“Get rid of it!”
“But Star she’s just a foal.”
“I don’t care! I can’t afford to have any more mouths to feed around here, get rid of it!”
“But Star-”
“No Dawn, I want that thing out of here by tomorrow, and that’s final. Just put it out on the street. Somepony will pick it up; there’s always some fool out there who’ll take it in.”
“Star if you would just-”
“I don’t want to hear anymore about this.”
“Star-”
*SMACK*
* * *
She awoke with a start, her mane dripping wet as she tried to calm her breathing. She looked around at the trees around her as her heart raced, eyes searching through the darkness for any sign of movement. After a long pause, she finally relaxed.
It was only a dream.
Golden beams of sunlight began peeking through the edges of the trees to her left. She got up and stretched, arching her back and groaning as her joints popped.
She decided to get moving. She didn’t want to go back to Manehattan after all. She gathered up her last apple using her magic, and trotted off through an opening in the trees.
Feeling hard packed dirt beneath her hooves once again, she turned towards the morning sun.
“It’s a new day.”
Bringing her apple to her mouth, she took a bite as she began cantering down the road towards the sunlight.
“Hey kid, get back here with those apples!”
She had never run so fast in her life, that stallion had meant business. She hadn’t meant the storekeeper any ill will, but she had been desperate, and if nothing else, she had survived.
Damn those stupid colts! This was their fault.
The sun rose over a town in the distance, shining on the buildings’ thatched rooftops. Trixie gazed out at it and allowed herself a small smile; it would be good to finally have a warm bed again. She glanced down at the apple core levitating beside her, and felt her stomach growl.
The road before her widened into an open field.She let out a sigh as she slowed to a walk in the soft, cool dirt, kicking it up as she did. It was all too tempting to just lie down in the soft, moist soil, off of her tired hooves, but she knew she had to find shelter first. This place is too open, I’ll need something like...
“That.”
There right in front of her, almost too big to miss as she came over the top of a hill, was a large red barn. She blinked, staring at the open door to the barn. As she peered inside, she saw that it was empty, and looking through the other side, she could see the town from before, just below the hill.
Suddenly she heard a door creak open to her left, and whipped her head around to see a small farmhouse partway down the hill.
“Come on Apple Bloom, let’s go check on the- What in tarnation?”
An orange earth pony walked out of the open door, only to stop in her tracks as she stared out toward the field. Following the earth pony’s gaze, the unicorn realized she had left deep hoofprints in the field as she’d passed through... and they led straight to her.
“Hey, you!”
She turned to see the earth pony running toward her. Oh no! Not again. She quickly fled through the open barn door, dropping what was left of her apple core and bolting through the other side towards the town below.
“She went through the barn! Apple Bloom, you wait here, Ah’ll see if Ah can catch her.”
She could hear hoofbeats pounding the earth behind her in hot pursuit, as the town grew nearer.
“Now hold on now, Ah jes wanna talk to ya. Hey, git back here!”
Not on your life.
Putting what little energy she had left into her gallop, she raced on toward the town. If she could just get to the houses.
The earth pony was bearing down on her now. Finally she reached the buildings, as the hoofbeats behind her grew ever closer.
Drawing up the magic, she allowed it to flow from her horn and collect in a tiny blue orb, before exploding into the ground, creating a large cloud of dust behind her.
Immediately rounding a corner between two buildings, she galloped to the end of the alleyway, and quickly hid behind a stack of barrels in front of the store beside her, gasping for breath. Not daring to poke her head out, she tried to quiet her breathing, and simply listened for any signs that the earth pony had successfully followed her.
“Now where did she go? Oh pony feathers.” The sound of retreating hoofsteps assured her that she had evaded capture, and she raised her head to observe her surroundings.
Oh, of course my perfect hiding spot would have to be the center of town. Getting up, she dusted herself off, and began to explore. I suppose this would be the best time to find a more permanent residence, and maybe then I can- She stopped dead in her tracks. I know this place. It was exactly the same as the place she had visited two years ago, when she had lost everything. They’ll never accept me here; they all hate me. What am I going to do?
Trotting over to an apple cart in the middle of the clearing, she looked around to see if anypony was watching. No, stop it. You’re not a thief. She set down the apple she had been about to take, and sighed. Not anymore anyway. Hanging her head in defeat, she turned around, only to smack right into somepony whose head was buried in a book.
“Ow!” the other pony exclaimed.
“I’m so sorry, are you alright?”
The other pony picked herself up and dusted off her book. She was a unicorn, with a lavender coat, deep purple eyes, and a midnight blue mane, with one pink streak in it.
“Yeah I’m fine. I just need to pay more attention to where I’m going, silly me.”
That voice. Something about this mare seemed, very familiar.
“I was just going-” The other mare stopped. Their eyes locked, and the two unicorns gazed at each other in deafening silence for a long minute, before the other one spoke.
“You.”
It was just one word, but the emotion contained within that one word was overwhelming. It was not of malice, or disdain, but of understanding, and compassion.
“I remember you.” She said.
The purple one blinked.
“What are you do-”
I don’t have time for this right now. She put a hoof over the other unicorn’s mouth. “Look I know we didn’t leave off on the best of terms but, could we not do this in the middle of the street?” she said, looking around. That earth pony was sure to still be looking for her, and she did not want to deal with that right now.
The other mare looked around, as if she had just realized where they were.
“Oh, right. Hold on.”
Her horn gave off the familiar glow of aura. She closed her eyes, and the two of them were enveloped in white light. There was a faint *pop*, and a room materialized around them.
Trixie blinked. Did we just teleport?
“What just happened?”
“Oh, well, you suggested we get off the street so, I brought us here. Welcome to the Ponyville Public Library.”
Trixie looked around. Books lined the shelves covering the rounded walls of the circular room. Are we inside a... tree?
Just then, a small purple dragon walked down the stairs next to the bookshelves.
“Mmmmm, good nap.” he groaned, stretching. “Oh, hey Twilight, hey... what is she doing here?” He asked. Trixie jumped back momentarily as the dragon advanced on her, before taking back her ground, and staring the little creature down.
“Calm down Spike,” Twilight replied, placing a hoof on the dragon’s shoulder, “there’s no need to go berating her like that. Although I was just wondering the same thing,” she continued, turning her attention back to Trixie, a much more, distrustful tone in her voice this time .
“Oh, I’m sure the great and powerful Trixie is just here to try and show you up again.” The dragon added, mocking her old performance voice and waving his arms theatrically.
“Actually it’s just Trixie now,” she said, her gaze falling. I lost the hat. Trixie lowered to the ground, her lip trembling.
The dragon rolled his eyes. “Oh okay, ‘just Trixie’ what happened? Not so ‘great and powerful’ now that Twilight beat you at vanquishing the Ursa Major?”
“What’s the matter kid, can’t find your mommy?”
“Well, no.” Trixie sniffed. “The Great and Powerful Trixie was just my stage name. I lost my hat and cape, along with all my other things, back when the Ursa smashed my wagon. It was all destroyed, and without them I’m just... well, just Trixie.” I’m sorry Sarf.
