Once again, silence permeated the throne room. Only the echo of Star Swirl’s proclamation remained before it slowly faded away, though its significance lingered. He had announced it loudly and clearly for all to hear. He had had a child with a human woman, and the offspring had been a mix between a human and a pony. In short, it was a creature that should not have existed.
What he put forward was so ludicrous that to suggest it to anyone with modern sensibilities would see you get laughed and jeered at. It was well known that humans could not breed with other creatures to create viable offspring—the genetic differences were too great. Even if offspring could ever be produced from such an unholy union, the child would likely have suffered from severe birth defects that should have resulted in a stillbirth.
Yet somehow, the child had lived and had been born with the façade of a human, but its pony heritage was revealed when exposed to magic. However, magic itself was the root cause of Star Swirl’s daughter’s death. The headaches he had described his daughter having suffered from were also familiar to me. For as long as I could remember, I had lived with headaches and so did my grandfather. I had always believed that it was the migraines that were hereditary. But now...
The hooves, the horn—every single change that had occurred to me with my arrival to this strange world, it had all derived from him.
The words he had thrown had battered the fragile shell around my mind, finally shattering it. I shook my head mutely, trying to feebly deny what had been set in front of me. However, the fact that I could think of no other logical explanation… the obscene truth that what I had once held as logic itself had flown into the distance with nary a look back... My mind was clouded, thoughts thick as syrup as his words slithered and swirled around, chewing and clawing and embedding themselves within. I couldn’t even begin to form a sentence, to say something… anything. I wanted to protest, to scream that it was impossible, yet a simple sentence was beyond me. It was as though my body and mind had severed their connection.
Staring at Star Swirl, my mouth opened in anticipation of speaking, but nothing escaped. His attention was focused on the princesses, seemingly awaiting an answer of some sort. The princesses themselves displayed an array of emotions. From Luna, I could read pity, surprise, and… something else. Was it sadness? Celestia seemed calm enough—she even had a slight smile on her face—but her eyes had an undercurrent of sorrow within them. I could see the shimmer of unshed tears within them. Twilight Sparkle had no such reservations, openly weeping, though I couldn’t fathom why. Had his story been so touching? I couldn’t tell, having gone numb halfway through the tale.
After what seemed like hours, Celestia rose to her hooves. Her voice trembled as she took a step forward. “I understand, dearest Star Swirl. I completely understand your intentions, and you have my sincere approval and full support.”
“Mine as well,” Luna chimed in as she stood up and joined her sister. “Thine intentions art clear, and We will do what We can.”
Twilight Sparkle hung back, observing the two princesses and their interactions with the old unicorn. Occasionally, she peeked at me, seemingly reading the confusion on my face, before averting her eyes back to the other two royals.
Star Swirl bowed before them and breathed an audible sigh of relief. “Thank you, girls.” A soft smile crossed his face, its sincerity shining through. He took a step backwards and turned to me. The smile was still there, but somewhat strained.
“I have something I wish to ask of you,” he told the princesses, looking over his shoulder directly at them. “The magic of Equestria has kept Magnus’ pain at bay for now, and has even revealed his true form, but had not bonded with magic. The only ones I know of who can perform such a feat are you two.” He turned to fully face them and bowed so deeply that his muzzle touched the floor, his legs bent beneath him. When he next spoke, I could hear the anxiety in his voice. “Please, craft a bond to magic for Magnus so that he can live a life that was denied his ancestors.”
The two princesses glanced at each other with a smile and nodded, before Celestia addressed him. “You have been missing for a long time, old friend, and for far too long we believed you to be lost. Your adventures in a foreign land yielded you love and a child, but also a bloodline that was never allowed to experience magic. You knew generations would suffer and did your best to aid your progeny. Now you’ve returned with one that yearns for magic.” Celestia paused, allowing Luna to finish her sentence.
“Nothing would please us more than to create a bond to magic for Magnus,” Luna finished with a smile of her own.
Star Swirl quickly looked up to the duo, and for the first time since he appeared, there was a glimmer of hope in his eyes. His mouth gaped for a moment before he sighed in relief. The way he gazed at them was rather disconcerting, especially the depth of gratitude within his eyes. He nodded deeply and whispered a short expression of appreciation.
I continued to stare ahead at nothing in particular, unable to bring myself to care about what they were discussing. Nothing seemed to make sense anymore, least of all myself. One thought after another crashed forth like tidal waves, pounding my brain with thoughts of genetically impossibilities and peculiar gateways to other words. Images from home also appeared, along with the old legends that my grandfather had spoken of. One of them in particular had been about how the Spirit of the Horse had appeared to a tribe and had fathered a child with a woman. To think that what I had once thought was religious fairy tales and legends actually contained more kernels of the truth than could be considered possible…
A strange sensation suddenly made itself known around my wrists, slithering around them warmly. My eyes slowly travelled to the shackles that bound me. They glowed with a golden aura, one that I had seen before. It was at that moment I became aware that the two princesses had moved to stand in front of me. My eyes went up to Celestia, and I instinctively took a step back. Her horn glowed with the same colour as on my wrists, and with a muffled click, my shackles came off, along with those around my legs. The chains were levitated in front of Celestia, who gave what had to be the first pleasant smile she intended to me. The chains fell to the floor, causing me to jump slightly.
