Gimmick!

Chapter 4: Me, Myself, and I

1

It was midday, the sun was peering down to the hills. Stretching out it's last few hours of sunshine toward the horizon. Still heated and with little to no clouds or moisture to circulate.

One thing was for certain, Pumpkin wore the exact same clothes coming from the mirror, and the colors were complementary. Every single strand was the exact opposite. Her skin, her hair, her hairstyle, and her eyes were all different. The only thing that remained was her voice, her strut, and the shape of her body. How are those the only ones that remain the same? Trixie thought. She figured, if she was her opposite, then all of her should be opposite. Perhaps, if she went through another mirror? Trixie thought. Maybe she would have achieve different results?

Upon walking out of the apartment complex, Pumpkin peered out to the world, as if she had never seen it before. She was amazed of the colors the sky brought, she could feel the heat in her face, smell the fragrant grass with freshly dug dirt, and could hear in the distance, cheering of children in the nearby park.

"So, are things different from the inside?" Trixie asked, given her reaction toward Pumpkin.

"A little, but not too much." Pumpkin said, she slowly turned to face Trixie. "I suppose, it's just refreshing to see the right side?"

"Right side?" Trixie questioned.

"Yeah, it's like... how you would use a light board, after drawing something, then you place it down to see the flipped side." She answered.

"Interesting..." Trixie commented. "So, you're entire world is literally a mirror image?"

"Yes. But, it's the same thing if you would go through to see it." Pumpkin suggested.

"Perhaps, but we have other matters to worry about!" Trixie reported.

"What's that?" Pumpkin asked.

"Well, in case if you're a little behind. I'm on a mission!" Trixie hyped up, throwing her arms into the air. "To find magic!"

"But, I thought we are magical?" Pumpkin countered.

"But, I need something a little more... spectacular!" Trixie argued, slowly closing in on Pumpkin, making her back kiss the fence behind her. "It is something I need to get my name up in lights, to show I cannot be messed with, and to finally take revenge against the Rainbooms!" Trixie shouted. Pumpkin shriveled in the metallic knots, but popped out once Trixie took a couple steps back.

"Okay then!" Pumpkin agreed, as she started walking off to the left. "Let's go!"

"Wait a minute!" Trixie said, as she pulled Pumpkin in. "We go that way!" Trixie stated, as she pointed the opposite direction.

"Oh yeah!" Pumpkin said. "I suppose, I'm too used to the other side of the world?"

Trixie chuckled, and both began to walk down the street they were destined.

2

"So, what magical thing are we looking for?" Pumpkin asked, as she walked beside Trixie.

"It's small, like a piece of jewelry, or a pendant, an amulet of some kind." Trixie said.

"Oh, I see!" Pumpkin enlightened. "Jewelry, huh? How about there?" Pumpkin pointed out a small interesting store ahead of them.

"A jewelry store?" Trixie said with discontent.

"Yeah?" Pumpkin delighted. "It's seems like a place would carry magical objects? It says so on the signs!"

It appears Pumpkin was correct on that, as it does say 'Make ONE MAGICAL evening, a LIFETIME' on a banner outside the shop. However, it could be just one clever marketing scheme, Trixie thought, but Pumpkin insisted they look into it, as they both entered the shop together.

"Wow, such pretty objects!" Pumpkin said, as they approached the cabinets.

The room was air-conditioned, with a sinking dark green rug that dragged on throughout the store. The cabinets were clear, and glistened with much precious metals, diamonds, and other stones that would be most eye-catching.

Trixie walked up to see many shinning rings of various sizes. She would see how desirable they would be, as the lights inside made them attractive, like a bug to an electrical zapper. She looked up at Pumpkin and saw the gleam in her eyes, such happiness and fascination in such objects, made her wonder if she ever seen anything like it.

"Never seen such things?" Trixie asked, as she walked up to Pumpkin. As her eyes drooled over the tiaras and necklaces. Pumpkin turned to look at her.

"Not... really..." Pumpkin said softly, as her eyes focused on the jewels. "Everything inside the mirror don't shine like this."

"Really? Why?" Trixie asked, as she was unsure of what she meant.

"Well, since it's shiny on this side, it is dull in the other." Pumpkin said blatantly. Trixie felt her heart pump, as it was something she didn't consider. Everything in that world is the opposite, Trixie thought. Pumpkin had never seen shiny things, no wonder she was so keen to see them. Trixie thought more about who she really is, and what she could be going through her head as she saw a world opposite toward her's.

"Well, they are magnificent, aren't they?" Trixie added, to give a sense of comfort toward the odd silence.

"They are, this one has such beautiful colors!" Pumpkin smiled. She held up an small emerald pendant with a silver chain. Trixie saw how immensely happy she was, holding to the light.

"Can I help you two young ladies find anything?" A sale representative said. It made both of them face him, as he snapped them out of their focused state of mind.

