"Now, I do believe it is time we properly met," were the first of many words that would offset pitch darkness with conversation. "I understand that you already know who I am, and I you."
The voice resounded amongst the infinite darkness, carrying with it the didactic tone belonging to a teacher and the shrewd simplicity of a businessman. The second voice was that of an old pony, more than just weathered and experienced. Behind all the conversing was the running of water, and the residual cool air that flowed with any stream or creek breezed around the voices.
"This time has been coming since the day I was born, since the day my mother was born even. So, what reason have you to stop me at this thresh-hold?" The second voice spoke in a flawless stream of words, unbroken by the fear that gripped many before him. It was also clear that he was an older pony and far more than just weathered or experienced.
Behind all the conversing was the running of water, and the residual cool air that flowed with any stream or creek breezed around the voices.
"Ah, you are a keen observer, and polite as well. Others have greeted me with blood curdling screams and deafening howls- but as for you, it is pleasant to meet someone that is mannered. Now, you are sharp, I do in fact have a reason for stopping you here at this point; I have a proposal for you. What say you?"
"Go on, I shall hear your offer."
"Well, it's simple really, I will ask you a question. After you have been asked my question, I will allow you to ask me one question, one, as well so that you may answer mine. The only rules to this challenge are simple; you can ask any question that you desire so long as it is not asking me to answer my question in any form. The question you ask, I will answer truthfully, as I have no reason to lie, and you no reason to doubt my answer. Sound fair? Any questions? Oh - I mean about the rules of course. Don't worry, your single question will only matter after I've given you mine."
"Okay... You said this was a challenge, that usually implies that there is a risk and a reward..."
"Ah yes, I did forget to mention that didn't I? There is a reward if you can answer my question correctly. Should you answer incorrectly? I would tell you the correct answer and you would continue on down the river without any other consequence. You see, this is simply a survey that I have chosen to conduct that the inquired leave winning on either hand. If they succeed, they are given a prize, if they fail, they are given knowledge that was previously unbeknownst to them. Understand?"
"Right... There are just two other details to be settled. First, my choice in the matter-"
"Oh, this is completely voluntary, if you wish to carry on without participation then you are welcome to do so."
"... Then the other matter was my reward. I don't suppose you would tell me what it is, would you?"
"Only if you ask that after hearing my question first, but that would leave you with only a vague clue to answer my question with." The chatter was followed by a long silence, the inquired pondering his options.
"I see. Well then, I would be a fool to pass up on a conversation now. I will accept your... Challenge... erm... How shall I address you, before we begin? You know who I am, of course, but what would you prefer me to call you?"
"Well, since we are going to be conversing for a prolonged time, Mr. Starswirl, you may call me Mortis. Just Mortis."
"Well, Mortis, I accept your challenge."
"Very well then," Began the initial speaker, with a jaunty pitch of excitement. "Now, I have for you one question that has one correct answer: What is stronger than death? Now, I will allow you to ask your question. After I have answered, you will have all the time you need to think of an answer."
Another long silence followed the inquiry. A mutual respect had been forming between the two voices, one knowing when the other was thinking, and the other knowing that the first was ever-so patient. It was now that the trickling of water grew it's loudest, filling the void with the smell of eternity.
"What is death?" Starswirl broke the silence.
"Ahh, very good, very good indeed. Not many before you have provided me with such a well thought out question." Mortis paused momentarily to gather his own thoughts. "Well, "what is death?" you ask? Allow me to enlighten you to the fullest of my abilities."
"To understand what death is, we must understand what it is in relation to everything else.
What is stronger than love? Death.
What is stronger than life? Death.
What is stronger than faith? Death.
Death is not a monster as it does not hunt down and devour prey.
Death is discriminating, but also indiscriminate; you can only try to predict wherever or whenever it may appear.
Death is a promise; no matter what you are, or who you are, death will eventually stop at your front door.
"A wise pony once said 'All the world's a stage, And all the mares and stallions merely players: They have their exits and their entrances.' Nopony has ever come as close to the truth as he. Does that answer your question?" Finished Mortis, in a very intrigued tone.
"Yes, it does," Replied Starswirl.
"Then I await your answer. You have already set yourself apart from billions of others by accepting the challenge, and placed yourself among a small group of less than one hundred with your question. Now, can you land with the handful that came before you and succeeded?"
"You said that death will 'eventually stop at your front door'," Starswirl turned.
"Yes, I did."
"Funny word, 'eventually', as it is an undetermined span, only measured once the predicted event happens, and even then the measurement is no longer 'eventually'."
"Please go on, this is becoming more and more interesting."
"You asked me , 'What is stronger than death?', to which I reply: Time."
"I'm enthralled, please explain!" Mortis grew giddy with each passing second.
"Think of Death as a sword that can never break being wielded by a soldier who can never grow tired. What can counter a sword? A shield. Time is the shield that we as living beings hold between ourselves and death, but then why aren't we able to live forever with time as a shield? Because a shield is only as strong as the pony holding it."
"Yes! Yes!" Mortis began to cheer at what was unfolding.
"Give a pony immortality, and eventually, eventually, he will have grown tired of seeing history repeat itself, of witnessing the birth and death of loved ones; he will have grown tired of his thirst for knowledge and seek nothing more; he will have fulfilled himself, and ask for death."
"But you still haven't explained, why is Time stronger than Death?"
"Simple. Because the only thing between life and death is time. If time is able to keep back death, similar to a sword and shield, and a shield is as strong as whoever is holding it up, you simply need remove the pony holding the shield to see that the sword cannot beat the shield."
"Well done, Bravo indeed!" Mortis spoke, a slight stamping of his hooves could be heard. "I am pleased to have met you, and even more so to have met another brilliant mind capable of succeeding in this survey."
"Well, you were awfully generous with your answer to my question. And thank you, it has been just as much of a pleasure to have one last conversation before I take my final rest," Spoke a reclining Starswirl.
"Now who said anything about a final rest? Have you forgotten your reward?" Mortis inquired, still as jubilant as before.
"Well, what is my trophy exactly?"
"Ah, you see, now that you have proven yourself, I see it fit to allow you to have the choice of when you die."
"What exactly do you mean?"
"You were more than just correct, you were spot on! It is the pony behind the shield that determines how long they withstand the battery from the sword, and you have not only shown the will, but also the capability to withstand such an onslaught!"
"So you are giving me the shield back?"
"I never really took it from you, this test you see, it is simply to see who is still able to stand tall, and who is ready to submit. Essentially, from this point on, your reward is immortality..."
"But immortality only lasts as long... I see."
The darkness began to fade away, Starswirl the Bearded slowly began to see the world he had departed from blur back into view.
"When your time has come and you've had your fill of life, we will meet again for the last time. That day will come and we shall once more traverse the waters and you shall finally rest in peace." Mortis' words echoed in Starswirl's head.
"And when that day doth come, however far from now it is, I shall greet you as I did this day."
