“No, no, NO!” Starswirl yelled in frustration as his spell fizzled once again. “What am I missing?” He paced the room, ignoring his helper, Piper, as she tried to reassure him.
"It's alright, Swirly! You can try again! Surely you've got it next time!" Piper said wildly, hoping to stem his frustration and calm him down.
"It's NOT alright! That casting was perfect! Everything was in alignment, every element, perfect!" He stopped suddenly, nearly causing Piper to crash into him.
"Wait. Not every element. My spell requires a massive amount of raw energy. Only one such force exists that could supply the magic I need for this spell..." Abruptly he turned to Piper.
"Where is Celestia? And Luna? I must speak to them. Send a message post-haste!"
Grumpily Piper complied, writing out a quick request and burning it in her magic breath.
"Message away. I don't know why you're so upset over this spell! It's not like you can't find one that would do the same in the library!"
"But that's just it," Starswirl said moodily. "None of the books I've recompiled and rewritten had any sort of spells like this one will be!"
"Will be? You mean... You mean you're creating a NEW spell!?" Piper was aghast. "New magic is the domain of alicorns! Princess Celestia will nev-"
"Princess Celestia set me to this task." Starswirl interrupted her. "And I intend to fulfill Her wishes. Furthermore, I-"
A mighty wind blew in from the balcony of his tower, interrupting him and knocking over some of the magic paraphernalia scattered across the chamber. Distraught over the arcane instruments, Starswirl rushed to set them to rights, completely missing the entrance of Princess Luna.
Striding in, her star studded mane billowing behind her, Luna looked every inch the warrior-princess. Her legs were protected by obsidian armor, her head covered by a massive black helm that made her eyes glow from within. She turned to Piper and, completely shattering the regal manor of her entrance, trotted over and hugged the juvenile dragon fiercely.
"Piper, mine friend! It hath been too long by half since I hath seen thou! How art thoust fairing?"
Piper managed to extract herself from the suffocating hug and replied, "I'm doing well, Princess, but unfortunately ‘tis not leisure that has called you here. Swirly needs you and Tia right away."
Starswirl, having set the items to rights, turned to Luna.
"Princess! Good, you're here! I have an urgent request for you."
Piper interrupted Starswirl. "Hold on, Swirly, shouldn't we wait for Princess Celestia?" Luna shook her head sadly.
"Unfortunately, friend Piper, my sister is unable to arrive here on such short notice. the kingdom to the north is riling up again, and she hath gone to see to our defenses. T'would do no good to let evil get a foothold in Equestria.”
“Very well,” Starswirl said contritely. “Princess, I need to use the Elements of Harmony. they would be incredibly hel-”
Nearly stunned by his impudence, Luna raged at the bearded unicorn, “YOU WANT WHAT!? NO PONY MAY USE THE ELEMENTS BUT PRINCESS CELESTIA AND I!!! THEIR POWER IS TOO GREAT FOR MORTALS LIKE THYSELF!!!” Suddenly she regained a measure of calm and went on. “You are too rash and foolhardy to use such powerful magics. Return to your studies and do NOT trifle us about the Elements again. Good day, Starswirl, Piper.” Having said her piece, she strode out onto the balcony and departed in a furious rush of wind.
“Well, that could have gone better.” Piper piped up from the corner where she had fled from the princess’ wrath. Starswirl was still stunned by the abrupt refusal, and thus he did not protest at all as Piper gently guided him to the kitchen, where she fed him muffins, his favorite.
“there there, Swirly. You’ll find something else to power your spell. You always do.”
“B-but there is nothing else!” Starswirl stuttered around his muffin. “the elements are the only thing in the Country that could power such a massive spell!”
“What is your spell, Swirly? You've never told me!” Piper said, interested in what the mage had come up with.
“Well, I was going through the library, looking for more books i could fix up, and I overheard the librarian say the most peculiar thing while cleaning the stacks. He said ‘Sometimes I wish I didn't have this blasted book on my flank.’ And that got me thinking. What if there was a spell to change Destinies?” Piper gaped at him.
“Y-y-you mean change a pony’s cutie mark?? Is that even possible?”
“Yes. Exactly. But my own energy is not enough for such a spell.” Starswirl said dejectedly. “I’ve tried everything else available to me, but nothing works.”
“I’ll go to Celestia and petition for her to help you! She can’t refuse you forever!” Piper ran off to prepare for a journey to the border.
