//------------------------------//
// Things That Go Bump In The Dungeon 
// Story: Equestrian Earth: The Changeling War 
// by Draconis187 
//------------------------------//

Equestrian Earth: The Changeling War
Things That Go Bump In The Dungeon 
Author: Draconis187 

Best read in Dark Mode. Several bright text colours are used.


The term ‘dungeon' in a role-playing game has two definitions but both are interconnected. Definition one calls a dungeon a dark, dingy network of brick-lined tunnels with the odd, wrought-iron cell bars, skeletons belonging to the ones who have ‘perished' before the current hero - or in this case heroes - arrived. Old sconces, torches or some other light source being their only illumination save for the one game-savvy player who brought their own or possessed a spell to negate the need for said item. 

Definition two states a dungeon as a self-contained area within the game with enemies and a single main goal. Treasure chests to be found and a single big ‘baddie' at the end to justify the hours or minutes spent running around and nearly seeing your character bite the dust multiple times. The scenery could be a jungle, an oasis or even definition one. Another term for this definition is called a ‘sandbox.' 

The dungeon the party found themselves traversing mainly fell into definition one. Some of the walls either had or were giving away, the roots of some unknown plant forcing them apart and creating a small pile of fallen brickwork to pile up on the floor below while the cause of the rest of the rubble was from some unknown elements or something else strong enough to break through the thick walls.

Seeker could smell the decay coming from a nearby corpse that had been run through by a lance and impaled against the wall. The group's hooves trotted across the passageway, their weapons making contact with their moving bodies, giving off soft clinking sounds. The crackling fires of the burning torches were the only other sounds Seeker could make out and it sent shivers down his spine. 

Illusion looked as if she had been in dungeons all her life as she ignored the very things that put him on edge. Joystick merrily hummed a small tune as he took point with Illusion not far behind. Mixer, Solace and Seeker made up the rear of the formation with Mixer just ahead.

And to make matters worse for Seeker's nerves, the torches burned something that made the resulting flames turn purple instead of the usual orange/red colour. It still behaved like regular fire though but Seeker just couldn't ease up at the colour, no matter how many torches the party passed. 

The general ambience of the dungeon was foreboding, and gave a sense as if something could jump out at them at any moment. They had no map of Dagger's Keep which meant they had to play it by ear. Luckily if their characters expired, they would reappear just inside the entrance they used but it meant they would have to run back to rejoin the party. 

Seeker's ears perked up, his body tensing as a small snap echoed through the passageway. "What was that?" 

Solace looked at him and then chuckled softly as his eyes set down at the Changeling's hoof, "Look down." 

The Changeling Engineer did so and yelped, jumping to the side as he found the source was a snapped bone from some unidentifiable skeleton. Joystick and Solace chuckled at the Changeling's rather nervous behaviour. Illusion shook her head, as if slightly disappointed in her own kind while Mixer rolled his eyes. 

The passageway finally opened up into a massive hemisphere-shaped chamber with several old, worn pillars with many of them already crumbling. It had a very gothic-styled chandelier hanging in the room's centre, acting as the only source of ambient light. Charcoal-black braziers were scattered around the room, laying in various positions as if they had been knocked over by something. They were of a similar style to the chandelier, metal spikes sticking out in all directions which would make any interior decorator question their practicality. 

"Scary looking main hall, check," Illusion remarked in a sarcastic, if not slightly disappointed, tone. 

"And empty too," Mixer added, looking around. "I thought there'd be more monsters or something. What a wasted effort this was after all the hype you get about these places. Not so special by the looks of things." 

"Must be waiting in the shadows, cliché much?" Illusion added flatly as she surveyed the room, keeping her eyes sharp for any signs of trouble. "Regardless, we should remain on guard for anything suspicious. There is no telling what may be waiting to pounce on us." 

As the group made its way to the centre of the chamber, the lights around them went out simultaneously, blown out by an unknown source. Seeker gave a small yelp in shock while the more seasoned players got ready to defend themselves. 

There was no sound in the dark for several moments, save for the party's own breathing. Solace kept his Bow Gun raised, the stock pressing against his shoulder, ready to unleash one of his abilities at the first opening he got. 

Illusion stood on her hind hooves with her swords in her forehooves while her ears flicked in nearly every direction she could make them turn, trying to make out the faintest sound. She was listening for the slightest sound, her stony gaze scanning the dark room for any movement belonging to neither of the ponies she decided to join on the adventure. 

Seeker was shaking just a bit as he had his Bow Gun out, feverishly looking at his surroundings for movement. His trigger hoof was twitchy out of sheer panic as he kept trying to calm himself down. 

‘It's just a game, it's just a game,' He chanted in his mind but it had little effect as his heart felt like it was going to leap out of his carapace and do the Macarena for all to see and laugh at. 

Mixer had his staff in his forehooves and took slow, deep breaths as he waited for the anything hostile to unleash his magic on. Joystick was smiling, his heart racing but instead of fear, it was out of sheer excitement and anticipation. Adrenaline was rushing through him, his sword out of its scabbard and his shield in his other hoof. 

The silence was interrupted by a multitude of scraping claws on the stonework that was out of the group's view, they moved quite rapidly across the hard surfaces, almost gliding along it as the multiple sources got steadily closer. The torches erupted in blue flame, illuminating the chamber once again and allowing the party to gaze upon their hosts. 

But nothing was there. The chamber was as empty as when they entered, save for the blue flame that now burned all around. Seeker's eyes widened as a realisation hit him: there were no torches on the walls when they walked in, just the chandelier which was no longer hanging above them. The knocked over braziers were also missing from the room's décor. 

"Something's not right," Seeker muttered, just loud enough for the group to hear him. "The torches… they weren't here before. The chandelier and braziers are gone too…" The rest of the party looked up and saw that the chandelier had indeed disappeared. 

Solace let out a low whistle, "Damn… some special effects they got in these dungeons, am I right?"

Joystick nodded, smiling, "Now I see why the Crystal Dungeons and their keys are so rare. They bring the creepy." 

The room gave a very low rumble, the dust above them shaking loose and falling all around them. The rumbling and shaking was not strong enough to cause even Seeker to lose his hoofing and fall. Two sections of the wall receded and slid down into the ground, revealing two passageways on opposite sides of the chamber wich led to Celestia knows where. 

Mixer was the first to pipe up about the change and felt it prudent to point out the obvious to everypony, "It appears we have two different passages with no clear way of knowing where they will lead us to." 

Seeker looked at Joystick, shaking his head as his unicorn friend began to smile wider and wider to the point it made the Paladin look unsettling, ‘Please don't say spli-' 

"Split up!" Joystick cried out happily.

‘Super facehoof authorised. Engage,' Seeker thought as he facehoofed with quite a bit of force that would have given him a black eye in reality but the game settled for taking a tiny amount of his health instead.

Illusion just looked at the white Paladin as if he just said the stupidest thing known to Changeling kind, "And why, pray tell, in Tartarus would we even consider that option when we are in a dungeon meant to promote teamwork?" 

"Aw, come on. We'll cover more ground that way and if we find ourselves in a fight that is too tough for us we can simply make a strategic retreat back to this chamber and go down the other passageway," Joystick responded. 

