Equal parts fear and excitement filled her as she pushed open the door the rest of the way, revealing the dim interior of the room with the scratched remnants of the runic circle and a small chunk of missing floor.

The figure shifted and vanished ducked behind the desk. Only then did the sound she’d heard from the hallway finally become clear.

Is she... crying?

“You can’t hide,” Sunset called into the darkness. “Let’s make this easy. I won’t hurt you.”

You should. Bang her around a little. She’s been a pain in your flank.

That’s dark, even for you, Sunset snapped at the little voice.

This pony has it coming! If she was that damn powerful, she should have figured out something better than a dumb illusion spell!

Sunset pushed the thoughts away, gritting her teeth against the impulse to do exactly what her angry little pony suggested. She was more than tempted.

Another sniffle. This time, louder.

Sunset swallowed and conjured a small ball of light. It fully illuminated the shaking figure in a dark cloak cowering behind a small moldering desk.

Sunset slowly approached the crying pony.

“Just… just get it over with,” the pony said through sobs. “Just throw me in chains.”

Come on! Do it! She’s even asking you to do it!

Forcing herself to be gentle, Sunset pulled away the cowl, revealing a disheveled unicorn’s long silvery-white mane and bright blue coat. The mare favored her left foreleg and the coat around her horn had been singed slightly. She looked up at Sunset with two bloodshot purple eyes. A second later, her head fell with a fresh bout of tears.

Wait… don’t I know you?

The temptation to do exactly what the unicorn had asked was strong. This pony could have killed Spotlight, after all. And Sunset rather liked the old manager.

But when Sunset looked down at her… she only felt sorry for the poor mare.

You’re stronger than this! Look at what she did! She deserves whatever she gets!

Sunset found herself wondering what Cheerilee would do.

Ignoring the shouting voice in her head, she reached out a hoof to the other unicorn. She cringed away and whimpered.

“There’s no need for that,” Sunset said gently. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

The pony looked up at Sunset with an incredulous stare. “Why not?”

“Because it’s not what I do.”

“Yes you do! I’ve heard the stories!”

Sunset flinched, but she didn’t back away. “Those stories aren’t true anymore.”

“But you should do it! You should!” the mare blubbered. “Throw me away. It’s nothing less than I deserve.” There was a hitch in her voice. “You’re even here… and I was sure you were gone! I’ve failed… Everything I worked for is gone…”

“And… what were you working for?”

“Everything she has!” The mare looked up, enraged. “Because she has everything I should have! She’s famous when it should be me! I should be getting all the attention! All the fans! All the bits! All the love! After all I’ve worked for! All I’ve suffered! I deserve it! He—I deserve it!”

And that’s when it clicked.

“I do know you.”

“Don’t know how,” the mare grumbled, her muzzle twisting into a sneer. “I’m nopony. Thanks to showboats like that stupid Coloratura!”

“You’re one of Coloratura’s stagehoofs. It’s… it’s…” Sunset couldn’t remember the mare’s name for the life of her. Had she ever even heard it?

Dammit, Sunset! This is not the time for soft hooves!

Suddenly, the door burst open, but to Sunset’s surprise, it wasn’t Gateway or Chief Stablemaker. It was Cheerilee, followed closely by Coco Pommel. Cheerilee’s illusion charm had broken, too.

“There you are!” Cheerilee cried. “When you ran off, we were worried—”

The earth pony froze and looked at the huddled, whimpering figure of the cloaked unicorn as a fresh wave of crying consumed the saboteur once more.

“It’s over. I’m done for. Forever,” the unicorn moaned and buried her head in her hooves. “But I got the job done. That’s all that matters.”

Sunset tried to say something, but Cheerilee stepped over and gently moved the desk aside before kneeling down in front of the pony. Sunset only now registered that the pony’s cloak was soot-stained and scorched in places. There was a rather nasty bruise in the center of her chest.

“Here, let me get that for you,” Cheerilee said quietly as she pulled the cloak off the mare, who shuddered under her touch. “Coco, could you get a medical kit?”

Coco nodded. “I’ll be right back.” She headed out the door.

Sunset winced as she surveyed her own spellwork. “I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to hit you that hard…”

“Nothing less than I deserve…” the unicorn whispered.

“Hush,” Cheerilee murmured. “What’s your name?”

“T-Trixie,” the unicorn mumbled, not looking up at either of them.

“You were the pony I saw in the hallway,” Sunset murmured. “The one who arrived late last night. And… I’ve heard that name before...”

Coco returned with a yellow and pink box. She set it down and Cheerilee began to work her medical magic. She passed a healing potion to Trixie, who hesitated for a few seconds before chugging it down. Trixie hissed through her teeth when Cheerilee placed a cold compress on the mare’s chest.

Coco stepped forward and knelt beside Trixie. “I remember you. You came on… what? Eight months ago? That was…” Coco trailed off and her eyes widened.

“Let me guess,” Sunset said. “About when things started to go wrong.”

Yet another wave of tears flowed from Trixie’s eyes. That was answer enough.

“But… I don’t understand why,” Coco said, her voice still gentle. Sunset was impressed with just how delicate the young mare was being with the saboteur. “You were behind it all?”

