//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: Berry Swirl // Story: Equestria Wars Episode IV: Shadows of Equestria // by sonicdash123 //------------------------------// Charming and Twilight walked into the throne room of Cantorlot Castle and saw that only Celestia was present. “Good morning Twilight, Charming Thunder. What can I do for you to day?” Celestia asked. "Well, I wanted to ask you about something," Charming Thunder said. "I’ve been having some strange dreams recently." He then levitated the picture out of his saddlebag and showed it to Celestia. "It relates to that cyan alicorn. I was just wondering if you know who she is." “Hmm,” Celestia said looking it over. "I do know who she is. She is Princess Amidala. Wherever did you get this photo?" "Princess Cadence gave it to him," Twilight said. "He also had a picture of his father with Star Swirl the Bearded." "What else do you know about her?" Charming Thunder asked. "Her name is all I remember. Not her past history." She then sighed and then said, "But the answers to all your questions lies with Star Swirl.” “But he died hundreds of years ago.” Twilight said. “And his burial place has been lost. How are we supposed to find him?” “At the far edge of the Everfree Forest lives an old hermit named Berry Swirl. He should be able to help you.” “Alright, thanks," Charming Thunder said before they left the throne room. “The day I’ve been dreading has come,” Celestia said once the doors had closed. “I can only hope that he can forgive me once he knows the truth." --------------------- The chariot that Twilight and Charming Thunder were on landed in front of a small house that was in the Everfree forest. “This is it.” Charming said as they got off the chariot and walked up to the small house. “I hope Celestia’s right about him being able to help us.” Twilight said as they knocked on the door. “Come in.” A voice said as the door was surrounded in a blue aurora before opening. Shrugging they walked into the small house. “Berry Swirl?” Twilight asked as they walked into a living room like area. “That’s me. How can I help you?” An old blue unicorn with a long white beard asked walking up to them. "We have been told that you can help us," Charming Thunder said. "She claims that Star Swirl the Bearded can tell us about my mother." He then handed the photo to the old pony. “Star Swirl the Bearded. Star Swirl…” Berry Swirl said thoughtfully as he looked at the photo. “Now that’s a name I’ve not heard in a long time. A long time.” “Celestia said you would be able to help us find him. All the books say he’s dead.” Twilight said. “Oh he’s not dead… Not yet.” The elder unicorn said after thinking for a moment. "Do you know him?" Charming Thunder asked. “But of course I know him.” Berry Swirl said with a laugh. “He’s me. I haven’t gone by the name of Star Swirl since… oh, before you were born.” “But how?” Twilight asked confused as to how he was still alive. “The princesses weren't the only ones to discover the secret to long levity.” He said with a wink. “I discovered a long levity spell during the Discord Wars.” “Wait you fought in the Discord Wars?” Charming asked. “Yes I was once a Crystal Knight the same as Sombra. Which reminds me, I have something here for you, Charming.” Star Swirl said as he walked over to a small box. “You’re father wanted you to have this when you were old enough, but Cadence wouldn't allow it. She feared you might follow old Star Swirl on some damn fool idealistic crusade like your father did.” “What is it?” Charming Thunder asked as Star Swirl pulled out what looked like a crystal bracelet. “It’s your father’s crystal saber. This is the weapon of a Crystal Knight.” The old unicorn said as Charming put it on and the crystal covered his hoof forming a blade. “Not as clumsy or random as magic, not to mention sharper than any regular blade; an elegant weapon designed for a more civilized age. For over a thousand generations, the Crystal Knights were the guardians of peace and justice in Equestria. Before the dark times… before the Republic.” “How did my father become evil?” Charming asked as the crystal blade turned back into a bracelet. “Your father was seduced by Discord into use of dark magic. When I first met him, your Father was already a great fighter, but I was amazed how strong his magic was. I took it upon myself to train him as a knight. I thought that I could instruct him just as well as Celestia. I was wrong.” Star Swirl explained sadly. “I wish I had gotten to know him better.” Charming said sadly. “He was the best sword fighter in Equestria. I hear you've become quite an accomplished fighter yourself. And he was a good friend.” He said cheering Charming up a bit. “Now what brings you hear?” "We were told that you know who this cyan alicorn is. Is her name really Princess Amidala?" "She is your mother." Charming Thunder's eyes went wide as Star Swirl asked, "Where did you find this picture anyway?" "In the catacombs of the castle of the Crystal Empire. There were other boxes there and they are right now at my place. Do you know where my mother is now?" "She's in the town of Manehattan. I told her that she would be safe there if King Sombra ever returned. Before she stayed there, she tried to turn Sombra back to the light, but when he saw me with Celestia and Luna, he became furious and almost killed her. I thought that I could redeem him as well but it was too late. The magic Discord made him become corrupted." "And what of my fate?" "When you were young, you were sent with Celestia and Luna to take care of you. But now that Discord returned and is now using his power for good, we are all safe." "How will we find her, Charming Thunder?" Twilight asked. "The city is crowded." Charming Thunder then thought for a moment and then hatched an idea. "I can request Celestia to send in some Prowler probes to scan the civilians to find her. If the ID of this picture matches, the droid can play a message from Celestia herself. She may know her more than I do." "Why don't you come with us, Star Swirl," Twilight requested. "Everypony must know that you are still alive." "No. That is not my destiny. I must remain here for now. When the time comes, I will reveal myself to everypony. I promise. Go now and tell your Celestia and Luna what you have learned today. If you ever want to know more about the Crystal Knights, you know who to look for. And remember, the magic will be with you always." Charming Thunder nodded and left the house of the legendary unicorn.