Prologue: The Resurrection Of A Raven

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The date was December twenty-fifth, Christmas day. In the house just outside the city of Berlin Germany there was a family sitting around the death bed of a husband, grandfather and great grandfather. Havran Mortanius, a very long lived businessman and auror now rested comfortably in his last dying moments. A man content with how his older years played out. He raised a family and got to watch his own children raise their own children as well and he passed on his knowledge to them, giving them the life that he never got to enjoy in his youth.

Havran smiled up at his younger wife who was at the rip ahe of sebventy with a loving smile, squeezing her hand firmly before he looked around at all his friends and other family who attended. “Alright everyone, it’s about that time for me. I can feel the reaper pulling at my arm telling me to get a move on. I love and will miss you all. Perhaps I will see you all on the other side..wherever it is we end up anyway.” He said as he turned his head to see a rather tall cloaked figure standing behind his wife. “Oh..look it's actually the reaper.” he said with a chuckle before closing his eyes and giving one final breath before he was gone for good.

As he was being taken by the cloaked figure, it wasn’t the icy grip that he ahd heard about from all those tales and stories of the grim reaper. But, a rather warm and gentle tug as he was suddenly being pulled into a rather bright and sunny meadow with beautiful flowers and a large lush oak tree in the middle of it with a small pond just a few feet away from its roots. One the that he also noticed is that he was walking without needing any support from his cane or the assistance of the figure. He chuckled lowly and stroked at his long snow white beard and even did a little jig for a moment. “Wow..I had forgotten how nice it was to stand on my own two feet again!” he said aloud.

As the figure released their grip from his arm, they let out a soft chuckle before lowering their hood to reveal a rather unique looking creature. She had the face of an equine but more…cutesy? Her fur was white and her hair was an ember red which she also shared the same color of her eyes. Hacran was a little confused at the situation before him. Was this a dying hallucination? Or is this truly what humans had to look forward to when they died? “So, I am dead right? This isn’t all in my head?” he questioned the creature.

The creature shook her head with a giggle at his question “Oh no, handsome. You are surely dead and have been pulled from your world. Don’t worry though. Your god and I have had a little talk about this. And we both decided that you deserve a new start in a new world. From what they have told me, you didn’t have much of a choice when you were growing up. Never getting to choose your own path. I can imagine you must resent your parents for that.” she said as she lead him through the meadows as they talked.

Havran would be lying if he said he didn’t resent them, even if only a little. He clasped his hands in front of them as they walked, the wind flowing through his long hair and beard along with his robes as the thought about it. “I did resent them in my younger years for it, even a little now. But..” he continued with a warm smile as he looked up at the blue sky “I atleast got to raise a family and watch my children raise their children. I hjad friends and colleagues who respected me and gave my children the life they wanted to live. And I did my best to live a prosperous and humbled life. I know I wasn’t the most kind child growing up, but I wasn’t ever cruel either. At least…not intentionally I think.”.

The creature continued to listen to him intently. She seemed to feel fore the old man as he spilled out his life before her without a hint of reservation. Not that it matters to him anymore. He was dead..for now. As they walked under the tree, the creature put a hand on the trunk of the strong oak and looked back at him “Well, what would you say to a chance to relive your childhood and start a fresh life? Of course this is just an offer. You are free to decline it and be sent to your realm’s paradise for your kind that passes on.”. Havran slowly brought his hand up to his beard and stroked it up and down in deep thought.

“Another chance to live my life in a new world, eh? That…does sound rather exciting. And a chance to live it how I want to..”. The creature nodded and responded “Within reason of course!”. Havran chuckled again with a thoughtful nod “Well of course, I can’t just go around doing ANYTHING I want. That would just cause chaos.” The creature smirked as she turned fully to Havran “Indeed, we already have someone in my world who place that role faithfully. He is currently trapped in a statue for now though.”.

Hacran continued to think it over for a little longer before speaking again “Vertainly this isn’t being done out of the generosity of your heart. I am sure you expect something of me in return.” The creature nodded with a smile that lasted a moment before her face became serious. “All I ask is that you help my kind when the time comes. I can’t tell you the future even though I am this realm’s creator. Also, I am going to have to wipe most of your memories of your past life clean. However, I will leave you your knowledge, skills and essential memories intact. And I will also be allowing you to take your wand.”.

Havran blinked a few times before reaching in the front of his robes, feeling around for his…wand?! It was there, right in his left breast pocket! He took it out and examined it fully. His snow white eyes tracing over every little detail of his wand he has had ever since he graduated from hogwarts. An elder wood wand with a raven’s head at the end of the grip and fourteen and three-quarters incher. A wand that has faithfully served him for most of his life. And here it was, coming with him to his next!

“I’d say that would be a fair trade for what I am asking of you, yes?” she asked him as he caressed his wand like it was a part of his soul. Havran gave a nod before putting his wand back into his inner robe’s pocket “Yeah, I’d say that’s a pretty fair deal to be made. And I am in agreement with it.” he said as she reached out his hand for a handshake. “Just as you died on your birthday, you will be reborn on the version of mine, Hearth’s Warming.” she said as she took his hand and shook it firmly “I look forward to watching how you use this second chance, Havran. Good luck to you~.”

Just as she released his hand, there was a blinding light and a forceful wind that surrounded Havran, taking him to who knows where. Havran slowly opened his eyes back up, everything was blurry for a moment before it all started to become more clearer. He sat up and immediately took in his surrounding, immediately noticing that he was resting in a rather larghe and very comfy pile of what appeared to be raven feathers. One thing he noticed also was the lack of aches and pains the went with old age. He felt more…vigor and…youthful! He looked around to see if he could find anything that might offer a reflection, and sure enough, his face was now that of his twelve year old self, all the way back when he was in his second year at hogwarts.

“Well would you look at that. She actually delivered on her word. How about my spells and such..?” he asked himself as he searched through his memories. Everything was there. Except the memories of his friends and family, all his memories from his time at hogwarts and his business and his time as an auror. “It seems that she took at the memories of my past life as well. Ah well, at least I wasn’t left without anything.” he said as he stepped away from the ice that he was using as a mirror. He took out his wand and looked around, he then flourished it before speaking out “Accio, rock!” while pointing his wand at a hand sized rock that immediately flew up from the ground and into his other hand.

“Ah, good. My spells seem to work in this world. Only thing I can’t conjure is my petronous. Since I mop longer have any happy memories…or any memories of my life really.” With that, Havran disappear into a dark grey like cloud and flew up and over his current surroundings. He was one of the lucky few who were able to learn unsupported flight without uttering a word. It was better than walking for sure. As he soared through the air, his eyes immediately came upon a castle off in the distance with what looked to be a city surrounding it. It was in the evening, and it was getting very, very cold with all this falling snow. As he flew over the city below him, he could see that they were indeed celebrating a holiday quite similar to what he could remember. There were colorful lights all along the rooftops and tress decorated with all kinds of festive things

As Havran made it closer to the castle, he circled around it to find a nice and concealed landing spot. Finding a balcony with a covering above it, he lands there and quietly makes his way into the slightly ajar dor and finds himself in what appears to be someone’s chambers. He crouched lowly and walked as silently as he could. His uncovered eye came across a rather cozy looking fireplace and a couple cups of fresh hot cocoa sitting on a table. He lifted his wand again and flourished it “Accio cocoa.” hen whispered as quietly as he could. The drink lifted off the table and carefully floated towards him before he took it into his hand and sipped from it as quietly as possible “Oh my god…” he said to himself. Never before has he tasted hot chocolate THIS good before! It was almost a sin!

Unfortunately for him, the cocoa was distracting him from the new presence in the room who was leaving her bathroom all snug in a coazy red and white robe who had just had her nice and relaxing bath. She hadn’t noticed him yet as she made her way over to the table that had the other cup of cocoa sitting on it. She blinks a few times before she lifted the other cup up along with a plate of hearth’s warming themed cake “Hmm, I could have sworn I had two cups of_.” she cut herself off upon now seeing the crouched figure in her room, his hood obscuring his face as he sipped contently on the amazing and warming beverage. The alicorn didn’t exactly no what to say at this moment. She was stunned that she didn’t see this being beforehand and speechless that he was enjoying HER cocoa right in front of her!

She finally snapped out of her daze and cleared her throat quite audibly towards Havran. Which made the young man stop sipping and nearly making him spit out the liquid before swallowing hard. He slowly turns to her with a sheepish smile,seeing that she was one BIG woman, certainly past amazonian height. SHe slowly placed the cup down on a nearby end table and started backing away towards the way he came in “I uh..hmmm. I couldn’t help myself. I caught the smell of the hot chocolate and the fire just looked so cozy…”

The large alicorn said nothing for a moment. She was instead taking in everything she could about the human before her. And she noticed that he was…rather young, very young in fact! “Where did you come from, little one? I don’t remember seeing you slipping in with the guests from the party earlier. Your clothing is rather…peculiar. I would have certainly seen someone like you come in. Where are your parents?” she asked before setting her drink and cake back down before cautiously making her way towards Havran.

Havran was about to answer that before his mind drew a blank. He had no memory of who his parents were. Only that he just appeared in the forest just off in the direction he came. “I..I don’t have any parents. I don't have any memory of them or if I had any at all.” he said as he noticed her getting closer. He wasn’t sure what he should do at this point. His fight or flight kicked in, and he was choosing flight, literally. With a swift turn, he darts out the door and squickly runs across the balcony to the railing and climbs on top of it, doing his best to put some distance between him and her.

“W-wait, child!” she called out in shock at his sudden departure. SHe stumbles over her hooves just in time to make her way outside to see him perform a leap of faith off the railing. Her heart sank as she ran out in fear of seeing Havran plummeting to his demise, ready to leap herself to try and save him. But, he was nowhere to be seen. Just a giant raven soaring off into the distance to look for shelter from the cold. Little did she know that the raven was the very same child who had fled from her. Havran would have to rethink his next move carefully, but find somewhere warm to hunker down in for a little bit first.

Act 1: A new Life, A New Beginning

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In one of the back alleys of Canterlot, there was a small makeshift tent that Havran had set up as a home for him. On the outside, it was a small raggedy sheet being held together by a few sticks and heavy boxes. However, than to the extension charm, he had created a full sized home for one in a matter of days which was the size of a slightly larger studio apartment. The child had been acquiring and conjuring all his basic necessities he needed to live decently. How did he do it one might ask? Well, he doesn’t know himself. It just came to him.

Havran slowly opened up his eyes as his open hand twitched a few times before he slowly sat up from his bed, He let out a long yawn as his stomach rumbled. He huffs while placing his hand upon it “I know…gotta get some food today. Maybe I will get lucky ajnd a few stores have thrown out some extra.” As he got ready for the day, he had acquired a little bit of this realm’s physical currency which he had kept in a secret pocket of his robes. He could most definitely use the geminio curse to multiply the money as many times as he wish, but to him, that felt like stealing. Not like there wasn’t a shortage of money being dropped on the ground innthe shopping areas of this city anyway. A simply accio spell would bring all the ground money to him easily.

As he got ready for the day, he picked up a carved wooden mask that fit snuggly over his face that he had carved using magic. It wasn’t anything special, just a mask that had a few lines carved into it down the eyes and along the cheeks. He ran one of his hands over the smooth surface, admiring the simple piece of work he had managed to create, not bad for his first time in creating something other than a potion. He grabs an old beat up leather bag he had found and applied an extension charm to it so that he could grab whatever he could find and stuff it in there with no issues. Once he had all that he needed, he makes his way outside of his little tent and casts a small barrier so that it couldn’t be seen by anyone who would rather unlikely pass by. But, better to be safe than sorry.

