//------------------------------//
// Chapter 5 
// Story: Reflection 
// by Chlumpy 
//------------------------------//


Reflection


Chapter Five




"Best friends huh?" Delta asked as he wrote a few notes down. "That seems like an understatement."

"Well after he took that bullet for me, I couldn't quite place where that stallion stood in my life," Big Macintosh replied. He took a swig of cider, thinking. "I guess you could say he's a brother now," he continued. "That's how close we are."

"That sounds about right," Applejack said. "Blackjack's been a good friend to us over the years."

"That stallion sure knows his way with a fiddle," Grannie Smith added. "He and my oldest grandchildren always went to the town center to play a song every Saturday afternoon."

"I don't care why BJ's in jail," Applebloom said. "He's a good pony and y'all need to get him out. He helped me and my friends get our cutie marks!"

"Did he now?" AR asked. "Well, call your friends and get them over here!"

"You rang?" A voice asked. The group turned around, seeing two fillies and a colt standing outside the window. "We'd be willing to tell you about Blackjack," the orange filly continued.

"Then by all means, come in," Delta said. "The more we know about him, the better."

"Applebloom," Applejack chided. "I told you they can't come over."

"I didn't invite them," the filly replied. "Besides, if it gets BJ out faster, I say let them in!" She helped the trio into the house, hugging each of them.

"Y'all hungry?" Big Macintosh asked, rising to turn on the stove. "I can make a few more meals if you'd like."

"No thank you," the painted colt replied. "We've already eaten."

The red stallion nodded, sitting back down. "So Applebloom, are you 'gon introduce your friends?"

"Oh right," she replied. "AR, Delta, these are my friends, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Pipsqueak. I've known these three since we were foals and they're the best friends I could ask for. Except for Pipsqueak, he's more of a...uh..."

"Colt-friend," Pipsqueak said, helping her out. "With a little thanks to Blackjack, I might add."

"So you two are with the police?" Sweetie Belle asked. "Or are you with the government?"

"Yes and no," Delta replied. "We're working with the police to investigate Blackjack and we are also working with the government to provide information on who he is and what he's been doing."

"We're private investigators," AR added. "So we were hired for this case."

"Really?" Scootaloo asked. "Who's your client?"

"Our client prefers to remain anonymous. But they apparently have some sort of tie to Blackjack."

"Back to business," Delta said. "Would you children tell us how Blackjack helped you earn your cutie marks?"

"Sure thing Delta," Applebloom replied. "Who'd you like hear from first?"

"Whoever thinks their story will help."

All four of the foals raised their hands. "Fine," Delta groaned. "Scootaloo, why not?"

"Yeah!" Scootaloo shouted in excitement. "Alright, so, Blackjack had basically just got his job with Twilight..."

'-'

Four years ago

"Let's review," Twilight said, showing Blackjack around the Golden Oaks Library once more. "What are the rules for book check-outs and returns?"

"No more than three books may be checked-out per pony," the black stallion replied. "Each book checked-out can be loaned for two weeks and after that, they will be fined thirty-five pieces for every day it is late."

"Good! Our policy for damaged books is what?"

"You break it, you buy it. Can't get much clearer than that can you?"

"No," Twilight giggled. "Not really! Very good, you're a fast learner!"

"Well, this is my first job. I don't want to make any mistakes."

Blackjack had been working for Twilight for about three hours now, except he hadn't actually sat down and done his job quite yet, but he was grateful that the mare was kind enough and patient enough to teach him what his job required.

The clock struck twelve, ringing its bell cheerfully. "Time for a lunch break," Twilight said. "Come on, Spike should have our food ready by now."

"Wait a minute," Blackjack replied. "I just started working for you and haven't even started doing my job, now I hear it's time for my lunch break?"

"Well, you had to go through my constant talking, so I bet you worked up an appetite."

"Yeah, you're right. Listening to you for three hours is exhausting." He laughed as Twilight hit him playfully. They made their way to the dining room, the smell of food cooking making Blackjack's stomach growl uncontrollably.

