//------------------------------// // (B'Tween) Lesson Solo // Story: Blaze the Pony Tale // by Wolven5 //------------------------------// Ponies went about their business, as they did in Ponyville. Merchants sold their goods in the marketplace, some ponies were going to and fro running errands, some were just hanging out and enjoying the day. However, a certain blue unicorn with a blank flank sat on a bench looking across the way, straight at the Golden Oaks Library. To some of the passerby's awareness, he'd been sitting there all day, looking at the library with great contemplation. As well as a troubled demeanor. "You seem to have rather a great much on your mind." Midnight looked to his right and saw an earth pony stallion of gentle brown, his mane slicked back into oddly symmetrical spikes, his eyes were blue, and he wore a dress collar and green bowtie. His cutie-mark was an hourglass. Sighing, Midnight returned his gaze to the library, "You could say that..." "That was quite a fiasco yesterday," the pony commented as he sat on the bench with Midnight. "Magic... Honestly, it's something to be pitied for the majority to rely upon it so much, when it can also yield such a bother as some enchanted doll giving you goo-goo eyes." "I take it you're not very fond of magic?" Midnight muttered, not really caring. "Oh far from it," the pony chuckled, "to each his own on how to resolve matters or make his way in life. Magic has its merits, most certainly, but there are so many other sorts of means and methods to solve your problems, so many things that even magic can't explain, where science and mathematics are the real magic!" Hearing the passion in this pony's voice, Midnight couldn't help but chuckle a little, "I take it you're some kind of scientist?" "Great whickering stallions, 'some kind of scientist'?!" the pony laughed, like it was such an obvious thing, to Midnight's confusion, until the pony whipped out a card and held it out. "Dr. Time Turner Whooves, Alumni of the Fillydelphia Institute of Science! I have a doctorate in Quantum Physics and Mechanics, along with honorary degrees in Advanced Mathematics, Engineering, Biology, History, even Magical Theory." Midnight couldn't help but whistle before saying, "Impressive! But... If you're such a bigshot scientist with a doctorate in quantum stuff, what're you doing here in Ponyville? Shouldn't you be at some science institute, researching and all that?" "Ah, yes, one would think that," Dr. Whooves shrugged, "but you see, I ran into a bit of snag early on after I received my doctorate, I became rather obsessed in using my knowledge to create a device that would enable me the impossible! The power... to travel through time!" "But... isn't time-travel dangerous?" Midnight questioned. "Well, of course, if done by some simple-minded ignoramus looking to have fun at the expense of the space-time continuum," Dr. Whooves went on. "But just imagine! Traveling through history, witnessing history, seeing the many triumphs and failures of ponykind in person, having a front-row seat to history literally in the making! The knowledge to be gained from such an experience! Knowledge that no history book could ever truly teach, for after all history is but an account of what supposedly happened. But it's rarely the full story, if ever." "So... what was this snag you were talking about?" Midnight reminded Whooves. "Oh, yes, right," Dr. Whooves cleared his throat, and got to the point, "Well, chap, my theory in using science to time-travel rather than magic was deemed impossible, unnecessary, irresponsible, and a complete waste of funds... I got kicked out of the institute where I'd shared my theory with some arrogant excuses of erudites, and they added insult to injury by spreading my theory as the cockamamie ideas of a crackpot!" Midnight felt bad to hear that, and more so as Dr. Whooves sighed and slumped on the bench. "I tried looking for other establishments with individuals who shared in my dreams and ideas... I can't tell you how many doors were slammed right into my muzzle. By jove, I swear at least one of them broke my snoot. I came so very close to giving up... But then, I met her." The joyous swoon of a sigh Dr. Whooves made caused Midnight to smirk, "I take it 'her' was quite the looker." "Most assuredly," Dr. Whooves nodded as he sat up with a more positive look. "She was making a delivery from another town when that beautiful and compassionate soul happened upon me. To my shame, I admit I had turned to the bottle... I don't know what spurred her to lend a helping hoof to some twatted scholar up the creek with nary a paddle. But she did. She took the time to help me, even though it delayed her delivery, and insisted I come with her to her hometown to help get me back on my hooves. "I daresay, she was an angel sent from Faust, and she delivered me to the promised land in the form of Ponyville. With her help, I secured work here as the local timekeeper and caretaker of the Ponyville Clock Tower. As for her, we spent much time together, and I couldn't help finding myself falling for her. Then, out of nowhere, somepony approached me with a job that allowed me to dive into my own private research and pursue my own academic interests and experiments! I got a fine-paying job in a nice and lovely town, I got my own laboratory, and before I knew it, I had my own family." "So you two wound up getting hitched, huh?" Midnight couldn't help but admire Dr. Whooves in this moment. "Yes we did, and when Ditzy Doo said yes, I thought I couldn't have been happier," Dr. Whooves