Luna's horn was surrounded by a dark blue aura, but nothing seemed to happen until I felt that same strange impression on my forehead. Before my eyes floated the metal ring that had been on my horn, now grasped in her magic. It dropped to the floor with a dull clink and rolled a short distance before falling over. At the same time, the strange sensation began to surge around my horn to the point where it felt like there was a soft pressure on it. It didn’t seem dangerous or intrusive at all—the opposite, in fact.
“Wha…? What’s…?” I croaked as the two princess moved to either side of me.
“The magic inhibitor denied you the sensation of magic, but now that it’s gone, you perceive something on your horn,” Celestia said. She said it as a matter of fact, and it was true. I nodded weakly in response.
“Let us aid thee, wayward human. Allow us to give thee thine birthright.” Luna’s horn began to glow again. Her blue aura burst forth like a misty wave, undulating and swirling through the air. Celestia did the same, her golden aura joining Luna’s magic in the air, and the two differently-hued auras flowed together in a vortex above me. It swirled through the air, its sheer beauty and the way the colours melded together leaving me speechless.
Slowly, the swirling vortex descended over me. Standing next to me, the princesses lowered their heads, their horns pointing at and seemingly directing the display of colours as it dropped lower until it touched the floor. I could feel the alien sensation tingle over my entire body now, yet I was somehow not afraid of the phenomenon. All I wanted to do was to bask in the light forever, to experience this serenity and bliss until the end of time.
I extended a hand towards the swirling lights, and as it touched my fingers, the sensation became even stronger. Then I noticed Star Swirl standing outside the lights, staring at me with a look of relief on his face and nodding. “It is a good feeling, isn't it?” The only response I could manage was a weak nod. Behind him stood Twilight Sparkle, staring at the lights surrounding me with her mouth open in silent awe.
“Sister, art thou ready?” Luna suddenly asked, her voice sounding strained.
“Yes, Luna.” Celestia sounded similarly affected. “Now!”
The swirling lights suddenly shot up from beneath me and levitated me into the air. With a gasp, I scrambled to grab onto something, but there was nothing but the radiant vortex around me. This new aura consisted of thousands of colours, superior to those of a rainbow, more than a colour chart could display. The multi-hued aura joined with the gold and dark blue, turning into a flowing cascade. The maelstrom grew brighter as my hair stood on end all over my entire body, the sensation of pinpricks coursing up and down.
I floated helplessly in the air, my heart hammering in terror at being so vulnerable at odds with the relaxing nature of the churning aura. What was strange was that it felt as though it was prodding my horn, seemingly trying to gain entrance to it somehow. The vortex’s speed began to steadily increase, soon becoming naught but a blur to my eyes.
“It’s okay, Magnus. Let it in,” I heard Star Swirl say. Although apprehensive, some part of me felt that his advice was the right path to take, urging me towards it.
Abruptly, the colours separated from the vortex and shot up into the air in a way akin to fireworks. I only managed a brief glimpse at the jaw-dropping sight before the maelstrom, with the vortex and the princesses’ auras fully melded, bore down and struck me right on my head with a speed that rivalled a lightning bolt. Amazingly, there wasn’t any resulting pain, and I could see the light swirling about my horn.
I would forever remember the feelings that surged through my body then. The pleasant sensation seemed to multiply rapidly as the light converged within my horn until it felt as though vacant space in it was all but occupied. Then the dam burst, surging from my horn and into my head, travelling down my spine and diffusing through my entire body. Just when it seemed as though my frame would crack against the pressure, the storm coalesced once again before rushing up to my head, causing the wave of energy to brush against every nerve in my body and brain. It continued to grow and swell, wrapping me in a cocoon of warmth.
Amidst the headiness, I noticed a silvery light on the borders of my vision. Instead of blurring my sight, my perception seemed sharper somehow. For a split second, I saw Star Swirl looking at me, a huge grin on his face. Twilight Sparkle stood behind him, her expression awestruck.
“Urghhh….” I groaned as the energy continued to build. Every nerve blazed as the maelstrom roared into a crescendo that seemed to converge in my chest and skill. However, not for a moment did it begin to feel painful. There was no sting, no burning. No, instead it was as though I was experiencing life for the first time, as though all that I had endured for my entire existence had been nothing but muted monotony that was to be borne rather than celebrated.
