As Sunset continuously awaited a response from Princess Twilight, it seemed as though the princess was perhaps occupied with something else rather urgent. It didn't seem like Twilight to not almost metaphorically text her back in a near instant, making it more likely that something big was happening back in Equestria. Sunset hoped that this was the case, and that Twilight wasn't hurt or upset at seemingly being ghosted for nearly a whole year. Then again, it was entirely possible that time in Equestria had differed from the Human World, especially when Sunset remembered that moons in Equestria were measured by days, due to Princess Celestia and Luna raising the sun and moon on a daily basis.
Meanwhile, the moon's full rotation cycle spanned an entire month in the Human World, making it so everything would technically feel longer here, compared to a few days or weeks back in Equestria. However, this was entirely based on Sunset's assumption of how the portal worked, based on what little she had read in that book, back when she was Celestia's pupil. For all Sunset knew, the measurements of time could vary based on numerous factors, including what time she would leave either world, how long she stayed, or even something as simple as the moon's phase. Regardless, there was definitely something up with how the portal truly worked, making Sunset curious on understanding it fully, despite already spending several years of her life here.
"I wonder if Princess Celestia could explain the portal to me." Sunset said to herself. "Maybe she could tell me more about how it works, and why time seems to pass differently here? It'd be great to finally understand this strange connection between the two worlds, but then again, would she actually be willing to share that knowledge with me? After all, this very bit of curiosity was what tore us apart in the first place, especially because I believed I WAS ready to know about it..."
Despite her own doubts, Sunset eventually surmised that her former mentor would likely be willing to share that knowledge now. After all, the princess had seen how much Sunset had changed since then, and how she had finally grown into a responsible and trustworthy mare. Celestia had willingly made amends by allowing her former student back into her hooves, and also showed her the restricted section of Canterlot's library, which even Twilight had never seen before. Surely, Celestia would understand that Sunset was now ready to learn the truth about the portal and its connection to Equestria, especially after she had lived there for so long.
"I suppose it wouldn't hurt to ask this time." Sunset assured herself. "But what if she thinks I'm still not ready, or better yet, thinks I'm only asking, because I feel guilty for leaving her in the first place? Actually... that wouldn't really make a lot of sense, but it's just... UGH!"
Sunset knew that her curiosity had often led her down the wrong path, since in her own words to the Human Twilight, she shouldn't have been messing around with things that she didn't understand. And when she did, it resulted in not only Sunset becoming much more meaner and coldhearted, but even turning herself into a raging she-demon. Whether or not Celestia was willing to teach her more about the mirror now, it didn't seem to matter as much, anymore. This exact bit of curiosity was what caused her to burn a bridge with her former teacher, and she wasn't willing to make the same mistake again, especially after that heartwarming reconciliation in Canterlot, a while back.
"I should focus on the present for now." Sunset proposed. "Hopefully Twilight receives my message, and she'll know that I'm still here, and that I haven't forgotten about her. Or... maybe I should just go and visit her myself, though it's been a while since we've seen each other. But before I do that, I need to find my friends, and get an idea on what they're planning to do after graduation..."
As Sunset wandered the halls, continuing to search around for the rest of the girls, she eventually found her way into the yearbook room. Being the president of the Yearbook Committee and editor-in-chief, Sunset had been notified that the final renditions of the senior-grade yearbooks had already been polished and delivered, though she still had yet to get a peek at any of them, given how brand new they were. Entering the room, she was able to immediately see the many boxes with 'Yearbooks' written on the sides, still taped up, and sitting in the corner. But before Sunset had a chance to walk over and inspect the overall quality and presentation, she suddenly brought her attention to the sound of rustling papers and a concentrated hum, coming from the other side of the room.
"Well, what a surprise to see you here." Trixie looked up for a moment, before going back to skimming one of the yearbooks. "But then again, you are the yearbook editor, so I'd figure that this is less surprising than... me spending over $50 on just peanut butter crackers from the vending machine."
"Trixie?" Sunset's eyes widened in surprise. "How'd you even get in here without the key? And you're already looking at the yearbooks before I could? These were supposed to be kept locked up, until tomorrow's distribution."
"Oh, I picked the lock on the door, obviously." Trixie replied with a smug smile. "It's elementary, my dear Shimmer. But it's not everyday you get to see your own legendary face in print, now is it? Besides, I couldn't keep myself in suspense for much longer, I just absolutely NEEDED to check and verify that I was in fact, voted to be the 'Greatest and Most Powerfullest', for the second year in a row."
