//------------------------------// // Ch.3 // Story: A Fetch Quest for My Drink // by RayneTheSkunk //------------------------------//                                        New Game                   -> Continue        Choose a save file.             -> 1 Berry Punch LV5   Loading life. Please don’t open your eyes during this process.   …...  …..  …...   …...  Load Successful  The save crystal’s glow covered Berry’s form then faded as if she had absorbed its light. The wind blew through her mane in the open grasslands. They had parked in an open field on the side of the road. Like most of the wild-lands that they’ve passed through on foot, it seemed to just be hills, grass and trees that went on forever.There were the mountains that blocked off Gallopolis from eastern Equestria over to the west. Berry glanced over at their periwinkle colored caravan. Ruby was still busy pouring fuel into the tank , Braeburn and Cheerilee were having their own conversation on the nearby hills, and Derpy was still sleeping with Trixie. “Why do I feel so strange right now?” Berry held her hoof against the brilliant red crystal and stared into her own crimson reflection. “You just need a drink. You deserve one right now anyway.””  “Or you could just, ya know, talk to me.” Berry felt Minuette’s soft mane brush by as she walked up beside her. Minuette’s lips pecked at the earth pony’s cheek.“So have you told Ruby about our engagement yet? She really ought to know what we’re doing.”  “She’ll figure it out on her own.” Berry looked into her fiancée’s eyes through the crystal’s red tinted reflection. “She’s a little smart ass like that. Deductional what-ever is one of her things.”  “Deductive reasoning,” Minuette corrected. She nuzzled her face into Berry’s scruffy neck. “Come on Ber, this is something you really have to tell her. A new parent is a real big deal for a child her age. We can’t just keep it a secret from her until the wedding day and then go ‘oh by the way we’re getting married’. Just go over and ease her into the idea, kay.”  Berry giggled a bit as ’s fur tickled at her sensitive spot. “If you think it’s such a big deal, you go tell her. You’re the one that’s gonna be the new parent.You’re better with children anyway. Make her say ‘aaahh’ or some shit.” The unicorn gave a desperate look into the crimson reflection of Berry’s eyes. “She’s your daughter, no one should be able to talk to her better than you. I mean I’ve been with you for a while now and I’ve always been pretty amazed at how you two always talk to each other as equals. It’s like two best friends.”  “So that’s how it looks from the outside?” The earth pony's mumbling was barely audible. “I feel like that sometimes, but I’m not really too sure if it’s exactly like that. Ugh listen, my head’s just a bit cloudy. Just uh, give some time to think and I’ll probably get to it later.” She dropped onto the grass, raising a small cloud of dust and green blades. She glanced at Minuette’s reflection as the unicorn walked towards the caravan. “We’re not equals.”   Braeburn and Cheerilee sat at the top of a hill a few steps away from the vehicle. The rising sun was hanging high over the horizon. It made a glorious orange tint against the rolling grass in the distance. “I used to live on a different farm before we settled Appleloosa. I got to see something a bit like this every mornin’ from my bedroom window,” Braeburn closed his eyes as he reminisced on his childhood, “Just replace the grass with a couple thousand apple trees. I loved watching the apples all shine up right at once. It was real pretty sight back then even if it did blind my eyes a mite bit.”  Cheerilee had rolled onto her back while the stallion talked. She closed her eyes as well and tried to imagine how inspiring it would be for a young filly to wake up to such a magnificent sight each morning. Something about its calmness gave birth to a warmth in her heart. “That sounds really romantic, in the artistic sense I mean. I guess you really liked your home town, huh?”   A smile grew across Braeburn’s face as he opened his eyes and adjusted his hat. “Yep. Harilson was a old, small town, but that’s what gave it that quaint homey feelin’ ya know? That feeling that just makes a pony feel like they belong. Full of friendly folk, hard work, and delicious apples. I don’t think a single pony was unhappy. That’s where Applejack’s papa grew up. Sweet Apple Acres was her mama’s. I’m about her brother’s age. I remember them having their wedding up in the big barn. AJ’s mom was pregnant with her at the time.”  “I never knew that about Applejack. It sounds like you’ve got hundreds of fond memories back there. Maybe you could write me an essay on it. I’d love to read it.” Cheerilee rolled onto her stomach, bumping into the stallion. She giggled a bit and looked into his eyes with a smile. “Would you do that for me?”  