“Hey sweetheart, how’s it going?” Razzle Dazzle1 said.

A cheerful voice squeaked down the line, making her smile. “I thought you were amazing, mommy. You and GlimGlim make a perfect team. The way you made her so furious she almost exploded made me laugh and laugh!”

“I’m glad you like it.” Razzle smiled at her daughter’s nickname for her comedic partner, Starlight Glimmer. Honey Bee loved giving little nicknames to everyone. “I’ll tell Mythra that when I next see her.”

“Can I visit you on set again, Mommy?” Honey asked. “I’ve been begging Daddy to visit Manehattan to see you. We don’t see each other enough.”

“No, I suppose we don’t.” Razzle said, her voice cracking.

She picked up a nearby picture of her daughter, her, and her ex-husband during happier times. Back then, it seemed nothing would interrupt their perfect little life. But reality showed its ugly head, breaking apart their false dream world. It wasn’t anypony’s fault, as Razzle always reminded her daughter. Bass Note and her just weren’t a good match. It was a harsh reality that soon became apparent after two years of marriage. They’d hoped to stay together for their daughter’s sake, but the fighting became too much. Razzle didn’t want her daughter growing up in a broken household.

A smile crept on Razzle’s face. “I’ll speak with him about asking for some days off work. We’ll arrange something.” While three hundred miles separated them, her ex-husband had saved enough flier miles for that exact reason.

It broke Razzle Dazzle’s heart to be so distant from her daughter, but acting was her lifeblood. And her role as Trixie Lulamoon on Friendship is Magic was an excellent gig. It started as a bit part in Season One, an annoying obstacle to the show’s heroine, Twilight Sparkle. But Trixie proved popular with the fans, and she returned in later seasons as a semi regular cast member. Not that she hadn’t played other parts. She’d also played the sinister fan favorite Queen Chrysalis. With the show soon entering its final season, Razzle hoped to return to Neigh Orleans. Then nothing could separate her from her daughter, .she’d already gotten some offers to work on some local shows.

“Are you hungry?” Razzle said, smiling as she poured feed into her fish tank. A colorful menagerie of fish swam up for their meal, each bumping against the other as they eagerly devoured the tasty food flakes. Beyond her daughter, her fish collection was her greatest love in the entire world.

“Meow.” A calico mewed, rubbing against her leg, wanting attention, too.

“And you, of course. It’s hard to say who I love more.” Razzle said, picking up her cat, Ralph, and rubbing his belly. A knock on the door interrupted her playtime with her best friend.

“Now?” Razzle glanced over the digital clock sitting on her kitchen countertop and frowned. Who’d come at this late hour? She checked her phone but found no text announcing the interloper’s arrival. Was it her neighbor complaining about Ralph sneaking into his apartment again?

“Who is it?” She peeked through the peephole, grunting in annoyance when she saw nopony.

“Some prank, probably.” Razzle rolled her eyes and turned to leave. But froze as another knock sounded at her front door. Again, nopony appeared through the peephole.

“What do you want?” She ripped open her front door and glanced around. Since Friendship is Magic was proving an unexpectedly popular show, it’d given her a healthy paycheck to afford an ample apartment. Well, decent for Manehattan anyway. It should free her from this sort of harassment. But nopony greeted her as she glanced around.

“Whatever.” Somepony must be using their magic to pull this little prank. Hilarious. In annoyance, Razzle slammed her front door.

“Anyway, I better get to bed. We’re having an early shooting tomorrow.” And since Star Power, Twilight Sparkle’s actress, had long since graduated, her work hours were much more flexible, thank Celestia.

“What is it, Ralph?” Razzle paused, noticing her cat’s pensive expression. The fur along his spine raised high, and he hissed at a far corner.

Oh, ponyfeathers! Had somepony snuck into her apartment? Tense, she slunk over to her front door to escape, pretending not to notice.

“Ow!” A figure howled in pain as Ralph scratched at the invisible intruder. The cloak of invisibility dropped, and a familiar face greeted her.

“Hey! Hey! I’m a friend!” The mare wearing Razzle’s face2said, retreating a step as the cat advanced on her.

