You are a small, purple-blue Earth filly named Raisin. One day at school, you get dismissed for lunchtime recess when you realize that you forgot to bring a lunch. Your mom packed it and everything, but in your haste to get to class, you must have left it on the kitchen table. Hungry, you spend a few miserable minutes pouting over your misfortune.

A small yellow Earth filly with a red bow in her mane comes over to see what's the matter. When you tell her that you're without a lunch, she immediately offers you half of her lunch; a delicious red apple. You take it and offer your most sincere thanks in reply. She introduces herself as Applebloom, a filly one year ahead of you. As you talk, you end up finding out that you have a lot in common. A friendship is forged.

After school, on your way home, she flags you down and introduces you to two of her friends, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. The little pegasus complains to Applebloom that you're way too young and uncool to be hanging with their crew, but Applebloom convinces her to let you stick around.

we quest now

>>30577448
As the 4 of you head to your homes, Applebloom recommends that you should join their 'secret club', the Cutie Mark Crusaders... seeing as you're without a cutie mark and all. Before you can answer, both of her friends vehemently reject the proposal. They say that you have to earn your place in their group. The only way to do this is to prove you're not a wussy; you must crusade with them into the Everfree Forest. Applebloom nods her head in agreement and tells you to meet them near Fluttershy's house at 9:00pm. She's confident that you'll impress her friends.

With very few other details, you head home and wait until the fated hour. Excited but cautious, you look around your house to see what kind of supplies you might have lying around. With only a few minutes to go until you leave for your adventure, you've managed to sneak around the house and gather a pile of useful items: a candle lantern, 2 candles, a bundle of rope (made it yourself), a 'stompstarter' (crushable firestarter), a can of blackpowder, a bottle rocket, a box of thumbtacks, a big horseshoe magnet, a fishbowl, a boomerang, a bag of flour, a tin of assorted candy, and your saddlebags. You can only carry 4 items, however; your saddlebags are relatively small.

Your parents don't have any idea what you've got planned and there's just 5 minutes left of preparation. What do you decide to take with you?

Appropriate music time?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOFmc2JF_9Q

>>30577469
Lantern, 2 candles, firestarter, saddlebags

>>30577469
Well fuck.
The boomerang is a must.
Let's also take the candles and the rope and

>>30577448
>small
>purple
>named rasin

nope

>>30577469
thumbtacks, the rope, the candy, the blackpowder

>>30577469

Lantern
Candles
Stompstarter (rope if we don't need it to light the candles)
and Candy

>>30577469
shit shit shit uh...
the lantern, candles, boomerang and black powder

>>30577563

>Look at my horse, my horse is amazing, just give it a lick, it tastes just like raisin!

>>30577469
Lantern, firestarter, rope, extra candle.

FUCK THAT NOISE NIGGA I DONT NEED NO SUPPLIES

>>30577579

Voting for this. Seems reasonable.

>>30577530
>>30577558
>>30577572
>>30577575
>>30577579
>>30577614

You decide to take the lantern, the candles, the rope, and the firestarter. After packing your saddlebags, you sneak out the back door and trot down the road as quietly as possible. Your parents have no idea that you've even left the house.

As you gallop down a lonely road, you spot something glimmering in the moonlight. It appears to be the remains of a broken wicker basket. Inside, there is a comb, a handful of gems, and a jewelry box. You're already carrying 4 items... do you want to pick one of these ones up before you head to Fluttershy's cottage?

>>30577687
it seemed reasonable to me too until I realized no firestarter
sticking by it though, I'm curious

>>30577710
Put everything in jewelry box and put box in saddles.
Now We have more space.

>>30577710
Let me know if I fucked up the voting; I think I grabbed the most popular votes. I'll retcon if I miscounted.

>>30577710
Open the box, see if there is anyhting in it. If not, see if >>30577749 works.

>>30577710
nope.
pass it by

>>30577749
You crack open the jewelry box to find that it is filled with vitreous gemstones. Emptying them out, the box is still far too small to hold anything besides your firestarter... and that's only if you snapped it in half.

Do you want to try jamming the firestarter into the jewelry box?

>>30577710
Check inside the box

>>30577817
N

>>30577817
Nah, let's move on.

>>30577817
...
Dammit I'm sure we already fucked up.
No don't risk to destroy the firestarter.

>>30577817
Nope, continue onwards.

>>30577858

Probably, but that's what makes the game fun.

Put as many gemstones in the box as possible, take box.

>>30577858
We were supposed to click on that rat so it would save us after we get trapped in the basement later.

We might as well just restart.

>missed the quest start

>>30577817
Nah, leave it as is, don't risk destroying the firestarter

>>30577794
>>30577837
>>30577854
>>30577858
>>30577859
You look over the curious items once more before deciding that they probably won't help you on your adventure. You shrug your shoulders and continue onwards.

Eventually, you see the familiar red bow of Applebloom off in the distance right outside of Fluttershy's cottage. Her lights are off; she must not know that your new friends are crusading. Sweetie Belle is holding a small glowing bottle that illuminates them enough to allow you to see them from a distance. Applebloom motions you over.

The 4 of you sit huddled in a tight little circle. You don't have many details for this journey yet, but the other three fillies seem to know exactly what they're about to do. Now, you figure, might be a good time to ask questions.

>>30575745
your letting control of the weather go unchecked!!!

>>30577993
Ask what are they carrying and what we'll do.

>>30577993
"What have you brought with you?"
"What exactly is our goal?"

>>30577993
What are we doing, where are we going, what did all of you bring?

>>30577919
But you didn't give the rat any cheese 3 hours ago, so it's not gonna help you now.

>>30577993
Where did you come from, where did you go
Where did you come from, Cotton Eyed Joe?

>>30577993
"So where're we going? What're we gonna do?"

>>30577993
Something tells me we fucked up already.

Anyway, ask what they have with them and what we're going to do.

>>30578056
Oh shit, you're right.

>>30578056
Well fuck you too, rat.

>>30578056
But if you gave him the cheese he wouldn't chew the rope to make that ballot of hay drop down before the basement.

>>30578122
That's why you feed him AFTER that.

>>30578145
So we still have a chance to win this after all.

>>30578029
>>30578049
>>30578051
>What did you guys bring with you?
Scootaloo starts off by saying that she's got her cape and a small, impact detonated smoke bomb she got from the local bullies. Sweetie Belle smiles and holds up a glowing blue perfume bottle; it's providing a decent amount of light. She says that the potion will only last for a few hours, though... Applebloom has a cracked baseball bat and a saddlebag full of apples.

>What's the plan?
Scootaloo starts going on and on about a story that Cheerilee was telling in class a few days ago. She says that there is a secret orb called the Orion Crystal hidden deep within the Ursa cave. Apparently, the crystal gives ponies the ability to see into the future, but only once. They plan to use it to see what their cutie marks are going to be.

Do you have any other immediate questions? The girls look like they're ready to venture into the woods.

>>30578171
No, because rats are stupid.
Now, if it was a mouse, the Green Mile taught me that those are some reliable fuckers.

>>30578205
"How long will this be? I don't want to miss 'My Little Humans' tomorrow morning."

>>30578205
The Orion Crystal? Does it do anything else? Surely there is some information being withheld here.

>>30578205
I think we're good for now, those three should be fairly prepared.

>>30578205
Nope, let's go.

