The Dream Realm never ceased to amaze the little colt, but tonight, Twinken had asked Luna if they could talk rather than dive into more dream-walking instruction. Setting into a dreamscape formed by Twinken into the likeness of Auntie Spice's Pepper Pony's pizza parlor, the student willed a pizza pie to appear on the table he shared with his teacher and said, "Ever try pizza before, Princess Luna?"
"I have noticed this pizza dish as of late," Luna admitted, eyeing the pie as pizza cutters slit it into eight perfect slices, "but never took the time to try one. Though, I should tell you we're not eating a real pizza and whatever I taste will be based on how you remember what pizza is supposed to taste like."
"Heh, well, I usually have Auntie Spice's pizza at least once a week," Twinken assured as he took a slice and gave it a big bite, mmm'ing at the taste but the more he chewed the more he noticed the taste wasn't quite as delicious as the real deal.
"Huh... Y'know, it... it tastes like her pizza but it..."
"It's not the same," Luna smiled understandably, "not surprising. It's easier to remember what we see, hear, feel, or even smell. But taste can sometimes be the most elusive memory. Especially when you haven't had the food or drink you associate the taste with for a long while."
"Sorry, Princess," Twinken felt bad that his idea was a bit of a flop and willed the scenery to change into his favorite spot at Ponyville Park, "but the next time you're in Ponyville, I'll treat you to Pepper Pony's pizza!"
"I'll look forward to it. Now," Luna sat on a comfortable spot of grass, "what exactly did you want to discuss?"
"Um... this is a little awkward," Twinken rubbed the back of his head, "but... Now, I'm not trying to make this come out the wrong way, I- I just seem to have noticed I haven't really gained any new powers after you brought out my lunar pony heritage to unlock my own potential for dream-walking."
"Ah, I was wondering if you would bring this up," Luna nodded sagely as she willed the scenery to change into a starry night over the park, casting everything into a gentle glow.
"Twinken, I worked the change in you to bring out something that was already there. If the situation that led to that occurrence had not been so dire I doubt I'd have done it in the first place. I have made in you such a fundamental change to your very being not unlike that of how I did a more elaborate and admittedly somewhat controversial way to around fifty young colts and fillies, but unlike how it had been back then you already had the heritage of lunar magic buried deeply within yourself. As I said to you before, that part of your self would likely have never come to the surface, the chances being next to nil even in such a moment where you might have felt your life was in danger or you were in desperate need.
"My point is, I brought out the part of you that is a Lunar Pony but tweaked it so to make sure you would unlock the power of Dream-Walking. Under normal circumstances, that is to say if you had naturally unlocked your lunar pony heritage without outside help, it is likely the other natural strengths and abilities characteristic of lunar ponies would have become apparent within the first few hours, if not days or weeks."
"But... since you technically brought the lunar pony side of me out without it happening on its own...?" Twinken leaned forward.
"The lunar powers and everything else that makes a lunar pony will become apparent on their own at their own pace or not at all," Luna confirmed, "you might or might not gain new powers, you might or might not exhibit different traits or quirks, it's really a question of whether or not there is enough of what it is that makes you a lunar pony that will rise to the surface, my very young apprentice.
"I understand if this is not what you were hoping to hear, but I hope it answered your questions, child."
"It does, Princess Luna," Twinken replied with a light sigh, "I mean... Lately, I've been wondering about being your student, what I'm learning from you and what it's all about! Like... I get that you're teaching me to be a guardian of dreams, but is that it? I don't even have my cutie-mark yet, I don't know what I'm supposed to do, what kind of pony I'm gonna be when I get big, and- And I..."
"Hmm, you're asking yourself the big questions," Luna understood, "Who are you, and what do you want? Twinken, you are mistaken. Like countless colts and fillies and even stallions and mares before you, you believe that a cutie-mark will have all the answers you are looking for, but you fail to realize that the cutie-mark is not a solution but rather it is a point towards a direction. These marks that appear on our flanks do not define us but rather reflect a part of ourselves that only become apparent in those moments where we shine from within.