Havran soon made his way outside from the alley and on to the now busy streets of Canterlot. It was now back to its bustling self now that the holidays were over. Stallions, mares, colts and fillies going about their business. He soon comes across a veggie stall who looked like they were selling discounted things. The child walks up to the stall and looks up at the stallion with a light smile under his mask “Good morning to you sir. Might I ask what you are looking tos sell these potatoes and onions for?”. The stallion looked down at Havran and offered him a light smile “These are a bit oddly shaped, but they are still quite decent to eat. No one really wants them because of their shape though.”. Havran shook his head and counted out the asking price for the veggies before placing the bits on the stall’s table “Eh, their loss. Besides, what I am making tonight doesn’t require them to be in a ‘proper shape’. Going to be making a nice potato soup.” he said before placing the veggies in his bag once the stallion had his money.
The stallion couldn’t help but smile at the boy’s outlook. Just cause it was a different shape didn’t mean it was bad “Take care, little guy. Come by again sometime.”.

One his next stop, Havran went to a dairy stall.Upon his approach, he noticed that the shopkeeper was an elderly mare who seemed to be having trouble lifting up a box of full cheese wheels. And of course, she stumbles and drops the box before falling herself. “She cries out in pain as she falls onto the ground below and lets out a whimper as she crawls around trying to pick up all the wheels that were rolling away. Havran watched as no one around seemed to help the poor older woman. He shook his head before making his way closer, stopping one of the cheese wheels from rolling away with his foot. Once he did that, he Walked over to the older mare and offered a hand to her “Ma’am are you alright? That was quite a nasty fall.”. The mare looked up at Havran before taking his hand. He guided her over to the chair that was behind the stall and sat her down carefully before looking at the crowd that was gathering over to see if they could grab anything that was still left out on the ground.

Havran wasn’t having any of that! He pulled out his wand and pointed it at the feet of the crowd “Incendio!” he shouted, causing a wall of fire to cut off the approaching crowd. He then turned to the broken box before casting the reparo spell, the box now reforming itself just the way it was before it shattered across the ground, and finally levitating the contents back into the box in a neat manner and placing the box behind the stall. Once he had finished with that, the fire disappears into nothing before he makes his way back to the old mare.

“There we go, all cleaned up ma’am.” he said as he kneeled down next to her. She offered him a weak smile before placing a gentle hand upon his shoulder “Thank you so much, little one. Had it not been for you, they would have made off with quite a bit of my cheese.”. Havran shook his head as he looked back out upon the street as everyone went about their business then back to her “Are you going to be okay? Anything broken from your fall?”. She shook her head and lifted one of her arms to flex her muscle “This old gal is stronger than she looks! So don’t worry about me!”. Havran smiled and stood back up before making his way around to front of the stall before placing a few bits on the table “How much can I get for this, ma’am?” he asked as he watched her shake her head “You expect for me to let you pay for what you have done for me?! Out of the question!” she exclaimed as she pushed the bits back in his direction before reaching down and getting him a medium sized cheddar cheese wheel.

Havran looked up at her and pushed the bits back towards her”I didn’t do it to get anything for free ma’am. I simply did the right thing. Besides, this is a business transaction now isn’t it?”. She shook her head again and pushed the money back to him along with the cheese “A good deed like yours deserves to be rewarded, especially when not expected in return.”. He looks up at the woman and then back to coins and cheese on the stall table. Reluctantly, he takes the items back and places them in his bag before bowing his head in gratitude to her “Do you need help with anything else? I don’t have much to do at the moment other than shopping.”.

She shook her head with a smile before answering “Oh no, my grandchildren will be along shortly. I don’t want to trouble you anymore than I already have, young one. And thank you again so much for stoping to help me. So very kind of you. Please, come by again if you ever need any more dairy. I would be happy to sell you something nice.”. Havran nodded and gave her a gentle wave before departing. What kind of situation was he gonna run into next today? Well, it will certainly be one that changes the course of his new life from ehre on out.

As Havran walked through the crowded streets back towards his home, his saw a small lavender unicorn with purple and violet two tone hair curled up on a bench while hugging a book. From what he could tell, she was in a state of distress. He makes his way over to her and sits next to her, placing his bag next to him “Hey there. Are you lost?” He asked as he turned to her slightly before removing his mask. AT first, the little unicorn didn’t respond or even look at him. He rubs his chin in thought before getting an idea “Do you like magic? I can show you some.”. Right as he said ‘magic’, the unicorn’s ears perked up from their lowered state and she raised her head from the book cover it was buried in. He had her attention right then and there.

He pulled out his wand and began to twirl and flick his wand at the snow on the ground in front of them, closing his eyes and making squirrels, rabbits and carious small furry creatures from the snow around them, adding flare to his movements to make the show more flashy.as the snow flowed nd danced around the human. The unicorn watched on in amazement, her mouth slightly agape and her eyes fixated on Havran and his little creations. He turns to her and gives a grand arm opening gesture before casting one more spell “Piertotum Locomotor!” he said as her waved his wand over his head. Right away the little snow animals started moving around perfectly as if they were living, breathing animals. Even one of the little bunnies came up to the unicorn’s hooves and gently nuzzled them. This making the girl gasped happily before picking up the small snow bunny and gave it a gentle nuzzle in return.

This went on for about seven minutes until the unicorn heard her name being called out by someone familiar to her “Twily! Twily! Where are you little sis?!” they cried out. The unicorn called out to the one calling to her, waving him over with a free arm “Shiny! Over here! Come look at this!” she called out in excitement. A white colt unicorn with two tone blue hair ran his way over to his sister. Seeing a stranger with her and…living snow creatures. “Shiny, look at them all he made them out of snow and now they can move around just by using magic! Isn’t that amazing?!” she asked as she continued to watch all the creatures move around.

Havran placed his mask back on before turning to the colt with a chuckle “Assuming this is your little sister, yes?”. The colt walked up to them both before placing a hand upon his sister’s shoulder lovingly before nodding to Havran “Yeah, we got separated while taking her to the bookstore. I guess you are the one who found her? Thank you so very much.”. Havran nodded before picking his bag up and putting his wand away “Keep a close eye on her. Losing a family member is something no one wants to ever deal with. Also, her enthusiasm for magic is quite adorable. She seemed all too happy when I showed her a little of it.”. SHinning looked down at the moving snow critters and couldn’t help but smile

“Yeah, Twily does love her magic. SHe has been fascinated by it ever since she was a foal. She is actually slated to start Celestia’s school of magic starting here after the holidays. My family and I are so proud of her.” Havran rubbed his chin in thought at the idea of a school for magic “Hmmm, a school for magic you say? I don’t know why, but that idea sounds like it would be amazing to experience. Alas, I could never afford that kind of luxury. Im live in a tent in an alley, you know?” Shining and Twilight both look at Havran with a confused stare “Where are your parents..?”. Havran just shrugs and answers in such a casual manner that it shocked them both “I don’t really remember. WHo knows if I had any parents at all. But, it's okay. I am doing just fine on my own.” he said as he slung his bag over his shoulder and waved to them both “See you around sometime?” he said before making his way down the street. As he was making his way back home, he couldn’t help but feel like he was being followed, that feeling pulling and nagging at him like a sixth sense. He stopped for a moment to pretend like he was looking around to see which way he would turn down the street, when he was really looking for anyone that may have been tailing him

He then continues to walk on for a few more minutes before suddenly dissolving in a smokey-clothe like state and flying straight up and over the roofs, attempting to lose his possible pursuer or pursuers. Once above the rooftops, he flies towards his little spot in the alley way, then quickly puts up the disillusionment charm barrier so that it looked like nothing was there. After a few hours of relaxing and cleaning his robes, Havran stood in his little kitchen cutting up potatoes and onion into a boiling cauldron of hot water, adding broth he had created himself and then adding the melted cheese he had let melt over a stove tgop for a little bit. He then began mixing it all together, adding the correct amount of salt for the batch before tasting in “Hmmm, would go even better with some chopped up bacon. But I haven’t found any yet…”

As he makes his way over to the sink to wash his hands, the sound of multiple hoofsteps could be heard entering his little home. Quickly and as if second nature, the boy pulls out his wand and aims it at the two guards whop stop dead in their tracks when they see him do this, but upon closer inspection they see it as a pretty stick and just laugh it off “What are you going to do, boy? Poke us with that thing?” Havran glared daggers at the laughing guard before issuing a warning “Step any closer to me and you will find out what I will do.” he said in a deadpan tone. “That’s enough, boy. Come with us now-.” Havran pointed his wand directly at the approaching guard “Petrificus Totalus.” The guard suddenly stopped dead in his tracks and fell over onto the wooden floor as stiff as a tree.

Havran then switched his wand onto the other guard who had drawn his weapon, which Havran then said “Expelliarmus’ which made the weapon fly from their hand forcibly before he cast the paralyzing spell from before again on the second guard in question. He then casts oblivate upon both of them so they they have no memory of him or his home He then takes them by the hands an apparates to a tavern he had remember seeing while he was out, letting them fall against the wall, making them look like they were just two drunk guards. A perfect setup.

He then apparates back home, unbeknownst to him that someone was watching him do this while hidden in the shadows. A very tall cloaked figure who had been watching his every move ever since that run in his first night in this world “Impressive for someone so young. He can do spells that even I have never heard of. And I have been alive for ten thousand years. But maybe I am the one who should approach him. Wasn’t smart to send armed guards, it seems…”

The woman thought to herself as she watched him disappear. After that, she teleported to the castle and began writing a formal letter, sending an invita5tion to a secret meeting place before sending it off to the boy’s hidden home. Placing it neatly upon the dinner table in a small poof of magic.

Act 2: Making A Deal

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Havran awoke the next day, going through his regular morning routine and making himself some breakfast. Once he got to the table, he took notice of a rolled up scroll with a rather fancy seal holding it together “That…wasn’t there last night…was it?” he asked before picking up his wand and opening it up.

Dear, young wizard

I have witnessed your abilities first hand and have been told of them by my many eyes in the city. I would like to discuss with you about possibly helping you cultivate your abilities further and possibly offer you enrollment to my school of magic. In the long run, I believe it could benefit you greatly. If you wish to speak of this further, please return to the balcony that you departed from a few nights back. I will be waiting for you at nine o’clock this evening.

Sincerely,

Princess Celestia

Havran thinks about it for a moment. Should he go and meet with the princess who he stole her tasty beverage from? Or should he stay in hiding and find a new place to set up his home just in case? The business man in him was telling him to go and see her for sure. But, the little kid side of him says that he should just tease her further. After all, this was his life now. No parents or adults to order him around. He paced around the floor, idly nibbling one his breakfast while he did so. If he didn’t like the offer, he could always just turn it down right?

– 9:00 PM, Princess Celestia’s Balcony–

The air was cold and frigid with a light snowfall. Celestia paced bacl and forth on the balcony, waiting for Havran to come and see her. She waited for what felt like an eternity as she rubbed her upper arms to try and warm herself up a bit. SHe was about to head back inside before she heard the flapping of rather large wings. She turned to see that very same large raven perch upon the railing of her balcony before it transformed into Havran’s true form. The alicorn was in complete surprise at how effortlessly he transformed. No spell she knew would even all that!

“I see how you were able to make such an easy escape last time, young one. I don’t know of anypony who can just take the form of an animal like that at will.”. Havran shrugged lightly and wrapped his cloak around himself a bit tighter to shield himself from the cold “I am an animagus. Someone who can take the form of an animal without the use of a wand.” Celestia nodded before motioning him to follow her inside “It's too cold out here to talk. Please, come inside. I don’t want you catching a cold, little one.”. The way she called him that kind of irked him a bit. But, he is a child physically. So, he was willing to overlook it.

Once they were inside, Celestia closed the door behind them before making her way to the chair in front of the fireplace which seemed to be dying out. Havran took out his wand and levitated a few blocks of wood into the fireplace, then setting them ablaze with incendio, all without uttering the spells. He was confident in wordless casting in most spells, but there are those others whom he’d pronounce just to be on the safe side. Celestia watched him in fascination at how he casted his magic. SHe also noticed the details on his wand and how beautiful hand crafted it was. “I see…that is how you are able to cast so quickly and efficiently. You don’t possess a horn like a unicorn does?”. Havran looked over at her before sitting in the chair opposite of her before he removed his mask to reveal his face to her “I am not of your kind at all, as you can now see.”.

