The city was in ruins, as were many others. And as with many others, rebuilding was in progress. Attempts at it at least, the early stages, digging through the rubble to find anything of value, moving things out of the way so it was possible to pass through. It was a slow process, and one not many enjoyed.
But it was a necessity, and there were always those willing to help. Not always out of the goodness of their heart though. It wasn't unheard of for some to keep what they found for themselves, and perhaps it wasn't unusual either. But at least the rubble was moved, and work moved on.
It was in one of those circumstances that the first scale was found. The first recorded finding, at least. Of course, no one knew what it was at the time, all they knew was that they'd never seen anything like it. And so, of course, everyone could guess it was there because of the Behemoth.
This caused quite a bit of controversy, at the time. Some wanted to get rid of it. Some wanted to study it. Some didn't want to even acknowledge it was there, and a few were rather interested in getting a good look at it. But, of course, the final decision came to the pony who'd found it. Though, arguably, only because the mare whose house he'd found it in was all in favour of getting rid of it.
Stone Brick, on the other hoof, happened to be among those interested in keeping the thing for himself. If nothing else, he thought it looked pretty, with its oddly glittering colour. He recalled quite well how he'd first found it, and how he'd not been the only one there.
There had been another stallion. Both of them were there to steal. Both of them knew they were there to steal. And so, of course, both of them had to pretend they were there to help. It had been only by luck that Stone had happened to spot the scale before the other. It had felt like the thing was calling for him, and luckily, it had fit beneath his hat. A quick sleigh of hoof had been all it took to hide it while the other was turned.
And so the first scale was found, back when they weren't yet even known as scales. A few more popped up around Equestria before the term came in use, after one was sold to Princess Twilight. Selling did seem to be the only use they had, but Stone didn't sell his. He felt there was something more there. Something to uncover.
And so much did that thought gnaw at him, that Stone Brick left the city a few months later, headed to the castle where Princess Twilight was said to be studying the scales.