> My Little Reflection > by Skyward Gaze > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Chapter 1 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “No Pinkie!” exclaimed Twilight as she and her pink mare friend set foot into the library. “But Twilight you have got to believe me!” Pinkie argued. “No buts. It was bad enough when you first uncovered the Mirror Pool, and I don't want to risk loosing you again.” Twilight continued. “Besides even if you did hear some pony trapped in the cavern who's to say its not another clone of you that we somehow missed.” Pinkie opened her mouth, but a counter argument was hesitant to be found. Twilight being busy multitasking as usual began levitating books from her vast collection searching through them for some bit of information she may have somehow missed the first time she read them. Pinkie followed just behind the compulsive book worm pony thinking up an arsenal of words that would sway the argument in her favor, however with every book that passed before her friends eyes she came closer to the conclusion that she no matter the circumstances would never be able to defeat the purple mare in a war of words. Pinkie turned and left through the door though which the two friends had entered leaving a book entranced Twilight behind her. It was a warm sunny day in Ponyville and undoubtedly many ponies would be either to busy or to skeptical as to Pinkie's intentions for uncovering the Mirror Pool. “Where am I going to find some pony capable of moving that big boulder out of the way on such short notice?” Pinkie asked herself. “I just hope I can get who ever is stuck down there out before it's to late!” she continued to herself at rates of speed unmatched by any other in Ponyville. “and what if...” she gasped for the thought shook her. “What if whoever is down there stepped into the Mirror Pool to! I mean if being surrounded by hundreds of me for a day was almost intolerable just think what it would be like to be trapped for days with just as many clones if not more!” Pinkie almost could not contain herself for the scenario she had painted in her head was too awful to imagine. “and not being able to get out of that old dust filled cave!” wait a minute. She thought. “That's it! A dust filled cave! And some pony is stuck in it!” Just then she had come to a possible solution to the dilemma. “I know just who would be willing to help me!” she excitedly told herself. “There is no time to waste!” and just like that she shot like a rocket to Rarity's boutique leaving a few befuddled ponies wondering what all the commotion was about. Upon arrival a panting Pinkie propelled herself through the boutique door startling Rarity causing her to drop the fabric she was currently stitching to the floor just before she was tackled by the pink mass of energy. Pinkie poured sentence after sentence between gasps over Rarity who was completely stunned by the sudden unexpected encounter. “Please please slow down.” Rarity begged “I can't understand a word of what you're saying.” Pinkie stopped for a moment and proceeded to take a deep breath before restarting her story but this time at a understandable speed. “Earlier I was out by the Mirror Pool cavern and...” “What were you doing by the Mirror Pool cavern?” Rarity interrupted “Didn't you learn your lesson the last time you were out there?” “That's not the point!” Pinkie continued “I was out looking for one of my ball stashes because I was suffering a ball emergency...” “Ball emergency?” again Rarity was pulling pinkie off topic. “Just never mind!” a frustrated Pinkie Pie blurted out “The point is I was out there and I heard a strange a knock knock knocking coming from the other side of the boulder Twilight put over the entrance!” Rarity opened her mouth to add some input but Pinkie cut her off to finish her story in a timely manner. “So I thought to myself oh my gosh there is some pony stuck down there with all that dirt!” “dirt?!!!” Rarity stammered “Yea the cave is filled with the stuff!” Pinkie replied. “Imagine getting it all matted up in you mane and not having a way to get it out! I asked Twilight for help but she said no, and....” pinkie continued rattling on but Rarity had stopped listening. “Some pony is stuck in a dirty... no filthy cave with no way out?!!!” Rarity again stammered. Just the thought was unbearable. She could visualize a pony with a once gorges mane now matted down with mud, and dirt. Then she imagined what it would be like to be that pony with no way to groom herself. The thought made her blood run cold, and she fainted on the spot. Rarity slowly began to come to. when her eyes began to open she saw her friend still making dramatic motions with her hooves while still apparently discussing the Mirror Pool, who ever was stuck in the cavern, and... oh no. she was reminded of how filthy it was. “No” Rarity whispered to herself “I am not just going to sit here when some pony is in such grave danger!” “What's that?” Pinkie chimed in. “We have to help the poor poor pony trapped in that uncouth cavern! Its the only right thing to do!” “That's what I have been saying this whole time!” Pinkie let out in relief that finally some pony understood the importance of this rescue mission other than her. “I insist that you take me to the cavern immediately so we can let that poor mare out.” Rarity practically commanded as she began to pack a bag with different beauty products. “That mare will undoubtedly need a make over once we rescue her.” After Rarity packed a exceptionally heavy bag that she deemed her light grab and go make up purse. The two Ponies made there way out the door Pinkie hopping ahead leading Rarity who was toting the large beauty bag toward the Mirror Pool Cavern. It was not long however before she grew tired of