Illusion simply rolled her eyes, "Fine." 

"Awesome! Seeker, take Illusion with you down that passage to the right of the room while Mixer, Solace and I take the left passageway. Sound good?" Joystick said, looking at his friend with his unwavering smile. 

"Alright but if I find whatever made those sounds, I'm hightailing it back here," Seeker responded. "Something about it just… I don't know. It just unnerved me." 

"That's just the game doing what it does best. Making you squirm," Joystick responded. 

"You get used to it, Seeker. We were all noobs once," Solace reassured. 

"I guess," Seeker said as he rubbed the back of his head with a forehoof. 

"Seeker. Move!" Illusion called out, making him jump a little bit as her voice reverberated across the chamber as she stood at the entryway of the right passageway. 

"C-coming!" Seeker half-shouted before putting his Bow Gun away and running across the chamber towards Illusion. Joystick and Solace gave the pair of Changelings a wave before walking towards the left passageway. 

Mixer looked at Illusion and nodded his head at her, "Be careful and choose your fights carefully. If you do that, you will do fine." 

Illusion nodded curtly before walking into the passageway with Seeker, carrying his Bow Gun in his magic so that he did not have to unfold it when, not if, they got into trouble. 

The passageway the two went into was hewn from the same stone as the chamber they had left. Seeker's ears perked up as he heard something new, something he never thought he would be hearing down in the dungeons: humming. Cheerful humming permeated the air, making the small hairs on the back of Seeker's neck stand on end. Seeker nearly jumped into the nearby wall when the source looked at him and stopped humming. 

"Seeker, calm down. This is just a game. It can't truly harm you," Illusion said, her tone so friendly it was like he was talking to an entirely different Changeling. 

"I-Illusion?" Seeker spoke in a half-whisper, completely in disbelief. 

Illusion rolled her eyes, "Yes, me. What of it? My name antagonise you in some manner?" 

"Why… why are you humming? I never pegged you for the… cheerful type," Seeker said, speaking slowly and trying to pick his words as carefully as possible. 

"Because I gave those clouts a different Changeling," Illusion said with a small smile as the pair turned a corner, continuing to follow the passageway, ignoring the soft dripping of water nearby. "Do you honestly believe I would let them know my true nature?" 

"No… I guess not," Seeker responded thoughtfully, "I admit you had me fooled too. I thought you were such an unfeeling hardass of a female." 

Illusion shook her head, "That was the point. If you weren't convinced, the rest would have noticed. Especially Mixer. He does not seem to be an easy unicorn to fool but hopefully he can be dissuaded from trying to expose me." 

"He does give that impression," Seeker said as the pair stopped walking entirely, "But he is a good pony, trust me." 

"You I trust. The others I do not," Illusion responded, giving Seeker a serious look, "I trust my own kind and nopony else." 

"Well, you can trust Joystick. He's a good friend of mine," Seeker said with a small smile, "He even knows what I am. What I really am." 

Seeker's vision became a small blur as he found himself flying through the air, colliding with the nearby wall, making him utter a small shout of pain. Illusion's blades were pressed against his neck. The Changeling gave him the look of pure venom, as if ready to slice his head straight off. 

"Are you out of your mind?!" Illusion shouted in fury. "You have any idea what that could mean for your hive?!" 

Seeker took a few moments to get his bearings before he responded, "I left my hive ages ago. And besides, I wouldn't rat out their location or any other sensitive information. Then again I wasn't privy to information like that anyway so it wouldn't have mattered."

Illusion's eyes widened a little and she let him down, sheathing her blades, "You… you left your hive? Why?" 

"I just… wanted to see the world without having to constantly tread on eggshells," Seeker responded, rubbing his neck a little, "I go into a city or town, stay for a bit, make friends and then complete my assignment. After that I have to go. I got tired of it. I wanted somewhere to live permanently and live out the rest of my life. Even if it meant I had to remain in disguise every time I went out." 

Illusion just listened and nodded her head, "In the hive we are all expected to do our part to keep our kin alive, even if it meant our deaths or the deaths of the ponies too. I do understand your reasons for leaving even if I do not agree with it." 

"Thank you," Seeker said with a very small smile on his face. "What about you? Are you still with your hive or on your own like me?" 

Illusion smirked and started walking again, "Now now, Seeker. I can't tell you everything about me. Where would the mystery be if I didn't leave you guessing?" 

"But-" Seeker started to say as he followed Illusion, only to be cut off by the tip of one of Illusion's blades as it pointed at his horn. 

"End of discussion," Illusion replied coolly, "Maybe one day I'll tell you everything about me. Maybe." 

Seeker gave a sigh, nodding his head as he conceded the discussion, "Alright." 

Illusion sheathed her blade, giving the Engineer a small smile, "Good bug. Now come on, race you to the end of this tunnel." 

Illusion did not wait for a response as she instantly charged off at full gallop, looking back at Seeker if only to either coax or tease him into following her. 

Seeker was slightly taken aback by Illusion's running but began to give chase, his Bow Gun levitating beside him as the pair's hoofsteps echoed through the passageway. 

The Changelings managed to sprint the entire length of the passage without too much difficulty, they only had to stop to refill their stamina bars once before making the last push to the end. 

What awaited them at the end was another large room, in the same design as the original room that somehow had been replaced by the one with the blue torches. A large chandelier hung from the ceiling, glowing softly from the fires that burnt from its many candles. The braziers were stood upright and burned as well with the same blue fire. 

"Uh… isn't this the room that we were all in just now?" Seeker asked, looking around to try and find any differences to contradict his assumption. 

Illusions looked around as well, walking off to the far side of the room, where another passageway stood. Everything around them was identical to the room they had left, making the Changelings rack their brains. 

Illusion turned around to look at Seeker, "It certainly seems like-" Illusion stopped speaking as an ear-splitting shriek pierced the relative silence, making her and Seeker cover their ears with their hooves. 

The shriek even made Seeker drop his Bow Gun, the clattering sound drowned out by the unnatural wail that reverberated around the room, the noise enough to deafen anypony with moderately sensitive hearing. 

The shriek was joined by several others, the source coming from the shadows around them. Both Changelings were laid on the floor, pressing their hooves harder against their ears to try stop the sound from destroying their hearing. 

After three gruelling seconds of ear-splitting anguish, the sound stopped. Seeker let out a long breath of air as he got to his hooves but his ears rang for another five seconds, an after effect of the torture he and Illusion had just endured. 

Before the Changelings could collect their bearings and figure out what just happened, the earlier skittering noises they heard heard in the first chamber came back in full force as four large creatures quickly stepped out of the shadows, finally revealing the source of the noises and shrieks. 

Their thin, sleek, long bodies were covered in stone-grey scales with a very matte sheen. Three stood on all fours while one was standing tall on its hind legs, towering over the Changelings. Their snouts tapered to a fine point; all of them showing their small, pale yellow, needle-like teeth. 

Seeker could make out they possessed three rows of said teeth as they observed the group in silence. Their front claws were rather thin with six inch long, jet-black talons. Their eyes had milky white sclera with light green pupils that stared at the Changelings without a single blink. 

