Chapter 19
For the next two hours, the twins were getting some information here and there of the ponies that were interested in learning the ways of the Bardic, but in a new fashion. All involved exchanged personal information, and then the crowd broke up, all except for one. He was in a nice tuxedo, with a grin that reminded you of the last used car salesman you just wanted to give a good rap to the mouth for conning you into that lemon you still regret buying to this very day. “Kids, that was an awesome show! Those are some harsh critics, and you won them over! Are you new to this, or have you been playing a club circuit or anything?”
The pair looked at each other, not sure what to say, and Quill finally said, “Well, we’ve never done much but mess around at friends’ parties and at school and such.”
“So, you’re saying this was your first official concert?” he said with some genuine surprise.
“Seems so,” answered Downy, “Never really thought we could pull it off, but there it is.”
“Well, I can say that you two are naturals,” he said, all energetic, “and by what I’ve seen, you two have a lot of potential. In fact, you could make your talents quite lucrative, if you catch my drift.”
“You mean, become rich?” asked Quill, kind of catching the drift, and not really liking where this was heading.
“Of course,” he added, “And famous. In fact, I heard what you said about what you two are looking for, and what a better way than a recording career.”
He handed them a business card, saying, “Spin Doctor, Recording Agent,” and a record company called, “Payola Records.” He then added, “I have the connections to get you set up: I’ll get you into the studios, get you your own band to back you, and all you have to do is record them and leave the rest to us! If they hit, then you can go on tour, speak your message, the sky’s the limit!”
They were young, but they were also far from naïve, being taught how to watch out for “the man” or in this case, “the stallion,” and their oily ways. Something smelled rotten about this. Downy then said, “Sorry, but we’re not out for fame and money.”
“What?” he said, as if someone had just let out a stream of foul language in his hearing, “You’re kidding, right?”
“Sir,” answered Quill, “We’ve got plenty of money to keep us comfortable, and we have plenty to do now since we spoke to those other ponies. We don’t need all that.”
He tried to laugh it off and said, “You can’t be serious, kids! This is the chance of a lifetime! The world is waiting for someone like you two!”
Downy was catching on to what he was about, and she said, “We’ve already been given the chance of a lifetime, and are quite happy with it. Thanks, but no thanks.”
They turned to leave, and he, not willing to give up, said, “Okay, okay, you two drive a hard bargain: 5% of all record sales, plus standard royalties, and 10% of all gate receipts for shows.”
By this point, Spin Doctor had gotten in front of them, holding out contracts, and now they were starting to get angry, as Quill said, “Dude! We’re not digging your vibe! I get this sense you’d have us sign with our own blood. We trust very few establishment ponies for the reasons you’re pressing on us, and you ain’t one of them!”
They started to walk away, and Spin Doctor saw a challenge now. He believed there was nopony he could not sucker, and these two naïve youths were no different. He saw a way to really make a lot more money for himself, and he knew there would be a way to con them, not realizing they were a lot more street savvy due to their upbringing. Spin Doctor then said, “Okay, I see you two are a little cautious. I get it. It’s a new world, you’re not used to wheeling and dealing, you’re cautious. But, kids, this is one of the best ways to get out your message. I’m offering you an engine by which to do it.”
Quill pointed to the document he had and said, “What do you get out of it? What’s your cut?”
“What’s…my…” he said, cautiously at first, but then he said, “Oh, wait, well, that’s not really as important as getting you on board. I mean, after all, you’re getting a good deal for yourselves. What does that matter?”
“Quid pro que, Mr. Spin,” said Downy. No such thing as a free ride: for us, or for you. Not…interested!”
He started getting cross and said, “You’re a pair of idiots if you turn this down.”
However, they were about to get the last laugh.
Somepony was watching the whole exchange, and he knew Spin Doctor well. He had no trust for west coast agents, and he also knew that kind of agent like preying on unsuspecting youths and ride them for everything they could get. He came up and said, “Hey, Spin Doctor: fancy meeting you here.”
Spin Doctor swung around to see a tan unicorn with a light beard and a wavy mane, along with a sharp smile and eyes that showed wisdom and intelligence. “Oh, well, you know… Always looking for the next big thing,” answered Spin Doctor.
“Really,” he asked, “And just what has this latest find said to your contract?”
Instead of being angrier, he just acted like all was well and said, “Oh, well, I was just helping them understand the benefits of a good recording career, and how, maybe, by it, they could get their message out. But, they play ball hard.”
He laughed a bit nervously, and with a sound of annoyance to it. However, this unicorn then said, “Or, it could be that they see right through you. Kids, let me ask you: did you grow up poor?”
The twins nodded, and he then asked, “Grew up on the street?”
“Foster chil…foals,” they said together.
“Oh, I see,” answered this unicorn, “That means you’ve been shafted at every turn, right?”
They nodded, and he added, “And, you don’t want to be burned again, right?”
Again, the twins nodded, and the unicorn then looked at Spin Doctor and said, “Am-scray.”
