The sound of echoing screaming could be heard all throughout underneath the earth as the Zephyr, the future Element Bearers, and the Shadowbolts all tumbled across the darkness. The near pitch-black darkness prevented them from seeing the rough edges and sharp points of the slopes they were rolling down deeper underground. Not even the screeches of their pursuers could get them to ignore the searing pain as they cried and screamed in terror. Violet Fire and the rest of the Shadowbolts made a sharp beeline towards them trying desperately to save their future heroes from their incoming fatality. The Dōkutsuakumas were not too far behind them, and the strong flapping of their wings let them know that they were closing in, and fast.

“Hold on girls, we’re coming!” Fast Track called through the darkness. “Just keep holding on until we get there! Don’t give up!”

“I don’t think giving up is what they should be worrying abought right now!” Lightning Shadow shouted. “Keeping themselves stabbed and sliced to ribbons should be their main priority right now above all else!”

“W-what about the Dōkutsuakumas?!” Blue Skies asked fearfully. “They’re still chasing after us, and I can hear them closing in fast!”

“No way I’m going to let them get the drop on us, not this time!” Violet Fire stated firmly, her goggles glinting. “Storm Shadow, Lightning Shadow, go now!”

“Right!” The twin sisters nodded, turning to face their adversaries. “Shadow Pegasus: Dark Neigh!”

Inhaling deeply at the same time, Lightning and Storm both simultaneously shot out large waves of blackness from their mouths. They combined and formed into one giant wave of darkness that could only be seen due to a grey aura surrounding them. It shot up straight towards the Dōkutsuakumas, who weren’t quite able to see the attack coming. It collided with most of them, sending them back and crashing into the slope, though a few of them evaded it and continued on with the chase. Undeterred, the twins prepared for another attack, but Blue Skies beat them to the punch.

“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of this!” The palomino Pegasus shouted flying past them and heading straight towards them. “Sky Pegasus: Slicing Drill!”

Swinging her hooves forward, Blue Skies shot a large drill of wind up at the few Dōkutsuakumas that were left, enveloping them in the razor-sharp wind. They screeched as they were sliced into, and were sent back up to where they had flown. Once she was sure that they were gone, Blue Skies soared back down past her teammates and towards the tumbling mares, before her teammates could praise her.

Goku gritted her teeth as her back and wings brushed against the rough and jagged edges of the slope they were sliding on. She could feel them trying to slice their way into her body as she attempted to keep her wings from being ripped apart. With a loud grunt, she forced herself to her haunches and dug her hooves into the rough underground earth. Flaring her large wings, the Thestral jumped into the air and took flight, spinning around so she could see her friends down below. Zephyr, Rainbow Dash and the Shadowbolts were well about in the air like her, but the same could not be said about Applejack, Twilight, Rarity, or even Fluttershy. Each of them were trying to either fly or grab at something to keep them from sliding, but it was either too slippery or too sharp, least they get seriously cut. The only one who didn’t seem to be in danger was Pinkie Pie, who looked to be having the time of her life.

“Hold tight guys, I’m coming!” She shouted, making a dive for Fluttershy and colliding with her as soon as they met. She wrapped her powerful forelegs around the Pegasus’s barrel and pulled her close, spreading her wings again and taking flight. With a strong hoist, she threw Fluttershy int the air and caught her onto her back, letting her cling to her powerful neck. “Zephyr, Violet Fire, Rainbow Dash, you and the others go get the rest of the girls!!”

“Right!” All three flyers nodded as they each wen to their own individual ponies.

“Fast Tracks, you and the rest of the team keep a lookout for any of those Dōkutsuakumas!” Violet Fire ordered to her second in command. “Blue Skies, you’re with me!”

The rest of Shadowbolts nodded as they separated to their own individual tasks, with Violet Fire making a beeline straight for Twilight. As the lavender Unicorn began to make another tumble, she suddenly felt herself land on Violet’s warm suited back, before being hoisted into the air with her. Zephyr managed to catch Rarity before she hit a jagged edge of the slope and hoisted her into his back, bringing her forelegs around his neck. The last to be saved was Applejack, and as Blue Skies dived towards her, the farmer leapt in the air and all but crashed into her.

“Whoa! Easy there Applejack!” Blue Skies cried as the larger mare adjusted herself on the younger mare’s back. “You almost knocked me into the slope!”

“Sorry there sugar!” Applejack apologized. “Ah jus’ saw ya comin’ an’ Ah took th’ opportunity when it came!”

The screeching of the Dōkutsuakumas alerted the duo, and the rest of the ponies to the flock that was still chasing them. Knowing that they needed to get away from them, Zephyr took the initiative. “Everypony follow me!”

None of them needed to be told another time as they followed the stallion that was carrying Rarity through the darkness. Goku followed the closest behind him, their enhanced hearing allowing them to fly through the darkness without trouble. Not being anywhere near as used to being in caves, the others had to rely on the due and the Shadowbolts to get them through the caves. The hisses and screeches of the giant ponyish bats behind them still echoed about in the underground as they twisted and turned through the caves. At some point in the flight, they ended up finding cave that went straight down, Goku and Zephyr dove down without so much as a single thought.

It was no later than ten seconds of diving down that slope inside of the cave that it gave way to an exit, one that reveal a large lake of water. Despite the darkness, the girls and two stallions were able to see it, but had no time to try to fly over it, and found themselves falling in. Goku, Zephyr, and Violet Fire were the first to emerge, wasting no time in addressing the others.

“Okay, everypony keep as quiet as possible.” Violet Fire advised, keeping her voice as soft as she could. “The Dōkutsuakumas are still chasing us and could be heading here right now. The less noise we make, the more likely we’ll be able to keep from being spotted.”

“Aww damn it, my wings!” Rainbow Dash groaned, raising her soaked appendages from out of the water. “They’re all wet; how am I supposed to be able to fly now?!”

“Rainbow, shush!” Goku hissed. “We’re trying not to get eaten right now! Unless you want to get your wings ripped off, don’t make a sound!”