"Trixie, those awards were supposed to be a surprise for everyone at CHS." Sunset sighed. "Besides, I thought you'd be happy with just 'Most Talented', again."
"As if, Sunset." Trixie huffed. "The title of 'Greatest and Most Powerfullest' is much more... me. But tell me, how did you fare in the yearbook awards this year?"
"Well, I haven't had the chance to look through them yet, but I'm sure everyone's achievements are well-represented." Sunset said. "That's what's most important, after all."
"Ah, here it is!" Trixie finally turned to the respective page for Sunset's award. "Sunset Shimmer, voted 'Most Dedicated to School Spirit'. Well, well, well, how the tables have turned, haven't they? From being a social outcast, to the poster girl for the greatest spirit at CHS."
"Great, thanks a lot for ruining the surprise, Trixie." Sunset groaned. "Well, now that I know, I'm glad that I've worked hard to change and become a better person, I certainly couldn't have done it without the support of my friends."
"Speaking of your friends, how's the band holding up without me?" Trixie questioned. "I'm sure they miss the pizzazz that I brought to their performances."
"You did... what now?" Sunset scratched her head in confusion. "Well to answer your question, they've found their own groove over the years, and they've been growing a lot in each of their respective positions. But... I'm afraid that I have no idea what you're talking about, you were never a part of the band."
"Oh, come now, I was obviously speaking metaphorically." Trixie giggled, before standing up and dusting off her skirt. "But if you say so, then I suppose I should leave the performance dreams to the actual rockstars. Besides, I was planning on getting my own electrical guitar once, but generously decided to give it to your friend, Rainbow Dash, to show how selfless of a performer I was."
"That's not what she told me." Sunset snickered, before crossing her arms. "I seem to remember hearing that you tried to compete against her for it, but she ended up choosing another guitar that suited her better. And then you ended up getting stuck with that guitar, which costed $12,000, isn't that right?"
"Well, I wouldn't say that..." Trixie rolled her eyes. "But I did end up buying it, and it serves as a gentle reminder of my own greatness. Plus, I can still make plenty of money, playing some wonderful tunes at the park, with my sick and upbeat melodies."
Just as Trixie said that, she had stretched her arms out, emphasizing her greatness, but in doing so, ended up dropping a small piece of paper onto the ground, which landed right next to Sunset's boot. Sunset instinctively picked it up, only to see that it was a crumpled up, yet recent credit card bill that Trixie had, stating that she was still overdue with $500 in debt.
"Trixie, is everything okay?" Sunset read the statement, before turning back to her. "$500 is a lot of money, especially for an overdue credit card bill. And it can't just be from peanut butter crackers, unless they're made of solid gold."
"I-I-It's not what it looks like, actually." Trixie stuttered, as she snatched the document away. "It's just a little... misunderstanding with my finances."
"A misunderstanding?" Sunset raised an eyebrow. "Did your bank mistake your love for peanut butter crackers as an investment opportunity, or something? Being overdue on $500 sounds a lot more serious than that."
"Well, it's complicated, okay?" Trixie's cheeks began to blush a faint shade of pink. "I had some... unexpected expenses, and the market for magic in Canterlot City... isn't quite as lucrative as I thought it would be."
"Come on, Trixie, I've known you for a while now, and I can tell when you're bluffing." Sunset insisted. "Could you please just tell me what's really going on?"
"Alright, fine, you win..." Trixie sighed, heavily. "It all started when my parents gave me my first credit card during sophomore year. Like I mentioned earlier, I ended up purchasing that $12,000 guitar, after remembering I had the card on me at the time. I didn't really understand that I would have debt to pay off, since a credit card almost seemed like free infinite money, and I saw my parents using one to shop all the time. At first, everything seemed great, when I was able to flaunt that guitar to my audience, whenever I felt like performing. But after my parents received the statement in the mail, they gave me a pretty stern talk."
"And they told you to be more responsible with your finances, I'm guessing?" Sunset deduced.
"Well, yes, but the problem is..." Trixie continued. "I never really learned how to manage my money, since I've never really had to. And when I moved here, I guess I just got carried away with all the fancy things this world had to offer. My parents had agreed to pay off my $12,000 debt themselves, but only on the condition that any further expenses I'd make after would be coming out of my pocket. I agreed, but realized that if I could purchase all kinds of things to enhance my performance, with all sorts of fancy costumes, props, and special effects, I'd practically be able to pay off double what I owed. But as you can probably tell by that statement... things didn't exactly work out the way they did..."
