Renaissance Pony

by Dafaddah


Old again

Renaissance Pony

Chapter 22: Old Again

by Dafaddah

Globe spanning editorial team: Microshazm and SecondLaw


Fifteen years after the Lunar Rebellion

 
 
The breeze blew in from the lake, bringing with it the sweet scent of lilac from bushes that dotted the lakeshore. Nearby stood a small three-room cottage, the only sign of civilization in this wild place so near the Everfree. Angie tried to ignore the enticing smell, a reminder of summer days spent near the lake in leisure and learning with her parents and the Maestro. Today was a day for more serious pursuits. As always, Angie was anxious to please her teacher. She was comforted somewhat by the presence of her aunt Celestia, standing next to Starswirl and smiling encouragingly.
 
Angie scrunched her face in concentration, tracing dark lines on her light blue forehead. Projecting upwards from it, her horn emitted sparks of blue fire nearly the same colour, as she focused on the convoluted thought pattern needed to produce this complex spell. It certainly didn’t help that the Maestro was gazing at her intently through the whole process, while levitating a cantaloupe in the air next to his head.

Here goes nothing! she thought, and cast the spell. She felt the thaumic energy discharge through her horn. A glowing blue half sphere appeared a few paces in front of the three ponies. Inside the hemisphere, the landscape had changed. The wild grasses of the lake bank had been replaced by the type of underbrush one would normally see in the lea of a forest.

"Excellent!" said Starswirl. He floated the cantaloupe forward until it was half-in and half-out of the field. "Now Princess Celestia, please attempt to teleport the fruit away from its current position."

The elder princess' own horn glowed for a moment and Angie closed her eyes.

There was a loud 'whump' and a wave of sweetly pungent and sticky wetness washed over her. When Angie opened her eyes again there were pieces of fruit everywhere. Bells jingled as Starswirl brushed off bits from his cloak, and straightened his hat. Aunt Celestia stood immobile, eyes wide open, her normally pristine white coat speckled with gobs of green melon flesh. As always, her ethereal mane waved in the breeze, pristine in all its colours.

Angie stared at the pair for a moment, and with a snort began laughing. The light around her horn extinguished as she failed to hold the spell. The shield dissipated and the area within it returned to its previous grassy state. With a massive effort of will Angie clamped down on her hilarity, but when she looked up both senior ponies were looking at her with sober expressions on their cantaloupe speckled muzzles. At that point she simply lost her composure, and started laughing so hard she was forced to sit on her haunches and grab her sides.

Aunt Celestia didn't help things when she wiped one side of her elegant muzzle with a hoof, took a lick and remarked: "At least the cantaloupe was ripe." Looking down at her now green streaked chest and forelimbs, she remarked casually, "It's a good thing you didn't use beets, Starswirl. It would've taken forever to wash the stains out of my coat." Angie was already finding it hard to breath, at that point, but Aunt Celestia hadn’t had all her fun yet. She raised an eyebrow in Starswirl's direction, and said in her Patented Princess Celestia Deadpan voice, "You could have warned me in advance, you know. I’m perfectly capable of teleporting a cantaloupe and raising a shield at the same time."
 
Starswirl blushed. "Oh. The thought hadn't occurred to me," he said. The elder ponies waited patiently for Angie to wind down and catch her breath. The Maestro looked in her direction and frowned as Angie tried to hide her residual giggles behind a hoof. "It's not seemly for a student to be laughing so at her teacher's discomfiture," he groused. "When I was instructing your father there were no such breaches of decorum."
 
Angie bit her lip. Her dad had told her many wild stories of his studies with the old mage, but she had too much affection for her teacher to openly contradict him in front of her aunt. She scraped gobs of the gooey mess from her side and flank, revealing her cutie-mark, a large six-pointed star like her dad's with a single five pointed star similar to those of her mother's. She sighed. It was going to take some effort to get her coat clean.

Aunt Celestia winked in her direction. There was a flash of light from the white Alicorn's horn, and suddenly all of the sticky fruit remains disappeared from their coats. It was Starswirl's turn to appear surprised. "I didn't know such a spell existed!" said he.

"And I didn't know that teleportation could cause an explosion," said aunt Celestia sounding more serious. Angie sighed as she noticed that the playful twinkle in her aunt’s eyes was gone.
 
"Indeed," said Starswirl. "I just discovered this recently. Since the barrier field is a form of teleportation across dimensions, it appears that teleporting an object when it is half in and half out is akin to teleporting two objects into the same space. The typical result is an explosion, and the least destructive result is simply having the object fall into two pieces, a decidedly unsatisfactory result if the object in question is a living being." His own expression had become sober as he spoke. "I must admit, Princess, I am at my wits end. I fear this is a limitation of the barrier field that we will have to live with come the convergence with the earth.” He shrugged. “As is the unfortunate fact that the field itself, being composed of thaumic energy, will be poisonous to humans. In any case, I have already devised a way to combine a teleport interdict into the barrier spell."
 
