Starswirl stared rapt at the centaur who used to be Twilight Sparkle. She blushed when she caught him looking at her very new and very human face. He smiled gently and said: “So now you know how I felt, then.”

She lifted her wing and stored her new diadem scepter in her magic cache, then raised her hands and examined them closely. “I was just getting used to the wings. Now I have to learn how to use a whole new set of limbs. That’s eight in total! Does that make me some kind of spider, or maybe an octopus?” Her own smile showed that she was talking in jest.

He chuckled. “No, you are most definitely a mammal.” Her blush deepened. She crossed her arms over her bosom. “And you certainly remain related to Clover.”

Still chuckling, Starswirl rummaged through the pockets in his cloak, producing a white tunic. He offered it to her. “Here, this smock should fit you. I just hope Joly got all the stains out when he laundered it last week.”

Pandora turned her back to them and pulled the tunic over her head and shoulders. Looking down at herself she remarked: “Rarity might dispute this, but I think it fits me quite well.”

She straightened the garment by brushing her hands down over it, and then froze mid motion. Her eyebrows lifted, she blinked a few times and then raised both fists to the side of her face and hip-hopped on all four legs. “Eeeee!” she squealed, “I can't believe I'm wearing Starswirl the Bearded’s shirt! Ohmygosh, ohmygosh, ohmygosh!”

Discord finally came out of his daze. He looked down at the lampshade, pail and toothbrush he still clutched, and hid them behind his back. “Er... looks like there won’t be a Sept of Chaos initiation rite after all.” He scratched an ear. “A centaur then, is it? Well, I guess it should do in a pinch. Uh, Princess Pandora. I, uh, I want to sincerely thank–”

“–Please don’t, Discord,” said Pandora, abruptly shifting from fangasm to disdain. “Don’t think I can’t see how you’ve manipulated me since this whole thing started. Stranding me here with my personal hero, who just happens to have been born human, plus the diary, the gallery, the funeral, the lectures... all of it ties together too well not to have been planned.”

Discord met her gaze. “Of course I planned it all out. The stakes could not be higher, Princess. So I’ll take my lumps if you’re angry with me, but I won’t lie to you. I did what I had to do, and if there’s any shame in it, then I’ll wear it gladly.”

Pandora eyed the draconequus as she floated the portal frame out from Starswirl's cloak. “Are you certain you were never one of Princess Celestia’s students?” she asked as she unfolded it.

Discord’s eyes widened briefly before a wide grin split his muzzle. “Oh come now, don’t be silly. Now about the portal frame–” A scroll popped out of the portal frame. Everypony stared as it fluttered to the floor and was followed by a small cloth purse that clinked of metal within it.

“Looks like we’ve gotten a reply to our letter," said Pandora. “And it seems they refused the gold.”

Discord piped up: “Why of course she refused the bits! She’d never accept money for being charitable.”

"She?" asked Pandora. "You know who we've been stealing food from?"

A sultry female voice called out: "Discord, is that you? I know I heard your voice in here. Where are you? Hurry back or you’ll be late for dinner."

Pandora gaped at Discord. "Fluttershy? Fluttershy's cottage used to be Starswirl's? And the other end of the portal frame sits in a house I visit several times a week?"

It was Starswirl's turn to look surprised. "Princess," he asked Pandora, "you know who we've been stealing food from?"

Discord pointed at the centaur and tried to look innocent. “That’s what she said.”

Starswirl smiled. "So somepony is still living in my cottage hundreds of years after I left." He seemed very pleased.

Discord smiled apologetically. "My dearest friend is calling to me. I should go reassure her that all is well. She actually worries about me, you know. Isn't it wonderful?"

He approach the portal frame and cupped claw and paw around his muzzle. “Coming right out, Sweetheart!” he called. “Uh, honey, we’ll be having two guests for dinner.”

“Discord!” exclaimed Pandora. “Aren’t we supposed to be saving the universe or something?”

