[IC] STOMP Super Spooktacular Special!

[CoffeeHorse]

Misty latches onto Maple and Night Cap's hind leg. "I'm going vith you. I don't vant you guys getting eaten by a g-g-g-ghost!"

---

Amber frowned. Without knowing what they were up against, she would have preferred for each group to take one of the ponies with medical training, but breaking up the young pegasuses or getting them out from under Mr. Cap's cape seemed improbable. "Alright, Static and Mr. Spectrum, you're with me."

---

Scarlet was about to react when things got... Crazy.

Ok then... Um
I guess the answers are No, No, No and Yes...
Rhapsody...!

From his still havering spot above the others, Scarlet yelled in alarm as Symphony ran for the door!

Symphony, no! He made a dive to try and catch her, but it was too late. Spinning around at Harmonys angry outburst, Scarlet barely had a response half-formed, when the Mask made its grand entrance.

As the masks dark magics took over Rhapsody and assaulted his friends, Scarlets anger grew. Yet it was tempered somewhat by the little part of his mind re! minding him that there was nothing physically he could do to stop this thing. It was further cooled as Swift Tart managed to force Rasophae and its minions away. As well as revealed a way that they could defeat it. Scarlet wanted to get out there and find Symphony before the spooks did, because he dreaded to think how much more irrational Harmony might get if both her sisters were taken.

Speaking of which.

Harmony huffs as she glares softly at Amber. "You're just as bad as the killer. Or maybe you are the killer. Maybe Rhapsody crying out your name is because she seen the knife right before you stabbed her!"[ The white mare says, being far from rational at this moment.

Harmony! From what i could tell, the killer was aiming for Amber and Rhapsody dived in the way. To save others, that what Rhapsody does!

Calm down and think about it.

Spoiler


With an aggravated sigh, Scarlet turns to the little pegasus.

Maple. Seriously, we cant just wave away the reality of whats happened. Are we going to do everything possible to save Rhapsody? Yes, of course.

But the fact of the matter is, she was dying And from what Swift Tart is saying, the Masks possession of her has not changed that. Only postponed it. So dont get snippy because he pointed out that fact.

There is always a chance we Can save her. A million-to-one chance. However, as hard as it is, we have to acceot that we might defeat this Rasophae and Not be able to save Rhapsody.

Accept the possibility and move on.

Hearing Night Caps plan, Scarlet grinned.

Good thinking Night Cap.

Nodding to Amber as the groups were, well, not so much decided as just come together. He tried to smile confidently.

[color=#ff0000lets do this!

While Scarlet knew that anything that could be used to defeat Rasophae and break the <asks power were the priority. He also knew that he wanted Symphony back and out of danger as soon as possible.
[HR][/HR]

Scarlet was about to react when things got... Crazy.

Ok then... Um
I guess the answers are No, No, No and Yes...
Rhapsody...!

From his still havering spot above the others, Scarlet yelled in alarm as Symphony ran for the door!

Symphony, no! He made a dive to try and catch her, but it was too late. Spinning around at Harmonys angry outburst, Scarlet barely had a response half-formed, when the Mask made its grand entrance.

As the masks dark magics took over Rhapsody and assaulted his friends, Scarlets anger grew. Yet it was tempered somewhat by the little part of his mind re! minding him that there was nothing physically he could do to stop this thing. It was further cooled as Swift Tart managed to force Rasophae and its minions away. As well as revealed a way that they could defeat it. Scarlet wanted to get out there and find Symphony before the spooks did, because he dreaded to think how much more irrational Harmony might get if both her sisters were taken.

Speaking of which.

Harmony huffs as she glares softly at Amber. "You're just as bad as the killer. Or maybe you are the killer. Maybe Rhapsody crying out your name is because she seen the knife right before you stabbed her!" The white mare says, being far from rational at this moment.

Harmony! From what i could tell, the killer was aiming for Amber and Rhapsody dived in the way. To save others, that what Rhapsody does!

Calm down and think about it.

Spoiler


With an aggravated sigh, Scarlet turns to the little pegasus.

Maple. Seriously, we cant just wave away the reality of whats happened. Are we going to do everything possible to save Rhapsody? Yes, of course.

But the fact of the matter is, she was dying! And from what Swift Tart is saying, the Masks possession of her has not changed that. Only postponed it. So dont get snippy because he pointed out that fact.

There is always a chance we Can save her. A million-to-one chance. However, as hard as it is, we have to acceot that we might defeat this Rasophae and Not be able to save Rhapsody.

Accept the possibility and move on.

Hearing Night Caps plan, Scarlet grinned.

Good thinking Night Cap.

Nodding to Amber as the groups were, well, not so much decided as just come together. He tried to smile confidently.

[color=#ff0000lets do this!

While Scarlet knew that anything that could be used to defeat Rasophae and break the <asks power were the priority. He also knew that he wanted Symphony back and out of danger as soon as possible.
[HR][/HR]

Scarlet was about to react when things got... Crazy.

Ok then... Um
I guess the answers are No, No, No and Yes...
Rhapsody...!

From his still havering spot above the others, Scarlet yelled in alarm as Symphony ran for the door!

Symphony, no! He made a dive to try and catch her, but it was too late. Spinning around at Harmonys angry outburst, Scarlet barely had a response half-formed, when the Mask made its grand entrance.

As the masks dark magics took over Rhapsody and assaulted his friends, Scarlets anger grew. Yet it was tempered somewhat by the little part of his mind re! minding him that there was nothing physically he could do to stop this thing. It was further cooled as Swift Tart managed to force Rasophae and its minions away. As well as revealed a way that they could defeat it. Scarlet wanted to get out there and find Symphony before the spooks did, because he dreaded to think how much more irrational Harmony might get if both her sisters were taken.

Speaking of which.

Harmony huffs as she glares softly at Amber. "You're just as bad as the killer. Or maybe you are the killer. Maybe Rhapsody crying out your name is because she seen the knife right before you stabbed her!" The white mare says, being far from rational at this moment.

Harmony! From what i could tell, the killer was aiming for Amber and Rhapsody dived in the way. To save others, that what Rhapsody does!

Calm down and think about it.

Spoiler


With an aggravated sigh, Scarlet turns to the little pegasus.

Maple. Seriously, we cant just wave away the reality of whats happened. Are we going to do everything possible to save Rhapsody? Yes, of course.

But the fact of the matter is, she was dying! And from what Swift Tart is saying, the Masks possession of her has not changed that. Only postponed it. So dont get snippy because he pointed out that fact.

There is always a chance we Can save her. A million-to-one chance. However, as hard as it is, we have to acceot that we might defeat this Rasophae and Not be able to save Rhapsody.

Accept the possibility and move on.

Hearing Night Caps plan, Scarlet grinned.

Good thinking Night Cap.

Nodding to Amber as the groups were, well, not so much decided as just come together. He tried to smile confidently.

[color=#ff0000lets do this!

While Scarlet knew that anything that could be used to defeat Rasophae and break the <asks power were the priority. He also knew that he wanted Symphony back and out of danger as soon as possible.
[HR][/HR]

 

[CoffeeHorse]

[editor note: GSO's post repeats four more times. I'd post it four more times for accuracy's sake but Xenforo is freaking out.]​

"Rhapsody's one of the toughest ponies any of us knows... if she's in there... and I think we all saw that she still was -well she's going to be fighting it too. doubt doesn't help anyone right now." Maple stands up... and looks at everypony in the room.

