Dangerous Alchemy

Chapters

Prologue
Chapter 1: Marelory Conjurah
Chapter 2: Leaving Ponyville
Chapter 3: School Days
Chapter 4: Marestone
Chapter 5: First Job, First Date

Prologue

**Dangerous Alchemy

By: Brickbrock24

Prologue**

Today is a day that puts me in a worse mood than waking up on a Monday morning. Today marks the three-year anniversary of when my life changed forever. My good name, my career, my beautiful body, all lost in a violent explosion. Now I’m a monster, a freak forced to hide under a shabby cloak so that I don’t give anypony, especially fillies and colts, nightmares. Frankly, I’d love to show children my hideous face and hear them scream! It serves them their just desserts after what they did to me!

I’ve been a busy mare lately, burning the midnight oil for my master, and one of my closest friends, Nightshade. I’ve been so busy that I hardly have time to sleep or write in this journal. It’s not easy to write anyway; trying to channel my magic through this clunky staff is a task on its own. One day, I’ll find a way to grow my horn back and make myself beautiful once more.

Anyway, the main project Nightshade has me working on is this so-called “Dark Ooze.” It’s basically this horrible mutagen that’s supposed to turn ordinary ponies into Darklings for Nightshade’s army. I finally perfected it tonight. A sprinkle of malicite dust and a bottle of dragon’s blood. Add the dust of basilisk teeth and hint of magic herbs. Then toss in a few potions. Mix and stir, apply heat! Finally, add a bit of magic from each of the Elements of Malevolence. Nightshade plans to use this concoction when he and his army attack Canterlot in a few days. Even with his sinister dark magic powers, I think Nightshade’s lost his marbles if he thinks he can take on Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Princess Twilight Sparkle simultaneously!

But enough about the present, this story is about the past. I fear I may not survive the inevitable siege, so I want to use the little time I have to write my story down. Hopefully, whoever reads this will learn from it and not suffer the same fate as me. The world of alchemy is a wonderful place with endless possibilities. But you must be careful with what ingredients you mix… and whom you teach alchemy to...

Chapter 1: Marelory Conjurah

**Dangerous Alchemy

By: Brickbrock24

Chapter 1**

I guess I should start off by saying a few things about myself. My name is Marelory “Hitchcolt” Conjurah (I know some of you are going to butcher my first name, it’s pronounced: mare-lore-ee!) A lot of my friends just call me “Hitchcolt,” however. I could be wrong, but I believe the nickname may have come from my love of the scary stories written by Grimly Hitchcolt. I really don’t mind my friends calling me Hitchcolt, even though I’m a mare.

As a young filly, I was fascinated by alchemy. When I wasn’t reading one of Grimly Hitchcolt’s stories or playing with my friends, I was spending every other second of my time studying the infinite possibilities that alchemy offered. I dedicated more time to getting lessons from Zecora and reading countless alchemy instruction and recipe books than I did with schoolwork and practicing my unicorn magic.

Overall, I believe my childhood was when I was at my happiest. I really did have the most wonderful friends, especially Nightshade. He was the kindest, sweetest, and most playful pony I knew. Even though I could never beat him at chess, it was still a load of fun to play with him, along with many other games. We shared a similar love for the holiday Nightmare Night and would always go to great lengths to come up with the most creative costumes.

My other close friends were Nightshade’s brother Sky Blade, Sponduli Moolalli, Roger, and Nightshade’s adorable little sister Zinnia. We all have a special place in Nightshade’s heart, and they all have a special place in mine. Sure, they weren’t perfect. Sky Blade could be a little less hot-headed and arrogant. Sponduli could stand to lose some weight and be a little less disgusting at the dinner table. All of us would stare in awe at the fact that the parts of Nightshade’s eyes that were normally supposed to be white were honey yellow and glowed in the dark. Sure, Nightshade could be a little less condescending when it comes to correcting grammar mistakes; but that’s beside the point. Nopony is perfect. What mattered was that Nightshade, Sky Blade, Zinnia, Sponduli Moolalli, and Roger were true, true friends. We always helped and looked out for each other, and that was good enough for me.

We shared so many joyful memories. I remember the fun we used to have at parties, festivals, and other enjoyable activities. Back when our lives were normal… I cannot fully fathom the dark magic that flows through Nightshade’s veins today or even exactly how he came to acquire such terrifying powers; but I do know that it has practically killed the once gentle and caring friend I knew. But even so, I hope that the good memories of our childhood lay somewhere in his corrupted heart. Zinnia believes that her brother can come back, and in my heart I believe she’s right. Perhaps this feeling comes from my hope to find an alchemy recipe to make myself the beautiful mare I once was.

I remember the day I got my cutie mark. I was on top of the world, and nothing, and I mean nothing, could ruin my mood. Getting my cutie mark at such a young age made me feel inspired and empowered. I felt like I was destined for greatness: to be the greatest alchemist Equestrian has ever seen! I ran home to tell my parents the news. My mother held me in a fond embrace and my father patted me on the head. They were so proud of me! How could they not be?

