"Just imagine the action you wish the broom to take. Remember the exact sequence of movements needed as you cas—and you cast it before I can finish my explanation," Twilight said, as I cast a spell on a broom. As my silver aura surrounds it, we watched as it picked itself up and started to sweep the floor. "Hmmm... looks like you have the come-to-life spell do—or maybe you don't..." Twilight said as the broom moved over to a bookcase where it ended up repetitively hitting it until Twilight canceled out the spell.
"Well, it is progress still," I said as I gave her a shrug. It’d been three weeks since the 'math prodigy' party, a stretch of time that was mostly uneventful with a couple exceptions. At one point, Pinkie suddenly went on some trip with the Apple family for a day. Upon her return, I learned that she could be a distant relative of the Apple family. A few days after that Pinkie and her friends went to some place called Rainbow Falls to give both Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy moral support as they attempted to qualify as part of some team for something called the Equestria Games. I also learned that the Crusaders were going to be flag bearers for Ponyville (I learned the town's name a couple weeks ago), though since I wasn't there for their try-out I couldn't be a part of their demonstration, which for me meant a one day reprieve from their Crusading.
On the topic of their Crusading, it didn't take long for me to find a loophole in the promise I had to make. I promised not to show them how to do the kind of stuff I know, so I just ended up explaining it to them instead, though I insisted on keeping our distance from Applejack if they wanted to try some of my ideas. It was amusing to watch them try rappelling, even though it was just down a small cliff that was nearby. Sweetie Belle was too scared to even try going down the cliff as I watched from the bottom of it. It seemed that my cliff climbing incident was still on her mind. Scootaloo, on the other hand was too enthusiastic about it, for she rappelled down so fast that it caused her rope to come loose. The good news was she didn't got hurt from the fall since she landed on something soft. The bad news was that I was that soft something. My back ached for days afterwards, though that gave me the excuse to cut back on the extreme stuff they wanted to try.
The time I wasn't spending with the Crusaders I spent with Twilight as I learned more magic as I gave her more words to... nerd out on. She finally was getting some sleep, but that didn't stop her excitement whenever she learned a new word from me. She was also amazed at how quickly I was picking up on her lessons, for it only took me a few more days to get a handle on levitation, and the past two weeks for me to master the basics of transmutation. While the concept of being able to turn an object into a completely different object was awe-inspiring to me, so far I was only able to turn peas into grapes.
Now, Twilight believed that I should move onto another spell to broaden my understand of the nature of magic, which she believed would only improve my spellcasting in the long run. "You do have a point there. I'm surprise that you were able to cast the basics of the spell, though it does need refinement. You seem to have a knack for magic, though it doesn't seem to be your special talent, which is odd..." Twilight said as she rubbed a hoof against her chin.
"How is that odd?" I asked, curious about what she meant as my eyes momentarily drifted towards the door that I was told led to her lab. While I knew that with the shards’ unique properties in regards to magic that Twilight hinted at, there was no way I could steal them and simply replace them with fakes. However, I was still interested in her research into the shards, and even though I had an opportunity to break into the library when she was at Rainbow Falls, my reading was still below the average filly, so there was no chance that I could even read her notes, much less figure out which one of them would be about the shards.
"Well, normally unicorns learn magic that is related to what their special talent is going to be, though your rapid advancement in magic of two different kinds points to a talent related to magic. Normally ponies that advance in the fields of magic with ease typically earn their cutie marks that show their connection to magic."
If that is the case, why don't I have a cutie mark then? Though I wish they called it something less... ridiculous than that. I thought being able to adapt to many situations was giving me an edge, but if she is right... hmm... I thought before an idea crossed my mind. "Maybe my special talent is using magic for something? Like... I have to use my magic to do some... job that magic would be very useful in?" I asked.
"Hmm... that's an interesting theory. You might be on the right path there. Maybe if you used your magic in everyday situations, you might stumble across your special talent, or if you are unable to cast a specific spell, it might hint at what your special talent shouldn't be related to," Twilight said as I nodded my head in agreement.
