The Future of Magic

The Future of magic

Chapter 10: The Canterlot tour

Aquaris (who was now back to normal) ran through the halls of the castle, his Attire was more casua a simple black T-shirt with the symbol of the five base magic types on the front, the reason of his haste was the fact he had slept in and had promised Twilight that he would meet her at the front gates to give him the tour of Canterlot city. Aquaris stopped as he reached an intersection of three halls.

"By Solaris… this palace is a three dimensional maze…" Aquaris said in between his panting.

"You might need a map then…" Aquaris looked up and saw Princess Cadence, instead of her usual attire with the hoof slippers, tiara and amulet; she was wearing a silk summer hat.

"Clearly… how do I get down to the ground floor… I promised last night that I'd meet up with Twilight down at the front gates."

"Well since you can't fly I can't just say just jump out a window and fly down… follow me, I was heading down myself." Cadence began trotting down the hall, Aquaris following suite after he finished catching his breathe. "So Aquaris, how are you on this fine morning?"

"Great… aside from the fact I'm late." Aquaris replied as he met the pace of the pink Alicorn. "How about yourself, you seem quite peachy,"

"no true reason, but it is a lovely day. I was planning on heading down to the kitchens grab a quick snack, then probably go swimming, enjoy a day at the royal spa… choices have today."

As the two made it down to the next flight of stairs, Aquaris noticed that the palace was quiet. "Where is everypony?"

"You could say it's an off day, auntie Celestia and Luna wanted a day to themselves, they are down at the spa themselves. Most of the guards aside from of the most elite are off duty today." Cadence said as they went around a corner into the hall that leads to the kitchens. it was quiet in there too.

"I presume you're on your own for lunch and breakfast?"

"Well you're two thirds right, we do know how to fend for ourselves, and Auntie Celestia is an expert in the culinary field." Cadence commented as she opened an ice box and pulled out various fixings for a sandwich.

"Well Twi and I were planning to have dinner out tonight… maybe it could be a double date, you and Armor come along." Aquaris commented as he pulled a banana from a cluster of them and proceeded to eat it.

"not particularly, although I would love to get to know you more, I more or less don't want Shinning to be the protective older brother he is to a man like yourself."

Aquaris nodded as Cadence began to fix herself a sandwich. "To think if Twilight and I really become a couple, I would have to get her father's blessing eventually."

"Don't get ahead of yourself Aquaris, as I do sense the immense love for her in you, also you would need her mother's."

"Say what now?"

"Well with Twilight and her 'by the book' methods, she'll make you commit to a old tradition of obtaining the mothers blessing…. I didn't even though that she knew of them, those traditions weren't around since Twilight's grandmother."

Both of them turned around to see Celestia trotting in, Aquaris noticed that she had a bit of dirt on her hooves, she also smelled a bit sweaty.

"What is this tradition?"

"Oh a simple test that the bride's mother has for the groom, it varied when it was really popular, it could be a test of strength and endurance, how to make a great meal, to simple stuff like how your manners are."

"So it could be anything?" Aquaris said as he tossed the banana peel into a compost shoot

"Yes… I'm still trying to remember for the life of me what the common tradition for the sparkle bloodline was, because typically it is the same from generation to generation, the two traditions combined as the two wed." Celestia pulled a pitcher of water from the ice box and poured herself a glass. I know Twilight's father's side was a culinary test… what was Star's?" Celestia put a hoof to her chin as Aquaris checked his watch.

"It doesn't matter, I have to meet up with Twi… cya later you two." said as he ran out, a book falling out of his bag.

"What do we have here?" Cadence picked up the book and proceeded through its pages.

Entry 1

I have awoken from that induced sleep the confederates put me in and found myself in a drop pod, I still appear to be in this ship, and every so often I am given food and drinks and permission to leave for hygiene purposes.

Afina's conditions are growing worse; she began to mumble in her sleep, wishing for home. It also is apparent that she loves Rarius.

Entry 2

It is odd; I can use my magic again… I currently do not understand for the power source of this inhibitor is still active but the crystal that produces is offline. I have not attempted to escapes due to the sheer number of guards, I was able to improve Afina's mood by using what knowledge I had in the dream shaper spell. The dreams seemed almost real to her, making her much more cheerful.

