> More than a Storybook
>  by balletdivagirl
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Prolouge: Unxepected Beginning
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eighteen Years Ago
Celestia gazed at the moon she had sent into the sky only moments ago. Her gazed was fixed on the Mare in the Moon. She sighed and tried to let go of the terrible loneliness. Luna had been right in some ways, the night was beautiful. Weary and knowing morning would come early for her, Celestia cast one last glance at the moon and headed into the castle to rest. 

“Princess! The expedition is back!” The guard running towards her and shouting startled Celestian momentarily. “The professor asked to see you immediately.”

“Professor Emeritus always asks to see me immediately.” Princess Celestia hadn’t expected him to do so this late, however. And the expedition was back early, nearly a whole month early. Perhaps she would see him now.

“I know Princess, but this time…” The guard’s eyes were wide and his pupils tiny. His harsh breathing was not the result of a long run. There was something more.  Professor Emeritus was probably making threats to ruin ponies’ careers again.

“Alright I will see Professor Emeritus” Celestia’s light footsteps barely echoed in the hall, and were hardly audible next to the guards heavy clomping. He changed pace and looked over his shoulder. Celestia wondered what he could have seen, or what the Professor said.   

Soon they were in the meeting room where Professor Emeritus was waiting. The Professor’s nose was buried in a basket on the floor, lined with blankets and deep enough that Celestia could see in. Celestia knew that the Professor was overprotective of his finds, but he’d never hidden, or coddled, them before. 

“Is this what you found at the ruins?” She asked. Professor Emeritus lifted his head out of the basket, nodded his head and sighed. His mane was out of order, and his usual sweater vest foregone, he was still in his expedition gear. 

“Yes Princess. This discovery was incredibly unexpected.” He looked back over at the basket. “In fact, if I had not found it myself I would call it a hoax, that it was impossible.” 

“You have discovered many things of an impossible nature, Professor Emeritus.” Celestia walked closer to the basket on the floor. “I am surprised to see that this one has you so nervous.” 

“ut you see, she couldn’t have gotten into the chamber. It was sealed with an ancient magic that took me three days to translate and replicate, and then another four days to undo!” 

“She?” Celestia looked down into the basket now, and pulled back the blanket covering the discovery. No priceless artifact or ancient tome lay under the covering, but something far more precious: a tiny newborn foal. 

> Mostly A Normal Day
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight sat in the Library of her new castle. It was a little strange, it seemed so empty, even though some the books from the Castle of the Two Sisters had been moved in. She missed her old books. Some she had been able to repair, and they were here now too. Still, some of her most precious books had been reduced to ashes. 

“Aww, Twilight. You still pining for all those books?” Spike waddled in eating a gem. “You’ve memorized all the stuff in them.”

“I know Spike, but books are more than just what is in them.” Twilight pulled a repaired copy of Elements of Harmony: A Guide off the shelf. “This not only has the information about the elements of Harmony in it, but it reminds me of how I met all my friends.”

“Whatever.” Spike shrugged. “I came to give you this letter from Princess Celestia” Spike handed her the scroll. Twilight unrolled it. 
Dear Twilight,
I know I’ve thanked you for defeating Tyrek, but I have one more thing to give you to show my appreciation. I’m sending you some of the books from the Royal Library to store in your new home. They are coming in the care of my Head Librarian, Storybook. She has even managed to find copies of a few of your books that were destroyed.  She will be arriving by train on the fourth day of summer. She is eager to meet you and your friends. I’m sure you two will have a lot to talk about.
Princess Celestia. 

The fourth day of summer? That was tomorrow! Twilight looked at Spike. “How long have you had this letter?” She asked. 

“Well, I found it under my blanket this morning, so I’m not sure.” Spike looked at her with his usual innocence.  

“Spi-ike!”

***

Storybook checked the luggage cart once more to make sure all the books were safely stored in the train’s baggage car. True, they weren’t breakable, but some of them were very old. Storybook reminded herself again that they were fine and went to find a seat on the train. Once in the passenger car she looked around and noticed that the car was getting full. Not her favorite situation, but she’d known she’d have to do things that made her uncomfortable once she became head librarian. Still, sitting next to a stranger the whole way to Ponyville didn’t sound appealing. Looking for a place with two vacant seats next to one another was her goal, and she stopped looking where she was going to look for a seat. 

Storybook ran head long into something big and blue. “I’m so sorry!” She began to apologize. “I wasn’t looking.”

“That’s pretty much the norm for you.” Feeling insulted, even if it was true, Story looked up at the stallion she’d run into.  The very tall dark blue Pegasus smiled slyly down at her. 

“Blaze!?” Story recognized her old friend, “Did you stand in my way on purpose?” That was usually how he got her attention. He was just too tall to miss.

“Yes.” He laughed and started walking with her, “You walked right past me earlier, even after I said your name. I do try the normal approaches.” They sat down in the two empty spots Story had seen. Blaze was probably Story’s oldest friend, and even though they didn’t see each other often, every time they did it was like no time had passed. 

“I’m sorry, you know how I get.” Story put her saddle bags under the seat and without thinking put Blaze’s there too. “Why are you headed to Ponyville?”

“Family.” Blaze shifted in his seat. He was just so big. Story remembered how much he hated travelling by train. He preferred to fly himself when he could.  “Why are you going?”

“I’m delivering books for Princess Twilight’s library.” Story thought to the two crates of books in the luggage car. She shook them out of her head, and shook her blue main out of its tie. Using her magic, she put it back in place, out of the way.

“That’s right, you’re now Princess Celestia’s personal head librarian, youngest ever.” Blaze gave lightly thumped her shoulder with his elbow. Story blushed. She still wasn’t used to her new title. 

“Yes, it’s a very big honor.” Story couldn’t help but feel a little overwhelmed by the responsibilities. But she would do her best. Princess Celestia wouldn’t have chosen her if she weren’t ready. 

“Well, everypony who knows you is proud of you.” This was Blaze’s way of saying he was proud of her, without actually admitting that out loud. 

“What have you been up to?” Story asked, trying to keep the topic off of her new title. Blaze loved talking about his job, and his successes.

“Not much actually. I’m still working, but it’s just been small stuff lately.” The blue Pegasus worked for a private detective firm in Canterlot, unless someone needed his real talent.  

“So no wild tales of adventure today?” Story reached under the seat for the book she was reading. It was a collection of fairytales from all over Equestria, and even some of the other kingdoms. Story had had trouble putting it down. 

“No. Just lost cats and a few pieces of dropped jewelry.” He laughed pleasantly. Story knew he was finished so she levitated her book and started reading. Blaze reached for his saddle bags and pulled out a newspaper. Story knew he’d be looking for something he could find. 

***

Blaze looked over at the golden-yellow unicorn sitting next to him. He hated lying to Storybook. He’d never actually had to do it before, but the latest job he’d worked was confidential. Even if he and Story had the same employer temporarily, she wasn’t on the need to know list. Blaze hated that he couldn’t even tell her why he was really coming to Ponyville, especially since she would probably stay with Princess Twilight.

He did have family in town, and he was going to help his aunt out while her wing recovered from her accident with the mailpony. But the real reason he was headed there was currently in the luggage car. Story sounded like she would only be in Ponyville a couple of days, so Blaze could get his real work done after she left. 

Blaze had hoped she’d be helping with this project, given that she worked in a library. It’d been so long since they’d spent time together, and Blaze didn’t know why that bothered him so much. Seeing her on the train actually made him miss her more. The temptation to pull her over so she was leaning on him was almost too much to resist. They’d often sat like that as foals and until they were a little older. Blaze had usually fallen asleep.

He thought back to the artifact in the luggage car. He’d searched for months, and found nothing until he came across it, and it wasn’t what he had been looking for in the first place. Now he only had more questions. The one looming in his mind was: what did he do when he found something Princess Celestia couldn’t identify? 

Something heavy leaning on his side drew him out of his thoughts. Story had taken up their old habit of her own accord. She paused her reading just long enough to push her glasses up. Blaze looked down at his newspaper. There was nothing he could do about any of this until they got to Ponyville. 

Twilight waited at the train station with Applejack, Rarity and Pinkie Pie. Fluttershy was helping Pipsqueak find a pet, and Rainbow Dash was somewhere. Twilight hadn’t seen her all day. The four friends were chatting, about their visitor of course.

“Did you know Storybook while you lived in Canterlot?” Rarity asked, “We haven’t run into her any time we’ve been.”

“I’m not sure.” Twilight thought for a moment. “I might have met her, but I don’t remember. I know she wasn’t Princess Celestia’s Head Librarian while I was in school.” 

“Well, I’m sure we’ll all be friends in no time.” Applejack crossed her front hooves. “The train should be here any minute.”

“I can’t wait!” Pinkie Pie bounced happily, like always. “I just love, love, love meeting new ponies! I’m sure she’ll be super fantastic and will want to meet everypony and then we’ll all be really sad when she has to go back to Canterlot but then maybe we can be penpals! I’ve always wanted a penpal. We can send each other new pens!”

“Pinkie, that’s not-“ The train pulling into the station stopped and cut Twilight off. A few seconds later, ponies came pouring out. Twilight was getting used to bigger and bigger crowds at the Ponyville train station, but she was at a loss as how to find Storybook.

“Ooo! Which one is Storybook?” Pinkie jumped, and spoke, even faster, “Is she that one, or that one, no wait, that’s a stallion, or is she that one, does she have pink hair, or maybe green, or is she that one, who has a big fluffy tail?”

“That’s a squirrel, Pinkie.” Applejack shook her head. “I’ll bet she’s the golden-yellow mare trying to read and walk at the same time.” She pointed to a pony exiting a few cars over, who was indeed reading and walking. The mare in question headed to the luggage car. 

“I have a hunch you’re right. Princess Celestia did say she and I would have a lot to talk about.” Twilight started following the mare. Despite the crowd, Twilight had no trouble catching up to the mare. She then realized that was because everypony had moved out of the way. While she didn’t mind curtsey, she wished ponies would treat each other the way they treated her. The mare Twilight was trying to talk to however, didn’t seem to notice her. “Hello, I’m Twilight Sparkle, I was wondering…” Twilight stopped when the mare still didn’t notice her, “Hello? Ah… Storybook?” Now it was difficult to keep up with her. Twilight wasn’t sure how to get her attention. Was she like this while she was reading? “Pardon me but- OOF!” Twilight ran into another pony. “I’m sorry! I-“

The mare Twilight was following had also run into the same pony. He was tall. And blue. Very tall. Very blue. The stallion looked down at the other mare. “Story, look next to you.” The mare’s gaze now left her book and focused on Twilight. 

“Princess Twilight!” Her cheeks sprouted little red roses of blush, “I’m sorry, I was reading.”

“I understand that completely.” Twilight smiled back at her.  “And, it’s just Twilight.” Celestia was right, they did have a lot in common. “And I think your, friend stole his method from my brother.”

“I did not!” The big stallion now turned ret, but for a different reason. “I’ve been getting in her way since way before I met Shining Armor!”

“You know my Brother?” Twilight asked, raising one eyebrow. “You don’t look like one of the guard.”

“I’m not, and I’ve only met him once, but he did notice there’s only one way to get Story’s attention.” He looked at the floor and make little circles with his hoof. “I’ll get our boxes,” he mumbled at turned around. 

“Ok, now I have to know, What happened?” Twilight looked at Story. She smiled. 

“Shining Armor was in the Library, and Blaze had come to try to surprise me, but he couldn’t get my attention” Story laughed a little, “Shining Armor had just proposed to Princess Cadence, and was assuming Blaze was trying to do the same thing. I’m sorry I missed it, or didn’t notice it.” 

That sounded like Shining Armor alright.  As Story finished, Blaze came back with a cart full of boxes and luggage. Twilight wondered about the two ponies she had just met. They acted like they had been together forever, but something seemed off. She shrugged and the three of them headed back to Rarity, Applejack and Pinkie Pie. Twilight knew she would learn all about them soon enough. 

***

Far from the peaceful day in Ponyville, a unicorn sat shrouded in darkness, except the light of his own magic. To his eyes, however the world was still dark, but yet he could see the happy friends greeting one another a thousand miles away. His old withered frame shook when he chuckled. The lost one thought she was who everyone said she was. But taken from her people, how could she know otherwise? The time was coming for her to return, to take her rightful place. She would return and she would follow the true path once more. 
 
> Family Connections
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Storybook followed Twilight around Ponyville, along with Blaze and Twilight’s friends. Blaze as usual had insisted that he pull the cart that held all of the books she was bringing to Twilight’s library, and a crate that wasn’t hers. Blaze hadn’t said anything about it. Story wasn’t sure what was in it, but it probably had something to do with Blaze’s latest job. She hadn’t let on in the train, but if all that had been going on with Blaze lately was lost cats and jewelry, he’d have whined the whole way to Ponyville.  Story hadn’t questioned it because she wanted to read. Blaze would tell her eventually, he always did. 

“So, how tall are you?” Applejack was asking Blaze, “Cuz I don’t think I’ve met any pony, Celestia excepted, as tall as Big Mac.”

“Princess Celestia is the only pony I’ve ever met taller than me.” Blaze answered this question a lot. 

“That is impressive. And I do love your coloring.” Rairity was talking to him now. Blaze really did have good coloring, even though he hated it. His coat was a grey blue, and his main was a very dark navy. Still, he blushed at Rarity’s compliment. 

“Uh, thanks.” Blaze looked at Story, like she could help him. Today she felt that wasn’t necessary. She already considered herself friends with the girls she’d met today, Blaze was on his own. And Rarity seemed like the type who gave compliments easily, but always genuine.  

“Oh and Story, darling, you must come by the boutique while you’re in town.” Rarity sounded like she was doing some self-promoting, “I’d love to see you with your hair down. I can tell you have a gorgeous natural wave.”  

Now it was Story’s turn to blush. Normally, no pony noticed her hair when it was back. “Thank You.” Story wanted to say more, but she couldn’t manage any more. 

“Oh Rarity, you forgot to mention her super pretty eyes!” Pinkie, who had been bouncing along happily, now popped out of one of the boxes, without actually opening the box. Story knew she’d turned a deeper shade of red.  Her eyes were the one thing she hoped other ponies wouldn’t notice, the purple in her eyes contrasted horribly with her yellow coat. 

All at once Rarity had stopped walking right in front of Storybook. She was staring intently at Story’s eyes. Story glanced over at Blaze, who was now trying not to laugh. She should have shown him mercy earlier. 

“My word Pinkie, you’re right!” Rarity exclaimed. “Why in Equestria do you wear glasses?” 

Now Blaze did laugh. “Because she can’t walk in a straight line without them.” Blaze kept laughing. “I wish she didn’t have to wear them, but she’s a danger to herself and others if she doesn’t.” 

