The Great Equestrian Journey

I can't even wait to get out of here.

If only this darn rock would move. It can roll on its own, but can't roll when two ponies are pushing it, apparently.

I ram my shoulder into the rock, and it budges just a little. I'm about to give up when there's a shout behind me. "Move!"

Cadence stares at me with wide eyes, brushing back her messy mane with a hoof. We have been here for hours already, both of us losing our sanity. If my mane was ugly before, I can only imagine what it looks like now. Both of us are covered in rock dust and bruises, especially from when Cadence attacked me.

Cadence shouts at me to move again. She's steadying herself at the wall parallel to the rock, slightly teetering. I can imagine what kicking her off of me felt like. It almost makes me grin. I don't. Besides, I'll have time to finish her off as soon as she gets me out of here. For now, we have stand each other.

Cadence takes a shaky breath and then--zip.

Oh no. She's going to kill herself.

I try to leap in the way, but she dodges me. I try to plead with her. "Cadence, stop!"

CRASH!

I flinch, and some part of my mind fills with glee for a moment, but it's quickly replaced with a frown of worry. Because not only has the rock moved at least a couple meters, but Cadence has moved too, only backwards. She's struggling to stay on her hooves.

And then I notice the blood.

Cadence collapses.

I approach her, taking my time just so she can see who's in charge. I can't believe I'm forcing myself to stand her attitude. But the struggle, for some reason, is fun. It's a harder game.

Then I realize that the blood on her head is not a game. Not a trick. It is blood, and it's oozing from a cut on her forehead. Not a cut.

A gash.

I drop to my knees by her side. "Cadence, are you okay?"

"Obviously not," she mumbles.

Cadence tries to get up to a sitting position, but her front legs keep sliding. Her eyes are struggling to stay open, and I see tears beginning to form. Blood continues to flow from her head.

I watch almost in horror. Almost. That glee is still there, but it's a ghost. I realize something.

If I hadn't gotten in her way, if I hadn't changed her course, if she hadn't slowed down a tiny bit to get past me, she'd likely be unconscious. Or dead.

And then I would be alone.

Which is really sad, considering. I'd be stuck down here, with nothing but my past and anger, without anything but the rocks to take my madness out on. I'd be alone. That single thought is scary.

So instead of being a prick, I decide not to let Cadence suffer. She will as soon as we get out. I promise myself that.

I hold out my hoof again, and Cadence looks at me wearily. I can see the tired face of a warrior. The warrior that Cadence has become. It's wise and it's no-nonsense. I wish I could summon that look.

To my complete surprise, Cadence takes it. She looks at me suspiciously. That's how I know how tough it's going to be for her to trust me. If I don't gain her trust, then I won't be able to seize her when we escape. And then she'll tell everyone about me. A fate I'd like to escape.

That is when I begin to wonder. Would Cadence try to kill me? Is she tough enough to take me over? Will I be defenseless? Of course not.

I hate this new Cadence.

Wobbling, she stands up, eyes flitting around in my general direction. She doesn't show any signs of fear, or that she will jump on top of me again. Then again, this Cadence is pretty unpredictable.

She takes a few steps before she stops and takes a deep breath. This seems to calm her quaking legs and wild eyes. I feel obligated to tell her about the blood, but she lifts a hoof to her head, looks at all the deep red, and, instead of dramatically screaming, sighs, "Great."

Of course she wouldn't scream. Why can't I ever get used to her? She is getting on my nerves. My nerves are probably screaming.

I feel like screaming.

Cadence sits back down again, and it feels like a slap in the face that she does it just after me helping her up. It's disrespectful to a queen, I'd say.

I will be a queen. I will kill Cadence. I need to. I will get out of here, and I will get my revenge on Thorax. I will rule Equestria.

I need to.

Where did this need come from?

I shake my head. The thought scares me. I can't let myself get confused. I can't let myself--

Cadence is back up again, and she points a hoof at me, panting. "You...are going to help me push this damned rock or... we'll be the...sorriest...ponies ever." She takes a deep breath when she finishes.

Then she turns back towards the rock. It's about three yards from the tunnel. We just need to push it three yards...and then we'll be free. And then...

Do I really want this?

Of course I do, I tell myself. Nothing will stop me from being powerful.

Cadence is already attempting to push the rock, but she keeps slipping and sliding because her balance is so off. If I'm going to get out of here, I'm going to help her. Just for now. Just for now.

So I make my way over to the rock and push with all my will and all my might. Nothing happens at first, but I don't give up. I need to get out of here. No. Matter. What.

Then it moves.

"Yes!" I cry out. Cadence whoops. We're finally moving!

We slowly nudge the rock towards the entrance to the tunnel, until it's about a hoof away from it. That's it for Cadence. She dashes around me and scrambles hungrily up the rock. Her hooves latch onto the tunnel floor and she pulls herself up.

I come immediately after her, climbing on up just as she gets in the tunnel. I try to hold on to the rugged tunnel floor, but the sweat on my hooves makes me slip. I'm just holding onto the edge, and the rock groans as it rolls--

Then a hoof grabs mine. Cadence pulls me up, grunting. I'm frankly surprised by her strength, especially with her injuries.

I finally get my back legs on the floor, and I cough, exhausted. Cadence runs down the tunnel, shouting at me to "Come on!"

I don't even question why she wants me to stay. I follow, my victory glowing right there in front of me.