Timeless Adventures

by Nick the Brony

Mission 1: A Desert Lost in Time part 1

Author's Note:

So yeah. Hey guys. I'm not dead.
I ow you guys an apology. The last update to any story was in late September. Man, there's being late, and then there's that. Though one good thing is that I have been reading a lot of books, which should help improve my writing.

Oh, and remember I said I would make one chapter for each time period. Yeah not happening. It's to tidies for me. So they'll be split into multiple parts.

And I think that's it. Sorry for the long delay, and I'll update again as soon as I can.

"There is something missing from our world. Amazing animals that time has left behind. But what if they could bring them back, what if extinction, didnt have to be forever. We're going back in time on a safari with a difference, as Twilight and her friends plunge into prehistory rescuing creatures, on the brink of extinction. Their plan is to bring them and the elements back to the saftey of the present, and give them a second chance.

On their very first mission. Twilight and her friends travel to the vast desert of prehistoric Mongolia. Where they'll try to hunt down one of the most cunning dinosaurs ever, but also try to not be hunted themselves. Welcome to the ultimate wildlife sanctuary, welcome to prehistoric park.

It's a big day for many ponies in Equestria, the first creatures should arrive today, so many ponies are getting ready for their arrivel. Weather it's building or hiding. In Chanterlot, an important meeting about the enclosures being held.

"So how high do you want us to build the fences princess?" Asked a worker pony. Princess Celestia, Luna, some nobles, and some workers were talking about their plans for the animals.

"Well that depends how big the animals are." She answered. "It also depends if they are carnivore or herbivore. So for now, build them as high as myself to start off. You can always build on top of them if they need to be taller."

"And how much do we get paid for each complete project?" Asked another worker. Celestia was just about to get to that.

"How about 50 bits per worker?" She offered.

"Make it 75, and you got a deal." The head worker slamed his hoof on the table as he said that. Celestia nodded, and shock hooves with the head worker to approve his deal. "So what and where should we start building princess?" The head worker asked.

Celestia stood and went a few paces towards to well polished wooden shelf. She carefully went through the different scrolls and books that occupied it. She then stopped at a scroll with a red ribbon keeping it closed. She levitated it to the table, and opened it to see it's contents.

It was a detailed map of Equestria. It had major cities, railroads, and important locations. "I would like you to start building some enclosures at the San Palomino Desert. Make it a decent size so the animals won't feel cramped. And there is no need for rushing. We need to make sure those fences will stay up."

"Question. If the animals come before we finish a project, where do you put them?" Asked the head worker. Celestia then directed their attention to another part of the map.

"I already have a group of workers building some holding pens a little north from Ponyville. That's where we'll hold the animals until their enclosure is complete." She decided to go with Ponyville because of its small population, plus that's where the main six live. Also, if an animal were to escape and destroy Ponyville, it wouldn't be a big problem. Ponyville has been attacked by monsters plenty of times, and the residents always seem to rebuild that town in little time.

All the workers nodded and headed out. The nobles now had their chance to speak now.

"Princess. Are you sure this is a good idea? Bringing whatever animals existing in that other world back to Equestria is a danger to ponies. We don't even know what they will bring back. They could be blood thirsty killers." A noble said.

"I know the risks my little pony. Under any other circumstances I would not do this, but we don't have a choice. We must play by Discords rules in order to get the elements back." Celestia responded. She never admitted it, but she was kinda scared. She had no idea what she just got herself into.

"Well I think this might be beneficial to the ponies of Equestria." Said another, younger noble. "Having a bunch of strange exotic creatures could raise our tourism levels. Plus with the need for meat, we can now finally have a proper economic relationship with the griffins. Plus, think of all the research that can be done." She had some good points.

"I couldn't agree more. We just need to make sure those things won't go on a rampage and indanger lives." Added Celestia.

The meeting soon ended. Both nobles had left to get their plans out to the public, and now only Princess Celestia and Luna remained. There was silence in the room. Celestia sighed and closed her eyes, which got noticed by Luna. "Sister, are thou ok?" She looked at her older sister in concern.

Celestia opened her eyes and returned a smile. "I'm fine. I just hope we will be able to handle what we just got ourselves into." Luna understood what her ssiter meant. This was a first for both of them, and she understood her worries.

"Do not worry sister. Thou will not fail, as long as you have our help. We will be beside thou through this whole thing. You can rest assured." Celestia's smiled widened, she was truely blessed to have a sister like Luna. She pulled her in for a hug, and Luna happily accepted it.

Both of them enjoyed the hug, which sadly did not last long.

SLAM

The door at the end of the room slamed open, startling the sisters. Then in came Discord eating a slice of cake. "I have to say, this cake is good. Who would leave such a delcicous cake just sitting in their room." He continued to eat it, enjoying every bite."

