When the next day came she woke up early to make sure that she could meet Star Swirl early, she wanted as much time with him even if he was distant.
“Princess, are you ready yet?” she said knocking on her door.
“Not yet Twilight, I haven’t even raised the sun yet,” she said, “Just give me a minute, okay?”
“Okay,” Twilight said, and with that she waited patiently outside for her to come. Eventually the princess did come out looking just as lovely and young as ever, “You look very well and fine just like you do every day,” Twilight said.
“Thank you for the compliment my student, but come, I am sure that you are most anxious to meet Star Swirl, are you not?”
“Yes, I am,” Twilight said, “Come on, let’s go!”
And with that said Twilight trotted off very fast leaving Celestia behind in the distance and then she sighed very heavily and deeply, “Why are the young ones always so wild and reckless and foolish and fast?” she said.
But she already knew the answer for it was exactly what Star Swirl would say.
“You acted just like that when you were young you know.”
And with that in her mind she took off to follow and catch up with Twilight.
They arrived at his house to see with some shock and surprise that the door was already open and he stood there waiting for them.
“What are you two slowpokes doing here this late?” he said.
“Don’t you know that we’re supposed to go there as early as we can?”
“Um no, we didn’t because you didn’t tell us,” Twilight said.
“Hey, no excuses, I don’t like ponies who make excuses or are late,” he said with a smile, “Now come on, we have a long way to go and I want to take the train there so we can talk and eat and have some fun and play games.”
“Who are you and what have you done with Star Swirl?” they both said.
He laughed and smiled, “Oh it’s the same me, I’ve just changed for the better, that’s all, I had a major discovery about my life yesterday and it changed the whole entire way I think, and while most say that ponies can’t change in one day or night, some can if they’re crazy enough, stupid enough, or really dedicated to their work hard or easy, now come on, we have a long way to go and I want to get there as soon as possible to meet every pony there.”
And with that said the princesses looked at each other in shock and confusion and followed him to the train station, “What do you suppose happened to him last night?” Twilight said when they finally arrived there.
“With him, who knows? With other ponies the same answer to,” Celestia said paying him the right amount that would later on be tax free.
“Do you really think that’s he’s changed for the better and good now?”
“Who knows? With time I’ll suppose that we will see,” and with that said they entered the train and found a room to sit in.
“Hey,” Twilight said once they entered, “You never did tell me how you got the nickname or title, ’the bearded,’ how did you ever get that by the way?”
“Oh,” he said with a smile, “That’s a funny story actually, you see when I was young I wanted to impress the crowds and children and whatnot and one day I said to myself, hey, since I’m telling stories why not make myself look a little bit older? And then I thought, how can I look any older, and then I got my answer, a beard of course! And with that I quickly whipped up a recipe for a beard, and poof! There it was a new old gray frizzled beard, and just so you know the audience and children all loved it, but I also used to put the beard on for many displays of my power and knowledge like when I banished the Sirens or distracted Discord, and so I eventually earned that name with some repetition.”
“Wow,” Twilight said, “That’s amazing and funny.”
“I know,” he said with a smile and then suddenly the treat cart came around, “Treats any pony?” the stallion asked them.
“I’m good,” Twilight said and Celestia looked like she was about to say something but then was suddenly interrupted by Star Swirl.
“I’ll take the whole lot of it!” he said handing the stallion a huge big bag of money and with that the stallion looked surprised and shocked but then smiled and said, “Well then, have a very good day sir.”
“Keep the change!” Star Swirl said as he left.
And then he looked at the shock and surprise on their faces.
“Oh I have lots more in the banks and back at home,” he said.
“How much money do you have?” Twilight said.
“You know how banks loan out more money than they have, right?”
“Yeah, so what?”
“Well let’s say that I am basically the stallion that they lend from when they run low out of money and when they can’t reach the princess or government either, that’s just how rich I am,” he said, “After all, when you are immortal it doesn’t matter how much you earn in on year, if you save it all it will only slowly grow into a big huge pile.”
And with that said he started digging into the big huge pile of sweets.
“You’re not going to eat all of that, are you?” Celestia said.
“Don’t be ridiculous, of course not, most of it is for my friends, and here, you can have some if you want,” he said using his magic to throw some at her.
“Thanks a lot,” she said biting into some chocolate, “Hmmm… Chocolate.”
And with that said they traveled the rest of the way there in complete silence.
Once they got there Star Swirl hesitated before stepping off.
“What’s wrong?” Twilight said.
“If I step off this train this will be the first time in many years that I have come back to Ponyville, I haven’t been here ever since the night after she died,” he said, “And I came here to try to let go of the past, and I guess that it’s finally time to see if I can, but don’t worry, I won’t sing some big Disney musical about it that will earn millions of views online,” he said turning to the screen and then winking at it as they both looked slightly confused at his actions.
And with that said he stepped off into Ponyville.
“Home at last,” he said, “And once more again it’s almost just like I used to remember it, but where in the world could my welcome here party be?”
And with that said suddenly Pinkie Pie appeared from underneath his cloak with her party canon and wagon and started to sing her song.
At this point they all knew that it was better not to question her strange unusual mysterious od nature and instead they ignore her and went on.
“Thanks for the welcome,” Star Swirl said with a laugh and smile, “It does make me feel very loved deep down inside, but did you know that yesterday I would have hated this entrance and probably say a few choice words to you?”
“You would?” Pinkie Pie said “Well than what changed exactly?”
He smiled once more again, “Everything,” he simply said.
