September 11(?), 1005,
The room I found myself in was dark. I couldn't even see my own nose in front of my face. As soon as I took a step forward the lights came on and I saw where I was. The room was plain except for the steel bars that separated me from the other half of the room. Why was that bad? Because on the other side of the room was two open pits in the corners. Why was that bad? Because suspended over them, unconscious was Jynx and Razor.
Chose, A voice boomed in the room, Who shall live and who shall die
Fear came over me as I realized what it was saying. It was going to try to kill one of them. The gate dropped. The moment it did I didn't think, I just launched myself at Razor catching him before he fell. I tried to launch myself to Jynx as well but she was already gone, screaming as she fell.
“No!!!” I yelled as the hole vanished in a wisp of smoke.
I tried to hold Razor closer only to find he wasn't even there. What the hell is going on here? My mind was being, seriously screwed with. I would have NEVER fallen for such a simple trick. Why would I even start to think Jynx and Razor were here? And I knew I couldn't go back to Earth? Yet I fell for both of those tricks. Whoever set up these illusions made sure there was some enchantment that would make sure I didn't question it. The only question was, why? Why go through all this trouble? Was it some kind of test? A stupid game?
I shook my head and made my way to the exit. I was sure that whatever was going on, I would find the answers at the end. I went into the next room and found Daring and Echo waiting for me.
“Hay, Shiro.” Daring said, “Was there anything in your room? Cause ours was empty.”
“Yeah,” I said as I looked at the wall in front of me, “an illusion.”
I lingered on the picture of Twilight fighting me. I was always impressed that she was able to keep me at bay. I found myself silently thanking her again for leading me away from the town.
“What kind of illusion?” asked the pony.
“The kind that made me chose between those I love.” I answered.
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“Don't worry about it.” I said moving to the image of Twi and the others hitting me with their super rainbow canon.
“So that really was you.” Daring said looking at the last wall painting of my stature in the gardens with Jynx crying at the base, “I'm sorry you had to go through that.”
“I don't remember much.” I said, “It was Jynx who suffered the most.”
“Can I ask you something that might be touchy?” asked the explorer. I nodded and she continued, “What is it? The Black Beast I mean. I've never heard of anything like that before.”
“I wish I knew. All I know is it's triggered by negative emotions.” I said, “I'm just glad I have a means to control it to a point. If Twilight hadn't made this ring I’d still be a danger to those around me.”
“I'm still just curious why a temple that's over 1500 years old has your life story in it?” Asked Echo.
“There's only one way to find out.” I said, “This place has been testing me for some reason, I’m sure of it. I believe we'll find out why at the bottom.” I made my way to the stairs, “Let's go.”
The three of us walked down the stairs like we had done a few times before. We were use to the routine:
1. Go down stairs
2. Go through door
3. Deal with weird shit
4. Go through other door
5. Look at pictures of my life
6. Go down stairs
7. Repeat
So when this place decided to, instead giving us a door, give us a white marble hallway with stained glass windows, we were apprehensive.
“Why is there sun light coming through windows several stories underground?” I asked.
“It's probably another illusion.” said Daring.
“I don't know.” I said as I approached the first window.
It was me laying on a hilltop with discord placing my old sword nearby. As we walked we saw other important moments. Me killing the wyvern. Me flying to Canterlot. Me fighting Chronos. Me killing Chronos while Discord held him. Jynx and my wedding. Me holding Razor. Me saving Midnight from the foalnappers. Me saving Midnight from the cult. Me Daring and Echo walking into the temple. Me Walking through a door while Daring and Echo turned away. OK, that one was weird. We all stopped to stare at that one. We looked to the end of the hall to see the same door.
“Now this is just a guess, but I’m thinking I’m suppose to go alone through that door” I said.
Daring scoffed and started for the door, “Like Tartarus you're going aloOOFF.” she slammed face first into a barrier like the one that kept her out of the temple before.
“I guess we have no choice but to stay put.” Echo said, helping his wife to her hooves, “If it gets hairy in there, run. Don't play hero.”
“I've already made that promise.” I assured them.
I slowly but surely made my way past the barrier ant to the door. My heart was hammering in my chest. Something big was behind this door and I knew it. This was going to be where I got my answers. I grabbed the door with shaking paws and twisted the latch. The door swung open silently and I stepped through. Luckily, no cliffs presented themselves. Instead I found myself in a large circular chamber. The only feature in the room was the large red curtain at the far end and the massive ten foot tall lion in the center of the room. I was about to do exactly like I promised I would but was stopped by it's powerful voice.
Greetings Shirotora. it seemed to say from everywhere at once, I have been waiting for you for a very long time. My name is Balder.
“Balder?” I asked, “As in the Norse god of light?”
It made sense. He was a luminous white with a mane that shone like the sun itself. He was an even more magnificent a sight than Celestia.
