//------------------------------// // Chapter 16: Wisdom of the Wind // Story: Revenant Soul: Genesis and The Weather Elements // by cyber_pony13 //------------------------------// Neighagra Falls City The mane six arrived at a town near Neighagra Falls late afternoon by train this time. Within the town, they could see everypony scrambling about finishing up their last adjustments to the town. Stores, buildings, and houses were being reinforced, and ponies were stocking up on supplies. It was if they were preparing for a storm to hit. The girls asked around what was going on and the town folks directed them to go to the mayor’s office. They finally arrived there seeing that it too was being secured. Outside they could see a stallion giving out orders to the ponies and controlling the chaos. “That must be the mayor, let’s go find out what’s going on here.” Twilight said to the group as they approached the stallion. “Alright everypony I believe we should all be safe. Tomorrow should be the day it comes so for now go to your homes, be with your loved ones, and pray that it doesn’t happen but if it does, then hope that it ends soon.” The stallion dismissed the citizens to head back. As the crowd left, he saw the mane six approaching him. “You don’t look like anypony from around here. I don’t know why you’re here but you need to leave now for your own safety.” “That’s just it, we were sent here to investigate this area. What is going on?” Twilight asked. “Wait a minute…are you the group that Princess Celesita spoke of from Canterlot?” He asked. “That’s right, we were sent here by the Princess herself.” Twilight replied. “Thank Celestia that you’ve arrived, quickly let us step into my office. You all must be tired from the way here coming from Canterlot.” “Actually we’re from Ponyville.” Pinkie Pie corrected him. “But we do appreciate that you mixed us up with Canterlot ponies.” Rarity added. The mayor didn’t really care about that and he shoved them inside town hall and guided them into his office. It was a big office that was lined with pictures of Neighagra Falls and of past mayors of the town. Behind him was a map of not only the area but of all of Equestria. After the mayor offered the girls a seat he explained to them that a lot of strong wind and rain has been going through the town. They were signs that a huge storm was about to hit the town and he ordered the town to batten down the hatches and prepare for it. “Sorry to rush you ladies in like this. I am Steadfast. I am reluctant to have you girls here right now.” Steadfast introduced himself. “I must say that’s very impressive of you to handle such a dire situation considering the reactions from all the ponies here.” Twilight praised him. “Believe me it wasn’t easy…I don’t know what it is with this town but when things go wrong they go to me.” Steadfast speculated. “It’s probably because they trust you. You must be a pretty good mayor for them to have that much faith in you.” Applejack added. “I doubt it. This town has always looked towards it’s mayors for answers when something happens and so far have never been let down. I just don’t want to be the first.” “You did a great job organizing everything like you did, you should be proud of yourself.” Twilight assured him. “Thank you, but still I worry what if it all goes wrong?” “We’ll make sure that doesn’t happen. That is what we are here for.” Rainbow Dash said to him. “I must say I feel re-assured that you all arrived as well as the ponysprite’s knowledge. “Wait ponysprite…how do you know about them?” Twilight asked him. “I don’t know really. When all the bad weather happened, he appeared in my office and gave me the warning. Afterwards he’s been helping me out with this crisis. I must confess, I don’t think I could’ve done it without him.” Steadfast responded. Just then a green ponysprite flew in. His blue mane was slicked back and seemed to always have a small breeze around him. Instead of him having wings like other ponysprites he had wings similar to a pegasus and his cutie mark was a pegasus wing flared open with wind surrounding it. “Believe me sir you would’ve been able to done this without my help.” The green ponysprite said to the mayor. “I find that hard to believe. The wisdom that you’ve passed on to me is that of a sage.” Steadfast added. “Wisdom is merely one gaining clear insight to a situation and weighing out all the options. Everypony has it; they just need to listen for it much like how the wind carries the words that many others have spoken.” The green ponysprite answered. His calm tone was soothing as the cool refreshing wind in the summer. “Wait….a wise ponysprite; you wouldn’t happen to be Sage?” Twilight asked him. “Oh so you know of me? Yes I’m Sage Wind and pray tell, where did you hear of my name?” Sage asked her. “I’ve met your younger siblings, Fefnir Flame and Levia Frost. They spoke of you being the eldest as well as the wisest of them.” She replied. “Ah so they are doing well, that is most pleasant. Tell me though, if you’ve met them then what of an azure pony known as Revenant Soul?” Sage continued. “Yes…we’ve met him as well.” Twilight responded with a more somber tone. “I sense a disruption in your tone. That must mean things aren’t well with him. Hmmm…. I would love to discuss more with you but it is getting late and we