And with that vague and general confusing answer Pinkie Pie shrugged it off and continued, “Well then, do you want to be friends with me?”
“Of course Pinkie Pie,” and with that said she jumped up into the air just as her part canon exploded flinging confetti everywhere.
And then after that Twilight took Star Swirl all around town letting him meet all of her current friends and soon enough he was a friend to all.
And here’s just a short little sample of what they went through together.
“Hello there Fluttershy,” he said after they left Pinkie Pie, “I heard that you are good with animals, but can I try my luck out with them?”
“Sure thing,” she said opening the door very slowly with her obvious fear and nervousness showing in her voice and actions, “Go ahead.”
“Thank you very much,” he said, and with that he started on all the animals.
And soon enough every animal was listening to him, even Angel.
“How did you do that?” Fluttershy said once he was done.
“I have a pet companion phoenix named Felicia,” he said showing her to Fluttershy, “And she acts and behaves just like Angel, but she has never won against me because I know tough and rough love, and being smart and wise and logical helps out a great deal a lot in the end too you know.”
And with that said he left Fluttershy’s cottage and left her in some mild shock and surprise, “On to the next one then?” he said going onwards.
Next was Applejack, and she wasn’t too hard to win over either.
“You say that you’re some kind of wizard?” she said, “Well then, I believe you even if Twilight won’t say for sure if you are indeed, but I gotta have some faith in something, am I right?”
“Yes, you are right,” he said, and with that they all went on together again.
Next after Applejack was Rarity, and she too likewise was easy to win over.
“Can I try my luck out at dresses?” he said.
“Sure thing darling, but I have had years of practice and experience and there is no way that you could ever possibly hope to match or beat me-,”
But then she gasped in shock, surprise, horror, wonder and awe at the perfect dress that he had made within just a few short seconds.
“How did you? How is that even possible?” she said.
“Years of practice and experience will never beat one who has even more of it,” he said, “But don’t worry, your dresses are just fine my dear.”
And with that said he left as Rarity shouted to herself in a rant.
“JUST FINE? WELL HOW DARE YOU INSULT THEM LIKE THAT! THEY ARE MORE THAN JUST FINE! THEY ARE PERFECT AND AS SUCH I DEMAND THAT YOU GIVE THEM THE LOVE AND RESPECT THAT THEY DESERVE!
COME BACK HERE YOU STALLION!”
And with that said they went on to Rainbow Dash after Rarity.
“You say that you’re a wizard then?” she said after she met him, “Ha, well then prove it because I heard that wizards are pretty cool and awesome, and any pony who is awesome is a friend of mine.”
“I have no need to prove my worth with actions since my words alone would be enough, but since I know that you will not accept it any other way I will humor your silly little tiny misguided ideas and notions and thoughts.”
And with that said he summoned a tornado and then made it vanish.
“And remember this, I can always do that if I ever get angry enough, so do not push me, and although I wouldn’t because I am wise and wizards are also very wise, it still is not a smart move to push the boundaries and limits.”
“I try to do that all the time,” Rainbow Dash said, “But whatever, you’re now a friend of mine,” and with that said he now had made friends with Twilight’s friends (well most of them anyways since there was one back in Canterlot and a few scattered around various locations and places within the town itself).
And with that all was quite well as they continued their journey in town.
As they went on he made a few comments about some of the ponies they met.
“Ah, the fan base just loves this mail pony, in fact so much so that Hasbro decided to take note of her and include her in toys which just goes to show how fans can actually change the community.” he said about
Derpy Hooves.
“And anyone who thinks those two are ‘just friends’ can die,” he said pointing at Sweetie Drops and Lyra Heartstrings.
“And I have no idea what’s up with her although I think she’s mute,” he said about Vinyl Scratch.
“Oh, and I just love the British accent and many ships of you and Vinyl,” he said about Octavia.
“And she’s good, you are too, and you’re just a chicken who can’t fly,” he said about Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo respectively.
“You’ll never be as great and powerful as me!” he said to Trixie, “And certainly never as wise enough either!”
“But don’t worry, you’re still a very good side character!”
“And you,” he said to Spike, “Don’t worry, the writers will find a way to make a good story about you someday, eventually, hopefully.”
“And the rest of you are just many random various nameless background ponies!” he said to the rest of them, “Except for the few.”
And with that said he had met every pony in town and now needed a place to stay, “How about my place?” Twilight said when he asked.
“That’s perfect,” he said, “I always did like trees and libraries.”
And with that said it was settled and Twilight jumped up and down with joy and delight cheering very loudly as she flew around the very large castle.
“Calm down, please,” he said, but it was no use, it was far too late.
And with that he smiled and then sat down to write in his journal once more again, the first one of his time and stay within Ponyville.
I finally learned how to let go of the past, and now I finally can also keep my promise that I made to my wife Pearl so very long ago, and dear honey, if you can hear me out there somewhere, wherever you are, know that I will always love you, but I can’t let the past hold me back, not anymore after so much lost time. I have some new friends now and they will help me out, but until next time all that I wish and have to say is that the Legends of me are finally done and over with, until next time, I am now finally happy and at peace now.
And with that he closed the book and smiled to himself for he truly and really was happy, and he didn’t have to lie about it either, and so all was quite well within his mind, and all was also well within Ponyville too.
But he knew then and there that he had learned the most important and valuable thing there is to know in this world, even more so than anything else including friendship. He learned that the meaning of life is to be happy, and he also learned that happiness is not given, but instead it is searched and looked for, then it is found, and then once it has been discovered you chase it always and constantly, and then once you have got it, you never let it go.