The Breakthrough

Applebloom tapped the screwdriver against her chin as she stared at the cube she was holding with her other hand. Silently her friends stared at the same cube. The late afternoon sun spilled through the windows of the CMC clubhouse, but the fillies were still in the dark about the object they'd found.

It had all begun with that dilapidated cottage the CMC had stumbled upon while on one of their excursions into the Everfree Forest. The building had been abandoned for quite awhile and most of the contents inside it had badly deteriorated. Except for the cube and the book.

Applebloom had to agree with Scootaloo that the book's cover was the most metal thing she'd ever seen. It looked like something out of one those video games she played online with her friends. The contents of the book were a mixture of cryptic formulas, strange charts, sinister drawings, and obscure old ponish writings. There was several drawings of the cube they'd found in the book. So the foals had spent many hours poring over the book's pages.

The cube was in better shape than book. It was a dense thing made out what appeared to be dark hardwood with extensive bone inlay work on its surface. By studying the book and handling the cube they'd figured out that it was a puzzle of some type. However they had also discovered that it was apparently a music box as well because one could hear music softly come from within it when they manipulated. Creepy music, but still music.

They'd made another trip back to the shed in hopes of finding further clues about the cube only to find that a sinkhole had swallowed up the cottage. All that remained was a yawning chasm that appeared to have no visible bottom. Frustrated the fillies had returned empty handed.

From the writing in the book the CMC had determined that some pony named LeMarechand had made it. Whoever they'd been they knew how to make a wickedly complex puzzle. Still with through hard work and perseverance the fillies had step-by-step deciphered the cube. Now if Applebloom's calculations were correct they'd figured out the final step.

However the earth pony hesitated, for some reason the idea of opening it now seemed unwise. As she listened to the quiet music coming from the cube she spoke.

"Girls. Y'all know we've got a reputation fer goin' off half-cocked with r' great ideas?"

Her friends nodded their heads. AB continued.

The earth pony turned the cube in her hands. "Well maybe we ought ta hold off on poppin' the lid on this here thing."

Scootaloo spoke up. "Then what should we do with it then?"

Applebloom carefully set the cube on the card table. She stared at it for a moment. "I think...."

Then she looked up at her friends and smiled. "I think instead of openin' it here, we should take it ta school tomorrow fer show n' tell!"

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle brightened up. "Good idea Applebloom!" Sweetie said. "We can have everypony gather round when we open it! I bet Miss Cheerilee will love it!"

"It'll be like one of those unboxing videos that ponies love to post!" Scootaloo exclaimed. "This will be great!"

Another of the drawings I started during my Halloween themed Picarto stream. The CMC are perfect for this time of the year.

Note. This piece is for sale and will be looking for a good home.