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Chapter 1: Old Relics – The Man Who Dreams His Life Away (Edited)
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.
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Chapter 2: Old Relics – Introductions (Edited)
Chapter 2: Introductions
Celestia sat in a chair next to her sister while Twilight sat in front of them ranting about scientific theories. Every now and then she would smile and nod, pretending that she was listening. But inside, she was thinking about Otium and his reaction. Sure, she was a little agitated at first when he literally waved them away, but then she remembered his dull, tired eyes and stopped herself.
She knew that look: the look of one who had seen so much horror, so much death. She felt the same way whenever one of her little ponies died, but when she saw him it was like he wasn't really there. Like the life had been drained out of him. And the amount of sorrow she saw in those eyes...it was overpowering, to say the least. She had to fight the urge to cry when she saw them.
What he needed was somepony to talk to, somepony trustworthy and understanding. He needed a friend. She spoke up, "Twilight?"
Twilight stopped ranting and turned to the solar diarch. "Yes, Prin–Celestia?" she said.
"As much as I'd love to discuss theories with you, I believe it'd be best that we do something about Otium, wouldn't you agree?" Twilight blushed slightly.
"R-right, sorry," she stuttered.
"Don't be, I know you're just excited," Celestia smiled.
"What do you propose we do, sister?" asked Luna. Celestia smiled at her sister.
"All in due time, but first; Twilight, could you gather the Elements?"
–––Hours Later
"Are you sure about this, Princess?" Applejack asked.
"It does sound risky," added Rarity.
"Why don't we just smack some sense into him?" Rainbow Dash suggested.
"If what he said is true, then I don't think smacking him is going to help things at all, Rainbow Dash," replied Twilight.
"Pfft, I could take him..." Rainbow Dash mumbled.
"Ooh, ooh! Do you think he 'd want spotted party hats or striped party hats!?" exclaimed Pinkie as she bounced in front of Twilight.
"We're here," Luna announced as they stopped in front of the clearing. Despite it now being daytime, the clearing was still just as dark as before. There was little sunlight, and the few rays that made it through were dim and scarce.
To their left lay the same light blue gear from before, as mysterious and inviting as ever. Fluttershy hid behind Rarity as they approached, wary of any unforeseen danger that the gear may present.
"So, this is it?" Rarity asked. The three alicorns simply nodded.
"Lame," said a very bored Rainbow Dash. Twilight flashed her a stern look before returning her gaze to the oversized gear.
"And what do we do now?" asked Applejack.
"We do this," Twilight walked up to the gear and placed a hoof on it's surface. The gear responded with a TICK
The group fell to the ground with a THUD
"Oww..." groaned Twilight as she got back on her hooves. A chorus of groans and grunts resounded throughout the area as the others got up.
"Everypony okay?" Applejack asked.
"Yeppers!" Pinkie announced cheerily.
" 'S all good," said Rainbow Dash.
"I'm alright," Fluttershy replied.
"Fine. Filthy, but fine," Rarity stated.
"We are unharmed," Luna announced.
"I'm fine," Celestia said with a smile.
"Good ta hear. Now where in tarnation are we?" Applejack asked. At this, the others took in their surroundings. It was night and there was nothing but desert around them for as far as the eye could see–well, almost nothing. Directly in front of them was a small hill with a ledge illuminated by the light of that same blue, crater-ridden moon.
And atop that hill was their entire reason for being there: the mysterious cloaked male. His back was turned to them, and a dark blue violin was resting on his shoulder. In his other claw was a bow with a similar color scheme. They watched and listened with intrigue as he began to play.
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The sound of sniffling and a balloon deflating caught Otium's attention. Curious, he turned around to see what the noise was all about and was immediately greeted with the sight of eight tearful, sniffling ponies.
"Th-that was beautiful!" Rarity exclaimed, wiping her tears with a hoof.
"W-where did you learn it?" asked Twilight with a sniffle. With a single clap and a flash of light, a box of tissues appeared in his grasp. He walked over and offered each of them a tissue before responding with a simple, "Secret." He crossed his arms and stared at them from underneath his hood. He let out a sigh.
"I wish to...apologize, for my behavior the other day. It has been millenia since I've had any outside contact, but my actions were uncalled for. Can you forgive me, Princess?" Otium asked.
"Of course, I hold nothing against you." Celestia said with a bright smile. Otium let out a sigh of relief.
