-???-

Silence’s very soul was now floating within an empty void. However, there were also rivers of light that were similar to the northern lights, except they weren’t multicolored. The souls of various other individuals were going about their business. Some floating to a particular destination, and others lining themselves up for what could easily be deduced as their judgment.

Soon enough the realm began to change, but only for him, it would seem. A sense of familiarity consumes the equine as he takes in his new surroundings. He could see a transparent copy of a certain throne room that belonged to the judge of the afterlife himself: Anubis. What was most interesting about this is the fact that while the trainees in the physical realm were still positioned within the throne room. Here, in what could best be described as a spiritual realm, the throne room was empty and sported its transparent composition.

“How many times have I been here now, Lord Anubis?” Silence says with a chuckle, “A pony loses count after suffering so much.”

A spire of blue and green flames appears before Silence, and just before the golden-transparent throne, as a series of laughter slowly manifests itself, “I seem to have lost count myself, Silence. You come and go here like it’s some type of Motel.” Anubis responds, speaking through the pillar of fire.

“If only I could come here in a normal fashion, so to speak. I would certainly love to set up a little room somewhere with a good view of the passing souls.” Silence chuckles.

The blue and green flames start to morph and shift chaotically before they imitate the form of Anubis himself. The Ancient clears his throat, despite his current appearance, and says:

“Sorry for not being here personally. The pups I’ve been training are enjoying a little R&R.”

“Hm… My species are rather soft. At least the ones born in this ‘Equus’ realm.” Silence responds.

Anubis chuckles, “I’d wager it’s Harmony’s doing. Now, I personally have never been to Equus myself, but knowing her ‘designs’ she probably intended for them to seem, well, weakened,” Anubis places a hand to his chin, “Something about her wanting them to rely on each other more often, rather than being a ‘one pony army’ like Utopians often are. Power of bonds and all that stuff.”

“Hmph. A noble cause,” Silence says with a hoof to his chin, “But so much destruction could have been avoided if she had only given them a few Utopian genes.”

“Well, back before Yharim fucked us all over, there were indeed pony and utopian relations,” Anubis responds with his pondering gesture still present, before dropping his hand, “Who’s to say there aren’t some pups- er, ponies, running around there who have those genes?” He then sighs, “Besides, you and I know that she can’t get involved in their everyday lives. Or more specifically, having to save them from every little problem.”

“Indeed…” Silence responds with a nod, “Now, I believe you have yet another judgment to make, hm?”

Anubis laughs, “Hah! My apologies, old one. I often love to fall into conversation,” He then clasps his hands together as a series of memories appears before them both. Incidentally, these were Silence’s very own.

“I’m sure you already noticed,” Anubis comments, pointing an arm towards the memories, “But you recognize those, yes?”

“No, I certainly don’t. It’s only been five or six times that we’ve done this very same thing,” Says the pony soul, obviously with sarcasm.

Anubis chuckles, “Indeed, and fair enough. However, there is another reason that I’m showing this to you,” The Ancient then starts to observe the memories, humming in thought. Then, he nonchalantly comments: “My, my, aren’t we a knowledgeable one.”

Silence shrugs, “Having the memories of several lifetimes helps in that regard.”

“Indeed. You work similarly to The Guides in that respect,” Anubis then smirks, “Tell me, Silence, is there or is there not an Ancient who excels at knowledge?”

“Depending on the type of knowledge, that can be answered with a yes and a no. Yes, most Ancients excel at knowledge related to their station, yet only The Guides and Terra come close to being knowledgeable about everything.”

Anubis nods, “Yes, and going by these memories of yours, not to mention with Terra’s blessing,” The Ancient then spreads his arms apart as a large multitude of individuals start to appear all around his throne, “These beings you see before you are past incarnations of The Guide.”

As was mentioned, Guides of a large variety of species now stood behind and beside Anubis. Lihzhards, terrarians, even a handful of ponies were now looking at Silence with varying expressions. All of which was rather positive, and curious.

“I did not expect to be judged by every single Guide,” chuckles Silence.

“You could say that. However, they’re not entirely here to judge you, Silence,” Anubis stands aside and gestures towards The Guides, “They await your answer for my next question.”