Celestia's eyes widened. "Luna, that looks like your" Before she could finish her sentence, Luna teleported away. There was a moment of silence in the castle, then a blood thirsty yell filled the halls.

"DISCORD!"

Discord heard the yell. "Opps."

Celestia couldn't help but chuckle under her breath.

Meanwhile, back in Ponyville. Twilight and her friends have gathered in the Golden Oaks library to see if everyone was ready. Today was the day of their first mission.

"Ok everypony. Let's see if we got everything we needed." Twilight asked. The others all nodded in response. They had a gathered in the main room of the library. In front of eact pony was a large saddle bag, which each of them filled with stuff they need.

Twilight pulled out a clip board with a check list on it, and started to ask if they got everything

"Fluttershy. You got the medical equipment we might need?" The shy pegasis responded with a small nod.

"Pinkie Pie. You got the tent and blankets?"

"Yup." Pinkie responded.

One could question how she fit all that stuff in her bag, but it's Pinkie Pie.

"Applejack. You got enough food to last us awhile?"

"Enough for five days." Applejack said. That should be enough for a trip. They would be coming back a couple of times anyway.

"Rainbow dash. You got the tools and equipment we could use?"

"Of course I did."

Twilight turned to her last friend. "And Rarity, what are you wearing?"

Rarity was wearing a slick dress coloured with colours which more belonged in the military. She was even wearing a matching hat. "Oh this. Well it's my outfit darling. A lady has to look her best where ever she goes." She flicked her mane striking a pose. The others just gave her blank stares. "What?" Rarity looked at them confused.

Rainbow dash then spoke up. "Rarity, take the dress off." She said in a annoyed, yet serious tone.

"Wa...why?" Rarity asked. The others looked at her in a way that answered her question. "But but." Rarity tried to protest, but eventually gave up. "Fine." She sighed in defeat. She slowly trotted upstairs to get changed.

While she was away, Applejack took the time to ask Twilight something. "Ok, we got everything we need. But what do you have sugarcube?" She pointed to Twilight's full saddle bag.

"Oh just a few books and papers." She opened the bag to revel it's contents. It was far from a few books.

"Uh sugarcube. That's alot more then just a few books." She pointed out. She expected for Twilight to feel kinda embarrassed, she got the opposite.

"So," She grabbed Applejack by the head and pulled her in. "think of all the research I could do. This world could be a knowledge diamond mine." She had a crazed smile on her face, while Applejack just had a scared, yet confused face. Twilight soon realized her sudden outburst. She let go of Applejack, and backed down, rubbing her head in embarrassment. "Hehe, sorry." She laughed nervously.

"It's alright sugarcube." She gave Twilight a hug, patting her back as she did.

Rarity then came back in the room, her dress now off. "So, are we ready to go?"

"Well, by the looks of it, we are. Just let me send a letter to the princess, to let her know we are ready." She passed Rarity up the stairs and headed to her room.

While the others waited, Rainbow and Applejack were having a conversation. "So, you nervous?" Rainbow asked her in a mocking tone.

"What, are you?" Applejack returned.

"Ha! Me, nervous. You must have mistaken me for somepony else." She laughed. Applejack just rolled her eyes.

Twilight soon came back from her room with a new scroll. "Ok everypony. The princess knows we are ready. She is actually going to come here to give us a fair well." She announced. The others nodded, and went outside. Only Twilight was left. To be honest with herself, she was kinda afraid. But she knew this had to be done. For Equestria, for Princess Celestia.

"Hey sugarcube, you comin?" Applejack peaked inside to see if Twilight was coming.

"I'm coming." Twilight answered. With her new boost of confidence, she went out the door. Ready to face whatever could be in that other world.
<><><><><><><><><><>

A little bit later, Twilight and her friends were saying their final goodbyes before they went on their expedition. One could hope this wasn't goodbye forever.

"Now you take of yerself Apple Bloom. I'll be back soon." Applejack told her little sister.

"You too squirt." Rainbow Dash hugged Scootaloo, as if they were sisters.

"You should behave yourself as well Sweetie Belle. I'll be trusting the boutique with you. You think you can handle that?" She sat on her hunches, holding her little sister up in the air.

"You got it." She saluted. Rarity could only smile at how cute her little sister could be. The three sister ponies were soon done giving their goodbyes to family, and headed to the others to group up.

"So you ready to go sugarcube?" Applejack asked Twilight.

Twilight was in the middle of saying goodbye to the princesses, she turned around to face the farm pony. "Just a minute." She returned her attention to the princesses. "I guess we better get going. Goodbye princess." She hugged her mentor, and she hugged back.

"Goodbye Twilight. I have faith that you will be successful." Celestia said.

