The Adventures of Arcane

by Blaze Mane

Rating: teen
Tags: Adventure, Human, Main 6, Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe, Original Character
Length: 10812

A wizard escapes trial by jumping to another realm and ends up in one filled with, ponies?

In a realm forged with magic, might and war a certain sorcerer seeks to learn as much as he can, but when the king begins to distrust his rise of strength the sorcerer decides it might be time for an adventure else where. He certainly didn't expect to arrive in one so colorful and safe, or is it?

Published 2012-10-09 00:50:01 UTC
Last updated 2012-11-11 22:55:53 UTC

Freedom is just a jump away...

In the embers of the recently destroyed dark tower stood a lone figure. He was a young man dressed in strange colored robes covered in dark purple and orange streaks. He clutched a dark oak staff carved with arcane runes of power,and a hilt of a longsword that rested at his waist, he looked over the destruction wrought before him and hummed.

"Ah,the Arcane Sorcerer there you are."
Turning the young man observed a behemoth in metal plate armor come to join him.
"How are you paladin?" the Sorcerer asked.
"Evil has been vanquished, peace restored and the kingdom is safe." The behemoth laughed heartily, "I'd say it's a grand day."
The Sorcerer nodded his agreement and continued to observe around him.
"You may as well say it." The Sorcerer huffed.
The behemoth nodded sadly, "The king himself and his council wishes to place you on trail, you skills of arcane magic worry them and they believe if they don't keep an eye on you, you may turn out to be like the warlock and another war may follow."
The Sorcerer yelled angrily. "I've risked my own life to protect these people, I've nearly given them everything and after all this they wish to throw me into a dungeon to rot for eternity or to execute me."
The behemoth waved his hands, "If it was up to me you would receive a medal and be left to your own. Don't shoot the messenger."
The Sorcerer clutched the bridge of his nose and sighed." My apologizes, my anger should be directed else where, may I have a few minutes to think to myself?"
The behemoth nodded and left the Sorcerer to give him a minute. "I'll wait down at the camp, I wish there was some other way, friend."

After the hulking paladin left the Sorcerer extended his mind and searched the tower's remains. If he could find any lingering arcane energy he might be able to transport himself far away...Of course the king's agents would try to search for him so he would have to go far, really far.
"There," the Sorcerer breathed.
Pushing aside a few fallen stones he found a small whitewash orb humming with energy, the dark warlock has constructed many of these disposable orbs to hold energy for later used, perhaps the Sorcerer could learn to as well, they where certainly useful. When he picked up the orb trials of energy shot up his arm causing him to feel a tingling sensation. He began to draw the energy out of the orb and began to focus it, lightning shot from the orb to the ground and arcane glyphs glowed as a circle began to form around him. The orb leaped from his hand and hovered before him, then the orb began to grow a bright white, the spell was almost complete.
"Sorcerer i was thinking,WHAT ARE YOU DOING"
The Sorcerer turned to the paladin and tipped his pointed hat, "Give the King my regards."
And with that, the Sorcerer was gone.

The next thing the Sorcerer knew he was face first on the stone ground. When he got up he was surrounded by, nothing. He looked around only to find the floor he stood on, a wooden door behind him and everything else was complete blackness. Finding nothing else he hesitantly opened the door, after stepping through he was in a hallway, there was doors placed evenly on each side, where the walls and ceiling should be was complete darkness. The floor was an odd smooth stone that ran in each direction for as far as the eye could see. The Sorcerer slowly waved his hand where the wall should be, there was simply nothing. The knowledge of that sent a tingle up his spine. He turned, swearing he felt something watching him.

"Hello?" The Sorcerer called out.
"Hello." a dark voice returned.
"Oh, well hello there, where ever you are."The Sorcerer searched but he could not find the speaker.
"Hello"the voice said again.
"Do you say anything else?"
"Yes."
"Where am I?"
"Look behind you."
Behind him was the same oak door, except for inscribed on it was Lyannic, his home kingdom, in the door was a relief of men, dwarves, elves and so forth.
"This is your realm from where you came." The voice lacked emotion and was eerie, "If you wish to travel to another realm open a door, at least that's what most come here to do."
"And what is this place?"
"A gateway, and little more."
"Thank you for your help," The Sorcerer waited but the voice did not reply.

The Sorcerer began looking at other doors to see what they held. Many had strange gibberish on them that made little sense and on the doors where reliefs of strange creatures many with multiple arms or covered in spikes and depicted lava or volcanoes.
"Doesn't seem like the friendliest of places," the Sorcerer continued and hoped for one that seemed more, friendly.
While many doors depicted battles and wars one was completely different. One door was labeled as "Equ-es-tria" or seemed like it, some letters had odd shapes above them and some letters looked completely different from his own alphabet and small horses ran around each other while a sun and moon where aloft about them.
"Horses?"The Sorcerer wondered aloud.
"Ponies," the voice corrected.
"How do you say the realms name? Equstian, Equinstria?..."
"Equestria."
Deciding this was probably the best he could find on short notice he opened the door and stepped through. In the blank room he entered the only thing noticeable was a circle, with an arcane triangle etched with glyphs cut into the ground.

"So how does this work, do i cast some spell or.."
"Step in the circle," the voice said.
With slow steps the Sorcerer drew nearer to the circle.
"So is this a hundred percent safe or?"
"It is." the voice said. "Step in the circle."
The Sorcerer did slowly and carefully and waited.
"Do you wish to enter their realm as a pony?"

The Sorcerer blinked a few times, it was certainly an odd question.
"Um do i keep my powers or?" The Sorcerer asked hesitantly. "Can i go as i am?"
"You will keep your abilities, if you wish to return to your current form all you have to do is think of what you looked like and I will change you there after you speak "Returnus Form". If you wish to return to the gateway say "Returnus Gateway" and I will bring you back. Should you nearly perish do you wish to return.?"
"Yes dying would be bad. I guess i can try life as a pony" The Sorcerer laughed nervously.
"Very well." The voice replied in its emotionless tone. Apparently it didn't appreciate humor. "Enjoy your journey."

The circle flared a brilliant white and the Sorcerer felt himself getting smaller his skin itched as it felt like water was flowing over him, his clothes disappeared and he was instantly covered in fur and was on all fours, the ground dissipated beneath him and he fell through it. At first he was surrounded by darkness, but then a light appeared in front of him. When he tried to walk to it he fell. After picking himself up he slowly shuffled forwards until he nearly reached the light. Stretching one of his new arms he touched the light and was pulled through it.
When he arrived at his new destination he was standing precariously on a steep hill.
"Uh oh." was all he could say as he fell forwards and tumbled down the hill.
After a lot of "oof's" and "ow's" he reached the bottom.