The tan Thestral put a hoof to the cyan mare’s muzzle before she could speak again, and the rest of them stayed silent as save for the screeching. They watched as the dark shadows of the Dōkutsuakumas flew passed them, their eyes slicing through the darkness. This went on for just a few moments, before all went silent, with the only dripping water breaking it.

“Are…are they gone?” Rarity asked, clinging tightly to Zephyr. “Please tell me that those things are gone!”

Fast Track’s ears swiveled about for any unnerving sounds. “Nope, I don’t hear any of them around here. Those guys are gone…for now.”

“Thank goodness, I really thought that we were going to be captured.” Fluttershy sighed, leaning into an equally wet Violet Fire. “Good thing that Goku and Zephyr were able to see their way through here, or else we would’ve been lost.”

“Well, like she said, there are quirks to being a Thestral.” Twilight murmured as she swam to the nearby shore. “By the way Goku, how did you manage to get through all of those caves so easily?”

“Yeah, you’ve never even been in this part of the forest!” Rainbow Dash added, shaking the water off of her. “You went through it like you had been here a gazillion times before, like you knew which exits to take!”

“Oh, that’s because of my bat pony heritage.” Goku explained, dragging her tail from out of the water. “For those fo you who don’t know, bats don’t really rely on vision to navigate their way through the caves they live in. They use what’s called echolocation, to help guide themselves all throughout the caves, using the vibrations from all around the other caves to determine which way they should go. It also helps them while they’re hunting at night, using their large ears as radars to help them pinpoint the exact location of their prey before they move in for the kill.”

Rarity blinked. “Um, Goku, you do realize that you’re only half bat, do you not?”

“Yes Rarity, I do.” The tan Thestral replied. “I’m just saying that we Thestrals use echolocation just like actual full bats do in order to navigate through caves. Which is why I was able to make my way through all of those caves without any trouble.”

“I-I know that darling but…” Rarity said with a slight stammer. “It’s just…you’re not completely bat, and the other half of you is a pony. So…you shouldn’t be able to be able to have that acute of hearing like an actual bat.”

“Maybe so, but she can, and she does.” Zephyr state firmly. “One other thing too, Thestrals are not like any other ponies known on Equis Rarity. Because if we they, were they wouldn’t have all of these supernatural type powers that make others mistake them for Vampires. However, they’re not normal ponies, so shouldn’t be that surprising that we have things like super-duper enhanced hearing.”

“Well yes, but even so-” Rarity tried to explain again, but was silenced when Applejack put a hoof to her muzzle.

“Rares, stop.” She stated bluntly. “Please sugar lump, jus’ let it go.”

“I see…it’s apparent that Thestrals are far more equipped than I thought they’d be.” Twilight murmured, rubbing her chin. “I’ll have to see if I can have a few come down to my library to run some tests.”

“If you’re really wanting to find out what separates Thestrals from other ponies, besides the Shenrons, then I’ll see if my Mom can get a few volunteers.” Goku said dryly, her curved fangs gleaming as she smirked. A second later, it morphed into a sharp and stern glare as her golden eyes pierced into Twilight’s. “My brother is off limits though, so don’t even think of using him without my permission, or unless he’s okay with it, got it?”

“Yes ma’am!” Twilight squeaked, nodding hastily. All of a sudden, the two mares, and almost everypony else found themselves drenched. This took the mares by surprise and for a moment, they thought something had found them from within the water. When they looked over, they saw that it was only Pinkie Pie, jumping and swimming about the water like a seal.

“Whoo hoo, this is awesome!” The pink pony squealed, jumping out of the water again. “I’ve never felt water this amazing before!”

“Consarn it, Pinkie! Don’t scare us like that!” Applejack scolded, glaring harshly at the younger mare. “Ah thought somethin’ was gonna pop outta that water an’ try t’ eat us!”

“Now why would you think that Jackie?” Pinkie Pie giggled, her wet curly mane sticking to the side of her face. “I mean, other than those giant pony bats that’re trying to get us and turn us into ponified frosting, there isn’t anything down here that could possibly get us!”

“First of all, Pinkie, they’re called Dōkutsuakumas.” Fluttershy corrected, her tone patient, yet holding the slightest bit of nervousness. “Second of all, I wouldn’t be so sure that there aren’t other creatures down here other than them, that will see us as potential prey.”

An exaggerated groan left Rainbow Dash’s mouth. “Oh, for buck’s sake, what the hay is going to try to eat our asses this time?!” She cried out indignantly, her raspy voice echoing about the large underground cave. “We’ve already had to face off against to giant furballs for cats, a giant bear that tried to attack Ponyville, and a pack of mutts that’re made out of wood! What the buck is after that huh?! All of those other animals that we have yet to run into no matter where we go?!”

“Rainbow Dash!” Blue Skies cried, jamming her hoof into her fellow Pegasus’s mouth. “I know that you’re aggravated, but please keep your voice down! Those Dōkutsuakumas may still be roaming about the caves here, and the last thing we need is for them to get a hint as to where we are!”

“Blue is right Rainbow. You need to calm down.” Lightning Shadow said firmly. “At the rate you’re going, you’re going to bring back our pursuers, and if they do, they might have even more members of our colony coming after us. Like they tried to do with those bats that we ran into earlier.”

“Exactly, best if we keep quiet and try to find our way through these caves.” Storm Shadow nodded. “Speaking of which, where is that bat that Goku had with her earlier?”

A series of squeaking was the answer the dark grey Pegasus got as she and the others looked up to see the large white bat coming from above them. A smile made its way to Goku’s face as she held out her forelegs, allowing the bat pup to land right into them.

“Well, look who it is!” She cooed, nuzzling the bat lovingly. “I was wondering where you were during that freefall we had. For a second there I thought you had gotten caught; I didn’t feel you anywhere in my mane.”

The bats large tufted ears went limp, and he started squeaking again, this time at a slower and softer pace than before. Goku’s expression softened as she listened to his explanation before she brought the bat into her chest fluff.

“Oh, you poor thing, you nearly got caught and eaten by those Dōkutsuakumas while we were trying to get away from them.” Goku said sweetly, nuzzling the small bat’s head. “Well don’t you worry sweetie, I’m gonna keep you nice and safe with me. At least until we can elude all of those Dōkutsuakumas and find a way out of this cave. Would you like that? Huh? Would you like to stay with Auntie Goku so she can keep all of the big bad batties away from you?”

