The Cosmos. Expansive and infinite. Such a thing to us equines, has terrified us yet, at the very same time, intrigued us for centuries. Perhaps even millennia. It hides many secrets, ones I am very keen on finding. No amount of space is too far. However I fear straying to far from Equus may put my...subjects in danger. Yes, they have the mane six, but they can't scour the entire planet in less than a minute. I leave them be for the most part. Though they have no idea I exist. I always exactly knew how to do that. Be seen only when I wanted to be seen.

My name is Solar Firedawn. You don't know me, but I do, indeed, know you. You see, I am capable of many things. One of those is flying several times...the speed of light. I am knowledgeable in any spell that has existed. It is what happens when you are over three thousand years old.

I am currently in the expanse flying about one hundred thousand Mach towards Equus. Don't worry. I have done this many times before. I will arrive in around... Five seconds. Four. Three. Two.

One...

The clouds immediately engulf my entire being. Refreshing I must say. I slow my decent and land in a flowery field. I look up and see a small town. About a five minute walk I suppose.

"This must be Ponyville. Excellent. I've landed in the right place."

[center]***[/center]

At this moment, we finally see Solar's entire physical form. An alicorn, around 4"9 on all fours. His coat has the strange texture of ash, also sharing its color as well. A straight red tail with black streaking from the middle and a mane that is different shades of orange can be seen. He exudes a mysterious aura around him. Scars on his sides, faded memories of battles long ago plague his otherwise pristine coat. He starts making his way to the quaint town but then realizes something.

"Being an alicorn is sure to turn heads. Hmm. I have an idea. Given its still early in the morning, shouldn't be too many ponies that take note of me."

Solar's horn glows a brilliant and blinding orange. A low droning noise can be heard as his physical properties change and warp. The light fades away, leaving a gray pegasus in its wake.

"This should work."

Satisfied with the spell's effects, he continues towards the town and begins his way towards a train station. Things seem to have changed since his last visit decades ago. He steps onto the platform and finds a map of Ponyville on a wall next to a window where a dark brown earth pony stallion can be seen sleeping.

"Excuse me sir?" Solar whispers.

"Wha- who's speaking?"

Solar lets out a soft chuckle. "Just passing through here. I do have a question however. Is this map by chance...current?"

The stallion leans forward a bit and looks at the map. "Yeah. If current means last year then this what you are looking for."

"I may be able to make it work. And the price of tickets if I may ask?"

The stallion gives Solar a questioning glance. "Ya from around here?"

"No sir. I am from Cloudsdale, just visiting..." Solar begins to panic, thinking of what to say.

"Family?"

Solar lets out a sigh of relief. "Yep. Anyone here for you? Just curious."

"Got a wife who goes by the name Rosemary. My advice? Stay single!"

Solar and the stallion shared a brief laugh. After they compose themselves, the stallion extends a hoof across the counter.

"Speedy Ticket. Yours?"

Solar flashed a friendly smile. "Solar Firedawn. Pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise. Not very many pegasi here in Ponyville but it is still a welcome sight. Though I must say, interesting name for a pegasus. I kind of like it though!"

Solar looks away briefly in embarrassment. "Speedy Ticket huh? Seems somewhat binding to just a particular job. No offence mind you."

The stallion gives a hearty laugh. "Yeah I thought the same thing. Us earth ponies tend to have more routine in our lives."

Solar looks around and finally realizes... He has places to be.

"I deeply apologize but I must get going. Nice meeting you Speedy!"

"Likewise Mr. Firedawn!"

Solar waves at the stallion as he departs. Heading for the place he has been dreading the most. Twilight's library. Not a far walk. Closer to the edge of town actually. That just made the foreboding feeling a bit more troublesome. As he heads there, a pink earth pony mare with a fluffy tail and mane that looked like bubblegum gasps.

Solar gets scared. Just a little. "GAHHH! Can I help you?"

She has a look of shock on her face. "Al- Alicorn?"

"What?" Solar reaches for his head and feels his horn there. He also takes note that his wings are present. He must have lost too much focus on the spell and it probably failed. "Um." He takes a tentative step forward with a nervous look on his face. "Hi?"

She just stares and and yells "Alicorn!" before darting off.

"Tartarus. So much for staying anonymous."

Solar reaffirms the spell and reaches the library's door without further incident. Taking a deep breath and gathering his thoughts... He raises a foreleg and knocks. He waits several minutes before hearing the same pink mare's voice.

"Oh Celestia. Oh no." Should Solar just spill the beans or try to stay hidden? He chooses the former.

The pink pony opens the door and gasps...again... Before running inside with the door open, yelling to somepony else "He's here!"

