Chapter 3 - The First Lesson
After the meeting, Anthony went to see how Amy was faring. She was released from Bookshire's and Sasha's care not too long ago, but Sasha accompanied her and her mother back to their home to make sure. Anthony went up to the Rose residence, and upon being let in found Mary talking with Elrond and Sarah, and Mary was holding the young namesake of the Gamemaster.
"Anthony," Mary said, handing the young kit back to his mother, "thank goodness you've come. I need to talk to you..."
"About Amy?" Anthony asked. "I had come to see how she was doing."
"Well, she's fine...physically," Mary explained, "but, she's afraid of what she has become. Those newfound powers of hers are frightening to her. Sasha's talking to her now to try to show Amy how to suppress them...seeing as how Sasha is a telepath herself."
"Well, that's the other reason I'm here, Mary," Anthony said, and then went into his proposal. "Mary...I myself was frightened of the powers when I first received them, but got used to them with a bit of practice. I'd like to offer the same chance to Amy."
"How?" Mary asked.
Anthony smiled and then continued. "I'd like to take Amy under my wing as my apprentice and train her in the ways of telepathic psionics. With instruction, she should be able to control her powers completely and not be afraid of them. Of course...I won't train her if either you or her is unwilling..."
Mary was surprised by Anthony's offer. "Oh no...I'm willing, if Amy is, but...your apprentice? I would've thought that another descendant of Sir Eric would be a more suitable apprentice."
"Well, once their psionics are unlocked, any descendant will have full control over the powers like I did, they would only need to be shown how to use them properly," Anthony explained. "But with Amy I'll actually have to devote more time to teaching her how to control the powers. This would actually be a good learning experience for both of us...Amy will learn to control her powers and I get my first teaching experiences before my excursion to Earth...since I've already started to make plans to teach other descendants of Sir Eric in the ways of psionics."
All present were surprised by this. "Sounds exciting!" Sarah said.
"Yes," Anthony said, then turned back to Mary. "Anyway, Mary, when do you think I'll be able to ask Amy?"
Mary looked up towards the staircase. "I'm not sure...we'd better wait for Sasha to come back down."
Anthony nodded in understanding and sat down in a chair that Mary offered him. He then noticed something odd. Anthony Prower, currently in Sarah's arms, reached out towards the human as if he wanted to be held by him. Elrond giggled a bit at this. "Looks like he wants to meet the man he's named after."
Sarah stood up and handed the young kit to Anthony, and the kit immediately nuzzled him. Anthony was amazed at how small the child was, even though he knew adult Mobians got no taller than 4 feet. He was wondering one thing though...
"He's definitely a cute one..." Anthony commented. "Strange though...I would have thought my strange appearance..."
Elrond smiled and explained. "It's simple, Anthony. Legend says that the original Companions shared a bond similar to that of family. Since young Anthony, as well as Miles and myself, are descendants of Magi Reynard, that same bond exists with the other descendants, such as yourself."
"Really..." Anthony commented, then smiled as the younger Anthony nuzzled him more. "This explains much...Princesses Toadstool's and Zelda's concern for my welfare, Protoman's reaction after hearing about me becoming the Dark Gamemaster...Tails's reaction upon seeing me after thinking I had died at Packbell's fortress..."
The rest of the group nodded in understanding, and after a short while, Sasha came back down, a look of concern on her face. Anthony handed his younger self to Sarah as she walked down towards the group.
"Amy is fine now," Sasha explained. "She's still a little scared about what happened to her."
"She doesn't blame me, does she?" Anthony asked.
"No, she's sure it was just a fluke. Though...she wishes she knew how to shut off the powers so she wouldn't have to concentrate on that technique I just showed her..." Sasha then looked towards Anthony. "Is that why you're here, Anthony?"
"Yes...I'm hoping to be able to train Amy so she can learn to use her powers. Does she seem willing to talk, Sasha?"
"Right now she looks more like she needs a shoulder to cry on," Sasha explained. "But, I'm sure she is willing to talk to you, Anthony. You ARE the man who is her mentor and who almost became her father."
Anthony nodded in understanding and walked up to Amy's room. Amy was currently on her bed, eyes closed and looking like she was asleep, but Anthony knew she was concentrating to keep her powers in check. Anthony looked towards a small shelf near her bed and noticed the Descendancy medallion he had given her. He picked it up and concentrated on putting an active Emote Barrier power in it, and then handed it to Amy, breaking her concentration.
"Here...this should keep the voices and thoughts out without that power Sasha taught you..." Anthony explained as he handed the medallion to Amy.