Celestia sighed. "It cannot be helped then. The alternative is to allow magic to erupt unexpectedly at random locations over the earth, perhaps killing millions of humans. We must implement the barrier field, even in the likelihood that the humans will blame us for its effects. As the relative passage of time between our universes keeps fluctuating, I fear that time to make our preparations may be getting short. Please proceed with building the field as soon as possible." She turned towards Angie. "Young Princess, I hear that you have no small part to play in this enterprise."

"Yes, Aunt Celestia, as will my mother, at least for the first year." Angie felt her cheeks warm at the unexpected praise.
 
Starswirl laughed. "As you can see, she is her father's daughter: not only is she the most talented young mage of her generation, but she also blushes just as easily as he did." Angie smiled warmly at the old mage. He knew how much it pleased her whenever he said that she reminded him of her dad. They both missed him very much.
 
Starswirl pointed to the cottage. "We'll live here, each one of us taking four hour shifts at maintaining and building the spell's thaumic pattern and energy store. After a year, the entire system should be mostly self-sustaining. It will then be a matter of informing the spell of all known manner of objects and life forms that it will allow to pass through, and what to do with those things that must not be allowed in."

"This will be an unprecedentedly powerful spell, and a very dangerous one," said Celestia, raising an eyebrow. "Its behaviour will approach that of an intelligent being."
 
"Indeed," replied Starswirl. "I have designed it to be able to learn. And therefore I must be its teacher. It may take me many years, but as the one who will bring this entity forth into being, it is my responsibility to ensure its proper nurture and growth." He gestured towards the cottage. The three began walking towards it.
 
"As a consequence, it may take quite a while before I can return to work on the amniomorphic spell for the humans. Reducing the amount of energy needed for a full body conversion is a most vexing problem." He raised an eyebrow. "Alternatively, I suppose, one could locate a quasi-infinite source of energy, in which case the problem would become moot." He smiled at the absurdity of the suggestion.
 
"We still have generations to devise a solution to this conundrum, Maestro," said Celestia. "And given their scientific prowess, perhaps the humans will be able to assist in the process."
 
They paused as they had arrived at the cottage. A platinum coated mare appeared at the door. Angie trotted over to embrace her mother. The corners of her lips tugged down when she saw her mother's frail bow to Princess Celestia. The year since her father's passing had not been kind to her mother. She looked almost as old as Starswirl.
 
Celestia for her part embraced Princess Platinum warmly as the old friend she was. "So then," she said with a wry grin. "You and your daughter intend to spend a year helping to generate a spell in the company of this grumpy old unicorn and his assistant."
 
Her mother laughed, the wrinkles at the edges of her eyes bearing witness to the joys of a lifetime well lived. "Joly is both a gentlecolt and an excellent cook,” she said. “I cannot imagine we shall lack for anything. And truth be told, I very much look forward to spending a year in my daughter's company. We've had so little time together while she's been at your School for Gifted Unicorns these last few years."

"Enjoy this year, dear friend," said Aunt Celestia. "These past fifteen would have been far more difficult for me without your able presence at my side."
 
Celestia turned back towards Starswirl. "And what of you Maestro? How will you fill your magic depleted days?"
 
The old mage's grin was brilliant. "I will do a little painting, a little reading, and I will work on a little pet project I’ve been developing."
 
"How mysterious, Maestro," said Celestia. "You would be amazed at the progress in the arts, sciences and philosophy amongst the humans in the last few years. I have taken the time to do a few short visits to that realm. Perhaps we might make the time to discuss developments there upon occasion?"
 
"It would be my pleasure, Your Majesty," said the Maestro. He hesitated a moment. "Tell me, Your Majesty, do the humans remember my name on the world of my birth?"
 
Celestia chuckled. "Worry not, Maestro. Your fame has only waxed with each passing century. Your legacy with humanity is that of being one of its greatest artists, as well as one of its great scientists and thinkers. Should I say anymore I would risk inflating your ego beyond sustainable dimensions, and we've had enough explosions for one day, don't you agree?"
 
Starswirl rubbed the back of his head with a hoof as the mares laughed. The door to the cottage opened again and a cream coloured stallion invited them in. "I've made tea fit for three princesses and a famous old charlatan," said Joly. "And her highness Princess Platinum baked some cookies earlier. Please, everypony, do come in."
 
