//------------------------------//
// Rubble 
// Story: Sprout 
// by TheHumanAspiration 
//------------------------------//

It was a particularly nice day in the vast land of Equestria. While clouds were indeed present, they did not travel in front of the sun in an effort to ruin this most pleasant of days. It was before mid-day, which let the sun cast radiant rays of light for those who wanted it and a nice cool shadow for those who need it. It wasn’t often that Equestria actually had a miserable day, but the colours of the land just seemed to enhance themselves on this occasion. 
Right in the middle of all of this beauty and blissfulness was possibly the most dark and disturbing part of this land. 
The Everfree forest. 
A shadowed and miserably unknown part of the world. The creatures are foul and odd, unlike anything the mind could possibly perceive. The trees inflict a sense of danger and uncertainty, contorting themselves into unusual and oddly terrifying formations. Even the shrubbery is considered a threat and best avoided. All of which is encased in an aura of sinister mystery. It is as dangerous as it is intriguing. Nopony dare venture in to this place unless it was completely necessary.
Unless you are the fearless Cutie Mark Crusaders, of course.
Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo stand at the shadowy border between the nice, green field of rural Ponyville and the less than inviting forest. Apple Bloom scoped out the mystifying landscape in front of her, studying the scene as best she could until it faded into complete blackness. Sweetie Belles’ breathing was slow and heavy as she stood between her friends, glancing from one to the other to see if they were as frightened as she was. They did not appear to be, so she bottled up her fear as best she could, but she could feel the terror radiating off of herself, which only heightened her breathing pace. Scootaloo looked lamely at her potential faint prone friend and proceeded to give the forest a savage grin and a disappointingly adorable growl. Despite that, she was ready to charge in and face whatever this forest had to offer, going as far as to rev her inoperative wings like an engine.
“Alright!” Apple Bloom piped up in her thick southern accent, causing Sweetie Belle to jump and give a little startled squeak, earning a disappointed shake of the head from Scootaloo and a quick roll of the eyes from Apple Bloom. “Are you girls ready for this’r what!”
Sweetie Belle blushed as she recollected herself. Scootaloo gave her a sly look. “I’m pretty sure she’s talking about you ‘Scaredy Bail’.” She prodded. “Heh, I’m so clever.” She said to herself, not as quietly as she thought.
Sweetie glared at Scootaloo “I’m not scared! I mean.. I’m not usually scared. I mean..” she struggled. Scootaloo snickered at her and she conintued. “I just don’t understand why the Everfree forest is a logical place to crusade. We usually don’t go in here unless it’s an emergency. Do neither of you remember all of the danger in this crazy place? Not like stub-hoof or renegade-housecat danger! I mean legitimate totally end a filly, like, forever danger!” She squeeled.
“We’ve pretty much exasperated all our options in Ponyville.” Apple Bloom stated matter of factly. “This is the only place around Ponyville we haven’t done any hard core crusading in.”
“And besides,” Scootaloo interjected “You need a little danger in your life, sister. You’ve been spending too much time with Rarity. At this rate you’ll get a cutie mark in being her thrall.” She teased.
“I just don’t see what we would expect to find in ways of getting our cutie mark. I mean, would we even want to obtain a cutie mark from something in the Everfree forest?” Sweetie rambled.
Scootaloo ignored her and scratched her chin thoughtfully. “What would a thrall cutie mark even look like? Are they more like servants or slaves? Chains? A whip maybe? Does Rarity whip you?”
“Now when you say whip…”
“Gals…” Apple Bloom interrupted. “Can we focus on the matter at hoof.”
The tall trees loomed over the little fillies as they prepped themselves to cross over to the dark side of Equestria. As one unit, they stepped into the trees cascading shadows and began their journey into the scraggly depths of the woods.
Apple Bloom led the way, equipped with her trusty map and compass and Cutie Mark Crusader brand snack packages for later and everything else they would need for this journey. She was face deep in the map, stumbling over every rock and roots that crossed the path. Scootaloo took center and watched out for trouble. She was equipped with her signature Cutie Mark Crusaders anti-feral creature club that Apple Bloom had carved for her out of wood as a Hearths Warming Eve day present. She had never a real need for it except swatting away rouge parasprites from time to time, but she considered that a feral beast in this peaceful and dreadfully mundane land. Sweetie Belle, much to her dismay, took the rear. She decided she would not look ahead until she could no longer see the entrance to Ponyville. It was getting smaller and smaller as they made their way inwards. It was still barely visible when it appeared that the trees moved themselves to cover the remaining light shining through. Sweetie Belle gulped and pretended that she saw nothing as she turned her head towards the forest.
“Now look here little sis, I know your curious about things outside’a Ponyville,” Applejacks image clouded and replayed in Apple Blooms head. “So I want ya to understand, as much as I don’t approve, and as much as I know you’re going to venture there anyways just to spite me, but if ya ever travel to the Everfree forest, make sure ya stay on the path.” The thought was escaping her mind when it came it came back. “Stay. On. The. Path.” Each word was exaggerated and Applejack seemed to poke her in her head after each one was spoken, but it was just her imagination. 
