Chapter 10: Time

Star Swirl watches the young colt in front of him cough as his laughter dies away, the thick cloud of dust stirred up by his tower striking the earth has yet to truly settle, and so the colt must have inhaled some as he had laughed at the old wizard. Frowning, Starswirl casts a spell that settles the dust in the immediate area around them, allowing himself and the colt to breath more freely.

As the colt’s coughing fit ends, he looks up at Star Swirl with a warm smile, and wipes tears of mirth from his eyes before speaking in a slightly strained voice. “Well, I’ll give you points on the costume, but Star Swirl the Bearded has been dead for nearly a thousand years,” Tricks replies. “If Princess Twilight is right, he died shortly before Luna went mad and nearly destroyed Equestria!”

“That’s absurd!” Star Swirl says firmly. “Princess Luna is the kindest, most generous and caring filly I know! I used to read bedtime stories to her after the fall of Equus! Nopony that sweet could ever be evil.”

Shrugging, Tricks turns to leave. “Well, it was fun talking, but my mom says I shouldn’t talk to strange ponies, and I think you take the cake on that one.”

“That is true,” Star Swirl sighs before looking at Tricks. “But, before you go, can you tell me where we are, and why you were out here in the middle of these ruins?”

“Oh, we’re in Canterlot,” Tricks replies, turning around again. “It’s the capital of Equestria.” He then sighs and sits down, his ears going back against his head. “As for why I am out here… well the city was attacked, and my mom was with the Wonderbolts when it happened. Their compound took off and flew away…”

“I… am sorry to hear that,” Star Swirl replies, frowning as he looks around. “But last I checked, Canterlot was full of stuffy unicorn nobles who couldn’t stop arguing with each other.” He shakes his head and chuckles. “If not for the King, I swear they would have been stabbing each other in the streets…” He then turns and looks at the memorial, mostly at the pictures that are now strewn all over the place from his tower landing. “Which one is your mother?”

“Oh,” Tricks perks up, trotting over quickly to the fallen pictures and picking up the one he had placed. “This is my mom, Witching Hour! She… isn’t really my mom, my real parents didn’t… want me…” He trails off as Star Swirl frowns, making Tricks fear he's said something wrong. “But, Witch Doctor adopted me! And we live with her friend in this big fancy house that we rent from Mom’s friend, Fancy Pants. It’s got lots of rooms and comfortable beds!” He holds the picture up and shows it to Star Swirl. “This is her!”

Star Swirl’s eyes go wide as he looks at the picture. He quickly powers up his horn and scans Tricks with a spell, which brings a frown to his face. “I must have gone too far…” he mutters. “The Virtue’s magic must have passed onto another…”

“Virtues?” Tricks asks, leaning his head to one side. “I’ve heard that before. I think Auntie Yearling and Princess Twilight were talking about those…”

“Then perhaps I should speak to your aunt, and to this Princess Twilight,” Star Swirl says with a smile.

“Well, they’re at the Castle! I can take you there!” Tricks says excitedly, bouncing around Star Swirl. “I bet Princess Twilight would like to meet you. She’s always talking about ‘Star Swirl the Bearded’ doing things, and she’d love to meet someone who shares her interest in him I bet!” He then starts off quickly, causing Star Swirl to have to almost run to keep up.

The pair make good time through the ruins of the High Class district, the Castle not being far from the center of the blast, though they have to take a few detours around impassable streets and areas where the mana-lines are still exposed and potentially dangerous. The Night Guards on duty nod respectfully to Tricks as he leads Star Swirl through the front gate, likely believing he is simply escorting somepony or running another message to somepony in the Ballroom. Once inside, Tricks leads Star Swirl through the hallways, occasionally stopping to tug on the old unicorn’s beard as he stops and stares at one thing or another.

Tricks leads him into the royal quarters, and to a door with Twilight’s Cutie mark on the door. She has had a room here for a while, seeing as she is a Princess, though it is rarely occupied. This, however is one of the nights it is.

Reaching a hoof up and knocking loudly, Tricks ignores the two Night Guards on both sides of the door who raise an eyebrow at him and his strange tag-along. “Princess Twilight! There is a pony who needs to talk to you!”

The sound of hooves on the tile floor inside the room, along with some muttering, announce the occupant coming to the door before the door even opens. Once it does though, the weary features of Twilight come into the torchlight in the hallway.

Stifling a yawn with one hoof, Twilight looks to Tricks. “What’s going on, Tricks? Is something wrong?”

“Yeah!” Tricks says enthusiastically. “This pony’s tower just dropped into the middle of the place the Wonderbolts’ compound used to be! He says he’s Star Swirl the Bearded. I don’t believe him, but, he dresses funny, and was saying something about those virtue things you and Auntie Yearling were talking about!”

“Well, that’s interesting,” Twilight yawns again, looking up at Star Swirl and instantly freezing. She knows this pony; in fact, as she looks at him in her mind’s eye, she can see him as a younger stallion, a sarcastic smile on his face and a look of trouble twinkling in his eyes. “Acolyte Star Swirl?”

Frowning, Star Swirl looks at Twilight. “How do you know that title? Let alone that I once wore it?”

“I… you see…” Twilight starts, her brain going into overdrive because Star Swirl the Bearded is standing right in front of her. “The Tree of Harmony, I touched it and…. saw… things.”