"How's it coming Spike?" Twilight asked as she and Blackjack sat down.

"Great," the dragon replied from inside the kitchen. "The food will be right out Twilight!"

"Thanks Spike!"

"So Twilight," Blackjack said. "Of all places to live, why here?"

"Well," she replied. "It's a long story."

"Great! The longer, the better."

Twilight smiled. "Princess Celestia arranged for me to stay here to make preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration two years ago."

"I get the feeling that she didn't assign you for just that."

"You are very observant, Blackjack. You're right though, the princess had also sent me here to make some friends."

"You needed friends?"

"Yes. Back in Canterlot, I was always so busy with my studies and thought having friends was a waste of time."

"Well, isn't Spike your friend?"

Twilight nodded. "Of course he is! It's just, I've always considered him like he was my little brother, that's all. What about you? Am I really the first friend you've ever had?"

"Hopefully not the last either," Blackjack replied, grinning slightly. "Like I told you, I've lived on the streets my whole life. Ponies don't usually smile and wave at me when I'm camped out in front of a trash can. Unless someone found the goodness in their heart, I would sometimes go without a meal for several days."

"Today's different though obviously," he continued. "Especially this morning. A mare selling apples let me have one, even though I couldn't pay her back."

"Orange fur?" Twilight asked. Yellow mane, hat?"

"That's her. You sound like you know her."

"I do actually. Applejack's one of my closest friends. I'll introduce you to her later."

Spike walked out of the kitchen, food in hand. "Here you go Twi," he said as he set the food down on the table. "I made you some spaghetti, nothing special."

"I never had that before," Blackjack said. "Is it good?"

"I dunno, try it."

"Spike!" Twilight scolded. "Whether you like it or not, Blackjack is my friend and employee. Tolerate him at the very least!"

"Yeah yeah." He went back into the kitchen to sulk.

"What's his problem?" Blackjack asked.

"I really don't know," the unicorn replied. "I'm sorry. Spike's usually very friendly and trusting of ponies. The fact that he's not like that now-"

"-Is because I snuck up on you and admitted to be homeless."

"What? No, no, no. I'm sure that isn't it."

"Alright, we'll figure out how our scaly friend ticks later. Let's eat!"

The two began to eat their meal, Twilight suddenly screaming and chugging down a glass of water."Spike!"she yelled.

"What is it?" Spike asked, coming out of the kitchen.

"Did you mix up the tomato sauce with the hot sauce again?!?"

"Apparently."

"Did you do that to make Blackjack look bad? Because if you did, you're-"

"-Hang on Twilight," Blackjack interrupted. "It was just a prank that went wrong. I probably would've responded the same way."

"That's what's weird, Spike replied. "I put hot sauce on your spaghetti too..."

Blackjack raised an eyebrow and took another bite of spaghetti. "Huh. I thought I tasted a little kick in it. You used a pretty weak sauce then."

"Really? I put in a sauce I got from the Crystal Empire. From what the stallion told me, it's one of the hottest sauces in the Empire."

"If this is the best they have to offer, you won't find me in that country." The stallion finished eating and patted the baby dragon on his head. "Thanks for the food Spike, you're a great cook."

Blackjack went to the front desk and started to work. The bell rang as a magenta mare entered the library. "Oh," she said, surprised to see the stallion behind the desk. "I was expecting to see Twilight."

"She's eating lunch," Blackjack replied shyly. "I can get her if you want."

"Oh no, that's alright! I can wait."

Blackjack nodded and returned to his work, sorting through various checklists. "Out of curiosity," the magenta mare said. "What are you doing behind that desk?"

"Working."

"You work here?"

"Yes ma'am."

"I'm sorry! I thought you were doing something you shouldn't. I'm Cheerilee."

"Nice to meet you Ms. Cheerilee. I'm Blackjack."

"How long have you been working here?"

