The day of the science fair was finally here. Ponyville's Town hall was filled to the brim with the science fair projects of the fillies and colts of Cheerilee's school. Each station was lined up in rows of ten to fifteen. Every grade level student was giving their own presentation as the judges walked by.
The five judges, Ms Cheerilee, Applejack, Zecora, Filthy Rich, and Jeff, the sea serpent, examined each project. They all watched and listened as the students gave their presentations. Cheerilee gave them points for effort. Applejack looked for functionality in the design. Zecora watched for any mystical and wondrous properties. Rich expected beneficial aspects while looking to invest in anything that could bring bits to his pockets. Jeff looked forward to seeing sheik and style in the mix of the projects.
The students who worked solo on their projects were somewhere between enthusiastic, nervous, or just embarrassed. Many of the students who decided to collaborate together tried to steal the show from one another, couldn't remember what to say, forgot who was going to talk about what.
However, that wasn't the case for Teotle, Nyx, and Daydreamer. They had rehearsed their lines over and over again to each other days in advance. They know every detail of their project all down to the numbers, every step, every calculation, even every mishap during the build itself. When the judges had finished watching the presentation next to them, the three of them were ready.
Twilight, Spike, and Starlight had arrived to see the arcs presentation. They were pumped to see the end product of their hard work. They stood behind the judges with Daydreamer's parents, who were more then happy to support their son's new friendships.
Nyx began and said, "Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to our little corner of the future."
Teotle picked up the arc from the table, where they had their notes all taped to a big poster board for all to see. He then taped the arc with his finger and said, "Arc, say hello to these fine people."
"Hello." the arc said in response. "It is nice to finally meet you all. I have looked forward to this day for quite a while now."
Daydreamer then said, "This is the Arc, a crystal cube that is capable of containing the memory and intelligence of certain people from all across the many different kingdoms of the world. Teotle had scattered the arc in pieces and sent them to each civilization we've made allies with over the years."
"What benefits does the Arc have for society today?" asked Rich.
Teotle then said, "The Arc can calculate and simulate different possible variables within its matrix's to make solutions to our problems."
"What problems?" Jeff asked, raising his shoulders.
"Problems with medicine, society, politics, anything." Nyx replied. "If we are under attack, or if we are at war, the arc will be able to find a wide variety of resolves for both sides."
"What else does it do other than talk?" Applejack asked.
"The Arc can also cast spells using the magic and spirit energy that it occurs naturally in the world around it." Said Teotle. "The Arc, so far, can use transfiguration, telekinesis, teleportation, deconstruction and reconstruction."
The judges listened intently, then Cheerilee asked, "Why do you think we need this device?"
"Well..." Teotle replied. "Are you aware that the Crystal Empire has a similar item called the Crystal Heart?"
Day Dreamer then said, "Teotle explained to us that the Crystal Heart also has knowledge and memory inside it, and it increases every time a baby is born there."
Nyx went on and said, "When a baby is born in the Crystal Empire, they have a ceremony called a Crystaling, when that baby is accepted as a resident to the empire. During the Crystaling, the baby pours it's love into a crystal shard, that shard is then placed into the Crystal Heart, making it stronger."
Teotle went on and said, "The Arc is a small prototype of that same principle."
Suddenly, the Arc spoke in a dark voice, saying, "Which is why it is the perfect part to my plans." The Arc began to change from blue to purple and then to red. It flew out from Teotle's paw and projected a dark magical energy, which Teotle was all too familiar with after he tried to fight it a nearly a week ago.
The energy then started to take the shape of a familiar pony, Sombra. He looked down at everypony with pure joy, for he had finally taken what he wanted from the start, control over the Arc and its power. He looked down art Teotle and Nyx, who had struck battle stances, ready to defend the other ponies in town hall.
"How are you back?!" Nyx shouted.
"Before your mother and her friends used the Elements of Harmony, I put part of myself into the Arc, allowing my spirit to take control of it." Sombra said gloatingly. "I must say, you three have done so well in helping me in my return. If you hadn't foolishly made this power, I would still be a lingering spirit. I should thank you for this, however, I would enjoy it more If I just kill you."
And just like that, Sombra swooped down at them and surrounded them with a wall of dark crystal. Everypony in the fair saw all that had happened and were now in a huge panic, screaming and running away from Sombra's wrath.
Applejack was the only pony that stayed put, for she didn't want to leave the three kids behind. She knew that Applebloom and the others were being watched by Rarity, so they were safe for now, but Applejack had to stay and watch closely for any sign of life inside the crystal barrier Sombra had made until Twilight and the others arrived to help.