Ch.1: Origin
"It all happened so fast, so quickly. Faster than the transition from Celestia's day to Luna's night... My name is Dr. Geppetto Zoenigberg, and I will tell you my life story and how your greatest dreams can turn into your greatest NIGHTMARE."
“It was a cold, snowy December night, preparations for Equestria's Hearth Warming Eve was in the process, but here in Rushia, us ponies were celebrating a different type of joy. Joy from defeating the Batscanvians at the Saddoliet Union War a few hundred years ago. This holiday we simply just called Rushia Day. For this, the streets was empty, with no absolute sign of life as ponies prepare for the celebration the following day. The baring midnight ground glisened as the brilliant orange light from the lamp post reflected off it. White balls of dancing angels fell on my face and melted upon contact. A bell rang, and the sudden sound of clopping hooves could be heard, distancing itself from me. The door open and a pair of hooves raised me from my hamper. A rush of warm air hit my face as I reached a stopping point. The humid air was continuous and for the first time in my life, I opened my eyes and saw her. A mare whose coat was beige and mane was blonde as the winter festival's sun braided in the most magnificent braid I've ever seen. The only clothing she had was a red patterned scarf with many designs. She glanced deeply into my eyes, and that look that mare given me was my sign of trust for a loving guardian." She looked around hoping to find the pony who left me with her. But nopony could be found in the dark snowy alley. So she smiled
" hummm. What will I call you?...Ahh I got it! Geppetto, Geppetto Zoenigberg. Welcome to the family" and took me in.
5 years passed, and the year was 1933. Those 4 numbers made me what I am today. The hard wooden floor cracked and rumbled as I dragged my toys across it. The week was very busy for us, and we had just returned home last night. My blue eyes glanced upwards through my glasses as I saw that same beige mare paced slowly in a circle while reading a letter. Maslo Creme was her name, and even though I lived with her my entire life, I still prefer to call her Maslo. I stared anxiously at her, wondering what she was reading cause she had a very blank look on her face.
My heart raced, and I was breathing hard, but not so hard she could hear me. Mulso , after what seemed like a thousand moons finally looked away from it and stared blankly at me. A grin grew upon her face, then a smile. "“Go pack your things Geppetto, were going out" Surprised, I dash down the hall into my room, got my case and started packing.
" I wondered why Mulso told me to pack up, I hope I didnt do anything wrong, probably I did." I said quietly while putting the last bit of things into my bag. A tear started to roll down my cheek. "Probably it's not nothing bad. It just might be i'll find my parents." I thought in my mind.
" Are you done yet Geppetto?" Yelled Muslo softly.
I wipe off my developing tear and yelled back."Yea..yes ma'am" I dragged my bag off my bed and head to the door out my room. I paused myself and turned around exploring the now vacant room, thinking to myself if this the last time I'll see this room. I smiled and exited out. The bag was heavy but I eventually gained control of it.
" Ready to go?" Muslo asked. Replying l just nodded and we left the house. The smell of fresh pancakes covered the entire block while the birds chirped and flew across the street as the warming sun raised over the horizon. After a hour or so, we reached St. Ponysburg. It was extremely rare went to cities like this , since most of the time we visited places near our neighborhood. It was crowded, and many ponies were rushing to get one place to another. Conversations could be heard all around the area. Soon we reached the train station. That same terrifying thought rushed into my head as I thought the obvious.
" It looks like she is giving me away." I looked down, dragging my hooves along the marble patterned floor beginning to cry again. To make sure this if this is true, I decided to ask Muslo what we are doing here. And that I asked. Mulso handed me the same note she was reading earlier back home. It was a invitation. But not no ordinary one, but a invitation to Celestia's School of Gifted Unicorns in Equestria. My eyes widen at the sight.“ Celestia, daughter of the creators of the universe, invited me to a private school. My teachers always told me that everything you dream will happen if you believe in yourself, but I never would have thought that this would occur." I said in my head .We stopped and front of us was the train tracks. The tracks that I knew, will lead me to a new world, new government, and a new me.
