Legendary Return (discontinued)

                        Part 2.5 How to Train Your Human

Hey, sorry to add this in late, but I was planning on having this in chapter 3. However, it would have made the chapter much, much too large to post in the AiE thread, so I've tacked it onto the second chapter. Unfortunately, this means that I have almost no progress writing the third chapter, but I already know what's going in it, so it shouldn't take too long to be finished. (after I've re-read it a thousand times to make sure everything works when I'm finished, that is) Please enjoy!

 

>You are Anonymous.

>The bed of clouds Twilight got for you is extremely comfortable; even more so than the one you slept in at the palace.

>Twilight and Spike have already fallen asleep. Despite the amazing bed and your exhaustion from the last two days, you can't seem to do the same.

>Thoughts of the future and what your past may have been are spinning through your head. Who were you? Why do you have amnesia, and why are you in a world full of p0nies? Celestia said that your arrival was caused by a "magical anomaly." Magic in itself is confusing enough, so for a leader of magic-wielding p0nies to say that it is an anomaly is not exactly comforting.

>You look out of the open window opposite of your side of the room and stare at the sky; there's a full moon tonight. It's shining a ghostly light into the circular bedroom of the tree house.

>Maybe someone used magic to bring you here? But who would do that? And why?

>When you first arrived, you thought you were still on Earth. Hell, maybe you still are; just now, it's inhabited by intelligent p0nies instead of humans.

>Maybe there are still humans out there somewhere.

>You wish you could believe that, but deep down you know you're the only one here.

>A soft voice whispers in your mind.

>"You are not alone in this world, Anonymous."

>You tense up; that was not the spirit's voice.

>You mentally call out to the speaker.

"Who are you? Why are you reading my thoughts?"

>"Have you forgotten us so soon, Anonymous? You shall remember soon enough..."

>Your fatigue suddenly doubles and your eyelids sag. Someone is trying to make you fall asleep!

>You try to call out to Twilight, but your voice won't co-operate with you.

>Instead of a shout for help, a gurgling noise escapes your throat that takes all the energy you had left.

>You feel yourself being pulled into a swirling darkness as the moonlight from the window fades away and you tumble into unconsciousness.

 

>A cool, gentle breeze tickles your face and gently wakes you from your forced slumber.

> The moon and stars are shining brightly in the night sky, and for some reason your view of it is unhindered by a roof. You're obviously not in Twilight's tree house anymore.

 >You try to stand up, but when you move your arm to support yourself, you don't feel anything beneath you.

> You angle your neck to take a look around. You've somehow ended up in the sky, and are slowly drifting downwards towards the ground.

>P0nyville is nowhere in sight, and neither is Twilight's tree house, for that matter.

 >There's nothing but open fields of tall grass as far as your eyes can see.

>Somehow, you've ended up in the sky, floating to the ground in the middle of nowhere.

>After a short and lazy descent, you land softly on your bare feet in the knee-high grass and try to calmly  get a grip on what just happened. The refreshing night air helps you calmly gather your thoughts.

>Someone forced you to fall asleep, probably with magic, and then what? Moved you?

>No, that doesn't seem possible. You're not even near P0nyville, or you would see the edges of the forest somewhere nearby, and there's just nothing here. It doesn't seem possible that someone could carry you all the way to the other side of town and so far away that you can't even spot the forest's tree line in such a short time.

>Even with magic.

>Not to mention there's no one else here. It's just you alone, standing under the moon and stars. So how the fuck did you get here?

>"We can answer that question, Anonymous."

>You jump at the sudden response to your inner monologue. You start frantically looking around for the source of the voice.

"Who's there? Show yourself!"

>The wind picks up and something starts to materialize in front of you.

>The form starts from the back, and slowly takes the shape of a large p0ny.

>The first distinctive trait you notice is the moon-and-stars mark on its flank.

"Luna?"

>She finally finishes her dramatic entry, then turns to you and smiles.

"Luna, what's going on? Where am I? How did I get here?"

>"Please, calm yourself Anonymous. You have not moved from your resting place in Twilight Sparkle's home. We have cast a spell to meet with you in your dreams, so that we may speak with you."

>Luna was the one who forced you to pass out? And you're still asleep?

