Part 32 - Escape
The noise and commotion happening in the corridor made its way down to Baby Rainribbon's room. Still she stayed there with Baby Bouncy and Baby Frost, the pale baby pony saying little for the most part.
Outside, muffled yelling could be heard. Hooves galloped past the room, silence briefly falling before something dragged itself past the door. Baby Rainribbon squeezed Mr Stuffings tighter, Baby Frost approaching the door and knelt down, looking under it.
"The mannequins…" she said quietly. "They were the start, body-less souls summoned forth."
"They always seemed to come from that room," Baby Bouncy remarked, "I don't know if Baby Sunribbon encountered them when she was in there."
Baby Rainribbon nodded. "She did. They left her in there overnight at one point."
There was a crash outside, causing Baby Frost to jump and scamper away from the door. She turned back to it and hissed. The door handle rattled, something on the other side hitting it. Baby Frost motioned for Baby Rainribbon and Baby Bouncy to get behind her. Baby Bouncy refused, though Baby Rainribbon did not.
At the door, a long, thin, shadow crept under it, reaching, searching. Baby Frost went forward, her horn lit up and she touched it to the shadow. There was an audible groan before it retracted.
"We're not safe," Baby Frost told them.
Baby Bouncy frowned. "And we are with you?"
Baby Rainribbon looked between the two, then went to Baby Frost. "Pearly thought so."
Baby Frost stood for a moment longer, then opened the door. Baby Bouncy was quick to follow.
The corridor was crawling with creatures, mannequins, shadows, and long claws reaching out of the walls. Baby Frost halted them, and bade them to get onto the floor. Baby Bouncy and Baby Rainribbon did so, Baby Rainribbon moving closer to the wall.
"No! It'll get you!" Baby Frost whispered. For a second, she sounded young.
They crept along the corridor, slowly, carefully, Baby Frost keeping a lookout for anything untoward. Around them, the creatures skulked through the shadows, throwing doors open and roared when it proved to be empty.
Baby Frost halted them again.
Ahead, claws swept through the air, reaching both high and low looking for a victim. On the opposite wall, a mannequin stood silently, its stillness unnerving. Baby Frost moved forward, almost being caught by the claws. Strangely, it did not disturb the mannequin. It did not move, nor breath, staring down the corridor. Baby Frost tried to pass it again, the claws missing her by inches.
She reached the other side of them and nodded.
Baby Bouncy was first. She crawled on her belly toward the claws, then waited for Baby Frost's signal. When the pale pony nodded, Baby Bouncy crawled forward and stopped when Baby Frost held up her hoof. The pale unicorn looked over her shoulder, checking for anything else. She motioned once more for Baby Bouncy move forward, then grabbed her hooves and dragged her the last way when the claws almost grazed her.
Baby Rainribbon was next.
She looked over her shoulder, hoping for a different route to go instead of past the claws. There was none, and she tried to silence her mind from infecting the rest of her with the panic her internal voice spewed.
She waited for Baby Frost to motion and moved slowly when the unicorn did. She halted when told while Baby Bouncy kept a lookout. The claws seemed to get closer and closer, Baby Rainribbon sure she could feel them on her. She moved further and further, going too far when Baby Frost held up her hoof. The claws reached down and felt her there. This spurred the mannequin into action, its head snapping around. Baby Frost grabbed Baby Rainribbon and pushed both her and Baby Boundy down the corridor into a sprint.
The group of baby ponies ran, galloping down the corridor, skidding around corners and almost crashing into walls. They outran the mannequin, throwing open a door and hid in the room.
Baby Rainribbon, still with Mr Stuffings, sat on the floor trying to catch her breath. The room at least was empty, they didn't have to explain what was happening outside of it.
Baby Bouncy moved from one end of the room to the other, she was restless, despite the creatures that had chased them in there.
Baby Frost peered through the keyhole of the door, waiting. Eventually she moved away from it, heaving a sigh. "They're gone," she told them.
Baby Bouncy approached the door, ready to open it, when Baby Frost stopped her. "You said they were gone," Baby Bouncy said.
Baby Frost nodded. "The ones who chased us are. I don't know what else is out there."
A bang against the door answered otherwise.
Baby Bouncy cried out and hurried away from the door. Baby Rainribbon grabbed her, holding her close, and she felt Baby Bouncy return the hug.
There were several minutes of blessed silence. Nothing walked past the door, nothing thudded against it, nor did anything try to get in. Instead it was quiet. This did little to ease Baby Rainribbon's mind, the silence seeming to be worse than anything chasing them. Or perhaps it was the waiting. She wasn't sure.
Eventually, Baby Frost opened the door once more and nodded for them to follow. Baby Rainribbon, went to the doorway, poking her head out. She looked both ways down each corridor and to her relief, there was nothing. Baby Frost led them once more, heading through the corridors and halls, each seeming to look the same as the last. At the very least, Baby Frost seemed confident in where she was going, and for that, Baby Rainribbon was glad.
Baby Frost headed down another corridor, then came to a halt. Baby Rainribbon looked over her shoulder and saw why Baby Frost had stopped. Peach Blossom stood ahead of them. On seeing the Flutter Pony, Baby Rainribbon broke into a run and barreled into the other pony.
Peach Blossom hugged her, squeezing her tightly. "You're safe now, little one," Peach Blossom said into her ear.
Baby Rainribbon turned and waved Baby Bouncy and Baby Frost over.
Baby Frost was reluctant, staying back and away from the Flutter Pony.
"Little one, we can heal you," Peach Blossom told her.
Baby Frost frowned. "Nothing can heal this," she answered.
"Dazzleglow has been healing all that have come to her."
Baby Frost's eyes widened. "Dazzleglow is here?"
Peach Blossom nodded. "Indeed. Allow me to lead you to her and we can ascertain just how severely you've been affected."
The baby ponies followed Peach Blossom, the Flutter Pony dealing with any creatures that dared come close. Eventually they reached an exit through the mines and tunnels, Dazzleglow waiting there for them.
"Are these the last of them?" Dazzleglow asked.
Peach Blossom nodded. "It appears the leaders have escaped. Their creations are still within the confines of the building, however I am led to believe they will disappear."
"All right. We'll get everyone back to Paradise Estate."
Baby Rainribbon watched as Dazzleglow knelt to Baby Frost's level, lit up her horn, and touched it to Baby Frost. Her natural colour came back, a light green washing over her body while silver sparkle weaved through her blue hair.
Peach Blossom led them out of the building entirely and to the other unicorn.