The trickster looked smug. “Us time travellers have all the time in the world we could ever need. Plus, now that you’ve accepted my request, I do think I owe you a full disclosure. And where's the fun in rushing around on an empty stomach when we don’t have to?”

“The draconequus makes a valid point,” said Starswirl.

Pandora rolled her eyes. “Stallions!” she said, and bent over to pick up the paper, which she stored in the magic cache under her wing.

Discord waved a paw and the portal grew bigger.

Starswirl looked around and saw everything else in the room getting bigger as well as receding into the distance. Soon the frame was taller than even Princess Pandora.

Discord invited them forward with a flourish. “Please, be our guests.”

“Our guests?” asked Pandora.

“Oh, of course this is all yet in the future from your perspective, Princess. How gauche of me not to have clued you in.” He waved her forward. “Just to avoid any surprises, Fluttershy and I just feted our thirty-fifth wedding anniversary.” He showed off a large gold ring on the middle digit of his bird-clawed limb and batted his eyelashes. “They said it wouldn’t last!” He winked.

“Married? Fluttershy? Thirty-five years?” Pandora muttered as she stepped up to the portal frame.

Discord waved her onwards. “Oh, and watch out for that first step –” with a screech Pandora teetered and fell forward “–it’s a doozy!”

Starswirl balked at the edge of the opening. “I don't think it wise for me to visit an Equestria that is in my future. Ponies could tell me about my own fate and that could cause a paradox that–” The rest of his objection was cut off when he was pushed from behind and plummeted into the dark.

Fluttershy heard a commotion within the pantry. Opening the door she saw nopony. This wasn’t a surprise because there just wasn’t room for a grown pony in there. Still, she thought she had heard Discord. Then she heard another angry voice, one she thought sounded familiar, and looked down. There stood three bunny-sized beings in a pile of limbs and bodies – her husband’s on top.

Pandora heard a rather low-key “Squee!” and looked up. She saw a gigantic pink maned yellow head moving down to inspect them. “Oh, Discord!” said a familiar voice. “You're so cute when you're small!”

“Hmm,” said her husband while disentangling himself from the others. “Maybe I'll stay small for a while. It's high time Angel Bunny the Third had some competition in the kawaii sweepstakes around here!”

A huge but totally cute white rabbit peeked out from Fluttershy’s hooves. He turned up his nose and rolled his eyes back as soon as he saw Discord.

“Ahem.” Discord cleared his throat for attention. “If we move out of the pantry then perhaps I can restore everypony to their normal sizes.”

Pandora shook her head and purposefully strode out of the pantry, passing right between Fluttershy’s hooves and the huge white rabbit. From the corner of her eye she saw Starswirl follow her out, with Discord in the rear. Once she was past Fluttershy she heard the sounds of a scuffle.

"Fluttershy! Get him off of me!” shouted Discord.

There was a very unbunnylike growl. Then a loud "Ouch!"

"Well I can bite too, you know!" exclaimed Discord.

“Boys!” said Fluttershy, “Are you two going to behave or am I going to have to take out the Stare?”

The sounds of scuffling stopped abruptly.

Pandora turned around and almost lost her balance as the room quickly shrunk down to normal size, as did Fluttershy and the bunny. A moment later Starswirl stood next to her, and finally Discord joined their rank. He and Fluttershy hugged warmly.

“We’ve got four foals and seven grand-foals, and she still calls me a boy!” Discord mugged. Over his shoulder Fluttershy caught sight of Pandora. She issued another almost loud “Squee!” and ran up to hug Pandora.

For a moment Pandora thought that her long-time friend had recognised her despite her morphological transformation.

“Oh my goodness! A centaur! It's been decades since I last saw a centaur! I’m so excited!” She hugged her once more and stood back. “Oh, I’m sorry! I should introduce myself. I’m Fluttershy, Discord’s wife.” She cocked her head at Discord.

