Old Tricks

by Horizon Spark

Rating: everyone
Tags: Starlight Glimmer, Slice of Life, Trixie, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 1801

Having worked as a guidance counselor for several long years, Trixie decides to have a chat with Starlight about how much things have changed, and how she'll never become the world famous magician she wanted to be.

Having worked as a guidance counselor for several long years, Trixie decides to have a chat with Starlight about how much things have changed, and how she'll never become the world famous magician she wanted to be.

Published 2020-08-18 16:50:01 UTC
Last updated 2020-08-18 16:50:01 UTC

Old Tricks

No More Tricks

“There you go Phyllis, good as new,” Starlight Glimmer sighed as she put away her watering can. She gave a content smile as she stared more at her green friend. “Oh Phyllis, even after all these years, you're still one of the few friends I can trust in this school.” Suddenly a knock from her door could be heard, starling the headmare. “Er...come in!”

Suddenly, the doors to the office opened and in came the guidance counselor of the School of Friendship, Trixie. “Hey Starlight, are you busy talking to Phyllis?”

Starlight gave out an exaggerated gasp, “I wasn’t talking to the plant again!”

Trixie raised an eyebrow.

“Alright fine, I was talking to the plant,” she groaned before putting Phyllis back on the windowsill. “Did you need something?”

Trixie smiled as she closed the door and sat down, “I know this is pretty sudden and all, but I was wondering if you wanted to go out for lunch. Just the two of us, no work related stuff.”

Starlight hummed for a moment before nodding, “Sure! I can always spare time for you Trix. Where do you wanna go?”

“There’s actually this pretty nice café that opened near Quills and Sofas not too long ago. I was thinking we could check it out and-” in a flash, Trixie’s surroundings changed from the office to the middle of Ponyville. She could see the café right in front of her. “...showoff.”

“Coming from you, that could be a complement!” Starlight said, laughing for a second. She didn’t notice Trixie being silent. “Anyways, there’s a seat over there. Let’s see if their sunflower sandwiches are any good.”

After sitting down, the two immediately ordered their foods off the menus. After a couple of minutes of taking in the scenery, their drinks came and Starlight started talking. “So Trix, it’s been a while since we really sat down and talked, outside of the school I mean. What’s been up with you?”

Trixie sighed, “Oh, you know, helping students deal with the daily stress of school life. Talked to both Light Step and Burly Heart and made them both apologize to one another for their stupid argument. I think I’m getting closer to helping Gold Star get over her bigoted and super stubborn parents. Long story short; annoyingly busy...”

“Wow…” Starlight softly exclaimed, “no wonder you wanted this. Come to think of it, I had to look over a lot of activities over the past month. I wasn’t even thinking about needing a break until you brought it up.”

“Which is why I’d rather not talk about work, Headmare! C’mon Star, don’t you have any juicy outside gossip for me? There has to be something exciting that happened in this boring town.”

“Sorry Trix, things are usually slow here nowadays. Although, I did hear that Pumpkin and Pound almost blew up Sweet Apple Acre with cake batter and fireworks. I swear, those two can’t help themselves when it comes to combining parties and pyrotechnics.”

“Ugh, I swear those two are just Pinkie Pie Jrs. Nothing but parties and destruction,” she responded in disgust, grabbing the drink the waiter just left. “Though, I suppose it’s nice that those two are throwing parties around and running Sugarcube Corner while Pinkie’s busy with her family. It’s nice when some things stay the same.”

It didn’t take long for Starlight to notice her friend’s dour mood. “What’s the matter Trix? You seem pretty down in the dumps lately.”

Trixie took a deep sigh as she sipped from her tea. “You ever just...think about how we are right now? Like the kind of ponies we are now compared to what we used to be way back before Twilight took the throne.”

Starlight responded with a raised eyebrow, “What brings all this up?”

“Well, you know...just look at you!” She said pointing at her friend. “You used to be an evil dictator who forced everypony to be equal, but now years later you're the headmare of the School of Friendship and best friend of the ruler of Equestria! Isn’t that so...weird?”

“Now that you mention it…” Starlight pondered, “I guess I did get a pretty big glow up, but it’s not like it’s any different from Twilight starting as Celestia’s protege to now ruling all of Equestria. Is there something up with you Trix?”

Before Trixie could answer, the waiter came back with their meals. After thanking him, the two took a bite out of their sandwiches, then she spoke more, “It’s been years since I did a proper magic show. The only times I’ve even done a magic trick has only been for the students, making them feel better when they're in my office. I felt like my young dreams of being Equestria’s greatest magician were over.”

“What do you mean by that?” Starlight asked, biting into her sandwich.

