//------------------------------// // 232. The Reflection of Faith - Part 2 // Story: Blaze the Pony Tale // by Wolven5 //------------------------------// A loud and frightening sound like an explosion, objects hurtled into walls, a baby crying. “DAD! SOMETHING’S ATTACKING THE HOUSE!” “WHAT HAPPENED TO THE WARDS?!” “WHAT’S GOING ON??!?” A horrifyingly familiar snarling hiss sounded throughout the entire house, as though magic were allowing it to reach out and be heard from every corner of the estate. “Who are you?!” “UrrrRRRAUUGHH!!!!” “LOOK OUT!!” “MIDNIGHT! TAKE YOUR BROTHER AND RUN!!” “MAMAAAAA!!” “Sh-sh-sh-shh! It’s okay, big brother’s got ya...” “IGNITUS!!” A loud and eerie whistling sound, a cry that was suddenly cut short, and the sound of a body hitting the floor. “FAERIE TAAAAAAAIIILLLLL!!! AAAAAAUUUUGHHGH!!!!” “MOM?! DAD!!!” Carrying his brother in his wings, holding him close to his chest, Midnight ran downstairs and saw the devastation. The living room was a disaster’s area, furniture torn apart, scorch marks from hexes, broken glass everywhere, and in the middle Ignitus held his wife, begging her to open her eyes, telling her to wake up, his horn flaring as he tried in vain to undo whatever eldritch evil had robbed her of her awareness. Twinken’s terrified crying echoed, intermingled with a mocking laughter Midnight had heard before. From his best friend’s killer… …’re almost there. Daddy, wake up!” “Huh…?” Midnight felt little hooves pressing at his side, “Penny…?” “Daddy, are you okay?” Penny looked at her father in worry, “You took a nap after a while and then sounded like you were having a bad dream!” “I-I’m fine, baby, it’s… just a dream,” Midnight sat up and stretched out the kinks that came from sleeping while sitting in coach during air travel. A soft ding and then a voice announced, “The captain has turned on the seatbelt sign. Please remain seated until the airship has come to a complete stop.” “I love seeing Canterlot from so high, Daddy,” Penny peered over the safety rail from her seat, struggling a little against her seatbelt, while Midnight placed a hoof protectively on her shoulder. “So do I, baby girl,” Midnight chuckled as their airship made for the New Heights Avionics airfield for traveling airships. As father and daughter walked through the glamorous streets of the City of Unicorns, Midnight reflected some more. How after Shining Armor married Princess Cadance, they became the new rulers of the Crystal Empire after its return, which prompted midnight’s father Ignitus to come out of retirement and resume his old rank and title as Captain of the Royal Guard. Their forefather, Sombra, was freed of the evil that had driven him mad long ago, and happily reunited and later married to Princess Celestia. After meeting his many-times great grandfather, the unicorn out of his time mentored Midnight in the Art of Nocturnia, which was actually a magic Sombra and Luna created together thousands of years ago. Under his mentor’s tutelage, Midnight’s new magical powers flourished. Luna had offered him her sponsorship to go and train under the Lunobi Warriors of the Shetland Isles but he kindly turned her down, choosing to focus on his family. Noting a city clock, Midnight knew his parents would still be working so there was no point stopping by the family manor. As they made their way to the castle, Midnight and Penny were met by Fancy Pants, his wife, Fleur, and their own daughter, a unicorn filly named Corsage, who was just a little older than Penny herself. While Corsage gave Penny mane-grooming tips, Midnight took a minute or two to shoot the breeze with a couple old friends before they moved on. Arriving at the castle gates, Midnight approached one of the guards keeping watch and said, “Please inform the Captain of the Royal Guard that his son and granddaughter are here for a visit.” “At once, Sir Midnight,” the guard saluted and gestured him to go ahead inside. “I always love seeing the castle,” Penny marveled at the grand architecture that was Canterlot Castle, amazed at the dizzying heights of ceiling above them as they entered the entry hall. “Do you think we could also see Gramma Tia and Grampa Sombra?” “I don’t see why not,” Midnight chuckled as he recalled the first time Penny called the Princess of the Sun her grandmother. Technically, Celestia was their step-several times great grandmother, but she happily embraced the little filly after she’d asked if she could call the princess that. Had it been me, I think I might have been sent to the moon, Midnight thought to himself with a chuckle. “This way, Sir,” the guard led them to a cozy lounge and said, “I will personally inform your father of your arrival, Sir. Is there anything you would like while you wait?” “Hmm, Penny?” Midnight looked at his little filly, “What about you? Would you like anything?” Penny thought a moment before her green eyes pit up with