“Oh, of course. Fluttersweets, may I present Princess Pandora, a visitor from another time, and her companion – none other than Starswirl the Bearded.”

Starswirl gestured broadly. “You’ve done well with my old cottage, madame. It’s been nearly a thousand years since I built it.”

Pandora though Fluttershy would quietly “Squee!” again, but instead she froze for a moment.

“Don’t! Move!” the yellow pegasus declared, pointing a leg at the old mage. Then her ears flopped down, she lowered her hoof and blushed. “I mean, you can certainly move if you wish, I would never dream of preventing you from sitting or anything, so please make yourselves comfortable, just... don’t go away.” She leaped onto the window sill, stopped and turned. “I’ll be right back.” And in a passable imitation of Rainbow Dash she shot out of the open window, flying at top speed.

Pandora looked at Discord, eyebrows raised. “I wonder what that was all about?”

Discord cupped his chin in his paw. “I think I have a suspicion. Well, more than a suspicion. But don’t worry, I planned even for this contingency. It’s quite useful having access to other versions of myself who’ve gone through these circumstances a few minutes earlier than me. By the way, have a look in the mirror.”

Discord suddenly had a hand mirror, positioned so Pandora could see her reflection: tan skin and coat, and light blue mane.

“Discord! Why did you change my coloration?”

“Because–” the door flew open, and there stood a tall, regal alicorn mare. Her coat was lavender and her mane sparkled with all the shades of dusk from bright pink to the deepest indigo blue. Fluttershy landed just behind her. The two entered the cottage and the alicorn mare’s eyes alighted on Starswirl.

This time the “Squee!” was loud enough to have been heard all the way to Canterlot.

Dinner turned out to be a multi-family, multi-generational extravaganza. Both guests got a large amount of generally polite and respectful attention. Pandora and Twilight’s eyes met several times over the table, and though Pandora was sure that Twilight knew something was amiss, this older and wiser version of herself seemed content to let dining centaurs dine.

Two of Fluttershy and Discord’s grand-foals showed up. One, a pegasus stallion the spitting image of Fluttershy, was accompanied by his wife, a shy young unicorn with a cornflower blue coat, both laden with large bowls of food. The other was a light brown unicorn mare accompanied by a pale blue earth pony stallion, and their own tiny cyan pegasus foal with a rainbow coloured mane, who immediately flew straight into Discord’s forelimbs.

“Granpop!” cried the little mare.

“It’s my little Dashie,” replied the draconequus. Multi-coloured fireworks went off in his eyes, to the foal’s absolute delight. Discord made brightly painted blocks appear. Little Dash used them to build pony shapes, which Discord animated under her direction. The two were never far apart all evening.

As to the dinner itself, it progressed faster than Pandora would have believed possible. A trestle table appeared where the arriving guests placed the dishes and bowls they had brought. A variety of foodstuffs were added by both Fluttershy and Discord during several trips back and forth to the kitchen.

Pandora also witnessed the very real and obviously deep affection between Discord and her friend Fluttershy. He was extraordinarily attentive to her, and she seemed to bloom and glow in his presence. It warmed her heart to no end to see them feeding each other tidbits and engaging in gentle teasing.

Of course, this being the house of Kindness and Chaos, there was much gentle, good natured randomness and fun, liberally spiced with dozens of animals large and small, and somehow each one had his or her space.

After the dessert course, some massive confection from Sugarcube Corner, Pandora decided to take a walk outside to get some time to think. There was a bench located just on the other side of the chicken coop. Since Discord had conveniently not restored her to full stature, she was basically pony sized, with extras, so she could comfortably sit on the wide wooden boards, watch the sky and listen to the the night-time sounds of the Everfree Forest.

Finally having some privacy, Pandora took out the letter they had received through the portal frame. It was written in Fluttershy’s simple, almost fillyish script. She smiled when she saw that her friend, now a grandmother, still dotted her 'i's with a little heart.

