Star-Strider

Luna led Star Strider down the halls of the Canterlot palace. He moved softly and gracefully, which surprised Luna seeing how large he was. She had so many questions for the mysterious pony and all of them were racing through her mind at once. Before she could ask anything, the stallion raised his voice in question for her. “So, this is what has become of my mountainous study? I daresay the architecture is quite beautiful. The adornments on the hall walls also entrance me. The lavender bushels radiate a calm beauty; clearly whoever decorates knows what they are doing!” Luna found herself blushing as he mentioned the lavender.

“Uh… yes, the decorators put much effort and care into the design.” She spoke softly as though she feared to upset him with any word. One question she could focus on came to mind and she turned her neck towards him as they walked. “Why did you study in this mountain? I mean, we know the magic that flows through it and subsequently settled our kingdom here, but did you know the same?” She appeared to have struck a chord with Star Strider as his eyes glistened over.

“My… master taught me in this mountain. I came to him. Along with another friend of mine, we called this place our home for years until…” He trailed off and turned his head away. She didn’t want to pry anymore, as she could clearly see the tears welling in his eyes. He only took moments to regain his composure. Luna thought it impressive how both in tune with his emotions he was and how quickly he could control them. Not many ponies were able to experience their emotions and not allow them to interfere with their actions. The pair walked in silence for a few more corridors, but the silence hardly felt awkward. His presence somehow calmed and excited her. They finally arrived to a room close to the watchtower entrance in the west wing, which would have a clear view over the valley that Canterlot rested over.

“Here we are, your new home! Or I guess your old one from a certain point of view.” Luna laughed awkwardly as she opened the door with her magic. Why would you say that? She scolded herself silently. Star Strider returned her laugh with a small chuckle.

“Indeed, although I sense there is a lot more to do here than sit next to a mountain stream and meditate for hours.” He laughed a little louder at his comment. They entered a rather simple room, by Canterlot standards that is. A duvet lay against a wall to the left with a blackboard positioned near it. A few dressers and nightstands were close by with a balcony that looked out towards the waterfalls of Canterlot. Star Strider walked towards the railing, leaning on it with all his weight so that Luna thought it would crack. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Yes, I believe this will do just nicely.” He sighed out in content. He turned back towards her and met her eyes with his own. Luna felt her heart flutter as they stared at each other. She felt like she could stay in that exact position for the rest of her life and be happy. All too soon, he broke his eye contact to survey the room. “Though I believe I will make a few rearrangements. He began pushing a dresser away from the balcony and towards his bed. Luna watched for a second, curious as to why this powerful pony was pushing with his body after she had witnessed him move the sun and moon with his hoof. As though reading her thoughts, Star Strider cast his eyes on her and smiled. “I do not use my magic if I don’t have to. I find it makes life a lot more boring when everything is easy. I also was not raised in the ways of magic for convenience.” He set the dresser close to his bed and rotated back to Luna.

“Why did you learn it in the first place? If you don’t mind my asking of course.” Something about talking to him kept making Luna feel like she was doing it wrong, but he seemed to enjoy every word that was exchanged. He raised his hoof and cast a small spell that illuminated just above him. An image of a village appeared with dragons swooping overhead, burning houses, and looting the ponies below.

“When I was but a lad, I lived on the border of the dragonlands. Every young stallion was given a spear by the time they could walk. This was not done with cruel intention or to throw a conscript of bodies at the enemy, but because there were so few defenders left alive. And fewer after every attack. I trained in a camp with about twenty or so other young stallions.” The image panned to a group of young ponies lined up with spears laying next to them. “I grew close, despite our trainer’s advice. We trained day and night, very vigorously, with only a few hours of slumber to break the routine. Over a few years, I watched my friends shrink from twenty some brave ponies, to three stalwart stallions. The dragons were ruthless. No one even tried to sue for peace because there seemed to barely be any time to gather ourselves.”

“Why didn’t your village just leave and move on?” Luna interjected, hoping it wasn’t too rude a question.

“Our ancestors founded that village before the dragons expanded. Many ponies were too attached to the farmsteads that spanned the acres. My own included. But because of how little time I spent on my actual homeland with my actual family, I found it easier than most to seek out external aid.

“I left my village with the promise to return and protect it when I had found better weapons or allies to our east. Upon my travels, I came across the Appleoosans; A kind family with an apple orchard bordering the desert. While they were not warriors, they were strong and brave. I watched their children fight off an Ursa Minor when it raided their grove.” His hoof again changed to show small ponies roping down the large bear of constellations. “They cared for me but could not leave their farm to help. I continued to move east. As I came across a shantytown of ponies settled at the base of a large mountain with majestic waterfalls above. These were ponies who had been driven from their homes because of predators around the valley. I tried to recruit them, figuring some would be sympathetic to our cause out of understanding. I found more broken ponies whose wills were irreparable than anything.

“My search led me to a group of mages who had begun experimenting with destruction magic, the first of its kind. Unicorns, all of them, but good folks who wanted to teach me regardless. I trained with them for months with no results. They finally decided that I must have had the willpower to master magic, because they sent me to the top of the mountain to meet with their teacher. I was shocked to discover there an earth pony.” His magic changed to show an old looking pony with a neatly trimmed white beard and bells circling his head. “This pony tested my fortitude with hundreds of physical trials: carrying water upon my head while dodging spells, crafting pieces of equipment with no tools, being beaten down and told to get back up every day. This went on for another month or so, when he finally approached me and asked a question, I still ask myself every day. ‘Is magic something you want? Or something you need?” I pondered for a moment and thought of my family. I told him that magic was something I wanted not for myself, but to help those who could not. I told him my whole life I had survived without it and never needed it, but I knew the capabilities for good it had and would seek out any way to protect others.