"No, just looking." Trixie said.

"Okay, just letting you know we have a couples' special on bracelets and necklaces." He said.

"We're not a couple!" Trixie cleared up. He was a little put off from her.

"My apologies..." He said.

"Well, we are more like clones." Pumpkin said with a passive smile. Trixie jumped in to clear things up again.

"What she actually means... we're twins..." Trixie said, giving an awkward smile.

"Really?" He said. "Interesting." As he examined them both, as they did look like each other, but their color was too different to really know.

"So..." Trixie said, as she walked up to him. "Do you have anything... magical?"

"Pardon?" He said, as he was still contemplating on the two. "Magical? I suppose if you mean by our store's standards, of making a magical lifetime happen, then just take a look around as you can find some of the most elegant pieces, handcrafted, and..."

"No! I mean actual magic, like anything unusual about any of these pieces?" Trixie interrupted, as she crossed her arms.

"Oh, uhh..." He hesitated, he pulled up a large case, and uncovered it. Pumpkin was stunned to see such things. "How about our signature Oracle's Jewel, an excellent cut Marquise diamond, encrusted in radiant, white gold band, and with silver plated chain?"

"Yeah, yeah... is it magical?" Trixie rolled her eyes.

"What do you think?" He said, as he pointed it toward Pumpkin, being hypnotized by it's radiance.

"Let's go!" Trixie said, as she pulled Pumpkin out toward the door.

"But..." Pumpkin pouted, as she exited the store.

3

"Stop looking so glum, we're on a mission!" Trixie announced to Pumpkin, as they sat on a bench.

"Sorry, they just look so pretty..." Pumpkin said softly. "I want one of those!"

"Does it look like I have the money?" Trixie argued. "Besides, it's just a gag anyway."

"What do you mean?" Pumpkin asked, as she looked into her eyes.

"The only people who buy those things is when someone messes up in the relationship. It's just more money being thrown away as it sits there and collects dust!" Trixie said, as she closed her eyes to cool off from the blinding sun. "Don't even get me started on marriages!"

"Really?" Pumpkin worried. "Why are marriages bad?"

"Don't you watch the news? People are divorcing each other back and forth, no use spending a bunch of money for it to be wasted within a year or two!" Trixie said.

"Is that why you don't want a relationship?" Pumpkin questioned, as she looked away. Trixie was silenced, having to sit up and look at Pumpkin. "J-just considering that we both are not in one!"

"Well, is it worth it?" Trixie argued. "It seems more work than what it's worth."

"I don't think that... I think it would be great to have someone be there for you, you know?" Pumpkin admitted, as she smiled.

"Look... whatever fantasies you are dreaming of, just keep them to yourself for now." Trixie said, as she got up from the bench to pose structurally. "We have more important matters to worry about!"

"Well, what places do you have in mind?" Pumpkin asked.

"I'm thinking... the only places to have something worth looking into, is antiques!" Trixie said, as she pointed out the nearby shop, filled with old stuff.

"Okay!" Pumpkin enlightened.

They both entered the shop, and it smelled like old people and old carved wood. It was a little heated inside, as there was a runned down air-condition system that dripped from the ceiling. The entirety of the place was filled with a bunch of old clothes, old toys, trinkets, and bunch of handcrafted wood works. Most of this stuff was handed down, and donated by a bunch of people. They also were talking of some of them being taken from old and abandoned storage units.

The enormous stacks upon stacks of furniture, stretched further out into the store. It seemed endless walking through various places, it felt out of this world and walked right into a new one.

"Ugh! Why would anyone waste so much of their life, making things that are so worthless?!" Trixie commented. "Look, all this scratchy clothing, all this random wood work!" Trixie strolled as she thought Pumpkin was beside her. "And look at these creepy dolls?! What kid would buy these creepy-ass things?!"

Trixie kept her eyes peeled for anything out of the ordinary, however everything surrounding her was distracting and displeasing to her eyes. Everything was too out of the ordinary.

On the other side of aisle, two boys overheard Trixie talking about "what kid would buy such creepy-ass things?" They thought she was referring to them and their fond of collecting their favorite pony toys from their favorite TV series 'My Glitter Pony: Rainbow Spectacular.' They both placed down their ponies, and walked the other way.

Pumpkin, on the other hand, was fascinated with all the amazing work people put their time and effort into making. If she had a house, she would fill that house with all this artwork to spruce up the place. Feeling like an old woman with a house full of heart and soul.

"Such wonderful pieces!" Pumpkin expressed. "If only I could give these things a home."

Pumpkin danced around the aisle, swinging with joy, as she looked into the shelves for something new and different. Something that someone made entirely for her.

Pumpkin accidentally bumped into someone from the next aisle.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" Pumpkin apologized sincerely. She closed her eyes and smiled. When she opened them back up, she saw two boys who were saddened by something. "Are you boys okay? I didn't mean to hurt you..."

