//------------------------------// // The Preparations // Story: Of Magic and Power // by Tripl3M //------------------------------// Twilight has a little pissed, that Maximilian just disappeared all of the sudden. She was really hoping, that he would teach her some new spell, since Celestia more or less stopped teaching her. She was writing her weekly report to Celestia, as she had an idea. Celestia was the one, who first summoned Maximilian, so maybe she knew a way to contact him without summoning. She wrote it into the letter as a postscript and then went to sleep. The next day Spike handed her Celestia’s response, which she read eagerly. To Twilight‘s surprise Celestia did know a way to contact Maximilian. It was a simple spell, which could send a object to another world. The only problem was, that a requirement for the spell was a object from that world to serve as a connection. For Twilight‘s luck Maximilian left a book about the history of the Mage Guild with Celestia, as a thank you for the artifacts. Twilight really wanted to read the book, since it sounded interesting, but she really wanted to learn more about magic, so she decided on writing a letter. Maximilian was correcting his students‘ tasks, which they handed in today. He hated correcting. On the one hand, because he never was good in theoretical tasks, on the other hand, he didn‘t want to look like a asshole for giving a student a bad grade. He was halfway through the papers, as a letter appeared on his desk, which was nothing new for him, since it has been the way for delivering letters and packages since he first came to the Guild. Maximilian happily opened the letter, since it gave him a excuse for being distracted from the papers. Maximilian began to read the letter:   “Dear Maximilian Wolf, I was hoping to know, if there would be any chance, that I could come to the Mage Guild for a while. I would like to broaden my knowledge on magic and learn some new spell. I would greatly appreciate a fast response. With great respect, Twilight Sparkle“ Maximilian was dumbfounded. How was Twilight able to send a letter to the Mage Guild, not to speak of directly into his room. Maximilian began to ponder about it, then realised, that Twilight just showed the magical talent of a higher mage, at least on the level of a High Mage or Great Mage. Maximilian would have great fun, teaching Twilight some of his knowledge. He always liked teaching, well at least the teaching part, not the correcting part. He decided to pay Twilight a visit, when he was finished correcting. It was the day after Twilight send the letter to Maximilian. She was getting nervous about the possibility, that the letter didn‘t arrive. She was pacing around in the library, as somepony knocked on the door. As she opened it, she saw Maximilian standing there in his official mage robe. It had a dark blue colour and reached over his knee, nearly to the ground. Distributed on the robes were white snowflakes. Maximilian then asks “After you have stopped admiring my robe, could I please enter?“ “Oh, of course, you can enter. I was just surprised to see you in such clothing. The last time you were wearing something to completely different.“ Twilight said. “Well, the last time I wasn‘t on official business here, which brings me to the point. I have convinced the current Master Mage and the principal of the school to allow you to studying the art of magic at our institute. I have also arranged for housing, so you could bring some of you friends, so you won‘t be alone.“ Twilight couldn’t say anything, she had never been so happy in her life. She read the book on their history last night and has completely hyped to go there and it was even better that she could bring her friends. “Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou. I am so happy, I have to go tell the others and I have to pack. When are we going to leave?“ Twilight asked gleefully, as Maximilian responds “First, I have to talk to Celestia, which I will do, while you go tell your friends.“ Before Maximilian was finished, Twilight already leaved through the door. Youth, Maximilian thought and teleported to Canterlot. After he arrived there, he went to ask for an audition with the princesses. The receptionist answered without looking at him “The Princesses are currently busy. They are not taking any visitors today.“ As he finished, Maximilian could hear a cheerful laughter coming from down the hall. “I am sure, that no matter what they are doing, they will have time for me.“ said Maximilian with a smile, as the receptionist look up, seeing a strange being in front of him. “I shall ask. Who should I tell them is looking to speak with them?“ the pony then asked. “Maximilian Wolf“ the receptionist then left, walked down the hall towards the laughter, then Maximilian couldn‘t hear anything, until suddenly multiplied pairs of hooves came galloping towards him. The receptionist was the first to arrive, being followed by the princesses. He then started to apologizes “I am truly sorry for not knowing, that such a strange being would be a friend of the princesses.“ “You don‘t have to, Book Keeper. How could you have known?“ Celestia comfort him and Luna now said “Shall we talk in our private chambers with a cup of tea, Maximilian?“ “That would be nice, though I prefer coffee, if you have that. I‘m actually here on official business.