My Little Tactics

Chapter Forty: Murray and Magic.

He had to run, he had to escape, he had to protect, he had to attack, he had to do something, but Dustan couldn’t. He was unable to move by the power that the Merchant had used. The displaced man was helpless, he couldn’t stop the man in robes sitting in front of him anymore then he felt he could move an inch even if he wanted to. This was literally his worst nightmare come to life so much so he did feel something move. Sweat as it poured from his head.

“Dustan.” The tone of the voice said, almost sounding a tad hurt. “I understand your reaction to how I appear, but you must remember, you have met more than one of my kind before. I am not the one who harmed you.”

Dustan’s panicked mind slowed, trying to comprehend what it was the being before him said before it slowly dawned and his muscles relax, now able to find himself able to speak if nothing else. “You…you are the one that healed and sent me here?”

Nodding The Merchant slowly reached up and pulled back his hood and pulled down the cloth mask covering his mouth to reveal the graying hair of an older man, though the grey was only at the sides making him look rather distinguished. His eyes had bags and crow’s feet either from old age or stress it was hard to say which. His nose had a slight bend in it looking as if he had broken it at some point. It was the man’s eyes however that were the strangest as they were glowing with an inner power now as they constantly and slowly were shifting colors from ordinary eye colors to ones that were not possible at all.

“Look I am going to release you now as we need to talk. It’s important.” On cue Dustan was freed and stumbled a bit forward though catching his self before grabbing a cloth to wipe his forehead down and reluctantly sat down. “Good, I have been monitoring you as it’s my job but I need to explain a lot of things.”

Reaching out with a shaking hand, clearly not having his nerves cleared as of yet Dustan sipped his tea. “O-okay, go on.” The displaced had to admit, he was a bit curious because as far as he could remember no story from his former life actually explained any of what The Merchant or rather Merchants did and why.

Sighing and looking at him it was clear that he wasn’t happy with things as they were. “Look, call me Murray. It’s a bit simpler I am sure and might help you distance yourself from what my former job was.”

Seconds ticked by before Dustan’s mouth finally opened. “Former?” Trying to use Tactical Eye one Murray just caused a headache as he could only see gibberish.

“Don’t try that again, it will only keep resulting in a headache.” Murray would sip on a cup of tea that the human was sure that wasn’t there a moment ago. “I quit being a Merchant. When you are chosen, you are made into something more, so my race now will always be one of them, which I can’t tell you as you honestly couldn’t pronounce it. I can never go back to what I was before, not that I would want to. However I am going to tell you what happens to someone who becomes a merchant.” Dustan wouldn’t lie, he had never read any story that mentioned this nor gave an explanation leaving it really only to mystery. “Merchants are beings who feed off change, specifically the energy that the ripples from it causes in the universe. We aren’t sure who the first of us was, but we know that we do what we do for two reasons. To feed and to grow.”

“Grow? Into what?” Dustan honestly couldn’t comprehend it. “I mean don’t you bend reality and the like? Also what happened to your accent?”

“We can but I will get to that and the accent is more for show.” Another sip of tea though it was slightly slurped. “We send people to other universes to cause a split in reality, one where things go as they would have before, and one where you exist. That split causes the first burst of change which is the greatest source of change energy that we get and where most Merchants stay their hand as expending more resources tends to be bothersome as change will naturally happen from what the universe intended for that particular shard, shard being what we call the branch we created when we sent someone somewhere.” Setting the cup down Murray looked at him, the blue eyes shifting to green before then to yellow. “Some stick around to the end, poking and prodding thinking of each place as an investment. However there are others who set things up in advanced, like the one who stabbed you. We will get to that one in a second as well. Regardless the energy we eat, we don’t need all that much to survive as we can still sustain ourselves off normal food. The energy instead goes to our ‘reserves’ of power. This is how we have the power to do many things, install powers, change people, and alter realities, though the last is only for those with an excess amount of power to spare. It’s usually more convenient to find a place that suits ones needs and then create shards from there which is what I did here for you. That and honestly I was having to work quick so you wouldn’t bleed out and die. He did a number on you when he stuck that sword in you: Two broken ribs, punctured lung, nicked the wall of your heart, as well as more.”

Dustan couldn’t help but raise his hand to his chest where the invisible scar of his wound seemed to almost burn. “Yeah, I could feel myself dying.”

