Sitting in the clubhouse on a sunny afternoon, the Cutie Mark Crusaders ate their lunch quietly. Thoughts of defeat and resignation wallowed in their minds. What did they have to do to earn their Cutie Marks? They wanted to be considered adults, like most of their peers who had already earned their places in society. Instead, they were nothing more than foals in their eyes, unable to be taken seriously.
Earlier that very day they had escaped another failed attempt with their lives. Earning their marks had nearly cost them dearly, but perhaps it would have been better not to have lived. They practically died on the inside when they thought they were going to be verbally abused by their elders. Perhaps it was because of sheer luck that they managed to escape their punishment. Perhaps not. Perhaps their caretakers cared nothing for them, and had secretly wished their blunder cost them more than just embarrassment.
“What now? What else is there to do? We’ve tried everything and achieved nothing,” Sweetie Belle's voice had a resigned whine to it, perhaps she was tired of repeatedly proclaiming their inability to succeed.
Her two best friends stared at her dejectedly. They had tried it all but had no choice but to continue their pointless struggle in hopes of earning their elusive marks.
“How about Cutie Mark Crusaders Cave Spelunkers?” Applebloom suggested, “After all, since we are lower than dirt, I think it would appropriate. I was reminded of it because of Fluttershy, when she ordered us to read that one novel.”
“Ah, yes. You are referring to ‘Journey to the Center of Equestria’. The tale was fascinating, unlike ourselves. Can we even attempt such a thing?" Scootaloo frowned. Journeying to the center of Equestria? She could already hear the laughter of those that looked down on her, their mocking insults opening new wounds.
Sweetie sighed as her eyes fell onto her two friends, “Let us look for a cave first. After that, we can decide where our path will take us.”
“There are no caves in Ponyville!” Applebloom shouted, slamming her hoof onto the table, “How are we supposed to get our Cutie Marks if there aren't any caves to explore?”
Scootaloo took Applebloom by her shoulder, and slapped her, "Calm yourself. This is no time to panic."
Applebloom merely turned her face away, "There is nothing for us here..."
“No." Sweetie slowly rose up from her seat, "There must be at least one cave for us here in Ponyville! Even if it is a small one, we must take that chance.”
“Then should we called ourselves the Cutie Mark Crusaders Cave Discoverers?” asked a sarcastic Scootaloo, still a little apprehensive. Her two friends nodded solemnly. It would be better than nothing.
The trio were off, speeding towards Carousel Boutique, trying hard to not get their hopes up. They were quite correct in trying to prevent their hopes from being raised as there were no caves there, and as the disappointment fully sunk into their souls, they could barely contain the nausea that threatened to expunge itself onto the ground.
Still, there was a spark of hope in their otherwise deplorable lives. In the distance the spotted the colorful frame of the shoppe known as Sugarcube Corner. The faded glory of this magnificent structure bespoke of good times come and gone, and now was a mere shell of its former self. Even here they were met with stagnant disappointment.
“You fillies! By Celestia, what are you doing here?” Pinkie Pie asked, gazing at their frowning faces.
“Dear Pinkie, beg your pardon, we didn't mean to disturb you," Scootaloo bowed her head humbly, "but we just want to find a cave for us to earn our Cutie Marks."
“Well, you're not going to find any here. So, begone with you!" Pinkie waved a dismissive hoof.
"Please, ma'am, we only ask for some advice."
Turning away from their sniveling faces, a moment of pity took a hold of the pink mare. After all, she was once a Blank Flank, much like them. Why not lend a helping hand?
"Have you tried Miss Fluttershy? Surely one who is as in tune with nature such as her would be able to assist you further."
At last, a glimmer of hope. The three fillies smiled and Pinkie could not help but return one as she watched the three fillies gallop off into the distance. For a moment, it seemed, that Celestia's sun shone brighter.
There was abrupt and excitable knocking on Fluttershy's door.
“What do you want?” A grumpy, totally out of character Fluttershy asked in a deep gruff voice.
"O Fluttershy! O usually shy one! - why does your voice sound so deep? - please help us be Conquerors of something we have not once conquered? Are we not part and parcel in three? Who - who knoweth the mysteries of the lack of caves and knowledge pertaining as thus? Ponies doth not yield us to the pegasi, nor unto death utterly, save only through the weakness of our feeble will." Applebloom bowed low.
Fluttershy thought for a moment, "I have no idea what you just said."
"Are there any caves nearby?" Sweetie asked, hope lacing her words.
“Well, why didn't you just say so. As a matter of fact there is. Follow.”
Leading them down a path that led from the back of her house, she walked past a small cemetery covered with a thick mist that seemed to originate from the Everfree Forest. A cold, sad atmosphere made the girls shiver. Finally, they were led to a small entrance under a large gravestone.
Indeed, it was a cave, but it was also the entrance to what seemed to be a catacomb.
"I lay my pets in there to rest," Fluttershy said quietly, "Please do not disturb them if you do go. The dead do not like being awoken."
Returning to their clubhouse, the girls grabbed their equipment. Everything they could think of they brought. Ropes, lamps, rations, harnesses and a camera.
Preparing themselves, the helmets used when riding with Scootaloo were placed on their heads. Lamps were filled with water and calcium carbide. A strong, firm material was taken by Sweetie from her sister, and with it they tied their lamps to their helmets. Next they slipped their harnesses on tied themselves together with rope. Finally they divvied up their rations, two sandwiches and a bottle of sweet liquid. And with that, they were ready.
Taking a deep breath, they traversed inside together. The light from the entrance was no longer bright enough for them to see properly.
“Let us light up our lamps." Applebloom said squinting hard in an attempt to see her two companions.
“Here, a match,” Sweetie handed it over to Applebloom who had lowered her helmet to the ground, opening the carbide lamp's glass as she released the water from the top half of the 'battery'. Soon, the faint hiss of acetylene gas escaping from the chemical reaction could be heard, and the match was struck.
“Hurry up and light it. I fear that this place will take my soul,” Scootaloo said in a half-whisper, the words of Fluttershy still ringing in her ears. What if they really did wake the dead?
"There!” Applebloom nodded as the gas lit up and she closed the lamp to prevent the flame from being blown out.
Suddenly three lights illuminated the cave, bathing the gloomy interiors in light.
While they had expected something unsavory, their expectations were met and then some. They found themselves surrounded by skeletons, the decaying corpses of creatures, dirt, worms, bugs of many kinds and spiders. Huddling together, they let out an ear splitting scream before dropping their lamps and bolting back towards the entrance.
Shaking themselves as hard as they could, rubbing their hooves over their bodies and jumping around, they attempted to throw off any and all unwanted passengers. It may have seemed, to the innocent bystander, that they may have witnessed some strange cultish exhibition. This went on for some time, until they were confident that no foreign pests remaining.
With the confidence that they were in the clear, the Cutie Mark Crusaders heaved a collective sigh of relief. Their reverie did not last long, as once again they had failed to achieve that which they desired. Dejected, the three fillies headed back towards their clubhouse -- their only consolation was the ability to try again. However this time they would be steering clear of any caves.