"Not the best way to start a new day." The Sorcerer looked about him, beside him was his trusty pointed hat, a little cloak beside it and a pair of bags.
As he tried to pick the hat up he was presented with a problem, hooves. After a few minutes of trying to grasping the hat between his front legs he managed to finally get it on his head. As he moved a hoof away he bumped something on his head.
"What's this?"
On his forehead was a black spiraled horn. The horn came to a point and looked almost menacing the way it jutted from his skull.
"I wonder what its for?" the Sorcerer asked himself.
"Magic."
The Sorcerer searched around him but couldn't find the voice. "Did you follow me?"
"No, but i can still speak with you sometimes, i suggest finding a mirror or a pond to look at yourself. Here take these."
The cloak and bags began to hover and where placed on the Sorcerer's new body.
"Thanks," but as soon as he spoke he felt the presence of the voice leave and he was left alone.

Deciding to take the voice's advice the Sorcerer began looking for a lake or a pond, and learned how to walk.
"Left, back right, back or was it front, oof!"
The Sorcerer fell into the ground, again.
"That's 15 times now, why are hooves so hard to walk with? The horses back at camp did it." He mulled over if he should ask the voice to be turned human, but he was interrupted by something approaching.

"I think i heard somepony over here here Twilight!" a young boy yelled.
Somepony? Seriously, they say that here?
"Come on Spike hurry up!" A brash sounding girl yelled.
A thicket of bushes burst open as a bright prismatic form flashed passed. And ran into the Sorcerer.
"Whoa sorry about that. But did you see how fast i was going!"
The Sorcerer looked up to see another pony with their muzzle nearly against his.
"I was pretty fast hun? Bet you didn't even see me."
"Rainbow Dash, why are you sitting on that stallion?" said a young girl.

A small group had followed in their fast paced friend's path, there was a purple pony with a horn like him, a bright pink one and a small scaled...
"Dragon!" the Sorcerer yelled as he quickly tried to shuffled back but the one who ran into him got in the way.
"Who? Spike? He isn't a bad dragon silly!" The pink one giggled. "And it looked like you where kissing him Rainbow Dash."
The pony who ran into him was cyan with a full rainbow of a mane, jumped up quickly and blushed.
"I wasn't, I just ran into him was all, sorry about that new pony." she apologized and helped the Sorcerer stand.
"Hey new pony have you seen anything suspicious? We saw a bright flare over here." The purple pony asked.
"Um no I haven't but I did see the flash earlier." he replied.
The pink pony walked right up to him, and stared at him right in the eyes, her blue iris searched his own in a soul seaching manner. She even started to growl at him with an angry glare.
"Um, hi there?"
"Hi yah!" she squealed, "Yup looks like he was telling the truth, hey you can help us look new pony!"
"That would be a great idea," the little dragon agreed. The Sorcerer still tried to distance himself from the scaled beast.
"I'm Pinkie Pie! Earth pony holder of the element of laughter!" The pink pony beamed.
"Rainbow Dash, fastest Pegasus in all of Equestria!" The cyan pony boasted. "And holder of the element of Loyalty."
"And crashing into others," The dragon laughed then puffed his chest, "I'm Spike, Twilight's number 1 assistant."
"And I'm Twilight Sparkle, Unicorn holder of the element of magic," she then asked him, "Whats your name?"

The Sorcerer felt himself start to sweat, he had to think of a name that would fit in, fast. He looked at his tail which was the dark purple of his robes and was streaked with fiery orange highlights. Assuming his mane was the same color he finished devising a name.
"I'm Blaze Mane but I go by Arcane, just your average traveling unicorn," He smiled hoping they would buy it.
"Well, I hope you plan on visiting Ponyville, we are going there after we finish looking, want to join us?" Twilight offered.
"Sure thing lead on," The Sorcerer smiled. Relieve his silver tongue had saved him yet again.

This was sure going to be interesting little adventure.

Trying to fit in

The Sorcerer followed the group as they made their way around the outskirts of Ponyville. He could see it in the distance, the town was similar to towns he had seen in his own world. Only the thatched roofs seemed cleaner, and the town had a pleasant atmosphere that seemed quite inviting.

"So what is Ponyville like?" The Sorcerer asked.
"It's the supery bestest place ever!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed.
"What Pinkie is trying to say is, Ponyville is a very friendly place. Ponies here are excepting of others and try not to judge, it's a very welcoming place." Twilight smiled."Don't worry Arcane I'm sure you can make lots of friends here, I sure did."
"So what do each of you do?" The Sorcerer continued to question.
"I'm the local librarian with Spike as my assistant, we work at the library by the center of town, it's a large tree, you can't miss it." Twilight pointed to the town, where the canopy of a tree could be seen over the thatched roof tops.
"When I'm not practicing my moves so I can join the Wonderbolts, I take care of the weather." Rainbow Dash puffed her chest in pride. "I'm getting so good I bet next time I meet them they'll ask me to join."

Guessing these Wonderbolts where some kind of popular group the young mare was a fan of, the Sorcerer nodded and turned to Pinkie Pie.
"What do you do?"
"I help the Cakes at Sugarcube Coroner and throw parties!" At her exclamation Pinkie threw brightly color confetti into the air.
The Sorcerer stood baffled, she didn't have pockets, where was she carrying that?
Spike nudged him. "Get used to it, she does stuff like that all the time."
Slowly the Sorcerer was shaken out of his shock and continued to follow them.

After the group had circled around, and they passed off the bright flash as a mystery, they started to lead the Sorcerer back to the town.
As they entered the town many of the passing by ponies turned to look at the Sorcerer, at first it seemed like they where looking at a newcomer, but a few started whispering to each other. Worried the strange voice hadn't given the Sorcerer a good enough disguise he began to get nervous.
"Um, Twilight is there a reason everypony around here is glaring at me." The Sorcerer asked worriedly.
"Hmm," Twilight thought for a moment." You look a bit like a mare that passed by town before, her name was Trixie, and your hat and cloak are a bit similar. She did caused quite a bit of trouble in town."

Pinkie Pie climbed a nearby stack of crates, and seemly out of nowhere pulled out a strange cone like device and breathed in deeply."HEY EVERYPONY, STOP STARING AT ARCANE, IT MAKES HIM NERVOUS, HES THE COLT WITH THE FUNNY HAT"
Afterward she jumped back down and turned to her friends,"That should take care of that."
Twilight, Rainbow Dash and Spike giggled to themselves while the Sorcerer grumbled,
"Thanks Pinkie, that helped a lot."
She beamed,"your welcome, I try to help my friends when ever I can."
The Sorcerer turned to Rainbow Dash."Does she not understand sarcasm?"
She shrugged her shoulders and then the group carried on.

