Equestria
Starswirl the Bearded spent several weeks traveling Equestria. After going back to Canterlot and seeing the Princesses, he planned to travel Equestria, since he has been trapped for a thousand years, he wanted to see what changed. His travels came to a stop when he got a message. "What's this?" He opened the letter. He was surprised. It couldn't be. He's still alive.
Ponyville, Twilight's Castle
"Twilight!" Starswirl screamed entering the castle. "Twilight!" He search the council chamber, the library, even the princess' room. She's not around. "Starlight! Anyone!"
"Starswirl? What brings you here?" Twilight said entering the castle.
"Twilight. I'm in a real pickle. and I'm gonna need you to come with me in case things go south." Starswirl said with a worried look in his eyes.
'This has to be really important, if it's getting Starswirl worried.' Twilight wanted to know. "What's the problem?"
Starswirl shove a parchment in her face "Read it!"
Twilight started to read. "Dear Starswirl, I have heard you returned. I also understand that the others have too, as well as Stygian. It has been a thousand years since that fateful day. I wish to invite you to Purrsepolis with your other half (Twilight Sparkle) for a feast. Don't worry, we'll get you Pony food. What we have I doubt you would want. We also have alot to talk about, anyway. Sincerely, the Purrsian Emperor. P.S. If Twilight is reading this... just be prepared. Twilight was shocked. "The Purrsian Emperor? You knew the Purrsian Emperor?"
"It's a really long story, Twlight." Starswirl said trotting in circles. "One I'm not will to say in detail."
"Just tell me the abridged version then." Twilight insisted.
Starswirl sighed. "You remember how I had a lot of apologizing ?" Twilight nodded. "He was involved and basically left us when we prematurely judged Stygian."
"Left you... then that would mean..." Twilight was surprise when she realised this.
"He was the 'seventh' pillar." Starswirl admitted. "He joined us after we banished the Sirens to another dimension. When we thought Stygian stole our artifacts, he was more mad at us, then he was at Stygian. Regardless of how you might think of him, he IS the Pillar of Justice and passing sentence without a trial is not justice. A lesson I now know and one I wished I learned. He is the true hero, he never lost his virtue."
"I'm sorry." Twilight said. "I didn't know."
"Don't worry." Starswirl suddenly said. "Other than the Pillars, the only other ponies who know his exploits with us is Celestia and Luna. From what they told me, he told them to take every single literature of the Pillars involving him and rework it in which he was never there."
"Do you think he wants to bury the hatchet?" Twilight asked.
"I hope so." Starswirl said. "It might have been nothing to me, but it was a thousand years for him."
"How is he still around?" Twilight also asked.
"The Purrsian Royal Family has been known to be centuries old." Starswirl said. "Don't let it fool you, just like Celestia and Luna, they age really slowly."
"These Purrsian are more interesting everytime I hear it." Twilight said happily. "We need to go now."
"Twilight. I must warn you." Starswirl said sincerely. "The Purrsians are a bizare civilization. They have certain tastes."
Twilight smiled. "How bad could it be?"
Purrsepolis, Purrsian Empire
Starswirl and Twilight walked to the gate of Purrsepolis. "Hold!" A Purrsian Guard walked up towards them. "What's your purpose for your visit?"
"I was summoned by the Emperor. This young mare is my plus one." Starswirl said convidantly.
"Let me see proof of this." Starswirl revealed the summons. "All right. Let me tell you about Purrsepolis. Know that the Purrsians are carnivores, regardless we do not kill tourist or their pets. Pets are to wear a leash or a collor to separate them from the wild animals. Also we have herbivore versions of our great food, replacing the meat with tofu."
Starswirl nodded while Twilight gulpped. The Gates of Purrsepolis opened, revealing a bustling city. "Wow. This is interesting. A chance to actually see the Purrsians, I've only ever heard about them."
