Author's Note
Hey! Before you read this, make sure you have read Never Accept Defeat first! It will make more sense. Anyway, I hope you enjoy!
Investigating
“Hey, Trixie, Pinkie gave me this weird coupon yesterday for Sugar Cube Corner that I can use to buy two free cupcakes. You can have one if you come with me!”
“Sorry Starlight but I have a lot to do today. See you later!”
“Trixie, have you seen Phyllis? I think I left him inside your wagon the last time I was over.”
“I’m a bit busy right now Starlight!”
“Trixie, there’s a giant pile of tea cups in my bedroom right now. What in Equestria were you doing?!”
“I’ll help you clean them up after, alright? I need to do something first.”
That’s all Starlight ever got from Trixie these days..An excuse after another and another and another. She barely did anything with her friend these days because she was always so ‘busy’. She didn’t even know what Trixie was so busy doing. She didn’t tell her anything anymore! It made Starlight rather angry and hurt that her so-called ‘friend’ was doing this to her. This whole thing started only a month ago and it has gotten to Starlight so much since then. It was like Trixie was a whole different pony now..
Starlight sat at the cutie map table, currently staring down into its crystal reflection sadly as she stirred a cup of hot cocoa with a spoon. She heard somepony walking into the room behind her but she didn’t really notice. Her mind was too focused on working out scenarios of why Trixie wouldn’t want to spend any time with her anymore.
“Hey, Starlight! Have you seen how nice it is outside? Absolutely beautiful! I think I’ll take a few of the students tomorrow for a field trip to have some fun. What do you think?...Starlight?...Starlight!”
“Huh?!”
Starlight jumped in her seat, dropping her spoon as a few drops of her hot cocoa landed on the table. She saw Twilight looking at her confused..Perhaps a mix of confused and concerned.
“O-Oh..Hey Twilight. Uh..What was the question?” Starlight asked.
“I was asking for your opinion on me taking the students for a field trip tomorrow but..I can see something’s troubling you.” Twilight replied, sitting down on her throne. “What’s wrong?”
“W-What? Nothing’s wrong! I was just thinking to myself and didn’t notice you come in. That’s all!”
Twilight just stared at her with a look that she knew something wasn’t right here. That pony was too smart wasn’t she..Either that or she just knew Starlight way too well.
Starlight sighed. “Fineee..I guess I can’t get away with things with you for too long.”
“I’ve been your friend for a long time now, Starlight. By this time, you can usually pick up certain tones and body language from your friends. You’re our student counsellor after all, you should know a lot about that.”
“I do..I just didn’t think you would pick up on it.”
“You’re not a very good liar. It’s easy to see.” Twilight giggled.
“Well..Sometime last month, Trixie started being really busy for some reason. Like, to the point we don’t even hang out really anymore. I try and get her to come do things with me but she always has something to do. And..She’s never really told me what she's doing. I just..I kind of feel like she doesn’t want to be my friend anymore.” Starlight explained, placing her head on her hooves.
“That’s odd..I don’t think Trixie would want to stop being friends with you. You two have a really good relationship and get along really well.”
“Well, why is she avoiding me then? It’s obvious she doesn’t want to be around me.”
“Perhaps there’s a big misunderstanding here from both ends..Maybe Trixie doesn’t feel the way you think she feels about you. Maybe she’s just forgetting to tell you what she’s doing because she’s so caught up in it..”
“Perhaps but..Why?”
“That I can’t be sure. But I do know one thing for sure. You need to talk to Trixie.”
“How am I supposed to do that if I can never catch her for even a second? She’s always so busy.”
“Weeell..I may have one solution for that.”
Twilight grinned as her horn glowed pink. She poofed up a particularly large poster and levitated it in front of Starlight’s face. It was one of the advertisements Trixie displayed every once in a while for her magic shows to gain ponies attention. This one was rather unique as it was art of Trixie standing on her hind legs, shooting fireworks into the sky with her magic and Discord beside her, holding a hat in his claw and pulling a rabbit out of it. The art portrayed them performing for a large crowd of ponies. There was bold letters at the top that read- “The Great and Powerful Trixie and the Lord of Chaos, Discord”.
“She’s having a magic show tonight in Ponyville. Apparently Discord’s a part of it as well. I didn’t know her and Discord got along.” Twilight said.
“I didn’t know either..” Starlight replied.
Twilight began rolling up the poster with her magic. “Well, either way, it’s a good chance for you to try and talk to her after the show is over. It would be very rude of her to refuse a fan from talking to her.”
Twilight winked at Starlight as she trotted off.
The day was beginning to end as Princess Luna raised her moon high in the sky. It also raised many spirits since Trixie’s show was about to begin. Starlight was just making her way over there as she saw many excited fillies prancing in the spot beside their parents and a few pegasi resting in trees above to get a good view of the stage.
