//------------------------------//
// The Arrival 
// Story: MLP: Journey Across Time 
// by B. J. Williams 
//------------------------------//

	At last, the Alicorn arrived at Coltabasso in the state of Trotcany. The docks were very lively with galleons and other ships. They noticed that the city was with Italian and Roman architecture. Pinkie Pie woke up to see this scene.
"Hey, every pony. Get up." she shouted. The ponies got up. Of course, Rarity was in a hangover.
"Ugh." Rarity responded sick to her stomach. "Why did you have to shout so loud?" Rarity went to a trash can and threw up.
"What's that?" she pointed to the city.
"Ladies," Basil stated. "Welcome to Coltabasso, the capital of the Confedracy."
"It's big."
"Not only is it the capital of the Confedracy; it is one of the largest cities in the world. It was the capital of Trotcany during the time of Equestria." Basil looked down. "The waters are also legendary, providing lots of fish, clean waters for swimming and..." Basil noticed something on the side. "Why is there a hole on the side of the ship?"
"Don't ask." Fluttershy explained. Of course the three fillies were so amazed.
"So, this is what a pony city looks like?" Nene asked.
"It's so amazing." Ina stated.
"Where should we park the ship?" Applejack asked.
"You don't park a ship." Basil replied. "You dock it."
"Oh." She looked around. "How 'bout that space over there?" She pointed to a space.
"That'll work." So, they dock up at a spot despite them, taking a while to get there. After reaching the spot Rainbow Dash and Applejack help Basil lower the anchor. Twilight lowered the walking platform to the docks. They got off the ship. The three little fillies were excited, when the ponies looked up they saw the flag of the Equestrian Confederacy.
It was described as a white flag in the center was a six-sided star. At each of the star's points was a representation of one of the elements of harmony. This star was held up by two alicorns one on each side. The alicorn on the left side with honesty, loyalty and magic with their respective colors. The alicorn on the other side with laugther, generosity, and kindness with their respective colors.
"Wow." the fillies were astonished at the sight.
"Where are we gonna head now?" Applejack said.
"We are going to my place." Basil stated.
"I thought you lived in Pottok." Twilight stated.
"That was just for training. We are going to my true house. It's a while yet." So, the ponies crossed the city. They were noticing that there were colorful flags. They were colored for each of the elements of harmony. Orange for honesty, pink for kindness, blue for laugther, violet for generosity, red for loyality and green for magic.
"Are these streets usually this colorful?" Pinkie asked excited as usual.
"One of the biggest events is coming up." Basil replied.
"Does it include a party?"
"Yes, one of the largest in the confederacy." Pinkie went ecstatic. The others were confused. "It is Confederate Unity Day."
"That is…" Twilight asked.
"Let me explain." Then, Basil paused. "After Celestia's death, the old kingdom fell apart and 300 years of bloody civil war plagued not just Equestria but the entire land as well. The warlords fought for power for control. The entire land and the confederacy were finally united after this time by Prince Cavallo. If my grandfather was still around he can tell you about the battle of Maceponia, the final battle of the war. Cavallo's victory in that battle brought an end to the chaos. This festival celebrates the end of that war. It is always the largest at Coltabasso." They were talking about that while walking to Basil's house. Then, they arrived.
It was a large terra-cotta colored manor. There were two stories to it. The manor was made of marble but had a terra-cotta coating. The roof was made of tile. The building was lined with pillars especially around the windows. There were towers at each of the four corners.
"IT'S SO BIG!" Pinkie Pie shouted. She ran in.
"Wait, Pinkie." Basil explained. "Don't dash in there you might encounter…" Then, they heard a monstrous bark and a scream. "Tricipite."
"I'm assumin' that your dog." Applejack stated.
"Sort of." Pinkie Pie ran out and following her was a muscular blue three-headed dog (a cerberus). The markings, however, were similar to a doberman. The cerberus was very fierce and intimidating scaring the six girls but not Basil. Of course, doggy drool was flying. "TRICIPITE! SIT BOY!" The cerberus recognizing the voice of Basil stopped barking madly and settled down. Basil walked up to it.
"BASIL! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!"
"Don't worry, this is Tricipite, my watch dog."
"Watch dog. That's more of a watch monster."
"Technically, he's a cerberus. Each of the three heads has its own personality, so it is a rather difficult pet to rise. And I had him since he was a puppy." He petted the cerberus. As he did, the cerberus wagged his tail in satisfaction. "Okay, I'll play with you okay?" It barked. "Okay, head back and I'll catch up with you later." Then, the cerberus went into the backyard. "I was supposed to be meeting someone today."
"That would be?"
"Professor Nislatrom. He is respected scientist who has volunteered to help us." Then, a very light pink colored pony appeared. He was wearing a very dark robe and had a big blue mane. The mane had two locks going down the neck similar to horns and there was a single large bang in front of his face; he had a blue tail as well. He also had blue eyes. He was built like a prettycolt.
"Hello. Is this the Rodelero residence?" the pony said. His voice sounded slightly creepy.
"Yes, are you Professor Nislatrom?"
"Yes, so you are Basil Rodelero. Are you the thirteenth or the fourteenth?"
"The fourteenth."
"So, I assume that your grandfather and great grandfather were allies to Prince Cavallo."
"Yes, you are correct."
"Great ponies, they were." He turned to the others. "Are these your friends?"
"Yes." He looked them over.
"They are excellent." He paused. "Let enter and talk more." They entered the house into the living room and sat down.
"What did you find this time?"
"I was studying the elements of harmony and found of the elements of chaos. They were hypothesized that they are the polar opposites, but I have no evidence of their existence. I could make a display for the magic & science community."
"We have an element of chaos here. But we were asked to destroy it." Nislatrom was enthusiastic.
"Where is it?"
"In here." He, then, shown the element with the girls' permission.
"That is… an element of chaos. Which one is it?"
"I don't know." Applejack replied. "All it is, I know is that it is dark and blue."
"Hmm." He paused. "As I recall knowing that I have seen the elements of harmony in pictures. I know that the element of laughter was blue. So, I believe this element of chaos, in particular, would be the element of despair."
"That makes sense."
"Do you have the others?"
"No, why do you ask?"
"No reason. Just curious."
"We need to find the others."
"I'll hold on to it. So, that way it is safe and secure."
"Go ahead and take it. We don't want it." Nislatrom took the element.
"Don't worry about a thing. I will find a way to destroy the elements of chaos." He said with a smile. "I promise you." Then, Nislatrom left.
"He's a nice guy."
"Tell me about it." Basil explained.
"That pony was kind of creepy." Fluttershy thought nervously. "But if he is nice I'll go along with it."
"We should get some rest. There are four bedrooms upstairs that connected to each other. You girls can pick which ever you want." Basil went upstairs for the night. He allowed the girls to use the largest of the bedrooms. He had to sleep by himself that night. Since, there was no room. Later that night, Twilight could not stop thinking about Basil and felt guilty for not being with him. Twilight wanted to be with Basil and Basil wanted to be with Twilight.