For a long moment, Star Swirl says nothing. He then sighs and removes his hat. “Princess Twilight, was it?” He looks her in the eyes. “We have a lot to talk about.”

“I… Yes we do,” Twilight stammers, stepping back into her room and opening the door more. “Please, come in.” She then looks to Tricks as he shuffles from hoof to hoof. “Tricks, I think it’s past your bedtime. You should go get some sleep.”

“But I want to know what’s going on!” Tricks protests, yawning at the end.

“You should listen to the Princess, little one,” Star Swirl says softly, a warm smile on his face. “You can always find me in the morning and I can answer all your questions.”

“Okay!” Tricks agrees loudly before waving to Twilight. “Night, Twilight!” he then speeds off down the hallway.

“You’re going to regret that,” Twilight says absently, a smile on her face.

“I highly doubt it, Your Highness,” Star Swirl chuckles. “I’ve dealt with many foals in my life, I think I can stand one more.” Entering into the room, Star Swirl looks around, taking note of a few of the books strewn across the various surfaces. More than one he recognizes as books he wrote. Twilight, seeing this, chuckles weakly and starts over to the sole table with chairs at it in the room.

“Please, uhm, make yourself at home!” Twilight says emphatically, clearing books from one of the chairs in her room. “I… uhm, I didn’t expect to have anypony as… important as you show up!”

“I am hardly an important pony,” Star Swirl says as he gestures with one hoof. “By your wings and horn, I would say you are an alicorn. And what am I but a simple unicorn in the presence of a goddess!” He climbs up onto the chair and settles down with a weary sigh.

“I’m hardly a divine being,” Twilight blushes. “I am just a very lucky unicorn who happened to complete a spell that nopony else could complete!” She gets up onto her own chair, smiling warmly at her guest. “In fact, it was a spell you wrote! It switched around my friend’s cutie marks, and caused all kinds of trouble. But, I was able to finish it and fix it!”

“Oh? If it is the spell I think it is, then I am in your debt…” Star Swirl chuckles. “What was missing from it?”

“Friendship,” Twilight explains excitedly. “It was missing the magic of Friendship!”

Frowning, and stroking his beard with one hoof, Star Swirl nods slowly. “Ah, well then I know where I went wrong with it. I was attempting to scry the fate of my daughter, to see if she would be the next Hope.”

“Your… daughter?” Twilight asks, eyes wide with wonder. “You had a daughter?”

“Radiant Hope…” Star Swirl sighs, his ears going back against his head. “Crystal Hope and… I had a daughter. She was a brilliant, amazing mare. Celestia and Luna even took her on as a student.”

“This wasn’t in any of the history books!” Twilight frowns, levitating a few thick books from her desk. “And Celestia never mentioned her to me! I mean… You’d think she would have told me, her favorite student… or well, former student, about something like this!” She opens the books and starts flipping through the pages, stopping only as Star Swirl starts to laugh. “W-what’s so funny?”

“You,” Star Swirl replies, shaking his head. “You remind me of Clover.” For a few long heartbeats, it’s quiet, and Star Swirl frowns. It isn’t until Twilight’s eyes grow wide and she smiles widely, followed by a very loud squeal of delight, that Star Swirl realizes the princess across from him is really happy to have been compared to his former student.

“I remind you of Clover the Clever!?” Twilight all but bounces in her seat. “OHMYGOSH! You compared me to your former student, one of the most influential ponies in Equestria’s history, next to yourself!”

“Well… it’s... “ Star Swirl starts, before chuckling again and smiling warmly. “It’s a very good comparison.” He pauses for a moment when Twilight once more exclaims happily before opening his mouth to say more. He is cut off, however, by a loud knock at the door which is quickly followed by said door opening to admit a large white alicorn wearing a thin gold circlet.

“Is everything alright in here, Twilight?” the alicorn asks. “I thought I heard…” He trails off as he spots Twilight’s guest. Frowning, he raises an eyebrow. “You’ve gotten old.”

“Aye,” Star Swirl says slowly, looking over his shoulder and right into the eyes of the alicorn. “Your eyes tell me the same has happened to you, old friend.” Star Swirl then smiles warmly and stands up, facing the alicorn with a wide smile. “It’s good to see you again, Shiro.” He looks around, as if expected something to jump out at him. “But where is Jinsong?”

“I sent him to annoy… I mean watch over the Virtue of Hope,” Shiro admits, a small smirk creeping onto his face.

“Shiro! Do you have any idea how stressed Witch has been?!” Twilight asks angrily.

“Oh... I have an idea or two….” Shiro replies, his smirk remaining. Twilight visibly pales and flinches.

“Well, I… uhm…” Twilight sputters, eyes flicking from object to object as she searches for words.

“Yes, Princess, I am well aware of the situation in the mountains,” Shiro continues, not allowing Twilight to find purchase. “Jin has been kind enough to keep me appraised, but I felt it best to respect young Hope’s privacy.”

“Something I should be aware of, my old friend?” Star Swirl asks, raising an eyebrow.

“No,” Twilight speaks up from behind Star Swirl. “Nothing you need worry yourself about, Star Swirl.”