It looked like a lot of Ponyville came for this and she understood why. Trixie upgraded her stage a lot since the last time. It was no longer cardboard but an actual stage with spotlights moving around and many star decorations placed everywhere. Where in the hay did Trixie get the bits to buy such a high quality set up? This was a huge improvement from her.
Starlight was able to snag a seat in the front as she got herself settled.
“Hi Starlight..It’s nice to see you here.”
She heard a small soft voice come from beside her, looking to her right and seeing Fluttershy shyly waving at her.
“Oh, hey Fluttershy. I didn’t even notice that I sat beside you, I’m sorry.” Starlight said.
“It's quite alright. I know I’m kind of quiet.”
“So, are you here for Discord?” Starlight asked.
“Yes but I’m also here for Trixie too. The last time I saw a show from her, it was, well..A really bad time back then. So, I wanted to give it another try.”
“I see. Do you think their show will be good?”
“Oh, absolutely! I know Discord’s been working very hard with Trixie for this one so I’m sure all of their hard work will make this wonderful.”
“Discord told you he’s been working with her?”
“Mhm. He had to skip out on a few of our Tuesday tea parties because he was trying to perfect a few tricks. It’s made him very busy as of lately but I’m glad he found something he likes to do. Busy or not, I’m proud of him.”
That must have been why Trixie was so busy..But..Why didn’t she tell her? Discord clearly told Fluttershy what he was doing, why didn’t Trixie tell her?
“Fillies and gentlecolts, we are now ready to begin the greatest and the most powerful magic show in all of Equestria!”
“Is that..Spike?” Starlight asked, holding back a laugh with her hoof.
“It seems so. Looks like they got him to be the announcer.” Fluttershy replied.
The crowd began to quiet down as they all watched with anticipation, waiting for the show to start.
“The Great and Powerful Trixie’s shows are a sight to behold. You’ve seen her perform here again and again showing her brilliant tricks and spells. However..The magician has a new trick up her sleeve tonight. One that will surely blow you away.”
As Spike said that, a wind began to pick up and started to blow at everypony’s manes. A mumble came from the crowd as they looked around confused.
“Descended from Princess Luna’s stars above..I give you the Great and Powerful Trixie!”
A flickering stardust floated down to the stage from the sky and became enveloped in a bright light. The stardust joined together, creating a pony like figure in the light as it flashed once more, revealing Trixie who was wearing her magician outfit and hat. The stars on her hat and cloak sparkled and shined like real stars as she bowed her head to the crowd who was clapping for her wonderful entrance.
“Woooah..When did she learn magic like that? That isn’t possible at her skill level.” Starlight said.
“Maybe Discord taught her.” Fluttershy replied.
“Thank you, thank you, the Great and Powerful Trixie appreciates your applause and admiration. However, we’re not done yet. Spike, my great and powerful assistant, will you do the honors?”
Spike nodded and walked over to grab a top hat from the corner of the stage. He brought it over to Trixie, holding it out to her.
“This is a regular hat you all have seen before. It holds no magical powers to it whatsoever. However, once the Great and Powerful Trixie does this,” She tapped her horn on the hat and began shifting her hoof around in it. “Out comes a draconequus!”
First it was two antlers, then it was Discord’s head peeking out as he blew a raspberry at Trixie. She giggled as she proceeded to pat his head. An audible purr came from him as the audience clapped.
“Thank you, thank you, that was the easiest trick in the book but the Great and Powerful Trixie assures you that she has more than just that.” Trixie said.
Trixie placed the top hat on the ground as Discord climbed out of it, revealing himself to the audience.
For the rest of the night, the two displayed incredible tricks and magic to the crowd such as transformations, dangerous acts, and even wild animals which were not easily tamed. This made many ponies watch in wonder and clap furiously whenever they completed a trick. Even Starlight was impressed at how much Trixie had improved. It was like Discord was the magic assistant she needed to be the greatest and most powerful magician in all of Equestria. It was a title she strived for so long and it was like she owned it now.
“As we reach the end of our show, the Great and Powerful Trixie and her great and powerful assistant would like to end it off with a bang!..Literally.”
A large bang sounded which made some ponies in the crowd cover their ears with their hooves. It looked like there was a smoke bomb dropped at the opposite end of the stage as smoke billowed and swirled around. There were gasps and screams of horror as a large blue bear that sparkled with stars all over its body was revealed from the smoke clearing away.
“A-A ursa minor?! T-Trixie..This wasn’t in the script..At all!” Spike stuttered as he frantically flipped through a stack of pages.
“Let’s say..It was a last minute decision.” Discord replied.
“Are you t-two crazy?! T-Trixie, w-why would you bring a ursa minor here..Again?!”
“Because I know what to do now..I may not be able to vanquish a ursa major but I can vanquish a ursa minor.” Trixie replied, a confident grin spreading across her face.