“No, no! That will never work. there must be SOMETHING!” Starswirl raged as Piper disappeared down the stairs. “Damn Luna for refusing me! I could be done with my spell by now! I am equal and more to her petty power! What does she know about magic anyway? She’s just some nocturnal barbarian. I’ll show her! Nothing will stop me from creating my spell! I’ll take the Elements, and use them! My spell will prove to that pathetic alicorn that I can handle anything!” He laughed, a maniacal laughter that echoed throughout his chamber. Levitating pencil and paper, he sat at his desk and began to plan.
Lower in the tower, Piper packed her things and booked a ticket as far as the train would go towards the border with a quick message to the station master. She knew that Starswirl would sulk for days about his rejection, and that should give her plenty of time to find Celestia and explain the situation.
She took the short walk to the Canterlot station to send off a quick message to Celestia, only saying that she was on her way to discuss something of great importance. What she had to discuss, she had decided, would only be safe in person. You never knew who might intercept magical messages.
As she arrived at the station, a message conjured itself in front of her. Pleased to be answered so promptly, she opened and read it.
Dearest Piper,
I’ll be taking a short break in Vanhoover.
Whatever you need to discuss can be discussed there.
~Princess Celestia
Good, thought Piper. My ticket only goes that far anyway. She set off, watching the glorious sunset as Canterlot receded into the distance.
Starswirl had his plan. Luna had flown off to her castle in the Everfree forest, and would not be back for days. Piper and her annoying conscience were on their way to Celestia, which took care of both of them. All he needed now was to break into the royal vault. His own power would be enough to thwart any magical traps, and it would be simple to teleport around any guards he might encounter. He cloaked himself in black wool, covering his head with the hood. He gathered the few supplies he needed and made his way out onto the balcony. Ignoring the dazzling view of Canterlot he was presented, he turned to the Palace. Concentrating fiercely, he summoned a stream of magic to detect any who might be where he needed to go. Satisfied that the way was clear, he drew power to himself and teleported straight into the Palace Library, appearing in a flash of golden light. Quickly, he darted towards the door, peeking out at the guards patrolling down the hall. They appeared to be extremely bored. As they turned away, heading back towards the palace entrance, he stealthily made his way up the hall, towards the Princess’ quarters.
The vault was situated between the Sister’s rooms, a short walk from the library. As he walked up to the massive door that guarded the vault, he sent out seeking tendrils of magic, searching for traps, magical or otherwise, that might await him. To his surprise, he found no traps in the hallway, but the door was warded heavily against any magic he might employ. He had planned for this. From the folds of his cloak, he pulled out the antler of a reindeer, carved with every ounce of skill he possessed to imitate Celestia’s own horn. Charging it with golden energy, he inserted the tip into the single hole in the door, grinning as the vault door accepted the power and groaned open. Starswirl slipped inside, leaving the door open so he could make a swift getaway.
In the vault, Starswirl looked around in amazement. Golden shields, massive gems, and enormous trophies were scattered throughout the room, all fairly glowing with magic. He saw beautifully carved jade statues, gryphonic claws taken as war prizes, even the pelt of some mystic evil the sisters had defeated years ago. The vaulted ceiling was covered in banners and hangings, each had golden stitching embroidering the emblems of various allies, the tattered banners of defeated enemies below them. In the center of the room, a pedestal stood alone, a small box emblazoned with the symbols of harmony resting on top. Still searching for traps, Starswirl made his way carefully up to the stand. He was about to open the box when he caught the merest whiff of magic. Frowning, he looked over the box, realizing that it would have been heavily warded.
“Blast. I had hoped to not use this.” He said, pulling a small scale out of his cloak. “And I’ll have to cast my spell immediately. There is no way Celestia will miss these shields going down.”
Placing the scale gently on top of the box, he began to chant. Magic swirled and condensed on the scale, making it shine an iridescent red. Suddenly, a massive flash lit up the vault as the scale completed it's duty. Grinning wildly, Starswirl scooped up the scale and opened the box. There, sitting in a nest of velvet, were five silver spheres. Each had the emblem of an element inscribed on it, and each fairly trembled from the magic potential they held within.