“The Everfree forest?!” Rarity exclaimed disgustedly in side Sweetie Belles mind. “Why would anypony in their right mind venture to such a foul place?! Sure, might seem nice when you stick to the grimy old dirt path, but anywhere outside that is just a pleather of looming danger! Retched! Smelly! Unclean! DANGER!” Raritys image poofed from her mind, but the word repeated itself, leaving her eyes wide and constricted and her whole body trembling.
“Pfffft! Paths shmaths!” Rainbow Dash jumped into Scootaloos thoughts. "I prefer to fly though all the so called danger. Y’know, taunt them a little bit” She poked at Scootaloo from inside her thoughts. “What’s the matter Scoots. Chicken?” The thought vanish and Scootaloo glared angrily at the woods in front of her. She started up her wings again and prepped herself for Mach speed. Her eyes were clenched and her wings were giving their all. She peeked out of one eye to find mid-section slightly elevated while her hooves still trotted on the ground. She let out a disappointing sigh and carried on as she was.
“So,” Sweetie Belle piped up. She thought engaging conversation might distract her from her surroundings. “Anyone hear from Babs Seed lately?” She asked, trying not to let out too much shakiness from her voice.
“Yes, actually.” Apple Bloom said. “She got a nice little group down there already. Can ya believe it?! Guess more fillies and colts are without a cutie mark then we thought, especially in Manehattan.
Scootaloo chimed in. “Wicked! How are they? I wonder if we can meet ‘em?”
“The way Babs tells it. They all seem real nice.” Apple Bloom spoke, trying to keep joy in her voice despite the atmosphere. “She even says they think of themselves as a family. Gave them all nicknames! Well, actually they only gave Babs a nickname. All of them call her the “Dawn”. I guess its cause she shines a light on them’r somthin’. I don’t know really.”
Scootaloo stopped in her tracks. “Woah” She gasped. She paused only for a moment. “That’s deep.” And they continued on.
None of them were quite sure how big the forest really was. When they seemed like they had been walking in a continuous direction for an exhausting period of time, they passed buy a familiar stone or tree or something of the sort. Sweetie thought up a theory that the forest manipulated and morphed itself while ponies were inside. Of course, she kept this theory to herself. She knew Apple Bloom would lead her to a destination that was at least a sliver less horrifying than their current one.
But of course, she led them right off the path.
“Danger! Danger! Danger!” Sweetie Belle shook her head intensely, trying to shake away her sisters words, to no avail. 
Much too the relief of anxiety of Sweetie Belle, and much to the relief of restlessness of Scootaloo, Apple Bloom led them to her idea of the most practical crusading spot yet. One that in her mind had no chance of failure. A crusade that would be unquestionably successful in the earning of the three fillies cutie marks!
“Cutie Mark Crusader Extreme Spelunkers!” Apple Bloom announced loudly into the mouth of a dark, gaping cave, send her words blasting out of the cavern with such force that it blew all the fillies hair back until its final repetition. Wind blew through the tunnel, voicing a low growl like whistle, at least, they hoped it was a whistle.
“Seriously? Spelunking?” Scootaloo let out a huff of disappointment. She was hoping for something with at least orange level radicalness. She would even settle for yellow level.
Apple Bloom dug her face into her saddle bags and muffled “Not just spelunking.” She tossed the two fillies a head lamp while placing one on her own head. Suddenly she was up in both of their faces with a hard core look in her eyes. “Extreme spelunking” She exclaimed, almost devilishly.
“How can spelunking be extreme?” Sweetie asked, knowing she will dread the answer.
Apple Bloom paced in front of them as she spoke. “Don’t you think if I wanted to take you gals on a simple spelunkin’ endeavor I would have done it in borin’ some cave around Ponyville?” She extended her neck towards her friends and widened her eyes “Hmmmm?” She hummed rhetorically, and then continued pacing. “Everfree caves probably have for more to experience than your average cave, thus presenting us with more possibilities to earn our cutie marks!”
Scootaloo sprung with excitement and Sweetie, despite her initial fear, was seeing some logic to Apple Blooms madness.
Apple Bloom switched on her head lamp and looked toward the cave “So whaddaya say girls?”
Scootaloo immediately clicked on her light, and Sweetie Belle, after a slight delay of reconsideration, threw a smirk on her face and did the same.
They pair nodded and they all walked in unison into the dark depths of the unknown.
The cave began as a tight and jagged path. Sharp spears of rock sprung out the walls of the cave, occasionally poking one of the girls in the side or rump as they struggled through the claustrophobic passage. Scootaloo even having the misfortune of getting poked in the eye buy one of the more dull spears. Sweetie and Apple Bloom couldn’t help but snicker at her pain. Some friends.