"No, it's fine..." One of the boys whimpered.

"Yeah, it's cool..." The other boy said.

"What's wrong?" Pumpkin asked, as she looked concerned for the two of them.

The boys were a bit hesitant to speak to her and to tell her anything, but she was pleasing to look at. She looked like she was genuinely curious of what was up with them. They both looked at each other for confirmation to ask her something personal.

"Do you think... collecting pony dolls are stupid?" One of the boys said, as he blushed. Embarrassed to look into her eyes.

"Yeah... is it creepy... girly even?" The other added.

Pumpkin looked a little confused, as she didn't know why it would matter at all.

"I don't think so." Pumpkin said calmly. "If you enjoy something like that, then I don't see why it would matter?" Pumpkin looked around to see if she could give an example. "Like, all these pieces of art, carved out of wood. It certainly isn't for everyone, but it was made for someone who would enjoy it!"

"Really?" The boy asked, as he wiped his eyes.

"You really mean that?" The other added, sniffing in the mucus in his nostrils.

"Of course!" Pumpkin smiled brightly. "As long as it doesn't hurt anyone, then I think it's fine!"

The boys looked at each other, and took off toward their favorite aisle. Pumpkin was certainly happy, making the two feel comfortable for liking something they enjoy.

Moments later, Pumpkin saw Trixie walking back and forth for something. She caught her down the aisle.

"There you are!" Trixie yelled, as she stormed toward her.

"Oh... sorry..." Pumpkin said sincerely.

"I was apparently talking to myself for about an hour now!" Trixie said.

"You are talking to yourself though..." Pumpkin assured. Trixie paused to angrily inhale, and let it all out in huff. Trixie walked up to her, as Pumpkin receded until her back was pushed into the dressers. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry..." She flinched, and was holding out her hands.

"Look, I'm not in the mood for games..." Trixie sighed, as she took a couple steps back. "I really want to find something... can we please get out of her before my breath starts smelling like this dense air?!"

"Okay..." Pumpkin sadly agreed.

"Thank you." Trixie rolled her eyes, as she began to walk down toward the end. Pumpkin caught up to her.

"For the record, you and I both know you don't brush your teeth that often." Pumpkin said sarcastically.

"That's not true!" Trixie discouraged.

"Really? Did you today?" Pumpkin asked.

"Did you?!" Trixie countered.

"Of course not!" Pumpkin argued. "If you didn't then I didn't!"

"Whatever!" Trixie complained. "Let's go!"

After walking down, passing up many things Pumpkin liked to look at. Pumpkin stood for a moment, and saw something that caught her eye. Trixie noticed, and it annoyed her that she was not following her out.

"Pumpkin, do you see anything..." Trixie said, as Pumpkin was being sucked into a mountain of clothes. She reached out her hand and shook it as she was begging for help. Trixie screamed, and grabbed her hand. She tugged her, pulling her as hard as she could, but felt it overpowering her. "No!" Trixie yelled, as was pulled into the clothing.

"Wow, Trixie look!" Pumpkin said, as she picked her up from the floor. Trixie got up, as she was covered in dust and with a few shirts piled on her.

"Where are we?" Trixie asked, as she got up. "What the...?"

Trixie and Pumpkin walked into another lane filled entirely out of mirrors. They saw many of them, different sizes, shapes, and covered with various wood carvings.

"Why did you bring me here?" Trixie asked, as she dusted herself off.

"Look!" Pumpkin said, as she pointed out to a mirror sitting beside them.

Trixie looked into the mirror, and it was blank like the one in her bathroom. She didn't understand what was the big deal about as it was just a broken mirror.

"What? What's the problem?" Trixie asked, feeling a little annoyed.

"You don't see it, look into another one!" Pumpkin freaked out, as she pushed Trixie in front of another one. Trixie saw the same thing within it, just an empty space.

"I don't get it." Trixie said, bored of whatever she was trying to establish. Pumpkin facepalmed, and told her as she walked up into one with Trixie.

"You don't see it because there is nothing to see." Pumpkin said with a worried tone.

"So?" Trixie said.

"Our reflections... there are not present..." Pumpkin cried. Pumpkin looked deep into the mirror, and saw nothing. Trixie began to see what she meant, and she walked up to many of the mirrors down the aisle and saw nothing.

"You're right!" Trixie cried, as she strutted across the walkway. "I'm gone!"

"No, I don't it means that..." Pumpkin suggested, as she grabbed her. "Listen, it's because I'm the one you're supposed to see..."

"What?" Trixie shouted.

"I'm your reflection, and when I'm on this side of the world... it's gone..." Pumpkin said. "That's why the mirror back home is blank!"

