Prologue- Star Swirl’s Prediction
By Shivy-Erebus
Deep inside the ancient Unicorn palace, a green stallion was quickly galloping towards his mentor’s chamber. His cloak was blowing about crazily; the open window’s wouldn’t shut, no matter how much amount of magic was used. He learned to ignore the stinging wind and cold, but everyone knew that it was only growing worse. Princess Platinum declared that they’d have to find a new land, and she sent him to go warn Star Swirl the Bearded of the plan.
He turned round the corner and slowed to a trot, than entered the second chamber to the left. Inside, he saw his bearded mentor staring out into the dark blizzard, directly in front of the window. The rows of books were stacked neatly amongst the many shelves; many littered the floor. Star Swirl the Bearded must’ve been studying again. The green unicorn levitated a few books, closed them properly, and placed them in a pile beside the hourglass centerpiece.
“Clover,” Star Swirl the Bearded rasped, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, sir,” Clover said genuinely, padding up behind his mentor. The gray unicorn seemed unaffected by the piercing wind, his yellow eyes distant. Clover turned his head against the wind, narrowing his eyes a bit. “Princess Platinum has decreed that we must seek a new land, sir.”
“Is that so?” The old unicorn turned his head and looked at his apprentice. His long white beard trailed wildly as the wind blew sharper. Star Swirl’s expression was masked and distant, as always. Or ever since the troubled times started.
“Yes sir. We’re going to be departing soon.”
“Does Princess Platinum expect me to make the journey?”
Clover the Clever paused for a second, contemplating; she hadn’t specified. “I’m not sure, sir.”
His mentor turned away from the window, limping towards the hourglass. The bells on his cloak and hat jingled almost melodically, “If she does, then she will have to be disappointed. I will not be accompanying her.”
Clover’s eyes widened at his mentor’s statement. He turned his back to the window, watching Star Swirl the Bearded. “Sir?”
Star Swirl the Bearded didn’t respond. He stared at the hourglass, filled with countless grains of sand, all dribbling down to the lower region of it. The top-region sand was almost all gone.
Clover stepped up beside his mentor, looking at him doubtfully. “You won’t be joining us, sir?”
The old unicorn shook his bearded head. “I’m afraid not, Clover the Clever.”
Clover felt an uneasy feeling beginning to rise in his stomach. The nervous apprentice glanced up at the hourglass, watching the sand fall with his mentor. Anxious now, he asked, “But why, sir?”
Star Swirl smirked slightly at the uncertainty in his apprentice’s voice. He looked at him, the bells jingling, studying the green face he’d known for a long time. Ever since he was a colt, Clover had shown extraordinary magical ability; his magic bursts were stronger than any Star Swirl had ever seen before. Despite this, he was a shy stallion, and looked up to Star Swirl as a father role.
“Now, don’t look like that Clover. I haven’t a single doubt that your journey won’t be a success.”
The young green unicorn still looked dubious. “But, why won’t you accompany us, sir?”
Star Swirl the Bearded turned his head from Clover and coughed harshly, wheezing a bit after. Clover stared at his mentor worriedly. His cough had been getting worse. That’s when it dawned over him; he wasn’t making the journey because he couldn’t.
“Maybe I should stay with you-” Clover the Clever began, but was interrupted.
“You may not stay back here! You will go with Princess Platinum and find the unicorns a new home.” Star Swirl stared at Clover intensely; the green unicorn’s gaze reflected concern and fright for his mentor. In a gentler tone, Star Swirl said, “There’s nothing left for you here. You will have to move on from this land, and find one where the unicorns can prosper.”
Clover shook his head slightly; he sounded more desperate than he had hoped when he stated, “I know you’re health is declining, sir. I could take care of you until you’re fit enough to make the journey.”
Star Swirl the Bearded coughed again, less harshly but still intensely. He glanced at the hourglass, the sand ever so low at the top. “I won’t ever be strong enough to complete such a trek, Clover the Clever. I know you are aware of that.”
When Clover didn't respond, Star Swirl started edging to his many bookshelves. He continued speaking, “You are as clear to read as these very books, Clover. You doubt yourself and your abilities, while I can assure you that you are far beyond prepared for this quest.”
Though he wasn’t looking at him, he could practically feel Clover shift uncomfortably. The wise old unicorn continued. “I’ve watched you grow from the moment you were little, and you are very gifted and experienced. You’ll be able to defend Princess Platinum and calm the other tribes.”
“But how do you know, sir?”
“I’ve had a vision,” Star Swirl the Bearded muttered quietly. At this, Clover padded up beside his mentor, who was staring into the bookshelves blankly. “You will find the land, my apprentice, one where the grass is as green as your coat and the sky as blue as your eyes. But the conflict will not fade into eternity, but will only be buried.”
Clover stared at him; the omen wasn’t a good one. “Will the tribes not find peace?”
“For a while, they shall. The future is clouded with a conflict unlike this one. Just know, Clover, that you are adept enough to put them to peace for a very long while. Do you trust me?”
The green unicorn nodded his head, his chin beginning to tremble of a grimmer idea. “What about your health, sir? What will become of you when I’ve gone?”
The old unicorn looked at Clover and saw the young colt instead of the esteemed stallion that was his apprentice. Star Swirl was the only father he knew, and the mentor recognized this. Holding back a heavy wheeze, he smiled at Clover. “I trust you to be brave and protect the princess. Find us a new home. Make me proud, understand?”
The apprentice nodded, taking the comment as a dismissal. He turned his back and trotted toward the doorway, giving his mentor the look that said it all. Clover exited his chamber, shutting the door behind him.
Star Swirl the Bearded hacked as a cough took hold, one so big it made his whole body convulse. The unicorn looked at the hourglass; so little time was left. It was so dreadfully cold.
The old unicorn limped over to his red couch, placed neatly beside the doorway. Star Swirl laid down and inhaled raggedly, reflecting his life. It was a very good one; he felt almost saddened, leaving the world he knew. But he knew of no adventures that he could take part in, or any other spell he could create. And though he bore no son, Clover was practically carrying on his bloodline. It was time.
Using all the magic he had left, Star Swirl shut the horrid windows, shielding out the biting cold, just for a moment. As the last grains of sand fell to the lower part of the hourglass, he felt somewhat warm for the first time in a long time.