"Think of your friend, Troubleshoes, and how you and your friends helped him realize his cutie-mark was not a curse but a representation of that wonderful gift that helps him to make others laugh and as Pinkie Pie and Cheese Sandwich would agree there is no gift quite so special as to help others laugh. I should know, for I once embodied Laughter, back when my sister and I wielded the Elements of Harmony.
"But I digress. My dear apprentice, you are still young and have so much more to learn and experience as you grow, in body and mind. I am teaching you for something more than merely overseeing the dreams of our little ponies, but I need you to trust me, as your teacher, that I will teach you to the best of my abilities and prepare you as best I can for whatever your future may hold. Can you do that?"
Taking a moment to process the things Luna had just said to him, Twinken took a deep breath and nodded. But then he asked, "How did you and your sister get your cutie-marks?"
"That... is a long and very complicated story," Luna didn't like looking back on those events that led up to her and her sister receiving their marks of destiny, "but I'm afraid we're out of time."
"What do you-" Twinken tried to ask only for the dreamscape to blur and distort as he heard a distant voice.
"...time to get up, sweetheart!"
The sensations of the physical world became apparent to the young colt as he woke up, feeling the warmth of his quilt and pillow, and the hoof of his mother gently shaking him awake as the restful haze of slumber parted to make way for the intrusion that was self-awareness.
"Come on, dear, wake up," Faerie Tail said in that annoyingly chipper way a morning pony exhibits when welcoming a new day. "Granny Smith is already making pancakes with maple syrup and apple butter. You'll want some before you head off for school."
"Ughhh..." Twinken covered his head with his pillow, only for it to be enshrouded in his mother's mana, along with the curtains to her son's bedroom window opening to invite in the wicked light of daybreak to assault Twinken's eyelids.
"Come on, mister sour-puss," Faerie Tail teased as she moved to the door, "I expect you up and ready for breakfast shortly."
After Faerie Tail left, Twinken groaned as he sat up in bed and gave the curtains and annoyed glance, willing them to close, sparing him the glare of Celestia's sun.
"First off, I want to thank the both of you for meeting with us," Midnight said courteously as he stood in front of a drawing table angled upwards while he faced his guests, Blueblood standing to the side.
They were standing in the basement of Blueblood's warehouse, the door sealed and warded to prevent intrusion, eavesdropping, practically any chance they could have of unwanted guests barring unforeseen circumstances. Midnight and Blueblood had invited two ponies to consult with on a matter of personal importance, two earth ponies, both devoted to the studies and exploration of science.
"My friend and colleague here, Blueblood, and I have been brainstorming a theory for some new technology that we hope could revolutionize Equestria and improve technological innovation, perhaps inspire technicians, engineers, and even inventors to pursue their dreams and see their visions come to life. Which is why I have asked the two of you here, because I believe you both have something to contribute that could see this theoretical technology constructed, innovated, and made to serve our nation and perhaps even one day the whole world. Blueblood, would you like to take it from here?"
"Don't mind if I do," Blueblood stepped up, his mana enshrouding the tarp set over the drawing table, "Gentlecolts, as Midnight has just stated, this technology is currently only in the theoretical stage but that has not stopped us from hypothesizing its inner workings via diagrams and noting particulars to keep in mind. So please, see for yourselves."
The tarp fell away, revealing several diagrams, notes, scribblings, a few scratch marks, all detailing the technology that Midnight and Blueblood hoped to one day make real.
"Great whickering stallions!" Doctor Time Turner Whooves smiled like a colt left unattended in a candy store, "Is... is this some sort of plan to create a new engine?"
"I would say so!" Techorse looked on in captivated wonder, paying attention to the notes and little things as much as the bigger pictures, "but... based on what I'm seeing here, this engine doesn't use conventional fuel."
"Very astute, my friend," Midnight smiled as he stepped up to Techorse's side and pointed out the detail the green earth pony had brought up, "for this engine, we are looking for a type of fuel that has no adverse effects on the environment, like coal or oil. But the principle on how this engine will work was inspired by the steam engine."
