Author's Note

Taking a little break from some things, Have a new story!

Shadows 1

I hummed to myself as I walked through the convention, wearing a orange hoodie, blue pants and red sneakers. I had gone to this convention purely because I was bored, idly twirling my shoulder-length black hair a bit.

As I walked around, a booth caught my eye. I walked over to it, looking for anything interesting to buy.

“See anything of interest my dear?” a voice said. I looked up to see someone standing in front of me with black clothes that covers them from head to toe and some sort of mask covering their face.

“Those masks and that cool wash on tattoo.” I said, pointing to some masks and said tattoo. He looked at the items and chuckled.

“Ahhh good eye miss, those took me some time to acquire but I believe they are worth it.” he said.

“How much?” I asked.

“Well, it took me a bit to get them so… around two thousand.” I frowned a bit. “Damn… don’t sell any of that, I’ll be right back.”

“Hold on” he said. “Normally two K but… I like you so how about two hundred and fifty.”

“That’s… more manageable.” I said, smiling and pulling my wallet out, handing the person three one-hundreds. “Keep the change.” I told him, grabbing the masks and tattoo, putting the masks inside my hoodie for now.

“I’ll see you around.” I called, walking away. I explored the con a little more, whistling to myself, before finding a water fountain. I smiled, walking over and taking the tattoo out, using the fountain when noone was looking to put it on my right ankle, under my clothes.

As I finished applying the tattoo, I felt woozy, falling over and blacking out.

When I woke up, I was in a strange forest, thoroughly confused. “Where the heck am I?” I asked, voice higher, as if I was younger. I blinked in surprise.

“Oh no…” I mumbled, realizing what must’ve happened, I ran until I found a pond, looking in and seeing a twelve year version of myself. “DAMMIT!”

I heard growling coming from behind me suddenly, making me freeze, slowly turning and seeing a wolf made out of wood. I yelped in fear, socking the thing, making it give a surprised look that I didn’t see as I ran away from it. As the thing chased me, more and more starting showing up.

I had a head start, but the things were too plentiful and too many, cutting me off and making me change directions so many times, eventually cornering me at the edge of a cliff.

I looked back at the wooden wolves fearfully, knowing I had no way out of this. “HELP!” I cried, covering my eyes and raising my arms as if to protect myself.

I heard the sounds of something fighting the wolves, opening my eyes, widening them in surprise at the creatures I saw.

I saw a ton of these with wooden shards around them, obviously the remains of the wooden wolves. The ninja looking beings walked over and kneeled before me.

“Did you… appear because I called for help?” I asked, surprised. One nodded, making me widen my eyes, before a smile grew on my face. “Sweet.”

As I said this I hear the sound of wings from behind me. I turn and saw… a flying horse person. And that wasn’t the strangest part about it. This person had a horn on her head, wore a long sun like dress, had a teal colored mane and white fur and with her was some sort of red bird… I’ve already seen too many disney films to see where this was going.

“Are you hurt, little one?” She asked me as she set down on the ground. “My names-.”

“Let me guess… Princess?”

The figure in question looked rather surprised to hear me say that… which told me that I was right. “How do you-?”

“You’re wearing a dress and have an animal companion. It seems kind of obvious.” I told her sarcastically, practically deadpan. She blinked at me before her eyes started to glow before she fired a beam at one of the shadow ninja.

This seemed to make the rest aggressive, them all leaping up at the strange person. The horse princess made a gesture and fired another beam. Hurting them as I snarled a little. “What is your problem, lady!? They saved me just now-!”

My anger seemed to cause more to appear, shadowy portals forming, the shadow ninjas rising from them.

“Y-you're making them?” she said, her eyes narrow at me.

“W-wait I ca-” Was all I could get out, before she shot a beam at me. The beam was intercepted by one of the shadow ninjas, my eyes widening at this.

“You may look like a child but I can not allow you to bring harm to my kingdom.” she said preparing another attack.

“Can’t we just talk about this-!?” I asked, only getting another blast, this one closer to my face before it was deflected away. “I don’t even know how I’m doing this!!”

She didn't listen to me as she started to glow. Looks like the only other choice I had was to defend myself… or run. “Get me outta here!” I ordered one of the shadow ninja.

One of them picked me up and bolted into the forest as the others distracted the horse lady. The shadow carried me far away, before setting me down in a clearing.

I let out a sigh before I heard the sound of wings. Oh god she found me! I turned to look at her, but my fearful look turned to confusion at what I saw.

