CHAPTER SEVEN
“Twilight! We must turn back!” Applejack screams.
“No!” says Twilight as she raises her glowing horn, she begins chanting into the wind in a foreign language.
-
In Hayengard Luna stands on the summit of the Tower, Chanting. Clouds are flowing from all directions converging on the distant mountains in a stormy whirlpool.
-
On the mountains Luna's voice strengthens, rolling past the Herd like thunder. A lightning crack explodes on the mountainside above them. Apple Bloom looks up in horror as a huge snow avalanche thunders down towards them. The Herd throw themselves against the cliff face as snow crashes onto the narrow ledge. Fluttershy pulls Twilight to safety as Applejack shields Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, snow piles around them. Within moments, the pass is blocked and the Herd is enveloped in snow. Rarity and Applejack frantically dig for the Shetlands who are pulled out Shivering and Fearful.
“We must get off the mountain!” Rarity says urgently. “Make for the gap of Tohan and take the West road to my city.
“The Gap of Tohan takes us too close to Hayengard.” Says Applejack.
“We can’t pass over the mountain.” Rainbow Dash shouts. “Let us go under it. Let’s go through the mines of Loria.”
Twilight has a concerned look on her face.
“Loria.” Luna’s voice echoes in her head. “Thou fears to go into those mines, doesn’t thou? The Dwarficorns delved too greedily and too deep. Thou knows what they awoke in, the darkness. Shadow and flame.”
Twilight looks at the Herd behind her. “Let the ringbearer decide.”
Apple Bloom stands with the weight of the decision weighing heavily upon her. Scootaloo and Pinkie Pie are shivering in Rarity’s arms.
“Apple Bloom?” asks Twilight.
Apple Bloom meets Twilight's eye.
“We will go through the mines.” She says.
Twilight slowly nods.
“So be it.”
-
That night the Herd walks along the far shore of a dark lake directly below great looming cliffs.
“The walls of Loria!” Rainbow Dash says in awe.
Footing is treacherous on the narrow strip of green and greasy stones. Twilight touches the smooth rock wall between the trees. Slowly, faint lines appear like slender veins of luminous silver running through the stone.
“It mirrors only starlight and moonlight.” She says.
A large moon rises over the mountains and the lines grow broader and clearer, forming a glowing arch of interlacing ancient letters and symbols.
“It reads,” says Twilight. “The door of Durin, Lord of Loria. Speak, friend, and enter."
“What do you suppose that means?” asks Scootaloo.
“It's quite simple.” Twilight says confidently. “If you are a friend, speak the password and the doors will open.”
Twilight raises her glowing horn and begins saying some sort of incantation.
The cliff towers into the night, the wind blows cold, Apple Bloom shivers and the door stands fast.
Twilight continues to mumble spells in her efforts to open the door.
SPLASH! Scootaloo and Pinkie Pie are tossing stones into the lake and Black Rippling rings slowly fan out. Pinkie Pie is about to throw another stone, but Applejack grabs her arm.
“Do not disturb the water.” She says ominously.
Applejack watches anxiously as the Ripples appear to grow, she exchanges a look with Rarity.
Applejack's hoof creeps towards her sword. Twilight gives up in despair and sits down beside Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom peers at the Pegeselvish inscription and her face breaks into a smile of
comprehension.
“It's a riddle...” she says quietly.
Twilight raises her eyebrows.
“Speak, friend, and enter.” Apple Bloom explains. “What's the Pegeselvish for friend?”
Twilight speaks the foreign word and with that, the rock face silently divides in the middle and two great doors swing outwards... revealing a blackness deeper than the night. As the Herd enters the blackness, something in the water stirs.
The Herd steps warily into the darkness of Loria, a dank cavern, with winding steps leading deeper into the mountain.
“So, master Pegeself,” says Rainbow Dash. “You will enjoy the fabled hospitality of the Dwarficorns; roaring fires, cider, all the hay you can eat. This, my friend, is the home of my cousin, Firefly and they call this a mine...” she snorts. “A mine!”
A glow from Twilight's horn suddenly lights the chamber and the Herd recoils in horror. Many Dwarficorn Skeletons are strewn about, clearly the dead of some old battle...the rusting armor and shields are peppered with arrows and axes.
“This is no mine...” Rarity says grimly. “it's a tomb!”
Rainbow Dash is horrified. “Oh...no...no..no...!”
Fluttershy pulls a crude arrow out of a skeleton.
“Dogs.” she says.
The Herd draws swords and back away, towards the entrance.
“We make for the Gap of Tohan.” Says Rarity. “We should never have come here.”
Suddenly Apple Bloom shouts as she is pulled to the ground. A long sinuous tentacle is wrapped around Apple Bloom's back hoof and is dragging her towards the lake. Apple Bloom screams as Applejack and Rarity rush forward. Applejack severs the tentacle holding Apple Bloom, and pulls her to safety. Rarity hacks at the other writhing Limbs. Twenty more tentacles ripple out of the Lake. The dark water boils as the hideous beast lashes out at the Herd. Again the creature grabs Apple Bloom and pulls her to the lake, Apple Bloom is flung in the air as the Herd battles the creature.
