Casting Call for Fanfic Reading - Under A Luminous Sky
Project Overview
Ponyville is shaken to its core when a body is discovered in the Everfree Forest. As the townsponies grieve, the mysterious Special Agent Bentgrass, from Their Majesties' Royal Investigative Service, arrives at the Books and Branches library and drags Twilight into a world she's only read about: lies, corruption, suspicion, and murder.
Faced with an indifferent police force, and Agent Bentgrass's infuriating methods, Twilight must put the pieces together and catch the killer. But as blood continues to spill and questions pile up, one thing is terrifyingly clear: in the dark of the Everfree, much more is at play than mere murder.
Under A Luminous Sky is a My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic fan fiction written by me, Jake The Army Guy. The story is a murder mystery, inspired by the Pendergast Series by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. Set in an alternate universe, seven years after the end of Season Two of the show, Twilight Sparkle must learn how to deal with the enigmatic Agent Bentgrass to try and catch the killer before more blood is shed. At the same time, she is trying to cope with an upcoming, yet unstoppable tragedy involving her Number One Assistant Spike, while also trying to work out the exact nature of their relationship. These plot lines, along with the background romance between Rainbow Dash and Big Macintosh, collide in a shocking conclusion. The story has been complete for nearly seven years, and was featured by The Pony Fiction Vault as a notable story from the fandom
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After many years of thinking about how cool it would be if I did it, I finally decided to pull the trigger and make this audio book a reality. The entire thing is actually recorded, with myself doing the narration, as well as playing all the characters. It began as a simple reading, however I decided that I want this to be the best it can be. I have been adding sound effects and music to the story, and I have even finished the prologue, which I will link below so you can get a feel for what the end product will sound like. However, the problem remains that, while I humbly feel that I did a good job of doing impressions of the Mane Six, they don't sound very much like them because of my deeper voice.
So, I've decided to put out the call for voice actors and actresses to help me make this project something special. As I said, all the dialogue is recorded how I hear it in my head, so I can provide a pretty good idea of what I want out of your performances. However, I am also very open to artistic liberties. If you gauge the tone and feel of a scene and want to try something different, by all means do it, and if it actually is better, it will go in.
As it was when I wrote this story way back in 2012, all I want to accomplish with this is to tell a good story that will engage people. Knowing someone was entertained by something I had a hand in is the best feeling in the world. If you feel like chipping in to make this a great thing, then please throw your hat into the ring! If you have any questions, you can either PM me here, or send a PM to my FIMFiction account. If all else fails, hit me up on Discord.
Stay safe, stay free, and stay metal! Jake The Army Guy out!
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This is the same Twilight Sparkle from the show, no big difference. The only thing of note is that this story was written with Seasons 1 & 2 Twilight in mind, so she's a bit more sarcastic and not as warm as she would become. "Twilight Snarkle" if you know what that means.
She is the lead of the story. She plays a heavy role in fifteen chapters of seventeen.
“Don’t you know anything about magical theory? Ugh, read a book. All magic leaves behind traces in the form of thaumatic radiation. In the case of passive magic, like an earth pony growing crops or pegasi flight, the radiation dissipates almost immediately. But active magic from unicorns can last for much longer.”
Context: Twilight is explaining some magical theory to Agent Bentgrass. Slightly annoyed, exasperated, with just a slight tinge of smugness.
“Why would I go to her memorial? I didn’t even know her! I think she checked out a book once, but that’s it! I barely remember talking to her. Besides, what would I say to her family? ‘Hi, I’m Twilight Sparkle. I found your daughter’s cor... body.’”
Context: Spike is confronting Twilight about not having left the library for days after finding the first victim's body in the forest. This is said in annoyance tinged with sadness after Spike mentioned she didn't go to the memorial service.
“I mean no! I’ve had enough of this! since you got here, you’ve been nothing but dishonest and sneaky! You broke into my library, you lied to the doctor about working with the sheriff, and you just lied to an entire bar full of ponies, while at the same time insulting their dear friend who just died! And then, you savagely beat a pony! I’ve had enough! I’m not helping you anymore until you start telling the truth!”
Context: Twilight just witnessed Agent Bentgrass do some ethically questionable stuff to get the information he was after, and she is dressing him down.
