Trixie's finest hour!

“Wait, what’s the venue we’re going to tomorrow again?” Sunset blinked a couple of times, realizing she had been so distracted reading a book and drinking that she had no clue what the next day would bring.

Trixie, who had simply been rearranging some of the props in her way-too-small carriage, attempting to reach some sort of organization for even just a day, scoffed at that notion, almost hurt. “Wha– Seriously? I presumed you had memorized our great and powerful schedule!!”

Suppressing a chuckle, Sunset’s eyes landed back on her book– This one was just a fiction story, but one that was comfortable enough in the moment. “Not this week’s, no– Trix, we’re on the road, I’m more about dealing with the moment-to-moment bullshit. Also drinking.” She punctuated that by taking another swig.

Narrowing her eyes, Trixie tilted her head, suppressing her own chuckle. “You alsoooo didn’t memorize last week’s. And of the previous months actually…”

“Aaaaand I'm still the best magical show assistant you’re ever gonna get. You gonna tell me the schedule or what?” She shrugged, smirking, not fully interested. “Hey if you want me to do it blind, I’m good for it. I’m just curious.”

“Oh, your curiosity will be rewarded, my broody assistant!” Deviously, the magician selected a day planner from one of her drawers, resting it on the table in front of Sunset. “Go on, see for yourself. This one is really special.”

Raising a single eyebrow of suspicion, Sunset opened the planer, shoving her book aside, and quickly shuffled through its pages, scanning it with her gaze.

Her gaze moved back to the magician, who smiled smugly, then back to the pages of the planner, with their messy writing and notes. “Ponyville.” She stated, keeping a poker face, her breathing getting a bit uneasy, for a moment.

“Will that be a problem?” The Magician, with that same tone of snide and superiority, raised an eyebrow with smugness, bringing an innocent hoof to her own lips.

Sunset narrowed her eyes further. “You’re asking me? It was your ass that the Princess of Friendship kicked that handful of times, not mine.”

Losing her composure, the Magician did stutter, trying to bounce it back. “H-hey! Yes she might have ‘beaten’ me but any beatings have only made me stronger! Better! Greater! Powerfuller!!”

“Not a word.”

“--And we are on decent terms now, despite neither wanting to be in each other’s presence, and me being very open about the fact that were she being attacked by a manticore, I would not raise a hoof to save her.”

“You say that as if you could do anything against a single manticore.” Sunset grinned, taking special amusement out of this.

“Be that as it may!!” Trixie wagged her tail around in annoyance. “I was asking, because between the two of us, I imagine you would take issue with being in her presence! After all, did she not usurp you?” She put on that same smug smile, leaning on the table that Sunset read on, coming closer.

Raising another eyebrow, tilting her head, the punk unicorn looked through the Magician. “She didn’t usurp anything. I gave up on my position, and then Celestia picked her as my replacement. It’d be like if I was mad at somepony for taking my job in a restaurant after I quit.”

“Still, though…” She tilted her head even more. “It must make you at the very least a biiiiit nervous, being in the presence of a pony that is living your dreams…?”

“What are you, my great and powerful therapist? Did you do this on purpose?” Sunset scoffed, pointing at the planner, shaking her head. “If you’re worried that I’m going to choke on stage, don’t be. Princesses have better shit to do than watch us do our thing, I doubt she’ll even be there.”

Letting go of the smug demeanor, Trixie did show a bit of pity in her gaze. “...Are you sure? It must hurt to see somepony out there living the life you wish you had? …Like, if it actually does bother you…” She considered calling it off.

Suppressing something, Sunset smirked. “Maybe a little. Hang on.” She then took another swig of the liquor she had been drinking. “But not anymore. I’m good.”

Shrugging, Trixie was at least happy the show could go on. “Well, get ready, ‘cause it's going to be a beautiful night for us tomorrow!! We’re gonna be performing during a festival, I think it’s called the ‘Lantern Festival’ or something!”

Sunset blinked once or twice. Then she opened the planner. Scoured it for only a moment. “Trix. The Lantern Festival is today.”

“What?? No it isn’t, I’ve never made a mistake with–”

“You’ve made dozens upon dozens of mistakes, Trix–”

“WITH PLANNING, assistant!! With planning!!”

Sunset grinned, then walked to the door, not before taking a quick glance to a map of Equestria they had covered in notes in a wall. “Let me check on something, then.”

Stepping outside she was greeted with comfortable chilly and moist nightly air. She inhaled slowly, and with an exhale, hopped and teleported atop the carriage. They were parked on a mountain path, with an ample view of valleys below, so she figured this wouldn’t be so hard.

“Ponyville, Ponyville, this-a-way…” She muttered, scanning the stars, the moon, and the horizon. Then, emptying her bottle by drinking from it, she looked through it as if it was a spyglass.

And in the distance, she saw what she predicted, humming affirmatively to herself.
Soon after, Trixie herself left the carriage in curiosity, confused as to why her assistant was atop it. “What are you doing up there?!”

“The Lantern Festival is going on right now, Trix. Like. Way in the distance, I can see it. You got your dates wrong. We missed it.”