all need a good night’s rest for tomorrow.” Sage said as he flew off. “Wait where are you going? You’re going to leave the conversation like that?” Rarity asked him. “Forgive me for my rudeness, but I must ponder over some things right now. I will remain hear by this map until later.” Sage apologized to them. “I’ll help my wife get more dinner ready then for you girls.” Steadfast said getting out of his chair. “Oh we don’t want to impose…” Fluttershy began. “It’s alright; you girls are here to help my town. The least I can do is offer you some food and a safe place to sleep for the night. The guest rooms are upstairs on the left side of the hall. Do make yourself at home.” Steadfast said as he walked out of his office. Fifteen minutes later the girls met with the mayor and his wife in the dining hall with a full entrée of food for them all. Rainbow Dash and Applejack were holding back Pinkie Pie from diving right into it all and creating a mess. Rarity was eyeing not just the food but the setup, the plates, and the table of how well designed it all was. Fluttershy felt really comfortable here and was caught humming a nice tune. She quickly re-acted and tried to hide here shame but Twilight assured her that it’s okay for her to feel comfortable here. Sage showed up a couple minutes later finding his place at the table and they began to eat. Most of the dinner conversation was of what the girls did back in Ponyville and what the town was like. It seems that every time they talked of Ponyville, other ponies wanted to see it. After dinner the girls offered to help clean up the dishes and the table. Rarity and Fluttershy were in the kitchen with the Steadfast’s wife helping out with the dishes. Rarity was praising the mayor’s wife of how well designed the dining hall was and they both shared their tips of fashion. Fluttershy was excluded from it until Rarity brought up that Fluttershy did some modeling for a little bit. They all had a nice laugh of how it all unfolded. Pinkie Pie was with Rainbow Dash help drying the dishes, though Rainbow Dash had to keep an eye on Pinkie Pie who found a new way to dry plates by spinning them. A couple times she had to dash by and catch a couple falling plates. Applejack, Twilight, and Steadfast were in the dining hall cleaning up the table and re-organizing the seats. “Twilight, may I have a word with please?” Sage asked her as he finished cleaning up his plate. She looked to the other ponies help cleaning up the table. “Don’t worry Twi we got this.” Applejack assured her. “Thanks AJ. We can always count on you.” She replied. Sage led Twilight back into the mayor’s office and looked at the map for a little bit before turning to Twilight. “Ponyville huh, must be a nice place for one to settle down. Especially from somepony such as yourself who isn’t from there.” Sage began. “Wait how did you know I wasn’t from Ponyville?” Twilight asked. “I connected the dots. Six ponies from Ponyville don’t really have contact with royalty in Canterlot. So after paying attention to all of you at dinner, I deducted that you are most likely the one who would have such connections. Perhaps a member of your family knows of them, or maybe you are under tutelage of somepony who knows of them.” “Actually I’m Princess Celestia’s student. How were you able to come up with all that?” Twilight asked being intrigued at his wisdom. “The way you were at the table. I could see that you’ve had been with refinement before but what got me the most is when you spoke of the princess. You spoke of her casually as if you know her personally.” Sage finished. “Wow, when they said that you were the smartest of them they weren’t kidding.” “Many thanks for such praise but you yourself must be one of great potential and intellect for Princess Celestia herself to take you under her tutelage.” “I wouldn’t go far as to say that.” “Modesty as well…you must be a knockout for colts aren’t you?” “Um…I wouldn’t go to that extent. Besides I’ve really haven’t met any colt that would feel that way.” Twilight responded. “But you have and you’ve made an impact on him his life as well.” Sage assured her. “You mean Revenant…Sure we’ve hung out but we’ve never really…had anything serious…” Twilight answered hesitantly. “Your tone changes when you speak of him, as well as right now you were more hesitant of your answer.” Sage sighed before he continued. “I must know, what is of him right now? I bequeath that you tell me all that you know about him.” “Sure but why didn’t you ask me that at dinner?” Twilight wondered. “Do you not feel how the atmosphere of the room has changed when speaking about him? Not only that when you spoke of his name earlier, you seemed…saddened while some of your friends had other emotions.” Sage continued “Wow I know I’m smart but you….you sound like Revenant’s old master.” Twilight thought out loud. “Ah so he has shared some of his past…then he must truly care for you. If you feel the same then you would tell me all that has happened with him. Starting with the first time you met.” Twilight then explained to Sage of their times with Revenant in the caves of how he was reclusive but showed his valor when trouble came. Next was his adjustment to Ponyville and living with her for a couple of weeks until he got a house and started his own business. Then when he shared