//------------------------------// // 20. Forget about it // Story: Blaze the Pony Tale // by Wolven5 //------------------------------// It had been days since the Parasprite Infestation, and despite all the work done there was still plenty to do. Everypony had pitched in to help repair all the damages and clean up the messes. Fluttershy had sworn there were no more of the little monsters in her cottage and when not a single one of the bugs was seen afterwards, everypony finally sighed inrelief that that menace had passed. At the moment however, Midnight was in his room. The past several days had been a distraction from his recent worries but after what happened when he’d protected Twinken from the parasprites he felt a real need for some kind of assurance but he didn’t want to voice his concerns to his friends. I wanted to speak with Princess Celestia but the time just didn’t seem right… I wonder if Twilight would allow me to send her a letter? Deciding it was worth a shot, Midnight gathered a scroll, quill, and ink. At the library, Spike heard a knock and answered to see, “Midnight, what can I do for you?” “Hello, Spike,” Midnight said as he looked around the library. “Is Twilight in?” “No, she just stepped out to go see Fluttershy,” Spike reported, “she’s been doing that a lot, making absolutely sure Fluttershy isn’t keeping another parasprite. Do you wanna wait for her?” “No, that’s alright,” Midnight levitated out a scroll. “I would actually appreciate if you would send this to the princess for me.” “Um, I dunno, Midnight,” Spike didn’t look comfortable. “I’m only supposed to send message from Twilight.” “Please Spike!” Midnight pleaded, “I… I really need to have a word with Princess Celestia, I wouldn’t ask this of you if I didn’t feel it was important!” “Well… Okay, if you’re really sure it’s important,” Spike agreed as he took the scroll. One breath of fire later, it was gone. “Should I expect a reply?” “Yes, and… can we keep this between us for the time being, Spike? Guy-to-guy?” Hearing that, Spike smiled and said, “Sure, Midnight. And I’ll let you know when the princess sends a reply.” In Canterlot, Princess Celestia had just received a message. She took it and undid the seal wondering, I wonder what Twilight has to say, it’s rather soon for her to send another message. But she quickly saw the message was not from her faithful student but rather from her student’s student. Dear Princess Celestia, This message comes to you from Midnight Blaze. I hope you will forgive me for using this means of contact reserved between you and Twilight but I’ve been meaning to request an audience with you lately. Recently, I’ve been having second-thoughts about the promise I made you back then at the hospital. And recently, something happened to me that scared me, something I did even though I did so to protect my little brother Twinken. I would be extremely grateful if we could have another talk though I understand you must be busy. If you can find the time to grace this humble unicorn with your presence, let me know through Spike. I eagerly await your response. Your faithful subject, Midnight Blaze The next morning, Midnight was just stepping out of the house to get started on his chores when he heard a distant shouting. “Midnight!” He looked down the road and saw Spike running to the farm, a scroll in hand. He teleported to the fence, much to Spike’s relief as he stopped there, panting. “The… princess!” he held out the scroll, Midnight eagerly taking it. “Thanks so much, Spike!” Midnight smiled but looked to the little dragon. “Did Twilight notice?” “No, she was still asleep,” Spike panted. “As soon as I got the message, I snuck out so she wouldn’t wise up. Got anything to drink?” Midnight chuckled and said, “Go ahead inside, I’m sure Applejack will pour you some applejuice.” As Spike went to the house, Midnight hid behind the barn, wanting no one to see the letter before he started reading. My dear subject, Midnight Blaze, I understand that you have been feeling troubled and am not irritated that you used private channels to send me your message. From what your message told me, I feel I should indeed lend you my ear. Tonight, go to the spot where you first woke up in Equestria, I trust you can find it, and there we will have our talk. Yours truly, Princess Celestia The sun didn’t set soon enough for Midnight, and waiting for everypony to fall asleep felt almost as long. But soon enough, the house was quiet except for Big Macintosh’s snores vibrating his bedroom door. Midnight looked out his window and concentrated on the front gate of the property, teleporting himself there. It took a bit of doing but eventually Midnight found the spot where he first woke up in Equestria. It had barely changed at all since the last couple months he’d been there. The same flowers, the