HaAGiE

I sat with Kon in the library, relaxing on a couch there, watching her in bemusement. Earlier she had tried to entertain herself with a book, but Kon had soon put it away. “Ah, how long are we going to have to wait there’s so little to do.” Kon complained.

“A couple weeks I believe.” I told her calmly.

She groaned in frustration and spun on the rotating chair. “Is there anything we can do to pass the time?” Kon loudly sighed.

“What’s with all this complaining?” An elderly voice guffed. From around a bookshelf a wizardly looking old pony came out. “I’m trying to do… research?” He paused half way when he saw us.

“Hey.” Kon said boredly with an equally bored wave.

“Now who might you two be? And what?” The old pony questioned getting closer.

Kon pointed to herself. “I’m Kon.” Then she point to me. “And that’s Herobrine.”

I simply waved, idly wondering how this would go. The old man circled around Kon for a second, looking at her curiously. “I am the Royal Wizard of this castle, Starswirl the Bearded.” He then moved to me and examined visually. “What brings you two here?”

“Celestia is getting materials for me to get back to my land.” I informed him.

“We were brought here by a spell of some sort.” Kon added to it. “But it’s going to take a few weeks, and we have nothing to do…” She whined a little with a pout.

“That does seem unfortunate.” StarSwirl said with a amused smile.

Kon then perked up from an idea. “Hey, you’re a wizard right?” She asked him and getting a nod. “Can you teach me some magic?”

Starswirl cocked his head. “You wish to be my apprentice?”

Kon nodded. “Just temporarily, it’ll give me something to do.”

“How much of magic do you understand?” He questioned her.

She shrugged. “Not a whole lot, other than it’s not a toy and can be very dangerous.”

He nodded in acknowledgment. “That is a good thing to know. But.” He paused for a moment. “I’m afraid I’ve already have a student.”

“Aw come on, you can handle other can’t you?” Kon insisted. “I don’t really care what you teach me.”

Starswirl seemed to be considering it. “What are you’re kind capable of?”

Kon cupped her chin. “Well… Controlling Fox Fire and Levitation is something we can do.”  She said. “I’m also able to make myself completely invisible and I know we’re magically adept.” Starswirl nodded. “That’s really all I know though.”

“It is worth considering…” StarSwirl mumbled and rubbed his chin. “Your potential could be worthwhile.” Then he stopped rubbing it. “I suppose it would not hurt to show you a couple things.”

Kon jumped out of her chair. “Really?!”

“But!” He said firmly. “You must obey what I say and to not do anything magical without my permission if you had not done it before or mastered it. Furthermore, do not bother my apprentice unless she says otherwise, but I will have a limit on that as well.”

Kon stood up straight with a smile. “I understand sir.” Then she bowed. “And thank you, I’ll try not to disappoint.”

Starswirl nodded in approvement. “Perhaps now can be a good start, I need some books from here for my research.”

“I understand, I’ll find it.” Kon said with a smile before turning to me. “You going to be ok by yourself?”

I chuckled, gesturing for her to go off and learn magic. “Ok, I’ll see you later!” The fox girl said before walking off with StarSwirl.

“Now then, I need you to find a volume of…” StarSwirl’s voice faded away as they moved farther away, giving her the start of his instructions.

Kon’s POV

“Volume 3 of magical theory, volume three, volume three…” I mumbled, looking through a bookshelf and standing on a ladder. Even with it, my shortness had me standing on one foot and on my tippy toes.

It took a few seconds but I managed to find it several feet to my right. And like a “smart” person, I tried reaching over to it. My fingers were just barely brushing the cover. Getting just a little determined, I repositioned my foot and it was enough to grab it. “Got it.” But of course, it wasn’t enough to keep my balance and I yelped as I came crashing down.

Like many in anime, I let out an “Eteteeee” noise while rubbing my head and then sitting up. Somehow, I managed to hold onto the book. You know, I’m starting to think these changes aren't just physical.

Anywho, now that I was standing up I should go and find StarSwirl. It wasn’t hard to find him with the tower of books that he was levitating. “Sensei, I found the book.” I told him, looking at the pile of books which grew by one more as he levitated the thick heavy book on top of it.

“Sensei?” My teacher said.

I rubbed the back of my head. “Eh, sorry can’t help it. Means Teacher.” I’m not even being used right, he isn’t a martial artist. “Do you… really need that much?”

He looked up at the tower. “Yes, and not to worry. I can keep it stable.” He proved it by making it twirl around slowing and it kept it shape.

I however freaked a little, my tail and ears standing up straight. “Ok ok!” I exclaimed a little.

The old man chuckled a little at me. “Come along on.” He then said and I trailed behind him with a small pout. We then walked down the glamorous halls. I let my eyes wander a little, making sure I can follow my new Sensei.

The walk was taking longer than I thought, so I opened mouth. “So, what kind of magic will we be learning?”

“The basics, then perhaps get into levitation.”  Sensei briefly stated. I leaned backwards a little putting my hands on the back of my head.