This is Spike, but not quite as he is in the show. Remember, this takes place seven years after Season Two. Spike is no longer the little boy that he was. He's a teenager now, an adolescent, therefore has a scratchy, "breaky" voice. Imagine a boy getting his butt kicked by puberty.
“Twilight, I’m worried about you. You haven’t opened the library in days. We’ve never been closed on a Sunday before! You’ve blown up more sciencey... things in the past three days than you have in the last three years! Seriously, you got out more back when we lived in Canterlot! You didn’t even go to Berry Punch’s memorial.”
Context: Spike is voicing his concern for Twilight's well-being, because she has isolated herself for days after finding the first victim's body in the forest.
“You don’t get it, do you? Every time I go to sleep, that could be it! I might not wake up for a hundred years! Why do you think I stayed up so late yesterday?! You weren’t there that morning, you didn’t... you didn't see Twi... I... I can’t, okay? I can’t let my last memory of my friends... my family, be of them crying. I just can’t.”
Context: Agent Bentgrass asked Spike why he is not telling his friends about his upcoming 100 year sleep that he can't stop. He's angrily explaining why he's keeping it from them.
“You’re right. And you know what? You could do what you’re doing now and just cry about it. Tell me, is that what you’re going to do when I leave? Is it? Are you going to mope around for the rest of your life? Because if you do, so help me Celestia, I will find a way to bring you back to life, just so I can yell at you.”
Context: Following something tragic happening to one of their friends, Spike is trying to comfort Twilight
Rainbow Dash is Rainbow Dash. While events have mellowed her out a bit and given her a tad more maturity, she's still the same brash, arrogant showoff that we know and love.
“Okay, I’m coming with you. Look, Mister Bright Eyes, if there’s some psycho running around hurting ponies in my home, I’m gonna help stop him. Got it?”
Context: Dash told Twilight she was tagging along as they go to speak with Zecora, but Agent Bentgrass doesn't want her to come because he feels she will slow them down.
“What? I’m fine. That was one of the tricks we used to do in the ‘Bolts. The team would be flying at opposite ends of the stadium and I’d fake being knocked out. I’d fall, the team would race to try and catch me. They’d just miss me, everypony would be screaming. At the last second, I’d bounce of a cloud and roll to the ground, and the crowd would go insane! You know, you’d know this if you had gone to a few more of my shows like you said you would.”
Context: Dash just performed a trick where it looked like she almost died, and Twilight was worried she was in danger.
“Uh, yeah! Do you have any idea who you’ve pissed off by kidnapping us? Well, first off, you have her brother, and my coltfriend. There’s a reason they call him Big Macintosh! He can buck a tree clear out of the ground, and when he gets here, he’s gonna break you in half!”
Context: Dash and the other girls, minus Twilight, have been kidnapped by the killer. Dash is trying to stall so help can arrive, so she is giving a cocky speech to the killer about how badly he messed up by kidnapping them. Also, she finds this all hilarious, so "He's gonna break you in half," should be said through laughter.
Professor Parchment is an old friend of Agent Bentgrass. When we first meet him, he's boisterous, yet kindly older stallion... and a bit of a lech. However, by the end, we see that he has been driven insane by dark magic. He is the killer, for reasons that story get into.
“Ach, who wants to study Scoltland? The weather’s always cold and rainy, the food’s awful, and all the lads walk around in skirts!” Aw, I’m just joshin’ ya, lass. Don’t get me wrong, I love my homeland. But there’s just something about Zebrica. The culture, the traditions. The mares.”
Context: Rainbow Dash asked how a Scoltish(Scottish) pony ends up being Equestria's leading expert on ancient Zebrica.
“Well, you see it’s not a cutie mark. Zebras are like donkeys or cattle, they don’t get cutie marks. It’s a tribal inscription, means she’s a shaman. That’s why she speaks like that. In Zebrican culture, it’s seen as a mark of enlightenment. All shamans, artisans, and village elders speak in rhyme. The eleven rays from the sun means she’s a master level shaman. Most likely, she started studying Zebrican magic around the same age that you did, lass.”
Context: Parchment asked if Zecora speaks in rhyme and has the picture of the sun for a cutie mark. His voice is a bit downtrodden, because he doesn't want to cast guilt on Zecora.
“I will not suffer you insects any longer! The power of the Celestial Parents themselves is at my hooves! Of what consequence are you anymore? I... I-I am more than pony, more than life! I am a god! And now, I take my place among the stars."