"Right, so I might as well continue to practice," I said as I concentrate on the broom again, till a purple hoof blocked my vision. Looking back at Twilight, I saw that she was grinning sheepishly, which already hinted to me about that she wanted. "Augh, just give me a quill and your notepad so I can give you another word," I moaned.
The rest of the magic lesson went smoothly as I continued to practice the come-to-life spell, while Twilight practiced the new set of words that I gave her. After a few more failures, I finally managed to get the broom to sweep a portion of the floor correctly, at which point Twilight said, "Alright, Aether. I think that's enough for today."
"Huh? That did not last as long as normal."
"Well, I have to end the lesson early today, I'm preparing to spend tomorrow with a pony that I haven't seen for some time."
"Oh? You are sure that you do not want to continue? I still have many words to teach you, I could teach you a few extra if we continue," I said slyly, using Twilight's thirst for knowledge against her.
I watched her bit her lip in thought, before she shook her head and said, "No, I really need to start getting ready for tomorrow. We can pick up the next day though Aether. In the meantime, maybe you should work on learning contractions. You're advancing fairly well with Equestrian but you have yet to use them."
"As you say, language barriers, I will learn in time though. Anyway, goodbye Twilight," I said as I gave her a wave, with her returning her own goodbye while I left the library. As I walked down the street, pondering what I should do for the rest of the day, I spotted a poster that drew my eye. Stopping for a moment, I saw that a rather old looking unicorn with some kind of silly hat on was shown at the center of the poster, with the words 'StarSwirl the Bearded' below it, along with a mess of other words that I didn't feel like reading. StarSwirl the Bearded, heh, what a silly name for anyone to have. These ponies and their names will never fail to amuse me. I wonder, though, what would he call himself if someone shaved his beard? I thought to myself before I resumed on my way until a familiar voice called out to me.
"Why hello there, Aether. Fancy seeing you here at this time of day," Rarity said as she came over to me with some saddlebags on her.
Sighing to myself, I stopped to turn towards her as I asked, "Hi there Rarity, is there something you need?" While Sweetie Belle and Rarity were sisters, I was still trying my best to avoid the mare, for I didn't want to go through yet another gaudy dress tryout spree, and up until now, I was successful at avoiding her.
"Why, yes. I was hoping to meet you today, for I finished making a scarf for you. Forgive me for taking so long, though, I was preoccupied with some orders that just couldn't wait. I also wanted to make sure that it would not only look fabulous on you, but that it would suit your... tastes in fashion. I'm sure you will love this scarf I made for you," Rarity answered as she levitated a box out of her saddlebags.
Giving another exasperated sigh, I grabbed the box with my own magic, levitating it over to me before lifting up the lid. Instead of another frilly article of clothing, I instead beheld the sight of a dark blue scarf with thin streaks of light blue running through it, the scarf having silver tassels at its ends. I actually let out a gasp of surprise, for this was something that I would actually be okay with wearing publicly.
"I take it that you find the scarf to your liking, hmmm?" Rarity asked as a smiled started to appear on her face.
I bit my lip for a moment before I finally admitted, "Yes, I actually like the scarf."
"I'm delighted to hear that! How about you try it on?" Rarity asked, to which I gave her a flat stare before I finally let out a huff as I wrapped the scarf around my neck. "Why, you look fantastic with that scarf dear."
As much as I would hate to admit it to the fashion-loving mare, the scarf did look nice on me, and it actually had a smooth, soft texture to it. It was certainly far above the usual kind of clothing I had to wear before I came to this dimension. "Thank you, Rarity. It does look... nice on me." I then suddenly realized something, I had nothing to repay her for this scarf beyond the few bits I get from Pinkie and the Cakes as an allowance. "Umm... heh... I do not have much to pay you ba—"
"Why dear, you don't have to worry about that, that scarf is a gift from me."