“Serves you right for being such a mean braggart.” he retorted.
Trixie was silent for a few moments.
“Hey kid. Yeah you, what the buck was that?”
“Trixie was merely displaying her magical talent, is that such a crime?”
“It is when you start using it to attack the audience. That poor pony was in tears. That don’t fly here.”
“I’m sorry,” she said, “I got carried away that day. It’s not something I’m proud of.”
Twilight and the dragon looked at eachother for a moment.
“I–” Twilight began.
“Twilight!”
The door flew open and in ran the same orange earth pony from before. All heads turned toward her.
“Twilight, have you seen–” She stopped, suddenly noticing Trixie sitting in the corner as she ran in. She pointed a hoof at Trixie, eyes thinned slightly and lips taut. “her.”
Walking right up to her, solid as a rock, the earth pony stared her down with an icy glare.
“What in tarnation were you doin’ by the barn?”
You again. Trixie met the earthpony’s dagger-like gaze in kind.
“Yeh made a mess of one of our fields. Big Mac jes got done plowin’ that yesterday.
“Look what you did you stupid brat! I can’t sell these apples now, they’re all bruised and dirty. Go home to your parents and stop bothering everypony.”
“Ugh! I was just looking for a place to stay for a while! Get off me about it.”
Dammit Trixie! Now everypony here hates you too.
She fled straight through the open door, to nowhere in particular. I’ve just got to get away from here.
She finally stopped near a tree, having gone past all the buildings and houses. Crawling behind a bush growing at the base of the tree, Trixie curled up and lay there. Her throat knotted up as she began to cry.
* * *
A beam of light shone suddenly across here.
“Hey! What are you doing? Get out of there.”
Something hard connected solidly with the side of her head, knocking her from the side of the dumpster. She landed hard on her back and rolled to face her attacker.
“Didn’t your parents ever teach you not to go through other ponies’ trash? Scram!”
The door closed, leaving her in darkness again. She rubbed her back and picked up the apple beside her.
“I have no parents,” she sobbed.
* * *
“Hey there, silly filly.”
Trixie woke to find an enormous round pink object obscuring her vision.
“Watcha doin’ over here?” it squeaked. She now realized it also had big blue eyes, and it was another earth pony.
“Huh? Nothing. I’m just resting, go away, just leave me alone,” she snapped, curling up again.
“Okie dokie lokie,” said the earth pony, before dissappearing around the bush.
“She’s over here, Twilight,” the pony called as she hopped away.
Trixie groaned. I thought I said to leave me alone.
She could hear hoofsteps approaching. “Over here you said Pinkie? Where? Ah don’t see her,” came the orange one’s voice, very close to her hiding spot.
“She’s behind the bush silly filly, just open your eyes,” came the pink one’s squeaky reply.
I’m going to murder you for that.
“Trixie, are you over here?” Twilight called, walking around the tree.
No. Just go away.
“Ah didn’ mean to frighten you like that.” The orange pony joined her now. “I was jes wonderin’ what in the hay you were doin’. Sorry ‘bout that.”
“The Great and Powerful Trixie is not scared, of anypony.” Trixie snorted, standing up and firing a deadly gaze at Applejack.
“Oh yeah, then why’d you run an’ hide?” Applejack retorted.
“Ugh, because you were just, attacking me or whatever. I was getting sick of it.”
Applejack sighed. “Look, Ah ain’t mad at yeh, an’ Ah’m sorry for comin’ off like that. I didn’t mean yeh no harm neither. Ah’m a mite irritated perhaps, cuz yeh were walkin’ through a freshly plowed feild, and Ah’m still mighty curious what yeh were lookin’ for in the barn, but Ah ain’t mad,” Applejack replied.
She spoke with a soft voice this time, her eyebrows rolled back, and smiling too.
“Oh,” Trixie said, looking down again.
“What were you doing in the barn?” Twilight asked, raising an eyebrow slightly.
“Oh I was just... trying to find someplace to stay. That wagon I used to pull around was my home, I haven’t ever really lived anywhere. I’ve been living on the streets since it was destroyed, working dead end job after dead end job. It’s been tough without all my stuff.” Trixie replied.
“Oi! don’t you come back here. I’ll get the police on you ya hear?”
They don’t need to know about that. That’s not who you are anymore.
“Well where did you live before then? Didn’t yer parents ever look after you?”
“No. I never met them. I grew up on the streets as an orphan.”
“Well ain’t that jes the saddest tale ever?” Applejack said, shaking her head a little.
You don’t know the half of it.
“Well, I wouldn’t mind lettin’ ya help out around the farm if ye’d like, you could stay with us at Sweet Apple Acres.”
“No, that’s okay. I’m not really a farm girl anyway,” Trixie replied, feigning a smile.
Not, Happening.
“Well you can’t just live out on the street. Why not stay at the library with me? We’ve got a spare bedroom, and loads of books about magic. It could be fun.” Twilight asked.
Trixie considered the offer. I do need someplace to stay, and it’s better than living in a barn at least. I might even get her to teach me how to use that teleportation spell. That could be useful for my act if I ever get back into show business.
“Very well um, Twilight, was it?” After receiving a nod, she went on. “I’ll stay with you at the library until I can find myself a new outfit, but I can’t stay very long in Ponyville, there’s somewhere I need to get to very soon.”
“Ooh, ooh, Where are you going? Is it a party? I love parties!”
They all turned around toward the pink earth pony from earlier, true to her word, staying far back and leaving Trixie alone as she watched and listened to their conversation.
“Oh, nowhere special, I’m just visiting an old friend of mine,” Trixie answered.
I’m coming Sarf. Hold the performance.
* * *
“Hey kid, whatcha doin’ out here?”
She turned to see a tall chestnut unicorn, wearing a tight scarlet suit and a long sparkling cape, peering out at her through the door to his wagon house.
“Where’s your parents kid?” he asked, opening the door and trotting over to her.
“I don’t know,” she said, tears running down her face.
“Well where do you live? They gotta be worried sick by now, it’s after dark.”
“I don’t have any parents,” she sobbed.
“What? No parents?” He reached up and rubbed the back of his head, looking around. “Geez kid I- I can’t just leave you out here on the street, it’s cold outside. Why don’t you come in and enjoy a nice cup of hot cocoa?”
“Um, okay,” she said, perking up at the thought of warm cocoa.
He led her inside, and picked her up onto a stool by the counter.
“Here ya go kid, sit tight for a second.” He walked to the other side of the dimly lit room and stepped behind a wall. She looked around at the various objects scattered throughout the inside of the wagon. There was a raspberry colored top hat hanging on a hook by the wall where she came in, with his discarded matching cape beneath it.
“You got a name kid?” the unicorn asked from the other side of the wall
“No,” she called back, “I’ve never needed a name.” There was one bed on the opposite wall, where the purple unicorn was hiding.
He trotted out from behind the wall again, this time levitating two steaming mugs in front of him. “The names Sarf, by the- WHOA!” Slipping on a stray banana peel, he fell face forward, flinging both mugs into the air. She covered her head with her hooves as they came pelting straight at her, only to fall short and slam straight into the counter, splattering hot cocoa everywhere.
