Ch. 1 Not a Treasure Hunter...
“Careful you idiots!” Belloq yelled. “We can’t just go around blowing holes randomly! We might damage the artifacts!”
“But sir,” One of the diggers protested, “Where DO we use the explosives then?” Belloq glared at the pony, then used his magic to shove a piece of paper in his face.
“Why don’t you look at the MAP?!” He snarled. “You know, the map that shows this entire area in exact detail, the map that shows exactly WHERE to place the explosives, and exactly WHEN to set them off? Was that helpful enough for you? Or do I need to fetch your mother to hold your hoof and guide you every step of the way?!” The digger cringed at Belloq’s fury,
“N-no sir,” He sputtered. “It won’t happen again! I’ll make sure of it!” Without looking at Belloq for another second, the stallion sprinted back to the other workers, barking orders in a nervous tone. Belloq sighed,
“I’m surrounded by idiots….” He grumbled to himself. Had he been in Canterlot, he could have hired some professional workers to help him find the relics. But out here in this Celestia forsaken place, he would have to deal with these brainless fools. He allowed himself a small break, visiting his tent for some tea. He sat down, using his unicorn magic to bring the cup to his mouth. He closed his eyes, enjoying the drink as he gathered his thoughts. The silence was very enjoyable indeed.
“Sir! Sir!”
Well, it was good while it lasted.
“What is it?” Belloq asked, his voice laced with irritation. He opened one eye, looking at the beaming mare standing in the entryway to his tent.
“We’ve found it!” She exclaimed. Belloq involuntarily stood up on all fours.
“Show me.”
The mare led him down the mountain path, passing by hired ponies and gryphons who were taking breaks from the digging. The pair reached a hole in the mountain, cleared by a blast of TNT. A group of workers were standing around, whispering to one another, but they all hushed as soon as they saw Belloq approaching. They parted before him, making a path strait toward the artifact. It was a golden head, seeming to stare straight into the very souls of whoever even glanced at it. To the workers, it was an unnerving sight. To Belloq, it was more intoxicating than even the strongest of drinks. He moved forwards, levitating the object towards him.
“The first artifact…” He whispered, barely containing his excitement. “Soon, we’ll find all five of them, then all the powers will be mine…”
The workers glanced at each other, obviously worried about their boss’s sanity. It was less about them worrying about him ruling the world, rather whether or not he could actually pay them for their work, especially when he started to laugh evilly.
“WHO CAN STOP ME NOW?!” He asked no one. “WHO?!”
~~
“Dad… Dad I’m a…” Storm was cut off by his father’s continued ramble. He was ready to start bashing his head against the payphone in frustration. “I’m not a treasure hunter dad, I’m an Archeologist.” He paused. “Well the difference is that one’s a job and another’s from fiction!” Storm groaned. “Yes dad…. Well, I’m not even a real Archeologist yet, I’m just a student.” His listened to his father’s retort. “Dad…. Dad….. Just, just put mom on the phone please.” He sighed in relief. “Thank you. Hey mom.... Yes I’m doing fine….” He facehoofed himself. “No mom I don’t have a marefriend…. Now why would I lie to you about that? Mom, I don’t have time for….. Well, a few I guess… No, that’s just not important to me right now….” This was how calls back home always happened. He had only been away for a year at the Canterlot University, but they acted like it had been an eternity. After reassuring his mother that he had clean clothes and washed behind his ears, he said goodbye, hanging up the phone. Storm closed his eyes for a second, trying to get rid the headache that he always got right after he talked to his parents. After taking in a few moments of peace, he put on his signature brown jacket and set off away from the phone.
Canterlot University was an incredible academy of knowledge, almost personally visited by Princess Celestia every week. It was truly the finest college in all of Equestria.
Which also explained why it was so expensive.
Storm’s family hadn’t been poor, but they certainly hadn’t made the amount of money needed to attend the university. Desperate, Storm had almost joined the Royal Army to help pay the massive fee. Fortunately, there had been another option. The Archeology department had been offering a full scholarship to anyone who could pass the massive tests and requirements to get it. After weeks and weeks of studying and writing essays, he had taken the final test that had been close to three-hundred questions long. Out of the thousands of ponies who had tried to get it, he had been the only one to pass, getting his entire college education paid for in the process.
He made his way to the library, sitting down at his usual spot in the history section. This was where he felt at home, reading all about ancient civilizations and all other aspects of the past. It fascinated him, learning about heroes of before, of how life went on even before the rule of Celestia. Often, Storm would just lose himself in the words, blending into his mind.
“Hey, hey buddy.” He blinked, finding himself sitting at a table with four open books in front of him. He looked over to see a mare with a mint green coat sitting next to him. “Watcha reading?” Storm hesitated, trying to figure out how long she had been sitting there.
“Uh, history books?” He offered. The unicorn looked over at one of the books about Sir Henry Maregen.
“Neat,” She said. “Oh sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Lyra.”
“I’m Storm.” He replied. This Lyra seemed strange, but he had dealt with a lot crazier ponies before.
“Wow, you’re really like history books don’t you?” Lyra asked, her eyes looking at all the books around him.
“Well, it’s kinda what I’m studying,” Storm replied, shrugging. “I’m an archeology student.” The mare perked up,
“Archeology? So you specialize in ancient civilizations?” Storm was taken aback for a moment,
“Um, ya I guess.” He said. The unicorn used her magic to bring another book to the table.