"Really? Wow... that is very... nice of you to do Rarity," I replied as I cracked a small smile of gratitude at her.
"The pleasure is all mine, dear. Though, I still would love to make a dress for you to wear." I bit my lip again as I thought, Of course she'll go back to that dress issue, though Rarity noticed my apprehension as she said, "Darling, I know you don't have much taste for dresses, and the ones you tried before wasn't to your taste, but I believe that scarf is proof that I am able to make a dress that you would just love to wear."
I locked my gaze on her for a moment before it drifted to the scarf, at which I released a sigh before saying, "Fine, you do have a point. You will... most likely make a dress that I may like, but why you still want to make me a dress? I can not afford to pay you back fo-"
"Darling, you don't have to worry your pretty little head about that matter. It is a pleasure of mine to be able to give such marvelous gifts to my friends, and any friend of my sister is a friend of mine," Rarity said with a kind smile that I couldn't help but smile back to.
"Thank you very much Rarity... I may actually like to wear that dress then... time to time though... heh," I replied as I rubbed a hoof against the back of my head as more of my masculinity slips away from me. Eh, what's the point of trying to hold onto it now. There's no hope that I'll be able to return to my original body at this point anyway.
"I'm happy to hear that dear. Now, I'll be taking my leave. That dress won't make itself after all," Rarity said before giving me her goodbyes, which I returned with my own before I began to make my way to the Sugarcube Corner. As I made my way home, I reminisced on the pleasant memories I was making as I finally accepted that this world would truly be a nice place to call home.
I like this story.
That ending. Just:
good chapter, i still think he don´t need to agree to the dresses, i mean for regular use, but this time you had written it pretty good, and i can´t exactly see something bad about it. I speak about him, and agreeing to thinks he clearly doesn´t want.
Is Discord going to be in the next chapter?
that was cute and cute gets you a nose boop
i492.photobucket.com/albums/rr289/axlthehedgehog_2008/responses/nose%20boop/boop_by_deathpwny-d4z9ox9.png
stayclassy
There's no hope that I'll be able to return to my original body at this point anyway.
He kind of have up very easily, won't returning to his home dimension be able to restore him or something?
I sense events ahead, with that last comment.
5965959
Maybe. First off, it's hinted that she is a refugee of some kind, on the run, with no family left. Secondly, she uses technology to jump dimensions and species, and not only did she awaken with nothing, but she lacked knowledge of the local language, meaning her method of transformation wasn't the same. She hinted that it may not be reversible if it wasn't due to her technology. Furthermore, her technology never swapped her gender before, and she would have chosen an adult male body if she had the choice.
5965998
He still have up too easily, meaning that she is starting to prefer Equestria.
5965959 I would note that there was a timeskip of 3 weeks here.
At this time, He/she doesn't have any viable options that he can take to return home and to his true form. In the future, if he finds a valid method, he might reevaluate it however.
5965738 It truly is something to love, isn't it?
5966097 Who wouldn't prefer Equestria when ones previous life left one in so many deadly situations?
Oh snap :O discord might be in the next chapter. I wonder how he would react to those crystal shards, he might even know what they are for.
Or what discord can sense the magic that turned aether into aether. What if he somehow figures out what's up with her.
Or what if he can turn her back to her original form.
Or he may not show up at all
Also I find it interesting that he's giving up on his masculinity slowly but surely. I wonder what effect that will have on him if he does manage to get back home in his old body. Or as he said "he doesn't want to go through puberty again" xD. All in all I can't wait for more development with the crystals. I sense something bad is going to happen and Aether will have to give away some of her knowledge to help the situation. That could lead to a reveal of who and what she is. Though I could be tottally wrong :o.
5966376
Ditto.
I cant wait till more comes out!
...and here comes the ruination.