There was no warning as I felt the bubbling energy within me explode out of my body. I screamed until my throat felt raw, not from agony but from the overwhelming feeling of bliss.
“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!”
A bright, pure, white light erupted from me and spread outwards like a shock wave into every corner of the room. A powerful gust of wind swept around the room, pushing back minor objects but leaving the ponies unmolested. The only one who seemed surprised was Princess Twilight, who had long forgotten her notes which were now being scattered throughout the entire room.
My arms fell limply to my sides as dizziness overwhelmed me, and I forced air back into my lungs. Silence permeated the room. Slowly, I felt myself being lowered to the ground, my hooves gently touching the floor, but instead of standing, I fell to my knees and slumped forward, propping myself up with my arms as I gasped for air. The ordeal had been draining, both mentally and physically, like the ultimate rush adrenaline junkies could never achieve. In the end, I was left feeling as though I had been reborn, as though every ache and pain, every scar that layered my surface and interior, had been swept away.
“Wha… What is this?” I mumbled, still gasping for air, feeling the sensation slowly drain from my body. It was a pity, since it left me feeling slightly colder.
“Magic.” I lifted my eyes to find Star Swirl standing right in front of me, a content look on his face. He peered to the right, then to the left, before settling on me again with an even wider smile. “Look around, Magnus.”
I did as he asked, and what I saw was both beautiful and stunning. There were hundreds, maybe even thousands of tiny green particles floating around the room. Each mote of light emitted a soft pulsing light the colour of summer leaves, green and fresh. Gravity had no hold over them as they drifted wherever they pleased. It was as though they were cousins of fireflies, seemingly having no solid form as they passed right through the assembled ponies.
“It tickles!” Luna giggled as a mote brushed against her muzzle. Celestia laughed as one passed right through her wing. A slow flap of her feathery appendage didn’t affect them at all. Princess Sparkle beheld a passing speck with great interest, and her curiosity drove her to poke it with her hoof, though it accomplished little.
Cautiously, I sat up on my knees and leaned backwards while I waited for my pounding heart and erratic breathing to normalize, watching a single mote that settled in the air in front of me. It just floated about lazily, yet somehow I found it enticing. “W-What is this?”
Star Swirl sat down in front of me and looked at the mote. “Magic,” he responded simply with a smile. “Yours is green.”
“What?”
“This.” He waved his foreleg over the room. “These tiny specks of light are your magic. All of it waiting for you.”
“I don’t understand. What…” I tried to find the right words, but they eluded me. My magic? I closed my eyes and rubbed my face slowly, feeling raw and exposed.
“Magnus.” I lowered my hands, simply letting them fall down on my knees. Star Swirl looked at the tiny mote, then to me. “This is you. Embrace it.”
I didn’t move, merely observing the speck of light as it hung in the air right in front of me. Now, for some reason, I began to feel somewhat apprehensive about doing anything that involved this light. It felt familiar, like I was looking at a part of me that I’d never seen before. It continued to pulse, and my heart beat in sync with it. Carefully, I extended an arm towards the particle. Just as I was about to make contact, I hesitated. What would happen? I had no idea, and that was daunting on its own. I slowly pulled my arm back just a couple of inches, enough that I wouldn’t accidentally touch the light.
The sound of metal on marble behind me made me turn around. Celestia and Luna stood there, both of them smiling at me for a reason I was unable to comprehend. I stared at them, trying to read their faces on what to expect. They both nodded at me, though I still hesitated. My interactions with them up to this point had not been what anyone would call cordial. In fact, I doubted anyone would blame me for not trusting them, just as how they had felt the same about me. However, I had found myself in a situation where I had to take the proverbial leap of faith, and that meant placing my doubts in bondage and believing that the beings around me meant me no harm.
And so I cautiously reached out to the tiny mote, gently making contact with it. The moment my fingers touched it, the light seemed to flow into my fingers as though it was water and my fingers a sponge. Luna was right—it tickled but was still warm and pleasant.
I then noticed the other particles in the room moving, all of them slowly drifting towards me. Almost as a swarm, they approached me from all sides. I felt them enter my body through my back, chest, head, arms, horn—from everywhere. Like hundreds of raindrops, they showered down on me, and I welcomed them all. It was as though a terrible itch had finally been scratched.
As suddenly as it started, it ceased. I had closed my eyes as I soaked in the moment, but when I opened them, the green particles were all gone, having disappearing inside of me. I also felt the intense warm feeling slowly fade away, but part of it lingered throughout my body. I placed my hand over my chest and exhaled, feeling my heartbeat slow until it was normal. It was as though there were two separate hearts beating inside me, one that pumped my blood around my body and another that circulated the magical energy.
“How do you feel?” Celestia asked.