“You should read this!” She said excitedly. “It holds the knowledge of the greatest civilization of all time!” Storm raised a brow as he read the cover,
“ ‘The full history of Humanity: A reference guide.’” He glanced at the mare. “You do know that humans are just an old pony’s tale right?” Lyra shook her head,
“They are real!” She insisted, pulling out a tabloid magazine. “Just look at this!”
“ ‘Humans and Sea-Bears are real.’” Storm read flatly.
He took back his earlier thought, this mare was nuttier than a fruit cake.
As Storm was about to retort, he glanced at the clock on the wall. All the color drained from his face.
“OH CELESTIA!” He cried, realizing he had spent much more time in the library than he had ever intended. “I’M LATE TO CLASS!” He sprung up, grabbing his saddle-bags. Before Lyra could say anything, he was bolting past her, sprinting out of the library as fast as his legs could take him. Storm knew that he would get some bad looks from the librarians, but that was the least of his worries right now. At Canterlot University, you had to be a top student just to stay in school, and being late was definitely not smiled upon.
He put on an extra burst of speed, about to round a corner that would take him straight to-
*BAM!*
Stars danced before Storm’s eyes, as he realized he was sprawled on the floor. He slowly rose to his hooves, feeling a massive pain in his head. On the floor next to him, a Pegasus with a grey-scale mane was also slowly rising. Storm realized that he must have hit the poor mare in his crazed sprint, and was about to help her up, when she suddenly sprung up on her own. She glared at him, her fuchsia eyes putting him in a sort of trance.
“Why don’t you try paying attention to where you’re going?!” She shouted. “I’ve seen blind squirrels more attentive than you!” Storm snapped out of his trance, and scowled. Normally, he would apologize, but her tone of voice had pushed his buttons.
“Well I’m sorry princess,” He shot back. “I didn’t mean to make you late to your ‘living without a brain’ meeting!” The mare’s eyes narrowed,
“I’ve heard better comebacks from dandelions,” She growled. “Get a life!” She shoved past him, being none to gentle. Storm grunted in annoyance, but decided to not push it for now. He continued his run to the classroom, being more attentive than he had previously. Once he had arrived at the classroom, he bursts through the door, and immediately regretted it. As all the class stared at him like he had just announced that he was the biggest idiot who ever lived, which was exactly how Storm felt right now.
“Glad you could join us Mr. Chaser,” The professor said, not even glancing at him. “If you’ll please take your seat, we were just in the middle of notes.”
“Sorry Doctor Jones,” Storm said, sheepishly moving toward his spot. “It won’t happen again.” His teacher turned, showing older looking clothes and glasses.
“That remains to be seen,” He said. As Storm sat down, Dr. Jones picked up his chalk. “Now, to continue. Neolithic, N...E...O…”
~~
After about two hours of class, the bell rang.
“Next week, we’ll start the unit on Catlantians!” Dr. Jones called as the class packed up. As Storm placed his textbook in his saddlebag, he heard his teacher continue. “Mr. Chaser, please stay a moment.” He sighed, then finished packing up.
As the classroom emptied, leaving only the two ponies in the classroom, Dr. Jones spoke first.
“Alright Storm,” He said. “Why were you late?” The student rubbed the back of his head with his hoof.
“I… I spent more time in the library then I thought.” He said, embarrassed. His teacher fixed him with a serious look.
“The library?”
“Ya…. The library….” Jones facehoofed himself.
“Now why would you tell me that?” He asked, his voice exasperated.
“…Because it’s the truth?” Storm said, confused.
“Why don’t you lie? Tell me you were out late partying and you slept in, tell me you were in a high profile bank robbery and had to hide your stash somewhere.” Storm hesitated, not sure what was going on.
“I don’t understand.” He finally said. Jones sighed,
“Storm, you’re one of my best students. You’re honest, hardworking, and have a passion for history. But you’re not living at all, you’re just eating, sleeping, and going to class. If you want to be a good Archeologist, you’ve got to get out of the library!”
“But you’re the one who said that most of the time in Archeology will be spent in a library!” Storm protested.
“I was speaking figuratively, I meant that you will be spending most of your time researching, which can be from anywhere between a library to being out in a pyramid studying hieroglyphics. What I’m trying to say here son, it’s that you can’t spend all your time reading old books. Sometimes, you just need to get out there and do hands-on Archeology, live a little.” Storm was quiet a moment,
“Did you ever go on any of those hands-on expeditions yourself Dr. Jones?” He asked. Jones stared at the floor, before opening a drawer in his desk, reveling a hat that was the same shade of brown as Storm’s jacket.
“I did.” He finally said. “But I’ve already had my time of excitement.” He thought for a moment, then handed Storm the hat. “Here, my time for adventures has long passed, but maybe it’ll bring you the same luck that it brought me.” A huge smile came to Storm’s face as he held the hat in his hooves.
“Thanks Doc.” He said simply.
“You’re welcome,” His teacher replied. “Now, I want you to have some fun this weekend. Get out, breath a little, miss a few days of school, pull a prank on Princess Celestia if you want, I don’t care. Just stay away from the books for a while. Ok?” Storm nodded, and opened his mouth to reply, when a voice behind him cut him off.
“You wanted to see me Dr. Jones?” Storm turned to see the mare from earlier standing in the doorway. As soon as they saw each other, they both scowled, locking eyes with hatred behind them. Storm was so focused on looking intimidating, that he barely heard Dr. Jones say,
“Ah yes, I just wanted to give you back your graded paper Miss Do.”
