Alice in underland

by Fillyphil

Rating: everyone
Tags: Dark, Adventure
Length: 16110

Fluttershy is kidnapped, and odd geometric signatures are being heard from deep under ground.

Fluttershy is kidnapped inside the forest during a simple nature walk by ghoulish creatures, at the same time, scientists have detected strange signals from under the town of ponyville. Now Fluttershy has to survive her captivity while her friends go search for her with odd technology, and odder friends, to face a ancient enemy of the throne.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2012-04-14 19:20:39 UTC

Part one

Alice in Underland

By Fillyphil

Part 1

“La la la la, la! La la la la, la!” Sang Equestia’s Life Loving Lady, her wonderous voice attracting small woodland creatures as she trotted down the forestry trail. Her mane was the most wonderful shade of light pink, mixed with innocent, sky blue eyes, and a soft shade of yellow for her coat, made for a natural beauty that rivaled even the most luxurious models in Equestria, added with a heart of gold, made her quite the mare that was often overlooked.

Winter has just been wrapped-up once more in Ponyville, and Spring was warmly welcomed by the ponies and wildlife. The Spring season was given one heck of a start, with the pegasi in Cloudsdale having sunny weather planned for the next couple weeks, and Celestia with the assistance of luna to bring the night and day. Equestia was in for a spring that they would never forget.

Fluttershy found the most joy from the Spring season out of all of Celestia’s subjects, for only in the woods, could she lose her timid nature for a strong personality. She smiled softly at the small animals, woken up just the day before with sleepy faces. She breathed in the many fragrances of the woods, the blooming flowers, the green trees, and the expansive grass. She took in the natural wonder and joy around her that many ponies usually took for granted. She loved the beautiful plants, the adored the critters, and sympathized for the impatient bunny on her back, with fur the color of angel wings.

“Oh please forgive me Angel, but I just couldn’t resist taking this scenic route, not on such such a beautiful day like this.” Fluttershy  apologized.

Angel Swiveled on her back and faced her with a disapproving look, tapping his large foot vigorously,

“Don’t worry Angel, I’m sure the others won’t mind if we’re a teensy bit late.” Fluttershy assured, not affected by the rabbit’s rude behavior.

Angel, now frustrated, sat down on her left saddle bag with an intentional “wump!”. the force combined with Fluttershy’s weak knees and the many the sandwiches in her left bag, nearly sent her tumbling. Fluttershy quickly moved her hooves to stop her potential collapse then took a second to regain her balance. After straightening out, she let out a harmless giggle and continued on the path.

“What a wonderful day!” Fluttershy thought, absorbing the natural beauty of the woods.

“... And then the dragon got hit over the head with a banjo!” giggled the Pink Party Pony, her green reptilian companion biting her trailing tail with an iron grip.

“What are you talking about Pinkie?” asked the Wise WItty Woman next to her, her mysterious night roamer turning its head while perched precariously on her flank, as if asking the same question.

“Derpy is right, randomly blurting out the punchlines of jokes is still super funny!” Pinkie Pie laughed, the bells on her saddle jingling as she convulsed in a mix of giggles and snorts, falling on her back in the middle of the field.

Twilight stopped to observe the pink pony engulfed in her own humor. She rolled her eyes with a grin at Pinkie’s extra giggly behavior. “ Don’t fall behind, we don’t want to be later than we already are.” Twilight said light heartedly.

“We’re already here!” Pinkie shouted unnecessarily loud as she recovered from her laugh-gasm instantly; she bounced toward the two contradicting ponies under a large, old, oak tree that sat at the edge of the tree line, a little jingle emanating from her with every bounce towards them. Twilight paused to try and grasp the brevity of how fast they traversed the field, but settled with “Time flys when you try too hard to understand Pinkie” and approached the three, the gems on her saddlebag glinting in the sunlight as she went on.

A bleached white mare approached the two, her mane filled with luxurious curls and colored a magnificent deep purple, her expensive saddle bags swayed as she walked over. “Oh hello darlings! Isn’t the weather on this fine day just wonderful? The perfect humidity balance does wonders for sustaining hair and makeup, don’t you think?” The Gorgeous Generous Gentle-mare said with a dramatic flip of her mane while a majestic persian feline batted at her well-kept tail, not as grumpy as usual.

“Uh, sure.” The Fair Farmhand Foal said a little unsure of the best answer. “Welp, the Apple trees are bloomin’ faster than big mack to lunch after a mornin’ of apple buckin’; the cabbages are fit as a fiddle, didn’ need an ounce of fertilizer; and the cucumbers are as content as ...well, a cucumber! Yep, this fine weather’s workin’ a up a spell on sweet apple acres!” A rambunctious K-9 hopped up from behind Applejack, enthusiastic to greet the newcomers and their pets.

Owlicious departed off of Twilight’s rear with a powerful flap of her wings, gummy following in her example while he let his grip go and waddled to the other two pets weaving through the grass.

“You look wonderful, Rarity, and that’s great news Applejack” Twilight agreed reluctantly. The two smiled, satisfied with the response.

Applejack reared up in an excited “yeehaw!”. Her rugged, yet fashionable saddlebag bouncing with her. “This weather is doin’ wonders for everypony and plant!” Applejack’s smile faded while she paused for a moment, and looked at Twilight and the giggly pony in confusion. “ Speakin’ of which, have any of you two seen Fluttershy, or RainboWAAAAAAH!” Applejack yelled out as a blue mass shot out of the tree blindingly fast and slammed into the ground next to the group, sending dirt and blades of grass flying. As the dirt settled, and the initial shock faded,  the Agile Allegiant Athlete was left standing in a glorious pose, a radically designed saddle tightly fastened to her midsection.

“Careful Rainbow!” Twilight said with concern, and a little agitation.

“Somepony could've gotten hurt!” Twilight said with a bit more agitation.

“Ahh! Twitchy Twitchy! Run for cover!’ Pinkie yelled, hitting the ground and placing both forelegs over her head. Almost immediately after she yelled her warning, a green mass toppled out of the tree and landed square on Twilight’s head.

“Ow! Twilight yelped in pain. The shell bounced to the ground after contact with Twilight’s head,  and a small, wrinkly head eased itself out of the green projectile.

“Aah ha ha ha ha!” Rainbow laughed, “Nice one Tank!” she hovered into the air and bobbed as she laughed, feeling a suddenly immense amount of pride for Tank. Twilight glared at the rainbow-maned pegasus in the air. “Hey, don’t look at me like that! Tank is just a newbie in extreme sports, I can’t be held responsible for his actions ...” She took another look at Twilight rubbing her head. “... Or his accidents!” Rainbow managed to say before falling into another fit of laughter. Pinkie joined in on the laughing, while Applejack snickered feverishly. Rarity even turned her head, shielding the large smirk on her face with her wondrous locks of hair.

Twilight let out a small smile at her chortling friends, but the same question coming to Twilight’s head that was asked before. “Rainbow, have you seen Fluttershy today?” Twilight asked. Rainbow calmed down and thought for a moment.

“uh... no. I flew over to her place earlier today extra early so we could both get to the picnic early like she always did, but when I got there, she was gone, so I figured she’d already left and I bolted over here.”

“And how long ago was that?”

“About forty minutes ago. Me and Tank got here first, even before Fluttershy, and took nap in the tree.” Rainbow Dash bragged while the others exchanged worried glances.

Rarity spoke up with concern, “ Forty minutes ago! Do you think something happened?”

Pinkie Pie chimed in “Yeah! Fluttershy should be here by now at least, figuring since me and Twilight were made late by somepony who was too busy eating a big-ol-cake.” Pinkie Pie nudged towards Twilight with a cough.

“Firstly, Pinkie, that was you who made me wait for you to eat that cake, and secondly, it was unnatural how fast you ate that huge cake.” Twilight corrected, pointing her hoof as to whom she spoke of to be clear.

“Oh yeah!” Pinkie laughed.

“Still, she has a point. Fluttershy wouldn’t be this late to our picnic.” Twilight said mixed with confusion and concern.

“Oh come on! Fluttershy’s a grown pony, she can handle herself. I bet something last minute came up that she just had to deal with.” Rainbow said, fed up with the unnecessary concern.

“Rainbow’s right, she can handle herself just fine, In fact, I bet she’s hightailin’ over as we speak.” Applejack said confidently. “In the meantime, who’s up for some horse square!?”

“I got my ball!” Pinkie sang, pulling a bright red orb from her bag.

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The balcony doors shimmered into an ominous yellow glow, and were willed open, revealing a beautiful alicorn, twice as tall as anypony in her kingdom. The Powerful Pleasant Princess took a few steps outside, to admire her work in the sky. The sun glimmered a magnificent yellow with a tinge of orange, and its beams spread wide across the land, bathing the the city in a glorious soak of light, reflecting off the many grand spires and towers in the kingdom. As she looked bellow from her high perch, she spied the many fields and forests in her kingdom, shimmering a deep, forest green. The princess looked outwards, examining the snowy mountain tops far away, glimmering in the sun’s gaze, and she spotted the not so small anymore, Ponyville. Stretches of farmland covered around it, while a bustling town laid in the center. The princess closed her eyes, to better feel the cool breeze flow through her multi-colored mane, and the warm sun, pierce her coat, and warm her body. The princess felt chills for the first time in a while from this experience.

A smaller pony approached slowly in the dark room behind, herself nearly blending in with the shadowy surroundings. The Mysterious Misty Mare approached cautiously, the Princess not yet noticing. She finally spoke up in a meek voice that could rival Fluttershy’s, “It tis beautiful”.

The princess heard this, and spoke without turning, not surprised by the visitor. “I couldn’t of done it without you.”

“Ludicrous! You’ve doneth it for a millennium without thine’s help, both the sun and moon.” The alicorn spoke in the thousand year old speech, but with little of the confidence it was supposed to imply, hanging her head in self loathing.

