen to the end. I’m not finished with you, for granite’s sake.” Her voice, and glare, softened. “She also told me that the magician stood against the Ursa. She did try to save the town, even though she knew she was a fake. First rule if you are going to work for me, you don’t lie. Not to myself, not to my family, not to our customers.” Trixie blinked. “Wait, what?” “You need a job. My husband needs more help with the Pie family farm. If you are ready to work, I can take ya.” Cloudy left some bits on the table and stood. “You comin’?” Author's Note Feel free to point flaws, errors, or to make suggestions; I'm here to learn.
Farming RocksTrixie eyed the farm; like everything else in the town it was gray and brown. In the center of a large field covered with loose stones stood a fenced area; inside the fence there was a gray tower silo, a windmill, and a two-story farmhouse. The small fenced area was also notable for what it lacked; stones. “Now, sugar, wait here. I will get my husband.” Trixie nodded and tried to smile, though her smile didn’t reach her eyes. She had never worked for another pony before — or, at least, not after leaving Celestia’s school, but that didn’t count — so her head raced through everything that could happen. And, the longer she waited, the worser the possibilities she imagined. Trixie was ready to bolt when a large brown stallion left the house. She couldn’t help but stare at the old fashioned way he looked; his mane was close cropped, light gray and white, and he wore a black necktie and a black wide brim hat. His cutie mark was a pickaxe. The stallion focused on her, his face unreadably neutral. “All right, so you are the helper Cloudy found. Any experience with rock farmin’?” Trixie gulped, remembering her promise to Cloudy. “Uh…” The corners of his mouth quirked up. “Calm down... Trixie, wasn’t it? The job is hard, but simple; I’m sure you will learn fast. The work starts just after the Sun rises, so you better be an early riser or learn to become one. We can’t pay much, but lodgin’ and food is included. Still interested?” Trixie let go her breath, noticing that she had been holding it. For her first job interview it wasn’t as scary as she thought. “I am. Mister...” “Igneous Rock. You will be working with Maud; she can teach you all that you’ll need.” He looked to the field, where a gray mare was… sniffing? … the rocks. “Maud, come here.” Maud looked at them and started walking, never raising her pace. Watching her, Trixie almost groaned; she was slow, her purple mane styled with a straight cut, her cutie mark a stone. This Maud seemed to embody the opposite of everything Trixie learned as a showmare. When Maud finally arrived she surprised Trixie again by being so un-Trixie. Her face never changed expression, her voice kept to a single tone, as she asked her father, “Did you call me?” Working with Maud was a… unique experience. She seemed unable to express emotions, no matter how happy, frustrated, irritated, whatever she should be; Maud would talk to Trixie in the exact same tone whether she was instructing her, reprimanding her, reciting some rock poetry, or even attempting a rock joke. For a showmare like Trixie, for whom learning to read the audience is a survival trait, it was deeply unsettling. Trixie made various attempts at small talk while working, telling stories of her days at Celestia’s school and about her travels, but she soon gave up; not only it was impossible to gauge if Maud was interested, her answers were invariably monotonous. Soon Trixie was concentrating only on her work, talking to Maud only when needed. The end of the work day, when the Pie family got together for supper, was a relief, but it wasn’t the end of Trixie’s problems. Without practice in using her levitation for such a long period of time, and with such heavy things as stone, Trixie could feel her neck and horn throbbing, the effort of the day taking its toll. Her magic was unsteady as she attempted to lift a spoon, wobbling all the way to her plate, so much that for the rest of the dinner she used her hooves to eat earth pony style. At least nopony laughed at her misery; at that point, Trixie was glad for any small blessing that came her way. After supper Trixie went directly to bed, complaining under her breath when she found out that her mattress was as stone hard. Despite that she slipped into sleep as soon as her head hit the hay despite the stone hard bed, but not even sleep brought relief; Trixie dreamed she was back in Ponyville, but this time, instead of the myriad ponies watching her, every pony had the same unreadable face as Maud. She woke in