The Travelling Argument

"It wasn't my fault... it was an accident," said Sky.

Evening smiled. "I believe you Sky, but I also know that you keep borrowing my utility knives when I'm not looking."

Sky pouted. "I was gonna give them back!"

"I've been taking it back each time, you just keep taking the same two back and forth."

"See? No harm done!"

Evening stepped closer to Sky and stared hard at her. "But if I ever catch you trying to borrow my necklace again, I will not hesitate to use this "restraint" Willow has been trying to teach me. She says I have a lot of potential."

"Restraint? You mean like, not hurting me or doing anything about it?" asked Sky confusedly.

Evening shrugged. "I'm not sure. Willow just said that I need it, and offered to teach me. I think it's a more powerful attack or something."

Sky smiled innocently. "It sure is! And you should use it on me at every possible opportunity!"

"You mean it? You're volunteering to be my sparring partner? I haven't had one since Fire Prancer started crying and had to leave," Evening began bouncing around Sky like a filly. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

"Well, it's always a pleasure to help out a frie- Wait, what do you mean she ran off crying?" asked Sky hesitantly.

"She was a senior student, she shouldn't have left herself open like that. But she did, so I bucked her through the wall. When she got back up, she cried and ran back to her room," explained Evening. "But I think you're stronger and faster than she was. Her talents fell into elemental resistance over physical resistance."

Sky looked at Evening uncertainly."Uhhh, yeah! Of course I can spar with you Evening! I'd be more than happy to... as long as Willow's around."

"Of course, she can tell me if I'm using restraint correctly. Friends are great! I'll go get her!" Evening hopped off to look for Willow.

Sky waved her off. "Sure! Go and get her! I can't wait to get started! Bye now!" Once Evening was out of sight she frowned. "I'm going to die... this is how I'm going to die."

Sky sat in the dirt waiting for Evening to return. A few moments passed and she appeared pushing Willow forward.

Willow looked at Evening distastefully and looked back at Sky. "You didn't really tell her you'd spar with her, did you?"

"I didn't know what to tell her! She can't hit that hard, right?" asked Sky worriedly.

Willow frowned sympathetically. "You saw her in action in the keep. She's a Celestial Warrior, and it looks like she has a talent for it. I will pray for you, Sky."

"Since this is our first match, I'll go easy on you. And you can use any weapon," said Evening.

"I'll be fine with my crossbow, thanks!" said Sky.

"Don't worry Sky, I BELIEVE IN YOU!!!" said Maboo with a charismatic hoofpump.

"Yeah, you're right! Let's see what you've got, Evening!" taunted Sky confidently.

"Okay!" Evening got into position and smiled as she charged forward at Sky, kicking up dirt and grass behind her. She stumbled a few feet in front of Sky. "Restraint... buck!"

"YEAH! RESTRAINT! RESTRAINT!" yelled Sky fearfully.

Evening skidded to a halt before smashing into Sky. "Are you okay, Sky? You look pale, and you're shaking."

Sky shivered. "Yeah, I mean I wasn't quite ready! Come on! Go again, and don't forget the restraint!"

Evening frowned. "If you don't want to spar, I understand... I'm only good at hurting ponies," she said sadly.

Sky swallowed her fear and put a reassuring hoof on Evening's back. "No! It'll be fine, I'm sure! Come on Evening! Come and have a go!"

"No, you were scared. I know... I've seen it so many times before," declined Evening.

"Congratulations, Evening, you passed your first lesson in restraint. You stopped when you saw that Sky was scared, and you refused to fight too," said Willow with a smile. She turned to Sky. "Sky Runner, I'm sorry I used you like this. Can you forgive me?"

"I was part of a... a lie?" asked Sky confusedly.

"More like a lesson. I was sure she would stop," answered Willow.

Sky nodded with a faked smile. "Well, erm, Evening? Did it help?"

"Restraint is the most powerful technique anypony has taught me. My master never taught me to hold back, and I was just a weapon. Now I'm... something more," said Evening with awe.

"You're a pony, not a weapon. It's important to always remember that, okay?"

Evening wiped away a tear and sniffled. "Thank you. You two were my first friends, and-"

Willow cut her off. "We understand, right Sky? You had a sad foalhood, but you didn't know it yet. But now you have us."

"Yeah, we're with you to the end!" said Sky.