//------------------------------// // Chapter 6 - Paradise Interrupted (Edited by JBL 01.11.2017) // Story: The Last Descendant // by Cup of Coffee //------------------------------// Everypony cried occasionally, for a variety of reason. Tears of joy, of sadness, of despair—there were many types of tears, but they all stemmed from emotion. Weeping was a normal reaction to stimuli, releasing everything that had been bottled up for far too long. Allowing one’s feelings to be buried was never healthy, even if you were an immortal alicorn. Being able to witness Star Swirl’s last remnants leave the world had been cathartic for both Celestia and Luna, as it allowed them to unravel the knot of emotion that had lain dormant for centuries after the disappearance of their old mentor and friend. At long last, they had the closure long sought. However, they could not forget those who still struggled with their inner turmoil, namely his descendant, Magnus, a human with unicorn blood in his veins. Knowing what he was, or more precisely who he was, had changed their perspective on the decidedly strange creature Luna had rescued from a shipwreck. They both stood by how they had dealt with him initially, as he had been a complete unknown who had possessed a relic once associated with one of pre-Equestria’s worst enemies. Now, they considered themselves freely bound to an oath to one of their oldest friends to help protect and guide his descendant. Exiting the meeting room, they began making their way down the numerous hallways and corridors, honing in on Twilight’s magical signature. Knowing she would be with Magnus, they immediately recognized where she had placed him. It was a guest room for minotaurs, as only those beds were large enough for a human. “How do you think he will handle it?” Celestia asked her younger sister as they walked the marble corridors, their hooves echoing as several guards saluted. Staring down the hallway, Luna mulled over the question. She had considered the issue before being asked and had decided upon the most logical conclusion. “Taken from his world in such a manner, I would think he is most distressed,” she replied. “Fear, anger, sorrow, confusion—they are all valid outcomes. His mental state of mind can be hard to determine, as anypony in a similar situation would behave differently.” “Taken from his world like this…” Celestia sighed softly. She wondered how they should approach this unique situation. If it were a griffon, zebra, or minotaur, they would have an easier time of it since these races had known and interacted with ponies for centuries. Magnus was an unknown element, and they had no way of predicting his reaction. “Perhaps we should see how well he is coping before decide upon a course of action,” she suggested. Luna nodded in agreement. They turned a corner and walked down the hallways that led towards the guest rooms. A group of guards blocked the way but parted as the princesses approached, saluting them as they passed. The alicorns nodded absentmindedly as they continued on their way. An open door was ahead, with four guards posted on each side of the entrance, several other guards located further down the corridor. Halting just outside the door, they looked inside the guest room and saw Magnus sitting on the bed, leaning forward and resting his head in his hands while staring at the floor. Next to him stood a food trolley stocked with refreshments, yet all of it was untouched. Standing nearby and watching him was Twilight. Spotting the two princesses, she walked over to them with a concerned look. “Princess Celestia, Princess Luna,” she said with a brief, but unnecessary bow. “It’s good that you came. I was beginning to worry.” “Thank you for looking after Magnus for us.” Celestia gave Twilight a faint smile before looking at the human. “How is he?” “I don’t know. He hasn’t said anything since the throne room. After I led him here, he’s just been… sitting there. I asked for some food to be brought to him, but he hasn’t touched it.” She looked over her shoulder towards the motionless man. Only a slight movement of his chest signified that he was breathing. “It’s like he can’t see or hear me.” “It is understandable. What he knows now must be a shock for him. Recovery will take time,” Luna said quietly as she looked into the room. Magnus continued to stare down at the floor with bloodshot eyes, not even blinking. “We should be cautious. His state of mind is difficult to determine now,” Celestia whispered to the other two alicorns as she walked into the room and stopped a few meters from the human, with Luna and Twilight standing on either side of her. Magnus didn’t look up or show any sign of acknowledging their presence. “Magnus, can you hear me?” Celestia asked gently, garnering no response. Stepping closer, she spoke again, “Magnus, I know this must be unsettling for you. We will do what we can to take care of you.” The faint shuddering breath he inhaled was the only answer to her concerns. “We wish to help you, to overcome the pain you are experiencing, to help you integrate into our world, but we—” She was abruptly cut off in mid-sentence. “For the longest time, I thought that this was just a dream.” Magnus’ voice was remarkable in how utterly devoid of emotion it was. There was no sadness, no anger, just words escaping. “I even thought I was crazy…” “You are not dreaming, Magnus, nor should you doubt your eyes.” Luna came closer as well. “You are in Equestria, a kingdom on the planet Equus. All that you have experienced so far is the honest reality.” There was a long moment of silence, broken by a heavy sigh from the human. “One of my ancestors was a unicorn who came to my world and married a native, who had a child with him… I am what remains of that bloodline, and I have been near death my entire life because I don’t have magic.” He rattled the words off as though he had spent hours perfecting them. Perhaps he had. “Yes, it is true.” Celestia spoke gently, her voice filled with compassion. “However, that will never happen again. What happened to you in the throne room was Luna and I connecting you to the magic of our world. Never again shall you experience the pain of not having magic of your own.” “Yes… I felt it. Thank you.” He sighed again. “But what does it matter? I’m here, not home on