Is it just a coincidence you name the macguffin after the Orion constellation, or are humans going to get involved?

>>30578245
The crusader's faces light up as you mention their favorite show. They all nod, agreeing that it is a great show and they do not want to miss a second of it.

Applebloom assures you that the crusade, pending everything goes well, should conclude in a matter of hours. The orb shouldn't be TOO deep into the cave.

>>30578325
Proceeeeeed.

>>30578245
Wouldn't My Enormous Humans be more appropriate? It would be like some mec fighting cartoon, except with giant, fleshy monkey people.

>>30578325
'A cave? This sounds exciting. Let's go!'

>>30578275
Scootaloo simply shrugs her shoulders. She says that all Cheerilee told them about in class and she didn't bother to ask any other ponies about it. Sweetie Belle mentions that it probably would have been a good idea to talk to Twilight about it, but her comment goes ignored.

>>30578288
>>30578315
You tell the three experienced crusaders that you are ready for your first crusade. They nod and turn toward the darkened entrance of the foreboding woods. They say that since you're the new filly in the group, you must prove your adventuring prowess and pick the path they should all take.

Before you lie 3 paths; left, center, and right, each appearing to be equally terrifying. They stand slightly behind you, waiting for your decision.

>>30578436
Center.

>>30578436
Center.

>>30578436
Go left

>>30578436
Left 4 dead.

>>30578436
left

>>30578391
(>implying you can find it)

Screw all you guys, let's go right.

>>30578463
>>30578467
(Two for center...)
>>30578471
>>30578476
>>30578480
(Three for left...)

(You guys SURE you want to go left? Is that your final decision? Not trying to imply that it would be bad to go left... just.... are you certain that's where you wish to go?)

>>30578545
ADVENTURE! GO LEFT

>>30578545
YOU SAID YOU WOULDN'T WARN US ABOUT BAD PATHS, MANG!

LEFT!

>>30578534
But center is the most balanced decision.

>>30578545
Spin a twig. Whichever way it lands on, you go.

>>30578545
my allegiance remains with center

>>30578545
Oh now we DEFINITELY gotta go left

>>30578545
Center
Center is always the answer

>>30578545
Left.
Cautiously.

>>30578545
left handed, left path

>>30578568
It's a trick, the left path is the only safe one.

Center because I hate getting eaten by a Grue.

>>30578545

ALL LEFT, ALL THE TIME.

Sure, we'll die horribly, but we'll die in style.

>Ifitselv Stevenson.
I thought the name of that serpant was Steven Magnet Captcha, but whatever.

>>30578618
He just want's you to think it's a trick so you chose left
CENTER

Left.

>>30578632
And so the paranoia finally sets in

>>30578650

>finally sets in
>finally

You must be new here, we were worried about making the wrong decision since...we made our first decision actually.

We should always run to the center.

http://www.youtube.com/HtvIYRrgZ04?t=2m6s

I'm just going to leave this here.

http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/573755

>>30578563
>>30578568
>>30578576
>>30578587
>>30578602
>>30578614
>>30578618
>>30578624
>>30578645

You tilt your head side to side for a moment before settling on your decision. You point to the left and affirm that it's the way to go. Scootaloo disagrees, saying that the group should go right, but Applebloom and Sweetie Belle stick to your decision. Begrudgingly, Scootaloo follows you on the left path.

Up above and all around, there is almost nothing but darkness. Sweetie's potion lights the way, but casts an eerie blue glow on everything as you pass through the thick forest.

Suddenly, you hear a noise in the bushes on the right. Sweetie shrieks, fumbling her little potion. It rolls into the bushes, but is well within reach. None of the crusaders want to go near the bush.

>>30578785
FUCK THE POTION
Light a candle and put it in a lantern
After that examine the bush again.

>>30578785
>Scoots doesn't want to get near bush.
This is some bullshit.

>>30578785
Walk right up to it, grab the potion, and check the bush.

>>30578779
One day, I'm going to make my own pony creepy-pasta game and it's actually going to be somewhat fun to play. I wish there was more to this one.

>>30578785
Tap dat Bush

>>30578785
welp, time to light a candle

>>30578785
Light a candle and investigate.

>>30578785
Retrieve the potion.

>>30578785

Sneak up on the bush, attempt to see what's shaking it.

Or just jump on it and hope for the best, whichever.

>>30578785
use the lantern

and tell someone to keep an eye on that bush

>>30578833
>You don't have a forest card in your mana pool.

We gotta be confident. Instill courage in out comrades.

>>30578893
WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE A HORRIBLE AND PAINFULLY DEATH AND NO ONE WILL EVER FIND OUR MANGLED CORPSES

>>30578812
>>30578837
>>30578857
>>30578877
To light your candle, you'll have to use your firestarter. It's got about 3-4 uses in it, you figure; dad threw this one in the garbage because he couldn't get it to work, but you knew it would come in handy on your adventure.

Do you wish to try and use your firestarter?

Right now, it's pitch black. You could go ahead and try to tap dat bush right now...

>>30578947
oh god dammit I know we shouldn't use it now, I just know it

RETRIEVE POTION

>>30578932
AND WE STILL WONT GET OUT CUTIE MARKS!
>mangled corpse cutie mark

>>30578947
Is there no moonlight?

Did Sweetie's potion completely die?

Grab it if it's still lighted.

>>30578947
See if Sweetie Bell can levitate the potion out of the bush.

>>30578947
TAP BUSH IN DARK

>>30578947
Stop giving giving us suggestions, man!

>>30578947
Grab that potion. Screw the bush and whatever is in it. Not literally, of course.

>>30579011
>DOUBLE GIVING ALL THE WAY.

We need to think.
There is something in the bushes.
This is the everfree forest.
We will probably die.
It could be a cockatrice for all we know.

The potion should still make some light.
Is there any light coming from the bushes?
If no fuck it.
Use a candle.

we didn't bring the candles for nothing

>>30578947
Hmm. Retacting previous suggestion.

Ask Applebloom for her bat and swing it at the bushes, being careful not to hit the potion.

>>30578893
>>30578973
>>30578982
>>30579008
You can still see the subtle blue glow of the potion under the bush leaves. Carefully, you begin your approach. Sneaking up hoof by hoof, you near the bush until you can just barely reach under it. Slowly, you edge your hoof toward the faint, blue light...

SHHSHSHHSSHHH!

The bushes erupt and a ring tailed critter comes flying out. In a harmony of discordant screams, the CMC shriek as the raccoon scares everyone senseless. You watch the little ball of fluff take off down the trail towards Fluttershy's cottage. Scootaloo pretends that she didn't make a peep.

With the curious creature gone, you pick up the potion and hand it back to Sweetie Belle. She breathes a sigh of relief as the other two commend you for your bravery.

You continue down the path, eventually reaching the stony entrance of a dark, quietly howling cave. The CMC huddle up to pow-wow their next course of action.

>>30579128
Agreed, items were made to be used.

>>30579131
(Damn, had I refreshed a second later... this could have been funny)

>>30579145
Let's go ahead and get our lantern lit now.

>>30579145
I have a looming fear that the raccoon has just set of a cataclysmic chain reaction that will ultimately end in our failure.

>>30579145
What are they suggesting?

Throw out the suggestion of heading in, keeping along the right wall as to not get lost.

