From The Ashes

Chapter Nine

The dead surrounded him. Changelings and bounty-hunters screamed in endless pain. Chrysalis' mocking laughter echoed in his ears. He saw his friends, old and new, reaching out for him as the monster of a Changeling wrapped him up in a cacoon. He was swallowed and he was fading fast. His sword was not there. His fire could not be summoned. A bright light...then darkness.

"Exile," a voice called for him. "Blackjack."

Blackjack looked to see himself standing in a throne room, unlike any he had ever seen before. A mare stood proudly on all four hooves before him, her magical mane a beautiful contrast to her dark blue coat.

"Princess Luna?" Blackjack asked. "That can't be right. I was surrounded by those I've killed and I know for a fact that I haven't killed you."

"Not yet," the princess replied. "Your exile as set many events in motion. The world does not know it, but war is brewing. It has been foretold."

"War? Wait, no, this is a dream. You're just a dream."

"Just because you say what something is does not make it true. It is my duty to visit those who have nightmares and to give them dreams. When I deem somepony worthy, I speak with them and discuss their fear."

"Fear? What do you know about my fear?"

"I will answer that when the time is right."

Realization came to the stallion. "You're the voice I heard in my cell?"

"Yes. But I am not the only one. I am sure you hear a twisted, sinister voice in your nightmares. That is the Son of Chaos. He conjures up your nightmares in order to weaken you, in order for the prophecy to fail."

"My streangth is failing," she continued. "The Crystal Empire's shield will not last forever. Not with even I controling it. When it fails, the Shadow King will enslave this kingdom once again. Hatred and fear will take hold and when it does, it will reflect across Equestria."

"But you can stop him!" Blackjack replied. "You did it before!"

"No. My sister and I only slowed him down."

"Then I'll get my friends and the Elements of Harmony. I only need to find five more. How hard can it be?"

The mare sighed. "I must go. You awake."

'-'

Blackjack blinked, rubbing his eyes. He opened his locket and held the ring tenderly. With a sigh, he put it away. If what Princess Luna said was true, he'd have to find his friends very soon.

But where could they be? Blackjack asked himself. Maybe Applejack knows. I'm sure she's kept in touch with them.

The stallion rose from his cot inside the tipi and pulled his white cloak out of his saddlebag, putting it on and leaving his head uncovered. Blackjack stepped outside, surprised to see many Buffalo's faces decorated with war paint.

"Good morning everyone," he said. "What did I miss?"

"Good, you're awake," Star Swirl said, rising from his seat on a log and joining him. "Much has happened in the past few hours, Exile. There was a dead brave found just on the border of the Buffalo's land."

"Tell me that doesn't have to do with the war paint."

"I am afraid it does. The Treaty of Four has been broken by Equestrian soldiers."

"What?"

Star Swirl sighed. "It would seem that the situation is worse than we thought."

"Where are Applejack and Braeburn?"

"With a scouting party. They will return shortly."

Blackjack began to walk off, Star Swirl grabbing him by the arm. "And where are you going?" The unicorn asked.

"To settle this mess. That treaty was broken because of me. If I had been careful, that brave would be alive."

"Are you armed?"

Blackjack showed the old Unicorn his ren'bein. "I don't sleep without them on."

"Very well...the Equestrian camp is located a few miles Northwest from here."

"Thanks."

"Exile...be careful."

Blackjack changed to his quadrupal form and galloped off.

'-'

The Exile kneeled down, overlooking the Equestrian camp from the top of a cliff. There's an entire army down there, he thought. Chief Thunderhooves isn't going to stand a chance...wait a minute. What's that?

The shape of a cloaked figure entered the camp. Black wisps of shadow eminated from it, the grass dying wherever it walked. A soldier walked up to it and bowed. Blackjack felt a sharp pain in his head as he had a vision.

'-'

"Yield," the stallion said, holding his sword at the cloaked figure's throat.

"Very well," the figure replied in a hissing, unnatural voice. "I concede..."

"Who are you?"

"I am but one of Seven...I am Fear, leader of The Elements of Disharmony and bearer of the element that I am named after, General of The Void, Child of Chaos..."

"Why did you attack me?"

Fear cackled madly, the sword pressing down on his throat. "Answer me!"