Earth. If I want to go back home, I have to wait for centuries to pass, so that’s not a problem. Things like that probably happen here all the time, right? Portals to Earth pops up randomly and people stumble through them at an alarming rate, huh?” he concluded, his words coated with sarcasm. Celestia and Luna felt their hearts ache for Magnus. Despite his cynicism, they could sense the despair in his voice and knew his next actions could go either way. Deciding upon a proactive course, Celestia sat down on the bed next to him while Luna took the other side. Although a spell would work, neither of the princesses wanted to resort to it, instead choosing words to magic. Carefully, Celestia unfolded a wing and gently wrapped it over his shoulders. Sadly, he pushed away her wing and quickly stood up, taking a few steps away from the bed. Twilight was in his way, and she quickly moved to the side of the bed. Turning around, he gazed at the three princesses. His face was unreadable, for there seemed to be nothing to read. “Do you know what I had back on Earth?” he asked with a calmness that rang alarm bells in both of the elder princesses’ minds. “I didn’t have a castle to live in, or an apartment worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. I had a small house that was almost falling apart. When it rained, the roof leaked so much that I used to think I would have been drier standing outside. I was fixing it, you know. I had changed the shingles with the help of two of my friends. Next summer, I planned to replace the walls, inside and out, and re-insulate it. With some luck, I would have enough money to change some of the windows.” Slowly he began to pace back and forth, going from one wall to the other while the three alicorns and two guards standing in the doorway watched him warily, trying not to make a wrong step. If only they knew what that wrong step was. “I had a car too, a beat up old Ford. A rusty bucket of junk that used more oil than gasoline. Starting that thing was a daily challenge, and during winter, I was lucky if it even started at all. Every single damn thing needed to be replaced in it. It would have been easier to buy a used one, but with the economy the way it is…” He finally laughed, a derisive harsh bark. “And do you know what I did for a living?” None of the ponies who watched him answered. They understood now that he was venting, his voice slowly rising. “I worked at a bowling alley. To earn some extra cash, I worked as a farm hand during harvest season, driving a tractor that hauled a range of crops for some of the local farmers. Out of season, I worked part-time at a lumber yard that provided firewood for some of the locals. The owner's machines had broken down and he couldn’t afford to fix them, so we had to carry the logs.” A minute passed by as Magnus paced restlessly, occasionally looking at the three alicorns. He saw the pity in their eyes, but refused to acknowledge it. “I had friends as well, close friends. Lisa, Nickolas, Renee, Sammy, Adam, Jesse, and Max. My best friends.” Magnus stopped his pacing and passed a hand roughly across his face. “We used to go camping during summer when we all had time. Going far into the forest to find a nice lake to swim in and fish a little. Maybe catch some trout or salmon and grill it over the bonfire. During winter, we would all meet up at a friend’s house and have dinner. Then we’d watch a movie or play video games or simply have a few beers.” Magnus’ face changed, his neutral expression twisting into an ugly grimace. “But you know what? During all of that, every single day since I was four, I had a terrible migraine. Sometimes it got so unbearable that I would pass out from sheer pain alone. During my lifetime, I’ve been to so many doctors just to find an answer, but I never got one. All I ever heard was that it stemmed from an unknown cause or ten thousand variations of that. I always took painkillers but the ache never disappeared. It was only dulled to the point that I got used to it. Ever since I’ve been awake here, I’ve been pain free!” He directed his stare at the three royals, wild-eyed and breathing harshly. Two of them knew what was about to happen. “But every single thing in my life, all of it, was mine. And now look at me!” he shouted and turned to stare at himself in the mirror. “Hooves? I can live with that! I won’t have to buy shoes anymore! A horn? That will take some time getting used to! Fur on my legs and arms? Not my favourite colour, but why the hell not? And pointy ears?” He jabbed a finger at his face, pulling the appendage. “Of course it’s pointy ears!” As he swivelled around, they saw how he had morphed from his initial state. His face was contorted in anger and his eyes blazed with fury. His fists clenched so hard that his knuckles turned white. “All I had in my life was mine! Mine alone! And that fucking unicorn took it all away! I had everything I wanted, and he decided that it wasn’t enough? Fuck him! If he didn’t interfere, maybe I would have died in a few years! If I wanted to live, I had to leave everything behind forever! He could have asked me somehow, but he didn’t! He just did as he pleased! He had no right!” Turning to face the mirror, Magnus stared at his own reflection for a brief moment, the hatred at what he saw evident in his eyes. “HE HAD NO RIGHT!” His upper body twisted to the side momentarily as his right arm reared back. In an instant, his clenched fists shattered the mirror into hundreds of shards, sending glass hurling all across the room. The sound of his angry ranting and the mirror breaking spooked Twilight, and she almost jumped behind Celestia for protection to get away from the irate human. The commotion also stirred the guards into action, and in a only a couple of seconds, four guards barged in the room. Luna quickly stopped them with a raised hoof, and with a shake of her head, the guards backed out, although the two in the doorway remained. Magnus panted heavily where he stood, having not moved an inch since he had destroyed the mirror. Even his fist was still in contact with the wall behind the now broken mirror. With gritted teeth, he pressed his fist harder and harder into the wall. It wasn’t until Celestia and Luna noticed the blood that trailed down the wall from his lacerated fist that they