“Not like the both of us did, so long ago.” The princess replied in her nurturing voice as she turned around and headed inside. She engulfed the closed drapes in the room with gold, and whisked them open, Princess Luna shielded her eyes from the sudden influx of light. As the light poured in, the room revealed its true beauty. The finest tailors weaved the now open curtains, rugs, and large pellow on the floor; craftsmen worked for days to craft the wooden furniture in the room, with master accuracy; and the stone walls and fireplace was sculpted by artists long ago, who exist no more. “ Only because you’ve resumed your position as co-ruler, and taken back up the royal duty of raising the moon, could I focus more on the sun, to make the day extra special.” Celestia explained, but her sister still bore the glum face. “And with you back, you can bring the wonderful nights that you used to create, something even I ,after a thousand years could not come close to,” Celestia sympathized. Luna blushed at the compliment, shielding her embarrassment with her mane that resembled the starry night sky.

The loud clopping of several hooves were heard outside the door to the room, accompanied with some loud shouts. The two princesses look towards the door just in time to see it burst open, shocking both the princesses with the loud slam. The two were surprised to see an averaged sized stallion the source of such force. Recognizing the brown colored colt, Celestia waved her hoof to call off the ten guards closing in behind him. After a moment, one guard mumbled a few orders, and all but the two that constantly stand guard outside the princess’s door left, the two waiting for the pony to try and pull something.

The stallion let out a small sigh of relief, dropping the clipboard he held in his mouth with a clang! and took a few moments to slow his breathing. Celestia waited patiently for the pony cladded in a white lab coat to catch his breath. He was a mess, smeared in dirt and various unknown chemicals on his lab coat, body, and more messy than usual mane. One could only tell that his cutie mark was an hourglass only after wiping off the dirt on his flank. Finally the colt lifted his head from his exhaustion and spoke, “Princess, … er, Princesses” the pony still getting used to two rulers over Equestria. “My lab in ponyville has revealed some startling geometric signals! I came as fast as I could when I read them!” and without realising it, he lifted the clipboard off the floor and tossed it towards the princess. The clipboard was swallowed in yellow halfway through its flight, and slowed down until it came to a stop near the sun goddess’s glowing horn. The scientist cringed, forgetting that this was the ruler of Equestria,and not a rugged lab assistant. The princess gave a small smile before reading it, relieving some of his tension, though the guards being a bit closer behind him didn’t help.

Luna came up and stood a bit behind celestia, reading over her shoulder. Luna, being the scholar of the two, recognized the graphs immediately, her eyes widening. “Oh my” the princess murmured as she finished.

Celestia finished a few moments after Luna, and a stern look spread across her face. “Dr. Whooves, we will discuss this further in ponyville town hall. Retrieve your assistant and prepare a presentation.” Dr. Whooves shook his head up and down quickly and bolted away. “Leeroy,” the green stallion turned towards the princess in surprise of hearing his name.

“Y-yes my lady?” the guard stuttered.

“Alert the crier to come at once, I have a few letters to send.” Celestia commanded.

“Yes your highness” The guard did a quick bow and galloped down the hall towards the door the scientist disappeared behind.

“And Joseph, inform the general that we are to leave to ponyville at 1:30 p.m. sharp, he will handle it from there.” The princess commanded the second guard , who only gave a quick bow and left.

“We?” Luna asked surprised.

“Of course “we” taking your position back comes with all the same responsibilities.” Celestia said with an encouraging smile.

Luna abandoned her royal tongue with her soft, personal voice. “Even after everything I did?”

Celestia gave her a reassuring smile, “I forgave you centuries ago, I only hope that you will find it within yourself to forgive me.” Celestia turned to nuzzle her sister, who eagerly returned it.

Fluttershy was enthralled with the forest, swept up in its beauty as she mindlessly trotted along the dirt trail. The endless beauty of the green oasis made her completely oblivious to the agitated bunny, trying to get her attention.

Angel pulled, even yanked at the pink mane, but received no reaction. He yanked at his own ears, grinding his small teeth in frustration at being so late to the picnic. He brought his small paws down to his sides in fists, with renewed determination. He hopped up in one great leap, and hit the left-side bag, this time sending the yellow mare tumbling.

Fluttershy let out a very audible squeak as she rolled over and face planted, tossing Angel over her head. Fluttershy laid on the ground, fighting back the tears that welled up as she felt a sharp jolt of pain shoot through her wing. Angel pulled himself up and looked towards Fluttershy, who was on the brink of tears. He slowly approached, engulfed in the guilt of what he just did. After a moment of sulking, Fluttershy placed her two hind-hoofs below her, and then her two fore-hoofs, shakingly lifting herself up with a few moans of pain. Angel looked up at her eyes with shame, his ears drooped down in remorse. Fluttershy couldn’t bare to see her close friend like this, so despite the pain, she let out a wry smile with her glassy eyes.

“You should be more careful, you could’ve gotten hurt” She tried to say in a jokingly way, cringing a little as she adjusted her right wing at her side. Angel hopped up on her back and inspected the injured wing. “Oh it’s nothing. Oh my, look at the time. If we don’t hurry, we’ll miss the picnic. I know how much you enjoy our little get-togethers.” Fluttershy began trotting, trying to redirect the agenda. She glanced over to check on Angel, who she found sorrowfully inspecting the area a saddle bag flap used to be, leaving the contents naked to the outside world. “Oh clumsy me, I ripped the bag Rarity worked so hard to make for me” She said, trying to pin the guilt on herself, and in an attempt to make it seem as though nothing happened, she shrugs it off and continues trotting on.

Angel wrung his ear, the shame of making his only friend cry, and that afterwards she tries so hard to make him feel better about it, ate at his soul. Angel did his best to dust off the dirt off her coat and hair, trying desperately to make amends. He reached into the ripped open bag to pull out a brush, and fixed Fluttershy’s now messy hair. Fluttershy let him work, hoping that he would feel better about himself  from doing so. she brought her eyes forward off the ground from thought, to fall upon a small dark figure on the path ahead of her. She halted in her tracks, flinging Angel into the pink mane. She was shocked at first, but as she focused on the small shape, she spotted two small eyes, two ears, one with a cut in it that healed long ago, and a small brown bag on its back. It was a rabbit, about the size of Angel, except as dark as the night itself. It stared right back at Fluttershy, with the same look of wonder. Before she could further examine, the rabbit launched into the foliage on the left side of the path without provocation. Fluttershy took a few steps in pursuit, forgetting the pain in her wing for a moment of curiosity and great interest at seeing such an oddly colored rabbit. She stopped before she dove into the woods, remembering the woeful rabbit on her back. “Well that was odd,” Fluttershy said, trying to show as little interest as possible, knowing Angel’s craving for constant attention.

Angel seized the opportunity for self redemption. He hopped onto her head and jumped off in front of her, bobbing her head downward as he jumped. He faced Fluttershy and began squeaking and waving around gestures.

“Oh no, I would never, You would be late for the picnic.” Fluttershy said, refusing the offer.

Angel squeaked some more and gave a few more gestures with a concerned look.

Fluttershy thought for a moment at hearing this, “Well, yes I would like to, but you’re the most important bunny in my life.”

Angel smiled and gave a few more convincing squeaks.

“Well, if you know the way. Wait no, I couldn’t.”

Angel crossed his arms and shut his eyes in faked frustration and defiance, opening one eye a bit to watch her response.

Fluttershy knew the game he was playing, but gave in to his demands, “If you insist, but be careful, and be cautious around strangers. I’ll see you at the picnic” and with that, Fluttershy lept into the woods, filled with the energy of her excitement in meeting the mysterious bunny. Angel felt he could smile once more, happy to bring  joy once more to his only friend.

“Skadoosh!” Rainbow yelled as she spiked the ball with both hooves. The red sphere flew down into the nearest corner of Rarity’s square, and launched high into the air. Rarity saw this and took action, following the trajectory of the ball, leading her far out of her square. She felt the the dusty, dirt pit leave her hooves as she galloped out onto warm grass, eyes constantly on the ball. Just a few more feet, and Rarity would be right under it in time to give it a good whack back to the playing area, and with luck, into someone else's square. Her eyes fell to examine the landing point for the ball, and stopped dead in her tracks, evading certain doom. She let the ball fall, watching as it landed into a large puddle of mud with a “splat!” the splash zone only a few inches away. Rarity quickly checked her coat for any imperfections, when she noticed none, she let out a sigh of relief.

“That was too close” Rarity said with solace, yet another fashion disaster prevented.

“Yeah, but now yer’ out!” Applejack yelled over with a grin.

“Well excuse me, but my priorities include not looking absolutely horrid.” Rarity said with dignity, levitating the messy ball out of the pit with her horn. “Um, your ball.” Rarity said as she dropped the hardly red ball in the dirt at Rainbow’s hooves, sending up a small plume of dirt that covered it in a coat of reddish dust upon the mud. Rainbow took a look at the muddy ball, then shrugged as she wiped most of the mud off the orb with her hoof as Rarity took her spot at the sidelines behind Twilight with as much dignity as she could muster.

“Wakey wakey Twilight, it’s your turn to step up to the first square!” Pinkie called out as she bounced to the second square.

“Oh, oh yeah. Sorry, I drifted off a bit” Twilight said while moving to the first square, her mind still wondering elsewhere. “Something just doesn’t seem right. A Perfect day, exuberant plants, but a late Fluttershy?” Twilight thought to herself, gazing out at the mountain that held the glorious city of Canterlot, so far away, and so small from where she stood. “I got the worst feeling that something’s terribly wrong.” Her mind finished right before it was about to be cut off. A red ball slammed into the side of her flank, ricocheting off Twilight’s rear, hitting the far corner of Rainbow’s square at a low angle, too fast for Rainbow to even realise what happened until it was too late. The ball hit the grass and rolled to a stop out of the earth patch they stood in.