“Buh… uh…” I tried to move, only to fall to the side. A large blue wing folded around my shoulder, preventing me from face-planting into the stone floor. I glanced behind me to find Luna there, her wing holding me in place.
“Careful now, young one,” she murmured as she hoisted me back up. “Mayhap thou should rest for now.” I nodded slowly. Even though I wasn’t sleepy, my body felt sluggish and my mind fared little better. Some time to regain my bearings and contemplate sounded just the ticket.
“Twilight, would you please escort Magnus to one of the guest rooms and keep an eye on him until Luna and I are ready?” Celestia turned to Twilight, who still kept her distance.
“What? Oh, yes, of course.” Twilight trotted past Celestia towards me. She stopped and hesitated for a second before coming closer. “Um, can… can you try standing up?” she asked with a hint of uncertainty.
I looked down to my legs, my muscles feeling like jelly now that the adrenaline had begun to wear off. Carefully, I placed one hoof to the floor and pushed off with a hand until I was able to manoeuvre my other hoof underneath myself and stand up on shaky legs. I didn’t even get a warning before I felt myself falling to the side. Luckily, someone grabbed onto me again.
“It’s okay, I’ve got you.” Twilight's magical aura glowed on my shoulders, preventing me from cracking my head on the floor. Feeling unsteady, I eventually managed to balance myself. Although I doubted I would fall again, Twilight still maintained her magical grip to hold me steady. She began to guide me away from Star Swirl and the other princesses to the great doors of the throne room. As we got closer, they opened for themselves and several guards stepped inside.
“Guards, what you have witnessed here today shall not be spoken of outside the castle. Send in the nobles; we wish to speak to them.” The steely tone in Luna’s voice made it obvious that she meant business.
As we passed the guards, I glanced back, but I only saw Luna and Celestia, Star Swirl nowhere in sight. The only clue to him ever being in the throne room was the staff, now lying motionless on the floor.
The memory of what had occurred in the throne room was so fresh that I hardly registered the path we took as we traversed numerous corridors and hallways and possibly a set of stairs. Several times I attempted to initiate conversation with Twilight Sparkle, but I didn’t know where to begin. At the centre of the storm raging within me was the question of what exactly I was. Was I a human? Was I a unicorn? Was I a bit of both? What was I really? The chilling truth was that I could no longer tell.
My chaotic ruminations were interrupted by the lavender princess, who had maintained her silence the entire trip. We had stopped in front of a large wooden door, the doorknob glowing with Twilight's magic. The door swung open and she gently nudged me into the room. There were two plush couches with a small coffee table between them, a simple wooden desk with a chair, and a large bed pushed against the far wall. Two large windows were situated to the side of the bed, white curtains hanging in front of them. A large crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, while paintings and several knickknacks adorned the room itself to avoid a feeling of sterility.
Twilight guided me to the bed and, with a gentle nudge of her wing, made me turn and plop down on the bed. I leaned forward and set my elbows on my knees, allowing my head to rest in my hands. I brushed my fingers over my face until I found the hard protrusion on my forehead. Being forced to acknowledge that it was there made me shudder. I… didn’t want it; I could barely stand touching it. I moved my hands away from the horn and suppressed a sigh.
“Don’t worry, it’ll be okay. We’re here for you,” the little pony encouraged me quietly, as though sensing my thoughts. Raising my eyes a bit, I found her standing right in front of me, staring with a concerned look on her face. How could she know that things would be okay? What did she know? And… what did I know?
I needed time… to sort out my mind, my thoughts… I needed to think, to process all of this. Although I could still feel the magic, or whatever it was, coursing through my body, there was something else deep within me. It licked maliciously at my consciousness, making me shiver. I had heard of it, but had yet to ever experience that torture.
***
Celestia and Luna had, after meeting with the nobles and relaying their orders to avoid spreading what they had seen in the throne room, walked to their private meeting room. They had much to talk about.
“We can’t… believe it. He went to another world,” Luna murmured as she took a sip of water, the refreshing liquid easing her parched throat.
“We know… Finally, we know of his fate. To think that he was considered to be lost at sea when all this time he was on another planet, one without magic.” Celestia appeared troubled as she looked to her sister. “Another world, another universe even. And a child?”
“This scenario we never considered. We kept looking in the wrong places.” Luna refilled her glass and looked at the staff that rested on the table before them. The horn seemed to glow as it lay still. Knowing that the staff held the memory and thoughts of Star Swirl made both monarchs uneasy.
Suddenly, the staff slid off the table and landed on the floor before standing erect. Once more, white mist poured forth from the staff, from which Star Swirl emerged, looking the same as in the throne room except for the fact that his colours were faded and dull. His trademark cape and pointy hat had also lost some of its vibrancy. The unicorn himself seemed a rather tired as well.
