"...And please send a response right away," Twilight concluded. "I think that's everything Spike, were you able to write all of that down?"
Spike finished writing her last few words onto the letter and rolled it up. "Of course I did Twilight! I even made sure to double check it while you were still talking." He inhaled deeply and released a small burst of green flame that consumed the letter, causing it to disappear in a puff of smoke. "There, the letter should arrive in no time!"
"Thank you Spike, I don't know what I would do without you. Now Cosmic, it's time that you learn about the—" Twilight stopped talking when she turned to face Eldon and her friends, only to discover that they had disappeared. "Um, Spike? Did you happen to see where they went?"
Spike began to giggle. He tried to hide it but failed to do so. "U- uh huh! While you were busy talking, I saw them sneak out. They were saying that they were going to get something to eat. I still can't believe that they were able to leave without you noticing!" Twilight was not amused, and Spike's giggling slowly faded away. "Uh, I'm sure they'll be back soon though. I think they went to Sugarcube Corner." He quickly looked down at his feet and avoided eye contact with her.
Twilight closed her eyes and sighed. "It's okay Spike, it's not your fault. Besides, Eldon did say he was hungry after all. Some food in his stomach will do him well, especially after what just happened to him."
Spike slowly looked back up at Twilight. "Sooooo... is it okay if I go with them?"
Twilight opened her eyes and smiled at her scaly little friend. "Of course Spike, just be sure to bring them back here soon. Who knows when we will get a response from Celestia?"
Spike ran over to Twilight and hugged her. "Thank you so much Twilight! I promise I won't let you down! We'll be back before you know it!" He ran out of the room without another word and Twilight heard him thump down the stairs until his footsteps faded away. She trotted over to the only window in the guest room that gave a clear view of Canterlot from where it was.
I hope Celestia responds soon. Eldon hasn't even been here a day and he is already beginning to show all the right signs. She turned away from the window and walked out of the room, making her way towards the upper reaches of the palace. She eventually reached the floor that her new library was located on that had a balcony exactly opposite to its entrance. Twilight pushed the door to the small library open and entered the room, letting the door close on its own behind her with a small thud.
The room was dark, but Twilight easily solved that problem by lighting the various candles throughout the room using her magic, her horn glowing as she did so. When all the candles had been lit, there was a sufficient amount of light that revealed two books lying closed on one of the tables. She walked over to them and looked down at the covers that she had seen so many times before.
The book on her left contained the writings of the Scholars of Lore, a group of ponies that devoted their lives to collecting and documenting Equestria's history, both past and present. It was in that very book that she discovered the prophecy, well, only part of it. A page had been ripped away, but Twilight didn't know who the culprit was or when it was committed.
The other book however, was one of the few things that survived Tirek's blast. It was Star Swirl's book of notes and experiments. Months ago it was she who finished what Celestia had told her was his final masterpiece, but Twilight discovered that Star Swirl not only had an interest in the Elements of Harmony, he had believed that there was a seventh one as well.
If anypony else had read his notes on the Elements, they would have thought Star Swirl had simply gone senile in his old age, but Twilight wasn't one to take his words lightly. There was a possibility of a seventh element. A seventh element! Twilight opened Star Swirl's book and flipped to a page she had bookmarked. She re-read Star Swirl's words to herself for the umpteenth time. She had lost count days ago.
It has been almost six hundred years worth of peace in the land since the end of the Chaos War, but those years are catching up to me. I am old, and I fear that I won't be alive for much longer, but I must discover the seventh element's whereabouts. So far I have only been able to discover who had stolen it from the Tree of Harmony, just to run into a dead end afterwards.
For all I know, the element could now be in the land of the Griffons, or tucked away in somepony's attic. It's curious though... Somepony would think that something as unique as the elements would be rendered useless if incomplete, but... there is something different about this one. When we used the Elements of Harmony for the first time, we only used the six that were found by Clover and they worked perfectly against HIM, so it seems they are able to function fine without it... but what would it be like if they were all together? Would I finally be able to...?