After a moment of bewildered silence, Rainbow’s jaw dropped. “What!?” Rainbow hollered in shock and irritation, her fore-hooves out to her far sides in confusion.

Applejack burst into laughter, stomping the ground with her front hooves. “ Hot dog Twilight! You are one lucky filly!” Applejack laughed from the third square, Twilight grinning a small bashful smile.

Rainbow furrowed her brows. “ That can’t be a legal move!” Rainbow yelled with agitation

“Nope! Fair game, butt shots are allowed! Sorry R.D.” Applejack said between bursts of laughter, not sounding very sorry.

Rainbow Dash huffed as she drug her hooves through the dirt, her wings lazily lifting her off part way from the ground as she hovered over towards Rarity. “I hate losing.” Rainbow mumbled to herself begrudgingly.

Applejack advanced to the 4th, king’s square, finally getting a hold on herself. “Whew! Twilight, you crack me up.” Applejack said with a last hoot. Pinkie Pie bounced over to the 3rd square, while Twilight took the second square.

Rarity approached the first square, Rainbow glumly taking the lonely waiting spot. “One moment Applejack,” Rarity said,0 stopping applejack before she ran to go get the ball. The ball shimmered into a blue haze, and levitated over to Rarity, who took a handkerchief from her bag next to the tree at the same time. She took the napkin and wiped the red ball of the remaining mud residue, leaving it nearly sparkling clean.

“Perfect, now let’s play ball!” Rarity said, dropping the clean sphere in front of Applejack.

Fluttershy fled into the woods, trotting at a fast pace while looking for signs of the curious creature. She spent minutes calling out to the rabbit as she ran ahead. “Hello? Mr. black bunny! If it wouldn’t be much a bother, could you please, maybe come out?” Fluttershy’s hope was gradually dwindling as she feared she lost track of the rabbit. As she slowed her trotting, she heard the rustling of bushes, and the speedy feet of a rabbit. “Hello?” Fluttershy called out in desperation, as she ran in the direction of the noise. She hopped over a bush towards the sound, and then stopped before continuing any further. She looked off in front of her, into the dense foliage of many varieties and hues. Fluttershy stared off into the murky part of the forest, mesmerized by its peculiar plants’ shapes and colors. Every second she spent staring into the thicket, the more details and mysteries she discovered, it was hypnotizing. She was woken from her gaze by the small black rabbit peaking up from a bush in the peculiar part of the woods, a look of distress across its face. Fluttershy’s brow fell in concern.

“Are you ok? What are you doing in such a scary place as this?” Fluttershy asked, lowering her head and approaching slowly. The rabbit only shook its head, then darted away into the forest. “Oh no! Don’t go in there!” Fluttershy called out to the bunny as it escaped into the foreboding wood, its scampering feet slowly fading away. Fluttershy was extremely worried for the bunny, but very much afraid of the looming Everfree forest.

Not willing to give up yet, Fluttershy took a step into the woods, then another, then another, until she was going at a slow trot, her eyes wide with fear, scanning around for any danger. fifty feet into the woods, and nothing happened. Fluttershy began to feel more confidence, not so afraid anymore of the quiet trees, until she heard a hoot from her left. She shot her face to the left, freezing in her tracks, scanning around for the perpetrator. Nopony but herself and the trees were around her. Then a hiss came from her right, “Hello! Who was that!” Fluttershy quickly called out, hoping nothing would answer her call. Suddenly a large branch fell out of a tree behind her and hit the ground with a thud, but Fluttershy didn’t bother looking back to see that it was just a branch, the thud close behind was the last straw before she began to panic. Fluttershy shot through the thick foliage, frightening and disturbing creature sounds being heard all around her. She was overwhelmed with fear, to the point of shutting her eyes tightly closed as she galloped aimlessly through the Everfree forest. By some miracle, she managed to miss trees and large objects, only hitting things as dense as bushes. Sharp branches scratched her face and back, thorns scraped her legs, and tears streamed down her face. a full 30 minutes of nonstop running felt like a century of torture. at the 31st minute, she ran through what felt like the thickest and most painful part of the woods, before subconsciously taking a leap, and then feeling nothing but cool air on her face, a second later, she landed, hitting the ground running. It took her a moment to realise that she felt no more bushes and brambles, and to stop. Her wonderfully pink mane was a mess with leaves, twigs, and dirt. She felt sore all over from the many cuts and scrapes. she stood there with her eyes closed, soaking in the pain and terror she had just experienced. She let out one sob after the other, the cuts on her face stung in the salty solution.

“Keep it together Fluttershy, don’t forget what you are here for.” A voice in her head said, imagining it was brave Rainbow Dash giving her a pep talk. Fluttershy ceased her sobbing, and opened her eyes to a large, brick  wall inches from her face, that she would of ran into if she didn’t stop. She backed away to get a complete view of the structure. It was made of dark, stone slabs as big as her head, and was covered in green moss and vines. She stared at the structure for a few more moments, trying to recall where she had seen this before. She turned around to see the Everfree forest looming over, a misty, dark chasm halting its progression of total takeover. Fluttershy’s mouthed dropped, realising that she had to have jumped over that to get here. She looked around some more, and saw that she was in a sort of open field, but it was none that she enjoyed. The field was damp, muddy, and covered in thick mist all around. High rising mist cut off most of the sunlight, only letting dim beams pass through.

As she looked around, she saw another stone structure, then another. She deduced that they all connected together, and in some cases, looked like they used to connect. She reexamined the structure that greeted her, noticing it was rounded like a tower, but its original height was unknown due to the crumbling top. Fluttershy snapped out of her trance as she remembered the concerned look on the black bunny. She looked around for any sign of the rabbit, but the ever-looming feeling in a small part in her head told her she had ran in the complete, opposite direction, and missed the sad bunny by a long shot, but she didn’t want to believe it. She took a few steps around the large tower, scanning around the open area. She noticed that there was not a creature in sight, relaxing a little to know there was no danger, but dreading the fact the bunny wasn’t here. Her mind became flooded, she was lost in the Everfree forest, that is crawling with the most dangerous creatures in Equestria, and she has no way of finding her way back home, all in vain for trying to help a bunny that she lost somewhere far behind her.

“Oh no.” Fluttershy managed to say before falling to the ground in tears. She cried for a while more, thinking how helpless she was. After a while, she just laid there, the top of her face peeking out of her crossed hooves, the wet, cold mud against her belly. She stared at the main structure of the building with one eye open, wondering what she would do. As she gazed at the building, the sobbing slowly subsiding, she spotted a tiny, black rabbit peek its head out of a hole in the side of the building, an even more concerned look across its face. Fluttershy quickly got up, not so relieved to meet the bunny, but relieved to know her effort wasn’t in vain. “Mr.Rabbit! Please don’t go!” Fluttershy yelled out desperately, as the rabbit shook its head once again and popped back into the hole. Fluttershy quickly trotted over to the hole, and observed that it was large enough for a small pony like her to squeeze through. Fluttershy was apprehensive at first to go into a dark cramped hole, but her renewed courage from an unknown location inside of her made her peak in to examine the inside. It was a large dark room, the floor lined in stone slabs, but that was as far as she could see. Fluttershy decided that if it’s good enough for a bunny, then she’s sure it’s fairly safe. She stuck her head through, her eyes not yet adjusting to the dark. She wiggled one fore leg through, then the other, and then slid her midsection through, cringing in the pain of her right wing that she had forgotten about until it slid through the hole. Her eyes adjusted to the darkness of the room a bit more, now noticing it was quite large. She finally wiggled both hind legs through, stumbling a bit before standing up straight and examining the room.

Despite the dark appearance, the room felt safe, at least safer than the Everfree forest outside, which Fluttershy took great solace in. The inner sanctum of the building was decorated with many stone accessories like statues and arches that were speckled across the room , along with large stone columns that lined the walls. She took a few steps inward, the clopping of her hooves echoing through the building. “Hello?” Fluttershy called out, hoping for a little rabbit to come answering her call and nothing more, but only nothing ever came. She reached the middle of the room, and noticed a flight of stairs that led upward at her left. She reached the cracked stairs and saw they ran into a circle upward, judging from her position, she wondered if this was what she nearly ran into outside. She slowly ascended the stairs, dim beams of light shining through a few small holes in the wall. She peeked out one to spy the whole area from many feet above. She saw the tops of trees, and the occasional odd creature that flew around the canopy of the forest, she couldn’t see far past the forest, her vision being cut off by a thick fog. A thought flew into Fluttershy’s head, and she ascended the stairs quickly to investigate what she theorized. Before she could reach the very top, the tower was collapsed inward, preventing further exploration, but that wasn’t where she was headed.

Nightmare Moon is all that came to mind as she walked into the room,  staring at the stone pedestal that held a moldy throne. This was where Nightmare Moon was defeated, freeing Luna of her evil powers. This fact comforted the pony, knowing that this is where she and her friends knew that they would be best friends forever. She gave out a small smile as she walked down towards the throne, examining the columns and broken windows. She side stepped up to one of the window to see all of the lost kingdom, and where her and her friends gained entrance originally. she turned around to find an odd, mud structure catching her eye behind the throne. She walked towards it, soon realising that it was like a rabbit hole, but way too big for a tiny rabbit like the one she saw. As she rounded the throne, she saw that it was very large in fact, like the entrance to a bear’s den. The craftsmanship however was quite remarkable, nothing that a little rabbit could possibly be responsible for. Fluttershy stood at the entrance, contemplating whether she should call into it or not.

