Chapter 21: "Misdirection."

It had taken several hours, and far more planning then any of us had realized, but here we were. Myself, Daring and Dr. Seastone, all standing amongst the crowds of eager history professors and invited guests of nobility, waiting to be allowed into the museum. The morning sun creeped over the horizon in the distance as I heard Dr. Seastone yawn tiredly. She hated getting up early for anything, but she still managed to put on the navy blue dress we had picked out for her to wear.

Daring, who was wearing a rather stunning olive green dress and topaz necklace, whispered in my ear. "Do we really have to wear these stupid frilly dresses?"

"All part of the plan." I whispered back. And it was. Although I was sure, I was the only one who truly understood how the dresses fit into it. But there was nothing to worry about. This time, I had accounted for everything.

At approximately 8 am, the doors opened and the security guards let us along with the huge crowd, flock into the museum and enter the lobby. The plan was now in motion. No turning back now.

Emerald Town History Museum, Early Morning

The museum was a large, lavish, marble room with silken red carpeting and a beautiful roman architecture. Dozens of ancient artifacts and priceless exhibits were displayed for all to see, along with many framed maps and documents detailing The Emerald Keye's history. If we were not on a critical mission to prevent the apocalypse, I know doubt would have stayed to look at everything the place had to offer. But, unfortunately, we didn't have that luxury. Still, we would need to come back once this was all over.

We played our part as tourists, because for all these ponies knew, that's exactly what we were. Daring and Dr. Seastone went off to examine the exhibits while I began to scan the place for any indication of where the stones where being displayed. I spotted an elderly gentleman stallion in a suit and slicked back white mane, smiling and greeting the guests from behind the attendant's desk. He didn't show it, but I could tell by his eyes that he was watching my every move.

I kept moving, ignoring the stallion's gaze, and continued to scan the room. I spotted a phone on the wall, probably meant for staff only. At the first sign of trouble, the attendant could have any number of security down here in minutes. Or better yet, Simon. We needed to be careful.

Taking the phone to memory, I continued to look around the museum. Near the phone I spotter the first exhibit the museum had to offer: a glass cabinet, containing a stone dagger, decorated with Mayan designs. The little blinking red lights within, signified they were the sensors that made sure to keep any unwary thieves at bay. If that wasn't enough, it was clearly locked, both inside and outside the cabinet door. The only way in would be to disable the sensors in the back, then unlock it from the bottom, and remove it that way.

Dear Celestia. I was even starting to think like a thief now! Pushing aside the terrifying notion of my ever-growing criminal career, I moved away from the case to the next exhibit.

A large statue bust of a bald tribal pony decorated with ancient carvings, leaned against the wall, and stood at least two feet over me. It looked Buddhist by subject, but Meso-Equestrian in execution. I felt a chill go down my spine suddenly, and decided quite quickly I wanted nothing to do with this statue. It felt....evil, somehow. I hoped it was just my imagination, but unfortunately my imagination usually has no part to play in the many terrifying supernatural things I see all the time anymore.

Moving away from the statue, I spotted Daring looking at a large carving on the wall, of some sort of ancient Mayan chief, it was doubt very esteemed in his time, due to the gold that was also inlaid with the carving. Daring looked over and nodded to me.

I returned the gesture. By her body language, I could tell she had yet to find anything that could tell us where the stones were being displayed, but I had the feeling they were close. We just had to keep an eye out. Honestly, you would think that with the stones being one of the museum's starring exhibits for today, they would be easier to find. And yet, I saw no sign of any advertisements, flyers, brochures, not even a sign to point which wing they were in! None of it made sense, and I had the distinct feeling we weren't meant to know, as the staff seemed to not be all that helpful either.

Moving on, I passed a group of mares who were clearly visiting from Manehatten, and were excitedly snapping pictures of everything in sight. After being nearly blinded, I almost ran right into the large statue of an ancient Mayan warrior. It was very well carved, but the only fascinating thing I could see about it was his hat, and where I could get one. Très chic!

Making a mental note of locating a place to purchase such a magnificent piece of head-ware, I continued to explore the museum. I walked right past a particularly uninteresting exhibit, but stopped in my tracks. "Wait a minute." I said aloud.

Going back to the exhibit I saw it displayed a small, flat square of polished obsidian, with a distinct Mayan design carved into it. The carvings where almost exactly like the ones of the other Sacred Stone we already had. I turned to wave to Daring to let her know I had found one of the stones, but she had disappeared.

