//------------------------------// // Chapter 64: Magic Duel // Story: The Last Human // by Blackdragn18 //------------------------------// This is such a waste. What? I used my magic and another cupcake appeared in my hand. You have this magical strength that is just below Luna and Celestia in power, and what do you use it for? Summoning cupcakes so you don’t have to move. How is it a waste? I finally found a way to completely immerse myself in laziness. You’re an idiot. It’s been about two weeks since I moved back into the palace and I spent half of it honing my new powers. Now that I had a better grip on it I was beginning to use it for important things, such as summoning cupcakes and being able to not move for hours. I was lying on my bed leaning back enjoying the cupcake. Then there was a knock at my bedroom door. I had finally installed a lock to keep them from barging in during my naps. “Who is it?” I asked finishing my cupcake. “It’s Luna.” “Come in.” I used magic and unlocked the door. Luna walked in looking around. The room was littered with cupcake wrappers, other snack bags, and soda cans. “When was the last time you moved from here?” She looked at me with a bit of judgment. “What day is it?” I leaned up a little to look at her. “Tuesday.” “Haven’t moved since Sunday evening.” “I’m not sure if I should be impressed or disgusted.” “Meh.” I leaned back. “I’m really enjoying this whole magic thing.” “My sister wants to see you.” “Ugh.” “And you have to walk.” She looked at me knowing exactly what I was going to do. “Fine.” I stood up and headed for the door. “You’re lucky you don’t have to worry about getting sick or overweight. If you were like any normal creature your current lifestyle would probably have you shaped like a ball and unable to move.” “That’s what’s great about being me.” I said as we walked down the spiraling stairs out of the tower my room was in. When we reached the throne room Celestia was sitting in her throne. “There you are Sean.” “What is this about? I was about to take a nap.” “We need to talk about your magic usage.” “What about it?” “I recommend you cut down on your use of it.” “Why?” “Because, from what I’ve observed it uses a good amount of your magic reserves to consistently use. That’s likely why you got sick so quickly after you started using it in Ponyville.” “It’s not really a problem while I’m here.” I shrugged. “Yes, but what if something were to happen to me?” “Um.” “The next best bet is Luna, and she wouldn’t be able to continuously keep you charged.” “I’m sure I’d find a way. Besides you’re exaggerating about the magic draining.” “Are you sure?” “Yeah.” “Alright.” She stood up. “Then let’s test it.” “What do you mean?” “We will fight.” “Easy enough.” “Using only magic, so you aren’t allowed to use other powers except regeneration and all attacks must be in the form of spells.” “Fine.” I crossed my arms. “Let’s go.” This isn’t going to end well. Why not? I can take her. I looked at Celestia from across the field. We were outside in the palace courtyard, Celestia had put a spell that made it so any injuries that would occur would be healed after the fight. Physically maybe. But this is using magic. She has centuries of experience. I have centuries of experience too. First of all, she’s considerably older so that equals more experience. Second, she’s trained in magic. You’ve spent your nine hundred years hitting things. “Are you ready yet?” Celestia asked me. “You’re taking a long time talking to Bob. Also, I’m not considerably older.” “Stop looking into my mind!” I waved a fist at her. “Let’s just start.” “Very well.” She took a more aggressive stance. “You make the first move.” “Fine.” Remember control magic is what you’re best at. I know. I looked at a nearby rock that was about as big as my torso I levitated it and threw it at her. I saw her horn glow as it got close. That’s when I concentrated and began to suppress her magic. The rock ended hitting her head on. She went flying back into a cloud of smoke. Skill. Be ready for the counter attack. As Bob finished talking the same rock came flying at me. I didn’t have time to react and was smash by the rock. I was rocketed back and hit the ground with several broken bones. I stood back up to see Celestia in the middle of the arena. She looked completely unharmed. What? But I hit her. I don’t know. Then her horn glowed again suddenly I was levitated into the air and thrown across the field. I hit the wall of the castle and I fell to the ground. Ow. What was that? Why didn’t you counter that? I tried! Then a shadow fell over me. I stood back up and looked to see Celestia standing a few feet in front of me. I saw her horn begin to glow. “Denied!” I tried to suppress her magic. I was surprised when her horn continued to glow. “Good try, but no.” Then her horn glowed brighter until she was enveloped in a yellow aura. After a second the aura shot towards me. It hit me and sent me flying into the air. Why didn’t that work? I don’t know. This fall is going to hurt. Idea. I concentrated and teleported. After I teleported I realized I had moved about six feet to the right. Bolas! Then I smashed into the ground. Ow. I could tell most of my bones were broken. Then I heard hoof steps. “So, are you done yet?” I heard Celestia say in a smug voice. “I have to say, I expected more.” Quit while you’re behind. I don’t understand, why is my magic draining so quickly? I’ve barely used it. The biggest problem is the way she’s making you regenerate so much. So that’s using some magic, then just using spells takes a lot of your magic on account of inexperience, so you can’t avoid over using it. Another problem is your attempts to suppress her magic take a lot of work because of her power. If I could touch her I could use my draining. But these stupid rules say we can only use magic. I’d just give up if I were. I never give up when it comes to a fight. Wow, you really lack self-preservation instinct. I’ve got this. I had fully healed by now. I used some magic and teleported behind her. “Trying to teleport away?” She turned around. “Pretty much.” I turned and ran away. Duck. I ducked as a shot of fire flew over my head. Now let’s