The Archive of Lost Souls
Manuscript entry 43
BOOM!!!! An explosion rang throughout Canterlot and a small mushroom cloud was seen hovering above the castle. Many ponies hustled through the streets towards the castle to learn the cause of the explosion but a vast amount of guards blocked their way. My name is Mesquite D. Quill. I was told not to write my name in this script but I’ll be damned if the Queen takes all the credit for this. I’m sure the Queen will have one of her unicorn scribes erase my name but until then I shall continue with my name known to all. Just for clarification in case this particular reader is a bit ignorant, the Queen that I am referring to is none other than Queen Gaia. She reins over all of Equestria with her daughter Princess Galaxias. However due to certain issue’s Princess Galaxias has been sent to live in the Crystal Empire for the time being. Oh forgive me I seem to be rambling let us return to the matter at hand.
I stood watching the gathering occur behind the royal guards. I walked back towards the castle gates and back to my post as Experimental Scribe. This means that I write down all things that happen in the laboratories deep beneath the castle. Smoke poured out from the room that was assigned as Laboratory 23, Genetic altercation division. Lots of bits were being poured into this division lately. Apparently they were on the verge of creating the perfect Alicorn specimen using various animals in their experiments. The Queen had taken an interest since the appearance of an Alicorn was rare, like once in 10,000 years rare. This breakthrough would not only bring Alicorn’s into a more common light but expand on the royal family, creating Alicorn territories not just in Equestria but overseas as well. In fact global domination would be the closest truth to the Queen’s sudden interest.
It seems the scientists are unharmed but a bit shaken up due to the explosion. One unicorn stood off to the side staring into a tank as if possessed. I trotted over to where he was standing to bring him back into reality. What I saw next cannot be described by simple words but I shall try my best. Seemingly floating in some strange liquid was a small creature that I could not identify. It was compiled of so many animal parts that I shant name them for fear of using up all of my remaining paper. My heart nearly stopped dead in awe of what I saw, not only awe but a strange fear of something yet to come. As if a being of greater power has descended to our land in hope of peaceful destruction, a hypocrisy on words yes but feelings just as true. This was their first step into a world unknown to pony kind and yet the first step to creating the perfect Alicorn. We celebrated until nightfall for this wonderful achievement and now I shall turn in. I hope tomorrow brings just as much discovery as did today.
Manuscript entry 63
There have been little changes to the creature that was made weeks ago. It has grown a small bit in size but other than that it remains the same. The unicorns here at the laboratories have identified the creature as Draconequu-Chimerus since it bears the head of a pony and the partial body of a dragon made up with various other animals. It was far from being anything near an Alicorn but this did not hinder their hopes for it to awake as a being of life. During this time they have tried to replicate their previous subject with no success. Today they decided to run different tests on this new species to try and get a better understanding of what they were dealing with. I leave off with this note, although reproduction is possible through regular everyday ponies and an Alicorn is the greatest gift of life their ever will be I do not believe that you can create a god.
Manuscript entry 68
Great news! The creature has nearly doubled in size and is now hooked up to a breathing monitor. It seems to have all the normal organs of a normal creature. We have yet to determine its food source but it seems to produce its own food. The scientists have yet to discover the cause of this phenomenon but are hoping to learn the cause in the next few weeks. This is an astounding discovery and they say they are close to cracking the biological code. After today they plan on hooking up an iv of special fluids and chemicals that I am not at liberty to say. Well the wife is calling so I shall take my leave and let tomorrow bring more light into our boring lives.
Manuscript entry 79
Queen Gaia herself made an appearance today to check on our progress. She seemed to be pleased with the results and ordered the scientists to finish the project by the summer solstice in celebration of her daughters return from the Crystal Empire. After she left the scientists were outraged, the summer solstice was right around the corner and there where many things to be discovered but, they bit the reign as and started to work tirelessly around the clock. I am happy that I am not a scientist myself and have a family to look forward to when I get home and with that I bid you all adeau.
