Existence

Chapter 2:
To The Hanging Stones

21 Hours Until The Gate Opens

Earth, United Kingdom, Artemis Laboratories, Sector Four, September 17th

Henry zipped the bag after he stuffed all the equipment they needed. This weekend was the best opportunity to observe this anomaly closely. Staff in Artemis Labs had permission to spend weekends freely, the sooner they move was better for them. If anyone else found this, they could lost the discovery of their lives.

As his friends took the bags and got out of the sector, Henry took his and followed them. The white floor, sky blue walls, the glass dome at the center of the building that connects every part of the building. They passed the dome and after a few minutes of walking they finally made it to exit. Jay, Amber, Mark and Caitlyn got out one by one but just when Henry was about to leave, a voice caught him from behind.

"Mr Borrowman!" This was him, again. Henry turned back with hesitation and faced the CEO who was coming at him. "Mr Borrowman, I see you're leaving for weekend?"

"Y-Yes Mr Anderson. We thought spending some good time together would be good for us to be motivated for working." Henry could see Anderson's attention was on the bag he was carrying but he couldn't do anything to not look suspicious. "You know, being stuck in a lab with a bunch of devices, paperwork... Spending some quality time in nature will beneficial for all of us."

Anderson cut his glare from the bag. "I see... Go on then, I better not bother you. I too believe this quality time you'll have is going to be helpful." He smiled softly.

A relaxation took over Henry after this response. "I'm glad to hear that sir. Have a good day."

CEO waved his hand as he kept smiling. "You too Mr Borrowman! You too..."

Henry left the building and continued the way to his friends. They were all waiting for him with Mark's jeep. Just as he took his seat in the vehicle, he met with everybody's eyes looking at him. "Anderson?" asked Amber.

"Yeah, he got me right before I left."

Mark started the engine and took out his sunglasses. "That man freaks me out, his positive but thrilling behaviour makes me uncomfortable." He placed the glasses on his eyes. "He-"

Jay interrupted Mark and turned on the radio. "Lets not talk about him and mind our business shall we?"

Everyone accepted and they hit the road.

The CEO watched them leave from his monitor. He then took out his phone and called someone. Other side answered the call. "Now." He then hung up the phone and switched the camera. A white color Tesla's engine started and left the parking lot, followed the path of the jeep that just left.

Equestria, Canterlot, 17th Day of Asterial Era, 1019

The three mages were gathered around the formation positioned at the center of the room. Watching the light beam as it grows and shrinks on its own. The light was shifting in colors, revealing a rainbow-like view, not tiring their eyes but dazzling with the sudden changes it makes.

"So... what do you think about them?" it was Light Swirl who asked.

Fusion tore his gaze from the portal. "Hm? Who?

"Who can it be silly?" She rolled her eyes. "The humans."

Fusion raised his brow "What should I think about them? They are just creatures, living in their world, minding their business. Just like us."

Suddenly Ice Blaze jumped to the conversation "Just like us? Fusion, did you hit your head somewhere? Don't you remember what princess showed us? Their history, their culture, the way they act... They are horrible!" He calmed down and cleared his throat. "I am not even going to talk about two world wars they have been through."

Just when Fusion was about to protest, Light Swirl popped out. "No need to be negative guys! You know princess' plan; the potion will make everything better. We will save humanity from their corrupted nature! And three of us will be the ones pioneers of this great duty since we have a great role by opening the gate!"

While the three mages continuing the arguement, the door of the room opened, revealed a magic mint coated unicorn mare. "Excuse me?" Mages stopped talking and turned to approaching mare. "Are you the archmages supposed to be responsible with the gate?"

Three of them glared at eachother, then turned to mare. "Yes, yes we are." said Fusion Spark. "How can we help you ma'am?"

Mare smiled. "My name is Lyra Heartstrings, Princess Asteria sent me here. I will be the representative of Equestria for the contact with the humanity." She then passed a scroll to Fusion Spark, a letter from Princess Asteria herself.

Archmages read the letter quietly, then Fusion folded the paper and put it in the pocket of his robe. "I see, we will inform princess we got her messege."

Lyra smiled and nodded. "Thank you." she then turned back and left the room.

As she left, Ice Blaze took out an orb-like object and aimed at the portal. Then took a closer look at it. "Twenty hours left. I think we should inform princess now."