"So, this is like when I was in the palace and Celestia forced me into an illusion?"

>She laughs as if what your question was the funniest joke she's heard in years.

>"No dear Anonymous, this spell is nothing so crude. We  simply made your body aware of what was already there. You were tired, and we helped you fall asleep. After you arrived in the dream world, we entered your mind and made you aware of our presence."

>There was a major drawback the last time a princess cast a spell like this on you.

"Am I going to sleep for two days again? I really don't think I could take it."

>"No, you will sleep peacefully for this night only. We have already said that your current state is natural, and we are simply visiting your thoughts. We did not force your slumber on you."

>You stare at her with doubt written all over your face.

"How do I even know that you're really Princess Luna?"

>She rolls her eyes and frowns.

>"Our sister was correct; you are not very bright, but you are indeed brave to accuse us of such foolishness. We grow impatient of your stubbornness, Anonymous. Will you hear what we have to say, or should we simply leave with our promise unfulfilled?"

>Ouch, she didn't have to say you were stupid... Wait, what?

"What promise are you talking about?"

>"Could you truly have forgotten already? We made a promise to assist you in learning how to control the sword's magic. Surely you still wish to know how to wield it for more than a few moments without writhing in agony from its torrent of magical power?"

>Oh, that's right; Luna did promise to help you learn how to control the weapon's magic. If she was a fake, she wouldn't know about her promise.

>Maybe you should apologize.

>"Normally an apology would be appropriate Anonymous, but it is unnecessary. We understand that you are not yet familiar with magic, so your hurtful words can be overlooked this time."

>She must be reading your mind again. Your thoughts are still open season for the princesses while they're in your mind.

"Whether it's necessary or not, I am sorry, Princess. I should have been more thoughtful with my words."

>"Please Anonymous, it is not necessary, and we do not wish to spend the night listening to your apologies. We have only one night to tell you the basics of using the sword, and then we cannot speak on the subject any longer."

"Wait, why not?"

>"We cannot tell you, Anonymous."

>Man, that's a letdown. Hopefully you can learn everything you need to know before the night is over.

>"Oh, there is no need to worry. The dream world is our domain, and we control the ebb and flow of time's passing here. We can extend this one dream into weeks if need be. However, what we desire to teach you should not take more than a few hours, as you are somewhat familiar with how the sword works already from our sister's demonstration.”

>You visualize the Sun Princess leaping forward, then fifteen gigantic heads sliding off of a hydra's body in a flash of fire and steel...

"Yeah, I'm  not forgetting that anytime soon."

>"Good. She demonstrated the weapon's power in a very direct manner, but it obviously affected how you view it. Hopefully, you see now that it can be used for more than just a defensive tool. It is very dangerous to wield it and not know how to use it, for several obvious reasons."

>Her voice takes a serious tone.

>"Anonymous, can you summon the Ancient One in your mind?"

"Yeah, I think so."

>"Excellent. We request that you summon her. It is important that she is here with us."

>"I am always with Anonymous, daughter of the stars."

>The form of another, even larger white Alicorn appears in a flash of light before you and Luna. Her purple and white mane flow in motionless wind, and her eyes burn with a white fire that never seems to lose its vigor.

>Luna bends down in a quick but graceful bow.

>"Thank you for joining us, Ancient One. I assume you know why we have come to you both in your dreams?"

>The great spirit nods. "Yes princess, I am aware of your intent to teach Anonymous. I am willing to aide you in any way possible."

>"That is most kind of you. We would like to start as soon as possible, for we are eager to be done. Are you ready, Ancient One?"

>"Yes, princess. I am."

>"Please take the form of the weapon."

>The spirit closes her eyes and turns into a milky white mist, which then slowly takes the shape of a familiar purple and white sword embedded in the ground.

>"Anonymous, take up your sword."

>You move towards the weapon without hesitation; its magic is affecting you before you even touch it. A familiar burning desire fills your body; your hands shake and your limbs tense with anticipation as you reach out for the hilt.

>You grasp it with both hands, and the blade starts to glow slightly. The power of the sword moves through your body, satisfying every ache and burn from your lust for its magic. You tear it free from the earth.  Letting the sword's magic act on its own, your shoulders arch back and your chest sticks out. You hold the sword high above your head with one hand.

