A Tale of Something New

As I complete a book in my room, I turn to the dark blue walls, then the dark colored wooden bookshelf with old books I've read several times; I then turn to my desk where my next book to read was before lifting myself up and finally ending up at looking at my dreary purple bed. "Years here and I still keep the same colors as Master," I say to myself, "maybe I should ask Master if next time I can choose the decorators for the castle." I look at the next book on my reading list 'Experiment Report of Project Savior', and I can't help but think of how a successful version of the 'failure' would be any less real than the doll I struck was. I get up and decide to ask Master.

Traveling down the castle was always boring. Same creepy colors, same creepy statues, and the same creepy doors heading to Master's study. "Master?" I ask as I enter, "I wish to ask you something."

"My faithful student, if this is about the castle's look, then I am afraid the answer is still no," he stated as he was reading a book of his own.

"I admit, Master, that was one of the questions I wished to discuss with you," I say in a slight blush causing Master to look rather steely at me, "but that is not the current topic of which I wished to discuss with you." He eyed me before closing his book and stared at me with solemn interest. "Master, I wish to ask something of Project Savior, and more specifically, of what we are trying to create."

"Go on then, what do you wish to know of our grand plan to bring an era of great prosperity to Equestria?"

"As you know Master, the first time you began this project with our two guests, the only successful creation was deemed a failure," I stated as I began my question. This caused a rather visible irritation to show on Master, but I deemed it fit to continue. "Last year, when you sent me to... defeat it, you stated that this 'failure' was no more real than a statue you had, at the time, recently destroyed. I have come to wonder, however, why would the end result of a 'successful' experiment be considered any different? You say we are creating something for the 'Prosperity of Equestria', but would this new doll be any different than the one you had me end?"

Any irritation visible on Master's face was soon gone and replaced with, for lack of better words, nothing. No joy, no curiosity, no anger, or sadness. He simply stared at me in silence. That isn't to say he was shocked, dumbfounded or otherwise. He simply had no emotions or reactions to what I wished to ask. He then levitated a book from a nearby shelf that he then opened up and began to read. I couldn't identify the book with how dark Master kept the room, however. "Comet Blaze," I steeled myself to whatever my master wished, "you have been my faithful student for as many years as I can remember." He stopped turned the page and continued. "Your studies are top notch and I daresay even Princess Celestia herself would be hard-pressed to find a personal student as gifted as you." He turned another page. "However, your curiosity is borderline blasphemous at times." His hoof slammed the table making me jump a bit. "What we are creating is the perfect being, not some 'doll', and certainly not something that could be compared to that thing." He then looked at me with a glare that would haunt my dreams tonight. "I want you to go back to your room, and review the report on Project Savior. I want a full detailed report on your findings, and I want it first thing in the morning. I also want you to ensure that you pack supplies into your saddle bag. Tomorrow you are to be going to the Crystal Empire to work under Count Conflagration. Whether or not I accept your report to me, tomorrow you are no longer my student."

For the rest of the day, and well into the night, I not only read my assignment, but completed my most detailed report and prepared for my trip. Master was right to be angry. I, who knew next to nothing of how the world truly worked, was questioning him. This is my punishment for getting out of line, and I will serve it with pride. I looked at the only picture in my room. A small photograph of a very young foal sitting next to a Stallion who doesn't look like he has aged at all. The steely look on his face was enough to remind me that Master was never one to show anything less than what was necessary. I turned away from the photograph and proceeded to complete my assignments.

The next morning, after I handed Master my last report, he looked over it. "This is, by far, your best report. I am thoroughly impressed, and as such I deem you leave this castle with your head held high. You may no longer be my student, but you are well on your way to be my equal and someday you may very well be named Archmagi."

I looked at master with a small smile across my face. Actual praise from my mentor and now former teacher was rare. "Thank you, Mas-" I stop before correcting myself, "Arch Mage Prometheus." He nods in acceptance, and I teleport away to the train station near.

As the young colt teleported away, the stallion couldn't help but say to himself in a low voice, "Someday he will be a formidable force. Will he continue to heed logic and perform acts for the greater good? Or will he succumb to trivial emotions and fail to reach his full potential?" The stallion stared for a moment, and then teleported to an unknown location.