Light Swirl headed to door with excitement. "I got this!"

Other two mages took their positions back and returned to their business.

Earth, United Kingdom, A303 Road, September 17th

Where you go I go
What you see I see
I know I'd never be me
Without the security
Of your loving arms
Keeping me from harm
Put your hand in my hand
And we'll stand

Let the sky fall
When it crumbles
We will stand tall
Face it all together

Let the sky fall
When it crumbles
We will stand tall
Face it all together
At skyfall

Let the sky fall
We will stand tall
At skyfall...

"Ah... Beautiful. Just beautiful! After seven years it's still gold. Isn't it right guys?" Mark asked with relaxation as he threw a glance at the rest of the gang. Jay was asleep, Henry had his own headphones on, Amber was reading a book and Caitlyn was... still reading the reports from tomorrow. "Welp, guess it's only me and you Adele!" He said aloud sarcastically, which made Jay woke up suddenly.

Jay rubbed his eyes and looked around blindly. "H-Have we arrived? Mark?"

"Almost there Jay. I'll let you know when we're there"

"Uh huh. Fine..." He buried himself in the seat, just to return to sleep.

After fourty minutes of driving, Mark could see the stones ahead, in the middle of the completely green field, enlightened by the sun. And the tourists who visit there of course. After a little maneuver to the right, the stones were right in front of him. He stopped the engine and turned back at the others. "We are here guys! Take your stuff and lets get to it shall we?" After his little announcement, everyone left the jeep and took out what they need.

Henry took two bags, Jay got one and Amber got the last bag as they unzipped and started to settle down. Henry took out a telescope and set up right there. He then got the bigger bag and took out something looked like a... smaller bag? He then thew it in front of him and turned to others. "Everyone, may I have your attention? I know some of you might be wondering where are we going to spend the night, and to your question here's my answer." He pointed at the small bag on the ground. No one seemed to be excited but let him finish. "Ahem, so... This little bag here..."

"Is a self-erecting tent isn't it?" Jay cut him off.

"Well yes but it is much more than that!" He then took out a small object from his pocket and pressed a button on it. As he pressed, the small bag opened, then swelled like a balloon, formed the shelter in front of them. It was actually three times bigger than the jeep they came here with.

Amber lifted her eyebrow with a smirk. "So it's bigger? That's just it?"

"Yes! Well, no! It's..." He sighed and gave up. "Yeah it's... It's just bigger."

Mark took a closer look at the tent, and after eying it properly, he turned back at Henry, who was waiting for him to finish. "That's a really a good tent, to be honest. Say, Henry where did you get this tent? How much was it?"

Henry smirked slightly. "It was actually free."

Jay raised a brow. "Free? How come a big and qualified tent like this be free? Henry? Where did you get this?"

Henry's smirk turned into a big smile and he turned to Jay. "Lets just say I have some good friends in sector three."

"Sir, we tracked them down successfully. Right now, we're at the Stonehenge, about five miles away from them." Man at the phone turned to his partner right next to him then returned to call. "It looks like they're settling down a camp here. What is our next goal?

"Wait for their next move. If you spot anything unexpected or extraordinary, contact me. For now, hold your position."

"Understood"

William Anderson hung up the phone as he returned to the camera records on his monitor, rewinding, trying to find out what Sector Five was up to for last eight months. Checking the entries of all sectors from first to tenth. "What were you doing Borrowman..?"

Henry was staring at the stones, eying them from bottom to top, having the excitement of the discovery they were about to make. It was right in front of him, just like staring at him as he was staring at it. The tourist were leaving, so the peace and quite was taking over the place. He closed his eyes as the upcoming wind washed off his face, leaving a cool but sweet shivering.

"Enjoying the moment?"

Henry turned back and saw the owner of the voice, Amber. He smiled slightly and opened his arms to sides. "Yeah, guess I can't deny I am." He then leaned on the ground and stared at the slowly darkening sky. "Can't tell how excited I am."

"Then hide your excitement for tomorrow, because that's when we start. Don't lose your motivation tonight." She then headed back at the tent.

Henry watched the sky for a few more minutes, then he too got into the tent to have some sleep. It was good that the tent was containing sleeping bags in it. He carefully took his position and fell asleep as the night took over the sky completely.

20 Hours Until The Gate Opens