> Period Pieces. > by Altlus > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > February 10, 1873. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was early morning. The sun had barely begun to show it's light over the horizon, instead a faint orange glow peeked eastward above the tall and majestic pines and conifers. A Train, sped it's way through the forests. Steaming past view upon view of trees with the occasional panorama of some scenic waterfall or river whenever it crossed a bridge. It's rhythmic chugging breaking the silence and natural ambience of the forests. Aboard this train, a man sat in his seat, clutching one of his suitcases and looking out onto the passing scenery. The Name of this man Arcanis. Doctor Arcanis. It had been roughly seven years since he left Equestria and willingly came to this world. He had come here with the intentions of starting anew and that he thought of himself as better of amongst the humans than under the rule of Celestia, whom was the reason he fled to this world. Having been disgraced by her and being mistakenly accused of performing dark magic. He had nothing against her, though he wanted to live in a world were some higher being wasn't going to restrain him and prevent him from reaching his potential. So far, he had manage to build quite a reputation amongst the Humans during his time in this world. Under the guise of a man with a rather prestigious background and partially using his powers and wisdom, he managed to acquire a great wealth and rose to the top of Human society. Becoming one among the rich and wealthy of this country they call "America". Despite all of this, he had started to grow tired if not irritated by city life. New York was just too noisy for one such as himself to focus. Too many noises, too many people, and too little space to breathe or think. This had motivated his decision to move to the countryside, if not the frontier. Where he could be able to think more clearly and have the isolation he so desired. The place he was heading to had drawn in his interest. It was a Frontier town in the Washington Territory over at the Pacific Northwest. It would be like any old frontier settlement in the area but what separated it from others was it's name. a name that despite it's out of place nature was very familiar with the likes of him: Canterlot. Initially he had heard it in passing in a conversation before looking it up on official maps of the United States. Surely enough, he found it and was utterly confused as to why it went by that name. Thus adding yet another reason to go there. Aside from the numerous stops and a couple of transfers, the trip by Train was arguably faster and more convenient than having to travel on hoof back in his native Equestria. which would take longer periods of time to travel. He had been quite fascinated by the iron beasts ever since he came to this world. The inhabitants in it seems to be quite technologically advanced in comparison to the Equestrian civilizations. Advanced and much more convenient. While the Train neared it's destination. The Forest gave way to a vast open field. passing by ranches and farms. As it slowed. Arcanis could see the town before. Indeed it was as he had expected it to be. A frontier town, typical of those in the region. But at the same time, he could not shake of the inescapable feeling that there was something unique about this town. Upon disembarking and making his way to the Station, something familiar caught his eye. Hanging in front of the Station, next to the American flag hung the flag of Equestria. In his world, it represented the entire land that he hailed from, but here it merely represents a small county the settlement stands on. for a while he stood staring at the unusual sight, and then grinned in utter disbelief. "It's good to be home.", he sarcastically thought to himself. "Good to be home". > August 25, 1908. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Somewhere in the Siberian Tundra The Expeditionary team trudged through the remnants of what was once part of a forest, now a desolate and scorched wasteland of toppled down trees as far as the eye could see. Those making the journey through this almost biblical scene were astonished and in disbelief at the untold devastation that lay before them. for what they had seen could only have been made by a force almost biblical in size and scale. Arcanis lead the team further through this hellscape of blackened logs and burnt Earth. Clad in a fur coat, he wandered on, determined to reach the epicenter this wasteland. Ever since he sensed the blast back in the 30th of july, Arcanis had been overcome with a gut feeling that something had arrived into this world. Something that was of his own world not something from outer space. It took several days for him to prepare and charter this expedition to Siberia. several days to cross the Arctic sea and brave is many ice floes, and several days to make it to this site. which He and his Team nearly got themselves lost trying to find if it weren't for the help of local settlers and Evenki natives pointing them the way. The Expedition gradually made it's way to an almost perfectly circular patch of nothing but flat ground. It was here, Arcanis notioned his men and his close colleagues to stop and approach cautiously. Out here, there was nothing but silence. Just the wind and silence. In the center of the crater, a thin trail of smoke rose from the ground and a faint bluish glow could be seen by all in the group. Colored wisps could be seen flying from the glowing object. swirling playfully skywards before disappearing into the air. Arcanis and a few others neared the glow as the rest were too apprehensive of whatever the object in the center may be. Unsure if it was dangerous or not. Arcanis and others gradually felt a familiar sensation wash over them. Radiating from the object laying just before them. Whatever this anomaly was, there was magic tied to the thing. Not just ordinary magic. What he was feeling was the presence of Equestrian Magic lying before him. Once He and his colleagues got close enough, he realized the nature of the Object before him. "Well Doc!",one of his colleagues answered. "What do you supposed this thing might be exactly?". > March 21, 1920 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Goldspur strolled calmly long the shore of Illusion