Celestia’s eyes widened for a moment before she traced them over every detail she could over his face. A youthful outer image, but she could see many, many years of knowledge behind his eyes..well the eye he didn’t have covered anyway. “WHat happened to your left eye? Did it get injured?”. Havran placed his hand upon the eyepatch before lifting it up, revealing that perfect glowing amethyst sphere which was neatly tucked away in his socket “I…can’t exactly say how I acquired this for my eye. All I know is that it allows me to see things others can’t. My memories have been wiped from my mind, you see. All I know is that I have been given a second chance at life in this new world. That is…all I can really say for now.”.

Celestia sat there in a bit of shock as she listened to the human’s reason for being here. She quickly snapped out of it before clasping her hands in front of her and clearing ehr throat “I see, so that explains quite a lot about you. The way you carry yourself. And your rather…mature manner. Seems not everything about you was erased when you came here. But, you are still young. And I need to remember that. So, what is your name?”. Havran bowed his head to ehr before saying his name “Havran Mortanius, at your service.”. Celestia nodded as she leaned forward with her chin resting on both her hands “Mortanius? That sounds like a rather…imposing last name.”. Havran nodded “From what I can remember, it is a word containing two separate words, ‘mortality’ and ‘animation’. I guess it was my family name.”

“Well then, Havran. Let's not waste anymore time then shall we? I assume you read the letter and know why I asked you here?”. Havran lowered his eyepatch back down before poising himself properly in his chair “I do. You said something about joining a school of magic? The concept seems…strangely familiar. But, I imagine the admission to such a pristine school would be rather costly. And I am afraid I don’t possess those kinds of funds to even step foot in the door.”. She nods, understanding where he is coming from “Given your..’situation’ and the talents I have seen first hand. I am willing to put my trust in you and offer you a full scholarship to my school. Think of it as my faith in you, as well as offering you a foothold into your new life here.”.

Havran rubbed his chin in thought, searching for a beard that wasn’t there yet it seemed. He nodded his head after a lengthy thought process “I will accept on one condition. Treat me like any other student. I don’t want any preferential treatment. I am just going to be learning what I can from your school as a regular student. Is that clear?”. Celestia nodded her head in understanding. She admired his stand on the subject, given how much she imagined he might struggle sociably “That seems fair, Havran. But, don’t be afraid to come to me if you need help. I do that for all of my students. Do we have a deal then?” she asked as she offered a hand to him, in which he returned with a firm handshake.

“Excellent~. Classes don’t start for another month or so. But the campus does have live in quarters. And I can abide the fact that you are living on the streets. So, gather your things first thing in the morning and meet me at the school. There isn’t anyone around there right now, but at least you can take the time to get settled in.”. Havran stood up and nodded before making his way back to the door he came in from. “Oh, before I go, I need any kind of book that will teach me to read the language here. I can understand just fine when it is spoken. But, I can’t read the text here.”. Celestia gave another nod “I wll show you where that section is inn the castle library. Not to worry, certain parts of the castle are allowed to all students since the school itself is connected to it.”

Havran nodded as well before stepping outside “See you tomorrow then.” he said as he closed the door behind him. Leaving the princess alone with her thoughts “He will have quite a few hardships along the way. But, I can tell that he will thrive wonderfully. I know it in my heart.”. She said as she then laid upon her bed and went off to sleep. It was going to be a busy day after all showing him around. Not to mention, she was rather excited to see what exactly he could do. Perhaps show her magic the likes which she had never seen before.

The next morning, Celestia shows him all around the school and its facilities, finally ending the tour to his on campus room where he’d be staying. Best of all, it was a corner unit. Which means he had plans to make this room very…home like. He sets his bag down on the floor before looking at Celestia who was standing in his door. She seemed like she ws…waiting for something to happen. Instead, Havran just bowed deeply in thanks before he started unpacking. Feeling a little disappointed on the inside, not by his gratitude of course, but by not seeing how he’d make himself at home “I will come back in a few hours to check on you to see how you are settling in. I have royal duties to attend to.” she said as she slowly closed the door on her way out.

–A Few Hours Later–

As Celestia rounded the corner to come and visit Havran, she noticed a maid and a guard listening in on Havran’s door with rather concerned faces. Once she got closer, she cleared her throat which startled both of them “Y-your highness!” they both stammered. “What is going on here?” Celestia asked as she looked at the door in question. “We don’t know. But it has been awfully noisy. And we are rather worried..” Celestia blinks a few times before approaching the door and knocking on it. For a while there was no answer before the doorknob turnmed and Havran opened the door “Wow..has it been a few hours already?” Havran blinks at the two others who looked at him with curious gazes before he looked back up at Celestia “Is everything…okay…in…here-?”

Celestia couldn’t believe what she was seeing. This once small room, now the size of a two story luxury apartment complete with empty bookshelves and a bedroom upstairs with a kitchen, living space, everything one would need to live comfortably was all placed in this now extended space. Celestia ran out the dor to look out the hall window, no construction or alteration of any kind. So how was this actually possible?! Not only that, but he had a full working planetarium actually moving on the ceiling along with a rainy cliffside scene outside both windows. She ran back into his…’room’ again, completely dumbfounded at how he did this within a few hours. She was sure that the potion set she saw in the corner the kitchen came from one of her labs! “I…this is incredible! You have turned the little room I gave you into an actual home! Never ever have I heard of this kind of magic!”.

Havran chuckled before making his way over to the stove, pulling out some freshly made chocolate chip cookies and setting them on the kitchen island to let them cool off “Wel, you said make yourself at home, so that’s what I did. I also borrowed some things from your royal kitchen. I don’t want anyone to worry about cooking me anything.”. Celestia and the others looked around in the room in amazement, he even had some cleaning tools doing the maid’s job on their own! “Pretty cozy is it not? I could have done more, but the extension charm can only go so far with what room is given. I promise I will change everything back once my time here is done.”.

Havran took out his wand before flicking it towards a cake he had prepared before hand. It levitates over to Celestia who accepts with both hands. It was a vanilla and strawberry cake with plenty of butter cream icing all over it “I get this feeling you are a big fan of cake. So..I made this for you as a thanks. I hope it came out alright.”. Celestia looked down at the cake with hearts in her eyes. It did indeed look exquisite. She shook her head to come out of the cake dream and smiled warmly at Havran “This wasn’t necessary, Havran. But thank you so, so very much. I can’t wait to try this!”

With everything all settled and sorted, Havran went straight to work on translating the books he had acquired from the library to learn this world’s language. He kept at it the whole day and evening until he decided that he had enough for the day. He shuts off all the lights except for the planetarium above before curling up under his blanket and closes his eyes. Maybe this won;t be so bad after all. He has something to look forward to over the next few years.

Act 3: Yet Another Fated Encounter

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The streets of Cabterlots were busy and crowded as always. So when Havran apparated into the middle of the crowd, no one really took notice. Now that he had gathered enough money over the past week that the ponies had so carelessly dropped, he could finally go and acquire some new clothes for the school year. After all, dark billowing robes don’t seem like the appropriate attire for a school like this. Also, he was getting tired of wearing the same thing everyday. He is a simple child and doesn’t need much. But, everyone likes to wear different things every now and again.

Havran walked along the new snow-cleared streets into the shopping district, looking around at all the familiar places he stopped by when he was living in the back alleys. While looking for a clothing store to fit his style, he stopped along the way to visit the food stalls her shopped from before to check in on the ponies who ran it, including the older mare whom he had helped with her broken box of various cheese wheels. Finally coming upon a shop called “Casual Stallion”, he takes a step in.

The bell atop the door rings as Havran opens the door, ringing again once it closes. Havran walked in further, getting that warm and fuzzy feeling up and down his spine as he entered a new place with the familiar smell of fresh clothing and leather. At first, no one was here, the store seemed..abandoned but everything was still in stock and pristine. “Hello? ANyone available?” hee asked as he ventured deeper into the store. Soon enough however, he heard the hoofsteps of someone coming from what he could assume was the basement of the store rather quickly. It was a night blue furred stallion with an even darker blue main and tail. He seemed a little out of breath before greeting Havran with a smile and a wave.

“Welcome to my store young one. What brings…you…in…today?” he asked as he looked Havran over who certainly wasn’t what he was expecting. “Ah, forgive me, little guy, you aren’t exactly a pony. SO, seeing someone new put me in a bit of shock is all.” he said as he made his way behind the counter. Havran waved it off with a smile and shook his head “Don’t worry, sir. I am used to it by this point. This is quite a nice little store you got here. I assume it is strictly for male apparel?”. The stallion nodded and outstretched his hand to the right aide of the store.

“Over there, you will find the proper clothing for younger stallions such as yourself. Please, let me know if there is anything you need help with!”. Havran nodded before heading over to that side of the store. He looked around intently at what the stallion had to offer, nothing really coming to mind until he ran across a particular section of clothing that seemed more old fashioned. As he walked closer to the clothing, he noticed a black and forest green aesthetic to the clothing. And the style of the clothing made him feel so warm and fuzzy, like it was something he enjoyed wearing. A few nice black shirts with green lines running down the sleeves and a collar that stood up covering most of the neck, solid black boot cut slack and a thin long coat that had a high collar the fascin in the front to add some facial protection with was forest green on the inside along with a sleeveless version next to it for warmer days.

Havran continued to eye this collection over and over before calculating the price. Once he got the total, he huffed in slight frustration “This is damn near going to empty my wallet…but, I’d like to look at least a little normal while going to school…to hell with it then.” he said before grabbing a belt as well, if he is gonna blow his money, he may as well empty out his whole wallet. He takes the clothing and belt in his arm, the thought of stealing the clothing did cross his mind. After all, he did have his extended bag with him. It would be so, so easy…but he wasn’t going to. As much as he wanted to.

He places the clothing upon the counter top in front of the stallion who seemed a bit surprised at that collection as he rang it up “My goodness. You dress rather…maturely for your age. Most colts are into the more trendy and streamline clothing. This collection has been sitting in the back of the colts section for quite sometime. I never thought anyone would buy it.”. Havran shrugged his shoulder with a chuckle “You can say I am a rather…’old soul’. I feel like I have always dressed in this kind of clothing, even in my last life.”. The shopkeeper nodded before hitting the cash register, that old classic ‘ka-ching!’ sound coming from it as it opened.

“Alright, kiddo. Looks like it comes out to one-hundred seventy-five bits.”. Havran’s eyes widened a bit as he looked back at the tags and his calculations, then back to the shopkeeper “But sir, the cost I came out to was two-hundred fifty. So why so low?”. The shopkeeper chuckled and turned the tags around to reveal the current price, which had seemed to drop multiple times “Kid, that collection has been sitting there for years now. I can’t tell you how many times I have marked it down. I was actually thinking of getting rid of it myself until you picked it up. So, it only seems fair that you get it for the current price I have it at. I’d give it to you for free, but I gotta make a little bit of money from it.”.

Havran placed a hand up and waved it in dismissal while shaking his head “Even if you did offer it to me for free, I wouldn’t take it. I am more than happy to pay the price you are asking.” he said before pulling out his wallet from his bag “Besides, I have been shown far too much generosity and kindness as of late. While I have done a few good deeds for that kindness and attempted to decline, they insisted I take their generosity.” he said as he poured out the money onto the counter top and began counting it out. The stallion arches a brow at the sheer amount of money the child had in his possession before asking “My my, where did you get all this money? Did your parents send you out all by yourself with this?”. Havran didn’t even hesitate to answer while he counted out the money, not even lifting his head to answer “I don’t have any parents, sir. I never did. As for how I acquired the money, you’d be surprised how carelessly ponies drop money around here. This is a week’s worth of coin that I have found on the ground, in restaurants under tables, All you need is a…keen eye.” he said as he pointed to the side of his head where his enchanted eye lay under his eyepatch.

The shopkeeper looked closely at the young man’s face and then in his eyes. He looked real hard, seeking any form of dishonesty, but finding absolutely none. He smiled before nodded once he saw Havran punished the amount of coin toward him. He even placed it in nice separate stacks of ten to make it far easier for the stallion to count quickly. Once he was happy with the amount, he packed all the clothing up and placed it in a bag for him before holding it out “Well, either way, I certainly appreciate your business, young man. Come by some time again, I might be able to grab some similar style clothing for you. But, you can bet it’ll cost you a bit more next time.” he said with a chuckle.

