The Guardian

by InsaneBatPony


What is it?

1

Morning came and Luna felt as brisk as a school filly. She had finally been released from the Hospital and was ready to attend to her duties as Princess of the Night once again. But her duties would have to wait, she and Celestia were heading to the dungeons to check on their unusual prisoner. They walked into the back of the castle and Celestia opened the large door. Emblazoned on the front of the door were the words 'Dungeons: Do not use unless absolutely necessary.' Luna gulped nervously, she had never been inside the dungeons before.

"Follow me." Celestia said, sternly.

Luna followed her elder sister down the stone steps and into a large room with holding cells lining the room on all sides and the only source of light inside were small torches that lined the walls with meticulous symmetry and order. Luna continued to follow Celestia into the very last holding cell at the back of the dungeons.

"This was used a long time ago to hold the most notorious of villains." Celestia began. "I haven't had to commission its use in over eight-hundred years." she finished angrily. The guards posted outside the door stood at attention and saluted the two Princesses as they neared the holding cell. "At ease, all of you. Is the creature still silent?"

"Yes, Princess. It hasn't moved since it arrived here." the guard answered.

"And the scientists inside?"

"Safe and all accounted for."

"Good. Open the doors."

The guard nodded to his compatriot and they opened the large metal doors into the cell. Luna took in the sights of the cell, bleak, dank, and ominous, all the traits of a normal dungeon cell. She continued to look around and noticed that this cell was much larger than the others. It had metal contraptions pushed up against the walls that were rusted and beyond repair. Celestia and Luna walked in to see four ponies walking around taking pictures and comparing notes with each other. There were tables and desks littered with books, papers, and pictures. Luna looked past them and saw the "dead" Volos chained to a wall and suspended about a foot off the ground. His hands were shackled to the wall with extra chains on his arms to keep them immobilized. His legs did not fare much better, they too had massive amounts of chains wrapped around them and were shackled to the walls using makeshift shackles because of his large legs.

"How goes the research, everypony?" Celestia asked as she walked over to the four ponies. A dark brown Earth Pony walked up to greet the Princess after setting down a notebook and pencil. "Mr. Alpha Bone, how is everything going?"

"Princess, this specimen presents an incredible opportunity to Pony science." he said, excitedly. "This creature is composed of an unknown metal type, organic tissue, and has physical mechanics that are different from every cataloged animal in Equestria." he stated, barely able to contain his excitement. "The only thing that truly disturbs me is that it has only three organs, so far as I can tell." This caught Celestia and Luna's immediate attention. "Yes, I had the same look when I found out as well. its chest cavity is nearly void of organs." Alpha Bone, Luna, and Celestia walked over to the immobilized Volos. "From what I can tell, this here is the heart and these two sacks are its lungs." he pointed to each organ, respectively. "Other than that, I see no other organs for it to function." He began to point to the exposed parts of his arms. "From what I can see behind all these chains, is that it has muscle tissue and fibers running throughout its arms. As for its legs, I'm not sure. They appear to be made of a very strong metal." Alpha Bone sighed. "I wish I could have studied this when it was living. I would have loved to see it in its natural environment."

"Have you determined if it shares any similarities to any other creatures in Equestria?" Luna asked after a while, and some deep thinking.

"That's just it Princess. It shares no similarities to any other animal or Pony in Equestria. We even tried to compare it to the known animals in the Griffon Kingdom, the land of the Zebras and the Realm of Dragons, no matches." Alpha Bone replied.

"Extinct Races or early civilizations?" Luna asked again.

"Same result's." he thought for a moment. "There is one Scientist who might know what it could possibly be but she's been away at an excavation site for the past year and a half."

"Who?" Celestia asked.

"Professor Field Dust. She's a little eccentric but knowledgeable. She believes that she was on the verge of discovering some ancient hidden tomb inside Liber Mountain." he said, sarcastically.

"Liber Mountain?" Celestia asked.

"Yes Princess that's one. Do you know something about it?"