"I guess that's true..." Trixie said, as she calmed herself. "This is scary... I can't see myself in the mirror like a vampire... am I going to start dying... and not be able to walk out into the sun?!"

"Trixie, calm down..." Pumpkin said with a comforting tone. "I believe it is just our reflection, nothing more..."

"Are you sure?" Trixie said. "And if you go back, will it return?"

"I guess we'll see..." Pumpkin sighed.

4

After a bit of an existential crisis, Pumpkin and Trixie headed out the store. Trixie kept trying to look at herself within the windows, as she saw many people walking past her would see their's, but not her's.

"Hey... it's okay Trixie..." Pumpkin said, as she held her close in her arms. "Let's go explore some other place, maybe a little walk through the park?"

Trixie nodded her head, as she was starting to feel a little weak and sick by the thought of herself not existing.

A couple of familiar faces ran up to Pumpkin. It was the two boys she met earlier, they wanted to thank her for her kindness. She smiled. Trixie was unsure of what happened, but the two boys she recognized as it was once her two companions that used to do her bidding, named Snips and Snails. They always hung around girls that gave them chores to do, in exchange for their viewing of having some eye-candy. These two always went after dominant females, that included Sunset, herself, and now Pumpkin. But, Pumpkin was not like herself which made this an odd association, Trixie thought.

They both watched them walk together, happily holding onto some dolls that meant so much to them. Trixie stuck her tongue out of how childish and girly it was, she stopped collecting dolls years ago, after she ripped them apart trying to do the old saw in half trick. She was never able to perfect it.

"What was up with them?" Trixie asked, she was quite disgusted on the fact that she talked with them, as she was still disturbed from everything she saw.

"I just told them if they had interest in something that makes them happy, then they could go for it." Pumpkin smiled.

"But, not everyone has good interests..." Trixie questioned.

"Well, I did say as long as it doesn't hurt anyone, then I don't see a problem with it at all." Pumpkin stated. Trixie frowned, as it was something she knew before, but somehow forgotten.

5

They sat together on a park bench, and watched people taking a last minute stroll, children playing at the park, and a few others sitting around and talking. Pumpkin smiled on the thought of all the playful and bright livelihood those people had. The grass was bright green, the skies were a tainted blue, she could see many birds take a flutter into the open world. She would look down at the grass and saw squirrels and raccoons ravening through the park's trash cans, looking for something to eat.

Pumpkin felt her stomach grumble as well, as she just awoke from the mirror.

"Hey, I bet you are feeling a little hungry?" Pumpkin smiled, calmly asking Trixie, who had curled up into a small space in the corner of the bench. She was still worried of it all, and not so observant than she was. Pumpkin looked out, and saw that there was a guy rolling out an old 99 cent hotdog stand. Pumpkin got up to get a couple before he disappeared.

Trixie remained seated, and focused on the ground. She wondered about who was Pumpkin, and if she was able to enter into her world, could she enter into her's?

"Trixie?" Pumpkin asked softly. Trixie looked up, as she held up a hotdog in her hand for Trixie to have. Trixie smiled and took it from her.

"Thanks." Trixie said, as she held it snug in her hand, and took a bite.

"Mmm... so good!" Pumpkin smiled, as she ate. "You okay?"

"Yeah... I just want want to know more... maybe looking around for something magical isn't worth it..." Trixie questioned herself.

"It's okay. I'm just glad we hung out today." Pumpkin said, as she smiled. Her hotdog was halfway eaten. "How about you?"

"You know... it was fun today." Trixie said. "Even though I didn't find anything, it was still interesting to hang out with each other."

"Yeah." Pumpkin said, as she took another bite.

"I'm sorry for what I said... I guess... I just don't like to admit I'm..." Trixie hesitated, as she stuffed her face.

"Alone?" Pumpkin questioned.

"Yeah..." Trixie said quietly.

The sun was kissing the horizon, about to go down into the hills, buried under the trees in front of them. The skies burned away, and began to get dark. Almost everyone was dispersed into their own cars, and drove away. All that was seen was the night stand-posts began to brightened up, and people's phones light up in the park.

"I get it. I felt the same way too..." Pumpkin said, as her leftover piece fell to the ground.

"Pumpkin?!" Trixie yelled, as she saw Pumpkin become slightly transparent. She saw her fade little by little. Pumpkin stood up, and was not able to touch anything. "What's happening?!"

"Relax... it happened last time I was outside." Pumpkin said with a sad look on her face, but she had a smile on her face. "When you first did it, and fell unconscious, I faded back into the mirror..."

"But..." Trixie cried, as she dropped her hotdog on the ground. A couple of brave squirrels decided to scamper toward the uneaten food. They quickly picked it up, as they left immediately after. "Pumpkin..."

"It's okay..." Pumpkin said, as she gave a passive smile. She held up her hands, and pretended to touch her saddened face. "Be good, okay?"

After she said it, she disappeared completely.