Pinkie Pie giggled loudly, her cheeks flushing an even brighter pink than her coat. “Goku stop it, please! You’re filling me with Gokubetes! I can’t take it!”

“Um, what did you say honey?” Violet Fire asked with a few blinks. “I could’ve sworn you said Gokubetes instead of Diabetes.”

“Yes, because that’s exactly what she said.” Twilight nodded with a giggle. “Pinkie Pie has a way of combining certain word that adds more emphasis from where she’s standing. Just roll with it, it’ll save you a lot of time and energy if you do.”

Rainbow Dash nodded. “No shit sherlock.”

“Goku, be gentle with the poor thing!” Fluttershy said, a giggle of her own escaping her as she walked over to the tan Thestral. “I know he’s little bundle of adorableness but he’s still a rather young fledgling. He can only take so much affection before he ends up getting smothered by it.”

“Fluttershy, you should know by now that we Thestrals have high levels of affection towards anything that is even remotely cute.” Goku murmured, glancing at the cherry blossom maned mare. “A lot more than ponies normally do, even ponies like you.”

“That’s true…” Fluttershy nodded. “…but even so, you could show just a little restraint. There does come a time where it’ll become to much for the one receiving it.”

“Yeah, your point is accurate there.” Goku nodded, letting the bat regain flight into the air. “I just can’t help it; he just looks so adorable!”

“Now what in tarnation can you think a varmint like that can be cute?” Applejack snorted; her face contorted into disgust. “Also, how can ya tell that it’s a boy?”

“Well for one, we can tell his gender just by his scent.” Fast Track replied firmly before Goku or Fluttershy could reply. “That way, we can save the little guys some embarrassment by checking their more private areas.”

“Secondly, what isn’t cute about this little sweetheart?” Violet Fire cooed, flying over to the white bat. “I mean just look at him! Those big bright baby blue eyes and that comfy soft fur, those large fluffy ears and that little twitchy nose!” With a giggle, she leaned in an planted a kiss on the bat’s nose, emitting a squeak from the pup. “Oh, I could just cuddle him all day!”

“You’d really want to cuddle with that, that…thing?!” Rarity gasped, looking at Violet Fire as if she had torn one of her dresses apart. “How can you possibly even think such a thing?! Do you know what those icky ruffians are known to do?!”

“Yes Rarity, we’re aware of that.” Fluttershy stated firmly, glaring sharply at the alabaster Unicorn. “However, just because they’re known as pests in some places, doesn’t mean they’re known like that all over Equis. And that is certainly no reason for you to treat them as such, even if they’re known to pester ponies.”

“Yeah well, if ya ask me, they deserve every bit o’ it just fer existin’ where we are.” Applejack sorted, lashing her tail. “If it were up t’ me, Ah’d make sure them varmints never came back a’' stayed in th’ dark where they belong, whatever it takes.”

The sound of earth cracking made the farmer jump, and she looked over only to feel a hoof at her throat and the eyes of Fast Tracks glaring into her own. “You even think of harming a single hair on that little guys’ head, I’ll send you back to where you came from missy!” He hissed as he smacked his tail skirt on the ground, his fangs bared at the frightened Earth Pony. “And I don’t give a flying feather if you’re a mare, I’ll bury you six feet under the ground!”

“Calm down Fast Tracks.” Zephyr said calmly, putting a hoof on the stallion’s shoulder. “I completely understand your anger, but now isn’t the time to be trying to drain the blood of ponies who make threats to those you’re fond of. You me, and the other Shadowbolts have a mission that we need to complete, and ponies we need to protect, along with a villain we need to defeat and a Queen to save. If we waste our time squabbling like a group of bat pups, we won’t get anywhere.”

“Zephyr’s right, just take it easy Fast.” Lightning Shadow said more gently. “You can show Applejack why you shouldn’t hold bats to such a negative standard later. For now, let’s just keep our focus on the mission, starting with finding a way out of this cave.”

With a grunt, Fast Tracks gave a slow now, but not before sending Applejack one last threating hiss, before turning away from her. Gulping, Applejack adjusted the red bandana around her neck, before joining the others to begin their trek through the cave.

“So, do you and your team know of a way to get out of these caves?” Pinkie asked, shaking herself off the water near them. “I mean, that chase was fun and all, but I don’t really like being in spook places for so long.”

“Unfortunately, no sweetie.” Violet Fire said as she calmed down. “Me and my team would be the ones to lead you all out of here, if we knew these caves ourselves. Alas, they’re not like the ones at our training grounds, or the ones found under Hallow Shades, so it looks like we’ll be guessing from here.”

“Well that’s just bucking great!” Rainbow Dash groaned, throwing her hooves in the air. “Now we’re going to be stuck here going through who knows how many caves! Is there really no fast way to find a cave that can get us out of here?!”

At that moment, the white bat that had been nestling inside of Goku’s mane popped out and flew into the air, giving a series of squeaks down to them. Fast Tracks, Goku, and Fluttershy all stopped and listened intently to what the pup was trying to tell them.

“Um, Fluttershy, Goku…” Twilight murmured. “…can either of you please translate what the bat is saying?”

Fluttershy’s eyes slowly widened, before she spun around to the rest of her friends. “He…he said that he knows a way out of the caves!”

Rarity’s jaw dropped. “I-I beg your pardon?”

“You heard her right!” Fast Tracks smirked. “This little guy knows his way through these caves and knows which ones to go through too!”

“Whoa there, are y’all serous!” Applejack shouted in disbelief. “He knows how t’ get through these caves?! How in th’ hay is that possible?!”

“Rainbow Dash, you should know that since bats live inside caves, they tend to travel through those caves as well.” Lightning Shadow murmured. “Also, Goku had just explained that bats, like this one, use echolocation to travel through the darkness of the caves, the same thing they use to pinpoint the exact location of their prey. So, this bat should have no problem making his way through the caves, even if they’re considerably dark.”

