//------------------------------// // The Dreaded cave of Dread // Story: Mother Moon, Joys of Parenthood // by ShadowStar_IMHP //------------------------------// Nightshade’s Pov The air was thick with moisture and the faint taste of mold, spider webs hung down from the ceiling of the caves just barely brushing the three adventurers. “Come on we just starting exploring. The treasure will be min...umm...ours.” Nightshade marched right past her and deeper into the caves. Following Nightshade was her friends Cream Puff and Buster. She adjusts her explorer’s helmet and lights her torch. Plunging deeper into the dreaded caves of dread! She was glad for the torch shining its magical light brightens the brownish sandstone walls reflected slightly as the three came to an intersection. “Okay... it’s this way.” Nightshade turned left followed by Buster. “You sure Nightshade it looks scary.” “Buster, of course, I’m sure. The scary stuff always has the best stuff.” Not paying attention Cream Puff felt a strand of the spider webs on her back and squealed. Charging ahead to get away from the web she took the right path. After a few feet down the tunnel, she slows and looks around... alone. Her heart continued to beat fast as the sudden fear of the strange sensation of the web was replaced with the fear of being alone. Cream Puff always had this fear it was why she was given the stuffed bunny. She was missing Mr. Hops who she left with her mommy. That means she was now alone, in the dark cave with just her glow stick. “Nigh... nightshade?” She sucked in a breath getting ready to scream. “There you are Cream Puff. You went the wrong way.” Nightshade came up to her friend. Buster followed and unlike Nightshade noticed the signs of fear in Cream Puff. The lowered tail and ears up and alert. Wide eyes he came closer and hugged Cream Puff. “We here Cream Puff. It okay you are safe.” Nightshade blinks “Wait what’s wrong?” “I..I.. was alone... where were you?” Cream Puff let out her breath slowly calming down. “We went to the left path. Then I noticed you were not with us.” Buster gives Nightshade a stink eye. “I mean... Buster noticed. So we came back looking for you.” Yup completely believable Nightshade thought to herself. The cave shook slightly “Cave in!” The top of the cave opens and Buttercream’s head looked down. “You alright in there Cream Puff?” Buttercream looks down at the foals. “Mommy, I good.” Cream Puffs looks up to her mother. “You are braking immersion.” Nightshade pouts. “What that means Nightshade?” Buster asks as Buttercream lowers the ceiling. “It means it not pretend.” “Oh, well can we play more,” Buster asks looking innocently at the fillies. “Yes, we still have the treasure to find.” Nightshade headed farther down the cave as the other two foals look at each other and shrugged. Then followed the group leader into the darkness. Turning the corner Nightshade stops and raises her wing. “There are bears ahead guys. We have to be sneaky.” “I got this.” Buster wasn’t sneaky instead he charges forward turns and bucks the bears missing both. His hooves end up stuck in the cave wall. “Help..” The two bears turn and growl as the two move forward Buster's heart started beating faster as fear set in. Trapped in the dirt of the cavern wall he was helpless. Just then the bears went flying into the cave wall blasting through the rock. The two fillies having shoved the stuffed two stuffed Teddy-bears through the cardboard wall. “Oh no Buster falling out and down the cliff,” Nightshade says as she grabs Buster front left hoof. Cream Puff grabs his right hoof and both pull him back into the cave. Once save the three foals look out of the opening and down the cliff. “Are they okay?” Asks Cream Puff. “Yeah see they are getting up. We better hurry before they find their way up again.” “That’s like a thousand miles below. Thanks for saving me you two.” Buster says as he looked at the two Teddy-bears laying just an inch away. “We are a team. Now let get going I want that candy... er. We are so close to the treasure.” Nightshade turns and heads back into the cave followed by the other two. They're in a cave that was in an octagon shape was a bowl with sparkling gems. “The treasure!” The roof shakes and a large white head looks down. “Having Fun?” “Oh no a horrible fat monster that going to sit on us! Quickly