“Knock it off!” Story shouted. “That was an accident! And you’re the one who stole my glasses!” 

Rarity didn’t know exactly what was going on, but she knew two ponies in love when she saw it. She simply couldn’t fathom why Blaze and Story hadn’t introduced themselves as marefreind and coltfriend.  The two were now trying to tell the story of how Blaze had taken her glasses and nearly destroyed most of Canterlot. 

“I remember that!” Twilight called all of a sudden, “The only damaged building was the library. I take it that she was in the library when you stole her glasses.”

“I was napping in grandfather’s study. He was the head librarian before me.” Story blushed. “I never sleep in my glasses.” 

“Wait,” Twilight looked at Story, “your grandfather is Dewey Decimal? But he’s a Pegasus!” She remembered him from her many, many hours spent in the library when she was little. 

Applejack huffed, “We’ve seen stranger, like the Cakes.” Blaze looked over at her, clearly confused. “I’ll explain later.”

“Yes, but Dewey Decimal comes from a very long line of pegasi, he’s almost pure pegasi.” Twilight knew it was rare for any pony to have only one kind of pony in their background, but there were a few. Some could even trace their ancestors to the original settlers of Equestria. 

“Is he?” Story looked confused. “He never said anything like that. I suppose it is odd for two pegasi to have a unicorn daughter.” Twilight couldn’t believe her ears. She wondered about the other side of Storybooks family tree. Maybe there were more unicorns up that branch. 

“So is Dewey Decimal your maternal or paternal grandfather?” Twilight realized they had all stopped walking, but she had to know.

“Paternal. My mother is Cloud Dancer.” Story smiled, “and my younger sister and brother are both pegasi also. I’m just special.” 

“Wait, Cloud Dancer?” Twilight didn’t think she’d heard right. How did she not know that such a famous pony had a daughter, or a husband? “Your mother is the famous air dancer? I didn’t know she had any kids!”

“Well, she kept performing while I was little, but I can’t walk on clouds so I was never there for any of her performances.” Story kept smiling, but it was a sad sort of smile. “She retired after my brother was born, and then my sister came later.” 

Twilight thought for a moment. Cloud Dancer was said to have gained her gracefulness in the air from her parents, and inherited her long slim wings from her great-grandmother. Twilight wasn’t believing what she was hearing, and if her book on famous dancers was right, Cloud Dancer’s colors were light blue and blue. 

“Do you take after your father’s coloring?” Twilight looked at Story. Maybe the blue main came form her mother. Story looked confused again, or actually surprised, like she’d never thought about it before. 

“We are blocking the path, which way to the castle?” Blaze interrupted. He sounded mildly upset.  Story looked around. 

“He’s right, we should get moving.” Story looked at Twilight expectantly. Twilight reluctantly took the lead back to her home. Story was soon involved in a conversation with Pinkie Pie and Applejack about, ah, Twilight couldn’t really follow it. She just kept leading the way.

Soon Blaze was walking next to her. “Please don’t ask Story about her parents. I’ll explain everything later.” Blaze looked over at Story. 
That had been close. There were some things that Story just couldn’t find out. Ever. Twilight might need to know if she was going to help him though. 

Twilight looked at him suspiciously. “So even though her whole family is pegasi, a presumably intelligent pony like Story didn’t ever think it was weird?”

“She did, but-” Blaze stopped, “I said I would explain later. I know we just met but please trust me!” He sounded worried, and then he glanced over at Story.  This was totally strange, but she wouldn’t push them.

“O-k” Twilight kept walking towards her castle. But now, her curiosity was peaked. She had read all the books on pony genetics, and Storybook sounded like a new case study waiting to happen. Twilight hoped she would be in Ponyville a while, and that Blaze had a good explanation for all of this. 

“Look Out!” Rainbow Dash’s voice rang out of the sky.  Twilight and the rest stopped just in time to see a rainbow streak flash by, followed by a purple and orange one. Then Rainbow, and presumably Scootaloo, ran head long into the side of the bridge. 

“Rainbow!” The girls all ran for the bridge. Blaze followed a little slower. At this rate they would never get to Twilights castle. As the group reached the bridge they found Rainbow pulling Scootaloo out of the stream below. She had a huge knot on her head. 

“Scoot!” Blaze unhitched himself and flew down to the stream, “Are you ok?” He picked her up and started brushing her off with his wing.  Scootaloo suddenly looked really embarrassed. 

“Uncle Blaze! Not in front of Rainbow Dash!” Scootaloo wriggled away. “I’m not a baby anymore!” Rainbow Dash looked up at Blaze. 

“So you’re Uncle Blaze, I’ve been hearing about you all day.” Rainbow turned to Scootaloo, “You didn’t mention he was so tall.”

“Maybe that has something to do with why you’re tied to Rainbow Dash’s waist?” Blaze raised one eyebrow at the filly. Everypony now noticed the rope tied around both Rainbow’s and Scootaloo’s waists. 

“For the record, her idea.” Rainbow started to untie herself. Scootaloo looked around, and started mumbling to herself without making eye contact with any of the older ponies gathered. 

“Scoot, if you don’t tell me what’s going on, I will tell Rainbow Dash all your embarrassing baby stories, and I have the pictures to back them up.” Blaze watched as Scoot’s eyes widened. Even if he hadn’t actually seen her in a few years he knew all the stories.

“I thought if Rainbow Dash got me up in the air, I might be able to fly.” Scootaloo looked down. “Our family’s so full of famous flyers, and I still can’t fly.” Blaze figured it was something like this. While Scoot wasn’t actually his niece, she was his cousin, but they did have a family of famous flyers.

“And you thought that my coming meant you needed to fly?”  Blaze picked her up and put her on his back. “You are talking to the Pegasus who failed flight camp, twice.” 

“You failed Flight camp!” Rainbow Dash started to laugh hysterically. “I thought Fluttershy was the only one.”

“This coming from the pony who just ran into a bridge.” Applejack spoke from above. “We are all still headed to Twilight’s. And If I remember correctly, there is a rainstorm scheduled for today.” Applejack glared at Rainbow Dash.

“I’m not on duty tonight.” Rainbow stuck her tongue out at Applejack.

“Maybe not, but I have two boxes of ancient books that can’t get wet!” Story looked back and forth at the sky, and at the pegasi
gathering clouds. Blaze almost laughed at her concerned expression. She always got this way about books. They hadn’t mentioned it in their story, but the day they’d practically destroyed the library was also the day she’d gotten her cutie mark, trying to save all the books from getting damaged. Blaze hoped all she’d ever have to worry about was her books getting rained on. 

“Let’s get to the castle.” Blaze hitched up to the cart again, Scootaloo still on his back. “Then I will take you home and tell you the horribly embarrassing story of flight camp.” 

“Can we hear it now?” Story laughed, like she didn’t already know. “I think that we’d all enjoy that story.”  She smiled at him devilishly, he glared back.

“You wish.” Blaze stared at her as she walked off, and then she purposefully smacked his face with her tail.  “Ow”

“Hey Uncle Blaze,” Scootaloo whispered loudly, “is that Storybook?”

“Yes, why are you whispering?”

“So she’s the one Mom always says you’re gonna marry.” Scootaloo whispered again, but still loud enough for Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Twilight to hear. They all turned to him, with eyebrows raised. 

“Scoot, is this revenge?” Blaze really did whisper, and did not look at the other ponies. He did not need Twilight questioning his motives. 
Twilight walked passed him. “Oh, I’m going to ask you about this later.” Great. 

The rest of the trip to Twilights castle was uneventful, except for the first few sprinkles of rain, and Rainbow Dash’s asking Scootaloo about all of the famous flyers in the family. And before they knew it, they had finally arrived at Twilights castle. 

“I’ll tell your mother where you are, Scootaloo, I think everyone should spend the night here.” Twilight and Storybook levitated the boxes out of the cart and took them to the library. Everyone else followed. 

“I’ll help you organize them tomorrow.” Story set her box down. “Your castle is fascinating, is it rea-“

“TWILIGHT!” Spike came running into the library waving a scroll around, “This came, and the next one said it was urgent” Twilight took the letter and unrolled it. 

“Oh, Story, this looks like it’s for you.” Twilight handed it over to her. Her eyes flew over the words, but her face lost all its color. She hovered the letter in front of Blaze, and sat down with a thud. 

“What ever is wrong, Storybook?” Rarity looked at Blaze, whose face had also gotten a little paler. 

Blaze answered for her. “Someone’s destroyed the Canterlot Library, and they were looking for Story.”  



> Secrets and Lies
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight and Spike lit a fire in her library’s fireplace. The storm outside had begun in earnest (all of the books safely inside), but everypony now seemed more worried about Storybook. Blaze watched as the mares brought a blanket and scooted her closer to the fire.  Even Pinkie Pie, who had bounced and sang and talked for most of the hours he had known her seemed to have a grasp on the severity of the situation. 
Blaze looked at the letter from Princess Celestia again. 

Storybook, 
I am sorry that I must cut your mission short, but you must return to Canterlot as soon as possible. An attack has been made on the library, and I fear that the culprit is not after the books or magic with in. Many of the books were completely destroyed.  They may have been looking for you. We will find the culprit as soon as possible. Please come back as soon as it is safe to do so. 
Princess Celestia

Blaze had a thousand questions, none of which could be answered here. But Story was his main concern right now. She was still pale, and she hadn’t eaten any of the meal someone, maybe Applejack, had prepared. She was just staring, straight ahead, but looking at nothing. Her pupils were still dilated, and none of her color had returned. She hadn’t even cried yet. That library was her whole life. She’d poured years into it, first helping her grandfather, then keeping it running through a slew of interim heads, and now running it on her own. 

He had no idea what to do. Over the years he’d seen her emotional breakdowns and seen her stressed out and angry and even depressed, but this, this was scary. There had to be something he could do. Just, nothing seemed like enough. 

“Uncle Blaze?” Scootaloo drew him out of his thoughts. Blaze looked down and saw Scootaloo biting her lip and throwing her gaze around. 

“Yes? What is it?”

“What do we do? Is Miss Storybook ok?” Poor thing. This was a terribly grown up situation, and Scoot was in the middle of it by accident. 

“I’m not sure what to do either. But I think Story will be ok after this all sinks in.” Blaze looked around. Rainbow Dash seemed a little uncomfortable too.  “For right now, I think we need to tell your mom where you are. See if Rainbow Dash can help you send a message.” Scoot nodded and headed off. Now he just needed to figure out how to help Story. 

“Blaze darling, do go sit next to Storybook.” Rarity said softly, giving him an answer to his immediate question. “I think she needs an old friend, and you look a little pale yourself.” Blaze nodded and followed her advice. He actually lay on his stomach, hoping to encourage Story to do the same. After a few seconds, she did, and her eyes softened a little. 

“I’ll go make hot chocolate,” Pinkie’s cheery voice did little to brighten the mood, “nothing like a warm drink during a storm.” Pinkie walked off. 

“That’s a good idea, thank you Pinkie.” Twilght sat on the floor across from Story. She looked calm, but there were tears in her eyes. She’d spent a great deal of time in the Celestia’s Library as well.  “I can’t believe it. Why would anyone…” Twilight stopped. She knew a few creatures that would destroy a library without a second thought, but she was not brining that up right now. 

Story put her head on Blaze’s shoulder and started to cry. Blaze didn’t stop her. This was truly life changing news. At least he was here, and she wasn’t alone. Not that the girls weren’t handling this really well. They were the Elements of Harmony for a reason. 

“It’s too bad Fluttershy isn’t here, she’d know just what to say.”  Twilight tried to smile. She levitated a box of tissues over and put them in front of Storybook. 

“I wish I could say I knew how you feel.” Rarity sat down next to Twilight. Applejack joined them as well. 

“Wh-why w-would anyone do this? Why w–would they be after me?” Story wiped her eyes and blew her nose. Still, she wasn’t able to stop the tears. Blaze nuzzled her neck. He hated seeing her cry. It hurt. 

“I wish I knew, Story.” This time Blaze wasn’t lying. He knew a few secrets, but none of them meant someone was after her, or was willing to destroy a library to get her. 

“I’m sure they’ll have some answers when you get back.” Applejack smiled. “And we’ll do what we can too.” Story nodded, there were no more tears, but she still seemed sad. 

“And we don’t know they are after you.” Blaze hoped they weren’t. He hoped that this was a Royal Guard problem, a crime against Equestria, and not against Story. “But I’ll make sure you’re safe, and once your dad finds out, he’ll protect you to.” 

“I know, but I really want to know why.” Story said, just as Pinkie brought in the drinks, Rainbow Dash following, Scootaloo-less. 

“Scootaloo fell asleep with Spike. I think I wore her out today. They’re both in your room Twilight.” Rainbow took a spot on the floor, and Pinkie finished handing out the drinks. Once she sat down, they made a semi-circle around the fireplace. 

As Story calmed down, they all drank cocoa and started talking. The conversation was mostly about travel plans and how to deal with what Story and Blaze were supposed to do in Ponyville. Blaze only knew he was not going to let Storybook go back to Canterlot alone, but he was here to help Scootaloo’s mom. 

“Well, I think we can help with Scootaloo.” Applejack said between sips of hot chocolate. “Applebloom loves having sleepovers, and its summer so she can stay with us a while.”

“I’m sure my parents and Sweetie Belle would be happy to host her as well.” Rarity smiled, “with a little warning of course.”
Blaze felt better that Scootaloo’s mom would have some help, or at least a break. When this was over, he’d be sure to come for an extended visit. He’d probably need the vacation. Blaze looked down at Story, who had been quiet, and discovered she was asleep. It had been a very, very long day. 

“Twilight, where are your guest rooms?” Blaze nodded to the sleeping Story. Just then an owl flew down and landed in front of him. 

“Owlilcious will show you.” Twilight looked at the bird, “but let’s try one on the first floor.” The owl seemed to nod in response. Blaze stood, and then lifted Storybook on to his back. He’d carry her and fly, but his wingspan was too big for inside. He followed Owlicious out of the room. 

When Blaze was out of the room, there were a few seconds of quiet. Then Applejack was the first to speak, “Do you reckon he knows he’s in love?” The others stared at her in surprise, but her comment did help to lighten the mood. 

“I’m surprised you noticed,” Rarity smiled. “I think he does, but I’m not sure why he hasn’t told her.”

“And according to what Scootaloo said earlier, it sounds like Story is the only one who don’t know.” Twilight couldn’t help but giggle. Pinkie joined in. “I think he doesn’t want to accidently ruin their friendship.”

“Blahhh, who cares?” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes.

“Blaze and Story sitting in a tree K-I-S-“ Pinkie was stopped by Rainbow’s hoof over her mouth. 

