Finding Perfect Harmony

4 years ago:

The day had grown late, the autumn sun setting on the horizon, a faint wind blowing through the trees of Manehattan Central Park blowing some of the brightly colored leaves off of the trees and onto the ground where many other leaves before it had fallen as well. There weren’t many other ponies in the park apart from the occasional jogger or family enjoying the weather.

From underneath the familiar tree at the middle of the park, atop a hill, I could see it all. It was my favorite spot, and the company I had made it all the better. Sitting against me, a hoof wrapped around mine; was Joyful Noise, her steady breathing suggesting that she had fallen asleep but the occasional nuzzling of her snout against my neck suggested otherwise.

It had been almost a year since Joy and I had made it official, and announced that the two of us were an item. Not soon after that I found myself playing for her band which she had named after an old grandmother; “Solvalla”, according to her it made us sound profound. While I knew Joy, there was another pony in the band; a drummer named Gear Head. He was one heck of a drummer but would often joke about leaving to pursue a career in mechanics in order to repair anything with moving parts, but after a year of treats he still never made the jump. Solvalla was nothing huge, apart from the occasional show in the local tavern we really never played for anypony other than ourselves. But to Joy, it didn’t matter how many ponies were there. As long as there was music backing her up, and at least one pony watching, she would lose herself, becoming a different pony entirely as she sang. The band would always so covers of the latest songs, nothing huge but it would still draw in the occasional onlooker walking by.

Joy sighed as she moved her head and kissed my cheek, meeting my gaze as I turned to look down at her, her golden eyes closed slightly, a small smile on her face. She looked tired.

“You ready to go home?” I asked.

Suddenly she yawned before she could give me a straight answer, giving me a small nod when she was able. I kissed the top of her head next to her horn while I assisted her to her hooves which hobbled a bit with the sudden weight that was put on them making her stumble slightly.

Laughing slightly at her clumsiness I walked in front of her as she let out another yawn. “Need a lift?” I asked gesturing her to atop my back with my head.

Slowly Joy hopped onto my back laying length wise with her hooves wrapped around me, her head lying against my neck while her hind legs just dangled on either side. I welcomed her weight adjusting myself under her body as best I could to allow myself to walk a little more comfortably.

Slowly the two of us began making the long walk back to Joy’s house. I ignored any onlookers watching as I continued to carry Joy, in my opinion; they were just jealous.

“You know, I think I’m going to write a song about you” Joy suddenly said, her voice soft and almost inaudible had it not been whispered in my ear.

“What made you decide that?”

“I don’t know, just thought of it” she said squeezing my neck a little tighter making me lose my breath for a second. “But I need some inspiration”

“Am I not inspiration enough?” I joked letting out a faint chuckle.

“That’s what’s getting me. I can’t think of just one thing to say.”

“I’m sure you’ll come up with something.”

“M-Hm” She agreed nuzzling my neck with her muzzle. “And it will be your song, no pony else’s”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I only want you to hear it; it’ll make it even more special”

I chuckled slightly out of embarrassment. I had received the occasional love letter from Joy as we had been dating, each poetic and telling me how much she loved me, and knowing Joy, if she were to write any song what so ever; it would be just as beautiful as any poem she had wrote before.

A sudden siren cut through the busy city streets just as my gaze turned to see several police ponies escorting a single medical carriage as they dashed down the streets swerving past any and all surround carts that were still driving, some pegasus in the air flying over head yelling at traffic to move.

“I hope everypony is alright” Joy stated, obviously concerned.

It took us about another hour or so to reach Joy’s home. By then my back was sore from carrying Joy almost the whole way, but it was ok, as long as she was happy the pain didn’t matter to me. I felt different as the two of us approached the familiar door, my legs felt weak as if I was about to go into the principal’s office fir getting into trouble. I stopped before entering trying to figure out what the feeling was.

“Are you ok?” Joy asked starring caringly into my eyes.

“I don’t know, just suddenly didn’t feel right”

“Well then let’s get you inside and into bed. We have a show in a few days and the last thing I need is you getting sick on me” She said entering through the doorway and stepping inside. Suddenly she stopped right as she entered the door.

“Mom, Dad. What’s going on?” she asked.

“Is Pitch with you?” I heard Joy’s mom ask, her voice different than usual. Instead of the always happy tone, it was sad.

Hearing my name I pushed the door open further allowing me the space to step inside. Standing just inside were Joy’s parents along with another pony standing near them dressed in a familiar black police uniform over his grey coat.

“Perfect Pitch?” the officer pony asked.

I nodded as Joy stepped closer to me wrapping a hoof around mine, her face full of worry.

“Officer Sure Shot with the Manehattan police department. I’m afraid I have some bad news”

I gulped afraid of what was about to be said, my head swarming with questions.

“Son, your father.” He started “I’m afraid there’s been an accident”

“Is he ok?”

“Pitch, your father…” Joy’s Dad said coming up to me “He’s dead”

4 years later:

The sun was high in the sky as I walked along the PonyVille streets. Dressed in my familiar disguise I found myself

among the other ponies, each busy with their own task and seemingly oblivious to me.

Having finished breakfast earlier than Vinyl or Octavia, I decided to go on a walk while they finished. I was hoping to see how Joy was doing, and maybe talk to her if I could find the right words, but after about ten minutes of walking, I didn’t even know where to start.

I found myself in towns square, which was easily the busiest part of the town I had seen. A small crowd had gathered near the entrance where I had seen the show posters the night before, each complaining about something. Curiosity getting the best of me I decided to walk up to the crowd, finding a white Pegasus overlooking the crowd, hovering just above the ground, his stripped white and blue tail swaying back and forth and he continued flapping.

