”Love All, Trust a few, Do no wrong to another”

Today was a rather unfortunate morning as per my usual unlucky nature, still those same dreams again. It only seems to get worse as time goes forward as I make progress as a person-er Stallion and seem to be 2 steps back when it comes to these nightmares. I still miss my family dearly. It’s funny really, here I am complaining about my woes to myself and finding no way back home already. I think I’ll try to breach that subject with Cadence today, maybe just maybe, I can find a way. I’d only expect the bare minimum, from those days in the hospital she had spoken of other worlds as just a throw away line, and so did Sunset. I guess the only way I would get an answer is by trying.

My dreams weren’t getting better as one would imagine, each time I’d awake in that cold sweat and have to call upon myself to snap out of it. More like a vivid dream or something you would see in horror films. I looked at myself in the mirror and still all I could hope for was that moment it’d just be me again, the same old black hair, same frame, same eyes, same heart. No such luck. Maybe I was just acting up again, same old feelings in this new body. Propping myself back up from my bed later on, I popped on the glasses I had used for reading, some cool stallion gave it to me a while ago now. What was his name....High Mark? Anywho, it had been something I had never noticed before, maybe the change of body had given me this but words always appeared small, tiny even. Like it was trying to hide away. Regardless of this, setting a piece of paper folded neatly into the book I left it on the side of my bed. Getting up once more, I decided to take a trek on my own today. Wouldn’t hurt to get out into the world right?

Passing the time was easy but trying to do so in a world not my own, not like I had a job or TV or anything like it to use when I was bored. Walking out of the palace was odd. None of the staff stopped me and while I saw some guards I just assumed some of them were with Cadence maybe some noble or legal stuff? Regardless, I kinda hoped we’d get to hang out today considering things had been a bit slow for my taste, maybe I was overreacting but I just wanted to do what I could to make it up to the gal, she’d given me a home after all. Then it struck me, Home? Was this place going to be home? Sure, I wanted to get out into the world on my own and maybe find some little peace of happiness while I bided my time to get home but what was home right now? Was it in that room? With Sunset or Cadence? Who knows? I was knocked out of my thoughts when I felt something hit me and sent me spiraling to the ground, I heard a thud as my vision collected itself. Before I knew it, I could hear someone yelling out before me was a strange mare, to say the least, ”Oh, a new one amongst the people of Crystal. What a sight to behold, you look different, strange”

Before me was a tall, yet strangely lanky figure, she had bountiful locks of amber hair. A skewered horn and a reptilian set of patches of what looked like scales, maybe it was some sort of Dragon hybrid? She had no emotion on her face but the few words she spoke told a different tale altogether. I stood up and offered a hand to her ”I do apologize miss, I wasn’t looking where I was going. I’m hopeful that you aren’t too mad” She looked confused but shook my hand. I couldn’t feel anything but a jolt of energy surge through me making me reel my hand back. She kept that confusion going before asking

”So may I ask what you are? You don’t appear to be like anyone I’ve seen before, you’re one of the first to come to my attention, you’re one strange creature.” That same look echoed as she circled me, looking over at me, lifting my arm and poking me in the side. I was rather confused but answered her ”Oh um...Name’s Eon miss-” “Autumn Blaze if you please, Human.” That freaked me out to no end, grabbing hold of her mouth a bit tight I might add, many ponies looked confused but I brought her a few blocks down before letting go, noticing she still looked confused at this. Just what was this mare? I looked at her with a bit of a glare ”May I ask how you know I’m a human? Much less, anything about humans?”

She seemed to find something funny, giggling a bit as she spoke through some laughter ”I did not mean any offense to Mr. Eon. I was just confused. You see, I’m a Kirin and where I come from humans are regarded as myths rather than reality, not even the great elders have even recorded information on a human I thought it was common knowledge of humans existing?” That got me confused, I thought Cadence said that beings from other worlds were an unknown factor, how come they happen to be legends of Humans in this one area in one world without humans? Too many questions, and no answers, best to entertain the mare before me.

I shook my head and looked at her with an eyebrow raised ”Sure I’m a human, I did get this body though, and while I’m never one to complain about life’s mysteries can’t say I happen to like the body of uh...a Pegasus if I’m right. Look, I just happened to arrive outside of the Empire a few weeks ago, I was given a home as a guest by the Empress bless her heart and I’ve just sorta been living here, May I ask why a Kirin is out here?”

She simply nodded, “Well I was here as an Ambassador of my kind, you see the Crystal empire and the Land of the Kirin have been good allies for several years now it was only through the bond of Kirin and a crystal pony did our kinds first begin talks and soon after we came to be allies. Many of our kind still prefer to live in the forests and enjoy nature, but some do come to the Empire and live out peaceful lives. I was sent here with an important mission to the Empress’s Ambassador, I would imagine that’s not you, Huma-Mr. Eon. If you would be so pleased as to guide me to the Empire, its a mystery to me even with this map see?” She lifted up a scroll that unfolded to unleash a rather large map of the Empire to which I noticed something odd, turning it around. I gave her a deadpanned expression “Um, it might’ve been upside down miss Autumn. That may be why you’re lost.”

