The Story of Aperture

It was a dark and stormy night in Equestria.  A kind of freak storm that occurs without the guidance and timing of the pegasi controlling the weather. The kind of storm that builds an ominous feeling of dread in everypony’s heart.  The populous Equestria was tucked away at home, safe and warm,  snug in their beds, thinking about how glad they were to be inside their cosy houses, safe from the raging storm outside.

All but one.

One brave mare was risking the storm.  She was shrouded in a dark muddy shawl, wrapped tightly about her body, almost invisible against the grey sodden background of stormy Canterlot. She carried a grey bundle in her mouth, bearing some resemblance to her own tattered attire.  Dashing through the pouring rain, she stumbled, her hood fell away and her burnt grey mane was blasted by the storm. The fall had caught her off guard and her leg was bleeding, but she couldn’t stop now. Biting back tears she picked up the bundle and ran on. “This was too damm important” she told herself, “keep running, for the lives that depend on it”. “I can’t slow down”.

Her sentence was backed up by the crack of gunshots in the night, she was being pursued!

The mare had to finish this now it had begun. There was one place safe that she could go. But she didn’t need safety for herself; she needed it for the contents of her sodden bundle.

She vaulted the low wall of Canterlot Castle, running through the grounds at full pelt; no time to admire the topiary or statues, the huge oak castle door was her goal.

Suddenly another gunshot boomed out into the night. The brave mare felt a sharp burst of pain in her flank; she was hit. Staggering, she reached the huge front door and rang the bell. She dropped her precious package at the door.

“Be safe” she whispered, and began to run. She had to draw the Seventh Sanctums fire; she needed a distraction to keep the soggy bundle of cloth safe for just a minute longer. The best distraction for the Sanctum members was always a new toy to play with, torture and kill.

She staggered out in front of the fountain; the rain and her burning flank were draining her of her energy, blood pooling at her hooves from the wound. As her vision began to swim she saw three sets of glowing green eyes moving in the shadows, waiting like vultures, till the prey couldn’t fight its way out.

“I hope you’re worth it…” she muttered as the three Sanctum members pulled her back into the darkened gardens, with a strange disjointed giggle. The sadistic Sanctum ponies were going to have so much fun with their new ‘friend’.

At the castle, the huge door was opened, and a royal guard stepped out, annoyed to have his sleep disturbed by the doorbell, he almost stepped on the soggy package that was outside.  “Drat” he cursed “That stupid mail mare has ruined another parcel.” Soon he was going to have to call her superiors. It didn’t do to let the princess’s mail get wet.  He picked up the grey mess and dumped it on the lavishly decorated table by the door and unfolded it, then jumped back and let out a whiney in surprise.

Inside the strip of cloth was a tiny tan unicorn colt, His face streaked with tears and dirt, His body sooty and blacked in places, like he had been running near a fire.

The next day, Celestia and some chief advisors mulled over the problem in the high court chamber.

“He has already stayed one night in the castle and showed an unusually high grasp of magical ability, even at this young age. We have no way of tracing his parents, and with, well… them running rampant, I can’t be sure they’re even still alive.” stated Celestia.

“I would request he be trained at my magic academy, but the term has already begun, and he’d never learn what the others can play catch up, he’s also too young.”

The advisors debated between themselves, and came to a conclusion.

“We believe that down to his unique talents, he be trained personally as apprentice of an expert in powerful magic, such as yourself, your highness” said an advisor, addressing Celestia.

“But I already have a protégé, Miss Twilight Sparkle, It breaks regulations to have two”

“I’ll raise the child” chipped in one of the older mares residing in the castle, Dawntreader. “I could teach him all I know about the magical arts. I currently have no students learning under me”

“Are you sure?” asked Celestia. She was doubtful of this strange mare’s competence with as large tasks as these since the future of another’s life was at risk.

“I will train him myself” said Dawn. “He will find his own path, and I will simply help him follow it.”

The advisers debated for a moment longer, then voiced their opinion,

“Dawntreader of Bridleton, we as representatives of the council, grants you the opportunity to teach an apprentice as your own, to help him understand the world as you see fit, to open his eyes to his true talent and to his role in what is to come. In accordance with protocol, and the ancient scriptures, we grant you an unbounded apprentice in…….…“.”errm didn’t  quite catch his name?”

Celestia realised that as of yet the new arrival had no name.

After much debate they agreed that his name would suit his talent, parents normally had some insight when the child was born, but Celestia had no such luxury. She vowed to make his name match his talent like every other pony, so he would get his name when he found it. Until then he would just be addressed as “the colt”, or “The apprentice”.

Time passed.

After 3 years of his teaching in the castle, he had a cutie mark. A strange ring made from 7 triangles. The shape was mentioned in the old books in the forbidden section of the library relating to science. These books were in a script mostly forgotten for 1000 years.  Princess Luna had governed Equestria’s science before her banishment. It was difficult to understand, but from the books Dawntreader found, the shape was called an ‘Aperture’ and had some meaning in science, his chosen field. Celestia granted the child his name in front of the whole senate, and was greatly applauded. Celestia had to admit; she was impressed. Dawn had grown stronger through teaching in the years and had never regretted her decision. Dawn was much too old to have children, and Celestia assumed she saw Aperture as the son she never had. And her protégé? Well, only time would tell. Whatever his fate, Celestia saw there would be much conflict and uncertainty in Aperture’s future. He was to be a key piece in the game to save Equestria as good or destroy it with evil. She considered sending a letter to Twilight, who had just set off for Ponyville, discussing the subject of science, but decided against it. Twilight would meet Aperture soon enough. She was sure of that much.