Pinkie lead them to a building that was nothing like the Sorcerer had ever seen. The building called "Sugarcube Corner" sure lived up to it's name. The roof was constructed out of gingerbread, the accents and trim of the building looked to be covered in icing. The most notable feature was a cupcake with 3 light candles on top of the roof. The building itself looked good enough to eat. The Sorcerer licked his lips wondering what they made inside.

"Come on silly, or you'll be late to your own party!" Pinkie waved them in.
"Party?" The Sorcerer followed.
When they entered, the bright room was covered in decorations, tables overloaded with treats, and ponies waving at them. In the center of the room was a banner was strung saying "Welcome to Ponyville!"
"But how? You where with us the whole time." The Sorcerer gawked at Pinkie.
"Oh, I set it up this morning, my pinkie sense told me there would be a new pony in town to throw a party for." Pinkie waved to the party goers."Now lets throw this party into high gear!"

Small boxy like devices set on tables began to blare loud music, and the party goers began to mingle. Many greeted the Sorcerer with a "Welcome to Ponyville","Good to meet you" or "Hi new pony". The Sorcerer was amazed that they would throw him a party for little reason, let alone by simply walking into town.

"So how do you like your party?" Pinkie asked.
"It's great Pinkie, thank you very much, I've never had anypony do this for me before." The Sorcerer smiled.
Pinkie gasped,"No one ever threw you a party?"
The Sorcerer shook his head.
"Not even a birthday party?" she tried.
"I got a gift or 2." The Sorcerer shrugged. In his realm parties where normally reserved for the rich, birthday parties where small things, yet for the pink mare it seemed her world revolved around them.
"Well then," Pinkie held out a hoof, "it will be my mission to throw you as many parties as I can."
Her serious tone was broken with a giggle. "We should have parties all the time."
The Sorcerer found himself smiling even more, "I'd love that."

Spike came over to the Sorcerer and beckoned him to follow, the little dragon lead him to a table with Twilight, Rainbow Dash and 3 other mares sitting around it. Pinkie walked to the table and put a number of sweets down before joining them.
"I hope you feel welcome Arcane, these are my friends." Twilight said indicting the mares around her. "You already know Rainbow Dash and Pinkie. These are Applejack, Rarity and Fluttershy."

Applejack was an orange pony, with straight blond colored hair tied at the end, and wore a hat. Rarity was a dazzling white with vibrant purple curls and had a horn on her head, and the last one, Fluttershy, was cream colored, had wings, and had long pink hair that she hid her face behind.
"It's nice to meet you all, I'm Blaze Mane or as I like to be called Arcane." The Sorcerer greeted them.
"I must say, you choice of attire is, interesting." Rarity looked at him with a critical eye.
Before the Sorcerer could reply three high pitched voices cried,"Rarity!"
Three tiny ponies walked up to the group oblivious to the fact they where interrupting.
"We tried cleaning the boutique to get out clearing cutie mark and it didn't work." one of the ponies, a white one with a swirled pink and purple mane and horn pouted to Rarity. "You said it would work big sis."
"I said it may work, still your help." Rarity shudder, "is appreciated."

One of the ponies, an orange coated pony with purple hair and tiny wings looked at the Sorcerer then pointed,"Wow look at that cutie mark."
"Scootaloo it isn't polite to point." Rarity scolded.
"What's your cutie mark story?" The final one asked, she was cream colored,and had red hair that was tied in a bow.

It was then the Sorcerer realized something, he passed off the marks on the ponies' flanks as some kind of tribal markings, but now saw that each pony had a unique one but these little fillies. He had no idea how one acquired it.

"Perhaps one of you would like to share?" He asked the mares, "I'm not really one to put myself on the spot."
"Well partner, when I heard somepony lookin' like Trixie came to town I thought they'd be stirring up mischief, but I reckon your quite more behaved, I don't mind sharing." Applejack then cleared her throat. She told her story about leaving home to go to Manehatten, where she realized she wasn't happy. A rainbow had pointed back to Ponyville where she realized Ponyville was her home, and where she belonged. She then showed her side where 3 red apples where.

While it was a touching story it didn't help the Sorcerer out of his dilemma, luckily Rainbow Dash butted in, and told her story. Her story told of her time at summer flight camp where see went so fast it turned into a sonic rainboom which was felt across Equestria. She said her cutie mark showed her serious need for speed and her love of flying. Her cutie mark was a cloud with a rainbow color lightning bolt sticking out of it.

The Sorcerer was begin to get an idea of how it worked, Twilight told her story, how a large burst of magic showed her skill for magic which was so great the Princess herself took her on as a personal student, and showed her flank that had a multi-pointed star surrounded by others. That was it, magic!
The Sorcerer looked a his flank which had a large arcane magic rune that looked like an A without the center piece, and had a fiery star background. The Sorcerer thought of when he first discovered his talent for the arcane arts, and changed the story a bit to make his "cutie mark" story, the best part was he wouldn't be lying to them, after all its how he discovered his talents.
"Well when i was younger," the Sorcerer began, instantly the three tiny ponies where hooked on his every word. "I was in a clearing by my home. I had seen somepony else using magic and wanted to know how to do it. I tried the simplest thing he had done, which was levitate objects. I tried to levitate a rock, I tried with all I could, but it wouldn't budge. I tried for an hour without success and grew hopeless. I picked up a stick and tried to believe it would help me lift it or something. I pointed at the rock and tried again, all of a sudden the rock began to rise, I was so amazed I tried to make it rise higher. Turns out I put so much energy into it the rock burst into flame." The Sorcerer raised his hoof, "it was amazing, but then the stick I was holding burst into fire." The Sorcerer then cringed, "Then the field lit on fire," The Sorcerer then brought the hoof to his chest. "Then I kinda, lit on fire."
The little ponies where awestruck listing to him.
"Anyways," the Sorcerer coughed. "Morle of the story is, don't try anything crazy without supervision, I wasn't allowed to even think about magic till i had a group of others holding buckets of water nearby."

The Sorcerer turned to the mares and the dragon hoping to see a positive response. Instead they where trying their best not to laugh. Rainbow Dash fell out of her chair and clutched her gut as she laughed as hard as she could, her friends followed suit.
"Partner i got to say, that is one of the best cutie mark stories I've ever heard." Applejack held her hat over her mouth trying to stop herself from laughing.
"Wow, I don't think I've ever managed to set myself on fire with magic," Twilight giggled.