The entry abruptly stopped there and Twilight closed the book and sighed. If only Celestia would help me search for the missing element, because I haven't given up on the possibility... but perhaps Eldon might be able to help me instead, she thought. There's something... off about him though, and the orb that I used to bring him here keeps showing faint pulses of magic. But I'm sure that's just whatever was left of the magic I had to put into the spell... right?
Meanwhile, Eldon and the rest of Twilight's friends just turned onto the street that Sugarcube Corner was on when they heard a small voice coming from behind them.
"Hey guys! Wait up!" the voice shouted. They turned around to see who it was and saw Spike sprinting towards them as fast as his little legs could manage.
"Oh Spikey, I'm so glad that you were able to join us!" Rarity cried happily.
Spike finally reached the group when he suddenly dropped to the ground, breathing heavily. "Y-yeah! I'm glad that I- I could make it too!" Spike was trying to gulp in as much oxygen as he could. It was quite the distance he ran in such short time.
"Come on now y'all! The clock is tickin an I don't wanna miss out on Mr. and Mrs. Cake's delicious goods," Applejack said. "Here Spike, hop on my back and ah will carry you the rest of the way."
Spike slowly got up onto his feet and climbed onto Applejack's back. "Hey thanks Applejack, don't mind if I do."
"Ah don't mention it Spike. Anything for a friend of mine."
"So Cosmic, what was going on with you back there?" Rainbow Dash asked as the group continued to walk, a hint of curiosity in her voice.
"To be honest, I... I don't really know Rainbow. One minute I'm talking to you, the next I wake up in a bed," Eldon replied and rubbed his still somewhat aching head. "My thoughts are still cloudy. Was there anything else that happened while I was out? Besides glowing white and mumbling like Twilight said?"
Rainbow Dash brought her hoof to her chin, recalling the events from only a few minutes ago. "Now that I think about it, besides glowing white and mumbling words, there was also something strange about the orb in your necklace. It changed to random colours before returning back to white, just as you woke up."
Random colours? That's interesting to hear... I've only ever seen this blasted thing as white, Eldon thought. "Was there anything else Rainbow?" Rainbow Dash shook her head, and Eldon then knew that he wasn't going to learn anything more about what had happened. I wish Star Swirl, or should I say, Merlin had told me at least something about this orb. Even after I had mentioned it he didn't even bother to talk about it. The longer I stay here, the more questions that pop into my head it seems. I hate having unanswered questions.
The group continued down the street in silence, except for Pinkie who bounced ahead of them, humming a happy little tune. It didn't take much longer to reach Sugarcube Corner and Eldon was already chewing his own tongue, having smelled the baked goods coming from within the shop before they were even halfway down the street. Pinkie opened the door and held it for them. A little bell went off at the same time which told the owners that the shop had customers.
They walked inside in a single file line and Eldon felt a warm heat wash over him as he stepped into the bakery. The smell of delicious baked goods had a stronger presence inside the shop, causing Eldon's mouth to water He was positive that the others were experiencing the same thing. Pinkie let the shop door close on its own behind her and noticed that there wasn't anypony at the counter.
"Oh! Mr. and Mrs. Cake probably didn't hear us! Excuse me everypony," Pinkie said and squeezed her way to the front. Another bell was on the counter and she tapped it with her hoof, causing it to make a tiny ding sound. "Ooo! I'll never get tired of ringing this! It's so much fun! Hey! We need some service please!"
She kept tapping the bell until Applejack pulled her away. "I think they heard us Pinkie, you don't have to ring the bell no more," Applejack said, trying to get the sound out of her ears.
"Okay! Hey, I think I hear somepony coming!" shouted. She was right. Less than five seconds had passed and a pony appeared from the back. Her face was a bright red from the heat of the kitchen.
