*~Somethings wrong in ponytown~*

Dreaming big

High above the grassy fields, the trio of pegasi - Michi, Nox, and Caryss - soared, their wings beating steadily as they searched for any sign of the wise earth pony they had been sent to find.

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting the landscape in a warm, golden glow, the pegasi landed in a secluded clearing, their hooves crunching softly on the grass.

"We've covered a lot of ground today," Michi remarked as she consulted the map unfurled before them. "But I don't see any indication that we're getting closer to our target."

Nox nodded in agreement. "The sun is setting, and we'll lose the light soon. Perhaps it would be best to rest here for the night and resume our search at first light."

Caryss studied the map intently. "I think you're right. We've pushed ourselves hard, and we'll need to be at our best to continue the search tomorrow."

With a collective sigh, the trio set about making camp, carefully selecting a sheltered spot and gathering what meager supplies they had brought with them. As the last vestiges of daylight faded, they huddled around a small fire, their eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of their elusive quarry.

"Do you think the princess is worried about us?" Caryss asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Nox placed a reassuring hoof on her shoulder. "I'm sure she has faith in our ability to complete this mission. We mustn't lose hope – the wise earth pony is out there, and we will find them."

Michi nodded in agreement. "For now, we should rest and regain our strength. Tomorrow, we'll set out with renewed determination."

As the fire crackled and the stars began to twinkle overhead, the three pegasi settled in for the night, their minds filled with thoughts of the challenges that lay ahead.
/////////

tossed and turned in her, opening her eyes as the world felt cold and dank. Everything was shrouded in impenetrable darkness, and she felt a growing sense of panic as she realized she was completely paralyzed, unable to move a single muscle.

Suddenly, she noticed a faint glow in the distance, and as it drew closer, she could make out the shape of glimmering, jagged crystals. Blue in color, they seemed to pulse with an ominous energy, and Michi watched in horror as they began to grow, slowly encroaching on her position.

The crystals crept closer, their sharp edges glinting in the darkness, until they were mere inches from her face. Michi tried to scream, to call out for help, but no sound escaped her lips. She was trapped, helpless as the crystals continued to spread, wrapping around her legs and mane, tugging and pulling at her.

The pressure was excruciating, and Michi felt a sense of despair wash over her as she realized she was completely at the mercy of these unearthly formations. She squeezed her eyes shut, willing the nightmare to end, but the sensations only grew more intense.

Michi's eyes snapped open, and she found herself back in the familiar campsite, her body drenched in a cold sweat. She took in a shaky breath, her legs trembling beneath her as she stood on wobbly hooves.

The dream had felt so real, so tangible, that it had left her deeply unsettled.
Michi's gaze darted around the campsite, her heart quickening as she realized that Caryss and Nox were nowhere to be seen. She blinked, her eyes adjusting to the low light, but the clearing was empty save for herself and the sleeping form of Ember.

"Caryss? Nox?" Michi called out, her voice tentative at first, then growing more urgent as she received no response.

She took a few steps forward, her hooves crunching on the fallen leaves and twigs that littered the ground. The silence was deafening, broken only by the occasional distant call of a nocturnal creature.

Michi's wings rustled nervously as she scanned the shadows, searching for any sign of her companions. Had they wandered off in the night? Were they in trouble? A growing sense of dread began to settle in the pit of her stomach.

"Caryss! Nox!" she called again, her voice echoing through the trees. But still, there was no reply.

Michi's mind raced, trying to come up with a plausible explanation for their absence. Perhaps they had gone to gather more firewood or water, or maybe they were scouting the area. But deep down, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was very, very wrong.

Michi's scream of frustration echoed through the silent forest, her voice laced with a raw, primal edge. She reared up on her hind legs, her hooves crashing down onto the ground with a series of thunderous impacts.

"Damn it!" she cried, her eyes burning with a mixture of anger and despair. "Why does this keep happening?"

With each powerful stomp, Michi poured out her pent-up emotions – the stress of their journey, the weight of her responsibilities, the fear for her missing friends. The earth shook beneath her as she unleashed her rage, her mane whipping wildly in the night wind.

She had faced so much in such a short span of time – the harrowing encounter with the beast, the arduous flight across the miles, and now the sudden disappearance of Caryss and Nox. It was all too much, the strain of it all threatening to overwhelm her.

"I can't do this!" Michi cried, her voice cracking with emotion. "I can't keep everyone safe, I can't find my friends, I can't – "

Her words were cut off by another thunderous impact as her hooves crashed against the ground, splintering the earth beneath her. Tears of frustration streamed down her face, her body trembling with the intensity of her outburst.

Michi had always prided herself on her strength, her resilience, but now she felt the weight of it all bearing down on her. She was responsible for so much, and the fear of failing those she cared about was a constant, gnawing presence in the back of her mind.

As the last of her pent-up energy dissipated, Michi sank back down to all fours, her head bowed low. She took a shaky breath, trying to regain her composure, but the lingering feelings of anger and helplessness still threatened to consume her.

Michi reared up again, her hooves slamming down onto the forest floor with tremendous force. The ground beneath her suddenly gave way with a loud, ominous cracking sound.

"No!" she cried out in a mix of shock and terror as the earth crumbled beneath her.

In an instant, Michi found herself plunging into the abyss, the world around her consumed by darkness. She flailed her limbs desperately, trying to regain her balance, but the sensation of falling filled her with a gut-wrenching sense of panic.

The air rushed past her as she hurtled downward, the darkness pressing in from all sides. Michi's heart raced, her mind reeling as she tried to comprehend what was happening. Had she stumbled upon some kind of hidden chasm? Where was she going?

She opened her mouth to scream, but the deafening roar of the wind snatched the sound from her lips. Michi squeezed her eyes shut, bracing herself for the inevitable impact, praying that it would be a swift and painless end.

Michi let out a shaky breath as she realized the fall was not as severe as she had feared. With a resounding crash, she hit the ground at the bottom of the pit, but to her relief, she was alive and, while battered, relatively unharmed.

She lay there, surrounded by the darkness, the sound of dripping rainwater echoing around her. Despite escaping the worst of the fall, Michi found herself overwhelmed by a growing sense of despair.

"Caryss... Nox..." she whispered, her voice laced with concern for her missing companions. She had been so close to them, and now she was trapped, alone in this deep, dark pit.

Slowly, Michi tried to push herself up, wincing as her aching body protested the movement. She looked up, straining to see any sign of the night sky above, but the inky blackness seemed to swallow any glimmer of hope.

How deep was this pit? And more importantly, how would she escape it? Michi's mind raced, trying to come up with a plan, but the ever-present sound of the dripping water and the oppressive darkness sapped her strength and her will.

She sank back down, her head lay on the mud as her heavy eyelids shut once more.