“Very well. I shall respond to the best of my abilities.”

Anubis chuckles as he comes up with a little game, “You’re a very smart individual, my good pony. So, why do you think I mentioned if an Ancient of Knowledge actually existed?”

“This is the point where I would usually come up with a story to answer in a roundabout way. Nonetheless. There are a few possible reasons here. Firstly, you may be offering me that position. Secondly, you may be referring to an individual I have not yet heard of. Thirdly, you may be trying to link this Ancient with the Guides.”

Anubis laughs out loud as The Guides behind him all smirk in unison, “In a way, all three of those answers are correct! Yes, Silence, I have judged you accordingly and Terra herself has blessed this, shall I say, job offer,” The Ancient extends his right hand towards Silence, “I’ll just cut the bullshit, will you become the Ancient of Knowledge, Silence? You still have a purpose here.”

“...I will accept for a single reason. Love is a force stronger than iron and more binding than a blood pact. As I am sure you can see…”

Anubis’s flame comprised imitation smirks, “You mean that sweet little dryad, eh?”

“Indeed.”

Anubis chuckles as he gestures for The Guides to start approaching the pony, “It’s funny. Come to think of it, ponies like you always manage to conquer the hearts of beings like us. Or in this case, a dryad.”

“I suppose that is mainly because of our inherent cuteness.”

Anubis laughs uncontrollably, “Maybe that’s why Oblivion was drawn to Harmony? Aside from her kind heart, of course. You know, after she changed from the whole ‘purify everything and vengeance’ stage.”

As this goes on, The Guides were now positioned all around Silence as they each began to speak their names. One individual steps forth, a female terrarian, and says:

“My name is Valerica Bonsworth. Speak my name and let it be so.”

“A pleasure to meet you, Valerica Bonsworth.” Silence responds.

Valerica smiles brightly before seemingly vanishing before the pony’s eyes. A cloud of particles floats towards him and covers his form. In that very instant, Silence gained her memories, her knowledge, and every scenario of her life played out before him. This process would continue with the few other terrarians who followed her, but then, the first pony Guide stood before him, an emerald-colored pegasus mare, and says:

“Hello there! I’m so excited to see another pony take on my knowledge,” The emerald mare exclaims happily, and clears her throat, “My name is pretty boring, I know, but I’m Bookstall Hooves.”

“Any relation to Derpy Hooves, my dear?” Silence questions, “It would seem one of the other Guides before you have passed onto me knowledge of her ancestry. Very excitable mare.”

The pony Guide gasps, “Yes! My husband, Derpy's ancestor, had some rather derpy eyes, but I loved him for it! That passed down to one of our foals,” She then takes on a saddened expression, "However, when The Jungle Tyrant forced Harmony to split The Hallow in two, in order to save us all, I told my husband to go with her and to take our foals with him.“

"My sincere condolences, Bookstall," Silence responds with sympathy etched onto his features.

Bookstall closes her eyes, "Perhaps through you and the next Guide to come, I can see my dear descendants again. I look forward to seeing things through your eyes," The pegasus mare spreads her wings to their absolute lengths, "Go ahead and say my name.”

Silence nods, “Well, Bookstall Hooves, I will be sure to visit all of the Derpys I know with you. Trust me, there are quite a few variations.”

Much like the many Guides before her, Bookstall’s knowledge passed onto Silence as her excited giggling fades away slowly. Up next was yet another fascinating entity, a male lihzhard.

“Drem Yol Lok, greetings. I am Paarthurnax.”

Silence seemed to recognize this individual via one of the other Guides, “I must ask as to how Alduin was defeated? And does this mean I am a Dragonborn taking up training with the Greyfeathers now?” Silence says with a touch of… excitement?

“You are not Dragonborn, my fellow Aak, Guide,” The Lihzhard ponders on this with a claw to his chin, “Although, as the Ancient of Knowledge, you are also a unique case. If you wish to hone your capabilities, I believe the only remaining descendant of The Greyfeathers is Gex, The Witchdoctor,” The lihzhard lowers their claw, “Alduin was once a tyrannical Jungle Dragon but was slain by the heroic efforts of the Dragonborn during those times. Lihzhards who are born with the spirit of a Jungle Dragon within them.”