Trixie nodded, not meeting any of their eyes.

“Why?” Sunset asked, repeating Coco’s question. “Why would you do it? It can’t be jealousy. You’re…”

“I’m nopony!” Trixie screamed, flailing. They scrambled backward, but Cheerilee wasn’t fast enough. She let out a yelp when Trixie’s hoof cracked her across the jaw and sent her spinning to the floor. “Don’t you get it? I’m nopony! I just wanted them gone!”

“Cheerilee!” Sunset dove to her friend’s side and conjured a shield bubble around Trixie. Trixie let out an enraged scream as she pounded on the shield.

“Just get it over with! I know what you’re like! What you’re all like!” Trixie screeched. “Don’t think this false kindness horseapples is going to get you anything! All that matters is that Spotlight is gone! Trixie finally did the job! Spotlight will never work in this town again after tonight!”

Coco staggered to her hooves, staring at the sobbing and screaming mare trapped in the teal bubble. She gaped and shared a look with Sunset.

By Celestia, what is wrong with this mare? Sunset couldn’t tell which part of her thought that. She opened her mouth, but didn’t get a chance to speak.

“That’s enough!” thundered a voice from behind them.

Everypony in the room froze and all eyes turned to the door.

Security Chief Gateway stood there like a stone monolith. For a split second, Sunset could see unbridled rage in the way he held himself. This wasn’t the gruff but well-intentioned stallion she’d gotten to know over the last day. She was seeing a glimpse of Gateway as he was in his former life: Lead Detective for the Canterlot First Precinct. Even Trixie had gone silent at the security chief’s appearance.

Sunset took a few steps backward and sucked in a quick breath.

“I assume this is her?” Gateway said in a voice so low it shook Sunset’s bones.

Ooh, this is going to be good! a voice in her head cackled.

“Yes,” Trixie murmured, once again staring at the floor.

“I know you.” Gateway rumbled. “You’re one of Spotlight’s stagehoofs. You’ve been with us for eight months.” He paused for a moment, as if going through a mental filing cabinet. “Trixie Lulamoon. Native of Fillydelphia. Former traveling illusionist. Only daughter of the well-known Aether Lulamoon. I always thought it odd that the only daughter of one of the most gifted professors at GU wanted to be a stagehoof for Miss Coloratura.”

At the mention of her father’s name, Trixie went pale as a fresh snow. She stared at nothing for a few seconds, and then curled into a little sobbing ball of misery.

What is going on here? I took classes under Aether Lulamoon!

Sunset dropped the shield. This mare wasn’t going to be hurting anypony anytime soon. She found it hard to believe the mare could have hurt anypony anyway.

This is wrong, Sunset thought, gritting her teeth.

Why? She’s a monster. You need to crush her like the bug she is. She screwed with you. She screwed with your precious friends. Tartarus, she’s right there. She’s at your mercy! End her.

I have told you today that I hate you?

Probably. Don’t care. I’m still right.

“You’re the one who set up an enormous dragon to attack tonight’s event?” Gateway stalked forward like a jungle cat about to pounce on his prey.

A mumbled “yes” came from the crying ball.

Sunset stared at Trixie. She almost looked like a pony ready to be executed. Almost. There was something else going on here. Something Sunset was missing. Another piece of the puzzle.

“And how, by Celestia’s Mane, could a single pony pull off an illusion that powerful?”

Trixie gestured vaguely at her cloak.

Coco handed it over to Gateway, who quickly searched it and found a small pocket. With a grim expression, he pulled out a small ring. It was made of some sort of crystal with runes etched over the surface. Gateway spun it in the air in his copper aura.

An inhibitor ring? But… that doesn’t make any—

Gateway glanced up at Sunset, his frown deepening. “You recognize this, don’t you?”

“It looks like an inhibitor ring. I’ve only used those a couple times when I was doing practice with the Royal Guard. Hated them.”

“It’s not an inhibitor ring.” Gateway growled. “It’s the exact opposite of an inhibitor.”

Sunset sucked in a breath. Oh no, it couldn’t be. She couldn’t be that insane… could she? No unicorn in their right mind would use one of those…

Gateway put a hoof up to his ear and tapped his microphone.

“Stable?” Gateway said into the mic. “We’ve got her. Third floor. Storage room J.”

Sunset didn’t think Gateway could look any darker. She was wrong. His expression went from angry to thunderous.

“Don’t worry. She’s not going anywhere.”

“Chief?” Coco hadn’t missed the change in Gateway’s demeanor. “What’s wrong?”

“The entire theater is in a panic, that’s what’s wrong!” Gateway advanced on Trixie, fire in his eyes. “Her little stunt got a lot of ponies injured when they tried to escape the dance floor! They’re still trying to settle things down! Stablemaker’s furious. But he’s got nothing on me right now.”

“Gateway, take a breath,” Coco interjected, standing between him and Trixie. “Before this goes any further… what is that thing?” She gestured at the ring.

“This,” Gateway growled. “This is an amp. An arcane amplifier.”

Sunset’s eyes slid to Trixie.

“But… those are illegal!” Cheerilee protested. “They’re almost impossible to find!”

