Over the next several days, the AI watched and waited as the quadruped creatures came and went from the vault.  At first they started in small, laughable groups.  As word of the archeological find spread, and royalty put themselves behind the project, the trickle of ponies quickly turned into a torrent of furry noses poking where they ought not.  Through it all, the AI studied and learned of the creatures.  Diagrams and scans, even recordings of video and audio were cataloged.  The security systems were inoperable due to neglect, so it was all the AI could do to watch and learn.  Hopefully the prize it guarded would not be discovered.

***Camera 43A recording session 23 commencing 1603hrs date unknown.

"Ya know Twilight, we are all happy to lend a hoof when you need one, but why in tarnation are you having us dig around in some musty pit with you?"

***Syntax computing  90 percent complete.

The small group of ponies were completely oblivious of the being that watched as they violated its tomb.  Per the course, the Lavender one was in the lead as its curiosity always got in the way.  As it turned to speak, several cameras zoomed in to watch the minute movements of facial muscles.  Everything to ease translation of the thrice damned language.

"I asked for your help because nopony knows what we could find down here.  This cavern was never fully explored, and nopony even knew this existed until that cave in a few weeks ago.  Think of all the history we could uncover.  The architecture is obviously not pony, and predates anything we have recorded in history.  History that we might be able to use against the minotaurs."

"I simply must agree with Applejack.  This place is filthy and the hard floors are doing a number on my hooficure.  I'm only here because you asked, darling."

***Quadrupeds 1 and 4 identified with 93 percent certainty.  Designations as followed.

***Lavender quadruped with star markings, wings, and horn designation changed from unknown 1

***to Twilight Sparkle."

***Heightened radiation readings in any recorded spectrum from illumination source coming from horn.

***Further research required.

***Yellow quadruped with icon denoting apple on flank designated "Applejack."  

*** Subject observed to wear Stetson hat on all occasions of contact.

***Observations will continue.  Archiving duplicate notes onto backup drives.

Deeper into the dark halls they traveled, their hoof marks being the only sign of activity in the overwhelming dust that blanketed the tomb.  The group naturally clustered closer together as the hall grew more oppressing.  The only light being cast by magic or lantern, as the lights of the large camp had disappeared in the maze of halls.  

"We are already almost done with the mapping today girls.  After that, we can head back to the camp.  I'm sure the other parties have plenty of things to ask us.  Let alone trying to find something to help down here."

"Twitchy tail...Shakeashake...Eye twitch... huh.  Wonder what that means"

As one the group spun toward the pink creature. Vibrations from her tail were making her scuttle across the floor with a rattling noise.

"What is it Pinkie?"

"I'm not sure Twilight, I've had my tail twitching like this before, but never this bad.  Its like we are going to meet a new friend, but the friend was one of Fluttershy's.  The manticore, what was his name, Manny Roar, that's it.  Kind of like meeting Manny!  We all thought he was a big meanie and then he turned out to be nice once you got to know him."

Twilight could only facehoof at all this.

"Pinkie, look at this place.  Nopony has been alive down here for a long time.  There are lots of secrets to find, but I don't think we are going to find a new friend down here unless it is one of the ponies that came with us.  Now come on, we just have this last room to check before we go back for the night."

With that, she turned and walked down another dimly lit hallway, leaving the group to hurry behind.

***Targets nearing vault.  Door controls not responding.  

***Radiation levels throughout facility are at constant dangerous levels.  Decontamination advised.

***Odds of creatures discovering vault and attempting entry at 99.73 percent.  

***Odds of creatures discovering active cryostasis pod at 98.1

***Please note that removal of subject from cryovault before resuscitation is complete will result in

***death of subject.

***Downloading data to on-board systems

***Commencing emergency start-up of all hardware

"Anyone gettin a strange feeling like we are being watched?  The fur on the back of mah neck is standing up.  I don't think we should be down this hallway Twi."

As she stopped walking, the AI watched as her ears swiveled, taking in the noises of the dark hall.

"Now that you mention it Applejack, there is a faint sound like something mechanical is working down here.  A little bit of static in the air too.  It shouldn't be an issue though.."

"If it is an issue, I'm sure I can beat up whatever it is!"

They all turned to look at the blue one at that comment.

"Mechanical, Rainbow.  Meaning a machine.  As in not alive."

"Oh, I knew that."

"Lets just get this room done with so we can go back, okay?"

The light seemed to fade as the group entered the final room at the end of the hall.  A dark oppressive feeling spread through them as all eyes were drawn toward the center of the room.  All the hoses and cables they had followed lead to one thing, and one thing only.  A cold metal coffin under an eternity of dust.  A single light fading into and out of existence on the end of the unit.  The crimson pulsing light slowly blending into a bright blue.

"Hey whats that thing doing the blink blink blinkity blink?  I wonder what that is!"

As the pink one bounded forward, they tried to stop her.  The closer she got to the coffin, more lights sprung to life around the room.  The strobing light was the only thing on her mind though.  As she reached the end of the steel bed, a hoof brushed away the dust and a panel flickered to life.

"Pinkie!  Get back here!  What are you doing?!"

"  TwitchAtwitch... Ooooh a big bluey button.  I wonder what it does if I push it like this?"

A feminine voice that nopony could understand began talking as the button was jammed into its recess.  Latches popped and creaked as they came free from the machine and fog started leaking from cracks that were quickly growing.

Whatever was in the coffin was going to be free.