//------------------------------// // Chapter 16 // Story: A New Life for Bloodthirst // by NgKQ //------------------------------// Next morning came. Silicon Glass had already led the group to the entrance to the crystal mine. He had been explaining to them all about it. “… so what you’ll be doing is to mine all those gems and jewels. We need them to be sold to jewelry shops all around Equestria, and not for those greedy dragons. Is everything clear from me?” “Yes!” “And you!” He turned to Bloodthirst. “Have you got my instructions clear? I don’t wish to see you slacking around, although your work yesterday was quite err, decent, so keep that up. Got that?” “Y-yes, sir.” Very soon, the group entered into the crystal mine. It was sparkling with gems everywhere, though it gave some a sinister feeling on something bad waiting to happen. “I wonder how come no dragon would even come to this place,” said Bloodthirst. “Dragons at that time were prohibited from leaving the Dragon Lands,” explained Maple Blossom. “This place used to be part of the Dragon Lands, until the dragons migrated. Our ancestor, Holder Cobblestone found that boulder somewhere in a dragon’s nest, so he built a farm around it. This is why Holder’s Boulder is a sacred object to the Pie family.” “Well, what if it’s really a dragon… egg?” “Nonsense! There’s nothing to incubate it, so even if Holder’s Boulder were an egg, there would be a little chance that a baby dragon would hatch,” continued Silicon. In a short while, everypony were at their respective sections in the mine, harvesting the crystal gems. Bloodthirst mined at a corner. Nearby him were Pepper Flake, Silicon Glass and Iron Granite. As they mined, Iron Granite approached Silicon and whispered. “Um, can I tell you something?” “What is?” “You know… about our… guest, here…” “Yeah, so?” Before Iron could answer, disaster struck. “Whoa! What’s going on!?” exclaimed Maple Blossom as the entire mine shook. “It’s an earthquake. To the exit!” exclaimed Lapis Lazuli. “Hey! Wait for me… I mean us!!!” cried Pepper. The entire cave trembled. Rocks could be heard sliding and falling. As Maple and Lapis raced to the entrance, a huge noise roared behind them. As they turned back, to their horror, a section of the mine collapsed, blocking the path! “No! Pepper and the others are trapped!” cried Maple. “We’ll save them later. Mind our lives now!” said Lapis as they continued rushing out. Meanwhile, Pepper, Silicon and Iron stared at the huge wall that was formed without warning. The tremors have already stopped. “Darn it… we’re trapped!” blurted Silicon. “Bo-ho-ho… how am I supposed to survive!!??” wailed Pepper. “Nrg, no!” Suddenly, Iron Granite remembered Bloodthirst, who was last seen at a corner. He rushed back into the darkness. “Iron Granite! Where are you going!?” called Silicon as he chased him into the now pitch-black mine. Pepper followed. When they found where he was, he looked everywhere, but they didn’t see anything. “Wait, you’re looking for… that one pony!?” Silicon asked. “Uh… yeah.” With limited brightness, Silicon tried searching and feeling every corner, but there was no sign of Bloodthirst. At last, he uttered. “That’s it. I knew this would happen.” “What?” asked Iron, seemingly confused. “I knew he was about to bring us some bad omen. And he did.” “What bad omen? I-I mean-” “You wanted to tell me something about him, right?” “Yes, and…” “I already knew what you’re gonna say, assuming you feel suspicious and wary about him.” “B-but that’s not what I meant!” “Admit it! I have this in mind all the while, so you should be thinking the same as I do!” “QUIET!” screamed Pepper Flake, having been witnessing their argument all the while. “What now, Pepper Flake?” rebuked Silicon. “Are you gonna tell me that you’re thinking the same as I am?” “It’s not that!” she retorted. “You’re not gonna make it any better if you guys keep quarreling!” “She uh… has a point,” squeaked Iron. “I… don’t really wish to talk back…” “So tell me, what are you to say about him?” demanded Silicon. “Alright, listen here, Mister,” began Pepper severely. “First, I have known Bloodthirst for several months, and he hasn’t been bringing trouble to me and my friends. Second, you guys don’t know everything about Bloodthirst. He looks threatening, but he’s harmless. He wants to put his abilities on a good side! He’s got some special abilities that you guys don’t even have!” “What do you mean? What are you talking about?” “She’s right.” Suddenly, Bloodthirst’s voice boomed out of nowhere. “Where is it!?” asked Silicon. “Right there!” Pepper Flake pointed to a corner. And sure enough, Bloodthirst emerged out from the rubble, looking unscathed. “Yay! I knew you’d survived!” Pepper instantly hugged him. “I thought you’re… crushed?” asked