Part Seven: Dr Whooves and the Cave of the Silmeragan.
Two princesses’ five elements a Doctor a mail mare a Zebra and three royal guards set off from Zecora’s home into the Everfree forest on a mission to rescue any survivors they could find in the cave of the monster.
It was about time for it to be patrolling its territory according to the doctor so now was the best time for them to attempt so risky a venture, the self appointed leader rambled on as he led them deeper into the woods
Following close behind was Ditzy and Zecora with Luna right behind them, the others weren’t so keen to be near him and with the three royal guards bringing up the rear they continued on.
Princess Celestia was going through a wash of emotions as she followed the one creature in the universe that irritated her more than Discord, in fact when they had first met she had thought he was a servant of Discord due to his ability to cause absolute chaos, or at least be there when it happened.
She reflected on the difference in his appearance and tried to count how many faces she knew he’d worn, she was no stranger to his race but they were no more and as the strangest of his race she’d encountered, he truly was a rule book unto himself.
Too busy thinking about him Celestia missed her footing on a tree root and stumbled falling into a pool of stagnant water which enveloped her in mucus and stinking mud.
Celestia’s swearing made all of those present blush as she regained her footing and stood dripping and furious.
“How far is this damn cave Doctor?”
“Not far… We’re almost there.”
“How can you be so sure…?”
The Doctor had an expression of disgust as he pointed his hoof at the shallow pool Celestia had just clambered out of, floating in the water were dozens of skulls and bones some still with rotting flesh clinging to them.
The already white goddess turned even paler as she fought to hold onto her lunch, Twilight was about to try to help the Princess in some way when a small fish popped out of one of the bobbing skulls eye sockets through the remains of the eye.
All those present cringed as Twilight stood right in the path of the royal upchuck and bore the full brunt of the explosion.
For the rest of the way to the cave Twilight was consigned to the very back of the procession, Celestia kept trying to apologize but the faithful albeit shocked Twilight wouldn’t hear of it.
Silence filled the air as they neared their destination, the way was littered with the debris of the monster, lots of bones arranged like totems were scattered along a rough path repeatedly trodden over centuries of travel.
Eventually the group made it to the very entrance of the monsters lair; it was here the Doctor gave his final instructions before they entered.
“Right, well, now we’re all here, here’s the plan…”
“…We go in locate those to rescue then I’ll break the psychic field, the princesses’ and Twilight will combine their magic and teleport themselves the rest of you and the missing to safety.”
With their instructions clear and without wasting any further time they used some torches Zecora had brought with her and the light from the unicorns present using their horns.
The caves entrance wasn’t hidden at all and as the group stood before the foreboding black hole they took a moment to prepare themselves for what was ahead.
The interior of the cave was large and covered with slippery moss, bones littered the floor, the tunnel cleverly hidden at the back wasn’t discovered until Applejack rested against the wall and fell through the covering over it.
Descending into the tunnel forced the group to walk in line in the dark with only the unicorn’s lights and the Doctors strange glowing and beeping device to lead them on.
The evidence of the creature continued on until they reached a small cavern where their breath was literally taken away as dozens upon dozens of prostrate ponies lay haphazardly across the floor.
As they moved between the comatose ponies it quickly became clear there were far too many to attempt to carry them out so teleportation was the only solution.
The Doctor flitted between them checking vitals and taking ‘readings’ as he called out their condition.
The ponies were all in varying degrees of emaciation and of all ages and gender, none of the group recognized any of the ponies until Dash who was checking for live ones found one that made her stop.
The yellow mare was laid out over a rock, her pink mane was soaking wet lying in a pool of water at the base of the rock, her breathing was erratic and like all the others her eyes flickered constantly.
Dash stood for a moment in recognition but still she couldn’t remember her name…
The Doctor however was flustered as he called them together, as they gathered he had a stern look on his face.
“Right, well I can bring them out of the field but the moment I break the connection on any of these ponies the Silmeragan will know and return here.”
“So what now Doctor…?”
Ditzy looked expectantly at him and as he followed her eyes as they slowly rotated around freely, eventually he went cross eyed and shaking his head he replied in an uncertain tone.
“I have an idea…”
The Doctor explained his idea, Celestia blinked along with the others as it sunk in, the Doctor looked confused as the group acted thoroughly unimpressed at the concept.
“That’s it… That’s your great idea… It’s a bit basic…”
Luna had hoped this Doctor might fulfill the description given by Ditzy but so far he was proving to be a bit of a disappointment.
“So you expect us to unite our magic and levitate a giant rock above the door and drop it on the beast when it gets here.”
“Yes.”
Ditzy and Zecora said nothing as they both gave the Doctor skeptical looks as they frowned.
It was Rarity who spoke next as she asked what exactly he would be doing, his answer was to huff and spread his fore hooves and with a big grin said…
“…Being brilliant…”
All assembled rolled their eyes as he acted hurt, Ditzy stifled a laugh as he sat and folded his arms his nose in the air as he ignored the snorts and grumbles from the others.
Out of options the group conceded and so Celestia Luna and twilight concentrated on moving the biggest boulder they could towards the entrance.
The elements were busy trying to drag all the various comatose ponies nearer to the center of the room as the Doctor fiddled with his silver device that sounded like it had had better days.
Ditzy trotted over to him and smiled at him, when he eventually noticed her presence frowning he looked over to the other side of the room and then back to her.
“Wrong Doctor…?”
“You mean ‘is something’ wrong?”
Ditzy blushed but nodded, the Doctor stopped twiddling and without a word walked in the direction he’d been looking, Ditzy a little put out followed mumbling about manners.
Picking his way through the room the Doctor began rambling about mental fields and how he could feel patterns and see the connections in the room…
Ditzy was joined by Zecora as she too tried to make sense of his mutterings as he stopped and bent down over a small cluster of rocks, with a clap of his hooves and a whoop lent forward.
Gently the Doctor sat back, cradled in his arms was a small grey filly with a blonde mane that like the others was unconscious but OK.
Ditzy stared long and hard at the little bundle, she could feel a connection but no matter how hard she tried she couldn’t remember a name or who she was…
“Doctor… How did you… Know…?”
The Doctor allowed himself a triumphant smile as he grinned like a Cheshire cat before answering.
“Tapping into the psychic field allowed me to read the brainwaves of the ones connected, I’d know the brain of a Doo anywhere.”
Ditzy settled in front of the Doctor and gently took her from him.
“How do I remember her…?”
“When the Silmeragan is no more, then all should return to normal… Hopefully…”
“…Hopefully?”
“…Uh yes...”
“Great.”
Zecora checked the little filly and nodded to Ditzy all was well under the circumstances.
“It seems obvious that the creature must have snatched the girl last night, wiped her from every ponies memories including Ditzy… Since Ditzy knew something was wrong it’s clear even a mother’s instinct can’t be completely erased by the field.”
Ditzy gave the Doctor a wet kiss on the cheek and held the filly up for the newly arrived Luna to see.
“A most joyous thing my little pony… But I fear that device is trying to tell you something Doctor…”
The Doctor glanced down as his attention finally caught up to the shrill sounds being emitted by his device.
“Why do they never turn up when you expect them to…? Just once on time, all I ask…”
Jumping up in a flash he grabbed it between his teeth he pointed it towards the entrance and sure enough it went crazy, the Doctor motioned furiously for all to get ready.
Luna and Celestia both caught hold of the rock they planned to use with their magic and lifted it above the entrance and waited.
The elements Zecora and Ditzy all rushed to finish gathering the surviving ponies near the center of the cavern as the three guards got ready to distract the Silmeragan and allow them time to crush the beast…
…And thus the trap was set.