Havran grinned back, knowing full well that things were going to be a bit more pricey next time. But, it was fair. Supply and demand after all “Fair enough, sir. You take care now. And thank you for the discounted clothing.”. On his way out, he noticed that the sign above the store seemed to be falling apart, the chunks of wood leaning against the side of the building in the alleyway. As he walked past the building out of sight of the stallion, he took out his wand and lifted it up before swirling it above his head “Reparo.” he whispered, the sign coming back together in one piece, looking like a freshly made sign.

Havran walked along the streets once more, this time he was just strolling, not looking for anywhere to go specifically before stopping in front of an alleyway, he could hear cries of help and rather sinister laughter of children coming from further down the path. He didn’t even need to see what was going on, he knew exactly what was happening. And he hated the very word it self “Fucking bullies.” he said before briskly walking down the alleyway to find several fillies circling another filly. She was covered in mud and rotting fruit, an orange pony with a blond mane and tail and beautiful emerald green eyes with three freckles on either side of her face.

Now, it wasn’t in his nature to hit females. But, there were other ways of stopping this group of mean spirited fillies, and he was about to show them what for. He pulled out his wand before shouting “Locomotor mortus!” making one of the filly’s legs lock together, causing her to fall back and flail about as she couldn’t seem to stand back up! Then shouting ‘Wingardium Leviosa!”, lifting one of the others by their clothing and dropping them down on a nearby wall hook, hooking the back of their shirt onto it and leaving them to hang there flailing their legs. No, they weren’t choking or hurt, but they certainly weren’t going anywhere after that. And finally, he casts “Incarcerous!” on the last filly,ropes flying from his wand’s tip and wrapping them up in rope securely in a pentagram knot before they drop to the ground and squirm.

He places his wand back into his inner robe pocket before grabbing the orange filly’s hand “Come on, let's get you out of here.” he said as he gave her no time to answer, the pony barely keeping up with him as they ran into a more public area. Once he found a bench, he lead her over to it and sat her down, reaching into his bag to pull out some hot water and a wash rag. He dips the rag in the water before beginning to wipe the filly’s face clean of the mud “I hate bullies, I swear..” The filly stared at him with one eye open as he wiped one of her cheeks clean “Uh..thank ya kindly, stranger. Those three have been given’ me trouble ever since i came here to stay with my aunty and uncle.” she said in the most southern hillbilly accent he has ever heard.

“Judging by your accent, you aren’t from around here, are you?” he asked as he continued to clean her off the best he could. “Nah, I am not at all. I actually come from a little town in the valley below called Ponyville. I was born n’ raised on an apple farm there. I came here to find my purpose in life, and wanted to become part of the ‘high standard’ social circle. But, it looks like my small country isn't gonna work here. I miss the open fields of home and the fresh apples from my family orchard. I miss bucking apples the most.”. Havran tilted his head a moment at the phrase ‘bucking apples’, but decided to not pry about it. “Aaah, so you are a farm girl. You certainly are a ways away from home, indeed. Well if you ask me, you should return home and be where you feel the happiest. Besides, you aren’t missing much here. These snobs will turn their nose up at anyone who doesn’t fit within their socialite standards. Go do you, you know?”

The filly thought hard on his words, and he was right. But she still wasn’t sure if she should return home yet. But thanks to his words, it would be a major push in that direction when she finally decided to. Once he was finished getting her as clean as possible, he put the bowl of hot water and the rag back in his bag before standing up and offering her a gloved hand “Come on, let me get you back home. I don’t want to risk having you run into troublemakers like that again.”. The filly looked at his extended hand then back up to him. She seemed to take notice of his none pony features finally, but did as instructed. He smiled and took her hand before looping her arms under his “Then off we go.” he said as they began walking in the direction of her home.

“You don’t look like you are from around here yourself. You look nothin’ like a pony. Can I ask where ya from?”. Havran shrugged his shoulders lightly as they walked along “Well, I don’t know where I came from really. I have no memories. But, I am currently staying in the dorms at Celestia’s school for magic.”. The filly giggled before looking up at him with realization of her face “Ahaaa, you are one of them magic types. No wonder you incapacitated them so quickly and so strangely. Well done, cowboy. Especially when you tied up that one like a hog. That was quite enjoyable to see.”. They both laughed at the scene as it played over in their heads at the same time. “What can I say, I hate bullies. They all simply got what was coming to them.” he said with a slightly lifted fist.

After a bit of a walk, the filly finally lead him to where she was staying and separated from him as she stood on the steps to her door “Once again, thank ya kindly. I never did get your name though.”. Havran placed a hand upon his left breast before bowing slightly “Havran Mortanius, at your service.” he said with a smile. The filly smiled back, offering him her best curtsy “The name’s Applejack. A pleasure to meetcha, Havran. I hope we gett to see eachother again sometime. Would love to learn more about ya.”. Havran nodded before vanishing into a gray, smokey, clothe like cloud before taking off back towards the castle in flight. Applejack watched in amazement as she watched him take flight without the aid of wings “Wooooaaahhh.” she said with wide eyes and mouth agape. Havran knew he was showing off at this point, and he loved it. As any child would when they have something cool to show off!

Havran finally made it back to his ‘room’ at the dorms. He placed his bag upon the bed before taking out the bag of new clothes he had gotten from that bag and began to clean them properly before hanging them up in his closet neatly on the hangers the shopkeeper had generously provided him at no extra cost. Once that was done, he walked into his bathroom and turned on the hot water before slipping into a now bubble filled bathtub. While he had a drain to let the water flow out of the tub, he had no way to get it in!. That was simple enough, however. Just using the aguamenti spell to fill up the tub and incendio to put enough fire below the tub to heat it up properly to his favorite temperature. And a few twirls of his wand to stir up all the bubbles to get them nice and frothy. Havran laid back in the tub, looking out at the magically generated rainy cliff side scene out his window before closing his eyes, thinking back on the filly he had met today “Applejack huh? I hope things work out better for her. She seems like an earnest and good hearted girl.” he said before he drifted off into a light nap, stretching out his legs so he wouldn't slip under the water.

Act 4: The Wizard And The Bookworm

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The sound of hoofsteps echoed through the halls of the school as they new students poured in to begin the new term. As Havran rounded the corner to catch up, he noticed that the mass of new students was…rather small. They were also being escorted by a pair of royal guards into the school and out into the courtyard in the middle of the building. One thing he took notice of was the age difference of the group. It ranged from ages nine to fifteen years of age. But, there were so few for a fully populated school.

Havran grasped at the hood of his longcoat, slowly pulling it down to reveal his face to the group of fellow students. Some were shocked, others curious. Thankfully, none seemed disgusted by his appearance. However, one new student would see his face and quickly make her way towards him, gently tugging at his sleeve and looking up at him with a small smile on her muzzle. Havran looks down to see that very same lavender unicorn he had met that day a month ago who had gotten separated from her brother.

Havran offered her a gentle smile in return before bringing a hand upon her head, gently petting the top of it as she looked up at him with one eye closed “Aaah, so you made it in after all. Good job!” he said before removing his hand from her head. Havran also took notice for a moment that in fact, all the students here were unicorns. Not a single pegasus or earth pony in sight. Then again, it made sense, unicorns are magical creatures after all.

“Yeah! It happened about a couple weeks ago. I was having so much trouble during the entrance exam and then, BOOM! This colorful rainbow ring filled the sky with a huge explosion of color!” she said as she opened up her arms as much as she could to emphasize the explosion. Havran thought back on the day when he heard and saw the explosion as well. He remembered he was doing a little bit of studying on the realm’s language out in the very courtyard until he heard and saw the sonic rainboom as well. It was truly a sight to behold, even for someone like him.

“Wel, I am glad things worked out for you in the end. And I can’t wait to learn with you. My name is Havran by the way, I never did get yours when we met that day.” he said before offering a hand out to her. The normally shy and antisocial filly didn’t hesitate to take Havran’s hand “My name is Twilight Sparkle, I hope you can show me more of your magic sometime! That was amazing how you brought the little snow animals to life! I can’t wait to see what you will do next!” she said as her tail sways behind her in excitement.

Everyone was talking to each other until Celestia came out onto the elevated podium before the children and cleared her throat, making everyone quiet down for what she had to say. “Greeting my little ones! It is with great pride that I welcome you all to my school of magic! Here, I will help you cultivate and grow your skills as magic users and help you develop mentally and physically as well. While we do focus on your magical abilities here, we also want you to have a strong body as well as a strong mind. Also, I would like to point out…” she continued on and on for what felt like hours, going on about the rules, curfew and the various other things of what not to do while studying at this school.

“And with that, orientation is over. Now, if you would please follow me, I shall show you all where most of your lessons will be taking place.” she said as she motioned the group of children to follow her. As the walked in the group, Havran noticed that Twilight stuck rather close to him. Like, very close. It didn’t bother him in the slightest of course as he could see the look of worry and nervousness on her face as they walked along. It looked like he wasn’t the only one with butterflies in his stomach today. He slowly reaches down and gently takes Twilight’s hand into his, squeezing it gently as he looks down at her, this making her come out of her frayed nerves a bit “Hey, I am a little nervous too, but it’s going to be just fine. You got a friend right here.” he said as he gently squeezed her hand again.Twilight nodded quietly as she scooted in a little closer to Havran. While he wasn’t her brother, he was someone she somewhat knew, and that was enough for her at this time.

Once they finally got to the room, Both of them sat at one table along with another filly who’s name was Moon Dancer. Once everyone was in their seats and settled in, Celestia levitated a copy of the syllabus for the year’s lessons to each student. Thankfully, Havran had learned enough of the realm’s language to understand it as they read over it with Celestia. From what he could tell, there was not only magic, but alchemy, botany, sword combat training, all sorts of things that one could participate in. But, the core learning was academics and magic.

Other than magic, alchemy certainly caught Havran’s attention. While he had the knowledge of alchemy from his last life, learning this world’s alchemy could be fun and exciting for him as well. After havintg explained the syllabus to the class, Celestia tells everyone that today was only a half day, and that they are dismissed to go and explore the school and familiarize themselves with it. Havran however, had the whole month to get himself settled in. So, he just packs up his books that were handed out during the reading and makes his way off to his ‘room’. Following close behind him however, was Twilight. The little unicorn seemed to follow Havran like a lost puppy for quite some time.

Havran turned to face her and arched a brow “Shouldn’t you be off getting yourself familiar with the school? Or heading home?” He asked as he approached her. Twilight grabbed her upper arm, rubbing up and down it as she digs her hoof into the solid marble floor “I…I don’t wanna do it by myself. And you are the only one here that I know. So could you please..?”. Havran saw the look of worry and anxiety on the unicorn’s face. He couldn’t say no to that, no matter how much he wanted to. He give her a smile before waking up beside her and offering his arm to her “Havran Mortanius, at your service.”. Twilight beamed happily as she took hold of his arm and the tour began.

Along the tour, they made their way to the royal library, in which Twilight began to gush about how she loved reading and just loved books in general, she sped around the library, admiring the tall beautifully constructed shelves upon which the massive treasure trove of knowledge filled tomes that adorned them. Once she realized she was overdoing it, she quickly calms back down with a nervous giggle and sheepish smile, blush forming across her cheeks in embarrassment. Havran didn’t mind, however. He to enjoyed learning new things, just not on her level of excitement.

As Havran continued to escort Twilight around, he became curious about her entrance exam “So, what did they have you do to prove your magical worth to gain entry in here?” he asked in genuine curiosity. Twilight looked back up at him to answer “Oh, I hatched a baby dragon egg! The cutest little dragon popped out when I finally did it. I named her Barb!”. Haran arched a brow in surprise, he was certainly intrigued at meeting this little dragon she spoke of hatching. After all, Havran loved dragons in his past life, and that love carried over to this one it seemed. “Dragons are wonderful beasts indeed, always so misunderstood. But, if you fail to respect them, they will burn you.”.

