//------------------------------// // Shaft Hanger // Story: Appledashery // by Just Essay //------------------------------// “Hold it.” Trixie held a hoof out. “This is the drop.” “Drop?” Rainbow Dash asked, peering into the light from Trixie's horn. “What drop?” “Ooooh!” Pinkie slid forward. “You mean like Gum Drops? Or vanilla lemon drops?” “Pinkie!” Rainbow grabbed the mare before she could plunge into a dark hole. “Will you watch it?!” “I left the bouncing ball back in Ponyville!” The mare stuck her tongue out. “Besides, we're not singing anything yet! Heeheehee!” “I miss your priceless attitude, Pinkie,” Maud droned. “Yes, a veritable antique.” Daring strolled up. “So what do we have here, eh, Star-Spangled-Unicorn?” She slapped the rock floor in front of her. “Explain! Chop chop!” “Down there...” Trixie pointed. “...in that insufferably deep hole, is the rock that you are looking for.” “You sure about that?” Rainbow asked. “Who are you to doubt the Great and Powerful Trixie?!” Rainbow snarled. “Who are you to lose your Great and Powerful Teeth?!” “Now now, girls!” Pinkie squeezed right between them. “Let's not lose calcium over this! After all, the Tooth Shall Set You Free! Heeheehee!” “I think I need stitches,” Maud murmured. “Really?” Daring smirked. “Ever read my guidebook: 'The Daring Do First Aid Manual 101?'” She winked at Rainbow. “Wrote that on the side. Made enough money to buy a summer home in Fillyda.” “Look, will everypony just put a sock in it?!” Rainbow Dash spread her forelimbs out. After a deep breath, she turned to Trixie. “Trixie...” “That's the 'Great and Power—'” “Whatever.” Rainbow frowned. “Look... just how far down is this shard, anyway?” “That's for you to find out! Not Trixie!” “Huh?” The unicorn upturned her nose. “Trixie's horn has dug its way far enough into darkness and danger! Now the pegasus gets to use her wings the rest of the way!” Holding her breath, Trixie zapped a nearby rock, blasting it into a soft mound of powdery gravel. “Mmmm...” She turned around three times and laid down. “Trixie will wait for you to insure that the shard's collected and her house can be rebuilt.” “I... don't think that flying straight down a dark shaft is a very smart idea.” Rainbow gulped. “Besides, what lies above the surface of Dredgemane sucks enough as it is. I don't think I'd be too warm to discover what's beneath.” “Ha!” Daring grinned as she stepped up to the shaft, spreading her wings. “I knew you'd chicken out eventually!” “H-huh?!” “Just sit right here, Champ!” Daring prepared to plunge. “I'll be in and out before you can say 'conception!' Ha!” “H-hold on there!” Rainbow bit onto her tail-hairs and yanked her back. Her eyes bulged, and she spat out several gray threads, grimacing. “Yeesh... I dunno how AJ does it.” “Huh?!” Daring frowned. “Look, if you want a piece of the spotlight, now's not a good time to squabble for it, kiddo!” “It's not about the dang spotlight!” Rainbow hissed. “Don't you realize how stupid and boneheaded it is to dive down there alone?!” “I dunno...” Daring smirked. “You look like you've passed Bonehead 101.” “Th-that's not the point!” “Hey! It was a compliment!” Daring winked. “Though I bet you've waited a long time to play the role of 'scaredy pants.' Not that I can blame you when you're in my presence. I am all about Danger, after all.” “For crying out loud...” “You? You strike me as Queen Cow-Tipper of Mediocrity!” “Can we just think this through?!” Rainbow Dash snarled. “Believe it or not, I don't want to get any of you gals hurt! If we split up now, who knows what could happen?!” “Oooh!” Pinkie raised her forelimb. “I know! Pick me! Me me me me!” “What is it now, pink one?” Trixie groaned. The mare beamed. “Could we be ripped to shreds by the angry griffon armed with slicey-sharp swords?!” “Uhhhhh...” Rainbow blinked. “What griffon?” Pinkie turned and pointed down the way in which they came. “That griffon! The one that's been following us for the last fifteen minutes!” Swisssssssh! Romulus sped down the mine, his blades glinting in the glow of lanterns being carried by henchstallions galloping behind him, all armed with metal clubs. “It's over, Firefly! End of the line!” He jeered. “We're going to paint the walls of this place with your insides!” “Gaaaah!” Rainbow Dash yelped. “How in the heck did they find me?!” “Bread crumbs,” Maud said. “Huh?!” Maud pointed at tiny morsels littering the cave floor. “My sister's recipe. Pinkie Pie likes to bake muffins... almost as much as she likes to eat them.” Daring and Rainbow blinked at each other, then glared at Pinkie. “Mrmmmfff... what?” Pinkie gulped some blueberry dough down and blushed. “They're to die for!” She wiped her crumbly cheek. “Literally...”