“Hello?” Fluttershy called into it, standing not but four feet away from the dark hole. She received no answer, she turned her head to listen for any sounds of life. She heard an ominous, but constant deep roar, like listening to the ocean inside a seashell. She retracted her ear and faced the tunnel, wondering if she should call again, but did not want to agitate whatever laid in there. Luckily for Fluttershy, she didn’t have to. A moment before she spoke again, two blue little rabbit eyes opened in the darkness, and peered directly at her, the sad expression still on them. “Are you ok? If you’re hungry, I got a tasty rabbit treat just for you” Fluttershy said comfortingly as she reached for her bag, but before she diverted her head, another pair of eyes opened, this time a magnificent orange, then another a deep red, and a fourth pair of a bright yellow eyes stared right at her. Fluttershy could barely contain her excitement, “Oh my, a whole bunny family? I might have enough treats for a whole bunny family.” Fluttershy said, her normal demeanour nearly returning. She reached into her left bag, and eyed the carrots she was going to take, until she heard a blood curdling laugh. She cautiously pulled her head towards the hole, to find the orange eyes bobbing up and down in a high pitched laugh. Fluttershy was dead frozen, the red eyes bobbed in a grunt, as the orange eyes made a scowl. These were not rabbit eyes, they were too big, and had slits for pupils, like a reptile.

The eyes slowly rose, above the only true blue bunny eyes, to the top of the burrow at easily twice as high as Fluttershy. Fluttershy didn’t move an inch, she couldn’t, her knees were locked, and her wings plastered to her sides. She saw one leg leave the shadows, followed by a body, the yellow eyed one took a step out. It was one of the most frightening things she’d ever seen. Green, green all over, the creature’s skin was green, covered in warts, scars, and black, singed spots; It wore a kind of tunic, made of singed cloth, and leather that made Fluttershy not dare think of where it was retrieved; his ears were long and pointy, as well as his nose; and most oddly of all, he only had two feet, standing straight up with two smaller limbs near its head. Fluttershy found herself backing up slowly without realising it, her instincts slowly taking over. The creature followed mockingly at a bit faster pace with an amused, toothy grin across his face. The other two stepped out, the red eyed one was larger and clad in crudely made, red and gray armor, while the orange eyed creature was dressed in a simple leather tunic. Fluttershy needed to leave, to go, to be anywhere but here with them.

she bumped into the wall behind her, scaring her while she let out a frightened scream, bolting around the creature, his face turning into as scowl as he barely misses grabbing at her pink tail with his long, pointy fingers. The smallest, orange eyed one quickly pulled out a few metal throwing stars from his bag. He tossed all of them at once, but to no avail, as they flew above and below Fluttershy as she raced to the exit. The Yellow eyed one growled in anger as he ran after her himself, its long legs striding him to Fluttershy’s quick pace to her disdain. Fluttershy was panicking, she hyperventilated as she heard the monster closing in behind her, the door was only twenty feet away. fifteen, twelve, eight, six, five feet away from the door, she was yanked painfully backwards, the goblin had grabbed a hold on her tail. He reached down pulled out a knife with his free hand from his belt. Fluttershy was beyond panic at this point, she gave a frantic buck. one hoof missed, flying by his head, while the other one connected with his left eye. He shrieked in pain as he dropped his knife and Fluttershy as his green, burnt hands flew to his face.

Fluttershy reached the stairs a moment later, and hurried down the stairs, nearly tripping twice, she could hear the screams from above as she descended. Close to the ground, she dared to look behind her, to find the orange eyed one sliding on the side of the wall as he quickly made his way towards fluttershy. She quickly returned her eyes to the front of her, and as she reached the bottom. The creature let out another disturbing laugh that made Fluttershy run faster, rather than freeze as she once did. Only halfway to the hole she got in from, did she realised that there was no way she could squeeze back through quickly enough to escape. Galloping down the middle of the room, she spotted a corridor in the corner of her eye, and took a sharp left towards the hall, deciding it was her best chance of escape. She took a quick glimpse behind her to see the orange eyed one skidding as he changed his direction towards her, getting ever so closer and closer, the blade was tinted with a red stain that Fluttershy wished was rust. She noticed a small amount of light at the other of the long corridor, but her train of thought on that subject ceased as she tripped on a misplaced stone, causing her to lose her balance and land on her belly, skidding through on her on the floor. She was sure that this was it, she messed up, but her natural instincts frantically fought back, and got back up. She did what she could only think of, she bucked backwards with closed, teary eyes, hoping it would connect with anything, and it did. She kicked the orange goblin as he pounced, hitting him right in the stomach, sending him sliding across the stone floor with the breath quite literally kicked out of him.

 Fluttershy bolted once more, not wanting to check if he got back up. She reached the source of light, to burst into a room with a familiar stone pedestal in the middle, that no longer held the elements of harmony. The little sunlight that the Everfree forest did have, shone on Fluttershy’s tear engulfed face, the shielding ceiling to the building being long gone. She saw the door way out, covered in a makeshift passage of vines, she was so close to escape. She bailed for the door, sprinting with the little strength she had left. At the last moment, she heard a “twang!”, and a second later, the thump of something hard hitting another hard object. She fumbled and tripped over, realising that other hard thing was the back of her head, she fell over on her side, teared vision slowly going black. She caught her last glimpse of light as she tumbled, “so close” she thought as she lost conscious.

The yellow pony’s body skid to a stop on the cold floor, a stone arrow hitting the ground with a clang, a dark red spot emerged on the back of her head, in deep contrast to her pink man. The red eyed goblin standing in the hall grinned a toothy, green smile, as he put the bow back in its rightful place next to the quiver. The orange goblin got up with a few more gasps, recovering from his encounter. He hobbled ahead of the large one to examine their kill. He reached the body and examined it for a moment before letting out a humored laugh.

“I don’t think you killed this one grog!” he laughed in his high pitched voice.

Grog the red eyed one’s face changed from smug to confusion “ Impossible!” he yelled over in his deep voice. “ I got ‘er right b’tween the ears!” he hobbled over with his awkwardly large frame.

“Nope! See? The arrow’s dull, you just knocked ‘er out!” laughed the skinnier one.

“Yah? and she jus’ about knocked you out with her hooves.” Grog retorted, agitated by the smaller one’s disrespect.

“Quit your bumblin about!”  Interrupted the yellow eyed one, covering the left of his face with his hand. He walked over with an irritated stride down the hall. “We gotta bring back sumthin’ for the hoard fast, or miss ‘Em won’t be too happy.” He seemed to be the middle of both of them in size and tone, but ahead both in authority.

“Well if Grog was a better fletcher, we wouldn’t be sittin’ around like this.” Complained the Orange eyed one.

“If Scum didn’t give us away with ‘is laughin’, we’d be half way to Underland by now!” Grog retorted. Grog and Scum bickered over top the pony’s body, the small dark rabbit dark rabbit watching the whole episode silently from behind a nearby pillar, wishing the pony never followed him.

“I don’t care!” yelled the yellow eyed one. “Just get what you can from the freakin’ pony! We’re already late as it is!” The yellow eyed leader massaged his temples due to a headache from the impact of the hoof. The two stopped bickering, both looking at the leader’s swollen eye. “Now!” he finally yelled, covering up again. The two grumbled as they began to ransack the pony. The yellow eyed one approached a nearby broken window, and pulled a shard of ancient glass from it, dusting it off to examine his swollen eye.

Scum kneeled down and unlatched the bag from the pony’s ripped side bag, and cooed in curiousity. “Ooo, gems. Some of them are fairly rare.” he said as he used his dagger to pluck one gem after another off the once gorgeous bag, now dirty and destroyed from dashing through a few hundred feet of dense foliage.

Grog flipped over the pony’s limp body with much ease after scum removed his bag, unlatching the bag on the other side of the pony. He stripped the bag of all the jewels on the outside, and sandwiches on the inside, snacking on everyone with a burp. He disappointedly removed nothing else other than a wicker basket and carrots that he threw away in disgust. Finishing before Scum, he reached into his side pack, to pull out a wrinkled piece of paper and piece of charcoal, and writing on the paper.

Scum noticed this and cried out, “Hey! you better not be adding that to your score!”

“Why not? Pony’s are three points, puttin’ me in the lead.” Grog said smugly. The leader ignored the new argument, taking out some pieces of cloth from his satchel to make a makeshift bandage.

“‘Cause you havn’t even killed ‘er yet, your stupid arrows are too dull,” Scum said demeaningly.

Grog frowned, agitated once more, “Then I’ll just fix that right up.”  he said as he pulled a large metal club from its place hanging at his side.

The rabbit observed from afar. He began to panic, looking around frantically for a distraction. Grog raised the club high above his head, gaining enough torque to really make a show. The rabbit looked around to spot the statue in the middle of the room. It was old and falling apart, a disturbance could send it toppling. He quickly scurried over, jumped up, and slammed the side of the structure with both feet. It made a loud groaning noise as it leaned, getting the attention of the three green ghouls. It finally tipped over with a deafening crash, smashing most of it into pieces. After the dust of the accident subsided there was a large crack in left in the floor where the statue landed, and a little black rabbit on the pedestal where it once stood. Grog took his club, and carefully placed it back at his side. Seeing this, the rabbit sighed with relief.

“Just cause our hideout’s a sham already, doesn’t mean you can go around wreckin’ the place even more.” Grog said in an oddly calm, but disapprovingly manner.

“Yeah,  Scorn doesn’t like anyone messin’ up his pad” Scum chuckled.

Scorn looked at the rabbit with fury in his one visible eye, the other now wrapped in an eyepatch. He dropped the piece of glass with a piercing crash, and marched over with intense anger, his breathing very audible, while his hands were clenched into fists. The rabbit was filled with a new fear as he was yanked upwards by the ears. “What do you think you’re doing? Are we a brave little bunny rabbit now, Mr. Bumbles?” Scorn said angrily, jabbing the rabbit in the stomach with his free hand. “Must we remind you of the consequences of extended non compliance? Rabbit stew is quite the delicacy around here.” grinned Scorn. Grog patted on his large belly for effect.