"Unlike the steam engine however," Blueblood spoke up, "this engine will be powered by the force of what is essentially an electrical storm. Take note of the transparent dome you see in the diagrams; it is actually reinforced bonded crystal, a little something Midnight and I have invented while experimenting with the properties of the more commonplace crystals found in the Crystal Empire."
"Bonded crystal is perfectly see-through but as durable and strong as solid steel, perhaps even stronger," Midnight explained, "and the dome you see covers a hollow chamber that will contain a miniature storm cloud that will spontaneously release random strikes of lighting onto an electric-proof pad located on the floor of the chamber."
"That pad will absorb the electrical energy, refine it, and that energy will be used to power systems like that of an airship, a power generator," Blueblood noted, "perhaps it may even completely replace the steam engine itself, rendering the latter as obsolete technology."
"So where do we come in?" Techorse asked.
"Indeed, it seems the both of you have this well-thought out," added Dr. Whooves.
"Well..." Midnight and Blueblood shared a sheepish look before the alicorn admitted, "We haven't actually... begun the development on this engine."
"I have engineered airships and all the inner workings that make airships for most of my life," Blueblood admitted, "but this is a little outside my comfort zone. Midnight has highly recommended the both of you, citing that you two are no strangers to techno and mechanical engineering. Not to mention, as we've previously explained, this engine must be designed to be fueled on what is essentially clean energy."
"The storm cloud that will be placed inside the engine's chamber won't retain its cohesion and power unless it is provided power," added Midnight, "this isn't just science; it's magical science. We're currently looking for a way to make this work through science and sorcery, and that means finding a "fuel" that is natural."
Dr. Whooves and Techorse shared an intrigued look before nodding and Techorse said, "We're both very interested in this project and I think we'd both like to be a part of it."
"As for the magic part," Dr. Whooves brought up, "I'm not entirely sure as to how we could assist you in that aspect of this project but I say that with the four of us putting our heads together we can determine a solution!"
"So I take it you're both in?" Blueblood smiled, his excitement growing.
"Heck yeah, we're in!" Techorse held out his hoof, Midnight doing the same, and then Blueblood and Dr. Whooves met them in as well in a four-way hoofbump and they shared an optimistic laugh.
"Say, howsabout we step out and grab a bite at the local pizza parlor?" Midnight offered, "My treat!"
"Sounds smashing, allons-y!" Dr. Whooves led the way to the door, the others following.
Just before they left basement however, Techorse asked, "Hold on, by any chance does this engine have a name yet?"
"Oh yes indeed," Blueblood chuckled as he brought up the rear and closed the basement door behind them. "We intend to call it... the Electro-Storm Engine!"
As the four stallions chatted it up on their way to the pizza parlor, somepony caught Midnight's eye and he saw it was Twinken sitting on a bench under a tree, looking deep in thought. A quick glance at the clock tower showed Midnight that Twinken's class had just got out, so he was relieved that Twinken wasn't playing hooky. Mom would be all over my ass if something like that happened...
"Uh, gentlecolts," Blueblood, Dr. Whooves, and Techorse paused to look back at Midnight who gave them an apologetic smile, "I'm afraid something has just come up, so... Blueblood will take it from here and speak with you more about the project. Blueblood, go ahead and tell Auntie Spice to put the pizza on my tab. See you later!"
"But Midnight, I-" Blueblood sighed at the sight of the sapphire alicorn hurrying off... until he saw whom Midnight was going to see. Clearing his throat, Blueblood said, "Right then, gentlecolts, I guarantee you, Auntie Spice's pizza puts any pizzeria in Canterlot to shame! While we much, perhaps we can come up with the appropriate fuel source for the project. Shall we?"
While Blueblood led them onward to Pepper Pony's, Midnight quietly approached his brother, his hoofsteps completely silent even on the dirt road by willing solid shadow to cushion his hooves. He leaned against the tree, standing between it and the bench Twinken was sitting on, the colt hadn't even seen or heard his older brother approach but somehow he knew.
"Hey, big brother..."
