My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic is owned by Hasbro… for now! Baton, on the other hand, is owned by me, myself, and I. I hope you enjoy Chapter 4.
::Twilight::
The group of ponies finally reached the library, Twilight heading the group as they entered. What they stumbled upon was a mess! A mess that surrounded a purple baby dragon who lay sleeping with his head on an open book.
GAH!!! Look at this mess!
“SPIKE!” The baby dragon jumped at the shout. “Spike, I thought I told you to clean up while I was gone!” Spike began cleaning up, as if he could make up an afternoon of cleaning in just a few moments.
“Oh! Right! Sorry Twilight, I just saw this story book and started to read it, wasn’t long before I fell asleep I guess.” Twilight sighed.
I have to remember, he IS a baby dragon. I should cut him some slack.
“It’s fine Spike, I’ll take care of it.” Twilight said, horn glowing, as books began to randomly place themselves upon the shelves. I’ll have to sort them later I suppose. “Spike, why don’t you start some tea for our guests?” Spike looked at the aforementioned guests, Sweetie Belle he knew, but the other one was a stranger.
“Hi! I'm Spike!” He said, walking up to the white unicorn.
“I guessed! Hello Spike, I’m Baton.” The two exchanged a nod while Spike went to the kitchen to start what he was asked to do.
“Oh, why don’t you two take a seat?” Twilight said, motioning to the pillows on the floor. Sweetie Belle and Baton took their seats smiling, Sweetie Belle’s eyes on Baton the entire time. “Ok Baton, the floor is yours.”
Baton smiled and said, “Alright Twilight, what is magic?”
Twilight tilted her head and gave the exact textbook answer, “Magic is the manipulation of energy.”
“Right! Now, what is music?”
The purple unicorn tilted her head, confused. “Well it’s the combination of sounds in pitch to make melodies, harmonies, and general sound that pleases the ears.”
Baton chuckled at the scientific quality of the statement. “Yes I suppose that’s right. Now what does it take to make that?”
Twilight thought to herself. Hmmmmm… is this a trick question? “Talent? Practice? Patience?...” Baton was still looking at her, waiting for the right answer, “Energy?”
“Right!” Exclaimed Baton. “So, if one was to make music using magic, they can add effects, meanings and spells to the song.”
“So music magic is just using magic through sounds?”
Baton smirked at this, “Yes… and no. You can also make magic using song. Music is filled with magic, whether or not the pony performing is a unicorn. I know many pegasi and earth ponies who are quite good at music magic.”
Twilights mouth opened in shock, “But… That’s impossible! Only unicorns can make magic!”
Baton just smiled, “But EVERYpony can make music.”
That can’t be possible! But, I see no reason for him to lie to me… maybe I should ask Celestia about this. I wonder if she can help me better understand.
“Which is what I wanted to talk to you about Sweetie Belle.” Baton turned his attention to the filly sitting next to him. Sweetie Belle had been quiet and patient, like Rarity taught her, while the older ponies talked. She perked up at this. “I’ve heard you sing Sweetie Belle, and I think you have a lot of potential.”
Sweetie Belle tilted her head, confused, “But you only got here yesterday, and we only met an hour ago. How would you know if I have potential?”
Baton smiled, realizing he forgot to mention something. “Well Sweetie Belle, part of my special talent allows me to hear music, where ever it’s made. And YOU, my little pony, sing a lot.”
Sweetie Belle’s faced flushed a little, “I do not. And how do you know it was me?”
Baton chuckled, “Yes you do, I hear you at least twice a day. As for how I know it was you, well, I recognize the voice. That’s how I recognized Fluttershy. But you, my dear, possess a talent that far exceeds normal fillies of your age. “
Twilight, curiosity getting the better of herself, stood up, “If you’ll excuse me for a second it’s almost sundown and I need to send a letter befo-“
“SUNDOWN!” shouted Sweetie Belle, “Oh no nonononononono! Rarity is going to lose it! I need to help her set up before her fashion show! Oh I hope she doesn’t yell at me! It was nice meeting you Baton, I hope to talk to you again. Bye Twilight!” Sweetie Belle rushed out of the tree house without another word, leaving two pairs of wide eyes in her wake.
“Well that was… sudden.” Said Twilight.
“Indeed.” Replied Baton. At that moment Spike came in with 3 bowls of celery soup.
“Soups on! Heh, get it? ‘soups on’ and we are having soup!” the dragon chuckled at his own joke.
“Yes, yes we get it Spike. Can you take a letter for me?” Twilight asked, sipping her soup.
“Of course Twi,” Spike goes and grabs a quill and parchment, “Ok! Shoot!”
“Dear Princess Celestia,
Today I met a new unicorn, His name is Baton and he studies a different type of magic, one that I know nothing about. He studies music magic. I was only wondering if, as my teacher, you knew anything on this subject that you could teach me. I hope this reaches you in good spirits.
