Starswirl University

Chapter 1

Accepted

“Denied.” The world seemed to shatter around the man as he sat in front of the entrance examiners for Starswirl University. The most prestigious magic university in all of Equestria. Not all the students could perform magic, but it was still considered an honor to attend and high paying jobs would most definitely see that.

“Um..what?” Was all Grey Newhope could say. He was an average twenty year old mage, with jet black hair and silver colored eyes. He had been preparing himself all his life for this one moment and he blew it.

“Your entrance is denied.” A man in a dull gray suit said as he looked at the boy.

“B-but why? I performed every spell perfectly, as you asked and-”

“You did not use a wand.” A stern woman said in a snooty tone. Grey silently cursed himself for being poor. When a wizard discovers their magic they get their own wand. He never got one due to being destitute. Hell he had to borrow one of his friend’s suits just for this test. “Starswirl University is not interested in mages who cannot conform to the rules of magic. Next.”

“But I-”

“Next!” The woman bellowed out. Grey hung his head in defeat and turned to walk away. As he closed the door he could make out the judges voices. “That street rat honestly thought that he could enter?” The woman laughed along with the others as the next student entered. On his way out of the pristine white building Grey accidentally bumped into a girl with indigo hair and a pink stripe running through it. She looked about the same age as him.

“Sorry about that.” He said as he helped her up. He noticed that she was wearing a lavender colored sweater vest with a matching skirt that ended at her knees. The outfit also brought out her bright purple eyes.

“No, I’m sorry. I had my head in the clouds. I just got accepted to Starswirl University!” She smiled. At that moment Grey hated the stranger. He clenched his fist and let out a sigh before throwing on a fake smile.

“Congratulations.” He said as the girl nodded and continued into the building. As he left the building, he felt as though he was being watched. The man walked down past the bright shiny streets of the elite and into an old shanty district of Canterlot. He sat at the bar and hung his head. A man with silver hair and beard came out wearing a brown vest over a white shirt.

“What’ll it be kid?”

“I don't have a lot of money.”

“On the house. Looks like you need it.” He said with a smile.

“I guess a shot of AJ Daniels.” The man nodded and quickly poured him the small shot. Grey drank occasionally, but never made a habit out of it.

“So what’s on your mind sport?” The man said as he threw a dish towel over his shoulder. “Herd troubles?”

“No, I don’t have a girlfriend, or a herd for that matter.” He said as he drank the shot.

“Oh I see. So its a guy then?”

“What? No!” Grey said in an irritated tone. “What’s it to you anyway?”

“I like to hear people’s stories.” He said with a grin. Grey looked at the man and saw that he had yellow eyes with spliced red irises. “You can just call me D.”

“Grey.” He said with a sigh. “Sorry for snapping earlier. I didn’t get accepted into Starswirl University.”

“Ah, so that’s the issue.” He said as he poured him another shot. “Might I ask why you weren’t accepted?”

“Because I didn’t use a wand.” D looked at him in shock.

“You can use magic without a wand?” Grey gave a small nod. It wasn’t rare for a person to use magic without a wand but certainly uncommon. Especially since Grey was only twenty. “Might I see something?” Grey sighed and put his drink down. Grey put both his hands together and the bartender saw a magic seal appear. The air suddenly got cold and the drink turned to ice. “Interesting.” The bartender grinned.

“Yeah well the judges didn’t think so.” He said as he made it back into a liquid.

“Bah, they’re just a bunch of mages who are stuck in the past.”

“Thank you.” He said as he slammed back the drink.

“Why did you want to go to Starswirl University?” Grey sighed and looked at the man.

“I don’t have much else besides magic.” He said with a sigh. “Hell, if it weren’t for the law then I probably wouldn’t have even graduated grammar school.”

“So you’re not rich then?”

“Don’t even have enough to pay you for the drinks.” He said as he pushed the glass away. “Hell, I knew that I wouldn’t get in even if I did do everything they wanted.”

