Arrivalby ChemIisanChaptersCocoa and StoriesDragons and MemoriesTunnels and GiantsProlougeCocoa and Stories Arrival Back in Ponyville, homes are closed. Hot chocolate is served behind wooden doors. Small fireplaces heat living rooms, and a group of friends is chatting in the local library. These friends had been through much together, and each was keenly aware of the others talents and weaknesses. They were finishing a story about a brave stallion that fended off a dragon by tricking it into leaving. The dragon that was present was not amused. “You simply must get over it, Spike. It was- is a harmless tale from many years ago. The dragon wasn't even slain, which is quite unusual for a story about stallions and dragons.” Rarity was wrapped fashionably in a purple scarf, her hair done in an unusual fashion. Her mascara was as blue as ever, and Spike could not help but forgive her. The other ponies, however... “It doesn't have anything to do with whether or not that dragon was killed! It has do do with the fact we dragons are demonized in every tale from the old days, and we're still hated even today! I never did anything to harm people, so what does that make me?” Spike wore an irritated face directed at Twilight. His foot stamped impatiently, and there was an awkward pause. “Y'see, Spike, you ain't a normal dragon. Normal dragons eat meat an' th' like, and you just ain't a meat-eater.” Applejack was trying her hardest to explain that the stories had nothing to do with Spike, that Spike was a good kid. She shook a shiver off and inched closer to the fire. Even in the dead of winter she wore nothing but her lucky hat. She's worn the same tattered ten-gallon since she was a kid. Spike eyed her with disdain. “You know what I think? I don't think any of you have actually met a dragon before.” “That isn't true! We totally fought a red one about a year ago.” Rainbow Dash was fidgeting, as she was apt to do. Her candy colored mane shined in the light of the fire burning. Her eyes were representative of her body as they flitted back and forth. She was obviously uncomfortable being still for so long, but she put up with it in the name of friendship. That, and the last time she went outside she nearly died of hypothermia. “You never met that dragon at all! You kicked its face, Rarity tried to steal its things, Twilight talked it to death, and Celestia knows what Pinkie Pie did. If you actually felt like moving him out, you could have struck a conversation, or asked a riddle...” Spike had clearly been premeditating this scenario. “Spike, dragons are one of the exceptions to the 'not everyone is bad' rule. As it happens, a study was recently done among non-Equestrian dragons and more than 90% reported or showed signs of unwholesome behavior. As it happens, you are an Equestrian purple dragon, a breed designed to perform only wholesome behavior under the careful tutelage of a magic unicorn.” Twilight sat in the very center of her friends, pulling from a large book titled 'Tales to Tell to Young Fillies'. “Question for ya Twilight; what 'sactly does 'unwholesome behavior' mean?” “Applejack does bring up a good point. What exactly IS unwholesome behavior?” Spike was starting to question Applejack's ability to support her own opinions. “Err...” started Twilight. She hadn't exactly thought about that. “I suppose that insulting ponies works... hurting animals... I'm not quite sure what the surveyors exactly meant there, but it involves any selfish and disharmonious behavior.” “Wait, wait; say that last bit again?” requested Spike. “Selfish, disharmonious behavior-” “Aha! That's exactly what I mean. You can say dragons are selfish because they horde gold and gems, but the fact is we need those to live and you don't. Imagine if I called you evil for storing apples in the winter, Applejack. Or if I called Rainbow Dash evil for hogging all the water in Ponyville for one shower.” “Hey, wait a minute!” exclaimed that colorful pegasi. “Point is, what you deem selfish is healthy, perhaps even required for a dragon. I don't think I'd like to be told I'm evil because I have a stockpile of food. That would definitely make me an irate dragon in the morning, don't you think?” “Well, I suppose that does question the validity of the survey... now that I think about it, I've never heard of any dragon attacks in recent years...” Twilight was obviously troubled by this new information. If one thing she knew about dragons was wrong, then how valid was the remainder of her knowledge? “I have a story... if anyone really cares...” said a hushed Fluttershy from behind the group. Angel was nestled between Fluttershy's wing and her soft yellow pelt. She was wrapped in a large number of quilts formed into a nest. Her hair was also done in an unusual fashion, perked up into a ponytail. It was not particularly fashionable, but it allowed Fluttershy to wear a woolen cap. “An actual dragon attack? Tell us, Fluttershy!” Rainbow Dash jumped at the prospect of an exciting story. She liked it better when Twilight was reading rather than arguing about how evil or not dragons actually were. In fact, she would hardly care if Spike started attacking Rarity. Well, she might care then. But only because it would be fun to watch. “Well, it does have an attack in it-” “Is to going to be THAT story again?” moaned a disinterested Rarity from the sidelines. “Hush! Fluttershy's going to tell a story!” Rainbow Dash wanted to get to the meat of the story as fast as possible. The friends quieted down, and all attention was on Fluttershy. “Do you remember the time I was in the hospital? You wouldn't, Twilight, you hadn't met me yet. I... I never told many ponies this. It was very difficult.” Fluttershy nearly backed away, but Twilight egged her on. “We're your friends, Fluttershy. We would never do anything to hurt you.” Fluttershy seemed comforted by this, and continued. “I- I was young. It was a few years after I got my cutie mark, and I was- well, I was adventurous. I- I overestimated myself...” Fluttershy quieted down as a knock was heard from the direction of the door. “I'll get it!” shouted Spike. He opened the door to find nopony there. “Why are you looking over there, Spike?” said a bright pink form mere inches away from the baby dragon's spine. “I'm behind you, silly!” Spike closed the door slowly and turned around nervously to see Pinkie Pie, bright as ever and wearing four fur boots. Her boots were attached to tennis racquets, and she also wore a long scarf that dragged on the ground. Unsurprisingly, she was not wet and vibrated warmth from head to toe. Pinkie Pie grinned and then cracked up, rolling on the floor in laughter. “How... but... huh?!” Spike was flabbergasted, chalking it up to magic he would never understand. “It's okay, Spike. You aren't the first one to fall for the old 'Knock-Knock' trick.” Pinkie Pie had been inside the whole time, listening in on the conversation. It only made sense she would knock on the door before introducing herself. Of all of the group, she was the only one still hiding secrets, most of them locations to her 'shortcuts'. Having a magic shovel didn't hurt either. “Pinkie Pie! So glad you could be here! Fluttershy was about to tell us about her dragon encounter!” Rainbow Dash was itching for Pinkie to sit down and listen. “Oh, that? I was there. Good times.” Pinkie Pie plopped down next to Rarity. “I love this wonderful scarf you made me!” As Rarity was about to respond, Rainbow Dash gave her the stink-eye. “Go on, Fluttershy.” finished Rarity with a bored expression on her face. “A-alright... I was headed off when I got caught in a snowball fight-” Fluttershy started. “Ooh, ooh! I can do this one!” interrupted Pinkie Pie. “Me and Rarity were having a snowball fight, and this little yellow pony walked in the middle of us! I thought she was Rarity, being covered in purple winter clothes and all, so I threw a snowball at her!” “Oh, please. Spare us the lies, Pinkie. You were never in a snowball fight with me.” “I am not a liar! You are the liar! You even initiated it!” “I swore revenge, dear. I never actually challenged you to a snowball fight. You just started throwing snowballs at everyone, up to and including Fluttershy.” “You're just sore because you couldn't hit me with a snowball.” “Girls! Fluttershy was telling a story here? About dragons? To us? Did I mention dragons?” Rainbow Dash never really cared for snowball fights. She was never able to put that ball of snow together and then throw it so it didn't fall apart. The last time she was in a snowball fight she was put under house arrest for