The mountainside was quite chilly as the marble-skinned namekkian walked up the snow-covered path to the castle embedded in the side of the mountain. Why hadn't he flown inside? Mostly because he was admiring the imposing architecture as he walked closer. He could only smile a little as his gaze took in every feature of the castle, it was amazing... The base of the castle itself was nestled inside a ring of sharp peaks, from what he could tell the center of the castle was hexagon-shaped while there was a path at each edge leading to one of six different massive round towers that stretched for nearly two hundred feet. The most interesting part wasn't even the castle though... no...

The best part was the secondary structure located so high up in the atmosphere that even dragons of this world dared not go up. The lookout that Cello was making his way to the castle for seemed to have obtained its own miniature atmosphere at one point so that the Kami of the Lookout could have guests or students away from the prying eyes of the world.

He stopped just outside of the massive double doors that were carved in the likeness of a dragon, he smirked a little at a stray thought as he stepped past the threshold. "Hmm... I might just look into having a dragon as a steward if the pony doesn't work out... wait... can I have two stewards?" His mind continued along mostly the same train of thought until he reached a huge hexagonal chamber. He paused as the magical ring in the center of the room gave out a pulse. Slowly the symbols and the ring began to pulse with a steady beat while only making a gentle chiming sound.

A figure began to appear as the room seemed to fill with a fine mist... just before he began to cough. Cello blinked a few times and tilted his head as he watched the pony get his coughing under control.

The pony started to grumble. "Stupid mist, irritating me even after I'm dead!" He turned to look at the namekkian. "Who are you? Why are you here?" He barks out as he straightens the dark blue hat on his head that is patterned with lots of stars as well as various bells around the rim and tip.

Cello blinks again. "Really? You're the old Kami of this world?"

"Oi! I'm not old, I'm only one thousand and seventy-eight!"

"Is that counting birthdays only? or deathdays as well?" Cello replied with a smirk.

"Don't you even know who I am?" The pony asked with a slightly amused smile as he straightened his beard a little and started walking up to his guest.

"All I know is that you're Kami of this world, and that I'm here to help give this world a new Kami."

"All you know eh? Are you sure about that? It certainly sounds like you know how to be a smartass."

"I picked up a few things here and there." Cello replied with a smile. "So, what kind of test do I have to pass in order to become Kami?"

The pony put a hoof to his chin. "I think a good place to start is introductions." He holds out his slightly-transparent hoof. "Name's Starswirl the Bearded."

Cello nodded. "Cello, one of the remnants of the Dragon clan of namekkians."

"Huh, Namekkians? Never heard of ya." Starswirl replied as he lit up his horn and cleared the room of mist.

"Not many species do, it was only by chance that earthlings did."

"Well, lets head up to the lookout to figure out what kind of test to set up... you don't seem to be the magic type, so a test of magic won't work... I'm not a fighter... so a test of might is a no-go..."

"Actually, as part of the dragon clan, I'm quite learned in the ways of magic and I can create a set of dragon balls for this world."

Starswirl looked at him with a mixture of confusion and revulsion. "Uh... Sonny... We have plenty of dragons... we don't really need a set..."

Cello facepalmed. "No... The Dragon Balls are a set of spherical crystals that tap into a powerful source of magic in order to grant the one who brings them together a single wish."

"Oh... Really? And what kinds of limits are on them?"

"None actually..." Cello explained as the two of them vanished in a flash of light before reappearing in a courtyard. "...Since I'm more powerful than the Kami of Earth I could create a set of dragon balls that could be used for whatever the person who brought them together wanted. They're supposed to be an epic quest for mighty heroes to undertake so that they can wish for their heart's desire... but with the development of dragon radar technology back on Earth there was a... lot more abuse of that power."

"Well... Let's not use that as the test then... hmm... we need to think of something... oh well, how about I make you some tea and set up a nice game of chess while I try to come up with a test for you?"

Cello let out a small sigh. "Sure, but I was certainly hoping to become Kami soon so that I could help a friend of mine."

Starswirl raised a brow as they walked into the slightly smaller castle that made up the lookout. "A friend? You don't simply want to become Kami for the position itself?"

"Well, kinda, but for the most part I want to be able to help my friend train the new bearers of the Elements of Harmony."

