//------------------------------// // Spelunking // Story: Family 101 // by Kail //------------------------------// Silver Spoon kept turning her head at every sound she heard around her and Scootaloo as they walked through the cave they’d fallen into. The sole light being from the flashlight Scootaloo had gave them enough light to see by but the darkness around them still made her nervous. Silver Spoon could swear that she could see something skitter by just outside the edge of the light every so often. Silver Spoon turned to Scootaloo with a worried frown. “Do you have any idea where we’re going?” Scootaloo glanced at Silver and grinned. “Sure I do.” Scootaloo twitched her wings. “I might not be able to fly right now but I can still use these to find air currents.” Spoon shot Scootaloo a surprised look. “Really?” Nodding, Scootaloo explained. “Yeah. Mom taught me how.” Silver Spoon arched a brow. “But I thought she had bug wings.” Scootaloo chuckled and shook her head. “Well yeah, when she’s not transformed. She gave me flying lessons when she was a pegasus. Anyway, I feel air from this way so sooner or later we should find an exit.” Silver Spoon nodded and fell silent, continuing to follow close beside Scootaloo. However, once she didn’t have conversation to distract her Silver started to focus on the sounds she heard just outside the light Scootaloo provided. Needing to take her mind off of what, if anything, was stalking them in the darkness Silver turned back to Scootaloo. “So, what’s it like having changelings for parents?” Scootaloo’s brows shot up as she turned her head to Silver Spoon. “Why the sudden interest?” Silver Spoon shrugged. “Just curious.” Scootaloo turned from Silver Spoon and a thoughtful look settled on her face. “Well I’ve never really thought about it.” She focused on Silver Spoon again. "I mean, I don’t have anything to compare them to so it’s just normal for me.” Spoon’s ears lowered. “So when you said you were in an orphanage. It was for your whole life?” Scootaloo sighed. “Yeah. As far back as I can remember. I was told they just found me on the doorstep.” Scootaloo’s ears fell and her head lowered as she stopped walking. “There wasn’t even a note.” Seeing how the conversation had affected her friend Silver Spoon sat beside Scootaloo and used her good leg to embrace the pegasus. “Sorry I brought it up.” Scootaloo shook her head and smiled a little. “No problem. I guess it just gets to me sometimes.” Returning the hug, Scootaloo looked up at Silver Spoon and her smile widened. “At least I’ve got a friend that can cheer me up when I need it.” Silvers face flushed pink and she looked away with a smile. “Yeah.” Silver turned back to Scootaloo with a smirk. “Can’t have you all mopey when we need to find a way out of here.” Scootaloo chuckled and stood. “Whatever Spoon. Anyway we need to turn left here.” Silver followed Scootaloo as she turned and headed for the cavern wall. When the two were a few feet away the light fell on a crack in the wall just big enough for them to get through. Stepping to the side, Scootaloo motioned for Silver to go first. “I’ll help you in.” Giving a nod, Silver Spoon walked up to the crack and stood on her hind legs. Scootaloo came up behind the Silver and steadied her as she squeezed through to the other side. Scootaloo then got herself through the crack and panned the room with her light. Seeing various tunnels Scootaloo arched a brow. “That’s weird.” Spoon came up beside Scootaloo and tilted her head. “What’s up?” Scootaloo’s wings twitched and her brow furrowed in confusion. “Well first off, I can feel air coming from all the tunnels.” Silver Spoon smiled. “Well that’s good news right? It means we’re almost out of here.” Scootaloo shook her head and narrowed her eyes. “Not really. I think air’s coming from all these tunnels because someone lives here. Or something. And whatever it is dug air passages.” Silver Spoon paled and gulped. “What? How do you know?” Scootaloo slowly started to move towards one of the tunnels as she explained. “When I was kidnapped by the changelings, when they were still bad, they took me to their hive. These tunnels look like those ones did. The look like they were dug out by something.” Silver Spoon