//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: Gold & Jive // Story: Rainbow is Magic S2: El Dorado // by aceotaku //------------------------------// A rumbling drumming filled the air as a crowd gathered around a large set of golden pillars, atop each were some drummers, groups of trumpeters, a couple guitarists among other musicians. On closer inspection each musician was in fact a golden machine, built to resemble some sort of bipedal dog. On the bottom most podium, a set of stairs behind leading up to a larger podium stage higher above, was a small bipedal dog, about the size of a filly at the tallest, wearing a stylish purple dress and a stylish curled purple wig. The dog smiled at the large audience before him and began to sing, holding a golden microphone to his lips. “One Two Three You have found it A place of golden dreams.” “Let your dreams come truuuue~” Unseen backup singers chimed in. “At El Dorado.” The dress wearing dog continued, strutting his hips as he performed, his singing voice quite beautiful. “Five Six Seven Are you okay? I understand your awe” “Let your dreams come truuue~” “This could be your big chance~” As the song continued, a pair of small elevators rose behind the dog, revealing two more taller, larger dogs, one wearing a bright red vest and the larger one wearing a black leather jacket, the pair stepping forward as the elevators lowered them, dancing to the beat with the singer, who began to dance more energetically, hopping and twirling as the tempo slowly rose. “Be it an Angel or a Devil Noone can escape The absolute allure Of their dreams coming true! So what are you waiting for? Challenge the roulette We offer you everything!” “Let your dreams come truuuue~” “At El Doradoooo!” The tempo began to rise more, the three dogs dancing more and more energetically and once the music reached a crescendo the three dogs turned, gesturing up towards the flight of stairs behind them, a spot light shining on yet another dog: this one wearing a golden top hat, clashing with the silver button up jacket she wear on her grey torso, gold rings and bracelets decorating her wrists and fingers as she held a long gold staff with a microphone atop it, her fangs bright gold and gleaming in the light as she sang. “Ooooooooh! Forget your fears! Take a dive! Be sure to bet it all!” ‘Let your dreams come truuuue~” “Or you may lose it all” The dog slowly skipped step by step down the stairs, spinning her staff in her hand as she sang, the spotlight still on her “Life’s not worth living Without some risk So believe you me” “Let your dreams come truuue~” “Because you’re a winner! Angels and Demons Know it to be to true Sometimes you gotta bet on Dreams of gold!” As she hopped down, standing in the middle of the triangle formed by the other three dogs, she held up her hands in the air as the other dogs gestured their arms outwards towards the audience, singing together as one. “GOLD AND JIVE! Such lovely music To our ears! Dive in! Let your dreams come true!” The three dogs surrounding the top hat wearing one danced and hopped and twirled around her while she gestured upwards, fireworks exploding in the air and dancers, acrobats and jugglers rising from elevators onto the other podiums, performing in time with the music. As the music reached a crescendo, the leader spun her staff, pointing it to the crowd as holes opens on the podiums extending out into large tubes and began pouring rivers of silver discs onto the audience. “GOLD AND JIVE! A LIVE WITH NO RISK IS NOT WORTH IT! COME ON! LET YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE! GOLD AND JIVE! SUCH BEAUTIFUL WORDS MAKE THE WORLD GO ROUND COME ON!” The top hat wearing dog flipped her top hat over in her hand, holding it out towards the crowd, revealing a long tuft of green hair that curled over her right eye, a sinister grin on her features. “Make your dreams come true.” Down among the crowd, as ponies desperately clambered for the silver discs, one pony in particular was less interested in the excitement and glared up at the podium as the dogs and their robots sank back down out of sight, the podium itself starting to fold in and lower itself. “Yeah, I’ll believe it when I see it.” Pinkamena grumbled. ----------------------- A couple days earlier.... Spike looked around as he walked around into the tunnel, sniffing as Pinkamena walked along beside him. “Wow...” Spike breathed in wonder. “There’s...there’s so MUCH down here!” “Yep, this is why I moved here. No other place I’ve seen has such a large collection of minerals, precious stones, crystals and metals all in one location. The perfect place to set up a mine.” She trotted ahead, leading spike along. “Okay so...why invite me over here? I mean not that I’m grateful but...” Spike stammered. He wasn’t too sure what to say about this, Pinkamena kinda intimidated him; she was after all not afraid