With a sigh, I wiped the sweat from my brow for the millionth time that day. The sun was relentless, beating down upon my scales oppressively as I worked. I gazed up at the sky and was immediately blinded. Emitting a yelp, I fell backward on the grass and felt my hands rush to my eyes.
Darn. I thought. Is Twilight making the sun brighter or something?
Eventually, the bright blue and green flashes that had clouded my vision faded away. I set down my shovel to rest for a moment. Although, as I inspected my most recent work, I realized I hadn’t made much progress. Despite all my effort, the fence post I was uprooting was still buried deep within the soil. I frowned, glancing at the growing pile of dirt beside it. I gave the post a good kick to test its stability. It didn’t budge, but a wave of pain did radiate throughout my foot.
I clutched my foot and hopped about on one leg, fighting back a few tears. Gritting my teeth, I threw my hat to the ground in frustration and stomped to the shelter of the red barn nearby. I climbed my way up a stack of hay bales and found the chilled, refreshing cider that had been thoughtfully placed there for me. After three swigs there was nothing but ice left in the glass. I sighed, giving the container a good shake before plopping it down beside me.
Just to be clear, I wasn’t the one who decided to come help out at Sweet Apple Acres. Let’s just say certain slightly crazy, purple alicorns can have weird ideas pop into their heads. (Don’t tell her I said that.)
I scratched one of the few dozen insect bites on my body as I watched Applejack round the barn with her plow. Just this morning, she had maneuvered through nearly half the orchard with the kind of skill I wasn’t capable of. She placed her plow nearby the door and trotted inside. Her hat was stained with sweat.
“You alright there, Spike?” she asked. “It’s been hotter than normal these past few days. Reckon it’s got something to do with that heat wave the pegasi keep talking about.”
“Yeah, I’m fine.” I swatted a fly away with a claw. “No offense, but I’m happy to be going back home this evening.”
Applejack chuckled and joined me on top of the hay barrels. She had exchanged her soiled hat for a fresh one. “It’s fine, sugarcube. Bet I would be saying the same thing if I were you. Besides, you’ve worked real hard this entire time. You more than deserve a break.” Applejack squinted at the trees in the distance. “Sure do appreciate the help though, with Granny having injured her hip and all, again.” She sighed. “We’re a bit behind schedule this season.”
I placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder and smiled faintly. “She’ll be okay,” I encouraged.
Applejack’s tough, but even anything mildly concerning about Granny Smith always seems to worry her. Like last night, for example: Granny choked on her soup when Apple Bloom said something particularly funny. Applejack must have had a heart attack or something with all the trouble she went through to make sure Granny was all right. Heck, she almost rushed her to the hospital! All in all, it only took a few sips of water to cease her coughing.
We sat together in silence on our makeshift tower for a few minutes. I took in everything – the trees, the fresh aroma of the grass, the clucking of the chickens in their coop, and even the now-fading sunlight of late afternoon. I could see why AJ and her family called this place home. The serenity of it all amidst the atmosphere of devotion, grit, and determination evoked a feeling indescribable within me. Although, I can say it was remarkable.
Just as I was deep in my thoughts, I heard a creak outside the barn door. I glanced at Applejack to make sure I wasn’t hearing things, but a look of confusion on her face confirmed my suspicions. One door was locked shut and the other was only partially open, so it was hard to tell if there was anything beyond it. Another creak resonated through the room. Warily, Applejack slid down from the hay bale and grabbed the nearest weapon-like object – a pitchfork. I gulped uneasily but readied my fire breath, nonetheless. The unlatched door continued to groan, slowly becoming further ajar. My heartbeat quickened as a sense of dread pervaded me.
The door then snapped open with such force that a whoosh and gust of wind filled the barn.
“Boo!” shouted the voice of Rainbow Dash, who I couldn’t see as I tumbled from the top of the hay tower. I collided painfully with the floor and sent a fair amount of dust flying into the air. I could hear Applejack yelp and stumble backwards, her pitchfork falling with a loud thud.
The cyan pegasus cackled mischievously.
