Chapter 1: Old Relics

The three alicorns stared up at the large obstacle that now stood between them and the Tree of Harmony. It was definitely pony-made: the gear shape being a dead giveaway. It towered above them, its light blue surface glistening in what little moonlight the infamous forest would allow. Carved into it were three symbols in a pyramid formation; a crescent, a sun, and a six-pointed star.

    "Well, this is certainly new," said Celestia, her mane shimmering with all the colors of a rainbow.

    "Do you think this is what the Tree was talking about?" asked a very curious Twilight.

    "Tis uncertain, though not impossible," Luna answered, her mane sparkling and twinkling like the starry night skies. Celestia nodded.

    "Indeed. However, that does raise the question as to why. It's obvious that we're involved in some way, but how?" The three pondered this for a moment before deciding to investigate the oversized gear for clues. But, as soon as they took a step towards it, the symbols carved onto its surface began to glow a bright white. They had little time to react however, for as soon the marks began to glow, a high-pitched hissing sound emanated from the gear.

    The trio looked on in surprise as the ground trembled while the sound of steam pistons echoed throughout the forest. A loud tick sounded as the gear rotated in a swift yet stiff manner. The glow from the marks intensified with each motion, and the hissing started to change in pitch. The hissing eventually drowned out the ticking and took on a more melodic pace and tune as the gear's rotations followed suite.

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    The gear stopped, but the glowing didn't. The glow from the marks grew increasingly bright, blinding the three princesses as they felt the all-too-familiar effects of a teleportation spell. But this time was different, it felt like they were running a marathon in mere seconds. The light began to fade slowly, allowing the three to open their eyes. And when they did, they could scarcely believe what they were seeing.

    Before them lay a beautiful field of blue orchids and strange, white glowing flowers. The air smelled of morning dew, as if the world was barely waking. High above them in the cloudless sky, the moon bathed the field in it's soft moonlight. But, something was wrong with it. Instead of the same pale white color that they had come to know from it, it was a light blue color. Not only that, but this one seemed to have more craters, as if it was older. Celestia and Twilight turned to Luna.

    "...Luna?" asked Celestia.

    "Twas not us, sister. We are just as confused as thee are." Luna responded quickly. Celestia turned back to the alien moon.

    "Then how...?" She began before Twilight spoke up.

    "Um...Princess?" said Twilight as she pointed a hoof towards something that they hadn't noticed before. Celestia and Luna followed her gaze and immediately dropped their jaws in awe. There–in the middle of the field–was a large, light blue tree. The trio stood there with their mouths slightly agape, stunned by the beauty of it all. They continued to stare for what seemed like hours before finally coming back to their senses.

    "What is this place?" asked Twilight.

    "I do not know, Twilight. It appears to be a pocket dimension, but Discord is the only being capable of creating one. And this certainly doesn't look like Discord's handiwork, it's far too quiet and peaceful." Celestia answered.

    "An illusion then?" Celestia shook her head.

    "If it was, me and Luna would have noticed. No, this is something different." She responded.

    "That raises yet another question: who could be powerful enough to create a pocket dimension?" Added Luna.

    "I do not know, sister. Perhaps we should search that tree for clues?" Luna and Twilight nodded in agreement.

    "Let us make haste then," And with that, the three began their short trek to the tree. Twilight trailed behind Luna and Celestia, writing every minute detail on a notepad that she had summoned. Before long, the trio had arrived at the base of the tree and had begun their search for clues. In less than a second, they had found something sleeping with it's back against the trunk of the tree.

    It was unlike anything they had seen before. At first glance it appeared to be a young Minotaur, but if one looked closely they would see that it was almost nothing like the tall and bulky species. It's body was covered in tattered blue robes, and it's arms and legs were adorned with gloves and boots made of light blue gears.  It almost looked like it was wearing armor made of bones, the way the gears covered each limb. On the chest was a symbol of a light blue tear in the center of a light blue gear. It 's face was hidden by a hood, shielding it from prying eyes.

    Twilight let out a squee of delight and dashed towards it before Celestia or Luna could stop her. She summoned another notebook and quill and immediately started to write every detail on the being before her.

CRINKLE

    The gentle breeze stopped and everything went silent as the grave. Twilight looked on in shock and fear as the creatures claw like appendage clasped her notebook. All was still, and none dared to move a muscle.

    The creature slowly brought the notebook to its face, just holding it there. Whether it was actually reading or not was unknown, for none of the three could see anything beneath the veil of shadows the hood provided. Then, something truly bizarre happened; it laughed.

    It pierced the tranquil air with it's deep, hearty guffaws. The princesses simply stood there like statues, frozen with apprehension. The laughter died down, leaving nothing but silence in it's wake.

    It spoke, "You're quite observant, eh girl?"

    Twilight was too stunned to respond, only managing to utter a slight whimper. He(they guessed it was a male based on the voice,) slowly turned to look at her, his face still hidden beneath the hood.

    "No need to be scared, child. I will not harm you," He offered her her notebook.

    Twilight stared at the note-filled book in front of her like it was some foreign object before slowly taking it with her magic.

    "Th-thanks," she stuttered.

    Celestia suddenly spoke up, "Who are you? What is this place?"

    "Ah, where are my manners? I, am Otium, and this-" he gestured to their surroundings "–is my personal hideaway."

    "What!? You mean you–!? But how!?" exclaimed Twilight.

Otium turned his head back towards the confused mare. "Let's just say I've been around for a long time, and leave it at that, eh?"

    Celestia raised a brow. "Oh? Is that so?"

    "You're right to be suspicious of me, but you of all ponies should know a fellow immortal when you see one."

    "Perhaps, but I would like some proof regardless."

    Otium sighed and shook his head, muttering something under his breath. He raised a hand up to his hood and slowly pulled it over his head.

Silence once again resided over the moonlit field as the three princesses stared wide-eyed at Otium's face. It was different, to say the least. He had a very small muzzle, and the only fur he possessed was an unkempt mop of silvery hair atop his head.

    Their ears went flat against their skulls as they took in his expression. His hazel eyes were narrowed and heavy, and his brows were stiff. Any traces of a smile or even the possiblity of him being able to seemed nonexistent.

    But those eyes; those green and gold eyes said more than a thousand words. They were dull, lifeless, and without any kind of spark. Within those tired, worn eyes was a sorrow that Luna knew well from her time on the moon: loneliness. The eyes it seemed, truly were windows to the soul.

    "...Are you done gawking?"

    The trio simultaneously blinked twice before blushing lightly and looking away. Otium let out a deep sigh and shook his head again.

    "I think that's enough for today," he said with a wave of his arm, teleporting them all away before they could protest. He sighed again.

'What now?'

    He closed his eyes, flipped his hood up, and started to think.