Bumble waved his paws around frantically and squeaked.

“Another pegasus needed for the pit?” Scorn repeated. He grinned a mischievous smile, noticing the bunny’s extended concern for the pony. He carried the rabbit over, still lifting it by the ears, to the pony’s body. “Oh, you are most certainly right, we do need another pegasus!” Scorn said dramatically. He kneeled down next to the pony and pulled her head up by her pink mane at an awkward angle, her face still wet with the many tears shed. “Oh, I don’t know, she looks awfully fragile.” He said sarcastically. He intentionally dropped her head without care, and grabbed her fore-leg, “Just look at these legs! they’re so small and weak! I don’t think she’d be very useful to us, alive that is.” he continued, knowing full well that the task needed done was not very difficult at all. The rabbit squirmed in Scorns hands, feeling great worry for the pony at what he implied.

“She didn’t look very weak when she hooved you in the face” Scum chuckled, interupting Scorn’s groove, Grog chuckling with him. Scorn dropped the rabbit and had a look of his own name on his face, but was interrupted before he could retort.

A loud, deep growl echoed off the walls, spreading all around the ancient kingdom, and beyond. A deep red emanated from the throne room’s windows. looks of fear and nervousness ricocheted off the three creatures. after a few moments, Scorn regained his composure and spoke, “Well, I guess today is this pony’s lucky day  Mr. Bumbles! The pony gets to live for now while she’s still useful” He approached the pony and crouched down again. “Congratulations! You have been nominated for deep pit scavenger!” He jokingly said, patting the unconscious pony on her soft pink mane. “Haul her up Grog, We got ourselves a lady guest.” Scorn said as he stood.

“Aw, come on!” Grog complained as he effortlessly, but begrudgingly, lifted the pony over his shoulder.

“Woo! Another straight week of bein’ in the lead!” Scum cheered as he raced down the hall, doing a few somersaults on the way. Grog hustled behind Scum with the pony bouncing over his shoulder, while Scorn followed behind, walking with both hand behind his back.

“Come now Mr. Bumbles, you know what happens if you’re late!” Scorn yelled out behind him. Bumble looked out the window for a moment, remembering the days of freedom in the forest, before he sorrowfully hopped after the goblin.

The four returned to the throne room with a few exchanged insults between two of them, before they all hopped down the hole, one by one, carrying the pony with them. The old castle now once again silent, like it had been for so many years. Nothing was left to hint towards Fluttershy’s fate, only disturbed dust on the floor, and a few small drippings of fresh blood.

Alice in Underland

Yes I know that the way I portray the castle in the Everfree forest isn’t a 100% accurate, based on what appears in the actual show, but it’s my Fic, I could make it out of waffles if I wanted. Anyway, thank you for taking the time to read my fanfiction, you devoting your time just to read my story is enough of a compliment.

Also, I do not own anything pertaining to the My little Pony brand, only certain ideas are my own. Please don’t sue me.

Tunnel Snakes rule

Part two

Alice in Underland

By Fillyphil

Part 2

Lush green eyes locked onto the impassioned, rose-red Irises with extreme intensity. Eye contact wasn’t broken for a second, not even a blink surfaced from the the two. Minutes pass, and neither faltered, their faces showing no sign of defeat any time soon. many more minutes pass, and the two began to lose their composure, the length of the battle taking its toll on both their muscles and will. Beads of sweat formed, streaming down the cyan cheek. Audible grunts emanated from the stetson, wearing mare, her orange chest bobbing up and down in an attempt to retrieve more oxygen from the air. Only another minute passed, when the battle appeared to come close to an end, as both females intensified their gaze, leaning forward for extra power. The strain began to seep deep into their mind, both letting out deep moans in both the pain of the extended battle, and as a clenched-teeth warcry towards each other. Suddenly, the green eyes widened in fear and pain as she realised this was it. The rose-red eyes grinned in with renewed spirit, and she pumped her hoof with the rest of her energy she had left. “Slam!” the stump shook as Applejack’s hoof flew down and hit the edge of the stump.

“Ow! Geez R.D.” Applejack said with affliction, rubbing her hoof.

Rainbow Ignored her, jumping into the air forehoof first, freezing mid air as her wings flapped to keep her up. “Aw yeah!” She yelled in triumph. “Third time in a row A.J.! You better step up your game if you don’t wanna be out hoof-wrested a fourth time in a row.” She recomended.

“Good game Rainbow, but I’d watch myself if I were you. If ya get too cocky, I’ll rip your ego out from under ya before you can make anything of it.” Applejack said with a competitive smile.

“Oh yeah? Is that when you finish your training with granny smith?” Rainbow Dash laughed.

“Heh, funny” Applejack said unamused, her brow furrowing at the mocking pegasus.

“Yah yah, sorry Applejack” Rainbow apologized, still chuckling.

“No hard feeling.” Applejack said with a growing smile. “Best ten out a twenty one!” Applejack challenged.

“You’re on! Rainbow Dash called out in acceptance of the challenge, hovering back down to the stump to lock hooves and intimidating looks in another intense battle.

Twilight Smiled at her overly competitive friends, their two pets not nearly as extreme as Winona played hide and seek with the tank’s head as it bobbed in and out.  She looked past the two wrestling mares to two creatures of different ends of the evolutionary tree. Owlicious competed in a nearly as intense staring contest with gummy, Owlicious obviously straining while trying to stare down the reptilians impermeable poker face. Twilight turned her head to her far left, observing Pinkie Pie waving her front hooves in the air spastically, shaking her hips, and opening her mouth like a silent scream.

“It’s a squirrel, wait no. Angry mob! no couldn’t be.” Rarity guessed at the impossibly complicated game of charades Pinkie was playing. Pinkie hopped in the air, flinging her legs around, then hit the ground with both forelegs up in the air together and shaking around in an odd dance. “Oh wait! It’s some pony who recently got ironically fired from being a firefighter for personal reasons, then became a hugely successful comedian, who performed all his jokes on buildings, but one day a particularly dangerous trick with a catapult sent him flying off the skyscraper screaming the punchline of his joke, bravely putting the act ahead of his own safety, before landing in a large, fabulously designed birthday cake being carried up the building as a surprise for him, and they all danced the night away.” Rarity took in a large breath, as the rest of the wind left her with the last word.

“Wow!” Pinkie exclaimed. “That was really close! It was actually “a large fantabulously designed cake”, but nopony has ever gotten that close to a guess when Pinkamena Diane Pie is playing charades!”

“What can I say, I can read body language like a book.” Rarity elegantly giggled, opalesence more willing to lick her paws on Rarity’s back, then play in the grass.

Twilight returned her eyes to her book to finish the last few pages, content with the wonderfully comforting weather, and her light hearted friends. The sunlight leaked through the branches, feeling warm on her face, the shade cooling her simultaneously. She leaned her head against the trunk of the ancient tree, and looked down at the old pages of her book.

“Malevolence grinned a malicious smile, “You can’t stop me! Nopony can!” She screamed with deranged delight over the roar of the massive engines, her dark mane of fire blowing in the violent gusts of the exhaust. The enormous machine lumbered towards the cave entrance, the evil Malevolence laughing a maniacal laugh from atop the crab-like creation. Ignia hung helplessly from the bottom of the machine, many of the hanging, tentacle-like claws holding the alicorn prisoner tightly, her mane burning dimming in lost hope, making the bruises all over her face indiscernible.

“I don’t think so!” A young mare yelled from the large cave entrance, her shadowy mane waving in the draft the large hole created, her dark colors in sharp contrast to the sunny spring day behind her.

The dark orange coat of the pony burst into color as her mane’s intense flame flared light upon it, impatient with the young alicorn's arrogance.“Or what?” The alicorn called out in sudden amusement. “You know very well of the Leviathan's immunity to magic!” She yelled, her horn amplifying her voice, while her wings spread outwards for effect, the left metallic wing shimmering in a brilliant bronze coating.

“We know that very well.” A fourth alicorn stepped into the scene, standing next to her younger sister with a brilliantly white coat and flowing, colorful mane. The princess levitated a beautiful, small, chest in front of her, to levitate out six stones of different colors from the mysterious box, the elements of harmony.

Malevolence’s face was filled with uncertainty, but then assurance washed back over with a grin “Oh no!” She cried out sarcastically, “Not the magic of friendship! What will I ever do!?” She let out another vile laugh.

“In a twisted way, I understand” the older sister said with a scowl “I can see why one might want to enact their revenge on their enemies over a misunderstanding, and why one would want to rule the world, but what I could never understand, is why you would beat and imprison your own daughter.”

The underground queen frowned at this question. “Daughter? Hardly a daughter anymore! She disobeyed me, concerted against me, betrayed her own mother! Ignia did this to herself!” Ignia Purus’s eyes perked up at hearing her name, her mane’s flame flared a bit brighter. “She had her rights to be my daughter revoked. She snuck out, to tell the surface ponies of my plans, after everything i’ve done for her!”

“M-mother! That is not true!” Ignia cried out.

“Silence you ungrateful swine!” Malevolence yelled out in anger of hearing her daughter’s voice. Ignia cringed, although not in her mother’s field of vision, her demeaning tone broke her heart. “I gave you everything! Power, knowledge, love! I was going to give you all of Equestria as your own kingdom! But you threw away my gifts for a bunch of worthless surface ponies!”

“NO!” Ignia cried out in anger and sadness, her mane flaring a bright yellow flame. Her yellow eyes bore lava-like  tears of sadness, anger, and oddly enough, happyness. The six stones of different colors began to glimmer. “I never asked for your kingdom, your gifts, your knowledge, but I was grateful for all of it, but I didn’t want your cruelty. I wanted everpony to be happy, I wanted to share and be kind, so I refused your “gift” of cruelty over my new found friends on the surface. You’re right, I am hardly your daughter anymore, because I don’t want to be yours, if that means being a terrible being like you!”she cried out, her flame growing more intense with every second.

