//------------------------------// // 42. New Dog, New Tricks - Part 2 // Story: Blaze the Pony Tale // by Wolven5 //------------------------------// *Cock-a-Doodle-Doo!* “Mmph,” Midnight moaned as his eyes creaked open, but he forced himself up and awake, begrudgingly used to it now. As he stretched and yawned away the last haze of slumber, he smacked his lips as his eyes fell upon the corner of his room, where he had set up a basket lined with a blanket for the wolf pup, fully-expecting the little furball to be asleep and no longer distressing his injured paw, which Midnight had nursed and wrapped up. The basket was empty. The door was open. Uh-oh. Midnight got up and started heading for the door when he heard a round of barking, followed by yips of distress and the sounds of a scuffle. He bolted down the stairs and just barely dodged the wolf pup as it leaped past the foot of the stairs, followed by Winona, Applejack’s dog. Seeing the bigger canine bullying the smaller, Midnight furrowed his eyes as his horn flared, the wolf pup becoming engulfed by his aura as he was lifted beyond Winona’s reach over onto Midnight’s back as Midnight glared Winona down, though the dog continued to softly growl. At that moment, hoofsteps signaled somepony descending the stairs before Midnight heard, “Wha’ in th’ hay is all th’ ruckus so early in th’ mornin’?” Applejack came down, having hastily tied her mane back, looking irritated when she gasped at the sight of the wolf pup. “Where di’ that creature come from?!” “Morning, Applejack,” Midnight greeted. “Sorry about the noise, Winona was bullying my new friend here.” Seeing the stink eye Midnight was throwing at her, Winona whimpered a bit, lowering her head as she went over to Applejack, who petted her calm. “Well no wonder Winona raised a fit, tha’s a wolf ya got there, Midnight!” “Applejack, relax,” Midnight assured, “He’s only a puppy, I found him last night outside the house, the poor thing had an injured paw, and I couldn’t just leave him out in the cold.” “Ah understand what yer sayin’, Midnight,” Applejack stated, “but that is a wild animal! Ah will not have it on mah farm, take `im out to the forest and leave him there.” “No.” “Wha’ was that?” Applejack demanded threateningly. “You’re telling me to leave him to die in the forest, Applejack,” Midnight stated, his gaze unflinching. “He’s only a baby! He wouldn’t survive out there by himself. I’m keeping him.” “Midnight, th’ answer is no!” Applejack insisted. “This is mah farm, mah rules! Ah c'not have a wolf here an’ about, gettin’ into trouble. He could get into th’ henhouse or th’ pigsty!” “He’s a puppy, Applejack!” Midnight insisted back. “He can be trained, taught!” “Ya cain’t train a wild animal,” Applejack maintained. “He’s gotta go!” “He’s staying, and that’s final!” Midnight declared and Applejack suddenly felt a chill in her spine the way Midnight looked at her. Midnight sighed, deciding he had to assure her. “Look, if you’re so concerned, I’ll place spells on the property that will make him avoid certain places, and I’ll be his sole caretaker.” “Sounds reasonable t’ me.” They turned to see Big Macintosh descending the stairs, looking unworried about the situation. “Big Mac!” Applejack protested. “Ya cain’t honestly tell me ya don’ see a problem with this!” “If Midnight says he can take care a’ th’ pup an’ keep him outta trouble,” Big Mac reasoned as he led them all into the living room, “why not? Ah mean, it ain’t like th’ lil’ feller can cause much trouble.” But the moment Big Mac sat onto the sofa, his eyes popped in realization. “Big Mac? Something wrong?” Midnight asked. Big Mac’s eyes narrowed at the wolf pup as he deadpanned, “Yer gonna hav’ t’ housebreak tha’ critter.” Midnight and Applejack’s eyes widened in realization as Big Mac sat up and went to the bathroom for a needed shower, and they noticed the spot on the sofa where he’d sat. Applejack gave Midnight the stink-eye, as he chuckled sheepishly. “Look, I’ll fix this! Uh… Y’know what, I’ll go out later and get you a new