Narrator's POV

(Quick note: Stephen basically wears what he's wearing on the cover, unless written different. The same goes for Tony.)

Stephen was in his room, levitating with The Cloak of Levitation, reading peacefully in his quiet room in Kamar-Taj. There was a gentle knock on his door.

"Come in." Stephen said, keeping his eyes on the book. The door opened.

"See? He keeps taking books!" Wong said, coming in with The Ancient One by his side.

"Ancient One." Stephen grew red in the face and put the book behind his back. He landed softly on his feet.

"Stephen." Her voice was soft like silk. "Wong keeps telling me that you keep taking books from the library."

"Wong, I can't believe you snitched on me." Stephen said.

"If I want to be a future book keeper, I must not let anyone, including you, take anything from the library." Wong said.

"But still. You promised." Stephen said. He noticed The Ancient One raise a brow at him, crossing her arms. Stephen sighed. "Fine. I'm sorry Wong." He took the book from behind his back and handed it to Wong.

"Thank you. Now I have to return this. Excuse me." Wong said, leaving the room.

"Stephen." The Ancient One began.

"I know. I know. It was wrong to take it, but can you blame me? I was just trying to..." Stephen blabbed on as he walked around in circles.

"Stephen." The Ancient One said again.

"I'm just a boy trying to get an education. How am I suppose to do that when they won't even let me borrow books from the library?" He blabbed on.

"Stephen."

"I asked nicely the first time, but they denied my request. So I had no other choice but t-"

"Stephen." The Ancient One waved her hand at Stephen, casting a spell to quiet him down; but Stephen quickly reacted and deflected her spell.

"Yes?" He asked, his attention was fully on her now.

"I'm not mad at you for taking the book if that's what you're thinking." She said.

"You're not?" He asked.

"No."

"Thank goodness. I can save my speech for another day." He said.

She smiled. "Walk with me." She said, turning her back to him with her hands behind her back and walking out of the room. Stephen followed close behind her. "I've been watching you, seeing your progress..."

"Yes." Stephen said. The Cloak of Levitation lifted itself to keep itself from dragging on the floor. Stephen was still quite short and had a few more feet to grow to keep The Cloak of Levitation from dragging behind him.

"And I must say: I'm quite impressed." She said. They walked out into the garden. "You have advanced a lot since you've gotten here."

"You really think so?" Stephen asked.

"Oh yes. You know things that took me twice your age to learn." She continued. "You're actually the top of your class. Modo has told me." Stephen listened to her. "And you've learned to channel energy quite well. By the way..." She turned to him. "...how are your hands?"

"Better." He said showing them to her. "They don't shake as much now." He said.

"And the sling ring?" She asked.

"I'm still having a little trouble with it." He admitted, growing a little red on his cheeks.

"Ah, I see." She turned back around and continued walking. Stephen followed. "You know I heard of an academy where children like you go to."

"A school for kids who got hit by a car while riding a bike?" He asked.

She smiled. "No Stephen." She came to a stop and stared at the sunset in front of them that shone beautiful golden light over the city of Kamar-Taj. "A school for gifted children, like yourself. Children with brilliant minds and special abilities." She explained.

"Oh?" Stephen still didn't see her point.

"I think it would be in your best interest for you to go there." She said.

"What? And leave Kamar-Taj?" Stephen looked at her. "No way." He said. "This place is all I have. These people are the only family I have." Stephen said, his stare fell to his feet. "You're like a mother to me." He looked up at her. "I don't want to be alone. Not again. When you found me and took me in, you have no idea how much joy it sparked in me. I felt wanted again." He said. "I felt like I belonged somewhere. Ancient One, this is my home. Please don't make me leave it."

"Oh Stephen." She turned to him. "There's a lot of things out there that you need to learn." She placed her palm on Stephen's forehead, expanding his view into the universe. Stephen's eyes fell closed. "Things I do not have time to teach you. I understand how you feel about this place, but trust in me when I say I do this because I love you, and I only want what's best for you." Her voice echoed in his mind. He gasped and shot his eyes opened. She was gone. He walked closer to the edge of the garden and sat down, his feet dangled high above the ground of Kamar-Taj. He sighed and watched the last rays of sunshine tuck themselves under the horizon.

///0///0

"I managed to sneak a few books from the library for you to take on your travels." Wong told Stephen, handing him a satchel.

"You stole these for me?" Stephen asked.

"Shhhh. My master might hear you." Wong looked around.

"Thank you Wong." Stephen said.

"Anytime Stephen." Wong smiled at his friend.

"I'll miss you." Stephen suddenly hugged his friend. Wong was taken by surprise, but hugged him back. The Ancient One watched the two. Wong then pulled away.

"I must go before my master notices the books are gone. Good luck on your travels." Wong said. He used his sling ring to open a portal to the library. He was gone.

"Stephen, you don't have to do this if you do not wish to." The Ancient One put a hand on Stephen's shoulder as he stood with his back straight, looking up at her.

"It's what's best for me." Stephen said.

She smiled. "Very well." She reached into a pocket in her yellow robe. She had her hand closed around something that had a leather strap attached to it. "Take this with you." She said, opening her hand and revealing an amulet.

Stephen took it from her hand. "What is it?" He asked, inspecting it.

She took it and placed it over his head and around his neck. "This is The Eye of Agamotto. Promise me you will keep it protected at all times."

"What does it do?" Stephen asked, looking at it.

"Stephen, promise me." She said.

Stephen looked up at her. "I swear." He said.

She smiled. "All you need to know about it, is in this book." She handed him a book. "This is from my private collection." She whispered.

"Wow." He looked at it. It was a beautiful book.

"Now." She opened a portal behind Stephen. "You must be on your way." She said.

Stephen turned to the portal, he saw other children walking around. The sun shone brightly. "Right." He turned to The Ancient One. "Farewell Ancient One." He stuck his handout for her to shake. She looked at his hand, and slapped it aside. Stephen jumped back a little in surprise. "Okay-" She suddenly embraced him. "Oh." He said. He hugged her back back.

"I will miss you Stephen." She said.

"Me too." He said, holding her close.

"Please be safe." She said, kissing his head.

They pulled away.

Stephen stepped into the portal. He looked back her and smiled. "Can't guarantee I will."

The Ancient One smiled, tears threatening to fall from her eyes. She waved goodbye at him. He smiled and waved back.

The portal closed. Stephen sighed and turned around, facing a black gate. There was a plaque on one of the stone pillars that held the gate.

"Edward's Academy for Gifted Children." Stephen read aloud. He looked at the gate, it slowly began to open. He let out a breath he'd been holding in for a while. "Here we go."

He stepped inside the campus.