Professor Search's Logbookby CroswyndChaptersAmber's Search - Part OneNovell LightKalyn's Gambit - Part OneWhisper WindThe YetiWarden of the StreamHavoc's InterludeAmber's Search - Part OneThe mare raced through the ancient, abandoned halls of the pyramid with her breath rushing in and out in sharp gasps. Her hooves disturbed the centuries old dust, tapping out a staccato beat and sending beetles scurrying for nearby cracks. Guttering flames flickered, twisting her shadow across the limestone walls as she moved from one point of light to the next. “Professor!” Her panicked call echoed uselessly, becoming fainter and fainter, as if mocking her inability to warn her mentor. Amber gritted her teeth and shook the unwanted thought away, continuing her gallop with a renewed burst of speed. She wasn’t about to let a dusty old tomb to keep her from him. “Professor Search!” she yelled again, turning a corner and entering a large atrium. A single shaft of light speared the darkness that filled the room, dust whisking across it in a radiant shimmer. A giant centerpiece featuring a long-forgotten pharaoh towered to just below the ceiling, built of gold-gilded granite. Eye sockets where gems had long since been stolen from glared accusingly down at her, the expression on the camel’s face as stern and unforgiving as it had been in life. Amber ignored it all, focused on her goal. The Professor had to be warned not to open the box they’d found – that the warnings they had stayed up the night before translating were off by an amount that meant the difference between safety and destruction. It was her job to give the older unicorn the correct directions to help him with his studies and... she had failed. He is not going to end up hurt, or worse, because of me, the mare thought with a flick of her honeyed mane. The golden strands flared behind her, catching the sun and shining almost like her namesake. She rounded the statue, charging into the next hallway with all of the speed she could muster. Only a little farther… More lit torches guided her way, black pitch dripping to the ground with an intermittent hiss—further evidence of the unicorn’s passing. The two of them were the only ones in and around the pyramid, which was jealously guarded by the camels that inhabited the area. Only a few other ponies had ever explored its depths, twists and turns, a fact she had been fiercely proud of when she’d been picked to study under the Professor. A familiar hum reached her anxiously flicking ears, its faint melody carried telepathically by the unicorn’s horn. Her heart thudded in her chest, an ache of loss spreading through her body. Whenever the Professor hummed a tune, he was so deeply involved in his work that he wouldn’t pay attention to anything but what he was working with. If only the telepathy worked both ways; if only he listened. Just the thought of what would happen if she didn’t reach him in time… “That’s not going to happen!” she yelled, turning into a room. Professor Search’s back was to her, his forehooves perched on a silver box. The glare of the metal from the two torches on the wall contrasted sharply with its surroundings, further reinforcing the strangeness of the find. She and the Professor had talked for hours on what it could be and, after they had found out it was a container, what it could hold. Time slowed down, a golden light issuing from the box as it opened. The unicorn cried out in agony as the sinister luminescence hit him. Professor Search disappeared in the sudden, blinding brilliance. She yelled for him, her throat suddenly raw with heat that swept passed her, picked her up and tossed her into the hallway. Amber Fossil felt nothing but failure as she was hurled from the scene, the light swallowing her whole. ***** “Wha- huh?” She sat bolt upright, her mane suddenly blocking the shining glare of the sun streaming through her tent. She blinked confusedly at her surroundings, brushing a few brown strands away with a hoof. A small hole in the burlap above her was letting in the sunlight; it fell across one of the open scrolls laying on the ground beside her. A rendering of an ancient Camelic deity stared back at her from the page. The ancient papyrus was faded and torn, with barely legible script below it. But what drew her attention the most was the open tent flap beside her, a humid heat wandering through with the gust. She stuck her head out grumpily and glanced around to see what possibly could have happened to undo the flap. Sunlight danced with the shadows across the ground, the brilliant rays tinged with the green of the trees that surrounded her campsite. The morning noise of the jungle assaulted her next, further adding to her irritation. Droning hums and intermittent hisses of creatures in the brush had kept her up long after she’d retired from her reading. Now they were forcibly waking her from an exhausted slumber. “Ugh, dumb animals,” she groaned, her words slurred with the effects of sleep. The jungle didn’t answer her other than to continue its whistles and cackles, driving a sharp pain into the side of her skull. “Good morning, Amber!” Amber swiveled her head to the side and squinted up at a unicorn. A small, brown mustache grew on the stallion’s face while his mane swept across his forehead and down his neck in long strands. Glasses perched handsomely on his nose while russet-colored eyes peered down at her above a radiant smile. “Mo-morning, Professor.” A blush crept slowly across her face from the intensity of his gaze before she realized her hair was an absolute mess. She yanked her head back through the flap, face burning furiously while she tried to return her mane to a modicum of neatness. A few deft moves of her hooves and a brush through the hair later, the mare cursed her clichéd emotions. What am I, some kind of filly getting all doe-eyed over her first love? Stop it, mare. You’re better than that. Inwardly chastised, Amber stood and dropped her brush into the saddlebags huddled at the corner of the tent. Wishing not for the first time she’d been born a unicorn rather than an earth pony, she stepped outside with an annoyed flick of the tent’s flap and casted around for the Professor. The unicorn was nowhere to be seen. A mosquito flew in a lazy circle just out of reach above her, its monotonous buzzing swiftly wearing on her nerves. She ignored it as best she could, stepping fully into the jungle’s embrace to inspect their campsite. Already her mane and tail began to curl and frizz with the weight of the moisture in the air, though a small breeze played across her cheeks and set the leaves to a peaceful rustle. “Professor?” she asked, poking her head into his tent. His bedroll and a few books lay scattered across the shelter’s floor in a similar fashion to her own. The mare chewed on her lip, looking to the side to find the unicorn’s saddlebags no longer in the corner. Her jaw clamped up, sending a pain through her lip as she bit down. “Ow!” Amber retreated from the messy abode, nursing her newly sore lip, and stamped at the ground in frustration. The unicorn had gone off on his own again, no doubt too completely absorbed in his research to even pay attention to what was around him. Foalsitting was not what she had been expecting when the Professor had asked her to join him in her travels, but it had been her job from day one. She swatted at the mosquito as it dared lower, but it lazily avoided her clumsy swing. “Where did you get to now, I wonder? A dragon’s gullet, with your luck.” Nothing answered her as she stood there, squinting angrily into the steadily lightening foliage. Sunlight glistened across a web coated with morning dew, the rays shattering into a million tiny reflections as they met the droplets. Grass whispered with the wind, its tang alighting in her nose as she inhaled in an annoyed sniff. Her stomach growled, reminding her that she hadn’t eaten since lunch the previous day. Amber shoved the urge to eat aside, the Professor safety unfortunately paramount, though the thought of leaving the unicorn to his own devices and having a lovely breakfast in the meantime was enough to make her hesitate. She drew in a deep breath. “Okay. Tracks. Need to find tracks.” “Amber!” Professor Search’s voice called out from her right. “Professor?” the earth pony yelled. “Where are you?” When Search didn’t answer, her annoyance shifted to concern. She broke into a swift trot toward the source of the unicorn’s voice, fronds slapping at her face and roots reaching up to trip her at every opportunity. The mare expertly avoided the roots even in her haste, falling into a half-hopping run. Moments later she entered a small clearing of soft orange dirt and broken twigs. A single, large tree brooded over the open space, gnarled grey bark at odds with the rest of the jungle’s colors—and hanging upside down from one of the tree’s limbs was the Professor, stuck in a net of vines and waxing poetic. Though it seemed his dear companion had abandoned him to the sinister wiles of the jungle beat, the handsome stallion kept strong his heart of valor, thinking swiftly on how to extricate himself from the predicament he found himself in. Numerous spells, not the least of which teleportation, weighed on his mind, but he dismissed each. No, they would not remove the ghastly vines. He would have to cut himself down with a sharp stick or rock of some kind! Such brilliance the magnificent unicorn stored within himself. Now if only there were... Amber raised an eyebrow and smirked as the unicorn turned toward her with the net’s slow revolution. “You done, yet?” “Oh, there you are, Amber! I was just getting worried about you. Do watch your step. There appears to be several traps about,” Search replied cheerily. “Now, if you don’t mind, I would very much rather being back on my hooves, however entertaining perceiving the world from this angle is.” Amber sauntered slowly around him like a shark with its prey. “I dunno, Professor. Your ‘magnificent brilliance’ should be enough to get you out of this jam. Far be it for me to stop you in the middle of your genius plan.” He squinted at her, the net still turning. “Are you mocking me, my dear? I’ll have you know, I am brilliant and even had you not shown yourself, I would most definitely have- wait, wait, turn me around.” Amber rolled her eyes at his struggles. “Very charming. Anything else I could do for you today?” “Oh, I believe there is much you could do for me, my succulent little pony,” a smooth, purring voice called softly from behind her. She froze, the Professor’s tail swishing past her face as the unicorn turned in his net. A flash of fear lit her breast, instinct begging her to run. She fought against it and turned around with wide eyes. A very large panther was grooming itself in a tree at the other side of the clearing, staring at her with unconcerned yellow eyes. Each time the giant cat’s tongue flickered out of its mouth, Amber caught sight of sharp, white fangs, which only served to increase the speed of her already fluttering heartbeat. “Wha-what do you mean by that?” Amber spoke, the squeak in her voice betraying her fear. The panther chuckled heartily and jumped lithely from the tree to the clearing floor. “Oh, I imagine you already know. Surely you’ve studied the ecology of the forest before? I heard you speaking with plat principal this previous evening about being a ‘researcher’.” He smiled coldly and placed a paw on his chest. “Well, research away, my dear. I will give you that much, at least, before I indulge myself in a little... appetizer.” Before she could possibly form a reply, the Professor’s voice issued from behind her. “A panther! My word, what a magnificent specimen you are, sir. Such poise and grace in that feline body of yours, and those teeth! Hmm, simply marvelous!” “I am rather impressive, aren’t I?” The cat shifted his eyes toward her. “You should be more like your friend, fair mare. Flattery will get you everywhere. But where are my manners? Perhaps you would prefer to know the name of your unfortunately dreadful end?” “Oh, yes, please.” The unicorn sounded fascinated, in direct opposition to Amber’s chilled terror. “I am Vajera, lord of this little jungle, such as it is.” The predator ran a paw across the top of his head and flattened his ears. “But enough about me, I suppose. I’m more interested in a vis-à-vis with you, my dear.” Amber’s mind raced as she fought to come up with some kind of plan to get them away, but all she could see were those giant teeth in her mind. Pull yourself together or you’re both dead. Think, Amber! Behind her, she heard the faint chime of magic and saw a branch on the other side of the clearing lift from the dirt. “Oh, no, you wouldn’t want to eat me,” Amber said more calmly than she felt, trying not to stare over the panther’s shoulder. “I... have something you want! If you eat me, you won’t be able to get it.” The Professor sucked in a breath behind her. “Amber, what are you—.” “Let her speak,” Vajera interrupted commandingly, the air nearly vibrating with the power of his voice. The panther’s eyes flashed with curiosity. “What do you mean, pony? And if this is simply a ploy to distract me from the stick your companion is waving around behind me, you are sadly underestimating me.” The piece of floating wood slashed through the air. Vajera simply jumped over the makeshift weapon and batted it with his claws in one smooth motion. When he landed, the wood fell with him into four neat slices as the magic that suspended it faded away. “Now, about what I want.” Vajera ran a claw down Amber’s muzzle, seemingly unaffected by the near miss. “Your eyes spoke truth, even with the deception mixed in, ma chère. Tell me.” Amber shivered at both his touch and the strangely tender words. “There’s a treasure. Something powerful in a temple nearby. We’re on our way to find it.” Vajera’s frowned. “The temple? You mean the old ruin at the edge of the jungle? There have been several expeditions already sent there, some of them delicious, yet none returned with anything remotely like a treasure.” Amber nodded and continued fervently, her mind racing to come up with a plan. “Of course not. There’s a door inside the temple, maybe even several, guarding the treasure. None of the other expeditions could open it, even with explosives. It’s spell locked.” Vajera’s eyes flicked to the unicorn and back to her, a sinister smile revealing those gleaming fangs. “Spell locked, you say? So then what reason do you have for me allowing you to live, if I only need the unicorn?” “Because she’s the one who decoded the message, my dear, erm, fellow,” Professor Search piped up. “Convenient,” Vajera replied blandly as he tapped a claws against one of the branch fragments. “Ah, very well. I do enjoy a good adventure. Besides, I did just eat a rather scrumptious wildebeest not a few hours ago.” Amber looked the panther in the eye, trying not to imagine how he had managed to take down and eat an entire wildebeest by himself. “If we unlock the door, you have to let us go.” “Ma chère, I do not believe you are in any position to make deals,” he replied gleefully, stepping close to the Professor and slicing through the rope holding the unicorn up. Professor Search rolled to his hooves and glared at the panther. “Ah ha! Amber, stay behind me! I’ll vanquish this foul bea—” Amber watched unsurprised as Vajera cuffed the unicorn across the face, sending him to the ground, unconscious. The panther looked up at her, amusement playing in his eyes. “He’s an idiot. That’s why he, and you, need me.” She snuck a glance at the Professor. “So who’s going to carry him now?” “Hmm,” the giant cat replied, tapping his jaw with a paw. “I do forget the little details. As for who carries him, well...” Vajera stopped, his head jerking to the left and his ears flattening as he hissed. Amber followed his gaze, her twitching ears only now hearing the steady drumbeat of... hooves? No, she thought as she chewed on her lip, not hooves. Something else is coming. The first form to burst through the jungle was large, larger than even Vajera. Dust blew in a whirl around the shape, rendering it indistinct, though Amber could just make out what looked like a mound of some kind on the thing’s back. Two more joined the first, all three of them coming to a halt on the other side of Vajera, who had interposed himself between the new arrivals and his meal. The dust continued to blow toward Amber, encircling them as if guided by some unseen hoof. “Vajera!” one of the forms bellowed out in a strange accent. “You know you are forbidden from this place!” “I go where I please,” the panther growled. The smoke cleared for a moment to admit one of the figures, finally giving Amber the opportunity to see who was coming to save her. It was a camel, one with a helm that shone dully in the dust-impeded light. Armor of similar color and material fell across the back of his body, covering all but the two humps rising from the camel’s spine. Dark, green eyes stared coolly at the panther. “You do no such thing,” the camel spoke with a voice like stone on stone. “A portion of the jungle has been designated as your kind’s hunting grounds. Yet you continue to test us, and with guests we have been expecting!” Vajera glanced back at Amber and her unconscious companion, puzzlement in his eyes. “Guests? May I ask why you have received them, Sal-yon?” Sal-yon stomped his foot and snorted, a burst of dust shooting from his nose. “You stall, beast. Leave or we shall have the fight we know shall come.” A sly look came over Vajera’s face and a slight purr lit the air. “Ah, I see. She was telling the truth. You seek to examine the ruins located in my domain as an escort of Dromedary calvary. Well, well, far be it from me to disallow such things.” The panther stalked away and extended a paw in Amber’s direction, a smirk on his feline muzzle. “I shall leave. You may have them... for now.” The panther disappeared into the forest with a last swish of a tail. Amber turned to her savior and sighed relievedly as the dust cleared to reveal two more camels, both with armor on their backs. “Thank you. For that.” Sal-yon raised an eyebrow, but his face otherwise remained emotionless. “Of course, Miss Fossil. What of the Professor?” At that, Amber rolled her eyes. “The panther knocked him out, but he’ll be fine. You won’t mind the extra peace and quiet.” A flicker of a smile stirred on the camel’s mouth. “Very well, then, Miss Fossil, as your escort, we shall bring you to the camp we’ve set up as part of your expedition. It lies just outside Vajera’s domain.” “Oh.” Amber glanced back to where Vajera had disappeared. “That’s just wonderful.” Novell LightThere are few beings in the world who are as intriguing as Novell Light. I recently met the young pegasus pony on an expedition near the humble town of Hoofington. Since then, Novell has managed to save my life several times through a combination of bravery and intelligence in situations that would paralyze lesser beings. His coat is the color of new-fallen snow, while his mane is a stark contrast of deep brown, a fact that led me to save his life at one point. Flying through a snowstorm with a white coat is a recipe for disaster, let me tell you. But I digress. Aside from his physical appearance, Novell demonstrates a peculiar blend of naivety and intelligence, one that often causes him to come up with solutions to problems others would fail to conjure. As a result, Novell comes across as an excellent tactician—one who also happens to listen to the advice of his compatriots before making decisions. In fact, while it may not be a weakness, per se, his reliance on others to formulate his plans could lead to him floundering if others are not around to help him. In contrast to his quick-thinking, Novell is rather weak physically, a trait I have no doubt he inherited from his mother. While not as prone to being blown away at the slightest breeze as she, Novell is easy to overpower, evidenced by several occasions where he has overestimated his ability to plan against unpredictable beings. Overall, however, his naivety has slowly eroded in the face of several traumatic and unforseen events. He has, regrettably, experienced far too much for a pony his age, though I do believe it has made him more confident in himself, as he realizes he is not as useless as he once thought. Of course, for one without a cutie mark, such thoughts are understandable. I suppose I should have mentioned his most distinguishing feature first, but after our travels, I've come to realize that the mark on one's flank is not necessarily as important as the pony who does or does not wear it. Still, it does bother him not to have a physical manifestation of his purpose, though I do have my suspicions on what exactly that is. As his friend, I will do my utmost to help him achieve his place in life. ~Professor Search Author's Note When I first started writing Unmarked, I thought of an intriguing prospect—what if there were an adult pony who did not have a cutie mark? I had never heard of anything like this, so naturally, I decided it was enough to base a story on it. Apparently that worked, since Unmarked is now the longest story I've ever written. To be honest, there's a lot of me in Novell. His coat and hair color combinations mirror my own in real life and his problem, that of not knowing where his place in the world was, was one I shared. You could argue that he is a self-insert, though I tried to differentiate him somewhat. Obviously only the people who know me would be able to tell right of the bat, but still, the point remains. He's also not even my favorite character, to be honest. I've written better. Novell is just so... me, two years ago. I was pretty bad then. Still, Novell's been growing up throughout Unmarked. He's had to, with events playing out as they have been. The sequel will put him through even more trials, bereft of certain ponies who he normally relies on. Overall, though, I've treated him more like a vessel to tell the story than an actual character. I'll work on that. Kalyn's Gambit - Part OneYou know that feeling right before something is about to explode in your face? You can see the little incidental action that’s going to backfire in the milliseconds before it actually does – that one smidgen of wire crossed with another or your claw touching a piece of sensitive metal. That moment, right then, is one part extreme panic, two parts hoping your tail doesn’t catch fire, and the last part knowing that all that work you just did? Yeah, you’re going to have to do it over. Great. Needless to say, my face was in a world of pain and I could barely open my beak to draw in a breath. Even better, I couldn’t see a thing thanks to that flash before my little