I was once worshiped by your ancestors, yes. he said, Though when I disappeared from their world, they believed me slain. That matters not. I am here to deliver a warning to both you and my nieces.
“What kind of warning, and what's up with this place?” I asked, “Why did you put me through that crap? Why is my life painted all over the walls? Am I some hero of prophecy or something?”
He let out a deep laugh, They were tests. The first was to gauge your ability as a warrior, the second was to test your loyalty to Equestria, and the third was to see if you could make difficult choices when time was of the essence. As for the murals, they are not prophecy, but history.
“Well now they are but when this place was made...” he cut me off.
You and all you knew were dead. Seeing my confusion he explained, This temple will not be constructed for another two hundred years. It was made and sent back through time for one purpose, and that was so you can find your way here.
After letting what he said sink in I asked, “What could be so bad that an entire temple had to be built and sent through time just to warn me about.”
Without a word he turned toward the red curtain in the back and puled it down. I looked in horror at the revealed image. It was right out of my worst nightmare. It was a picture of Jynx, Twilight, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Celestia, Luna, Big Mac, Phoenix, Waya, and Jet, with me in the center... covered in their blood.
“Wh-what is this?” I managed to say.
This is the future said the elder god, You are responsible for the deaths of all you love and more.
“How? What happens?” I asked desperately.
His answer was the one word I never wanted to hear, War. A war like none that has come before. One that would rival the wars of Earth.
If the thought of war in Equestria scared me, the thought of war like on Earth happening in Equestriawas... well I’d rather suffer in hell that to see that happen.
“And something happens in this war that causes me to...” I couldn't even bring myself to say it so I just point to the image and cringe.
Yes. he said, Though though another was also involved. Who, I cannot say. He reached behind him and pulled out a small box, and held out to me, This is my gift to you, may it's strength be yours.
I opened the gift to find a belt inside. I lifted it out, and before I could ask what it was Balder swiped a claw at my hand, cutting me slightly causing my blood to fall on the gift. I flinched back about to yell when I felt a strength flow into me. I looked down at the belt then back to the lion.
Sensing my confusion he explained, That is the Belt of Stones Strength, one of Gaea's elements. It grants the wearer great strength and resilience. Use it well. I also ask that you deliver this to my niece, Celestia, He passed me a scroll, And tell her I love her, and that I think she's a fine ruler... no matter the mistakes she may make.
“I will, and thank you, but” I tried thinking of the best way to ask this, “How can we stop... that... from happening?”
Even I know not how to change fate. You, however, are still human in spirit. Humans are notorious for defying fate and succeed where even we fail. Now you and your companions must go. Farewell, Shirotora, and may fortune favor you in your struggles.
before I could ask another question, my world became stark white. When my vision cleared, I found myself looking at a very confused pair of princesses.
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Celestia sighed. I had just finished explained to the royals what happened and gave them the scroll. Daring and Echo were sent home.
“After all these years that Luna and I have longed to see our dear uncle and he only sends us a dooms day prophecy.” said the goddess.
“He did tell me to tell you that he loves you,and thinks you're a fine ruler, no matter the mistakes you might make.” I told her.
Tia chuckled, “That's an odd way to say it, but Uncle Balder was always a little strange. So he gave you mother's belt?”
“Yeah, I feel as strong as I did before we fought Chronos, maybe stronger.” I said.
Tia and Lulu looked at each other. I figured they were discussing something important if they were doing it telepathically.
“Does this mean we are no longer to serve as your battery?” said the younger of the immortals.
“Well I know how much you love doing that so you can still fuel my spells if you want.” I said.
“HA! We think not.” said Luna, “In fact you should fuel our spells now. In fact why don't we use your magic to raise the moon tonight?”
I scratched my chin as if I were thinking, “Well let's see. For one thing... LOOK A DISTRACTION!!!” I pointed at the corner.
“Do you really think we're simple enouAAHH” both the sisters jumped when a loud bang came from where I was pointing. They turned back and glared at my grinning mug with slight confusion on their faces.
“Weren't you suppose to run when we were distracted?” Asked Celestia.
“Sister, he's just being Shiro.” Luna said, “We would think you would know this by now.”
“And just why are you still smiling?” Celestia asked and threw a pillow me... or at least she thought she did.
The two alicorn looked in surprise as the cardboard cutout of yours truly fell flat on the floor, still grinning.
“Sooo...” Luna said in a smug voice, “He escaped through trickery.”
Celestia looked over at her sister. A smile plastered on the moon goddess's face. Celestia's head drooped as she let out a sigh.
“Fine, you win,” Celestia said, “Just give me the banana suit, and let's get this over with.”
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Fact #7: Unlike mortals, the gods do not have a set form. They take on the appearance of what they most identify with. In the case of Balder, he takes the form of the proud and noble lion, where as Celestia and Luna take on a form like there subjects. Osiris Chose that of the graceful and proud falcon, and Thor took the form of the versatile and adaptable humans.