“Are you sure?” Star Swirl asks, concern in his voice. “If the Virtue of Hope is having problems…”

“Then you will let Princess Twilight, the new Compassion, worry about it,” Shiro states softly. “It’s not your Hope, my old friend.”

“I… know,” Star Swirl sighs, turning to look back at Twilight. “My wife is long since dead.”

Walking to stand beside Star Swirl, Shiro drapes a wing over his friend, and looks to Twilight. “I am curious, though, as to why you are here.”

“As I explained to Twilight,” Star Swirl says, pausing as Twilight squeals at him calling her by her first name. “I attempted to locate my daughter using a time-scrying spell… it sort of backfired on me, and for reasons I am unable to figure out, I ended up here.”

“Well, I am no expert on magic,” Shiro answers Star Swirl’s unspoken question, “but, I have lived long enough to think that, perhaps, this is where - or rather when - you are needed most, old friend.”

“I agree with Shiro,” Twilight starts, yawning heavily. “If I’ve learned anything in my years of studying magic, it’s that sometimes spells take on a mind of their own, and drag their caster along with them.” She rises from the table and goes over to her desk. “In fact, I think I was working on something along those lines…” Twilight yawns again, shaking her head. “But, with you here I can…”

“Princess, I think the only thing you should be doing is resting,” Shiro cuts in gently. “It’s been a long couple days, and hardly any of us have slept. You need to be well rested and ready for anything, you need to be well rested to keep the remaining nobles in line, and to quiet the fears of the common pony..”

“But… Star Swirl the Bearded is here!” Twilight pleads, her tone reminding Star Swirl so much of the one his daughter would take with him when he told her it was time for bed. “I have so many questions!” She lifts parchment from the table, along with a quill. “Sleeping can wait!”

“No, it can’t.” Star Swirl interjects. “I don’t know what has happened here, but surely I am not so old as to not last the night.” Twilight looks slightly taken aback, so Star Swirl rises and goes over to her, resting a hoof on her shoulder. “Princess, I shall keep until morning, and so shall your questions.”

Twilight visibly deflates a little, her ears lowering. “Alright,” she sighs, looking up at Star Swirl with a small smile, “but promise you’ll be ready to talk first thing in the morning. I don’t want to have to wait for you.”

“I assure you, Princess, I shall be up with the sunrise.” Star Swirl says slowly, his tone slightly distant. “I am always up with the sunrise…” He then clears his throat and smiles at Twilight. “Regardless, though, I am at your service, Princess.”

“I look forward to it, Star Swirl,” Twilight replies before yawning again.

“Well, I shall leave you to your rest, your highness,” Star Swirl chuckles, turning and walking towards the door. He stops at the door next to Shiro and looks over his shoulder with a warm smile. “Oh, and one more thing, Princess.”

“Hmm?” Twilight hums, looking over at Star Swirl with weary eyes.

“When we talk next, bring that book on your bedside table, I can help you figure out how to use it better,” Star Swirl comments off-hoofedly. “Until then, rest well.” Star Swirl walks out the door, a stunned Twilight looking after him and Shiro following in his wake with a chuckle.

As soon as the pair is out of the room, the door safely closed behind them, Star Swirl allows his shoulders to slump and his head to hang. He is so far removed from his own time, everypony he knows is likely dead save for perhaps the two Princesses. Worse still, he likely was no closer to finding his daughter. The sudden feeling of warmth and weight on his back makes him look up, though, and smile as he notices a white wing draped over his back.

“From one widower to another,” Shiro whispers softly, “it gets better.”

“When?” Star Swirl asks in an equally soft whisper. “When does it get better, Shiro?”

For a long moment, the alicorn is silent, his eyes taking in the patterns of the tile beneath their hooves. Then, he looks up with a weary smile. “I’ll let you know when I figure it out.” He clears his throat and sniffs, then points down the hallway. “Come, I think the night guards are currently having their lunch. We can walk in that direction, and I can do my best to answer what questions you may have.”

Nodding, Star Swirl does his best to smile. “I would like that,” he starts off in the direction indicated by Shiro, his hooves tapping out a steady beat against the tiles. “I guess, really, I need to know when I am. What year is it? How long have I been gone?”

“Nearly a thousand years,” Shiro answers with a sigh. “So far as I can tell, from the books I’ve read and the ponies I’ve talked to.”

“A thousand years? Truly?” Star Swirl muses. “Well, I guess there are worse things.” He opens his mouth to ask another question, when the sound of racing hooves, and raised voices cause him and Shiro to stop.

“Hurry, Midnight,” the voice of a young pony, a filly most likely, comes from around the corner.

“Moony! Wait up!” Another voice comes from the same direction. “Why are we running?”

“We have to hide,” Moony replies. “Damn Diet Chaos! Why did he have to bring us h-” the voice stops as a young unicorn filly wearing a cape races around the corner, skidding in front of Star Swirl with wide blue eyes. Another caped foal, this one a colt, comes around the corner and runs right into Moony’s back.

“Moony, why’d you stop,” the colt asks, rubbing the end of his muzzle. “I thought we had to…” he trails off as he peers around the filly, eyes going wide.

“Good eve-” Star Swirl starts, but Moony’s expression instantly changes to one of panicked shock as she whirls around, grabs her brother, then vanishes in a loud pop leaving Star Swirl and Shiro blinking.

