Starswirl's Apprentice

Maybe Equestria isn’t so bad. Allen shook his head in denial. What am I thinking? I have a family to get back to.

“Well, now that you can cast basic spells, you can help me research and I can aid your studies. For the first few experiments, you shall assist me. For the rest, you will conduct your own experiments; unless, of course, I need your assistance,” Starswirl said.

“Ok. What should we do first?” Allen asked, wanting to hurry the work process along.

Starswirl paused to think. “No idea, leave me to my research and keep working on your spells.”

Great. This will take forever.

Nodding, Allen went back to his spell book and looked through the pages. All these are too complex for me. Perhaps I should rehearse what I already know.

They continued working until dinner. Starswirl had found nothing helpful on the topic of getting Allen home. Allen, however, found a few utility spells that could help around the lab. He was now showing them off like a school filly with fancy new hair ribbons—lighting candles, turning doorknobs, making things weigh less, and amplifying noise.

“Would you stop running around doing senseless things? Grab my notebook; I want to document my findings before stopping for the evening.” Starswirl said, partly annoyed

Allen levitated the notebook and quill over to Starswirl, who grabbed the quill and jotted an entire page of notes before stopping. He then motioned for Allen to follow him. Although confused, Allen obeyed, asking, “Where are we going?”

Starswirl gave him a look of astonishment; one saying that Allen should already know. “Why, we’re going to dinner with the princesses of course. They want to check the progress you’ve made with your spells. They really do care for all of their subjects. That, and I am the most respected unicorn in all of the palace,” he said quite boastfully

Surprised, Allen said, “What? Dinner.. with the princesses? We are dining with royalty and you didn’t even tell me?”

“I was busy. Now hush.”

Following Starswirl, Allen became nervous about speaking to the princesses. Sure, he had done it so casually the day before; now, however, he was in a state of panic, knowing that he may be here for a while and had to treat them as his rulers.

Ok, just calm down. Act casual. Answer any questions they have.

Starswirl reached the end of the hallway which opened up into a grand dining room with a large table in the center. There were many seats set along the sides and ends of the table. The princesses sat at the head of the table, side by side. Starswirl sat in the seat closest to Luna, so Allen, hesitantly, took the one next to Celestia.

Celestia spoke happily, “Ah, my good friend Starswirl. I’m glad you got my letter; at least I know not all of my messengers are incompetent,” she said, a clear hint of sarcasm in her voice. Celestia motioned to one of her guards, who then proceeded into the kitchen. A servant carrying many trays of food walked out and set the table.

Luna spoke next, “You know, your apprentice told us his name.” Luna turned to face Allen, “So, what is your name, newcomer?”

“Allen. My name is Allen your majesty,” he said with every bit of formality and respect he could muster.

“Are most names on your planet so.. odd?” Luna asked curiously

Celestia spoke before Allen could answer. “Now sister, don’t be so rude to our guest. What my sister is asking is that most names here in Equestria are more based around your talent or personality. Is it not like that in your realm?”

“Well, no. Humans on Earth are not generally named for their talent.”

Starswirl spoke now, “That just seems silly. What else about your culture is different from our own?”

“Everything. Equestria is so peaceful. Where I come from, the world is consumed with war, disease and corrupt people.”

“Then why do you want to go back?” Luna asked, her curiosity again taking over.

“Because I have a family there. I don’t want to leave them.”

Luna nodded understandingly and went back to enjoying her food.

Celestia asked another question directed to Starswirl. “How has your research been going?”

“Not well. I can open the portal and things will fall in, but I can’t control what realm the portal goes to or put anything through it on our side. It also seems any living thing that’s come through so far has been completely vaporized only seconds after their arrival. I don’t want to risk sending anything there.”

Celestia nodded and said, “Yes. It would be best not to take any unnecessary risks.”

“Now, let’s stop the chatter until we’ve finished eating,” Starswirl said, biting into a pastry.

Allen finished eating and began waiting for Starswirl to finish; until he did, though, Allen wanted to ask a few questions. “Princesses, I do have a couple of questions if you don’t mind me asking.”

“Ask away,” said Luna.

“Well, I was wondering what the things on your.. uhm.. flanks are?”

After a moment of confusion, Luna answered, “Do you mean our cutie marks?” She said, pointing towards her own.

Allen nodded and Luna responded. “They signify our special talents that we were born to do. Do humans not have them?”

“No we don’t. It’d be helpful if we did though.”

“Well, that would explain why you don’t have one,” Celestia said.

“Anything else?” Luna asked.

“Nothing that I can think of.”

Starswirl finally finished his food and spoke up. “I’m sorry, but if you may excuse us, I need to get back to my work.”

“Of course, Starswirl,” she looked towards Allen, ” I hope to hear an update soon, Allen.”

Starswirl and Allen both stood up and began to walk back to the lab. Once they returned, Allen passed out on the couch from the long day of training. Starswirl ignored him, opening up a book related to the magic he was studying.

“Allen! Wake up! I think I’ve found something!

“What is it?” Allen asked sleepily.

“Dragon scales! They can stabilize a spell!”