MLP : THE WANDERER

"Maid puff,"

"Yes, little master?" the maid replied with gentle warmth.

"Why can they use magic while I cannot?" the child wondered.

Maid puff gazed into her young master's eyes, her smile filled with innocence, and answered, "Because yours is dangerous"
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(First Person)
I live in a wealthy household, and when I say "wealthy," I mean the presence of butlers, maids, and extravagant parties, among other luxuries. Many might kill for my situation, but it's not as desirable as it may seem. I always find myself confined to my room in the second floor, with my only companions being the butlers and maids who bring me meals and vitamins. To an extent, I've come to view my helpers as my parents because they were the one that came when I needed someone. Now would you still kill for a life like mine?

When I entered this world, my parents were overjoyed, celebrating the arrival of their precious child. However, their joy quickly turned to concern when I unintentionally unleashed a mana of such immense power that it nearly cost a maid her life. Fearing that society might exploit me or use me as a test subject, my mother and father decided to hide me away, leading to my current situation.

Despite the seclusion, I am fortunate that my parents cared enough to arrange for a tutor. My tutor, Lumina Stardust, is a beacon of kindness. She supports and encourages me at my best, and she perseveres in teaching me even during my most challenging moments. In short, she is the best tutor one could ask for.

I asked Lumina for magic lessons, but she started with the basics. It's important to mention that Lumina graduated from Starswirl's School for Gifted Mages, and she's still learning herself.

I wore an anti-magic collar, but it didn't stop me from learning. This routine continued until I was six. And at that time I couldn't help but envy other kids my age playing outside and having fun with their friends. So, I decided to take matters into my own hands.

I knew that the butlers and maids in the mansion acted kindly, but they were mostly motivated by their own interests, hoping for promotions or pay raises. Lumina, my tutor, was different. Even though she couldn't openly teach me everything, she found ways to share her knowledge with me, and she even brought me snacks from the outside world. She was a source of comfort in my isolated year.

My escape plan began with a determined effort to remove that wretched collar, with the goal of completing every step before the break of dawn.

The collar proved incredibly resilient to knives and sharp scissors. Nonetheless, my determination remained. I knew there was no future for me in this room, and that motivated me to focus on a brighter future. Just the previous day, I had asked Lumina to teach me how to tie knots, and now I was putting that knowledge to use, fashioning a rope from clothes, sheets, and anything I could find.

With my plan in place, it was the dead of night, a time when I could work undisturbed. I securely fastened one end of the rope to the leg of my bed, using it as an anchor. As I opened the window, revealing the empty city streets with a distant metal fence blocking my path to my dreams, I began to silently pray for a successful descent.

I succeeded in escaping, experiencing the sensation of grass under my toes for the first time. It was a strange yet incredibly satisfying feeling. Surprisingly, even with my anti-magic collar, I managed to use my magic. Perhaps it was a faulty or ineffective collar, but it allowed me to create a mana scissors in mid-air, cleanly severing the end of the rope for reuse.

With a satisfying "plomp," the rope dropped to the ground, and I swiftly retrieved it. I made a dash for the fence, my symbol of freedom. Exerting all my energy, I used my magic to levitate the end of the rope mid-air, securing it to a pole just below the sharp edge. I almost fell to my knees once I ceased using my magic, but I steadied my breathing, summoning every ounce of determination to begin my climb

I had reached the top of the fence and with caution I jumped down, aware of my frail body. When I hit the pavement, the impact left me heavily bruised, rendering me nearly limp with pain.

Suddenly, a shout from inside the mansion pierced the night "Young master is gone!" I was taken aback and hobbled away, trying to blend into the darkness. I moved through the first, second, and third streets until I found refuge in an alleyway, believing I was finally safe.

My legs felt numb, and the frigid wind sent shivers down my spine. I settled near a dumpster, hugging my legs to find warmth, my body trembling in the biting cold. My vision began to blur, and my eyelids slowly drooped, despite my efforts to keep them open. Just as my eyes were on the verge of closing shut, I heard approaching footsteps and the voices of men.

"Looks like we've got another bum here," a younger voice remarked.

"Young." a gruffer voice replied. Their voices seemed to grow fainter and fainter as my consciousness slipped away.

"ᴾᶦᶜᵏ ʰᶦᵐ ᵘᵖ, ʰᵉ ᵐᶦᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵉ ᵘˢᵉᶠᵘˡ ᶦⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵘᵗᵘʳᵉ."
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My awakening took place in a stark white cell, surrounded by other kids my age. We were all gripped by fear and confusion until the moment the door swung open, revealing a group of heavily armored men whose tinted visors reflected our trepidation.

"Wakey, wakey. It's time to get up," the foremost man declared.

"W-where are we?" one of the children dared to ask.

"You'll soon find out," the man replied, stepping back and making way for a contingent of equally well-armored soldiers. They advanced with an almost wall-like precision, compelling each child to exit their cells and follow the spokesperson.