“W-what?! N-no way!! Hangon, I'm getting up there!!” She tried leaping, jumping, scurrying her way up, but failed every time. Sunset extended a hoof, and with some struggle, pulled her up the carriage, then offered her the bottle to look through.

“Aw horsefeathers, fiddlesticks, FUCK!” Trixie whimpered, seeing it in the distance. The unmistakable and beautiful sight of many lanterns flying in the skies, scintillating like stars, coming from a single, distant town on the horizon.

Defeated, Trixie laid down on her back on the rooftop of the carriage, gazing at the stars remorsefully. “Dangit, I missed it again another year!! It was going to be so awesome…”

“...It does look kind of beautiful…” Sunset let her eyesight adjust, lounging on the carriage, observing the beautiful show that was so, so distant, remaining silent for a moment. “Oh well. I guess this means we don’t have to stop by Ponyville tomorrow…! Hehe.” She let out a satisfied exhale, with a smile.

Shaking her head, sitting back up, Trixie refused to be defeated. “Nuh uh! We’re going tomorrow, even if we’re the only ones that’ll be presenting anything!!!”

Eyes widened, Sunset shuddered. “Trixie, it’s a whole town– our show is not nearly good enough to be worth slapping in front of a bunch of ponies just trying to live their daily routine– Especially these ponies that might not even like us.” Like it or not, she was getting cold feet.

“Nonsense, assistant! My decision is made!! We are going to do our great and powerful show in Ponyville tomorrow, and it’ll be mighty!!” She proclaimed loudly to the night sky, then turned to her assistant with a smirk. “Also you’re not escaping having to do a magic show in front of the Princess that’s living the life you wished, heheh. You have to process your emotional issues.”

“Thanks, my great and powerful therapist.” Sunset scowled at Trixie. “But you realize that it'll be both of us making an absolute ass of ourselves in front of everypony?”

“I do not know what you mean. Our shows are fantastic.” Trixie waved her hooves in the air dismissively.

“...Whatever. Fine. Let’s just get it over with…”

There they remained, watching the light show from a distance a little while longer.

“‘Trixie Storm’? Is that what that is?” The Princess of Valor looked out of the window, seeing what resembled a dark cyclone in the horizon, coupled with lightning and everything, but seemingly remaining in place, unmoving.

The quiet hearty laughter in the bar she was on wasn’t enough to keep the bartender from hearing her, fortunately, as he cleaned the counter absentmindedly. “Yup. ain't from around here, are ya?”

Shaking her head, and sitting by the bar, the Alicorn kept her gaze on that tornado far into the horizon. “Not at all. What exactly is that ‘Trixie Storm’...?”

“Well, I ain’t know the legend that well, but I think it was somethin’ related to an Unicorn named Trixie getting her hooves on a powerful magic thingamajig, and she eventually lost control. That storm right there? That’s her. Some say she’s still alive inside it.”

“Alicorn amulet…” Sunset muttered to herself, thinking.

“It was a shame, too.” The bartender pointed at the tornado. “Everypony had to move and leave, the town got wiped off the map… Ponyville was a lovely place.”

“I bet it was.” She nodded, her steel gaze remaining in the hurricane.

She took a moment to breathe, to consider her options. Rest, or help?

This wasn’t world threatening. But she had a theory on how to fix it. She had been told of that incident ages ago from her own Trixie, after all.

“...Fuck it. I got time.” She muttered, shaking her head, standing, and heading for the door.

Quickly knocking on the counter to get her attention, the bartender waved. “Hey, you gonna pay your little sister's tab, or what?”

He pointed at the Sunset Shimmer from this universe, whose head was slumped over the counter, several empty bottles around her, entirely unconscious, with a small grin on her face.

Exhaling, the Princess nodded. “Do you accept bits in this universe?”

“If by universe you mean bar, then yes.”

She manifested a coin purse from her horn, and placed a couple of golden ones on the counter. “You can keep the change if you help her sober up. I won’t be around to help, but I need her to be better.”

“Holy cannoli…” The bartender whistled at the coins placed on the counter. “Sure lady, I'll try.”

That would have to do. It likely wouldn’t be enough. But it’d have to do.

She walked out of the bar with determination, ignoring those inside, hearing a couple of mumbles. Someone addressed the bartender. “Jimbo, I think that was an alicorn?!!”

“We don’t discriminate here, Hoofhoff.” The bartender shook his head, disappointed.

The Princess of Valor gathered the energy of the sun, which set in the horizon, and with it, she took off at breakneck speeds.

Her direction was clear. The Trixie storm. Time to make a gambit. She remembered the story of the Alicorn amulet, told by both Trixie herself and her wife, long ago… It could only be removed by the wearer.

She adorned her armor just in case, and in only a minute, she was inside the storm. The wind was dark and fierce. She could feel magic crackling all around her, the lightning that pierced the air was red.

It was an incredibly intense gale, she had to use all of her magic and flying prowess to stay the course, to not be taken by it.

And she could see a light in the eye of the storm. A red, blisteringly strong light.