“Did she just teleport?” Shiro asks slowly.

“I believe she did,” Star Swirl frowns. “And, what’s more, I could sense something off about them. A filly of her age should not be able to teleport, let alone teleport with a passenger like that.” He sighs and looks to his friend. “No matter, I doubt this will be the last we shall see of those two, if my luck has anything to say about it.” He gestures with his head as he starts walking again. “Well, I don’t know about you, but I could use a snack.”

“Truthfully? I could use a drink,” Shiro chuckles. “But, I can settle for a light snack.”

“Good! Then we can both explore just how much the arts of cooking have progressed in the past thousand years!” Star Swirl exclaims happily, the bells on his clothing jingling. “And you, can explain to me where Celestia and Luna are.”

------

The cold cell is far removed from the comforts Blueblood is used to, for the bed is too hard, the room too dark, and the air stale and unmoving. The sheer thought of being in a place like this is enough to break most nobles, their fragile self-image unable to cope with the stark reality of stone walls and cold iron shackles, but not Blueblood. No, as the Archduke of Canterlot, he has gone without comforts before, and he shall do so now if it means keeping his dignity when all others in this city have lost theirs.

Truthfully, the cell is perhaps a step up from the tent he had been sleeping in the past week or so, as it is within the walls of the Castle. Ultimately, he was one step closer to his goal if only he could convince the guards to come over to his side, as they rightly should, and help him overthrow the traitors who are most likely feasting and laughing about the foolish nobility who had dared to try and stop them.

Stop them he must, however.

Crossing to the door, he places his hooves against the door and peers out into the dark hallway beyond, his gaze slowly drifting around to try and find any guards that might be nearby. Finding none, at least any visible ones, he sticks his muzzle through the bars.

“Is anyone out there?” he demands, his upbringing allowing no signs of weakness to be shown. “I demand to speak to whomever is in charge of this dreadful hole you call a dungeon!”

Silence, and his own voice echoing back to him, is the only response he gets, causing Blueblood to sigh heavily before lowering himself back to the floor and leaning his back against the door. If his parents could see him now, they’d die of shame all over again…

Putting his hooves against his face and sighing, he steels his resolve. He can’t let thoughts like that infect him, he needs to stay strong for Celestia… for Luna… one of both of his aunts could be dead and he was the only one who could bring their killers to justice! But first, he has to get out of his cell, and that isn’t going to happen by him feeling sorry for himself. Running a hoof over his horn, he grimaces as he touches the magical suppression ring secured tightly to it, his options are limited without his magic but his education had been quite broad, so a lack of magic is but a minor setback.

Standing once more, Blueblood starts pacing in a circle, the motion bringing back memories of his father pacing in his study as he discussed various things with his son… though usually it was to stop himself from yelling as Blueblood had been less than a perfect foal for his parents. Shaking the unbidden memories from his head, Blueblood picks up speed, pacing at a near jog as he tries to get blood flowing to his brain.

What would Auntie Celestia do? Talk her way out, most likely; she has… or had the heart of a true diplomat. She could talk her way out of anything, and come away from the worst situations better for it all. And although Blueblood received training in diplomacy from her, he had never really gotten as good as she had so talking his way out might be out of the question unless he can get the ear of somepony who sympathizes with him and his plight...

Perhaps then he should be thinking what his other aunt would do? He doesn’t know Luna all that well, she had only been back for a year or two, but from the little he had learned she was a warrior without peer. And… Blueblood is not. Sure, he can fight, he had held his own against that assassin, and would likely have killed him if not for the fact he had been taken from behind by another!

Growling loudly, a sound that makes even his own ears flatten in fear, Blueblood decides that he is going to kill him, as well as whoever helped him.

Stopping, Blueblood swivels his ears towards the door, a change in the ambient sound catching his attention. At first, he hears nothing, then the sound of a door creaking open and a pair of hooves coming down the hallway towards his cell echoes through the otherwise quiet night. As they draw closer, and Blueblood is sure they’re coming to his cell, the disgraced Archduke sits down in the center of his dismal lodgings and puts on his best smile. As the pair stop in front of his door, he runs a hoof through his hair, doing his best to make sure it’s laying mostly flat, and pulls himself up to his full height.

As the key clicks in the lock, and the door swings open on its rusty hinges, Blueblood comes face to face with a hooded figure and it’s escort. His smile never slipping, Blueblood inclines his head, his voice as welcoming and warm as if he were greeting a foreign dignitary into his manor house.

“Good evening, I was afraid I was going to be forgotten down here,” Blueblood chuckles. “But, I take it you are not here to whisk me away to some better accommodations?”

“No, we are not,” the guard with the figure grunts. “Honestly, I would have been happy to forget you’re down here, but the Commanders informed me in no uncertain terms that you were to be allowed visitors, and this pony seems intent on visiting you.”

“Is that so?” Blueblood asks slowly, his smile growing. “And pray-tell, what business do you have with me?”

“My own,” a husky voice comes from beneath the figure’s deep hood. “And not to be spoken of in… mixed company?” The figure’s hood turns slightly, giving the impression that they’re looking at the guard.

“I see,” Blueblood states, looking to the guard with his warm smile. “You may leave us, I doubt there is anything I could do to imperil my guest here.” He taps his horn and the magic suppression ring on it. “Wouldn’t you agree?”