“Plus, you have two Thestrals, plus Fluttershy here, who can do the same thing, and tell you all which place that bat will tell us to go.” Zephyr added, glancing up at the bat. “Isn’t that right little buddy?”

The bat pup nodded, a beaming expression adorning his face as he squeaked jovially in response.

“Well I guess it’s settled then! We’re taking an underground journey through the cavers of the Everfree Forest!” Pinkie concluded, bouncing over to the fox-like bat with a wide and cheery smile. Without warning, she reached into her mane and rummaged through it, before pulling out a mini feathered pirate captain hat and setting it atop the pup’s head. “Lead the way Captain Batty!”

The white bat, after adjusting the hat on top of his head, let out another squeak chorus, this one being far softer. A giggle escaped Fluttershy’s mouth, before she translated what the pup said to Pinkie Pie.

“Chenoa.” She said softly. “The bat said that his name is Chenoa. He’s thankful for the hat that you gave him, but he prefers if he calls you by his actual name.”

“Wait, he actually has a name?” Rarity asked, her eyes widening slightly. “Ah thought only ponies, griffons and other creatures like us had names.”

“Well of course he has a name.” Goku snorted. “Just because he doesn’t really vocalize like us and is more primal and exotic than we are, doesn’t mean that even animals like him don’t have names. Even animals like bats who have young name their children, not just us. You seriously need to stop thinking animals are just named scientifically.”

Chenoa gave an indignant squeak of agreement.

“I don’t care what the buck his name is, as long as he’s able to get us out of this shithole of a cave!” Rainbow Dash shouted, stomping her hoof. “Now quit with the damn stalling and move it already ya damn furball!”

Chenoa’s ears pinned back as he glared at the cyan mare, baring his fangs as he gave a hiss that made everypony’s skin crawl. Before anypony could comment on it, the fox-sized bat flew down towards Rainbow Dash and hissed at her again, the sound being much more menacing. So much so that Rainbow took a few steps back in response, cowering slightly under his piercing glare.

“Now Dash, darling, while I understand that you want to get out of here as quickly as possible, that was rather rude of you.” Rarity chastised with a frown. “You could’ve at least put that a little more politely rather than using such language and rude comments.”

Zephyr frowned. “Oh, as if you’re one to talk…”

“She’s right you know; this little guy is offering to help us escape here.” Fast Tracks added. “The least you can do is be nicer and say thank you or something like that.”

Rainbow Dash glared at the light brown stallion, but eventually faltered under his own stabbing glare after a few moments. A long sigh escaped her as she hung her head, before looking back up at the bat. “Alright, fine…thank you for offering to lead us out of the cave.”

“Much better.” Fluttershy murmured. “Now, please apologize to Chenoa for calling him a furball.”

“What?! But he’s-”

“Rainbow, honey…” Violet cut in gently, yet sternly. “Please apologize to little Chenoa.”

“Uuuuuuuugh, fine!” Rainbow Dash shouted, stomping her hooves again. “I’m sorry for calling you a furball and I won’t do it again! Now will you lead us out of the cave already?!”

Chenoa said nothing, merely raising a brow as he continued to frown at the mare, as if waiting for her to say something else. Rainbow eventually caught on to why he was silent, and she gave a hard breath through her nostrils.

“Please?” She asked through gritted teeth. “Can you please lead us out of these caves?”

Chenoa’s face brightened considerably, a squeak of approval leaving his mouth before turning away and heading in front of the others. The moment his back was turned, Rainbow glared up at him, her magenta eyes glowing brightly in the darkness of the cave.

“There we go Rainbow!” Fluttershy chirped. “Now that wasn’t so hard, was it?”

“Yes…” Rainbow hissed, frowning at her fellow Pegasus.

Fluttershy’s faces contorted into a warning glare. “Excuse me?” She asked, her eyes faintly glowing orange.

“N-no!” Rainbow stammered, shaking her head frantically. “No, it wasn’t!”

“That’s what we thought you said.” Goku murmured, flicking her extended tail. “Now then, let’s get a move on!”

Chenoa squeaked in compliance, before turning tail and flying off into the darkness, his squeaks echoing about the cave interior. Giggling, Goku spread her own bat wings and followed after the pup, with the others following close behind.

“Are we really doin’ this?” Applejack asked, looking in between the others. “Please tell me we ain’t really doin’ this right now.”

“Yes Applejack, I am afraid we are.” Rarity sighed dejectedly. “We are allowing a bat of all things to lead us out of this icky muck of a cavern. I never thought that it would come to this, but…it has.”

Applejack sighed, pulling her Stetson over her emerald eyes. “Of all th’ things Ah expected t’ happen today, this was not on mah list. Ah can’t believe we’re even agreein’ t’ do this…Ah’m feelin’ sick jus’ thinkin’ ‘bout it.”

“Well, there’s nothing we can do about it now. We’re just going to have to like it and love it until we get out of here.” Rainbow Dash sighed. “Still though, I’m gonna wring that furball’s neck if I think for even a second that he’s leading us astray.”

“I heard that!” Fast Tracks yelled, a tick mark forming on his head as he glared daggers at the two mares.

The pitch-black darkness and the rough jagged edges of the large tunnel was all that the mares and stallions could see as they trekked through them. Chenoa stated closely in front of them, continuing to lead them through the rocky interior as they looked out for anything that may pop out at them unexpectedly. So far, there was nothing around, though they did hear the distinct sounds of rolling rocks and dripping water every few seconds.

“How are you doing up there Chenoa?” Fluttershy asked sweetly. “Do you see anything up ahead yet?”

Chenoa stopped in his flight for a moment to give a few squeaks to the buttermilk Pegasus, before getting back on track through the cave. Fluttershy’s soft smile faltered a bit, but she eventually shook it off as she continued to follow her friends.

“Oh, I see…you don’t see anything ahead yet from what you can see.” She murmured, jumping over a small bump of rock. “That’s okay, we’ll just keep going until we see that light at the end of the tunnel!”

“Assumin’ that he can even find th’ tunnel that is.” Applejack snorted. “Is he sure that he knows where he’s goin’? Ah feel like we’ve been walkin’ through this here cavern er hours, an’ it still doesn’t feel like we’ve gotten anywhere.”

