After checking the information you gave him against his list, the guard tells you that you are to report to Room 101 immediately and that it’s just down the main hall, on your right. As you make your way inside the dimly-lit room, you immediately recognize Mr. Medias Res, the headmaster at Misakitonik University. At the moment, he stands behind his desk, looking as stern as always. Behind him is the only source of light in the room: a trio of projections showing the Books and Branches Public Library in Ponyville, an overhead view of Ponyville itself, and a photograph of a purple unicorn. The young mare is smiling. On Medias Res' desk are a few scraps of paper. They appear to be some sort of correspondence. They are all adorned with the Royal Seal. “Everypony! Pay attention, because I’m only going to explain this once and time is of the essence. Before me are several letters from Her Majesty’s Most Faithful Student, Twilight Sparkle.” At this, he points to the picture of the unicorn, then redirects his attention back to the letters. “They start off innocently enough, but as you can see, they devolve into complete madness. Then, suddenly, they return to normal." The stallion glares at the letters. "The Princess was not fooled. She has asked us to investigate this book that Twilight has gotten her hooves on. She has authorized the use of any force that we deem necessary to separate the book from her student.” He adds, “If possible, retrieve the book without damaging it. I’d like to put it in our archives.” If you choose to examine the letters (which are labeled for chronological purposes), they read: Spoiler: (First) Dear Princess Celestia, Today, I met another zebra! His name was Virulento and he came to Ponyville to show the ponies here his “Amazing Wagon of Oddities and Curiosities”. Naturally, my curiosity got the better of me and I ventured inside. I have to admit, I was skeptical at first, but after seeing his collection up close, I have to say that it’s probably the most amazing collection of knick knacks and baubles I’ve ever seen. One thing in particular that caught my eye was a book. But it wasn’t just any book. What stuck out to me was that the book appeared to be bound with pony hide, or something eerily similar. I asked him about it and this is what he told me: “The book before you is from the far off lands to the East, past the Forbidden Passage. It was written by the ‘Mad Arabian’, Abdul Has-Read-All. You see, he was a great and powerful sorcerer who was said to have dabbled in things that shall not be named by pony mouths. I have not read the volume extensively myself; they say all who read it go mad.” I seriously doubt that. I’ve never heard of a book that can make ponies crazy just by merely reading it… If it was Virulento’s plan to make bits by having curious ponies pay repeat visits to his ‘exhibit’, then he’s got me, hook, line, and sinker. If I can get a hold of the book myself, and if it was worth my time, maybe I’ll see about having it stored at the Canterlot Royal Library. Your Faithful Student, Twilight Sparkle Spoiler: (One day later) Dear Princess Celestia, Virulento has allowed me to read a few passages from the book while he supervised. He must really believe the rumors, if he didn’t make them up himself! I’m not entirely sure if the book is worth more of my time or not; most of the writing was illegible, or at the very least, it was written in a language that I can’t read yet. There is one thing that I can’t get out of my mind: The diagrams. Most of them feature ponies in…odd positions. They seem almost ‘ritualistic’ in appearance. Now, I’ve performed my share of ritual spells, but I have never, ever, seen anything like this… I told my friends about the book today. Applejack said that it sounded like “some bad ju-ju”. She has some of the strangest euphemisms. I think maybe I’ll check out the book tomorrow, to see if I can glean anything new from it. Your Faithful Student, Twilight Sparkle Spoiler: (One day later) Dear Princess, I must have this book. There are no two ways about it. The knowledge contained within its pages is astounding! Remember how I said yesterday that I couldn’t read it? I must’ve been hallucinating (must’ve been Virulento’s incense) because I could read it just fine today. My goodness, you should see it, Princess! It’s simply amazing! All-Has-Read’s knowledge of the world and those beyond it would baffle even Star Swirl the Bearded! I feel so privileged that I am even allowed to glance at its pages! I don’t care the price, I must get this book from Virulento! Twilight Sparkle Spoiler: (One day later) Princes Constella, Please don’t punnish me. Ive taken the book from Mr. Virulento. I know its wrong, but I couldn’t help myself. It’s in much bettter hands with me, anyway. I’m doing the world a favar! Think of all the knowlege we could gain! The wrods are coming to me much more easilier and I’ve even tried some of the spells, with varrying degres of succes. I’ll send anoter letter when I’ve learnd more. I’ve invited my frends over so they can see the book, too. This is gonna be sweet! Twigligt Sparkkle Spoiler: (Three days later) Princess! Im in dire need of halp! I dunno what todo! (Illegible) most terifiing discovery evar! (The next sentence is illegible)!!! (Illegible) MONSTARS FROM BEYOND TEH STAIRS! (It’s assumed she means “monsters from beyond the ‘stars’”) MY FRENDS R GONED AND I DON T NOW WHAT HAPPEN T THM AND I THINK ITS M FALT ANDIMALLALONENOWANDICANTREEDANYMR(The rest of the letter continues in this manner until the letters all run together and the whole thing becomes illegible. The letter is not signed.) Spoiler: (Moments later) Dear Princess Celestia, Please ignore my previous letter. I was so absorbed in my studies that I had been going on less sleep than I originally thought. In fact, if you would, please just dispose of that letter; it’s embarrassing to know that I wrote such butchery of the language. It was merely a cruel jest on my part, and I apologize. All is well. I am fine. My friends are here with me, and they are fine as well. Please don’t worry about us. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle (Hastily scribbled underneath the main body of the letter, in a different handwriting) Twilight’s completely off her rocker! Send somepony quick! Spike Medias Res glances at all of you. "Her Majesty has arranged for an airship to transport you all to Ponyville. The sooner we can clear this up, the better. But be on your guard. The Princess has mentioned that this Twilight Sparkle is something of a bundle of nerves and that she commands very powerful magic, even moreso now that she has The Book. Expect resistance."
