Starswirl University

Chapter 10

New Teammates

The school was still buzzing about their victory over the Manehattan team. Grey was busy dodging people who waned to question him about his abilities and disobeying Armor. He had more pressing matters to attend to, he was about to meet up with Twilight at a cafe in town for lunch but got an urgent call from shining saying for all dueling club members to meet him in the auditorium for some big announcement. As he entered he was greeted by the other four rookies that had helped him win the match along with the other members of the team.

“Okay lady and gentlemen listen up.” Shining said in a commanding tone. “I just received word that some of the new recruits have decided to resign from the team along with some of the old.” Several of the mages looked at one another in surprise while Grey and Heat casted looks at Blueblood. “In these strange times I’ve come to the decision to erect a new squad, led by one of our newest members, Grey Newhope.”

Grey blinked in surprise as the team started to whisper among themselves. Blueblood cracked his neck and stepped forwards. “Armor I must-”

“That’s coach, Mr. Armor or, if you’re brave enough, Captain to you Blueblood.” Shining said as he narrowed his eyes. Blueblood gritted his teeth and sighed.

“Coach,” He said with venom in his voice. “he’s only a first year. That hasn’t happened before.”

“Not true.” Grey said cutting in. “Forty years ago, a mage by the name of Coal Hearth was made the captain of the entire team after he beat the reigning captain in a fight. He was also the first mage to bring the Starswirl Sages to the Crucible and win it.”

“And you’re suggesting that you can do the same?” Blueblood said in a mocking tone.

“I ain’t saying nothing of the sort.” He started to walk back and forth in front of the group. “Look, you want the truth? Being a leader sucks, my team fucked up that means I fucked up, then Armor can kick my ass out for all I give a shit.”

The students blinked in surprise at the words. “The Crucible is at the end of the year and I will deal with any and all bullshit that I have to deal with to make sure we get there and kick some serious ass.” The team looked at one another then back to the silver eyed mage. “If I were holding a mic, then this would be the moment that I’d drop it.”

The students were muttering to themselves and eventually nodded in agreement. Blueblood scowled and stormed out of the gymnasium to Celestia knows where.

“Any other objections?” Shining asked and the others stayed quiet. “Good, so all that’s left to do is for you to get a team name, preferably an animal of some sort.” With that the teams were dismissed and Grey was given a gold badge.

“Congratulations captain.” Roach said with a smile. Winter gave a nod at him and smiled. Neon and Boulder had guilty looks on their faces as they approached.

“Um Grey,” Neon said with a gulp. “I’m gonna have to quit the team.” Grey’s eyes shrank as he stared at the DJ. Had Blueblood gotten to him somehow? “It’s just that Vinyl and I got talking and she offered me a job at her club Dj’ing. With that on top of classes I just don’t have the time for it. I’m really sorry man. Besides, I suck in fights.”

“It’s okay man.” Grey put a hand on his shoulder and smiled. “Do what ya gotta do right?” Neon nodded. “Alright, I’ll see you around and good luck with the music business.” The hulking man then stepped forward with a blank expression on his face.

“Sorry, but I gotta leave too.” Okay now Grey was confused. Sure Neon sucked during the fight, but Boulder was a walking tank! “Nothing personal, in case you haven’t noticed I’m not the smartest guy around and I gotta focus on my grades. I’m looking to be a painter.” Winter and Roach chuckled, but stopped when the man casted a dark glare at them. Grey wished them both luck and they left the three teammates.

“And then there were three.” Winter groaned.

“Well, that’s unfortunate.” The trio looked back to see Shining Armor.

“Mind giving me a head up when half my team quits on me?”

“Technically they weren’t your team yet.” Grey gave a deadpanned expression at the coach. “Anyway, you have a problem. Rules state that each squad must be comprised of five members or it will be dissolved.”

“Oh come on!” Winter yelled.

“Which is why I’m giving you until the next meeting to find two replacements.”

“So two days? That’s not a lot of time.” The enchanter stated. Shining shrugged.

“Rules are rules. You have an entire school to chose from. Good luck with the search.” The man sighed and looked at the other two mages who had blank expressions on their faces.

“So what now?” Winter asked.

“Now? I have an appointment to keep.” He said as he looked at the clock.

“What about the team?” Roach asked.