"Something gotcha down, kiddo?" Midnight was casual yet solemn in demeanor, looking relaxed as he leaned against the tree and just looked on at the passerby of Ponyville.
For a long moment Twinken didn't respond until finally he said, "I'm... well, I... it's something Luna said."
"You can tell me anything, Twinken," the colt felt a wing wrap around him and looked to see Midnight had come over to sit beside him on the bench as the stallion looked at his colt brother with a caring smile.
"And if you're not ready to tell me something, then I'll wait until you are. Just know that no matter what I will always be here to help you out with whatever's troubling you."
The unicorn colt smiled appreciatively before taking a deep breath and thinking a moment to decide what he wanted to share, "OK... See, I had a talk with Princess Luna in the Dream Realm, and... I asked her something about my powers. She told me about how she reached into my magic to bring my lunar magic out but did something to make sure I'd have Dream-Walking, and then she said because of that I might never get any other Lunar Pony powers."
"And you want to be more like a lunar pony?" asked Midnight, a little worried about his brother's words but they were quickly dashed away.
"I wanna be more like you!" Twinken looked up at Midnight with a look of mixed up emotions, some admiration, self-doubt, confusion. "See... Princess Luna says she's teaching me not just because I can dream-walk, but there's more to it! She didn't say what else she was teaching me for or-or why or... I dunno! Midnight, I'm-I'm just feeling like I need to be stronger or smarter or able to do more but I don't know what for or why!
"I don't even have my cutie-mark yet! I don't know what I'm meant to do! Am I supposed to protect others? Teach them? Help them?! Or am I just supposed to be a regular ol' unicorn who lives peacefully and- I don't- What if I'm supposed to do something important but it's not something I want to do!? What if I have some scary destiny but I wind up rejecting it and running from it for the rest of my life?!"
Then Twinken felt Midnight's wing and foreleg pull him into the alicorn's barrel in a warm and close protective hug, the alicorn's wings completely enfolding the colt, shielding him from the big scary world around them. And in that moment, there was only that comforting sense of security that came from being held by someone who loves you. He even felt Midnight rest his muzzle on top of Twinken's head, and as he felt so safe, his big brother's heart beating gently in the stallion's chest, Twinken felt his own begin to slow down... and then Midnight leaned back in the bench and gently tipped Twinken's face up to look him in the eye.
Twinken saw a warm understanding in his big brother's turquoise eyes, and perhaps a glimmer of sadness, "You're just like I was..."
"Huh?" Twinken's bright red eyes widened at those words.
"You remember the entire story? The one I told you about me before I took you to see Mom in the hospital in Canterlot?"
Twinken remembered, that this Midnight holding him was the reincarnation of the Midnight who volunteered to be his big brother, the blank-flanked unicorn he met at the orphanage where this Midnight had to leave him, a decision for which he never truly forgave himself.
"Before you were born, when I did the impossible and earned my cutie-mark for it, along with these wings, and the memories of my prior life, I can't tell you the many times I was afraid. All the times I doubted myself. Feared the mistakes I could make and ruin everything. So much depended upon me, a colt, alicorn or not, with the memories of another life he had lived. Princess Celestia, all my mentors, and especially our dad, Ignitus Enflame, and certainly our mom, they helped me to keep moving forward, to understand that no matter how hard I tried, how careful I was, whatever I did, whatever I learned, I was going to make mistakes, big and small.
"They helped me realize that I couldn't live my life consumed by fear of failing in the things I knew I had to do. Because a life dominated by fear and doubt is no life at all. So, I studied hard, I trained hard, I swore I would find a way to achieve my goals, because I had to have faith that no matter what everything would be alright. I felt that faith even more the day you were born and Dad had somepony take that picture of our family in your locket. So much bad happened, of course, and for a long while after I lost my way, and I never really forgave myself for leaving you alone even though you had to be where you were for everything to work out.
