//------------------------------// // Prolouge: In comes the Archeologist // Story: Reaping Eternal Bonds // by Gearebitz303 //------------------------------// -Reaping Eternal Bonds- Long ago. In a time prehistoric to the Equestiran empire, and the rule of the two princesses. Was a world not ruled by kindness or magic, but by fear. Governed by extraordinary monsters, they ruled over its wild lands, soared through its hellish skies and tamed its vast hostile seas through sheer might and size alone. Under their rule, nothing could oppose. But like many events in life, their rule came to a sudden and perhaps tragic end. Upon the rocky slopes of the ancient mountain, a ferousious battle of monsters was taking place. These monsters tore each other apart limb from limb, while exploding blasts of many colors flashed back and forth and up and down in-between the groups of fighters, covering the mountain in a dark haze of smoke and ash. The countless maimed bodies that littered the mountain side stained the ground blue with their blood. It only stopped at mountains peak where the few decided the fate of their planet. Shadowed by the smoke of war, the small assembly of monsters stood at the center of a large circular platform that had trident shaped crystals creating a border around them. But the one at its center drew the most attention. "Zakiid! Please stop this madness! No one has to die anymore, THE WAR IS OVER!" "IT'S ONLY GOING TO REPEAT AGAIN! IT WILL NEVER BE OVER UNTIL THEY'RE ALL DEAD! AHAHAHAHAHA!" Zakiid began glowing, shining brighter and brighter until it was too much to look at. “DO IT! KILL HIM NOW!” The group of shadows surrounding Zakiid charged in. “NO WAIT! ZAKIID!” But in the instant before they reached, Zakiid exploded into a enormous column of light that engulfed them and the mountain. It discharged a blinding white wave of light wave that traveled across the planets surface, only canceling itself out on the opposite side of the planet. The pitter-pattering sound like rain was all that echoed over the planet. Then nothing but silence. Time waits for no one, it is eternal and neutral, and so its wheel spun onward. As the planet continued to age, night and day became a blur, while the land itself began to morph like a sea of sand. Fields of forests and prairies that flourished for a short time were consumed by the fires and rock of mountain forging. These mountains of red quaked the ground, turned the skies dark, and created mountains that eventually pierced the sky. As the wheel began to slow down not long after the flames of creation cooled, life began to flourish once more. The sky turned blue and clear, and lush green forests returned to the barren wastelands below. While rivers of water made their way across the land, carving themselves deep into the earth. The constructs of primitive intelligent creatures also began to manifest. Simple wooden-stone structures quickly became complex combinations of wood, stone and metal. These grew rapidly in numbers and some eventually formed into towns and large cities. One in particular casted its shadow over everything below. A stone fortress built into the mountain top overlooking the endless lands below. Time returned to normal as a sign that was erected on the crest of a hill looking towards the mountain fortress became visible. It read “Welcome to Canterlot.” Prolouge: In comes the Archeologist 53 million years... ...and one paleontology class later... The midday sun shined brightly over the University of Equestria at Canterlot. Not a cloud in the sky to cast its shadow. Everypony was enjoying their day, but one in particular was more than eager to get out of the classroom, and go on an adventure. “And so, this single event nearly caused the extinction of ah'll life on the planet. What little that did survive, lived on and evolved into the creatures that we see today. Well most any'who.” Some of the students in the stands let out a little unwanted chuckle. She sighed and continued. “Little is really known about this here time, but we found a few fossilized plants and the remains of a few creatures that we now call "Koraxus", meaning "ferocious monster", that have been dated back to about this time. But thats just about it.” She noticed that one of her students in the stands raised her hoof. “Yes Ruby?” “So then Professor Applejack, What-” “Please. Its just Applejack. I ain't no professor yet.” “Oh, well..um...okay. Miss Applejack. What do you think happened?” “Good question. I ain't got a darn clue!” She shrugged her shoulders and turned her head towards the projector screen with the image of the planet with a question mark in the middle. She tipped up her hat to get a better view. “Theres no evidence of any natural disaster. If it was a wide spread disease we would have found more fossilized remains. No unnatural geologic or biologic disturbances were found in the strata layers....nothing. There should be more like them, but its like they