The horse person looked like the other one but with midnight blue fur and a black dress, not having the bird with her. “Are you gonna attack me to?” I asked.

“Not without reason, which I do not have one.” she said calmly. I calmed at this, titling my head at her.

“Who… are you?” I asked.

“Princess Luna, the princess of the night.” she turned away. “Though I doubt anyone really cares.”

“Why’s that?” I asked, walking closer to her.

“Because nopony cares about the night.” she said. “I spend hours making the the night sky amazing but do they care, no.”

“I use to like the night better, where I come from.” I told her. She raised an eyebrow at me.

“Used to?” she said crossing her arms.

“I don’t know what the night here looks like, so…” I trailed off, shrugging.

“I see…” her eyes trailed to the shadow ninja, narrowing her eyes.

“What is it?” I asked.

“I have seen many creatures over the years but never one like this.” she said. She didn't look like she was going to blast it, instead looking more curious.

“I… don’t know what it is, it and a bunch of others looking like it came to help me when I was attacked by some wooden wolves.” I told Luna.

“Timberwolves.” she said. “Spirits of evil and rot that take rotting wood to make their bodies.”

“Yeah, those, they had me cornered on a cliff before a bunch of these shadow ninja dudes came and saved me.” I said, gesturing to the ninja.

“Shadow ninja… dudes.” she said tilting her head.

“I don’t know what they’re called.” I repeated, shrugging. “They came out of shadows, and their ninjas, so…”

“You said it like there's more of them but I only see one.” she said. I responded by scrunching my face up in concentration, three shadowy portals appearing and more of the ninjas rising out of them. “Ahh, okay.”

“I summoned them by accident earlier, I’m glad that I can do it on purpose.” I said, smiling a little bit.

“That's good… I think.” she said. I shrugged.

“So, was the white one of you I saw earlier trying to blast me your sister, or something?” I asked.

“Yes… she's my sister.” she shifted a bit. “She jumps to the worse possible thing at times.” she said with a sheepish smile.

“That’s okay, I guess, as long as she doesn’t attack me anymore.” I said.

“I don't know.” she said..

“She probably will again… won’t she?” I asked, sighing. She nodded at me.

“I don't see why but she's over protective.” she said.

“Do… you know anywhere I could go?” I asked. “To not have to worry about her, I mean.”

“Hmmm… there's one place up north.” she said..

“What’s there?” I asked, tilting my head.

“There's a place called the Crystal Empire.” she said.

“And you think that’ll be safe for me?” I asked.

“Of course, my sister hates the cold.” she said with a smile. I smiled, inwardly happy at this.

“Okay then… I guess this is goodbye, for now, then.” I said. She waved at me before disappearing in a flash.

“Take me to the Crystal Empire.” I ordered the shadow ninjas. They nodded, one picking me up, the other three forming a triangle formation around me and we left.

When we got to the Crystal Empire, my skin was slightly blue, and I was shivering violently. “G-get h-h-help.” I ordered one of my escorts, it nodding and shooting off.

It returned soon after with another pony-person, this one also looking like a princess.

“Oh my, we need to get her inside.” she said. She brought me and the others to a crystal castle, fitting, and lead to a room with a hearth. She made a blanket appear and floated me over to the hearth and wrapped me up snugly. Slowly I started to stop shaking.

“T-thank you.” I said, my four ninjas surrounding me protectively.

“No problem dear, can I ask what's your name?” she asked.

“J-jade.” I decided.

“Greetings Jade, I'm princess Amore.” she greeted.

“C-can… I stay here?” I suddenly asked. She eyed me for a moment.

“Can I ask why?” She asked.

“I-i h-have nowhere else to go.” I mumbled.

“Hmm… well I don't see why not.” she said with a smile. I smiled at this, feeling happier. “So… where did you come from?”

“Another world.” I told her. She raised an eyebrow.

“I would question this but… you look like you're not around here.” she said.

“Just a little.” I said, nodding in agreement.

“Well, it's nice to have met you.” she said as she stood up. “I have things to do but I'll be back in a bit.” with that she left me alone with the ninjas.

“Let’s explore.” I said, standing and starting to wander with the four ninja in a square formation around me. Eventually, I ran into a grey horse-person who looked important.

“Hello.” I said.

“Hello… who are you?” he asked.

“I’m Jade, the princess said I could stay here for a while.” I told him, smiling, not noticing myself turning a little more blue.