"Oh, customers!" the pony said as she approached the counter. "Well this is a wonderful surprise! The heroes of Ponyville return to my shop, and no doubt you all must be hungry!" They all nodded in agreement, until she laid eyes on Eldon. "Oh hello! Is this another friend of yours Pinkie?"
Pinkie Pie started jumping up and down in excitement. "Oh yes Mrs. Cake! In fact we just met today! Cosmic said that he was hungry and what better place to bring him than Sugarcube Corner!"
Mrs. Cake extended a hoof towards Eldon from the opposite side of the counter. "Hello Cosmic! It's a pleasure to have you here in Ponyville. Any friend of Pinkie is a friend of mine!"
Eldon gently grabbed her hoof and shook her foreleg."And it's a pleasure to be here Mrs. Cake. If I recall, you said you own the shop?" Eldon asked.
Mrs. Cake brought her foreleg back out of Eldon's grasp and straightened her apron. "Yep! Well, I'm actually the co-owner of this fine establishment, alongside my husband, Mr. Cake. Now, what can I get all of you fine ponies?" Spike sat up and did a little cough. "Oh, and of course dragon." Spike laid back down on Applejack, content that he had been noticed.
Rarity approached the counter and stood between Eldon and Pinkie Pie. "We'll take half a dozen of your finest blueberry muffins plus one." Her horn began to glow and she opened up her very well crafted purse. Inside it were bits that she slowly started to count.
"Oh it's okay deary," Mrs. Cake said. "The muffins are on the house again! After all, you helped to save Ponyville from, well, total annihilation! Not to mention our shop!"
Rarity stopped counting and put her bits back into the purse. "Why, that's very generous of you Mrs. Cake! Thank you very much!"
"Yes, that is also very kind of you Mrs. Cake. Right everypony?" Fluttershy asked. The rest of them nodded in agreement.
"Oh it's the least I can do," Mrs. Cake said. Eldon thought she saw her blush, but couldn't tell if it was still the heat coming off of her face from being in the kitchen. She then gave Rarity a paper bag filled with freshly baked blueberry muffins. "Here are your muffins, I made them extra special this morning! Have a terrific day now everypony! And you too Spike!" Eldon's stomach rumbled again, knowing that food was just a few steps away.
"I know a great spot where we can eat these," Rainbow Dash said. "Over by the pond!"
"That sounds like a wonderful idea," Fluttershy replied. Eldon raised his hoof and waved it, getting Rainbow Dash's attention.
"What is it Cosmic? Did you have another idea?" Rainbow asked.
"What? Oh, no I do not. I just wanted to say that I agree as well, but um, where is this pond exactly?" Eldon asked.
"Just follow us Cosmic," Applejack replied "We'll get ya there in no time!"
Rainbow Dash nodded in agreement. "Uh yeah! What AJ said! Follow me everypony!" Rainbow flew out of the shop, soon followed by the rest of them. Fortunately they wouldn't have to travel too far, and all that Eldon could think of was biting down into one of those deliciously good looking muffins. It was a beautiful and sunny afternoon when they arrived at the pond, and they found a spot underneath the shade of an oak tree.
"Alright everypony! Let's dig in!" Pinkie said and looked over at Rarity.
"Spike, would you be a dear and pass these muffins out for me?" Rarity asked. She had noticed that Pinkie was staring at her.
"D- uh, s- sure Rarity! Anything for you..." Spike said dreamily. Rarity gave him the bag of muffins and he began to pass them out, handing one to each of them until there was just one left for himself. When Eldon received his muffin, he didn't waste any time and immediately chomped down on it. His eyes slowly widened as he chewed.
Holy... This muffin... This is the best muffin I've ever tasted! I can't even begin to describe how much better these are then the ones from home.Eldon thought and he swallowed. Home... I miss my home. He eagerly devoured the rest, thinking that he would still be hungry, but surprisingly he was full. Oof, I thought I would be able to eat dozens of those. They must be imbued with some sort of secret ingredient, because I'm stuffed!