Spin Doctor became cross and said, “And you can’t tell me what to do! If I want to do some business, I’m going to do it!”
“Not with us!” said Quill, “What part of ‘no’ ain’t getting through your cement head!”
“Listen, you hippie punk,” he now said through his teeth, “None of you would be anypony if it weren’t for the likes of me! You don’t get in my face like that!”
However, this was starting to make a scene, and Flash Sentry came up with a couple of the larger guards and said, “Is there a problem?”
Downy then said, “This square leech doesn’t get it. We told him to get lost, and he just didn’t get it. He won’t leave us alone.”
Flash turned to Spin and said, “Well, what’s your story?”
“Well, um…” he sputtered out, now floundering as it seemed he was gathering more attention than he wanted, “Just a simple business deal. I’m just trying to get it through to them that they could have the chance of a lifetime, and, well…”
As he said this, it seemed a dark shadow cast over him, and he felt a pair of riveting eyes boring a hole through the back of his head. His skin crawled and slowly turned around to see Princess Luna standing behind him, and not looking happy. He sputtered nervously, gave an uneasy smile, and said as he bowed and said, “Oh, good evening, your highness! Lovely gown you’re wearing…”
“And what a rapier-like tongue you have,” she said firmly, “And it seems it has the ability to attract all kinds of attention. But what makes me nervous is when the head of my Military Police and two of his best guards are of those who gain your attention, then that catches mine.”
She was going to ask him to go somewhere else, but he became a fool and said, “With all due respect, do not blame me. It was these two hooligans that somehow only got in here because they were invited…”
“At my sister’s behest!” she snapped, “And what is more, they are my personal friends as they are hers! I shall not tolerate your trying to get them into trouble. However, I do have the ability to show mercy. I shall give you this one chance to apologizing for your insolent attitude towards my sister, myself, and our friends.”
He swallowed hard, not knowing what would follow if he did not apologize, and he said, “I’m…sorry, your highness…I’ll…go my way.”
With that, he slunk out of sight, hoping to find some corner to hide in until the gala was over. The twins, however, were scared stiff, because this was the kind of thing that had always happened to them; no matter what happened, it was all their fault. They started to apologize, but Luna smiled as if she was their mother and said, “Fear not, young ones. No one shall judge you in those ways anymore.”
They looked at her oddly, and she said, “I have observed your dreams since you have been here, and I can tell that some have not been that pleasant. However, I knew I could speak to you in person instead of your dreams.”
They said nothing, not because they were trying to be rude, but they gave her a look that seemed to say, “We’re listening closely, please continue.”
She smiled and said, “Indeed, you both know that those things you left behind cannot hurt you any longer, and everything is new, but trust me when I say that I understand just how deep scars can run. It takes time for old wounds to heal. However, please understand, never fear in that way again. Like anypony else, you are going to get a fair shake. Yet, also know this: if those nightmares ever come up again, just call out my name, and I shall be there to help them all go away.”
The twins smiled, feeling lifted up, and hugged Luna as she said, “But I think this unicorn is one who can help you further. Listen to what he has to say.”
They looked at him as the guards parted and Luna went her way to meet with others, and he put out a hoof to say, “My name is Foal, Billy Foal.”
“Peace,” the twins said, making the symbol tree hugger taught them, and he realized what they were doing and returned the gesture. He then said, “Well, unless you’ve been living in a whole other world, I’ve been in the recording business for some time now.”
They both stifled a laugh, knowing how close to the truth he had come, and they said, “Well, okay, I think we’ve heard of you,” knowing that this must be the pony double of someone they knew in the other world.
“Well, anyway,” he said, “I came from Bronclyn, and got my start there. Trust me, they are miles ahead of Los Pegasus in the recording industry, and all they do there is suck dry every artist that comes their way.”
“But, we don’t want to record,” said Downy.
“I got that much,” answered Billy, “But, you know, there was some truth to what he said. You would get your message out.”
They looked at each other, and then looked at his flank, seeing a piano with music sheets on it, but no circle of fifths. He laughed, knowing where this was going, and he said, “Hey, trust me: that’s not my bag. I don’t have magic like that. That’s your department. I must admit that what you did tonight made it that much better, though. In any case, there are plenty of ponies in the business already that might be interested as well, and if you get some names involved, you just might be able to get something going better. If those that have your gifts see some of their idols have those gifts, they may be inspired to pursue it themselves if they are also as gifted. There’s a ton of potential there.”
“We don’t want the fame,” said Quill, “We just want to make the world a better place.”
“And you can do that,” he answered, “But, there are ways you can do it on your terms, and indeed, it seems that’s the way you roll.”
They both nodded in agreeance, and he then added, “I bet there’s a studio right in your hometown you can work with, and ponies that can do what you need them to. Spin Doctor would have done all he could to get creative control away from you, and make you something you never wanted to be. If you decided to get into the business for the sake of your cause, it’s so much better when you can call your own shots. Hey, if things go well enough, you could have your own studio built into your house. You can tour when you want in order to find other of this Bardic thing you talked about, and other things.”