“In a sense you did die, its why the Blood Sword was created. You just didn’t die enough. I put more vitality into you and had to make sure the sword finished feeding before removing it from you to close your wounds. Because you ‘technically’ both lived and died, the sword was complete but also recognizes you as part of it.” Murray told him which explained why he didn’t feel any weirdness coming from it but others did. “Careful about letting it eat too many people, slashing is fine but don’t let it stay in a being. Anyways I altered you, I am sure you can tell, letting your body become more akin to a malleable planer being that draws its source of power from the knowledge and such from a plane of existence like you have been.”

“Final Fantasy Tactics and the armor stands?” Dustan could feel his eyes widen as he say Murray nod.

“That is right, though they existed here in some form already. You just kind of…mainline it so to speak.” A wave and roll of the Merchant’s hand showed that he was being vague. “It means you channel it way more efficiently than any being on this planet could without visiting it in their dreams.”

“Which is why I can switch classes at will?” Once more the visitor nodded. “So why does it feel like I could visit it without dreaming. I feel like I am so close to being able to use it whenever.”

“That is because you can, then again that particular feat isn’t yours alone. Anyone could reach a state of mind to access what you call the Classroom whenever they wished technically. You just have to be in the right mindset to do so.” Sighing and sipping his drink again the Merchant looked him dead in the eyes. “Which is why it hurts to see you not understanding some of your abilities fully nor what the Classroom is meant to be, but for me to tell you starts dipping into rules that I cannot break.”

This was news to him, he thought he had been handling things well with the job system as well as his abilities but seems he wasn’t quite doing so. “You have rules?”

That caused the nigh omnipotent being to laugh. “Of course. We can visit all we like, we can influence, we can even offer up powers in exchange for things. However we can’t interfere with free will we can suggest, demand, coerce and flat out tell someone, but we can’t actually remove free will meaning if a Merchant does something to try to make someone do something, that person still doesn’t have to do so. That is why when we first find we make sure to appear as the Merchant, as it’s just too easy to get someone to buy something and accept a deal that is too good to be true.”

“Because it is.” That got the grey haired man to nod. “What they are buying isn’t whatever item, but the change that comes with it. You just never tell them fully.”

Shrugging to Dustan the man set his cup down and looked at him. “Technically, no one ever asks to see an item record beforehand so it falls under buyer beware and to read the contract fully.”

“But, I didn’t pay for anything, I didn’t agree.” Dustan was confused, didn’t it break the rules that Murray was supposed to follow when he got sent here.

“But you did.” This was where The Merchant looked a bit sad. “True it wasn’t money you gave me, but you didn’t want to die and was willing to do what was needed to stay alive right?” The Lord of the Everfree felt his blood run cold at that as he realized something. “Yeah, The Merchant that stabbed you…that tends to be his normal MO. He likes to put people on death’s door and makes sure to offer them a deal. If they do not take it well he heals them and erases their memory of the event making sure nothing was changed. However no one knows he can do that so most take the deal earning him a net gain of power for little loss.”

“Then…why was he there with you? And doesn’t that mean I would have been fine without being healed?” Dustan was a tad angry when he realized that he never had a choice that he could perceive. “Why was he even there if you were already going to make someone go to this world or at world, or whatever?!”

“Because I wanted to quit.” Holding up a hand an orb of pure white energy appeared. “When you become a Merchant, a certain amount of energy is expended from the recruiters, you have to pay that back with interest based on how long you have been a Merchant. I have been one for a VERY long time. Truth was, a long time ago I was just as eager for power as the one who stabbed you, but overtime I realized that I slowly lost who I was before for what seemed like godhood.” Looking to Dustan the man ran his fingers through his hair once more. “The reason us Merchants hunt your world, and worlds similar is because your realities tend to be right at a perfect nexus point. It’s why so many of your books, movies, shows, imaginations, turn into realities because either what you envision becomes real or because you are able to unconsciously tap into other worlds slightly. That is why when one of us sends someone away; we usually lock the universe they came from so there is no return.”

“But then, how did I-” Murray cut Dustan off before he could finish.

