The Unlikeliest of Heroes

by TheFullCrumb


Prelude - Prophecy


Within the Canterlot Library, there existed a section, books upon prophecy lining the shelves. Usually, even the librarians would rather not stay in that area for too long, as some would say it was haunted by those doomed by prophecy.

That day, one single lavender unicorn had decided to embark on a quest to discover a prophecy that would change Equestria. She had no inkling of what her end result would be, but she dove head-first into her research anyways. One particular book, simply title “Book of Champions” intrigued her. Delving into the pages between the dusty cover, she stared at a single prophecy, one that foretold of six that would come.

“'And in that time would be a day unlike any other, where six champions would appear in the land that existed. A general, a ranger, a hunter, a mercenary, a king, and a being of powers beyond understanding. Six would come, where they would do battle against foes most insidious, foes that no being before them would ever have prepared for.' That... sounds like something I should bring up with Celestia.” The unicorn, her horn glowing with magenta energy, levitated the book into a saddlebag that rested against an old wooden bench that appeared to have not been cleaned for years. She tied the bags tightly, her horn flashing as she disappeared.

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Inside the palace, two princesses were seated. The room was sparsely decorated, save for a single gold-and-red rug that ran from their thrones to the entrance of the main hall. The eldest, a white alicorn of modest nature, a sun emblem adorning her flank. The younger, a dark blue alicorn with a moon adorning her flank, sat still, her eyes wandering. Both seemed bored, as the eldest let out a sigh. Nothing of merit had happened recently. No evil villains, aside from Discord returning. It seemed all was well again. A large flash returned their focus to the present. The lavender unicorn stood panting, her eyes wide.

“Princesses! I have found a prophecy you both might want to see!” The eldest stood, walking slowly down the steps.

“My faithful student, what kind of prophecy has you in such-” Her gazed hovered over the Book. “Is that-” The younger, not wishing to be left out of the proceedings, followed suit. Her mouth was open as she stared at the simple cover of the Book.

“That is the book of champions! Where did you find it, Twilight Sparkle?” Twilight looked towards a stained glass window, depicting six faceless champions, each in a different glowing armour, fighting away a dark evil that was unknown.

“In the almost-unknown Prophecy section of the Library. I found this book there, with various other books and tomes.” She levitated the book out, revealing the prophecy to the princesses. Their expressions changed from concern to outright worry.

“You were right to bring this to us, Twilight.” The eldest approached the window, staring up. “Years ago, before even I ruled with Luna, there was a darkness. Something beyond the comprehension of ponykind. It threatened all life in the nations, not just ponies.” She turned back around, her eyes seeming distant. “I only heard stories, but according to legend, six champions, ones that seemed to possess power even beyond our own, entered our world. The darkness fought the six heroes, to no avail.” She sounded as if she was remembering events as they unfolded. Her voice was quiet as she spoke of the darkness. “It summoned dark champions, fighters of unbelievable evil that threatened to rend the very fabric of this world. They did battle against the champions of good.” She turned to the window again, the faintest of smiles spread across her face. She turned back to Twilight. “The champions of good decimated the dark champions, banishing them to the dark worlds they had come from.” Her face turned towards the ground. “But-” Her sister turned to her.

“I remember what comes next. 'But the darkness was not defeated. It vowed to return, when the world would not know of it, and when the champions could not know to save the world.'” She stared at her sister, a small frown crossing her face. “Unfortunately, the world no longer knows of such evil, my sister. That means...” Celestia nodded to her sister.

“That the time of the return is approaching fast. Twilight, there is something I must show you.” Twilight nodded, obediently following her mentor.

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Within a dark corner of the Canterlot Palace, a room, empty save for two alicorns, a unicorn, and a pentagram, stood as a dark reminder of the past.

“Twilight, my dear student. Our father let us know of this room before he... disappeared. This was the room that, in ancient times, the six champions were summoned by. In that time, there were five unicorns to summon champions that were of great deed, and pure of heart. Now there are only us three that can perform the spell effectively.” Twilight silently pointed to herself under the dim glow of the white pentagram. “Yes. You are one of the three. It will be a dire time soon, I fear. That means we must be prepared. Luna, Twilight.” Celestia stood at one point of the pentagram, her sister taking up another point. Twilight stood at a third point, staring down at the centre. “Just follow my lead, and we should be fine.” Each focused their magic in turn, the energy swirling around them. A small ball of pure magic gathered in the centre, becoming a flat disc. The eyes of all three were glowing white, their magic at its peak. Lightning, blue in colour and ethereal in nature, crackled as it arced across the pentagram. Six forms began to permeate the disc, their forms shifting. Almost as soon as they began to solidify, the disc began to collapse. The figures shot away through the walls, to parts unknown. The spell began to fully collapse, the room shaking itself apart. Celestia and Luna stepped back, their eyes wide in fear. Twilight began to sway, her magic reserves almost completely empty. The two sisters dragged Twilight with them, their own reserves too depleted to attempt even a simple telekinesis spell. As they left, the room collapsed, stones blocking the pentagram. Twilight lay still, unconscious. Celestia looked at Luna, who shrugged with her wings.

“I do not know what happened, dear sister. All I can ask is, if we were successful in summoning our champions of good, where in Equestria are they?”