stirred into action. “Magnus, please come sit with us,” Luna said softly as she patted the empty space between her and Celestia with her wing. Reluctantly, Magnus moved his fist away from the shattered mirror as blood dripped onto the floor, and he sluggishly shuffled over to the bed, sitting down between the two alicorns. He kept his gaze on the floor, and it seemed as if all of his anger had drained away when he had struck the mirror, his face passive and emotionless once again. “Please hold out your hand so that we can heal it,” Celestia asked. Magnus obeyed and held out his hand, revealing several cuts that oozed blood, although none were serious. There were several deep ones, however, and a frightening amount of glass protruded from his hand. Luna's horn lit up, and his life’s essence that streamed from his hand ceased as if a blood vessel had been clamped. Celestia’s horn began to glow as well. “This will sting somewhat.” One by one, the jagged shards floated away from the wounds, aglow in her golden aura. Every time a piece of broken glass was removed, Celestia’s magic covered the wound as they worked to heal the injury. Carefully, the flesh was pressed together, and after only a couple of minutes, his hand was healed, leaving only fresh scars. Not once had Magnus said anything while his hand was healed, though his face gradually began to crumple, grief beginning to take its hold on the human. “I-It’s not fair.” He clenched his eyes shut and shook his head. “It’s just not fair. Why me?” “We know it doesn’t seem just that this happened to you, young one.” Luna wrapped a wing over his shoulder, and this time he didn’t push it away. “But from time to time, something will happen that we have no control over, even if it is for our own good.” “We will always be here to help you, Magnus. I can’t imagine how you feel now, but we will do what we can.” Celestia wrapped her own wing over his shoulder as well, joining with Luna's. With Magnus was on the verge of tears, Luna decided that he had had enough. He had faced a difficult day, having woken up in a world that was not his own, discovering he was a prisoner and facing a hearing, along with encountering the truth about his bloodline. She was surprised that he had lasted this long without breaking down, but everypony had their limits. Luna began humming, her tone soft as a gentle night’s breeze and as silent as one. Within her song was her magic at work, blending the notes into a lullaby. Magnus’ breathing began to normalize, and his eyelids slowly began to close. After only a minute, his body became limp as he fell asleep. Encased in Luna's magic, he was lifted gently into the air while Celestia moved the bed covers to the side. It only took a moment before the human was tucked in. For a moment, they watched him as he rested. “It went better than I expected, sister,” Luna said while she observed the sleeping figure. “Yes, it did. However, his reaction may be delayed. He might act quite different tomorrow.” Twilight stood at the foot of the bed and watched the human sleeping. Several things were on her mind. She attempted to place herself in his position, and found the task daunting. Having to leave Ponyville and her friends forever behind was something she would never wish upon herself. Spike, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Celestia, Luna, her parents, Shining Armor, Cadance—even going to a world where nopony had been before was little temptation if it meant she had to leave them all forever. Cleaning up the broken pieces of glass and mopping up the blood was done in a matter of seconds with the help of magic, and soon the room was in a state of perfection. As they prepared to allow the human to rest in peace and quiet, the two alicorn sisters stopped at the door and cast a final look at him. His future was uncertain, his despair substantial, and the loss he had suffered cost him dearly. Still, he would live. Celestia and Luna had given Star Swirl their solemn word that they would help him, and they would never break their promise. Noiselessly, they left the room and closed the door behind them. It had been an emotional and stressful day so far, yet there was still work to be done. Luna had night court to attend to shortly, and Celestia would soon retire for day. Twilight bade the two sisters goodnight before withdrawing to the room she’d been given. Her day at the castle, which had originally been to observe a hearing and possible trial of a barbaric creature with a cruel fascination for unicorns, had amounted to so much more. She wanted to conduct some late night studying before she went to sleep, along with writing about the day's events and her encounter and first-hoof observations of a previously unknown species from another world. She could hardly wait. As the two sisters made their way through the castle hallways and into the throne room, they sat down at a nearby table. They had another matter to discuss, one that could prove to be a hazard in the future. “Did you mark the location of where you found Magnus?” Celestia asked. “Of course. I suspect I already know what you’re planning, sister. You wish to send a group of investigators there to find any residue of the portal,” Luna replied. Celestia nodded quietly. “Yes, I do. And to find a way to shut down these portals for good. What if anypony else were to fall prey to the portal and be transported to Earth?” Luna shared the same sentiment. Nopony else should have to endure something similar than what Star Swirl experienced. He had survived, but fifteen ponies had perished on an unknown world, separated from their families and homes. “This night I will devote some of my time to find researchers suitable for the task. Many unicorns of the Magic Council and your school will surely be worthy candidates. However, I already suspect that the portals serve the same purpose as those used in the past by unicorns. They need to activate at the same time for a gate to appear to Earth from here. Thus, cutting off a portal here will render the portal on Earth useless, perhaps also saving humans in the process.” “I had come to the same conclusion.” Celestia rose and walked towards the doors. “I shall be going to bed now. Good night, Luna, the night is yours.” “Good night, dear sister. Sleep well,” the Princess of the Night