“You weren’t supposed to.” Leaning against his knees and holding his hands in front of his face the man sighed. “Honestly Twilight did the impossible, but then it’s the multiverse so it is always bound to happen and does occasionally.” Looking up he smiled. “I gave her a book and a device to locate the origins of objects and beings. Truth was, I had planned for her to read it and would occasionally nudge her thoughts towards communications. I figured she would over tune a portal so that you could talk to your world but in over tuning it would make her think the world couldn’t be accessed. Instead she ignored some of my prodding and went ahead with teleportation circles.”A grin came to the older man’s face. “Caused quite a stir in some circles as it means we cannot abduct safely from your world anymore so we have to give up on it.”

“Couldn’t you or the one who stabbed me erase Twilight’s memory though?” That got Murray to start laughing loudly. “What? Does it have to do with free will or something?”

“Yes and no, but mostly no.” Murray calmed down and wiped a tear from his eye. “Because the one who stabbed you programmed you somewhat making you malleable and basically setting up the typical template in order for me to make my move to heal you which would seal the contract, or to undo things if you wanted to die, well he caused himself to partly own what you do. However because he left it up to me, I also own what you do. Because of that, before he couldn’t completely lock something nor do something without telling me, and I couldn’t do the same. However it was his job as first contact to lock your world completely, he didn’t and left that to me as he is young. As for erasing Twilight’s memory, because both he and I own what you do, he couldn’t do that without my permission. Trust me he has already tried and he will continue to try for as long as you live. I won’t let him though, even if I no longer am a part of his association anymore, I was when it happened therefore he can’t undo it.”

“So then why can you do things. You said you gave Twilight the book and device right? He couldn’t have let you just do that right?” Dustan had to admit he was curious even as he realized that Murray had not answered his question his earlier question.

“I gave him some of my power, the equal to a bribe in my circle. In fact, the reason I am…not really that strong right now is because I bought the rights of this universe and you from him just recently which is why I can freely talk to you like I can now.” Shaking his head Murray continued. “Point is I own you and this universe for its change energy now and no one can interfere, not him and not others without incurring a penalty. However my power is now quite faded.” Pointing to Dustan and smiling. “Truth was, I was going to retire, live out a few universes time and just enjoy myself. Though beings who usually do that choose to take on new identities to wipe their memories from what they have done so they can sleep better or chose to become gods and create realities from scratch to enjoy. I chose not to because of you.”

“Wait, what? Why me?” The confusion apparently tickled the old man’s funny bone as he laughed once again.

“Dustan, you may have your dark spots and flaws, but you helped your friend and were willing to take on his debt, the one whom I was originally going to displace, without wanting nothing more than to help your friend.” Slamming his hand on the desk Murray looked on with a fire in his eyes and pointed at the human with his other hand. “THAT! That right there rekindled something inside of me. Especially as I seen you continue to do so here in Equestria. I am going to continue to displace people to gain power, but I am going to do so to help those worlds, taking those that I know can help them. But I have to follow some kind of codes to not ruffle others feathers, that is why I will be using up more energy than others to read minds, souls and make sure I get the right people for the job. Even if that means sending them to counter what other Merchants do. I am going to leave this multiverse a better place then when I entered it, even if I don’t get my returns on change energy used to displace someone anymore. I will admit, I will likely still be ruining some lives. I wish that could change but no one is perfect, certainly not me. I mean when you were dying, I had forgotten that the other Merchant would come to heal you if you died, and instead went through and gave something to you to heal you. We are Merchants sure but we are not infallible.”

Dustan wasn’t sure what to say, he wanted to be angry hearing the plans of the man before him but…he couldn’t. It was for a good cause right? Was it any different then what he himself was doing by trying to keep the timeline of My Little Pony intact? Honestly that question bothered him more than it should have and more than he was comfortable admitting even to himself.

“I will still have to think of a name. Maybe Artificer or something. I will workshop it later.” Murray was genuinely smiling now before it faded. “But that is off topic, I need to talk about your little meeting with everyone that happened recently. Because you were template’d and I was in a rush, I had to…do some things. These things are going to make your life difficult but I do believe you will overcome them. I can’t say what because rules and such again from when I was a merchant are still in effect and because as some of that information could affect your freewill as it is that…soul crushing in some ways. Sorry.” Dustan felt a bit pale at hearing that, what could be that bad. “Regardless I can tell you when you have done something. Telling everyone of your Auracite, that was a trigger. Sure they have been active in the past, but Nightmare Moon was the last to be activated for this world before you showed up. With you telling them about it, making them aware, that was a trigger to reawaken the stones.”

