Temporal Magic

"So I have to do this all by myself, I suppose?" you say, and shrug. "Eh, story of my life."

"Not entirely, no. Ultimately, you will need the power of friendship," he says.

"Um, it's kind of hard to believe friendship matters here," you say, scrunching up your muzzle. "I mean, I'm here all by myself. Technically I'm talking to myself, or to a magic spell, or whatever, but you're not another pony."

"True, but don't judge so quickly!" says the Professor. "Even though I am merely a simulacrum, the friendship in your heart is real. You will need to understand that friendship in order to escape the catacombs."

"Swell," you say, layering the sarcasm as thickly as you possibly can.

Return North to the hallway.

Ask how to solve the current "puzzle" you're in.

Return to a different topic.

Ravenhoof: solution?

Temporal Magic

"So what do I do next? Can you help me with this current puzzle?" you ask.

"Why, yes," says Ravenhoof. "I can tell you a secret that will open one of the other doors in the catacombs, and teleport you back there. Upon doing so, this chamber will be shut, however. Are you ready to go now?"

No. You still have some important questions to ask and/or books to read.

Yes. Let's do this.

Ravenhoof: why magic?

Temporal Magic

"But you're an earth pony. Why are you doing magical research?" you ask.

"Daring Do, you of all ponies should know you don't need to be a unicorn to study magic. There are even ways to access scholarly magic as an earth pony, with limitations," he says.

"Right, right. Somehow I keep forgetting how erudite you are," you say.

"I suppose you think of me more as an old adventurer past his prime?" he says with a grin.

You smile back. "Guilty as charged."

Return North to the hallway.

Ask him what he meant by using his imagination.

Return to a different topic.

Ravenhoof: farewell

Temporal Magic

"Let's do this," you say. You wish you could strike a pose, but the broken wing would ruin it. Wings are so awesome when they actually work.

Professor A. B. Ravenhoof looks at a blank page in one of the books, and begins moving his forehooves in a complicated manner. You see the region around your body beginning to glow. "To open the next door, you must boldly say something about yourself out loud that nopony knows but you."

"Aw, nuts to that," you grumble.

"Good luck, Daring Do! As a part of who you are, I'm counting on you. Don't hesitate to come back if you have more questions—assuming the door is open, of course." The Professor winks at you.

There's a flash of light...

Okay.

Caldera Rim: init

Edge of the Volcano

You stand on the Western rim of an active caldera, facing South.

Behind you is a glowing orange portal that prevents you from walking along that side of the rim. If you understood the Professor correctly, entering the portal will probably reset this puzzle.

The rim continues South, and the non-lava side of the mountain is to your West. It looks too steep to climb down right here, however.

Walk South along the rim.

Why not jump into the lava and go for a swim?

Head North back into the portal.