//------------------------------// // Prolouge: The Twilight Prophecy // Story: Sage of Harmony // by Tesshu //------------------------------// Prolouge: The Twilight Prophecy For a normal human being, all they would see is a simple train station in the core of a plain. Its grassy hills rippled across the landscape far as the eye could see. The lush emerald grass swayed with the wind as soft sunlight shone from above. The railway seemed as if it has been unused for years. There was a fine layer of rust and mold along the railway. Grass and flowers sprout out among the decaying planks, almost hiding the railway from view. It's as if the earth is reclaiming what was rightfully hers. The station also seems to have taken a hit from time. The station building is greatly coated with mold with vines that snaked up the walls, as if it was trying to pull it down. The windows are either cracked or layered with grime. Numerous craters could be seen on its sagged roof. Mold seemed more dominant on the platform. If one was to walk of it, it felt like walking on pillows. Of course if you ignore a few holes that dotted the platform. It seemed that it was forgotten for a long time and the reason was simple. Purgatory. Purgatory is one of the many planes for those who have died in grace. Beings that have redeemed themselves in the end come here for a second chance. Of course fate is never that simple, for it can take a hundred years or more for the gods to even decide the fate of the spirits that gather here. That is what these six souls are waiting for. Lined up along the platform stood six ponies with multicolored coats and manes and the picturesque cutie mark that is shown on their haunches. The first pony is a Unicorn, her horn poked through her moderate sapphire blue mane with moderate violet and brilliant rose streaks. She has a light violet coat of hair and her cutie mark is a pink six-pointed sparkle surrounded by five small white sparkles. Her moderate violet eyes seemed distant, as if she was recalling an old memory. Next in line is a strong Earth Pony. Her sap green eyes shone with determination. Her coat was a light orange and her light blonde mane and tail in ponytail held by a red ribbon. Three red apples is her Cutie mark. A light brown Stetson hat rests on her head. Next to her is a light gold Pegasus who has a frail frame. Her cyan eyes hid behind the veil of her light rose mane. She has three butterfly's with cyan bodies and pink wings for her cutie mark. Her ears were flatten backwards against her head which is a sign for sadness. Bouncing beside the Pegasus is a pink Earth Pony with fluffy light raspberry mane and tail. Light cerulean eyes beamed with happiness as she grin from ear to ear. Her cutie mark is made up of three balloons. The pony next to the bouncing Earth Pony is rather unique. She was the second Unicorn of the group. Her mane and tail were moderate indigo with her coat being light gray. The unique part of her is that she made her mane into curls. She wore the same expression as the first cutie mark were three lozenge diamonds. Last in line is a breath taking Pegasus. Her very light cerulean coat seem to be part of the sky itself. The sun made her rainbow mane and tail shimmer in the light. Her build was athletic, not a single trace of body fat can be found on her body. Moderate cerise eyes gaze up to the vast blue sky, as if she was yearning to its eternal winds. Her cutie mark is a blue-yellow-red lighting bolt with a cloud. These six ponies are vastly different but very similar. They used to be known as the Elements of Harmony. But as the old saying goes, The path to hell is often paved with good intentions. Each one of them has committed sins that go against their very element, but in the end they have redeemed their elements. Sadly it was too late. In the aftermath they were sent to purgatory, that was six months ago now. When they rejoice there were arguments, fights, tears, and on cases like this they kept to themselves. The scars ran deep in their bond and is not something one can forget. Then they heard it. The soft whistle in the distance. Six heads turn to their left to look down the forgotten tracks. A speck of gold can be seen on the horizon. Minutes went by before it came into view. The gold and white train seem to float above the tracks as is races along. White smoke puffs from the train. Shining gold dust swirl in the air as the train grind to a halt at the platform. They notice there was only one carriage car. The two Unicorns were in awe of the train while the other ponies seemed unchanged or does not care. "So this is the Starlight Express." The light violet unicorn spoke as she admire the alien metal that makes up this train. "My word this is the most elegant piece of machinery I lay my eyes on." The light