//------------------------------// // Chapter 8 // Story: Reflection // by Chlumpy //------------------------------// Reflection Chapter Eight "I see," Delta said. "Is there anything else?" "No," Blackjack replied. "That's everything." "You never even saw anypony suspicious?" AR asked. "Did you?" The Pegasus shook his head. "Thank you for your time, Blackjack. We have a bit of work to do." '-' Three days later... "All rise," the Captain said. "Presenting their Royal Highnesses, Princess Luna and Princess Celestia." The audience of ponies all stood as the Alicorn Sisters entered the court. Blackjack looked away as Celestia's eyes shot daggers at him. The princesses took their seats, and the gathered ponies followed suit. "This court is now in session," Celestia said. "Blackjack the Fiddler, you are charged with the murder of Prince Blueblood. How do you plead?" "Not guilty," Blackjack replied. "Your Majesty." "Very well. AR and Delta, you may proceed." "Thank you m'lady," Delta replied with a bow. He and AR went to stand in the witness stand. "Your Majesties, fillies and gentlecolts of the jury, as many of you know, AR and I were tasked with both discovering this stallion's past, and proving him innocent in court. "Because this is not the standard Equestrian trial, Princess Celestia is serving as the proscecutor, as well as the judge. Also, as AR and I were hired to prove Blackjack innocent, I shall serve as his lawyer. AR will only be allowed to speak when called to the stand. However, as we do not want biased viewpoints on the facts, a jury has been put in place." The audience nodded in understanding, AR going to sit beside  Blackjack. Delta stepped down from the stand, and said, "I call my first witness to the stand. Spike the Dragon." Spike stood from his seat, then sat in the witness stand. "Mister Dragon," Delta continued. "Would you tell us what you saw on the night of the murder?" "Uh, yeah," Spike replied. "Let's see...Blackjack was upstairs with Twilight at the time. I was giving a few Crystal Ponies my autograph, when I looked to see Prince Blueblood fall over the railing." "Did you see how the prince fell?" "No...just blood everywhere." "I see. Would you describe Blackjack as a dangerous pony?" "No. Blackjack would rather negotiate than fight." "Mr. Dragon," Delta said as he retrieved Blackjack's violin. "Because you were present during the purchase, can you clarify that this is indeed the violin belonging to The Fiddler?" "I can, and I do." "Your Majesty, I have no further questions for this witness." Celestia nodded. "You may present your next witness." Delta called AR to the stand. "AR, would you please describe the scene of the crime to the jury?" "From what the Canterlot Police Department has gathered," he replied. "It is currently believed that Prince Blueblood was pushed over the railing. However, due to an incompetent analyst's lack of observation, I found the bow of a violin lodged inside of the Prince's chest." There was a murmur stirring in the audience from this news. "Mr. AR," Celestia said. "Are you certain that it was indeed a bow you found?" "Yes, Princess Celestia. I remember its hairs being covered in rosin." "I see. Thank you, AR. You may call your next witness to the stand, Delta." Many more witnesses were called, each one telling the same story: Blackjack was innocent. That is, until Dusty was called. "Please state your name and occupation for the court," Delta said. "Dusty Wind," Dusty replied. "Formerly an engineer for Cloudsdale International Weather, no thanks to you and your partner." "That is irrelevant. You were a former member of the Black Death gang, correct?" "Correct." "So, Mister Wind, can you provide an input to your former partner in crime's recent activity?" '-' Black Ice knew he had this in the bag. The idiot, Blackjack, was upstairs talking sweet nothings to that geek. He could see his target just above him. The mule was all by himself. Perfect. He climbed the stairs, and grabbed the stallion by his coat. "Hello friend," Black Ice said. "Time to die!" He stabbed the stallion with a bow he found, and pushed him over the railing. '-' "So," Celestia said. "You mean to tell me that you knew Blueblood was going to be murdered? And yet, you do nothing about it?" "Listen Princess," Dusty replied. "I didn't know where that sick mule was until after he killed Blueblood! All I know is that The Fiddler was in the wrong place at the wrong time." "Guards, get this stallion out of my sight!" Two Royal Guards took him away, Dusty screaming bloody murder the whole way. "Delta," Celestia continued after a short pause. "Do you have any further witnesses?" "No, Princess," Delta replied. "Would you like the defendant called to the stand?" "Yes. I want to hear his testimony." Blackjack obliged, and told the court everything he had told AR and Delta. Celestia looked thoughtful for a moment. "So...the violin in your possession once belonged to my brother?" "Yes Princess," Blackjack replied. "I see...Delta, do you have the murder weapon