The Sorcerer grabbed one of the sweets Pinkie had bought and began to eat one. While his eyes glared at them, his mouth was smiling. They had bought it, hook, line, and sinker.

After they had all said goodbye at the conclusion of the party, Twilight, Spike and the Sorcerer where walking together.
"So Arcane, where will you be staying tonight?" Twilight asked.
"Well I don't really have the funds to stay in a inn," the Sorcerer made a mental note, he didn't have any of these ponies type of money at all! "I'll probably just camp by the outskirts of town."
The Sorcerer walked a few more paces till he realized he walked alone.
Turning he saw an angry Twilight which frightened him. What did he say wrong?
Twilight's horn glowed and The Sorcerer found himself surrounded by a pinkish-purple aura and was lifted into the air. So that's how they use magic.
"If you think I'm going to let my new friend sleep in the forest you'd be wrong mister!" Twilight lectured harshly, "If your that desperate you can sleep on the floor at the library."

The infuriated mare trotted through town as the sun descended, luckily nopony was around to watch this embarrassing experience. Like she had said earlier, the library was near the center of town, and it library itself was inside the tree.
The Sorcerer smiled, "oh magic, is there nothing you can't do."
Twilight huffed as she opened the door.
That's right, help you save your skin from an angry woman. The Sorcerer thought.

When they entered the library Twilight released her hold and placed the Sorcerer on the ground.
"I'll go get the guest bed ready, the bathroom is over on the left." She then rubbed her neck, "Guess I snapped a little at you."
"Oh it's fine," The Sorcerer smiled, glad she was in a much better mood, then followed her instruction.

The bathroom was far different then any he had seem, but the Sorcerer perked up when he saw a mirror hanging on the wall. He slowly walked to mirror to be greeted with his new face. The first thing he noticed was the orange-red eyes that stood out against his black coat. They where incredibly large too, well all the ponies had big eyes. There was a line of dark gray on either side of his muzzle, it ran from his nose to just under his eyes. The Sorcerer lifted off his dark grey, orange streaked "wizards" hat, and moved it away. On his forehead was a black spiraled horn, his mane was dark purple with the fiery orange streaks running through it. His bangs where just above his eyes and ran down his neck a decent length. He looked critically at a hoof, it was all black like his coat but around the very bottom of the hoof it was dark grey, similar to that of his muzzle.
If the Sorcerer had to choose one word to describe his new pony body it would be,
"cute"
Normally he would hate to be described that way, but he was now a little pony. A cute little pony.

"I think it is fitting." the voice eerily spoke.
"How long have you been here?" The Sorcerer blushed. It stood stark in contrast to his dark complexion.
"A few minutes, seems you have a new lady friend, eh?" Great now the creepy voice was cracking jokes.
"You seem much more lively, and she's just a friend." The Sorcerer replied hastily.
"Yes, the gateway drags me down a bit, when I'm observing my travelers I feel, different." the voice spoke. "Regardless, how fare your travels, do you remember the words to return and such?"
"Yes, I remember," The Sorcerer spoke to the mirror continuing to look at himself. "And quite well, it's just, I don't know how anything works here."
"Your in a library, learn their language, its similar to yours, then read the books."
"No," The Sorcerer said, "Like, I mean, right here."
The voice paused before it realized what the Sorcerer meant. "Oh..."

After a brief lesson in bathroom etiquette the voice said goodbye and left the Sorcerer alone. After completing his business and washing his hooves in the sink the Sorcerer was quite impressed with the technology of the ponies, perhaps they surpassed even the dwarves!

After finishing the Sorcerer did one final thing, he checked to see what was inside the bag. He tried to use magic as Twilight did, but found it very difficult. He tried to "throw" his focus to his horn. It light up in a iridescent dark orange glow, the bag was enveloped in the same glow, but when he tried to move it he suddenly felt a pain. His horn flared then the light died, but in the brief period he had managed to slip it off, and onto the ground.

The bag was dark brown and seemed to be made of canvas, it had very enlarged buckles that even hooves could use, and soon the Sorcerer was looking inside. He found a short staff, or maybe "wand" would be the correct term, the wand was basically a miniature version of the staff he carried before. There was a wrapped cloth, inside was his enchanted longsword only now it was a shortsword, the grip was shaped and enlarged it seemed like a pony could carry it in their mouth, but the Sorcerer saw little need for the weapon currently, so he wrapped it back up and placed back in. The last thing was a clasped spellbook. His spellbook, it contained most of his powerful spells and notes. The Sorcerer placed a hoof on the book an enjoyed the charged sensation running through his body, the powerful spells echoed through him. The feeling could become addicting and the Sorcerer didn't have the time to look through its pages, even a quick look so he tucked it back in the bag. He also put in the dark grey cloak with purple runes into the bag as well.
The Sorcerer tried again to use magic to lift the hat, but to the same result as before.
"Baby steps," the Sorcerer grimaced, he hoped he didn't have to relearn how to use magic. Instead of trying again he picked up the bag, with the hat in his mouth, and went to see if Twilight was done.

Twilight had gotten out a spare bed for him in her room and let him put his things beside the bed. After they both said goodnight the Sorcerer layed down in the comfortable bed and drifted of to sleep. Not only had he meet a new race he was now befriended with some, even one that had a connection to the local monarchy, and they all thought he was a regular old pony. The last thought unsettled him a bit, perhaps he could stay this way, or maybe soon he would tell them. Satisfied with that he let slumber over take him, and rested better than he had ever before.

Queen takes Bishop (part 1)

The Sorcerer squinted as his eyes where assaulted by some unknown enemy. He quickly flipped off the bed, and looked towards his new adversary, he was greeted by a pair of blinds fluttering in the breeze. The Sorcerer scolded himself, Ponyville had to be the safest place he had ever been in. After a few calming breaths the Sorcerer looked to Twilight's bed to find it empty. Taking a quick glance to the window, the Sorcerer realized it had to have been mid morning.

The Sorcerer went to the main lobby of the library, and looked around for any sign of the purple mare or even the vicious little dragon. On the central desk was a open letter, curiosity getting the better of him the Sorcerer decided to take a glance. The letter took time for the Sorcerer to understand, he was sure Twilight had said she would be gone for the day, and the Sorcerer could read all he wanted to. Or at least in theory, many of the letters where similar while others were strangely different.

The Sorcerer looked around the spacious library, walking to a bookshelf he took a book at random. When he opened it he recoiled. The book was in tiny print that seemed to swim in small squiggly black lines. The Sorcerer placed the highly advanced tome back and decided to look else where.