Grey Mane giggled, then nodded. "Yes sir!" A smile spread across her face. At least it would'nt be something boring.
"How terrible!" said Silver as he looked over the letters. "What could possibly be written in a book that would do that to a pony?! I have read numerous books, and while I may seem a bit like this after I've foregone sleep for reading several nights in a row...this doesn't seem like the same thing. I mean, it was just a book. Just a book..." Silver paced back and forth. "Perhaps it was just a coincidence that she went off the deep end at the same time," he said, really only talking to himself. "That would explain it. The princess did mention that she was already a very stressed, tightly-strung pony... it doesn't seem too implausible."
Grey Mane frowned. There was no way. "I am sorry but that wont work. She mentioned in her... 'Letters' that she found a book with great things in them..." She nodded a dissapointed look his way. "Are you telling me you cant see that she is under possesion of a dangerous artifact and is not using it correctly?"
Medias Res nodded at the two students. "Indeed. Whatever Miss Sparkle found in the pages of that book is far too dangerous for anypony to handle, perhaps even by the Princess herself. If the book is indeed using her, as Miss Mane suggests, then its taint could already have spread to others in Ponyville. Consider everypony you meet there as an enemy, no exceptions, until the book is out of her possession."
Grey Mane nodded. "Yes sir. Would you like me to work on a group version of my camoflauge spell for precautions?"
Allow me for a second to deviate from this room towards a tree outside that stands in the campus grounds. Outside it, the Professor of Magical Locomotion and the Professor of Magical History are sitting and chatting about the sudden luck that has stumbled forth. "Well, he's going, isn't he?" said she Professor of Magical Locomotion. "Yes. I recommended him!" reassured the Professor of Magical History. "The old whack-job is going to be out of our manes for a long while on this one. He could be killed, which might be a nice bonus." The Professor of Magical Locomotion shoots him a disgraced look. "Oh, calm down!" He continues, "He's going to kill himself regardless of my input. Especially after Hiroto's last birthday party. I found Follia and Mitzy attempting to make gigantic sandwiches in the kitchens, baffled at why they wouldn't stay upright. Why he's hasn't been thrown out by now is beyond me...He's not a unicorn and regularly embarrasses the faculty. I wouldn't be surprised if he had something to blackmail Medias with whenever he pulls such stunts." I pull your attention towards it, mainly in an effort to offer up a buffer to help with Follia's next sentence. He sits in his loud, Hawaiian-shirt that could do with both an iron and a decontamination. It's quite possible that parts of the pattern weren't there when the shirt was new. His mane was white and thin, parting in the middle and sagging around either side of his face. His tan coat seems to be around the same tone as leather, making his mark resemble a brand. He draws in a breath and looks up from the last of Twilight's letters. "We should send in the ferrets." he said. No detectable irony, more a declaration of a General debating a winning tactic. Aren't you glad I prefaced everything with that little aside, now?
Medias Res ponders for a moment. "That might not be a bad idea, Miss Mane." Then, glancing at Follia, he rolled his eyes and sighed. "Again with the ferrets, Mister Follia? That...last time, it might have worked, but I'm not sure it'll much help this time."
She smiled. Her camo spell was fun. Only problem being, she never talked to anypony else for a long time, let alone cast a group spell. But she knew it would be practical more than anything. How to go about it though? SHe made her camo spell through mere accident. She had to think fast before they faced danger of any kind.
Follia rubs his eyes with his hooves. "We could send in the ferrets to act as spies and collect Intel while Grey keeps us out of sight. Mitzy could then translate the ferret's reports on Twilight's behaviour." He said, dropping his hooves then shaking his head. His eyelids where sagging ever closer to closing and he was clearly drifting in and out of paying full attention. His head drifts off to the side like his neck was deflating before springing back up again it a start and a snort. "Ferrets can climb anywhere and won't bite ponies like my first plan with the spiders. Twilight seems distracted enough to not notice animals wondering around and we can get Spike to cover for us is she does. Her state seems reminiscent of possession such as various demons and...and...stuff...with...Yokai...ann.." His head had slipped off to the side once more and he enjoyed a few moments of restful peace before his head jerked upright again with another loud snort. "Sorry. I nodded off. As I was saying, we should zebra with the Talk. He clearly letting on more than he knows." Follia said, rubbing his eyes and blinking hard.