"Trixie, I understand that you want to be the best, but you can't let your desire for perfection ruin your future." Sunset put a hand on her own face. "Maybe it's time you set your sights on something more attainable, or at least get a part-time job to help cover your costs?"
"A part-time job?" Trixie choked on her words. "At a... fast food place?! You can't be serious, Sunset, that's just so... beneath me! I'm the Great and Powerful Trixie, not some... teenage burger flipper!"
"Well, I didn't say you had to work at a fast food place, specifically." Sunset folded her arms. "But you need to find a way to pay off your debts, and there's nothing wrong with honest work, regardless of where it's done."
"But... I'm a magical prodigy, not some common worker bee!" Trixie sputtered. "I'm destined for greater things than serving fries and ketchup packets, unlike my classmates who often complain about how much they hate working retail!"
"Trixie, everyone has to start somewhere, working at a job can actually be a good learning experience." Sunset assured. "Plus, it'll show that you're responsible and committed to fixing your mistakes, because it sounds like to me, your parents aren't going to help you out of this $500 hole you dug yourself into."
"But what kind of job could I get, that would be 'magical' enough for someone like me?" Trixie thought out loud. "I mean, I could always just perform fixed magic tricks for money, but that's not the same as using real magic, is it?"
"Well, why don't we start by showing me what you can do with all that fancy equipment you've already bought?" Sunset suggested. "Maybe you could put on a show for me right now, and I can even pay you a little something for your time."
"But why would you pay me for that?" Trixie raised an eyebrow. "It's not like you don't know what I'm capable of already."
"Alright, so it sounds like you don't want my money to pay off your debt, then?" Sunset shrugged. "Oh well, then I guess I'll go spend it on dinner with my friends after graduation, instead."
"Wait, no, please don't go yet!" Trixie begged. "I'm telling you, I'm a professional, and besides, I could use the practice, I guess."
"I'm not sure I'm convinced, if you're not even sounding so confident right now." Sunset looked back for a moment. "Maybe I'll spend this money on a new pair of comfy sneakers at the mall, in that case."
"Alright, fine!" Trixie waved her arms, frantically. "I'll put on the greatest show in the history of Canterlot, and absolutely DAZZLE you with my performance, because I want to prove to you that I'm worth every penny you pay!"
"That's more like it, you see?" Sunset turned around, satisfied. "The first step in the right direction is having confidence in yourself, especially if this is going to be your main career prospect. Alright, now show me what you've got."
"Very well, but don't say I didn't warn you, because once I'm done, you're going to want to empty your wallet into my hat!" Trixie continued her act, before digging through her own backpack, and pulling out a green crystal orb on a small pedestal, alongside a deck of cards.
"Hmm, looks like we're in for some fortune-telling and card tricks?" Sunset sat back on a nearby stool, ready to watch the show."
"You jest, but this crystal ball is not just any crystal ball!" Trixie said, as she placed it carefully on the table, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "It is a genuine artifact from Trixie's Museum of Magic in Canterlot, and is absolutely capable of predicting the future! Including... the card you plan to take from this very deck! Pick a card, any card!"
"Alright, I'll play along." Sunset selected a card from the deck, keeping it hidden from Trixie's view. "Now, what's it going to tell us?"
"Give me a moment to channel the mystical energies within." Trixie closed her eyes and placed her hands over the crystal ball, which began to emit a faint glow. "Ah, I see it now! Your card is... the Queen of Hearts!"
"Impressive, you actually managed to find out what card I picked!" Sunset grinned, before turning the card around to show it was indeed the Queen of Hearts. "I'm guessing you've rehearsed this trick plenty of times, though, because many people already know how to do a card trick."
"Wait, are you serious now?" Trixie's eyes widened in disbelief. "No, I swear, Sunset! I've never practiced that trick with these exact cards before! The crystal ball truly did tell me which card you chose!"
"You're right, I shouldn't doubt you." Sunset continued playing along. "But if that's the case, then please tell me what the future holds for us all, after graduation."
"Ah, the future is not so easily revealed, Sunset Shimmer, but I shall give you a riddle to ponder." Trixie hovered over the crystal ball, before sensing another prediction coming her way. "But... just between the two of us, I'll literally be paraphrasing what it'll say, word for word. Ahem... in a place where a mirror shows more than your reflection, you shall meet a reflection of yourself that will either shine like a star, or cast a shadow upon your heart. Choose wisely on when this reflection appears, for it may hold the key to your destiny..."