Except that it didn’t hit her. The two mugs had stopped just before hitting the counter, and were now hovering above the spilled cocoa, which perfectly formed the word: SPLAT!
“Gotcha,” Sarf said, chuckling as he got up off the floor. The two mugs,surrounded by a faint purple aura, righted themselves as the cocoa magically flew back into each of them, refilling them.
“Ah, you shoulda seen your face kid. Sorry about that, couldn’t resist a little joke. Little magic tricks are my game you see. Sarf the Magnifico! Magician extraordinaire, at your service, milady.” Sarf gave a considerable bow, as he finished.
She clapped her hooves together, laughing as she did.
“Now what would be your name little miss? You seem like a talented young pony,” he said, extending a hoof toward her.
“I already told you silly, I don’t have a name,” she said, still laughing.
“Oh nonsense, non-sense. Everypony’s got a name, we’ve just got to find it.” He put his hoof to his chin and stared up at the ceiling for a moment. “I’ve got it!” he said, eyes wide and mouth grinning. “Fillies and Gentlecolts! Introducing, for the very first time, Sarf the Magnifico’s fantabulous assistant, soon to be the most talented young unicorn in all of Equestria: The Great, and Powerful,TRIXIE!” he declared in a booming voice, as if calling out to an imaginary audience. “Yeah I like the sound of that Trix. You’ll be my assistant, and old Sarf’ll teach you the ‘Trix’ of the trade.”
They sat and sipped their cocoa after that. It was so sweet and it spread warmth throughout her entire body as it slid down her throat.
* * *
Trixie woke to somepony jabbing her in the side.
“Come on Trixie, get up.”
Go away you stupid dragon, I was enjoying that dream.
“Come on, we’re heading over to Rarity’s.”
“Who?”
“At the Carousel Boutique! Come on, Twilight’s gonna have Rarity make you a new cape and hat, but she says we can’t leave until you get up.”
New cape? And hat? “Fine.” She grumpily rolled out of bed, and followed Spike down the stairs to the other room.
“Your dragon says we’re going to see somepony named, Rarity?” she asked Twilight when they reached the bottom of the stairs.
“Yes, I figured you could use a new outfit if you’re ever going to get back into performing. I’m sure Rarity won’t mind,” Twilight replied, smiling.
“Fine whatever, let’s just get this over with.” It will never be as great as Sarf’s.
They soon arrived at a large colorful octagonal building. The longer Trixie stared at it, the more artistic details she seemed to notice in its design. As she followed Twilight through the door, an array of various dresses and mannequins greeted their eyes. Wow, she knows the owner of this place?
A white unicorn with a deep purple mane stood in the middle of the room, levitating several small ribbons of various colors in front of her. Upon hearing the bell on the door, she turned to notice them.
“Oh, Twilight darling, and Spike. To what do I owe the pleasure of--wha-HA!” The unicorn shrieked upon seeing Trixie standing just behind Twilight.
“Rarity, you remember Trixie don’t you?” Twilight asked, pointing with her hoof.
Rarity was silent, her lower jaw still agape.
“I think I remember you. Weren’t you the pony whose hair I colored green?” Trixie asked, attempting to make a joke.
Rarity’s eyes narrowed as she spat out the next line through gritted teeth.
“Yes. I remember that injustice all too perfectly.”
Trixie sighed. “I hope it didn’t upset you too much, and I’m sorry I did it,” she said. “I let my own ego get the best of me. I had been such a successful showmare at that point, I kinda let it all go to my head, and it went a little overboard,” She went on, her eyes downcast.
“I uh, oh. Well um, it wasn’t too much trouble correcting my coiffure as I remember. Apology accepted I suppose,” Rarity replied. She turned to return to her sewing when Twilight spoke up.
“Um, Rarity, there’s another reason we’re here.”
“Oh?” Rarity asked, turning back to them.
“You see, Trixie’s stuff was destroyed when the Ursa attacked, and she’s been living out on the street,” Twilight went on.
“Oh, you don’t say,” Rarity replied, glancing over her shoulder.
“And we were wondering if you wouldn’t mind making another outfit for her. Say, another cape, and a new hat?” Twilight went on, smiling really wide.
“Oh, I-um,” Rarity stammered, eyes darting around, looking anywhere but at Trixie.
I may as well milk this. Trixie turned her eyes up and curled her lip, staring with as watery eyes as she could manage.
Rarity began sweating as she tried desperately to avert her gaze, but in the end, Trixie’s pleading stare won out, and Rarity conceded defeat.
“No need,” she said, sighing. Lowering her head, Rarity turned and walked slowly toward a chest in the corner. “I have them.”
She what?! “You have them?” Trixie asked, eyes wide.
“Yes, I do.” Rarity sighed, pulling out a star spangled purple cape, and matching pointed hat. “I found them when I was helping Twilight clean up the mess left by the Ursa Major.”
“Minor,” Twilight corrected her.
“They were hardly damaged at all, thankfully, and the material was just so exquisite, I just couldn’t let them go to waste. I was planning on using them for an ensemble at some point, but I suppose they’re rightfully yours.” She handed over the cape and hat, although not without some reluctance.
My performance ensemble.Trixie could feel her eyes tearing up, as she stared adoringly at the fine silk between her hooves. Donning the cape without further ado, she placed the hat expertly atop her head, loving the way it felt against her coat and mane. Oh how I’ve missed it.
“Thank you Rar--Ahem. The Great, and Powerful Trixie is most pleased, and thanks you immensely for preserving her ensemble.”
* * *
“Here we are kid. Ready for your first big show?” Sarf called from outside the wagon.
“Of course, was there ever any doubt?” Trixie replied. I am so going to own this.
“You remember what I taught ya kid?
“Every word.”
“Alright, go get ‘em miss Great and Powerful Trixie. Knock ‘em dead kid,” he said, panting.
Opening the door with her magic, Trixie pranced through the door, head held high. Finally, after so much time--
She was shocked to find Sarf not already in his usual crimson and raspberry suit. “What? aren’t you at least coming on stage with me?”
“With Trixie,” he corrected her, wheezing. “You gotta stay in character, especially when you’re on stage, that’s what sells the show. And no, you take this one kid. 40 years I’ve been in the business and never once missed the big show in Baltimare. The crowd here already knows me, but you, you’re a fresh young performer. This is your time to shine.” He instructed her, mopping sweat from his brow.
“Are you alright Sarf? I–Trixie thinks you seem a little, fatigued”
“What?” he asked, grunting. “Oh, Nah I’ll be fine kid, Just a little--Ooh--exhausted from the trip, that’s all. Just make sure you sell em’ good. It’s all about entertaining the crowd, by any means necessary, remember that. You’re gonna be an amazing performer someday Trix, I can already see it. Never be afraid to shine.”
Okay you old coot. This is for you.
She pranced out onto the stage, using her magic to amplify her voice and project it out over the enormous crowd, just like Sarf taught her, Staring out at the hundreds of ponies all staring up at her. This was her night.