"Thank you, I appreciate it." said Otium.
"So, Mr. Otium, what exactly are you? If you don't mind me asking." Twilight asked.
"Just Otium is fine, and I don't exactly know what you would call me. My form is that of a human, but..." Otium shook his head. "Nevermind. Just call me an Immortal."
"A human!?" Twilight exclaimed. The others eyes were wide as dinner plates. "But that's impossible! They died out millenia ago!" Twilight declared.
"Yes...I am well aware." Otium said, his face darkening. Celestia placed a hoof on Twilight's shoulders.
"Breath, Twilight." she instructed. Twilight did so, and after a few moments, she was more calm. Celestia turned back to Otium. "Now, you said that your form was human, which we can all see, but you claim to be Immortal. I don't think you're lying, judging from what you told us last time and the...evidence, you provided, but how come we haven't heard of you until now?" Celestia asked.
"That...is a long story. One I would rather not tell. At least, not to those whom I barely know, my apologies." Otium answered. Celestia smiled and nodded.
"Very well, I won't pry. But I do expect an answer at some point, understood?" Celestia said sternly. Otium nodded.
"Might I be so bold as to ask what the state of the world is currently? Last I saw, the Triumvirate were still trying to rebuild." Otium asked.
"The Triumvirate!? You mean you've been here since the Cataclysm!?" Twilight exclaimed once more. Celestia's ears folded back at this news.
"You...you've been alone...that long?" she asked, her kind heart making her feel terrible for not knowing this man was alone for so long right under her nose. "How could you stand such a thing?" she asked, incredulous.
"I'm...strong of mind, I guess you could say. Though a few centuries of sleep here and there didn't hurt either." Otoum admitted. Twilight snapped out her shock long enough to return to being excited. She zipped up to Otium, having summoned a notebook and quill in less than a milisecond.
"What were things like back then? What was the social and economic structure like? What was the education system like? Where did you live? What–" Applejack shoved her hoof into Twilight's mouth.
"Twi, calm down, yer overwhelming the fella," Applejack said sternly. Twilight removed Applejack's hoof from her mouth and gave Otium a sheepish grin.
"Eheheh, sorry Otium." Twilight apologized. Otium smiled warmly.
"It's fine, Miss Twilight. But if you don't mind, I'd rather not remember what life was like back then." He turned back to the now recovered Celestia. "Again, I ask, what is the state of the world? Is it back to normal?" He asked, seeming concerned.
"It's much better than it was then, I can tell you that. There have been some...changes, that might surprise you, along with some troubles over the years, but it is quite peaceful now." Celestia informed.
"That is good news," Odium said with a sigh of relief.
"Otium, I have an offer for you, if you would indulge me," Celestia began. Otium quirked an eyebrow and motioned for her to continue. "I would like to have you live with us, get accustomed with the world again, make friends, have fun, be happy. What do you say?"
Otium was silent for a long while. 'It's a tempting offer. But...No, I'm sure they've forgotten by now. The only ones who knew were those who had witnessed it and had heard about it, I doubt any would remember something from so long ago. At least, I hope so.'
"I would be delighted to see the world again." He answered. Celestia smiled brightly.
"Wonderful! Then we shall leave now!" she declared. And then she realized that none of them knew how to get out. She turned to Otium with a sheepish smile. "Could you tell us how to leave?" Otium chuckled, the first in millenia.
"Allow me," he said, and then snapped his fingers, causing a flash of light. And they were gone.
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Chapter 3: Old Relics – Reminscence And Wistful Thoughts
Intermission: The Forgotten Isle
Far beyond the borders of Equestria, within the Endless Ocean that surrounds the mainland, is a dark, lonely, forgotten isle. It is a dry, infertile isle, full of death and decay. Once, it was full of life, and it rained all year round. But that was long ago. None dare to even step hoof or paw here, for fear of angering the spirits of those that once resided there. Not even the most adventurous or foolhardy of Griffins, Ponies, Minotaurs, or Sirens even think about going to the forsaken island. The land there is charred black, and full of dead, withering plants. The bones of a once proud city lay on the isle, it's previous occupants resting beneath the charred, ashen ground. Once, the city was full of life, but now the isle is dead. It was, and is, an isolated isle. Only two individuals know the history of the isle.
But like all the others, they prefer it stay forgotten.