So it was about another ten, twenty minutes before we finally stopped at a door. “And here we are, my tower and study.” StarSwirl said. We walked in, me admiring all wizardly stuff he had around. Books, alchemy stuff, the usual. “CLOVER! ARE YOU HERE!?” I jumped at StarSwirl’s surprisingly powerful yell.

“I’m coming, keep your pants on!” A voice shouted from somewhere.

“Well hurry, we have a guest!” StarSwirl replied with a smile. Then using his magic he grabbed several things, some books, quills and parchments and the like, and set them down on the table behind him. Then he pulled up two chairs. “Sit down Kon if you will.” I did as he said and said down on the slightly rickety chair.

We then heard stomping as Clover came down the stairs, her being revealed as she turned the corner. The mare was also a Unicorn, slightly shorter than StarSwirl, with a grey coat with a short and wavy mane and tail into two different shades of green and blue eyes. Clover, I assume, was wearing a pale green cloak. On the back of said cloak was three clovers ending in sharp point going down diagonally, with three little sparkles at the edges.

“Okay, I’m here… who’s this?” Clover asked, looking at me.

“This is Kon.” StarSwirl said, getting a chalk board.

I waved to her a little. “Uh hi.”

“She’ll be my apprentice alongside you temporarily and temporary study partner if you wish.” The wizard said clearing his throat of something. “Kon, this is Clover my most esteemed student yet.”

Clover smirked cockily at the praise. “It’s uh, nice to meet you Clover.” I said to her with a smile.

“Nice to meet ya, brat.” Clover said.

I blinked before my face fell into on of annoyance. “Excuse me?” I said with my ears flatten to the sides.

“You heard me.” Clover said with a shrug.

I just deadpanned at her before looking back at StarSwirl. “Ignoring that.” I stated simply.

StarSwirl cleared his throat again. “Well, since you’ll start with the basics, I’ll be studying upstairs.” Clover told StarSwirl, turning and moving back to the stairs.

“Charming…” I said with some sarcasm and supported my chin with my hand.

He just shook his head before turning to the chalkboard and getting a bit of chalk. “ Now then, let's begin…” He stated, starting to write on the board.

After a long lesson.

Huh, I don’t get why so many complained about the basics. I mean, sure it's not the most interesting, but still. I closed a notebook StarSwirl gave for me to keep, and bunched some flash cards together neatly. “That wasn’t so bad.” I thought out loud.

StarSwirl smiled at me. “That is a good sign. Most are just bored of the basics and it’s good you don’t seem to think so.” He started, thinking back to parts when he observed me during the lesson taking a many notes as I can and asking questions. Lots of questions. ‘This one might rival Clover as a student. Magic, that remains to be seen…

He thought to himself. “Now then, I want you to study up as much as you can before our next lesson.”

“Yes Sensei, I’ll study hard.” I replied, getting a book on the basics in case I missed anything.

“Now remember what I told you.” Sensei started.

“Don’t use any magic till you say so.” I finished, getting a firm nod before he headed upstairs. I waved to him before leaving the tower and back towards the room Celestia lent me and HeroBrine. Apparently, not many rooms are available at the moment due to various problems. But it didn’t matter much, I trust HeroBrine enough. Besides, I got my Wakizashi back.

I opened the door, only to find no one. “Huh, he's not here.” I mumbled the obvious, before going over the a desk and placing my things for study on it. Feeling not quite up to it just yet, I set to look for Hero. Mostly because I was curious if he found anything to do.

I didn’t find him anywhere inside the main castle, so I started looking in training grounds around it. He had somehow acquired what looked like an iron pickaxe, and his eyes glowed a little as he spun it, before gripping it tightly.

My eyes widened as lightning danced around his arm, before he pointed the pickaxe forward, multiple bolts shooting forwards and decimating the dummies in the training ground.

“Woah.” I said simply and slightly jealous. “How’d you learn to that so quickly?”

Herobrine seemed to jump a little, surprised, before turning to me. “Oh, hey.” He said, chuckling. “Didn’t notice you.”

“Scared you huh?” I said teasingly before pointing at the Pick. “But in all seriousness, where did you get that and how are you good at fighting already?” I snapped my fingers. “Oh and the lighting.”

“I was surprised, I just… summoned it, and I don’t know.” He answered in order.

I couldn’t help but pout childishly. “No fair, I have to study magic…” I grumbled. Then I unsheathed my sword and held it in a reversed grip. “And I have to learn how to use this.”

“I’m HEROBRINE, I’m not meant to be fair.” He said, chuckling.

I just continued to pout at him and sheathed my Wakizashi. “Any chance you could teach me some, or is it all instinct?”

“It’s kinda… fifty fifty?” He said, shrugging.

I crossed my arms. “So, no dice?” My tail flitched.

“Well, I get the weapon, then it’s instinct, and becomes actual knowledge.” He explained. “That’s why I said fifty fifty.”

I blinked. “So, is that a yes or no?”

“I SHOULD be able to.” He said.

My eye’s widen happily. “Can we start now?” I asked him, once again unsheathing my Wakizashi in a reverse grip.

“Alright.” Herobrine said, seeming to focus for a moment, before his pickaxe was replaced by a sword like mine. “Just follow my lead.”