Angie followed the elder princess in but stopped on the doorstep, seeing her teacher pause, as he often did, to gaze towards the distant Everfree forest. She was struck by a sudden curiosity.
 
"You miss them, those humans you left behind in that world, don't you?" asked Angie.
 
"Every single day," said Starswirl sounding a bit melancholy. "Why do you ask, girl?"
 
"You have that look of loss in your eyes. Why does that always happen when you gaze towards the Everfree?"
 
He heaved a sigh. "Soon after I first came to this world, I founded a community. It became the first real home I’ve ever had, even in my life amongst the humans." He turned his gaze in her direction, and she saw the pain in his eyes. "But my Ponyville was destroyed in a single day. Joly and I still miss it dearly." He gestured in the direction of the forest. "Its ruins lie just beyond the lake. I made a vow that one day it would be rebuilt, but with every passing year that promise seems more like just a foalish dream." His eyes again looked into the distance. "Forgive me this indulgence, but do go in, Hydrangea dear, I won't be a minute."
 
"Yes, Uncle Mo," said Angie as she gave him a quick nuzzle. He smiled briefly at the use of her pet name for him. She turned back to the happy scene inside of friends sharing a brief moment of fellowship and family.
 
 


 
 
After dinner, Starswirl accompanied Celestia on a brief walk before the sovereign was to return to Canterlot to attend to her many duties.
 
The Princess was in one of her more sombre moods. Thankfully, these were increasingly rare since that initial difficult year after her sister's rebellion. He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. Outwardly, she seemed much the same as she had when he had first arrived in Equestria. Looks can deceive, he thought. Only he and a few trusted others knew how difficult those days had been. Platinum, Hurricane and Puddinghead. And Clover... My dear departed student, Clover. He sighed. Of all of them, Clover was the one who was able to step up to Celestia, and tell her when and where he thought she was wrong. He had even argued with her, the starstruck lad who could hardly believe it when he had first met Celestia in the flesh. The memory made him grin.

"Are you thinking of him?" she asked quietly.

"Yes." There was no question as to whom she referred.

"Were he here no doubt he would tell me how foalish I am to try to save humanity. How inept I was at handling my sister, and how my indecisions cost ponies their lives."

Starswirl nodded and smiled fondly. "Perhaps."

"He and Platinum kept the Equestrian state from fragmenting, when I was... recovering. I will be eternally grateful." She glanced at him. "And now, I will lose both you and Platinum to this project for a year."

Starswirl hesitated a moment. "In my case, Your Majesty, I might have to remain isolated for much longer, years, perhaps even decades, whilst I raise the barrier spell."

Celestia paced beside him in silence. He waited as she digested this news. She would speak more when she was ready, and no sooner. She stopped as they approached the lakeshore.
 
Finally, she spoke. "I am frightened, Starswirl."
 
"Of what, Your Majesty?" he asked. The breeze was pleasant and redolent of the nearby lilacs.
 
Celestia turned a sad gaze upon him. "Always I've had my sister with me, and now I do not." She smiled apologetically. "I am very fortunate to have had such good friends during these difficult times, but—" she hesitated "—it is my lot, without exception, to lose all those I love to the sands of time." There was a deep sadness in her eyes. "Luna was always my one constant, my one consolation, even in mourning my little ponies. But now I will have to face their deaths alone, and I do not know if I will have the strength."
 
Starswirl wrapped the princess in a hug. She leaned against him and wept silently. After a minute, he gently disengaged.
 
"My goddess of truth," he said looking up into her eyes, "let me tell you a truth in turn that is wider and deeper than the cosmos itself: if you love others you will never be alone."
 
He distinctly heard a sniffle coming from the lilac bush nearest to them. He brushed a few fronds aside telekinetically, revealing young Hydrangea's face. She blushed brightly in true Clover tradition, and strode from around the lilac stand.
 
"He's right, Aunt Celestia," she said breathlessly.
 
To her credit Celestia did not take offense at the intrusion, but rather bestowed a sweet smile on the mare. "Still, all ponies, even you my sweet niece, will eventually leave me."
 
Hydrangea's expression grew determined. "True, I won't always be here with you, but after me, my foals will, and after them, my grandfoals.” She raised her tiny blue chin in defiance of time itself. “I swear it, Aunt Celestia, you will never be alone."
 
Starswirl chuckled at the youngster's earnest vow. "Celestia, take it from an old bachelor," he said. "Family are the ponies you choose be with and those who choose to be with you. You are with family now."
 
