//------------------------------// // I is for Intrepid // Story: The ABCs of Harmonic Death // by Vertigo22 //------------------------------// On a cool, Spring evening, in a meadow in eastern Equestria, a unicorn stallion, who had a dark green coat and a torch for a cutie mark, and pegasus mare, who had a magenta coat and a few clouds for a cutie mark, walked through a meadow as a cool breeze blew against them. “So, Norman,” the mare began, “you’re absolutely sure you’ve found some sort of treasure here?” She asked as she walked beside her friend. “I’m as sure as I am a unicorn,” Norman said with a smile. “You mustn’t doubt me, Artemis,” He continued. “When I have ever been wrong?” Artemis chuckled. “Well, the last ‘lost treasure’ you found ended up belonging to a dragon.” “That was years ago though,” Norman said as he stopped and turned to face his companion. “How about more recently?” He asked with a grin. “You did mistake the castle of the two sisters for a remnant of a lost city when you visited Ponyville last year.” Norman glared at his friend and then let out a small sigh. “I... I never cared for the history about our princesses,” He muttered. “And that’s why nopony has ever taken your exploration seriously,” Artemis said. “You care only for the fame and glory; not the actual history.” “Yeah, but the history stuff is so boring, and don’t act like you’re any better. That’s exactly why you’re here, too!” The explorer whined. “Not true!,” Artemis retorted. “I come on these expeditions is because I’m your friend, and I want to support you.” Norman rolled his eyes and snorted. “Oh, and what about all of the times you’ve tried to take gemstones and ended up triggering some sort of booby-trap?” “Just shut up and let’s get to this ‘treasure’,” Artemis said with a slight frown. “C’mon, don’t you remember when you tried taking that ruby from that temple in Saddle Arabia and got us both crushed because a boulder got dislodged?” “I said ‘shut up’,” Artemis growled through her teeth. Norman grinned. “Okay, oh wise one.” And after a moment, they both burst into laughter. The two friends walked to a small wooded area. Norman ran ahead and stood near some disturbed earth. “Here.” His horn glowed the same shade of green as his coat and tossed a mound of dirt aside. Artemis’ eyes widened. “So that little treasure chest was just under that little mound of dirt?” “No, I dug it up and reburied it.” “And what if somepony had come along and found it? What would you have done then?” Artemis asked with a smirk. “Uhh...” Norman’s mouth hung open as he thought. “Remind me to never do this again,” he said after a minute of thought. The explorer’s companion chuckled. “So, what’s inside?” She asked. “Let’s find out!” The explorer said as he opened the small chest. Inside was a map with a crude drawing of the woods and a medium-sized circle in the middle of it. “What in Celestia’s name is this? A foal’s drawing?” “I believe that’s a map,” Artemis deadpanned. “Then this is the worst map I’ve ever seen,” Norman said. “This is just a hole and some trees!” “Well, there are trees around here,” Artemis replied. “Maybe-” “Thanks, Captain Obvious,” Norman interrupted with a slight snicker. The young companion glared at her friend. “Anyways,” She said, “maybe if we walk around, we can find the place the map is depicting.” “Alright, let’s get going then,” the explorer said as he put the map away. The moon shone brightly through the trees as the two friends walked deeper into the woods. “What do you think is in that hole?” Norman asked. “I bet there’s piles of gold and jewels.” “Dirt, worms,” Artemis said, “and maybe spikes.” “Why don’t you ever have something positive to say?” “I’ve said positive things!” Artemis yelled. “It’s just… you almost never find anything. So, why should I get excited when you find some wonderful ‘treasure’?” The explorer stopped and turned around to face his friend. “Is the map not worth getting excited over?” “You yourself said it looked like a foal’s drawing,” Artemis said. “For all you know it’s just that,something a foal left behind when they came out here to play.” “Even if that’s the case,” Norman said, “there’s still the hole we can possibly find!” Artemis rolled her eyes. “So exciting,” She deadpanned. Norman opened his mouth to speak, but stopped when he saw