FF – Ancients
Here is my story for Friday Fictioneers, hosted by Rochelle. This week’s photo was contributed by Rochelle herself!

The scientists gasped as the quantum time-space manipulator hummed to life. The broken ruins before them transformed – pristine buildings, people everywhere… people under attack! The Ancients, an advanced yet savage, cannibalistic race thought to have left Earth millennia ago, were killing, burning – feasting.
“It’s like we’re actually there!” enthused Professor Hayworth, team leader. “A doorway to the past! This will rewrite history!”
One of the Ancients turned towards him and threw a spear. It slammed through the professor’s chest, throwing him backwards.
The scientists had forgotten what any schoolchild knows – a door, once opened, works both ways.
The Ancients flooded through.
That puts the University in a pickle. Who will they find at short notice to lecture now?
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Ever practical 🙂
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No use me standing for Parliament then!
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Oh, that’s dark. Well done.
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Thanks, I’m glad you liked it!
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What a cool yet scary find, nice one!
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Thanks – let’s hope if they manage to get it closed, they’re a bit more careful with it.
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For sure, leaving it open will be a disaster!
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I’m now rethinking my wish to find a time machine! Great story!
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Yes, I would. It wasn’t all unicorns and mermaids 🙂
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good story! Enjoyed it ❤
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Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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There’s a limit to how much history we want to experience! Good one.
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Definitely. Just the good bits, please.
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Do not meddle in zings zat do not concern you, I always say
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Wise words!
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What’s for lunch? Students! 🤤😋
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*scientists 😅😅 I got too focused on the professor’s title.
Also, I should probably add more than just that witty response. …
Funny how we sometimes have the best intentions, but don’t always critically think about how our actions effect others (or ourselves).
I love the twist ending!
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Well, the students will follow I’m sure!
Yes, they got so excited about their discovery/invention 😮
I’m glad you liked it 🙂
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Nice twist on the old time travel story. In sci-fi, “future” people always seem to go to the past with an air of arrogance. That’ll teach them.
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Yes – I remember reading one book a long time ago when, mere seconds after they arrived, one of them was so engrossed observing a “primitive soldier” on horseback they didn’t even see the sword he was wielding…
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Never underestimate the abilities of a door.
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Dangerous things, doors 🙂
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Hell unleashed. Who wants that. I conclude that I like the idea of visiting the past and making changes, but not the past coming to visit me.
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For sure. Hey past, go away!
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hopefully, there’s a way to turn the clock back minutes before he was hit so he can protect himself. 🙂
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How many alternate timelines are you trying to create here ? 😉
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The past should be left where it belongs, in this case behind a locked door!
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Definitely! No good ever came from opening strange doorways.
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You’re so right, when you stare into the abyss (or open a portal to cannibal warriors from the past) the abyss stares into you (or spears you in the chest and has you for dinner.)
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Yep, Nietzsche almost had it right – yours is much flashier 🙂
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🙂
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They were right – history was rewritten, but perhaps not as they expected. I hope the savages are so scared by what they find inside the door that they hurry back out again and the time portal closes. Dangerous games. Fun story.
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I expect they’ll have a nice snack first, though… 😮
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As much fun as it would be to visit the past, I much prefer watching it on TV.
I’m glad your ancients aren’t real. I’d rather have cheese sausage sandwich.
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Maybe the scientists can wean the ancients off humans with a good cheese and sausage sandwich.
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A neatly built alternative history, Ali. I like that history came alive, albeit in a terminal fashion for the Professor.
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Sadly struck down at the pinnacle of his career.
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Oooo i want to know more. All they need now is a great flood!
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Maybe that will come rushing through once the Ancients are done 🙂
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Dear Ali,
Sadly, it seems, the scientists have opened Pandora’s box. Too late to shut it now. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Yes, all the ills are out, and out they’ll stay.
Thanks:-)
Ali
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They never larn, these scientific type blokes.
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Too excited about the discovery, not enough thought to the consequences…
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