“I’ll handle it. I’ll see you two around.” He said as he started to leave, but stopped when he reached the door. “Oh, and thanks for not leaving. It’d suck if I’d lost all my teammates in one day.” With that the man left the gym and made his way towards the small town where he was due to meet Twilight.

~~~

The indigo haired scholar walked along the sidewalk while thinking about what Princess Celestia had asked her to do when she met Grey.

Two Hours Earlier.

“Twilight, I wish to ask a favor of you.” Celestia said in a somber tone.

“What is it?”

“I want you to get close to Grey Newhope.” Twilight blushed at the words. “Right now he is one big mystery. One I want solved.” The scholar felt conflicted about the offer, but she had to admit that she was curious about Grey. “If you chose to reject this offer then there are no hard feelings.”

“You can count on me Princess.”

Present.

Twilight sighed as she thought back to what Grey had told her about his shell the night before and how they ended their interaction. Her cheeks tinted pink as she remembered their conversation. Keep it together Twilight, it’s not a date.

But he said the word date didn’t he?

He was probably joking. She shook her head and continued on her way keeping her thoughts at bay. Her purple eyes soon fell upon the cafe, it was a normal sized building with a coffee mug on the sign. She saw several tables outside the establishment. Her eyes then found the dark haired mage she was supposed to meet with an old leather book in his hand. She felt her face flush red as she saw his gaze completely focused on the book. Finally someone interested in their studies.

Score another point on the cute list!

Shut up! With that she hid her blush and approached the table. Grey set the book aside as he saw the indigo haired mage. “Morning Grey.”

“Morning.” He said in a calm tone. Twilight raised an eyebrow and saw that he looked exhausted. “So what did you want to know?” He ordered a coffee and sat back in his chair. “Why are you so fixated on me?”

“I’m not fixated on you.” She said with a small blush.

“Right,” He said in a sarcastic tone. “then there’s one other explanation. You dig me.” Twilight’s blush levels increased. “Can’t say I blame you. It’s an affliction many women have fallen under.” He chuckled. Twilight was now beat red and had an angry look on her face that could make a manticore void it’s bowels.

“You are so infuriating!” She growled. “Just tell what I want to know!”

“Or what? Tattle on me to your brother? As if I’m scared of him or Celestia.” Twilight growled. “Besides, if I’m expelled, how do you think Eris and Discord would react? Even I wouldn’t want to deal with those two pissed offed.” Twilight gulped and shuddered at the damage they could do when enraged. Grey then started chuckling. “Course that would be if I were serious about that.” Twilight’s right eye twitched. “I’ll answer your questions, to an extent.”

Twilight huffed and crossed her arms under her chest as her tea arrived. “Where did you learn Matrix Magic?” Grey rolled his eyes.

“I told you I’m self taught.”

“No way could you learn magic like that on your own.”

“Either you’ve never tried or you’re just severely underestimating me, which is fine.” Twilight shook her head and gripped her hair. Her eyes then fell upon the book Grey had been reading.

“What book is that?”

“Spell book.”

“By who?”

“No idea.” Twilight grunted and grabbed the book and opened it up to the front page to find it blank. She breezed through the pages to find them all blank. “That won’t do any good.” Grey stated snapping Twilight out of the daze. “It’s enchanted so that anyone I don’t want reading it won’t see it.” Twilight pulled out her want and pressed it against the pages.

“Show me everything you have.” She smirked as letters started to appear.

Nice try little girl, but unlike you I’m not easy to read. Twilight’s eyes twitched at the words and gritted her teeth in frustration. Grey looked at the words and chuckled.

“That’s probably the nicest thing it’s said to anyone.” He pulled out his wand and tapped it once to show the message left on the page. Twilight’s eyes shrank and looked at the man in confusion. “I wasn’t lying when I said I don’t know who wrote the book, looks like dear old dad is a bit of a writer.”

“So is he-”

“No idea. I got that when I was ten, so he’s probably dead by now.” He said in a stagnant tone before sipping his beverage.

“You are just impossible to figure out!”

“Which is why you’re so interested in me, right?” Twilight threw the book at him which was caught by his hand before it reached his face. “Now that’s not nice, who ever heard of a librarian hurting a book?”

“How did you know-”

“Pinkie told me in cooking class.” He said as he stood up and cracked his back. He heard shouts coming from a southern accent and turned to see a man in a brown hoodie running as fast as his legs could carry him. He barged into Grey and nearly knocked him over as he ran past. “Jackass!” He yelled as a familiar Stetson wearing girl ran up to them. The farmer had a black eye.

“What happened to your eye?” Twilight asked in a concerned tone.