Silicon Glass, bemused. “I would be, if I were you,” he explained, wearily but firmly. “But as Pepper Flake says, I’m not really like you normal ponies. My body’s tough as heck, tougher than diamond. That’s why I can survive this crush.” “Tough… that means you’re stronger than Iron Granite!?” He recalled the moment Bloodthirst carried more sacks than Iron Granite did the day before. “Well, he is,” said Iron humbly. “Well, we need you here. We’re trapped, and there’s no way out for us!” Pepper said to him as she helped him out of the rubble. “Really? Show me the blockade.” “But it’s dark here, and we can’t see a thing!” insisted Silicon. “I can see through anything. I have night vision,” he finished and with Pepper Flake as his guide, she led him to the blocked passage, with Silicon and Iron following. “Here, it’s blocked completely,” said Pepper when they arrived. Bloodthirst scrutinized it. “Alright guys, stand back,” he ordered. “I can smash through this wall, but some bits might get to you, and you guys don’t want to get yourselves hurt, do you?” Everyone stood back as Bloodthirst instructed. Taking a deep breath, Bloodthirst aimed at the center of the wall, and with a punch from his hoof, he finally cleared part of the wall. “Now that’s what I call vampire pony ability!” praised Pepper. “You… made it,” said an astonished Silicon Glass. “I see now. Perhaps I’ll need to learn more about judging ponies…” “You need to,” replied Bloodthirst. “After all, I have a lot more to learn, too.” Using his abilities, Bloodthirst managed to smash more obstacles blocking the path. Soon, they managed to arrive at the entrance of the mine. “Whoa, we made it,” sighed Silicon with relief. “Now we need to look for the rest,” added Bloodthirst. “Ooh, speak of the devil!” called Pepper excitedly. Sure enough, Maple Blossom and Lapis Lazuli arrived with the rest of the family. “Wait, you’re out here already!?” asked Lapis, surprised. “How did you… Oh wait, you must’ve helped them out!” concluded Maple, pointing to Bloodthirst. “Yeah, if it wasn’t him we would’ve been trapped for hours!” said Pepper. “Or maybe days if we called a rescue team and dig through this mine,” said Maud Pie. “No… no!” wailed Iron Granite. “I don’t want to be trapped for days. I can’t live without my family!” He rushed and hugged his sister. “At least you’re not now,” retorted Maple, rather annoyingly. “Well, glad that everypony made it out here alive,” said Limestone Pie. “But we have another job to do, and I think Bloodthirst can do the job.” “What?” “When we rushed out of the mine we saw Holder’s Boulder rolling and falling down the cliff… again. It always happens when an earthquake strikes, and it would take at least four of us to push it, and it would take hours, even with Iron Granite helping us,” explained Maple. “I believe, Bloodthirst, that with your ability, you should have no problem moving back Holder’s Boulder back into place,” finished Silicon. “I’ll try,” Bloodthirst answered. “But you guys might need to assist me, too.” He trotted towards the fallen boulder, and with a push from his hoof, hey presto! The boulder moved more than a few hoofsteps at a time! Everyone watched in awe. “What are you guys waiting? Come and help me,” he said, turning back to the group. As everypony looked at each other, Iron Granite went ahead, and he stood beside Bloodthirst. “You know, Pepper Flake was right,” he confessed, with a meeky look. “You don’t really bite after all.” “I only bite bad guys,” he replied. “And anypony else that hurts me or you.” Shortly after, Silicon Glass joined, and the rest followed. “You know, it’s actually fortunate to have you here,” Silicon said. “Like Maud says, I don’t know what to do if we’re still trapped here. I’m sorry for all of my suspicions against you. I think, I’ve learnt a new lesson in my life.” “That’s alright,” forgave Bloodthirst. “I have a lot to learn too…” “Why don’t you actually come and work with us?” asked Limestone. “From how you did yesterday, it gave us numerous benefits.” “I want to be in Ponyville, mostly,” he replied honestly. “I still must learn more about friendship, with Platinum Royale and Melody Aurora…” “You don’t have to come every day, actually,” suggested Maple. “You can come like… maybe once or twice a month?” “You know, think about your part-time job at Sugarcube Corner. Aren’t they just similar?” reminded Pepper Flake. “Besides, Novella Fantasy will be happy to hear about your adventure!” “Well, I guess, that’s close, too.” “It’s your pride. You deserve it,” said Lapis Lazuli. “Well anyway, why don’t we get this thing moving back?” asked Silicon. Instantly everyone went back to their thing that was supposed to do. But it was that one eventful weekend that taught somepony a valuable lesson. Don’t you agree?