"Thank you both," replied the princess, hugging the unicorn mare in turn. "Your words are a great comfort to me. But I must admit to another worry. I miss Luna and her wise advice. Just speaking with her helped me think things through, even when we did not agree. Hydrangea, your father filled in most admirably for my sister when he was still with us, as has your mother since." Her gaze grew apologetic. "But I can see how heavy the burden sits upon her withers, and I will not have my concerns drive such a true friend into an early grave." Her gaze turned back to Starswirl. "I have so many doubts these days. So few voices tell me what I must hear, and not just what they think will please me."

Starswirl raised an eyebrow. "Your Majesty, many are the times in my life when the only  counsel at hoof was mine own. Usually I brought order to my thoughts by asking myself questions, and then writing the answers down in my journals. If it is Luna's advice you seek, then do so still, in a letter. Report your days to her and tell her what you are doing and why. And ask your questions." He placed a hoof over Celestia's heart. "As long as you love her, Luna is here, and will be always. You will hear her reply when you need to."
 
They waited in silence as Celestia wiped her tears. "You are a wise old pony, and a good teacher, Maestro," she said as her smile returned.
 
Hydrangea beamed up at him. "Yes, he is," she said. "And even a passable uncle."
 
Everypony chuckled at the jest. Celestia took a step. "Now I must depart to end the day and begin the night," she said. "Good evening, my very dear little ponies." She bowed and was gone with a flicker of blue light.
 
His niece wrapped him in another hug. Starswirl resolved to cherish this coming year. He was all too familiar with the pains of aging, having gone through the process once before. He knew that his time amongst the ponies of Equestria was not infinite. You still have much to do before you can rest, Leonardo, he reminded himself. And much of it you will have to do alone. Yes, he would cherish his last year amongst the ponies, and then he would miss them very much.

He walked slowly back to the cottage with a mare he called his niece, where awaited the homely joys of family.
 
 


 
 
Celestia stood on the balcony of the recently completed Observatory Tower of Canterlot castle. It was one of her favourite places in the new castle, and her preferred place to do the rising and setting of the celestial orbs. Having to manage both sun and moon was very tiring and emotionally taxing for the princess, so she had decided to do the full ceremony of the rising of the sun and the setting of the moon only once per year.
 
She closed her eyes, and 'felt' through the aether to locate the moon. Once it was firmly in her grasp, she lowered the sun below the horizon and before the light was fully faded bade rise the moon. Slowly it emerged over the distant edge of the world, the unicorn head silhouette graven there a reminder of what she had lost. Once the moon was safely on its trajectory through the night-time sky, Celestia relaxed and open her eyes. It was a paltry sky, compared to her sister's dazzling and bejewelled firmament, but it would have to do, until her mastery of the art of the night could grow more sophisticated.
 
Celestia then turned and began a familiar ritual of her own devising: she lit a candle to her sister, and placed it near the window in sight of the moon. She knew there was no chance that Luna might see such a small flame from the location of her imprisonment, but it was nevertheless a great comfort to her own ravaged heart. She stared at it for a while, a smile on her lips as she recollected memories of better times. A thousand years, she thought. A thousand years before I know whether she is lost to me forever.
 
She sighed and strode to the stairwell leading down. With a last glance she looked at the writing desk where a scroll lay, partially unfurled. On it she could still make out the last few lines near the bottom.

 
Rest assured that I will always love you, and that I count the days until your return.

Your most faithful sister,

Celestia
 
The scroll glowed around the edges, rolled up into a tight cylinder and rose into the air. The stopper on a small vial on the desk levitated upwards as well. A tiny whirlwind of powder rose from the vial's confines to dust the scroll, which dissolved in a glimmer of green fire. Celestia smiled and descended the stairs.
 
 


 
 
On the moon a letter appeared and was snatched hastily by a dark blue hoof. Nightmare Moon hesitated a moment, in the full knowledge that if the news were good it might comfort her opponent, small and insignificant though she was. In the end, novelty won out over caution. After fifteen years in this land of eternal stillness anything new was too much of a temptation, even a letter from the enemy's sister, so bored was the mare. Slitted eyes read hungrily.
 
She loves me still! Exulted the voice of Luna in her mind.
 
Nightmare Moon stared down at the scroll, which erupted into flames and was consumed in an instant.
 
Their momentary truce shattered, Luna resumed her assault on the invader, locked in a fight to reclaim her very soul. This time she would not concede. No, she would never give up, for her sister loved her still, and that was all she needed to know to keep on fighting, for a thousand years if need be.
 
 


A year later

Starswirl closed the cabin door behind him. Joly stood a few steps away from the entrance with their luggage, the bulk of it belonging to the fussy stallion. He waited in silence as Starswirl took in the scene at the cottage. It was one of those beautiful spring days at the lake. The wind blew through the lilac bushes, spreading the flowers’ gentle perfume. The lake itself sparkled in the sun, with buzzing insects and chirping birds bathing the day in nature’s cheerful symphony.