moved closer to Scootaloo as a tremor entered her voice. “S-so we could b-b-be in the den of some m-m-monster or s-something?” Scootaloo glanced at the scared filly and put on a confident smile. “Hey don’t worry. I just said these tunnels look like they were dug. There could be nothing in here. It just might take a bit longer to find our way out is all.” Silver Spoon glanced hopefully to Scootaloo. “Really?” Scootaloo’s Smile widened and she winked. “Yeah. What with the air ducts and all it might be hard to get out but we’ll find a way.” At least I hope we can. Pushing the thought aside for now Scootaloo began leading Silver through the tunnels. Hoping that what she’d said was true. That whatever had dug these tunnels was gone and something worse hadn't decided to move in. ========================================================== Diamond Tiara tapped her hoof as she, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle waited for Scootaloo and Silver Spoon where they’d first split up. Growing more impatient, Diamond huffed and turned to Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. “Where are they? It’s been over an hour already.” Sweetie Belle shrugged. “Maybe they found something interesting and they’re still checking it out?” Diamond rolled her eyes and scoffed. “Yeah, as if there’s anything interesting around here.” Apple Bloom giggled at Diamond’s attitude and turned to the pink filly. “Listen DT, how’s about we go to the tower and look for them if yer in such a hurry.” Diamond Tiara nodded and started walking towards the tower. “First sensible thing I’ve heard all day.” Rolling her eyes at Diamond, Apple Bloom followed after Diamond Tiara with Sweetie Belle not far behind. As the three got closer to the tower Apple Bloom turned to Sweetie Belle. “Get yer light out Sweetie Belle. There ain’t no windows on that tower so I bet it’s gonna be dark.” Getting the light, Sweetie Belle strapped it onto her saddlebag and turned it on as they entered the tower. Not seeing Scootaloo or Silver Spoon right away the three fillies walked further in until Apple Bloom shot ahead of the others to the edge of the light. Turning her head back to her friends she gave them a worried look. “Ah think I know why Scoots an’ Silver Spoon didn’t come back yet.” Curious about what Apple Bloom was seeing, Sweetie Belle and Diamond trotted up to either side of Apple Bloom and gasped at the gaping hole that was at their hooves. Angling the light down Sweetie Belle tried to see into the hole but could barely make anything out. And what little light came in through the tower’s opening and various small cracks didn't help much. Not seeing anything, Sweetie inhaled and yelled into the hole. “Scoots! Silver! Can you hear us!” The three fillies turned their ears forward and waited several seconds. Hearing nothing Diamond Tiara began to frantically pace, her ears low and an anxious frown on her face. “I knew it, I just knew coming in here was a bad idea. Why did I listen to that feather head? Why!?” Apple Bloom went over to Diamond and laid a hoof on her shoulder. “Diamond, we can’t be worrying right now. We gotta..” Diamond rounded on Apple Bloom, pushing her hoof away and scowling. “What do you mean we shouldn’t be worrying? This is the perfect time to worry! Our friends fell down what could be a bottomless pit!” Apple Bloom took hold of Diamond’s shoulders and shook her slightly. Giving Diamond a stern stare Apple Bloom tried talking to her again. “I know that they could have fallen in there. But right now we gotta try an’ get them some help if they need it. We gotta go back to Ponyville as fast as we can and get some help.” Diamond’s lip quivered. “But they could be hurt. Or, or...” Apple Bloom’s eyes softened. “I know. But if we wanna help them we need to go get help. We can’t do much on our own.” Diamond nodded. “Ok, so what do we do?” Apple Bloom let go of Diamond and began galloping out of the tower. As Diamond and Sweetie Belle followed, Apple Bloom gave out instructions. “When we get back to town I’ll head to the acres to get AJ, Big Mac and a few of the other farmers around us. Sweetie, you and Diamond go into town and get who you can. Now let’s hurry.” The three fillies galloped as fast as