/Ruins of Ponyville, 1239 M.E., 12:31 P.M./

"Huh? What's this?" Hardened Steel said as he rotated the dial on his radio set. He had currently been on patrol with a group of Steel Rangers in the ruins of Ponyville clearing out any hostile creatures lurking within the confines of the various ruined houses around them. As he was about to report to headquarters about the completion of the mission he picked up a signal coming from the ruins of Canterlot. He heard stories about how bad it was in that place. The deadly pink mist, the various things that lived and survived in that Tartarus forsaken place. The current signal was strong but was strange. It was a distress signal. How could anypony survive in that place? The words it kept repeating were " This is not a drill! Everypony get to the nearest Stable-Tec Stable! A mega-spell has been cast at Equestria! I repeat this is not a drill! This message will repeat for as long as possible!". "Unbelievable!" Hardened Steel said as the rest of the patrol gathered around him.

"What are you doing Hardened Steel?" a mare named Quicksilver asked.

"I found a signal. A distress signal coming from the ruins of Canterlot. What is more is that it is a pre-war warning and distress signal." Hardened Steel replied to his superior. The rest of the patrol stiffened up at the mention of Canterlot. Some of the current patrollers went there on a previous mission and didn't come out unscathed.

" Is it Important?" asked Quicksilver.

" The signal is abnormally strong Quicksilver. If I had to take a guess it was meant as a warning and distress signal that was supposed to cover all what was once Equestria. If I am right that means that the power source for it is extremely potent and efficient. If it has lasted this long it may be an Arcanae-Fusion Reactor which utilizes the various magical elements within it to cast motion spells and heat spells within it. If that is the case the signal could last for at least 500 years or more." Hardened Steel said to her professionally.

"Hmm." She mused to herself with her hoof to her muzzle as she contemplated the ramifications of this discovery. On the one hoof if they could get the technology back from the ruins they could help in the rebuilding of Equestria. On the other hoof however they would be walking into a deathtrap with no guarantee that they would survive unless they adequately prepared. They would also need to bring in more Steel Rangers and scientists so as to study the reactor and protect the scientists as the study and research was conducted. It would be a risky gamble and a large one at that. However if they managed to recover at least the theory how the reactor works or some of the arcano-tech there it would be worth it.

"Radio HQ Hardened Steel and tell them what you told me. Also ask them for a platoon of rangers and a group of scientists. The rally point will be here at Ponyville. This opportunity cant go to waste." She told Hardened Steel to tell them. If anything bad happened she would take full responsibility.

/Ruins of Ponyville, 1239 M.E., 8:00 A.M./
/One Week Later/

Quicksilver looked over the various supplies that had been sent to her over the past week. She was surprised at how HQ was willing to go along with the expedition. What's more they also sent the best platoon in the Steel Rangers! They were placed under her command once they had arrived. She was confused that she was placed in charge of the whole operation. Why did they let her be in command and not a senior officer? Plausible deniability? Ensuring Success? or some other motive? In any case it was good to have them especially since they helped boost the morale of her platoon. The supplies, as far as she could tell, would last around 6 months if not in an emergency situation or up to a year if emergency rationing was done. Hopefully it wouldn't come to that. Also they sent a group of the best scientists from across Equestria. Unfortunately that wasn't very many. However they were the best of the best, and as a plus the majority of them had combat experience. However their areas of expertise were varied, but one thing they had in common was expertise in arcano-tech. Hopefully they will reach at least a theory on how the Arcanae-Fusion Reactor works. " I hope they are good with a small timeframe." She said to herself. 24 hours left until the expedition began. Hopefully things wont go to Tartarus in a handbasket when they arrived.

" Everybody! On me!" She yelled to the various ponies hustling and bustling around her. The mass of ponies stopped what they were doing and gathered around Quicksilver." This expedition could change everything! If we manage to find out how this Reactor works we would be able to power just about every piece of arcano-tech we have gotten up until now! I'm not gonna lie it will be extremely dangerous in the ruins of that forsaken place. However I have confidence that we will survive because you are the best of the best! Now you have 24 hours to get ready for the hardest job of your lives! If any of you want to back out just say so. I won't hold it against you." She said as she looked around. Nopony moved and everypony stayed. " Alright! Everyone I am proud to be leading you and fighting along side you! You are dismissed!" She said as she gave a salute to everypony before her. The group before her saluted back and went back to work. Quicksilver went back to her tent to prepare her supplies and her mind for what would be the hardest mission in her life.

Author's Note

Well here is another Chapter detailing what is happening in Equestria. Humans will meet ponies later on in the next few chapters. Until next time.