to speak her mind and was a very hard pony to read. Plus she kind of came off like a jerk. “Well, your dragon sense of smell could be useful for me to pinpoint specific materials. Even earth pony magic has its limits, and I know nothing about Crystal Pony magic. But you? You can identify where say a ruby is without even needing to GUESS. How is that valuable for my profession.” She glanced back at him. “Besides, I like you.” Spike sputtered. “W-wha!? What do you mean you like me? You don’t like ANYONE!” “That is true, but you’re someone I see a lot in common with. We’re both intelligent people surrounded by idiots, we both react to said idiocy with snark and sarcasm, plus you’re stronger than you seem, you’re capable and diligent and unlike other ponies I don’t judge your ability by your size.” She walked to a spot at the end of the tunnel, large sparkling crystals decorating all along it. “But as I said, it’s mostly cause I find your skills useful.” “Gee, thanks, glad to be appreciated.” Spike folded his arms, rolling his eyes. Pinkamena frowned, looking at him. “But I am serious. I do like you. You and Rainbow are the only ponies are actually have some respect for....wedding insanity aside. Especially since you helped me when Discord...” She shivered, the memories of that time starting to flood back before she shook her head. “A...anyway. What can you tell me about this patch? I’ve been hearing some strange noises coming from here on occasion, and I figured you might be able to help me figure out what’s going on.” Spike smirked and chuckled, stepping over. “What, is mean ol’ Pinkamena getting scared over some noises?” “If said noises could result in an unexpected cave in while I’m mining, YES I AM.” Pinkamena glared at the dragon. “...You raise a good point. Snark retracted.” He placed a claw on the wall, sniffing at it, frowning. “Hmmm...Jasper, Ruby, LOTS of Star Stone...hmmm...There’s...there’s something else. It’s...” His eyes widened. “Something’s MOVING in there!” “What do you mean MOVING?” Pinkamena looked to him, eyes widening as she tilted her head in puzzlement. But before spike could answer the mine began to rumble, cracks appearing in the mine’s walls around them and soon it began to collapse, Pinkamena gasping as she rushed to pull Spike back from danger...only for the stone around them to move unnaturally and push her aside, and she looked over, seeing the stone form into a massive canine face that closed its jaws around a scared looking Spike and disappearing back, leaving behind an empty wall, devoid of ANYTHING. Pinkemena rushed over, touching the wall, trying to dig through, only to find nothing but rock, no tunnel behind, no nothing. In fact, from what little she could glean with her Earth Pony magic, not only was Spike gone...but so was every stone and metal in her mine. There was nothing left. She stepped back, face pale, hooves trembling as she noticed something glinting below her. She looked down and reached to pick up...a gold card. One marked with a stylised dog’s head while framing the words ‘El Dorado’. ----------------------------- Later, everyone had convened at the Library, one of the Ponyville Royal Guard, Striker, sitting at a large table with the other Element Bearers, the golden card Pinkamena had found. Stiker looked at the card, frowning, before looking back up at Pinkamena. “And this was all you found?” “Yeah, and it definitely wasn’t there before...” The pink pony replied, her expression dark. Rainbow, eyes looking tired and scared, looked to the guardsman, “Do you...know anything?” “I won’t sugarcoat it, this is BAD.” Striker, looked down. “Because, if this is any indication, then whoever did this is most like from, or at least staying in, El Dorado.” Twilight Sparkle raised a brow. “Are we supposed to know what it is?” Rainbow shook her head. “A small town like Ponyville wouldn’t know about, and even I only know bits and pieces. It’s a popular vacation spot for rich ponies.” Striker nodded. “Yeah,I only know of it cause Captain Blueblood informed EVERY branch of the guard about it. It’s a popular vacation spot, yes, but for some reason some ponies who go there just...never return. The guard’s been trying to investigate it for a long time, but for some reason certain countries won’t allow anyone to even TRY.” “What s not even Celestia can just do anything?” Rainbow asked, raising a brow. “Yeah, even when she’s tried to negotiate, some countries have been...adamant about no one going in.” “That’s...REALLY suspicious.” Applejack chimed in. “Totally.” Rarity agreed. “Yep, definitely.” Rainbow added. “Yeah well, we can’t really do anything even if it is INCREDIBLY suss.” Striker said. “We don’t have ANY actual PROOF that El Dorado is actually really connected to the disappearances and even if it was, if we tried to investigate we’d have to deal with the response of the other countries, some