Trixie, or what remained of her.

The Unicorn wore the amulet, as she floated in the air, and nothing else, it was attached to her neck as if it had been entangled in her fur, maybe even drafted in her skin. Her mane was incredibly long and unkept, waving in the harsh wind, her eyes glowed in a pure red that produced crackles and the light that glowed around her.

And Sunset could hear her chanting, with an eerie smile that seemed forced.

“Great… Powerful… Great… Powerful… Great… Powerful… Great… Powerful…”

It was an endless chant that echoed in the winds around her.

“TRIXIE!” Sunset shouted, as she used all of her strength to remain flying, flying against the storm.

Her head only turned slightly, as if she couldn’t actually see the Valkyrie, a deranged smile seemed drafted on her face. “Somepony new? An Alicorn, no less? A challenger, perhaps? Don’t you know that Trixie is the strongest there is?”

“Something like that! I heard that you’re pretty powerful?” Sunset had to shout to be heard above the sound of the raging wind.

“The GREATEST! I CAN DO ANYTHING!” Her voice roared, and the blood-red light of the Alicorn amulet doubled in potency.

Lightning crackled around her, and Sunset had to quickly dodge, the entire air felt electric.

“Really?!” Sunset tried smirking, even as she fought incredibly hard to remain flying. “Because I can read minds. Can you? It’s a rare power! Very difficult to execute!” The gambit was played.

Spreading her arms wide, Trixie’s voice resounded, her cackles echoing in the winds. “HAHAHAHA! I CAN DO ANYTHING! OBSERVE! TRIXIE WILL NOT ONLY READ YOUR MIND, SHE WILL SEE THROUGH IT!”

Sunset was ready for this. She was thinking of just the right memories. If the Alicorn amulet’s power was anything to snuff at, especially when it had corrupted and grown this much, then…

Trixie would indeed see everything.

With a gasp, the Unicorn’s eyes widened, and so did the Alicorns. Trixie, in a span of a single second, had scoured nearly months worth of memories from Sunset. Understanding exactly who she was, and all that she had been doing, here and everywhere. Understanding who she loved, and who were her friends…

…And understanding her relationship with Trixie lulamoon, the mare she had kept safe on her wedding day.

The red glow from her eyes vanished nearly entirely.Her voice was raspy, desperate, in disbelief. “I-I-I-I got to kiss a MARE In your universe?!?!?”

“Even marry her!” Sunset suppressed her laughter, the wind around her weakening. “And you didn’t even need that amulet for it! Crazy, right?!”

Shaking her head vigorously, Trixie could feel dozens upon dozens of memories from another life, and memories from the Valkyrie flooding her mind. And she came to a stark realization, as she clutched the amulet.

“FUCK THIS WORTHLESS THING!!!“ She shouted as she desperately fidgeted with the amulet. She moved as if she hadn’t moved in years. Every gesture took effort.

Desperately, weakly, straining, the unicorn tore that amulet from her chest, wincing in pain as it burned her.

Finally, with a blast of light, the amulet came off, and the winds around them dissipated with the explosion, but the dark fog lingered, for a little while longer.

Trixie fell. She did not say anything, her body weak, having been sustained by the amulet only for years, quietly, her tears were taken by the wind as she fell through the air. She was more than ready for what would happen next, she had taken control for the first time in years.

“I’ve got you!” Sunset bellowed, flying to catch her, no longer donning her armor, of which she luckily did not have to use.

As gently as she could, she grabbed the unicorn mid air, and held her close, as she glided towards the ground. Trixie didn’t have much strength, but she used what remained of it to hold on.

After they landed as softly as Sunset managed, above them, the dark winds that the Alicorn amulet produced were vanishing, allowing for them to see the mountains that surrounded the valley of what used to be Ponyville, including the sun, which was near setting in between mountains.

And Trixie continued to sob quietly, dehydrated, malnourished. An ironic smile perked on her lips as she did. “Y-you should have just let m-me fall and die… But I guess that’s not your style, Sunset…”

“Yeah. It isn’t.” The Valkyrie gave her a warm smile, and from her horn, she summoned a canteen with water. Offering it to Trixie, who struggled, but managed to drink some, nearly choking.

After she had drank sufficiently, Sunset manifested from her horn a box with a couple of donuts. “Here, you need to eat– I got this from a dimension where I worked with Pinkie at–”

“--Sugarcube corner. I know– Sorry, I… The amulet took me through a lot of your memories…” She muttered from the ground, unable to get up. Sunset leaned down and offered the food to her, and she gladly, even if weakly, accepted, eating like she hadn’t eaten for years, which she hadn’t.

“That thing kept you alive, but it wasn’t healthy. Keep drinking and eating, okay? I'll be right back.” Sunset scoured the craters around them with her gaze. They were in what remained of Ponyville, and there was nearly nothing here that remained of it. It was crater upon crater, and windswept ruins.

With her eyes narrowed, she spotted the faint red glow of the Alicorn amulet, fallen. She leaped towards it.