For the next year or so after I earned my cutie mark, all that was on my mind was alchemy. Alchemy was my life and passion! I had a mark on my flank to prove it! I spent countless hours everyday in the lab I set up in the basement (with the help of my supportive parents), experimenting with potions and other goodies. I managed to come up with several new recipes that I still use to this day. I couldn't test all of my recipes immediately, however. It would have been nice to be able to test my creations on animals; but that's a felony in Ponyville, and I didn't want to risk having the authorities breaking into my house to arrest me and take away everything I had worked so hard to achieve.

I knew my life was about to take a turn when my parents walked into my room one night and wanted to talk to me. Whether this change was for better or for worse, I did not know. Beads of sweat trickled down my face as I put down my pencil, closed my notebook, turned and stood up from my chair, walked over to my bed, and sat down. My heart throbbed in my chest like a caged animal savagely banging against the bars of its cage as I stared at my parents and waited for an answer. My anxiety eased when I saw them look at each other and exchange smiles. My father was the first to speak. He told me that he and Mom had been talking and had good news for me. Mom said that my talents as an alchemist were truly amazing. She had recommended me for a prestigious alchemy school in Manehattan. They had gotten a letter from the school that day. It said that, despite my young age, the headmaster saw potential in me and accepted me in.

My heart exploded twice. The next thing I knew, I was hugging my parents so tightly that they could hardly breathe. I must have said "thank you," like, a thousand times as tears of absolute joy flooded out of my eyes. After I released my parents from my powerful hug, Dad told me that we were leaving in two days and that I should start packing my things.

I was truly excited about this dream come true, but it was short lived when I realized something later that night. You can't make an omelette without breaking some eggs. I'd have to leave my friends in Ponyville behind. The friend that immediately came to mind was Nightshade. I knew he was going to be shattered when I went to break the news to him tomorrow. I wasn't sure if a colt as sensitive as him could handle such news. He didn't have many friends and was very close to the ones he did have. Had I been able to foresee Nightshade's terrible and cruel fate in the future, I would have turned down my enrollment in that alchemy school in a heartbeat and never leave his side. He needed me when I was living in Manhattan, and I couldn't be there to help him. The guilt still haunts me to this day!

Chapter 2: Leaving Ponyville

**Dangerous Alchemy

By: Brickbrock24

Chapter 2**

The day before I left Ponyville isn't a day I like to remember. It doesn't make feel anywhere near as empty inside as the day that ruined my life, but it does manage to shed a tear or two. It was the day I had to say goodbye to Nightshade. Looking back on the moment from the present day, I can also see it as saying goodbye to the friend I once knew, before he became the heartless tyrant he is today.

I remember the evening like it was yesterday. A waning crescent moon dimly shone through the thin cover of clouds as I walked up to Nightshade's door, trying to think of how to break the ice with him. I took a deep breath and knocked on the door Nightshade's mother, I believe her name was Dahlia, answered the door. She was somewhat surprised to see me at the late hour. I asked her if I could speak to Nightshade. Nightshade's mother nodded and went back into the house. A minute later, Nightshade came to the door.

He was happy to see me. I tried my best to look the same, but it was easier said than done. We talked for a few minutes; Nightshade was telling me about this book series he was reading and I told him about a few exciting new recipes I was working on. Then I told him the news. I told that I had been accepted into a prestigious alchemy school in Manhattan and that I was leaving Ponyville tomorrow. I probably could've spilled the beans a little more gently, because the facial expression Nightshade gave responded with just made the situation more uncomfortable for me. He tried to keep a poker face, but the sheer sadness I knew he was feeling cut right through it like butter.

I couldn't stand watching my friend get all down in the dumps. I quickly trotted over to Nightshade and gave him a hug. He buried his head into my shoulder and began to bawl. I felt awful. It was like I was one of those ponies sent to tell a family that a loved one died in the military or in the hospital or something like that. I did my best to comfort him. I stroked his soft crimson mane and whispered to him with the best reassuring voice I could do that everything was going to be alright. I told him that I was just as sad as he was and that he needed to stay strong.

Then he said something that caught me off-guard. He told me he was scared. I asked him why he would feel that way in this situation, and he told me he was afraid that all of his friends would leave him. Roger had apparently disappeared without a trace and Sky Blade left to join the Royal Intelligence Agency. I suddenly remembered that Nightshade's biggest fear was being alone.

I tried to fill his heart with whatever shred of hope I could give. I told Nightshade that I'd always be his friend. No matter how far we were from each other, no matter what happened to us, no matter how much Equestrian changes in the future, and no matter what crazy events may transpire, whether be an invasion of foreign creatures from a demonic realm or a zombie apocalypse or something else absurd like that, nothing would burn the bridges of our friendship. Then I did something that I would regret in the future. I made him a promise that I would try to visit him as often as I could. Unfortunately, I was never able to keep that promise. My work had gotten the best of me, and I never had a second to spare. I still regret it to this day.

Finally, it was time to let him go. I released Nightshade from my hug, said goodbye to him one last time, and began to walk away. I was tempted to run, but I decided against it. I didn't want Nightshade to misinterpret it and hurt his feelings even more. He was already suffering enough. When I got to the end of the walkway, I looked back at the house. Nightshade was still standing at the door, staring at me with those large, sad, glowing eyes. I looked away and headed for my house.

