Moments earlier.
The ground rumbled, and all five of the girls stumbled, their footing interrupted by the violence of the earthquake.
“Get away from the pit, stay close to the walls!” Sunset Shimmer shouted.
The others tried to follow their fearless leader’s orders but found that they could barely stay standing. Only Applejack was unbothered, her wide stance, and heavier build enabling her to ride out the worst of it. In her right, she held Rarity’s arm, the half-fallen girl having nearly dropped her shield in the chaos.
Fluttershy had been the furthest away to begin with and was thus the only one who was completely safe. Sunset Shimmer had nearly reached safety when a boulder came loose and plunged down behind. Though it missed the girl, it destroyed a section of ground nearby, causing the ground beneath Sunset’s feet to crumble away.
For a moment the girl was weightless, and she wondered if this was going to be how it all ended. Not from some villain, or an assassin, but rather bad luck and poor building standards. Then a pink hand grabbed her by the shoulder and with a startling burst of strength, pulled her back up onto the ledge.
With her heart still in her throat, Sunset Shimmer stumbled forward, clutching onto Pinkie Pie for dear life. The explosives expert held on tight, body twisting this way and that, dodging rocks big and small with ease. Her whole body twitched and spasmed, but despite this, Pinkie Pie continued to weave her way through danger before finally, the world stopped shaking.
Sunset Shimmer blinked. “I uh. Wow Pinkie, that sure was something.”
“Heh, thanks,” Pinkie Pie murmured. “Never had my Pinkie sense go that crazy before. Heck, it still feels like I’m twitching!”
Sunset Shimmer glanced down at the other girl’s right hand. “You still are,” Sunset pointed out.
“What danger is left though?” Pinkie Pie muttered.
The pair looked down to find that they were standing on the stone bridge while their friends were waiting only a few feet away. The feeling of danger remained but despite this Sunset couldn't see why she felt that way, or what was even going on. Looking around revealed that there didn't seem to be anything out of the ordinary, just a long bridge and that was it.
Then her eye caught movement and she looked over to find that something tall and humanoid was standing on the cave entrance to her left.
“Wait, what's that?” Applejack asked, gesturing to the creature Sunset Shimmer had spotted.
Applejack’s larger flashlight illuminated the thing perfectly, revealing that it was a stone human roughly eight feet tall. In its hand was a hefty stone that looked to weigh a hundred pounds or more and was almost perfectly smooth. The golem-like creature wasted no time and reared back before throwing the hunk of rock with all its considerable might.
Sunset Shimmer stumbled back, the girl painfully aware of just how slow her reaction time was. Thankfully that didn't matter, as a familiar blue shield sprung up before her, blocking the rock but getting cracked in the process. A strong hand pulled Sunset back behind the portable shield Rarity had erected across the narrow expanse between cliff and wall.
“T-thanks,” Sunset muttered.
“Any idea what these things are?” Rarity asked. “They look like golems.”
“They probably are. But they aren't like any I’ve ever seen before,” Sunset Shimmer remarked.
Pinkie Pie dove behind the barrier, avoiding another stone projectile that exploded into a million pieces upon hitting the ground. The girl didn't stay down for long, and bounced right back up, a handful of glitter gripped tight in her left hand.
“What should I hit ‘em with? Thermite?” Pinkie Pie asked.
Fluttershy leveled her pistol and squeezed off a few shots at the stone creature, the impact barely chipping off any of the dense rock.
“Probably, that thing seems pretty bulletproof,” Fluttershy shot back.
“Heads down!” Rarity shouted suddenly.
On instinct, Sunset Shimmer ducked behind the barrier just before a large rock sailed over her and exploded upon hitting the wall behind her. Following its trajectory, Sunset Shimmer saw that more of the stone golems had formed on the other side of the bridge. Caught between the one above them on the ledge, and the half dozen waiting for them, the small group was completely pinned down.
“Pinkie, keep your thermite away from the bridge,” Sunset began. “Applejack, sit tight. Rarity, you know what to do.”
“Got it,” Rarity replied while blocking another throw aimed at Applejack’s midsection.
