//------------------------------// // Ending 1 // Story: Against the Current // by Boldish42 //------------------------------// Holly trotted down the path leading from the forests back to Daleton, the Earth pony village she called home. It wasn’t a bad haul she had managed to collect, plenty ingredients for her aunt the herbalist. Ever since she was tiny, aunty Mistle had trusted her to gather her ingredients, most ponies feared the forest, but not Holly. An average day for Holly really, but then again, most extraordinary days start that way. For on this day, a strange pony met Holly on the road. “Excuse me. Sorry to bother you, but I’m looking for somepony and I was wondering if you might be able to help me.” It was a mare wrapped up in an odd cloak held close by a purple starburst brooch. Holly was no stranger to capes and cloaks, however the middle of summer was perhaps not the right time to wear one. And the cloak itself… there was something about it, it was as if her mind was simply missing something so painfully obvious that its absence was drawing attention. What was noticeable however was this purple mare’s horn protruding from her head. Holly was instantly on edge, something of a reflex, you simply had to be on your best behaviour with unicorns or else they could get a bit liberal with those horns. “I will do my very best milady.” Holly replied, bowing a little to show her deference. Her response seemed to panic the mare as she looked herself over in a bit of a fluster, finally apparently satisfied of something, confusion took over her face, eventually replaced with understanding. “Oh! Oh no, no I’m just a simple traveler, a minor magician that’s all. Not a noble. Certainly not some kind of royalty. Most definitely not a princess hehehehe…” The strange mare said with a too wide smile and shifting eyes. This pony was quite likely crazy, but there was something about her that put Holly at ease, like being next to your best friend. That feeling seemed to pour off this mare, was it magic? Her horn wasn’t glowing, so what was this feeling? “Look I’m just looking for a pony, a unicorn by the Star Swirl. Long beard, lots of bells, stars and a swirl pattern Cutie Mark.” Holly’s felt her heart skip. She was looking for him… This was indeed a cruel day. ***** “Hello mister Swirl! How are you feeling today?” A young Holly asked bursting into the little hut. “COUGH COUGH, Ah Holly! Feeling better and better! Yep I’ll be up and about in no time! COUGH! Just COUGH! Just you wait and see.” He said with a grin Holly frowned up at the stallion wrapped in blankets in bed. “You’re lying, why?” “Sorry, I had hoped that telling you that would make it true. COUGH It’s something of a twitch of mine to try to encourage young fillies like you. Besides, I could use some encouragement too.” “Here I brought all you need for some leek soup! I’ll start cooking it for you and you could tell me more stories! I mean if you are well enough that is.” “I think I’ve got enough in me for a story…” ***** The two mares walked in silence around the side of Daleton towards a small hut on a hill. . .. … “Mister Swirl has told me many stories of his homeland. He called it Illustria..” “Equestria.” The purple mare corrected automatically. “Is it true that zap apples are the main crop there?” “No, they’re a special breed that require much more attention than other apples, making them unfeasible for more common purposes. Any more questions?  Or do I pass your test?” Holly stopped and turned toward the mare. She examined her face, watched her body for tells. “Is it truly as wonderful as he says?” “Yes, at least I believe so.” “A place where the tribes are equal, and such benign and powerful beings help guide everypony without tyranny. I wish I might see it someday.” Once more silence fell. They were past the village now and the hut could be seen next to a copse of trees on the next hill. “Mister Swirl was the first unicorn I met, he is my friend and I’ve only been disappointed by his fellows since, so please excuse my questioning. I do not wish him to be disturbed by some ninny not worthy of him.” “Thank you, for caring so much for him.” ***** “AH! You brought me some more leeks dear? Thank you very much! They will go pretty well in some soup! Would you like some?” “Papa said I shouldn’t talk to you, just deliver the vegetables.” The filly Holly replied watching the unicorn suspiciously. “Well if your father said as much then you probably should do as he says huh?” The stallion lit up his horn picking up the leeks, only to have a coughing fit bring them all to the ground. Holly quickly picked up the precious food from where it fell. “Papa says that your fancy magic won’t do ya any good if you’re sick.” She declared a little smugly at her perceived superiority to the silly old stallion. “COUGH True true. Yep if I were an Earth Pony I bet this cough would barely slow me down, and if I were a pegasus the cold would hardly bother me at all. Oh well, if wishes were fishes eh? Then again, I’ve only been on my journey because of my magic, and, all in all I’d say it was worth it.” “You’re strange.” “Haha! COUGH Yes I am. Would you like to hear one of my stories? As payment for the vegetables of course.” ***** The two mares sat under one of the trees next to the hut. Looking at the carving etched into the tree that was Star Swirl’s Cutie Mark. “He died that winter, it was peaceful, as far as deaths go I suppose. He had to suffer my cooking for his last, said it was the best yet, old fibber.” Holly said with a sad smile. “... Are you Twilight Sparkle?” The purple mare seemed surprised to hear the name. “Wh..What did he say?” “He said a lot. When he talked about you he just came alive in a way I never saw otherwise. He truly loved you, I think.” What Holly saw that day, she would recall all her life. Twilight Sparkle removed her cloak. Suddenly Holly could see what the cloak’s magic hid. A mare easily three times her size, mane blowing in star dust, wings grander than any birds. Twilight Sparkle was majestic. An alicorn straight out of Star Swirl’s stories, a symbol of so much to Holly that she thought them an impossible ideal. Holly watched what she saw as a goddess mourn. The world seemed to join her, as the hill they sat on shook violently. Holly would try to describe the event for the rest of her life, but words would never do it justice in her opinion. Eventually though it came to an end. Twilight Sparkle gathered up her cloak and turned to the little pony that had sat with her. “Thank you, for all you did, for being there for him when I could not. Thank you for making sure he wasn’t alone.” In a flash of light, she was gone.