The Travelling Argument

The air stood still as the group stepped toward the tunnel entrance into the Diamond Dogs lair. Before anyone set hoof into the tunnel, Maboo stepped up front and put her leg out and stopped them from going down. She waited.

"Maboo? Is something wrong?" asked Valhalla.

Maboo kept her leg up. "Wait for it."

The area grew more and more silent. The group looked at her strangely and was about to protest again, but before they could Maboo reared on her hooves.

"CHAAAAAAAAARGE!"

Maboo took off with the speed that rivaled an Alpha Timberwolf, galloping down the tunnel and stopping at the first tunnel that was dug by the Diamond Dogs.

She took a deep breath. "HELLO DOWN THERE! WE ARE COMING DOWN TO DEFEAT YOU IN A GLORIOUS BATTLE OF STEALTH! DO NOT TELL ANYPONY! ECHO!"

Her voice echoed throughout all the tunnels, even managing to shake up part of the old factory.

Tex gaped at her. "Um... doesn't that defeat the purpose-"

"She's buying us time, just like you asked," said Willow. "Lets go, she's going to need our help."

"Her methods are certainly... different," said Star with a sideways glance. "Nevertheless, the battle begins!"

"Right! And we'll go get the bow and find Gem," said Evening. "Come on Sky. You too, Tex."

The group began to charge down the tunnel after Maboo.

Swift grunted. "Where I have no form of weapon or defenses, in a location that makes movement difficult. Wee."

"I assume you can use a knife, Swift Blade," said Willow. "I can't let you be defenseless, even if I wanted to." She slipped two small blades over to Swift.

"Thanks. And yes, I can."

"Don't tell Sky. Just, please try to keep the killing to a minimum. Evening looks up to both you and Sky right now."

"Non-lethal. Got it." Swift ran off before any more could be said.

Maboo was still ahead of the group. She dove head first into a steep tunnel. "You cannot catch me, silly Diamond Dogs! I bet you are so slow you couldn't catch a snail! I dare you to try and come up here! Weeee!"

Star caught up and shined a light down the tunnel where Maboo dropped. "Maboo! Is it safe to fall down there? Are there any traps?"

Maboo's voice echoed back up. "Yes, it's perfectly safe. For now. You should probably go down another hole while I distract them all in this tunnel!" Her voice became more distant. "Come on ya dirt diggers! Throw me your best!"

"Alright, quickly, everypony into the next hole," said Valhalla. "Evening and Swift first!"

Star moved to the next hole. She looked down and turned to Swift. "After you."

Swift dove in head first. "I regret nothiiiiiiiing."

Evening peered down the hole. "Ooh. That looks deep." She jumped down after Swift, sliding along the tunnel with her staff instead of falling.

Tex jumped in after her, keeping the camouflage ring close at hand in case he needed to use it.

Star jumped in next, pulling Willow in behind her with magic. As they reached the bottom she cast an orb of light spell to illuminate the cave around them.

Valhalla stood outside the hole, hesitating to jump in. He looked back at Sky Runner. "Sky, you should stay here and guard the exit, just in case."

Sky pouted. "Fine. Tell me if you find anything shiny."

Valhalla looked back at the hole and took a deep breath. "Well... here goes nothing," he jumped down the hole and tumbled around as he fell. "Ahhh! Zebras were never meant to be underground!"

Once they were all down and ready they could hear voices echoing from a dozen different directions. Tex searched around and eventually pointed down one tunnel.

"I hear Gem," he said. "Where do you think they would have her bow?"

"If her ability is as you say, as far from her as possible," said Swift.

Tex turned around. "So, then... this way!" He ran down the tunnel opposite of where his sister's voice came from.

Evening tilted her head. "He just ran off. I'll get him back!" She ran after Tex and the both of them disappeared down a tunnel.

Willow stepped forward. "Get back here you two!"

Before Willow could chase after them, Maboo came speeding towards them from another tunnel.

