Quizzical Greystone And The Basements Of Doom

by JMac

Chapter 12 "More Excitement? Of Course." Heavy, Heavy Sigh.

Quizzical Greystone And The Basements Of Doom

Chapter 12 “More Excitement? Of Course.” Heavy, Heavy Sigh.

Shadow helped Diamond and Silver into the mine cart, then turned to do the same for Quiz. She wasn’t there.

It took Shadow a moment to find her, even though Quiz wasn’t actually trying to hide, she had merely faded into the background. Quiz had wandered over to the edge of the canyon, and was examining something.

“Come on, Quizzie,” called Shadow. “We need to get rolling before Reader and his thugs catch up to us.”

“Look, Shadow.” Quiz pointed. “I have found stairs going down.”

Shadow shook his head. “That will take too long, Quizzie. The diamond dogs will overtake us. Come along now.”

“But… but… but, Shadow,” stammered Quiz. “There are stairs.”

“Look into the canyon, Quizzie. There are no bridges. We have to go all the way to the bottom to cross. We don’t have time to walk down.”

“But… there are stairs.”

“No way am I walking down a hundred flights of stairs, Quiz-ik-al!” sneered Diamond. “And apparently Shadow won’t leave you behind. So get your flank over here and get in this cart!”

Quiz’s trepidation was beginning to affect Silver. “Gee, do you think Quiz might have a point? Every time Daring Do gets into one of these things there’s a bridge out somewhere ahead.”

“That only happened in two books,” said Shadow. “And this isn’t a Daring Do adventure. If it was then we’d have already had to run away from a rolling boulder at least once. Now both of you settle down. If it makes you feel better, Silvy, you can handle the brake.”

“The brake? Me?”

Shadow nodded. “You’ll have control of our speed, and you can stop us any time. We won’t be flying off any cliffs today.”

“All I do is pull the lever?” asked Silver Spoon.

“Yep. Just remember to slow us down at each turn. This isn’t supposed to actually be a thrill ride. We just want a ride to the bottom. Oh, and don’t yank it too hard. The wood’s a little old.”

“I don’t know…”

“Just try it, Silver,” said Diamond. “If you don’t like it, I’ll take over.”

“Good, that’s all sorted out. We just need the last of us loaded.” Shadow called out, “Quiz, come and get in the cart please.”

Quiz hung her head and slowly walked back to the hopper car. As Shadow boosted her over the side of the car, she muttered, “But there are stairs.”

Quiz immediately curled up in a little ball at the bottom of the car.

Shadow gave them a running push, hopped aboard, and they were underway.

#

“Bugbears?”

“They have a large cave system under the central highlands.”

“Kappas?”

“There’s at least one in each of the cold streams flowing to the east.”

“Bushwoolies?”

“They’re plentiful along the border where the Everfree and Whitetail Woods meet.”

The Everfree Forest was beginning to grow on Fluttershy. The longer she remained there without anything trying to eat her the more she came to appreciate the Forest. It helped that she could ask Shady about the wonderful creatures he’d found in the Forest, and Shady was quite charming so long as he wasn’t talking about creatures that might try to eat her.

What Shady had said hours before was definitely true. Not all of nature is red of tooth and claw, even in the Everfree Forest.

“Drop Bears?”

“They are very rare, but you’ll encounter them near the extreme south end of the Forest. Terribly cute little fellows, nasty claws and all.”

“Tree octopi?”

“They are very, very rare these days, but you can still find them in the northwest corner of the Forest.”

“Actually, Doc, they have a colony that’s a lot bigger than you think,” interrupted Drago. “Sorry, but I can’t tell you where they hide. Gotta respect their privacy.”

Fluttershy was also growing to like Drago. This surprised her very much. The dragon was helpful and friendly and very nice, in his own way. He had also kept his promise not to try and eat her.

“I must say, Drago, I would love to sit down with you and discuss the Forest life sometime,” said Shady.

“Sure, Doc, I’d like that, too. Bring your field notebook over some day, we’ll make a party of it. But you bring the snacks. I’m partial to sapphires and aquamarines.”

Fluttershy resumed asking about the local fauna. “Chupacabras?”

“They’re solitary and prefer to stay on the move. They tend not to be very territorial.” Shady looked thoughtful. “Curiously, I have never heard of one actually attacking a goat.”