Manuscript entry 84
Today was the day right before the summer solstice and no progress has been made. The Queen had shown up to check on the progress of their latest developments and she was furious at their supposed stupidity. The problem was not the specimen itself but the fact that it had an absence of life as one would have it. In other words it had no soul so it could not become a living creature, thus the celebration would have to do without its main attraction. Well the day is long and the night is young and my wife awaits my return.
Personal entry
It seems I had forgotten my quill while writing my earlier manuscript so I snuck back into the castle to retrieve it to finish my earlier excerpt. The light was on in laboratory 23 and I thought one of the scientists was working late. However it was not as I had thought. The Queen stood all alone next to the experiment, conversing with it as if it could speak. What I saw next I shall never tell another soul so if you’re reading this please be wary of the consequences. The Queen opened the small door that kept the creature in its isolation. She used her magic to levitate a small knife towards her. She cut a small piece of her flesh off near her hoof. She lifted the creature’s head and used her magic to open its mouth. Raising her bleeding hoof over the creature she let a plentiful amount of blood pour into the open mouth of the creature. She bandaged up her hoof and left the room leaving everything the way it was before she arrived. Luckily I was well hidden and was never found. I grabbed my quill and left with haste hoping to leave this horrific seen behind. Tomorrow marks the day of the summer solstice and the return of Princess Galaxia so I need to be well rested to tell the event to others to the best of my ability, however tonight seems like sleep shall elude me.
Manuscript entry 85
This shall be my last entry into this manuscript. It started with the summer solstice festival.
The celebration went off without a hitch. The band played a vigorous tune and everyone was enjoying themselves immensely. The catering was superb and the Princess looks gorgeous. My wife and son were not here as there had been a death in the family and they were away in the newly founded town just outside of Canterlot. The Queen opened with a small speech regarding her loving return of her daughter. The as the celebration hit a high note the music died down. The Queen called attention to the balcony where she was seated. “Equestrians,” she said, “Today I present to you a scientific discovery that will astound even the most skeptic of ponies. I give to you…” A deathly silence overtook the entirety of Canterlot. The Queen stood in shock as a strange looking object pierced her heart and blood soaked into her gown. She collapsed into the balcony as the Princess screamed in anguish. She was quickly silenced as a figure emerged from the shadows holding the heads of two of the scientists that had helped created it. Draconequu-Chimerus had finally been brought to life. It screamed in rage and hatred for those that created it. THE MADNESS THE MADNESS. I’m sorry about that let us continue.
The creature used strange magic that turned the world seemingly upside down and strange looking spikes erupted from the ground impaling almost everypony. The ground was soaked with blood and the once green grass and gray streets were now red as the harvest moon. I escaped with the Princess to a nearby cave. We sat there listening to the screams and sickening sounds of death overtaking the kingdom. The final hours seemed upon us. I tried talking to the Princess but she seemed deep in thought. She finally spoke mentioning a spell that could trap the beast but would trap her as well. I tried to talk her out of madness, equilibrium, serenity, chaos god TRAPPED PAIN.
A shadow hung outside the cave drawing ever closer. The Princess stood in front of the monster outside the cave screaming at the top of her lungs. The Queen stood just in front of her the spike still impaled through her chest. As they fought the monstrous creature came upon them slashing out at the Queen’s flank. The Princess cast her spell and without thinking I galloped towards the Princess pushing her outside the cave as it collapsed trapping me, the Queen, and the monster behind its impassible walls. I could hear her screaming and cursing me from the other side but I hold no grudge against her. In fact where would the kingdom be without a ruler? These days I just converse with the creature who has named himself Discord God of Chaos. He seems content with feasting himself on the dead Queen an in my loneliness I have taught him to speak to ease my ever discomfort. It seems as if he has went into a state of hibernation and I sit here holding death, chaos death equals INSANITY HATE love PAIN.