“What a feast for the senses, Joly!” said Starswirl. He glanced at his companion. The stallion smiled, took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

“Are you sad to leave such beauty behind, Maestro?” he asked in his gentle voice.

Starswirl smiled. “Yes, and that is why this is the time to go.” He gestured around him at the lake, the cottage and the nearby forest. “This is the image we will keep in our minds when we recall this place. This is how I want to remember it.”

“Aye. I think I agree, Maestro.” He raised an eyebrow. “Still, I will so miss the place. I do hope Princess Hydrangea will take good care of it.” The expression on his face softened, and his gaze lingered on the tidy cottage.

Starswirl felt his heart go out to his long-time companion. “You always become so attached to things, Joly. As to me, in my life I’ve had to change homes so often that all I need is the cloak on my back and a good hat.”

Joly laughed out loud. “And that’s why you hardly ever take them off, old vagabond.”

Starswirl put a hoof on Joly’s withers. “Perhaps. But this is an old vagabond whom fate has blessed with stalwart friends.”

Joly took a deep breath and nodded. “I guess that makes two of us.” He favored Starswirl with that tiny little grin he had whenever he felt an adventure was about to begin. “Let’s go then.”

Starswirl nodded. He thought of what he was leaving behind: the princesses, the School of Magic, and all this pony business. Before him was the leisure to do nothing but follow his curiosity wherever it led him. What are you waiting for, old fool?!

Starswirl smiled broadly and charged up his horn to engage the dimensional travel cantrip. It’s time to go change the universe!

He cast the spell. There was a flash of white.


First Epilogue

Celestia was holding court in Canterlot when her majordomo approached the throne and bowed, scroll in hoof. Her interest piqued, she nodded and he preferred the missive. His horn glowed and it floated up to her, unfurling it so she could read its contents. Her heart sank as she read. She thought of adjourning court and rushing off, but a moment's reflection was enough to realize that it would not only be futile, but might alarm her little ponies. She nodded, and the majordomo quietly rolled the document up and levitated it back to a pouch on his back. He bowed, and no doubt would deliver the letter to her desk with today's court documents. She smiled as if it were nothing of import, and gestured for the next petitioner to approach.



That evening, Celestia strode into Starswirl's cottage by the lake. As she had expected, the windows were dark when she approached. Also as expected, the door was unlocked. She pushed it aside, and dispersed the gloom by emitting light from the tip of her horn. Scanning the interior, she saw everything much as she last recalled: a tidy kitchen and common room containing a large table with several large comfortable cushions near the fireplace, and two doors leading to the cottage's two cozy bedrooms.

On the table lay a large hard-bound book, a familiar-looking statue of a draconequus, and a scroll. As she approached, the scroll rose into the air and unfurled itself. She smiled. The letter had recognized her. A typical Starswirl touch!

My dear Princess Celestia,

Once upon a time a young lady stepped into my studio, and with a smile stole my heart. Little did I know then how she would come again to change this old man, and bless his life with true friendship and new worlds to discover!

For one such as I, to whom learning is the summit of all joys, that gift was beyond compare! Another earth to explore, and then even more worlds beyond it, each one a treasure in its own completeness, and each a reflection of the universal reality that lies beneath them all. Even the world upon which your sister sought to confine me was a great gift, such that were I before her, I would embrace her and kiss her hooves in thanks —

Celestia had to look away. She waited a moment, wiped her eyes with with a fetlock, and again turned her gaze on the levitating document.

that she she gave me so much. I think of her often. She also gave me another gift: she briefly showed me a book by a fellow human, Isaac Newton, that described tools of mathematics such as I had never dreamt of. Such is serendipity, as what I learned on that world forever changed my understanding of the structure of the cosmos, and Newton gave me the voice with which to sing its praise. Please do extend my gratitude and affection to your sister when you next write to her.

After my rescue by Clover, and my return to health following the unpleasant events of that time, I visited the remains of Luna’s quarters and found that book and some others. With the information I learned regarding Clover’s search through the worlds I was able to delve ever more deeply into the foundations of the cosmos. The results are the interdimensional barrier spell, amongst others things which still astound me even as I think of them. Within the statue on the table I have invested the barrier spell. It awaits your signal to be activated once you have determined that the convergence is nigh. I hope you like the statue. It's a study I did to improve that horrid one you keep in your garden. Someday perhaps you'll allow me to replace it.