Eldon watched the rest of the group enjoy their muffins when he suddenly heard Twilight's voice in his head, causing him to nearly jump out of his skin.
Eldon, you must return to the palace immediately, bring everypony else with you, Twilight said.
Jeez Twilight! Don't startle me like that! And you know, it's quite rude to intrude in someone else's thoughts without asking, Eldon replied with his own thoughts.
He heard an impatient sigh from the other side when Twilight spoke again. Okay, I'm sorry. But this is really important. I want to tell you about the prophecy, and what better time then now? Please hurry. She then withdrew from his thoughts just as he was about to reply.
Well, best not keep a princess waiting. The guard back in Canterlot definitely gave me some pretty solid advice. Best let the others know, Eldon thought. He cleared his throat loudly to gain everypony's attention.
"What is it that ya need Cosmic?" Applejack asked. "Aren't them muffins just tasty? Although, my apple muffins are definitely better in my opinion."
"Applejack, everyone, I need you to listen. Twilight wants us to return to the palace immediately, it's important," Eldon said. There was a sense of urgency in his tone.
Spike finished his muffin and face palmed. "Ah crud! We must have taken too long! Ohh, I hope she isn't mad with me!"
Applejack patted Spike gently on his back. "Don't you worry now Spike, I'm sure that Twilight ain't mad at you at all." Applejack raised her head and looked at the rest of them. "Well? What are we waitin for everypony? Let's go!" Eldon nodded in agreement and he began to gallop back the way they came. Applejack and everypony else followed closely behind.
"Hey, hey guys! Wait for me!" Spike shouted after them.
Rainbow Dash turned around and flew over to him. "Well? Don't just stand there Spike! Hop on!" Spike wiped his hands on the grass, making sure they weren't covered in crumbs before climbing up onto her back.
"Hey, thanks for coming back for me Rainbow," Spike said.
Rainbow Dash laughed. "That's what friends are for Spike. We stick together, no matter what!"
Twilight stood in the throne room chamber, waiting patiently for her friends and Eldon to arrive.
I hope Eldon is ready, Twilight thought. What I have to say is a very heavy burden, and he has already been told so much already. I'm afraid that if I say anything more, he'll have a nervous breakdown. She then shook her head and chuckled to herself. Don't be ridiculous Twilight, everything will be just fine... Her thoughts were interrupted when the front doors swung open, revealing Eldon at the front with her friends right behind him.
"Twilight! We came as soon as we could after hearing from Cosmic here," Applejack said.
Twilight smiled at the group as they approached. "While I do appreciate your hasty arrival, we don't have time to chit-chat here," Twilight's tone suddenly turned serious. "Quickly, follow me upstairs to the library!" Twilight turned around and began to climb up the spiralling staircase located on the far left wall of the room.
They followed her up the stairs past the guest bedroom and her bedroom until they finally reached the second last floor which the library was located on. She entered through the door and the rest of them went in afterwards. The door slowly closed behind them with a small thud.
Twilight made sure that they were all in there before she used her magic to seal the door and placed a pink barrier around the room. Eldon did a quick scan of the library, noting how it was strangely similar to Twilight's old library, but with much less books, seeing as most of them were destroyed by Tirek.
"Pardon me Twilight, but isn't sealing the door and placing a protective field around us a bit much? What could be so important that you need to tell us?" Rarity asked.
"The protective field is to prevent us from being heard by eavesdroppers Rarity. I assure you, we don't want whatever I'm saying to be heard by those who shouldn't know," Twilight replied. "As for what I'm about to say... it should be heard by all of you, especially you Cosmic."
Eldon's personal tour of the library was interrupted as he returned his attention to Twilight.
"Pardon Twilight? Did you just say my name?" Eldon asked.
Twilight slowly nodded. "Yes Cosmic, I did. I need your full attention, because this involves you. It's about... what I said in Canterlot earlier today."
Eldon took a step backwards as his eyes widened with surprise. "Surely you don't mean the... the prophecy? I haven't even been here a day, how can you be so sure that you are ready to tell me?" The others had confused looks on their faces, trying to grasp what the two were talking about.
