Twilence opened her eyes. "Okay, quick, we got two for Pinkie, three for Mite, one for Starlight. Everybody vote."
Lore Thirst raised an eyebrow. "You want to do this now?"
"Fast guys, please. I know Four wants Pinkie."
Fluttershy smiled warmly. "I think I would like to see Starlight again..."
Vriska shrugged. "The Mite. Thing sounds useful, from what you'd told me. And that's not much by the way."
Twilence shrugged. "I was going to go for Mite as well, seeing as he tied last time anyway. That's the choice. Anyway, Lore Thirst, I'd appreciate it if you weren't so savage to my companions, thank you."
Lore Thirst nodded. "As you wish. You ask the first question. I will ask mine until I have no more. Then you will be led to the altar. Don't lie. I'll know."
"Before we start I want to know if Orchid is close by and is going to be able to interfere."
Lore Thirst shrugged. "I have no idea. I'd have to send Alderan out to go check. I don't keep tabs on her as much as you. She won't be able to get to the altar before you though - she doesn't know how to get to it. So you don't need to worry. I won't count that as a question."
"Good. Because it wasn't," Vriska muttered.
Twilence nodded. "What is the full meaning of the prophecy?"
"Most of it is self-evident," Lore Thirst said. "The Dark Lord will come from the south, specifically the Troishan Archipelago, heralding some great evil or other. An Oracle will rise to defeat him - the identity of which is in question, but evidence currently points to Orchid. The Oracle will have a third eye of some kind that allows or will allow them to see what is to come and what cannot be known. Forced to know the truth so the rest of the world may live. The Oracle will quest to the six altars, consulting their spirits - another reason I believe it to be Orchid and not you since you didn't encounter a spirit at your first altar - and she'll gather their wisdom an aid. She's collecting them, installing their impressive knowledge and powers into her. She's purifying herself - becoming 'spiritual.' The ancients wrote the prophecy, they thought they were the best. The remnants refer to the ancient technology that Orchid will command, including Fosis and any other things. The specifics of the power overwhelming are unknown - it could just be Fosis or some secret superweapon. The Dark Lord will be banished through her efforts, and the prophecy ends with encouraging all who hear it to lend themselves to the Oracle."
Twilence nodded. Not all that much new information, but Lore Thirst certainly thought Twilence wasn't the Oracle.
"Now. Twilence. What does the Influence feel and sound like to you? Anything odd?"
Twilence blinked - not exactly what she'd been expecting. "Everything is a monotone drone - constant, emotionless. I have to insert emotions myself with my thoughts and context clues. Sounds are spoken aloud - literally hear 'roar' instead of a roaring noise. Occasionally the Influence will be overcome by static - and that just means something was off earlier. The static itself is... scratchy, warped, and sometimes I swear I can hear faint whispering in it."
Lore Thirst simply nodded slowly at this revelation.
"My turn," Twilence asserted. "Is it possible to fix the Eye? Or edit its capabilities?"
"Most definitely. I could probably do it myself given enough time. At the moment we are pressed for time, but I could certainly try to form a more direct link with my expertise. Though to get a full reactivation I'd need lab equipment from the Ancients. Lots of it."
Well that was good to know. Twilence wondered what exactly an improved Eye would do...
"How did you become an alicorn?"
Twilence told him the story of her ascension. Even though it was quick, it still took a while. "...And then I had wings."
"Interesting."
"Who exactly is Orchid? Her eye, her goals?"
Vriska shook herself awake. "Oh, back to the actually interesting questions? Thank the Horrorterrors!"
Lore Thirst ignored her. "Orchid is a unicorn mare from Troisha who learned the Futuresight spell by complete accident in a hidden underwater cave - she liked diving. She saw herself going to the Bluemish Forest and the altar there, so she did. Knowing the prophecy, she decided she was the destined Oracle and set out to save the world from the Dark Lord by doing exactly what it said. She's taken the spirits of the altars to further that goal, expanding how far her Third Eye can see and what it can see. She is very self-confident and convinced she is the hero, and believes all who stand in the way of holy prophecy need to be dealt with by any means necessary. Why exactly do you want to stop her?"
Twilence blinked. "...Is that the question?"
"Yes."
"She took Infinity and I... Ine was a... Well, I wouldn't call her a friend, really, but she helped us. She obviously didn't want to be sealed into a little sphere. And Alderan tried to warn her, and Alderan seems terrified..."
"Am not!" Alderan spat.
Twilence shook her head. "It just seems wrong to enslave these ancient spirits. It doesn't seem to be the way to stop the Dark Lord-"
"It is. You have my guarantee," Lore Thirst said. "That piece of information is free, by the way."
"You're going to let her kill me..." Alderan muttered in a way that suggested he wasn't all that surprised.
