The Calamity of Doctor Whirligig Velocity

Chapter 3
v.2.0

The Ponyvillians reintroduced themselves to Trixie as they traveled together along their detour; a few of them were hecklers at her Ponyville show. Trixie had issued a challenge and upstaged them easily. She hadn’t bothered to remember their names, save for Twilight Sparkle; her name was difficult to forget. Trixie challenged her abilities as well, but Twilight was the only one who balked.

Trixie struggled with mixed feelings and felt guilty for wanting to see the lavender unicorn fail at something. She didn’t know Twilight Sparkle had such magical talent and that she was so close to Princess Celestia. It was clear now how Trixie was outclassed so easily. It was foolish of the showmare to think she could stand a chance against the lavender unicorn’s magic. But it seemed even the Princess’ protégé had her challenges and limits.

What was a pony like her doing in a backwater village like Ponyville in the first place? Trixie amused herself with the thought that Twilight might be a royal spy, conducting top-secret… stuff—spy stuff—whatever stuff a royal spy would be doing in Podunk.

Unable to complete her theory, Trixie gave up on the spy idea. Suddenly, she felt a little awkward traveling with other ponies; the cerulean unicorn was accustomed to traveling solo. Once upon a time the talented showmare occasionally had a few hardcore groupies tagging along with her while she toured Equestria. They were often terribly annoying and she couldn’t wait to be rid of them, but unfortunately those days were gone. She missed her loyal adoring fans, even the lame ones who constantly sought her approval and always tried to impress her. Trixie wondered: if she had been nicer to her fans, would any of them still be friends with her?

Trixie sighed and longed for the old days and her old wagon. Only one thing was spared after the Ursa Minor attack: a small music box; it didn’t survive unscathed though. She secretly rescued it from the garbage and it was her last connection to better days.

She daydreamed of how things used to be and pretended that the Ponyville incident never happened. It was a regular fantasy of hers while spending a lot of time on the road. Trixie mentally rehearsed her act, imagining her audience in awe and wonder. Nowadays, if she wasn’t outright chased out of town, her audiences gave her no reaction whatsoever, almost worse than hecklers. She could alter her act, but if nopony cheered or booed, she couldn’t tell if it was just her show failing or if it was just Trixie they despised. Either way, the show must go on, she silently reminded herself. The advice she gave Twilight about making mistakes was something Trixie herself had spent a long time trying to believe and she wasn’t always convinced, but she wasn’t willing to admit it openly.

The afternoon passed into evening and Trixie used her magic to light the small lanterns mounted on her wagon. Soon the Princess of the Night would raise the moon over Equestria, not that anypony could see it with the menacing thunderclouds stretched across the sky.

Bats zipped through the air, snatching insects; soon it would be too dark to see them at all. A few moths gathered by her lanterns and crickets began to sing one-by-one. The showmare disliked traveling by night. She didn’t mind touring a city’s night life, but the showmare felt uncomfortable being out on the road, alone in the dark. It reminded her too much of the night she fled Ponyville after the Ursa Minor incident. Sleeping in her wagon last night with the storm was scary, Trixie was afraid that she would be blown away the moment she fell asleep.

Having the Ponyvillians around for company was somewhat comforting in a strange way. Trixie had felt bitter resentment towards them for a long time, she even had revenge fantasies. However, after spending some time with the Ponyvillians, her everlasting grudge was apparently not as enduring as she expected. At first, when Trixie saw it was Twilight and the hecklers from her show, she was ready to storm off in an angry huff, but the anger never came. Her career was still in ruins, but maybe the showmare forgave them a long time ago and was living in denial. Once Trixie got to know the Ponyvillians a little, they didn’t seem to be as bad as she imagined.

The cerulean unicorn listened to her newfound traveling companions; the pink mare with the cutie mark of party balloons was insufferably annoying. The aptly named Pinkie Pie would not stop jabbering and making her own sound effects. Trixie didn’t know how Twilight put up with her, but she found it to be oddly nostalgic. Pinkie regaled the showmare with stories about the turquoise tomboy pegasus with the rainbow colored mane; she was definitely Rainbow’s groupie. Trixie concealed her smile.

Twilight announced that the group should take a short break; Trixie welcomed a chance to rest and rehydrate. She removed her harness and sat down on the grass next to her wagon. The blond cowgirl shared a bottle of apple juice with everypony and Trixie was surprised to be offered one too. Taking the bottle with her magic, the blue unicorn thanked her and then sipped the refreshing juice through a straw.