"Well, I was hired almost four hours ago. I've only been working for five minutes."

"Oh dear! I suppose you wouldn't know about the field-trip then?"

"Field-trip?"

The library door opened again, several foals trotting inside. "Is that still happening?" Cheerilee asked.

"Uh," Blackjack said, slack-jawed. "Sure! So, what do you want to do? I could give a tour, tell a story, er..."

"I think a story would be nice."

"Alright...wait here."

The stallion began looking for a book that school-foals would enjoy. He pushed a few books away from their shelf, pausing to see a horse-shoe attached to the wall. Curious, Blackjack pressed it, a secret compartment opening. He pulled out the book inside.

"I think I found one we'll enjoy," he said as he returned to the foals. "If you guys would follow me, I'll start reading." Blackjack led Cheerilee and her students to the children's section, sitting down in a large chair.

"Alright kids," Cheerilee said. "Quiet down. Mr. Blackjack looks ready to read to us."

The black stallion smiled as they settled down. "Let's see what I have for you today...Oh! Legends of Equestria..."

'-'

"-That is why volcanoes are so blistering hot," Blackjack finished. "The magma fueled by his rage." He closed the book to see the foals looking at him in shock. "Now can anypony guess who this legend was about?"

Several foals raised their hooves and Blackjack called on an orange filly. "Discord," she said.

"Discord was imprisoned in stone remember," a white filly said. "It was about Nightmare Moon!"

"Nightmare Moon is a mare dummy," a filly with a pink bow said. The three began to argue among themselves, Cheerilee breaking them apart.

"I would know better than anypony who the legend's about," a painted colt said to Blackjack. "His mind-controlled mutts gave me the scars to prove it."

"Alright," Blackjack replied. "Who was it?"

"Shadowblaze."

"You're right. I'm sorry for reading this to you."

"Eh, it's no big deal. He's dead now."

"Well, I think that's all the time we have," Cheerilee said. "Everypony thank Mr. Blackjack for reading those legends to us."

The school-foals left with the mare, excluding the three fillies and the colt. "Hey mister," the orange one said. "We couldn't help but notice your flank."

"Why?" Blackjack asked. "Is it dirty?"

"No, but it is blank."

"Ours are too," the colt added. "We're the Cutie Mark Crusaders and we think you could help us get our marks and we could help you get yours."

"Well that's sweet kids," Blackjack replied, heading for the front desk. "But I've tried just about everything to get my mark, but as you can see, I haven't been very successful."

"That's why we want to help," the Unicorn said. "I get the feeling that you've never let somepony help you discover your special talent. Am I right?"

"Yeah. Okay, I'll help you kids, it's the least I can do. Besides, I think you four have a lot of ideas about where to start."

'-'

Present day

"I honestly don't see what this has to do with your cutie mark kid," Delta said. "Get to the point already."

"I'm getting there," Scootaloo replied. "Look, I thought it would help knowing when and where we met the guy. Anyway, the cool thing is, Blackjack helped us get our marks the same year! So really, you got to take the time to hear this..."

'-'

One year ago

"You alright up there?" Blackjack asked, calling up to Scootaloo.

"Yep," the filly replied. "How's your chest doing?"

"It'll be sore in the morning, but I'm used to it. I need to stretch it out anyway."

The two were rockclimbing in the mountain near Ponyville, trying to see if this would earn the filly her mark. They reached a ledge big enough to rest on and sat down. Blackjack massaged the right side of his chest, Scootaloo looking at him with concern.

"Are you sure you're okay?" She asked. "We can go back down if you want."

"I'm fine Scoot," the black stallion replied. "I can go for a little longer. Besides, I don't think either of us are ready to go back down just yet. I mean, look at that view!"

Blackjack stood and walked to the edge of the ledge, the wind blowing through his mane. "It must be something, flying through the air with your own wings."

"Yeah," Scootaloo said sadly. "Something."

"Oh, don't be like that. You're just one step away from taking off."