Mulso then put her hoof over my shoulder. I looked up and she looked down. The feeling I felt was the same feeling I had when I first glanced at her."Geppetto.." Muslo said smiling." You are a great filly, that can do big things. Even when I saw your cute little face the first time I held you in my arms I knew, I knew... you capable of doing extraordinary things""TRAIN 17, CANTERLOT,EQUESTRIA, ALL ABOARD" the train ticketer yelled though the roaring crowd."Just know Geppetto, I love you deep down in my heart, and even when im gone , I'll still be in here" Muslo said pointing at my heart. She then reached into her saddle bag and took out a amulet, and hoofed it to me. I accepted it and placed in my bag. Looking back at Muslo she hugged me, and I hugged her back. Quickly I ran to the train I looked back at her."Do big things." she said beginning to cry, with a single tear escaping her eye. I smiled back and entered the train giving the ticket to the ticketer and took my seat.
Out the window she stood, I watched and waved my hoof goodbye, and she did the same. The train was moving and Muslo was fading. We waved until I was no more and she was no more. I started to feel upset until I saw something shiny hanging out my bag. It was the amulet Muslo gave me. I didn't see inside of it yet, so I opened it. It was a picture of me and Mulso when she first got me on that Cold, Snowy, December night.
I was in Equestria, but in the northern part of it, still hundreds of miles from my destination in a city called Manehattan. Its been couple of days since I left Rushia, and I instantly recognized the differences. It was much warmer and more technically advanced than in the Saddolet Union. Thousands of ponies covered the ground inside of the city, even ponies way above us on skyscrapers constructing what will later be the Empire Manehattan Building. The train was now over water, I was terrified because I never saw nor went on a large body of water before. To the corner, what I believed was the Mare of Liberty, A sign of liberty these Manehattanans says it was a gift from Prance after the Freedom war between Equestria and Trottingham. For that I read in my books back home.
Hours passed, and countless cities, towns, and provinces passed by. At high afternoon, We arrived at the district of Canterlot, and there laid a large apple orchard filled with many acres of apple trees. We arrived at the gate of Canterlot. My heart was pounding with excitement to see Celestia's home town before my eyes.
"CANTERLOT, EQUESTRIA DEPARTURE!, CANTERLOT,EQUESTRIA DEPARTURE!" Yelled the train engineer.
"This was it, this was the moment that will change my life forever." I thought as I stepped my first hoof off the train. It was very packed, similar to St. Ponysberg. Not knowing where to go next, I decided to ask one of the city's citizens for directions to where Princess Celestia might be. The stallion then pointed to the large castle behind him.
"She's most likely ahh that away. In the Canterlot Castle." He said quite exquisitely. After trotting pass the many amounts of mares and stallions, I finally reached the castle only to be guarded by towering, stale royal guards. Their face showed no emotion and their armor were quite quaint. One of them positioned his eyes on me awaiting my request.
"I'm here for Princess Celestia sir.""She invited me to her school for gifted unicorns." I said hesitantly while showing him the invitation."He looked at it and glanced at the other guards.
"She will be awaiting your appearance at the top floor up the stairs."says the guard hoofing me back my invitation and opening the door."Thank you Sir." I said entering the castle. It was empty and quiet, no sound echoed throughout the main hall except for my hooves clopping at the floor. The castle was beautiful. Sky blue marble floors covered the entire hall, marble pillars stretched high to the ceiling, and royal flags covered the walls. The sight was incredible and there I found the set of stairs.
I was soon greeted by Celestia who toured me around the castle and informed me of my duties while at the school. “Classes start at 8:30am I expect you to be on time. We got many subjects to go over" said Celestia. By the time of the end of the tour it was near sundown and I was getting sleepy. Celestia noticed this and quickly guided me to my dorm. After getting down packed and removing all items from bag, Celestia informed me that each day after class she will assign us different topics to study and record on a letter to turn in the next day. “Remember Geppetto, 8:30 " Celestia said heading for door.