“Hello again, girls,” he said with a tired smile and he pushed his hat up from his eyes. Once again, Celestia and Luna jumped as he appeared, though they soon got over his sudden entrance.
“Star Swirl, we looked for you for so many years. We believed you to have drowned or washed ashore in another land.” Luna felt her joy at seeing her old friend again swelling in her chest.
“Well, I was washed ashore. Who knew that it would be on another world?” he replied with a chuckle.
Celestia tried to suppress the urge to laugh. This was a serious matter, but seeing such a dear old friend for the first time in thousands of years and having a chance to laugh with him again was a chink in her armour. Finally, she gave in and giggled, and not a moment later, Luna joined in with Star Swirl at laughing at his joke.
After taking a few breaths, Celestia gave thought to something that had struck her as decidedly strange about his story. “Star Swirl, you said that you were in the human world for fifteen hundred years. Do you know how much time has passed here on Equus?”
He nodded. “Yes, four thousand, nine hundred, and eighty seven years to be exact. I found out shortly after we arrived here when I visited the library here at the castle. Thank you for naming a wing after me, by the way. There I found some books on history, and after a few hours, I had reconstructed the timeline from my departure to my arrival. It seemed the portals had an effect on time as well. Distorting, stretching, perhaps even compressing time, all to name a few.” He sat down on the floor, his scholarly nature once more revealing itself.
A collective nod from the two alicorn sisters was the response he got before he continued, “I don’t know if the area where you found Magnus has a similar history of mystical occurrences, but suffice it to say, the area in the human world where I led him to, the Bermuda Triangle, has a long history of strange things happening, and I believe the portals are responsible.”
“From what I know, nothing of the sort has happened off the coast of eastern Equestria. If the portals are connected, it is a rare occurrence indeed,” Celestia stated.
“Then such a gate will not open here for quite some time, I believe. However, I have a theory that the magic in the human world will one day bloom like a flower. The portals in the human world are simply magic that is maturing and waiting to sprout. The portals are… growth spurts.”
“The years have not dulled your mind, dearest teacher,” Luna said with an affectionate smile.
“I wonder why you asked Magnus to search for us?” It was one of the things she had wondered most about.
“From what I knew of magic back then, only the two of you had the power to create such a bond to magic, which is why I asked him to find you two in the visions I gave him. If I hadn't found you, I would have instructed him to go to the Unicorn Kingdom and find those with sufficient magical prowess.”
Star Swirl cleared his throat as he propped himself up and took a deep breath while fiddling with his cape. Both royal sisters knew what that meant: a lesson was about to be imparted. “However, speaking of the past can be relegated for later. The magic that binds me is fading as every second passes, and my time here grows shorter. I have much to tell you, some of it concerning Magnus.”
The two sisters adjusted their sitting positions for what they knew would be a lecture. Once they were comfortable, Star Swirl smiled and began. “I want to tell you about the human world; Earth, they call it. It is an amazing place, simply because they have no magic. It’s a wild planet tamed by the creatures that climbed to the top of the evolutionary ladder, the apex predators of Earth: humans. They are so unlike us in almost every aspect, but we do share certain similarities. We thrived with unicorn magic, pegasus weather manipulation, and the strength and connection to the land earth ponies possess. Humans became what they are because they lack all of these things.”
“And what, pray tell, have humans become?” Luna asked, her inquisitiveness shining through her facade, making her remember lessons from ages past.
Star Swirl smiled at her question. “Humans are simply… clever. Adaptable. When I came back to Equestria, I took the liberty of exploring Canterlot and every city and village we passed by on our journey here. Pony society has evolved and prospered so much in my absence and still… Compared to humans, we might still be back in the era dating to before the unification of the three tribes.”
Both princess gasped at hearing this. Equestria was considered one of the the most advanced nations on Equus, and its universities were widely known to be the place where the brightest minds were born. Even other races would come to Equestria to study. Just how advanced was the human race?
“They have built buildings that stretch high into the skies, machines called airplanes that can fly faster and higher than pegasi, underwater ships called submarines that have reached the crushing depths of the sea. They have even sent people to their planet’s moon!”
Luna’s jaw dropped. How could they have managed such a feat? The only one on Equus that had been on their moon was her. Before her banishment, she would freely walk its surface, but now she shuddered at the thought of doing that.
“By creating enormous rockets, they have sent humans to the moon and back, even creating manned stations in space. They have created machines called robots and sent them to other planets in their solar system, but they didn't stop there. They have created machines called satellites that orbit other planets to take pictures of the surface and even sent such machines out of their solar system to reach dark space and perhaps one day find another race of intelligent creatures to call friends.”
“And all of this without magic!” Star Swirl chuckled to himself. “They are truly astonishing. Music, art, literature, science, medicine, engineering—I guess they have many Da Whinnycies amongst them. If humans want something done and they can’t do it, then they will keep at it until they figure it out, such is their stubborn nature. Over two hundred countries, hundreds of languages, and seven billion humans, they are indeed the masters of their world.”