>>30579145
Okay we don't want to kill everyone.
Examine the cave.
If all is clear take the potion from Sweetie and go first.
If it's safe make a sign to the other Crusaders to come.

>>30579222
Wait a second, were we playing as a human or an incredibly violent pony during his first quest?

>>30579188
>>30579222
Sweetie Belle clutches the small potion in her mouth, shaking her head. She says that you have a perfectly good torch; if you're going to go ahead of them, leave them the soft light and get your torch lit.

>>30579216
The CMC remark that this must be the Ursa cave. They like your idea very much and plan to stick to it... pending you still want to scout ahead and make sure everything is safe first.

>>30579293
(By the way, in the off chance that this thread 404's, we'll move into the next thread. I don't think it's going to happen, but just in case it does, we have a backup plan.)

>>30579189

If anything, the chain of events will save our lives, if getting us into trouble.

It went towards Fluttershy's cottage after all.

>>30579293
Go first only if Applebloom lets you hold the bat.

That I imagine was broken upon that poor pear ponies kneecaps, or at least equine equivalents.

>>30579293
Stay on point. Traverse the wall.

>>30579337
I'm keeping an eye on how close we are to thread death, I'll let you know when we get to page 15.

>>30579293
Explain to Sweetie that the Torch would be to powerful.
Try to convince her to give you the potion and give them the torch and firestarter

>>30579348
>>30579353
Applebloom pulls out her cracked bat and grips it in her mouth. She says that she'll follow behind you, watching your back. Scootaloo and Sweetie note the courage you two are showing and say that they'll come along with you; Scootaloo arms herself with her smokebomb.

You start heading into the cave, Sweetie's potion lighting the way. You notice all sorts of colorations on the floor and an eerie howling noise coming from deep inside the cave. It sounds like a great, low wind that never ceases.

As you traverse the right wall, you notice what appears to be a pair of red, glowing eyes in the distance.

>>30579389
(Thanks Leth. You're awesome.)

>>30579433
>red eyes
IT'S THE COCKATRICE FUCK THIS GET OUT

>>30579433
Hunch down, approach cautiously, be ready to run if you determine it to be a threat.

>>30579433
Smokebomb and run away

>>30579433
Use caution. Keep the soft light handy, as it will cause minimal disturbance to whatever creatures may lie ahead. Inch slowly along the wall.

>>30579455
Or it's a harmless stoned Trixie.

>>30579462
This. Be ready to use that smokebomb if we have to run.

>>30579462
>>30579462 (Counted Twice)
>>30579482
You immediately seize up as the eyes become more intense. They refuse to move, seeming to start you down. You and the girls crouch near some stalactites. Sweetie brings the light in close so that you can all see each other's faces.

Scootaloo thinks that it's probably nothing; it's probably just the weird light playing tricks on your eyes. Applebloom and Sweetie are convinced that it must be some sort of monster.

You sit huddled, hearing a soft breathe compliment the eerie cave howling.

>>30579570
Let's keep going.

>>30579570
You're the man, that means you have a man's duty. Tell them to stay back while you inch closer. If you see anything attached to those eyes that's alive, scoot back to the rest and get out.
Possibly remind self of the gemstones you found earlier.

>>30579570
Are there any rocks around?

Take a small one and chuck it in that direction.

Not attempting to hit the the... thing... but just near it.

>>30579570
Try speaking to it.

>>30579570
>scootaloo thinks it's nothing
Okay get your torch ready.
Roll the bottle towards the eyes.
If dangerous light the torch and get out of there if not continue.

>pop over to /mu/ for a second while I wait
>first thread is bestality/animal bondage
>mfw no face

>>30579570
Can you clearly see these "eyes"?
Are they really eyes at all?
Examine them from a safe distance.

>>30579612
>filly named Raisin

We're a girl.

>>30579617
This, lets see if it's a living thing or not: Distract the thing by throwing a rock near it, and listen

>>30579612
>>30579617
You quickly search the ground and pick up a pebble, telling the others to stay put. Scootaloo sees what you're doing and also grabs a rock. As you look over the stalactites you were hiding behind, you cannot see anything in the darkness up ahead.

Regardless, you chuck a rock up ahead in the general direction of the eyes. It clacks against the stone floor and echoes in the cave.

Without Sweetie's light aimed up ahead, it's nearly impossible to see anything. Scootaloo squints into the darkness, rock in her mouth.

>>30579643
Manlier than those three, so by default we have assumed the title of Man and possibly Amazon. So yeah.

>>30579711
Listen for any more noise.

If none, proceed with caution.

>>30579711
The eyes are no longer visible?
Something's wrong here.

>>30579711
Advance with caution until you can see the eyes again, then throw the rock.


Let's go ahead and save the game now.

>>30579808
But we only have 3 saves!

>>30579737

Definatly Amazon. If we live through this we'll be the de facto leader of the Crusaders.

Now then, I say we take out our latern, light it, and point it in the direction of those eyes. All the while preparing to run like a little bitch. Oh, and yell at the other bitches to run too I guess.

>>30579756
>>30579808
As you sit in the dark, ear towards the direction of the rock you threw, you slowly move forward, blind in the darkness of the cavern. Sweetie slowly peeks over the stalactite with her light potion in mouth, watching as you enter the black nothingness ahead. You immediately notice Scootaloo's eyes grow big. She throws the rock as hard as she can up ahead and ducks behind the stalactite, covering her eyes.

You turn your head and are greeted with the same pair of distant, shimmering red eyes. Sweetie remains frozen, shaking in terror as you stare the unwavering eyes down.

>>30579827
>save game
>close
>Search internet for FAQ or modify game parameters in install folder for unlimited saves.

>>30579871
They might just be gemstones.
...Perfectly spaced, crimson gemstones. Right. We're getting out of here, I should think.

>>30579876
>the only way to beat any old Sierra adventure game
(Those guys were absolute sadists, man. One mistake... one crucial mistake made 6 hours ago... then BAM. You're screwed, unable to advance.)

>>30579871
Is it too late to run?
I think we should run.
No seriously you guys, go. GO.

>>30579911
That's what I'm thinking actually.

Ask Sweetie for the light if she's too scootaloo to come forward, and make sure of what it is before retreat.

>>30579871
Get even closer.

>>30579871
Backbackbackbackbackbackbackback!

>>30579941
I propose to do this. >>30579632

We have nothing to lose.
If it's dangerous we get the fuck out of the forest.
No one will blame us.

>>30579871
>Panic Mode
>Tap B repeatedly to survive!

>>30579911
Grab the bat, lets check it out

>>30579969
Agreed.

>>30579871
Becomes stoned as fuck.

>>30579911

...take the gemstones. Just put your hoof right up there and grab them.

>>30579911
>>30579941
You turn your head back, asking Sweetie for her light. She doesn't respond; she just stares at the red eyes. You look back, noticing that the eyes are twinkle ever so slightly with Sweetie's quivering form.

Scootaloo reaches over the stalactite formation and pulls you back, saying that you must be out of your mind. She's convinced that it must be a monster.

Applebloom forces Sweetie to duck down again as you sit and make up a new game plan. Again, you ask for the light. Sweetie reluctantly hands it over to you, allowing you to carry it.

The bottle tastes like fresh roses.

>>30579871

Try talking to it.

If it's a dragon, it might let you leave if you haven't gotten close to its treasure yet.

