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As you check your friends for injuries and make sure the campsite is secure, you turn your attention to Professor Trotter. He stares at the space Moonbeam had occupied moments before, his eyes a hundred miles away, his mind in another time and place. He seems lost chasing a memory until Yearling gently touches his shoulder, bringing his focus back to the present.  With a stern gaze he runs a hoof over the magic scorched earth, feeling the blackened sand with his hoof. “Moonbeam was a student of mine... a very long time ago. She was just a filly then.” The green pegasus furrows his brow, “She was quiet, shy. Preferred the company of her books to that of other ponies. Her parents thought archaeology might get her muzzle out of the books, get her to feel the history she was reading about.”  Trotter’s gaze turns skyward, searching the stars beyond the towering crevice walls. “She was very studious, a quick learner. She didn’t lack any enthusiasm for the research... but... she kept to herself... just playing with her toys... all by herself... all alone...”  Sunny Saddles tilts her head, trying to follow Trotter’s skyward gaze, “Do ya reckon she’s the one causing e’ry pony to turn into statuettes?”  The old professor pauses for a long moment before responding, “I... don’t know. But if she is, we have to stop her.” Trotter turns his attention back to the stone tablets, “First thing in the morning we’ll head out, we have to seek out the first guardian.”  Tapping the nearby etching of a winged bird in flight the aging archaeologist translates the Olde Ponish script, “The Wind Guardian... that’s where we’ll start. Get what rest you can, I’ll keep watch.” Trotter sighs, shouldering his shovel, “It’s going to be a long night...”  --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---  Her eyes were closed, her head raised skyward to the stars beyond the towering crevice walls, the hood of her cloak sliding back over her ears. The soft crackling of her violet magic broke the night’s silence as her her ignited once more, her teleportation spell fading.  A brilliant ray of light from her horn pierced the pitch black interior of the cavern, casting strange flickering shadows against the rock walls. Illumination did nothing to make the cave more inviting. Still, she pressed on, continuing her long search.  Wandering through long forgotten caverns and passageways she descended deep beneath the mountains. Deeper and deeper she went, passing pools of inky water and thick patches of unfamiliar fungi. She began to pass small trinkets and stone artifacts engraved with strange carvings.  Suddenly she gasped and stopped dead in her tracks. Towering before her, built into a high cavern wall, was a great circular stone door, carved with intricate patterns. Standing before it she could almost feel the magic power humming in the air around her. The door glowed gently, as if in greeting, as she lowered her satchel to the ground. Two dozen pony statuettes jingled within, a particular purple hued statuette clattering to the ground.  A grin spread slowly across her muzzle and her eyes grew wide. She turned her attention away from her discovery to gently tuck her favorite alicorn statuette back into the bag with all her other friends. Then, the navy blue maned unicorn turned her attention fully to the ancient ruins before her.  “Finally...” Moonbeam breathed, “I’ve found it...”  [Reply with what your character would do or say next, and feel free to interact with the other commentators. The story will continue with the next update!]

In a moment of courage, or perhaps bravado, bolstered by your allies, the decision is made. All at once you surge from behind cover alongside your companions, intent on rushing the cloaked unicorn assailant!  Professor Trotter joins the charge, his trusty shovel gripped firm in his teeth, ready to deliver a heavy knock-out blow. Sunny Saddles grabs a rope, tossing one end to Lucky Harvest as the pair gallop out together. A K Yearling for her part takes flight on tan wings, swooping above and away from the thick of the scuffle.  The grey mare seems startled at the bold response of your team, throwing up a hasty shield spell to offer some protection from the rocks and lightning shocks assailing her.  Coming at the mysterious pony from all sides, you quickly surround and attempt to subdue the secretive caster. Keeping her distracted, her magic focused on blocking your blows rather than casting offensively, Sunny and Lucky rush in! “You go high Lucky, I’ll go low!” Sunny cheers, sliding on gravelly earth, rope held tight.  Circling left and right the two wagoneers quickly bind the legs of the dark unicorn. The surprised mare yelps, attempting a hasty spell to turn Sunny into a statuette, only to have her magic deflected by Trotter’s shovel at the last moment!  With an abrupt thud the purple cloaked caster falls to the dust, struggling to free herself. Yearling swoops in overhead, landing squarely atop the bound unicorn. Pinning her shoulders to the ground, surrounded by allies, Yearling throws back the unicorn’s cloak. Yearling snarls down at the mare in a demanding voice, “Who are you?! Why are you attacking us?!”  You finally get your first good look at the young mare, now restrained by your three companions. Her violet eyes are wide and welled up with tears, an expression of real fear dominating her face. She trembles, her dark mane hiding half her features as she struggles against the ropes. Yearling seems taken aback, her demeanor softening slightly at the sight of the terrified young pony.  “No, please!” she sobs, struggling to break the ropes holding her, “It’s not... I’m not...” suddenly she closes her eyes tight, a flash of violet energy erupting from her horn! All at once you and the other nearby ponies are thrown back as the mare teleports away, leaving only the eerie silence of the Badlands behind.  Professor Trotter lowers his shovel, speaking to no one in particular with little more than a whisper, “Moonbeam...what have you done?...”  [Reply with what your character would do or say next, and feel free to interact with the other commentators. The story will continue with the next update!]