“First of all, Applejack, it’s been only thirty minutes since we left that river filled cave.” Zephyr stated firmly. “Secondly, bats have very acute sight that enables them to see even inside the darkest of places. As if it’s daytime even if it’s clearly nighttime where we are, and even if he couldn’t, he can rely on his ears to guide is way through the caves. So, whether he can see or not is beside the point; if he can travel through the caves with just his ears, then that should be good enough for us.”

“That only makes me even more doubtful that he’ll be able to get us out of here.” Rainbow Dash muttered, crossing her forehooves. “I mean, what’s the point of trying to lead us through a giant cave if you can’t even see what’s ahead of you?”

“I’m afraid Rainbow Dash has a point.” Rarity nodded, taking delicate steps over the dirt and rocks. “Can’t Goku, Fast Tracks or any of the other Shadowbolts lead us out of her instead? I would be much more comfortable if that were to happen instead of this.”

“Well Rarity for one, none of us can really do that, because, as Captain Violet Fire stated, we haven’t been in these types of caves before.” Lightning Shadow explained. “Secondly, Chenoa was the one who offered to help us get us out of this cavern, and said himself that he knows is way around here. Why would he even offer to help us get out of here if he didn’t know his way through the underground?”

“Probably because he sees how much of a squished cupcake that we’re on?” Pinkie Pie asked innocently. “And he wants to help us get out of it?”

“Um, I think that was his intention from the beginning Pinkie.” Blue Skies said with a blink. “I mean, he and his colony were being chased by those Dōkutsuakumas just like we were.”

The party pony paused for a moment, thinking the palomino mare’s words over, before giggling. “Heehee, yeah, that’s a pretty good point!”

“Yeah well, Ah still don’t think that this is a good idea.” Applejack rebutted. “Ah honestly ain’t all that comfortable havin’ a bat of all things helpin’ us.”

“Even so, we’re just going to have to like it and love it sweetie.” Violet Fire sighed. “At this point, we don’t have any other options so far. Chenoa is the only one that we can count on to help us on this part of our mission, if we don’t, we may never find our way out of here.”

“What do you mean never find our way out?” Rainbow Dash asked perplexedly. “Of course we can find a way out, and definitely without him! I can just use my drill wisp power to drill up into the surface and we’ll be scot free.”

“As tempting as that option is, there are a couple of flaws to it” Twilight sighed. “For one, we don’t exactly know where the top us. Even if we did, you’re Wisp powers won’t be able to create a hole big enough for all of us to get through. Another problem is that there’s no sure way to tell just how durable these underground ceilings are, and we may run the risk of making it crumble down around us. If that happens, each and every single one of us will be buried alive, and we’ll be putting Ponyville and everypony else in jeopardy.”

“Add insult to injury, there’s the fact that there’s those giant Dōkutsuakumas chasing our asses from all around here.” Goku concluded. “While they may not have found us now, there’s still a possibility that they’ll find the cave that we’ve entered, so we have to be ready for if they do find us. Plus, if we make any sort of unnecessary noise, we’ll alert them to where we are, and no offense Rainbow but…you’re Drill Wisp Mode sounds like a metallic jackhammer pounding into cement like the ones in Canterlot City.”

Pinkie Pie burst into laughter. “Good one Goku!”

“It does not!” Rainbow Dash protested, her eyes flashing. “My Drill Wisp Mode just makes a lot of noise whenever I transform into it that’s all.”

“Which is exactly why we don’t believe you should use it.” Zephyr said firmly. “There are too many risks involving you drilling through these caves. We’re sorry Dash, but we’re going to have to do this the old-fashioned way.”

Rainbow Dash wanted to argue, but could sense the tone in Zephyr’s when he spoke. With a low grumble, she crossed her forehooves in defeat. “Fine, you win this round Zeph…but when the time comes for me to use my Drill Wisp Mode, you guys are so gonna thank me later! And wish that you had chosen my idea from the start!”

“Somehow, Ah highly doubt that.” Applejack snorted with an eye roll. She and the other suddenly stopped when they all heard what sounded like the chirping of birds, followed by eerie skrees vibrating throughout the caverns. Goku, Fluttershy, and Fast Tracks’s ears all perked as they stood on high alert for the all too familiar sound.

“Y-you all heard that too, right?” Rarity stammered. “Please tell me that I wasn’t the only one who heard that!”

“We all did.” Storm Shadow murmured, her light eyes narrowing. “Chenoa, did you hear those sounds too?”

The bat pup turned to the light gray mare and nodded, giving a few squeaks in reply. His large ears flicked about as he listened to the sounds, his face growing more and more worried by the second.

“He says that he hears the sounds of bats coming from up ahead and behind them.” Fluttershy translated to the others. “However, he doesn’t believe that it’s his own colony.”

“Why would he think that?” Twilight asked. “Chenoa vocalizes the same way that his family does, so there’s no reason for him to think that it’s not them.”

“That is true.” Fast Tracks nodded. “That is, unless they’re the type of squeaks, skrees, and chirps that his own colony makes. Those are the type of ways that bats communicate to each other, but they sound in a way that’s so distinct that they can easily tell them apart. And if Chenoa feels that it’s not the same communication that he’s used to in his own colony, then there’s a chance that the colony that’s up ahead isn’t his own.”

“If that’s the case, then we may be protruding into a different colony of bats.” Lightning Shadow murmured. “Or worse…into that colony.”

Goku’s ears went flat, already knowing what Lightning Shadow was talking about before she even suggested it. “I really hope that’s not the case, because we are not in the best place to fight right now. If a flock of Dōkutsuakumas are coming their way here to eat our asses out right now, then we are going to be backed in one hay of bucking corner!”

Violet Fire let out a hard snort of laughter at the last sentence, barely keeping her giggles in from it. Before she could vocalize on it, she noticed out of her peripheral vision, that Pinkie Pie was lightly shaking in place.

“Pinkie Pie, what’s wrong baby?” She asked gently. “Are you getting cold under here?”

