A/N: so yeah. Important note: So some of you may notice that this story isn't as connected as before and recent chapters have been mostly filler. I too have noticed that and am trying to direct the story back to a main story line and you will see that happening noticeably in the next chapter released.
Chapter 19:
. The dark damp circular staircase seemed to never end and descend to the very center of the earth. Hoof steps continued to fill the infinitely deep path.
"Sister, we have been descending for a while now. How much longer will we have to go?" asked Luna ", We haven't had to use the secret archives in so long."
"Do not worry. We are almost there," replied Celestia ", After our little, conflict involving the moon, I had an extra room soley for ancient artifacts from the Ancients."
"But what is the point?" asked Luna ", The public already know of the legends of the old race and already there are museums out there."
"Yes Luna," said Celestia ", However, those artifacts are the only ones approved by the public. I probably should have told you this much much earlier but I never saw the immediate need to until know."
"Then tell me dear sister," said Luna ", What lies in our archives?"
"You do remember that 'nuclear bomb' GLaDOS had described?" said Celestia
"Thou has more of that monstrosity in there!?" said Luna
"Not exactly sister," said Celestia ", You will see."
At that moment, they finally reached the bottom of the stairway and were faced with a multitude of gigantic gates enchanted with inscriptions and carvings. Celestia chose the correct one and went right up to it. With a glow of her horn, Celestia powered her magic through and unlocked the door.
Once the gate fully opened, Luna slightly gasped out of the immense size of the room and variety of things kept there.
Some items she recognized from the Labarotories. Miscalaneous items were spread around on shelves and on the floor. Luna trotted up to the nearest shelf and examined a rusted metal cylinder-shaped object.
"Coca Cola?" she read. She glanced to the next item. A printed photo of what seemed to be two Ancients. It was rather weathered but Luna could see what it shown. One Ancient smiling and putting its hand up where all but two fingers were closed up. The other Ancient was also smiling while putting its arms around the shoulders of the first.
The Third item was a small black rectangular device. It had a button which Luna noticed. She remembered watching scientist ponies with their moniters. She pressed the button with her magic but to no effect. She tried again multiple times.
"Its no use Luna," said Celestia ", That specific piece does not work. Most technology has already been given to our scientists to study though some things here still do work. Like this one."
Celestia walked up to a nearby shelf and levitated a small metal box with her magic. She opened the hatch and flicked the switch and a smale flame ignited and sprung to life.
"Whats this dear sister?" asked Luna ", I see a flame but sense no magic in the works."
"Well it is just one of the vast amount of things we have discovered over the years," said Celestia ", But that is not what I wanted to show you today. Follow me."
As Luna followed her sister deep into the archives, more and more things passed by. There were many strange things. She saw things ranging from simple everyday items such as cups, toys, and pencils. Other things she saw made no sense such as a pad-shaped object with multiple buttons, strange metal wrappings, and bottles made of a strange substance that looked like glass but was too light and bendable. Some looked like metal carriages missing a few wheels. Some had none at all.
However, as they treked further into the archives, they reached the dangerous section. Luna held back small gasps as she saw items closely resembling the weapons that the metal beings used against the Griffons.
Black and brown guns litered the shelves. However, Luna did see that many ranged in quality and some looked more sophisticated. Other things also did not make sense such as a rack of sword hilts missing their blade.
"Luna," began Celestia ",I know you do not like to think of this, but I need to ask you if you remember seeing anything unnatural on the moon when you were Nightmare Moon?"
"remember?" asked Luna, she took a step back unconsciously.
"Please Luna, it is important," said Celestia.
"Alright, then I shall try," said Luna. She thought back hard ", I remember, a large dome. Inside, there were buildings that I took refuge in and to keep entertained, but I never thoguht about it until now. Tell me sister. Why must you know?"
"Because of this," said Celestia motioning to the end of the room.