The next day was moving day. We went to the train station with our tickets and our belongings and boarded the train. As the train left the station, I look a long last look at Ponyville. I wouldn't see my hometown again for several years. While we were riding in the train, I tried to look at the glass as half full. I loved alchemy, and now I got to take that passion to a whole new level by being admitted into this grand alchemy school. I'll admit I was a little nervous moving to Manhattan. It was a strange new world that was different from Ponyville, filled with ponies that I didn't know. I had no idea what to expect when I got off that train.

Chapter 3: School Days

**Dangerous Alchemy

By: Brickbrock24

Chapter 3**

I really won’t go into too much detail about my experiences in the alchemy school I attended. It sort of goes off topic with the story I’m trying to tell, and I don’t have too much time to write this. But since I brought it up, I guess I can give you a relatively brief summary.

My first day of alchemy school started about three or four days after my family and I moved to Manehatten. As I said before, I really didn’t know what to expect. I tried to meet as many ponies as I could, but I didn’t really get to know them too well. Even today, I couldn’t tell you their names for the life of me. When I first walked into that academy, I noticed at the drop of a hat a crucial detail that made me stick out like a sore hoof. Most of the students in the academy were older than me, and I mean way older than me, like mares and stallions. There were very few fillies and colts who were about my age, and I’m willing to bet that they felt just as awkward and misplaced as me.

Being the alchemy genius that I am, I obviously did outstandingly well. Doubt me? Then go stick a cupcake in your eye! I did learn a few new tricks and recipes, but that wasn’t until very late into my university days. I didn’t make too many new friends. I was so absorbed with my work that the world around me seemed invisible and nonexistent. Again, I don’t want to go into too much detail about my school days, so I’ll just give the bottom line of my four year experience.

My first year in alchemy school took no effort whatsoever. It was mostly about the basics of alchemy, which I already knew like the back of my hoof, with a few projects here and there. I, without a doubt, was the top student in my class. I distinctly remember the dumbfounded looks on most of the students’, and even the professor’s, faces as I knocked off question after question the professor asked at lightning speed. In fact, there were many moments where the professor wouldn’t let me raise my hoof to answer questions because he wanted to give the other students a chance to participate. I didn’t mind it too much. To me, it established and magnified my stance as an absolute power in alchemy knowledge. You know what they say, great power comes in small packages.

I don’t remember too much about my second year in the alchemy academy. The professor went into a bit more detail about some recipes (all of which I knew) and there were more hooves-on experiments. I remember one of the assignments was that each student had to demonstrate up front how to create this recipe that was taught. I can’t recall exactly what we made, but I know I nailed the assignment. It was a cakewalk for me. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same thing for a few of the students. I remember that many of the students and myself were having intense belly laughs when the pony doing the experiment mixed the ingredients incorrectly and the concoction blew up in his/her face. Luckily, the ingredients and chemicals weren't particularly dangerous.

Some stress had entered my life during my second year; but it didn't come from school work. It came from my parents. Now, Mom and Dad were always pushing me to make new friends, but that was normal. However, for some strange reason, they badgered me a lot more about it during this point in time. I'm not sure if it was because I was getting older or something; but I remember that my father marched into my room one night and told me in a stern tone that I needed to be more social and that I couldn't spend the rest of my life alone mixing potions. I told him that my beakers and cauldrons were my friends; but he told me I was being ridiculous.

What also didn't help my mood was the fact that homesickness really began to ail me, forming an alliance with my stress with the goal of making me miserable. I truly did miss living in Ponyville. I missed the fresh air and the lush green grass that tickled my hooves when I walked on it. I missed my old house, my old lab, and so many other pleasures that humble little town offered. Living in Manehattan just wasn't the same. I really hated living in that type of city. It was loud, it smelled like a swamp, there was no elbow room, certain holidays like Nightmare Night weren't as fun there, it wasn't as vibrant and colorful as Ponyville, my list goes on for miles.

But the thing I missed the most above all else were the friends I left behind. I was having fun with alchemy, but it wasn't the genuine fun I had when I played with my friends. I missed Nightshade. I missed his playful attitude, his mastery at chess, his intelligence, his love of books and high-level vocabulary words, and his colorful imagination. It was that imagination that made Nightshade a really awesome dungeon master whenever we played Dungeons and Dragons. I missed his older brother Sky Blade and his cute-as-buttons little sister Zinnia. I also missed Roger and even Sponduli Moolalli. Spindly and I might not have always gotten along; but deep down, that gluttonous pony is a true, true friend.

Speaking of Sponduli, I learned something interesting much later in my life. Believe it or not, Sponduli Moolalli was actually living in Manehattan the same time I was. The whole time I spent in Manehattan as a lonely alchemist, I never knew that a friend was nearby. Never once did we see each other there. He must have been living on the other side of the city or something; plus the fact that I didn't didn't go out too often because I usually kept myself busy brewing my concoctions. Sponduli told me that the reason he moved to Manehattan was because his father enrolled him in a business school of some sort so that he would have the knowledge to run his family's business in the future.

