A kobold in Canterlot

Zikkar was no trap master like some of his brethren. But he was a noble kobold, and so, he of course new the basics or trap making.

Especially since it was a great tool for having fun with the unprepared. And his first victim in this world was of course...

"Sweet Celestia, I will immolate you, ludicrous lizard! What have you done to my mane?"

Emerald Buckler, the steady sentry, was doing his best not to laugh at the scene unfolding before him. The goggled kobold had snuck back in overnight after having taken some time on the rood. Emerald knew this because he'd kept a tracking charm on the small creature, but had found it odd that with such talent, it hadn't detected the charm. When the reptile had begun chanting over Sunset's sleeping form, he'd been ready to cast a shield over her...but it had ended as quickly as it had begun, and when he'd seen the result, it had taken all his training not to burst out laughing. And now, it was being put to a stronger test as Sunset raved about her now lime green mane.

"I swear if it's permanent, I'll make sure you have pink scales for the rest of your rotten life, you hear me? ZIkkar!?!"

Emerald was not going to tell her the sorcerer was hiding right behind him, also doing its utmost not to laugh. No...his only job was to watch and protect, not sell out a harmless prank.

Zikkar had been unable to help himself upon watching the sleeping Sunset when he'd returned. He needed something to shake off the fear he'd been feeling after being spoken to by the solitary moon of this world's sky. If anything, he was hoping it had been a dream caused by that strange feeling he'd gotten from that shockwave. But now...he was just enjoying the moment of having annoyed his 'teacher'. That was, until he heard a soft 'pop' behind him, and turning, found himself facing her directly.

"You know, for a creature that seems to smart, you're pretty dumb for not noticing the tracing spells all over you."

"What? But...pony was downstairs! You not displacer beast!"

"It's called a teleport, dummy. What, your world didn't have teleport spells?"

Zikkar could only gawk for a moment...yes, such spells had existed, but they took preparation! Expensive components! And...that hair...

The kobold burst out laughing, unable to stifle it anymore, his barking voice overwhelming Emerald, who also began to laugh.

"Oh har har. Laugh it up you two. Let's see who's laughing after I torch your fur and scales off!"

Just before she could charge her spell, there came a knocking on the doors. At that same moment, Sunset's hair returned to its normal, make fire jealous, style of coloration.

"Oh. Well, I guess I can forgive you this time. Only a minor scorching instead, but I'll save it for later. Let's see who's at..."

And with a pop, she was at the doors.

"...the door."

Zikkar gawked again...he needed that spell! To teleport that quickly without preparation or need of components? If he brought that kind of spellwork home to his clan...then maybe his master would forgive him...and let him live upon returning home. If he could even find his way back.

"Oh, hey Princess! Is today another lesson for me? What's it going to be? Solar Flare? Starswirls Conflagration? Clover's Corona Cannonade? I...oh, who's this?"

Looking over the rails, barely, Zikkar was able to see that a bemused Celestia had not come alone. There was a lavender filly beside her, looking at Sunset with no small amount of awe.

"Actually, Sunset, I'm here to introduce you two my new, and second, student. Twilight Sparkle. Twilight, this is my personal, and quite honestly, brightest student, Sunset Shimmer."

Sunset was looking the filly up and down, neither smiling or frowning. Instead, she circled the awed unicorn, as if sizing her up.

"I take it she's the one responsible for the massive magical surge I felt yesterday that followed that rainbow...thing?"

"Yes, and it was a Sonic Rainboom. A phenomenon not seen in decades. I wish to leave this filly in your care and tutelage for the day while I go find out the cause. I know you can be a great teacher if you want to be, Sunset."

She leaned forward, nuzzling her protege, which brought a look of shock upon Sunset, before she returned the nuzzle in kind.

"And I believe this is part of the path you are looking for as well, my student. Let your two students guide you as much as you guide them, and the way will be clear."

Sunset looked upset by this, and was about to retort when Zikkar spoke up from above.

"Tiny pony strong. Zikkar feel it! Why tiny pony so strong! Zikkar work long, work hard, and tiny pony feel stronger!"

Celestia chuckled, looking up at the kobold trying to look over a railing taller than himself. But it was Emerald that spoke up.

"Strength only does so much, Zikkar. For someone who shows so much talent already with spellwork, I thought you'd know that skill matters just as much."

The answering growl made all the ponies look at the kobold in fear for a moment, for his magic seemed to become apparent for that bare moment...and it was not the magic of light they practiced.

"But should be earned! Not given! Look at tiny one. What do to earn it? Well? What do?"

Twilight looked up at the lizard, and snorted, wagging a hoof at him.

"But I study all the time! I've wanted to be in Celestia's school for years! I've never been tardy to any class, and I always keep my grades up. What would you know of that? You're not even a pony!"

Zikkar glared at her, and hopped over the rail, landing with a light 'tak' sound before approaching the three ponies. Emerald didn't like the look on his face, but knew that with the princess there, nothing could harm any of them.

"Zikkar study all time. Always. Never stop. Here now, learn more. But fail. Many times fail. Learn from fail."

He stood before the filly now, his height barely making him tall enough to see her eye to eye.

"Zikkar here to learn. Pony not mess up Zikkar learning, or Zikkar teach pony what it mean to fail."

He turned and stalked away, Sunset and Celestia watching him go. Sunset's face was enraged, and about to call the lizard out when she felt a hoof upon her withers. Looking up to see Celestia's still warm face, she only got confused. Twilight herself was just trying to put together what had been said to her. She'd never heard anypony speak in such broken Equestrian.

"Why did you let him talk to her like that? I've been learning just fine without mistakes. I don't need to fail to learn anything new! Why should she?"

Celestia's expression didn't change, but Sunset suddenly felt like she'd just disappointed her mentor.

"Do not regard him so lightly, Sunset. It is as he said. There is as much to learn in failure as there is in success. Now, I must go. Watch over them, Sunset. I trust you."

With a snap of the air, Celestia was gone, and Sunset was left with not one, but two students to take care of. With a sigh, she ushered the still confused Twilight into the observatory, and shut the doors, a sigh escaping her as she turned to see Zikkar playing with a fully formed fireball in his claws, and Emerald putting up a sweat as he tried to determine where it was going to be thrown.

"Oh...this better be worth it Princess, or I swear I'm going to make good on looking into the forbidden archives."

Zikkar himself was busy watching the destructive force he held in his claws, keeping it confined and active...a practice technique one of his many mentors had taught him would increase his personal reserves should he ever be without the backing of a celestial being. This was the longest he'd held it, and he didn't feel even one iota of strain. Once again, he felt something wasn't right.

"Zikkar...did not earn this."