Soul's Requiem

Gene Splice was ecstatic. She and her team entered a massive hexatent and began placing the med tables in their designated areas. Gene trotted into up to the table holding the white alicorn with a small recording devise held in front of her by her unicorn assistant, Grey Matter.

"At 0857 hours four female alicorn specimens were found." She said speaking into the device. Her voice held a bubbliness to it," One pink, one blue, one purple, and one white. Each was unconscious when they were pulled from crystal structure while Pink has been determined as deceased. Autopsy was done on site. Blood and saliva samples were taken for later analysis. Reason for death was determined from severe Cerebral hemorrhaging and the mana cortex had been frozen solid. It was determined that Pink went through extreme psychological trauma minutes before death. A second mana signature that was not from any of the other alicorns was found inside body. Pink has been secured and sent to another facility for later analyisis. White and Blue were wearing plates, one gold and one black and tiaras, same color scheme. Purple and pink were wearing just tiaras as well. All items were removed and given too second team for examination. Curiously enough specimens were naked save for aforementioned items. White is the largest of the four, age unknown. Cutie mark is a yellow and orange sun. Mane is pink and long, as is the tail. Wing span is twenty-five feet and seven inches across, slightly above average pegasi's. Horn is five feet two inches long. Height is sixteen feet three inches. Vital signs are normal. Specimen unconscious from assumed exhaustion and possible mana overload." She trotted over to the blue alicorn," Blue is in same condition as White for same reason. Blue is fourteen feet one inch tall. Horn four feet two inches long. Wingspan twenty feet eleven inches across. Mane and tail darker shade of blue and seem to shimmer. Cutie mark is a white crescent moon over a black background. Age also unknown." Gene trotted over to the purple alicorn," Purple-" Gene began but was interrupted as a pair of guards escorting Ambrosia and Timeline inside

"Ma'am we found these two right outside," one said, stepping forward," What should we do with them?"

Gene turned slowly toward him, a furious glare turned on the poor stallion," And you thought the best idea was to interrupt my examination with a stupid question."

"Well um-" he stammered but Gene cut him off.

"What nothing to say hmmm? Nothing in that pea brain of yours butch?"

Timeline couldn't help but gulp. Angry mares always scared him and Gene seemed to fly right off the handle right there. Ambrosia glared at Gene unimpressed and angry. Though she was more angry she and Timeline had gotten caught than anything.

"Oh lay off him," she said," I demanded we see you shorty."

"Oh I hadn't realized you gained level one clearance," Gene said turning on Ambrosia with all the speed of a striking snake. Ambrosia just glared back unflinching.

"A gun to the side of one of his mates gave me that clearance," Ambrosia said and placed her snout inches from Gene's," Shorty."

"Call me that one more time-" Gene started.

"Dr. Splice," a deep cheerful voice said," Give the mare some credit she was able to slip by highly trained professionals after all."

All present turned to look at a young dark purple earth stallion with a bright green mane. He wore a smart dark blue suit with a small blue sapphire in the shape of a diamond on his lapel and a pair of sleek glasses on his muzzle. He had a bright, inviting grin on his face that reached his bright green eyes. Timeline wondered how he wasn't cold with only that suit on.

"Mr. Gem," Gene sputtered," Wh-what are you doing here?"

"When I heard of your success I couldn't wait to see them," He said with a chuckle," And I find myself again amazed at your efficiency." He looked at Ambrosia and Timeline," And I am sorry for my employee's brashness. She tends to be a tad zealous when it comes to her specimens. My name is Ember Gem. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintances."

Timeline was surprised by this stallion's friendliness. He expected Ember Gem to be more stern and a lot older. This stallion looked not a day over twenty. He guessed that the name Ember Gem must be a family name.

"Who the hell do you think you are?!" Ambrosia screeched, stomping toward Ember. A guard tried to stop her but she pushed him off," Your goons came into my site and have quite possibly ruined everything. And all you can do is say sorry!"

"I can assure you," Ember said," You will be compensated for your trouble."

"I don't want your bloody credits!" She yelled, insulted he thought she could be bought.

"I'm not talking credits," Ember said simply as he walked around Ambrosia and up to one of the tables," Imagine the things these three could tell you much more than dusty old ruin. I will allow you to interview them if you so desire."

This stopped Ambrosia in her tracks. She hadn't thought of that. These three alicorns could tell her a lot about an otherwise forgotten age. While she contemplated the idea of being able to interview them TImeline stared at the earth stallion. He was curious as to how he and his ponies had known what had been buried here. After a moment of silence Timeline spoke up.

"How did you know they were here?"

Ember looked up from the purple alicorn, his eyes betraying a sadness before switching to their usual cheerfulness," I'm afraid I cannot disclose that information my dear boy. All will be explained in due time though I assure you."

Timeline raised an eyebrow at that. He was forty seven, easily older than this stallion. Ember turned to Gene.

"Continue with your examination Doctor," he said," I will see to these two."

"Yes sir," Gene said before turning back to the tables.

