"Now arriving in Ponyville! Now arriving in Ponyville! This train will still stop in Ghastly Gorge, Appleloosa, and Dodge City. Now arriving in Ponyville!"
After the old train came to a full stop, the well-worn doors of several carriages slowly slid open, and ponies started to exit and enter the wagons. Some were tourists getting on to ride back to their home towns, having visited the fabled home of the Bearers of the Elements as well as the Princess of Friendship, current ruler of Equestria, with its grand Crystal Castle and the School of Friendship, or hoping to witness one of the many outrageous incidents that seem to happen all too regularly here.
Others were getting off, returning from their work in various places in Equestria, their commute as usual made enjoyable by the excellent service the Express always offers, even if today there was a nearly one-and-a-half-hour delay to arrive. After all, Ponyvillians are known to be among the most amicable and social ponies out there, so the delay flew by as quickly as the actual ride.
Among those getting out were two somewhat peculiar ponies. One, a tall elderly grey unicorn with a magnificent white beard and clothes similar to the well-known travelling showmare Trixie Lulamoon, was anxiously looking around, as if unsure whether he got out at the right station.
To his side, a much smaller unicorn, though only a bit shorter than the average stallion height, wearing only a simply cloak and a cheap pair of saddlebags underneath, was looking excitedly at his companion, a small grin on his face. Neither of them moved, the latter seemingly waiting for the former to lead the way.
Nopony around them paid the two any mind, making sure to not bump into the two stallions, until finally the platform started to clear out and the train started to whistle.
"Now departing for Ghastly Gorge, I repeat, we are now departing for Ghastly Gorge!" the conductor shouted out, before getting on herself, and with a loud sigh the doors closed and the old train started to move again.
In the end, only the two peculiar ponies were still standing around, still yet to move forward.
The elderly unicorn looked to his companion, about to say something, but the smaller unicorn only nodded his head, as if knowing the question to come, the smile never leaving his muzzle. The gaze lingered a few moments more, until the older unicorn grumbled something under his breath and looked ahead, slowly starting to move.
The smaller colt followed with a slight spring in his step, easily keeping up with the gentle but steady pace, as they entered Ponyville proper.
As they walked along the many streets, the smaller unicorn looked around in glee, happily greeting anypony they came across, the elder only mutely but politely nodding.
Even though their reputation had once again been steadily growing while travelling through Equestria in its modern incarnation, Ponyvillians had known who the two visitors were from the start, and yet still treated them as if they would treat any other pony. So both were thankful that nopony stopped them to talk for much more than a few pleasant words, a smile and a wave enough to satisfy everyone's curiosity about the two travellers.
And so the two walked on, enjoying the warm winds on their coats and dirt beneath their hooves, until they finally reached their destination. Looking skywards, the smaller unicorn couldn't help but whistle.
"Quite the place, huh? No matter how many times I see it, I never would have thought all of this would grow from those tiny seeds you planted so long ago." he said, looking to his companion.
The other looked up as well, silently admiring the crystalline structure, before replying, "Honestly? Me neither."
This seemed to catch the smaller colt of guard, wanting to say something before being interrupted.
"Come, the princess has been waiting. She seems quite eager to receive us, considering-" The elder said, before raising his coarse voice, "that purple horn waving excitedly on the third floor."
At this, said purple horn quickly disappeared from sight, and the smaller colt let out a small laugh. The elder had a small crack on his lips as well, but he managed to keep his composure. As if on cue, the large yellow doors at the top of the stairs swung slowly open.
The two shared one last look between them. The point of no return, and they both knew it, though not with equal confidence. Still, they had been delayed long enough, and so they finally entered Princess Sparkle's Crystal Castle.
---
Shortly after the pair entered the grand entrance hall, the doors automatically closed behind them with a loud sigh. Had they been strangers, they might have been confused as to how exactly this was done, as there wasn't the tell-tale glow of magical manipulation nor were there any indications of mechanical devices operating as such. Yet, they were no strangers of course, and already knew that it was the very castle itself that had welcomed them in, alive and sentient in its own curious sense, much like the tree that had birthed it.
Up ahead, they heard the hasty beats of flapping wings quickly approaching them, distinct from a pegasi's flight, warning them who it was that came to greet them. A few moments later, a purple dragon came barrelling through one of the doorways, somewhat out of breath. Said dragon seems to have grown quite a bit since the last time the pair saw him, at least having outgrown the smaller unicorn while still being a bit shorter than the elder pony.