“FILLIES AND GENTLECOLTS, COME ONE COME ALL, AND WITNESS THE AMAZING MAGICAL TALENT OF THE GREAT AND POWERFUL TRIXIE!”
* * *
She trotted along the road, happy to finally be arriving back in Baltimare again. It was time for her big show after all. And she wouldn’t be back this year if not for her new friends back in Ponyville.
“Do you really have to go Trixie?”
“It’s a big tradition we had, it just wouldn’t be right. And I’ve been here a week as it is, I really need to hurry if I’m going to make it on time. But thanks so much for the cape; I can’t tell you how much this means to me.”
“Well, we’ll miss yeh. Do be sure to stop back in Ponyville anytime yeh like, yer always welcome here.”
“Yeah, then we’ll throw a humongous super duper fun gigantic party, and invite everypony, so you can put on a super fantastic show. Ooh this is going to be so exciting.”
Trixie smiled. “The Great and Powerful Trixie will certainly provide a spectacular performance for Ponyville, and her friends.”
She cantered through downtown, admiring the many shops and boutiques that had sprung up over the years. Things really had changed since she had first come there. She recalled fondly her performance that night, as she had dazzled the crowd with several different tricks taught to her by Sarf the Magnifico.
It was really all just special effects; no fancy magic actually needed, but it fooled the crowd, and that’s what counted. Oh that reminds me. She had almost forgotten the real reason she had come to Baltimare, just like every year since that fateful night: to visit Sarf, her old friend and mentor.
She stopped in front of a shop near the center of town. Is that--? She glanced up at the sign on the front, and took a step closer to peer in the window. It is. Trixie walked inside, gazing admiringly at the many colorful objects lining the shelves of the magic shop.
“Excuse me, Miss. Do you need any help?” the shop owner said from the counter.
“No,Trixie is just browsing for now,” she responded. “But thank you,” she added as she continued scanning the store.
“Hey, I think I recognize that lovely looking cape of yours,” the old pony called back to her, “Is that one of mine?”
He does remember.
“It is actually,” she said, cantering back up to him. “A very dear friend of mine got it for me when I was just a filly.” She took off the hat, admiring it as she remembered back to the day she’d first set hoof in this store.
* * *
“Follow me kid, I’ve got a surprise for ya.”
“Really? What is it?”
“Can’t tell ya kid, then it wouldn’t be a surprise.”
“Aww, come on” she whined, tugging on his cloak.
“Nope can’t do it. But I can show ya though.” he said, winking.
They walked into a small store by the corner. Dozens of really cool-looking items were scattered throughout the shop: from wizard hats to sparkling powder, to wands and crystal balls. She reached up toward one of the hats that looked interesting. She just managed to catch the edge of it with her hoof, and it slid off, landing on her head. It was far too big for her, but with a touch of levitation she could see out from under it.
“Hey kid where’d you go? I got somethin’ for ya.” She heard Sarf’s voice calling from the front of the store, and immediately ran to see what he had gotten her. She found him standing next to the counter, with a purple cloth in hoof. “Check it out kid, I got you a nice cape to go with mine, pretty cool huh? What’s that you got there?” he said, nodding to the large wizard hat on her head.
“I found it. Can I get it please, please please,” she begged, hopping up and down with excitement.
Sarf chuckled. “All right kid we’ll get it for ya. It’s not everyday you get to perform at your first big show in Baltimare.” He turned to the pony behind the counter. “Throw the hat in too please. And hey what do you know, it matches the cape,” he laughed.
“Alright, with the cape, and the hat, that’ll be... 30 bits,” the pony behind the counter replied.
“Whoa thirty bits! isn’t that expensive Sarf?” she asked.
Sarf smiled. “You’re worth it kid,” he said. “Besides, you wanna look nice on stage dontcha? You’re gonna be performing in front of a lot of ponies tonight.”
“Yay thanks!” she squealed, running up to him and hugging his leg. “You’re the best, ever.”
* * *
She bid the shopkeeper a good rest of his day and re-donned the hat as she headed back out into the fading sunlight.
“Alright Sarf, here I come. Sorry to keep you waiting.”
She trotted on past all the shops and buildings, past the scattered houses on the outskirts, to a grassy field, all too familiar. Trixie paused by the gate, reading once again the same sign she had read every year for the past six years:
Baltimare Cemetery
“Hello Sarf,” Trixie called as she walked in. “Did you miss me?”
She sought out the same slab of granite upon which was emblazoned his beautiful name, stopping in front of it to kneel in the grass.
SARF THE MAGNIFICO
1948-2007
“Never be afraid to shine”
“I’m sorry I missed the performance the last two years, I ran into a bit of a crisis, and I had a small ego problem that needed adjusting, but I found that ensemble again. You remember don’t you? The one you bought for me, back when you first brought me here. I was so young then. But I’ve got you to thank for rescuing me. You were the closest thing to a father I ever had.” A few tears began to trickle down her cheeks.
“I wish you could have seen me that night. My first solo performance; It was amazing. I had the crowd completely entranced, you would have been so proud.” Her tears began to drip onto the grass beneath her.
“I’ve got a show to get to now. You wouldn’t want me to miss that would you? Anyway, take care Sarf. The Great and Powerful Trixie is about to take the stage.”
“Thank you, all and goodnight! You have been a wonderful audience. Sarf The Magnifico shall now take his leave.”
He Swept his tall raspberry colored hat off his head as he smiled wide for the crowd—bringing it down and around in a wide arc—and took a bow, bringing it to rest on his opposite shoulder . As soon as his horn made contact with the stage, he released the magic for his final trick of the night. Blue pixie dust erupted from the tip of his horn, exploding upward off of the stage in a brilliant cloud of sparkling smoke. In that instant he closed his eyes, and appeared inside his cabin.
Immediately upon hearing the roar of the crowd cease, the smile faded, vanishing like a flame without the oxygen to sustain it. He hung up his hat on the hook by the door—discarding his cloak as well—as he dragged his hooves across the wooden floor.
“Damn. I swear it gets harder every time,” he said as he flopped onto the sagging couch in the middle of the small room. After rubbing his face with his hooves, Sarf leaned over and picked up a photo that had been sitting on the night stand. He stared at it for a long moment, at the smiling blue unicorn in her graduation gown. He managed to raise a cheek for a moment, before his composure left him, and he fell, sobbing onto the couch, the picture frame pinned to his chest.
“Where did you go, Dawn? My little Dawn Flower.”
* * *
He pulled into the back alley behind the main building, not wanting to run into too many ponies before he managed to get backstage. He brought the cart to a stop and backed out of the harness attached to the front. Trotting up the wooden stairs leading to the cabin, he unlatched the door and pushed it open, revealing the small living space inside, which was actually slightly bigger than the outside due to a small bit of magic. He threw on the bright crimson jumpsuit, and the deep raspberry cape he’d had tailored so many years ago and maintained with magic.
Wow, it still fits. Must mean I’m still in shape.
He put on the hat and trotted out the door... and in the next one. He cantered on down the hall, past a few more doors, until he came to the main lobby of the building. Turning to his right, Sarf trotted over toward a small table, with a sign next to it that read:
PERFORMERS
SIGN IN HERE
“Identification please?” said the pony seated behind the sign in table.