just....vanished. ” Aside from her burning curiosity of the question at hoof, it was depressing to her. To her, not knowing something like this on a hugely controversial topic in the geologic and paleontological community was like her without her hat. It wasn't going to happen, but she knew she could live without it. Though it wouldn't feel right without it there on its throne. And Applejack wanted to be the one pony who figured out why. “Oh...Then how many fossils were found?” Ruby added. “Uh...So far have found a bunch of fossilized plant species from all over Equestria, but only seven fossilized skeletons were found. Six are incomplete and don't match each other, and the seventh is completed and stored here at the Geology lab for study. So-” *Bell Rings* “Well, ah-okay class. On that note, I would like y'all to submit a one page essay on your hypothesis pertaining to this event due next class. Enjoy the rest of yer day.” Her students got up and left one by one, until only Applejack remained in her class. That was until a familiar purple pony walked in on her. “Hey Applejack!” “Gah! Oh....fhew! Hey Twilight.” AJ put a hoof on her chest and took in a few deep breaths. “Sorry. Didn't mean to startle you like that.” “Its fine an' all. Whats up?” “How's the class treating you?” Twilight pointed a hoof towards the stands. “Its fine....I guess.” “You guess?” “I-I just don't know how Professor Tomb's does this on a daily basis. I'm losin' my mind going through all this paper work.” Applejack dumped her recently packed saddle back onto the table, letting the pile of ungraded papers flow onto her desk for Twilight to see. She immediately regretted doing so when she realized that she had put all those papers neatly into her bag just a few seconds ago. She face hoofed. "Ah gone-sarnet!” Twilight couldn't help but giggle. “Well, your doing a good job so far. You should be proud of yourself!” “Well of course I AM proud of mahself. But I just don't want to be pushing pencils all day! I want to get out and do some good honest field work. Ya know!?” AJ moved to the window off to her side and stared at the mountains in the distance. “I know what you mean Applejack. It took me a little bit to get accustomed to teaching too.” “Really? You? How long? Really?” “Well...I...” AJ knew Twilight wasn't one for holding back the truth, and she knew just how to get her. With an expressionless face and a quick stare, she caved. “Okay fine...A few minutes...2.365 minutes to be exact!” Applejack only raised an eyebrow. ”...but-but that still doesn't mean that it wasn't hard. Kinda.” Twilight smiled and laugh guiltfully, rubbing her leg with the other. There was a few moments of silence before Applejack and Twilight busted out laughing at each others conundrums on teaching. AJ turned back to her desk and started stacking the pile of papers to put into her bag when Twilight used her magic to quickly pack the papers and placed it on her back. “Thanks. You ready for the trip?” “Of course. But I still don't know where we are going. Care to shed some light on the subject.” “Maybe...” Twilight sighed. “Just kiddin' Twilight. The Crystal Caverns. I'll spill the rest of the beans when we meet up with Big Mac and everyone else outside. They should be waiting for us.” AJ lead Twilight out of the classroom and into the long hallways full of students and professors alike towards the exit. “Wait. Big Mac's coming along?” “Yup!” “What about the farm?” “Its the off season. Big Mac wanted to take a few days to travel, he deserves the break. And besides, where we are going its along the way.” “For how long?” “Geez Twilight, its almost like you don't want him to come.” “Its not that. What about your farm? Who's going to be watching the farm while both of you are not there?” "Applebloom will!” “....Applebloom?...” “Heyup! She's growing up so fast! So proud of her!” "How old is she now?" "She's fourteen...." "Wow! She's growing up so fast. Seems only yesterday when she was causing trouble with her Cutie Mark Crusaders. " Twilight's mind reminisced about the good times past. Though it distracted her for a bit, she eventually took notice the absence of a certain orange mare that was walking beside her a second ago. She looked around then back and found her leaning against the hallway wall, a gloomy purple cloud shadowing over her depressed face. "I feel so....old..." "Applejack, your only twenty-six. Plus she was going to grow up eventually, especially after.... Granny Smith..." This time there was a long pause between the two. This was a subject that Applejack resented to talk about, even with Twilight. "Yeah...its been rough since then.” “I-I'm sorry Applejack, I didn't mean to bring that up.” “It's alright Twilight, I know. Besides, we're sturdy folk. We'll pull through somehow." “Yeah, you guys always do. Besides, at least her new BF spike isn't helping right!.....right?” “Oh sweet Celestia, I'ah hope not!” Sooner than either of them had realized, they