After a few minutes of searching the Sorcerer found a section of brightly colored books filled to the brim with childish cartoons. Though degrading the Sorcerer selected a few and placed them around a cushion. He began to read the books slowly finding similarities in their respective languages, and actually began to enjoy the books. Many had cheesy plots and silly characters,as the Sorcerer read he began to understand the words more clearly. After reading yet another silly book with only a few stops to decipher the words, the Sorcerer took another crack at the letter.

Dear Blaze Mane, or "Arcane"

I was asked by a few Canterlot professors at the Royal Academy to give a lecture. I won't be back till the evening, Feel free to read any books in the Library or explore town. I found a few extra bits before leaving that I left on the kitchen table, feel free to get a snack in town. I hope to be back soon.

-Twilight Sparkle.

The Sorcerer had to pause a few times to gain a bit of understanding, but when he finished he was touched by the generosity of these ponies. He hadn't even known them for a full day and they where treating him like a member of their own family. He felt like maybe he could at least try to return the favor.
The Sorcerer was interpreted from groaning by his own stomach.

The Sorcerer had found a few vegetables on the kitchen table as well as a small pouch filled with a few yellowish coins stamped with the words "1 bit". After eating the healthy meal the Sorcerer took the pouch to the bedroom and put it in his bags. For the next few minutes the Sorcerer wrestled with the cloak, hat and bag to all aline on his body properly. After a few frustrated attempts to utilize magic with limited success the Sorcerer finally had himself dressed.

The Sorcerer left the Library around noon. He had to squint his eyes to the dazzling display of colors as ponies walked around town. The Sorcerer looked until he recognized one of the mares from yesterday trotting pass.
"Fluttershy." The Sorcerer called.
The mare jumped to face him, "Oh, hi Arcane."
"Where are you going?" The Sorcerer asked.
"Just to the market." She said, hiding behind her mane. "I'm getting some food for my animal friends."
"Perhaps I could help." The Sorcerer offered.

The mare smiled and lead him to the center of Ponyville where many vendors were selling their wares to eager customers. Many of the stalls sold only 1 or 2 specialty items which seemed a little odd to the Sorcerer. But he accepted that not everything here would make a lot of sense. Fluttershy timidly lead him to a stall that had 3 very large,gruff earth ponies selling heavy bags of food.
"I would like to buy a few bags of feed." Fluttershy nearly whimpered.
"What was that? You need to speak up!" One of the burly stallions huffed, but was silenced by another.
"She's hear to buy some feed like always." The second stallion turned to her. "That will be 20 bits."
"Oh my, it was 15 last time, and that's all I brought." Fluttershy said worriedly. "I'm afraid I don't have enough."
"Then have a nice day," The stallion turned, before he left the Sorcerer spoke up.
"Do you like wagers?"
The larger earth ponies all turned to him with harsh glares.
"Whats the wager?" They spoke.
The Sorcerer thought, then smiled. "I happen to be in possession of a few bits myself. If you can solve a riddle even a young filly could answer we will pay you 30 bits, but if we win we get it for 10 bits."
The stallions huddled,and in hushed voices spoke amongst themselves. When they where done the largest stallion shook the Sorcerer's hoof. "Deal."
The Sorcerer spoke. "You have a minute to answer this riddle, and each one of you gets 1 answer. What building has the most stories?"

The stallions stood dumb founded, they turn and spoke to each other again, one of them asked.
"Can we have another minute."
The Sorcerer nodded and let them continue to converse. When they seemed to reach a decision they all turned with a large smile on their face.
"I'm from Manehatten myself and no building has more stories than the Equestrian state building." The stallion smirked. "That will be-"
"Wrong." The Sorcerer snapped.
The stallions shook their heads in disbelief.
"The Royal castle?"
"Try again." The Sorcerer replied. "You have one here."
"Is it the Ponyville dam?"
"Nope, and that's your final guess." The Sorcerer couldn't believe they hadn't guessed it. "Its a library."
Two of the stallions where enraged but the biggest laughed heartily. "I guess a filly could get that one. That will be 10 bits please, just as we promised."

After Fluttershy paid the biggest stallion the others angrily dropped the bags of food on the Sorcerer's back in spite. After assuring Fluttershy he could manage the Sorcerer followed her outside the market where Applejack and a bulky red stallion where talking. The big stallion trotted over and took the bags from the Sorcerer's heaving corpse, and lightly tossed them unto the cart.
"You alright there partner?" Applejack asked.
"Well I just carried those for quite a ways so I'm a bit winded," The Sorcerer began, but Applejack rolled her eyes and pointed to the stall not even 20 yards away.
"It wasn't balanced very well." The Sorcerer defended weakly.
"Yuuup." The stallion replied, then left.

After saying goodbye the Sorcerer went to explore the rest of the town to see what else he could discover. A silvery glint of light caught his eye, when the Sorcerer looked he could have sworn he saw an armored pony duck into an alley. The Sorcerer shook it off as his own paranoid imagination.

While the Sorcerer walked in the less populated area's of town he was interrupted by a toll of bells. Out of a nearby bright red building young ponies where sprinting out of. A group of these ponies charged in his direction, in the center was the three fillies from yesterday.

"Hi ya Arcane," The creme colored redhead waved. "Its us, Applebloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie bell!"
"Can you show us some magic?" They begged.

The Sorcerer quickly though, he could barely move things, how could he preform any magic? The voice had promised his skills would be unaltered, yet that seemed far from the case. The Sorcerer scratched his head when he remembered something! His hat had a very basic enchantment on it, if it still worked.
"Alright just give me a minute." The Sorcerer brought the wand out of his bag and placed the hat on the ground. As he prepared himself a group of fillies and colts gathered to watch eagerly.
The Sorcerer managed to use his magic to hold the wand, which felt much easier than any other task he had attempted. He lifted the wand and taped the wide brim selves times and cried. "Sol Pila!" Then lifted the hat, and held it upside down.

At first nothing happened, and the young ponies began to lost interest until one cried. "Look!"
From the hat arose multiple, multicolored orbs, they shone and floated lazily away from the Sorcerer. Gingerly the fillies and colts tried to touch them, when they did the orb would darken, then pop in a bright flash of smoke, then two smaller orbs would be left. The little ponies began cheering as they chased the orbs around. When the orbs would finally land or become too small, they popped one final time, and vanished. The Sorcerer continued making more, until the little ponies tired. It was a simple spell, commonly called "wizard lights" they were an easy spell to manufacture and the Sorcerer was glad his gamble had paid off.