"I'm sorry for giving you a mean look Swifty."

---

Static nods at Ambers plan, not that he had any intention of allowing the deserter to take command of the team when he'd already earned the spot filling in the void she left.

[Woah! That was a little harsh!]

[SHE LEFT! I stayed behind. If she'd stayed, maybe she'd still be a team lead. Unfortunately, I've had to fill the role because SHE LEFT!]

[Probably not the time to be having this debate.[

"I'm never going to any more parties for as long as I live!" he growls.

---

”That isn’t what i meant Maple.

Aim for the best. Plan for the worst. I don’t doubt for a minute the Rhapsodys mind is beating at the walls ‘Rasophae’ has around her. That doesn’t mean i’m just going to assume everythings gonna be fine.

We know the worst that can happen. Now lets get out there and find what we need to make wure it doesn’t.

Looking iver to Static, Scarlet thought he saw something in the Earth Ponys eyes.

I heard that!

---

"Just stay close to me Misty, I'll protect you from all the other monsters."

---

”I don’t doubt for a minute the Rhapsodys mind is beating at the walls ‘Rasophae’ has around her."

"Really she seemed to be quite enjoying herself," said Amber, somewhat absently. "I suppose she has always loved singing."

"Just stay close to me Misty, I'll protect you from all the other monsters." Maple gives a quick glance to Amber Spark.

"Ah, that's very chivalrous of you, Miss Jack," said Amber, looking only a little perplexed at Maple's choice of emphasis.

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

I want a refund for that first aid class.

"She's probably not going to be anything when this is over."

"Not with that attitude."

Black Night Cap shakes off the shock. Maybe it's just impossible to not feel heroic in a cape, especially with someone cowering underneath its protection, but he suddenly feels filled with determination.

He takes a look at the map.

"I suggest we be organized about this and not scatter aimlessly. Half of us go left, half of us go right. We meet back up by the foyer."

Amber tried to ignore Harmony; she smiled weakly and thanked Mr. - ah, - Ms. - oh, really! - Tart for their help, first with Harmony and then with the map. She unfolded some leaves from her notebook and began to copy the map out in sextuple, making quick if (it pained her) far from clean work of it.

"That may be, Mwumumble Tart, but we must try. Rhapsody is still in there - I don't mean we should attempt to reason with her, that never works -" she thought of all the cases of mind control she'd encountered, or for that matter, cases of reasoning with Rhapsody - "but the mask is keeping her alive in some form and we must try everything we can to turn her back."

She nodded at Night Cap's plan. "You are the expert, Mr. Cap," she said with sincere deference. She would have preferred to stay all together, but Mr. Cap's plan meant that they may find whatever they needed sooner, and be able to put an end to all of this.

"I don't believe in betting on wild odds, and neither should you." Swift Tart replies with a gentle shrug of their shoulders to Night Cap before looking to Amber. "Oh My dear Miss Sparks, please just refer to me as Swifty, It'll be much easier for you on the long run." The androgynous pony says with a giggle and sly grin. "I don't mean to discourage anyone from trying, but surely you must all be ready to face the most likely outcome..."

Scarlet was about to react when things got... Crazy.

Ok then... Um
I guess the answers are No, No, No and Yes...
Rhapsody...!

From his still hovering spot above the others, Scarlet yelled in alarm as Symphony ran for the door!

”Symphony, no!” He made a dive to try and catch her, but it was too late. Spinning around at Harmonys angry outburst, Scarlet barely had a response half-formed, when the Mask made its grand entrance.

As the masks dark magics took over Rhapsody and assaulted his friends, Scarlets anger grew. Yet it was tempered somewhat by the little part of his mind reminding him that there was nothing physically he could do to stop this ‘thing’. It was further cooled as Swift Tart managed to force ‘Rasophae’ and its minions away. As well as revealed a way that they could’ defeat it. Scarlet wanted to get out there and find Symphony before the spooks did, because he dreaded to think how much more irrational Harmony might get if both her sisters were taken.

Speaking of which.

Harmony huffs as she glares softly at Amber. "You're just as bad as the killer. Or maybe you are the killer. Maybe Rhapsody crying out your name is because she seen the knife right before you stabbed her!" The white mare says, being far from rational at this moment.

”Harmony! From what i could tell, the killer was aiming for Amber and Rhapsody dived in the way. To save others, that what Rhapsody does!

Calm down and think about it.”

Spoiler



With an aggravated sigh, Scarlet turns to the little pegasus.

”Maple. Seriously, we can’t just wave away the reality of whats happened. Are we going to do everything possible to save Rhapsody? Yes, of course.

But the fact of the matter is, she was dying! And from what Swift Tart is saying, the Masks possession of her has not changed that. Only postponed it. So don’t get snippy because he pointed out that fact.

There is always a chance we Can save her. A million-to-one chance. However, as hard as it is, we have to acceot that we might defeat this ‘Rasophae’ and Not be able to save Rhapsody.

Accept the possibility and move on.”

Hearing Night Caps plan, Scarlet grinned.

”Good thinking Night Cap.”

Nodding to Amber as the groups were, well, not so much decided as just come together. He tried to smile confidently.

“Lets go hunting.”

While Scarlet knew that anything that could be used to defeat ‘Rasophae’ and break the <asks power were the priority. He also knew that he wanted Symphony back and out of danger as soon as possible.

"Ah, at last ONE of you little ponies actually does seem to have some sense." Swift Tart says as they look to Static. "More of you should probably listen to him, but you likely won't."

Harmony shakes her head with a huff. "That's just what she wants you to think. She abandon you all once. I've heard from Rhapsody how she just up and left without a word. She'll just leave you again once things get tough, probably poof out and leave who's ever with her at the mercy of ghosts to save her own skin, probably what she wants anyway." She states, and only seems to be feeding into or off of, Static's own feelings about Amber's presence.

"Rhapsody's one of the toughest ponies any of us knows... if she's in there... and I think we all saw that she still was -well she's going to be fighting it too. doubt doesn't help anyone right now." Maple stands up... and looks at everypony in the room.

"I'm sorry for giving you a mean look Swifty."

Though the piebald does smile as Maple apologizes. "It is quite okay little one, I am glad to see you can change so easily."

”I don’t doubt for a minute the Rhapsodys mind is beating at the walls ‘Rasophae’ has around her."

"Really she seemed to be quite enjoying herself," said Amber, somewhat absently. "I suppose she has always loved singing."

"Just stay close to me Misty, I'll protect you from all the other monsters." Maple gives a quick glance to Amber Spark.

"Ah, that's very chivalrous of you, Miss Jack," said Amber, looking only a little perplexed at Maple's choice of emphasis.

"Oh Miss Sparks, now lets be honest. who DOESN'T enjoy a good song?" They luagh and shake their head. "THat shouldn't be a proof either for or against the idea you're lover might still be in there." They state and looks to the whole group as they split up. "Well, now that it seems you lot have a plan, I'll be staying here to do what I can. There is still scrolls and info I can try and read through to give some help to you all. I also need to check on the other survivors, what few of them they're are, to make sure they are okay and holding up. If You need help, please come and look me up. I'm always willing to be of... use to others." They grin.