the winter. Apparently if you throw a snowball too fast it becomes an icicle. She still wasn't sure if that icicle caused permanent damage to Carrot Top. “You're right; it was incredibly impudent of me and Pinkie Pie to fight. Continue, dear.” Fluttershy was once again caught in the headlights. “I cried for a bit. Pinkie Pie stopped throwing snowballs at me after a while. Then Rarity and Pinkie Pie took me to a hospital.” Fluttershy stopped for a bit to think. “What- that's it? I thought this was a story about dragons!” “A story about d-d-dragons? When did I say it was about d-dragons?” “Right at the beginning!” “Actually, Fluttershy's right. She never mentioned anything about a dragon.” Twilight looked like she was about to say more, but a loud snore interrupted her. Applejack lie asleep on the rug. “I would say that is adorable, but that sounds somewhat incestuous.” Twilight and the other girls laughed deep into the cold winter night. *** Fallen trees litter the ground. The snow is disturbed and the ground is cracked at intervals. Trunks ar lifted from the ground and brought to a pile. The others will soon arrive, and it is their job to prepare the way for them. Animals scatter as their homes are demolished for the burly lumberjacks moving their way through the forest at an alarming rate. Only stumps are left behind, and even these are being uprooted. There was no shelter. There were no screams. The Huge Men had arrived. Dragons and MemoriesNight was falling in Ponyville, and Rainbow Dash was moping in the corner of the Books and Branches Library. Fluttershy approached and Rainbow Dash gave her a dirty look. "You said that you had a story about dragons." she said with a scrunch in her face. She was obviously displeased, and her other friends were giving her space. Applejack was still asleep on the floor next to Twilight. "I- I have a story about dragons! I... I was getting to it! It... it required you to know this one first." Fluttershy was trying her hardest to apologize to Rainbow Dash, and telling another story seemed like a good start. "R-really?" Rainbow Dash was more confused than anything. First Fluttershy had a story about dragons, and then she didn't, but now she did; Rainbow Dash was unsure whether or not Fluttershy was making it up. "Yes, really. It was only a few months after that." Rainbow Dash leaned in to listen, but Fluttershy moved back to her nest of scarves. "Hey!" shouted Rainbow Dash from her corner. "Aren't you going to tell the story?" "Yes, but from over here. Come back and join us before I continue." Fluttershy was very conscientious of the other friends that were present. She waited for Rainbow Dash to sheepishly fly towards the group before she continued. Spike was slipping off into sleep on his warm bed as Rarity yawned, eager to sleep. "While I was in the hospital, Pinkie Pie was near my bedside the whole time. While I was recovering, she told me all sorts of tales of magical beasts." "Were they dragons?" interrupted Rainbow Dash. "They were dragons." cooed Fluttershy. Eee! squealed Rainbow Dash as she scooted closer. "She told me a story about a pegasi who defeated a dragon. Her name was... er... Glitter Sky. Glitter Sky was on a journey... to defeat a dragon! She was off to defeat a dragon" ~~=~~ Glitter Sky looked carefully at the smoky mountain. She had been tasked by Princess Celestia with the job of removing the dragon from the cave overlooking the Everfree Forest, and she wasn't about to back out now. Behind her, an earth pony town was depending on her bravery and quick wit to save them. She swallowed her spit and attempted to trek up the purple cliff. As she took the first step, her wings locked and she hid behind a bush. She was afraid. She knew that, and yet she accepted. She could never live with herself if she allowed the dragon to roam free now. Just as she was having second thoughts, she heard a cry in the distance. "Help! Help me!" The voice dragged Glitter Sky away from her comfort zone. Some pony needed help, and sitting around in a bush was not going to solve anything. She found herself staring at an old friend on the path who was sliding down a cliff. In an effort of quick thinking, one grabbed the other and pulled them up onto the plateau. "Mighty kind've you to save me there, Glitter Sky. Is there any way I could make it up to you?" Apple Core was an earth pony who owned an apple orchard not too far from Canterlot. "Apple Core? Like, one of the Apple family?" asked Rainbow Dash. "If I said yes, could we get back to the story?" responded Fluttershy. "Ehe... go on." "Here," said Apple Core. "I'll take you up. Rest yer wings an' I'll let you ride." Apple Core tied Glitter Sky to her back and set off up the mountain. "Heheheh, Glitter Sky is riding Apple Core." Rainbow Dash giggled until Fluttershy gave her a cold stare. "May I continue?" "Oh, yeah. Sorry." Rainbow dash was blushing with embarrassment. "Me an' my group were separated. We should find 'em 'fore we do anythin'. Why are you trekkin' up this mountain, by th' way? Did Celestia send you after th' dragon too?" Apple Core slowed down and nearly skidded off a cliff. "Phew, that there was a close one. So, tell yer story." "I was sent to talk the dragon out of living here." Glitter Sky was still a bit shaken. "Well that works out just perfect!" Apple Core stopped and looked far into the distance. "Look! That's them there!" As Apple Core approached, Midnight Moon came to meet them. "Is Midnight Moon the daughter of Luna?" asked Rainbow Dash. "Err... not really..." "Is she a powerful unicorn?" asked Twilight eagerly. "You could say her talent is magic, I guess..." "Ooh! Just like me!" squealed Twilight. "Is there a Wonderbolt there? That would be so awesome!" Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle were inches away from Fluttershy's face now. She backed off a bit. "How about we get back to the story and find out?" Both friends nodded in unison and Fluttershy continued. Midnight Moon recognized Glitter Sky from her studies. "Glad to see a friendly face! Were you invited by her Majesty too?" Midnight got to work untying the ropes while Apple Core settled Glitter Sky down on the ground. "Yes, the Princess has sent me here to aid you." Glitter Sky shook the ropes off. "Excellent. We may need your animal skills. Come and meet the rest of the gang. You may know of them." Midnight and Apple Core reached the clearing where the others were planning the removal of the great dragon. One of the unicorns looked up, saw Glitter Sky and practically beamed. "Glitter Sky!" she yelled. "Fashionista!" Glitter Sky was glad to see an old friend. Fashionista often sent her new designs even before they were released. "I thought I was going to be stuck with Rosy Cake all day. Thank Celestia you're here." Fashionista primped her mane with a dainty hoof. "Hey! I'm good company too!" Rosy Cake was irritated by the way she was rudely brushed off. "Oh, Glitter Sky! Do you want a snack? I !" Rosy Cake was a famous baker, but she could be ditzy at times. "I take offense to that!" shouted Pinkie Pie from the back. "What are you talking about, Pinkie Pie?" asked a confused Twilight Sparkle. "Shh! Is there a Wonderbolt?" Fluttershy took this as a signal to continue. There was also a Wonderbolt by the name of Wind Speed. "I knew it! Eeeee~" Rainbow Dash paused as Twilight gave her a stare in unison with Fluttershy. The six of them soon faced their first challenge, a large gap in the path. One slip and they could be falling for a very long time. Wind Speed went first and flew over he gap. "Come on! The water's fine!" Wind Speed giggled at her own joke. "Catch me if I fall." mumbled Apple Core to Midnight Moon. Apple Core made a quick gallop and she jumped over. She landed on the other side with no issue, and turned to face the others. "It's easy crossings here, gals." "One after the other, the ponies jumped to the other side. Fashionista nearly slipped, but Wind Speed caught her. As Glitter Sky opened her wings to fly, they stuck. "My wings! They must have frozen at this height..." Glitter Sky was briefly discouraged, before Rosy Cake jumped over to help. "I know what can de-frostiferate those wings! A song!" "A-a song?" Glitter Sky was startled as music started to fill the air. "Is this natural?" she screamed incredulously. "Ooh! Ooh! Can I do the song, Fluttershy?" Pinkie Pie asked. "I was kinda counting on it..." mumbled Fluttershy. "Wait... just a second... alright! I got a perfect song!" Music blared for real this time, and the whole room lit up, awakening Applejack and Rarity. Spike kept