I nodded, after staring at his stunt for a few seconds before shaking my head. “Right.”

He started to show me how to use the sword, going slow so I could copy him. I was getting it fairly well, the basic forms to better use the weapon both offensively and defensively, though I stumbled a little at stances when my Sword wasn’t in a reverse grip. But eventually, I got those down but still prefered the way I held it.

“That good for now?” Herobrine asked me suddenly. “You seem tired.”

And I was. “Yeah, it’ll do.” I wasn’t panting or awfully out of breath, but HeroBrine had pointed out turning some dodging, parrying and light strikes that I put too much effort in them. “Thanks for the lesson Sensei.” And there I go again with the sensei thing.

He chuckled, switching the sword for a pick. “Actually, how about we spar?” He suggested.

“Hm?” I hummed a little in confusion, before nodding. “Okay.” I then got into a stance that was well rounded for offense, defence and evasive, but not proficient in any of them.

Herobrine seemed to just… stand there for a minute, before he was suddenly in front of me, pick raised high. Of course I was surprised, but I tried to slide behind him.

He quickly stuck his leg out right as I was about to, already swinging the pick to meet me. I did a parry, trying to move the force away to the side. However, knowing his speed, I wouldn’t have time to pull it back for a slash so I again tried to get behind from the same direction after fainting to the right. Then I went for a quick stab.

Herobrine seemed to almost panic for a second, before he was suddenly gone in a flash of purple particles, appearing behind me and kicking me forward.

Me being so lightweight was sent flying a couple feet, and thanks to my fox half I was able to land on my feet, albit rubbing my hip for a second. “Huh… new.” Herobrine muttered, twirling his pick.

“You have no idea just how jealous I am of you.” I said good naturedly, getting back into a stance.

“Use it as fuel to attack me.” He said with a grin, teleporting again. I was ever so glad for my ears as I managed to twirl out of the way of an arrow, cutting a few strand of hair. Knowing, and hating, that he could teleport, I stranded my sensitive hearing while watching for anything that he could hide behind.

He suddenly appeared a bit in front of me, another arrow notched, and a grin on his face, before he let it fly. I had to duck with an embarrassing squeak, again now missing some strands of hairs before I swiped my leg under his.

He posed in mid air before teleporting behind me, sweeping my feet from under me. I yelped again, getting frustrating, then bracing for impact and for a rough thud. I didn’t feel anything, no thump and me getting the air punched out my chest. Nothing.

“That’s neat.” Herobrine said, grabbing my sides and setting me up straight… a foot off the ground.

I blinked my wide eyes, before the levitation suddenly cut off. Thankfully, I landed on my feet. “Well… that’s a good sign. Right?” Then I remembered the spar and jumped back.

“Spars over, I think we’ve done enough today.” Herobrine said with a chuckle.

I relaxed immediately. “Yeah… that's a… good idea.” I panted a little, fiddling a little with the sheath, trying to put my sword away. Then in exaggerated exhaustion I fell on my bottom, ears and tail limp.

Herobrine chuckled, walking over to me and putting my sword away for me, before he picked me up and put me on his shoulders, turning and starting to walk to our room.

I wave to a couple of guards who had watched our spar, still out of breath from said combat. “Jeez…” I sighed, feeling a little cheated.

“You alright?” Herobrine asked softly a we walked through the halls.

I crossed my arms. “Yeah, just feeling a little… I don’t think inferior is the right word?” I put a finger to chin. “I… guess just a little cheated? I mean you’re already a master and you barely had to do anything.”

“Well, some displaced just plain start out stronger than others.” Herobrine started, humming a little. “Hey, think you could try teaching me a little magic?”

“When StarSwirl teaches me some, I’ve only got the basics down.” I replied. “No real magic yet.” Then I blinked, my brain processing. “Wait, displaced?”

“Well, I read some stories, while human.” Herobrine started. “And so, I figured to… test them, by becoming one of them. Displaced are a person or a group of people that are displaced from our reality to another, usually as whatever they're wearing.”

I scratched a itch by my ear. “And this happens, why?”

“For amusement, mostly.” He said with a little shrug.

“And I’m guessing that merchant chap is the displacer?” I guessed, flicking my tailing in irritation.

“Exactly.” Herobrine said.

I sighed. “And do people even get back home?”

“I’ve read of one of two that get home, or at least, to a universe that’s close enough.” Herobrine told me as we got to our room.

My ear flattened to the sides. “So our chances are slim?”

“Well, only that one has really tried that hard.” Herobrine said.

I tilted my head to the side. “And who was that?” I had to ask.

”You know, I don’t really remember… it’s been a long time since I checked.” Herobrine said as we went into the room, him setting me down on the bed.

I sighed, taking off my shoes and rubbing my feet. “Thanks for the lift Hero.”

“You’re welcome.” He said, taking his shoes off and climbing into the bed.

Then I stood back up. “Still got to study for a bit.” I said shortly before sitting in front of the desk and opening the book and my notes.

“Have fun with that.” Herobrine called, before falling asleep. I chuckled at him, before returning my focus to my studying for the next two hours.