It just looked like a black/gold metal cylinder that had been torn apart. Wires and other green and black parts poked out and many burn marks and dents were present. On its sides, a rectangle-shaped pad extended outwards but stopped at crack where the rest had been missing.
"Sister, what is this?" asked Luna.
"Ancient Technology," said Celestia ", After much research and study, we believe this one of the things GLaDOS called a sattelite. Ancient Technology used to reach space."
"Space?" asked Luna ", But that is impossible. Space does not have any air to breath or things to feed us. I only survived because I was an Alicorn."
"You are right Luna," said Celestia ", This craft does not seem to support life and seems to serve other purposes but we have found other crafts. For instance."
Celestia levitated a picture from a shelf.
"This is a picture taken by ambassadors to the Dragon Land a long time ago," said Celestia
Luna glanced at the picture. It was the outskirts of the the mountains and in a crater sat an enormous black metal craft the size bigger than the royal castle. It had been broken into two peices. The front half cracked from the back. Ancient technology littered the area and the area just waiting to be explored.
"When we talked with the Dragon Lord at the time, he told us that the ship had been stuck there ever since they could remember but they never explored it. When we asked why, he told us that whenever a dragon tried to approach, an invisible poison incurable poison would take ahold of the explorer who would soon die." said Celestia ", Now this brings us to why I brought you here today."
"And that is?" asked Luna
"We already have a considerable amount of ancient technology. Though it is old, it is still far more advanced than we can ever dream of. However, much of our current technology is based off of their basic technology and we are starting to understand more. Ever since we discovered their weapons, I banned any attempt at replicating them. However, after seeing the Aperture science facilities, I am considering lifting that ban."
"But how could you," said Luna
"Think of it Luna. We are faced with a facility far more powerful than us and far more advanced. They cut through the Griffon armies, the strongest in the world, like a hot knife through butter. Though I am greatful of their offers and actions to share their knowledge with us, we still must be able to defend ourselves against such a force. We cannot simply sit idly while a force annihalates the Griffon country with ease."
"But sister," began Luna ", You have seen firsthand the potential destruction these weapons can bring."
"I know Luna," said Celestia ", That is why I said 'consider'."
"Ugh. Where am I?"
A blinding light forced their ways past her eyelids. She opened them to get a glance of the ceiling. Lights were present and as she looked around herself. It was a purely white room. Beneath her was a bed and pillow that felt suprisingly comfortable. It made her want to fall asleep again until she noticed other things in the room. Strange tall devices were placed next to her bed with smaller devices sticking out. One of which extended a tubing with a syringe needle that poked right into her front leg.
She nearly freaked out until she realized that it did not hurt for some strange reason.
*beep beep beep
*click
Rainbow Dash flinched as the door opened and one of the Medic-bots wheeled in. The mechanical doctor stared her in the eye. Rainbow Dash stared back unsure what to do. The Medic-bot took out a small tool, pointed it at her, and pressed a button. After examining the device, the Medic-Bot turned around and opened the door.
"Rainbow Dash!"
In came the rest of the Mane Six.
"Rainbow Dash!" scolded AppleJack ", Now what were yah think'n tryn tah fly that high? Yah coulda killed yourself had it not been for these kind fellows."
"Killed myself?" asked Rainbow Dash ", What are you-"
"Remember?," said Twilight ", You fell from the upper atmospheres of the planet! You were covered in ice, shivering and dead cold."
"Wha-,' began Rainbow Dash. It was then when it all came back to her. The giant ship, her pursuit attempts, and passing out.
"Oh be gentle on her," said Rarity ", Poor dear probably doesn't remember all that from passing out."
"Nonono," said Rainbow Dash ", I perfectly remember. It was just so-'
"So what? Fast? Weird? Awesome? ," yelled Pinkie Pie. She hopped up and down as she always did.
"-Cold," said Rainbow Dash. Though she did not feel it at the moment, she shivered from the memory of freezing alive.