I looked around the room, but I didn't see her or Dr. Seastone. Where had they gone off to?

"Can I help you, miss?"

I turned around to greet the smug face of the museum attendant, who no doubt had been watching me search for the stones, to his amusement. Charming. But maybe he could help me find the other stone, or at the very least I could get him to reveal a hint as to where it would be, as this museum seemed quite reluctant to simply tell the guests where it was.

"Yes, actually." I said politely. "My name is Morning Meir-

"Ah! The detective!"

"What? Oh, no, I'm a doctor actually. Although I am investigating a particular case, I was hoping you could help me with?"

"A case, you say? Whatever could I do?"

"Would you mind answering a few questions?"

"But of course, that is why I am here after all!" he said proudly.

"Could've fooled me." I thought snarkily.

Questioning, Bellamy Stricks, Museum Attendant, Possible Lead on The Sacred Stones being hidden away

Stricks was an old, conceited fellow. He was used to answering questions asked by otherwise dumb, or lackwitted tourists. At least in his own opinion. His steely eyes glare searched me up and down, but when he saw no sign of me being said tourist, his smile wavered. He knew I was not here as another tourist for him to 'educate,' I was here for something else. And he didn't like that.

"Before we begin, Miss Meir." He asked suddenly, with fake mannerism, "what exactly are you questioning me about?"

"You'll find out when I ask you the questions, Mr. Stricks." I answered simply. He clearly wanted to know beforehand, so he could purposefully avoid telling me what I wanted to know. What was this old codger hiding?

I asked my first question: "I was told the museum was hosting a large event involving Emerald Town's history, correct?"

"Ah! Indeed Miss Meir, in fact, if you'll just follow me-

"Then why are you guys trying so hard to hide the Sacred Stones of Oloya from the public?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

Mr. Stricks looked flustered for but a moment, but quickly found his resolve. "I-Im afraid I don't know what you mean, Miss Meir." He lied.

So we were playing that game? Fine. "Really? Then please let me explain." I said narrowing my eyes. "There are no advertisements, posters, flyers or any other form of media to let guests know about the stones, save for the one single news article in yesterday's paper." I pointed to the Museum directory. "The signs that would ordinarily point to the Mayan Culture Wing have also been removed, and rather carefully, given by the worn metal residue on the wall left behind by the sign's bronze and steel plating. You did so with a Stoley's 2-3/8th precision screwdriver, a tool, by which this museum has no other uses as all the woodwork and screws used in the exhibits and electrical systems are 33mm Titanium screws. Meaning you had someone specifically go out and purchase this tool, so you could remove the screws to that sign, and that sign alone."

"How...how could you possibly-

"If that wasn't enough, I have found one of the stones, you tried so hard to hide, in the wrong type of case, as that one over there,' I pointed to the case holding the stone, "Is meant for jewelry, given the dimensions of the cabinet and the branding of the Marmoset Jewelers Company stamped near the bottom." The stallion was furiously pulling at the collar of his suit, but I wasn't done yet. "Oh. And we are currently standing in the Mesopotamian Culture Wing, meaning you also moved them to a different wing, which you are not authorized to do without written permission from the curator, and will no doubt be fired after he discovers what you've done without him knowing."

Mr. Stricks was now as pale as a ghost, and sweat dripped off his old face. I looked him in the eye and couldn't hold back a small smirk. "Do you know what I mean now, Mr. Stricks?" I asked.

"Y-Yes....Yes, I do, Miss Meir." He said in a nervous, defeated voice. "I'll...I'll tell you everything."

"Now we're getting somewhere."

Stricks took a moment to dab his forehead with his handkerchief, before lowering his voice almost to a whisper. "I received a call yesterday, before I closed up for the night. They told me I had to make sure the stones were not viewed by the public, as someone else wanted a private view of them. They paid quite a bit of money, to make sure we, uh, I cooperated."

"Why would you listen to some random call telling you to break the rules of your museum?"

"I assure you, I just figured it was a wealthy client who wished to see the stones in a more private setting! I had no reason to suspect anything devious."

"Who was this client of yours?"

"I...I really shouldn't say."

"Even if you don't tell me, I'll just end up finding out anyways. Surely you know that by now."