a large hole in the ground to his left. “Guess it wasn’t a foal’s drawing,” He said as he turned and smirked at his companion. “Shut up,” Artemis muttered. She approached the hole and raised an eyebrow. “There’s a staircase here.” “Wait, what?” The explorer walked over to his friend. “That’s… odd,” He said. “Want to see what’s down there?” “Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Artemis asked. “You didn’t bring anything that could help us down there. What if one of us gets hurt?” “Look, we’ll at least see what’s down there and come back tomorrow with the proper equipment. How’s that sound?” Norman asked as he walked to the staircase and looked back at Artemis. “Well?” “If you get hurt, it’s entirely on you,” The young companion said as she walked up beside her friend. “It’ll be fine,” Norman said as he walked down the stairs. “Famous last words.” “If I didn’t get eaten by that dragon, what’s a hole going to do to me?” The cocky explorer asked. “Entomb you,” Artemis replied with a smirk. Norman rolled his eyes, and the duo continued down into the hole. --- After a few minutes of walking, the two friends reached the bottom. To their amazement, the pit lead to a large cavern. From deeper within the cavern,the sound of water dripping echoed. A faint, cool breeze blew against them as they walked around. “Sweet Celestia, this place is huge,” Artemis said as she looked around her. “What do you think is down here?” Norman lit up his horn. “Probably a bunch of old relics from when Celestia was a filly,” He said with a small smirk. “Or maybe a mummy.” “Are there mummies in Equestria?” Artemis asked as she continued to look around aimlessly. The explorer out a hoof up to his chin and thought for a moment. “I don’t think so,” He said. “Why do you ask?” “You mentioned-” before Artemis could finish her sentence, a small gemstone caught her eye. She slowly walked towards it and examined it. “I mentioned what?” Norman asked from the other end of the cavern. Artemis picked up the gemstone and hid it in her coat. “Oh, you mentioned-” before she could finish her sentence, the cavern began to tremble. “What the hell is going on?!” Norman yelled as he teleported over to his friend and cast up a protective shield. “Um, well, there was a pretty gemstone and-” “And you took it?” Norman interrupted. “Yes.” “Can’t say I wouldn’t do the same,” the explorer said. Suddenly, a loud crash filled the cavern. Large chunks of rock crashed down from where the staircase was, and slammed into the ground. “Did the staircase just collapse?!” Artemis shrieked. “If it did, I’m blaming you,” Norman growled. Artemis let out a sad sigh. Fuck my life, She thought as the trembling slowly died down. Norman’s horn stopped glowing. “I.. think it’s over,” he said. “I swear, I didn’t know that would happen,” Artemis said, still shaken. “I know,” the explorer replied as he fell to the ground and tried to catch his breath. “I was just screwing with you.” The normally cynical mare sat alongside her friend and wrapped a leg around him. She looked up at the rubble that was once the staircase, which now created a wall that blocked their exit. “You think there’s another way we can get out?” Artemis asked, a hint of worry in her voice. “Well, there’s only one way we can go,” Norman said as he slowly got up and turned around. “I just hope it leads somewhere that isn’t also blocked off.” “Couldn’t you move the ruble away?” Artemis asked. “Or blast it away?” “And risk dislodging a bunch of it and possibly get crushed? No thanks,” Norman said. “Besides, that barrier was draining enough.” “Do you want to rest? You look rather tired.” “I am,” Norman said, “but I’d like to explore this place a little bit,” He continued. “Besides, the ground is far from the most comfortable place to rest.” Artemis gave a disapproving stare. “There’s no way I can convince you to not explore, is there?” “None at all,” Norman said with a grin. His horn lit up slightly and he walked ahead. The young companion let out a sigh and ran up to her friend. “So, exactly how do you think we’ll find our way out?” “I have no idea,” Norman said. “I’m just going to walk around until I find an exit.” “Are you serious?!” Artemis shrieked as she put her muzzle against Norman’s. “You’re just going to wander around aimlessly? What if you don’t find a