In DS9 and in Star Trek in general, there have been episodes where we see an alternate history or a parallel universe. The Mirror Universe is not the matter at hand here. It is realities like the ones Worf visited in "Parallels" from TNG, or the DS9 episode "The Visitor". Indeed, the loss of Sisko in the timeline of "The Visitor" totally throws their prophecy into disarray. Though perhaps, depending on your interpretation of the multiverse, the history was inevitably destined to be corrected. Based on that, how do the Prophets react to such changes in history? From what I can infer of the series, there is one series of events that is destined to play out, culminating in "What You Leave Behind". However, are the Prophets perhaps at a loss to fully guide history? There are examples where they seem to be. The Reckoning was prevented by Kai Winn intervening, and the reaction of the Prophets seems to be one of being totally at a loss for how that happened, and it being unexpected. A number of times, the Prophets warn Sisko that he has gone off their path or not to go off the path, such as Sisko's marriage. However, there is free will in that Sisko does marry against their advice, and free will means an uncertain history. Or do the Prophets think there is a set course for things that will be, even if they do not happen as planned? Are the Prophets themselves then at a loss, and not omnipotent.
