"Guys, we really need to make a plan."

They looked around at their surroundings. They had no idea where they were, or even where they had woken up. Grass and rock, occasionally a tree or other shrubbery, met their eyes for miles. Some pigs and cows were wandering around, and some chickens were flapping around in a pool of water. The sun was glaring at them now, and a warmth spread over them. As they searched, they saw a hole in the side of a hill. But the peculiar thing was, there was a door in the hole, and a light came from the holes. Hope flickered in their hearts, and they galloped towards the strange opening. When they opened the door, they gasped.

Inside, the hole opened up into a vast chamber. The walls were made of stone bricks, and the floor was carpeted in black and blue, with purple on the edges. Around the walls, torches burned. and in the center of the room was a fountain, with water gushing out. In the back of the room, a high platform rose above the floor, and on it sat several beds. There were several corridors, and down each they could see different rooms, each fitted for a specific use. As they got to the platform, they saw seven beds, all in a neat row.

"W... what did this? Why is this place so big?" Twilight was amazed. In another corner, there sat a library. Great bookshelves towered above them, and a table of some sort lay beside the books. There were strange symbols being released from the books, and disappearing into the table. Under the bookshelves, lava spewed from tunnels, and the warmth resonating from the pit made them sweat. As they walked toward a tunnel, Rarity's eye for detail located a button on the wall.

"Girls, come look at this."

As they walked forward, Rarity pushed the button. A grinding noise could be heard, and presently a hole appeared in the wall. They cautiously went to it, and peered inside. What they saw made them gasp. Inside was a dome unlike any they'd ever seen. It reached up for what seemed like miles, and the ceiling had been made in a pattern, depicting a tan pony with a cyan shirt, fighting an enormous black dragon, with vivid magenta eyes. The walls were lined with gold and diamond, and peculiar blue blocks made up the outer flooring. The carpet was snow white, and in the center of the room sat another door. As they pushed, they fell, tumbling down a massive spiral staircase. When they landed, the sight before them made them hush in wonder.

There was only a three wide walking space, and beneath the space, there was an enormous lava pit. The rocks here were damp, and growing mold and moss. The door at the end swung open, and they galloped to it. Inside, they were puzzled. Another ladder, going up. They climbed again, and found themselves upstairs, by the library. "Girls, I have the strangest feeling about this place..."

At that moment, a door flung open. They heard hoofsteps, and a shadow approached them. They cowered, fearing a dreadful beast, but before them stood the pony depicted on the ceiling of the chamber. It cocked its head, staring at them with white eyes. "Who the hay are you?"

:::

Spike had been behind the mares, but now came forward. "Ahem. Hello, we are the Elements of Harmony, well not me, but they are. I'm Spike the dragon, and we humbly request we be allowed to rest here."

The strange pony scratched his chin. "I'm Steve, for the matter of names. Now, about the topic of resting, how about we discuss it over some hot food, yes?"

The mares nodded, and Spike's stomach growled in pain. They followed Steve to a massive table, where bread, apples, and pie lined the edges. As they sat down, they were greeted by a meowing, and several cats ran around playfully. Steve cleared his throat. "So tell me, how did you get here, and what's your dilemma? And what is your business breaking into my house?"

Twilight adjusted herself. "I'm terribly sorry about your house, we thought it abandoned, and we had been chased by creatures all night, and wanted to find shelter, and perhaps food. And we got here because of an accident with my matter converter. We tried to think about what to do, but night fell. I'm so sorry for intruding."

Steve just shrugged. "It's perfectly alright. I'm just elated you weren't creepers or skeletons as I first assumed."

The mares and Spike looked at him, completely lost. "You mean to tell me, that those... things have titles? And you thought we resembled them?" Rarity's voice was full of disbelief, and she shook at the thought of being killed over a misunderstanding.

"Yes, but don't take insult, please. It was your outlines, nothing more. Please, eat. You must be hungry after all you've been through."

They ate in silence, and they quickly started to feel more secure. The food was filling, and it tasted exquisite. After they finished their meals, they thanked him, and turned for the door. Steve was puzzled by this, and didn't know what to say.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay the night? It's very dangerous out there, and in the morning, if you really insist on leaving, I'll give you some supplies. But if you died, I'd blame myself. Please, just one night."

They considered this offer, and saw no point in arguing. He made a good point, and they didn't fancy meeting any creatures tonight. They agreed, and stayed in the house. Outside, the wind was picking up, and the full moon glowed down at them. But all around, despite the peacefulness of the hole, monsters of all sorts rose from the ground, and slowly made their way towards the unsuspecting octet.

Author's Note

What will happen next? Will they find peace and relaxation, or will they find a horrid surprise awaiting them?

Anyway, enough of being a rubbish voice over. Hope you're enjoying, and next chapter we dive into the more "natural" side of their trials.