"Hang on... what's this about a prophecy Twilight?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Yes, I too would like to know Twilight," Rarity chimed in. The rest of them nodded in agreement and Twilight sighed.
"My friends... Equestria is in danger once again," Twilight said. Her voice had grown deathly quiet.
Rainbow Dash just laughed at her, finding it rather hard to believe that their home was being threatened once more. "Are you kidding me Twilight? How is Equestria in any danger? There hasn't been any problems for weeks ever since we kicked Tirek's rear back to Tartarus!"
Twilight rapidly shook her head. "No, you don't understand! Ever since we defeated Tirek, a strange darkness has taken hold of Equestria!" Why do you think I was gone all the time these past few weeks? It was because I was trying to help the other princesses sort out this problem. It's my duty to do so."
Applejack broke away from the group and slowly walked forwards until she stood in front of Twilight. "Twilight... you know that we are your best friends, just as you are for the rest of us, but you need to tell us what's going on. Why is Cosmic really here? And what in the hay have you been really up to?"
Twilight opened her mouth to reply, but instead she turned around and trotted over to a table that two books were on.
"Everypony gather round, and I'll tell you the truth and nothing but the truth," Twilight said. They crowded around the table as Twilight opened the book written by the Scholars of Lore. She took a deep breath, calming her nerves before she began to speak. "My friends, just days after Tirek was defeated, I was summoned to Canterlot by Celestia and Luna, who had also asked Cadance to come. Apparently they had been getting strange reports, ranging from disappearances to shadowy demons from citizens all over Equestria. We tried to hunt the source down, but we never came close to finding it. All we were able to do was calm the citizens and keep the peace." Applejack raised her hoof. "Yes Applejack? What is it that you need to say?"
"Ah just want to know how Cosmic is involved in all of this Twilight," Applejack said.
"Of course Applejack. Cosmic did not come to Canterlot to discuss teleportation, but was in fact guided there by Rainbow Dash herself, leading him directly to me," Twilight said. The others slowly turned their heads to look at Rainbow.
"What?" Rainbow asked. "I was just told to help a pony that had lost his way was all, I know as much as the rest of you."
"I had come across this very book I have opened here everypony three and a half weeks ago," Twilight continued. "Inside this very book is a prophecy, a prophecy that foretold the arrival of a one of great power that would help to combat the return of darkness in Equestria's hour of need."
"So you believe Cosmic is the one depicted in the prophecy?" Rarity asked and Twilight nodded her head again.
"Yes Rarity, it was I who crafted a spell that would bring the One here. By using Star Swirl's incomplete spell that focused on destiny, I was able to modify it again. The new spell allowed me to find the one related to the prophecy, and it brought Cosmic here in a flaming ball of fire, although I do not know from where. That very orb around his neck is what I had used the spell on as a test run, and it brought back him. When I met him, I thought that perhaps the spell didn't find the right pony, but I was wrong."
"Twilight, I think I'm... I think we're all ready to hear this prophecy now," Eldon said.
"Of course Eldon. Whatever power you showed while you were unconscious is the only evidence I have of you being the One, but I believe it to be sufficient. Listen carefully everypony," Twilight said. She flipped through the open book until she found the page that she was looking for. Twilight cleared her throat before she began to read the prophecy to them.
"A darkness once defeated shall make its return, revenge in his heart, wanting to watch our world burn. Equestria shall fall first, soon followed by the rest, our land shall plunge into its final rest. Chaos will reign supreme as harmony falls, the rest of the universe soon to be his thralls. But when all seems lost, the One will appear from the heavens above, the soul pure and heart full of love. A power within the One shall decide Equestria's fate, but if its soul is corrupted by darkness and heart filled with hate, then Equestria shall be no more. If the One succeeds in its quest, it shall be remembered forever more, as it—" Twilight suddenly stopped reading and closed the book with a sigh.