with you?" "Yes Your Highness," Delta replied, presenting the bow. "As you can see, it is broken from the impact as the victim fell. The hairs are heavily coated with rosin, and the wood is mahogany." "Do you have any results to a DNA scan of the hairs?" "Yes, m'lady." He gave her the results, and she nodded. "I see...Court will take a five minute recess as the jury decides their verdict." '-' "Don't worry Blackjack," AR said. "We're winning Celestia over, I can tell!" "I'm not so sure," Blackjack replied. "Did you notice how she didn't announce what the DNA results were?" "I did," Delta said, rubbing his chin. "It's troublesome, but the results are clear. The bow does not belong to you." '-' "Fillies and gentlecolts of the jury," Celestia said. "Have you made your verdict?" A stallion from the jury stood. "Yes Princess," he replied. "Due to the testimonies we have heard from the defendant's friends, as well as the testimony from Dusty Wind, we have decided that Blackjack the Fiddler was the framed scapegoat of an act of revenge by one Black Ice. Therefore, the jury's verdict is: not guilty!" The audience of ponies, mostly consisting of Ponyville residents, cheered uproariously. Blackjack's friends came down and embraced him, AR and Delta joining in and shaking hands for a job well done. "Excuse me." The celebration was cut short by Celestia, who wore a solemn frown. "I'm sorry, truely I am, but during the recess...I have read and reread the results many times over, but they are what they are. The bowstrings match with the hairs of my brother." There was an uproar among the court. "I object!" Delta shouted. "Princess, I've seen the results with my own eyes! The hairs do not belong to Shadowblaze!" "Are you calling me a liar? Fine. Here, read it yourself!" She levitated the results to him, and Delta read it. His heart stopped. "It...it's true." "Sister!" Luna shouted, grabbing Celestia. "Please! You know that this stallion is innocent! He was framed by another!" "I'm sorry," she replied. "But my judgement stands. Blackjack the Fiddler, I have found you guilty for crimes against Equestria and the Crown. I hereby exile you from this nation." The entire court was in a frenzy, several Royal Guards pushing the ponies away from Blackjack, and keeping the audience from swarming. '-' "So this is it then?" Delta asked. "After all we've been through, we failed to prove you innocent?" "No," Blackjack replied, putting his locket on. "You proved I was innocent, and you trusted me to the end. For that, I thank you." Blackjack shook their hooves, and the two Pegasi left without another word. Two Royal Guards escorted him out of his room in the Golden Oak Library, and led him to a carriage in the outskirts of Ponyville. Several citizens said their goodbyes as he passed, while others were too sad to say a word. When Blackjack arrived at the carriage, his friends were there to meet him. "Howdy BJ," Big Mac said sadly. "You take care, little buddy." There once was a colt nopony knew... "You're an honest stallion," Applejack added, her hat low over her eyes. "I hope you know that." He slept in trees and was homeless too... "You were always so selfless," Rarity said through bitter tears. "I hope that never changes." But that all changed one bright sunny day... "You always stood by your friend's sides," Rainbow Dash said, her voice cracking. "You're loyal." For the apple was given and he didn't have to pay... "You always knew how to cheer ponies up," Pinkie Pie said with a sad chuckle. "And you always made me laugh." A Golden Oak, a golden heart... "You were so gentle and kind," Fluttershy said, sobbing. "Don't you ever stop that." The Magic never let him fall apart... The Cutie Mark Crusaders each gave him a hug. Spike embraced him. Zecora gave him a white cloak. Blackjack hugged and thanked them all for being his friends. With four golden years were memories made; many friends who stuck with him through blood, sweat, and pain. But all things good shall come to an end; at the Gala the Prince's blood is shed... Then, they all left. Except Twilight. She stood silent, tears slowly leaving wet streaks across her face. Blackjack felt his own tears begin to fall as he gently embraced her. "Here," he said, taking off his locket. "I want you to have it." "I can't," she replied, gently putting it back on him. "You need to remember all the good memories. Can you promise me that?" "I...I promise." The two friends broke from their embrace, and Blackjack boarded the carriage. Don't look back, don't be afraid! Cause if you do, you'll find only pain! Keep your eyes focused on tomorrow; cause when you do, you'll depart this land of sorrow. The road is long, I know; just promise me you'll never let me go. Thank you for this wonderful time; I'll keep this promise locked inside... "Goodbye Twilight..." Blackjack's guards began to move the carriage away, and the stallion began to become further and further away. "Goodbye Blackjack," Twilight said, tears streaming down her face. "I...I love you too."