Many ponies nowadays do not question Starswirl the Bearded's destiny as the one of the most influential figures in pre-classical-era magic, but in the year before his death he began a project to change it, to live beyond where those twisting paths led.

This is the true story of his "disappearance". The story of the pony who taught me all I know.

Written as a last-minute entry for SPark's One Year Older contest, and so is a (rather liberal) interpretation of that theme.

Cover art by Espeonna.