replied as she sat down on the throne of Equestria. *** The green forest that greeted Magnus was a welcome sight. The dirt road he walked led up a hill and into the forest, weaving around boulders and large trees. He knew this path, every tree, every rock, every bend, having walked it numerous times and could do so with his eyes closed. Gradually, the forest became sparser until just a few towering trees were scattered here and there. The terrain also levelled out as he stepped into a silent clearing at the end of which stood a sturdy log cabin with a small porch and a parking spot where he would leave his car when he came to visit. Next to the cabin stood a symbol of the artistic ability of the owner of the cabin—a two meter tall totem carved by hand and painted in vivid colours. The serenity of the area and the calling of the birds told Magnus one thing: he was at his grandfather's cabin. He was home. Walking to the right side of the cabin, he found the fire pit surrounded by logs where he used to sit and listen to the stories his grandfather would convey. Just seeing the familiar sight brought up memories of home. It was almost like he could smell the fire burning already. A wide smile came to Magnus’ face. He was home on Earth, but how? He no longer doubted his mind, yet this familiar place seemed so real. Was it a dream? A memory? An illusion conjured up by his overwhelmed and stressed mind? He didn’t care what it was as he walked over to the fire pit, and from the nearby pile of dried and cleaved logs, he carried an armful of firewood and stacked them on top of each other, using some bark for kindling. The dry wood quickly caught fire, and within a few minutes, there was a bright blaze burning. Taking a seat on one of the logs, he savoured the peaceful moment, enjoying the warmth, the scent of the forest, and the sounds of silence. It was just like old times when his grandfather was still alive… The sound of someone approaching caught Magnus’s attention. He had been sure he was alone since people rarely came to this place. The only ones who did come here was people he knew, such as his friends and some friends of his grandfather, many of them he knew. He turned to the source of the sounds and saw the last person he wanted to see. “I’m sorry.” It was Star Swirl. He stood a short distance from the bonfire, clad in his distinctive cape and hat. His voice was weak and trembling as he slowly shook his head. “I’m so, so, so sorry.” Fury and anger washed over Magnus. He wanted nothing more than to close the distance to the unicorn and strike him down where he stood, to unleash his rage and frustration on him and eradicate him for what he had done. However, the pitiful state of the unicorn, combined with tears and the sorrowful look on his face, held him back, if only barely. Magnus had never been a violent person, but now he was awfully tempted. “What are you doing here?” Magnus spat out the words with disgust. “This is not your place! This place was for grandfather and me, not you! You destroyed every single thing I’ve ever worked for to achieve! And for WHAT?!” “For life,” Star Swirl replied without missing a beat. Slowly, he approached the fire and sat down on a log across from Magnus. Removing his hat with their resulting tinkling, he sighed heavily and looked at his descendant. “What I did so many years ago has haunted me for fifteen centuries. It was only after my daughter was born did I understand the consequences of my actions.” The old unicorn averted his gaze and stared into the crackling flames. “I only wanted to help, to atone for my actions.” With a sigh, Star Swirl slowly shut his eyes. Even though he no longer had a magical body and was only a mind kept together by magic, he could still remember the warmth a bonfire could provide. “I was once known as the most powerful unicorn in the Unicorn Kingdom, yet I was helpless on Earth. All I could do was ease my daughter’s pain, but I knew that she would one day die from a lack of magic. I saw her die, I saw my grandchild die, and I saw all of my descendants pass away from the same cause. I watched over them all and loved every single one of them, just as I love you.” He opened his eyes and turned to Magnus. “Family bonds do not break easily when one has seen their descendants grow. In fact, those bonds are strengthened.” Family. That single word held so much meaning for Magnus. His grandfather often spoke of family and the importance of not forgetting where one came from. His ancestry, his roots, those who came before, the source of his grandfather's beliefs and traditions—whether Magnus wanted it or not, his family held great sway over him. However, the unicorn across him had a hold on him that no one should have to suffer through. He looked down to his legs and grimaced at the sight of his new hooves. Reaching up to his forehead, he felt the bony horn protruding from his forehead at a lower angle than the unicorns he had seen. “You have no IDEA how much I wish I was the one who ended you!” Magnus spat through gritted teeth. “I had a life, I had friends, and now I’m stuck here!” Despite Magnus harsh words, Star Swirl felt no anger towards him, understanding and accepting the verbal blows without complaint. “I know. You have every right to hate me, but I did what needed to be done in order to ensure your survival. It’s as simple as that. I failed generations; I could not fail again when all I had was a simple hope that at least one could be saved,” Star Swirl explained. “You were that one. I wish that I could have saved Joseph as well, but I couldn’t.” Magnus growled at him. “And just how did he live for so long, hmm? Didn’t it ever occur to you that I could have lived a life of equal length? That I could have children of my own and that the goddamn unicorn blood you infected my family with could be watered down enough so that none would die of this… this thirst?” In response, Star Swirl simply shook his head. This wasn’t as easy as he had anticipated, and to hear Magnus speak with such venom about his unicorn heritage pained him. However, Star Swirl knew that to hear that none of his family had died of old age in over fifteen centuries years had affected his descendant, and that he was to blame. Magnus’ anger was justified, but as far as Star Swirl was concerned, so was his. “Your