Harmony shakes her head. "You do whatever you want, I'm not staying here." She says and looks to Static. "You're going with them? Then I'm coming too. I trust you. You can help me keep an eye on little miss harlot to see that she doesn't pull anything."

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Amber nodded to Swifty and was about to shyly - what was it about them that so readily put her at ease and off balance at the same time? - correct him, hmm, ah, it's Spark, ma' - si - Swifty, when Harmony made her final demand.

"What did you call me?" Amber gasped, snapping her head in Harmony's direction as an unconscious arc of electricity cracked loudly over her head.

---

"Now's not the time, Ms. Spark," Static said a bit more curtly than he intended.

[Where's this coming from?]

[What? She leaves with no goodbye and without telling us where she's going so we can write her. Fair enough. I didn't exactly leave my forwarding information for the folks back in Manehatten. But then Maple gets a letter? When did that happen? What? She's such good friends with Maple but the rest of us aren't even worth a goodbye?]

[LATER!]

He turns to Harmony. "That's good. You want vengeance for your sister? That's good. Good for motivation. I can use like minded ponies on my team." He cast a swift glance at Amber as if daring her to challenge him on claiming the team. "Let's get going. I don't want to be in one place too long. If Rhapsody's still bleeding out, we can't afford to waste time."

---

Misty surrenders her death grip on Night Cap's leg. She pokes her head out from under the cape just in time to see Amber's Sparks, causing her to yelp and hide her face behind her wings.

---

"St - Static!" Amber stammered. "You want to take her ... with us?" Amber stared at him, wide-eyed and gawping. She felt betrayed, abandoned, stabbed in the side, and distantly perceived that some of those words might become somewhat ironic if she considered them for too long.

---

”i would take your own advice here Static,” Scarlet said in a decptively calm voice that did nothing to hide his frustration. ”We are about to go out their in search of Symphony. In search of any information or artifacts that will let us break this dark magic. In search of anything that could save Rhapsody. We are going to face ‘Rasaphae’ and her possessed minions. Enemies against whom we have limited defence and no way to fight.

We are up against all of this. And you choose now to get uppity about whose in charge?”

Scarlet huffed and looked hard over to Harmony, who was doing a stellar job of making her name seem like a bad joke.

”And you, Harmony. Can you not focus on anything other than your conviction that Amber Spark will betray us? Are you simply]y going to snipe all the way, or will you help us?

What happened to “Innocent Until Proven Guilty”, hmm?

We are a team now. This is not a STOMP mission, or a game. It’s Life and Death! We either trudt each other and get the job done. Or we bicker and fight, while ‘Rasophae’ picks us off.”

Turning to Amber, he gave her a reproachful look too.

”She either comes with us and we’re their to protect her. Or she storms out alone. They’re her sisters out there.

Now, enough of this! Time is of the essence, so lets get a bucking move on!”

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

”i would take your own advice here Static,” Scarlet said in a decptively calm voice that did nothing to hide his frustration. ”We are about to go out their in search of Symphony. In search of any information or artifacts that will let us break this dark magic. In search of anything that could save Rhapsody. We are going to face ‘Rasaphae’ and her possessed minions. Enemies against whom we have limited defence and no way to fight.

We are up against all of this. And you choose now to get uppity about whose in charge?”

Scarlet huffed and looked hard over to Harmony, who was doing a stellar job of making her name seem like a bad joke.

”And you, Harmony. Can you not focus on anything other than your conviction that Amber Spark will betray us? Are you simply]y going to snipe all the way, or will you help us?

What happened to “Innocent Until Proven Guilty”, hmm?

We are a team now. This is not a STOMP mission, or a game. It’s Life and Death! We either trudt each other and get the job done. Or we bicker and fight, while ‘Rasophae’ picks us off.”

Turning to Amber, he gave her a reproachful look too.

”She either comes with us and we’re their to protect her. Or she storms out alone. They’re her sisters out there.

Now, enough of this! Time is of the essence, so lets get a bucking move on!”

---

Amber glanced at Night Cap.

"Fine, she comes with us," she said, slumping into accession with a weary glance at Scarlet, but not before a split-second glare at Harmony.

---

"Oh, Dear Scarlet." Swift Tart says as they trot over to the Stallion as they take charge. "You said it yourself, It's her sisters out there. Can you really blame her for being upset and paranoid. We don't know who Rhapsody's killer was, for all we know she might be right. It could be Amber, or it could be one of you. We don't know anything about the pony that struck her down, nor about what the mask is capable of. I mean, is it not possible that it might have whammied someone in this very room to act on its behalf if it needed a body to control?" The piebald states cocking their head slightly and then looks the the res! t of the room. "There are just so many questions that need to be asked and answered, and well, I think Miss Sparks is best at that, isn't she?" They say with an almost flirty smile and dips their head in her direction.

---

Amber found herself faintly smiling. "I-it's actually Spark, ah, singular, Swifty," she said. "Thank you," she added, returning Swift Tart's nod.

---

Static turns a sharp look at Scarlet. "Did I say anything about fighting these things? We see a ghost, we run. But we are here to get to the bottom of this and find a way to defeat the power behind this...whatever 'defeat' may mean. And who in this room right now is more motivated?" He turns his look at Amber. "And yes, I want her with us...because on that point Scarlet is right. She's Rhapsody's sister. And I may have failed Raphsody, but I'll see Tartarus first before I fail somepony else again in the same night. None of us are strangers to being on teams with friction between members. We deal with it and we get the job done." He turns to Harmony. "That doesn't mean I'll abide constant aspersions. Until we know for certain who did it...we're not going to start accusing each other."

He huffs...and he didn't like that he did it. He sighs. Rhapsody huffs. But if ever there was a situation that warrented a huff. "Now are we going to bicker some more, or shall we crack on?" Static starts to move toward the door that was chosen for their team.

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

"Of course, Static, lead the way," Amber said, slowly turning to follow.

---

Pulling his mask off and stowing it away, as it only served to get in the way now. Scarlet sighed.

”all of that is true, Swifty. Yet is it not also true that hoof pointing and suspicion will unravel us faster than any ghost possession?

Yes , the killer could be ANY ONE of us. It could have been plain old malice. It could have subtle coercions on the masks part. It could even have been outright mental control.

However.

If we spend this whole time with one eye on the hunt and another on each other. Then ‘Rasophae’ has a weakness to exploit. Paranoia can be fuelled, resentment excacerbated.

We can’t afford that.

Understand?”

Slowly, Scarlet looked to everypony in the room.

---

Swift Tart was a butler, maintaining calm and keeping control and on top of a situation is what they do, and Swift Tart was certainly one hell of a butler. "Ah, I see My mistake miss Spark." They say before looking back towards Scarlet.

"Oh I'm not meaning to imply whether I think she's wrong or right, I just feel that her reactions are normal for a mare in her position. She doesn't really know any of you, One sister's dying and possessed and the other is who knows where. She certainly could be much more agreeable, but rational thought isn't something many are capable of when dealing with that level of grief and the idea she MIGHT be the only one of her sisters left."

---

"Oh please do rub salt in the wound! C'mon, Ponies! The night's not getting younger!"

[Bucks sake!]

