The Tower

Twilight stood at the excavation cite looking down at the odd metallic artifact. It was odd that the artifact could remain so intact after five-thousand years of being buried. It was so old in fact that it predated ponies; this was odd because the artifact seemed far more advanced than anything modern day technology could hope to achieve.

Twilight stopped to ponder this. It was well known that there was a species that lived before ponies had the ability to think let alone wield magic, but surely if this species was so technologically advanced they would still be around today. Even though they practiced the art of war some of them must have survived.

Only one intact specimen of the previous race had been discovered. It was about five and a half hooves (equivalent to U.S. standard feet) tall, walked on two legs, and had fingers similar to some of the current animals of Equestria. Its skeleton had fractured ribs that were coherent with an high velocity impact from an object no larger that the tip of her own horn. The creature had been holding a long metallic object: its purpose widely speculated, but Twilight believed that this being a warring species; it was likely it's weapon.

Twilight shuddered at this. A weapon that could fire hundreds of metal projectiles at speeds that could punch through practically anything. The damage those weapons could inflict on ponies was apparent in those that chose to venture near the Tower. At the edge of Equestria stands a tower that attacks anything an everything that comes near it. Those few who went near the tower and came back to tell the tale had been found with tiny bits of metal embedded in their bodies. This along with the reports of flashes of light prior to being hit by the projectile and loud banging noises following it led Twilight to believe that these weapons relied on a explosive substance to propel ammunition at speeds faster than sound.

"Princess Sparkle. We've finished the excavation." A brown earth pony with a shovel for a cutie mark announced, interrupting Twilight's pondering.

The pony led Twilight down the scaffolding to the artifact. It was five hooves tall by twelve hooves long and was defiantly from the era of the manlins; this was apparent from the symbol on the side of the artifact. Twilight instructed a camera pony to take a picture of the symbol after twilight cleaned some of the dirt off of the metal panel it was on.

The same symbol had been found on every other piece of equipment used by the manlins. The symbol was probably used to represent the manlins' army since it was stamped on everything including that tower.

It was time for Twilight to write her initial analysis of the artifact in question so she called for the transcriber.

"The artifact is metallic in composition and is five hooves tall, twelve hooves long, and five hooves wide. There is no way to see inside the artifact so it is currently impossible to tell the artifact's contents. The artifact vaguely resembles a tear drop but more ridged; in addition it also has several small wings near the largest part leading me to believe that this is a flying ship of some kind. The ship also has four long rods protruding from round discs on either side of the craft; presumably projectile weapons." Twilight explained.

Twilight was finishing her preliminary drawing when a loud metallic clang sounded from the craft.

A troubled earth pony ran over to Twilight and shakily explained, "I'm so sorry, Princess. I was just cleaning the artifact and then suddenly this hole opens up."

Intrigued Twilight responded, "Show me."

The earth pony led Twilight to the other side of the craft and pointed out a hole about a hoof in length. To the left of it was a glowing red rectangle that said, 'Maintenance hatch open." This was odd because Twilight could read it.

"This is incredible! This text it's in Equestrian! The implications of this are!-" Twilight was cut off by a spark of light coming from inside hatch. She peered into the dark abyss inside the craft. Lighting her horn twilight was met with a forest of wires and piping and in the middle of it all was an intact dull grey crystal identical to those in the crystal empire. The crystal rested on a pedestal of wires that ran off in every direction connecting to small black boxes that were positioned along the walls. She went deeper into the craft and steeped on something. She picked up the smooth rounded object and examined it. It consisted of two parts a brass tube with a protruding iron tip. Twilight instantly realized this was the projectile that the manlins' weapons fired. She set the bullet down on the base of the craft causing its extremely aged priming cap to ignite and the bullet to go off. It flew up towards the ceiling just missing Twilight's head an punching a hole through the top of the craft.

"Princess are you alright!" A nervous unicorn cried from outside.

Still dazed it took Twilight a moment to recognize her partner's voice. "Yah, I'm okay Digger."

Twilight stepped out of the craft not wanting another incident; causing the hatch to close behind her.

Standing out side along with the anxious dig team Digger asked, "Twilight what happened?"

"Well, It appears my theory about projectile weapons was accurate. I found a small metallic cylinder, set it down on the floor, and 'bang' it explodes and fires a small piece metal upward with enough force to put a hole in the craft." Twilight shuddered, "If I had set it down just an inch closer to me it would have went straight through my head."

Twilight, Digger, and the rest of the dig team finished documenting the outside of the craft; not being able to get the hatch open again. They had all gone back to their tents and Twilight had finished recaping the day in her journal; she added, Now that the initial documentation of the artifact is complete we can send it back to Canterlot for additional analysis. I hope to find out the craft's purpose and their is a small chance the craft is still operational.

After completing her entry twilight dosed off pondering the day's events.