I can imagine it now, she's taking a magic lesson from twilight where she gets taught the skill of shape shifting! In a moment of absolute glory and in the privacy of her room, she turns herself back to normal, but with a horn! Right at that moment pinkie walks in, just in time to see Aether cackling madly to herself! "My dear, Aether, what happened to you !" "I have returned to my own body, B#%*!" She, now he exclaims! He then jumps through the window and flies through the sky carrying pinkie with his new wings, and they live happily ever after. As mother and son.
5967699 my thoughts exactly
Oh boy. The Tirek incident hasn't happened yet. I wonder what she'll think of Twilight if she happens to witness that battle.
5968020
5970674
Pinkie Pie can get really annoying at times, is like eating your favorite food everyday eventually you get sick of it.
Keep them awesome chapters coming.
Now all we need is to get someone to draw her wearing that scarf. I would daaaw myself to death
The calm before the storm...
Even though Aether is learning Equestrian fast and seems to be speaking well I still hear his(her?) voice speaking brokenish and over pronouncing alot of words. Anyway Aether seems to be feeling their masculinity slipping further and further away.
5968020 Then they whip the moon into cream cheese and punch beef jerky out of the sun.
His old life must have suuuuucked. Too bad for him that this is a story... I see your writing has improved with more chapters. But why did he said Time to time, though?
Thought Aether already had a handle on levitation.
I like this, many foreigners don't use contractions in English so it makes sense Aether wouldn't.
I wonder how many Vananites are showing up in dreams or if it was only Aether's. If it was only Aether's I would suspect a visit from Luna.
I find it curious that in these kinds of stories no character ever tries to actually keep their previous gender. They always seem to instinctively gravitate towards their now current gender. Seriously, burp in public, curse up a storm when you hurt yourself, in foal terms of course, not actual cursing. Insist on a mud bath, play with rainbow, i dunno. It's not really that hard at all. Gender is not a fixed thing, it is merely a stereotype shoved on us by others. And with ponies it is even easier to simply just not act the stereotype.
It's just a minor hole i've found with stories and tbh it's fueled by the fact that i do not at all like how quickly he/she sunk to rarities entreaties.
Wellp, off to work, then to home, then to this
6335689 well there's a few things that any adult male character would try in these situations but this story doesn't have a sex tag
First paragraph: "Not much happened for the next few weeks, except [three more paragraphs of explanation]."
I understand the need to skip long, mundane bits in a story (to paraphrase my favorite subtle 4th-wall break, "Nobody is interested in the meals and bowel movements of the last week."), but if you have to explain what happened in the time skip for context, don't start by saying, "Nothing happened, except..."
Also, Aether goes from "ew ew ew don't want dresses" to "okay, one dress" almost comically fast. We go from being willing to act abnormal for the sake of pride, all the way to giving in for no reason other than what sounds like a lack of hope [for returning to their proper form].
6335689 GENDER is concrete. Feel between your legs. Feel a cock and balls? You're a male. Feel a vagina? You're a female. Gender ROLES is a more muddled subject. Males can do female jobs and females can do male jobs (as long as they are phisically capable. A 100 lb woman isn't likely to be carrying 50 lb loads all day).
6335689
While i agree to a certain extent that characters in stories like these tend to give up old habbits too quickly, i believe the maturity of the character plays a role in how fast they give it up. 27 year old (assuming human) male with an obviously adaptable personality wouldnt try to fight such things in my opinion. Now a 15 yr old teenager with identity, confidence, sexual preferance and image issues would fight harder and have a much more extreme reaction to a gender change. Basicly its all in the percieved personality of the character.
6444106 well, im 125 and i carry 70 daily, though i cannot gain weight worth anything...
6335689 I blame new emotional/mental/neural connections which tend to come with the body.
Uh oh. Discord is coming to town...
7841931
I can feel Aether's Headache from here
-_(`..
I’m guessing that’s only the green kind of grape.
6071628
Contractions are weird, I tend to avoid them and use two words. Like when I am reading a story aloud and separate all the contractions, or when I type without them, backspace, and try again. Why are they so tricky? Oh and I am a native English speaker.