Whispering Darkness

[The Wandering Magus]

"Beaker, where are the evacuated bottles?"

"Right here, Professor!"

"Get those wires plugged back in, and whatever you do don't let the trinitroglicerine get anywhere near the lightning reactors!"

Somepony wearing a laboratory coat was shouting orders in the middle of a crowd of interns as smoke billowed from what looked like a series of long metal tubes strapped together to form a single barrel, with a chain of lead pellets feeding in one end, all mounted on an engine and a tripod stand.  It seemed somewhat similar to Pinkie's Party Cannon, except rather than sky blue and pink plastic-metal it was brass and wood on steel, with all sorts of steaming apparatuses and what could have been lightning coils strapped to the top.

[The Stars]

(( XD why does it take me forever to do these things?))
Range's ears perks up to the sound of "Professor" and tries to navigate her way to it's point of origin, moving around the many various interns. Crimson stared at the strange machine in awe for a moment as Range called out.
<Range> Excuse me, we're looking for a Dr. Feather Scroll?

<Crimson> Amazing... What marvel of engineering is that?

[The Wandering Magus]

(( XD why does it take me forever to do these things?))
Range's ears perks up to the sound of "Professor" and tries to navigate her way to it's point of origin, moving around the many various interns. Crimson stared at the strange machine in awe for a moment as Range called out.
<Range> Excuse me, we're looking for a Dr. Feather Scroll?

<Crimson> Amazing... What marvel of engineering is that?

A pink-maned pony in a mostly-white laboratory coat pushed through a crowd of interns.  "Make way, make way, we have GUESTS here!  Now!"

He brushed off a bit of dust from his cloak with his magic and looked quizzically at the newcomers.  "I am Dr. Scroll.  How might I help you, fillies and gentlecolts?  And thank you for the compliment, this here- well, let's see, I suppose it is not exactly a secret..."  He pursed his lips, looking at Crimson.  "Well all right, since you were polite about it, I'll let you in on it- no, wait, who WOULD you happen to be, first?  And welcome to my laboratory, BEAKER!"

"Yes, Professor!"

"Get these guests some FOOD please, and a few chairs!  And the rest of you!  Get back to your calculations, we only have a limited time to finish this project, and the equations aren't going to work themselves out for you!"

There was a mad rush of ponies returning to lab benches as the professor chuckled.  "Anyhow, where was I?  Ah, yes, welcome to my laboratory, fillies and gentlecolts.  Who might you be, and how might I help you today?"

[Lusterless Nova]

Nova was distracted by the machines so the group moved on without him. As he snaps out of it he notices that Feather scroll is nearby and walks over to him.
Good day doctor feather scroll. Sorry to interrupt your work but we are looking to investigate what is going on and how to stop it.
Would you be interested to join us?

[The Wandering Magus]

Nova was distracted by the machines so the group moved on without him. As he snaps out of it he notices that Feather scroll is nearby and walks over to him.
Good day doctor feather scroll. Sorry to interrupt your work but we are looking to investigate what is going on and how to stop it.
Would you be interested to join us?

The professor did a double take.  "Mr. Nova?!  It HAS been a long time since I've seen you!  Didn't you teach Summoning at the Academy?  Never mind that, investigation?  Good sir, this IS a laboratory, we are currently attempting to create a suitable replacement for magic as we speak, but as for stopping, stopping what, exactly?  This," the unicorn pointed at his own gem-bound horn, "is black magic, and if the Sisters Themselves cannot find a solution to it, who knows who can?  And while somepony out there searches for such answers to such unanswerable questions, what will become of the good citizens of Equestria, suffering as they are already?  I have a responsibility here, not to myself or to my job, but to the citizens of Equestria to provide them an alternative means of bettering themselves and protecting the nation while magic is, for the most part, lost to us.  Although..."

He looked at them through his spectacles.  "I suppose you are here to convince me otherwise?"

[Cutiebone]

Cutiebone stayed behind to keep Charlie relaxed, she pets him on his back and lets him rest his head on her stomach. She waits back behind the yellow line and hopes that if there were extended territory to cover behind the experiment ahead that they would let her know before leaving her back here...

If Cutiebone joins them, Charlie's behavior may be unpredictable with the experiment going on in case you're wondering.

((I hope I didn't miss any information...))

[The Stars]

Range listened to Feather Scroll's words and stood up as she spoke
<Range> I'll admit, you're a noble stallion Mr Scroll, and I can appreciate that, but believe it or not, we're doing our part to make sure our fellow people don't suffer under the effects of Black Magic. My brother even has a hypothesis in place for how we can break it's effects.

<Crimson> Since we now all know the Crystal Empire can only use it's special magic once per year, and I'm pretty sure everypony would go MAD before then, why not construct our own cure that mimics the Empire's capabilities? Sure, might not sound plausible, but there's only one other pony we can turn to for creation of such a cure. And as to why we're here for you? Well, we're hoping with your assistance, we'll get this task over and done with before we even know it.

[Lusterless Nova]

And besides: just because it seems impossible doesn't mean it is actually "impossible".
We may not have our magic, flight, or strength, but we still are alive and with that capable of doing almost anything. We just have to use our brains.
Can't do magic? Use science.
Can't fly? Build a machine. If a balloon can fly other things surely can do it too.
Not strong enough? Call your friends and do it together.