Parents had shown up to retrieve their little ones, but let them play for a bit longer. One such mare was playing with her daughter. She was grey, with blonde hair and bubbles for a cutie mark. She lead her daughter around and popped as many orbs as she could. When she turned in the Sorcerer's direction he was quite confused. Her gold colored eyes where in complete opposite directions, yet still she managed to pop more than any filly or colt with normal vision.

"You would be the new pony in town?" A gruff voice said behind the Sorcerer.
Turning, the Sorcerer meet 2 armored ponies, one was a white unicorn in gold armor with an electric blue mane, the other an ashen grey pegasus with silver armor, and a lavender mane.
After the Sorcerer nodded, the pegasus continued. "There is a Royal competition in town today and all unicorns are invited to attend."

But the tone in the Pegasus's voice told the Sorcerer another story, it wasn't an invitation, it was a demand.

Queen takes Bishop (part 2)

The pegasus behind the Sorcerer gave him a shove and told him to hurry up, the two guards where behind him and continuously pushed him to a faster pace. As they neared the center of Ponyville the Sorcerer saw a large crowd had formed. The unicorn guard walked ahead and moved ponies to the side on account of "Royal" business. As they reached the center the pegasus gave him a shove, the Sorcerer landed sprawling in the dirt. Shaking himself off the Sorcerer stood up and was face to face with golden shoes and white fluffy trunks. Confused the Sorcerer looked up and staggered back.

Standing in front of him was the tallest pony yet, the pony was pearly white with a tinge of pink, upon its flank was a sun. It had large graceful wings and a long spiraled horn. On top its crown was well, a gold crown, as well as other gold accessories elsewhere on its body. Its mane was an array of colors lazily drifting in a nonexistent wind.The pony had a slim smile but its magenta eyes where not amused.
"So this would be the new pony you spoke of?" A majestic feminine voice chimed nearby.
Shifting his gaze the Sorcerer saw another pony similar to the other, this one was slightly shorter and was darken colors, her coat was a dark sapphire and had a crescent moon upon her flank, while her mane was a dizzying display of stars and the night sky, on her body was silver and black accessories.
"This is my new friend Arcane," Twilight cheerfully stepped around the two tall ponies. "Arcane these are the Princesses, Luna and Celestia."
The darker was Luna and the lighter Celestia, but while Twilight was happy to see the Sorcerer, the princesses where not.
"Twilight," Celestia began with a silken voice,"Do you not need to organize the contest?"
Twilight levitated a scroll thicker than her neck and began to unroll it,"Everything is ready but if you want we can triple check the list." She smiled happily at the Princess.

Celestia's eyes stopped glaring at the Sorcerer as she tried to find a way out of this new predicament. "I trust in your skills, I'm sure everything is ready, and well prepared"
Twilight clearly pleased hugged the Princess then left saying "Good luck!" to the Sorcerer.

Princess Celestia smiled as her student left but leaned over to the Sorcerer and spoken in a chilled tone."If you try anything on her you will never see the light again."
If it was not for the fact the Sorcerer recently obliterated legion after legion of horrendous shadow demons he would be terrified. Well he was a bit, but mustering his courage he shot back. "How would she react if she knew her Princess was throwing empty threats to her new friend."

They locked eyes for but a moment, the Sorcerer knew he was outnumbered but could hold his own, the Princess knew what ever this creature was she could hold it at bay but its lack of fear unsettled her.
"I rather not start a commotion, I tire of fighting." The Sorcerer whispered.

Princess Celestia stood to her full height and spoke to the crowd, "Shortly we will begin our contest, the winner will receive a selection of prizes, ranging from a trip to Manehattan, Las Pegasus, or to the newest show of the Wonderbolts..."
The Sorcerer perked his ears, wasn't this the group Rainbow Dash was a fan of?
"...As well as a large sum of bits."

The crowd stopped their hooves and cheered, guards began ushering contestants to elsewhere in town, before the Sorcerer was herded both Princesses grinned and mouthed "Good luck," but the Sorcerer didn't feel lucky at all.

In the Ponyville park the contestants gathered, Twilight and few other unicorns in fancy attire sat at a bench labeled "Judges", the Sorcerer gave himself a satisfied smile for having no trouble reading now, his self praise was cut short by the same guards from earlier jostling him.

The Sorcerer lined up next to a dozen unicorn who shifted excitedly. A sea foam green mare beside him bounded excitedly, she turned to Sorcerer saying, "I can't wait, I really think I have a chance to win!"
The Sorcerer cocked an eyebrow. "Oh? Do you know these other unicorns?"
The mare nodded excitedly, "I'm Lyra Heartstrings by the way, now the other ponies are..."

Lyra briefly described each one down the line, most where average citizens and at most levitated household objects, most of the local more powerful unicorns weren't in the competition, such as Rarity and Twilight Sparkle. Lyra described that most of these competitions got unicorns to levitate a couple of varying objects and to manipulate them, which she believe she was quite good at, or sometimes to perform spells in a time trial against others ponies.

The Sorcerer soaked up the information gauging the others in the competition, while he disliked getting thrown in like this he did enjoy a good match against other magic users, something he didn't get to enjoy too often back home.
"Do you think your going to win?"
The Sorcerer realized that Lyra was talking to him again. "I can certainly try."
The mare thought, and held her hoof out. "Say want to make a deal?"
The Sorcerer waited for her explanation.
"If we make it to semi-finals and we are against each other we can let the better one win without any trouble. We then split the prizes, first place gets to pick three things, so say we pick an item we both want and then split the bits?"
Lyra pointed to herself, "Me and Bonbon wanted to head up to Canterlot, so that can be one of them, what do you want?"
The Sorcerer thought of the prizes the Princess had named, he had spaced out so he missed a few but the only one he knew about was the Wonderbolts, besides he could pawn them off to Rainbow Dash for even more money.
"The Wonderblot tickets, I go by Arcane." The Sorcerer shook hooves with Lyra sealing their deal.

As the competition began each pony was evaluated one at a time, the Sorcerer being on the end of the line was obviously going last.
"Hey, Arcane." Somepony whispered.
The Sorcerer looked around for the source.
"Blaze Mane!" The pony hissed above.
The Sorcerer looked skyward to see a cloud right above him. Out of the cloud he could see Rainbow Dash's face.
"Can I ask you something?" Rainbow Dash practically begged.
"Shoot."
"Please, please, please, pretty please try to win those Wonderbolt tickets, If you get them I'll pay you back as soon as I can, those are the last two tickets to their latest show and there won't be anymore till next year!"