Their eyes widened at hearing that. For Star Swirl to praise humans so highly, they indeed had to be a special species. Star Swirl’s eyes became more subdued as he started to impart the downside of his descendant’s legacy.
“However, they are also ignorant to the truth of what they do. Many things have they mastered, thing that should not be necessary.” He shook his head slowly. “War, pollution, pain, and suffering. Humans have generated wars so great that they have twice engulfed the entire planet. Little wonder that they were referred to as ‘World Wars’. Millions upon millions of lives lost in the fires of war.” He shook his head at the senselessness of it all.
The two sisters stared at him in disbelief. Neither of them were unfamiliar with the horrors of war, for they had both commanded armies in the past and had engaged in combat in order to protect their ponies. Both of them dearly regretted the lives that had been ended and wished it could be undone, but deaths that numbered in the millions was simply unheard of.
“As the years went by, I began to fear that one of the many dangers of the human world would claim one of my descendants. Illness, murder, accident, war.” Star Swirl’s face crumpled, guilt and regret warring in his eyes. “Even Magnus. The pain he lived with, he attempted to treat with a very strong medication that he has become addicted to, and although they soothed his pains to some degree, I feared that he would seek out stronger and more dangerous drugs to ease his increasing suffering.” Star Swirl sniffed, his eyes watering as his visage grew increasingly pained. “I… I wanted so dearly to take him away from Earth… to show him Equus, to show him a world where he could live in peace, far removed from the dangers of Earth. I…” His tears once again began to flow. Clenching them shut, he gritted his teeth, feeling the words burst forth.
“I had no choice! I had to get him away from there!” he shouted as his legs buckled and he collapsed to the floor in tears. Celestia and Luna were immediately at his side, trying their best to comfort him. “No matter what wonders humans are capable of, I could not let him live there, even if he didn't suffer from the hunger pains of the cursed magic that came from my blood… I simply could not…” He looked tearfully at both princesses, as though hoping to find absolution within their eyes.
“Still… despite their nature, they have capacity for great kindness. I have seen that. I admit, I focus too much on the darker side of humanity, but it’s so hard to see the beauty and kindness when their dark sides are revealed. They can be cruel and hateful, but a single human can create an enormous difference. Many great humans have lived that dedicated their lives for the betterment of mankind, and I believe that one day they will achieve the same level of harmony that you have created in Equestria. I sincerely hope so because they have so much potential they currently waste away on trivial matters.”
There was a long pause as Star Swirl took a moment to gather his thoughts. His tears had stopped, and with a shaking forehoof, he adjusted his hat before expelling a deep breath.
“What I wanted… is perfection for Magnus. A happy, painless life. All I wanted was the best for him. I wanted the best for all my descendants, but I could not give it to them. Only Magnus remains… So many generations that died in their prime… A perfect life… is that too much to ask for?”
Celestia tried to nuzzle the old unicorn, an attempt that failed as her muzzle passed through him, but the effort was appreciated. “Equus is not perfect, Star Swirl, not even Equestria. You know our world is dangerous; we experienced many things during our journeys into strange lands. Strive as we may, perfection may never happen.”
“I know,” he acknowledged with a wry smile. “However, I had to do something. I know now that Equestria is a peaceful land, and I hope that Magnus will find a place for himself here, amongst ponies, amongst his people. You two have done a fine job. I expected that you would craft your legacy in time, but I did not expect to find out that you girls are the rulers of Equestria. Your history books had quite a story to tell.”
Luna shrunk back. Memories of her transformation and her banishment to the moon forced its way to the forefront of her mind, but she was reluctant to speak of it. The darkness she brought upon the land a millennium ago was still clear to her, and the dishonour and shame she had stained her soul with ensured that she would never forget.
“Luna.” She looked up from the floor into Star Swirl’s eyes. “I do not blame you for your actions. Your talent is far greater than you believed back then. Have you understood that now?”
She nodded and smiled, joyful that he wasn't angry with her. Leaning forward, she instinctively tried to nuzzle him, but found no soft flesh or warm skin, only the gentle tingling of the magic that made up the construct. However, the magic belonged to Star Swirl, familiar to her and Celestia. Each pony, no matter their subspecies, possessed magic within them. Each aura was unique, no two feeling the same. Star Swirl’s magic felt powerful, yet also warm, familiar, and had a distinct sense of inner peace at its core. For both Celestia and Luna, they felt that he was there with them. Perhaps he wasn’t here physically, but his magic was there, and it would suffice for the moment.
