Splitting aMid the Night

"So, once we have her, we should be through with it for now, right?" Midnight said while approaching the door to Ruby Pinch's room, another loaded shot of vaccine floating beside her head.

"Did you remember to have one yourself?" Nurse Redheart asked.

"Nurse, I don't need to. Magically immune to plague, infection, vampirism, and about anything but what fits in the kitchen sink. That is to say, simple seasonal influenzas and maybe the occasional cold. For whatever reason my immunity doesn't stretch to those."

"Do I want to know how you found that one out?"

"I've been sick exactly twice my entire life, that's how. Also, it's something that has occured in every unicorn with a special talent like mine in history ever. Kind of figures. You can't und- explain the world in some cases," Midnight waved a hoof, then used it to push open the door. "Aw, look, she's napping," Midnight whispered upon seeing the foal's current state. "Well, makes for an easier injection."

"Midnight, no," Nurse Redheart stepped in. "We perform operations of any kind only on conscious, consenting patients."

"Aw, but..."

"No."

"Can't I..."

"Wake her up. Now."

"Alright, fine." Midnight set to gently wake up Ruby, though she left the needle dangling right before her face.

"Would you kindly take that away from there? What kind of Hippocratian Oath did you do?"

"Do no harm, except if it's really necessary or really really fun? Yeah yeah, I get it." Midnight put the syringe down on a side table and began serious attempts to do the required waking.

Ruby took a moment to acquire her surroundings, then lifted her head and blinked the sleep out of her eyes, "Un, hi Midnight and Nurse. I fell asleep again, didn't I."

"Yep. Good for you you look so cute while doing that, or it'd be a problem. Now, look here, we've got spare vaccine shots. You want one?"

Ruby Pinch looked at the syringe Midnight had picked up in her magic again, then at Midnight, then she turned towards Nurse Redheart, who said, "Well, at least she's charming. Somewhat. Don't worry darling, it's just an ordinary thing no matter what Midnight says."

Midnight, at that time, was busy acting like she was testing the needle on her hoof and quickly retracting it even though she had only briefly touched it with the insensitive part of it. While that served as a distraction, she applied a simple spell to her hoof to make it appear bathed in red, then used that to gesticulate in front of Ruby Pinch, "Yeah, what she said. Won't hurt at all."

"You know, sometimes I wonder if you're really the right one for this job. On the other hoof, your talents speak for you by themselves. Speaking of which, focus on the patient."

"Yeah, that's been enough fun for today," Midnight said, letting her illusion fade away. "You ready, lil' one?"

"Um, yes. Go ahead."

"Good filly. Not like you had a choice anyway, but still," Midnight said, going through the usual preparations once again. "Now here comes the poke... yeah, take it like a mare! Take it!"

"Is she usually like that?" Nurse Redheart asked Ruby as Midnight pulled the syringe out again and Mended the wound.

"Sometimes. But she's really fun!"

"How nice of you to say that. You know how they say foals never lie? I wonder if that's true. It'd be all the more charming, at the very least. I'm rambling again, aren't I."

Ruby Pinch giggled. "You're funny when you're like that."

Nurse Redheart began to do smalltalk with Ruby, giving Midnight time to think.

Is that warmth in our heart? Where did that come from?

Odd. I haven't been particularly sadistic right now and Sparkle is nowhere to be seen.

Keep your friends close, they will drive you to the cosmos, I remind you. You know, the Oath is kind of fun, except for the 'no' part. Too bad it's binding.

Why exactly did I even agree to let the Flow bind my hooves like that?

Want me to show you?

You know, when you're not being like that, I can close my eyes and pretend you're just a fuzzy little rodent whispering into my ear.

Why a... anyway. It was sometime earlier, you had entered Celestia's School for blablabla, and life seemed to pick up for you again after what wonderful things you went through. Before they let you practice, you had to do it. Ah, those good times, back in nineteen seventy-three.

Oh yeah. Except for that I'm only...

Ruby Pinch sneezed. Midnight mumbled "Bless you" in her direction before going back to herself.

Not to say I wouldn't have liked to see the Serev take effect. They say things were a bit weird then. Maybe it'd have been enough to get something done with Sparkle.

To get Twilight done, you mean. You wouldn't have right in that time. Still too much resistance against filly foolers. So there'd have been little use for you. Given the small amount of time between that and you, though, I think somepony else did.

Your mom.

Yep. But since she's currently struggling with a heavy infection of dead, I've come to accept you as a substitute.

I can't believe something like this came forth from me.

Midnight's eyes wandered through the room until they came to the empty syringe.

Or maybe I can. Still, kill it! With fire!

Flames of righteousness to cleanse corruption and renew just life. Go ahead. I have nothing to fear of it, for you are the former.

I was first.

Being first does not make you right. You are even alive purely because I allow the situation as it is. Think twice about what you say, would you kindly?

Glory to the secondborn.

Better. I wonder if this - I - would have happened if she had managed to give you a baby sister.