It seems my madness is soon coming upon me so I shall end with this. Son I love you and your mother very much and I am sorry for leaving you behind. I hope you will be alright without me. To those who dare defy the will of go look back on this incident and remember this day. The day pony kind tried to create their own god, the day thousands died. Remember what happens to those who defy sanity.
The Archive of Lost Souls
Journal Entry 26
Today starts the first day of my new job as the Queen's scribe. Queen Galaxias said she knew my great grandfather when he was working here and said that I remind her of him. I really hope that this isn't the reason that I got this job, but anyway i’m super excited about this opportunity. I was working towards becoming a journalist but some jerks from my neighborhood stole some of my pages from my earlier journal ( that I have disposed of ) and paraded it around Canterlot. Somehow one of the pages made it into the Queen’s chambers and she said that it was really well written. Thus I was offered a job here as the Queen’s scribe taking notes from her royal duties. Breathe in breathe out, phew. I can’t stop thinking about it, Oh! I better get going.
Journal Entry 34
So it’s been a month and a half since I started working and the Queen is amazing! She’s super kind to everyone and she always has food prepared for me when I come in. I've tried asking about my grandfather but every time I mention him she clams up, and has a sad look on her face. I think my grandfather might have done something bad but that’s ok. I still wish I could have known him. *Sigh* But she did tell me that he was a scribe like me, and he used to work for the royal family. I guess that I have a richer lineage than I thought. I always thought that since my father was a carpenter, I would take after him. I guess it’s good that we had different ideas about life. Well tomorrow I have a lunch date with the Queen so I should get some rest.
Journal entry 42
I don’t think the Prime Minister likes me. Supposedly under order of the Queen i’m to be moved to the Crystal Empire as assistant scribe to King Sombra. I didn't even get to tell her goodbye before i was shipped off in this dang wagon to the Crystal Empire. Luckily I was able to pack up my stuff before i had left, and the trip isn’t that bad. The soldiers don’t talk much and the other passengers don’t seem very enthusiastic about this trip so i’ve been alone a lot lately, except for one pegasus. She was the only one who even seemed interested in talking to me. She always sat next to me at dinner time amidst the glares from everyone else and for some reason she turned reddish every time I said her cooking was delicious. From what I have been told we are three days away from finally reaching the Crystal Empire and to be totally honest i’m sorta scared. If the rumors are true King Sombra is not an easy stallion to get along with. Maybe we’ll get along better since we are both unicorns but I guess only time will tell. Goodnight.
Journal Entry 43
Everyone died except for her. The road was covered in blood and even after three weeks it’s still as red as I remember. She drugged me in my sleep and dragged me off into the forest amidst the confusion. I awoke to dripping red leaves and she was no longer the silky white she used to be but stained from head to hoof in sticky red fluid that dripped from her mane and formed puddles around her. I trotted up to her hoping to help somehow but she just pushed me away. I tried to speak but she just screamed “ It’s your fault Redwood! If you hadn’t got close to the Queen everyone wouldn’t have had to die. I saved you because I like you but know, know i’m not sure if it was worth it.” From what information I have gathered these three weeks, the Prime Minister was corrupting the King of the Crystal Empire by feeding him Dark Crystals. Apparently the king was bedridden with an incurable disease and was on the verge of dying when the Prime Minister came through his doors bearing a cure for his ailment. He had melted down these purple-black crystals into a soupish substance and fed it to the king. It worked except he did not tell the king that it would destroy his heart from the inside out. Now only evil remains inside the king. He has become a Tyrant forcing his kingdom into slavery, with the minister occasionally checking in on his work. I have met a few ponies willing to help me oppose him but one such pegasus will still not acknowledge my existence. I write this hoping she reads this someday and hopefully one day … she forgives me.
Journal Entry 46
The raid today was successful. Thanks to Snow we now have an informant on the inside and enough goods to feed our militia and cripple the right hoof of Sombra. I had no idea that the once snowy white Pegasus possessed such skill as a fighter and negotiator. I guess when one is stained with so much blood one becomes tainted not only inside but outside as well. I try not to notice but i can’t help myself when I see her flirting with others in the militia or those in town. I don’t think she ever forgave me for what happened and honestly I don’t think I can forgive myself. I can only move forward towards our current goal without fault.