“Are you s-serious right now?! What if everything goes wrong and something happens to you and Discord?”
“Performing tricks and magic has its risks and mishaps. That’s a part of being a traveling magician. Sometimes you just have to take a chance to know what will happen next.”
Trixie smiled at Spike one last time as he only watched in horror as she and Discord jumped off the stage and ran around behind the ursa minor.
“Discord, trap it with your magic and keep it in one spot for as long as you can! It will give me more time to prepare the spell.” Trixie shouted.
“As you wish, my dear.” Discord replied.
Discord held out his eagle claw as a yellow aura enveloped it. He made a grasping motion as the ursa minor roared, being held in one spot by his magic. He looked visibly strained in his face as he continued to restrain it from going anywhere else.
Meanwhile, Trixie dug around in her cloak, tossing decks of cards and other knick-knacks out of her pockets. She suddenly pulled out a small clear crystal ball and smiled as she trotted up to Discord, standing beside him. She placed the crystal ball on the ground.
“Are you doing okay there?” Trixie asked, noticing how much he was struggling.
“Y-Yeah..I-I’ll be fine..H-However..I won’t be i-if you keep s-standing there.” He chuckled weakly.
She nodded as she lowered her head to the crystal ball, her horn glowing a light pink. A light pink flame ignited within the crystal ball before it faded to a blue flame instead. She now looked up at the ursa minor, furrowing her brow.
Trixie began to speak an odd language nopony in the crowd seemed to understand. However, it seemed to be doing something as the flame flickered and began to move violently within the crystal ball. Suddenly, a large blue beam of magic exploded out from the ball as it blasted at the ursa minor.
“Discord, you can let go of it now!”
Discord stopped his flow of magic as the ursa minor was dropped down onto the stage again. It growled and roared as the blue magic enveloped its body. The ursa minor’s blue color on its body started to fade away and disappear into the crystal ball like its very color was being stripped away from it. Soon, it let out one last roar before it disappeared fully and all that was left was some odd constellation in the shape of a bear. It too disappeared as all that was left was an odd misty blue mixture in the crystal ball.
The crowd suddenly erupted into cheers and applause as Discord and Trixie bowed. Starlight was currently just sitting there with her jaw wide open as Fluttershy cheered beside her. Trixie hid the crystal ball away in her cloak as her and Discord walked back on stage.
“W-Wow..I was not expecting that at all! T-Thank you all for coming to the Great and Powerful Trixie’s magic show!” Spike announced, clearly still shaken from what happened.
The crowd erupted into applause as Starlight stood up from her seat, a look of shock still on her face. Discord and Trixie bowed once more before they walked off stage together, disappearing behind the set.
“Whew..Thank goodness..I’m going back home..I need a nice calming bubble bath after this..” Spike sighed, walking off stage.
“Wait, Trixie!” Starlight shouted.
Starlight galloped off, trying to follow where she saw Discord and Trixie walk off to but only found other ponies crowded together and expressing their excitement about the show that just took place. Starlight turned around in circles frantically, trying to spot a blue unicorn and a tall draconequus.
“Wait..There they are!”
She took off towards the town hall where Discord and Trixie were sitting together on the steps, chatting with one another. Trixie was no longer wearing her sparkly hat and cloak as she was rather close to Discord, smiling up at him. Starlight stopped in her tracks, realizing if she just ran up to them, she would interrupt their conversation and, well..That would be rather rude.
She looked around and noticed there was a back entrance to the town hall as she sneaked in quietly and snooped on the two from the other door, making sure to keep herself still hidden.
“You did wonderful, Trix. I’m glad you didn’t let a bunch of ponies get to you.” Discord said.
“I did? You were the one responsible for a lot of the magic and effects. I should be thanking you.”
“You defeated a ursa minor. You said that was something you always wished you could do and you did it. Give yourself a little credit, dear.”
“I didn’t really defeat it..Besides..I wanted to defeat a ursa major not a ursa mi-”
“Oh, hush my little Trixie Wixie,” He said, grabbing her cheeks and squishing them together between his paw and claw. “You were amazing up there and I don’t care what you say. Just accept my compliments and my praise.”
“Fineee..If it really bothers you that much.” Trixie grinned, her smile being a bit squished between his paws.
Trixie stared up at Discord lovingly for a moment before they shared a gentle kiss on the lips.
“Whaaatt?!”
The two jumped apart from each other and looked behind them to see Starlight staring at them in utter shock.
“S-Starlight?! What are you doing here?” Trixie asked, her face turning slightly pink in embarrassment.
“Hold on, hold on..Let me get this straight..You and Discord..Are dating?!”
“W-What?! O-Of course not..W-Why would we be-” Trixie stuttered.
“Trix, she saw us kiss. I don’t think you’re going to be able to cover up that one.” Discord interrupted.