“I know, but I will make sure that Barb is a good little dragon. She will be raised by me after all!” Twilight said with her chest puffed out as she showed her motherly instincts at such a young age. Havran nodded as he listened to ehr talk on and on about how much she loved her little dragon. They continued to just walk around with Twilight hanging onto his arm, not really noticing that the other students that went passed them staring and giggling about who lovey-dovey they looked. Lots of teasing was sure to happen throughout the year.

By the time they realized the tour had come to completion, it was now noon. And Havran’s tummy started to growl from hunger. He then looks back to Twilight and offers her a smile “You hungry? I’d be happy to prepare you something back at my room. After all, Celestia didn’t say anything about not visiting each other’s rooms.”. Twilight thought on it for a moment. He was right, she didn’t say anything about that at all! Not to mention, lunch did sound pretty amazing right now. “Wait…how are you going to prepare the food? The dorms don’t have kitchens…” she said as she tilted her head in confusion. Havran chuckled lightly and pushed his thumb into his chest to point at himself “I do though!”

Once they had both made it to his room, Havran tok out his wand before wordlessly casting a spell to unlock the door, the click echoing through the hall before the door swung open. Havran allowed Twilight to enter first before he went in behind her, closing the door. Once she took in the ‘room’, she was absolutely in love with it. The room she stayed in was significantly smaller and didn’t have a planetarium! She looked over at the fully kitchen he ahd and gasped as she saw him wave his wand around a few times before the knives went to work on cutting up some veggies and tossing them into a now boiling pot on the burning stove top along with the fresh seasoning and broth mixing together by a large wooden spoon mixing it all on its own as well.

“I…I want this room!” she said as she ran around, looking at all the addons that she certainly didn’t have. Havran chuckled as he leaned against the island in the middle of his kitchen “Extension charm made all this possible. Along with a little bit of conjuring magic..and a few borrowed items here and there. Wait until you see what i did to the bathroom.” he said as he pointed to the doorway that was on the second floor next to his bedroom. After she had explored both the upstairs and downstairs thoroughly, she sits down at the table and huffs a little “I am super jealous right now. Your magic is so amazing that it can do all this…”.

Havran chuckled again before he grabbed two bowls and two spoons from the cabinets, the ladle that was sitting near the pot of soup lifting up and filling the bowls to the top before he carried them over to the table, setting a bowl in front Twilight before sitting across from her “Dig in, it is my own recipe.” he said as he took a spoonful into his mouth, closing his eyes at the tasty warm soup that was being consumed. Twilight was hesitant for a moment before taking a bite herself. Her eyes filled with hearts as she quickly fell in love with his soup. She started to eat it with as much gusto as he was, going back for a second bowl for sure.

After they had finished lunch, they sat on Havran’s couch for a while, talking about Twilight’s family and how Havran came to be here.Three o’clock rolled around, Havran had fallen asleep due to a full tummy. No6t only that, but it seemed that Twilight had fallen asleep as well…on top of him. He blinked a few times as he watched her sleep, her soft snoring making him stifle a chuckle before getting up very, very carefully so as to not wake her by placing a pillow under her and placing a blanket atop her slumbering form.

A few more hours rolled by as Havran sat at his desk, working on learning more words in the pony language and also writing down things in a tome he had been filling up with his new discoveries for later study. As he was deep in his work, Twilight finally awakens from her nap to see that Havran was nowhere to be found on the couch. She sits up and looks around, finally seeing him at his desk working away. The way he looked while so focused, the scribbling of his pencil and the organized chaos of books and papers on his desk, Twilight couldn’t help but feel a bit of…attraction toward the human. He just seemed so astute.

Havran heard the movement behind him which made him turn his head and see that she was awake. He sets the pencil down and stands up, walks over to the couch and leans over the back of it with his hands clasped “Did you have a nice nap?”. Twilight nodded before stretching out her arms and drowsily stood up from where she was now sitting “I did…sorry about fling asleep on you. I do that with my brother a lot and I just miss having someone there for me is snuggle up with.”. Havran shook his head while giving his hand a gentle wave “It didn’t bother me one single bit. I understand that you are missing your family.”.

After they hung out for a little bit longer, Twilight reluctantly left Havran’s room. They both stood at the door as Twilight madam her way out. “I look forward to learning with you in this school, Havran. I really do…” Twilight said as she placed her hands behind her back and smiled warmly at him. “I think it will be quite fun indeed, Twilight. I am glad to be of service anytime you need my help. You take care alright? And make sure you don’t miss dinner, that soup can only tide you over for so long.”.

As Havran closes the door, Twilight walks down the hallway back to her own room with a feeling of butterflies in ehr tummy and her heart beating ninety miles a minute. Why was she feeling like this? She certainly didn’t feel this way around her brother even though she feels the same kind of comfort with Havran. It was something more. She was both confused and excited about this feeling. Havran on the other hand, was absolutely clueless when it came to feelings of love. He may be a powerful wizard, but he was certainly lacking in other areas. All of which will come to light further into the school year.

Act 5: Old Bonds Grow and New Ones Form

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Three long years have passed since Havran appeared in this new world. And the time has seemed to pass by so quickly with his new life as he has been enjoying it to the fullesty. Learning new things and forging new friendships along the way. As not only has his relationship with Twilight deepened, but with Barb, her little dragon and her older brother Shining Armor as well. While they are almost complete opposites, they have become the best of friends as Twilight had been the link between them.

Now at the age of fifteen, Havran has hit quite the growth spurt. Now standing at six foot seven inches and had become a bit more bulkier. The reason might be because he has a quarter of giant’s blood in his veins. And his physic is finally showing those properties as he is growing. In his last life, he grew to be a full seven foot five inches before he died, so it would be safe to assume that he will grow to be that same height when his body is done maturing. The poor kid has even had to magically alter his clothing because of this!

–Current Day, Royal Guard Academy–

Havran and Shining dance about the sparring ring, both with unsharpened swords in hand. Twilight and Barb watched on as well as with a few of the students from the academy as well in the stands. While Havran had his size to his advantage, Shining was far more agile and athletic when it came to swordplay which constantly kept Havran on the defense. No matter how much training Havran got for using a sword, he could never compare to the best they had at the academy here.

“You know..I could easily take my wand out and end this!” Havran said as he narrowed dodged a swing of Shining’s blade coming at him from above before falling back and rolling away from the attack. Shining laughed and leapt forward before pinning Havran down with another strike, the wizard blocking with blade in his hand to prevent the hit “You could! But that’s against the rules here!” he said with a knowing grin before Havran got a foot under Shining and kicked him off, sending the smaller unicorn flying to the otherside of the ring.

Twilight watched on in suspense as she wanted both of them to win, but knowing full well that only one of them could. Barb watched on in the same amount of anticipation, but she was busy stuffing ehr muzzle full of snacks at the same. The both got from the ground, heavily breathing from their intense bout of battle before Shining charged at Havran with full force. However, once Shining got close enough, Havran tilts his sword backward which was buried in a crack in the stone floor which caused some sand and gravel to fly into Shining’s face, temporarily blinding him. Havran took this opportunity to pin Shining down and placed the dull bladed weapon to Shining’s throat.

“Yield…” Havran commanded before Shining dropped his weapon and raised his hand in defeat. The crowd went silent for a moment before the whispers of the other students started echoing in the stands. Havran then got up and offered a hand to Shining who took it. Havran then took out his wand and summoned a light and small stream of water to clean off Shining’s face and eyes of the gravel that blinded him. “Sorry about that, bud. I saw an opportunity and I took it.”. Shining shook his head before wiping his face dry with a towel he had sitting next to his duffle bag. Before answering “No need to be sorry, you thought quickly without having to resort to magic. I am quite impressed.”

Havran chuckled before resting the blade on his shoulder “That is the ONLY reason I won. This is my first win out of what? Fifty-six losses?” Shining laughed and playfully punched Havran in his arm “And how many times have you beat me in a magic duel? More than I care to count, that's for sure!” Shining said as he struggled to beat Havran in that area many times himself. But, they acknowledged each other’s strengths, that is one thing that mattered the most in their friendship. Once Shining had finished cleaning off his face, they both grabbed eacxhother’s hand and shook it firmly “A fun duel as always, Havran. Can’t wait to do it again.”. Haavran nodded firmly with a determined smile “I look forward to it as well.”.

After having left the ring, Havranw waited outside of the academy gates until he saw Twilight and Barb walking up to him before they started walking back towards the school. “Your brother is certainly one of the top students over at the guard academy, Twi. He is going to be at home on the royal guard.” said Havran as he rubbed over his left shoulder where he was struck by the practice sword. Twilight nodded in response “Don’t count yourself short. You did pretty well without the use of magic. That last move was a stroke of genius in a pinch.”

As they continued talking, they stropped at a local cafe where they ordered some snacks and drinks, getting comfortable at their usual booth. “I just don’t understand why magic isn’t allowed in a duel. What if it was actual life or death? I don’t think I would follow those rules very well.” He said as he sipped on his iced tea. Barb looked up at Havran as she grabbed a cookie from the dish that was brought to them “From what I have seen, your magic is quite different from what we can do here in our world. That may be why the princess is especially strict with your magic casting.”.

Twilight nods in agreement “Barb does have a point. I mean, you can conjure things out of thin air and make dwellings much larger on the inside than they appear outside. Not even Starswirl could do that. And he was one of the greatest magicians of all time. So yeah, having her be a little more strict on you is understandable. Though, as a filly with a huge interest for magic and science, I wanna see what all spells you can do. Even the ones you have kept hidden from us.”.

Havran places his cup down on the table and takes his wand from his coat pocket “Trust me Twi. There are spells that I know that you don’t want to see me cast. Three of them, in fact. Two fof them are an absolute last resort if your life is in immediate danger.” he said in a more somber tone. “And..what spell is that..?” she asked not really sure if she wants to know, Barb looking a bit worried herself at Havran’s next words. Havran lets out a sigh before her gives them both a serious gaze.

“Avada Kedavra, also known as the killing curse. The spell consists of a bright green light that flies towards the caster’s target and instantly takes their life. No sign of injury or any markings from the spell, just instant death. It is a spell I hope I never have to us, let alone in front of you two or Shining. Or anyone I may care about in the future.”. All three sat quietly for a moment before Twilight spoke up, seeing the dread on Havran’s face “Hey, don’t you worry! You have all this other magic you can use to get yourself out of sticky situations. I am sure you will never have to use that spell!” She said as she placed her hands on one of his, Barb doing the same.

“Yeah, everything will be just fine for us! You are a gifted and talented wizard. And will never have to resort to such a spell!.” said the little dragon. Havran lifts his head up with a smile before nodding “Yeah, after all, this is a peaceful place.Hardly anything happens here that even requires my offensive spells I just hope it stays that way.” He said before putting his wand away and taking another sip of his drink and grabbing a cupcake from the plate in front of them.

The next day, there was no school. Havran walked along the grounds of the school, just enjoying the breeze on his pale face before his eyes took interest in the valley below Canterlot. He had often wondered about the small town that populated the little valley below this bustling city. And what better time to go and check it out than now? He has been here for three years now and not once has he ever made the trip!

He walks over to the railing of the wall and climbs on top of it before changing into his dire raven form, spreading his large wings and flapping them a few times before taking flight and making his way down with a long glide before he actually had to start flapping again. The air felt so nice on his feathers since the season was now in the spring. It was a good day to go out and explore somewhere new for sure. He could have apparated, but where is the fun in that when going somewhere new?

As Havran flew over the small town, he noticed a more..quaint and friendlier charm to the place. No one seemed to be in a hurry and they had their own little economy here. They had a library, a hospital, a few restaurants, a bakery, all the little things a town needed. “This is…quite a nice little place here. Maybe I should come visit more often to get away from all the city noise.” he thought to himself as he continued his flight. He did notice that he was getting company as he flew as smaller ravens seemed to get into formation behind him. This made him chuckle in his mind before he dove down to land in a nearby tree, in which his new tagalongs followed suit.