Dear Friend,

It’s very considerate of you to let me know you’re the one who is taking things from my pantry. I’m not worried, honest! It’s just that I often have guests in my house who can’t always tell me what they need, and I’m more than happy to share, because we have more than enough for everypony and every critter too! And I gave you back your bits, because I’m happy to give you whatever you need.

It’s really intriguing to have a past (or future) resident of this house contact me. It was abandoned long ago, so you must be from very far in the past or in the future. You know, it’s funny how much you sound like a good friend of mine who’s always very concerned about being really precise in what she says. I can’t help but think you two could become really good friends too, so I hope you get a chance to meet sometime!

Don’t worry about replacing the food that you took, but if you can, please send me a letter to let me know when you and your friend are safe and sound. Enjoy the food in my pantry, and I’ll make sure to keep more pony food near the door. I’ll put my animal food deeper in the pantry, although I don’t think they would mind sharing either.

I'm sure you will find your way home soon. Don’t lose hope, and always remember that you have friends.

Yours in kindness,

Fluttershy

Pandora smiled. Even if I have a new face, all my former friends are still the wonderful ponies I have come to love. Maybe this is just an opportunity to get to know them all over again! The thought had barely formed in her mind when Twilight showed up and sat down beside her.

The mare chewed her lip for a short while, and finally spoke up. “Who’s the letter from?” she asked.

“Fluttershy," said Pandora. "She’s usually so quiet. It's easy to forget how truly perceptive she is."

Twilight nodded. "All those years ago she was the first to really see into Discord's heart. I guess that's why he fell so totally head-over-hooves for her. Whoever would have believed they could raise such a wonderful family!"

Both mares kept in companionable silence for a while, looking at the beautiful night over the Everfree.

“I know who you are,” Twilight finally said. “You’ve made the choice that I couldn’t.” Her tone of voice was lighthearted, not what Pandora was expecting.

Pandora glanced to the side. “Do you resent me for it?”

Twilight grinned, her teeth flashing in the moonlight. “No. I’m here to thank you. If it’s any consolation, you've made the right choice.”

“You know that when I undo Discord’s mistake, the last forty years of this universe will be reset.” She gesture to the house. “These events and many of these ponies may never come into existence.”

“Yes, I know,” said Twilight. “Soon, all of this will just be a dream for me, and I’ll be a different pony." She sighed. “You’re the twenty third after me, or before me depending on the perspective, I think.”

“The twenty third what?”

“You’re the result of Discord’s twenty third attempt to convince me – I mean, us – to join the Sept of Chaos.” Her grin flashed again in the semi-darkness. “He’s been going backwards through time, changing and perfecting his pitch to us with every iteration.” One of her eyebrows rose. “I don’t know how many there were before me in the future, but I can recall each attempt in my past as vivid dreams, and of course I’ve documented them.”

Pandora considered for a moment. “Why does he need to go backwards in time with each attempt?”

“Oh, that’s because he needs a fresh and unprejudiced Twilight on which to ply his argument. If he worked chronologically each time he made his argument he’d be facing a mare who had previously decided to reject his logic. I’ve got to hoof it to him, he really has thought this out very carefully, and he’s been very methodical. But having known him for a long time, I can also tell he was beginning to feel desperate.”

“Why’s that?” asked Pandora.

“Because he’s almost run out of time.”

“What?”

“His last failed attempt was just a few weeks after we got our wings. You must be the Twilight just prior to that day. Remember, for this to work he has to convince an ascended being to convert to Chaos. Only a few weeks earlier and we’re Twilight the unicorn, and no longer in the running.”

Pandora shook her head. “I never knew he was such a capable planner. I’m really impressed!”

“As am I. But, you know, my heart really breaks for him. You’ve seen the way he worships his foals and grand-foals.”

Pandora nodded.

“There’s no way to know if they will still be born in the repaired universe. He risks losing everything he loves for this.”

Pandora mulled this over, unsure of what to say.