Of the other discoveries I've made, one has given rise to the first purpose leading me to my current passage: I have discovered much about the foundations of time. How ironic it is that this knowledge comes to me when I have so little of it left! Let me assure you, Dear Princess, that I am not being an ingrate. The life I now live is my second one, a gift received from your hoof and for which I am eternally grateful. But to understand time, I will need to spend all that is left to me, and so, a hermit I must once again become. Oh, worry not as to my welfare, as my dear friend Joly has chosen to accompany me in my exile – an old hermit still needs his comforts, no?

As a parting gift I leave you the notes in the journal that accompanies this letter. You will find there a spell to travel backwards in time! This is of far less value than one would think. The range of such travel is quite limited, perhaps four days at the most, for the past is jealous of its certitudes, and only suffers admittance to those it feels will not contest them.

You will also find a treatise on the concept of destiny. Here I must tell of the second purpose of my self-imposed exile. With it you will find a spell, still incomplete unfortunately, for changing one of the very foundations of Equestrian society: a pony’s cutie-mark. These are indeed very much linked to the expression of the future, but unlike the past, the future is a veritable herd of warring potentials, refusing all certainty but death. What I seek to do now is to study time and destiny, both most dangerous pursuits. It will be safest for all beings that I do these studies on another world far removed from this one and the one of my birth, one with no beings present whose lives would be forfeit should my experimentations tear down the very foundations needed for life, a danger that I foresee as all too possible.

Speaking of foresight and the future, I have one last gift for you, My Princess. In my examinations of times future I can sometimes discern concentrations of great potential. Sometimes these are opaque to further scrutiny, sometimes they reveal surprising images of what may be. And sometimes many such images are superposed, drawing a palimpsest of every possible outcome all at once. There will come a mare, of my student Clover’s descent, who will be a mage of such power as to rival even those of the Alicorns. She will bear Clover’s mark as well as that of the unicorn royal line. (Fear not! It is not our dear Hydrangea, although it will very likely be a filly of her lineage.) In this mare is the potential to fulfill all of your dreams for Equestria, and also the possibility to turn it all to ashes. I have seen into this mare’s heart, Celestia. She is fundamentally good, but she will need your guidance, and even more so, your love, in order to resist the temptations that her power will offer. Remember this and be ready, Celestia, your sign will be the circle of rainbows.

When you read this I will have been gone for several days. I know you have ways to find me, but I must ask that you do not share that information with others. Please allow an old and weary friend this last indulgence, that in the few years I have remaining, I might live in quiet pursuit of knowledge and the good company of my gentle companion. I know that you would argue that I should remain as Minister of Science, for much still remains to be done. But we are both aware how little I do at the Ministry these days, and that younger ponies have earned the opportunity to carry on that work with all the vigour and energy that old ponies such as this one can rarely muster! You and your little ponies no longer need me, Celestia, and I have every confidence that you will succeed, for of this I am certain: Equestria and her Princess are strong!

Know that I will always have you in my heart, dear Celestia, as I hope to remain always in yours. Please do visit, when you can find the time.

With love and friendship undying,


Starswirl the Bearded


P.S. I have one humble request...


Celestia rolled up the scroll and gathered the book and statue from the table. Upon the book's cover was Starswirl’s cutie mark. She examined the little draconequus statue more closely. She smiled. It was indeed a much more expressive and – lively – looking statue than the actual frozen Discord in her garden. With a final glance around the cottage, Celestia teleported away.




Celestia materialized inside her bed chamber. As expected, there was nopony else there. She crossed the room to the doorway that led to her office. On the way over her she placed the three objects she carried onto her dresser table. Her horn glowed again as the doors opened to reveal three pegasi clustered around her desk.

"Oh come-on, Sky," said Harvest Wind. "You know what the Maestro will say when he's back, he's –"

"– not going to be back," interrupted Celestia. Three faces turned in surprise, then all three bowed deeply to their sovereign.

“Summer Breeze and Sky Blue, what a pleasure to see you again,” said Celestia. “I hear your business is doing quite well indeed.” The pair did look prosperous, with Summer in a fine dress and Sky wearing a yellow Velvet doublet that flattered his azure coat. “I assume you have come to Canterlot to congratulate Harvest Wind on his promotion to Captain of the Royal Guard.”

"Yes, Your Majesty," said Summer. Her ears swiveled to focus on Celestia. "Is there something the matter with the Maestro?"

Celestia smiled reassuringly. "Fear not, my little ponies. He is hale and hearty, but he has come to an age where he has earned a rest. He has tendered, and I have accepted, his petition for retirement from public life." She turned back to Harvey. "Captain, when we are done here I would like you to please inform the Chamberlain of the Equine Assembly that I will add a new motion in tomorrow's session, a discourse on the contributions of our former Minister of Science, and a call for nominations to fill the vacancy created by his departure."

