A Study of the Soul

A crackle escapes from the speakers, though the screen remains curiously blank. A serious sounding voice emanates from the magical device, prompting one to simply listen. "January 4th, year 100. As you have by now noticed, there is no visual feed in this recording. That is because storing and playing back sights and sounds takes considerably more electro-magical power to operate, which is something of a scarcity in my current situation. As such, future entries will all be audio recordings and nothing more."

Some shuffling could be heard in the background, followed by a loud thud from far away. "Don't mind the noise, my assistant-slash-bodyguard, Storm Fury, is currently excavating a recent find in the ruins of and surrounding Canterlot Castle. Some structures and rubble are unstable, so these things are expected. Pay him no heed."

The stern voice, presumed to Dr. Seoule, cleared his throat before continuing on. "Now then, I believe I am on the cusp of a great discovery, one that will shake the scientific community to its core. I can't divulge too much now, but it may be vital to my research. Now, some may be wondering what a Theoretical Magician such as myself would be doing studying old, possibly dangerous ruins. The reasons for my archeological pursuits can best be understood if one were made aware of the current world status."

A few more thuds, followed by a cry of pain emanated from somewhere in the background. With a sigh, the voice drearily muttering to himself, "He'll be fine, just carry on with your recording."

"Now then, where was I?" Dr. Seoule asked aloud, before huffing, and resuming his train of thought. "Ah, yes, the current state of affairs. Equestria has fallen. The 4 royal Alicorns are presumed extinct, and the capital city of Canterlot was destroyed and abandoned in the ensuing wars over who would rule Equestria. That was about 100 years ago. What's left of our once great land has been divided into city-states run by petty nobles claiming absolute control over the land in their grasp. Most of them are benign, generally loved by the populous, though there are a few areas where few dare to tread."

"TIMBERRRRR!" called a voice in the background, followed by a very, very large, "CRASH!" The doctor audibly winced at the loud noises, but continued on nonetheless, though there was a certain anxiousness to his tone.

"Meanwhile, foreign powers have steadily encroached upon our 'borders'. Many wars on the miniature scale have been fought near said borders, but for now things seem to be in an uneasy peace. There are still petty squabbles among the nobles about trade tariffs, and immigration taxes, but nothing worth fighting over. Yet."

Some more rustling could be heard, though it sounds mostly like paper shuffling. "Speaking of the nobles, most of them claim to be descended from one of the Four Royal Alicorns. This is hardly true for any of them, but it keeps the citizens believing in them. I fear for what might happen should such facts be revealed during these trying times. Now then, History states that of the Four, only one of the ruling Alicorns had any domestic ties. This would be the ever famous Crystal Princess, Mi Amore Cadenza, who we know was married to one Shinning Armor. Though it was never officially stated that any of the Princesses produced children, I know for a fact that there was indeed a young child sired by the Crystal Princess."

A sigh escaped from the doctor's mouth as he said these next words, "I know this because Princess Cadence was my mother. I am the son of an Alicorn."