>>30580044
Do this>>30579969

>>30580044
Wonder at the taste for a second, then roll that sucker like a bowling ball towards the eyes.

>>30580044
"If it was a monster, it would have attacked by now. Or at least moved! I don't think it's a monster."

Seconding
>>30580075
(again)

>>30580081
This sounds good.

>>30580081
Slowly.
We don't want to break it.

>>30580044
You throw the potion. The bottle shatters, and the glass and potion hopefully blind whatever the fuck that... THING is.

>>30580044
Shouldn't it have attacked us by now?

>>30580116
Monsters in this show are known for their patience.

>>30580110
That's why we are ROLLING the bottle you dunkass.

>>30580075
>>30580081
You put the bottle in your hooves for a moment and comment on the peculiar taste. Sweetie says that Rarity made rose petal soup for dinner...

You shake your head, deciding that you have nothing to lose. You roll the potion towards the eyes, much to the absolute horror of your friends. They gasp as the glass bottle rolls precariously over the rocks and closer to the ever more brilliant red eyes.

As it approaches, you see that the 'eyes' are set in the rock. To the left, you see the faint shimmer of 3 blue gems embedded into a large column of rock.

The bottle continues rolling, then smashes into a stalactite. The potion spills out over the floor, illuminating the one spot in a brilliant blue glow. Sweetie gets some tears in her eyes.

Scootaloo and Applebloom comment on the findings, saying that the eyes were just some crummy old gems. They wander closer to the pool of spilled blue light potion.

>>30580192
God damn how the hell hard did we roll that thing?

See if we can try to jimmy any of the stones out of the wall.

>>30580192
caution caution caution
proceed down the path, and get ready to light a candle

>>30580192
Apologize to Sweetie. You didn't mean to break it. But tell her you know where you can find a box of gems to make up for it.
Investigate the gems in the wall.

>>30580192
Let's go ahead and light our lantern if we haven't done that already.

>>30580044

You know, I said take the gemstones as a suicidal joke, but I'm beginning to think that's what they are.

Try to move the light over to see the 'eyes' better.

>>30580239
No wait
The potion gives us enough light for the moment

>>30580239
Man, we are going to run out of lamp oil and a fucking zombie is going to kill us before we can get the orb.

And then that asshole is going to bring the darkness on us or some shit.

>>30580192

Lantern time. Continue advancing in the cave, moving along the sides and trying to hide behind rock formations when possible.

The longer we spend looking at gems, the higher the chances of something stumbling on us while we're distracted.

>>30580305
Tell AB to stand guard while we examine the gems.

>>30580225
(It picked up some momentum; the cave floor leads ever so slightly down).

You follow the trio over to the spilled potion and look at the magnificent gems. Sweetie wipes some of the tears out of her eyes and says that they look just like the ones her sister was using earlier that morning. She comments that Rarity probably won't be too upset with her losing the perfume bottle if she can get a few.

Unfortunately, you can't seem to pry the little gems from the column. They're nearly cemented in.

>>30580268
Applebloom mentions that rolling the potion was a pretty good idea; at least they know the 'eyes' were really just gemstones. The light shines strong in the entrance of this massive cave. Above the 'eyes' you see a ledge with a stalactite sticking out of it. Up ahead is a wide open area where the soft, eerie noise seems to be coming from.

The CMC are ready to venture ahead. Scootaloo grabs your lantern and asks you to light it up for her.

>>30580373
Let's get lit.

>>30580373
>implying they don't trust you with the light anymore
This is gonna come back to bite us later, isn't it?

>>30580373
Okay.
Try to reach the ledge.
Climb one over another if possible.
Examine the cave from up there

>>30580373
Peek over the ledge. Anything strange up there?

>>30580373
Light it up.

>>30580373
Light the lantern, using one charge from the firestarter.
Also, keep in mind that box of gems you passed by earlier. They might come in handy for reparations after you escape the cave.

>>30580373

Get it lit, hug the walls, and silently move forward.

>>30580409
>>30580433
>>30580440
You light the small torch for Scootaloo. She starts to trot ahead, but keeps cautious. The cave lights up with tons of gems; the torch light is powerful enough to light the cave incredibly well. You can see wall to wall; the darkness is now a comfortable distance ahead.

>>30580430
>>30580432
You see that the ledge is quite a ways up; it's far too high to reach by simply climbing up on your friends' backs. It looks like it leads along a path that follows the right most wall of the cave.

Scootaloo and Applebloom insist that you continue ahead into the cave. Cutie marks await!

>>30580532
Ask Scoots to fly up to the ledge.

>>30580567
This

can we use the rope to get up there?

>>30580532
Dammit we could have used the boomerang to tie the rope there.
Could sweetie levitate one end of the rope and tie it ?

>>30580532
Scoots can fly, can't she?
Come on, get those tiny wings flapping. Show us what's up there.

>>30580567
>Scootaloo
>Fly
Afraid that it's a Pick one or the other affair. She hovers at best.

>>30580532

TOO BAD WE DON'T HAVE THE ROPE NOW WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE DRAGON'S LAIR I HOPE YOU ALL ARE HAPPY.

Hug the leftmost wall. There might be something lurking on the ledge that could reach down, grab one of us, and bolt without us being able to do anything about it.

>>30580595
We don't know that.

>>30580598
...
We have the rope

>>30577710

>>30580567
>>30580595
>>30580585
>>30580572
She stops, giving you a sour look. Applebloom snickers to herself, but takes notice of the ledge. She stops and asks Scootaloo to shine her light up above.

The high road seems to lead the same way into the cave and around a bend up ahead. It doesn't seem too remarkable.

>>30580577
>>30580598
(Your inventory right now consists of Rope, Firestarter, and 1 extra candle)

>>30580595

I agree. She has to be able to get to Cloudsdale so she can see her loving family.

Still, it's a bad idea putting one of us in a position where the others can't help.

>>30580647
welp
best continue within our means then
move along the low road, hugging the wall

>>30580681

Left wall, so creepy crawlies can't reach down and nab one of us.

>>30580647
Hey, this thread >>30577208 is empty now.

Let's keep on going, unless Applebloom thinks she can tie the rope into a lasso and toss it up onto the ledge.

>>30580647
You swivel your head out of curiosity. A shadow is standing at the entrance of the cave. You watch it crouch down low to the floor.

>>30580710
we are currently on page 13 btw

>>30580723
SAVE
SAVE SAVE

>>30580723
What shape did the shadow made?

It's probably one of the older ponies following you. Or Zecora.

>>30580710
(So... should we transition over to the next thread for safety? What do you guys think?

I don't want to disrupt us too badly)

>>30580723
Bipedal? Quadruped? WHAT MANNER OF BEAST IS THIS?

>>30580723
Wait...
That badger or whatever from the beginning must have told Fluttershy
THAT FUCKING BASTARD

>>30580765
Nah, I think we should be able to make it until the current thread dies, then we can use that.

>>30580744
Go ahead and save.

Tell Applebloom to get her bat ready.

>>30580765
I think we should transform and roll out.

>>30580723

What shape is it? Tell the others to huddle together, predators almost always pick off loners.

>>30580775
ITS NATHAN!

>>30580775
It's a lion! Get in the car!

>>30580792
ABORT GAME ABORT GAME

>>30580765
Exchange threads. This one is bound for the dustbin, so it's best to clear out without fear of imminent 404.