Grunting, the Guard rolls his eyes. “Not like you can dig yourself a deeper hole.” The guard turns and starts to close the door. “If your friend doesn’t walk out of here unharmed, though, I’ll give you some fresh bruises and orders be damned.”

As the door closes, Blueblood’s smile slips as, for a moment, he is a foal in his father’s study again, the older stallion glaring at him with a switch levitating in front of Blueblood’s face as hateful words flow from his father’s mouth.

A cough from the hooded figure draws him from the memories and back to his slightly less uncomfortable present. Smiling a smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes, Blueblood turns to regard his guest.

“So, now that we’re alone,” he starts, gesturing with a hoof, “what is it you wished to discuss with me?”

“Your attack on the city,” the figure states, then pauses as if considering it’s next words. “And your failure.”

“It wasn’t my fault,” Blueblood snaps, narrowing his eyes. “If those insufferable mercenaries our mutual friend sent me to could have held their own I would…” turning, he continues in a higher-pitched voice, tail lashing behind him. “I should be sitting on the throne! It’s what Celestia and Luna would have wanted! If I just had had better troops…” he trails off into a growl, his eye twitching.

“Did you sit on something, Your Grace? Or did they toss you in on your family jewels?” the hooded figure asks slowly, the question clear in their voice. “Your voice is a little higher than usual.”

“What?” Blueblood asks, his voice still slightly higher before blushing and clearing his throat. “It’s this damned cell; it has me on the edge of panic.” He turns away from his hooded guest to hide his blush and continues. “Regardless, I am sure our mutual friend will see things our way, and with enough time I am sure I can fix the situation before it grows too dire.”

“You are to be put to trial shortly, Your Grace,” the figure counters. “I am not sure our friend can be patient with you much longer.”

“Then perhaps he should use some of that power he was claiming he had!” Blueblood counters curtly. “He spoke plainly of the crystals he had in his possession, perhaps they could be of use again. They certainly were of use to him in discovering the murder of my aunt.”

“It is possible,” the figure concedes. “But what do you expect these crystals to do? Hm?”

“I don’t know, but I am sure that I could do great things with them!” Blueblood argues, his voice shifting higher for a moment before he stuffs it back down to it’s normal range. “Besides, the one he gave me broke, and I’ll need a new one if I am to remain free of whatever magic the guard and reserves have used to brainwash the populace.”

“And where is the broken one?” the figure asks curtly, looking around the small room. “You’d best not have lost it, for your sake.”

“N-no, I didn’t lose it!” Blueblood professes, going over to his bed and reaching under the pillow. “I hid it when they dragged me in here. They almost got it when they took my armor, but I saved it!” He pulls his hoof back out from under the pillow, a shattered pink crystal weakly glowing coming into view.

“I see,” the figure whispers before looking at Blueblood. “I will have to take it with me, as the guards will doubtlessly check your… room to make sure I did not leave anything with you.”

“Of course, can’t be too careful with this lot of traitors,” Blueblood grumples, hoofing over the crystal. “I’ll need a new one quickly, though, no telling when they’ll come for me. I have to be able to defend myself.”

“Our friend will not deprive you of your defense,” the figure says softly, accepting the shards of the crystal with a sea-green hoof. “For long, at least.” The figure then turns and goes to the door. “Of course, if you fail again…” the threat hangs in the air like a thick cloud, causing Blueblood to swallow.

“I won’t,” Blueblood whispers. “I swear it.”

“See that you don’t Archduke,” The figure says softly as it knocks on the door. “See that you don’t.”

The door swings open and allows the figure to exit, the guard who opened it casting a glare to Blueblood, who does his best not to shiver and shrink beneath the glare. He lasts until the door is closed, and the sound of hoofbeats is echoing down the hallway before he wraps his arms around himself, closes his eyes, and shivers as he holds back the desire to cry.

----

As he walks down the hallway, the figure shivers heavily and chokes back tears. Stopping at the guard station, the figure leans against the wall and sits down as it’s legs fail to continue to hold their weight.

“You okay?” the guard that had escorted the figure from Blueblood’s cell asks, gently resting a hoof on the the cloaked figure’s shoulder. “You don’t need to be afraid of him, Sea, you were very brave.”

“I know,” the figure sniffles, pushing back its hood with a sea-green hoof. Beneath the deep hood is the face of a stallion, his chocolate brown eyes clouded with tears. “I… just hate seeing Blueblood like that.” He takes a shuddering breath, and shakes his head to clear the tears, but fails.

“I know, but it had to be done,” the guard comments, rubbing the stallion’s back. “We wouldn’t be asking this of you if we didn’t think you could do it.”

“I just hope it was worth it,” Sea whispers softly. “I want my Blueblood back…”

“It was worth it,” a new voice says confidently, the owner limping forward to smile at Sea. “And you will have back the Blueblood you remember, I promise you.” Extending a grey hoof, the figure’s smile slips as his expression turns serious. “Did you find out if he had what I feared he did?”

“I… I did, Prose,” Sea says quickly. “To think, something so small, could cause so much trouble.” He hands over the dimly glowing crystal shards, which Prose quickly deposits into a pouch.

