HaAGiE

“Wake up, Kon.” I said, shaking her a little bit. She had fallen asleep on her book, which while adorable, probably wasn’t good for the book itself. She grumbled irritably and for a moment tried to snuggle deeping into the book. But the book being a book made it uncomfortable enough to wake her up. Adorably, she almost stretched like a fox would.

“Morning.” I said to her, smiling.

“Morning…” Kon grumbled, rubbing her head.

“Are you alright?” I asked, rubbing her back.

She nodded with a groan. “Yeah, I’ll be fine. Just a headache…” Kon continued to rub her head.

“Maybe don’t sleep on books then?” I suggested with a smirk.

Kon blinked before smiling a little. “Yeah…” She mumbled before getting up from the chair and closing the book and notebook.

“Let’s go, breakfast should be ready soon.” I said, picking her up and putting her in the piggyback position.

She mumbled an okay. “Hope they have some coffee…”

I chuckled, carrying her into the dining hall, before setting her down in a chair and taking a seat next to her.

The chef came over as before. “What’ll it be?” He said shortly.

“Same as last time, with coffee.” I told him. Kon nodded, wanting the same. The chief nodded before heading back to the kitchen. After a few more minutes, he and another pony came out with our food and a cup of coffee for Kon, and placed them down in front of us. Kon thanked them before taking a small sip of her coffee.

“I wonder if Celestia knows how much longer until we get that Obsidian.” I commented.

Kon shrugged. “ Didn’t she say in a few weeks?”

“You never know.” I said simply with a shrug, starting to eat my share of the food simply because I can. While we were eating, some guard ponies ran by the food hall one of them screaming…

“Its free!!”

I immediately got up, pulling my pickaxe from my inventory. I ran outside of the hall, grabbing a guard. “What’s goin on?”” I questioned the guard.

“A-an ally of the evil king discord was turned to stone when the princesses defeated him but he has escaped.” The guard said a little afraid.

“Hero, wait up!” Kon yelled as she was starting to catch up with me.

I waited a second, before grabbing her hand and running against the fleeing guards. “Looks like we’re putting that training to use earlier than we thought!” I said to her as I ran. Kon blinked for a few moments before nodding and using her other hand to grip her still sheathed Wakizashi. We followed the guards to an abandoned building near the edge of the castle grounds, a tall human looking person with a black scythe that gave off a blackish cloud off the tip was standing ready and looked worse for wear.

I let go of my companion's hand, getting myself into a ready stance as I remained silent, looking at the stranger. Kon also took a stance, unsheathing her sword and holding it in the reverse grip.

“Leave me alone!” The stranger yelled, swinging his scythe the black cloud speeding towards us and the guards before dissipating before it hit us, the stranger falling on one knee panting heavily.

I raised an eyebrow in confusion, slowly relaxing. “Something isn’t right here.” I said, walking forward.

“What do you mean?” Kon whispered to me, still tense.

I said nothing, instead choosing to get closer to the stranger more. He was breathing heavily, his arm and one leg bleeding slightly, he had what looked like a curse mark in his left pure white eye, he was wearing matching black clothes with blue stripes and had black anime style hair. He gripped his scythe more when I approached, preparing to attack me again. “What are you doing?” Kon hissed looking ready to dash forward.

“You were Displaced, weren’t you?” I questioned the stranger calmly, seeming to ignore Kon for the moment.

The stranger looked surprised at me, a little hope in his eyes. “Yes….I was displaced as my teen titans OC.”

“I was displaced as Herobrine rather recently… you appeared in the wrong place at the wrong time, didn’t you?” I questioned.

“No, that ass hole discord lied to me. He told me he could send me home and he said he'd only do it if I helped him” He said shaking a little.

I frowned, snarling a little. I decided I’d deal with him later, holding my hand out to the stranger. “I’m actually working on a way home myself… why don’t you join me?” I asked. He held his scythe at the ready, glaring at me slightly.

“You're with the guards, which means your's with Celestia and Luna. I will never trust them because of what they did to me.” He said, making Kon tense some more.

“That is the kind of stupid logic that the ponies use to attack without truly thinking.” I hissed quietly to him, narrowing my eyes.

“No, they knew Discord was blackmailing me, and they still turned me to stone…. Luna looked sorry, but Celesta said that I couldn't be trusted.” He said coughing up some blood.