I'm getting a bit off topic, I apologize. My third year in the university wasn't really any different my second year. Sure, the tests got more difficult, there were more hooves-on experiments, the professors threw much more information at us; but aside from that, everything else felt relatively similar. Admittedly, I did learn one or two new alchemy techniques, but that wasn't the main thing that was on my mind. It was during this year when guilt really began to eat away at me. Why? Because in the three years that I had lived in Manehattan at that point, I was unable to keep the promise I made Nightshade.

Why wasn't I able to visit my friend? Let me try to explain this to the best of my ability. My family never had a lot of money. When my family first moved to Manehattan, my parents realized that it was a lot more expensive to live there than it was to live in Ponyville. We literally had a mountain of bills: my tuition, the rent for the apartment, food, electricity, you name it. My parents had to work long hours for minimal wage in order to keep the family afloat. We almost never had a bit to spare.

Every once in a while, I'd earn a bit or two. I tried my best to save them so I could afford a train ticket to visit Nightshade in Ponyville. But I was blind. I kept forgetting why I was saving that money, and I'd spend it on alchemy ingredients or, occasionally, new alchemy tools. What kind of friend was I? How could I let alchemy keep me away from one of my closest friends? He needed me, he needed a friend! Why did I make that promise to him? Why?! I couldn't even begin to imagine how he must have felt. Every opportunity that I missed to visit Nightshade contributed to his sorrow and slowly drained his hope. At least I didn't say "Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye," otherwise I imagine the rate of Nightshade's disappointment would have doubled.

My final year in the university was certainly noteworthy. Lots of stuff happened that year. It was graduation year, and I wasn't going to let myself choke on the home stretch. The main thing the class had to do, besides take an absurdly long written test, was create an original alchemy recipe. I had created numerous recipes years before I even moved to Manehattan, so that part of the assignment was as easy as pie. I believe the recipe I presented was my recipe for Magic Glue. It's basically this yellow substance that's a liquid while it's in the bottle or flask, but activates when it's poured on something by turning into a thick, creamy, and foamy goop that is incredibly sticky and durable. I also invented a recipe for glue solvent, just in case some pony foolishly got stuck to something.

It was during this year that I did get to see Nightshade again, but not in the way I had hoped. I was walking home from the academy one evening, and I decided to take a different route home. I passed by the police station and saw something on the window that caught my eye. There were new wanted posters put up. Now, the police hanging wanted posters on the walls and windows of the police station was nothing new. But something about the new ones sparked my curiosity, and I went over to investigate. I stared at the three posters that were lined up in a row on the window. The pictures on the posters weren't photographs, they were police sketches. I took a good long look at them. Those ponies looked awfully familiar, but I couldn't quite wrap my hoof around it. I racked my brain for a minute, then it hit me. I didn't want to believe it. It couldn't be true. I looked at the names on the posters, and I was shattered to learn that I was right about the identities of the ponies. I was standing in front of wanted posters of, from left to right, Zinnia, Nightshade, and Sky Blade. I read what they were being charged with. Zinnia was being accused of being an accomplice to Nightshade, Sky Blade was being hunted for treason, and Nightshade was accused of a huge series of burglaries.

Was this really happening? Had my friends really gone to the dark side? I wouldn't believe it. I refused to acknowledge the thought of Nightshade and his siblings being criminals. I knew them better than anypony! They would never do such horrible things! I read the posters a bit more. They said that Nightshade, Zinnia, and Sky Blade were last seen heading north of Ponyville and that there was a large reward for any information leading to their capture. I looked at the dates on the posters and saw that they weren't as new as I thought. They were at least eight months old. There was no point in trying to visit Ponyville anymore. My best friend was gone and nowhere to be found.

A few weeks before I graduated from alchemy school, I started thinking about my future. Alchemy was truly a wonderful thing. It can make anything: glue, medicine, chemicals, you name it! I couldn't understand why there weren't many alchemists in Equestria when it was clear as crystal that alchemy had the potential to do so many good things for society. That's when I decided what I would do after I graduated. I would become an alchemy teacher and make it my goal to spread the wonders of alchemy to as many ponies as I possibly could.

Chapter 4: Marestone

**Dangerous Alchemy

By: Brickbrock24**

Chapter 4

I was just about a mare when I graduated from alchemy school; but it wasn’t until the headmaster handed me my diploma that I really felt like one. I told my parents of my plans for the future, and they liked what they heard. They gave me a small loan so I could buy a train ticket and sustain myself wherever the wind took me. I ended up choosing a choosing a town called Marestone when I was choosing where to go. I really didn’t have any real reason for picking that town, I just happened to point to it when I played a game of Eenie, Meenie, Miney, Moe.

If there’s one thing I remember about when I arrived at Marestone, it was that I started to open my eyes and pay more attention to the world around me. When I stepped off the train, my nostrils were greeted with a blast of fresh air. I hadn’t breathed air that clean since I was a filly living in Ponyville. I tried not to make that comparison in my mind because thinking of Ponyville would make me think of Nightshade, and I didn’t want to make myself depressed. It was time to be positive and excited. I had a fresh start in a new town, and I intended to make sure my time in Marestone would be enjoyable.