the middle of the night, desperately clinging to her pillow while whimpering softly. Trixie blinked, groggily shaking her head in an attempt to clear away her drowsiness. “What?” “The Sun has risen,” repeated Maud in the same deadpan tone. “Breakfast is on the table.” Trixie got up wondering what Maud was feeling. Annoyance at having to wake her? Concern? Was she just being friendly? It was strange, not having a clue, but Trixie just shook her head; if she was going to spend any time here she needed to get used to it. Descending the stairs Trixie found the Pie family around the table, talking in polite, if animated, tones. She noticed the two younger sisters, one a pale gray mare with darker mane, the other a darker purplish-gray mare with almost white mane. Sitting, Trixie took a daisy sandwich with her magic and smiled sheepishly. “Sorry about yesterday, I was too tired.” “Your magic is steady now.” Trixie looked at Maud, eyebrows furrowing together. “Thanks… I guess?” Cloudy’s clear laugh cut through the conversation. “Don’t worry, dear. You’re not the first to be stumped with our Maud here. But she does seem to like you, I’m sure you will be understanding each other in no time.” Maud looked from her mother to Trixie. “If you want I can say what I’m feeling.” Trixie took a hoof to her chin, wondering how it would sound; certainly strange. Kindness; your magic is steady now. Her face contorting in an effort to suppress a laugh, she looked back at Maud. “No, thanks. I will take my chances with guessing.” “Can you handle today’s chores?” Trixie looked at Maud; she was going to assume she spoke in concern. And her horn was certainly feeling better. “Well, I am the Great Trixie. I can handle a few rocks.” It certainly was more than a few rocks. On the other hoof, Trixie didn’t feel as tired as in the previous day; she had eaten well and slept in a good, if hard, bed for a change, and that had done wonders to her disposition. The hard work also helped her forget about how she was humiliated whenever she attempted her show routine those last weeks. She looked back at Maud, effortlessly moving a rock Trixie could barely shift. Now that she knew Maud cared about her even deciphering her mood seemed possible, if still hard. Making small talk with her was more enjoyable than silence, at least, and Maud seemed to enjoy it even if she didn’t show. Of course, with how her luck had been, something had to go wrong. “What, is this all?” Trixie was pointing at a paltry pile of bits in front of her. “I do back-breaking labor the whole day and that is all I get?” Igneous Rock looked impassive. “That, plus food and a bed. I said from the start that we can’t pay much.” “Of course, you can’t pay more.” Trixie waved her hoof. “Look at this. I bet I could run the farm better than you.” Igneous Rock’s eye was starting to twitch. “You bet, you say?” “Yes, I bet my wages! The Great and Powerful Trixie can do anything! Of course —” “Mother will be disappointed.” Maud’s monotone voice shattered the discussion like a stone thrown at a glass, leaving the two arguing ponies looking sheepishly. “Sorry —” “I got carried —” The two ponies looked at each other, then looked down. “Trixie needs her wages. We need a farmhand.” Trixie tried to look at Maud’s eyes, but couldn’t hold her gaze steady. “You are right. I need the job. But I need to get my life back, and at this rate it will take months —” “Trixie and I will do our chores; Trixie will get her full wage. I will help Trixie make the farm earn more bits; we will split the extra income. Is this acceptable?” Igneous Rock gave her daughter a shy smile. “Can you keep this a secret from Cloudy? If she finds out I lost my temper…” “I will not tell.” Trixie felt her cheeks burn as Igneous Rock fixed at her. “Your secret is safe with Trixie.” He laughed. “Then I accept. I don’t know what Maud saw in you, but if she trusts you, I can trust you too. I’m goin’ to tell of our arrangement to Cloudy; see you at lunch.” After Igneous Rock left, Trixie allowed her eyebrows to furrow as her head tilted. “Thank you; I really need this job. But why did you make that offer?” “I know you can do it.” “So,” Trixie lifted her head high, laughing. “you are using the Great and Powerful Trixie to help the farm? Well played.” “You can’t do it without me.” Trixie blinked. Sarcasm? It was hard to tell with the monotone voice and the expressionless face. But she had a point. “Well,” Trixie rubbed her neck, “how exactly does the farm earn bits?” Author's Note Yes, I like Knights of the Old Republic. Feel free to point flaws, errors, or to make suggestions; I'm here to learn.