The other two nodded their agreement and launched into action, with Pinkie Pie leading the way. The handful of glitter solidified, becoming a tube-like cylinder that shot a flurry of sparks from either side. Whipped as hard as Pinkie Pie could muster, the thermite-filled object flew through the air and slammed into the first golem’s midsection.
Upon impact it exploded, covering the entire bottom half of the stone creature’s body in a brightly burning fire. The target was unbothered by this and merely reached back to grab another stone only to topple over. Bisected at the waste, the golem struggled to reach another rock for a second or two before falling still and becoming inert.
While Pinkie Pie was celebrating her first success, Twilight, and Rainbow Dash arrived behind the barrier. In a moment the two girls were freed from one another and were crouched down behind Rarity’s shield.
“Twilight, I need you to use your magic to drag those things into the crevice,” Sunset Shimmer declared. “Rainbow Dash, hang tight for a sec while we test their strength.”
“Aye boss,” Rainbow Dash declared.
Twilight simply nodded and began using her magic, only to immediately find herself struggling, the massive stone object resisting her efforts. Strong, dense, and somehow even heavier than anticipated, Twilight couldn't get a grip on the thing. Then she realized that she didn't have to, and focused all of her power on one of the golem’s legs.
Completely zeroed in on that one singular point, Twilight was able to bring her full strength to bear and with a heave, dragged the creature towards the pit. The golem stumbled and flailed its arms, trying to grab onto something in order to save itself but it was too late. Plummeting down into the darkness, the golem quickly vanished from sight, its eventual impact so distant that it was nearly inaudible.
More emerged the moment their companies had fallen, taking their position and in one case, using them as a projectile. The limp upper half of the first golem bounced off Rarity’s shield and fell into the crevice below, its thrower joining a moment later. Twilight gave herself a moment to rest after she saw the second of her foes to fall, only to groan when she saw another take its place.
“There are too many of them!” Twilight shouted.
“Keep at it. Their numbers can't be infinite!” Sunset Shimmer shouted back.
The former pony then rose up suddenly and threw a fireball, the scorching orb burning through the golem’s torso. Without a third of its body, the thing collapsed inward, its upper half bouncing into the pit and disappearing a second later.
Across the way, two more golems fell from a well-placed thermite, their bodies becoming rubble beneath the feet of their brethren. Throughout it all they kept trying to pelt the party with rocks, but between Rarity’s mundane barrier and her magical one none hit their target. It wasn't even close, and with each passing more of the stone creatures fell, their numbers falling faster than they could be replaced.
“Twilight. Use the weightless spell on Applejack, Rainbow Dash you carry her over, and together you two mop them up. Rarity will support you while we provide suppressing power,” Sunset Shimmer ordered.
“Yes ma’am,” Applejack replied.
As she and Rainbow Dash did as they were ordered, Sunset Shimmer stood up, taking center stage. Fire coursed through her veins, and with the smallest push, she directed the flames at her foes, consuming one of them. Turned to little more than molten slag, the golem was no longer a problem, though the one that moved to replace him was.
Twilight ensured that didn't happen, the girl grabbing the thing’s leg just as it stepped forward. Off balance, the thing tumbled backward only to get yanked forward by a powerful magical aura. The golem hit the ground hard, its hands spreading out on either side of itself in an attempt to arrest its fall. The effort was wasted as it quickly tumbled off the ledge, falling far far further than the first time.
Pinkie Pie kept up the pressure by turning her arm into a windmill of thermites. Each time another new golem appeared, the creature found itself pummeled into submission by a torrent of projectiles. A leg was severed by the intense heat, then an arm, then its head, joining the ever-growing pile of half-melted stone that pooled at its feet.
“Here we go!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.
Together with a now faintly glowing Applejack strapped to her chest, Rainbow Dash flew across the expanse. The moment they touched the ground the straps were removed, and Applejack surged forward club in hand. The first swing caught a golem in the side of the head, sending it flying into the pit. Rainbow Dash mainly stayed back, using her speed to stay safe while waiting for the best moment to leap out and attack.
