It rose before them, even its most vibrant colors seemingly tainted by the brown of the arid lands around it. Great wheels of unknown function did not turn but did grace the town and many buildings of different heights were crammed together in the town, creating a stiflingly tight atmosphere.

"Fortunately, we're not going in there." The caravan master directed ponies to start setting up shop outside of it. "But this does mean you've reached another leg of the journey." She inclined her head back. "I'm told Celestia's share is to be paid to one of the merchants, so I'll get that over. The rest..."

With a deft twist of her neck, she grabbed a pouch of coins and set it on the ground ahead of herself. "Well earned. I included a little bonus for not losin' a single wagon to that blasted worm. Thought we'd always lose a few whenever one of those things showed up."

The bag floated into the air, not in Luna or Celestia's magic, instead yanked over by Trixie. "Thank you. I assume you'll be wanting our company after this as well, mm?"

"Of course." The caravan master perked an ear. "We'll be moving on past this, and having guards remains a valuable thing. Let us make some money here to make the time worth it, and maybe have some funds to continue employin' the lot of you."

Garou was barely listening to the conversation, his eyes up high, watching an airship float into position. "Ever consider getting one of those?"

The caravan master peered at the dog, then followed his eyes up to the floating ship. "It'd be nice, but there are fewer ship docks in Equestria that you can park the things at. If you can't land it without a big to-do, that makes it less temptin'."

Luna gestured with a wing up at it. "Sister and I have both flown on our share of flying ships. It's a stately way to travel, but she is correct in that finding an airship dock outside of major cities is unusual. When you have wings, this is less of an issue, but not everyone does, and when carrying heavy objects, even that can prove a challenge."

Celestia moved to Trixie's side. "Let's divide this properly, then we can enjoy our earnings. How long will the caravan be staying?"

"Mmm, depends on the business, but a few days at least." The caravan master turned in place, squinting a little. "I see business already approaching."

A few ambling animal people wandered from the town towards the unpacking wagons. One had an ornate red coat with bright gold buttons and a monocle over one eye. He looked rich, or that he was trying to look rich. Either way, he several others following right behind him and his swaying skunk tail.

Reaching up to adjust the monocle with a gloved hand, the leather a slightly different shade of red, his face was covered in black and white fur, matching the coloration of the skunk species his tail implied. "What have we here?" he asked loudly enough to make no mistake that he intended to be heard. "Traders? I do hope you've the proper permits."

"Must we do this dance every time?" spat the caravan master with a little smile. "You know we'll pay our dues. Just shove the paperwork over and I'll get it done."

He stepped closer, but stopped, his eyes moving to Luna and Celestia. "What is this? They're the largest ponies I ever witnessed."

Rockhoof moved between the royal sisters and the aristocratic skunk. "We're guards of the caravan."

"And they have an equally imposing stallion," almost purred the skunk, eyes shining as he brought his gloved hands together. "What a treat. Now then, ah, yes." He reached into his ornate jacket and drew out a tightly coiled scroll. "You know how I like it. See that it is filled to the last, with the proper fees included." He held out the scroll towards the caravan master.

The caravan master glanced between the royal sisters and the skunk, eyes darting. "Say, are you wanting to... spend some time with them?"

The skunk's face warmed to a smile. "That would be delightful." He rolled a hand softly. "Come to me, my ladies. I will show you around town."

The caravan master held up a hoof. "Not so fast, those are our guards. If they're leaving, we'll have to hire other guards. But, perhaps, you could help with that?" She inclined her head suggestively, brows waggling.

The skunk's fingers tapped at the opposing elbow, his arms crossed. "Mmm, mmm... Oh very well. Allow me to take these two lovely things off your... hooves... while you're here and we'll just forget the fees. That should cover it, yes?"

"Deal!" quickly spat out the caravan master before any of those being traded could voice their opinion. She hurried over to Celestia and Luna, both peering at her with ire. She whispered softly, "Look, just let him wine and dine you. You don't have to do more than that, and I'll give you half of what was saved by not paying those fees. Easy money."

Garou chuffed in a canine way. "Go on, enjoy your date. We'll keep an eye on things."

That got him a dirty look from both princesses before Celestia fixed her gaze on the skunk and smiled brightly, approaching him at a steady pace. "I apologize, but I don't think I've heard your name? I am Celestia, former princess of Equestria."

Luna took the cue and stepped up to take up a position beside her sister. "I am her sister, Luna. We gather you wish to tour the city?"

"Nothing so boarish." He turned away, his entourage of other animal folk silently moving to get behind him, ending up around the royal sisters without a word. "I'll show you the finest, as you clearly deserve. Let us speak of delicate senses and exquisite things, as you two clearly are."

Celestia tittered softly, following along as she was led into the city. Luna leaned in as they went, whispering gently, "Please tell me you are joking. You're not taken in by--"

Celestia gently bumped into her sister, quieting her.