grandfather was my descendant who lived the longest, having reached sixty six years old. Do you know how he achieved that?” Magnus didn’t reply nor even deign to look at the old unicorn. “He drew magic from me. From the staff itself.” That elicited a reaction as the human peered at the pony, surprise flittering across his face. “Joseph was given the staff when he was two years old, at the passing of your great-grandmother, and he never parted with it. Can you remember a single moment when the staff was not near him?” he asked. Magnus began casting his mind back to all the memories he had of his grandfather. He thought of his childhood, teenage years, every memory when he had been with grandfather, a warm feeling diffusing through his body at the thought of the man who had been more of a father to him than his real one. Every image and memory he remembered with his grandfather included the staff that he had used as a cane. His grandfather had had a bad leg, the result of breaking it when he had been a child and his leg had been trapped between two large stones. He had been alone in the wilderness for little over a week before he had been found and brought to the hospital. Although the leg had been fixed, it had never been the same. His grandfather had been afflicted with a limp for the rest of his life and resorted to using the staff to support himself on. “No, I... It was always near him,” Magnus finally admitted. “Each time the staff was used in rituals to communicate with me, a fragment of the magic within the horn was transferred to the wielder. Your grandfather held the staff the longest, sixty four years in total. His ancestors before him only used it twice a year, but he was in contact with it constantly, unconsciously draining it and satiating his thirst for magic. With the amount of magic I poured into the staff, it acted as a minor connection to magic, thus prolonging his life as long as he was in contact with it.” “Then you should've allowed yourself to be consumed,” Magnus replied bitterly. “I should have,” Star Swirl admitted. “But when all the magic within had been drained, there would be no one to help you, and I could not allow that to happen. Your headaches were getting worse, was it not? The stronger the pain, the shorter the lifespan.” Silence fell over the two as Magnus digested Star Swirl’s words. While he didn’t want to admit it, the unicorn’s words held a ring of sincerity to them. His grandfather had always had the horned staff in hand everywhere he went, so the draining magic part could be true, even though he didn’t understand magic at all. Magnus himself had never understood the importance of the staff until now. “My blood in you and your ancestors would never be watered down,” Star Swirl continued as he looked at his descendant. “I hoped that it would after several generations, but it never did. Your body may be human, but the blood that courses through your veins comes from me. You have the same eyes as Maiara, and the same temper as Ailen. However, your hooves, fur, and horn are sufficient proof to know that you are descended from me. I’ve noted traits in you that many unicorns had in the old kingdom. In school, you had bad grades because you constantly daydreamed about various things. One common occurrence involved you wondering about what magic would feel like, just like in fairy tales and movies. You even got your friends to play wizards with you when you were younger. Having craved magic since birth, you found other conduits to express that thirst.” Magnus turned away from the fire and fixed the unicorn with an icy glare. “How do you even know that?” “Because when you became the owner of the staff, I studied your memories to see what kind of person you were.” It only took a second for Magnus to react. He stood up and grabbed hold of Star Swirl’s forelegs and hoisted him into the air, stretching his arms wide and forcing the unicorn’s forelegs apart. “You’ve been spying on me?! Looking through my head like it was your playground?” Magnus bellowed at the top of his lungs. His face was twisted in rage, his teeth bared as a vein on his forehead bulged. Star Swirl did not give Magnus the reaction he desired. His face and eyes were calm, as was his voice when he spoke. “I only saw what I needed to see. Your private moments, I left alone. It was only your personality I saw, nothing more.” Magnus stared at the unicorn, waiting for him to continue, but when he remained silent, he dropped him and sat down on the log, resting his head in his hands, his mind clouding once again. Star Swirl got up on his hooves and sat down on the log again, brushing dust away from his cape in the process. Seeing the state his grandson many times over drove a shard into his heart. Had he made a mistake in bringing Magnus here? Was it right of him to remove someone from his world, to separate him from all he had ever known, including his friends, some of whom he had known his entire life? Was it morally just? Perhaps not, but it would be worse allowing him to die. “You’ll be alright,” Star Swirl said firmly, though not unkindly. “Ponies are not that different from humans. They speak, they think, they have dreams and ambitions, they have feelings and emotions, and wish to live in peace. Do you not wish for that?” Magnus didn’t respond, nor did he look at Star Swirl. “I know you wanted a peaceful life, and you can have that here, if only you allow yourself to truly live. It will be a change from what you are familiar with, but I know you’ll be okay.” “...how?” Magnus suddenly asked, his voice so low that it could be mistaken for the wind playing in the trees. Star Swirl was surprised to hear not anger in his voice, but what could only be a small glimmer of… could it be hope? “Acceptance, dear boy. Accept that you are in a situation no other human has ever been in. In that, we are the same, you and me. I was the first unicorn to visit Earth; you are the first human to visit Equus. I learned to live in a world without magic; you can learn to live in a world filled with magic and wonders you could never imagine. You have your entire life in front of you. I only had my sunset years, but I spent them as well as I could.” Star Swirl smiled, hoping that his words, which came from his heart, could reach Magnus. “You make it sound so