“Oh, for!” Some looney fan had gotten the bright idea to visit her. How did she even learn where Razzle lived? “What are you doing in my apartment? If you wanted an autograph, meet me at a convention, like a normal pony.” Though Friendship is Magic was a foal’s show, the age of the intruder didn’t surprise her. The show had attracted a surprising demographic of older ponies, particularly stallions.

“What?” The Trixie cosplayer replied, confused. “I apologize for intruding into your home uninvited, but I couldn’t afford to be seen! We’re in terrible danger!”

“Uh-huh.”

“That’s because... What are you doing?” The intruder asked, noticing Razzle reaching for her phone.

“Hello, 911, some weirdo has broken into my apartment. Yeah, that’s the right address. Thank you.”

“What is that device? Are you calling the police?” The Trixie cosplayer asked, alarmed. “Trixie, this might sound strange, but I’m you from another universe!”

“Uh-huh,” Razzle said, unconvinced. “That’s some impressive cosplay you have there, but I see you’re not exactly grasping reality here.”

“C-cosplay? Trixie, I’m—”

“Trixie?” Razzle tilted her head. “Trixie Lulamoon is a fictional character in a television show. My name is Razzle Dazzle. I play her. I’m not actually her.”

“What?” This confounded the poor Trixie cosplayer. “An actress? I suppose that makes sense in the infinite possibilities of the multiverse. But listen, I’m actually Trixie Lulamoon, from an alternate world where she’s a real person!”

In response, Razzle pulled up Friendship is Magic’s wiki on her phone. “See, all fictional, just a show.”

“We don’t have time for this. You’re in great danger.” The Trixie cosplayer yelped as Ralph scratched her again. “Ow! Not from me!”

“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure the right people take care of you.” Clearly, this person required considerable psychiatric help, and she patted the poor, delusional pony on the hoof.

“You don’t understand!” The other mare growled in frustration as Razzle seemed unconvinced by this claim. “There isn’t time! We...” She paused as somepony tapped at the door.

“Is there a problem here, mam?” A police officer said as Razzle opened the door.

“No! This only complicates things!” The Trixie cosplayer said, throwing up her hooves.

“Everything is okay,” Razzle said, her tone soothing. “This stallion will give you the help you need. Sorry to bug you, officer, but this pony is under some odd misconceptions. She seems to think she’s a character in a show I work on.”

“Right, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic! Trixie Lulamoon!” The officer froze and coughed into his hood. “My niece is a huge fan.”

“No, I am Trixie! Listen! You’re all in terrible danger!” The delusional mare said.

“Oh, and you’re Razzle Dazzle! I love your character!” The officer produced a notepad. “An autograph! For my niece, of course!”

“Always happy to help a fan,” Razzle said, nonplussed, signing the pad with her usual flare.

“As for you, Trixie, please come with me. I’ll take you to where you can meet some new friends!” The officer talked to the cosplayer like she was a delicate foal.

“Is everything okay in there, Duty?” Another officer said, the first’s partner.

“I doubt this one will give us much trouble. Please come along with me, Trixie.” Duty said.

The delusional cosplayer opened her mouth to protest, only to stumble as the entire building shook. Only a quick grab of a nearby tabletop prevented Razzle from toppling over.

“Oh, ponyfeathers! They’re here!” The cosplayer said, her voice grim.

“What are you talking about?” Razzle gaped as a machine creature from a literal nightmare appeared, smashing through the floor. Given its enormous size, it had some difficulty navigating the apartment hallway.

“Run!” The Trixie cosplayer pulled at Razzle’s leg, dragged her down the hallway as they fled. The officers gaped before calling for backup on their radios. They opened fire on the metal monstrosity, but the bullets only bounced off its hard metal carapace.

Razzle yelped in terror as plaster exploded as a laser blast blew apart the spot they’d just occupied. What the hey was going on?

“Over here!” The cosplayer dragged Razzle into a stairwell. They climbed down it at top speed, taking three stairs at a time. Razzle was out of breath as they reached the bottom, gasping for air. Oddly, the cosplayer didn’t seem even winded.

“What’s happening?” Razzle asked through her gasping breaths. “Do you run from killer robots often?”

“We're unsure why, but those metallic monsters are on a mission to destroy every Trixie across all universes.” The other mare replied.

“What?” Razzle said, incredulous.

