Luna was taken aback as the old pony master embraced the large stallion. This is nothing like I pictured the wise and kind mentor that Starswirl described she thought as she slowly approached in tow with Celestia. Twilight was still flinching behind Star Strider from his bombastic approach. She cracked an eye open when she heard the others begin to move.

“Starswirl, you look as though you’ve seen too many lifetimes old friend! Yet your youth still shines through your eyes!” Star Strider parted from Starswirl and set his gaze on Celestia.

“Child of the Sun, thou art untouched from the fecund foe?” Celestia paused in her hoofsteps and looked around for a moment in confusion.

“He’s asking if the Lichen is on you, my dear.” Starswirl chimed in. Celestia’s complexion cleared, and she bowed her head.

“Yes, I am clean to my knowledge.” Star Strider turned his eyes to Luna, who had now come just behind Starswirl to be closer to the stallion. My goodness, he really is enormous. His forelegs look as though the Apple family donated all their bucking power to just those two.

“Child of the Moon, do I see that you are also untouched?” Luna nodded to him and bowed the same as Celestia. She didn’t entirely know why she was bowing, but it felt as though she owed this pony something immense that compelled her to bend.

“Yes sir, no beast has entered my presence.” Star Strider then turned to Twilight, who had slowly made her way towards the group but kept her distance.

“You, the third, I may not know you or your name, but my friend entrusts you; therefore, as do I.” He bowed down to Twilight as she came a little closer. His voice softened and suddenly seemed to swap into a more casual dialect. “My deepest apologies my girl, I meant not to frighten nor harm you. Your existence is unknown to me, and I am skeptical because it is so.” Luna stopped bowing and rose to look at him. Why is he bowing to her and not us? Is it simply because he scared her? Or does he know she has the most power here? Luna felt a twinge of, well something, shoot through her heart that made her want to turn away from Twilight. She quickly dismissed the feeling as Star Strider rose to his full height. He was just a bit taller than that of her sister, and his frame was outlined with bulk. A bulk that came from hard work and labor rather than exercise and weights. His coat was a metallic silver, very similar to Starswirl’s, but looking more youthful. His mane was the eye-catcher, however. It was jet-black and flowing, not unlike how the princess’s hair moved with magic. But his looks like it flows naturally and isn’t emanating even an ounce of magic. She looked closer and saw small flashes of yellow, green and red. They appeared as though they were stars winking in and out of existence. She turned to look further back on him and saw his cutie mark. It was a silhouette of pony with the hooves walking on two illuminated stars. She assumed hence his namesake.

“Princesses, my old friend, my intrusion was quite abrupt and still does not make entire sense to me, but I must know if the creature appeared for even a moment.” The four companions all turned to look around them for a moment, then Starswirl answered saying,

“No beast escaped our sights. Your form is the only that was summoned. I believe that the Princess’ spell worked to bring you back without the threat of the Lichen!” Star Strider leaned back and pondered deeply for a moment.

“While I wish it to be true, we mustn’t be sure just yet. Keep a watchful eye upon the horizons of conflict.” He began to walk up the crater walls with alarming speed. The others quickly turned to follow before he disappeared over the ridgeline. As he came up to the remainder of the clearing where they had summoned him, he closed his eyes and breathed deeply. “This world has changed much. The magic is stronger than ever. I feel the gift of magicka flowing through the earth.” He turned his attention back to the four companions. Celestia grabbed Twilight under one of her forelegs and pulled her close.

“We have the Princess of Friendship here to thank for that.” She said rubbing her mane with affection. Twilight blushed and turned away.

“Well, it wasn’t just me. Everycreature helped and my friends most of all. I’m hardly to receive all the credit.” Luna felt the same twinge cross her heart again. What is wrong with me? She thought as Star Strider again lowered his head towards Twilight.

“Everycreature you say? That is remarkable indeed. I had high hopes for the magic that friendship sows but to spread to lands beyond Equestria is a feat I never thought to see.” He turned his eyes back to the night sky. “Oh my, awfully dark out. The celestial bodies must be towed.” Before Luna and Celestia could begin using their horns, Star Strider raised his forelegs to the skies. A bright blueish glow appeared around the tips. He lowered one of his arms as he closed his eyes. The moon began to sink below the horizon as his other arm lifted and the sun crested the mountains. This is… not happening. There is no way I am watching an earth pony raise the sun and lower my moon. Luna failed to notice her jaw hanging open, as did the other princesses. Only Starswirl seemed unmoved, but even he let a look of admiration cross his face. Star Strider completed his motions and the sun now sat above the clouds, waking everycreature up for the new day. He turned back to the others with a small smile and a trace of sweat on his brow. His smile faded as he saw the looks of astonishment that lay on everyone’s face. “What, have I engulfed the skyline in fire again? I have tended to do that.”

“You just… raised the sun”

“And lowered the moon”

“With no magic???”

All three princesses swapped their lines to him. He raised up a hoof as a look of sorrow crossed his face.

“I am so sorry. I did not mean to frighten you. I now realize as the children of the celestials, you must have the capability to do so yourself. I had no means to uproot your authority.” Celestia shook her head as Twilight approached him with a hoof out.