"Well, that's quite the cryptic fortune, for sure." Sunset gave the riddle some thought. "I'll be sure to keep an eye out for any... reflective surfaces. I'd have no idea when something like that would even occur, so... how about this? Could you give me a prediction on my future for something that'll happen much sooner? Say... maybe in a few days from now?"
"Alright, let's see..." Trixie peered into the crystal ball again, her expression turning a bit more serious. "In five days' time, you shall face a challenge that will require your courage and wit. The crystal whispers of a journey, one filled with speed and steel, where you shall face a swarm of tiny foes that crawl and squeal. Upon the highest peak of this moving beast, you'll fight to save yourself and others from their feast. The outcome of this battle will show your true colors, whether bravery or fear, and it will all be in your power to reveal..."
"What the... okay, now you're really scaring me, Trixie." Sunset said, rather unsettled. "That sounds like something out of a horror movie, not a high school adventure."
"Not to worry, remember, I'm the Great and Powerful Trixie, so I'm sure you'll be fine." Trixie brushed off. "Besides, fortune telling is all about interpreting the signs, so maybe it's not as dire as it sounds. Anyways... what did you think of my performance?"
"Your performance was... intriguing, to say the least." Sunset responded. "But tell me, where did you get this crystal ball? It seems like it could be a valuable tool for magical acts."
"It's a long story, but I got it from a... let's call it a 'magical garage sale', within the outskirts of Canterlot." Trixie explained. "I had to haggle down the price a bit, but it was worth it for the authenticity, don't you think?"
Although still astonished with what Trixie was able to come up with off the top of her head, Sunset couldn't help but internally believe that the predictions were just a bunch of nonsense. She had seen plenty of magic in her time, and while Trixie had some flair, she was certain that there was no way she could truly predict the future. Plus, it was entirely plausible that the card trick was simply a lucky fluke and coincidence. However, now that it seemed that Trixie finally had her confidence back, Sunset knew that her work was done, and that she had hopefully set her back on track, with the right amount of motivation to pay off her credit card debt.
"Wow, Trixie, that was quite the show!" Sunset applauded. "I'm sure you'll be able to wow a real audience with your skills, it's certainly been pretty mind-blowing, especially compared to the magicians that I've seen back in my hometown! Now, how about that payment for your wonderful performance? How much would you like?"
"Why, Sunset, I didn't know you were such a generous patron of the mystical arts!" Trixie put a hand over her heart in a dramatic gesture. "But for a show as epic as the one I just gave you, a mere $1,000 seems quite fitting, don't you think?"
"Whoa, whoa, hold your horses, Trixie." Sunset put her hands up. "That's a bit too much, don't you think? You need to remember, not everyone's got deep pockets, nor will they always be willing to watch you perform. Besides, in the magic business, you can't go around asking for ludicrous prices, or people will stop coming to see you. How about we start with a more reasonable number, like say, $20?"
"But Sunset, I need to make enough to pay off my debts!" Trixie reminded. "$20 won't even cover the additional interest that I'll owe, if I can't fully pay off my debt at the end of the month, which is in less than a week from now!"
"Alright, I get it." Sunset sighed under her breath. "But you can't expect to make a fortune in one go, you'll have to build up your reputation, and that comes with fair pricing. How about this, I'll give you $50 for today's performance, and if you can find a way to perform even better tricks, like something nobody's seen before, I'll consider upping your payment for future shows."
"Fine, I'll take it." Trixie reluctantly agreed. "But just remember, you're getting a steal of a deal here!"
Just as Sunset reached into her pocket to pull out a $50 bill, her eyes widened upon realizing that she had left her wallet and money at home. She then turned to Trixie, hoping that the magician girl would be understanding.
"Err, Trixie?" Sunset spoke up. "Bad news I'm afraid, I'm really sorry, but it seems I've left my wallet at home. You wouldn't mind if I paid you back later, would you?"
"Well, I suppose I can't force you to pay me if you don't have the funds, but I do hope that when you do, you won't forget about our little agreement." Trixie folded her arms. "But... now I'm curious, why are you helping me out, anyways? I mean, here I am, going through the CHS yearbooks without authorization, and instead of chewing me out and reporting me to Principal Celestia, you decide to help me get back on my feet, and even give me money? Why?"