“Right now they both have more important things to worry about.” Twilight admitted, “but I hope we can see them get together after this craziness winds down.” Twilight let her self wonder about Story and Blaze, but it was mostly a distraction so she didn’t think about all those books. She hoped the section of the library with rare books was ok. She’d read the letter, but it was vague.  Maybe she should go with them to Canterlot. 

“l want to know how we can help solve this mystery.” Applejack bumped Pinkie with her hoof to get her to stop blowing bubbles in her hot chocolate. “and I know you’re stressing over the library too, Twilight.”

“I am worried, but Princess Celestia will ask for our help if she thinks we are needed.” Twilight looked over at the boxes of books. “Maybe I should send some of them back.”

“Don’t worry about that.” Blaze entered the library.  “They might be safer here anyway.” Blaze looked over at all of the boxes. Two were books, and one was his, or what he’d found anyway. “And there is one more thing you can help me with.” 

Crossing the room he picked up his box and carried it to a table. “This is the real reason I came here.” Blaze pried open the wooden crate. “Princess Celestia hoped Twilight either knew or could figure out what this is. She told me only to tell Twilight, but I think the four of you would have found out anyway.” 

The girls walked over to see what was in the box. As they looked down on it, a confused look crossed over everypony’s face. 

“This old thing has something to do with Storybook and the Library being destroyed?” Rainbow Dash snorted. 
“I don’t know, but it could.” Blaze watched the mare’s gazes turn to him, “Story herself came with a huge mystery, and this might be part of it.”

“Are you going to tell us, or will we have to guess?” Twilight raised an eyebrow at him. 

“Yes, I’ll explain, but promise you won’t tell Story.” Blaze didn’t think she could handle the stress at the moment. “If it turns out she has to know, I want her parents to tell her.” He sighed, “And I don’t know the whole story, but I just have a feeling it will be important.” 

“We promise, but what is the secret you’ve been keeping from her?” Twilight spoke gently, “I can tell it bothers you.”

“It does.” Blaze took a deep breath before beginning. He hoped he would feel better for getting it off his chest, “As I suspect Twilight has guessed, Storybook is adopted. Cloud Dancer and Wind Seeker were chosen to be her parents because so few ponies knew them personally. They, and as I recently discovered, Princess Celestia, went to great lengths to hide this from her and everyone else. Even her siblings don’t know, and neither did her Grandfather.”

“How did you find out?” Rainbow Dash hovered above him. “If it was such a big secret?”

“My special talent is finding things,” Blaze answered, “Story went through a phase where, strangely enough, she didn’t think she’d been adopted, but switched at birth. So, she asked me to find her birth certificate. I never found it because she doesn’t have one. I found her adoption certificate instead.

“Her parents found me with it and begged me not to tell. They seemed so frantic and worried I promised I wouldn’t. I was just young enough not to question why it was such a big secret. I wish now I had.” Blaze looked over at the contents of the box. “Then I found this.” The group sat in silence waiting for him to continue. 

“I was working in the caverns under Canterlot. Princess Celestia hired me after several of the surveying ponied claimed to have seen an unfamiliar pony wandering around in the caves past the old mine. Everyone knew if there were other ponies down there, I would be able to find them.”

“It turns out that while there were no living ponies, there was a lot of evidence that ponies had once inhabited the caves. The caves were so deep in the mountain, however, that I was surprised anypony could survive so far from the sun.

“Most of the things down there were just old junk, valuable maybe to an archaeologist, but nothing particularly unusual for an ancient inhabitance. Except this.” Blaze now lifted the artifact out of the box, and carefully unrolled the cloth, revealing a tapestry, faded and slightly moth eaten, but in fantastic shape for something even older than the Canterlot mines. 

“That is a fascinatin’ blanket. Can we get to why it’s important?” Applejack tapped her front hoof impatiently. 

“Applejack, it is a tapestry, not a blanket.” Rarity came up closer to it. “A tacky one, but a historical treasure none the less.”

“I don’t think it’s tacky, just a little boring. I mean who makes a tapestry with nothing on it?” Pinkie started, “A blank tapestry is just like a cupcake with no sprinkles or a cake with no icing or a party with no canons!” 

“Pinkie, this tapestry isn’t blank, it has a symbol on it.” Twilight now joined Rarity, examining the cloth up close. 

“Uh you’re seeing things Twilight, it’s just a dirty old piece of cloth.” Rainbow Dash turned to Blaze, “Princess Celestia sent you here with that thing?”

“Yes, its actually rather fascinating.” Blaze examined the cloth closely, “I’m sorry to prove Rainbow, Pinkie and Applejack wrong; there is a symbol on this cloth. But only unicorns and alicorns can see it.”

“That is remarkable. It must be some kind of spell, but magic like this usually fades after the caster dies” Twilight was now levitating a corner of the tapestry to get a closer look, “and based on its age I’d say the caster has long since left us.”

“That’s exactly what Princess Celestia said.” Blaze saw a question forming in Twilight’s eyes. Story had the same look all the time, “No, 
I can’t see it. I only pulled it out of the cave because I remembered that ancient textiles are rare and the Canterlot museum has very few. A unicorn who was working with me noticed the symbol.”

“I can see why this tapestry caught Celestia’s attention.” Rarity walked around it. “But what does it have to do with Storybook?”

“I’m not sure,” Blaze answered, “only when Princess Celestia saw it she said she’d never seen the symbol before. I suggested that we show it to Story, because she would either recognize it from a book, or know where to look it up.” Blaze remembered the look on Celestia’s face when he suggested that. He’d never seen the princess look worried before. “But she insisted that I not show Storybook the cloth, or tell her about anything we’d found in the caves. When I asked why, the princess would only tell me that Storybook was better off not knowing about her past. She said I might be able to tell her after we figured out what it is.” 

Twilight nodded and bent over the cloth. “The symbol looks like two unicorn’s horns, as they are casting a spell on something.” Twilight studied it intently. “I don’t recognize it as a symbol for a group or a pony, though.” She yawned. “I think that I will be able to think better in the morning.” The others yawed one at a time after her, Blaze included. Twilight used her magic to roll the tapestry back up carefully. 

“I agree,” Rarity made a light with her horn and then extinguished the fire in the fireplace. “I think a little beauty sleep would do us all 
some good.” The ponies headed to guest rooms in the castle. Blaze realized that the others all knew where they were going, so he followed the same path he’d taken with the owl. He was fairly certain there was a room next to Story’s. The castle’s lights began to dim and he assumed they would go out soon.

Blaze stopped in the room where he’d left Story. She was still sleeping, even though she had managed to fling all the covers off the bed. Blaze picked them up and covered her again. Without thinking, he lightly kissed her cheek. He hoped tonight she had only the best dreams. 


***

The light of powerful magic swirled around the withered old unicorn, who was seated on a throne carved into the wall of the cave. No longer able to cast such spells himself, his apprentice was the one calling back the followers from their mission far away. The magic ended and three unicorn stallions were standing in the darkness of the cavern. 

“Welcome home.” The old unicorn’s words crackled and shook. “Did everything go as planned?” The first unicorn stepped forward. 

“Yes, my liege.” He bowed low, “We left our message for the lost one, and retrieved all but one of the texts.” The unicorn did not look up. Beads of sweat began to roll down his face as the atmosphere in the room grew heavy. His companions bowed low as well. 

“Which one did you leave behind?” The old unicorn growled. “And what could have made you leave it?”

“I-it was not in the library, my liege.” The first unicorn spoke again, “we searched for it, but it must have been moved.”  Now the old unicorn’s apprentice stepped out from the shadows next to the throne. 

“My Teacher asked you which text you did not bring back.” The younger unicorn’s horn and eyes were glowing sinisterly. 

“I-it was the diary, o-of The Betrayer.” The scout shook and stared at the menacing apprentice in terror, “but we know it was written in code, so wh-what could we really do with it?”

“Codes can be broken, and ancient texts deciphered.” The apprentice moved in front of the scout. He held his glowing horn only a few inches from the other’s face. “Maybe not by a worthless no-brain like you, but for a pony with my teacher’s skill and my magic, it would be child’s play.” The scout nodded silently and the apprentice backed off. “Go. We will find a better way to get what we want.”

The scouting party ran out of the throne cavern and down one of the long passages of caves. “Imbeciles.” The apprentice spat as he walked back to his teacher. “Why must we send scouting parties? Why leave messages for the lost one when you know I could simply cast a spell and bring her here?” His angry tone did not worry or surprise the old unicorn.

“The Lost One is better guarded that you think.” The old one spoke again, “The lies she’s been told make a strong cage. We must make the tellers cut her free first.”

The apprentice bowed, “I accept your wisdom, my liege.” 

> Unpleasent Surprises
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The library was a tall building, three stories of books, newspapers, scrolls, and other texts. The main level held the public library, anything that an average pony might need or want. This level was a vast expanse of knowledge, accessible to everyone. The Second floor was part loft and part real floor. The second floor loft held books of magic, not powerful but specific spells for unicorns needing specific jobs. 

The second floor held books that were rare, but not magical. First Editions, autographed copies, and the like. The third floor was for copies of ancient texts, and accessible only to Celestia’s students and others given special permission. Storybook knew exactly where all of these texts were at all times. Some were not allowed out of the library. Story had invested many hours, months even, of her life into finding, restoring and authenticating these. They were also some of the last projects she had worked on with her grandfather. 

This was the library Story remembered, but it was not the library before her. The main floor was charred chaos. Everywhere Story turned were the remains of books, scattered pages, empty covers, and piles of ash on the shelves, themselves twisted and discolored. The attack had thankfully come after the library closed, avoiding any harm to ponies. The burns looked as if done by magic, focused blasts aimed at certain things. Story imagined only very powerful unicorns, or something else entirely, could have wreaked the damage seen here. The second floor loft had fallen onto the shelves below, now only a mess books, plaster and wood. The wall behind it charred. These books though, could be replaced. They were ordinary books, found in many libraries and bookstores and homes. Story reminded herself of this several times to avoid breaking down as they climbed the back stars to the second floor.

Upstairs fared little better, the rarer books torn to shreds, pages littering the floor and the shelves. Empty covers piled on shelves. Story had to take deep breaths to keep from fainting after seeing the collection of Daring Do ripped apart. So much for the only copies in Equestria signed by Daring Do and not AK Yearling. Still the knowledge and the stories were out there, and the books in this room might, might be repairable. Even though, Story hadn’t used that spell since… She brushed it aside and tried not to remember anything else even remotely unpleasant.

The third floor turned out to be Story’s worst nightmare. The room was empty. No damage, no burns or torn pages. At first it looked like all the texts had been stolen. Story took a step into the room, and didn’t feel the familiar marble beneath her hoof. She picked it up and there on the floor in a think layer of dust was her hoofprint. There were no other hoofprints or anything in it. This was not here when the attackers arrived, it was made by them. The dust was the texts. Destroyed, obliterated. So much magic lost, some texts left untranslated, few things in this room had ever been copied. There were the Wonderbolt Scrolls, found in the housing of the original Wonderbolts. And a scroll in translation that was shaping up to change the history of pony and dragon relations, and, and- This was more than Story could take. Stars appeared in her vision, and the colors all swirled together and- 

Blaze caught Story before she hit the ground. Her life’s work had been destroyed. The books downstairs were important, but the ones on the third floor were Story’s true passion. She loved restoring old books; saving the knowledge and stories within. Now she was unconscious. A heat grew in Blaze’s chest; someone had- had done this to Story. Blaze knew that if he ever laid eyes on that –that scum, he couldn’t be held responsible for what he’d do. This was unforgivable. He took a deep breath and reminded himself that taking care of Story came first. 

Blaze let Wind Chaser take Story. He could actually fly inside. Wind Chaser turned to the two Princesses. “Where should I take her?” Blaze wondered what was wrong with Story’s office, it was just down the hall. 

“We should take her into the palace.” Princess Celestia was surprisingly calm, but she had seen all this before, and probably worse. Wind Chaser’s anger was just beneath the surface, and it was only staying there from years of training. He carefully flew through the third floor passage way that connected directly to the castle. The walkway had been constructed so Celestia’s students could easily get from their rooms at the school to the library. Soon Wind Chaser was far beyond the group. Celestia teleported herself to the palace for reasons unknown. 

“Blazefinder, may I speak with you?” Princess Luna had come alongside him. 

“Of course Princess.”

“Your anger over these events is obvious. I too am infuriated by the destruction of so much knowledge.” Luna’s eyes lit up in a scary way. Blaze made a mental note not to let her be mad at him.

“Yes, well, its more that…” Blaze trailed off. Luna’s face changed into an amused smile. 

“Do not worry Blazefinder. I wish only to show you the message left for Storybook.” Princess Luna turned back in the direction of Story’s office. “You know of Story’s adoption-yes?”

“Yes.” 

“My sister told me of it only yesterday, but I am certain that the ponies who did this are connected to Story’s past.” Princess Luna looked very determined, but not angry anymore.

“That’s what I’m afraid of Princess, but who else would do this?” Blaze didn’t want to see the message, but they were at the door of Story’s office.

“Oh, I forgot you are a Pegasus.” Luna looked down. “I will need to cast a spell on your eyes so you can see the message. It will only last a few minutes.”

“Alight. We are doing this so Story doesn’t have to see it, right?” Blaze saw Luna’s horn glow blue then his whole field of vision gained a blue tint. 

“Yes.” Princess Luna opened the door, and Blaze stepped inside the small space. The office was surprisingly undamaged. Except for the black letters seemingly carved into the wall, it looked as it always had. Story’s desk was littered with the paperwork she hated, her personal bookshelves in contrast were very neat, and the pictures of her family in frames on top of the shelves. The black letters marred the otherwise peaceful look of the office. In Blaze’s blue vision, the letters seemed to waver and looked like they were written on the air in front of the wall. They were not any letters he could read, they were far too ancient for that. 

“These are ancient unicorn runes” Blaze now understood why Luna had needed to cast a spell on his eyes. And just below the black letters, was the same symbol found on the tapestry. Two unicorn horns, surrounded by a wavy line of magic, casting a spell on a big, black circle. Crap. There was no denying it now. The ponies after Storybook were the same ones who had lived in the caves beyond the mines. It was all connected. 

“Indeed, how did you identify them?” Luna sounded surprised.

“I’ve found a few priceless treasures with Unicorn runes on them, but I can’t read them” Blaze thought he might be able to identify a few, but not enough that the writing made sense.

“I will translate. These runes were still in use by some ponies when I was young.” Princess Luna took a deep breath. 

“Return to us Lost One. Heed not the lies. We are hidden from all. Find your way to us or see the destruction of all else you love.”  

Luna’s voice deepened with gravity as she read. Blaze took a few steps out of the office. The destruction of the library was just a warning. And whoever it was knew where Story’s office was, and that she would be gone, and how much she cared for those texts. They knew Story. If it wasn’t someone she actually knew- then someone had been watching her. Her whole life. Blaze reeled at the thoug
ht of Story learning all of this. Was there some way not to tell her? Could this secret be erased? 