way out? What if you hit a dead end?!” Norman pushed his companion away and glared at her. “Then I’ll take your advice from earlier and try to remove the rubble back there. Until then, shut it. I don’t want the entire cavern to collapse.” Artemis facehoofed. Why oh why did I become friends with this moron? She thought to herself. The duo walked through the enormous cavern, their hoofsteps echoing the entire way. Artemis looked at the walls, which had a few burnt out torches on them. A few gargoyle-like statues stood next to them. Their hollowed out eyes seemingly looked into her soul. They’re just statues, She thought to herself as she shut her eyes. They can’t do anything to me. “Is the big, brave Artemis scared of some statues?” Norman asked as he looked back at his companion. “Better watch out! They might rock your world!” Artemis walked up to her friend and slapped him. “That’s for being a dick.” She slapped him again “That’s the for the pun.”. “I might’ve deserved the first one.” Artemis rolled her eyes and continued on ahead. --- Soon, the two intrepid explorers found themselves in a large circular room. In the middle looked to be a table of sorts, made out of stone, and there were indents in the walls- as though they’d hold plates and glasses. At the very went of the table was a large throne— similar to one a king would sit at. Smaller chairs surrounded the table, each one made out of stone and in remarkably fine condition. Norman stood motionless. Slowly, a large smile formed on his face. “Sweet Celestia, if I can find something here, it could be a fortune!” The greedy explorer yelled as he teleported away and searched each indent in the wall. The young companion frowned and flew towards her friend. “Hold on!” She yelled. “What if somepony got lost down here and made themselves a home?” Norman looked at his companion and snickered. “Artemis,” He said as he tried not to laugh, “you can’t be serious.” Artemis folded her forelegs. “Why wouldn’t I be?” “What is there to eat down here?” The explorer asked with a smirk. Artemis out a hoof to her chin. “Fungus?” “Yeah, that’s probably poisonous,” Norman replied. “And do you think that a pony can really survive on just fungus?” “Crazier things have happened,” Artemis said. “Remember the mare who got stranded on an island for two months before she got rescued?” Norman waved a hoof dismissively. “That’s different. There was more to eat on that island than just fungus,” He said. “Now come on, I want to see if there’s anything of value here.” Artemis rubbed her temples and followed her friend, who was investigating each indent in the walls. Please, Celestia, let somepony walk in and prove him wrong, She thought as she stared at the featureless— and empty— wall. Anything to have us just get out of here. --- “Nothing, nothing, and nothing.” Norman stomped his hoof onto the ground. “Maybe somepony looted this place already.” Artemis lay on the stone table. “Oh, you’re done?” She asked sardonically. “You sure you don’t want to look a fourth time?” “You know what,” Norman began with a scowl, “maybe I will now that you mention it.” “Oh no you don’t!” Artemis growled as she flew towards the explorer. “Come on, let’s go.” Norman teleported away and watched as his friend nearly collided into the wall. “Alright, alright,” He said. “C’mon, let’s go.” Artemis shook her head. “That was too close,” She said to herself as she fluttered to her friend and landed along side him. The two duo walked down another hallway. “Don’t suppose you found anything on the ceiling back there?” Norman asked as he looked at the walls. “You seemed really interested in it.” “Shut up,” Artemis muttered. “You’re a real killjoy, even when trapped in a fucking cavern,” the explorer said. “That truly amazes me.” “And your ability to act like a jackass amazes me!” Artemis yelled. “Now please, shut up and let’s find a way out of here!” Norman grit his teeth. Just stay calm, He thought. She’s gotten in your nerves before. There’s no reason to yell back. Just do what she does. The young companion tapped her hoof on the ground as she looked at her friend. “You okay, buddy?” Norman calmly inhaled and exhaled. “Just thinking of ways I could turn you to ashes and tell the royal guard you got crushed by a boulder.” “Ah, so you’re using the method of calming down I