The group noticed the giant beast and Twilight, Pinkie and Spike screamed in terror. Fluttershy just gave a smile of recognition, "Hello Rupert."

The great snake-like creature lowered its head even with the yellow pegasus, "Hello Fluttershy," spoke Rupert with a mellifluous voice, "it's good to see you. It's been too long."

The others in the group stared slack-jawed at the strange sight of the previously panicking pony now casually exchanging pleasantries with a monster that could swallow her whole in one gulp.

"It has. You're looking well Rupert, keeping fit I see."

"Well I try; it's not easy you know, not having arms, or legs. Who are your friends here?"

"Oh sorry, where are my manners? This is Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, and Spike." Each of her companions gave a broad awkward toothy grin. Spike offered a half-hearted wave.

"Ooo, a dragon! Please don't eat me! Just kidding, you're too small to eat me. Have you come for a visit I hope?"

Fluttershy shook her head no, "Unfortunately we're here looking for a pony named Trixie. Maybe you've seen her? She's a blue unicorn, and wears a pointed hat and cloak."

"Why yes in fact!" exclaimed Rupert, "Saw her not too long ago. She left Zecora's hut and had appeared to have hurt one of her legs. I was going to help her, but unfortunately she screamed and ran off. I assume she caught sight of some really scary monster in the forest. I don't blame her one bit; I would've done the same."

Twilight, having gotten over her initial shock, questioned Rupert, "Out of Zecora's hut you say? Was she wearing any jewelry or other type of adornment?"

Rupert shook his massive head, "Only saddle bags that you ponies wear to carry stuff that she had under her cloak, if that what you mean."

Twilight pondered the new information and turned to her companions, "Zecora might have stopped her from whatever she was up to," Twilight then turned to Rupert, "We should go now and check on Zecora, thank you kind sir for all of your help."

"It is my pleasure, I'm always glad to be of assistance, it was nice meeting you all. And Fluttershy, please don't be a stranger, you can come visit anytime."

After Fluttershy and Rupert exchanged their goodbyes, the serpent and the group went their separate ways. As they headed towards Zecora's hut, Twilight spoke to Fluttershy with an annoyed edge to her tone of voice.

"So, an old friend of yours?"

"Oh yes, it's been a couple of years since I've seen him. He has a wonderful singing voice, but he sure can talk your ear off."

Twilight gave Fluttershy a sideways glance. After three years she still can't figure out that yellow pegasus.

It didn't take long for the quartet to reach Zecora's hut. Much to their concern, the door to her home was open. They rushed in to find a rather sad looking zebra standing among the debris of some of her possessions.

"Zecora! What happened?" Twilight looked into the eyes of her friend and mentor and saw something she thought she would never see, a look of defeat and frustration.

"I…" was all Zecora could say before stopped by frustration. She tried again, "When…" and once again she faltered. One last time she tries, "Talk…" but she can only sigh and cast her eyes downward. Suddenly Zecora springs up and starts gesturing wildly.

"Oooo, charades!" squealed Pinkie, "I love charades! I'm great at them! Okay first word…Gary Lockwood?"

Twilight rolled her eyes, this could take all day. She saw the open chest and decided to check it out.

"Shall Equestria Endure? No…?"

She looked in the chest. The Alicorn Amulet was there.

"Steven Spielberg?"

Twilight could also sense that other objects in the chest had even more power. She could hear their whispering, trying to get her attention. These mystical artifacts did not interest her…

"The Phantom Menace?"

Twilight turned her attention back to Zecora. If she was going to solve this, she needed to find out what Trixie did to her. Perhaps a game of 20 questions might help…

"Trixie cast a spell on you and now you can't rhyme!"

Zecora gave a gentle smile, raised her hoof and pointed to her nose. Pinkie jumped for joy at getting it right.

Twilight realized that she should stop being surprised at Pinkie's talents. At least now they know what the problem is, and it was easy enough to solve. Twilight's horn glowed and light drifted over and touched Zecora's mind.

"Ah," said Zecora breathing a sigh of relief, "Now that you've fixed my head, I can now say what needs to be said."

"Zecora, what happened here?"

"The one you dueled called Trixie was here, seeking the Ark of Pandora, I fear."

"Ark of Pandora?"

"Pandora was a wizard of great power in lore, who built an ark for her soul to store. As her hours grew short and dark, her magic she placed within the ark. Only the worthy may seek its might, and drink from its river of light."

"Is the Ark here?"

"No, the Staff of Pandora is what she sought; over the headpiece was what we fought. Its gem would have shown her heart's desire, but instead she left it in that fire." Zecora motioned to the headpiece of the staff having been fished out of the fire, now sitting next to it, dirtied from the charcoal and still too hot to touch.

Twilight levitated the golden medallion-like object and then used a simple cleaning spell to polish it up. The four friends peered at in wonder.

Twilight furrowed her brow, "This isn't magical."

Zecora shook her head no.

"What is that strange writing on it?" wondered Spike.

Twilight smiled, "That's ancient unicorn, which fortunately I can read."

"What does it say?" asked Fluttershy.

"Well this side says: 'Only the worthy shall seek Pandora's Ark'," Twilight then flipped the headpiece, "and this side says: 'Place at 18 hands high at the time of highest sun'." Twilight let out a little giggle.

Pinkie pushed in real close trying to see, "What's so funny?"

Twilight laughed, "Oh in the original unicorn, it's actually a rather clever rhyme."

Fluttershy had a puzzled look and finally spoke up, "So what is a 'hand'?"

"It's an ancient form of measurement. Don't ask me where they got the name from, it never made sense to me. One hand is 4 inches, so 18 hands is 6 feet."

There was one thing still bugging Spike, "So where are we supposed to take this Staff of Pandora?"

Everyone was silent. Twilight looked at Zecora who only shook her head no. She started flipping the headpiece back and forth trying to see if it provided a clue. "I have no idea….wait a minute…" Twilight noticed something and started spinning the artifact faster and faster. An image of a structure made with stone columns appeared from the swirling golden disc.

Pinkie peered at in astonishment, "What building is that?"

"I have no idea," admitted Twilight, "but it does look familiar. I would have to do some research."

"Guys, guys!" interjected Spike, "Do we really need to try to find this? I like to pound on Trixie as much as the next dragon, but if she didn't get this golden doo-dad, then she can't find this 'Pandora's Ark', can she? All we need to do is hide this thing better, right?"

Twilight had to think about this, she was of two minds on this. On one hoof, Spike was right, on the other, "We don't know how much Trixie knows. One thing we know for certain, Trixie won't stop until she gets what she wants." She looked to Zecora for confirmation.

"Trixie seeks power for its own sake, so a decision is what you must make. I trust you to do what is best. To protect the ark, you can do this quest."

Twilight gave a determined smile, "Then it's settled. We probably have a head start, so let's go home. Spike and I will do some research. You guys gather the rest of the gang and we will meet back at the library first thing in the morning. Come prepared for a long journey, we don't know what's going to await us."