Star Swirl the Bearded, badly beaten and disabled by Tirek, asks himself silently as the massive Centaur stomps off towards Canterlot far off behind, 'How? What have I been doing, for all these decades, and in this new present? I've overcome so many who would destroy Equestria, both Pony and beast- always outsmarting who I could not beat with magical might. All I have learned since returning from Limbo.. was I wrong? All my experience and magical knowledge, and I defeated so quickly...'

NATG2024d14 - A Pony Past their Prime

Given factors of production and narrative, I can understand why it was chosen to give the Pillars of Old Equestria a defeat decidedly not well-earned.

#natg #MLP #Starswirlthebearded #Tirek #FiMS9e25 #brony #art #sketch #MLPFiM