device decided it didn’t want to play around anymore. The hearing in the left side of my head was totally gone and there was a blasted ringing sound on the other like someone was tolling a bell at close range. So there I was, blind, deaf, and confused (and fervently hoping my tail hadn’t caught fire again) as my brain tried to re-catalogue exactly what I had done wrong. The device should have worked, no problemo. I had built it up to the specifications given to me by my nest mate, down to the tiniest, niggling detail. I’m not one to lavish praise on myself, but I had paid more attention in creating this thing than anything else I’ve ever done. And it was a griffing good job, too. So what had happened? I felt something touch my shoulder and I flinched away, feeling my body fall into something hard and metallic. My claws clambered around, shifting aside the great amount of junk I had piled all around my workspace with what I imagined was a series of very loud crashes and bangs. I winced at the thought of all of my spare doohickies and thingamabobbers crushed and smashed. It was almost enough to bring a tear to my eye. Not that I’d be able to feel it anyway. With my immediate area figured out, I blinked several times in hopes of getting my seared retinas to cooperate. A stray thought flickered through my brain with a sardonic flippancy as I fought to recover: Always wear your goggles, Kalyn, it said, taunting me. If I had sight right now, I’d be kicking the owner of that voice in his hind. I felt that light touch again, recognizing it as a feather rather than some kind of mechanical abomination I had inadvertently created, or worse, a hippogryph’s vicious talons. Of course, if it had been a hippogryph, I probably wouldn’t have felt anything before the darkness became complete. My body shuddered involuntarily at that as my vision cleared up enough for me to see the vague, small, light brown blur in front of me. Another gryphon—no doubt come to investigate and see what other kind of mess I had made. All I could hope was that it wasn’t Rell. “Kalyn!” the gryphonic shape in front of me screeched from close range, enough to make my damaged eardrums shriek in response. I debated whether or not to scream back in the combination of the pain and annoyance that was already working its way through me, but that would just be bad form. I tried to speak and hoped I sound at least semi-coherent. “Whadya wan there? Whozzat?” As the flare of light slowly faded from my vision, the gryphon in front of me grew clearer. I could make out some features, starting from the soft, downy pseudo-feathers to the enormous, deathly cute eyes. With a flash of recognition, I realized it as my little sister, Valyrie, concern etched across her beak and in those impossibly huge eyes. I was glad I hadn’t decided to scream at her. “Oh, hey there, Val’,” I enunciated clearly this time, able to actually hear more than the general rumble of my vocal cords. I hope I sounded at least a tiny bit confident, but I still really couldn’t hear inflections. “Are you okay, Kal’?” she responded worriedly, flapping her tiny wings in agitation. I felt my heart melt again at the sight—she was just too darn cute for her own good. I checked myself over with my newly returned sight, noticing I’d lost a few feathers around my neck and that the fur on my leonine bottom half was somewhat singed. I reached up toward my face with a claw, happily finding that my beak had not been rearranged in the explosion. Lastly, I checked my tail, bringing it close to my eyes to make sure it hadn’t spontaneously combusted even after all the danger had passed. You may not think that can happen, but trust me, I would probably be one to find the way. Shrugging with my customary ‘what can you do?’ vibe, I ruffled the feathers poking out of my little sister’s head. “Yup, I’m fine, squirt. Just got a little singed. Whatcha doin’ home so early? Weren’t you with Rell today?” “I’m not a squirt!” she responded with a tiny growl as she leaped onto my back and cuffed my neck playfully with one of her claws. “And Rell took me home because she had to do something outside the Aerie.” I paused for a moment as the ramifications of that shifted through my mind, examining and dismissing each possibility as it presented itself. Rell wasn’t assigned to any duties outside today; in fact, she was supposed to be watching my sister and the clutch of nest mates as they adjusted to the world outside the Nesting Aerie. So what could she possibly be doing outside? Disobeying an order from the matriarch was one of the biggest no-no’s in the entire mountain range, right up there with conspiring with Hippogryphs. Dirty things, no better than dung beetles, but at least the beetles smell better. I clacked my beak at that last thought, chuckling softly as I resumed my pace, Valyrie gnawing on one of my wings. There was no way Rell would have any sympathies with those dumb birds, whatever the reason she was outside. Still, I couldn’t help but have a niggling feeling that I should investigate. As another of my nest mates, I did have a personal responsibility to her, even if she didn’t feel the same way. All those thoughts and more shifted through my brain as I walked out of my workshop and into the bright and airy Invention Aerie, the cub on my back ceasing her gnawing for a few moments to take in the sights. I was just as enraptured by everything as the first time I had seen the place, from the various species that inhabited the world moving through the streets, to the streams of lava flowing through quarter pipes and pooling in circular holding tanks. Steam issued from the anvils and giant, iron buckets holding the unrefined magma, disappearing into one of the many vents built into the ceiling. Mechanical contraptions ranging from lifts to the skeletons of trains being built for the ponies in Equestria were everywhere; griffons flitted around with goggles around their feathered heads and metal gauntlets around their dextrous claws. A few of the nearest shops held griffons busy welding and building projects too big to fit inside their own workshops. A series of metal tubes and whistles sprouted from the workshop to my right, filling the cavern with a shrill tune every so often. The clatter and rumble of hundreds of griffons, and even a few ponies, working, shouting, and screeching melded together with the smell of heated metal and meat from the nearby tavern. I felt my mouth watering as the scent of expertly roasted giant boar kebab wafted through my nostrils, spices and flavoring very much evident and reminding my stomach that it hadn’t had anything to digest in quite a few hours. With a gentle pat on my chest and a leonine yawn, I looked back to Valyrie with a grin. “Hungry?” “Starvin’, Kal! Can we please go get somethin’ to eat?” she asked with a blink of those eyes. I felt my grin grow wider. “Sure thing, little fluff,” I assured her as she glared at me for calling her that, “but first, let me see how far you’ve come with your hovering.” Her face lit up at that, her eagerness to show me her newfound skills enough to make a voice in my head ‘daww’. She concentrated, twisting her beak and sticking out a tongue for luck as her wings opened. Within seconds the tiny griffon began to flap, the downdraft tickling my back as her claws and paws lifted along with the rest of her body. The wings struggled powerfully as Valyrie screwed her eyes in further concentration. Finally, she opened her eyes with an exclamation of victory, grinning wider than her face should let her. “Bravo!” I laughed as I clapped my claws together. “Now how about the landing?” Her face fell as she looked down, her wings instantly ceasing to beat as she panicked. I maneuvered myself under her so that she fell back to his rump with a small ‘oof!’. Chuckling again, I reached around and patted her head. “Well, you’re making progress, Val. Maybe next week you’ll be able to land without freezing up. You’re doing good!” I felt her curl up on my flank and sigh. “I don’t know, big brother. I just get so scared when I’m so high up. Do I have to learn to fly?” “Well, you don’t have to,” I began cheerfully, “but it’d be mighty difficult to get around the Aeries without being able to. Of course, you could always live with the earth or unicorn ponies—they don’t fly.” “Those ponies are so silly without wings.” She laughed, forgetting her earlier sadness with a turn of her childlike mind. “But I like them. Maybe I could help them like you help us! I could do inventions! I know how to read skema— samanti— uh...” “Schematics?” I supplied helpfully as I continued on my way to the tavern, waving to a unicorn beating a piece of molten metal into shape with a hammer. “Yeah, those!” The thought of my sister helping the flightless ponies filled my heart with happiness, imagining her all grown up and inventing all sorts of things for the Equestrians. Making friends and having fun, learning all sorts of things even I’d never be able to understand. It felt right. “I bet you’d make a great inventor, too, little fluff. A really great one!” ***** It was the knock that shook me awake completely, but I had been feeling subconsciously ill at ease for the past few minutes. Something in the way my feathers were twisted and the soundlessness, aside from my little sister’s snores, was off. When I opened my eyes, I figured exactly what was wrong. The candle Valyrie required be near her nestside had burned down to the last bit of wick, leaving my little workshop completely lightless. My eyes quickly adjusted with the adrenaline beginning to work through my system as I picked myself up and started toward the door. “Kalyn,” someone hissed from outside the doorway, almost a whisper to anyone but a gryphon. “Kalyn, wake up!” “Rell?” I asked in the same fashion, opening the door with a slight squeak of hinges. I winced in the darkness, glancing back at my sister to make sure she hadn’t woken up. Another thing to add to my checklist of things to do—oil the hinges. “Kalyn, thank the Matriarch,” came her relieved reply as she lightly stepped in, her talons scratching across the floor. Even though I could barely see her in the low light of the dormant forges outside, I knew every detail. I imagined the fair, feathered plumage and neatly groomed fur on her bottom half, her posture and physique every bit the dominant female in my group of nestmates. Despite that, her most distinguishing feature was the three black dots below her left eye. Right now, though, I wasn’t paying anything but her cooly glowing eyes, pits of amber surrounded by a sea of white feathers. “What’s going on?” I asked, attempting to sound casual. By the way she rolled her eyes, I was willing to bet I wasn’t putting on a great act. “Whatcha doin’ here so late? Where were you this afternoon?” She glanced around nervously before answering, quickly padding out of the light from the door. “I need your help, Kal’.” That didn’t answer any of my questions, but I kept silent, waiting for her to continue. “It’s something important, outside the Aerie. I don’t want to talk about it here, but... I just need your help.” Okay, outside of the Aerie. Definitely not something illegal. I sighed, air whistling out of my beak as I thought it over. My nestmate was the one asking, so could I in good conscious refuse? I doubt any other ones of our group would, but I was a bit more old