//------------------------------// // The Mother of Fury // Story: Adventures of a Magic-Craving Filly // by gokenshadow //------------------------------// Twilight awoke to the muffled sounds of arguing parents. That couldn't be a good sign, especially given what happened last night. She crept out of bed and cautiously placed an ear against her door, but her mom's fury was loud enough to render such an action completely meaningless. "What in Celestia's name were you thinking!? Where did you get this?!" "Well... Dim was in town, and he kinda--" "DIM!? Why are you talking to him!" "Well, I just thought--" "You're not a fratcolt anymore, Night Light! We have a daughter!" "I know, but--" "I want you to take all of this... this junk, and throw it away.” "... but--" "Right now!" "Fine." Twilight let out a sigh of relief. They weren’t arguing about her, which meant-- The sound of approaching hoofsteps cut that thought short. Twilight jumped under her covers just as the door creaked open. Her mom, Velvet, stepped toward the bed. “Wake up, Twilight.” Velvet said in a stern voice. Twilight slowly lifted her head out of the covers, but the second she saw what was there, she wished she hadn’t. Her mom looked angry enough to murder her on the spot. “What. Were you doing. In your father’s study last night?” Velvet’s volume was even and calm, but her eyes were practically erupting volcanoes. “I… I… ” Twilight said, intensely focusing on one of the stars on her blanket. “Twilight, look at me when I’m talking to you.” Twilight gulped and looked. It was like staring into the deepest pit of Tartarus. “I told you never to go in that room, and I did so for a reason.” Velvet said, volume increasing with every word. “I know.” Twilight said. “Then why did you do it!?” Velvet yelled, slamming the floor with a hoof. Twilight’s heart stopped. “What the hay do you think were you doing in there!? Do you realize how much damage you’ve done!?” Velvet said. “I was… just trying to get a book.” Twilight said. “... a... book.” Velvet planted her face into a hoof. “How many times have I told you to ask me or your father if you wanted a book?!” “W-well, you were both aslee--.” Twilight said. “Then you wait until morning!” Velvet screamed, “Do you realize how many ‘books’ you’ve ruined!” Twilight pulled the covers up her face as her mom got closer. “And those weren’t normal books, Twilight! They were one of a kind! You couldn’t get them anywhere else!” Velvet’s eyes were inches from Twilight’s face. “How many times have I told you never to go into that room, Twilight!? HOW MANY TIMES!” Mother and daughter stared at each other for a moment that felt like hours. Velvet sighed and stepped back. “I don’t want you ever going into that room without my permission again, got it?” Twilight nodded. “Breakfast will be ready in half an hour. Be there.” Velvet trotted out the door, and slammed it shut. Twilight lay silently in bed for a minute or so, then she turned toward her desk. The gold-encrusted book that her mom had somehow missed shone before her like a diamond. Her lips widened into a gleeful smile. She was actually going to learn how to do magic. She was actually going to take the first step toward becoming a full-fledged mage. Eeeeeeee. She grabbed the book, pulled it open, and began reading. A Beginner’s Guide to Magic by Emily Cardtrad Introduction In recent years, Magic has become the breeding ground of a ton of snobbery and elitism. Experts are saying that it is impossible to become a true master if you aren’t born with some amount of raw talent. I happen to disagree with this sentiment. I firmly believe Magic can be mastered by anypony if she has enough dedication to properly hone her craft. Magic was never meant to be something kept only in the hooves of elitists. Magic is a joy that everypony deserves to share, a trading card game that the entire world should be welcome to play. Twilight’s left eye twitched violently. “Did you get rid of it?” Velvet said, taking three dishes out of a cupboard, eyeing her husband with ire. “Yes, it’s all gone.” Night Light magically opened a bag of freshly cut salad leaves. “... but do you know how much money--” “Save it.” “Fine.” Velvet placed the three plates on the table. Night Light dumped three portions of leaves onto the plates. “How was your time with Twilight?” he raised an eyebrow. “Did it go well?” “... it was weird.” she said, pouring orange juice into a cup. “What do you mean?” he said. “I really yelled at her a lot, but… she hardly reacted at all. I don’t think I got a single tear out of her.” “That doesn’t sound like our Twilight.” “I know. Do you think something’s wrong with her?” A shrill, pint-sized screech echoed down the hallway, followed by what sounded like a filly’s head making contact with a wall in steady beats. “Nope.” Night Light said.