//------------------------------// // Directed By That Jerk // Story: Ofolrodi // by Imploding Colon //------------------------------// Rainbow Dash was expecting many wild things when she and the Herald finally rounded the penultimate crest of jagged rock. What she didn't expect to see were the lights. There was no mistaking it. Upon first glance through a parting array of stalagmites, Rainbow and her ghostly companions collectively observed shimmering shapes and figures—all of which projected a strange and almost hypnotizing bioluminescence. They came in various patterns, colors, and arrangements. From a distance, Rainbow spotted what looked like parallel ribbons of alternating strobes—and the moment her wings so much as made a single wing-flap within the bowed niche of rock, she saw the ribbons turning a dull blue as multiple arachnid limbs carried it scurrying to a hidden alcove. A collection of bright pinpricks were far, far slower in their retreat. As Rainbow and Ariel flew closer, they saw what looked like an enormous snail: a creature possessing a large round shell and conveyed on centipede legs so densely packed together that they might as well have been the flagella of a mollusk's hide. Then there were flying... possibly floating things—wispy and threadbare in nature—that shimmered with pale green light as they rotated up and down. When Ariel flew by a pair of them, the wind from her wings sent them spiraling towards the rock walls as they pulsed a bright, alarmed red. Once they made contact with the wall, they flattened and camouflaged themselves with translucent skin. The further beneath the overhang of rock that the Herald traversed, they found more and more curious wildlife—almost all of them invertebrate in nature and possessing completely random luminescent abilities. Logan slowed the hover craft's drift to a mere crawl, and even Seraphimus was drawn towards looking at the various creatures shifting and scurrying around them. There was a high-pitched hissing sound. Shadows darted low overhead. Ariel and Kepler visibly flinched. Within seconds, the shadows strobed with bright pulses of light, and the group looked up to see what appeared like reptilian bats gliding swiftly above their ears. Their wingtips flickered with red firelight, and they exited the niche in tight formation as soon as they had entered. If the group squinted, they could spot occasional spots of light streaking in the distance, navigating the troposphere between the ground, the Curve, and the cosmos. Needless to say, Fluttershy was beside herself with wonderment. Her ghostly wings fluttered faster and faster as her turquoise eyes darted about to observe every insanely new detail. Rarity looked at her with a delicate smile. "Surely, this must have been worth the entire journey so far, for you, darling." Fluttershy's response was far less enthusiastic than any of her friends expected. "There must be a lot of carnivores here," she said matter-of-factly. Applejack glanced over. "How do ya figure?" "If these creatures were never preyed upon, they wouldn't be scurrying away from us like they are," Fluttershy said. "Also... look at the ones on the ground." She pointed. "Their shells are so thick. So jagged." She gulped. "They've evolved for added protection. I do believe this place is more savage than even the Everfree Forest." Pinkie Pie nodded. "Coulda told you that! And the only animal I've ever known is a talkative baby alligator!" "I think we sh—" Twilight Sparkle did a double-take. She squinted at Pinkie Pie for a few seconds, shrugged, then resumed. "I think we should be careful, Rainbow Dash. There's no telling how dangerous these creatures might be. Or venomous." "Right." Rainbow looked at the rest of the Herald. "Hey, everypony, let's not... y'know... go off petting or nuzzling any of these flickering things." "Awwwwwww..." Ariel pouted, pointing at a swarm of what could best be described as three headed slugs slithering along the sloped stone beneath them. "But they look so cute and glowy—" Exactly as she said this, a trio of jagged pinchers suddenly erupted from a narrow fissure in the earth and enclosed around one of the harmlessly slithering slugs. SNAP! The chitinous jaws retreated with its wriggling prey. Seconds later, a faint cloud of ruby-colored energy floated up through the rock formation before being sucked back down into the earth. "Errrr..." Ariel rubbed her fetlocks, shivering. "Then again..." "Did you see that?" Logan remarked. Wildcard nodded. "Just like with Axan," Kepler murmured. "How currious." "Alright then." Rainbow cleared her throat. "Note to self. Avoid any large collections of red clouds." Kepler looked up. "Then that must surrely mean prroximity to feasting, carrnivorrous crreaturres." "Exactly." "What about us?" Logan remarked. Everypony could hear an audible growl from the large stallion's stomach. "I'm game for being a feasting, carnivorous creature." "One thing at a time, Big Show..." Flynn murmured from where he lay across the cart. His mechanical eye reflected the alternating pulses of light. "There's no telling how many of these things will be poisonous to consume." He sighed, wincing again from his aching head. "Or h-how many of them might eat us from the inside." "Goddess..." Ariel shivered. "That's a nightmarish idea." "This is the Dark Side, girl." Rainbow looked at the flittering forms of life all around them. Their spectral colors produced a glittery light show against the dull gray surfaces of the entombing rock formations "Let's not let all this stuff dazzle us too hard. It's all brutal beneath the shimmer." "I wonder..." Rarity was practically purring. Her bright blue eyes deliciously took in the sights. "...what could be the purpose of such beautiful... fabulous display?" "Well, they're likely used for social cues," Fluttershy said. "Swarming creatures communicate with each other through the lights. Mates find each other to reproduce. On the other hoof..." She sighed. "Carnivores likely use this bioluminescence to lure all the others." "Well, I can't say I'm a fan of the latter, but seeing all of this right now?" Rarity sighed through a tired smile. "It's a welcome sight." "I just wonder if there's any plants or fungae around here," Twilight said. "Reckon so." Applejack was hovering low, closely observing a fine layer of sediment. "The soil's just startin' to get rich. What's more..." The tilted her hat back, looking up. "The food chain's gotta start somewhere, ya reckon?" Right about then, Wildcard's goggles began reflecting a dull blue glow from up ahead. He sat up straight from the rear of the wagon and waved his talon dramatically. "I think Turbo Turkey's trying to get your attention, Dashie!" Pinkie said. "Hmmmm?" Rainbow looked in the Desperado's direction. "What is it, boy?" Wildcard gestured to his goggles, then to Rainbow's eyes, then pointed dead ahead. Rainbow flew up high—avoiding a few wispy, glowy things along the way. Likewise, her eyes began reflecting a swath of electric blue energy. "Whoahhhhhh..." Pinkie Pie cooed. "Shiny!" "Oh lawd..." Applejack grimaced. "Forgive me, sugarcube, but..." She looked worriedly at her anchor. "...ain't grass supposed to glow green?" Rainbow took a shuddering breath. "Beggers can't be choosers." She motioned with her hoof. "Come on, dudes. I think we've found our place to camp for the time being..."