//------------------------------// // Chapter 28: Wakey Wakey // Story: Fire and Steel // by shirotora //------------------------------// The next two days passed without incident. In the mornings, we would get up, eat breakfast, and go to the university. Then, in the afternoon, we would meet up, talk about our day, hang out around town, and then head back for dinner. We went to see a couple movies, too. They were pretty cool. Technicolor is a thing here, so there was that, but it certainly wasn't a big budget Hollywood blockbuster. In the evenings, I would meet up with Abes and try to figure out psychic. It was... slow going. Still, Abes said it felt like I was resisting more, so there was that. One other thing that happened was that I was approached by a book publisher about making my version of Star Wars into a book series. I told them I couldn't read or write Equish, and I wasn't going to be in Canterlot for too much longer to learn. They said that was fine and that they would have someone write while I dictate. The university even let them follow me while I took my tests so I could continue to dictate while taking tests I could speak during. Thus, Equestria was going to be introduced to the greatest space opera ever told. Though, of course, I made sure Mister Lucas was credited as being the original creator, even if I was credited as the author of the Equestrian Edition. They insisted, seeing as I did say that I had to alter it to better fit with the culture in Equestria. Other than that, nothing particularly interesting really happened. At least, not until the day after. I didn’t have much to do, so I decided to sit in on Ember’s training/research. At the moment, Lyra was trying to teach Ember how to enchant objects. Or, rather, they were trying to figure out how Ember could, using how ponies do it as a starting point. Smolder was equally invested. She had said she was quite interested in enchanting, and wanted to see how it worked. “Alright, now try to weave the spell into the cloak’s essence,” Lyra instructed. The glow around Ember’s hands seeped into the garment. “Good,” Lyra said, grinning. “You’re doing it. Keep it up.” The cloak flashed one last time before the light was sucked in. “You did it!” Lyra cheered. “Now, you just need to test it out.” Ember smiled, taking the cloak in her claw and tossing it to me. "Wait, you want me to try it?" I asked. “Of course,” she replied. “I’ll only need it for about a moon. After that, I want you to have it, so I want to make sure you can use it.” "Alright. Let’s hope they respond to my voice," I pulled the cloak on and spoke the command work, <<"Volito.">> The cloak shifted, parting in the back. Both halves raised to my sides like wings as instinctive knowledge flowed into my mind. I flexed my new wings a little, getting used to the extra limbs. "They feel weird." “Give them a flap. Try to get off the ground a little,” Ember said. I complied and gave a flap, lifting about a foot off the ground... and then immediately lost control, pitched sideways, and headbutted a table. “It works!” Ember cheered. “You just need practice, and you’ll be able to fly around with us!” <<"Nix,">> I said, issuing the command to deactivate the cloak’s enchantment. “I can’t wait to finally fly again!” Ember squeed, taking the cloak back. Lyra added, “Just remember that it’ll only last for around an hour at a time and will need at least ten to recharge.” “Still, an hour to actually fly is more than worth it,” Ember said. We were all startled by a sudden flash of light as Princess Celestia teleported in. “My apologies, I don’t have too long,” she said. “Court is on break for an hour for lunch and I think I may have an idea to solve our problem.” She held aloft a milky white potion in her magic. “This is a very special potion crafted by a gifted zebra shaman. It will give you visions of the past, specifically what you most need to see.” Ember looked at the potion with a questioning look. “Okay... how does that help me?” Celestia answered, “Well, with any luck, it’ll show you a vision of a time and place that will help you figure out how to connect Smolder to the weave.” Ember took the flask, studying the fluid inside. “So, basically, I drink this and hope I see a lesson about connecting dragons to the weave?” “Or something equally helpful,” Celestia added. “So... all I do is drink it?” Ember asked. “Luke, if this is poison and I die, avenge me, got it?” "Maybe after dinner," I replied. Ember laughed. “Well, hopefully it doesn’t taste like crap.”  She knocked it back like a champ, and immediately her eyes flashed white. As Ember’s sight cleared, she found herself somewhere familiar. It was a place she had only been to once, but it changed her life forever. The ethereal throne room of Empress Aurora. Sure enough, the Empress herself was sat on her throne, looking at a strange... window? Ember watched as the old empress sighed and, with a wave of her claw, dismissed the window. “Who’s there?” she asked, almost sounding annoyed. “I can feel your presence, so come out.” Ember looked around. “Uh... you mean me?” Aurora’s eyes squinted as she gazed around the throne room. “Wait... Oh, I see. You aren’t actually here, are you?” “Wait, are you actually talking to me?” Ember asked. “I thought that potion was just supposed to give me a vision.” “I’m sensing confusion,” Aurora said. “Give me a moment.” Aurora’s claws glowed and a pulse of magic filled the space. “Ah, there you are. I thought you felt familiar. How have you been, Ember?” “What? How...” Ember asked. “How am I seeing and speaking to you?” Aurora asked, a knowing smile on her face. “Spells like this one, spells that let you scry, view, or track another creates a link between you and them. A talented enough spellcaster that is aware of this link can use it in various ways, for example making the link move both ways. If I wanted to, I could even use this link to teleport you to me.” “Wow... I didn’t even know that was possible,” Ember