//------------------------------// // Learning // Story: The Lost Legends of Equestria: Star Swirl the Bearded // by Silver Inkwell //------------------------------// When last they met he taught them levitation and teleportation spells, this time however he didn’t teach them about politics or diplomacy like they expected. “Girls, can you tell me what a ruler and leader does?” he asked them. “They guide their citizens and help other ponies out?” Celestia said. “Close enough, but yes, they serve their citizens and give of themselves, their time, their effort, their energy, they do not take, they do not steal, they do not use force except when needed. And in general they should be and remain calm, but can become angry when they want or need to. This is the very definition of a leader, this is what you must become, this is what you must be.” “But why?” Luna asked, “And what if they don’t love or respect us?” “Why? Because a good leader is one of the ponies, and they will love and respect you if you simply follow my advice. But don’t worry girls, you’ll be just fine, you’ll learn how to be a good leader within time and some experience.” “Oh,” Luna said with some shame and humility, “I’m sorry.” “That’s okay, you just wanted to learn, and I’m always willing and ready to help those willing and ready to learn,” he said offering her his hoof. “But come with me kid,” he said, “And I can show you the world, take you to places you never knew about, never dreamed or thought about.” “That would be fun,” she said taking his hoof, “What else will we learn?” “Lots of fun stuff Luna, and stuff to help you, but it’ll be great, I can promise you that,” and the girls both knew that he never ever broke any promise that he made to any pony, ever. It was his number one rule and moral that he would stand by, even in death or pain or agony or sorrow or despair. He would keep it, even if it meant great pain and cost for himself. “Now then,” he said, “Who wants to learn about trading policies?” They groaned and he smiled and said, “I’m just kidding,” and then went on with his real next lesson and the young fillies once more again enjoyed his presence very much, they and missed him ever since he left their kingdom so long ago to return home, but they were glad that they could finally see him. Eventually however the fun lessons with him ended soon enough. Once they were done with them it was time for serious matters. “Have you yet raised the sun and moon on your own yet?” he asked. “No,” they said, “We haven’t yet, we’re sorry.” “Don’t be,” he said, “You’re still young, you have a lot to learn.” “But how do we raise such big things?” the girls asked. “Simple,” he said, “You just do, you just feel it, just like an emotion.” “Wait, you’re saying that we have to do this all alone?” they asked. “Yes,” he said, “I can’t help you, and no other pony else can either.” “Alright then,” Celestia said looking at the night sky, “Here goes nothing.” And with that said Celestia flew up and raised her hooves high up in the air and then ever so slowly the sun climbed its way up to shine the light of day and dawn, “I did it!” she said exclaiming with great joy and excitement. “I can’t believe that I actually did it!” she said hopping up and down. “And what’s more,” Star Swirl said, “Is that you have your cutie mark.” Celestia gasped as she gazed down at the symbol of the sun on her flank. “It’s perfect!” she screamed hopping up and down with joy and delight. “Well then,” he said, “I suppose that Luna will be next to perform then?” “I suppose so,” she said, “But I can do it later on, right?” “Yes, of course,” he said, “Once the day is over it will be your turn.” Luna sighed, “Alright then, I will try and do my best to do it.” And when the night came she too did her best and raised the moon and then got her cutie mark and she acted just like the way that her sister did when she earned her cutie mark and rose the sun that very fateful morning. Star Swirl laughed and smiled both times when he saw this sight, but then he also started to cry as he suddenly just had a much clearer vision of the future. “What’s wrong?” they asked seeing his tears fall down his face slowly. “Nothing,” he said lying to them knowing the painful future of pain, sorrow, and despair held for Luna, and he was sad to know what it was, and he almost wished that he didn’t, but he did, and he could not change that fact, and he hated to lie to them, but they could not know their own futures. If they did the knowledge could change the very acts and choices they made, or would make, which is why he never looked into his own for that exact reason. “Oh, alright then,” they said, “So I guess that you’re just really happy?” “Yes,” he said, “I am very happy for both of your futures.” “Oh, alright then,” they said and then they trotted off and away while he remained there still and motionless crying over the future that he had seen of Luna, he felt sorry for the poor young girl, the pain, sorrow, and despair that she would have to endure… it was just too much for him to think about or bear, but he had to be strong, for them, for his wife, and for the citizens as well too, and the king of course, and so he composed himself and put on a fake smile, “Wait for me girls,” he said, “I am an old stallion that cannot keep up with you two, so would you mind slowing down for a bit so I can rest?” “DO you even need rest?” Luna asked, “You are after all immortal.” “I really don’t know,” Star Swirl said, “But I am sure that I will know all one day, but anyhow you should treat your elders with some more respect.” “You’re not older than us,” Celestia said, “You’re actually still very much younger, in fact compared to us you are still a child, no offense.” “None taken,” he said with a smile and then he tried to hide the fact that he was still crying with a brilliant and genius idea, “How about we play a game?” “Oh, what kind?” Luna asked, “Word game, mind game, logic game? Yes to all!” “It’s a chase game,” he said touching Luna on the head, “And you’re it.” “Oh,” Luna said as the others ran away from her, “A game of tag, that’s it.” And then she ran and they played together for quite some time until the day finally ended and Star Swirl had to go to sleep in order to prepare for the next day, but when he went to sleep that night he had some very uneasy thoughts and dreams, and he still cried over the fate and destiny for the young Luna.