Malevolence stood bewildered, her daughter never spoke to her that way, and it hurt her like a cleaver to the heart. She opened her mouth, tears welling in her eyes, but then anger shone brightly through her glassy eyes. “How many times do I have to say to SHUT UP!” She yelled, deafeningly louder than the roar of the machine. The last “Shut up” echoing off the cave walls.

Purus spoke softly, but loud enough for the queen to hear“Never, not if you're trying to hurt  my friends.” And with that, light exploded out of the six stones, the elder sister’s plan worked. The stones flew across the gap between the princesses of the outer world, and the inner one. One stone flew to the young Ignia, and circled around her, resonating a pink colored shield around her and the claws that held her, the rest staying to encircle the two sisters to add additional power.

“Now sister!” she yelled out. The two sisters’ horns glowed, one a bright white, while the other a dark black. They tilted their heads towards the machine, the queen growing nervous. There magic shouldn’t affect the leviathan at all, but the queen was still quite scared of their determination. The two princes’ horns grew even brighter, then a large beam shot from both horn, combining at a pinnacle to form an alternating yin-yang beam, launching towards the machine, only to miss by 30 yards, striking the ceiling above it. Malevolence nearly laughed a genuinely amused laugh before she  realised what they were attempting, they wished to collapse the cave ceiling upon the metal beast. She grew even angrier than ever, pulling levers from her perch upon the creation. The machine creaked to a stop, the front of the crab monster opening up wide to reveal a long tube inside of it. Ignia knew what was going to happen, and it shook her to her core. It would be nothing Equestria has ever witnessed before, a titanium barrel ten meters in diameter, rivets on the inside that spun in a circle to the dark back of it. A huge payload of ten iron balls, fitting the diameter of the barrel perfectly, were stored inside the cargo. The balls could be hurdled forward using black powder, at impossible speeds. The machine was meant to take down the largest cities in the known world with one fell swoop, but Malevolence intended to use it now. A loud “thunk!” was heard by Ignia as one metal sphere loaded in the back of the barrel.

“No! Run! She’ll destroy you and everything beyond!” The two princesses could not hear Ignia’s frantic screams, all their energy being used to bring down the cave ceiling. “No! Mother don’t do it!” but no actual response was heard from her mother, only a maniacal laughter. “No!” She thought, “Not them! Not my only friends! I can’t let this happen! I can’t!”. Fear, pain, and anger built deep within her, until the floodgates of her emotions could not hold any longer. “NO!” She yelled out in an angered scream, the fire of her mane spreading around to engulf her with blinding intensity. The  claws wrapped around her began to glow, a brighter and brighter white. Bolts were melting, plates were bending, metal supports were waning. Ignia focused deeply on becoming hotter and hotter, her eyes shining a magnificent yellow glow. “AAAGGGHH!” She yelled out in strain, the shield growing brighter and brighter as the torrent of the inferno spun within the orb. The shield went a bright yellow, then shattered in the eminence heat, the jewel falling to the floor. The freed flames spread outwards, instantly deforming and melting anything within thirty feet. The flames spread further, Malevolence noticing the flames licking from under the belly of the beast. Ignia was now in the center of a huge ball of flame, heating up the whole belly of the beast. The ceiling began to crumble, large chunks falling off from the dual beam damage. The large pieces struck the creation, staggering it with every blow. A front leg that got a particularly large blast of flame began to wane, until a large bolder landed on the side it supported, forcing it to buckle under the stress and bend inwards. As the leg fell, the queen pulled the lever to fire the devastating cannon, only for the whole machine to tip at an angle and launch into the earth. The cannon ball pierced the ground, creating  a large crack in the ground, wedging itself even deeper still. The claws of pure titanium that held the fallen princess melted slowly, meant to hold extremely hot objects, but not a raging inferno, sending Ignia to the ground unconscious and extinguished from the extended strain. The flames died as quickly as they came, leaving only a passed out orange alicorn on the mud floor. The ground shook, the crack in the earth from the immense blow, growing ever larger until it spanned all the way beneath the machine’s left front leg that was already busy trying to support the weight of the broken limb. The crack spread wider and wider, until the leg fell into the crack, lurching the whole machine to the left, while more debris from the ceiling banged away at the top.

Malevolence was slung off the machine 200 feet down below, only at the last moment did she flap her wings, changing her angle of descent. She hit the mud and slid across the ground in an undignified, muddy glide. She got up, furious with the two that were still firing into the ceiling. She charged the two princesses with an angry war cry, launching red beams from her horn that were deflected by the circling five elements. The crack grew ever wider as the creature tipped, Ignia regaining her conscious in time to jump out of the way of the sliding right legs that followed the large beast down the crevice as it toppled. The queen hardly noticed, or even cared, only the hatred of the two princesses being her only thought as she charged. The fissure spread even longer, rushing up from behind Malevolence before shooting ahead of her in a huge feet of coincidence. She stumbled into the crack, before using her wings to lift her back up,but only to find a large boulder rushing down from the ceiling. She didn’t move away, only hovering as she gawked at the boulder wide eyed with a waning flame on her head, a split second later, it fell directly on her, pulling her down deep into the dark abyss. The dark mare ceased her blasting first, dropping to the ground in exhaustion, followed by the older alicorn who nearly fell over too. As the two rested, the grumbling and rumbling stopped, silence taking over the cave, along with darkness as the absence of light sources other than the cave entrance took over. The only light on the inside, came from the dim mane of Ignia Purus, laying at the edge of the fissure. She spied downward, in long lost hope of finding her mother. Her head hung off the edge, lava tears streaming off her face, and down into the darkness below.

“I’m sorry” The younger sister said sympathetically as she silently hovered down. the dark princess could think of nothing else to add, other than laying next to her and spreading a wing over the sorrowful fire princess’s back, comforting her as she mourned. The elder sister followed in her example and laid on the other side of her. They loitered there for many minutes, before Ignia broke the silence. “It’s not your fault.” She said, fighting back a few more burning tears. She got up bravely, pushing aside the two princess’ wings. “Let’s go, it’s unhealthy to dwell on the past” she said mournfully. The two sister got up and left towards the exit with her, putting the past behind them.

Twilight dwelled on the last sentence for a moment, before shutting her book with a papery clap once again ,for what felt like the one thousandth time she has read it. She never really liked fiction novels, but when she was little, she accidentally stumbled upon the book in the royal library, and instantly loved the story, and Celestia was kind enough to give it to her even though it was one of her favorites too. Twilight examined the wrinkled cover, and stained backbone. For twelve years of wear and tear, it was in better condition than most little foal books. Twilight recognized nearly every rip in the paper, every scuff in the cover, every stain on the pages. She remembered the scars so well because every accident made her panic at the thought of tainting Celestia’s gift. She finished reminiscing and carefully slid the book back into her bag next to her.

She laid down and wondered for a bit longer where the story was supposed to be based, what inspired the antagonist, and who kept calling her name. Twilight sat up and scanned around, seeing Applejack and Rainbow Dash locked in combat still, while Pinkie drew out a huge tic-tac-toe board in the dirt with her hoof, Rarity still wondering what in the world she was creating. Ironically, Twilight noticed him, a green and purple creature, spied right over Rarity’s back from the angle she stood.

“Spike?” Twilight asked softly to herself, he would usually be knapping in his little cot at this time of day.

“Twilight!” Twilight heard faintly, it was infact spike rushing over calling her name, waving what looked to be a scroll. Twilight saw the uncertainty in his eyes, and she quickly got up on all fours and rushed over to meet him halfway, running past the fabulous pony, catching her attention as well. As she reached Spike and slowed down, he slowed to a walking pace, then slumped down to his knees, before falling over on his back onto the grass. Spike wheezed as Twilight stood over him, worried for both the message and the exhausted dragon at her hooves. Rarity trotted from behind Twilight to right next to her, interested on what was going on. Pinkie noticed this sudden shift of attention and bounced on over.

“My poor little Spikey-Wikey, what could be the matter?” Rarity said with sympathy and a puckered lower lip. Noticing his true love above him, Spike quickly got to his feet, taking a few more breaths before speaking.

“The princess! She sent an emergency letter while I was napping! I ran all the way here!” Spike said, pulling the scroll up to show, and hoping Rarity would be impressed with his physical feat.

Pinkie eyed the unopened scroll oddly. “How do you know it’s an emergency, and not just some hey-dee-doodely-do letter, or a party invitation!” Pinkie jumped in excitement at the last hypothesis.

“Because she used the Royal Emergency Protocol stamp!” Spike turned the scroll around to show an intricately designed, purple stamp with the symbol of the sun and moon side by side,  a shield decorated with a picture of an alicorn in front of them. Rarity and Pinkie stared at the stamp and its intricate beauty with awe.

“Hurry up Spike, read it.” Twilight said hurriedly. Spike peeled the stamp off and unrolled the fairly short piece of paper. He cleared his throat before reading the scroll aloud.

“My most faithful student, Twilight. I fear we have grim news, for Equestria might be in dire trouble once again. It pains me to ask one of my most beloved ponies this, but I need you and your fellow friends to once again wield the Elements of Harmony in the name of Equestria. I have reserved town hall for a meeting of a few ponies to discuss the issue further, some scientists, the Wonderbolts, and the general are among those expected”. Rainbow Dash’s ears perked up at the sound of the Wonderbolts being mentioned, turning her head towards the small group in investigation. Applejack took advantage of Rainbow’s distraction, and put enough power into one pull, to launch the blue hoof into the stump.

“Ha!” Applejack cried out victoriously, tossing her hat into the air and catching it with her head. Rainbow turned quickly to catch the animated earth pony dancing about in victory of the final round. Rainbow opened her mouth in expected agitation, but then stopped herself from saying a few hurtful words.

