MY LITTLE CLONY
Chapter III, Act V
The Trophy Room
“Here we go.” Trixie said matter-of-factly, nodding as the two unicorns entered the
trophy room. It was a well-furnished room, with a soft red rug completely silencing
the patter of hoofs against the ground. Ornate, oak cabinets contained shining
trophies of varying alloys behind glass, with a photo of a pony next to each, and a
plaque under them to explain what each meant. In the center of the back wall was a
single display cabinet, with a large metal plate nailed to it reading “CURRENT TITLE
HOLDERS”
“…Are you going to explain what had you so upset?” Vinyl asked.
“You can’t tell? Just look.” There was a moment of silence as Vinyl glanced around
the room.
“…I don’t get it.”
“Did you never go to magic school in the first place?”
“Does dropping out count?” there was an uncomfortable silence, before Trixie broke
it with a sigh.
“I shouldn’t have had my hopes up…basically, all of these records, awards, all of it
used to be mine. I came here expecting to at least get something to feel good about
to get myself through having to spend time living with you. …No offense.”
“Anyway, I was expecting a few of them to be gone, but every single one is broken,
there’s not a trace of me left anymore in the main cabinet…”
“So you have a few records that aren’t yours anymore.” Vinyl started. “Records are
meant to be broken, That’s the attitude a lot of really great Hoofball players and
Equestria Games competitors always seem to ta—“
“I hate that game.” Trixie interrupted.
“What, Hoofball?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Long story. Not something I want to talk about.”
“Yet you were willing to talk about your past candidly just a moment ago…” Vinyl
muttered. “Alright, well, still, the point is it’s not the end of the world just because
some purple unicorn broke your records, is it?”
“Except that’s not just ‘some purple unicorn’, that’s Twilight Sparkle.” Trixie said,
annoyance slipping back into her tone.
“…I take it you two know each other?” the DJ asked.
“Yes. I was on a show in Ponyville, and she and her friends started heckling me.
Granted I was being a little…boisterous, but what’s a performing artist supposed to
do, pretend not to matter?”
“I never take myself seriously at my DJ gigs.”
“I said performing artist, not glorified turntable.”
“…Okay, and now you’re back to being a bitch again.”
“Sorry, force of habit. Anyway, point is they were heckling me, and I responded by
showing them up.”
“I’m not seeing how this makes you bitter with her. You got the last laugh, right?”
“…Not really. I don’t want to get into specifics, but something came up, and she
ended up embarrassing me much more than I did her and her friends. Word got
around, and now my shows are either full of hecklers, or just empty. She ruined my
business, and now she’s ruined my academic career.”
“Well, that’s…different then. I’m sure she didn’t mean anything by breaking your
records.” Vinyl said reassuringly, a cheap grin on her face as if to try and convince
her that she was helping.
“That doesn’t help with the fact that, you know, she outdid me. It’s not that she
did something I did, it’s that she did it better. She outdid me. Again.” There was a
moment of silence, as Vinyl stared at the ground thoughtfully, trying to think of what
to say. After a bit, she turned back up.
“Look. I may have fans, and I may have success, but do you really think I’m the best
DJ in Equestria?”
“Of course not.” Trixie said with a chuckle, before catching herself and swallowing
the laugh. “Sorry, force of—“
“Yeah yeah, force of habit.” Vinyl said in an annoyed tone. “Of course it was. Anyway,
the point is, as great as some ponies think I am, I know I’m not the best at what I
do. I want to be, but Celestia knows I’m lying if I say I am, or even that I think I am. I
don’t let that get me down though; there’s always somepony better than you, and if
there’s not, with how many ponies are born every day and learning every day, there
will be within a few years.”
“…How is that supposed to help?”
“Look, just try not to think about it too much while we’re here, alright? Thinking
about it will only make you more upset about it, and ultimately, who cares about
those things anyway?”
“I do.”
“Why?”
“It proves…well, proved, that I was the best.”
“And?”
“…And why shouldn’t I try and be the best?” the comment drew a sigh from Vinyl.