"No, not really." Celestia responded, somewhat reserved. "Would Miss Field Dust be able to help you if I asked her come here? Celestia asked.

"Possibly, but I wouldn't count on her though. When she gets as involved into an excavation of something like what she believes to be in Liber Mountain she can become very single minded."

"I see. May we look at it for a moment? I want to get a good look at the creature that gave Luna and I a hard time."

Alpha Bone was dumbfounded. "This thing gave the Princesses a hard time?" he thought. "Of course, Princess." he said moving out of their way.

Alpha Bone moved out of the way of the two sisters as they looked at their strange prisoner. Celestia only looked for a little while before claiming that she had seen enough of it. Luna, however, continued to look at it. She poked her head around as far back as she could with the wall and chains in her way. Luna went back and stood in front of Volos' lifeless body. She moved her eyes from his upper body down to his large legs and examined them closely. She moved her head from his waist down to his foot and back again, doing the same for both appendages. As she inspected his right leg she noticed that there was a small indentation in the shape of a rectangle, easily missed if not scrutinized closely. Luna tapped the small area and nothing happened.

"Luna!" Celestia called, gaining Luna's attention. "Don't touch it." she warned.

"Relax, Celestia. It can't hurt us." she replied, calmly. Luna found the small area again and tapped the spot again. This time they heard a small hissing sound and all of the ponies in the room stopped and watched the Princess. A piece of Volos' thigh opened and revealed a small compartment. Out of this small area popped a small black rectangle. "I think I found something." Luna said, nervously.

Alpha Bone came running over, as did his colleagues. He picked up the black rectangle in his mouth and walked it over to one of the examining tables. Alpha Bone looked at it through one of the large magnifying glasses on the table.

"You definitely found something, Princess. I don't think it's significant though. It looks like a black slab of metal ." he said sadly.

"I thought you were a scientist, Mr. Bone" Celestia said.

"Princess, I am a scientist, I assure you. But this is just a..." he said beginning to tap it. He heard a sound that would not be normal for a solid brick of metal. "Now that's interesting." he said putting his ear down to the box and tapping it again.

"What are you doing?" Luna asked.

"Shh, listen." he told the Princess unceremoniously. Luna made a face but was silent. She watched as Alpha Bone kept tapping the box with his hoof. "Do you hear that?" he asked.

"Hear what?" Luna asked, now more than a little upset at the disrespect she was shown.

Alpha Bone pulled his head back and turned to face the Princesses as well as his coworkers.

"It's hollow."

"What?" A deep green Unicorn, named Gene Splice, asked.

"Yes, it's completely hollow, but has no opening areas." he told them.

"May I?" Luna asked, walking over to the examination table. She looked at the rectangle curiously and continued to examine it by holding it up to her face with her magic. She turned it over at least ten times before setting it back down. She stared at it for a moment. She began to go over it in her mind, every angle and every possible way to open it. In her mind’s eye she could see something different, she could hear a voice talking to her, giving her directions.

"Luna, are you alright?" Celestia asked as she placed a hoof on Luna's shoulder, waking her from her trance.

"What? Oh, yes. I'm fine." she said without looking at her sister. "I think I know how to open it." she said raising her hoof to the table. The others looked at each other with confusion. How could she know how to open something that couldn't be opened? Luna placed her hoof on the box in the center and applied a small amount of pressure. Blue lights began to shine from the surface of the box in strange patterns and hissed as it opened into a flat metal square, revealing the contents inside.

"Princess, how did you open it?" Alpha Bone asked as he came over to inspect the contents.

"I...I have no idea." she gave a pleading look to Celestia.

"Alpha Bone, I'm going to take Luna and go take care of some business. I trust you can handle this?"

"Yes indeed." he said while eyeing the contents on the table. "Princess?" he said after a moment as they turned to leave.

"Yes?" Celestia responded.

"I believe we should send a letter requesting Professor Field Dust to come help with the analysis of these contents. Her field of study is more attuned to artifacts of this nature." he said while eyeing the turned over picture and gold ring.