They each possessed a single tail, tapering to an arrowhead point at the end. But their most distinguishing feature was the fire that ran from the top of their heads to halfway down their tails. 

A purple flame, identical to what burnt inside one of the previous rooms, burned fiercely on their bodies but they seemed to be unaffected by it no matter how hot it seemed to burn. Hovering above them were the words Pyrelurker lv9. 

Illusion pulled out her blades and looked at Seeker, "Come on then, help me take these out!" 

Without waiting for an answer, Illusion charged the closest Pyrelurker with great speed as she activated her Terminal Velocity ability. Her blades clanged as the metal collided with her target's claws as it intercepted her attack. 

She quickly realised that while their bodies looked like they were covered in scales, they were actually animated figures composed of stone. They were fighting statues with an attitude problem.

"Seeker!" Illusion shouted as she began to wrestle her blades from the Pyrelurker's claws. The response she received was a loud bang so loud the dust from the ceiling above was shaken which was followed by an even louder explosion, knocking her and the attacking Pyrelurker apart as well as sending the remaining three back a ways. 

The barrel of Seeker's Bow Gun was smoking from having used High Impact Shot. The round had collided with a nearby Pyrelurker and created the resulting explosion. Illusion had been flung backwards, her blades not only severed from the Pyrelurker's grip but her own as well. 

"Seeker you idiot!" Illusion reprimanded as she quickly got to her hooves, picking up her swords, "Next time warn me if you feel like charring my carapace!" 

Seeker's ears pinned back slightly as he adjusted his grip on the Bow Gun, "S-sorry Illusion. I couldn't think of any other ability that would help." 

Illusion rolled her eyes, "Whatever, you're forgiven because you're kin. This time. Next I'll be sure to return the favour. Let's get out of here, I don't like our odds." 

"Don't have to tell me twice!" Seeker replied as he turned around to run back through the way they came but found himself pulled backwards, making him yelp in surprise. 

Illusion had activated her Terminal Velocity ability and charged for the door on the north side of the chamber, the four Pyrelurkers in hot pursuit. Purple flames flew past them as they used their Will o' Wisp ability. One grazed Seeker's side, taking a sizable chunk of his health with it.

"By the hive, why did it take that much?!" Seeker half-shrieked as he ran beside Illusion. 

"It's because in these dungeons, enemies are stronger and more durable," Illusion replied matter-of-factly, "It pains me to admit but we can not engage them without the other three. Or any other foes for that matter." 

"Then why did you agree to split up then?" Seeker responded as they passed the threshold of the northern passage. 

Behind them, the Pyrelurkers shrieked, stopping just behind the threshold, showing their teeth and sharp talons. The Changelings looked back and sat down as their attackers refused to pursue them any further. 

"I thought it would have been a good idea to just be with another Changeling," Illusion said as she moved a lock of her mane behind her head, "Assignments get a little lonely when you're alone." 

Seeker's eyes widened a little bit, "You're on an assignment? You're an infiltrator like I was?" 

Illusion sighed and nodded, "Yes, dimwit. I come here to relieve some stress from out there and maybe have a little fun on the side. Finding out there was another real Changeling here was a bonus." 

"Right…" Seeker replied, sighing softly. 

"What? Expecting me to be a runaway like yourself?" Illusion said with a snide smile, "Sorry to disappoint you." 

"Yeah, you're right. Should have known better," Seeker replied with a somewhat sad tone to his voice. 

"Luckily these creatures are territorial," She said, looking back as the Pyrelurkers abandoned them, "Never seen them before. They must have come from the expansion." 

"I haven't played this all that long so I guess you're right. Unless they're exclusive to these dungeons," Seeker replied. 

Illusion shook her head, "No, they're not exclusive. I've read the leaks, the previews, everything about these dungeons and they have never popped up. This would have a unique boss but the possibility of unique enemies is not so high." 

"Alright. So what's the plan?" Seeker asked. 

"Well, we have two options. Option one is us running back through there and rejoining the rest of the party. The other is going through here to see where leads," Illusion responded as she began to stand up. 

Seeker got up as well, nodding his head, "Alright. I'm guessing we're springing for option two then?" 

Illusion smirked, "Can't let those ponies hog all the glory." 


<----> ---- ---- <---->
 

Joystick took point as usual with Mixer and Solace walking not too far behind him. Their armoured hooves echoed slightly through the passageway as they looked around themselves. 

"So why let them go together?" Mixer asked, looking directly at Joystick. 

"Oh don't you see the potential for romance?" Joystick replied wistfully, smiling as if knowing more than he was letting on. 

"Romance? In a game where you may not truly know who your companions true identities are?" Mixer questioned. 

"Well, they do seem to have some form of connection," Solace said with a grin, "Don't tell me you at least saw how Illusion didn't give Seeker such an icy reception when we met for those matches against Fate's Fortune." 

"And what was the purpose of that little cryptic message?" Mixer asked as they passed the threshold of the passageway, entering a new section of the dungeon. "It was a code, Solace. I'm pretty sure it was Changeling code." 

"How can you be so sure it was Changeling code? Are you a Changeling? Do you listen out for Changeling codes in your spare time when you're not here like some old warhorse who thinks the government is out to get us all and rewrites our memories should we learn too much?" Joystick replied, looking at Mixer with a serious tone in his voice. 

"Well, the-" 

"For all we know, it could have been a code they made as foals who got separated years ago and this game helped them reconnect," Joystick interrupted, "Think of it as social networking for gamers." 

"…I see your point, Joystick," Mixer replied, a little surprised that the young, carefree stallion just interrupted him. 

"Try not to think too much about it, Mixer. Seriously, enjoy the game and the company of your friends," Solace said, still smiling. 

Mixer rolled his eyes, "Alright alright. Fine I'll stop trying to analyse it." 

Joystick nodded and smiled wide, his demeanour changing back to his usual happy attitude. Their ears perked a little as they felt something was very different in the area they had entered, pulling them away from their discussion and making them take notice at the task at hoof. 

The ground was soft, unlike the stone they had been walking on. The sound of running water pierced their ears, coming from a small underground river just ahead of them, pooling into a spring and ending there. Soft, green grass laid underhoof, the source of the soft feeling on their hooves. 

Various species of trees, some not native to the real world stood proudly around them. The canopies towered over the trio with a rocky ceiling beyond the trees' foliage. 

"Huh… hidden grove? Anypony feel like they just got sucked into somepony's secret, forbidden lovestory?" Joystick murmured, looking around. 

"Looks like, Joystick. Who would have thought there would be something like this in this dungeon?" Solace replied. "This is not your standard dungeon that's for sure." 

"Be on your guard. Areas like these tend to be fraught with enemies. It's perfect for an ambush," Mixer said, his staff out and at the ready. 

"Leave it to you to-ah?!" Solace replied but an ear-splitting shriek pierced the room, stopping him from finishing his sentence. He attempted to ask anypony able to hear him if they knew what was going on but the shriek was too loud, drowning him out. 

"Told you!" Mixer shouted, his ears pressed against his head to try block out the shrieking.

"What, by Celestia's massive flank, is making this racket?!" Joystick shouted as he copied Mixer by covering his ears with his forehooves. 