In the quiet, the skunk raised a round ear. "Oh yes, how silly of me. I am Lefont, Mayor Lefont." He reached up to adjust his hat through which those round ears poked. "And I will be your host." He waved one hand widely. "The others are my guards, pay them no mind. Which brings a question to mind, how does a former princess become a guard herself? That sounds like a story worth hearing."

Trixie scoffed at their receding forms. "Take them but not a world famous magician? That creature has odd tastes. Very well, if we're settled, Trixie is going to put on a show worthy of her name. The creatures of this town will cheer and shower her with bits and praise." With an eager clip-clop of her hooves, she hopped into her wagon and began rustling around. A moment later it unfolded dramatically, revealing a stage and allowing fireworks to escape, already lit, to streak into the air and explode brightly. "The Great and Powerful Trixie is ready to impress!"

Rockhoof and Garou both clapped, paw to paw, hoof to hoof, in polite applause. Garou gestured his head at the stage. "Want me to play a little guard? I can make sure people pay to watch." His lips peeled back, revealing sharp teeth. "Or get them to go away."

Trixie looked baffled at the very idea, tilting her head at Garou. "I've never heard of a traveling performer who charges before you see what they do. I am no theatered attraction that charges at the door."

Rockhoof lifted his great shoulders. "He means well. We can both keep an eye out fer trouble and give 'em the boot if need be."

Trixie clopped her forehooves together. "I get personal guards? Trixie enjoys the sound of that. I can focus on putting on the best show I ever did, you keep the hecklers and pranksters in check." She just as suddenly turned around and pounced into the back, rustling through her things. "Now what sort of show, mmm, ohhh, I haven't used this in a little while..."

Garou glanced to the side at his co-guard. "I think she'll be busy setting up for a bit, let's make sure her 'eager fans' sit down in an orderly way."

"Let's." Rockhoof pointed. "I see some coming. They musta saw the fireworks."

The people of Klugetown were approaching. Some veered towards Trixie's show, while others were more interested in the merchants. The caravan's presence was more than enough of a draw to get people moving. Not all of them, in fact many of them, looked as if they couldn't afford much, but still they came, and none were turned away.

"Is that the Trixie Lulamoon?" asked the smooth tones of a male cat, his hands on his jacket as he gazed upon her back end, still setting up at the other side of the stage.

Trixie popped up at her name being called. "What? Who?" Her eyes focused on the cat. "That is the Great and Powerful Trixie," she corrected, with a hoof at her chest. "Are you a fan?"

"You could say that. I heard of you from an associate of ours." He inclined his head. "Quite the show it looks like you're setting up for. The name's Capper, by the way."

"Yes yes, hello Capper." She suddenly jerked up. "Capper! Yes, Trixie remembers that. Twilight told Starlight, and she told me." She leveled a hoof at Capper. "But Trixie will not be tricked by you. You are here to see Trixie's tricks instead, so sit down with the others and enjoy the show." She threw a hoof, glittering motes escaping it in an arc. "For it is about to begin!"

From feats of stage magic to displaying her growing repository of actual magic, Trixie wove a show delightedly for the crowd. The reaction was mixed, ranging from utter fascination and wild cheering to others who were barely paying attention. Fortunately, Trixie only cares about the ones clapping and cheering for her, and she grew more and more bold as the show went on.

"You've all been such wonderful fans." Her eyes darted over the various bits they'd thrown on stage. Some of it was obviously money, but more of it was clearly not. Various bits of junk and curiosities, she had no idea how much any of it was worth, for none of it was an Equestrian bit. "Trixie is going to show off a trick so new, none else have ever witnessed it!"

Those that had been paying attention leaned forward to see what she was offering, excited whispers exchanged between the various creatures that made up her audience.

"Where there was one Trixie, there will be more." She pulled out a hoop with her magic, twirling it in place. "This is not a magic hoop." She held it out in her magic. "Would somecreature care to confirm this?"

A hand went up and the hoop landed gently on it, allowing the fish-like creature to peer at the hoop, circling it around and wobbling it, testing its flexibility, but they could find no magic in it and shrugged softly.

Trixie took it back in her magic. "And yet, when Trixie does... this!" She dropped it over herself and her form was engulfed in a bright flash. When anyone could see again, there were two Trixies, both smiling confidently. "Excellently done," said the one on the right.

"As if we'd do anything else," agreed the one on the left. They lifted their hooves in sync and clopped them against the others, smiling for the crowd together.

Capper inclined his head faintly, leaning against the edge of the stage. "So which one's the original, and are you getting rid of the copy?"

Both Trixie's looked at each other suspiciously, neither volunteering to be deleted.

Author's Note

Two Trixies is at least one Trixie too many. How do we resolve this?

Meanwhile, the royal sisters are being seen around town by a local bigshot.

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