Blaze the Pony Tale

by Wolven5


262. Castle Sweet Castle - Part 2

After dropping Twinken off at school, the prince, the princess, and their number one assistant Spike made their way to Ponyville Spa, where Aloe and Lotus were all too happy to serve them.

"Right zis way, Your Majesties," Lotus led them into the beauty parlor section of the spa where they handled work on ponies' manes and she kindly directed them to each sit in a chair.
"Are you interested in a new look? We have a great selection in our brochure!"

Aloe offered said brochure, only for Spike to nab it and give it a look, "Hmm, say Twilight, this super deluxe blowout sounds just right for you!"

Twilight giggled at Spike's enthusiasm, "Well, why not? My mane really needs some cleaning up, and if I don't like how it turns out I'll just go to my regular style."

"Nothing for me, thank you," Midnight took a seat but then noticed something in a nearby mirror, "although... Huh, I'm not sure whether I wanna keep these sideburns growing in... or get rid of them."

"And if you don't mind, ladies," Spike made himself comfortable as well and flexed his claws, "clawicure, please! And I recommend you use your strongest file."

The sisters were a tad annoyed by Spike but got to work. In no time at all, Spike's claws were field to his satisfaction while Twilight continued getting her mane done, and Midnight just sat by, reading a novel he'd summoned from his pocket dimension.

"Welp! I think I'm gonna head back to the castle and see how things are going," Spike declared as he made his way out of the parlor.

"If my mother is exerting herself, warn her off," Midnight called to the little dragon without raising his eyes from his book.

"No promises!"

Not long after Spike left, Aloe said, "Alright zhen, Your Highness, please step zis way."

Midnight looked to see Twilight sitting down at a parlor hair drying chair where Aloe carefully positioned the drying cap over Twilight's head, making sure her horn fit through the slot which was built-in for unicorns.

"Now, please just hold still and relax," Aloe instructed, "ze blowout should take about fifteen minutes."

"Thank you, Aloe," Twilight settled and honestly enjoyed the warm drying of her mane which she expressed with a deep sigh.

"Enjoying yourself?" asked Midnight.

"I am, actually," replied Twilight, "enjoying your book?"

"Immensely so, but..." Midnight placed in a bookmark before making the novel vanish back to his pocket dimension as he went over to stand by Twilight as she waited for her blowout to finish.
"Is there anything else bothering you or something you want to talk about?"

"Well, I suppose we could discuss our wedding plans," Twilight suggested, "We still haven't agreed when we should have it, or where, and so many other things. All we've agreed on is Sombra leading the ceremony, Shining Armor and Cadance being your best stallion and my mare of honor, obviously our friends will be your groom stallions and my bridesmares and... I'm just not sure what else."

"Hmm, well you know, this year's Grand Galloping Gala isn't far off," Midnight brought up, "I'm not saying I think we should get married during the Gala, but... do you... want to have our wedding in Canterlot? Like Shining Armor and Cadance did?"

"...No, I don't think so," Twilight had considered it before but somehow even the city of their birth didn't feel like the right place to begin their marriage. "I honestly think the wedding should be here, in Ponyville. It's our home and while it's not so grand or spectacular as Canterlot or the other cities in Equestria, it's all kinds of special in its own unique way."

"I agree," Midnight smiled at Twilight in the mirror, "and honestly, I don't want the media or some stuffy nobles making such a big deal out of our special day. Here, it'll have a little more privacy from the rest of Equestria, and all our family and friends will attend. Well, almost all of our family..."

Seeing Midnight look a little down, Twilight reached out to touch his shoulder with her hoof while keeping her mane in place, "You miss your father, don't you?"

Sighing, Midnight admitted, "I do, but... To tell you the truth, Twily... a part of me resents him! He just left! I needed him, Twinken needed him, but he just left to find Catrina to undo her curse on my mother and now she's awake and... Well, I still want him back, if only for my mother and brother's sakes."

"I remember my honorary uncle Iggy," Twilight giggled, recalling the slightly-embarrassed look on Ignitus's face whenever she called him that when she was a filly.
"He was very kind but... also kind of hard to understand, he was so..."

"Stoic," Midnight finished for her. "Stone-faced, distant, hard to read and even harder to please. I don't even know if he's still alive, Twilight..."

"Did you ever trying finding him?"

"So many times. I made several trips and expeditions outside of Equestria before my past self came along, after which I had to keep an eye on my self to make sure everything went as they did when I experienced everything as my past self did. I had agents and allies helping me in those searches, but... We just never found any promising leads. All that we could dig up were rumors, vague clues, but they all turned up nothing to do with my father. Really, Twilight... It's like Ignitus Enflame just dropped off the face of the earth."

