Starswirl slowly exhaled as he stood before the large, white, gilded doors to the throne room, nervously waiting as the guardsponies opened them. What had once been a welcome pause to ready oneself for the King and Queen, had become a delay so nerve-wracking that he could almost hear the heavy bell of destiny tolling his final hour. Once a passable gap had been made, the court wizard squeezed through and took a few steps down the ornate red carpet that lead to the raised thrones.
“Your Lordship?” he tentatively asked, squinting at the distant pedestal as his words echoes to reach them. He would need to do something about his eyesight soon.
“His Highness, the King, has yet to leave his bedchambers this day,” one of the internal pair of guardsponies spoke up. “He wishes not to be disturbed.”
“I see, thank you.” Starswirl forced a brief, acknowledging smile before making his way towards the rear exit and the royal chambers.
Closing the giant doors as the wizard continued down the hall, the orange pegasus guard to the left of the door ushered the attention of the bluish-grey unicorn to the right—the one who had spoken up.
“Do you not know who that is?”
“I- No, should I? It's my first day,” the unicorn nervously looked at his senior as they finished closing the doors, whisper-shouting to one another.
“I know it's your first day, but that's Starswirl, the court wizard! He's one of the greatest sorcerers in all of Equestria! I thought you of all ponies would know that.”
“Oh what, just because I'm a unicorn, I'm supposed to know every other unicorn? Please, like you know every member of the Valkyries.”
“That's not what I meant and you know it. Starswirl is an international celebrity and esteemed member of the professional wizarding community. You would do well to learn who you work for.” The two stallions returned to their posts at either side of the entrance while the orange pegasus continued whisper-shouting. “And for your information, I do know every member of the Valkyries. The Valkyries are the backbone of our nation's defence, and I could only dream of joining their ranks; but until the day I pass the entrance exam, it is my honour to serve the King as a royal guard, and it should be yours too.”
As the two guardsponies continued their bickering in the background, Starswirl made his way into the corridor behind the throne room and across the hall to the royal chambers, knocking hesitantly on the heavy wooden door. A moment passed with no signs of movement or noise within. It was hard to gauge whether the King wanted to be left alone more than he wanted to hear news of their endeavour, but it was not his place to make assumptions. He tried knocking once more.
“Your Highness, it is I. I come bearing news,” Starswirl called through the door, his ear pressed against it to hear the reply, while being careful to balance his volume with the respectful tone it deserved. Another moment passed.
“Enter,” the King grunted from inside, barely audible through the thick wood.
Starswirl gingerly pulled on the door's ring handle with his mouth and entered, greeted by the same gloomy scene as before. This time the King had turned his chair to face the fireplace, now completely obscured from Starswirl's view, bar one hoof hanging over the right arm. Steeling himself, the court wizard walked up to the King's chair, stopping short of the hoof. The King remained quiet, seeming even more detached than yesterday.
“My Lord, I bring good news... and bad news, though I feel a solution is at hoof.” He winced, expecting a biting retort from the monarch. A few seconds of heavy silence passed before he cautiously continued. “After enchanting the mirror last night with seemingly no effect, closer analysis revealed that the spell was in fact successful, if not physically apparent. By striking the surface of the mirror at a specific angle and with a specific resonance, the-”
“Get to the point,” the King growled from behind his chair with tired frustration.
“Yes, of course. Despite the spell working (in theory), the mirror requires a significant amount of energy to operate for a short period. While this charge will occur passively over time, I do believe it is possible to artificially speed up the process with an infusion of external magic. For this purpose, this is no source great enough to fully charge the device... other than your own, Your Majesty.”
Once again, silence filled the air in lieu of a reaction. Was he angry? Did he see this as a failure? Did he even care? It was hard to read the back of a chair.
“Of course-” he continued, speaking from panic than an actual need to exposit. “It could certainly be charged by other means if you are only willing to-”
“I'll do it.” The King voice's was gravelly and unfocused, like he were half-asleep. It was hard to tell just how much of the information he had actually taken in, but if there was anything the King was going to take seriously in this state, it would be the completion of this task.