“I see, well I'm Sombra, royal advisor to the princess… by the way did you notice that you are turning blue, did you get frostbite?” he asked.

“No, I’m not cold anymore.” I said, confused, my eyes having gone from brown to red at some point.

“Well your skin is blue… and eyes are changing colour. Is this a thing that aliens like you can do?” he asked.

“N-no, w-we’re not supposed to, anyway.” I said, sounding scared. He looked around then back at me.

“Uhh… don't be scared it’s… Uhh looks nice and…” he turns away. “Why is this hard? I’ve done things that no other can and this is making things hard.”

“What things?” I asked, having heard his little rant.

“When things that make sense don't make sense.” he said. He looked at me for a moment. “You wouldn't understand.”

“Are they… ‘dark’ things?” I asked. He narrowed his eyes at me.

“What do you mean by ‘dark’ things?” he asked..

“I don’t know… I just get this… dark feeling from you.” I said, tilting my head again. He stared at me before looking around.

“I have… done research into something… dark, related, why do you want to know?” He ask.

“Can you teach me?” I asked. “All I can do right now is summon these guys.” he stared at me for a few moments.

“Child… are you asking me to teach you how to use dark magic?” he asked surprised.

“Why not?” I asked, sounding genuinely confused.

“I'm just surprised, I have never heard of someone ask that.” he said.

“It’s dark not evil.” I said simply. “I mean, most dark magic users use it for evil, but it doesn’t have to be.”

“Well, at least someone else thinks that.” he said with a smile.

“So, will you teach me?” I asked again.

“I guess so, never had a student before so this will be interesting.” he said. I smiled, chuckling inwardly.

“So, are we gonna have to go somewhere private for this?” I asked.

“The most private place is my study, we can go there.” he said.

“Lead the way.” I said, smirking. He lead me to his study, which is where we started my training.

“So, what first?” I asked eagerly.

A couple hours later

I was channeling dark magic, eyes leaking red, a dark purple aura around my hands.

“Good work.” he said with a frown.

“Why are you frowning?” I asked, idly making a small dark crystal form in-between my hands.

“Dark magic isn't evil but… it does corrupt.” he said. “The more you use it the more you'll… do for it.”.”

“Really? I… don’t think it’s corrupting me.” I said.

“You're just starting out so you won't feel anything, but other then that you did good.” he said with a smile.

I smiled, playing with the crystal I made, making it form into a small dagger. “Look!” I said, holding it out to him.

“Good work Jade.” he said with a big smile.

“I wonder how it’ll go up against real weapons…” I mused. He ruffled my hair a bit.

“We’ll see in the future, right now baby steps.” he said.

“Okay.” I said, smiling. I twirled my new dagger, smiling, before I realised something that made me frown. “I… won’t be able to carry this around, will I?”

“As is no.” he said. He showed me a necklace with a few crystals on it. “As like this you can carry as many as you want.”

I smiled, shrinking the dagger and grabbing a random small piece of string, tying the small dagger to it and putting it around my neck. He smiled at this.

“Sticking with daggers?” he asked.

“Well, I figured I have ninja minions, and a shadow thing going on, so I’ll go for sneaking kills, and I can always make it into something else if I need to.” I told him. He stared at me for a moment.

“I should be worry about how you said that but I don't know anything about your race.” he said with a chuckle.

“I’m talking ‘what ifs’, I’ll probably just make it dull and knock people out with it.” I told him, shrugging.

“Right, so if I find anyone knocked out I know who to find.” he said with a smirk. I pouted, crossing my arms and huffing. “Anyway let's get something to eat.”

“Okay.” I said, turning to the shadow ninjas. “Hide yourselves, I don’t want people panicking.” I ordered, them seemingly vanishing from view.

“Neat, anyway follow me.” he said. I nodded, doing so. He lead me into a large dining hall, me sitting down next to him.

“What do they have to eat here?” I asked.

“Dandy Flower sandwiches, salads, fruit, and lasagna.” he said as he opened a book and started to write in it. “Those are what we have today.”

“I’ll have some fruit.” I said. After a few moments some servants came and put a bowl of fruit in front of me and some lasagna in front of Sombra.

I tore into my fruit mercilessly, gobbling it down to the core.

“Hungry?” Sombra asked as he was eating his food slowly. I nodded.

“This is the first bits of food I’ve gotten since I got to this world.” I told him. He nodded as he went back to his food and book.