“This is bad.” Blaze took off running towards the castle. He had to talk to Princess Celestia and Wind Chaser before Story woke up. They might know what to do. All at once the world became completely blue and the Blaze found himself staring at Princess Celestia. 

“Luna, next time warn ponies before you teleport them” Princess Celestia chided her sister gently. 

“It was urgent, but I do apologize Blazefinder.” Princess Luna did look apologetic. 
“It’s ok-“ Blaze shook off the shock, “and just Blaze is fine, Princess” Then Blaze looked around him. Story was already awake, sitting on a cushion, and staring at a glass of water. Wind Chaser was standing next to her overprotectively. Blaze walked across the small sitting and sat next to her. “How are you feeling?”

“Better, I guess.” Story didn’t sound convinced. “What actually happened? There was so much damage. Didn’t anyone notice what was going on?” 

Princess Celestia answered “Yes, but the worst of the damage was done first. By the time the royal guards arrived, they were in the midst of destroying the first floor. We had no idea what else was damaged until later.”

“Was anypony arrested, were they even ponies?” Story tried not to think of the damage, but it did not seem like ponies could be malevolent enough to do it.

“They were unfortunately.” Wind Chaser answered. “The guards only saw three ponies, all unicorns.” Wind Chaser shuddered. There was something he was not revealing. 

“Only three? That’s impossible. They’d have needed nearly the magic ability of alicorns to do the damage they did.” Story took a few deep breaths. “It’s not as if the library is unprotected from magic. To undo all the wards and do all that damage, they’d have been exhausted halfway through”

“The guards only saw three. There were probably more.” Wind Chaser hung his head. “We were trying to stop them when a massive magic swirl made them disappear. That is what really concerns me, because it wasn’t done by any of the unicorns we were dealing with.” 

“I only know of one spell that can teleport more than two ponies other than the caster.” Princess Luna thought for a moment, “but that spell should be locked away in-“

“THE VAULT!” Story jumped to her feet and bolted for the door. Blaze caught her and made her sit back down. “You don’t understand, if they did to the vault what they did to the-“

“Luna and I personally checked on the vault after the attack.” Celestia said calmly, and Storybook let out a sigh of relief. “Everything in it is accounted for.” Blaze didn’t know what the vault was, but he let that go for now. If it was important, someone would explain. 

“Well, then why does everyone think they are after me?” Story almost didn’t want to know the answer. She couldn’t think of a reason anyone would want to get to her like this. 

Blaze let the two princesses explain the message in the office. He wished they didn’t have to. Story looked as if in shock. Then she laughed, nearly giving everyone else a heart attack. 

“They must have me mixed up with someone else. I can’t possibly be the ‘lost one.’” Story looked from face to face in the room. Everyone but Celestia avoided her gaze, and even the princess wore a hidden look. “Right?”

“Th-that’s not really important.” Blaze stammered, “Whether you are or not, they think you are, and have threatened to come after you again.” That was as logical an explanation as he could manage. 

“Couldn’t it be one of the other librarians?” Story desperately wanted this to be someone else’s problem, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that it wasn’t. Only someone who knew her very well, or really, really hated books would destroy the third floor collection. It was literally priceless as a whole and some of the pieces were priceless on their own. Any thief would just take them, any ordinary vandal wouldn’t have gotten past the charms. 

“The message was in your office.” Blaze didn’t want to scare Story, but she needed to realize that she was in danger. There was someone after her. 

“It could have been a mistake, I was supposed to change offices a week ago, -“

“Story” Wind Chaser said softly. 

“-Couldn’t the vandals think it was-“ Story didn’t hear her father’s voice, and she sounded panicked. “-Just everyone’s office or know that all the librarians would see it there. Shouldn’t the lost one realize he or she is lost? It can’t be me. It can’t.” Story leaned on Blaze. He opened a wing and put it over her. She felt a little safer underneath it.  No matter how she looked at it, they were right. The message was for her, and worse, who ever had done this was willing to take everything she loved. They’d already taken her books. Next could only be her…

“Story, your mother is on her way here. There’s something we need to tell you.” Wind Chaser smiled at Story with tears in his eyes. “But I want you to know that we love you. I’ll do anything I need to in order to keep you safe.”

“Thanks, Dad.” Story smiled up at him. It felt a little fake. It was never good news when somepony told you they loved you right after they told you they had something to tell you. 

It was only a few minutes later that Cloud Dancer arrived. Story momentarily left Blaze’s side so her mother could cry all over her, and apologize that she couldn’t be at the library a thousand times.  Story would have been glad to have her mother’s support, but Mom probably would have fainted after seeing the first floor. After Wind Chaser calmed his wife down, they all sat near the princesses and Wind Chaser took a deep breath. 

“Oh, I really hoped I’d never, ever have to tell you this, Story.” He was tearing up. Cloud Dancer nuzzled him for support, but she was already crying. “We-we aren’t your birth parents.” 

“WHAT?” Story stood, out of sheer surprise. Her heart was going so fast, she worried it would run out of steam, “but-but you- and you never- I-“ She took a deep breath, “but you’ve told me the story of the day I was born. You lived in Cloudsdale and realized as soon as I was born that you’d have to move, because I was a unicorn and we can’t-“

“We made it up, sweety.” Cloud Dancer spoke with tears on her face. “It was important that you never felt you didn’t belong with us.” 
Story felt like crying, but nothing happened. Her tears had been used up. They weren’t her parents? She was adopted? “But- I- why?” Story sat back down next to Blaze. Confusing emotions whirled around in Story’s head. Betrayal, loss, even relief. They all settled to manageable levels as blaze put his large wing back over her. 

“That is quite the tale.” Wind Chaser, Cloud Dancer and even Princess Celestia began explaining Story’s adoption. Story, Blaze and Princess Luna listened intently. 

Story learned she was found inside a set of ruins built into the sides of the mountains about a day’s journey south of Stalliongrad. They were far older than the city. Celestia and Luna knew little about them, only that they were already abandoned when they arrived. Professor Emeritus had discovered evidence that ponies had been the ones to build them. On one of his expeditions, Professor Emeritus had discovered a chamber, deeper into the mountains, sealed with ancient unicorn magic. After spending at least a week figuring out how to open it, he discovered an infant Storybook inside. This was news to Story and Blaze. He’d had no idea where she came from, but he was beginning to understand why Princess Celestia hadn’t wanted to tell Story about the caves beyond the mines. 

The next part was largely told by Wind Chaser. In reality, he and Cloud Dancer had moved to Canterlot because Wind Chaser had been promoted from his position as Commander of the Cloudsdale section of the Royal Guard, to the Captain of the Royal Guard.  He had only been in Canterlot a few days when Story arrived. Princess Celestia had kept the new found foal in the palace, until permanent arrangements could be made. (Professor Emeritus was not good with children.) Wind Chaser had been inspecting the night guards, and he heard the foal crying. After a few minutes, he wondered why no pony had done anything. So he went to check. When he entered the room, he found Story’s caretaker unconscious and a unicorn holding a knife over Story’s crib. 

“I shouted for him to halt, like an idiot, and found the knife flying at my head.” Wind Chaser gave a half smile, “He missed, and I rushed him. He fell and I pinned him under my hooves. He only muttered, ‘others will come,’ and then teleported out from under me.” The older Pegasus looked at his daughter. “You were still crying, and even though I should have been off looking for the perpetrator” he muttered the last word like he meant something else, “I checked to make sure your caretaker was ok, and then I made sure you were.” He smiled and they cleared his throat, obviously trying not to cry, “You were fine, upset, but fine. When I picked you up, you stopped crying right away, and you looked at me with those big eyes and…” He choked up and couldn’t keep going. 

Cloud Dancer finished for him, “Your father and Celestia thought it was best if you were moved right away, and Windy brought you home that night.” Cloud Dancer smiled and patted her husband’s hoof. “I had been so worried, because your father was three hours later than he said, and I couldn’t believe my eyes when he finally did come home, carrying a baby.  A few hours later, and I knew I wasn’t going to let anypony else raise you.” 

Story had tears in her eyes now too. “I think I understand. I do wish I hadn’t found out today. I know you love me, and I trust you.” Blaze stood and let Story go to her parents. 

He was slightly envious, though he was glad to be there for her during the tale, and whenever else she needed him. Blaze caught a nod from Celestia and followed her and Luna out of the room. This left Story to have a few moments with her parents. 
Princess Celestia turned to Blaze once they were out of the room. “You wish to protect Storybook, don’t you?” 

“Yes, Princess, I do.” Blaze looked up at them. They seemed to be reading his heart even better than the girls in Ponyville. 

“Then I have something I wish to discuss with you.”   

> Ancient Unicorn
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight woke early in the morning with a mission. Princess Celestia had sent a letter detailing the damage and the situation with Storybook. Now Twilight was determined to find the origin of the symbol on the tapestry. 

After several attempts to wake Spike, she made her way downstairs, and headed to the library. She would eat breakfast later. Twilight unrolled the tapestry and hung it on a peg in front of an empty shelf. She felt a pang in her chest knowing that her library wasn’t the only empty one. Reading Celestia’s letter had been traumatic, Twilight could only imagine what seeing the damage had done to Story.  Twilight tried not to think of all the ancient and rare books lost. Not only were they gone, but in a way the ponies and others who had written them were gone as well. 

Twilight knew that she could help most by finding the source for the symbol. This could set Blaze and Story in the right direction to find the culprits. Who, in her opinion, now deserved to be statues way more than Discord ever had. Twilight looked at the symbol. Given the age, it could be an older version of a symbol still in use today. She went to her shelf to find her copy of Heraldry, Symbols and Famous Cutie Marks. She searched her shelves and remembered that she didn’t have a copy of that book, anymore. 

Then Twilight remembered the books she’d gotten from the Royal Library. Maybe there was a copy in one of the two large crates. Twilight opened up the first crate with her magic. She smiled, there were so many books! As she pulled them out she noted which ones were new to her and which ones were copies of ones she’d lost. Still after the first crate was empty, there was no Heraldry, Symbols and Famous Cutie Marks, so Twilight started on the next crate. 

This one held just as many books as the first, but not the one she was looking for. Twilight started to review the books she did have to find one that might help. There was a large one Twilight had never heard of simply labeled: Ancient Mysteries. At the rate this was going, she might as well see what was in it. She tried to open it with a hoof, but the book refused to open. After struggling with it for a few minutes, Twilight decided to use her magic. Concentrating, she surrounded in in magic and tried to slip the magic in between the pages. 

The book didn’t have pages because it was actually a box. Now Twilight really wanted to know what was inside. She used her magic to feel for a hinge or a latch. She found one on the spine of the book and unhooked it. Then the book opened, only backwards from the way a book normally would. 

Twilight looked inside the book box, and found a weather-beaten leather volume with a three leafed clover imprinted on the cover. The pages were ragged and uneven, and the whole thing was tied shut with a leather cord. Twilight looked at it carefully. Could this have belonged to-


***

“Thank you, Blaze.” Story took a deep breath, “I needed a day off.” The clean scent of the pine grove in the park relived some of the stress she felt closing in around her. 

“You’re welcome.” Blaze nodded and inhaled deeply. Story watched him carefully. He had a soft smile and the wind ruffled his mane. Blaze was the only Pegasus she knew whose mane managed to always look only slightly windblown all the time. She’d only noticed it recently though. Maybe it was because they’d only seen each other a couple of times in the past months, and before that he’d been in Saddle Arabia chasing a lead for something. But now she’d seen him everyday for the past week. After that first day in the library, Blaze had shown up to help, or make sure she ate, or like this morning, offer to take her somewhere else before she did something she’d regret. Like flinging a very large chunk of ceiling at the cleaning crew, who had tried to throw repairable books in to the now massive garbage heap. 

Her shoulders and neck ached just thinking about it. They ached more whenever she thought about the message in her office, and what she should do next. There were so many things to consider, and the fact that Story didn't feel like she could move forward without talking to Blaze didn't make things any easier

“Story, you’re biting your lip.” Blaze gently bumped her shoulder. “You only do that when you’re nervous or worried.” 

“Sorry, I just can’t help but think about everything.” Her easy blush rose to her cheeks. 

“Don’t apologize, I get it. I just don’t want you to make your lip bleed.” Blaze gave her a very stern look. “And don’t pretend you’ve never done it.”

“I know. I scared my mother half to death too.” Story remembered the incident Blaze was referring to, “But in my defense, I was worrying about you.”

“Oh, don’t blame that on me, I knew I could fly.” Blaze stuck his tongue out at her. 

“That might be true, but you said ‘Watch this’ and jumped off a cliff.”  Story stuck her tongue out at him. “And they you didn’t come back up, for at least ten minutes.”

“There was a down draft, and it was like three minutes.”

“It was not! I highly doubt I made my lip bleed in only three minutes.” Story and Blaze were now glaring intently at each other, but Story 
felt her reserve cracking as she stared into Blaze’s deep brown eyes. Then she caught his lip quivering. He was trying not to laugh, and suddenly so was she. 

It lasted about three more seconds. Then the sound of laughter disrupted the peace of all the other ponies in the park. Their glares did little to stifle sound of two old friends enjoying the silliness of foalhood exploits, and the ridiculousness of arguing over them. 

“It’s so good to hear you laugh, Story.” Blaze admitted after they had calmed down. “Everypony’s been worried about you.”

“It felt good to laugh.” Story looked up a Blaze again, “But you don’t need to worry. I’m mostly ok.” 

“’Mostly?’” Blaze raised an eyebrow at her. 

“I am angry, and I do feel a little empty. And-“ Story felt her eyes fill with tears, “I have no idea what to do next.”

“It is completely up to you.” Blaze nudged her gently. She nodded and they resumed their walk along the tree lined path. Peace drifted in with the fragrant breeze that wafted off the colorful flowers and the pine trees. Story felt just as easy with Blaze as she always had, but something had changed. Something about Blaze seemed sturdier now. It was possible he had grown over the last year, but it was more than that. Story didn’t worry about it though. Right now there was nothing she needed to worry about. 

Blaze kept his pace slow, but he knew they would reach the top of the inclined path, and the infamous cliff, soon. He didn’t want to wear Story out. She had enough reasons to be tired as it was. He also had a suspicion that she wasn’t sleeping well.  He blamed the message in her office. 

It was Blaze’s job to look after Story. The tension in her shoulders had dissipated, and she walked more easily. He knew how much she enjoyed this park. Unlike most of Canterlot, it hadn’t changed much over the years. The trees were taller, but that was about it. 
The peaceful atmosphere hadn’t, however, done anything to cease the fluttering in his stomach. If Princess Celestia hadn’t asked him to do this he wouldn’t be here. He would be with Wind Chaser combing the library debris for any clues the attackers may have left. He would also not be asking Story the question he was going to ask as soon as they were deep enough into the park that most ponies wouldn’t overhear. 