We have no choice but to follow and after turning reveals the whole of the-
"Welcome to the institution."

The underground complex a city like base buzzed with activity. People of various types populated the area, some wore collars around their necks, while others appeared to be ordinary mercenaries. Yet, it was the heavily armored soldiers, like the one guiding us, that truly stood out as they patrolled the premises.

"Listen, kids," the leader began, addressing our group, "mercenaries, soldiers, and hunters all find their home here. Our shared mission is to track down and secure the dimensional gates that periodically manifest throughout Equestria.

Amid the inquisitive gazes of the children, one of them couldn't help but ask, "What about those people with the collars?"

The man's expression grew as he replied, "Those are dangerous criminals, given a chance to redeem themselves by serving Equestria. If they complete their service without fail, their death sentences are commuted."

(Third Person)

Somewhere

Inside the room lay a massive circular table, encompassed by seven chairs, each occupied by a shadowy figure. The table's center was devoid of any obstructions, providing a solitary walkway where one person could stand beneath the feeble, central light source.

Whispers, barely audible, reverberated throughout the room, their origin obscured by the darkness. The air was thick with anticipation until, suddenly, a door creaked open, allowing a solitary figure to enter. With the door closing behind them, the room plunged back into its darkness.

The individual stepped forward, reaching the center of the room. They cleared their throat in an attempt to speak.

"Good eve-" but before they could continue, a stern male voice interjected.

"Get to the point," the voice demanded.

Stammering slightly, the spokesperson continued, "O-okay. A day ago, a child went missing, and the clearing operations only usually take in children who have been completely abandoned."

"And?" the voice inquired, its tone unforgiving.

"Y-your attention, please," the spokesperson urged. "We've taken a child from a prominent political figure's family. If any news leaks that the institute is linked to the child's disappearance w-" The spokesperson's words were cut off once more.

"What is the child's name?" inquired the enigmatic figure, his tone unwaveringly serious.

"A-anon Laire," the spokesperson replied, a tremor of anxiety in their voice.

The room erupted into chaos as the name "Laire" reverberated through the discussion. The sound of a forceful palm striking the table signaled the leader's presence, a stern expression on his face.

"The princess will not be made aware of this... I have already formulated a plan to alter the child's identity. All in favor?" The man sat, and one by one, green buttons illuminated as they were pressed, outnumbering those who dissented.

"Very well. Henceforth, the child's name shall be Ace Starfire. His background will be crafted by our experts, should the princess launch an investigation. I now declare this meeting concluded." With that, the man rose and exited through the door.
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(First Person)

How long has it been since I arrived here? The days have stretched endlessly, filled with the ceaseless torment of training, relentless bullying, and what they termed as "torture," all in the pursuit of molding us into their so called hunters.

I could have chosen to remain within the confines of that crappy mansion, but here I stand, haunted by the memory of taking a life unintentionally.

I used to get a lot of attention from the trainer, which made some other kids jealous, but that's pretty normal for kids my age, I suppose. This jealousy led to them pushing me and throwing things at me. Two days later, while I was alone in the shower, I heard footsteps, and they stopped right around me. When I turned around, I saw five of my classmates. They didn't say anything, one threw a hand at my face, causing me to fall down. They insulted me and then started kicking me. That's when something strange happened. My magic suddenly burst out, and it sent everyone around me flying. Unfortunately, one of my classmates hit his head on a hard surface, and he ended up with a serious head injury until it was too late.

As a consequence, I received a warning, and my destiny shifted dramatically. I was relocated to an entirely new division of hunters, one bearing the name {SMU}, an abbreviation for {Special Magi Unit}.

Due to my exceptional abilities, I endured a relentless training, marked by sloppy meals and minimal sleep which was worse than the previous. The focus remained firmly on magic and tactical combat training, honing my expertise in dagger handling and the swift casting of instantaneous spells.

Six cruel years passed under this unrelenting regime, leading up to the ultimate test. The division was entrusted with an S-class mission, tasked with closing a Dimensional Gate concealed deep within Big Bear Mountain. The journey spanned four hours by ground vehicle, our presence concealed behind cargo, inside darkness, patiently awaiting the moment of release.

As the cargo door swung open, the abrupt movement of one of my supposedly teammates triggered something. In an instant, their head violently exploded, sending brain matter splattering across the surroundings, and leaving their lifeless body crumpled on the floor. The stark reason for this tragic demise: desertion.

A voice from within the cargo compartment chimed ominously, "That collar around your neck serves as a bomb. Engage in any act contrary to the mission, and it will activate."

We cautiously stepped out of the cargo hold, allowing the sounds of the wilderness to wash over us. The vibrant shades of green that surrounded us were a rarity, unseen during the training. The scent of the fresh air filled my nostrils, almost bringing me to tears.

However, there was no choice but to follow the SMU leader, who guided us toward the gate. The presence of the Dimensional gate casted a sense of dread over some of our hearts, but we pressed on.