“You’re in no condition to fight.” I commented, backing up some.

“Celestia will attack me the minute she sees me.” He said using his scythe to stand up.

“I would say let me try talking to her, but you seem set on what you’re doing.” I said, getting ready.

He held his weapon above his head before it vanished into smoke as he collapsed on the ground, blood all over his back. I sighed, putting my pick away. Kon then relaxed a bit and put away her weapon as well.

“GUARDS, GET A STRETCHER!” I shouted. The guards brought a stretcher and took him to the medical wing while we went to see Celestia.

“So, why are we going to see Celestia?” Kon asked me as we were walking down the hall.

“To find out what it is he actually did.” I told her. We walked for another minute before we got to the throne room’s double doored entrance.

I pushed the door open, walking straight towards Celestia. “Ah, hello HeroBrine.” She said, turning to face me. “How can I help you?”

“I want to know about the one that helped Discord, what did he do?” I asked her.

Celestia frowned when I said that. “And what brought this up?”

“He is free and gravely wounded.” I told her, frowning.

Her expression fell a little at his condition but remained sternish. “He attacked both me and my sister under orders from Discord.” She stated simply. “Injuring, sometimes almost fatally so, to plenty of our guards.”

“I am willing to bet he was new to his powers then and didn’t know how to put them in a ‘non lethal’ mode.” I brought up, crossing my arms.

“Sir you need to rest!” A guard said, as the stranger walked in the room.

“Celestia!” He said limping. “I told you why I was fighting for discord and you still turned me to stone! I wanna know why!!”

She remained stoic. “You were too dangerous.”

“That's bull shit! I never harmed any of your guards I only knocked them out!” He yelled, shaking. “You also stole my spellbook, I want it back!”

“Then explain the serious lacerations.” She demanded.

“It's not my fault your guards are weak as hell, and you know I'm not the only one Discord tricked.” He said glaring.

“ENOUGH!” I shouted, stomping my foot and causing lightning to strike outside. “You two will stop bickering like children immediately.

“Fuck off.” He snapped. “I'm tired of getting blamed for shit I didn't do.”

“Being confrontational about it isn’t helping your case, calm down.” I said, irritation in my voice. The ‘conversation’ was making Kon back away nervously.

“I dont give a damn about this, I just want my spell book so I can find my girlfriend!” He yelled at Celestia. “Give it back…. Please.” He said claiming down a little.

Celestia sighed and levitated a black book with a image of trigon from teen titans on it from somewhere down the hall. “I do not think you'll be able to find your marefriend.”

“Why not?” He asked taking the book.

“She tried to free you before, we had to… dispose of her.” She said.

“Celestia… what exactly do you mean?” I asked, turning to her.

“It is none of your concern.” She said blinking, showing no emotion.

“Yeaaaah, with the way you worded that?” Kon stated, getting a little more nervous. “You might want to elaborate.”

“She is gone… good luck finding her.” Celestia said walking to a door.

“If I find her dead… I will kill you.” The stranger said, making her stop for a second before continuing.

I frowned, teleporting in Celestias way. “You’re starting to sound like the villian of this story, Celestia.” I said with a frown, arms still crossed.

“Story?” She said confused.

”Of what happened between you two.” I clarified.

Celestia looked down. “Yes I suppose I am, I was focusing on what my subjects needed, and I punished someone who was forced to fight us… I then banished his marefriend for trying to aid him… I am the villain.” She said

“You could attempt to make things right… starting with bringing his girlfriend back.” I said.

“I do not know where she is, I banished her from equestria…” she said sighing. “I wish him the best of luck in finding her.” She said walking around me and to her room.

“From Equestria?” I questioned to myself, thinking. “I have an idea of where she may be.” I stated.

“Where?” The stranger asked excitedly.

“There should be a human world, linked to this one. If I can make a portal to the realm I rule, I should be able to then make a portal there.” I told him.

“Wait, wait!” Kon intrrubted. “Do you mean you knew of a different way home this whole time?!”

“I’m sorry, but no, I highly doubt that our home is linked to this world or any dimension close enough to work.” I told her, frowning sadly.

She wilted from the information, ears flattening and tail drooping to the ground a little. “So, we’re suck here?” Kon mumbled.

“Don’t worry, I’ll get us home eventually… I just need time.” I assured her, placing a hand on her shoulder and smiling at her. This successfully cheered her up and Kon smiled back at him.