---

”For the love of Luna i wish i had something to punch right now,” Scarlets mutters in a low voice and follows after his tetchy teammate.

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

”For the love of Luna i wish i had something to punch right now,” Scarlets mutters in a low voice and follows after his tetchy teammate.

Harmony follows after Static. "There's always Amber..." She muses softly as she passes by Scarlet.

---

Scarlet his teeth against an angry grumble.

Relax relax relax relax relax relax!!

---

"Dinner, haha... yeah... that would be great..." Misty says in a shaky voice as she follows Night Cap.

---

Maple almost squeals ... seeing her hero and her Marefriend being so confident....

"Good luck everypony, it is nice seeing you again Amber." Maple heads after Night Cap and Misty

---

Amber shot Maple a smile and a nod as they followed their teams into their respective doors and into the unknowns of the mansion beyond the sanctuary of the ballroom.

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Scarlet tried to suppress a sigh as he realised where the were going.

” A room made of mostly glass. What could go wrong... “

---

Scarlet tried to suppress a sigh as he realised where the were going.

” A room made of mostly glass. What could go wrong... “

"You mean aside from a friend getting stabbed and possessed, a murderer among us who we have no clue who it is, ghosts and an undead Rhapsody trying to kill us?" Static mulled the question over "I suppose we could all die. Glad you asked?"

Static searches the room for clues.

Spoiler

And can't even find his own hooves.

---

Scarlet half-laughs/half-sighs.

”I said that out loud?”

---

The double doors out into the hall opened with a loud creak as the seven ponies headed out into the dark unknown of the now haunted mansion. Luckily for them, the hall was free of anything supernatural at the moment. The hallway was dimly lit, it seems like a lot of the candles have gone out, or maybe they all did and only some where restored before the ghosts filled the mansion. There was just enough light for the ponies to make out where they were going, but it seemed like it could be easy for them to be surprised as their range of sight was limited.* On the floor in front of them was a scrap of red and black fabric, a piece of the shawl that Symphony was wearing as her costume.**

The manor was old, and it certainly looked it, it was one of the oldest buildings surrounding Callibustion, but the last owner had modernized it quite a bit before their deaths having an extravagant luxury to the furnishing*** The two teams split up, with Team Powder Keg going to the left and heading towards the conservatory, and Team Luckless heading to the right towards the kitchen.

---

Conservatory:

The room the group stepped into was much darker then the hall they had just left, thanks to the the fact that it mas mostly made of glass and the full moon could easily be seen rising in the sky. What few lights in here didn't help stave off the darkness too much, though the moonlight helped counter that slightly. The room was filled with all sorts of exotic plants, that have been carefully tended to, to restore the beauty of the room.

---

Kitchen:

This room was much better lit then the hallways, thanks to the Staff having been hard at work with dinner and restored the lights quickly. It was a large room, and seems like it could rival the kitchen of many resturants in Canterlot. Obviously this had been one of the primary rooms Swift Tart and his staff ensured was functional for tonight's event. However, despite the large weight staff seen early in the evening; the kitchen was completely empty. Food was still in the kitchen waiting to be put out, some still cooking on the stove. Whatever happened, it seemed like everypony left in a rush.




Spoiler

---

As Static enters the Conservatory, he tries to search for clues. But with the light so dim, he can't see anything, not even the bench right in front of him. He trips over it and flies face first into a rose bush. "Ahh, son of a...buck buck buck! Bucking thorns!" He tries to extract his face from the bush, the thorns raking red lines deep into his skin on the way out. "Why me?"

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Conservatory - Static:

Being unable to see anything, Static stumble and trips through the room, first face planting in a nearby rose bush. In his continued stumblign he trips and triggers trap door sliding down into a secret passage as the opening closes behind him. Traveling down the passage, Static soon finds himself in another room, separated from his team. However luck is on his side as the room he comes out in, is ghost free for the time being.

Lounge - Static:

The lounge is well lit by a fireplace, the warmth flicking and making shadows dance across the walls. There was several couches and chairs in the room around a large coffee table, in one the corner was a record player, while in another was familiar sight to the yellow pony: A drink cabinet.... At least the he didn't have to worry about anything cutting him up in here.

Spoiler

---

Amber stepped through the doorway behind Static as he fumbled his way into the darkness. Suddenly, he was screaming, and then he was gone. As she carefully paced after him toward the bush, her horn aura lit up with a decided click and cast a bubble of light around her.

"Static!" she shouted.

She looked around the room, back at Scarlet and the tedious tagalong temptress, and back to the bush. In so much as a quadruped can, Amber shrugged.

"Really, I think you can wait a minute for me to inspect the architecture for once."

She beamed her light around the room. There was something in this mansion that could stop that mask and maybe even save Rhapsody. She had to find it.

Spoiler

---

”Next time, take it a bit slower Static. This nights gonna be hard enough as it is.

STATIC!

Oh for pitys sake!”

Cursing angrily, Scarlet took to the air and hovered, scanning around for anything useful. Though he was torn as to what to search for. Logically, the artifacts needed to best the mask darkness were the priority. Which, as Ambers light illuminated the space around her, Scarlet suspected that thats where her search would start. Doubly so since it would be a step closer to saving Rhapsody.

Emotionally thought, he wated to find Symphony and get her out of harms way asap. Partly for his own piece of mind and partly because it might just calm the tag-along teammate. If only a little.

His heart won out this time. So he eyes raked the ground for any sign of the lost sister.

Spoiler

---

Conservatory:

Harmony blinks as Static cries out and is just suddenly gone, and Amber is once again the pony on the spot. "For Bucks sake, You just can't stop yourself, can you? First Rhapsody, now Static. You're gonna bump us all off before this night is done aren't you? " She states and looks to Scarlet. "Are you just gonna let her get away with this? You wanted to take charge of this little group, so man up and actually do something about your little friend there!"

Spoiler

With the concern for their missing teammate as well as having to deal with a now even more upset Harmony, now that the only pony in the group she really trusted is missing; Amber is unable to find any clues to what or where an artifact might be, while Scarlet finds no trace of where the missing sister has gone, its likely she was never in this room.

---

Frustrated again as his unfocused mind fails him in the face of Statics disappearance and Harmonys renewed tirade, Scarlets drops to the ground. Rounding on the Earth, he only keeps from yelling through extreme effort.

”For bucks sake Harmony! Static entered this place first. I don’t know where he’s gone! What do you expect me to do!

I do know that Amber has NOT done anything to him! He fell into a rose bush!

The only magic she has used is to light her horn!

I know you don’t trust her. I know you resent her. Throwing around baseless threats isn’t going to change anything though. Please! Trust me.”

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

"Why would I want to hurt Static? We worked together for months," said Amber in a perplexed near-shout. She shook her head, composed herself. "Miss Harmony, please understand something for me if you can," she began, rolling her eyes only slightly, speaking slowly and deliberately. "I am a researcher. I can't delude myself to believe in things simply because I want them to be true; I can't let my feelings get in the way of the facts. But the fact is that there is a chance, however vanishingly small it may be, that I can still save your sister's life tonight, after she was murdered saving me."