easy…” Magnus sighed and raised his head to look at his ancestor. “It’s not.” “I know there will be difficulties to overcome. Believe me, I missed my friends and family as well and thought of them often. You should not forget them. Keep them in your mind and heart and never let their memory fade. They will eventually believe that you are dead, but you will be alive and well and so are they. Think about it: what did you and your friends do the last time you saw them?” Magnus stared into the crackling fire, as though searching for the faces of his companions within, and took a deep breath. “They… We were laughing and joking, like so many times before. Hanging out at MacDonnell’s place, sharing a pizza, having a few beers, telling stories we’ve all heard a million times before and… We had fun.” A strangled sob escaped his throat. “I… I’ll never see them again, will I?” Star Swirl hesitated. He considered which path to take, though none before him were easy. He had never been a liar, and after fifteen centuries, he was not about to become one. He racked his brain to conjure a way that such a reunion could happen, but there were no conclusive answers. “I don’t know,” he finally replied. “The portal I led you to and the one that brought me to Earth only opens once every seven hundred and fifty years, but that is only on the side of Earth. The portal in Equestria seemed unstable when it opened. However, if it were possible, would you go back?” “In a heartbeat,” Magnus replied without hesitation. “Then you would continue the cycle I have attempted to undo. Your children would suffer the same as my daughter. Would you see your children burdened with the pain you have carried for over twenty years? To hear them wake up every morning crying out in agony and knowing you could offer some relief but not extend their lives? To see grandchildren screaming in pain because of the same thing? And worst of all, to see your children and grandchildren pass away before you do?” Star Swirl’s gaze pierced him, as though searching for his very soul. Magnus opened his mouth to answer, but no words escaped. Star Swirl’s explanation had been dead-on accurate, and he knew it. Magnus was many things, but he could never be outright cruel as to doom an innocent child to a pain he had endured for so many years. Minutes passed by as the two sat on their logs and stared into the fire. Neither said a word, yet the mood around the bonfire had shifted. No longer was there the crackling disgust from the human and despair from the unicorn. Instead, an understanding of sorts hung over both of them, though it wasn’t put to words. Both man and unicorn knew the facts and acknowledged that little could be done to alter them. Star Swirl pondered on how Magnus would handle this new world, how he would interact with his ‘people’. Being part unicorn, ponies were his kind as well, although Magnus’ human side dominated his psyche. One aspect he had noticed was that the ponies of this age were more accepting of other species than they had been when he was alive. It boded well for Magnus, and he hoped that Equestria would welcome him as if he was one of them. Although worried about Magnus’ future and happiness, Star Swirl knew that he could not force it onto him. Only Magnus himself could do that, and only if he allowed himself to do so. Magnus’ mind, on the other hand, touched on numerous thoughts briefly before rapidly moving on to others. Equestria, the ponies, magic, the princesses, the universe, and the fate handed to him. At the core of the issue was that he knew now that all that had happened was the truth, and it was no use trying to deny it when the evidence was stacked so high before him, as much as he wished he could. He was part unicorn, as had been his mother and grandfather. Magnus was the first to break the silence. “Did you talk to grandfather?” “I did.” “What did you talk about?” “Joseph and I did not speak like you and I do now. It is only the strong magical presence of Equestria that allows us to do so currently. On Earth, I communicated with him by showing him images of things I had seen and experienced through the long years. As for what we spoke of… Well, I would give him advice when he needed it. He often worried about you, and when he became your legal guardian, he often asked me for guidance. You were his only grandchild, and he wanted you to have a normal childhood, which is why he bought the house in town. It was for you and him, and when you reached adulthood, he moved back to his cabin.” Star Swirl smiled, remembering the many ‘conversations’ he used to have with the old man. “He was very fond of nature, you know.” Magnus nodded solemnly. “Did you ever tell him who you were?” “No, I never told him. Joseph considered me to be a spirit according to his shamanistic beliefs, so I let him believe that. Would he believe me if I showed him images of a unicorn with a hat and cape? I doubt so.” Silence once more fell over the two. Star Swirl occasionally looked to Magnus, searching for signs of acceptance on his descendant but he never changed, not for the better, not for worse. “How is it that I can speak the language of the ponies?” Magnus asked, to which Star Swirl was somewhat surprised. He thought he had explained it while he was unconscious. No, he had only said that he had given him their language. “Shortly after our arrival into this world, I was empowered by the natural magic that exists everywhere here, and I used that magic to search the minds of the nearby ponies and pieced together the modern Equestrian language. I then imparted the knowledge of language to you. It is an easy process when you know the basics of mind spells.” Magnus sighed again. It seemed to be a recurring action for him. “Magic… You wield it so recklessly, yet it caused so much death.” “Not a day goes by where I do not berate myself for what I did!” The words slipped out as Star Swirl felt his control over his emotions slip, his anger startling the human. “Being born a unicorn was a privilege in my time! I was born into a wealthy, prestigious family. Many members of my family, even distant ancestors, were members of the Council of the Sun and Council of the Moon, powerful unicorns that helped raise the sun and the moon before Celestia and Luna appeared! I was powerful already when I was