“Apparently, that was the answer he needed. The next day we began training. He always reminded me that magic was not for ease, but a way to harden the user into a pony for good. We were discouraged from using it on simple tasks to remind us of the beauty in simplicity. Never take it for granted. Self-mastery was the key to magic, and it took me years to come close to his level. I knew I was being held back by something, but I could not figure what kept me from my potential.”

Luna was staring at his conjuration image when a look of confusion washed over her. “But from all we have heard, you mastered it and then some by making the Lichen. Did you ever return to your village and save them? Broker a temporary peace with the dragons? Anything?” A dark look crossed his face, and he lowered his hoof.

“No. It is one of my deepest regrets. I summoned the Lichen, and it occupied my life from then on. Once I captured it and started my magic school, thoughts of my home crossed my mind every now and again. I did return once, but too many years later. I came to find a ghost town of burnt rubble, skeletons, and horrible memories. It regressed my magic mastery by years just visiting the thoughts. I had to let myself understand that there was nothing left and nothing that I could have done to help. Had I stayed, I likely would have burned with the village. My magic teaching went on to found some of the very core principles you use today that could not be lost. I hate justifying my escape, but destiny is a tricky mistress. I would be wise to humble myself to the path laid before me."

Luna saw the regret that burdened him and reached a hoof out to rest on his shoulder. “I know leaving your home is difficult, I cannot imagine the pain you must be in. But you are right, I am eternally grateful for you even if I didn’t know it these last few thousand years.” Star Strider lifted his head and their eyes met again. They stood in silence, her hoof on his shoulder and their eyes locked. She seemed to be inching closer involuntarily. Or was he the one coming closer? His complexion was soft and sweet, yet rigid and trained from the years of strife. Something Luna could stare at for centuries. He raised a hoof to rest on hers. Her heart was pounding, and her mouth was dry. She couldn’t remember the last time anypony had made her feel this way. As she leaned in closer, she was disappointed when he stood up tall and dropped her hoof off his shoulder.

“I think we would be wise to return to the others now, they must be wondering where we got lost to.” Luna was downcast as he walked towards the door. Did I misread the situation? Was the chemistry just not there? She shook herself and began following him through the door to the library.

The four ponies were gathered around a large map of Equestria. Large Xs dotted the map close to wells of magic that had been discovered over the years. Star Strider was studying the contents very closely. “My, the world has grown bigger since I last saw it. So many towns and friends to the east and west. I would have never thought this possible in my lifetime.”

“Indeed, my friend. I was almost as surprised as you when I learned that Twilight opened a school of friendship for all creatures to attend!” Starswirl patted his old friend on the back. Star Strider kept gazing at the map, occasionally tracing a hoof over certain areas. Luna was awkwardly sitting across the table from him, looking down and stealing the occasional glance in his direction. Celestia had her nose buried in a scroll that had just been received from Twilight.

“Twilight has provided us a detection spell for any magic that involves altering a cutie mark. She also has given a list of protection spells she thinks we would do better with. What more can we do to prepare?” She turned to Star Strider and lowered the scroll. He met her eyes and scratched his chin.

“How is the army? The guardsmen? What magic do they have and what protection have they received? If the Lichen is spotted, they must be the first defense while we muster our power play. I need to inspect the magical regiments especially and figure their capacity.” He sat up and began pacing around the table.

“Our royal regiments are trained daily, and with the return of Flash Magnus, they receive the most rigid of discipline. The magical guard hardly sees the outside of the walls as they are reserved for foreign magical entities. I have never been able to cast a protection spell on them large enough to cover all forces. Surely that kind of spell would require much effort outside of our limits.” Celestia began drawing up her records of troops and their placements. Star Strider stopped and looked back to her.

“No spell is too great when it comes to the protection of others.” His words hung in the air, heavy with knowing. His tone had made Celestia look back up to him in discomfort, and Luna finally look at him again. He started walking again towards the door. “Starswirl, my trusted, I would inquire you to help me organize the armies into training battalions so we may begin casting spells and inspecting them. Princesses’? Shall this order be in accordance with your wishes?” Luna was a bit shocked that he was asking them permission. He certainly owed nopony his plans and had no need to ask. She found him more and more respectable every moment she knew him. Celestia nodded and lifted multiple scrolls into a saddlebag.

“Indeed, and thank you for your asking. But to make this operation efficient, we ought to grant you royal access to all equipment, personnel, and resources you need. Are you in agreeance sister?” Celestia poised herself towards Luna. Luna could tell that Star Strider’s influence was already rubbing off. Celestia usually never consulted Luna with her opinion on how the daily operations were ran. Luna nodded.

“Yes, I think that will do just as well. I'll draw up the papers and get him his crest.” She started up and sped past Star Strider through the door. Before I can make things even weirder. Star Strider turned to watch her rush off, then focused his attention back on Celestia.

“Very good. I will begin the regimental training at daybreak tomorrow.” He strode down the hall with Starswirl in pursuit, the saddlebags around his waist. Celestia sat back down and smiled to herself.

“This certainly beats listening to showponies all day.”