Context: Parchment has been revealed to be the killer, and following a big fight, which he lost, he's gone full tilt, unhinged and crazed, having been driven insane by dark magic.
Good old Applejack. Again, not much has changed with her. Minor roles in five chapters.
“She’s been like that all mornin’. I told her she needs to go home and rest, but you know her. I’ll bet bits to bagels it’s all that dang junk food she eats.”
Context: Twilight just saw that Rainbow Dash is sick and throwing up.
“Shoot, Twi, I wish I coulda seen him! The doctor told me he came in here bleedin’, limpin’, and draggin’ four ponies by his teeth! You know, Bentgrass, if you ever get tired of being a secret agent, we could use ya on the farm.”
Context: Applejack is describing how Agent Bentgrass dragged her and three others to the hospital after Twilight got knocked out.
"My brother's dead! That... that thing, ain't my brother, and it ain't... it ain't your husband. All that's left to do is to put that thing outta its misery."
Context: After the final fight, in which Big mac was transformed into a giant, mindless monster, Dash asks Applejack why she is letting Agent Bentgrass go to kill the creature that had been her brother.
Top Notch is the director of the Royal Investigative Service whose secret arm Division Six, acts as a sort of mix between the FBI and the CIA. He's a very old stallion, having been in service to the crown for fifty years, but despite his "genial grandpa" persona, he's a cunning and ruthless agent of the crown. The kind of guy who you would love to have afternoon tea with, but also has enough connections and dirt on everypony that he's one of the most dangerous ponies in the Equestrian government. As for his voice, he's Pipsqueak's grandfather, so heavy British accent.
“Too many for my old mind to remember, your highness. And as I have said numerous times, once you have finally forced me to retire, I shall gladly offer you a hoofshake. But until that day, I will greet you with naught but a humble bow.”
Context: Princess Celestia asked him, "Top, how many times must I tell you that you don't need to bow to me?"
“You know that the R.I.S. is always at your service. You command, we obey. However, I’m hesitant to dispatch an investigator on something that, if you’ll pardon me, sounds so... trivial. It’s just that, well, it is the Everfree Forest. Tartarus knows how many wild, bloodthirsty creatures call that place home. I’d hate to pull an agent in just to find it a simple case of somepony running afoul of a cockatrice. You understand, your highness?”
Context: Princess Celestia has ordered Director Notch to send an agent to investigate Berry Punch's murder. As the R.I.S. has limited resources, he's trying to imply that this is a waste of time.
“I’m sorry, Doctor Sparkle, but that’s the best I can do. Division Six only has so many agents, and as I said, I need Agent Bentgrass in Stalliongrad. If you’d like, I can speak to your brother about pulling in a few Royal Guards in the interim. I do hope you understand.”
Context: After a briefing from Agent Bentgrass, Director Notch agrees the case is far from solved, but has to pull Bentgrass out, and the nearest other agent is a week away.
Same Rarity we all know and love. Her role is minor, though, only appearing in the last three chapters.
"Ha! You’re not going to be, ugh, consuming anypony! Twilight has probably already sent word to the Princesses. Any second now, she and her brother will come crashing through that wall with dozens of Royal Guards!”
Context: After she and the girls have been kidnapped, the killer lay out his horrifying plans for them. Rarity is confidently telling him that he will fail.
"Wah-ha-ha! Oh, Rainbow, you have no idea how long I've been waiting for this! Everypony has known this was coming for ages! We were just waiting for Macintosh to finally work up the nerve to ask."
Context: In the final chapter, Rarity learns that Rainbow Dash and Big Macintosh are getting married.
“Oh, and you simply must let me know who the Mare of Honor will be so I can make the proper ensemble. And then you must tell me what you think of the designs I have for foal clothes! I did think it a bit premature, but knowing what we know now, I dare say I was ahead of the curb. Oh, won’t it be marvelous? Little rainbow-maned earth ponies, crimson pegasi, or maybe e—”
Context: As above, Rarity has gone full fashionista.
Eeyup. Big Macintosh, just as he is in the show... just a bit more talkative.
"Ugh, slower’n zap-apple jam in January. How in the hay can a day of doing math be more exhausting than a day of buckin' apples?"
Context: Mac has spent all day balancing the farm's books. he now lays in bed with Rainbow Dash.