“What about... you, Princess Twilight? Do you risk somepony special?”

Twilight was silent for a long while. Glints of moonlight reflected from falling tears. “Too many to count. Too many to let go. Just... Too many. My courage failed me every time Discord asked. I suspect Starswirl had something to do with your taking the other choice.” She rubbed her eyes and attempted a lopsided smile. “So. How long have you known Starswirl the Bearded?” she asked.

“Coming up on four glorious... and sometimes not so glorious, days and nights,” Pandora replied.

The flash of a smile returned. “I’m tremendously envious of you, you know.”

“Don’t be. By doing this I’ve betrayed everything Princess Celestia ever taught me – us. I’ve betrayed her plans for me. I've betrayed Harmony, and I’ve betrayed her. She would hate me if she knew.” Pandora sniffled as her own emotions overflowed.

“Are you sure about that?” asked Twilight.

Pandora wiped her eyes with the back of a hand. “It’s too late now for me to ask.”

“Maybe not,” replied Twilight.

“What... what do you mean?”

“Look over there,” said Twilight, pointing with a purple hoof.

Pandora turned her attention to an area of lilac bushes. There stood a ghostly white form. One that Pandora would recognize anywhere, and at any time. The form approached.

“Welcome home, my faithful student,” said Princess Celestia. Pandora ran into her embrace.

Fluttershy sat with Starswirl and Discord on a large sofa in the cottage’s living room. Little Dashie slept tightly curled up in Discord’s forelimbs.

“And so,” said Fluttershy, “my parents bought me this house so I could live near my little animal friends. Being so far from town it had been vacant for generations. I guess nopony even remembered that it was yours from long ago, I mean, it’s such an honour!”

Starswirl looked at the extended family of pegasi, unicorns, earth ponies and even one draconequus. “On the contrary, I feel honored that such a beautiful family has made this humble place into a home. And I’m equally pleased to see that Ponyville has again become a vibrant community. You might want to ask Princess Celestia about its history when next you see her.”

“He he!” Discord said. “That might not take very long. If I’m not mistaken she’s sitting out back with Twilight and Pandora.”

Starswirl rose from the sofa, ears erect.

“Don’t worry, Maestro,” said Discord. “They’re just having a little princess-talk. It would be impolite in the extreme to interrupt.”

“If you say so.” He sighed. “As long as I’m up perhaps I can take advantage of the occasion to stretch my legs.”

As he exited the front door he witnessed Fluttershy cuddle up to her husband and grand-foal. It was a truly sweet moment. As soon as he was outside, the irony of it struck him. What foolhardy courage does Discord have to put all this in jeopardy, he thought. And then he thought of what Discord had done for little Maximilian Sachs. A truly big heart beats in that patchwork creature. He and Fluttershy are indeed a good match.

In the distance he saw the lights of Ponyville. In the bright moonlight it looked like a toy village. In the sky a shadow winged towards the town. When it landed near a castle in the shape of a huge tree the street lights revealed the winged shadow to be Princess Twilight Sparkle. A doorway opened into the tree and she went inside.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” said Pandora’s voice.

He turned and bowed. “I could not dream of a more blessed sight, Princess.”

They stood together in silence. This is what she is giving up, he thought.

“You know,” said the princess, “he actually understated how much he had to do to get us to this point. Imagine that, Discord being modest!” He raised an eyebrow, and she told him most of what she had learned. When she was finished they took a final look at Ponyville and made their way back to the cottage.

Discord sat alone in the living room wearing a somber expression. “It’s time to go back, and for me to explain everything,” he said.

They nodded. In silence Discord led them to the pantry.

The trio returned via the portal frame to the room where Maximilian Sachs had lived and died. After the exuberantly emphatic life of the family dinner, its quiet could only be described as sepulchral.

Discord was uncharacteristically very somber. “So, about that explanation I promised...”