"So naive...you see, my dear Prince, I have always attacked you. I am the shadow at night, the sounds of Everfree, the ice down your spine...you had only felt my precence and now...you face me..."

"Enough of this!" The sword was thrust into Fear's head, his body slowly fading away as black smoke.

"You have won this time, Prince," Fear rasped. "But I am not easilly bested...I will never stop hunting you, and in time...you shall face me again..."

'-'

Blackjack recoiled, shaking his head. Fear...that's Fear...if that...thing...thinks I'm the Prince, I'm not going to last.

The stallion looked at the camp again, watching as the cloaked figure turned to leave. It stopped suddenly, and turned its head to where Blackjack was hiding. Blackjack's heart raced in fear, hoping he wouldn't have to fight the figure. Fear began to vanish, dissolving into shadow. Blackjack knew what his answer was. Not yet.

I have to get back to the tribe, he thought. Star Swirl and Chief Thunderhooves need to know what they're up against.

Blackjack stood and turned to leave, putting his hood over his head. He found himself facing three Equestrian soldiers, assault rifles pointed at him.

"Put your hands where I can see them," the stallion in charge said. "Slowly."

Blackjack did as he was told, slowly bringing his hands to his head.

"Now kneel."

Blackjack did so, a soldier grabbing his hands and cuffing them behind his back. The soldiers made him stand and escorted him to their camp.

'-'

"Hello, Exile," the brown Unicorn stallion said, grinning. "My name, is General Bronze."

"Nice to meet you," Blackjack replied.

"Quiet!" A soldier said, hitting Blackjack's head with his gun.

"Stand down, soldier," General Bronze said. "Let our guest speak. Tell me, Exile, what's it like to be with your own kind?"

"Well," the stallion replied. "So far, I've taken a lot of abuse from everypony."

"That is not what I meant. I was talking about the Buffalo traitors you took refuge with."

"Traitors?"

"Oh, that's right, you wouldn't know about their betrayal now, would you? After all, you have been away for two years. You see, your new friends have been raiding small farms in and around these plains, thus breaking the Treaty of Four."

"I don't believe you! The Buffalo are honorable people!"

"Truely? Very well, Exile, let's see how honorable the Buffalo really are. Bring him in."

The flap to the General's tent opened, and a bull was brought in, stomping, snorting, and bellowing loudly; a harness was around his neck, long chains in the hands of the soldiers that held him down.

"Oh," General Bronze said. "You don't know him? Splendid! I'll let you two get aquainted!" The Unicorn pulled Blackjack up off his knees and pushed him towards the bull.

The bull reared on his hind legs, trying to stomp on him. Blackjack rolled out of the way. "Hey!" He shouted. "It's me! It's me!"

The bull was about to stomp again, when a gun was fired. He fell to the ground, not moving. "You son a mule!" Blackjack yelled, feeling his hands heat up. The stallion stood, his handcuffs melting right off his wrists.

He unsheathed his ren'bein, his hands aflame. The sound of guns cocking stopped him from attacking. Blackjack glared at General Bronze, who put his pistol back in its holster.

"Relax, Exile," he said. "I used an electricity round. It's completely non-lethal, but he will wake up with a terrible headache. And as for you, I can see you made some friends and have a few tricks up your sleeves."

"Your fighting stance resembles that of a Changeling Guardian," Bronze continued. "Surprising, as only the most elite officers in Equestria are taught it. Even more surprising are your ren'bein, weapons that have faded into the Canterlot Archives, all knowledge of their construction lost.

"But to see you with these, is completely unlike you. But, I suppose you had to learn how to fight in order to survive during your exile. Your powers are another matter. The only Earth Ponies that can use magic are Queen Celestia's uncle and that...creature. Find out what he knows, even if you have to beat it out of him."

"General," Blackjack said. "One question: do you play an instrument?"

"No."

"Ah. That explains it."

'-'

Blackjack grunted as his interrogator's magic shocked him again. "I'll ask again," he said. "When are the Buffalo attacking?"

"I told you," the Exile replied. "I don't know."

The Unicorn's horn glowed again, and Blackjack was shocked again; he screamed now, the electricity in his body intensifying. The Unicorn stopped, grabbed the black stallion by his shirt, and pulled him forward.