Pool. Taking in the fresh air of this sunny day, He had several things in his mind that troubled him to varying degrees. some personal. others pertaining to His family business. Firstly was the news that Anjou pear was in town, That Goddamned Woman and her family.Her Grandpa, Jonas was responsible for destroying the original Sweet Apple Acres Plantation in Virginia and killing his great great grandpa in the process. But then again, it wasn't their fault that one of the Apples nearly killed one of Her great grand aunts with a Hammer. Now she intends to bring the feud between the Apples and Pears to this city. He had encountered her twice. Today and a couple of weeks before. Drove her family's truck next to his and gave him something he called "the look". Goldspur was nearly tempted to pull out his revolver throughout that encounter but thankfully fought the urge to shoot her. The second encounter still bugged him in the back of his mind for a while. Maybe taking a walk along this pond will alleviate things partially. Secondly was the fact that prohibition was now in effect this year. Although the state of washington was a wet state. Canterlot remained a Dry city and alcoholic beverages were deemed illegal in equestria county. This was a death blow to his family's ability to make cider. The situation for him was wether or not he should make non-alcoholic cider or continue to make alcoholic cider and get into the smuggling business. Though from what he had heard. The business of muggling as quite profitable. These thoughts continued to pester the poor Apple until he looked out across the pond and bore witness to an unusual event. Before his eyes, he saw a man getting shot out of the water at high speeds, then get deposited onto the shore. The man struggled to crawl and seemed to be walking on all fours in doing so. Goldspur came to the aid of the man on the shore. The man that lay before him was out of breath and gasping for air almost as though he nearly drowned. "you alright there suh?", asked Goldspur. "What's . . .your. . . name." gasped the stranger. "Goldspur Apple suh, what about yours?" "G. . .Gr. . . Greatshield. Commander Greatshield . . . of the. . . . Canterlot . . . Royal Guard." At this point, Goldspur was confused. He didn't remember this city having a royal guard. It wasn't a monarchy out here. He then asked, "You okay suh?" it was at this moment that the stranger passed out. Seeing no other option, Goldspur was forced to drag him back into town and get him to an Infirmary. > June 7, 1894 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Griffonshire, England. The sky over the English countryside was covered over in an oppressive overcast that obscured the sun and cast the landscape in a depressing gloom. In the distance dark clouds gathered and the sound of thunder reverberated across the land. A lone horse and carriage sped across the dirt road. rushing past cottages and fields as well as scenic vistas of towns and villages dotting the countryside. Clearly, the coachman was in a hurry to arrive to his destination before the rains hit. Things never look good when the roads become too muddy. "This bloody weather. How is it that these Brits managed to survive on this forsaken rock.", Arcanis mumbled to himself Temporarily diverting his attention away from his reading of the The Illustrated London News to look out the window onto the rather gloomy scene outside the moving coach. at least the countryside was far more appealing to Arcanis than the sight of seeing London when he first arrived here. It reminded him too much of his time in New York and reminded him of his aversion of densely populated places "At least there aren't any windigos wandering about in this world.", commented Mechanis, sitting across from him. "So who is this Grandsby fellow. It appears that you and him have known each other for a long time." asked Arcanis. "Me and Grandsby met back in 1828. I Met him back when i worked at the Robert Stephenson and Company locomotive works in Newcastle." Mechanis answered. "Much like me at the time, he was also very fascinated at this Technology these Humans have created. We both hd some form of admiration for Robert Stephenson We both thought the man was a wizard, even though we were well ware that he possessed no Equestrian magic." "So wait, let me get this straight. Your telling me that Grandsby is a Mage from our old world just like yourself?" "Pretty Much, Arcanis old chap. Before I embarked to America. He confessed to me that he's actually been around here for centuries. Told me that when he first came here, there was only nothing but castles, peasants and knights." Arcanis was intrigued. "Longer then we've been. Middle ages i supposed." "Right. The Town we're going through? He was one of the people that founded it al the way back in the medieval years. The Mansion was built later on in the 17th century from what I know. That's how old he is. From what I know, He chose the Name, 'Griffonstone' to honor the memory of his old home" "Just like the founders of Canterlot back in the States." Arcanis could answered. The Coach eventually made its way and passed through a large gate flanked by two stone gateposts topped with two imposing statues of Griffons. Overhead, inscribed in wrought iron letters, read the name of the Estate they were entering: "GRIFFONSTONE HALL". The Carriage stopped before the entrance of Griffonstone Hall. As Arcanis and Mechanis disembarked, they were greeted by the sight of a large brooding and ancient stone manor towering over them. To Arcanis, it sure beat the hell out of his florine Estate back over at Canterlot. "Okay, you know what you have to do." said Mechanis in a hushed voice. " just don't mention what we just discussed in the carriage. Greet him as though you were a new and friendly face to him.". Arcanis nodded in Agreement. the Two approached the large wooden door of the Manor. Mechanis grabbed one of the large knockers and struck them three times at the door. After what seemed like Twenty seconds passing, the Door finally opened and before them stood the lord of the estate. Grandsby. quite surprised tht an old friend had returned to visit. "Greetings Mechanis. I thought I'd never see you again." "Greetings to you too, old friend." "So Who is your companion that you brought along for this visit." "Salutations sir. The Name's Arcanis. Dr. Arcanis, sir."