Amy took the medallion and put it around her neck using the chain she had attached to it. "Thank you, Anthony. But...what are you doing here?"
"I came to offer a more permanent solution to controlling your powers other than Sasha's technique or that Emote Barrier power I put in your medallion just now," Anthony explained.
Amy looked down and said, "I wish you could take them away..."
Anthony sat down next to her after she had said that. "Afraid, huh?" Amy nodded and then Anthony continued. "I don't blame you...I was scared of my powers too, even though I was excited to get them. But I became used to them after a while with practice. I want to help you the same way."
"How?" Amy asked.
Anthony smiled warmly at Amy and explained. "I'd like to teach you how to control those powers you have, even take you under my wing as my apprentice."
Amy was surprised at this request. "Your...apprentice?"
"Yes," Anthony replied. "I can't take the powers away from you, but I can teach you to control them and perhaps even use them. Besides...I can't think of anyone else more deserving to be my apprentice...than one who almost became my daughter."
Amy wasn't sure what to say, but could tell Anthony was serious. All she could do was look at Anthony, who was looking at her waiting for an answer...
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"Do you suppose Amy will accept?" Mary asked as the group talked while waiting for Anthony to return. "I mean...I know how Amy feels about Anthony, but, I've never seen her so scared..."
"I'm sure everything will work out, Mary," Sasha said, trying to calm Mary's fears. "The worse that can happen is that Amy will turn Anthony down, but I've taught Amy a technique that should keep the powers contained. So, either way..."
The conversation was interrupted when the group heard footfalls on the staircase. They turned towards the stairs and saw something that made them stare in awe...
Anthony was walking down and Amy was in his arms, eyes closed, a small smile on her face, and hugging the human tightly.
"Well," Anthony said to the group, "she accepted. Now...does anyone here know how to cure glompitis? I think Amy here has it since she refuses to let go..."
The rest of the group could only giggle at Anthony's statement...
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A short while later, Anthony took Amy up to Vista Point, figuring it should provide a small measure of privacy to conduct his lessons. He then asked Amy to sit down, and two sat down facing each other.
"OK, Amy," Anthony said, already getting into instructor mode, "let's get started on your first lesson. The first thing I am going to teach you is to focus your powers. This will allow you to filter out all the background noise..."
"Background noise?" Amy asked.
"Yep...you know how you see all the construction going on in Mobotropolis?" Anthony asked, pointing to the rebuilding effort. After Amy nodded, Anthony continued. "All that noise created...at first you probably heard every last hammer, sawing, etc...but then never noticed it?" Amy nodded again. "The same works with psionics. You must learn to tune out all the background noise...or in this case every stray thought that you may sense as you pass by people. No doubt that's how you picked up mine and Link's thoughts earlier."
"So...I have to train my mind to ignore all the thoughts?" Amy asked.
"Yep. It's actually simpler than you think..." Anthony said, then removed the Emote Barrier power from Amy's Descendancy medallion. Amy immediately began picking up all the stray thoughts from people who were passing close to the Point and covered her ears in an attempt to block them out. "Amy...calm down, and listen to me..." Anthony said, trying to regain her attention. "Just focus on trying to close your mind...as if you are trying to cover your ears mentally..."
Amy did so, and began concentrating. She eventually managed to block out the stray thoughts. "Hey...that was easy..." she said, but unfortunately breaking her concentration in the process, causing the thoughts to flood back.
"Don't worry about it...and don't concentrate so hard. You should be able to use this ability subconsciously, and can even talk to me while maintaining it. Just concentrate on something other than the noise."
Amy tried again, this time letting her mind quiet out the stray thoughts as she focus on talking to Anthony. "Do you really think it will work? Hey...I don't hear them..."
Anthony used a Telepathy power to sense what Amy was sensing, and sensed that she had indeed blocked out the stray thoughts. "Excellent work, Amy! I wasn't expecting you to figure it out THAT quickly!"
"Me neither..." Amy commented. "So what's next?"
"So NOW you're curious about the powers?"
"Hey...like you said, I can learn to control them. Besides...if I'm going to be your apprentice..."
Anthony smiled at this. This was going to be easier than he first thought...
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For the rest of the day, Anthony had taught Amy a number of basic telepathic techniques. After her initial success, he taught her how to open and close her senses at will so she could sense if something's amiss, like a burglar in the alley. He then taught her how to speak telepathically, as well as pick up people's thoughts. Of course...he also had to teach her about resisting the temptations to become a psi voyeur with these powers.
