Evoker

A few more days had passed since my discovery.  I knew there was very little chance that I would be able to navigate the many worlds I saw in the void and find my spirits, but I didn’t want to give up hope.  According to Fluttershy, Twilight was locked up in the library, engrossed in her research.  I hadn’t told them that I couldn’t navigate yet, and I was still hoping I could figure something out on my own before asking them for even more help than they had already given me.

I decided to be proactive with my time since I was mostly recovered.  I found a secluded spot in the forest near Fluttershy’s house and used it to practice my magic.  I felt it would be far enough away from Fluttershy’s house that my fire magic wouldn’t startle the animals.  It wasn’t like I had much else to do.

I was already a few hours into my practice session for the day.  The few targets I had set up were blackened or burnt away completely.  I would have to replace them soon.  As I prepared to launch another fireball, I heard someone approaching, or to be more accurate somepony.  I let the magic dissipate and I turned to face whoever was coming.  To my surprise, it was Twilight approaching my little practice area with two full saddlebags and a look of determination on her face.  I had a feeling I knew what she was going to say to me, and I didn’t think I would like it.

“Evoker, we need to talk.”  Her tone of voice made me absolutely sure that my previous feeling was correct.

I considered trying to put off the conversation, but I doubted that I could put it off for long, if at all.  If there is anything I have learned, it is that ponies can be very stubborn when they want to be.

“What is it we need to talk about?  There aren’t any more problems are there?  I’ll help if I can, but I may be leaving very soon.”

“That is exactly what we need to talk about.  I want to come along if I can.  If there is as much danger as there was this time, you’ll need some help, and I’m not about to let my friend go off into danger alone and possibly end up hurt or dead.”

“Twilight, I’m glad you want to help, but I don’t want to tear you away from your world and put you in even more danger than I’ve already put you in.  And besides, I’m not even sure I could bring passengers through the void.”

Azrael’s otherworldly voice echoed through my mind and said, Actually my host, you could probably bring one or two others along with you.  More if you would tap into my power.

I mulled over this new information, careful to not let my expression change.

Taking advantage of my silence, Twilight responded, “You don’t need to worry about putting me in danger.  I’ve been researching all different kinds of magic.”  She levitated a few books out of her saddle bags and into the air in front of me.  “These books contain spells for combat, defense, and other things that may even be useful for traveling around, like spells to locate fresh water and food.  Plus, I even found a spell that may help with finding your spirits.”

“I’m sure you could hold your own, but that still doesn’t address that you would be leaving behind your world and your friends.  This will most likely be a long trip.  Who knows when you would be back?”

Her expression didn’t even waver as she answered, “That doesn’t matter.  I’m sure you will be able to get me home, and it will go quicker if we work together anyway.  I trust you.  I may not know everything about you, but you showed me you were willing to put your life on the line to help, and your talk with Celestia showed that you do care about those who get caught up in the problem.  From what I’ve seen, you are a good person, and that is reason enough for me to trust you.”

I thought about what she said.  It had been a while since someone had trusted me, a lifetime ago, before all this craziness.  I didn’t doubt that she would be able to protect herself, and from what she’s said, I doubted she would take no for an answer.  Plus, I couldn’t deny that she would be helpful to have along.  I knew I wasn’t going to like this conversation.

“Okay, let’s assume I do take you with me.  I’ve seen you on the defensive when we went after Singed.  What can you do offensively?  And tell me a little more about the spell that may help me find my other spirits.”

A smile spread across her face.  She knew she had won.  With a smile on her face and a determined look in her eyes, she began to tell me exactly what she could do.

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We decided to continue our conversation as we walked back to Fluttershy’s cottage.  As we neared the edge of the forest, Twilight began to talk about the spell that would help me find my spirits, and potentially navigate the void.

“The spell is called ‘The Ties That Bind’.  It was originally invented by a unicorn who wanted to help find missing ponies.  The idea was that if magic was applied correctly, it could be made possible for a pony to see the bonds they have developed with other ponies.  Originally it was thought that it would only work for close, familial bonds, or really close friendships, but the spells capabilities were underestimated.  If the spell is properly cast, any pony can help track down friends and family that went missing.  Of course, this spell could be abused, so usually only police officers and royal guards are taught how to cast the spell.  However, since I am the princess’s student, I asked her if there were any spells that could help you track down your spirits.  Since you have a certain ‘bond’ with your spirits, I felt that this spell would be the best match.”

I nodded as she gave her explanation, and once again noted how different pony magic was from my own.

“How does someone differentiate between different bonds they can see?  Or is the spell cast with a certain pony in mind so that the only visible bond is the one you have with the pony in mind?  And speaking of the princess, how did she react to you wanting to come along on my journey?”

