Chapter 22:
Meeting The Oracle/ The Tale Of The First Alicorn Warrior/ Choosing A Path
After facing her worst fear alone and defeating it, along with the doors opening, Twilight and her friends were finally able to enter what appears to be another chamber. But as they entered, the Mane 7 and Spike saw that they have entered what appears to be a library filled with many books, and in the center of the chamber library, they also see a giant hourglass.
"Oooooh, what's this?" Pinkie asked, looking at the hourglass with curiosity while her friends looked around the place.
"I'll bet it's a magic wishing lamp," Spike said, getting an exciting feeling about what could be in the hourglass.
At the mention of 'Wishing Lamp' Pinkie gasped with excitement and said, "Dibs on getting the first wish!".
Spike and Pinkie approached the Hourglass to see if the genie is there or not, "Hello? Genie, are you there?" Pinkie asked, speaking to the hourglass as Spike gave it a light tap to see if the genie will come out.
While Pinkie and Spike were busy messing with the hourglass, Twilight and the others were walking around the place being amazed at how the books hold the entire history of Equestria. But what amazed Twilight the most of all of her friends was that she remembered the place from her dreams she's been having.
"Wow, this place is incredible," Twilight said, amazed at how the books tell the whole story of the Alicorn race.
"I'll say. The entire history of the Alicorn Race," Sunset said, having the same reaction as she looked at some of the books that hold the history of Fire Alicorns before her.
"Every Alicorn of different elements recorded in these books," Fluttershy said, seeing some books about the history of Nature Alicorns like her and Gaia.
"Hey, check this one out. This one tells the story of how I became Storm Heart's pupil," Rainbow Dash said, showing her friends one of the books she's holding that shows the story of when Rainbow met Storm Heart.
"I must say, all of these telling the entire history of our race. It's almost like it's all right here," Rarity said, being amazed with what they are seeing all around them.
"It is, well most of it, anyway," an elderly but wise voice said, catching Twilight and her friends by surprise, including Spike and Pinkie.
"Pinkie, did you hear that?" Spike asked, thinking the voice came from the hourglass.
"I did. It spoke to us," Pinkie said, having the same idea.
But, unfortunately for them, the voice didn't come from the hourglass.
Instead, the Mane 7 and Spike heard hoofsteps as they turned and saw that approaching them is a dull pale cyan-white Alicorn with a scratched up coat, dark indigo bare-hooves with rugged hoof feathering and rusty gold fore leg guards, long misty grayish indigo mane, rusty gold neck-collar with blue lantern-like crystal hanging at the front, rust gold horn cap on the end of his forward-facing horn at the base that curves upwards and four-point star-shaped blaze, dark gray cloak with satchels of quills, scrolls, and parchment, (The white mark on a horse's face), tattered wings, glazed-over green eyes.
"The records in these books date back to the beginning of time, nearly," The Alicorn said while the Mane 7 and Spike were surprised to see that he is actually real.
"Twilight…Is that really?...," Applejack asked as she faced Twilight, being surprised to see what she and her friends are seeing in front of them.
"It's him...The Oracle," Twilight said in amazement.
"Yes, Twilight it is I and I have long been expecting you and your friends," The Oracle said, greeting them with a calm look.
"Well, I hope we didn't keep waiting too long, darling," Rarity said, rubbing her arm a little from feeling that they have kept the Oracle waiting.
"Yeah, we got a little held up back there with the so-called…RIDDLES OF DOOM!" Spike said with a rather annoyed look.
"It was a necessary evil. I have to be sure, Twilight. I haven't had any visitors in my solitude for over the last 2,000 years," The Oracle explained while walking around the Mane 7.
"Shocker, maybe try getting rid of the elemental Alicorn outside the chamber," Spike pointed out to the Oracle.
"You've been here for that long?" Twilight asked, being surprised that the Oracle has been in the Celestial Caves for many centuries.
"You poor thing. You must have felt very lonely after being here for so many years," Fluttershy said, feeling bad for the Oracle to be here all alone with no friends to keep him company.
"Yes, but do not worry, Fluttershy. I have my books to keep me company," The Oracle said, reassuring the yellow Nature Alicorn that he's not completely alone.