Drago laughed. “Most goats are smart enough to avoid the Chupas.”

“What about pixie-fairies?” asked Fluttershy.

“Um… those are from a fantasy role-playing game, dear,” answered Shady.

“Oh.”

“Hey, I know something you might like,” said Drago. “When the firebirds come back in the spring.”

“There are firebirds in the Everfree Forest?” gasped Fluttershy.

“They don’t reside here,” said Shady. “But the Forest is on their migratory flyway.”

“I know where they roost to rest up before continuing north,” said Drago. “It’s called Mount Lightning. I could take you there.”

“Um… that’s nice. But… um… could I, maybe… bring some friends?” Fluttershy blushed.

“Hey, don’t be embarrassed. I get it.” Drago gave Fluttershy a gentle nudge. Considering that the dragon could casually knocked her off her hooves, it was surprising that the ‘gentle nudge’ was actually gentle. “You don’t want to be alone with me. You can’t help it, you have dracophobia. I’m not put out. It’s nice of you to try and keep it to yourself.”

“Thank you for being understanding, Drago. It’s very sweet of you.”

Shady started when she said this, and Fluttershy cringed when she realized why. “Oh, my, that’s a terrible insult to a dragon, isn’t it? I’m so sorry… I didn’t mean it…”

Drago laughed. “Hey, I don’t mind that a pony thinks I’m sweet. I’m pretty secure about my fearsomeness. Just don’t say that around another dragon.”

“Oh, I promise I won’t,” said Fluttershy. “I’m pretty sure that will never be an issue.”

“Right. Anyway, like I was saying, a little dracophobia is nothing to be ashamed of. A lot of it’s because of the image we dragons deliberately cultivate. Oh, funny story, you might appreciate this. During the dragon migration I met a big guy with a touch of equiphobia. And he was this huge, fierce type! What brought it on was apparently a pegasus landed on his snout, stomped up the length of it, right up to his face, and almost touched him on the eyeball with her muzzle! Then she told him off for smoking in his sleep. The poor guy had to do the migration for a vacation to get over it enough to get back to his nap!”

“That’s… very interesting,” said Fluttershy.

Further up the tunnel, the foals were bickering.

“I just don’t think ‘Ambush Raiders’ is a good name,” said Angel. “You go to someone to raid them. You trick them into coming to you to ambush them. The two are mutually exclusive.”

Pip giggled. “You sound like Miss Quizzical.”

“I do not!” cried Angel. “I don’t sound like Quiz at all. I can talk normally.”

“That’s not a very nice thing to say about Miss Quizzical,” warned Pip. “You better stop doing that.”

“Don’t start that, you two. We’re a team so we have to play nicely,” interrupted Vallory. “Anyway, I think you’re wrong, Angel. ‘Ambush Raiders’ is an awesome name, and your own point proves it. It shows how versatile we are!”

“Children, I think that’s enough,” ordered Derpy. “No more talk about ambushes or raids.”

Since herding the foals had become nearly impossible, the adults had made a deal with them. They would all follow the tunnel until it ended in the old pony city. They would then head home to Ponyville, and report everything they had discovered to any search party they encountered along the way. If they encountered any diamond dogs the children had strict orders to run away.

That this plan would be followed to the letter was a bit overly optimistic on the part of the adult ponies. However, it seemed like a reasonable compromise to offer the children, since they now had Drago with them. With a dragon on their side the foals were probably safer than they had been all day.

“But Miss Derpy!” cried Vallory, waving a blunt-headed arrow for emphasis. “We’re ready for them! I’m certain I can score that one diamond dog right between the eyes again! We’re the Ambush Raiders! Huzzah!”

“Huzzah!” cried all the the foals.

“I said that was enough,” said Derpy, sternly. “And that’s also enough of weapons. Put it away now, Vallory.”

“Awww.”

#

Only a foot away, in a parallel tunnel, Digger had his ear pressed to the wall.

“Well?” snapped Daggett, impatiently. “Can you hear? Is it them?”

“Oh, yes. The little loud one with the bow is unmistakable.” Digger cringed. “I do not like the little loud one. She wants to shoot me in the face again!”

“Enough about your face! Now, let us hurry to get ahead of them.” Daggett’s eyes shown with either glee, or madness, or perhaps a bit of both. “I have a clever plan!”