She walked toward Harmony, staring the taller mare down one deliberate, clicking step at a time. "I care about that chance more than I care about you, or Symphony, or any of the other ponies in this mansion. And if you or anypony else intends to do anything to make that probability ever so slightly less significant...." Amber lowered her head in the position known to most ungulate species as "reminding them you have a horn. "We may well see if you can make a murderer of me."

---

Maple Had been the last enter... and wasn't entirely sure what types of things might be clues or important discoveries... she was so thankful Misty and Night Cap were with her.

She wondered if she use to be smarter than she is now... but then again, being smarter about tricking and eating pony's happiness wouldn't really translate well to finding clues anyway.

Spoiler

Mr. Night Cap seemed determined to rescue another damsel ...so romantic! Maple thought, so she tried to think about what sort of clues one of those might leave behind.

---

Misty begins opening cabinets, cutlery drawers, even the lids of pots on the stove, flinching as she opens each one.

Spoiler

---

As Amber started speaking, Scarlet hoped the tension between the two mares might finally start to ease.

This feeling didn’t last long.

Stepping in front of Harmony, Scarlet at Amber. First in shock, then disappointment, then anger.

”Threats? This night is dark enough already, yet you feel it necessary to point out how little anypony matters when compared to ‘saving’ Rhapsody? Ponyfeathers Amber! We’re in search of a lot of clues to a lot of things and all of them are equally important! Rhapsody, ‘Rasophae’, the killer, Symphony! Staying alive!

Incidentally, if you truly want to prove your innocence to Harmony. Claiming not to be the killer, while threatening to kill?

Not. Helping.”

Stepping back, Scarlet takes a few breathes and forces himself to calm down.

”We should be watching out for each other. Not just what we’re looking for. Now, if this old mansion is in any way like the kind used is some of my mothers more noir-flavoured movies. Then there will be secret passages threaded throughout. Which means,” he said with a pointed look at Harmony, ”that it is possible that Static has blundered into another room.

So. Do we perform one more check in here now. Or move on to the Lounge.

Choose quickly?

Under any other circumstances, Scarlet would have been quite impressed by the elaborate conservatory. For now though? He simply made a mental note and hoped he could survive the night.

---

Amber sighed, a little more theatrically than even she intended.

"The two of you go and find Static. I'll be right behind you," she said, turning away to give the room one last pass.

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Harmony looks past Scarlet to Amber with a scowl. "Well I certainly have no problem with that. Let the little harlot stay behind, then we'll definitely be safe. If we move on that means we got a better chance of finding my sister, or Static. She's already admitted she doesn't care anyway, so let's just drop the dead weight." She says turning her attention to Scarlet.

---

Kitchen:

The trio begin to search the kitchen, the blue Pegasus Misty being unable to find anything as she cowers each time she opens something, as if she expected ghost to jump her at any second. Luckily for the poorly named Team Luckless, her two compatriots are much more successful in their searches. Night Cap, while doing his best to ignore all the alluring food around him, finds something written on the wall. 'A Torch Shall lead the way into Darkness.' Maple doesn't find any other clues relating to Symphony's location, but looking over the phrase, she notices a mild discrepancy, its not the letter A but the the number 4 on closer inspection.

Spoiler

---

Static if faced with a choice. While he was here, he could go ahead and search for clues. On the other hoof, he didn't much feel like staying separated from the others. He told himself it was because he didn't want to risk Harmony eviscerating Amber in his absence. He decided to make his way back to the others. They could come back to this room and search it when they had strength in numbers.

But before he left, he took a couple bottles from the bar. He didn't care for a drink yet. Better to keep his head clear while they were still trying to figure this mystery out. But if he found himself in a position where he was wounded and bleeding out...being on the wagon at that point didn't really seem to matter. He'd rather have one last drink if he were able.

And if by some miracle he actually survived the night...well...he may need a drink regardless.

It took a tick before he turned back and got another bottle. "Scarlet's going to need one of these before too long too. Hmm...nice year!"

He happened to catch a look at himself in the mirror as he got the bottles.

[Buck! Those roses really did a number on me!]

[It could be a good thing to show off to Anchors. Chicks dig scars, right?]

[Uhh, yeah, keep telling yourself that.]

Static replaces his mask and goes out into the hall to go meet up with the others.

---

Scarlet gritted his teeth, burying the urge to yell pointlessly as hard as he could. He wasn’t sure which of the two mares was being more selfish here. Amber, with her (mildly understandable) fixation to save Rhapsody above all, mixed with a not-so-understandable air of callous disregard for anypony else. Or Harmony, with her (equally understandable) fixation on rescuing her sisters, mixed with this horribly misguided vendetta against Amber for... Being saved by Rhapsody at the cost if her own life. Ambers overdone sigh also didn’t help.

Scarlet stood in silence for a moment, feeling twin pains building in his head and his shoulder blades.

Why do i feel like i’ve been banging my head against a wall for the past few minutes?

Scarlet took a long, slow breath as he prepared for the worst. Though his next words were spoken in a deeply aggravated tone, Scarlet did not shout.

”No.

I will not split this group up any more than it is. ‘Rasophae’ will pick off any lone ponies and, while i know at this moment you don’t care what happens to Amber. I do. We need as many ponies as we can out here searching and recovering what we need. I will not dump Amber just to satisfy your vendetta. Neither will i let you run off into danger alone.

We stay. We look round once more. We ALL leave together. We find Static. We continue searching until we have found your sisters and the power we need to break the mask.

Trust me Harmony. Please.”

He gave the two mares a meaningful glare, then took wing a scanned around the Conservatory one more time.

Spoiler

---

"Ah, I see, so despite all you're 'we can't leave any pony alone' spiel, you're fine with leaving Static all alone then? If he's even still alive. I guess she means more to you then he does." Harmony huffs and shakes her head. "I guess you're not as much the hero as pretend to be. So I'll find him without you, we'll likely get more done without the dead weight anyway." She says and trots out into the hallway.

Spoiler

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Static notices Harmony. "Oh thank Luna, it's you!" His eyes narrow. "They left you alone?"

---

” Oh for Bucks sake! “

---

Hall:

"Oh no, they just felt searching that room a second time was more important then trying to find you." Harmony says dismissively and shakes her head. "For all that bossy pegasus' talk about staying together for safety, he certainly seemed fine with leaving you all alone. So I decided to find you myself. We can probably do better without their 'help' anyway." She says and leans into Static gently with a warm smile. "Least the company is a fair bit better now.."

---

"They...weren't even going to try to find me?" The hurt was thick in his voice. His eyes harden even more. "Right then. I guess Scarlet doesn't deserve this then." He hides the bottle away with the other one he took for himself. "And yes, I'd say the company just got much better. So, any preference to where you wanted to check next? I just came from over there. I didn't have a chance to really do a search of the room, but I didn't see anypony."

---

Not seeing the writing on the wall, Misty throws open the door to the pantry...

Spoiler

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Hall:

"I wanted to move on, and hopefully find you; that little harlot wanted to stay behind and look again. He choose her while Talking about needing to stick together. He mentioned going to look for you, but it sure sounded like a secondary priority to me." Harmony shrugs a bit at the question. "I suppose we could go back to that room, or we could go to whatever that room is." She says waving a hoof at the Trophy room. "Wasn't the plan to go counter-clockwise or something?"