“They’re almost impossible to find.” Gateway gritted his teeth. “But if you know the right ponies… you can still get them.” His eyes focused on Trixie. “Okay. I want to know where you got this. Right now.”

Trixie was silent, still curled up in a ball.

Gateway’s eyes went wide with rage.

“Chief…” Sunset warned. “Don’t do anything stupid.”

Let him, Sunset! Tartarus, you should be helping him! You need to make sure ponies know they shouldn’t screw with their betters!

“Don’t tell me how to do my job, Shimmer!” Gateway snapped. “Spotlight could have been—”

“I know!” Sunset said, wincing as a headache welled up inside her skull. “But she wasn’t.”

“She was still hurt.” Gateway slipped around Coco and advanced on Trixie. “And that’s not acceptable. So, she better start talking. Or else.”

Finally, somepony around here willing to do what’s needed and punish idiots stupid enough to get caught! Since you’re too weak to do what’s necessary!

Shut up! I don’t have time for your horseapples right now! I’m sick of you and I’m sick of this!

Trixie was still crying.

Gateway was less than a yard away.

Sunset didn’t waste any more time. She threw up a shield around Trixie once more. This time, it wasn’t a bubble, but a glittering wall of magic between her and Gateway.

Gateway didn’t even turn to look at Sunset. “Drop the shield, Shimmer. I want my answers. And I’m going to get them.”

Before Sunset could say another word, Coco was in front of Gateway with a hoof on his chest. The enormous stallion looked down at the young mare.

“This isn’t you, Gateway,” Coco said quietly. “This mare has been through enough tonight.”

“She—”

“I know what she did.” Coco’s voice never changed, but Gateway stopped talking the moment she interrupted. “We all do. But beating a confession out of her isn’t the right thing to do.”

“I wasn’t going to beat a confession out of her!” Gateway snarled. “I was—”

“Going to scare her?” Sunset said.

Gateway didn’t respond.

“You’re better than that, Gateway,” Coco replied. “Take a breath.”

He obviously didn’t want to, but the burly stallion took a few steps back and faced the door. As he took several deep breaths, Sunset dropped the shield and Coco was at Trixie’s side again.

“You shouldn’t have done that,” Trixie muttered. “I don’t deserve it. Not worth it.”

“That’s not true,” Coco said. Then, to Sunset’s surprise, she pulled off her cravat and used it to dry Trixie’s tears. “I, for one, think Rara’s show could use a little razzle dazzle, especially from somepony who could cast such impressive spells.”

Trixie finally looked up. She also looked completely incredulous.

“Um…” Cheerilee raised a hoof. “I’m all for helping this poor mare out… but are you suggesting…”

“I’m not promising anything. But it’s worth thinking about, isn’t it?”

Trixie’s brain seemed to stop working.

“But we should know where you got that thing from,” Sunset said. “Amps are dangerous, Trixie. I heard you screaming.”

Trixie cringed. “It felt like I had a bolt of lightning tied to my horn.” She tried to touch her horn, only to wince and pull back upon contact. “But… I had to. It’s what was needed to get the job done.”

“And what was that job?” Sunset asked.

Trixie looked up into Sunset’s eyes. “I already told you. Ruin Coloratura. Ruin Spotlight.” Her eyes hardened. “Anything to get rid of those two has-beens.”

Coco’s eyes narrowed, though Sunset couldn’t tell if it was from suspicion or annoyance.

“Only then would the field be clear for entertainers like the Great and Powerful Trixie.”

She’s lying.

Well, duh, said the snarky voice from the back of her head, though it seemed weaker than before. Obviously.

“Trixie… that… doesn’t even make a ounce of sen—”

The door burst open as Chief Stablemaker made his appearance. An older stallion a decade or so past his prime, he wore a thick gray mustache and the uniform of the Manehattan Police Department. He was also smoke-stained and looked very, very annoyed.

“This her?” Stablemaker barked at Gateway.

Gateway nodded and levitated the amp over to the police chief.

“An amp,” Stablemaker nodded as Officer Hops and two more policeponies came in, all of whom looked rather beaten and worn. “Even possession of one of these is a criminal offense in Manehattan. Who’s the supplier?”

“Won’t talk,” Gateway grumbled.

“Is that right?” Stablemaker growled. “Well, let’s see how quiet she is after a few hours in interrogation. Cuff her!”

Hops stepped forward and slapped a pair of hoofcuffs around Trixie’s forelegs. Sunset idly noted that they were indeed put below the knee.

“Stable, I want in on the interrogation,” Gateway said.

“You know the regs, son,” Stablemaker shook his head as Hops pulled Trixie to her hooves. The unicorn didn’t even struggle. It looked like somepony had sapped the life from her. “While I admire your work in Canterlot, interrogation is for active duty policeponies.”

“Then question her here.”

To Sunset’s surprise, she’d been the one to say it. Everypony in the room stopped. Hops glared at her, but Stablemaker just shook his head.

“Miss Shimmer, right now, you’re lucky I don’t charge you with something for convincing Officer Hops to send a small group tonight. If we had a normal presence, we could have controlled that disaster downstairs! I’ve already sent a letter of protest to Princess Celestia’s personal aide.”

Well, at least Raven likes me. Usually.

