//------------------------------// // A brief blurb before settling in. // Story: Fox-Fyres at Midnight // by DarkParable //------------------------------// "So... What does THIS button do?" asked fox with all the nerve destroying, and patience killing voice of an overly inquisitive child who's asked the same question about twenty times in a row only to get the same answer. "Nothing you need to worry about, now sit still. I can't run these tests if you keep fidgeting." Three guesses who went as said that, frustrated beyond belief by the sheer... wriggliness of the little colt who's horn hadn't quit glowing since she'd first seen him. This of course had led to their current arrangement. Fox sat on a small platform hooked up to an ungodly amount of wires and scientific equipment. So much so, in fact, that the colt could scarcely be seen beneath it all. A fact that Twilight was either oblivious to or uncaring of. Her entire focus was on the read outs of her equipment and such. "Thamaturlogical essence levels are rather high for a colt his age, funnily enough I'd expect his illusion affinity from a filly. Oh well, no accounting for natural talents I suppose. Question is, why isn't he expending magic to conjure those... What did you call them again?" "Uhh, you mean the little fireballs? Well... Uncle Shady always called it fox fire. He thought it was funny." came the distracted reply of Fox as he busied himself toying with a few wires. A pass time that further served to frustrate the eggheaded mare who'd decided that he warranted close study... You know, despite being a colt who liked to roam about and wasn't exactly prone to sitting still for a long while. Not too bright some times is she? Or attentive really. She failed to notice Pinkie pulling a Pinkie and swapping out Fox for a turnip. You'd think that would have tripped a few warning bells or something, but nope. The only bell that went off was the bell over the front door of Golden Oaks Library as Pinkie and Fox slipped out into the bright sunshine, laughing and plotting pranks for everypony. Meanwhile, Rarity was flipping shi- Oh... Manners required when speaking of her not-so-royal marshmallow-ness. Having a moment would be the proper term. It had been her life long (at least since she got her cutie mark and started making things FABULOUS!) to open up shop in Canterlot some day. As such she'd kept abreast with all the important events of the capitol city. One such event had nearly made her sick upon hearing it. The death of two of the most well known jewelry makers, two ponies whom she'd admired for their ability to create beautiful works of art for others to wear, at the hooves of their own colt had horrified her. She'd put it so far out of mind that it wasn't until she'd gotten home today that it had come flooding back to her along with the description and name of the killer colt... The same colt whom Derpy had brought to Ponyville. This was most definitely the WORST. POSSIBLE. THING! Though it would always take second place to a bad mane day. In fact it was so bad that Rarity couldn't bring herself to do much save run in circles muttering about murder most foul and demonic colts and what have you... Few sandwiches shy of a picnic basket if you ask me. Back to Fox and Pinkie... Out in the market square there was a fellow who often sold cabbages. No pony ever bought his wares much, but those who did swore by the deliciousness of his cabbage. Well, he was just about to loose one valued customer. Nopony ever told Pinkie that a "head" of cabbage was not meant to be taken literally... Or be pink either. It was no surprise then that she asked Fox to magic it up so that every cabbage spontaneously became the spitting image of her smiling laughing head. A quick illusion later and the peace of a slow market day was rent with a cry of... "AH! MY CABBAGES!"