Near the end of the day, Anthony decided to treat Amy to dinner to celebrate her success in mastering her powers. They went to a restaurant in the city of Rauru, the city that was located outside of Hyrule Palace, and as they ate, they engaged in telepathic conversation.
*Why did you choose this place?* Amy asked as she took a large mouthful of Hyrule's finest cuisine. *I've seen the prices, even though they're in rupees, and this place is expensive!*
*I know...* Anthony said telepathically. *But with your mastery of your powers so far, it called for a celebration and I felt like splurging. Besides...I'm making quite a bit of money due to my position as Gamemaster. Though my paycheck is way weird...*
*What's so weird about it?*
*Well...it comes every month in a chest. Inside this chest are three sacks filled with rupees, gold coins, and mobiums, a stack of credit cards with an amount of Zenny on each one, and a check from the United States government. For some reason...it makes me feel like I should be saying "Ar matey" or something...*
Amy nearly laughed out loud at that last statement. *So where do you keep your money? Buried in the ground near Vista Point with a map showing you where it is?*
*No...five different bank accounts on the five different worlds, not including Ani-Earth. I thought my bank statements and taxes were complicated before, but whoo boy...*
After they had finished their meal and paid the bill, Anthony and Amy headed back to Mobius. It was still early in the evening, so they went up to Vista Point to observe the sunset.
"What a day..." Amy commented as they began to relax. "It's still early, but why am I so tired?"
"Considering the constant practice you've been having with your powers, I'm not surprised," Anthony answered. "Interesting...first you were afraid of them and now you want to use them at every opportunity."
Amy laid her head against Anthony as fatigue began to set in. "Do you think I'll be able to use these without getting so tired?"
"Eventually, but for now you should take it easy. You are just starting out after all."
"Okay..." Amy said drowsily.
Anthony looked down at Amy and placed an arm around her. "Tomorrow, I'll teach you the powers of Clairvoyance and Clairaudience, which will allow you to telepathically see and hear things far away. However, I don't want...Amy? Amy?" Anthony looked down at Amy and saw that she had fallen asleep, and didn't look like she was going to wake anytime soon. Anthony smiled and carefully picked up Amy so not to wake her, and began to walk back to Amy's home.
"Well..." Anthony thought to himself as he walked, "those lessons were easier than I first thought. Perhaps my excursion to Earth will be just as easy..."
After the meeting, Anthony went to see how Amy was faring. She was released from Bookshire's and Sasha's care not too long ago, but Sasha accompanied her and her mother back to their home to make sure. Anthony went up to the Rose residence, and upon being let in found Mary talking with Elrond and Sarah, and Mary was holding the young namesake of the Gamemaster.
"Anthony," Mary said, handing the young kit back to his mother, "thank goodness you've come. I need to talk to you..."
"About Amy?" Anthony asked. "I had come to see how she was doing."
"Well, she's fine...physically," Mary explained, "but, she's afraid of what she has become. Those newfound powers of hers are frightening to her. Sasha's talking to her now to try to show Amy how to suppress them...seeing as how Sasha is a telepath herself."
"Well, that's the other reason I'm here, Mary," Anthony said, and then went into his proposal. "Mary...I myself was frightened of the powers when I first received them, but got used to them with a bit of practice. I'd like to offer the same chance to Amy."
"How?" Mary asked.
Anthony smiled and then continued. "I'd like to take Amy under my wing as my apprentice and train her in the ways of telepathic psionics. With instruction, she should be able to control her powers completely and not be afraid of them. Of course...I won't train her if either you or her is unwilling..."
Mary was surprised by Anthony's offer. "Oh no...I'm willing, if Amy is, but...your apprentice? I would've thought that another descendant of Sir Eric would be a more suitable apprentice."
"Well, once their psionics are unlocked, any descendant will have full control over the powers like I did, they would only need to be shown how to use them properly," Anthony explained. "But with Amy I'll actually have to devote more time to teaching her how to control the powers. This would actually be a good learning experience for both of us...Amy will learn to control her powers and I get my first teaching experiences before my excursion to Earth...since I've already started to make plans to teach other descendants of Sir Eric in the ways of psionics."
All present were surprised by this. "Sounds exciting!" Sarah said.
"Yes," Anthony said, then turned back to Mary. "Anyway, Mary, when do you think I'll be able to ask Amy?"
Mary looked up towards the staircase. "I'm not sure...we'd better wait for Sasha to come back down."
Anthony nodded in understanding and sat down in a chair that Mary offered him. He then noticed something odd. Anthony Prower, currently in Sarah's arms, reached out towards the human as if he wanted to be held by him. Elrond giggled a bit at this. "Looks like he wants to meet the man he's named after."