We somehow managed to finish at the same time, which confused me a little, though I didn’t bother asking how. “So, now what?” I asked.

“What do you mean?” he asked.

“I mean…” I started, before yawning. “What do ya wanna do now?”

“Well I have some work to do, you probably should have a nap.” he said.

“But I’m… not tired…” I mumbled sleepily, yawning mid sentence.

“You say that but your body seems to have other ideas.” he said with a chuckle.

I pouted, crossing my arms. He chuckled again and rubbed my head.

“You should rest, you had a long day today.” he said with a smile.

“Okay.” I mumbled, giving in. “Ninja… take me… to my room.” I mumbled, one appearing and taking me away to my room, putting me in bed and tucking me in. The ninja then disappeared into the shadows as the door closed.

The next day when I woke up, I saw that my skin was the same color as my ninjas. “Get me a mirror.” I ordered, one appearing at my side and handing me a hand mirror, me seeing my eyes as nothing but pools of red.

“Huh… get me something to wear.” I mumbled. The ninjas vanished for a couple seconds, before bringing me a black dress with a strange purple thing on it to wear.

I shrugged, changing into the clothes. “Take me to breakfast.” I ordered. The ninja nodded, taking me back to the dining hall and putting me in a seat. I saw both the princess and Sombra were there with some guards, the guards tensed up at the sight of me and the ninja.

“Morning.” I said. Sombra only nodded at me as he continued eating.

“Good morning Jade.” the princess said.

“What’s on the menu?” I asked.

“Fruit, or cereal.” one of the guards said.

“What’s the cereal made of?” I asked.

“Dried out wheat and some raisins.” the guard said.

“Fruit then, please.” I said, not really interested in that. The guard nodded and in a few moments a bowl of fruit was placed in front of me.

“So, what’s everyone doing today?” I asked, eating the fruit I was given.

“Work.” Sombra said. The princess nodded as she eat her food.

“Sounds boring.” I said, before blinking. “Anyone else notice the echo my voice has now?”

“Now you mention it yeah.” the princess said. “Are you getting a cold?”

“No.” I said, shaking my head. Sombra looked at me and narrowed his eyes.

“Maybe you’re just settling into this world.” he said.

“Maybe.” I said, shrugging.

“Anyway… what do you have planned today Jade?” the princess said.

“Nothing.” I said, shrugging.

“Sounds like any child's plan.” Sombra said with a smile.

“I have nothing to do.” I said, shrugging.

“Well, you can explore the castle if you want.” Sombra said as he stood up. “Good day princess.” and with that he left the room.

“I guess I’ll do that, see you later.” I said, getting up and walking out of the room.

“If you get lost ask one of the guards.” I heard the princess say.

“Okay!” I shouted back. After dismissing my shadows, I just started wandering, before I ended up outside somehow, by a heart shaped crystal. The crystal seemed to react to my presence as it started to glow a bit brighter.

I tilted my head, staying cautiously away from it and deciding to wander the streets. As I wandered, I came upon a group of crystal ponies… that immediately screamed and panicked upon seeing me. They yell something about me being a monster. Rude.

I decided to ignore them, continuing to wander around. A lot of the ponies kept their distance from me and the guards were watching me as I wander.

I started getting annoyed at the looks, turning to the ponies and growling. “What are you looking at?!” I shouted, unaware of my eyes glowing in my anger. The ponies took a few steps back and the guards went to there weapons.

I huffed, spinning on my heel and angrily walking away. I continued until I was back at the castle. When I got there, I immediately saw guards blocking my way.

I tried to just walk past them, but they wouldn’t let me. “Let me through!” I shouted.

They didn't move, me feeling myself get even more angry until a voice spoke out.

“Is there a problem?” Sombra asked as he walked up. The guards told him that they were keeping me out of the castle because I was some sort of threat. Sombra sighed.

“She's with me.” he said as he stood beside me. “Come along Jade.”

I smiled at him, following him, making sure to turn my head back and blow a raspberry at the guards.

“Manners.” he said as we walked into the castle.

“Spoilsport.” I said back, pouting.

“You also need to keep your anger in check, I felt dark magic from inside the castle.” he said.

“Sorry.” I said. He shook his head a bit.

“You didn't know so it's not really your fault but you have to keep calm.” he said.

“Okay.” I said, nodding.

“Also try to stay in the castle, before no one knew you were here.” he said as he frowned. “But now they do, this is going to make things harder.”

