Herein Composed by Starswirl, the Bearded, the year (DATA LOST)

Recomplied and translated for the modern reader by Twilight Sparkle.

What anypony may say or believe about magic is one thing. What another, is another. But without fail or fallacy, without flaw or fracture, is the truth that magic is, and is solely what it is. That is to say, the manner of magic (separate in conception from the Magic of Manners as written by the scholar Forked Branch in Y (DATA LOST)) is to be itself, and solely itself, a thing which no one pony may understand of their own volition. Magic is only understood by one route: Magic itself.

Magic is a force of change imposed on the world. We are not, currently, speaking of the innate magic of all things in the world, nor of the admittedly potent natural magic of True Ponies* or Pegasi. Unicorn Magic, which is to say, capital M spellcasting Magic, is a very different thing. It is not innate, although the capacity for it is. Magic is a learned force, which is why I caution my fellow unicorns to never think themselves superior to other ponies- Earth Ponies*** can commune with the world itself and survive ghastly harm, Pegasi can alter weather and touch the very stuff of life, rainwater and mist and rainbow and storm. Unicorns can do many things, and can even do those, after a fashion, but it must be learned and trained.

At the same time, this is not to be seen as a flaw. Cast Magic is a thing unique, and a thing innate. It reaches out and touches the world from every side, within and without. As such, exposure to it can be an experience unlike any other. Witnessing Magic is awesome** to all, Unicorn, Earth Pony*** and Pegasus alike. To use a spell in quick succession with a fellow Unicorn invites an array of unique sensations, and magical senses are a field all their own. But further than that, Magic is, in a way, intimacy.

While it is frequently considered common courtesy to wait for a fellow Unicorn to release an item from their grasp before taking it for oneself, one must remember the reason- To mingle your grasp upon an object in this fashion is a sensory feast for both parties, and not always one willingly entered into. I will, however, advise that it can be quite intriguing recreationally, to take a fellow Unicorn, an object of your choice, and... (DATA REDACTED FOR DECENCY)^

Casting Magic alongside a fellow Unicorn, even on the same object, is also very intimate, but not nearly as intense. Even now, a wide variety of spells can allow for two Unicorns, or more, to participate and use their power for one purpose. However, what I speak of next is not that, but an act far more personal.

When two Unicorns cast Magic together, truly unite to cast a spell as one... It is literal. Keep that first and foremost in your mind: It is as close to true lovemaking as any act of intimacy could possibly be, if not closer. It is the utter union of your most potent sensory tool, your magic, with another. Joined on a level that close, it is likely both parties will be changed without recourse or return to their prior way of life. Changes in personality, in emotion, in magical prowess or even one’s physical composition... Nearly anything is possible. That is not, mind you, to say I advise against it. Rather, I advise it be an action taken with caution and forethought unless the utmost state of emergency occurs. And regardless... I wish those who make the attempt luck. The change is almost always for the better, if one occurs, although it might not seem so initially.

~Starswirl

ANNOTATIONS AND POSTSCRIPT

*-- A note from Twilight Sparkle: This term, which initially confused me, seems to be a very old and respectful term for Earth Ponies, implying that they are an initial root from which the modern pony lines all branched. Whether this is accurate or not is beside the point, and it will be kept in the translation when used- Which is strangely inconsistent.***

**-- A note from Twilight Sparkle: Modern ponies would likely find this statement anachronistic until informed that, originally, the term meant “awe-inspiring”. I kept it because... Well, alright, I partially kept it because picturing Starswirl saying “awesome” makes me giggle. But it was also for accuracy!

***-- See?

^-- ...Alright, I couldn’t just outright erase it. But I’ll hide it in this footnote so the squeamish can avoid it.
...then the two of you may languish together. The submissive partner of the coupling, at least for the purposes of this encounter, should first grasp the object tightly, exerting more force than usual. Their dominant pair may then envelop the object, and thus their lover’s very magical essence, themselves. At this point, the two of you may struggle to your heart’s content, as well as the content of any other organs, fluxing your forces together valiantly and even comingling. While it can be quite thrilling to be the victor, there is an equal yet unique joy in allowing your power to be subsumed and pressed low...
The text continues as normal from here, although my academic mind insists that I note the shaky hornwriting of the next paragraph or so.