“That rat fink went and sucker punched me when ah caught his hand in my pocket.” She said with a grunt. “May have taken my money, but he’s gonna need it for the ER when ah get my hands on him!”

“AJ you need to calm down right Grey?” No one responded. Twilight looked to where the man had been sitting to see his chair empty and a few bits on the table. The two girls heard people yelling at someone and followed the shouts.

Grey had just lost sight of the hood and scanned the area. He heard what sounded like a garbage can being turned over and shot down the alley way to see the hooded man.

“Get back here prick.” Before he could escape Grey pulled out his wand and shot a net that stuck the man to the wall. As he struggled in his restraints he saw the farmer he’d robbed and a girl with indigo hair. Grey grabbed him by the collar and threw him on the ground before planting a firm foot on his back. “Where do you think you’re going?” He stated as he applied pressure to his spine. “Look all we want is the money you took.”

“Go suck a dick.” Grey dug his heel into his back.

“Okay, plan B.” He looked at the farmer. “How much money did he steal from you AJ?”

“About a hundred-fifty bits.” Grey crouched and looked at the man.

“Okay so as collateral, I’ll just break a hundred-fifty bones in your body.” The thief gulped as he felt Grey’s shoe on his hand. Grey gripped his pinky finger and twisted it hard making a snapping sound. The man cried in pain. “That’s four.” Grey picked him up and charged his magic in his right hand before slamming it into his rib cage. He felt the bones crack. “That’s two ribs.” As he got ready for another punch he felt a pair of hands grab his arm.

“That’s enough.” He looked to see a pair of angry amethyst eyes glaring at him. Grey shook her off.

“Not gonna happen, besides,” He looked at the man. “I still got one hundred forty-four left to go.” The man’s eyes shrank at the words.

“Wait, wait! I’ll give you the money! Okay? Just let me go.” Grey raised an eyebrow at the words.

“Where is it?”

“That trash can there.” He pointed to a standard tin can that was sitting in the corner. The farmer walked over to the can and removed the lid to see her brown leather pouch sitting on top of the trash. She opened the bag and started counting.

“It’s all here.” She said as she put it in her pocket. Grey let the man go and turned to leave. The thief grunted and grabbed a nearby trash can and hurdled it at the man. Grey smirked, gripped his wand and formed one of his ethereal blades in his hand. He turned on his heel and sliced the can in two pieces.

“At first I was gonna let you go, but now,” Grey rushed forwards and let loose a series of punched into the man’s chest breaking a few other ribs. Grey pulled over another trash can and slammed the thief inside before sealing the lid. “I think it’s time to take out the trash.” Grey levitated it with his magic as he formed a large ethereal golf club.

“Newhope steps up to the plate waiting for tee off.” The can got in range and Grey slammed it down the alley way and into an open dumpster. “Hole in one!” He made the weapon vanish and looked back to Twilight and the farmer. “What?”

“You just broke that guy’s finger and two ribs!” Twilight yelled.

“So what? He reaped what he sowed.”

“That was pretty rough partner. I was just gonna wail on him hard, but not break nothing.” AJ said with her arms crossed.

“You have your way of doing things and I have mine.” A few police men showed up and saw three twenty year olds.

“Everything okay here?” One of them asked. Grey opened up the dumpster and levitated the garbage can out before kicking it over showing the thief.

“This pest here just stole this young lady’s money.” The cops looked at the farmer.

“This true ma’am?”

“Y-yeah, but ah got it back.” She said showing the bag. The officers nodded and grabbed the thief by the arms.

“Careful, he broke his ribs when he fell off a building.” Grey said before the cops hauled him away. The two girls were still staring at him as though lobsters were crawling out of his ears. Grey felt the handbook in his pocket vibrating and held it up to his ear. “Yeah?” A moment of silence went by and Grey gave a nod. “Okay, I’ll be right there.” He pocketed the gem and turned back to the girls. “Sorry ladies, but this is where we part ways. I’ve got work to do.”

“Where are you going?” Twilight asked.

“I got something to take care of. See ya.” As he started to leave he was stopped by a large lavender wall of magic.

“I’m not finished.” Twilight said. Grey rubbed his eyes and has had it with this girl.

“What the fuck do you want from me Twilight!?” He said as he looked at the two. “Why are you so damn focused on me? Got nothing better to do than judge me?” Twilight shrank back a bit at the tone.

“No I wasn’t-”

“Bullshit! Ever since I came here you’ve been badgering me about shit you wouldn’t even begin to understand. So for your and my benefit,” He stood eye to eye with the mage. “butt out of my life and stop wasting my time.” He withdrew his wand and with a flick, the lavender wall shattered. “Be sure to relay that to Celestia since she asked you to spy on me.” Grey walked out of the alley and vanished into the crowds. Twilight stood frozen in place as she watched the man leave.
~~~