“It’s true. My organization is fighting to stop them. Though, you’re the first who isn’t technically a Trixie. For some odd reason, that doesn’t seem to matter to them.”

“You expect me to believe this?”

“Killer robots just attacked you. What more proof do you need?”

“Plenty!” They jumped as something smashed against the stairwell door.

“There isn’t time to argue. Quick, follow me. The dimensional corridor isn’t far. I can take you to safety.”

“But!” Razzle followed the cosplayer out a fire door into a grimy Manehattan alley. The wall behind them exploded as the robot smashed through it to pursue them. Onlookers gaped as an identical pair ran past them, followed by a flying metal monstrosity, before shrugging and going about their day. This was Manehattan, after all.

“Please tell me it isn’t far,” Razzle said, ducking a laser blast. She heaved, her lungs ready to explode.

“This way.” The cosplayer threw open the door of a small coffee shop. Ponies glared at them for the rude interruption, but the mare ignored this, pulling Razzle through a back exit into another alley.

“Here.” The cosplayer said, pointing at an empty brick wall. “The process is still new. Unfortunately, we don’t have a convenient magical item connected to your world.”

“That is a wall.” Why had she listened to this crazy pony, killer robot or not? She jumped as ponies screamed behind them as the robot smashed through the coffee shop’s front window.

“No time to explain.” The other mare roughly pushed her into the brick wall. Much to Razzle’s astonishment, the brick bent under her weight, like it was some gelatinous substance. Her mind whirled as she tumbled through nothing, not understanding what was happening to her. What felt like ten lifetimes passed in a blur before she landed hard on a tilted floor.

Razzle blinked, trying to regain her bearings. She sat in a spacious room with scientific equipment of unknown use. Ponies in smart-looking lab coats flittered about, chatting amongst themselves or attending computer consoles. A gateway towered above her, colorful wires attached to its base haphazardly. At first, she assumed it was a mirror, but its surface rippled like water, waving in response to some invisible wind.

“Trixie, are you okay?” A concerned-looking minotaur said, walking up to them. He looked vaguely familiar. Accompanying him, strangely enough, was a lion. Both eyed her with curiosity.

Behind her followed the cosplayer, who collapsed, gathering her breath. “Mission complete. I save the Trixie of P-014, technically. It’s complicated.”

“I’m eager to hear your report.” A stallion said, raising an eyebrow. “Hello, Trixie. I’m sure you’re confused. But you’re safe now. I am Mounty Max, director of A.R.M.O.R., Alternate Reality Monitoring and Operational Response.”

“I’m not Trixie,” Razzle replied, more confused than ever. Was it true? Had she somehow entered the world of her television show? It seemed too impossible to credit, even in some mad dream. It reminded her of that movie where a soap opera writer found himself in the very show he wrote for. What a nightmare. “My name is Razzle Dazzle. I play Trixie Lulamoon. I’m not actually her.”

“Huh?” Another pony, a pegasus, said, staring wide-eyed. “How is that possible?”

“Interesting.” Max said, stroking his chin. “It’s a pity we didn’t have a better opportunity to explore your universe first, but time was pressing. Proto’s damn good at tracking down Trixies. Well, Trixie-like people anyway. Come, let us get you some refreshments. We have much explaining to do.”

“You better! This is too much. I’m trapped in my own damn show!” This earned some raised eyebrows, but nopony commented on this.

“Now, you said show? What did you mean by that? Like a television show?” The Director asked as soon as they’d gotten comfortable on some plush couches. They offered tea or something stronger, but Razzle only accepted the tea. She was a notorious teetotaler.

This earned a raised eyebrow from Razzle. “You know what TV is? I thought Friendship is Magic takes place in a pre-industrialized Equestria.”

“We’ve received visitors from other worlds, a human named Skitch, for one, Though, she ended up in the body of a pony, long story.” Max replied. “She once mentioned a show called Friendship is Magic.”

“A human?” Razzle asked, perplexed.

“Some hairless biped apparently?” The alternate Trixie gave a vague shrug.

“Huh. So this Skitch also found herself in a fictional world?” Razzle said, somewhat relieved she wasn’t the only one to experience this insanity.

“No, we’re real.” The Director replied calmly. “But ours is a variation from the show you’re used to.”