Yeah, if she had wanted and managed to, right?

Maybe she already had?

Lil' Sister Best Friend... what? Yeah, unlikely.

I am always right, for I have the world on my side. Can you not hear it whisper?

No, not really.

Of course you don't. You must see you are blind.

I'm pretty sure I can see perfectly fine, but there's just nothing around me to see.

Which is worse than not seeing at all. You've left your talents to rot, robot. Gaze into the void and see.

It quickly became clear to Midnight what the void was as she once again entered its dark blue of omnivision.

If you stare into the void for too long, the void will stare into you.

Nothing to be lost, as there is nothing within you, little robot. Look and see the waves within the world. Every piece of energy ever within it has caused its own upon shattering. Can you see the tiny one accompanying one you know very well?

... I need a moment.

Midnight excused herself and went into the office to sit down. With none of the usual on her mind, the pictures of simple vegetation that were hung up on the white walls were surprisingly interesting. Through the window, some light fell in, but the Sun was far too high to let it land anywhere within a useful perimeter. Even in this supposedly clean environment, she could see dust dancing in the air, outlining where the bars of light went. Most likely, it had come from the bookshelf currently opposing her, as Nurse Redheart was so experienced that the books were more decoration than anything else.

I wouldn't have expected this to happen... don't take it too hard, princess. There was nothing you could have done.

Ah, it's less than it looks like. Which makes me doubt if you're really part of my mind. Wouldn't you have had to know?

Don't lie to yourself. Not for me, even though I guess I'm included in yourself. Why, you kindly accept what there is within you, for I sense there is more pain than you want to let out.

I could have done everything. I could have saved her, and it! Still, I mustn't bother with this affair too much. I mean, all I know is I'm just imagining this. It's pretty unlikely that she was, I mean, why wouldn't they have told me?

Yes, why? Did they know? Did they plan to do so, but had their plans interrupted brutally? Did they keep quiet because you've always had a bit of an ego complex?

Me? I deal with the sick and wounded every day, I help ponies!

Yet, you take for yourself. You never share out of fear of losing personal profit. The moment you saw Sparkle, you claimed her for yourself, without even telling her. Wonder why you felt like you did earlier today? Search your memories, you'll find it to be true. I'm too lazy to search them out for you, so would you kindly do it yourself?

Noon did have a point. Midnight couldn't recall an occasion off the top of her head where she had ignored personal benefit to help others, excluding exercising her special talent, of course.

So what? Ponies who give without themselves in mind are weak and serve only to bring those with true vision to greater glory.

That's why a cupcake made for you just warped in?

What in the...

Midnight looked around, and indeed, a frosted delicacy had appeared on the desk. She made it float towards her in order to inspect the note attached to it.

'Pinkie made a bunch. Little thanks for everything we've done so far. Twilight.' That's sweet... well, literally. Makes me wonder exactly why this happens exactly now. Maybe Fluttershy told her something and she set this up to get Sparkle used to being nice to me.

Or, you know, it's because you're friends. Besides, you have never been too discreet. Maybe she just noticed. Who knows.

Oh, blessed sugar, how I love thee.

Some dignity while eating, please. You're a bloody unicorn, act accordingly.

Hmm mmh mf. Oh, sorry, had some cupcake in my mouth.

But... you don't even... whatever. I noticed something else in the Flow. If you would kindly redirect our vision upwards, you'll notice lines, yes?

I see the ceiling.

Look past it. Sheesh, gotta tell you everything. There's a ley line running past here. It marks the line of culminated energy. Magic will be stronger here.

In fact, there was a single thick strand of pure white going through the empty air above Midnight, occasionally branching off small lines. It looked like a long crystal, with seemingly razor sharp edges that protuded in circular shapes. It didn't technically exist, but Midnight still had to admit it put her to awe a little bit.

Yeah yeah, we had that in school. Where's the interesting part?

Well, the more lines cross at a point, the stronger their influence gets. And believe it or not, there is a nexus here in Ponyville, and a house stands directly under it.

Where was it built?

Oh, it wasn't built in any place.

Hm? Oh, of course. Where else but there would Sparkle live? So she's even stronger when at home? Wow, and I thought she had nearly infinite power anyway.

You saw how it was under the nexus' influence.

Did I? Wait, yeah, I've been there. Too bad I didn't try out ancient spells and whatnot. But I was more busy with who could do them even in the most drained of energy deserts. I'd have expected the nexus to be at Canterlot, though. How in Equestria did they even measure where they were if the lines are invisible to other mortals?

There's a knot above Canterlot, artificially created by a billion spells being cast there as well as the Princesses' presence. As for the second question, to be honest, you can't see them either. You're just lucky to have an immortal like me at your side to lend you her vision.

There goes the only way in which I'd be special. Though, let's not get ahead of ourselves here. I think your ego needs trimming again. You're not immortal, you're even less than me, and I myself am already worthless.

Isn't the true question rather if it's a pure coincidence that she lives on the nexus or not?