Pandora blushed. “It won’t be necessary, Discord. Twilight and Princess Celestia already confirmed everything you told us, and filled me in on the rest. Then I told Starswirl.”

“I knew they knew more than they let on. I guess I should have expected as much.” He frowned theatrically. “I may be a good guy now, however that doesn’t mean I’ve given up on my right to long soliloquies that interrupt the action at the most inappropriate moments.” He waggled a single digit of his bird claw. “I’ll forgive you this time, but don’t do it again!”

As Pandora and Starswirl chuckled he approached the portal frame and waved a paw over it. “The portal is now attuned to the time just after my unfortunate intervention. Princess, there's no further reason for delay.”

Pandora took the frame from where it hung suspended in air and neatly folded it using her magic. She then took it into her left hand and nodded.

“Wait!” called Starswirl. “Forgive me this indulgence, Princess, Discord, but before we part there’s something more I would like to show Princess Pandora. Princess, please follow me.”

Starswirl paced quickly down the stairs and led the young centaur to another painting some thirty or forty meters further down the wall from where his Lady had been displayed.

“This is also one of my works. It is called ‘The Virgin of the Rocks’. Please look carefully at the face of the woman in the painting.” Her eyes grew wide in surprise when she beheld the same gentle face in the painting as she had seen reflected in Discord's mirror.

“But – how is that possible? I’m literally just hours old in this shape.”

“It would appear that we will meet again in my own past, lass.”

“Then that means you’ve seen this face before? When?”

He chuckled. “If I told you that, time loops could form, paradoxes might be caused and whole universes could be destroyed.” He tilted his head. “As a young friend of mine said very recently, that is one of the subjects I think we agreed that we mustn’t discuss!”

Pandora laughed in delight. “Touché!, Maestro. And thanks for showing me this. Somehow it reassures me tremendously. I will see you again. I can’t wait!” Her expression grew sober. “Are you ready, now?”

“Yes,” he said. “Farewell, lass. And remember, you’ve done us all—Clover, Platinum, Celestia, Discord and humanity—extremely proud. You’re now a part of us, and we’re a part of you.”

Starswirl was briefly enveloped in purple arms and wings. He looked up to say something more and suddenly found himself alone. He walked slowly back up the stairs to a waiting Discord.

“What will happen when she makes the change?”

“I’m not quite sure. I should retain my memory of this universe, but I simply don’t know about you. You’re from a much earlier time, so I think there is little chance of a paradox being generated. If you’re here with me your own memory may also be preserved. I truly don’t know, and I have... other things I stand to lose.” He seemed very vulnerable, all of a sudden. His paw twitched upwards towards Starswirl, then went slowly back down. Starswirl took one look at the draconequus’s ashen face, and held out a forehoof to him. Discord put a paw on his hoof, and bit his lower lip. The paw trembled, and the draconequus closed his eyes.

They stood that way for some ten seconds when, without transition, the world was different. It wasn’t like it had been changed in a flash. There was no shock. One moment it was just different, and had always been so.

They were on a green field of grass that extended as far as the eye could see. He saw Discord open his eyes.

“The Exponential Lands!” he said. “It worked!” He grabbed Starswirl’s other hoof and began to jump around, engaging Starswirl in a very undignified dance. “We did it! We saved the Earth and Equestria both!”

In the distance there were a bunch of houses. For some reason they seemed different to Starswirl. The style of architecture was more utilitarian and angular than the very fluid and lavishly decorated styles he had witnessed in his many years in Equestria. Near them were white lines on the grass, as if somepony had laid out lines of chalk dust to define a field for sports. This one in particular was shaped somewhat like a diamond. Foals in uniform were playing a sport that seemed to involve hitting a ball with a wooden bat held in the mouth. He and Discord approached. They listened in on the chatter between the foals in the outer part of the formation. Discord raised his eyebrows. “English!” he remarked. He waved a paw and Starswirl suddenly understood the words.