The cliff Blaze had jumped off as a foal was probably as secluded as they could get. He could have had this discussion with Story inside, at one of their apartments, but Story would have wondered what was up. Right now her mind was clear, Blaze hoped it helped her make a good decision. 

While Blaze was lost in thought, they reached the top of the gentle hill, and all at once the vast expanse of Equestria’s northern region was spread before them. The mountains began at Canterlot and spread north and east, peaking up from the horizon. The rest was rolling hills and then low flat land. Even from the distance of Canterlot, the patchwork of fields and orchards and towns could be seen. Blaze never got tired of this view, and it only got better when he flew. 

“You are not allowed to jump of the cliff this time.”  Story bumped his shoulder. 

“I won’t” Blaze sat back on his haunches. Story lay down next to him. Up here there was no pony else. The cliff was too dangerous for the younger foals, and most pegasi preferred not to jump off to get their flights started. 

“I haven’t been up here in forever.” Story closed her eyes and Blaze watched as the breeze played with her mane. Her soft smile did the same funny thing it always did to his heartbeat. He laid down next to her. Blaze let time slink by as he watched her. He never go tired of seeing Story. She had a grace about her he’d seen in few other mares, it was an odd but wonderful mix of confidence and vulnerability. Right now, lying in the grass with her front hooves crossed, she seemed more like a lady than any of the mares he’d met with the actual title. 

He let what was probably half an hour, but didn’t feel nearly long enough, go by before he spoke.  “Story…” Blaze hated ruining the peace.

“Yes?” She looked at him and opened her eyes. She tilted her head too. This was not getting any easier. She was adorable. 

“What do you want to do next?”

“I think I want to stay here a while longer, is that alright?” She shifted and settled herself down in the soft grass. 

“Yeah- I mean that’s not,” Blaze took a deep breath, “That’s totally fine, but I was really asking what you want to do about…” How did he put this, “everything.”

“Everything?” Story chuckled a little, “I’m tempted to pretend I don’t know what you’re talking about.” 

“But you do.”

“Yes, and the truth is I don’t know what I want to do.” She hung her head, “I’m not sure if it’s smarter to stay here where I’m safe or if I should at least try to figure this out, to keep everyone else safe.”

“Whatever you decide I’m here for you.” Blaze nudged behind her ear with his nose. That he would have offered to do even if Princess Celestia hadn’t asked him too. 

“Thank you,” Story sighed deeply and Blaze enjoyed the quiet stillness. His thoughts wandered to all the times he’d nearly told Story how he felt, then something would happen and it would all fall apart. He wanted to tell her now. Maybe that was what she needed to hear. Or maybe not. Still, Story needed him, and sometimes that was enough. 

“Blaze?” Story’s soft voice stirred Blaze out of his thoughts, and made him wish she hadn’t said his name with such apprehension. 

“Yes?”

“Am I a terrible pony for wanting to know who my birth parents are?” 

“No! Why would you think that?” Blaze took a hoof and turned Story’s face to him. “Nothing you think would make you a terrible pony.”

“It’s just that at best my birth parents left me in a sealed chamber to die, and at worst they’re crazy enough to destroy a library.” Story turned away, “It feels wrong that I want to know them, they can’t possibly be good ponies.”

“They could be good ponies.” Blaze meant it be Story gave him a ‘don’t lie to me to make me feel better look.’ “No really. Maybe your mother was kidnapped while she was pregnant with you, and her kidnappers sent you off to die because they needed her for something, or you’ll turn out to be the only grandchild of a rich pony whose son fell in love with the maid, and you got sent to the wrong place on accident and the ponies after you are the stepchildren who want the money.” 

Story looked shocked for a second, then started to laugh. “How much time did you spend in the mystery section of the library?”

“I did turn out to be a detective.” Blaze bumped her with his nose. 

“I thought you specialized in lost works of art and missing artifacts?”

“I do, but I have found the occasional lost will or adoption records.” Blaze realized what he had said and froze before finding a way to get around it, “not yours obviously, other ponies’.” He hated lying, but he didn’t want to ruin the moment.

“I know you can find anything, but can you find ponies?” Story had known Blaze forever, but he didn’t remember him finding a lost child or sibling before.

“Well, no. I’ve had long lost sibling and birth parent cases, but I’ve never been the one to find the actual ponies.” Blaze thought of his case in the mines. He was allowed to tell Story about it now, but he wondered if there were ponies down there still. He just might not have found them. 

“If you were looking for my birth parents, where would you start?” Story was biting her lip again. Blaze shook his head.

“Actually, I may have a lead on that.” Blaze smiled, but Story still looked concerned. “Really. It was kind of an accident.” 

“What was is it?” Story’s eyes lit up. 

“Meet me tomorrow and I’ll show you.” 


***

The apprentice sat alone in the cavern he used as a spell room. Deeper into the mountain than any other pony was willing to go, he could practice and cast spells here in total secrecy. At the moment he was watching the Lost One. She was talking again with that blue Pegasus. Heat surged in the apprentice’s chest when he saw her smile up at the winged beast. She didn’t know what she was doing; treating a Pegasus as an equal, or worse, a lover. He cursed the ponies who raised her, and he cursed the fools who lost her. Now she believed all tribes to be equal, and her training in magic sorely lacking. She could be so strong, she wouldn’t need anypony’s protection. 

And that Pegasus, clearly he thought he could protect her. He thought his strength would be enough. Bah. Many spells could easily destroy the fool. It was just a question of which one to choose.


***

A construction pony handed Story a hard hat as an over eager grad student started explaining where she and Blaze were. Somehow, Story had been expecting a trip to the Canterlot museum to see a painting of a pony that looked like her, or a list off all the ponies who had gone missing the year she was born. 

Not a trip to the Canterlot Mines. And definitely not a trip into the caves behind the mines. Story put on her hard hat and leaned closer to Blaze. The dirt wasn’t so bad, but it was so dark. There were only a few lanterns and the unicorn light from a few ponies’ horns. The grad student, whom she was sure had given her name, was bouncing up and down like a browner version of Pinkie Pie, and one way more knowledgeable about ancient Equestria. 

“Down here we’ve found, besides massive amounts of valuable crystals, enough evidence to suggest that at one time, before the arrival of Celestia and Luna, over five hundred ponies may have resided here.” The grad student bounced happily and led Blaze and Story down a long crystal filled tunnel. The pony chattered about pot shards, flint knapping, and even a little about trash middens, but Story wasn’t really listening. This part of the cave was even darker. Story wondered how five hundred ponies could have lived down here in such darkness, and so long ago. If there was one thing Story loved more than books it was being able to see them. Sunlight was the best to read by. Even using fire and magic, as the excavators were doing now, still left the cave with long stretches of more shadow than light. Story lit her own horn for more light. The earth pony hopping in front of them didn’t seem to notice, and kept chatting. 

Blaze was silent, but that was because he had a lantern in his mouth. With a little more light now, Story saw him wink at her. He wouldn’t tell her what was in here that might connect with her parents. He’d only said that she’d need lots of baths tonight and to pack a lunch, which now sat in her saddle bags. Story didn’t want to have come from a place like this. True, the crystals and gems were beautiful but the whole place was dark and creepy. She dreaded what it might mean that her past had a connection here. 
Eventually, the hopping grad student stopped. There was a mini camp set up in one of the larger caverns. Several other ponies Story recognized as professors and graduate students at Canterlot University and Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns were busy excavating around huge crystals. Then Story noticed, incased inside the crystals were artifacts, ancient stone projectile points, bowls, jars, all from long ago enough that a crystal literally formed around them. 

“How old is this place?” Story looked around her. It was common knowledge that the mines were as old as Equestria and had stopped being used as mines about six hundred years ago. They were only re-investigated after the changeling incident. No pony had been this deep into the cave system before recently.

“No one is sure. One of the professors is suggesting that it is older than Equestria, but still inhabited by ponies.” Blaze had put his lantern down after they entered the cavern.  Story didn’t believe her ears. Ponies in Equestria before Equestria, the very idea was preposterous. No pony had lived here before Clover the Clever, Smart Cookie, and Private Pansy helped found Equestria, before that it was empty of inhabitants, or permanent inhabitants anyway. 

“That’s crazy.” Story watched as Blaze turned on a light in his helmet. He gestured for her to follow. 

“Most ponies agree with you.” Blaze lead her even deeper into the caves. “Truth is Story, I’ve been working in here.” 

“Why have you been working here? While there is a lot to find, this is an archaeological dig.” Story knew Blaze had worked digs, but usually only when a pony was trying to find one certain artifact. 

“Well, after the changelings, Princess Celestia sent guards and survey ponies to secure and re-map the mines. As they got deeper into the mines several of them reported seeing at least one pony in the mines.” 

“One who wasn’t working here?” The cavern narrowed into a tunnel as they walked deeper in. 

“Yes. The workers started saying it was a ghost. They only saw him, most said it was a stallion, early in the morning or late at night, and only for a few seconds. The workers were so freaked out, Princess Celestia asked me to check it out before the mines were labeled as haunted and no pony would enter them again.” 

“But the wedding and the Changelings were more than a year ago, almost two.” Story wondered why it took them so long. 

“The progress was rather slow, between the safety procedures and Guard investigation.” Blaze stopped at the entrance to another tunnel. “I was able to move faster, it just being me.”

“You were careful right?” Story spoke from behind him. The tunnel now was only one pony wide, and Story was glad she was her own source of light. The crystals were here, but they were fewer, and they didn’t reflect light as well as the others. Story listened to Blaze intently so she didn’t feel quite so claustrophobic. 

“Yes, I was careful.” Blaze chuckled, “I’m here now aren’t I?” Story snorted and rolled her eyes even though Blaze couldn’t see her. “Anyway, I didn’t find the mysterious pony, but I did find some artifacts. That attracted the attention of the University, and soon I had archaeologists everywhere.” Blaze hadn’t moved yet. “I was still looking for the pony so I ventured down this tunnel one day. Follow me. You’ll be the second pony ever to see this.” Blaze started walking again, into the tunnel. He didn’t tell the story while they climbed down. The tunnel was narrower than the one before, gems protruding into the tunnel. At one narrow place, Story began to feel the walls close in around her. She freaked out a little, fine, a lot.  Only Blaze’s soothing voice, telling her it was wider on the other side helped. She pushed through, and all at once they found themselves in a cylindrical cavern, quite large and impressive. There was even a light coming from the ceiling, a hole let in sunlight. Blaze took off his helmet. 

“Could we have come in that way?” Story said looking up, still shaking from nearly getting stuck.

“No, that hole is only a foot in diameter.” Blaze looked at her sheepishly. “I didn’t know you were claustrophobic. I’d never have brought you down here. We will have to go out the same way.”

“I didn’t know I was either.” Story sat down and tried to breath in and out slowly, “Are you sure there’s no other way out?”

“Positive, but you are smaller than me, and I can get in and out.” Blaze put a hoof around her shoulder, “If I won’t get stuck you won’t.” 

“Ok. Why am I down here?” Story did have to admit that it was amazing. The work done to make this was fascinating. It clearly wasn’t natural. Something had built this chamber. The walls were smooth, and except around the entrance to the tunnel, they appeared to be plastered over, but Story wasn’t sure. 

“I found a tapestry hanging here.” Blaze pointed to a spot on the wall. 

“Yes, it does look like something hung there.”

“How can you tell?”

“There isn’t any writing there.” The text that covered all of the rest of the wall was absent from about a square foot, a couple of feet above Stories head.

“Writing?” Blaze looked confused.

“Yeah, the writing that covers the walls, from higher than I can see up to about a foot from the floor.” Story walked away from Blaze and over to the wall. “It looks like ancient unicorn.”

“Oh that makes sense.” Blaze put a hoof to his forehead. “It’s just like the tapestry.”

“What?” Story looked at Blaze in amazement. 

“The tapestry has a symbol on it, the same one left with the message in your office, but only unicorns, and alicorns can see it.” Blaze looked around. “The writing in here must have the same spell.”

“So, the tapestry, which is probably thousands of year old, has the same symbol that was left in my office, and whoever wrote all of this is the one after me?” Story’s heart started to race again, how could any of this be possible? Could the ponies after her be immortal? Is that why they destroyed the library so easily?

“Story, it’s more likely that they belong to the same group.” Blaze’s nose against the back of her head didn’t stop her heartbeat, but she did realize he was right. Clearly it was a crazy group of ponies who wanted her back so bad. At least they weren’t immortal. “You are not allowed to speculate anymore.”

Story nodded in response to Blaze. He stayed close enough to her that she felt his breath on her coat. She ignored the small tingle in the spot it touched and looked at the text before her. Her grandfather had taught her ancient unicorn. She was rusty, but if needed she could actually speak the language. She started to read out loud, in Equestrian for Blaze. 

“I am growing old. My protection spells are not enough.” Story paused, “This sounds a journal or a diary.”  Story looked over the next sentence carefully. Ancient Unicorn had no punctuation. 

“They will find the treasure. They may find me. I am unsure what to do next but somepony is getting closer to my hiding place.”  This sounded uncannily familiar. I hope they cannot read my words, but only somepony of my tribe could see through this spell. 

“He must mean a unicorn.” Story looked at Blaze. He nodded in agreement.

“They have…” Story struggled with a word for a moment, “discovered the treasure.” One thing was clear, whoever wrote this knew Ancient Unicorn better than anypony she’d met, it was probably their native tongue.  

“I ventured beyond my hiding place, and listened to the great city. They have found my treasure.” Story noted the change. She read on in silence, without realizing that she had stopped speaking out loud.

They. Story noticed that the writer didn’t use the normal pronoun, he used the derogatory one. They, the ones I hate, have found 
my treasure. I will not allow them to touch it.  Story looked at the words she had just read. She wondered why the author used “gaza” for treasure. It wasn’t as common, it was actually “royal treasure” and the only feminine- Story brushed a very errant thought away and kept reading. They have come near to hurting it, stealing it away. They destroyed the treasure’s- Story had to stop. This pony was clearly crazy. Treasure could be stolen, but how could you hurt treasure? And what could treasure own? Story looked at the next word. Bibliotheca. Library. They destroyed the treasure’s library.

“Blaze.” Story backed away from the wall, and right into her old friend. “There is a pony living here.” 

“Story, what?” Blaze stood, and didn’t let Story back away any further. Story repeated the lines she had just read, and explained.

“I think I’m the treasure. He used the only feminine word for treasure, and he knows about the library.” The thought frightened her. Someone was watching her, her whole life. Story knew if she read more, that it would only reveal her worst fears, what did this pony know about her? What had he seen? Why was he watching her?