“It’s not a good idea to keep pushing this ‘royal power’ thing.” Stablemaker’s voice dropped to a rumble almost on par with Gateway’s. “I don’t know what you’re playing at, but I’m not having it any more in my city!”

“Chief Stablemaker,” Sunset said. “You have to admit that none of us expected the use of a dragon illusion to disrupt tonight’s event. There’s got to be more to this.”

“Really?” Stablemarker dropped his half-hearted attempt at civility. “Is that so? Why don’t you enlighten us? Or maybe the suspect would like to tell us what in Celestia’s name is going on here!”

Trixie shied back, but she kept her eyes glued to the floor. Oddly enough, she seemed to be whispering something. Sunset thought it might be some sort of spell, but the unicorn’s horn wasn’t glowing.

Hops noticed and frowned down at Trixie.

“What is it, Hops?” Stablemaker snapped.

Trixie must have realized what she was doing because she shut up.

“She was mumbling to herself,” Hops said, her muzzle scrunched in confusion. “The same three words, over and over.”

“Well, what was she saying?” Gateway demanded.

“‘I deserve it.’”

Stablemaker marched up to the pony who was—allegedly—the source of Coloratura, Spotlight and Coco’s problems for the last several months.

“Want to explain that little mantra, hm?”

Trixie shook her head.

“I’ve had enough. Drag her downtown and throw her in lockup. We’ll see if she’s feeling talkative in the morning. Now, I need to—”

“I have an idea,” Coco Pommel—who’d been quiet since Stablemaker had entered—spoke up. She stood between Trixie and the door.

“Yes, Miss Pommel?” Gateway asked.

“Let Rara talk to her.”

A stunned silence once more echoed through the room, even deeper than the last.

“Miss Pommel,” Chief Stablemaker said, sounding exhausted. “We’ve all had a long day. While we managed to settle things down so that your concert will go on as planned—more or less—I’d rather avoid any further complications.”

“Rara will do it,” Coco said with absolute confidence.

“Why?” Stablemaker demanded, his mask cracking a little more. “Isn’t Coloratura supposed to be going on stage soon? Why waste her time with this mare?”

Coco’s eyes slid to Trixie. The silence stretched until Trixie finally lifted her head and locked eyes with the earth pony.

Sunset could see Trixie’s face. And to her shock, she recognized the expression. Or at least the feeling behind the expression. She’d felt the exact same thing years ago in Professor Polish’s classroom as Dean Slate descended upon her.

Sunset nodded at Coco just as Moon Dancer and Minuette stepped into the room.

“Because I think Miss Lulamoon has something she needs to say to Rara,” Coco replied. “And I think she should get the chance to say it. Nopony appreciates the truth more than her.”

“And you’re just doing this out of altruism?” Stablemaker grunted.

Coco shrugged, but her eyes never left Trixie. “She deserves a chance to explain it to the ponies she hurt the most.”

Trixie’s wide and disbelieving eyes were glued to Coco.

“She should be kept away from them,” Stablemaker snapped. “She’s a menace.”

“That’s not how we work,” Coco replied. “We try to be better than that. Anyway, I doubt there’s anything she could do to us all.”

“Is she always this insistent?” Stablemaker muttered to the security chief.

“No,” Gateway said with a sigh. “But when she decides to be, she’s usually right.”

Stablemaker didn’t stare at Trixie. He stared at the small pale earth pony with the blue mane and tail. He seemed to reach some sort of conclusion just from that alone.

“Fine.” Stablemaker grunted. “It’ll take at least thirty minutes to get the audience settled again, anyway. But if she tries anything, she’ll get stunned so hard she won’t wake up for a week.”

“One thing,” Sunset added. “If you’ll indulge me one more time…”

“What?” the chief of police growled.

“Could you make sure that nopony leaves until after Rara talks to her?”

Stablemaker narrowed his eyes. “Why?”

“If there are other parties involved in this… wouldn’t they want to be close to the action to see how it played out?”

“Assuming they are,” Stablemaker said, “why stay? The operation is done, no matter what the actual goal was. They could be halfway to Canterlot by now.”

“It’s a hunch, Chief Stablemaker. Please. Last time.”

“You’re not threatening me with rank?” Stablemaker raised an eyebrow.

Sunset shook her head. “No games. Just a request.”

Stablemaker thought about it for a bit before nodding. “Fine. But I’m going to be telling ponies that you’re assisting in the investigation and you’re the one who said everypony needed to stay.”

Sunset flushed. “Fair enough. It’s… actually true.”

“I guess it is,” Stablemaker muttered. “Now, let’s go. I’m not having Miss Coloratura come up here.”

“I know just where we can have a private conversation,” Coco replied.

Due to Trixie’s burns, the policeponies couldn’t put an inhibitor ring on her horn, but between the policeponies, Moon Dancer, Minuette and Sunset, they were all ready for anything Trixie might pull. However, as they took a backstage elevator down to the first floor, Trixie showed no interest in doing anything. Instead, she occasionally snuck looks of disbelief at Coco. The entire time, Coco just smiled while Cheerilee fussed over Trixie’s wounds.