“Hey what’s going on?” I asked

The Pegasus turned to me before landing on the ground with a slight thud.

“Apparently the band that was going to play here bailed” he said folding his wings to his side.

“Really?” I asked in disbelief.

“See for yourself” He stated walking off.

Pushing through the crowd I stopped, seeing what they were looking at. A single Pegasus posting a single red line over the poster’s which read “canceled” in bright red letters.

“Hey buddy” I called to the yellow Pegasus who was wiping the sweat from his brow, his red eyes meeting mine before flying over.

“Can I help you?” he asked.

“Yeah. Any idea why they canceled the show?”

  “Apparently the guitar player just suddenly disappeared, other than that I don’t know what to tell you.” he said running a hoof through his red and orange hair. “Actually the band’s manger is going to speak publicly about it if you want to head over to the train station.”

“Really?”

“Blaze, are you done hanging those banners yet?” A voice called out.

“Yeah!” the yellow Pegasus called out “Sorry, buddy have to bring in the bits somehow, I wish I had more to tell you.”

“It’s alright.” I called back as the Pegasus few back to the task at hand hanging another banner over the last of the posters.

I stood there for another few moments listening to the bickering of the surrounding ponies still watching on as the Pegasus finished his work, some complaining while others just stood looking  on, an irritated on each of their faces. Slowly I turned and began heading towards the train station getting lost once or twice in the unfamiliar town before finally catching the smoke from the train’s engines in the distance.

I stopped straightening the hat atop my head to make sure my horn was well hidden underneath, pushing my glasses up ever so slightly to hide my blue eyes. As long as Joy or the others didn’t look directly at me, I was just another onlooker.

“Hey.” I heard an oddly familiar voice call out making me turn to see a white unicorn running towards me vigorously; Vinyl. She continued running at me full speed before skidding to a halt right before reaching me kicking up a considerable amount of dirt in her wake.

“I was hoping I’d find you.” She said nearly out of breath. “What are you doing here?”

“The band canceled the show”

“Really?” she said in disbelief, her brows rising over her sunglasses with surprise.

“Charger is going to address the masses at the train station. I figure I’ll get to hear what they think happened before they leave.” I stated turning back towards the train station with Vinyl walking beside me matching my speed, the two of us falling silent as we walked.

“So do you have any idea on how you’re going to confront Joy?” Vinyl suddenly asked.

“No idea”

“Are you just going to let them leave and not say anything to them? I mean, you two were together ever since the band was made. Are you really going to leave it how it is without knowing?”

I let out a heavy sigh letting Vinyl question sit for a moment before looking up towards Celestias sun hoping to find some sort of answer within its rays. In all honesty, I just wanted the whole thing to be over, but I couldn’t just say that.

“Attention Everypony!” A thunderous voice called out from the lobby speakers matching that of Charger’s only slightly more electronic thanks to the low quality set up the station had. “I am prepared to make a statement for Solvalla during this time of confusion.”

I was thankful for this interruption. Not having to answer Vinyl right away took a load off my shoulders allowing me the time to relax as her attention shifted towards the stand where Charger stood, Steady Beat and Joyful Noise standing just behind him looking out towards the large congregation of ponies standing behind red vinyl ropes just inches away from the podium, the two of them standing unusually closer than normal.

“Due to Perfect Pitch’s sudden disappearance, the band has officially decided to cancel the rest of the scheduled tour until further notice.”

A large groan escaped the mouth of many of the ponies making Charger hold up a hoof to try and calm them, but it did little if anything to soothe the mood.

Suddenly Joy stepped up to the microphone, and instantly the bustling crowd fell silent all eyes fell on her. Her eyes hung low, flustered and she refused to even look up to address the crowds. She went to speak but fell silent before letting out a small sigh.

“If anypony has seen Pitch or as any clue as to where he might be; please, I beg of you notify us immediately.” She closed her eyes as a single tear rolled down her cheek as Beat walked up and put a hoof around her bringing her into a hug as cameras all around began to flash. “I just want him back” she said before returning with Beat to the train car disappearing inside behind the tinted windows.

“Do you think she meant it?” Vinyl whispered.

I shook my head. “Joy was always able to bring up a good tear for the cameras, and to her I doubt the people are any different.”

“That heartless”- Vinyl fell short shaking her head with disgust. She stood there for another moment before turning her back all together to the train station. “C’mon Pitch, let’s go home”

I followed close behind turning back to glance at the station one last time, looking at the tinted windows to where I thought Joy might be. I swear, I could feel her looking back at me, unknowing of my presence. Beat was probably sitting next to her holding her in his hoofs, and kissing her head; just like I had done. I had to turn away, that life was no longer mine, Joy’s actions made all too clear that I was just her guitar player, and nothing more.

“Goodbye Joy” I said just low enough to where Vinyl couldn’t hear. Walking away I could still feel Joy’s gaze on me, even if I couldn’t see her, I knew it was there.

I looked to Vinyl who had been starring back at me, offering a kind smile as if to say “It’ll be fine.” I tried to smile back to the best of my ability, but I knew it was a little lacking compared to hers. For some reason, this felt right; Vinyl and me. For some reason, I wanted nothing more than to just walk beside her, enjoying her company, hearing her laugh, and her sweet voice. Whenever she spoke, the world just seemed to drift away, and whatever problems that were ailing me seemed to leave. Yeah, whoever this mare was dating, was a very lucky stallion.