“Right, splendid! Now if you-” Starswirl interrupted himself, recognising the distortion that had begun to emanate from behind the silhouetted chair. “Your Majesty, please stop! This process requires space and careful planning, there simply isn't enough room in your chambers. I must insist that the procedure be carried out in the throne room, lest there be undesirable side-effects.”
The aura of warp from behind the chair gently faded, to the unicorn's relief, though an equally worrying voice was quick to replace it.
“Know this, Starswirl; you may insist nothing of me. I am your superior, and every second you spend in this palace is proof of my benevolence. If this spell is to be cast in the throne room, it is because I allow it, not because you 'insist'.”
Ah, there he was, back on brand.
“Yes, Your Highness, I humbly apologise.” Starswirl kneeled to a bow, though truth be told he was becoming tired of this pussyfooting. “If it pleases Your Majesty, I shall await your presence in the throne room.”
“This had best be worth my time, magician, or you will soon find out what happens when I am no longer feeling benevolent.”
“Yes, My Lord.”
Starswirl rose and exited without risking further incident, closing the door behind him. Re-entering the throne room, the court wizard slowly made his way back to the main doors, once again lost in thought, as he was known for. He was starting to worry about what countermeasures could be taken if the King lost all control, should this not work. Hopefully it would work, of course, and things could go back to the way they were before; but with the King's demeanour worsening by the day, that outcome was feeling more irrational than reasonable. Some lines just can't be uncrossed.
Shaking the thoughts of an uncertain future from his mind, Starswirl tried to focus on the present and what precautions needed to be taken for the best possible result. Reaching the guardsponies on duty, he asked them to leave the room while he and the King took care of some confidential business, which they reluctantly obeyed. The old unicorn waited impatiently for a good while before the King graced the room with his presence. It looked as though an attempt had been made to clean himself up, though without the help of his aides and with some level of intoxication, his rough stubble, lopsided crown, and the bags under his eyes fooled nopony. It probably didn't help that he lacked a mirror. Making his way to meet the wizard in the middle of the room, the King was clearly troubled by the light pouring in from the stained-glass windows that flanked him. Boo-hoo.
“What must be done, wizard?” he asked upon arrival.
“If it pleases Your Majesty, the mirror would be best suited here.”
Starswirl conjured a glowing magical beacon near the wall opposite them, roughly halfway down the room on the left-hoof side from the main entrance. No sooner had he marked the spot, the King's horn began to emanate that disconcerting void-magic of his, and seconds later the mirror was in its designated spot, along with a few cross-sectioned books that had been too close.
“Excellent. Now if Your Highness would be so gracious as to take position here.”
Another magical beacon was cast, marking the relative spot he had been standing the night before. King Sol moved to his position, looking back at Starswirl with the sullen glare of a teenager.
“The mirror has already been enchanted, so no spell needs to be cast. Your Majesty simply needs to direct a beam of energy towards the centre of the glass from that position.”
Starswirl continued his explanation, detailing the frequency-limit of the glass and the estimated magical capacity of a full charge, hoping that a restrained beam from the alicorn would not immediately destroy the object. And with that, the King was ready to proceed. Lowering his head to aim his horn, King Sol concentrated for a moment before releasing a blast of inky, star-speckled magic towards the standing mirror. The mirror's glass began to vibrate intensely on impact, immediately pushed to its limit by the enormity of the alicorn's magical reservoir. This will take no time at all, Starswirl thought, and he was right. Barely a minute passed before the beam was cut and the King raised his head, smoke curling from his horn as the bejewelled mirror's surface glistened with a silver hue, like a tranquil pool under the summer sun.
“Perfect,” Starswirl muttered breathlessly, unable to help but crack a wry, self-satisfied smile at his imminent success. Starswirl the Magnificent, here I come. “I shall test the portal to ensure it is safe, Your Majesty.”
The court wizard approached the mirror with wide-eyed anticipation, placing a hoof on its platform as the King spoke up from behind him.
“Would it not be wiser to send in a royal guard? Their training may better prepare them to deal with whatever is on the other side.” There was a softer tone to his voice than the wizard had come to expect as of late. For the briefest moment, Starswirl felt like he was speaking to the old King again. The court wizard turned back to address his liege.