suggested,” Artemis said with a small smile. Norman smiled back when something caught his eye. “Hey, Artemis,” He said, “is that a chalice?” Artemis turned around. Sure enough, in an indent on the wall, was a golden chalice. Despite being covered in a thick layer of dust, the duo could make out a few jewels that were indented in it. “That must be worth thousands,” She said as she approached it. As she went to reach it, the green glow of Norman’s magic surrounded it. “Don’t worry, I’ll-” The wall behind the chalice slid down and exposing a large arrow. “get it...” Norman dropped the chalice and ducked down just as the arrow shot out. Crash “Why does everything have to be booby-trapped?” The explorer whined. “Why can’t ponies just leave their stuff out in the open for me to take?” “You do realize you sound like a complete moron for saying that, right?” Artemis asked. “Yep.” “At least you’re aware of it.” “Mhm.” “You really don’t care, do you?” “You’re a sharp one.” Artemis shook her head and walked by her friend, who was looking down at the shattered chalice. “Come on,” She said as she bit down on his tail. “There’s probably more of them where that one came from.” --- A short while later, the two friends arrived in another large, open room. In the center of it was a pool full of water, and large boulder stood next to it. A few tally marks were on it. “Think this was some sort of sports room?” Norman asked as he approached the boulder. “If that’s the case, it was shared with a library,” Artemis replied as she trotted to the western portion of the room. Several bookshelves lined the wall, but all were empty. Layers of dust filled them, along with a few spiderwebs. “Odd that whoever resided here paired the two up.” “Do you think that this was maybe an underground city of sorts?” Norman asked as he walked up to his friend. “Whatever it is, it’s starting to give me the creeps,” Artemis said. “I feel like I’m disturbing someplace that was meant to never be disturbed.” “Because the other places we’ve explored were meant to be disturbed?” Norman said. “Like that dragon’s cave?” “That place was still inhabited though,” Artemis said. “This place is, well, empty. Like everypony just got up and left!” The young companion looked around the entire room her eyes landed on something. “Is that a skeleton on the other end of the room?” She asked. Norman teleported to the other end of the room and looked around. Rested up against the eastern wall was the skeleton of a unicorn. Its horn was still intact, but its jaw, along with a few other bones, was broken. “Somepony, or something, must’ve really beaten this poor pony up,” Norman grimaced. Artemis fluttered over and landed next to her friend. She looked down at the corpse and spotted something. “There’s a sapphire next to it,” She said. Norman glanced down. “Are you suggesting we steal from it?” He asked. “I may be greedy, but I’m not going to steal from the dead.” Artemis’s eyes widened. “Oh wow, you of all ponies have standards when it comes to what you will and will not take?” The greedy explorer glared at his friend. “Oh, give me a break,” He said. “Are you going to take it?” “Well, I... um...” Artemis shuffled awkwardly and coughed. “Yes.” “If it comes back to life and tries to kill you-” Norman teleported towards the exit- “I’ll be way over here where it’s safe.” Artemis rolled her eyes and went to pick up the sapphire, only to discover it was attached to a string. “Come on, you stupid thing,” She growled. “What’s wrong?” Norman asked. The young companion ignored her friend and yanked on the gem, which caused the string to snap and made her stagger back a few feet. “Ah-hah!” She said as she danced happily. “I got-” Click “It...” Behind where the skeleton lay, the wall shot down, and behind it was a large dog-like creature with a sharp tail. “Oh... crap.” Norman’s eyes shot open. “Well, I guess we know what killed our friend over there,” He said nervously. “Should we run?” The large hound leaped towards Artemis, who flew upwards and clung to flew towards Norman. “Can you just turn it to ash or something?” She asked. “Against that?!” Norman shrieked as the hound turned its gaze to the duo. “Fuck no! RUN!” The hound lunged towards the two explorers, who turned around and ran down the hallway, their hearts threatening to beat out