---

Conservatory:

As Harmony heads off, Amber and Scarlet continue to search the room... Scarlet notices a vague inscription 'Darkness comes at Knight.' before a chill wind blows through the room, the candles all going out as if someone had opened a window. For a few moments only the light of the moon and Amber's bubble are all that exist... and then... the candle flames ignite explosively in a dark red color in pair till the whole room is cast in an eerie hell-ish light. The flames dance and flicker as as a dark presence enters the room. Rasophae has arrived.

"Scarlet. Heh. The little usurper. Then blames everything on me without thinking." She says spotting the other pegasus first she rears up and charges at him but something catches her eyes and she stops. Those red eyes shifting to a more familiar purple as she notices Amber and suddenly it seems that all her attention is on the other mare...

"Amber... Scarlet... No..." The pegasus seeming to be at odds with herself.

I got this feeling,
I'm losing you.
And it's got me reeling,
I need a clue.
Got my heart burning,
I lost my spell.
Can't see you turning up.
This looks like hell.

I can't fight this feeling.
It's not in my head.
And I know it was something I did, baby.
I can't fight this feeling.
I'm out of control.
Got to get back to the life that I know!

I'm not freaking out.
But it feels like time is running out.
How did this jive come about?
I'm not freaking out.
But I'm afraid,
Afraid of losing you.

If that's what it comes to, baby.
If that's what it comes to, baby.
It's all you gotta say to me.
If that's what it comes to, baby.
If that's what it comes to, baby.
It's all you gotta say to me.

I just keep biting my tongue,
'Til all you want is done.
Alright.
And you just wanna leave me.
Oh, yeah.
Oh, c'mon!

I can't fight this feeling.
It's not in my head.
And I know it was something I did, baby.
I can't fight this feeling.
I'm out of control.
Got to get back to the life that I know!

I'm not freaking out.
But it feels like time is running out.
How did this jive come about?
I'm not freaking out.
But I'm afraid,
Afraid of losing you.

If that's what it comes to, baby.
If that's what it comes to, baby.
It's all you gotta say to me.
If that's what it comes to, baby.
If that's what it comes to, baby.
It's all you gotta say to me.

Spoiler

---

"Clockwise was the original plan. Yeah, let's go ahead to the Trophy room then." It then dawns on him as he glances between the Lounge and the Conservatory. "How did I even..." He shakes his head. "Never mind. Ready when you are."

---

"Ah, I see, so despite all you're 'we can't leave any pony alone' spiel, you're fine with leaving Static all alone then? If he's even still alive. I guess she means more to you then he does." Harmony huffs and shakes her head. "I guess you're not as much the hero as pretend to be. So I'll find him without you, we'll likely get more done without the dead weight anyway." She says and trots out into the hallway.

"Well now that that's over," Amber said simply, and turned to search the room. She didn't want to admit it, but she was distracted, and she headed toward Scarlet empty-hooved.

Spoiler

[Musical number]

Amber was panting, leaning against the wall in the hallway.

"She didn't - seem as - happy-that-time," said Amber, between breaths. She gradually lowered herself back onto all four hooves. "Scarlet, do you think - she might be - taking-our-breakup - a bit - poorly?"

---

Maple sneaks a peek into the pantry between her best buddies
Spoiler

---

Kitchen:

Remaining in the kitchen with barely a word to each other, Team Sorta Lucky couldn't find any more information on where the misplaced sibling could be. While Night Cap had no luck finding any information on who the killer might be, though in a complete reversal of fortune it was Misty who stumbled across something. part of a page that seemed old and over looked in a corner. The only immediately legible text reads: "Liquid Night runed the masque."

Spoiler

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

"Oh gosh, Good Job Misty!" Maple says giving the other Pegasus a big hug. "What should we do now Mr. Night Cap?" Maple asks, while she sneakfully puts some of the snacks in her saddlebags.

Spoiler
Shadewing

Mr. Night Cap is so worried about Miss. Rhapsody and Miss. Symphony that he's not even grabbing a snack.... I should save a few of these for him and Misty later in case we don't come back here for a while... maple thought to herself.

---

As he stood in the hallway, Scarlet wondered why he didn’t feel more shocked and angry after everything that had just happened. Harmony flouncing off and making it clear that anypony not wanting to do what wanted was ‘dead weight’. Scarlet head dipped slightly as he imagined that, were she to find Static first, Harmony would very much play up how she wanted to move and they didn’t. How he and Amber obviously didn’t value Static enough.

Then the spectral menace herself had appeared. Yet the were here and, unharmed? ‘Rasophae’ had attempted to strike but, stopped. However, despite what he suspected had happened, its opened words had struck deep for him. Scarlet felt like something had snapped in him. Scarlet had wanted them to stick together, had wanted to get their ‘team’ a proper lead of some kind, then have them find Static together, but Harmonys discordant attitude had scuppered that.

So now, here he stood, feeling an odd detachment from everything. Hearing Ambers shaky words, Scarlet replayed the scene in his head. In an unsettlingly (especially to himself) dispassionate voice, Scarlet said.

”Yes and no. It seems clear that ‘Rasophae’ not only control of Rhapsodys body, but is fueling her darker thoughts and emotions. Her hurt and anger at your breakup and sudden departure. Her resentment and my equally sudden appearance at STOMP and assumption of your duties. However, that fuel is not enough, at least for now. Rhapsody is definitely still in there and fighting. Otherwise, ‘Rasophae’ would have run me down.

‘sigh’

The only other silver lining to come out of this mess is that i did manage to glimpse what could be a clue. An inscription that reads “Darkness comes at Knight”. Knight with a K. Perhaps something in the Trophy Room?

Before we look into that though, we need to find Static.”

---

Amber looked morose. "He disappeared inside the conservatory. We can't go back in to look for him until Rasophae leaves. And although I've been told - repeatedly -" Amber rolled her eyes thinking of the Princess of Anugypt again - "that ghosts don't need doors, we probably shouldn't be here if she decides to use it."

She dropped her head. "I didn't mean what I said in there," she said, slowly. "You are important - all of you on the team, Static and Mr. Cap and the youngsters- if we have to accept that Rhapsody's gone -" Amber grimaced, shook her head - "But if you're right, then she hasn't given up on us yet, and we certainly can't give up on her now either."

She considered something for a moment and stepped clockwise a click. "You said that she resented you, for replacing me? I'm surprised, Mr. Spectrum. You seem like just the sort of pony she would respect."

---

Misty begins reversing direction, backing towards the door. "Vell... ve probably should get a move on, right? At least ve can tell the others that ve found a couple clues, so they don't think ve've been slacking... haha..."

---

”We can’t go back, no. However, as i said, if this old mansion is like any of the ones i’ve explored woth my parents. Either on the hunt for trouble with dad, or scouting a film location for Mom. Or both. Then it is likely this place is threaded with secret passages. Architects love to do that even now, although its more out of eccentric miscief than necessity like it used to be. Anyway, until i say a spectral Static thundering towards me. I remain positibe that he’s alive.

And considering our harmoniously discordant neighsayer isn’t here after she trotted of in a tizzy. She might well have found him first.

As for Rhapsody. I am sorry to say this, but despite us seeing her fighting back against ‘Rasophae’, it is entirely possible that “Saving” Rhapsody might not be the same as “Restoring her to Life”. Now i’m not saying there is no hope, because there is always hope. Simply that you need to acknowledge that breaking the curse might not save our friend the way you want it too.”