Two Pyrelurkers came out of the shadows amongst the treetops, the purple fires on their backs crackling and dancing about but it did not burn any of the trees they jumped down from or leave any mark. Their unnerving, unblinking eyes watched them in silence as if waiting for them to mate the first move. 

Mixer rubbed his chin a little in though, "A new creature? Or is it just here?" 

Joystick laughed and drew his sword and shield, "Who cares? It just means more fun for us because we don't know what it'll do! LEEEERROOOOY JEEEENKIIIINS!" 

Joystick charged the closest Pyrelurker as it charged towards him in an effort to counter him. It leapt towards the Paladin as it utilised its Overpower ability. The attack connected and Joystick cried out as he was slammed to the ground, experiencing some whiplash as a result. 

The first Pyrelurker began to claw at Joystick repeatedly, whittling down his health bit by bit as he was ferociously savaged by the animated, unholy animal statue. Mixer rolled to the side as a ball of purple flame flew past, almost immolating his tail. 

The second Pyrelurker opted to use its Will o' Wisp ability to try and burn him. Solace aimed his Bow Gun and fired at the first Pyrelurker that was attacking Joystick, chipping its stone hide but his efforts did not deter the lively sculpture from its attack. 

Joystick's health was getting lower with every blow but before it reached the halfway mark, the Pyrelurker headbutted him hard. The attack took out a larger portion of Joystick's health before the statue leapt off him and charged at Solace. As it got close it reared up onto its hindlegs and used Will o' Wisp. 

"Whoa!" Solace shouted as he jumped to the side, landing on his side as a ball of purple flame flew past him. "That was hotter than the hinges on the gates of Tartarus!" 

"I am sure their fire is greater due to the creatures' magical nature!" Mixer shouted as he used Crystal Storm on the second Pyrelurker. 

Red crystals rained down on the stone automaton, taking a small amount of its health with each hit and interrupting its casting of Will o' Wisp. 

Joystick grunted as he got up, drawing his weapon, "I'm fine thanks for asking…" 

"Kind of busy at the moment!" Solace said as he jumped back, avoiding the claws of the second Pyrelurker as it nearly grazed his muzzle. 

"I see that. I'm coming!" Joystick shouted as he activated Divinity's Light to heal a large portion of the damage he had sustained from the Pyrelurker. 

He leapt at the Pyrelurker that was attacking Solace, using Shining Beacon to get its attention. His sword connected with the Pyrelurker's head, making a loud clang resonate through the grove and changing its focus to Joystick instead. It gave a shriek and swiped at Joystick only to be timely blocked by the Paladin's shield. 

Although he had his shield raised and held his ground, every swipe of the Pyrelurker's claws made Joystick move back bit by bit, losing a tiny portion of health each time as the damage was being lessened by both the shield andShining Beacon. 

This gave Solace some breathing room and he took aim, cocking the Bow Gun before pulling the trigger. The long range weapon fired, a small trail of smoke hissing from the barrel as soon as the round from the Normal Magazine took flight. The round slammed into the Pyrelurker's side, chipping it and making it cry out in response. 

"Ha! It can be hurt!" Solace exclaimed. 

"That's nice, now help me out here!" Mixer shouted as he slammed the pommel of his staff against the ground, using his Fortress ability to protect himself. 

The first Pyrelurker clawed at the wall of crystals, shattering them piece by piece as it savagely tore at it with its long nails. Fragments of topaz flew from every connecting strike as the Pyrelurker tirelessly assaulted Mixer's defensive wall. 

The statue was showing signs of wear and tear, pieces were chipped away and a part of its tail had been severed but it was undeterred, unaware or unconcerned at the state of its body. 

"I got your back, Mixer. Let's try something new!" Solace responded as he changed targets, aiming for the first Pyrelurker and used his new Ricochet ability. 

The heavy Bow Gun fired, the round smacking the first Pyrelurker in the lower jaw, taking a quarter of it off as the round rebounded off its stone hide with a short, high-pitched whining noise. The rebounding bullet changed targets, heading for the second Pyrelurker and then bounced off it, colliding with a poor Cyprus tree, becoming embedded in the bark. 

The first Pyrelurker wailed as Mixer's staff connected with its head as it had forced the Crystal Mage to melee. It stood there for a second as cracks quickly formed all over its body, its trademark flame seeping out of them. The Pyrelurker then crumbled quickly, becoming a heap of burning rubble on the ground. The flames continued to burn but did not set the grass ablaze. 

Mixer turned his attention to the second Pyrelurker and used Fortress to keep it away from Joystick. The Paladin used his Divinity's Light ability on himself to heal the damage he had been taking. Solace continued to fire at the Pyrelurker from a comfortable distance, chipping away at it. 

"We have an appointment to keep, let's wrap this up with a nice, little bow!" Solace shouted as he loaded a Hellfire Magazine and used Phoenix's Fire, sending a bird of pure hellfire flying out of the end of the barrel. 

The attack hit its mark and covered the Crystal Storm in flames. The attack seemed to do absolutely nothing as the statue did not even flinch. The flames began to shift colour from a healthy red/orange to an unholy purple. The three stallions looked in shock as the Pyrelurker's health was restored by an eighth.

"Oh, come on!" Joystick exclaimed, throwing his hooves up into the air. 

"Less complaining, more hitting!" Mixer shouted as he used Crystal Storm, raining sharp rubies down on the Pyrelurker. 

Joystick ran out from behind the topaz wall that Mixer had conjured up and leapt at the statue, swinging his sword hard. The blade connected with a resounding clang, the blade vibrating a little and making Joystick's hoof feel slightly numb. The Pyrelurker swiped at him, its claws connecting with Joystick's chest and sending him flying back a short distance. 

Solace turned his head and watched his friend hit the ground hard but get back to his hooves again, "Joystick, you alright?!" 

Joystick shook his head a little and readied himself as the Pyrelurker leapt at him, using Overpower.

"I think I'm starting to hate this dungeon!" Joystick exclaimed just before he was bowled over and pinned to the ground once more. 

The Pyrelurker began to claw at him once again, tearing through his health bar despite the fact that his Shining Beacon ability was still active. 

"If you can get this thing off me, it would be much appreciated!" Joystick shouted, grunting in pain as he was mauled with reckless abandon. 

Mixer closed the distance between the attacking Pyrelurker and himself, charging with his staff held high. Solace continued to pelt the burning statue with standard Normal rounds since his Phoenix's Fire had a cooldown of about ten seconds. 

Joystick continued to hold on as best he could, his health getting dangerously low. Just as the Pyrelurker was about to headbutt him, Mixer's staff found its mark: the side of the Pyrelurker's hard face. There was a sickening crack, as if the staff had broken but it had turned out to be the Pyrelurker, its body finally succumbing to the relentless attacks from the trio. It whined as it rolled off Joystick, its body cracking and falling apart until it joined its kin as a smouldering pile of burning rubble. 

Mixer gave Joystick his hoof, helping the appreciative, white Unicorn up. "Thanks…" 

Mixer nodded his head curtly, "It seems these dungeons are more dangerous than we could have expected." 

Solace hefted his Bow Gun over his shoulder and walked up to the two Unicorns, "I'll say. I had no clue it would have absorbed the fire and heal itself." 