"Well Trixie, I remember a time when I was in a similar situation of hopelessness, and it was you who helped me out, without expecting anything in return." Sunset looked around the yearbook room. "It was right here in this very room where you helped me confront that girl who had the Memory Stone, and your willingness to help, made a big difference to me. Let's just say that if you didn't help me escape this room, my friends probably would've hated me forever. I just want to return the favor, and maybe give you a nudge in the right direction."
"I wouldn't quite say that I helped, without expecting something for myself." Trixie recalled. "It's primarily because of you, that I earned the title of 'Greatest and Most Powerfullest', for junior year."
"I suppose that's true, but at the end of the day, it's just a nice feeling to help others out, especially in their time of need." Sunset replied. "I've seen firsthand what real magic can do to people, and I don't want you to fall down the same rabbit hole I did."
"That's fair enough." Trixie nodded. "Well, I guess I'll go on to continue doing some performances on the side, and see if it'll get me a profit in the triple digits. My parents are going to go absolutely ballistic, if they find out how much debt I'm in. I specifically hid the credit card statement from them, when I got it in the mail."
"Well, in that case... alright Trixie, I really do want to help you out." Sunset insisted. "Let's just head over to my place real quick, and I can give you the $50 now, to save you the hassle of waiting. It's the least I can do for our friendship, and the help you've given me. Besides, my place is only about a 10-minute walk from CHS."
"Well, if you're really sure, Sunset, I wouldn't want to impose on you." Trixie accepted. "Though, walking is certainly overrated, especially if it'll give me a blister in these boots here. Maybe you could give me a piggyback ride?"
"Come now, Trixie." Sunset sighed. "What did I already tell you earlier, about going around and asking for unreasonable things?"
"Alright, alright, if you insist..." Trixie pouted. "I think I remember you mentioning where you lived... it's that central apartment down on Maple Street, isn't it?"
"Yes, that's right." Sunset nodded. "Let's go there, and I'll get you your payment, but remember, this is just a one-time thing, okay? You're going to have to work hard in this world, if you plan on making it big, as a freelancer magician."
"Don't worry, I'll pull through." Trixie said, confidently. "Besides, with a little help from my friends, like you, I'm sure I'll be able to pull off something amazing!"
Sunset and Trixie left the school grounds, as they began strolling down the sidewalks of Canterlot City. The trip to Sunset's apartment was filled with Trixie's complaints about her uncomfortable boots, and the length of the walk, but Sunset remained unfazed, her eyes focused on the destination. Upon arriving, Sunset used her keys to open the front door, and held it open for Trixie, inviting her inside. The apartment itself was rather quiet, aside from the sounds of their footsteps echoing throughout the room, as Sunset walked upstairs to her bed. While Sunset was searching around for her wallet in the dresser next to the bed, Trixie was downstairs, admiring Sunset's home and belongings.
"Alright, Trixie." Sunset walked back downstairs with the $50 she had promised. "Here's your cash-"
But before Sunset could even hand Trixie the money, she immediately noticed Trixie sitting on the floor, trying on a pair of Sunset's sneakers. The magician girl simply looked up, a sheepish smile went across her face.
"Come on, can you really blame me?" Trixie asked. "Your sneakers are so soft and comfy, these old boots were clearly not meant for walking long distances."
"Trixie, those are my favorite pair!" Sunset exclaimed. "But I guess I can't blame you for wanting a break from those boots. Just... don't go stealing my stuff, okay? I use those kicks for when I stream games on ShimmerCode."
"Hmm, I can see it now... The Great and Powerful Trixie, Twilight Kingdom's number one gamer and fortune teller!" Trixie announced, before she took the sneakers off, and put her own boots back on. "But alright, I suppose it'd be rotten for me to steal your shoes, even though they actually fit me, perfectly. Now then, about that money..."
"Here you go, Trixie." Sunset handed the $50 to her. "Now remember, invest it wisely, and maybe buy some new props or something for your show, but only AFTER you've paid off your credit card debt."
"Oh, don't you worry about that, Sunset." Trixie assured. "I've got a plan, and it's going to be absolutely... MAGICAL!"
