The Shards of Power

The gray Pegasus hit the cliff face with a thud. The Unicorn magician looked over to the pony.

"Hey, Hurricane!" he shouted, the bells on his hat jingling as he turned, "You okay?"

Commander Hurricane stood up. He was built like a tank. Star Swirl knew he was fine. "Yep, just fine." Hurricane replied, flying back toward their foe and his army. From a distance, they appeared to be Changelings, but Star Swirl knew that Changelings were mythological. These were undead ponies. Their leader looked just as menacing, but larger and definitely alive. Smart Cookie, an Earth pony, was wrangling the skeletal ponies up with rope.

"Phew!" she called upon hog tying another group. "I'm too old for this."

Star Swirl looked to the battlefield. All the skeleton ponies were tied up. It was time. With a burst of sea green magic, a firework appeared in the sky. This was the signal. Their leader, a regal Alicorn queen, appeared, her white wings spread. She didn't look like the other Alicorns. Her mane was flat against her head, not long and flowing. But that was who she was. Queen Fausticorn didn't need a gold tiara, she needed respect. She left the gold to the other princesses, the stuck up ones like Princess Platinum. Fausticorn flew up, her horn aglow with teal magic. Star Swirl knew this threat hit close to home to her. Her child was a princess, and their foe was coming for Fausticorn, her child, and her unborn daughter. Their magic combined would be enough to take over the new land of Equestria. But Fausticorn knew that her magic, combined with that of her friends, would defeat their enemy. The other three ponies levitated up next to the Alicorn. It was time. All four ponies closed their eyes. Time seemed to slow down to Star Swirl. Minutes passed. When Star Swirl opened his eyes, he was on solid ground and their enemies were gone.

"Well, team," Fausticorn started, "that was our last fight together. That spell should keep our enemy contained in Tartarus for a while. Our time as the Shards of Power is over. So, who are the lucky ponies your powers are going to?"

"My son, Funnel Cloud, will be receiving the Shard of Strength." Commander Hurricane said with confidence. Star Swirl wished he knew who his Shard would go to.

"My daughter, Cookies 'n Cream, will get the Shard of Agility." Smart Cookie stated with a tone of nervousness.

"And for you, Star Swirl the Bearded?" Fausticorn spoke. Star Swirl had a temporary lapse in thought.

"Uh... You go first." He replied.

"Okay then. My daughter, Princess Celestia, will receive the Shard of Haste." She answered.

Star Swirl knew who would get his Shard now. He could declare positively that his nephew would get his Shard.

"My nephew, Starstreak, will gain the Shard of Knowledge." Star Swirl declared.

Star Swirl closed his eyes. When they opened, he was in his sister's house. He asked to see his nephew. His sister agreed. She knew what was to happen. When Star Swirl arrived in Starstreak's room, the colt was on the floor with his toys. Star Swirl sat down next to his nephew.

"Hi Uncle Starry! What are you doing here?" the colt asked, his eyes full of curiosity.

"I came to give you something, my little pony." Star Swirl replied, inclining the colt to look behind his uncle.

"All I can say regarding this gift is... Good luck." Star Swirl's horn began to glow, not sea green, but gold. He touched his horn to Starstreak's forehead.

"Starstreak... You are now the Shard of Knowledge."