Chapter 6:
Bigmouth Babs
It didn't take the Cutie Mark Crusaders long to find the cave that Flint described. After a short journey north, they managed to stumble upon the cavern built into the side of a large cliff that towered over them. Scootaloo brought the wagon to a stop.
"Well, here we are," she said. "Now all we gotta do is get some gems for the Dragon Magi."
"Yeah, that shouldn't be a problem," said Sweetie Belle. "I've gone gem hunting with Rarity loads of times. It's a bit tedious, but it's not that difficult to do."
"Well, how do we start then?" asked Apple Bloom.
"Well, first Rarity uses this spell to find where gems are buried, and then..."
Sweetie Belle trailed off as a realization dawned on her. She then smacked her face with her hoof and groaned.
"Oooooooookay, maybe it ain't that simple," said Apple Bloom. "But we still gotta try. After all, the Cutie Mark Crusaders never give up!"
"I hear that, Cuz," said Babs Seed with a grin. "Hey, maybe this'll get us our Cutie Marks!"
Sweetie Belle's expression brightened. "Hey, maybe it will! Even if we don't have Rarity's help, we won't need it if this turns out to be our special talent!"
"I really like the way you think, Bad Seed," said Scootaloo with a twinkle in her eye.
"Yeah, well. Thanks," said Babs, blushing a little and blowing back her combover.
"Right then, let's get to it!" proclaimed Apple Bloom. "Cutie Mark Crusaders Diamond Miners!"
"Yay!"
With that, the Cutie Mark Crusaders went right into the cave.
***
After traveling a good distance from the entrance, the cave became pitch black. It got to the point where the Crusaders couldn't even see their own hooves in front of their faces.
"Huh. I guess this place's abandoned or somethin'," mused Apple Bloom.
"Further provin' my point that those dragons might not be who they say they are," said Babs.
"Well, if they say they couldn't get the gems, there has to be some reason," said Sweetie Belle. "Hang on, I think I can shed some light on the situation. Let me just..."
After some pained groans from Sweetie Belle, a faint green glow emanated from her horn, illuminating the cave.
"There. That's better," she said. "Now, where to find those gems..."
"Well, we have to dig for them, right?" said Scootaloo. "Let's just find a good spot and get to work."
"But we ain't got any diggin' tools," said Apple Bloom.
"Ah, don't be such a baby, Cuz," said Babs. "We can just bust the gems out with our hooves, an' Sweetie Belle can use her magic."
Sweetie Belle rubbed the back of her head sheepishly. "Yeah, after what happened yesterday with Chief Thunderhooves, I don't think using my magic to dig is such a good idea."
"Hmm. Yeah, I see your point," said Babs thoughtfully. "Well, we'll just have to dig the old fashioned way."
"Let's try and find a spot first," said Scootaloo. "Hopefully something with some gems already poking out. Keep your eyes peeled, everypony."
The Crusaders proceeded to travel deeper and deeper into the cave, with only Sweetie Belle's magic providing light. As the continued to explore, they began to notice that the cave was slowly becoming more like a mine. There were several different catacombs and corridors, as well as a myriad of directions to go.
"Jeeze laweeze! How long does this cave go on for?!" Babs groused. "It's like a maze in here or somethin'!"
"And not a single jewel, either," said Sweetie Belle. "Oh, what I wouldn't give for Rarity's gem-finding spell right about now."
"Why doncha try it?" inquired Apple Bloom.
Sweetie Belle sighed. "I can't. I'm already focusing all of my energy into this illumination spell."
"Well, maybe you won't need it," said Scootaloo. "I see a light up ahead."
Sweetie Belle looked up, and sure enough, there was a bright light just a few meters away.
"Now, that's strange," she mused. "I thought this place was abandoned."
Babs snorted. "I've got a bad feelin' about this," she said.
"You an' me both," said Apple Bloom. "Let's tread carefully, everypony. Remember, that was part of our Pinkie Promise."
The Crusaders shared a nod just as Scootaloo entered the illuminated area. After her eyes had adjusted to the light, she was dumbfounded; as were the rest of the Crusaders. Laying in a heap at the center of a large room was a whole mound of gemstones.
"Wow! Our luck jus' keeps gettin' better an' better!" said Apple Bloom happily. "First we find the Dragon Magi right off the bat, then we find the jewels without havin' to dig!"
Babs raised a skeptical eyebrow. "I dunno. My big sister says that wheneva somethin' is too good to be true, it probably is."
"I wouldn't be too worried about it," said Sweetie Belle with a shrug. "It's probably just an abandoned dragon nest. Rarity told me that dragons usually line their nests with jewels, and that they take part in some big migration every hundred years."
"I guess that means the owner of these gems won't be missing them," said Scootaloo, dismounting her scooter. "Alright, Crusaders! Let's pile 'em in!"
With that, the Crusaders got right to work, scooping up as many jewels as they could and placing them in the wagon. In the middle of their work, Babs's ear twitched.
"Somethin' wrong, Babs?" asked Apple Bloom.
"I thought I heard somethin'," said Babs.
"It's probably just your imagination," said Sweetie Belle. "We're the only ones in here, after all."
"Oh, I wouldn't say that. Ehheh... Ehheh...."
A creepy, unfamiliar voice made all of the Crusaders jump. They turned to the source of the voice, and saw two figures towering over them. One was a burly black minotaur wearing a helmet made out of a cow skull and a brown strap across his right shoulder. Perched on his left shoulder was a small dragon with pale white scales and sinister sapphire eyes.