Sunset shouldn’t have been surprised where Coco ended up taking them. It was fitting, somehow. She chuckled to herself when they stepped into the sound storage area. The place had been cleared of most of its equipment for tonight’s show, but in the corner still stood those massive speakers that looked capable of creating seismic disturbances.

A few chairs had been added to the room and Hops shoved Trixie into one of them. Stablemaker himself locked a chain from Trixie’s hoofcuffs to the heavy metal table in the back.

Silence descended as Coco went to fetch Rara. While a few of Gateway’s guards took up positions outside the door, two other policeponies stationed themselves inside. Trixie stared at the ground. Minuette chatted excitedly with Moon Dancer, who just kept smirking at Sunset occasionally, though Sunset had no idea why. Cheerilee watched Trixie with an almost motherly expression. Gateway and Stablemaker talked in a corner, casting suspicious glances at Trixie and Sunset equally.

Finally, Cheerilee walked up to Sunset.

“They don’t seem to like you very much,” Cheerilee said with a small smile, nodding to Gateway and Stablemaker.

“Well, I haven’t exactly been subtle lately,” Sunset admitted. “I’ve trod on their hooves a lot. Fitting we end up back in here, huh?”

“Look… about last night…”

Sunset shook her head and lifted a hoof. “Hey, you were right. I was pretty dumb.”

Cheerilee paused for a moment before shaking her head. “No, Sunset. You weren’t pretty dumb. That little plan of yours was downright idiotic.”

“You sound like Moon Dancer.” Sunset burst out laughing before nodding at her friend. “Yeah, it really was, wasn’t it?”

“Still… I had fun.” Cheerilee’s eyes brightened. “And… I think we might be doing something really important right now.”

“How do you figure?”

“I don’t know.” Cheerilee shrugged. “I just think getting Rara and Trixie in the same room to talk… It’s just the right thing to do. That Coco is rather unique. She seems eager to give ponies second chances.”

“Yeah. Rara does too… but for her… there’s something else.”

“I know what you mean. I almost wonder if—”

The door opened and the singer stepped into the room. Her makeup was perfect, leaving no sign that she hadn’t gotten a wink of sleep last night. Her mane was done up in simple ringlets. She wore a simple dark blouse with a veil-like skirt and collar. Coco followed her in, a gentle smile on her face.

Rara and Coco walked toward Trixie, who shied back and let out a little whimper.

“Hush,” Rara cooed. “Nopony here’s going to hurt you.”

“Why?” Trixie mumbled, staring at her hoofcuffs. “I deserve it.”

To Sunset’s surprise, Rara looked pained hearing those words. She frowned and shared a glance with Coco. Some sort of unspoken conversation went between the two, though it only ended with a nod from both mares.

“And why do you deserve it?” Rara asked gently, still trying to capture Trixie’s eyes and failing.

“Don’t play games with me.” Trixie let out a snort. “You know what I did.”

“And what exactly did you do?” Rara asked, her voice still as calm as Celestia’s.

“Uh… dragon?” Trixie shook her head.

“You sure scared some ponies,” Rara admitted. “But aside from a few sprained ankles, everypony’s fine. In fact, some ponies thought it was part of the show.”

That was enough to get Trixie to finally meet Rara’s eyes. Instantly, the singer stared at Trixie with a gaze that was both piercing and gentle at the same time. Trixie let out an audible gulp, but didn’t look away.

“Coco tells me that you’ve been with us for about eight months. And that’s as long as we’ve been having trouble with our shows. You’re responsible for all of that?”

Trixie licked her lips and nodded.

“All of it?” Rara pressed. “That’s a lot of work for one pony, just to make Spotlight and me look bad.”

Trixie nodded shakily, though she twitched slightly as she did it.

Sunset narrowed her eyes, but smirked just a little. She was almost positive now. Her mind raced, trying to put the pieces together.

“And that’s why you deserve to be arrested?”

Trixie nodded again.

“Well… that may be.” Sunset couldn’t believe just how calm the singer was. After the complete disaster of the evening and the disruption of the event they’d worked so hard to get right, she sounded like she was chatting about the weather. “You do realize that… one of these acts went beyond sabotage, right?”

Trixie stiffened as if she’d been hit by a petrification spell.

“Did you drop the truss on Spotlight last night?”

Something inside Trixie broke. Tears once again washed down her face. Her entire body shook with great wracking sobs so intense her hoofcuffs jingled with every gulp of air.

Got you, her angry little pony spat.

Sunset herself had a different opinion. Her heart broke for Trixie while that little voice of darkness just gagged at the sentiment.

“I never meant for that to happen!” Trixie wailed. “T-that wasn’t supposed to happen! Trix-I-I-I thought I heard somepony up on the catwalks and I-I-I panicked! My magic went wild! I… I… I—”

Trixie started gasping for air.

Oh, Celestia…

Sunset jumped into action a split-second before Cheerilee did. She was at Trixie’s side in an instant as the pony tried to clutch at her chest and her throat. But with her forehooves locked in the hoofcuffs, she couldn’t really get a grip on much of anything. She stared at them, her eyes wide and almost unseeing as she let out a wordless wail. Her entire body went into spasms. Little whimpering cries of pure desperation echoed in the sudden silence.