"Twinken, I say this not just because I'm your brother but because I can sincerely see it in you, that you will grow up to be great! You have a good heart, you have good friends beside you, a family that loves you, you have the makings of a fine wizard and the compassion of a truly good person, and not to mention you have the Princess of the Night as your teacher, and you can always count on me to guide you if you're unsure of what to do or who or where to turn to. Your time will come, little brother, and when it does I hope I'm there to see just how brightly you shine."
Twinken's heart was swelling and he struggled to hold back the tears while giving his big brother a quivering smile and laughed a bit at a ticklish feather from Midnight's wing as he wiped away a tear from his brother's face. They gave each other another long and warm hug before Midnight said, "And you know what... I think it's time you learned a little of our family history. Come on."
Midnight gently placed Twinken on the ground before getting off the bench and gesturing for the colt to follow him. The two brothers made their way towards the Castle of Friendship, and inside Midnight led Twinken to the castle library, which Twilight was still working on to fill out and categorize. Most of the shelves were bare, there were stacks and piles of books, the stacks set apart based on what type of books they were while the piles were the ones that hadn't been sorted. In the middle was a large table with some beanbag chairs or cushioned seats, and Midnight invited Twinken to sit wherever he felt comfortable. The colt thought that Midnight was going to look through the stacks or piles or shelves of books but instead Midnight lit up his horn and a turquoise bubble of mana swelled up out of nothing before it floated over the table and popped, revealing a small chest and an old tome.
Midnight levitated the tome and said, "This is the current and most recent edition of the family history of House Obsidian, of which you and I are the youngest and latest generation."
"Is House Obsidian really such a big deal?" asked Twinken as he sat on a cushioned chair next to the table, curious of the tome as well as the chest Midnight had made appear as well.
"Well, our family has a long history, certainly," Midnight opened the tome and showed each page was dedicated to a family member, including names, birth dates, particulars about their lives, and where they fit in the family tree.
"But it may surprise you, Twinken, that the founder of House Obsidian was an earth pony."
"Really?" Twinken leaned forward as Midnight showed a page with an illustration of a large and strong earth pony with a sooty gray coat and ginger mane tied into a braid, a handsome beard, with a cutie-mark of a hammer and volcano.
"He looks cool, what was his name?"
"Our ancestor and the founder of our house was named Vulcan, firstborn son of the legendary hero Rockhoof," Midnight explained with subtle pride. "While his father was a warrior, Vulcan was a blacksmith, devoted to his craft. He crafted armor and weapons for his father's unit, the Mighty Helm. He also made tools for farmers, workers, and laborers. Then one day, Vulcan became interested in the volcano that his village was built near, and explored it. He took volcanic soil and rock, experimented if they could be used in the forge, but what ultimately got his interest was volcanic glass, better known as... obsidian!
"He showed the substance to a mare he fancied and she became enamored by it and used it in her own craft as an artisan! Together, they found obsidian had some uses, as flint, jewelry, arrowheads, and even as knives and some early scalpels. Ponies from far and wide came to barter for their obsidian wares. News of their work even reached the ears of the princesses and they were invited to the Castle of the Two Sisters. Vulcan and the mare who became his wife accepted their invitation and combined their passions as a blacksmith and an artisan to create matching necklaces of silver plated steel with polished obsidian medallions.
"The Sisters then saw that obsidian had unique properties that made them ideal for enchanting, and Vulcan helped improve the armor that was worn by the Royal Guard back then, and his improvements in the design helped the guard during a revolt, saving them from injuries that would certainly have killed them. For all their work and ingenuity, the princesses honored Vulcan and his wife by bestowing upon them titles of nobility and Vulcan named his bloodline after the substance that had brought him and his wife their honor and prestige, and thus House Obsidian was founded."
"Wow..." Twinken was certainly impressed by the story but still curious, "you'd think somepony would have to do something like slay a big scary monster to save a village or rescue somepony important for a reward like that."
"Sometimes great deeds aren't heroics, Twinken," Midnight replied as he closed the tome, "but rather it's what one contributes through hard work and being clever. Vulcan and his wife found use from something that resulted of the destructive nature of a volcano. And of course Vulcan's own work as a blacksmith improved the guards' ability to do their jobs. Sometimes, little brother, it's the smallest things that can make the biggest difference."