I smiled, before turning to where Celestia went, and sighing. “I guess I’ll ask how’s that Obsidian coming later.” I said.

“Like the gem?” The stranger asked. “My names shade By the way.”

“I’m Kon, and I don’t know.” She shrugged. Right before she suddenly yelped. “Crap, I forgot about StarSwirl’s lessons!” Kon freaked momentarily while her hands shooting up to her head. “I gotta go, or I’m going to be late!” The Fox Girl yelled before dashing out the room, before activating her levitation and flying off.

I chuckled bemusedly, shaking my head. I started to walk out of the room, deciding to explore.

“What about my girlfriend!?” Shade yelled.

“We’ll get to her as soon as I get fourteen obsidian.” I replied.

“How many do you have!?” He yelled again following me.

“None.” I told him.

“So I'm stuck waiting until you get some…” Shade said sadly.

“Celestia ordered me some, I have a feeling we’ll be getting Obsidian soon.” I told him.

“That's good… And who’s Starswirl?” He asked.

“A magician.” I informed him.

“Could we go see?” He asked. I shrugged, before leading him to Starswirl’s tower. When we entered the tower, we see Kon sitting at a desk as the old pony wrote something down on the chalkboard. He turned to her and gave a short lecture, Kon nodding and writing stuff down.

The older pony turned to us in surprise. “Oh, I expecting visitors.” He gruffed. “I’m in the middle of lecture good sirs, I’m afraid I don't have time to treat any worries.”

“I was just interested in seeing a magician, the last time I used my magic was disastrous.” Shade said, the older pony seeming to recognize him and not in a good way.

As hinted by his horn lighting. “You!” He yelled surprisingly powerfully. “Kon, stand back!” He ordered, drowning out the girl’s protest.

“Crap.” Shade sighed rubbing his temple. “And this is why I'm pissed at Celestia, she ruins my good name.” He mumbled, only I being able to hear him.

“Kon, I said stand back!” StarSwirl yelled again.

“But, he’s not a bad guy!” She protested, getting a diminishing glare from her Sensei. The glare made her squeak before backing off, scared as hinted by the floofing of her tail.

“Calm down, Starswirl.” I said, standing in front of Shade.

“Calm- Calm down?!” StarSwirl questioned loudly. “Calm down with him here?!”

“Yes.” I replied.

StarSwirl growled. “And why should I?” StarSwirl said, his horn glowing brighter.

“Well one.” Shade said. “I was framed by Celestia, and two I doubt you'd want to ‘kill’ me in the presence of a child.”

Kon looked ready to retort before StarSwirl cut her off. “ Framed you say?” He said doubtful. “ Doesn’t sound like her at all.” His horn glowed even brighter and then his hands started glowing too.

“She wrongly accused me of willingly working with Discord when he blackmailed me with the notion of returning to my world!” Shade said, his book and curse mark glowing out of anger. “She turned me to stone when all I wanted was to return to my family! And then she banished my girlfriend when she tried to help me! This world isn't made for her, she could be dead!” He said tearing up.

StarSwirl was taken aback from the rant before he hardened his gaze and walked up to Shade. And then he gazed steely into his eyes, before his horn and hands stopped glowing as he turned away. “Alright, I believe you.”

“Just like that?” Shade said confused.

StarSwirl chuckled. “You’d be surprised at what an Elder can pick up from one’s eyes. You can’t fake that kind of pain behind your eyes.”

“You were Celestia’s teacher right?” Shade asked. “Have you ever heard of Astel?”

He fidgeted subtly. “Vaguely.”

“I thought so.” Shade said, glancing down the hall to a painting/tapestry. I raised an eyebrow, slightly interested, but not enough to ask a question. “Also when you have time, I was wondering if you could give me some pointers about magic. Not an apprenticeship but just pointers now and again.”

StarSwirl thought about before nodding. “Some pointers wouldn't hurt I suppose. But please, do as I say when I deem it necessary.”

“Yeah ok.” Shade shrugged. “Warning though, my magic works only with incantations.”

He nodded before walking back to his chalk board. “Now, if you excuse me?” StarSwirl gestured to Kon to have her sit back down. “I have a lesson to complete.”

I nodded silently, walking off to the side, but not leaving, instead choosing to lean against the wall and observe. “Now then Kon, pay close attention!” StarSwirl instructed as she picked up her notebook and quill again.