fashioned in nest loyalty. Still, there was one thorn in the paw. “Val’s here for tonight. I can’t leave her,” I whispered softly, hating myself for having to say no. “I can drop her off with one of her nestmates tomorrow—.” “No, no, I need help tonight,” Rell interrupted, her eyes still darting around. “We can bring her with us.” I clacked my beak in horror at that. “Outside the Aerie at night? Rell, she can’t even fly! If I drop her—” “I’ll carry her,” she replied fiercely. “Come on, I’ll wake her up.” Without even waiting for my response, she brushed passed me and stood over Valyrie’s nest. I sighed again, knowing how Rell was when she was like this. Nothing could dissuade her from her goal and she would be bringing anyone she could to complete it. Fortunately, most of her schemes had a habit of panning out. I just hoped this one was like the others. “Valyrie,” Rell cooed to the chick, who was currently twitching cutely in her sleep. I felt my heart melt as my nestmate brushed her claw along my sister’s face where the beak met feathers. Val squeaked and woke up with a purr, her sleepy eyes glancing between us. “Mornin’ little fluff,” I greeted her with a tight smile, feeling a sense of dread start to creep into my chest. Just the thought of her falling— no, Rell was the best flier in our group. She wouldn’t drop Val. A squeaky little yawn erupted from the hatchling. “Why’re we up so early?” “Just goin’ for a little flight,” I replied, staring pointedly at Rell. She stared back with a challenge clear in her eyes. I glanced away, unwilling to hold the gaze. Yep, she was definitely the dominant one here. “I’ve got something cool to show you, Valyrie,” Rell began with a smile on her beak. “Something cool?” Val’s eyes perked up considerably at that. If there was anything that could excite my sister, it was something unusual and new. Which was probably why it was so easy to distract her with my whizzing gadgets and other toy-like devices. I grimaced, realizing that at the very least, my inventions were unusual, even if they didn’t always work. Lovely. Rell nodded, extending a wing so my sister could clamber up onto her back. “Yes, little one, something you’ll find especially interesting.” Whisper WindAh, Whisper Wind. With a name like that you'd expect the pony in question to be the shyest, or at least quietest, pony in town. A fair, mild mannered pony anypony could get along with. Of course, you would be wrong. This fiery mare is one of the two ponies I met in Hoofington, ponies who have established themselves as brave and qualified adventurers in the interim. I would dare say these two young ones have outstripped even me, though I would scarcely admit it out loud. Colored in a coat reminiscent of orange cream-soda, this pegasus mare is quite the mistress of wind. I've met my fair share of pegasi in my years, but only a few could possibly match her mastery of the air. Brought up in Hoofington, she was a shining star in the weather patrol, doing three pony's work with her skilled manipulation of the wind currents. So powerful is she that if she tried hard enough, I imagine she could very well create a tornado by herself. Provided, of course, she did not fall prey to her innate clumsiness. Though I said few could hold a candle to her skill, flying is not something Whisper is entirely... perfect at. One glance at her, covered in bandages, scrapes and bits of twigs from errant trees, and you can see how effective she is at that aspect of her pegasus form. Perhaps it's the universe offering a counter-balance to her incredible ability, or perhaps she is just impatient. Yes, as I said, fiery is one way to describe her. A flame the size of Celestia's Sun could barely match her furious demeanor. Rarely have I met one so impatient she is willing to forgo actually flapping to continue with a tumble or twirl. I imagine in her mind, she's already performed the trick, so she's off on the next one before she's even finished! An interesting one, she is. Still, I cannot help but see the affection she bares through the shallow, but impenetrable to Novell, mask she wears. I imagine this is what really brought her on our journey. I must say, I'm rather glad it had. Oh, she also has a pet, but I will be mentioning him in a further passage. Must keep an orderliness to this journal, yes. ~ Professor R. E. Search Author's Note Whisper is a fun character to write. Originally, she was just supposed to be annoying in the first chapter, but she grew on me and I decided for her to join the journey. Based on what a lot of you say about her, I'm glad I did! She's basically my favorite character, as some of you echo. When I created her, I had one thought in mind: Rainbow Dash, without any of the skill. She's brash, she's a daredevil, and she's in your face. But she has a habit of running into trees and epically failing at basically everything she does. She's matured, a little bit, though, as I think all the characters have. If you look at Whisper now from where she used to be, she's a lot different. Less running into trees. And since I don't have a section specifically for Swirley (though I do have a study of the species), I'll add my thoughts on him here, too. Swirley is a Refferentus Snail (the name of the species is based on a friend of mine who's obsessed with snails, Reffy). I liked the idea of one of the characters having a pet, so Whisper got him, the polar opposite of her. He's mild-mannered and impossibly able to stay on her head. He wasn't originally supposed to be anything but a pet, but I was pretty happy when I came up with the idea of his magic-absorbing powers. He's since become a fun character to do "sight gags" with. The YetiThe fearsome Yeti is a particular monster located in the highest points of the mountainous landscape, though they have a tendency to hunt in lower climes should food scarcity or grudges draw it down. Yeti are omnivorous, though they have a preference for meat whenever possible. Thick, curved claws extend from their paws and massive teeth fill their mouths. This beast is massive, standing at a gigantic four to six meter range. Covered with a thick, white coat of hair, the Yeti can survive and even flourishes in climates where even Pegasi would have trouble flying in. This is due, in no small part, to the particular brand of magic they possess; that is, they draw blizzards and snowstorms to themselves that thicken and worsen the angrier they become, though this may only be near their natural habitat. Another form of magic they have perfected over the ages of their existence is a mastery of ice traps. These mighty beasts can lay circles of magic that immediately trap anything that walks into it in a block of ice. Depending on the size of the circle, the ice block will usually entrap anything, though I have witnessed a smaller trap only covering half of a pony. As has been noted previously, Yeti are capable of holding grudges. In fact, anger and grudge-holding are a species-wide trait shared even by their cousins, the Sasquatch. I have personally witnessed a Yeti hunt its prey miles from its mountain home, though how it finds its prey is a mystery to me. Some hypothesize they can use their sense of smell, though others are confident it is another form of magic they possess. Further research is required into this matter. Overall, however, despite their proficiency with traps and the ability to hold grudges, Yeti have a vastly inferior intelligence to most animals. They are slow when faced with difficult or unexpected situations and the result is often expressed in beating the object of their confusion into the ground after a few seconds of thought. ~Professor Search Warden of the StreamMy first memory is that of a bright light, more brilliant than the sun that is said to be the most beautiful of jewels. More mesmerizing than the reflective surface of the moon, more inspiring than all the stars that pierce the night sky’s shroud. It was both comforting and warm as I bathed in its radiance, not totally aware of the new world around me - so different from the close darkness I understand now to be the embrace of my egg. This light I remember so well, so vividly, promised me so much. That I would see the breadth and length of the world, to share in its splendors and grieve with its tragedies. To know so many beings both large and small, forming friendships or enmities with each. It promised love and sorrow, envy and selflessness. But most of all, it promised me a release. And it has yet to fulfill this last assurance. You may think me bitter, regaling you with the million tales I experience between now and forever, wishing only for my story to end its unceasing flow. To shower you with words that have stood firm against the march of eons, while yearning toward the last time I must add a moment to my age. Such is my curse, my blessing, and my life, The Warden of the Stream. P.S. The Professor must obtain this letter or the Blank One will not complete his quest. Havoc's InterludeI... hesitate to release this, given its... well, unsavory origins. Suffice to say, it was recorded with great sacrifice... ~ Professor Search Novell Light. That name brings me no end of annoyance. At every turn, this pathetic pegasus without even an idea of who he is got in my way. How can one little pony do so much to disrupt my plans? How does he do it? How? An answer that annoys me greatly. He relies on his friends. That’s something I can’t ignore now. I thought my power was enough to stop any fools getting in my way, but apparently these little ponies know something I don’t. Like wolves, they are, working together to bring me down. Who’s the prey, here, again? Ah, but now I’ve done something they couldn’t have suspected. Something that should destroy their petty bonds of friendship. Distance is the only way. Separate them. Force them to work alone. I’ve split their blasted team in two. It should give me enough time to set up more defenses. I won’t be fooled this time. I won’t be distracted. My goal is simple and one I’ve practiced longer than any being living on this planet. War’s embrace will sweep the planet. Species set against species. But first I need my powers back. Not so easily done. Once again, the ponies stand in my way. They sent my powers far from each other, gathered in orbs and jewels that give the holders just a hint of what lies inside. The Griffon’s orb fell easily, but the Hippogryphs’ was not so easily taken. First I needed a Hippogryph to give it to me. I am not used to asking and wheedling. But once again, the ponies got in my way. My errant thought ripped my prize from me, absorbing my powers, mine, into his body. I can still feel the rage seething through me. Seeing another use my powers against me… Well, it was interesting. Now all that remains are the Dragons and the Camels. Which do I choose? Ah, but an easy decision. The Warden will never allow me near her, for she knows who I am. She will bring the full brunt of her race against me if I were to go after her directly. However, there are other ways to get what I want. Friendship… perhaps I should rely on another. If it works for the ponies, why not for me? I just need a minion, someone to do what I cannot in the dragon’s ancient land. Who, though? A thought would just betray me as the previous has. Oh. This will do nicely. Author's Note Who, or what, could it be? You'll fine out in the sequel~.