The mare before me looked me in the eyes before, falling over. I sighed and helped her up before I lightly chuckled at this, it was kinda cute in a way to see this mare confused but none the less I wished to help. ”If you would like I can just take you to it, you weren’t too far from it. You were pretty close, only a few blocks from the entrance to the Castle.” To this she smiled and jumped in, giving me a tight hug. I swear I could feel some of my bones crack at this as I patted her head, giving her a wry smile. As she beamed at me and spilled thank you’s over and over. Were ponies always this strong? Once free of that death grip I led her down the street. I got less looks than usual and maybe that would have to be the Kirin woman next to me who bounced like she was high or something, talking my ear off. Not that I minded, it just was a bit much. She’d talk about her home, maybe it was just me being silent or me being myself. I’m not entirely sure but I listened to her. She’d talk about her family, her brother and sisters in the forests, the myths of my kind to which got some looks of confusion. I had to tell her that my whole identity was a secret and only the Empress knew of it, not a total lie.

***

Once we had arrived at the castle I let her on her way, not before she smiled at me and promised we’d meet again, I’d like that. She was chaotic, maybe a bit ditzy and a bit of an airhead when it came to social norms but fun. More relaxed than Sunset, less uptight than Cadence can sometimes be. I had decided to keep to myself today, a bit of a change of pace, maybe I just wanted to relax or rest a bit. Less taxing than the headaches and nightmares, still felt like I could tell somebody but all the same I didn’t want to inconvenience others. Going right to the castle not too long after the Kirin from before, I found myself inside of the halls once again it was rather impressive with all the self-portraits on the walls, some of Cadence, some of her as a child, some when she looked a few years younger from now and surprisingly little of her family. Huh, that was odd. I knew there was a portrait of her mother still up but why none of her and her family? Was it customary to not be in the picture?

Going down the hall, I noticed Cadence and made my way over, flicking her shoulder she gasped, looking like she nearly jumped out of her skin, turning she gave the cutest death glare in my direction. She puffed her cheeks before continuing to glare at me. I spoke, grinning from ear to ear at my little prank ”Hey Cadence, how are you today? Oh yea, some Ambassador came in a while ago a Kirin, if I remember right” She stopped glaring to give me a confused look for a moment, before she snapped her fingers and nodded.

”Ah that one, nice girl that one. Surprised you’d seen her did she get lost?” Cadence held back a chuckle at the mention of the lost Kirin to which I smiled in return, She seemed less than surprised when I explained to hear that Kirin had the map upside down and had been close to the castle but what shocked me was the mention that she knew of humans to which Cadence looked....worried? Why?

”Ah I see, well we can just hope that she keeps that a secret, I’ve known Autumn Blaze for a little while, she’s trustworthy if a little airheaded” To which I nodded, chuckling to myself. “Oh yes! I did have something to tell you, so I’ve understood that for a while now you haven’t so much as touched magic right? Well since you’re a unicorn and my friend I thought it best you at least start learning a little bit and don’t worry about a cover story, I’ve got that under control you can meet with your new teacher, she’s a bit strict and somewhat bossy but she’s been a great help to a lot of Unicorns” I nodded in appreciation, I really wanted to say something, in private.

“Hey Cadence do you mind if we talk? I just wanted to clear the air a bit” “Oh sure lets go to my room. Give us a little privacy. Sorry, I never suggested this before” I shook my head “No no its alright, lead the way.” I followed right alongside her and was a bit curious myself, I’ve never seen her room before, a bit odd to not suggest something like a spare room or a dining area but her room was fine, just surprising. Getting to a set of doors I wasn’t too surprised to see them lined in crystals covering each frame and coating the doors like diamonds. The inside was surprising, each wall was lined with photos of herself and her family, from some photos of the trio, her mother, her father and a young cadence to the woman I know now. It seems odd that their was this Photo of 4 Alicorns, Cadence, Luna and Celestia but some strange women were also there they didn’t look too old I’d say about 17 years old roughly. I wanted to ask about it but, given my time with questioning her about her family, I’d rather not burn another bridge. I looked around rather stunned at how calm her room seemed, no vibrant colors or extreme blotches of pink just a plain room.

I heard a giggle behind me. I went a bit red in the face feeling kind of embarrassed to be caught like that but sat down with her patting the side of her bed, pushing a hair out of her own face. She smiled before asking ”So what did you want to talk about Eon? Well if I’m to be honest, I wanted to talk about that um...incident and our little spat about your family, From everything I could gather it was a difficult subject for you to discuss and I’m sorry if I said anything out of line to make you feel upset at me” She surprised me with a somber but faint smile ”Eon, its ok. I know you were just trying to be nice to me and that’s ok, I appreciate that, it’s part of the reason you’re still my friend just next time, think before you act alright?” She chuckled.

I nodded before I spoke once more. ”Cadence, I’ve asked you about those difficult things and I think it’s time you learn a little bit about me, I was willing to ask about that so I can be just as willing to talk about something difficult” I gave her a smile, hoping to re-assure her and all I got was her chuckling and nodding ”Sure, if you’re ok with it then I’m all Ears”

”I guess that first thing would be my name. Sure, I like the name Eon but...you don’t exactly know my own name after all. My real name is Albrecht or in my home land it means Bright, my mother named it for how bright I was growing up. I would always tinker with little things, bolts, wires, toys I’d get, anything I could get my hands on and try to make it work in my own way. My mother and father were both great if a bit tough on me. Growing up I had friends, sure, but I never had people come over to my house or come to hang out. I would always go out. I never sat home most of the time, I would walk often and spend my time being quiet and sit on some stairs outside near a hospital. I would just quietly watch things, maybe it was a bit weird in hindsight but I was never mean to people passing by, if some said hello I’d just say hello and even wave a little” Looking over all I could see was her stary eyes and I couldn’t help but smile, she was glad to know something. I’ve done a good job. Good stallion.