"All I can do is hover, Blackjack. That's all I've been able to do for four years. I'll never fly."

"Not with that attitude you won't. C'mon, I'll teach you."

Scootaloo burst out laughing. "You! Teach me how to fly? Yeah right! What would you know about flying?"

"Quite a bit, actually. The library has an entire section dedicated to the principles of flight. Besides, I'm willing to help you learn, even if I won't be doing any flying."

"Well...okay. I guess it's worth a try."

"That's the spirit!"

'-'

"The wind's coming at you from the port side!" Blackjack shouted. "Keep straight!"

Blackjack had spent three hours teaching Scootaloo how to fly so far, her body anchored by a rope secured on the mountain. The filly turned hard against the gale, the feathers on her wings making all the difference.

"Good," Blackjack continued. "Alright, time to land. Take it nice and easy."

Scootaloo landed, her hooves clacking against the rocky ground. "Well," she said. "I've got gliding down. But I'm not sure if I can start flying today."

"Nonsense! You've gotten this far, why stop now?"

"I..."

Scootaloo?"

The filly looked down in embarrassment. "I...I can't."

"What's wrong Scoot?"

"There's...there's several reasons why I can't fly and I...well..."

Blackjack walked up to nuzzle her gently. She nuzzled back, trying to keep herself from crying. "It's alright Scoot," the black stallion whispered. "I'm here. You can trust me."

"I know...BJ...I was born with a disability in my wings. They're too small to get me airborn...that's why I've only been able to hover in short bursts for all these years..."

Blackjack closed his eyes, his head lowered as he thought. With a sigh, he said, "Scootaloo, I need you to look me in the eye." The filly broke out of their embrace and began to walk away.

"Scootaloo," Blackjack said. "Please."

The Pegasus reluctantly turned to face him. "There's nothing you can say," she sobbed. "There's nothing you can do to get my wings working. I'm going to be flightless and a blank flank for the rest of my life! I've tried just about everything to fly and get my mark, but as you can see, I haven't been very successful."

"That's why we want to help,"Blackjack replied. "As Sweetie Belle said. That's why I want to help. I want to help, because you and your friends kept me going. To not give up. To wait for the right moment. For my destiny to be made clear."

"You may have given up on yourself, but I haven't given up on you one bit. Those doctors said you'll never get off the ground and look at what you're doing! You can hover and glide, even if your wings are 'too small.' The only pony keeping you from taking off and finding your destiny, is you."

"So don't say you'll never fly," he continued. "Because if you do, you never will and you will regret that decision for the rest of your life. I believe in you, Scootaloo. You can fly. I know you can."

Scootaloo dried her tears and looked out on the horizon. She let the cool mountain air pass through her mane; it reassured her, comforted her. The filly looked at the black stallion one more time. He nodded at her and smiled warmly.

She took a deep breath and sighed as she spread her wings. Scootaloo flapped once, twice, three times. She flew. Higher, higher she went, until Blackjack lost sight of her in the clouds. Then, with her wings roaring like an airship engine, Scootaloo dived down.

"Yeeeeeeeaaaaaaahhhhhooooooo!!!"

Blackjack gave a thankful prayer as the filly streaked across the sky, doing corkscrews, loopdy-loops, and other tricks that would make Rainbow Dash proud. Scootaloo slowed down and landed next to her friend, jumping into his warm embrace.

"You did it!" Blackjack exclaimed. "You did it! I knew you could, Scoot!"

"Thanks for proving me wrong," Scootaloo laughed. "Thank you, Blackjack..."

Blackjack smiled and then pointed at the filly's flank. She broke out of the hug and looked at her newly marked side. Purple and pink lightning bolt streaked diagonally across her flank, a white wing at its starting point.

"My talent," she said. "Is flying..." Scootaloo smiled and began to cry joyfully. Blackjack hugged her again.

"Thanks BJ," Scootaloo said. "Thank you..."

"No problem Scoot," he replied. "I'll always try to help."