As Sunset walked over to her desk by the front door, she took a moment to take notice of a black and white box in the corner, sitting next to her computer. She had admittedly forgotten what it contained, but vaguely recalled that she had bought this from the local hardware store, shortly following the holiday season. Sunset then used one of her keys to unlock the box, and it suddenly hit her. Sitting in the middle of the box, was none other than the Geode of Empathy, the necklace that Sunset ended up obtaining, following an epic battle against Gloriosa Daisy, back at Camp Everfree. But what was this doing here, specifically?
Sunset and the other girls had always worn these geode necklaces as a way to symbolize their evergrowing friendship, almost like friendship bracelets. However, earlier this year, they had all mutually decided that it would've been better to simply leave the geodes behind for a while, as wearing them had often contributed toward numerous supernatural occurrences. As such, it felt like the wiser decision to take a break from their magical abilities, especially with a significantly monumental event like graduation, coming very soon. In fact, accidentally blowing up the ceremonial stage, or attracting a new, unknown threat, due to the presence of their Equestrian magic, would've been the last thing any of the girls wanted. Sunset grabbed the necklace out of the box and wrapped it around her finger, reminiscing on all the good times she's had with her friends, as Trixie came around the corner, ready to head back home with her profit.
"Well, I suppose this is adieu for now, Sunset." Trixie began waving goodbye. "Hopefully, I'll be able to make it big in this world, doing what I really love. I don't particularly plan to fall for the scam that college and university truly is, especially if it'll land me a job that I won't even like, along with costing me thousands of dollars in tuition. Cause like, if I plan to become more realistic and responsible with my finances, that's a start, isn't it?"
"I mean, it's your life and decision in the end, Trixie." Sunset shrugged. "I can't tell you otherwise what's best for you, but if you feel that this is your true path, I'd say, go for it!"
"Thanks for the pep talk and the cash, Sunset." Trixie grinned. "I'll make sure to use it wisely! And hey... what's that in your hand, there? Aren't those the necklaces that you and your friends used to regularly wear, all the time?"
"That's right, our friendship geode necklaces." Sunset replied. "I've been keeping mine safe here, since... let's just say, the girls and I believed it was for the better. But... this was just a reminder that I need to go talk to them, and discuss a serious matter. Though I was unable to find them, since they weren't even in our regular hangout spot, the music classroom."
"Oh, I know where your friends are, saw them while I was searching around the school for the yearbooks." Trixie remembered. "They've been spending quite some time in the cafeteria, discussing something rather quite intense, from the looks of it. Seems like your friends have a lot on their minds."
"Well, if it's serious, then I guess I should head over there, right now." Sunset said, as both she and Trixie exited the apartment, before Sunset locked the front door. "Thanks for letting me know, Trixie."
"Hey, what are friends for, after all?" Trixie shrugged. "I was just thinking though, after graduation, do you think we'll still keep in touch? I know we're all going to different places, but I'd like to think that our friendship can stand the test of time, especially after all we've been through together."
"That's something I've been wondering about too, admittedly." Sunset acknowledged. "It's weird to think that our friendship could just... end, because we're going on different career paths. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if that's what's been keeping my friends busy, since it seems like they know the full extent on what graduation could entail for our friendship. I mean, we've had so many adventures together, so it just seems wrong to not know what's happening in each other's lives. I suppose I can get back to you on that, but as long as we find a way to stay in touch after graduation, I'm sure everything will work out."
"Yeah, I'd like that." Trixie agreed. "Maybe we can all meet up again after graduation, once we've figured out our futures, and share some magical stories?"
"Definitely, that sounds like a plan." Sunset nodded. "But before we get ahead of ourselves, I should really go and see what the girls are up to at CHS, it's not like them to be all secretive about something. You go on ahead, and I'll catch up with you later, okay?"
"Alright, and remember, if you need anything, I'm just a magic trick away!" Trixie said, enthusiastically.
With a wink and a wave, Trixie disappeared down the street, before getting stopped by a man in an alleyway, wearing a trenchcoat. The man motioned for Trixie to come closer, before coming out with a proposition deal.
"Hey there, kid." Flim said, muffled in his disguise. "Word on the street is, you like performing magic? How would you like to purchase an EFT?"
"I do like performing, but... what does that even stand for, EFT?" Trixie questioned.
"Equestria-Fungible Token, silly!" Flim said. "Assets and cryptocurrency that can make you RICH in a matter of days. Why, if you give me say... 50 bucks, I can turn that into 50 GRAND in just one week! What do you say?"
"Hmm, imagine how well I could do with fifty thousand dollars..." Trixie felt enticed, before handing him the money. "DEAL!"