The wheels started to grind in their heads, and Quill said, “We could donate a lot of the proceeds to orphans and foster foals so they can get a better shake.”
“Sure,” answered Downy, “And maybe we can do benefits for them, and maybe even find some potential Bardics among them who just might slip through the cracks.”
“There you go,” said Billy, “I figured you could figure it out.”
His horn glowed and out came a card that floated to them, saying, “This is my agent. If you decide to do this, call him, and have him call me. I’ll come over and we can set something up.”
And now they were becoming excited, because, now, they had a chance to make this happen under much better circumstances. He said, “Think about it first. Hey, even discuss it among friends. They could help you sort this out.”
They thanked him, said, “Peace,” to him again as he went his way, and immediately sought out the others.
By this point, it was about 2:30 in the morning, and many with foals had already excused themselves to put them to bed, and there were still some there, but nowhere near what there was. The feast had long shut down, and the kitchen cleaned up, as Fluttershy had her animals where they needed to be. The Ponytones had broken up to do their own things, and Pinkie handed things over to the servants, all tuckered out. The Wonderbolts had gone their ways, and Rainbow Dash was free to go at this point. Twilight Sparkle caught up to the twins and said, (with a yawn,) “This has got to be the best gala we’ve had so far.”
“It was something,” said Downy.
“Hey, my friends are going to head to one of my favorite doughnut shops in town and have a few, and some coffee, before we call it a night, or morning in this case. Wanna come?”
They both nodded and agreed to come with them. This would be their chance to talk.
As they wandered down the streets, they were still alive with activities, as it almost seemed like Mardi Gras, but without all the vice. That energized them a bit more, and they were abuzz with how the night had gone. Once they had their couple dozen, they all talked about how much fun they had had, and they asked the twins, “So, how did it go for you?”
“I never thought we could put on that kind of a show,” said Downy.
A voice came through the door, pleasant and familiar, and it said, “And I hear it went better than you had expected.”
The girls all shouted, “Princess Celestia!”
She came in and joined them, as a cup of coffee and a doughnut floated up to her, and she said, “My sister told me of what happened, and that you talked with Mr. Foal?”
“Oh, yeah…right,” said Quill, as the card he had given them floated out of his own pocket for them to read, “He wants us to think about recording, but he wants to help us do it so we’re the ones in charge of how it all goes down.”
Now the six were the more abuzz, and Rarity said, “Oh fabulous, darlings! If I were a musician as you two are, I would absolutely jump at the chance to do something like that!”
“Hey, it’s better than sittin’ around the orchard bein’ bored all day long,” added Applejack.
“Awesome!” said Dash, “I’d have famous singers as friends!”
“Ooh, think of all the get-togethers you can have!” said Pinkie, bouncing around, “It would be one nonstop party!”
“Well, I’m not sure I’d want all that attention,” admitted Fluttershy, “I’ve had a taste of that, and I felt like I was living in a fishbowl.”
“But, I think they’d be in charge of all that madness,” said Twilight, “At least that’s how you’re making it sound.”
“More or less,” said Quill, “He suggested we just record out of Ponyville if possible, or the privacy of our home, doing what we want when we want.”
Celestia, listening to the exchange, said, “It would be a phenomenal opportunity to find other ponies to teach the Bardic ways.”
“Well, true,” said Downy, “But, I’m thinking all the causes we could fight for through it.”
“Ah, always thinking of others,” said Celestia knowingly.
“Well, we can’t change the past,” said Quill, “But we could help save somepony’s future.”
“Well, I think that sounds like a prize winnin’ idea!” said AJ, “No tellin’ how many lives y’all could change fer th’better. World needs pony folk like y’all.”
The pair looked at each other, and Celestia then said, “I would wait until you two go home and have had time to think on this. I would not rush into it, but there is so much that could be done. But, forget that for now, tell me how it all went for everyone tonight. I’m dying to hear some good stories!”
They all laughed as they went on with their tales, and did so all the way up until it was time for Celestia to raise the sun, charged with the changing world that was coming to them. As they were heading back to the castle for Celestia to raise the sun, and for them to get a good day’s sleep, Celestia started to hum “The Times They Are a Changing,” and the twins looked at her. Downy had to ask, “You really want to see us succeed, don’t you?”
“To live in a world with peace in it,” she said, “Who wouldn’t want that?”
Ponaeros had cut his last deal, having managed to use his new found power to get those spirits of the Abyss to keep Cerberus busy, and then caused it to be that Cerberus would turn on them, and then gain more of the power they had granted him. With that, he sneered as he used a cloaking spell to hide his emergence. The energy signature he would put out otherwise would alert the rulers of the realm long before he could act. He would then have to disguise it thereafter, because his work would be long and hard. He could not just get things going right away, for these things take time. As he emerged, he heard echoing though the ether, “To live in a world with peace in it; who wouldn’t want that?”
He had all he could from letting out a sinister cackle as he muttered, “You may want it, but I swear on all that is evil and wicked that this shall not come to pass!”