The Haunted Toy Shop

The night is cold, and the full, luminescent moon hangs beautifully in the sky amongst the twinkling stars. Deep within the Everfree Forest, one travelling magician tugs her carriage down a long, dirt path. The only sounds to be heard are the scuffling of fallen leaves being blown by the chilling breeze, and the chirping of crickets hidden beneath the grass. Combined with the utter absence of another living soul, these sounds would normally unsettle just about anypony. This mare, however, has grown accustomed to such an atmosphere. The harsh breeze nearly blows the mare’s violet, magician’s cap off her head as she angrily tries to hold on to the brim. Even though she managed to save her hat, the wind has managed to blow out the lantern hanging from the top of her carriage, eliminating her only source of light. “Great,” she groans. Pulling off her cap, she creates a small orb of light at the tip of her horn. It’s nothing compared to the light of her lantern, but it’s enough to see what’s nearby. She undoes herself from the harness, and walks around to the door to the carriage. A sudden rustling in the trees catches her attention, and she turns to see a pair of yellowish, glowing eyes high up in a nearby tree. Curiously, she watches them as they tilt and teeter like how an animal examines something unknown to them. The mysterious creature continues to hold its gaze until it caws like a crow. Assuring the mare’s suspicions, she disregards the encounter.

“Excuse me?” somepony asks from behind her, causing her to jolt and yell in fear. Standing before her, she finds a young stallion dressed in a striped shirt, blue vest and green backpack. His gray coat of fur and dark-brown mane make it slightly difficult to see him through the darkness. From the mare’s scream, he also reels back in fear with a terrified shriek.

“What’s the matter with you?!” the mare accuses.

“Sorry about that. I didn’t know what that light of yours was. I figured it was just a firefly until I got closer and saw it belonged to you.”

“Well, now you know. Now, go! Off with you!” The mare shoos him away with her hoof before opening up the door to her carriage and stepping inside.

“W-Wait!” the stallion calls from outside the carriage. “My name’s Knick Knack! What’s yours?” The mare pops her head out from the doorway and glares directly into Knick Knack’s eyes, instilling him with fear.

“The Great and Powerful Trixie hasn’t the time for introductions! Especially not for the likes of no-good, hitchhiking lowlifes such as yourself.” She pulls back into the carriage, rummaging through her things.

“Okay, first of all, you kind of just introduced yourself, even though you said you had no time for it. Secondly . . . ouch.” Trixie hops back out from her carriage, using her magic to levitate a book of matches.

“Are you trying to sass The Great and Powerful Trixie?” she intimidates.

“Oh, uh—no! N-No ma’am.”

“Good. Now, don’t try to convince me you’re not some sort of hooligan. Trixie knows one when she sees one.”

“Alright, you’re right.” Knick Knack submits. “I’m sorry.”

“Sure you are. Trixie can tell you’re a lout just by those hideous rags you’re wearing. Just what is with your get-up anyhow?”

“Well . . . what’s with yours?”

Trixie gasps. “You dare mock Trixie’s uniform?!” She flaunts her starry, violet cape. “This outfit speaks volumes! It’s Trixie’s signature look that anypony would recognize with just one glance!” She turns away from Knick Knack, stomping her way back to the front of the carriage. Nervous and reluctant, Knick Knack follows her as she continues her rant. “You clearly mustn’t have a single clue as to who you’re speaking to! If you did, you might just be a bit more respectful!” Trixie strikes one of the matches from the box, and relights the lantern. Illuminating them in a bright, warming glow.

“You’re right.” Knick Knack attempts to diffuse the situation. “I shouldn’t have said that; I don’t know what I was thinking.”

“Well, perhaps you do have some sense after all; but that isn’t saying much.”

“Please, just let me explain.”

“By all means, enlighten Trixie.”

“I’ve left my home, and have been wandering for days.”

“. . . Go on.”

