"Oh, really?" said Twilight, a little surprised about the statement. "So who did live here?"
"Great colonies of humans," said Shiro.
"I've heard of humans before," said Rainbow Dash.
"You have?"
"Yeah, I think their giants with one eye, live on islands, and have a weird obsession with sheep."
"No, those are Cyclopes."
"Don't be silly, Rainbow Dash," said Rarity "Everypony knows that humans those barrel-chested things with long shaggy beards, live underground and mine for diamonds all day."
"No, those are dwarves."
"Are humans those half goat creatures that live in the forest, play the flute, and make flowers grow?" asked Fluttershy.
"No, those are Satyrs."
"Aren't they those ugly fanged creatures that grow out of the ground like potatoes and burn down villages?" asked Applejack.
"Orcs, those are Orcs."
"Are humans those tiny blue things that live in mushroom houses and sing every day?" asked Spike.
"Those are Smurfs."
"Are they giant green globs with nine eyes and seven tails?" asked Pinkie.
"I have no idea what that is, but it's not a human neither."
"Are humans that one thing with a moose's head, a seal's body, and butterfly wings?" joked Lenny.
"Oh, now don't you start," snapped Shiro, before turning back to the others "Seriously, you've never heard of humans? Stands straight up, looked like a hybrid of apes and mole rats, use machines?"
"I think I read about a creature like that," said Twilight "About how they had iron sticks that made thunder sounds."
"Yes, yes they did. They're called guns."
"Well, will you care to let the rest of us in on humans?" asked Rainbow Dash.
"Well not only did they live in this area, 2700 years ago they populated the entire planet. They used technology that could rival magic. There were vehicles that moved without being pulled, some could even fly, pictures that moved for their enjoyment, and building that were said to have touched the clouds."
"Oh really," said Rarity "If these creatures are as common and powerful as you say, how come none of us had ever seen one."
"There was a huge event, that the people of Ooo call the Mushroom Wars. Very little about it is known, including important details like what started it, who was in it, and how long it lasted. But one thing was clear...Nobody won. Today humans are very few and scattered across the world. In our travels, we manage to find less than ten of them."
"So if they did live all over the world, why did you come here to study them?" asked Twilight.
"Because the ones from here were special. Equestria was once known as Prysmos and was one of the most advance countries on earth. That is until after the Mushroom Wars, and then all of their machines lost their power and died out. Since then they had to rely on warrior instincts to survive. This all changed when the wizard Merklyn revealed himself."
"What's a wizard?" asked Fluttershy.
"You know," replied Lenny "A sorcerer, a mage, a warlock, a guy who can use magic."
"There were humans who can use magic?" asked Twilight.
"Yes and no," answered Shiro "There were humans with magic, but there were very rare and lived in secret. Before the Mushroom Wars no human believed magic existed. So you can imagine how big a deal it was when a wizard showed up. He claimed that the age of science was over, and a new age of magic was dawning. He also promised to help them survive, he would need warriors to perform quest in his name, to be his Visionaries, if you will. For this, he chose two warring tribes, The Spectral Knights and the Darkling Lords. For a while it was a simple trade. They gather ingredients for Merklyn's work, and in return he blesses them with fantastic powers. It's been like this until Darkstorm, the leader of the Darkling Lords, wanted all the power for himself. To make a long story short, it became his biggest mistake."
"And what makes you believe that all this happened before ponies have moved in?" asked Applejack.
"Because I have proof," replied Shiro as he pulled off his saddle bags and spilled artifacts on the table. The ponies looked in awe at the relics, Spike even notice the two books.
"Hey, check it out," he said "A dragon and a unicorn. Are you sure these aren't made by ponies?"
"They were the coat of arms for the Darkling Lords and Spectral Knights respectively, and I'm sure their resemblance to Equestrian life was coincidental. As I was saying, I've been searching in the Everfree Forest and found the ruins of the Spectral Knights' home city of New Valarek...That's not so new anymore."