P.S.- My personal feelings on the topics contained herein are irrelevant, and so I made sure to keep them utterly removed. All language was kept strictly as it was in the original documentation- Positivity, negativity, uncertainty, and vague aura of eroticism all firmly intact. Starswirl was an immensely important part of Unicorn culture, and a unique stallion- That’s why I took it upon myself to recompile and rewrite his works for the modern reader as my final project. May all who read this in the future be so lucky as to have a life filled with magic of all kinds.

~Twilight Sparkle

--------

“...No.”

“Well, all we need to do is... I’m sorry, what?”

Celestia looked at her, and Twilight blushed. She couldn’t help it, given her affections, the subject matter, or the situation. But regardless of all that, no matter how loyal or dedicated she was to the Princess, she just...
“Celestia, I love you. But I think that it might be a little soon for... that.”

Her mentor pursed her lips.
“Starswirl’s writings on the subject, hmm?”

“Well... yes! I mean, everypony who I’ve ever seen discuss it says that it’s a totally unique, utterly personal, massively transformative event. I don’t... Do you want to know the truth?”

“Please.”

“I don’t want to waste it on something like this, just some quick one-off spell to take us home. Teleportation doesn’t really have any long-term meaning... I want to do it, I really do, but I want it to be special. Some spell that lasts, something permanent, something that’s about us. Then I’ll be ready.”

Celestia’s faint frown softened, and she leaned close, embracing Twilight and letting out a sigh- Mostly in jest, or so Twilight hoped.
“Alright. I... I understand. More than anypony, I am willing to wager. So we’ll teleport back, but not... ‘together’. Does that sound good to you?”

“No. That sounds lovely.”

Her loving teacher smiled, and they separated for a time. Twilight was already running down spell calculations in her head, and Celestia began explaining the method behind her teleport. It was a relatively... simple spell, now that she really looked at it. The trick was the sheer brute power required to push it through, which made sense for a Princess... or a budding Element of Magic. Once they got the basics of it down, she was struck with a realization.

“Celestia... if you can teach me this, could you maybe show me how to do that two-way communication spell? It’s still kinda running around in the back of my mind.”

Her heart sunk a little when Celestia shook her head, mane flowing.
“Not... precisely. You don’t have the ingredients necessary for it.”

“Oh, so it’s ritualistic? Well, maybe I could find them...”

“Doubtful. One is a strand from a transcendental mane, like mine or Luna’s.”

She looked at Celestia’s hair with a bit of wonderment. She had always known how unique it was, a sign of her power and dominance of the Sun, but had not considered that it might be potent in its own right. And that very same mane had been, quite recently... She bit her lip.
“And the other?”

“A beverage uncommon in the modern day, called Liquidus Sky.”

“Wait, really? Then I guess it’s funny we were talking about Starswirl... I’ll be right back!”

Celestia facehoofed as Twilight teleported away. She already remembered the piece Twilight was likely fetching- It was quite hard to forget. Out of all of Starswirl’s writings, that one might have given her protege the most trouble, in the end- The subject matter covered, after all, was rather... intense. When Twilight returned, Celestia would calmly get her to put the folio away and then the two of them could discuss it later- As it was, they had preparations to do for their travel... Such as sending back Twilight’s luggage.

--------

After a short saccharin conversation, with an admittedly slightly excessive bit of cuddling, they got back on track. Fluttershy’s curiosity, as rare as it was, had been piqued. So she got Luna to open up about this new subject, wondering just how much she might find out about herself in the process.

“So you said that things like, um, the Stare... Not common, right?”

“Mmh, no. Sometimes they occur randomly, without any rhyme or reason. Sometimes tied to one’s special talent. Other times, it’s part of a family lineage. Did thou say thy mother was capable of it?”

