I am Cold, swirling snow that turns ponies against each other, searing ice that freezes them solid. I am Survivor, the one the Friendfyre spell didn't catch, an exception that proves an impossible rule. I am Fear, Frustration, Anger, Hatred, every emotion my Creator has ever felt. I am her Future. I am her Past.

I am Demon, and Clover the Clever is my Master.

Winner of Equestria Daily's Outside Insight Summer Fanfic Contest.

Featured in The Royal Canterlot Library on March 6th, 2015.

Star Swirl has found a way to keep touch with the Princesses even as the centuries go by. Its only cost was his life.

Written for FanofMostEverything's Imposing Sovereigns Contest. Prompt was Usurper Celestia.

If Starswirl the Bearded mentored Clover the Clever sometime before the events of "Hearth's Warming Eve" and mentored the Royal Pony Sisters sometime after, where was he during the coming together of the tribes and the founding of Equestria?

You know the story: The sirens rampaged across the land, sowing havoc until Star Swirl the Bearded banished them to a magicless backwater of a universe full of naked apes.

The problem with historical narratives, as Clover the Clever can attest, is that the reality is rarely so cut and dry.

Technically part of the Oversaturated World, though no knowledge of it is required.

Thanks to my beta readers Daedelus Aegle, Masterweaver, and themaskedferret.

In a bygone age of Equestria, the great wizard Starswirl the Bearded and his apprentice forged a gateway to another world.

The less said about how well they actually fared in said world, the better.

Cover art from the gallery of auren-dawnstar. Proofread by themaskedferret.

Reading by Kate Walker.

Now what do you do?

When you've been gone for more than a thousand years, you have a lot to catch up on. You may even owe a ton of apologies. Heroes old and new must deal with the consequences of their choices, each in their own ways.

And before they settle down in the new realm, the Pillars will become acquainted with the Spirit of Chaos himself.

This story is a sequel to The Crown of Night

Now available in print from Lulu.com! Hardcover - Paperback.

(New readers, unsure where to start? The Education of Clover the Clever is best.)

Clover Cordelia is a freshmare student at the Cambridle Academy of Magic who is determined to become a great sorceress.

Star Swirl the Bearded is a legendary wizard in need of an apprentice.

It's a tough job, working for the world's greatest wizard. On top of the usual challenges of student life there are apocalypses to deal with, and assassins who show up at inconvenient times, and plant life scheming for world conquest.

It's probably nothing Star Swirl can't take care of, provided he and Clover manage to resist killing each other first.

Previously updated alongside its prequel, The Crown of Night. It is not necessary to read The Crown of Night first.

Featured on Equestria Daily!
Featured on the Royal Guard!

Cover art by iisaw.

"Characterization is the name of the game here, and this story's take on Star Swirl is one of the most enigmatic and intriguing I've seen. His eccentricity is offset perfectly by his straight mare, Clover the Clever, and the interactions between them are a joy to behold."
-Prak, PR for the Royal Guard.

Rated "Why Haven't You Read These Yet?" by PaulAsaran.

Weird praise for The Education of Clover the Clever from the comments:

"........The sadist in me is grinning while the student is screaming it's little lungs out "
-Smirkythread.

"I can't tell if he's insane or not. And it's glorious."
-FancyFan.

"I am unsure if this is merely silly and deranged or subtly brilliant."
-SIGAWESOME.

"Ok, so I like this story. I actually like it quite a bit. I have no clue why though. Not a single clue.
I haven't a clue what you're doing right, but keep doing it. You're awesome."
-Vibrato con Amore.

Brush your teeth, comb your mane, go to bed. It's not that hard, but every night Starswirl risks his life to make sure that his two charges get these steps done.

Warning; Diabetes.

Consider supporting me on Patreon, donating to me if you liked this, or even commissioning me! Or, best of all, supporting my original works!

The Sirens have always fought. That's always been the case for them, but that doesn't mean it's not cute, or without a reason, even when they were in their first tank.

If you like this, please consider commissioning me, supporting my Patreon, checking out my original novellas, or even my free original work, Jumbled Thoughts!

Twilight learns why Starswirl wasn't around for the first Heath's Warming Eve.

This is a slightly revised version of my entry in the Jinglemas 2017 Secret Santa Story Exchange and was written in response to Pwnego's request for a story featuring Starswirl and Celestia. It's also slightly related to a story I wrote several years ago called "A Giant Leap Forward."

Cover image, "Honey Frozen," is from the DeviantArt account of Royce-Barber.