Braeburn smirked down at her as he tipped his hat. “Sorry Miss Cheerilee, I’m more of a story teller than a writin’ type, but I love tellin’ stories to other ponies. I can tell ya as much as you’d ever want to hear if that makes ya happy.”  “Very well then, let’s see.”  The maroon pony scratched at her chin. It took her just a moment to come up with the next question she really wanted to ask. “So about  Applejack’s parents. I’ve never really seen them before. Whatever happened to them?  I’m a bit curious because I’m Apple Bloom’s teacher and I’m always a bit concerned that her parents aren't there.”  “Oh”, Braeburn’s tone dulled drastically. He stared at the horizon a bit longer before finding his voice. “They’re rebuilding Harilson.”  “Huh,” Cheerilee’s shifted onto her haunches and shot Braeburn a completely perplexed look. “But, you were just talking about how great Harilson was.”  “Yep. It was great, but few farm towns are very well protected from a tornado. One day I woke up and my sunrise wasn’t there! Instead I just saw this giant swirling wind thingy rippin’ trees straight out the ground! I screamed of course, woke up darn near everypony in town! We all got out just dandy, but there wasn’t really a town anymore. Applejack’s papa was a darn stubborn stallion and decided to rally ponies to rebuild. They’ve been working on it for years, but tornados just keep rollin’ on in. Me and the other folk just decided to find a new town, and that’s how the great Appleloosa came to be.”  “Oh dear,” the mare took Braeburn’s hoof into her own. She rubbed it gently and spoke to him in a soothing voice. “I am so sorry for making you have to look back on that. I’ve had relatives in similar situations before. I understand what a pony goes through when they lose their home.”  “Oh don’t fret about nothin’. I’ve been well over for years now. Now I get to tell you about,” The stallion reared up and looked to the sky,“ Aaaaaappplllelooooosaa!” Back at the caravan Ruby could hear Breaburn ramble about the desert settlement. She tossed the gas canister aside, having just finished filling the tank.“Stupid hybrid caravans. If you’re going to make caravans fueled by flare crystals they shouldn’t need fuel!” The filly turned to buck the motorized heap when she saw Minuette had been sitting behind her. Her cheeks blushed just a bit as she lowered her hind legs. “Oh, hi Ms.Romana. We should be ready to hop on the road again now. Did you want something?”  “I’ve been dating your mom for five years and you’re still calling me Ms. Romana?” Ruby nodded in response. “Well, you could just call me Romana, or Minuette. You can even use Minnie if you want, I’m sure your Ber’s not very protective of that pet name.” She crouched down to Ruby’s eye level. “You could at least drop the miss.”  “Okay then. I’ll just call you Romana if that’s really all you want.”  Romana raised a brow. “You sure you don’t want to call be by some sort of nickname or something?”  “I’m sure. What’s with the sudden concern over what I call you? You’ve never cared before and you still just call me Ruby.” “Well, do you have any nicknames you like?”  “Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara started calling me Bucks.” Ruby looked to back at her hind legs. They were much more firm and strong than other the other fillies in school, especially for a unicorn. If it weren’t for Applebloom’s farm work she’d probably have the strongest legs in class. “I bucked them for it, hard. I just like being Ruby, dad chose that name.” Minuette’s ears perked. “You know Berry never told me much about your dad; it pisses her off more than anything and Cheerilee goes all mute whenever I bring him up. You mind filling me in?”  Ruby’s eyes turned to the ground. She tapped her hoof into the dirt a few times before talking again. “I … don’t really remember much. I just remember I really liked him. He was nice to me, but mom didn’t talk to him much. And then one day, he was gone.” Minuette took a step back. “Uh, sorry. I guess I don’t really have any business delving into anypony’s past anyway. I’ll uh, just get in the caravan.” “Watch your step there’s a-” Ruby cringed as she heard the sound of glass crashing against the floor. “Are you ok-” a shriek pierced her ears, followed by a thud on the caravan’s side. “Oh crap, she woke up!”  “Who are you ponies?! Why are you in my caravan?! Guards!” Trixie huddled herself in a corner with a bag of firecrackers and other small pyrotechnics. The interior of the caravan was trashed. The floor was marred with broken glass, pine cones, and the burn marks of fire crackers. A pegasus shaped dent was imprinted into the side, and just about everything was out of place. The others were all grouped into the caravan’s opposite end. Braeburn took a cautious baby step towards the angry mare. Snap, crackle, pop! “Don’t get any closer to Trixie! She should have known better than to trust you! Trixie is never going to entertain your stupid Appleloosa!” She threw another batch of little explosives at the group of kidnappers. “Stay Back! Back I say!”  “Hey now, don’t insult Appleloosa. Wasn’t my idea to snatch ya up, everypony else made me do it.” Braeburn’s comment was met with the glares of his peers. “Y’all know it’s true.”  “Shut up!” Trixie shouted. She flung another barrage of fire crackers her kidnappers. “Just get out of Trixie’s caravan and she’ll drive away peacefully. Got it!”  “Calm the fuck down! You’re going to burn down your own damn caravan.” Berry stomped her hoof only to get burnt by crushing a lit cracker. “ow,ow,ow owww!””  “Please stop throwing those, they’re loud and hurt my ears. We’re friendly ponies; I even brought muffins. Have one.” The pegasus presented a warm, fluffy muffin that smelled of banana. “Like hell you’ve brought muffins; you’re trying to poison Trixie!” The paranoid unicorn shot Derpy’s muffin with a blue cracker. Gory, burnt muffin guts splattered across the pegasus’ face. “Now leave before Trixie hurts something more than your muffins.” Her horn glowed icy blue, tiny snowflakes swirling around the base. Everypony took careful steps backwards. Ruby jumped back the farthest, having already suffered the cold pain of an ice spell.  The filly’s clever brain went to work once she was safe behind a motherly figure: Derpy Hooves. Her horn sparked .“Mom, I have an idea,” she whispered, “Did you ever notice how we all decided to join you after you told us the recipe?”  “Yeah, it was starting to piss me off. What about it?”, Berry tried not make any sounds or movements that may set off the hostile unicorn.  “Well maybe the recipe is hypnotic. It worked on me, Auntie, Braeburn, and Ms. Romana. Just try and list it off to her or something. The filly gave her mother a telekinetic push. “Go on, do it!”  The unicorn's glare intensified as Berry got closer. Her horn’s glow flared and snowflakes frenzied around the tip. Berry gulped, “We, were um trying to recruit you for uh ….” she stammered, then in a panic she blurted out each ingredient as loud as she she could. Berry ducked, covering her head with her hooves. “Don’t hurt me!”  The glow and flakes around Trixie’s great and powerful horn dissipated. Her eyes widened curiously. “Wait a sec,” Her voice was more hushed and calm, “What exactly does all of that mean? You’ve piqued Trixie’s curiosity.”  Cheerilee took up job of explaining.. “Well it’s all the ingredients to the greatest wine in the universe or something like that. We really wanted you, the Great and Powerful Trixie to help. After all, your magic must be more than enough to handle the monsters.”  “Oh, of course you would want Trixie on a journey like that.” she levitated her hat and cloak onto herself. “But, Trixie’s services must have a price. She wants her own portion of this ‘greatest wine in the universe’. Are we clear?”  Berry complained under her breath about another pony getting some of her precious wine. “Yeah, sure you can. The more the merrier,” she grumbled.  After short introductions and and an explanation of where they were heading next, Trixie was perfectly ready to join their quest. It turned out Trixie’s weapon of choice really was fireworks. With Ruby as the designated driver, the group only took a few hours to make it to Gallopolis gate. There were plenty of gates like this in Equestria that was supposedly to help protect ponies, but everypony knew it was just way to get bits. Gallopolis gate in particular was in the small gap between two huge mountain ranges.  A skinny freckled blue stallion answered at the gate booth.“Welcome to Gallopolis gate... wait. Are you a child driving?”  Ruby’s eyes darted back and forth, until her eyes caught onto a fake mustache. “Um, no.” She said with her newly found mustache covering her lips. “Just having facial hair issues.”  “Folliculestis Malfunctionate. My uncle used to have the problem too. Sorry to be all suspicious about you a second ago.”  “It happens a lot.” The unicorn’s facial hair fell to the floor. “Ah there it goes again.” “Yeah, it’s a terrible disease. I really hope you beat it. Anyway I’d love to help you, but Gallopolis Gate is actually under lock-down right now. My dumb brother forgot to treat the bars and now they’re rusted in the ground. A lot of ponies are going to miss the festival without an airship.”” Minuette rushed to the window “Wait, what do you mean we can’t get in?! We need to get to that festival, we have important dentistry business.” She flashed her dentistry badge. “Romana Minuette, Officially Licenced Expert Dentist. You can’t keep me out buddy!” “Oh gosh!” The booth pony broke into a nervous sweat. “Okay, okay ,there is one detour that’s close by, but it’s pretty dangerous.There’s a cave on the eastern mountain not too far from here, but it’s packed with monsters. It’s a pretty short cave though. After you go through, it’s just a short walk to Gallopolis.”  “Thanks” the unicorns responded.  The booth pony raised his hoof.“One little thing, you’re going to have to ditch your caravan.” __________________________________________________________________  Choose a save file.             -> 2 Blue Blood LV10   Loading life. Please don’t open your eyes during this process.   …...  …..  …...   …...  Load Successful  “Great Aunt! Great Aunt Luna!” Blue Blood called from one of the highest roofs of Canterlot castle. The morning’s rising sun had the white castle town washed in orange. The roof’s domed surface was hard to walk with hooves; each step almost caused him to fall off the castle entirely. Blue Blood sat his haunches at the dome’s highest point, trying his best to remain still. His helmsmare was taking far to long bringing his airship up.  “I’d think a Princess would be a bit more punctual,” he grumbled.     Whining screeches echoed in the streets below. Blue Blood listened intently as they got closer and more piercing. The prince only barely flinched as a swarm of bats passed him on both sides. The swarm huddled together before him like a living, flapping cloud. They belted a powerful unified screech before bursting into black flame. The fire molded into the form of Luna and three of her bat-winged children. Blue Blood’s expression was far from impressed.   The alicorn pouted, “What, no reaction? Are you truly that used to my entrances already?” Luna and her children kept themselves lifted just above the roof. Blue Blood recognized her followers as Nemesis, Momus and Philotes. Nemesis was easily recognized by the heavy armor she always wore. Unlike most Equestrian armor her black suit covered the whole body with the exception of her cold expression. Momus’ defining trait was his masks. He never really shown his face. A different mask always blocked it from view. The one he was wearing now was painted in red and had a sly smile that crept across it’s face. The third skinnier pony was Philotes who wore a simple black dress. Her purple main was long enough to reach the bottom of her hooves. Blue Blood curled his mouth into a grin. “You can only explode from a horde of flying heathens so many times before ponies expect it great aunt. So are these three going to be my assistance for this”, he coughed,“mission?”  “Yes, I trust them to be your companions. You seek out the mare, correct? If, so you’ll have to go through the many dangerous lands of Equestria. Thanotos and Apate will watch Duke Dionysus. I’ve also taken the liberty of having your air ship upgraded over night. You’ll be running on flare crystal power from now on. It should be here any moment now.”   Blue Blood bowed his head, directing his horn at the princess. “I am very appreciative great aunt. I’ve desired one of these crystals for quite a while, but there were very few available for airships. And may I ask one favour.” He rose his head to look straight into his elder’s eyes. “That dreadfully pointless battle system Celestia made. Do you think it’s possible to change it.”  “That? Of course, we told her a thousand years ago that turn based combat was a silly idea but she didn’t listen. We made that with control crystal she keeps hidden in the basement. Changing that will be simple for us.”  The armor clad pony gave Luna’s shoulder a light tap. “Mother, I’d just like to warn you that you’re lapsing into ‘royal we’ again.”  The alicorn’s face flushed with red, “Thank you, Nemesis.” She leaned towards Blue Blood’s ears. Her lips whispered him a soft warning “One last thing nephew. The save crystals have their danger. Though they help you return back to living, the time travel they use is based on memories. I assume you’ll be leading the group so they will use your memories to go back in time. That means you’ll be reliving pieces of your past whenever you come back. Most ponies don’t come out of that in the same condition as before.” The prince raised his head towards the sky and beat his royal hoof upon his chest. “Don’t you worry in the slightest. There’s no chance of failure while I lead this mission.” Propellers chopped through the air below. Blue Blood’s airship spiraled up around the tower. The ship docked itself on the roof directly behind the prince. The balloons that held the body afloat were covered with a rich violet die and were covered in elegant curving designs. The ship itself was a small, sturdy personal cruiser made from durable every free forest wood. “The Aurelia is my own beloved vessel and has never let me or anypony down. She’s a mother of good luck. I bid you farewell great aunt.” Luna gave a hopeful nod, “Then may she truly be a vessel of good fortune. Farewell nephew. Children, follow your cousin’s orders, I fully trust him to lead this operation. My faith is with you.” The princess burned away in the same dark blue flames she used to make her appearance.  “You may now honor yourselves by boarding the magnificent Aurelia.” Blue Blood turned his back to his new companions and strutted aboard the airship.   The mask wearing pegasus flew circles around the balloons .“Whatever, your ‘magnificent ship,” Momus said mockingly, “seems pretty crappy to me. All this pointless effort to make it look all pretty and you don’t have a single stinking weapon installed. The bow isn’t even suited for ramming and the frame makes for a poor defense against any proper weapon. I don’t want to ride in a fancy looking model. I want a ship!”  “Wha- what did you just say about my Aurelia?! Do not compare her to some average, military vessel. This is my personal vessel; her job is to transport us, not to engage in combat. We’re after a mare, not a country!”    Momus descended onto the deck. He had switched masks to one that displayed a condescending laugh. “Aww, seems like our leader is too stupid to prepare for the unexpected. Let me teach you something then.” He rushed the prince, leaning close against his face. “You always mount cannons on a ship, moron.” “Momus stop antagonizing him!” Nemesis trotted beside Blue Blood. Her armor made loud thuds and clanks as she walked on the wooden deck. “This is not a military mission. Celestia is supposed to remain unaware to our actions so we must take a smaller form of transport.” “Whatever, pet.” Momus switched masks again. His hooves were to fast for anypony to see his face between exchanges. The new mask was blank.  He turned his back and gave a flick of his tail.  She turned to the prince. “I apologize. My brother is naturally critical. Would you like me to act as second in command, sir? I am mother’s personal guardian and adviser.” “I shouldn’t need one. Momus should be my only problem. After all,I’m only leading four ponies. Which reminds me, I need to check on Trade Wind. Make your self at home in the spare quarters. There should be bunks for the three of you.” Blue Blood trotted towards the ships helm located at the bow.    “Waaiit prince,” Blue Blood stopped in place as the call rung against his eardrums. The thinner dress wearing pony rushed towards him.“Prince I am really happy to be working with you and really honored that momma decided to let me be your partner on this mission, hug!” Philotes flung her fore-hooves around Blue Blood. She practically had hearts for eyes. “We are going to have just the awesome-est time together! I can tell.” Her voice cracked as she squealed.  “Uh, Sure. I’m real happy to be working with you as well.” The prince’s voice was strained as he struggled to break free of the mare’s death-hug. “Alright, release me already!”  “Aye aye captain!” The two forelegs that had Blue Blood locked released, letting him fall right onto his haunches. Philotes saluted with a fangirl like squeal. “Anything else you want captain? I can make tea, or coffee. Do you think you’d like coffee and tea together? I always wanted to try that!”  The royal unicorn stretched his legs as he returned to his hooves, “If you insist.” he groaned. “And while you’er at it try to learn how to hug a pony without crushing their bones. The kitchen is right next to the guest quarters. Just promise me you can actually cook. I don’t want my royal tongue touching some horrible swamp water. Now if you excuse me I have to discuss some things with my helmsmare.”  “Roger Dodger! I hope you like lots of cream in your tea-coffee.” A blue haired yellow earth pony lied in front of the helm. The pony flipped through the pages of a thin book with colorful panels. Blue Blood crept behind the pony without distracting it’s attention. “Psst, Tradewinds,” the unicorn whispered, “What are you looking at?”  “Nothing much, just this awesome comic about a sky-pirate with an eye-patch-goggle-thing. Wish I could have become a pirate.”  “Oh, that’s nice. Now tell my why are you doing this when you’re on the job!” Blue Blood hollered in the helmsmare’s ears. The earth stallion snapped up and saluted to his superior. “Tradewinds how many times have I told you it’s very improper for you to read comics while on the job?  “A lot sir, but were docked ri-”  “No buts!’ The prince snapped. He raised his nose to the air and and beat a fore-hoof against his chest “Need I remind you who’s the prince and who has a zero point one millionth chance of becoming the leader of Equestria one day.”  “No sir,” Tradewinds replied with a droning tone. “So what exactly did you request the ship for so early in the morning? Are you making another visit to Coltsantinople? You were really uppity about something when we left last time. “  “Actually, it is about that, but I’m afraid your childlike mind would get a little too excited if I told you what we’re doing.” “Oh, come on sir. I wouldn't get excited, tell me.” Trade winds leaned against the the wheel “I am the one at the helm after all. I have to know where we’re going. It’s my job.”  “You’re positive you won’t get too exited? Very well then, what’s your little ruffian eye patch hero doing now?   A star twinkled in the earthpony’s eyes and his mouth grew into a brilliant child-like grin.“Well if you really care sir, right now his sister was just kidnapped and that made him really upset. I mean if my sister was kidnapped I’d be mad to. So he assumed his rival did it but his rival’s actually a pretty nice guy and after the fight they decide to help each other! So the build this humongous new super shi-”  “You can stop now.” The prince backed away from his now sweaty helmsmare. “Right, I believe it’s still probably a bad idea to tell you right now.” “Come on” Tradewinds moaned. “I didn’t get that excited, sire. My nose only bled a little bit this time see.” He wiped his nose with his fore-leg, smearing a streak of blood against his fur. “ I usually have to take a bath after this.”  “Do you have any idea how unsanitary that is? Go wash your-”  “Prince-y!” The enthusiastic dress mare pranced onto the scene with a document behind her folded wing.  Blue Blood murmured a light curse under his breath. “I was to believe you were making coffee. What do you require now? I am very preoccupied with this fool right now.” “I wasn’t making coffee, I was making coffeetea!” Philotes corrected with a warm smile. “Nemesis just reminded me that I had something real important to give you.” She took the paper from her hooves, which Blue Blood promptly took with his levitation. “That there is a list of all the ingredients to the ambrosial wine so we can have an idea of where to look. She said whatever you do to never ever, ever read all the ingredients at once. I don’t really get it, so I’m going go back to making coffeetea. Bye Princey, bye Mr.Helmsmare!” With a kiss blown each stallions’ direction, Philotes spread her wings and took off to the other side of the ship.  “Well,she sure was pretty.” Tradewinds wiped his nose, marring his leg with more blood than before. “So uh, what’s her name?”  “Philotes, and don’t even bother getting any puny little hopes, she’s a noble.” The prince read over the document. He would read a word turn his head for a second, then read the next. “The hay am I reading? Stardust, cooled magma? I swear this is the most preposterous list of...” a note on the paper caught the prince’s attention.  “Yes I know these ingredients are very silly, but Star Swirl knew what he was talking about before the bell jingling made him mad. Now, Prince my best suggestion of where to start is Gallopolis. You said the mare is from Ponyville didn’t you? Well,Gallopolis isn’t all too far from that town. Every year they have a monster hunting festival were the prize is whatever you ask for(within reason, don’t go asking for their castle you already have your own). It’s worth examining as the event is coming in the next three days. Good luck.”  “Tradewinds, clean yourself up. I just got a hint on where to go first. We depart for the city of Korin!”  “Roger dodger! Wait a sec, did she say she was making coffeetea? I love that stuff!” _________________________________________________________________________       The Caravan had been driving on the side of the Korin mountain range for about an hour. The the rolling view of the mountain side outside the window slowed down until it reached a stop. Ruby hopped out of her driver’s seat and untied the little pegs she had on her hooves. The other mares sat on the bed while having idle chitchat while a hat-less Braeburn moved around in the back. “The map says we’re at the cave. Does anypony want to pack anything before we leave?” “I still need to raid the fridge; I call packing the food!” The wall eyed mare fluttered to the refrigerator and immediately started relieving it of it’s contents. “Oooh, there’s a cake in here! Taking that.” “Hey that’s Trixie’s food. You better not eat all of it. Especially the pine cones, leave those alone.” Trixie jumped to her hooves with a flare in her horn. A purple aura wrapped around Derpy and whisked her away too the other side of the caravan. “Just let Trixie handle her refrigerator.” “I’m lookin’ for my hat over here it shouldn't take too long.” Braeburn tossed outfits and props as he searched. “Don’t mind me! I’ll handle it myself.” “Make sure to take any booze you find in there with you.” Berry stretched out each of her legs. “Me and Pearly are gonna wait outside. Just don’t take too long we don’t have all day. Come on.” Berry and Minuette hopped out their seats and trotted out the door. Minuette gave a short wave to the others before stepping off.  