Reflection
Chapter Three
"Interesting," Delta said as he took a note. "So you had never played violin before?"
"Yes sir," Blackjack replied. "I know that sounds weird, but similar things have happened. Just look around, there's plenty of stories like mine involving cutie marks."
"That may be true, but something about yours seems a bit...strange. Did you say the strings glowed?"
"Yeah. I'm still trying to figure out if Shadowblaze enchanted it. It hasn't done that since then."
"I still can't believe that guy played music," AR said. "That's the last thing you'd expect from a demon."
"AR," Delta warned. "Let's get back on topic. Blackjack, how many times did you play violin these previous years?"
"Just once a day, except on holidays it never seemed to end. Why?"
Delta wrote another note. "I was just wondering. You're sure it never glowed again?"
"Yes."
"I see...AR, stop the tape, we're done for today." The Pegasus did so as Delta went to the wall intercomm. "Officer Clover, would you escort this stallion to his cell?"
"Yes sir."
"Cell?" Blackjack asked in alarm. "I thought I would be kept at home! You know I'm innocent Delta!"
The pegasus sighed as the door opened. "I do, for now. Until AR and I can fit everything together and present evidence, you need to be in custody." He waved a hoof and the officer made Blackjack stand.
"Don't worry though," AR said softly as the stallion went out of sight. "You'll be out in no time. Count on it."
'-'
Twilight literaly jumped to answer the phone. Please be him, she thought. Please oh please! "Hello?" She said.
"Twilight?" Blackjack asked.
"Thank goodness! Are you okay BJ? Everyone in town is worried sick!"
"I'm alright Twi, just a little nervous. Jail's not too homely if you ask me."
"What?!? I thought you would be put under house arrest?"
"I did too, but the police were just trying to calm us down. I'll be out soon though, I have two P.I.'s trying to prove my innocence."
"Private investigators? Who hired them?"
"The police."
"They want to help you?"
"Yeah, I mean they were hired to find out the truth about me. To see if my record's clean or not, which as everypony knows, it is."
"Why would the police hire two P.I.'s then?"
Blacjack didn't reply. "BJ?"
"...I don't have a record. I don't have any papers, I.D., or even a birth certificate. I don't even exist."
Twilight gasped. "That can't be right! There has to be something!"
"There isn't. That's why they were hired, to find out who I am."
"You're getting a trial right?"
"Yeah, at least...give me a few more minutes will you?"
"What?"
"Sorry, I'm running out of time. I'll get a trial, don't worry...alright! Let me say goodbye! Twilight, I have to go."
"Goodbye..."
"Bye, I l-"
The call ended suddenly and Twilight put her head in her hooves. What am I going to do? She thought. Blackjack would never do something like this!
But Shadowblaze would, another part of her said. Twilight shook her head furiously. Don't think like that! He's gone! Blackjack hates violence! Doesn't he....?
A knock on the door broke her thoughts. She began to rise from the couch when Spike loudly announced, "I'll get it Twilight!" She sat back down and managed a small smile. Spike came back into the living room. "There's somepony here to see you."
Twilight's smile turned to a frown as two stallions entered next to Spike. "You must be Miss Sparkle," the purple one said. "I must say, I've heard much about you."
"Who are you two?" Twilight asked.
"Oh yes! Forgive our rudeness ma'am," the other one said. "I'm AR and he's my partner, Delta. We're Private Investigators."
"We're here to ask you a few questions," Delta continued. "May we sit?"
"Yes," Twilight nodded. "Spike, would you get these gentlecolts some refreshments?"
The dragon left wordlessly as the stallions sat down across from Twilight. "Now," Delta said. "Miss Sparkle, you are aware of the murder of Prince Blueblood, correct?"
"Yes," the unicorn replied. "Who did it though is something I don't know."
"Has Princess Celestia told you why Blackjack was arrested?" AR asked.
Twilight shook her head as Spike wheeled in a cart of tea and snacks. Both stallions took a cup of tea, AR dropping several sugar cubes into his. "Well," AR continued. "You're not going to like this. He has been ranked number one in the list of Equestria's Most Wanted, as well as being accused of the murder."
"What?!?" Twilight shouted, a beam of magic shooting out of her horn in suprise. The beam scorched part of the ceiling, leaving a smoking black mark. "That can't be possible!"
"He's not a murderer!" Spike added.
"Son," Delta said. "Please exit this area, we're in an interview at the moment."
"The name is Spike, and if you don't mind, I'm trying to comfort my friend at the moment." The dragon laid down next to Twilight, wrapping his tail around her protectively.
"Let's get back on track," Delta continued. "Now, AR and I have been hired to find out why Blackjack would murder the prince and to investigate his history. But, we were not forbidden to prove him innocent."
"Why would you need proof?" Twilight asked. "He has papers and he's not a violent pony."
"Violent ponies don't always murder either. As for the papers, he has none."
"Yes he does. He had to register at the mayor's office as a resident of Ponyville. He brought them with him."
The stallions looked at each other. Delta quickly wrote in his pad. "That's news to us," AR said. "Thank you."
"Next question," Delta said. "How long have you known Blackjack?"
"Just four years," the mare replied. "But we're close."
"How close?"
"Close enough, I suppose. I let him stay here didn't I?"
"He told me that was an act of compassion."
"He needed my help and I was willing to get him back on his hooves until he could provide for himself."
"It didn't happen that way though did it?" AR asked. "Why?"
"I didn't want him to be alone again."
"We also had too much fun together," Spike said.
Delta sipped his tea, eyeing Spike. "This one's for you. What do you know about his violin?"
"Shadowblaze used to own it, uhm, the bow hair's black, and it's in great condition."
"What about the strings? Are they magic?"
"I think so, I mean they glowed during the Music Festival."
"What happened when they glowed? Did it sound different or did something catch on fire?"
"It did sound a lot prettier when the strings glowed, peaceful even. I felt calm, like all my problems were gone."
Delta wrote in his pad. "Thank you. Last question. Did you see anything unusual at the Gala?"
"Other than a dead Blueblood and guards taking Blackjack away? No. Everything was...perfect."
The stallions rose and thanked Twilight. "We'll get to the bottom of this," AR said. "Don't worry."
'-'
Blackjack sat on his cot inside the cell. Solitary confinement, he was told. Because he was too dangerous. Dangerous? He thought. I'm a pacifist. He pulled at the scratchy orange jumpsuit he was forced to wear. But this suit could make me dangerous.
"Package," an officer said, sliding a small box through the gate. "Try not to get too excited."
Blackjack retrieved it and sat back down. A note was taped on top and he read it.
Blackjack,
I found this on the palace floor and thought you'd want to have it back. The police checked it sure enough, but as you see, it got through. Try not to lose it again buddy, especially what's inside.
Stay strong,
Big Macintosh
Blackjack opened the box and pulled out a locket. He smiled slightly, opening it. Inside was several pictures of his friends and a few with him. On one side of the clasp was a picture of Twilight that was taken the night of the Gala. A ring was on that picture and Blackjack picked it up.
"Thanks Mac," he said with teary eyes. He put the ring back and closed the locket, putting it around his neck. "I'll be out soon." The black stallion laid down and let sleep slowly take him.
'-'
"I decree," Celestia shouted above the frenzied crowd. "That Blackjack The Fiddler is to be executed for his crimes against Equestria and the Crown!"
Chains wrapped around the stallion's body and the courtroom went dark. He could not move and breathing was hard. He heard a gunshot and collasped.
'-'
Blackjack woke up, his breathing heavy. It was just a dream, he thought. I'm not going to die. AR and Delta won't let me down.