Applejack hacks at a tentacle and Apple Bloom is released, falling onto Rarity's back.
“Into the mines!” yells Twilight.
“Fluttershy!” calls Rarity.
Fluttershy shoots an arrow into the creature's head, gaining a few vital seconds for Applejack and Rarity as they race out of the water with Apple Bloom. The Herd hurries back away from the creature retreating into the Loria Chamber as many coiling arms seize the large doors. With a shattering echo, the creature rips the doors away, creating a rock slide that crashes down the cliff face. Within seconds, tons of rock seal the doorway... throwing the Herd into pitch blackness. Silence.
A faint light rises from Twilight's horn, throwing an eerie glow down the unicorn’s face.
“We now have but one choice...” she says ominously. “We must face the long dark of Loria. Be on your guard...there are older and fouler things than the Dogs in the deep places of the world.”
The Herd crosses a precarious bridge above deep mine workings.
“Quietly, now.” Says Twilight. “It's a four day journey to the other side. Let us hope that our presence will go unnoticed.”
In the dark they continue up a steep stair, passing through a Dwarficorn cemetery. The graves are despoiled, dwarf skeletons are strewn about and Dog graffiti is scrawled on monuments in dried Dwarficorn blood. The Atmosphere is very sinister.
The path splits into three passages...each disappearing into dark tunnels. Twilight pauses, frowning.
“I have no memory of this place.” She says.
-
Later the Herd is nervously waiting while Twilight sits, staring intently at the three tunnel mouths in front of her. She appears to be in some kind of trance.
Apple Bloom turns at the sound of a faint noise down the tunnel behind them.
“Are we lost?” asks Pinkie Pie.
“No. I don't think we are.” Says Scootaloo. “Shhhh, Twilight's thinking.”
“Scootaloo.” says Pinkie Pie.
“What?”
“I'm hungry.”
Apple Bloom sees sudden glimpse of a creature darting in the darkness. She is nervous and approaches Twilight.
“There's something down there.” She whispers.
“It's Spike.” Twilight says quietly.
Apple Bloom’s eyes widen. “Spike!”
“He's been following us for three days.” Says Twilight.
“He escaped the dungeons of Bartrott- dur?” asks Apple Bloom disbelievingly.
“Escaped...” says Twilight. “Or was set loose. And now the Ring has drawn him here...he will never be rid of his need for it. He hates and loves the ring, as he hates and loves himself. Kip's life is a sad story.”
Twilight catches Apple Bloom's look of surprise.
“Yes...Ekips he was once called, or Kip...Before the ring came to him, before it drove him mad.”
Spike's withered fingers are gripping the cave wall, his large, luminous eyes blinking with malice.
“It's a pity Granny Smith didn't kill him when she had the chance.” Apple Bloom says grimly.
“Pity?” asks Twilight. “It was pity that saved Granny Smith's hoof. Many that live deserve death, and some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them, Apple Bloom?”
Apple Bloom frowns.
“Do not be too eager to deal out death in judgment...even the very wise cannot see all ends. My heart tells me that Spike has some part to play yet, for good or ill, before this is over. The pity of Granny Smith may rule the fate of many.”
“I wish the ring had never come to me...” Apple Bloom says softly. “I wish none of this had happened.”
“So do all who live to see such times,” says Twilight. “But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.”
There is a note of finality in Twilight's voice.
“There are other forces at work in this world, Apple Bloom, besides the will of evil. Granny Smith was meant to find the ring. In which case, you also were meant to have it...and that is an encouraging thought,” Twilight suddenly brightens. “Ah! That it's that way!”
Twilight points at the right hand tunnel and the Herd scrambles to their feet.
“She's remembered!” Scootaloo says relieved.
“No,” says Twilight. “but the air doesn't smell so foul down there. If in doubt, Scootaloo, always follow your nose!” She laughs
The Herd passes under an arched doorway into a black and empty space. Twilight pauses...
“Let me risk a little more light.” Twilight brightens her horns glow for a brief moment a light blazes... like a silent flash of Lightning. Great shadows spring up and flee.
“Behold!” Twilight announces. “The great realm and Dwarficorn city!”
Apple Bloom gasps at the brief sight of a vast roof, far above their heads, upheld by many mighty pillars hewn of stone. Before them stretches a huge empty hall, with black walls, polished and smooth as glass.
“Well, there's an eye opener.” Whispers Sweetie Belle.
Ahead of them, a wooden door has been smashed. Black arrows are embedded in the timbers. Two dog skeletons lie in the doorway and Rainbow Dash rushes ahead.
“Rainbow Dash!!” Twilight calls.
Rainbow Dash rushes into another vast empty chamber lit with a narrow shaft of sunlight, beaming in from a small hole near the roof. Dwarficorn and Dog skeletons are piled high. In the far corner sits a stone walled Well. A shaft of light falls directly onto a stone table in the middle of the room and a
single oblong block, about 4 feet high, topped with a great slab of white stone. Rainbow Dash falls to her knees.
