Underground
The road to Hoofington was long, dark, dull, and cold. Rainbow Dash and Derpy did their best to keep the clouds out of their path, but by the time Hoofington came into view, the snow rose halfway up Scootaloo’s legs, and she had to half-hop to keep up with the others.
“W-We’re almost there, little one,” Cheerilee said through chattering teeth.
“I… can’t…” Scootaloo stumbled, and the next thing she knew, she was surrounded by cold whiteness. She felt somepony tug on her mane and set her on her hooves.
“We’ll rest once we get to Hoofington,” Cheerilee said as she brushed the snow off Scootaloo’s face and body.
“Come on, everypony, you can do it!” Twilight’s distant voice carried through the black chill. Through blurry vision, Scootaloo could see most of the Ponyville ponies moving slowly down the road with bowed heads. “Rainbow Dash has flown ahead to tell the Hoofington ponies we’re coming.”
Scootaloo took a couple more steps before tripping again. Once again, Cheerilee lifted her by the mane and stood her upright. “J-Just a little farther.”
The rest of the journey was a blur to the pegasus filly. She remembered seeing strange ponies carrying torches and somepony putting her in a cart, and then she heard voices talking about blankets and hot water. The next thing she knew, she was lying on a stiff bed with a nurse from Ponyville hospital looking over her.
“It looks like she’ll be all right,” the nurse said, her voice echoing in Scootaloo’s ears. “She was just cold and exhausted.”
“Are you sure?” Scootaloo turned her head slightly to see Miss Cheerilee standing at her bedside.
The nurse nodded. “Just keep her under those blankets, and make sure she eats something.”
“Of course.” Scootaloo felt Cheerilee’s hoof brush her mane. “If there’s anything we can do for you, please, let us know.”
“Thank you. If you’ll excuse me, I have other patients to attend do.” The nurse turned and walked away, leaving the filly alone with her teacher.
“Miss… Cheerilee?” Scootaloo’s voice sounded weak, even in her own ears.
“Hush.” Cheerilee’s gentle voice echoed a little less than it had before. “It’s all right, little one.”
“Wh… where are we?”
“Hoofington,” Cheerilee answered. “Thank Celestia Rainbow Dash was able to convince the ponies here to send help. Otherwise…”
The strange ponies Scootaloo had seen before surfaced in her mind. She looked around and saw more unfamiliar faces moving around what looked like a cave. She saw a few other ponies lying in uncomfortable-looking beds, most of them from Ponyville. The nurse was standing near Pinkie Pie, who was still as motionless as ever.
Scootaloo heard the clink of dishes and looked at Cheerilee, who was holding a tray with a bowl of salad and a glass of juice. Scootaloo suddenly noticed how empty her stomach felt and dove in. She wasn’t usually a fan of spinach, but her hunger overrode any protest her taste buds could make.
“Well, at least you’re feeling better,” Cheerilee said with a tired smile. Scootaloo nodded. “You should rest,” Cheerilee said through a yawn as she got to her hooves. “I should probably do the same.”
For a while, Scootaloo drifted between consciousness and sleep. She caught occasional snippets of conversation from ponies walking by, but most of them made very little sense to her. A couple were looking for pickaxes. Another was asking if there were any ponies strong enough to work. The nurse always seemed to have harsh replies for them, so they usually left quickly.
It was in the middle of one of these conversations that Scootaloo’s mind fully awoke. A gruff-looking pony in a hard hat was talking quietly to the nurse and, strangely, Twilight Sparkle. “I understand your concerns,” the gruff pony was saying, “but it won’t be long before the world above these cellars is uninhabitable, and we must make room for everypony.”
“I’m aware of our situation, Mine Shaft,” the nurse replied, “but these ponies are simply too exhausted to work right now.”
“My ponies have been working nonstop since nightfall,” the pony called Mine Shaft said. “I don’t want to overwork them, and it’s only fair that the Ponyville ponies do their part.”
Scootaloo started to push herself out of bed, but a magenta hoof held her back. “Stay in bed, little one,” Cheerilee said softly.
“What’re they talking about?” Scootaloo asked.
“Shelter,” Cheerilee replied. “It’s going to get very cold aboveground.”
“The Hoofington library has several books on energy boost and rejuvenation spells,” Twilight spoke up. “With a little practice, I’ll be able to help the miners work longer and harder without suffering any serious side effects.”
“It’s either this or freezing to death,” Mine Shaft added before the nurse could answer. “We’ve agreed to give you a home. It’s only fair that some of you help us build it.”
Nurse Sweetheart sighed and nodded. “Very well. I’ll round up a few ponies to help with the excavation. But if I hear you’re pushing them too hard, you will have to deal with me.”
Mine Shaft rolled his eyes and left the cave, and the nurse returned to her duties. “Are you feeling all right?” Twilight asked.
“Does it matter anymore?” the nurse replied. “We pushed through that snowstorm to get here. All of us need to rest.”
“We don’t have any other choice.”
“I know.” Nurse Sweetheart let out another sigh. “What have you heard about… you know.”
“Nothing new,” Twilight replied, lowering her voice. Scootaloo had to strain her ears to hear. “Rainbow Dash went to do some reconnaissance, but I don’t think we’ll find anything surprising.”
Nurse Sweetheart nodded. “I suppose any survivors would go to Trottingham. You will keep me updated, won’t you? If there’s any chance my sister made it out…”
“I understand,” Twilight said. “If I hear anything, I’ll let you know.”
“Thank you, Twilight.”
Twilight nodded and walked away, leaving the nurse alone with her patients. “Miss Cheerilee?” Scootaloo whispered. “What’s going on out there?”
Cheerilee gently stroked the filly’s mane. “Don’t worry yourself about it right now. Just get some rest.”