“No, it’s not that!” Pinkie replied, her voice containing a slight tinge of fear. “My Pinkie Sense is tingling!”

The party pony’s six friends immediately snapped their heads towards Pinkie Pie, each of their eyes as wide as saucers. “Y-you’re what dear?” Rarity asked, hoping she heard wrong.

“My Pinkie Sense!” Pinkie repeated, slightly louder. “My Pinkie Sense is going off! Something bad is about to happen!”

“I’m sorry Pinkie but, I’m not quite sure what you’re talking about.” Blue Skies said perplexedly. “What do you mean you’re Pinkie Sense is going off?”

“Long story short, Pinkie Pie’s Pinkie Sense is a really weird and incredibly random ability she has that no one else does.” Rainbow explained quickly. “It allows her to be able to know what’s going to happen just moments before it happens!”

“What it can what?” Zephyr asked, giving a long pause. “H-how is that even possible?!”

“We’ll explain t’ ya later hon’!” Applejack replied hastily, before turning back to her fellow Earth Pony. “Pinkie, which part o’ yer Pinkie Sense is tinglin’?”

Pinkie’s right forehooves went to behind her head. “I-it’s the back of my neck!” She replied after a moment of hesitation. “The back of my neck is tingling like its chilly! It’s telling me that we’re about to get jumped!”

“Jumped?” Storm Shadow repeated. “By what?”

A loud skree that ripped through the rocky tunnel from behind the ponies and Chenoa answered Storm’s question. A squeak of fear left Chenoa as he immediately dove for Fluttershy, who took him in her arms as he buried himself into her chest.

“Oh, buck me in the asshole!” Goku screamed, stamping her forehooves. “They’ve found us!”

“Goddammit!” Rainbow Dash swore. “I knew we should’ve gone with my original idea! Thanks a lot for not listening to me you guys!”

“Now’s not time to get upset Dash!” Twilight shouted as she ignited her horn. “We need to get out of this tunnel now, and find another cave now!”

“Whoa Twilight, what’re you doing?!” Fast Tracks asked as Twilight darted passed them all.

“Buying us time!” She answered, before firing up at the ceiling thirty feet away. The bolt of magic tore at the rocky ceiling, causing large chunks of rock to fall down. With a resounding thud, they covered the side of the tunnel behind the group, dust enveloping some of them in the process.

“Good thinking Twilight!” Violet Fire praised. “Alright everypony, let’s go quick!”

Everypony followed the order without complain and darted their way through the rocky cavern, with Chenoa taking the lead once more. Once again, Goku, Zephyr, and Fast Tacks enhanced vision allowed them to see through the darkness, though the others had to rely on Rarity and Twilight to see with their horns. The sound of their hooves pounding through the tunnel could be heard echoing about, and there were a few times where they tripped and stumbled. Luckily, the adrenaline pumping through them helped them to ignore the pain in their bruises, the only thing on their mind being to get to safety.

At some point, Goku had taken a wrong step and slipped on a rather slippery part of the stone floor and ended up falling forward face first. She quickly shook the pain of the impact off and got to her hooves, only to stop when she saw a huge hole down below her, which seemed to be emitting a faint light. Around it was a large wall in the shape of ring that had an entrance up above as it did down below.

‘Shit, it looks like there’s no way for us to go except for up or down.’ The tan Thestral thought, looking up and down between the large hole. ‘If we go up, we’ll have to carry a few of our friends one at a time, and that may give time for the Dōkutsuakumas to find us. Unless Pinkie Pie and Applejack use their Pegasus Adrenaline Modes to help fly up there. Though I doubt that Pinkie will have a problem getting up, but Applejack is a different story entirely.’ She pursed her lips. ‘If we go down, we may end up getting impaled for falling into water again, though it’d be much better if the latter happened instead. Let’s see…’

Sadly, Goku wouldn’t have any more time to think on it before she felt something slam into her from behind. It hit her with so much force that for a full five seconds she didn’t realize that she was hit, and by the time she did, she was already falling.

“Goku!” Rainbow Dash asked, her eyes widening at the horror of what she had done. “Oh shit, what have I done?!”

“Consarn it Rainbow!” Applejack shouted, slamming a hoof down. “Do ya have any idea what ya jus’ did?!”

“I-I-I’m sorry, it was dark, a-and I couldn’t see anything right!” Rainbow Dash protested. “I-I thought that it was one of those giant bats that found Goku, and I…I just acted…!”

“Well that so called acting of yours just sent Goku falling to her death!” Rarity spat acidly, smacking the cyan mare with her tail. “What in the world were you thinking?!”

“Girls wait!” Fluttershy shouted, holding a hoof out. “I heard a splash just now from below!”

“Splash?” Twilight asked. “What splash?”

“Of water!” Zephyr added, recognition clicking into his face. “Goku must’ve fallen in a pool of water down below!”

“Wait, really?” Pinkie asked, her eyes filling with hope. “S-so she’s still alive?”

“Only one way to find out.” Violet Fire murmured with a slight grimace. With those words, she and a few of her teammates flew down the hole where they could see the faint light shining from down below. It took just seconds for them to get down there, before they felt something cold and wet touch their hooves. They didn’t even need to look down to know that it was water, but as they began to look around, they couldn’t help but go wide eyed at the new cave in front of them.

The new cave that they were in was quite a sight to see, not like all the other caves that the Shadowbolts had been in that weren’t in the Everfree. There were multiple smooth and tower-like rocks a good majority of the cave, with a few of them giving off a bright prismatic glow, like Rainbow Dash’s mane. On the far side of the wall was a huge pond of water large enough to hold a pod of multiple alligators, with even more towers of rocks on the other side as well. At the very top of the cave, were a set of beautiful shining crystals that mostly ranged in the color blue, with some being green and purple, with some mixed together. At the far end of the cave, was a bright whitish light that beamed down and lit up almost the entire cave.

“Holy shit…” Fast Tracks whispered. “…look at this place!”

“I know, it’s so…beautiful.” Violet Fire breathed. “Is this where Goku fell?”

“I-it has to be, where else could she be?” Blue Skies asked worriedly. “Goku, where are you?!”