“Gotcha right here, Twirl,” Sarf replied, handing over his credentials as requested. Twirl scanned them for a few moments, then stopped.
“Shimmering H—Sarf is that you? You crazy old coot, what’s it been, fifteen years?”
Sarf grinned. “Been about that long, yeah.”
“What made you crawl out of the woodwork now?”
“I haven’t exactly been gone; I was at the show in Baltimare every year, but not as a performer. I’ve been... dealing with some things,” Sarf replied, his gaze falling.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Twirl said, “Did you ever find her?”
“No.” Sarf sighed. “But she’ll be old enough to take care of herself now, so I figure: if I’m going to let her go, now’s as good a time as any to get back in the business.”
“So you start in Las Pegasus? Gee, Sarf, you really are crazy.”
“Gotta start somewhere,” Sarf replied with a smile and a nod.
“Well, Celestia knows you’re up for it; nopony’s ever topped the show you put on back in ‘84, when you changed your look, and your stage name too. Which—by the way—you still never told me the reason for.” Twirl added, eyeing Sarf now from across the table, a chuckle held on his lips.
Sarf shrugged. “No reason really, I guess I just got tired of ‘Shimmering Haze’. Besides, a magician’s got to have a cool and catchy name, now don’t he? Who would you rather go see, ‘Shimmering Haze’ or ‘Sarf the Magnifico?’” He spoke the latter with more of a booming voice than the first, raising his hoof in exclamation. Twirl nodded.
“Well, it’s good to have you back Sarf, we sure have missed you.”
* * *
“Hey Sarf! Great to have you back, that was the best performance I’ve seen in over fifteen years,” an elderly earth pony called out to him.
“Yeah, great show dude!” a younger one called. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like that before.”
Fans young and old seemed to have no end to their compliments for the old unicorn.
“Yes, yes thank you. You were a wonderful audience too. Be sure to catch me in Manehattan next week,” he called as he backed out towards the rear entrance, where his mobile cabin was parked.
Whew, I thought I’d never get away.
As he entered the cabin, he pulled off his hat and cape, discarding them to the side of the door. He then collapsed onto the couch, not bothering to remove the crimson undercoat. It could wait until the morning, at the very least. He cast the spell that would disguise his cabin as little more than a large storage crate, and relaxed into the couch. Reaching back, he grabbed the same picture from his night stand, as he had every night since the day she’d left.
Gazing into her pale violet eyes, he could not help but think back to the first night he’d brought her home. How beautiful she had been, how precious, and how it felt the day she’d left, never to be seen again.
“Oh Celestia, I would give anything in the world to look upon that smiling face once again. Please, if nothing else, let one small piece of her find its way back to me, before I leave this world.”
He set the picture back down, and rolled over. His heart ached as he tried not to think about the fact that he might never see her again. Was I too hard on her?
* * *
“Dawn! Where have you been? I thought we agreed you were to be back by eleven.”
“Oh, get off me about it, okay. I’m back now aren’t I?”
“You were supposed to be back hours ago! It’s nearly morning.”
“So, what are you still doing awake, then?”
“I’ve been worried sick about you. You can’t keep staying out like this.”
“Yeah? You know what old stallion; I’m sick of you and your stupid rules. I’m a grown mare now, I can take care of myself!”
“You are not a grown mare, Dawn, and I love you very much.”
“Oh, it sure shows. At least Starshine does stuff for me.”
“Have you been off with that colt again? I told you Dawn, he’s trouble. I don’t want you seeing him anymore.”
“Oh yeah? Well I don’t want to see you anymore. I’m leaving.”
“Dawn.”
*SLAM*
* * *
The cart wheeled its way up to a small tavern on north Mane Street, pulled by an old chestnut unicorn, in a raspberry cloak.
Brr, I forgot how cold it was in Manehattan this time of year.
He went through his usual routine of throwing on his performance outfit, locking up his cabin, and disguising the whole thing, before heading inside. He would have taken the back alley, as he always did, if not for this place having no back door. It was Manehattan after all. He glanced down the abandoned alleyway as he cantered past. There was a filly back there, rummaging through the trash.
Such a shame, the—Dawn? He stopped, taking a second, closer look at the young filly. No. It was not her. It couldn’t have been her anyway; this filly was far too young to be Dawn Flower.
He cantered on past, into the dimly lit tavern, which would stage tonight’s performance.
* * *
“Now can anypony tell me what this is?” He called, holding up a small red Fez.
“It’s one of them circus hats,” One of the audience members called.
“Well, sort of,” Sarf replied. “But this hat in particular has a few, ‘special’ properties to it. For example, could I have a volunteer?” About fifty hooves shot into the air. Sarf scanned the room with his hoof, taking a very long time to pick out the pony he’d chosen from the start. “You there, young lady in the back, why don’t you trot on up here?”
A small, yellow filly widened her eyes and grinned as she half trotted, half pranced all the way up to the stage. She was a pegasus—rare in this part of the country, but perfect for this next act—with a nice golden coat, and light orange mane.
“Wonderful. What’s your name, little Miss,” he asked as he helped her up onto the stage. Her tiny wings flitted a little as she climbed up.
“Oh, my name is Sunshine Sparks,” she replied, giggling a little.
“Well, Little Miss Sunshine, tell me: have you ever flown before?”
She looked crestfallen. “No, mommy says my wings haven’t matured just yet.”
“Ah, don’t worry, Sunshine,” Sarf replied with a chuckle. “I’m sure they’ll come in soon enough. You’re looking to be about that age anyway. In the meantime, how would you like to help me with my next act?”
“Ooh, yes yes YES!” she replied, her wings fluttering wildly as she hopped up and down in place.
“Wonderful, now just put on this little red cap. Yes, just like that, perfect!” He adjusted the small hat with his magic, before turning to the crowd. “Now watch and be amazed, as this young filly finally discovers her wings—and a few other features.” His horn glowed, upon which the little filly floated off the ground just slightly, and began to change.
She began shrinking, her legs retracting into her body, and her tail fanning out like a deck of cards. Her snout grew hard, and curled down, while her ears disappeared completely. Feathers began to grow out of every inch of her body, and before long a small, golden parakeet, with orange frills and a small red cap on its head, was resting upon Sarf’s outstretched hoof.
The crowd gasped. “What’s happened to her?” one of them called out.
“Do not be alarmed, she’s perfectly alright. Aren’t you my dear?” he asked, turning his head to the small bird on his foreleg, who gave a happy chirrup. Sarf wiped a few beads of sweat off his brow. That spell still took a lot out of him, but it was worth it for this small gift to a young filly.
I can’t keep this up much longer though. I’ll have to end the act soon. “Now then, if you would be so kind as to return the hat.” The filly-turned-bird—as expected—simply took off, flying around the room instead, calling out as she glided around on her newfound wings. The crowd laughed.