Once they finally shimmied their way out of the narrow spiked path, they were greeted with something less dangerous, and far more spectacular. They were led to a grand opening inside the cave where the walls and roof were cover in sprinkles of stunning aqua glow. In the middle was a pond, glowing in a more illuminated colour of the walls. In the middle of the roof was a hole where light shined through, shining its light directly in the pool, encasing the cave with a dazzling combination of illuminated and natural light. The girls couldn’t help but to stare flabbergasted at their surroundings.
“Well” Apple Bloom broke the silence. “What did I tell ya girls?”
“What are those glowy thingys?” Sweetie Belle asked, still unable to look away.
“I think they’re called stalactites.” Apple Bloom answered as she wandered in towards the center of the cave. “I remember Twilight ramblin’ on about them one time when I came over to borrow a cook book ‘er something’. I don’t even remember how we got onto to the subject.”
“Ooh ooh!” Scootaloo hopped towards her “Those are like rock boogers right?” 
Apple Bloom looked around her and winced. “I sure hope not.”
“Wait, look over there.” Sweetie Belle pointed a hoof to the far end of the cave.
They were all so encapsulated by the sights around them that they didn’t notice that a part of the wall on the far side of the cave wasn’t glowing. It seemed like some rocks had collapsed, sealing off a small portion of the cave. The girls cautiously trotted their way towards it, each of them unable to help themselves from glancing at their own reflection as they passed the luminous body of water.
They reached the area where the supposed miniature avalanche had taken place. They could see about half a dozen large stones blocking the path, but they were sure there was more behind the visible ones.
“What do you thinks behind there?” Apple Bloom asked quietly, not quite sure if this was still an avalanche prone zone.
“Maybe it’s treasure!” Scootaloos’ eyes popped at the thought.
“Or maybe there is a reason it’s sealed off.” Sweetie voiced, fear starting to make its way back into her body. “What if it’s a monster of sorts? An evil! Smelly! Unclean! Monster!” Scootaloo shot her a quizzical glance.
“And what if it’s some more rock b'hind a pile of rock?” Apple Bloom took authority. “We’ll never know until we start diggin’, so help me out will ya? Come on crusaders!”
Sweetie and Scootaloo shared an apologetic look at each other and commenced with the moving of the boulders.
Indeed, there were more boulders behind first set, but each filly put their all into moving each one. They were not impossibly heavy for a full grown pony maybe, but they were just fillies and even with all three of them, this was strenuous work, that coupled with the fact that there were way more than anticipated.
Once the final one was removed from the wall, they were left with what they only assumed was a thick pile of dirt stacked up against the cave wall. The three were extremely exhausted and hungry.
“We… should keep… diggin’.” Apple Bloom said through gasps of breath.
“I don’t know, Apple Bloom.” Scootaloo said. She was definitely the strongest of the three, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t tired of digging. “What if you were right? What if it just leads to the cave wall?”
“We can’t give up now!” Apple Bloom exclaimed, then drew in various long breathes. “Not after all… that we have already done.”
“I think Scootaloo might be right.” Sweetie Belle groaned. “My hooves are tired and I haven’t eaten in a while. Maybe we should jus-“
“Hello?”
Everypony was silent. They all looked from one, and then to the other. It was muffled, but they all heard it.
It came from the dirt pile.
Apple Bloom looked at the girls and put her hoof up to her mouth to signal them to be quiet. She crept toward the pile, and slowly placed her ear on it. She focus all of her senses to try and hear another sound. But there was nothing. She could hear anything. Not a word. Not a movement. Not a peep. Not a-
CRASH!
A solid grey cylinder popped out of the pile with a vigorous force. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle shrieked in fright and leapt behind one of the previously moved boulders. 
CRASH!
Another one flew out of the dirt, both of them now waving furiously. Apple Bloom back away until her body froze up, slightly in curiousity, but primarily in complete shock. She stopped about three hoof lengths away from the emerging mystery. It seemed to be digging itself out.
And succeeded.
A body lay before Apple Bloom. Not a monster, but rather a mare. Her coat was a murky grey colour. Her long dark blue hair draped over her body in a ratty mess. When she opened her eyes, she could see that they were a deep aqua, much like the walls of the cave, but brighter. But one thing about this mare over shadowed every little detail.
Her lack of a cutie mark.
The mare huffed and huffed, trying to collect her breath. She looked up at Apple Bloom, formed a ghost of a smile, and panted.
“I’m… free.”
At this point, Scootaloo found this to be the opportune time to bring out her Cutie Mark Crusader Anti-Feral Creature Club and whack the pony on the top of her head, knocking her unconscious.
Sweetie emerged from behind the rock and the three of them were left staring at the comatose pony
Apple Bloom snorted and gave a disappointed look at Scootaloo.
“Smooth, Scoots. Just smooth.”