//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: The Amazing Alexander // Story: Nightmare's Dream // by shirotora //------------------------------// Chapter 3: The Amazing Alexander Curt and Twilight waited by the dressing room for The Amazing Alexander to finish. He agreed to their request to meet with him, and could hopefully answer a few questions. “Any theories?” Curt asked the unicorn. “Not a damn one,” Twilight replied. “That's what I hate the most. I've been trying to think of how this is even possible, but I just can't figure it out. It's like the Pinkie Sense all over again!” “So...” Curt raised an eyebrow. “You think his dad is a Chaos Lord?” Twilight groaned, “Don't remind me. It's just like Pinkie to take everything I know and utterly destroy it. Granted, her half-draconequus form fits her, it just creeps me out.” Curt was about to say something when the door opened and the performer stepped outside. He gave the two of them a curious glance, wondering what this particular pony would want with him, before motioning with his head to come inside. The couple entered the room, finding it to be rather spartan in its furnishings. A small green couch sat against one wall, a wardrobe and coat rack by another and a vanity adorned the third. Other than that there wasn't much of anything other than an old, worn chest that was most likely Alex's. “So,” Alex began, “You wanted to speak with me?” Curt glanced at Twilight before beginning, “That was an interesting show. I definitely enjoyed it. You know, I've always found it fun to try and see if I can figure out how you guys do your tricks.” Alex looked at the ex-soldier suspiciously. “A magician never reveals his secrets.” “That's okay,” Twilight replied. “I already saw how you did your tricks.” Alex tense noticeably. “Oh? Was one of my wires visible?” Twilight smirked. “To a unicorn, yes. You see, unicorns have a kind of sixth sense. We can sense magic very similarly to the way one's eyes sense the world, and not just the auras others can see but the actual energy threads. It's like a second sight... and what I saw during your show raised a lot of questions. Curt, pop quiz. What kind of energy was that?” “Mostly raw magical energy, but he also used a bit of rough transmutation energy. Likely all self taught which is impressive. He has talent, but needs a teacher.” “Uh... I... don't know what you're talking about?” Alex tried. Curt just smirked and in a flash of light, appeared to the showman’s side, draping his arm around his shoulder. “Did you think you were the only one?” Twilight giggled at the magician's dumbfounded expression. “I think I smell burning brain cells. Curt here, along with a handful of others developed magical abilities about a year and a half ago. My first question to you; Where and when did you first develop your abilities?” Alex finally shook the cobweb from his brain and looked at the unicorn, “About a year and a half ago. I was on a spaceliner on my way here when this redhead chick stood up and yelled out something like 'happy heart warmers' or something and snapped her fingers. There was this flash of light and we were suddenly over some weird old ruins on some planet. Then this wave of... energy slammed into us, knocking everyone out. We I came to, we were back on course. I thought I just dreamed it until someone tried mugging me. I turned the guy into a ficus.” Curt laughed, “So your first major magic was turning someone into a plant? Sounds familiar, wouldn't you say, Twi?” “Don't make me hurt you, Curtis,” Twilight said casually, “So, a redhead woman, huh. Excuse me for a second.” As her fiance and Alex sat on the couch, talking quietly to each other, Twilight lifted her right leg, extending her computer and shuffling through her contacts. Finding the one she needed, she dialed. “PINK Inc., this is the CEO, Pinkie Pie. How can I help you?” came the cheery voice. “PINK Inc.?” Twilight raised an eyebrow. “Parties, Invitations, Novelties, and Kraziness incorporated. I started a company!” replied the hyper mare. “Well... uh, good luck,” Twilight said with a chuckle. “Hey, is your dad around?” “Hold on.” Pinkie turned away and raised her voice, “Daddy, phone!” Before long, a brown earth pony stallion with porkchop sideburns and what he always called an “Amish hat” trotted into view, and gave a big smile. “Twilight. To what do I owe the pleasure?” “A human adept.” “Oh, I heard about the engagement. Congratulations,” Clyde said. “Not Curt. In fact it's none of Griffon Squad. He's a magician that claims a redheaded woman transported the ship to the ruins just as the artifact activated.” The wardrobe door swung open and a tall man in a black trench coat with half and half black and white hair and a goatee walked out. “Where is he?” “What's going on, Clyde?” Twilight asked. “Clyde's an earth pony,” the man said critically. Twilight gave him a bemused glare, “Fine, James. What the hell is going on?” He walked up to the magician who just stared at the strange man in confusion. He tried to bury himself in the couch when the man got in his face, sniffing him. “Eeyup, he's got Turmoil's magic on him alright,” James stated. “You could tell that from his smell?” Curt asked. “I could tell the moment I saw him,” James said seriously, “I just wanted to creep him out.” “Who the hell is this guy and why was he in the Wardrobe?” Alex asked. “He's not a guy, he's a draconequus, a demi-god-like being of chaos,” Twilight answered. “This one in particular is my friend's father.” She turned back to James, asking, “So, Turmoil... your sister?” “That's right, Lady Dusk. Her human form is usually that of a petite redhead. Apparently, her agenda goes farther than what she had me doing. Dammit, I wish they'd let me in on it. Whatever it is, Turmoil meant for you to find out about them, she's too meticulous for this to be an accident.” Silence reigned as everyone contemplated exactly what this meant. Curt was rather excited about the possibility of humans regaining their long lost gift of magic, while Alex pondered his new found role as pawn. Twilight however, thought about the possible implications of a draconequus doing something this big. Eventually, Twilight