//------------------------------//
// Chapter Eight 
// Story: Daughter of the Crimson King 
// by The-Black-Knight 
//------------------------------//


Chapter Eight



-Outside the History Department of Manhattan University-


Twilight stayed close to Peter, nervous around so many humans at once. The outfit she had picked out was a long sleeved lavender button up shit with a pair of dark blue jeans, and white shoes. “You’re gonna be fine, Twilight. Trust me, plus our first class is Ancient History I. A beginner class.” Peter said, trying to comfort her.
“I know, but still, I don’t even know the common knowledge stuff… What if we take an aptitude test?” She asked, worried about the intellectual reputation she’ll set.
Peter opened the door, letting Twilight walk in first. “Lucky for us, history classes don’t do that. The instructors prefer to start from the beginning.” He said, earning a punch to the shoulder from Twilight, for the bad joke.
“Not. Funny.” She said, sternly, then looked to the classroom doors. “Which room are we in?”
“Uh…” Peter pulled out the schedule, and looked at it. “Ah! Room 109.” He answered, the two walking down the hallway.
“One-o-six… One-o-seven… One-o-eight… There! One-o-nine!” Twilight opened the door, and walked in. Ironically, counting her and Peter, there was only eighteen people in the class.
“Right there, front row.” Peter said, walking to the front-middle desk. Twilight followed suit, and sat next to him, placing her bag between them.
“So, who do we have for the class?” She asked.
“Don’t know. After an incident where a student tried to get special favors from their instructor, they stopped printing the names.” He said, trying to remember something. “But, according to my friend, who works for the History Department, it’s some strict professor that seems to push his lessons to the limit.”
Twilight smiled at the information. “Great! Sounds like he’ll be a challenge.” She said, pulling out a notebook and pen.
“Well, there goes the nervousness.” Peter said, earning another playful punch.
The other students began to chat, waiting on their instructor, about how their summer break was. There was even talk about the Press Conference two days ago. Both Twilight and Peter became uncomfortable the moment someone mentioned how cute Spider-Man looked with the Princess. There was even talk of how awesome it looked when Lord Scarab scared the crap out of Jameson, and openly used his power.
When the door opened, a calm yet stern voice called out. “Alright, alright, settle down, settle down.” A man, standing over six and a half feet, walked into the room. He was wearing a red suit, a blue collared under shirt, with a gold tie; and had an eagle cane in his right hand. His skin was lightly tanned, he had a faint beard, and long black hair that nearly reached his glasses, he had most of it back in some sort of pony tail. “I hope everyone is having a good morning?” The professor asked, the moment he reached the front of his desk.
“Who is he? His voice sounds familiar, but I can’t place it.” Twilight thought, joining the class with a chorus of “Good Morning” while continuing to think on who this could possibly be. “I haven’t met very many humans from this world… And I think I would have remembered if he had asked me a question at the Press Conference.”
The Professor pulled out a stack of papers, the class remaining silent, as a smile crept on to his face while reading said papers in his hand. “Alright, I think that is enough tension, for now.” He suddenly spoke up, causing the class to look at one another. “I am Professor Azhek Ahriman, and I will be your instructor for this class… I already know of the rumors being said about me, and some of you are probably thinking they are true and I’m going to bury you with work. I’m going to tell you now, they aren’t true. I only assign what is needed, and it won’t be very much. I prefer teaching my students in person, over having you write stacks upon stacks of papers. To also give you quite the hint on what I’ll be detailed on, is Ancient Egyptian Culture, seeing how it is what I majored in, and I am Egyptian myself.” The class began to look at one another again, whispers of ‘is he a mind reader or something’.
Twilight and Peter were both wide eyed at the revelation of who their instructor was. “That is what Azhek really looks like!?” The two mentally screamed.
“In the flesh, now… Mind not being so loud, please? Bad enough with the others thinking so loudly.” He told them, telepathically, before speaking up. “Well then! Let us start the roll call, and we’ll get today’s first lesson underway.” Azhek pulled out one of the sheets of paper, and began to read the names in alphabetical order, receiving a “Here!” shortly after each name. When he reached Twilight’s name, Azhek called out “Tara Faust” and she responded with an eager “Present!”.
After two hours of going over what Azhek was expecting out of the class, then diving straight into pre-recorded history. The class was nearly overloaded with so much information given. All except Twilight and Peter, who had taken notes on everything, the former’s being more detailed. When it was time for class to end, the students gathering their things, the two heroes were stopped.
“Mr. Parker, Ms. Faust, would the two of you mind staying behind, for a moment? I wish to speak with you both on your past grades.” Azhek asked, the two of them knowing it was an excuse to speak with them on other matters, and nodded. Once the other students had left, Azhek leaned back into the chair and used his psykic power to lock the door. “That was harder than expected… Good thing Astartes have enhanced memory abilities, and I spent the past two days going over text books and course outlines.” He said, pinching the bridge of his nose. “So much of Ancient Terra has been forgotten in my dimension, I may have to take some books back.”
“I thought you did quite well, Azhek. Your way of teaching reminds me of Star Swirl the Bearded’s own works.” Twilight said, smiling at him. “And he was my world’s greatest unicorn.”
“Yeah, no other Professor proved to be that challenging, outside of the advance science courses.” Peter confirmed, trying to help Twilight with making Azhek feel better about teaching.
Azhek couldn’t help but laugh. “Now I understand how my own instructors felt.” He said, leaning forward. “Now, just to let the two of you know, I am also your instructor for philosophy and archaeology. So, looks like we’ll have more time to work with one another, per Fury’s motives.”
“Wait, you were able to read Director Fury’s mind!?” Twilight asked, both her and Peter shocked at the revelation.
“For the ‘Spy of Spies’, Mr. Stark’s title for him, Director Fury cannot protect his mind all too well.” Azhek said, smirking a bit, looking back at the two. “But, on a more serious note, I would like Ms. Faust here to help you with studies, Mr. Parker.” The two were confused by the sudden topic change, then noticed a quick glance to the door, to reveal a few students outside. “I was able to find out about your educational history, and believe Ms. Faust could help you return to the four point five student you were.”
Once again, the two young heroes nodded, after understanding his intentions. “Thank you, Professor Ahriman. I hope to meet your expectation.” Peter said, smiling.
“You can count on me, Professor Ahriman! I’ll get him back to the way he was.” Twilight said, the two of them walking away from him. “This wouldn’t be you acting on what you heard the other night, is it?” She telepathically asked.
“Possibly.” He responded, smirking. “I knew I could count on you, Ms. Faust.” Azhek said, the two leaving, while he prepared for his next class.


