//------------------------------// // Episode 2: The Ticket Master // Story: Thunder and Magic: Season 1 // by Rapane443 //------------------------------// From the little time he had experienced with his new guardian, Darklo was content with the change of pace. No more worrying about mythical beings knocking on his front doorstep, no more fumbling over foreign terminology and, most importantly in his eyes, no more trouble with using magic. Apparently, Twilight’s home was a literal library and a scholar under the most important pony in all of Equestria, so he felt set for the life he wanted to live. However, “Okay,phew. okay. Spike, meet Darklo. He will be living with us from now on.” Twilight said at a fast pace before zooming upstairs. “I'll just be up here for a bit, hehe… now where’s that book on raising foals, I NEED to make a list RIGHT NOW.” A short awkward silence rang throughout the library once the door slammed shut, but is was kindly interupted when Darklo extended a hoof towards the dragon. “Nice to meet you Spike. I don’t think we got acquainted before.” “Oh right, you’re the colt that Nightmare Moon napped,” Spike replied while giving the hoof a fist bump, “who knew Twilight would want to adopt somepony heh, I mean I’ve been with her my whole life and even I didn’t expect that.” “It was Celestia’s work. I probably would have headed to an orphanage if she didn’t give her a push.” “I expected as much especially with how uhm-” Spike pointed up to Twilight’s room, “Twilightly, Twilight is right now. But hey! I always wanted a guy I could hang with, so I don’t see any problems. Welcome to the family Darklo.” Darklo nodded with a genuine smile. Even though he just met the little dragon, he could tell that they were gonna get along just fine. “Thanks Spike. So while we wait for my mom…or sister… teacher? -You know what, I’ll go with big sister- wanna do something fun?” Spike beamed at the colt and grinned. “Of course! If I know Twilight, she’ll be up there for a while, so how about…” the enthusiastic lizard brought out his thinking pose before snapping his fingers and opening his eyes. “Oh, I’ve got one. Can you show me how you did that ancient magic stuff? I’ve never seen something like that before with those freaky symbols and all.” Darklo pondered the idea before nodding in acceptance. He still couldn’t grasp on how his alchemic abilities transferred to the world, especially with the new changes to it, so the colt viewed that it wouldn’t be a problem. Just gotta keep up the ancient magic shtick and no one will ever question me. “Sure, I can do that. Follow me bro.” The colt walked to a seat and sat there while Spike took the neighbouring one, leaning his hands on the table as Darklo took a criminally short book from his pouch with a ton of effort. “Woah, isn’t that book too small? It’s got only one page. Jee if Twilight saw that, she’d flip.” “You aren’t wrong Spike, but that's only what the ‘Clever Memory Book’ wants you to believe.” Darklo grinned as he placed a hoof on the open blank page. “Sign of Fire” And moments after, ink bled onto the page, revealing the information within. Spike’s mouth dropped in shock. “Wait… so you're telling me that this thing can just show you anything? That’s amazing! Twilight would DEFINITELY flip.” “It isn’t like that bud, it can only show the stuff that’s been written into it so not everything is shoved into this. Plus the more you write, the heavier it gets. Kind of a pain if you ask me.” Spike leered at the page and narrowed his eyes in concentration. Once he finished reading, he returned his gaze to the colt. “So you need to know the specific attributes and science of a spell you want to use in order to perform it and the sign will only activate when a familiar form of magic interacts with it. Am I right?” Darklo smiled proudly. “Mhm, it’s that easy. There are about nineteen more but I’m pretty sure I can only use two, though I do know how to merge them… I still haven't attempted it though.” The colt took a mental note of his next practice session before Spike interrupted him. “You really know a lot about this… where did you find this information?” “Oh, uhhh. A ruined city! Yeah, my dad was an adventurer and a real good one at that. He took me to a couple abandoned places and I came across these writings on the walls. So I wrote all of it in this book and tried them out. That’s all.” Darklo sweated a bit as his muzzle scrunched up to avoid letting out a chuckle no one would find truthful, while Spike stared at him innocently before shrugging. “Eh, sounds about right. Sucks that it requires magic though, I’d love to shoot out fireballs or gusts of wind…” As Spike stood daydreaming about the possibility, Darklo tilted his head, perplexed. He never did think about the possibility of other creatures being able to use alchemy here. Yes, it could’ve been taken with him to his body but as far as Darklo remembered as Lux, alchemy came from the channels of the body and soul so if he came in a world without a