Fluttershy went a bit pale.
“Is. Definitely still is. Dad managed to do something really boneheaded at a family dinner last year, and... Still going strong.”

They shared a quick laugh over that, but Luna quickly returned to a serious presence.
“Well, yes. In the time before I left, these talents were... How do I put this? Each individual one was rare, but there were so many different kinds as to make them numerous. Given that thou had no idea as to thy Stare’s nature, I am... willing to bet that some of them have died out, or become as legend.”

She wasn’t entirely sure why, but the idea saddened Fluttershy. Maybe it was her love of history, or the look in Luna’s eyes when she brought it up, but... It seemed sorrowful. Time passes, whether you’re there or not, and then things you took for granted are lost. It was a pretty trite concept considering how many romances she tended to read, but having it brought to her attention as a real thing, and about something more important, was... it felt cold. Fluttershy didn’t have a better way to describe it.

“Darling?”

With a start, she realized Luna had continued speaking.
“Oh! Oh I am so sorry Luna, I... zoned out.”
Despite her embarrassment, her marefriend did not seem to mind, merely smiling and repeating herself.

“As We had been saying... Many of those unique skills were likely lost. But, if We know Equestria, not for good. They’ll return in their time, as needed, or as relevant.”

“So you’re saying that it’s... relevant? To me, somehow?”

Luna looked like she had never considered that implication of her sentence.
“Oh. Hmm. I... Yes, I do believe so. Even if thou does not have the greatest hold on it yet, it is something entirely suited to you. It fits, as it were.”

Being told something so nice by such a wonderful mare still made her blush, even considering the very much more... intense things they had said to one another this weekend.
“So if I wanted to get, uhm, a better hold?”

Thankfully, no implications were taken, Luna merely musing.
“I have had more than enough experience with my own little trick, and those of others... I suppose if it was thy wish, I could educate thee on the matter. It may give us another pleasant way to pass the time, apart from the obvious.”

She blushed, tail flicking for a moment before she got it under control.
“That sounds... nice.”

“Mmh. And speaking of both nice and obvious, I am willing to place bets that my dear sister has already returned to Ponyville. Shall we track her down?”

Fluttershy nodded, and the two of them headed out together.

--------

Warm orange light flooded the bedroom on the top floor of Ponyville’s library, mingled red and gold casting a series of flickering shadows. Without any particular fanfare, a pair of saddlebags appeared by the desk. A second crackle, and a third, these sounds growing into a cacophony until two equine figures appeared- One quite large, the other more mundane. Celestia of Equestria and her prize pupil arrived, landing on the bed one after another. Twilight was straddling her teacher, already blushing within moments of impact.

“Ah, so I didn’t remember to rotate the coordinates again so we land next to each other... I’ll remember that.”

Celestia looked up at her.
“Are you sure that wasn’t an intentional mistake, my student?”

Twilight laughed, dismissing the question. Instead, she traced the tip of one hoof lazily across her lover’s chest, scuffing the alabaster coat and giggling.
“Mmmaybe. Is that going to cost me some points?”

“Well, no... But I will be, ahem, ‘keeping you behind’.”
She said this with a sly grin, and Twilight knew precisely what was implied. She leaned down, Celestia stretched up, and their lips met passionately. The excitement of accomplishing such a unique and difficult spell, not to mention one so heavily aligned to her teacher, already had her tense and humming in the back of her head. But now she was in her bed, with Celestia, and it was everything she had (in a hidden bit of her mind) dreamed of since she was just a filly. Such forceful love, passionate and fierce, that her mind was reeling from it. Even if it wasn’t the first time, it still excited her to no end. Well, alright, it excited her to a very certain end, which is why she snaked a hoof down Celestia’s chest, pressing down to...

