Immaterial Puppets ~ 106 Days

Morning Mail and a History Lession

It was a very nice day outside. The birds are singing, the trees were swinging, and the sun was shining without a cloud in the sky. Of course it's a nice day outside, why wouldn't it be? Ponies outside are living out their normal lives without a care in the world. Sadly, you aren't here for a description about a nice day in Ponyville so let's continue on.

Twilight Sparkle was sitting on her couch reading a history book alone. Spike was outside doing a task for Rarity today so Twilight gets the library for herself.

Twlilight closed her book and shelfed it away. She just finished rereading that book the fifth time this week. The purple unicorn sighed.

"Hmm... I wonder if my shipment of books from Canterlot has arrived." Twilight said as she headed for the door.

The books she ordered are not just any random book. There are mostly connected to the upcoming Puppet Fesitval tomorrow. Nothing really special, just like any other festival. Twilight is more interested however, how it came to be.

Twilight Sparkle pushed a crate through the door and right next to a table. She removed the lid and gently placed it on the side of the crate. Inside, are a stack of books, spines uncracked and ready to be opened and read. Twilight smelled the fresh books as she slowly leviated them out. They smelled quite nice.

"Good! All in nice shape. Now which one should I read first?"

"No Fluttershy! It's supposed to be red! Not green!" Rainbow Dash yelled at Fluttershy.

"Eeep.."

Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were inside Fluttershy's cottage. Rainbow Dash was standing up with a hoof on her face while Fluttershy held a brush in her teeth.

In between them is a small, wooden pony puppet painted green with even a darker green on the tail and mane.

Rainbow Dash sighed. "Look! When you painted the mane and tail green instead of blue, I said to paint it red. Red! R-e-d, red! Instead, you painted it a lighter green! It now looks like some kind of green vegie pony!" Rainbow Dash picked up the puppet. It did look like some kind of vegetable.

Fluttershy dropped the brush from her teeth and spoke quiety.

"Um... well, there hasn't been a vegie puppet yet." Fluttershy picked up the puppet. "I mean, um, it's better than that scary tree puppet from last year..."

Last year, both Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy made a puppet out of a regular oak tree. It was Fluttershy's idea and since Rainbow didn't had any ideas, that's what they did. What they did not expect however, that a puppet that can spit out fire was somehow right next to the tree puppet. What happened next was one of the most calming and peaceful looking puppet turned into something that looked like it came from the depths of Tartarus itself.

This year, they both decided to create something a bit smaller and less scarier. This time, they decided to make a regular pony puppet.

Sadly, mistakes seems to be common place during this time of the year.

Fluttershy painted the puppet green, which was originally going to be blue and red.

Rainbow Dash hovered to Fluttershy and landed right next to her. "Okay! Here is what we do! Since the festival is taking place tomorrow, we'll just enter this 'plant' pony."

A look of suprise appeared on Fluttershy's face. "Really?"

"Yeah! We'll just add a few awesome things to it and who knows? We might just win first place!"

"What do you mean? We won't finish before the festival and there is not that much wood left to use." Fluttershy pointed her hoof at the pile of broken sticks and unused planks. "There's not much left."

Rainbow Dash grined evily.

"Hm, so if I'm able to focus on this leg, the other should move as well."

Twilight Sparkle spoke to herself as she lifted her childhood doll, Smarty Pants.

Twilight has been trying to work puppet magic on Smarty Pants for quite awhile now. After she finished reading Basic Puppet Magic for Eggheads, she has been trying to make Smarty Pants move on his own.

Twilight slowly focused on one of Smarty Pants hoofs. The hoof tilted to the side and was ripped off. Stuffing flew out of Smarty Pants like a gushing wound as he fell to the floor. Twilight Sparkle walked to Smarty Pants and filped him over so he was on his back.

"Smarty Pants, it looks like you need a repair job."

On cue, Rainbow Dash charged straight threw the front door and into Twilight. Both of them went straight into the crate of books Twilight ordered. Fluttershy flew inside with the green puppet to see both of them in a mess.

"Whoops, sorry Twilight!" Rainbow Dash flew out of the pile of books and wood spikes. Twilight gave Rainbow Dash a 'you shouldn't have done that' look.

Fluttershy flew over to Twilight and pulled her out of the pile.

"Can you at least knock? This is the third door this month you smashed right through." Twilight said irrtatingly.