>>30580765
this thread is currently in page 13

>>30580792
Welp, game over. It was fun while it lasted.

>>30580752
Stark with fear, you watch the featureless blob glue itself to the floor. Whatever it is, it appears to have wings.

The CMC are still busy looking up at the ledge.

>>30580701
>>30580681
You urge the trio to move deeper into the cave. They nod their heads, mentioning that this place is giving them the creeps. You delve deeper into the cave, taking a turn around the bend.

As you look back once more, you can no longer see the shadowy form. It has vanished.

Up ahead of you is more darkness, some stalactites... and what appears to be an elaborate cluster of gemstones gleaming in the light of your torch.

>>30580824

Leave while you can. This isn't an ursa cave, it's a dragon cave.

Also OP I would recommend moving to the new general.

>>30580824
Dammit
Fluttershy either went in or went to get help
The CMC are gonna get it

>>30580824

venture into the darkness

>>30580824
(Alright, you guys post some responses quick. Next story post will be in next thread. Keep your F5 exercised)

>>30580824
Shinies! Maybe these will come loose!

>>30580824
parasprite maybe?

keep going

>>30580848
>F5
Junior you don't use 4chanX?

>>30580824
Onwards through the darkness!

>>30580848

Which thread is that?

>>30580824
"Hey guys? I think somepony is following us."

>>30580995
We go over. Less chance of bumping it on the way.

>>30580995
Head back and take the high path.

>>30580995
oh god, you've found an Ursa Minor

Gotta try that ledge, man. Any means necessary.

>>30580995
Ledge if we can reach it.

>>30580995
RIDE BEAST LIKE A MECHANICAL BULL!

>>30580995
maybe Scootaloo can fly up there and tie the rope to something so we can climb up

>>30581019
>>30581021
>>30581028
You mention that you have to go back and give the ledge a shot; there's no other way to get around the Ursa that's in your way. The CMC agree with you, knowing that the only safe route now would be to try and find a way up above.

As you start heading back, you see a pair of red eyes along the bend. Scootaloo trots on ahead.

>>30581095
Scootaloo! Wait! Stop!

>>30581072

This, but move back to where we first save the high road to do so.

Alternitivly, have Sweetie levitate the road up or Applebloom use her mad Apple family skilz to lasso something up there.

>>30581095
Stop Scoot
Illuminate the eyes.
be ready to run like hell.

>>30581095
Still be cautious. Those red eye might have an owner this time.
Once we reach the ledge, form the Pillar of Pony, and have Scoots jump off the top and try to hover over the ledge.

>>30581095
We've been fooled by eyes once.
But no risks. Examine them.

Do we have an eye poking device?

>>30581147
We have Sweeties horn
Does that count?

>>30581114
>>30581127
>>30581131
>>30581123
She looks over her shoulder, telling you not to worry. She says that it's just the gems again. They remain frozen in place up ahead, but you see them disappear and reappear quickly, all the while having light shone in that direction.

She continues on, not giving the strange red glares a second thought.

>>30581147
There are stalactites around.

We should grab one to use for poking.

>>30581163

Facehoof, but continue onward, keeping an eye out.

>>30581163
Pull her back, quickly!

>>30581157
If we want something useless, sure.
>>30581166
Agleed

>>30581163

Might as well catch up with her, in case things go south.

>>30581163
if she's not going to stop might as well give her the bat to defend herself

>>30581163
They blinked. Gems don't blink. What if it's a spider? A big spider.
We should probably bail. Because we aren't walking through a puddle of phosphorescent perfume right now. That's not where these eyes were.

>>30581163
DAMMIT SCOOT FOR THE LOVE OF GOD STOP.


Tell her to come back if she want's to know a secret.

>>30581163
Something's off...
You need to follow Scootaloo closely. She doesn't know what she might be in for.

>>30581215
Eh, Scoots lived a good life...

>>30581198

This. A very secret secret.

Then, when she takes the bait, pull her in close and whisper; 'Gems don't blink'.

Or kiss her if you're into that sort of thing.

>>30581197
spiders don't blink either

>>30581229
Its a fucking creeper!

>>30581179
>>30581191
>>30581195
>>30581215
Against your better judgment, you press ahead, walking straight toward the 'gems'. As they get a little larger, you watch them zig zag back and forth. The CMC stops cold in their tracks, terrified.

Suddenly, Scootaloo turns into a stone sculpture, frozen in place with the lantern stuck in her mouth. Sweetie Belle and Applebloom panic, running toward the Ursa Minor. Applebloom skids to a stop and screams back for you to hurry; they'll save Scootaloo later.

She grabs her back and shuts her eyes, running away from the horrible Cockatrice you just walked up to.

>>30581163
Wail on them with the bat.

>>30581220

I sincerely doubt that sir, but irreguardless, she's done.

>>30581264
(back -> bat. Sorry bout that)

>>30581264
So would it be in poor taste to say we should chicken out right now?

>>30581264
BASH COCKATRICE WITH LANTERN
THINK LATER
VIOLENCE NOW

>>30581264
Look for a stalactite/mite to grab while running away.

>>30581296
WE HAVE HUGE GUTS
BASH AND SMAAAAAAAASH!

>>30581287

Not in the slightest.

>>30581264
Welp, we fucked up. Let's tackle that cockatrice and make it unstone her. Keep our eyes closed during the process though.

>>30581307
RIP AND TEAAAAAAR!

>>30581264

attack the cockatrice with the heaviest thing you can get your hands on
keep your eyes on the ground and swing with wild abandon

>>30581264

Fuck, this is tough. We'll need that cockatrice if we want to unstone Scoots, but trying to capture it might just lead to a bad end for all of us.

On the other hand, if we can lure it into the cave, we might be able to stone the ursa minor.

Fuck, I guess we try to lure it towards the ursa. Hopefully it'll prioritize it over us.

>>30581287
>>30581299
(flight)
>>30581296
>>30581307
(fight)
(We have a tie. What shall we do, gentlemen?)

>>30581335
No or Scoot will be stoned forever
Ponyville doesn't need a new statue.

>>30581340
We trick it into waking up the Ursa.

>>30581340
Flight to prepare for fight.

I say we use a save

Do we still have the firestarter? Light that fucker on fire!
When approaching it look directly down. If you don't see its eyes you'll be fine.

>>30581354
This, Trick it to wake up the ursa

>>30581340
FUCK THE LANTERN FUCK THE BAT
I WANT TO REND THE FLESH FROM BONE WITH NOTHING BUT MY PONY TEETH

OH YES THERE WILL BE BLOOD

>>30581347

you don't have to kill it
just knock it out

im really drunk at the moment, so forgive me if my suggestions suck

>>30581296
>>30581307
>>30581331
>>30581327
>>30581335
You call Applebloom back, demanding that she keep her eyes shut. You feel scales slither up along your back and feathers brush against your ear; quickly, two red eyes come into your peripheral.

With a loud crack, you watch Applebloom smack the Cocaktrice with the bat over the head. Her bat snaps in two, lying on the floor. The Cockatrice doesn't seem too bothered by this. You buck it in the stomach a few times; your earth pony legs don't seem to be doing much to it.

Applebloom reiterates that you should run. The feathery foe starts to coil around you.

>>30581393
Bite the fucker.