"Mr. Oracle, if you don't mind me asking, what do Alicorns like you do around these parts?" Applejack asked, wanting to know what the Oracle job is in the Celestial Caves.
"Well, you see Applejack, my job is to watch and wait...and listen for things to come…and then I add them to the books of time. You know Twilight, you are also written in the books though many of the pages are still incomplete," The Oracle said, which really interested the Alicorn Warrior.
"Really? I am? Can I see?" Twilight hopefully asked, being surprised to hear that she is in a book as well.
"Of course you can. But, before I do that, there's something I need to show you first," The Oracle said as he used his magic to pulled out a familiar object from one of the shelves and presented it to Twilight and her friends.
"You've seen this before, haven't you?" The Oracle asked, having the feeling that Twilight knows what the object as she looked at it.
"i-I know this basket. This is the basket Celestia put me in when she rescued me during the night of the raid," Twilight said, recognizing the basket after so long.
"And it's the basket where Mom and Dad found you too," Spike added.
"Yes, but there is more to this basket than you know. For you see, Twilight, this basket is also where Celestia found you," The Oracle said, which peeked Twilights interest more.
"Celestia found me in this basket? But, how did she find me? Where did I come from?" Twilight asked, now wanting some answers from her past.
"Perhaps it's best I should show you and tell you. Here's your story, Twilight. Look," The Oracle said as he used his magic and pulled out a purple book with Twilight's Cutie Mark on it from the shelf and over to Twilight and her friends.
"Now, Twilight, you must understand, when Celestia found you, it was another day for her to do some patrols to make sure no trouble was brewing…," The Oracle began, telling Twilight the story as the book opened up by itself and Twilight and her friends took a look…
( Inside The Book )
The story begins with Celestia, who had her pink mane back then, doing some patrol around river not too far from the temple. But as she walked a little further upriver, Celestia noticed a basket floating down the river, and it appears to have something inside.
"Celestia was going up the river to do her usual patrols, not too far from the temple. But then she noticed a basket floating in the river" The Oracle narrated.
Just when the basket came near the shore where Celestia was standing, Celestia used her magic to gently pick up the basket before she found a squirming lavender Alicorn Filly inside. The filly was covered in dirt and muck and was hugging a blanket like a teddy bear.
For a moment, Celestia and the filly looked at each other and blinked in surprise.
"And when she caught the basket, inside she found a very cute and curious purple Alicorn filly," The Oracle continued.
The filly merely cooed, hugging her blanket tighter. Celestia headed out a bit and began looking around to see if someone has dropped off the filly near the temple, but she saw nobody.
"There was no note or evidence of why you were in the basket, Twilight. Celestia waited for somepony to come looking for you…but nopony did"
After seeing that there was nopony around looking for the filly, Celestia began heading back to the temple. But as she did, the filly began to whimper and cry, reaching for her, causing the white Alicorn to briefly hesitate while the filly kept whimpering.
The filly whimpers a little before she sees Celestia coming back and then picks her up out of the basket. The filly began to smile at Celestia as she held her in a cradle and noticed the mud across her body. Celestia knew this filly requires care, friends, and a bath.
"Celestia brought you inside the temple and introduced you to the others. They've fed you"
Celestia walked into the temple, holding the filly in a cradle, and introduced the Guardians and Luna to the lost filly and told them about how she found the filly. Gaia gave the little filly a cookie for her to snack on. The filly burbled and smiled as she began munching on it.
The filly's smile seems to imply that she knew these Alicorns intentions were pure.
"...Gave you a bath…"
Storm Heart and Marina began bathing the filly by scrubbing her down, washing the dirt out of her fur and mane as the filly then popped a bubble with her mouth, only for her to grimace at the taste.
"...Told you stories…"
After the filly was washed down and clean, Cliffbore, Inferno, and Voltwing were telling some stories to the filly one by one, which the filly listened and became fascinated.
"...And they even let you make a few friends…"
Next, Celestia and Luna introduced the filly to six fillies, which Twilight and her friends recognize and know of, who appear to be around the same age. Before they knew it, Celestia and Luna saw the filly was getting along very well with others, and they became quick friends.