"Oh worry about that later. We have a problem Twilight!" said Rainbow Dash as Fluttershy dropped the green puppet in front of Twilight.

Twilight stared at the green puppet.

"What's wrong with it?" Twlight questioned.

"What's wrong? Let me tell you what's wrong, it's plain!" Rainbow Dash exclamed. "It does nothing but look green, and being green is nothing special!"

"Rainbow Dash, puppets don't have to have some special feature. It more of how it's designed and what it's supposed to represent." Twilight sighed.

During the Puppet Festival, a contest is held to see who can make the best puppet in Ponyville. Winners get a free vacation to Canterlot for a week. All services paid for. Also, they will be staying in one of the most talented hotels in Equestia, which is also where some of the Wonderbolts stay during this time of year. For Rainbow Dash, you should now know why she is entering.

"Pfft! Your kidding right? That's something Rarity might say, right?" Rainbow Dash said.

Twilight ignored her. Instead, she levitated the fallen books from the wheck and put them in a stack.

Fluttershy noticed the top of the stack and read it out loud.

"The Life of the Puppet Master?" Fluttershy picked up the book. "Are you studying him?"

"Why yes Fluttershy." answered Twilight. "Since I was curious about how the Puppet Festival was founded, I found out it was because of The Puppet Master, creator of puppet magic."

Rainbow Dash glanced over Twilight.

"Puppet magic?"

"Yes, magic that controls puppets."

Rainbow was getting into it.

"So this 'Puppet Master' used magic to control puppets for this bidding? Awesome!" exclaimed Rainbow Dash.

Twilight rolled her eyes.

"It's not that simple Rainbow Dash. It takes a very huge amount of focus just to even move a limb slowly." Twilight took the book from Fluttershy and began to search through the pages until she stopped at the right page.

"Ahem."

The Puppet Master was born in a manor on the outskirts of Ponyville. It was uncommon for a manor to be close to a town back then, but the manor was built before Ponyville was established. Before The Puppet Master was 'The Puppet Master, he spent his years in this manor for most of his foalhood until he was enrolled in a advanced class at Canterlot. He later became a student of Princess Celestia herself.

One day while at a carnival, The Puppet Master saw a puppet show. The Puppet Master was interested and came up with an idea. After days of study, he was able to build a puppet of himself. It was a day after that, The Puppet Master became the first ever pony who used puppet magic. Everypony was suprised to see two of the same pony. After a few years, he moved out of Canterlot and returned to his manor. Since then, The Puppet Master has made numerous puppets (Ch.9 for a list). Nopony ever matched The Puppet Master to this day in his skill and mastery today.

Twilight paused and said,"Now, any questions?"

Rainbow Dash was trying to stay awake while Fluttershy was just sitting and saying nothing.

"Yeah, yeah, he was some important guy." Rainbow Dash said, feeling bored. Then Rainbow Dash had a lightbulb moment.

"Hey! Does it say where he lived?"

Twilight looked over the book.

"Why yes. Right here."

The Puppet Manor, which it was called, was the home of The Puppet Master. Inside in not quiet as big, but enough to be considered weathy. Not much is really known about it since The Puppet Master really didn't invite ponies inside. It is known however that a workshop of puppets is build inside. A library, four bedrooms, and a underground basement is confirmed. The manor is located south of Ponyville, on the edge of Everfree Forest, at the rocky hills.

Because of being right next to Everfree Forest, ponies never approched the manor since The Puppet Master passed away. Nopony has enter in forever. Rumors that puppets that reside in the manor still roam around the halls to this day. Some say the manor is haunted. Others say that The Puppet Master turned himself into a puppet and is still living. Of course, such rumors should not be taken seriously. However, some ponies who has entered, only a few never came back.

Twilight closed the book.

"Are you going there?" said Twilight.

Rainbow Dash flew up to Twilight, making her wide eyed.

"Of course! I bet somewhere in the place, we could find out how he makes his puppets! If we do that, then the free trip is mine!"

"But... what about the living p-p-p-puppets?" Fluttershy quivered.

"Oh that's a bunch of cloud puffs." Rainbow said confendently.

"Hey Twilight! Want to come?"

Twilight thought for a moment.

"...I guess it couldn't hurt. I'm curious about this manor. Just let me get prepared."

After a few minutes, Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy, left the library and onwards to the manor.

What will they meet there? Will Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy get a winning puppet? Find out in the next exciting chapter. of Immaterial Puppets ~ 106 Days!