Your faithful student,
Twilight Sparkle”
In a burst of green flames the letter burns, the magic smoke carrying it out the window. Twilight turned back to her guest to see him in shock, mouth agape. “What? Do I have something on my face?” She asked as she wiped her mouth.
“You… you know the princess?” Baton asked, amazed.
“Well yes, I am her personal pupil. I was sent to Ponyville to study the magic of friendship. We still keep in touch. Why?”
Baton faltered for a second before continuing, “well, I came here because i-“
At that moment, Spike let forth a loud “BUUUURP!” and a scroll appeared, which fell to the floor.
“Ah, here we are.” Said Twilight as she levitated the scroll, it read:
“My dear student, Twilight Sparkle,
While I am glad you are meeting new friends, I do not have anything to teach you about music magic. It is a discipline of magic I never gave much thought to, nor do a lot of other unicorns. I apologize and hope, if you still wish to, you find your answers.
Your Teacher,
Princess Celestia.”
Twilight looked up and saw Baton staring into his soup, sadly. “I can’t believe Celestia didn’t know something. It’s a hard concept to grasp.”
Baton sighed, “Yes, but it is also the view shared by many in the magic community. Thankfully, only one of the Royal Sisters holds that view.”
“What do you mean?” Asked Twilight, intrigued.
“Well, Princes Luna practices music magic. Every night, in her garden.” Baton stated.
“How do you know that?” Inquired Twilight, her hope rekindled.
“Well I hear her of course. In the dead of night, when all ponies are asleep, she sings to her flowers, to her plants, to her garden.”
Duh, he already told me that! Focus Twilight!
“Uhm…. Do you think I should send a message to Luna?”
“Well if you want to know more, you need a teacher.”
“Right, Spike can you send a letter to Princess Luna?” Twilight addressed spike, who went to grab another roll of parchment.
“Well of course I can! Do you doubt me?” Boasted the purple dragon as he set quill to parchment.
Twilight cleared her throat “Ok, here we go:
Dear Princess Luna,
I have recently come into awareness of a branch of magic called ‘music magic’. I have requested instruction in this field from Princess Celestia but she doesn’t acknowledge this as a legitimate magical branch. I hear tell that you are quite fluent in this subject. I am inquiring if you would be my teacher for this new school of magic.
Your Friend,
Twilight Sparkle”
With that, Spike closed his eyes in concentration and blew a jet of green flames, destroying the scroll and sending it out the window. “I guess all there is left to do is wait…” Twilight began to pace around the library. “I hope she can help me… it always irks me when I cant learn something new.”
“I’m sure she can help you. You two are friends after all.” Baton commented, indicating the end of Twilights letter.
“Well… I'm not that sure. We have only really met twice, once when i… defeated her evil side Nightmare Moon, and again during Nightmare Night. Neither of those really gave us a chance to talk. Plus, this is the first time I’ve actually sent her a letter. I never thought that I should. Oh I probably look like some greedy foal.” Twilight was picking up pace as she talked, at the end she was running in circles around the library. Oh she is going to say no, I just know it! For being Celestia’s star student, I can be an idiot sometimes. At that moment Spike gave another loud belch and a scroll fell to the floor. This wasn’t like any other scroll Twilight had received. No, this scroll was a deep blue parchment, tied in a purple ribbon, sealed with the crest of the moon princess, a crescent moon. Nervously, Twilight levitated it to eye level and began to read.
“To one Ms. Twilight Sparkle,
Nothing would bring me greater joy than to-... I have heard your request and have put it under-... Long have I waited for a chance to show you that I-.... Yes, I would love to help further your knowledge in any field, though it wouldn’t feel right being called your teacher when Celestia also holds the title. How about we just call this a friend helping a friend, I owe you still for everything you’ve done for me. I shall come to Ponyville after I raise the moon tomorrow. I cant wait- ... I look forward to our lessons.
Lov-...... yours forev-...From,
Princess Luna”
Twilight re-read the letter to herself, making out what had been crossed out and blushing. I wonder what Princess Luna really wanted to write. She looked outside and saw the moon beginning its arc across the sky. Luna. Shaking her head, Twilight noted the moons position. “I think it’s time we headed to the fashion show.”
Baton stood, “Agreed. Let us be on our way.”
Spike looked up from where he was sitting. “Wait, you guys are going to Rarity’s fashion show? Can I come!?
Twilight sighed, “She will be too busy to talk Spike.”
“Ya I know but I’ll be there if she needs anything. Can I go Twi? Please please please?”
Twilight rolled her eyes. “Fine fine. Let’s go.”
With that, Twilight led the way to the Carousel boutique, her mind however was still on the letter. She looked up to the full moon. Luna.