What lays behind the chaos.

First clues

Neighagra Falls is one of the greatest symbols of the Solar empire, it marks the day the Imperialists recovered their share of Equestria from the Republicans. The Empire recovered most of the eastern Equestrian territory when they were finally able to recover from the Lunar rebellion. This terrain included Neighagra Falls, the empire was unaware that the Falls served as a research center for the republic and when they retook the land they found the door to said center although they scanned the place several times they never found proof that something useful could be found in behind the center's doors, and opening these doors would have meant a major damage to the falls' integrity so the Imperial government decided to leave the falls unattended and make it a reminder of "The first Imperial victory over the republican rats". What the empire doesn't know is that the research center remained functional during the Empire's attack, and it's functional still today. It's walls were made of a material capable of preventing any information leak that also made the center invisible to any radar. It was designed so if it's integrity was ever compromised the mountain it was settled into would fall as well and it was expected that this would destroy anything that could be useful to the enemies of the republic. To this day the only way to enter this center is with a special security code that was only given to some very specific ponies: the princess, all members of the research team, the original council and the current council. (the code would be changed when the council did). There are two entrances to the center: the main one is an underground tunnel that connects the center with the Lunar capital Plenilunium. While the other was built by the empire when the center became a meeting place for the imperialists, it had a train station but since the empire was unaware of the center's operations the rails don't go into the center.

The area the center is located is very untraveled, initially it was a great place of meeting for proud imperialists as it was a so called symbol of their victory but when war broke and both sides were faced by the power of their rivals it became a haunting symbol of Republican power, it scarred many ponies away including guards, though it was still checked on during patrols. Despite it being normally unsupervised republicans were still really careful when it came to coming in and out of the center, in an intent to keep it a secret.

Shadow, as a member of the original council, had the access code and was eager to enter the center as he was looking for the elements of harmony that were stored in that place. Since the rebellion the republic took hold of many Equestrian artifacts including the five necklaces and the crown that represented the elements of harmony, those unaware of the center's existence thought the elements to be lost, while the research team worked night and day to unveil the secrets the six objects held, unfortunately without results. Shadow went into the room that held the elements and met with Valrek Sakkhet, director of the whole research center and the mind responsible for all of the Republic's technology. He was a tall unicorn, his coat was grey and he had a silver mane with a red streak and a matching tail.

"Welcome to my research center general Lightning." Valrek said.

In reply Shadow only saluted.

"May I wonder what brings you here?" Valrek asked

"I'm here to ask about the elements, I want to know what new discoveries have been made." Shadow responded

"You too?"

"What do you mean?"

"About a month ago Midnight came here asking the very same question, he seemed to be really stressed. He was very disappointed when I told him we had nothing, and he just ran out again after hearing it. And in a month we haven't discovered anything new so... we have nothing."

"That is unfortunate...But, did Midnight say what he wanted to do with the elements?"

"He was very vague, he said it was important for the future of the republic but he never got into detail and when I asked about it he was too distracted to reply, something was definitely worrying him. I was hoping that you as his friend, and as an original council member would know what's got him so upset."

"I have my suspicions as to what he was looking for, and I'm a both relieved and worried he didn't find what he wanted here."

"Care to explain?"

"I'm glad he couldn't use the elements for his evil ways, but that means he found another way to do them. I would really like to keep you and everypony else out of this Valrek, but I'll tell you one thing: Midnight is doing something unthinkable and I really need to know how he's doing it. I also happen to need the elements if I want to stop him."

"I guess you won't be telling me much more." Valrek replied to which Shadow nodded "And I would really like to help you, I trust you Shadow I know that you are saying the truth even if you won't tell me everything, but like I said before we are still clueless as to how to use the elements without the wielders."

"And do you have any clue as to where to find the wielders?"

"That's a bit of a different story, I do know the elements respond to the wielders and I really hope one day the elements and the wielders will come to be together. But unfortunately everything that could point to their whereabouts is lost in legends, all those legends are written down in the books from Canterlot's library, which we have in Plenilunium, but even more unfortunate is that all those books are written in ancient Equestrian language, which only the princesses understand. Things like that make me wish I had joined the original council instead of Sciencio."

"It's a bit too late to take back that decision now."

"I know, but it just makes me mad that the princess has no time to talk to the research center and that the only pony Luna has taught about the ancient language is a huge bitch who won't help me translate the books!" Valrek eventually regained his composure as he saw the way Shadow was looking at him. "I'm sorry, I know Arthena is your friend but it's still pretty upsetting."

"I understand your feelings" Shadow replied "But I'm sure Arth has her good reasons to keep that from you, I will talk to her when I see her, she might know enough for me to find the wielders in time, I will also try to convince her to be more helpful to the center."

"I appreciate it."

"Well I guess since you don't have a clue either I will have to go back to Plenilunium and wait for Arth to return."

"Well, I have got some theories about the wielders, if you are just going to sit around waiting for Arthena then I guess you can give it a shot, right?"

"I won't loosing anything by trying, will I?" Shadow said "I'm all ears, what's in your mind?"

"I believe maybe there is a bloodline connection with the wielders."

"So you think the former wielders' relatives are the new ones?"

"It would make sense, after all they had really close relationships and it would make sense they shared the same values. I know not all of the wielders had a direct relatives but at least it could be a start."

"That's a good point but I have no idea as where to find them."

"We've got some reports saying that Applebloom and Shinning Armor are part of a small rebel group, but we don't know where they operate. We do know they've reached princess Cadance and that most likely their plan is to free her, I'm sure she knows where they are but you'll need to get her to tell you."

"I really doubt she'll say a word but, again, I won't loose anything trying."

"You know where she is. Go to the Hive I'm sure Phoenix will help you make her talk, but please if you discover anything that may be useful, tell me first." Valrek said with a mocking smile in his face.

"Thanks for the help Val." Shadow said as he walked back to the door. "I'll tell you everything once I get this fixed."

Shadow saluted and Valrek did the same, he then went out the doors and back into his train while Valrek returned to his work. Shadow gave one order to the driver "To the hive" and went back to his seat to keep writing.