Grabbing hold of it with magic, she flew up into the air, traveling high, taking the amulet with her. And as she made it to a safe distance, she adorned her armor, cast several barriers around her, and with all her magical strength, destroyed it.

The crackling lightning bolts sent her falling, but she recovered, unwilling to let that amulet win. Thankfully, it was just ashes now.

But the sound of the explosion echoed throughout the valley, as did its lightning.

She landed back near Trixie, who desperately and weakly attempted to hydrate and eat a handful of the donuts, all while a couple of tears still streamed down her cheeks. “That’s that.” The Valkyrie stated, sternly.

“I’m the unluckiest luckiest Trixie on the multiverse, aren’t I…?” The decayed unicorn let out a frail chuckle.

“...How so?” Sunset sat next to her, checking her for any more wounds. Other than malnourishment, she seemed okay.

Her voice was frail, her eyes exhausted, as she looked at the Valkyrie. “Because I screwed up everything– Absolutely everything— Even Twilight… Even Celestia… They all gave up on me. They just left me up there to rot, and I, and I… I deserved it…But… I was lucky enough to have you here, of all universes, to bail me out… The Valkyrie Phoenix, in the flesh…”

Giving her a warm smile, Sunset laid down next to her. “Don’t mention it. It’s kind of easy when you basically have a cheat sheet in the form of different experiences in a different universe. Besides… I had to. You’re a good friend in my universe.”

“...And a lover in others…” She teased, raising an eyebrow, which seemed to take up a lot of energy.

“Welp, time for the next universe.” With a poker face hiding her annoyance, the Valkyrie stood, intent on walking away.

“W-wait! Wait! I’m sorry!” The Unicorn begged, genuinely sorry, struggling, unable to come after her. “P-please… While you still have time in this universe, could you keep me company…? P-please, Sunset…! I… I feel like I know you.”

Letting out an exhale, but then smiling, Sunset sat back down. “...Of course.”

“So… In this universe, you’re just a drunk grifter…?” Trixie regarded her with genuine pity.

Keeping a stern gaze in the skies, she nodded, trying not to let it get to her. “Yeah. It’s not the only one, too. More than a handful of the universes where I try fleeing Equestria to get away from Twilight and Celestia, well… In most of those, I realize that I don’t matter enough to even be pursued, that there’s no point in getting away from somepony that’s not looking for you...”

“...Or that doesn’t even remember that you exist…!” Trixie finished, with tears formed in her eyes again, certainly being able to relate to some of that pain.

“...yep. So the other me’s end up self-medicating. Grifting from one place to the other without purpose.” Her gaze landed on the floor.

With a shuddered sniffle, Trixie rested her head on the ground. “I’m so sorry… Your pain, I felt all of it when I looked through you…”

Shaking her head slowly, she suppressed an exhale. “...Don’t be. It is what it is…. I guess… I guess I’m the luckiest unlucky Sunset Shimmer in the multiverse, too.”

Pouting, Trixie’s eyes narrowed. “You don’t deserve to be here. Lost. You’re too good for that. You deserve to be back home with your wife.”

“Thanks, Trix. You deserve better too.” This time, she couldn’t suppress a chuckle, and what she said was genuine.

Beholding her with admiration and sorrow, Trixie continued speaking, just as exhausted. “You… You’ve saved so many worlds… How are you not exhausted…?”

“I’m getting there… But I don’t quit easily. If a world needs my help, and I have the power to help… I do it. It takes more than a couple hundred universes to wear me out.”

“Y-you… You’re just casually saving hundreds, thousands, millions of lives, and just…”

Chuckling lightly, she leaned her head on the ground to be at eye level too. “Hey, again, don’t mention it. What else would I do? Try to take a nap in every universe I go to? If I’m lost, I might as well try to have some fun, and help.”

“F-fun…” Trixie couldn’t help but let out frail chuckles, as tears continued to stream down her cheeks. “C-casually saving universes is fun…!” The smile on her face was one of admiration. “The great and powerful Sunset Shimmer…!” They both shared the same laughter.

Only when she managed to regain her composure, did she speak. “...Four days now… Do you think… Do you think your wife is coming for you…?”

“She is.” Sunset nodded quickly, with a serious gaze. “But… You looked through my mind. What do you think?”

Sniffling, the unicorn shook her head lightly. “Y-you’re not gonna die before she finds you. You’re too strong for that.”

“Thanks, Trix.” She smiled genuinely, even if she didn’t believe it.

“I’m going to…” Trixie, with some difficulty, managed to lounge in a laying down position, raising her head. “...I’m going to find the you in this universe, and try to help her… And maybe I’ll try to find that Starlight Glimmer, too…”

“Don’t push it, okay? Take care of yourself first, but… Thanks. I’m happy, knowing the me from this universe will have somepony to look after her.” Sunset was genuinely thankful. This hadn’t been a waste of energy after all.

With a weak, but genuinely warm smile, Trixie nodded at her.

“Don’t mention it…!”

Tomorrow night had come too soon– And Sunset was beginning to feel a bit uneasy. She and Trixie had already set up their stage in Ponyville, and above any other show, this one felt the most worthless.