"None of us expected that," Joystick replied with slight sarcasm in his tone as he began searching for a health potion in his inventory. 

Joystick found what he was looking for and drank the vial in one go, restoring most of his health and using Divinity's Light to heal the rest. 

"Think the Changelings got into this trouble too?" Solace asked as the trio made their way across the grove and towards the tunnel on the other end. 

Mixer shrugged his shoulders, "It is a distinct possibility and if we had this much trouble with two, chances are they are having an even worse time." 

Joystick shook his head with a small smile, "Nah, don't think so. If it's one thing I know about Seeker: he knows how to pick his fights." 


<----> ---- ---- <---->
 

The pair of Changelings found themselves entering a long hallway, tall pillars arranged in a long row along the length of the space, supporting the ceiling that hovered above their heads. Unlike the rest of the dungeon they had seen, this place was immaculately well-kempt, not one sign of rubble or wear on their surroundings. It even smelt strange, as if somepony had been living there and quite recently. 

Illusion walked up to one of the pillars, running her hoof along the rough surface as she tried to find any flaws but her keen eyesight couldn't find anything beyond the sporadic, tiny hairline fractures, "How strange… and this dungeon has been beyond your typical fare since we set hoof in here…" 

Seeker nodded his head, "Yeah… this place… it's too well maintained. I have a bad feeling about this…" 

Illusion turned and looked back at Seeker, "Trust your instincts. A Changeling is hardly ever wrong when sensing trouble. It's how we evolved." 

Seeker nodded his head and took out his Bow Gun to prepare for the worst, "Alright, I'll keep an eye out." 

Seeker's ears perked up as he and Illusion heard the sounds of heavy hoofsteps, coming from one of the other entrances to the hallway. The Changelings exchanged looks and hid behind the pillars, Illusion being the closest to the entrance with Seeker a distance away which put him in an excellent position to provide cover fire. 

The hoofsteps got louder with every passing second and as they did, so did Seeker's heart, beating louder within his chest as his hoof rested on the trigger. He looked down the barrel's ironsights, waiting for Illusion's signal to fire or for when his trigger-hoof twitched a bit too much. The hoofsteps were soon drowned out by voices, voices that both Changelings recognised. 

They eased up as they saw the familiar faces of Joystick, Mixer and Solace as they came into the hall in that specific order. They were busy sheathing their weapons when the stallions caught sight of the pair.

Joystick chuckled when he saw the Changelings looking ready to fight, "Jumpy much, you two?" 

Seeker smiled sheepishly as he walked up towards them, "S-sorry. Last encounter we had saw us hightailing it at high speed." 

Illusion gave them all her usual, stoic look, "The odds were not in our favour. Four Pyrelurkers to two." 

Solace looked at Illusion, "Four? That is quite nasty. We barely managed fighting against two of the blighters. They're fast, tough and pack quite the punch." 

Joystick's expression turned sombre, "I can attest to that. Nearly took me out." "But point is we got past them and now we're here," Mixer said, looking around. "We must be in some sort of antechamber close to the end of this dungeon." 

"Kind of short isn't it?" Solace remarked, "I thought a dungeon like this would be longer, filled with more traps and monsters. Where's the danger? The sense of adventure and accomplishment that is supposed to go with this place?"

Illusion shrugged, "It's not the length of the journey but the quality of the experience and the company you experience it with." 

Joystick looked at her with some surprise in his voice as he did not expect this type of comment from such an unfeeling pony, "Since when did you turn into a fortune cookie from the Rising Sun Restaurant?" 

"It's my opinion, don't have to like it you know," Illusion deadpanned. 

"I never said I didn't like it. I like fortune cookies. Crunchy, sweet and have a lovely little message in the middle provided you don't swallow the cookie in one go like first-timers usually do. Just saying that what you said was actually kind of deep," Joystick responded.

Illusion did not answer back as she resumed her careful inspection of the area, walking around meticulously taking in every small detail. The other four left her to it, walking to the only exit left to them since they came in from the other two which lay on the other side of the hallway. 

Illusion soon followed them, her curiosity sated for the moment but she was none wiser for it. "Ready." 

"You sure? I think there's a corner over there with some mould that you may have left out," Joystick replied, a mischievous grin on his face. 

"Yes," Illusion sharply answered, giving the white Paladin another of her unyielding, mysterious expressions. 

"Okay then. Let's go see what lies in wait for us at the end of door number one?" Joystick said as he regarded the entire group. 

"Time to kick flank and chew gum. And they don't sell gum in this game," Solace said with a grin. 

"They do sell tree sap though. Lots and lots of the sticky stuff," Joystick chimed in happily as he and Solace looked at each other. 

"Yeah, may as well. It's why we came here in the first place. That and to see if the key was authentic," Illusion said, nodding her head as the joke went well over her head. 

"Yeah, I'm about as ready as I'll ever be," Seeker responded, looking unsure of himself despite the confidence that everypony else seemed to possess. 

"Keep calm and shoot straight," Mixer said, looking at Seeker with his usual deadpan expression. "We'll make an adventurer out of you yet." 

Seeker inhaled deeply then exhaled, calming himself down to a manageable degree, "Alright. Ready." 

The group began their trek into the next room in a two-one-two formation: Joystick and Illusion in the front, walking side by side; Solace and Seeker at the rear with Mixer walking in-between the two pairs. 

The room they entered had no ambient lighting whatsoever, no torches, braziers, chandeliers or even bioluminescent plantlife to give them any indication as to their surroundings or their position therein. The unicorns and Changelings it their horns in various, colourful hues to help the party see in the dark room. 

The room was bathed in a myriad of colour, allowing them to see that it was a massive circular chamber with several stairs leading downwards to a pedestal in the centre. The ceiling above could not be seen as the light was not strong enough to reach that high. The sound of dripping water could be heard in the distance, soon revealed to be a small pony shaped font, the water coming out both of the eyes and into a wide, shallow basin below that was a part of the wall at the opposite end of the chamber. 

The group began to survey the chamber more closely by splitting up, Solace pairing with Mixer since the Pegasus did not have his own light source. Illusion placed a hoof on the stone wall she had walked up to and recoiled quickly in shock. Along the walls was a thin layer slime that made Illusion's carapace crawl.

"Disgusting…" She muttered under her breath, looking around, only to find it went past her range of vision, into the darkness above.

"Can somepony please light something so I can see as well? Really regretting not taking a tourch with me right now," Solace asked, uncomfortable with being the only one without a light. 

"We would if there was something to light up," Joystick replied as he looked around for said light source. 

"The pedestal may have something that could work as a light source. Should examine it," Mixer commented as he turned his attention to the silhouette of the aforementioned pedestal. 

"I'm on it," Joystick responded, "Seeker, come help out." 

Seeker nodded and buzzed over as Joystick walked down to the pedestal. It had a base seemingly made from sandstone about three feet thick, making the statue atop it slightly harder to reach for the none-flying adventurer. Atop the base was a large Alicorn statue sitting on its haunches with its head gazing downwards at a large serpent that was wrapped around it. 