“No...no...oh, no!” Rainbow Dash sobs.
Twilight quietly reads an inscription of runes, carved onto the white stone slab.
“Here lies Firefly, Lady of Loria.’ She is dead, then. It's as I had feared.”
Twilight carefully lifts the rotting remains of a book from the white stone slab with her magic. It has been slashed and stabbed and appears to be covered in Dried Blood. The pages crack and break as she opens it.
Fluttershy whispers urgently to Applejack. “We must move on,” she says. “we cannot linger.”
“They have taken the bridge and the second hall.” Twilight reads. “We have barred the gates...but cannot hold them for long...the ground shakes...drums in the deep...we cannot get out. A shadow moves in the dark. Will no one save us? They are coming."
Unnerved, Pinkie Pie backs away nervously and stumbles against the well, sending a precariously balanced armored skeleton tumbling in. Scootaloo reaches out, grabbing hold of Pinkie Pie before she falls. The Herd freeze in stunned silence as the armored skeleton clatters down the deep well echoing
Loudly.
Twilight turns angrily on Pinkie Pie.
“Fool of a Pony!” she says angrily. “Throw yourself in next time and rid us of your stupidity!”
They fall silent. Then a low rolling boom rises from the depths below...growing louder … BOOM ...BOOM...as if the caverns of Loria were turned into a vast drum. A great horn blasts nearby...answering horns ... running hooves...harsh cries.
Sweetie Belle's eyes glance at Apple Bloom's belt.
“Apple Bloom!” she says worriedly.
Apple Bloom looks down. A cold blue glow is emanating from her swords scabbard. Apple Bloom draws the sword and stares at its glowing blade!
“Dogs!” says Fluttershy.
“Get back!” Applejack says to the Shetlands. “Stay close to Twilight.”
Applejack and Rarity slam and wedge the doors. Rarity catches sight of something and turns to Applejack with shock in her eyes.
“They’ve got a buffalo!”
Rainbow Dash snatches up two rusty Dwarficorn axes and leaps onto the tomb.
“Let them come!” she yells. “There is one Dwarficorn yet in Loria who still draws breath!”
BOOM! The Door bursts open in a shower of wood fragments, and twenty dogs charge into the tomb, followed by a huge rabid buffalo. Rainbow Dash ducks a blow and immediately buries her Axes in two dog helmets. Applejack and Rarity wade into the mass of Dogs with their swords. Fluttershy fires deadly arrows into Dog throats, desperately trying to shield the Shetlands. Twilight is clutching her sword and joins in the battle. The buffalo is sweeping his open foaming jaw at Applejack who stumbles backwards as the huge set of teeth descends for the killing. Suddenly, in a flash of steel, Rarity's long sword slices into the furry forehoof of the buffalo; it rears back, spewing bright red blood. Sweetie Belle is backing up against a wall, a sword in one hoof, a saucepan in the other. In desperation she swings wildly at a Dog with a saucepan. It keels over and Sweetie Belle looks surprised. She wallops another Dog and it too, drops.
“I think I'm getting the hang of this.” She says.
The Buffalo lunges forward, thrusting at Apple Bloom's chest with its ragged teeth.
“Applejack!” Apple Bloom calls. “Applejack!”
Sweetie Belle screams as Apple Bloom is lifted off her hooves by the buffalo’s teeth and slammed against the wall.
“Apple Bloom!!” Applejack says in a shocked yell.
The Shetlands go crazy. Sweetie Belle slashes at the buffalo's knee, bringing him down as Scootaloo and Pinkie Pie jump on him. Fluttershy fires an arrow and the buffalo topples, dead.
Applejack rushes to Apple Bloom's side as she slumps to the floor and appears to be dead.
Twilight, Applejack, and Shetlands look horrified suddenly Apple Bloom coughs and takes a huge
breath.
“She’s alive!” says Sweetie Belle.
“I'm alright. I'm not hurt.”
“You should be dead.” Applejack says. “Those jaws could tear apart a wild boar!”
“I think there's more to this Shetland than meets the eye.” Says Twilight.
Apple Bloom opens her shirt to reveal the vest that Granny Smith gave her.
“You are full of surprises, Miss Apple Bloom.” Laughs Rainbow Dash.
BOOM. BOOM. BOOM. The sound of the drums rings out again.
Twilight turns to the others.
“To the bridge!” she yells.
Twilight leads the Herd into the huge chamber.
“This way!” she calls.
They hurry towards a distant door as Dogs start scuttling down the pillars behind them, like spiders.
Apple Bloom looks with horror at the overwhelming Dog army that's rushing toward them! Suddenly a deafening roar fills the air. A fiery light dances down the hallway and the pillars are casting eerie shadows. The Dogs freeze. They back fearfully away from the approaching beast, melting into the
darkness.
“What is this new devilry?” asks Rarity.
A huge shadow, surrounded by flame, falls across the hall. The ground shakes and an unearthly sound rumbles.
“A Fire Dragon...” says Twilight quietly. “a demon of the ancient world. This foe is beyond any of you!”
She turns and yells urgently. “Run! Quickly!”