with him his past, the possible relation between the two and finally, what happened at the mountains. After all that Sage took a moment to think over all of it. “Interesting….so you are the catalyst that has changed him.” Sage then put his hoof to the window and felt the wind blowing. “It seems great change is upon us Twilight. I do hope you are ready for it.” “Change….what kind of change?” she asked. “That I’m unsure of. From what it seems is that tomorrow things will change either for better or for worse. It all depends on you though.” Sage informed her. “Me….what is it that I have to do?” “I’m sorry that I’m unclear but that is all that the wind tells me.” “The wind….you’re communicating with the wind? I thought that you were being deep.” “Well I was being deep but also speaking truth. The wind carries many words as well as premonitions of what’s to come. I know it may seem a difficult concept to grasp but it’s much like how magic works in certain ways.” “I understand…I may not know how you do it, but it’s much like how we unicorns have a natural ability with magic.” “Precisely but now it’s getting late, you should get some rest.” “Your right…*yawn*…I should get some sleep. Do you have any more words from the wind before I sleep?” Twilight asked. Sage hesitated a moment before speaking. “I’m sorry that is all I have for you at the time. If you gave me more time to think about it, you’d be up for a while.” Sage apologized. “Then thank you…I’m off to bed. See you tomorrow.” Twilight said as she left. Sage looked out the window again and listened to the wind blowing. “Actually there are two changes that will happen.” Sage thought to himself. “The first involves you Revenant. If you make the right choice then Twilight’s choice is next, however if either one of you does wrong…then I can only fear the outcome.” The next day/Sunday After having a nice breakfast the girls began to leave the town into Neighagra falls to find the storm weather element. As they began their trek with Sage, they noticed that the weather was turning ugly. Dark clouds were hanging overhead, the wind was picking up, and thunder wasn’t too far behind. Sage looked at the group to see how they were doing. “How you ladies holdin’ up so far?” Sage asked. The girls gave him a positive response. “Good to hear that, you do know how this weather will affect you ponies, mainly the earth ones?” “Of course we do. Twi and Rarity here learned a spell to help us when the weather gets ugly.” Applejack answered him. “But just in case I brought us lots, and lots, and lots, and lots of rope.” Pinkie Pie added. “Why would we need that much rope Pinkie?” Rainbow Dash asked her. “Just in case the weather gets really bad, we could tie it to each other so we don’t get blown away.” She answered. “I do hope we don’t have to resort to that, let alone have this weather get ugly.” Rarity added. “Well I’m glad you girls came prepared let’s continue on. The weather is getting worse by the second.” Sage addressed the group. While going through the wooded area by the falls, tree branches began to fly off and head towards them. They were no problem at first but then some big ones came there way. Applejack would buck a couple them away while Pinkie Pie simply bounced on them changing their trajectory. They finally got up to the path that would take them to the top of the falls. Unfortunately it began to drizzle and made the path slippery. Slowly they moved along the trail but then Rarity missed a step and was about to fall off. Rainbow Dash quickly caught her and set her back on her hooves. “Are you okay Rarity?” Rainbow Dash asked. “No I’m not.” She replied “What is it Rarity?” Twilight asked her. “It’s my mane! I just used some of the new hair shampoo earlier this morning that the mayor’s wife let me used and now it’s all ruined!” Rarity complained. All the girls shook their heads at typical Rarity. Sage was the only who was confused. “Is she….” He began to ask. “Not really except when things get dirty.” Pinkie Pie answered. “Well when it comes to trekking or adventuring you plan to get dirty.” Sage responded. “Just because we are going on an adventure doesn’t mean we can’t look good for it.” Rarity said as they began to follow the trail. The trail normally doesn’t take long however due to the weather it made it more difficult, especially that now lightning appeared in the sky. A couple of bolts nearly went at them but Twilight would use the spell she learned to protect them from it. The wind began to pick up hard and was making it hard for them to go further. “There in this opening let’s go!” Sage directed to them. The girls quickly went in to an opening in the wall along the trail to avoid the storm. “Wait can’t Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy go on ahead?” Twilight asked. “Yeah we should be able to. Let’s go Fluttershy.” Rainbow Dash said putting on her goggles. “I… I can’t.” She replied. “What do you mean? You’re a pegasus and this is our kind of weather.” Rainbow Dash tried to give her confidence. “I can’t Rainbow Dash. Not because I’m scared but because I don’t have high wing power like you.” Fluttershy confessed. “But shouldn’t this weather help boost it, isn’t that right Sage?” Twilight asked him. “Yes it does since pegasi are designed for this weather but their base wing power can only be