Stricks gave a nervous chuckle. "Heh, yes, you have a point. Very well, it was one Mr. Karnoc, a notable representative of Mr. Simon Cobalt, as you no doubt know."

Karnoc. The name brought me back to the warehouse on the docks. I remembered reading the name in a rather aggressive letter to Mara Villa. He had signed himself as High Priest Karnoc. It was clear what kind of "work" he did for Simon then.

"Where is the other stone being kept?" I asked quickly, before Stricks tried to leave.

"It's still in the Mayan culture wing. We didn't have a chance to move it before we had to open the museum's doors this morning. It should still be in it's cabinet behind glass, next to the large statue of Netzahualcoyotl."

"Great. We need it. Both of them." I said simply. Very rude and brash, but there was a reason I did so. So far, the plan was going perfectly.

"I beg your pardon?! Surely, your not actually asking me to simply give you two of the museum's most priceless archaeological artifacts!"

So far so good. "Yes. Yes I am."

"That's absurd!" Stricks exclaimed, clearly outraged. Ponies were staring to look at us. Just as I had planned they would.

Even what was to happen next.

A hoof tapped my shoulder and I turned to see a familiar face, looking quite interested in our conversation. Professor Solitaire, dressed in a rich black tuxedo and bowtie, smiled at me, in a fittingly smug manner. "My, my this must be quite the conversation you are having, Miss Meir." he said, as Mr. Stricks took this opportunity to return to his usual museum attendant manner.

But I had planned this as well. "A pleasure to finally meet you, professor. I have heard a great deal about you." I said as politely as I could manage.

Luckily, the professor bought it wholeheartedly. "Ah! Quite a pleasure to meet you, my dear!" he greeted back. "So, what brings you to this fine institute of history, hm?"

At that moment, the phone on the wall rang. And Mr. Stricks excused himself to go answer it, leaving me and the professor to converse. "To answer your question, professor' I began, "I am a rather astute amateur of history myself. I thought I would come to immerse myself is all." My words were clear, precise and knew just which buttons to land on with Solitaire.

"Ah ha! A fellow academic! I should've expected as much from the smartest pony in the world!" he exclaimed.

As I quietly ordered my cheeks to go back to their normal color, I decided to press him a bit about why he was here. Luckily, I had taken the opportunity to research a bit about our professor. He wouldn't simply answer questions directly, no. He would only respond to ways that made him look good. So...

"Appreciate the compliment sir, but surely you have more to say on the subject than I possibly could. Like the history of Marseilles? I believe you have a house there, as well?"

He took the bait, as his eyes twinkled. "I do indeed have a house there, but I have not been back in many months." he said simply. "Not many ponies know of that, Miss Meir. You've certainly done your homework."

He had no idea. Time to press further. " I also heard you were staying in Quaramonte City on an expedition. True?"

The professor's proud smile wavered only slightly. "Alas- business comes first. An important consignment of artifacts on loan to the Emerald Town Museum. But I intend to return to Quaramonte in plenty of time."

Plenty of time for what, exactly? Unfortunately our conversation ended abruptly as the museum attendant hung up the phone, and came back over to us. "Professor Solitaire? You're taxi carriage is here."

Solitaire nodded to me. "If you'll excuse me, I have some urgent business to attend to at the docks." With that, he tipped his hat, and left through the nearest exit. He walked with a brisk pace, and did not stop to turn back once. Curious to say the least.

I decided to question the museum attendant about the stone we knew of. At the very least I could examine it further, before moving on to the other one in the Mayan Culture Wing. "Do you mind if I at least see the stone?" I asked.

He looked at me, as if I were a bothersome child begging for a new toy and he the exhausted parent. But he sighed as he relented. "Yes, very well. Follow me."

We returned to the case that held the stone, except when he looked inside...

"It's gone! Someone's half-inched it!" he yelled, alerting everypony in the room.

"Um, half-inched?" I asked.

"Stolen it! Someone has stolen it!"

"What!?" Indeed as I looked in the case, I saw only a blank space where the stone had once been. "W-we have to so something!" I panicked.

"Never mind that, The silent alarm will have been tripped." He explained. "I'm afraid no one can leave until our crack security team gets here."

"How long will that take?"

"Could be a while. I think it's there tea break."

"Are you serious!? The thief could be miles away by then!"