* * *
It had taken a full ten minutes before the filly had finally flown back to him so he could remove the hat. It wasn’t required for the spell to work of course, but it allowed the crowd some entertainment, and made sure the little filly wasn’t terrified at the sudden change when she morphed back. The little pegasus had been ecstatic over the gift of flight, but her mother... not so much. She confronted him—thankfully—after the show.
“What in Celestia’s mane were you thinking?! Morphing a little filly like that, what if you’d messed up the spell? Where would my little Sunshine be now, huh? How dare you use magic on my daughter!”
“Ma’am I assure you, she was perf—”
“Save it. Come on, Sunshine, we’re leaving.”
“But mommy—”
“No. We’re leaving, come on.”
The mother stormed off while the small filly looked back at him longingly. This could not happen a second time; that trick was now dead.
He picked up his check from the owner, and headed out to his cabin. As he trotted up the steps to the mobile home and opened the door, he happened to glance over and notice the same little filly from earlier, huddled up under a cardboard box.
Oh dear, I hope the poor thing’s okay; it’s freezing outside.
He started to walk into the warm cabin, then stopped. He turned around and stared out at the little filly, shivering as she lay there, under a box. His thoughts immediately jumped to Dawn Flower, wherever she was. He sighed, hung up his hat, and turned around.
“Hey, kid,” he called, “whatcha doin’ out here?” The filly looked up, but didn’t answer.
“Where’s your parents, kid?” he asked, trotting over to her.
The little filly began to cry. “I don’t know,” she sniffed. As he got closer, he noticed she was a unicorn.
“Well, where do you live? They gotta be worried sick by now, it’s after dark.”
“I don’t have any parents,” the little unicorn sobbed.
“What?! No parents?” Shoot, gotta think of something. He rubbed the back of his neck with his hoof. “Geez kid I- I can’t just leave you out here on the street. It’s cold outside.” Think Sarf think! “Why don’t you come in and enjoy a nice cup of hot cocoa?” If nothing else, I can at least get her out of the cold.
“Um, okay.” She pulled herself out of the box, and trotted up to him, slowly. He could not believe it, the resemblance was uncanny; she even had the same pale violet eyes.
He led her inside, discarding his cape as he stepped into the warm atmosphere of his cozy little home.
“Here ya go, kid, sit tight for a second.” He set her up on a stool by the counter, and walked over to the kitchen on the far side of the room. He opened the cupboard and pulled out two mugs, and some hot cocoa powder.
“You got a name kid?” he called.
“No,” came the reply. “I’ve never needed a name.”
He poured the hot water from a pitcher and stirred them up with magic. There was never a finer mix than cocoa mixed by magic. Levitating both mugs, he turned and walked back into the main room.
Time for a little fun, to bring a smile to that adorable face. “The name’s Sarf by the—WHOA!” He feigned tripping over his own hooves, launching the two mugs into the air as he did. Looking up, he guided them carefully with his horn, chuckling as the little filly—as expected—covered herself with her hooves. He stopped the two mugs just short of the counter, shaping the hot liquid as it spattered onto the wooden surface. The little unicorn opened her eyes, and stared at what he’d left in front of her: SPLAT!
“Gotcha.” Sarf righted the mugs and sent the hot liquid sailing back into their appropriate containers. His efforts were rewarded with laughter and applause from the unicorn filly.
“Ah, you shoulda seen your face, kid,” he laughed. Never fails, that one. “Sorry about that, couldn’t resist a little joke. Magic tricks are my thing you see. Sarf the Magnifico, Magician Extraordinaire, at your service, milady.” He took a bow.
As he stood up, and gazed over at her smiling face, he almost did a double take. His reaction earlier made sense now; with the light shining on her, he could now see exactly what the little filly looked like. She truly was the spitting image of Dawn Flower, save for the mane and tale. Her azure coat, her deep violet eyes, even the way she conducted herself. This little unicorn was certainly something special. Now to make her Somepony special.
“Now what would be your name, little miss? You seem like a talented young pony,” he said, extending a hoof toward her.
“I already told you silly, I don’t have a name,” she said, still laughing.
I swear, you sound just like her. “Oh nonsense, non-sense! Everypony’s got a name, we just have to find it.” Now, what would be a good name for her? You know, I should really take her under my wing. Er, horn, or hoof. Whatever. She’s a unicorn after all, she just might like it. Yes, I’ll teach her all of my tricks. Tricksy. Huh? Trixie. Perfect! “I’ve got it!” he declared. Summoning his best stage voice, Sarf proceeded to serenade the little filly with the sound of her new name.
“Fillies and Gentlecolts! Introducing, for the very first time, Sarf the Magnifico’s fantabulous assistant, soon to be the most talented young unicorn in all of Equestria: The great and powerful, TRIXIE!” He smiled at the ring carried by the title he had added to the name. “Yeah, I like the sound of that, Trix. You’ll be my assistant, and Old Sarf’ll teach you the ‘Trix’ of the trade.” He winked as he added the pun to her name, unsure of whether or not she’d noticed it.
“Yay!” came her excited cry. Trixie. She seemed to approve of the name.
They sipped their cocoa after that, laughing at each other as they both received chocolate mustaches. He couldn’t help but recall sharing the same experience with little Dawn Flower, when she was around the same age. When they had finished their cocoa, Sarf took the mugs, and washed them with a wet rag.
“Alright kid, time for bed.”
“Aww, but we were having fun,” came her cute little whine.
“Nope,” he grunted, laying down on the couch. “Sleep time kid. We gotta hit the road in the morning anyway.”
“So we can have more fun tomorrow?”
“Sure, kid. Tomorrow.” He rolled over and closed his eyes, hoping Trixie would do the same. Four small hooves soon found their way onto the couch near his stomach. He almost said something, but she had already curled up, and was fast asleep. He smiled, and put a hoof over her.
“Sleep well, kid.”
* * *
“I’m going to need my newest assistant for this next trick. Would you all like to meet her?“
A roar went out from the crowd.
I thought so. He glanced to the edge of the stage where Trixie stood, perched on her front hooves, looking as if she might fall forward at any moment. Sarf wasn’t exactly sure which was wider, her eyes or her smile. Either way, he would not keep her waiting for much longer.
“Then, without further ado: Fillies and Gentlecolts, allow me to present, for the first time ever, Sarf the Magnifico’s fantabulous assistant, soon to be the most talented young unicorn in all of Equestria: The great and powerful, TRIXIE!”
Alright, kid. I’m gonna use an old trick I learned back in the day to put you on stage. It’s all special effects so don’t be scared, just relax and we’ll wow the crowd.
He extended a hoof toward the left side of the stage, where his astonished, azure assistant unfolded out of the air. She blinked, her eyes wide. Trixie slowly crept toward the center of the stage, crouched before the roaring crowd. Oh, pony feathers.
“Hey, kid, lighten up, you’re gonna do great. Just relax and let me work the magic,” he whispered in her ear when she got closer. “Well isn’t she just a gem folks, eh?” he spoke to the crowd, throwing her a wink. “Miss Trixie here has kindly agreed to put on a show for us today, would you like to see that?” he asked. Yet another roar arose from the crowd, drawing a small grin from the face of the filly next to him. “See, kid? Not so bad.”