twenty winters old and could cast the most complex spells with ease!” He worked to modulate his tone, his face drooping in regret. “...yet I would give it all away, to be born into poverty and misery if I could undo the damage I did… I am reminded of it every moment of every day…” The old unicorn stared at Magnus with a fierce look, but his eyes were filled with the sorrow of centuries. The regret and despair that still gripped him was all too evident, even as the unicorn strove for patience. “I lost so many and caused so much pain and death and I had to endure it for so long…” He wiped away tears that trailed down his cheeks, dampening his fur. With a deep calming breath, he found some measure of dignity, his voice adopting a pleading tone. “Magnus, you have been spared so much… You have not seen your friends die before your eyes, nor have you witnessed your child or your wife… I… have seen all of it. I endured it all for a chance to save my descendants.” He raised a hoof, pointing it at Magnus. “I do not say this to make light of the trials and tribulations you faced and continue to face in your young life, Magnus, nor do I wish to compare the pain we both feel in a macabre game of one-upmanship. No one wins in such a contest. You must focus on the fact that your friends are still alive, albeit on another world, as are you. Do not allow yourself in revel in despair. You must endure and prosper, Magnus!” he concluded with a stomp of his hoof on the log he sat on. Star Swirl’s words rang true, though Magnus was loathe to admit it. By now the owner of the boat he had rented had probably reported him missing and a search effort was most likely underway. Eventually, he would officially be declared lost at sea. To make matters worse, another question came to his mind, one he had to know the answer to. “Was magic the reason mom died?” Star Swirl’s bravado was washed away by the simple yet loaded question. “I don’t know. I knew she suffered the same pains as you did, but if the lack of magic claimed her life, I was unaware. Your grandfather was very concerned for her, and when she passed away, he was devastated. And when your father…” Stars Swirl paused as he chose his words carefully. “When your grandfather was given custody of you, he chose to mourn in silence. He never wanted you to see him cry, as he wanted to be strong for you. Joseph was resilient in his own ways, and he wanted the same for you.” Magnus scoffed at the unicorn’s words. Strong? How could he be strong when all was taken from him? When there was nothing more to be taken from a man, what was the reason they continued to exist? What made a man go on? “How can I find the strength to continue?” Magnus shook his head morosely. “This place isn’t my home, and I have no one here.” “Yes you have. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna will guide and protect you, and I am certain Princess Twilight Sparkle will as well. I have a good feeling about that one. If you cannot find strength within yourself to go on, lean on theirs. When you know that you can make a life for yourself in Equestria, then you will learn that this world is more wonderful and magical than you ever knew. What you thought of as myth and fairy tales are real here. What you craved for your entire life, magic, surrounds you.” Magic—Star Swirl often mentioned that word, and each time he did, Magnus could feel the warmth in his heart pulsing, almost as if the magic within him answered his call. Despite the unicorn’s words, the truth that he would most likely never see another human being ever again, and certainly not his friends, made his chest feel tight. He took some comfort in the unicorn’s words, though he himself was unsure why. His life as he knew it was over, taken from him, destroyed, all for the desires of a unicorn he now knew was one of his ancestors. However, would it really be that bad? If what he was told was true—casting aside the lingering doubts that still remained—he would have died in a matter of years. The sensation of magic rushing through his body was still on his mind. Even in this dream, he could feel it. It was as though he had lived his entire life with a hole in him, with magic now filling it completely. He felt alive and dead at the same time. The exhilaration of magic running through his veins was tempered by the sobering thought that he had nearly nothing to call his own. Minutes passed by. Star Swirl tried to find more encouraging words to convey to his descendant, something that could provide comfort to him, but all his words had been spent. His hope was now that Magnus would be able to live a life filled with joy and happiness, though Star Swirl knew that he would grieve first, rightly so. He felt his magic weaken, the time permitted to him almost over. Soon, the fragile shell that kept him together would return to be magic once more. His thoughts and memories would also fade away into nothingness, just as he desired. He was ready. Looking over to his descendant, Star Swirl noticed Magnus bore the façade of resigned acceptance on his face. His heart ached for the human, but there was little he could do for him now. He stood and walked over to Magnus, carefully placing a hoof on his shoulders. “Eventually, you will be fine, Magnus, I sincerely believe that. Allow Princess Celestia and Princess Luna to be your guides and trust their judgement. They will be there for you when you need them.” Magnus lifted his head up to meet the gaze of his ancestor. “It is time for me to go now.” Star Swirl moved to stand directly in front of his descendant. “I have one final thing I wish to impart before I leave, a gift that comes from my heart.” “And what is this gift?” Magnus asked wearily. “Please, sit on the ground so that I can reach your horn.” Reluctantly, Magnus did as he was told and knelt in front of the old unicorn. Star Swirl removed his pointy hat, revealing a pale, ghostly, white horn. Leaning forward, he lowered his head. “What are you doing?” Magnus asked as he began leaning backwards. “A gift of magic. Let our horns touch and receive my gift.” The human hesitated for a moment, but then slowly he leaned forward to his previous position. Star Swirl lowered his horn again, and the moment their horns touched, a bright white spark shot from the old unicorn’s horn over to