>Wind starts to blow towards you from all directions, and the grass and reeds bend over, acknowledging the weapon's power. A small amount of pain in your shoulder blades and forehead let you know that the wings and horn have returned, and your sword arm begins to tingle slightly with the power of ancient magic.

>You close your eyes. After a moment, you re-open them to reveal your pupils have been replaced with white fire that spits magic essence from its corners. The wind dies down, and your transformation is complete.

>You look over to Luna, who appears to have been observing you very closely. Her face shows that she was not expecting such a grand display.

>"That... was most impressive, Anonymous. You arched your shoulders perfectly, your torso moved into the perfect positions, and then you released the magic of the weapon with no trouble. We did not see our sister show you this, nor did she tell us that she had. Where did you learn to transform so fluidly, and in such a short time?"

>The spirit uses your body to respond.

>"He did not learn on his own, Princess Luna. When he touches the sword, we become one being. His abilities become my own, and vice-versa. The longer we stay together, the stronger our bond becomes. Did you not know this?"

>The princess regains her composure.

>"Yes Ancient One, we are aware of your own abilities, but perhaps we have underestimated his own. We saw his previous transformation in the throne room, and it seemed forced, as if he did not know how to handle the magic. It appears that with your help, he has begun to learn how to summon your power with ease."

>Yeah, it sure seems that way. The first time you transformed, the wings and horn caused an immense amount of pain, almost enough to drive you to tears. The second time wasn't quite as bad, but you were enraged and more or less ignoring it.

>This time, the pain was hardly noticeable.

>Not that you're complaining.

>Luna breaks you out of your thoughts.

>"Anon. It is wonderful that you have grown such a strong bond so quickly and can summon the Ancient One's power with ease, but it is equally important that you learn how to control the magicks that are causing you pain whenever you use them."

>She walks over to you and stops a few feet in front of you.

>"The only way to do so, is to keep your emotions in check and focus on the current of energy between the sword, and yourself. As our sister explained, the weapon responds to your emotions, and what you FEEL you need."

>She starts to pace back and forth.

>"If somep0ny has wronged you or your friends, naturally you would feel as though you should defend them. The weapon's magic will respond to how great your need is, and amplify itself accordingly."

>She stops pacing and looks into your eyes.

>"Like the way you defended Twilight Sparkle from our sister. You had an intense desire to defend your newfound friend from her fake tyranny, and the sword responded to your need to be strong when your friends could not. However, when you began to use it's magic to deflect our sister's spell, the energy started to tear away at your body."

>Yeah, that's what Celestia said.

"Celestia told me that I could either learn to use the magic before it started to hurt me, or force it to leave my body."

>Luna nods in agreement.

>"Indeed. Those are your basic options when dealing with the magic, and that is what we are going to teach you. There are two ways to force magic out of your body. One is to use your horn that you acquire when you are one with the spirit. The other is to push it back into the weapon. Both are easy when your mind is clear, but when you cannot calm yourself, the sword would be a safer route. Having foreign magic in your body is dangerous enough, but channeling it through an unnatural horn without proper training could be hazardous."

"Well, how would I use the excess? For a spell, or something I mean, rather than wasting it or putting it back. In the sword, that is."

>You have to sound like a moron. Magic is pretty confusing.

>"Hmm... well, normally a unicorn would use his or her horn, but you..."

>She trails off and starts looking you over. Her eyes rest on your hands.

>"There have been bi-pedal creatures that use their hands as a conduit for magic use. Perhaps the same could be said for humans. If using the horn or sword is not an option, you might be able to use them instead."

>Yeah, that makes sense...you suppose. But what do you do with it once you have control of it?

>Luna holds a hoof up to stop you before you can ask your question.

 >"There are many practical uses for magic, but learning the rest is up to you and Twilight Sparkle. We shall teach you the most basic spell we know, and it shall be taught to you for the sole purpose of using it to practice."

"Alright, then. What spell is that?"

>"Levitation. It is a spell that most unicorns know naturally, and is used as a learning tool by many foals to gain mastery over their own magic. Even so, it is arguably the most versatile spell a unicorn can have. To use a levitation spell, simply focus on an object, and will it to move. You decide where you want it to go, and your magic will take over. This is an easy spell to learn, but it takes stronger magic and better concentration to use if the object you wish to manipulate is larger than you."