Marestone itself was humble, yet lovely town. It wasn’t anywhere near as big or as populated as Ponyville, but it still had the charms to make me feel at home. The houses were built in a style very similar to the houses of my hometown. There was a school, a library, a couple of stores, and anything else you would find in a basic town.

It felt good to feel grass under my hooves again. The grass in this town was extra soft and ticklish. I looked around. Most of the town was surrounded by beautiful green fields. There was a huge forest that stood to the west of Marestone. As I strolled through the town, I looked and saw a bunch of foals playing in one of the many fields. Seeing them brought back memories. Good memories… I wondered if there would be any good memories to make here.

After I found a place to stay, I started to head to a school to apply for a job there. On the way, I saw a young filly being picked on by a group of about four other ponies her age. The filly being picked on was a little pink unicorn with a curly green mane and tail, and eyes that were like two sparkling sapphires. It wouldn’t have taken a detective to figure out why the filly was being teased, because I immediately noticed that her flank was blank and the flanks of the bullies all had cutie marks. I found myself thinking about Nightshade again. He also didn’t get his cutie mark right away and, in addition to his rather unique eyes, would constantly get teased about it. Even on the day before I left Ponyville, his flank was still as blank as a fresh piece of paper.

I stopped thinking about the past and snapped back into reality. That little filly needed help! She looked like she was about to shed tears from her big blue eyes. As I ran over to help, I realized this was a chance to redeem myself. I couldn’t be there to help Nightshade when he needed me, and I wasn’t about to let that happen again to some filly.

I stood beside the pink filly and chewed the bullies out. I told them to stop tormenting her and to leave her alone. Three of the bullies backed off, but one of them, whom I assumed was the leader of his little group of friends, wouldn’t budge. He just laughed, gloating that he wasn’t afraid of me and how the pink filly next to me was a pathetic loser for needing an adult to fight her battles for her. That’s when I decided to teach that rude little punk and his cronies a lesson - a lesson in alchemy! I opened my and levitated out one of my alchemy creations: Bang Balls. I threw them at the hooves of the bullies. The balls exploded with a small, sparkly flash and emitted a thunderous bang! It definitely did the trick, because those little rascals totally freaked out and bolted.

The next thing I knew, I was being hugged and thanked by the filly I just stood up for. After she released me, I asked her what her name was. She said her name was Candy Corn. I told her my name in return. I then remembered that I was on my way to a job interview at the school and excused myself to leave. But Candy Corn didn’t want to leave me just yet and asked if she could walk with me to the school. I didn’t want to hurt her feelings, so I let her tag along. During that walk, we got to know each other a little better. I told Candy Corn about my profession as an alchemist. I explained to her that I was originally from Ponyville, then I moved to Manehattan to attend an alchemy school, and then I moved here after I graduated.

From the way Candy Corn stared at me with those starry blue eyes of hers, I could tell she was fascinated by what I was telling her. When we got to the school, I waved Candy Corn goodbye. She smiled, turned around, and went home. I went into the school and found my way to the principal’s office. I can’t recollect the exact questions that they asked me that day, but I do remember that my heart was pounding in my chest the entire time. If I didn’t get this job, how would I spread the joys of alchemy and sustain myself? Luckily, the principal and the other teachers with her seemed interested in what I had to offer, and they hired me!

My day just got better from there. On my way home, I was approached by one of the most handsome stallions I had ever met. I’ve probably said this a bunch of times, and I’ll say it again: I was drop-dead gorgeous back in the day before the accident. The stallion’s name was Treble. He was an orange Earth pony with a luscious blue mane and tail. His eyes were like two plates of gold and his cutie mark was a treble cleft.

I remember how nervous he was talking to me. I don’t think he had ever talked to a pretty mare like me before that point. After we talked for a minute, Treble summoned up all the courage he had in him and asked me if I’d like to have dinner with him. It was so exciting! I’d never been asked to go on a date before. My fluttering heart compelled my mouth to respond with an automatic “Yes!” Treble asked me when a good time would be, and I told him I was free tomorrow evening. After the date plans were arranged, I waved him goodbye and went home.

When I got home that evening, there was a surprise standing at my door. It was Candy Corn, and she was waiting for me. Frankly, I have no idea how she found out where I lived. But I didn’t mind, I knew she wasn’t a predator or anything like that. I asked Candy Corn what she was doing at my house, and her response was that she wanted to thank me again. She said that what I did for her today really meant a lot her. Nopony had ever stood up for her before I moved to Marestone.

I found that hard to believe at first. Was she seriously saying that none of her friends have ever defended her? I asked her this question, but I got no response. She didn’t need to say anything for me to figure out the answer; it was written all over her saddened facial expression. She had no friends. When I realized this, I decided that was going to change that. I put a hoof on her shoulder and told her that if she really didn’t have any friends, it would be my pleasure to be her first. When Candy Corn heard that, joy came in and kicked her sorrow out of her mind. Candy Corn really had a thing for hugs. Seconds later, there she was with her arms around me… again. It was getting really late, so I sent the little unicorn filly home and went to bed. I had a big day ahead of me and I needed all the shut-eye I could get.