"Starswirl! Stygian!" he shouted out, still flying towards them at a not-insignificant speed. Shortly before crashing into the pair though, he managed to break to a complete standstill, the ensuing gust of wind nearly blowing the elder's hat clean off.
"Greetings, young Spike." Starswirl replied, giving a small nod while righting his hat. "And apologies for the delay. Unforeseen circumstances on our train ride here seem to have significantly delayed us. We hope it hasn't inconvenienced the Princess and her companion?"
Spike hastily shook his head in response, having caught his breath. "No, no, it's.... Fine, really. It's Twilight, after all, she already made sure she was free today, especially after we got your letter, just in case something like this happened. She's, uh, prepared a lot of 'contingency scenarios', I think she called them. And we already got word of the, uh, runaway cow stampede, was it? Well, that, blocking incoming trains for a good while, at least until AJ came in and had a few words with them, so you don't need to bring that up either."
Stygian broke out in a small laughter. "Ahaha, yeah, yeah. We've already heard plenty of tales on the meticulousness of Princess Twilight during our travels. Very well, let us move along then, hmm? We have both been anticipating this meeting quite eagerly, as I'm sure our hosts have as well."
Starswirl gave an approving grunt at this. Spike agreed, turning around and waving a claw to follow, before slowly flying back the way he came.
And so the pair started to move again, the moment of truth drawing ever closer.
As they started to navigate the corridors and stairways of the curious castle, Starswirl couldn't help but admire his surroundings. Just like the last time he visited, theories and calculations flew through his mind on just how such a vast thing could have come from the seeds he and the other Pillars had planted, before being shaken from his thoughts when Spike spoke up again, as they had stopped a few steps before another set of doors. Loud mumbling could be heard from within.
"Here we are. Before we go in, eh... maybe I shouldn't say this, but, well, Twilight's kinda nervous to see you two again, I guess? The information you wrote in the letter, or rather lack thereof I should say, has got her a bit spooked, considering it came from, well, you guys. I half thought she might have another 'Twily-episode' when she read it... oh, right, you don't know what that is. Ehm, basically, Twilight has been running herself ragged just for this meeting, what with her being Twilight of course, so... Yeah, just a heads-up, I guess." He finished, looking up with a shy smile, realising he started to ramble at the end there.
Stygian frowned at this. "Oh, no, that was never our intention. We only came to bring good news, right Swirls?"
Whether Spike was confused at the curious nickname for one of the most important ponies Equestria had ever known, or by the sudden deep sigh coming from said most important pony before an affirmative nod, Stygian couldn't say.
Spike simply shrugged and turned around again, knocking on the doors and waiting for them to open, before heading in.
Starswirl didn't move however, suddenly seemingly frozen to the ground. Stygian noticed, walked over to the elder pony instead of entering, and gently nuzzled his face against the side of Starswirl's head, whispering a few words only they could hear. At this, Starswirl seemed to relax, nodded, and finally started to move again, the pair properly entering the room now.
As they entered, Starswirl noted that the room must have been specifically designed for his and Stygian's arrival. He had admittedly expected to meet the Princess in the map room, but this would do just as well. Large, comfy cushions were strewn about, a large table next to one of the walls was filled with all sorts of delicious snacks and drinks from all over Equestria, and decorations were placed strategically around the room that wouldn't have looked out of place a thousand years ago, back in his own time. Spike had already taken place next to the table, seemingly ready to serve said snacks and drinks if asked... though not without eyeing the food himself, seemingly eager to take a bite here and there himself.
Two of the cushions were already occupied when they entered. One seated one of the most talented unicorns Starswirl had ever seen in his long years, Professor of Great-level magics and the Prinicipal of the School of Friendship, a pony that just like Stygian had once felt enmity against Equestria, yet she too overcame those feelings, becoming one of Equestria's foremost defenders. Starlight Glimmer. Immaculate in appearance, with only a clip of a silver, engraved 8-pointed star in her hair indicating her position as principal of one of the foremost schools in all of Equestria.
The other of course seated the grand ruler of Equestria, Princess of Friendship and former Bearer of the elements, and the one pony besides Celestia, Luna, and... well, one of the few that Starswirl truly considered in magical talent if not equal to him, then far and away above him, a truly remarkable mare that stood unwavering in many a trial even he himself would have found great difficulty in. Princess Twilight Sparkle. She too has certainly grown since last they met, already taller than himself yet not quite reaching Celestia's or Luna's heights. Curiously, her hair looked somewhat frazzled, and when her gaze landed on Starswirl, her eyes looked exhausted.
Oh dear, I must have quite upset you, didn't I? My apologies, young one. You won't have to worry much longer...