Making BitsTrixie snapped out of her doze as a tiny pebble hit her head. Groggily, she said, “Sorry.” “I don’t mind.” Listening to a full explanation about how rock farming works was boring; listening to a full explanation about how rock farming works, delivered in Maud’s monotone voice and repetitive phrasing, required a heroic effort to stay awake. Early in the explanation Trixie asked Maud to wake her if she drowsed off again, and as with anything she did Maud chose stones to do the job. Trixie shook her head to drive away the drowsiness. “I think I’ve heard enough; correct me if I’m wrong. The farm can grow, or develop, stones in specific ways; it’s a long process, but still cheaper than quarrying stones of the quality you make. The main produce of the farm is ornamental stones, and you can also provide stones that meet specific requirements given enough time.” “You are right.” Trixie nodded. “What about advertisement? Going to fairs?” “Our customers know the farm. I went with my father to fairs before; it never helped.” Trixie’s mouth went agape. Maud and Igneous Rock trying to sell their wares on a fair? No wonder it never helped. Still, something bugged Trixie. “I’m guessing advertisement and going to fairs isn’t why you decided to help me.” “It is not.” Trixie cocked one eyebrow. “Then why?” “The stones with special requirements. We don’t understand why some ponies pay so much for them.” “Well,” Trixie scratched her ear, “aren’t those stones flawless, or made to fit exact places? That kind of work seems expensive.” “Some stones are; not all of them.” Trixie’s ears swiveled towards Maud. “What about those other stones?” “Those stones do not look perfect. Some look rough. A big client is coming in a few days; I will show you then.” “Okay, I’ll wait. But we can make some extra bits before that. Do you still have the cart and stall you used in fairs?” Trixie looked at the stone in front of her, her eyes narrowed in concentration. It was the last one for today, and Maud should be back with the cart and the stall soon. A few more taps with the hammer and… There! Trixie smiled as the stone split in half. The chores of the day were done, with enough time left to plan the trip. “Maud told me you two are goin’ to the fair tomorrow.” Igneous Rock stopped in front of Trixie. “You didn’t forget about our deal, I take it. That you would still do your chores.” “Don’t worry.” Trixie was beaming. “I’ve just finished my chores for today.” Igneous Rock pointed at something behind Trixie. “And your chores for tomorrow?” Trixie looked at what he was pointing, her pupils shrinking as she noticed the pile of rocks. “What?” “If you won’t be here tomorrow you will need to finish the chores for tomorrow too before leaving.” Trixie’s ears deflated. “But…” His eyebrows lowering gently, Igneous Rock shook his head slowly. “I don’t want to be harsh, but we have a deal. You can go on your day off, or you can do chores in advance until you are a day ahead of schedule. But I can’t allow you to leave your chores behind.” “I will help.” Igneous Rock looked at Maud, who had just arrived pulling a loaded cart. “As long as both your chores and Trixie’s for today and tomorrow are done you can go.” “Understood.” Maud took off the harness. “Then I will let you girls to your work. See you at dinner.” He waved and walked away. Trixie levitated her hammer to Maud, leaving it at her hooves, and turned towards the house. “Here, take this. I will go get another hammer, perhaps we can finish in time for dinner.” She heard a loud noise from behind her, sounding like… a woodpecker pecking stone? “I don’t need the hammer.” Trixie turned back, her chin almost hitting the ground. The pile of rocks was reduced to a pile of rubble on the ground, just the right size to be carted away. “How…” “I hit it.” Trixie woke the next day in high spirits. She was humming to herself as she knocked on Maud’s door. “Come on, Maud, we agreed to leave before sunrise!” “Coming.” Her voice was the exactly same monotone as always. The door opened, Trixie taking a look on Maud’s blank face. “Good, you were awake. Let’s —” “I was sleeping.” Wait, she has the same voice and face seconds after waking? Trixie shook her head and pointed down, her smile returning. “Anyway, let’s eat breakfast and hit the road.” The two ponies were soon crossing the country, Maud pulling a cart fully loaded with the best stones from the farm (“It’s just stone,” she said when Trixie asked to help) and Trixie pulling the cart with the stall. Maud, for once, broke the silence. “You seem happy.” “Oh, I am happy!” Trixie almost bounced, despite the attached cart. “It’s