With a heavy sigh that did nothing to alleviate his darkening mood, Scarlet looked over to Amber and triedto force a little warmth back into his voice.

”When we find Static, you need to tell him that. More importantly though, you need to make him feel that you mean it. Because our dear (Dis)Harmony, if she has found him, will have spent these intervening moments decrying us as uncaring fools who have abandoned him. Plus, i’ve gotten the impression tomight, that your leaving hit him pretty hard back then too. That would explain his sudden need to assert his authority earlier. You need to get through to him

Now, as much as checking the lounge for Static is an option. IfStatic did wind up there, he will have likely movd to the Trophy. Especially if he’s being chivvied along by Harmony. So i’m going to say we head there now. Yes?”

Scarlet started slowly walking towards the Trophy Room. Well, more like jerkily stumble his way forward. All of his confidence had drained away, leaving him on autopilot. As Ambers funal words bounced around his head, Scarlet tried to smile. Though it came out more of a grimace.

”That.... is all tied up in you leaving too. Her marefriend up and disappears on a transfer mere moments after you all returned from a misdion. Some new colt suddenly appears to fill your absence, as well as being assigned to your department and duties. Then the ‘incident’ with the puzzle box happens. If you’ve read about it, you must know how it all nearly went to hell. Ponyfeathers! You must have felt what happened.

That on top of everything else, made her wary and disdainful of me for being reckless and single-minded. Which, honestly, wasn’t too far wrong...” Trailing off, Scarlet couldn’t think of anything more to say, as his sadness at trying to get through to Static when the found him, built.

When they found him. Not if, when.

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

"I hope they wouldn't think that we're not doing our part, I mean sure we're a smaller team.. but they have Static." Maple says as she gives Misty a smirk and a sidelong glance.

"...so they can't be that far ahead of us." It was obvious to Maple that Misty was scared- she didn't even need to use her powers, or to taste the emotions on the air.

"What do you think Mr. Night Cap?" Maple asked, after a long moment of thought... it was already too late to make Misty forget about what had happened.... but she didn't know anything else she could do...

---

"Oh look, Harmony! You were right," Static's sour voice rang out from behind the mask. "They're so caught up with each other and what they're doing, they couldn't even be bothered to try and find me when I'm RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEM!!!!"

He sees them making ready to go into the trophy room and huffs. He didn't really even care anymore that he was supposed to be the one that sighs and Rhapsody was supposed to be the one that huffs. He huffed. "Perfect!" He looks back to Harmony. "Still want to go in t! here with them or shall we try for another room?"

---

"Oh look, Harmony! You were right," Static's sour voice rang out from behind the mask. "They're so caught up with each other and what they're doing, they couldn't even be bothered to try and find me when I'm RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEM!!!!"

He sees them making ready to go into the trophy room and huffs. He didn't really even care anymore that he was supposed to be the one that sighs and Rhapsody was supposed to be the one that huffs. He huffed. "Perfect!" He looks back to Harmony. "Still want to go in t! here with them or shall we try for another room?"

---

"Yes, and they apparently wanted to blame their being simply awful on me." She says and looks to Scarlet. "I suppose I was lying when I told him that I wanted to move on and Amber stay behind and you sided with her? Lying about how you made a big speech about how being alone could get us killed... while Static was out there alone... But no, that's all MY fault apparently because I felt his safety was more important then continuing to look for clues in a room that will still be there later, when Static might not have been." Harmony says with an overly dramatic sigh and turning back to Static. "These are the sort of friends you keep that put on poor innocent mare that might have lost everything?"

She shrugs softly at Static's question. "I say we should stick to the plan, if they want to follow along, that's on them."

---

Something sharp and hot stabbed through as he heard that voice. Anger boiled in him at that sour tone, the self-righteous words. Then it was gone, leaving behind only a cold emptiness. His voice as sharp and cold as it had ever been, Scarlet stared through Static.

”You’re alive. Thank sweet merciful Luna for that.

But wait, i guess you don’t care what i think. You don’t care because she crowed about how much dead weight We are. About how we stayed to do one last check to find something, anything, that might help us break this curse. We nearly Died in there because ‘Rasophae’ burst in just as i found something that might help us all.

But i guess thats not important, because we didn’t drop everything to go looking for you!

Would you believe me when i say i would have done that? That choosing to stay and keep hunting for a clue to saving us all was a horrible choice?

Do you not get that breaking this curse is more important. Even if i hate that fact?

And you, Scarlet said as his stare moved to Harmony. ”Does your grief blind you to everything? If you heard everything we’ve been saying, then you know that your sister is still awake within ‘Rasophae’ and still fighting. Would that get through to you? Or will you twist it into yet more misplaced resentment and derision.

Static. My friend. I want us to go on together and collect the pieces of this counter-spell Swift Tart spoke of. But if your indignation is too much, then you go do your own thing. If you resent me thats fine too.

Kinda used to that.

Part of him knew he was saying all the wrong things, in all the wrong ways. But no matter what he tried, he couldn’t think straight. So he stumbled off towards the Trophy Room.

”Daekness Comes at Knight,” he said absently. ”That was the clue we found. Darknes Comes at Knight. Knight with a K.”

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

*gasp* "Dying roo- oh... dining room... ah, yeah, lead the way."

---

"Don't worry Misty, I love your blues... I won't let anyone dye you!" Maple smirks, pretending like she didn't know exactly what spelling Misty was using.

---

Amber closed her eyes and waited once she heard the others' voices and didn't comment on the rest. She fell in line with the others as they entered the trophy room. "Static," she said pointedly and singularly, "I'm glad to see you're alright."

---

"Spare me your platitudes!" Static snaps at both of them. "I've been around Rhapsody enough to know when what's being said is being colored by the point of view of the pony saying it. I'm not completely stupid. But it doesn't take much from her when I hear the same thing from your own mouth. Complete the objective no matter who on the team dies along the way? Rhapsody may have been distant, but at least she was never so calloused!"

Static pointedly turns away from them and goes through the door.

---

Harmony looks to Scarlet. "It might, had you also not gone on about making me out to be the villain. How am I to be sure of anything you say when openly discuss twisting my concern for Static into selfishness or trying to deliberately turn him against you? Not to mention you're STILL siding with the pony that threatened my life." She says shooting a glare at Amber. "You talk a big game, but your actions are speaking louder then your words and those actions say you favor her and your mission over everypony else." She states and follows after Static, at least he seemed to have his he! ad in the right place...

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

"Miss Harmony, I believe we have been quite clear. If you fear that your life is in danger, you can simply wait in the ballroom."

---

Scarlet ignored simply let all of it wash over him and stopped talking. It was clearly pointless. Harmony was walled up in grief, anger and fear. While Static was being bullheaded to the point of idiocy. Nothing he now said or did would matter.

---

"Miss Harmony, I believe we have been quite clear. If you fear that your life is in danger, you can simply wait in the ballroom."

"Which would leave you to try and off them at your leisure." After all Amber had bluntly and deliberatly threatened her, now Harmony had proof that Amer could kill the others if they crossed her.