Her past was left behind. There was no way to reclaim it. Having to be face to face with a town that visually manifested the victories she never got felt like twisting a knife in an old wound.

Twilight Sparkle’s castle mocked her in the distance, and she chose to be the bigger pony and ignore it. The sun was setting, and she felt a bit more anxiety with every passing minute.

“Good news, Trix.” Sunset took a peek off of the curtains of their makeshift but decently sized stage. “There’s barely anypony sitting around waiting for the show.”

With a pout, Trixie continued to arrange her props, and then used her motivational voice. “Humpf. Delight yourself all you want, my broody assistant, but our show will still be as great and powerful as ever. You have to get in the groove!! Feel the showmanship course through you!! Unleash your inner swag!!”

“I’m not unleashing anything.” Sunset suppressed laughter, but not a smile, stepping back into the privacy of backstage. “Okay, let’s go over the routine one last time–”

But just then, an interruption.

The Princess of Valor appeared out of thin air, nearly crashing on their props, making both of the unicorns yelp in surprise.

Scoffing, taking a quick glance around, she was surprised to see another self and Trixie together once again. “Woah, another Trixie, and with me, too…?”

“What the fuck are you?!?!?” Her other self backed up in disbelief, looking her up and down.

“Oh horsefeathers, it's the invasion of the hot Aliclones!!” Trixie quickly jumped behind her Sunset Shimmer, taking cover.

“Calm down, you two! I’m just– Ugh, I’m getting tired of saying this– I’m Sunset Shimmer from another universe. I’m just stopping by, in an hour I’ll be shot into the next one. Don't worry about it.”

Quickly peeking from behind her assistant, Trixie scanned the newcomer with her gaze. “...So you haven’t come to invade the world, maybe eat our brains, maybe replace us…?”

“...No.” The Princess Frowned with exhaustion.

“So there’s no hot alicorn clone of ME coming around?!” Trixie put her hooves in her hips in frustration and disappointment.

“Also no.” The Princess shook her head.

Ignoring the boo’s of the Magician, the other Sunset approached her, inspecting her with a confused eye. “This is… nuts. Are you from an universe where I was the perfect pupil of Celestia…?”

This immediately made the Valkyrie chuckle. “No, but it’s funny that so many me’s assume that. I failed a whole bunch, but kept fighting, eventually things worked out.” She let out a warm smile, but unfortunately her words just resulted in her other self looking down, ears drooped low. The affirmation that she quit too soon. That things could have worked out.

Nudging her with a smile, Trixie did her patented no-decorum cheer up technique. “Hey, cheer up, assistant! At least in some universes you get to be a super jacked hot Alicorn!! Never give up!”

This had questionable results, but before she could speak, the Valkyrie pointed at the two of them. “Hey, you two aren’t, uh… You’re not dating or married, right?”

Trixie cackled at the idea, where Sunset just made sickened expressions. “...Oh thank Celestia.” Sunset let out a relieved smile.

“As if Sunset Shimmer could ever reach anywhere neeeear my league!!” Trixie proclaimed with immense levels of unearned confidence.

“Says the mare with fleas.” Sunset’s eyes narrowed, deflecting her demeanor.

“Hey. Hey. the mare who gave you fleas. What’s yours is mine, assistant!” The Magician let out an innocent smile, one her assistant had no reaction to.

“I will say though, you work out.” Trixie approached the Alicorn with an almost flirtatious grin and a wink, one that the Princess recoiled from, considering the fleas. “So what brings you to our humble abode/universe?”

“Nothing intentional. I’ll be out of your mane in an hour.” She shook her head dismissively, a bit apathetic. “If there’s no world threatening events happening around the universes I go, I usually either take a nap or just try to have some fun.”

Walking forward silently, her other self regarded her wings intently. “So… any more Sunset’s out there in the multiverse with wings…?”

“...I’m not sure… I’m starting to think I’m the only one.” She grimaced in consideration of herself, of all of herself, and her other selves.

“...Fuck.” Her other self’s head hung low.

“Yeah. You said it.”

Trixie beheld the scene intently, as the gears in her head spun, looking at both of the Sunsets.

After an exhale, the Valkyrie moved over to the curtain, and peeked out. “Huh, we’re in Ponyville! Nice!” Then she turned to the other two. “Well, if you’re planning on doing a show, I won’t keep you, I want to rest as much as I can anyways…”

“...WAIT! IDEA!” Trixie proclaimed loudly. “You there! Hot-ass-beefy-ass-Sunset!!!” She pointed with glee.

“Present.” The Valkyrie nodded.

Her smile was devious, determined, and crafty. When Trixie had an idea, she committed. “I just had the greatest idea– The greatest most powerfullest idea–”

“Not a word.” The two Sunsets stated firmly.

Ignoring the two, Trixie’s look was of manic excitement. “--You said you wanted to have some fun. And you look great and powerful!! How about you help me and my Sunset put on the best show that Ponyville– That Equestria has ever seen?”

