//------------------------------//
// Ch02 Discover 
// Story: The Reigns of History 
// by 8chill 
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Time is a constant. It is forever moving, unstopping force that never yields or wanes. All that time encompasses is subject to its power willingly or forcefully. Change is the word that best describe this incredible phenomenon. But because nearly everything exist within time's domain; nearly anything can be affected.

The Earth was not immune to time, it too had fallen to the whims of change. Areas that were once densely forested now lay bare. Places that were inhabitable are now teeming with life. Mountains that reached high into the heavens are now nothing more than gently rolling plains. However, one particular location has remained nearly untouched by time. The land around the area had risen forming high elevations of snow, ice, and rock that shielded the place from the outside world.  But even with this level of protection, cracks will form and the defense will crumble. After all, it is only a matter of time.








In a mountainous region, located far from the reaches of society, the crunching of snow could be heard; disturbing the tranquility of this place. Two figures appeared in the distance, marching forwards on a mission. As they approached, more features could be determined.  The figures seemed to be quadrupedal life-forms that were no taller than four feet. On closer inspection they appeared to be just ordinary horses if small. Interestingly enough, both had horns on protruding from their heads.  One was a old ashen, gray unicorn with with glasses perched on his face. He had a mark on his flank that depicted  what looked to be an astrolabe. The other younger pony was a rust, red color and had a mark of a thermometer on his flanks as well. Unbeknownst to both, it would be on this day, that this duo would make a discovery of a lifetime.

"Are we there yet, Professor?"

"For the last time no, we are not, so please stop asking Heatwave."

"But its soooo cold! There's nothing out here to do, just ice and snow everywhere."

"Well of course there's ice and snow, wouldn't you think that being near one of the Precarious Polar Poles, the regions known to have mildly low temp-"

"Mildly low my hoof! I'm freezing my flank off here! My name is Heatwave for a reason, I specialize in heat not cool, not cold and most definitely not freezing." 

Getting annoyed, the professor replied "Then why in world did you decide to come with me."

"You said that there was a new area up north that recently became accessible ,due to glacier melt, and that it would be such an opportunity to find something interesting. All you needed was a partner to help with the collection of data. A quick trip to a moderately cool climate was your description. But you never said it would freezing conditions or that the winds would turn me into a pony-cicle!" Heatwave said with frustration clear on his face.

"I told you exactly where we were going from the get go. For bucks sake, the place is called Freezy Breeze Peaks for a reason, lad. It has the word freeze in it's name; what else could it possible mean? he responded exasperated.

Eye twitching madly, Heatwave was getting irritated and had to calm himself down  A few relaxing breaths later he was calm. "Let's just collect your data and get out of here."

"Agreed."

"I should of went to Bale......."

"What was that?"

"Nothing."







Hours were spent searching the new area that was previously hidden. It wasn't that interesting of a place. It had trees native to the climate, boulders and stone chunks left behind by glaciers, and small hills of thick, soft snow.

"This was a complete waste of time! I could have been running experiments back at the lab instead of being out here." Heatwave said tossing yet another small stone aside.

"I wouldn't say this was a waste of time. I found some rather interesting tree samples that have quite the unique bark texture." 

"Great. I spent the last 2 days preparing for this trip, the last 6 hours traveling to this location, and the last 4 hours searching;  just so you can find tree bark." 

"Nonsense. You didn't waste time, we gathered some information and even collected a few samples. All in all, a successful expedition if I do say so myself."

Sighing lightly, Heatwave decided to not even bother conversing and just go and find a place to relax. "I'm just going to go lay on that little hill over there. Call me when you're ready to leave." Not waiting for a response he walked to the aforementioned spot, pulled a blanket from his saddle pack and laid it on the hill before flopping on his back. He was expecting his back to meet with immediate resistance, but came up with air instead. It was at this point that he realized he was falling and reacting quickly cast a levitation spell just as the ground below him caved in. 

Hearing the commotion, the professor quickly teleported to his partner's location, only to see him floating over a large gaping hole. 

"Are you alright lad?" he asked concerned.

"Yeah, I'm all right. I'm lucky I casted that levitation spell or I would have been in serious trouble."

The professor let out a sigh of relief. "Well I'm glad your fine lad. Now, How about we investigate this hole? It looks to be pretty deep and it may lead to something."







The hole was more of a cavern as they soon discovered filled to the brim with crystals of various shapes and sizes. Using their horns as light sources, they scoured every inch of the cave, making notes of anything interesting. It was after a thorough search that they stumbled upon something by complete accident. Heatwave was casually walking to a new section of the cavern before falling face first into what he thought was solid ground. Picking himself, he shook off the excess water before casting a heating spell on himself to dry his coat. Turning to head back to the professor, a shimmer caught his eye. Instead, he beckoned him to come over and see what the shimmering was. Intrigued, they decided to investigate and what they saw shocked them to their core... 


"Sweet Celestia! Professor, what in the world is that?!"

"I....I don't have the faintest idea as to what it is."

There was something deep within the pool that was giving off faint light. A large something that was partially translucent in the water, barely noticeable. Using magic, both unicorns lifted the strange object out of the cold, murky depths of the pool. After successfully setting it down safely, they took a moment to gaze at their prize.

The object in question was a large crystalized, chunk of the an unknown substance. However, its what was inside the large crystal that had both researchers stunned. Inside, frozen in position, was a body of a creature. Unfortunately, it was indistinguishable due to the opacity of the crystal.

"Simply remarkable. This crystal substance seems to have kept the creature perfectly preserved. It must have been quick acting to capture this creature in such a pose."

"Do you know what this mean?!" the professor exclaimed while literally bouncing on his hooves.

"Yes! We found a crystal that has a fossilized creature of an unknown time locked inside it." Heatwave replied with a growing smile on his face. 

"Not only that, but we are also the ponies that get to study it first. Heatwave my boy, I do think we have made the discovery of the century!"