"Who's in there!" A guard noticed the cloud and thrust the butt of his spear into it, before it made contact Rainbow Dash burst out and landed hidden among the crowd. The guard now annoyed looked at the Sorcerer who shrugged and faced forwards.

Lyra was now being judged, she lifted a dozen smooth stones with magic and by the judges instructions rotated them in different series of orders and patterns raising some and lowering others. She then spelled out here name one letter at a time. The judges where pleased by her demonstration and placed her in the competition.

When it was the Sorcerer turn a small commotion happened in the group and a large white unicorn in purple armor stepped out. He walked to the judges and spoke to Twilight, she got up and he replaced her. The new judge spoke to everypony.
"It would be unfair to let this pony have an advantage for him, so as Twilight's brother, and captain of the guard, I Shining Armor, am more suited to judge him."

The Sorcerer ears dropped, what ever horrible being was in charge of his life and well being sure enjoyed making it a living nightmare.

While the other contestants got to play with little rocks he got a half ton block of steel dropped in front of him. When it landed it rocked the nearby area and sunk several inches into the ground.
"We want you to move this, and you can't use direct force from yourself." Shining Armor grinned. The task was virtually impossible.

Enraged by this downfall of luck the Sorcerer threw his saddlebags down, then flung the spellbook to the ground, shattered the clasp with the impact, flipping the pages the Sorcerer found the desired passage and begun to chant, his horn flared dark orange. Beside the steel a circle of power bloomed and the earth began to shudder, the skies began to darken and ponies watch stunned ans they felt the powerful magic bloom.

Before anypony could react a stone appendage burst from the ground, then another and a great beast ripped itself from the ground, the creature was forged in iron and stone, upon its head was the likeness of a great helm which sparked with fiery power in its eye slots and the creature grumbled. The stone and iron being stood on two legs. It had to arms with grasping gauntlets and was bulky. It stood stark still like a statute, waiting for instruction.
"Golem!" the Sorcerer beckoned to the creature. "Move this to the other side of the clearing."

The golem grumbled and followed the command, it grabbed the block and lifted it with ease, with a few thunderous steps the golem placed the block down in the desired location then returned to its origin. With a wave of the Sorcerer's horn the golem changed back into soil and returned seamlessly to the ground.

Silence permeated the air as the ponies took in what had happened, after nearly a minute of awkward silence came a cheer.In the crowd came a small group of cheering, afterwards everypony cheered and stomped amazed at the Sorcerer solution.

Shining Armor's jaw was nearly hitting the table till he shook himself out of shock and quieted the crowd.
"Welcome to the competition."
The cheering resumed and the Sorcerer scanned the crowd, his new friends cheered the loudest, he had a feeling they started the applause, the Sorcerer then found the Princesses glaring at him, standing just behind his friends. The Sorcerer returned the hard look.

They had him, while the other ponies believed he was another pony the princesses knew differently, and after all this they would stop at nothing to find out what he really was.

Revelations

The competition continued, pony after pony was placed against the other, most where tests of endurance, skill, or dexterity. Lyra breezed through most of her's but the Sorcerer had no such luck. In his competition they had to lift a kitchen set and hold it above the ground, his opponent was the owner of quills and sofas, this was something he did everyday. The Sorcerer had to use all of his focus just to keep the spell on the desired objects, he almost dropped a few but continued none the less. While the other unicorn had practice he did not have the endurance the Sorcerer did. After almost 9 minutes he dropped the coffee table, the china set followed and finally he gave up and dropped the rest.
While the Sorcerer's kitchen set had constantly wobbled in the air they never where lowered till he was told too. The Sorcerer rubbed his head, a splitting headache had began to form. The Sorcerer continued none the less, but what he didn't like was how the guards and the princesses where watching him, constantly.

"Wow Arcane that was great," Twilight said behind him.
The Sorcerer jumped, he hadn't heard the mare sneaking up behind him, what bothered him truly the most is how all of his new friends where oblivious to the distrust being directed at him. "I didn't hear you coming here, sorry I'm a little phased out."
Twilight levitated a tray with a few glasses of lemonade and offered it took him. Gingerly the Sorcerer used his magic and picked up the glass, it travel seamlessly to him.
It seems something good actually came out of this whole mess.

"Semi-finales! Calling all contestants to the field!" An announcer cried over the crowd.
Ponies began to form a circle so the contestants could be in the center. The Sorcerer huffed, downed the lemonade and after thanking Twilight ran to the circle. When he arrived there where a few other unicorns, Lyra, a white pony named Vinyl Scratch and lastly Doctor Stable, a local doctor. The Sorcerer lined up next to them, and waited for instruction.

Princess Celestia stood in front of the assembled unicorns, she nodded to each one, which in turn they bowed. When she reached the Sorcerer she gave a cold stare which the Sorcerer returned.
"Well done my little ponies, your skills of magic are excellent and i wish you luck in the finals." The Princess spoke, she then placed a letter in front of each pony. " That is if you feel it is necessary. This is a prize for reaching the finals, if any of you wish to retire now you may."

The Sorcerer opened his to find the Wonderbolt tickets and a note for the local bank for a withdraw he could make of a 1500 bits, the letter said "There isn't a point anymore you can end this. We have what we need."

The other unicorns thanked the princess dearly and exclaimed the prizes they had won. The others won what they wanted and each resigned. When the princess looked to the Sorcerer she was surprised, he stood still waiting.
"Is there something you wish? Did you not revive what you entered for my little pony?"

The Sorcerer grinned,"No, I came for a contest and wish to have a finale."
Celestia called to the judges, "Shining Armor would you wish to compete against this pony?"
Shining Armor stood."I would on one condition, if he loses I get his prizes."
The Sorcerer laughed,"and if I win, diplomatic immunity."
Celestia mulled over the request before granting it, she left the field, the two stallions faced one another. For one big showdown.

A magic duel, they made it a magic duel. The Sorcerer didn't even know ponies had the ability of aggressive spells. At least Shining Armor sure did. The Sorcerer threw up another arc of energy stopping another of Shining's spells. The stallion had sent wave after wave of energy bolts trying to hit Arcane. With a stroke of luck the Sorcerer managed to cast a walling spell that used energy and put it up as a solid wall. The energy absorbed the bolts and then shattered leaving the Sorcerer defenseless. At least it was a simple spell to replicate, and knowing only a single combat spell he spammed the spell as much as he could.