sleeping. A tea kettle screamed from the kitchen, then proceeded to pipe with a regular rhythm. The fire crackled in tune, and the occasional *POP* could be heard from the embers. Even the wind seemed to join in the cacophony, working with the branches to form long tweets and loud toots. Before anypony could speak up, Pinkie was already trotting and rolling, her hoofsteps completing the serenade of Winter at work. Warm Those Wings Right Up Written by ChemIisan "Fros-ty and chilly You were caught inside the cold Now let's warm those wings right up Get the ice out of the fold Pull real hard And hear the snapping Wait that isn't right Pull real soft It's slowly cracking Get rid of that ice! With a *huff* and a *puff* and a *huff huff hu-puff* And a *huff* and a *puff* with a *huff huff hu-puff* That ice will surely melt away-ay With a *huff* and a *puff* and a *huff huff hu-puff* And a *huff* and a *puff* with a *huff huff hu-puff* Your wings will fly once more today-ay-ay As soon as the music started, it also faded away. Fluttershy was impressed at how quickly Pinkie Pie made up that song. "By the way, Twilight, your cocoa is burning." Pinkie Pie dropped offhandedly as the scream of the tea kettle persisted. "What? Oh, right!" Twilight dashed over to turn the oven off. "So you sang the song and..." Fluttershy picked up from there. Rosy Cake sang the song and sure enough, Glitter Sky's wings opened and allowed her to fly over to the other side. "What I don't understand is why Midnight didn't just levitate her over." complained Fashionista. Midnight blushed lightly before she responded. "Err, I just... wanted to build character! That's it!" Midnight smiled widely, as if that would disguise the lie. "Hey... wait a second... I take offense to that too!" chided Twilight Sparkle. "I don't know what you're talking about." Fluttershy lifted her head up and pointed it away from Twilight. Twilight considered dignifying this by giving a response, but she took notice of how closely Rainbow Dash was following the story. She would withhold complaints... for now. The group continued to wander towards their destination. Midnight halted the crew to examine something on the sidelines. "Stop, everypony." Midnight was reading a sign now, written with large crayon on wood. "Well? What does it say?" asked Wind Speed, who was very illiterate (Twilight snickered at this). "Golems Ahead - Stay Quiet And Nopony Gets Hurt. Well that's an odd set of directions." "What in the name of hay are 'golems'?" requested Apple Core. "Magical creatures of stone that live in mountains... but I never knew we had a colony so close to Canterlot! This is a prime opportunity to study their habits and-" "Somehow I feel that there would be a more controlled and less risky time to study the activities of creatures that could potentially attack us? I'm not quite sure where your priorities lie, Midnight, but I personally like my mane the way it is. That is, not dead." Fashionista was obviously more concerned with herself than with the group as a whole, but she had a good point. "Alright; I'll hold off on my studies for now..." Midnight seemed a little depressed, but she understood where Fashionista was coming from. The ponies quietly creeped by the cliffs where the golems lived, taking care not to yell. "Do Golems even have ears?" whispered Wind Speed. "Shh!" replied everypony else. Glitter Sky inched along and tripped on a round rock protruding from the ground. She skidded and yewled in pain, but was unheard over a terrible scream. The ground had opened up and a rocky tan beast burst out of it. Soon, eyes were opening up all over the walls and ground and this beast called for aid. "My TOE!" he exclaimed at the top of his lungs. He curled up in a ball, holding his front leg and requesting his mother repeatedly. "Who did this to me!?! The pain! The pain! The inexplicable pain!" "Oh fer Celestia's sake, stop that there whinin'! You're wakin' up th'... neighborhood." Apple Core chastised the crying golem, but stopped as she noticed a wide array of eyes staring her down. One cracked it's knuckles, a universal gesture even among ponies. "What are knuckles?" asked Rainbow Dash. "Err... Twilight, can you explain for me?" avoided Fluttershy. "Knuckles are on creatures with hands, like dragons. If you push down on them with a finger, they make a cracking sound that represents the sound they make when, uh, punching you." Rainbow Dash was satisfied with her response, and hurried Fluttershy back to the story. "What have you done to my baby?" questioned one of the rock creatures as they scooped up the rock golem and cradled him in her arms. It was assumed that that golem was the mother, and the smaller one was her child. The other golems stood at about her height, but there were a few more 'children' scattered around. "She hurt me, Mommy! She hurt my toe!" whined the baby golem, pointing at Glitter Sky. "Make her pay!" he howled. The biggest golem looked carefully at the ponies. Red clay smeared his face, the large stalactite staff he held imposing his authority. "You have 10 seconds to leave, before I do anything drastic." "Gladly!" yelped Glitter Shy before catching up with the fleeing Fashionista and hightailing it out of there. "That's it? No fighting or anything?" Rainbow Dash flipped. "I think it sends a good message to everypony. You don't need to fight to get your way." Fluttershy sounded confident, for once. "Pfft. That's a terrible moral. There better be some dragon fighting by the end of this." Fluttershy yawned once than resumed. The troupe soon reached the cavern entrance, where they could hear a loud snoring. "Who goes first?" asked Rosy Cake. The ponies mumbled to each other for a bit, then Midnight Moon spoke up. "We should draw lots. That way, it's completely fair." All the ponies agreed, and got to it. In a few minutes, the group convened again. "Alright, Fashionista, since you drew the best parking lot you'll go first." "Naturally." "Next will be Wind Speed, then Rosy Cake, and finally, myself." "Well what 'bout me an' Glittershy, err, Flitter Sky, I mean-" Before Apple Core could spoil the secret, Midnight Moon explained her decision. "Your art was so terrible, we decided you'll probably just run away. Any more questions?" "My art ain't that terrible! I'd like t'see you do bett-ahh!" contested Applejack, but she was halted mid-sentence by a loud stomp. Everything in the house shook. Lanterns fell and crashed upon the floor. Books dropped down, pummeling poor Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy was thrown into Twilight, and both went cold on the floor. The fireplace spilled out onto Spike, covering him in embers and flaming logs. He didn't seem to mind, sleeping as peacefully as ever. "Quick! Get some water!" shouted Rarity to Pinkie Pie. This isn't good. thought Pinkie Pie to herself. I have to get them out of here. She grabbed a bucket of water and put out the fire. After Spike was doused and awake, she turned her attention to the two unconscious ponies on the floor. "Applejack!" she shouted. "Grab Fluttershy! I'll get Twilight! Everyone, follow me!" She slung Twilight Sparkle over her hindquarters and rushed over to the looked along the bookshelves. "This is no time for reading, Pinkie!" shouted Rarity from her corner, where she was helping Rainbow Dash to her feet. Spike quickly grabbed a quill, some ink, and several parchments just in time to avoid the giant axe swinging into the fireplace. A huge, glimmering blade cut about a quarter of the way through the home, barely nicking Rainbow Dash's left wing. As it slowly removed itself, a secret passage opened into a tunnel. "Everyone! Through the passage!" she shouted, and it wasn't long before everyone rushed in. Just in time, as it happened, for the next moment the house collapsed on top of the portal to the library. "Wh-what just happened?" Applejack was white as a sheet, and her legs were about to give out. Pinkie Pie lit a candle and gave Applejack a good, square look before opening her mouth. "The Two-Legs have arrived." Tunnels and GiantsDirt fell in chunks overhead as the giant axe chopped away at the library. Pinkie Pie rummaged through a chest near the entrance, handing out headlamps to her friends. Twilight was barely conscious, and Pinkie Pie had to strap the yellow helmet on for her. Applejack was huddled next to Rarity and hugging her for comfort. Fluttershy was wide awake but frozen with fear. In a matter of minutes, everything had gone to hell. "The Two-Legs? Who are the Two-Legs?" It was Spike who piped up and broke the heavy