“My King, this magic—bridging worlds and raising the fallen—is amongst the most forbidden practices in the land. Should a guardspony report what they have seen to the Council of the Nine, not even you would be safe from their ruling. It would surely be Tartarus for both of us.” The King's expression twisted from sorrow to anger and back as he listened to the grey unicorn's explanation. “Should this portal not work as planned, I shall bare its consequences, as Your Majesty is far too valuable to risk. That said, the mirror-world should be of no more risk to us than our own...” Starswirl turned back to the mirror for a moment, muttering under his breath. “At least until we try to appropriate their queen...”
King Sol stared at the polished marble floor for a moment, pondering the consequences of their actions. It had to be done. Life had no purpose without Stella in it, so there was no downside to risking everything. He looked back up, returning the wizard's gaze, once more resolute in his convictions. Starswirl nodded and faced the crystal mirror once more, staring down his own reflection as he let out a shaky breath; a mixture of fear and excitement pumping adrenaline throughout his body. He was about to become the first explorer to a new world, even if it was a version of their own. For all he knew, the air might not be breathable, or meeting himself could end the universe; the possibilities were infinite, and that was the most terrifying, exhilarating thing he had confronted in his entire life.
“Well, here goes.”
Starswirl closed his eyes and took a moment to steel himself. Just two short steps up and he would enter another plane of existence; it was hard to believe, even in this world of magic. Opening his eyes and climbing onto the platform, he was met by himself in the mirror. It felt somewhat ridiculous to lean in to one's own reflection, as in any other situation pain would shortly follow, but not this time. The moment when his snout should have touched glass, it passed though, enveloped like mercury. It was as beautiful as it was surprising—cool to the touch yet solid as mist—but he had already committed to the thrust of the movement, and there was no time to observe the phenomenon. King Sol watched in muted amazement as the unicorn's head disappeared into itself, creating a small water-like ripple in what otherwise seemed to be a regular mirror.
The sensation of passing through the looking glass was almost indescribable; it felt like he was being sucked through a rainbow-sea of cold, thick oil, despite the transition being instantaneous. It took a moment for Starswirl's eyes to adjust to the new, bright panorama. This... didn't feel right. Where was he? Squinting, he looked up to see fluffy white clouds dotted across a blue sky. Why was he outside? This was supposed to be a near-identical dimension, yet Canterlot Palace not only seemed to be missing, but Canterlot Town and Friendship Mountain were gone too. There was nothing but grass and trees for as far as he could see. Was this even Equestria? Did the portal appear at a random location on the planet? His theories had pointed towards the exit being created at the relative equidistant point in both locations, automatically correcting to the nearest viable clearing... but there was nothing here at all. Nothing.
“What do you see, Starswirl?” the King shouted, though his voice did not reach the wizard's ears.
Something had gone wrong, very wrong. How could this world be so different? It was as though ponies didn't even exist here. And why did things look so strange? It was as though... as though-
Starswirl gasped, realising what had been nagging at the back of his mind since he poked his head through the portal. His muzzle was gone! He crossed his eyes, attempting to see what had happened to his face, finding only the smallest lump where is snout had once been. Had the portal disfigured him? Was the mercury-like fluid somehow corrosive, despite him not feeling pain? Panicked, he raised his hoof through the portal to help find his missing mouth, only to shriek at the sight of what had come though. A hand! Four spindly grey fingers and a thumb, similar to draconic claws or feline paws, yet minus the scales or fur. He couldn't believe that this protrusion was actually his hoof, until he looked back to see it emerging from the portal, bizarrely connected to his pony-leg in the Equestrian world. Still in shock, his eyes wandered over this side of the portal, noting that it seemed to be floating without any frame, just in front of a large, white rock. He looked back down at his new 'hand' and flexed its fingers. What a horrible feeling. Speechless and more than a little disturbed, he slowly retracted his body from the gateway.
“Starswirl, what did you see?” The King was back to his usual, frustrated self; though his mood softened when he saw the wizard's pale face.
“I-”
The King waited a moment for him to continue. “What? Speak up, nag.”
“It-”
“Speak!”
“It didn't work.” Starswirl turned, looking at the king with large eyes as though he were death itself.