“Um, Ms. Trixie?” the yellow pegasus said breathily as she sidled up to the showmare.

“Fluttershy, is it? Please, call me Trixie.” The unicorn took another sip of her juice.

“Oh, okay Trixie. Um, when you talked about the Withered Wood Forest, you hesitated a little.”

“I did?” Trixie looked away to the side.

Her first crossing through the forest was an intimidating experience. She had refused the guide’s offer to lead the way through in exchange for a few bits, and as a result, Trixie had gotten lost for seven hours until she found her way back to where she started.

“I was just wondering, um, what is it like in there?”

Trixie hummed, trying to think of a mild way to describe it to the cowardly pony. “Have you ever been to the wild lands like the Everfree Forest?”

“Yeah,” Fluttershy’s voice quivered.

“It is… similar.” Trixie chose her words carefully. “It’s a darker route because the trees are denser, but there is a guide there who will help us through.”

Unable to cope with scary things, Fluttershy’s body quaked with anxiety and she shriveled away behind the protection of her pink mane. Eyeing Fluttershy, Trixie saw a small fragment of her past, long buried under illusions and bragging. The showmare found that she did not dislike Fluttershy. The unicorn was not keen on revisiting Withered Wood Forest either, but it was the fastest route to Coltsgold. Besides, she couldn’t afford a train ticket if she went west, Trixie would be lucky if she could afford the guide to lead them through the wild lands.

“You know, I have a Tranquility spell that can ease your fear. I used to cast it on myself in my early days, before going on stage. It’s hard to believe that I was once afflicted with stage fright when I was a filly.”

“Are you sure it could help me build confidence? I keep trying, b-but I’m just so nervous. I can’t help being a scaredy pony.” Fluttershy gave a sheepish grin.

“Of course it can, just look at The Great and Powerful Trixie.” The cerulean unicorn put on her show façade. “Once you get used to being out there, it’s easy. Trixie would also appreciate it if you kept what I told you to yourself. Trixie has enough rumors going around as it is,” She requested with a hushed tone.

“Okay then. Just tell me what to do.”

“Just relax and clear your mind.”

Fluttershy clamped her eyes shut while Trixie tried to recall the spell. For a pony this scared, she might need to double the spell’s power. Trixie focused her magic through her alicorn and projected a blanket of calmness around Fluttershy. The glow of her horn faded and the spell was complete. The showmare watched as the yellow pegasus stopped quivering. Her eyes glazed over, eyelids drooped and her face slacked. Something wasn’t right. Cautiously Trixie reached out a hoof, and then Fluttershy suddenly collapsed face-first onto the dirt road.

“Oh… hayseed,” she cursed.

“Alright, girls, the weather looks like it’s going to get worse soon. So let’s pack it up and get moving,” Twilight announced.

A loud thud brought everypony’s attention towards the horrified Trixie, staring wide-eyed at Fluttershy, who was face-down and spread-eagled on the ground. Twilight caught the blushing showmare’s eyes before they darted about nervously.

“Fluttershy?” Rainbow Dash said, racing to her friend’s side.

“What in Equestria happened?” said Applejack.

“Is Fluttershy taking a nap?” Pinkie Pie poked her gently with a hoof. Rainbow Dash called Fluttershy’s name in her ear, but she didn’t move.

“Trixie, what happened?” Twilight inquired, narrowing her eyes.

“I didn’t feel anything,” slurred Fluttershy groggily.

“I-I don’t know what happened—well, not quite what happened. She was so nervous, I cast one of my old Tranquility spells on her, but I thought I needed to power it up a little and then she just…” Trixie blurted out in one long breath. Twilight glared at her.

Rainbow Dash and Rarity helped Fluttershy up, but she was so relaxed she could hardly stand under her own power.

“You are…” Fluttershy inhaled deeply; they waited for her to continue but she trailed off.

“Trixie, you need to change her back right—”

“Awesome,” Fluttershy finished, interrupting Twilight.

“I can’t. I mean, I never had to undo it before. The effects are normally so subtle I never noticed when they wore off. I didn’t know that doubling the power would be this strong.” Trixie backed into the side of her wagon.

“We can’t have Fluttershy comatose for the whole trip!” Twilight exclaimed, seething.

“Well, at least she’s not paralyzed with fear anymore, but I recon this ain’t any better,” stated Applejack.

Twilight Sparkle was a boiling teakettle. How could Trixie do this to her? Didn’t she understand how seriously important royal business was? Twilight felt a mix of frustration, panic and anger.

