The Equestrian Inferno

Galaxy and I made our way across another shorter iron bridge to the next island and continued in this fashion in the general direction of the next section of the circle. This section was deserted. This place seemed to be hostile to plant life, since so far we had seen none. Only the shimmering black sea of lava and scattered dark brown islands made up the drab landscape. Galaxy always trotted before me to ensure that I did not step into some hidden hot spot. So far, neither of us spoke as we tried to figure out what to do.

"You know" I said at last, "the fire equines have probably sorted things out by now. They may be tracking us."

"I don't know" replied Galaxy, "but if they are, there's not much we can do about it now; other than maybe travel along faster. It would be helpful if we were more enlightened as to where we are going."

"Then again" I pondered out loud, "You did tell them we were under the protection of the princess right?"

"Yeah" she said, "but even that might not stop them now that they're sure to be all fired up, no pun intended. Trust me, those ponies are incredibly violent and have nearly no self-control."

As if on cue, I heard a sound behind as like soft thunder, gradually increasing in volume. Turning around, I saw that we were in fact being chased by a pack of six fire equines, galloping over land and flying over the lava toward us, rage burning in their eyes."

Galaxy stood motionless for a moment before acting. "Quick, get on me" she said. I had not even properly mounted her before she took off like a contestant beginning the Running of the Leaves who doesn't know how to pace herself. The wind in my ears was enough to muffle the sound of our pursuers however I did not dare look back. Racing ahead, we came to the border of the circle. Galaxy's horn lit alight with her magic aura as did a line of water before us. When the pink light faded, I saw that it had become a path of ice. At once, Galaxy leapt onto it, galloped across, and leapt to the next section.

"We're safe now" she said as I got off. We both looked back over the dividing water at the fire equines on the other bank. The distance between us was enough to muffle their look of hatred.

"Wow, that was really something wasn't it" she said, "We sure were lucky. Ice does not hold up to the thrashing attacks of hydras very well."

I looked around at our new surroundings, which we had so abruptly entered.

Around us stood a large number of ponies wearing dresses, though clearly not the beautiful fancy and elegant dresses of the Carousel Boutique. These were brown and leathery. As I watched them, I noticed that all the ponies were in fact moving, just extremely slowly.

"They don't look like they want to be bothered" I said to Galaxy.

"Well, you could at least try" she replied back.

"Hey" a voice called, "Are you a brony?"

I turned around and saw the voice belonged to a rustic looking earth pony with pale yellow fur and a red mane. "Ummmm, sure…" I replied.

The earth pony ambled over to us at a snail's pace. "Hey there" she said, "My name's Apple Bloom. Nice to meet you. I'd shake you hoof … er hand I guess if I could but I don't think I can lift my hoof with all this weight on it."

"Really? I asked, "it doesn't look too bad."

"Oh it sure as heck doesn't look too bad" replied Apple Bloom, "but it's enchanted to be as heavy as if it were made of dragon scales."

"Oh, we why is that?" I asked.

"I dunno" she replied, "that's just how we hypocrites are punished I guess"

"Hypocrite?" I exclaimed in confusion, "how are you a hypocrite?"

"Well, you see" she explained, "the Apple Family takes the idea of a family very seriously and when I was ashamed of Granny Smith, I showed that I didn't do this."

"Oh, I…" I stopped talking when I noticed a pink pony in the background stuck to the ground with an iron nail in each hoof. Apple Bloom saw me looking.

"Oh, that's the former Princess Cadance" she said, "she's here because she often used her magic to create lust instead of love. She would do this secretly to ponies she fancied. In addition, she objected to Princess Luna's return from the moon because it would increase competition for her. Because of this, she must lie there and let us trample her as we walk by"

I grimaced at the thought of such a punishment. "Hey" said Apple Bloom, "at least we don't wear high heels like some of you human folk"

Galaxy spoke up. "So, can you by any chance point us in the direction of the bridge out of this place?" she asked.

"Sure thing" replied Apple Bloom, "just go in the direction of that tree over there and you'll see it. You can't miss it with flat terrain like this. Be careful though. It's broken in the center and a series of large boulders stacked on each other have been dumped in the gap as a solution."

"Wow, two broken bridges in a row" said Galaxy.

"Huh" replied Apple Bloom, "what do you mean?"

"Well" explained Galaxy, the bridge leading over to this circle was broken too. Hence our novel entry."

"It sure doesn't look like it" said Apple Bloom gesturing with her head at a spot behind us. I turned around and saw that the bridge leading to the circle was indeed intact.

"Ugghh" said Galaxy, "I knew it. He lied to us. They always do." In a huff, she began galloping off in search of the next bridge. Thanking Apple Bloom for her help, I followed.