Under their combined assault the golems stood no chance, and soon there was only one left. Its arm was cocked, ready to launch a football-sized stone at the back of Applejack’s head. Then a flying rainbow blur hit it in the side with enough force to knock it off the ledge. Plummeting downward, the golem tried to throw its projectile, but the attack barely even reached the bridge.
“Saved your life,” Rainbow Dash declared.
“What did…” Applejack paused and chuckled. “I guess you did. How could I ever repay you?”
Sunset Shimmer ignored the two girls as they flirted, and surveyed the area, keeping a close eye for any bit of stone that still stirred. When she spotted none, the ex-pony relaxed slightly and gestured to Rarity’s shield.
“Pack it up, we gotta keep moving,” Sunset Shimmer ordered.
“On it,” Rarity agreed.
Hitting a small mechanism on the shield, the teeth that secured it to the ground released. The extra plates then retracted, and soon the entire thing had folded back up to its original surprisingly compact size. As Rarity hefted it onto her back, the others were moving across the bridge, rejoining the others on the opposite side.
“Alright that's enough,” Sunset Shimmer exclaimed. “We are still in hostile territory, and I expect you to remain diligent.”
“Augh, fine,” Rainbow Dash whined.
“Don't you worry sugar lips. We’re gonna have plenty of time later,” Applejack added.
“Are you sure that’s all of them?” Fluttershy inquired. “There sure were a lot.”
Rainbow Dash gestured towards the ledge. “There is a path that goes up there, and by the looks of it that's where they were waiting to be activated,” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.
Sunset Shimmer followed Rainbow Dash’s hand motions and found that was indeed true, or at least seemed that way. The path that led up toward the ledge from their current side of the bridge did have several deep alcoves just wide enough to house a dozen or more of the golems. Now empty, there was no other direction they could possibly come in, except the way which lead deeper into the strange complex.
“Let's double-time it people. These quakes are getting worse and I don't know about you but I don't want to be buried down here,” Sunset Shimmer declared.
“Guess I should scout things out huh?” Rainbow Dash offered.
“Take it slow though,” Sunset Shimmer interjected. “This deep in there are bound to be more traps, and ambushes waiting for us.”
“You got it, boss,” Rainbow Dash declared before racing off.
“Why do you think he had so many of those things down here?” Fluttershy inquired. “Wouldn't it make more sense to have them up top where they could help out?”
“Probably to maintain site security and secrecy,” Twilight remarked aloud. “This project is likely being handled by very few people though why is a bit beyond me. More hands make the work lighter and all that.”
“True,” Sunset Shimmer admitted. “Either way we’ll find all that out soon enough. For now, we keep moving forward.”
On her order, the group formed up, and faced the same direction, marching towards the sole tunnel still left unexplored. They didn't make it more than fifteen or so feet before Rainbow Dash skidded to a stop in front of them. The girl wore a concerned expression though it carried with it the same confidence she always seemed to have.
“Boss room coming up,” she remarked, jerking a thumb over her shoulder. “One large room, a single enemy in the center, and a door leading inward.”
“They litter a bunch of power-ups right near the entrance?” Pinkie Pie asked.
“Nope,” Rainbow Dash replied.
“Buggers,” Applejack cursed.
“No kidding,” Pinkie Pie agreed.
“What did this so-called boss look like?” Sunset Shimmer interjected. “Was it another golem?”
“Yeah, but this one’s different. He's made of metal, and has this big sword in one hand,” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. “Not sure what this guy’s deal is but I’m going to go out on a limb here and assume he's tougher than the other ones.”
“A fair assumption,” Twilight murmured.
“He was just standing there?” Fluttershy inquired.
“Arms slumped over, head down. He looked like a robot that powered down but ya know, nine feet tall,” Rainbow Dash answered.
“Are we sure he isn't a robot?” Rarity asked.
“Nah I can see into his helmet, it's empty,” Rainbow Dash stated.
“That may be a stylistic choice, but I think it’s fair to assume he's another brand of golem,” Rarity added.
“Probably. The magic necessary to animate metal is leagues above that for stone though so don't underestimate this guy,” Sunset Shimmer warned.
“Ahh, we can take him. Just you watch,” Rainbow Dash declared before turning and taking the lead.
