//------------------------------// // Arrival // Story: The First Ruler // by TheWulf05 //------------------------------// Marestream The trip had surprisingly gone smoothly for the Marestream so far. The weather had been a surprising calm. Which shocked everypony as when they would usually journey with the Marestream, it would be bad weather all of the time. Hopefully this adventure would be a nice one. This was Sprout's first time outside of Maretime Bay. He remembered as a foal that anything outside of Maretime Bay was seen as uncharted lands. He was told of the mind melting lasers of the unicorns or the foal-eating pegasi. All of those lies intertwined into his mind and made him very paranoid. He made dumb choices which almost costed the life of one of his friends because of the propaganda put into his mind. Even though he was forgiven and accepted back to Maretime Bay, Sprout felt like an outcast and felt alone, until he met Misty. Meeting Misty felt like a chance encounter for Spout. Misty has a very similar story to him, besides her adoptive mother being a alicorn. Ever since meeting her, Spout has forgiven himself and as been trying to improve his relationship with the ponies around him. He also has been dating Misty since that day. It was awkward when Alphabittle and Misty reunited again. He thought he was going to take her away like Opaline had done. But he has come around and sees Spout as a perfect coltfriend for Misty. Spout hopes this will be the day he asks the question to her when the time is right. Marestream The group have been flying for about an hour. But they knew that they were close to Zephyr Heights as they can see the large buildings that gives the city its shape. "Alright everypony", Zipp said with the Marestream's speakers ,"Were on approach to Zephyr Heights and we ask all passengers to buckle up on our landing". After the message ended everypony started to buckle up as they approach the landing pad on the royal palace. Zipp kept a steady pace as the prepared to land. She has done these many times before and she knew it was be a breeze as the weather was surprisingly calm. Maybe they will have a great day today. Zipp was calm as she leveled out the Marestream and felt the light bump as the wheels touched the ground indicating her success. After she turned off the Marestream she turned to her friends and gave a small nod, "We have arrived everypony, now lets get this adventure started". After Zipp said this, everypony started to leave the Marestream, starting thier journey to explore those ruins. The Royal Palace Two royal guards started to approach the group. The guard to their right was a cyan pegasus stallion, while the guard to their left was a violet mare. What was their names again?, thought Sunny as she look at them. "Hi Zoom, hey Thunder, has mom been", Pipp said. Zoom and Thunder gave a quick glance and looked back at Pipp. "To be honest, the queen has put us through the ringer especially Zoom", said Thunder. Zoom lowered her head and nodded in agreement. "Yup", Zoom said, "Especially when she has her mood swings and needs a mare to talk to". "But she has gave me and Thunder great advice, especially since I found out" , as Zoom rubbed her stomach. Pipp gave a soft smile and gave Zoom and Thunder a look of reassurance. "Hope the foal does well", Pipp said. After that conversation Zoom and Thunder motioned everypony to enter the castle. As the group walked in Zipp and Pipp recollected about their childhoods growing up in the castle. They remembered the same halls they caused chaos to their mother those years ago. From their happiest and to their saddest they were glad to be back, at least for this one day. Sprout had never been to Zephyr Heights before. He's only seen it from Pipp's streams or the recollections that Misty always told him. But now being here was excited to be here. For him the royal palace sold him the city already, but knowing what it lead to just made him jump in exactment and the sisters noticed. "So, you like the place?', Zipp said. "I really do", Sprout responded, "How was it like growing up here, with all of these guards and fancy items you have?'. Zipp's expression waned a little, "For me it was like a cage. Mostly because we had no magic and couldn't fly". Zipp adjusted her hair a little, "I would remember all of these stores mom would tell me and Pipp". "She would tell us the legend of the First Ruler, and how she could still fly after all of the pegasi lost their ability to fly". Zipp gave a small smile, "The First Ruler was a beacon of hope and now that we may have found her castle makes me glad for those stories". Pipp then interrupted, "Were at mom's door everypony look your best". As the group stopped Zoom and Thunder gave a small knock on the magenta door. "Your royal highness, Princess Zipp, Pipp and here friends are here to meet you", Thunder said. "All right tell them to come in", said another voice on the other side of the door. Zoom opened the door and the group entered the room. The room was modest at best. There was a queen sized bed on the right side of the room, a small desk with papers on the left side of the room and a large T.V. on the wall. In the middle of the room there was a pony waiting for them. This pony was in their late 30's to early 40's. This pony was obviously a mare. She had a pink fur coat with grey and purple mane color. A glaring detail was that she was pregnant, mostly at the end of her pregnancy. The final dental was she was wearing a large crown with a purple jewel. This pony was Queen Haven, ruler of Zephyr