levitating the bag and the two mission driven ponies needed to stop and rest. The two spotted a clearly busy Spike carrying a stack of books back to Twilight's Library. she must have already read through her monstrous collection Pinkie recalled her scanning through earlier. “Oh Spikie Wikie!” Rarity called. The baby dragon instantly dropped the books to the ground hearing his once the sound of Rarities words hit his ears. Whatever she needed it must be exceptionally important. He came running at speeds that were rarely if not ever produced by his tiny legs that put him within hooves reach in almost no time at all. “Yes Rarity.” he said in a floaty tone that carried his statement the short distance from him to the well kept white mare before him. “Would you be a darling and help me carry my things? It would be very gentlemen like of you to help a lady such as myself.” Rarity said summoning the tiniest pet voice she could. “Sure thing.” replied an eager Spike. He jumped at the chance to impress Rarity. He would do anything to bring her around to feeling the same way about him as he did about her. Pinkie attempted to muffle a playful chuckle as the little dragon managed to lift Rarity's travel bag over his head. It was at least the same size as him and he was clearly having a hard time with it. As all of his muscles trembled he asked where they were going. The two mares filled Spike in as they reached the outskirts of Ponyville and began to enter the Everfree forest to find the cavern. > Chapter 2 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- As they entered the Everfree Forest Pinkie, Rarity, and Spike all felt tension in the air. Pinkie was concerned with the unhappiness of the poor trapped pony, whilst Rarity was all strung up about how filthy said pony must be, however spike was just loaded down with a clearly overfilled bag. Every few steps he nearly collapsed under the bags weight, and the only thing on his mind was how long it would take before he could set down his load and rest. After some time wandering about in the forest the scenery began to make all but Pinkie feel uneasy. “Are you sure you know where we are going?” Rarity asked. “I think we have been walking in circles.” “Of course I know where I am going silly!” Pinkie exclaimed. Just as a sudden series of shudders made their way down her back. “Besides with my Pinkie sense I know that we are getting close!” “About time!” Bellowed the baby dragon. Rarity glanced back at him, and that's all it took to change the Spike's tune. “I mean.... ummm its about time for us to stop already? I was just getting warmed up” He barely managed to wheeze. Just then his muscles gave out, and he collapsed like a picture in a pop up book beneath the behemoth of a bag. “We're here!” Pinkie announced. “I knew that.” Came a muffled voice of a crushed dragon. “You girls go on I'll stay here and guard the bag.” The two mares exchanged glances and their eyes fell back upon the Spike, or at least the bits of him that were not beneath the bag. “You know... to make sure that its not eaten by Parasprites.” he barely managed to push from his smothered face. “Oh thank you my brave brave little dragon” Rarity barely managed to say without laughing. “I just would not know what to do without you.” “It's... no... it's no problem.......” Spike managed to mumble in a barely audible tone, and just a moment later snoring could be heard coming from somewhere beneath Rarity's well guarded purse. Together the two Ponies shared a laugh at the sheer irony of the scene before them. The poor baby dragon had collapsed right at the base of the boulder lodged in the entrance of the Mirror Pool Cavern. The time had come to lift the boulder out of the way. Second thoughts began to rise in Rarity's, mind. She gave a glance to Pinkie and wondered aloud. “What if there is a swarm of... well... you know... you down there?” “Your right!” Pinkie exclaimed. “We will need a way to tell me apart from the fakes if there are any down there!” Rarity thought for a moment and came up with am idea. She rummaged through her bag, and found a pink velvety scarf. She quickly used a sewing needle and some thread she had packed to sew her friends name into it, and she carefully wrapped it around Pinkies neck. “There.” Rarity said as she stepped back to observe her work. “Now I doubt any pony down there in that cave has a scarf like that! As long as you don't take it off we can make sure that you don't get mixed up.” Satisfied that the two had solved the problem Rarity began to use her magic in an attempt to levitate the boulder. At first nothing appeared to change, however soon the rock began to shake. It was bigger than most objects Rarity was used to moving, and she had to strain herself in order to make any progress. It seemed that she was going to just barely manage to do it when suddenly her magic gave out, and the boulder fell back into the hole, successfully resealing it again. The shock wave resulting from the sudden blow to the earth startled the sleeping Spike back to life scrambling his way out from under the beauty bag and diving into it for security in stead. “I can't do it” Rarity said as she fell backwards into the soft grass. “The boulders far to large for me to move.” She stated between deep breathes. Pinkie drooped down to the ground knowing whoever was down there was going to remain where they were even longer. Spike had now climbed out of the bowels of Rarity's bag and asked "Maybe Twilight can help?" Pinkie, however already knew that Twilight had made it abundantly clear that there was not going to be any involvement on her part in this rescue. "After all she is the one who put the rock hear in the first place." Spike continued. Just then they heard a familiar voice shout out. "Spike!" Twilight