The arm rest of his chair squeaked as he gripped them so hard. “That means-.”

“Yeah, they are going to come looking for Virgo there and look to free Ultima from her Prison.” That sentence hung there in the air between the two of them. Dustan’s eyes widened and widened till they hurt as he slumped back against his chair with an exhausted sigh.

Bringing a shaking hand up to his face he gave a sigh that felt like years of his life left with its sound. “Do…do you know how long till then? Till they start coming here?”

Murray seemed to give a similar sigh before he shook his head. “That information would change how you act so no, I can’t tell you that. I can tell you that most are already looking for hosts now. Some are in places where others could easy be influenced and others are lost.”

A shiver ran down his spine and he looked to the former displacing master and could see those eyes held no lie. ‘He had to have known what he just said right?’ The clear look on his displacer’s face told him what he needed to know. ‘He said ‘most’ that meant some aren’t looking, or…some have already had hosts.’ The thought of those creatures loose, the ones that helped fuel The War of The Lions made him sick to his stomach.

However, his thoughts were derailed as Murray stood up. “Well, for now, that is all I can say. I don’t want to linger too long as the longer I stay the more that Merlene and the others are going to panic after you tell them who just visited you.”

“But I could just not-” Dustan was cut off by a look from the man. “Yeah…I suppose you are right. With how I want to be more truthful to them I would end up telling them eventually. How is it that Merlene hasn’t come in already or heard anything?”

“Simple.” The former Merchant said as he rolled his wrist and then looked to his fingernails. “She has tried already but her mind keeps slipping to other matters and keeps getting distracted for some reason. Also no sound seems to be coming from your office today for some reason. I am sure there is a reason.”

He had to admit that miffed him a bit to have his friend’s mind messed with like that, but at the same time, it was likely for the best. “And it’s just that easy for you? No wonder some Merchants lose themselves to that kind of power. I admit, even I would likely vanish for a good long time as my sense of self would do things with that power.”

“‘Power corrupts, but absolute power corrupts absolutely.’” Murray told him. “You have experienced bouts of said corruption yourself from having power but outside influences keep reminding you of who you are, which is a good thing. I have to admit, there were points where I was worried for your state of mind but you have mostly come back from each of those.”

Dustan caught that again, that ‘mostly’. That means something about him has changed, but he had not noticed it yet. So how could one ward against such a thing when they are not aware of it? He couldn’t. Dustan could only hope that the corruption that he had already taken on in some way was so minor it wouldn’t affect what he would do. As he looked up to ask another question of the graying man he found him gone all without a goodbye. Leaning back in his chair again for a moment he would then get up and go to a window to look out upon the world.

He wasn’t sure for how long he stood there but eventually the door to his office opened and the sky blue accented Griffon came in a bit hesitantly. “My Lord, I haven’t heard anything from your office in a while and was getting…huh, where is your guest.”

At first Dustan said nothing, trying to figure out a way to ease her into this, but in the end chose the direct method. “Sit down Merlene. I have something to tell you and honestly, it’s going to surprise you likely half as much as it surprised me.”

The Griffon just cocked her head as she closes the door and took a seat. Needless to say, the next week sucked with how close the catbird from Talonholm stuck to him after that. That week saw some significant changes the biggest was Dustan giving the official title of Everfree blacksmith to Burly Bellows, which while it brought him a lot more business inside and from outside of the castle as well as the Everfree itself, it means that the blacksmith was commissioned for something, both him and his apprentice specifically. It was a bit of a long term plan but Dustan wasn’t going to be caught with his pants down, he was going to go full force into a threat if it showed up. The human also started to think and write down other plans both short and long term of what he could do. Planning or not, many obstacles stood in his way and he knew it. Some would be monumentous, others would be-

“-annoying.” Dustan said looking to the tall white unicorn in front of him with robes.

“Excuse me Sir, but what did you say?” The posh unicorn from Canterlot said as the human was looking down at him.

Around the Lord of the Everfree, were the Mane Six as well as a few others the former set of which he had invited to the castle today for lunch as well as to ask a few things, only to be told he had an appointment that couldn’t wait. It turned out to be a unicorn from Canterlot who was leader of the board of education or some such though it was clear he thought himself important with that sash across his chest as well as his slick backed hair. His name, which was too much of a pun for Dustan to remember at the moment, had observed a few classes that morning and as the rest of the Mane Six had arrived had promptly told Dustan that there were no regulations used for these classes as well as no standards and wouldn’t be classified as a school and should be shut down.