“Neither had I, before Dashie. You know, I—I always thought my life would be simple: work the farm, support AJ and Apple Bloom, let them two go off ‘n find love. Weren’t never any time for me to find it. Then... then she came along. Now I... I had somethin’ for myself. Somethin’ special, that I won’t let nopony take.”
Context: Having learned that Rainbow is in danger, Mac explains why it is so important they find her. The preceeding line is him asking Twilight if she has ever been in love.
"I tried to kill you, Dash! I... I can remember everythin'. Every second of it. It was... it was like a, a voice in my head. Screamin', howlin' in my ears! I di— I didn't just wanna kill you. I... I wanted to hurt you. Wanted to tear you apart, rip ya to pieces!”
Context: Mac is describign to Dash the horrific experience of having been turned into a vile monster and what it was like being a slave tot he corrupting influence.
It's Fluttershy. Yay!
“Well, Angel, that was the last patient for the day, I think.” She looked down at the white bunny at her hooves. “Now, how about we go make some carrot stew?”
Context: Uh... she just finished treating the last patient of the day. Just what is says on the tin!
“W-We had just finished with t-t-the last patient when A—Angel f-fell down and started screaming. He... He c-changed and attacked me. Oh, I know he didn’t m-m-mean to! It must have been... h-her...”
Context: Angel Bunny was transformed into a massive, hulking monster. Fluttershy is telling Twilight what happened after she stopped Agent Bentgrass from killing the monster.
“Poor Angel feels just awful about what happened. t wasn’t his fault, though! That evil pony was controlling him! He said it was like a voice shouting in his head, forcing him to do terrible things.”
Context: In the final chapter, Angel Bunny's mind has returned and he is no longer being controlled... but he's still a giant, hulking monster. Fluttershy is trying to convince the girls that he's no longer a threat.
Berry Punch is the first murder victim, the catalyst for the entire plot. She's a fun drunk, well loved by the other regulars at the bar, and she is greatly mourned after she dies. Can you sound drunk? You're hired!
“Awwww, you’re just jealous. You know I’d win that karaoke contest! Winter wrap-up, winter-wrap up! Let’s... uh, something, something, de, de dah, cheer!”
Context: Berry Punch was just cut off by the bartender, and he is helping her out the door. The "Winter wrap-up" be should be sung.
“Okay, s-show yourself! know you’re there! Wh-what do you want?”
Context: Having found herself in the Everfree Forest, she hears a ruatling and hevay breathing from a bush. She's scared.
“P-please help. Somepony was chasing me. They... they tried to hurt...”
Context: After running for her life, Berry tripped and slammed into a tree, knocking her out. When she awakens, she feels someone laying on the ground behind her. She's terrified, traumatized... and this is her second to last line before she dies.
Sheriff Shackle is, well, the sheriff of Ponyville. Short and fat, he comes across as a genial, kind-hearted stallion... but he's actually a scumbag. He wants to cover up the fact that Berry Punch was murdered just to keep his crime free streak going until he retires in three months. He speaks with a Canterlot accent, sounding much like Rarity, though his is much more haughty and self-important.
"You see, Agent Bentgrass, Ponyville is a peaceful little hamlet. Why, did you know that in its entire history, not one pony has died from anything other than accident or natural causes? In fact, when I retire in three months, I will hold the record for the longest period of uninterrupted peace in the history of Equestria! 35 straight years and not a single case of violent crime!"
Context: Shackle is explaining how peaceful and calm Ponyville is to Bentgrass
“Shut up! I will not have you questioning my authority as well! Or perhaps you’d like me to contact your parents in Hoofston. Tell them the kind of... lifestyle life their daughter leads.”
Context: The deputy began to question his insistence that no foul play has taken place, and he's threatening to out her to her parents in order to keep her in line.
Tap is the owner and bartender of The Watering Hole, Ponyville's premiere, and only, bar. He's in his mid-forties, and just your average Joe. Lots of leeway with this role.
“Okay, Berry, I think it’s time you headed home. I doubt Sheriff Shackle wants to deal with you again.”
Context: Berry Punch just made a lewd joke at him.
“Sh-shut up, shut up! Okay, okay so— shut up! So, I said ‘Berry, w-why four shots?’ And she s... she says, ‘Well, Tap, I don’t want anypony to feel left out, so I’m gonna buy one from all four of you!’”