“What in Tartarus is going on?” Gateway thundered. “What wrong with her?”

Sunset ignored him. Moon Dancer skidded to a halt beside Sunset and they shared a single look. That told Moon Dancer everything she needed to know.

“She’s having a panic attack,” Cheerilee said.

“Back off!” Moon Dancer shouted. “Everypony back off!”

“C-c-can’t—” Trixie looked like a fish gasping for water. “C-can’t breathe—”

This is almost as terrifying as it is from the other side, Sunset thought as she tried to figure out what to do. Her friends knew what to do when this happened. Even she had her own coping mechanisms for those very few times it happened when she was alone. They weren’t very good, but they worked. But would those work for Trixie?

Then, to Sunset’s shock, Coloratura shoved her aside and grabbed Trixie’s face, forcing the thrashing mare to look at her again.

“Trixie, listen to me!” Rara said in a strong, clear tone. For a split second, Sunset thought she saw the singer’s cutie mark glow. “Spotlight is fine! You’re not alone!”

That was apparently the wrong thing to say.

Trixie shrieked and flung Rara backward, who stumbled and crashed into Coco, sending them both down in a heap. But Rara was up a moment later, looking like a cowpony who’d just been thrown from a bull.

“Sunset! Cheerilee! Don’t hold her down, you need to—”

“We know.” Sunset said.

Cheerilee took Trixie’s left side. Sunset took the right.

And they both hugged Trixie as gently as they could.

It was ridiculous. It was absurd. It also worked when Sunset was at her worst.

It took almost half a minute, but Trixie’s thrashing stopped and her breathing steadied. As soon as she settled, both Rara and Coco were in front of Trixie again.

“Officer, I need the keys to these cuffs,” Rara said to Hops.

“Miss Coloratura, I—”

“Now!”

Hops glanced at Stablemaker, who seemed taken aback by the entire thing. He gave her a short nod and Hops tossed Rara the keys. After a second of earth pony agility, the hoofcuffs clattered to the ground. Instantly, Trixie’s twitching subsided even more.

“Trixie, you’re okay. You’re not alone,” Rara said in a voice that was eerily similar to the one Cheerilee had used on Sunset last night. “You’re not alone. And you’re safe.”

“I could have killed her…” Trixie mumbled. “Somepony could have died because I was so stupid… Celestia… he was right about me. He was so right about me.”

While some piece of her jumped for joy at the confirmation, Sunset knew nothing good could come from asking for details now. She held herself back, but shared a look with Moon Dancer and Minuette, who hovered to the side, each looking worried. Moon Dancer, in fact, looked a little sick.

“Coco, Gateway? I need you to get Spotlight in here,” Rara said.

Trixie let out a strangled squeak. Rara made gentle soothing noises.

“You sure, Miss Coloratura?” Gateway asked.

Rara speared Gateway with a single glance that spoke volumes. Gateway took a step backward and nodded. In a few moments, both Coco and Gateway were gone. Trixie continued to twitch slightly, but Rara made sure to keep a hoof on her.

Sunset gently pulled back, as did Cheerilee. Both of them stayed close in case they were needed, but Trixie seemed to finally calm, despite the occasional shiver.

What was more disturbing was that Sunset could almost hear every word likely running through the mare’s head.

Hey, look at it this way, came a snide voice from the depths of her mind, though it seemed to have only a shadow the heat it normally did. I could be saying things like that. Aren’t you glad I’m not something like that? You know, constantly telling you you’re worthless? Useless? That you’ll never live up to your Daddy—well, that last one is true.

Buck you. Even Sunset was impressed on just how much rage she put into those two words. They were enough to shut that little voice up and send it scurrying back into its hole.

Sunset wasn’t sure how much time passed before the door opened again. Everypony in the room—save Trixie—turned to see Spotlight being wheeled in by Gateway with Coco close on his heels. Spotlight gasped the instant she saw Trixie. Her glasses nearly fell off her muzzle.

“Gateway, please, bring me over to the poor dear immediately,” Spotlight said in a strong and clear voice.

Gateway hesitated, but complied.

Rara finally stood up and moved out of the way for Spotlight’s wheelchair.

“Dry those tears, child,” Spotlight said in a voice that vaguely reminded Sunset of her grandmother. “There is nothing to cry about here.”

“You… you can’t say that. You can’t mean that,” Trixie blubbered. “You’re… you’re the worst of the lot. You… you… I almost… I-I-I almost…”

Sunset poised herself to hold the mare again, but Spotlight heaved herself out of her chair and slid to the ground, wincing from pain. Then she wrapped the unresisting mare in a hug.

“Hush, child,” Spotlight whispered. “I know you didn’t mean any harm by it. It was an accident.”

“But—”

“No buts,” Spotlight interrupted. “Sunset told me her friend heard somepony sobbing last night. That was you, wasn’t it?”

Trixie twitched something that could have been a nod, all the while burying her face into the older mare’s chest, soaking the orange coat with her tears. Spotlight didn’t bat an eye.

“He was right about me. I’m so pathetic.”

“You are no such thing,” Spotlight sounded positively affronted by the statement. “Anypony who could conjure an illusion that impressive, even using an amp, is a master illusionist in my book.”