“No, that’s not why we are perplexed. It’s that you are an earth pony… WITH MAGIC!” Twilight almost jumped as she exclaimed it. Star Strider began nodding slowly.

“Yes, indeed. Surely Starswirl informed you of this?” This time, Celestia was the one who cut in.

“Sure, but he failed to describe the sheer magnitude of your power. It used to take six of the most powerful unicorns to move the celestials before myself and Luna. You did it with just your hooves? I apologize, but that is not normal today.” Star Strider grunted with acknowledgment.

“I figured as much. I never expected other pony kind to experience magic after my master’s disappearance, but I always hoped.” He gazed longingly at the clouds above as some pegasi began moving them into place. Luna was unable to detract her gaze from his face. His eyes are like the stars, so soft and grand, a inkwell so warm if feels like I’m home again. She was in her own world and fantasy with the arrival of this new stallion. Such a powerful pony surely had many mares at his whims. She hated herself for thinking that. But before she could draw herself back to reality, she blurted out a question she didn’t mean to ask yet.

“Are you immortal?” Everyone turned to look at her with a look of criticism, as though to say Why would you even ask that? She immediately shied away as Star Strider looked to her. She caught a glimpse of his soft eyes and his mouth curving in a kind smile.

“Ah, it would only make sense that you would want to know how immortality came to be. It is a tale I could recount to you another time. But to answer your immediate question; no. I am not immortal yet.” Luna’s heart sank a little as she felt like her own dreams had been crushed before they even formed.

“Wait, what do you mean yet?” Starswirl was the one to interject. Star Strider began walking towards the exit to the clearing.

“I was weighing my options on becoming immortal. It was a path I had led others to already and left in your care, my pupil. I did not know if it was a path set for me. There are many benefits to immortality. The time to figure out many a problem, the time to serve those around you, the time to learn more than you thought possible. But there are also many downsides. Living forever is a burdensome task. Friends come and go. Love’s die. You watch everything around you slip away as you remain stationary.”

Twilight put a hoof on his shoulder as she caught up, trying to stop him for a moment.

“But surely the positives outweigh the negatives, right? Otherwise, you wouldn’t have made the spell for us.” Star Strider did pause at her question.

“Yes, and no. Some ponies are meant for immortality and can handle the burden. That is why the trials for immortality are great and painstaking, testing every facet of a pony’s prowess. I never began my trial for fear of losing…” His sentence seemed to drift off as he looked away from the others. He suddenly snapped back to them with a new resolve crossing his face. “We need to prepare the world for the Lichen, should it return. We do not know of its location, intent, or safety now. Taking every precaution will only help to bolster Equestria if it or another threat appears.” He began to canter off. The others rushed in step with him.

“Wait! Star Strider! We have many safeties in place! We don’t necessarily need to worry right now.” Celestia flew down in front of him. “So many powerful magic users exist now, and the kingdom is experiencing peace like no other. Every land is united and learning the ways of friendship. Perhaps you could take a load off after a few thousand years of worrying, right? Sit down and share some ancient wisdom to eager students?” Star Strider walked past her and tore through the rest of the hedge to lead to the Canterlot gardens. He stopped as he almost trampled a patch of lilacs and sighed.

“While it would be nice, I cannot rest until I know that you are safe. I will try to adapt to this new world if you can try and implement my safeties into your lands. I promise you would rather have them than not.” Celestia paused at this and nodded after a few moments.

“Very well, we can have you prepare us while you learn your surroundings. We have a few spare rooms in the palace for you to choose from if you wish to stay here in Canterlot. We would be more than delighted to host you! Right sister?”

“YES! Ahem, I mean of course, Star Strider, and we will provide whatever aid we can in your endeavor.” Luna shot Celestia a look and saw the all too familiar look across her sister’s face that said Stop acting weird again, its not a good look. Luna looked back to Star Strider and stepped in front of him. “Here, this way to the suites.” Star Strider walked after her as Celestia turned to Twilight.

“Go back to Ponyville for now, try and make any protection spells you can. Just in case. Once you’ve done that, we will summon you when Star Strider has any news or plans. In the meantime, keep your guard up and get your town ready for anything. We know not of any threats that may appear.” Twilight nodded and began to take off for her home. Starswirl was following Star Strider as Celestia approached him as well. “Starswirl, can you aid me in the library to find any more info on the Lichen or protection spells? I will send for Luna and Star Strider once he is settled. Best we get a head start.”

“Of course, my dear, but I do wish tonight to catch up with my old friend. You know how it is.” He winked at her and started towards the library down the hall. Celestia turned to see Luna awkwardly trotting down the corridor with the giant pony close in tow. Don’t do anything foolish, Luna. The last thing we need is for a powerful mage to turn on us. With that thought looming over her head, she started towards the library with Starswirl, hoping whatever they had just done had been the right call.

Author's Note

Thinking of making a sequel depending on how much people enjoy this one. Still haven't written the ending as I've got a few options I'm debating. Let me know how you all are liking it so far! Any and all feedback is welcome!