Beside the simmering campfire your party settles in for what will hopefully be a restful night after a long day in the dunes. Between escaping the Tatzlwurm, navigating the sandstorm, climbing Dustmane Ridge, and now a short lived scuffle with Professor Trotter, you are fully exhausted. Even so, you take some time before bedding down to better examine your surroundings and stake a watch. With so many potential threats lurking about you come to understand even more fully why this region is called the Badlands, briefly smirking as Sunny Saddles comments, “Well ya know, there’s a reason y’all don’t call it the GOOD lands!” Professor Trotter and A K Yearling step off to a side, going over notes and translations in whispered mumbles, noting minor changes to their work journals by candlelight. Lucky Harvest begins to snore loudly as he dozes off, Sunny sitting nearby strumming an imaginary guitar while humming some old country song. For a moment it seems peaceful, almost tranquil. Yawning, you begin to wonder if perhaps you’ve passed the worst of this adventure. After all, you’ve found the Professor, you have his research in hoof. If together your group can find the Umberfoal and a way to undo this statuettes curse, it should be a simple matter to... *FWOOSH* A beam of violet magical energy shoots through the entrance to the cave, narrowly missing your head! The beam ricochets off the stone floor, leaving a black scorch mark on the earth! Just outside, standing on a crest shrouded by moonlight, the mysterious purple-cloaked mare that ambushed you at Twilight’s camp fires bolts of energy into the cavern! The grey unicorn’s eyes glow an ominous violet hue as her spell casting intensifies! Diving for cover, you sound the alarm! Sunny is the first up, grabbing Lucky by the tail and throwing the surprised earth pony behind an outcropping for cover, a ray of arcane energy scorching where he just lay dreaming! Trotter douses the fire as Yearling leaps onto the tallest of the ancient tablets, knocking it on its side! Though the tablet cracks and chips in several places as it crashes to the ground, it now provides solid cover for your party. As you huddle behind the stone relic dozens of rapid-fire spells scorch the top and sides of the tablet, unable to connect with the ponies on the far side. Clutching her archaeologist’s hat Yearling tries to peek over the tablet, only to be forced down by the magic. “She’s got us pinned down!” Gritting her teeth, she looks around the cave, then at the party, finally meeting your gaze as arcane rays begin to chip away at your cover, “We need a plan, and FAST!” [Reply with what your character would do or say next, and feel free to interact with the other commentators. The story will continue with the next update!]

Author’s Note: I hope to begin posting more regularly again now that my life schedule has settled down some. Thank you all for your continued patience and support! 

[Reply with what your character would do or say next, and feel free to interact with the other commentators. The story will continue with the next update!] 

