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// Below Ground 
// Story: My Little Community Friendship is Awesome 
// by Emma Iveli 
//------------------------------//

Chapter 4: Below Ground

Princess Celestia read the letter that Twilight had sent her, she had worried about this before.

“What is wrong?” asked Princess Luna.

“Singularity’s Golems.” Said Princess Celestia.

“It can send them even in its seal?” asked Princess Luna.

“I seems that way.” Sighed Princess Celestia.

Princess Celestia sighed, she had hoped that they wouldn’t have to worry about the golems yet.

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Meanwhile in Ponyville, it was just a normal day, ponies from all over town did their errands and business, Shirley and Jeff were sitting outside of a café just drinking coffee.

“I don’t know why that girl wants to give me a make over but she just won’t stop.” Said Shirley.

“I know what you mean, I had to get away from the house.” Said Jeff, “That rabbit won’t stop giving me death threats.” 

“Stop making fun of me.” Muttered Shirley.

“I’m not… all those guys were right, that rabbit is evil.” Muttered Jeff.

“What?” asked Shirley.

That was when Rarity showed up with Spike following her while pink hearts came from him.

“Oh Shirley.” Said Rarity, then she noticed Jeff, “Oh Jeffery, I didn’t notice you.” 

“Oh come on your just saying that.” Said Jeff.

Before Rarity could respond Spike said, “Shouldn’t we be getting back to the boutique.” 

“Oh yes.” Said Rarity, “I’ll see you later Jeffery.”

However Spike stayed.

“Do anything to Rarity, and you’ll regret it.” Muttered Spike glaring at Jeff.

“Spike!” called out Rarity.

Spike ran after Rarity, leaving both Shirley and Jeff confused.

“Now that I’ve been threaten by a baby dragon, do you believe I was threatened by a bunny?” asked Jeff.

“Maybe.” Mumbled Shirley.

That was when Britta walked over to the table carrying a muffin basket.  

“What’s with the muffin basket?” asked Jeff.

“I angered the mail mare.” Said Britta, “And she demanded this as an apology.” 

“It isn’t Derpy is it?” asked Jeff.

“How did you know?” asked Britta.

“Considering your little gripe when we first got here, it’s no wonder why you offended her.” Muttered Jeff. 

As it turns out that was when Derpy saw her.

“Are those the apology muffins?” asked Derpy glaring at Britta.

“Yeah, I asked Mrs. Cake what kind of Muffins you liked and after hearing what happened she made this basket.” Said Britta, “So we cool?”

Derpy grabbed the muffin basket, “For now…” 

“Hey at least you didn’t get threats against you.” Said Jeff.

“What?” asked Britta.

“Don’t ask.” Muttered Jeff.

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Nearby, Pinkie was listening to Abed describe the Star Wars Trilogy, when Troy who was with them saw Derpy.

“Um… there’s something I need to do.” Said Troy flying over to Derpy.

“What was that about?” asked Pinkie.

“Don’t mind him.” Said Abed.

“Does it have something to with the fact you watch us.” Said Pinkie.

Abed looked at her.

“You knew.” Said Abed.

“You can sense them too. Can’t you?” asked Pinkie. 

“I try not to address it that much.” Said Abed, “I noticed when I was a kid.”

“I know right.” Said Pinkie, “My sisters never wanted to be around me until after I got my cutie mark.” 

There was a silence.

“It’s too bad we’re from a different universe.” Said Pinkie.

“I know.” Said Abed.

“So… in your universe is Derpy popular?” asked Pinkie.

“You have no idea.” Said Abed. 

“By the way… please don’t tell my friends about this.” Said Pinkie.

“Don’t worry, I don’t like it when the characters learn they’re in a TV show, it’s too cheap a gimmick, nothing I’ve ever seen ever captured the perfect excusal crisis.” Said Abed, “Besides, with the exception of Peirce I doubt anyone would say anything.” 

That was when Troy arrived.

“That was so some awesome! I found out her cutie mark means popping bubble wrap.” Said Troy.