smiled nostalgically. "I was proven wrong when our daughter, Dinky, was born." "You sound like a stallion who couldn't ask for anything more," Midnight commented, almost feeling jealous. "To be honest, I am content," Dr. Whooves nodded with a more straight and serious face. "But who knows? Today, I may be the luckiest stallion in the world, with a stable job, home, good income, and a family I love so much. Tomorrow? Well, who really knows what tomorrow will bring? It's for that exact reason, Midnight Blaze, we must take the time every now and then to appreciate what we have and who we have in our lives. Ditzy and I didn't have some easy fairy tale romance. It had its ups and downs, and there was a time when I actually wondered if we were right for each other. "But despite our arguments, and however we might have angered, frustrated, or even disappointed each other, we would take a moment to cool off, and remember what it is about each other that makes us love each other so much, and we can come together to talk and work through our problems rather than allow them to escalate." Those words resonated deeply in Midnight when Dr. Whooves stood up, "Well, I've prattled on long enough. I hope whatever problems or issues you may have, Midnight, you can get through them, and you can! All you need do, is remember the friends and family you have in you lives, and how much you all mean to each other. Ahem, now then, I'd best be off! I promised Dinky to take her to see Rarity about a fitting for a costume. Nightmare Night's just around the corner, you know! Allons-y!" Watching Dr. Whooves trot off merrily, Midnight soon looked ahead to the library again, puzzling Dr. Whooves' words, as he thought about Twilight and the things that happened yesterday, and the things he'd said to her. After sleeping on it, Midnight was certain he'd hurt Twilight by his decision to study magic by himself from then on, all but renouncing her as his teacher. The more he thought about it, the more he was afraid that Twilight might think they weren't friends anymore. Maybe that was silly to think, but it was Twilight's own jumping to a worst-case scenario that led to that insanity with Smarty Pants the doll. It'd been irresponsible, selfish, and reflected badly on Twilight for even thinking her teacher would be so petty as to send her back to magical kindergarten over one tardy assignment that would never have been tardy to begin with! Why couldn't she have had more faith in her teacher...? Midnight wondered before sighing with a depressing pit of guilt he felt in his stomach. He was one to talk, considering he had elected to study independently rather than continue under Twilight's tutelage. Deciding there was no point putting it off any further, Midnight walked towards the library, intending to check out some magic books for his studies, like he'd said he was going to do. He would almost certainly see Twilight, but he knew he had to speak with her at some point. Maybe they could talk things out, maybe assure each other in some way, at least he hoped. *KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK* "Spiiiike! Could you answer that please?" Twilight called as she poured through a book on enchantments. After what happened yesterday, she never wanted to cause such a mess again because she'd cast an enchantment without knowing the full scope of what it was capable of, and how to dispel it. "I got it!" Spike answered back. It wasn't a minute later when he yelled, "Twilight! Somepony here to see you!" "Coming!" Twilight sighed as she bookmarked her page and set it aside. Stepping out of her bedroom she made her way downstairs, thinking, Whoever this is, I hope they have a good reason to- She froze halfway down the stairs as her eyes met the eyes of Midnight Blaze. He was looking up at her, with a look of hesitation, and almost immediately the situation became awkward. It was for that particular reason Spike chose to make a quick exit. "OhmyIforgotthaterrandIgottadoforRarity,andyoutwoclearlyhavethingstodiscuss,seeyalaterrrrr!" "SPIKE!!" Twilight yelled after the little dragon as he sped out the door. Midnight chuckled lightly, finding Spike hightailing out of this uncomfortable situation briefly funny. But then, he cleared his throat, and said, "Um, hi." "Hi," Twilight's ears splayed backwards as her eyes drifted down towards her hooves. The familiar shame she'd felt when her student had declared he was going to be studying by himself from then on coming back while Midnight rubbed his left forehoof to his right, shifting his weight to his right legs. The guilt that had manifested itself overnight from his harsh words last night made him feel a little sick. "I... suppose you're here for some magic books?" Twilight took the first move, before she suddenly started levitating out some books, "because I actually took some time last night to go over several texts that could be beneficial to your research! Like... 