Story 264: "Silver Cornet" by Bonetree

[wendelah1]

Is anyone in The X-Files fandom still reading this journal? If not, it's my own fault. I can't believe I let three months go by without posting a new story. (This is why having a co-mod would be helpful. Any volunteers?)

True confession: I never thought I would be saying this but my enthusiasm for the series has flagged following the huge letdown of season ten. I finished my season seven re-watch back in February (around the time I posted "Parabiosis," in fact) and I still haven't cracked open the brand new Blu-ray case for season eight. Well, I'm done wallowing in misery. Yes, season ten was even worse than I'd anticipated, but that doesn't negate what I loved about the original series. And, it certainly doesn't cancel out the great fanfiction. If anything, we need fic more than ever. (Is anyone working on an AU for season ten? Because we need one and we need it TODAY.)

Since most of what's sitting in the nomination queue is novel length, I decided to pick something from the Ten Greatest Fanfictions post. I chose "Silver Cornet" for two reasons: (1.) We haven't discussed much of anything by Bonetree, which is a huge oversight, and (2.) I've never read "Silver Cornet."

Silver Cornet (22641 words) by Bonetree
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: The X-Files
Rating: Mature
Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence
Relationships: Fox Mulder/Dana Scully

SUMMARY: Set just after "Je Souhaite," Mulder and Scully take a ride on a mysterious train that's carrying more secrets than either can imagine.

The link is to AO3 so if you like the fic, you can hit the kudos button, even if you don't come back and leave a comment here. However, I'd love to know what you think of "Silver Cornet." Heck, now that there's a little bit of distance, I'd love to hear your thoughts on season ten. Don't forget to leave your suggestions for next time.

EDIT: The versions at AO3 and Gossamer are missing chapter four. Thanks to the sharp eyes and fic-finding skills of drodrey, we have a complete version via the Internet Archive.

Read the complete Silver Cornet via the Wayback Machine.

Comments

[wendelah1]

I like that quote, too. I didn't pick up on who "Blue" was until Scully opened his trumpet case. Shame on me--I'm a Christian and I've studied Revelations, though not in depth. Obviously.

New member drodrey alerted me that both the versions at AO3 and Gossamer are missing chapter/day four. The story makes better sense read intact, especially since the missing chapter makes clear who Kever is and how Mulder got into such a bad way by chapter five. I have edited my post to include a link to the original from Bonetree's website, found by drodrey.

[discordantwords.livejournal.com]

Ah! I knew there had to be a missing chapter or scene or something. I've always loved this story, and there seemed to be a really jarring jump in scenes on this recent reread, although it had been too long since I'd originally read it for me to say exactly what I felt was missing.

It makes a lot more sense with that section added back in.

[keslei]

I was a little confused by that jump, but didn't realize there was actually a whole day missing. Nice catch; that was a pretty crucial missing part, and it definitely ups the creepy factor with Kever.

As for figuring out who Blue was, I read this fic right after watching the Lucifer season finale, so I think my brain was predisposed to assume angels and demons :)