My Little Bokurano

"When I became a princess of Equestria, I thought I could solve any problem that came my way. Ever since I moved to Ponyville, I laughed, I cried, I got angry, I thought that I already knew most of what there was to my world. However, I was protected by the notion that friendship could solve anything. I learned that nothing could be further from the truth when my friends and I gathered together. And then, we met it." - Twilight Sparkle

All was well in the Crystal Empire. Princess Cadance had invited Twilight Sparkle and her friends for a day of sunshine and fun at the local park. The sun shone down warmly on the fourteen ponies and one dragon, and also made the lake gleam brightly. The gentle wind rustled the trees and bushes that were inhabited by singing bluebirds. It seemed like nothing could go wrong that day.

"Wow, it's so beautiful out!" Twilight Sparkle said.

"Well, a beautiful day suits a beautiful princess," Flash Sentry said.

"Come on Flash," Twilight Sparkle said, blushing. "Just because we've started dating doesn't mean we have to get gushy right away!"

"But I mean it!" Flash Sentry said, nodding.

A short distance away, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy strolled along the sidewalk together.

"The animals here are friendlier than the ones in Canterlot," Fluttershy said.

"And the people here are happier too!" Pinkie Pie cheered. "Huge improvement from those stuffed shirts at the Gala!"

"I might bring Angel Bunny here some day," Fluttershy said. "He might like the other bunnies here."

As if on cue, Derpy Hooves, Twilight's newest friend, flew in next to Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy. She was carrying two gray bunnies.

"Look at these bunnies!" Derpy said. "They're so fluffy!"

"I think you should put them back where you found them," Fluttershy said.

"Daw... alright." Derpy flew away with the two bunnies.

Meanwhile, Spike and Big Macintosh were chatting by a tree.

"So, you harvest apples by kicking trees?" Spike asked.

"Eeyup," Big Macintosh replied.

"Don't you ever get tired of that?" Spike asked.

Big Macintosh answered, "Nope."

Shining Armor and Princess Cadance cuddled together behind a bush.

"Just think about it, Cadance," Shining Armor said. "We're going to be parents soon!"

"Not so loud!" Cadance whispered, "I don't want everyone else to know until it's time!"

"Well, they're gonna find out eventually," Shining Armor said.

"Yeah, but our foal won't be born for another seven or eight months," Cadance said. "I just want to keep my pregnancy a secret for now."

"Anyways," Shining Armor continued. "What do you want to name it?"

"If it's a boy, I would say something along the lines of Gleaming Sword," Cadance said. "However, if it's a girl, I really want to name it Skyla."

"Skyla..." Shining Armor mused. "That's a really beautiful name."

Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, Apple Jack, and Rainbow Dash were playing ball. Rarity rested by a nearby tree.

"Pass it over here, sis!" Apple Bloom said.

"Alright, here it comes!" Applejack replied, kicking the ball to her sister.

Apple Bloom bounced the ball on her head a few times before passing it to Scootaloo. Scootaloo used her hoof to spike the ball over to Rainbow Dash, who caught it with her wing.

"Heads up, Sweetie Belle!" Rainbow Dash cried. She threw the ball to an eager Sweetie Belle.

"I've got it! I've got it!" Sweetie Belle hopped to catch the ball. She landed in a mud puddle, which made mud go flying everywhere. A high pitched scream pierced the air. The five playing ponies turned to see where it came from.

"SWEETIE BELLE!" Rarity shrieked, all covered in mud.

"Whoops..." Sweetie Belle said quietly.

Applejack and Apple Bloom chucked. Scootaloo struggled to hold back laughter, but Rainbow Dash didn't even try to hide her amusement. She rolled on the ground, guffawing wildly.

"Sorry sis..." Sweetie Belle said meekly. Rarity did not respond; she just stormed off in a huff.

"We know you didn't mean it," Scootaloo said, putting a hoof around Sweetie Belle.

The fifteen friends gathered together in the center of the park.

"Do you think we should head back?" Cadance asked.

"It is getting late," Fluttershy added.

"But it barely seems we had any time to play," Rainbow Dash said.

"Yeah, I don't want to head back either," Spike replied.

"I have an idea," Flash Sentry spoke up. "There's a cave over there, so how about we do some exploring."

"Okay, how does that sound to everypony?" Twilight Sparkle asked.

"I'm down with that," Scootaloo answered.

"As long as we don't stay there too long, I think we should be fine," Cadance added. "Shining, could you lead the way?"

"Sure thing, hon," Shining Armor said with a smile.

Shining Armor and Flash Sentry led the group down to the cave at the other end of the park. It was a simple enough place, a brown rock structure with a small opening wasn't too out of the ordinary. The fifteen friends went into the dark cave, and the unicorns used their horns to light up the area. They proceeded down the narrow pathway in a single file line.

"Who's stepping on my tail?" Rarity asked.

"Sorry 'bout that," Derpy said.

The damp ground made a squishing noise every time somepony stepped on it. Since there were fifty-six hooves and two dragon feet stepping on the ground, the sounds of squishing filled the air.

"I think we should turn back," Fluttershy said. "This place is scary!"

"Come on, where's your sense of adventure?" Rainbow Dash said.

"A light," Applejack said, looking ahead.

"I think there's someone else here!" Pinkie Pie said, hopping up and down.

"I say we should check it out!" Applebloom said.

The fifteen friends walked toward the light and when they reached it, they found a den. It was roughly twenty feet in diameter and had several glowing screens.

"What are those things?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"I think they're called monitors," Twilight answered. "Strange, I thought they only existed in storybooks."

Everyone heard hoof steps coming from another opening in the cave.

"Who do you think that is?" Shining Armor asked.

"Not sure, but I think we'll find out," Twilight whispered.

A shadow of a pony formed near the doorway...