grey unicorn spoke in fascination. Unaware of the glare she was receiving from the rainbow maned Pegasus. Before the rainbow mane could speak the carriage door slid open, revealing a pure white Alicorn with rust red mane surrounded with white light. "Twilight Sparkle, Apple Jack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and finally Rainbow Dash. It is a pleasure to meet you all." Her voice was filled with soothing essence that cleanse the tension around the six. They gave a short bow to the Alicorn goddess before standing at attention. Each one of them wore different expression then last time. Twilight seemed nervous as well as Apple Jack. Fluttershy looked like she was close to breaking down. Pinkie Pie was cheerful but on edge. Rarity was start struck by the beauty of the Alicorn while Rainbow Dash seemed unimpressed. "It is best if we get moving, I have many things to tell you before you're next life." The goddess spoke kindly as she head back in. Twilight, Apple Jack, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity followed closely behind. Leaving behind the two Pegasus. Rainbow looked over to see her friend unable to move. 'Hey Fluttershy, Its alright." Rainbow tried to be reassuring but it fell on deaf ears. She gave a sigh as she went over to her friend. Her head went under Fluttershy belly and lifted up, Causing the Pegasus to give a squeak as she was rolled onto Rainbow Dash back. "R-Rainbow-" "Shush Fluttershy, you are going to come with me and that's final." She spoke in a demanding tone as she trot into the train. When she got in she notice the inside was a lot bigger then the outside. In fact it did not seem to be a train car at all. The room was dome shaped and six sphere chairs were circled around an watery globe that hung in the air. "Hi Dashie and Fluttershy! Is this place great!" The booming voice came from Pinkie Pie as she spun around in her chair. "Yeah." Rainbow mumbled as she dumped Fluttershy into a chair. "Come on Rainbow, this room is very fascinating." Rainbow looked over to Twilight who seemed to be still taken away by the train. She gave yet another sigh as she climb into her chair. No one said a word for a few minutes before the room began humming. It has seem the train has left the station. "It seem you all taken you're seat." An angelic voice came from the door that leads into the driver car. It open to let in the Alicorn goddess. "I do not mean to be rude but what is your name?" The white Alicorn smiled at Twilight curiosity. "You may simply call me Faust." She walked up to the globe and her horn began to glow a deep gold. "Now I bet many of you are curios about the world you are going to. So I will simply show you the history of your home." Picture and sound began to form within the watery sphere. They saw the founding of the village called Konohagakure, of how there was a warring state period. It was an extremely lengthy and bloody period in history where hundreds of individual shinobi clans fought in constant, bitter warfare. Fluttershy was taken aback at the conscription of inexperienced children as combatants during the conflict drastically lowered the average lifespan to a mere 30 years. Twilight was stun by the power of Madara and Hashirama as they changed the very landscape. Mountains cleaved, raining meteors, it was as if two gods were fighting eachother. It then moved on to the First Three World Wars. The six was slightly disappointed in themselves that they could not manage to make it through one world war. The globe soon went through the Nine-Tails Attack, The Hyuga affair, and finally the Uchiha massacre. The pictures and sound died out, leaving the mane six in silence. Rainbow Dash was the first to break it by a glare. "So you are dumping us in a world ravage by war?" Faust gave Rainbow a motherly look before replying. "Just think it as if a chance to make up for you're mistakes." The mane six remained quite. "Well I recommend you all rest, we have some time till we get there." Faust said sweetly as she went back to the driver car, leaving the Elements of Harmony to their thoughts. oOo Mount Myōboku, a sacred place of the land of toads. A certain event was taking place in the mountain. The Great Toad Sage sat on his throne with a man with long white hair standing before him with a shock expression on his face. "There is a new Prophecy involving the Child of the Prophecy?" Being surprise was an understatement, he was confuse on how a new prophecy can come up that involves the first one can appears so long after. "Mmm yes indeed child. A butterfly, an star, an apple, an balloon, an diamond, and a lighting bolt shall guide the child down the right path." Jiraiya was confused by the cryptic prophecy. But little did he know that the Prophecy shall forever change the shinobi world.