“That was during the Lihzhard Civil War, if the memories of the past Guides is correct.”

“Indeed. Long before even Yharim rose to power, these events happened in the early stages of what we all call: The Time of the Ancients,” The lihzhard then bows respectfully as a stream of energies are released from his form and are absorbed into Silence’s body. Thanks to the knowledge he had gained from the other Guides, Silence was all too familiar with this process as Paarthuurnax continues:

“Speak my name, not as a pony, but as a lihzhard. Let me feel the power of your Thu’um, your shout, our kind’s magic. I have gifted it to you along with my knowledge.”

“Hm…. Perhaps I should speak it as a Dragonborn once did,” Silence clears his throat and attempts his best impression of a Shout, “PAAR-THUR-NAX!”

A powerful wave echoes throughout the mysterious realm as various Guides behind the lihzhard had to shield themselves from the outburst.

Paarthurnax chuckles in satisfaction, “Yes! It has been a long time since I’ve conversed with a user of the Thu’um. I gladly give everything to you, Silence.”

The lihzhard dissipates as his memories and knowledge become one with the pony. Many more interesting interactions and individuals came before the soon-to-be Ancient. However, there was one among the last few Guides who definitely stuck out most: A kenku.

“My name is Hanzo Hattori. Master of rogues and teacher of the ninja way.”

“My apologies for what Samyueru had done to the rest of your kin.” Silence responds.

The kenku closes their eyes, “The spirits of the ancestors shall punish them accordingly. However, allow me to pass on these final words of wisdom: ‘Sometimes, your greatest enemy is your own flesh and blood. And often, your closest family are those without blood relations.’”

“I shall keep these words close, Hanzo Hattori… Though I hope this information shall allow you to rest more peacefully. A kenku, who goes by Tori, lives on as the sole survivor of your race.”

Hanzo nods in response, “Then may the way of the ninja live on through them.” The kenku then lowers themself to the floor and crosses their legs while performing a gesture, slowly fading away and joining with Silence.

Soon enough, every Guide that was present is now gone, but not truly, as they all become one with the pony. However, the large legion of voices speak within Silence’s mind, in tandem, as they say:

-Please, watch over the station of The Guide. Lead and shepherd those to come so that they may go forth and aid the mortals of Terraria. And should they fall on hard times, may they be embraced by your presence: Ancient of Knowledge.-

Silence nods, holding a phantom hoof to his barrel.

“By my honor.”

Suddenly, Anubis’s flaming figure bows to not only Silence but the large angelic entity floating behind him: Terra herself.

“This is the other reason as to why I called you to Terrarium, dear Silence,” Terra says as her voice sends a calming sensation to any and all spirits traveling through this unknown realm, “I have always wanted to help you against Xeroc’s curse, my dear Ancient. Your constant pain and suffering shattered my heart, and yet, you endured. Your stories continued to inspire those who would listen and your tales draw in those who are yet to come. I couldn’t think of a more fitting being to take on this station, Ancient of Knowledge.”

“There are many that I can sense have need of my stories. I thank you for giving me the chance to help them.”

The angelic figure chuckles, “Perhaps you could enlighten Tree Hugger of a very important lesson, one that she desperately needs in her life,” The angel takes on a saddened expression, “She is so alone, dear Silence. However, whenever she looks at you, I see her face lift into an expression she’d always have when the other dryads still lived. You bring her peace, Silence,” Terra then extends a beam of light that imitates a hand, placing it onto the pony’s shoulder, “And if you’d permit me, I’d love for you to be her remedy. Like water to a flower in need of nourishment.”

“That sounds incredibly sappy, Terra,” chuckles Silence.

Terra chuckles, “What can I say? I’m an...” She winks, “Old fashioned entity.”

..........

As this goes on, Anubis was currently guiding more souls to their appropriate afterlives. The soul of a female terrarian now stood before him as he could be heard shouting:

“Oh, dear! Looks like we’ve been a naughty girl, eh? Cheating on your husband and killing him afterward? You’re lucky I don’t send you to be tortured by Sagittarius! Or let Greed shove your soul into their hoard!”