“How so?” I asked.

“Questions, a lot of questions.” he said with a chuckle. “ Being a ruler of a place isn't easy.”

“It’d probably be easier if your subjects didn’t talk… like my ninjas.” I commented.

“Maybe but how will the kingdom grow?” he asked.

“I dunno.” I said, shrugging.

“Well just know that sometimes you need someone to question you.” he said with a smile.

“Fair enough.” I said, shrugging. “Do you have time for… practice?” I asked.

“Want to get back to training?” he asked. I nodded. “Alright follow me.”

I followed him back to the study for the training.

A few hours later…

I had a bigger crystal in front of me, this one my size, literally.

“Good work, I'm impressed by your progress.” he said.

“Its coming more naturally… when are you gonna teach me that shadow thing?” I asked.

“Hmm… I don't see why not right now.” he said.

“Alright!” I said excitedly.

A half hour later…

I was giggled, going through things again and again, it giving a tingly feeling whenever I did.

“You look and sound like a giggling ghost.” Sombra said.

“My voice somehow has more of an echo like this.” I said, giggling again. He shook his head as he watched me before someone walked into the study. I watched the two talk for a few minutes before the being walked out. Sombra frowned a bit.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, re-forming next to him from where I had hidden.

“The two princesses are coming here to talk to Amore.” he said.

“Great, one of them I don’t mind, but the white one, Celestia I think, attacked me when she realised I summon these guys.” I said, motioning to a shadow ninja near me.

“That's why you’ll be hiding until they leave.” he said. “They'll be here in three days.”

“Where will I hide?” I asked.

“Don't know, start looking.” he said as he left the room.

“Find me a place to hide.” I ordered the shadow ninja near me.

Three days later…

I was hiding up on a ledge in the throne room, peeking over the edge and looking down, so I could see what was going on.

“That should be the last of it, we’ll send some gems over to Canterlot in about a week.” Sombra said. Over the three days I learned things about the Crystal Empire, like the fact that it has one of the biggest gem mines in the land. It seems that the two princesses came to make a trading deal with Amore.

“Thank you, by the end of that week some farmers will come over and help with your crops.” Celestia said. Luna stood by her silently as she looked around. She looked up where I was but didn’t see me.

“Well it was so nice to met you again Celestia, Luna, but I have some things to do.” Amore said to them.

“Of course, oh and one last thing.” Celestia started. “Have anyone seen a girl about twelve years old?” she then made a image of myself when I met her, she told them that I was dangerous and what not. Sombra and Amore looked at one another for a moment as Luna shifted nervously.

“We have not.” Amore said. “But if we do we’ll send word.”

“Thank you Princess Amore.” And with that Celestia and Luna disappeared.

I waited a couple seconds, making sure they were gone, before I hopped down, floating gently down, turning to the two. “Thanks for not giving me away.” I said.

“Not a problem dear, really I don’t see what goes through Celestia’s head, sure those shadow ninja are a bit odd but you get used to them and I don’t see why you’re so dangerous.” she paused for a moment. “Other than your temper.”

I pouted at this, crossing my arms and huffing, somehow managing to make the action adorably despite my demonic look. Amore giggled a bit before looking at Sombra.

“Are you sure she’s not yours, she acts like you when you were younger.” Amore said. Sombra groaned a bit.

“For the thousandth time no she’s not.” he said. I put a horrified look on my face, making gagging noises.

“See! Just like you!” She said happily. Sombra face palmed.

“I’m done, I’m going back to my study.” he said before marching out. I let out a creepy echoing giggle in amusement at this.

“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you.” Amore asked me.

“A little.” I said, tilting my head, before grinning. “It’s like we’re a big happy family.”

“Careful, if you say that near Sombra he’ll be annoyed.” She said with a smile.

“Aw, I was hoping that’d fluster you.” I said, pouting and crossing my arms again. She blinked at me for a moment.

“Wait… you meant that?” she asked.

“A little.” I admitted. She stared at me for a minute before blushing.

“I… have stuff to do.” she said before disappearing. I giggled, much more please at this reaction.

I decided to go see what Sombra was up to, having a Shadow ninja carry me to his study, because it was faster… and I was lazy. I saw Sombra reading a book, before he looked up at me.

“You know you have two non-broken legs.” he said.

“I know.” I said, having the ninja put me down. “I just didn’t feel like walking.” He rolled his eyes and went back to the book he was reading.