We can change this situation but this can only succeed if we all work together. Thanks to Range and Crimson we have clues, i am still as clever as usual and i can prepare us for almost anything, i may not know Cutiebone or Charlie but even they agree to help in this time.
All we need now is a mind that can comprehend and work with the information we can gather. I can't thing of anypony else then you for this job.
Are you up to the task?

[The Wandering Magus]

The professor looked at the machine and back to the ponies.  "...I do not doubt that we will have the capability of completing this task.  What I worry most of is what happens to the rest of Equestria while we do it, and who would be able to help bring some semblance of order to those who are left out of the expedition.  But if it will not take too long... how long do you think such an undertaking would take?"

[The Stars]

<Crimson> *He sighs for a moment as he begins to think* 3 weeks, a month or two maybe? I think it wouldn't be too hard: Just studies over that Crystal Heart in the empire and sampling the dark magic a bit. From what I can infer, Light shines to dispel darkness in terms of elemental logic.

Range looks up  to Crimson, a little confused.

<Range> You're... Taking this rather lightly. You honestly think we can accomplish something so big in such a small time?
<Crimson> Well I'm only speaking my mind. I honestly don't think magic would be a difficult for 3 avid researches to look over, not to mention we already have a basis for our research, the Crystal Heart! Again, about 3 weeks to a month at best.

[The Wandering Magus]

The professor bit his lip.  "Have you contacted the authorities about your thoughts?  I would think that Ms. Sparkle and the Princesses would be more than capable of discovering whatever it is you need discovered, much faster than I, having been the personal student of goddesses and being goddesses, respectively.  As for myself, this research is needed as soon as possible to prevent civil unrest and an international world war from starting.  Already Equestria's neighbors see that our borders are weakened and nearly defenseless.  If this project is not built, then regardless of whether a cure is found there will BE no Equestria left to defend.  Unless you can think of a solution to this dilemma?  Can this research not wait until the completion of this project?  Is there no other pony to assist?  One would think that such an important discovery would be on the Empire's top priority.  Did you not speak to the Ministry of Imperial Defense?"

[The Stars]

<Crimson> Forgive my ignorance Mr.Scroll, but , Ministry of Imperial Defense?
Crimson, shockingly doesn't know, neither does Range. Despite living here most of their lives, they seem to have very little knowledge of Equestria as it is.
<Crimson> But before that, I wanted to make sure we have ponies willing to help out in our time of need... And well, seems you're already doing your part, here in the lab with this... Multi-barreled cannon?

<Range> As for the Princess... I tried going to the castle several times already before this event, but I find it severely difficult to get an audience with the princesses with the entire Royal Guard having their eyes fixed on me... and not in a flattering way either.

[The Wandering Magus]

<Crimson> Forgive my ignorance Mr.Scroll, but , Ministry of Imperial Defense?
Crimson, shockingly doesn't know, neither does Range. Despite living here most of their lives, they seem to have very little knowledge of Equestria as it is.
<Crimson> But before that, I wanted to make sure we have ponies willing to help out in our time of need... And well, seems you're already doing your part, here in the lab with this... Multi-barreled cannon?

<Range> As for the Princess... I tried going to the castle several times already before this event, but I find it severely difficult to get an audience with the princesses with the entire Royal Guard having their eyes fixed on me... and not in a flattering way either.

The researcher was surprised at the ponies' unfamiliarity with government affairs until he remembered that most Equestrian citizens never had any need or desire to think about military matters.

"Ah, well, that should not be a problem.  I think I have a little time for an audience, and perhaps a little scientific demonstration is in order, seeing as Their Majesties did not come for this one.  What say we go to see Their Majesties together now?  I think I can get one through quite quickly."

[The Stars]

Range and Crimson both looked at each other, then Range shrugged as the both of them reverted their attention to Feather Scroll.
<Crimson> Well, if Nova here is enough to  put a good enough word in for us, then by all means, lets hurry, shall we?

[Lusterless Nova]

Good. It's been a while since i've seen them. I hope they are fine under these circumstances.
But let's get over with this as quick as possible. I don't like the thought of staying here too long.

[The Wandering Magus]

The professor nodded and motioned to an intern.  "Beaker, I need you to request an audience from the Princesses for me, we have a little demonstration and a few suggestions to tell them."

The pony saluted and galloped off immediately.

[Lusterless Nova]

So.
Nova walks back to range.
Since we have some time to talk. How have you been doing lately?

[The Stars]

Range Smiles and scratches the back of her head.
<Range> Uuuuh, hehe... Well, bit of good, bit of bad, plus the few mysteries I've come across, not to mention the one we're in right now. *She pauses for a moment then decides to speak to Nova about this* I've finally did it.18 years but I finally revived my cutiemark, but... My talent is what still bothers me a little.

[Lusterless Nova]

Nova's expression changes to a curious/worried look.
Why? As far as i can tell alchemy isn't a bad thing.

[The Stars]

<Range> Well, don't forget about chimera research  of all things, not to mention the taboo art of the transmutation of other lives... Although, my talent revolves around the usage of... *She paused for a moment and got in closer to Nova, almost to a whisper* IT.