Sarah stood up and handed the young kit to Anthony, and the kit immediately nuzzled him. Anthony was amazed at how small the child was, even though he knew adult Mobians got no taller than 4 feet. He was wondering one thing though...
"He's definitely a cute one..." Anthony commented. "Strange though...I would have thought my strange appearance..."
Elrond smiled and explained. "It's simple, Anthony. Legend says that the original Companions shared a bond similar to that of family. Since young Anthony, as well as Miles and myself, are descendants of Magi Reynard, that same bond exists with the other descendants, such as yourself."
"Really..." Anthony commented, then smiled as the younger Anthony nuzzled him more. "This explains much...Princesses Toadstool's and Zelda's concern for my welfare, Protoman's reaction after hearing about me becoming the Dark Gamemaster...Tails's reaction upon seeing me after thinking I had died at Packbell's fortress..."
The rest of the group nodded in understanding, and after a short while, Sasha came back down, a look of concern on her face. Anthony handed his younger self to Sarah as she walked down towards the group.
"Amy is fine now," Sasha explained. "She's still a little scared about what happened to her."
"She doesn't blame me, does she?" Anthony asked.
"No, she's sure it was just a fluke. Though...she wishes she knew how to shut off the powers so she wouldn't have to concentrate on that technique I just showed her..." Sasha then looked towards Anthony. "Is that why you're here, Anthony?"
"Yes...I'm hoping to be able to train Amy so she can learn to use her powers. Does she seem willing to talk, Sasha?"
"Right now she looks more like she needs a shoulder to cry on," Sasha explained. "But, I'm sure she is willing to talk to you, Anthony. You ARE the man who is her mentor and who almost became her father."
Anthony nodded in understanding and walked up to Amy's room. Amy was currently on her bed, eyes closed and looking like she was asleep, but Anthony knew she was concentrating to keep her powers in check. Anthony looked towards a small shelf near her bed and noticed the Descendancy medallion he had given her. He picked it up and concentrated on putting an active Emote Barrier power in it, and then handed it to Amy, breaking her concentration.
"Here...this should keep the voices and thoughts out without that power Sasha taught you..." Anthony explained as he handed the medallion to Amy.
Amy took the medallion and put it around her neck using the chain she had attached to it. "Thank you, Anthony. But...what are you doing here?"
"I came to offer a more permanent solution to controlling your powers other than Sasha's technique or that Emote Barrier power I put in your medallion just now," Anthony explained.
Amy looked down and said, "I wish you could take them away..."
Anthony sat down next to her after she had said that. "Afraid, huh?" Amy nodded and then Anthony continued. "I don't blame you...I was scared of my powers too, even though I was excited to get them. But I became used to them after a while with practice. I want to help you the same way."
"How?" Amy asked.
Anthony smiled warmly at Amy and explained. "I'd like to teach you how to control those powers you have, even take you under my wing as my apprentice."
Amy was surprised at this request. "Your...apprentice?"
"Yes," Anthony replied. "I can't take the powers away from you, but I can teach you to control them and perhaps even use them. Besides...I can't think of anyone else more deserving to be my apprentice...than one who almost became my daughter."
Amy wasn't sure what to say, but could tell Anthony was serious. All she could do was look at Anthony, who was looking at her waiting for an answer...
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"Do you suppose Amy will accept?" Mary asked as the group talked while waiting for Anthony to return. "I mean...I know how Amy feels about Anthony, but, I've never seen her so scared..."
"I'm sure everything will work out, Mary," Sasha said, trying to calm Mary's fears. "The worse that can happen is that Amy will turn Anthony down, but I've taught Amy a technique that should keep the powers contained. So, either way..."
The conversation was interrupted when the group heard footfalls on the staircase. They turned towards the stairs and saw something that made them stare in awe...
Anthony was walking down and Amy was in his arms, eyes closed, a small smile on her face, and hugging the human tightly.
"Well," Anthony said to the group, "she accepted. Now...does anyone here know how to cure glompitis? I think Amy here has it since she refuses to let go..."
The rest of the group could only giggle at Anthony's statement...
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A short while later, Anthony took Amy up to Vista Point, figuring it should provide a small measure of privacy to conduct his lessons. He then asked Amy to sit down, and two sat down facing each other.
"OK, Amy," Anthony said, already getting into instructor mode, "let's get started on your first lesson. The first thing I am going to teach you is to focus your powers. This will allow you to filter out all the background noise..."
"Background noise?" Amy asked.