Trixie twitched again and then slowly moved away from Spotlight, staring at her with nothing but distrust.

“Trixie,” Rara said as she sat down next to her manager. “You’ve said ‘he’ several times. There’s somepony else involved in all this, isn’t there?”

“No,” Trixie said, far too quickly. “Nopony else but me. I deserve the punishment.”

“You don’t sound all too convinced of that,” Rara noted.

“Arrest me!” Trixie cried. “I deserve it!”

Sunset took a few steps backward as Coco sat down on the other side of Spotlight. Sunset noticed that Stablemaker, Gateway, Hops and the two officers had all positioned themselves to cover the door in case Trixie made a break for it. But Sunset had felt the mare buck under the throws of that panic attack. She had a hard time believing anypony was that good of an actor.

Spotlight tapped her hoof on her chin for a little bit as she studied the mare. Finally, she came to some sort of conclusion as she let out a little sigh.

“Let me tell you a story, child,” Spotlight said. “It’s about a young mare who was just getting her start in show business.”

Trixie didn’t look interested. Spotlight didn’t look like she minded.

“She wanted to be a director,” Spotlight said wistfully, staring at something only she could see. “Wanted to direct Bridleway musicals. Sit in those wonderful folding chairs, have a megaphone, the whole thing. But she knew she had to work for it, just like her mother had before her. This mare all but worshipped her mother’s hoofsteps. The mare came onto Bridleway with fire in her eyes, ready to take Manehattan by storm!”

Rara let out a little giggle as Spotlight punched the air with a hoof.

“She had a few temporary positions, then she landed her first real role as a member of the cast on a big number. She was going to be an assistant to the Lead Producer for Lions. She couldn’t believe her luck. Not only that, but this producer was renowned for knowing everypony there was to know on Bridleway. One of the most powerful ponies in Manehattan, in fact. It was a dream come true.”

Trixie’s expression softened. Maybe it was the passion in Spotlight’s voice. Maybe it was the sheer exhaustion. Whatever the reason, Spotlight had her full attention. Sunset smiled, taking a wild guess where this was going.

“But this young mare soon found out why the producer knew everypony. It was because half of her time was spent getting information on her rivals. Using that information against them. Leaking false reports to the media. Poaching up-and-coming understudies—and sometimes actors and actresses! Using them as a means to advance her career.”

Spotlight shook her head with a sad little frown.

“The mare was torn. She didn’t want to do these things, but after seeing just how successful the producer was… it was hard to imagine any other way of doing things. It didn’t hurt that the producer started to bring in the young mare on her schemes. Sometimes she was sent to spy on other productions. Or maybe switch labels on shipping crates. Or whisper a few secrets into the ears of the wrong ponies. She started to learn. She started to become good at it.”

Both Coco and Rara were now staring at Spotlight, though Sunset had a nagging suspicion they’d heard this story many times before.

“Then… the young mare’s best friend ended up being cast as an understudy to a rival theater production. The producer had a vendetta against this particular group and did everything in her power to get it shut down. And she did. She succeeded… and the young mare helped. The night the show was shut down before the doors ever opened, the mare comforted her friend, knowing she was responsible for ruining her friend’s dream.”

Spotlight paused and met Trixie’s gaze. She was silent for long enough that Trixie finally asked the question. She looked terrified. She looked sick. But she still asked.

“So… what happened to her?”

“She marched into the producer’s office and threw down a file, demanding that the producer stop all this underhoofed dealings or she’d reveal what the producer had done to the whole world. The producer laughed and pulled out another file—a much bigger one—and asked the mare who the world would believe. The young mare stormed out. For a time, she bowed, until she couldn’t look her best friend in the eye anymore. When that happened, she finally told her friend the truth. Her best friend was shocked and hurt. But after about a week, she forgave the mare. That’s the day the mare reported the producer.”

Spotlight sighed and rubbed the back of her neck.

“The producer destroyed her. Ran her out of show business entirely. The young mare had lost it all. But… she could sleep well at night, something she hadn’t done in years. She moved in with her best friend, who knew about an opening in a music production company she was working at. And, though it took a while, the young mare ended up falling in love with her new job.”

Trixie’s expression was sour. Spotlight’s eyes sparkled.

“And exactly three years after the young mare got her new job, that producer was found out and arrested for embezzlement. And so much more. It took a long time, but the producer lost. The young mare, on the other the hoof? She succeeded. It took a lot of time to build up her reputation again, but ten years after the producer fired her, the young mare got a letter from her best friend telling her that she’d been cast as the lead mare for one of the biggest productions on Bridleway. Through her, that mare got to be a producer for The Pirates of Ponyzance. And while the mare stayed in the music business, she cherished her time living out her dream… and learning the price of pursuing that dream the wrong way.”

Spotlight took a deep breath and let it out. “You seem like a smart mare. I don’t think I need to tell you the end of the story.”

“That was you,” Trixie said.

Spotlight nodded with a matronly smile. She adjusted her glasses. “Tell me, child. Does this sound familiar to you?”

“She never almost killed somepony,” Trixie mumbled.

“Maybe she didn’t,” Rara interjected. “But she ruined her best friend’s dreams. Set her back ten years. She didn’t mean to. It just… spiraled out of control.”

