The-Master

"NO TIME TO WAIST!" Star Keeper gestured to the portal heavily. Now was his time to act. Star Keeper stood forward and eyed the Changelings that begun to circle him. He managed to gain the attention of the others as he stood ready to face them. He was no fighter, but he had a plan. "I suggest you go now."

"Stop wasting time! We can close the portal on the other side now lets move!" They couldn't wait any longer. The longer it remained open, the higher the chance of more changelings joining the frey. Star Keeper then saw the struggle was no closer to a resolution. They needed some kind of diversion... he knew what to do. "Guys, get to the portal I have an idea that will buy us some time! You need to follow Purplepower and find out where it goes! I'll shut it off from this side!"

"You may have a difficult time getting their attention." Star Keeper appeared behind Kalypso, surprising him to say the least. "Don't mind me, I was just on my way back here and you caught my attention. They are much too busy planning for the party this evening. I trust you'll be invited? You are friends, aren't you?" He tried his best to give a friendly smile, but he failed on epic proportions. he looked more like a sneering cat. This wasn't supposed to be so difficult.

Star Keeper used the confusion to his advantage. He traced the portals to where they opened, and all of them had come out of the book shelf. He examined the rows of books carefully, paying heed not to draw too much attention to himself. The rows were neatly laid out in alphabetical order, and he continued to run along the shelved till he found what he was looking for. "The Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide". He pulled it and it slotted down like a lever. Suddenly a portal materialized next to him, opening a way out. "You're making things too easy now. Where's the challenge in sticking the exit right in front of out noses." It seemed logical. Each reality needed two things; a way in and out. Star Keeper simply found one of the two exactly where he guessed it would be. "I suggest now would be an excellent time to run! To the portal!"

"Oh my sweet Celestia, how did I not think of that." He quickly turned back to the others, a sudden hint of urgency breaking through. "Rainbow Dash is missing, yes? Why? Simple, she was an element of harmony. At this point I have reason to believe that all of them have been at least captured. She's tying up lose ends, making sure that every possibility of failure is snuffed out." Star Keeper turned back to Draco. "Then who have we been talking to the past few days?" Everything began to dawn on him at once, every single detail became clear as he realized what this was all about. "That's it! They're Changelings, yes? What do they do? Change! It's so simple!" He took a quick breath. "Think about it, we have been tested for our mindset, our reactions, our personality. Everything has been examined. Why?... We're being impersonated. The same for the Rainbow Dash and the others as you can see, they were all Changelings. All of them. So now here's the question, why us? Once again, simple. Each of us is in someway or another connected somehow. I don't know yet what it is, but it's the only explanation I can think of. Now before we discuss this some more, I suggest we either fight or flight. I choose flight."

Ace was quickly pulled to earth when his tail was grabbed by Star Keeper. "Catch; none of us love each other? You can't be serious? There is a slight flaw in that idea of yours. But there is one thing you are right about... she is scared." This at least gave him a bit of confidence. She couldn't risk them getting free.

"No, it's more than that." Star Keeper turned to face Draco, concern growing on his face. "It's a test simulation... Everything we have have gone through and everything we over came was a mere test." He glanced up to the corner of the Library, spotting a small black camera directly focused on him. "And they're observing how well we preform." "Think of it, they've been singling us out and testing our problem solving abilities, our skills. We're like rats in a maze."

"Okay I have four questions now: 1) Why are we here? What possible reason to bring us here? 2) Why did they give you guys the run round while I had to find my way through a doorway? 3) How Yavolin got here? If this isn't real then how is she here? 4) What possible reason is there to bring us all together and sending us on a wild goose chase? Nothing is making any sense."

The swung open the door in a hurry. Through the doorway came tumbling in a rather scared Yavolin. Star Keeper jumped out of the way as she fell onto the ground. This was still getting stranger. "Yavolin! You're back! Listen, things aren't as they seem. Get up and inside before something unexpected happens again." He turned back to Draco. "And you sir better watch your tongue, or you will be on the receiving end of my teeth!"

"Has to be. There was a knocking at the door a second ago-" The knocking appeared again. This time louder and a bit more urgent. "Guys. I have to answer it. There's only one way we can find out what is actually going on, despite the risks." Star Keeper glared back at Bluenote "And please check to see if that smell isn't just you..."

Star Keeper was about to answer the door when he noticed a portal open up behind him. Out of it tumbled a dazed and confused trio of ponies. 'At least this means I'm not crazy. Wait...' "What, so that all actually did happen? I'm not just crazy and you are here? Last I remember I had to figure out how to open a door and you guy were herded in a certain direction. I thought I'd lost you all. But here we are, all well again. I am curious as to what has happened to you though, you all look in a sorry state."

(OCC: Might want to look back a couple of posts. I managed to fit you in without getting you capture out of the blue for no particular reason, and Lightning seems to like it. Consider going back and editing your last post. I say we just roll with it and I'll explain it all later!)

