Chapter 30:
Dragon Land Search - Part 5:
The Labor Camp
After jumping off their mine cart, Twilight, Applejack, and Spike continued their search for the two missing guardians. According to Applejack, she told them that the rails above them will lead them to the labor camp where Ember said her two trusted dragons, Garble and Smolder are. The Mane 2 and Spike managed to beat some of Slash's Forces once again, including facing giant scorpion-like creatures called Buffalo Beetles. They also had a few encounters with some Dreadwings, which Twilight took care of them by using her electricity and air magic.
Suddenly some Magmaworms appeared from the lava, but that was no problem for the Mane 2 and Spike. Working together, Applejack and Twilight used their magic to defeat them, including their aerial combat fighting skills to demolish them.
Soon, Twilight, Applejack, and Spike hopped onto the rails above them and followed the tracks. Along the way, they've managed to knock some of the soldiers off their post, dodged mine carts, and more. Twilight was using her electricity magic again to knock the soldiers off their post while Applejack used her earth magic to do the same.
It didn't take long until the three friends made it to the tunnel at the end of the track and walked through it. Twilight, Applejack, and Spike saw something ahead of them when they reached the other side.
Up ahead there were two dragons and one Alicorn.
The first Dragon had red scales and orange spikes, his underbelly was light grayish gold, and his wings were light amber.
The second Dragon is a little smaller and she has brilliant orange scales, moderate orchid spines, a light gold underbelly, wings, and an underbelly that matches.
"I wonder if those might be Garble and Smolder that Ember was telling us about," Twilight whispered to Spike and Applejack, raising a brow.
"Sure looks like it. But who's that Alicorn with them?" Spike asked, looking at the Alicorn mare next to the two dragons.
The Alicorn mare is around Twilight and Applejack's height, her coat is a brilliant amber, her mane and tail have bright red and light green apple stripes, and her cutie mark is that of a red and yellow shimmering sun.
"That there is Sunset Shimmer. She's a friend of mine and maybe she might help us," Applejack replied and explained.
"Well, we better find out and see what they know. Come on," Twilight said, as she, Spike, and Applejack walked up to them.
But as they got close, Sunset and the two Dragons suddenly sprang into action and faced them with glares and a threatening display. Sunset lightened her horn with fiery magic and gave them a scary glare, ready to use her magic on them.
"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Sunset, don't fire. It's me, Applejack," Applejack quickly reminded her before she did anything rash.
"Applejack? Oh, thank goodness you're alright," Sunset said in relief as she hugged Applejack and the orange Alicorn returned the embrace and patted her back.
"And who are you guys supposed to be?" the red Dragon asked in suspicion, looking at Twilight and Spike with a raised brow.
"Listen, we're not threats to you guys. We're on your side," Twilight explained to him.
"Yeah, right. I'll bet you two are more likely spies for that tricky Conductor or that flying monster Slash," the smaller orange female dragon said, not buying it for a second.
"No, no, no, no, no! These two are really on our side here. These here are Twilight and Spike," Applejack said, introducing them to the duo.
"Yeah, and Dragon Lord Ember sent us," Spike explained further.
"Her Lordship is alive?" the red Dragon asked, feeling quite shocked to hear the news.
"Eeyup, she sure is. She's all safe and sound. And all the other dragons have been freed thanks to Twilight and Spike here for their help," Applejack explained, pointing to Twilight and Spike, who smiled.
"Garble and I are sorry for what happened back there. In these dark times, we can't take chances," the orange dragon apologized.
"Don't worry, all is forgiven," Twilight accepted.
"Well, I'm glad to hear our Dragon Lord Ember is okay. But if I might ask, why did she send you three here in the first place?" Garble, the red dragon asked.
"Yeah, why are you three here?" Sunset asked, being just as confused.
"Well, Ember said that you and Smolder might be able to tell us where our friends, Cliffbore and Inferno, are," Twilight replied.
"If those two are the tall and strong Alicorn Stallions, Garble and I certainly can tell you," Smolder, the orange dragon, said.
"Smolder's right. See, the majority of our dragon brethren are kept here in this camp, forced to live here and mine for Slash…," Garble began explaining as he points the Mane 3 and Spike to the labor camp.
"...and there have been rumors that your friends are being kept somewhere inside…in the darkest pits of the volcano. I'm afraid all of us are doomed," Smolder finished, with the sound of loss in her voice.
"Not if we have anything to say about it," Twilight disagreed with determination.
"Wait, what do you mean?" Garble asked.
"Yeah, what do you mean, Twi?" Spike asked as well.
"What I mean is that Sunset and I are going to free the dragons, venture to the darkest pits of Mount Stoker, and find Inferno and Cliffbore before the two crystals are created," Twilight explained her plans.
"And then it's off to karaoke!" Spike added, sarcastically.
"Well, then come on. Let's go free those dragons from here," Sunset said as she sets out to do their mission.
"Spike and I will stay here to make sure nothing happens to Smolder and Garble here," Applejack said to Twilight before she headed out to help Sunset.
"Alright, but be careful. We won't be long," Twilight said as she heads out.