“To showcase such a shining young star, I’ve decided to bring her canvas to you,” He went on, dimming the light’s with his horn. He cast another spell and tiny bursts of light began sparkling throughout the air above the stage, eliciting several ‘ooh’s and ‘ah’s from the audience.
Tossing a cloth over his own horn, he illuminated Trixie’s, making her the only light, and the new center of attention. And shine she did, like a star among twinkling stars, her horn grew brighter in sheen and sparkle, dazzling the crowd with it’s illuminating glow. Mark of a prodigy, that, adding her own effect. Nice job, kid.
Sparks began flying from the tip of her horn, and she scrunched up her face in concentration. They grew in intensity, increasing in number as her horn became brighter. Sarf watched as she began to produce her own set of twinkling lights—more extravagant than his own—and decided he could release the spell. The stage is yours, kid.
Sarf smiled as—without so much as a ripple—Trixie took over the lead act, producing lights of all different colors across the stage in a veil of starbursts. As they danced and shimmered in the dark theatre, all the lights began to grow brighter at once, ending the fantastic display with a bright white flash. Sarf even shielded his eyes until the brilliant light show suddenly grew dim.
Sarf returned the main lights to their original brilliance as he stepped back into the center of the stage, smiling proudly at the exhausted young filly before him. “Genius, kid,” he whispered, before turning once again to face the audience. “Wasn’t that amazing?” Sarf bellowed, magnifying his voice with the usual spell. “Fillies and Gentlecolts, The Great and Powerful Trixie!” He stood holding his hoof toward her for a few moments as they cheered. Just like Dawn.
“Well, folks, That’s all we have time for tonight. Catch us next week in—” A murmur rose from the crowd, growing into a loud roar once again. Sarf looked around, trying to spot the source of the audience’s latest excitement. Then he saw it: There in the middle of the stage, emblazoned upon a shimmering coat of blue, was a sparkling, shiny new cutie mark.
* * *
“Great job, kid, you really wowed the crowd tonight!” Sarf said, as they entered the little cabin on wheels.
“Did– did I do okay, Daddy?” Trixie asked.
“Yeah, kid, you really—” He stopped. ‘Daddy’? Heh, how ‘bout that? Sarf smiled. “You did good. Trixie.” He turned and hugged her, falling back onto the couch as he lifted her up onto his chest. Her face didn’t reflect his own excitement, however.
“But, I failed,” she mewed, her lip quivering. “I couldn’t keep the spell going, I let you down.” Trixie let her face fall, a tear falling from one eye. He rolled over and sat up, letting her slide off onto the cushion beside him.
“What are you talking about? That was one of the best magic shows I’ve ever seen, and I was on the stage. You did great!” Trixie looked up at him with enormous olive eyes.
“I heard you say you wanted to bring the stars to the stage, so I was trying to bring the stars inside. But I couldn’t get the spell right, and all that happened was a few sparks came off my horn. I’m a failure.” She slumped to the ground, tail curling around her front hooves. Sarf couldn’t help but utter a chuckle.
“He-he. Kid, you ain’t no failure. Turn around, and take a look at what you got, right there.” He pointed to her flank. She did as instructed, and froze upon seeing her newly adorned flank.
“Huh? What’s wrong with me? Why is that funny mark on my flank? What’s going on?” she wailed. Sarf could not maintain his composure any longer.
“Bffahahahahaha! Kid, you’re a riot!” he laughed, wiping a tear from one of his eyes. As his fit of laughter subsided, he went on. “Whoo, okay, sorry about that. You mean you don’t know what that is on your flank?” She looked at it for a moment, then back at Sarf, her expression blank.
“No. What is it?” she sniffed.
“Well, it’s uh... Have you ever heard of a cutie mark?” he asked. Please say ‘yes’.
“No. What is it?” she asked, eyes wide with wonder. He blinked. Deja vu. Shaking his head, he went on.
“Well, it’s uh... it’s kind of like an emblem, that appears on a pony’s flank when she discovers her special talent, and it usually depicts that talent in some way, like mine here.” He indicated his own flank, displaying a pattern of fur, shaded in a way that made it appear to dance and weave back and forth as the angle of the light changed. He had always loved the awestruck expression that came over the few ponies lucky enough to see it without his performance ensemble.
“My special talent is in illusions. I use it to put on magic shows usually, but when I was younger, there were much more devious things I enjoyed doing.” He lit up his horn, releasing a spell he’d devised around the time his own cutie mark had appeared. As with everypony else back in the day, Trixie’s face widened in shock, as Sarf’s entire body matched itself to the color pattern of the couch behind him. “Quite useful for slipping around undetected, and good for pranks too,” he added. “But that was before I learned the teleportation spell. Kinda defeats the purpose at that point. Still, a story is a story.” He lay back and stared up at the ceiling, throwing his front hooves behind his head.
“So, this mark... has something to do with my special talent?”
“Hmm?” He looked up. “Oh, yeah. It’s a sign that you’ve discovered your special talent, and I would hazard a guess at saying it’s got something to do with magic, judging by that star wand, and the starry veil behind it.” Kind of like back on stage...
“Hey, Trix. What was going through your head, when you lit up your horn like that? I’ve never seen a unicorn of your age perform such an intricate spell before, and as her first successful spell no less. How ‘bout it, kid? What was going on in that bright, little head o’ yours?” She looked up, pondering the thought for a moment.
“Well, I was just copying what you were doing. I wanted to help with the act, and make the crowd happy. But I couldn’t do it; the spell failed after a short time.” Her face began to droop.
“Hey,” Sarf said with a soft, quiet voice. “That’s all you need.” He lifted her chin with his hoof. “Pleasing the crowd is what the show’s all about. If a spell fails, but still looks as spectacular as you did tonight, that’s all you need.”
* * *
The next year went by faster than Sarf had ever thought possible; it seemed like just yesterday he had picked her up by the late night pub in Manehattan, and now she knew every trick he could teach her, and more. She had grown profoundly in her magical talent, even inventing a few spells of her own. She reminded Sarf a lot of Dawn Flower, even in the speed at which she absorbed the knowledge he had to offer her. It was like being given a second chance.
“Are we there yet, daddy? Are we? Are we?” Trixie was bouncing up and down behind the window on the front of the wagon-house. “Hang- hang on, kid. I can only move so fast with this thing. I’m getting kinda old you know; not as young as I used to be.” Sarf couldn’t really blame her. It wasn’t long after earning her cutie mark that young Trixie had discovered her love of performing as well. It had actually grown into somewhat of an unhealthy addiction; she would whine between performances, and often berate the crowd during a show.
It was painful to notice, and it hurt even more when he would have to scold her for it, but she had let her extraordinary talent go to her head, just a little. She’d even begun referring to herself in third pony when on stage. She’s young. She’ll learn. He’d told himself, even helping to develop her stage character in the hopes that she might not stray too far to the side.
Today was a special day, however. It was the annual show in Baltimare, and would be Trixie’s first performance in front of such a large crowd. She had—of course— revelled at the idea of performing in front of thousands of ponies.
