Chapter 1
The sound of waves all around me was the first thing I had heard. I had not remembered how it was I got here, but here I was standing on a beach. A quick look around told me this area had not seen civilization in many years. Crumbling buildings, and one that really stuck out. The architecture of it resembled something you might see from a time long ago and somewhat familiar...though how I knew this was still a mystery to me...
I began walking towards the ruin, hoof-steps echoing throughout the surrounding area. There was no one here but me, an uneasy yet peaceful solace. Though even if it had seemed there was no one around it still seemed as someone was watching me. I gave quick glances behind me every now and then to keep my mind at ease.
The building was actually much larger than I first thought when I was approaching it. The steps had been worn down with cracks and moss, the occasional missing step. It was to be a long climb up these stairs, but there was just something that made me want to keep going. As if there was a reason I was to be there.
As I approached the top of the stairs I beheld a sight that was both magnificent and intimidating. A large doorway covered in exoctic symbols and an plentiful amount of plant life growing all around the area.
The closer I’d gotten to the door the more unrest I had felt. A sudden shift in the wind was enough to stir me up. Once I reached the door the urge to touch it overcame me. I hadn’t known why, perhaps out of curiosity. With that touch of a hoof the door sprang to life, three symbols lit up in quick succession and it slid open slowly. The inside was pitch black aside from the light being allowed entry from the now opened doorway. Figuring that if I had come this far, why not continue. There wasn’t really that much to return to anyway.
Just as my hoof came in contact with the floor inside a light came out of the ceiling, and shortly after that another, and so on. The path ahead of me was now illuminated in artificial light. How this would be possible in such an old looking building I had yet to find out. Though staying at the entrance would not answer my questions.
As I had gotten farther away from the entrance it seemed to be closing on its own. This had guaranteed me no exit and I am now forced to continue on. The hallway itself was surprisingly large as it had taken me at least three minutes to get within viewing distance of the door I now had laid eyes on. This one was different from the one outside though, it seemed simpler yet made of metal.
Upon closer inspection of the door it seemed to have a slot big enough for a hoof to fit in. Not being able to go back the way I came putting my hoof in it couldn’t hurt, I suppose at least... There was a sound emanating from the slot which finished with the words “Access Granted.”
With a quick movement the door had slid open to the sides much like the one outside, yet this time almost in a second. The speed of which the door had opened wasn’t what caught my attention though. It was what was behind the door that did. Another hallway, but made of purely metal, even the floors. With a swooshing sound the metal door closed behind me.
The hallway extended in two directions. There was one to the left and one to the right, which the latter showed more promise as there was a window of sorts that I could see from where I was. I slowly trotted over to the window, my hooves clanking off the metal. Sounds of more than just my steps were beginning to appear the closer I’d gotten to the window however. It was like nothing I’d ever heard before, but the sight was far more outlandish.
A reflection from the window gave me a good look at what my current physical situation was. For the most part I was alright, nothing out of the ordinary. Yet as I’m looking at myself I also see what is happening behind the glass. A large factory of sorts constructing...ponies. There was something odd about them though. Not in the sense of just being made or anything, but what they resembled. Me.
There wasn’t much more for me to see here so I figured it was best to move on. So I continued down the hallway, which led to more stairs. How many stairs does a place need anyways? A sudden noise from behind startled me so much it kept me from moving. A high pitched growl from the passage I had come from.
After a few seconds of being unable to move I finally acquired the strength to do so, yet at this time something had came around the corner at the base of the stairs. It Had the form of a pony yet it, like the rest of this place, was made of metal. The eyes of the machination burned red as it stared directly at me. My mind was telling me to run and my body agreed.
With a sudden burst of strength I had gained a little distance from the thing. Though a door stood in my way and I had to go through the whole process of opening it again. Here's hoping that it would shut quickly behind me... Within a second the door opened to reveal the outside world once again, but not the exit I was hoping for. I had been led to a balcony of sorts. Putting my front hooves on the railing I searched for anyplace that could be used to escape. To my luck there was a platform a little bit down. I could also see the beach from where I first found myself, but there was something standing on it, facing towards this building...What's this...blood?...
With that, the lost pony fell from the balcony, eyes flickering off, and landing into a pile of familiar faces.
The sound of waves all around me was the first thing I had heard. I had not remembered how it was I got here, but here I was standing on a beach...