Context: It's Berry Punch's "memorial" at the bar she frequented, but instead of crying, they're doing what Berry would have wanted, telling stories and laughing about the good times. This story is about the time she asked him for four shots of apple whiskey.
Same old Zecora. Though note that in the second chapter she is in, her is neurotic, twitchy, and harried. We later learn that the killer was slowly altering her brain chemistry, turning her into an unhinged psychopath.
"My reasons for leaving are my own, and I do not think I like your tone."
Context: Agent Bentgrass is very coldly interrogating her on why she moved from Zebrica all the way to the Everfree Forest. She is very defensive, her voice cold and dangerous
“A full night of meditation and stillness led me to the source of this illness. Your search for a killing pony must cease. What you hunt is, in fact, a beast. A legend passed down from ancestors of mine. It is the Mbwun(Muh-bwoon), foulest demon of the ancient times.”
Context: Zecora is recanting an old Zebrican legend to Twilight and Bentgrass. She's harried and unkempt, seeming a bit unstable.
Stuffy doctor. For reference, he's the yellow unicorn that treated Rainbow Dash in Read it & Weep. However, I am willing to go with any voice, really.
“You could say that. I was the doctor on-call the night Nightmare Moon returned. Some of your cohorts were... less than thrilled when I refused to let them see the injured guards while they were still being treated. I was detained and nearly stripped of my medical license!”
Context: Doctor Well has an extreme dislike for Division Six, for the reasons stated above. When he learns that AGnet Bentgrass is one of them, he becomes very hostile to him.
“What it means, Agent Bentgrass, is that timberwolves have claws. Claws tear, rip, shred. This... was cut. Most likely with a... kitchen knife or something similar. I can’t be certain.”
COntext: Doctor Well is begrudingly laying out the reasons why the "official" cause of death for Berry Punch, a timberwolf attack, is a load of crap.
“I... I had no choice! I got in trouble a few years ago. I got called in to perform emergency surgery on a young filly. When I got the page, I was... at the pub. I-I swear, I only had a few drinks! I thought I was okay! But, she... she didn’t...”
Context: He is explaining why he went along with Sheriff Shackle's cover up.
AN OC from a friend's story, Sharptooth is almost as old as Celestia, so they see each others as equals. For his voice, I always heard James Earl Jones, but I'm open to anything, really.
"Oh, I didn’t mind coming down, Celestia. Spike here is one of the first dragons besides myself to be raised by ponies. I'm just as interested in his well-being as you are."
Context: After the events of the final fight, Princess Celestia called an old dragon friend to come and examine Spike to make sure he's okay.
"Well, whatever it was that caused this left your bones severely demineralized. I'd advise you eat a diet high in gem stones for the next month or so, specifically labradorite. It's high in calcium and will also speed the healing of your injuries."
Again, it's Princess Celestia. All I can think of for direction is that this story went by old fanon that Celestia and Luna are demigoddesses, the daughters of "The Celestial Parents" who created the universe. So, she's warm and kind, but with an inescapable sense of superiority. Not out of arrogance, but because... well, she literally is superior to everypony else.
"Of course, Jet Set. I feel simply awful about how Upper Crust was treated. Being asked to move down a row so they could properly see the Wonderbolts Derby. How dreadfully rude.”
Context: It's Royal Court, and Celestia is listening to a snooty Canterlot A-hole whine about being "disrespected" by the Griffon Ambassador. Imagine the most over-the-top fake sympathy you can imagine
"Don’t misunderstand, General Armor is one of the best military ponies to have ever served me, but the last thing I want is a brigade of Royal Guards invading the town and spreading panic. Shining is a fine officer, but he can be a bit... protective of his baby sister. Besides, I’d rather this stay under wraps for the time being.”
Context: Director Top Notch just mentioned that Shining Armor probably wouldn't be too happy and Division Six agents getting involved with his baby sister.
Princess Luna. Something something fun has been doubled.
"I have finished my examination of the Professor's body. I believe we, as well, should retire to someplace a bit more... private."
“He never was controlling her. It seems that whatever Parchment did physically altered her brain chemistry. Her EKG resembles that of a severe schizophrenic now. Such fundamental changes are... most likely permanent.”
Context: Luna is explaining to Rarity and Applejack why Zecora isn't back to normal now that Parchment is dead.
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