Chapter 4
Destiny Unfolds
Solaris and his friends stood stock-still in silence, bewildered by the Oracle’s knowledge. None of them could have steeled themselves for such a remarkable statement, and it left their hooves stuck to the ground in unyielding soundless confusion.
“Heir to the throne?” Solaris asked as he started to process his thoughts. “What do you mean ‘heir to the throne’?”
“I mean exactly as it sounds,” the oracle replied sternly as she began to walk towards them. “You are the son of Inti and Quilla, the former King and Queen of Equestria, and you are destined to reclaim the throne from the grasp of Malicious Shadow. That is what the prophecy foretells,” Solaris took a small step backwards, finding it rather difficult to absorb this information.
“Prophecy? What prophecy?” he asked. “And how do you even know that I’m the son? How could you determine that by looking into the future?"
“It is a sad time indeed when even alicorns don’t understand the mystical ways of the world,” The Oracle commented as she shook her head in disappointment. “Seers have the power to 'see', hence the title of 'seer'. We can see things that others cannot, whether it be the past, present, or future. I have seen who you really are, and I have foreseen what is to come.”
“Even if that’s true, how could I possibly defeat Malicious Shadow? He’s a thousand year old alicorn with incredible power! I’m practically a newborn colt compared to him!” Solaris explained.
“Perhaps you are correct,” she replied. “It is possible you will fail. The future is never written in stone. While some events cannot be avoided, most of the future is always changing according to the decisions we make as we live. In the case of this prophecy, it was set in stone that you would appear to challenge the Emperor, but whether or not you triumph is up to you.”
Solaris began to tremble. Many thoughts began racing through his head, compelling him into a steady pace back and forth across the temple floor.
“You must have the wrong alicorn,” he declared, his voice quavering. “I’m just another pony of no importance. I can’t possibly be destined for such a role.” The oracle’s eyes furrowed as she stomped her hoof in anger.
“No!” she yelled. “You are the one! Behold the prophecy!” As she said this, a bright flash of light burst from her horn casting an image into the air in front of them. At first the image was a blur of light, but as they gazed into it, it began to form colors and shapes, until it revealed a figure standing on the edge of a cliff, glaring into the sunset.
“In the time the shadows have stretched far, a light shall emerge amidst the darkness! The heir to Equestia, blazoned with a mane of gold, shall reveal himself to challenge the legions of evil.” The oracle shouted as the image took its final shape. The figure standing on the cliff’s edge bore the image of Solaris; his visage full of pride and confidence. As they continued to watch, the image blurred once again, and reformed into another image. Now displayed before them were two figures, standing opposite each other. The figure on the left was a dark, shadowy figure; the one on the right a creature of light. In a sudden motion, the two clashed against each other, creating a brilliant flash. As the light subsided, the image faded from existence, leaving only the oracle standing before them.
“Now you have seen and heard the prophecy for yourself,” she explained to Solaris. “Do you believe?”
Solaris stood wide-eyed and full of awe. There was no doubt the alicorn in the prophecy was none other than himself. His eyes began to shift back and forth as his mind jumped from thought to thought. He resumed his steady pace across the temple floor, quietly muttering to himself. His friends watched him with a mixture of surprise and sympathy, for none of them could have foreseen this either, and the mere thought of having to accept such a truth filled them with pity.
“If all of this is true,” Solaris said after several moments of pacing. “What do I do now?”
“Perhaps you should talk with your friends. They seem like faithful companions, and you would be a fool not to have them help. Discuss it now, I will return shortly.” The Oracle turned and walked through a pair of thick curtains into a small room behind the altar. Solaris slowly turned about to face his friends, returning a stare of amazement.
“So you’re the son of Inti and Quilla,” Vortex opened the discussion. “I wouldn’t have believed it myself, but if the prophecy is true, then I’m honored to stand in your presence.
“I can’t believe a prince is actually standing right in front of me!” Aurora gleefully said as she lightly pounced about in place.
“I’m best friends with the next ruler of Equestria! Does this mean I get a seat of power when you take over?” Gaia jokingly exclaimed.
“So you’re royalty?” Selena said quietly. “I would never have guessed that growing up in Haven.” Solaris closed his eyes and dropped his head low.
“Thank you for the support, but I would rather you not think of me as royalty. I’m not very comfortable with it.”
“Well, let me say this, Solaris,” Crimson said as he put his hoof on Solaris’ shoulder. “It will take some time for you to come to terms with this. It’s not every day you find out you’re royalty and are destined to save the world from evil. Honestly, I find it rather uncanny how quickly this has been dumped on you. That aside, I may not have known you for very long, but I can see that you are a great alicorn at heart, and I’m certain that everyone here agrees that we will support you all the way. It will be an honor to aid you.” Solaris regained a fair amount of optimism at Crimson’s comforting words. He looked up at his friends and gave a light smile, and to his delight, they all gave a smile back.