The brown haired human had run his fingers through his short hair and sighed and promptly stated exactly what was on his mind which he now was repeating for the pony before him. “’This is annoying.’ I said. It’s not getting any less so either.”

Seems the unicorn was getting a bit flustered at the comment but took a deep breath and let it out before smiling once more. “Ahem, I understand you are used to getting your way as you do run this unruly land but as a citizen of Equestria you should know that you have to uphold its laws correct.”

“Yep, that I do to the best of my judgement.” It seems like that is what the pony wished to hear.

It sent him nodding and gestured as his horn took on a glow making a large thick text book appear. “Then you should know all teaching faculties for education or magic should follow certain laws.” When Dustan again reaffirmed that with a ‘yep’ The white unicorn smiled. “Good, so we agree that you will shut the school down.”

“Nope.” The plain faced way that Dustan said this seemed to anger the unicorn.

A stamp of their hoof an a glow of magic opened up the book to one of its pages. “Section Four, Section A states that quote: ‘Any school of magic will adhire to the guidelines in the following sections for as long as they wish to teach in the land of Equestria.’ End quote.”

Dustan waved his hand in a bored gestured. “Neat, so tell me, that is for all magic right?”

“Yes that is right!” The unicorn puffed out his chest.

“Cool, now go shut down ever farm in Equestria and every flight school as they are teaching magic as well. Pegasus and Earth Pony Magic, but magic all the same.” The human gave a bit of a smirk at this as the unicorn turned red.

It took a moment before said pony regained their composure before smiling. “The section of flight school is handled by the board of flight and weather, while agriculture has its own board. We are talking about magic.”

“So am I. Magic is magic, but since you are making the distinction between them it remains relevant. I am guessing that you don’t have anything for Chaos magic either huh?” The human thought he had won the point only for the pompous unicorn to smile.

“You would be wrong.” Opening up the book he pointed out a page. On the page it clearly said: Prohibited magical categories: Necromancy, Chaos Magic, Dark Magic, Demonology, and a few others that Dustan would have a hard time replicating the sound with normally without twisting his tongue.

“Cool. You got just about everything there.” The sash wearing unicorn gave a smug look to the human before catching what he said. “That is right, about everything. So where is the section on Neutral Magic?”

“Neutral magic is not a dedicated magical classification and thus until further investigation will be under general magic studies guidelines and regulations.” The unicorn thought he won only to see the human slam his face into his open hand.

“Tell me, would you have an Earth Pony try to handle a lightning storm by telling it to kick it? Or how about a Pegasus to try to feel the earth and buck a rock in half?” Trying to get through to this pony was setting him in a bad mood, but at the same time or so it appeared to those around him.

So much so that even Twilight tried to chime in at one point to raise up a fact. “Well to be fair Dustan, your school is classified as-”

She never got any further as the unicorn didn’t even seem to pay her any mind as he continued. “Of course not, that would be a fool’s errand.”

“Exactly, which is what you are trying to get me to do here. Now leave as I have more important things to deal with then some pony who doesn’t even know his ass end from his mane telling me how to teach Neutral magic when I am literally the biggest teacher in the world of it.” Seems that wasn’t the right thing to say as it caused the pony to erupt in a stream of curses.

When they finally settled down they picked up their book and turned. “You haven’t heard the last of this human. I am Chancellor Neighsay and I will make sure you follow the rules of a proper school for teaching unicorns magic.”

“Oh before you go you should know two things!” He called to the marching unicorn causing him to stop and look back. “One: I will teach who I damned well pleased no matter the race or species. All are welcomed to learn not just unicorns.” That turned the pony a bright shade of scarlet. “Two: I don’t have to listen to a damned thing you say. I filed for this school as a private tutelage school, meaning I make up my own rules for it. Under section seven of your fancy fucking book section B under classifications of school types. Look it up and look at my registration. You may wish to take a few educations courses yourself before you try to throw your clout around in a place that literally gives zero fucks about who you are. Bye bye now!” He gave the unicorn, who was now a shade of red so deep that he was turning purple, a friendly wave only to start laughing when he finished leaving.

“Wait…Dustan, don’t tell me-” The purple scholarship pony herself started only to be cut off by her speedster drop out friend of the weather team.