"I'm making a detour, wait here" Starswirl said to Twilight. Minutes have passed, before he came back.
"What's that?" Twilight asked, noticing a big crate.
"A special presant for the Emperor." Starswirl admitted.
The Great Palace
Starswirl and Twilight finally entered the Palace. On the throne, they saw a lion slightly bigger than the other Purrsians. Twilight knew this was the Emperor. Starswirl and Twilight troted further into the throne room, stopping at the foot of the stairs and bowed. "Great Emperor. We have come with a summon from you. To what do I owe this pleasure?"
The Emperor laughed. "Well, at least you learned some manners in your time away." He noticed a giant crate on Starswirl's back. "So you bought some of the good stuff with you."
Starswirl levitated the crate to the Emperor. "It Energizing Blood Cocktail... still you're favorite?"
"No better drink in the whole world." the Emperor said. "An Energy Drink from the Minotaur lands mixed with authentic Purrsian Blood, drained from the perfect animals. A drink fit for a king." He noticed Twilight shaking in fear. "Are you worried, little equine?"
"NO!... No." Twilight said shockingly. "Just a little out of my comfort zone."
The Emperor laughed. "So would any Equestrian who dare step hoof here." He said reassuring Twilight. "If the roles were reverse, everypony would be afraid of me anyway." He turned to Starswirl. "Enough pleasantries... You know why you're here?"
"I assume you wish to forgive me and the others for our hasty acts." Starswirl said.
"True." the Emperor said. "I do want that. But first tell me what happened between you and Stygian?"
"Long ago, after you left, we trapped him in Limbo with the rest of the Pillars." Starswirl explain. "Thousand years later, my successor and her friends set all of us free. ALL of us. It was through Twilight and her student Starlight who shown me the way of true friendship. Had I known that... This wouldn't have happened. None of this would."
Twilight gulped at what the Emperor might do. "He is precisely correct, my lord."
The Emperor looked at Starswirl and Twilight, there was no mistaking it now. "I see you have indeed learned a great deal, Starswirl the Bearded. I was hoping you would see that when I left. Sadly, I did not foresee Stygian becoming the Pony of Shadows. I was hoping enough time was over, but it's been many centuries since I even heard of your stories. You and all
the other Pillars betrayed themselves that day. But after hearing what you said, I can say this... You truly have redeemed yourselves." He said bowing his head. "I have waited for this day for too long."
"Leo..." Starswirl softly said with a tear in his eye. "I'm sorry! We're sorry!"
"What are you crying about old stallion." the Emperor said.
Purrsepolis, Purrsian Empire
Starswirl and Twilight were about to past through the gates. "You do know why I bought you here, Twilight Sparkle?" The Emperor said behind her.
"To confirm Starswirls story of course." She said.
"Okay." The Emperor said. "But do you know why I wanted that?" He asked theoretically. "I was a comrade to him, but I know that the power of pride would be his ultimate downfall. I'm not saying the pillars were in the wrong, but they certaintly weren't in the right either. That's why I quit being a Pillar."
"Twilight! Are you frozen there?!" Starswirl said.
"Coming." Twilight said. "I have a question. If me and my friends are successors to the pillars of Equestria... Who's your successor."
The Emperor chuckled. "Now that would be telling, young mare." Twilight and Starswirl started to leave. "Starswirl! If you see Flash Magnus tell him he still owes me a few sparing matches."
"So you can lose to him again?" Starswirl chuckled.
"Not this time." the Emperor started to shout. "I AM LEONIDAS! EMPEROR OF THE PURRSIANS! DEFENDER OF THE FELINE RACE!" he starts to lower his voice. "If I let a pony beat me, we're the ones who's gonna be doomed."
Starswirl started to laugh. "It's good you kept that bravado. I see now why they want you to be emperor."
"We shall meet again, hopefully." The Emperor said as they left the city. "Thankfully, my dear, you can do a better job than this old cat." he said looking to the sky.