they could towards town, hoping that their friends weren’t hurt. Or worse. ======================================================= Scootaloo led Silver through the tunnels, taking turns whenever she felt a stronger shift in the air with her wings. The strange thing was, it seemed that the air currents were leading them further down. Scootaloo considered turning back and taking paths that she’d seen leading up but something her parents told her once kept Scootaloo following the currents. Scootaloo’s parents had told her that if she wasn’t sure of something, she should follow her instincts. And Scootaloo’s instincts were telling her to trust her wings. Taking another turn, the two fillies nearly tripped when the floor suddenly slopped downwards. Standing at the top of the earthen ramp, Silver turned to Scootaloo with an arched brow. “You sure we should go this way?” Scootaloo narrowed her eyes and focused on feeling the air with her wings. After standing for several long seconds Scootaloo sighed. “Yeah. The air flow is stronger from this way.” Silver shook her head. “But we’ve been going down this whole time. Shouldn’t we be going up?” Scootaloo shrugged. “I don’t know. I mean, that makes sense but with what I’m feeling from the air it’s coming from down here.” Silver Spoon sat heavily and groaned. “This is ridiculous. Why’d this have to happen?” Scootaloo sat next to the distressed filly and nudged Silver with her shoulder. “Hey, I know this isn’t what you wanted to happen but we can’t sit here and mope about it. we gotta keep going.” Silver Spoon glanced at Scootaloo and her ears dropped. “But I’m scared. What if we get stuck down here? Or whatever dug these tunnels gets us?” Silver used her good foreleg to gently stroke her hurt one. “On top of that, my leg still hurts.” Scootaloo’s head dropped and a frown settled on her face. And as the minutes slowly went by the two just sat there in silence until scootaloo lifter her head and turned to face Silver Spoon. “I’m sorry.” Silver turned to Scootaloo and quirked a brow at her. “What?” Scootaloo sighed through her nose and looked away. “It’s my fault we’re down here. I just wanted to have some fun with my friends and I wind up getting us stuck down here.” Silver Spoon turned to Scootaloo as the pegasus sat and stared at the ground, her ears drooped and a frown on her face. Silver Spoon slowly started to smile and a giggle escaped her. “You feather head.” Scootaloo turned to Silver and noticed the smile on her face. At Scootaloo’s confused look Silver Spoon giggled again. “Look, this isn’t my idea of a good time and I’m still pretty worried that we’re stuck here but..” Silver’s smile widened. “You’re trying to get us out of here.” Silver placed her good hoof on Scootaloo’s shoulder. “And you saved my life when we fell. So don’t apologize just use that feather head of yours and get us out of here.” Scootaloo’s frown morphed into a grin and she nodded determinedly. “You got it silver.” Turning back to the sloping tunnel Scootaloo led Silver down. As they continued Scootaloo noticed that crystals started to appearing on the walls. As she continued the frequency of the crystals grew until they lined the walls in large bunches. Stopping and looking at one of the crystals a thoughtful look settled onto her muzzle. Seeing Scootaloo examining the crystals she walked up beside the pegasus. “What’s up?” Glancing at Silver, Scootaloo tapped one of the crystals. “I’ve seen these before. Watch.” Saying that scootaloo flicked the switch on her flashlight and the tunnel was plunged into darkness. Seconds later a dull glow began to come from the crystals, slowly growing in intensity until the the tunnel was bathed in luminescent green light. Silver Spoon glanced around before turning to Scootaloo who smirked as she pointed to the crystals. “These were in the changeling hive. But I wonder what they’re doing here?” Just as Scootaloo finished her sentence a skittering sound came from further down the tunnel and a shadow passed over the the wall at the end where the tunnel turned to the right. Making a shushing gesture Scootaloo crept forward with Silver right behind her. As they came to the corner and peaked around it the two saw what looked like a giant