of their chests and grow legs of their own. The young companion took to the air and flew next to her friend. “Are you sure you can’t-” “Artemis, even if I could, I’m pretty sure it’d rip me in half before I could fire off even the weakest of magic bolts!” Norman yelled as he teleported ahead of his friend. “Also, why aren’t you flying ahead of me?!” “I’m not leaving you behind!” She said. “I’m not that mean!” The creature let out a loud, ear-splitting howl, which caused the cavern to shake and made a few rocks fall from the ceiling. Artemis spotted a large, sharp rock up ahead. A smirk formed on her face and she landed alongside Norman. “Hey, keep that thing distracted, I have an idea,” She said as she flew up ahead. Norman noticed her fly towards the rock and grinned. He teleported ahead and fired off a small, magic bolt at the large hound. The hound shrugged off the bolt and lunged at Norman. It raised its right paw and swiped the unicorn to the side. Norman slammed against the cavern wall and looked up at the hound. “Artemis!” He yelled as the hound drew closer. “Are you going to-” Suddenly, an enormous spike came down from the ceiling and crushed the hound’s head, causing it to explode into a crimson mist, which coated Norman completely. Norman fainted before he could finish his sentence. Artemis landed next to her friend, whose coat was now covered in blood. “I think... I think I’ll join you in that,” Artemis said before she herself passed out from exhaustion. --- Sometime later, Norman awoke. “Oh, sweet Celestia, my whole body aches,” He said as he slowly got up. “Ah, you’re up,” Artemis said from slightly farther down the hallway. Norman turned his head. As he did so, he noticed the hounds body. “Fuck, I’m going to have nightmares for weeks now,” He said as he quickly turned around and resisted the urge to vomit. “It’s just blood,” Artemis said as she fluttered to her friends side. “Speaking of which, you should go wash up back at that pool.” “Why? Do I have blood on me?” “You, uh, have a bit on you,” Artemis lied. Norman frowned. “And now the truth?” “Your coat is now red.” Norman’s eyes widened and he teleported up the hallway. “I’ll be back in a bit!” He yelled as he ran towards the room they were previously at. “How can he be a neat freak and love exploring?” Artemis asked herself out loud. A few minutes later, Norman teleported back in front of her. “Am I clean?” He asked. “You do realize you probably just bathed in some sort of sacred pool, right?” Artemis asked. “Um... oops?” “You’re an idiot,” Artemis said, “but yes, you’re clean.” “Well, that’s something, right?” Norman asked with a small smile. “Sure,” Artemis replied, “whatever you say.” “Wonderful, now let’s go,” the explorer said. --- “Remember what you said about somepony eating fungus if they got trapped here?” Norman asked as he dragged himself through the seemingly never-ending hallway. “Yeah?” Artemis asked as she walked slowly beside her friend. “Have you found any?” “Nope.” Norman let out a groan. “Do you think we should’ve tried to get something off of that hound?” “I’m going to bet that if we ate that thing, we would’ve gotten some sort of horrible disease,” Artemis said. “It was behind that wall for Celestia knows how long.” Norman sighed. “Maybe that’s why nopony is here. There’s no-” “Mushrooms!” Artemis cried out as she ran ahead. The explorer perked his head up. In a room up ahead was an enormous shrine with a unicorn with a crown on its head. Various fruits and vegetables— which long since become rotten— surrounded it, along with fungal plants. A few candles, which were long since burnt out, surrounded the shrine. At the end of the room were two large tapestries, which bore the image of a unicorn with a crown. Both were tattered, and the one on the right had a large rip in it and was partly covered in blood. “Thank Celestia!” Artemis said, oblivious to her surroundings. “Food!” Norman teleported beside her. “Yeah, but... who’s the unicorn there?” He asked as he looked up at the statue to get a better look at it. The unicorn had a proud— if somewhat arrogant— look on his face. He had sheath on his left side, and wore a necklace in the shape of a shield. Artemis ignored her friends question and took a bite out of a mushroom. “I don’t know,” She said as she chewed on the fungal