Celestia smiled at how the filly was able to have some friends at such a young age as the filly stared at her with pure trust and almost awe.
"It was there that Celestia and the others made a decision that would change their lives forever…'
After a long day of waiting for the filly's parents, Celestia was putting the filly in a bundle and carried her to somewhere.
"...To take you in, and make you part of the family in the temple"
Celestia was taking the filly to the nursery of the temple and gently placed her in the crib in the center of the nursery, letting the filly fall asleep peacefully while Celestia watches over her with a calm and light smile.
"And from that moment on, life in the Temple have been that much sweeter and brighter…," The Oracle finished as everything went black…
The next thing Twilight and her friends see in her book is a familiar Storm Creature they wished to not see…
The Storm King And His Forces!
"I believe you ponies have seen this hideous creature before, haven't you?" The Oracle asked as the Mane 7 knew very well who he was.
"Why is he in my book?" Twilight asked, confused about seeing the Storm King in her book.
"It was The Storm King who led the raid on the temple a few days after your arrival when Celestia and Luna managed to rescue you and your friends," The Oracle explained showing the Mane 7 the picture of Celestia flying off somewhere to save Twilight while Luna was hiding in a passageway, holding six bundles containing Twilight's friends .
"And when they took Flash Sentry when he was a colt," Twilight said with regret as she sees the picture of The Storm King and his forces taking a sleeping Flash Sentry as a colt away with them.
"Yes, it was a very unfortunate event," The Oracle said regretfully, noting that Twilight was correct.
Then they saw the picture of young Twilight hatching baby Spike and the Oracle said, "Look at this. There is Twilight and little Spike,".
"Okay, okay, nopony needed to saw that, ever," Spike said, feeling embarrassed as The Mane 6 giggled a little, especially Rarity.
But then something came to Applejack's mind as she turned to Twilight and asked, "Wait a minute, Twilight didn't you say that in your dreams you saw another mountain that allowed you to see into the past, present, and future at once?".
Twilight's eyes widened with realization when Applejack reminded her. If these books could tell the past, then maybe…
"Mr. Oracle. Can these books also tell the future?" Twilight asked, wondering if the books can tell them the future as well.
"In parts, though. Just glimpses of the future really, Twilight," The Oracle replied, which made Twilight worried about something.
"Then we would like to know what will happen to Flash," Twilight said with concern for Flash Sentry.
"Twilight, you and your friends don't under-," The Oracle tried to warn her, but he was cut off.
"Please, Mr. Oracle! We must know," Rarity demanded, giving the Oracle her classic Rarity puppy eyes as she and her friends wanted to know desperately.
The Oracle laid down on the floor and seeing that the Mane 7 really wants to know what will happen to Flash, he sighs and reluctantly gives in.
"Very well. But I must warn you all that his is a much darker tale," The Oracle said as he puts Twilight's book away and pulls out another one with Flash Sentry's Cutie Mark on the cover.
"Young ones, you all must understand that when Flash was taken by The Storm King…," The Oracle said as he opened the book and showed The Mane 7 and Spike the pictures of Flash Sentry after he was taken by the Storm King…
( In Flash Sentry's Book )
In the book, Twilight and her friends saw the picture of Flash being chained up and lifted into the air as the Storm King started chanting and using the Dark Master's dark and poisonous magic to transform him to a familiar evil powerful Alicorn Stallion that only Twilight and her friends recognized.
"He was poisoned, corrupted, and brainwashed, made to do the Dark Master's bidding. His entire life was spent in shadow, he knows no other way," The Oracle narrated showing The Mane 7 the picture of the Storm King sitting on his throne with Slash standing behind him with his eyes glowing.
"And when the Dark Master returns, he will concede or be double-crossed. Nopony nor creature could resist the temptation. Not even the strongest among us," The Oracle narrated with guilt.
Then a picture of Slash becoming weaker and double-crossed was shown as well as the picture of an Alicorn Stallion with his eyes glowing yellow and baring his sharp teeth were shown to Twilight and her friends, scaring them a little bit.