Something was on Celestia’s mind, however. What Star Swirl told them of humans was truly fascinating. Their achievements belonged to the realm of science-fiction books, tales of a race that was so clever that they could do anything they seemingly wanted to and apparently did. They also sounded like they were much less harmonious that ponies were, or any other species of Equus for that matter. Small wonder that that concern could be applied to the newest resident of Canterlot Castle.
“About Magnus,” Celestia began. “What you told us about humans is… interesting, to say the least. However, what of Magnus himself?”
Star Swirl opened his eyes slowly and his smile grew larger. “Magnus is… an interesting character, at least in my eyes. If you spend more time with him, you will develop your own understanding of him. When he inherited the staff from his grandfather, I peered into his memories to see who he really was, and I took a liking to him. A thinker, a dreamer, an idealist. His calm nature hides a man who loves life. His mother and grandfather were very much the same in that regard.”
Celestia and Luna smiled at hearing the old unicorn talking with such familiar warmth about the human. It was as though he was speaking of a close family member, even though over a millennium separated them.
“What about family? Does he have any?” Luna asked.
Star Swirl shook his head. “No, his grandfather passed away two years ago, and a traffic accident claimed his grandmother long ago. His mother died when giving birth to him, and his father was… He was... unable to raise his son after his mother’s passing. I never found out if he has any relatives on his father’s side of the family.”
“He has none then.” Celestia frowned imperceptibly.
Star Swirl shook his head. Though the thought was cruel and selfish, in a way, he found it beneficial that Magnus had no close family. It would have made the task of getting Magnus to Equestria even harder, and tearing him from his living family would be horrible. However, now that he had told them of Magnus, Star Swirl felt that it was important to reveal another side of his descendant, hoping that once again the princesses would be able to render aid.
“There is something else you should know of Magnus. I fear that he may have problems of a medical nature that may soon arrive. I have already told you of how addicted he has become to the medication he took, through no fault of his own. Is there a way to help him?”
Celestia briefly hummed in contemplation. “Our medical science has improved vastly over the years, and I am certain that we will be able to help him through his difficult road to health.”
“Good.” Star Swirl exhaled in relief. “Good, good.”
“Do not worry, dear friend.” Luna shot him a compassionate smile. “We will help him overcome any obstacle he encounters, and he will have our protection.”
“Thank you, Luna. It means the world to hear you say that.”
At long last, Star Swirl felt at peace. Magnus was safe, protected, and he would never suffer as he had on Earth. It had all gone according to plan. All he now had to do was speak to Magnus when he fell asleep, though it wasn’t something that he looked forward to. He had already torn the boy away from a world he knew and plunged him into another. His descendant would be far from happy to see him.
However, that was hours from now. At the moment, he would enjoy spending time with two memories of his ancient past who had barely aged a day since the last time he saw them.
“I have time before I have to speak with Magnus. Perhaps you wish to know more?” he asked them as he looked at the two alicorns. They smiled back at him, readying a bombardment of questions.
***
Hours passed and the three old friends discussed various things regarding both Equestrian and human culture. Celestia and Luna were amazed to hear of the similarities the two worlds had, especially when it came to how many of their world’s creatures were figures found in myths and legends. Names of cities in Equestria were similar, when properly translated, to cities around Magnus’ world, and there were even certain buildings and monuments that were comparable. They spoke of the many nations of humans and their historical figures. They even asked Star Swirl if humanity was lonely, considering that they were the only sentient species on their world, in direct contrast to Equus.
Star Swirl also told the two princesses of the human history that he garnered over the years, how he had seen nations come and go, kings and queens replaced by presidents, and how he had even watched the moon landing through a peculiar box that sent images from afar. He also explained what a mobile phone was, one of the objects Magnus had in his possession when he came to Equestria. When he explained what that little device was capable of, the two alicorns almost refused to believe him. It truly sounded like something from a comic book writer’s mind. He even told them of how Earth’s sun and moon were independent and worked on their own, which unleashed a fresh assault of questions.
However, he also delved into the darker side of humanity, touching on their wars and cruel acts committed for a variety of reasons. He felt it was necessary to explain this to them in order for them to understand Magnus better and not be offended by anything he might say that sounded strange. He knew that the information he imparted left them uneasy, so he did his best to explain to them that Magnus had never had such desires in his heart.
In return, they told him about Equestria and its history; of Discord and how he had been reformed; of the changeling attack on Canterlot; of the Elements of Harmony and the Element Bearers. The Elements returning to the Tree of Harmony, Tirek attacking the ponies, and Twilight Sparkle and her friends banishing him back to Tartarus—it was all discussed at length. They also spoke of how Equestria had prospered in the last two millennia, going from a relative poor country to a wealthy, prosperous, and peaceful nation.