Treading lightly from one hoof hold to the next you do your best to navigate the steep ledges. The jagged rocks scuff your equipment and leave scrapes on your unprotected coat as you ascend. Though not as dexterous as your archaeologist counterparts you’re able to scale the cliff relatively unscathed. Despite the harsh desert winds lashing down from over the rise you hug the jagged rocks, finally reaching a landing where A K Yearling is securing her gear. Surveying the horizon from the sheltered outcropping, there is a stunning view of the Badlands below. Stretching for miles the range of sands looks picturesque, even peaceful, from Dustmane Ridge. Yearling smiles, wiping the sweat from her brow. Her eyes are distant, fixed on some distant memory from past expeditions in this harsh corner of Equestria. Between the dark pillars that dot the landscape and rolling clouds of the sandstorm, the whole Badlands look like a scene out of a dream, majestic enough to make you forget the blazing sun and your numerous abrasions, at least for a moment. You’re brought back to the present as Sunny Saddles calls from a crevice nearby, “Hey y’all, I think I found something!” Carefully reaching the next landing, nestled in a ravine too narrow to fly into, you find Sunny with Lucky Harvest, peering into a dark cave that pierces the heart of Dustmane Ridge. In the sand nearby are tracks that don’t belong to any of the party, horseshoe prints and a rut from a heavy object being dragged against the rocky earth. Sunny kneels down, examining the hoof prints more closely. The wagoner’s face lights up with a smile, “These look like Professor Trotter’s tracks! He’s okay!” She exchanges excited grins with Lucky at the prospect of finding their friend. Yearling, however, seems less convinced, “Or it could be whoever stole his research,” The reclusive writer loads a grappling hook into her wrist launcher, locking it in place with an ominous, echoing click. “Stay behind me.” Taking point, Yearling squeezes into the cave, her launcher ready for some unknown purpose. One by one your party follows, struggling in a few places to pass the narrow rock walls. After a few dozen yards the passage widens considerably, enough to fan out and breathe easily. Little light reaches the deep cave, just a few flickering bits of sunlight over the shadows. Sunny rummages in her bag and pulls out a lantern, “Nothin’ a little kindlin’ can’t fix.” As she strikes a bit of flint on the steel of her lantern, the flashing spark reflects off a nearby pair of icy blue eyes. In a blur of movement a pony leaps from the shadows, swinging a shovel in his hooves! Yearling fires her grappling hook, ricocheting off the shovel in time to force the swing to miss Sunny’s head by mere inches! Grunting heavily, an older green pegasus grits his teeth and staggers back, preparing another swing! In the darkness you can just make out a dirty bandage wrapped around one of his wings, another over his hind leg. Lucky Harvest pulls Sunny back, calling out to the attacker, “Professor Trotter, Stop!! It’s us!!” The professor snorts taking a defensive stance, “So, Caballeron sent you to finish the job, eh? Should have known it was all an act. Well you’ll get nothing from me, you hear? Nothing!” Professor Trotter leaps at the group again, the edge of his shovel lashing through the air! [Reply with what your character would do or say next, and feel free to interact with the other commentators. The story will continue later this week!]  

Thinking quickly, you silence Lucky Harvest’s scream and soothe the Tatzlwurm’s roar, keeping the massive reptile from resuming its rampage. Taking several deep breaths, Lucky nods, finally relaxing enough to speak quietly. “Tarnation! What the hay happened?” Sunny Saddles embraces her friend and proceeds to get him up to speed, while A K Yearling trots closer to the coiled Tatzlwurm. You keep the creature’s attention and calm it enough for the archaeologist pony to reach the tablets. “Perhaps this is one of the ancient Guardians,” Yearling muses, cautiously sliding down the dig site incline, “Professor Trotter mentioned them while researching the Umberfoal, but only in passing.” Dusting the sand from the stone tablets, she begins to decipher the Olde Ponish texts, “Now let’s see...” Squinting in the sunlight, Yearling reads the large stones, “Powerful spells...an enchantment of protection...created the umber orb...will transform us...form that cannot be harmed...long sleep.” Yearling tilts her cap and wipes sweat from her brow, reading further down the tablets, “Equestria...is troubled...built a new home...deep below...sanctuary...safety...city...” Her eyes go wide and she excitedly calls out, “Umberfoal!” The Tatzlwurm hisses at the loud yell, but remains calm due to your soothing efforts. As Yearling takes a rubbing of the carved writing, Sunny calls out from the pile of crates near the campsite’s center. “Hey y’all, we found something!” Sunny gallops over, holding a small stack of parchments in hoof, a strange mechanical device draped over her back. Gesturing to the contraption, Sunny beams at her fellow adventurers, “These here are Professor Trotter’s grappling harnesses! He invented them so Earth Ponies could navigate all them rock formations in the Badlands. An’ look at this!” She unrolls the parchments, holding them up to the sunlight. Trotting out of the dig site close enough to read the papers, Yearling smiles, “It looks like a map of Dustmane Ridge. The Professor and Doctor Caballeron were discussing setting up our second site there before he disappeared.” Tapping the map with the tip of her hoof, Yearling’s smile broadens. Nodding in understanding she stamps a hoof affirmatively, “Right! Then that’s where we need to go,” Taking the grappling harness from Sunny’s shoulders, Yearling straps it around her torso. Boldly grinning, Yearling’s eyes flash in the high noon summer sun, “Saddle up team, we’ve got a ridge to scale!” [Reply with what your character would do or say next, and feel free to interact with the other commentators. The story will continue later this week!]