Cheerilee closed the book she had been writing in and slid it into her saddle bag.“I’m ready too. I’d don’t want to postpone anything.” “Okay Auntie. I just need to check something.” Ruby cantered over to Trixie. The show mare was meticulously arranging her assorted pine cone based delicacies into her bags. “Ms. Trixie, would you happen to have a laptop here? If it has gem-fi I’d like to use it for some online games?” The filly used her puppy face skill against Trixie. “Trixie doesn’t usually let kids use it, not that she usually deals with children,” she mumbled, “but you’re a child who can drive so Trixie guesses she can trust you. Just don’t get any viruses on it, okay. It should be under the bed.” The mare went back to gathering her pine cone cakes and pine cone shakes. Ruby stared at her for a moment before fetching the laptop from under the bed. “Okay, Derpy found my hat, I’m ready!” Braeburn tapped the dust off his trusted cap and flipped it onto his head  The cave’s walls were all a smooth emerald green. The ground made a path that branched out into separate caverns.Wind whistled through the the holes in the walls and pathways. Chilling water dripped on their heads from the stalactites above. “I bet the rest of y’all wish ya had hats now, huh?” Braeburn snickered. “Hey Derpy you sure you don’t wanna use it? I’m fine taking it off for a bit.”  “No thankies. I like the rain. The way it pats on my head reminds me of when I tried to be a weather mare. Drip drip drop.” Derpy went on humming as she flew against the wind above the rest of the party.  “Trixie’s hat provides superior rain protection than your western patchwork. Trixie’s hat comes with a exponential boost to magical power and rejects rain.”  Cheerilee walked beside her sister. Her eyes darted across the cave looking for any signs of life. “Her sister. Didn’t that guy at the gate say that there's be a lot of monsters inside this cave? I haven't seen a single one. I’m telling you that doesn't feel right.”  “Oh please. Don’t get your shit all worked up. Just keep on walking, if no monsters come up it’s fine.” Berry’s hooves stopped their trot. A transparent ice wall obstructed their path. On the other side of the wall was a huge circular platform with the exit directly on the other side.  To their left was another brilliant crimson save crystal.  “Mom, my common sense is tingling. I think we need to save, now!” Ruby tapped at the crystal. “Come on just do it real quick.”  “I swear your Cheeriliee’s child somehow. Both of you calm down. Hey Trixie get over here, I’ve got something for ya.” The show mare raised her nose and trotted towards the front. “Ya, see this ice shit? Handle it!”  “Well you’re just a master of words aren't you? Hasn’t anyone taught you how to ask nicely? First you kidnap Trixie and then you give her orders.” Trixie levitated her hat above her horn. “No matter, melting this ‘ice shit’ is but mere child’s play for The Great and Powerful Trixie!” Trixie’s magic burned with a red aura. The grooves in her horn ignited in bright flame. “Behold, Fire!” The horn blasted a blazing fireball at the center of the icewall.The spell burned straight through it’s target and exploded against a wall on the other side. The ice melted almost in an instant and formed a warm puddle beneath the ponies’ hooves. “Tadaaa!” Trixie hummed her own fanfare as she gave a bow to her small audience. “The Great and Powerful Trixie’s fire magicks has allowed us to continue.” The party walked through the puddle and continued their trek forward. “Black magicks isn’t a skill most unicorns are capable of, few even dare to attempt learning it, but Trixie was bold enough to master the art of strong destructive magicks. Trixie’s power knows no limits for she-” Trixie felt something familiar, very, very familiar. A precision targeted hoof strike collided with her talking device. The mouth took a full critical strike. The head unit was on a direct crash course to the ground: she was down. Danger  “Just shut up already!” Berry bit showmare by the back of her neck and yanked her up. “Sorry, I can put up with bragging, but I can’t  deal with the freaking third person shit!” the ground cracked under force of her stomping hoof. Snaps and ripples spread like an infection through the rock beneath their hooves.  “I’d start flying if I were you. I’m hearing something rumbly and it’s not my belly,” Derpy shivered in flight above the other ponies. The earth bound ponies looked down to see the rocks separating and shifting. The mountain groaned and grumbled as rocks fell from the ceiling. Minuette tapped at the cracks, “It’s just some rumbling Derps, don’t worry about i-, huh?” The cracks beneath her grumbled as they widened into notable crevices.“Uh-oh.” The rock snapped apart, dropping Minuette into dark, hole, her screams reverberated around the cavern walls.  “Minu- whoa!”  Berry fell to her haunches as the ground turned into a crumbling slope. The floor crumbled outwards from a the hole like a burning piece of parchment. Their screams bounced off each other as the plummet down into a seemingly endless abyss. Sploosh!  Cheerilee pushed her head above the murky water. She gagged on the thick fluid in her throat. “ Is everypony else okay? Hello?” four other heads emerged from the water “Okay, Berry, Ruby, Minuette, Trixie.... where’s Derpy and Braeburn?!”  “Ya’ll don’t worry we’re up here!” Braebern waved his hat to the others. Derpy had him wrapped tight in her forelegs. “You can bring us down now Derpy.” Derpy and Braeburn landed perfectly dry and unharmed while the rest climbed out the pool of still cave water.  “Sorry I could only grab one of you.” Derpy said as she fiddled with Trixie’s wet mane. “It’s so shiny when it’s wet... hey, uh you hear that?” Everypony’s ear twitched just a bit. Chirps echoed through the holes scattered about the walls. The chirps evolved into  screeches and frantic flapping.  Ruby shook out the water trapped her ears. “Are those bats?” Their attention went to the holes that dotted the cave.  Red gelatinous bubbles spouted from the openings. They wiggled and twitched with the screeches. The slime bubbles popped out of the holes with squishy sounding schlop. The goo-like bat wings protruded from the balls of slime, and each had a pair of shiny yellow eyes. The party huddle together backside to backside. “What are these things?” Battle (Fenrir) Braeburn drew his gun “These varmints.... are jelly bats.” The cave flashed with the blaring light of battle. Braubern, Trixie, Berry, and Derpy stood together, weapons drawn. At least a two dozen jelly bats surrounded them. They dove at the party headfirst. The bats swished past and around them as the ponies dodged about   “What the hell! Aren't we supposed to be taking turns or something?!” Berry blindly whipped her gourd at the swarm. The the gourd cut through the air like a sword; the bat squealed as it spattered against the force of the clay weapon. “Braeburn what the hell is going on?!”  Bang! Red Jelly splattered against the cave walls, “I don’t know just kill the darn things.” Braeburn cocked his trusty shot gun. “I hope really hope this works.” The stallion raised his gun towards the sky, beams of radiant energy spiraled into the metal barrel. “Spiral shot!” Braeburn redirected his aim towards the the swarm of jelly bats. Three shells of light burst from the gun; they twisted around each other and tore through a cluster of the flapping menaces.  Derpy weaved and dodged through the foes with her spear ready in her mouth. Her blade sliced through the gelatinous bodies like her wings cut through the air. On the ground, Trixie charged her spells as Berry covered her with wild swings. Flaring fire balls erupted from Trixie’s horn. The spells burst on impact with the bats causing them to scatter and screech. The bat’s numbers were reduced to just a remaining five, non-threatening monsters. The last of the swarm huddled together above the earth bound ponies. “I’ve got them!” Derpy gripped her spear between her fore hooves. Her eyes rolled sarcastically till they both acquired their target. She spread her wings wide as she channeled her energy into the next attack. The spear became alight in a transient blue aura. “Gungir!” Derpy shot her spear at the bats with full force. The jelly bats made their final screech as the spear ripped through their clustered mass. “Woo Hoo! I did it!” Derpy leveled up “Am I doing it right?” Braeburn leveled up “Ride on!” Trixie leveled up “Still Great, Still Powerful” Berry Punch leveled up “Why don’t I get any powers?”  Berry licked a bit of the jelly off the ground “This stuff is pretty good. I guess the fight was sorta worth it.” The goo that now coated the cave walls began to squirm. “Eww, what hell is it doing?” Derpy yanked Berry away from the pulsating, jelly puddle. Slime from the walls launched into the mass on the ground. It warped and contorted within itself. The blob rose high above the ponies. Two beady yellow eyes popped out of the ooze and tentacles extended from it’s sides. “... you know what, I take it back. Not worth it.”