“Okay.” Now Razzle was getting a major headache. “But that’s not what I’m interested in. I’m shooting in the morning! How are you going to stop these killer robots?!”

“It’s a work in progress. We still haven’t learned much about these robot attackers or their leader’s goal. Their leader is somepony who calls himself Proto.” Max steepled his hooves. “I’m afraid this won’t be a simple problem to solve. We still haven’t learned where these machine monsters are coming from.”

Razzle uttered a curse. This nonsense had derailed her life completely. Worse, who would take care of Ralph and her fish? Genuine panic set in when she realized something else. What if everyone assumed her dead or foalnapped? She couldn’t bear the thought of her daughter’s heart breaking because she’d up and vanished.

Everything jumped as the irate unicorn slammed a hoof on a table. “Fix it. I have a daughter that’s counting on me to return home!”

“We’re doing the best we can,” Trixie said, but Razzle cut her off.

“That isn’t good enough!”

“Yes, please be patient. We will solve this.” Max said, voice resolute. “We’ve even rescued other Trixies. Would you like to meet them?”

“I’m not Trixie.”

“Right, of course.” The Director replied. “But the offer still stands.”

“Fine.” Razzle rolled her eyes. She supposed it wouldn’t hurt to be civil. The Director led her down a corridor to some makeshift living quarters.

“You have a daughter?” Trixie asked as they progressed further into this odd facility.

“Honey Bee. She lives with her father in Neigh Orleans. Work keeps me away from her.” Damn it all, she should have insisted that Honey Bee live with her instead, even with her busy, erratic work schedule.

“Oh.” Trixie stayed silent for several long moments. “You appear to love her very much.”

“What mother doesn’t?”

Trixie wanted to add something else, but they’d finally arrived at their destination. Trixie knocked on the door and it opened to reveal another familiar face.

“Did they save another Trixie?” The new Trixie3 said, beaming and giving Razzle’s hoof an enthusiastic shake. “Pleased to meet you. The Great and Powerful Trixie, as you might suspect, visitor from another world. Here to vanquish the vile evil of Proto, who, rather rudely, forced Trixie to abandon her world to flee to safety!”

“In her universe, P-007, she became the Element of Laughter.” Mounty Max said proudly.

“It’s Razzle, actually. And isn’t Pinkie Pie the Element of Laughter?” While she didn’t have an encyclopedic memory of Friendship is Magic, she at least knew that basic fact. Pinkie Pie was her daughter’s favorite character.

“In Trixie’s universe, the Elements went to different ponies. Twilight’s still the Element of Magic, though. Long story, though one familiar to you, Trixie suspects, full of adventure, tragedy, romance, and friendship.”

“Okay,” Razzle said, unsure what to make of this odd version of her character.

Laughter paused and stared at the first Trixie. “She isn’t Trixie? Why is she here then?”

“They attacked her anyway. Looking like us is enough, apparently.” The first Trixie said. For simplicity, Razzle labeled her as Shade, for her rather gloomy disposition.

“Tragic, brutal! That Proto is such a bully. Trixie’s sorry that had to happen to you,” Laughter said.

“Thanks,” Razzle said, genuinely touched. Unlike the Trixie native to this universe, this one seemed more empathetic about her destroyed life.

“Who is this? Another rescued Trixie?” Another annoying familiar voice4 said. “You should have allowed me to come along. It was reckless to go alone. Who knows what might have happened?”

This Trixie was decidedly different from the others. She wore a permanent hard frown, depicting somepony used to a hard life. She wore the armor that Celestia’s royal guard used in the show but her set looked real, unlike the props she was used to. A tight ponytail hung across her shoulder, constricting her usually free-flowing, light blue mane.

“We’ve been over this,” Shade said. “We’re entering completely unknown worlds with unknown amount of dangers. We can’t afford for anypony to get separated. Besides, the task fits my particular skill set.”

“I’m a soldier, Trixie. I can take care of myself, thank you.” The angry Trixie said, scowling. “I’ve faced horrors you can’t even imagine.”

“What’s her story?” Razzle whispered to Laughter.

“In her universe, P-009, a tyrant called Sombra invaded Equestria with his army of brain-controlled crystal ponies. For some particular reason, Twilight never became the Element of Magic or even the princess’s student! It created all sorts of havoc!”