"Well its okay cause you're safe now," said Fluttershy ", These nice doctors were kind enough to take you in."
The Medic-bot directed its gaze to the yellow pegasus. It said nothing and just picked up a nearby PDA and read the contents.
"Hey Twilight," said Rainbow ", Where the hay am I?"
"Oh well um," began Twilight ", We're inside Aperture."
"Wait what?" said Rainbow Dash ", Back here again?"
She glanced around the room.
"Well it would explain the pure whiteness... ugh... so bland," said Rainbow Dash. She threw her back on to the bed and put an arm over her eyes.
The Medic-bot, however, noticed her comment and pressed the PDA. With a few consecutive beeps, the entire walls of the room morphed into a bright shade of blue.
Every pony present jumped up in suprise and looked all around.
"Agh! what happened to the walls!?" shouted Pinkie Pie. She ran up to it and poked it with her hoof.
"Oh my," said Rarity", Walls that can change color."
"Yes actually. We can create synthetic material that alters the the light radiation absorbed and radiated." said the voice of the Morality Core.
The door opened once more and the purple eyed sphere hovered in.
"wow," mused Rarity ", I thought certain feats were only accomplishable by magic."
"Well in Aperture, Everything is done in the name of science where no goal is out of reach and anything is possible," said Morality.
"AAAAAANYTHING?" asked Pinkie Pie with. The pink mare narrowed her eyes and gazed at Morality.
"Yeah," said Rainbow Dash ", They can pretty much do ANYTHING they want. Ridiculous if you ask me."
"Ridiculous?" said Twilight.
The Morality sphere took offense to that, narrowed its lids and closed in on Rainbow Dash
"And that brings our topic of discussion to YOU Ms. Dash!" scolded Morality.
The blue mare unconsciously flinched and sunk into her covers a bit more.
"Attempting to follow a rocket out of orbit!? As simple as your mind must be, even you must know that organic life cannot survive in the harsh conditions of space!" said Morality.
"Hey who are you calling simple!?" said Rainbow Dash annoyed.
"YOU!" screamed Morality ", Don't play sass with me! Your actions nearly cost your own life and thanks to us, you survived! None of your incompetent doctors of your primitive race could've saved your frail condition! They are still too busy fuming over our Medi-gun technology to actually understand it!"
Twilight flinched from the comment.
"Uhhh," said Rainbow Dash. She sunk further into her covers to escape the gaze of the angry personality core.
"Wait did you say space?" asked Twilight.
"But that can't be right," said Fluttershy ", nothing can live in space."
Everyone pointed their eyes towards her. The shy mare hid her face behind her long pink hair.
"Well um, In flight school they taught us to not fly too high or we'll reach space where no being pony or animal can survive." said Fluttershy "Also that we really had no magic or wings that can really go that high."
"That is correct Fluttershy. Very good," complemented Morality
"Oh its nothing," said Fluttershy
" The void of space does not contain any breathable oxegyn, water, food, or anything else. In fact, the lack of pressure would simply force beings such as yourselves without protection to literally pop open and die." said Morality.
"But you managed to reach there?" asked Twilight.
"Yes we-" began Morality
"Ohmygosh! Howisthatevenpossible!? Noballooncouldreachthathigh! Canyoushowme!?" spoke Twilight in an uncomprehensable voice.
"Well," said Morality ", You're balloons are far from efficient and explaining how we did it would take a very long time considering the amount of detail you desire. However, we CAN show you."
"You understood all that?" said Rainbow Dash. The fear in her mostly gone as she rose from her covers.
"Well it was no hard task," said Morality ", We are fast processing supercomputers after all."
"Never mind that!" said Twilight ", You can show us!?"
"No!" Screamed Morality.
All ponies in the room backed off a bit.
"We have already had enough trouble trying to modernize your society with slow success! I definitely should have went slower on the intro."
"But theres just so much knowledge just waiting to be learned!" complained Twilight.
