Burning Twilight

Chapter 2: Cavern Trouble


Scene 1: The Everfree Forest

"I cannot believe the Elements of Harmony are gone!" Twilight exclaimed to herself as the friends walked on the path of the Everfree Forest. "We must ask Zecora- he may know a solution to find the princesses and stop this!"

The other ponies nodded in agreement, for Zecora was one of the wisest and knowledgeable ponies (or should I say zebras?) they knew.

KNOCK! KNOCK! Rainbow Dash had rushed ahead and was knocking her hooves on Zecora's shed. Instantly, a hooded figure appeared from behind the door.

"Greetings, my fellow pony friends. I see you need help. The answer you'll need? It is in a piece of kelp!" Zecora rhymed out as he usually does. He threw back his brown hood and let them in. They all had a seat at Zecora's little table.

"What do you mean a piece of kelp?" Twilight questioned. "What does a piece of kelp have to do with this?"

"Oh, it is no ordinary kelp. It is made of fire, to touch it will make you yelp." Zecora answered.

"What does this fire do? Give you powers?" Rainbow Dash suggested.

"Yes, but the powers can only be wielded by a true princess that knows the magic of friendship. Don't worry, there is no need to bite your lip." Zecora looked at Twilight Sparkle with a smile.

"Wait a second, I can get fire powers from this piece of kelp? Though it may help with the sun and moon, what about the princesses? And the Elements of Harmony?" Twilight was completely confused.

"That answer can only be revealed, when you get the powers which are sealed." Zecora said.

"Where'd we find this kelp thing though?" Applejack wondered.

"That is very simple, my friend. Follow this forest's path until end. Then, swim under the warm river, where there is no need to shiver. I wish you well on your journey, since it may be hard, but I do have this little hint in this card." Zecora handed them a little card. "I must go now, so don't be a cow!"


Scene 2: The Everfree Rivers

"I think this is it, girls- the end of Everfree forest."

Twilight and the rest of the crew were observing around, looking for a body of water.

"Are you sure this is safe? I'm feeling queasy to being so deep in the woods!" Spike glanced around at the stretching sky, which most of it was covered with trees that towered over them like giants.

"Ain't worry, Spike ol' pal. We're with ya!" Applejack comforted.

"Excuse me, but I think there is a river right over-" Fluttershy whispered quietly that no one heard, but was interrupted by Rainbow Dash.

"Found the river guys!" she exclaimed.

"Good work, Rainbow!" Twilight looked around, and sighted the river in the marshes. She quickly pulled a vine away so she could have a better look.

I really have to be louder... Fluttershy thought with a little sigh. I could have gotten the credit then.

"This is awefully big, dear. How are you supposed to find it when you cannot breathe underwater? It will be a disaster if you cannot get the oxygen you need!" Rarity pointed out. Then she added," Your princess suit will be ruined!", in which Twilight ignored this.

Twilight took something out of the pockets of the bag over her princess suit, and pulled out the card Zecora gave to help them, and then read it to see if it could be any help to breathing underwater. The card said:

To achieve the fiery power,

Find the kelp, but you'll have to take a bit of a shower!

How do you last long enough in water?

Find the bowl with saltwater.

Where do you seek for this item?

The spooky caverns, near the rivers, which you can spot 'em!

But there are dangers too!

The bowls? There are two!

One is brackish and one is saltwater.

Pick the brackish, and you'll go splatter!

With the saltwater bowl, when you safely get out of the caves,

Your bowl will make miniature waves.

Drink the water, do not be scared!

It will be cared.

Voila! You can last underwater!

Wow, just like an otter!

"I think I get the riddle on this card!" Twilight happily smiled. "There should be some caverns around here. We go in and find a bowl filled with saltwater, but not brackish or we will be booby trapped. I drink the water, then I can go underwater! Pretty much, that is what the card says."

"But it ain't over with trouble. We gotta not pick brackish water. How are we 'sposed to tell?" Applejack shivered.

"I know! I can have a party with the bowls! Whoever parties the most is the saltwater!" Pinkie Pie jumped up and down.

"Pinkie...no. We cannot have parties with water. They cannot move like us. We need to look at the water. Usually brackish water is very cloudy and unclear, while in saltwater it is crystal clear and the salt is recognizable," Twilight explained.

"Wow, you sure know tons about saltwater and...uh..."rapish"?" Rainbow Dash said.

"It is brackish, and we should get going to finding the c-"

"Found it! My "pinkie senses" always work." Pinkie Pie was standing near a rocky opening of a cave.

"Thanks?" Rarity stared at Pinkie in disbelief in how quick she had found it, but got over it gradually. After that, they all entered the caverns.

"It sure is dark!" Spike exclaimed.

"Spike, can you light up my torch?" Twilight asked. She held up the wooden item high in the air, which was barely visible now. Spike took a deep breath, and soon enough Spike caused the torch to become engulfed in dancing flames.

"Glad I can see now. Ooh! Those are thy bowls?" Applejack pointed her hoof at a rock on the ground. On top of it were two bowls filled with water.

Twilight observed the two bowls carefully.

"This right one is salt-"

But before the alicorn could finish her sentence, Pinkie picked up the left bowl.

The brackish one.

BOOM!

Suddenly, the rocks of the cavern began to fall.

"PINKIE!" the rest of the crew yelled.

"Whoops!" Pinkie replied.

The ponies and the dragon ran and ran as fast as they could towards the opening of the cave.

But they were too late. Big boulders blocked the entrance.

"Oh no!" Twilight yelled.


A NEW BOOK IS COMING OUT!