Applejack groaned from her position on the floor. “That wasn’t funny, Dash.”
Rainbow snickered, a cocky grin on her face. “Surprised?”
“No.”
I slowly raised myself from the ground, realizing I was shaking. I tried to even my breathing before speaking, so I wouldn’t sound like an idiot. “H-how did you know we were here?” My voice still squeaked more than I would have liked.
Rainbow smirked. “Easy. I’ve been here for, like, ten minutes at least. So, I heard you two talking and knew you were inside. I just had to wait for the right moment to strike.”
Applejack and I blinked in unison.
“You were spyin’ on us?!” the farmer yelled.
“Aren’t I awesome?”
“Seriously?”
Now, calm, and slightly annoyed, I walked over to the two of them. “At least she didn’t kick the barn down?”
Applejack just snorted and rolled her eyes. “What do you want, Rainbow?”
“Huh?”
“Why are you botherin’ us?! You interrupted our chores! Now, I’ve gotta rework the whole schedule.”
“Jeez, sorry.” Rainbow rubbed the back of her head. “Hmm, why did I come here? . . .”
“You don’t even remember?!”
“Just give me a second! . . . Oh, yeah!”
Rainbow unfurled a wing to reveal a sheet of paper she had tucked beneath it. She trotted toward us, smiling like her argument with Applejack had never happened.
“I wanted to show you this.”
She unfolded the crumbled paper and held it up with a wing for Applejack to see. I stood on my tiptoes to get a better look. The paper was a flyer depicting the entrance of some cave. Judging by the multitude of trees and vines surrounding it, I guessed it was in the middle of a forest. Right in front of the opening was a banner that had been cut by a grinning, burly earth pony.
The leaflet’s description read:
BLUE MOON CAVE
DISCOVERED BY SPELEOLOGISTS IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR
THE WONDERS OF THE EVERFREE LIE WITHIN THESE WALLS! THE BLUE RIVER, CALCIUM SEA, AND ANCIENT RUNES FROM GROGARIAN TIME ARE AMONG MANY!
NOW OPEN FOR EXPLORATION! COME VENTURE HERE, IF YOU DARE.
“Sounds pretty cool, right?” Rainbow asked, beaming. “A cave! So close to Ponyville too! It’s right on the outside of the Everfree Forest. Can you believe it was only discovered now?”
“It does seem interesting,” I commented, rubbing my chin. “Although, it may be dangerous.”
“There’s a rumor going around that freaky things happen in the cave if there’s a blue moon.”
“What kind of things?” I asked, suddenly trembling again.
“That’s all balderdash, Spike,” Applejack retorted. “Now, what the hay is The Blue River and what’s so special ‘bout it? Aren’t all rivers blue?”
“I guess that’s true, but The Blue River is special because it’s inside the cave. I bet it’s, like, a sparkly blue or something. So, completely different,” Rainbow said, hovering in the air and crossing her forelegs over her chest.
“Are you even hearing yourself right now?”
“Ancient runes from Grogarian time,” I repeated to myself. “What does that mean?”
Rainbow shrugged. “Dunno. Maybe they’re from whenever Grogar ruled over Equestria? I guess the ponies who made the flyer just wanted to make 'em sound fancy.”
“Hmm, that makes sense,” I replied, contemplating the idea. “I bet Twilight would like to study ‘em.”
“So, why’d you want to show us this here cave?” AJ asked, still skeptical.
“Well, I was thinking,” Rainbow began, smiling and narrowing her eyes, “what if we had a little challenge? You know, me and you? Just like the old days.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Uh, huh.” Rainbow leaned forward. “I dare you, Applejack, to go spelunking inside Blue Moon Cave.”
“Spe-what, now?
“Spe-lunk-ing,” Rainbow enunciated. “It’s the technical term for exploring caves.”
“You want me to go pokin’ ‘round a cave?”
I scratched my head and tried to search my brain. I remembered Twilight reading about cave exploration somewhere . . . Was it possible for someone to do it without an expert?