Spotlight nodded approvingly.

Trixie sniffled and rubbed a hoof across her muzzle. “She was an idiot. Just like me.”

“Yes, she was,” Spotlight said, though her smile was warm. “But she trusted her friend. She told the truth. And while that hurt, in the end, her life was so much better. For the producer, there wasn’t a single pony who came to her defense when she was caught. She ended up in prison for many years. She’s out now, but she’s alone, living somewhere north of Tall Tale. She used up everypony around her. Now... I just feel sorry for her.”

“I don’t have any friends,” Trixie mumbled.

“Yes, you do.” Coco replied.

Trixie stared at the mare. “You’re crazy.”

“You know, Rara, I mentioned that we’ve been looking for somepony to help liven up our opening acts,” Coco commented casually with a little grin. “She didn’t seem to believe me. What do you think?”

“Put me on the spot, why don’t you?” Rara let out an enormous sigh. “That can probably be arranged. What do you think, Spotlight?”

“I think anypony with the skill I saw this evening would make an excellent addition to our special effects team,” Spotlight replied. “I happen to also be familiar with the name ‘Trixie.’ As in… ‘The Great and Powerful Trixie.’ She does some masterful stage magic. Saw her in Baltimare two summers ago.”

Trixie’s eyes were enormous at the mention of what was apparently her stage name. Sunset was barely able to stifle a laugh.

“You’re just trying to get me to give up a name,” Trixie glowered at them all. “The moment I do, you’ll hand me over to them! Just like I—”

“No,” Rara said.

Trixie blinked. “What?”

Rara glanced at Spotlight and Coco for a moment. Both smiled back. “We’re not pressing charges.”

“What?” This time both Trixie and Stablemaker shouted in unison.

“Miss Lulamoon,” Coco said. “We’re offering you a job. A real one. One better suited to your talents.”

“And… if I don’t tell you who it is…?”

“Then it changes nothing,” Coco replied. “The offer stands.”

“Why?” Trixie demanded. She sounded furious. “What’s your angle? Why are you doing this?”

“It was Coco’s idea,” Rara said with a smile at her friend. “She said that more than anything… you needed another chance.”

“But I don’t deserve it!” Trixie wailed. “I’m a horrible pony who’s done horrible things!”

Before the other three mares could respond, Sunset stepped up beside them. “So am I.”

All eyes turned to Sunset. She blushed a little.

“Trixie,” Sunset said slowly. “Those feelings of guilt you have won’t go away overnight. Mine have been with me for years. The only reason I’ve managed to make it this far is because of my friends. This chance doesn’t happen often. Trust me… don’t turn away from this.”

Sunset’s eyes slid to Moon Dancer.

Moon Dancer beamed at her. “You’re still more trouble than you’re worth, Sunny.”

Sunset rolled her eyes. “Thank you so very much for ruining the mood.”

“Anytime.”

“There’s no price tag,” Coco repeated. “You’ll have a real job where you can use your talents and your gifts, Trixie.”

“But I don’t deserve it…” Trixie mumbled.

“If we always got what we deserved,” Spotlight beamed at her. “The world would be a much sadder place.”

“And if I say no?” Trixie’s eyes darted back and forth between Spotlight, Rara and Coco.

Sunset shook her head, a wry smile on her lips. Even she wasn’t sure if it was in amazement or amusement.

“Then you leave here a free pony.” Rara replied. “The only catch there is we won’t be able to help you if you leave.”

“Just like that?”

“Just like that.” Rara said.

“Even after sabotaging your shows for eight months?” Panic edged into the unicorn’s voice.

Rara nodded.

“Even after dropping a metal truss on you?” Trixie’s voice was almost hysterical.

Spotlight nodded.

“Really?” The word came out as a squeak.

Coco nodded.

Silence descended upon the room. Sunset glanced between the ponies. Everypony else was watching Trixie with a look of disbelief. Stablemaker looked like he was barely keeping his temper in check, as was the rest of the officers. Gateway had an unreadable expression, but if Sunset had to guess, he wasn’t very happy about this offer. Minuette was actually vibrating with glee. Moon Dancer was smirking. Cheerilee was smiling.

Coco, Rara and Spotlight just waited patiently.

“Um…” Trixie finally managed to put a few thoughts together. “Yes?”

The three mares beamed at her.

“But I… I have one request.”

“And what’s that?” Spotlight asked.

“I want to be there when you arrest him. It should be easy. He’s in the VIP lounge right now.”

“Who is it, Trixie?” Rara asked.

Trixie’s ears went down and she cringed. Sunset winced. Whoever this was, he had done a serious number on Trixie. Finally, after a long pause, Trixie mumbled out a single name.

Rara let out a hiss. Coco’s face immediately darkened. Spotlight stiffened.

After taking a moment to compose herself, Rara’s eyes glinted. “I think that can be arranged.”

Author's Notes:

Writing Trixie's panic attack gave me shivers. Also, I bet a bunch of you are feeling annoyed and a bunch of you are feeling validated!

But we've got one more player to deal with. You'll get the final revelation next week!

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If you come across any errors, please let me know by PM!