After traveling so far down into the crater they reached the outer camp. Hay V kept a happy and clean demeanor, but inwardly she was obviously unimpressed by the accommodations. The tents dotted around the area were humble, barely larger than her massive bedroom back home. Beyond her polished facade lay the cold and callous state of reality. Where were the make-up stations, the sound booth, and such? She was expecting five-star treatment.
Hay V's true feelings simmered beneath the surface, as she was adept at masking her dissatisfaction. With every smile directed at the camera, she was curating a persona of an honest and kind soul. Something like that Fluttershy in Ponyville, she even puffed up her expensive implants and dipped her cleavage a few times to make it seem like she was having the time of her life... in this shit hole. Her mind raced to focus less on the discomfort and more on how to translate this experience into a captivating narrative for her fans.
In stark contrast stood Dr. Callaberon, the geologist and expedition leader, whose stress was clearly etched into his features. His eyes mirrored the weight of anticipation and pressure, each glance revealing a stallion wrestling with both excitement and anxiety. Months of planning had culminated in this moment charged with scientific significance and commercial value. His reputation would soar or sink based upon the success or failure of the expedition.
Without knowing it, Hay V's camera mare caught the tension that clung to Dr. Callaberon like a second skin. The lens zoomed into the wrinkles of worry formed around his eyes as he darted about, surveying the camp's layout. Despite the anxiety, his head remained held high, embodying the resilience expected of a leader. He projected a tough persona, one that inspired confidence among his team.
In the midst of the sandy soil and overshadowed by the towering crater walls, the stark contrast of personalities became clearer. Hay V told her camera mare to fixate on the aesthetics of her surroundings, seeming overlook the gravity of the real task at hand.
"From here we have a full view of the Black Crystal." Dr. Callaberon gestured upward. "However, we can't get close enough to tough it... without technology reacting violently." He turned back that elevator as it was pulled back up. "The equipment on the elevator is the most advanced we have and can withstand even the strongest magic."
"Nox corp kind?" Hay V raised an eyebrow and the camera mare turned it to her. "So the rumors are true. Norman Nox is trapped up there as well."
"Yes, his company is sponsoring this dig." Dr. Callaberon turned back and led them forward. "But please do not focus on his involvement. This is the greatest opportunity we have had to learn more about the Black Crystal and how it consumed all of Canterlot in a single night."
While the camera mare followed his actions, Hay V checked her bag for extra hairspray and makeup. Finding her phone, she flipped it over and took a few pictures. The first few dozen were selfies of her. Second were outward shots of Dr. Callaberon. And third was of the camera following him, but never her camera mare. She was the star, not a background character.
"This way." Dr. Callaberon walked over to a tent with a large open door. "This is the control tent, where I can keep a constant watch over all of our monitors and sensors."
"Wow, that's a lot of stuff." Hay V laughed, trying to sound impressed. There were multiple sound and magic monitors, and several screens, both within the crater and outside the barrier. One even was the size of a wall and had a giant image of the crystal floating in the sky.
He sat down and turned a few nobs. The feeds moved back to the point when they were on the elevator. "The booming happened right here." He pointed at the screen. "It always like a sudden pulse." Gesturing them over the other monitors showed a massive spike in magic but also a heavy dip in sound and vibration.
"That's it, the entire thing happens so fast that we can't get a clear image or reading." The stallion sighed and turned the screens back to the current view. "Nox's best engineers have looked over every captured moment. All the same." Turning around in his chair he made sure his words were clear and concise. "Whatever the Black Crystal is... it knows we are here."
"What do you mean?" Hay V was utterly confused by this train of thought. This thing couldn't be alive, right?
"Every time we bring in more workers the reaction is the same. More energy, magic, and yet absolutely no sound with the crater itself." He tightened his fist and stood up, looking directly into the camera. "We have a few theories about it, but we have not found any proof yet."
"That's amazing and scary!" Hay V jumped back and shook her body. "Obvious impossible, right?!"
"A living crystal that can detect sounds, vibrations, and magic..." The soft whispers of her camera mare interrupted her. This made Hay V huffed loudly. Realizing her mistake, the camera mare covered her mouth and rewinded the tape.
The reporter took a deep breath and repeated. "That's amazing and scary!" Hay V jumped back and shook her body. "Obvious impossible, right?!"
"It should, but when the princesses and main six vanished, nothing seemed impossible." He pointed at the map behind him. "Thousands of years ago, the three tribes gathered at the base of this former spiraling mountain to become one nation." He tapped his fingers along the lines that divided the land into different colors. "Now this Black Crystal is above it all, consuming the city that united them, towering over the massive crater where the glorious mountain once stood." He paused to let his words sink in.
Hay V was glad the camera mare could read the mood. She leaned over to the worker and whispered. "Use shots from the airships during this scene."
The camera mare nodded, happy to have a chance to redeem herself. She flicked a few buttons and the feed changed to show the proper emotional hooks. There were even a few clips of the main six and princesses tossed in for good measure. Hay V didn't ask for them, but the camera hoped she would be happy with them too,