-Canterlot Castle-


Celestia sat on her throne, pondering about the recent events and the new information that came with them. “Tia?” A voice spoke up, causing the Sun Princess to snap out of her thoughts, noticing Luna.
“Yes, Luna? How can I help you, dear sister?” She asked, giving her trademark loving smile.
“You seem more troubled, just less upset, now.” Luna stated, tilting her head. “Would you like to share?”
Celestia looked at her sister for a moment, then gave a sigh. “I have just been thinking… My beloved was able to locate our daughter, then sent one of his strongest sons to protect her. While I?” She looked at the journal. “I haven’t even lifted a hoof to do anything… What kind of mother am I?”
Luna suddenly glared at her older sister. “A darn good one!” She yelled, causing Celestia to give Luna a shocked look. “To protect Twilight, you agreed to disguise her and then send her from your side. When she became of age, and you saw her power, there was no hesitation to put Twilight at your side, to train her! For the past ten years, you have watched over, protected, and guided; young Twilight Sparkle!” Luna suddenly stomped her hoof on the marble floor. “If that isn’t the sign of a good mother, then I don’t know what is! Not to mention, each time I saw the two of you together, you showed unconditional love towards her!”
Hearing those words had brought a smile to Celestia’s face. She hadn’t thought of it before, but she really was acting motherly towards Twilight, while hiding it from herself. “What would I do without you, Luna?” Celestia asked, rhetorically.
“Become a nervous train wreck?” Luna said, giving an innocent smile, while Celestia gave a glare. “Oh, by the way, Princess Cadence and Shining Armor have arrived… Shall I let them in?”
“Oh dear… This will become hard to explain.” Celestia thought, before giving a reluctant nod. “Y-Yes, Luna, best not keep them in the dark.” She could help but feel like she is going to regret this……


-Prospero, Magnus’ Chambers-


The Primarch just sat on his throne, watching the mirror that showed his beloved daughter. He was happy that this ‘Director Fury’ actually enrolled her within a university, but something continued to trouble him about the situation. A few days before, someone sent three powerful mutants to capture Twilight, upon her arrival. Now, there hasn’t been any attacks what so ever. “What are they planning…?” Magnus asked himself, rubbing his chin in thought. When a heavy knock came at the door. “Enter!”
Three Scarab Occult Terminators slowly walked in, their single eyes locked on their Primarch’s throne. “Any word, my lord?” The lead Terminator asked, it was obvious they were anxious to help their younger sister by the fact they were armed…. Ready for combat at any time.
“Unfortunately no, my sons. Young Twilight is stuck on that world, and those attackers have not returned.” Magnus said, rubbing his tired eye, the Primarch hasn’t rested since Twilight went to that world. “What news from the Fellowships and the Photep?”
“Every squad stands ready for your orders, my lord… The Photep’s Machine Spirit is also ready for anything.” The Terminator said, placing a fist on his chest.
“Good, I have the strangest feeling… That this world will need our help.” Magnus noted, his eye never leaving the mirror.
“If that moment comes, we shall bring your wrath!” The three Terminators said, together, all saluting their gene-father.
“Twilight is lucky to have such devoted brothers.” The Primarch said, with a light sigh, and the Terminators took it as their cue to leave. The mirror showed Twilight vigorously studying her book, taking notes at the same time. This sight brought a single thought, along with a laugh, to Magnus. “She has your beauty, my love… But it seems she also got my thirst for knowledge!” He couldn’t help but also imagine the image of Twilight wearing a female version of the Thousand Sons’ Power Armor, prompting more fits of laughter.