The Last Mage

The Last Mage

Chapter 2: Hello, My Name is Istar

POV Switch to Narrative by author. Takes place between episodes 5 and 6 of season 1.

Twilight Sparkle, the bearer of the Element of Magic, and personal student of Princess Celestia, was walking to the Ponyville Hospital. She had done so every day for the last three days, checking on the strange creature that had appeared in the market. It hadn't woken up in those three days, but the medical staff had managed to stop the bleeding of the wound. As far as they could tell, it hadn't hit anything vital, but then again, what might be vital to such a strange creature?

“Good morning Nurse Redheart!” said Twilight.

“Oh, good morning Twilight. I have some good news. Our guest has finally woken up.” said the nurse.

“Really? Was it dangerous?” asked the purple unicorn, now a bit concerned.

“Well it wouldn't be good news if he did, now would it?” replied the nurse.

“Oh, right. Wait, he?” asked Twilight, catching the nurse's words.

“Yes, he. And he is very polite actually. Only panicked for a few seconds. We spoke a bit and he requested to speak to you when next you came.” answered Nurse Redheart.

“Okay. Can I go now?” asked Twilight.

“Of course. You know where the room is.”

“Bye Nurse Redheart.”

One walk through a hospital later.

Twilight finally arrived at the room the creature was staying in. She knocked and before her hoof fell the third time a clearly male voice answered.

“Come in.” it said.

Twilight opened the door, and there was the creature, sitting up in the bed, a clean bandage around it's chest. It turned to her and smiled.

“Welcome Miss Sparkle. It is good to finally meet you.”

“Uh. Hi? How do you know my name? And who, or what are you?” asked Twilight.

“Would it suffice to say for the time being that back on my world I had a means by which to observe this one?” he asked. She only nodded, filing that bit away for later.

“Okay, but who or what are you?”

“My name... I haven't used my birth name in a while. I can't even remember it actually. Simply call me Istar. It is the name I have used for the past few years. As for what I am? Once I would have said I was a human. Now I'm not so sure.” said Istar.

“What do you mean 'once you would have said?'” inquired Twilight.

“I'm not so sure. I show signs of being more like beings from a fictional series of books than a human.” he replied.

“What books?” she asked.

“You most likely will not know them. They're called the Lord of the Rings trilogy.” he answered.

“Can't say I've heard of them. Now what was with the appearance in the market? It seemed like magic, but you're not a unicorn.” she asked.

“It was magic. Old magic. Some of the last on Earth.” he said sadly.

“Last on Earth? What do you mean?” asked Twilight.

“Earth, my world, has virtually no magic left. And even fewer can so much as sense it. I was one that could not only feel it but use it. This brought the hatred of a crazed religious group. Don't ask.” he said when he saw she was about to do just that. “I used the last of the magic in the ancient well of power at Stonehenge, but before I could finish, I was shot through the chest. Didn't hit anything vital, but I would have died of blood loss if not for your actions. For that I am grateful.”

“Uh, it's fine.” she said, slightly nervous after hearing about being shot.

“The funny thing is that I never realized your world was real. We don't have unicorns or pegasi on Earth. Not anymore at least. Though we have ponies, but they're non-sentient and not multicolored like you all are.” he said.

“Now, if I may ask some questions of my own?” he asked her.

“Of course.”

“First off, what is the most recent event that has occurred for you and/or your friends?” he queried.

“Uh, well there was this griffin that was causing some trouble...” she said, sounding rather unsure.

“Ah, her name was Gilda if I remember correctly. Well Miss Sparkle, it would seem that I have knowledge of future events. And before you ask, no I'm not telling you anything. The Doctor has a hard enough time without needing to clean up a bunch of temporal paradoxes.”

At that exact moment in a not-so-distant reach of the multiverse a certain man in a blue box suddenly felt more appreciated...

“Second question, where will I be staying once I get out of the hospital?” he asked.

“Uh, well I guess you could stay with me at the Ponyville Library. And please, call me Twilight.” said the unicorn.

“Wonderful! Thank you Twilight. I will help to take care of the library in return. I'm going to need to find another job as well. I know that librarians don't make that much.” he answered. She stayed silent, thanking him as indeed, she only made enough to support herself and Spike with a little left over.

“Last question, where can I get a Light Pipe?” he asked her eagerly.

“A what? You smoke?” She asked, slightly disappointed.

“No! A light pipe doesn't make smoke. It makes light that one can manipulate, usually to tell stories. But honestly, you don't know how to make them? You ponies are among the most magically capable beings I've ever seen and you don't even know how to make a Light Pipe!? Well I guess I'll just have to make one. And I'll need to get a new staff as well.” he said, switching from surprise, to disappointment, to happiness in a few seconds.

“Um... Are you insane?” asked Twilight, beginning to become slightly afraid.

“No, I'm Istar.” he said with a grin that made the joke clear. They both laughed for a few minutes, and resumed their talking until visiting hours were over.