Entry 3

I feel odd as this ship exits it's hyper jump, the guards I bribe tell me that they have found my world of abandonment… they say it is hospitable but scans show no cities, or civilizations, then again they can't see through this magic field like I can… the cities seem large but population is unknown.

Entry 4

I was right, this world is quite inhabited, matter of fact the species is similar to the ones I've read stories about, but are much different. Fur coloration is of the entire color wheel and same with mane and tail colors, on their flank appear to be symbols, or 'cutie marks' as they dubbed, which act similar to a Terran's crests, showing their special talent. The species as I can tell is split into many variations.

Cadence browsed through the pages, she shut the book with a cherry red blush on her face after reaching entry ten. "Aquaris put that in… id better let Armor not read this."

"Not let me read what now Cadi?" Armor walked in, his fur soaked in sweat under his violet and gold armor plating, a smirk on his face as prince Blueblood dragged himself in, completely exhausted, in the distance Aquaris's laughter could be heard in echoes.

"Never again… I get the point aunt Celestia… please no more." Blueblood commented as he dragged himself into the side of a counter.

"All we did were some laps Blueblood, grow a pair."

"Around the entire castle grounds, TWENTY TIMES!"

"yeah, and that is the beginning, Celestia said I had to do the entire training regimen with yah, get some lunch and meet me down in the court yard at fourteen hundred hours." Armor commented as Blueblood groaned into the floor. Armor chuckled and noticed the book floating in her magic. "watcha got there honey?"

"Oh nothing… just something of Aquaris's… he dropped it when he left." Cadence replied as she was about to pass Armor and out of the kitchens. "I should give this back to him before he gets too far."

"I'll take it to him, besides I need to thank him with stopping Afina from destroying the courtyards."

"But… I think I should take it to him directly"

"Nonsense … I was planning on heading down to the city anyway, dad asked me to meet him for lunch." Armor said as the aura around the book changed to Armor's. Cadence was hesitant but let Armor leave with Aquaris's book.

"By Celestia, please don't read it…" cadence muttered under her breathe as armor rounded the corner Aquaris went around.

Aquaris's position

"I'm here Twi… sorry I'm late, forgot to set an alarm." Aquaris said catching his breath, hands on his knees.

"It's no problem… isn't the first time you were late." Twilight said with smug grin plastered on her face.

"Oh hush… we did together in rounds one and three." Aquaris replied with a light blush across his face. "Besides, you were screaming my name even when I did come late in round two." Twilight blushed an even brighter red before Aquaris began laughing as he passed her. "c'mon, you said you wanted to show me around town."

Twilight got off the bench she was on and followed him, trotting a bit faster to get ahead to lead the way. "Canterlot is rich in history, and is really the main origin of our culture, it was the second city built after some time a few hundred to a thousand years ago." Twilight explained as Aquaris kept up.

As they got deeper into the city, the streets were packed, not too much to where you can't move. Most of the ponies were too busy to notice Aquaris, some merely stood to allow them to pass, some stood back in awe at the unknown being.

"This place is booming, seems just as busy as Etheria… with just as many shops and stalls." Aquaris said as he weaved through a pair of ponies to keep up with Twilight.

"Well this is the general goods district, the artisan shops are outside this place, it quite busy but not as busy as this street." They turned into the next street; this one was, compared to the maelstrom of ponies earlier, an immense improvement. They passed by shops some open, others not. One that caught was a gap in between the buildings; there in the alley was three figures, two of them beating up the third,

Aquaris looked over to Twilight; she was talking to a stall owner who was selling freshly made sweets. He turned back to the trio in the shadows and opened his palms, instead of glowing a usual teal, they glowed green as he charged a paralysis spell.

"Aquaris what are yo-…" Aquaris shot the spell into the alley and telekinectly pulled two young colts out of it, one was unicorn the other and earth pony.

"Caught these two beating up some younger colt…" Aquaris whistled and waved over a pair of city guards, "make sure these two go to their parents." The guards simply nodded and magically took hold of the young colts.

Aquaris walked into the alley to find the other colt badly hurt, his fur was a chocolate brown, his mane and tail a dirty blond. He was out cold beside him was something that reminded Aquaris of the incredibly old "Gameboy's" he read about in his books.

Aquaris picked up the colt and the odd device and carried it with him out of the alley. Twilight gasped as she saw how bloodied up the colt was, bruises and cuts covered his small body, his breathes were short and raspy.