We now have over thirty ponies and counting in our militia, and Sombra’s ranks have fallen by at least 15% through death or abandonment though I would think death is better. The last soldier that tried to flee was tied to a stake in the middle of the town near the base of his castle. Instead of executing him swiftly Sombra took it upon himself to skin his torso so he could reach his ribs only to carve his name into his captors bones. Using a spell to keep him barely alive, the captured soldier’s screams could be heard throughout the kingdom, as well as Sombra’s sadistic laugh, as the blood from his new toy painted his black coat red. Blood pooled around the bottom of the stake and when it was all said and done I ran back into the woods and threw up everything I had eaten earlier. Snow seemed to be worried over my excessive retching but soon left in disgust at my actions. Hopefully this fight will end soon, for I am not sure I can keep up this charade of bravery, for fear is soon to overtake me.
Journal entry 54
Four months have passed and finally we shall have our chance. Our ranks have increased to almost four hundred and fifty ponies, fit and ready for battle. The kings ranks have dropped to almost half and they are all starving and thin due to the constant raids on the kingdom however the king still seems plump and full though if not on food I am scared to think of what. One of our newest member’s , a former captain from Sombra’s army, has told us of a perfect opportunity to strike. In three days the king and the Prime Minister of Canterlot would meet and during that time a majority of the guards will be sent to the barracks so as not to overhear their secret meeting. Our forces are well fed and our weapons are sharp, so I hope to end this war once and for all. Maybe… maybe then Snow will forgive me.
Personal Journal Entry
With one day remaining till doomsday I have found my very special somepony. I’m not even sure if I should put this here but i’m so giddy I just might burst. Oh! I should keep quiet so as not to wake her. I was trotting down to the lakes edge to think about the days to come when a notion came over that I should take a swim to calm my nerves. While I was swimming I heard the most beautiful voice ever, and becoming completely entranced I swam towards this voice of wonder. The voice was coming from behind a rock where I knew to be a small waterfall that kept fresh water in the lake. Underneath the waterfall, I couldn’t believe my eyes, was Snow. Drenched from head to hoof with her mane hanging off to the side she shook the water from her, spraying me with a sudden downpour. I fell back with a loud splash that caused her to squeak in surprise. When she saw me her face turned a deep deep red.
She asked, “ Quill… what are you doing here?” “You know you can call me Redwood. But you never do, why is that?” I asked. “
You're skipping my question by adding your own now state your business!” I told her that I had heard her singing from afar and came to find the source, not realizing that she was bathing here. I started to walk away when Snow stopped me by flying in front of me. She hovered there dripping wet, flapping her wings and staring, almost as if into my soul. In one sudden movement her lips met mine. I fell backwards surprised by the sudden kiss. Lying on my back smiling like a fool Snow stood over me unsure of what to say. Before she could respond to her actions I held a hoof up to her mouth. “ Snow I love you.” Snow almost broke into tears as she attacked my face with kisses and affection. Soon after, we made love under a tree beneath the starry sky. It was certainly the best night of my life and know I have something to live and fight for. My Special Somepony Snow.
Snow Quill personal Journal entry
I suppose this is long overdue however, I could not bring myself to tell the story of the battle that destroyed so many lives, mine included. I guess I should finish what was started before the battle began. Ahem.
The morning was crisp and clear with my love lying on his desk, surely from writing all night. For a militia leader he is such a bookworm. The soldiers were already lined up prepared and waiting for this morning’s briefing on the mission for today. I trotted over and nuzzled his neck hoping to get his attention. In the end I had to push him over, he looked so funny when he fell. He was so worried that we were under attack that he jumped up on the bed to protect me before realizing what was going on. It was cute . A scout came into the tent bearing news on the arrival of the minister in the Crystal Castle. His face grew hard and serious as he started talking to his young scout. Most ponies were much older than he was so I can only imagine what pressure he felt knowing that he would be leading such hardened ponies into battle.