The attendant brushed off my retort and looked at me with a serious glare. "Don't you worry about that. Just don't try to leave." He then left to alert the guests to the situation. I stood there for a minute collecting my thoughts. It was too much of a coincidence that Solitaire showed up and the stone promptly disappeared.

And I didn't have time for that 'crack security team' to finish their tea. I had to get after him! "Mr. Stricks, I was with you the whole time. Plus, I wouldn't ever steal anything, let alone two museum artifacts!" I explained. I wasn't lying, as technically I wasn't the one who was supposed to steal the stones. Had Ralah and Salah gone outside the plan and stolen the first stone without letting anyone know?

Stricks wasn't convinced. "So you say, Miss Meir, but I'm afraid until security arrives, everyone here is a suspect."

Then it hit me. "What about everyone who isn't here?" I inquired.

"What in Equestria are you talking about, now?"

"Professor Solitaire. He's the one that stole it."

Stricks was getting quite annoyed now. "Are you mad? What makes you think he stole it?" The whole museum and all it's guests were now looking at us. Many recognized me, and began whispering to one another. I also spotted Daring and Dr. Seastone who had shown back up out of nowhere. They joined the crowd that had all eyes on me. But unlike the crowd, they were all grins, and waited to see me in action.

So I obliged. I walked over to the cabinet, and gestured towards the spot the professor had walked up to us. "The professor walked up to us, mid conversation and put a hoof on my shoulder. If we calculate the direction he was facing and the fact he had used his right hoof to place on my shoulder, we can see that he walked in a slight straight path from here," I traced the path Solitaire had taken, right to the case the stone had been in, "to here." His path lined up perfectly to reach the spot me and Stricks had been talking. The crowd began to whisper more, and many ponies moved to get a better view. "The path Solitaire took lines up perfectly to reach us at the spot we were talking. Not only this, but he used the fact that our argument was distracting the guests, to make the theft, then most crucially, had to make sure I didn't suspect him, so he walked over and engaged me in conversation."

I walked back over to the cabinet. "But, he made one mistake," I examined the small lock on the cabinet and found a small key, still in the lock. I removed it and presented it to Stricks. "He left the key to the jewelry case in the lock."

The blood drained from Stricks face as he took the key in hoof. "Oh dear. Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear." he said softly.

"That makes this an inside job, right!" someone from the crowd called out. I turned my attention back to Stricks who was now as pale as a sheet. What had gotten into him? It was only a key, or at least that's what it looked like anyways.

"Mr. Stricks? Are you alright?" I asked concerned. "I'm a doctor, if you need-

"The only thing I need is to call the police, this moment!" he snapped, then practically leapt towards the phone on the wall. The crowd was beginning to worry, as they talked to one another, filling the room with voices. Daring and Dr. Seastone came up to me, each with their own sets of questions.

But I asked mine first. "Where did you two go? I looked around and suddenly you were gone!"

"We're sorry Morning, but well..." Dr. Seastone turned to Daring who looked rather serious. More serious then I had seen her thus far. she looked up at me. "We need to show you something. It can't wait, either." she said simply.

So they had found something of their own. I had no reason not to follow them up on it. "Alright then. Lead the way."

Ancient Historical Wing, 9:15 am

I followed them to the Ancient History Wing, where all manner of ancient weapons, armors, and rural stonework fragments were on display. But Daring stopped at one exhibit in particular.

A large golden trident was displayed upright behind a thick glass case. It sparkled in the light, and was clearly well cared for, given the shine of the gold and lack of any dust. But why did Daring want to show me this exhibit specifically?

Daring gestured towards the nameplate on the case. But upon taking a look at it, I saw it was simply several rows of odd runic symbols, which I recognized to be the language of the late 6th Era Kirin Dynasty, rather then the typical Equestrian lettering. To a mere guest, it was unreadable, and even many scholars had no idea how to decipher such an old encoded language.

I looked over at Daring who simply gazed longingly down at the symbols on the plate. "This isn't part of the exhibit." she turned to me, nearly with tears in her eyes.

"It's a message from my dad."

My eyes went wide, as I gave the trident another look. "Incredible." I said aloud. "The trident is from the Oceanic Period, several eras before the Kirin Dynasty ever came to Equestria. So it wouldn't make any sense for them to put a nameplate with Kirin era symbols on it. This was put here, deliberately, so that someone who understood the language could decipher it!"