As he stood there on the branch, Havran noticed a yellow pegasus filly with a pink mane and tail sitting around with a few other animals under the same tree he stood on. He watched her curiously as she seemed to be able to communicate with the animals somehow. It reminded him of how druids could do the same thing. Though, he wasn’t sure where that knowledge came from. He lets out a caw to the filly to make his presence known to her. The filly lets out a rather adorable “eep!” before she looks up at Havran. She lets out a soft gasp before flying up to meet with him.

“Oh h-hello there. Are these all your friends?” she asked as she hesitantly and cautiously reached out to lightly run her fingers through Havran’s feathers. She had never ever seen a raven at this size before, it was almost as big as her! Havran let out a few soft sounds that a raven makes when it is trying to communicate “Ah, I see. They saw you flying and they decided to accompany you. You do have a sense of…power about you. Perhaps they saw that and thought you worthy?”.

Havran then shifted back into his human self, now sitting on the branch with his legs swinging lightly. The sudden change made the yellow pegasus nearly go crashing to the ground before her bear friend caught her before she hit the ground. “Well, I am an animagus after all. So I suppose they would be correct in assuming I possess power.”. Fluttershy looked up at Havran as he sat there, she noticed that even though he had changed so suddenly, the ravens still sat there with him as if he was still one of their own. One of them even perched on his shoulder and rubbed themselves against him happily.

“Sorry about startling you by the way. That was my fault. My name is Havran Mortanius by the way. And who are you?” Havran heard her mumbling her name, seeing that she was averting her gaze from him and digging her hoof into the ground. To him, he found this shy nature rather adorable. “Ah, a pleasure to meet you, Fluttershy.” He said before he slid off the branch and onto the ground, landing on his feet in a crouch before standing up fully. Fluttershy looked up at the rather tall human, she shivered in slight fear but at the same time was curious about him.

“U-um..what happen t-to your eye..?” she asked as she was trying to break the tension filled silence. Havran lifted up the patch to reveal that shining amethyst orb to her, chuckling softly “I can’t remember, all I know is that I have had this in its place my whole life. It gives me vision, but it also lets me see things others can’t. Pretty neat isn’t it?” he asked as he lowered the patch back down. Fluttershy nodded before she stepped away from her bear friend that was protecting her. She takes a few steps closer to Havran before looking between him and the tree still filled with ravens “I…have never heard of anyone else having animals come to them like this, even though it just seems to be ravens that flock to you.”.

Havran gave a light shrug of his shoulder before holding out his right arm as one of the ravens landed upon the outstretched limb “Ravens are very intelligent birds. The remember face quite well and are kind to those who are kind to them. They even bring you gifts if you give them gifts as well. A little bit of food can bring you great friendship with a raven.” he said as he lightly scratched under the raven’s chin who seemed to be enjoying the feeling. “So, next time you see one, don’t think of it as a bad sign. Offer it something to eat. You may gain a friend.”.

It wasn’t that Fluttershy didn’t like ravens, it was more like they intimidated her. A creature that resembled something dark and foreboding didn’t exactly make her feel easy. But, with what Havran ahd shown and told her, she was starting to feel a little more differently towards them. Just because something seems scary doesn’t mean that it will cause you any harm. Havran then lets the raven fly away before he turns back to Fluttershy “I am sorry to have disturbed your time with you animal friends, I shall take my leave now.” he said as he took to unsupported flight this time instead of changing into his raven form, the other ravens flying off in all different directions “W-Wait!” Flutterhy cried oout. But it was too late, Havran had flown off to a distance where he couldn’t hear her anymore. And there was so much that the yellow filly wanted to ask him to..

Act 6: The Wrath Of A Raven

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Havran was in the middle of a flight heading down to Ponyville to get away from the city noise once more. After his first visit, he noticed that he quite enjoyed the slower and calmer streets of the small town in the valley below the capital. The young man, now seventeen, had been living his life in this world for five years now. And he has become quite fond of the beings that mainly inhabit the realm. Not to mention, he had been learning all about this world’s magic and its history. The one thing that bothered him about their magic though is that it felt so…limited. Back in his world, magic was limitless and could be expressed in far more ways than what it could be here.

Not only that, but he has come to know a few of the ponies here on a rather personal level. Even coming to know the princess herself as she seemed to favor him and Twilight out of the whole class even though he had specifically told her not to treat him anymore better than a regular student. But, she just seems to treat him as if he was her own son. She was the motherly type after all. Perhaps because she didn’t have a child of her own? Who knows. He was just happy that things were going so well…for now.

As he lands in the middle of the town, several ponies take notice as he comes out of his unsupported flight form and simply offer him a wave and a smile in greeting. When they first saw him make his entrance, they thought he was some kind of spirit or evil creature that came to haunt them. But, after a few more visits, they realized that he was just someone coming to visit them every now and then. Havran smiled under his mask and waved back to them before continuing on foot. He wasn’t there for anything in particular. Just there to hang out and maybe grab a bite to eat at one of the local food shops.

As he walked about the town, he noticed quite a few pegasi flying over and moving about dark clouds overhead. A tall tale sign that it was going to be raining here rather soon. It always fascinated Havran how they did things down here when it came to things such as weather when in Canterlot, the seasons changed magically. When the pegasi from Cloudsdale worked to manually change the weather here.

Havran finally decided on stopping at the local sweets shop. He knew they didn’t serve any kind of meat in this town so he opted for something sweet instead. He decided at the proper time as well as it began pouring rain once he had stepped into the building. As he opened the door, the bell rang as it opened and closed, signaling to whoever was behind the counter that a potential customer was now inside. It was a cotton candy pink earth pony who looked rather soft and curvy, she looked like she definitely bloomed early as she also still looked like she was younger than him in the face. “Be right with you-!” she stopped at the end of her sentence before leaping over the counter and running at Havran at full speed “A new friend! She shouted gleefully.

Havranw as quick to pull out his wand and react”Protego!” he shouted as a bubble like forcefield formed around him, stopping the filly in ehr tracks as he face pressed in on it like she was staring at something through the window with excitement. “Oooh, and you can use magic to! But you don’t have a horn!” she then gasped “You aren’t a pony are you?! You must be the Havran guy I have heard about from some of the other ponies in town! I have been trying to find you to welcome you here for ages now! But you always seem to sneak passed me, Mr. Sneaky-snake!”.

Havran twirled and flicke his wand once more in her direction, casting the langlock curse upon her to prevent her from talking. She was going ninety miles an hour in her speech and it was starting to annoy Havran slightly “Slow down and take a breath, good god, girl!” he finally said as he watched her continue to try and talk in muffled noises while flailing at his protective bubble. When she finally realized she couldn’t break through it, she huffs through ehr nose and finally comes down before Havran finally lowers the bubble and releases the curse on her muzzle.

“Ehehehe..sorry, I get so excited when I meet new ponies….” She said as she scratched the back of her head. Havran waved his hand dismissively and offered a light smile under his mask “Its fine, you just startled me was all. Never had anyone try to greet me in such a..enthusiastic manner. But yes, I am the one known as Havran. Havran Mortanius at your service.” he said with a bow while placing a hand on his chest before coming up from his bow. The filly ‘Ooooh’d at his name “That’s a pretty fancy pants name you got there! Do you come from some kind of rich family?” she asked as she hopped closer to him.

Havran shook his head in response “I have no family actually. I never even had a mother or father. I simply appeared here one day with nothing but a name, knowledge and my wand.”. The filly stopped her hopping about and lowered her ears as she gazed down at the floor, her mane dropping to a perfectly straight style as she digs her hoof into the wooden floor “Oh…I am sorry I brought that up..”. Havran shook his head as she saw her expression…and apparently her mane drop “Nonono, it's perfectly fine! It's not like I have any sad memories or anything. Hell, I don’t have any memories of my life before I was brought here to this world. So don’t feel bad for anything.”. Suddenly the pony’s happy expression and mane puffed up and she was back to bouncing around him before she swung her arms around him in a hug “Well, don’t yuou worry! Your big sister Pinkie Pie is here for you now!”.

Havran blinked a few times and returned the hug “Big sister? I think I might be a couple years older than you. I am seventeen.”. She blinks as well before responding “Then your little sister is here for you! And yes, I am actually fifteen myself!” she said as she reluctantly released his from one of the softest, warmest hugs he had ever received. She felt rather pleasant in an embrace. “Ah, so your name is Pinkie Pie huh? A rather suitable name from what I can see. I take it that you work at this establishment?”. She nodded multiple times before hopping behind the counter “Mhm-mhm, I work here and I live in the space above the whole shop! My family owns a rock farm out of town. But my profession is sweets and parties!”.

Havran nodded as he walked over to the display case and leaned down to look at all the sugary goodness. The cakes and other sweets looked so well crafted and made from scratch to boot. He was indeed having a hard time picking some out as stared at them for the longest time. “Might I make a suggestion?” asked Pinkie Pie. Havran nodded in response. “I can tell that you are a chocolate cake with buttercream icing kind of guy! AM I right?” She asked as she presented him with a box of that very same kind of cupcakes seemingly out of nowhere. What sorcery was this? Havran leaned in for a closer look and took a few sniffs, and they smelled absolutely amazing to “Mmmh…those look and smell wonderful. And you are right. For some reason, that really appeals to me. I will take four of them.” Pinkie grabs a to-go bag and places them neatly inside the bag before sliding them over to Havran. He then reaches into his satchel and pulls out the amount of bits needed and pays the filly. “Thank you for coming to SUgar Cube Corner! But…you aren’t leaving now are you..? It's pouring out there!” she said as she flailed her arms to show her emphasis.

Havran chuckled lightly and took out his wand and swirled it above his head before holding it up like he was holding an umbrella “Don’t you worry about me, Pinkie. I will make sure to stay dry.” he said as he walked out the door, the rain bouncing off of a large half sphere force field that floated above him, keeping him very dry indeed. As he continued on his way, he couldn’t help but feel that someone was watching him as he passed by a building that reminded him of one of those posh rich pony stores he had frequently seen in Canterlot. “Heheh, I guess even a small town like this has a few of those hoity toity types huh?”” he asked himself.

Before he could move on, he heard the sound of the building’s door open and a rather posh voice call out to him “Excuse me, dear! You shouldn’t be out in the rain! Please, come inside and stay until it lets up at least!”. Havran was doing absolutely fine under his magic umbrella, but if she insisted he’d come in, he would. He turned on one foot before making his way into the clothing establishment, lowering his wand before watching the door close behind him. Who he saw actually made his heart skip a beat with how absolutely beautiful she was. A white unicorn with long wavy purple hair and sparkling sapphire blue eyes. He almost dropped his wand, even.

Havran shok his head to get himself composed before pocketing his wand in his coat “Erm, thank you for the invitation. But I was doing alright. You didn’t need to bother with me.” The unicorn shook ehr head before smiling up at Havran `Nonsense! No one should be out in this weather unless you are a pegasus! And you most certainly do not have wings…or hooves for that matter! However, your clothing tells me that you are a rather well kept stallion~. And that is enough to catch my attention for sure. Please, make yourself comfortable in the parlor. I will get some tea ready> I want to know all about where you got such a wonderfully edgy fashion sense~.”.

Havran made his way to the parlor, finding a couch in front of a small coffee table before making himself comfortable. He then looked down at his satchel and shrugged “Well, she is providing me with tea, I don’t mind providing the snacks.” he said before pulling out the cupcakes he had bought before neatly setting them out on a decorated plate he had just happen to have in his bag as well. From what he could tell, the place smelled rather..new. It must have just opened up rather recently. “She must be at least a year older than me if she is living alone with ehr own business. Good for her, start out when you are young.” he said to himself as he reached into his bag and grabbed a book he was reading while he waited for her.

As he sat there reading, he noticed it took a rather long time for her to make some tea. That was when he heard it, a commotion going on in what he assumed was the kitchen. The pouring rain against the roof had drowned out quite a bit of noise, but the faint sound of breaking glass and the sound of a female and male struggling was evident now that Havran was focusing in on the sounds. HJavran placed the book down on the table and removed his mask before he quickly made his way to the room where the sounds where coming from. What he saw when he peeked around the corner shocked him for a moment. But right after that, a heated rage filled up inside of him. There were three stallions surrounding the unicorn, her clothing torn off to the point where she was fully naked and their hands squeezing and fondling her all over with their pants down. Her face was full of distraught and tears flowed down ehr cheeks, running ehr makeup.