"Very well." Celestia said as they left the holding cell.

2

Field Dust moved around her excavation site yelling orders and commanding her interns and students. The Sun was lowering in the sky and the sky became an array of different colors as the sun set.

"Another day gone? And we're still not even close to getting inside this blasted mountain. It's like it's made of steel!" she yelled exasperated. She stormed off to the tent that she had been living in the past eighteen months and sat down on the chair in front of her desk. Her assistant Carbon Date, came in carrying a letter that was delivered earlier that day. He tapped on Field Dust's shoulder. "What is it Carbon Date, can't you see I'm mad?"

"Of course I can see that Ms. Dust." he said, sarcasm dripping from his tone. "I have something for you actually." he told her, handing Field Dust the rolled up parchment.

Field Dust looked it over and stopped when she saw the Royal Seal. "Well, that's new."

"What?"

"This is from the Princess, it has the Royal Seal on it." Field Dust broke the seal off and opened the letter. Carbon Date watched as she read the letter. She mumbled the words written on the parchment and when she had finished, jumped out of her seat. "Carbon Date!"

"What?! I'm right behind you! No, need to yell." he yelled back at her.

"Don't take that tone with me mister!" she scolded right back at Carbon Date. Carbon Date sighed in defeat. "Gather my things, I'm going to Canterlot!" she said, excited.

"Now?" he asked, weakly.

"No next week." she deadpanned. "OF COURSE NOW!" she hollered.

"But what about the excavation?"

"Take some time off. Celestia knows I could use the break."

"What did the Princess want?"

"She requested that I come by to examine some artifacts they retrieved from the body of a new species of animal. At least, they think it's an animal."

"They don't know?" he asked, curiously.

"It's never been discovered. Whatever it actually is is anypony's guess you twit." she glared at Carbon Date. "Get moving!"

Carbon Date ran out of the tent to inform the others of this new development and the vacation they were going to receive as well as gathering a few of Field Dust's examining tools from the site. Field Dust sat back down on her chair and continued to look at the letter, reading it again and again.

"Some time analyzing something new will give me a chance to get away from this blasted place." she whispered to herself as she got up and left the tent and went out to where the rest of her team was eating dinner. As she walked up her crew became tense and watched her go up to the head of the table where she usually sat. "Listen up!" she hollered. "Something very important has come up and I'm sure Carbon Date has informed you of the little vacation you all are going to be taking." she heard murmurs among the group. "I don't know how long I will be away but I expect you to be ready to work when I get back to make up for lost time." She heard a collective groan. "ZIP IT!" she yelled. The group of Ponies quickly quieted down. "How you spend your little vacation is up to you, but I don't want to hear anything about getting drunk and causing a scene or anything about Red Light Districts! Because if I do..." she inhaled sharply and scrunched her face. "Well, let's just say you don't want to find out what I'll do to you. You're professionals or soon to be, and I expect nothing less than professionalism even in public. Am I clear?" None answered. "AM I CLEAR!?" she bellowed to her group of students and Interns, who all nodded in agreement. "Good. I will see you when I see you." Field Dust got up and walked out of her excavation site and to the nearest town to book a train ride to Canterlot.

3

Luna and Celestia walked down the long corridors of the Castle, after Luna had raised the moon to its place. Luna had not said a word to Celestia about their time in the dungeons since they had left. Luna was walking much faster than Celestia, who had been growing more worried about her. Celestia began trotting to catch up to her younger sister.

"Luna, tell me what's going on. Please." Celestia pleaded as she caught up to Luna. Luna turned and faced her sister. "How did you know how to open it?" she asked, a concerned look on her face.

"I...I heard a voice telling me how to do it." she whispered.

"What? You heard a voice telling you what to do?"

"Yes." was all Luna could manage.

"Whose voice? Who, Luna?"

"I DON'T KNOW! she yelled, frustrated. "It was... just a voice." she said, shying away from Celestia. "Celestia, I've come to terms with the fact that this thing and I are connected after everything we've been through, but something feels wrong about this whole situation."