“Yes ma'am your highness 8:30" I commented back with Celestia smiling at me and heading back to her room.“8:30" I said to myself with I fairly worried expression on my face. I sighed and reached for the amulet Muslo gave me, looking at the picture. “For you Muslo" I said kissing the amulet and setting it down on the dresser.“Now let me get some rest, it's going to be a long day tomorrow." Climbing into the bed and going to sleep.
12 years passed and I was the top student in Celestia's class. One day after a lecture on Advanced pre calculus, Celestia held me back. Concerned, but not worried, I look wondery around the classroom while the rest of the students exited the room. After finishing her royal duties, Celestia called me over to her desk.“Yes ma'am" I asked while being sitted in front of her desk.
“Geppetto, I am highly impressed by your academic progress these few years at my school. “You nearly got a 100% on every single assignment assigned to you since your first day here. That's why I kept you after class today to invite you to Celestia University."
“Celestia University?" I asked quite puzzled.
“Yes, there you will increase your studies and be taught the most advanced subjects. Do you want to enroll?" Asked Celestia. I sat and thought about it for a little while until making my decision but was intruded by the thought of amount of time that will take. I asked the princess and she replied “ The same time but day extended throughout the entire week. I had nothing else really important and tactical to do, so I accepted.
I was 22, and my studies at Celestia's University were almost complete. Tonight was a big night, a time to show everypony what I am capable of doing. I invented many things during my time at the University, although all of them were still prototypes. But one I actually managed to create, present and discuss about tonight. Today was the Grand Galloping Gala at the main castle and courtyard. I was invited by Princess Celestia to present my creation. My heart was pounding and my face was sweating. I was never the social type pony. I mainly stayed inside reading books and coming up with bright ideas.I was afraid that one mistake could scar me for life, but I also couldn't just not go either.“ahhhhh" I sighed while finishing tying my bowtie and putting on my top hat and round glasses. “ You can do this Geppetto, just believe..."
Talking to myself in the mirror. I finally got my act together and headed for the door, not forgetting about the amulet for good luck.
It was warm and humid, typical for a summer night. Hundreds of ponies were there, most of them belonging to the high class society.
I pushed through the rampant amount of ponies making sure none of my pieces fall off my creation which was in a wagon. Deep in the distance laid a clear batch land which was circled by the elegant and visiting guest. I trotted over there and double check my wagon to make sure no damage has been done on it. Unknowing what to do next, I stood there hoping that anypony would realize me and signal every other pony to watch me. However it didn't work, and I was forced to get everypony attention. “ Ummmm excuse me everypony" I said. Nopony heard me.“Everypony over here" I tried again. Nopony heard me.“EXCUSE ME EVERYPONY" I yelled out. Everypony heard me and paid there attention to me.“ Thank you for given me your undivided attention everypony, I'm very sorry for yelling and acting very rude and inelegant" I said trying to sound as professional as possible, clearing my throat afterwards. “ My name is Geppetto Zeonigberg, I'm a student at Celestia's University from the country Rushia. Today I am here to present to you a new project that I've been working on." I said trotting over beside the wagon. “ What I'm about to reveal to all of you is a peak into our future." I put my hoof on the cover.“ Ladies and Gentlecolts, I would like to present to you the Explorer marke 1." I said pulling the cloth of the object. It was incredible and everypony cheered and clopped their hooves on the grass below. At the top of the castle veranda stood Princess Celestia smiling signalling me to continue. I continued on , lighting up the rocket. A few seconds later, shoot into the air and exploded revealing a collage of many different colors and a ring of blue expanding outward. Everypony were on their hooves cheering at my success. I bowed in thanks “ Thank you , Thank you" waving my hoof in the air. Suddenly a stallion by the name Stinkin' Rich approached me.
“That was a mighty quite performance Mr. Zoenigberg." He said shaking my hoof. Behind him stood other stallions and mares. “Thanks ummm.."“Stinkin' Rich is the name.I came over here to ask you if there's any more of those...Explorer thingies" Asked Stinkin' Rich
“No-No sir that was my only one." I said
“ How about this," Stinkin' wrapping his shoulder around me.“ You make more of those explorers, and I pay you a fortune." I didn't think this was a good idea, but it was for money, money I needed. So I accepted his deal.