“But Story,” Blaze nearly said, that’s crazy, but it really wasn’t. “I think we should go…” a very bright light lit the room, and something landed in the center. Blaze quickly stood between Story and whatever it was. Unfortunately, the something was now between them and the exit. 

“Abite!” A loud voice thundered in the cavern, but Blaze didn’t understand. A unicorn stood before them, horn glowing brightly. He was walking slowly towards them, his eyes deep set in a glare. “Abite!”  

“What do you want?” Blaze shouted back, sure this was the creepy writer of all the text on the wall. He was not getting any closer to Story. If fact Blaze figured he could buck the creep hard enough to-

“He wants us to leave.” Story was shaking behind him “Abite- go away, get out, leave.” 

“Fine with me but he’s between us and the door.” Blaze said back, as the unicorn’s horn glowed brighter, the magic pure white. “He’s speaking-“

“-Ancient Unicorn.” Story confirmed, now truly grateful for all the days she’d come to help at the library only to have her grandfather speak to her solely in Ancient Unicorn. She couldn’t quite keep up with the irate stallion before them. 

“Great.” Blaze looked back at Story, “Stay behind me.” Then he started walking slowly around the circular walls. Story followed suit, “We’re leaving,” He spoke now to the truly crazy looking unicorn in the center of the room. He used a softer voice, hoping just to get to the tunnel and get out. The unicorn, with a long matted mane and a dirty coat, and an angry, crazed look in his eyes, was still approaching them, now shouting rapidly, nothing that Blaze could understand. He glanced at Story.

“He’s talking too fast.” She whispered loudly.  “I can’t keep up, he’s not happy about this.”

“Guessed that.” Blazed spread his wings, and hoped they were intimidating, but that move only seemed to tick of the unicorn more. He shouted a few more things. “Anything?” He asked Story. 

“Very not nice things about pegasi.” Story answered, her voice high and wavering. The unicorn let a blast out of his horn, Blaze ducked and grabbed Story with him under a wing. The shot hit the wall. Then Blaze heard another, this one he could feel the heat of over his back. 

He didn’t know what to do, but he stared back at the unicorn, who was ready to let go another blast. Blaze tucked Story under him and prepared for the worst. Another blast came, but it didn’t hit them. Blaze then looked up at the unicorn. His crazy eyes had gone milky, iris nearly all white and pupils a shade of gray. 

Could it be that this unicorn couldn’t see without magic? It would explain his aim. Blaze knew he was a big target, and he wasn’t even moving, that last shot should have hit. A horribly rash idea came to mind. Blaze glanced at the wall, huge sections of stone totally charred, and a crater missing in the center. They would not survive a hit. Story was still curled up with her head down. The unicorn spoke angrily under his breath.  

Blaze kissed Story on the cheek and whispered. “When I say run, head for the tunnel, but don’t say anything. Don’t stop. Until then stay quiet.” The unicorn’s ears perked up. 

“Blaze-“ 

He stood and ran before Story could say more. “OVER HERE!” He shouted. The unicorn turned and fired but missed. “STAY AWAY FROM STORY!” Blaze shouted as he ran. The Unicorn followed his voice. Good, just like he thought. Blaze shouted a few more insults at the unicorn. When everything was right he looked at Story, her eyes said she’d figured out his plan. “RUN!” He yelled as the unicorn fired one more blast. 

Everything slowed down. As Story ran Blaze could see her tears streaming behind her. He hoped she stuck with the plan.  She had to get out.  At the same time, Blaze saw the white beam of magic headed right for his chest. Somehow he dodged, the magic just scraping his shoulder, leaving it raw and burning. He fell, and saw Story enter the tunnel. The unicorn was shaking his head, so Blaze took the chance. He ran around the unicorn and headed for the tunnel. Blaze’s shoulder protested loudly. He almost reached it before the unicorn heard his hoofsteps and fired. Being blind had clearly improved this unicorn’s hearing. The blast missed Blaze, but hit the wall above the tunnel. Blaze knew the tunnel wasn’t as sturdy as the pony carved room. As he entered, dust was falling from the roof but it seemed to be holding. He heard a worrying ‘pop’ behind him. Please don’t be the unicorn teleporting, he thought to himself. 
Blaze could hear Story moving in front of him. He scrambled over the rocks and crystals in his way. A few scraped his side, once he nearly fell when he bumped the hurt shoulder. But he had to get out. Story didn’t really know the way back. Half way through the tunnel, Blaze could see Story ahead. She was crying and struggling. 

“Story keep going!” He said. Then he felt the tremor, looked up, and wishing there was more light than just Story’s horn, he saw a crack in the ceiling.

“Blaze!” Story turned and saw him. Blaze didn’t have time for her to be happy he wasn’t bits of dust in the cave.

“Go! HURRY!” Blaze moved as quickly as he could, but his shoulder didn’t want to support weight anymore. Then he thought about getting crushed or blasted and the adrenaline gave him more energy. Story was almost to the end of the tunnel. 

“Go right when you get out!” He shouted as bits of rock fell from the ceiling. He maneuvered around another gem. “Don’t wait for me!” Blaze hated to do this to Story, but she had to get out. He saw her reflected in a gem running out of the tunnel. Blaze kept moving. 

Story waited at the edge of the tunnel. This tunnel was shaking and cracking too, but Story knew Blaze would appear any second. This 
passageway was wide enough to run through. She had time. She knew he’d come out any second. He was going to make it out. 

“Hurry!” She shouted back into the tunnel. Blaze didn’t answer. She’d been crying, but she felt her heart break now. Blaze had to be ok. She couldn’t lose him. Story turned away from the tunnel. Next to her was the unicorn. She screamed. 

It seemed to surprise the unicorn. The glow around his horn lessoned and his eyes cleared. All at once he looked totally shocked. He spoke at a pace she couldn’t keep up with again. Then he looked around, Story followed his gaze. There were more cracks forming in the ceiling, and bits had already started to fall, 

“Curre!” He said. Run! Was he trying to help her?

“No! Not without-“ She looked at the tunnel, still no Blaze. 

“Curre! Gaza! Curre!” His horn lit up again, and his eyes became  milky. Story thought she also noticed tears. He fired at her feet, Story jumped back. What was going on? She looked at the tunnel entrance, it hadn’t collapsed, but a pile of rubble was blocking the exit. She levitated as much as she could and moved it. She wished her magic were stronger. She couldn’t even cast a shield spell. Story felt something sting her side. The unicorn had actually struck her, but only enough to hurt. 

“Curre filia!” He shouted, and pusher her with a hoof. A large piece of the tunnel she was in fell near her. The Unicorn gave her a magical shove, and Story ran. She couldn’t wait anymore. She heard the unicorn shout from a distance. “Ego Amo Te Mea Flilia!” Story kept running. She didn’t have a choice. 

Blaze was lost in the confining darkness. Without Story’s horn, or his helmet light, he couldn’t see is way around the gems, and kept stumbling into them. His injured shoulder screamed at him with every step, and only got worse when he ran into something. 
He’d heard Story shout for him, and then scream, but he couldn’t do anything. It was a strait path back to the dig, and someone would help her from there. Story would be ok. She would be alright. Blaze stopped moving. His body couldn’t go forwards, he’d taken more damage from the magic than he thought. But Story would be ok. She’d make it out alive. If she made it out, this was all worth it.

> Wake Up Call
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Blaze did something that only a few hours ago, he believed that he would never, ever do again. He woke up. It hurt all over, and for a second, he wasn’t sure why. Then he remembered being hit by a magic blast and then passing out in a collapsing cave tunnel. So why had he woken up? 

He was lying on his back, wings positioned uncomfortably beneath him. He tried moving them, but the rest of him ached too much to move off of them.  Actually his wings were the part of him that hurt the least. His injured shoulder was still screaming in pain. There was little he could do about it here. Where was here?

He slowly opened his eyes, and was at first met with darkness. He pushed the panic of that back down, and as his vision cleared and adjusted to the darkness, he saw the stars above him. He’d never been so happy to see the stars in all his life. He was not going to die alone in a cave. He took a deep breath of outside air only to discover that it made his rib hurt even more. 

Blaze lay looking at the stars. Everything hurt and he had no idea where he was or how he came to be there. Thinking made his head hurt too. The night was silent, filled with only a few animal sounds. Then Blaze heard the unmistakable sound of a pony’s hoofsteps. Story. Blaze suddenly realized that he didn’t know where she was, or if she was ok. 

“Story?” He spoke without moving, but taking a breath to speak hurt as well. 	

“No, Blazefinder.” It was not Story’s voice. The steps got closer and Blaze saw a dark blue head over his. “It is Princess Luna, are you in pain?”

“Only when I breathe.” Blaze winced after he spoke. “Story?” He couldn’t manage anymore.

“Well, and she will be relieved to see thee, ah, you.” Luna leaned over to examine his actual wound. “Powerful magic did this. You are lucky to be alive, Blazefinder.” Blaze was aware of this, but he didn’t really care. Story was alright. She wasn’t hurt. 

“I am going to teleport you. It will not hurt.” Good, not hurting was good. Blaze’s vision turned blue for a moment, and then there were some very bright lights, and ponies shouting. A few new faces appeared over him, and Blaze felt himself being lifted, which hurt a lot.  Something sharp jabbed itself into his front leg and soon he was asleep again. 


***

Story curled up in her old bedroom. The past week she’d been here more than at her apartment. She just couldn’t face the idea of going back to her very empty apartment. 

Especially now that it might be empty forever. Story had never actually imagined a future with Blaze, but she couldn’t imagine a future without him either. He’d been there her whole life. She couldn’t remember a school year, or Nightmare Night, or Summer Sun Celebration, or anything else without him. Hearing the rocks crashing behind her as she’d run out of that tunnel felt like watching her grandfather slowly wither away in his hospital bed. Only it happened so much faster. Blaze was gone, and no matter how many times she was told otherwise, she blamed herself. Blaze would never have returned to that cave if not for her. 

Story could hear hoofsteps outside the door of her old room. She didn’t want to talk to anypony. She’d been forced to tell the story to several pony officials in the past three days. She didn’t want to do it again. Ever. She wanted to forget the whole horrible day. Just, without forgetting about Blaze. 

She hadn’t realized how much she needed him to get through this. Granted, if he were here she would be dealing with this, but still. She’d give anything to be next to him, his wing wrapped around her. But that would never happen again. She just wished she’d realized she needed him, enjoyed his company, and how well they worked together. She’d been in love with him her whole life. She just hadn’t known. Blaze hadn’t either. She’d never get to tell him now…

“Story?” A small, high voice came from the other side of the door. It was her sister. Story didn’t answer.  Star Spinner knocked on the door. “Um, I know you well, ah, are you ever gonna come out?” A thud hit the door and Story figured it was Star Spinner’s head on the door. Story wiped a tear from her eye and unwrapped herself from the blanket. Star was right, she would have to leave eventually, and spending some time with her younger sister didn’t seem so bad. 

“Hey Story!” This voice was her brother. Steel Haze sounded concerned, “Dad sent me to get you, he’s acting really strange.” Story was glad she had already untangled herself. She opened the door to her room. 

“Acting strange?” Story bumped her little brother, who was taller than she was now. 

“He’s really happy. It’s weird.” Steel deadpanned and started walking back towards their living room. Story and Star followed. 
Their father was waiting in the living room, a ridiculous grin on his face. Story felt mildly insulted, but just because she was miserable didn’t mean everyone else had to be. Story sat on a cushion, and tried to look composed. 

“Story, I have the best news ever.” Wind Chaser took his daughter’s hoof, “Blaze is Alive!” 

***
“Don’t look so worried, Baby Blue.” Blaze’s mother patted his hoof, like she had done for the twenty millionth time since he’d woken up this morning. Any other time, he would have told her to stop, but she still looked worried, and couldn’t seem to stop crying. She had, after all, thought her son was dead. Blaze would forgive his mother anything right now, even her using that awful nickname in front of Story. 

“Worried?” Blaze didn’t feel like saying much more. Story hadn’t come yet. He knew she was ok, but he really wanted to see her. He knew he could fall back to sleep at any second. 

“Blaze?” A soft voice came from the door of his hospital room. The golden-yellow mare stood almost in shock. Her eyes sparkled with the moisture in them. 

“Hey.” Blaze’s brain wasn’t working, he couldn’t think of anything else to say. Story came running o him anyway, tears streaming down her face. She soon was by his bedside. 

“Oh, I’m so glad you’re okay.” She wiped tears from her eyes, “I’m so sorry I-I couldn’t stay, there was nothing I could do.”
Blaze smiled just hearing her voice. He had the vague thought that he should tell her it wasn’t her fault, but the pain meds were making him sleepy again. He just listened for a moment.

“If it weren’t for me you wouldn’t have been down there, I’m so sorry.” She took his hoof in hers. “I just want you to be ok.” 

“I’m fine.” Blaze pulled her hoof onto his chest. “You’re fine too.” With a sigh of relief, Blaze fell asleep again.

***
Applejack, Fluttershy and Rarity sat in the library of Twlilights castle. Twilight was running back and forth across the library gathering paper and pens, and well, the three mares couldn’t keep up. Spike was running along behind her, trying to check off a list.

“Twilight, darling, please calm down.” Rarity spoke but Twilight didn’t stop. 

“Can’t stop! So much to get ready for trip to Canterlot.” Twilight turned to Spike, “Do we have the research complied for Princess Celestia?”

“Um, I’m not sure, which research was that?” Spike flipped several pages of check list.

“The research comparing the symbol on the tapestry to the known textiles of pre-Equestrian ponies” Twilight looked at something on the table, “or maybe it was the research on-“

“Why are we here, sugar cube?” Applejack’s voice made Twilight focus on the task at hand.

“I’m sorry girls it’s just the cave-in has Princess Celestia concerned for everypony’s safety.” Twilight levitated a small brown book over the table the girls surrounded. “This is actually why I called you here.”

“It looks a bit like our journal.” Fluttershy commented as the book was placed on the table. 
“It does, and the writing inside looks hoof-written.” Twilight opened the book. “But it’s complete gibberish.” 

The ponies all leaned over the book. There were no discernable words on the pages, but lots of writing. The letters in the book didn’t look like any language Twilight had ever heard of.

“Yep, looks like gibberish to me.” Applejack nodded, “But why is it important?”

“Because it belonged to Clover the Clever.” Twilight flipped to the front pages. “The only part of the journal that’s legible is the inscription here.” Twilight put her hoof on the inscription. “In Ancient unicorn it simply reads ‘Clover the Clever.’

“Why would any pony as intelligent as Clover the Clever write total nonsense?” Rarity looked closer at the journal.

“That’s what I wondered.” Twilight’s magic flew through the pages, “Then I realized that it might be in code. I tried multiple decoding spells, but all of them just moved the gibberish around.” 