"You're outta your territory, aren't cha?" said the minotaur in a rough voice.
Apple Bloom gulped. "Well, y'see, um, we jus'..."
"Don't try to make excuses. We're not blind," the dragon hissed. "You're trying to make off with out precious gems. Ooh, just the thought makes me so angry. Ehheh... Ehheh..."
"W-we didn't know these were yours. Honest," squeaked Sweetie Belle. "If we did, we would've asked permission before taking any."
The dragon sniggered a bit. The minotaur, however, was not amused.
"Permission? Is this some kinda joke?" he snarled. "'Cause it's either that or you've all got rocks for brains."
Babs's eyes narrowed. "Sorry, I didn't quite catch that. Did you just say 'Please beat me up, Babs Seed?'" she growled.
"Easy, Babs. We're not lookin' to start anythin'," said Apple Bloom nervously.
The dragon began to laugh harder. "Ehheh... Ehheh... These fillies make me laugh, Boss," he said between guffaws. "Th-they have no idea how much trouble they're in. Ehheh... Ehheh..."
"Trouble? B-but this was just a misunderstanding," said Scootaloo, taking a hoofful of gems and dumping them at the minotaur's feet. "S-see? W-we're giving them back, and then we'll be out of your— Eep!"
The minotaur interrupted Scootaloo by pounding his fist into the floor, missing her by a few inches. Scootaloo shrieked and scooted away until her back was pressed up against the wagon.
"You must think I'm stupid," the minotaur said with a snort. "You expect me to believe that you lot jus' wandered into the hideout of the Bull's Eye Gang by accident?"
"I-it would help a lot if you did, yes," said Sweetie Belle, twiddling her hooves.
The dragon couldn't contain himself at this point. He fell off of the minotaur's shoulder as he degenerated into a fit of spooky laughter. The minotaur continued to glare at the Crusaders.
"Well, ya ain't foolin' me," said he. "I've been in this business for a long time, an' I know a thief when I sees one. Ain't nopony alive that can play Asterius for a sap."
"Let me guess. You're Asterius," said Babs, blowing back her combover.
"An' a dim bulb finally brightens," said the minotaur with a sinister grin. "Unfortunately for you, it's too little too late. Y'all should've used your brains before tryin' to steal from the Bull's Eye Gang. Now, you're all gonna pay."
"Now wait just a minute!" Babs barked, attempting to make a beeline to Asterius.
"Babs, no!" exclaimed Apple Bloom, trying to hold Babs back. "I don't think we should make him any madder than he already is!"
"In the big city, you gotta stand up for yourself," said Babs. "I got this, Cuz."
Before Apple Bloom could protest anymore, Babs shook her off and walked right up to Asterius.
"Listen up an' listen good, busta," she said, looking the minotaur in the eye. "We came out here because a coupla dragons claiming to be Dragon Magi said they needed food. We had no idea that these gems belonged to you. Now..."
"Hold on there," Asterius interrupted. "Dragons led you here?"
"Yeah. They said they'd help us if we got them some gems from this cave," said Babs. "Now, we didn't plan on stealin' anythin'. If you don't want us takin' your precious gems, we'll look elsewhere. Now, are we free to go, or do I have to mess you up?"
Asterius scoffed. "You really think you can stand up to the likes of me?"
"I'm not lettin' ya bully me or my friends," said Babs, standing her ground.
Asterius snorted and turned to the dragon, who was trying to regain his composure. "Trigger. Hey, Trigger!"
The dragon perked up. "Yes, Boss?"
"It seems them dragons we kicked out are sendin' us a message," said Asterius. "Let's send one back."
Trigger's eyes went wide. "W-wait a minute, Boss. Th-they're just kids. W-we can't do that."
"Suck it up an' grow a backbone, ya lily-livered varmint," Asterius snarled. "Thieves are thieves."
"B-but maybe they're worth something," said Trigger, wringing his claws nervously. "Yes. W-we can hold them for ransom. Th-that's a much better idea. Ehheh..."
Asterius sighed. "If I say that I'll think about it, would you get your scaly behind up here?"
"O-okay. Yes, of course, Boss," said Trigger.
With that, he scampered up Asterius's back and perched himself on his shoulder. Asterius then reached behind him, pulled out a miniature cannon, and pointed it right in Babs's face. Babs went as white as a sheet.
"Right. Didn't see that comin'," she said with a swallow. "Um, anypony got any ideas?"
"I can only think of one," said Scootaloo.
"What?"
"RUN~!"
Nopony needed to be told twice. The girls bolted from the room, shrieking all the while.
"After 'em, Trigger!" Asterius bellowed. "They won't escape!"
The Cutie Mark Crusaders desperately ran up and down the many corridors of the cave, hoping to find a way out. Alas, in their panic, they only managed to get themselves completely lost within the labyrinth. It didn't take long before they found themselves cornered by Asterius and Trigger.
"You ain't goin' nowhere," said Asterius, grabbing Apple Bloom and Babs. "Trigger, take the other two. We're lockin' 'em up until I decide what to do with 'em."
"Y-yes, Boss. Ehheh..." said Trigger, quickly tying up Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle and tossing them into the wagon.
"Well, I think we just broke our Pinkie Promise, girls," said Sweetie Belle sadly.
"I, think we have more important things to worry about right now, Sweetie Belle," said Scootaloo.
Apple Bloom said nothing, but instead gave her cousin a dirty look.
"Yeah, yeah. I know," said Babs, blowing back her combover and heaving a sigh. "Me an' my big mouth."