“Can’t we just go home, Daggett?” whined Alpha.

“No!”

#

“Whoa! A little more brake on the next turn, Silvy.”

They had taken the first turn on two wheels.

“This contradicts what you said about this not being a thrill ride,” Quiz protested. She was barely audible.

“Sorry.” Silver Spoon pulled the lever harder. “Oh, my Gosh! Should it be throwing all these sparks?”

“Yeah, that means it’s working,” answered Shadow. “The brake is metal on metal. See, we’re slowing down nicely. Um… maybe that’s a little too slow. Let it out it out a little, Silvy. I don’t want to have to get out and push.”

“Darn it!” Silver cried in frustration. “I have no feel for this at all. Diamond, take over.”

“I’d be delighted!” The fillies traded places, and Diamond Tiara took hold of the brake. A feral grin spread across Diamond’s face. “That loser Scootaloo thinks she’s the only pony who can drive!”

Diamond Tiara turned out to be a natural. The mine cart flew down every straightaway, slowing just enough at each switchback to take the turn smoothly. Luckily, Quiz kept her eyes closed and her hooves over her face. Had Quiz looked up to see Diamond, the wind in her mane and a wild gleam in her eyes, Quiz’s heart might have stopped.

They had plunged down ten flights when Silver pointed up at the rim of the quarry. “Look, it’s the diamond dogs.”

“Hah!” Diamond’s grin grew broader. “If the Mangy Trio want to catch us they can just try!”

Quiz whimpered.

“Are they waving to us? That’s cheeky.” Shadow’s brow furrowed in confusion. “Wait, what are they doing? Why aren’t they using one of the other carts to chase us?”

“I don’t understand,” exclaimed Silver. “Seriously, this doesn’t make sense. What are those stupid dogs doing?”

Quiz became just curious enough to take a quick peek. “Well, I believe this is ironic. The diamond dogs are taking the stairs.”

#

“Good-bye, little ponies,” said Reader. “One way or another, I will see you below.”

Reader waved good-bye once more, then turned to join his companions on the stairs.

Scud chuckled. “The little ponies will be surprised when we get to the bottom ahead of them. They do not know about about the elevator three levels down. Stupid ponies!”

Scud and Corso laughed.

Reader glared at them. “Really? You think that is the biggest surprise for the ponies here in this pit? You cannot think of perhaps one much bigger surprise that awaits them?”

Scud scratched his head, then beamed as it dawned on him. “You are right, Reader! That will be a big surprise!”

#

Indy and his friends followed the trail left by Bowser’s pack until they came to a section of tunnel that had collapsed and blocked their way. Indy and Spike stood back, staying out of the way while the better trackers examined the blockage. Spike nibbled on an emerald he’d brought, just in case he needed a quick energy snack, but it was impossible to enjoy the gem because Indy was so distracting. Indy paced and wrung his hands helplessly the whole time they waited.

Finally, two of the diamond dogs approached.

“Lucky, Gruff, you have…” Indy’s voice cracked, and he gulped hard. “...something to report?”

Lucky grinned. “We have good news. There are no little ponies buried under the rubble. There is only more rubble.”

“There is even better news,” added Gruff. “The scents are very confusing, so many dogs and ponies came this way. But no diamond dogs returned, they must all have been on the other side of the cave in. Some ponies did come this way, at least two, possibly four. One of them was the Quizzical.”

“You are certain?”

Gruff and Lucky nodded emphatically. “The Gem Finder’s scent is unmistakable.”

Spike raised an eyebrow. “You guys know Quiz by her scent?”

“Oh, yes, it is very distinct,” said Indy. “There are hints of fine old books, and stone dust from deep layers. Quizzical has a very old scent for one so young. Among diamond dogs that’s actually a compliment, you know.”

“That’s interesting, I guess.” Then Spike gasped. “Dude, are you crying?”

Indy rubbed his eyes. “Indy has just heard that his friend Quizzical is alive and free, and that she is not all alone. A few tears of relief seem justified.”

“Sorry, don’t get all defensive. I’m relieved, too,” said Spike. “Though I gotta be honest, I don’t entirely get it. How did you and Quiz become friends, anyway?”

