The Crusaders of Light sat in the bar. None of them dared to speak. Outside, panic was everywhere.
"My God" Scootaloo mumbled in shock. "My God...."
“So, what’s the plan, leader?” Rumble asked Button, who seemed to be deep in thought.
“Well, we have to raise our levels. That's the only way to get stronger here, and we're gonna need to be pretty damn strong if we want to clear this game. Next order of business is fighting this Chamber’s boss in order to get to the next Chamber..”
“Actually, where are we?” Featherweight asked.
“This area is called the Glassed Lands. Most of it is desert except for a few hills near this city.” Button replied, looking over a map.
“Wait, what is this city called?” Sweetie asked.
“This is the city of Valorient. The hills around it are called the Endless Verdant.” Button explained while standing. “And now I have our route, let's go!”
"Wait." Scootaloo rose. "Button, I don't think the rest of us know how to do anything in this game. I say Button tries to get us some gold by killing low-level monsters while the rest of us play the tutorials."
Button blinked. "That's... A better idea. Just find the tutorials in the settings submenu, guys." He called out, leaving the bar. "Meet back here at Midnight!"
Scootaloo panted as she parried Applebloom’s blow. She was tired. Everybody was tired.
Applebloom looked to the west as the last lights of the sun faded away, “Ah think that’s good for today. . .”
Sweetie looked around for a moment before asking, “Where do we sleep?”
“In a hotel, I presume.” Rumble guessed, “But I think we should head back to the bar first.”
Everypony paused as they realized they didn’t know how to get back.
“I guess I’ll lead the way. . . “ Rumble sighed as he took off towards the town.
The other crusaders fell in line behind him as they made their way through the city.
“If you're stuck, take one of these, I promise they’ll help!” Said a white pony with blue streaked black hair.
“What are they?” Featherweight asked.
“Guides.” The pony smiled, “Guides to surviving in CMO.”
“Did ya make these? All by yourself?” Applebloom asked.
“Oh good heavens no! I had a friend that helped me.” The pony replied.
“Who was it?” Sweetie wondered.
“A good kid called Button Mash.” The pony sighed whimsically, “Oh the times we had.”
“Wait, you’re a beta-tester?!” Rumble exclaimed.
“That I am, one of the first.” The pony boasted, “Me an’ Mash got further than any of the testers. Cleared half the game, we did.”
“You made it to chamber 50?” Scootaloo asked in disbelief. "That far in two weeks?!"
“Oh yes, but listen good: No one could pass it.” The pony warned.
“Wait, why not?” Scootaloo wondered.
“Because, the boss was adaptable.” The pony explained.
“Adaptable?” Sweetie wondered, “You mean, he learned from your attacks?”
The pony nodded, “Yes. He learned from Button’s and my attacks.”
“But, he would become virtually undefeatable!” Rumble exclaimed.
“Only if you went one at a time.” The pony answered, “I believe dealing with him is simple as an ambush. Divide his attention so he won’t have time to learn.”
“But if that is only level 50, I’d hate to see level 100.” Sweetie commented.
The stranger laughed. "I'd still hate to see level 50! I heard that the devs buffed up all the enemies just before release."The pony chuckled, “If you know Button. Tell him he owes Paladin Inferius a dance.”
“We will.” Rumble told Inferius, then he paused, “You wouldn't happen to know where the bar is?”
He deadpanned. "Depends on the bar, kiddo." Inferius laughed, "I kid, I kid. If Button hasn't changed, he'll still be going to the Lucky Star. Head west on the next intersection. Bar will be on your left.”
Scootaloo smiled, “Thanks.”
Thus, the guild left in the direction Inferius gave them. None of them spoke, as they were all trying to memorize the route to the bar.
“So. . . “ Scootaloo hummed to herself. ”Do you guys think Button found the boss yet?”
“I suppose that all depends on whether or not it’s room moved.” Rumble answered.
“Wait, you mean the rooms can move?” Sweetie asked.
“From what Button told me, this game is designed with an AI tech program called ‘Daedalus Tech’.” Rumble explained.
“Wait. . . “ Applebloom paused, “Wasn’t Daedalus the guy who built that labyrinth in the ancient greek times?”
“But then that would mean. . .” Scootaloo breathed.
“We’re in the deadliest maze in history.” Button Mash finished.
The group sat in the Lucky Star. All of them we’re lost in thought.
“This is going to be hard if we can’t find a way to navigate it.” Rumble sighed.
Button nodded, “You’re right, we need to find that way.”
Suddenly Sweetie gasped. “Guys! I remember now! The legend!”
“What legend Sweetie?” Scootaloo asked her.
“There was a guy who navigated the first labyrinth. He did it with a special string!” Sweetie explained.
Button patted Sweetie’s back, “You’re right, Sweetie! Ariadne’s string!”
“So, leader, how do we go about finding it?” Rumble asked.
“Simple.” Button answered, “A NPC should be giving us a quest with the string as a reward.”
“So, all we gotta do is find the right NPC before the other 10,000 players do?” Scootaloo summarized.
Button nodded. “That’s right! Let’s go find us that ball of string!”
The group had searched half of the town before regrouping at the blacksmith shop that Applebloom had been to earlier.
“Any luck?” Rumble asked Button as he walked up to the meeting place.
Button shook his head, “None. I’m afraid.”
“Maybe one of the storekeepers know where we could go?” Sweetie suggested.
“Hmm, maybe.” Scootaloo agreed before stepping inside the blacksmith’s shop. “Excuse me, where can we find Ariadne’s string?” She asked the blacksmith.
“Well, if it’s Princess Ariadne’s String, then I would head to the castle north of here.” The NPC replied.
“C’mon guys, I know the way!” Button exclaimed.
And so, the group took off across the desert to find the castle of Princess Ariadne.
But, unknown to them, another group followed close behind. And these players had red symbols above their heads.