”Well now, didn’t know my friend was such a geek, maybe I’ll find some power Pony comic books next?” She grinned, winking at me as I rolled my eyes ”Yes yes, you told me about those and no Cadence, I’m not a comic buff. I may like to tinker, but that doesn’t mean I read books of super stallions and super mares,” I shook my head, finding myself smiling as she giggled. For a time we sat in silence, I wasn’t the best at communication at home or here in this Empire and with my new friends. I looked away from her, I wasn’t about to ruin the good moment until I felt something flick my nose and I furred my brows groaning at this ”Yes Cadence?” She smiled and propped her legs up, putting her head on her elbows and looked at me ”You know, Sunset did say you were quiet sometimes, but this is unprecedented. Those are the two things I’ve learned about you today. I’m glad to be your friend Eon” I merely smiled at that, Sunset. Good to know she was still around, haven’t seen her in a little bit after all, would be kind nice if we talked again sometime.

Oddly enough, I’d find myself more so intrigued about our talks, we’d discuss the boring things she’d have to do in court, such as trying to keep the few nobles who believe and support her truthfully from being corrupted, and the Times to taking precautions on laws regarding the goings about trade and local law enforcement, she sounded truly worn out. But I guess having an Empire to run is going to wear you out sometime. From what she says, dealing with these nobles must be like dealing with rowdy children, she would have to unravel schemes or deceit in the courts and then hold them accountable to the best of her ability. One thing I found interesting was their place in the courts, the nobles while filthy rich in some aspects were like governor’s, holding pieces of land in and out of the Empire, managing workers and the people within it even setting their own rules as part of an “investment” into these lands. I’d heard of that sorta thing in history class but to hear about it first hand was something different, it felt too illogical. What use would someone with that much money use getting land of all things? It’s just wasteful.

One thing popped into my head and being the brainiac I am, I decided to broach the egg ”So Cadence, you’ve talked a bit about those other Empresses, but why the hostility? I’m sure they’re prolly more skilled or stronger Rulers right? I mean, I’m sorry if it’s rude its just-” I was cut off as she gained this odd look, all the warmth gone from her face as she sighed and spoke “I was afraid of this, Eon if you really want to know then I’ll tell you but first I need to explain to you how those two came to be alright?” I merely nodded, a bit scared at her demeaner’s shift so suddenly. “Just as my mother and father once ruled the empire, they had their own parents and their own families. They lived in harmony for several eons, crafting and creating an Empire of unparalleled power. Things were great even, me, Opaline, Moon and Sun all danced under the sun and moon playing and becoming something like friends, we all thought it would last forever until our final breaths”

”Things were never meant to be, even with the tribes all united under our hands, raising the sun and moon, moving the well of the elements to help each tribe thrive, guiding them with love and compassion those two...they stole their rightful place. They made those who did not bow sit in their cells, now I’m not saying they killed anyone, even me and Opaline, have been unsure what they truly did to those ponies, all we can guess is most of them were locked up. From what we understand, they stole the power from their family and rendered them inert, not killing anyone mind you just draining power from their mother and father to rule the sun and moon as they wished. They ran their kingdoms in the beginning into rubble, burning down all opposition via false reports and false arrests, their parents disapproved and so after a squabble between the four of them, my mother felt it best to have us avoid any children of the Sun and Moon.”

”I spent much of my time trying to figure it out, trying to understand why they fought with them, for control over celestial objects its there I understood my connection to love. I wanted to do what they could not, bring balance. I’ve tried for so long to understand their methods, both good and bad, sometimes I just hope they know what they are doing even now I sometimes worry about their methods. Brutal but effective, some say, I just call it downright cruel. But there isn’t much I can do as an ally of their Nations but try to make talks more...calm.”

I was rather stunned at this information, were they truly just benevolent rulers or was that just an act? I had no idea what to guess but I could only go with my gut at this point. Cadence wouldn’t lie to me that much I know and I have no reason to doubt her. I was a bit silent and while that same smile replaced her gloom like before, I couldn’t help but feel a bit weirded out which I think even she understood in some aspect.

”Eon, I apologize its just hard to not...question them. They wanted to know of you, a stallion in my Castle at first they told me I had found a Emperor of my own to which I denied obviously but even I can’t handle the pressure they exued on me, I did tell them of your origins yes but I only did so for your own safety. I wasn’t sure what they would do to gain information on you, even spying amongst my staff. It’s gotten me a bit paranoid, I will admit, but truthfully I was just scared they’d hurt you”

I only shook my head and hugged the woman. She seemed shocked, but hugged me back as I smiled at her ”Cadence you did what you thought was best and I truly appreciate that. Maybe telling them I was an alien was iffy on your part, but I can’t imagine what it would be like to be in that position, given the choice I would’ve eventually caved. Next time though, just ask me. I know I’m not a noble or an important member of your courts, but I just want you to ask me before you go through with things next time” She nodded, smiling brightly, good stallion, and kept her happy.