"Hmm," Twinken considered his brother's words when his eyes wandered back to the chest, "and... what's that there?"
"That is for you," Midnight smiled, looking rather proudly at his little brother though there was a slight hint of disappointment, "Our family, House Obsidian, began with an earth pony, and there have been members of the family who were pegasi and unicorns. But after Princess Luna was overcome with darkness and became Nightmare Moon bad things happened to a lot of ponies back then, including to our family. House Obsidian survived but after Princess Celestia moved the royal capitol to Mt. Canterhorn and founded the city of Canterlot more and more unicorns came into the family and more unicorn-type traditions were set up.
"Including this one. Technically, you're supposed to be a little older before you receive this, but... I think now's the right time."
Midnight levitated the chest to Twinken who held his breath as the lid slowly opened, and revealed a large black sphere that looked to be made of glass.
"Twinken, Son of Obsidian, as the current Head of our House I bestow upon you your rite of birth, a magical object our family has crafted and wielded for many generations, this, the Obsidian Eye, is yours."
Twinken realized this was no mere glass sphere but a solid sphere of obsidian! He looked up at Midnight who nodded, and Twinken very carefully levitated the Eye out of the chest and saw it had the circumference of one hoof. He made it rotate and saw very faint swirls frozen inside, and when he held it up to a light he could see a grayish illumination.
"Wh...what's this for?" he asked.
"Every unicorn in House Obsidian is given an Obsidian Eye, which serves as a magical tool," Midnight explained, "Every parent crafts one for his or her children and presents it to them when they come of age. Technically, Dad should be the one doing this, but... Anyway, that Eye has a very special ability, Twinken. Once you learn how, you'll be able to use it like a third eye!"
"A third eye?" Twinken didn't get it, giving his big brother a baffled look. "What does that mean?"
Instead of answering, Midnight lit up his horn and a similar black sphere popped into existence, floating above their heads. Twinken looked up at it when he noticed Midnight turn around and say, "Do something. Dance, make a face, whatever, and I'll tell you what you're doing without looking at you with my eyes."
Twinken was starting to get the idea but decided to see for sure, looking up at the sphere Midnight had made appear. He looked at one of the piles of books and levitated some over and made some float around in a circle over his head, "How many books am I levitating and in which direction?"
"Three, counterclockwise," Midnight responded without turning his head to see.
"Hmm," Twinken wanted to be certain so he put the books down and started waving his left hoof but said nothing.
"Now you're waving your left hoof.
"Now your shaking your tail at me.
"Your touching your nose with your tongue and crossing your eyes."
A pillow flew at Midnight's head and he whipped his leonine tail up, smacking it away, to Twinken's bewilderment as his brother turned around, giving him a smug smirk, "Nice try."
"Midnight, are... are you able to see me without looking at me?!" Twinken was shocked and starting to smile in excitement.
"Well, I'm not looking at you with my own eyes," Midnight corrected before pointing at his sphere, "but I am looking at you with my Obsidian Eye."
"So then, these Eyes..." Twinken looked at the one Midnight had given him, "they're used to see things without actually looking at them?"
"It's a magical practice called Remote-Viewing," Midnight explained, "one of our unicorn ancestors in House Obsidian dabbled in the use of obsidian in magic. Besides discovering what a great natural conduit the stuff is, she created a way to magically link herself with a sphere of pure obsidian and see through it instead of her own eyes. Ever since then, it became a tradition to pass on this arcane knowledge to the unicorns in our family. It's a secret that even the Princesses don't know, because we've kept it completely in the family, afraid of how this knowledge could be misused by those of ill intent.
"I'll teach you how to use yours the next time we have Button Mash and Rumble over for Midnight Hour. Sound good?"
Looking into the Obsidian Eye his brother had just given him, Twinken saw his reflection and that he was smiling before he carefully set the Eye back in its chest before going over to his big brother to give him another hug, which eh gladly returned.
"I love you, big brother..."
"I love you too, kiddo."