body accustomed to the arts, it wouldn’t work. So in conclusion: if Darklo could use it, it would be possible that other unicorns could use it too. All it needed was magic and knowledge after all, and he didn’t know if he should be worried or not. What if other things changed? Could I use the rest of the signs even without the Stone? Ughh too many unanswered questions I'll have to test in seclusion. I guess I’ll need to find a ‘me’ space for myself sooner than later… Luckily, the colt could forget about stress for a little longer as somepony opened the front door, revealing Applejack. “Greetin’s Spike and nice to see y’ah doing well sugarcube. Y’all seen Twilight? I just need a few extra hooves to help me win a bet Big Mac made.” Darklo raised an eyebrow at that reason. "The Element of Honesty asking for somepony to help them win a bet that the other indented for just them? How devious." "Heh, in ma defence, he never said I COUNDN'T get help, so I'm not lying." The two chuckled lightly as if they already expected that kind of banter to happen and Spike decided to answer the actual question. “Twilight's in her room right now. Though you should probably wait until she stops panicking over this guy.” Spike smirked, lightly elbowing Darklo in the shoulder. “For your information, I don’t know why she has to. I can take care of myself easily. No preparation needed.” Applejack smiled solemnly at the colt, eyes almost peering through him. “I know it looks pretty excessive, but I think that's just Twilight’s way of saying she cares about ya. Not a problem with being independent though, and for a colt, you got d’at in spades. You really are like your pops Darklo…” Deciding to ignore the sour mood brewing, Darklo put on a knowing smirk. “Man do I know it!” The sun beamed down on Sweet Apple Acres as Applejack and Twilight paced the dirt road back to the barn, a basket of apples on their backs, while Spike and Darklo followed them and tossed the imperfect ones to the floor. Or more specifically, Darklo was following beside Twilight as Spike lazed on her back with the basket. “Thank y’all kindly for helpin’ me out. I bet Big Macintosh I could get all these Golden Delicious in the barn by lunchtime,” Applejack said, taking an excited jump in the air, “if I win, he’s gonna walk down Syrup Street in one of Granny’s girdles.” “No problem at all Applejack, but I’m glad the goal is lunchtime, all this hard work is making me hungry.” “Meh, it was okay. All that bucking back in the Everfree is paying off, in fact, I think I could go for another half an hour.” “Mhm, practice does make perfect sugarcube. Maybe you wouldn't have been such a bad apple in our family as I thought.” “Too late to take him now.” Spike interjected, “now let's get back, I’m also kind of hungry.” Twilight and Darklo turned to look at the sitting dragon with a deadpan expression. “What?” "Spike, you have no grounds to say that in all honesty. Given you aren’t on the ground at all.” Darklo argued with a light grin which resulted in the 2 mares chuckling at the joke. “Har har, Darklo. Here, I’ll get us something.” Spike then committed to scrounging through the apples of varying quality until he came across one that shone like rubies. Twilight’s eyes dilated in hunger. “Wow Spike, that one looks delicious-” However, she wouldn't know if it tasted delicious as Spike devoured it in one bite, “Spike!” Darklo shook his head, “Low blow buddy, low blow.” Before Spike could even interject, he burped out fire which shifted and twisted until it became a scroll. “What the-” Darklo gasped, “you can do that?” Spike nodded proudly. “It’s a dragon thing,” He said and took the scroll to read it, “now lets see… ahem, hear ye, hear ye, from your grand royal highness, Princess Celestia of Equestria, is pleased to announce the Grand Galloping Gala will be held in the magnificent capital city of Canterlot on the 21st day of uh yadda yadda… cordially extends an invitation to Twilight Sparkle, plus one guest.” The mares stared at Spike, absolutely dumbfounded and transfixed by his words until a second later, where they looked at each other excitedly. “The Grand Galloping Gala!” “The Grand Galloping what now?” The two danced and pranced around while Darklo stood bewildered at their antics and Spike went from unamused to gagging when he spat out two tickets from fire. The colt caught them in his magic and peered at the fancy embroidery. “Huh, so these are the tickets. How uhm, expensive.” “Wow, two tickets! I’ve never been to the Gala. Have you boys?” Twilight asked. “Nope, I never even left the Everfree Forest until recently. Plus, Spike said he was with you all his life so wouldn’t you already know if he had been there?” Twilight flinched and rubbed her head, a rosy hint popping from her cheeks. “Oh… right. Still, I can’t wait to go, there’s so much fun to do there.” “Fun…fun?” Applejack raised her voice at each word. “I’d love to go, well shacks, if i had an apple stand set up, ponies to be tryin’ our taste if it’ll tell the cows came home. Do you have any idea how much business I could drum up for Sweet Apple Acres?