//------------------------------// // Chapter 18 // Story: Lesser Light: My Time in the Limelight // by soothsayer //------------------------------// "How are you doing that!" yelled Sweetie Belle from below. Stopping in her tracks Narci looked down at her own hooves. She could feel her magic pulsating into the rock face at rapid but even intervals. Hanging to a wall like a spider above a chasm would scare a non-bat pony to death but in Narci's case it was a thrill. Letting out a squee Narci spun around and started to rack across the wall. Watching in wonder Sweetie just smiled. But it wasn't completely the smile one would wear seeing one of their friends doing something awesome it was the smile a survivor gets when they spot help. "Hey!" yelled Sweetie trying to get the frolicking fillies attention. If Narci had heard her she wasn't acting like it as the bat filly continued her joyful spider run. "HEY BAT BRAIN!" yelled Sweetie again this time a little of her power leaking out causing it to sound like it was coming out of loud speaker. The outburst caused a radio blackout and Narci had to stop in her tracks as she realized she was momentarily blind. Gradually the sound died down and she looked down at Sweetie, "Did you just call me a bat brain?" she growled, as her earlier insecurities started to bloom into anger. "Yes, I did call you a bat brain," affirmed Sweetie, "Because if had been using your brain we would already be out to this cave." Narci wanted to be mad but Sweetie logic was irrefutable; but there was one catch, this was her first time that this particular ability had never manifested itself before. She trotted back down to Sweetie. With each step she was hit with waves of nervousness. They still hadn't dealt with issue of what they were to each other. Before Narci could even start to explain herself Sweetie spoke up, "Look Narci, I don't know what kind of issues you are hiding from me. I'm your friend and nothing is going to change that. You don't have to try so hard. But, before we start to try to get to the bottom of it. We need to get out of here." Narci did the only thing she could, she nodded in agreement. Consolidating the more useful items into one saddle bag Sweetie strapped on Sliver's bag and left hers to rot. "I have other saddle bags," she thought, "Although Silver more than likely has a few more too but, I would never hear the end of it if I left hers down here. And besides I can't expect Narci to carry one with that hurt wing." Handing Narci the end of the rope she watched as the bat filly climb the wall. After reaching the top Narci started to pull her friend up, "Holy Celesita! You are heavy," she said as she struggled to pull the unicorn up. "Are you calling me fat!" "No! Just heavy." After resting from the climb they started down the diagonal passage. The closer they got back to the main room the fresher the air became. And before they knew it the were climbing the shaft on their way out. As they made their way to the top they began to hear the distinct sound of arguing. "I'm sorry Princess but I'm going to have to insist that you stay up here," said a bass voice. "I appreciate your concern Captain Shadowsteel but I'm the superior here!" replied another voice dripping with irritation. "Twilight, Darling! Would you shut the buck up and let me go down to rescue my sister. I'm sure she is more terrified right now; than when Rainbow Dash told her the story of the Slenderpony!" added another. Another pony started laughing, "Gosh Rare! I didn't know a lady like you could use such dirty language and I'm sorry I didn't know that your sister was such a pansy," the laughing voice said with emphasis on the word Lady. "Shut It, Rainbow Dash! If it were Scootaloo down in that hole you would resort to such vulgarities too,if it helped coax Twilight to order her guard to stand down and let you go down and rescue the chicken "I don't have to have a reason to say Buck, I just say it. And if you call Scootaloo a chicken again I'll buck you so hard that the only clothes you will be designing for a while will be hospital gowns." "Ah'm glad to see you acting so mature, Rainbow." came yet another voice, this one sounding very much like an older version of Apple Bloom. "I can't believe all of you! Two fillies are down in dark cave, more than likely scared to death and all you can do is argue," said Cheerilee angrily, "And you! What kind of royal guard are you, huh? If you were any kind of guard, no if you were any kind of stallion you would have been the first one down in that cave instead of arguing with Twilight." Meanwhile Narci was trying her best not to bust out laughing. "I'm so grounded" wined Sweetie from below. "Was it worth it?" asked Narci. "I got my cutie mark, hay yeah it was worth it." replied Sweetie boldly before she nudged Narci to keep climbing. Narci was just inches from the opening when she crashed headlong into another ponies head. "Ow!" the both said in unison. The force knocking Narci back into Sweetie's face. It was then that the two fillies found out having your face or plot come in contact with somepony else's was the ultimate form of embarrassment. The Stallion fell back to his haunches and was rubing his now sore head. When he looked down he spotted a silver manned filly doing the same thing. Slowly the filly looked up to see what she had bumped into and then she gasped, "I'm....I'm not a lone!"