"What feels wrong?"

"I'm not sure yet but something about my connection with this creature seems to go deeper than just being able to sense it and see it in my dreams." Luna thought hard for a while before speaking again. "My dreams involving this creature appear to be far too real to be just dreams. It's something more, something deeper."

"Like a memory?" Celestia asked, suspiciously.

"Possibly, but I just don't know."

"Well, for right now I think you and I have had enough excitement for one day. Follow me, I know something that helps me relax after a long day."

Luna looked at her sister questioningly. Celestia motioned for her to follow and Luna decided to see what Celestia had to show her. When they had arrived at her room, Celestia opened a hidden compartment on her wall revealing a rack of various wines from all over the country. Luna looked at it wide eyed.

"How did you get all of this?" she asked in disbelief.

"I have it shipped in on occasion. Because Wine doesn't go bad I could stock pile it before I started drinking it." she told Luna, while levitating two glasses from her drawer. Celestia picked up one of the bottles and poured some into the glasses. "Here." she said while levitating a glass over to Luna. "Drink it, It'll help you feel better." she said, smiling.

Luna took the glass in her own magic and lifted it to her lips and took a sip. Her lips puckered and her eye twitched. "It's sour." she stated.

"You'll get used to it. This has always helped me relax after a long day of working. And in your case, hearing voices."

Luna continued to drink the liquid despite its taste. When she had finished the glass she could feel herself calming down and relax.

"You're right, as always."

"Of course I am. I am the older sister after all." Celestia mocked.

4

Field Dust got off the train in Canterlot Station and found that a guard was waiting for her. She frowned and walked over to the guard. When she reached the guard he studied her for bit.

"Are you Field Dust?" he asked.

"That's me. I'm to understand that I was expected?"

"Yes." was all he answered.

"Fine. Lead on then, big head."

The guard huffed and led her to the awaiting carriage. Field Dust threw her bags full of tools into the carriage and sat down. "Alright I'm ready let's go. I want to see this thing." she commanded. The guards looked at each other with disgust written on their faces. They had been disrespected before but this was ridiculous. "Hey, let's go! I needed to get there yesterday!" she yelled.

The guards finally decided to just deal with it and take off. When they had arrived at the castle, Field Dust grabbed her things and followed one of the guards into the Castle. They walked down a hallway and stopped at a large door. The guard took out a key and unlocked it.

"This is where you will be staying for the duration of your time here. Miss Dust." he said. "You will be brought to the creature in the morning."

"Good, good. Now if you would be so kind as to leave. I need to rest."

The guard huffed and left the area. Field Dust laid herself down on the bed and fell asleep almost immediately.

When morning had arrived Field Dust awoke to the sound of somepony knocking on her door. She opened her eyes and grudgingly got out of bed. She wobbled over to the door.

"What?!" she groaned at the perpetrator of the noise. "It's only ten, I wasn't done sleeping!" she yelled, opening the door.

"You're still a bundle of joy aren't you Dusty?"

"Alpha Bone." she deadpanned. "I should have known you would be here. And DON'T call me Dusty." she intimidated.

"Well, I am the leading Biologist in Equestria." he said, smugly.

"What do you want, Boner?" she asked, walking back into her room and pouring herself some coffee.

"What...Boner?" he questioned.

"You call me Dusty I call you by your old nickname, Boner, it's only fair." she stated before sipping on her cup.

"Anyway, on a different subject, I suggest you get ready Field Dust, I have something that you are going to want too see."

"So I've heard. What kind of artifacts are they?"

"One appears to be a picture, and the other a gold ring." he said, matter-o-fact.

"You got me all excited for a picture and a gold ring?" she asked, angrily.

"Yes. It's what's in the picture I need help with, and the ring is smaller than any pony hoof."

"Alright, show me where it is."

"Now?" Field Dust shook her head. "But you’re not even groomed and you look like a mess." Alpha Bone argued.