“Hey Twilight, welcome hooOOOHH WOW! Um. Sorry! Bye!”
Spike burst in, saw them, and burst out again. In total, it took about two seconds, but the shock probably took years off of her life. Twilight fell to the side of the bed, shaking with the nervous adrenaline of a filly whose hoof had just been caught in the hone- cookie jar. Heart hammering in her chest, she looked to Celestia, who was very obviously suppressing a laugh.

“Well... I was going to have to explain it to him soon anyways. He did send the letter.”

“Shall I freshen up while you go sort things out? I’m sure he’ll understand.”

Her reply was simply to kiss Celestia’s cheek and then dart out the door, turning to wink before she closed it. She had seriously not been expecting the need to explain things to Spike this soon, and it was a bit worrying how he might react... But it would be fine. Spike was growing up, becoming a serious little man in his own way, and she knew he would react well.

In fact, when she made it down the stairs, he was already working hard on setting out lunch- Three settings, she noticed. Given their forthcoming meeting with Luna and Fluttershy, she’d have to let him know to expand that by a few...
“Spike?”

Her dragon assistant turned around with a smirk.
“Oh hey there lovebird! Lovepony? Whatever. Made it back OK?”

She took the joke in stride.
“Yes. And... yes. To the other part. And what you asked earlier, when I had you write the letter. Yes to all of those things.”

Spike whistled.
“Well, it looks like she accepted.”

“Mmhmm.”

“Wow... Well, hey, I guess if you managed to make it with Celestia after all this time, maybe me and Rarity have a chance, huh?”

She tried to hide the sorrow in her voice. It was terrible timing that he brought this up now, but she had to tell him the truth. Lying would only make bigger problems down the road.
“Spike, I...”

He didn’t buy it for a second.
“Lemme guess. She already has somepony like that?”

“...Well, we had been meaning to tell you, but didn’t quite find the right time, and...”

“Good!”

“Now Spike. There’s no reason to be petty about this.”

“Who’s being petty? I’m serious here! It’s good that she has somepony.”

“R-really? You’re alright with it?”

He paced a little as he spoke, but the look on his face wasn’t sad. In fact, he almost seemed slightly... relieved?
“I’ll admit it was a bit silly of me. I mean, we aren’t exactly compatible, yaknow? And I probably shouldn’t fixate so much on one pony without ever even confessing to them properly. So it’s for the best, right? I’ve kinda been thinking on this for a while, and now I guess it’s settled.”

“That... that is extremely mature of you, Spike. I’m glad you came to that decision.”
She swept her assistant into a hug, which he quickly wriggled out of- But not before subtly leaning into her shoulder.

“Thanks, Twilight. Now don’t leave Her Royal Marefriend-ness waiting up there, get going!”

He stuck his tongue out at her, and she laughed back. Never once had she expected Spike to get over his infatuation so easily. The only reason she could see was... Had he found somepony? And he wasn’t telling her? ...He really was growing up! She’d have to see about getting him his own room sooner than planned.

“Oh, and we might have guests soon, so do up two more place-settings.”

“I’m making breakfast for five? I am getting paid extra, right? Especially if one of them is royalty.”

“Two of them.”

He deadpanned at her.
“Nightm- Er, uh, Luna’s coming too? So yeah, seriously, bonus for hazard pay at least?”

She nodded- Apart from covering his room and board, she often gave him a little weekly paycheck of sorts. Twilight frequently treated him like a younger sibling, but being a live-in assistant was hard work, and she often took advantage of that hard work. But never let it be said that she didn’t repay him in equal measure.
“I’ve actually got a real big bonus planned for you- But we can talk about it later.”

“Wow, a big bonus, huh? I wonder... Another fire ruby would be awesome. Or maybe even some diamond dust, so good on hay fries...”

While her dragon friend contemplated the possible results of his work, Twilight chuckled and headed upstairs. With any luck, Luna had noticed their arrival- She doubted her magical sense was more refined than that of royalty, and that teleport spell was like the posterpony of “big obvious magic”. So by her calculations, Luna would be arriving...

A knock came on the door, and she smiled as Spike went to answer it. Right on time.