Seeing her beau depressed, Twilight felt like her own source of depression was minor, but before she could say anything to him she saw a certain dragon appear in the mirror.
"Spike, you're back!"

Then Lotus came over to carefully lift the mane-drying cap up as Twilight asked, "How do I look?"

There was a brief puff of steam that concealed it before it quickly cleared to reveal Twilight's mane had a new look, which earned her a speechless look from Midnight and Spike, the latter of whom answered first, "Great!"

"Words fail me..." Midnight finally got out.

Twilight looked herself in the mirror and took a moment before she decided, "Yeah... It's nice but, it just isn't me. But anyways, Spike! How's the castle looking?"

"...Great," answered Spike with a forced smile and Midnight knew he was fibbing.

"Actually, Twi..." Midnight barred her way, "let's stick around, I'm... starting to feel a little tension in my back."

"Great idea, Midnight!" Spike discretely mouthed 'thank you' to the sapphire alicorn before saying to Twilight while grabbing the spa brochure, "Why don't we all have a massage? I was really hoping to get, uh... this thingy!"

They both looked at the random page Spike was pointing to, Twilight reading aloud, "The extra strength hot stone deep tissue massage?"

Spike gave the page a closer look and realized he might have made a mistake but gulped, "Yep."

"I think Twily and I will settle for a more traditional massage," Midnight decided before giving Spike a look of amused pity, "but whatever floats your cloud."

"Did somepony order massages?" asked Aloe from the doorway-

*CRASH*

"YEAH!!" Bulk Biceps appeared, having burst through the wall, wearing a masseuse's outfit as he leapt over behind Spike, "LET'S DO THIS, LITTLE DRAGON!!"

Then, which everypony found slightly disturbing, Bulk flexed his pecs, trapping Spike between the mounds of muscle, before he took Spike away for the extra strength hot stone deep tissue massage he had unfortunately asked for, crashing another hole through the wall.

"Oh, I hate it when he does zhat," Aloe sighed before clearing her throat, "Come with me, Your Majesties."

Following Aloe, Midnight brought up, "I had no idea Bulk Biceps worked here at the spa!"

"Oh Bulk is only a part-timer," Aloe clarified, "ze poor dear works several part-time jobs to take care of his colt, Feazherweight, and pay his bills. He's a hard worker, if not a tad overenzusiastic."

"It must be so difficult, being a single parent," said Twilight, "I wonder why Featherweight's mother isn't around."

"I've asked Bulk before," Midnight responded, "but the look on his face made it very clear it's a very sensitive subject for the big guy. But Twinken's told me Featherweight's a happy young colt in school."

"Speaking of the school," Twilight said as they entered the massage room and they both lied down on the massage tables, "did you see the state of the playground at the schoolhouse?"

"Totally wrecked, oh, uh... a little higher," Midnight kept talking but also took note of his masseuse's progress, "It must have been during that crisis with Tirek. Mmh, Cheerilee's students aren't gonna have as much fun during recess until something's done about that playground."

"Maybe we could do something about it, ooh! Yeah, right there..." Twilight had to admit, this was a good idea, "Maybe we could put in a word at town hall with Mayor Mare about it, or even have some kind of charity drive."

"I'm sure the town's funds can cover it," Midnight shuddered and sighed with ecstasy as a pinched knot in his lower back was undone, the pain it had been causing him fading away.
"By law, all foal schools get special funds to insure the proper development of the colts and fillies, both educational and physical. A playground is ideal for exercise during their recesses, so then-"

Then, from out the door leading to the hall they'd come from, they heard a muted crack, followed by a disturbingly quiet cry of agony coming from a certain young dragon, and then a very familiar 'YEAH'.

They gave each other a look before they shrugged, Midnight saying, "Ah, I'm sure he's fine..."

Later, the three of them were walking away from the spa, Twilight sighing, "Great suggestion, boys."

"Eeyup, I am feeling loosey-goosey, what about you, Spike?" Midnight asked as they looked back to see Spike walking funny, sharply muttering 'Ow' with every step.
"Eh... why don't we have a word with the mayor about the school playground? The sooner it gets done, the sooner the students will be happy."

"Good idea, hop on, Spike," Twilight offered, but Spike registered the word 'sooner' and he seemed to look towards the sun.

