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 scarlet colored tour 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 ancient Equestrians. 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 Cutie Mark Crusaders.
“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?”
Scootaloo tapped her chin in contemplation of the term.
“Archeology, and she does have a point Applebloom.” Sweetie Belle said butting in.
As the Cutie Mark Crusaders took another look at art depicted on the vase once more, Scootaloo noticed a few markings at the top.
"What are these things?" Scootaloo asked pointing at them.
"Ah haven't got a clue?" Applebloom stated.
"Neither do I." Sweetie Belle said
Those are the magical locking symbols. A voice that sounded distant and hollow said from out of nowhere.
"Who said that?" Scootaloo asked looking around.
"Who said what?" Applebloom asked worriedly.
"You didn't hear that stallion speaking?"
"Uh, what stallion, Scootaloo we're the only ones in here." Sweetie Belle pointed out.
Looking around Scootaloo realized she was right.
' I could have sworn I heard somepony else in here. But like Sweetie pointed out, we're the only ones in here.
The three went back to studying how to open the vase. Sweetie tried using her magic to lift the lid, but it didn't budge. She tried pulsing more magic through her horn. Sweat started to pour down her face, as she continued her assault on the lid. She eventually relented, when she realized it wouldn't budge.
“What are you three doing I here!” yelled a stallion from behind them. The unexpected noise caused the Cutie Mark Crusaders to jump. The vase started wobbling when the Cutie Mark Crusaders 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 Cutie Mark Crusaders were waiting for the sound of breaking glass, but luckily heard nothing. The vase had remained in one piece, except for two hairline cracks through the top and bottom.
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 Cutie Mark Crusaders.
“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 began to grow. Ash started flowing from the vases’ base, and poured over the edge of the pedestal.
The ashes pooled together slowly morphing into the form of a young pegasus foal. His coat as an ashy grey. His two toned mane being dark grey, knots of hair were sticking out. The bruises all over his body, made him look as if he had been in a major fight and left for dead. For what seemed like the first time in ages, the foal opened his eyes. His lavender colored eyes were scanning around the unfamiliar room full of his mothers belongings.
On a wall to the left were her golden shield with the family crest laden across the front. Just below that was her sword, made dull from the various fights she had been in. A few nicks were visible from where he was. To the right was a case containing various maps, compasses, and letters that he had never seen. In the center of it all was the single vase that started it all.
Stupid vase, this is all your fault. You and that stupid voice. The colt stumbled to his legs, falling a few times from numbness. He stumbled to the vase and pushed against it. The vase fell to the ground again. He lifted his hooves and pounded against the vase. The cracks began to increase in size. The colt bucked the vase, causing it to shatter. The colt started to beat upon the pieces of vase left. He was too busy beating upon the vase, he didn't hear the hoof steps coming back towards the room.
"I swear teachers need to keep a closer eye on their dang students. Stupid kids." A voice came from just outside the room. Looking around the colt was looking for somewhere to hide. He tried getting to the shield when the stallion came back.
"Hey! I thought I got all the students back to their group. Come o-" The stallion paused once he noticed the shattered remains of the vase. His face flashed with anger, before switching to a blank expression.
"Come. You're going back to your class." He said harshly, as he started pushing the ash grey colt towards the class.
"I,"
"Ah, Ah, Ah, I don't want to hear it." The stallion said as he continued to forcefully escort the colt out of the room
