//------------------------------// // Epilogue: Maestro's Luck (Also other loose ends) // Story: Disguise In Hearts // by The REAL Mister Pkmn //------------------------------// Maestro had managed to salvage the situation he’d been thrust into, but it had been seriously aggravating to do so. He stopped the ponies from attempting to find this “Swarm” character, and kept them focused on his Emporium. He even stayed longer than intended, because of a mare known as Sarah Von Strokenheimer. Too bad she was a bit too pushy for Maestro’s comfort. Eventually, that “Time Turner” character returned, and patched things up with that Roseluck mare. Maestro smiled. It was good to see romance bloom in spite of… differences. Oh yes, Maestro knew that “Time Turner” was actually Swarm the changeling, but he wasn’t going to say anything. After all, ponies needed to learn that some changelings were decent folk. Well, besides Catydid. Maestro shuddered. Remembering him left a bad taste in Maestro’s mouth. Rouges never did sit well with him. Maestro sighed. It was time to pack up, and go to another town. The ponies of Ponyville whined about how he should stay and whatnot; but Maestro explained that, as a traveler, he couldn’t stay in one place forever. As he waved and went on his way, he sighed. Well, there goes that town. Nobody there really seemed truly interested in me as a person, aside from Sarah. He then put his head up. No matter. There’s always the next town, after all. Maestro wanted to find something that all bachelors wanted to find- true love. This search of his had spanned many nations, where he’d had dates with many races. Oh sure, most ponies went for other ponies, but Maestro was a very open-minded pony. Although, he only ever went for females. After all, such was what nature intended. He sighed again. I’ve received many “love letters” over the years, but none of them have actually been truly about love. All of them have basically begged for my money or to share in my fame. It’s quite appalling. Maestro then looked to the sky, which was clear and blue. However, I’m not going to let that drag me down; I’m going to find my true love, no matter how long it takes. He then looked into Hoofington, and he saw a showmare’s stage. He was intrigued. The show was going to be by one “Great and Powerful Trixie.” Maestro appreciated stage magic, in fact he’d once considered trying his hoof at it. He chuckled lightly. I wonder just how good this “Trixie” is. I hope that it’s worth my time. He went up to the stage, and sat in the front row. This caused many ponies to murmur, but he paid them no mind. Right now, he was just a part of the audience, not some big-shot artist. Then, the mare of the hour stepped onstage. She was a powdery blue unicorn, and she had a silvery mane and tail. Her dark violet eyes shone with a modicum of defeat, and her star-studded purple cape and wizard’s hat looked a bit worse for wear. Her cutie mark was visible for a split second, but Maestro remembered it well: a star tipped wand that had a cloud of smoke speckled with pinprick stars shaped like a crescent moon emerging from the utmost tip of the star wand. To Maestro, the mare’s show was wonderful, but the crowd didn’t seem to agree with him. They started to whisper about her being a “no-good blowhard” or something to that effect. One in the crowd even tossed a tomato to the stage. Trixie closed her eyes and braced for impact. However, no such impact came. The crowd gasped, and Trixie opened her eyes. Shimmering in front of her was the tomato, caught in a turquoise aura. The tomato then floated away from Trixie, and over to Maestro, who had a similar turquoise aura around his horn. He then took a bite out of the floating tomato, and swallowed. He grinned. “Come now! No reason to ruin a perfectly good entertainer’s show with insults and projectiles! Let the show continue!” One in the crowd then shouted, “But she’s a liar! Didn’t you hear about her trip to Ponyville, and her claims that she made there?” At that, Trixie cringed. Maestro shook his head. “While I have heard of that debacle, it is my understanding that she wasn’t the only one in the wrong that day. Who were the uncouth swine that interrupted her show that day? Wasn’t it those ‘Element Bearer’ characters? Why do they get off scot-free for ruining an artist’s show, while Trixie suffers unjust ostracization for one lie? Sure, she shouldn’t have claimed to be able to take down an Ursa Major, But until she was rudely interrupted, she was only doing her job as a stage magician. It’s well known that stage magicians use illusions and sleight of hoof to entertain crowds. Sometimes, they might even wind a tale or two, though usually it is based in some kind of fact, however. While I do see your point, you must now consider mine. Is it just to torture Trixie this way while others get no flack for what they’ve done?” Trixie’s mouth was gaping, and the crowd was murmuring. Maestro looked very pleased with himself when one of the crowd piped up. “I guess… we should give her a chance to change her ways…” The stallion lowered his head as he turned to Trixie. “Can you ever forgive us for causing you such pain?” Trixie looked at Maestro, the stallion who just might have saved her career. She then looked across the crowd at all of those apologetic eyes. Trixie stood taller. “Trixie will forgive you, as long as you help me ‘clean-up’ my show a bit.” she sighed. “Using tall tales to gain an audience isn’t going to work anymore.” The ponies cheered, and the show went on. When she would start to stumble into fraudulence, the audience would just glare at her a little, and then she would dust herself off, and try again. Maestro smiled at this display. Now this is a conducive environment for change. After the show ended, the crowd went away with smiles. Maestro walked up to Trixie. “Well done, Trixie Lulamoon. I think Quartermoon would be proud of the direction you’re taking your show in.” Trixie turned to face Maestro. “Why did you step in? Why protect me from the crowd, and even go so far as to get them to apologize to me?” Maestro chuckled. “Trixie, I’m a pony of principles. If I see somebody being treated unfairly, I tend to step in, as I did today. That’s just how I roll.” Trixie then cocked an eyebrow. “That’s all? You had no ulterior motive?” Maestro tapped his chin. “Well, I just wanted to see your show at first, but when things got a bit ugly, I stepped in. That’s about it.” Trixie still seemed skeptical, however. “How can I know that you’re not pulling something?” Maestro chuckled. “Ah, a careful type. I respect that.” He then held out a hoof. “If you really want to know if you can trust my intentions, then how about this: We’ll be friends, traveling the road together. Over the course of our travels, I’m certain that you’ll see my true colors shine bright.” Maestro smiled, and Trixie hesitated a bit before placing her hoof in his, and shook. “Alright, you’ve got yourself a deal. But no funny business, alright?” Maestro nodded solemnly. “Of course. I wouldn’t dream of it. After all, we barely know each other. Trust must be built between two individuals before any sort of relations may be built, be they friendship, or something more.” Trixie blinked a bit, and attached her wagon-stage to herself with a harness. “What are you, a philosopher?” Maestro shook his head. “No, but I did grow up learning philosophy when I was younger. I guess some of it stuck with me.” The two artists traveled together after that day, going from town to town, Maestro selling his art, and Trixie doing her magic show. What will be in store for these two? Who knows? After all, the future is quite the fickle thing, constantly shifting at the drop of a hat. Perhaps they part ways amicably later on. Or, their friendship might blossom into something more. But, that’s not important right now. What’s that? You want to know what happens with Roseluck and Swarm? Well, it is soon revealed to Ponyville that Swarm is a changeling. However, thanks to his relationship with Roseluck, ponies were actually willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Roseluck and Swarm do end up married in most futures, albeit after many troubles that are thrown their way. Point is, everybody lives happily ever after. Except Catydid, because screw him. Oh? Were you wondering how Catydid and Swarm know each other? Well... Let's just say they were "partners in crime" before Swarm got disgusted with what they'd stooped to and decided to turn his life around, starting by turning in Catydid. You can imagine how that went down. So dear reader, if that's everything, farewell.