She reminded herself that she couldn’t lose her cool, not again—at least not so soon after her first panicked outburst. She took a few calming breaths. Twilight was Princess Celestia’s top student, she could handle this. The lavender unicorn could handle anything the universe threw at her, she hoped. Twilight needed to stay calm and take command of the situation. Easy as pie, right?

“Hey, cutie mark.” Fluttershy leaned forward, squinting at Applejack’s flank, apparently mistaking it for her own. “Wait, you’re supposed to be butterflies, not apples.” Applejack backed up and let her focus on her face instead. A light bulb of recognition flashed across Fluttershy’s face.

“This is hilarious!” Spike chuckled. He laughed so hard he fell off of Twilight’s back.

“Uh, I think maybe we should let Fluttershy ride in your wagon so she doesn’t hurt herself,” Twilight said to Trixie, anger no longer in her voice.

“Oh, I’m not hurt Twilight. I’m fine.” Fluttershy staggered towards the wagon. She leaned too far forward, smacked her face on the side and slowly slid down to the ground.

“I’ll stay with her,” Rainbow Dash volunteered. “Come on Fluttershy.” She helped Fluttershy into Trixie’s wagon. By the look on the showmare’s face, Trixie didn’t like having other ponies in her wagon.

“Hey, have you ever considered doing a comedy act, Trixie? You and Fluttershy can make comedy gold!” said Spike with a toothy grin. Trixie cringed and didn’t answer him.

“Whoa! Trixie, there is like no room in your wagon. Are these fireworks?” Rainbow Dash commented. Trixie cringed again.

“Trixie, how long will she be like this?” Twilight demanded.

“I don’t know. It should only last maybe an hour or so at regular strength. But my guess is it might last for several hours, and at most it should clear up by morning.”

Fluttershy suddenly popped her head out of the window in the front of the wagon’s door.

“I am a strong and confident bear,” she proclaimed loudly. The unicorns shared an uneasy glance.

“Trixie is feeling concerned about the number of ponies not making sense today.” Even if this time it was her fault.

“Uh, Fluttershy, do you mean ‘mare’?” corrected Spike.

“Why, what I say?”

“Bear,” Pinkie Pie said, and then Fluttershy giggled hysterically. It sounded so unnatural coming from Fluttershy. Twilight’s stomach tightened, but Spike and Pinkie Pie were utterly amused.

“I’m not a bear… Bears are misunderstood creatures. Ponies think they’re scary, but they’re not once you get to know them.”

“Perhaps if you got to know the woods better, you wouldn’t be so afraid,” Trixie shared another piece of unexpected wisdom.

“That is good advice. I helped a bear last week who was this big,” Fluttershy described animatedly with her hooves. “He had a hangnail,” she ended with a whisper. Rainbow Dash tugged gently on her mane to prevent her from falling through the window.

“Ugh, can we please just keep going without any further problems!” Twilight grumbled.

Trixie felt insecure about having Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash in her wagon. It was both her stage and her personal sanctuary. It was not as good as her original wagon that the Ursa Minor destroyed, but it was home. Normally Trixie would never allow anypony to enter; however, it was her fault that her spell went awry. The showmare’s conscience nagged at her and she knew this was the least she could do for messing things up.

Suddenly the weight of Trixie’s wagon became heavier. The cerulean unicorn looked back to find Pinkie Pie hanging from the side with her head poking into the window.

“What the hay! The Great and Powerful Trixie is not a taxi service!” Trixie shouted.

“Aw, but Fluttershy is being so silly, I don’t want to miss any of it,” explained Pinkie.

“Pinkie Pie, you’re being dreadfully impolite,” Rarity informed her. Twilight ordered Pinkie Pie to get off the wagon and behave. Pinkie sighed and hopped off; however, she kept an ear trained on the wagon, waiting for a good, quotable line from Fluttershy.

The road was long and exhausting, especially for Trixie, who was not used to hauling the weight of two extra ponies riding in her wagon. The low rolling hills and trees gave way to flat grassy plains, with rocky outcroppings and plateaus in the near distance. The wind picked up in strong gusts. The temperature dropped and slight sprinkles of rain fell. Lightning streaked through the storm clouds and thunder roared furiously. Spike leaned close and clutched Twilight’s mane tighter. Trixie quickened her pace and the other ponies kept up with her.

Finally, the narrow stone bridge came into view. Trixie took the lead, but while crossing, Fluttershy swung open the door to the wagon. The pegasus leaned out over the edge and tried look at the water in the dark. Rainbow Dash caught her by the tail before she could fall, and then Fluttershy gasped slowly.