Chapter 5: First Job, First Date

**Dangerous Alchemy

By: Brickbrock24

Chapter 5**

“Today is going to be a great day!” That is what I told myself when I woke up the next morning. In addition to getting to kickstart my goal of spreading the wonders of alchemy, I also had my date with Treble! I was as excited as a foal opening presents on Hearth’s Warming. Considering this was my first day as a teacher, I wanted to do my best to make a good first impression on not only my students, but also on the other teachers and the principal. I took a hot, luxurious shower, ate a scrumptious breakfast of scrambled eggs and fluffy pancakes, and spent, like, ten minutes styling my mane and tail.

I arrived at the school about a half an hour before the ‘school day’ officially started. A teacher was waiting for me when I entered the building. For the next ten minutes or so, I was given a tour of the humble little school. To be honest, I really wasn’t listening all that well to what the teacher giving me the tour was saying. My mind’s plate was full thinking about what I was going to teach today and, more importantly, what the heck I was going to do during my first date with Treble. I got my head out of the clouds when the teacher showed me to my classroom.

I couldn’t have asked for a better classroom to teach alchemy in. It was a large rectangular room that I could divide into two sections. The first section was what I called the “Teaching Section.” There were about twenty or so desks arranged in rows of five facing a large rectangular walnut desk and night-black chalkboard. The other section was the “Lab Section.” There were several lab tables that had been set up so my students could do hooves-on experiments that I would assign when the time came.

Several windows allowed light to peek into the classroom, giving it a sense of life and vitality. Looking out the windows, I gazed at a beautiful green field with a few trees here and there. There were several cabinets, mainly in the Lab Section, that I could use to store my alchemy tools, creations, and ingredients. I spent the rest the time I had before the start of the day to set up my equipment. Using my magic, I teleported in several of my beakers, flasks, test tubes, ingredients, and a bunch of other stuff. It put an enormous strain on my horn, but I even managed to teleport in my huge spare cauldron, which I set up next to my desk. Before anypony asks, yes, I put an apple on my desk. I really wanted to feel like a teacher, okay?

I was writing some lessons on the board when the students began to enter the classroom. I heard them saying things like,

“I wonder who this new teacher is?”

“I hope she isn’t crazy like that substitute was!”

“Do you think she’ll teach us how to make stuff like love potions and mind control juice?”

“Wow, she looks very pretty!”

I’ll admit I was a little nervous, but that feeling was fleeting when I turned around to face my class.

“Yay! Ms. Conjurah! Hi, Ms. Conjurah!!” I heard a squeaky, enthusiastic voice yell. I didn’t need a map to find the source of the noise, because all I had to do was follow the trail of eyes and turned heads that led to a filly sitting at the second desk in the second row. It was Candy Corn, and I could tell she was eager to learn. I smiled and waved back at her. I then heard a snarky voice in the back shout,

“Hey, look! Blank-flank Candy Corn’s bodyguard is now a teacher! It’s only natural that somepony as pathetic as her would suck up to her! Blank flank! Teacher’s pet!” I saw the colt that was being rude and instantly recognized him. It was the same bully that was teasing Candy Corn yesterday. After I did a roll call to learn everypony’s names, I learned that punk kid’s name was Sly Adder.

Aside from Sly Adder and a few of his cronies that sat around him, the rest of my students didn’t seem to be troublemakers. They were all very excited to dive into such a new and intriguing subject, especially Candy Corn. I did what any teacher would do with a new class: I introduced myself, gave a brief synopsis about the course, told them to bring notebooks and pencils, told them to do their homework when I assigned it, yada yada yada.

After I gave a lecture about my experiences with alchemy and all the wonders and potentials that it had, I decided it would be a good idea to dazzle them with a demonstration. The question was, which awesome recipe should I show them? It had to be something visually sensational, like festival fireworks. I grinned when I settled on a fun little concoction that was a piece of cake to make and didn’t take too long. I didn’t tell my students what I was making, of course. After all, you generally get better reactions with the element of surprise. When I finished making the potion, I held the vial up as if I was saying “bottoms up!” and drank it. I remember the shock on a few of the students’ faces as they watched me drink a mysterious looking chemical straight out of the flask.

But what was truly stunning to the little fillies and colts was what actually happened to me after I drank the potion. My violet mane, s if by magic, turned pumpkin orange within a few seconds. Yup, the concoction I made was my recipe for Instant Flawless Hair Dye. I didn’t care for the color my mane turned to; which is why I made made a potion on the side to reverse the effects of the hair dye. I sipped the mixture out of the test tube it was in and, sure enough, my mane returned to its normal color. After that, I received a well deserved round of applause.

When the bell rang and the students left the classroom, I began to clean the tools that needed cleaning, put things away, and tidy up the room. As I did these things, I noticed Candy Corn hadn’t left the room. I could tell she wanted something, so I walked up to her and asked her what was on her mind. Candy Corn said that she really liked the the lecture I gave on alchemy and my demonstration with the Instant Flawless Hair Dye. I thought I had done a decent job on my first day as a teacher, and it was nice to hear it from a student of mine. Candy Corn said that alchemy really interested her and she couldn’t wait to learn more. Yes! My dream of spreading the wonders of alchemy was already coming true! I decided to feed the fire of Candy Corn’s enthusiasm and offered to give her private alchemy lessons. She said ‘yes’ in a heartbeat. I’m pretty sure Candy Corn saw this as not only an opportunity to learn from the best, but also as a chance to spend time with her new friend: me!