"I don't believe that," Twilight said, shaking her head in disbelief from the truth.
"Nor do we, Twilight," Rainbow Dash said in agreement.
"Twilight, allow me to tell you and your friends another story," The Oracle said with guilt for he is about to tell them about somepony they've heard of very often.
"Oooooh, I love stories. What is it?" Pinkie asked as she sat down next to The Oracle to hear the story as a flashback began…
( Flashback Begins )
"There once were a group of Alicorn, long ago, but one in particular shows whose raw magic was far greater than any Alicorn has ever seen...or could imagine," The Oracle narrated.
In the flashback, in what appears to be an ancient chamber, a group of Ancient Alicorns was looking at a group of seven Alicorns of different sizes, colors, and have different shaped horns. All of them don't seem to have their cutie marks yet, and they looked at the Ancient Alicorns, ready to begin.
"At first, he managed to do magic. This is odd because no Alicorn has done magic before. Then he mastered Water and Air...and many other magical abilities' no Alicorn thought possible," The Oracle narrated.
One Alicorn mastered many magical abilities as he grew older.
"Does this story sound familiar to you or your friends, Twilight?" The Oracle asked, turning to Twilight and her friends to see if they knew what the story is about...
Twilight and her friends were thinking if the story does sound familiar to them. But then it finally hit them as they realized what the Alicorn was.
"Only the Alicorn Warrior can master those elements," Sunset said, remembering that the Alicorn Warrior is the only one to master all the elements while most Alicorns can only master one element.
"So, that means that the Alicorn in the story…," Fluttershy said, starting to piece the story together about what the Alicorn is as she faced Twilight.
"He was an Alicorn Warrior, like me," Twilight said, realizing the story she and her friends are hearing.
"The first Alicorn Warrior, Twilight," The Oracle said as he continues narrating the story...
( Back In The Flashback )
"In the beginning, the Alicorn and his friend were encouraged and secrets of elemental magical mastery were passed on to them willingly by the elders. They saw that the other Alicorns magic could be used for greatness and lead Equestria to a hopeful future. But the Alicorn Warrior's powers were limitless for it knew no boundary…He consumed everything," The Oracle narrated.
The Elders watched as the first Alicorn Warrior and his friends gained the upper hoof of elemental magic. But while the other six Alicorns were working on balancing their powers, their friend was charging up his magic as if there was no boundary, and he somehow saw darker power within it. This concerns the Elders as they watched the Alicorn Warrior continue charging his magic as his eyes glowed red.
"When he would not stop, he cast into exile. And from his new fortress within the mountain, he used his dark magic to create an army...not of evil and dark Alicorns...but of Storm Creature," The Oracle narrated.
The six Alicorns watched their friend fly away from some kind of ancient city as an exile with hatred. Then as the years go by, the Alicorn Warrior grew up and created a fortress within the mountains where he used his dark magic to create his army of ape-like creatures to set up for war against the other Alicorns and their race.
"And he even taught them how to serve him and how to spread fear amongst others. Including destroying all the Alicorn race. And how to artificially harness the power of the Rainbow Gems. Our life force," The Oracle narrated as Twilight and her friends finally realized who the first Alicorn Warrior have become.
"You're talkin' about the Dark Master, aren't you?" Twilight asked with fear as she and her friends hear more of the horrific tale of how he rose to power and became so horribly evil.
"Indeed...and in his dark seclusion, the sheer weight of his malice cracked the very foundation of the mountain. Splitting the earth creating a pit of despair…Where the lost souls of our world could reside," The Oracle narrated.
The Dark Master was then seen overlooking the foundation of the mountain and started using his magic to cause the rocks around the foundation to rise up. Turning it into a familiar mountain with a face of an Alicorn made of stone at the summit, something that Twilight and her friends seem to have recognized.
"The Well Of Souls," Twilight said.
"Created by the very monster who now seeks to escape it," The Oracle finished narrating.
The Dark Master, now corrupted and accepted his new appearance, let out a loud lion-like roar as his eyes glowed, and a scar appears on his left eye and the flashback ends…
"B-But that doesn't make any apple-making sense," Applejack said, being confused and having a hard time understanding after hearing the story of the origin of the Dark Master.