"New bearers? What happened to the Princesses?"

"They lost their connection a while ago... With the recent return of Princess Luna the elements chose new bearers to use them."

"Ah... I see, it's good to know that those two lovely mares are still kicking." Starswirl chuckled as lit up his horn to start up a kettle of water and pull out a chessboard. His form took on a more substantial look as a halo began to fade into existence above his head. "Well... lets get our game started. I prefer to play the sun pieces if that's not a problem."

Cello shrugged, "I'm not too skilled at the game myself, so it's not a big deal for me." He sat down across from the stallion and watched as the pieces were set up, all of the white ones had a theme similar to Celestia and her royal guards, while the black pieces were modeled after Luna and her Thestrals. Starswirl set his first piece to move and from there an intense battle of strategy began.

Two Hours Later

Starswirl flipped the chessboard for what felt like the hundredth time in the past hour alone. "You lying S-O-B!" He exclaimed as he got up. "I knew you were lying about being a terrible chess-player!"

Cello raised a brow. "No... I am starting to think you just know less about the game than I do... I mean... trying to move your pawns horizontally? That's not how you play chess."

"I've lived longer than anyone else on this planet, excluding the princesses of course, I know damn well how to play chess!"

Cello shrugged as he picked up his cup and took a sip. "I'm still not convinced." He lets out another chuckle as he puts his cup back. "It would've been funny if you were trying to use these games as a test to see just how observant I am as well as my own strategic mind to find when my opponent is trying to do something sneaky." He smirked as he leaned back.

His smirk only grew once a slightly sheepish realization dawned on Starswirl's face and the pony began to rub the back of his head. "Well... ya see..."

"You sly dog... Nice try, but a good dragon clan namekkian is able to spot things like that a mile away." Cello explained as he sat up. "And up here I get to have a sense of the entire world just to give little suggestions to my friends and allies in order to counter future enemies' plans."

Starswirl gave the young namekkian a smile. "Well, I think that's more than enough to allow you to be the new Kami of this world." The aged pony makes his way out of the room, motioning to have Cello follow him. Once the two were back out in the main courtyard Starswirl turned back to him. "Young Namekkian... I have been asked by you to pass along the position of Kami, and after careful debate I have made my decision... Here, deep within dragon territory and far away from the eyes of the world so that none may influence you and your decisions, May you accept the position of Kami and guide the world away from destruction whenever within your power."

Cello nodded. "I wish to care for and protect this world for as long as I can, until even the last drop of strength has left my body, I will protect this world from those who would seek to destroy it."

Starswirl began to become more and more transparent once more as his horn lit up. "Then with this decree, I bestow upon you the mantle and power of Kami of Equus. May you guide this world to peace and protect it with every ounce of strength in times of strife." With one ice-blue flash a bolt of energy surged forward as Starswirl disappeared and struck Cello in the chest. The Namekkian grit his teeth as he could feel the surge of magical energy flow into his being, mixing with his Ki and giving him so many new sensations as his connection to the world began to cement further.

As the glow faded Cello gently landed back on the ground and examined his body, he quickly flexed his hands and noted the soft blue aura that surrounded him tinged with a slight green color of his original. He smiled as he struck a pose. "Yeah! This is awesome! This is great! I could fight a Saiyan with this power!"

"A Saiyan? They're still around? And they're strong?"

Cello froze with a stunned look on his face. "... What's going on?"

"Oh! This? It's a mental link left over from me transferring my magical essence into you. Don't worry, it's not permanent since I'm still in heaven... the link should fade, oh... sooner or later."

Cello frowned. "Just great..." He groaned.

"Look on the bright side, this allows us to swap magical notes without needing to worry about interruptions, I could even teach you a bit about Equestrian magic.

Cello simply let out another sigh. "...I need some pot..."

"...Pots of what?"

Cello rolled his eyes. "Really? You're really gonna be that guy right now?"

"Of course I am, I've been around nearly three times your normal lifespan, of course I know what pot is. Or did I simply give my position to an idiot who can't take a joke?"

Author's Note

Woohoo! Who here expected starswirl!? Y-you... you in the back? really? want a cookie? Yes? Well too bad! No cookie for you because you were a smartass!

For everyone else, I'd be happy to hear your feedback!