excitement, “Strawberry Shortcake and Apple cider please!” The guard chuckled and smiled warmly at Penny, “Sure thing, little cutie, and you, Sir?” “Mmm, a colt cola with ice,” Midnight shrugged before remembering, “Oh! And have someone inform my mother, the Madame Librarian, that we’re here as well?” “At once, Sir,” the guard saluted before leaving the father and daughter to relax. Midnight collapsed with a relieved sigh onto one of the big soft sofas while Penny sat at the coffee table and opened her saddle bags to bring out her notepad and colored pencils. Looking around, she noticed an antique vase filled with a nice flower arrangement of primroses, zigzag larkspurs, and poppies. She gave the flowers a deep and careful look, letting the details and colors sink into her mind before she concentrated and her horn lit up a soft spring-green aura and levitated the appropriate colored pencils. This was an exercise in telekinetic control her parents encouraged, in order to improve her control and execution of her magic through the application of her telekinesis, maintaining a steady flow of control over multiple objects and applying them as needed in the pursuit of making art. Midnight watched enthralled, by his daughter and her drive for improvement as she very slowly and very carefully attempted to draw her subject onto her notebook paper with the colored pencils, multi-tasking in outlining and detailing the work with shaky but patient application. She’d done this before several times but her first few attempts hadn’t worked out so well and she’d worn herself out or been far too sloppy when she hadn’t taken her time. How proud he was of her, so much like her mother yet he could see himself in this young filly too. As the minutes dragged on, and a servant had brought the refreshments, the colored pencil drawing was actually starting to come along nicely when the door to the lounge opened and Midnight looked to see his parents, Captain Ignitus Enflame and Madame Faerie Tail, the both of them smiling as Faerie Tail announced them, “Oh! Is that my sweet grandfilly artist I see?” Penny gasped, her telekinetic aura going out and her colored pencils dropping, as she smiled and cheered, “Gramma, Grampa!” She hurried over, the three of them coming together in a big hug as Ignitus said, “My goodness! Who is this giant?” Then with a funny growly voice, he narrowed his eyes while smirking at Penny, “What have you done with our granddaughter Penumbra?” Penny giggled, “Silly Grampa, I’m Penumbra! And I you know I prefer Penny!” “Oh I know, sweet one,” Ignitus picked up Penny in his hooves, giving her a cuddle as Faerie Tail smiled at them. “But you know your ol’ grampa is so set in his ways.” “Old? I don’t see anypony here old,” Midnight chuckled as he came over and gave his mother a hug, “Hi Mom, hi Dad!” “So good to see you, honey.” Faerie Tail hugged her son and kissed his cheek. “You’re looking well, son, and what’s that our talented little granddaughter was drawing?” Ignitus winked at his boy, who got the idea. Midnight looked to the table and levitated the notebook towards them all, Penny fidgeting a bit as she said, “It’s not that good, I know.” “Are you kidding, sweetie?!” Faerie Tail admired her grandfilly’s work with all the love and exuberance of a proud grandma. “I want to frame this beautiful piece of art and show it off to the princesses!” “Well, it’s not finished yet but if you really like it…” Penny smiled happily at her grandma, thankful for the encouragement. “Uh, sorry to interrupt, sweetie, but Daddy’s gotta talk to grandma real quick,” Midnight spoke up and gestured to his mother that he wanted to speak privately. “Come on, my dear little artiste,” Ignitus carried Penny and her drawing back to the table. “Let’s see you finish this wondrous piece!” Penny giggled and happily got back to it while Midnight and Faerie Tail stepped out into the hall, the middle-aged mare looking at her son with slight concern, “Dear, is something wrong?” “No, Mom, I…” Midnight rubbed the back of his neck, feeling a little silly but needing to get this off his chest. “Mom… have we ever lived out in the country?” “Beg pardon?” Faerie Tail didn’t understand. “Well, I… had this dream on the flight here from Ponyville,” Midnight explained the dream in detail, of their family living on some country estate, of a dark stranger breaking into the house, of Faerie Tail being struck by some curse and not waking up. “…and nothing Dad did could get you to so much as open your eyes, it… I’m sorry, Mom, I feel silly, I-” “Midnight, honey,” Faerie Tail reached up with her hoof and caressed her son’s cheek. “It was only a dream! Look at me, I’m just fine! Your dad’s fine, Twinken’s fine, everything couldn’t be better, as far as I’m concerned. “Besides, we’ve always lived in Canterlot, dear. I mean sure, you and Twilight opted for a more quiet life in Ponyville, but we don’t have some… country