“Dashie, you grabbed my tail,” she said, calling Rainbow Dash by the nickname Pinkie had given her. “Now I know how you feel, everypony grabbing you by your tail all the time. You girls should be ashamed of—”

“It’s okay Fluttershy, just get back here inside the wagon. Don’t make me get AJ over here to tie you up,” said Rainbow Dash, keeping a firm grip on Fluttershy’s tail with her teeth.

An expanse of dense and gnarled trees loomed ahead like an ominous silhouette in the night. It was already more frightening than the Everfree Forest. A wide log cabin on the left side of the road marked the entrance to the forest. The architecture was of a different style compared to Ponyville: it had a very rustic design. A pair of lamp posts welcomed visitors like beacons in the dark.

“Onward to the Wilted Weed Forest, hiiya!” Rainbow Dash struggled to contain the new fearless Fluttershy. Trixie couldn’t believe that her magic had turned her into… whatever Fluttershy was now.

As they approached the cabin, the blustery wind tossed about the showmare’s cape and threatened to steal her hat. She used her magic to cram the star-patterned hat down tight on her head, but it wasn’t enough. The showmare gripped the tip of her hat, firmly in her teeth instead. Trixie advised Twilight that they should take shelter for the night and resume in the morning. The cerulean unicorn’s nerves itched at the thought of the wind knocking the wagon over and take her with it.

Trixie secured her wagon under a long awning to shelter it from the storm. Rainbow Dash flapped her wings and carried Fluttershy out to the cabin. Relieved, Trixie opened the thick oak door of the inn. The smell of baked apples and cinnamon made her mouth water. Inside was warm and cozy with a small fire in the fireplace. The cabin was illuminated by various lanterns and candles of all shapes and sizes. Across from the main room to the left was a hallway with a handful of sparsely furnished rooms, complete with one bed and one window each.

“Is there anypony here? I thought you said the guide lives in this cabin,” Twilight asked Trixie. The showmare returned her wizard’s hat to its rightful place atop her head.

“Wait-wait! I’m here, I’m here,” called out a voice from a back room. A young unicorn mare, a few years Twilight’s junior, came trotting into the main room of the cabin. She had a cutie mark of a burning candle marked her flank; her coat was midnight blue and her mane and tail were a shock of platinum-white. “Welcome to Guiding Light Inn. My name is Nightlight. Are you folks looking for a room or a guide? Personally, I’d recommend a room for the night and cross the woods once the storm has passed,” Nightlight said cheerfully with a smile.

“Yes, Miss Nightlight. My entourage and I shall take you up on your recommendation,” Trixie’s words dripped with royal superiority.

“We’re your what?” asked Twilight incredulously, but her reaction went unheard. Nightlight whinnied with delight and grinned starry-eyed.

“Oh my gosh! You are The Great and Powerful Trinket!” Nightlight exclaimed excitedly.

“Trixie,” she corrected flatly with a disgruntled countenance.

“I remember you from your last visit, a long time ago. We rarely ever get any celebrities around here. Gosh, I’ve always wanted to see one of your amazing shows. Can you tell me more of your amazing stories? Can I see some really cool magic?” the young mare babbled rapidly. Thankfully, the latest news and gossip hadn’t reached here. Trixie could use this to her advantage, as long as she could keep her loudmouthed companions from destroying what little positive reputation she had left. Trixie spoke before Twilight Sparkle could ruin her plan.

“Trixie truly appreciates all of her adoring little fans; however, The Great and Powerful Trixie has traveled great distances from fantastic lands beyond description. Trixie requires rest and warm food,” the cerulean unicorn said, charming Nightlight with her charisma.

“Oh gosh, of course, I’m so sorry. Normally it’s thirty bits for the night and guide, but for you and your friends, I’ll make it ten bits.”

“Thank you for your kind generosity, my faithful admirer. My assistant Ms. Sparkle will pay for us.”

“Excuse me?” fumed Twilight.

“Unless you’d rather freeze sleeping in Trixie’s wagon because you don’t have enough bits left to pay, ” Trixie not so subtly implied. Twilight grumbled and ordered Spike to fetch ten bits from her pack.

“Thank you very much. I, uh, hope you don’t mind sharing rooms though. I’m sorry to say that we only have three available.”

“What?” Trixie and Rarity both exclaimed.

“Slumber party, whoo!” chimed Fluttershy, singsong.

“Woohoo! I’m with you Fluttershy,” Pinkie Pie announced, bouncing with excitement.