“Nice!” said Abed.

Pinkie just giggled.

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Meanwhile at the Apple Family Stand, Peirce was working the stand with Applejack.

“Why can’t I just lay low at your place?” asked Peirce.

“Because I don’t trust you being around Granny Smith.” muttered Applejack.

“Oh come, I would never get into the sack with her…” said Peirce.

Unfortunately Rarity and Spike were there to say hi.

“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that.” Said Rarity.

That was when Spike looked like he was going to vomit.

“Can’t blame him this time.” Said Applejack with a shudder.

However he cough up a scroll.

“Did that lizard just barf up a scroll?” asked Peirce.

“I’m a baby dragon…” muttered Spike. 

Spike skimmed though the scroll.

“I’m sorry Rarity but I have to go take this to Twilight.”  Said Spike who ran off. 

There was an awkward silence, after all it was a touchy subject… 

“I have to go.” Said Rarity running away as fast as she could.

“If you mention that again, I’m going to buck you.” Said Applejack. 

“Wait... why do you want to do it, if you won’t let me and your grandma do it.” Said Peirce. 

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At the Library, Spike came into to find a massive pile of books next to the two studiers.

“Hope exists where hope is needed, the place where the thief steals from the rich and gives to the needy.” Read Twilight “That’s obviously Trottingham, the legendary, Robbing Hood”

“Twilight!” yelled Spike.

“What is it?” asked Annie.

“This letter came for from Princess Celestia.” Said Spike.

He gave her the letter, Twilight read and immediately got worried.

“What does it say.” Said Annie.

“My dearest student Twilight Sparkle, I unfortunately have terrible news to give you. Singularity has the ability to create creatures named Golems, these Golems have the ability to completely and utterly destroy everything they touch, even living things. With the weakened seal, Singularity is able to send them to prevent you from finding the Elements of Life. However magic is their weakness. Please be careful, Signed Princess Celestia.” Read Twilight.

There was silence.

“Spike go find everypony and tell them to meet at the train station” said Twilight. 

“Fine…” sighed Spike who decided to get Applejack and Peirce last after what he heard.

Sometime later at the train station, everyone managed to meet up.

“We’re here.” Said Applejack as she and Peirce was the last ones to arrive.

They all flinched at Peirce’s face which was covered in bruises, slightly swollen with two black eyes.

“Oh, Peirce what happened?” asked Annie.

“I learned that if Applejack says if she’s going to buck you, it’s not a euphemism.” Said Peirce.

“Eww…” muttered Annie.

“What is wrong with you?” asked Rainbow Dash.

“Let just ignore Peirce and just go whatever city the next element is.” Muttered Jeff.

“There’s something else I have to tell you.” Said Twilight.

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However as the train started to board she decided to wait until they were on the train…

“So wait, you mean that weird bird thing can kill us if it touches us.” Said Troy.

“I’m sure it can make other animals too.” Said Twilight.

“We already knew all this.” Said Jeff.

“Expect for the death part.” Corrected Abed.

“Yes, except for the death part.” Said Jeff, “All we now know is that why and they confirmed our theories.”

They all shrugged realizing he was right.

“Does he do that a lot?” asked Rainbow Dash to Britta.

“All the time.” Answered Britta. 

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In Canterlot at the seal, another bird shaped golem popped out, knowing where the next element was. 

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A couple hours later they got to Trottingham, which was a quaint little village, that was very similar to Ponyville. 

“So this is Trottingham.” Said Troy, “It’s just like I managed it.

Twilight decided to ask the nearest pony, “Excuse me have you ever seen a statue of a sphere on a pillar.”

“No I ‘ave never seen a statue like that, sorry I couldn’t ‘elp.” Responded the pony. 

“Was that a Cockney pony?” asked Britta. 

“Now’s not the time.” Said Jeff.

“Sine I’m not needed here, I’m going to look for those Golems.” Said Abed.

“Are you sure you can handle it.” Said Twilight.