If one goes deeper inland, they will begin to see the ash and soot covered ruins of the once great city. Nearly every building holds a large, glowing light blue cog or gear at the base or poking out of the walls with smaller gears leading down into the ground. It is unknown if these served merely as decoration or if they served an actual purpose, as some buildings have gears that are not connected to any other gears. All that is known is that these gears used to turn. Now, they lie dormant. Still. Unmoving. Dead.
The roads, like many others across the world, are cobblestone. However, if one looks closely, they will notice traces and hints of other minerals and even crystals inside. The buildings themselves are sleek and angular, and many stretch far above to the skies. Despite millenia having passed since the downfall of the city, most of the builidngs remain intact, owing up to the great craftmanship of their long dead residents. At a glance, one may notice that most of the taller buildings have windows all along each side. Perhaps the previous inhabitants enjoyed the view. It is uncertain as to whether or not they did.
After all, soot and ashes tell no story.
On the northwest end of the isle, there is a snow-capped mountain, about the same size as the mountain Canterlot rests upon. At the base of this mountain, is a mine surrounded by a now dead forest, once considered to be the more peaceful sister of the ancient Everfree. The mine is full of contraptions and tools, and stretches far into the depths of the earth, almost as deep as the Diamond Dogs have dug. Conveyor belts and minecarts and rail systems criss and cross one another in the chasms. Gems and precious metals can still be seen glittering in the cavern walls and even some in the minecarts and on the conveyor belts. Steel walkways lead even further into the depths of the chasms, seemingly endless. Scattered around the mine are something not found on the rest of the island: skeletons. They are unidentifiable, as they have been crushed and pulverised into bone meal. There are, however, some that are still mostly intact. These scarce few share similairities with ponies and sirens, but these similairities are small and few in number. They are the only clue as to what the natives looked like. Despite the rather evident wealth of the Isle, still none dare to tred upon the lifeless soil, fearing a curse.
Or perhaps, they fear that the same fate that befell the Isle will befall them.
On a hill, farther inland, near the heart of the isle, lies the castle. Like the other buildings, it is sleek and angular, but on each wall are carvings.
One particualr carving, found just above the castle gates, depicts two bipedal beings seemingly being worshipped by slightly larger beings that look like a mix between a siren and a pony. These two beings share striking resemblance to the legendary human of lore. Along the walls and sticking out of the towers are those same light blue, glowing gears. Beyond the gate, past the drawbridge and moat, lies a garden, now dead and lifeless. Once, these gardens were famed for their beauty and rare flora, but now all of them have withered away, leaving only dead trees and bushes. Inside the castle lies the throne room, where two thrones, one made of that mysterious glowing blue metal with gears and cogs making up the back and the other an iron throne with carvings of leaves and forest animals. These thrones are covered in thick layers of dust and cobwebs, thanks to millenia of neglect. Once, these two thrones were occupied for most of the day. Now they have been forgotten. Neglected. Abandoned.
And they will remain that way for millenia to come.
On the mountain, near the snow-capped peak, lies a large, glittering frozen lake. Beneath the hard ice, lay glittering crystals of many different colors and shapes. In the middle of the lake lies a marble gazebo with a glowing blue metal gear as a dais, where many inhabitants made pilgrimage to in the name of their faith. If one were to step on the dais and channel their magic into the gear, they would be transported down, deep below the island where one of the most sacred places resides. For beneath the island is a lake full of large, petrified trees. The water here glitters with minerals, and cascades down sheer cliffs in waterfalls. This, is where one of the most well guarded and most powerful objects resides. The elder sibling of the Crystal Heart, The Acrylic Heart. Like it's sibling, it holds unimaginable power in the form of emotions. And, like it's sibling, it holds the power of love. But, unlike it's sibling, it holds the power to make any wish a reality. It holds the power of hope and dreams. Surrounding the Heart is a glowing, blue metal cog connected to two other gears on either side of it. These gears connect to numerous other gears that cascade upwards through the roof of the cavern, connecting to other gears as they continue upwards. Only a select few ever make it to this cavern, as the shrine that leads to it allows only the most pure of heart with two exceptions. It's creators. The surface of The Acrylic Heart is scratched and marred, unlike it's sibling. None know of how it came to be exactly, only that it was made. Perhaps we will never know. But one thing is certain about the Isle of Tears.
None will remember it.
Chapter 4: Old Relics – A Bad Omen (Edited)
Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter. Intermission: The Gnawing Fears
Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter. Intermission: The Lonely Soul
Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.