ONUA, TOA OF EARTH
DUST FILLED THE STAGNANT AIR OF THE CAVERN. TAHU STRUGGLED AGAINST THE large rock pinning his leg to the ground, straining to move the heavy object. He felt so foolish, using that attack in such a confined space; he should have known better.
He heard coughing in the darkness, and a second later, the cavern was illuminated with a purple light from Twilight Sparkle's horn.
"Is everyone okay?" she asked.
"Could be better," Rainbow Dash coughed as she dug her way out of the rubble. She turned to Tahu. "Way to go, hot head. You could have gotten us all killed!"
Tahu finally managed to move the rock off of his leg. "You're still alive, aren't you?"
"My head came within an inch of getting crushed like an egg!" Rainbow Dash shouted.
"Rainbow, yelling like that isn't going to fix anything," Twilight said. "We have to find everyone else. Help me did." She used her magic to move some of the rubble.
More rocks were moved as Rarity used her magic to dig herself out. She coughed and spit as she tried to expel dust from her nose and throat. "What just happened?" Rainbow Dash gave no answer; just pointed a hoof at Tahu, who was using his swords to dig through the rubble. "Oh. Right. I'm sure it was an honest accident."
"Accident my left hoof," Rainbow Dash snorted. "Hey, I think I see Lewa."
Lewa raised a green limb out of the rubble. "Oh, my head. That was really not fun."
"Are you okay, Lewa?" Rarity asked.
Lewa rubbed his head. "My head is sore-hurt, but I think I'll live." He shook his head. "Has anyone spot-seen Kopaka and Yellow-Flier?"
"We just started digging," Tahu said as he moved a large rock off the pile of rubble. "So far we've just found you." He moved another rock. "I'm sure they're in this rubble somewhere. Hey Kopaka! If you can hear me, make it cold!"
"Fluttershy, are you in here?" Twilight called. "Fluttershy! Kopaka!"
"Yeah, like they're gonna hear you under all this stuff," Rainbow Dash snarked. She grabbed a large boulder in her front hooves and pulled on it, struggling to lift it off the pile, her wings flapping madly. "Holy horseshoes, this thing is heavy." She dropped the boulder when she felt it suddenly go cold to the touch. "Whoa! I think I found Kopaka!"
The surrounding rocks grew cold and became covered in ice. A second later, they shattered as Kopaka emerged, using his shield to cover his head. Smaller pebbles and rocks rolled off of his shield and his mask. He shook his head, then turned to Tahu.
"Don't ever. Do that. Again."
"Was Fluttershy down there with you?" Rarity asked. Kopaka shook his head. "Then she's still in here somewhere."
"Help," a tiny voice squeakd.
"Fluttershy!" Rainbow Dash called. "Squeak again!" She began moving some rocks. "Squeak again so we can hear you!" She refused to let Fluttershy be stuck in another cave; at least this one didn't have a giant transforming dragon that could kill her without even trying, but that didn't absolve the fact that she refused to leave Fluttershy buried under this pile of rubble.
Tahu, Lewa, and Kopaka used their swords as levers to move some of the rocks, while Twilight and Rarity used their magic to clear the rubble. The more rocks they moved, the closer they were to uncovering Fluttershy. A bit of her yellow fur was showing through the gaps in the rubble. A moment later, one of Fluttershy's hooves pushed through. Fluttershy waved her hoof around.
"Help," she squeaked again. "I can barely breathe in here."
"We'll get you out of there, just wait a minute or two," Tahu said as he moved another rock. But there are so many rocks, I'm not sure we'll make it in time, he added silently. If only Onua were here.
"If you guys are having a party, you forgot to invite me," a deep voice boomed. A hunched dark figure came down the chamber – it was another Toa, this one jet black, save for his glowing green eyes. Like the other two Toa, he was donned in silver chest and shoulder armor, and his mask resembled a flattened rock. "Ooh, yeah, looks like you got a bit of a problem."
"Can't say I'm surprised you'd show up to a cave in, Onua," Kopaka said softly.
"Well, I was in the area and I heard the boom," Onua replied. "So, what's up? Tahu bring the roof down again?"
"Will everyone just get off my back!" Tahu yelled. "It was a stupid accident!"
"Toa Onua, can you help us dig our friend out?" Twilight asked. "Fluttershy's still stuck under all this rubble."
"No problem, short stuff," Onua agreed. He ruffled her mane with a hand, before reaching behind him and procuring two objects that looked like elongated chainsaws. "Everyone just stand back." He dug his tools into the rubble, the vibrations shattering the rocks, turning them to dust. Pebbles bounced off of his mask and his armor, but if he noticed, he showed no signs of such.
A few seconds later, Fluttershy was free – albeit covered in dirt and dust. She coughed, expelling dirt and dust from her throat.
"Thank you, Toa," she said softly.
"It's what I do," Onua answered. He smiled as Twilight, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash rushed over to Fluttreshy, the four ponies joining together in a group hug. "I'll be honest, that's adorable."
Twilight nuzzled against Fluttershy, before turning to Onua. "Toa Onua, right?"
"That's me, Toa of Earth."
"We're trying to find our friends," Twilight said. "Have you seen them?"
"I'm going to assume you're talking about that goofy pink one," Onua guessed. "Yeah, I've seen her around Onu-Koro."
"Pinkie Pie?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Where is she now?"
"Still in Onu-Koro, last time I saw her," Onua answered. He waved a hand. "Follow me."
######################################
The tunnels continued on for miles. The only light was coming from the lightstones on the walls, illuminating the black, brown, and gray earth of the cavern. The cave walls were moist with water and mildew, making them glisten in the golden light. The four ponies followed Onua, the other three Toa bringing up the rear.