It was the afternoon, which caused Spike to bend his back a certain way, making an audible crack - "Ow!" - before he said, "How... can I not enjoy this nice day with a walk? Heh-heh, uh, after all, walking is good for post-massage circulation."

"Really? I've never heard that theory," commented Twilight, only to feel Midnight rump-bump her with a flirty smirk.

"Come on," he chuckled, "I'm sure the mayor will be happy to discuss a new playground for the school."

Making their way towards town hall, however, they passed by a very familiar place. Or at least it used to be. Without a word to each other, the three of them approached the remains of what used to be the Golden Oak Library, Twilight and Spike's home in Ponyville.

"I really miss this place, boys..." Twilight gazed sadly upon the remains of what had been a very special place for all three of them.

"I can't even count all the memories we made here," agreed Midnight, his ears lowering.

"We sure made a lot of memories, didn't we...?" Spike began to tear up.

"Oh Spike, I'm so sorry! Of course losing the Golden Oak Library was hard on you too," Twilight comforted her number one assistant, holding him close, and feeling the warmth of Midnight's wings as he hugged them altogether.
"I've got an idea!"

Midnight stepped back as they broke the hug and Twilight said to Spike, "Why don't we add some things to the castle to make it feel more like home to you as well?"

"Really? that sounds great, but..." Spike looked to the sun and it was still a ways from sunset, "we still have to see the mayor, don't we?"

"Oh you're right! Why don't we see the mayor first, and then we'll do a little shopping for something you'd like in the castle. Hop on!" Twilight let Spike get on her back and began to walk away only to not feel Midnight at her side, and she looked back to see him still gazing at the library remains.
"Midnight? Are you coming?"

"...Yeah, uh, you go on ahead," Midnight waved her on with his wing but still kept his eyes on the library remains, "I'll catch up."

"Well, okay..." Twilight and Spike continued on to town hall, leaving Midnight to furrow his brows at the library tree's ruins.

He stepped forward, entering the remains, seeing the ashes and burnt pieces of books and their pages here and there, a depressing sight indeed. The sapphire alicorn could recall from his prior life the first party he attended here in the library, when Twilight and Spike had come to oversee preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration. He chuckled a bit at how Twilight accidentally ate a cupcake with hot sauce, along with all the events, that led up to that party, starting from when he first saw Twilight arrive via pegasus-drawn chariot.

They were both still unicorns at the time, but Midnight as his current self had been there too. He'd watched his Twilight arrive and he'd watched his past self approach her, introduce himself and offer to assist Twilight and Spike that day. A part of him had actually been jealous of his past self at that time, but he had adhered to his duties and diligently watched from afar, making sure everything would proceed as it was meant to. He'd done things he wasn't proud of, such as forcing the Alicorn Amulet on Trixie, hypnotized his past self to bringing him a scroll with arcane knowledge he'd needed to restore the Spirit of Chaos, and leading his past self to unleashing his monstrous alter-ego, Midnight Terror. Many times he'd been unable to sleep at night.

But finally it ended when he'd watched his past self experiment with time magic, only to be sent over a thousand years into the past and journey through time to get home. Sunset Shimmer had delayed that journey by killing him but Celestia had been there to insure he would be reborn.

He could recall the many times he'd worried of how things could go so terribly wrong, the many times he'd been afraid to step outside for risk of losing his life before everything was in place. But it was the dream of being with his Twilight again, his family and friends again, that had spurred him to keep moving forward. But most of all, it had been that vision that had been his one true hope that carried him however bad things seemed to get.

Of himself and his Twilight, married, with a beautiful filly as their daughter and Twilight adorably fat with their second foal.

Golden Oak Library might be gone, Twilight... Midnight thought as he cast a spell. He carefully searched and probed... until he felt it! He stepped over to where his spell had detected what he was searching for and dug a little... until he saw what he had hoped to find and lifted it up to his smiling face as he whispered, "But it will never be forgotten."

The talk with the mayor went very well and she was happy to arrange for a new playground to be constructed for the foals at the schoolhouse, and as the three of them left town hall, Twilight asked, "So, Spike, have you thought of anything you'd like to make you feel more at home in the castle?"

Spike did, as a matter of fact and replied, "Actually yes, since there's so many rooms in the castle, I want one of my own! So, one of the first things I'll need is a bed!"

"I thought you said you sleep like a baby in the castle," Twilight raised a brow.

"Oh let's get him a bed, any maybe a few other things to put in his new room," chuckled Midnight, causing Spike to smile in delight. "Everypony needs their own little space, and Spike, you most certainly deserve it."

