//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: Reflection // by Chlumpy //------------------------------// Reflection Chapter Two "So that's it?" Delta asked. "That's how your life as we know it began?" Blackjack took a shaky breath, nodding. "That's it. What else do you want to know?" "Let's talk about your cutie mark," AR said. "It's bound to give us more information!" "Alright...what about it?" "What does it symbolize? "I'm musically talented." "Mr. Blackjack," Delta growled. "A recollection on how you got your cutie mark would be most helpful. "Alright, where should I start?" "A day or two before you get your mark." '-' Two years ago It gets wild sometimes whenever Twilight left Blackjack and Spike in the library to have some time with her friends. She'd come home to books scattered around, shelves toppled, and a bipedal stallion giving a young dragon a noogie. After a rigorous scolding and threats to kick both out of the tree, Twilight made Blackjack and Spike come to an agreement to never mess up the library again. However, that didn't stop the dragon from upholding his childish antics. "Spike!" Blackjack yelled, chasing the teenage dragon down the library stairs. "Give me back my journal!" The dragon spread his wings and flew to the top of a bookshelf, landing softly. He held Blackjack's journal in his claws and opened it. "Huh?" Spike asked. "There's nothing but music notes in here." "Exactly," Blackjack glared. "I've been writing songs all month! Now give it back!" Spike tossed the stallion his journal, swishing his tail on the bookshelf. "Why would you want to write songs BJ? The last I checked you still don't have your..." He stopped, seeing the stallions hurt look. "Sorry Blackjack." "It's okay. Maybe I'm just destined not to have any talents." He opened his journal, sighing. "You know, I even came up with lyrics for this one. It's called Winter Joy." "That sounds like a good one BJ, can I hear it?" "Spike, I don't have a talent in singing." "Neither do a lot of ponies, but they can still sing. C'mon Blackjack!" The stallion sighed, then sang his song. "There's a season which I hold so dear, I'm jolly whenever it is near. Even though I enjoy the Summer sun, I only love one season. Winter. Oh Winter!" "When the Pegasi put the clouds in the sky, everypony heads out to see the snowballs fly. When I'm ever caught in the middle, they can't help but giggle at poor snow covered me. Can you see why I love that season? It's called...Winter. Oh Winter!" "But when it's time to go inside, I always stay behind. Just to see the snow fall down on a moon-lit night. Then when I go back to my house so cold, there's one thing that will never get old. It's a wonderful thing called... Hot chocolate. Hot chocolate!" "There's a season which I hold so dear, I'm jolly whenever it is near. Even though I enjoy the Summer sun, I only love one season. Winter. Oh Winter. That's my Winter joy." "Hot chocolate?" Spike snickered. "That wouldn't have to do with the Cutie Mark Crusaders making you into a snow pony would it?" "Shh! I thought we'd never speak of it again!" Spike glided down to Blackjack, still laughing. When he calmed down, he patted the stallion on the back. "That's actually a really good song. I'm surprised you could read the words with all that spit on the pages." "I make it a habit to write with hands. I haven't slobbered on a page yet." "At any rate, we need to put some sound this song. Let's head over to Blues' Music Shop and borrow a piano." "Let's not." Spike frowned. "I thought you're over with being shy?" "Not shy, just cautious." "Not this again! Blackjack, you're not homeless anymore, remember?" "Yeah, I remember. But I'm cautious now because I'm a grown stallion with a blank flank." "You have nothing to worry about BJ. Besides, I have a feeling that this could be your special talent." '-' "Welcome to my store," a blue Earth pony smiled. "I've got all the instruments you can imagine." Blackjack examined the shop while Spike made a deal with Blues. The stallion wasn't kidding about what he had. There were cymbals, trumpets, flutes, kazoos, guitars, even a few lutes were in the shop. Spike joined his friend. "I got a piano over in the practice room. I'll meet you there." "Alright, I'll be there in a minute." Spike left, and something caught Blackjack's eye. In a display case was a violin. The most beautiful one he ever saw. It was a lovely mahogany, with a glossy finish. The bow was similar, but there was something unique about it. Instead of the traditional white that the string was colored, it was black as night. "You like it?" Blackjack turned to see Blues' smiling face. "It's a beauty, that's for certain." "No kidding. Whoever made it put a lot of time into it." "I wish I knew who did make that violin, because they deserve a medal. But I'm pretty sure who owned it." The stallion took out a key and opened the case, taking out the instrument. "I found this a few days after Shadowblaze's execution. I was with the soldiers in his war camp, seeing if there was anything of value. It was inside