"Your probably going to a dangerous world Twilight Sparkle. You'll need all the luck you can get." Added Luna.

"She's right. You'll need all the luck in the world to survive." Said an all to familiar voice.

"Oh no." Sighed Rainbow.

Suddenly, Discord appeared. "Hello again ponies." He said cheerfully.

"Ugh! What do you want?" Asked Twilight annoyed.

"Oh, just wanting to say my final goodbyes to my favourite ponies."

"You implying that in a good way, or a bad way?" Asked Rainbow. She had a feeling he wanted this to be goodbye, forever.

"Oh of course it is the good way. You think I would ever mean it the bad way." As he said this, a halo appered above his head.

"Whatever." Responded Rainbow. Her and the wrest of the elements passed Discord in a quick pace. They stopped infront of the two time portals and waited. With their backs turned, Discord saw his perfect opportunity to make there trip more, interesting. Seeing his chance, he snapped his talons behind his back. Suddenly, a strange sensation came upon Twilight and Rarity.

"Woah. Did you girls feel that?" Twilight asked. It felt as if her body was changing on the inside.

"Nope. Yer probably just nervous sugarcube." Applejack said.

"That's odd. I felt that too. Could it mean something?" Rarity pondered.

Rainbow's patience was wearing thin now. "Yeah. It means you both nervous. Are we going now?" She directed her annoyance to Discord.

"Fine fine Ms. Impatience Pants." He pulled out what seemed to be a remote out of his ear. It had only one button on it, which meant it had only one purpose. He pressed. Suddenly, the time portals came to life. They shined a mysterious blue, as the devices started the process. A portal appeared soon after. It shown like a star in the night sky, which only Luna could create.

The main six stood in awe at the portal. They had never seen anything like this before. Twilight was especially intrigued. She tried to get a glimce of the other side, to no avail. Celestia was more surprised then anything else. The energy produved by the devices didn't feel like magic. It felt alien to her. She turned to see how Luna reacted. She could tell by the look in her eyes that she knew this was new. She then turned her attention to the main. What she saw in their eyes where determination and wonder. Well, Fluttershy was more scared and unsure.

"Well girls, ready?" twilight turned to her friends.

"Ready." they said in unison. Twilight smiled. On the inside, she was thankful for such great friends at her side.

"Well then, lets go." Twilight responded.

As our heros go into the portal, many thoughts plagued their minds. What dangers could lay on the other side? Will they succeed, or die trying. One thing is for sure though, this wasn't going to be an average trip.

<><><><><><><><><><><><>
Mongolia, 80 million years ago

The desert is a unforgiving environment. It is surprising how life found a way, to live in these harsh conditions. However, some new faces are going to end up here, and they are going to be hit by the deserts merciless attempt to kill them all, at full force.

There was a bright flash in the lonely dunes. The portal had appeared, and out came Twilight and her friends. As they came out, they felt the hot sands burn their hooves. It felt alien to them. Even the air felt more different, more threatening.

"Where are we?" Rainbow looked around, covering her eyes from the sun's light.

"I don't know," Twilight responded. "but it looks like we are in some type of desert." She looked around, hoping to see some sort of life, but only sand was there. She had been in a desert before, the San Palomino to be exact. But that was different. It was just a archeological expadition to some old ruins, and all that was suspected to be there where some artifacts. She didn't have to worry about some monster trying to eat her. Plus, that desert was more rocky, this one was more sandy.

"Hey sugarcube, look. Yer book is glowin." Applejack pointed out. Twilight turned around to look at her bag. There was a strong glow coming from the inside, which was in the shape of the strange book she was given. Using her magic, she opened her bag and levitated the book out. As she opened it, the book started to vibrate a bit. Then, to everyones amazement, hand written text started to appear. Each letter shined gold right after it showed, and soon dimed to a ink black.

"That's soon mighty fancy magic ya got there sugarcube." Applejack commented.

Twilight turned to her confused. "I didn't do this. It must of been enchanted by somepony else." She thought of all the possible suspects. Could it have been Starswirl? No, even with his powerful magic. There was no way he could of done it. The writing was not of his style. So who could it have been? Maybe Discord....nah. He wasn't really the writing type.

"Well, what does it say?" Asked Rainbow, eager to hear what it had to say about what the hay is going on, or where in the world are they. Twilight gave a nod, and looked at the now full page. It read.

Mongolia, 80 million years ago

During the days of the Late Cretaceous, Mongolia was a land of vast deserts, and lush forests. The desert, known as the Gobi, covered most of the land. Very little plants lived there, however, like most deserts, there were soon paces called oasis's. This is where most of the animals came to live, and to be sheltered from the harsh sun, and sandstorms which where common. Mongolia was not all desert though. Near lakes there were lush forests which housed some of Mongolia biggest, and dangerous dinosaurs. Speaking of them. The animals here evolved into some of the most strangest , and dangerous, things ever to walk the earth.