Twilight sprung up, quickly walking over the guests, before deeply bowing. "Starswirl, Stygian, welcome. It's good to see you two again." She said while getting back up, a warm smile on her face. She seemed to visibly relax somewhat now that he and Stygian had finally arrived, thankfully.
"Likewise, Princess Twilight." Starswirl replied, and he and Stygian both bowed as well. "We thank you for having found the time to meet us here in Ponyville. We know you as the Princess must have your hooves full back in Canterlot, as might you, Starlight Glimmer, so we are grateful that you could see us so shortly." Starswirl replied. Stygian chimed in with a "It has been way too long, Twilight, Starlight, Spike. It's a pleasure to meet again."
Twilight motioned for the two to put their belongings to the side and to sit down, before returning to her cushion. "Oh, no, no, it's fine. It's all fine, really. My friends are making sure there's not some kind of Equestria-ending threat unfolding there, ahaha... ha. Well, I mean, I still have set up a long range notification crystal that would warn me in case something like that does happen, but I'm, eh, kinda hoping it won't go off..." She said, a light blush on her cheeks. Starswirl could spy the light eye-roll of the dragon in the corner of his eye, but decided not to comment on it.
"And I have Trixie looking out for things back in the School. It's not everyday the Starswirl the Bearded asks to meet you personally, if you catch my drift." Starlight replied as well, levitating some of the snacks over to her.
The princess continued, a small hint of fear, perhaps, apparent in her voice. "Right. Soooo.... what's this all about, Starswirl? Stygian? The letter you sent only said something along the line of, 'We need to meet, with you and Starlight Glimmer, as soon as possible, privately', which is, you know, kinda omnious, I guess? Please don't tell me you discovered some ancient thousand-year old threat or the like on your travels, one which would force Equestria into a panicked frenzy if word got... did you?"
Starswirl was taken a bit back by the rather specific wording, and looked to his side, only to find Stygian gazing encouragingly at him. Well, here goes nothing.
He looked back to Twilight, voice resolute. "No, no, it's nothing of the like, my dear. We have come here today to share news that, while big, is also undoubtedly good, in any sense of the word."
At this, Twilight's ears perked up, as did Starlight's.
"Before I do share it, I want to specify just why I am telling you this now, and why we asked for both of you to meet us here like this." Starswirl paused for a bit, thinking of what words to use best for what was to come.
"Twilight Sparkle, Starlight Glimmer, the two of you are perhaps the two single most important ponies I have met in my long, long life."
Said two ponies shared a look between each other, surprised and taken aback by those words. Even Spike stopped leering at the food and was leaning forward now.
"Indeed, for if either of you two had not been there on that fateful night, if the both of you had not convinced both me and my friend sitting here next to me that he too could yet still be saved, I would not be sitting here, telling you what I am about to say soon. Were it not for your actions, I would have sealed the Pony of Shadows again with a second thought, and would have potentially made the single biggest mistake of my entire life." He continued, a slight wavering in his voice but going on all the same.
Twilight tried to interject, "I, uh, am not sure where this is going-"
Starswirl cut her off, "But you both were there indeed. You both were the only ponies convinced that Stygian was not the Pony of Shadows, the only ponies willing to yet give him a chance, and in doing so also convinced both me, him and everyone else, allowing him escape the grasp of that vile Shadow right before we would have cast him into limbo again. For this, I, no, we, are forever grateful, for it meant I was given the opportunity to find my eternal light, even now. And so we thought it was only right that you two were the first to hear this news."
Twilight and Spike seemed utterly confused by those words, but Starlight seemed to slowly understand just what was happening, a small grin forming on her face, muttering lightly, "You mean..."
Both Starswirl and Stygian nodded, before Starswirl took a deep breath and spoke loud and clear.
"Yes, my dear. I have called you here to formally announce that I, Starswirl the Bearded, and this special somepony right next to me, Stygian, have previously declared our love to each other, and now plan to marry in the near future."
As Starswirl finally finished those words, Stygian leaned in to him to softly nuzzle him, while the room went silent, everyone else too stunned to react.
Starswirl was, perhaps, somewhat tense, even as he felt the comfort of Stygian's body. He had anticipated this silence, of course, but what comes next? Will those who heard the news start to cheer, applaud, celebrate? Will they be confused, unbelieving of this outlandish couple, what with the age gap between the two of them? Or might they...
Starswirl never did get to finish that thought. For he did not anticipate the current ruler of Equestria, arguably the strongest and most talented pony in all the land, to simply and suddenly fall to the ground with a loud thud.