(OC: Since I don't know where the door leads and how we plan to include those waiting in line to join in, I'll solve it with this next post hopefully.) Star Keeper shielded his eyes as the blinding light attacked his eyes. The door behind him de-materialized into thin air, leaving him out in the open. After the initial shock subsided, Star Keeper looked at his surroundings. He was in the library in Ponyville. Everything seemed... normal. The fumes had played with his head, and he began to wonder if any of that actually happened. He was brought back to reality when he heard a knock on the door. Instantly, he picked himself up and went to answer it. "Yavolin! I didn't expect to see you here. Tell me, what is today's date?"

The door was nothing special. It was plain, had no gaps and seemed to be fused to the walls. There was no noticeable opening. It was effectively a slab of steel. Star keeper turned back to the screen which that changeling queen had appeared on just before. It had to be connected to some sort of electrical mainframe. He grabbed the screen with both fore hooves and ripped it down. Behind the screen set up was a series of intricately placed crystals and wires that channeled the energy and projected it on the screen. Other than that, there was nothing of any use. This was going to be difficult. 'Think! Think! How would a Changeling build a door? What kind of traits would they include that would make it theirs? Deception and illusion.' An idea seemed to pop into his head. Star Keeper looked back up to the metal door. 'No handle, aye? Lets try that again.' He closed his eyes and reached out his hoof to where the handle would be if there was one. At first he merely swiped at the air, till he hit something solid. He latched onto it. Opening his eyes, the door was now a simple wooden door. Nothing special, just a normal wooden door. It had a lock and knob and everything a door would have. Star Keeper twisted the knob and it clicked open. Slowly he nudged it open and peered inside. "Allons-y." He let out as he speed through the doorway, into the unknown. (OCC: The door was a simple perception filter, taking what you imagine and putting it into reality. Cut the link by closing your eyes and it reverts to normal form. A fun little party trick I made up just now. Also, Allons-y is french for "Let's go".)

Now was probably the time to make his move. Star Keeper managed to leave the table, off to deal with much more important matters concerning what formal artier he would wear to the social gathering (in other words, he needs an outfit for the party). Star keeper had his fun listening to these ponies having their little conversation, but he refused to be made a fool of again. 'So, I think I have a firm understanding as to where you stand on the social ladder. Hopefully this party will make up for some of today's blunders.' He continued to walk away from the Cafe, tossing away the empty Latte cup, and made his way back to the dorm. Well, that was the plan, but he was caught off guard when he heard a strange sound echoing down the halls... It was... singing. Sweet and soft, but tinged with sadness. Star Keeper pressed himself against the wall and peered around the corner. Sitting there in a lonely fashion was the pony he had seen earlier at the cafe. It was strange to see her so sad, hitting some chords that had not been strung before. He simply listened in more, taking in every last lyric and note. Then it stopped. Star Keeper peered around to see why, but quickly recoiled when he saw her flee back to the Cafe. He was left a bit awestruck for a moment. She seemed to be undergoing allot of emotional conflict at the present moment. To bad he was terrible with anything vaguely concerning feelings. The whole experience with Twilight had left him scarred. There was always the knowledge that there was nothing he could do to help, and he would always be a side runner in the end.

'Prostanthera, commonly known as Mintbush, is a genus of plants of the family Lamiaceae. I recognize the distinct flagrance, also a form of sedative. Not very common in Equestria although can be located in certain areas of Appaloosa. It is also known to have-' 'Brain, this is no time for definitions. We are aware it's a sedative. Concentrate on finding a way out.' Star Keeper looked around to see everypony else has scattered off, leaving him the last one in the area. He had wasted enough time as it was, finding a way out was priority. He skidded around a corner only to see another camera leading in a different direction. 'It would only make sense that they would lay the camera's on the path out, monitoring to see if we had gotten closer.' Star Keeper followed the cameras till he was halted by a large metal door with no knob or lock. He stared at it for a few seconds before looking back at another camera that had focused its gaze on him. "Aren't you going to let me in?"

Star Keeper spat out a bit of blood after another hard sock to the jaw. That was uncalled for. Of all the stupid and immature things to do you don't go and knock somepony round one. "I'm not accustomed to hitting mares, but I guess this wont count." He shoved Purplepower in the side at just the right time and applying just the right force, losing her balance, and falling into the opposite wall with a thud. "You have a poor stance."

Star keeper was interrupted by the arrival of a relatively pissed off purple mare who was not well known for being pissed off all the time. He knew it was always a bad idea to leave without the group but he had to find a out what was going on. "Miss me already, did you? Not surprised. Oh, and don't worry about the camera, it hasn't responded to anything. Tell me if I'm wrong, but I have an odd feeling they want us to escape. No guards, no intricate traps; just cameras to watch us as we go. Why would anypony do that? I can't say I'm not confused." (OCC: And my name is Star Keeper, not bloody Stuck in the Mud!)