"Yep...you know how you see all the construction going on in Mobotropolis?" Anthony asked, pointing to the rebuilding effort. After Amy nodded, Anthony continued. "All that noise created...at first you probably heard every last hammer, sawing, etc...but then never noticed it?" Amy nodded again. "The same works with psionics. You must learn to tune out all the background noise...or in this case every stray thought that you may sense as you pass by people. No doubt that's how you picked up mine and Link's thoughts earlier."
"So...I have to train my mind to ignore all the thoughts?" Amy asked.
"Yep. It's actually simpler than you think..." Anthony said, then removed the Emote Barrier power from Amy's Descendancy medallion. Amy immediately began picking up all the stray thoughts from people who were passing close to the Point and covered her ears in an attempt to block them out. "Amy...calm down, and listen to me..." Anthony said, trying to regain her attention. "Just focus on trying to close your mind...as if you are trying to cover your ears mentally..."
Amy did so, and began concentrating. She eventually managed to block out the stray thoughts. "Hey...that was easy..." she said, but unfortunately breaking her concentration in the process, causing the thoughts to flood back.
"Don't worry about it...and don't concentrate so hard. You should be able to use this ability subconsciously, and can even talk to me while maintaining it. Just concentrate on something other than the noise."
Amy tried again, this time letting her mind quiet out the stray thoughts as she focus on talking to Anthony. "Do you really think it will work? Hey...I don't hear them..."
Anthony used a Telepathy power to sense what Amy was sensing, and sensed that she had indeed blocked out the stray thoughts. "Excellent work, Amy! I wasn't expecting you to figure it out THAT quickly!"
"Me neither..." Amy commented. "So what's next?"
"So NOW you're curious about the powers?"
"Hey...like you said, I can learn to control them. Besides...if I'm going to be your apprentice..."
Anthony smiled at this. This was going to be easier than he first thought...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the rest of the day, Anthony had taught Amy a number of basic telepathic techniques. After her initial success, he taught her how to open and close her senses at will so she could sense if something's amiss, like a burglar in the alley. He then taught her how to speak telepathically, as well as pick up people's thoughts. Of course...he also had to teach her about resisting the temptations to become a psi voyeur with these powers.
Near the end of the day, Anthony decided to treat Amy to dinner to celebrate her success in mastering her powers. They went to a restaurant in the city of Rauru, the city that was located outside of Hyrule Palace, and as they ate, they engaged in telepathic conversation.
*Why did you choose this place?* Amy asked as she took a large mouthful of Hyrule's finest cuisine. *I've seen the prices, even though they're in rupees, and this place is expensive!*
*I know...* Anthony said telepathically. *But with your mastery of your powers so far, it called for a celebration and I felt like splurging. Besides...I'm making quite a bit of money due to my position as Gamemaster. Though my paycheck is way weird...*
*What's so weird about it?*
*Well...it comes every month in a chest. Inside this chest are three sacks filled with rupees, gold coins, and mobiums, a stack of credit cards with an amount of Zenny on each one, and a check from the United States government. For some reason...it makes me feel like I should be saying "Ar matey" or something...*
Amy nearly laughed out loud at that last statement. *So where do you keep your money? Buried in the ground near Vista Point with a map showing you where it is?*
*No...five different bank accounts on the five different worlds, not including Ani-Earth. I thought my bank statements and taxes were complicated before, but whoo boy...*
After they had finished their meal and paid the bill, Anthony and Amy headed back to Mobius. It was still early in the evening, so they went up to Vista Point to observe the sunset.
"What a day..." Amy commented as they began to relax. "It's still early, but why am I so tired?"
"Considering the constant practice you've been having with your powers, I'm not surprised," Anthony answered. "Interesting...first you were afraid of them and now you want to use them at every opportunity."
Amy laid her head against Anthony as fatigue began to set in. "Do you think I'll be able to use these without getting so tired?"
"Eventually, but for now you should take it easy. You are just starting out after all."
"Okay..." Amy said drowsily.
Anthony looked down at Amy and placed an arm around her. "Tomorrow, I'll teach you the powers of Clairvoyance and Clairaudience, which will allow you to telepathically see and hear things far away. However, I don't want...Amy? Amy?" Anthony looked down at Amy and saw that she had fallen asleep, and didn't look like she was going to wake anytime soon. Anthony smiled and carefully picked up Amy so not to wake her, and began to walk back to Amy's home.
"Well..." Anthony thought to himself as he walked, "those lessons were easier than I first thought. Perhaps my excursion to Earth will be just as easy..."