Amber's Search - Part OneThe mare raced through the ancient, abandoned halls of the pyramid with her breath rushing in and out in sharp gasps. Her hooves disturbed the centuries old dust, tapping out a staccato beat and sending beetles scurrying for nearby cracks. Guttering flames flickered, twisting her shadow across the limestone walls as she moved from one point of light to the next. “Professor!” Her panicked call echoed uselessly, becoming fainter and fainter, as if mocking her inability to warn her mentor. Amber gritted her teeth and shook the unwanted thought away, continuing her gallop with a renewed burst of speed. She wasn’t about to let a dusty old tomb to keep her from him. “Professor Search!” she yelled again, turning a corner and entering a large atrium. A single shaft of light speared the darkness that filled the room, dust whisking across it in a radiant shimmer. A giant centerpiece featuring a long-forgotten pharaoh towered to just below the ceiling, built of gold-gilded granite. Eye sockets where gems had long since been stolen from glared accusingly down at her, the expression on the camel’s face as stern and unforgiving as it had been in life. Amber ignored it all, focused on her goal. The Professor had to be warned not to open the box they’d found – that the warnings they had stayed up the night before translating were off by an amount that meant the difference between safety and destruction. It was her job to give the older unicorn the correct directions to help him with his studies and... she had failed. He is not going to end up hurt, or worse, because of me, the mare thought with a flick of her honeyed mane. The golden strands flared behind her, catching the sun and shining almost like her namesake. She rounded the statue, charging into the next hallway with all of the speed she could muster. Only a little farther… More lit torches guided her way, black pitch dripping to the ground with an intermittent hiss—further evidence of the unicorn’s passing. The two of them were the only ones in and around the pyramid, which was jealously guarded by the camels that inhabited the area. Only a few other ponies had ever explored its depths, twists and turns, a fact she had been fiercely proud of when she’d been picked to study under the Professor. A familiar hum reached her anxiously flicking ears, its faint melody carried telepathically by the unicorn’s horn. Her heart thudded in her chest, an ache of loss spreading through her body. Whenever the Professor hummed a tune, he was so deeply involved in his work that he wouldn’t pay attention to anything but what he was working with. If only the telepathy worked both ways; if only he listened. Just the thought of what would happen if she didn’t reach him in time… “That’s not going to happen!” she yelled, turning into a room. Professor Search’s back was to her, his forehooves perched on a silver box. The glare of the metal from the two torches on the wall contrasted sharply with its surroundings, further reinforcing the strangeness of the find. She and the Professor had talked for hours on what it could be and, after they had found out it was a container, what it could hold. Time slowed down, a golden light issuing from the box as it opened. The unicorn cried out in agony as the sinister luminescence hit him. Professor Search disappeared in the sudden, blinding brilliance. She yelled for him, her throat suddenly raw with heat that swept passed her, picked her up and tossed her into the hallway. Amber Fossil felt nothing but failure as she was hurled from the scene, the light swallowing her whole. ***** “Wha- huh?” She sat bolt upright, her mane suddenly blocking the shining glare of the sun streaming through her tent. She blinked confusedly at her surroundings, brushing a few brown strands away with a hoof. A small hole in the burlap above her was letting in the sunlight; it fell across one of the open scrolls laying on the ground beside her. A rendering of an ancient Camelic deity stared back at her from the page. The ancient papyrus was faded and torn, with barely legible script below it. But what drew her attention the most was the open tent flap beside her, a humid heat wandering through with the gust. She stuck her head out grumpily and glanced around to see what possibly could have happened to undo the flap. Sunlight danced with the shadows across the ground, the brilliant rays tinged with the green of the trees that surrounded her campsite. The morning noise of the jungle assaulted her next, further adding to her irritation. Droning hums and intermittent hisses of creatures in the brush had kept her up long after she’d retired from her reading. Now they were forcibly waking her from an exhausted slumber. “Ugh, dumb animals,” she groaned, her words slurred with the effects of sleep. The jungle didn’t answer her other than to continue its whistles and cackles, driving a sharp pain into the side of her skull. “Good morning, Amber!” Amber swiveled her head to the side and squinted up at a unicorn. A small, brown mustache grew on the stallion’s face while his mane swept across his forehead and down his neck in long strands. Glasses perched handsomely on his nose while russet-colored eyes peered down at her above a radiant smile. “Mo-morning, Professor.” A blush crept slowly across her face from the intensity of his gaze before she realized her hair was an absolute mess. She yanked her head back through the flap, face burning furiously while she tried to return her mane to a modicum of neatness. A few deft moves of her hooves and a brush through the hair later, the mare cursed her clichéd emotions. What am I, some kind of filly getting all doe-eyed over her first love? Stop it, mare. You’re better than that. Inwardly chastised, Amber stood and dropped her brush into the saddlebags huddled at the corner of the tent. Wishing not for the first time she’d been born a unicorn rather than an earth pony, she stepped outside with an annoyed flick of the tent’s flap and casted around for the Professor. The unicorn was nowhere to be seen. A mosquito flew in a lazy circle just out of reach above her, its monotonous buzzing swiftly wearing on her nerves. She ignored it as best she could, stepping fully into the jungle’s embrace to inspect their campsite. Already her mane and tail began to curl and frizz with the weight of the moisture in the air, though a small breeze played across her cheeks and set the leaves to a peaceful rustle. “Professor?” she asked, poking her head into his tent. His bedroll and a few books lay scattered across the shelter’s floor in a similar fashion to her own. The mare chewed on her lip, looking to the side to find the unicorn’s saddlebags no longer in the corner. Her jaw clamped up, sending a pain through her lip as she bit down. “Ow!” Amber retreated from the messy abode, nursing her newly sore lip, and stamped at the ground in frustration. The unicorn had gone off on his own again, no doubt too completely absorbed in his research to even pay attention to what was around him. Foalsitting was not what she had been expecting when the Professor had asked her to join him in her travels, but it had been her job from day one. She swatted at the mosquito as it dared lower, but it lazily avoided her clumsy swing. “Where did you get to now, I wonder? A dragon’s gullet, with your luck.” Nothing answered her as she stood there, squinting angrily into the steadily lightening foliage. Sunlight glistened across a web coated with morning dew, the rays shattering into a million tiny reflections as they met the droplets. Grass whispered with the wind, its tang alighting in her nose as she inhaled in an annoyed sniff. Her stomach growled, reminding her that she hadn’t eaten since lunch the previous day. Amber shoved the urge to eat aside, the Professor safety unfortunately paramount, though the thought of leaving the unicorn to his own devices and having a lovely breakfast in the meantime was enough to make her hesitate. She drew in a deep breath. “Okay. Tracks. Need to find tracks.” “Amber!” Professor Search’s voice called out from her right. “Professor?” the earth pony yelled. “Where are you?” When Search didn’t answer, her annoyance shifted to concern. She broke into a swift trot toward the source of the unicorn’s voice, fronds slapping at her face and roots reaching up to trip her at every opportunity. The mare expertly avoided the roots even in her haste, falling into a half-hopping run. Moments later she entered a small clearing of soft orange dirt and broken twigs. A single, large tree brooded over the open space, gnarled grey bark at odds with the rest of the jungle’s colors—and hanging upside down from one of the tree’s limbs was the Professor, stuck in a net of vines and waxing poetic. Though it seemed his dear companion had abandoned him to the sinister wiles of the jungle beat, the handsome stallion kept strong his heart of valor, thinking swiftly on how to extricate himself from the predicament he found himself in. Numerous spells, not the least of which teleportation, weighed on his mind, but he dismissed each. No, they would not remove the ghastly vines. He would have to cut himself down with a sharp stick or rock of some kind! Such brilliance the magnificent unicorn stored within himself. Now if only there were... Amber raised an eyebrow and smirked as the unicorn turned toward her with the net’s slow revolution. “You done, yet?” “Oh, there you are, Amber! I was just getting worried about you. Do watch your step. There appears to be several traps about,” Search replied cheerily. “Now, if you don’t mind, I would very much rather being back on my hooves, however entertaining perceiving the world from this angle is.” Amber sauntered slowly around him like a shark with its prey. “I dunno, Professor. Your ‘magnificent brilliance’ should be enough to get you out of this jam. Far be it for me to stop you in the middle of your genius plan.” He squinted at her, the net still turning. “Are you mocking me, my dear? I’ll have you know, I am brilliant and even had you not shown yourself, I would most definitely have- wait, wait, turn me around.” Amber rolled her eyes at his struggles. “Very charming. Anything else I could do for you today?” “Oh, I believe there is much you could do for me, my succulent little pony,” a smooth, purring voice called softly from behind her. She froze, the Professor’s tail swishing past her face as the unicorn turned in his net. A flash of fear lit her breast, instinct begging her to run. She fought against it and turned around with wide eyes. A very large panther was grooming itself in a tree at the other side of the clearing, staring at her with unconcerned yellow eyes. Each time the giant cat’s tongue flickered out of its mouth, Amber caught sight of sharp, white fangs, which only served to increase the speed of her already fluttering heartbeat. “Wha-what do you mean by that?” Amber spoke, the squeak in her voice betraying her