"I will ask you one last time...when are they attacking?"

Blackjack didn't answer. He knew he was going to get tortured no matter what he said. The interrorgator picked up a knife and pointed it at Blackjack's eye.

"If I don't get an answer in the next ten seconds, your eye is gone. One..."

Well this is another fine mess I've gotten myself into, Blackjack thought.

Indeed, a voice agreed.

Blackjack inwardly gasped. Star Swirl?

Do you know any other voices in your head?

Well, yeah, but right now's not the time. I need your help!

I am aware of that. Have some advice from an old friend of mine: kick 'em where it counts!

"Nine," the interrorgator said.

"Alright," Blackjack replied. "I'll tell you."

The Unicorn smiled, putting the knife away. "I'm listening."

"Now!" Blackjack kicked the Unicorn in the groin, and wrapped his legs around the stallion's neck. The Unicorn struggled, gasping for air as he grabbed Blackjack's legs, trying to cast a spell. He fell unconcious, dropping like a rock.

"Star Swirl," Blackjack panted. "Don't you ever get out of my head."

I told you before, he replied. I am in your locket's ruby. Also, I am afraid I must leave in order to free you.

With a flash of light, the old stallion stood in front of the Exile. "No thanks necessary," he continued. "Just saving your flank for the fourth time."

Star Swirl took the keys from the interrorgator's body and unlocked the chains that held Blackjack's arms above his head. The stallion rubbed his wrists and nodded at the elderly Unicorn.

"Where would I be without you?"

"Back in Öuj'xik, or worse."

"Point taken."

Star Swirl picked up the stallion's cloak and tossed it to him. Blackjack put it on, pulling the hood over his head. He retrieved his ren'bein from a table and put them on. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm happy to have these back."

"We must leave quickly," Star Swirl replied. "There will be soldiers swarming in here at any moment."

"Star Swirl, the soldiers have guns. The Buffalo aren't going to stand a chance."

"You don't think Chief Thunderhooves knows that? Exile, that is one of the reasons why I entered your ruby, as I was disabling as many guns I could. However, your thoughts broke my concentration, so there are still many guns working."

"There's something else-"

"You can tell me when we're back at the village."

His horn glowed, and they teleported out of the Equestrian camp.

'-'

"Now," Star Swirl said, sitting on his cot. He took off his hat and lit a pipe, smoking it. "What was it you wanted to tell me?"

"I saw something," Blackjack replied. "You remember when you told me that 'there are evils far beyond that of the Changelings'? Well...I saw something before I got captured. It was wearing a black cloak, shadow coming from it. Wherever it walked...the grass died..."

Star Swirl took a deep breath from his pipe, thinking. He blew the smoke out slowly. "You have my attention."

"A soldier, General Bronze I think, bowed to it. When I saw that, I had another vision of Shadowblaze's memories. He met that...thing. It told him that his name was Fear, leader of the Elements of Disharmony-"

Star Swirl coughed, beating his chest. "What else did he say?"

"He said he was a General of The Void and a Child of Chaos."

Star Swirl dropped his pipe, his mouth agape. "My visions were true..."

"Visions?"

"Never you mind! You must talk to Chief Thunderhooves about the Great Prophecy before he goes to sleep! Go!"

Blackjack ran out of the tipi, looking for the Chief. "Blackjack!" Braeburn called, standing up from his seat by the fire pit. "Good to see you're alive-"

"No time to chat, Braeburn," Blackjack replied. "Star Swirl told me to find Chief Thunderhooves. Have you seen him?"

"Yeah, he just went into his tipi. What's your hurry?"

Blackjack was already gone. He pushed past the Buffalo that stood guard in front of the Chief's tipi. "Chief Thunderhooves?" Blackjack asked as he entered. "May I speak with you?"

"Make it quick," the bull replied, his back facing the stallion. "My braves and I march to war tomorrow."

"Star Swirl said that I need to talk about the Great Prophecy."

Chief Thunderhooves slowly faced him, eyes wide. "From the ashes..." He looked at Blackjack curiously, sizing him up. "So you are the Hero, hm?"

"It sure seems like it."

"Yes. Well, I will tell you the first verse, but you must tell me something before I do."