I was glad, maybe this wasn’t the talk I expected but I was glad to know that I had asked the right question this time, no screw ups. For some time we both sat in silence, called it awkwardness, called it just boredom but we enjoyed each other’s company. I don’t know how to explain it properly but it was nice. It just felt right. Looking to my side I noticed her starting to daze off, I smiled and got up ”I’ll let you rest Cadence you seem tired, is there anything I can do to help?” She looked confused for a moment before she smiled, ”Just ask the guards to ensure that Mrs Sunset shimmer can accompany you and you two have a fun day alright? Sorry, I’m so sleepy but-” I put a hand up ”No Cadence its ok, you work hard enough as is I’m sure an hour of rest can’t hurt an entire Empire right?”

Letting her rest, I waved closing her door as she yawned and covered herself. Leaving the room I noticed the stationed guards looked like they were trying not to laugh? I decided to talk to them, what was so funny? One responded: “Sorry sir its just...guess the Empress needs her stallion right?” I was confused for a second before my whole face went beet red, I quickly got myself out of there with only their chuckles behind me as I sighed, sometimes I wondered why people made those kinds of jokes.

Did it get me thinking though, Wasn’t I supposed to meet someone today? My thoughts were interrupted before the spill once again. I crashed right into someone and fell, damn my balance. I hastily got up and began an apology when I noticed the attire, a round but beautiful ruby red dress that was unecessarily fluffy, She had no glasses but her eyes were cold yet stern, a teacher. Her hair was pure purple, streaks of pale blues in her own hair as she looked quite annoyed at me but I had an idea of who she might be, standing up I was more and noticed her strange horn it was quite large, Speaking for myself I smiled ”I apologize ma’am but I think I’ve at least known about you in some form are you the teacher that the Empress wished for me to learn from?”

She looked a bit surprised for a moment, but merely nodded “I assume you’re the one that I was told to teach the basics in magic, right? An interesting fellow, if I must say, but you hold no potential. You seem as clueless as they come.” I only chuckled “Nice words teach’ hope I learn well under you” She rolled her eyes, motioning for me to follow. What did she mean by no potential? Sure, I had only been here for a few weeks but was I really that oblivious when it comes to magic?

***

Arriving in a rather large room full of scrolls and books, I was surprised to find this was just another sector of the library in which it seemed I was to receive tutoring but why is this secretive? Was it because she feared those Empresses would send someone to watch me grow in skill or was she afraid of someone finding out my origin? I know it better than to question things like politics but those two always scared me more than I can imagine. Just the thought of two beings who could use celestial objects as weapons or through magic? It’s truly a threat not to be underestimated. I broke from my stupor as she tapped the table ”Pay attention sir, I know the Empress asked me to teach you but if you cannot pay attention then I can only expect you to do the bare minimum. So pay attention boy”

For the next several hours we practiced simple spells, Levitation magic was rougher than I had expected, I had broken several plates with it, good thing I knew a royal who was willing to pay for it. It was difficult, a bit of golden glow from my horn was hard to stabilize my head was pounding like hell. I felt even worse than usual, It was tough for sure that much was obvious but my head, damn the pain. I’ve really got to find a way to get rid of these headaches, its just becoming annoying now. I looked at that same cold stare from the unicorn as I asked, ”So Ma’am or miss, apologies, but did the Empress say anything as to why we’re in a secluded room and not out on some sort of training field?”

”The Empress informed me of not where you came from if that’s what you’re asking but rather you were an Amnesiac who has failed to grasp the basics of magic after a nasty spill in the blizzard, a large way from your homeland from what I gather so the Empress instructed me to instruct you on magic to become what she described as “a sword and shield” she wished you find a means of defending yourself said the time come to do so. Though if I were to be frank, you’re even less talented than I imagined, no cutie mark and no magical potential to speak of. The Empress must be thinking of some scheme if it were to involve one such as you” This got a confused look from me What kind of plot would Cadence want with me? I wasn’t that special at all, I could barely function being a normal stallion what would I have to defend myself from? Those Empressesses? I doubt I could do much at all even if I mounted all my strength at once they’d casually crush me like a bug.

This just didn’t sit well despite my training, I knew I was bad but to be like that? Just what did Cadence expect out of me? I had no idea. Maybe I wasn’t the worst person in the world to learn magic but what was that tale about really? What did those people do to their parents? What did they even do to warrant such suspicion from Cadence? Just what was this world coming to, did I just arrive in some false paradise Mom? Oh dear, Dad would just tell me to accept things as they are to make things my own. Jeez this is just a mess, another headache for the morning I suppose. For the next several hours I tried my hardest to grasp this skill, but every turn seemed to only work against me, every thought, every piece of me was just refusing this simple skill. Was I truly talentless in this manner? Maybe I should’ve been a Pegasus or something that could’ve been better to do things than simply fail at magic....No. I can’t complain really, given the chance I think a lot of people here would want to be in my position. I have to make it up to her, whatever it takes.