To everyone who says we should fight it:

Cockatrices seem to be a decent size compared to fillies and probably have sharp claws. Fighting it would just lead to us getting beat up until it forced us to open our eyes.

>>30581393
USE SNAKEBLOOM USE SNAKEBLOOM

>>30581393

"oh come ON!"

get the fuck out of dodge

>>30581393
Ah what the hell.

HEADBUTT IT THEN RUN

TIE IT WITH THE ROPE!

>>30581393
focus on the path you wish to take, then shut your eyes and gun it.

>>30581393
Flee. Lead it to the Bigger Fish. If you're lucky Sweetie will have rockfall trip rigged up by now.

>>30581409

judging by their size in Staremaster, four fillies should be a match for it

>>30581424
This or throw the cape over its head

>>30581435
but one is incapacitated

>>30581458

three fillies. still a match

>>30581435
Well three fillies and rock aren't
We are in a pickle.
We need to convince the cockatrice to unstone Scoot before we lose track of it forever.

>>30581456
To bad we forgot to bring a Golden Needle.

>>30581415
>>30581420
>"Oh come ON!"
You slam your head back, smashing the Cockatrice in the jaw. It loosens up its grip for just a moment as you slip free and high tail it behind Applebloom. As you run, you realize that Scootaloo still has the torch in her mouth. The darkness of the cave envelopes you as you approach the starry pattern of the incredibly dangerous Ursa.

Applebloom bumps into you and wraps her forelegs around you, saying that you're going to need to stick together. She can't find Sweetie Belle, so it's just you two at the moment.

You hear the Cockatrice call just a few feet away. It seems to be keeping its distance, its red eyes swaying in the air nearby.

>>30581435

One filly is all we have (Applebloom). Raisin is constricted at the moment, Scoots is stoned, and Sweetie is being useless (or hiding). And while Applebloom is the MLP version of Solid Snake, Snakeater, or what-have-you, this is a chicken-snake and therefore out of her juristiction.

Kick it in the face and flee.

>>30581492
We need to find Sweetie
We fucked up guys
GAME OVER MAN GAME OVER

>>30581492
Well... you still have one more candle.
But what of the lantern? Looks like you're going to have to DIY something together to hold that candle.

>>30581492
Ask Applebloom if she knows how to make and use a lasso.

Proceed to ready it quickly if so.

>>30581492
Set up flanking. Attempt to either knock out or otherwise blind the cockatrice. Then either beat it into submission or threaten it with Fluttershy. If we're lucky, it'll be THAT cockatrice.

>>30581550
Let's go ahead and do this. Worst Case scenario: We reload to a point when nopony was stoned.

>>30581492

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Wait until the cockatrice approaches, then wake the ursa.

Do we have a save? I think we really need to use one.

>>30581520
You push the small, scared filly away for a moment as you withdraw a candle from your saddlebag. You bring out the stompstarter, but look back over your shoulder at the Ursa sleeping just a few feet from your back. The stompstarter tends to make a bit of noise...
>>30581541
You ask Applebloom if she can make a lasso. She says that Applejack taught her how to, so she probably can... but not in the complete, pitch black.

>>30581584
It's either wake the Ursa or get raped by the cockatrice
Any way game over
Light the candle.
Also try to find Sweetie.

>>30581584

light it

>>30581584

Wait until the cockatrice approaches, light the match, and then have you and Applebloom try to run around the monster so it sees the cockatrice first.

>>30581577
>>30581576
(Being slightly merciful, if you guys do fuck up, I'll reset 1 of 2 times for you back to a 'safe' time. This is before any monster encounters or serious fuck ups, like getting Scootaloo stoned.

You've only got 2 resets, however. I'll not offer any more as that will make the game too long.)

>>30581577
This, we need to make the ursa and the cockatrice fight

>>30581584
You'll have to chance it.
There is no other option.

Oh, and find something reflective to carry around. A cockatrice can be killed by seeing its own reflection. Push comes to shove, we'll have to chance it.

>>30581619
Agreed, wait till it gets close, throw something heavy at the Ursa, hell, kick it if you must, and HIDE

>>30581584
Wait in the darkness for the cockatrice to approach.

Wake the ursa with a rock when it comes into the room.

Hide.

>>30581620
We can't kill it.
We will lose Scoot and probably Sweetie forever.
This was a bad idea.

>>30581619
We can't risk it.
If the Ursa wins we're fucked and Scoot is done for
If the cockatrice wins we're fucked because in the cave there's also a URSA MAJOR
We're fucked.

>>30581670
The cockatrice's magic may wear off upon death.

>>30581606
>>30581611
>>30581615
You decide to stomp on the stompstarter to get a flame going. As you lean over to light your candle, you hear the creature behind you grumble. Applebloom asks you what you just did... and if you have a plan.

The Ursa starts to pick up and shift about, careful not to roll off the ledge to its side. It looks ahead, noticing the candle you just lit. The Cockatrice seems to have all but disappeared from sight.

Applebloom wraps her trembling forelegs around you again, unsure of what you planned to do after waking the Ursa and scaring the Cockatrice away.

The candle doesn't do anything to reveal any other pony in the cave. Sweetie cannot be seen anywhere nearby.

>>30581616

Wait, that was a serious fuck up? Shit, we might be in worse shape than I thought.

>>30581620

I don't think we should kill it. I mean, what if Scoots stays stoned forever if that happens?

>>30581682
Whelp.

Throw the candle in it's face in an attempt to startle it, and get it to fall over the ledge.

>>30581682

Pass out. Play dead. Maybe it will fall back asleep and leave you be.

>>30581682
1. Tie the rope to a nearby stalagmite
2. Tie the other end around your waist
3. Tell Applebloom to hold on tight, baby
4. Run past the ursa and do a swan dive off the ledge

>>30581682
>>30581682

Damn, things are looking pretty grim. Neither Sweetie Belle or the cockatrice could have gotten past the bear, so they must be outside. I'm afraid that we have to try to get to the cave entrance. We can't lose the cockatrice.

>>30581694
which is why I added
>Push comes to shove

We need to try to restore Scootaloo. We haven't come to a point where further danger focrces us to kill in self-defense yet.

>>30581682
Is the Ursa angered? Stand fast and hold your ground. Get ready to turn and run though.

>>30581682
We can't stay in the open, so to speak. We need cover. Try to duck under the ledge to the left of the Ursa. Leave the candle where it is, as a decoy.

>>30581724

You know what, I vote this. Why the hell not? We're already boned, let's see what happens.

>>30581741
Who's going to pull us up? BAD IDEA

>>30581737
Let's try this.

>>30581760

I don't see many options here. One is stoned, another missing, one hugging us for dear life, and we're staring down a recently-awoken Ursa.

>>30581792

do we at least have something to cut the rope with?

>>30581703
You send the molten candle up towards its head, managing to splatter the wax against its chest. It looks down then back to the two desperate fillies ahead. He sneers, annoyed and grumpy that he's been so rudely awakened.
>>30581724
As the bear glares at you, you fasten the rope to your waist.
"Hang on, baby!"
You grab the red bow wearing filly up in your hooves, realizing that she weighs more than you do. You sling the other end of the rope to a stalactite overhead, miraculously getting a hold on it. Surprised, you proceed to step 2 of your brilliant plan.

You jump off the ledge, hoping that the rope over head holds. The Ursa watches you curiously.