"Oh my… is he alright?"

"Well he is alive is one thing, my scans of his injuries show a few bruised ribs and from what is seen here, he also has a broken hind leg… he is going to need a hospital trip."

"Well we can't just take him there… we need one of his parents." Twilight replied as the colt stirred in his unconsciousness. "School just let out I believe… one of them is probably expecting to be home… but the residential area is on the opposite side of the city, it's like he was heading to the hospital."

"Maybe one of his parents works there?"

"Or he is visiting a relative there, c'mon lets go… I can't give you this tour knowing some colt is not in the proper hooves."

The two set off, Aquaris following behind Twilight, keeping the colt over his shoulder to aid in carrying him. Nearly half an hour passed before they reached the Canterlot hospital, the colt was still out cold but was mumbling something illegible. They walked into the door greeted by a nurse with a jaw dropped towards Aquaris.

"Did you mess up some magic or something Mrs.?" The Nurse asked Twilight. Gesturing towards Aquaris.

"oh no of course not, that's how he normally looks, we came by to see if the colt on his shoulder is any ponies."

"We'll let me see… oh my, briar… get Miliano stat!" the nurse said to one of the other nurses who nodded and bolted off down a hall. "What happened to him exactly?"

"Two other colts were beating him up over something in an alley we were passing by. Also I found this next to him, reminds me of something my kind would have in its museum of technology." Aquaris pulled out the device and showed her, "Also one of my spells allows me to see injuries, he has a few bruised ribs plus his left hind leg is broken."

"Oh my… thank you for the dionostic of him… as for this, it is a Joy-boy, small handheld device to entertain one's self. They are fairly new but not that expensive, twenty bits for one of these things. And nothing really to beat some poor colt up for." The nurse said as she let the device float in front of her.

"Where is he?" Aquaris and Twilight looked over to see a bright tan earth pony mare, her mane a deep chocolate brown. Aquaris by now had set the colt on a small bench near the entrance, "what happened to my little Button-mash?"

"Two colts around his age beat him up, I stopped them, Twi and I brought him here, presuming that somepony worked or was in he3re." Aquaris replied as he sat down to meet the mare at Eye level.

"thank you for bringing him here… what about those other colts?" she asked as she turned to Aquaris

"I handed them over to the guards that were passing by… find their parents while we took… Button mash here." Aquaris opened his palm to produce a similar green aura from earlier, "I love paralysis spells. They are perfect for painlessly stopping attackers… it was the only way to pull them off your son in the first place."

"Even still I thank you for it… still I don't understand why somepony would hurt him, he has made a lot of friends since we moved here, both in and out of school, most of kids around our area have those joy boy things."

"I don't know…, but he is safe now, and with his mother… Twi and I have plans today and this urgency took a bit… doesn't matter though we can still get all we need done." Aquaris turned and gestured Twilight to follow.

"Thank you again… umm."

"Aquaris, and it's no problem, it is best to do an ARK a day, makes a big impact in the long run." With that Aquaris and Twilight left. The two set off to continue their tour but Twilight had to ask.

"What dose ARK mean?"

"It's slang for 'A random act of kindness' everyone and pony should at least do one a day if they can to one… it makes one feel better about themselves and such… Fluttershy as I remember being the element of kindness means that she dose kind acts to those I need."

"correct, but it is mostly for animals cause she isn't as distant from them as other ponies, think about when she met you, all distant and frail…"

"Just like when I first met Leon, even today he is a bit skidish, but when it comes to animals, he is different, he can even make them freeze up with this look he has."

"Same with Fluttershy, that manticore you fought, if it wasn't so dark and he wasn't controlled by Trixie, she could stop him in his tracks and made him put Afina down." Twilight commented as they rounded a corner and passed through the artisan district, Aquaris smiled as he saw the various artisans working on their life's work, hoof carved wooden objects, uniquely made jewelry, and a glass blower's shop.

"Most of the artisans in Canterlot are unicorns, but I believe the wood carver is an earth pony as well as the master carpenter, while I think…. since i was last here, the glass blower should be a Pegasus." Twilight commented as you could see the glass blower forming the beginnings to a vase, floating in the air a bit while his apprentice used various tools to shape the glass.

"I noticed that the only metal worker here is a jeweler."

"The blacksmith is closer to the castle, and there is also one in the guard's armory."