sofa, on me!” “Just take tha’ critter with you,” Applejack sighed, knowing, for the moment, the battle was lost. “And keep Winona away from him!” Midnight called after her as she went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. He sighed and looked at the pup, who returned his gaze with a curious look. Soon, Apple Bloom and Granny Smith joined everypony for breakfast. Applejack had prepared oatmeal with cinnamon and apple-slices although she’d intentionally put less in Midnight’s bowl. “Tha’ little puppy is really cute!” Apple Bloom commented sweetly as she looked at the pup. “Ain’t he jus’ precious?” Granny Smith agreed as the wolf pup came over and made a friendly yip at them. “Ain’t tha’ cute…” Applejack muttered. “Well, he’s still a pup and needs to be trained,” Midnight admitted. “Also, you might wanna avoid the sofa until I buy a new one today.” “How come?” asked Apple Bloom. “Cuz th’ lil’ feller ain’t housebroken yet.” They looked to see Big Macintosh come in, still a little damp but clean as a whistle, his cutie-mark even had sparkles surrounding the apple. “Found tha’ out th’ hard way.” Granny Smith just laughed a little, “Ya cain’t fault a youngun’ for needin’ to do his business, hon.” “Well, I promise to get him housebroken as soon as possible,” Midnight assured them, “But he’ll be sleeping in my room cuz I don’t want him outside at night. Also, Winona will have to stay outside until she warms up to him.” “What?! Now hold one apple-pickin’ minute!” Applejack steamed. “Ah don’ think that’ll be necessary!” Apple Bloom pointed and they saw Winona was giving the pup a gentle licking as though she were his mother. “Aw!” everypony said except Applejack who narrowed her eyes at the little traitor as she gave the pup a tongue-bath. “Well, that solves one problem,” Midnight chuckled. Soon enough, Midnight was on his way to the local dump to get rid of the soiled sofa, the pup on his back, snoozing peacefully, thanks to the spell Midnight had cast so he wouldn’t have to worry about the pup getting into trouble. Along the way, Midnight ran into Rarity, “Ah, darling! That puppy is just precious! Wherever did you get him?” “I found him outside last night, shivering from the cold and he had an injured paw,” Midnight explained. “I brought him in but this morning, he… had an accident on the sofa.” Rarity noticed the sofa Midnight was levitating and realized the wet spot with a scrunchy nose of disgust, “Oh, I see. Well… I suppose it’s to be expected, him being only a puppy after all. By the way, darling, what’s his name?” “Hmm, y’know I haven’t given him one yet,” Midnight replied when they heard the pup growl and twitch his paws. “Oh-ho-ho my! It looks like the little dreamer is onto something,” Rarity chuckled. Dreamer… Midnight mused before saying it aloud, “Dreamer… I think that’s perfect! Rarity, you just became a godmother.” “Why Midnight, I'm honored!” Rarity smiled as she looked at the pup, “Dreamer, welcome to Ponyville.” “Well thank you for the inspiration, Rarity,” Midnight replied. “I must be getting along, this sofa has to go.” “Oh I quite agree, darling,” Rarity obliged, stepping out of his way. “But on your way back, stop by the library! I hear Twilight found herself a new friend as well!” Later on, everypony had gathered in front of the library as Twilight and Midnight showed off their new pets. Twilight was delighted to meet Dreamer and Midnight though Twilight’s new owl, Owlowiscious, was perfect for her. “Oh what a fantastical fluffilicious feathery and furry pair of friends!” Pinkie gushed before she cracked, “I’m… HOOked!” Everypony honestly found that funny, Thunderlane saying, “Somehow a wolf really matches you, Midnight! He looks like an awesome little guy!” Dreamer licked Thunderlane in the face while Fluttershy said, “Don’t forget Owlowiscious, he’s just wonderful!” “‘He’s just wonderful’!” said a mocking voice above and they all looked to see Spike with a book, sitting in a window of the library. He noticed they were all looking at him as he quickly