Only a few feet from your jump, the rope slips off the overhead stalactite. You plummet into the dark void below, the combination of you and Appleblooms terrified screams echoing into silence.

You kinda died. Nice try, though. Almost worked... except you ended up landing pretty close to Sweetie Belle.

>>30581802
TEETH

Run past the ursa, get the orb we were looking for and use it to find a way to save ourselves!

>>30581803
TPK. So that's what happened to Sweetie.
Dayum shame.

>>30581803

Activate sands of time.

Load from last checkpoint.

>>30581803
At least ponyville has a new statue when they come look for us.

>>30581803
HUZZAH FOR THE CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS!
God damn it

>>30581803

Welp, I guess we load the save. Don't really know how we're going to get ourselves out of this one. Cockatrice on one end, celestial bear on the other.

Guess we have to find some way to take the upper path.

>>30581803
The funeral was short and mostly informal. Many tears were shed.

Reset.

>except you ended up landing pretty close to Sweetie Belle
so she was ded? :(

>>30581839
Turn rope into lasso, throw lasso up onto ledge, climb up.

>>30581854
Flattened like a marshmallow that had been stomped on, by the sounds of it.

>>30581827
>WISE FWOM YO GWAVE
You hear a very odd backwards sound effects kind of noise. You find yourself next to the Ursa Minor again, but now the whole group is together again. You look around, feeling your coat to see if everything is real. Applebloom asks if you're okay, to which you respond "I think so..."

With a small ledge on the left over a chasm and a safe path up above, but no way to attach any rope to a stalactite to get up there, you consider your options with the CMC.

Behind you, back around the bend, you see a pair of red eyes hovering in the darkness, unwavering and still.

>>30581874

Go into stealth mode.
Try to sneak across the ledge.

>>30581874
Suggest we carefully take the ledge to the left.

>>30581874
Let's keep on going and take the ledge path.

>>30581874
"Stop, Scoots. I don't think those are gems this time around."

Examine the ledge to the left. Is the path too slim to be able to cross?

>>30581874
Try for the low road this time. Have Applebloom securely attach the rope to a stalagmite, and leave Scoots up here long enough for the three of us to get down. She can come gliding down afterwords.

>>30581900
>>30581901
>>30581902
You point out that there is a very thin walkway to the left of the chasm. Sweetie immediately shakes her head, not wanting to travel that path. She suggests that the group head back and try to find a way to the safe path up above. Applebloom seems to be willing to give this route a shot, but agrees if there's any way to the wide path above, she'd be willing to take it.

Scootaloo is already sliding across the wall, shuffling her hooves together to traverse the chasm path. Holding the lantern, you watch the little light source travel across the dangerous chasm path.

>>30581906

Fuck just telling her. Scoots is obviously mentally retarded. Grab her tail until she moves her ass across the ledge.

>>30581928
"We follow the light. Come on Crusaders, don't be chicken!"

Spoken softly.

>>30581928

Follow Scoots.
Act with confidence and the others will follow suit.

>>30581928

Make fun of them and insinuate that they're cowards. Going back is certain bad end.

>>30581928
Scootaloo, you dumbass...
Ugh. Give the path a try.

>>30581928
Use Scootaloo's lead as a prod for the other two.
"it's too late now, unless you want to fumble around in the dark."

>>30581928
Tell Sweetie Bell that she can stay here and make friends with a cockatrice if she doesn't want to try the walkway.

>>30581941
>>30581953
>>30581954
>>30581957
>>30581960
>>30581965
"Come on, I thought you guys were crusaders. Scootaloo's not afraid and she's a chicken."

You follow Scoots lead, hugging the wall. Immediately, you notice how deep the chasm below really goes. A low, resounding noise passes up from the deep darkness; nothing can be seen below. You slide across, trying to catch up with Scoots. She's already standing on solid ground, boasting of her accomplishment quietly.

Applebloom and Sweetie Belle soon follow, though Sweetie Belle is really shaky. As they are halfway across, the ground gives way under Sweetie's hoof. She slips a little bit, catching the side of the ledge. She dangles precariously over the pit, whimpering softly in terror.

She looks to you and the others. They're panicking a little, unsure of what to do.

>>30582029
Pull her up before the rest of it goes. Fast.Give her an end of the rope just in case, and have Scoots and AB hold the other end.

>>30582029
Hang in there, Sweetie! We're coming for you!

...but do it SLOWLY.

>>30582029
Shuffle back over and lend a hoof, hoping that they can stick together for an undetermined reason.

>>30582029

Take her hoof. Help her up.

>>30582053
This.

>>30582029

Grab her, um, brace yourself against her in some fashion and just take it slow.

>>30582058
>>30582053
>>30582065
>>30582066
You shuffle back along the wall, though Applebloom stands between you and the endangered filly. She's already reaching over to give Sweetie a hoof back up, but she's afraid she'll lose her balance and fall.

Scootaloo shuffles back onto the ledge, approaching you three as Sweetie loses her grip on the thin ledge.

>>30582100
Toss her one end of the rope fast, hold the other end in your mouth.

>>30582100

Reach out and try to bite her hair or her tail or something.

As Scootaloo to hover and try to help somehow, if she falls she's a goner.

>>30582100
"Applebloom! Grab her!" You tell her quickly, grabbing onto her other hoof while reaching your other hoof out for scoots to grab.

>>30582100
Give scoots the rope, have her dive after sweetie.
You and AB take the other end and jump back to the solid ground. Brace for weight.

I like the rope ideas.

>>30582119
>>30582130
>>30582126
>>30582125
You motion for Applebloom to grab the struggling unicorn. Just as Applebloom grabs for her, Sweetie loses her grip. In the absolute nick of time, Applebloom catches her, though finds herself falling fowards fast. You instinctively bite onto Applebloom's tail, though the weight of the two fillies takes a toll on your balance. Amazingly, you're able to hold onto the rock wall by bracing yourself against two pits in the wall.

Scootaloo panics, reaching through your bag for the rope. She brings it up in her mouth, but cannot find anything nearby to fasten it to. Grip slipping, you need to act fast.

There's a stalactite up above and an outcropping of crystals on the other side of the chasm, next to where Scootaloo was standing previously.

>>30582222
Gesticulate wildly towards the crystals. While waiting for Scoots to tie it off, try and drag them back to solid ground or at least not fall.

>>30582222
keep trying oh god oh god
signal for Scootaloo to tie the rope to the crystals

>>30582248
>>30582263
these

>>30582222
God damn it Sweetie, why can't you teleport?

Tell scoots to get back to solid ground, and try to keep hold of the roap in case you fall while tying it to the crystal formation.

>>30582222

Shit, um, stalactite. The crystals might by brittle. The stalactite might be slippery, but we just have to take that chance. It'll be easier to tie anyways.

>>30582248
Scootaloo sees what you're getting at. She shuffles back over and glides to the small outcropping. Tying the rope off, she throws the other end over to you. The rope flies through the air; you must take a chance if you hope to catch it.

If you loosen your grip, however, you may find yourself plummeting into the darkness. The two fillies aren't getting any lighter, either; it's impossible to pull them back up. You strain, but they sink lower with every passing moment.

What shall you do?

>>30582308
QUICK TIME EVENT
PRESS X TO CATCH ROPE WITH TEETH

>>30582308
Fuck it, grab the rope. It's all or nothing now anyway.