Oh boy, oh boy! Now I get to write about my first date with Treble! I had butterflies in my stomach when I got home from work. Anxious thoughts coursed through my mind, such as “What should i wear? What should I talk about with him? I hope I don’t screw this up!” I was going to Treble’s house for dinner that evening.

The hour before my date was one of the most frantic moments of my life. I was preparing myself as if I had invited Princess Celestia to my home. I took a long hot shower and spent an unnecessarily lengthy amount of time styling my mane and tail. Everything had to be perfect! It’s not everyday that a handsome stallion is served to you on a silver platter. I spent a good chunk of time fussing with myself whether or not to wear jewelry and what to talk about when Treble and I would inevitably have conversations with each other. I also wondered if I should quickly run out to buy him a gift or something. In the end, I decided that the jewelry and gift idea wouldn’t be necessary. I didn’t need to be too dolled up - it wasn’t like we were going to a gourmet restaurant for our first date.

When I got to Treble’s house, I tried my best to keep a poker face and not look nervous. That was easier said than done, because my fluttering heart and the small beads of sweat beginning to form on my head served as a constant reminder of how I really felt. I tried to soothe my anxiety by taking some deep breaths as I waited for Treble to answer the door. I heard a bit of fuss in the house after I knocked on the door. Two voices were arguing with each other. The first voice was Treble’s, but I didn’t recognize the second voice.

“Oh great, she’s here!” I heard Treble say, “Come on, Bass! I can’t help you practice anymore today. I’ve got my date with Marelory!”

“Oooooo, so my big brother finally met a mare, huh? said Bass in a teasing manner, “What’s she like? Is she pretty? Did you have to pay her to go out with you?”

“I really don’t know what she’s like, I just met her yesterday,” said Treble with an irritated sigh, “And, no, I didn’t bribe her! I can’t believe you think I’m that pathetic with girls!”

“I was just kidding, Treble!” said Bass, “Geez, you’re awfully antsy today!”

“I just don’t want to mess this up,” I heard Treble say, “You have no idea how much courage it took to ask out a mare as beautiful as her! I was shaking like I was standing outside in the middle of a blizzard without winter clothing. Now please go to your room, Bass! I don’t want to keep her waiting. I really want her to like me!”

“Alright, lover-colt!” laughed Bass, “But don’t think I won’t be listening! I hope that alchemist doesn’t poison your drink when you say something stupid to her!”

I heard the clip-clop of hooves trotting up the stairs. About twelve seconds later, Treble finally opened the door. He had combed his hair all nice and neat for the occasion. I’m not one hundred percent certain, but I think he might have even been wearing makeup. He apologized for the commotion that I may or may not have heard (I totally heard every word!) and invited me inside. He told me that dinner wouldn’t be ready for another half an hour, and he invited into the living room to chat. Whatever was in the oven made my nostrils jump for joy. My stomach growled like a savage beast, demanding that I fill it with whatever it was that smelled so delicious.

The living room itself was, well, your average living room. It was an almost perfectly square room with walls painted beige. There was a medium sized window, with bright scarlet curtains, that allowed natural light from outside to enter the room. There were many pictures hung all around, mostly of family members. A walnut-wood bookcase stood near the limestone fireplace. For a brief moment, the bookcase reminded me of Nightshade. He loved to read. Anyway, the most notable feature of the living room was the obsidian black piano that stood directly opposite of the aqua blue sofa.

After we sat down on the couch, none of made a sound for a minute or two. I thought I needed a map, because I got lost in Treble’s gorgeous golden eyes as I stared into them. The situation was pretty awkward, so I decided to break the silence and start a conversation, like I practiced at home. I played it safe with the starting subject matter and asked Treble how his day was. He didn’t really have much to say there. His answer could pretty much be summed up as “same old, same old.” He bounced the question back to me, and I told him about my exciting first day as an alchemy teacher. I had so much more to say than he did to the point where I was worried that I was making him feel small and insignificant.

Treble then asked me where I was from and why I decided to move to Marestone. I answered by telling him about how much I loved alchemy for as long as I could remember and how I left Ponyville to attend a prestigious alchemy school in Manehattan. I told him about my dream to spread the wonders of alchemy to as many places in Equestria as possible and how I started with Marestone. Bottom line, I pretty much told him the story I’m writing in my journal in the present day up to this point in time, only it was much briefer.

I should note that when I was telling Treble about my time in Ponyville, I never said the names of Nightshade and his siblings. I simply referred to them indirectly as “a few other friends.” The reason I did that was because I was thinking about those wanted posters I was in Manehattan. I wasn’t sure how far they had spread across Equestria. If they were here in Marestone and Treble saw them, I thought he would think I was an associate with a heinous criminal if I told him Nightshade was my best friend, even though I didn’t believe for a second that Nightshade would even think about committing a crime.