grab the candy... I mean treasure.” The three foals grab the candy dish and scurry for the safety of the smaller cavern. Soon all three run out of the box caves and to their mothers where the start dividing up the candies. Celestia blinks “Why does she always have to say something about my weight?” ------------- Luna’s Pov Outside the mass of boxes that been tapped Luna smiles as her filly and friends went into the maze. Sipping her coffee she moves the large cup from her lips and looks to her guest. “Vanilla Bean you were right this Moonlit Champion drink is tasty.” “Um... thanks, Princess.” Vanilla Bean was a pale yellow earth pony with a brown mane and tail a light brown like coffee with cream in it. Her brown eyes were a little panicky. “Glad you like my work.” Princess Luna sighed the mare was afraid that was clear. She hoped she was over the fear ponies had of her but it seemed that there... her thoughts were interrupted by Buttercream. “Relax Vanilla. Luna not going to hurt you.” “Oh, no... no.. it not that. She... awesome I saw her fight those nasty Changelings. I don’t know what to say to the Princess.” Blink... blink It took a moment for what Vanilla Bean said to processed. “You think I’m awesome?” “Oh yes... Princess Luna. Even wounded you didn’t stop or give in to despair. It was very... inspiring. Me and Donut Joe started throwing hot coffee and even the cooking oil at the Changelings after we saw you and Cadence.” Luna blushes a little and looks to the drink she was sipping “Is that why he named this drink the Moonlit Champion? Is it in honor of me?” “It was my idea, but yes.” With a worried look “It’s too much? You don’t like it?” “No.. I mean I love the drink. Thank you.” Buttercream chuckles and leans over to Vanilla Bean “Luna not used to being complimented.” “Why not? A Princess as awesome as Luna should be complimented often.” Luna smirks and takes another sip “it’s a very long story and one that very sad. Perhaps I tell you another ti...” The squeal of a foal causes all three mothers to snap their heads to the cardboard box maze the foals had set up. Buttercream stood up and headed to the boxes “That’s my Cream Puff’s squeal.” She lifted part of the box and looked down. “You alright in there Cream Puff?” “Mommy, I good.” Cream Puffs looks up to her mother. Buttercream smiles at the foals and closes the box and headed back to the couch where the other two mothers were watching. “They are fine, looks like Cream Puff just got separated for a time.” “I thought Cream Puff didn’t scare that easy,” Luna states as she looks at the boxes as she focuses on the sounds of the foals. “She’s brave when with others. She has isolation anxiety when she alone she panics. That’s why she normally with her stuffed bunny. I’m surprised Nightshade got her to leave him with me.” Buttercream nudges the stuffed bunny. “Isolation anxiety is a normal problem with foals. Our herding instincts want us to be around others, being alone is hard to get used to. It was very hard for me a thousand years ago, it was just me and Celestia. I’m happy that it seems Nightshade won’t be growing up lonely.” “Well, you aren’t alone anymore either Luna. You got me and Vanilla Bean... right Vanilla?” “What.. oh sure I will be more than happy to hang out.” “Thank you two. This means a lot, more then I can even say.” Luna smiles and blinks as a pair of hooves burst out of the cardboard. “Seems Buster got stuck.” Luna laughs seeing the colt's hooves sticking out. “Oh, dear wonder what they are doing in there.” Vanilla Bean asks right before the side of the box rips fully and two stuffed Teddy-bears pop out followed by the three foals looking out of the hole. “Having an adventure.” Luna smiles as she sips her drink then see Celestia walk into the suite. “I see the foals are having fun in the maze.” “Indeed sister, they are having a blast. I do believe they are near the treasure room.” “Oh?” Celestia moved to the octagon chamber and lifts the roof. “Having Fun?” “Oh no a horrible fat monster that going to sit on us! Quickly grab the candy... I mean treasure.” Celestia blinks as the three foals scramble to the candy dish then back into the box maze. “Why does she always have to say something about my weight?” “It seems there will always be snide side to my Daughter.” She looks down as the three foals split up the candies.