fear. The panther chuckled heartily and jumped lithely from the tree to the clearing floor. “Oh, I imagine you already know. Surely you’ve studied the ecology of the forest before? I heard you speaking with plat principal this previous evening about being a ‘researcher’.” He smiled coldly and placed a paw on his chest. “Well, research away, my dear. I will give you that much, at least, before I indulge myself in a little... appetizer.” Before she could possibly form a reply, the Professor’s voice issued from behind her. “A panther! My word, what a magnificent specimen you are, sir. Such poise and grace in that feline body of yours, and those teeth! Hmm, simply marvelous!” “I am rather impressive, aren’t I?” The cat shifted his eyes toward her. “You should be more like your friend, fair mare. Flattery will get you everywhere. But where are my manners? Perhaps you would prefer to know the name of your unfortunately dreadful end?” “Oh, yes, please.” The unicorn sounded fascinated, in direct opposition to Amber’s chilled terror. “I am Vajera, lord of this little jungle, such as it is.” The predator ran a paw across the top of his head and flattened his ears. “But enough about me, I suppose. I’m more interested in a vis-à-vis with you, my dear.” Amber’s mind raced as she fought to come up with some kind of plan to get them away, but all she could see were those giant teeth in her mind. Pull yourself together or you’re both dead. Think, Amber! Behind her, she heard the faint chime of magic and saw a branch on the other side of the clearing lift from the dirt. “Oh, no, you wouldn’t want to eat me,” Amber said more calmly than she felt, trying not to stare over the panther’s shoulder. “I... have something you want! If you eat me, you won’t be able to get it.” The Professor sucked in a breath behind her. “Amber, what are you—.” “Let her speak,” Vajera interrupted commandingly, the air nearly vibrating with the power of his voice. The panther’s eyes flashed with curiosity. “What do you mean, pony? And if this is simply a ploy to distract me from the stick your companion is waving around behind me, you are sadly underestimating me.” The piece of floating wood slashed through the air. Vajera simply jumped over the makeshift weapon and batted it with his claws in one smooth motion. When he landed, the wood fell with him into four neat slices as the magic that suspended it faded away. “Now, about what I want.” Vajera ran a claw down Amber’s muzzle, seemingly unaffected by the near miss. “Your eyes spoke truth, even with the deception mixed in, ma chère. Tell me.” Amber shivered at both his touch and the strangely tender words. “There’s a treasure. Something powerful in a temple nearby. We’re on our way to find it.” Vajera’s frowned. “The temple? You mean the old ruin at the edge of the jungle? There have been several expeditions already sent there, some of them delicious, yet none returned with anything remotely like a treasure.” Amber nodded and continued fervently, her mind racing to come up with a plan. “Of course not. There’s a door inside the temple, maybe even several, guarding the treasure. None of the other expeditions could open it, even with explosives. It’s spell locked.” Vajera’s eyes flicked to the unicorn and back to her, a sinister smile revealing those gleaming fangs. “Spell locked, you say? So then what reason do you have for me allowing you to live, if I only need the unicorn?” “Because she’s the one who decoded the message, my dear, erm, fellow,” Professor Search piped up. “Convenient,” Vajera replied blandly as he tapped a claws against one of the branch fragments. “Ah, very well. I do enjoy a good adventure. Besides, I did just eat a rather scrumptious wildebeest not a few hours ago.” Amber looked the panther in the eye, trying not to imagine how he had managed to take down and eat an entire wildebeest by himself. “If we unlock the door, you have to let us go.” “Ma chère, I do not believe you are in any position to make deals,” he replied gleefully, stepping close to the Professor and slicing through the rope holding the unicorn up. Professor Search rolled to his hooves and glared at the panther. “Ah ha! Amber, stay behind me! I’ll vanquish this foul bea—” Amber watched unsurprised as Vajera cuffed the unicorn across the face, sending him to the ground, unconscious. The panther looked up at her, amusement playing in his eyes. “He’s an idiot. That’s why he, and you, need me.” She snuck a glance at the Professor. “So who’s going to carry him now?” “Hmm,” the giant cat replied, tapping his jaw with a paw. “I do forget the little details. As for who carries him, well...” Vajera stopped, his head jerking to the left and his ears flattening as he hissed. Amber followed his gaze, her twitching ears only now hearing the steady drumbeat of... hooves? No, she thought as she chewed on her lip, not hooves. Something else is coming. The first form to burst through the jungle was large, larger than even Vajera. Dust blew in a whirl around the shape, rendering it indistinct, though Amber could just make out what looked like a mound of some kind on the thing’s back. Two more joined the first, all three of them coming to a halt on the other side of Vajera, who had interposed himself between the new arrivals and his meal. The dust continued to blow toward Amber, encircling them as if guided by some unseen hoof. “Vajera!” one of the forms bellowed out in a strange accent. “You know you are forbidden from this place!” “I go where I please,” the panther growled. The smoke cleared for a moment to admit one of the figures, finally giving Amber the opportunity to see who was coming to save her. It was a camel, one with a helm that shone dully in the dust-impeded light. Armor of similar color and material fell across the back of his body, covering all but the two humps rising from the camel’s spine. Dark, green eyes stared coolly at the panther. “You do no such thing,” the camel spoke with a voice like stone on stone. “A portion of the jungle has been designated as your kind’s hunting grounds. Yet you continue to test us, and with guests we have been expecting!” Vajera glanced back at Amber and her unconscious companion, puzzlement in his eyes. “Guests? May I ask why you have received them, Sal-yon?” Sal-yon stomped his foot and snorted, a burst of dust shooting from his nose. “You stall, beast. Leave or we shall have the fight we know shall come.” A sly look came over Vajera’s face and a slight purr lit the air. “Ah, I see. She was telling the truth. You seek to examine the ruins located in my domain as an escort of Dromedary calvary. Well, well, far be it from me to disallow such things.” The panther stalked away and extended a paw in Amber’s direction, a smirk on his feline muzzle. “I shall leave. You may have them... for now.” The panther disappeared into the forest with a last swish of a tail. Amber turned to her savior and sighed relievedly as the dust cleared to reveal two more camels, both with armor on their backs. “Thank you. For that.” Sal-yon raised an eyebrow, but his face otherwise remained emotionless. “Of course, Miss Fossil. What of the Professor?” At that, Amber rolled her eyes. “The panther knocked him out, but he’ll be fine. You won’t mind the extra peace and quiet.” A flicker of a smile stirred on the camel’s mouth. “Very well, then, Miss Fossil, as your escort, we shall bring you to the camp we’ve set up as part of your expedition. It lies just outside Vajera’s domain.” “Oh.” Amber glanced back to where Vajera had disappeared. “That’s just wonderful.”
Novell LightThere are few beings in the world who are as intriguing as Novell Light. I recently met the young pegasus pony on an expedition near the humble town of Hoofington. Since then, Novell has managed to save my life several times through a combination of bravery and intelligence in situations that would paralyze lesser beings. His coat is the color of new-fallen snow, while his mane is a stark contrast of deep brown, a fact that led me to save his life at one point. Flying through a snowstorm with a white coat is a recipe for disaster, let me tell you. But I digress. Aside from his physical appearance, Novell demonstrates a peculiar blend of naivety and intelligence, one that often causes him to come up with solutions to problems others would fail to conjure. As a result, Novell comes across as an excellent tactician—one who also happens to listen to the advice of his compatriots before making decisions. In fact, while it may not be a weakness, per se, his reliance on others to formulate his plans could lead to him floundering if others are not around to help him. In contrast to his quick-thinking, Novell is rather weak physically, a trait I have no doubt he inherited from his mother. While not as prone to being blown away at the slightest breeze as she, Novell is easy to overpower, evidenced by several occasions where he has overestimated his ability to plan against unpredictable beings. Overall, however, his naivety has slowly eroded in the face of several traumatic and unforseen events. He has, regrettably, experienced far too much for a pony his age, though I do believe it has made him more confident in himself, as he realizes he is not as useless as he once thought. Of course, for one without a cutie mark, such thoughts are understandable. I suppose I should have mentioned his most distinguishing feature first, but after our travels, I've come to realize that the mark on one's flank is not necessarily as important as the pony who does or does not wear it. Still, it does bother him not to have a physical manifestation of his purpose, though I do have my suspicions on what exactly that is. As his friend, I will do my utmost to help him achieve his place in life. ~Professor Search Author's Note When I first started writing Unmarked, I thought of an intriguing prospect—what if there were an adult pony who did not have a cutie mark? I had never heard of anything like this, so naturally, I decided it was enough to base a story on it. Apparently that worked, since Unmarked is now the longest story I've ever written. To be honest, there's a lot of me in Novell. His coat and hair color combinations mirror my own in real life and his problem, that of not knowing where his place in the world was, was one I shared. You could argue that he is a self-insert, though I tried to differentiate him somewhat. Obviously only the people who know me would be able to tell right of the bat, but still, the point remains. He's also not even my favorite character, to be honest. I've written better. Novell is just so... me, two years ago. I was pretty bad then. Still, Novell's been growing up throughout Unmarked. He's had to, with events playing out as they have been. The sequel will put him through even more trials, bereft of certain ponies who he normally relies on. Overall, though, I've treated him more like a vessel to tell the story than an actual character. I'll work on that.