“Yeah, congratulations.” She said, trying not to sound too interested. She turned  back around to fly over the the ponies crowded around Spike. “Did ya just mention the Wonderbolts!?” She asked excitedly over Twilight.

“Shh, let him finish.” Twilight said impatiently, holding up a hoof to back off the pegasus,. Applejack mosied over to see what all the hubbub was about after her victory dance was through.

Spike cleared his throat once more before continuing on, “ I will arrive at ponyville at 1:30 p.m. sharp, and the meeting will commence at 2:00 p.m., be sure to bring the other elements of harmony. Your loving teacher, Celestia.

Twilight was dead silent as Spike rolled the scroll back up, her mind racing with what possibly could have gone wrong.

“Wow! the Wonderbolts here!? I gotta show them some of my moves, this is gonna be awesome!” Rainbow Dash said excitedly, swishing around over the group in miniature figure eights.

“Royalty! coming here? Oh I need my best gown, and some makeup touch ups, and a pedicure...” Rarity continued on down a list of things she would need to make a good impression.

“Oh yay! A party with royalty! I can show them how we get down, Ponyville style! How much cider do you think the princesses can chug? I bet Celestia’s a light weight, but I’m sure Luna is gonna go for the gold!”

“What in the world are you talkin’ about sugarcube?” Applejack said, confused with nearly every word she said.

“I don’t know!” Pinkie giggled before falling, engulfed in another one of her own jokes.

Twilight scowled at the other ponies that were fooling around in such a dire situation. “What are you guys’ problem!” Twilight yelled in agitation, breaking off the excited chatter. “The princess has just asked for our help to divert a potentially deadly disaster, and all you ponies could think about, is parties, makeup, and obsessions over pegasi in tights?”

Rainbow down slowly hovered back to the ground, “Geez Twilight, take a chill pill.” she said offended.

“You want me to calm down!? Of all the ridiculous and absurd times to panic, Equestria’s doom should be only appropriate time anypony should freak out!”

“Hold right there a minute Twilight. Sure, Equestria’s in danger, but that ain’t no excuse to panic and insult your friends” Applejack said, surprised by Twilight’s sudden outburst.

Twilight rolled her eyes at the arrogant pony.“Oh come on! You can’t seriously tell m...” Twilight stopped, looking straight in the faces of her best friends, all with concerned looks on their faces. “Oh gosh, I’m so sorry, I just don’t understand how I was taken over with fear like that.” Twilight apologized sympathetically. “I guessed I kinda...”

“Freaked out?” Rainbow interrupted with a raised brow.

“Yah,” Twilight replied with a small apologetic smile.

“Now that everypony’s calmed down, maybe...”

Twilight’s eyes widened, “Everypony!?” She thought to herself, her face covered in fear and regret.

“Sugarcube? is everything alright?” Applejack asked, concerned as she observed the massive change in facial expression all the sudden.

“Fluttershy!” She blurted out. “We forgot Fluttershy!” Twilight repeated. “It’s been more than an hour, and she still hasn’t shown up!” The others exchanged worried glances of fear and shame.

“Well where could she possibly be?” Rarity said.

“We’ll just have to find out. Rainbow Dash!” Twilight called to the cyan pegasus. Rainbow turned, responding to Twilight’s now authoritative voice. “Fly over to Fluttershy’s place to see if she’s there, make sure you scan the ground the entire way there. rendezvous at Ponyville town hall.”

“On it!” Rainbow dash said while flying upwards and giving a salute, then bolting over to grab her bag before shooting towards Fluttershy’s place.

“Applejack, Rarity!” Twilight alerted.

“yes ‘em!?” Applejack said simultaneously as Rarity calmly but purposefully said,

“Mm,hmm?”

“Split up and ask around town if anyone has seen her this morning, you two also meet back at the town hall with whatever you find.” She commanded. The two mares nodded and galloped off towards town.

“And Pinkie! stay here and keep an eye out for Fluttershy incase she somehow makes her way back here.”

“Okey-dokey-lokey!” Pinkie yelled out in a tone more serious than the words she used, bolting over to the large tree and up the side, to appear a moment later at the top, spinning around in a circle with one hoof over her eye in a lookout pose on an invisible rotating platter.

“Don’t forget to meet back at Town hall before 2:00!”

“Oooooooohhhkaaayyy!” Pinkie yelled back unnecessarily long.

“Ooo!” Spike cried out in excitement. “What do you want me to do?”

Twilight looked down at the baby dragon with a kind smile. “Could you take care of our pets, and our stuff while we’re gone?”

Spikes expression changed from excited to grumpy. he scowled at twilight before accepting the menial task “Yeah, sure”

“Thank you so much spike.” she said sympathetically, and with that, Twilight’s horn flashed, and she exploded into a ball of purple light as she teleported away, leaving Spike in the company of the five pets in the field.

He looked up at the probing Pinkie in the tree, then at the five pets that gathered around him. He slouched disappointedly, and walked over to pick up the colorful bags underneath the tree. “I’m going back to bed after this.” he mumbled to himself.

The town center was bustling with the commotion and energy of the sunday afternoon. A small patch of air next to a baked goods stall, exploded into a brilliant, but brief explosion of dark purple and violet, startling a nearby postal service worker, tossing the bundle of letters in her hoofs right into the air like post office confetti. A violet unicorn was left standing, and twirled around a bit, as if in search of something

The mail-mare took a closer look at the familiar librarian. “Oh, it’s just you Twilight!” The pegasus said relieved.

Twilight turned to the sound of the pony’s voice before looking directly into the eyes of a lazy eyed pony , noticing the scattered letters on the ground. “Oops, sorry about that Derpy.” She said apologetically.

“No problem Twi!” Derpy replied oddly ardent, retrieving her fallen letters and fresh muffin from  the nearby baker’s stall. After stuffing her bag haphazardly with the many letters, and taking a bite from the baked pastry before stuffing that in as well, she took a less than elegant departure as she took-off into a swinging shop sign, recovering with a “Woops”, then flying off to do what Twilight assumed was deliver mail.

Twilight looked around, trying to get a bearing on what part of the town square she was in. She spotted the large crowd around town hall before she saw the actual building, and heard the ecstatic crowd before seeing either. The building was the largest in Ponyville, nothing in comparison in the large and beautiful buildings of Canterlot, but pretty impressive for the town. Probably hundreds of ponies were crowding around the front of the building, watching in awe at the three pegasi clad in blue jumpsuits with a yellow lightning bolt going down the belly. As Twilight approached, she saw that these were the Wonderbolts that Rainbow always got crazy over, Twilight remembering the long conversations Rainbow had about the group to a point that she could recognize every one of them. Spitfire stood pridefully in the front, her mane colored like actual flames, behind her to her left stood the exuberant colt Soarin’ and quiet filly Fleetfoot to her left. Twilight reached the back of the crowd, and started pushing through the cheering fans, giving an ‘excuse me’ and ‘pardon’ every now and then, until she reached the front, her further progression blocked by several guards identified in silver Ponyville guard armor with green maned helmets, blocking the base of the stairs. Just as she reached her stopping point, a silver-maned earth pony got to the pedestal next to a unicorn in an officer’s metal suit of armor on the patio. She flicked a switch next to a mic, and the speakers on either side of the pedestal hummed to life.

“Excuse me! Excuse me citizens!” The lively chatter of the ensemble decreasing only a few decimals in response. “Now, I’d like to be the first to welcome the Wonderbolts to our little town, but it looks like a few hundred beat me.” The mayor chuckled at the dry joke. The crowd quieted down further to a bearable level, “Now I’m sure everypony is interested in what’s going on, but I can assure you it is nothing to panic about,” The crowd began to murmur, wondering what reason there would be to panic. The vanilla colored guard whispered in the mayor’s ear, informing her of her mistake. The mayor smiled an embarrassed smile and continued on, not able to take her last comment back, “Your royal highnesses are on their way to our wonderful town of ponyville!” This excited the crowd once more. Spitfire and her accomplices took their opportunity to escape the exhausting attention, walking towards the large double doors that two guards opened as they passed through, and slammed shut as they cleared the doorway. “...Now I’m sure the situation isn’t too serious, and I’m confident that it is nothing the princesses can’t handle.” She did it again, the crowd chattered with even more uncertainty than before while  the officer  rolled her eyes as she sat down on her flank that bore a spear tip cutie mark

As the mayor face-hoofed, she scanned the chattering crowd, not looking for anypony in particular, until she spotted the violet colored, Twilight Sparkle, close to the front. She pushed herself up off the podium and called out to twilight with a beckoning hoof. “Twilight, oh thank goodness you’re here. hurry come up!” Twilight looked to the earth pony guard in front of her that had large blue eyes that blocked her passage. The guard looked over to the officer for confirmation, who gave a nod to let her through. He whispered to the ponies next to him, and they stepped aside, leaving just enough space for Twilight to fit through, before quickly shutting closed.

Twilight trotted up the stairs, reminiscing on her days in Canterlot when she had VIP access to nearly every room in the castle, liking being giving special privileges like she once did. The mayor gave a welcoming smile, with a tinge more relief. “I’m so glad you’re here, I need help with the decorations, they wouldn’t let any other pony in, other than those who were invited, so I had to put up most of the things myself, could you please help me with your magic to put up a few more decorations?” The mayor gave a pleading look.

“Of course. By the way, do you have any idea what this meetings about?” Twilight asked.

“I honestly don’t know, all I received was a note saying the princess was coming over to hold a meeting in town hall, and a list of everyone invited. I had to stop what I was doing to make the preparations.” The mare brought her hoof up to feel the pink patch of mane on the back of her neck that has so far gone unnoticed.

“I heard it’s an angry dragon. Some dolt hit it with a guitar and really ticked him off, or so says the guys around the barracks.” Spoke up the officer, who sounded as if she was constantly annoyed at something.

