//------------------------------// // Between Cadence and Shining Armor, It's All About Soul // Story: Juke Box Ponies // by NightmareDash //------------------------------// An arm crawled jerkily over the tray of records, slowly falling and clasping the one selected. Well, selected wasn't the best word. Vinyl had felt around a little with her magic, prodded at all the gears and levers, flipped a power switch, but she never did a thing to set the antique jukebox in motion. It was doing this itself. By now, the arm had twisted itself over the turntable, and the record dropped onto the spinning plate. Another arm brought a needle down on the disc, but as the vinyl spun, not a sound could be heard coming from the speakers. Just the faint tinge of static. This was curious, indeed; Vinyl knew the thing was in working order, since she'd checked every wire and mechanical piece herself. Every piece worked perfectly, except the music wouldn't play. But curiouser and curiouser, she saw that the label on the disc wasn't anything she'd seen before. This was some new music, or very old, she supposed. But if she could just make out what the song was... "Who is Billy Joel?" The name of the song was equally foreign to her: All About Soul. "Wait...I think I remember that... the wedding?" Many miles away, many months before, in the gardens of the Royal Palace, the reception for the wedding of Princess Cadence and Shining Armor was at fever pitch. After a resounding solo number on the part of Twilight, discotheque and dubstep had taken over the music scene. Dancing itself had actually given way to mingling and conversation, though the energy had yet to decline. The customary gifts had been exchanged, traditions partaken in, and everypony was taking the opportunity to socialize with rarely-seen friends. For Twilight, this meant her brother, of course, and somehow they managed to find a moment of time together near the fountain. "This is really exciting, Shining! I may know a lot about the magic of friendship, but there's so much I don't know about the power of love! I have a million questions for you! What's it like? How does it feel to be in love? How did you know you loved Cadence? How is your love strong enough to blast away an army of changelings?" "Easy, Twilee! Love is, actually, really hard to describe. It's something you just have to feel to know." "But I've never felt love like you have! How am I supposed to know what love is like if I've never felt it?" "You could just wait to fall in love, like the rest of us." And, cue irritated glare. "Oh yeah, waiting doesn't agree with you. Well, Twilee, I wish I could tell you more, but like I said, it's not easy to put into words." Almost answering his excuse, a series of piano chords and drumbeats blared out of the speakers. Noticing the sudden change in music from dance to soft rock, Twilight (and many others in the crowd) turned their eyes to Pinkie, who released the turntables in confusion. "Hey, it's not me doing it! I don't even know this song!" But as the keys rang out, a sparkle came to Shining's eye, and a sudden energy and confidence possessed him. "Maybe I can explain it better this way, Twilight." "She waits for me each night, when I come home from service She gives me all her tenderness, and takes away my pain And so far she hasn't run, though I swear another mare would She still believes in miracles, I'll never love in vain It's all about soul, it's all about faith and her deeper devotion It's all about soul, 'cause under the love is a stronger emotion I know that she's strong Though so many things have gone out of control But ev'ry day, I know that she'll stay, it's all about soul She turned to me one night, and she asked me what I was dreaming And I realized I was dreaming about nothing but her And I asked her how she knew to reach out for me at that moment And we smiled and it was understood how deep our feelings were It's all about soul, it's all about knowing just how she is feeling My mare has got soul, the power of love and the power of healing Though life wasn't fair Our world, it got dark, our world, it got cold And though it was tough, our love was enough, it's all about soul Na na na na na na na It's all about soul Na na na na na na na Yes it is Na na na na na na na It's all about soul" As an instrumental played, Twilight ran up to her brother, who had cleared a space with his performance. "Shining! What are you doing? We're at a fancy wedding reception, not a karaoke party!" For only a second, the spark vanished from his eyes. "I don't know! I don't even know this song, but it just feels so...right!" At that moment, Cadence herself emerged from the crowd of onlookers, with the same sparkle in her eyes. He never stood a chance; regaining his enthusiasm, he took her hooves to dance, and she took her turn to sing. "You know, Chrysalis had lost every trace of love or kindness Though to her I may have fallen, our love will always survive And you came to me that night and you told me what you wanted I said yes, and now you're all I need to keep my faith alive" Lost in the moment, the couple began a duet. "It's all about soul, it's all about joy that banishes sorrow It's all about soul, and as we stand now, we'll be standing tomorrow Our battle was hard But in the end, love won as a whole And we are the parts, but we share one heart It's all about soul Oh yeah, Na na na na na na na It's all about soul Na na na na na na na Yes it is Na na na na na na na All about soul Na na na na na na na Yes it is..." Stopped in mid-sway, Shining Armor and Cadence engaged in a lengthy, passionate kiss, earning a cheer from the crowd upon its completion. But roused by the volume, both of their eyes sprung wide open, and they released each other in mild shock and embarassment. "Cadence, did we just..." "I think we did." "I...I-uh...I'm sorry, honey. I don't know what came over me." "Hey, for the record, I think you have a beautiful singing voice." Leave it to Cadence to swoop in and save the moment. The two shared a quick peck, only to find their audience applauding. They took the ceremonial bows, and the party music resumed. Sliding her glasses back on, Vinyl took another glance at the wires she had been examining during the number. Nothing about them had changed, and as far as she could tell, nothing was wrong with them to start with. Everything should've been working fine. But then where did that song come from? Back in the present, Vinyl put two and two together as the record slowed. So this is where that song came from? The song that interrupted the royal wedding reception so long ago was just now finished playing? That is some freaky magic, Vinyl decided. She would definitely want Twilight to look at it later on. But if that was just one disc, what did all these others mean? Was each one another moment in time where ponies has spontaneously broken into song? But as All About Soul was placed back in its slot, the arm slid around to hover about another record. Descending to grip it, it slowly pulled the vinyl out and dropped it on the turntable...