Havran drew his wand and pointed it at the group, his amethyst eye radiating with a smokey glow showing just how angered he was, even his wand started sparking angrily. “BOMBARDA!” shouted Havran as the spell flew towards the group of older looking disheveled stallions, sending them through the botique’s wall and out into the pouring rain. The sheer force of it causing them quite a bit of pain along with being sent through a wall. Havran walked past the unicorn who was still sobbing on the floor, removing his coat and placing it around her so that she was covered up.

She looked up at Havran as he passed by, seeing just how angry he was by the way his eyes stared dagger at the males who had attempted to rape her. Havran now stood in front of the stallions, his hands shaking with rage before he swung his wand around like a whip “Crucio…crucio…CRUCIO! CRUCIO! CRUCIO!” he casted the torture curse over and over on all three of them, their screams of pain breaking through the heavy rain as red light sparks all over their body. For some reason, this act that they attempted on the unicorn really hit home for him, almost like it brought up a painful memory he no longer possessed but, his heart seemed to still remember it clear as day.

Havran now stared down at the stallions who were writhing in agony from the repeated barrage of the torture curse. There was one more spell that he had on his mind. And he wanted so badly to cast it. And he was going to mean it too. It even got to the point where a green light started arcing from his wand. “ENOUGH, HAVRAN!” boomed a commanding voice as a golden light appeared. The sudden entrance disperses the weather all together, leaving only just the grey sky now. “That’s..enough..” said Celestia in a rather shaky voice.

Havran looked over Celestia and back to the stallions. He lowered his wand slowly, the scene of what had happened before him playing out over and over in his head, watching the white unicorn crying and struggling against the groping hands of her would be rapists only fueled him further into anger, his breathing became heavy and quick, his shoulders rising up and down with each breath. It was too late for Celestia to pull him out of his rage now. As the heavy rain resumed, Havran reared back his wand and shouted the spell as loud as he could with as much conviction he had. ”NO!” Celestia shouted as she reached out toward him. “AVADA KEDAVRA!” He growled. The thunder boomed and the lightning struck, green light flying towards all three of the stallions and sending them flying back again. And this time, they stopped moving completely.

Havran’s breathing finally slowed down as he now stared at the lifeless bodies before him. It took a few minutes for him to finally realize just how far he had gone. He looked over at Celestia who now had a rather saddened expression on her face like a mother who was disappointed in her child. And for some reason, that look stung Havram quite a bit. “Havran..what have you done..?” Celestia asked as she lifted her head back up to gaze at Havran. He said absolutely nothing in response to her question, he simply turned and ran away from her before apparating away. To where? No one would know for a while.

Act 7: Returning Home

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Deep within the Everfree forest, there was a small hunt that had been put together using magic. It had been five whole years since Havran ran from what he had done all that time ago. And now, he stays in the forest, avoiding any kind of contact from the royal captial or even Ponyville. Along with his time away from civilization, his appearance had grown sharper and more intimidating, just as he was when he had finally reached adulthood in his last life. He sat in his home which he had used an extension charm on the inside to make himself feel more comfortable. His hair had grown down to his lower back and a full beard was now present upon his face. The white color made him look more like a wizened old mage if it wasn’t for his physique and still young face.

Havran sat in front of the fireplace with a book in his hand as he waited for the soup of forest inghredients to finish cooking, the sound of rain pattering against the roof of his home and the crackling of the flames brought him comfort when they came together. He was about to stand up and grab a drink when he caught something in the corner of his eye. A white cloaked figure making their way around to sit in the chair facing him. The figure sat down and removed their hood, revealing the face of the one who brought him into this world in the first place.

“I see that you still haven’t decided to return yet, Havran. I have been watching you live life out in this forest for the last couple years now. It has changed you quite a bit.”. Havran said nothing at first, but he wasn’t going to be a rude host. He stands up and walks over to the pot and stirs the soup before grabbing a bowl and pour some into it with the wooden ladle he had made himself before handing it over towards Faust. She smiled warmly and graciously accepted the offer meal before Havran got his own, then picked up a spoon for both of them.

As they both sat there in silence for what felt like forever, Havran finally broke the silence “I don’t know what came over me that day.” he said, his voice more gruff and gravelly now that he was a full adult. “It was like my heart was being squeezed in a vice. I shouldn’t have acted like that when I didn’t even know any of them. The mare or the stallions. But the moment I saw was what happening, I just…lost control into a fit of overwhelming rage.”. The home when quiet again for a few moments before Faust finally spoke.

“I think…what happened that day may have been my fault, Havran. You see, when I took your memories away from your past life, I took the ones away from your mind, but not the ones in your heart, memories that you can not recollect. But the feeling is ever present should something similar happen. And on that day, those feelings came out of you when you saw what happened to the young mare you defended. But I must ask you. Do you regret taking the lives of those three?” she asked, taking a sip of the soup from the bowl. Havran looked down into his own soup before nodding “Taking the life of someone is never a good thing. No matter what theyu have done wrong. But sometimes, their wrongs are so great that someone or something will eventually take their life. Be it someone of higher authority or some random stranger.”.

He rubs his beard before asking her a rather complex question “When animals hunt and kill for food, do they have a higher authority who passes judgment onto them when they kill an innocent creature? No, they simply go about living their lives until they die or are hunted and killed themselves. Same thing with any other crime they commit against one another. The only thing that sets us apart from them is that we have a more logical way of thinking. We try to rationalize our critical decisions. They may change our lives or the lives of others negatively or positively. So I ask you this, Faust. Why do you allow things to happen like that day? You could have stepped in to help that mare before they even laid a single hand on her. You re the creator of this world. Why don’t you make it a safe place to live for everyone?”

Faust offered Havran a sad smile before responding to him “As much as I would love to step in and bring everlasting world peace to my world. I made a vow to never interfere with the affairs of my creations.”. Havran sat down his now empty bowl and clasped hisnhands together as he star3ed at her intently “IM am assuming it is because if you did everything for them, they’d never learn for themselves. But, on a much grander scale.”. Faust was speechless for a moment, but nodded to Havran’s answer. “I figured as much. You are the mother of this world. And every living creature in it is your child. Youd rop hints every once in a while here or there. But you never truly interfere. Like a parent to a child. Oddly enough, that concept feels rather…familiar.”.

Havran stands up from his chair and goes to pour a couple glasses of tea before making his way back and handing the other cup to Faust. “You did what you had to that day to prevent an innocent from suffering, Havran. And the way that you did it is partly my fault. I know you would have done it far more differently if I had done things right in the first place. And for that, I am sorry. I know those three deaths weigh on your soul. But, I won’t lie to you and tell you that killing won’t happen again for you in the future. I know you will seek ways to avoid it yourself. But, there will come times where you won’t have a choice to protect those you care for, and those you will grow to care for. I can’t tell you what your path is because that is something you will have to decide on your own. But, I know that you will do what needs to be done when the time comes.”.

After they speak for a bit longer and finish the soup and tea. The both stand up and Faust wraps her arms around Havran’s waist in a comforting hug “I will always be watching over you, Havran. I know that even in the darkest of times that you may face here, you will be just fine, my handsome raven. Also, before I go, my youngest daughter will be returning from her banishment tomorrow evening. I ask that you please befriend her and treat ehr with the utmost kindness. She has been through a lot these last thousand years ever since her sister sent her to the moon. And I figured someone like you would make a great friend for her..” she said before letting him go. He thought about it for a moment before nodding. “I will do my best to make friends with her on your behalf. I owe you that much at least.”/

–The Next Evening–

A dark blue alicorn mare rested in her chambers, worn out from the battle she had fought with the new elements of harmony and emotional struggle of what she had to deal with for over the last thousand years. She sighed out in exhaustion before the sound of large beating wings stopped outside of her bedroom door on the baloney railing. What appeared to be a rather massive bird suddenly shapeshifted into an upright figure in a rather tattered cloak. The figure shadow approaches the door before raising its fist up to knock at the door. “W-who ist there?” she asked in the old language, trying to sound intimidating as her horn started to glow. “I am here on behalf of your mother, Faust. She told me to come and see you once things had settled down between you and your sister.”.

Luna’s horn stopped glowing once she heard that name from the stranger. Only Her and Celestia knew her true name. All the other ponies just knew her as Mother Mare. She slowly slides out of her bed, wearing nothing but a rather revealing nightgown that shown beautifully in the moonlight. She slowly opens the door to the rather large figure before allowing him to come in, having to duck down to do so. “Ah, so you are the little sister that Celestia told me about those few years ago. It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Princess Luna. I am pleased to see your banishment has ended.”.

Luna’s teal gazed scanned the figure up and down for a moment. All she could see was the long white beard and the gleaming amethyst eye from under his hood. She remembered something about what her sister had told her earlier when they were catching up. A young stallion with white hair and an amethyst eye which he normally kept under an eye patch. She slowly stepped back before gasping “You…are one of her students. The one who took the lives of the three ponies all those years ago. The “Snow-Maned Raven’,..”.

Havran arched a brow at his new nickname he wasn’t away he had but chuckled lightly “Hopefully your sister told you the whole story, and not just the part that involved me killing them.” Luna nodded in response “That is the only reason why I haven’t called the guards in here…yet. You acted in order to save another.”. Havran nodded as he removed his hood “I know what I did was wrong. But the rage inside me built to the point for a reason that I can’t explain. It felt like my heart was in a vice and I just…lost control. Your mother could explain it better if she ever comes to visit you. But, I have returned to face my punishment if I am judged for it. I have had a lot of time to think about it.”.

Luna looked up at his now revealed face, she could see the remorse upon it and nodded in respect of his decision. “My sister may still be in the throne room if you go now. I am hoping that given the situation, your punishment will be light. Would you like me to accompany you downstairs so that the guards will not call for an alarm?”. Havran shook his head before making his way back on the balcony “That won’t be necessary, princess. I still remember my way around the castle from my time here. Also, I have a request from your mother. She said whenever I meet you, she had asked me to be your friend. So, here’s hoping that I will get to see you more often so that can happen. You seem like a sweet mare. Hopefully you and I could get along.”. With that, Havran apparates away to the throne room.

–The Throne Room–

Celestia sits on her throne with documents hovering in front of her, a few guards standing at the entrance and the sides of her throne. However, that familiar sound that she only know of one person who could make filled her ears as she slowly lowered the papers in her view. Her eyes widen at the sight of the now fully grown man that Havran had become apparated before her. Her guards were quick to draw their weapons and close in on him quickly before Celestia was quick to call them off, “STOP!’ she commanded before slowly rising to her hooves and slowly approaching the man. As she got closer, she noticed that he now stood over her easily with how he has grown. The young man she had been teaching all those years ago has finally become an adult. But would she punish him as an adult for his crime all those years ago?

Celestia stood there for a moment before attempting to wrap him into a hug. Havran then lifted a hand and backed away from her a couple steps “You are greeting me with warmth after what I did..? You should be looking at me with disdain and disgust. Especially since I ran. I don’t deserve your kindness when I could have found a much less lethal way to deal with them. I would tell you what really happened, but you wouldn’t believe me..so do what you need to do. I don’t care what the punishment is-” Celestia looked toward her guard before sending them out of the throne room “Leave us. Now.” she said in a stern command. The guards looked between each other before hesitantly nodding and making their way out of the room.

Celestia turned her attention back to Havran who was now gazing down at the red carpet under his worn out boots. She reaches up to gently cup his cheeks so that her gaze now meets with his. Her thumbs softly caressing the side of his cheeks as she looks up at him with the eyes of a mother who hadn’t seen their child in ages “I know you regret what you have done that day, Havran. I can see that it has weighed heavily upon you in your time away from here. I shouldn’t have looked at you the way I did that night…you were only doing what you thought was right in protecting another pony. And…I saw something in your eyes that day…I saw hurt in them. As if you had seen something like that before. And you wanted to prevent it from happening again.”.