“What makes you say that?” The bartender asked.

“All these high society snobs care about is how much money you have in your pockets and who you’re connected with.” The man said as he sat back. “This city really needs an attitude adjustment. The people here are dirtier then the slums and this was my only way out.” He said as he held his head in his palms. “Sorry, I shouldn’t be dumping all this on you. You probably have problems of your own.”

“Just one, but I think I’ve found the solution.” The man’s form then shifted to a brown suit and yellow tie. A light blue feathered wing came out from his left side as a webbed wing sprouted from his right. “What if I told you that I could get you in?”

“Dude, I’m in no mood for jokes.” Grey said in an annoyed tone.

“No joke my boy. Want proof?” The man said as he pulled out an ID card. Grey took it and read it to himself.

Starswirl University Identification Card.

Headmaster Discord.

“Believe me now?” Grey looked at the man and back down at the card. The photo was a perfect match and he had seen plenty of counterfeit cards before, ranging from driver’s licenses to passports. This was original and real. Grey raised an eyebrow at the man and was cautious.

“What exactly are you offering?” Grey asked as he handed the man his card back.

“Simple, I’m offering a chance for you to go to the school you tried to get into. I do have the authority.”

“What’s the catch? I know that nothing in this world is free.”

“You’re smart, I like that.” The man grinned. “You see, there are three headmasters at the university, including myself.” He said as he phased through the bar and stood next to the man. “The other two being Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. They each have a personal protegee. So I figured that I should get one too.” He grinned. “Fair is fair after all.”

“And where do I tie into this?”

“Simple. I’ll get you in if you become my apprentice at the school.” Grey’s jaw hit the floor at the offer. “You’ll still attend normal classes, but you’ll also be attending a special class with myself, Tia and Luna along with their students. This will grant you special access to magic not available to the rest of the students.”

“This all seems a bit too good to be true.” Grey said as he crossed his arms. “Why me?”

“Because you think outside the box! You use the unorthodox and you’re not some stuck up Canterlot brat. Not to mention I find their students boring. Tia's is an anti social bookworm, who is so up tight that if you were to shove a lump of coal up her rump then within two weeks you'd get a diamond." Grey gave a chuckle. "Luna's is a spoiled brat and a show off to boot. They both are also naturally gifted with magic where you are clearly not." The raven haired man frowned. "That's good in my book. What’s the point of teaching someone who’s already a genius? You’re raw. Like a slab of clay waiting to be molded.”

“Getting me in is one thing. What about tuition and books? I think I mentioned that I’m broke as a damn joke.”

“That is something that I may be able to handle.” If Grey wasn’t suspicious before he sure as hell was now. All he knew about Discord was that he was the god of chaos and was sealed by Celestia and Luna 1,000 years ago. A few months ago he had heard rumors that he had been reformed, but never really believed it. Discord reached into his pocket and pulled out a contract and a pen and set them in front of the man.
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Far from the shining streets of the upper crust of Canterlot was the slums. A house made of wood that had seen better days stood. It was a simple two story home that needed to be fixed more than anything. The shutters were missing panels and most of the windows were cracked. Most of the paint had been chipped away and the front lawn was yellow while the surrounding buildings were either abandoned or in the same state. The building had a run down sign out in front with the name ‘New Hope Orphanage’ in front.

Rogue, a purple haired, twenty year old Changeling was in the kitchen over a hot pot of soup. Rogue’s skin was jet black and insect like with a pair of antennas coming from her head. A girl with dark blue hair and bat wings walked into the room, she looked about the same age as the Changeling. Her eyes were spliced and were deep red. Her ears had a slight point to them and she had a large pair of fangs.

“Hey Midnight.” The Changeling said with a smile.

“What’s on the menu?” The bat woman said as she started setting the table.

“Beef stew.” She said as here spliced purple eyes focused on her. “Where’s everyone else?”