estate, and nothing like what you dreamed about ever happened in even the slightest way!” “…You’re right, Mom,” Midnight smiled a little sheepishly, “No matter how bad they seem, dreams can’t hurt ya.” “Exactly,” Faerie Tail and Midnight hugged warmly before they looked at each other again, and Faerie Tail suggested, “You know what? Why don’t we go out for dinner tonight? On your dad and me. I’ll watch Penny so that you can head over to the School for Gifted Unicorns, Twinken’s classes should be ending shortly.” “Alright, I’ll let him know about our dinner plans,” Midnight agreed before asking, “The Smoked Oat?” “Where else?” Faerie Tail and Midnight shared a warm and close chuckle, as she pulled him into another hug and gave him a motherly squeeze. “I love, you sweetie.” “Love you too, mom,” Midnight replied, happy and relieved to have that odd tension off his withers. Princess Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns, Twilight and Midnight’s alma mater, and now the provider of his younger brother Twinken’s education. At the fine age of ten, Twinken discovered his talent for magical healing when he’d wanted for an injured friend to feel better. His magic manifested a healing effect and his friend felt better in no time at all, and that was when Twinken earned his cutie-mark, a White Heart behind a Red Medical Cross surrounded by silver twinkle stars, and realized he wanted to help others feel better from their illnesses or injuries. Recognized to have promise, Twinken was quickly enrolled into the school by Princess Celestia’s personal recommendation and wasted no time in dedicating himself to his classes in biology, health, anything-involving medical care and how to treat illness and injury, as well as alchemy and magical application of healing arts. He was recognized for his dedication that he was even given an internship at Canterlot General Hospital. As the bell rang to excuse everypony to go home, Twinken made sure to jot down the homework assignment the teacher was reminding everypony was due next week over the chatter of everypony filing out of the lecture hall. Carefully stowing his papers into his saddlebags, he stepped out into the hall when… “Twinken?” He stopped and turned to see, “Professor Inkwell?” The elderly unicorn mare smiled at him as she approached and said, “Forgive me for keeping you, but I wanted to extend my congratulations.” “On what? I haven’t done any-” Twinken tried to say when Inkwell levitated an envelope with the school’s seal. He accepted it, undid the seal and read the form inside. His gaze widened in shock at what he was looking at before looking to the professor. “No way…!” “Yes way,” chuckled Professor Inkwell, “you have been selected by Doctor Bleeding Heart to apprentice under him in your pursuit of becoming a doctor!” “But, Professor, I- I-I’m just, well-” Twinken stuttered, honored and slightly overwhelmed, “There are plenty of other aspiring students who are just as qualified, it not even more-” “Ah-ah!” Professor Inkwell raised her hoof, “I can’t speak for Doctor Bleeding Heart’s decision, but if you want my opinion, young colt, you are a studious, talented, compassionate young soul who is going to help a lot of ponies. “But that’s only if you seize the opportunity, young wizard!” Seeing the fiery encouragement in the professor’s eyes, Twinken looked at the form again before bursting into a big smile and laughing, “Ah-ha! Alright, I’ll do it!” “Splendid, I’ll inform the good doctor myself as soon as possible,” Professor Inkwell beamed before remembering,” Oh, and so you know, your brother is waiting for you at the front office.” “Midnight’s here?” Twinken was surprised, seeing as his big brother lived as a humble merchant and magical inventor in Ponyville. “Good day, Twinken, you’re going places, my boy,” the professor carried on, and Twinken hurried over to the office. Arriving, he saw Midnight sitting down while reading a book, “Big bro?” The older unicorn looked up and smiled, “Hey there, little brother! Guess whose family is eating out tonight at the Smoked Oat?” “The Smoked Oat, are you serious?!” Twinken smiled, that was one of his favorite restaurants in all of Canterlot. “And a certain little filly is looking forward to seeing you,” midnight added, Twinken smiling even more. “C’mon, let’s head to the castle.” The family of House Obsidian laughed and talked and smiled at their favorite booth in a restaurant they’d gone to for so many years. Penny was so happy to see her Uncle Twinky (and he teasingly reminded her if she were anypony else’s niece he’d never let her call him that) and Twinken was so happy to share the good news that he’d been offered an apprenticeship under a prestigious doctor. Dinner as wonderful and delicious and warm and bright. Seeing his parents and brother and daughter like this, happy and safe, Midnight thought to himself, No bad dreams are ever gonna ruin this!