The sound of water splashing suddenly alerted the trio to where the tan Thestral was, and they could see her head, forehooves, and wings just above the surface. As she continued to splash around the three Shadowbolts could see that she appeared to be struggling.

“You guys, help me!” Goku cried, her large wings flapping violently. “My tail is stuck under the water! Help pull me out!”

“Hold on G, we’re coming!” Fast Tracks shouted as he, his Captain, and Blue Skies all soared towards the splashing mare. Wasting no time, he and Violet grabbed at both her forehooves, while Blue Skies took her by her midsection. With a mighty hoist, they pulled her out of the water and over to the left shore, where Goku proceeded to dry herself off.

“That was a close one there, honey.” Violet Fire asked as Blue Skies dragged Goku’s tail over to the shore. “What happened?”

“Well, after Rainbow Dash had so carelessly knocked me off the edge, my tail had somehow gotten stuck under the rocks in the water.” Goku replied, wringing her mane of water. “I don’t know how that was, but it happened, and I was in a bit of a fix.”

“Well that’s what happens when you have a mane as long as a royal rug.” Fast Track said dryly, earning a sharp glare from the tan Thestral. “What?”

“That was so not funny FT.” Goku snorted, giving her tail a strong lash. “And before any of you even think of saying it, I am not cutting my mane or my tail!”

“W-we never said that you should cut it!” Blue Skies cried, holding her hooves up. “W-why would you think that?”

“Because I gotten more than enough suggestions of that from Applejack, Twilight, Rainbow Dash and especially Rarity.” Goku replied sourly. “The only ones who have no problem with it are Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy especially, since she likes to let her own mane and tail grow out like me. The one thing that I will most likely do with my hair is get it done in some sort of style, other than that, I will not cut a single strand from it!”

“We have no problem with that honey, grow your hair as long as a train if you want to.” Violet Fire said dryly, giggling slightly. “By the way, shouldn’t the others have gotten here by now?”

“We’re right here Captain V!” The bubbly voice of Pinkie Pie chirped, causing the ebony mare to jump and spin around in surprise. She soon found herself looking into the bright cerulean eyes of the party pony, with Storm, Lighting, Shadow and the rest of the mares behind them, Chenoa included. “All standing to attention and ready for duty!”

“Well, about time to you all showed up.” Goku murmured casually. “May I ask just what it was that took you from getting down here sooner?”

‘Well, after we got done grillin’ Dash ‘bout how stupid she was in pushin’ ya off th’ edge like that…” Applejack began, giving a sideways glare to the cyan mare. “…Rarity here had the gall t’ complain ‘bout how dirty she’d be if she fell inside o’ water.”

“Well, I would!” Rarity shot back hotly. “This water isn’t like one back in Ponyville, where its nice, clear, and gives off a divine sparkle! No pun intended there, Twilight…” She paused as the lavender Unicorn giggled, before turning back to Applejack. “…The water here is dirty, grimy, and gives off such a putrid smell that’ll make me faint if I even take in a single whiff of it!”

“Well that is true, but that depends on the type of water we find ourselves in.” Zephyr said, glancing at Goku. “From what I can see on Goku, there isn’t any patches of dirt or grim on here, just clear crystal water that…t-that, um…”

“Shows off how incredibly hot and sexy G is?” Rainbow Dash teased, making Zephyr blush deeply. “Like, ride until the sun comes up hot and sexy?”

“Dash!” Fluttershy chastised, her own cheeks flushing a bright pink.

“As much as I wouldn’t mind Zephyr rutting me into the ground and turning me into a cream pie…” Goku said casually, ignoring the wide-eyed look from Rarity and Pinkie’s giggling. “He does have a point Rarity, if the water we’re in is like the water back at home, then you shouldn’t worry about having to get wet and dirty…or slimy. The most you’ll have to worry about is getting cold to the point where you get hypothermia.”

“Another reason why I didn’t take the chance of diving in!” Rarity shouted, jabbing a hoof at the tan Thestral. “Why do you think I had Storm Shadow carry me down there instead?”

“Because you wouldn’t stop complaining like a spoiled foal until did.” The dark grey Pegasus replied, letting out a sigh. “Not to mention you weigh close to a quarter ton Zebra stallion…”

Rarity blanched. “I most certainly do not!”

“Oh, really then?” Lightning Shadow asked. “Then please theorize to us why it took the combined strength of both me and my sister to carry you down here without the fear of our wings breaking from all the flapping we were doing?”

“…I-I…er…” Rarity stammered, trying to come up with something. “…w-well, I…”

Pinkie Pie sighed. “And this is why you need to cut back on all of that ice cream Rarity.” She said solemnly. “I always told you that eating all of that ice cream would come back to nip you in that big squishy marshmallow booty of yours. But did you listen nope nope nope nope nooope!”

“Oh, save it Pinkie Pie, it’s not like you have any room to talk!” Rarity hissed. “You eat even more sweets than Sweetie Belle does whenever my parents take her to the Candy Store! I’m amazed that you’re not bloated like the balloons on your flank right now!”

“I’m not!” The party pony chirped, lookin slyly back at Rarity. “Because I just happened to be one of the lucky ones, right Fluttershy?”

The buttermilk Pegasus chuckled. “Yes, Pinkie Pie, just like me.”

“Not you too Fluttershy!” Rarity whined, anime tears streaming from her eyes as everypony else let off amused chuckles.

“U-um, everypony, I don’t mean to ruin the mood, but…” Blue Skies said. “…how’re we going to find our way out of this cave?”

“I’m drawing a complete blank here, other than that one entrance, I don’t see anywhere else that we can go.” Goku murmured, glancing behind her. “Well, other than that other entrance that’s practically pitch black.”

“Well, it’s the only other option that we have other than to go back up where we came.” Fluttershy stated. “What do you think Chenoa? Chenoa?”

Everypony looked up over at where the white bat pup was hovering in front of him, and paused upon seeing the look on his face. His big blue eyes were wide, the pupils contracted in terror as he looked like he was going to turn tail and run.

“What’s the matter little guy?” Fast Tracks asked. “You look like you’ve seen one of those Dōkutsuakumas or something.”