Trixie sighed. “You’re right..Well..Fine, we are dating. What’s your problem.”
“My problem is that you’ve been avoiding me for almost a month now! You haven’t been telling me anything either. I thought you know..Maybe you didn’t want to be friends with me anymore.” Starlight replied, folding her ears and looking away.
“Trix, you didn’t tell her that we’ve been working on magic shows together?” Discord asked.
“Well..No..Was I supposed to?”
“Dear, I’ve been telling Fluttershy everything. I’m honestly surprised you left Starlight in the dark about this.”
“E-Everything?!” Trixie blushed, her eyes widening.
“No, no. Not like that stuff. She doesn’t know that we’re dating but she does know where I’ve been going and what I’ve been doing in terms of ‘work’ stuff.”
“Trixie, why didn’t you tell me anything? I wouldn’t have been mad or anything if I knew you were doing things with Discord. I just was worried that you were trying to avoid me purposely or something..You weren’t..Right?.” Starlight asked, now sitting down on the steps beside the two.
“No, no, I promise you I wasn’t. I just..Okay..Maybe I felt a little embarrassed about saying that I’ve been hanging out with Discord this whole time.” Trixie replied, rubbing the back of her neck nervously.
“Really?..Embarrassed by me? What, do I make you look bad in front of your friends?” Discord asked, crossing his arms with a bit of an annoyed look on his face.
“No! That’s not it at all. I just..You know how it is when you see a mare and a stallion together? Well, ponies usually assume that they’re together romantically and I just wasn’t really ready for anypony else to know about me and Discord.”
“I wouldn’t have assumed that at all. I didn’t even know you and Discord had romantic feelings for each other. When we were saving everypony from the changelings, you and Discord were always at each other’s throats. What changed that?” Starlight asked.
“It all started one night when you told me to give Trixie’s hat back to her annddd..”
“Discord!” Trixie shouted.
“Wait..So that means I was the one who brought you two together..Wow..That’s amazing.” Starlight said.
“Well, technically I brought us together because I was the one who comforted her-”
“Discord, hush! She doesn’t need to know every last detail!” Trixie yelled.
“Or perhaps you’re just afraid of her knowing what happened that night..” Discord said, a mischievous grin spread across his face as he traced his finger around Trixie’s chin.
“Quit it! I’m going to send you to the moon myself for that!”
Discord laughed as he levitated in the air. “You’ll have to catch me first!”
“That’s not fair, I don’t have wings!”
“Too bad, so sad.”
Starlight giggled as she followed the couple into the night.
A little while later, Trixie was walking back to Twilight’s castle with Starlight. Trixie was dragging behind a suitcase of all her magical props and decorations as she and Starlight talked to one another.
“Well, Trixie, I congratulate you for leaving the single life behind with someone I would least expect you to be with. Did you really have to choose Discord though?” Starlight said.
“He’s not that bad! He’s actually almost a whole different draconequus when I’m with him.”
“I seriously can’t imagine that but to each their own. Although, the children you two have will probably be a disaster.”
“Starlight!”
Trixie nudged her in the side as Starlight laughed.
The two continued to walk as Starlight thought about the magic show that just happened this evening and the events that took place. She would have a lot to tell Twilight, definitely. Especially the part of Trixie defeating a ursa minor. Although..Did she really defeat it? She trapped it in some kind of crystal ball..What even was that?
“Hey, Trixie. How were you able to defeat that ursa minor at your magic show earlier? You had some kind of..Magical object or something.”
“Oh, well I didn’t really defeat it. I imprisoned it in this crystal ball.” Trixie said, pulling out a small crystal ball that was fully of a misty blue mixture.
“Where did you get that? You have to be a high level unicorn to enchant objects to hold living things like that.”
“Yesterday me and Discord found this creepy old shop in Ponyville that sold weird artifacts that were found around Equestria. The owner told us he would give us something very valuable in exchange for capturing a ursa minor in this crystal ball. I guess he wants to study it or something?..I don’t know. He told me to say some weird gibberish and ignite the crystal ball and it will do the work. I figured it would be a cool trick to show so it was a last minute thing.”
“Hm..Maybe I should tell Twilight to investigate that shop..If this guy is selling artifacts, there has got to be some illegal ones in there too.”
“Do what you wish, just not before I get my reward for capturing this thing.” Trixie said, putting the crystal ball away again.
Trixie and Starlight stopped in front of the castle entrance now.
“Yell at me if that crystal ball thing does anything weird, alright?” Starlight said.
“Sure but I’m sure it’ll be okay.”
“Well, goodnight Trixie. Great show tonight by the way!” Starlight said, trotting up to the doors and opening them.
“The Great and Powerful Trixie wishes you a restful night.”
The two unicorns went off to rest for the night as all of Ponyville seemed to go quiet as everypony slept.
