"I know that this sounds silly," Twilight said. "But maybe if we can find this alicorn, then maybe we might know the true origin of the alicorn ponies, as well as why there aren't many of them in Equestria."
"We'd be happy to help, Twilight." Applejack said.
"Yeah, Twi." Rainbow Dash added. "Where do we begin?"
"According to the book covering the different pony types," Twilight started, using her magic to lift a big, dusty old book in front of everyone. "This mysterious alicorn was last seen in a remote area of the Everfree Forest before going to some far-off land. So we should start there."
"Why there?" Rarity asked.
"And why didn't Zecora tell us about this alicorn?" Rainbow Dash added.
"I'm not sure why this alicorn was last seen in the Everfree Forest," Twilight said. "As for why Zecora didn't mention an alicorn, I assume even she hasn't met this alicorn."
"Then let's go!" Rainbow Dash said, already halfway out of the castle.
***
"I'll take a bushel." A mysterious hooded pony said to the merchant at the tomato stand while levitating a sack of coins onto the counter with magic.
"Pleasure doing business with you." The merchant said, already putting away the bits.
"Now that I have these tomatoes," The hooded pony started. "I can finally complete the plans I have."
"No, Spike." Twilight said in a rather annoyed tone. "We won't be able to find this alicorn in..." Twilight started to say before bumping into the same hooded pony from before. "Ugh!"
"Are you ok, Princess?" The hooded pony asked, concerned.
"I'm ok." Twilight said, getting up. "Sorry for bumping into you."
"I'm the one who's sorry. I wasn't really looking at where I was going. I hope you're ok Princess Twilight."
"I'm fine. Thanks for your concern, though."
"Anytime. Well, I better get going." The hooded pony said, starting to turn around.
"Wait!" Twilight said. "You didn't tell me your name."
"I'm sure we'll meet again. I live near here, in the Everfree Forest."
"You live there?" Twilight asked, curiosity rising with each second. "I'd like to see where you live."
"Alright, but shouldn't we wait for your guards to come?"
"I don't really have any guards, except for Spike."
"I see." The hooded pony chuckled. "Not much protection that a baby dragon can provide, but who cares about age with a species-wide reputation like the one that dragons have."
"You've got some nerve mister." Spike said.
"I'd really think twice before challenging me if I were you. But I admire your courage."
"Before we go any further," Twilight said. "I would like to know your name. Why are you trying to keep it hidden?"
"I've gone by many names over the course of my life, but I am known by my birth name most of all." The hooded pony began his monologue.
"But what is it?" Twilight said. "As a princess of Equestria, I order you to tell me."
"If you knew my past, you wouldn't be so quick to make an order like that. But I'll tell you. I am Shadow Flame." Shadow Flame said. "As for the reason I tried to keep it hidden, it is tied into my past and who I am."
"You wouldn't happen to know the first alicorn, would you?" Twilight asked.
"Know him?" Shadow Flame asked. "My connection with him is much deeper than that."
"I wonder..." Twilight mumbled to herself before using her magic to remove Shadow Flame's cloak. "What?! How?! Why?!"
"That's right." Shadow Flame said. "I'm an alicorn. A male alicorn and the oldest known alicorn in this world."