>>30582308
Leap, try to grab onto the rope high enough to where the other two CAN grab onto it as well.

Grab with both your free hoof and your teeth, and legs if possible.

>>30582325
(In your mouth, you currently have: Applebloom's Tail)

Are you sure you want to do this?

>>30582308

Grab the rope, your fate is sealed if you do nothing.

>>30582345
WAIT, TELL them about the rope first, so they know!

>>30582345
Nope, let's see if Sweetie Bell can cath the rope in her teeth.

>>30582345
Oh, to then grab with both hooves, yelling at them to grab the rope while jumping.

>>30582345
fuck it my mind is blank right now

>>30582345
See if all three of us can't grab it. Sweetie with teeth, AB and us with hooves.

Swing sweetie to the rope and tell her to grab it

>>30582385
But hooves can't really grip a rope.

>>30582345

What the fuck else we can do? Unless Sweetie Belle can catch it, then we have to use our hooves.

>>30582331
>>30582342
You let the long rope travel a ways passed your body before taking a leap of faith and grabbing on. Sweetie screams wildly as you all go airborn over the black pit. Everything seems to disappear into the darkness for a moment, but Scoots brings the torch over the crystals above your head. Amazingly, the impact into the stony wall hasn't loosened the grip of your comrades.

The two fillies grab onto the rope as well. Applebloom's is oriented backwards on the rope, her butt facing up. She's hardly in an ideal climbing position.

Above you, you hear a very faint crackling noise.

>>30582360

You'd still have to let go of Applebloom to say anything.

I have the sinking feeling that anything we do will lead to a bad end. Without the boomerang, we can't get to the upper path. We might have to use a quickload to go back to the very beginning.

>>30582416
Keep hold of Appleblooms tail to give her support, and climb up.

Try to motion to Scoots to help pull the rope.

>>30582416
CLIMB BABY, CLIMB
Applebloom should try to reorient herself, if possible.

>>30582416
See if we can tell Scootaloo to grab the rope without actually letting go of Applebloom. Start climbing for all we're worth

>>30582416

GRAB THE ROPE SCOOTS!

Roll a geology check to identify the crystal and try to bounce in such a way that you're half a phase off from the crystal's resonance frequency. That should in practice make the crystal more resistant to fracture.

>>30582439
You climb up the rope, pulling Applebloom up with you. Scootaloo is already helping pull the rope up as if she had read your mind; she pushes a hoof against the crystal for a brace and helps pull you three up to safety.

You hear a distinct crackling noise above you.

>>30582416
Clamber for all we're worth, and hope Scoots gets the idea to help by pulling the rope up with us.

>>30582416
Tell Scoot to pull us up on the rope, and help us out. Then Help Appleboom, and Climb up fast.

>>30582462
...It wasn't the torch?
Look up.

>>30582462
Watch out and move out of the way; something's about to fall on you. Make sure not to split up as you move!

>>30582462
Quickly thank scoots and make sure that everyone is okay. Take the lantern and shine it up above, checking for what it might be.

>>30582482
Wait, torch? WHERE'S the torch?!
...oh no

>>30582462

Dive out of the way, that stalactite seems like it's going to fall at any moment.

>>30582462
Tell them all to get out of the way fast, something is about to fall on us.

>>30582482
You strain to turn your head under the weight of Applebloom, but cannot see anything. You near Scootaloo's hooves as she pulls you up to firm ground. Sweetie Belle is on her way up the rope still...

You see part of the crystal shatter under Scootaloo's hooves. She doesn't take notice, too concerned with pulling up her friend.

>>30582527

Tell her to grab the fucking rope, you can pull yourself up from there.

Maybe try to lean on it to increase the friction.

>>30582527
Get up and pull Sweetie up quickly.

>>30582527
Make noise, bring her attention to it. No sense in her falling to her death. Hopefully she'll grab the rope in time before the crystal she tied it too shatters and takes us all with it.

>>30582527
The crystal is cracking! Warn Scoot about her footing, and keep climbing

>>30582527
Tell scoots to dig in and stop pulling.

Get your ass up the rest of the way yourself.

>>30582550
>>30582556
These.

>>30582547
>>30582550
>>30582556
You swing over to the ledge, pulling yourself up. Through sheer earth pony strength, you manage to pull Applebloom up onto the ledge with your teeth. Immediately, you warn Scoots about the crystal. By the time she looks down, the crystal starts falling apart. Sweetie again screams out and frantically climbs up, trying to reach the ledge before she falls.

Scootaloo starts sliding forward... and the Ursa is now stirring.

>>30582596

We have to get her up. Pull Sweetie up as fast as we can and try to bolt behind something. Maybe it won't see us and fall back to sleep.

>>30582596
Grab onto scoots tail and start pulling.

Hopefully Applebloom will follow.

>>30582596
PULL! FASTER!
Get ready to run.

>>30582596
Tell Scoots to grab the rope. Make sure the three of us are holding onto our end of it.

>>30582596

help scoots up!

>>30582596
Grab Scoots while Applebloom helps Sweetie up. You don't have time for fear.

>>30582610
>>30582613
You grab onto Scoots tail as the crystal completely gives way. She holds fast onto the rope, keeping Sweetie safely in her grasp. Applebloom follows your lead, dragging you and her friends up the stony ledge and onto safe ground.

You all watch as the Ursa starts to clamber around. It's facing away from you, but you decide it best to duck behind a small crop of stones.

As the Ursa seems to fall back asleep, there's a round of hugs and sighs of relief. The trio can't believe they just survived the ordeal.

The lantern is still back by the ledge, though it is safe. Next to it is the rope with a chunk of crystal still lasso'd in it.

>>30582668
Recover the lantern and carry on. keep an eye out for other ways back across.

>>30582668
WE LIVED

CUTIE MARK CRUSADER COFFINS ARE NO LONGER NEEDED

>>30582668
YAY! WE SURVIVED!

btw how are you guys going to watch the new episode?

>>30582668
Retrieve items. Carry on, even more cautious of your footing than before.

>>30582668

Move silently and retrieve everything. After that, examine our options. We're going to need to be extremely stealthy from now on. Now that we're past the ursa minor, the major can't be too much further in.

>>30582668

gather all gear and proceed into the unknown

>>30582692
This and remember to be sneaky.

>>30582690

Around midday, fuck staying up all night. It'll be on youtube by then anyways.

>>30582681
You and Applebloom sneak back over to the lantern and rope. She grabs the lantern and you grab the rope, dragging its catch behind. Beyond the chasm, far back to the small bend, you see the red eyes again, though they blink and move back towards the cave entrance.

Pressing forward, you light up another deep, dark passageway. The cave seems to get more humid as you come to a split. Seeing as you've been leading pretty well, the CMC leaves the choice of direction up to their promising new recruit; left or right?

>>30582690
Thorugh a stream; my channels don't go that high.
and I'm at my computer so bonus.

>>30582688
(Let's not get ahead of ourselves...)

Also, we're not moving into new threads fast enough to make it to the next one before this one dies.

We'll need to move to >>30579978 sooner or later.

>>30582721
Right.
>>30582690
Stream.

>>30582721

left

>>30582721

Right.

Left paths just lead to trouble.

>>30582740
oh you, last time we didn't need coffins...

>>30582721
Let's examine each direction. What do we smell, hear, see, etc?