---

Trophy Room:

Living up to its name, this room was a testament to the victories of the family over the ages. Another fireplace could be found in here, as well as several cases filled with trophies, though much creepier what the occasional animal head that showed that at least one of the previous owner had been a hunter, all large powerful, but normal, animals. The lifeless heads seemed to watch the quartet's movements. The way the fire moved wasn't helping either as it made their shadows on the walls almost look like they were hunting the ponies... Though luckily for Scarlet, he finds what might help him get his mind off of things as to either side of the fireplace was a suit of armor that Night Cap would likely go wild for if he were here.

---

Amber huffed.

Rather than heading straight for the knightly display, she attempted a methodical search of the room. She wasn't much bothered by the taxidermy - though she thought momentarily of that bear she'd found herself dissecting when the preparator was out and felt a little churn in her stomach.


She was disappointed to see that the other "trophies" were only that - she thought for a moment what her trophy room might look like, if she were allowed to keep them. The Wand of the North Wind, one of Absent Shadow's little jars, Silent Belle's triangle, the helicopter from Mrs. - she never could remember that name. But she pawed along the cases and read along the inscriptions all the same, finding very little of interest.

Spoiler

---

As Static enters the trophy room, he has no interest in talking to the others. He wipes a bit of blood away as it drips from his mask. "Damn thorns!" he mutters to himself.

[Should probably get those cuts looked at.]

[Buck it! Too many other things looking to kill us right now. I ain't got time to bleed!]

Spoiler

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

The Knights armour broke through Scarlets foggy brain. The vague inscription started repeating in his head as the pegasus walked up to the armour and started carefully poking around.

Spoiler

---

Hall:

Team Get-along Gang remains unaccosted by ghosts, as they leave the kitchen and head into the hall as they make their way towards the Dining room.

Trophy Room:

Meanwhile Team Powder Keg searches through the past victories of the deceased, and amber continues to prove herself ineffective as a researcher, maybe the night's events were getting to her more then she'd like to admit. Luckily for her, her partners were much more successful in finding things.

Static and Harmony actually find a pony, a living pony, cowering behind a large chair. It's not Symphony though. Its one of the waitstaff, A blue Unicorn. "O-Oh thank Celestia! Somepony found me! After I saw that pegasus killed I darted out to find help... and now there are all these ghosts and things out there... D-Did you find the stallion that did it? Hopefully he's not still on the loose?"

Scarlet on the other hand doesn't seem to find anything particular at first about the Armor. Though he soon notices that there is a torn piece of paper in the rear hoof of the one on the left. Much of the text is unreadable, but what can be made out reads "The forest of the dead is where you learn to spell."

Spoiler

---

"Oh my," said Amber, looking up from the latest commemorative dead end. "You're not safe here. We should take him back to the ballroom," she said.

---

"Oh, I wonder what style of dining room this place has... one of those ones that have one really super long table where you have to get up to pass the salt and pepper to someponyelse ... or a few not quite as super long tables ... or maybe just a normal sized table and the room is just full of really neat stuff to look at and have conversations about with your dinner guests?" Maple askes, to neither friend specifically...

---

The Forest of the Dead is where you Learn to Spell.
The Forest of the Dead.
Dead Forest?
Dead Wood?
Dead Wood is Paper.
So the Forest is... The Library?

Turning to the others, he saw the blue Unicorn. Silently, he merely tucks the torn paper away for later and nods his wordless agreement to getting this pony out of harms way.

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

"Oh my," said Amber, looking up from the latest commemorative dead end. "You're not safe here. We should take him back to the ballroom," she said.

Turning to the others, he saw the blue Unicorn. Silently, he merely tucks the torn paper away for later and nods his wordless agreement to getting this pony out of harms way.

"Oh, I see how it is..." Harmony speaks up as she glares to the both of them. "Static goes missing and its "Sacrifice him for the greater good." I go off to find him and its. "We'll blame our callousness on her." But suddenly a random pony appears and its all; "Oh we better get them to safety!"?" She huffs and stomps on the floor, its nowhere near as effective as her older's sister would be, lacking that 'shake the room' quality of strength. "What happened to your 'The curse is more then anypony's life!' excuse? Or was that just as flimsy as your morals for abandoning a supposed friend and teammate?"

---

Setting aside the obvious issue of the protective talismans that would have been well above Miss Harmony's reading level, realization slowly dawned on Amber that nopony had told Harmony just what kind of work they had all done together. But STOMP was, of course, a secret, so what did she expect? That Rhapsody of all ponies would be unable to keep one?

"Mmm, ah, might somepony a little more flexible in regards to Keep protocol explain to Miss Harmony just what the six of us do" - she resisted the urge to complicate matters by exempting herself - "for a living?" She locked eyes with the still-combative Static.

---

Static locked eyes with Amber. "Abandoning team mates it would seem, though that's something I never saw Rhapsody doand it's not something I would do. Do I look l look like I'm about to argue against her? Make your own damn point, Ms. Sparks!"

---

"Rhapsody wouldn't leave an innocent pony with no combat training or protectionto be killed by a raging" - Amber shook her head - "Well, Rhapsody, in this case, but nevertheless, Static!"

---

"Then GO with him! Who the buck's stopping you?"

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Harmony narrows her eyes. "Buck it! I'll go with him! I don't trust either of you two to do it." She says looking to Scarlet and Amber. "She's only concerned with herself. He's blinded by this mission. You're both likely to loose the plot half back to the ballroom!" She says and looks back to Static. "But the harlot is right about one thing. My sister wouldn't leave him behind, and SOMEPONY here has to pick up her slack! It might as well be me."

---

"We're safest together," said Amber. "We only have to take him out into the hall and get him safely to the ballroom door. It shouldn't take any time at all and we'll be back here finding a way to save your sisters."

---

"I suppose to would be the least inconvenient for Unicorns." Maple smiles, back and forth between the two.

"If I had a dining room, I would have a lot of stuff and a small table... because sometimes it's awkward having to start conversations." Maple giggles...

"You don't want to know how many times I tried talking about the weather... I know nothing about the weather tehehehehe." Maple's giggles turn to a full-on chortle as she briefly drops her pony disguise. "I did tell everypony that the real Maplejack is an earthpony right. ... I wouldn't give these up though." Maple says fluttering her wings. "Sharing the skies with you Misty makes me feel super special."

"Oh there's the door."

---

"Wings are nice. They're very helpful for getting out of d-d-d-danger," Misty sputters as they enter the dining room.

---

Scarlet stared as the anger and bitter reciminations shot back and forth. Any hope he might have had for trying to fix his mistakes, perhaps reason with Static, or even get through to Harmony. Faded. Wrong choices, wrong words, wrong approach.

Had Static died, instead of slipping into a secret passage, while Scarlet tried to hunt clues. Scarlet would have never forgiven himself. Ever.

And Harmony. Scared, angry and upset. Looking for her sisters and feeling that the only one she could rely on was Static.

Nothing he could say or do now could undo this. It would simply sound hollow and meanigless.

Scarlet took a deep breath, pulled out the torn paper again and tossed it over to the others.

”The Forestof the Dead is where you Lear to Spell. Thats what i found Somethings in the Library.”

Turning to the door, Scarlets shoulders slumped.

”I’m sorry, for everything. His tone and mood were hopless. Still, Scarlet pushed forward as he headed out into the hallway. Something waited in the Library. Something important, he hoped.

---