The rest fell in behind her, each girl holding their weapon tightly, gaze fixed on the darkness ahead of them. All save for Fluttershy, who walked a bit slower than the others, her mind distant and gaze unfocused. Something was telling her that this was a more dangerous situation than it seemed, but she couldn't figure out exactly what kind of danger they were in.
“Are you coming, darling?” Rarity whispered.
“Oh um, yes,” Fluttershy replied.
Now in a tight group once more, they proceed down into the winding, twisting tunnel for several quiet minutes. The only sound was their own breathing, as well as the thump of their feet. Chest-mounted flashlights turned this way and that, cutting through the darkness and illuminated several side tunnels. Each was identical to the one they were currently in, weirdly organic, and unnerving but also much shorter, ending abruptly after a few feet.
While those side passages ended, theirs just kept going, diving deeper and deeper before turning and stopping abruptly. Opening up into a wide-open spherical cave with a tall ceiling and no cover, it felt almost like an arena of some kind. And standing slumped in the very center was their foe, the full metal golem, rusted sword still in hand.
Standing nearly ten feet tall and resembling a wide-shouldered human in plate mail, it was an intimidating figure. Without the light of life within it though, it was just a tall, rather odd-looking suit of armor that just so happened to not have any visible joints. Alone, it stood silently, its gaze cast downward, and arms slack at its sides.
There were no other golems, side passages or other exits save for a long door on the direct other side. Made of stone, but with metal hinges, it bore some kind of symbol, though it was not one that any of the girls recognized. Sunset Shimmer felt a brief bout of recognition upon seeing it, and though it was strangely familiar outside of that she couldn't recall anything useful.
“Kind of reminds me of when I was in his memories,” Sunset whispered.
“What's that?” Twilight inquired.
“Nothing,” Sunset Shimmer dismissed. “Let's break out the equipment and see if we can't detect anything off first. Twilight, you're up.”
Twilight took a step forward and worked a quick, simple spell that once complete washed over the room in a wave of purple. When the light dissipated, Twilight put a hand to her head and concentrated for a moment before shrugging.
“Nothing. It's all just stone and metal,” Twilight remarked. “It feels off, but the spells found nothing out of the ordinary.”
“No chemicals in the air, outside of the expected,” Fluttershy added.
“Strange,” Sunset Shimmer muttered. “Alright girls. You know the routine, Applejack up front, everyone support her as best as possible, fan out so we don't get clumped up, and remember to watch your line of fire.”
“Remember, friendly fire isn't,” Pinkie Pie added.
“Right. Let's do this,” Applejack declared.
The apple farmer stepped forward, growing until she had reached the limits of her armor and topping out at only an extra foot taller. Rainbow Dash was quick on the larger woman’s heels, taking up a support position should Applejack need it. Everyone else fanned out and readied themselves, summoning their magic, grabbing handfuls of confetti, or mentally tallying all the first aid supplies they had.
After a few thunderous steps, the metal golem twitched, and a faint eldritch light could be seen emanating from deep down inside of it. The greenish-blue mist quickly filled its body until the point that it started to spill out of the joints and eye sockets.
“No way am I waitin’ for you to do your thing,” Applejack muttered.
The farm girl broke into a sprint, club in hand and violence in mind. Upon reaching the still only half animate golem, she wound up and struck the creature with her full might. Heavier, stronger, and empowered with magic, Applejack hit like an out-of-control freight train.
Yet it did little but make the iron golem stumble back somewhat, its movements jerky and unfocused. Its armored chest sported a dent, but it was small and seemingly did little to slow the creature down.
“What the hay?” Applejack muttered.
The golem suddenly flared to life, light pouring out of its eyes and an unearthly scream tearing out of the depths of its body. The sound ricocheted off the walls, seemingly growing stronger until it left all who heard it shaking and disoriented. Applejack barely even had a chance to process what had just happened before the iron golem struck back, kicking her square in the chest.
Her armor took the brunt of the blow, but the girl was still sent flying from the force of it all. Wheezing and with the breath knocked out of her, she was still standing, but only barely.
“This is no normal golem,” Rarity exclaimed.
“No it's-” Sunset Shimmer began.
Fluttershy gasped. “A soul cage!”