Author's Note

Really took me a while to come up with this. I couldn't exactly think up enough information to describe all that happens on the first floor. I believe this is a decent enough job (for my first real attempt at a fanfiction). Can only get better as I continue to write!

Enter: Floor One

The dungeon interior filled each pony with utter shock. Instead of a being dreery and dark, the hall they had entered was filled with intricate carved wood walls and paintings not even the greatest artist could have drawn. Along the walls were grand windows draped in fine silk, blood red in color. An artificial sky and sun could be seen from inside.

The floor itself would have made even the greediest of dragons jealous, as it’s tiles were each embedded with cut gems and unknown metal inlay.

“M-magnificent!” exclaimed Rarity, rushing over to hug one of the pillars. “The detail! The choice in stone! This isn’t a dungeon, but a castle fit for the richest of kings!”

Fluttershy nodded her head in agreement. “It is really pretty, Rarity. But shouldn’t we try to get to the top as soon as possible?”

“I understand you concern, darling. But one must always stop and take a moment to smell the roses. Or in this case, these delightful curtains! It’s like I’m breathing in the heavenly scent of a pine forest. It’s strangely relaxing.”

The other curtain ever so slowly started to move by itself towards Rarity. Gently, the curtains draped themselves around Rarity’s legs and torso.

A soft yawn escaped her mouth. “Strange. I suddenly feel… sleepy. And these drapes are quite comfortable.” Her eyes started to glass over with a white glow. “I think I’ll just take a short nap here before we journey onward…”

The curtains suddenly constricted the white unicorn by her legs and tried to roll her upwards into what was now a gaping mouth with two needle-thin white teeth.

“Rarity!” screamed Twilight as she gripped the curtains with her magic. The drapes let out a high pitched screech at the strange resistance and tried to pull in its prey even harder.

A blur of blue signaled that Rainbow Dash had flown up the rod which held the nasty clothe. After a swift and hard kick, the metal beam fell from its place on the wall and the creature’s head faded back into the drapes.

“Ok, mental note: Don’t touch things we expect to be normal in a creepy castle,” said Rainbow. “You okay there?”

Pinkie and Applejack helped their fashionista friend to her hooves.

Rarity shook her head rid of the strange sleeping spell. “What happened? One moment I’m admiring some very beautiful silk and now I’m lying on the floor?”

Applejack took her hat off. “You were bein’ picked up by them there curtains, Rare. It had a big ol’ mouth and was gonna eatcha. It darn right scared us to bits.”

Hearing about such an abomination to beauty made the unicorn dry heave. “H-how uncouth! What sort of horrible monster would do such a thing as to ruin such fine fabric?!”

An electrical speaker descended from the ceiling, crackling with electricity before playing the voice of Dragus.

“Testing, testing, one two three. Is this thing on? I swear, I can nev-”

Rainbow Dash bucked hard against the speaker, shattering the front in a good few inches.

“Hah! Take that, you stupid lizard! That’s just the tip of the iceberg of pain I’m going to throw at you.”

Another speaker appeared a few feet away. “You know, you ponies are really starting to get on my last nerve with the interrupting. Here I thought I was being nice by going into further detail about my rules and maybe giving you an extra life if one of you dies or something. But now I think I’m not going to be kind.”

“Kind?! You’ve killed over a dozen ponies without warning and threatened countless others! When were you ever kind?” Twilight barked at the now magic shielded second speaker.

“You do know I can hear you, right? No need to shout. And yes, I’ve been kind. I could have just created a plague that wiped out all but the strongest of inhabitants of your world, but instead I went with this floating castle. Which was really EXPENSIVE and I had to try to rebuild it with powers that are meant to destroy. Blah blah blah. Can I explain the rules now?”

“What else is there to explain? I thought you said we couldn’t fly to the top or use magic?”

Pale blue light flashed over each contestant’s mouth, sealing them shut.

“There we go. Nice and quiet. And without further ado… Welcome to the Dungeon! Ahead of you lies a gauntlet of terror, thrills and chills that are sure to bring even the toughest creature to its knees! Many have tried and failed to reach the top. Could you be the victor and claim the throne of Dragus, the god of destruction?” Dragus paused to take a small drink of water. “Was that good enough of an introduction? I spent all last night rewriting it. Well, most of the night. My memory is still fuzzy and this damnable headache isn’t helping. Stupid hangover…”

The elements looked at each other with confusion and curiousity. Did Dragus just say that gods get drunk?

“Anyway, the rules are simple. Rule one is like I told Celestia: No advanced magic. This includes teleportation, transmutation unless allowed by a puzzle, transfiguration of the body, ect. Basically anything that wouldn’t be used for self defense or for the wilderness. Rule two is that you MUST kill something in here to qualify as my replacement. Whether it’s another contestant or a monster is up to you, I don’t care.”

Fluttershy screamed a muffled scream.