“There’s a big difference between trying to be the best, and pursuing it to the point
of insanity. So you’re not the best ever anymore. She’s going to be bested in a few
years I’ll bet. Nobody stays on top forever, because everyone wants to get higher,
and eventually someone succeeds.”
“So I should just give up on being better than I am then?”
“No! Stop misinterpreting me.”
“Then make clearer statements.”
“Bitchy again.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Anyway, the point I’m trying to make is that nobody is the best forever. You
were the best, and now you’re not. Life doesn’t give people forever, in the end;
you’re not measured by what you do, but by what your impact is. Why do you think
we remember those who invent the primitive, first version of something just as
much as the guy who introduces the new, cutting-edge version? Because they had
the skill, the foresight, the courage, and the brilliance to do what nopony else could
do, or would do. Pioneers are remembered even if they weren’t the best. The unique
and the different are remembered, not the prototypical record setters. The record-
chasers are forgotten as soon another record-chaser eclipses their mark. It’s great if
you can get these records, but they are not something to measure yourself by.”
“…Then what am I supposed to do? Invent something new?”
“If you want. It’s not just the innovators, it’s the unique, the different, those who
accomplish what they accomplish without being what the accepted model for
success is, or those who overcome extreme odds, that are remembered.” Vinyl’s
phrasing was very energetic, with her voice projecting and her tone raising and
lowering in emphasis of each point.
“Those are the ones who leave a legacy, the ones who get remembered. You don’t
get there by emulating. You emulate to create your basic skills, but you only get
there by your work. By honing your individual talents and capabilities to their
fullest, focusing on what you do well, or on what you want to do, and building
around it. Being successful on your terms, not on the terms defined as great. Your
life is only truly yours when you start living for your fulfillment, what makes you
happy, what makes you feel proud. If that’s providing for a wife and a little filly,
congrats on being a great father. If it’s chasing records, by all means, go for it. But it
seems to me that you didn’t enjoy the chase, only the finish. When you’re defined by
chasing things, you have to enjoy the chase.”
“…So then what should I define myself with?”
“You tell me.” Vinyl said matter-of-factly. Trixie stood in thought, glancing around
the room at trophy after trophy, then to the ground and her hooves on it, and the
roof above her. Eventually she turned back to Vinyl.
“…Performing. I…I love performing. I love making the ponies watching me perform
entertained, and I love them enjoying me. That’s what I enjoy.”
“Then that’s what you need to focus on. …Well, that and paying for food and a roof
and all that. But I’m assuming you’re smart enough to know to worry about all
that. And improving your magical technique will obviously help you be a better
performer, but what you need to worry about if it’s what you want to do is putting
on the best show, making sure as many ponies leave your show happy. And looking
at your flank, that’s not that bad a choice. The most exciting performer is the one
who’ll be remembered, believe me there. I’ve beaten out many better DJs with
showmanship.”
“Should I not care at all about records then?”
“If you get them, that’s great, but unless you enjoy that chase – which you more or
less said you don’t – then just enjoy it when you get it, and don’t worry too much
about it.”
“That’s…a lot to think about.” Trixie replied thoughtfully. “I’m impressed, that was
pretty deep for a disc jockey. Hard to believe you were a dropout…”
“I’ll choose to focus on the compliment in there. And I only dropped out of magic
school. I’m a doctor of philosophy.”
“Philosophy? No wonder you had to turn to making noise for a living…”
“You know how to make it hard to focus on the compliment.”
“Sorry…alright, lets head back to the room then. You’ve given me…a lot to think
about. But if you’re that bright…well, maybe this stay together won’t be so
nightmarish after all.”
“Coming from you, I really appreciate that.” Vinyl said with a grin. “You know, if
you’re interested, when we get back, I could help you…relieve some of that stress,
clear that head of yours up a bit.” As she spoke in a drawing tone, Vinyl leaned
forwards, pecking a kiss on the tip of Trixie’s muzzle.
“Oh, um…I’m, um, flattered, but, I, erm, I like colts.” Trixie replied, embarrassment
showing both in her voice and the red coming up through her coat in her cheeks.
“Wait, really?” Vinyl asked in a disappointed tone. “Aww…you’re sure?”
“I’m sure.”
“Aww…”