Well, following the whole theory that the Princesses view the world as it actually is, maybe. But what use is this thinking? It won't affect me.

Until we move in with her, that is.

Not likely to happen.

Aw, don't give up hope, little robot. I mean, our relationship has only been blessed by everypony you ever told.

All but the one who really matters. I'm best off just waiting for the deus ex machina when she comes barging in and admitting her love.

It could happen. Only on the hub.

Yeah yeah, when am I not on some hub?

Midnight tossed the now empty cupcake wrap into the trash and resumed working as she was supposed to. Luckily for her, Nurse Redheart only just then came out of Ruby Pinch's room, so she couldn't know of the small break Midnight had unpermittedly taken to reflect on everything. Not that she was likely to have a problem with it, as Midnight often felt that two ponies were a bit more than what was needed to run the clinic. She couldn't complain, even though her work was rather repetitive. The clinic wasn't nearly running at full capacity, of course. Once a nice little natural disaster or plague spread would have happened, Midnight would have something to do. She looked forward to such an event, even though it'd mean her having to actually do something during her work time.

That evening, it had been Midnight's turn to cook something for the community. Looking back on it, she had done far better than expected. Obviously, there was little to do wrong with such a meal, which might be why it had been hers to prepare, but she still took pride in her performance. She put the last dishes into the dishwasher while sipping on a cup of coffee. Midnight wasn't very fond of coffee. In fact, she barely ever drank some, and if she did, there always had to be a lot of milk and sugar in it to balance out the taste of coffee every cup had within it. However, Vinyl Scratch had offered her some freshly made and she wasn't going to turn down offered hot beverages. By that time, the Sun had given up its place in the sky in favor of the Moon, which now dimly illuminated Ponyville. It wasn't bright daylight, but the sky was fairly clear and thus she could see the various streets and houses adjacent to hers. Very few ponies were out in the street, those that were being led back home by the gentle glow. She turned around and joined Octavinyl in the living room. The three held a barely interesting discussion which was interrupted all of a sudden by two strong knocks on the front door. Vinyl Scratch jumped up to open. Midnight went after her to peek into the hallway and see who it was. Any explanations Midnight had made, like a delivery arriving or something, were shattered when she saw a bulky stallion with red coat and blonde mane standing in the door. He looked like a true gentlecolt, at least as well as he could without wearing clothes, so Midnight wasn't scared of him, but she still just stared at him and Vinyl, unable to form any other response out of confusion. When he began to speak with a voice deep even for a stallion of his size, she shortly considered fleeing until she caught herself.

"Why, hello there, young mare, Ah don' think we met. That our new addition, Vinyl?"

"Ksh, drop the act. She's not for you, big one. She's already promised herself to somepony else. At least I think she did."

By the time Vinyl Scratch had stopped speaking, Midnight had collected herself enough to talk for herself, "Who the hell are you?"

"Ah'm," the earth pony began, but Vinyl cut him off.

"He's not interesting to you. Unless you want to, I guess. Well, in any case, Mac here has been on a bit of a lucky streak recently, alright?"

"Do I even want to understand what you mean by that? No, I just decided I really don't. I'll be in my room for the rest of the evening. Locked inside. Alone. Thinking about joyful, innocent things, like rainbows and candy and ponies - wait, what?"

"That's also how Tavy reacted at first."

Midnight held a hoof to her head, "Just... just be sure I won't have to see you at work in a few months. I'm out of here."

Instead of walking, Midnight again called for her signature spell, wanting only to escape this situation as quickly as possible. For the rest of the evening, until she could go to sleep and forget any of this ever happened, the drawing book Octavinyl had given her earlier would prove a fitting distraction.

How true you are towards Sparkle that you turn down simple fun for her sake.

Or it's because he didn't take me out to dinner first.

Didn't lose your charm, I see. Whatcha drawing?

What kind of question is this? You've been watching the entire time, you know it!

Actually, I've been two rooms down the hall. I mean, I've been exploring the Magic Flow. How would you like entering it? Not simply taking its perspective, going in as a whole?

I already have done that, no?

No. You've given up our mortal shell in exchange for a greater form in order to explore the Flow freely, but while mind was one, flesh remained bound to the mortal world. What if I had found a way to truly shift between worlds?

It'd probably include a long and painful journey to achieve and, let me formulate my answer as a rhyme, world fling, just why should I even try? Not like there's a reward or something.

You are just star dust, reaching out to reconnect with the Flow. So you'd simply need to grasp its hoof and pull yourself in. As for why, omniscience?

For science! Yet, all I need to know is that Sparkle is or will be with me.

It's a whole new world. You could invite her to explore it.

I'll think about it.

Midnight decided to pack her things together and go to bed. The sketch of a landscape at night she had left unfinished looked like an unfollowed invitation to her, but, as good as the star-filled sky with a clear moon in it looked, she just couldn't decide on the actual landscape's contents. Thus, it had to be postponed until later.

May the Flow clear your path, princess.