The descent continued through the shadowy pit.
“So, are your full names really just one word? That seems odd, most ponies have 2 word names.” Spike asked, to break the silence.
“No, we tend to just go by shortened names. I’m Sol Shine.” Sol said.
“Aquamarine.” Aqua said.
“Amethyst Sparkle.” Amethyst said.
“Sparkle?” Luna and Spike both exclaimed.
“Yeah, so?” Amethyst said.
“”There’s no way...” Luna muttered.
“Somepony as rude and brash as her? No way.” Spike muttered back.
“Maybe it's just more common of a name than I thought.” Luna said.
“I hear you mumbling over there. What is it?” Amethyst yelled.
“Nothing.” Spike said.
“Hmph, whatever.” Amethyst said.
The descent seemed to drag on forever, but they eventually reached to bottom. The stone floors were oddly lit by blue lines, which pulsated across the ground and walls. There was a single tunnel leading out of this pit, where this blue light seemed to radiate from.
“Well, it doesn't look like we have any other way to go.” Spike said.
“Who was that!” somepony called out.
“Hide!” Aqua said in a loud whisper, as he pressed up against the walls.
The blue light grew brighter, as hoofsteps echoed throughout the tunnel. A cloaked figure with a lantern floating nearby entered. The lantern glowed a bright blue, an unusual color for a flame.
“I know you’re in here!” it yelled.
The lantern smashed into the ground, and blue flame spread across the floor, and crawled up the walls. It covered everypony, but didn’t burn.
“Found you!” it yelled once more.
An orb floated above her, pulsating with energy.
“Hooves up, now! Or I blast you into pieces!” it yelled.
Everypony’s hooves went into the air, standing on their back hooves, but Spike kept his claws down.
“You too!” it yelled.
“You think you can challenge a dragon?” Spike said, with a slight grin.
The orb above its head slammed into Spike’s chest, knocking him over on his side. Five more orbs appeared almost instantly.
“Still want to try fighting me?” it asked.
“You’re good.” Spike said, raising his claws into the air.
It began to look each of them over
“You...you aren’t from down here, are you?” it asked.
“No. We came here to investigate some attacks on Canterlot.” Luna responded.
“Canterlot? You’ve come from the surface?” it asked.
“Of course. Do you mean you didn’t?” Luna asked.
“I did, a long time ago. I’ve been living down here for so long, I barely remember what the surface even looks like. But I remember you, Luna.” it replied.
“You do?” Luna asked.
“Of course. It’s hard to forget your princess.” it responded.
The figure waved its hoof, and the lantern rebuilt itself above it, and re-lit.
“I have a feeling you have no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into. But nonetheless, come with me.” it said.
The group followed in silence.
“I too have been trying to figure out what is down here. Through hours of research I came across the coronation rites Celestia underwent. I’m sure you know about them firsthand, Luna. I believe there was something more to that coronation than either of us know.’ it said.
“Father sure made it seem important everything was done perfectly for her. He never even showed up to mine.” Luna said.
“Hmm...interesting. She took over the moon when you were banished, correct?” it asked.
“Yes.” Luna said.
“But you cannot control the sun?” it asked.
“I tried, in vain.” Luna said.
“The king left a note for Celestia, which he didn’t let anyone else see.” Sol added.
“And what did it say?” it asked.
“Something about heading back down here after the coronation. It seemed really secretive.” Aqua said.
The cloaked figure let out a burst of magic, which hit a wall in the tunnel. The wall opened, to reveal a small room. Inside were all sorts of dusty tomes, with strange runes on the front, spread haphazardly across the room.
“This way.” it said.
The tunnels were dark and dusty, but they seemed safe.
“Where are you taking us?” Sol asked
“Further into the caves. The main roads are unsafe.” it said.
The tunnel went on for what seemed like hours, until it reached a dead end. Once more the figure used magic, and the door slid open. Inside was another room, similar to the one before, but with a makeshift bed set up inside, made of various tattered pieces of cloth.
“You can rest here, where it’s safe. We’ll continue on the morning. I’ll set up some magical alarms to protect us” it said.
Grateful for the chance to rest, almost everypony quickly fell asleep, even on the hard floors. Sol waited until the cloaked figure was asleep, and whispered to Aqua.
“Aqua.” he said.
“What?” Aqua said, almost asleep.
“Are you sure we can trust that pony?” Sol asked.
“It’s not like we have a choice. It could have killed us if it wanted. All we know is that it didn't.” Aqua said.
“I guess.” Sol said.
“I’m the least of your worries down here.” the pony said.
But it was still asleep. A small wisp of energy floated from its mouth, with nothing but a face.
“I’m never truly asleep.” the figure said, and the wisp smiled.
Sol and Aqua headed back to sleep, and the wisp went back within its mouth.
Sol was the first to awake.
“You’re awake.” The wisp said.
The figure stood up, and sounded the magical alarm. Everypony woke up, Ametyst looking quite furious.
“Get up, we’re going.” The figure said.
“You woke me up.” Amethyst said.
“Because you’re leaving. Now.” The figure said, and headed deeper into the tunnel.
“Hmph.” Amethyst said and fell back asleep.
A gray magical field formed around Amethyst, and dragged her across the ground.
“Now.” The figure said.
“Fine, but I’m still sleeping.” Amethyst said, before somehow managing to sleep while being dragged.
One of the orbs above the figure slammed into Amethyst, shocking her awake, and also toppling her.
“We’re going. If you were somepony else I’d have killed you with that orb myself, but I need to take you with me.” it said.
“If I’m going with you, could you at least show me your face? Maybe give me a name?”
“If that’s what it takes.” it said.
The figure’s coak de-materialized, revealing a gray old stallion, with a long, curly beard.
“Call me Starswirl.” he said.