All three ponies' mouths hung open. Celestia smiled. "Come now, why the long faces? He is still alive and with us."

Harvey was the first to break the silence. "But Your Majesty... everything will be so different without him!"

Celestia looked into the earnest eyes of her little ponies one by one. "Will it now? Pray, tell me how." She looked on expectantly.

"He invented the Amniomorphic spell. He made it possible for ponies of different tribes to have foals of their own," said Harvey with a slight blush.

"I for one wouldn't even be here otherwise," said Sky. "My dad's a unicorn." He nuzzled Summer. "Just like our twins."

"To hear the youngsters speak nowadays, the concept of tribes hardly exists anymore," said Summer. "And then there's the School for Gifted Unicorns, which the twins are attending."

"And all those new sciences Starswirl set up, with all the rules on to find out what's true and what's balderdash! That's changed almost every trade and profession, from farming to rainbow production," added Sky.

"Not to mention all the amazing flying machines," said Harvey, a smile crossing his features.

"Don't forget" – said a new voice from the main door leading into the office – "the codification of magic, and all of the other wonderful spells he's contributed over the years. And not least of all, he saved my dad's life more than once." Princess Hydrangea entered and bowed to Celestia, then went to hug everypony in turn, ending with Celestia herself. "I guess uncle Mo has finally decided he'd had enough of politics," she declared with a wink.

Celestia eyed her niece. "And of being a teacher as well as of being Archmage. He said he thought it was time for younger ponies to take the reins. I know of one recently graduated mage whose former teacher has recommended her highly. Perhaps she might be interested in teaching force-fields and animative magic at my school." Celestia gaze calmly at Angie and raised an eyebrow. The mare looked confused a moment, before practically crushing Celestia in her second hug in as many minutes.

“Yes! Yes! I accept!” said Angie emphatically, practically jumping up and down in her enthusiasm. Her friends each gave her congratulatory hugs of their own.

Celestia turned her attention to Sky. “I have a task for you as well, Mr. Blue,” said Celestia.

The stallion bowed. “Your wish is my command, Your Highness,” he said and turned his head towards Harvey. She just caught sight of the tip of the tongue he stuck out at his foalhood friend.

"I have decided to ask your uncle Hyacinth if he is interested in the position of Archmage. I would consider it a personal favour if you could ask him privately about his interest in the appointment before I do so formally."

"Of course, Your Majesty. I'm sure he would consider it an honor, but I will ask him and come back to you with his reply tomorrow, as Summer and I are having dinner with him tonight."

"Splendid!" Said Celestia. "I guess then that it's time for me to write a letter. I do hope to have the pleasure of seeing you all again during the next few days." With friendly goodbyes, the three pegasi and unicorn bowed and left the office though the main exit. The last to exit was Harvey, who turned and winked before shutting the door.

He is very handsome in that uniform, thought Celestia. And he knows it!

With a grin she went to her desk and sat down. Her horn glowed and a scroll of paper settled on her desk as her quill dipped into the ink pot, and then hovered over the page.

Dear sister,

Today the inevitable happened and our Starswirl announced his retirement from public function. He wants to be free to study only that which strikes his fancy and follow his inspirations wherever they may lead. This is much the same as what he did before his retirement, but with less supervision from yours truly, and fewer students and underlings underhoof. It strikes me that his situation has much in common with his life just before I brought him to Equestria!

He sends you his love and gratitude, Luna, and says that you are often in his thoughts.

In contrast to our dear Starswirl, Equestria has changed in many ways, and when I look at our little ponies I can see that it has been very much for the good. Perhaps I am biased in making that assessment, but I am sure that you would be as proud of them as I am. For the most part they now govern themselves quite effectively, and in my daily courts their disputes have become pleasingly trivial. Rational thought rather than emotions or superstitious dread governs their actions, thanks in no little part to the contributions of our pony shaped human. It gladdens my heart so to see how they care for each other, and I cannot help but feel that they will succeed and prosper where our own Alicorn kind failed, becoming the very expression of Friendship and Harmony.

With love and affection,

Your devoted sister Celstia


 
 

Second Epilogue - many years later

 
Celestia paced gracefully through the Annual Canterlot Fair and Exhibition, surrounded by an entourage of unicorn nobles and her Royal Guard. Around her were laid out row upon row of colourful tents, each one a delegation representing a town or county of Equestria. There were even larger tents with delegations from neighbouring kingdoms and principalities, including the Gryphons, Zebras, and Minotaurs, amongst many others.
 