In regards to this, I was just getting nowhere. She seemed patient enough but she was just annoyed at least by the furred brows and twitch in her eye. She sighed deeply, her chest going up and down “How could I get stuck with the worst magic caster I’ve seen?! This is just nigh-Impossible! You can’t even keep it off the ground for a few moments, all that happens is it breaks down and just shatters like the others, why isn’t anything working?!” I looked to the side rubbing the back of my head, mom always said I wore my heart on my shoulder and failure was never my forte’ jeez. Hearing that just made me want to crawl away even with my resolve. I simply tried again, still failing to hold it for more than a minute. She even made sure to use her little watch to keep in check.

I sighed and spoke up ”Sorry mrs, but I’m not exactly good when it comes to this. Is there any other type of magic we could practice for a while? I don’t think this is getting me anywhere. For whatever reason it seems I’m incapable of this type of magic” She sighed, once more ”You could just call me Mrs. Glimmer if that’s the case or Starlight if you prefer, I feel like we’re going to be here for quite a long time.”

This went on for some time, we had switched it up next was basic weaving magic that is enhancements or creating magical items such as scrolls or pieces of paper. It was a simple task in theory and one I was starting to enjoy a bit, I had only managed to make two scrolls that when used would send a message to anywho I desired and I decided to play a little trick, scare her a bit. Forming two messages, one that I had learned how to create messages via scrolls and two that you gave me a good teacher. I did look to Starlight, who shook her head in response: ”You are quite the troublesome student Mr. Eon, are you trying to temper the one who gave you a home? You play a dangerous game that you do but enough of this, for today I’ll at least have you marked down as having learned the basics of message magic sir. I hope you have a good day” She gave a small smile in response. I was rather surprised given her snarky if a bit rude attitude but I couldn’t help but smile in return.

I was rather surprised, later on during the day I noticed Sunset talking to someone, violet, almost like Starlight? No not too dark colored really, when I waved to her she seemed to notice, the other person quickly vanishing into another room. She smiled brightly and walked over, giving me a hug in which I returned “How’s it going sunset? How’s the quiet talk with your friend over there?” I smirked, She stuttered a bit but spoke up:

”O-oh someone yea umm......don’t worry about that! Just u-um some small talk with an old friend is all but I did hear about your new magic lessons how are those going?”

I smiled and nodded, although I was curious I didn’t want to push too hard on the subject, I don’t wanna muddy the waters.
”Well not bad I guess it’s the best word you can say, I can’t seem to levitate any objects I try but I’m somewhat adapt at creating scrolls, I was told not to but I sent a few to the Empress while she was sleeping no less I don’t imagine she’ll be too happy but I can’t help but I wanna tease my little friendly empress”

”Oh so that’s how it is huh? Tease your friend the Empress, is teasing your only goal eh?~ Oh and Your Empress huh? I guess I didn’t know the extent of your feelings until now, but I guess I wasn’t the only friend on watch~” She giggled, while I could only stutter with a blush and put my head in my hands.

”Oh Jesus, not you too....No Sunset I’m not that involved with her highness, yes I care about her and she’s my friend but not in the way, jeez first the guards and now you? I’m really starting to stressed” I sighed deeply, not only was my headache still not over but all the same nightmares still plagued me, she stopped to laugh and patted my back.

”Oh come on Eon, its just a little tease besides wouldn’t you like to be with someone like her huh? It might have more perks than you think~” She giggled, poking my cheek.

”Oh stop Sunset, she’s just my friend and hey she gave me a home and some friends. The least I can do is value you all a bit more than usual and take the time to treasure my new friends” I smiled in which she did the same, we both shook hands. But she didn’t know how to fist bump and that was something I wanted to do with her one day. It’d just be badass. I let her go shortly after we caught up, she had been learning more advanced magic from the school of the Crystal empire, they specialized in mostly emotional magic and more travel magic or even messenger magic something that was simple and that was the point. They were overlords of trade negotiations due to the sheer amount of talented magical casters in the arts of teleportation and messenger magic, they worked hard to forge these bonds and some nobles even took the fancy of cultivating images and warlocks that could produce bloodlines of amazing magical users in hopes they’d specialize in more types of magic.

***

That night I was rather surprised to hear a knock at my door, quickly filing in were several guards to which those same eyes as before, Luna. I was rather frozen if you can believe it, no gusto, not even words as I could only stutter out a reply

”Y-Your Highness I-I’m quite honored to see you this late may I ask why you’re in the Empire and in my room?” The woman before me merely nodded and motioned to her guard, they filed out of the room, she wore a similar armor to before, Pale blues coloring each piece of her armor ending in a point and though she looked to not be glaring at me I couldn’t help but feel this way.

”I see you’ve begun to learn the magic of your Empress young one, good. You’re quite the interesting human I must admit. Maybe my sister was wrong to judge you so quickly after all. But let me be clear, your mind is unbreachable to my dream magic and that intruiges me, maybe it’s because of your human mind and soul or something all the different that concerns me more” She gave no emotion as she spoke, not a single glance in another direction. I couldn’t help but merely fumble my way out of bed and keep my pajamas from falling they were rather loose lately. She looked rather confused but merely chuckled at this.

”You’re an interesting fellow, willing to bow to another Empress yet you seem to show loyalty to the one you call friend. Tell me Human, why do you seek magic? Do you seek to arm yourself as a soldier of the Empire, or are you simply looking to overthrow your “friend”? This made me angry and I don’t even know why, who was she to question me on what I felt? All I’d heard from Cadence and this interaction made me nearly confirm that suspicion, maybe they were just monsters in sheep’s clothing, acting as part of a good ruler until they wanted to confirm their true intentions.