“Indy met Quizzical at a time when she needed a friend as badly as any pony ever needed a friend. Indy saw it as his duty to be that friend. It wasn’t easy. At the time, Quizzical was in no mood to befriend a diamond dog.”

“But you were her jailer, weren’t you?”

“No, Indy was her keeper. It was Indy’s duty to see to it that the clever pony was fit for work. Indy decided that this included being her friend. This is, perhaps, a very broad interpretation of Indy’s duty, but it worked for Indy.”

“Aww, come on!” exclaimed Spike. He reached up to give Indy a friendly pat on the back, and settled for the back of Indy’s knee. “You were just being a nice guy.”

“Try not to act so surprised, Spike,” grumbled Indy. “Diamond dogs are people, too. Some of us are nice guys. Indy will admit, diamond dogs skew slightly towards being not so nice, but we are not all like Chief Bowser. Spike is currently in the company of many diamond dogs, and we are all nice guys.”

“Indy!” A diamond dog called from the tunnel behind them. “We have found the trail. It is definitely the Quizzical, and three other ponies.”

“Then let us hurry to follow! Quizzical is not yet out of danger. Where is ‘Toven? Spike still needs a ride.”

#

“Dia! Slow down!”

“I’m trying, Shadow!” shouted Diamond Tiara. She was straining with the brake lever. “It’s steeper down on these levels. I think the ponies who built it got bored and really did turn it into a thrill ride.”

“Do your best, Dia. We may have to shift our weight to make the turns.”

“Let me help,” said Silver. She joined Diamond, and the two ponies threw all their weight against the lever. Sparks flew from the wheel, arcing high above the cart.

“Careful!” cried Shadow. “You’ll snap…”

Snap!

The two fillies almost tumbled out of the cart as the lever broke off. The brake shoe was now free-wheeling, and clattered as it bounced ineffectively against the spinning wheel.

“Shadow! What do we do?!” cried Diamond and Silver, in unison.

“Now, don’t panic, Girls, I’m sure we’ll think of something,” replied Shadow. “This isn’t the worst thing that could happen…. Uh, oh.”

The fillies followed Shadow’s gaze to something below them in the quarry. “I just knew it!” declared Silver.

“Well, I guess we know why Reader didn’t follow us in a cart,” said Diamond. “And why we couldn’t see a bridge from up on top.”

From the bottom of the cart, Quiz groaned. “I sense that somepony is about to say that the bridge is out. I absolutely forbid you all from saying this.”

“Okay, Quizzie,” answered Shadow. “But not saying is kinda a lie.”

Comments

[Adin Terim]

Looks you accidently published the chapter before you created it.

[JMac]

6041522 OK, this time for sure...

[Telaros]

WHOA! It's up for real now! A new chapter already? HELL YES! XD

Not like I was looking forward to it or anything.
a.deviantart.net/avatars/a/j/ajliarplz.gif?1

[Blue_Paladin42]

Really, I am surprised Quiz never thought of an elevator. Though, given the age of the quarry, maybe not so surprising.

And naturally, the bridge is out. Narrative causality demands it.

Aw, Indy...

[Telaros]

UPDATE: Wow. Diamond is such a thrill seeker it seems. She WOULD love rollercoasters, wouldn't she? XD All the chapter needed was some comment trying to get Quizzy to look or how much excitement she was missing out on. Loved the way you described that wild look, Quiz should have taken a peek, reaction would have been too cute.

Well, Fluttershy seems to be getting along swimmingly.

Derpy is a buzz-kill as per usual to the foals, I mean who doesn't want to shoot monsters in the face? Hmph.

Whelp. That ending was ironic, I'll give ya that much. Should have paid it more attention to Silver Spoon's sudden bout of apprehension as foreshadowing than squeeing over Quizzy's adorable pleas. xD

UPDATE 2: Whoops! Never posted update one! lol Got busy working on a group post. :p

[Telaros]

6042242 lol those mineshaft elevators are scary. xD

Let's be grateful the ponies haven't gone deep enough to encounter potentially dangerous gases, if they aren't already being mildly introduced to them and we just don't know yet!

[Boott]

and report everything they had discovered to any search party the encountered along the way. If they encountered any diamond dogs the children had strict orders to run away.

[Seether00]

Ah, the old mine cart run. Classic.

[djthomp]

Hey, it only makes sense that a set of stairs would be safer than a mine cart track.