“Ever since I was young, I always wanted to be a world renowned magician just like my father. I traveled all over Equestria putting on shows for the masses, on a quest to make everypony know the Great and Powerful Trixie!” She tried saying that with the same enthusiasm she once had before. “I kept telling myself that I was destined for greatness, that my name would be remembered long after I’m gone...but...” she stared at her tea silently, almost lost in thought, “I made the mistake of challenging Twilight Sparkle, exposing my magic as basic illusions. Even that alicorn amulet did nothing but made me a laughing stock.”

With another solemn sigh, she faced her friend, “And here I am, now a humble guidance counselor in my former rival’s school. I listen to kids' problems and give them solutions. I’m no legendary magician or the headliner in a Las Pegasus show. I’m just some old ordinary teacher.”

Starlight pondered what Trixie said and frowned at her. “That’s a bit heavy. Never thought I'd hear you say something like that. Kinda sounds like you've thought of this for a while.”

“It was a couple days ago when I found all my old costume and stage props. Guess I got a little too nostalgic for the good ol’ days. I like working with the children, sure, but it’s not like my exceptional guidance skills will make me the most famous mare in Equestria.”

“Well, of course you're not the most famous mare in Equestria. I mean, it’s not like you helped save Equestria from Chrysalis once, or you’re friends with the current ruler of Equestria, or used to be an outcast in Ponyville but is now loved by pretty much everyone. Definitely not.” Starlight casually said, not putting any effort into hiding her sarcasm.

Trixie rolled her eyes and gave a small chuckle, “Yeah, I did do all those things, didn’t I? Still, not a famous magician.”

“Oh please,” Starlight shot back, “you can’t really think all that fame and fortune will make you happy at the end? Usually all that stuff just fizzles out over several years and you turn into some washed up has been.”

“That sounds, oddly specific…” Trixie responded. “You want me to not get famous so I don’t end up making bad decisions later?”

Starlight shook her head. "I'm just saying that fame is good and all, but from what I understand it's better that the world remembers you for all the good you've done. Even if it's nothing but small feats." She took another bite of her sandwich before giving a soft laugh. "And coming from a former villain, I'd rather people remember me for the good I can do."

Trixie decided not to respond. She thought about the things she's done as guidance counselor. All the kids she helped, the smiles she made. It was barely any different than being a performer on stage. Just without the lights and glamour.

“The thing is, Trixie, is that fame’s not really all that important,” Starlight said reassuringly, before continuing, “besides, the kids love you. I hear them talk about how you’re a surprisingly great Guidance Counselor! You need to be remembered for all the good you’ve done over the years. So many students’ lives are much better because of your guidance. Me and Sunburst wouldn’t be able to handle the school without your expertise. Besides, even if you don’t do any history-changing event in the next decade or so, it’ll be pretty hard to forget a mare like you.”

For the first time since she got there, Trixie gave a bright smile. “Thanks Starlight. I suppose all I needed was a little validation. You’re right, I may never be the famous magician I always wanted to be, but I have you and the whole school who’ll remember me. And that's all I'll need.”

“Glad I could help!” Starlight exclaimed. As the two paid and set off to leave, the purple unicorn thought of something else. “You know Trix, I guess another thing that changed is the way you talk. I can barely remember the last time you referred to yourself in third person and proclaim yourself as being great and powerful. Guessing you grew out of that too huh?”

Trixie looked at her friend for a moment before clearing her throat. “Well, the Great and Powerful Trixie decided long ago that self-proclaiming was unbecoming of a Great and Powerful Guidance Counselor. However, the Great and Powerful Trixie supposes that if the Great and Powerful Trixie were to make her long-awaited return to the masses, then the Great and Powerful Trixie shall give them a Great and Powerful show!”

There was a moment of silence before Trixie coughed loudly. “Bleh...I think I gave myself a Great and Powerful aneurysm. Why didn’t any of you guys tell me how dumb talking like that was?”

Starlight laughed, “We didn’t tell you because we knew you’d never listen!”

“...Yeah, that definitely sounds like me...” She then turned to face the School of Friendship. “I was serious about that show though. I was thinking about a Summer tour around Equestria’s hot spots. Manehatten, Griffonstone, Saddle Arabia. Get back to the swing of things, you know?”

Starlight gave a wide smile. “Sounds like a great idea. Maybe we can walk around and plan that all out. As long as I get to go on tour with my best buddy, just like old times.”

Trixie gave a coy smile. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Author's Note

I really love the concept of an older guidance counselor Trixie. That fact that she goes from a bragging stage performer to (what I'm assuming) a humble helper of children is so wholesome to me.

Anyways, don't to tell me what you think of my story leave a like, and enjoy the rest of your day.

Until next time!