“You knew all of that beforehoof and were just baiting him to mess with him?!” Dustan was finishing up his laughter wiping away a tear as he nodded.

“WHY?!” Twilight asked taking her hooves to his shirt and shaking him causing the human to laugh a bit harder once more.

When she finally stopped shaking him and let him speak he smoothed out his clothing and looked to them all. “Cause fuck’em.” That caused half of the six to laugh, Rainbow Dash the loudest but Pinkie Pie right behind her as well as the southern sounding pony that was Applejack right behind them. Twilight and Rarity were less then pleased but Fluttershy just looked like she didn’t wish to interrupt them. “He came in here, asked to observe some of my classes, not saying anything during any of it. Instead he wrote down his observations in a note pad. He never once approached and asked me about the classification of school beforehand nor did he ask if Neutral magic had any special needs or restrictions. He didn’t consider the sociology behind the schooling area nor the needs of the students learning said magic since they are not just one age category but from all steps of life. He came here, literally looking to throw his weight around to make us conform without even checking as he already thought he knew better. Pompous assholes like that I am going to do everything in my power to make sure their day is ruined and life is not enjoyable till they learn that not everyone lives to reflect a perfect code that can be followed. No matter what you wish to hate on about Discord and what he represent but his element is an everyday factor of life.”

That made all six mares look at him as if he was crazy. “Are you crazy?!”

The fact it was Pinkie Pie who asked that hurt a little bit in a way but he smiled. “If harmony was the only force out there, nothing would exist in variety, everything would be the same, a blank sheet of paper with no indents, not splashes of color, nothing. Chaos is one element that throws random bits of things onto that paper to make it look different and more. Literally if it wasn’t for Chaos friendship couldn’t exist as the world would be nothing but ponies with no free will. Then again the opposite is true, if there was no Harmony Chaos would turn everything into a misshapen blob that couldn’t retain shape. It takes both and more to make up life, each and every one of us is made up a bit of those things, some more than others and it’s those differences you find in each other that let you come to understand one another and bond as friend right?”

Each and every pony looked at him wide eyed as if they had been told some great secret and were not looking at one another in a new found light and in some cases themselves. “Ah…never thought about it that way Ah suppose.”

“Me neither, though that does make Pinkie make more sense in a way.” Dash spoke up as if edging on some great truth.

“What me make sense? NEVER!” She then stuck out her tongue, blew a raspberry then twin party canons came out of her mane and fired.

When Dustan could see again he could hear the other’s coughing with Fluttershy speaking up first. “Oh my, was that really nessicary?”

“Yes Darling my mane is now positively disheveled and will take hours to recuperate.” It was true, the owner of Carousel Boutique’s mane had glitter and confetti all over it as well as being blown in many different directions from the force behind.

“Ah just wanna know why?” The orange apple farmer asked of her friend spitting out…was that a party streamer?

“Because Dashie called me predicatable.” Everyone looked at her when she said that.

Especially Dash who was busy spitting out her own…was that the pin from a pin the tail on the donkey party game? “I never said that. I just said that it helped make sense of you is all.”

“Exactly.” Putting on a detective hat and pipe, having been pulled out of her mane, she spoke after blowing out a few bubbles from said pipe. “If you can make sense of me, it means you can predict me. If you can predict me, it means I am predictable. So by the transitive property of words and actions, you called me predictable.”

“How do you even know what some of those words mean?” The sole human of the group asked as he looked at her only for Twilight to speak up.

“Wait, does that mean you listen to me when I lecture?” The magister of the group looked genuinely happy at that. “If so how come you always sleep through so much of it?”

“Oh Twi, just because I sleep doesn’t mean I have stopped listening.” Detective Pie told her as she wrapped her up in a hug, which while returned, didn’t solve the confusion on the unicorn’s face.

“No, but I have, and I am not thinking about this conversation any more. I am already confused enough as is and I am. Anyways could you six come to my office as I wish to ask you all something.” Clearly Dustan was done with this conversation and the confetti as he brushed himself off and made his way up to his office.

It took about an hour before the others would join him, each having done their own efforts to clean up, though it was clear that by the sounds of ‘Really?’ and ‘Come on, there too’ that glittery amongst other things were still being found. With everyone, relatively, cleaned up the human of Equestria smiled to each to each of them and thanked them for being there, to which all of them gave their on versions of either thank you or no problem. After that it was another hour for lunch before the actual discussion could get started in his office proper.