“Calm down there, pacifist. I didn’t say it was a requirement for leaving. You don’t have to hurt anything in here if you don’t want to, as boring as it will be to watch on screen. I may be cruel, but I’m not without mercy.”

A small sigh of relief escaped everyone but Rainbow Dash.

“Rule three is that there is no extreme flying. That means no sonic rainbooms. Rule four is that I can add any other rules I deem fit, since this is my home and all. And finally, rule five is that there is to be no outside help for challenges meant for single contestants. Any breaking of these rules will result in…” Dragus’ sickening laugh echoed throughout the hallway. “Punishments. Good luck contestants. I bid you good day.”

“Wait! You never said anything about contestants other than us. Did you change your mind and set them free?” asked Twilight.

“Hm? Oh. They’re on the second floor. Right now they’re stuck on some puzzles and it’s hilarious watching bugs get fried for failure, both figuratively and literally. Like 20 of the hundred or so are already dead or injured.” Dragus cackled maniacally to show his enjoyment, if not because he was a little mad in the brain.

Twilight and the girl’s hearts sank at the mention of more creatures being forced to participate than what was expected. As if it wasn’t already bad enough that they had to be inside the dungeon, some unknown creatures were dying just a few dozen feet above them.

Applejack snorted. “That’s just darn cruel! Not even Tirek was as heartless as you. Don’t you care fer anypony other than yerself?”

“In all honesty, I really don’t. Maybe Discord’s sister, Eris. She’s always got a new prank to share and is surprisingly pleasant to talk to. Don’t really see why he dislikes her, she’s a riot!”

“Discord has a sister?” Rarity and Pinkie both said in unison.

“Damn right he does. I’ve never seen a god of chaos as creative as her, aside from Discord that is. Last time we spoke, she said she came up with a disease that made sentients dance until they dropped dead. Absolutely hysterical!” He let out a small moan of pleasure. “You shoulda seen the terror in their eyes as their loved ones watch life being snuffed out. I’m getting little hard just thinking about it. But enough about this. I need to get back to the other contestants and finish up a few floors. Challenge theme’s don’t make themselves. But before I go, I’m feeling a little kind from you all for listening. Here’s a hint for your floor.”

A small note materialized in a puff of cerulean smoke.

“Ta-ta for now! I expect some quality entertainment from you six.” And with that, the speakers disappeared in small flashes of blue light.

Twilight held the note aloft in a soft magenta glow. “Was he talking about changelings?”

Rainbow punched her hooves together all too eagerly. “I’ve been hoping to beating up more of those bugs! Can’t wait to get my hooves on ‘em!”

A quick glance from the rest caused Rainbow to back up slightly. “Well, maybe not without good reason. Do we really need one? They did try to take over Canterlot way back whenever.”

Fluttershy adopted a serious tone and moved closer to her fellow pegasus. “Yes, we do need a good reason. I don’t like violence and it isn’t nice to hurt somepony just because they did something bad, even if they want to fight. We should only try to defend ourselves as a last resort.”

“Ah’m disappointed in ya Rainbow. We’re ‘sposed to represent the Elements a Harmony. That just ain’t harmony-like ta want ta hurt others, even the bad ones.”

Rainbow Dash let out an annoyed groan. “I’m not sure if you remember, but those bugs nearly beat us black and blue back at the wedding! I’ll play nice when we find them, but I’ll be damned if I’m gonna let them get the first strike in.”

With the argument settled, the ponies gathered around Twilight, who was opening up the folded paper.

Dear contestant/contestants,
If you are reading this, then you’ve either gotten on my good side or I simply felt like betraying my own nature and being generous. Don’t expect it to happen again though. Assuming I didn’t change the first floor, you should be inside my manor’s hallway from back in my own universe. If my memory serves me right, there should be eighteen doors. I’m going to give you a major hint: ask the gargoyles. Oh, and this message will burst into flames in about one se-

A lingering field of heat and smoke was all that remained of the note. Pinkie Pie, who was standing too close, now had a thin coat of black ash on her face.

“Oooo! That was so exciting! I can totally turn this into a new idea for party favors! Thanks Draggie!”

Twilight just shook her head. “Pinkie! You could have been hurt! Why were you standing RIGHT under the note?”

“I don’t know! But it was fun! If it was really crazy dangerous like you think, my tail would have been all a twitchy-twitch-twitch and my eyes would have been all sad!”

There wasn’t any explanation as to why any pony wouldn’t try to remain cautious. All one could do is simply shrug it off to Pinkie being Pinkie. Regardless of how ridiculous she was being, the group couldn’t afford to be distracted. A nudge from an impatient Rainbow Dash was all the group needed to get a move on.

The hallway seemed stretch on forward for about a hundred feet before making a sharp left turn and ending with a wide room. In the far corners of said room were two large gargoyles, one clad in a stone jester’s outfit and the other in a stone knight’s armor set.