//------------------------------// // A Voice Reclaimed Under A New Key // Story: Book 1: A New Element of Friendship // by Medley of MLP //------------------------------// A New Element of Friendship A Voice Reclaimed Under A New Key OK, much better now. So where was I? Ah yes, that’s right. Explaining my life story to you. Not much left to be honest. Let’s see here… the story as a child, Cutie Mark, and further life story. Not to mention the remembrance of my human memories. I suppose all that’s left to tell is my current ailment and the history behind it and what it is I’m doing right now. Seems to be a good point on where to end off for an interview. I remember the day that I got attacked. It started as a normal day for me, at the very least. I was 21 and by then my talents were heard about and was starting to gain attraction outside of Cloudsdale. It got to the point to where I was asked to play for Canterlot. I speak for everypony in business when I say this. Getting the attention of the nobility is one of the high points in your career. For me, it was a chance to prove that a Pegasus could be a great musician, as good as any Unicorn. So I packed up my stuff and headed off to the capital of Equestria. It was when I arrived that things got heated. You see, a good friend of mine put down the statistics of different races in Canterlot. For every 10 Unicorns, there was a Pegasus and for every 6 Pegasi, there was 1 Earth Pony. Of course, there was the Royal Sister, Princess Celestia. She was the only alicorn on Equus beside Princess Cadence and she lived elsewhere. So for someone for someone like me to appear, it caused some disturbance. At least for the normal Canterlot's citizen life. I had struck a nerve with a couple of ponies for even daring to say I could be a great musician due to me being a Pegasus. I would have to prove them all wrong later that night too. Now, for time’s sake, let’s skip to the night of the concert. Nopony would want to hear about how a day in Canterlot went, especially if one lived there. It was nighttime and I was preparing myself for the concert I would be performing in. I had a momentary feeling of unease 5 minutes before I got on stage, but I chalked it up to pre-show jitters. If I had listened to my instincts that night… Ah, but what’s done is done. I can’t change my past, especially for something as important as that concert. It was finally time for me to perform my song. It was a piece of music from the Time Of The Two Sisters and it was an ode to them both. I had listened to it beforehand, so I had everything memorized and tuned. Disaster struck though, near the end of the piece. You see, I sang too well for some of the nobility. They thought they would be outclassed by a mere Pegasus if they didn’t do something about it real quick. I never did get who shot the spell at me. I couldn’t remember where they were sitting or if they were sitting in the audience. Not even what their appearance was, or what color the spell was. All I can remember was that it had to have been a Unicorn. Which didn’t help with identification in Equestria, much less Canterlot. As I was singing, the spell was shot at me. Before I knew it, I had lost all my oxygen and had fainted immediately, my whole world turning black. After that, I arose in the Canterlot hospital. But when I turned to a nearby nurse, I was confused about why I wasn’t hearing myself talk. I couldn't even feel any words coming out of my mouth. A doctor had soon come in and told me that I was diagnosed as mute for an indefinite amount of time. After looking over the spell, they saw it did lots of damage to my vocal cords. At first, I was shocked. Me, lose my voice? A preposterous idea, especially to a singer. But when I was going to voice my objections to that statement, I began to realize the doctor was right. I couldn’t speak a single word, even if my life depended on it. Which it did, as it was my job to sing for others. I was starting to feel like I had no purpose left in life. That was when I overheard the doctor saying something of great importance to me. It seemed that they’d been experimenting on ways to return the voice to other ponies. They had made a major breakthrough very recently. In fact, it was my condition that helped them make said breakthrough, so I was given two options. The first one was to try out this new form of healing that has been untested but was very likely to work. The second one was to spend the rest of my life in eternal muteness. You should know what choice I made, especially considering where we are now, with me talking. So the doctor tried out the new healing spell on me. I then felt a slight change in my body. It felt like my body was accepting the magic, but not as the doctor most likely intended it too. He asked me if any changes were done to me once he had finished applying the spell. I told the doctor that indeed, there was a slight change. It soon became clear what the change was when trying to speak. I could not, as hard as I tried, speak above a natural whisper. I then attempted to sing. To the complete shock of everyone, especially me, my singing was completely restored. In fact, I had gained an “upgrade”. It would influence ponies in a subtle manner emotionally, depending on the tone of the song. It never worked on a banker to give me some free money though. I’m kidding, I’m kidding! Hey, put that down! OW, OW, OW, OW! I was making a light joke! Dear LaurFastia, lighten up! OW! I apologize, I apologize! I surrender, dammit! *sigh* So, where were we? Ah, yes, what happened afterward. I’m sure you would want to know. Well, to be honest, not much happened afterward. I got a generous fan donation of some black bands from Zebrica. Plus enough bits left over to get myself a gold watch to help me keep track of time. Yet my fashion was pretty awful, as all I could ever find were single colored lime-green vests. They were comfy, so I frequently wore them, but I wish someone could change the color. It seemed though that somepony made it to where they don’t take a rip, tear, or even stain. The downside was that it meant no one could change the color. My eye color changes whenever I put on these glasses as well. They’re a more hazel without them, but turn a monochromatic blue once I do put them on. I wear these glasses to help me see better, as the cost of eye surgery is too much on my budget. Yet glasses are more cheap to come by, so that’s why I at least wear them. 4 years later, I moved to Ponyville. It was both to become their choral instructor and because of the quiet atmosphere that the town gave. Though I teach anyone who has the bits to pay. I don’t charge a whole lot for my services either, and I stay with them a week for each payment. I’ve taught Sweetie Belle, who I later found out to be the little sister to Rarity. Also known as the owner of the Carousel Boutique, the fashion shop to go to. I also taught Fluttershy, who I couldn’t resist trying to give her free lessons. But she was just as stubborn about paying for them. It’s been kind of a joke to us by now. Oh, yes, before I forget, I better put my name down for these. Can’t confuse me with the other ponies you get. Thanks for listening to me. Now, if you excuse me, I need to get to class. I’m kind of on a time budget here. See ya later, Twilight Sparkle! Name of interviewee: Medley Royalwind End of Chapter 2