”Ma’am...No your highness, I am not looking for power please understand I just want to survive, like any of your subjects or the ones I live with among the commoners or even nobles I just want to survive. I have no way with this life to know if things will go well or not, I have no alterior motives if that’s what you’re wondering. I just want to live a good life, maybe get home if I can and do what I can to make up to Cadence for what I’ve gotten” I steeled myself, keeping my resolve in check, trying not to anger the literal god in front of me.

From behind, I heard a snicker, as well as a scowl ”So not only do you question my friend without my knowing, but you wander into his bedchambers without any consent and break the law by acting out of your sister’s twisted ambitions and will am I right? Let me guess-” Coming into view was Cadence, she was clearly still in pajamas and they were rather revealing, but at this point I didn’t care. Business came first. She didn’t stop her rant and got into Luna’s face, the two could be seen glowing almost and glaring at the other: ”I told you the last time that any further actions were to go through me involving my friend and his progress, not only have I understood that you were spying on my kingdom but you’re looking to exploit my friend or find some way into his dreams, another round of nightmares for another tortured soul Luna?”

That seemed to tick her off more than I knew, I could only stumble back as two massive auras spiked from the very earth beneath them. A pure magenta aura clashing with a blackened and blue aura sparkling with dust akin to stardust. The Nightmares in store for me were not going to end anytime soon were they? I couldn’t help but speak up trying to throw some water at the flames:

“L-ladies if we can at least calm down first, I don’t think we want to start any international incidents at all r-right?” It seemed to only soothe the flames slightly, Cadence calmed down and sighed and so did the other before her and the two sat down to which I merely pulled up a seat to the table and sat in between the two of them more scared than I had expected.

”Let me get this straight nightmare. Did you want to simply ask him questions about his dreams? I can hardly believe such a claim, let me be frank with you in that I’ve doubted you and your sister’s actions for eons, more than I can count so please let me say that this is just a pile of shit, plain and simple. I’m ordering not as an Empress but as your ally to leave my nation, any further action against my friend in any way without my approval will see you tried as stated in our ratification treaty, you will be tried as a criminal in our Empire as anyone else. Do you understand?” The message seemed to get through to her somewhat, as the Empress nodded before her reply:

”While I find your actions questionable at best and horrendous in defense of a simple outworlder, I will never understand such actions. I know the law well Cadence, I will not tread on your territory without your proper authorization around your friend here but let me say this Human, I will see your intentions and if I find them as distasteful as my sister then you will find yourself in more trouble than you can imagine.”The words from her only seemed to anger Cadence more, but before she could reply the woman was gone as her guard bowed to Cadence and shortly left after. I let the air free from my lungs, feeling my heart race.

”Christ Cadence, next time warn me before you go all sicko mode on that Empress...Jesus...”I could only hold my head in my hands before I felt her hand on my back and I looked up to her smiling somberly:

”I’m sorry you had to see that but now I think you understand why I’m so against them as is, we may be allies in all but blood I don’t like the way they speak to you much less the way they have handled interacting with you thus far and I can only imagine what her sister will try in the near future.....”

I could only give her a small smile in response ”Cadence, you’ve handled them enough for the past few eons right? I may not be immortal or ageless like you but even I can say that without a shadow of a doubt that I’ll be ok I promise. You gave me a home, some friends, a decent teacher and things to want in this world. Maybe I’m not fully about living in a new world, but I can’t help but see them like innocent kids don’t get me wrong they are terrifying as all hell, maybe more scary than those gods I’d hear about in stories or even if those were real...I just know that they have some reason for acting the way they do around me and I wanna do what I can to survive here. By any means necessary.”

She only gave me a wry smile in response before nodding, wishing me well and hoping I had a good night I couldn’t help but look to the moon. What was their end goal really? That confused me, did her sister know this? Just what kind of world did I land into? The hours ahead would be rough with my nightmares, but hey maybe I would have something to help this one day. Maybe.

***

Time always seemed to screw with me, crap! Waking up later that night I was only sweating, Jesus what was happening with me. This time it was about home, I had gotten home and all was well and it was just some coma or some injury but the moment I saw Sunset was the moment my dream broke. Things crashed around me and fell apart at the seams, the second I did notice this I woke up. Still the same body as before, no change. Another nightmare to add to the bucket and another headache to the list. I just felt like sometimes this was the price for going to another world, nightmares, freaky god-like Empresses and not to mention the weird forms of magic and people in said world.

I groggily got myself to work, propping my back into place with a crack feeling of some small relief, I noticed I was slimmer, not any bulkier or any more muscular than normal, just thinner, made me smile a bit. Seems like all my travel and work was paying off already. Getting dressed for the day, I tried to conjure up some glow and see if my magic was somewhat operational and thankfully I could get some sparks going. Walking into the hall I noticed my new teacher, sitting in a chair next to my room she looked at me and merely sighed:

”Your sleep schedule will need some work Mr. Eon, its already afternoon after all. Now come along we begin our lessons once more, today we will be trying to hone your message magic more while we work on your levitation skills more and hopefully we’ll get some results this time” I nodded numbly, still a bit groggy and a bit irritable no breakfast but truthfully, I felt like not really eating. I was kinda hoping to see Sunset today and talk with her a little bit. Maybe after class I’d get some time.