"Please follow me," Ember said as he left the hexatent.

Timeline and Ambrosia shared a look before following him out. As they walked through the camp ponies moved out of the purple stallion's way. Eventually they came to a Mk ! Traveler. A sleek white airship that allowed its passengers to fly in luxury and no small amount of style. Ember walked up its loading ramp. Ambrosia and Timeline followed him in and were greeted by a spacious living room. A plush white carpet floor began just as the loading ramp ended. There were a pair of loveseats facing a large plexiscreen. Ember was behind a counter to the right of them.

"Please make yourselves conformable," Ember said," Drinks will be along shortly then we can discuss business."

Ambrosia started to say something but Timeline stopped her and shook his head. He wanted to know what this stallion had to say. Timeline took a seat on one of the loveseats. Ambrosia huffed and took a seat beside him. Ember set a tray holding three wine glasses filled with a dark red liquid onto the table. He took one and settled into the loveseat across form them. Timeline took one and took a small sip.

"Mmm that's quite good," he said enjoying the wine's fruity bouquet.

Ember took a sip of his own glass," Indeed it is. It over a hundred years old. I have a weakness for old wines. Now then I believe you want to know what exactly is going on here hmm?"

"Gee how'd you guess," Ambrosia scoffed, her hooves crossed over her chest.

"Your look of anger tipped me off," Ember quipped before taking another sip of his wine," As to the topic at hoof. Tell me what do you know of dragons?"

"They went extinct six hundred years ago," Ambrosia said," Why?"

"Indeed," Ember nodded," Well over two thousand years ago there was an empire known as Draconia. It was the most powerful empire in the world before it crumbled in on itself. I need someone with the skill to find what had made them so powerful. The simple fact that you, Ms. Ambrosia, were able to find the Crystal Tower here means you have the skill to find what I need found."

"And how do you propose I do that," Ambrosia leveled a glare at ember.

"With this."

The earth pony set a book on the table. It was thin, tan and looked ancient. Timeline carefully picked it up and opened it. He saw the pages shimmer slightly, meaning they were enchanted with a preservation spell and an old one at that.

"This is Minect," he whispered in wonderment. Minect was the original language of the minotaurs. It had long since faded from history as the minotaur population dwindled. Now it was a dead language and only a hoofful of ponies could recognize it, much less actually read it.

"Where did you get this," Ambrosia stared wide-eyed at the ancient book," This must be well over a thousand years old."

"One thousand three hundred sixty two to be exact," Ember took another sip form his glass," It belonged to a Minotaur explorer by the name of Straight Path. Inside that tome the reference to something known as the Anima matrix is mentioned several times but I can't translate the rest and neither can anyone else I've brought it to."

"I can translate it," Timeline said," But it will take some time."

" Wait, hold the phone," Ambrosia said," Who said we were going to anyway. What is this Anima Matrix?"

"It, along with those three alicorns you found, are the key to stopping what is to come."

Timeline gave Ember a look," And what is coming?"

Ember looked Timeline straight in the eye," The end Mr. Timeline the end."

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Javelin Seaside Post. 5 miles outside Seatones

High Tide grumbled as he looked at his hologrid. Rain pelted the glass of the small tower he was in. He and Staunchhoof had been suckered into a nightlong shift while everypony else went into the town for a drink. He was part of a security firm that worked for the government. He had been assigned here in Seatones some several months ago. It was right by the ocean and it rained constantly. They saw very little action here so he knew it would prove to be a boring night. He stared up at the ceiling.

"Remind me again how the hell we got suckered into the night post?" Tide said.

Staunchhoof looked up from his comic book," Because you were stupid enough to take Two's bet."

"Oh."

Suddenly Tide's hologrid started beeping. It read a massive mana spike just off shore before disappearing.

"What the-" Tide said.

Staunchhoof set his comic book down and went over to Tide," What was it?"

"I don't know the grid said there was a massive mana spike a moment ago then it just disappeared."

"Think it could be malfunctioning?" Staunchhoof asked.

"I don't think so they replaced these things last week remember," Tide replied.

"Yeah by Blue Wire," Staunchhoof said with a smirk.

Tide chuckled," True. Still though lets go check it out."

They went to the armory locker and pulled out a pair of Rectrifles, long barfreled and fired 50. caliber rounds. They had a scope attached that made shooting at night easier. Tide and Staunchhoof walked outside. Rain pelted them as they made their way to the beach. They looked out across the storming sea and all they saw was the flashing of lightning.

"Well I guess-" High Tide said before a black tentacle grabbed him around the throat and pulled him into the churning water.

"Holy shit!" Staunchhoof yelled.

He stumbled back and quickly raised his rifle. He looked around through he scope but couldn't see anything. Then tpo his right he saw movement. Whipping the gun around he stopped dead in his tracks at what he saw. A grey, furless pony stood. It towered over Staunchhoof. Clenched in it's jagged teeth was High Tide or what was left of him. It's eyes were black as the abyss. It dropped the half eaten body and lunged at the quivering stallion with a terrifying screech.