“Many of my fellows said the same thing, Sea,” Prose offers softly before reaching over and putting a hoof on the other stallion’s shoulder. “I promise you, when all is said and done, I will do my best to protect Blueblood. I swear it.”

“I’ll hold you to that, Renegade,” Sea sniffles.

-------

Trotting through the hallway leading into the kitchens, Daring sighs. It was the first real night where she isn’t in danger of being woken up by some strange emergency, and she can’t sleep. She had tried everything, and by rights she should be bone tired after the battle she had been a part of a day before. But no, her body just had to be charged with nervous energy.

Leaf had finally booted her out of their room, as he was actually tired and had wanted to get some sleep. She had acted offended, but honestly it was really funny how comfortable they were together after their rocky start. And, of course, they were engaged, so at this point they were more or less a married couple, and were already acting like it. Now, if only she could get her friends to stop teasing her about it…

Turning a corner, she instinctively nods at the guards who are stationed at the nearby doors into what had at one point been a magnificent courtyard, but was now more rubble than anything else if you could see it through the tents tent city set up on it. The guards offer a respective salute in return, but otherwise don’t move as they stand at their posts. She has yet to figure out how to be an officer, but Daring can’t help but smile as her Reservists salute her, and decides to perhaps let it last a little while longer if only so she can rub it in Leaf’s grandmother’s face later.

That thought puts a small spring in her step as she makes the remainder of her journey to the kitchen in relatively high spirits, and before long she is browsing through the magi-tech freezer for ice cream. Deciding on a small carton of Rocky Road, she trots over to a cabinet, and helps herself to a spoon. Sticking the spoon into her mouth, she starts off towards the doors, when the sound of conversation causes her to slow down, lest she be hit by whoever is about to come through the doors.

“Shiro, I just cannot believe Luna would do something like that,” the voice of what must be an elderly stallion comes from behind the doors along with the sound of jingling bells. “Honestly, she was always such a sweet filly, to think she led a rebellion against her sister, nearly plunged all of Equestria into eternal darkness?”

“Unthinkable, I know my friend,” Shiro’s confidant voice answers as the doors start to swing open. “But it is the truth, or so much as I’ve been informed.”

“And who informed you of this?” the stallion asks as he and Shiro come through the door. He is a grey unicorn wearing what Daring has to admit is the most accurate Star Swirl the Bearded costume she has ever seen.

“Well, this mare here, actually,” Shiro states simply, a smirk on his face as he turns to look at Daring, who is standing in the middle of the kitchen, a spoon sticking out of her mouth and a carton of ice cream under her wing.

Smiling sheepishly, and waving to Shiro with one hoof, Daring pretends she didn’t just get caught raiding the freezer by Celestia and Luna’s uncle.

“Ah, she seems… respectable enough,” the elderly unicorn mutters, walking around Daring and inspecting her with a critical eye. “Of course, anypony who has the peace of mind to smile when they’re caught with their hoof in the cookie jar is alright by me.”

Sitting down and taking the spoon from her mouth, Daring raises an eyebrow. “I am not raiding the cookie jar. I was taking my just spoils after a battle hard fought the other day!” She waves the spoon like a scepter. “Honestly, after what I’ve been through, I deserve more than just ice cream!” She points to Shiro. “Shiro, do you think you could convince your nieces to give me ownership of the Equestrian History Museum?”

“I’ll think about it, Daring,” Shiro chuckles. “It was a battle hard fought. However, I am surprised you are not in bed with your stallion celebrating the victory.”

“Mmm,” Daring hums, having opened the ice cream container and taken a spoonful. Swallowing, she shrugs. “I was… a bit restless, and he wanted to sleep, so he kicked me out.”

“Sounds like a brave lad,” the unicorn chuckles.

“Leaf Wind is quite brave,” Shiro agrees. “As is Daring, here.” He then pauses and looks to the unicorn with a growing smile. “But, then, while I am speaking of brave souls, I think I should properly introduce you two.”

“Oh, yes, please, introduce me to the weird, bell-wearing unicorn,” Daring shrugs, taking another spoonful.

“Weird?” the unicorn chuckles. “My dear filly, I assure you when and where I am from this was completely acceptable dress.”

“Yeah, in early Equestrian society,” Daring smirks. “Heck, I’ve not seen clothes like that outside of exhibits on Star Swirl the Bearded! And honestly, he was quite unique for his time.”

“Daring, you’ve never seen another pony dress like my friend here because he is Star Swirl the Bearded,” Shiro chuckles, which grows into a full laugh as Daring sits there with her spoon sticking out of her mouth and blinks slowly. Shaking his head and gestures to Daring, Shiro continues. “And Star Swirl, the confused young mare is A.K. Yearling, better known as Daring Do, an adventurer and an expert in ancient cultures.”

“A pleasure, Miss Yearling,” Star Swirl says warmly, offering a hoof, which Daring accepts with her spoon still sticking out of her mouth. She shakes Star Swirl’s hoof rather stiffly, still blinking and looking rather confused, which causes Star Swirl to chuckle nervously. “Are you alright, my dear?”

Taking the spoon out of her mouth, Daring nods. “Yeah, I’m just debating going and getting a bigger carton of ice cream…” She looks to Shiro and smiles in a sarcastic manner. “And Shiro, please, next time please lead with ‘Oh, Daring, this is a famous pony from ages past!’ so I don’t make a fool of myself.”