silence. Pinkie Pie handed the candle to Spike before responding. "The Two-Legs are creatures much bigger than ourselves. They have pink, fleshy skin (like mine), deep, throaty voices, and long, bushy beards." "But why are they here? Why now, in the middle of winter?" "If I knew, we wouldn't be waiting here, would we?" Pinkie Pie continued rummaging through the chest. Rainbow Dash was huddled in the opposite corner of Rarity. This room was a large, hoof-carved dome that had many connecting tunnels. It reminded Rarity of her time with the Diamond Dogs. In fact, a few of the walls resembled the caverns they used to mine for gems. "Where are we, Pinkie Pie? I don't recognize this place at all..." "Really? I thought you, of all ponies, would recognize the work of the Diamond Dogs! I've been using their tunnels for years now. Sure, any gems I find here go to their stash, but it's really easy to get around with this network." "If these are the same tunnels I was trapped in, why didn't you just save me when I needed it?" Rarity was a little bit angry, but she was also overwhelmingly curious of Pinkie's reasoning. "A secrets no longer a secret if everyone knows about it! DUH." "Yeah, perfect reasonin', right? How come you get t'be hidin' secrets? We're s'posed to tell ev'rythin' t'each other, Pinkie! Y'can't just give us part've th' whole story and expect us to trust you!" Pinkie Pie was voiceless. Applejack was within reaching distance. Her eyes burned deep into Pinkie's own. They held this for what seemed like years. Rarity could not stand this. Rainbow Dash groaned slightly, and the silence was broken. She felt like her ribcage was broken in several places. "Wh-where are we?" slowly stuttered Rainbow Dash. "In the depths of the Diamond Dog caverns." Rarity was looking around. She flashed her horn to see if there were any nearby gems, and the room lit up. "I didn't know yer spell created light..." "It doesn't..." Rarity became a brighter shade of white. "All of you! Get out, quickly!" Spot came running by quickly, followed by several other Diamond Dogs. "What-" "The Pink Flesh! In our tunnels!" Pinkie Pie grabbed the Element of Laughter and put it on. "Grab Twilight! Fluttershy, get up!" Pinkie Pie was nudging Fluttershy. "We have to go! Now!" It was no use. "My w-wings are locked!" Fluttershy squealed as a large chunk of dirt missed her narrowly. Applejack, Spike and Rarity were out of the main cavern before Rainbow Dash could respond. A rock fell from the ceiling, pinning Twilight's leg. Rainbow Dash rushed to her side, rocks raining over the room. Fluttershy's wings unlocked as she rushed towards the falling clods to help her friends. "Rainbow Dash! Twilight!" Pinkie snagged Fluttershy's wing and pulled her away. "What are you doing? Let me go! I need to help Rainbow Dash!" "It's too late for them! We don't need more dead if we can help it!" "Rainbow Dash would do the same for us!" "Yeah? Well, you're not Rainbow Dash!" Pinkie tugged once more as the entrance to the main cavern was sealed off. Fluttershy broke free from Pinkie's grasp, spitting on the floor. "Y-you aren't Pinkie Pie! You're a heartless monster!" "What? I am Pinkie Pie, thank you very much!" "The real Pinkie Pie would never abandon her friends!" "Those rocks could have killed us!" "Those rocks killed them!" Silence fell as Fluttershy's words echoed throughout the cavern. Both ponies stopped as the words sank in. Fluttershy began to tear up. "Th-th-they, they...waaahaahaahaaaaaa!" Fluttershy fell down, sobbing violently. Pinkie Pie was also crying. This could have been avoided. She felt the twitch, she really did. That deep twitch of her tail, less up-down and more side-side. Side-side means danger. She could have avoided it all. ~~~ "Where's Fluttershy?" Rarity and Applejack had taken a quick rest in a small chamber a few miles from where they started. Spike was lagging behind and told them to go ahead without him. He would be fine, he said, he just needed to eat. "I've got a better question for ya; where's that no-good smells-rotten Pinkie Pie? I still got some talkin' t'do with her." Applejack and Rarity rested, waiting for their friends. They would be waiting for a long time. ~~~ A big, bulky giant was helping his rotund friend squeeze out of the hole he was jammed in. "I'm telling yeh, I don't know how I got here! One minute I was cutting this here tree down, and the next minute I was stuck in this here hole!" "Yeh probably stepped in a sinkhole er somethin'. Tuck in yer gut! You're making it hard to get yeh out!" The lardy giant sucked in deep and popped out like a cork. "Ahh." The fat one stretched. "That feels so much better. Thanks again, Aggs!" "ENOUGH CHITCHAT!" It was Hagar, the commander of the group. His presence was as imposing as his sholders were wide. His from alone was enough to block out the sun over half of Ponyville. He was a giant... among giants. "I'm not paying meh worthless sons t'stand by idly! I need these ponies captured, pronto!" "Y-yes mister Commander Sir!" The fat son saluted his father, waiting for orders. Hagar looked him in the eye before turning around. "If I don't see a thousan' ponies in cages by the end've t'night, it's yer ass fer dinner, Haggis!" "U-understood, sir! My ass fer dinner!" "Good. And as for ye, Agger; I better not see a single spot o' blood on yer clumsy little boots! This cargo is precious, yeh hear?" Agger nodded vigorously. "Now, if you don't mind me, I have a princess to catch." Hagar grabbed seven sacks and stomped away, taking care not to step on any fleeing playthings. Haggis and Agger were silent for a moment, but Agger snapped out of it. "Uh, Haggs?" "Yeah?" "Some pegasi er gettin' 'way!" "So?" "You gonna catch 'em?" "Oh! Yeah, right!" Haggis exhaled, then inhaled with a mighty intake. His mouth created a vacuum, sucking in cloud, roof, and pony alike. Trees and homes were uprooted, inhabitants thrown out. Snow was cleared from the ground. Soon Haggis's cheeks were full with ponies and debris. Haggis swished around the materials in his mouth before grabbing a sack. He spat pegasi like watermelon seeds into a trash can, taking care to not spit out the houses. He swished once more before spitting out a slimy Derpy. As he did this, Agger shook the toppled library around. "This tree is no good! It's all hollow inside!" Haggis spit another three, checking to make sure he got them all. He did, and he swallowed the rest, tightening the bag. "What do yeh mean, 'no good'?" "Look! Some sorta... library er somethin'." "What's this?" A small crown had fallen from the library and landed in the snow. "Heh, it's some sort of jewel!" "Look at this! Pure gold!" "Gold? Let me see!" Agger snatched the crown from Haggis. It fit neatly between his fingers. "Give it back!" "This is gold, isn't it?" Before Haggis could respond, another giant tugged on his shirt. Haggis turned around to see Stumps. "Where do we put th' bags, Haggis?" "Good question there. I'm not sure. Agger, where do we put the bags?" "Hmm..." Agger looked around before thinking of something suitable. "Let me clear out this 'ere hole. It would be perfect fer the bags." Agger stamped and the ground shook, ejecting the rocks and dirt from the hole. Agger quickly caught the rocks with his hand, placing them to the side. He peered in to look for leftovers and found something very unexpected. "And what do we have here? ProlougeHey everypony, It's ChemIisan with my usual warning to the readers. Well, not my usual warning. This comic is going to be pretty clean for the most part. I'm aiming for EqD when I finish, and I know how hard it is to smuggle gore through the gate. So actually, this isn't a warning at all. It's more like a message. A message with a little request attached at the bottom. I like art. In fact, I like it a lot. This book is designed to later be accompanied with soft pictures of scenes, and perhaps a song or two. I'd love to see some guest art from you if you want to support my story. Think Winnie the Pooh, but with ponies. Oh, right! I have a story to present! I give to you... Arrival Movement in the trees. Crows caw once and fly away. A resounding thud is heard, and some trees shiver with excitement. A squirrel sniffs the cold air and retreats into its burrow. Winter is here, and snow will soon fall. The sky is overcast, and the air rigid with anticipation. The forest senses that something big is coming, and even the wolves act nervous. A single flake falls, only to be crushed by a large boot. The metal swings though the breeze carelessly, and the wood parts for the massive tool. The tree makes a sound. There is someone in the forest tonight.