“Don’t you dare say that word!” Rarity snapped, her forehead gaining a tick mark as Chenoa gave a few squeaks.

“He said that it’s not the Dōkutsuakumas that he’s seeing.” Goku said, her voice growing with weariness. “Chenoa sees something that’s just as frightening.”

“Well, what is it then?” Applejack inquired impatiently. “What does that va-er, pup see?”

At that moment, two piercing purple eyes ripped through the darkness, followed by a hiss that sounded like it would make even the Dōkutsuakumas shiver in fear. Everypony froze in place as their own eyes looked with the purple orbs that were slowly making their way towards them, the rest of its figure covered by water. As it got closer, hey could see a snout poking out of the water that were followed by spines, and more at the very end. A horrified gasp escaped from Fluttershy and the Shadowbolts, causing the others to look at them.

“Oh dear…” Fluttershy whispered. “…girls, it looks like we have a new, um…g-guest.”

“More like an uninvited guess if you ask me.” Rarity snorted, stepping away. “The question is…what abomination is it this time?!”

As if to show just what it was, the creature slowly emerged from the water, allowing the ponies to get a good look at its form. From closer inspection, they could see it was a crocodile, at least based on the way that it was shaped. It was several times the size of one possibly bigger, looking to be crossed between a crocodile and a dragon, up to forty-five feet in length or more. A good majority of the top of its body, from the top of its head, to its tail was a mixture of dark and safari green, with the underbelly being a deep stony grey in color. Its claws were long, sharp stony, and curved, being as black as the jagged rocky spines adorning its back and tail two of them sticking out higher than the others. Lastly it had a set of rocky and curve teeth, with two lower canines shooting upward and curving like a boar’s, with rocks imbedded in various parts of its body.

“Whoa…now that is one out of place looking lizard.” Rainbow Dash whistled, staring into the reptile’s eyes.

“That’s not just a lizard Rainbow.” Violet Fire murmured. “It’s a Cragadile.”

“A Craga-what now?” Applejack asked.

“A Cragadile.” Lightning Shadow repeated. “It’s a reptile of the Everfree Forest that lives in the lakes, rivers and swamps of the forest, just like crocodile and alligators. It’s said to be the biggest of its kind to ever exist, being as long as forty-five feet and weighing a total of three tons total. It has a bite force of over six thousand pounds, able to snap even the toughest of rocks and bones should it get the chance, and able to tackle animals more than three times its size.”

“There’s something else.” Storm Shadow said. “The Cragadile is also known for taking its prey under water with it and holding it under water until it drowns. It’s most dangerous method of attack, however, is the Death Roll.”

“The Death Roll?” Twilight repeated. “What’s the Death Roll?”

“Like Storm just said, the Death Roll is a method that the Cragadile uses whenever its hunting for prey, pretty much like crocodiles and alligators.” Zephyr replied, not taking his eyes off of the slowly approaching reptile. “The way it works is when the Cragadile has an essentially secure grip onto its prey, it’ll then roll around in the water with it, while still holding onto a part of their food. They’ll keep doing this until that part of the prey that they’re holding is entirely ripped off, the meat, muscles, tendrils, and bones included. Afterwards they’ll swallow their prey hole, before going after the rest.”

“S-so, let me see if I have this p-put together adequately.” Rarity stammered, her face paling to an even whiter shape. “Y-you’re saying that if t-this…thing, gets a hold of us…i-it’ll take us u-under water, and twist a c-certain part of our b-bodies around u-until it comes off. A-and then, afterwards, i-it’ll drown us?”

“Well, it can do either, though the Death Roll tends to work more efficiently, however painful it is.” Fast Tracks stated rather nonchalantly. “It can also do both at the same time. So, that’s pretty much the gist of it.”

“Well, isn’t that just swell.” Goku sighed, watching as the Cragadile’s tail swished about, the spiked club glinting in the cave’s light. “Not only do we have to keep a look out for giant blood sucking feral descendants of Dracula, but now we have to deal with a reptile that can crush us with a single bite. I don’t see how this can possibly get any worse than this!”

At that moment, a multitude of loud screeches came from behind the ponies, sending violent chills down her spine. They suddenly found themselves looking right into the slitted eyes of the Dōkutsuakumas, who had just emerged from the hole where Goku had fallen through. Their fangs glistened in the cave light as their tongues slithered out from their mouths, saliva dripping on them as they snarled with hunger.

“You just had to say it, didn’t you honey?” Violet Fire asked, frowning at the tan Thestral.

Goku bit her lip, trying, and failing, to hold back the curse she uttered. “Shit…”

Author's Notes:

In case you guys were wondering as to why I hadn't added the Cragadile earlier on in the journey through the Everfree Forest, is because it didn't didn't remember that there was actually a rocky version of a crocodile that lives in the Everfree Forest. Plus, I didn't remember that little piece of information until I had watched the 8th Episode of Season 8 Frenemies that aired out. When Chrysalis had turned into a Cragadile to get through that icy pony on her trek to Mount Everhoof to retrieve Grogar's Bewitching Belle with Cozy Glow and Tirek, so it was only then did I remember that the Cragadile was an animal that inhabited the Everfree Forest as well. That was also why I felt that it'd be a good twist to add this feral forest dwelling cousin of the survivors of the Ice Era into the picture of the adventure. Though this isn't the only fearsome creature to be encountered, at least not by Zephyr, the girls, and the Shadowbolts, and with the powers that I plan to show that this creature has...well, let's just say that it'll explain why Queen Celestia, Venture Vine and the Royal Guards had such a hard time getting to the girls and the Shadowbolts sooner than they had originally expected.

Well, that's all for this chapter! Tune in next time for an epic battle in the underground and Ponyville getting another unexpected invasion that's yet to push them to the limits of their abilities! Although, that may take sometime, mainly because I'm not sure which scene to show first before the other, especially with the last Author's Note that I gave. I'm sorry, my mind has just been all over the damn place, with me and my Mom moving out of our apartment, the plane rides I took to my grandma's house for the summer, and unpacking...that can really take a lot out of you.