//------------------------------// // Crisis // Story: Dragon Tears // by TwilightCircle //------------------------------// Chapter Two Crisis “Boy, howdy, this is goin' to be a lot of work.” Applejack said, half dismayed, half ecstatic as she examined the numerous red dotted trees of Sweet Apple Acres. “But it'll all be worth it when we're done.” Fluttershy said in her characteristic soft voice as she flew gently up to one of the trees. “Hey Twilight, you goin' to help or what?” Applejack said as she bucked against one of the trees. Twilight didn't even both to look up from the heavy book she was reading. “In a few minutes, I might be able to find a spell that will get this done in ten minutes.” She said happily. “Well, as much as your magic can help sometimes, there's times when all you need is a little manual labor.” She preached as she shook every apple down from a nearby try with a swift kick. “Yeah, it can be fun if you make it a game!” Pinkie said, hopping to pick up the fallen apples. “Uhn, do, tree...” She said, picking up apples with her mouth. “See? Fun!” She insisted, not entirely convinced of her own statement. “Ever think about taking a break from manual labor, AJ?” Rainbow Dash asked sarcastically from her makeshift bed at the top of the tree. “At this rate you'll have a hip like Granny Smith's in no time.” The rest of the ponies laughed as a sour look appeared on Applejack's face, only to be replaced by a laugh a moment later. Spike, meanwhile, simply sat down next to a fence, not even attempting to hide his pensive state. “Something the matter, Spike?” Fluttershy asked as she floated lightly down to him. Spike tried and failed to find words that would make his dilemma seem less childish. “Sometimes I think my hopes are just useless...” He said, downcast. Fluttershy sighed quietly. “Oh, dear... this is about Rarity, isn't it?” Spike nodded silently, almost cringing at his own words. “No matter what I do, I can never bring myself to tell her the truth... and she even rejects me in my dreams. Sometimes I just want to give up.” “Oh... well... um...” Fluttershy started, at a loss for what to say. “Well, you see, um... When I was in flight school, I thought the same thing.” “Were you in love?” Spike lowered his eyes, determined to remain depressed. “Well... no...” Fluttershy admitted quietly. “But I wanted to give up, just like you. But when I failed and found all the creatures on the ground, I found my purpose. Maybe failing is... um... good sometimes?” She asked, unsure of how Spike would respond. The adolescent dragon could only sigh. “Maybe you're right.” He said, surrendering. “Maybe I need to-” But the announcement of his decision was cut short when he began to hiccup. “Oh no.” Fluttershy said sadly. “Did I upset you? I'm sorry.” “No.” He said definitively, burping more violently and finally coughing up a scroll. “It's from the princess!” He said loudly, waving the scroll in the air. A nearby Twilight was the first to reach him, tearing the letter open with gusto. Scanning it quickly, she gulped audibly. “There's... there's been a terrible earthquake in... in...” Spike and the rest of the ponies needn't have heard her continue. The hesitation in her voice was enough. Still, Spike could not leave the issue hanging. “Where?” “Fillydelphia.” Twilight said, hanging her head. The young dragon's thoughts immediately jumped to Rarity. “But... But there's not supposed to be any earthquakes scheduled anywhere near there!” “'To my faithful student Twilight Sparkle,'” She quoted. “'It is with great regret I inform you of a terrible natural disaster in the city of Fillydelphia. Although we are not certain yet, it's with a heavy heart that I tell you of the only pony who hasn't been recovered so far'.” Spike could barely breathe. “Not...” Twilight's expression was heart crushing in its abject horror. “'Rarity the unicorn'.” Spike let out a long breath, trying to stay calm. “What else does it say?” Applejack asked, saving Spike the trouble. “'Most of the city has been destroyed by a so far unknown source. I am requesting that all available ponies go immediately to the city to aid in clean up and the search and rescue of any remaining citizens'.” Twilight read. “An unscheduled earthquake?” Fluttershy asked timidly. “What can that even mean?” Rainbow asked nopony in particular. Twilight saved them the trouble of speculating. “'Though it is not yet confirmed, the source is most likely the work of... The Supreme Tunnelers.” She said in mild confusion. “The Supreme Tunnelers?” Applejack asked, sharing Twilight's lack of understanding. “I've hearda them... when I was a little filly, they was a fairytale that Granny Smith would tell us about; she would say that the Tunnelers would pull our tongues out and chop off our manes if we got too near 'em. It was meant to keep us from poking around the old mineshaft.” Rainbow spoke up. “My mom used to tell me the same thing, except with my wings... she said if I got too far away from our house without her, they would come and grab me.” “I've heard of them too.” Fluttershy said. “They were in an old fairytale book I read once...” Spike, who had until this point kept painfully silent, burst out. “Why are we sitting around talking about what these things are?! We need to go help!” He said, making to sprint off into the distance. “Hold on there, Spike.” Twilight held up a hoof. “These things... they managed to cause an earthquake if this is right. I think we'd all be a lot safer if we knew what we were dealing with.” Pinkie Pie nodded solemnly, causing everyone to realize the weight of the situation. “I'm with Twilight; we need to figure out what's going on first.” Spike fell silent, begrudgingly surrendering as the rest of the group nodded in approval. “Come on.” Twilight encouraged, beginning to trot away. “If there's anywhere that would have information, I know where it is...” * * * * * “Supreme Tunnelers...” Twilight murmured, looking through yet another dusty tome of Ponyville's library as the rest of the ponies milled around her searched through yet more of the books. “I can't find anything!” She said helplessly. “Anyone?” The rest of the four shook their heads. Twilight's shoulders drooped; another book glowed purple and floated toward her podium. Flicking through the pages, she started anew. Spike meanwhile, appeared as if he would explode. Eyes torn between the door and Twilight, it was all he could do not to run sprinting toward Fillydelphia with all his strength. “Nothin' about Supreme Turnips would help, would it?” Applejack asked sincerely. “Or Superior Tucks and