Cocoa and Stories Arrival Back in Ponyville, homes are closed. Hot chocolate is served behind wooden doors. Small fireplaces heat living rooms, and a group of friends is chatting in the local library. These friends had been through much together, and each was keenly aware of the others talents and weaknesses. They were finishing a story about a brave stallion that fended off a dragon by tricking it into leaving. The dragon that was present was not amused. “You simply must get over it, Spike. It was- is a harmless tale from many years ago. The dragon wasn't even slain, which is quite unusual for a story about stallions and dragons.” Rarity was wrapped fashionably in a purple scarf, her hair done in an unusual fashion. Her mascara was as blue as ever, and Spike could not help but forgive her. The other ponies, however... “It doesn't have anything to do with whether or not that dragon was killed! It has do do with the fact we dragons are demonized in every tale from the old days, and we're still hated even today! I never did anything to harm people, so what does that make me?” Spike wore an irritated face directed at Twilight. His foot stamped impatiently, and there was an awkward pause. “Y'see, Spike, you ain't a normal dragon. Normal dragons eat meat an' th' like, and you just ain't a meat-eater.” Applejack was trying her hardest to explain that the stories had nothing to do with Spike, that Spike was a good kid. She shook a shiver off and inched closer to the fire. Even in the dead of winter she wore nothing but her lucky hat. She's worn the same tattered ten-gallon since she was a kid. Spike eyed her with disdain. “You know what I think? I don't think any of you have actually met a dragon before.” “That isn't true! We totally fought a red one about a year ago.” Rainbow Dash was fidgeting, as she was apt to do. Her candy colored mane shined in the light of the fire burning. Her eyes were representative of her body as they flitted back and forth. She was obviously uncomfortable being still for so long, but she put up with it in the name of friendship. That, and the last time she went outside she nearly died of hypothermia. “You never met that dragon at all! You kicked its face, Rarity tried to steal its things, Twilight talked it to death, and Celestia knows what Pinkie Pie did. If you actually felt like moving him out, you could have struck a conversation, or asked a riddle...” Spike had clearly been premeditating this scenario. “Spike, dragons are one of the exceptions to the 'not everyone is bad' rule. As it happens, a study was recently done among non-Equestrian dragons and more than 90% reported or showed signs of unwholesome behavior. As it happens, you are an Equestrian purple dragon, a breed designed to perform only wholesome behavior under the careful tutelage of a magic unicorn.” Twilight sat in the very center of her friends, pulling from a large book titled 'Tales to Tell to Young Fillies'. “Question for ya Twilight; what 'sactly does 'unwholesome behavior' mean?” “Applejack does bring up a good point. What exactly IS unwholesome behavior?” Spike was starting to question Applejack's ability to support her own opinions. “Err...” started Twilight. She hadn't exactly thought about that. “I suppose that insulting ponies works... hurting animals... I'm not quite sure what the surveyors exactly meant there, but it involves any selfish and disharmonious behavior.” “Wait, wait; say that last bit again?” requested Spike. “Selfish, disharmonious behavior-” “Aha! That's exactly what I mean. You can say dragons are selfish because they horde gold and gems, but the fact is we need those to live and you don't. Imagine if I called you evil for storing apples in the winter, Applejack. Or if I called Rainbow Dash evil for hogging all the water in Ponyville for one shower.” “Hey, wait a minute!” exclaimed that colorful pegasi. “Point is, what you deem selfish is healthy, perhaps even required for a dragon. I don't think I'd like to be told I'm evil because I have a stockpile of food. That would definitely make me an irate dragon in the morning, don't you think?” “Well, I suppose that does question the validity of the survey... now that I think about it, I've never heard of any dragon attacks in recent years...” Twilight was obviously troubled by this new information. If one thing she knew about dragons was wrong, then how valid was the remainder of her knowledge? “I have a story... if anyone really cares...” said a hushed Fluttershy from behind the group. Angel was nestled between Fluttershy's wing and her soft yellow pelt. She was wrapped in a large number of quilts formed into a nest. Her hair was also done in an unusual fashion, perked up into a ponytail. It was not particularly fashionable, but it allowed Fluttershy to wear a woolen cap. “An actual dragon attack? Tell us, Fluttershy!” Rainbow Dash jumped at the prospect of an exciting story. She liked it better when Twilight was reading rather than arguing about how evil or not dragons actually were. In fact, she would hardly care if Spike started attacking Rarity. Well, she might care then. But only because it would be fun to watch. “Well, it does have an attack in it-” “Is to going to be THAT story again?” moaned a disinterested Rarity from the sidelines. “Hush! Fluttershy's going to tell a story!” Rainbow Dash wanted to get to the meat of the story as fast as possible. The friends quieted down, and all attention was on Fluttershy. “Do you remember the time I was in the hospital? You wouldn't, Twilight, you hadn't met me yet. I... I never told many ponies this. It was very difficult.” Fluttershy nearly backed away, but Twilight egged her on. “We're your friends, Fluttershy. We would never do anything to hurt you.” Fluttershy seemed comforted by this, and continued. “I- I was young. It was a few years after I got my cutie mark, and I was- well, I was adventurous. I- I overestimated myself...” Fluttershy quieted down as a knock was heard from the direction of the door. “I'll get it!” shouted Spike. He opened the door to find nopony there. “Why are you looking over there, Spike?” said a bright pink form mere inches away from the baby dragon's spine. “I'm behind you, silly!” Spike closed the door slowly and turned around nervously to see Pinkie Pie, bright as ever and wearing four fur boots. Her boots were attached to tennis racquets, and she also wore a long scarf that dragged on the ground. Unsurprisingly, she was not wet and vibrated warmth from head to toe. Pinkie Pie grinned and then cracked up, rolling on the floor in laughter. “How... but... huh?!” Spike was flabbergasted, chalking it up to magic he would never understand. “It's okay, Spike. You aren't the first one to fall for the old 'Knock-Knock' trick.” Pinkie Pie had been inside the whole time, listening in on the conversation. It only made sense she would knock on the door before introducing herself. Of all of the group, she was the only one still hiding secrets, most of them locations to her 'shortcuts'. Having a magic shovel didn't hurt either. “Pinkie Pie! So glad you could be here! Fluttershy was about to tell us about her dragon encounter!” Rainbow Dash was itching for Pinkie to sit down and listen. “Oh, that? I was there. Good times.” Pinkie Pie plopped down next to Rarity. “I love this wonderful scarf you made me!” As Rarity was about to respond, Rainbow Dash gave her the stink-eye. “Go on, Fluttershy.” finished Rarity with a bored expression on her face. “A-alright... I was headed off when I got caught in a snowball fight-” Fluttershy started. “Ooh, ooh! I can do this one!” interrupted Pinkie Pie. “Me and Rarity were having a snowball fight, and this little yellow pony walked in the middle of us! I thought she was Rarity, being covered in purple winter clothes and all, so I threw a snowball at her!” “Oh, please. Spare us the lies, Pinkie. You were never in a snowball fight with me.” “I am not a liar! You are the liar! You even initiated it!” “I swore revenge, dear. I never actually challenged you to a snowball fight. You just started throwing snowballs at everyone, up to and including Fluttershy.” “You're just sore because you couldn't hit me with a snowball.” “Girls! Fluttershy was telling a story here? About dragons? To us? Did I mention dragons?” Rainbow Dash never really cared for snowball fights. She was never able to put that ball of snow together and then throw it so it didn't fall apart. The last time she was in a snowball fight she was put under house arrest for the winter. Apparently if you throw a snowball