On True Natures and Sibling Rivalry
The sun hung low in the sky, apparently moving independently of Discord's will when it came to the Wellspring. Having spent so much of his life becoming accustomed to the orb dipping and reversing course without warning, Star Swirl was a little disoriented when it began to inexorably sink. The day seemed to pass faster than it did when he was a foal. Perhaps it was the nature of the Wellspring that the day was shorter, or perhaps- and more likely- it was the fact he had been so engaged in observing the spirits as they played. A rarity before the Reign, and even more scarcely seen now, spirits had always fascinated Star Swirl. They still did- especially the one that held his fellow ponies hostage. This place was filled to the brim with them and, once the scholar proved he wasn't a threat, the spirits were more than happy to answer his questions and let him watch their games.
Though truth be told, Star Swirl was postponing a certain conversation more than anything.
"You've been avoiding me all day."
"That is because I don't know what to say." Star Swirl didn't deign to turn and face the... well, she wasn't a pegasus. The Sisters had intimated that she had been around almost as long as they had, so there was little to no chance his traveling companion was in fact a pony. "It seems I don't know a lot of things, as this excursion has repeatedly demonstrated. Did you even tell me your real name?"
"No."
The mage shot a glare her way, though he said nothing. The one he knew as Downward Spiral at least had the decency to let her shame show. "I... I didn't lie about everything. I showed you the way to the Sisters, didn't I?"
"You did, though I suspect it was more for your own sake than anything else," Star Swirl accused.
At first, yes. But then I started to like traveling with you. I swear on the Light Mothers!" she insisted.
"Indeed..."
His companion sighed. Swallowing hard, she said, "Alright, I suppose now is as good a time as any to tell the truth. You deserve it... My name is Journey, Spirit of Adventure."
"A spirit, eh? I should have guessed as much. So that's how you got loose from those bindings. You just thought your way out of them," Star Swirl grumbled.
"I said I had my ways, right?" Journey smiled, though the smile fell from her face when she saw that Star Swirl wasn't sharing it. "I'm not like Discord, Starry. I swear I'm not."
"You're off to a great start in proving that postulation."
"Do you know how spirits are born?" Journey asked.
"Through the actions of others," was Star Swirl's reply. "Or so the stories would have it. I haven't played the midwife to one, so I couldn't say for sure."
Journey nodded. "That's right, for the most part. More specifically, it's the feelings behind the action that determines what kind of spirit is brought into being. I was born right after the Sisters' Descent. The entire world was smothered in darkness. The Sisters themselves had been the only source of light and, with both of them now on the ground, that meant no one could see anything. All of the spirits just stood still, afraid they'd hurt themselves if they tried to move around. Then one of them gathered his courage and took a step. From that spirit's bravery in setting out on a path whose end he didn't know, I was created- the Spirit of Adventure." Her eyes turned glossy then as she remembered. "A moment later, the Sisters created the sun and the moon."
"That's why you call them Light Mothers, then?"
"They were the most beautiful things I'd ever seen," Journey affirmed, nodding again- this time with a zealous vigor. "Granted they were the only things I'd seen up 'till then, but even to this day I've never seen anything that could match the sight. I was still formless at the time, so I decided to emulate their shape." She rubbed her bare forehead. "Never could get the horn right, though."
"This is all fascinating, and as a scholar I appreciate your first-hoof account, but what is your point? How does that excuse lying to me this whole?!" Star Swirl demanded.
"I was desperate! I didn't lie when I said Cumulonium no longer wanted me around. Decades of living with the pegasi there, befriending them, and teaching what I could, and they just throw me out. They're going to war with Discord, so they can't have another spirit hanging around! As if I'd ever help him! Do you know why I was so weak before? Because my bastard of a brother has been terrorizing you ponies so much that even the armies trying to fight him are only acting out of fear. While Discord grows stronger through disharmony, I live on adventurousness- but there's so little of that left now." Journey took hold of his hoof. "That's why I was so excited when you came along, Starry. When I met you, I was so drained I couldn't even resist as the pegasi cast me out. But your courage, and Root's. gave me enough strength to make it here."
"It is good that you did. Without the testimony of noble Star Swirl here, I doubt very much that my Sister would have been persuaded to leave the Wellspring," the voice of Luna declared.
Star Swirl looked around, but no sign of the blue alicorn presented itself. "Lady Luna?"
"I am not with you in body. Rather, I am casting my words through the Dream Realm itself that they may reach your ears."
"Through the Realm of Dreams?" Star Swirl gaped. "I've never even considered that to be possible. Truly, you are a great spellcaster."
"I am indeed strong, but that is not all there is to it. All creatures have their own talents, Star Swirl. You could say that dreams are mine."
Star Swirl cocked his head. "What does that mea-"
"I have called to you for a reason," Luna interrupted, "and I must be brief. There are still things my Sister and I must make ready. We shall leave in the morning, to put an end to Discord's monstrous reign."
"You can't do that!" Journey blurted.
After a moment of surprised silence, the voice of Luna returned. "You do not wish us to unseat him from his throne of tears and torment?"
"No, I do!" Journey clarified. "But you must not attack him directly. You have no idea how powerful he is now."
"I have no doubt the chaos he has inspired and provoked has made Discord mighty, but my Sister and I are mightier still. All shall be fine." Luna's voice was supremely confident.
Journey exasperatedly stomped her hoof. "Light Mother, I-"
"My Sister requires my aid. We leave in the morning."
As the sun's light slowly penetrated the Wellspring, Star Swirl arrived at the gate clearing. The Sisters were already there, as was Journey and a gaggle of curious spirits.
With some trepidation, Journey trotted over to him. Reaching into thin air, she pulled out a fine blue cape and hoofed it over to Star Swirl. He took it with his magic. "The way things are right now, I won't live very long if I leave the Wellspring. So I made this for you, Starry. As an apology and so you don't forget me while you're off being a hero."
"Before I met you, I didn't think I needed friends. They were an annoyance and an unnecessary distraction..." Star Swirl examined the cape thoughtfully. It was adorned with a nightscape pattern and, as far as he could tell with his limited knowledge of the art of the dress maker, it seemed to be well-made. "I'm glad you made this for me, Journey. I'll wear it always, to remind me that I was right."
Throwing the cape over his shoulders, Star Swirl marched over to the waiting Sisters. He said nothing when Journey shouted, "I'm sorry, Starry! I swear I am!"
"It is time, Star Swirl," Celestia announced. "We shall be teleporting directly to Discord's current location. Are you ready?"
"I am. Finding this place was the hard part, and that's done. All that remains is to finish this," he replied.
Then they left the Wellspring, and all the spirits in it, behind.