"He sure did," said Lenny, pretending to agree "Uh, where was I when this happened?"
"You were attending that science lecture, remember?" Shiro then signaled with a wink.
"Oh yeah, the science lecture. Best one yet."
"I've found bodies, armor, weapons, and even vehicles. But our Curio thinks they're all forgeries."
"Shouldn't he know if they're real or not?" asked Twilight.
"That's what happens when the old and might dallor runs the science center. But I wasn't going to give up my research. And then it hit me. I can prove my discovery if I can find active magic. According to what I read, there were eight magic staffs and two magic shields among both tribes, each containing a signature spell. I couldn't find these staffs in New Valarek, so I figured Merklyn must have took them back to his shrine in the Iron Mountains. I studied maps of both Equestria and Prysmos, and found one mountain it could be in."
"You mean...?" asked Twilight, before Shiro cut her off.
"That's right; I believe Canterlot was built over the Iron Mountain Shrine. Well obviously, we can't just go digging around Celestia's castle without causing an incident. That's why we were looking for you. We need you to put in a good word to Celestia, so we can get permission to search for the staffs. So, what do you say?"
"Come on Twilight," said Applejack "You're into that science and magic stuff. Say yes."
"Yes, just think about," said Rarity "Me and Snow, in Canterlot." She gets lost in the idea of Snow Strider and her at a fancy sidewalk cafe, only for cold stares from Rainbow and Applejack to get her back to reality "I mean all of us, on a little adventure. Hehe."
"I don't know girls," replied Twilight "I does sound a little farfetched. I've been in the mines under Canterlot Castle, and didn't find any magical shrine."
"You have?" asked Shiro, a little worried "Are you sure? Maybe you just didn't look in the right place."
"Well, to tell you the truth. Cadence and I were just looking for a way out in a hurry. (Long story) We weren't really exploring. But all we saw were old mining equipment and barren black stones, just like..." She pauses to take a look at a broken black plate that was among the artifacts. She magically lifted it, to examine it closer. "Just like this one."
"Stones like that were covering the breast plates of their armors," said Shiro "At first we thought it was obsidian, but it doesn't match the chemical formula and there were feint traces of mana. I think Prymosians used them to focus their powers."
"Spike, we need to make a letter," commanded Twilight.
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We now see all of them at the library. Spike had paper and quill in his hands, and was writing everything Twilight was saying.
"Dear Princess Celestia," said Twilight "I have met somepony who claims that there was a civilization in Equestria before pony kind. As outrageous as it sounds, he said to have proof of their existence but needs to find a shrine under Canterlot to be sure. He wishes to have your permission to check the castle to continue his expedition. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle." She levitates a dagger and the dark plate to Spike, who wraps it up in the letter into a scroll. He then blew a green flame at it and the scroll turned to a sparkling smoke and made its way out an open window. This action made Shiro and Lenny shocked.
"What the...How...He just...What the cabbage!" said Lenny freaking out.
"Relax, I didn't burn the letter," said Spike "This is how we send reports to the Princess."
TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
We now see Princess Celestia resting on a pillow and going over some papers. Just then the smoke from before came in and manifest itself into the scroll that drops in fron of her.
"Ow, a letter from Twilight," she said, levitating it up "I wonder what she..." She opens it up and the dagger and plate fell out. "...Reported." She then reads the message, and then her delight turns to shock as she drops the letter and picks up the dagger to examine it more closely. "No."
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We then turn back at Twilight's library.
"Interesting," said Shiro "I've heard stories about dragons that fly, breath fire, control the weather, and even shift forms. But this is the first time I even heard of one with teleportation." Behind him, he can hear Rarity, Applejack, and Fluttershy whispering to each other. "No, I'm not crazy. I actually have seen different species of dragons with..."
"It's not that," said Rarity "We just can't help how cute you are?"
"Cute?" said Shiro, a little confused.
"What do you mean cute?" asked Spike, who was actually a little concern. Rarity then levitated a magazine and opened it up.