“Twilight, ya still haven’t gotten to why we’re here.” Applejack did have a very straight forward streak. 

“I know.” Twilight took a deep breath, “One of my decoding spells did reveal this.” The pages stopped turning, and on the open paged were a few lines of clear text, written in Old Equestrian. Twilight was able to read it, but she could tell her friends were struggling. She read out the translation into modern Equestrian.

“Three hooves on paper, place,
Three ponies in one space 
One horn alight, 
Two wings aflight
Strength of earth shall make it right.
Three voices must I know,
Saying what is found below,
‘Three to one
One to three
Secrets here reveal to me!’

“That’s a lovely poem.” Fluttershy looked at the book. “And the embellishments are lovely too.”

“They are indeed Fluttershy, but what does it mean?” Rarity looked at Twilight. 

“It means that to read this book, a unicorn, Pegasus, and Earth pony must read the bottom part of the rhyme together.” Twilight levitated her friends hooves onto the page, “while their hooves are on the paper, the unicorn is using magic, and the pegasi is hovering.” 

“So we’re here to break a spell?” Applejack leaned in.

“YES!” Twilight looked at them, “It think this journal has something to do with the library, and Story and everything. I tried to do it, as an alicorn, but it didn’t work.”

“Alright then, let’s make this gibberish readable.” 

“Indeed.” 

“Ok.” The three looked at each other, Rarity lit her magic and Fluttershy hovered, keeping one hoof on the paper. 
They recited the chant as one,

“Three to one
One to three
Secrets here reveal to me!”

The book started to glow with a soft green magic. The letters on the pages rearranged, and the letters that didn’t look like anything became readable. 

“It’s ancient unicorn!” Twilight smiled happily as the book stopped glowing and rearranging. The book closed itself, but Twilight opened it back up to the front page. There staring at the four friends, was a drawing of two unicorn’s horns casting a spell on a black circle. 


***

The cave thundered. Magic crashed and echoed against the cavern walls, as the master’s anger grew in furry. There were large rocks flung and holed blasted through them. The apprentice cowered as his sanctuary was destroyed. 

“FOOL!” The master shouted, “Your actions could have cost us everything.” A beam of magic flew over the apprentices’ head. His teacher continued to rant, “If you weren’t the only pony here with the magic power to succeed me I would blast you to pieces!”

“I am sorry Dominus.” The apprentice barley whispered, “I acted without thinking.” 

“Yes, you did.” The master sighed, his anger abating. “You were correct that the Pegasus must be taken care of, but you nearly killed the Lost One.” 

“I had no desire to cause the Lost One harm.” The apprentice sat up, knowing his master could not see him. “All I wish is for the Lost One’s return.”

“That is why you should trust in my plan. She will return. Do not act without my permission again, or your skull will rest in the Hall of Relics” The master snarled.

“Yes, Dominus.” The apprentice sounded complacent, but he wore a face of distaste. The old stallion was getting soft, and daft. The Lost One would never come unless they made her. She was far too attached to her precious home and family.

“You are lucky one good thing came of your mistake.” The master growled.

“Dominus?” 

“We know he is still alive.” The Master laughed, but the apprentice shuddered. He had forgotten that. He remembered that unicorn, and even worse, that unicorn probably remembered him. The apprentice and master both exited the ruined cavern. 


> Stalliongrad
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The pink train puffed eastward through the tall mountains that spread through the center of Equestria. The destination still lay two days ahead, Canterlot already a day behind. The rising mountains bore the hues of fall up to their snow-capped peaks. 
Story sat on a seat near the window and alternately studied the foliage and the journal Twilight had given her to study. The Ancient unicorn was simple, but Story found herself reading the same page over and over again. Anything to not be studying the big blue stallion two seats over. There were a thousand reasons she needed to stay focused, but Blaze was so distracting…

Story turned back to Clover the Clever’s journal. Really it wasn’t as much help as she and Twilight had hoped. The symbol Clover had drawn in the front was something the ancient sage couldn’t identify either. She’d found it on a relic in Starswirl the Bearded’s study. At the current point in the journal, Starswirl was refusing to tell Clover what the symbol was. 

“Ostorozno!” The outcry caught Story by surprise and she looked in the direction of the voice. Blaze had stretched his wings, and apparently smacked an innocent Stalliongrad pony, who was now shouting in his native tongue. 

“Sorry- I- ah!” Blaze closed his wings and jumped as the pony started waving an umbrella at him. “I’m sorry! OW!” The umbrella smacked Blaze’s shoulder, and probably hurt more than the offended pony intended. Blaze was almost fully recovered, but taking a direct hit to his bad shoulder had to sting. It even looked like Blaze had been hit right on his scar. The Stalliongrad pony walked off, satisfied at having chastised his offender. Story walked over to Blaze. 

“Are you ok?” She lit her horn to start the simple healing spell Twilight had taught her during Blaze’s recovery.

“I’m fine.” He shook out his shoulder. “He didn’t hit me that hard. Are all Stalliongradians that crazy?”

“Probably not.” Story couldn’t help but giggle a little. She’d never forget the sight of Blaze cowering in front of a short earth pony wielding an umbrella. The door of the train car opened and Twilight walked in. She’d decided to come along with Story and Blaze to Stalliongrad for their investigation. 

“What happened in here?” Twilight looked around, all the other passengers were looking away. “All I could hear was shouting.”

“An accident.” Blaze spoke sharply returned to his seat, brows furrowed. He sat with a thump. Story and Twilight giggled. They couldn’t help it. Story knew Blaze hated trains. He would have voluntarily flown to Stalliongrad if he weren’t injured. 

“I see.” Twilight turned to Story. “Learned anything new?” They both sat down with the journal between them. Both of them could read Ancient Unicorn, and so they were both on journal duty. Story was still stuck in the doldrums of Clover’s daily life. Fascinating in some ways, just as boring as modern daily life in others.  Either way, not helpful in solving the mystery symbol. 

Twilight started reading the journal for herself, and Story found her eyes wandering again. The foliage caught her eye as the train raced past a bright red tree in a sea of orange and gold. After it flew by, Story’s eyes landed on Blaze again. She couldn’t figure out why he looked so handsome all of a sudden. She’d never thought of him as bad looking, but now she was so aware of him, and his muscular physic and his square muzzle and his mane that alternately went straight back or fell in his eyes and somehow the scar he’d acquired on his right shoulder just made him look so, so-

“Busted!” Twilight gently pushed Story, “I think you have a crush on somepony!” She giggled. Story blushed furiously. 

“I-“ She started to protest. But that would have been pointless and a lie, “I think I have more than a crush on him,” She whispered, not ready for Blaze to hear, though the train noise probably would have prevented him from hearing anyway.

“Oh?” Twilight leaned over and raised an eyebrow at her, “Have you two-“

“NO!” Story nearly shouted and blushed a deeper blush that she’d ever blushed before. Blaze did turn and look. Story sank back down into her seat.

Twilight started to laugh, “I was going to say ‘been on a date,’ but that was better.” Once Twilight regained her composure, she asked a better question, “So, are you two an item?” Twilight felt silly asking. Now that she had met Blaze and Story’s parents, she knew that they already considered the two an item. Story’s sister had already picked out Story’s wedding dress. Twilight didn’t think they were that serious but…

“No. I’m not sure he feels the same. I only realized after…” Story looked over to where Blaze was sitting and realized he was walking away. That somehow made her more nervous. 

“Doesn’t feel the same? Do you pay attention to him at all?” Twilight couldn’t hold it in. They were so close! If only Cadence were here, she’d have this all worked out already.

“What do you mean? He’s pretty much the same he’s always been.” Story looked out the window and sighed. Blaze treated her the same way he always had, which wasn’t a bad way to be treated. Blaze treated her like a sister, and right now it was super annoying. 

“He’s always treated you like this?” Twilight put the book down, “Always been there for you? Always protected you? Always put his own life in harm’s way for you?”

“More or less. This was the first time his life was in danger, which I feel awful about.” Story resisted the temptation to hide under her hooves.

“Story,” Twilight put a hoof on her friend’s shoulder, “I’m not a romance expert, but I think Blaze treats you better than most stallions even think about treating mares.”

“You don’t have to tell me how amazing he is.” Story knew. Blaze had always been amazing. His stories of finding things could be made into novels. Or the best bed time stories ever for their- Story stopped herself. She’d never daydreamed this much before. 

“I’m not trying to-“ Twilight was now resisting the urge to face hoof. “Does he treat all mares the same way he does you?”

“Um,” Story had to think, how many mares had she actually seen Blaze interact with? “Well,” she continued, “Not when we were younger, but I really haven’t seen him with that many mares.”

“Really? He’s never dated anypony else?” Twilight hoped Story was thinking about this. How could she not see it? 

“He’s not in Canterlot as much as you would think. Most of his cases take him out of-“

“How does he treat your friends?” Twilight knew Story could talk about Blaze as much as the two of them could talk about the library. 

“My friends?” Story blushed, for a very different reason. “I never really had any close mare friends. Blaze was my best friend growing up. I mean I had a few mare friends here and there, but most of that was years ago in school.”

Twilight started to laugh. She should have been friends with Story long ago. They had so much in common. “I can relate.” Story started laughing too. They calmed down once the other passengers started glaring at them. 

“Still, Story, I think you should tell Blaze.” Twilight smiled, “You’ll only beat yourself up until you do”

“I-I can’t, not yet.” Story hung her head, “I want this to be over first. I don’t want to start a relationship like this.”

“This may be your best chance.” Twilight didn’t want to consider the possibility that somepony wouldn’t come back from this, but it could happen. 

“I know, but I think I need a few more answers first. I want Blaze to know who I really am before we become and ‘us.’ Story glanced back out the window at the mountainside. 

“Hey, who you really are is you. Who your parents are isn’t going to change who you are.” Twilight saw Story smile. “If you don’t think now is the right time to tell Blaze, I won’t make you. I just want you to know that Blaze probably won’t care how all of this ends up.”

Story chuckled, but it only managed to sound dry. “Wait ‘til he finds out the unicorn who tried to kill us might be my father.”

“I’m sure it won’t matter to- wait. What?”


***

Rarity was seated in a booth in the dining car. She was on her way to Stalliongrad to meet with a tailor who had a brilliant fabric that was superlight and warm, but he would only sell to ponies he’d actually met. 

At the moment, however, she was waiting for Spike. The baby dragon had followed her into the dining car, and then gone to get something, and never come back. Rarity had been glad to find that Twilight, Storybook, and Blaze were going to be on the train as well. A three day train trip with no pony you knew would be dreadful. 

Rarity looked up and saw Blaze sit down in the booth across from her. He looked distressed and a little grumpy. Rarity had learned he hated traveling by train, but this seemed to be something more. There was only one way to find out. 
She walked over to the stallion, “Why is such a handsome stallion sitting alone?” Rarity used her most flirtatious voice, and fluttered her eyelashes. Blaze didn’t even blink. Just as she supposed. This was about Story. “Blaze!” Rarity saw him jump a little. 

“Rarity! For Celstia’s sake, don’t sneak up on ponies!” Blaze moved over, and Rarity sat down.

“A lady does not sneak up on ponies. Just as a gentlecolt should pay more attention to ladies.” Rarity raised an eyebrow at him. 

“Sorry, I was thinking.” Blaze turned to the window.

“Yes, probably about a lovely golden-yellow mare?”  Rarity fluttered her eyelashes at him.  “Hmmm?” 

“How do you know these things?” 

“Feminine intuition, darling. But I sense that your thoughts are not happy.” Rarity stared at him. 

“It’s nothing.” Blaze pretended to look at the menu. Typical stallion. Rarity rolled her eyes. 

“Blaze, darling, there is no point in avoiding the question.” 

“It’s just- she’s so, so- distant.” Blaze felt like an idiot. A huge idiot. Talking about this wouldn’t fix it. 

“Distant?” Rarity thought for a moment, “Well, she has been through a lot lately.”

“It shouldn’t bother me. It just-“

“Just what, darling?”

“I almost died.” Blaze lowered his head. “I thought maybe-“ It was dumb. Nearly dying didn’t necessarily mean Story would fall head over heels, but wasn’t how this was supposed to work? Not that he’d been thinking about this while nearly dying.

“I see. Blaze, have you considered that perhaps Story is feeling guilty?” Rarity took his menu, “She probably feels that all of this is her fault, and that perhaps you should not have needed to risk your life.”

“I guess.” Blaze sighed, “But it’s not her fault. I was the one who brought her down there. I put her life in danger. I only did what I did to protect her.”

Rarity smiled. She wished there were some stallion out there willing to die for her, but this was not the time for daydreaming. “I think she knows that, Blaze. Give her time.” 

Blaze took a deep breath, “I’ve just waited so long already.”

“Why did you wait?” Rarity really didn’t need to know this, but she really, really wanted to, “I can see why you’re not telling her now, but why not earlier.”

“I’m not sure.” Blaze went back to staring out the window. “I guess I didn’t want to mess up what we had.” 

“I think all of this will work out fine.” Rarity coiffed her mane, and pouted putting on a show, “And I might put in a good word for you, if you’re nice to me.” She winked and Blaze laughed. 

“Hey!” Spike’s voice came from below. The two ponies looked over the edge of the table at him. “Is he bothering you Rarity?”

“Oh, not at all Spike.” Rarity gestured to the seat across from them, “Come have a seat. I was just giving Blazefinder some romantic advice.” 

Spike spent the next two days glaring intently at Blaze.


***

“Finally!” Blaze practically jumped off the train, “Stalliongrad.” He took a few steps away from the train and spread his wings. Three days on a train was torture. Everything was too small on trains. 

“It’s nice to see you in a good mood.” Story smiled as she walked out as well. “And it is nice to be out in the fresh air.”

“Cold fresh air.” Spike shivered.  “Why is there a town up here?” Stalliongrad was positioned east of Canterlot and had a high elevation. The town itself was not large, and the majority of inhabitants descended from the original founders on at least one side. They were very proud of their city.

“The ponies who founded this town originally came from the Hooviet Union.” Story lowered her head to Spike’s. “It’s much further north than Equestria, and colder. When those ponies came here they chose someplace like home.”

“Don’t the pegasi control the weather?” Spike asked as he shivered. Story pulled out an extra scarf. She wrapped it around the little dragon. 

“The weather yes, the climate no.” Story smiled at the tiny dragon. He reminded her of the many foals who often came to the library for story time. Her grandfather once joked that they should call it “Story’s Time,” because the foals all loved hearing her tell stories so much. Story loved it too. She’d loved how involved all the foals got. They’d yell at the villains and give advice to the heroes. Their little faces would express so many things in a matter of seconds. 