Havran reached up and took hold of one of Celestia’s hands, gently squeezing it in response “I regret the action I took, yes. But at the same time..I don’t regret why I did it. She needed my help. And whn I saw what was happening…I couldn’t hold back. I just..I just wanted to..”. Havran then collapsed to his knees and wrapped his arms around Celestia’s waist, hugging ehr tightly as he began to shake. Celestia in return wrapped her own arms around his back and pressed his head close to her chest. The alicorn clearly saw that it had weioghed heavily on his mind and soul during his absence. To punish him now wouldn’t help in anyway after he had endured such mental struggle against his guilt

Celestia thought hard for a moment as she held Havran close. She wouldn’t punish him for what he did, but she would ask him a favor in return “Havran, it is clear that you possess powerful abilities that we as ponies can’t ever replicate. Your spells are unique and quite honestly terrifying. So, instead of punishing you for what you did. I ask that you become my court mage. Along with that, I want you to look after the new elements of harmony should they ever need help facing down evil in our lands. I know that someone like you with your kind of power will have no issue with that. In exchange, you will be compensated and live freely. Does that sound fair to you?”.

Havran thought about it long and hard before standing up. He gacve Celestia a firm nod and a smile of gratitude before lifting ehr up into a hug “I won’t let you down this time, princess..I promise. I will think more clearly before I take action. Thank you for giving me another chance..”. Celestia was surprised by the pick up hug at first, her legs dangling before she sighed happily and returned the hug back. She rested ehr head against his shoulder as they hugged for a good couple minutes before he lowered her back down. She was happy that he decided to come back. Even though she had been watching him all those years, she knew he’d come back eventually. She never lost faith in him. She could still see that there was plenty of good within him after all this time.

“Welcome home, Havran.” she said in a sweet motherly warmth.

Act 8: Fear And Doubt No More

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It has been a week since Havran returned from his time away from civilization. And along with a new paid position from the royal sisters, Havran was also given his own piece of land to sweeten the deal. Between Canterlot and Ponyville, he had chosen a sturdy mountain top with a fully fertile and flat land to support the structure that now stood atop it and a rather expansive garden full of herbs and plants he could use to further master his alchemy skills now that he had access to them. The structure was a tall, rather gothic looking wizard’s spire with glowing magical lights circling around it. And atop the structure was a large open space for him to practice his magic and possibly create new magic.

The garden below was large and organized. With the assortment of all kinds of plants being protected from the harsh elements in a magic barrier that only Havran could enter in and out of, but not deprive the plants of any nutrients they needed. Even having one section of the garden under an artificial field of sorts that was constantly night so the nocturnal plants would thrive as well. How was Havran able to have all this accomplished in a week one would ask? Magic of course. Along with the supplies that was requested from the castle and a few natural resources taken from the surrounding area, Havran had finally acquired a rather lovely home of his liking. And the land was all his. The deed he was given and fully read over solidified that this was to be his home, even after his time as the royal court mage was finished.

And no magical spire would be complete without a rather large gated wall to keep out unwanted guests, Even a barrier to prevent nosey pegasi and other flight capable beings from flying their way in. Everyone had to pass through the gate unless Havran allowed it otherwise. However, there was one person he did allow to come through the barrier who came to visit him ever since he returned. The lovely princess of the night, Luna. She had come by to visit him every late afternoon/evening ever since he had come back from his self-isolation. For the first couple days, she watched him work silently, just happy to be in his company. She was far more fascinated in his unique form of magic than even Twilight herself was all those years ago.

After those two days, she came to visit him more, engaging in conversation about their days and becoming close friends quickly. The mare would even come visit his dreams sometimes just to give him some company if he wanted ehr to of course. After all, they were both rather introverted. So she understood that he needed alone time just as much as she did. And when he was at the castle, she would pick in on him at his workstation, even bring him lunch sometimes. The way that he felt around Luna was like he found a kindred spirit. They got along so well right off the bat.

And this didn’t go unnoticed at all. The staff, the guards, especially Celestia who was getting a little bit jealous that the two took to each other so quickly. It took Her and Havran to get on a close, friendly basis after a couple years as her student! But at the same time, she was incredibly happy for her younger sister that she had managed to get close to someone so soon after her return from her banishment other than herself. It seemed like Havran returning was bringing good things now. In her heart and mind, she was right to spare Havran from any real punishment.

Havran now stood in his own alchemy lab. Beakers bubbling and test tubes filled with all kinds of colorful liquids as he was fully focused on creating new potions and other concoctions. However, his concentration was broken by the sound of the barrier being penetrated, knowing only one being who could do that, he smiled to himself before he shut down his experiments for the day and made his way up to the third floor of the tower which was his recreational/relax area with his kitchen and dining area built in one room. Of course, the tower was much bigger on the inside than it looked.

Once he got to the floor, he opened up the double balcony doors just in time for Lunanto glide in and leap into his arms with a hug, her smaller form hanging freely as she wrapped her arms around his neck before she released him, landing back on the ground “Hiii, Havran! Working on those potions again?” she asked as she could smell the herbs all over him. Havran nodded before closing the doors behind Luna and made his way over to the kitchen area to prepare some tea for them both “Indeed I have been. You know me, I don’t like to sit still much when there is work to be done or new things I can discover.” he said ask he began heating up the boiling water while Luna took her spot in the smaller chair that Havran had constructed for her at the coffee table.

Things were silent for a few minutes as Havran prepared the tea and snack cakes. Luna looked over in hius direction before asking a question that has been on her mind for a few days now “Have you gone back to Ponyville to visit Twilight and the others? They don’t know of your return yet. I bet it would make them rather happy to see you since you've been gone for a while.”. Havran stopped pouring the tea for a moment before resuming the preparation “I don’t know, Luna…while I am glad I am given this great chance to prove myself. Confronting the others, especially Twilight, I don’t know if they’d be as forgiving as your older sister.”.

Havran then brought over the refreshments and placed them on the coffee table before taking a seat in the larger chair. They both took a sip of the tea he had made before Luna spoke up again “If my sister and everyone else can forgive me for my blunder all those years ago, then I am positive that your friends will too. You won’t know till you try…” . Havran looked over Luna’s hopeful gaze. She really wanted him to at least make an effort. Even if things went sour, at least he would have some closure, and it is not like he wouldn’t be alone in the world. He’d still have Celestia and Luna.

Havran thought about it for a little longer before nodding in response “You are right, Luna. It is best to get it done and over with than dwell on what could be or could have been. I will make my way down to Ponyville tomorrow morning and hope for the best. Thank you for giving me the small push that I needed.”. Luna smiled and walked over to him on the other side of the table before wrapping him in a hug once more “I am sure that things will be just fine. But if not, that means that Tia and I don’t have to share you.” she jested. Havran chuckled and released her after they hugged for a little longer “I am gonna have to make it work somehow. Your sister has asked me to watch over them as part of my job, so yeah.”. And with that, they enjoyed their evening time together like they have been for the past week.

–The Next Morning–

Havran flew down to Ponyville using his unsupported flight ability. If he was going to show up, he was going to go all in so that everyone would most likely recognize him on the spot. And that smokey wispy form he took while in flight was always a dead giveaway when ponies saw him coming. Once he landed in the middle of the town square, every single pony stopped and stared at him for a moment. That moment felt like hours as he gazed around, every pony seeing his actual face now that he no longer had his mask he depended upon as a child.

As he looked upon all the faces that stared at him, there was a mix of shock and confusion. But thankfully, none of them seemed to be filled with disgust or disdain for him. In fact, the one who he had thought would be the most upset with him came forward rather quickly, the one who he had done the killing in front of, the life he protected. “Could..could that possibly be you..? The one who saved me that rainy night?” she asked as she now stood in front of him, gazing up at the rather tall and bunky man he had now become.At his current full height, Havran now stood at a full eight foot in height.

“Good to see you again, Miss. I am sorry that you…had to see me in such a state all those years ago. The story behind it is long and complicated but I hope that-” he was cut off by a sudden hug from the white unicorn, the mare wrapping her arms around his waist as tightly as she could before looking back up at him. She was squeezing him so closely that he could feel everything. And she was pleasantly soft and smelled rather nice. “I never got the chance to thank you, my dear! Those ruffians could have done much worse than what they had planned if you hadn’t stepped in! Thank you so, so much!” she said as she thanked him over and over, not letting the man go for a good few minutes.

Everyone around just smiled as the crowd started gathering around him, welcoming him back and asking where he had been all these years. Even a few of the colts he would occasionally hang out with who had grown to be young stallions recognized him as well and came up to visit him. After seeing all these familiar faces welcoming him back, he could feel the five years of worry that had built up on his shoulders just crumble away into nothing. The man had felt this heavy feeling for so long, and now it was all falling away. In no point in his life had he felt such relief and happiness than in this moment.

–The Golden Oak Library–

Twilight sat in her library doing her usual studying while Barb was doing her own thing. She stared down at her books as Havran crossed her mind again just as it did everyday ever since he left without a word to her or Barb. It frustrated and saddened her greatly when it first happened. These days, it is enough to cause a pang in her heart each day. She buried her face in her hands as she let out a quiet whimper, a tear falling down her cheek and onto the parchment of the book she was reading.

However when she heard the door open, she wiped the tears away and turned to face who had entered the door. At first, the light blocked out his features with shadow as he ducked in to make his way inside. Once the door closed behind him, Twilight’s eyes adjusted back before opening wide to see the very person she was thinking about now. Though, he had certainly changed quite a bit in his absence. Twilight had certainly grown into a full mare herself. And her clothing hugged her curves showing just how much she had grown to. She stumbled back against ehr desk, her legs nearly giving out as she gazed upon Havran for the first time in years. Wondering what the commotion was, Barb came out of the next room herself. Upon seeing Havran, she dropped a gem she was eating in disbelief.

“Havran..? Is it really you after all these years…?” she asked as she approached him slowly at first before running to him and colliding with him as hard as she could, slamming her fists into his toso as hard as she could before looking up at him with tear filled eyes while whimpering and sobbing before going into a full on cry. Havran lowered his gaze as seeing Twilight in such a state hit him hard in his heart. “You…you left for so long! And without saying anything to us!” she screamed as she continued to pound on his torso. The hits not really doing much but he knew it was helping her relieve the long built up frustration.

Barb was quick to follow behind Twilight, the little dragon wrapping her arms around one of Havran’s legs as tight as her little arms could manage, sobbing as well as she nuzzled into his leg. She wasn’t as frustrated as Twilight was, but she still missed him all the same. Havran knelt down and wrapped them in a hug in eacha rm “I know saying sorry won’t be an easy fix for what I did. But I am sure that you know what happened. And I was scared of what might happen or who would hate me if those I cared for found out. I was scared of both of you hating me especially. The only two who I grew extremely close to when I was first here…”.

Twilight threw her arms around Havran’s neck along with Barb clutching to his chest, holding onto his shirt tightly as she shook her head “You did what you thought was right in a critical moment! Who knows what would have happened if you weren’t there!” said the little dragon. Havran held them both close as he too was fighting the urge to tear up. EVen after all this time, they still don’t blame him for what he did. And after hearing these words from these two, the guilt was finally set free from his soul. It no longer bothered him anymore now that the constant fear of being rejected was now no more.

Havran squeezed his two companions closer to his form “Thank you..so much. Both of you. I have missed you two so, so much…” his whispered. They stayed like that together again for what felt like an eternity. Twilight’s heart now felt no more pain since she got her frustrations out, and the fact that her closest friend had come back to her. It was a good day for Havran. All thanks to Princess Luna who had given him that little nudge he needed to make things right. The next time he saw her, he was going to make her the best batch of cooking he could ever make. She deserved at least that much from him after that.

A Second Chance For A Raven

by Zatoichi Vokunkiin

Prologue: The Resurrection Of A Raven

Act 1: A new Life, A New Beginning

Act 2: Making A Deal

Act 3: Yet Another Fated Encounter

Act 4: The Wizard And The Bookworm

Act 5: Old Bonds Grow and New Ones Form

Act 6: The Wrath Of A Raven

Act 7: Returning Home

Act 8: Fear And Doubt No More