were out the exit door and into the main courtyard. Almost immediately, AJ and Twilight spotted their friends awaiting them across the yard next to a covered wagon. As they got closer, AJ could see Fluttershy and Rarity resting inside the wagon. Meanwhile Big Mac and Rainbow Dash were smooching up a storm behind it. Clearly visible to anypony who would looked, but they didn't seem to care. They were really going at it. "Hey! Get a room ya two!" AJ interjected. "Hmph! I wonder what which cave he was planning on exploring on this trip?" Said Twilight who leaned over and gace Applejack a few knocks on her shoulder. Rainbow Dash's response was quick, and ferocious. "What! Got a problem with me enjoying my stallion?” "Yeah! How about you not enjoy my BROTHER in front of me! Ain't nobody that wanna see that! An' Twilight! Quit talkin' those naughty things!" “What? Just saying it as it is." RD rolled her eyes before gazing back at into Big Mac's eyes, following up with a seductive stroke on the chin with her tail. "I guess I will have you to myself later then?” "Heeyup!" The two affectionately nuzzled each other before Big Mac moved up to the front of the wagon. Rainbow Dash angrily flew over to Applejack. "Well thanks a lot Applejack! It was getting good too!" "I did NOT need to know that! An' I don't want to find you an' Macintosh doin' something that I don't want to see or hear. Ya hear?!" "Fine, FINE. I hear ya AJ.....Butnopromises!" And with that note she joyfully flew over the wagon to the front, presumably to flirt with her lover. "Gone-sarnet that Rainbow! Sigh. Alright y'all, since we are all here lets...wait.” Taking a quick look around, she noticed that one pony was missing. “Where's Pinky Pie?" Suddenly a bush came flipping out from the nearby garden and took a one legged ninja pose behind Applejack. "BOO!" "GAH!” The startled Applejack became a blur of orange as she flushed her back against the supply wagon, her heart beating like kongo drums. “PINKIE!.....You done near gave me a heart attack!" "Sheesh! Its about time you finished! I was hiding in that bush for-like-ever!" "Pinky....why were you hidin' in a bush in the first place?" "Duh, I...umm...hmmm...I don't know. OH WAIT!" Pinky's arms and head receded back into the bush, but somehow she was still able to hold her single legged ninja pose. The rustling bush let off a bunch of strange animal noises which really confused Applejack, even more so when Winona was tossed out of the bush. "What the hay? Winnona?" BARK! BARK! She sat down, tongue sticking out, head tillted and panting happily as if nothing out of the ordinary happened. "Get over here!" Said AJ with a stern voice. BARK! Winnona rushed over, doing a barrel roll on the ground before stopping belly up in-front of Applejack. She got a good belly rub for that. "What are you doin' here girl?" "AH-HA! Found it!" Pinky Pie popped out of the bush and produced a box labeled "YUMS", and opened it. "Guava pie?" "You waited in that bush until I was done with class, just to ask me if I wanted some pie?" "Uh-huh!" She smiled. “Really?" Pinky just kept smiling. "Uh-No...thank you." "Eh, suit yourself. Ahmnomnomnom!" And with a few bites the Guava pie was vigorously devoured by Pinkie Pie. “Ooooh-kay. We gotta get Winona home first before we set out. We can take a quick run to Ponyville an-” “Don't worry. I got it!” Said Pinkie Pie. At the sound of her whistle, Winona came running back to Pinkie Pie and disappeared into the bush. Pinkie hopped out and kicked the bush back into the garden and moved over infront of Applejack. “All done!” Dumbfounded and on the verge of a “WTFmindexplosion” moment, AJ felt that it was probably best to just not question it, assume everything it "a-okay", and let Pinkie be Pinkie. Less she end up like Twilight. "Alrighty then. Saddle up y'all, lets get this here rodeo on the move. Big Mac, you good to go?" Mac had just finished double checking his saddle straps when he replied. "Heeyup!" "Prattle my dear Applejack. Where is this little adventure of ours taking us?" Said Rarity. "A new part of the Crystal Caverns opened up." Rarity's eyes gleamed like crystals reflecting in the light. "AH! The Crystal Caverns! Such glorious! Such stunning crystals! Such-" "Yeah, yeah. We get it Rarity. Its all full of shiny stuff." "At least somepony here needs to care about the elegance, not to mention its market value of those crystals." A mischevious grin grew on her face. "Blah blah blah, not talking about how awesome I am. Moving on!.....So what do you mean "opened up"? I though they were fully explored or something?" "They were. I went down there the other day to do some research on crystal dating and-" "Bwahahaha! What's wrong AJ, dating crystals now?" Teased Rainbow. "Oh shut it Rainbow! Sigh. Anyways while I was there, one of the crystals melted away like it was made of ice. So I went to check out and I found another large cave system where it used to be. Seein' as no other pony