spider creature. It’s body was one large, furry, teardrop shaped mass about the size of a filly with the fatter end serving as it’s face. It had six large sickle shaped legs while two smaller ones were positioned near it’s mouth. Luckily the creature was occupied with munching on one of the crystals sticking out of the wall. Not wanting to see what a creature who ate gems could do to a pony Scootaloo motioned for Silver to follow her and pointed to a tunnel halfway between them and the spider thing. Creeping forward as silently as they could the fillies edged towards the other tunnel. Just as they were halfway to the tunnel Silver stumbled on a rock sticking out of the floor. Trying to catch herself she accidently used her injured leg to try and steady herself but as soon as she put weight on the leg a lance of pain shot up it causing Silver Spoon to yelp in pain. Scootaloo, hearing the pained noise, looked to Silver who’d fallen on the floor clutching her injured leg. Whipping her head around to look back at the spider Scootaloo’s eyes shrank to pinpricks as she saw the creature looking directly at the fillies. It’s six red eyes staring at them as it’s mouth, which looked to have several rows of razor sharp teeth, seemed to curl into a smile as it let out a chittering sound and rushed towards the fillies. Silver screamed in fright as the creature came closer and Scootaloo moved to stand protectively over Silver Spoon. Scootaloo braced herself as the creature leapt at them. ======================================================= Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Diamond Tiara had gathered the ponies they could and had led them back to the ruined tower. As other ponies were out in the ruins, searching for Scootaloo and Silver Spoon, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Applejack, Pinkie and Rarity were descending down the pit. Applejack shook her head exasperatedly. “Ah swear, these fillies get inta more trouble than anypony Ah ever knew.” Rainbow Dash chuckled as she carried her friend. “Aw, come on AJ. Don’t you remember all the trouble you and me got into when we first met?” Applejack scoffed. “That was different Rainbow.” Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Sure, keep telling yourself that.” Fluttershy whimpered and shook her head. “Oh I hope that Scootaloo’s alright. I was supposed to take care of her and now she’s lost somewhere.” She stiffened slightly. “What’ll Lightning and Quicksilver say? Oh they’ll probably never forgive me!” Rarity looked up from her place in Fluttershy’s forelegs and nudged her friends chin with her horn. “Now don’t you fret darling. I’m sure that neither Lightning or Quicksilver will hold anything against you.” Fluttershy looked to Rarity as her brows rose. “Really?” Rarity titered lightly. “Of course. Afterall, I’m sure they know how...trouble prone Scootaloo and the others are. They’ll be concerned that this happened of course but as long as Scootaloo is fine they’ll be happy.” Pinkie giggled as she sat on her flying machine. “Of course they’ll be happy! Scootaloo found a secret underground cave. Plus old ruins! How cool is that?” The others rolled their eyes but smiled at Pinkie. Touching down, Rarity lit her horn and cast a blue glow around the cavern. As the four friends scanned the ground Rainbow called the others over. “Hey guys, I got crash marks here. Looks like Scoots caught Silver cuz there’s two different roll marks.” As the other three came over Rarity rose a brow at her prismatic friend. “Rainbow Dash, how could you figure that out from some marks on the ground?” Rainbow scratched the back of her head and chuckled. “Well I may be kinda familiar with crash marks.” Applejack smirked. “Cuz ya make so many of ‘em yerself?” Shooting Applejack a glare, Rainbow continued. “Anyway, I think they went down this way.” Rainbow pointed further into the cavern. “Probably looking for another way up top.” Rarity started walking further into the cavern, calling over her shoulder to the others. “Then what are we waiting for? We’ve got fillies to find.” Pinkie hopped ahead. “Yeah, let’s go!” Flowing after Rarity, the four made their way deeper into the cavern. ============================================================= Scootaloo sat dumbfounded and turned to Silver Spoon. “What’s going on?’ Silver Spoon shrugged with an equally puzzled look on her face. “I guess it’s....nuzzling you?” Scootaloo cast her eyes down to where the large spider creature was sitting in her lap. Rubbing itself against her chest and letting out what could best be described as a purr. Lifting a hoof, Scootaloo placed it on the creatures back and started petting it like a dog. As she did the purring grew louder and Scootaloo shook her head while beginning to laugh. Shaking her head, Scootaloo turned to Silver Spoon again. “Has today been weird or what?” Silver shrugged as a smile formed on her muzzle. “You’d think we’d stop being surprised after a while with what goes on in Ponyville.” She gestured to the creature in Scootaloo’s lap. “But here we are.” As the two shared a laugh footsteps came from down the tunnel. Turning to the tunnel they’d been heading for when they thought the spider was dangerous Scootaloo and Silver Spoon watched as a diamond dog came into view. Scootaloo had heard about diamond dogs from Sweetie Belle, after the whole incident of Rarity being taken by them, but this one looked different then how they’d been described. While it was a bipedal dog it had a face more like Winnona did then a bulldog face. It also seemed to be wearing some type of duster coat. Turning to look at them the diamond dog raised a questioning brow. “How in the world did you fillies get down here?” Before either Scootaloo or Spoon could answer, The spider in Scootaloo’s lap hopped up and skittered over to the diamond dog. Climbing up it’s body and settling on it’s shoulder to nuzzle the dog’s face. The diamond dog smiled as he petted the spider. “Oh there you are Jazzy. Did you find these two?” Jazzy seemed to nod as it chittered happily. The diamond dog nodded and turned to Scootaloo and Silver Spoon. “So, what are you two doing down here?” Scootaloo stood up and pointed behind her. “We fell down a hole that opened up in the ruins and found our way in here. We thought we could find a way back up.” The diamond dog nodded. “Well that explains it. Anyway you were going in the right direction.” The dog extended a paw to them. “I’m Gene by the way.” He gestured to the spider. “And this is Jazzy.” Scootaloo shook the offered paw with a grin. “Scootaloo, and this is Silver Spoon.” Silver Spoon waved and stood. Gene noticed how the gray filly kept her left foreleg raised and went to kneel in front of her. “Can I take a look at that?” Silver looked hesitant but extended her leg as Gene took it gently in his paws. “Hmm, looks like a sprain, and a bad one at that.” Gene stood and turned, motioning for Scootaloo and Silver to follow him. “Come on, I’ll lead you back upstairs. Did you have any others with you?” Silver Spoon nodded. “Our friends were in the ruins too.” Gene nodded and turned to Jazzy, still perched on his shoulder. “Jazzy, can you get up there and try to get their friends attention? We’re headed for the opening at the south of the ruins.” Jazzy gave a salute with one of her legs and skittered down the tunnel at an amazing speed. Gene nodded to the tunnel Jazzy had gone down. “Let’s head up. I’m guessing you’d like to get home as soon as you can.” Scootaloo and Silver Spoon hurried after Gene as he walked ahead, finally giving them a sure road upwards and back to their friends. =========================================================== After thoroughly searching the cavern Rarity and the others had found the crack that led into the tunnels. Finding no other way the fillies could have gone the four squeezed through the crack and started looking through the tunnels. After wandering through the tunnels for a while the four friends heard a skittering sound coming from ahead of them. A few seconds later a large spider appeared and stopped in front of them. The Spider looked at each of them before it began chittering and gesturing with one of it’s legs down the tunnel. Fluttershy stepped forward and picked the spider up. “You’ve seen two fillies? And you can take us to them?” After some more chittering Fluttershy put the spider down and turned to her friends with a smile. “She says that they’re down this way. Headed for