plant. “But hey, we’ve got something to eat!” The explorer took a bite out of a mushroom. “Yeah, I guess,” He said as he looked at the statue intently. “Why is there a shrine to this pony?” “Maybe they’re a long lost ruler of Equestria,” Artemis said. “Maybe from a time before Celestia and Luna?” “Do you really think that Celestia would hide something like this from the public?” Norman asked. “I mean, there were stories about Nightmare Moon.” “Yeah, but those were believed to just be myths,” Artemis said. “I’ve never read about a place like this.” Norman took another bite out of a mushroom turned his attention elsewhere. The room was larger than any other room the duo had been in. Hundreds of candles lined the walls, along with baskets of various fruits and vegetables adorned the walls. A cauldron was nestled in the top right corner of the room, and the skeleton of another unicorn was rested up against it, along with something that caught the explorer’s eye. Norman teleported towards the skeleton and trotted over. Nestled underneath the skeleton’s forehooves was a notebook. Norman levitated it up and blow the dust off of the cover. “Uh, Artemis?” He asked. “Whatcha find?” Artemis asked as she trotted up beside her friend. “A journal,” Norman said, “but I have no idea what it says.” He handed the journal to his companion. “Can you translate it?” Artemis looked down at the book and smiled. “See, this is why you need to pay attention to history. It’s in ancient Equestrian!” “Yeah, yeah, whatever.” Artemis frowned, flipped open the book, and started to read. Journal of the Guard of King Irwin “I guess that’s who the dead pony is?” Norman asked. Artemis shrugged and continued to read. Entry #1. King Irwin is insane if he believes that we can survive down here. There’s no light, no rain, nothing. I don’t understand why he doesn’t bother letting us just live above ground like normal ponies. Ah, wait, I’ve forgotten. “Those mongrels who worship Celestia will have us imprisoned, for she is a tyrant.” What a load of crap. I hope that somepony assassinates this psycho. “Well, he sounds like a bundle of joy,” Norman said with a small smirk. Entry #2. Ah, what joy. Two guards got eaten by that mutt our all knowing King Irwin calls a fucking pet! Ivan got ripped in half when he tried to feed it some Manticore meat and Hugo get his head chomped off when he tried to give it water. I swear, I should just feed Irwin himself to it. “I wonder what its room looks like,” Norman mused to himself. “Oh no, you aren’t going back there!” Artemis bit down on her friends tail and yanked him over. “You go back there and you’re on your own.” “Fine, fine.” Norman said with a slight frown. “Good.” Artemis flipped to the next entry and continued to read. Entry #3. Apparently, Irwin wants to sacrifice ponies so that it may rain underground. Yup, he’s done lost his mind. “I wonder if Celestia knows about any of this,” Artemis asked. Norman shrugged “If she does, I doubt she cares anymore. This place looks like it hasn’t been inhabited in hundreds of years. Maybe even thousands.” “I guess we can try to find out after we escape,” Artemis said as she flipped to the next entry. Entry #4. Fuck it, I put poison in his food this morning. I overheard he wants to sacrifice me— His most trusted guard— to have it rain down here. Nope, he dies first! This is my last entry. After this, I’m fleeing to the world above and making a life for myself somewhere else. But before I do, I’m stealing the bastard’s most prized diamond. “That’s where it ends,” Norman said. “Every other page is blank.” Artemis turned to the statue of King Irwin. “What a sick, twisted pony.” Artemis turned back to her friend, who had a grin plastered on his face. “Oh, don’t tell me.” “I’m going to get that diamond,” Norman said. “It could be worth millions!” “Are you crazy?” Artemis asked. “Aren’t you nervous about that room being booby-trapped?” “I’ll be careful,” Norman said. “I swear. Besides, you tried to steal two gems so far. Why can’t I?” “I... well... fair point.” “Exactly,” the explorer said as he walked to the other end of the room. “Now come on, let’s go!” --- Sometime later, the two friends arrived in another large room. Against the eastern wall were a pair of beds that had been made from stone, along with a bowl that had been