Kalyn's Gambit - Part OneYou know that feeling right before something is about to explode in your face? You can see the little incidental action that’s going to backfire in the milliseconds before it actually does – that one smidgen of wire crossed with another or your claw touching a piece of sensitive metal. That moment, right then, is one part extreme panic, two parts hoping your tail doesn’t catch fire, and the last part knowing that all that work you just did? Yeah, you’re going to have to do it over. Great. Needless to say, my face was in a world of pain and I could barely open my beak to draw in a breath. Even better, I couldn’t see a thing thanks to that flash before my little device decided it didn’t want to play around anymore. The hearing in the left side of my head was totally gone and there was a blasted ringing sound on the other like someone was tolling a bell at close range. So there I was, blind, deaf, and confused (and fervently hoping my tail hadn’t caught fire again) as my brain tried to re-catalogue exactly what I had done wrong. The device should have worked, no problemo. I had built it up to the specifications given to me by my nest mate, down to the tiniest, niggling detail. I’m not one to lavish praise on myself, but I had paid more attention in creating this thing than anything else I’ve ever done. And it was a griffing good job, too. So what had happened? I felt something touch my shoulder and I flinched away, feeling my body fall into something hard and metallic. My claws clambered around, shifting aside the great amount of junk I had piled all around my workspace with what I imagined was a series of very loud crashes and bangs. I winced at the thought of all of my spare doohickies and thingamabobbers crushed and smashed. It was almost enough to bring a tear to my eye. Not that I’d be able to feel it anyway. With my immediate area figured out, I blinked several times in hopes of getting my seared retinas to cooperate. A stray thought flickered through my brain with a sardonic flippancy as I fought to recover: Always wear your goggles, Kalyn, it said, taunting me. If I had sight right now, I’d be kicking the owner of that voice in his hind. I felt that light touch again, recognizing it as a feather rather than some kind of mechanical abomination I had inadvertently created, or worse, a hippogryph’s vicious talons. Of course, if it had been a hippogryph, I probably wouldn’t have felt anything before the darkness became complete. My body shuddered involuntarily at that as my vision cleared up enough for me to see the vague, small, light brown blur in front of me. Another gryphon—no doubt come to investigate and see what other kind of mess I had made. All I could hope was that it wasn’t Rell. “Kalyn!” the gryphonic shape in front of me screeched from close range, enough to make my damaged eardrums shriek in response. I debated whether or not to scream back in the combination of the pain and annoyance that was already working its way through me, but that would just be bad form. I tried to speak and hoped I sound at least semi-coherent. “Whadya wan there? Whozzat?” As the flare of light slowly faded from my vision, the gryphon in front of me grew clearer. I could make out some features, starting from the soft, downy pseudo-feathers to the enormous, deathly cute eyes. With a flash of recognition, I realized it as my little sister, Valyrie, concern etched across her beak and in those impossibly huge eyes. I was glad I hadn’t decided to scream at her. “Oh, hey there, Val’,” I enunciated clearly this time, able to actually hear more than the general rumble of my vocal cords. I hope I sounded at least a tiny bit confident, but I still really couldn’t hear inflections. “Are you okay, Kal’?” she responded worriedly, flapping her tiny wings in agitation. I felt my heart melt again at the sight—she was just too darn cute for her own good. I checked myself over with my newly returned sight, noticing I’d lost a few feathers around my neck and that the fur on my leonine bottom half was somewhat singed. I reached up toward my face with a claw, happily finding that my beak had not been rearranged in the explosion. Lastly, I checked my tail, bringing it close to my eyes to make sure it hadn’t spontaneously combusted even after all the danger had passed. You may not think that can happen, but trust me, I would probably be one to find the way. Shrugging with my customary ‘what can you do?’ vibe, I ruffled the feathers poking out of my little sister’s head. “Yup, I’m fine, squirt. Just got a little singed. Whatcha doin’ home so early? Weren’t you with Rell today?” “I’m not a squirt!” she responded with a tiny growl as she leaped onto my back and cuffed my neck playfully with one of her claws. “And Rell took me home because she had to do something outside the Aerie.” I paused for a moment as the ramifications of that shifted through my mind, examining and dismissing each possibility as it presented itself. Rell wasn’t assigned to any duties outside today; in fact, she was supposed to be watching my sister and the clutch of nest mates as they adjusted to the world outside the Nesting Aerie. So what could she possibly be doing outside? Disobeying an order from the matriarch was one of the biggest no-no’s in the entire mountain range, right up there with conspiring with Hippogryphs. Dirty things, no better than dung beetles, but at least the beetles smell better. I clacked my beak at that last thought, chuckling softly as I resumed my pace, Valyrie gnawing on one of my wings. There was no way Rell would have any sympathies with those dumb birds, whatever the reason she was outside. Still, I couldn’t help but have a niggling feeling that I should investigate. As another of my nest mates, I did have a personal responsibility to her, even if she didn’t feel the same way. All those thoughts and more shifted through my brain as I walked out of my workshop and into the bright and airy Invention Aerie, the cub on my back ceasing her gnawing for a few moments to take in the sights. I was just as enraptured by everything as the first time I had seen the place, from the various species that inhabited the world moving through the streets, to the streams of lava flowing through quarter pipes and pooling in circular holding tanks. Steam issued from the anvils and giant, iron buckets holding the unrefined magma, disappearing into one of the many vents built into the ceiling. Mechanical contraptions ranging from lifts to the skeletons of trains being built for the ponies in Equestria were everywhere; griffons flitted around with goggles around their feathered heads and metal gauntlets around their dextrous claws. A few of the nearest shops held griffons busy welding and building projects too big to fit inside their own workshops. A series of metal tubes and whistles sprouted from the workshop to my right, filling the cavern with a shrill tune every so often. The clatter and rumble of hundreds of griffons, and even a few ponies, working, shouting, and screeching melded together with the smell of heated metal and meat from the nearby tavern. I felt my mouth watering as the scent of expertly roasted giant boar kebab wafted through my nostrils, spices and flavoring very much evident and reminding my stomach that it hadn’t had anything to digest in quite a few hours. With a gentle pat on my chest and a leonine yawn, I looked back to Valyrie with a grin. “Hungry?” “Starvin’, Kal! Can we please go get somethin’ to eat?” she asked with a blink of those eyes. I felt my grin grow wider. “Sure thing, little fluff,” I assured her as she glared at me for calling her that, “but first, let me see how far you’ve come with your hovering.” Her face lit up at that, her eagerness to show me her newfound skills enough to make a voice in my head ‘daww’. She concentrated, twisting her beak and sticking out a tongue for luck as her wings opened. Within seconds the tiny griffon began to flap, the downdraft tickling my back as her claws and paws lifted along with the rest of her body. The wings struggled powerfully as Valyrie screwed her eyes in further concentration. Finally, she opened her eyes with an exclamation of victory, grinning wider than her face should let her. “Bravo!” I laughed as I clapped my claws together. “Now how about the landing?” Her face fell as she looked down, her wings instantly ceasing to beat as she panicked. I maneuvered myself under her so that she fell back to his rump with a small ‘oof!’. Chuckling again, I reached around and patted her head. “Well, you’re making progress, Val. Maybe next week you’ll be able to land without freezing up. You’re doing good!” I felt her curl up on my flank and sigh. “I don’t know, big brother. I just get so scared when I’m so high up. Do I have to learn to fly?” “Well, you don’t have to,” I began cheerfully, “but it’d be mighty difficult to get around the Aeries without being able to. Of course, you could always live with the earth or unicorn ponies—they don’t fly.” “Those ponies are so silly without wings.” She laughed, forgetting her earlier sadness with a turn of her childlike mind. “But I like them. Maybe I could help them like you help us! I could do inventions! I know how to read skema— samanti— uh...” “Schematics?” I supplied helpfully as I continued on my way to the tavern, waving to a unicorn beating a piece of molten metal into shape with a hammer. “Yeah, those!” The thought of my sister helping the flightless ponies filled my heart with happiness, imagining her all grown up and inventing all sorts of things for the Equestrians. Making friends and having fun, learning all sorts of things even I’d never be able to understand. It felt right. “I bet you’d make a great inventor, too, little fluff. A really great one!” ***** It was the knock that shook me awake completely, but I had been feeling subconsciously ill at ease for the past few minutes. Something in the way my feathers were twisted and the soundlessness, aside from my little sister’s snores, was off. When I opened my eyes, I figured exactly what was wrong. The candle Valyrie required be near her nestside had burned down to the last bit of wick, leaving my little workshop completely lightless. My eyes quickly adjusted with the adrenaline beginning to work through my system as I picked myself up and started toward the door. “Kalyn,” someone hissed from outside the doorway, almost a whisper to anyone but a gryphon. “Kalyn, wake up!” “Rell?” I asked in the same fashion, opening the door with a slight squeak of hinges. I winced in the darkness, glancing back at my sister to make sure she hadn’t woken up. Another thing to add to my checklist of things to do—oil the hinges. “Kalyn, thank the Matriarch,” came her relieved reply as she lightly stepped in, her talons scratching across the floor. Even though I could barely see her in the low light of the dormant forges outside, I knew every detail. I imagined the fair, feathered plumage and neatly groomed fur on her bottom half, her posture and physique every bit the dominant female in my group of nestmates. Despite that, her most distinguishing feature was the three black dots below her left eye. Right now, though, I wasn’t paying anything but her cooly glowing eyes, pits of amber surrounded by a sea of white feathers. “What’s going on?” I asked, attempting to sound casual. By the way she rolled her eyes, I was willing to bet I wasn’t putting on a great act. “Whatcha doin’ here so late? Where were you this afternoon?” She glanced around nervously before answering, quickly padding out of the light from the door. “I need your help, Kal’.” That didn’t answer any of my questions, but I kept silent, waiting for her to continue. “It’s something important, outside the Aerie. I don’t want to talk about it here, but... I just need your help.” Okay, outside of the Aerie. Definitely not something illegal. I sighed, air whistling out of my beak as I thought it over. My nestmate was the one asking, so could I in good conscious refuse? I doubt any other ones of our group would, but I was a bit more old fashioned in nest loyalty. Still, there was one thorn in the paw. “Val’s here for tonight. I can’t leave her,” I whispered softly, hating myself for having to say no. “I can drop her off with one of her nestmates tomorrow—.” “No, no, I need help tonight,” Rell interrupted, her eyes still darting around. “We can bring her with us.” I clacked my beak in horror at that. “Outside the Aerie at night? Rell, she can’t even fly! If I drop her—” “I’ll carry her,” she replied fiercely. “Come on, I’ll wake her up.” Without even waiting for my response, she brushed passed me and stood over Valyrie’s nest. I sighed again, knowing how Rell was when she was like this. Nothing could dissuade her from her goal and she would be bringing anyone she could to complete it. Fortunately, most of her schemes had a habit of panning out. I just hoped this one was like the others. “Valyrie,” Rell cooed to the chick, who was currently twitching cutely in her sleep. I felt my heart melt as my nestmate brushed her claw along my sister’s face where the beak met feathers. Val squeaked and woke up with a purr, her sleepy eyes glancing between us. “Mornin’ little fluff,” I greeted her with a tight smile, feeling a sense of dread start to creep into my chest. Just the thought of her falling— no, Rell was the best flier in our group. She wouldn’t drop Val. A squeaky little yawn erupted from the hatchling. “Why’re we up so early?” “Just goin’ for a little flight,” I replied, staring pointedly at Rell. She stared back with a challenge clear in her eyes. I glanced away, unwilling to hold the gaze. Yep, she was definitely the dominant one here. “I’ve got something cool to show you, Valyrie,” Rell began with a smile on her beak. “Something cool?” Val’s eyes perked up considerably at that. If there was anything that could excite my sister, it was something unusual and new. Which was probably why it was so easy to distract her with my whizzing gadgets and other toy-like devices. I grimaced, realizing that at the very least, my inventions were unusual, even if they didn’t always work. Lovely. Rell nodded, extending a wing so my sister could clamber up onto her back. “Yes, little one, something you’ll find especially interesting.”