“ Maximilian explained, as the three walk towards their private living room. Celestia now asked “Has this to do with Twilight? She did asked me for a way to contact you.“ “Partly, yes. She actually asked me, if she could come to the Mage Guild and study magic there for some time.“ Maximilian told them. Celestia stopped at looked at him and started wondering why Twilight would ask him, if she could study magic. Twilight was her personal student. Celestia then asked “Why would Twilight study magic in your world? She could study it here in Canterlot.“ Maximilian, completely oblivious to the implication, said “It is understandable why Twilight wants to study in a mage environment. Also the Guild is one of the oldest gatherings of mages and their shared knowledge. No offense, but the Guild is certainly more advanced then your world about magical science.“ As they arrived in the dining room, they sat down and Maximilian continues “There is also something else, we need to talk about. I would like one of you or both to come to the Guild to discuss some things.“ Luna then asks “Some things? Like what?“ “Treaties and the magical education of your magical gifted ones“ Maximilian answers as he took a sip from his coffee. Celestia now asks worried “How is the education of the magical gifted ones a problem of the Mage Guild?“ Maximilian then replies “The Guild always was anxious about the education of young mages, which they didn‘t have control over. It dates back to the beginning of the Guild and now it  has become more or less a tradition. The actual point of it is, that your children could come to the Guild and deepen their studies on magic, if they wanted. Like I said, we are the most advanced society in existence.“ “Oh, I thought you meant, that you would force the children of the unicorns to send them to a Guild school.“ Luna mentioned. “What, Unicorns? I said any magical talented could come. That means earth ponies and pegasi could came to, if able to use magic.“ Maximilian says surprised. Celestia then explains “The only beings, aside us alicorns, that can use magic are unicorns.“ “That can‘t be right. Anything and everything can use magic. Magic is everywhere. The only difference between a mage and a non-mage is the strength of their connections to the raw energy, which means that beings without internal help, unlike you horned magical users, could in theory learn magic.“ Maximilian ponders. “How cares? Anyway, we need to come to the Guild to talk about this stuff. The current Master Mage will explain things in more detail.“ he continues. Luna now asks confused “Did you say that the Master Mage is the leader of the Mage Guild? How could someone else be the Master Mage?“ Maximilian begins to explain “First of the title Master Mage is nothing more than a rank, describing a mage, who mastered all aspects of magic. Second, the leader of the Guild often will be called a Master Mage, therefore it became a tradition as to refer to the leader as Master Mage. Third, I am no longer the leader of the Guild. I was exiled for accused betrayal, so my student took the role as the leader, which she was trained for.“ “You‘re a traitor?“ Celestia asks in disbelief. “Well, there was a war and there were some spies, which I killed and the council used that to get rid of me.“  As Maximilian finished, a letter appeared out of a flame next to Celestia, who then takes hold of it with her magic. She said “Twilight informed me that they are ready to leave.“ “Good, so would you come along, please?“ Maximilian then asked. Luna answers “My sister is very busy with things here in Equestria, but I have time to spare. So I shall come along.“ “Great, well then let’s go. See you soon Celestia“ Maximilian says, calling on his staff and teleported Luna and him to the library. After arriving there, Maximilian sees all the girls gathered there. He then realises a mountain of suitcases, building up behind them. He now asks “To who belongs the mountain of bags over there?“ Rarity now speaks up “Well, to me of course. I need to be prepared for everything.“ “No you don‘t. because with such a load, you won‘t get into the Guild. There are limits on how much you can take inside, even for a former Master Mage of the Guild. So reduce it to two bags or you can‘t go.“ Maximilian tells her. Rarity was shocked. She had to reduce the amount of clothes to TWO BAGS. “That is impossible. How could anypony with style only go with two bags of dresses?“ she says outraged. “Hey, I only have one backpack with stuff. I don‘t need clothes to be awesome.“ Rainbow Dash now says. Before the situation could get out of hand, Luna says “I am sure, Rarity, that there are clothing store over there.“ “Yes, there. Also I will allow you all to have access to my savings, while you are there. Please don‘t waste it all. I need it for research material. And, Rarity, there is no limit on how much you can take FROM the Guild.“ Maximilian continues with Luna‘s suggestion. Rarity nods and says “Then I shall take to bare minimum of TWO bags.“ and starts repacking. Applejack shacks her head in silent, while Twilight wonders, what the problem is. After Rarity finished, Maximilian took his staff and touched the ground with it. The room lit up and a portal appeared next to him. “If you may please step through the portal. It will cause you no harm.“ They all proceeded through it and after Maximilian passes through, it closed. On the other side, they appear in a big city. Maximilian walks in front of the group and says “I welcome you, to the Mage Guild.“