"Okay guys, I gotta be quick," said Maboo, dancing in place as she spoke. "I'm distracting as many Diamond Dogs as I can. I passed a tunnel and got a brief glimpse at Gem, and she's alright. I suggest you split up to get her bow and the others get Gem. Hey wait, where's Evening and Tex? Ah never mind, just hurry and save Gem, I'll keep these Diamond Dogs busy." She bolted down another series of tunnels, with lots of barking and shouting following.

"Willow, go with Tex and Evening," said Valhalla. "Swift and Star, you're with me. Let's go save Gem."

Willow nodded. "Right!" She ran down the same tunnel after Tex and Evening, trying to step as quietly as possible.

Down the tunnels, Evening catches up to Tex. "You can't just run off like that! We're a team, and-" They turned a corner and entered a room with nothing inside except a table, bow and a large Diamond Dog staring down at them. "-Good... dog," Evening leaned over to Tex and whispered. "Tex, grab the bow, no sudden movements."

Tex slowly approached the table, with the Diamond Dog just standing there assessing his movements. "H-hey there. I'm just a bit hungry, so if you don't mind me eating this," He grabbed the bow from the table and ate it.

Evening prodded Tex back. "Good, now when I tell you-"

Willow came speeding around the corner, laying eyes on the two of them and the Diamond Dog. "This is why we don't split the party! And you! Bad dog!"

The dog began to growl at them.

Tex leaned to Evening. "Now? I can clear the caves if we can get to Gem."

Evening nodded. "Go. Get that bow to her. Me and Willow will keep this one off of you."

Tex ran back down the tunnel towards the group while Evening and Willow closed off the Diamond Dog's escape.

"Good, I don't think he's buying my alpha voice anymore," said Willow. "Ready to fight?"

Evening nodded confidently. "I was born ready!"

"Good, because you're my backup." Willow flared her wings and launched herself at the Diamond Dog, throwing hoof after hoof in a blur of attacks. She knocked the dog off balance, and quickly gave a solid buck to its face, dropping him instantly.

Willow brushed herself off casually. "Sorry, I stole your thunder didn't I? Let's just got rescue Gem."

Evening gaped at her. "That was amazing, Willow! You took him out in a few seconds. Just look at his poor face."

"Don't stop to look! He's going to wake up angry, come on!"

Meanwhile, with the other group.

"So, what's the plan? I can do minimal defense with what I've got," said Swift.

"I can focus a small magic wave to break the lock and get Gem out," said Star. "After that, we get out of the caves as fast as possible. Did you hear that, Valhalla?"

Tex came running out of a tunnel towards them. "Yeah, yeah, break the lock. Come on!" He continues running past them and towards the tunnel Gem was in.

"Hold on, let me see what I can do," said Valhalla. He looked through his saddle pack and pulled out a small leather ball. "Aha, I knew I still had one of these. A smoke bomb. Tex, Star, you two should activate your camo rings, get to Gem and free her. The second the lock breaks I'll throw the smoke bomb in there, and you all run straight back here. And, uh, let's do this quickly. Don't need any more risk of being caught. I sure hope Maboo is still doing her job."

Tex and Star activated their camo rings and ran down the tunnel. They entered a large room filled with stalactites and stalagmites and a metal cage at the far end. No Diamond Dogs were present. Tex rushed up to the cage and whispered.

"Gem, you will be free in no time. I brought your bow," he burped out the bow and handed it towards her. "We can do the trick and save everypony down here. That is as long as they can open your cage and get inside."

A young filly looked out of the cage with confusion. "Tex? Is that you? Where are you?"

Tex turned off the camo ring and revealed himself. "It's me, I'm right here!"

"Tex, what in Equestria are you talking about?" asked Star. "What is your plan? You haven't hardly spoken a word about it."

The rest of the group came running up to them.

"Yes, Tex. What are you planning to do?" asked Willow with a serious tone.