of whom are ITCHING for a chance to dethrone Celestia.” “Wait what?” Rarity blinked. “No way, everypony loves Celestia!” “Yeah well, not every country is run by ponies, and even the ones that are don’t all share our views of the Princess. The fact is, while everything SEEMS nice and peaceful, there’s a real danger someone could...tip the scales and lead to all out war.” “So we charge in with the Elements and save Spike!” Rarity said excitedly. “We haven’t gotten like ANY chance to use them, something stupid has ALWAYS gotten in the way!” “Oh yes, and I’m sure just barging in and blowing up such an apparently important place WON’T cause an international incident!” The bat pony raised his hooves in exasperation. “Besides, NOONE can force themselves in, El Dorado is built like a FORTRESS, it’s completely sealed by a WALL of pure orihalcum and double layered with the toughest metals known to Equestria, so even if we WERE willing to make a HUGE risk, we wouldn’t be able to scratch a DENT.” Fluttershy pouted. “Lousy stupid hand wavey stupid dues ex machine stuffs...” “The ONLY way someone can get in is by buying a ticket,” Striker pointed to the cad on the table, “or by being given one.” Rainbow frowned. “And not just ANYONE is given one, right?” Striker nodded. “Most folks wouldn’t risk the loss of the opportunity of going to El Dorado, as WAY too many ponies buy into the rumour it ‘makes dreams come true’. There are even rumours that many of the noble families in Canterlot got their wealth BECAUSE of El Dorado.” Applejack looked at the gaudy gold card. “So whoever took Spike probably WANTS us to come. Or at least one of us.” “But why...?” Twilight wondered. “Doesn’t matter.” Pinkamena said. “I’m going.” The others stared at her. “WHAT!?” Even Fluttershy was shocked. “Spike was taken because I took him to my mine. It’s MY fault. If only I hadn’t decided to let him assist me...” Again, everyone stared at her in disbelief. Even Fluttershy, who slowly started to grin. “I kneeeeew you were a nice pony beneath it allll!” PInkamena’s eyes widened as she shook her. “What? No! I’m...I’m not...! I just feel like I’m indebted now and don’t like having debts!” Fluttershy giggled as Rainbow shook her head. “Anyway, let’s not be silly, I’m sure if we just all come together and use this ticket we can all get in and find Spike, figure out who took him and the missing ponies and bust them all out with the Elements.” Striker frowned. “And risk losing BOTH the Elements AND the Bearers? That’s not a good plan! We have no idea what’ll happen!” “We won’t know unless we try!” Rainbow snapped back. “Spike is FAMILY, I’m not giving up on him!” “Precisely!” Applejack added. “One for all, all for one!” Rarity shouted, standing on the table. “Rarity, get down.” Rainbow scolded. “Yeah!” Fluttershy cheered.”Spike’s super adorable and nice! NONE of us would let him be in trouble!” Pinkamena put her hooves together, frowning. “And what if someone attacks Equestria or Ponyville?” “Wha?” The others turned to Pinkamena again. “If El Dorado is as impenetrable as Striker says, then we wouldn’t have an easy way to get out, even with the Elements. We’ve dealt with enough to know the Elements might be needed. After all, Sombra and Tyrant Monarch are still out there, and who knows what else could be lurking we don’t know about.” “But...!” “But the risk is too great.” PInkamena continued. “If they wanted to hurt Spike they wouldn’t have taken him so we don’t have to worry too much about his wellbeing compared to the safety of the country, and if this is a trap at least you’d lose someone no one would miss.” She gazed at the card coolly. “You can always make a new friend to take up the Element of Honesty should anything happen.” Fluttershy stared, tears in her eyes, Applejack leaning in to place a hoof on Pinkamena’s. “Darling, don’t talk like that...” Pinkamena pushed Applejack’s hoof away. “No. We all know it’s true. And this isn’t just something simple. Ponies have gone MISSING, and magic won’tjust easily solve everything. This is MY mess, and I’M fixing it. WITHOUT the Elements.” “Now, Darling this isn’t...!” “Striker close your eyes.” Pinkamena blurted out, tossing a small blue gem from her hoof, her eyes shut tight. Striker’s eyes widened before he shut his eyes tight, the others blinking in confusion before gasping as the stone flashed a bright light as Pinkamena smashed in her hoof, everyone who had their eyes open collapsed to the ground. Striker opened his eyes. “W-what the...!?” “Rest Stone. Uncommon, fairly fragile. Releases a bright light that knocks ponies out for thirty minutes when crushed.” She got up to her hooves. “What, did you think I wasn’t going to be prepared at ALL? Just cause I won’t have the Elements doesn’t mean I’m defenceless.” “Are you...sure about this..?” Striker looked at the sleeping Bearers in concern as he got up. “Please. I