Sincerely, Starswirl
Dear Celestia,
Perhaps even the greatest of minds can know absolutely nothing. I, a unicorn considered just short of a god, have no problem admitting that. But what exactly makes a common pony an intellectual? Education? What is that even? Should I trust someone who can name the royal lineage all the way back to Mother Faust herself before I trust a simple village elder? Or perhaps wisdom is the true measure of knowledge, the ability to solve the everyday situation?
Look at me, plaguing you with questions philosophers have been debating about for decades. How simply rude of me. I’m sure you have a lot of questions as well. One of them probably being, why am I writing this? It’d be fair enough to want to inquire.
The truth is, I simply don’t know. Perhaps I want to give you some last bit of advice before I fall into my inevitable eternal slumber. Or maybe I wish to warn you about taking the paths I have taken, yes, that seems about right. You are to lead the entire nation one day after all, your decisions will affect your countless subjects. So it is with that future preparation that I offer you this word of advice.
Don’t live the life I’ve lived. I regret it with as much intensity as possible.
400 years my girl, 400 hundred years I’ve lived in this cold world. In that time I’ve never had someone I could call a ‘friend’. Acquaintances? Plenty, you have to get along with the people you work with I remind you. But a friend? Why would I Starswirl the Bearded, son of the great Archmage Starswirl the Swift, ever need friends? What purpose would friends serve other than an interference in my studies?
It brings me great sorrow to know that I had once thought this way. My constant need to live up to my father’s legacy had blinded me from the unbearable truth, I had no one in this world! I was alone, I always was alone, and I am alone now on my deathbed writing this letter to you.
Perhaps it was for the best actually. The depressing mistakes I’ve made will perhaps let others not to do the same. Maybe my whole life is just a sacrifice to the greater good? Ha, if you could even call my existence a life.
It’s funny really how things never turn out the way you expect them to. I would’ve thought my unwavering allegiance to the Equestrian Empire would be enough to fill the gaping void the lack of loved ones had created, turns out it only made me remember that it’s there. I’d compare my sorrow to a creeping disease, you know it’s there but since it’s not attacking you at the moment you pretend that it’s just imaginary. That it’s not important and just a common everyday doubt. Soon however, it builds up into a unignorable state of despair, eating you from the inside out.
Enough of my self pitying though, I want to talk about you Celestia. I still remember the day you were born my dear, your cries echoed throughout the halls of Canterlot, strong with the Royal Voice. I was young then, so sure I knew everything there was to know about the world. So stupid and naive. Your father; King Solaris, tasked me to train you in the arcane arts. And trained we did.
Hours at a time, for days, weeks, months, years, we practiced honing your skills. I never cut you any slack, I was always hard on you. I knew you hated me for it, but I was a necessary evil. You will grow up to be a proud ruler someday Celestia, I wish I could be there to see you. Nothing would make me happier then to see my ray of sunshine in all her royalty.
And then came the day you beat me in a magic duel. I wasn’t holding back that day, regardless of what I told you. You beat me at my own game and I was never prouder. You realize you became my equal that day, right? The lines between student and teacher were abolished along with my ego. For that short moment, I felt as though my life was beginning to pay off. You were my prize, the proof that my existence had meant something.
But then you left me, and I was alone again.
I don’t blame you of course, you were simply a daughter following the orders of a parent. I had begged your father not to send you away, that you would learn more from me than any diplomats. My complaints were futile of course, you were gone the next morning.
Yet I must admit I still felt bitter at your abandonment. You made an impact on my life that nopony else has. Have I done the same to you? Have I changed your life? If I have, I can only hope it was for the better. You must stay strong Celestia. For me, your sister, and the future of the nation. There will be times where you feel that you’re alone, but you’ll never be alone. I will always be there, in your heart, silently cheering you on from the afterlife. I love you Celestia like I would my own daughter. Thank you for giving this old stallion some of the best times in his life.
Well, it appears I have very little time on this world. Perhaps it’s time for me to end my letter. I hope my story has taught you something.
Goodbye my Princess,
Starswirl the Bearded.
Starswirl smiled at his letter, knowing the document would soon become his last known words. He rose to his hooves, week knees buckling in protest. He sighed in concentration, “Soon.” he said to himself. “But not now.” Slowly but surely, a small magical charge lit up his grey horn. In a blue flash, the letter was gone from his sight. Starswirl fell back onto his bed, a small smile beginning to form on his face. “Perhaps there will be peace for me in the next life.” he said. The unicorn felt a single tear flow down his cheek. “Goodbye Tia.” With that, he took a final breath and left the world.
Thousands of miles away, a pink haired Alicorn was disturbed by a single stroll landing on her head. “Oh great, probably another one of father’s complaints about my studies.” she said to herself. She was ready toss it in the pile with the others when she noticed the seal. A seal only one pony used. A seal of her cutie mark.
“Starswirl!?” she cried. “But that means...” Using her magic, she hastily unrolled the scroll and began to read.
