I woke up the next morning to the sounds of cheering in Canterlot Square. I checked my clock, and found that it was 9 in the morning. I had overslept. Oh well, not like I had anything planned for today. I got out of bed, grabbed an apple from the fridge, and went to see what all the commotion was about. I might as well have not gotten out of bed today, because when I got to Canterlot Square, I saw a wagon that had folded out into a stage. I knew that wagon all too well. It belonged to Trixie Lulamoon, or as she referred to herself, The Great and Powerful Trixie, rolling the R in her name. I had heard from Twilight that she was a show pony, and was a real show off about it, too. Twilight said that she always made a big deal out of her shows, and didn't take kindly to neighsayers. In her first show in Ponyville, she had wrapped up Applejack in her own rope, and Rainbow Dash in a rainbow. Somehow. She even went as far as to turn Rarity's mane a sickly green. If I know Rarity as much as anypony else, she cares very deeply about her appearance. Twilight also mentioned Trixie's second show in Ponyville, where she practically enslaved the town with the Alicorn Amulet, but was tricked into taking it off. She left Ponyville and wasn't heard from or seen since. But now, here she is again. I finished my apple and destroyed the core with magic.
“Watch in awe,” Trixie called out. “As The Great and Powerful Trixie wows the crowd with her unmatched talent!”
“Unmatched my ass,” I mumbled to myself. I made my way to the front of the crowd, trying not to push and shove. When I reached the front, Trixie noticed me.
“Well now,” she said. “The Great and Powerful Trixie hasn't noticed you in Canterlot before.”
“Just moved in a week ago,” I said. “Doing another magic show?”
“Of course,” Trixie said. “The Great and Powerful Trixie never passes up an opportunity to perform.” Trixie shot a magic blast into the air, and it exploded with color. The crowd cheered.
“A firework,” I mumbled. “Big deal. Try making it back home alive with two severed wings. Now that's magic.”
“What was that?” Trixie asked. “You dare defy my magic?”
“I didn't say that,” I lied.
“Oh, really?” Trixie mocked.
“Really,” I lied again. “Now if you need me, I'll be on my way.” I turned to leave. “By the way,” I added. “Your magic sucks.” The crowd and Trixie gasped.
“Get over here this instant!” Trixie yelled. I turned around and glared at Trixie. The crowd parted to let me get to Trixie. She stepped off her stage and looked me dead in the eyes.
“Well?” I asked.
“Nopony defies the Great and Powerful Trixie's magic!” Trixie stormed.
“Magic Shmagic,” I scoffed. “I brought a pony back from the dead. All you did was make up a story about vanquishing an Ursa Major to further your popularity. Then you enslaved all of Ponyville after cheating in a magic duel with Twilight.”
“Shut up!” Trixie yelled. “The Great and Powerful Trixie could beat you anyday. I still know better magic than you.”
“Prove it,” I challenged. “I challenge you to a magic duel of my own. No holds barred. Winner takes all.”
“All of what?” Trixie asked.
“Bits,” I said. “Each combatant will place equal bets, and the winner takes all.” I was going above and beyond with this, but I knew it didn't exactly matter. Trixie's magic was mostly used for lame tricks.
“Challenge accepted,” Trixie said. “When?”
“Right here, right now,” I responded.
“Very well,” Trixie agreed. We stepped onto an empty street and got ready to duel.
“Challenged places first bet,” I said. Trixie pulled out a small bag.
“The Great and Powerful Trixie places 100 bits as her bet,” she said. I pulled out 100 bits as well. I started the countdown.
“3...2...1...Draw!” I cried. Trixie shot a magic blast at me, and I held out my Terminator hoof. The blast struck the metal and exploded. My eyes lit up green with purple smoke coming from them. My horn started bubbling with dark magic, and I pounded the ground. Dark crystals rose up from the street, shielding me. Trixie shot off another blast, shattering the frontmost crystals. When the smoke cleared, I had disappeared, because I had shot up to the sky. Trixie looked everywhere, but couldn't find me. I engulfed myself in Changeling flame and rocketed to the ground. Trixie saw me just in time, and she jumped out of the way. I crashed to the street, spewing green goo, a result of the flame hitting at a high velocity.
“How can you do that?” Trixie cried.
“Magic,” I simply said. I shot off a blast of dark magic. Trixie barely blocked the attack. She fired another blast, and I launched up another set of crystals to defend myself. I jumped into the air and hovered above Trixie.
“You're getting tired, Trixie,” I taunted. “Don't think I can't see that.”
“You underestimate the Great and Powerful Trixie's abilities!” Trixie taunted back. She pulled from her hat the Alicorn Amulet and clicked it on her neck. I barred my teeth.
“I did say no holds barred, didn't I,” I regretted. Trixie shot a bolt of red lightning at me. I barely got out of the way in time. I flew down, dodging Trixie's blasts. I shot a powerful blast at the Alicorn Amulet, and it shattered. Dark magic flew from the amulet, and returned to the shadows from where they came. Trixie was stunned. I tackled her and held her to the ground.
“Concede!” I demanded.
“Fine,” Trixie mumbled.
“For all to hear!” I shouted, building up another blast. Trixie hesitated before giving up.
“I concede!” Trixie cried. I took my hoof off of her chest and walked over to her bag. I picked up the bag of bits as well as my own and went home. Trixie ran off back to her wagon, and left Canterlot. Who knows when I'd see her again. But when I do, I hope she changes her ways. I don't think I would be able to take her snarky attitude again.