never do anything I’m not sure about.” She picked up the card with her hooves. “Now, let’s not waste any time. We can’t have them trying to help me, not when they have other things to worry about here.” As the two ponies began to walk out, neither of them saw one of the supposedly knocked out ponies in the Library slowly rise and begin to sneak off after them, nor could any of them have noticed that in the ground beneath their feet a strange dog waited, a large metal device strapped to his head as he recorded everything, sending it off to his boss. ---------------------------- In an opulent officer decorated with red silk carpets curtains, white marble walls and columns, was the owner of El Dorado, sitting atop a large, comfy red silk couch. She was a white diamond dog, sitting casually upright on the couch wearing a black tailcoat suit top, gold rings decorating her fingers as well as a large spiked collar around her neck, hanging from which was a chain connected to a yellow gem shaped like a seven pointed star, her tuft of green hair slicked over her right eye. In one of her paws she held a device to her ear before placing it down, grinning to her guest. “Seems one of them, at least, is coming over.” The female Diamond Dog spoke. “Shame she doesn’t seem to be bringing the Elements, would’ve made for some nice merchandise to go along with my other prize.” Before her stood a rather tall figure, hiding their features under a heavy brown cloak. “Capturing at least one of them should at least leave them more vulnerable for our plans.” The figure reached out from under the cloak, revealing a thin red arm and slender fingers. “Together, you will find we will rule Equestria.” The Diamond Dog leaned back, laughing. “Oh, you seem to misunderstand. I Have no interest in becoming one of your ‘Corruptions of Ruin’, nor do I have any interest in deposing Celestia or ruling anything. I’m perfectly fine with the arrangement I set up over here.” The cloaked figure withdrew their hand. “Then...why assist me?” “This is just a mutually beneficial business arrangement. Taking out that mine and procuring that dragon are as good for my business opportunities as it is for your ‘plan’. Speaking of, it honestly doesn’t matter to me who rules Equestria, for regardless there’ll be people needing my services, desiring to money and the power to ‘make their dreams come true’.” The cloaked figure frowned, though the Diamond Dog couldn’t see it. “A shame, you would have made for a fitting addition to our group. I suppose that brings us to the main reason behind our alliance...is it true? Do you have it?” The Diamond Dog grinned, snapping her fingers as another Diamond Dog, a male wearing a red vest, black sunglasses over his eyes and a pair of large, bulky headphones over his ears, stepped into view, placing a black leather bag on the table in front of the cloaked figure, the bag about as big as a person’s fist, occasionally beating softly like a heart. The figure gazed at the bag covetously, glancing at the female before him warily. “How did you get your paws on this?” “I have scouts searching everywhere, plus I have PLENTY of people in my pocket, be it by money or by...other methods of coercion. All you need know it took a LOT of time and effort to find it, and you’re lucky I didn’t sell it in one of my auctions already.” The figure reached a slender hand for the bag, only for the dog in the red vest to growl warningly, the female chuckling. “Now, now, don’t be greedy, I don’t give rare artefacts like this for FREE you know? And regardless of who you are, I wouldn’t test my friend Rover here. So...pay up. 9000 bits.” The cloaked figure nodded, pulling out a large bag of coins that was tossed towards the female Diamond Dog, who pulled out a coin and bit into it, not noticing the spark of black magic that hit her finger as she touched one of the coins. “Alright, tastes genuine, you may go. Oh, and, good luck with your ‘plan’.” “Do not think I am as weak-hearted as your shills, Crunch. Should you cross me, I will ensure you pay.” The figure growled, gripping the black leather bag in a hand before turning, stepping into a black portal that closed behind them and vanished from sight, leaving the Diamond Dogs alone. “You sure he won’t be trouble, Miss Crunch?” Rover said, arms folded behind his back. The female Diamond Dog, Crunch, chuckled. “He’s a VILLAIN, of COURSE he’s gonna be trouble, but he’s one we can deal with. After all, I’m sure Celestia would like to know about his regicidal plans, that should be enough of a threat to him to keep him off our backs.” Rover nodded. “Spot seems unsure about the plan.” Crunch rolled her eyes, resting in her chin in her paw. “Spot’s unsure about EVERYTHING, but he’ll fall in line. He ALWAYS does.” Rover nodded and stepped back. “I shall watch over things, Boss.” Crunch the Rock Dog grinned cruelly. “Good boy, Rover.”