“Yes,” Rainbow answered slowly. “But you’ll be fine. You’ll be wearing lots of protective gear and stuff. The guys in charge will even give you a map. I bet I could find my way around there with my eyes closed.”
“So, you’re telling me you haven’t been in the cave yourself?”
“Not exactly . . .”
“Oh, I see. You want me to make sure there’s nothin’ dangerous in there, so that you’ll have it easy when you go in yourself,” Applejack teased, smirking.
“No, it’s not like that at all! I was just, uh, being nice by letting you go first.”
“Sure.”
“Can I go with Applejack,” I asked, finally catching the attention of both of them.
“Now, why would you want to do that, Spike? You know it might be dangerous.” Applejack eyed Rainbow Dash. “Plus, this is between me and Dash, here.”
“I have fire. You never know when your flashlight will run out of power. Um, and you may want company. Twilight always says I’m a great companion. I might even be able to help you out with something.”
“That . . . does sound like a smart idea. I would love to have you around, Spike. I guess I do owe you back after all you’ve done here on the farm too.” Applejack smiled, and I gave her a grin in return. “What’dya think, Dash?”
Rainbow Dash hesitated. “Well, okay. I guess that would be safer. But I’m bringing Scoots on my trip.”
“I dunno if Scootaloo would like this sort of thing,” Applejack said. “Remember that time you, me, Rarity, and our sisters went campin’? That gal was more frightened than a porcupine with goosebumps.”
Rainbow waved a hoof nonchalantly. “That was then. This is now. She’ll be fine.”
“Sounds fair to me,” I remarked, nodding. “I mean, Scootaloo going with Rainbow Dash if I get to go with Applejack.”
“Then, that settles it,” Rainbow declared. “You guys have two full days to reach the exit of the cave after you enter.”
“Two days?” Applejack asked, concerned. “You sure that’ll be enough time?”
“The cave’s not enormous, but it’s not small either. You’ll probably have to stay there for at least a night. I think you can manage the trip in two days though.”
“Yeah, we’ll be fine, AJ,” I assured, bumping Applejack with my elbow. “So, Rainbow, you’re sure anyone can explore the cave on their own?”
“Yeah, anyone can. Although, most ponies do decide to go with a guide, you know, since it’s safer. But this is a dare, it wouldn’t be cool enough if we had help.”
Applejack frowned. “I’m not sure-”
Rainbow groaned. “Ugh, fine! There’ll be an emergency button on your gear. Press it if you really need help, and a tour guide will come looking for you based on your location. Good enough?”
“Hmm, alright.”
“Why are you so worried anyway?”
“I just want Spike to be safe. Twi would kill me if anything happened to him.” She smiled down at me.
I felt myself blush. “Thanks, AJ. But I don’t think she would go that far, and I’ll be fine.” I think.
“Sure about that?” Dash asked, snickering.
“Rainbow,” Applejack growled.
“Okay. Okay. Sheesh. I was just kidding.”
Applejack picked up her pitchfork and set it back in its proper position along the wall. “Well, its gettin’ late. I’ve gotta finish my chores if I’m gonna get stuff ready for tomorrow. Not to mention figure out how Big Mac’s gonna adjust to his extra workload. You can go home now, if you’d like, Spike.”
I cocked my head. “Really? What about the fence post?”
“Applebloom can handle it. She should be startin’ on her rounds soon anyway.”
“Sweet!” I exclaimed, cracking my knuckles as I imagined our upcoming journey.
“Okay, I’m gonna go now. See you guys tomorrow at the cave’s mouth!”
“The mouth?” I asked, confused.
“The entrance!” Rainbow elaborated, already flying toward the door. “Nine o’clock, stat!”
With that, I said goodbye to AJ and asked her to thank Granny Smith for my meals and bed. As I walked out into the quickly cooling weather, I remembered the hat which I had left on the ground. Once I retrieved it, I dusted it off and placed it back on my head, grinning. Whistling, I took flight back to Canterlot in the direction of the sunset. My spine and wings tingled in anticipation and excitement. I couldn’t wait to tell Twilight about my impending adventure.