A frown crossed Twilight’s face as she levitated the book containing the spell out of her saddlebags.

“It says here that a pony just knows which bond is which.  It seems to be built into the spell itself.  I tried it out and I was able to tell which bond was which, but I can’t really tell you how.  I just knew.  And as for the princess, she wasn’t completely happy with my choice, but she said that I can make my own choices.  The only thing she asked is that I come back safely.”

Silence fell between us as we approached Fluttershy’s house.  Luckily, it was soon broken by Fluttershy herself coming out to meet us.  She looked as if she had something on her mind, but I wasn’t going to say anything.  However, she was.

Fluttershy turned to Twilight and said, “Twilight, I thought about what you said to me this morning when you were looking for Evoker, and I’ve made a decision.  I want to come with you two.”

I kept my face neutral.  I was already allowing Twilight to come, and I had seen how useful both of them were.  Twilight’s arguments were still floating around in my head, and a few of them could be applied to Fluttershy as well.  I decided to sit back and let her and Twilight come to a decision.

On the other hand, Twilight looked shocked.  “Fluttershy, are you sure this is something you want to do?  This will be very dangerous, and you have your animals here to look after.  I don’t want you to rush into this because you feel you have to.”

Fluttershy looked determined as she said, “I’ve thought about this a lot Twilight.  I even thought about it before you came today.  I know it will be dangerous, but I can help.  You studied a lot of different magic, but healing still takes a lot of magic.  My first aid may be of more help.  Plus, I know I can rely on you two to protect me if I need it.  And Spike has looked after my animals before, and our friends are sure to help if he needs it.”

Twilight still looked doubtful, but I could tell she was beginning to change her mind.

“I don’t know..”

Fluttershy noticed her friend’s hesitation and made one last plea, “Please Twilight, I promise I won’t be a burden.  Evoker needs our help, and I can’t stand by when two of my friends are going off into a dangerous situation.  If I can help, I want to come.”

Twilight looked down in defeat, knowing that this was the same argument she had used.

“Fine, you can come as long as Evoker is okay with it.”

Both of them looked at me with hopeful expressions, but with different reasons for that hope.  I simply nodded in Fluttershy’s direction.

A huge smile crossed her face.  “Thank you so much.  I promise I won’t let you down.”

I allowed a smile of my own to cross my face, and the flicker of hope I nurtured remained strong.

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The next several days were spent in preparation.  Twilight and Fluttershy went about getting supplies for what was sure to be a lengthy journey.  Both of them had a pair of saddlebags to use, while Fluttershy was able to get me a bag from her friend Rarity.  For the most part, I remained out of sight and kept practicing and training.  I wasn’t going to be in trouble like when we faced Singed.  This time I would be prepared.

A few times they mentioned that their friends were concerned and wanted to come along, but after I told them the limitations of my magic they stopped asking, although I doubt that made their friends any less concerned.  I promised myself that I would get them back safely and show their friends that there was no need to be worried.  I wasn't going to let them die helping me.

Faster than I was expecting, the day to leave had come.  I was glad to finally be on my way, but at the same time I had become attached to this world.  I silently hoped I would be able to come back.

I stood in the backyard of Fluttershy’s house with Twilight and Fluttershy.  We were ready.  No words were needed as Twilight cast her spell to hopefully allow me to see the bonds binding me and my spirits.  I had explained to her why this was necessary the night after she and Fluttershy had decided come along.  As I looked around I knew the spell had worked.  I could see the luminescent link of my bonds, but at the moment I could only see the bonds leading to Twilight and Fluttershy, as well as a faint one headed off towards Canterlot.

I quickly opened a portal and looked out upon the void.  Twilight and Fluttershy were amazed at what they were seeing, but they both kept back.  I had told them of some of the dangers of the void.  To me, the void looked almost the same as before, but one major difference stood out.  There were many luminescent links going in a few directions in the void, some bright and others very faint.  Many of them were going towards one specific point, which I realized must be my home world.  I looked for single links and I found three, heading to three different worlds.

‘These must be my missing spirits.  It worked.’

I considered the three spirits I was missing, earth, water, and air.  I decided the spirit of earth would be helpful soon, and I followed the link to the world it led to.  Following the instructions given to me by Azrael, I opened another portal on that world and connected it to my portal.  It was slightly more difficult than opening a portal on this world had been, but I attributed it to the distance.

As soon as the portals were stabilized, I stepped through, with Fluttershy and Twilight following closely behind.  The portal quickly winked out behind us.  Our journey had begun.