“COME ONE, COME ALL, PONYVILLE!!” Lightning crackled from behind the stage, all the way into the sky, its sound resounded in the valley. Trixie was more excited than she had ever been for a performance. After all… “Today, I've got the absolute pleasure, the absolute delight, to relay to you my most greatest and most powerful show of all! And what’s more, it is EXCLUSIVE!”

The sound of that lightning echoed, and every single pony in town could now tell that there was a big show going on now. Even with just this beginning, she was already garnering their attention.

The stage had sparkling fog covering it– The lights were set just right, and the sun was in the perfect position, nestled between mountains.

It was setting.

“That’s right, my great and powerful audience!” She waved her hooves around with glee, sparkles and shines following in her whim. “This show, this wonderful, incredible show I will provide to you this wonderful evening, is UNIQUE! I will never perform it in any other venue, at any other time!!”

Another burst of lightning shot towards the sky, attracting even more attention.

“Let me ask you this, my humble audience, you have all seen the power of an alicorn, correct?” She smirked, knowing the answer, and plenty of ponies nodded and some cheered, after all, they had all seen Twilight Sparkle in action.

“Wonderful! Wonderful! Now let me ask you another question– Have you ever seen a pony be TURNED into an Alicorn, before your very eyes?!” She was emphatic, she was incredibly in the zone. Trixie knew that if she played her cards right, this show would be a miracle.

A handful of gasps and looks of surprise and murmurs echoed in the audience.

“Indeed, I have not stuttered, my friends!!” Trixie unleashed a burst of more sparks, and the lights of the show gleamed more. “Today, here and now, I will show you! Step forward, my lovely assistant!!”

From backstage, Sunset Shimmer the Unicorn walked forward with confidence and showmanship, wearing a magician suit that had coattails and some sparkles, ready for anything. She did a long, kind bow to the audience.

“That’s right, everypony!” Trixie pointed at her assistant, as she pranced around her. “Today, and only today, for a limited time only, I will transform my great and powerful assistant into an even greater, even MORE powerful, ALICORN!!”

This, and another bolt of lightning shooting into the sky from backstage, attracted even more attention, including that of a certain Princess, who would have vested interest in making sure that Trixie was not getting into any trouble.

“Are you ready, audience?!” Trixie walked to one side of the stage, with a grin as wide as they come. “I can’t hear you!!”

A handful of cheers and affirmations from that side.

She quickly ran to the other side of the stage, with that same smile. “Go on now, I can’t hear you!!”

More cheers, more curious, delighted cheers.

“THEN OBSERVE!!” Trixie hopped to the center of the stage, where her assistant diligently and patiently smiled. “It is time for my greatest trick yet– Trixie’s finest hour– I will turn my assistant, for only brief moments, into an ALICORN!! BEHOLD!”

She waved her hooves, and summoned her magic. Sunset did the same, as she begun levitating. A light began to glow, an immensely bright, intense, powerful light overcame the stage, and even the entire crowd, and that, plus a smoke bomb, allowed for the simplest trick in the book.

The switcheroo.

The light dimmed, but only enough for her to be seen. The fog dissipated, but only enough for the crowd to witness.

The unicorn that previously stood diligently on stage was now considerably taller, the suit she wore was ill-fitting, many attributes could be noticed having changed.

And with a simple movement, she spread her long, beautiful wings, tearing the sides of that outfit, showcasing them to the entire audience.

This was incredibly life-like to all who watched, gasping in amazement.

“Do you see!? My assistant is now, no more, no less, an Alicorn!!” Trixie, emphatic, waved her hooves, presenting her lovely assistant, who shook her long mane, allowing it to wave in the wind. “Please, my lovely assistant, demonstrate to our audience your newfound physical prowess!!”

Plenty of familiar faces gasped in surprise, now decorating the crowd, as they watched the incredible feats.

The now Alicorn Sunset Shimmer leapt into the air, pranced around stage at high speeds, did incredible flips, to the sides, front and back, all while showcasing her wings incredibly, all while that outfit slowly became more and more torn, and she did all of it with a smile in her face, demonstrating many movements she had practiced for ages, usually being used for battle, now for entertainment.

“Do you see the strength of an Alicorn, dear audience? Because I sure do!!” Trixie hammed it in, as she joyfully pranced on stage, narrowly avoiding the Alicorn’s flips, but making sure all lights were on her as she spread her wings.

The audience had less and less reason to believe this was a mere trick. Plenty in it were already completely stupefied, including a certain skeptical Princess.

“But of course, this is an Alicorn that we are talking about!!” Trixie posed, and her assistant posed too. “You are here to see elegance in flight! And of course, completely dazzlingly powerful magical abilities!”

Her assistant spread her wings, and began charging the energy of the sun. Light and flames enveloped her hide as she, with a smirk, gazed at the setting sun.

Spreading her hooves wide, this was the moment. Trixie made sure every single pony in Ponyville could hear her. “So go forth, my assistant! Show them what an Alicorn is capable of!!”

And that, she absolutely did.

Sunset took off into the sky at meteoric speeds, leaving a trail of light in her wake, but immediately looped back, so she could be as near the audience as possible.