"I'm guessing when you were Celestia's student, you did a little exploring." Twilight lightly blushed to this, but nodded. "I did the same when I was Solaris's protégé, when I met the blacksmith at the palace was also the day Solaris taught me how to turn most objects into a moldable form, then re solidify them."

Aquaris pointed his hand at a bench and made it glow with his aura, seconds later the bench Twisted and bent itself till the bench had become a ladder. He did it again and turned that into a wire frame sphere with metal as the out frame and wood as the mount holding it up.

"Wow… you can reshape anything?"

"Almost, I can't re-shape obsidian, and I can't reshape living things." Aquaris said as he returned the materials to their original shape as a bench. "it would be disgusting to see what I could make by remolding a living thing… and the creature is still alive too." Aquaris shivered lightly at the thought of bones and flesh remolding to an abomination

Eventually they stopped in the more posh residential district, in front of one specific manor. The house was at least two stories, maybe three if there was a basement; it was nice but not extravagant and seemed to catch Twilight's attention.

"I presume this is your parents place?"

"yeah… even though I live in ponyVille, this is still technically my home."

"wanna go inside? I need to rest my legs a bit, and I need something to drink." Aquaris asked as he bent down to rub his knees.

"We can, also weren't too far from our next destination anyway" Twilight trotted up the stone pavement leading to the houses front door. From one of her saddle bags came a house key and unlocked the door, let herself and Aquaris through. "Mom, you here?"

"Twilight? I am but what brings you here… oh and you brought that human friend from before."

"Just visiting, I was giving him a look around Canterlot and decided to stop by." The two mares hugged lightly before Twilight's gestured them to the living room.

Aquaris sat down on one of the couches, Twilight sat next to him, while her mother sat on the couch across from them. "So how do you think of this City Aquaris?"

"it's good, it reminds me of home a lot though, minus the corsairs ferrying people place" Aquaris noticed that there was a cup of tea and a saucer in front of him, Twilight and her mother already drinking their cups. "Aquaris took of sip of his own tea; he almost coughed at the taste.

"Oh sorry Aquaris, my mom puts dried daisy petals in the tea." Twilight said as her mother rubbed the back of her own head. "Forgot to mention that." Aquaris gulped down the tear which left a bad taste in his mouth.

"Its… no problem, but I think my other form won't mind it." Twilight's mother was confused, especially when Twilight put on a pair of sunglasses. She covered her eyes as the room filled with the bright flash from Aquaris's magic, her jaw dropped when it died down and Aquaris was now a unicorn

Twilight's mother couldn't help but stare; he almost had a similar build to Armor's, but when she noticed the small details she noticed similarities to Twilight, his mane and tail was dark blue with a brighter light blue highlight. On his flank was a cutie mark also similar to Twilight's but the coloration was altered, and the background was a vortex like symbol.

"Mom your staring." Twilight commented as Aquaris shifted, his seating to a more comfortable position, Aquaris seemed uneasy on the couch, still not fully used to his pony form. "You alright Aquaris?"

"Yeah, I'm not so attuned to this form than I would prefer… two legged beings have more issues going to four legs than it is for the opposite… at least the tea tastes good now." Aquaris commented as he sipped his tea, not coughing up like he did a moment ago. The three conversed which lead to explanation of Aquaris's new plan when the stargate is brought to life and can be used.

"so you'll bring your friends here?" Twilight asked after Aquaris finished explaining

"yeah… I realized that both the princesses are busy with their own duties, Solaris and Nocturne will be as well no doubt, that and if the bearers of balance were to befriend your species and word spreads, most Terrans will trust and welcome your kind." Aquaris set his empty cup onto the coffee table and continued, "It worked with many other species including on befriending nemesis, it kind of worked with metamorph…. Then again he is a changeling; it is hard to trust one."

"I see… is Celestia ok with this?"

"yeah, when you left to go to bed, we talked at great length on it… she also made the comment that surprised me, she wanted me to convince versian and my sister come with me, I don't have an idea what she is up too, but I must do what she requests." Aquaris pulled out a scrap of parchment, it had the agreed upon names, next to Rarius though, it showed a mark for priority.

"Star I'm back…" A voice came from the foyer, "lunch with Armor was good, but he is clearly a first time parent, didn't know that Cadence had to up the quantity of food for the foal… oh and who may this be?" Twilight's father walked in, noticing Aquaris but not knowing who he is.