“Yes, and I served Equestria proud in that terrible war.” Guard Trixie said, continuing the story. “We defeated him, but not without a terrible cost. I stayed on to protect the princess after I left active duty. Equestria still has its enemies.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. Sounds rough.” Crazy a world could exist like that from a foal’s show for fillies.

“Oh, we have a guest.” A tired-sounding mare said5, slinking out of her cabin. This Trixie seemed more haggard than the others, wearing a perpetual dead-eyed expression. A nasty, jagged scar ran across her left eye, almost hitting her cheek. Her tone was deadpan, showing little emotion.

“She’s the first Trixie we rescued.” Shade said. “We found her on an abandoned world, trapped there after her spaceship crashed.”

“Spaceship?” Razzle said, intrigued.

“An Imperial Dreadnaughts shot me down after they caught me smuggling contraband across their borders. I jumped to hyperspace, but my damaged drive drove me off course. I ended up crash-landing on an abandoned planet. It left me seriously hurt. That’s where I got this injury.” Razzle noticed this mare walked with a considerable limp. “If it wasn’t for my counterpart there, I’d still be stranded there. My ship was beyond repair.”

“Interesting.” Clearly, this mare came from a sci-fi setting, not unlike Pony Trek. Razzle noticed the mare wore a tool belt across her waist, with a laser gun predominately poking out from its holster.

“We call her Jade after her crashed ship.” Shade said.

“There’s one Trixie left, but she’s under strict lock and key. She’s far too dangerous and unpredictable.” Max said.

“Oh.” Razzle tensed, fearful of what that might mean. Some axe-crazy murderer? A Trixie driven mad by the Alicorn Amulet and dedicated herself to evil? It’d been a surprise when the show writers brought her back as a villain, her mind corrupted by an evil artifact in an effort to seek revenge against Twilight Sparkle. While self-absorbed and selfish, Trixie would never go that far, in Razzle’s humble opinion. But what did she know? She only gave the character life.

“And here we are.” The director of A.R.M.O.R. said, gesturing with a hoof.

“What the hey?” But the reality was beyond anything she’d ever expected. “What is she?”

The Trixie6 trapped by some magical force field was a mangle of different body parts, like a chimera stitched together from a dozen different creatures. She seemed awfully familiar.

“Discord?” There was no mistaking it. Somehow, this Trixie bore the features of that tricksy, chaos-loving troublemaker. The Trixie Discord stood stock-still, like she’s entered a deep sleep.

“Yes.” Max frowned. “We trapped her in this magical barrier. We couldn’t allow her to run free.”

“So, what is she?” Razzle poked at the sleeping Trixie Discord.

“Stop that!” Max snapped. “We aren’t sure. In their universe, P-012, Trixie, and the Lord of Chaos somehow got fused together. We’ve tried separating them, but their souls and magic had become too intertwined.”

Razzle frowned, displeased. “Is this okay, though? While Discord is quite the troublemaker, he can also be a force for good! In the show, he reformed into a good guy, kinda.”

Personally, she’d been delighted when Discord reformed. She’d been a fan of Discord’s actor, Artful Dodger, since forever, growing up watching his famous character Q on Pony Trek. While she wouldn’t consider herself a Trekkie, she’d loved watching the show with her father. With his character being mostly special effects Dodger had to put on a silly green suit each day and never complained, he was a class act.

“You can’t be serious.” Shade said, incredulous. “She almost brought Tartarus to Equestria! We still haven’t got out those chocolate stains.”

“As a laugh.”

“It doesn’t matter. We can’t count on her.” Shade said, refusing to budge.

“But we have a common enemy,” Razzle said, pushing back. She wondered how much this Trixie fusion would be like the original Discord.

“No, it’s still too dangerous.” Max said, his muzzle a hard line.

“True. Who knows what trouble she might cause?” Another said.

“Right.” Shade glanced around, puzzled. She stared at the frozen Trixie Discord, eyes squinting. She shook her head, dismissing whatever had been troubling her.

“You’re the only Trixies we’ve rescued so far.” Shade’s expression turned somewhat pained. “Some weren’t so lucky. But we’re safe here.”

“How?” Razzle asked.