just like old times, before all that mess in Ponyville! Well, that is if I was a traveling stone salespony, but being on the road again, expecting ponies to welcome me at a new town…” Trixie looked down. “That is, if that horrible rumor about Trixie being a fake magician didn’t arrive first.” “You are not going as a magician. You are going as a stone salespony.” Trixie chuckled, a sly smile gracing her lips. “True. I can’t let that get me down. Even if I’m not going as a magician, I’m still the Great Trixie, and I do know how to draw a crowd.” “Well, that went better than I expected.” Trixie looked at the empty cart Maud was pulling. “They purchased even the peebles! You sure know every use for a rock.” Maud looked back at her. “You know how to make ponies interested.” “Ha! That Trixie does. It’s how I earned bits before; making ponies so interested they would pay just to see the Great and Powerful Trixie.” “Ponies were interested in seeing our stall.” The image came back to Trixie; she had used a few spells to make slabs glow in different colors, and Maud proved surprisingly good at arranging the stones in a pleasant way. It was not just Trixie, though; she found an artist that could draw pleasant images in rock and had him draw flowers and landscapes on some of the slabs, which Maud proceeded to carve. Trixie hated to admit, but a mare carving stone with her bare hooves might have drawn a larger public than the glowing stones, and the carvings did sell like hot cakes. Or perhaps hot rock cakes. Though, of course, Trixie couldn’t use the spells, fireworks, and the fanfare she had in her own shows. Trixie looked at the strongbox securely tied in her own cart. “I wonder how much I’ve earned.” “About a week’s worth of wages, with lodging and food converted to bits.” Trixie opened and closed her mouth before asking, “How do you know? And didn’t we sell more?” “I handle the bits back at the farm. And that is your part. There’s another identical part for me, and the cost of the stone.” “Good to hear it, ladies. Now pass those bits here.” “Yes, pass them.” The two mares looked at the new speakers, a pair of lanky earth pony stallions with a dangerous look in their eyes, both white. Trixie glanced at Maud and back at the stallions, a vicious smile appearing in her face. This might be fun, and she had a pony that could smash stones with her bare hooves to help if things went out of hoof. “You dare challenge the magical might of the Great and Powerful Trixie? Don’t you know that Trixie could defeat you with barely any effort?” The larger of the stallions shot her an incredulous look. “Wait, you are Trixie?” “Yes, you are in the presence of the Great and Powerful Trixie. Now run away before —” She was cut short by laughter. “Wow, you are the fake magician?” Trixie’s nostrils flared. “I heard that you fled from a cub.” The fur along her spine stood up. “I heard she was beaten up by a librarian!” Trixie turned to Maud, her voice cold and controlled. “If they try to flee, crush them.” “Sure.” Trixie turned back to the two stallions, her horn glowing. “Now, about you…” “Look, bro.” one of them pointed up, snickering. “A tiny raincloud. Is she trying to give us a cold?” “Or perhaps —” The other one’s ears perked as a flute sounded. “— she wants to put us to sleep.” “Hey, a tiny rainbow! Isn’t she cute?” The first one was again pointing up. Trixie’s cold eyes fixed on the two stallions. “Laugh while you can, ruffians.The Great and Powerful Trixie used those spells to vanquish mares far more talented than you two put together.” “How, did they stand in awe at the rain—” The rainbow floated in the air, circling around the stallions in ever increasing speeds. Before they could react they were spinning in a colorful whirlwind, screaming all the while. A rope shoot from Trixie’s cart and lassoed the whirlwind as it rose in the air, quickly vanishing in the circling rainbow. The whirlwind floated over Maud’s empty cart, depositing its load inside. Trixie walked towards the two bound ponies, her horn glowing as she secured them to the cart. “For your information, ruffians, Trixie might not have defeated the Ursa, but she faced the beast. A beast higher than a house, with teeth larger than your head. And —” A lightning bolt struck the ground behind her. “— Trixie struck the beast with deathly spells that could have easily defeated a pony. Thank the merciful Trixie for not using those spells on you.” The two ponies nodded fervently but silently, their muzzles bound by the rope. “By the way, I would not try to escape if I were you.” Trixie glanced at Maud. Maud stood immobile. “Maud, show what will happen if they try to flee.” Maud continued immobile. Trixie took a hoof to her face. “Maud, crush a rock.” The color fled from the two ponies as they watched a simple mare crush a rock with her bare hooves. Maud looked at Trixie. “You are scary.” Author's Note Feel free to point flaws, errors, or to make suggestions; I'm here to learn.