“I don’t have anywhere to go, and I don’t really have a plan. I’m just walking, and whatever happens . . . happens, you know? Normally, I wouldn’t even think of asking anypony of this, but I really don’t want to sleep in the grass on such a cold night like this. So, and I don’t expect you to after the things I’ve said, but do you think you could. . .” Knick Knack hesitates as he digs his hoof nervously at the ground. “Maybe let me ride along with you? Just until we reach the closest town, building, farm—anything.” Trixie sighs as she rolls her eyes. “If not, then that’s okay. I’ll just turn back around, and I’ll be outta your mane.” Trixie groans as she notices the bird from earlier perch itself on a nearby tree, making her feel slightly uncomfortable by its glowing gaze.

“I’ll have you know, the Great and Powerful Trixie doesn’t simply do favors for others.”

“. . . I understand.” Knick Knack lowers his head as his ears droop down.

“Lucky for you, Trixie is in a ‘kind’ mood tonight.”

“Is that a yes?!” Knick Knack’s eyes light up with excitement.

“For the time being, but—” Knick Knack hugs and squeezes Trixie with all his might, causing her to squirm. Using her magic, she forces Knick Knack to let her go as she levitates him by his backpack. “But! There are rules that Trixie must put into place.”

“Like what?”

“First, no more of that. Trixie doesn’t need your filthy hooves dirtying up her cape.”

Knick Knack chuckles. “Sorry about that.”

“Secondly, and most importantly, you are forbidden from touching anything in Trixie’s carriage.”

“Got it.”

“Are you certain?”

“Yup.” He smiles.

“Trixie needs you to say it.”

“Say what?”

“What she said.”

“What did she say?”

“What? Did you forget? We just spoke of it.”

“And she said. . ?”

“She said to not to touch anything!”

“She who?”

“Trixie!”

“Okay, hold on. . . Why don’t you just say ‘I’ said not to touch anything? Wouldn’t that be less confusing?” Trixie groans as she releases her magical grip on Knick Knack, allowing him to hit the ground with a thud.

“Trixie could very easily change her mind!”

“Okay, okay! Please, don’t let her change her mind!”

“Then enough games, and agree to Trixie’s terms!”

“I, Knick Knack, agree to Trixie’s terms; and will not touch anything in her carriage.”

“Good. Now, was that so hard?”

“No, Miss Trixie,” he says in a condescending manner.

“That’s better. Now, go! Get inside! Trixie doesn’t have all night.” Knick Knack shuts his eyes, and lifts his head up as he purposely walks slowly to the carriage in the hopes of striking another one of Trixie’s nerves. She agonizingly watches him take his time, and her patience quickly runs out. “Here, allow Trixie to assist you.” Trixie’s pinkish aura of magic envelops the entirety of Knick Knack’s body, lifting him up as he continues to walk in place. He opens his eyes, and is shocked to find himself in midair. He looks to Trixie with a nervous smile, as she looks at him rather dubiously.

“I was . . . I was just playing around.”

“Trixie said she has no time for games.”

“Right. Yes. . . I-I can’t believe that slipped my mind. Won’t happen again.”

“However, Trixie will make an exception just this once.”

“Huh?” Before Knick Knacks’ eyes, a pinkish glow materializes in the shape of a gigantic tennis racket. “Oh . . . that’s what you mean.”

“Trixie supposes it’s her serve, hm?”

“Just . . . please, be gentle.” Trixie winds up the racket, and Knick Knack cringes as he prepares himself for the imminent pain. With one swift whack, Knick Knack screams as he flies into the carriage, causing it to rock back and forth from the impact. “Nothing had better be out of place in there by the end of this little trip, because if Trixie finds something has moved just an inch, you can expect worse than that coming your way in the future.”

“Understood,” says Knick Knack with his voice muffled due to his face pressed painfully against the wall. Trixie closes the carriage door, and returns to her harness. The crow in the tree suddenly flies off, infuriating her as she had nearly been startled a second time by it. Hooked up to the harness, Trixie proceeds to pull her carriage down the pathway further into the forest.