Morality rolled her eye in a circle.
"I must admit that I admire you Twilight for excelling beyond your race's capacity but this is something I am NOT willing to share at this point! Now have a good day."
Before any could respond, the six ponies were enveloped by a white crackling energy and disappeared with a bang. They would later find themselves in the middle of Ponyville.
Griffonstone was in absolute glumness. The city's population had been lowered and the dicord ran amond the populous. In the castle of Griffonstone, the senators and emporor Gerues discussed the current events.
The entire senate was split into two sides. Ones clinging onto the war effort and ones against it. While the two sides went at each others' throats, Emporor Gereus sat in his chair with his head resting on his hand.
"Can you not see it!? We are losing this war and are facing heavy casualties! We cannot sustain our forces much longer."
"Nonsense! We are the best in the world! Our forces are far above the rest and even worthy to fight against the Dragon Land! Our technology far surpasses anyone else and we could simply draft more to join the army."
"An army marching towards their death! My nephew was one of the lucky survivors of the west coast invasion. Metal bipedal beings, resembling what we believe are the Ancients, brandished weapons that spat metal fire at unbelievable rates. Indestructable tanks fired explosive magic . Metal birds many times smaller than our airships flew with greater speeds and used explosion magic too to down our ships with ease."
"Bah! This is just the magic of the Ponies. We beat it before and we can beat it again."
"That would be fine if it was unicorn magic except it is not. The metal beings are from a nation in the earth known as Aperture. They claim to be living technology from the Ancients and responsible for the huge energy wave we detected."
"Impossible! such feats cannot be done. This must be the magic of the unicorns. The Ancients are far gone and so is their technology. None of which have survived. This must be a new magic that the Princesses have discovered. Enchanting metal instead of stone."
"Wrong! The ponies could not have possibly have done this. Aperture is very much real and we have angered a sleeping giant. We cannot possibly win."
"Of course we can! We-"
The fighting just continued and progressively became worse and worse. The emporor sighed as it got worse. He had never wanted a war started. It was these idiotic senators who wanted to quickly show the pride of the Griffon Empire in the first place. Now the kingdom had to pay the price. Gereus longed for the conflict to end but could not afford defeat. The losses already suffered could be paid off for from a winners demands. however, they were nowhere close to winning the war. However, loosing would permanently damage the Empire's repuatation and allow the opposing force to take political and military power overtaking the Griffon Empire. There was only one option left. To fight fire with fire.
The Emporor held up his claw and the entire senate fell into silence.
"I have listened to your quarrels and have come to a decision." said the emporor ", Whether it be unicorn magic or real Ancient technology, it is still a deadly force. And as it seems, we are loosing."
Unrest flowed through the senate from the Emporor's words.
"However," began Gereus ", As you know, much of our destructive power is derived from artifacts from the Ancients. Some of which are similar to the weapons our army faces against. Some which are far more advanced. However, with the current time we have, we cannot foward our technology enough."
Murmurs spread around the Senate.
"As i have stated before, we ourselves cannot understand and mass produce these weapons and technology fast enough. However, if we were able to capture one of these Ancients, then we would have the full power of their knowledge and power in our claws."
A senator spoke up ", But your majesty, how would we achieve such a feat?"
Emporor Gereus smiled ', Our mages have been working on magic similar to that of unicorn magic, Time travel. If we succeed, then we will be able to go back in time, capture an Ancient, bring it back, and force it to create its technology for us."
"But the Ancients were highly advanced," said teh Senator ", How would we be able to capture them?"
"We only need one. The losses will be great, but it will be worth it," said Gereus "Gelenes!"
"Yes my lord?" spoke a raspy old female voice. A griffon in a black cloack flew from behind the throne up to the emperor.
"Work fast on your magic. We will need it soon," said Emporor Gereus.
"As you wish your majesty," said Gelenes who flew away.
To be continued...