“Please, Daring,” Shiro sighs. “You don’t need my help doing that. It’s what you have Leaf for.”

“My fiancé aside, it would have been nice to have some warning,” Daring sighs. “Besides, I...”

“You are an expert on ancient cultures and history?” Star Swirl cuts in causing Daring to look over at him.

“Well, I’ve been in my fair share of places, read my fair share of books,” Daring shrugs. “But yeah, I’m an expert by most standards. Why?”

“What do you know of the Crystal Empire,” Star Swirl starts slowly, his face growing serious, “and of the Umbra.”

“Not much,” Daring says slowly, narrowing her eyes slightly. “But I know enough that I’m going to need more than just ice cream to get through this conversation.”

“Then let us find a table,” Shiro offers, nodding towards the door leading to the temporary mess hall. “And you can explain to us what you know.”

“Well, it’s not like I was going to get any sleep tonight anyway,” Daring sighs as she turns and starts towards the exit. As she passes the large walk in pantry, she pauses and opens the door, calling to a pony inside. “Rusty! Could you bring some cake out to me?”

“Sure thing, Daring!” the reply echoes from inside the pantry.

Satisfied, Daring continues off to the exit and pushes the double doors open, gesturing for the two with her to go through. Shiro inclines his head and goes first ,followed closely by Star Swirl who is looking around the room with interest. Smiling, Daring follows after the two of them, spoon sticking of her small carton of ice cream balanced on a wing. The mess hall isn’t full at this hour, but still holds quite a large number of night guard, as well as a few insomniac day guard and reserves, milling about eating their various meals or simply talking now that death wasn’t looming over their heads. Those that are up and walking around part before their small group, many offering bows or salutes to Shiro as he passes, causing the old alicorn to frown as he politely nods his head to them. They reach a table in short order, and Daring soon finds herself situated across from the two ancient ponies.

“So…” Daring starts slowly, poking at the ice cream in front of her. “The Umbra and the Crystal Empire.”

“Yes,” Star Swirl presses as he leans forward, beard brushing against the table. “I need to know how much you know about them. It’s very important.”

“Can I ask why?” Daring asks, looking Star Swirl in the eyes. “I mean, honestly, why do you need to know? You’re an Archmage who served Celestia and Luna when Equestria was just forming. Shouldn’t you know about them?”

“I do know about them,” Star Swirl agrees with a sigh. “But not enough. I distanced myself from such knowledge, I didn’t want to admit what they had been before they became Umbra. Didn’t want to face the reality of the war we had fought.”

“That doesn’t answer my question, Star Swirl,” Daring counters. “The legends surrounding them, hay, Roan for Celestia’s sake!” At the mention of Roan, Star Swirl winces heavily, and looks away. Sighing, Daring continues is a more gentle voice. “What I know about them paints a dark enough picture, so I need to know why you want to know what I know.”

“Because he has to find his daughter,” Shiro states calmly before Star Swirl can. “His and Hope’s.”

“Hope?” Daring says softly, brow furrowing as she thinks. “Wasn’t she one of the…?”

“The Virtues, yes,” Star Swirl sighs. “If history has been kind to her, she would be remembered as Queen Crystal Hope, the First Queen of the Crystal Empire.”

“That explains why you want to know about that,” Daring nods, gesturing with her spoon. “Surely you know the Empire was outside time for a thousand years?”

“I knew its capital was banished from time, but not for how long,” Star Swirl offers. “It has returned, then?”

“Yes, and it’s now ruled over by one of Amore’s descendants, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, or Cadance as she is known to many.”

“But what of the Umbra?” Star Swirl asks slowly. “Have any more surfaced after Sombra?”

“Sombra was an Umbra?” Daring asks, eyes wide. “I mean, that would explain a lot, but… it also does nothing to quiet my fears of those things.”

“If you did not know that, then you must know very little about the Umbra,” Star Swirl growls, shaking his head.

“I know the legends, and, at this point, they’re likely the best you’re ever going to get,” Daring remarks before smirking. “Unless you go to a museum, and I doubt they’d let you leave seeing as you’re the actual Star Swirl the Bearded.” She chuckles as the old unicorn gives her a pointed glare, taking a bite of her ice cream. “Anyway, before my cake shows up, here’s what I know.” She puts the spoon down and takes a deep breath before looking Star Swirl in the eyes. “The Umbra, or Shadow Ponies as they are known in some cultures, are a mythical race of ponies that are said to be the harbingers of death, as well as the ones who whisper in the ears of the truly evil ponies who have sought to break the balance over the centuries.” She taps her hoof against the table, stalling as she thinks. “Not a lot is known about them, and no mention of one is made having physically been in this world, as most sources state them as being an ‘influence’ rather than a physical thing.”

“Well,” Star Swirl starts, clearly hesitant, “to be abundantly fair, they weren’t the actual force itself, but rather the result of the fall of the Virtues, and subsequently, Equus…”

"All except for one, Oh Belled and Bearded One," Discord says, suddenly popping into existence and holding out a cake with silvery frosting and Hope's sigil in blue on top. "Well... Technically one..."

Without missing a beat, Daring reaches over and and accepts the cake and puts it down in front of her. She then frowns and look over at Discord, “What no fork?” Discord snaps his fingers, the requested utensil forming out of thin air, and hands it to Daring. “Thank you. I hope you didn’t inconvenience Rusty too much.”