I could tell Treble was thinking, “Come on, oven-timer! Ding already!” I decided to ask him about his talent because I figured that he’d have a lot to talk about, which would make him feel more interesting to me. Treble, breathing a sigh of relief from being served some subject matter, smiled and began to talk. His teeth were like flawless pearls that made his smile precious. I learned that Treble was a musician who specialized in playing the piano. From the very first moment we met, I had already inferred that his talent had something to do with music, so this was no surprise. Anyway, Treble made a living by giving piano lessons and occasionally performing at places that would hire him.

He then asked if I’d like to hear him play a few measures. I said I’d be delighted to hear him play. He got up from the couch, walked to the piano, and sat down on the little stool in front of it. After cracking his hooves and taking a deep breath, he began to play a song from memory. It really was a beautiful moment during that evening. You’d think that Treble wouldn’t be able to play properly because he didn’t have the ability to create magic fingers or something, right? Wrong! He didn’t need to be a unicorn to produce the divine-sounding music that he played for me. The song he chose was a beautiful piece. It was a soft, tranquil song with a medium-slow tempo that lightened the mood of the room and was easy on the ears. When Treble was finished, I was at a loss for words. I didn’t have time to say anything anyway, because a that moment we heard the sound of the oven-timer ringing. It was time to find out what smelled so remarkable!

Before he put dinner on the table, Treble remembered something he had completely forgotten about and cantered out of the room. If you were in my place, you’d think somepony had poked him in the rump with a sewing needle when the thought came to his mind. I waited at the table for a few minutes. He then came back with a bouquet of flowers. He had bought them for me, and I was flattered. They were gorgeous flowers, and they had an enchanting aroma. It wasn’t just one type of flower; there were many kinds of flowers in the bouquet. It was mainly roses, daisies, and forget-me-nots. Why forget-me-nots? Treble said it was because they were beautiful and blue, just like me. I blushed, it was really cute.

Anyway, dinner was served. Treble had made lasagna and garlic bread. When I took a bite of the lasagna, my taste buds were in paradise! It was so delicious to the point where I had to summon up a great deal of willpower to keep myself from pulling a “Sponduli” (Which is where I would scarf food down as fast as I could, without even chewing some of it, like a hungry, hungry hippo.) While we ate, we talked about the little performance Treble put on for me. The blush on his face was unmistakable when I told him it was the most beautiful thing I’d ever heard. He told me I was exaggerating, but I assured him that I really meant it. He then said that he’d like to start writing his own music someday. He was an amazing musician, so it was only natural that I supported him.

After dinner, I wasn’t really sure what to do next. It was too early to wrap up the date. I had to think of something, quick! I could see in Treble’s eyes that he was having the exact same thought. Eventually, he asked me what I wanted to do next. I really don’t know why, but I quickly responded to the question by shouting,

“Equestrian Ratscrew!” Treble raised an eyebrow. He must have thought that I insulted him or something. He asked me what in the hay I was talking about, and I told him that Equestrian Ratscrew was the name of a card game that I used to play with my friends back in Ponyville. Treble said it sounded like fun and asked if I could teach him how to play.

For those who have never played this game, here’s the basic idea on how it works. Each player is dealt cards until there are no cards left. Since it was just Treble and I playing, we each got twenty-six cards. Each player then stacks their set of cards in a face-down pile in front of them. Once the players are ready, they take turns quickly flipping the top cards of their pile and putting them in the center of the table between your pile of cards and your opponent(s)’s, one on top of the other. The objective of the game is to get all of your opponent’s cards. How do you get the cards of your opponents? I’ll tell you how!

During each round, the players must keep a watchful eye on what cards are being played. When the same card is placed on top of each other (example: a six, then another six) or when there’s a card placed between the same cards (example: a three, a four, then a three), the players have a chance to slap the pile in the center. Whoever slaps the pile first gets to take all the cards in it. The winner of the round then puts the cards he/she won in a separate pile next to the pile of cards currently in play. Once the pile in use is depleted, the player takes any cards he/she won, shuffles them, and uses those cards in a new pile. I would go on to explain more rules, such as what happens when face cards are played, but I won’t. I am getting way off topic with the story I’m trying to tell. This is a journal, not an instruction booklet.

We played five games of Equestrian Ratscrew. I only won one game because Treble had lightning reflexes. His hooves were but a blur when he went to slap the pile in the center. Such speed probably came from his talent as a pianist. It was loads of fun for the both of us, and we laughed the evening away as we played.

When it was time for me to go home, Treble looked at me with a hopeful expression on his face and asked,

“So… Can we see each other again sometime?” I giggled a bit when I saw Treble’s cheeks turn rosy like beets when he asked me that question. I smiled and answered,

“Absolutely!”

Well, that pretty much sums up my first date with my boyfriend Treble. What, were you expecting more? Were you expecting cuddling, hugging, us calling each other “schmoopie,” and a good-night kiss? It was our first date, cut us some slack! He got me flowers, and I think that sufficed in terms of romantic events during that evening. I assure you all that mushy romantic stuff happens later in our relationship, okay?