South of Ponyville, there was a park behind the Carrousel shop, which was both the shop and Rarity's home. In this park a tent was pitched, daylight had come fifteen minutes ago, and Trixie Lulamoon slept almost peacefully, except for a few shivers that made her move to and fro.

Outside, the campfire was rekindled as the hot embers were blown over the still warm embers and the dry wood became the prey of new flames to heat the travelling coffee pot.

Trixie was awoken by the sudden noise. She slowly straightened up on her forelegs, as irritation and bitterness fuelled her body and lifted the veil upon her eyes as they glared towards the noise’s source outside of the tent. She traded her pyjamas for the casual magician’s outfit. "Who dares disturb the sleep of the Humble and Sorry Trixie? she asked inquisitively as she took her head out of the tent.

Bitter Truth finished unpacking tea towels containing white rose petal sandwiches. "The Humble and Sorry Trixie? Oh, my apologies Miss, I thought I had come to see the Great and Powerful Trixie, real name Trixie Lulamoon."

That title was like a cold shower for the mare. She looked down in shame. "There's nothing Powerful about Trixie. Trixie was lying to everypony and most of all to herself." The mere thought of what she'd done to the ponies of Ponyville last year made her feel remorseful.

"I don't agree, the greatest lessons are learned in defeat. Despite what you did, even somepony like Princess Twilight has found the strength to forgive you. But your past is not what brings me here. I have a job for you. But please eat, this meal is here for you."

Trixie looked at what was being offered to her. Apples peeled and cut into six, sandwiches, hot coffee, and orange juice. She hadn't had a lunch like this in ages, and didn't hesitate to start eating. "Trixie doesn't remember knowing you, sir...?"

Bitter Truth smiled. "My name doesn't matter." He took out of his black pilgrimage a metal plaque depicting the Cutie Mark of Celestia, the royal seal. "The work I have to offer you comes indirectly from Princess Celestia. You will be highly rewarded, but understand that this is an unofficial mission that you will have to follow the instructions to the letter, without questioning them, without ever doubting them. The work involves no more and no less than putting your life in great danger. But if you do as I say, you will come out unscathed."

Trixie was divided. It was a great honour to work for Princess Celestia. She needed the money to buy a new trailer, and she was struggling to make ends meet, but to hear him say it was more dangerous than facing a minor Ursa, was something she didn't have the strength to do alone. Was it worth it? "When you say that Trixie will be highly rewarded, how much are you talking about?

"The equivalent of a monthly Las Pegasus Super Jackpot at the very least."

Trixie wasn't the venal type... "And what would Trixie have to do if it was so dangerous that her life would be in great danger?" ...but with that kind of money she could afford a new, comfortable trailer.

Bitter Truth waited until she had finished drinking her coffee. "I need you to follow and assist the one who is responsible for Princess Celestia's disappearance."

The unicorn was stunned by what she'd just heard. "Are you asking Trixie to help a criminal on the run?!"

"Speak as loud as you want, in that bubble no one will hear you scream."

Trixie looked around, and didn't notice the proofsound bubble until Bitter Truth fed it a little magic.

"Yes and no," replied the oracle. "Pepper Chilly, the one you are about to help, is not actively sought by the authorities. Only a handful of ponies know the identity of the criminal, and you are now one of them. As I said, you're going to live a very dangerous life in the next few days. Princess Twilight will be your enemy again, but you've been fine with that in the past, so everything will be fine."

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

The illusionist was becoming reluctant to accept such a mission, even if it was indirectly at the request of Princess Celestia herself. "You keep saying that my life will be in danger. What proof is there that Trixie won’t get harmed?"

"The criminal believes in Loyalty. The more you put your life in danger for her, the more she will protect you in return. She gets it from Rainbow Dash, but her version of Loyalty is ridiculously absolute. Think of this work as performing the Moonshot Manticore Mouth Dive. On the surface, an omnipresent danger. In reality, I assure you, you'll be at Manehattan by the end of the week."

She was more suspicious than surprised. "How do you know where Trixie was supposed to go?"

"How could I not? Do you really think Princess Celestia doesn't know what's going on in her kingdom? She's keeping an eye out for promising elements at the school for gifted unicorns."

"She does?" Trixie was hesitant, but almost ready to accept such an offer. One last detail was bothering her. "Trixie can't approach this Pepper out of nowhere."

"That's right," he said. “That's why you're going to start by getting one of her belongings back. And then you're going to add the items in that envelope with it," he said as he took the item out of his travel saddlebag. "This will be a good start to gain her trust, and therefore, her friendship."

"Does Trixie have to be her friend?"

Bitter was amused by the question. "You have no idea what this Pepper could do for a friend,” he said, daydreaming as events from countless timelines passed before his eyes. “No one's asking you to be her best friend, tho." He took out two packets, one wrapped in brown paper, one in lilac paper with star-shaped stickers and another envelope from the other bag. "Here are your weapons for this journey" he said, pointing to the lilac package with his hoof. "The other contains food. The letter in this envelope contains everything you need to know to complete the work. But for the moment leave the letter aside."

She followed the instructions, taking a look inside the package. It was filled with the kind of tricks she used during her performances. She looked up at the stallion.

He was amused by this incomprehension. "I hire the Great and Powerful Trixie. What did you expect?"

She began to smile. "What about Trixie's reward?"

"I will personally deliver it to you in Manehattan." He took out of his pocket one of the smoke bombs that Trixie uses at her performances. "Any last questions?"

"Why me?"

"Your background, your talents and your knowledge, you have what it takes to help somepony like this Pepper. All I'm asking you to do is follow her for three days. Then you can leave for Manehattan." With those words, he threw the smoke bomb at his hooves. "As they say in the business, let the show begin."

Trixie closed her eyes, coughing as she tried to scatter the smoke. When she could open her eyes again, she was alone. She took a look at the envelope containing the instructions and decided to open it to read them.

Your mission, if you accept it, will be to approach Pepper Chilly by posing as a burglar who starts her career by targeting important ponies like Princess Twilight Sparkle. To support this alibi, you will take advantage of the absence of the Ponyville library's inhabitants to go and retrieve a blue mane clip belonging to the target. It is in the basement, on the laboratory bench, in an airtight bag. It is covered with dried blood from almost two months ago. Enclosed in the first packet is a cleaning lotion and items that will complete this robbery.

Your target, Pepper Chilly, must never learn that you have been hired by me to provide support. If she were to find out, her nature would cause her to be suspicious and it would put the future of many lives, except yours, at stake. Use your former dispute with Princess Twilight as a motive to help her. Everypony will believe the lie.

Two simple instructions.

1/ Always stay in the hooves of the target.

2/ Always do what the target tells you to do, horn and wing. If this contradicts the first instruction, such an order can only be acceptable after today. Find an excuse not to obey, fear for example.

From now on, you have thirty minutes to get to the Ponyville library.

Once you have retrieved the accessory and exited the building, find a white-coated unicorn that will undoubtedly be hunted by Princess Twilight and her friends.

Of course, should you be captured by any authority figure, the kingdom will deny any knowledge of this unofficial mission.

You have ten seconds to throw this letter into the fire before it self-destructs.

Good luck to you.>

Without waiting, after throwing the letter into the flames with a piece of apple stuck between her lips, Trixie began to pack up her tent at full speed.