I am Starswirl the Bearded and my story does not start in Equestria. Many have heard the rumor that I am from a foreign land. This is but the smallest part of the truth, for I was not born a pony but on another world, and brought here by Princess Celestia on a mission to save my race. I was born a human, in the year of my people 1452, and my name was Leonardo daVinci.

Artwork by Mythee and Nevina

This story is a sequel to Renaissance Pony

Twilight has always dreamed of meeting her hero, Starswirl the Bearded. She finally gets her wish fulfilled on a mysterious deserted world. Together they investigate how they got there, where the world's inhabitants went, and why amongst all ponies, they two were brought to this desolate place. To Twilight's consternation, the more they learn, the sadder Starswirl becomes, until finally she is faced with a devastating choice that would have her betray her mentor, her friends, and even her innermost convictions.

Artwork by Nevina, based on a prior drawing by TotallyNotaBrony (Note: you don't need to have read Renaissance Pony before reading this story.)