“Don’t worry, I’ve figure out my magic, I also figure out how to use it like a proton pack from Ghostbusters, but instead of putting in the trap I’m just going to hold on it until it gets destroyed by the element of life.” Said Abed.

“What?” asked Twilight.

“I’ll tell you about it on the way back.” Said Abed. 

Abed walked off leaving 5 of the native ponies confused.

“I think somepony should go look after him.” Said Twilight.

“Since I already found my element I’ll go look after him.” Said Troy.

“Me too.” Said Pinkie.

Troy flew after Abed while Pinkie hopped away.

They began to search, the town for the statue.

“So Applejack, why did you buck Peirce again.” Said Rainbow Dash.

“I already said I don’t want to talk about it.” Said Applejack.

“I’ll explain it.” Said Peirce.

“Please don’t.” said Britta.

That was when they approached by an old mare.

“Excuse me, I heard you were searching for a statue of a ball on a pillar.” Said the old mare, “It’s over by the blacksmith’s.” 

“Thank you.” Said Twilight. 

The old mare decided to tell her how to get to the blacksmith, however during this conversation the golem landed. After creating a crater it shape shifted into a gopher and dug underground.

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And on they headed to where the element was, they saw it.

“Good we’re almost there.” Said Rainbow Dash.

That was when the ground beneath them crumbled beneath them, only the three Pegasus were able to react.

“Oh no… oh no…” whispered Fluttershy.

“Hey you all right!” called out Rainbow Dash.

“We’re fine.” Called out Annie.

The ground was in large chunks, Shirley and Applejack were on one, Annie, Jeff and Twilight were on another and Rarity and Peirce were on a third that held the element of life.

“Hey, this must be a sign that this is mine.” Said Peirce.

Peirce touched and got an electric shock.

“What could have caused this?” asked Twilight.

That was when they felt something rumbling below them, and the golem jumped out of the ground still in its gopher form. 

“That explains a lot…” mumbled Jeff.

“Rainbow Dash, Britta, do you think you can fly Shirley and Annie to it?” asked Jeff.

“Wait… why?” asked Twilight.

“You said it was Hope right, I doubt I’m the one who represents it the most.” Said Jeff.  

“I don ‘t know.” Said Britta, “I’m still not used to the whole I can fly thing.”

“Didn’t worry I can do both!” said Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash flew towards Annie, picked her up and put on the right piece of rock.

However the rock began to sink some more.

Annie walked slowly towards the element as to not disturb the ground breaking apart around her. 

She was about to touch it, but the golem came out of the ground with a loud shriek aimed itself at Annie.

However before it could even get near her, it was tied up by a yellow rope made of magic. It was Abed who was with Pinkie and Troy. 

“Come on hurry it up already.” Said Abed who was clearly playing a character, probably one of the Ghostbusters. 

Annie touched it and there was a bright flash of light destroying the golem. When the light died she was holding the element of life which took the form of her cutie mark it gem being sky blue. 

“Looks like everything is going to be fine.” Said Pinkie.

That was when the ground under Peirce gave way sending him into a crevice.

“Peirce?” asked Annie.

“I’m okay…” said Peirce. 

“So who’s going to get him out?” asked Rainbow Dash.

“Not me.” muttered Applejack. 

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Meanwhile in Canterlot, within its seal Singularly groaned, it had sensed that another one of its Golems was defeated. 

Oh well… it knew something better would come along.

Because it made another struggle against the seals and the second seal broke. 

It was just one step closer.

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Upstairs, Princess Luna checked up on her sister.

“I think they found the third Element of Life.” Said Princess Luna.

“I think so too.” Princess Celestia smiled.

“By the way, I was wondering did you mention that the Golems can shape shift?” asked Princess Luna.

Princess Celestia blinked, she face hoofed. She couldn’t believe she had forgotten that one little detail. 

That was when throne of the guards in charge of the seal came up.

“The second seal has broken.” Said the guards.

Princess Celestia sighed, at least for the time being they were one step ahead of Singularity.