"It's as if somepony took the best parts of Soarin, Nightshade, AND Shining Armor, and put them together in a hunky package. This was starting to worry Shiro, for he had the same copy of that magazine.
(Flashback)
We now see him in his true form, wearing a hood, having the magazine in hand/paw and in a dark ally. With him was a zebra, but this one was completely different from Zacora. He was a male, and wore a dark red jacket and green lensed sunglasses.
"Equstia's top 10 hottest stallions," said Shiro, reading the title "I wanted to blend in, not make out."
"You said you wanted photo references, and I gave you photo references," said the zebra, holding out his hoof "Now pay up."
"Fine," Shiro reached into his pocket, pulled out a plastic bag of salt and handed it to him "This better be worth it.
(End of flashback)
"I don't know what you're talking about." Shiro lied.
"Now that she mentions it," said Twilight "You do look like my brother, Shining Armor."
"I assure you, we're not...Wait, the captain of the guard is your brother?"
"Yes, you heard of him?"
"Only about his rank, and about that rumor of him dating a Mi Amore."
"That was true," said Rarity "They were married three months ago."
"Oh really."
"Yeah," said Twilight "And you do look like him...Except he was a unicorn of course, and your mane color, and your eye color, and those fangs..." She stops herself to finally notice his teeth. "Why do you even have fangs anyways?" This made Shiro a little nervous, but he was prepared for this question.
"Well, my great grandmother was a Trojan meat-eating mare."
"A what?" replied Applejack.
"It's a very rare breed; I don't think there are any left."
"Well that explains the bulky hooves," said Rainbow Dash "That's not a normal trait for pegasi."
"They're not? I mean, of course they are."
"Did your great granny also have a hug fluffy tail too?" asked Spike as he picked up Shiro's tail.
"Come now Spike," said Rarity "I think his tail looks luxurious."
"It's still kinda weird. It's long, the hair is thick, and it doesn't match his mane. In fact it kinda looks like it belongs to..."
"That is a birth condition," Shiro snapped as his tail whip from Spike's claws/hand "And I would appreciate it if we stop talking about it."
"Geez, no need to get up tight. I was just..." Before Spike could finish his sentance, he started to make a face like he was going to throw up, and then belches out sparkling smoke that quickly manifested into a scroll.
"Celestia's Message," said Twilight with glee. She levitates the scroll and starts reading. "Dear Twilight: I'm impressed with your new friend's discovery. But I'm also afraid that he's going into something he shouldn't. I would need some time to deside whether or not for him to continue his research. Until we meet, Princess Celestia."
"Time," said Shiro "How much time?"
"It doesn't say."
"So that means Snow Strider would have to stay here longer?" said Rainbow Dash, although she sounded please with this news. The other ponies were secretly happy about this to.
"It's okay Snow," said Applejack "If you need a place to stay, there's always room at Sweet Apple Acres."
"Wait, why should he stay with you?" asked Rarity "Obviously Dr. Strider would much more high standards like say...my house."
"And Why should you have him?" asked Rainbow Dash "He's a Pegasus. He'd probably be more comfortable sleeping on a cloud then a wooden bed." The three of them get into an argument till Shiro broke it up.
"Girls, we can't stay with any of you." He said.
"Why not?" asked Rainbow Dash.
"Because..." said Lenny who was just as clueless as the ponies and then turned to Shiro "Why can't we stay with them?"
"Because..." replied Shiro as he thought of something quick "It would be improper to intrude on single young ladies."
"What did I tell you," said Rarity "Such a gentleman."
"I think there are some apartments for rent," suggested Twilight.
"Good idea," said Shiro "We bought plenty of money to spare."
"Yeah, about that," said Lenny "When I paid for snacks at the bakery, that scrawny pony wouldn't take our gems."
"What, how can that be? They're universal in everywhere else we've been."
"That's what I said. But he said that he can't use them. I was lucky Rarity paid for us."
"Well, there goes that idea."
"No it won't," said Applejack "You can still make money around here. We could always use another farmhoof."
