"I've never seen technology of this caliber before," muttered Twilight.
The lavender unicorn was standing next to a large metal device. The machine was in a large room that was part of a massive excavation site. The site had been found by construction ponies in the crystal empire and, until recently, had only revealed artifacts such as old bricks, broken glass, and rusted metal parts. The researchers who had been excavating the site had little hopes of finding anything useful until a large, half collapsed chamber had been opened by workers.
The researchers had called in both Celestia and her student, Twilight Sparkle, to assist them in the analyzing of the site. the room contained a row of metal devices made of technology far superior to that of Equestria. After studying the machines, it became clear to Twilight that they were pods meant to contain something very valuable. All but one of the pods were obviously broken or inactive. The one that was functioning was damaged and contained an organic form. The contents, to all the researchers surprise was still alive.
"The pod has a very complex lock that appears to be activated by inputting a series of energy surges to certain ports that, unfortunately are controlled by the pods exterior console which has been uninstalled forcefully. Add to that the multitude of damaged power conduits and the chances of properly opening the pod are slim," Twilight announced to the nearby researchers and workers. A few of the researchers nodded their understanding, but most simply stood and blinked a few times. "but there also appears to be another lock that has its circuitry built on the basis of a clock that, according to my calculations, has been going for almost twenty-thousand years, and should open at a prerequisite time."
One of the braver workers asked, "So, what do we do about it?"
Twilight sighed,"I guess we have to cut it open." The workers smiled; finally something that they all understood.
"Shall we begin now, Princes?" a worker asked Celestia, who, until now, had been observing the proceedings with an emotionless face.
"If my student suggests so then you have my permission."
With the help of Twilight, the workers began to magically cut through the pod's shell. They followed a small seam that appeared between two of the metal plates. 'I pray that this isn't something that should have been forgotten along with the origins of Equestria,' thought Celestia.
"Princess?" asked a researcher,"Does something trouble you?"
"No, its nothing," she replied. The researcher seemed unsure but said,"We've almost cut halfway through."
Suddenly the pod began to make a series of hisses and started to activate its primary function. A computer voice was heard as lights all over the pod lit up,"Engaging auxiliary power. Please stand by. Power levels 20%...50%...90%...Power levels stabilizing at 90%, analyzing damage levels."
"what is it doing?" asked a worker, to which the machine responded,
"Damage levels critical, ejecting primary objective." The seal that had been in the process of being cut began to spray gas out of the inner components. The pod began to rock violently and sparks flew from the remains of the control panel. "Warning, contamination seal breaches detected in multiple areas. Shall I proceed?" the voice announced.
"I think it's talking to us. How is that Possible?" the purple unicorn questioned.
"Indefinite answer. Please reply in correct format."
'Where have I heard that voice before?' thought Celestia,'Could it really be... Yes, I recognize it now.'
"Um, I don't think we should proceed,"said Twilight,"Cancel proce-"
"Computer, proceed with directive!" yelled Celestia in the royal canterlot voice. All the other ponies, especially Twilight, jumped at the use of the royal canterlot voice.
"P-princess?" squeaked Twilight in a great impersonation of Fluttershy.
"Proceeding with primary objective. Voice analysis under way. Preparing new vocal profile in 3... 2... profile recognized; ending profile creation. Welcome Project Unit 6: Celestia. Primary objectives complete. Please unlock the control panel and activate release valve. Engage unlocking mechanism to deactivate Gateway Pod."
A hiss of steam came from the vent and most of the lights on the pod went out. Twilight continued to stare at her mentor as she returned her students gaze with an expectant look. "Well?" she said, now in her regular voice,"Aren't you going to open it?"
Twilight continued to stare at Celestia in a stupor for a few moments. "Yes! Of course princess,"she quickly recovered. She trotted forward and sent a burst of magic through the mangled wires that were the remains of the control panel. The plate covering the pods entrance moved a little. One of the workers came over to the door and pulled on a pair of handles that easily slid out of the entrance. "Gate going offline. Have a nice day Mark..." and with those final words the pod's lights went black and the voice shut down.
The researchers all rushed forwards and crowded the pod's now open entrance to view the object of all this effort. Twilight was knocked out of the way be the mob of ponies. Many of the researchers pulled out notebooks.
"What is it?"
"That's what all this was about?"
"Is it still alive?", the questions poured out of the research team.
"What are you talking about? Please move so I can make my analysis!" Yelled Twilight, but only a few of the researchers responded. Finally the researchers cleared enough for Twilight to get a good look at the contents of the pod.
Inside the pod was a tall bipedal creature. Twilight saw it open it's eyes suddenly to stare first at her then slowly at Celestia. It slowly pulled an old recording device out of a pocket in its clothes and offered it to Celestia. Its mouth opened slightly and it attempted to speak, but all that came out was a course whisper. "D-did it end?"
Twilight was perplexed,"Did what end?"
Instead of answering the man continued to look at Celestia and barely held the recording up. "T-the story of... of our fall. Here, please, take it and may your people not suffer and die as mine had." He reached into his pocket and brought out a wad of shredded papers. He looked through them with care only letting a few drop from his weak hands. He finally selected one and brought it closer to his face to compare the contents with Celestia. "Learn from our mistakes, Celestia, our final success."
Celestia took the recording device and inspected it. I was in good condition for being almost twenty-thousand years old. As soon as Celestia accepted the plastic box the man keeled over, falling onto the ground. His form lay splayed on the floor as the remaining papers in his hand dropped away from him. A researcher rushed forwards to check on the man. "He's not breathing and I don't know where to check for a pulse!" he yelled. The silence that had filled the room as the human had talked shattered. Researchers and workers either ran for help or tried to revive the wounded human. Celestia knew that he had used the last of his strength to give her the recording device before some pony else got their hands on it. She still attempted to heal the man even though it was useless. She knelt down next to the man to find any obvious injury. All she observed was the twitch of his mouth into the form of a small smile. He was at peace.