"Applejack's right, Rockhoof and Meadowbrook said that the eclipse would only allow the dark spirits to escape for a short while," Twilight said, recalling what the Pillars told her about the Eclipse Of Infinite Darkness when she was regaining her Earth and Nature Magic in the Dream Realms.
"Yes, but if there's ever a spirit powerful enough, then its escape will be permanent," The Oracle said, which horrified them.
"And The Dark Master's Spirit is just powerful enough to escape the mountain," Rarity said in horrified shock and realization, now knowing what that means.
"That explains the visions Twilight was having. They were warning us about the Dark Master's return into the realms," Sunset said, now seeing the puzzle of Twilight's vision all coming back together.
"But if the Dark Master's Spirit is that powerful, there's has to be a way for us to stop it, right?" Rainbow Dash asked, hoping if there are any chances of them stopping the spirit.
"I'm not sure. Oracle, how do we stop the spirit from escaping the mountain?" Twilight asked as she faced the Oracle, wondering if he might have an answer or know of a way how to prevent a powerful spirit from escaping the mountain during the eclipse.
"I'm afraid you ponies can't stop it. It has been written," The Oracle said regretfully, getting up from the floor.
"But if we can't stop the spirit, then why did you call us here?" Twilight asked, wanting to know why the Oracle called her and her friends here in the first place.
"To ride out this storm, where you and your friends will be safe, and live to fight another day." The Oracle explained to the Mane 7 and Spike, using the wisdom in his voice.
"Um, Twilight, any idea what that means?" Pinkie asked Twilight in a whisper, not getting what the Oracle is saying with this wisdom.
"He means he wants us to remain here until we are ready to face the Ultimate Evil," Twilight explained.
"But what about the others? What about their safety?" Fluttershy asked, getting a bad feeling about what might happen to her mentor Gaia Evermane and everybody else.
"I'm afraid I feel the worst for the others," The Oracle said with a hint of fear and loss of hope in his voice.
"And Flash? You mean…that my friends and I have to sit here and do nothing while Flash joins them and our enemies invade our homes and families when the Dark Master returns?" Twilight asked, getting a bad feeling about this idea.
"But we can't let that happen. If we stay here and do nothing, then that'll leave us no hope in defeating our enemies nor will our friends and families live in a world of peace," Applejack said, not liking the sound of that idea at all.
"And it's not going to happen. You and the Pillars keep talking about choosing a path. But what Flash? He was never given a choice. I have to try. I'm going, and you can't stop me," Twilight said with confidence and determination in her voice as she was ready to leave and save Flash from the Storm King and his forces.
"Twilight's right. We at least have got to whoooooooaaaa…," Rarity was about to say, feeling moved by Twilight's speech, but then she stopped when she heard what Twilight just said, "Wait, did you say 'I' and 'Me'?" She asked, hoping she has misheard what Twilight said.
"Yes, I'm going to save Flash and stop the Storm King and the Dark Master…Alone," Twilight replied as she started storming out of the chamber with determination, grief, and doubt.
At least she was until Rainbow Dash got in her way and blocked her path again.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! Wait a minute, Twilight. I'm not sure if you were listening or not, but in case you haven't noticed, the Oracle said that the Dark Master's Spirit is really powerful. So even if you do manage to stop it with your powers, he'll still succeed. Not to mention that you only just got your powers back," Rainbow Dash said with great concern for her friend, reminding her that doing a task would be suicide.
"Rainbow Dash is right, Twilight. And I must say, I've waited far too long to watch you stricken out of here filled with grief, vengeance, and doubt. You'll be needed with a clear mind and an opened heart if you are to withstand the evil that consumes that place," The Oracle advised, warning Twilight about the danger and flaw of her plan to stop the spirit of the Dark Master.
"Vengeance? Twilight, what is he talking about?" Rarity asked, now being more confused as she and the others faced Twilight, wanting to know what is going on.
Seeing that she can't keep it secret anymore from her friends, Twilight closed her eyes and confessed the truth to them, "He was there. The Storm King was there the last time I saw my mother. Only he knows where I came from," She admitted as her friends listened.