“Oh, your dear Quartermaster is simply doing battle with an army of fanged vegetables.” Discord comments with a wave of his paw. “Honestly, I’ve never seen a pony enjoy fighting produce so much.”

“Hope did not fall,” Star Swirl growls from across the table, causing Daring’s attention to go to the archmage.

“Oh, silly little Archmage,” Discord coos, snapping his fingers and appearing next to Star Swirl. “You and I both know that’s not true.”

“She did not fall,” Star Swirl insists as he glares daggers at the misshapen creature behind him. “I-it was simply time for her to depart from this life, as all are called into the embrace of the Cosmos eventually.”

“I’m sure that’s the pretty little lie you told you dear daughter,” Discord sighs, floating around the old unicorn and popping up between him and Shiro, “but there are no foals at this table.” He looks to Shiro, who is frowning, then back to Star Swirl. “So I think it’s time to admit she did the one thing she was absolutely not allowed to do.”

“Shut up, you detestable bag of mixed parts!” Star Swirl growls, his eyes narrowing even as tears start to form.

“Struck a nerve, have I?” Discord frowns, raising an eyebrow. “She won the battle… but not the war, Mr The Bearded.” He flicks Star Swirl’s nose. “And you know it.”

“What does he mean, Star Swirl?” Daring asks around a mouthful of cake, pausing to swallow before continuing. “What does he mean, she won the battle but not the war?”

“You have to understand, she was under a lot of stress…” Star Swirl starts as he stares down at the table. “She had lost too many friends… her entire family… I thought she was doing so well, but Radiant’s birth…”

“What happened Star Swirl?” Shiro calmly says, putting a wing around his friend as he starts shivering. “What did Hope do?”

“She…” Star Swirl starts again, clearing his throat and shaking his head. “She knew she was falling. Shiro, she felt pain slowly overwhelming her… So s-she wrote me and our daughter a letter and… took off her bracers.” Above him, Shiro stiffens his eyes going wide.

“So she took off her jewelry,” Daring comments, gesturing with her fork. “What’s so important about that?”

“My dear Yearling,” Discord speaks up as he suddenly appeared on her shoulder. “She was well past what you would consider ancient for a normal pony.” He hops down and walks over to lean against the cake bearing Hope’s symbol. “The only thing keeping her weary old bones tethered to this life was her fancy jewelry.”

“So she…” Daring asks slowly, realization dawning on her.

“She killed herself,” Star Swirl chokes out as he pulls the brim of his hat down to cover his face. “She killed herself before she could fully fall and endanger everything and everypony she loved.”

“Truthfully,” Discord says in a suddenly serious tone. “It gave even me pause when I found out.” He looks to Star Swirl who is glaring at him from beneath his hat. “Don’t give me that look! The Virtues and I never saw eye to eye, what with the whole chaos and cosmic harmony being opposites. But, even I did not wish for her life to end like that. She was a worthy foe, and deserved to die a peaceful death surrounded by her family.”

Clearing her throat, Daring puts aside her cake, her appetite suddenly less. “I think we should return the your original question, Star Swirl?” She looks to Discord, “And I think you should go release the Quartermaster from whatever it is you did before Dame Fluttershy catches wind of it.”

“Oh fine, ruin my fun,” Discord pouts. “But you are right. I’d best go free that old stallion before Fluttershy notices… We’re having tea tomorrow, and I’d rather not sit silently the whole time.” He waves to Star Swirl and Shiro. “Toodles!” He snaps his fingers and vanishes.

“Why you all let him run free I shall never understand,” Shiro grumbles as he continues to comfort Star Swirl. “What more can you tell us of the Umbra, Daring?”

“Not a whole lot more,” Daring sighs as she looks to Star Swirl. “The only other thing of substance is that there is this old explorer’s story from the wastes north of the Crystal Empire. Something about a grand city hidden behind a blizzard. The few ponies that apparently have found it and return speak of eyes in the shadows, and the blind guardian that is the warden of the city.”

“What more do you know of this city? Do you know it’s location?” Star Swirl speaks up, his face still shadowed by his hat.

“I know the general area, the accounts have never been that accurate.” Daring says softly as she scratches her cheek. “If you get a current map of the Crystal Empire and the surrounding area, I might be able to show you. But other than that I suggest you go to the library here in the Castle, ask the warden… I mean the librarian about the section dealing with older journals, particularly in the period shortly after the Empire vanished.”

“Then I think I will go there,” Star Swirl sighs slowly before looking up with a smile. “Thank you, Daring.”

“Mmm,” Daring hums around a spoonful of ice cream. “No problem, but just one more thing.”

“Yes?” Star Swirl chuckles.

“Be careful of that old nag’s tongue; she can strip the hide from a dragon with that thing.”

Author's Notes:

Hey look, it's Star Swirl!

I really missed writing the old Wizard Derp! For all of you staring at me funny and wondering why I brought him back, it's the start of a storyline that will progress into other stories. But, it's also an excuse to have Shiro act more calm around someone, and to bring up things like the Umbra and Roan and all that fun ancient history stuff with Daring!

Oh, and also stuff with Blueblood... I wonder what that could be about