>Levitation does sound very useful. When you were going through the town earlier, you saw unicorns levitating objects without second thought. When you were at the bakery with Pinkie and everyone else, there was a unicorn there using magic to levitate a broom into sweeping the floor.

>Hopefully it comes as natural to you as it does to them.

"Alright, Luna. I'm ready to learn."

>"Very well, let us begin."

>The princess turns away from you and her horn starts to glow. A few seconds later, a plant starts to grow rapidly in front of her. It grows and grows and grows, until it takes the shape of a tree that reaches up dozens of feet into the air, and it's trunk is wider than double your arm span. It's enormous branches are swaying in the gentle night time breeze.

>"This will be your target, Anonymous. We request that you attempt to cut off a branch of the tree, using only the magic of the sword."

>You stare at the gigantic tree that Luna made; the nearest branch is at least twenty feet up.

"But, how am I supposed to do that exactly?"

>"You do it the same way you defended your friend. If you need it to be cut down, the sword will respond. As soon as the branch falls, you must use the magic, or your body will absorb it, and it will injure you again."

>She makes it sound so easy. Alright, might as well give it a shot.

>You put both hands on the sword and rest it over your shoulder, then look up at the lowest branch on the tree.

"I want that branch to come down...I need it to fall..."

>You concentrate on that one branch as though there was nothing else to the giant tree. A strange tension is building up in your chest.

>The air around the blade begins to shimmer and coporialize. You feel the sword vibrate in your hands; it's ready to help you achieve your desire.

>With a yell, you forcefully swing the sword downwards and let loose the magic of the sword.

>The shimmering air takes the form of a curved blade, and heads straight for the branch.

>The branch is sliced cleanly in half, but as it falls to the ground, your sword arm erupts in pain.

"AAAGGGHHHH!!!"

>The all-consuming pain makes your arm tense up from the shoulder to tip of your hand, making you unable to drop the sword.

>Somewhere in the back of your mind, you can hear Luna's voice calling out to you.

>"Anonymous! Release the magic! You must-mag-or the-stop!"

>You can't make out what she's saying. The only thing that's understandable is the pain.

>A soothing, familiar voice echoes through your mind like soft music.

 

 

>"Anonymous... your pain is my own; we shall see this through together. Gather your thoughts, and focus the magic into a spell."

>The pain in your arm eases somewhat, and you take a deep breath to try and calm down.

>You look around for the huge branch, and spot it about ten yards away from you.

>You raise your arm and hold your hand out to it, and it is covered in a white, sparkling aura.

>The pain is rapidly diminishing; now you can concentrate completely on the branch. Power that was destroying you from the inside only moments before is now coursing through your body, completely  under your control.

>Visions of the tree limb moving weightlessly flow through your mind, and the branch starts to float, mimicking the directions of your free arm.

>You lift it high over your head, then swing your arm as hard as you can, and it flies off into the distance and out of sight.

>You release the magic of the sword, making the wings and horn disappear. The sudden lack of the spirit's magic energy gives you a strange, empty feeling, but the sensation doesn't last.

>However, even with the absence of the spirit's magic in your body, your chest still feels strange.

>Before you can ask the spirit about it, Luna casually trots up to you and gives you a big smile.

>"Excellent job, Anonymous. You have obvious flaws when it comes to controlling magic, but through your ability to coordinate with the Ancient One, you will overcome them in time without much difficulty."

"Thank you, Luna. When I was getting ready to use the sword though, my chest started to tighten up, and it still  feels strange. Do you have any idea why that might be?"

>"Your...chest, you say? Hmmm..."

>She scratches her chin with a hoof and ponders what it might be.

>"We are not certain, but perhaps... perhaps you are absorbing a small amount of magic from the blade. Your body may very well adjust to its magic, and you won't have to force the energy from the sword out of your body any longer. However, these are just our own thoughts. Without any form of testing or study, we cannot be sure, but that may be the case."

>It would be nice to not have to go through hell every time you wanted to try and use magic.

>Oh yeah, that reminds you.