The Alicorn was made of a brilliant-white, finely-polished marble while the serpent was made from a glistening, pitch-black obsidian that seemed to suck in the light around it. The serpent was wrapped around the Alicorn's left foreleg, chest, neck as well as its lower back. The snake's head faced upwards with its jaw wide open and its fangs poised to strike. 

Seeker landed on the base before offering Joystick a hoof to help him get up onto the sandstone with his friend. In the snake's gaping maw was a shallow bowl filled with an opaque liquid that seemed to suck the light from both Seeker and Joystick's horns. The liquid also had an unnatural sparkle and moved a little like the waves on a beach that made it all the more mysterious to the curious pair. 

Seeker looked to Joystick, "Maybe it's flammable?" 

Joystick shrugged as his horn lit up a bit brighter, "It's worth a shot." 

Joystick sent a spark from his horn to the liquid, trying to ignite it as if it were lantern oil. The liquid consumed the spark and, at first, refused to react at all. Joystick looked at Seeker and shook his head while Seeker shrugged. As they turned to get off, cutting their losses with it being a viable source of illumination, the liquid ignited in a pure black flame that began to consume the pedestal. 

The pair exchanged panicked looks as they leapt off the pedestal's base before it too was consumed by the unholy flames. The rest of the group watched as Joystick galloped up the stairs, meeting up with Mixer and Solace while Seeker landed next to Illusion who had pulled out her blades in anticipation for a fight. The rest of the group took out their weapons and waited at the fire grew till it licked at the ceiling, igniting the slime that clung to it and the walls surrounding them. In doing so it had also stopped the party from exiting as it also consumed the entrance they came through. 

"Well… looks like we're not going out that way," Joystick muttered with slight annoyance. 

The fire in the centre of the chamber had died some and had begun to lift into the air. The pedestal and statue were gone from sight as if the flames reduced it to absolutely nothing, not even ash. The flames fell straight back down to the ground with great force, kicking up a blast of wind that made everypony desperately grab a hold of something to avoid flying into the burning walls and making a loud, sickening crack as if it had broken the floor. 

Solace's jaw dropped slightly as he looked at what now stood at the centre of the chamber once the flames died out, "Ohhh… horseapples…" 

Standing twice as tall as any of them was a pony as black as the night sky. It had the body structure of a mare and it seemed to be smoking from head to hooves. It had a horn a metre long and sharp enough to pierce bone with ease. Its wings were wide open and Illusion noted it possessed a wingspan of nearly twelve feet. Its eyes were teal and glowed faintly as it surveyed the chamber, its catlike irises sending chills up the group's spines. 

Its mane and tail sparkled like the night sky, moving of its own volition like the Princesses' although it was not as long. It had an azure chestplate and helmet in a design that was quite familiar to those worn by Nightmare Moon herself save for the crescent moon on the chestplate. 

Its flanks bore no cutie mark which was odd for a pony, even one that looked like it was spat out of Tartarus itself. It began to walk, each step making a small, resonating boom as each azure armour-clad hoof made contact with the floor, leaving cracks in the stone and a hoof-shaped dent every time as if it weighed several tons. 

Seeker looked above it to see the words Lesser Nightmare lv9 hovering above it before slowly transitioned to a gold label. The Lesser Nightmare stopped for a moment before charging towards Joystick at a frightening pace. Mixer and Solace dodged to the left and right respectively to get out of its way. 

The Paladin activated his Shining Beacon ability as the Lesser Nightmare slammed into him with the force of a freight train as he was hit by its Crushing Charge ability. Joystick's body flew and collided with the burning wall, immolating him and causing a burn status effect, damaging him slightly with every passing second which made the stallion shout in fright as he tried to put himself out. 

"Joystick!" Seeker shouted with concern as his friend already looked quite weak from the one attack, struggling to get to his hooves. 

Joystick shook his head and tried to smile, "I'm okay… just a little whiplashed… ow… Keep your distance!" 

The Lesser Nightmare looked at Illusion as she flew at it and used her Terminal Velocity ability. The Lesser Nightmare used its Crushing Charge ability again, launching itself into the air with surprising speed and colliding with her.

The pair collided with the floor, Illusion coming off second best as the force left a small crater in the stone floor. It used its own magic to lift Illusion by her horn and tossed her aside, sending her shouting across the room as if she was the creature's ragdoll and it was a foal having a tantrum. 

Seeker's eyes widened and he flew up to catch her but the momentum saw them both flying backwards and landing against the floor, coming up a few inches shy of the burning walls. Seeker groaned a bit in pain as Illusion shakily climbed off him as her own body was sore, the heat from the flames not helping them in the slightest. 

"Keep your distance he said… easier said than done when all you use are swords!" Illusion shouted as she charged back to the monster's position. 

Joystick had stopped burning and used his Divinity's Light ability to heal a portion of his health. He charged the monster as well, in time with Illusion in the hopes of confusing it to the point where it would be too indecisive to strike either attacker. The unholy creature looked at the pair with indifference and charged at Joystick again but stopped before they ever got within ten feet of each other as it was hit by an explosion to its side which forced it to its knees for a few brief moments. 

Seeker had once again used his High Impact Shot ability since Joystick and Illusion were at a distance where they would not be within the ability's area of effect. Solace hid behind a pillar and used Ricochet to send a round rebounding off the walls and hit the Lesser Nightmare square in its chest, in a spot not covered by the thick chestplate. 

The creature however did not even grunt in minor discomfort as it stood back up, making the group's jaws drop a bit in shock over its resilience. Mixer raised his staff into the air and used Crystal Storm, raining red crystals down on the Lesser Nightmare's smoking body. The creature stopped attacking as it was pelted by Mixer's attack, flinching each time a crystal collided with its large frame. 

After a few brief seconds it shook its head and began walking through the spell's area of effect, shrugging off the attack as its health was continuously whittled down in. It stopped walking once it exited the area of effect while the spell's duration came to an end and looked directly at Mixer with its piercing, unnerving gaze that could freeze water in an instant. Luckily for them nopony was carrying the useless liquid in their inventory. 

The back hairs on Mixer's neck stood on end as the Lesser Nightmare opened its maw wide, easily large enough to swallow a pony's head in one bite. Instead of charging and trying to swallow Mixer as he thought, a large plume of pitch black flames identical to the flames that surrounded the room exited its mouth instead and very quickly made its way to the Crystal Mage as he fled for cover. 

Mixer barely escaped the monster's Demon's Breath ability as he dived behind a large mural wall whose picture was quickly bathed in the unholy flames. The resulting attack quickly scorched it to the point that the mural's depiction of several ponies performing an unknown ritual had become completely unrecognisable. Mixer's heart thumped hard against his chest as the Lesser Nightmare kept up its attack before another loud explosion made it stumble, cancelling its attack. 

Seeker hid behind a statue of a stallion standing on all four hooves, clad in armour and staring blankly at the immolated wall it was facing. He smiled to himself, thankful his High Impact Shot managed to give Mixer a short reprieve. Joystick took the opportunity Seeker had just provided to strike the creature with his blade, knocking it back a little as it stumbled again and reared up.

A moment of hope flickered in his eyes which made him smile but it was dashed quickly as the creature's hooves began to glow a faint purple colour and brought them down on him. Joystick rolled backwards, just in time as the Lesser Nightmare's hooves arced with lightning, impacting with the floor as it used Force Impact. 