said. “So, to what do I owe the honor?” Aurora asked. “Well... I need to know how to connect other dragons to the weave,” Ember said. “I haven’t been able to figure it out.” Aurora laughed. “Oh, is that all?” Ember growled, “Hey, you aren’t making fun of me, are you? I’ve been trying to figure this out on my own, you know!” Aurora gave her a kind smile. “No, Ember. In fact, you’ve shown amazing potential. I was just afraid it was something far worse.” “Oh... yeah,” Ember said, blushing slightly. “Sorry for getting angry, there.” “It’s fine,” Aurora said. “So, you want me to teach you to awaken others. That’s a simple matter, though it isn’t something I can just tell you.” “How is it simple, then?” Ember asked. “Well, is the one you wish to awaken in the room with you?” Aurora asked. “Uh... yeah, why?” Ember asked. “Because the best way to show you will be to guide you, personally,” Aurora said. “Allow me to guide you.” All I could do was sit and watch as my mate floated a few inches off the ground, staring off into space with glowing white eyes. "Are you-" “Yes, it’s normal,” Celestia said, her patience obviously wearing thin. "For this long, though?" I continued. Celestia sighed. “I understand that you’re nervous, but it’s only been two minutes. "Two minutes? Are you-" I froze as I felt another, powerful presence in the room. A familiar presence. Ember, still floating with glowing white eyes turned toward Smolder and raised a claw. Smolder started to panic as she was lifted into the air. “Wh-what’s going on?” “Peace, child.” The voice coming from Ember’s mouth was not her own. “I am merely showing Ember the way.” And then Smolder began to glow. "Wh-whatl?" Smolder said, a touch of panic in her voice. "Is this supposed to happen?" "Who are you, and what are you doing?!" Celestia demanded. "Oh, hush, child," Not-Ember said, mildly annoyed. "I'm showing Ember how to awaken a dragon's magic." "Child?!" Celestia said, indignant. "I am over a thousand-" She was cut off as her mouth slammed shut and the rest of us found ourselves unable to move. "And I am fifty thousand," Not-Ember said, as if scolding a child. "Now if you will let me concentrate, and can guide my heir in how to do what you've been trying to do for so long." It only took a few seconds before Smolder faded back to normal. "There." Not-Ember looked toward Celestia and said, "You're welcome." Then, in a flash of light, Ember fell to the ground. I was at her side before I even realized what happened. "Luke, move," Celestia ordered. "She might not be herself." "Would you stop," Ember said as she got to her feet. "That was just Aurora. She was showing how to give a dragon magic. She told me to tell you that she's sorry for being rude, but she was in a hurry. She only had until the potion wore off and you were making things hard." Celestia still lit her horn, magical light washing over Ember. "I just need to make sure." "What happened?" I asked. "The potion showed me Empress Aurora, and she used that link to show me how to awaken Smolder's magic," Ember answered. Celestia's brow furrowed in thought. "I wasn't aware that was possible." "Hey, you can figure that out later," Smolder interrupted. "Look!" Smolder was grinning like a maniac, as she held up her claw, glowing with a cyan light. "It worked! I can do magic! Now I can learn that tracking spell and find the monster that killed my brother, and make a fucking coat out of it." "Damn right," Ember said. "And when we do..." The rest of the conversation faded to me. My attention was drawn toward a mare that was working with some of the data in the back that quietly excused herself and walked out the door. That wasn't what was odd, though. There were a few ponies back there. No, what was odd was the fact that I couldn't feel anything from her. "I'll be right back," I said. I left the room, trying to follow after the mare. I didn't know why, but not being able to feel her set my nerves on end. When she turned the corner, there was a flash of green. By the time I got there, she was gone. Vee let out a sigh of relief as the door closed behind her. That was too close, she thought to herself. I shouldn't have passed him so close. I should have waited until he and the others left. Too late now. I might as well make my report. Her horn lit up, first casting a spell on the door to lock it and another on the room, ensuring privacy. Then, she walked to her shelf and took down a Hearthswarming snow globe. Another quick spell and the illusion fell away, revealing a large, polished black onyx. A cloud of green magic swirled within the stone orb and a voice issued forth from within. "What is your report?" demanded the voice. Vee answered quickly. "They have succeeded in awakening the younger dragon's magic. She then mentioned something about a tracking spell to locate her brother. I believe she speaks of the red one. If she can track him, it will lead her and her companions to you." "A tracking spell, eh?" the voice pondered. "That could prove problematic." Vee took a deep breath, steeling her nerves. "Also, Daisy Chain may be comprised. The canine noticed me and followed me out of the lab." "Does he know anything?" the voice asked. "No. I believe he noticed he couldn't sense any emotions from me and became curious," Vee assured. "However, he may attempt to speak to me if he sees me again. I fear he may become suspicious if he does." The voice was silent for a moment. "Daisy Chain is too valuable to retire. It would take months to get another in her position. If you are certain he doesn't yet suspect you, I will arrange an emergency that will remove her from Canterlot for a couple days." "Of course," Vee replied. "You've done well," the voice said. "Take the next couple days off,  come up with a new form, find a brothel, and feed. You've earned it." "I... I have?" Vee asked. "Yes," the voice confirmed. "You don't even realize how valuable the information you gave really is. You have just ensured the future of the hive."