"You ponies keep talking, I'm taking my stuff and going to bed." Star Keeper collected his mess of tomes and scrolls and trotted back to the tent. He slipped them back into his pack before turning to see Harp. She was sleeping soundly on the ground, very little to keep her from the cold. Star Keeper reached into his pack and pulled out a long wool blanket. He carefully laid it across Harp, making sure not to wake her. She puled the warm blanket across her and smiled. 'Now that that's done, whatever shall I do.' He looked at the ground. It didn't seem that comfortable. It would do. Star Keeper laid himself down next to Harp, keeping some distance between the two. Every time he seemed to get comfortable a rock stuck into his back. Sleep found him soon enough as the night went on, and after he had closed his eyes he had rolled over right next to Harp. No distance separated them, though neither were awake to realize it...

Star Keeper had an idea. It was a bold, stupid, poorly thought out idea with no plan of execution. While it seemed everypony else was occupied with Ace's panic attack, he took the opportunity to go on ahead and find an way out. It was a bad idea, and he knew it, but there had to be some way out. 'If Bluenote is indeed a Changeling from the looks of it, then why would she be imprisoned? Something doesn't seem to fully add up. Where the bloody hell am I now?' It was about now when Star Keeper realized he was utterly lost. But out of the corner of his eye he noticed a small black lens in the corner of the wall. He looked directly into it and trotted closer. He had another idea, nearly as stupid as the first. "Come find me, then."

Star Keeper sat quietly with Harp as she talked softly to him. But then he overheard the conversation from the camp. As politely as he could, he left Harp by the tent and zoomed into his bags. She needed the sleep anyway. From it he pulled out a series of tomes and scrolls, rushing back to the Captain and Tarza- I mean Fatigue. He laid out the scrolls and books in front of them and indicated to each one. "Are these ones you were talking about. I went over these like a million times. It fascinates me all of these accounts of a mysterious island that nopony dare tred on. Here is the collective accounts of Able Tasmane, Captain Colt, even Columbus. They never set hoof here till the year 221 when no survivors returned. And nopony knows why. That's why we are here and it seems you are here." Star Keeper knew he got carried away. History, it was his thing.

'Awkward' seemed to spring to mind. These upper class ponies and their 'Modern Day' issues continued to surprise him with each passing day. 'I don't think my presence is aiding the situation in anyway. Slip away, like a silent shadow.' Unfortunately he was not as ninja as he had first thought, and his attempted exit was allot louder than intended. 'Activate panic mode!' "Sorry, I just... dropped something. Ah here it is. Never mind everypony. Ha ha ha ha..." He sat back down quietly, not making another sound. 'I shall have to live in my dorm for the rest of my life. Aside from this there is a far more important issue... What will I wear to the "Party"?'

'Well, everything went better than expected. A joke or two, it's getting better. I like the signs coming from this. Wait, a party... what the hell is that? I've never been invited anywhere except outside (long story). I know, improvise! No, wait... I suck at improvisation.' Star Keeper gave a nervous smile back at Eris, tying to avoid looking straight at the ground. He didn't know what he should say next. This was actual social interaction; a completely new field he had not yet discovered. 'Switch to default mode; I don't trust the auto pilot.' And so he didn't say anything. He just sat there avoiding peoples gaze and sipping away at his now cold Latte, hoping that they would simply move on to another topic.

'I regret in many ways coming here. A month ago when Celestia mentioned someone putting together a crew for a voyage, it seemed like a good idea. Going down in history as the ones who found the new land. I barley leave my house in Ponyville, let alone venture to unknown territory, so some matter of thinking had to go into it.' 'Weeks at sea; fine, I'll cope with it. A dangerous new land; See previous answer Meeting new ponies and crew; The most frighting prospect of them all.' 'How the hell was I going to cope 3 weeks on a boat with ponies I have never meet before? The very thought sent shivers down my spine. These people are probably nothing like me, all adventurous and tough. Sea folk. How was a historian going to fut in, let alone survive? Was leaving my home behind worth the risk?' 'But as I sat back in the camp, my wing draped over the black mare sitting next to me and smiling sweetly, I felt no sadness, no regrets at ever leaving home and going out to see the world. Here, everything was different, and I liked it that way...'

Star Keeper seemed a bit more concerned at the moment with the awkward looks being given by the rest of the crew in his direction. He rapidly switched gazes between them and Harp, an awkward smile growing on his face. "Um, yes. I guess that was a.. stupid idea. Um.." Star Keeper turned now to face the rest of the crew, still looking with confusion. "Um, long story short; we kinda got together. Yay..." His cheer trailed off into a whisper, scuffing a bit of sand under his hoof. His thoughts then quickly turned back tot the throbbing pain in his head. It was still bleeding and was getting rather annoying by this stage.