“Please! Wait, surely we ca-”

“TO THE UNDERWORLD WITH YOU!” Anubis exclaims with a raised hand, “BEGONE THOT!”

..........

“I believe Anubis has his paws full,” Says Silence. “I’m going to have to request my reincarnation from you, Terra.”

The angelic entity nods, “Speak your will, and I shall happily arrange it. My dear Ancient.”

“I shall let you decide which form to grant me on my revival.”

Character inventory/equipment:

Fluttershy: Statigel Armor(pony, equipped), Overloaded Blaster, Eviscerator, Crimslime Staff, Corroslime Staff, Slime Staff, Finch Staff, Snow Flinx Staff, Hornet Staff, Blood Clot Staff, Deathbringer Pickaxe, Blood Lust Cluster Axe, Healing Potion, Honey Comb(equipped), Brain Of Confusion(equipped), Mana Polarizer(equipped), Honeyed Goggles, Slime Mount, Staff Of Necrosteocytes, Purified Jam.

Rainbow Dash: Necro Armor(pony, equipped), Star Cannon, Minishark, Eviscerator, Aquatic Discharge, Bloody Rupture, Deathbringer Pickaxe, Blood Lust Cluster Axe, Healing Potion, Aero Stone(equipped), Brain Of Confusion(equipped), Bone Glove(equipped), Mana Polarizer(equipped), Victory Shard, Slime Mount.

Zecora: Crimson Armor(zebra, equipped), Dune Hopper, Sausage Maker, Beenade, Tooth Ball, Aorta, Deathbringer Pickaxe, Blood Lust Cluster Axe, Various Potions, Rocket Boots(equipped), Honey Comb(equipped), Sand Cloak(equipped), Brain Of Confusion(equipped), Bloodstained Gloves(equipped), Bone Glove(equipped), Mana Polarizer(equipped), Honeyed Goggles, Skeletron Hand.

Starlight Glimmer: Meteor Armor(pony, equipped), Space Gun, Starfury, Vein Burster, Purple Phaseblade, Deathbringer Pickaxe, Blood Lust Cluster Axe, Mana Potion, Healing Potion, Victory Shard, Rocket Boots(equipped), Aero Stone(equipped), Brain Of Confusion(equipped), Mana Polarizer(equipped), Bone Glove(equipped), Slime Mount, Book Of Skulls, Skeletron Hand.

Rarity: Meteor Armor(pony, equipped), Space Gun, Hornet Staff, Snow Flinx Staff, Ice Mirror, Blood Clot Staff, Deathbringer Pickaxe, Blood Lust Cluster Axe, Mana Potion, Rocket Boots(equipped), Brain Of Confusion(equipped), Mana Polarizer(equipped), Slime Mount, Book Of Skulls, Skeletron Hand, Staff Of Necrosteocytes.

Applejack: Crimson Armor(pony, equipped), Vein Burster, Orange Phaseblade, Deathbringer Pickaxe, Blood Lust Cluster Axe, Rope, Metal Detector, Healing Potion, Rocket Boots(equipped), Honey Comb(equipped), Flurry Boots(equipped), Brain Of Confusion(equipped), Mana Polarizer(equipped), Honeyed Goggles, Slime Mount, Bone Glove, Skeletron Hand.

Twilight Sparkle: Meteorite Armor(pony, equipped), Space Gun, Book Of Skulls, Deathbringer Pickaxe, Blood Lust Cluster Axe, Mana Potion, Ichor, Victory Shards, Aero Stone(equipped), Brain Of Confusion(equipped), Mana Polarizer(equipped), Slime Mount.

Pinkie Pie: Crimson Armor(pony, equipped), Vein Burster, Blue Phaseblade, Bloody Rupture x2, Aorta, Deathbringer Pickaxe, Blood Lust Cluster Axe, Metal Detector, Rocket Boots(equipped), Honey Comb(equipped), Flurry Boots(equipped), Brain Of Confusion(equipped), Mana Polarizer(equipped), Bone Glove(equipped), Honeyed Goggles, Slime Mount, The Blood Butcherer, Skeletron Hand.