The force behind the attack created a crater three metres in diameter and everypony felt the accompanying shockwave ripple through their bodies but it did not cause any physical damage nor did it affect their mana pools. However the attack knocked Joystick back ten feet, making him land on his back with a clang. Mixer fired off an amethyst at the Lesser Nightmare as he used his Hinder ability. 

It found its mark as it covered a half of the creature's barrel on the right side and the base of one smouldering wing. A triumphant grin crossed his lips as did the rest of the party, knowing the fight just might have just gotten a bit more manageable. The Lesser Nightmare did not slow down as it opened its mouth once again, causing the group to seek shelter from the manifested creature's dark flames. 

Its Demon's Breath blew over the group's cover, following its attack with its Crushing Charge ability and slamming hard into a column where Solace had taken refuge. A loud, sickening crack was added to the cacophony of sounds and shouts that had been flying about the room, either from a weapon or the party. Only the Lesser Nightmare remained as silent as death itself, its only sounds coming from its mighty hooves. 

"Sweet Celestia's flanks!" Solace shouted as he flew out from the collapsing column before it could crush him. "Status effects don't work on it! Try something else! I am far too handsome to be this thing's new chewtoy!"

Illusion got the monster's attention as she sliced at its flank with her dual blades, making it abruptly turn to face her and charge. Illusion's eyes widened for a moment as the Crushing Charge collided with her chest with enough force to make her think she was getting run down by the combined weight of an entire stampeding herd of buffalo. 

Illusion flew through the air and her back slammed into the burning wall with a crack as if she just broke her back or her carapace. Her body began to glow brightly before it shattered into thousands of tiny fragments as if she was a dropped porcelain pot. Seeker's eyes widen in shock as one of their own just got ‘killed' in-game. 

He had just seen one of his own kin expire, something that affects Changelings quite deeply due to their near hive mind mentality. Although one can go on their own as Seeker had done, there is always a deeper connection when Changelings are in pairs or groups. He was forced out of his reverie as the Lesser Nightmare began to attack yet again. 


<----> ---- ---- <---->
 

Illusion appeared back in the dungeon in the same way she had departed it although the animation was reversed. She shook her head groggily while her limbs felt like they had been filled with lead. The feeling of being revived had been designed in such a way it made the player feel a little disorientated but not enough to cause sickness whilst causing some minor weariness but only if the immediate area was safe. This could be turned off in the options if they felt it was too much to bear, or annoying. 

Gathering her wits, she ran down the corridor Joystick, Solace and Mixer had taken earlier as she knew there were still Pyrelurkers waiting for her should she have gone the same route she and Seeker had travelled. Repeated use of her Terminal Velocity ability greatly shortened her journey and charged for the room the rest of the party were in, still fighting the Lesser Nightmare. 

She muttered under her breath, uttering curses that only a Changeling would understand, all of which were directed at the creature that sent her back to the hall as she turned corner after corner at high speed. 


<----> ---- ---- <---->
 

While Illusion was busy closing the distance between her and the rest of the group, they had been having a very difficult time trying to defeat the Lesser Nightmare as nothing seemed to be doing much but despite this they kept up their assault as best they could. 

"Incoming!" Seeker shouted as the Lesser Nightmare charged once more at, this time at Mixer and used Force Impact in an attempt to smash the Crystal Mage into the stone floor. Mixer leapt to the side as he tried to move out of the way and successfully dodged the monster's hooves as they came down with bone-shattering force. 

The attack created another shockwave and this time, since Mixer was mere inches away from it, got swept up by the shockwave and flew a short distance away. Mixer landed on the ground with a thud and slid along the smooth floor while his staff had impaled the ground beside him, top first. Mixer got to his hooves as fast as he was able but it caused him to feel lightheaded and he began to see multiple images on top of another as if he was incredibly drunk. 

"This thing just will not fight fair!" Joystick bellowed as he faced off with the Lesser Nightmare, its hooves bashing against his shield with great fervour. 

Every strike from the large creature's hooves pushed Joystick further back, unable to stand against the amount of force he was being subjected to. The room resounded with the uttering of Joystick's pained grunts and the Lesser Nightmare's hooves bashing metal. 

"Come on, this thing just has to die already!" Solace shouted, "I mean we have thrown everything but a house at it!" 

"Well if you got one hidden in your armour somewhere, now would be the perfect time to throw it!" Joystick snapped as he charged the creature for the umpteenth time. 

"Afraid we're outta luck. It's in my other pants on Aeroslida," Solace replied as he opened fire, using Ricochet. The round rebounded off two pillars before connecting with the creature's right flank. 

"Why don't you use that combined move from that quest with the apples?" Seeker asked, ducking for cover behind a pillar to avoid the Lesser Nightmare's Crushing Charge as it hurtled past him, nearly getting him by the tail but thanks to the distance it had to travel it was unable to get Seeker in time. 

"Only works if we can keep it stationary and do you think this thing will stay still for more than five seconds?!" Mixer shouted as he unleashed another Crystal Storm, raining ruby-coloured crystals down on the creature. 

"Maybe if we asked really nicely it will keep still?" Joystick said, trying to stay optimistic as they were still a player down and their health bars were warning them that they were a few short moments from being depleted. 


<----> ---- ---- <---->
 

Illusion charged through the dungeon as she followed the path that the ponies had taken. Her mind was solely focused on a single word that was muttered under her breath with every corner she took: revenge. She powered through the underground grove and eventually found herself back in the hallway that led to the fight, the fight she needed to rejoin. 

At the end of the hallway was a massive wall of black fire, consuming the entryway to the chamber the party were fighting in, its unnatural embers burned as if mocking the Changeling, egging her to dare walk through it, to dare touch its dark warmth and be burned to a cinder. Illusion continued to run with her Terminal Velocity active once again, her gaze unwavering from what lay beyond the fire. 

The party needed her but more importantly she needed her retribution. She yelled as she leapt through the wall, a part of her expecting the fire to consume her and take her out or, at the very least, inflict a status effect whilst inflicting damage. Strangely though there was nothing, no burn, no heat, not even smoke to inhale as she travelled through the fire. 


<----> ---- ---- <---->
 

Joystick turned to look at the blocked off entryway as he heard the thud of hooves on stone. He grinned as he saw Illusion returning to the fray, "So nice of you to join us. You're missing out on all the fun!" 

Illusion was about to shout a retort but stopped herself as Joystick was flung across the room once again, sliding along the floor with the sound of grinding metal as his armour caused friction against the floor since his attention was on the Changeling and not on the monster that had just walloped him. 

"I'd say something but it appears you have your hooves full!" Illusion shouted once Joystick stopped sliding and got up again. The Changeling charging and body-slammed the Lesser Nightmare as if she were a pro wrestler. 

Sadly while her body slam made the right sound, it had little effect on the Lesser Nightmare as it simply swatted her away as if she were a gnat. It was as if she was trying to tackle a brick wall that is able to hit back and spew hellfire. Illusion grunted as she slid across the floor, just coming short of impacting with a pillar. 