"Alright, shoot."

"When the battle rages, whose side will you fight for? Will you fight for my people and be marked a traitor? Or will you fight for Equestria and be given a hero's welcome? I will accept your decision either way."

This is just like Öuj'xik, Blackjack thought. Except then, I was fightning against tyranny. I was fighting for my friends...if I help the Buffalo, any chances of me being accepted back home are ruined. If I side with Equestria, I'm killing innocent people.

Then again, from what I've heard, Celestia has become a tyrant...why didn't I ask Princess Luna about that in my dream? What about Fear? If Equestrian soldiers are bowing to that monster, then something else is going on...like the Great Prophecy.

I wish I knew more about it. But wait...a verse talked about the Zuo'Trumäg...that much turned out true. Maybe those names are based off of the choices that the Hero...I...make. Thanks Shadowblaze, I inherited your title of Tyrant.

"To be honest Chief," Blackjack said. "I'd rather negotiate then fight. I consider myself a pacifist, but that doesn't mean that I won't fight. I had to fight in a Changeling arena in order to survive."

He removed his cloak and took off his shirt, showing Chief Thunderhooves the white design on his left shoulder. "This mark is proof of that," Blackjack continued. "After the fight, I fell unconcious and met Queen Chryalis."

The stallion told the rest of the story, up to his capture just a few hours before. "Even before I was exiled, I fought against thugs that were hurting my friends. I took a bullet to my chest because of it. So, I choose to fight with your people, Chief Thunderhooves."

"But why?" Chief Thunderhooves asked. "Why choose to fight your own people?"

"Because...because I feel deep within my soul that it's the right thing to do. I didn't think about why I helped the Changelings, I just did what I felt my spirit was telling me. You can't think about what to choose all the time. Sometimes, you need to have faith."

Chief Thunderhooves smiled, nodding with approval. "I welcome you, Hero of the Great Prophecy. Listen, as I will now tell you the first verse. Harmony is parted through six different mares; the Exile hoping to mend the the bond they all share."

So even if I'm not really Shadowblaze or the Hero, Blackjack thought. I'm still in the prophecy...

"Come with me," Chief Thunderhooves said. "Bring your clothes with you, but do not put them back on."

Blackjack followed the bull out of his tipi, wondering what else the chief would want. Chief Thunderhooves led Blackjack to the fire pit, fresh tree limbs and brush ready to be set aflame. The Buffalo Chief bellowed, the sound of his call heard throughout the village.

The Buffalo gathered around the fire pit, curious to hear what their leader had to say. "Friends," Chief Thunderhooves said. "Soon, we sound the drums of war. But before we fight, I wish to conduct a Naming Ceremony for this young stallion, with the Council of Elders' approval of course."

The villagers spoke with each other, surprised to near such news.

"It has been thousands of years since an outsider earned a place with our people," an elderly bull said. "Why is this...this dark horse, if you will, so special?"

"Oh hush you old grazer," an old heifer said. "If Thunderhooves believes this stallion deserves a name, then so be it. What do you think Elder Plainstride?"

"I agree with Elder Half-horn," another heifer replied. "Why should he be given a name? He has done nothing for our people."

"But-"

"No, Elder Sun Dance. Let us hear from Elder Cloud Sight."

A white bull opened his pale blue eyes, blind with old age. He leaned on a walking stick for support, a grand headress resting on his horns.

"Chief Thunderhooves," he said in a gravilly voice that made Star Swirl sound young. "Whisper the name you have in mind to me."

The bull walked up to him and did so, Elder Cloud Sight smiling a little. "A good name...but it is not enough." The Elder walked up to Blackjack, grunting with the effort. He reached out his hand and Blackjack took it, holding it in his own.

"Solid grip," Elder Cloud Sight said. "Firm, yet...gentle...and what is this? Callouses...are you a musician?"

"Yes," Blackjack replied. "I play the violin."

"A versitale instrument...it voices a wide range of emotions."

Elder Cloud Sight patted Blackjack's hand and then reached out to touch his body. "Well toned...wounded...what is this scar on you shoulder? It feels like a design."

"The Changeling mark of a slave," Blackjack replied.

"Escaped?"

"No, Elder, freed."

"Because you were loyal?"

