The sounds of a newborn crying echoed out of a barn behind a church in a quaint little town on the side of a mountain. A mare, laying on a pile of hay with a sheet covering her, held her newly born twins, as evening light slipped in through holes in the walls, surprised at the sight before her. Smiling nonetheless, she said, “I guess we’re going to need another name.” She lovingly glanced over to her stallion, currently out cold on another pile of hay. A group of nuns were currently moving every which way, cleaning up the place after helping deliver the foals, leaving the mare alone for now. “Hon? Dear?” She said trying to wake up the stallion. That was when one of the nuns holding a bucket came up to him and dumped water all over him, then vanished just as fast as she appeared.

The stallion jerked upwards, yelping, “Holy! That’s brisk!” He shivered a little and took a few breaths, then looked over at his mare and the two newborns and he almost fainted again. “So, I guess we need to think up a new name then, huh?” He said, straightening up with a nervous smile.

“Uh huh.” The mare said, nodding, cradling her two fillies.

The father looked at his two children and smiled. A black furred pegasus and unicorn with green manes, gold strips flowing here and there. Yet once the pair opened up their eyes for the first time, the parents were befuddled a little bit. Red eyes. Nopony on either family tree ever had red-eyed relatives. Both gave their own look of concern. Cheaters? No. The pair loved each other too much for that. However both were just happy to have them. The ponies looked towards their newborn once more only to have those looks of concern come back. The pegasus was crying her eyes out. What newborn doesn’t? But that was just it. The unicorn, she was looking at her hoof with intensity that shouldn’t ever be on any newborn. She then looked upward at the pair staring back at her. The three stared at each other for a good while then the unicorn started laughing, flaying her legs every which way.

“There we go.” The stallion sighed as the mare hugged the pair in her forelegs.

“Sir, madam?” The two jumped slightly from a sudden voice behind them. “Apologies… it’s just, we need to leave soon.” The pair looked up at the nun, frowning in confusion. “Two of the armies are practically at the doorstep.” The new parents suddenly remembered just where they were, inside a barn in the back of a church, in the middle of a soon to be warzone. The church itself was in a mountain that the two neighboring armies thought the same thing. ‘My, what a great vantage point…’

The newly formed family escaped with only a few injuries, the father becoming blind in one eye, and the mother developing a limp in her left hind leg. One of the army’s scouts attacked the church before the ponies left. Killing and torturing ponies left and right but then the family was thrown into a warzone a moment later as the other army’s scouts just upped and barged in.

Five long years passed and the violence just grew, lives were lost, families destroyed and villages and towns burned. Yet despite all that, order maintained and the citizens of Equestria were protected. Due mainly to the efforts of Princess Celestia. As she planned from her castle, the war continued relentlessly, her ponies dying every day.

Celestia was sitting in her throne, currently contemplating the war. Not only was she losing the war, her sanity was on the brink of breaking. Her good intentions were getting her ponies killed. Looking over at her sister’s empty throne, a tear formed on her face, knowing that her sister was the one that she had clearly hurt the most, and who led one of the opposing factions out there. The other was led by a stallion shrouded in darkness and evil. That one was the real issue. That’s not to say Luna wasn’t a threat in her own right, but she was family. How could Celestia ever fight her own sister?

“Your Majesty?” A voice knocked Celestia out of her stupor. She looked at the pony belonging to the voice. Starswirl the Bearded stood in front of her, steadfast.

“Ah… yes?” She replied tentatively, wiping her tears away.

“I’m here to inform you that our new batch of soldiers just arrived, and, um, we have a small problem.” Starswirl said with a slight wince.

“Oh.” Celestia sighed, glancing down a little. “And?” She said trying her flank off not to sound sad.

“One of the soldier’s wants an audience with you, my Highness.” Starswirl said, moving aside a little to reveal a filly that stood behind him, hidden up until now.

Celestia was shocked, but she hid it well. ‘This...is one of the soldiers?’ She thought. Her shock ended abruptly when she saw the black filly’s eyes. A deep red, like a pony overflowing with hatred. It was disconcerting to say the least. “And… who might you be, my little pony?” Celestia saw the filly’s eye twitch the moment she said little. A moment of an awkward silence past by and Celestia was about to say something else but…

“So, you’re God here.” The filly said flatly, her pose never wavering.

Celestia however was taken aback by her comment. She never thought herself as a goddess. Yes, Alicorns did live for a much longer time than any other race on Equus, but never, not once did she think she was above any pony else

“Hey there...manners.” Starswirl said harshly, giving her a little tap on the head.

“That’s not necessary, Starswirl.” Celestia said..

He raised a confused eyebrow, but backed away after a bit. “Of course, your Majesty.”

“Young one…” Celestia said, as she stood up and made her way over to the filly. “You wished to have an audience with me?”

“Yes.” The filly said plainly, earning another hit from Starswirl.

Celestia frowned, “Star, please.” She said, stopping in front of the filly.

“But, your Majesty, she’s...” He started to protest.

“Please.” She interrupted firmly.