She made it a point to attend the fair every year. It had become a major meeting place where all parts of Equestria could mingle, exchange ideas and most importantly build the links between families that knit the nation into a single, unified whole. Because of the Amniomorphic spell, Ponies now took it for granted that unicorns, pegasi and earth ponies were all one species, and her somewhat allegorical Hearths' Warming Eve story and pageant had done wonders to ingrain that feeling of fellowship for all the ponies of Equestrian society.
 
Still, the ghosts of Equestria's tribally segregated history haunted her still, so she was ever vigilant for any signs of regression to the attitudes of the past. That was why she was taken aback when at the end of a long row of bright tents, she saw a dull, well patched habitation that had obviously seen better days. At each side of its front entrance were laid out trestle tables, upon which were arrayed an abundance of seeds, tubers, small potted plants and other agricultural seed stock.
 
To her right, the Master of the Fair, a fancily clad unicorn named Duke White Tie turned up his snout with a sniff. "Go no closer, Your Majesty," said he. "This is a disreputable lot." He tried to lead Celestia on to the next tent, and was visibly flustered when she refused to budge.
 
"And to whom does this tent belong?" she asked pleasantly.
 
"Nopony of importance, Your Majesty, I assure you," replied the duke.
 
She waited patiently, keeping the same smile on her features. The duke’s expression grew resigned. "They call themselves Pilgrims. They are landless earth ponies that travel and trade seeds, doing seasonal farm labour. Wherever they go there are reports of trouble, petty thefts and such. Really, your majesty we should not consort with such a shiftless group.”
 
Celestia's only response was to stride up to the trestle tables, where a severe looking pony stood with a worried looking mare. A young light green coated filly, peeked up in awe at her from under the table, her mane and tail done up in beautifully intricate blond braids. Celestia smiled at the youngster, whose eyes widened before turning on the most dazzling smile Celestia had seen that day.
 
"Mah pa is the very bestest seed collector in all Equestria, Yer Highness!" The filly beamed up at her in obvious pride. Celestia turned her attention to the subject of the filly's assertion, who with his wife bowed low.
 
"Your daughter speaks highly of your seed stock, sir," commented Celestia.
 
"Ayyuup," replied the stallion, looking somewhat dazed.
 
"Why trade in seed? Wouldn't you rather grow your own crops, Mister..."
 
The stallion's eyes narrowed a bit. "Name's Smith, Yer Majesty. We ain't got no land, so we travel to where there's work, and we trade seed."
 
Celestia paused and considered. She had an old promise to keep, and maybe these ponies would be the ones to make it work.
 
"I have a proposal for you, Mr. Smith," she said. "There's prime farmland waiting for settlement. I won't lie to you. It's not the safest country, being right on the edge of the Everfree Forest, but I think that for just the right ponies, it's a chance for land of their own and building a better life. What do you say, Mr. Smith?"
 
The stallion's eyes were now wider than dinner plates, but there was no denying the hunger in them. He glanced at his wife, who nodded. "Sounds interestin'. Are there any conditions to this offer, Yer Majesty?"
 
Celestia smiled as she heard the duke's indrawn breath. More than anything else, that question confirmed her first instinct that these were the right ponies.
 
"I have three conditions, Farmer Smith. The first is that you invite other pony pilgrim families to settle the area. After all, it takes more than one family to start a town."
 
The stallion nodded.
 
"The second is that, once the town is established, it will welcome all ponies that I send there, including pegasi and unicorns. It takes all type of ponies for a community to prosper."
 
Again, the stallion nodded.
 
"Good! The third is that you name this town Ponyville. That would make both me, and a dear old friend, very happy. Do you agree to this final condition as well?"
 
For the first time the earth pony smiled. He and his wife both nodded together.
 
"We agree. We ain't got nothin' fit to give a princess, Your Majesty, so all we can say is that we're mighty thankful, an' we'll do our very best to never letcha down."
 
"Then, Farmer Smith, I suggest you prepare your family for travel." Celestia bowed, then turned and led her delegation onwards to the next tent. Her ears were nevertheless pointing backwards, the better to eavesdrop on the consequences of her visit.
 
"Sugarcube, y'all better gallop on over to tha Apple's tent, and the Rich's an any o' the other Pilgrims you 'kin find. Meeting o' the families in our tent tonight," said Mr. Smith's voice.
 
"Yessir!" said the filly. "Hey pa!" she added. "The Princess called you Farmer Smith. That means we is all farmers now, don't it?"
 
"Well I recon it does, now, sugarcube. I recon it really does."
 
There was the sound of a filly's "Yee-haw!", then Celestia saw the filly in question gallop by, leaving a trail of dust in her wake.
 
As the duke led her to another tent he waved the dust out of his face and sneezed. Celestia grinned in satisfaction. This was turning out to be the best Canterlot Fair and Exhibition, ever!