too fast it becomes an icicle. She still wasn't sure if that icicle caused permanent damage to Carrot Top. “You're right; it was incredibly impudent of me and Pinkie Pie to fight. Continue, dear.” Fluttershy was once again caught in the headlights. “I cried for a bit. Pinkie Pie stopped throwing snowballs at me after a while. Then Rarity and Pinkie Pie took me to a hospital.” Fluttershy stopped for a bit to think. “What- that's it? I thought this was a story about dragons!” “A story about d-d-dragons? When did I say it was about d-dragons?” “Right at the beginning!” “Actually, Fluttershy's right. She never mentioned anything about a dragon.” Twilight looked like she was about to say more, but a loud snore interrupted her. Applejack lie asleep on the rug. “I would say that is adorable, but that sounds somewhat incestuous.” Twilight and the other girls laughed deep into the cold winter night. *** Fallen trees litter the ground. The snow is disturbed and the ground is cracked at intervals. Trunks ar lifted from the ground and brought to a pile. The others will soon arrive, and it is their job to prepare the way for them. Animals scatter as their homes are demolished for the burly lumberjacks moving their way through the forest at an alarming rate. Only stumps are left behind, and even these are being uprooted. There was no shelter. There were no screams. The Huge Men had arrived.
Dragons and MemoriesNight was falling in Ponyville, and Rainbow Dash was moping in the corner of the Books and Branches Library. Fluttershy approached and Rainbow Dash gave her a dirty look. "You said that you had a story about dragons." she said with a scrunch in her face. She was obviously displeased, and her other friends were giving her space. Applejack was still asleep on the floor next to Twilight. "I- I have a story about dragons! I... I was getting to it! It... it required you to know this one first." Fluttershy was trying her hardest to apologize to Rainbow Dash, and telling another story seemed like a good start. "R-really?" Rainbow Dash was more confused than anything. First Fluttershy had a story about dragons, and then she didn't, but now she did; Rainbow Dash was unsure whether or not Fluttershy was making it up. "Yes, really. It was only a few months after that." Rainbow Dash leaned in to listen, but Fluttershy moved back to her nest of scarves. "Hey!" shouted Rainbow Dash from her corner. "Aren't you going to tell the story?" "Yes, but from over here. Come back and join us before I continue." Fluttershy was very conscientious of the other friends that were present. She waited for Rainbow Dash to sheepishly fly towards the group before she continued. Spike was slipping off into sleep on his warm bed as Rarity yawned, eager to sleep. "While I was in the hospital, Pinkie Pie was near my bedside the whole time. While I was recovering, she told me all sorts of tales of magical beasts." "Were they dragons?" interrupted Rainbow Dash. "They were dragons." cooed Fluttershy. Eee! squealed Rainbow Dash as she scooted closer. "She told me a story about a pegasi who defeated a dragon. Her name was... er... Glitter Sky. Glitter Sky was on a journey... to defeat a dragon! She was off to defeat a dragon" ~~=~~ Glitter Sky looked carefully at the smoky mountain. She had been tasked by Princess Celestia with the job of removing the dragon from the cave overlooking the Everfree Forest, and she wasn't about to back out now. Behind her, an earth pony town was depending on her bravery and quick wit to save them. She swallowed her spit and attempted to trek up the purple cliff. As she took the first step, her wings locked and she hid behind a bush. She was afraid. She knew that, and yet she accepted. She could never live with herself if she allowed the dragon to roam free now. Just as she was having second thoughts, she heard a cry in the distance. "Help! Help me!" The voice dragged Glitter Sky away from her comfort zone. Some pony needed help, and sitting around in a bush was not going to solve anything. She found herself staring at an old friend on the path who was sliding down a cliff. In an effort of quick thinking, one grabbed the other and pulled them up onto the plateau. "Mighty kind've you to save me there, Glitter Sky. Is there any way I could make it up to you?" Apple Core was an earth pony who owned an apple orchard not too far from Canterlot. "Apple Core? Like, one of the Apple family?" asked Rainbow Dash. "If I said yes, could we get back to the story?" responded Fluttershy. "Ehe... go on." "Here," said Apple Core. "I'll take you up. Rest yer wings an' I'll let you ride." Apple Core tied Glitter Sky to her back and set off up the mountain. "Heheheh, Glitter Sky is riding Apple Core." Rainbow Dash giggled until Fluttershy gave her a cold stare. "May I continue?" "Oh, yeah. Sorry." Rainbow dash was blushing with embarrassment. "Me an' my group were separated. We should find 'em 'fore we do anythin'. Why are you trekkin' up this mountain, by th' way? Did Celestia send you after th' dragon too?" Apple Core slowed down and nearly skidded off a cliff. "Phew, that there was a close one. So, tell yer story." "I was sent to talk the dragon out of living here." Glitter Sky was still a bit shaken. "Well that works out just perfect!" Apple Core stopped and looked far into the distance. "Look! That's them there!" As Apple Core approached, Midnight Moon came to meet them. "Is Midnight Moon the daughter of Luna?" asked Rainbow Dash. "Err... not really..." "Is she a powerful unicorn?" asked Twilight eagerly. "You could say her talent is magic, I guess..." "Ooh! Just like me!" squealed Twilight. "Is there a Wonderbolt there? That would be so awesome!" Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle were inches away from Fluttershy's face now. She backed off a bit. "How about we get back to the story and find out?" Both friends nodded in unison and Fluttershy continued. Midnight Moon recognized Glitter Sky from her studies. "Glad to see a friendly face! Were you invited by her Majesty too?" Midnight got to work untying the ropes while Apple Core settled Glitter Sky down on the ground. "Yes, the Princess has sent me here to aid you." Glitter Sky shook the ropes off. "Excellent. We may need your animal skills. Come and meet the rest of the gang. You may know of them." Midnight and Apple Core reached the clearing where the others were planning the removal of the great dragon. One of the unicorns looked up, saw Glitter Sky and practically beamed. "Glitter Sky!" she yelled. "Fashionista!" Glitter Sky was glad to see an old friend. Fashionista often sent her new designs even before they were released. "I thought I was going to be stuck with Rosy Cake all day. Thank Celestia you're here." Fashionista primped her mane with a dainty hoof. "Hey! I'm good company too!" Rosy Cake was irritated by the way she was rudely brushed off. "Oh, Glitter Sky! Do you want a snack? I !" Rosy Cake was a famous baker, but she could be ditzy at times. "I take offense to that!" shouted Pinkie Pie from the back. "What are you talking about, Pinkie Pie?" asked a confused Twilight Sparkle. "Shh! Is there a Wonderbolt?" Fluttershy took this as a signal to continue. There was also a Wonderbolt by the name of Wind Speed. "I knew it! Eeeee~" Rainbow Dash paused as Twilight gave her a stare in unison with Fluttershy. The six of them soon faced their first challenge, a large gap in the path. One slip and they could be falling for a very long time. Wind Speed went first and flew over he gap. "Come on! The water's fine!" Wind Speed giggled at her own joke. "Catch me if I fall." mumbled Apple Core to Midnight Moon. Apple Core made a quick gallop and she jumped over. She landed on the other side with no issue, and turned to face the others. "It's easy crossings here, gals." "One after the other, the ponies jumped to the other side. Fashionista nearly slipped, but Wind Speed caught her. As Glitter Sky opened her wings to fly, they stuck. "My wings! They must have frozen at this height..." Glitter Sky was briefly discouraged, before Rosy Cake jumped over to help. "I know what can de-frostiferate those wings! A song!" "A-a song?" Glitter Sky was startled as music started to fill the air. "Is this natural?" she screamed incredulously. "Ooh! Ooh! Can I do the song, Fluttershy?" Pinkie Pie asked. "I was kinda counting on it..." mumbled Fluttershy. "Wait... just a second... alright! I got a perfect song!" Music blared for real this time, and the whole room lit up, awakening Applejack and Rarity. Spike kept sleeping. A tea kettle screamed from the