spoke up, “I'm calling the Admiral Gibson. If Turmoil did this, it's for a reason, and the Alliance needs to know.” “I agree,” James said. Turning once again to her leg computer, she sent a priority call to her old CO. The wise old sailor answered with a hint of worry. “Miss Sparkle, what seems to be the problem?” After Twilight gave him a brief run down on the situation, and some time to contemplate, the Admiral spoke, “I'll look into which flight that could have been and see if I can track down some of the other passengers. In the mean time, call Celestia and see ask her about the possibility of training any other human adepts that we locate.” “And Alex?” Twilight inquired. “That depends on him.” The admiral turned his attention to the untrained mage. “What are you going to do, Mr. Alex? We won't force you to leave your career, but I believe you could be of assistance to Ms. Sparkle and Mr. Dupree. If they agree, I’d like you to accompany them. In exchange, you'll be paid as an Alliance operative and receive training in the magical arts. Knowing Twilight, she'd love the idea of teaching you magic.” Twilight had a grin that would bring a tear of pride and joy to Pinkie's eye, “Please say yes!” “Uh...” Alex looked at Twilight with a touch of discomfort. She was way too excited, but then again, training would improve his shows. The truth of the matter was, all this was way outside his comfort zone. One moment he was just doing a show, and then, not a half hour later, he’s in the middle of some plot cooked up by god-like beings. He wasn’t really sure he could trust these... people, but what choice did he have? If they were to be believed, he could go down in history. “Alright. I guess I'll do it.” “Excellent,” Gibson said. “I'll get to work on my end. Send Princess Celestia my regards. Gibson out.” With that, the screen went dark. Without missing a beat, Twilight brought up her mentor's number and sent a priority call, just as she did with the Admiral. After a few seconds longer than Twilight expected, the image of the Equestrian ruler appeared. “Hello, Twilight,” the solar diarch greeted warmly, “How are you?” Once again, Twilight explained what she and Curt discovered, as well as the Admiral's offer. Twilight's lip curled in a slight smile at the twinkle is the princess' eye. That love of knowledge, both learning and teaching, was something they both shared and the reason behind their closeness. “Well, this is excellent news, especially from a diplomatic standpoint,” Celestia said. “If ponies teach humans magic, it will help bolster our relationship. Do you think Aden would be willing to become a teacher? I would ask Seth, but I already know he has enough on his plate. Did you hear about his new position as CO of a scout frigate?” “Yes, I did. He deserves it, after everything he's done,” Twilight said with a smile. “So, back on subject, we can direct any human adepts we find to your school?” “Yes, though we'll have to change the name,” Celestia mused, “After all, more than unicorns will be attending now.” “How about 'Celestia's School for the Magical Arts'?” Twilight offered. “That sounds lovely, and I can even open a new wing specifically for humans.” Celestia got that mischievous look in her eye. “I'll call it the... 'Twilight Sparkle Wing'.” Twilight's jaw dropped as her brain just shut down, “Uh-bud-dow-whu... Wh-what?” After the critical failure worked itself out, the implications of what was said finally sank in. “You really mean it?” she asked in stunned awe. “And why not?” Celestia giggled at her students flabbergasted expression. “You are the first to teach humans magic, you've developed over thirty spells, and you've refined and improved more than fifty, including seven of Starswirl's.” “Congrat's Twi,” Curt said as he walked over and gave the mare a quick one-armed hug “I... I don't know what to say,” Twilight said with a tear forming in her eye. “How about when I can expect my first bipedal student,” Celestia offered. “I look forward to teaching Mr. Alexander.” “Oh, him?” Twilight snapped out of her daze, “He's not going to be going just yet. He's going to be helping us find the other like him.” Celestia wore a practiced look of fake hurt, “So you get yet another student and I have to wait?” And then came the equally practiced and faked indignation, “Perhaps I should name the new wing after Trixie.” Twilight, though, had seen both looks enough to be able to recognize them, “Oh, stop being a baby. You'll be getting plenty of students soon.” Celestia giggled, “You know, two years ago you would have never spoken to me like that. I'm glad that you can finally speak to me as a friend.” Twilight gave the ancient mare a warm smile. “I'll talk to you later. Good bye, Princess.” “Good bye, Twilight.” Twilight looked back up, seeing Curt trying to show Alex how to create fire, but no sign of the draconequus, she spoke up, “Alright, let's go back to the villa to wait for the Admiral's call. I'll start your lessons with mana control and transformation.” With that, the three left the restaurant and headed toward the car. --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Across the street from the fancy restaurant, a massive shadow watched as three figures sped away. Interesting, he thought to himself, still listening in to the conversation going on between the pony and humans thanks to the bug planted in one of the buttons on the unicorn’s dress. More Human adepts. Jack will want to hear about this. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The Alliance of Sapient Races (ASR) The Alliance of Sapient Races – simply called 'the Alliance' – is, as the name suggests, an alliance between several sovereign empires across the galaxy. It was founded by Terran and Avivan governments shortly after first contact in 2278. The original purpose was to coordinate exploration efforts and any other possible first contact situation. After the Korg joined in 2351, it was decided that closer relations and civilian travel between human, avivan, and korg space would greatly benefit each race. Thus, the Alliance became a means to pass and regulate galactic law. Since then, over half a dozen races have joined the Alliance.