added, “Uh, yes, wonderful! He is quite… the charmer…!” Midnight was certain Spike had chewed on the word ‘charmer’ but Rarity spoke up. “And they’re both such little stars!” She levitated a bejeweled bowtie not unlike the one she gave Spike last night, along with a diamond studded collar. “I simply had to make these little accessories for them!” Twilight and Midnight smiled as Rarity placed the bowtie on Owlowiscious and the collar on Dreamer when they heard an angry growl and a slamming sound, and they saw that Spike had closed the window above them. “What’s he all saddle-sore about?” Applejack commented. “He’s probably just jealous of Owlowiscious,” Rainbow Dash offered. “Maybe Spike feels threatened, or worried that Owlowiscious will replace him,” Fluttershy added, Big Mac agreeing, "Eeyup." “Replace him?” Twilight scoffed, “Ha! That’s crazy. Spike knows he can’t be replaced!” “Speakin’ a replacin’,” Applejack spoke up, giving a look to midnight, “Where’s tha’ new sofa we were promised?” “I’ll get it!” Midnight responded crossly. “Look, AJ, in case you forget, the farm doesn’t belong just to you – it also belongs to Big Mac, Granny Smith, even Apple Bloom, and you lost the majority vote – Dreamer stays. Now unless you want me to get you a crappy sofa that’s hard on the rear end, I suggest you drop the animosity and start acting like an adult.” Midnight trotted off, leaving a jaw-dropped Applejack wordless, everypony shifting their perspectives between her and the departing unicorn. “Family troubles?” Thunderlane inquired. “AJ don’ like t’ lose.” Big Mac responded softly. After Midnight took Dreamer back to the farm he walked through town wondering where he would actually get a sofa when… “Midnight Blaze?” He turned and saw a green earth pony mare with her mane and tail in a bun, a lapel collar around her neck, and her cutie-mark was a gavel hammer. “I am Lady Justice, the resident judge of Ponyville. It is my understanding that you inquired to the adoption process at the orphanage for a young colt for whom you volunteered to be a big brother at the Sibling Revelry.” “That is correct, um, your honor,” Midnight replied, wanting to make a good impression. “Oh please, call me Jussy! We’re not in court,” she insisted. “I simply wanted to meet you. See, Mayor Mare received word of your inquiry from the orphanage matron, and she brought it then to my attention.” “Well, um, Jussy,” Midnight felt like he was walking on thin ice, despite the judge’s friendly manner. “I’ve been acting as Twinken’s big brother for a while now, and… recently I got to thinking of making it official, by becoming his legal guardian, his adoptive brother. But… it’s not just the adoption process that has me worried.” “Oh? Do tell,” Lady Justice said as they started just walking through town. “Well… It occurred to me that… What if Twinken was to be adopted by a couple who could be the parents he never had? Would it really be right of me to deny him a family when he’s never had one?” “Well, I can understand that. I myself spent a part of my foalhood in the orphanage,” Lady Justice spoke, Midnight giving her a look of intrigue. “I was adopted by a kind couple and they treated me truly as their daughter. I grew up with an interest in studying law and eventually I became a judge and chose to serve Ponyville in this capacity. But I never forgot my time there, which is why I head the charity events for the orphanage.” “That’s very generous of you, judge,” Midnight said with a hint of admiration. “Not at all,” she waved it off. “Midnight, I pride myself on being an excellent judge of character, if you’ll pardon the pun, and I honestly find you to be a good pony, and you clearly care about Twinken if you’re considering the possibility that his best interests might not be with you…Not that I’m saying it is so, I am simply saying I think it is most selfless of you to put that little colt’s needs before your own feelings.” Midnight said nothing, when Lady Justice said, “Which is why I have no reservations in granting you legal guardianship