Field Dust got off her chair and walked over to Alpha Bone. "Take me there, or I'll relocate those eyes of yours to your ass!" she wailed, shaking her hoof. Alpha Bone looked at Field Dust and nodded. "Good! Now get moving!" she barked.

Field Dust grabbed her tools and followed Alpha Bone to the dungeons. Alpha walked nervously hoping that Field Dust wouldn't say anything to him until they got to where the specimen was. They neared the room where Volos was being kept and he started to relax at seeing the door to his work site. Field Dust grinned, seeing her opportunity.

"Oh, Alpha" she started, using her best seductive voice. "I didn't know you were into this sort of thing." she said smiling, evilly.

"So, close." Alpha groaned under his breath.

Field Dust laughed quietly to herself as they finished their short journey to the last holding cell. The guards looked at Alpha and nodded opening the door for him and Field Dust. The guards looked at Field Dust and began to stare. Her mane was unkempt and even then the light brown Pegasus was quite the looker. Field Dust noticed their staring and she made a face.

"Stop staring!" she yelled making the guard flinch slightly. "Celestia!" she groaned loudly as she walked into the room.

She walked over to where Alpha was standing and before she could look at the table she noticed the large being that was chained to the wall. She got excited and ran over to it, nearly running over one of Alpha's colleagues.

"Is that it?!" she asked.

"Yup, that's it Field Dust." Alpha said walking over to join his other three associates. One of them turned and whispered into Alpha's ear.

"That's Field Dust? I thought she would be older, and not quite that good looking." he whispered.

"Don't let her pretty exterior fool you, she's quite the hoof-full." he whispered back.

His co-worker snickered. "Speaking from experience, eh Alpha?" he teased, nudging his shoulder.

Alpha's face went red. "I've worked with her before, that's all." he said, defending himself.

"I can hear you, and you better shut your traps before I shut them for you." she threatened, not turning around. Alpha and his companion silenced themselves immediately.

"Alpha, get over here." she commanded. Alpha Bone went over to where Field Dust was standing examining Volos. She shot him a death glare. "If you tell anypony about what happened in Baltimare, I...will...end you." she stated, firmly.

Alpha Bone chuckled nervously. "Right, well, here are the artifacts I need your assistance examining." he said, moving to the examining table.

Field Dust went over to the table and looked at the ring. She took out her magnifying glass and scrutinized it. "Nothing special about this thing." she finally said. "It's just your standard gold band." she said disappointed. She moved the picture under the magnifying glass and looked at it more intensely. She cast her gaze between the photo and the creature on the wall. "Well that's interesting." she said.

"What is?" Alpha Bone asked.

"From what I can tell, the creature on the wall and the creatures in this photo are identical in physical appearance but these three have what appears to be skin and that one doesn't." She wracked her brain for the answer that she so desperately wanted. "I've got nothing." she said, throwing up her hooves in defeat. "I can't place this thing. I'm stumped."

"Already? You can't give us anything?" a blue Unicorn asked.

"Nope." she simply stated. As she stood there, she came to a small realization. "There might be something I can tell you about it." she said, getting excited again. Field Dust rummaged through her bags of tools until she found a small notebook containing sketches, photos and field notes. She furiously turned through the pages until she came to one picture in her book. "Here. Tell me what you see."

Alpha Bone looked at the photo in the notebook and stared at it unimpressed. "What am I looking at, Field Dust?"

"You don't see it?" she questioned. Alpha bone shook his head. "You moron, it's that creature."

"All I see is bad cave painting."

"Yes, but look closely."

Alpha Bone studied the picture again and began to take in the small details of the photo. "When was this done?"

"My best estimate is twelve-hundred years ago."

Alpha Bone quickly turned to one of the guards in the room with them. "Please, inform the Princesses. We just made a discovery as to this creature's age." The guard nodded and ran out quickly. "Field Dust I do believe, I owe you a drink." he said, proudly.

"After all of this, you're going to owe me more than a drink, Alpha Bone." she responded sporting a sinister grin.

"Oh, boy."