It's MagicTrixie lay down on her bed, her unfocused eyes pointed at the ceiling. The publicity from the fair and word of mouth were drawing more ponies to purchase stones at the farm, and Igneous Rock was gracious enough to give Trixie a raise. There was also the reward for the bandits and the profits from the fair; though she couldn’t count on more of those; she wasn’t here to hunt bandits, and new trips to the fair before new clients could appear would be a waste of time. Trixie sighed. Even with those extra bits it would be a couple months before Trixie could get back to the roads with a wagon of her own, a couple of months living as a simple rock farmer. “Come.” Trixie looked at Maud through the open door, wondering what could make the quiet mare enter another pony’s room. Maud went to her own bedroom, leading Trixie, and pointed at the window. Looking out of the window Trixie gasped. “Princess Celestia! What is she doing here?” “The Princess came to collect stones.” Trixie’s eyebrows clumped together. “What, her stones? Does she always comes here?” “Stones for her school. The stones are usually delivered to a guard.” Celestia spoke something to the bowed ponies in front of her — Igneous Rock and Cloudy Quartz, Trixie recognized — and looked at the house. For a moment Trixie imagined Celestia was looking directly at her; it ended quickly, though, as Celestia stepped inside her chariot and took off. Maud looked directly at Trixie. “Can you tell why the Princess purchases those stones?” “Perhaps.” Trixie raised an eyebrow. “Do you know which kinds of stone she purchases?” Maud pointed at an open box by the window. “Samples.” “Can you identify them?” Maud nodded. A smile spreading in her face, Trixie asked, “Does this town have a library?” As it turned out the town did have a Library. Outside it was a featureless, if large, gray stone box, with a few windows and a large front door. At least it was fire proof. Trixie was looking at one of the few books about magic in the whole library. “Those stones are for potion making. They must be ground up to be used; it’s why Celestia doesn’t care what those stones look like.” Maud looked up from a book on stones. “Can we sell them? To others?” “We might be able to. But I’m not exactly on friendly terms with any alchemist; it will take time to find buyers, perhaps months.” Trixie went to put the book back on the shelf when she noticed a familiar name in a binding; Stone Cold. She heard that name at Celestia’s School, of that she was certain. Was it at the Artifacts class? Pulling the book she saw that it was a journal. “Found something?” Trixie looked at the book floating in her magic aura. “This one piqued my curiosity. I think I will take it back home.” It had been two weeks already since Trixie started working at the farm. Things had fallen into a pattern; go to the fair once per week, do the chores the other days, sleep, eat. It was calming, at least, and nopony had called her a fake during that time, apart from those bandits. Still, something was missing. Trixie sighed, looking back at her salad. “Are you all right, sugar?” Trixie looked at Cloudy’s kind eyes. “I was just thinking about my old life. I miss the shows, the magic, the fireworks…” Cloudy took Trixie’s hoof on her own. “I know, dear. But don’t worry, you will be back to your old life before you notice it.” Her eyes suddenly glimmered. “Wait, ya said fireworks? My cousin Rose Quartz is throwing a birthday party in a couple days; perhaps I can convince her to have fireworks. Would you like that?” Trixie smiled. “It would help, thank you. I would need to make the fireworks, but I think I can find most of the material here on the farm…” Trixie’s eyes went wide, her mouth agape. Cloudy inched close. “Dear?” “Maud, that’s it! Fireworks! They use the same mineral ingredients as potions, and I know who to sell them to!” Trixie stood, stumbling in her haste. “Maud, come! I have some letters to write, and I need your help to know which materials we can offer!” “Sure.” Maud stood and left. Around the table four ponies stood baffled, looking at where Maud was sitting before. Trixie’s voice sounded from the stairs. “Oh, and if your cousin wants fireworks, tell her that she can have the greatest firework display she has ever seen. It will