of Twinken.” “What?!” Midnight gaped at her as she held a document up to him. “This document declares your rights as Twinken’s legal guardian,” Lady Justice explained with a smile on her face. “I’ve taken the liberty of signing it already. All it needs to become official is your own signature, but before you sign, Midnight Blaze, I must explain to you. For the first few months, there will be visits from an agent of Foal and Family Services, who will come by to your residence and see how Twinken is faring under your care. You must see to it he is healthy, has proper sustenance, safe and comfortable housing, is doing well in school, as well as making sure he is happy. You must provide for him a healthy environment and a good home. Are you prepared to accept that responsibility?” She was answered with a glomping hug, Midnight already shedding a couple tears as he whispered, “Thank you!” Although a little surprised, Lady Justice couldn’t help but smile as she pat the stallion on the back. Midnight hurried to the orphanage and met with TLC at the door, holding up the document. “I have it! I have legal guardianship of Twinken!” “Why, Midnight!” TLC was honestly blown away. “I never expected this, to be honest… but I am happy for you, and Twinken!” “Can I tell him?” “He’s your brother,” TLC smiled as she stepped out of the way. Twinken was staring blandly at the math paper in front of him. He wasn’t allowed to play outside until his homework was finished, but a knock at the door ruined his concentration. “Ponyfeathers, I almost had the answer!” He stomped towards the door, muttering, “Whoever it is, they’d better be prepared for a-” “Twinken!” cried Midnight as the door flew open, Twinken leaping back, just barely missing the door. “Oh big brother! What’s up?” "Pack your bags, Twink!” Midnight happily said, “You’re coming home with me!” “What…?!” Twinken gasped. “It’s true, Twinken,” Midnight smiled warmly, “I’m now your legal big brother, I just signed the paper for your adoption!” Twinken stood there, looking in shock, as tears suddenly welled up in his eyes, and Midnight found himself in a tackling hug as Twinken laughed, sounding so happy, and they laughed together. In no time at all, they had packed Twinken’s things and left the orphanage, Twinken took a couple minutes to say see-ya-laters to his friends, and before long they were off, Twinken asking, “So are we headed to Sweet Apple Acres, big brother?” “Not just yet,” Midnight said. “I promised Applejack a new sofa for the living room.” “I know just the place!” Twinken beamed. They were soon approaching a place called Davenport’s Quills & Sofas, a store that sold just that, when they heard someone say, “But the store is called ‘Quills & Sofas’! You only sell two things!” They saw Spike was confronting the store-owner, Davenport presumably, who replied, “Sorry junior, all outta quills until Monday.” But then Davenport inquired hopefully, “Need a sofa?” Spike groaned in frustration and stormed off. “Uh, hey!” Davenport noticed the two brothers approach, Midnight asking, “Can you help us? I actually need a new sofa.” “At your service!” Davenport brightened back up. Before long, Midnight was levitating the new sofa, Twinken walking alongside him, as they made their way home to Sweet Apple Acres. “So you had to get a new sofa cuz you got a pet wolf puppy that… had an accident?” “That’s pretty much the gist of it,” Midnight chuckled. “The pup’s name is Dreamer. I just hope Applejack is satisfied with this sofa, cost me a pretty bit.” But as they approached the farm, they could hear a loud panicked clucking and immediately, Midnight had a fearful suspicion of what was upsetting the hens. “Uh-oh, the henhouse!” He dropped the sofa by the road and galloped towards the farm Twinken running after, yelling, “Wait for me!” They approached the henhouse and saw the source of the hen’s distress, as he called, “Here chicky-chicky-chicky!” It was Spike, chasing one of the hens around the chickens’ enclosed area and into the henhouse, saying, “Here