a chest, all by itself. As you can see, this can catch a high price just for its beauty alone." "How much is it?" Blackjack asked. "Twenty bits." Blackjack's eyes widened. "That cheap? It's worth about two thousand!" "That's what I thought too. But, I'm pretty sure I know who the owner was. Take a look." The blue pony pointed to an F-hole, and Blackjack peeked through. Inside was Shadowblaze's mark and a name. Hearth Fire. "Okay, ignore that last price. That violin's worth two million." "Wrong again pal. You see, there's two reasons why this violin's so cheap. One, I'm not going to make this more expensive than the lives he took and two, I'm making it as worthless as he was." "That sounds reasonable. Twenty bits it is." "You're going to buy it?" "Yes sir. Even though I might not play it, it would look nice in my room." Blackjack hooved Blues the money, and the stallion gave him the instrument, bow, rosin, and a free case. He thanked the blue pony and found Spike playing a lively tune inside the practice room. "What's that you have there BJ?" Spike asked, taking a break. "Hearth Fire. Shadowblaze's violin." Spike stared at the stallion, then broke into laughter. He stopped when he saw the mark inside of the violin. "Sweet rubies..." "Yeah, I know." "Uh, how does it sound?" The stallion smiled, rosining up the bow. "Let's find out." Spike showed the stallion how to tune the strings, and how to hold the bow. Not wanting to get any spit on the work of art, Blackjack became bipedal and held the instrument under his arm. Spike put his friend's journal on the piano's music stand, opening it up to Winter. "You do know how to read music, right BJ?" "The library has a whole section on the subject." "Oh yeah." The dragon cracked his knuckles and put his fingers on the piano keys. Blackjack raised the violin to his chin, resting the bow on a a string. With the tap of a hoof and foot, the duo played the song. When they finished, Spike looked at Blackjack curiously. "I didn't know you played violin." "I don't. I only know what the notes are. I've never even held a violin before now." "Well that's weird. Maybe you're just a fast learner." "Maybe." '-' The two went home in high spirits. They both knew that Blackjack had a talent in music, they just had to find out if it was the key to getting his cutie mark. "Where have you two been?" Twilight asked as they walked into the library. "I've been worried sick!" "We were just playing some music," Blackjack replied. "I think Spike and I have something special going on." Twilight tilted her head in curiosity. "You play music?" "Just started today. I think this might be my special talent, if I practice." "Practice?" Spike asked. "You don't need practice! You should've seen him Twilight! I don't think even Applejack can play a violin like that." "That's an interesting idea," Twilight said. "Blackjack, you two could compete for the title of the best violin player in Ponyville. I remember Pinkie Pie saying something about a music festival in a few days. You should enter." "We'll see," the stallion replied. '-' One week later Blackjack walked through the fair grounds, carrying his violin in its case. Today he would find out if it wasn't luck that gave him his talent. He found the stage in the center of the grounds; several ponies were seated, enjoying the performance of a local band. Blackjack smiled at the sound of the music. It was one of the few things that made the normally stone-faced stallion truly smile. The song ended and Blackjack gave a respectful stomp of hooves. The Mayor stepped onstage as the band packed up and tapped a microphone. "Fillies and gentlecolts," she announced. "It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the twenty-third annual Equestrian Music Festival." The audience gave a round of applause, the Mayor raising a hoof for silence. "This year, Ponyville has the privilege of hosting this event, and I understand that we have a few aspiring musicians looking to show their talent to you all today." "So without further ado, please welcome Ponyville's own Applejack and Blackjack to the stage." With another roar of hooves, Blackjack stepped onto the stage. The orange mare was right across from him, tipping her hat in greeting. He gave his signature half-grin and waved back. They both bowed at the audience, then shook hooves as the applause ended. "Well," Applejack said into a microphone. "It looks like we have a crowd here." "Yep," Blackjack replied. "I hope they're ready for a show." "Sure they are! Why else would they be here?" "Corn on the cob?" Applejack rolled her eyes. "You and your corn obsession." The audience laughed as the stallion's blush shone through his fur. "AJ, can we get this contest going? Please?" "Alright corn-colt, get your fiddle." "I prefer calling it a violin." The ponies got their instruments out of their cases; the two held magnificent pieces of craftsmanship in their hooves. Tightening their bowstrings and quickly stroking the hairs with rosin, the two ponies were ready to begin. "Mares first," Blackjack said. "Good luck." "You're