“Hey kid?” the draconequus called to the nearest foal, an orange coated unicorn. “Who’s playing?”

The colt in question did a double-take, but replied anyway. “New McMurdo – that’s us, versus Scott Station.” He stared at Discord, eyes wide as dinner plates. From the nearby stands there was a commotion, and all eyes seemed to turn to focus on the new arrivals. An orange unicorn mare began galloping towards them.

“What’s the matter, kid?” Discord’s smile wavered. “Haven’t you seen a draconequus before?”

The colt continued staring. “Yeah, but only in my dreams! Are... are you Bob?”

This time it was Discord who did a double-take. The mare was approaching and her voice grew in volume and clarity. “Max!” she shouted. “Come here and get away from that thing!”

The colt turned towards the mare. “Mo–o–om!” he complained, but nevertheless began trotting towards his mother. On the back of his uniform was a large numeral 5 and the Roman letters S, A, C, H, and S stitched in royal blue.

Discord waved a claw, “Bye now, Max, and Mrs. Sachs. We’ve got to get back to the land of dreams!”

Starswirl saw a flash of white.

Starswirl felt off-balance for a moment. His vision cleared and he found that he and Discord were in front of Fluttershy’s cottage. The windows were shuttered and the door sported a huge lock.

Discord flicked a paw. The lock turned into a flock of butterflies and flew off. He rushed into the cottage. Starswirl followed a moment later and found the draconequus sitting on his haunches, a frightened look on his face. There was dust everywhere, and most of the furniture was covered with drop-clothes. “Fluttersweets, where are you?” he said in a strangled voice.

There was a flash of light and suddenly Princess Celestia and Fluttershy were there. The latter’s eyes widened at the sight of Discord. She rushed over to wrap her husband in hooves and wings. “I’m here sweetheart. What’s gotten you in this state?”

Discord hugged the pegasus back desperately. “A-Absolutely nothing, my love! I... Everything’s right as rain.”

She pulled back slightly. “Well, then, why aren’t you home? It’s a good thing Princess Celestia was a guest tonight. She offered to teleport me to you when I asked if she’d seen you.” She gazed around the room in confusion. “What are you doing back at my old cottage? Half the family’s travelled all the way to Canterlot tonight for the dinner.”

“Canterlot?” he raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, the party is at our house. Did you forget? The little ones have already been fed and are getting ready for bed. Chance, Twilight and Dashie all want their bedtime stories read by grampa.”

It was as if a light suddenly went on in Discord’s head. “Of course, the dinner. How silly of me to forget.” He turned his head back towards Starswirl, a grin splitting his face ear-to-ear. He hugged Starswirl briefly and waved a paw. "Arrivederci, Maestro!" and he and Fluttershy were gone, leaving Starswirl alone with Princess Celestia.

They gazed at each other, a few pony lengths and several centuries between them.

“How nice it is to see you again, Maestro.” She chuckled. “Although it’s been a bit longer from my perspective than yours.” She stood somewhat formally, ever the proper princess.

He strode up to her, bowed, and raised an eyebrow. “Not so long that I don’t get a hug, I hope.”

Celestia’s smile widened appreciably, and she leaned in to wrap a leg and wings around him. They shared the familiar warmth of each other’s presence for a moment. He felt her sigh as they disengaged their limbs.

“I’ve missed your company so, dear friend!” she said. “Isn’t it ironic that you should come back to us just when we needed your help the most?”

“Not at all. It was all Discord’s doing.” He gestured to the door and led them outside the cottage. Crickets were chirping their evening serenade, and one of the most beautiful night skies Starswirl had ever seen took his breath away.

“She has returned, hasn’t she?” Celestia didn’t respond, but the spring in her step as they walked in the moonlight told him all he needed to know. “I’m glad,” he concluded. He faced Ponyville, a gleaming galaxy of silver and gold in the distance. “Your sister is back, and so is my little hamlet. You remembered!”