And so, my first mission began.

It was long till I was surrounded by lifeless bodies, I found myself drenched in the blood of my fallen comrades. I was the sole survivor of my group. The classification of the gate had been a disastrous error, and it cost the lives of everyone in my team. My luck had allowed me to survive, but only by killing the boss monster within.

A static voice blared into my ears, urgently calling my name, "Ace!! The Gate is closing, hurry!"

As I stood and made my way toward the gate leading back to my world, I couldn't help but pause and glance back, tears streaming down my cheeks.

Exiting the gate, I found myself the sole survivor of my division. This marked a turning point in my life, as a tattoo was etched onto my arm to symbolize my accomplishments.

As the years passed, I completed countless missions, earning recognition and privilege, but also carrying a heavy burden. The weight of my responsibilities grew grew, and after another eight years.

On this mission, my squad and I had to deal with a Dimensional gate hidden in Mount Everhoof. It was a snowy wasteland with no signs of life. The gate was concealed inside a cave that looked like it was about to collapse, but we still ventured in. To our surprise, the inside of the Dimensional wasn't what we had anticipated. After defeating all the monsters within, a voice echoed from all directions, warning that only one of us could leave. We didn't take it seriously until one of my teammates tried to step out of the Dimensional Gate and was instantly turned into dust.

The atmosphere became tense, and the realization hit us that we all desired a chance at a normal life. One by one, we made our moves, and soon everyone was drawn into a desperate struggle. In the end, I was the sole survivor who managed to escape the portal alive.

Ultimately, my choice led me to the Continental, a place where I would be judged for my actions and the consequences of my decisions.

(Third Person)
"Ace Starfire, you took the life of all your squad members for your own personal gain rather than the welfare of Equestria. Can you explain yourself?" the leader inquired.

After a moment of hesitation, Ace responded, "I yearned for freedom... I've been trapped in this place for fourteen long years, and I just wanted a chance at a normal life."

"In your defense, you craved a life of your choosing and were willing to go to great lengths to attain it," the man stated.

Various voices from the seats expressed their discontent, but everything fell silent when the leader raised a single hand, signifying his decision.

"Ace Starfire, by all accounts, your actions could have merited a lifetime in prison or even a death sentence. However, considering the extensive service you've rendered outweighs your missteps, I have made a decision. All in favor?" The man scanned the room, his gaze intense.

Green buttons illuminated, and the verdict was clear.

The circular marble floor under Ace's feet started to shape a magic circle. The leader spoke, "Ace Starfire, in this magic contract, you are bound not to harm innocent people, get involved with the institution, reveal its secrets, or betray Equestria. If the magic detects any violation, it will result in a fatal heart attack. Do you accept this contract?"

Ace replied, "I agree to this contract."

A green aura enveloped Ace, and after ten seconds, it disappeared.

"Ace Starfire, you are hereby retired, your leadership title revoked. You will be exiled from the institution. When you are released into the outside world, you will carry the status of an ordinary person... This meeting is now concluded." With that, the lights were extinguished.

(First Person)

The tires screeched to a sudden halt, and I found myself at my drop off point. A small city lay in the distance, but a primal instinct urged me to run for the nearest mountain and take refuge there, finally listening to no one's order.

Without a second thought, I turned and sprinted into the forest, ascending the mountain until I reached a clearing. There, I discarded my shoes and raced to the center of the clearing with a radiant smile. It was adorned with vibrant flowers and teeming with tiny insects. Without hesitation, I let out a gleeful laugh and plopped down, the softness of the flowers cradling my landing. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath feeling the grass and flowers hugging my skin, savoring the exhilarating sensation of freedom.

I made a decision, before I reintegrated into society, I needed to feel what true freedom is.
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(Third Person)

Two years drifted by, and in a remote river, a figure emerged from the waters. As he stepped onto the riverbank, his hair swung back, sending droplets of water cascading in every direction, conjuring a miniature rainbow in the morning light.

In the soft morning glow, his entire form was unveiled, and his body bore the traces of battles fought. Here and there, tiny scars marked his skin, a history to his journey and body transformation.

The individual made his way into a cave, and inside, he unlocked a metallic case, revealing a sleek black suit and a bold red necktie. Nearby, a collection of folders and documents lay in organized disarray.

Donning the suit, along with black slacks, he gently tied the red necktie. The sleeve of the suit nearly concealed the tattoo on his arm. Letting out a sigh, he closed the case, picked it up, and stepped out of the cave.

Determination etched across his face, he used his magical abilities and levitated himself into the air. Guiding himself toward the nearest street, he landed and waited, hoping to flag down a taxi or find someone willing to offer him a ride to [] [] [] [] .

Once more, a new journey began.

"Sir, you going to [] [] [] [] ?"

"No need for formalities. You can call me Ace. And yes I am heading towards-"

"ponyville"

______On to the next chapter