"Whoa. Who would go to all that trouble just to leave a message?" Dr. Seastone asked.

"My dad!" Daring exclaimed happily. "He really was here! He left this message for me to find, because he knew only I would recognize the language!"

"That's amazing!" Dr. Seastone cheered. "What's it say?"

Daring suddenly froze. "Oh. Um....."

"You have no idea, do you?" I inquired, getting a closer look at the nameplate.

Daring bowed her head sadly. "I mean we studied the language when I was really little, but, I....never paid much attention."

Examining the message, I saw that each symbol combined with another, formed a word. The Kirin were cloven-hoofed, draconic, creatures, that relied on each symbol having meaning, only when paired up with another symbol of the same dialect. This message could be decoded, and if what Daring was saying was true, perhaps her father could provide some insight into Simon we had yet to learn about.

After all, Simon had mentioned that he and Daren had worked together briefly, after me and my father had left. He must've discovered something, and left this message to warn Daring. But there was only one way to find out.

"Alright. Then, let's decode it." I said, going over to the nearby copy machine and grabbing a hoof-full of paper and pencils.

Daring and Dr. Seastone both looked at me like I was crazy. "You're going to decipher a message, encoded in a dead language that hasn't existed since the 6th Era?" Daring asked. "You don't even have any way to decipher it, there aren't any codexes left in the world to decode it!"

"Unless, do you already have one?" Dr. Seastone asked, still puzzled.

"Don't need one." I said with a wink. That was apparently enough for them. "Can you guys keep an eye out, while I decode this?" I asked. My two friends looked puzzled, but agreed to stand watch while I worked my magic, so to speak.

With them guarding the doors, I set down the paper and got to work.

Analysis

The message used symbols of the Kirin Dynasty, more specifically, the late 6th Era, when the language was vastly more complex and in the process of being replaced with the Old Ponish speech of the next Era. Each symbol only meant something when paired with another symbol.

The message was comprised of only singular symbols, which meant to decode it, I would need to pair each one with the correct symbol of the Kirin alphabet, in order to form an actual word. Once all the symbols were paired up, then the message would be readable.

The encoded message read as such:

In it's current state, the best decoder in the world, would be left scratching their head in frustration. That's because it wasn't just encoded in a dead language: It was encoded backwards.

In order to decipher the message, I would first have to switch the lettering around starting from the end at the bottom, to the beginning of the top row. I quickly scribbled down the symbols in the correct order on the paper.

Next step, was to pair up each symbol with the correct coupled symbol, which would create a word. For that, the required symbol had to be stacked on top of each symbol of each row, like a puzzle.

For example, this symbol: चोन्तिनुएद when it has this symbol वोलुमे stacked on top of it, reads as the letter 'O', in modern Equestrian.

I retrieved each corresponding symbol from my memory, and in no time at all I had decoded the message.

It now read as one simple phrase:

"Open Me."

Open me?.....!

I got up from the floor and went up to the nameplate. After reflecting on the fact I was now about to deface public property, I pulled the plate off the case, and sure enough, a scroll fell out into my hoof. Daring and Dr. Seastone hurried over to me, Daring looking particularly excited. "You figured it out already?" I handed her the scroll, and she gingerly took it in her hooves.

"The message said open me." I explained. "If it's from your father, you should be the one to read it."

Daring nodded, took a breath, then unfurled the scroll. After skimming it over, a smile appeared on her face. "it's him." she said tearfully.

She then read the message aloud.

Daring,

I know you're reading this. And because you are, I know I have to tell you, no warn you, about the so called benefactor of this island. Simon Cobalt is a snake. He's up to something, something terrible, and he wanted me to help him with his plans. He's desperate to find The Heart Of Oceana, and whatever happens you cannot let him get it. A few weeks ago, he asked me to come to the Emerald Keyes, sent a fancy letter, wax seal, the works. At first, I thought nothing of it. Just another treasure hunt, I said.

But when I met the man...I knew right there he couldn't be trusted. I let him lie to my face about why he wanted that jewel, then as soon as I was out of that mansion, away from the gaze of that robot house of his, I set out to find it myself.

I found it. As I'm sure you have as well, by now. The Oloya told me all about it, and why I couldn't have it. Fine, I told them, I didn't want it. But I knew now why that madman wanted me to find it for him. There is an evil, sleeping beneath the very earth you walk on, Daring. Right now, under your feet, is some kind of ancient Mayan death god, that was defeated and imprisoned in the earth millennia ago using that sapphire.