Arriving in a different room this time, this one was next to Cadence’s and so I had to question it: ”So Mrs. Starlight, what’s the deal with this new room? And why is it close to the Empress out of everyone, don’t get me wrong she’s a good friend but wouldn’t I be working in the same class as before?”

To which she merely turned as entered ”The Empress informed me that due to security concerns she wished the room of your teachings closer to her own in case of further issues, lest someone be spying on a Unicorn with little experience I would not understand but none the less we have lessons to get to”

I nodded, for the first attempts she tried to get me to levitate bottles she had spare from the day before, luckily none shattered this time but it was rather frustrating when I made little progress, I had really hoped to make big jumps. She looked me at me and rolled her eyes ”I do hope you weren’t expecting instant results. Depending on how bad this Amnesiac condition was, we could be for a while longer than I may have expected, but these results show you’re starting to improve even if a little”

She was right after all, I didn’t expect to have some magical expertise within a few measly tries. Though I was determined to at least master this, if I could do this then what would change if I knew anything else? Maybe I could make some message pranks on some of the guards for fun...nah. Probably would get skewered for that if I wasn’t the Emperor’s friend. Or thrown in jail for interfering with an officer or pranking them, they had that sort of law on earth so it wouldn’t be a stretch to guess a magical world would have something similar. Maybe learning magic wasn’t so scary being an other worlder.

For several hours, we worked hard at trying to get me to levitate something and while I was able to somewhat levitate objects in conjunction my message magic seemed to falter completely, I hadn’t ignored it we just didn’t seem to understand why it was faltering. First was testing my levitation on larger objects, slowly but surely I was able to slightly lift some objects off the ground though the bigger the more it seemed to strain my mind. Guess humans and magic don’t mix too well. Something was definitely wrong with my magic at least to some extent and though she didn’t seem to know the answer, I had a few guesses, being human, human mind/soul, among other things as well as coming from a world where magic is just parlor tricks and nothing else.

This would go in a cycle for a while, before I decided to try something silly, levitating myself. Despite my inability to lift objects, lifting myself seemed to come almost naturally. Starlight knew it was something that some unicorns could do but it was rather strange I had picked it up quickly, maybe my natural strength as a human aided in that regard? I tried to lift myself out of my chair and while I could go about 2 feet into the air I would always lose concentration quickly, like my body was trying to force me down. Guess gravity was still a big factor even with magic.

We both agreed it would be good to take a break, she could at least see I was straining myself pretty hard, had I ever mentioned just how dull the food was? Yeah, not rich-people food, but food in general - sure, the occasional eggs and ham were good to have, but mostly they stuck to a nearly all vegetarian diet. I could almost not stomach the stuff, it was always annoying to try and chew without gagging on it, like hard food going down or something so gross like medicine. The truly tasteless stuff, maybe that was the human side of me coming out but I never liked the food here. Never would most likely.

Soon after, she would try to tell me, ”I may be your teacher, but The Empress also instructed me that I needed what she called a “Support system” or allies. I thought it best to at least get to know my students in some form before we continue, to better atune my lessons to your strengths and weaknesses” I nodded, though I was a bit confused that this wasn’t mentioned earlier, given my horrible time with magic before she probably never had the chance to talk about much.

”Well Starlight, I guess there’s not too much to know about me really, I was just a humble Amnesiac before the whole mess with the Empress and now being her Friend, its been a hell of a journey so far I’ll tell you that much, weird guards, weird Empress’s and such but nothing normal for me from what I know my past, sometimes I wish I wasn’t as involved really just a quiet life typa deal”

”Interesting wish Eon, Normally one in your position would ask for more, a house, family, friends but you truly just want to be alone? If I may, why do you want to be so alone does it not feel better to be around the friends you have here than out who knows where and left to stumble through life alone?”

”Yeah, I guess, but the thing is, I don’t know who or where my previous folks were so I don’t exactly have much to turn to after all. And to answer that question, I truly feel like less of a bother to people that way I guess. I may love my current accommodations and love to spend time with my friend the Empress and my other friend but its not like they can understand how it is to be like this. Alone. I have no memory of my home and no idea where or if it’s even still around.....”

”A-ah I see...I’m sorry. I apologize if that was rather rude, I was only wondering, Its just, well I don’t exactly get called to the Empire often from my work in the archives in the Solar empire and I may be just a librarian at heart I don’t exactly call this anything more than just fun. For the first time I get to teach something, even if you’re not great at magic I’m sure with some time and effort we can hopefully forge a new path for you, me, your friend and the Empress as one little group. We may all be different people Eon, but I hope you know your friends will only worry for you if you just up and left. Even if you knew them for what only a month now?”

We both conversed a bit more, she spoke of her best friend a nice guy named Sunburst, she hadn’t seen him in a while since his departure into the Lunar empire to study on Lunar magic of all things but she hoped he was just doing ok. He seemed like an oddball, the two of them were friends for only a while before he left for the Lunar empire but he’s kept up somewhat through letters and scrolls back and forth though it seemed to lessen as time went on. I just hoped this guy didn’t ditch her and pursue all this magic instead of a good friend.