kitchen, then proceeded to pipe with a regular rhythm. The fire crackled in tune, and the occasional *POP* could be heard from the embers. Even the wind seemed to join in the cacophony, working with the branches to form long tweets and loud toots. Before anypony could speak up, Pinkie was already trotting and rolling, her hoofsteps completing the serenade of Winter at work. Warm Those Wings Right Up Written by ChemIisan "Fros-ty and chilly You were caught inside the cold Now let's warm those wings right up Get the ice out of the fold Pull real hard And hear the snapping Wait that isn't right Pull real soft It's slowly cracking Get rid of that ice! With a *huff* and a *puff* and a *huff huff hu-puff* And a *huff* and a *puff* with a *huff huff hu-puff* That ice will surely melt away-ay With a *huff* and a *puff* and a *huff huff hu-puff* And a *huff* and a *puff* with a *huff huff hu-puff* Your wings will fly once more today-ay-ay As soon as the music started, it also faded away. Fluttershy was impressed at how quickly Pinkie Pie made up that song. "By the way, Twilight, your cocoa is burning." Pinkie Pie dropped offhandedly as the scream of the tea kettle persisted. "What? Oh, right!" Twilight dashed over to turn the oven off. "So you sang the song and..." Fluttershy picked up from there. Rosy Cake sang the song and sure enough, Glitter Sky's wings opened and allowed her to fly over to the other side. "What I don't understand is why Midnight didn't just levitate her over." complained Fashionista. Midnight blushed lightly before she responded. "Err, I just... wanted to build character! That's it!" Midnight smiled widely, as if that would disguise the lie. "Hey... wait a second... I take offense to that too!" chided Twilight Sparkle. "I don't know what you're talking about." Fluttershy lifted her head up and pointed it away from Twilight. Twilight considered dignifying this by giving a response, but she took notice of how closely Rainbow Dash was following the story. She would withhold complaints... for now. The group continued to wander towards their destination. Midnight halted the crew to examine something on the sidelines. "Stop, everypony." Midnight was reading a sign now, written with large crayon on wood. "Well? What does it say?" asked Wind Speed, who was very illiterate (Twilight snickered at this). "Golems Ahead - Stay Quiet And Nopony Gets Hurt. Well that's an odd set of directions." "What in the name of hay are 'golems'?" requested Apple Core. "Magical creatures of stone that live in mountains... but I never knew we had a colony so close to Canterlot! This is a prime opportunity to study their habits and-" "Somehow I feel that there would be a more controlled and less risky time to study the activities of creatures that could potentially attack us? I'm not quite sure where your priorities lie, Midnight, but I personally like my mane the way it is. That is, not dead." Fashionista was obviously more concerned with herself than with the group as a whole, but she had a good point. "Alright; I'll hold off on my studies for now..." Midnight seemed a little depressed, but she understood where Fashionista was coming from. The ponies quietly creeped by the cliffs where the golems lived, taking care not to yell. "Do Golems even have ears?" whispered Wind Speed. "Shh!" replied everypony else. Glitter Sky inched along and tripped on a round rock protruding from the ground. She skidded and yewled in pain, but was unheard over a terrible scream. The ground had opened up and a rocky tan beast burst out of it. Soon, eyes were opening up all over the walls and ground and this beast called for aid. "My TOE!" he exclaimed at the top of his lungs. He curled up in a ball, holding his front leg and requesting his mother repeatedly. "Who did this to me!?! The pain! The pain! The inexplicable pain!" "Oh fer Celestia's sake, stop that there whinin'! You're wakin' up th'... neighborhood." Apple Core chastised the crying golem, but stopped as she noticed a wide array of eyes staring her down. One cracked it's knuckles, a universal gesture even among ponies. "What are knuckles?" asked Rainbow Dash. "Err... Twilight, can you explain for me?" avoided Fluttershy. "Knuckles are on creatures with hands, like dragons. If you push down on them with a finger, they make a cracking sound that represents the sound they make when, uh, punching you." Rainbow Dash was satisfied with her response, and hurried Fluttershy back to the story. "What have you done to my baby?" questioned one of the rock creatures as they scooped up the rock golem and cradled him in her arms. It was assumed that that golem was the mother, and the smaller one was her child. The other golems stood at about her height, but there were a few more 'children' scattered around. "She hurt me, Mommy! She hurt my toe!" whined the baby golem, pointing at Glitter Sky. "Make her pay!" he howled. The biggest golem looked carefully at the ponies. Red clay smeared his face, the large stalactite staff he held imposing his authority. "You have 10 seconds to leave, before I do anything drastic." "Gladly!" yelped Glitter Shy before catching up with the fleeing Fashionista and hightailing it out of there. "That's it? No fighting or anything?" Rainbow Dash flipped. "I think it sends a good message to everypony. You don't need to fight to get your way." Fluttershy sounded confident, for once. "Pfft. That's a terrible moral. There better be some dragon fighting by the end of this." Fluttershy yawned once than resumed. The troupe soon reached the cavern entrance, where they could hear a loud snoring. "Who goes first?" asked Rosy Cake. The ponies mumbled to each other for a bit, then Midnight Moon spoke up. "We should draw lots. That way, it's completely fair." All the ponies agreed, and got to it. In a few minutes, the group convened again. "Alright, Fashionista, since you drew the best parking lot you'll go first." "Naturally." "Next will be Wind Speed, then Rosy Cake, and finally, myself." "Well what 'bout me an' Glittershy, err, Flitter Sky, I mean-" Before Apple Core could spoil the secret, Midnight Moon explained her decision. "Your art was so terrible, we decided you'll probably just run away. Any more questions?" "My art ain't that terrible! I'd like t'see you do bett-ahh!" contested Applejack, but she was halted mid-sentence by a loud stomp. Everything in the house shook. Lanterns fell and crashed upon the floor. Books dropped down, pummeling poor Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy was thrown into Twilight, and both went cold on the floor. The fireplace spilled out onto Spike, covering him in embers and flaming logs. He didn't seem to mind, sleeping as peacefully as ever. "Quick! Get some water!" shouted Rarity to Pinkie Pie. This isn't good. thought Pinkie Pie to herself. I have to get them out of here. She grabbed a bucket of water and put out the fire. After Spike was doused and awake, she turned her attention to the two unconscious ponies on the floor. "Applejack!" she shouted. "Grab Fluttershy! I'll get Twilight! Everyone, follow me!" She slung Twilight Sparkle over her hindquarters and rushed over to the looked along the bookshelves. "This is no time for reading, Pinkie!" shouted Rarity from her corner, where she was helping Rainbow Dash to her feet. Spike quickly grabbed a quill, some ink, and several parchments just in time to avoid the giant axe swinging into the fireplace. A huge, glimmering blade cut about a quarter of the way through the home, barely nicking Rainbow Dash's left wing. As it slowly removed itself, a secret passage opened into a tunnel. "Everyone! Through the passage!" she shouted, and it wasn't long before everyone rushed in. Just in time, as it happened, for the next moment the house collapsed on top of the portal to the library. "Wh-what just happened?" Applejack was white as a sheet, and her legs were about to give out. Pinkie Pie lit a candle and gave Applejack a good, square look before opening her mouth. "The Two-Legs have arrived."