"And I could use some help with the clouds," continued Rainbow Dash.
"Pinkie, didn't you say you were short hoofed at Sugar Cube Corner?" Asked Fluttershy.
"I never said..." Replied Pinkie, before getting an elbow nudge "I mean, yeah. We could use some help."
"I guess that could work." replied Shiro.
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We then cut to late in the afternoon. They're all now checking out a room with a old cream-colored mare with a short white mane.
"Well, this does look okay," said Shiro. He then notices the two beds. "Beds? You have beds here? I thought you guys sleep standing up. I mean, I thought wesleep standing up."
"Sleep standing up?" replied the older mare "Were you born in a cave?"
"Yes."
"It's more of a burrow in my case," added Lenny.
"Riight. Well the rent is 30 bits a week and I expect to be paid in cash."
"We don't have any money right now."
"I guess I could let that slide. But you have till Thursday, and not a day late. I'll see you then Mr. Strider." And with that she left the room.
"Well, now that you have your own place, how about we help you settle in." said Rainbow Dash.
"Wow, that's very nice of you..." replied Lenny before Shiro cut him off.
"But I'm afraid we can't." he said "We have a lot of...Cataloging to do, and I think it's best if we start right away."
"Maybe I can help." Said Twilight "I very good at organizing, and I know Spike will be a great help."
"Thank you, but I'm afraid our research is at a very hush-hush phase right now. However..." He goes to one of the bags and pulls out a book with his mouth, and lays it at Twilight's feet. It was the journal with the Spectral Knights' Emblem. "If you really want to help, you're gonna have to read up."
"Are you trying to bribe me?"
"Think of it as more of a loan. I am coming back for it after all. Besides, I have a feeling your going to be very useful on our exposition."
"Oh, thank you." She then lifted the book with her magic and started to leave. "Well, bye." The rest of the ponies and Spike said their goodbyes and left. Shiro checks the hallways before closing the door, changed back into himself, and locked the room.
"Lenny, we need to make a call." He said.
"Way ahead of you, sir." Lenny replied. There was now a computer keyboard with a roller ball thingy(AU: Anyone who play the game Centipede knows what I'm talking about) sitting on a desk. Shiro walk up to it and turned it on, having a lime-green, two dimensional screen projected from it. He manipulated the device some more and the Ice King appeared on the screen. He was wearing a long black shaggy wig and was singing to one of the Gunthers.
"Daddy, why did you eat my fries
I bought them, and they were mine
Daddy, do you even love me
Well I wish show it
Cuse I wouldn't..."
"Ice King!" interrupted Shiro. When the Ice King realized he'd been watched, he threw off the wig and went closer to his device.
"Shiro, my Major. How goes the mission? Did you warm up Pony Princess?"
"No, Your majesty. We're having trouble getting her to trust us, so there is going to be a bit of a delay in the plan."
"A DELAY?" shouted Ice King "I want my princess, NOW!"
"And you'll get her. I'll call you when we get close to Canterlot. You'll just have to be patient till then. Shiro out." He then turns off the device.
"Aren't you going to let him in on the scam?" asked Lenny.
"Scam? What scam?" said Shiro, sounding confident.
"You know, this whole archaeologist ploy. With these stories of magic knights, and these convincing faux relics." Lenny then grabs the remaining journal and skims through it "Like this book here. It looks like an old journal. It even has crusty pages, faded text, and a fancy paw writing...That looks nothing like yours. Wait, these are REAL artifacts?"
"Yep."
"And there really IS a shrine under Canterlot?"
"That's what I'm hoping."
"Great, I should have known this was just another treasure hunt. And wouldn't the Ice King find out about this?"
"Dought it. I never suspected before." Shiro then reaches for the carved bone from before and stares at it. "And soon my journey would be at an end. Now get some sleep, we have a big day tomarrow."
Ice King and Gunther(c) Pendleton Ward
Shiro/Snow Strider and Lenny(c) yours truly
Everyone(pony) else(c) Hasbro