There was no doubt from the audience, as she began setting off blasts of light and fire from her horn into the skies, of which resembled beautiful fireworks. This was truly the power of an Alicorn.

She danced in the air beautifully, not focussing on speed, but rather elegance, and for a moment, she remembered her own mentor, and her demonstrations of what flight could look like, if you weren’t worrying just about power.

At times, she even took a quick flight in between the homes of Ponyville, ensuring that every single pony in that town would know what they were missing out. Her glow garnering all attention.

Glowing above the crowd, she did several flybys, loops, all while unleashing beautiful fireworks into the skies.

More than once, she landed on one or another side of the crowd, that landing unleashing a blast of golden light, and with that same momentum, she would leap into the air once more.

“Yes, yes my assistant!!” Trixie bellowed into the air with glee. “Feel the earth as if it is yours!! Feel the skies as if they are a part of your hide!! Feel all magic as if it is as easy as breathing!!”

She danced above the crowd with joy. Doing corkscrew motions in the air, like she would have done many times to eliminate opponents, but this time, simply with the joy and whimsy of showing off.

Landing atop the stage, She unleashed a huge burst of fireworks into the air, with a smile on her face, all popping on different shades of yellow and red, beautifully illuminating the sky of the setting sun.

And that’s when she finally spotted her. Twilight Sparkle, in the crowd, looking directly at her, jaw dropped, eyes filled with wonder and surprise, face growing red.

“Hmm, but since this is a one time-show… Perhaps we could do something a bit more drastic, couldn't we?!” Trixie ran to the front of the stage, with all lights briefly being on her. “After all, light shows, flight shows– That much, you can see anywhere!”

The crowd was already cheering, and they were surprised that she was downplaying this– But it was for a good reason.

“Yes indeed, my good audience! I believe we can take this HIGHER!” More bursts of Sunset’s fireworks exploded into the skies.

“My great and powerful assistant!!” Trixie pointed a hoof at the Alicorn that stood atop the stage, immensely confident, addressing her directly. “What do you think, should we take this HIGHER?!”

“I believe we should!” Sunset grinned, enunciating to the whole crowd, with her eyes fixed on the Princess of Friendship. “Let’s take the gloves off, shall we!?”

“BEHOLD!!” Trixie spread her hooves wide, in utter complete joy. “MY ASSISTANT NOW POSSESSES THE POWER TO RAISE THE SUN ITSELF!!!”

The entire crowd gasped in surprise and confusion, after all, surely this wouldn’t be possible, right?

Sunset spread her wings. Her gaze became a glare, a determined, powerful stare, aimed directly at the setting sun. Golden magic enveloped her…

…And she did it.

The sun, which previously had been setting, was now rising, and all in the audience could see it, in all its glory, moving upwards.

Trixie had officially done a show that in one way or another, had presented itself through every single corner of Equestria, in all but a single presentation.

“FEEL THAT, MY DEAR AUDIENCE! THE SUN SHINES BRIGHTER IN EQUESTRIA TODAY, DOESN’T IT?!” Trixie gleefully proclaimed, losing herself with the gleeful enthusiasm of her own performance.

After all, the sun was indeed shining brighter.

Through strenuous effort, Sunset placed the sun back in its original position, beginning to feel a certain tiredness, one that was amended only by bathing within its light, her breathing became heavy.

“I hope you enjoyed this show as much as I enjoyed performing it, dear audience!!” Trixie’s grin went from ear to ear. “Now, let us not mess with Celestia’s domain any longer, shall we?! After all, my assistant cannot remain an Alicorn forever!!”

With a flip, Sunset landed skillfully onstage. She glowed. Sparks followed her mane, and her outfit was singed in places, and still, her gaze was fixed on Twilight Sparkle, who was utterly entranced.

“Behold once more, as I turn my incredibly amazing assistant back into a unicorn!!” Trixie gestured at the Alicorn, queuing her.

But Sunset decided that just for a brief moment, it was time to ad lib.

She stepped forward to the edge of the stage, where Twilight Sparkle watched her intently, in complete shock, mouth agape.

The spotlight turned on the Princess– Not that Sunset wasn’t glowing enough either.

With an incredibly warm smile, Sunset bowed, spreading her wings as she did it.

Making direct eye contact, with that same smile, she spoke, directly at her. “Thank you for watching my show, Princess Twilight.”

A lot of ponies were staring at the princess, waiting for her response, all of which was only a quick couple of flustered emphatic nods.

With a flip, the Princess of the Sun landed back on center stage, and allowed her light to shine as bright as could be, enveloping herself, and being surrounded by one of Trixie's smoke bombs.

When the crowd managed to see the stage once more, Sunset Shimmer stood, with a smile, her suit well fitting, a unicorn once more. She waved, incredibly happily, at the whole crowd, which went berserk.

“That’s our show, everypony!! Thank you so much for watching!!”

Backstage once more, Trixie gushed to her assistant. “You know, apart from Celestia herself coming to scold us for fiddling with her sun? Absolutely nothing went awry tonight. My goodness, that was the best show in ALL OF THE MULTIVERSE!!!”