Tunnels and GiantsDirt fell in chunks overhead as the giant axe chopped away at the library. Pinkie Pie rummaged through a chest near the entrance, handing out headlamps to her friends. Twilight was barely conscious, and Pinkie Pie had to strap the yellow helmet on for her. Applejack was huddled next to Rarity and hugging her for comfort. Fluttershy was wide awake but frozen with fear. In a matter of minutes, everything had gone to hell. "The Two-Legs? Who are the Two-Legs?" It was Spike who piped up and broke the heavy silence. Pinkie Pie handed the candle to Spike before responding. "The Two-Legs are creatures much bigger than ourselves. They have pink, fleshy skin (like mine), deep, throaty voices, and long, bushy beards." "But why are they here? Why now, in the middle of winter?" "If I knew, we wouldn't be waiting here, would we?" Pinkie Pie continued rummaging through the chest. Rainbow Dash was huddled in the opposite corner of Rarity. This room was a large, hoof-carved dome that had many connecting tunnels. It reminded Rarity of her time with the Diamond Dogs. In fact, a few of the walls resembled the caverns they used to mine for gems. "Where are we, Pinkie Pie? I don't recognize this place at all..." "Really? I thought you, of all ponies, would recognize the work of the Diamond Dogs! I've been using their tunnels for years now. Sure, any gems I find here go to their stash, but it's really easy to get around with this network." "If these are the same tunnels I was trapped in, why didn't you just save me when I needed it?" Rarity was a little bit angry, but she was also overwhelmingly curious of Pinkie's reasoning. "A secrets no longer a secret if everyone knows about it! DUH." "Yeah, perfect reasonin', right? How come you get t'be hidin' secrets? We're s'posed to tell ev'rythin' t'each other, Pinkie! Y'can't just give us part've th' whole story and expect us to trust you!" Pinkie Pie was voiceless. Applejack was within reaching distance. Her eyes burned deep into Pinkie's own. They held this for what seemed like years. Rarity could not stand this. Rainbow Dash groaned slightly, and the silence was broken. She felt like her ribcage was broken in several places. "Wh-where are we?" slowly stuttered Rainbow Dash. "In the depths of the Diamond Dog caverns." Rarity was looking around. She flashed her horn to see if there were any nearby gems, and the room lit up. "I didn't know yer spell created light..." "It doesn't..." Rarity became a brighter shade of white. "All of you! Get out, quickly!" Spot came running by quickly, followed by several other Diamond Dogs. "What-" "The Pink Flesh! In our tunnels!" Pinkie Pie grabbed the Element of Laughter and put it on. "Grab Twilight! Fluttershy, get up!" Pinkie Pie was nudging Fluttershy. "We have to go! Now!" It was no use. "My w-wings are locked!" Fluttershy squealed as a large chunk of dirt missed her narrowly. Applejack, Spike and Rarity were out of the main cavern before Rainbow Dash could respond. A rock fell from the ceiling, pinning Twilight's leg. Rainbow Dash rushed to her side, rocks raining over the room. Fluttershy's wings unlocked as she rushed towards the falling clods to help her friends. "Rainbow Dash! Twilight!" Pinkie snagged Fluttershy's wing and pulled her away. "What are you doing? Let me go! I need to help Rainbow Dash!" "It's too late for them! We don't need more dead if we can help it!" "Rainbow Dash would do the same for us!" "Yeah? Well, you're not Rainbow Dash!" Pinkie tugged once more as the entrance to the main cavern was sealed off. Fluttershy broke free from Pinkie's grasp, spitting on the floor. "Y-you aren't Pinkie Pie! You're a heartless monster!" "What? I am Pinkie Pie, thank you very much!" "The real Pinkie Pie would never abandon her friends!" "Those rocks could have killed us!" "Those rocks killed them!" Silence fell as Fluttershy's words echoed throughout the cavern. Both ponies stopped as the words sank in. Fluttershy began to tear up. "Th-th-they, they...waaahaahaahaaaaaa!" Fluttershy fell down, sobbing violently. Pinkie Pie was also crying. This could have been avoided. She felt the twitch, she really did. That deep twitch of her tail, less up-down and more side-side. Side-side means danger. She could have avoided it all. ~~~ "Where's Fluttershy?" Rarity and Applejack had taken a quick rest in a small chamber a few miles from where they started. Spike was lagging behind and told them to go ahead without him. He would be fine, he said, he just needed to eat. "I've got a better question for ya; where's that no-good smells-rotten Pinkie Pie? I still got some talkin' t'do with her." Applejack and Rarity rested, waiting for their friends. They would be waiting for a long time. ~~~ A big, bulky giant was helping his rotund friend squeeze out of the hole he was jammed in. "I'm telling yeh, I don't know how I got here! One minute I was cutting this here tree down, and the next minute I was stuck in this here hole!" "Yeh probably stepped in a sinkhole er somethin'. Tuck in yer gut! You're making it hard to get yeh out!" The lardy giant sucked in deep and popped out like a cork. "Ahh." The fat one stretched. "That feels so much better. Thanks again, Aggs!" "ENOUGH CHITCHAT!" It was Hagar, the commander of the group. His presence was as imposing as his sholders were wide. His from alone was enough to block out the sun over half of Ponyville. He was a giant... among giants. "I'm not paying meh worthless sons t'stand by idly! I need these ponies captured, pronto!" "Y-yes mister Commander Sir!" The fat son saluted his father, waiting for orders. Hagar looked him in the eye before turning around. "If I don't see a thousan' ponies in cages by the end've t'night, it's yer ass fer dinner, Haggis!" "U-understood, sir! My ass fer dinner!" "Good. And as for ye, Agger; I better not see a single spot o' blood on yer clumsy little boots! This cargo is precious, yeh hear?" Agger nodded vigorously. "Now, if you don't mind me, I have a princess to catch." Hagar grabbed seven sacks and stomped away, taking care not to step on any fleeing playthings. Haggis and Agger were silent for a moment, but Agger snapped out of it. "Uh, Haggs?" "Yeah?" "Some pegasi er gettin' 'way!" "So?" "You gonna catch 'em?" "Oh! Yeah, right!" Haggis exhaled, then inhaled with a mighty intake. His mouth created a vacuum, sucking in cloud, roof, and pony alike. Trees and homes were uprooted, inhabitants thrown out. Snow was cleared from the ground. Soon Haggis's cheeks were full with ponies and debris. Haggis swished around the materials in his mouth before grabbing a sack. He spat pegasi like watermelon seeds into a trash can, taking care to not spit out the houses. He swished once more before spitting out a slimy Derpy. As he did this, Agger shook the toppled library around. "This tree is no good! It's all hollow inside!" Haggis spit another three, checking to make sure he got them all. He did, and he swallowed the rest, tightening the bag. "What do yeh mean, 'no good'?" "Look! Some sorta... library er somethin'." "What's this?" A small crown had fallen from the library and landed in the snow. "Heh, it's some sort of jewel!" "Look at this! Pure gold!" "Gold? Let me see!" Agger snatched the crown from Haggis. It fit neatly between his fingers. "Give it back!" "This is gold, isn't it?" Before Haggis could respond, another giant tugged on his shirt. Haggis turned around to see Stumps. "Where do we put th' bags, Haggis?" "Good question there. I'm not sure. Agger, where do we put the bags?" "Hmm..." Agger looked around before thinking of something suitable. "Let me clear out this 'ere hole. It would be perfect fer the bags." Agger stamped and the ground shook, ejecting the rocks and dirt from the hole. Agger quickly caught the rocks with his hand, placing them to the side. He peered in to look for leftovers and found something very unexpected. "And what do we have here?
ProlougeHey everypony, It's ChemIisan with my usual warning to the readers. Well, not my usual warning. This comic is going to be pretty clean for the most part. I'm aiming for EqD when I finish, and I know how hard it is to smuggle gore through the gate. So actually, this isn't a warning at all. It's more like a message. A message with a little request attached at the bottom. I like art. In fact, I like it a lot. This book is designed to later be accompanied with soft pictures of scenes, and perhaps a song or two. I'd love to see some guest art from you if you want to support my story. Think Winnie the Pooh, but with ponies. Oh, right! I have a story to present! I give to you... Arrival Movement in the trees. Crows caw once and fly away. A resounding thud is heard, and some trees shiver with excitement. A squirrel sniffs the cold air and retreats into its burrow. Winter is here, and snow will soon fall. The sky is overcast, and the air rigid with anticipation. The forest senses that something big is coming, and even the wolves act nervous. A single flake falls, only to be crushed by a large boot. The metal swings though the breeze carelessly, and the wood parts for the massive tool. The tree makes a sound. There is someone in the forest tonight.