I did some digging, and now I know exactly what Simon and his little group are up to. You see, that sapphire used alone is a powerful magical conduit that uses the benevolent power of the sea and the life of the island to imprison this god, Tezcatlipoca, putting him to sleep beneath the earth. Simon, plans to corrupt the Sapphire by taking it to the Chapel Of The Traveler found inside the base of Mount Tekah, on this very island. He will then sacrifice a number of his followers, whose blood will wash with the molten lava and corrupt the once precious sapphire with evil. Once that happens, he can use it to reverse the binding curse on Tezcatlipoca, that keeps him asleep, and he will unleash thousands of years of rage and fury onto the earth.

But there is a way to stop him, and this whole cult for good. When The Heart Of Oceana is combined with three sacred stones carved from the obsidian walls of the Temple Of Oceana, it becomes imbued with the spirit of Oceana herself, and can be used to completely destroy Tezcatlipoca once and for all. You have to find these stones and take them to the ruins of this temple, along with the Heart, place it in the statue's chest. When Tezcatlipoca, arises, Oceana's Spirit will awaken and help you destroy him once and for all.

I already know two of those stones, are here in this museum. Get them however you can, but PLEASE don't put yourself in unnecessary danger. I couldn't bare the thought of losing you, let alone to the likes of that psychopath. The last stone, I'm afraid I was unable to find, but I know you will have no trouble finding it.

You're my daughter, after all.

Find the stones. Stop Simon. Save the world. All in a days work for a Do, eh?

I wish I could tell you everything that's happened, but its just too complicated at the moment. But just know that I'm safe, and I hope you're safe as well. I swear we will see each other again, and when that day comes I'll tell you everything. I promise.

I love you.

Dad

Daring finished reading the letter and bowed her head. I could sense she wanted to cry, to shed tears of joy after reading this heartfelt message from her father. But instead she held back the tears and looked up at me, serious as ever. "I guess we know what to do now."

I was stunned by her resolve as I smiled at her. "I suppose we do." I acknowledged. "Then that means we better get the other stone, while were here, before it gets stolen too." I said walking over to the entrance of the wing.

Daring and Dr. Seastone both looked at one another, then at me. "Wait....stolen?" they asked in unison.

Back to the Mesopotamian Wing, 10:15 am

We returned to the scene of the theft to see several police colts going over the place with a fine toothed comb and searching for any trace of Solitare, including questioning the guests. Meanwhile Stricks was being chatted up by our favorite awful policemare, Mara Villa. Before we had a chance to duck behind the wall, Mara spotted me and instantly dismissed Stricks, who went back to talking with the other museum staff. "Morning! We meet again. How quaint." The pink uniformed pony said in a fake jubilant tone, as she stepped up to me, her eyes immediately locking with mine.

I didn't have time for her and I made that clear. "What do you want, Mara? I'm busy." I said, very clearly annoyed, and in the strongest possible go away if you know what's good for you tone, I could muster. Sadly she didn't notice it.

"What do I want? I want to catch the thief of course!" She said as if it were obvious. "And look who I happen to run into, right after the theft." she mocked, with a cheeky grin.

I didn't even acknowledge her, and immediately pushed her aside, so I could investigate the scene. "Hey! W-what do you think you're doing!? You can't just push me aside like that! Can't you read the hat? I'm the chief of police!" Mara yelled angrily stamping her hoof.

"Just because you put lipstick on a pig, doesn't mean it's not still a pig." I said under my breath, as I looked around the room. A stifled laugh from Daring and Dr. Seastone let me know they had heard my retort at Mara's expense. As I searched around I saw more clues begin to come together.

First there was the matter of which Solitaire left. After Solitaire had left the room, he had gone out into the hall leading back to the lobby. Going out into the hall, I saw a curtain covering something on the wall, that was slightly askew.

Ignoring Mara's angry shouts from the previous room for me to come back, I pushed the curtain aside and found that there was a door behind it. A door that had been locked but now was opened by just a crack. A breeze could be felt from the other side.

"Where do you think that goes?" Daring asked, eyeing the door.

"Only one way to find out!" Dr. Seastone said eagerly. With that I pushed open the door and we all went inside, being sure to close it tightly as Mara entered the room.

But we were already gone.