chiseled from rock. Overlooking both beds were two half painted gargoyle-like statues which glared downward at the two friends. Below them were two fully painted chimera statues, their mouths open as though they were roaring. Directly across from the chimera statues, against the western wall, was a boulder that blocked off an opening, and a few indents similar to the ones in the previous room. At the other end of the room was, the cavern continued, though there was a faint glimmer of light. Norman trotted over to the boulder and examined it. “Think that diamond is behind here?” He asked. “Maybe?” Artemis replied as she walked up beside her friend. “Only one way to find out, right?” Norman’s horn lit up and a glow surrounded the boulder. “Let’s find out,” the explorer said as he grit his teeth. Slowly, the boulder moved aside. “Ho-oly crap,” Artemis said as the boulder moved away, “look at the size of that thing!” Norman’s horn stopped glowing. He looked ahead in the short, narrow room. Sure enough, at the end of it, there was a large diamond. “Cha-ching!” He said as his eyes shined. Before Norman could run into the room, Artemis bit down on his tail and yanked him back, which caused the explorer to fall to the ground. “Hold on!” Artemis yelled. “Do you really not expect there to be a bunch of traps in that room?” “Have you forgotten who made a barrier when we first got into this damned cavern?” Norman asked. “If there are any booby traps, I’ll just make another one!” “Rather than waste time walking over and grabbing it, why don’t you levitate it out here?” Artemis asked. “It looks like it’s just sitting there.” “It’d be cooler if I went on though. Y’know, like Daring Do!” Artemis laughed. “That’s cute,” She said through her laughter. “I’m going to explain this really slowly: She’s a pegasus and you’re a unicorn. She can’t levitate things to her. You can.” “You don’t have to be so condescending,” Norman said with another growl. The explorer walked to the entrance of the small room. He inhaled deeply and aimed his horn at the gem. “Alright, you big beauty, come to Norman.” Norman’s horn glowed once again. A green aura surrounded the diamond as it slowly floated up. “This thing is surprisingly heavy,” Norman said through his teeth. The explorer shut his eyes tried to yank the diamond towards himself. Suddenly, the wall behind where the diamond sat came down, which revealed dozens of small holes. “Duck!” Artemis yelled as numerous arrows shot out. “Huh?” Norman asked as he opened his eyes just in time to see a wave of arrows fly towards him. Each one pierced easily through his body. Artemis turned around just in time to see her friend fall over dead. “Norman!” She cried out. The young companion stood up and ran over to her friends side. Dozens of arrows were embedded in his body. “Dammit, you deserve better than looking like a living pincushion,” She said to herself. “Can’t say I’m shocked your greed was your downfall though. We always did say that’s what would do us, right?” Artemis looked over at the diamond, which had rolled towards the entrance of the narrow room. She trotted over to the gem and picked it up. “Here,” She said as she walked back over and dropped it next to Norman’s body. “Rest in peace with it, buddy,” She said with a sad smile. Artemis looked at the exit to the room and walked towards it. Maybe I should go to Canterlot and see if somepony there knows anything about King Irwin. Maybe they can make more use of this damned cavern than either of us ever could, She thought as she rounded the corner, which lead to a long, narrow hallway. On the walls were dozens of gargoyle statues. Each one had a pearl where their eyes were, which glistened slightly from the light that shined in from the exit. I swear, these things are alive, Artemis thought as she looked at the statues. Maybe Irwin somehow imbued them with some sort of life-giving spell, then turned them to stone. She shivered at the thought, and hurriedly made her way out of the cavern. Outside, Artemis found herself in a thick forest. The sun shined brightly in the sky, and the sound of birds chirping filled the air. Great, now where the tartarus am I? She thought as she sighed. She took to the sky and looked out over the vast forest, which seemed to stretch endlessly. Time to find my way out— again.