Shade just sat on the wall, opening his book and taking out a pen from his pocket. He wrote down what Star Swirl said as well, and from what I could see was mixing it with incantations.

I simply observed everything, taking mental notes. Soon after, the lesson was over and Kon started gathering her things. “I hope to see you tomorrow again Kon, be sure to study. By the fourth day, I will have an essay for you.” StarSwirl said before heading upstairs.

Kon stretched as she got out of her seat. “Right, let's go get some dinner.”

I nodded, before smirking and picking her up, putting her in the usual position on my back, making her giggle again. I smirked, carrying her back towards the dining hall. “So, what did you think of today?” She asked me and Shade.

I simply shrugged, not really having an opinion quite yet.

“I'm glad I was freed...and I made some new friends.” Shade smiled.

“Well, today was… eventful.” I commented.

“Agreed!” Kon said cheerfully as we entered the dining room.

“Greeting Hero, Kon….Shade…” Celestia said looking a little ashamed when she saw Shade.

I simply waved, setting Kon down in her usual seat and taking my own. Shade sat a little away from us, not looking at Celestia. “How’s the Obsidian coming, Celestia?” I asked.

“It shall be here in three days.” Celestia said as the chef came in.

Kon raised a hand to him. “Can I have some Stir Fry? Anything, just not too spicey.” I waved the chef off, not feeling like eating right now.

“Do you have any meat?” Shade asked the chef who gave him the stink eye. While the chef was not happy about serving him, the nod from Celestia made him give in and nodded as his answer. “I'll have a steak then...cooked.” He said seeming to be able to read the chefs thoughts by looking at his face. The chef looked disappointed unsurprised before he nodded and wrote down his order before getting Celestia’s and walking out.

“What was that?” Celestia asked.

“He planned on serving me raw meat.” Sade said grumbling.

Celestia’s ears fell, and she simply looked at the table in shame. The chief later came back with some others and then laid their food in front of them.

Shade took a bite if his food, chewing a little before swallowing. “Not completely cooked but edible.” The chef only nodded acknowledged meant and insincere apology before leaving back into the kitchen.

“So uh...How are you all enjoying your time in equestria?” Celestia asked.

Kon stopped mid bite. “Not bad. I’m especially glad that I get to learn some magic.” She replied then taking the bite.

“How do you think? “ Shade said grumbling eating his steak.

“I think you two need to stop talking with your mouths full.” I commented, chuckling.

“Eh” Shade chuckled. Kon however blushed in embarrassment and rubbed the back of her head. Shade chuckled, looking away, avoiding eye contact with Kon. The Fox girl, innocent as she is, mostly, didn’t think of anything of it and just continued to eat, wiggling her tail.

“So, Kon what did you learn with Starswirl?” Celestia asked.

Kon first finished her food before answering this time. “Not too much, we’ve only just finished the basics today. He’s going to start with the barebones of intermittent stuff before teaching me a spell.”

“I see, and Shade do you have any more control over your spells?” Celestia asked.

“Sorta…..” He mumbled, also not looking at Celestia.

“Are… you… alright?” Celestia asked, Shade didn't answer and just looked away again. Only for his ears to pick up the sound of Kon burping adorably.  Shade looked at her and snickered, laughing.

“That was adorable!” He laughed. I started chuckling, trying and failing to fight back a grin. The laughing and the comment just made her blush again, hiding her face a little while stifling some giggles.

Celestia smiled and stood up. “I am retiring to my quarters goodnight everypony.”

Kon waved, still with a red face. “G-goodnight.”

“We should probably start heading to bed as well.” I comment, standing.

“Good idea….but where do I sleep?” Shade asked after Celestia had already left.

“I believe a room down the hall from ours was vacated recently.” I said, humming a little as I picked Kon up again.

“Ok, lead the way.” Shade said, smirking at Kon’s blush. I smirked a little, carrying her towards our room. I could Hear shade following us, before we stopped at my anand Kons room. “So where's the room?” He asked.

Kon pointed to a door. “Over there.” She said, having gotten rid of her blush a while ago.

“Night then, and I hope y'all are quite.” Shade said laughing as he entered the room Kon pointed to, the girl only tilting her head to the side in innocent confusion.

“Ignore him.” I said simply, carrying her into our room and setting her down and she took off her shoes as always before laying down comfortably.

I kicked my own off, getting in with her.