Trinity of Time: Fate and Change

The first day was about to end in a matter of minutes. I looked at my novelty pocket watch, despite the looks of jealousy all around me. It was a brand new piece of technology, made from fine silver and iron gears, all bolted inside a case of pure gold. The watch itself was somewhat heavy, but it sufficed my needs. I couldn't possibly imagine this ever getting any better.

I loved fantasizing about the wonders of technology. There was just something impressive about it, and all of the possibilities. Today, were are able to hold time within our hooves, and light a fire in a single stroke of a wooden stick. What's next? Me and my scholars often drew sketches of what we believe the future will look like.

One day, a fellow thinker came to our meeting equipped with a handful of parchments; blueprints to artificial wings and horns. We all had a great laugh. He was convinced this was the way to the future; artificial, fully functional limbs made of aluminium tubing, implanted withing one's body, and connected to their nerves, as to establish a bond between their brains and the limb. Even though he had become the laughingstock of our group, he was still convinced he had created breakthrough technology "too advanced" for our time. The last time we saw him, he told us he would bury his blueprints in a time capsule, in hopes of preservation for the future generations to come.

***

The crowds rushed from left to right, wanting to see and try everything. The tourists in particular seemed quite dazzled by the wonders of the East. Travel was costly, and often time too difficult to accomplish. We couldn't fly over mountains, nor could we swim across oceans. Those who dared venture into the large divide between East and West had to do so manually. Many of them would not ever come back. Those who did were hailed as heroes.

However, I couldn't help but feel unease towards these tourists. They did not look at all equipped for such a journey; little to no supplies, bright flashing light-boxes around their necks, not a single compass in sight, nor do they have a map at hoof. They seemed well fed, and in too good condition to have ventured through the harsh climates of the mountains. Some of them, the women especially, wore incredibly complex, yet simple clothing. I saw multi-layered dresses, woven together without any pattern in the threading, covered in beads and jewels. It certainly was impressive, but insultingly simple. My own robes were only one layers, but each thread told a story.

Maybe all this has to do with a rumor I've heard? Along the borders, they speak of these large steel beams, that traverse into the distance. All they saw were workers placing these beams in place, and leaving just as abruptly as they came. Nopony had any clue what they were. The very next day, the children of the borders were scared senseless by what they said was a huge dragon of steel, bursting at great speeds right through the mountain rock, over rivers and across forests. When it reared its ugly head near the village, the people hid in utter fear, observing in horror as ponies came out of its stomach. I guess it wasn't hungry anymore.

They told me it had a large head of steel, seemingly covered in impenetrable armor. From the tip of its horn emerged this heavy black smoke, bringing about respiratory problems. I couldn't go to the village myself, and see what these claims were about. However, the massive creature of steel did seem impressive. All I could do for the moment was send over medicinal herbs for the sickly.

The further I went, the more stifling this city felt. Ponies all around me were too busy minding about their own enjoyment. I was overwhelmed by just how many people came from far away, just to see this festival. I identified hundreds of tourists, unaccustomed to our traditions, doing what they thought was right. I decided it was time for some fresh air, left the city walls, and disappeared into the cold, chilling night.