“It was a beautiful vision that deserved to be brought back to life, Maestro. I don’t think it a coincidence that this little town is home to the Bearers of the Elements of Harmony.”

“Perhaps you should not have told me that! But still, thank you, my Princess. And do convey my warmest feelings to Princess Luna.”

Celestia laughed, but her mirth was short-lived. “But now, I have another princess gone, and into an exile so much more final than Luna’s. When I met Pandora here sidewhen she told us of your time together. Will she be alright, Maestro?”

“Everything she’s done since we’ve met has been a joy to observe and a credit to her tutor. She has neither abandoned Harmony nor adopted Chaos, Celestia, she’s simply grown enough to see what lies beyond them.”

“What do you think she will do now?”

Starswirl thought a moment, and chuckled. “Now that she’s saved two universes, I suppose she’ll make a list of others that also need saving.”

Celestia chuckled as well. “You’ve always had sharp eyes and been a good judge of character, Maestro. I suspect you’re right.” She focused inwards for a moment, and then her eyes widened almost imperceptibly. A second later she grinned and snorted in a very unprincesslike fashion. “The multiverse had best beware! Princess Pandora, First of the Sept of Life and Avatar of Hope, is on its case!”

She turned around and hugged him again. “I hope this is not our last parting,” she said simply.

“Anything is possible in time, my Princess of Harmony!” he responded, and bowed.

“Farewell, my friend.” He saw her horn glow.

Starswirl found himself back in his cottage, standing next to his kitchen table. He leaned on it, subject to a momentary feeling of vertigo. Home! he thought. Finally, I'm home.

His thoughts went out to the verdant green of the Exponential Lands, as Discord had called them. Luna will one day return from exile! Ponyville will be rebuilt. And the Earth can be saved! He felt as if a huge weight had left his withers.

A broad grin split his muzzle. “Joly!” he shouted. “I’ve just had the most amazing experience!” Not getting a response, he decided to go look for his companion. He could see blue sky peeking through the window shutters. It would be a shame to waste such a beautiful day indoors. There was much to tell and, he thought, even more still to be done!

His spirit brightened in anticipation.

Pandora’s Journal For Universe Rescue and Restoration of Hope
Universe: 328-56-02D
Location: Berlin, Germany, Planet Earth
Local Date: June 7th, 2011

Minutes of Meeting held at Hofvarpnir Studios
Attending for HS: Hanna S. (CEO) and Lars L. (VP BizDev)
Attending for Hasbro: Richard P. (yours truly!)

Actions:
- Presented basic case for having Hofvarpnir build Equestria Online
- Lars initially very skeptical
- Hanna convinced him in a private meeting
- They accepted to attempt negotiating a contract. All signs point to a rapid close of the deal

Notes:
- Current index show probability for Quiet Earth extinction within 200 years as close to 100% (residual probabilities for avoidance of QE scenario include asteroid impact, solar instability, supernova in the local group of stars, and alien invasion.)
- All attempts at locating a corresponding Equestria to this Earth have failed, preventing the standard Convergence solution.
- Leakage of advanced cybernetic AI technology (from universe 328-56-02D LD:2054/03/21) to Hanna by dream transfer (started LD:1994/01/02) is showing every sign of continued success.
- Direct government interference remains highest probable cause for failure.
- Other AI going rogue and assuming control of planet Earth is second highest probable cause for failure (cf. Loki incident). Direct Intervention and Restitution Protocol DIRP in place to mitigate that possibility.
- Hasbro Board of Directors fully convinced by Richard P. to invest up to $10 million in Equestria Online.

Follow-up:
- Finalize contract with stipulation of alpha build acceptance testing completed within one calendar year.
- Disengage Lauren F. from daily involvement in the show production as it will be increasingly difficult to maintain both Lauren and Richard personas at the same time, and stay close to Hanna while basic AI in development stage.
- Sleep-feed Hanna basic Celest-A.I. engrams to ensure Magic of Friendship.