Twilence took a step back, reeling - this... This was important. She wasn't sure what to think. She shook her head to clear it - needed to ask more questions. "What is Heildor?"
"Heildor is an ancient sapient crystal mined out of the deepest Moissan mine several centuries ago. They worship the golden being that has dedicated itself to their strength and protection. Heildor is not an evil creature. The dogs worship it for a reason, after all. Under its rule the dogs have prospered. Heildor is just extremely favorable to its chosen race and wants to see them conquer the world."
"Ah. ...Not really what I was expecting, but okay."
"How far back in the past do you think you are, Twilence?"
Twilence pondered this. "A little over a thousand years, I think. Hard to tell really. What is the red Eye I keep seeing in my dream - actually, what's the deal with eyes in general?"
Vriska pointed at her own. "They're awesome, that's what!" Fluttershy nudged her.
Lore Thirst frowned. "The thematic importance of Eyes is very vague. They represent ways of seeing, sight, and information. Your Eye is a way to see beyond. Orchid's Eye sees the future. The red eye... It is one thing that baffles me. The Overseer is the one with the red eye, but he should have no idea you even exist."
"Well explain what the Overseer is then," Vriska muttered.
"The Overseer is an ancient being who, according to legend, came from the stars. Older than even the ancients, he was worshipped as a god for the longest time - this place is devoted to his memory. He was known as a giver of wisdom and counsel. He was a distant being until after the Reign of Chaos - after which he took a more active role. He was offered a role on the newly formed Council of Peran, and accepted. He is the only member of the Council to have been alive during the Reign of Chaos, and shows no sign of dying anytime soon. He still has a reputation for great wisdom and the ability to see everywhere he should desire - though usually this is rumored to involve mostly Heildor, and other areas of prime interest. Those who are watched by him report feeling like an eye was right behind them - and they always describe it as red even though they never saw it. He should have no reason to use dreams though."
"...Odd," Twilence admitted.
"Tell me of your land's history. Specifically, what will happen in the future?"
Twilence gulped. "I..."
"Answer the question or we are done here."
Twilence nodded, deciding to be as vague as possible. She told him about the foundation of Equestria quickly, the age of Discord, and Starswirl. "Soon - or even now, I have no idea - Equestria will enter a war with the Crystal Empire. It will end in victory. Afterwards, one of the two sisters that rule the kingdom will rebel and be banished for a thousand years - coming back in my time. A thousand years of not much happens and then me and my friends show up to become the bearers of the Elements of Harmony."
"...Good enough," Lore Thirst muttered, looking annoyed for the first time.
Twilence took a breath. "Who is the Dark Lord? What does he want?"
"What he wants is easy - evil, destruction, power. Who he is is more confusing, and something I've spent a long time researching in these tomes. There are two options, and both of them will be involved in some way. The first is a Dark Star that a cult on Troisha worships that is known by many names - Akaka, Negus, Corot, Central, Holy Dark, Midnight Sun - who's power will be brought to wreak havoc. But there is also another - Siron, king of demons, the first being ever sealed in Tartarus, the one Tartarus was designed to hold. Other writings suggest he will find a way to escape soon. Both will be involved, though which one is the actual Dark Lord is unknown."
Twilence frowned - why did that Star sound familiar to her?
"Twilence, how did you convince Ine to speak to you?"
"I - well me and the Influence - convinced her I was the protagonist of this story. I think."
"Interesting. That's all it took? Huh. Sometimes the answer is so simple..."
"How do I access the Time Tunnels?"
"Find Frau," Lore Thirst said. "After that, it's unclear. The Time Tunnels are rarely mentioned in any works I find, but what I do find and what I get out of Alderan tells me that it will only work for an Ancient with clearance, but there have to be ways around that. Or, perhaps, more blocks, since they themselves never used it to restore their race." Lore Thirst leaned in. "How are you coping with the revelations about the nature of reality?"
Twilence cocked her head. "Er... I'm doing fine? Talking it through with my friends, letting out my exasperation at the Influence-"
"What are you going to do once you finish your quest, I mean, what will this revelation have on your life?"
Twilence blinked. "I... I... I don't think I can go home."
Fluttershy gasped. "What?"
"Oh, you can Fluttershy, I just... I just don't think I could stand to be there anymore. I'm no longer Twilight - I'm outside. I'm beyond. I think I'll just go wherever Vriska goes and try to make a difference out there where it might actually matter. It seems like the multiverse is just there to squash you into nothing. That shouldn't be."
"O...Okay." Fluttershy said.
Vriska smirked. "Idealistic Twi, but good on you for that. Some people will really look up to you for it."
"Yeah... Lore Thirst! Have you seen another of Vriska's race around?"
"I have encountered the Handmaid a few times, yes. She's infuriatingly not forthcoming with information," Lore Thirst's annoyed look came back. "I've deduced she's not from this world originally, and was brought here through your altars. But besides that I know nothing."