amplified so much. It is true that her power will come from her will and drive but she can’t over exert herself to the point where she suffers the after effects. I’m sorry to say it but it looks like Rainbow Dash has to go alone.” Sage sadly answered. “Right then, don’t worry girls I’ll find that element within a couple minutes.” Rainbow Dash assured the group. “Hold on Rainbow Dash let me do this first.” Twilight stopped her friend from taking off. Her horn then formed a white ball and shot it into Rainbow Dash’s head. “Hello, can you hear me Dash?” Twilight thought to her. “Whoa you learned telepathy? When did that happen?” Rainbow Dash shockingly asked. “From Levia a couple months back. I practiced it until I got it right.” Twilight answered her friend. “If so then allow me to accompany Rainbow Dash. I should be able to handle the weather but I will hang on to her if I need to. Twilight would you please?” Sage asked her. Twilight casted the telepathy spell again on Sage and the rest of the girls just in case something was to go wrong. “Alright let’s ride Sage.” Rainbow Dash said. She jumped out of the opening with Sage holding on to her and spread her wings. Sadly, the wind caught her and took her back. A couple seconds later she flew to the opening and assured the girls she would be fine. Rainbow Dash took off to the top of the falls and began her search for the element. Thirty minutes have passed since Rainbow Dash took off and have barely heard any updates from her. The girls were already dried off and were getting worried. “Oh I do hope she is okay?” Fluttershy feared for her friend. “It’s Rainbow Dash we’re talking about. If anypony could handle this storm it’s her.” Applejack assured her. “But still it only looks like the storm is getting worse. Some trees have even toppled over from the storm. I’m gonna try and contact her again.” Twilight said to her friends. She tried contacting her with telepathy but couldn’t do it. The girls began to fear the worst. Minutes later there fears were put to rest they saw the weather stop as if somepony had hit the off switch. “Wait…did it just stop like that?” Twilight asked. “It must’ve been Rainbow Dash. You see I told ya girls she can do it.” Applejack said to them as they all cheered. “Hello can anypony here me?” Rainbow Dash thought to the girls. “Rainbow Dash you’re okay. Good job for getting it.” Twilight responded. “About that, I didn’t find it.” Rainbow Dash replied. The girls looked at each other with wide eyes. “What do you mean you didn’t find it? I thought that only an Element of Harmony could make it tranquil.” Twilight questioned her friend. “Twilight this is Sage, you and the girls need to get up here now. I think I may know why.” Sage thought to them. With no time to spare, Twilight concentrated on them and teleported to their location. They were at the alongside the river that lead off into the falls. The river was still raging due to the weather and wouldn’t let up until later on. “Sage, Rainbow Dash what happened?” Twilight asked them. “I was flying through the storm searching all over the place and we couldn’t find a single clue until we came across an old set of ruins. Sage pointed out that’s where it would most likely be. We started to head there but that’s when the weather let up. We went in to check it out and found nothing.” Rainbow Dash answered her. “Do you happen to know where these ruins are at?” Twilight asked. “We still do. Follow us and we’ll lead you to them.” Sage said to them as they took off. As they made their way there, they noticed that Fluttershy was flying better than before. Sage told them there are still electrical particles in the air so she would be feeling the effects and that the rest of shouldn’t feel anything. They traveled roughly 500 meters until they saw something that made them stop. “What are those?” One of the girls asked. Sage took a moment to see two different sparks flying at them. “Wait a minute could it be….” “SAGE!!!!!” Said the two sparks as they tackled him. The girls then saw that it was Levia and Fefnir who tackled Sage. “Sage we found you, finally we are all re-united at last!” Levia kept hold of her brother. “Yeah it’s good to have you back bro. I’m really glad to see you’re okay.” Fefnir calmly said. “Fefnir stop acting cool, you and I both know you were just as worried for Sage as much as I was.” Levia turned to him. “I was not…Sure I missed him but I knew he was going to be fine the whole time.” Fefnir defended himself. “So then what was with all the worrying and trying to get here quickly thing all about hmmm?” Levia smirked at her brother. Fefnir then turned away to hide his embarrassment, though it was pretty hard to tell in the first place since his coat was red. “My siblings, it is great to see you two live and well.” Sage said calming the two. “But if you two are hear then that means…..” “Been a while hasn’t it Sage.” An azure pony said as he approached the group. The girls all were surprised to see the familiar azure pony approaching them. What had their interest was not that he was here, but mainly that he had the storm weather element. Furthermore, the element was tranquil. “Re…Revenant what are you doing here?” Twilight asked him. “I’m here to make things right.” You can do it Revenant! Time to do what's right or lose all that you worked for.