"No, because I helped the true Monarch reclaim his throne."

"You speak of this Changeling fondly...a friend of yours?"

"Yes."

"I see...and what of this other scar?"

"A bullet wound. It was intended for a good friend of mine."

"It is faded from age and...you rub it...does it comfort you?"

"Yes. It pains me as well. I rub it whenever I look at the items inside of my locket."

"May I hold these items?"

Blackjack removed his locket and handed it to the white bull. "A gift from a friend?"

"Yes. A dragon."

"A dragon? How odd...but, that makes this locket even more special."

The elder rolled it around in his boney hands and opened it, feeling the items inside. "What are these scraps?"

"Pictures."

"Friends?"

"Yes."

"You consider them family?"

"Yes."

The Elder put the pictures back and gently picked up the ring. "A special mare back home?"

"She's...she's very special..."

"You sound pained."

"I...I was arrested the moment I was going to propose..."

"Arrested? On what grounds?"

"Murder."

"Are you a murderer?"

"No...but the final evidence was altered."

"Ah...you are the Exile that I heard so much about?"

"Yes."

The Elder put the ring away and gave the locket back. Blackjack clasped it around his neck again. "You carry a heavy burden," Elder Cloud Sight continued. "A fear of the past?"

Bingo, Blackjack thought. "And a fear of the future."

"Ah...so Chief Thunderhooves told you his part of the Great Prophecy, eh?"

"Yes."

"Do you believe that you are the Hero?"

"Partly. I believe I was forced to be him."

"How so?"

"The curse of an ancient evil."

"I see...I sense that you hold a part of this curse within you. Is that true?"

"Yes, Elder Cloud Sight."

"Show me."

Blackjack turned to the fire pit. Control, he thought. It's getting a lot easier, but you need control. Twilight...think about Twilight. The Exile held out his hands and set the fire pit ablaze.

The village of Buffalo gasped, Blackjack's friends smiling in wonder as the fire towered above them, casting shadows on their faces as it lit the night. Blackjack turned to face the old Buffalo, who smiled warmly.

"Thank you, Exile," he said. "I must now speak with the Council."

Elder Cloud Sight returned to the other old Buffalo, the four whispering to each other. They picked up bowls of paint and walked up to Blackjack.

"It is the Council's decision," Elder Cloud Sight announced. "That this stallion be given a name of our people. What is your name, young stallion?"

"Blackjack, Elder Cloud Sight," the black stallion replied.

"What is your last name?"

"I don't have one sir, just Blackjack."

"Do you have a nickname or title ponies call you?"

"Yes. They call me: The Fiddler."

"I see. We four Elder Buffalo grant you a name of our people. With this name, you are granted a home and have earned a place among any of the Roaming Buffalo Tribes. Thunderhooves, High Chieftain of all of the Roaming Buffalo Tribes has requested that you be made an honorary member of his family. With this act, you are to be treated as if you were his own son. Do you object?"

"No, Elder Cloud Sight. I...I never knew my parents...thank you, Chief Thunderhooves."

The Chief nodded and the four Elders began to paint Blackjack's face and body. "With these symbols painted on you," Elder Cloud Sight continued. "I, Elder Cloud Sight, do name you, Blackjack The Fiddler, The Exile of Equestria: Noble-Spirit-of-Fire!"

The village cheered as the white bull put his headress on the stallion. They chanted his name and played upbeat music, several braves getting up to dance at the fire pit. Blackjack stepped back, smiling at the display.

Star Swirl, along with Applejack and Braeburn, joined the stallion. "Hoowee," Applejack exclaimed, patting him on the back. "That's quite the name you got, Noble-Spirit-of-Fire. It suits you."

"I think I'll just call you Noble," Braeburn said. "The rest is a mouthfull."

"Exile," Star Swirl said. "This a rare honor, recieving a name from the Buffalo. You gained both a home and a family from this. Congradulations."

Little Strongheart pulled Blackjack away and pulled him up with her on a large drum. "Dance with me, Noble-Spirit-of-Fire," she said.

"I don't know how," Blackjack replied. "I prefere playing music anyway."

"Why do you think I put you on a drum, brother?"

"Point taken."

The stallion's new honorary sister led him in the dance, the village celebrating all through the night.