She got up and dodged another Crushing Charge from the Lesser Nightmare. Once again the creature slammed into the pillar and for the first time showed some form of reaction as it staggered more than it had had done so far in the fight. 

Joystick's eyes widened as a plan formed in his head, "The pillars! Try to get it to chase you into the pillars!" 

The party shouted assorted confirmations and Illusion started their plan off as she ran up to the Lesser Nightmare and used her Terminal Velocity ability to give her a boost to her speed. She leapt up and landed on the creature's head with a thud and then, using the head as a springboard, jumped off the creature, landing behind the Lesser Nightmare with the grace of an acrobat. 

She bolted for the nearest pillar as the Lesser Nightmare gave chase. Nopony interrupted the Changeling's mad dash as she feinted left, causing the creature to impact with the pillar with a resounding thud. The creature staggered just as before, dazed as it backpedalled and tried to find its next target despite the chunk of health it had just lost. 

"Distract it guys!" Joystick shouted from his hiding spot: another one of the many pillars that were inside the chamber but it was too far away for him to mount a sneak attack. 

Solace, Seeker and Mixer did not need to be told twice as the Bow Gun users fired round after round at the creature while Mixer used Crystal Storm but it had little visible effect other than seeming to enrage it further. The distraction created by the Hunter and Engineer allowed Joystick, Mixer and Illusion to move into new positions behind pillars closest to the Lesser Nightmare. 

"Now!" Joystick shouted as he came out from behind the pillar with Illusion bolting out of her hiding spot. 

The pair struck at the creature's legs as they ran past it, knowing full well what happens if they lingered for too long at melee range. The Lesser Nightmare turned and gave chase. It used its Crushing Charge ability, gaining considerable ground. The pair split a pillar between them at the last second, running past it on either side. The Lesser Nightmare collided with the pillar and stopped dead in its tracks. 

The creature then stood completely still, leaving the room to fall into awkward, anxious silence. Solace and Seeker kept looking down the sights of their Bow Guns, waiting for the creature to make a move. Any move at all to be precise as they began to wonder if the game had started to glitch on them all. 

"Uh... did we win?" Solace asked in confusion, looking at the others in the party as they all came out of their hiding places to investigate the creature's odd behaviour. 

"Hey Illusion, go poke it with a sword," Joystick joked, a big grin on his face as he tried to keep himself from laughing. 

"How about I poke it with you?" Illusion retorted, clearly not in the mood for joking. 

"Watch out!" Mixer shouted as the Lesser Nightmare came rushing towards them with another Crushing Charge attack. 

The group dispersed in a mix of yells and frantic shouts. The hellish monster shot past them and collided once more with a pillar, stopping yet again. 

"Okay, if it is going to keep doing this, I'm calling for tech support..." Seeker muttered in annoyance as he picked himself off the ground.

Any retort or reply was cut off as they heard a cracking noise coming from the Lesser Nightmare. It had moved its head from the pillar and had left a hole where its head had connected with the stone. The pillar cracked all the way through the stone, giving it a thin smile almost until the same fracture formed above the creature's head, near the ceiling. 

A grinding noise began to fill the room as the broken section of the pillar began to slide away from the rest of the stone. The pillar began to tip over once the top section came free from the rest of it still attached to the roof. The Lesser Nightmare yelled out, the first and only proper discernable noise to come from its mouth, as the pillar fell down on top of it with a sickening crunch.

Its legs wobbled as the weight of the broken piece of pillar was getting too much for it to carry. Regardless, it began to advance on the group, causing a few to gasp in shock and awe at how dedicated the programmers made the spawn of Tartarus. Its gaze never left the party for so much as a second as they all backed up with each step it took forward.

"Somepony just kill it!" Illusion shouted in annoyance. 

Solace and Seeker exchanged glances with Mixer and started to attack. The Bow Gun users fired round after round from their Normal Magazines, each resonating shot hitting the monster in its wobbling legs in an attempt to force them to buckle. Mixer raised his staff and used his Crystal Storm ability on the Lesser Nightmare to try throw the monster off kilter. 

The Lesser NIghtmare grunted and shifted under the attacks that battered its already badly worn-down body. It opened its maw as if to use an attack but, instead, the creature exhaled and just dropped like a lead weight onto the floor. The three attackers stopped their assault on the monster as they all heard a bone-chiling crunch as the pillar crushed the Lesser Nightmare under its weight. A small cloud of dust erupted from the impact, leaving the group stunned at their victory. 

Solace's mouth was wide open with disbelief, Seeker looked mortified at the amount of punishment it had to take before it fell, Joystick was grinning from ear to ear as he was more than pleased to have been the one who figured out its weakness, Mixer just had a satisfied smirk upon his face while Illusion stared at it with a blank expression. Their victory was confirmed as they saw themselves recieving a new achivement.



Achievement Unlocked!
The Darkness Cometh

"Anypony need a nightlight?"



Mixer muttered under his breath, a little disappointed hidden beneath his smirk. The creature shook off everything they threw at it and running headfirst into some masonry was all it took to fell it? "That easy?" 

Unfortunately for him, Joystick did manage to hear what the Crystal Mage had said, "easy? I'd like to see your definition of 'hard' no wait, scratch that. I do not want to see what your definition of 'hard' is. This was bad enough. I was the one who was thrown about like a plaything. Heck I caught fire for crying out loud."

Illusion rolled her eyes as she started to get a bit frustrated at their bantering, "knock it off you tw-"

The Changeling's scolding was cut off as a deafening explosion of some form shook the chamber the party was in. The ponies fell onto their haunches as their weapons fell onto the stone floor with various clangs and thuds. The area soon normalised which allowed the group to get to their hooves again. Joystick investigated the 'corpse' of the Lesser Nightmare and was bitterly disappointed to find out that there was no loot to gain from it but the attention was more focused on the odd shake.

"What was that?" Seeker asked.

"Hit me with a wet fish if I know," Solace answered with a smile.

"Sadly I lack the required piscis with which to assault you," Illusion said with a small frown.

"'Piscis'?" Mixer asked.

Illusion looked at Mixer with the same frown, "it's Latin."

"What say we head out the way we came, hm?" Joystick offered, trying to keep the peace within the group.

The party nodded their heads and started to make their way to the exit. The flames that had previously surrounded the room and barred their escape started to fizzle out and die, leaving only the group to provide their own illumination yet again. An eerie stillness, save for their hoofsteps, fell on the group as they drew nearer to the open entrance that had led them to the hardest fight they've ever had.

As they got close, one of the pillars supporting the ceiling came down, blocking their path as the room had begun to collapse on itself. They picked up their pace and ran or flew to the doorway but were cut short as the ceiling above collapsed, leaving a towering pile of rubble in their way and with the rest of the room caving in, it was hard to find an alternative exit.

The group backtracked to the centre of the room, where the pedastal once stood, as the pillars and ceiling continued to cave in around them. Oddly enough the ceiling above the section of ceiling above their heads was not falling down. It looked like it was not even cracked. The group kept close, looking out at the room around them as their hopes of escape dropped to 'hopeless'.

Solace coughed with the others due to the high volumes of dust that filled the air, "you know... I'm starting to question the point behind these dungeons..."