Rolls?” Pinking Pie asked with wide eyes. Twilight groaned and shook her head. Finally, Spike could bear it no longer. Tearing his eyes from the door, the building tension in his body burst forth. “Why are we sitting here talking about turnips?” He said, fire in his eyes. “Our friend, and probably more ponies, could be out there dying! We need to go, not sit here looking through books!” He breathed heavily as the other five stared at him in amazement. Never before had they seen the purple dragon so enraged. Twilight's head, however, was still hung over a book. “I found something!” She exclaimed, beckoning the rest over. Spike was first on the scene. Head over her shoulder, he began to read. “The Supreme Tunnelers are a powerful group of creatures from deep in Equestrian folklore. Said to be massive creatures with incredible power, ancient stories paint them as vicious fighters.” Spike said aloud. “While legend says these creatures once lived in harmony with the rest of the land's inhabitants, they have since grown malicious, attacking cities without warning.” The rest stared in awe. Spike pressed on, determined to complete the section and leave as quickly as possible. “Little is known about their appearance or abilities; there have been no confirmed sightings in over six hundred years. Caution to all those who claim to encounter the mythical beasts: they are not to be trusted.” Spike finished the paragraph and stepped away from Twilight. His thoughts found only one resting place. “We need to go save them.” He spoke up, breaking the deafening silence. “You'd better believe we will!” Dash said, swooping over to them. “Gather 'round, everypony.” She commanded. “We know enough. It's about time we did something about it. The five formed a circle around the lavender pony. As they faded, Spike could only conjure one thought. We're coming for you. There was a bright purple flash; for their friend, they had once more gone into the dark abyss of the unknown. * * * * * This city is incredible. Rarity thought as she walked through the streets of Fillydelphia. While impossible to compare to Canterlot, the unicorn was glancing rapidly in every direction. Shops were clean to perfection, roads were wide and bustling, buildings above her rose hundreds of feet. What I wouldn't give... But she stopped herself as she continued to walk. How could I leave my friends? She shook her head and came to a stop; the answer was already there. Sighing, she continued her walk to the location of the gala's fashion demonstration. Occasionally, thoughts of disdain would cross her mind concerning her friends in Ponyville. Are they holding me back? They certainly don't have my love of culture... She thought. Appalled at herself, she would banish the musings instantly. But even still... Ponyville may be her home town, but part of her thought that this is where she truly belonged. Among culture, true fashion artists. But how could I leave them? An answer failed her once more. Snapping back into reality, she stood disgusted with herself for thinking such a thing in the first place. I have wonderful friends... Twilight and Rainbow, Pinkie and Fluttershy, Applejack and... She stopped, thinking hard about the events of the last years. Her reptilian associate never made it a goal to conceal his attraction to her; but then again, neither did half the stallions in Ponyville. At first, Spike's feelings seemed laughable; adorable, if nothing else. Why, he was only a baby. Rarity had made a point of ignoring the issue. He'll forget me in time... She would assure herself. But he didn't. To her shock, they only seemed to grow stronger. He would spend every spare moment with her at the boutique, it seemed. Which was flattering, of course, but still... How many stallions have offered their help in my boutique? Given their opinions on new designs? Stood for hours simply holding a needle or spool of thread? She cast a forlorn look to the azure sky. Would it really...? Yes. He's like a brother to you, you've known him for years. Exactly... and his feelings have never changed. What if they're not just passing fancy? What if- He'll be three times your size in a year. There must to be something to... slow that down. A spell... He's a dragon, you're a mare. And why should that matter? It's not right. According to whom? Rarity's internal dialogue remained a pulsing turmoil for the rest of her journey to the fashion display. Strolling through the ornate doors of the enormous oval building, she banished the thoughts. There's all the time in the world for thinking... must have my mind on the task at hand. She strolled to the runway's backstage area, finding all of her outfits already worn by the runway mares. Putting on a huge smile, she readied herself. “This is it!” The formally dressed ponies gathered in a line preparing to walk onto the stage. Spotlights shone above them, and Rarity's heart began to race. She stepped out on to the stage first, attempting to recall her prepared speech. “Fillies and gentlecolts.” She called to the crowd. “For too long, high fashion has been thought us as nothing more than a hassle to be endured when circumstances demand it. But no longer! My latest line of formal attire will change everything you know about-” But she stopped abruptly as the ground began to rumble. The ponies in the crowd looked around in confusion. “Eh... please stay calm, everypony!” Rarity suggested while ignoring her own advice. But the rumbling only grew worse and worse. What began as minor tremors had grown into a full blown earthquake. Those in the crowd started to file out of the building in an orderly manor. Order that was quickly shattered as light fixtures began to fall from the ceiling. Rarity felt as if she was in a daze. Failing to find a reason for this event, she joined the throngs fleeing the establishment. All at once, her daze turned into a nightmare. Gaping holes appeared all around the terrified mare, opening up a chasm beneath, separated from her only by the tiny slice of earth still present. Her horror grew as low voices called from below. “We see you... Rarity.” The echoing rumble came. Terrified and searching desperately for a solution, Rarity stepped back in preparation to jump across the deep pit. “I don't think so.” The rumbles called out once more. In only a second, Rarity's last lifeline to the surface began to sink, her tiny island plunging into the darkness below. She dared not think of what lay in the dark tunnel. “Please help me.” She said almost inaudibly to her friends of the world above. And with that resigned herself to her fate lurking in the dark.