“Waiting for Grey to come back.” The kitchen door leading outside opened to show a Changeling with bright red hair and insect wings. His clothes were raggedy and had a series of stains and holes on them. He had a tool box clutched in his right hand and a yellow hardhat on his head. “Hey Dusk, how’d things go at the foundry?” She asked as he removed the helmet.

“Boss laid off more guys today. I dodged a bullet, but who knows for how much longer.” He said as he sat down and sighed. He sniffed the air and smiled. “Beef stew?” The two girls nodded. “Grey back yet?”

“Nope. Hope everything went all right.” Midnight said as she walked out of the room and went to the base of the stairs leading to the second floor of the run down house. “Oi! Soups on, get your butts down here!” A series of footsteps against the wood signaled the on coming hurricane that were the other children in the home. Two winged boys, One with black wings and the other with white flew down. Apart from the wings the two looked identical to one another. The other three had no wings.

A girl around seven and had dark green hair followed the two flyers mumbling something. Another girl with white hair and had icy blue eyes, she looked like the most innocent girl in the world and walked into the kitchen with a smile. The final one had dirty blonde hair and took his time getting in.

“Comet! Star! Be careful while flying. Otherwise you’ll put a hole in the wall again!” The red haired Changeling said.

“Sorry Dusk.” The fliers said in unison. The Changeling rolled his eyes and rubbed both of their heads.

“They kept terrorizing me upstairs!” The green haired girl complained.

“Oh calm down Flora.” Comet said. “We were just messing around.”

“You pulled my hair and-”

“Quiet! Both of you, else you’ll be on bathroom duty for a month!” Midnight said in a threatening tone. Both of them fell silent and gulped.

“Oh you’re much too harsh on them dear.” The group turned to see a woman in her mid fifties with a warm smile on her face. Willow was the Orphanage’s owner and caretaker. Her faded brown hair went to the shoulders and a pair of half moon glasses hung on the end of her nose.

“Sorry Auntie Willow.” Midnight said as she blew a piece of her hair out of her face. The group took their seats and the blonde haired boy reached for the bowl, only to have his hand smacked with a wooden spoon.

“Not so fast Orion. Not everyone is here yet.” Rogue said as she looked at the empty spot.

“Oh come on! Who knows when Grey will be home and I haven’t had anything since this morning.”

“And you’ll get nothing if you keep whining.” Midnight stated. “Now wait for your brother to get home.” The blonde child crossed his arms and pouted as Midnight stuck her forked tongue out at him. The group heard the door opened and Midnight left to go greet her brother as Rogue got the children’s attention.

“Now remember what we talked about. If he didn’t get in then give him your support.” The children nodded as they saw the magic user come in and sit down. He removed the tie and sighed.

“Hey Grey, how’d the test go?” Orion asked.

“Bad news.” The group all bit their lips and worried for their roommate. “I will not be around here for quite a while.” He said as he pulled out the acceptance letter.” The group all clapped as the kids tackled him into a hug. Grey got up with the kids still holding onto him and chuckled. “I’m in and don’t need to worry about the cost.”

“How did you manage that?” Dusk said as he high five’d him.

“Made a deal with the devil.” The group chuckled. “I leave in a week for school.” The group sat back down and dug into their meal. Grey then gave them the rundown of what happened at the bar and the deal he made. “That pretty much sums it up.”

“So you’re going to be learning from Discord, the god of chaos?” Grey nodded at Comet. “Cool!”

“So awesome!” Flora chimed. The group cleaned up the dishes and went into the living room where a barely working TV was playing an old western movie for the hundredth time. When the children were in front of it the adults started to talk in the kitchen.

“So this guy is just going to pay for you to go to the most expensive school this side of Equestria?” Midnight said.

“If I agree to be his personal protegee, then yes.” Grey said as he put his hands behind his head.

“Discord. The god of chaos wants to be your mentor?” Dusk said.