'Crystal Ball's Guide to Advanced Levitation', or if you're thinking of looking into potions, there's 'Violet Vial's Potions, Concoctions, and Elixirs Galore' recipe guide-" "Twilight-" Midnight tried to interject but Twilight went on. "Or! If, you're thinking of looking into some defensive magic, I have 'Battlement's Study of Shields, Wards, and Barriers'-" "Twilight!" Twilight stopped, hearing the forcefulness Midnight had voiced in addressing her, and for a moment they resumed the awkward tension but Midnight stepped forward and set the books aside before meeting Twilight's eyes, and sighing. "Twilight? We should talk." "...Okay," she said heavily, "let's have a seat." They sat down at the reading table with the wooden horse head bust in the middle of the library, Twilight offering tea, but Midnight politely declined. For a few moments neither of them said anything, and Midnight was about to talk when- "Midnight?" Twilight spoke up, looking nervous and ashamed, "I just want to say... I'm sorry. I'm sorry for all the trouble caused, I'm sorry for worrying, and I'm so very sorry that I disappointed you..." Midnight's shoulders slumped a little, but he let her continue. "I suppose, ever since I was a filly, and especially after I became Princess Celestia's student, I've always felt this unceasing drive to be the very best student I could be, the ideal student! A student who always gets good grades, is never tardy, studies hard, plans ahead, and... I don't know. I guess I became so self-conscious with my position as 'the Sun's Favored Foal' that I had to live up to any expectations that I set my standards so high that even today it's a struggle to... deviate. improvise, not get so caught up over mistakes or deadlines, and..." Twilight moaned sadly, putting her face into her hooves, unsure of what else to say. Midnight wanted to say something back, to assure her, support her, but he felt Twilight had to get whatever was eating her out in the open. She took a deep breath, and stood up, meeting Midnight's gaze again, and continued. "What I'm trying to say is... I respect your decision. If you don't want to be my student anymore, I understand perfectly, and you can even have whatever books you want to study, and go about your studies and training your own way. But I also want to say... I am so honored to have been your teacher." Twilight moved to stand up, but Midnight stopped her by saying, "'Been' my teacher?" She looked at him, confused, and he smiled kindly as he said, "Twilight, I never said I didn't want you as my teacher anymore. I said, I wanted to start studying and training by myself for a while!" Twilight's eyes widened in realization as Midnight went on, "Twilight? I have to be honest... You did disappoint me, and you made me worried. Your actions, I have to be frank, were immature and selfish. And even if my opinion of you has changed a little, that doesn't mean I've stopped caring for you and respecting you! "Look, I want to study magic by myself for now, yes, but... after a while, maybe we can go back to doing our sessions together." "Really...?" Twilight whispered in a way that she dared not hope. Midnight went over, and pulled Twilight into a warm hug, "Absolutely." Twilight smiled so happily she felt a tear of joy well up in her eye but she blinked it away while returning Midnight's hug. When they released from each other's embrace, Midnight said, "Honestly though, Twilight? I spent the last few hours outside, sitting on that bench across the path in front of the library, and I was worried that you either might think I didn't want to be your friend anymore... or if you didn't want to be mine." "Midnight, how could you think that?" Twilight asked, a little surprised. He gave her a teasing rise of his brow and a smirk to go with it. For a moment, it confused Twilight until she remembered that her own teacher had not punished her in the way she'd fretted over, and she got the point. "Well... I guess we both worried over ultimately nothing," Twilight sighed, before shrugging with a smile, "at least nothing that couldn't be solved with a little heart-to-heart." "And y'know what, Twi? We can't spend our lives worrying about what was, is, or may be," Midnight pointed out. "We have to take a moment every now and then to appreciate what and who we have in our lives! Just like how I appreciate you, as my friend and my teacher." Twilight smiled warmly at him, "And how I appreciate you, as my friend, my student... and my hero." That one caught Midnight off guard, but it made him blush and smile a bit, as he rubbed the back of his head with his hoof. "Well... Like I said, Twi. I'm gonna study magic by myself for a while. But soon, I don't know when, I hope we can resume our sessions together." "I'll look forward to them," Twilight agreed with a warm smile. "Help yourself to whatever magic books you like." Four books weighed down Midnight's saddlebags around his barrel, and he stood just outside her door while she said to him, "...and remember what I said about magical feedback. If a spell hurts so much that you don't think you can cast it, stop immediately! The feedback can be absolute TARTARUS!" "Yes, Mom!" Midnight teased her, making her swat him slightly on the snoot, Midnight braying in surprise. "I'm serious!" Twilight said with a razor edge tone and look, making Midnight shy back a little, his ears splaying backwards against his head. Then, from out of nowhere, Twilight gave him a quick peck on the cheek, causing him to whinny in shock! "Study hard, and I'll see you at Nightmare Night, next week," Twilight giggled at the look on Midnight's face as she closed the door. Still standing at Twilight's doorstep, Midnight absentmindedly reached up to his cheek, touching where Twilight had kissed him. The fact that it had happened made him feel... warm. Happy, in a small and still somewhat incredulous way. He finally snapped out of it, and scoffed in good nature. He turned around and started making for home, as his eyes drifted over the bench where Dr. Time Turner Whooves had helped him in more ways than one. "He's one smart stallion!" he chuckled when a stray thought crossed his mind. "Wait... Did I ever tell him my name?"