“Oh, I don’t believe you’ve met officer Shield Breaker of Ponyville’s Neightional guard base.” The mayor said, bringing Twilight closer to the unamused pony.

“Nice to meet you” The guard said very monotone, almost sarcastic sounding, pulling off the silver helmet crested with green fur, to reveal a light violet mane to match her eyes.

“Nice to meet you too officer Shield Breaker” Twilight replied more meaningfully, guessing how she got her cutie mark as she looked at the frighteningly sharp horn.

“Please, just call me chel” She said more matter-of-factly than friendly, putting back on her helmet to hide her glorious hair.

The mayor broke the awkward silence with a clop of her hoofs “Alright Twilight, the crate of decorations is right over there, I trust you have a feasible taste in design, just hang them up where you see fit, I’d like to help you but...” At that moment, the officer interrupted the mayor with a tap on the shoulder, and a point towards the large squadron of pegasi in gold plated royal Canterlot guard armor, flying in V formation. They landed in the open area behind the crowd, creating an empty square area as they spread out to secure the LZ. Only after a few moments, A large chariot, pulled by eight pegasi flew into view, the princesses inside even more magnificent looking than their royal chariot. In front of it led a regular sized, golden chariot, with A large, important looking,  red earth pony that she recognized as the general, in intricate black armor, trimmed in gold, next to two unicorns of alternating colors that she didn't recognize. Behind the princesses’ chariot was two more chariots, filled with a few more unicorns and earth ponies, two particular earth ponies looking out of place in their lab coats. The convoy landed into the grassy clearing, the front chariot first, followed by the princesses, then the last two, a couple more pegasi following the convoy landed around the chariots.

“Scratch that Twilight, all I need you to do is greet the princess with me.” The mayor said, pushing Twilight towards the top of the stairs. The two unicorns next to the general immediately hopped out as the chariot as they came to a stop, barking orders that coincided with one and another’s commands with impressive skill. Guards ran around in reaction to the commands, assuming positions, filling in gaps, and some taking up positions on top of buildings for better field of view. Many guards though, made up the path that led from the chariots to the stairs’ base, lining up on both sides, splitting apart the crowd. The General stepped out of his chariot and made his way towards the princesses as they stepped out. He stood between both, and accompanied them down the aisle of guards. Two unorganized earth ponies rushed over to the back of the line, one a yellow mare with a messy, tangerine mane, the other brown pony she recognized in Ponyville before, remembering his name to be Dr. Whooves. The frantic mare nect to the Dr, with an apple core as a cutie mark, was grabbing loose papers she dropped,  then stuffed them in her bag while Dr. Whooves stuffed more into the other side. The two finished their packing, and ran down the aisle to the three ahead of them, slowing down a they reached the back of the three. As the entourage of ponies from different walks of life reached the base of the stairs, the Ponyville guards did a deep bow and opened wide to let the entire group through.

“On behalf of every pony in Ponyville, welcome your highnesses.” The mayor did a low bow with Twilight, along with the officer to the far right.

“Greetings mayor, and hello my faithful student.” Celestia lent out her head to nuzzle her young student. “You of course remember Luna” she said with a tilt of her head towards her smaller sister.  The young co-ruler smiled at Twilight, who gave a smile right back. “And you remember General Typhoon I presume.” The general gave a small smile and a nod as he remembered the filly when she was just a foal, wandering around the castle library.

“I’m mean no offense whirly...” Twilight began, using the nickname only his few, closest friends used. “But shouldn’t you be retired by now, settling down with somepony?”

“That’s what I said,” chuckled the older sister, “But he insisted he could still handle the job of both general and personal bodyguard, so me and Luna gave him the chance at the Physical Aptitude Test again, and he passed with flying colors like he did twenty years ago, so we allowed him to continue on as long as he was physically able.”

The general grinned a little, “This old horse husk was built for war, not love.” he said with a pat on his chest plate.

Two ponies in lab coats stood awkwardly silent from the rest of the group, the two trying to listen into the conversation through the loud crowd behind them. Twilight leaned over to see the two behind the princess, that were left out.

“Oh yes, and these two are Dr. Whooves, and Apple Core.” The princess said, almost forgetting the two who were accompanying them. Dr. Whooves took the chance to get in on the conversation with an extended hoof,

“Hello Twilight, wonderful to finally meet you” He said exuberantly. Twilight extended her hoof, to have it violently shaken up and down by the enthusiastic pony.

“Nice to meet you too,” Twilight said as she managed to shake his grip.

“I heard you’re quite the genius, as expected from a student of the princess herself.” The professor said with the tilt of  his head, Twilight blushing at the compliment. “You know, my lab assistant is quite the fan of your amazing magical and cognitive abilities.” The Dr. said, pushing his suddenly bashful student closer to the purple mare. Twilight gave an endearing smile, remembering that she was somewhat of a legend among the other little ponies in the school of the gifted in Canterlot.

“All I did was work hard, it was nothing amazing.” Twilight said, the comment making the lab assistant a little more comfortable.

“Shall we go on in? The noise is a bit... distracting.” The mayor said, moving the mic away from her mouth as to not offend the massive crowd of ponies with her comment, a mistake she hasn’t made again in a long time.

“Lets” The princess agreed. The double doors swung open as the seven walked into the large room, the eighth one, chel, staying outside to be debriefed of her status report to the two commanders who were taking over the operation. The doors swung back shut by the two silver-clad guards with the tops of their heads, sealing the seven in the secure building.

Rainbow was flying back uncomfortably slow, scanning the ground again as to see if she had missed something the first time on her way to Fluttershy’s place. Unfortunately she wasn’t there still,  her fear for her close friend was driving her to be extra careful this second fly by. masking her emotions was difficult around her friends, who knew her very well, but out here where she was alone, her face was a mosaic of fear, sadness, and determination.

“Rock, tree, another rock, another rock, fox, hole” Every object she examined on the path that she followed, she forced  through her head, leaving no room for the doubt lingering in the back of her mind. She was alert for the key colors of yellow and pink, the signature look of their missing friend, and suddenly, there it was, she halted mid flight to examine the yellow and pink object several feet below her. She hovered in closer to the ground, then landed directly above the object. It was cloth, a yellow base color, with three pink and blue butterflies on the surface, Rainbow recognized the cutie mark all too well. She looked around, for possibly any signs of what happened.

Rainbow noticed a large skid in the dirt, and widened her eyes in the prospect of what might have happened to their dear friend. She snatched up the cloth in her mouth and stuffed it in her bag. She planted all four hooves firmly on the ground, and reeled backwards in preparations for a slingshot takeoff, but as she launched forwards, the very ground itself seemed to roar, rippling through the earth, and knocking her off balance as she launched forward, redirecting directly into a tree. Rainbow flew belly first into a branch within the tree, suspending her for only but a moment before sliding backwards and down onto, luckily, soft grass. After a few moments of groaning, and getting the wind back into her lungs, the rumbling stopped, the roar now gone. Rainbow painfully learned upward, rubbing her sore belly.

“What the heck?”

“Pull it” an ominous voice commanded a short, hunched, green goblin from the shadows.

“But all the bits aren’t functional yet” reasoned the creature.

“Does it look like I care? I wish to see what it is capable of” She said demeaningly, her patience waning.

“Be reasonable miss ‘em, we...”

“Pull. It. Now.” The figure said through gritted teeth, stepping out of the shadows to, most of her shrouded in a brown cloak, but her face still visible to show her anger.

“Yes, of course mlady” The creature said with a quick bow. He placed both small armed hands onto a rusty lever, placing a foot forward to gain torque as he yanked at the lever. At first it went nowhere as he strained in vain. The large pony was getting tired of waiting, and was about to intervene, until the lever shot backwards, tossing the goblin to the ground. a deep rumbling was heard, and the building shook. One of the massive drills spotted from the window, began to spin, at first slowly, then very fast, but just as fast as it roared to life, did it slowly die and one system after another failed.

BOOOOOOOOM!

A large, fiery explosion rang out from outside the window, the thick pane doing very little to muffle the massive explosion, shaking the very foundation of the cavern itself. The mare stood her ground, keeping herself up from falling, the cloak’s knot loosening and falling off, revealing a large alicorn. Her coat was orange in the locations she had flesh, but a fourth of her body that was no longer flesh, it was instead covered in brass colored metal, including one of her wings and a large part of her chest, like an incomplete suit of armor. The goblin shielded his eyes from the bright flare of fire that followed, but the queen stared directly into the inferno, her eyes unblinking as ancient memories and feelings of hatred resurfaced. She continually looked outwards, even after the explosive blaze decayed to a lingering flame that licked the sides of the metal structure. She scowled a fearsome look, turning towards the goblin laying on the floor, still shaken from the explosion. He cringed in her gaze, waiting for whatever terrible punishment she had in store. Instead, she snorted a small plume of smoke from her nose, and walked out the porthole, leaving the goblin to sigh in relief.

The alicorn marched through the metal corridors, the section of the area she stood in still lacked a roof, leaving the cavern ceiling hundreds of feet above. She walked out of the metal structure as some more goblins raced by, buckets of water in hand, towards the flames. She took a left alongside the metal building, the stone floor now beneath her hooves. When a couple more green workers rushed by, she checked if more were coming. When she saw she was alone, she sat down, and leaned on the side of the creation,  sorting out her thoughts in her seclusion, then settling on anger to describe her emotion as she slid one hoof alongside the metal plates.

“They will pay.” She growled to herself.

Once again, thanks for taking your time to read this, who ever you are ( the undead elvis? Jesus? Hitler’s ghost? TWILIGHT!?). I do intend to finish this story, I won’t leave my bronies hangin’ with an unfinished story.

Also, My Little Pony is not owned by me, but I did steal some ideas that weren't patented. Please don’t sue me.

“I’m goin’ off the rails on a crazy train!” -long live Ozzy