try this. It’s not going to work. Why not? Unicorns can do it. I jumped to the right as another fire shot flew past me. Yes, after having decades of experience, and even then only a select few have the talent. Well, I’ve got half of that. Have a little faith. Fine. You’re lucky this is just a sparing so you’ll revive when she kills you when this fails. Then there was a flash and I bumped into Celestia as she appeared in front of me. “It’s been fun but I have other things to do.” Her horn glowed. “So let’s wrap this up.” “If you insist.” I jumped back and concentrated. Then a small black sphere appeared in my hand. I then pointed my palm at her and a black shot of magic flew at her. It hit her and I watched as yellow aura traveled up the column of magic and went into me. “Take that!” “Impressive, I’ve never seen that spell. Did you think of it yourself?” Celestia asked as she shook off the hit. “Yep.” “Good work.” She nodded. “Unfortunately it was lacking in power.” Her horn glowed and then a column of fire burst out of the ground. After it was gone I fell to the ground covered in burns. She walked up to me. “Maybe with more practice that little spell will be able to do some damage.” I noticed my burns weren’t healing. So really that spell backfired. It took a lot of magic to use, and you got enough magic to fill a teaspoon. Nice work. Whatever. Then I was hit by a spell and blacked out. I opened my eyes to see I was in my room. Well that was a disaster. Pretty much. How long have I been unconscious? I walked to the window to see the sun was setting. A long time. Well, I guess it’s time to face the mockery. I turned and opened my bedroom door walking down the stairs. I eventually came to the throne room. I walked in to find Luna and Celestia talking to each other. When I came in they looked at me. “You’re finally awake.” Celestia nodded. “Yep. Go ahead and gloat.” “I don’t plan to. The point of that fight was to show you the dangers of using your magic too much.” “Alright, well lesson learned.” I turned heading for the door. “Where are you going?” “I have some things to do.” I opened the doors and left. “Alright.” I opened another book. I had been going through books studying and learning about magic and spells in the library. This had been going on for several weeks. I’m surprised you have the attention span for this. I need to get better. Next time I will beat Celestia. Contrary to what you may think you do have to practice as well. I know. “Sean.” I heard someone call. I looked around from a bookshelf to see a guard. “What do you want?” “Princess Celestia wishes to see you.” “What for?” “She did not say.” “Fine.” I stood up and headed for the door out of the library. “This better be important.” “What is it?” I walked into the throne room. “I’m busy.” Celestia was sitting in her throne. “The Crystal Empire has reappeared.” “So?” I shrugged. “I don’t even know what that is.” “It’s a city made of crystal. That disappeared one thousand years ago.” “Thanks for the history lesson.” “The most interesting part is the ponies there. They are made entirely out of crystal.” “Ok, why should I care?” “I need you to go there and liberate the crystal ponies.” “From what?” “King Sombra.” “Sombra! You mean that funny little unicorn who was all proud about ruling the.” I thought for a minute. “Oh.” “There you go. As I was saying I need you to go and help the ponies.” “No thanks.” “What?” “I’ve already fought him once, there was no challenge. Why would I exert myself to fight the equivalent of a mentally disabled goldfish?” “We need to help them.” “Send Twilight or something. He’s so weak I bet even Spike could take him.” “Very well. If you say he’s that easy.” She nodded. I turned to leave. “However, if this goes wrong because you were too lazy to help it won’t be good for you.” “Understood.” You sure about this? Yes, I’ve been training for a long time and it’s time to see the pay off. Alright. “You ready?” I asked Celestia eyeing her across the field. We were in the same place we had fought last time. After a lot of studying and training I challenged Celestia to another magic fight. She had reluctantly agreed. “Yes, let’s go. I have things to do.” She looked at me smugly. “You make the first move.” “Very well.” Her horn glowed and a large rock near her levitated and flew at me. I braced myself and took the hit. As the rubble fell Celestia hit me with a blast of yellow magic. I went flying back but managed to recover in midair and land on my feet. “That’s it?” I asked as I shot my own blast of magic. Celestia dodged before blasting fire at me. I teleported out of the way. As I finished teleporting I was slammed by a fire ball. I fell to the ground healing from the burns. Once I healed I jumped back up. I saw Celestia just before I was smashed between two rocks. She’s being a lot more aggressive this time. I noticed. Once I had recovered I teleported in time to avoid another shot of fire. Let’s see if my spell has improved. I concentrated and a black sphere appeared in my hand as I was about to shoot it at Celestia she teleported. I looked around before a shadow fell over me. I turned to see Celestia flying over me preparing to fire that mini sun thing. “Come at me.” I lifted my hand. As she shot the sun at me I fired the black beam of magic. The two collided, for a second they held each other back. After another second though, her attack overpowered mine and I was hit. I tried to get up before falling back down. I heard Celestia walk up and her face appeared looking down at me. “I lost again.” “Yes, but you are definitely stronger. You aren’t knocked out this time.” Her horn glowed and I felt myself heal. She offered her hoof and I got back up. “I couldn’t even hit you.” I dusted myself off. “True, but I was making sure you didn’t get chances to attack. I could tell you were stronger so I had to adjust my tactics. If I had fought like last time you might have won.” “Thanks.” “Well, now that we’re done with that I have a few things to do.” She turned and headed back for the castle. I can’t believe I lost again. Like she said you have improved a lot. Yeah, but I haven’t improved enough. I think it’s time we visited home.