serve as advertisement, even!” Trixie looked at the fireworks in her hooves. The fireworks display at Rose Quartz’s party had been the talk of the town for the last week, making Trixie the pony to go if anypony needed fireworks. Igneous Rock allowed her to make fireworks in the farm, as long as she did so in her free time and stored them away from the house and the silo, and gave her a discount on the materials the farm could provide; between that, and the requests for raw materials for fireworks that were starting to come — of which Trixie got a cut, as per her standing deal with Igneous Rock — Trixie was earning bits far faster than before. In just a week she should have enough bits saved to get a new wagon, complete with everything she needs for her shows. And if everything else fails, if ponies still think of me as a fake, I can always return here, perhaps lie low for a while. Trixie looked back at the journal she had taken from the library. She knew a bit more about the pony from the journal, she knew that he was important, but she couldn’t remember why; perhaps if she had paid more attention to the classes... The journal itself was unbelievably boring; Stone Cold was an earth pony with great interest in unicorn artifacts, but he had a tendency to just ramble on and on, filling pages and pages with incessant drivel. Trixie wondered if anypony could read that volume without going insane. No matter; she would be ready to go in a week, at which point she would return the journal to the library and forget about it. She left the journal fall upon her workbench… And a piece of paper dropped. Trixie took it in her magic, examining it. The paper was a receipt from a curio shop; Stone Cold apparently sold something to the shop for the sum of… Trixie’s jaw dropped. That was more than she would spend on her whole wagon! What in equestria could be worth so much? Intrigued, Trixie opened the journal, quickly flipping pages back and forth. After a few minutes she found what she was looking for, a page where a square paper was previously attached. This time the author’s incessant drivel might be useful; if he wrote down every little detail, the name of the item would certainly be there. Going back half a dozen pages Trixie found the name she was after, as well as a drawing. “What? He sold the Alicorn Amulet?” A malicious smile took over Trixie’s face; This was just what she needed to win her rematch against Twilight. The amount of bits was a problem, though. Perhaps Igneous Rock will allow me to remain here for a couple more months, until I earn enough to purchase the amulet... Author's Note The next chapter happens after Magic Duel; it also references another story of mine, Fireworks for a Princess. Feel free to point flaws, errors, or to make suggestions; I'm here to learn.
BackTrixie got out of the train, proudly wearing her hat and cape once more. She looked around; it was still the same old, gray and brown town, but now it wasn’t oppressive anymore. Without the weight of her failure pressing on her Trixie could see the beauty in the details. The flower pots gracing a window, the flowers painting a mosaic of color; glittering stones tracing patterns in a wall; crystal windows with intricate paneling, some as beautiful as the palace’s own glass work. She walked around, trying to place faces. She recognized Rose Quartz, but almost nopony else; last time she was here Trixie rarely came to the town, hidden from the world in a rock farm. “Trixie!” Looking where the voice came from Trixie saw Igneous Rock smiling at her. “Hello, Iggy. How’s the farm?” “Doin’ better now that Maud learned which stones potion makers and firework makers want. Do you know people still ask when we will get our salesmare back?” Trixie laughed. “I might try it again someday, but not now. I need material to make fireworks, a lot of it. Princess Luna has hired me to create the greatest firework show in the history of Canterlot, and the Great Trixie will sure make it happen!” Igneous Rock lowered his eyebrows. “You aren’t boasting again, are you?” Her laughter took a musical quality. “No, not this time; I have really been hired by Princess Luna.” Igneous Rock eyed her carefully. “You have changed, you know. When you left you smiled like you were going to crush somepony under your hoof; now you smile like you are happy. You remind me of my hyperactive daughter, she always has a true smile on her face.” “The one that lives in Ponyville?” Trixie blinked. “Wait, is she a pink pony that deals with everything like a party?” Author's Note Feel free to point flaws, errors, or to make suggestions; I'm here to learn.