The company turned as they heard the curtains to the back room slide open. The Oracle walked out first, followed closely by another, taller pony. This pony was an alicorn mare. Her mane was a very light golden-brown and her coat was a light-beige. Her mane stretched long and hung down the side of her face almost to her hoofs. Around her neck she wore a thick silver necklace. She followed closely behind the Oracle, with her eyes trained on the ground.
"You have quite a journey ahead of you," the Oracle said as she approached. "This is my apprentice, Aislin. She is a young alicorn like you, but she has already learned much of the mystic ways. I will send her with you on your journey, for she will be an invaluable asset."
Aislin brought her gaze across the group of alicorns, until it fell upon Solaris. Her heart thumped wildly suddenly and her breath staggered. She found herself unable to look away. His severe, blue coat and shimmering golden mane demanded her attention, and she was helpless to them. Try as she might, the allure of his hardened features drew her eyes like magnets. Words became a jumbled mess all at once, and Aislin felt her knees become weak and flimsy. Seemingly instantaneously, her world seemed to stop for a moment as a single pony she'd never met captivated her so strongly. As far as she was concerned, he was perfect. She could watch him for eternity. She then realized how long she'd been staring.
"Are you okay?" Solaris inquired, recoiling from her gaze slightly. Aislin began shaking her head back and forth to knock herself out of her trance. She looked back at the group with a deep rosy blush.
"S-sorry," she replied shakily. "Sometimes I'm just nervous around new ponies." She moved forward and raised her hoof to shake with Solaris. Solaris raised his hoof to shake, but Aislin's hoof was stiff as a board. Solaris looked up to find her blankly staring at him again.
"Oh uhm, sorry again," she said nervously as she came to again and started violently shaking his hoof. Realizing that she was now being too aggressive, she quickly snapped her hoof back; her blush turning an even deeper red. "It will be an honor to serve you, your majesty," she whimpered as she bowed.
"Oh, please don't call me that," Solaris replied. "Just call me Solaris. And no need to bow either. I don't want to be thought of as any different than the rest of you." As the remainder of the group approached Aislin to greet her and introduce themselves, the Oracle interrupted.
"You'll have to make with the introductions tomorrow. I must spend the night making sure Aislin is prepared before sending her off with you. Rest for tonight and return here in the morning." explained the Oracle. She and Aislin then turned to retreat behind the curtain. Solaris and his group in turn retreated to the exit of the temple. As Solaris exited the temple, Aislin turned and caught a quick glance just as he walked out and the temple doors closed.
"Oh my goodness!" she cried as she fell to the floor and covered her head. "I can't believe I did that! That was so embarrassing!" The Oracle chuckled to herself.
"Of all the things I have forseen, that was something I never would have thought could happen. You must have been really taken with him to lose your bearings like that." Aislin could only sigh in response; her head still covered by her hooves. The Oracle approached her and lifted her chin with her hoof.
"Be careful, my apprentice. You are now part of a very important quest for the fate of this world. You must be sure not to let your feelings interfere with that. However, love is very important as well, and it is one of our strongest defenses against the shadows, so do not be afraid to pursue them either," Aislin nodded as she pulled herself up. "Now come, we have much to discuss."
Solaris and company retreated to Crimson's residence where they circled themselves around the fire. Solaris' eyes were locked unblinking onto the pyre in front him. He sat perfectly still; not a single shake, shiver, or twitch throughout his entire body. The rest of the group were like duplicates; their bodies frozen and silent, save Crimson, who prodded at the ember below.
"How you holding up, pal?" Gaia inquired, breaking the silence. "That's a crazy amount of pressure to suddenly be under," Solaris broke his stillness and dawned a small smile.
"No kidding," he answered sardonically with a light laugh. "I still don't know if I actually believe that its true."
"The vision of the prophecy sure seemed real enough," Vortex jumped in. "I may not have ever seen a prophecy before, but I just get this feeling that it all makes sense."
"Are we sure this isn't just some ploy to get us alicorns out of the Sanctum?" Selena worriedly added. "I mean, we just got here, and now we're being told we have to leave. How do we know the Oracle isn't just trying to make us leave so the Sanctum isn't threatened by the Emperor?"
"No," Crimson said as he looked up from the fire. "It isn't some plot. If that were true, she would have found a way to exclude me and Aurora several days ago. She knew we were here, but didn't even acknowledge us until today. I honestly feel that what's happening is real, and that we have quite a journey ahead of us."
"Besides, a journey across Equestria, assembling a large rebellion, and then charging headlong into the capital could be alot of fun!" Aurora shouted as she started hopping excitedly. The rest of them turned and looked at her with puzzling eyes as she continued to smile and hop about.
"Does she know what that would entail?" Vortex leaned and whispered to Crimson, who shrugged, smiled, and whispered back.
"I have no idea, but don't ruin it for her."