Another voice could be heard in response. This one far more composed and has a slight hint of irritation in it.

"Pinkie. There are no gray alicorns. Only the Princesses are alicorns. In all of Equestria!"

"Twilight! He is RIGHT there!"

A grumble can be heard and Solar still hasn't stepped inside, despite the open door.

"I am sorry but the library is-" She stops talking for a moment upon seeing Solar, an alicorn, standing at her front door. Just another day in Ponyville.

"closed"

Solar stares back and takes a deep breath, and offers a simple greeting. "Hello Twilight."

Twilight responds. "How do you know my name? Who are you?"

"I am known as Solar Firedawn. I suppose I have much explaining to do?"

Twilight shakes off her shock and has a neutral expression on her form. "Yes. MUCH."

She steps aside and lets Solar inside. He gratefully accepts and walks in. Solar looks around, briefly noticing the simple furnishing, other than the numerous books and tomes on shelves.

"Impressive Twi."

Twilight flinches. "Don't call me that. At least not until I know who you are."

Solar lets out a soft sigh, but understands none the less.

"Very well Twilight."

She goes to a table at a desk and gestures across from her. "Have a seat.'

Solar obeys and asks a question that can change at least how the rest of the day goes.

"Where do I begin?"

"Well, how about how you know my name?"

Solar knew that was coming. He was going to very possibly burn a bridge before it even existed.

"I know you Twilight. But you don't know me. By the way, where did Pinkie Pie go?"

Twilight tilts her head in confusion. "Probably getting a "Welcome to Ponyville Party planned". And how could only one of us know the other?"

Solar has a thoughtful look on his face. "First off, I can morph. Not just into another pony. But anything that is animate. Takes decades to master.

Twilight seems a bit shaken by the answer. "How...old are you?"

Solar gives a light scoff. "Over three thousand years old Twilight."

Twilight levitates a book from her desk, and begins writing. Solar stares at the quill idly.

"And this whole...morphing thing of yours. May I see it?" Twilight's face flashes with an unreadable expression. Solar takes a loud gulp.

"Uh...I guess?" He closes his eyes and concentrates on the pink pony in his mind. Suddenly his gray coat starts becoming brighter, losing its ash texture along the way. Solar's mane and tail,,, poofing up the very same way Pinkie's did. As he or in this case [i]she[/i] opens her eyes, she notices a look of awe and a little bit something else on Twilight's features. Probably some mad scientist look.

She shakes her head. "I have seen changelings do this but never another pony. Wait, how do I know I can trust anything you say? Or do for that matter?"

Solar scratches his chin briefly. "You can't. I won't force you to do do anything Twi. That isn't who I am. You may just have to, if I may, take a leap of faith." Solar notices his slip-up. "OH! Sorry Twilight. I said "Twi" again."

Twilight gives a soft chuckle. "It's OK Solar. If you want, you can stay here for the night and we'll cover more of this tomorrow. Sound like a deal?"

He smiles a little bit which felt like the first genuine smile that day. "Deal."

"Alrighty. Sorry but all I have is the couch." Twilight says with a slight frown on her face.

"Don't worry Twilight. I've dealt with far worse. I really don't need to sleep anyway. I'll humor you though."

"Well, It is what friends are for isn't it?"

Solar seems a little stunned. "Friends? I don't even have a heart. I don't bleed"

Twilight laughs once more. Heartily this time. "Solar. For someone [i]thousands[/i] of years old, you sure have much to learn.

Solar smirks "Oh really?"

Twilight smiles even more. "Oh yes. REALLY. Anyways. We should get some rest. Tomorrow is going to be an interesting day to say the least."

"What makes you say that?"

"Well you aren't going to just stay holed up here are you?"

Solar furiously shakes his head "Absolutely not. I have a feeling you have other friends who will want to know I am here I take it?"

Twilight nods sternly. "You got it Solar." She gets up from her seat and heads up the stairs to her bed.

Solar stops her for a moment. "You sure are taking my morphing thing pretty well I notice. Oh. Ponyfeathers."

Twilight falls onto the floor laughing. "I was-"

Solar gives an unamused glance as he morphs back to his former self and crosses his forelegs. "Was what?"

Twilight gathers herself a bit, "I was waiting for you to notice. You were about to turn in for the night like that!"

Solar rolls his eyes. "Hahaha. Laugh it up."

Twilight finds herself able to breath again. "If you had any idea how many weird things that happen here, you would come to find out, you are actually one of the more minor things to happen here."

Solar has a look of slight disbelief. "Riiiiight. Ok then. I'll see you tomorrow Twi."

Twilight offers a warm smile. Feeling much better now that the initial shock has long since dissipated. "G'night Solar."