called out. She had been searching for him all afternoon. He was supposed to bring the books that Princes Celestia herself had sent Twilight back to the library so they could be properly shelved, however he never came back. She had found the books just strewn across the ground when she went out searching for him and followed a hunch that the unusually deep baby dragon tracks she found nearby belonged to him. Naturally she followed the trail and now she had caught up and she was not pleased to find her friends attempting to undo the work she had done to keep Ponyville safe. > chapter 3 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “What do you think your doing!” Twilight exclaimed. “We cant risk unleashing another pinkie swarm!” Pinkie curled up preparing for a stern lecture, while Rarity began fidgeting not knowing weather to defend her friend, support Twilight, or simply slink away back to her boutique. Spike began to climb back into Rarity's bag when Twilight began levitating him back to her against his will. “Whoa whoa whoa!” spike cried as he desperately as he made swimming motions in a final attempt of escape. “And you mister!” Twilight lectured. “Just where do you think your going!” Spike nervously swallowed, and began to sputter half baked excuses but Twilight was not buying any of them. “You were supposed to bring the books the princess sent me. I waited, and waited, until I got worried and came searching for you!” Twilight recalled aloud. “And what do I find? I find my books left in the middle of the street all trotted upon, and scuffed! I have never known you to mistreat a book like that Spike! What do you have to say for yourself?” The baby dragon could only let out a small whimper as he dangled helplessly in the air before the enraged mare. Just then before Twilight could continue there came a dull thud. “What was that?” Rarity asked both as a distraction to draw Twilight's attention from spike, and out of her own curiosity. Then there was another thud. “That's it” Pinkie shouted as she sprang up off of the ground. Twilight finally took her piercing eyes off of spike and turned to face her pink friend. Her attention had successfully been diverted. So much so that she completely forgot about Spike, and had released him to free fall into some bushes producing a loud crack of a breaking branch, and a groaning dragon. “That's what Pinkie?” Twilight asked completely ignoring the disobedient assistant she had carelessly cast aside. “Its the a knock knock knocking that I was trying to tell you about earlier!” Pinkie exploded. “Doesn't any pony ever listen!” The thuds continued at a steady pace. Each one just as dull as the others, rhythmically pounding away as if it were an amplified pulse. “Its coming from under the boulder.” Pinkie explained. “That's why I wanted you guys to come help me figure out who Is down there and see if they need any help! I mean we all know there is no other way in or out of the cavern except by moving this rock, so whoever is down there must be trapped.” “Maybe it's a ghost?” a battered Spike added with a stutter. “No spike.” Twilight replied. “There is no such thing as ghosts.” “How do you know if its not a ghost?” Pinkie blurted out. Then Spike began to shiver. “Don't worry Spike I'm pretty sure its going to be a friendly ghost. I mean really if it was a meanie pants ghost it would be moaning like this.” Pinkie proceed to put her hooves to her mouth, and let out a silly moaning sound. Spike stopped shaking and said with a laugh. “Well then, what have we got to worry about.” “There is no such thing as ghosts!” Twilight then repeated. “Ill open up the cavern and prove it!” and just like that Twilight's horn began to glow, and with a nod of the head she cast the boulder out of the way hurling it into the bushes. The crash of the might boulder caused alarm for all the nearby animals sending them darting in all different directions out of fear. “Now go on spike. Go down, and see that there is no ghosts.” Twilight said confidently. Spike peered down into the cave nervously. He had a fear lurking in his gut that both of his friends were wrong and there could be an angry ghost that is not looking to make new friends. Maybe the ghost was looking for lunch instead. Spike froze and place for a moment before the darkness. What if.... he wondered. What if there is more than one angry hungry ghost down there! “Oh of course you will need some light Dear to make sure you don't fall and get all dirty.” Rarity added as she levitated a lantern from her bag into spikes claws. “Its OK really.” spike began, attempting to formulate a way to avoid facing his fears. “I agree with Twilight there is no way there are any ghosts down there so I don't think there is any reason for me to go looking for something that is not real.” Upon hearing his words Twilight smirked. Finally some pony for once trusted logic, and reason. Then Pinkie sprang up and began pushing Spike into the mouth of the cavern. “Well then you wouldn't mind going down there for us and telling whoever is down there knocking that the way is clear to come back out.” Spike planted his feat but it was of no use. The energetic Pinkie simply continued to slide him. He opened his mouth to argue but before he knew it he was swallowed up in darkness, and he no longer felt anything beneath his feet. He had been pushed right off of an edge and fell deeper within the cavern with a scream. Pinkie returned from the mouth of the cave, and put an arm around Twilight and said “Thanks for coming out hear and helping us move that boulder even though you said you didn't think it was a good idea.” Just then Twilight's confident look melted away as her eyes widened. “Without you we would have never been able to move it. You are a true friend.”