Magnus’. A fraction of a second later, a bright green spark shot out from Magnus’ horn over to Star Swirl’s. Sparks began jumping back and forth as a magical connection was formed, the air energized by the two beings’ magic at work. The feeling of magic coursing through Magnus became stronger and more focused. As he closed his eyes, he could feel it; life, warmth, comfort. Its intensity continued to increase every passing moment as. Then he heard Star Swirl’s voice, though it was different. It was not spoken, instead more akin to a whisper in his mind. “Magic in its natural state can do no harm. Its energy is all around us, within us. In the air that we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, and the land we walk upon. We are magical beings, you and I. Children of Magic, as all creatures of this world are. Feel it now in this dream, and experience it when you are awake. Feel it streaming through your veins, in your body, in your mind. Because I wish no harm upon you and those you will grow to care for, I will gift you with my remaining magic. Bear it as a badge, carry my gift with you, and let everybody you encounter see it as a sign that family bonds will never be broken. Let them know that you will never walk alone the path of life. Let them see that I chose to defy death in order to save you.” Before Magnus could open his mouth to respond, the old unicorn’s voice once more echoed in his mind. “Why? I no longer need magic. I will fade away and meld with the magic that exists everywhere, joining the energy of countless others of Equus. Perhaps you should consider this my welcoming gift to you, a welcoming gift for coming to Equestria, my descendant. In you lies my hope that all my work has not been for naught. A hope for a new life, a long life filled with happiness. And know this… Whatever path of life you choose… know that I am proud of you… and love you as if you were my own… son...” Slowly, the echoing voice in his mind faded until there was nothing but silence. Slowly opening his eyes, Magnus saw the bonfire still burning brightly in front of him. Looking around, Star Swirl was nowhere to be found. He had finally passed from the mortal plane of existence. Standing up, Magnus walked away from the bonfire and the cabin. He didn’t know why, but he felt compelled to leave. A feeling of foreboding passed through him at the thought of taking the road he had used previously, so he chose a path into the forest that led to a small lake. He had taken this path many times before and knew every step of it, but what he saw after a brief walk into the forest made him come to a complete halt. On both sides of the trail stood a long line of men and women. Their clothes varied; the men wearing breechcloths with belts while some had leather leggings. The women wore skirts made from different materials with various patterns, while others wore more modern attires. However, their appearance was not completely human. The closest to Magnus was a woman. While her head was topped by raven hair, almost her entire body was covered with dark red fur. She had ears like a pony, hooves for legs, a black tail, a horn on her forehead, and her face was more elongated than a regular human’s. She was without a doubt a hybrid much like him. The further down the line he went, the equine features began to gradually diminish. It was almost like looking at a living evolution illustration, each generation different than the others, each generation regaining more of their lost humanity. What also caught his attention was that every single person wore some sign of their native ancestry, such as eagle feathers or headbands in their hair. Not one of them looked over the age of thirty. After a brief moment of hesitation, Magnus once more began walking down the path. As he passed each one, he elicited a reaction: a smile, a nod, some even speaking. “The pain is gone now.” “Does it not feel better?” “He waited so long for this moment.” “What lies ahead? It is your decision.” “Do not wear a face of such sadness—it does not fit you.” “Smile. Find happiness and peace.” “What wonders await you?” “Do not forget your friends. They cannot be replaced, but new friends can be made.” After walking by several men and women, whom by now Magnus had guessed were his ancestors, only two remained at the end of the road: an old man with long grey hair and a large smile on his wrinkled face, and a young woman with raven hair and kind brown eyes. Her smile was so different to any he had ever received. It was expression only a mother could make when she was proud of her son. His mother. He had never seen her alive, only in old photos and the occasional home video that his grandfather had recorded years ago and kept locked away, fearing the tapes could be damaged or broken in some way if left on a shelf. The resemblance between them was obvious, though she had an amber-coloured fur covering her body. She appeared the same way she had prior to her death, even wearing the same clothes. Next to her stood his grandfather, smiling, his usual kind eyes and warm presence bringing a tear to Magnus’ eyes. He also had a horn on his forehead, the fur covering his arms brown as bark. Neither of the two spoke. Nothing needed to be said, for the emotions they expressed told Magnus everything he needed to know. His mother and grandfather had faith in him, believed in him. They wanted him to be happy, to live life to its fullest. Magnus stood frozen where he stood. How could this be possible? They were dead, yet here were, appearing alive and well. Was this dream something more? Slowly, Magnus stepped forward to his mother. He held out his hand yearningly, and she mimicked the gesture. With each step he took, the world around him began to fade. The sounds of the world, the wind in the trees, the birds and the squirrels—it all vanished without a sound. Each step brought him closer to her, and each step brought him closer to the end of the dream. A final step remained, and Magnus took it. His fingertips reached his mother’s hand, and in that single touch which lasted only a fraction of a second, the dream finally faded and the world became black. The last thing to fade was a voice that belonged to a woman, a warm and gentle voice, like that of an angel. A mother's voice. “Now is the time for you to live.”