“I want to be there now. I can’t wait to get on stage and show everypony my latest trick,” she called. The cart wasn’t actually terribly heavy, thanks largely to a brilliant idea of hers. By adding a sort of spring tension to the wheels, they provided some of the work as he pulled, effectively lightening the load by nearly half. Sarf wasn’t quite sure how the fine details of the spell worked, but it relieved some of the strain from his tired joints, so he didn’t bother with it.
“Hang on, kid. We’re almost there. See? There’s the city, up ahead.” Sarf stopped the cart a block away and undid the harness, his heart beating so furiously it hurt. “Whoo, another one of those just might kill me. I’m getting too old for this,” he said.
“Oh come on you old stallion, I’ll bet you can’t beat me to the stage.” She started galloping off toward the large buildings ahead.
“Whoa there, slow down, kid. We’re not going that way just yet. The show doesn’t start for a few hours.” He caught her with a spell.
“Aww, but I want to go on stage right now,” she whined.
“Relax. You’re too riled up. I thought we could enjoy a night on the town. This is your first time in Baltimare ain’t it?” He beckoned to her, and the two trotted off together.
They danced together in the starlight on the pier. They laughed as they nibbled at fine hayseeds in the diner. They watched the ships going in and out of the harbor. He endured the hard thump of the bass as they passed through the club center of town. They trotted quietly through the park. This was Sarf’s favorite part. Dawn had always begged him to take her to the park. She would often run around aimlessly for hours, or sniff the many beautiful flowers that grew there. The crickets tonight created such a lullaby, he could almost lose himself in it.
“Where to now, daddy?” She asked. He smiled at the way she called him ‘daddy’. She reminded him of Dawn. ‘It’s the eyes’ he thought. It’s got to be the eyes. His heart jumped as he thought of her. How sweet and innocent she had been at this age. Where does the time go? Breaking out of his reverie, Sarf smiled as his eyes fell on Trixie once again.
“Follow me, kid. I’ve got a surprise for ya,” he said. She had been so well behaved, and this was a special night after all. Her eyes lit up when he said the word ‘surprise’.
“Really? What is it?”
“Can’t tell ya, kid. Then it wouldn’t be a surprise.” He chuckled, trotting off toward town.
“Aww, come on,” she whined, tugging on his cloak.
“Nope, can’t do it. But I can show ya,” he said, winking at her. You’re gonna love this.
He led her to a small magic shop he’d gone to as a young stallion. The bell at the door gave a familiar ring as he stepped inside, bringing back old memories from his youth. Trixie galloped into the store, racing down the aisle as he turned to the pony behind the counter.
“I’m here to pick up an order, No. 13578,” Sarf recited. The pony at the counter looked up.
“1-3-5-7-8...” he stared upward into his skull. “Ah, yes the sparkling cape. One of my recent favorites,” he smiled. “Wait here while I get it.” The pony disappeared through the wall next to him, reappearing a second later with a star spangled purple cloth in tow.
“A rare gem that one,” he said. “Finest silk, imbued with a unique spell, that will give the cloak some ‘attitude’, as well as keep it from being torn or damaged.” He leaned closer to Sarf as he murmured the next line: “Took me nearly a week to get the spell right. It’s been so long since I’ve had a special order, and sized for a filly no less.”
Sarf smiled. “Hey, I tell ya, she’s worth it. Y’know?” They both nodded.
“Hey, kid, where’d you go? I got something for ya,” Sarf called. A clatter of hooves could be heard approaching quickly down the aisle, and before long a large purple wizard hat appeared around the corner, sporting four azure blue legs beneath it.
“Check it out. kid, I got you a nice cape to go with mine. Pretty cool huh?” He held out the silk cape for her to see, then noticed the hat. “What’s that you got there?”
The hat flopped backward, revealing Trixie’s face beneath it. “I found it,” she said. “Can I get it, please please please.”
Sarf thought about it for a moment. “All right kid, we’ll get it for ya. It’s not everyday you get to perform at your first big show in Baltimare. Throw the hat in too, please.” He turned back to the storekeeper.
“Alright, with the cape, and the hat, that’ll be... thirty bits.” the storekeeper replied.
“Whoa, thirty bits! Isn’t that expensive, Sarf?” Trixie asked.
It was quite a lot for clothing, but this was a special night. “You’re worth it, kid,” he said, smiling. “Besides, you want to look nice on stage dontcha? You’re going to be performing in front of a lot of ponies tonight.”
“Yay, thanks!” she squealed, attack hugging his leg. “You’re the best daddy ever!”
Not finding anything to say, he simply patted her head, and they headed out the door.
* * *
They arrived at the theatre entrance not a minute too soon. Sarf’s heart was beating for all it was worth, having to haul the wagon again after such a long night. It hurt quite a lot this time.
“Here we are, kid. Ready for your first big show?” he called, unstrapping himself again.
“Of course!” came the reply.
“You remember what I taught you, kid?” he called back. I must be getting really old. Geez this hurts.
“Every word.” The door swung open, revealing a stunning blue filly, garbed in purple and dotted with stars. You remind me so much of her.
“Alright. Go get ‘em, miss Great and Powerful Trixie.” He winced. “Knock ‘em dead, kid.”
She had begun to trot down the steps, but stopped when she saw him standing there.
“Aren’t you at least coming on stage with me?”
Clearly not every word. “With Trixie,” he said, wheezing. “You gotta stay in character, especially when you’re on stage, that’s what sells the show.” Ooh! I think I might have a heart attack if this keeps up. No way I’m gonna be able to perform tonight. But I can’t ruin her night; she’s got to perform. “No, you take this one, kid. Forty years I’ve been in the business, and never once missed the show in Baltimare. The crowd here already knows me, but you, you’re a fresh young performer. This is your time to shine.” He wiped a few beads of sweat from his brow. She noticed.
“Are you alright, Sarf? I- Trixie thinks you look a little, fatigued,” she asked.
“What?” he looked up, trying to ignore the increasing pain in his chest. “Oh, Nah I’ll be fine, kid, Just a little—ooh—exhausted from the trip, that’s all. Just make sure you sell em’ good. It’s all about entertaining the crowd, by any means necessary, remember that.” She truly was the spitting image of Dawn Flower. The resemblance was uncanny. “You’re going to be an amazing performer someday, Trix, I can already see it. Never be afraid to shine.”
She seemed to accept that last sentiment, and headed off toward the stage. Lying back on the cool, smooth earth, Sarf then gazed up at the sky. The city lights were bright, and spotlights shone everywhere for the big event. Sarf saw none of it. All he saw were the twinkling stars in the beautiful night sky above.
He didn’t even notice the pain leave, he just remembered bringing Dawn Flower home for the first time. How beautiful she had been. He thought about the day she’d discovered her cutie mark, as the sun came up over the horizon on that warm summer day. He thought about the day she left, and he’d prayed to Celestia that she would come home. Sarf then thought back to that night, when he’d asked to just see a piece of her before he left. He thought of Trixie.
Thank you, Celestia. Thank you.
Sarf then closed his eyes, for the last time.
