Rarity was out looking for gems to add to her ever-growing supply. This time, she needed extra since she was working on a particularly fabulous dress. However, while she was on the way to her gem mining spot, she spotted something. In the forest to her left, she spotted an area that was darker than usual. Confused, she took a slight detour to investigate this anomaly.
“I wonder what that could be.” Rarity said to herself as she pushed through bushes and shrubs.
Eventually, the source was reached, revealing a cave opening in the ground. The opening itself was quite small and looked to have been recently uncovered by natural causes.
“How have I never noticed this before?” Rarity wondered, peering down into the dark abyss.
Should she go in? Rarity knew that her gem mining spot would eventually run dry, so she could always use a new one.
“I just hope it isn’t full of nasty critters… I shouldn’t say that around Fluttershy.” Rarity cast a light spell, the blueish-white light illuminating the cave. It was revealed that the drop itself into the cave wasn’t as far as she had first anticipated. So, shrugging, Rarity lept in.
The cave itself was a narrow winding path that led steadily down. The walls were smooth and worn, but not carved to be like this by ponies or other creatures. Rarity’s light spell kept her going in the same direction and she was careful not to step into pits and cracks. But after walking through the seemingly neverending cave for what felt like hours, she was very tempted to turn back.
“No, Rarity, remember. Those who quit early never reap the rewards. Those who persevere will always find…”
At that statement, Rarity rounded a bend in the cave, revealing a sight that made her eyes widen and allowed a smile to creep onto her face.
“Diamonds!”
Rarity was now facing a huge, 7-meter-tall outcrop of smooth blue crystals, each growth ending in a sharp point, almost like quartz. The crystals seemed to glow in Rarity’s light spell. She walked forward, entranced by the beauty of this mammoth crystal outcrop.
“It’s just… I just… there are no words to describe how perfect this crystal is! The size, the radiance, the purity, the luster!”
Rarity wasted no time and pulled out her small pickaxe. She approached the large crystal and gazed down at the bottom of it. Multiple smaller crystals were growing down there, identical to the larger variants in every way excluding size. She tapped the sharp metal tool against the base of one of the crystals, causing a clean crack to form and making the crystal fall onto the ground.
Rarity acquired this small crystal in her magic, admiring it with a dropped jaw. Even this small crystal was about the length of her leg! It was also quite heavy.
“This marvelous assortment of jewels will be perfect for the dress! I was looking for sapphires anyway.”
Rarity held the crystal close, now cradling it like a foal.
“You’ll make me rich, darling.” She whispered to the gem, which held no response for her.
The return journey was one full of joy and excitement for a mare who thought she had hit the jackpot in terms of gems for her dresses.
“I’ll be back for you!” Rarity exclaimed at the cave entrance as she trotted away, the gem on her back.
Rarity
Status: Healthy?/ Happy
Health: 99%
Stress: 0%
Energy: 53%
Hunger: 70%
Thirst: 89%
“I hit it big!”
“My dress will be perfect!”
“I’m a bit hungry, I’ll ask Sweetie Belle to make me a sandwich.”
Inventory: Crystal, small pickaxe, empty water bottle, granola bar wrapper
Twilight Sparkle
Status: Healthy/Sleep-deprived
Health: 94%
Stress:33%
Energy: 12%
Hunger: 14%
Thirst: 38%
“Shouldn’t have stayed up that late…”
“yawn Spike, coffee please…”
“I’ll get it done now rather than later…”
Inventory: Paper and quill, empty coffee mug
Pinkie Pie
Status: Happy and healthy!
Health: 100%
Stress: 1%
Energy: 100%
Hunger: 2%
Thirst: 12%
“I think I’ll throw Lyra her birthday party today!”
“Maybe I’ll invite a few others, like Bon Bon!”
“Oh, I have a feeling that something life-changing is going to happen!”
Inventory: Confetti, cake, cupcakes, candy, party hat, and so much more!
Fluttershy
Status: Healthy
Health: 99%
Stress: 2%
Energy: 86%
Hunger: 29%
Thirst: 12%
“How is the tea, Discord?”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
“What’s that? You’ve got to go? Alright, be safe.”
Inventory: Half-full teacup, picture of her and Discord, a feather
Rainbow Dash
Status: Healthy and lazy
Health: 100%
Stress: 0%
Energy 99%
Hunger 57%
Thirst: 63%
“snore”
Inventory: A cloud, goggles, compass
Applejack
Status: Healthy; a bit peeved/worried
Health: 100%
Stress: 78%
Energy: 88%
Hunger: 19%
Thirst: 44%
“What have I said about doing these dangerous things, you three!?”
“You could’ve died doing this stunt!”
“You’re grounded, Bloom.”
Inventory: Apple, a half-full bottle of apple juice, her Stetson
The Cutie Mark Crusaders (Yes, all three of them)
Status: Healthy but in trouble
(Order: SB, AB, Scootaloo)
Health: 89%, 94%, 92%
Stress: 44%, 63%, 19%
Energy: 76%, 79%, 71%
Hunger: 68%, 15%, 42%
Thirst: 54%, 10%, 45%
“Sorry, Miss Applejack…”
“...sorry, Sis.”
“It won’t happen again. Promise.”
Collective inventory: 12-gauge shotgun; half-full (In an attempt to gain sharpshooters Cutie Marks after repeatedly being denied)
Princess Celestia
Status: Healthy
Health: 100%
Stress: 29%
Energy: 96%
Hunger: 1%
Thirst: 0%
“It’s been a while since Twilight last wrote a letter. I hope she’s doing okay.”
“Maybe I’ll read a book.”
“No, I’ve got duties to attend to.”
Inventory: A book “Tall Tale’s Exciting Short Stories”, an empty platter; it once housed a cake
Princess Luna
Status: Healthy/Sleeping
Health: 100%
Stress: 2%
Energy: 100%
Hunger: 15%
Thirst: 20%
Inventory: Pillow, sleeping mask, stuffed animal