Silver frowned. He knew that especially powerful artifacts could take control of a pony's mind, but he was partial to books. After thinking about it, he supposed it was just as possible as any other artifact. He still counted insanity before the fact as a possibility, though. He frowned even more when he heard that he should treat everypony as a potential threat. He didn't like it when he had to do that; he liked to trust ponies. Ah, well. He supposed that he was going to have to deal with it. He'd done harder things before. He hadn't even noticed the old pony in the strange shirt until he spoke up. "We should send in the ferrets," he announced. What the hay? Who let this guy in? The old pony continued to speak of ferrets. Then he said that they should "zebra with the Talk", which led Silver to decide that he was probably tired, since he had almost dozed off before he said it. Despite the old goat's eccentricity, Silver got the feeling that they were going to get along reasonably well. Talking to the Zebra was probably a great idea, except they needed to find him first. And before they could find him, they needed to get to Ponyville. "Is everypony ready to go? I think I am," said Silver.
Mystic Heart, who had been quiet so far, (tee-hee) finished up reading the correspondance that was laid out. She turned to the others, and with a calm smile she responded simply to Silver. "I am also ready." The quiet pastel teal pony flicked her white mane aside as it lit with gentle pink highlights. Her eyes however, stayed mostly closed.
Medias Res took one last look at the motley crew that was gathered before him. He then cleared his throat and said, "Well, without further ado, I believe that the airship is waiting for you. Best be going."
Silver led the way onto the Zeppelin. He was curious, not only to find out what had happened to Twilight Sparkle, but part of him also wanted to read the book that Twilight had read. It was obviously a foalish idea, but nonetheless, the thought stuck in his mind. He also tried to remember that curiosity killed the cat, but it didn't help him at all.
Grey Mane reached into her bag. When she founded the camoflauge spell it was through a memory. Jewels of Badab-arak. Check. That was all she needed at the moment. Memory jewels.
Follia snaps to attention once again, looking around to see the others about to leave. "Yes...So. I need to return to my classroom and back my essentials. Equipment, Mitzy's bed and a night bag. I'll be ready soon." He said, turning back to trudge slowly out of the room. It's a little odd that they'd ask him of all ponies to babysit a few students. That was clearly what they were doing 'cos his expertise had nothing to do with it. What use was the study of magical animals here? Sparkle was clearly under the influence of a curse or, at best, a possession. That might not have been something non-equine, sure, but sending a cross between a magician and a biologist wasn't likely to clear anything up.
Quietly, Mystic Heart left beside Silver. She too was curious as to what the book may contain, but she was a little more certain that diving in to ancient artifacts without prior knowledge was a foolish venture. The letters told her "madness," but she had to find out first hand to be sure. She hoped that her resolve would be able to stand up to it. Though, if Twilight Sparkle couldn't with-stand it... who could?
"Ok... Lets do this." Grey Mane touched the Jewels of Badab-arak with her horn. Memories flooded into her mind.
Normally, if the Princess wished to transport large groups from place to place, she would arrange for a royal transport, but as you board the airship, you don't notice any royal markings upon it whatsoever. Even the captain and crew appear to be civilians, rather than members of the Princess' Royal Guard. The departure from Canterlot goes off without a hitch and you all soon find yourselves in the air and travelling towards Ponyville. As the town square becomes visible, you all notice that the sky seems to have darkened slightly, although there doesn't seem to be a single cloud in the sky. Spoiler: Roll Perception for Party Follia: 91 + 4 = 95 Silver Shield: 2 + 4 = 6 Mystic Heart: 70 + 4 = 74 Grey Mane: = 30 + 4 = 34 (You'll have to pardon my numbers. I haven't actually gotten around for preparing stats for you all, so I'm using the Equinus Faust Base Percetion score) If Follia and/or Mystic Heart glance over the side of the airship, they would notice that just off a path leading away from Ponyville is a large wagon. Follia would notice that one of the wagon's wheels are lopsided, but it appears otherwise undamaged. The wagon appears large enough for a pony to live in fairly comfortably. The airship continues on its course until it lands on the side of Ponyville furtherest from Canterlot. "Alright, this is where Her Majesty told us to let youse off," The Captain states. "When you've finished your business, just send Her Majesty a letter, and we'll be back here in a few hours or so, give or take. Depends on how busy we are." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- You hear a rumbling of thunder as you enter Ponyville proper. The citizens appear unconcerned with this as they appear to be going about their daily lives, chatting with one another, shopping at the marketplace, eating brunch, what have you. A pair of mares glance in your direction, the one is light green with a harp for a Cutie Mark and the other is yellowish with a trio of candies as her Cutie Mark. They make no effort to attack you, but they don't seem overly friendly, either, as they return to whatever it was they were talking about. You easily spot the Books and Branches Public Library not too far off. It appears almost exactly like the picture you saw of it in Room 101. A path cuts right through the center of the town, likely it's the town's main road.