”Hey teach, I know we haven’t known each other for the longest time but trust me when I say, if he wants and is your friend in the end he will come back, sure he may not talk to you all day but I’m sure he’s prolly thinking right now just how much you don’t talk to him and vice versa” Starlight smiled at that, patting me on the back for that.

For the remainder of our time together, we spent this time working on that levitation and trying to get me to see how long it would last and roughly it could only last a few moments with my stamina, maybe its just in my head sometimes but it felt hard even though according to starlight, Unicorns are supposed to be specially attuned to magic. It’s just a simple work around I guess, the world wanted to give me a harder time I suppose.

***

The rest of my day was an odd one, with no Sunset or Starlight or Cadence to help me somewhere. I just chose to leave the castle for the day. It was nice to get out and check out the sights truthfully. I had only seen a fraction of the city I found, using a map given to me by starlight I would rummage my way around the Large city. The city itself was massive, compared to what I had thought the original size of the city wasn’t that large compared to now, more like a small town than anything else. Though apparently, they acquired lots of territories from outside mostly through older methods long lost to time such as pilaging and ransacking areas full of resources and absorbing little city states into their land. They would hold elections and place people that wanted to unite the lands under the Empire banner as “legal” aid and then when those places went under Empire control so did the people and in time the Empire grew to amass a massive amount of land mostly rich in ore deposits and magic due to the overabundance of caves and cavern systems.

Taking my time to explore this wide Empire I wandered to a lone shop, it seemed oddly out of place. On the sign and glass windows was a symbol of magic, hats, cards, even a little rabbit they’d pull from a hat, was this the parlor tricks of this world? Odd, given how they know magic is real. Walking In I was greeted by a blue mare, wearing a goofy wizard hat on her head and baggy clothing that seemed to excenuate her body but not in a sexual manner more likely to show off than anything else. The woman looked surprised but smiled at the prospect of a customer “Ahhh welcome lovely customer! My name is Albedo Lunamoon, and this here is my little shop now who may I ask is willing to gaze into the mystical arts today?” She smiled brightly, a bit forced really.

”Oh no, sorry! I was just going around the city for a bit and stumbled around here but I’m not very good with magic Ma’am Oh! My name is Eon and I apologize for the inconvenience, I just happened to stumble upon here, may I ask what you mean by the mystical arts? Isn’t that just magic after all?”

”Oh no no my dear boy, The mystical arts refers to not just that hocus pocus posh but the true arts, sleight of hand my body now please pick just one stone from the table” She pointed using her finger at the three stones on the counter, I pointed to one and by moving not the shells with her hands but by magic, using them to move the letters around quicker than I could keep hold of. I knew I had failed when I picked the wrong one and she merely smiled with an air of pride in her tone.

”So ma’am, may I ask why you are interested in parlor tricks? Wouldn’t magic just work better for you, less sleight of hand and more likely to just be spells or weaving your magic”

”Oh my boy that’s the clever part, I see many ponies just using magic to conjure spells but how my family and I use them is less than spells but creating loopholes so to speak, we use our magic to create means that normal magic cannot abide by, say a hand full of cards and you try to pick the same card from said pile, normally you would stack multiples into the deck to ensure ponies can pick it and become more acquainted with magic. Now when I use my magic I change not just a few cards but the entire deck and if someone is wise enough to the ploy then the simple response is to change up the tactics.”

I guess I never had that though, sure people could play some tricks like on tv or in those fortune tellers who could “predict your future” and what not but what made me more amazed was how she went about it, yes it was deciteful and maybe wrong but ultimately it was more of just sleight of hand. Man, I had a ton to learn about these ponies. I even got to meet her daughter, she was around my age I think. Trixie seemed less about others and more about her “most beautiful and elegant” self, as she claimed. Strange family, but good on them. I bought a few things with the money I had from Cadence enough to keep them going for a while.

Today was quite fun so far, I’d meet a nice family of mage parlor artists and the lessons from but honestly I was quite hungry and I happened upon a little cafe, I ordered a few things here and there making sure to not buy much I wasn’t too fond of using all of Cadence’s money even if it was for me. I can’t lie when I say that I found it interesting the few things I’d seen today, maybe the world out there was worth seeing. Maybe not, those two Empressess’s scared the hell out of me, I was still worried about that person sunset was talking to and why she hid it, why I was being taught to “Defend myself”, What really went wrong with those girls all those years ago and why did Cadence truly dislike them now?

Going home after a while, I was happy to arrive and have a quick talk with her. She was surprised to hear of Lunamoon’s and noted that the father was in the Solar Empire. Last time she checked she happened to be acquainted with their daughter due to a failed performance for the royalty on all sides. This day just continued to get weirder and weirder, stuff was usually out of place but the guards seemed nicer than usual they’d call me “Sir” or “Lord” I would have to ask them quite often not to. Cadence found it funny truthfully that they did, and she called it “some sort of respect. They’d seen the lengths I would go to for my empire and being close to royalty wasn’t too hard to start calling me as such. I still didn’t like it too much but as I sit in my bed I can’t help but think of all these things, maybe if I do the nightmares will stop for a while.

End of Chapter 2

Author's Note

I apologize if this was a bit slow to update but I've been re-doing this and even at one point re-started the whole chapter and still think it could get some work done honestly. if you guys like it, then love it if you can. if you have any suggestions honestly, let me know in the comments I'd love the comments and of course any suggestions, I'm still a growing writer.