Over in Ponyville, Twilight regrouped with her friends at her home to hear the news.
“So this, whatever, was there before we stopped that dragon?” Applejack asked.
“I’m afraid so, and we need to go back up there and find out what it is,” Twilight sighed.
Fluttershy shrank.
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe there’s a bigger dragon. A much scarier dragon. A much, much, bigger, scarier--!” She gulped.
“Oh come on, Fluttershy! You dealt with that dragon before, and I think you can do it again,” Rainbow Dash said.
“But, I don’t think I can,” Fluttershy nervously replied.
“Darling, you can do it. We’ll be beside you,” Rarity said brightly.
Pinkie Pie hopped in happiness.
“Yeah! Come on, everypony,” she said.
“Don't worry Fluttershy, it might not even be a dragon,” Twilight said.
She was reluctant to say that it might be worse, but she didn't want to get ahead of herself.
As Twilight gathered her belongings, she was surprised to notice everypony froze in place. Even Spike was frozen while carrying a bag. It was as if time had stopped, but then a shadow appeared behind her. Turning around, she jumped when she confronted a tall alicorn. Backing up in fear, it spoke to her.
“Twilight Sparkle!” the alicorn said.
“Y…yes?” she asked.
The alicorn walked out of the shadow and by surprise, it was the Master of Time himself. His pelt was dark as night but his mane sparkled and shifted in colours of the ocean. His bright blue eyes focused down on Twilight, making her feel rather small.
“I am Timaeus, Master of Time. I have come to you on behalf of myself, my fellow Masters, and the Architect,” Timaeus said.
Twilight couldn't come up with any words; she only nodded.
“I have come to you because you have been known to possess a series of ancient books, found in the library of the ancient sisters? Do you have them, as we speak?”
Twilight nodded again.
“I see.” Timaeus sighed. “Unfortunately, I must confiscate them due to the dangers they hold. Something ponies would not understand.”
Twilight then realized what The Archivist had said to her. She looked up to Timaeus.
“The Archivist mentioned the same thing to. She even burnt a book while I was reading it, which I found to be quite rude, to be honest.” Twilight replied.
Timaeus smiled just a little.
“She was doing what was instructed of her,” Timaeus replied.
“Why, though?” Twilight asked curiously.
Timaeus shook his head.
“In time, Twilight Sparkle. Everything is patience,” he replied.
Twilight sighed, disappointed, her ears drooping low. Timaeus smiled sympathetically.
“You are a responsible pony. Very well. Some spells are known to have dangerous, or even life threatening consequences. That is why we rewrote those spells in a dead language, to prevent anypony from translating them. For example, what you witnessing around you now is referred to as the Ancient spell, Time Halt. I can stop time itself, as well as freeze everything in place. And once the spell finishes, time will continue, only a few minutes behind.” Timaeus revealed. “In the hooves of a villainous pony, you understand how devastating this could be.”
Twilight understood him, however she felt there was more Timaeus was withholding. Timaeus’s form began to fade before her eyes.
“Before I take my leave, remember this, Twilight Sparkle. If The Archivist or any of our apprentices witness an ancient spell book in your possession, you are to hand it to them. No exceptions. It is for the safety of Equestria, as well as yours. Do I make myself clear?” Timaeus said.
Twilight knew Timaeus was serious and she nodded.
“Fare thee well, then, Twilight Sparkle. We will meet again,” Timaeus said as he faded away.
After a few seconds, everything returned back to normal with her friends continuing as if nothing happened. Applejack turned.
“Ya coming, Twilight?” she called out.
Twilight forced a smile and hoped she wasn't visibly shaking.
“Yeah. Be right out,” she replied.
Twilight turned to Spike again.
“I’m sorry, Spike, but I need you to stay here and stay safe. If anything goes wrong, alert the Princesses. Do you understand me?” she asked.
Spike looked disappointed, but he nodded.
“Okay, Twilight. Please be careful,” Spike replied.
“Don’t worry, Spike. You have Owlowiscious to keep you company,” Twilight said.
Spike looked up and saw Owlowiscious.
“Hoo”, he said.
Suddenly, Fluttershy appeared.
“Oh yes, can you please take care of the pets, while we’re gone?” she asked.
At that moment, Twilight's friends came in with their pets. Spike gave a thumbs up.
“Don't worry about a thing, guys, I'll hold down the fort while you're gone!”
Twilight gave him a tight hug before she and the others
Soon, the group gathered by the main road to head towards the Smokey Mountain. Before they even made it down the road, a group of pegasi crashed down in Ponyville. Twilight and her friends, along with nearby ponies, rushed to their aid, only to find them shaking in fear.
“Hey! What happened?” Rainbow Dash demanded.
The young pegasus ponies continued to shake.
“Its… It’s... ” one of them stammered.
“It’s what? What?!” Rainbow Dash yelled.
Fluttershy pushed her.
“Rainbow! They're scared!” she said.
“Oh come on, Fluttershy! I only asked them what happened,” Rainbow Dash said defensively.
Fluttershy tried to comfort them until Twilight walked over.
“What happened?” Twilight calmly asked.
“Princess Twilight. We’re sorry. We only wanted to hang out, until we saw this shadow,” one of the frightened pegasi said.
“What shadow?” Applejack asked.
“Something scary,” another said, and she began to cry.
“There, there. You’re safe now,” Fluttershy said.
“Do you remember what it looked like?” Twilight asked the young pony.
“It was a shadow,” one other young pony said.
Twilight studied what they had said, and began to think. She couldn't for the life of her figure out what could be lurking within the cave.
Within five minutes, the Archivist and Doctor Hooves arrived.
“So, it appears another occurrence has happened from the mountain?” the Doctor said.
“It looks like it,” The Archivist whispered.
She walked over to Twilight.
“Anything?” the Archivist asked.
“This young pony went up the mountain and said the thing in the cave is a shadow. He doesn’t know what it is though,” Twilight said.
The Archivist lifted her head and remained silent. Twilight tilted her head, but then The Archivist walked away without a word. Annoyed, Twilight followed her.
“Did you hear what I--?"
“I know exactly what you said, Twilight Sparkle,” The Archivist said. “We must journey up the mountain today, and may need to spend the night.”
“Yes, I know. I don't mean to be rude, Archivist, but that was our plan all along.”
The Archivist smiled.
“Good.”
Within the next twenty minutes, the ponies took their leave and began their journey to the Smokey Mountain. However, high above the clouds stood five Windegos, watching them like vultures. Within an instant, they vanished, as soon as Doctor Hooves looked up.