“He was looking for a student and I wanted in. Beggars can’t be choosers, but before I do anything,” He said as he turned to the red haired Changeling. “is one of your herd members still in the choir?” Dusk gave a sharp nod. “Good, tell them to meet me, with his friends at this address.” He said as he pulled out a slip of paper with an address on it.

“Why?” Dusk said as he picked up the house phone.

“Payback.” Grey smirked.
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Grey walked up the stone steps of a very fancy house in the upper crust of Canterlot. The steps were lined with marble and the handrail was decorated with fine metal. He straightened his jacket and rang the doorbell. A few minutes later one of the judges from his exam earlier that day answered the door.

“Evening Mr. Quill. Hope I’m not interrupting anything.” He said with a smile. Quill frowned at the man and knew. The desperate always beg. It’s been a long day and he could use a laugh.

“Let me guess, you want into the-” Grey held up a hand.

“No, I came by to tell you no hard feelings.” He said as he stuck his hand out. “You made the decision and you stuck by it.” Grey said with a smile. “Gotta give respect where respect is due.” Quill raised an eyebrow and shook it. “I also came by for you to see this.” Grey pulled out the contract he signed and handed it to the man.

Quill’s eyes shrank as he read it and tried to form words but only sputtered speech came out. “Oh come on now. A refined individual such as yourself should know how to speak.” He chuckled. “You like music?”

“Wh-what?” The man said in a flabbergasted tone.

“Music? You like it?” The man gave a confused nod. “Good, cause I took the liberty of inviting a few of my choir friends to express this moment in song.” He pointed to the group of people in robes standing on the street. “Hit it!” The group then started to chant in song.

Quill was fuming and tore up the letter. “Good thing that was a copy.” Grey said as Quill slammed the door in his face and Grey thanked the group for their participation in some sweet, sweet payback.
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Willow was making her way to her room with an old book in hand. Her bedroom was simple, a twin sized bed on a rusty old frame and a box spring. Next to her bed was a nightstand that had seen better days and a cracked mirror that hung on the side of the wall. Her eyes scanned the room and she saw a bright red light coming from behind the mirror. She gently pushed it aside to show a combination safe.

The woman turned the dial three times and the door swung open to show the little amount of money she had to keep the place open. The light was coming from an old black wooden box that had several decorative carvings in it. She fished the box out and saw the magic seal on the lock dissolve. The woman let out a sigh and looked at the box.

“I guess its time then.” She said with a small tear in her eye. About an hour later, Grey tiptoed back into the old house having successfully rubbing his accomplishment in the judge’s face. He noticed that a light was on in the kitchen and sighed.

“Comet, what have I told you about midnight-” The man stopped when he saw Willow sitting alone with the black box in front of her and an envelope on top. “Oh, sorry Willow. Thought it was Comet sneaking something from the fridge again.” He chuckled. “Well, I’m heading up.”

“Hold on a second there Grey.” She said in a firm tone. Grey looked at her who motioned towards the seat across from her. Grey raised an eyebrow and took the seat. She smiled and sighed. “I remember when you first came here you know.”

“You found me at this place’s doorstep twenty years ago.” He said as he crossed his arms.

“That’s not the full story.” She said with a sigh. Grey looked at her in confusion. “Nightmare Night twenty years ago a man came running up the front steps with a newborn boy in his arms and begged me to take him.”

“You knew my father?” He said in an almost shouting tone.

“Shhh!” The woman said as she raised a finger to her lips. “No, he wore a mask and a hood so I didn’t even see his face.” She then turned her attention towards the box. “He left this with you.” She said as she pointed towards the box. “The reason I didn’t tell you about it because he said it would only open when the time was right. I’m no mage, but it was a magic seal of some sort.” The man looked at the box and reached for it.

He set it down in front of him and slowly opened the lid and a bright red light illuminated from it. Grey looked inside to see a jet black wand with a crimson tint. It was about a foot long and had decorative markings in the handle. He picked it up and felt it was made of some sort of wood.

“Why now?” He asked as he looked at it.

