Trixie stood on a stage. Bright lights danced all around her as she twirled around a pole gracefully. She wore a very revealing red outfit. She danced slowly around the pole, making the stallions in the room cheer for her.

Trixie had a sultry smile on her face, but inside she was far away. She hated her job. She had nothing against the other mares that pole-danced, what she hated was the crowd. A room full of stallions that had nothing but lust and desire in their eyes. They had no real admiration for her other than for her body. They thought nothing of all the talent and effort it required. They only wanted to see her dance.

For once Trixie preferred to ignore the crowd.

The announcer’s voice came through the speakers announcing the end of her dance the introducing the next one.

For Trixie it was the end of her shift.

She stepped off the stage without a glance back and made her way to her dressing-room. In the backstage she crossed the other dancers. Many were happy, many faces smiling. Some others, like her, looked sad and depressed. She crossed the star of the show and somewhat of a friend, Sugar Pop.

Sugar Pop was an attractive earth pony mare. She had a cream coloured coat and her mane was butter yellow with streaks of pink running through it. Her pink eyes seemed to invite anypony to greet and talk to her. But the reason Trixie liked her so much, even if she never admitted it, was because of her skills. Sugar Pop was an amazing dancer and showmare. Trixie would often peek through the curtain to watch her dance, not out of lust but out of fascination for her talent. She would often talk to her after her shift. They talked about everything and nothing. Sugar Pop was the only pony to know why she was there and where she came from. Trixie did with Sugar Pop something she rarely did with other ponies; she referred to herself at the first pony.

Trixie’s eyes met Sugar’s, but she averted them. Trixie was in no mood to talk tonight. She hurried to her personal dressing-room.

Trixie was undressed and was taking off her make-up when Sugar Pop entered the room without knocking. Trixie simply spared a glance before continuing her make-up removing.

“Hey.” Sugar started. Trixie always loved Sugar Pop’s voice; it was warm and sugary, just like chocolate. “You did great tonight.” She giggled. “Maybe one day you’ll take my place.”

“Maybe.” Trixie muttered. Sugar always tried to cheer her up after each show. But more often than never it turned to a tear jerking experience for Trixie. Often because of her past and all the actions she regretted.

“Don’t wanna talk, huh?” no answer. “Well, I think you should be the first to know; I’m leaving.” Trixie dropped the towel she was using.

“What?”

“I quit. Showmareship is not my special talent.” To punctuate her word she showed her cutie mark; a heart-shaped lolly pop.

“I’m gonna be a backer for Canterlot Castle. It’s night shift but still, Canterlot Castle.” Trixie could see the sparkle in Sugar’s eyes.

It must be nice to be so excited about something.

“Anyway, I have to go. Have a good night Trixie, and take care.” Sugar warm smile brought Trixie near tears. She didn’t want to lose her only friend, but she knew the importance of dreams and hopes. Sugar Pop corssed the distance that separated them and gave Trixie a heartfelt hug. Trixie returned the hug.

“Yeah. I will.” Sugar Pop let go of Trixie and turned around. She walked out the dressing-room sparing on last glance behind before disapearing in a see of showmares. “Thank you.” Trixie said to an empty room.

After a couple of minutes staring in her own eyes in the mirror, Trixie decide to do it. She produced a parchment, a quill and ink form the bag containing her meagre belongings. The objects levitated to her, surrounded by a light blue aura that matched the one around her horn. She cleared her desk with a large swoop of her foreleg and set the items in front of her. She started writing.

Dear Mom,

How are you feeling these days? I’m not really good. How are things back in Canterlot? Is everything the same? Did dad come back? It’s been so long since I came home.

You were right mom, bragging was a terrible idea. I thought I could wow them. But it backfired. In the end all my bragging turned the crowd against me. I’m a failure as a showmare. I ignored everything you taught me mother. I became too cocky. I even referred to myself at the third pony. I thought it would give punch to my introduction. Turns out it made me sound like a narcissist and ruined the show.

The show occurred in a little town called Ponyville. You would have loved it mom. It was so beautiful and so rustic. Everypony looked so kind, so familiar with everypony else. I wished I could simply put them in awe, but of course I ruined everything. Everypony ended up hating me and because of me half the town was destroyed by an Ursa Minor.

It all started when I challenged ponies in the crowd. I wanted to dazzle them, show them I was good. That I was worthy of their attention. But I pushed things too far. I hogtied a farmpony with her own lasso. I could’ve just shown how much better I was with it, but I assaulted her with her own lasso. I don’t know where I went wrong mom or why I did this?

Another mare came on the stage. A very beautiful, if a little bit braggart mare. She had a rainbow mane and was able to leave a rainbow trail when she flew past. She was an amazing stuntmare. Maybe it’s because I was scared? I was scared that they would steal my show. The show I work so hard to make.

The show you work so hard to make.

So I humiliated her. I attacked her with a rainbow. A rainbow, mom. Sometimes I can’t believe the things I do.

A third mare came on the stage. If the second was beautiful than that mare was divine. She challenged me to a beauty contest. Who could dazzle the crowd best? Something in me broke and I became angry. I was just so mad. I was my show. YOUR show, mom. And she dared step on the stage and try to outdo me at what I do best. I didn’t think and I humiliated her. I turned her beautiful mane sickly green. When she ran away crying, I felt glad. Glad that I had won.  But I didn’t win.

In the night, two of my admirer, two who believed my lies and were impressed by my actions, went in the Everfree forest and brought back an Ursa Minor with them. I tried to make amends by taking the monster on, but I failed. I am nothing more than a showmare. I dazzle and awe. I don’t fight monsters.

I’m sorry mom but your wagon was destroyed by the Ursa Minor. It was entirely my fault mom. I’m sorry. It was because of me that my two admirers brought it in town. It destroyed everything.

But when I thought I would die eaten by that monster, the most dazzling and beautiful unicorn I have ever seen came charging to my rescue. She defeated the Ursa all alone. For once in my whole life, I was in total awe. Before such power and such beauty I could do nothing but stare. I think I fell in love, mom.

In the end, I couldn’t stay there so I ran away. Away from the consequences. Away from the stares and the glares. I wish I could go back in time to right the things I have done.

When I think back, I regret all my actions. I didn’t prove anything by what I did. I just humiliated ponies who worked as hard as me at the things they did. I didn’t do what you told me. I didn’t rise up and upstaged somepony. I crushed them. I stepped on them to make myself higher.

For the past months I worked in a cabaret. It’s not the best job, but at least I’m performing, right? And the pay isn’t bad. I made a friend too. Her name’s Sugar Pop. She’s the first friend I have in years and even she is leaving.

But I always have you, don’t I? I always have your hat and cape. I practically forgot them in Ponyville, but I went back and got them. They were dirty and ripped, but at least I still have them. Whenever I feel bad, I hug them and I feel like I’m hugging you. I feel so much better after.

I miss you mom. I’m coming home. I’m going to be with you soon.

I love you mom.

Trixie

***

Trixie sat in front of a tombstone. The whole world was silent. Not even a bird in the trees. Not a sound came to the showmare’s ears.

She dropped a bouquet of red roses.

“The show must go on.” She whispered in the wind, before slowly walking away, her head hung low.

The bouquet tumbled in the wind, revealing a letter tucked underneath it. Scribbled on it were two words;

To: Mom