the surface.” Applejack shrugged. “I guess we’re following a spider then.” Rainbow dash chuckled. “Man, our lives are interesting.” Pinkie bounded forward as Jazzy started skittering away. “Hey, wait up spider thing.” The others followed along as Jazzy led them through the tunnels. After a few minutes the group rounded a corner and came face to face with Gene who was flanked by Scootaloo and Silver Spoon. As the two groups approached each other Gene rose a paw in greeting. “Hello. You must be friends of these two. I’m Gene.” Scootaloo shot forward as she saw Rainbow and the others. “Hey you guys. I guess the others found out we were missing huh?” Applejack steped forward and gave the filly a stern look. Making Scootaloo shrink down under the intensity of the farm ponies gaze. “Darn right they did. What were y’all thinkin’, comin’ to some old ruins? This place ain’t safe at all.” Rainbow laid a hoof on Applejack’s shoulder. “Come on AJ, cut the kid a break.” Applejack glanced at Rainbow before sighing. “Aw fine. I’ll let her parents give her the business when they get back.” She turned back to Scootaloo and smiled. “I’m just glad she’s ok.” Rarity stepped forward and used her magic to examine Silver Spoon’s leg. Rarity gasped as she got a good look at the leg. “Oh you poor dear, this must feel simply horrid.” Pinkie walked up beside Rarity and pulled a sling out of her mane. “Here ya go Rarity.” Rarity blinked as she took the sling from Pinke. “Why do you....” Rainbow shook her head. “Better not to ask Rarity.” Applejack chuckled. “She’s right Rare. Best ta just take what she gives and not ask why.’ Nodding, Rarity pust Silver’s leg in the sling and turned to Gene. “Before I forget, we really should thank you for taking care of these two.” Gene waved a paw in dismissal. “Don’t mention it. I know what it’s like to be lost. I just wanted to help.” Jazzy climbed up onto Gene’s shoulder and nuzzled him. Gene Smiled. “And you did a good job too Jazzy.” Fluttershy giggled. “Is she yours?” Gene nodded. “Yep, found her down here a few years ago. She started following me around and we just kinda clicked.” Scootaloo nudged Rainbow’s leg to get her attention. “Not to sound pushy but can we get outta here? Me and Silver have been down here a while and we’d like to get out.” Silver Spoon nodded. “We’d really like to get out.” Gene nodded. “Ok then. Follow me.” As the group followed Gene, Applejack came up beside him. “Hey partner, just wanted to thank ya again for helpin’ them two. And if ya ever feel like it you’d be welcome in Ponyville.” Gene smiled. “I’ll keep that in mind.” The group continued on, chatting as they went. And before long they’d come back to the ruins. Leading them to the group of ponies searching outside Gene was taken aback as Scootaloo and Silver Spoon were tackled by three other fillies. As Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Diamond Tiara hugged the two Silver groaned. “Yeah, I’m happy to see you guys too but my leg’s killing me so could you loosen up a bit?” As the fillies backed off and they all began rattling off questions Apple Bloom cut through the conversation. "So Scootaloo, was this the kind of adventure you had in mind?” Scootaloo chuckled and scratched the back of her neck. “Well, not really. But it all worked out.” She turned to Silver Spoon. “Right?” Silver rolled her eyes. “Maybe, but next time I get to choose what we do.” Scootaloo threw a leg around Silver’s shoulders and smiled. “Deal.” The group of friends shared a laugh before splitting up and going with their respective parents and caretakers Scootaloo turned to Fluttershy. “Sorry about getting everyone so worried.” Fluttershy smiled at Scootaloo. “Well you’re ok so everything’s fine.” Fluttershy’s eyes became stern and her voice raised slightly. “But you really need to think things through more. I was so worried and so was everyone else.” Scootaloo nodded sadly. “I know.” Fluttershy smiled again and nudged Scootaloo. “As long as you learned your lesson.” Scootaloo grinned. “Sure did. Next time we go exploring ruins I’m gonna make sure we bring rope!” Fluttershy shook her head and giggled. “Oh boy.” Scootaloo and Fluttershy laughed as they continued on their way to Fluttershy’s cottage.