"Look, I know this isn't the path you have chosen for me, but it's time for me to walk my own paths and do what I know is right," Twilight explained while facing the Oracle.
"Very well, Twilight. I will show you the way, but you must hurry. The dark hour of the eclipse is near and haste will be your guide and ally," The Oracle said, agreeing to help show Twilight the way to the Well Of Souls.
"Okay, uh… just to know how I died, the plan is that we wander into a land of darkness to face an army of evil creatures that are trying to kill us, so we can rescue another creature that's already tried to kill us?!" Spike asked with frustration.
"I'm pumped, let's do this, Twilight!" Spike suddenly said with his tune changed while doing some shadow-boxing, ready to go and face some new enemies.
"Wait, now you're coming?" Twilight asked, surprised that Spike still wants to come with her to the Well Of Souls to rescue Flash and stop the Storm King.
"Of course I am. I made a promise that I'll be with you to give you support. And I'm going to keep that promise," Spike said, reminding her.
"Very well, Spike. But before we go, there's only one more thing to do. Applejack, you, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash must find the Guardians as fast as you can and warn them," Twilight said, turning to Applejack and giving her, Rainbow, and Rarity instructions as Applejack nodded in agreement.
"Pinkie, make haste to the temple and warn Celestia and Luna about the return of the Dark Master," Twilight said next, turning to Pinkie and giving her instructions which she understood perfectly.
Twilight then walked up to Sunset, "Sunset, if things don't go right for us, especially if I don't…," Twilight tried to explain but choked up not being able to say the worst could happen, "...I am putting you in charge of our team for you and the others might be Equestria's last hope of stopping The Storm King and The Dark Master,".
"I won't let you down, Twilight. And you will come back. So all we can do is wish you good luck on stopping the spirit," Sunset said with a determined smile.
"Um, Twilight. If it's okay with you, I think it would be safer if I stay here with the Oracle to keep him company until I'm ready to face the great evil," Fluttershy said, requesting that she stays in the Celestial Caves.
"Very well, Fluttershy," Twilight said, granting Fluttershy's request with a gentle nod of her head.
Meanwhile, Spike was approaching Rarity with something behind his back as the white water Alicorn then turned to Spike and said with great concern in her voice, "Spike, promise me that you will be careful,".
"Don't worry, Rarity. I will. And also, I have something that I wanted to show you," Spike said, assuring the Water Alicorn while also revealing he has something for her.
"What is it, Spike?" Rarity asked, wondering what Spike wanted to show her.
It was then that Spike presented a shiny red ruby in the shape of a heart to the Water Alicorn as Rarity gasped and covered her mouth with a hoof, "Spike, where did you get this?" She asked, feeling quite surprised to see a rare heart-shaped ruby before her eyes.
"I got from the Pirate Ship while we were fighting the Captain. And well…I thought you might have this to remember me by," Spike explained as he placed the ruby in Rarity's hoof.
"Why, Spike. I don't know what to say. This is the most generous thing anypony has done for me," Rarity said, joyously accepting the gift and admiring Spike's generosity and to show her gratitude, Rarity gave Spike another kiss on the cheeks.
And like last time, hearts appeared in Spike's eyes.
"I hope we see you all again someday," Twilight said as she and her friends engaged in one quick final group hug, sensing this might be the last time they'll see each other, Pinkie a little longer before she let go with a smile.
"You ready for this?" Twilight asked, facing Spike.
Spike took a deep breath and positioned his body, getting prepared for what appears to be the biggest battle they will ever have faced since they defeated Slash in Convexity.
"Ready, Twilight," Spike said with determination in his voice.
"Kick that spirit back where it came from," Rainbow Dash cheered as she and the others watched Twilight and Spike make their leave to begin their rescue quest.
Twilight smiled at her friends' determination as she then faced the Oracle and said with confidence, determination, and hope, "Show us the way,".
The Oracle nodded and headed to the hourglass and use his magic to create a portal that will take Twilight and Spike to where Flash is. Twilight and Spike both flew into the portal and were ready to save him, despite all what they've learned here, it won't stop them from trying to save him, no matter what…