"Luna, if I don't need to cast a spell, what should I do to keep magic from hurting me?"

>"You can force it out of your body by willing it out in the same manner you made the branch levitate. Generally, magic in your own body is under your control, Anonymous. You simply tell it where to go, and it will leave. However, you have to control how fast you release it; free magic energy can be very dangerous if it leaves your body all at once."

"Dangerous? Why is it dangerous?"

>"It is comparable to an explosion that, depending on the magical prowess of the user, can harm several p0nies. We have only heard of it happening a few times and have seen it even fewer, but it is possible."

>Magic seems like a huge pain in the ass.

>"Yes, well, yours is certainly no laughing matter, Anonymous. However, we have taught you all that we came here to teach. The lesson ends here, and all that you learn from now on must be from your friends, or your own experience."

"Oh, alright then. Thanks for teaching me this much, Luna."

>"Tis nothing but our responsibility to see to it that you receive some formal training, Anonymous. We did promise you that much, after all."

>There's one more thing that she said that you need to ask her about.

"Luna. When I was lying in bed, you whispered to me that I'm not alone in this world. What did you mean?"

>"We meant what we said, Anonymous. You are not alone in this world; we are here to help you, as is our sister. You also have your new friends that waited by your side for two days whilst you slept. Do not take their friendship for granted, as you may need each other one day soon."

"Yeah... I guess. Thank you, Luna."

 "We must take our leave, now. Farewell, Anonymous. We will be watching you..."

>The wind picks up, and a small tornado of leaves and grass envelope the Moon Princess, and she vanishes just as dramatically as she came.

>Soon after she leaves, the world begins to dematerialize and crumble around you. The fields of grass are vanishing, and the emptiness is rapidly closing in on your position. Looks like the dream is coming to an end.

>As you  fall back into the dark oblivion that took you into this dream world, you manage one final look at the giant oak tree standing tall under the light of a full moon, swaying gently in the breeze.

>Something warm on your face makes you stir in your bed; you open your eyes slightly and see that the window across the room is letting in some extremely bright sunlight. It must be mid-day already.

>You sit up straight and stretch your back and arms, both of which snap and pop very satisfyingly. Despite having yet another extremely active dream, that was probably the best night's sleep you've ever had. At least as far as you know.

>You glance over at Twilight and Spike's beds, but they're not in them. They must have woken up already.

>After flexing your legs and rubbing away the sleepiness in your eyes, you stand up and walk over to the door on the other side of the room near the window, and walk out onto the balcony.

>You take a deep breath of fresh air. The birds are singing and small animals are playing in the branches of the tree house.

>The view is incredible. You can see most of the town from here. There are p0nies scurrying about, doing their daily chores and chatting to each other. Some are flying around in the air, pushing clouds around to clear up the sky for a day of perfect summer weather. Far off in the distance, you can make out a castle surrounded by a giant city.

>Twilight walks up to your side.

>"Good morning, Anon. I thought you were going to sleep the day away!"

>You give her a big, lazy smile.

"Best night's sleep I've had in a long time. Or, at least as long as I can remember. That bed really is something, Twilight. Thanks again."

>She waves a hoof at you.

>"Please, don't worry about it, Anon. It's the least I could do after you saved Fluttershy in the forest. So, are you ready to go out and see the town? Everyp0ny's been waiting for three days to give you a real tour, you know."

>You turn back to the balcony and look out over the sleepy little p0ny village. The questions that were haunting you the night before about who you were and why you're here start to return, and you unconsciously grip the guard rail.

 >You shake your head and get them out of your mind. Why can't you just forget about your troubles for one day and enjoy yourself? Where's the harm in that?

>Twilight notices you shaking your head.

>"Anon? Are you okay?"

>Really, there isn't much more that you could ask for right now than a nice, quiet day of exploring this place with some new friends.

"Yeah, Twilight. I'd love to."

>She smiles and turns around to head back inside. You follow right behind her and close the door.

>"Great! First we can get some breakfast, then head over to Rarity's to get you some shoes. After that, we can get everyp0ny and by then, we'll have seen half the town. They all live on different sides of P0nyville, so getting them might take a while."

"That's okay, Twilight. I'm not rushing."

 

End part 2.5, next chapter coming soon