When will it end?

"Everypony, this is Captain Linebeck, our final companion." said Celestia, her eyebrow twitching in annoyance.  "He will be in charge of navigation as we attempt to save Equinox."

"Who now? asked Linebeck, who was currently massaging his stomach.

"Actually I'm a bit confused as well. Why are we going to risk our life for one unicorn?" asked Ornstein, who was carrying a tray of roasted sweet potatoes.

"Ah, thank the seas." Linebeck reached over and took three-fourths of the potatoes, and dropped them in his mouth, swallowing them whole. His eyes started to water. "Hot!" He started to run around the room fanning his mouth. Ornstein tripped him, making Linebeck land on his back, them poured the contents of the water jug down his throat.

"I like em spicy." said Ornstein as Artorias, Ciaran, and Rainbow Dash all grabbed one.

"Back on the subject," intervened Celestia, "Equinox is actually an alicorn, but his powers were split between him and his opposite 'shadow', Shadow Blaze. As such, he can change between the two at will, but it is extremely painful. This has never happened before, and it is vital we learn about it. Right now, Equinox and Blaze are sharing one body, which is slowly crushing his mind. We need to get down to the portal so we can seperate them."

"Let me guess, the portal is at the bottom of the chasm in the middle of Ponyville, and we are gonna risk our lives climbing down said monster infested chasm?"

"That about sums it up, yes." said Luna.

"I'm out." With that Linebeck started to leave, pausing to grab another of Ornstein's potatoes.

"HOW COULD THEE--" Celestia shoved her hoof in Luna's mouth.

"Oh well, we tried. I guess you won't be getting any of that treasure." said Celestia, as she slowly gazed around the room, then looked back at Linebeck.

Linebeck visibly twitched, and stopped right outside the door. "Now testify!" screamed a red stallion who was chasing a purple one. Linebeck slowly turned around, the potato halfway to a gaping jaw. He closed his beak and slowly walked over. Opening his mouth, he slowly ate the potato. The group watched him as he slowly ate. When he finished, they all leaned closer in expectation.

"Treasure?"

"Treasure."

They watched as Linebeck closed his eyes and seemed to think. Then he ran from the room cackling "Treasure, TREASURE! HAHAHAHAHA!" Celestia chuckled.

"Works every time."

The Chasm

It sat there like a scar in the world, a red glow coming from inside the chasm. The chasm was around 50 yards across and 100 long. It was night, and the group had arrived. There they found Linebeck shining his claws by a hot air balloon. "Took you guys long enough."

"Where'd you get the balloon?" asked Twilight, as the knights of Gwyn stared at the strange object in front of them.

"Found it."

"Ah."

"So, what's the plan?" asked Luna, who was gazing into the chasm.

"Simple," said Linebeck as he walked over to the chasm, the group joining the two by the side. "We head for that ledge down there." said Linebeck, as he pointed into the pit. Down in the depths of the chasm was a ledge with a doorway in the rock. Underneath was nothing but lava. "That's our way in."

Walking back to the balloon, Linebeck hopped in and turned to the group. "Ready to go?"

"Yup." replied almost everyone as they hopped into the balloon. The knights hesitated, as Ornstein examined the balloon.

"How is this gonna get us down there?" asked Ornstein.

"Hop in and see." responded Linebeck.

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As the knights hopped into the balloon, Linebeck lit the coals. He slowly released the gas, and the balloon slowly lifted into the air. Ciaran grabbed onto Artorias as the balloon lifted into the air. Linebeck chuckled as they hovered over the chasm. He closed the air hatch, and they began to fall. They slowly fell deeper and deeper into the chasm. Ciarin gasped as the walls enclosed them. Linebeck released more hot air as they began to fall faster, but it didn't work. "Uh oh."

"UH OH! What is uh oh?!" said Celestia.

"The air inside of the balloon is the same heat as the air outside. Basically, we're going to crash."

Those words hung in the air for a few seconds befo-

"AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" CRASH!

The Dark

"Uhh, my head. Why can't I see anything? Hold on." shick, shick, shick, FWOMP! "Ah, much better." The torch lit up the area, revealing Ornstein inside a cave. He looked around, and saw a familiar pony. "Rainbow Dash!" He rushed over, and picked up her body, checking for vitals. He sighed with relief as her chest pounded against his hand. He took off his helmet, and tied it to his side. He then gripped the torch in-between his teeth as he lifted Rainbow from the ground. "And ey mocked me for carrying fint and steel." He said, as he began to explore the cave.

The Illusory Gardens

Ciaran sat up, and rubbed her head. Next to her was Artorias, who was also waking up. "Where are we?" He asked.

"It looks like a garden."

"How did we end up here?"

"I don't know. But we better find the others." said Artorias

"Right." They both got up, and started walking.

The Desecrated School

"Wake up, Wake up!"

"Uh, I want that cake." Celestia opened her eyes to see Twilight shaking her.

"Thank goodness your awake." said Twilight in relief. "Princess, do you know where we are?"

"It looks like an abandoned school. But how did we get here?"

"I don't know Princess. But we should move. I feel like we're being watched."

"I know." The unicorn helped up the alicorn, as they were watched by a pair of eyes behind a cold mask.

The Factory

Luna had managed to stay conscious throughout the whole crash. As they were falling, she had seen a mysterious figure open a portal that split them all into groups of two. She and Linebeck had been paired together, but Equinox had been sent down a single portal on his own. She feared for his safety. On her right were the remains of the balloon. On her left was a griffon muttering about treasure and the open seas. Luna sighed, and wondered about the mysterious shadow.