Another subject broached by Star Swirl concerned his family and if they knew the fate of his sons, daughters, and grandchildren. He discovered that his family had lived long and fulfilling lives, and had settled peacefully in Equestria after the exodus from the Unicorn Kingdom. He had also been blessed with several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all of whom had taken their own paths in life. Star Swirl was relieved to hear this, as his thoughts had often led to his family in Equestria and their ultimate fate.
As the hours passed, it eventually became time for the sun to set and the moon to rise. While Celestia and Luna did their duty, Star Swirl observed their magic at work, noting the precision and power of their magic and how it had increased enormously since the last time he had seen them. It had been on display several times in the past when he had travelled with them, an age when they had yet to become princesses. They were powerful back then, and even more so now. For the first time in over fifteen hundred years, he saw the sun setting and the moon rising by the power of magic. It brought tears to his eyes, knowing that he was home.
At the same time, sadness was welling inside him as he knew the time for his departure was near. At one time in the past, he would have wanted to stay. The magic that had bound him to the staff was weakening, and although he could prolong it simply by asking Celestia and Luna to fill the horn with magic, he had no desire to do so.
He was tired, so, so tired. He could potentially be immortal in this state and live forever, see what the future held in store and witness Magnus carving a life for himself in Equestria. Still, even though he was Star Swirl the Bearded, he was also only his thoughts, his memories… A construct meant for a single purpose which no longer had a purpose. He was mind and magic, that much he knew, but where was his soul?
Over the centuries, he had often wondered about it. He had his own memories, but he was also dead, and most likely his soul had gone to the next plane of existence. He had probably already met with his wives, sons, daughters, grandchildren, his brothers and sisters and parents. When his magic ceased to be, would his mind join with his soul for a reunion? He wanted to believe so, for his desire to see his loved ones was strong.
It was time to let go, to let the young live without him always watching over them as a protective spirit of the past. It was time to say goodbye.
“Celestia, Luna.” He smiled at the two sisters who worked their magic by the window. The glow of magic around their horns subsided as they turned to face him. “It is time for me to leave now. The next life calls for me, and I have lingered for long enough.”
Celestia smiled as tears began to form, despite promising herself that she wouldn’t cry when those words came. “Of course.” She sniffled and walked to lie down next to him. “You have many loved ones waiting for you.”
“Your parents, your siblings, your wives and children.” Luna also lowered herself next to Star Swirl. With a sharp intake of breath, her voice trembled. “T-They must have missed you terribly.”
“And I have missed them. My father, mother, herd mothers, and my brothers and sisters. Diamond Constellation, Glitter Star, and Soft Song, my herd,” he said affectionately. “Marble Chisel, Woodsong, Silvershoe, Rosy Dawn, and Mountain Whisp, my sons and daughters… I have missed them so much. And my human family, Ailen and Maiara, my wife and daughter. I have not seen them in ages. I can hardly wait to see them again.”
He sighed contently. A long rest awaited him, but he had one task left to complete. “I still need to talk to Magnus before I leave. When he sleeps, I will speak to him in private. I have much explaining to do.”
“We understand.” Luna wiped away a tear with her hoof and tried to smile, but found it difficult to maintain. “Then… This is goodbye, then?”
Star Swirl nodded quietly, the bells on his hat tinkling.
“We wish for you the very best, our dearest friend.” Her tears finally began to fall. “May the next world grant you eternal peace.”
“I’m sure it will.” His form began to slowly fade, his contours turning blurry as the magic of the construct faded. Immediately, the two sisters rushed to him and attempted to hug his incorporeal form, their forelegs passing through him. When they tried to nuzzle him, they did not feel warm fur, only lingering, fading magic.
Celestia and Luna sobbed as they tried to hold onto his magic, sensing their first and oldest friend’s form growing weaker by the second. He had to struggle not to shed any more tears himself. He had always known how much their bond with him had meant, and it was reciprocated.
“It’s okay, girls. One day we will see each other again. I am proud of everything you have achieved, and I am glad we were able to meet one last time.” He closed his eyes slowly as a content smile appeared on his face. “The truth is, I have considered you as my best friends ever since we first met so many years ago. Therein lies my love for you, and it never faded.”
That caused Celestia and Luna to sob even harder, their tears staining their otherwise pristine coats. They didn't care—all that mattered was that they were there for him now that his long quest was over.
“It’s almost time.” Star Swirl’s voice echoed into the room. He sounded as though he was speaking over a great distance. “I love… you both… Good… bye… my… friends…”
His voice echoed several times until it disappeared completely before there was one last tinkle of his cherished bells, leaving nothing behind but silence and sorrow. Celestia and Luna opened their eyes and found that their oldest friend was gone, his form fading forever.
They turned to each other, seeking comfort in the closest pony they had ever known—themselves. After fifteen hundred years, Star Swirl had completed the most important task of his life and death. He who had rejected death's embrace in order to save his family could finally rest, his long toil completed.
He could finally meet his family in the Plains of Harmony.