"Thanks, Midnight!" Spike glanced at the sun and was relieved to see it was just beginning to set but better safe than sorry, "C'mon! I think Mr. Davenport is holding a special on beds over at his store!"

"But doesn't he only sell quills and sofas?" asked Twilight as they followed after Spike.

"He probably decided to expand his inventory," Midnight shrugged.

Back in the castle, things were actually going well, despite a rough start. As she'd promised, Faerie Tail didn't lift a hoof to help and instead coordinated the decorative process. After telling everypony to remove the things they'd brought to decorate the castle, she'd assigned them into groups and specific rooms to decorate (although she was getting annoyed by Pinkie Pie and Cheese Sandwich's hidden confetti cannons continuously making a mess but they swore they'd forgotten where they'd hidden the darn things!)

"My, my, Rarity!" Faerie Tail and Rarity admired the dining room, which she'd assigned to the fashionista, "The dining room looks so posh I'm certain the Canterlot Elite would think it a private table in a high-end restaurant!"

"Oh you are too kind, Faerie Tail," Rarity tittered at the compliment, "and how goes everypony else's work?"

"Well, Applejack gave the kitchen, what the more likable nobles would call, a... charmingly rustic touch," Faerie Tail looked at a checklist she was carrying with her soft yellow magic, "Rainbow Dash added some Daring Do posters to the library although Blueblood did a fine job straightening things out, Soarin and Thunderlane did an excellent cleaning job in the main hallways and windows, Big Mac planted some flowers and even a few young trees outside by the entrance, Fluttershy placed some stuffed animals in the bedrooms, and Pinkie and Cheese..."

"I know, darling, they take a little getting used to," Rarity understood and they shared a giggle as everypony met up in the map room.

"Well done, everyone. The castle is looking better and I'm certain Midnight and Twilight will deeply appreciate it," Faerie Tail congratulated them, but then she noticed some odd looks coming from them all.
"Is... something wrong?"

"Oh it ain't no big deal, Faerie Tail, it's jus'..." Applejack gave it a thought, "We wan' Twi and Midnight and Spike t' feel right at home here in their new castle, but..."

"We've done so much and yet it feels like something is missing!" Fluttershy added.
"Eeyup," nodded Mac.

"Something to remind them of the Golden Oak Library but doesn't make them sad sounds ideal," proposed Blueblood.

"But what? The place was blown to smithereens!" Thunderlane reminded them all.

"Well, despite what happened to it, Thunderlane, the library was a place of so many memories for us," Fluttershy pointed out.

"Ooh! Ooh, like that time I crashed into all those books attempting my Sonic Rainboom after you guys had all just cleaned up," Rainbow Dash brought up with a chuckle and sigh, "That was good times."

"Yeah, fer you, maybe," Applejack gave Rainbow a look.

"Oh, and Applejack," Rarity looked to her rustic friend, "remember when we were stuck having a sleepover there? It turned out to be so much fun!"

"I can remember this time I visited the library to speak with Spike," Blueblood remembered, "and we came to an understanding that helped us become friends and ensure the friendship the two of you shared was not soured, my dear."

"I spent a lot of time there with Twilight as she helped me study for my weather courses," Soarin looked fondly back on those times with his study buddy. "If she hadn't tutored me and quizzed me so hard, I'm not sure if I'd have gotten my degree!"

"Well, it sounds like all of you made such good memories at the Golden Oak Library, everypony," Faerie Tail noted to them all with a warm smile.

"Eeyup, an' Ah think tha's wha' made it feel like home," Big Mac replied, a chorus of bittersweet agreements surrounding him.

Then Applejack was struck with inspiration, "That's it!!"

Over at Mr. Davenport's store, Midnight, Twilight, and Spike found the salespony had indeed expanded his inventory to all kinds of furniture, especially the special sale he was having on beds today. They'd been there for quite some time as Spike sought the right bed for his new room.

"How's that one, too soft?"
"Too hard?"
"Too lumpy...?"

"His head's gonna be too lumpy at some point..." Midnight muttered under his breath to Twilight, causing her to shush him even though her own patience was wearing thin as well.

"Ummm..." Spike laid on a bed he was testing but peered out the window and sighed inward with relief to see it was almost sunset. "Just right! I'll take it."

"Oh, thank goodness," sighed Twilight, "I thought you'd never find one you'd like!"

"Let's find a salespony and make tracks outta here," suggested Midnight, Mr. Davenport sliding up behind them with a smile eager to sell something.