What has been discovered so far has stumped the minds of many scientists. And I believe there are many more dinosaurs to be discovered, and many more mysteries to be solved.

Nigel

Beside the writing was a picture of what seemed to be a picture of the world. It looked so strange, nothing like Equestria. In the middle of the biggest looking landmass was a read dot. "That must be where we are." Twilight thought.

Many thoughts ran throught the ponies minds. Some of wonder and curiosity. While others of fear and unsureness. But there was one thing they all knew. They had to find a source of water.

"Ok girls. First things first. We need to find a source of water. Our water supplies won't last very long. Plus, that's the best place to start looking for some sort of life." Twilight said.

"Or more like a place to get eaten." Fluttershy whispered under her hair, so no one could hear. What monsters could live here. The book definitely said dangerous ones. At least she had her firends by her side, but would that be enough?

"Hold on. If we run out of water, couldn't we just head back to Equestria and get more?" Rainbow pointed out. "You have a pair of those time travel thingamagigs with you." She had a point, but there was one problem.

"Yeah, um" Twilight nervously laughed under her breath. "there's a problem. You see, they came with a manual. And it said they had to recharge after one use. And I don't know for how long" The ponies starred flabbergasted at Twilight.

"Wha wha what." Shuttered Fluttershy. Staying here an hour was bad enough, and now she had to survive until the metal time travel thing charged. "What if it would take a week, a month, or a year too charge." She thought.

"Well that blows." Raindow sighed. She dropped to the ground after.

"I know," Twilight spoke, kicking some sand as she did. "but I know we can get through this. Who knows. Maybe it will just take a day or two. Now come on. Lets go find some animals."

"And the element." Added Applejack.

"And the element." Copied Twilight. "We can do this."

<><><><><><><><><><><><>
Two Hours of Walking Later

"We can't do this!" Cried Twilight. She fell head first into the hot sand, her sweat actually making the sand around her wet. "This desert just keeps going. I haven't even seen a shrub. We're doomed!"

"It's all right sugarcube. Here, want some water?" Applejack passed her friend a canteen.

"Thank you Applejack." She took the cap off and tried to drink. "Huh?" She shaked the canteen to see if it was empty. "There's nothing in here." Twilight said, to her dismay.

Applejack took the canteen back. And looked inside. "That's odd. It was just full a bit ago." She turned around to see if she could get some, only to see that everyone was missing their share as well.

"Strange. I'm empty as well." Rarity said.

"I'm out too." Fluttershy added.

"My bottle is missing! This is so strange. It's like a mystery!" Pinkie bounched in excitement. Now everyone expected Rainbow to have the same problem. However, they didn't hear anything from her. Their was one sound though. Gulping? They turned around, and saw Rainbow Dash drinking every drop of water from Pinkie's canteen.

"Rainbow!" They all yelled. She suddenly froze, and paused her drinking. She had been caught red handed, or hoofed.

"Un, he he." This was all that came out of Rainbow's mouth. She quickly closed the now empty canteen, gave it to Pinkie, and started whistling like it never happened.

"Rainbow, why would you drink all our water? Do you know what you have done?" Twilight said. Rainbow just stared at them for a few moments. She then broke down crying.

"I'm sorry! This heat is killing me! I was so thirsty! I can't do this!" She sobbed. This came as a surprise to everyone. Rainbow Dash saying "I can't do this", that never happens.

Applejack went to Rainbow to comfort her. "Buck up sugarcube. I know you can do this. Your the toughest pegasis I ever known. No offence Fluttershy."

The yellow pegasis gave a small smile and nodded. "Well. I guess your right about that." Responded Rainbow. Her tears started to subside

Applejack continued. "Now how about we forget everything that just happened, and go find a oasis. Right Twilight. She turned to her friend.

"Right." Twilight agreed. She turned around and looked at the vast expanse of dunes with a worried frown. It looked so imitating. Could they really do this. Sure she and her friends deafeted Nightmare Moon, bringing back the good Luna. And deafeted the Lord of Chaos. But this was different. The elements could not help them, and they were basically trapped in a world filled with dangers.

But soon she remembered all the times being spent with her friends, the good and bad ones. No madder what, they stock together. Maybe they don't need the elements to do this. They have each other. Even with the slight boost of confidence, one though stuck in her mind, "This is going to be harder then I thought."

Comments

[Seanchow806Napoleonic]

If things gets tough for you. I will give you a hand for writing or I will adopt this story for safekeeping.

[Dinodisneylover1]

I hope you'll update your story one day cause this one sure is interesting.