“As you wish.” Starswirl said, backing away from the pair.

“But what I see…” The filly said, scrutinizing Celestia. “Is nonsensical.” Her words causing Starswirl to gasp.

“Oh?” Celestia said, lying down, meeting the filly’s face with her own. On closer inspection of the filly, Celestia notice her horn was misshaped with a curve to it. However she ignored that for now. “So, what may I call you then?” She asked.

“Lavender Shadow.” The filly said plainly.

Celestia puzzled by her comment. She ran away from home and what? Joined the army on a whim? How ponies just let her in was off. “Starswirl. A word, please?” Celestia asked, standing up slowly and looking over to the elder stallion.

“Yes, your Majesty.” Starswirl said, moving towards the princess.

Celestia looked back over at the filly, “Excuse me, my little pony…” The filly’s eye twitched once more after the word little was spoken. Celestia took notice. “But would you be so kind to entertain yourself over by the door?” Lavender said nothing in response, however she did as Celestia asked and made her way over to it. “Starswirl?” She said, gawking over at him.

“Yes. I do believe I know what you’re thinking, Princess.” Starswirl said, watching Lavender walk away with a deadpan look. “No, she is not a soldier.”

“Ahhh, thank heavens.” Celestia said in relief.

“No, I think she’s going to be my successor.” Starswirl said, smiling over at Celestia.

Celestia however wasn’t really happy by that news. “A new one?” She said, worried. Starswirl’s smile disappeared. “If I may inquire what makes this pony different from your other two apprentices?” She looked over at Lavender, who was sitting against a pillar near the doors, looking at the places of the wall between pillars. “Other then you allowing one so young to be a student of yours?”

“Because she has nothing to lose.” Starswirl said emotionlessly.

“You mean?” Celestia grimaced, looking back over at the filly.

“Her village was ransacked, some were killed.” Starswirl said, gazing over to the filly as well. The Crystal Empire enslaved the rest of them. Her parents included.” Lavender looked over at the pair. Both Celestia and Starswirl had concerned looks. She then sighed and walked out the front doors of the throne room.

Celestia was saddened by the news of course, “So, she has no pony?

“Correct, your Majesty. Minty doesn’t have a single pony to turn to at present.” Starswirl said

“Minty? Her real name?” Celestia asked, moving her head towards the open doors.

“Yes, Minty Coco.” Starswirl said plainly. “I think I’m going to make her say her real name.”

“Oh.” Celestia said glancing over at Starswirl. “Come now, Star. Why?”

“Because it’s disgraceful.” Starswirl said with a bit of pride in his voice.

“Oh. Really?” Celestia asked. “Then should I call you by your birth name, my little hypocrite?” She teased with a playful smirk.

Starswirl taken aback, “Ah, uhh… no, your Majesty.” He said.

Celestia smiled warmly at the old stallion in front of her, “Then let me make a decree if I may. From here on out Minty Coco, is gone. So like you, Lavender Shadow is taking her place.”

Starswirl stood there, a friendly smile formed on his face. “As you wish, your Majesty.”

The rest of Celestia and Starswirl’s meeting consisted of small talk, riddles, jokes, and overall getting the war off Celestia’s mind for a short time. Starswirl’s visit was an unexpected one, and when he said it was time for him to take his leave, Celestia saddened but understood the role that she herself had given him.

Celestia watched as Starswirl left her sight, her smile slowly vanished then sighed. “You can come on out, my little pony.” There was a moment of silence before a blur smeared itself to exist.

Standing in front of Celestia was Lavender Shadow, smirking at her. “You knew that whole time?” She said with a hint of hate in her tone. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Because there are questions I would like you to answer me, such as how you learned such advanced magic at such a young age?” Celeste asked..

“Magic? Magic is easy for me I guess.” She said, staring out into space.

“Easy?” Celestia said with a hint of disbelief. “And if I may asks your age, young one?” She asked a little hesitantly.

“Five.” Lavender said bluntly. “Officially.”

Celestia taken aback a little. At the age of five, a filly learned a complicated spell of an illusion and somehow not collapsed on the floor from magic deprivation. “Officially?” She asked.

“Yeah.” Lavender said, looking back at Celestia. “I’m well into my thirty’s Princess.” She started pacing, “And now that I’m on the subject. You think you can take me back home?” When Celestia didn’t answer but tilted her head in confusion Lavender sighed. “Right…” She said defeated. “You’re not God.”

Celestia frowned, sighed, and then gave a loving smile to Lavender, “I never said I was a god, my lit-, um, Miss Shadow. I’m sorry to say…” Celestia started knowing full well what this pony meant by asking for her ‘Home’. “I can honestly say that there is nopony on the planet that can create a path to another world.”

Lavender sighed, “Thought as much.” But then smiled at Celestia. “The fact that you know of the Multiverse gives me hope however.”

Celestia grimaced inside a little, but didn’t let it show. She didn’t have the heart to tell this filly that she didn’t have a single idea of what she was talking about. Even her earlier comment. She just made an educated guess. Now, Celestia by no means thought this filly was crazy, so she chose to believe Lavender.