“That’s the clever part,” Max said, proud of himself. “Thank Discord Trixie. Her chaotic magic has helped erect a powerful barrier around this facility. We both exist and don’t exist on this plane of reality. Think of it as Schrödinger’s box, our existence impossible to determine.”

“So, you’re using her as a battery?” Razzle said, somewhat horrified.

“Wait, you didn’t say anything about this earlier.” Laughter said, equally not pleased.

“It keeps Discord’s magic trapped and protects us,” Shade said, trying to hide her discomfort. “It’s not an ideal solution, but we need a safe base of operation.”

“You won’t be so apprehensive if you saw the havoc she caused. The mare was completely uncontrollable.” The smuggler said, her mouth a hard line, showing the most emotion Razzle had seen since coming here.

“And when she breaks free, won’t she be unhappy with us?” Razzle replied pointedly.

“Fear not, she won’t,” Max said confidently. “Now let me show you your quarters while we solve this Proto problem.”

“So I’m stuck here?” Razzle said unenthusiastically. “I’m supposed to drop my life and wait for you to fix this?”

“I’m sorry, but we’re doing our utmost so you can get home,” Max said with surprising sensibility. For a shady government type, he seemed like a decent pony.

Yet, unease washed over her as they led her away, fearing it might not be as simple as Max claimed. If Proto could attack Trixies across the cosmos, how safe were they?

“I hope you can protect us, Discord.” Razzle turned back at the frozen amalgamation of her character Trixie and Discord and blinked. Was it her imagination, or had the chaotic pony winked at her?

“I’m really getting a bad feeling now.” Yet, she still felt somewhat hopeful. Razzle would do everything in her power to destroy Proto. How dare he separate her from her Honey Bee! Galvanized, she trotted away with some pep in her step as she followed the others.

Author's Note

1. From the Actingverse
Razzle Dazzle isn't Trixie Lulamoon, but she does play her on TV. A prodigious character actor, Razzle hit it big when she took a bit part for a character called Trixie on the foal's show Friendship is Magic. Much to her surprise, the show became a huge hit, especially with an unlikely crowd of older ponies. Now in its seventh season, Razzle has landed a solid gig playing recurring character Trixie, a fan favorite. While glad for the steady work, Razzle wishes she had more time for her daughter, Honey Bee, who is living with her ex-husband, so her mother can focus on her acting career.

2 From the Skitchverse
Skitch was your average fan of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, but things took a weird turn when he suddenly found himself in a new life as a pony! The world seemed familiar from the show, but there were odd differences he hadn't counted on. This Trixie wasn't just a wandering stage magician, boasting her way across Equestria and claiming outrageous feats like besting an Ursa Major. No, instead, she had a troubled past. A crime lord named Bayou Runner had caused her mother's death, and she was out for revenge. Once she'd gotten her vengeance, however, Trixie wasn't satisfied. Instead, she decided to use her skills and cunning to fight other criminals so nopony would lose a parent like she had. Together with a band of three others, the criminal underworld learned to fear her name.

3. From the Manehattenverse
What's this? The Summer Sun Celebration is taking place in Manehatten this year? And Twilight Sparkle? Will you stop reading those dusty old books and make some friends? Trixie Lulamoon is a traveling stage magician, here in Manehatten to make it the most spectacular festival possible. Quick with her wits and a smile, she wants to bring laughter and joy to ponies everywhere.

4. From the Crystal War Timeline
Equestria is ravaged by war when the evil Sombra attacks with his army of brainwashed crystal ponies. Trixie, wanting to help, enlists. It was a tough, brutal war, but Celestia's forces of light triumphed. Burdened by duty, Trixie decides to enlisted on as a guard. With peace finally achieved, Trixie hopes for a boring, peaceful life as she protects the Princess with her life.

5. From Star Wars.
Trixie is a bounty hunter. Her life is hard and full of danger, but it pays the bills. She is a hunter at heart, and none escape her. When she's on your trail, she'll dog you to the ends of the galaxy if need be. She's not always the luckiest, however, and ended up crashing on a deserted planet until an extradimensional visitor saved her.

6. And of course Trixcord, the main heroine of this story!

This story is dedicated to the late GreyGuardPony. Thank you. Your advice really helped push me as a writer.