same pond, the same view of Canterlot. He sat down and patiently waited, hoping the coming conversation would help but at the same time he felt nervous. I hope the princess won’t be cross with me, I just… There was a flash of light and he whirled around to see, “Princess Celestia!” She stood there, giving him a welcoming smile, and he bowed at her approach. “Rise, Midnight, it’s just the two of us, there’s no need for formalities.” Hearing her motherly voice helped his nerves as he stood up and said, “Thank you for coming.” “I can tell just by looking at you, Midnight Blaze,” she commented. “You are greatly troubled.” Midnight looked down shamefully, saying, “I’ve just been… feeling so guilty. Princess Celestia, I know I promised you I’d never reveal my knowledge to everypony but… Ever since then, every time there’s a situation, I’ve known the solution, how to rectify the problem, but… I held my silence.” “And why is that, my little pony?” “To try and keep the story going as it should,” Midnight explained, “and so Twilight would learn the Magic of Friendship she’s supposed to! I felt that if I just gave her all the answers, she wouldn’t truly appreciate the lessons she’s supposed to learn. But, Princess, I can’t help but feel guilty! I have the answers but I’m not using them to help, and I feel like I’m manipulating my friends!” It took Midnight a few seconds to realize he had started to cry. “I don’t know what to do, keep my silence or give the answers, I don’t know!” He felt something warm around his shoulders and was surprised to see Celestia had wrapped her wing around him. “Hush now… I now realize I have placed upon you a burden, Midnight Blaze. Have you ever heard of the phrase ‘knowledge is power’?” Midnight wiped his tears and nodded. “Well, there are times when knowledge can be a burden. You are torn between wanting to help your friends and feeling it is your duty to make sure Twilight learns the magic of friendship, and making sure that it is so by seeing these things through. Oh, Midnight, forgive me. I asked something of you without considering the burden of such a promise in the long run.” She helped Midnight back onto his hooves and went on. “Midnight, I realize you are trying only to make sure Twilight learns and appreciates the lessons of friendship but you must remember! No matter what you do, the story you know and the story you are living are not going to be the same, however similar they might be! The knowledge you have belongs to a story of a different world, and I realize your plight: By friendship, you feel compelled to act on the knowledge you have while the duty you have shown thus far restricts you.” “I just wish… I didn’t have this knowledge anymore,” Midnight whispered woefully. “…Perhaps I can help with that.” Midnight gaped up at the princess curiously. “Midnight, I propose an arrangement: I cannot purge the knowledge you have because they are part of your memories. And nothing can erase memory because memory is imprinted upon us. Our ability to remember certain things, people, or events can atrophy overtime, but we cannot truly forget. Everything we know and remember is a memory linked to another, forming a chain that stretches throughout our lives. What I am proposing to you, Midnight, is a seal. I can place upon you a special spell that will seal all the knowledge you have of the story you know. You won’t be able to access those memories because they will be sealed from you.” “Can the seal be undone?” Midnight asked. “Of course,” Celestia said with a nod. “…Do it,” Midnight was certain. “But… Before you do, I’d like to write a few things down. I think you’ll need my help with some things that will surely come in the future.” Celestia nodded and conjured a scroll, quill, and inkwell. Not too long later, Midnight gave her a sealed scroll. “What will happen after you’ve placed the seal on my memories?” “You will fall into a dreamless sleep, and when you awaken, this will have only happened in a memory you won’t be able to remember. But Midnight, are you sure you want me to undo the seal if any of the events on this scroll happen?” “Yes, if you can redo the seal.” “I can,” she confirmed. “But are you certain this is what you want?” “…Yes,” Midnight confirmed back. “I can’t live with this guilt.” “Very well then,” Celestia’s horn glowed a gentle yellow as she said, “Sleep well.” There was a flash of light, and the world went black. *Cock-a-doodle-doo!* “Wha?!” Midnight bolted up, and groaned. “Dear Faust, what happened last night?” Gettng out of bed, he looked to see the sun rising, and he smiled. Good morning, Princess Celestia. But then he felt like he was forgetting something. He puzzled a moment before shrugging and made for the door. Whatever it was, it probably wasn’t important. And he trotted downstairs, ready for a new day.