“Haven’t the faintest idea Grey. Maybe its because you’re finally getting out of this place?” She said with a sigh. The man then saw the envelope and opened it. An old parchment, that had been stained by something.

Dear Grey,

By the time you read this then I’ll most likely be dead. I know that you don’t know me or have any idea that I ever existed. I’m sorry son, but fate can sometimes be a cruel thing. I’ve entrusted you in the care of Willow Newhope. Hopefully my intuition was correct and she was as kind as when I first met her. I know that there is nothing in this world that I can say or do to make up for leaving you. Consider this wand a gift for all those birthdays I’ve missed.

The wand is crafted from the core of a hundred year old red cherry blossom tree that was at the center of the Crimson Forest. I enchanted it to your touch only and is original from the tip to the handle. The markings are more of a...sentimental symbols. I truly wish I could tell you more, but I don’t have much time.

The wand is yours to do whatever you want with it. Keep it, break it out of frustration, do what you will. Its yours. I just wanted to let you know that I loved you and that putting you in the orphanage was the only option.

I’m so sorry for doing this to you Grey.

Love, your Father.

The man sat motionless and read the letter. He read it two more times and saw that there were dried tear stains on the parchment. The man then realized that he had tears in his eyes and quickly wiped them away. He looked at the wand and felt a mixture of emotions, anger, resentment and...happiness? He took the wand in both hands and started to apply pressure, but he hesitated.

Why did he stop? Why didn’t he turn it into ash or give it to the stray dog as a chew toy?Grey sighed and put the wand back inside the box. Willow read the letter to herself and looked at Grey.

“That handwriting.” Willow said as she squinted.

“What?” The man said.

“Do you still have that spell book?” Grey nodded and snapped his fingers. A normal sized hard covered book appeared in his hands.

“I thought you got it for me?” It was the first book he’d ever gotten and taught him how to use his magic. No one else in the house could use magic, so he was left to his own devices.

“I told you many times that I just found it sitting outside on the porch and I’d forgotten to get you a gift.” The woman said in an embarrassed tone. “But look here.” She went to the front cover and pointed to a footnote.

Happy Birthday Grey.

The handwriting was a spot on match. Grey sat back down and was overwhelmed. He tried tracing the book at the Canterlot Public Library but nothing came up. The spells in that book ranged from simple, to things Grey thought were impossible. Most of the shop keepers he asked said that they’d never seen the book before. It didn’t even have an author and the words looked handwritten.

“Looks like he’s been watching over you.” The woman said with a smile.

“Then why didn’t he come get me?” He yelled. The woman hung her head and the man calmed down. “I’m sorry Willow, I just....I just need to think.”

“Of course dear, even for an old coot like me it’s a lot to take in.” She said as she stood up. “I didn’t know the man, but I can tell that he loved you and that I think of you and the others as my own.” Grey hugged her and smiled. The man walked up to his room that he shared with Dusk. He was reaching for the doorknob when he saw his hard hat hanging on it. Grey sighed and put his ear to the door and heard moans coming from the other side.

Creator damn you Dusk. Grey sighed and walked down the hallway to another door. He gave two knocks and waited. A minute later Midnight came out and yawned. She looked at the man and down at the door with the helemt.

“Let me guess, Dusk has one of his boyfriends over?”

“Yup.”

“Sparrow or Hammer?” She asked as he walked inside.

“Hammer. Hard hat is for him. Sparrow is a book mark.” He said as he sat down on her bed and sighed. The door then re opened to show the Changeling in her pajamas.

“You okay Grey?” Rogue asked as she looked at him.

“Yeah, I’ll tell you guys tomorrow. Mind if I stay here? I really don’t want to interrupt those two.” He said as the three shivered. The bat girl grabbed a sleeping bag and threw him a pillow. The man set the sleeping bag down and crawled inside as he put his head on the pillow and said goodnight to the two girls.

Author's Note

In honor of my 500 follower milestone! Hope you like it!