“I am sure each of you know this but the Crusaders are part of my program, for various things sure but all of them are showing great promise.” To which three of the girls nodded. “Truth is, they shouldn’t be the only ones. Anyone of any age can learn as I already stated. As such I would like all of you girls to formally enroll. I am willing to wave the fee cause of your ages if you wished to go beyond and into the advanced classes.”

The farm pony, whom he figured would be the toughest sell on this, was the first to speak up. “Ah don’t know Dustan. It doesn’t seem like magic is all that for me.”

“Oh, even me, I could join?” Pinkie asked practically vibrating in her seat.

Shrugging Dash smiled and chuckled. “I already sit in some of the classes as is with the squirt, though I don’t feel like going to school again so I am going to have to pass.”

“YESSSSSS~” Was all twilight had to contribute to the conversation

“Truth is darling…I already know some of what you are teaching.” If there was a record playing there would be a needle scratch as Rarity’s statement took them all by surprise, even the Lord himself.

“Wanna run that one by me again?” Blinking almost a bit owlishly Dustan stared at the unicorn as she fidgeted around.

“Well, truth is.” The unicorn sighed and eventually just looked defeated. “I tried replicated how I made Dustan’s clothing so special, but haven’t been able to do so. Remembering how he said it was made with Neutral magic, I may have snuck the notes Sweetie Belle has taken from your classes from her bags and copied them. I then procured some of the supplies for myself and have been trying my own hoof at making them. Eventually…well I got it. I am still only at the very start but…well I just don’t have time to attend regular classes and because of my schedule I really could only do a bit before stopping so I would fall behind more and more as I don’t look to make it a career only to enhance what I already have.”

“That is…actually a very fair point.” Sighing and leaning back chuckling. “You all have careers and lives that don’t always make it so you can get into these classes and there isn’t enough teachers at the moment to make it so anyone can learn anytime. I want more people to learn these things but I can’t cause I lack people who know.” Sighing again but smiling looking to each of them. “Know this though. No matter how fast or slow you can progress, or if you wish to make it more then what it is, that Neutral magic can help you in many ways. There are classes that I haven’t shown you all, classes that can do amazing things that each of you are sure to love. Things that can make the ground move in ways you wish, ones that can make you rethink the bounds of what is physically possible, and more.”

Twilight, for her part, was about to jump at him but suddenly…stopped. “Crud, I have things I wish to do as well before I can do more classes. Plus I haven’t even actually managed to do the initiation trial yet. I still also want to read and memorize the books you gave me, I am still going over the math one and I am finally starting to understand algebra really well to the point where I think I am either caught up or very close to the Minotaurs now.”

“I think I will withdraw my application too if that is ok with you Dusty.” It was clear as day on his face what he was about to ask so the pink party pony answered for him. “If its true ponies will be able to do all kinds of amazing things after that then, if I join and learn them, it will make some of the things I do seem less mysterious so nope. I want to keep my mystery and make sure every pony knows no matter what they learn even if it’s the same as the next, that every pony is special and that we all need to smile.”

“Very true, which is why I also can’t join as my animal friends all have different needs and take sooo much time to take care of that I simply don’t have time for other things.” Fluttershy told them making herself once more known as she had stood silent this entire time as they had spoke.

With that, six out of six ponies have declined and he stood up. “Well I am glad we could at least talk about this. Gives me a few things to consider about future classes for sure.”

The Friendship pony of the group smiled and looked at him. “Of course, what are friends for Dustan. Though we should all be going now.”

They all agreed with that as Dustan smiled and waved them out, though as the door closed Dustan’s smile vanished and a wave of guilt came over him as he sat back down. The Merchant’s warning had spurred him into action and while he was glad they refused, he was feeling very much ashamed that he even thought about teaching those six about skills to just use them in what might be a battle now.

‘So, I feel bad trying to use them but not others?’ The fact that Dustan didn’t have a proper answer for that bothered him more than the question itself did.

Author's Note

Hello everyone, I am back. Sorry it has taken so long to get back here and continue writing but as my blogs will have shown, it hasn't been the best for me but everything is more or less settled and stable for now which is where I hope it will stay for a good long while. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter as I always enjoy expanding the universe/multiverse with some background info like this.