"Try using your fire Arcane!BUT DON'T YOU DARE HURT MY BROTHER!" Twilight called.
The Sorcerer saw now why Celestia chose Shining Armor, he was well trained, powerful, and the brother of his new friend whom he wished not to alienate himself to.
The Sorcerer was thrown back as a bolt slipped past his defenses and struck him. It burned his coat and shocked him harshly. In the nick of time he blocked another wave of bolts as he tried to buy more time. He was beginning to run out of options and instead tried an aggressive stance. Fusing a large amount of energy in his horn he focused on the area around Shining and sent a wave of magic to it. Detecting the flow of magic Shining jumped back and none to soon. The grass lit on fire, a large woompf sound echoed as the a fireball was sent skyward. When the smoke cleared the Sorcerer was dismayed to find Shining not even a little toasty, but the stallion had paused in his assault and had a bubble like shield around him.

"Come on now, can't take a little heat?" The Sorcerer jeered.

An energy bolt missed his jaw by an inch, quickly he evaded another set of attacks and returned to the defense game. Quickly the Sorcerer was being pushed back, while he and Shining had tremendous magical endurance the Sorcerer simply couldn't return the attack, he was pushed against a wall of magic signaling one edge of their dueling area. Shining lit his horn and sent billows of smoke to surround the Sorcerer. Before the smoke encased him, he saw Shining draw a blade from his side and charge the smoke. The Sorcerer used his magic to retrieve his own blade, but not trusting his questionable reliability with telekinesis he clutched the blade in his mouth.
The stallion jumped from the smoke and sent his blade down into a deadly arc, the Sorcerer caught his opponent's blade in the cross-guard with his own bladed edge and the swords where stuck. Shining used his telekinesis to force the Sorcerer's blade down but couldn't. The Sorcerer grinned madly while still holding the blade. Slowly he pushed against Shining and the stallion began to sweat, realizing it was folly to continue the stallion backed away and one of his knees buckled. The Sorcerer enchanted blade glowed with the magic it had absorbed and the Sorcerer dragged the magic into himself rejuvenating his body. By now the smoke cleared and both stallions faced off again.

"Quite an interesting draining spell, wasn't expecting it, didn't even know you could use magic." Shining smirked.
"Maybe when your older and at the level of an apprentice I could teach you some real magic." The Sorcerer spat around the sword, which didn't distort his speech to much.

Shining sent another bolt of energy at him, swing the sword the Sorcerer caught the bolt with the blade redirecting it back at Shining Armor, caught by surprise the stallion staggered backwards. Quickly Shining used his shield spell as the ground around him ignited. The area continuously burned in bright blue and orange flames, ponies oohed and ahhhed as the flames leaped higher and higher. With a burst of magic Shining teleported himself behind the Sorcerer and caught him in the back with a bolt. The Sorcerer was flung head over heels, or hooves in this case, a good distance. His headache was now a full blown migraine, his vision swirled as he could barely make out Shining trotting to him. With a heave of magic an arm broke out of the ground and caught Shining's ankle. The arm threw the pony back. The ponies watched as another being got out, this time instead of a golem it was a shadow made chitinous creature.
The being was larger than a pony, it stood on two thin lithe legs, had bat-like wings and had two curved horns on its head like a minotaur. The creature stared down the ponies with four red eyes, its fanged mouth screeched while it arced skywards as it searched for its summoner. It had oddly shaped legs that curved back on its self and ended in sharp hooked claws, the thing also had very long arms that ended in sharp claws. All in all, a monstrous creature that was from hell.
The monster spotted the Sorcerer and helped him to his hooves, then crouched at his level waiting for instruction.
"Imp, keep Shining busy as I nurse this migraine." The Sorcerer rubbed his swollen temples as the world continue to spin.

Shining launched a volley of bolts at the imp, but to no effect. The bolts burst or deflect off the creature as it laughed. It launched itself at a deadly speed and caught Shining in his side. The stallion smacked his head off the ground and his muzzle was stained in dirt and blood. The imp rolled a hefty scroll in one of its grasping claws and stared down Shining, when the stallion attempted to attack the imp smote him across the nose and screeched in its alien tongue some kind of scolding. It then ripped roots out of the ground and cast a spell on it. The roots transformed into a bright pink jesters cap, which it placed on the stallions head. After laughing at the stallions predicament the imp jumped back in the ground and disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

The Sorcerer was surprised to hear laughter emanating from the crowd, normally only he found the imps funny while his allies said prayers to ward off their "unholy presences" in truth the imps where terrible demons, well terrible at being bad like a demon should be, they mostly played jokes on people with hilarious antics. The Sorcerer bowed and the ponies applauded more, until the Sorcerer caught a hefty bolt in his side. It seemed Shining Armor had a similar outlook on the imps as his allies did.

"This is a duel! Not a some joke for you to show off!" Shining had his sword again and stood over the Sorcerer. The Sorcerer lit his horn one more time and smiled. Shining could only stare in horror as the ground began to glow.

It was a pretty big explosion, but the Sorcerer had to admit, he was more than certain after igniting himself probably a thousand or so times, his body was now natural impervious to all forms of fire. He caught most of the blast but Shining was launched a dozen or so feet and was unconscious. The Sorcerer was mostly bruised and sore but no more worse for wear than before. The Princesses very, very reluctantly congratulated the Sorcerer and granted his diplomatic immunity as well as an additional sum of bits.
Doctor Stable had looked over Shining and said he was fine and merely needed some rest. The Sorcerer was soon approached by his new friends.
"That was awesome!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed. "That explosion was huge I could feel it in the clouds."
"I really like the monster thingy, can I call him Mr.Funny Bunny? Can you get me that hat! Please please please."" Pinkie asked, the Sorcerer levitated over the cap and gave it to the excited mare who began playing with the bells.
"While I must say at first the creature caught me by surprise I must admit it has a keen eye for fashion, perhaps you could help me get a few of the creatures in my store to help" Rarity mused.
"I have to say that ending was a big extreme there fella' but certainly got the crowd in an uproar, howdy that was louder than my uncle's snoring," Applejack slapped the Sorcerer on the back, which he gained another bruise from.
"It was kinda loud," Fluttershy whispered,"But it was really exciting, I hope you don't mind that I was cheering for both of you." The timid mare apologized.
Finally was Twilight, her face shifted from a look of excitement and absolute rage. "While it is good that you won, and as a good friend I need to say congratulations, YOU HURT MY BROTHER!," Her words pushed the Sorcerer back with their pure force.
The Sorcerer stood stalk still as the mare glared, finally after a tense moment she hugged the Sorcerer. Sighing in relief the Sorcerer returned the hug and soon the whole gang was in a group hug.

"Can we go to the Wonderbolts now."
"Yes Rainbow Dash, just let me pack my bags..."