knows about it, I figured that we could be the first one's to explore it. Which is why I wanna get moving already." "THATS...SO...AWSOME! But not as AWSOME as me of-course! But its close." "Well Applejack. I say we have quite the adventure again." Fluttershy nodded in agreement with Rarity. "Alrighty then. Lets get this rodeo on the road. To the Crystal Caverns!" Everypony followed AJ off the campus grounds and onto the road to adventure. ------------------------- After about six hours on the road, it was getting really boring for Applejack. Looking at the repeating sight of trees and rocks along side the road, over and over again, was driving her crazy. Luckily for her Twilight quickened her pace and caught up to her and sparked a lovely conversation. "SOooo, Applejack. How long have those two been like that?" Twilight looked back at Big Mac who had Rainbow Dash resting on his back, playing with his mane. AJ looked back too. "I reckon' this has been going on fer about a year or so now. Only found out about it a few months ago from Big Mac." "They didn't tell you that they were seeing each other?" "Wasn't mah business to pry or nottin'. But Macintosh said that he didn't want something like that do distract me from my studies." "I'm actually surprised that Rainbow Dash didn't announce it to everypony she knew." "Funny thing about that one. I asked Big Mac about that too, and he told me that Rainbow Dash gets all red and embarrassed. Then gets all defensive when talking about her real feelings, something about other ponies calling her soft." Rainbow Dash's ears and head perked up when she heard her name. "You two talking about how awesome I am?" Big Mac moved his head into the cradle of RD's neck, she brought her arms around his neck and hugged him tight. “Well, at least they enjoy each others company.” "True enough there. Big Mac's been good to her so ther-Oh well what to ya know! Were here everypony!" The entrance of the Crystal Caverns was like a public camping ground. The ground was a combination of dirt and cut grass with a few trees in the background. Some had a few tables that gave ponies a place to sit on for picknics. "About time! I was thinking about flying ahead because it was getting so boring not talking about myself." "Oh Celestia, I need to stretch my legs." "Alright girls, Big Mac, we are going to set up camp first and get our things in gear, and rest a little bit, before headin' out. Twilight, can you check the gear bags that we packed?" "Can do!" Said Twilight. It didn't take them long to set up shop. Rarity had a minature hotel amongst her bags, so all she had to do was open the case and "Foomph" there it was. Everypony else had set up a simple triangle tent and a sleeping bag. But Applejack noticed something about Rainbow Dash's sleeping gear. It was big, too big for her alone, like it was meant for two. When she thought about it, it came to her. AJ muttered to herself. "Rainbow you sly girl....I swear if I hear anything from them during the night my back hoof will be exploring both of their caves." In that instant, her mind slipped up and she started to imagine too much about what she might end up doing with Rainbow and her brother with her hoof. She blushed and facehoofed herself. "Like thats going to ever happen." She walked over to Twilight who was packing their gear when she overheard Mac and Rainbow talking. "You sure Mac? It could be fun to come exploring with us!" "Heeyup! Somepony's got to get dinner started. Not to mention to keep an eye on your stuff. So go on now! Ya'll have your little adventure." Mac used his head to slowly "ush" RD out of the dinning tent. "Well, alright then. We'll be back soon." Rainbow turned around and gave him a quick peck on the cheek before running off to join the rest of the girls. "He's not commin'?" "Nah, he said he was going to cook dinner for us." "Well if he says so. Okay, everypony check your gear. Water?" The girls all started to sort through their bags. "Yup." "Rope?" "Yes." "Emergency food?" "Check." "Ah common AJ! You know we got our stuff!" "As annoying as it is, we're about to enter a new cave system. An' I'ah don't want to be caught in a situation where if anypony needs something and I'ah don't have it. Just to be safe, its just in case." "Alright, you've made your point." "So you got everything?" "All good to go Applejack." Applejack strapped her gear bag onto her back before walking over to the Crystal Caverns sign. The sign was mounted infront of slanting three pronged crystal that grew out from the ground. Two of the prongs were visible, but the other was halfly buried into the ground. "Dazzling!" Said Rarity. "Kinda looks like a fork, but with only three things on it." "You mean a trident?" Asked Twilight. "Don't care anymore!" "Well there's bound to be more like that inside. So saddle up girls!" Applejack reared back onto her hind legs, kicking her forearms, ready to gallop. "YEEHAA! This is going to be quite the adventure!"