-” Darklo decided to drown out their conversation at that point, as he got the message and shifted beside Spike. “So bro, what even is the Grand Galloping Gala?” “Oh, it’s just one of those frilly girly events they do every year. Many high class ponies get invited to celebrate, especially to meet with Princess Celestia and bring out business. But it’s all a load of fancy talk. Not good enough for my masculinity.” “Yeah you tell me, big events like that are a little too posh for my tastes and- WOAH INCOMING RAINBOW!” By the time Darklo had said incoming, Rainbow Dash crashed into Applejack and Twilight, sending all the apples scattered across the floor, muddied or squashed. Welp Big Mac, count yourself lucky. The whole day was what Darklo would call chaotic, and as a colt who lived in the Everfree, that wasn’t something he could state without a guilty conscience. One by one, Twilight’s friends heard about the extra ticket to the Gala and paraded her with their dreams of going there. Rainbow wanted to impress the Wonderbolts, Pinkie Pie wanted to throw a huge party, Rarity wanted to marry a royal Prince, which the colt found to be the most unlikely, and Fluttershy wanted to visit their garden. To be honest, if Darklo also had two tickets and were to choose who should go, he would’ve chosen Applejack. It wasn’t just because she was the pony who he had the most connection with, 3rd to Twilight and Spike, but because she wanted to do it for the future of her family and her business which Darklo couldn’t help but respect. The others just wanted to do something for themselves. Maybe Rainbow had a shot because she wanted to up her career path but if that were necessary, so few ponies would be in the Wonderbolts. Anyways, it led to many unwanted favours and the volume of the bickering had gained the attention of the Ponyville residents which brought the incentive for everypony to chase after Twilight and the boys. One comedic run later and it led to the 3 getting cornered behind an alleyway. Spike spoke up, clearly terrified if the rhythmic tapping of his claws had anything to say. “Uhm, Darklo, a-any ideas?” “Alche- I mean ancient magic needs a sign to be drawn Spike, I didn’t expect us to be fighting for our lives! Twilight, you’re good with magic! Teleport us or something.” Twilight flicked her panicked gaze between them and the mob of overly helpful ponies before charging up her horn, which made a bright light, enveloping them with a bang. And from said bang, they were now back at home. Twilight was left on the floor, panting from the added stress of the spell while Spike and Darklo were covered in soot, their scales and mane spiked unnaturally from the shock of the teleportation. “Woah, this is certainly a strange feeling.” Darklo said blankly, while staring into space. “Could you warn us next time?” Spike commented, swiping the soot from his face. “I didn’t even know it was gonna happen,” Twilight groaned as she stood up with some effort, “now quickly boys, lock the doors!” And so they did as they were told. They dashed around every doorway and window to lock them tight and erased any trace of light from the library. Once they were done, the family sat back to back with each other and gave a sigh of relief. “Phew… you know if they keep this up, I might just go with you just to shut them-” But he was cut off by the sudden activation of light that filled the library, revealing Twilight’s friends with expectant smiles standing by an upstairs room. “Excuse me, but I'm deadly certain we put this place on lock down, HOW did you girls get in?” “I squeezed through the gaps of the window limbo style and let everypony in!” Pinkie Pie gleamed with amusement. “But… how is that-”  Twilight immediately puts a hoof over his mouth. And took a deep breath to- “YAAAAAAA” Scream. “I can’t decide, I just can’t decide. It’s important to all of you and I just can’t stand to disappoint any of you and giving me gifts and doing me favours won’t make any difference because you’re all my friends, and I make you all happy and I can’t. I just CAN’T!” And so the overwhelmed unicorn cowered onto the floor while everypony and the dragon watched in surprised sympathy. Darklo however, had an annoyed look on his face as he walked beside Twilight and stroked her back. “Jeez girls. All you had to do was state your case and wait for her response, you didn't need to parade her like a circus animal for everypony to take a shot at. Rather you all apologise or I’ll take that ticket myself!” The sudden outburst from the usually soft spoken colt made the mares flinch, but they lowered their heads and Applejack stepped forward. “You’re right, sugarcube, we truly went mighty overboard on this one.” She said to him before looking down at the mare. “Twilight sugar, I didn’t mean to put so much pressure on you. And if it helps, I don’t want the ticket anymore, you can give it to somepony else. I won’t