Sunset was still reeling on it. Despite it having not been her, dancing in the skies, she felt something, even when she had watched from backstage, as she assisted with the lights covertly. She couldn’t remove the grin from her face.

Trixie, with a smug, but incredibly joyous smile, nudged her assistant. “I bet it felt goooooood seeing your old mentor be so surprised at your prowess and awesomeness!! I mean, despite the scolding?! HAH! Nopony is gonna forget this show!!! We’re IMMORTAL, SUNSET!! LEGENDS!!”

With a chuckle, Sunset nodded, still unable to keep that smile off her face. Celestia had appeared nearly immediately after the show ended, drawn by the power of another being having raised her sun. And yet, the other Sunset was gone, onto the next universe.

Every single pony believed fully on their show, and its concept. They had indeed seen the true power of an Alicorn, the only semantic that they would forever be unaware of, is that what they had witnessed was a simple switcheroo.

Trixie continued, close to sunset, waving her hooves with joy. “Gosh I wonder If we’ll ever see her again!! I would love to try this show again, but BIGGER!!! You were amazing!! She was amazing!! SUNSET SHIMMER, YOU'RE AMAZING!!” She proclaimed to the air with glee.

Sunset pulled her into a tight hug, where they both laughed and snickered at each other, euphoric.

Still vibrating with excitement, Trixie let go of the hug, and began hopping up and down. “GOSH GOSH GOSHI don’t even feel bad for missing the lantern Festival anymore!! It’s like it was fate!! It’s like it was destiny!! And even if we can’t ever do this show again, my goodness it was worth it–”

“U-um, excuse me…?” A shy greeting came from the entrance of backstage, belonging to none other than Twilight Sparkle. “I’m looking for Sunset Shimmer…?”

“Well lookie here, Princess Twilight Sparkle graces up with her presence!” Trixie became smug on nearly an instant, stepping in between them, raising an eyebrow defiantly. “I take it you were a fan of our show? Would you like an autograph, perhaps?”

Almost ignoring her completely, the Princess kept her gaze on Sunset, who was surprised to see her here. “Oh, yes, speaking of autographs, are you two aware that there is a huge line outside waiting for some…? From yours especially, Sunset…!”

Trixie gasped, her gaze swapping between the two. “Augh! We were so preoccupied with arranging our props and celebrating our victory– We have neglected our new diehard fans!!”

“...Sunset, is it…?” Twilight tilted her head, observing the unicorn, who smiled warmly back at her with a nod. “I really, really liked your show…!”

“Our show, you mean, Princess?” Trixie got in between the two again, with a smug smile. “After all, it was the collective effort of our great and powerful mights–”

With a quick magic wave of her horn, Twilight pushed Trixie aside so there was nothing between them anymore, and the magician only gasped in surprise and annoyance.

“I really, really liked it…!” She came closer, with a kind smile, tilting her head. “And I never would have expected it to have been from an old pupil of Celestia, no less…! She’s in the line waiting for autographs, by the way…!”

That last comment made Sunset's smile grow even wider, as her eyes shined.

“Just between you and me…” Twilight’s expression became that of mischievous curiosity. “...Would you mind telling me how you did it…?”

Exhaling, shaking her head with a tremendous smile, Sunset spoke words she had been waiting to speak for a while; Words that would make Trixie proud.

“A magician never reveals her secrets.”

That must have been one of the funnest experiences she had had in the multiverse yet.

Having the chance to put on a show like that had been euphoric– The Princess of Valor arrived at the next universe still laughing in delight and joy.

And what's more, she got to perform for Twilight… That had been a highlight.

She stood up, drinking in the surroundings of this next universe, and her hide shivered, nearly instantly.

Something was very wrong.

Twilight’s castle, but twisted, dark. Her ears twitched with anticipation as she turned, seeing a familiar sight she hoped she would never have to see.

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”

It was a throne room.

Two thrones.

In one, sat Midnight Sparkle.

In the other, sat herself– But a demon.

Both grinned maliciously, as their eyes were set on the newcomer with curiosity and ill intent.

Sunset Shimmer had finally reached an universe where her other self ruled with Twilight, too.

And she had never been more sorry over it.

Author's Note

Trixie! Trixie! Trixie!

Well, that was a wonderful little chapter about Trixie euphoria. Up next, an intermission!

The one hat rotted by herself, and the magician.

Though it is not a full life, that Sunset did get to enjoy herself. I wonder what it's like having the princess being her fan! Imagine Celestia going "Hey that was crazy. Wanna be my pupil again?"

And Trixie is like "AHEM SUNSET HAS BETTER THINGS TO DO. ME"

No joke, one of the happiest Trixies, having gotten to make such an unforgettable show, heheh.

Very comical than instead of trying to directly match make, this time, the Valkyrie decided to do the Alicorn equivalent's of a peacock feather floof to attract Twilight's attention LMAO

Honestly, I don't have much to say about this chapter, it's all in the text. It's a wonderful little enjoyable one.

And next time, we can take a break from these woefully uneventful moments for a relaxing intermission. After all, not much has been happening with the Princess of Valor, right? 😏