"Woah! Finish the rest Twilight!" Rainbow Dash said.
Twilight sadly shook her head. "I... I can't, because whatever else was there was ripped out before the book came into my possession. But do you see what this means everypony? How about you Cosm- Cosmic! What's going on with your eyes!?"
Eldon's eyes had begun to glow white, and he was levitating off the ground, but it passed as soon as it came and he collapsed to the ground. The orb had glowed brightly, but had now faded back to its previous state. Eldon groaned on the floor, causing Fluttershy to jump in fright.
"Ohhh... What happened everyone?" Eldon asked. "Is everyone okay?"
Twilight trotted over to him and helped Eldon to his hooves. "Everypony is alright Eldon. Are you okay though?" Eldon quickly checked himself for any damage but fortunately didn't find anything out of the ordinary.
"Yeah... just sore is all," Eldon replied and noticed that Fluttershy trembled where she stood.
"S- so the prophecy said that the One will be able to save Equestria... b- but also destroy it? I don't like the sound of that at all!" she whispered in terror.
"I'm sorry if I scared you Fluttershy," Twilight said. "But it is a risk that I am willing to take."
Applejack confronted Eldon and eyed him up and down. "So Cosmic... do you believe that you are the One?"
"I- I don't know Applejack, everything has been just one wild ride since I got here—" Eldon was interrupted when Spike began to clutch his stomach and groaned in discomfort.
"Hey Spike, are you okay?" Rainbow asked. All of a sudden, Spike burped out a scroll that was sealed with the royal Canterlot symbol.
"Um, yeah I'll be fine, uh... delivery?" Spike said, looking embarrassed, especially since he had burped in front of Rarity. Twilight levitated the scroll and opened it. Her eyes widened as she continued to read. She closed it and let it float to the ground as she stepped backwards and fell onto a chair with a thud. Her friends were by her side in a flash.
"What's wrong Twi? What did the princesses say?" Applejack asked. Twilight was breathing heavily, trying to hold back tears.
"I- it was bad news," Twilight said. "Celestia's letter told me that... that the Crystal Empire has fallen, and Cadance is being held captive!" The room went deathly silent. The Crystal Empire? Fallen? It couldn't be possible! "She also said that it is the Changelings who had threatened to kill her if we were to do anything about it, and how Canterlot would be next!"
Rarity looked at her in bewilderment. "Even with the Crystal Heart they were unable to repel Changelings? Why, that doesn't make any sense at all!"
"Hey! Don't give up just yet Twilight! We can still protect Canterlot and make an offensive to rescue Cadance!" Rainbow Dash shouted confidently.
Twilight looked up at Rainbow and rose from the chair. A fire roared within her eyes. "You're right Rainbow Dash, we've been through too much before to just do nothing! Cadance and Canterlot need us once more!"
"That's the Twilight ah know!" Applejack shouted. "Come on everypony! Let's get to Canterlot as fast as we can and see what we can do to help!" Everypony cheered, all except for Eldon who stared out the library's only window.
"Girls... when was that letter written?" Eldon asked. The cheers died down as Twilight levitated the fallen letter back over to her.
"Why Cosmic? It says here that the letter was written... three hours ago?" Twilight looked back up at Eldon. "Cosmic, what are you looking at?"
Eldon stepped to the side and nodded towards the window. "Come take a look for yourself Twilight... you won't be pleased."
Twilight, being as curious as she was trotted over to the window, only to have a horrified expression appear on her face. "No... no! Canterlot! Celestia and Luna! My brother!"
Canterlot had been enveloped in a magenta coloured shield spell, which Twilight had immediately recognized as her brother's. A massive black cloud hovered over the city, and what looked like a hulking mass of shadows was slowly making its way up the mountain, inching ever closer to the royal city. Twilight watched in horror as the shield spell shattered and the cloud descended. Twilight turned away to look for Eldon, but he was nowhere to be found.
The Changeling's siege of Canterlot had already begun.