chick-chick-chick-chicky!” The inside of the henhouse sounded like pandemonium when the back fell out because Spike crashed into it. Growling, the little dragon got back up and continued chasing the hen, yelling, “COME HERE!” It got to the point where he jumped the hen, the two of them thrashing about in a ball of dust, violence, whirling action, and madness as Spike and the hen fought. “Come here! Ugh! No, not the face, not the face!” In no time at all, the dust cleared, the hen running off, as Spike laid in exhaustion when he noticed a small chicken feather flutter in front of him, and he smiled. But then he heard a tapping and looked to see Midnight tapping his hoof and giving him the stink-eye. “Uh, heh-heh! I can… explain?” *BUCK* “AAAAAAAUUUUUGGGGHHH!” Spike screamed as he hurtled through the air into a nearby haywagon. “ANNNNND STAY OUT!” Midnight screamed at him before heading back to collect the sofa. Twinken winced as Spike climbed out of the haywagon and rubbed his sore rump, which had a horseshoe shaped bruise on it. “A lil’ more t’ th’ left!” Applejack directed. “There, perfect!” Midnight placed the sofa down, finally. Applejack had been fussing over the position of the sofa in the living room. He had already explained to Applejack how Twinken would be living with them from now on. Applejack was a bit sore at first but quicker accepting the new addition of their family, especially since she knew how close Twinken was to his big brother. As night fell, they had a celebratory dinner to welcome Twinken, Midnight promising to get him a bed of his own for their room. “It warms mah heart t’ see this family growin’ a lil’ more,” Granny Smith commented, as she placed her hoof warmly onto Twinken’s shoulder. “And Ah’m proud t’ be yer granny, sweetie-pie!” Twinken couldn’t help shedding more tears of joy when Applejack spoke up, “Ah’d like t’ say sumthin’, if y’all don’ mind.” As all eyes turned to her, Applejack cleared her throat. “Last night, Midnight, y’brought a new member fer this family, and it was wrong o' me t' try an’ make ya give up Dreamer. Ah was only thinkin’ a what he might do and not seein’ him as a critter wit’ nopony to turn to. And ya kept good on yer promise about the sofa, and even brought another new addition for the Apple Family! What Ah’m tryin’ to say is… Ah’m sorry, and Ah’m also proud t’ call you both mah brothers!” “Eeyup!” “So am Ah!” Apple Bloom cheered. “Then let’s dig in!” Applejack declared when they heard a frantic knocking on their door. “now who could tha’ be?” “I’ll get it,” Midnight offered and he opened the door to see, “Twilight?” “Is Spike here?!” Twilight asked, looking frantic. “Please tell me he’s here!” “He isn’t, but what’s wrong?” Midnight asked, everypony peering from the dining room. “I think Spike’s run away!” Twilight worried, “I scolded him earlier for lying to me and trying to get Owlowiscious in trouble! Oh! What if he’s hurt?!” “Calm down, Twilight! We’ll help you look for him,” Midnight assured her, when Dreamer walked up to Twilight and sniffed at her hoof. “Dreamer, stop,” Midnight pulled the pup away when Twilight looked at her hoof and gasped. “That’s it! Spike must’ve-” She suddenly hurried off and Midngiht quickly followed. “Twilight, what’s up?” As he galloped alongside her, he noticed Dreamer running alongside him and Owlowiscious flying above them. “Spike tried to make it look like Owlowiscious killed a fieldmouse but he used a toy one and ketchup to make it look like blood. I think he might’ve stepped in some when he left!” “So?” “So… If Spike stepped in ketchup when he ran away, he might’ve left some tracks!” Twilight was right, and the tracks led into… the Everfree Forest. “Why is it always the Everfree Forest?” Midnight whined, sounding like a wimp even to himself. Dreamer yipped and tore into the forest, Midnight gasping, “Dreamer come back!” “No, maybe he’s picked up a scent!” Twilight insisted, and to their surprise, Dreamer did, leading them to another set of tracks. “Good boy, Dreamer!” “He does have quite a