“Pardons, your Majesty but Lavender seems to have-… oh.” Starswirl said, rounding the corner of the doors. Spotting Lavender he sighed. She stopped in her tracks after noticing him. “Why are you back here young one?” He asked walking up to the pair.

“Needn’t worry, my old friend.” Celestia said before Lavender had a chance to speak up. “She wanted something of me.” She said, but then frowned a little. “Unfortunately, I am unable to take such a request.” That made Starswirl jerk back a little out of confusion, which caused Celestia to giggle. “Yes, Star, even I don’t know it all. That’s why you’re here after all.”

“Well, yes, but, I...” Starswirl sputtered a little then sighed, “So then I imagine you heard what you wanted to, Miss Shadow?” He asked, looking at the filly.

Lavender looked back at Starswirl, “No, but I don’t mind, she just said something else interesting just now.” She smiled at him, “She doesn’t know everything,” The other two tilted their heads, “That’s why you’re here.” She punctuated her sentence by pointing at Starswirl.

It took a moment before Starswirl realized what she meant. “Oh.” He smirked, “Then I take it you already decided what you wanted?” He asked.

Putting her hoof down, Lavender all but demanded, “Teach me everything you know.”

“Now, Miss Shadow.” Celestia intervened. The pair looked up at her. “This is by no means a demand but perhaps you shouldn’t openly discuss where you come from.”

Starswirl, confused, frowned slightly, “You mean her village?”

“Starswirl is the exception.” Celestia added.”

He looked over at Lavender. “What did you two talk about?”

“I’ll tell you soon.” Lavender said, looking at him, then back at Celestia. “And I agree, your Majesty.” She then stood straight and saluted before smiling devilishly. Suddenly the filly started swaying and rippling on the spot before evaporating into the air. The pair left behind just stared on the spot the filly just stood.

Celestia giggled, “You’re going to need to learn to sense her magic, my old friend.” She said.

Starswirl was in shock. “Ah, um, yes.” He stammered, before chuckling himself.

“You might want to hurry up and catch up to her.” Celestia said, nodding over at the door.

Even after shaking his head a little, he was bewildered. “Ah… yes.” Causing Celestia to giggle once more. “Then I’ll be on my way.” He said, straightening up and bowing to the Princess.

An hour later Lavender Shadow and Starswirl the Bearded were walking through a forest that seemed to have popped out of nowhere. It had been more or less a desert when the pair walked into Celestia’s castle. Once they left, forest. It started out small. A bush here and there, some grass and flowers, but bigger things kept popping up. The pair ended up thinking that Celestia wanted a change in scenery.

At the same time during their stroll, the pair were talking of Lavender’s complications. It took a bit more convincing for Starswirl then it did Celestia. However he did eventually accept the possibility, but ultimately he was still skeptical about the whole thing.

“Regardless of all that, you, Miss Shadow, are still going to start with the basics.” Starswirl said incredulously.

“Understood…” Lavender replied nonchalantly.

The trees and shrubbery of the newly made forest seemed to be making a near straight path for the pair. “There is one thing I wish to know.” He said.

“Shoot.”

“Huh? Shoot?” Starswirl frown, confused by what she meant.

“Ah, never mind.” Lavender shook her head, “What’s your question?”

“Well, I would very much like to know, how did you learn such a complex spell of illusion?” Starswirl asked. “Even if you are as old as you say, it still would have taken years to master.”

“Illusion?” Lavender questioned his own, “I didn’t use an illusion.” Starswirl was puzzled and gave her a look that said to continue. “It was a simple peripheral spell. I just made it where the princess and you didn’t want to see me.” Starswirl stopped in his tracks. Lavender kept going on until she noticed her new master wasn’t with her. “Is something the matter?” She asked.

Starswirl blinked a few times. “That, Miss… that isn’t as simple as you make it sound.” Lavender tilted her head as she turned to face Starswirl. “True enough that type of magic takes less energy to use, but something like that takes a sheer amount of focus that anypony needs to perform it. Simply put, I’m still quite impressed.”

“I guess so.” Lavender said, as she turned back around and continued the path.

Starswirl soon followed suit. “How?” He asked.

“Huh?”

“You forgot to tell me how you learned it.” He said.

Lavender talked for a length of time about the way that magic, to her, was an awful lot like psychokinesis. She had never felt anything like magic before so her comparison wasn’t just, but it was the closest thing she could think of. And, of course, Starswirl asking more and more after each answer. He was clearly warming up to her story from earlier.

The pair ended up passed the forest’s edge and in front of one of the biggest trees Lavender saw in this world. That actually could have been the fact that she was so small at the moment, but she was still in awe. The tree was in the middle of some grasslands and the forest behind them about a mile or so.

“So, shall we begin your lessons?” Starswirl asked, smiling at Lavender.

Author's Note

Intro Song.
No Heaven, DJ Champion.

Side Note: Lavender Shadow is an Anagram of her real name.