--Earth - Day Thirteen--

-2:45 PM-

Twilight began to teach me how to use magic, last week. She had even brought a few books with her, apparently.

And Starlight said she had a few "tricks" she wanted to teach me.

"Alright, you'll begin learning teleportation today."

I wasn't doing too well. It took me a whole week to learn to levitate a few pieces of tupperware concurrently. I think it was because Twilight was having me focus on objects behind me, where I couldn't see them. I was told that I'd need to focus on the object itself, without having to see it; and that's just not something I can easily do.

"Look. I know last week was a little rough, but this should be easier for you." The lavender alicorn tried to help, "Jason, remember how easy levitation was getting for you last night?"

Yeah, I remember being able to bring my own dinner to the table.

"Yes. I recall." Was my response.

Twilight continued, "Good. You're moving on to teleportation today. Let's head upstairs."

The lavender pony promptly trotted off, heading upstairs. I followed, slightly hesitant. I've gotten better at traversing the stairs, going up the stairs, fine. Going down them, terrifying. In one week, I've managed to tumble halfway down the stairs six times, faceplant into the carpet twice, and end up being carried down by Twilight each time.

You'd think I'd be able to levitate myself, right?

WRONG. I can't see shit if I have my own magical aura surrounding me; the inside of that thing is pitch black, and cold.

On the way up, I looked at the dimly lighted white walls aside the stairwell. We were planning on moving out, and had pulled any picture frames off the walls. Now it's just a plain, blank, wall. Honestly, I'd always looked terrible in those pictures and I've been almost happy the walls are blank.

I spoke up, "Twilight. It took me almost a whole week to get levitation down. Do you really think we'll have the time for me to figure out teleportation?

"Oh, no. Of course not." Dammit, Twilight.

"Twilight, serious answers. Come on, we've been through this." I responded as we reached the top of the stairwell.

Another voice came from the family room ahead.

"Have you ever thought that, maybe Twilight just finds it funny, or calming, or even relieving, and she's only using her sarcasm to cope; to take her mind off of everything stressing her out?" Starlight's voice, and she seemed a little concerned.

Uh... no, I hadn't thought of that. That doesn't even sound like the Twilight I know... but I guess it's better than her just being a sarcastic ass. "I'm- I'm sorry, Twilight. I know these past two weeks have been stressful for you. And..." My voice trailed off as more thoughts came into mind.

"No, no, that was my bad. Sarcasm's not going to help anypony, in the long run."

It makes me wonder just what's running through Twilight's mind... during her restless nights, spent on a foreign planet. It must've felt so wrong to her, everything she knows... she needed to leave it behind if she wanted to save it, even if just a chance. It must've felt so wrong, to leave so many helpless ponies she had sworn to protect.

And I realise that Twilight's not the only one feeling this way. Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie, Rainbow, even Starlight... they've left everything behind. And who's supposed to help them? Me? A mare who's barely capable of travelling down a flight of stairs, who's experience with magic consists entirely of levitation, which is pretty much just foal's play?

This just feels, completely hopeless. How am I supposed to DO anything to help? What good do these ponies even see in me?

"Jason, look. You'll get this done in time. It took most ponies years of practice to achive the levitation skills that you have. And it took you one week. Jason. One week." Can Twilight... hear my thoughts, or something?

"Look." Starlight began, "You have enormous potential, Jason. Magically, you're an exremely fast-learner. We've discussed this, and, you've made better progress in one week than Twilight and myself ever could have. Twilight tells me she's never seen or even read about anypony learning magic this fast." She took a moment to breathe, "Do you hear that? Twilight has never read about anypony making this much progress. With just how much of a bookworm she normally is, that means you're likely the best chance we have right now."

A barely audible "Oh," was all I managed, as I looked to a teary-eyed Twilight, then a hopeful Starlight.

"So, can you do this? For us?" Twilight asked me.

* * *

-3:11 PM-

"Remember when I said teleportation was going to be easier than levitation?" I was questioned.

"Yes, Twilight." Honestly, at first I was excited to have Twilight teach me magic. But the past week has been a lot more exhausting than I had expected.

"It's simple for you. Just try channeling your magic, and focus on a certain place you want to be. And remember, the farther the location, the more magical energy it will take." Okay, so basically I'm going to need practice if I want to get anywhere far. "However, with the type of magic you use, distance isn't as much a factor as it would be for me."

Right. And I don't really remember what type of magic that was...

I'm not entirely sure why it's the only magic I can use, nor its purpose, either. Or if this is why I'm learning so fast, so I can learn what is necessary before we need to go. I've been using this magic for two weeks, there have been no 'side effects.' So I'm assuming I was made immune to any other effects, as Twilight described. Was it for some sort of-

"Jason... Jason, you zoned out again." Twilight's voice brought me back into reality as she nudged my shoulder.

"Huh? What were ya sayin'?" Was my instinctive response. I tend to zone out, lost in my own thoughts, still.

"Ugh, as I was saying, distance won't affect your use of the teleportation spell. I just want you to channel your magic, and focus on somewhere nearby."

That's it? Sounds too easy.

I began channeling my own magic, a cold feeling surging through my head and focusing itself into my horn. It felt, cold, and tingled a bit. I closed my eyes and tried focusing on another room in the house; the downstairs family room.

Everything goes cold, and dark for a split second.

When I reopen my eyes, I find myself disoriented, nausiated, and very... hungry? I felt my stomach as it growled; I hadn't eaten lunch today.

Unimportant stuff aside, I just figured out teleportation!

And with a bright flash that nearly scared me to death, Twilight and Starlight appeared at my side.

"GAH!" I jumped back, landing on my rear with a heavy thud. I haven't had a scare like that since I set off one of Pinkie's party cannons. And God knows why those things are so loud.

I recieved giggles from these two mares as a response, I felt a warm blush rush across my cheeks. I hadn't been this embarassed before, nowhere near as bad as right now. I could even feel the blush in my ears.

"That, was impressive. I haven't seen anypony teleport like that for their first time." Starlight grabbed my forehoof, pulling me back onto all four hooves. "You just need to work on the landing," I rolled my eyes as Starlight joked.

Author's Note

[OST] Part One: Outset.

Also. I'll make sure you don't have to wait six months for one damn chapter next time.