"When did you see Pinkie Pie last?" Rainbow Dash asked. She was getting anxious waiting to see Pinkie Pie; it felt like forever since the had last seen any of her other friends, and she was starting to get worried.
"Let's see here," Onua said. "I think it was about…three…maybe four hours ago. I don't know where she ran off to, but she sure was happy."
"That's Pinkie Pie for you," Twilight said. "She's always happy."
Rarity scoffed. "Onua, I mean no offense by this, but do you think someone would look into installing some ventilation into these tunnels? It's so muggy."
"Nothing I can do about that, really," Onua told her. "It's mostly the Onu-Matoran who use these tunnels. Sometimes the other Matoran come through here, but since only Onu-Matoran can see in the dark, that's why we installed these lightstones."
"Good thing, too," Kopaka said. "The last time I came through these tunnels with Matoro and Turaga Nuju, Matoro ran into a stalactite. Nearly knocked his mask off."
"And welcome to Onu-Koro," Onua announced as they entered a large chamber. The entire chamber was carved out to the size of a small city, the entire village of Onu-Koro fitting into the room. The roof towered over them all, several stories high, accommodating the large hut in the center of the village – which the ponies guessed was the Turaga's hut. Every few meters, there was a post with a lightstone atop it, illuminating the village. Various little shops and vendors were set up along the streets, selling lightstones, mining tools, fish, and various other goods. A railroad track ran through the center of the village, ending at a pair of buffers just before a rock wall.
And coming towards them was another Turaga, this one wielding a spear tipped with a drill. He was smiling as he approached, his green eyes fixated on the ponies.
"Ah, more of our four-legged visitors," he said. "It would seem that Pinkie Pie was indeed telling the truth." He bowed lightly. "Welcome to Onu-Koro."
"Thank you, Turaga," Twilight said as she and the other ponies returned his bow. "Um, did you say Pinkie Pie?"
"I did, yes," the Turaga said. "Oh, forgive me. I am Whenua, Turaga of this village. And you four are…?"
"Hello, Turaga Whenua. I'm Princess Twilight Sparkle."
"Rarity. A pleasure to meet you."
"I'm Rainbow Dash. How're you doing?"
"Hello. My name is Fluttershy."
"How do you know Pinkie Pie, Turaga Whenua?" Twilight asked.
"She came to our village recently," Whenua explained. "And I must say, she is certainly the energetic one."
"You're not kidding," Onua added. "I get tired out just thinking about her."
"Where is she now?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"She went exploring one of the mines with Nuparu before I went to investigate that cave in," Onua answered.
"Yes, what was that, by the way?" Whenua asked. He turned his eyes to Tahu. "Did Tahu lose his temper again?"
Tahu threw his hands into the air. "Why is everyone picking on me?" he cried.
Rainbow Dash couldn't help but chuckle. "It's funny because it's true."
"Watch it, blue, or I might roast you next," Tahu threatened.
"Not if I blow out your fires first," Rainbow Dash threatened back.
"Rainbow, Tahu, enough!" Twilight snapped. "Sorry about them, Turaga. They've been at that for a while. So when was the last time you saw Pinkie Pie, anyway?"
"I do believe that was three hours ago," Whenua answered, scratching his chin in thought. "Nuparu said they would be back."
The sound of a rail car filled their ears. They all turned to the nearby track, the sound of the car getting closer. Along with the sound of the rail car, there was also the sound of someone cheering, a sound that the ponies recognized.
"That sounds like Pinkie Pie," Rarity guessed.
A mine cart came rolling around the bend, Pinkie Pie and a small Onu-Matoran with an orange mask riding in it. Pinkie Pie was cheering as the car rolled down the track –
Heading for a set of buffers at the end.
"Pinkie Pie! Matoran! Jump out!" Rainbow Dash yelled.
Fluttershy covered her eyes with her front hooves. "I can't watch."
The cart was getting closer to the buffers. The Onu-Matoran pulled back on the brake handle. The tires squealed as the brakes caught, bringing the cart to a stop.
"Whee!" Pinkie Pie cried as she leaped out of the cart. "Hey, anyone else want to go riding the mine cart with me? That was super fun!" The other ponies galloped over to her, Fluttershy leaping on top of her and tackling her to the ground in a tight hug. "Hey you guys. Did you meet Nuparu yet?" She waved at the Toa. "Hi Onua! Hi other Toa!"
"We're so glad you're safe, Pinkie Pie," Fluttershy said as she nuzzled against her friend. "When we saw the Shadow Bohrok, we were so worried."
"What's a Shadow Bohrok?" Pinkie Pie asked. "Oh, you mean those monster Whenua talked about. Hey!" She leaped to her hooves, nearly throwing Fluttershy off of her. "Do you mean you were scared one of those things had gobbled me up?"
"Well, kind of, yeah," Rainbow Dash answered. "We've seen those things and they're not exactly friendly."
"At least you're safe," Twilight said. "But what about Applejack and Starlight Glimmer? Have you seen them?"
"Not since Kronos sent us here," Pinkie Pie answered. Twilight hung her head in sadness. "But I'm sure they're safe. Maybe they're with the other Toa."
"It's possible," Tahu said as the Toa joined them. "Gali and Pohatu would be watching them, assuming your friends are even in Po-Koro and Ga-Koro."
"Maybe we should pay them a visit," Twilight suggested.
"Yes, but can we please get something to eat first?" Rarity asked. "Forgive me, everypony, but my stomach is growling."
"I hear ya there, Rare," Rainbow Dash agreed.
"Then join me in my hut," Whenua offered. "I will prepare a meal for all of you. And then you are welcome to stay the night. You may need the rest before you continue your search for your friends."
