为「诚心悔过崔克茜的全国致歉巡演」而新建和改进的巡回舞台正式回到了小马镇。与崔克茜以前从一个小镇拖到另一个小镇的破烂舞台相比——这个舞台简直是太宏伟了：

木制舞台的两侧挂着两张大海报，海报上的崔克茜在一个火圈里，显得十分戏剧化。上方挂着用纸板星星撑起的闪闪发光的帘幕。一束聚光灯照亮了舞台正中央，扬声器里播放着激动马心的音乐。这一切足以吸引注意力。果然，没过多久，好奇的小马们就开始聚集在一起，满怀期待地等待演出的开始。

后台，星光熠熠透过闪亮的蓝色幕布，偷偷看了一眼越来越多的马众。她希望崔克茜对她这场大胆表演的安全性判断是正确的。

无论发生什么事，星光都会尽己所能化解局势、保护每一匹小马——即使这意味着要四处发射失控力场。

「我看起来怎么样？」崔克茜问道。她戴着那顶旧的紫色繁星帽，披着斗篷，摆了个姿势。她露出恶魔般的微笑，「别告诉我，我已经知道了。」

「你看起来棒极了！」星光撒了个谎，强装出一个鼓励的微笑，「很神！」事实上，与奢华的舞台相比，现在的服装乏善可陈。也许崔克茜之前说要一件新斗篷的想法是正确的。

「这意味着神通广大崔克茜已经准备好尝试『巨龙之泪』了！」崔克茜把银哨扔给了星光熠熠，「还记得你的提示吗？」

星光点点头。「当你说「『看哪，可怕的龙』时，我就吹哨子？」她又用蹄子指着一根水管，「再在你给猛兽挠痒后，我就把它打开？」

「是的！」崔克茜的眼睛里闪烁着炽热的决心——这与她戴上被诅咒的天角兽护符，试图控制整座小马镇时的眼神别无二致。崔克茜高兴地嘻嘻笑个不停，「这一定会无比惊险。」星光向她投来警告的目光，「什么？」崔克茜天真地回答，「这就是游戏的名字。」

崔克茜不再多说，小跑到一旁拉动了一根拉杆。幕布徐徐拉开，蓝色独角兽登上舞台。

观众们蹄子跺地报以热烈的掌声。他们已经等了很久，这恰使他们的期待达到了一个合适的高度。

「欢迎，女士们先生们，来到这最伟大的表演，见证最令马难忘的壮举！」崔克茜做了一个戏剧性的转身，淡蓝色的鬃毛和尾巴随着斗篷飘扬，「神通广大崔克茜的独门绝技——『巨龙~之泪』！

「我甚至还没来得及试验这大胆的壮举呢。」观众们倒吸了一口凉气。崔克茜欣然一笑，接着说 ，「所以，如果你心有余而力不足——那就移开双目！但如果想亲眼见证我魔术的光辉，就请全神贯注。

「看哪，可怕的龙！」崔克茜咬牙切齿笑着说。星光小跑上台，眼睛四处瞟着。她吹响了龙哨。顿时，全场观众都感受到了这头巨兽的炽热。

崔克茜想把前蹄高高举起，对逼近的龙示意。但她的右前蹄突然变得格外沉重。她艰难承受它的重量，勉强将它举到肩膀位置。

观众们惊呼了起来。

崔克茜的蹄子正脉动着怪异的金光。

原文：

The new-and-improved traveling stage setup, which had been recently built for “The Humble and Penitent Trixie’s Great Equestrian Apology Tour,” was officially back in Ponyville. It was quite grand—a true step up from the rinky-dink stage Trixie used to drag from town to town.

Two large posters depicting a dramatic Trixie inside a ring of fire hung on either side of the wooden platform. Shimmery curtains held up by cardboard stars were draped above. A spotlight illuminated the center of the stage, and exciting music blasted from the speakers. It was more than enough to draw attention. Sure enough, it wasn’t long before curious ponies began to gather and wait in anticipation of the show.

Backstage, Starlight Glimmer stole a peek through the shiny blue curtains at the growing crowd. She hoped Trixie was right about the safety of her daring display.

Whatever happened, Starlight would do her best to diffuse the situation and protect everypony—even if that meant shooting wayward force fields everywhere to do so.

“How do I look?” Trixie asked, striking a pose in her old purple starry hat and cloak. She smiled devilishly. “Don’t tell me, I already know.”

“You look great!” Starlight lied, forcing an encouraging smile. “Powerful!” In truth, the costume now appeared lackluster in comparison to the extravagant stage. Perhaps Trixie had been right earlier about needing a new cloak.

“That means the Great and Powerful Trixie is ready to attempt ‘The Tears of the Dragon’!” Trixie tossed the silver whistle to Starlight Glimmer. “You remember your cue?”

Starlight nodded. “When you say ‘Behold the fearsome dragon,’ I blow the whistle.” Starlight pointed her hoof at a hose. “And then I turn that on after you tickle the beast?”

“Yes!” Trixie’s eyes were alight with a fiery determination. It was not unlike the one that had possessed her when she wore the cursed Alicorn Amulet and tried to control all of Ponyville. Trixie giggled with glee. “It’s going to be so dangerous and impressive.” Starlight shot her an admonishing look. “Whaaat?” Trixie replied innocently. “That’s the name of the game.”

Without further ado, Trixie trotted over to the side and pulled a lever.

The curtains swung apart, and the blue Unicorn stepped out onto the stage.

The audience stomped their hooves on the ground in applause. They’d been waiting a long time, which always amped up the anticipation to an appropriate level.

“Welcome, mares and gentlecolts, to the greatest show, the most memorable feat you will ever lay eyes upon!” Trixie did a theatrical twirl.

Her pale-blue mane and tail whipped out in time with her cloak. “The Great and Powerful Trixie’s one-of-a-kind stunt—‘The Tears of the Draaaaagon’!

“I have yet to even test out this daring feat.” The crowd gasped. Trixie smiled gleefully and continued on. “So if you are faint of heart—avert your eyes! If you care to witness the glory of my magical prowess, do not dare to tear them away.

“Behold the fearsome dragon!” Trixie said through her gritted-teeth smile. Starlight trotted onstage, eyes darting around. She blew the whistle.

At once, the entire crowd felt the fiery heat of the gigantic beast.

Trixie tried to raise her hooves way up high to gesture toward the approaching dragon, but suddenly her right forehoof seemed extra heavy.

She struggled with its weight, barely lifting it the height of her shoulder.

The crowd gasped.

Trixie’s hoof was pulsating with an eerie golden glow.