sniffer,” Midnight added proudly. They followed the tracks to what appeared to be a cave and they could hear loud growling. “Tell me that’s not the growl of a dragon!” Midnight begged. “That is the growl of a dragon!” Twilight worried. “I said not to tell me!” “Hoo-hoo!” Owlowiscious flew into the cave, Twilight gasping, “Owlowiscious, come back!” They followed Owlowiscious inside and gasped at what they saw: A big green dragon glaring down at a cornered Spike. But before the beast could lay a claw on him, Owlowiscious bravely flew up and smacked the dragon, distracting him and dodging his attempts to knock the courageous owl down with his tail… succeeding only in hitting himself, and hurting his head with one of his tail-spikes. As the dragon groaned in pain, Twilight called, “Spike, over here!” Seeing the dragon distracted, Spike made a break for it out of the cave to the two unicorns, “Am I glad to see you guys!” “Hop onto Twilight, I’ll get Owlowiscious!” Midnight ordered as he concentrated. Owlowiscious was a little shaken as he was enveloped in Midnight’s aura but allowed the blue unicorn to collect him as he held both the owl and the pup and said, “Quick, grab onto me!” Seeing the dragon storming towards them, Twilight and Spike grabbed Midnight and he concentrated. Before the dragon could slash them with his claws, they vanished in a flash, leaving the thwarted dragon to breath a torrent of flame in frustration. The group reappeared in a flash of light just outside the Everfree Forest, Twilight saying, "Quick thinking, there Midnight, and impressive distance! Not even I can teleport that far!” “Helps that the moon’s out,” Midnight remarked when he turned to Spike, “Spike! What were you thinking taking off?!” “We were so worried about you,” Twilight added, Spike looking ashamed. “I was so worried about you! Why did you run away?” “I thought you didn’t need me anymore, Twilight,” Spike admitted sadly, “and that… you didn’t love me anymore.” “Spike! Sure I was disappointed, but you’re my Number One Assistant, and friend! And you always will be,” Twilight admonished. “It’s just that sometimes I need a little help at night! I can’t ask you to stay up late, you’re a baby dragon, and you need your rest!” Midnight knew what she was saying, and added, “Owls are nocturnal, so clearly Twilight asked Owlowiscious to help her out while you’re asleep. She could never replace you, Spike!” “Even when you are being a jealous numbskull!” Twilight giggled as she ruffled Spike’s spines. Spike smiled understandingly and hugged Twilight, apologizing, “I’m sorry, Twilight, I shouldn’t have been so jealous” “And I’m sorry too, Spike,” Twilight replied. “I should’ve been more sensitive.” They watched as Spike looked towards Owlowiscious, perched in the branch of a tree near them, “And Owlowiscious? I know no that you weren’t trying to take my job, forgive me?” “Hoo?” “Me, forgive me, Spike.” “Hoo!” Spike gave the two unicorns an incredulous look, making them both laugh as Midnight said, “I think he forgives you, Spike.” “Hey!” Spike brought up, “How did you guys know where I was?” “You can thank Dreamer here,” Midnight said as he petted the little pup. “He sniffed the ketchup on your feet and we followed your trail all the way to the cave.” “Oh yeah, the ketchup, it looked pretty real though didn’t it?” Spike asked humorously, earning an unamused look from Twilight. After seeing them home, Midnight and Dreamer made it back to Sweet Apple Acres whereupon arriving, Twinken asked, “Hey big brother, is everything okay?” “Eh, same old, same old,” Midnight said before yawning. “Let’s go to bed.” They went up to Midnight’s room where Midnight put Dreamer in his basket and scooted over in the bed for Twinken. Until he got him a bed of his own, he would gladly share his, feeling content as Twinken snuggled up with him, yawning. “Thanks, Midnight, for being my big brother…” Midnight smiled and kissed the colt on the forehead, whispering, “Sweet dreams, little brother.” Then he directed the air to blow out the candlelight.