Chapter 1-The Pony in the Vase
Chapter 1
It was a sunny day in the middle of June in Ponyville. A slight breeze in the air carrying the songbirds melody through the air. A few clouds here and there. It was the perfect day, and yet Scootaloo found herself a prisoner of School. Sure they were on a field trip, but it was to a boring museum. For what she thought was a really, really boring topic. The Ancient History of Equestria. Ever since they found ruins in the Macintosh Mountains to the south, it was all ponies seemed to be able to talk about. History this, and ruins that. It was enough to unnerve the young filly. As soon as her class got to the museum that’s when her boredom seemed to kick into overdrive, as she faded in and out during the tour. She took each chance she got to daze off and think about what type of crusading the CMC could be doing instead of this.
Logging, firework making, Water Purifiers.
A nudge to the side snapped her out of her little daydream.
”Scoots, ya need ta pay attention, we’re havin a paper on this.” Applebloom whispered into her ear.
Looking around the mare giving the tour was going on about some artwork. This time it was of an ornate vase on the small white pedestal, depicting many pony looking creatures.
“This interesting piece, was though to belong to the queen, and depicts what we now believe is a civil war among the horses. We haven’t got a clue as to its contents, as it’s impossible to open.” The tour guide said, as she pointed at various paintings upon the ornate vase. “If you look closely, you can make out what appears to be crystals around their necks. The scientists believe they were used to indicate gender.”
A pink hoof rose in the air.
“Yes, you have a question.”
“Why do they look so weird?” Asked Diamond Tiara.
The question seemed to catch the mare off guard. She pondered the question, fumbling around for an answer.
“Yes, well, if you look, you will notice the elongated muzzles and their larger stature. We believe that it was to help them deal with the harsh conditions they must have lived under.” Not wanting to have to create another answer on the spot, the mare decided it was time to move on. “Moving on, we will be going to what the queens’ room looked like when they found it.”
The mare lead the group out of the room, everypony except the CMC.
“Don’ ya think we should go with them?” Applebloom asked.
“No way, did you hear what she said? No pony knows what’s in this thing.” Scootaloo asked tapping the vase. “Don’t you want to find out. What if this is how we get our Cutie Marks?”
“Cutie marks in what exactly?”
Tapping her chin in contemplation of the term.
“Archeology, and she does have a point Applebloom.” Sweetie Belle said butting in.
As the CMC took another look at art depicted on the vase once more.
“Why aren’t there horses anymore?” Scootaloo asked.
A voice that sounded distant and dry spoke up, catching the CMC off guard. “They used to live amongst ponies before. The ponies forced them on the trail of broken hooves.”
“Who said that?” Scootaloo asked looking around the vacant room.
“Ah guess it mus be the new system the tour guide talked about. It’s supposed ta hear a question and answer it.” Applebloom replied.
“Cool let’s try it out. What is the Trail of Broken Hooves?” Scootaloo asked.
Once again the voice spoke up. “The trail of broken hooves is when the horses were forced into exile by Princess Platinum, Commander Hurricane, and Chancellor Puddinghead. They were exiled because they brought about a harsh winter, that had devastated the land. Many
Horses died from broken hooves along the long rugged walk through the blizzard.
The CMC started looking for some kind of speaker system. Checking the ceiling, the floor, and still couldn’t find any sign of a speaker.
”Why did they exile the horses?” Sweetie Belle asked
Once again the voice answered. “The main reason the three representatives of pony kind thought they were responsible because of their command of nature itself.”
“Alright girls, this is startin ta git scary. We have a voice comin from nowhere and we’re alone.” Applebloom said as her nerves were starting ta get to her.
It was until Scootaloo checked by the vase again. ‘That can’t be right.’ She thought as she walked around the pedestal.
“Girls I think I found where it’s coming from!” Scootaloo yelled to her fellow CMC members.
“Really where?” Sweetie Belle asked.
“I think it’s coming from inside the vase.”
“Were horses evil?” Scootaloo asked before all three members of the CMC stuck their ears to the vase as they listened for the voice once more.
“What are you three doing I here!” yelled a stallion from behind them. The unexpected noise caused the CMC to jump. The vase started wobbling when the CMC bumped into it. The wobbling vase had made the growing tension unbearable. The vase started its descent to the floor. The galloping of hooves was heard as the stallion tried to reach the vase before it hit the ground. It was too late, as the vase had hit the marble flooring. The CMC were waiting for the sound of breaking glass, but luckily heard nothing. The vase had remained in one piece.
The Stallion had come into the girls view. He had a golden yellow coat with similarly golden locks. Picking the vase up and placing it back on the pedestal he turned to the CMC.
“You girls are in so much trouble! Not only did you manage to sneak away from you tour, but to damage a piece of our exhibit! I’m going to have to report you to your teacher!” The stallion said as he ushered the girls out of the room.
The vase had begun to shake lightly as a small hairline crack ran through one of the binding seals at the top. Ash started flowing from the vases’ base, and poured over the edge of the pedestal. As more and more dirt poured out, it started to slowly fuse into a pony. The pony had a midnight black coat. His mane was an ashy grey. A long scar running over his right eyelid. He bore the darkest sapphire crystal anypony had ever seen, around his neck. Looking around he notice he was alone.
“Finally, after 2000 years, I’m finally free. Time to exact my revenge on the ponies that trapped me in that damned prison.” He said walking away. “But first,” He landed a heavy kick to the vase, causing it to fly against the wall, before making his way to the exit.