The time finally came when the sun turned amber and darkened so that we might gaze at it’s glory. The former captain led us down to a small river that ran underneath the castle. The catacombs were long and treacherous but thankfully we had the captain to lead us. We trotted all the way until we came to a trapdoor in the ceiling, Quill went first scouting out the area before we moved on. It was a wine cellar almost fully stocked, so Sombra must've been doing better than his subjects. Just thinking about this made a fire grow inside me that I almost could not control. Quill had sidled up to me and nibbled my neck affectionately and I calmed down after feeling his loving touch, after all we were in enemy territory, not exactly the best place to blow a fuse. We waited until the moon was high in the sky and the torches had been lit. When the time was right Quill, the captain and I headed towards Sombra’s meeting place while the rest of the group split up, ready for their own missions. We silently made our way up a flight of stairs hoping the guards would have gone, when we heard noises at the top of the stairwell. We ducked into a door that was close by and waited for the guards to walk past. I turned around looking for Quill only to find him staring into a dark crystal. He grabbed one with his mouth and bursted out the door. He ran like a madpony with bloodlust in his eyes, I could barely keep up with him. He disappeared around a corner that lead to a corridor that was littered with different doors. I only needed to hear his scream to find out exactly which room my love was in. To my horror Quill was lying on the floor surrounded by a pool of blood. I couldn’t bring myself to go towards him, it…. it seemed as if my life was crashing down around me and I nearly retched, except I noticed something strange. The blood was seeping back into his body. I trotted around him to see this miracle, only to find his horn covered in dark crystals.
“Snow,” He said weakly.
“What is it my love, what happened to your horn, what happened to Sombra?” I asked.
“Sombra is no more. I,” Quill retched up copious amounts of blood onto the floor that started to flow back into him. “ I absorbed Sombra using the Dark Crystal but I can’t hold him for long.”
“What are you saying?” I asked worriedly.
The last thing i remember is Quill jumping up, kissing me and then throwing himself out the window. A bright light flashed in the air , the signal to the other groups to lite the explosives that they had set inside the castle. I flew from the window hoping to catch a sight of my beloved but I only saw blood and fire and rock flying in all directions as the castle came crashing down in a fiery blaze. I could only sit on a hillside and cry as I watched Sombra’s castle go up in flames as well as my only special somepony … Quill.
After a few days I went with a group to search for any survivors. To our surprise a majority of the castle was still there just encased in crystal. It was breathtaking, possibly one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. But the surprises didn’t stop there. Outside the front entrance came Queen Galaxias and a group of soldiers carrying a crystallized statue of Sombra but something felt familiar about it. Queen Galaxias never really saw us as we decided to keep hidden among the shadows. I don’t recall her ever liking King Sombra but tears cascaded down her face everytime she glanced at the statue.
As we were leaving a soldier stood in the middle of the road with a letter in his mouth. He dropped the letter next to my hooves and flew off. I picked up the letter and took it with us back to camp. I cried for what seemed like forever inside Quill’s tent hoping that I would see him walking back through the tent flaps ready to write in his little journal, or talk to me about his day, or anything for that matter. It wasn’t until nightfall that I looked at the letter. It was from the Queen herself. It read as such:
Dear Snow,
I realize that you have lost someone very precious to you but he was also precious to me and the entirety of the Crystal Kingdom. He gave his life to protect you and Equestria, by trapping Sombra in the crystal. He used to write to me all the time about you and i’ve always wanted to meet you if at all possible. For failing to see the troubles at hoof until it was too late I would not be surprised if you did not want to see me but I assure you that we have much to discuss regarding Sombra’s downfall and….. Quill.
Sincerely,
Queen Galaxias of Equestria.
I think this should finally end this horrific chapter in my life and I am ready to start anew. I just wish Quill was still here to see how big his little filly has gotten.