“Whatcha reading?” I asked, suddenly peeking over his shoulder.

“Just something I found by Starswirl, it seems that there’s these masks with different powers to them, any magic researcher would do anything to get even one of them in their hands.” he said.

“Wait, what do they look like?” I asked, suddenly much more interested. He gave me the book to look through.

“There were reports of others finding them but they all are fakes.” he said. He grumbled a bit as I looked through the book.

“Are you sure they were fake? Maybe they just… couldn’t tap into them?” I suggested, looking through the book.

“Most of them had a label that they were made in some other place, one had something that said. ‘Made in China’ what and where is China?” he asked.

“Somewhere from my world.” I said. He nodded.

“Maybe… wait back up what do you mean by couldn’t tap into them?” he asked me while eyeing me.

“I mean I don’t want copies of my masks running around.” I said simply. He stared at me and leaned closer to me.

“Your masks?” he said. “Now that’s interesting to know.”

I put my hand behind my back, like I was reaching for something, before pulling out one of the said masks. I showed it to him as he stared at it.

“And you have one of them all this time…” he said looking at me.

“I have all of them, they’re mine… but I don’t remember exactly what they do.” I told him. He stared at me for a moment and then put his head in his hands.

“You have all of them, of course you do, you have all the masks that every magic researcher wants their hands on.” he said. “You… are impossible.”

“I try.” I said with a giggle. He took a deep breath and waved his hand, making the door closed.

“Well, lets see them.” he said as he pulled a table out with nothing on it. I watched him pull it out with his two hands. I nodded, reaching back and setting the masks together on the table one by one. Sombra looked at each one closely without touching them.

“Well, these are the real thing, that much I can tell.” he said as he looked at the book.

“Yep.” I said, smiling.

“This is most interesting, supposedly each of this masks are part of one of the nine ninja clans.” he said as he looked at me. “The same ninja that you seem to summon at will.”

“Really?” I asked, tilting my head. He nodded as he went to the first one, a red one with yellow horns.

“This one to be in fact.” he said. “I think there’s more to you than I thought, you have some sort of connection to these masks.”

“Do you think I could summon the other tribes?” I asked.

“Maybe, this is something that I have never dealt with before, this is something older than the Empire… heck even all of Equestria.” he said.

I looked at one of the shadows in the room, concentrating on summoning something other than my ninjas. Slowly, a form started raising from the shadow.

“That’s a yeees~” I sing songed, smiling widely. Sombra chuckled at me.

“Well, now I seen this I wonder about the other items that are out there.” he said.

“What other items?” I asked. Sombra walked over and pulled out two books and opened one of them.

“Well, one set is some Talismans that give the users different powers, depending on what the symbol is.” he said as he showed me. The Talismans are arranged like the chinese zodiac and have an animal marked in each one. The other book showed a odd looking puzzle box.

“This is something called the Pan’ku box, it’s the key to open eight doors that will release a terrible demon.” Sombra said.

“Okay… SHADOWS!” I called, bringing many of both the regular and razor ninjas to my side. “Go find these for me.” I ordered, pointing at the box and the talismans. They nodded and went off, I looked at Sombra as he stared at me.

“This… is going to be interesting.” he said. “You’re going to bring every magic artifact here… boy you’re full of surprises.”

“I want more superpowers.” I said simply, shrugging. “Though I’m locking that box up somewhere.”

“... You have all nine masks, about to get all twelve talismans and the box that will open the doors to the most powerful demons… all in the hands of a twelve year old… I think that’s the most scariest thing I have ever heard.” Sombra said.

“You’re just scared I’m gonna get more powerful than you.” I teased, sticking my tongue out at him.

“That, and you have no idea how to use these powers.” he deadpan.

“I seem to be ordering my shadows around just fine.” I said, crossing my arms and pouting.

“Yes, but for how long?” he asked. “So far only two are listening to you but do you think the others will so easily?”

“Unless someone puts one of the masks on, yes.” I said, picking said masks up and putting them back where I had them. He nodded.

“Just… be careful.” he said softly.

“Okay.” I said, my voice managing to lose its echo for a second, eyes regaining the white in them for a second as I smiled at him. He smiled and ruffled my hair a bit.

“You’re still a kid and have a lot to learn, I believe you’ll become a great mage in the future.” he said.

“Thanks.” I said, before I impulsively gave him a hug. He was shocked at first before giving me a hug.