The third-floor balcony was beautiful. Potted plants rested on the tops of the decorative stone pillars that stood on the balcony, linking the fence posts together. Some lawn chairs were set up, as well, perfect for sunbathing. The mansion was massive, crafted from Brave’s own design and horn. It was equipped with many rooms of various sorts; the dwelling could be utilized for any kind of party, even the messier ones Pinkie can throw. Brave had it well; he had a lovely marefriend, a successful music career, all the adventure he could want, and all the magic he could need.
But why, Brave thought as he leaned over the railing and looked at Ponyville in the distance. Why do I feel so... empty, with all this magic inside me?
Brave had pondered this for a while, ever since he reached Broken Maximum, that mythical and legendary state where a pony’s magic was, quite literally, infinite. The brown, red-eyed, black-haired alicorn could do whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted, wherever he wanted. He could teleport to alternate dimensions; he could snap reality in half at the pop of his horn; he could create an infinite source of power for the entirety of the planet; he could travel to the very beginning of the universe, time-wise, as well as the end.
He still felt an emptiness inside him.
He turned to a plant and said, “Do you know why I feel this empty?”
No response.
“Yeah, maybe I am being a little silly... I do have the power to do anything I want; I could please everypony... But...” He looked down and shook his head. “I mean, I magicked an entire mansion into existence, I’ve created several pocket dimensions...”
He went back from the rail and sat in a chair, staring at the sky and listening intently to nature. If there’s one thing that calms and soothes me, it’s soft sounds, he thought.
Ten minutes of his lounging passed before he went back inside the house, headed for a game room. He turned on a console, sat on the sofa, and began playing a game about blocks and adventure. The dreamlike music of the game as well as the soothing atmosphere only served to bring Brave back to his thoughts from earlier.
“I never thought being infinite would bring such emptiness...” he thought aloud. “I’m missing something... What is it?”
Night fell in the game. As Brave’s character started fending for himself, Brave himself kept pondering, multitasking on the game and his thoughts.
“Is it because of infinity that I feel empty? I never have to work for anything again...” Brave’s character killed the last enemy in a village. “What am I saying? I can still put on great shows! I can be the greatest showpony in Equestria!” Brave boasted.
“But then again...” he doubted. He realized, of course, that infinite magic meant that his face would stay young and fresh forever...
And that he might live forever.
“This blows,” he said. “This blows completely. I don’t want to be immortal! I don’t wanna outlive my loved ones by a kajillion years!” His voice had changed into a shout, yet his focus on the game was unshifted. He paused and saved the game, then went downstairs for a snack (his immortality also meant that he needn’t sleep nor eat, but he still loved both).
Trotting into the kitchen, he levitated a popcorn bag in front of him and magicked the popcorn to maximum preparedness, heat included. Dumping the contents into a bowl, he trotted back upstairs, munching on a few pieces along the way. Mmm, extra butter, he thought.
He returned to the game room, as well as his game. He unpaused and saw the sun rising over the horizon, heralding a new day and burning enemies.
“You need not worry about immortality, my dear Brave,” a voice said. Brave did not recognize it.
“Wha-? Who-?” he said, before his consciousness was taken to an endless meadow.
Brave looked around in awe; the meadow was the prettiest place he’d ever seen. Endless rolling hills of green made the landscape in this place. Looking up, one would see a peaceful blue sky dotted with fluffy cirrus clouds, complete with a sun overhead. The wind was perfect here, enough to make the place room temperature. Brave could hear birds chirping, despite there not being a single tree (or other organism, for that matter).
“What is this place? Why am I here? Most importantly, is my game paused?” Brave queried. “Well, wherever I am... It’s beautiful.” He looked around and walked.
“Do you know why I brought you here?” the same voice from earlier asked.
“No, but is my game paused?” Brave asked.
“You must understand, Brave Soul, that your gift of magic is wonderful,” the voice replied. “You have courage. Not many can say they even glimpsed what you reached.”
“Thanks. But is my-”
“Your game is paused, Brave Soul.”
“Thank you!”
“Have you listened to what I’ve said?”
“Yes.”
“Then you understand your importance in this world?”
“Yeah, I think so?” Brave said as he scratched the back of his head.
“Your role is massive. You are a protector. You care about other ponies. You can protect this world for all of eternity.”
“I don’t want to, though. I don’t want to live forever! The world would become no more than a holding place for me! This is my philosophy regarding it: ‘If the body did not die, and the fears born in the mind just continued to pile up, the world would be nothing more than an eternal prison.’”
“Brave Soul...” the voice continued. “What you do with yourself and your magic are up to you alone. If you wish to live a normal life, you can do it. If you wish to be the world’s eternal protector, you can do it. Your world is yours.”
Brave looked down in thought. Could I... Could I put a time limit on myself...? Let myself age normally?
“I shall send you back now, Brave Soul. It is my hope that you find nothing but joy in your life.”
“Yeah, thanks, but who-?” Brave could not finish his question before he was transported back to the waking world. Upon coming to and realizing where we was, he looked at his game. Night was falling again.
“Aw, what?! You said you paused it!” Brave yelled to nothing before groaning.
“Was... Was that... my psyche? Something in my head?” he thought as he pushed Pause. Brave saved the game and turned it off before heading back to the balcony.
Maybe... Maybe it’s possible... Brave thought. I can have a normal life... Brave looked to the sky as a songbird flew by, chirping its sweet melody. Brave smiled, looking up still.
“Yeah, it’s possible. And I’m gonna do it,” he said, full of determination and whimsy. “First order of business, limit my magic on adventure. Second, limit my lifespan. Third, make this the best life ever.”