"Dad, remember that tall creature when you and mom visited… well he knows some magic of his own." Twilight pointed a hoof at Aquaris.

"okay… what was your name again?"

"Aquaris… Twi was just showing me around canterlot, we decided to stop here for a break." Aquaris said as he stretched his neck, getting a handful of satisfying popping noises from it. "No offense but shouldn't we be going Twilight?" Aquaris showed his clock showing it was about six.

"why don't you two stay for dinner?"

"well maybe, if Twilight is okay with staying a little longer?"

"of course I am… besides, I think my parents would love to hear about some of your escapades that you told me." Twilight answered as the Twilight's parents went to the kitchen to prepare for dinner.

Two hours later

"This friend of yours… Blinx, he sounds like that Pinkie pie." Twilight's father commented as he sipped his wine.

"You could compare him to her yes, he is a loose cannon, but he is a good friend none the less… he also has this sixth sense too, it's weird if his ear twitches or he blinks his left eye sporadically, then something's bound to happen." Aquaris sipped his own wine before he looked down at his watch, "looks like we can stay for a little longer before we have to go, Celestia wanted to meet with me about something in the library around nine." Aquaris got up, and went to go grab his bag.

"He seems like a nice boy… and to tell the truth makes a handsome stallion… not as handsome as you honey." Twilight's mother commented as Aquaris searched for his bag. "I wouldn't be surprised if you two dated." Twilight nearly coughed on her own wine at that statement, receiving laughs from both her parents.

"I heard from some of my co-workers that you two danced last night, both of you human."

"well that is true…"

"And what is this, I can tell it is full with some energy" Twilight's mom said with Twilight's polymorph necklace.

"a gift from Aquaris, if I wear it then it allows me to be become human" on that note Twilight slipped the necklace on and in a bright flash, was now human. Her parents examined her detail. Compared to what they saw with Aquaris's normal form, Twilight was a tad thinner and shorter.

Her chest was the most interesting bit, both her parents saw the mango shaped lumps protruding from her chest, unlike Aquaris's which was flat.

"Ah there it is." Aquaris said, notifying that he found his bag. He came back the kitchen with his bag held by one arm over his shoulder. "oh I see your showing them your human form?"

"uhh… yeah, mom can you stop staring at my chest?" Twilight turned to the side covering her breasts in embaressment.

"Sorry dear, what is the point of those things anyway?"

"To feed newborn humans, as well as aid in attracting a sutor." Aquaris said as he dug through his bag. "A typical women's breasts are highly sensitive to touch, and… not saying from experience, provide extra pleasure of the female partner in intercourse." Aquaris looked up to see them a bit dumfounded.

"Sigh… it is hard to explain without being a bit vulgar." Aquaris said a, a light blush on his face, Twilight's mentally sighed as Aquaris didn't mention what they did.

"We get it… just Twilight seems really embarrassed about it." Aquaris looked down to see Twilight red with embarrassment. "

"I think we should go… bye mom, bye dad." Twilight got up and grabbed her bag which fell on the floor when she changed.

"Bye you two lovebirds." Twilight's mom joked as the two went through the front door, closing it behind him.

Outside

"I feel like your mom wants me to date you." Aquaris said as they began walking down the emptier stone street to the castle

"Wouldn't be the first time, she wants me to get a colt friend… she even set me up for blind date with one of the recruits of the royal guard shinning said showed a lot of promise."

"And?"

"I didn't really like it… he was nervous and not all that handsome… I guess she won't try that again, given that I found somepony to date." Twilight said as they upped their pace to make better time.

"What happened to the recruit?"

"don't know…" as they entered the castle courtyard, Twilight was tackled by a pink blur.

"Hi im pinkiepie, what's your name?" Pinkie said as she bound on Twilight's chest. "oh hi Aquaris."

"pinkie… its me… Twilight…" Twilight said in gasps as the party pony bounce on her.

"oh… sorry Twilight… I forgot that Aquaris can turn ponies into humans…" Pinkie got off Twilight whom of which sat up.

"It's fine… when did you get here?"

"about an hour ago with the others… oh a you have a letter Aquaris." Pinkie pulled a scroll from nowhere, Aquaris unraveled it and read it through, his eyes widened at what he read.