"Sounds good to meeee...uh..." Spike noticed a certain bunch of ponies walking by carrying shovels, and Rainbow and Soarin saw him and made gestures for him to keep stalling before they flew off.
"Ih- Do you hear that?!"

He leaned onto one side of the bed and pressed against it, making squeaky sounds as though there was something wrong with it and hopped off, "Too squeaky. Better keep looking."

Twilight had to use a wing to bar Midnight from attempting to strangle the little dragon with a growl of frustration that revealed his fangs.


After several more negatives and equally infuriating reasons as to why they didn't meet Spike's standards, they finally settled on a bed that was perfect for Spike and made their way back.

Entering the castle, Twilight called, "We're home!"

"Welcome home!" everypony cheered as they gathered around the returning alicorns and dragon, Faerie Tail bringing up the rear.

"I hope you all had a nice day out, because I'm certain you'll like what your friends have done for you. Follow me."

Following Faerie Tail with their friends behind them, Twilight, Midnight, and Spike looked at the hallway that led to the entrance hall.
"Now, I know it doesn't look any different from before, but the halls are not the focus of decorating, aside from some cleaning. You can thank Soarin and Thunderlane for that.

"Some of the rooms have been taken care of by everypony, but it's what your friends have done in the map room, that you need to see."

"Is there something wrong with the map?" Twilight began to worry, as Applejack took off her hat and held it to her heart.

"Wha' really makes home feel like home isn't whaddit looks like. It's th' mem'ries y'make when yer there."

"So we made something that celebrates the memories you've made since you all came here to Ponyville," Rarity added.

Rainbow Dash and Thunderlane opened the doors as everypony walked in, Twilight and Midnight in front. at first, they didn't notice anything... until the looked up!

Hanging from the ceiling above the map and thrones was a vast trunk of roots, and from each root hung a string of crystals colored the same as the coats of their circles of friends, Fluttershy flying up to them as she explained, "The ornaments hanging from the chandelier are reminders of all the fun we've had together."

"That one shows your party at the Golden Oak Library welcoming you to Ponyville!"
"The time we shared doughnuts after the Grand Galloping Gala."
"Here it shows when we all went to the Rainbow Falls Trader Exchange."
"And this one! Back when you helped us train for Tornado Day!"

"We were hoping that being able to look at your beautiful old memories would inspire you to make new ones," explained Rarity.
"An' th' best part of it is, it's made from th' roots o' th' Golden Oak Library," Applejack pointed out, "So you'll never ferget where you came from ,Twi."

The two alicorns took a few steps forward, their eyes glued to the chandelier above, as everypony froze up with a little suspense... until Twilight and Midnight shared a warm and deeply touched look and then to their friends as Twilight said with a tearful smile, "It's exactly what the castle needed!"

They hurried over to have a big group hug, which they held for a tender warm moment before Midnight said, "And I think we're all ready to make new memories here. Starting with this one."

He stepped back and looked to his Twilight, "I have something for you, Twily, I got it after we stopped by the library remnants earlier today."

He lifted his hoof up for them all to see... a seed!

At first, the others didn't understand but Twilight did as her eyes widened with realization, "Midnight! Is that...?"

"Sometimes what's left behind can grow into something even more special than it was before," Midnight answered, coming over to place the seed in Twilight's hoof, "with a little help."

Tearing up, Twilight clutched the seed to her heart before she threw her hooves around Midnight and tenderly said, "I love you...!"

Smiling as he held his Twilight in his hooves and wings, Midnight returned the hug before he gave Twilight a soft kiss on the lips and said to her, "I love you too."

"Awwwww!!"

"Let's celebrate!" Pinkie zipped away and quickly returned, carrying on her back, "With the Seven-Layer What's-That-Flavor Mystery Surprise Cake!"

Cheese went over and pointed the second bottom layer, "These might be chocolate chips or they might be super spicy black beans!"

"That looks deliciou- Urgh!" Spike hurked before belching up a scroll, which Midnight took in his magic to read.

"A letter from Princess Celestia?" Twilight wondered and then began to worry when she saw the look on Midnight's face. "Midnight, what's wrong?"

"I have to go, something's happened," Midnight rolled up the scroll, everypony murmuring as Twilight came over.

"What did it say??" she looked up at him, not liking the vibe she was getting.

He reached up to cradle her cheek in his hoof before saying, "Everything will be alright. Stay with our friends, I'll be back by morning."

Then he stepped back and disappeared in a powerful Teleport!