Heights. Queen Haven then gave a small smile, "Zipp, Pipp, how are my daughters doing at this time". "Hey mom how has your pregnancy been?", said Zipp. Both princesses approached thier mother and gave her a small hug."Well besides forgetting how heavy the foal is and putting Alphie through the ringer, its been great. ", Haven said "You still don't know the foals gender?", Pipp said. "Well we both wanted it to be a surprise", Haven quickly answered. Pipp then gave a small nod and Haven noticed the others in the room, "Oh hello there, sorry I didn't notice you guys, I'm glad you came", Haven responded. As everyypony started to get comfortable in the room Haven brought out a map of Zephyr Heights. "Alright if you don't remember why I've told you to come here, this is a possibly history development we may have found, do you know what were talking about" , Haven said giving everypony a glance. Sunny then raised her hoof to answer her question. "It was you guys possibly finding the ruins of an ancient castle, correct?", Sunny said. Haven nodded to conform Sunny's answer . Haven then pointed at a area of Zephyr Heights to gave more explanation. "As you know, ever since ponykind has reunited there has been a large population influx in Zephyr Heights. So the city had decided to build on the demolished lot that once held.......the Bucephalus", Pipp, Zipp, & Haven dropped their ears when the last word was said. Which got the rest of the groups attention. "Haven what do you mean Bucephalus?", Sunny asked innocently. Haven then raised her head and looked at her. "It was a nightclub that burned down 18 years ago", she said in a melancholy voice. It caused the others to gasp while Pipp and Zipp were silent. "Was everypony okay?" asked Izzy. Haven shook her head slowly. "No, I was there that day." Haven started to choke up, "I heard so many screams. Ponies crying for their family and friends" Everypony was either in shock or in tears. "We lost 435 that day, including my first husband" Haven started to tear up. "Rex" Sniff "I wish you were here", After that Haven started to cry. Which caused Pipp and Zipp to hug their mother in a soft cry. "That is horrible", said Misty sniffling as she was hugging Sprout who was also sniffling. Hitch didn't have any emotion as he was still processing was was said. Izzy had walked over to Pipp, Zipp, & Haven crying along with them. But Sunny took it the hardest as losing a parental figure was all to familiar to her. Time seemed to be frozen in that moment but, somehow, the other went over to Haven and the sisters to console them. While it happened many years ago, the scars still haven't healed. "Here", Sprout said holding a small container that held lemonade, "This should make you feel better". Haven looked at the pink drink and took it from his hooves. "Thank you", she softly said as she drunk the lemonade. After drinking she took a couple of breaths. "I'm sorry you had to see that" she said as she was wiping her tears. "It never gets any easier after so long". A few moments later everypony seemed calm even though they were still feeling a sad. "Anyways as were surveying the land we something interesting". "What was it?", asked Hitch. "What we found were coins and a armor set". Pipp then gave a slightly confused look at her mother, "Mom, not to be rude, but don't we have ancient armor sets at the Zephyr Heights History Museum?" Haven then quickly replied, "Well that's what we thought at first but what gave it away was the design of the coins." Haven then pulled out two coins, "The one on the right is the one of King Artemis while this on is of an unknown ruler. We initially thought it was one of the earlier monarchs of Zephyr Heights based on the more early coin design., but there wasn't a match in out databases." Zipp started to write down notes. "Then we decided to date the armor to see how it was, and the results were shocking." Haven then shuffled her chair, "The armor is believed the be 1000 years old." With that result everypony was shocked to know the age of these artifacts. Haven then continued, "But the kicker was that the first name of any ruler of Zephyr Heights was King Windy Ventosos who was the second monarch. That only recorded back to 900 years, and any records from those 100 years were lost." Haven gave everypony a look. "This means that we might have a possibly have some evidence on who the first ruler was". Pipp then asked a question, "Ok, do you want us to go to the site and explore it"? Haven gave Pipp a nod. "Yes we have been excavating the area for a few days now and we have found some rooms which are castle like in nature so the evidence is pretty high". Haven then gave some lanyards to the group. "What are these, their designs are sparkletastic", shouted Izzy . Haven gave a small chuckle and answered, "Well since construction was halted, archeology teams have came to record the site". "You will need these to have access.", Haven then gave a small gesture to the door, "I wish you the best luck and contact me if you need help and don't forget to send pictures". "We will thanks", said Zipp. As everypony was about to leave Hitch walked up to Haven. "Oh I almost forgot. Would you be able to watch Sparky"? "Sure Hitch, I am here to help." Haven then leaned to Hitch's ear, "Don't worry you have my blessing". Haven gave a wink and Hitch was starting to blush. "W..eee....lll lets start getting to the Artemis District won't we", Hitch stammered. After that everyone left Haven's room starting this new adventure. They were glad that this could be history in the making.