Whisper WindAh, Whisper Wind. With a name like that you'd expect the pony in question to be the shyest, or at least quietest, pony in town. A fair, mild mannered pony anypony could get along with. Of course, you would be wrong. This fiery mare is one of the two ponies I met in Hoofington, ponies who have established themselves as brave and qualified adventurers in the interim. I would dare say these two young ones have outstripped even me, though I would scarcely admit it out loud. Colored in a coat reminiscent of orange cream-soda, this pegasus mare is quite the mistress of wind. I've met my fair share of pegasi in my years, but only a few could possibly match her mastery of the air. Brought up in Hoofington, she was a shining star in the weather patrol, doing three pony's work with her skilled manipulation of the wind currents. So powerful is she that if she tried hard enough, I imagine she could very well create a tornado by herself. Provided, of course, she did not fall prey to her innate clumsiness. Though I said few could hold a candle to her skill, flying is not something Whisper is entirely... perfect at. One glance at her, covered in bandages, scrapes and bits of twigs from errant trees, and you can see how effective she is at that aspect of her pegasus form. Perhaps it's the universe offering a counter-balance to her incredible ability, or perhaps she is just impatient. Yes, as I said, fiery is one way to describe her. A flame the size of Celestia's Sun could barely match her furious demeanor. Rarely have I met one so impatient she is willing to forgo actually flapping to continue with a tumble or twirl. I imagine in her mind, she's already performed the trick, so she's off on the next one before she's even finished! An interesting one, she is. Still, I cannot help but see the affection she bares through the shallow, but impenetrable to Novell, mask she wears. I imagine this is what really brought her on our journey. I must say, I'm rather glad it had. Oh, she also has a pet, but I will be mentioning him in a further passage. Must keep an orderliness to this journal, yes. ~ Professor R. E. Search Author's Note Whisper is a fun character to write. Originally, she was just supposed to be annoying in the first chapter, but she grew on me and I decided for her to join the journey. Based on what a lot of you say about her, I'm glad I did! She's basically my favorite character, as some of you echo. When I created her, I had one thought in mind: Rainbow Dash, without any of the skill. She's brash, she's a daredevil, and she's in your face. But she has a habit of running into trees and epically failing at basically everything she does. She's matured, a little bit, though, as I think all the characters have. If you look at Whisper now from where she used to be, she's a lot different. Less running into trees. And since I don't have a section specifically for Swirley (though I do have a study of the species), I'll add my thoughts on him here, too. Swirley is a Refferentus Snail (the name of the species is based on a friend of mine who's obsessed with snails, Reffy). I liked the idea of one of the characters having a pet, so Whisper got him, the polar opposite of her. He's mild-mannered and impossibly able to stay on her head. He wasn't originally supposed to be anything but a pet, but I was pretty happy when I came up with the idea of his magic-absorbing powers. He's since become a fun character to do "sight gags" with.
The YetiThe fearsome Yeti is a particular monster located in the highest points of the mountainous landscape, though they have a tendency to hunt in lower climes should food scarcity or grudges draw it down. Yeti are omnivorous, though they have a preference for meat whenever possible. Thick, curved claws extend from their paws and massive teeth fill their mouths. This beast is massive, standing at a gigantic four to six meter range. Covered with a thick, white coat of hair, the Yeti can survive and even flourishes in climates where even Pegasi would have trouble flying in. This is due, in no small part, to the particular brand of magic they possess; that is, they draw blizzards and snowstorms to themselves that thicken and worsen the angrier they become, though this may only be near their natural habitat. Another form of magic they have perfected over the ages of their existence is a mastery of ice traps. These mighty beasts can lay circles of magic that immediately trap anything that walks into it in a block of ice. Depending on the size of the circle, the ice block will usually entrap anything, though I have witnessed a smaller trap only covering half of a pony. As has been noted previously, Yeti are capable of holding grudges. In fact, anger and grudge-holding are a species-wide trait shared even by their cousins, the Sasquatch. I have personally witnessed a Yeti hunt its prey miles from its mountain home, though how it finds its prey is a mystery to me. Some hypothesize they can use their sense of smell, though others are confident it is another form of magic they possess. Further research is required into this matter. Overall, however, despite their proficiency with traps and the ability to hold grudges, Yeti have a vastly inferior intelligence to most animals. They are slow when faced with difficult or unexpected situations and the result is often expressed in beating the object of their confusion into the ground after a few seconds of thought. ~Professor Search
Warden of the StreamMy first memory is that of a bright light, more brilliant than the sun that is said to be the most beautiful of jewels. More mesmerizing than the reflective surface of the moon, more inspiring than all the stars that pierce the night sky’s shroud. It was both comforting and warm as I bathed in its radiance, not totally aware of the new world around me - so different from the close darkness I understand now to be the embrace of my egg. This light I remember so well, so vividly, promised me so much. That I would see the breadth and length of the world, to share in its splendors and grieve with its tragedies. To know so many beings both large and small, forming friendships or enmities with each. It promised love and sorrow, envy and selflessness. But most of all, it promised me a release. And it has yet to fulfill this last assurance. You may think me bitter, regaling you with the million tales I experience between now and forever, wishing only for my story to end its unceasing flow. To shower you with words that have stood firm against the march of eons, while yearning toward the last time I must add a moment to my age. Such is my curse, my blessing, and my life, The Warden of the Stream. P.S. The Professor must obtain this letter or the Blank One will not complete his quest.
Havoc's InterludeI... hesitate to release this, given its... well, unsavory origins. Suffice to say, it was recorded with great sacrifice... ~ Professor Search Novell Light. That name brings me no end of annoyance. At every turn, this pathetic pegasus without even an idea of who he is got in my way. How can one little pony do so much to disrupt my plans? How does he do it? How? An answer that annoys me greatly. He relies on his friends. That’s something I can’t ignore now. I thought my power was enough to stop any fools getting in my way, but apparently these little ponies know something I don’t. Like wolves, they are, working together to bring me down. Who’s the prey, here, again? Ah, but now I’ve done something they couldn’t have suspected. Something that should destroy their petty bonds of friendship. Distance is the only way. Separate them. Force them to work alone. I’ve split their blasted team in two. It should give me enough time to set up more defenses. I won’t be fooled this time. I won’t be distracted. My goal is simple and one I’ve practiced longer than any being living on this planet. War’s embrace will sweep the planet. Species set against species. But first I need my powers back. Not so easily done. Once again, the ponies stand in my way. They sent my powers far from each other, gathered in orbs and jewels that give the holders just a hint of what lies inside. The Griffon’s orb fell easily, but the Hippogryphs’ was not so easily taken. First I needed a Hippogryph to give it to me. I am not used to asking and wheedling. But once again, the ponies got in my way. My errant thought ripped my prize from me, absorbing my powers, mine, into his body. I can still feel the rage seething through me. Seeing another use my powers against me… Well, it was interesting. Now all that remains are the Dragons and the Camels. Which do I choose? Ah, but an easy decision. The Warden will never allow me near her, for she knows who I am. She will bring the full brunt of her race against me if I were to go after her directly. However, there are other ways to get what I want. Friendship… perhaps I should rely on another. If it works for the ponies, why not for me? I just need a minion, someone to do what I cannot in the dragon’s ancient land. Who, though? A thought would just betray me as the previous has. Oh. This will do nicely. Author's Note Who, or what, could it be? You'll fine out in the sequel~.