Grey walked through the halls of the school as he came to the arena where they fought their first match against Manehattan. Grey saw the other two mages waiting for him along with a dozen mages waiting inside. “How did they find out so fast?” Roach reached into his pocket and handed it to Grey. It was a flier advertising the opening positions on his squad. There were sketches of him and the other two mages.

“Boulder made it. He felt bad about leaving.” Winter stated.

“It’s good. really good.” He rolled the parchment up and put it away in his pocket. The three walked out and saw the group. The group of mages were talking amongst one another. “Excuse me, could I have your attention?” The mages’ voices drowned out his voice. Roach stepped forwards and put both his pinky fingers in his mouth and let out a loud whistling sound that cut through the crowd’s noise like a hot knife through butter.

The group’s eyes fell upon the three and they grew silent. “Thank you Roach.” Grey stepped forward and scanned the group. “Ladies and Gentlemen, you all know why you’re here and you all seem very capable in your own way.” The group grinned at the words. “Sadly I can only choose two of you to fight along side my comrades and myself.” Grey summoned a roll of parchment. “I want you all to sign your names here and then we will interview you one by one to see if you’re what we’re looking for.”

Grey rejoined the two and watched the group sign their names. One stuck out, a dark brown hood covered their head and body. Another caught his eye, a man with blue and silver striped hair. Grey fished a table and three chairs out of a storage closet and sat down between Winter and Roach. Once the names were signed the auditions began.

The first one was a pyromancer who’s flames were the same shade of gold as her hair. After each applicant went, Grey would take down their magic type and their profile. Soon the blue striped man stepped forwards. His eyes were a deep blue color like the ocean. “Speak your name.”

“Bolt Stormbreaker.”

“Okay Bolt,” Roach stated. “what can you do?”

“I’m proficient in lightning magic.” Grey raised an eyebrow.

“That’s something you don’t see everyday. Winter, you’re our element specialist, what’s lightnings position on the scale?”

“It’s up in third tier magic.” Each magic spell is classified by the amount of magic it uses and the effect it has on the user. Tier one contains simple magic such as levitation, illumination and matrix magic. Lightning is one of the most dangerous magic to use for he user and their enemies.

“Care to give us a demonstration?” The man withdrew his wand and gathered his magic. The air grew ripe with static electricity, His wand’s tip glowed with powerful magic that felt like it could destroy a building. The clouds above grew dark and thunder roared as a bolt of lightning came down and wrapped around the man like it was a cloak. He extended his wand out and the lightning struck the stone wall leaving a large scorch mark. The other applicants gulped, while Grey rose and clapped.

“Very good, very good.” Grey said as he sat back down. Bolt nodded and rejoined the other applicants. “Last, but not least, our mystery man.” The brown hooded figure walked forwards and nodded. “What’s your name?” The figure stayed silent. “What can you do?” The figure raised it’s arm and shot a blast from the palm into the ground leaving a hole.

Grey had an unimpressed look on his face. The stranger extended their arms and raised them along with several rocks around the area and crunched them into one massive rock. It was ten feet in height. The stranger placed their hand against the hard surface, pulled it back, and slammed their fist into the rock making it crumble. The ground shook and the rock crumbled around to show a statue of the grey eyed mage. Winter and Roach looked at Grey looking for a reaction, nothing.

“Flattery will get you nowhere with me,” He said as he crossed his arms. “and for creator’s sake Eris take off that cloak I know it’s you.”

“Buzz-killer.” The hood removed her cloak to show her white and black hair. “Here I was being all sneaky and secretive and you go and blow my cover.” Eris stood with her arms crossed and pouting up a storm. Grey sighed and waved her off.

“Okay thank you all for coming, Winter, Roach and I will discuss it amongst ourselves. I request that you all stay here for a few minutes and we will make our selection.” The trio went back into the halls of the arena. “Well, who stood out to you two?” He asked.

“That Bolt guy is something else.” Roach stated.

“He looks like a jerk.”