"Ok, let's all get some sleep now," Vortex instructed. "We have to see the Oracle first thing in the morning."
The group managed to fall asleep soundly that night, except for Solaris. He lay awake for hours, pondering the enormous task that has been handed to him. How would he even go about doing it? What is it that he's supposed to even do? What if he fails? What if all of his friends die because of him? Throughout the night, his eyes remained open, unable to drift to sleep until the very earliest hours of the morning. He had barely managed to get two hours before the stones of the cavern began to shine increasingly brighter, waking the group.
Solaris' eyes, veined and bloodshot, opened slowly. His head felt as if it weighed a hundred pounds, and his body lay limp and unable to move. The others, who were already up and stretched, were ready to depart for the temple. Gaia approached Solaris and knelt by his side, nudging him with his nose to try and get him up.
"Come on, bud," he urged. "It's time to head to the temple." Solaris, after a few moments of laying there, managed to push himself up and slowly began his walk towards the temple.
Even in the early hours of the day, the sanctum was already busy with the hustle and bustle of the inhabitant's daily lives. Many ponies were already moving about two and fro, attending to their business. However, as Solaris trekked towards the temple, many stopped to gaze upon him as he approached. Solaris suddenly found himself awake with surprise as the pony residents began to bow to him as he passed. He began to hang his head and quicken his pace, eager to escape the worshipping crowd.
"Looks like the word is out," Gaia chuckled to Solaris. "The news must have spread overnight."
"Just... just keep walking," Solaris quietly replied. "I don't like this."
The group quickly arrived at the temple to find the Oracle and Aislin standing out front. Aislin was carrying a pair of saddlebags at her sides, packed tightly with books, and a pack upon her back that was filled with traveling supplies. To the left of the oracle were laid out six more of the same pack, filled with more supplies for the journey ahead.
"Aislin is now prepared to go with you on your quest, Solaris," the Oracle spoke. "Be wary, you have a long journey ahead, and you have much to accomplish. Malicious Shadow will not be an easy enemy to defeat, and it will require all of your assets to defeat him. Keep your friends close, for they will be your greatest hope of victory." Solaris stepped forward and gave the Oracle a respectful bow.
"Thank you. I will not let Equestria down." Solaris attempted to sound confident, but there was a degree of uncertainty in his voice that the Oracle easily picked up on.
"You will come to terms with your destiny shortly, so do not fret. But be careful where you travel, for the Emperor knows you are coming. That is the entire reason he has been hunting alicorns. He has seers of his own, and has seen the prophecy for himself." Solaris' expression changed from uncertain to dreadful at this revelation.
"You tell me not to fret, and then tell me that?" he asked despairingly. "I think that's something worth fretting over."
"You must find strength, Solaris," the Oracle sternly replied. "Uncertainty will not do you good. As I said, keep your friends close, for they will help you find your strength." Solaris nodded in response; his heart somewhat lifted. The Oracle lifted her head to address the others.
"Before you depart, you should introduce yourselves to Aislin. She is a part of your family now."
"Hello, I'm Crimson," Crimson said as he was the first to approach.
"I'm Aurora!" the bright alicorn happily shouted.
"I'm Vortex from the village of Winterspeak. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"My names Gaia, and this is Selena." Gaia smiled as he put his leg and hoof over Solaris' shoulder. "And this one you've already met! The three of us are from Haven to the east, and Solaris and I are the best of friends!" Aislin blushed when Solaris was included, but she managed to keep her composure this time.
"Its nice to finally know your names," Aislin shyly replied. "I look forward to our journey together." Aislin began to bow to the group, but Gaia was quick to stop her.
"No bowing!" he hollered. "You're one of us now, so don't treat it like your our servant or something. Besides..." Gaia leaned in to whisper to Aislin. "... Solaris doesn't like all the bowing." Aislin gave a small bow of her head in acknowledgment.
The group dawned the packs that the Oracle had prepared and made for the sanctum's exit. They soon found themselves ascending the long staircase and emerging into the world above. The morning sun was still climbing, shooting bright rays of golden sunshine through the peaks of the mountains. The morning air was still a ripe chill, and the rocky ground of the mountain pass was covered in a light frost. The gentle wind that blew between the ridges filled their lungs and smelled of fresh morning dew. The company of friends made their way through the mountain trails to find a precipice that looked outward onto the open plains of Equestria. From the East, the sun was casting its blanket of gold across the rolling grassy fields below. The group assembled onto the ridge, looking out to the world beyond.
"So this is where our journey begins," Vortex said has he closed his eyes and let the sun soak his body in warmth. "Not a bad way to start."
"Hey Solaris, "Gaia whispered to his friend. "Since we're starting this little quest, I'll give you a bit of a break, but I still expect you to come through on our deal." Solaris smiled and shook his head sarcastically.
"I know, my friend. I know." With that, Solaris and company turned to begin their adventure.