Starswirl wasted no time. He levitated the spheres out of their cushioning, placing them around himself in a pentagram. Slowly, he started his spell. He drew ruthlessly on the elements, wrapping the magic around himself like a blanket. The elements started to whirl, spinning around him in a frenzied dance. The dust scattered among the other artifacts swirled and raced along with the magic currents filling the room, creating a veritable whirlwind with Starswirl at it's center.
"NOW I WILL FINALLY REALIZE MY DESTINY! STARSWIRL, THE GREATEST UNICORN WHO EVER LIVED!"
He called the magic, focusing it on his cutie mark. I believe I shall take Luna's mark, he thought. It will serve her right! So preoccupied with his thoughts, he completely missed the entrance of Princess Celestia, who had traveled as fast as she could as the shields in the room had fallen. Striding boldly through the whirlwind, her face twisted in anger and sorrow, Celestia was the image of a vengeful sun. Her armor glowed golden, her rainbow mane trailing behind her. Wings fully extended, her horn a brilliant shaft of pure magic, she yelled angrily at Starswirl.
"What foolishness is this?! Do you presume to use the power of the elements for some selfish purpose? End this now and save yourself from a terrible mistake!"
So deep in his magic trance, Starswirl barely heard her. He drew even more power from the elements, absorbing massive amounts of magic into his body. The elements dulled and roughened, exhausted by the furious rate Starswirl had drained them. Suddenly a spasm wracked Starswirl's body. He blinked, the unexpected seizure breaking his concentration and making him notice Celestia for the first time.
"You're too late, Princess." He sneered at her. "You will regret denying me these. I shall become the most accomplished spell caster in the world!" Another spasm rolled through his body.
"Starswirl! End the spell! You haven't the skill to handle the elements!" Celestia yelled over the magical storm.
"No! NO! I am the most powerful unicorn in a century! I WILL NOT BE DENIED!" Starswirl raved, completely ignoring the enormous wave of magic power that threatened to engulf him. Yet another spasm shook his frame.
"What is doing that?!" He yelled, finally conscious of the inane amounts of magic coursing through his body.
"No no no no no!!!!" He called as he felt control slipping away. "Celestia! Help me! I can't stop it!"
Too late, Celestia cast her spells, but the magical vortex engulfing Starswirl just absorbed them, reflecting back hideous parodies of the light-filled magics Celestia had cast. Stuck inside the vortex of power, Starswirl was absorbed into the maelstrom, melding with everything and anything, twisting, clawing, as his entire being was reformed by the chaotic energies. Slowly the storm calmed as the magic was folded into the thing that Starswirl had become. Celestia stepped forward cautiously, peering through the layers of dust and residual magic that hung in the air.
"Don't come any closer, princess." A harsh voice grated from ahead, making a mockery of Celestia's title. "You caused me to become this... Thing! You will pay, Princess."
"Show yourself, Starswirl! I can help you!" Celestia called into the gloom.
"Starswirl? Starswirl?!" The voice answered mockingly. "I am no longer that being, you ignorant buffoon. I have become something worse, but something I can use to get my revenge."
Slowly, a malformed creature stood up, displacing the artifacts that had fallen on top of it. The scale had attached itself to Starswirl’s body, replicating itself and turning its torso into an elongated, dragon-like body. Pelts from great hunts had covered over it, making it appear patchwork. The antler had fused with his head and grown to the left, Starswirl’s unicorn horn twisting and moving to the right. The gryphon and beast trophies had corrupted his legs, each limb taking a different form. Wings had formed from the maelstrom and grafted to his back, one a smooth pegasus wing, the other a dark webbed wing. It stood tall as Celestia approached.
"Mark my words, Princess. The kingdom of Equestria will FALL! All your work will crumble to dust, every single pony you have ever known will bow to me or perish. But not you. Oh no. YOU. You will live to see everything come to pass, you will see your precious sister die, you will see the end of ponykind. And then, only then, will I allow you to pass from this wretched existence."
Taken aback by the violent picture presented to her, Celestia lowered her head, horn glowing with magical power. “You will NOT harm a single pony while I live, Starswirl!”
“DO NOT CALL ME THAT. I AM NOT STARSWIRL ANY MORE! I have been forced into this discordant form... yes. that will do. You may call me Discord, Princess. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve some chaos to sow!” With that parting shot, Discord teleported out of the palace, disappearing into the wilderness.
Author's Note
Too much Bane in that monologue? naaaahh...
Could use some polishing.
Based on my personal favorite headcannon.