feel bad, I promise” “Me too,” Fluttershy interjected as she hovered over to her, “I feel just awful that I made you feel so awful.” “And me too, it’s not right upsetting your friends” “Nor is breaking and entering your friends domicile, Pinkie.” Darklo commented, making Pinkie put on a cheeky smile while sweat glistened in her mane. Rarity chose to speak up. “Besides the rather uncivilised visit, Twilight, It was unfair of me to try to force you as I did.” “Yyyyyes!” Rainbow Dash cheered. “That means the ticket is mine! Aha, I got the tiicket, I got the tiicket~” Nopony  laughed nor smiled as they stared daggers at the pegasus. “Y-you know, I haven’t perfected my signature moves for the Wonderbolts anyway, I don’t need that ticket either.” Applejack tried to lift up the mood, especially since Darklo was squinting at Rainbow like a predator. “We all got so gung-ho about going to the Gala that we couldn’t see how ungung-ho we were making you.” Twilight finally took her forehooves from her eyes and smiled at her friends. “We’re sorry…” They all said which calmed Darklo enough to mirror a smile of his own. Twilight arose from her position and regained her stoic demeanour. “Spike, take down a note.” And on cue, Spike pulled out a scroll and quill from nowhere. Darklo was seriously wondering whether or not Spike had magic but he’d figure that out later since he had a feeling on what Twilight was going to do and butted in. “Hey Twilight, can I also add some stuff?” “Sure Darklo, as long as its relevant to this lesson learnt.” The eager colt went on his hindlegs for a moment and presented a salute to his sister before she spoke. Dear Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, Twilight paused and raised an eyebrow. “Princess Luna?” Darklo tilted his head, unsure of the fuss while he smiled anxiously. “Well, she’s also a Princess so she has the right to know of our progress. Plus, you never know, she might want to read them.” A few seconds of nothing and Twilight nodded to Spike as he followed and wrote it down. Dear Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, I’ve learnt that one of the joys of friendship is sharing your blessings and also understanding your friend’s stresses, but without enough blessings to go around, having more than your friends can make you feel pretty awful. Giving one friend priority over another only illustrates a level of friendship which should never exist between a group of tightly knit groups. So though I appreciate the invitation, I will be returning both tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala. Sincerely, your faithful student and a thankful colt, Twilight Sparkle and Darklo “What?!” Twilight’s friends shouted in surprise while Twilight and Darklo remained calm and resolute. “If my friends can’t all go, then I don’t wanna go either.” “The best way to win is not to play… wise words Twilight.” Darklo patted her side in approval which led his newly appointed sister to grow a shade of red. “Thanks Darklo… Spike, you can send the letter now.” And Spike does as he’s told, opening a window and letting smoke take the scroll into the wind. I will NEVER understand how that works, will I? The colt questioned internally before Fluttershy walked back to Twilight. “Now you won’t get to go to the Gala either.” “It’s okay girls, I couldn’t possibly enjoy myself without my best friends there with me,” she then turned to Darklo, patting his mane, “or this little guy either.” And so, everypony performed a group hug, forcing the colt to be pulled into it but it didn’t bother him. Nice moments should be taken in after all. However, Spike looked like he was going to barf all over with how violent his attempts at holding it in were. “Well wallop my withers Spike-” But before Applejack could storm over to lecture him, Darklo blocked her. “If last time showed me anything, I believe we got mail.” And the colt was shown to be correct as Spike spat out another scroll. “A letter from the Princess, that was fast!” Twilight said. Spike took the letter and gave it a read. To my faithful student and fearless colt, Why didn’t you say so in the first place? “Seven tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala!” Everyone cheered in excitement but as all things must happen, hunger does too and Twilight’s stomach rumbled from all the excitement. She gave an embarrassed giggle to which Rarity responded. “Allow us to treat you to dinner.” And so, everypony fled the library besides Darklo, who had his ticket in his magic and Spike, who looked dejected once the last ticket left his claws. “How come I don’t get a ticket to the Gala?” “If you really wanna go, you can use my ticket, I don’t mind.” “Really? Thanks Darklo, you're such a great fri-” Fortunately, Spike was interrupted by another burst of a letter. And once for you Spike. The last ticket put the dragon into a giggling heap as he frolicked out of the library while the colt followed, peering to the moon. So the Princess is a troll eh? Interesting new information.