“That’s you’re assumption.” Grey said. “Something about him rings a bell though, I don’t know what.” Grey said as he scratched his chin. “Not to mention he can use lightning magic, that’s a hell of an edge to have on our side.” Roach nodded at the words.

“I say we vote on it.” Winter stated.

“I think we jus did.” Grey said as he and Roach held up their hands. Winter pouted at the words and sighed in defeat.

“We need another girl.” The girl stated. “I won’t share a room with a boy when we’re traveling.”

“I can agree to that. So long as they can put up a fight.” Roach stated. “But who? There weren’t that many girl applicants.”

“That girl with the gold flames seemed-”

“No! Anyone but her!” There was fire in Winter’s eyes. So much hate and sadness in them. Both men looked at one another in confusion. “All I’ll say is that I can only stand so much from her and she’ll bring more harm than good.”

“You know her?”

“All my life unfortunately. If she joins then I’m out.” Grey could tell y her tone that she wasn’t joking.

“Fine so aside from her, that gives us three left.”

“Four, that last one looked like she could pack a punch.”

“Hell no.” Grey said. “Eris is crazy, not in the good way either.”

“Isn’t she your roommate?” Grey nodded. “Good so you already know her.” Grey felt a familiar voice inside his head.

She would be a good addition. The voice from his wand echoed through his mind.

She’s crazy.

Better to keep her close than let her runabout unattended.

No way would Armor allow it.

Since when has that stopped you before? Besides what if she goes and tells her father. That won’t end well for you. Grey shuddered at the thought.

“Well?” Winter asked. Grey and the trio walked back out to see the group conversing with one another. They quieted down after they saw the three walking out. Grey cleared his throat.

“We thank you all for coming, but only two can join. I’ve seen a lot of talent today and I know that all of you are destined to do great things. For those who did not make the cut, do not despair, your time will come. The two we have selected in a democratic manor are Bolt Stormbreaker,” The man stepped forwards and nodded as some students clapped. Grey sighed at the next one. “and Eris.”

The others funneled out of the arena and the two approached the three members. Grey shook both their hands and smiled. “Alright, report to the gym two days from now.” As they walked away Grey grabbed Eris’s arm and took her aside. “We need to talk. Now.”

“About what?”

“Your restrictions.” Eris raised an eyebrow. “You can’t go all overlord on the enemy team, that means no turning them into animals or the like.” Eris sighed. “I mean it eris, one slip up, one little toe out of line and you’re out.”

“Fine.” She said as the two started walking towards their dorm.

“We’ll also need to get you a wand, for your cover.”

“My what?”

“So the enemy team underestimates you and when they feel safe you blow them away.”

“How deceitful, I like it.” She grinned. The duo made their way towards their room and came across Twilight Sparkle and her brother. Shining waved him down and Grey frowned when he saw the scholar.

“Grey I have an applicant for your team.” He looked at Twilight. Grey looked between them.

“No way in the nine circles of hell.” Shining looked at him in shock.

“Why? Twilight-”

“Has a bad habit of sticking her nose where it doesn’t belong.” He glared at Twilight. “Besides, I already have two replacements freshly picked.”

“Who?” Twilight asked.

“Bolt Stormbreaker, a lightning mage.”

“Who else?” Eris gave a small whistle and wave. “You can’t be serious.”

“I am and she is a member of my team.”

“I will not have this witch-”

“Ahem, am I interrupting something?” Both mages froze as they heard the familiar voice behind them. Discord donning his usual brown suit was standing with a grin on his face and stroking his beard. “Oh don’t mind me, please continue Captain Armor.” He stepped behind Eris and Grey.

“N-never mind.” He gulped.

“Oh good, because for a second there I thought you called my daughter a witch. Which would not be very nice now would it.”

“I was just expressing my concern about Eris joining the dueling club.”

“Well, that’s new news to me.” Discord said as he looked at Grey.

“She just joined and I believe that she’d be a valuable asset to the team. No to mention I don’t have to worry about her getting into trouble while I’m away with the team. Everybody wins.”

“I think that makes sense. Wouldn’t want Eris making a black hole on the dorm now would we?” Shining bit his lip and lowered his head. “See you next week Coach.” With that, Grey and Eris walked past them and walked towards their dorm.

“Word to the wise Ms.Sparkle,” Discord stated. “no one likes a Nosy Nancy.” Twilight gave him a death stare. “Bye~” He vanished in a flash of light with a grin.