"Aw...." Everyone suddenly looked up. There was a troll in red robes and wings, fluttering above them. "And here I was going to ask if you knew anything about me to see if you could tell me when to find me!"
Vriska blinked. "...Hey Aradia."
"Hi Vriska! Oh, I wish we could catch up now but I don't think now is the time nor do I think I'm the version you're supposed to catch up with! I think you'll end up in another world like this one, eventually, and that'll be where it's supposed to happen!"
Vriska smirked. "Well screw that, I've been wandering alone for too long!"
"Well you'll run into me a few more times in this world, obviously, but then we'll have to go our own ways. I think. Hard to tell, the interweavings of the Tower and time are a bit hard to deal with at times, even for me!"
"Destiny's a bitch," Vriska summarized.
"Yes! Exactly!"
Twilence looked up at Aradia. "You're certainly cheerful."
"I know! Isn't life just great and amazing!? By the way, you are amazing, and so is the other you as well. And probably a lot of other yous! Never let the world get you down, you come from a great purple alicorn stock!"
"...Thanks! Not sure I understand, but thanks!"
"Anyway, gotta jet!" Aradia gave them some finger guns and a wink, then vanished in a flash of red gears.
Lore Thirst smiled. "Well, I just learned more about her in those twelve seconds than I ever have in my studies. I should thank you. But regardless, last question. Are you capable of killing?"
Twilence's good mood at talking to the very cheery Aradia vanished abruptly. "...What?"
"You heard me."
"Yeah, I... I did. But I... I mean I can obviously-"
"I mean another pony - not a monster, not some crystal golem, a pony. Will you be able to do it if you see the whites in their eyes pleading to you if you needed to?"
Twilence fell silent.
"Your silence is all I need," Lore Thirst said. "Questions are done now. Aldera-"
A tremendous explosion lit the sky to the east - towards the desert. They turned to look - giant yellow crystals were flying from Heildor at an ancient ship - but the bullets were bouncing off some kind of mirrory sheen that resembled a soap bubble.
Vriska facepalmed. "Guess she finally got a lucky roll then. She'll be here soon."
Twilence turned to Lore Thirst. "Altar. Now."
Lore Thirst nodded. "Alderan, the rule I have against teleporting may be rescinded just this once. Take them to the Altar. The moment you arrive Orchid will know where it is. So do what you will do with that information."
Alderan teleported them to a spherical room composed entirely of glass deep within the mountain. They stood on a flat glass railing that led to the center, in which the altar stood. Twilence gulped. She hadn't even talked to the Influence yet - she didn't have time. She ran to the Altar, took in a breath, and spoke loudly. "MITE! GIVE ME THE MITE THEY KEEP TALKING ABOUT!"
The Altar lit up∑´¶ˆø¢ø¨∆¬∑˜´¨®ø∑¬√˜ß¬...
~~~
What, you thought you weren't going to get this? I said the same thing would happen last one.
Is this dangerous though, you wonder?
Maybe. Maybe not. It's not for me to say.
Now here's the fun thing: Aradia definitely exists. Are you destined to choose her? Can you force Twilight to not choose her now simply because you know she exists?
What do you think would happen?
~~~
•œ£¶∑ˆ˜…˚ߘˆ´∑˙®ß˙iscord looked at the microscopic form of Mite on his finger - a strange orange-ish sphere with six adaptable legs and two cat ears, no face. The two of them were drifting in space, looking at a certain white star in the distance they remembered all too well, unfortunately.
"There it is..." Discord said.
"Yes."
"You want to go in there?"
"No."
"I thought not. Well, in that case, party in zero gravity?"
"Indubitably."
Discord grabbed a loose asteroid and threw it at a dead moon. "Billiards time!"
"ALERT!"
"What?"
"DIMENSION!"
"Dimension what, Mite?" Discord said, suddenly worried. "What is going on?"
"GOODBY-"
~~~
"-E!" Mite shouted.
Vriska blinked. "...I heard him. Where the flip is he?"
"Here," Twilence said, lifting up something nopony else could see. "Mite, I'm sorry for dragging you out... That looked like fun."
"Explain."
"Well... We're on a quest and some people suggested I bring you here to help. As a 'recruit.'
"Understandable."
Twilence raised an eyebrow. "...Really?"
"No."
"I... What?"
"That."
Vriska chuckled. "I like him already. Little mite buddy, I'll explain things to you shortly, but now I think we're about to have company."
Fluttershy nodded. "Yeah... Twi, what should we do when-"
Orchid appeared with a teleport right next to Twilence. Ruby was with her. Infinity was not.
Orchid blinked. She was impossible to read.
Twilence's Eye started glowing.
Looks like I won't be responding to the earlier import...