“It... 'didn't work?' THEN WHERE IN EQUESTRIA DID YOUR HEAD GO?” It had been a while since the King had felt energised enough to use his royal Canterlot voice.
“No, it- The s-spell- The p-portal- But-”
“ENOUGH OF YOUR JABBERING, CUR!”
Before Starswirl knew what was happening, he was flung from the podium by the King's magic, tumbling across the floor towards the large gilded doors. Seething with rage, King Sol stormed toward the mirror and slammed his forehooves against its frame, thrusting his head into the pseudo-liquid without hesitation. As the King experienced the same sensations the wizard just had, Starswirl used this moment to check the status of his hoof and nose. Good, it was only temporary. The silence lasted all too briefly before the king yanked his head from the ether and turned to the fallen unicorn, screaming with equal—if not greater—rage than before.
“EXPLAIN YOURSELF!”
The stained-glass windows throughout the hall shook under the might of the king's rage as Starswirl strained to push himself from the floor, his old body bruised and aching from the fall. He wasn't a young colt anymore.
“The enchantment worked, Your Majesty, the portal- But it- I don't understand why the world is so different. It should have been nearly identical. It should-”
“I DO NOT WANT YOUR EXCUSES, TRAITOR! GIVE US ONE GOOD REASON WHY WE SHOULD NOT BANISH YOU THIS SECOND.”
“I-” And suddenly it clicked. The stand! He hadn't taken into account the heightened angle of the mirror on its base! “The angle of the beam! My lord, with a few simple adjustments I can recalibrate the path of the gateway. I guarantee it will work, I just need more-”
“TIME? YOU ARE OUT OF TIME, WIZARD.”
Starswirl had never seen the King so angry, so filled with hatred. Turning back to the mirror, the King took a step down the platform and lowered his horn towards the glass, mere inches away from it.
“I will find Stella myself, with or without your help.”
“My King, no! You know not what you do!”
Taking no heed of the learned unicorn's warning, King Sol shot a blinding beam of black energy point-blank into the portal's surface, causing its form to ripple intently, like a lake in a storm. Starswirl wanted to scream out again, but the power of the King's magic was so overwhelming—so heavy in the air—that he could barely breathe. The gentle glow of the mirror's frame began to intensify as the mercury-like surface seemed to boil under the intense energy, shifting and fracturing like magma. Cracks started to appear in the glass as the king continued to funnel his seemingly endless magic into the object. Like an overly pressurised pipe, excess energy began to evacuate from the cracks, carving huge gouges in the wall and shattering the windows behind him. Even as this destructive venting passed less than an inch from his head, the King did not falter, singular in his intent, the world be damned.
This was it, Starswirl thought, the King would stop at nothing to resurrect the Queen, even if it meant rupturing the very fabric of space. All life was about to end, and it was all his fault.
The cracks in the mirror's liquid-glass worsened, expelling even more of the alicorn's dark void-magic as spectral blades, scouring the ceiling of the once-pristine throne room and causing chunks of plaster to collapse to the polished floor. The King began screaming in frustration, tears running down his cheeks as he pushed every ounce of his twisted love into the arcane object.
“STELLAAAAAA!”
The explosion was as deafening as it was blinding, blowing out all the windows in the hall. King Sol was blown backwards, slamming into the wooden façade of the wall behind him, showering the area with splintered fragments as he slumped to the floor, while Starswirl was pushed all the way up to the main doors. So far from the portal, the battered unicorn was saved from what the weakened King saw as he looked up. The solid-seeming glass of the mirror was gone, filled instead with the view of an entirely different dimension than before; a cacophony of twisting shapes, changing colours and indecipherable forms. It was an utterly impossible sight to behold and may have driven any lesser creature mad, though the warped surroundings were secondary to what the King was currently focusing on: a distant object slowly gliding towards the gateway. The form was large, four-legged, and it had wings, like an alicorn... Like-
“Stella?” the King wheezed, exhausted from his exertion and impact against the wall.
The silhouette reached its side of the frame, though the King's blurry eyes left the form still unclear. A voice rang out from within the looking glass.
“Well, well, well. What do we have here?”