a real gentlecolt BJ," the mare replied. "I wonder if you'll still be when I beat you." Blackjack smiled and set his instrument down. "Alright Miss Apple, show us what you can do." "Gladly." Applejack stepped to the center stage, holding her instrument in hoof. "I think everypony out here knows the Earthen Harvest." The audience smiled in anticipation. Applejack raised her violin to her chin and stuck the bow in her teeth. Then, she played. It was a lively song; the rustic quality of Earth Pony music soon had the audience clapping and stomping to the beat. Blackjack couldn't help but dance along as his friend went on. His hooves moved along the planks quickly, lively. He would've been surprised at his skill in dancing, but was too caught up in the music to care. With a final pull of the bow, Applejack finished her song and took a bow. The thunder of hooves bid the orange mare farewell as she stepped away from the spotlight. "So," she said casually to Blackjack, putting her fiddle in its case. "How do you like them apples?" "Soup for the soul," Blackjack replied, loud enough for the audience to hear. "It felt good going down, and I think I speak for everypony in the audience by saying that?" The stallion wrapped a foreleg around his friend, who had her hat pulled down shyly over her face. Blackjack grabbed a microphone so he could be heard above the roar of applause. "Fillies and gentlecolts, the fabulous Applejack Apple!" The applause grew ever louder as Applejack reluctantly took another bow. She walked back to Blackjack, hugging him tightly as the clapping continued. She lifted up her hat, and Blackjack could see tears in her eyes. "I've never been so embarrased and happy in my life," she said into his ear. "Thank you BJ. Thank you." The ponies stopped hugging as the audience quieted down. Applejack punched the stallion in the shoulder playfully. "I like corn on the cob as much as anypony," she said loudly, walking back to her case. "But honestly, you have some issues boy!" The audience laughed again at the blushing stallion. Blackjack walked to a microphone and sighed shakily into it. Another bit of laughter. Blackjack grinned. "Says the mare who salivates whenever the 'A-word' is mentioned." "And what would that be?" The mare rolled her eyes. Blackjack grinned ear-to-ear, replying in a perfect impression of Big Mac. "Apples." There was more laughter as the black stallion was playfully hit repeatedly by Applejack. She quit and grabbed her own microphone. "The Comedy Fair was two months ago in Manehatten," she scolded. "This is the Music Festival, so get on with the music corn-colt!" With one last bit of laughter, Blackjack retrieved his violin as Applejack returned to her spot behind the stallion. "Unless a Unicorn's planning on reading my mind," he said. "Nopony in the audience is going to know the song I'm about to play. I don't even know. We'll just see what happens." Blackjack readied his instrument, taking deep breaths. He could feel the excitement in his chest. His heart boomed melodically, the double thump adding more and more excitement until he felt he would burst. Calm. Calm is what he needed. Breath in. Breath out. He closed his eyes, just focusing on breathing. He didn't feel the bow move when it did, but he heard it. The long, sad sound echoed throughout the festival grounds. More notes, woven together without thought followed in beautiful harmony. Any festivities outside of the performance area stopped. The sound of the slow, sad music demanded to be heard. Blackjack slowly added another note and stopped. He opened his eyes and noticed the strings of his violin were the slightest color of gold. He smiled. Then he played a much faster paced song. It sounded sorrowful, but it was quick, even lively. It was like Pinkie Pie being in charge of an orchestra. Lively in tempo, but rich and hypnotic in sound. Finally, the stallion ended his song with a few rapid strokes of the bow. The next thing he heard was like standing in front of a stampede. The applause. He bowed and found Spike in the audience, pointing at the stallion wildly. Confused, Blackjack examined himself. My mane's fine, he thought. My fur's the same color, my cutie mark is unique as usual, my tail is not on fire, I have n- Blackjack looked at his flank. It was no longer bare. A Treble Cleft with a violin bow crossing over it now covered his flank. I have a cutie mark. Blackjack showed the audience his discovery. The thunder grew with the requests of an encore. The stallion looked at his violin, a grin on his face. Shadowblaze was a monster, but he knew quality when he saw it. "I'm guessing you guys want an encore?" He asked into a microphone. A few cheers answered his question. "I'll give you one, but I need a partner. Applejack, what do you say we give these ponies a show?" The mare was at his side in a heartbeat. "Do you know Lord of The Dance?" Applejack asked. "Only in name, but that shouldn't be a problem. Shall we?" The two ponies raised their bows. The twenty-third Equestrian Music Festival would be one to remember.