“What’s the difference?” Spike shivered less now. Story didn’t think it was really that cold, not much colder than fall in Canterlot anyway. Spike was probably cold because he was cold-blooded. 

“Well, basically, different places are colder or hotter based on where they are.” Story noticed the rest of the group walking. “Hop on and I’ll explain” The little dragon climbed on her back. He would probably be warmer too.

Story followed Blaze, Twilight and Rarity, as she explained to Spike why it was cold. Twilight was rather impressed that Story was able to hold Spike’s attention so long. Normally he would have stopped paying attention as soon as science was involved. 
Blaze, Rarity, and Twilight also noticed the chill in the air. It wasn’t quite cold enough for a coat, but the three all pulled scarves out of their saddle bags. The group walked along the streets of Stalliongrad. The city was surprisingly beautiful, Twilight had read about it, but seeing it was different. 

The oldest buildings were all topped with tear shaped domes, painted bright, contrasting colors, some even covered in precious metals. The molding on the windows, buttresses and door frames was detailed with tiny shapes, layered over each other in a colorful display of artistry and skill. There were some buildings with carvings of ponies and recognizable images, but most were a wonderful assortment of shapes and colors. The towers that rose from the buildings, topped with the same domes, were so ornamented the ponies wondered if they actually had any rooms inside. Some were so short, it seemed that they were built only to show that they could be built.

As the group followed Blaze, who had the map, they wandered out of the historic part of the city that was filled with the museums, libraries and even a few famous homes, and into the part where most ponies lived. Here, much to everyone’s surprise, the houses and apartments were just as lovely. They were simpler shapes, flat roofs, fewer, almost no, towers. There was little intricate molding as well. 

Instead the buildings were painted. Stylized flowers surrounded by unfolding leaves and smaller blooms covered nearly every door. The walls were a deep red hue with the edges painted to mimic the molding on the bigger, older buildings. 

Rarity was taking careful note of all of the décor and patterns. She would have to take some time to sketch while she was here. The group stopped at the hotel where they were all booked. Rarity was sort of disappointed that Twilight had refused the Governor’s offer for them to stay at the old palace, but this hotel was so much closer to everything the group was actually doing, which was not sightseeing. 

“It looks a lot like Canterlot, only with more colors.” Blaze looked around him. He was just glad they were here. 

“The Architecture in Canterlot was inspired partly by the workings of the old Hooviet Empire.” Twilight answered this time, “Before the royals were driven out.” 

“I’d love to see the old empire.” Rarity sounded like she was dreaming, “It must be fabulous. This city is gorgeous.” Rarity looked at the others as they nodded in agreement. It was then that Rarity noticed Blaze’s scarf. It was positively ratty. 

“Well, most of that got destroyed. Stalliongrad looks more like the old Empire than the Hooviet Union does today.” Story let Spike off her back as they entered. Once they got through the door, Story was surprised to see Blaze’s scarf floating off surrounded by blue magic. 

“Hey! That’s-“ Blaze protested and reached up to grab it.

“Positively horrid.” Rarity inspected it closely, pulling out of Blaze’s reach. “It’s so old, and I don’t think this is the original color.” Story looked at the scarf from next to Rarity. 

“Blaze, is this the one I got you?” She raised an eyebrow.

“Yeah.” Blaze answered.

“When I was nine?” 

“Maybe.” Now he blushed a bit, catching the looks the mares were giving him.

“You never got another one?” Story used her magic and took it from Rarity, “Why? Is this even warm anymore?” She held up a portion with a large hole.

“I never thought about it. I’ll go check us in.” Blaze crossed the lobby to the receptionist’s desk in record time. 

“I think I may have to get him a new scarf while we’re here.” Story put the ratty old on in her saddle bag. In some ways it was cute, that he’d kept it so long. She felt silly that it made her happy. Blaze must have gotten cold enough to at least think of replacing it. 

“Story, I just now realized that you don’t have a scarf.” Rarity opened her saddle bag, “I must have another here.” She levitated out four, each a different color or pattern. “Let’s see, the blue one might blend in to your mane, and the stripes don’t work with yellow, and-“

“Rarity, I have a scarf. It’s pink.” Story levitated it out of her bag, “And new.”

“Weren’t you cold?” Twilight put her own scarf in her bag, before Rarity could notice how old it was. 

“Not really. It’s only fall.” Story put her scarf back, after it got a nod from Rarity. “I don’t get cold easily. But don’t worry, I packed scarves and a coat and even boots. I wasn’t sure how long we’d be here, so I’m ready for winter.”


***

The next day found Rarity deep in business discussions, Spike following her to “help,” and the others walking up to a bedraggled apartment building.

“Are we sure this is where he lives?” Blaze looked at the girls, then back to the section of wall with the plaster falling out. 

“This is the right address.” Story compared the numbers on the buildings to the ones written on the paper she was levitating. Story walked up to the door and rapped on the splitting, rotting wood. There were only a few traces of the painted pattern remaining. 
A loud creak was followed by the appearance of an older mare, her main covered by a scarf tied under her chin. Her scowl offset her grandmotherly appearance. 

“Vhat? You here for room? Zher is no room. Go avay.” She started to shut the door.

“Wait, babushka, we aren’t here for a room.” Story used the politest voice she could, knowing that Stalliongrad ponies put a lot of stock in respecting your elders. 

“Vhat zhen?” The old mare’s voice cracked. 

“We’re here to see someone, a professor who rents from you.” Story smiled at the older woman. “He should be expecting us.” Well, Story hoped he’d be expecting them, he’d never actually responded.

“Professor?” The mare glared at her.

“Yes, Professor Emeritus. I think his full name is Scholar Emeritus.” Story continued to smile, “If you could show us his room, Babushka that would be very helpful.”

“Zhat pony? I take you. Maybe you get him to leaf.” The mare opened the door and started walking. Story, Blaze, and Twilight followed. The old earth pony mare mumbled in the Hooviet language. 

“Why would one of the most lauded professors in Equestria retire to this place?” Twilight stepped over the curled edge of the rug. The building was dark and crowed, only a couple of stories tall, but it must have had seventy apartments.   

The landpony led them up a narrow set of stairs. Blaze was tempted to fly after he actually stepped through one. Twilight carefully avoided the hole. Every step they took sounded like a dog slowly biting a squeaky toy. Just as they thought the stairs would collapse, the next floor was spotted. It didn’t feel any sturdier after they stepped on to it. The landpony stopped at the third door in the hallway. 

“Zhis is him. Good luck.” She started mumbling again as she walked past them back to the stairs. What was this? Story knocked on the door. Nothing happened, so she knocked again, only louder. As she pounded on the door, it swung open. 

“Oh My.” Story stared at the labyrinth in front of them. Columns of paper stood from floor to ceiling, leaving just enough room for a pony to walk through. There were also boxes, shovels, crates, globes, and other objects littering the floor. “Professor?” The professor was the one thing they didn’t see. 

Story, partly against her better judgment, took a step into the crowded apartment, which had probably been roomy at first. She heard the others follow her, careful not to disturb the precarious stacks.  “Professor Emeritus?” She called again. The room was strangely void of actual furniture. She couldn’t even make out a kitchen, or a bedroom door in all the clutter. She turned down a path between two walls of paper. At the end was the back of a large chair. She started walking towards it. 

“Professor, um are you here?” Story began walking around the chair. “I’m Story, we sent you a letter. Are you- EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!”

Blaze heard Story scream and ran towards the noise, knocking over a few piles of paper. What if the ponies after Story had already gotten to the Professor? What if they were still here?

“Story, are you-“ Blaze stopped as he reached Story’s side. Her wide eyes were aimed at a big, probably old, stuffed chair. Story had started taking very deep breaths. 

In the chair was an articulate pony skeleton. Was that the professor? That seemed impossible. Blaze leaned over closer. He sniffed it. 

“Plaster.” Blaze heard Story let out a sigh of relief. This was not the professor, though this place was a hazard to ponies’ health.

“ACH! What have you done to my files?” An older unicorn appeared from around another stack of paper. His horn started to glow and a pile of papers restacked. Then he glared at Blaze. “Who are you? What do you want? Get out! Out! Out!” He started trying to push Blaze out, but the feeble strength of the older, cardigan clad unicorn was no match for Blaze’s sheer size. 

“Professor, we came to speak with you. You didn’t answer the door.” Story calmed down enough to speak. 

“That-“ He kept trying to push Blaze, “-is no reason to invade somepony’s home.” He gave another shove, “My dear sir, could you do me the favor of removing yourself?” He looked up at Blaze. 

“No. We need to speak with you.” Blaze gestured his head towards Storybook. “I’m Blaze, this is-“

“Storybook! Why, it’s been over eighteen years since I saw you.” The Professor leaned in very close to Storybook.

“You actually recognize me?” She leaned away. She hadn’t been sure if he would. But right now he was in her personal space. 

“Of course. My memory isn’t what it used to be, but I couldn’t forget finding you.” The Professor looked into the chair, “Oh, heavens, is that where I put that old relic?” He levitated the skeleton out of the room, and sat down in his chair. “I’m sorry it frightened you.” 

“Its ok, I’m a little more jumpy than normal.” Story looked around for a place to sit. “We came to see you about, well, about me, actually.”

“Yes, I think I got a letter, one from a Princess Twilight Sparkle. I didn’t assume that anypony would be coming all the way out here personally.” The professor levitated two crates over into the small space around the chair. 

“Where is Twilight?” Blaze asked as he sat on the crate. He hadn’t seen her since Story screamed. 

“Right here.” She deadpanned and glared, a few pieces of paper stuck to her coat, and a few more to Spike and one was impaled by her horn. “Your wild careening knocked a giant wall of paper on top of me!” 

“Sorry.” Blaze stared at the floor. Twilight shook and levitated the paper off of her, and Professor Emeritus brought over a third crate. 

“I apologize that there is so little furniture. I’ve been a bit pre-occupied with a translation the past few years.” The professor gestured to all of the stacks of paper around them. “Ancient pony epics tend to be, ah, epic.” 

“So, Storybook, what questions did you have for me?” The professor looked over at her.

“Well, ah, quite a bit has happened recently.” Story glanced over at Blaze and Twilight, “And the short story is that I need to know who I am.” 

“I may not be as much of a help as you thought. Surely you know I only found you in the ruins south of here.” Professor Emeritus rubbed his chin. “I spent years trying to determine how you ended up in that chamber. There were only a million dead ends.”

“I’m aware of that, but we’ve found other clues.” Story pulled the journal out of her saddle bag, and opened it to the page with the symbol on it. “The first is this. Did this symbol appear in the ruins at all?” The professor leaned closer to inspect it.

“I don’t believe so, but there were several places that looked like a carving had been intentionally destroyed. That might be what you’re looking for.” The Professor looked around, “I should have sketches here somewhere.” 

“Could we just see the ruins?” Blaze asked, not wanting to be the cause of another collapse. Twilight and Story both nodded.

“Yes, I think some of my old excavation crew may be able to help us.” The professor levitated a book over to them. “I’ll contact some of them. We can get an expedition together.” 

“That sound excellent!” Story smiled. “Thank you for helping us Professor.” 

“Please, it’s no trouble at all. I was wondering when I would meet you, as an adult.” The Professor smiled, “I am glad to see your parents kept the name I gave you.”

“You named me?” Story cocked her head. This couldn’t be possible, one more thing that she’d thought came from her parents.

“Well, yes.” The professor started flipping through the book, seemingly unconcerned. 

“Why Storybook?” Blaze actually asked the question, because Story looked a little shocked.

“A foal abandoned in a cave, discovered by explorers, it sounded so much like the beginning of a storybook, that I decided it should be. So Storybook it was.” The Professor gave his explanation without so much as looking up.

“So, even my name-“ Story put her head in her hooves, “Is anything about me real?” 

“You are real.” Blaze got off his crate and nuzzled Story. “Nothing that happens changes who you are. It just adds to it.” 

“You’re sweet.” Story looked up and nuzzled him back. The professor leaned over to Twilight. 

“How long have those two been dating?” He whispered.

Twilight was tempted to answer ‘their whole lives,’ but she refrained, even though it was true. “It’s complicated.”


***

In the street below Professor Emeritus’ apartment, one hooded stallion hid in the shadows between buildings. He ignored the ponies passing by his narrow alley, knowing they couldn’t see him. He was more concerned with the gathering in the apartment above. He’d used the tunnels in the mountains to follow them here from Canterlot. It had taken him a whole extra day to reach them, he was still too weak to teleport. He disliked getting old. 

He feared what was happening in the apartment above him. If his treasure decided to return to the old ruins, she would be in terrible danger, but he had no right to stop her. She probably believed little better of him than she did of the others. They were the ones after her. His only desire had been to protect her. He’d nearly failed that day in the mines, and why he’d saved that Pegasus he’d never really know.

The door to the building creaked open and the hooded unicorn stepped out to see if it was them. It was. His treasure and the Pegasus, and their friend, one of the alicorn princesses he’d been taught were pure myth. There were so many things that his teachers had been wrong about. At first he’d been furious that his treasure had to be raised away from her family, but over time he realized how much happier she was here that he had ever been, save a few precious times. Now he only wished to keep her happy, and was truly sorry he couldn’t do the same for her brother.  

> The Ruins
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It. Was. Cold. Story wore her heaviest coat and a scarf and a warm hat, but she could still feel the chill in the air. Stalliongrad winters were the worst. They hadn’t even planned to be here this long, but the expedition had been delayed by one thing after another. First finding a crew, then the weather, then Blaze caught a cold, then the Professor caught his cold, and now they were waiting for one last stallion to finish eating his lunch before they could continue.

“Are we all quite ready now?” Professor Emeritus glared at one brown-red earth pony stallion, who grinned.

“Sorry Comrade, Not as young as I used to be.” The stallion let out a deep laugh. This stallion was one of the original expedition crew to the ruins. He had introduced himself with a long Hooviet name, but then told everyone to call him Digger. He tossed the remains of his lunch into the woods. 

“Yes well, let’s get moving shall we?” The professor began walking, the light snow on the path crunching beneath his hooves. They had flown halfway to the ruins by hot air balloon, but the dense woods at the base of the mountain, where the entrance to the ruins lay, was too difficult for a balloon to land in. The only place colder than where they were now, had been up in the balloons.  Story shivered as they started walking again. Blaze and Twilight had flown on a head with the few other pegasi in the group. They were hauling all the camping gear. Well, Blaze and the other stallions were, Twilight had mostly scrolls and quills. Rarity had volunteered to watch Spike, and he had rather happily returned to Ponyville with her, and four suitcases full of fabric.

Story wished Blaze were here. She could walk next to him and they could share heat. He was always warm after he flew. It was something about the Pegasus magic that kept them warm while flying and doing cold-weather duty. 
Laughter came from ahead of her. The native Stalliongrad ponies did not seem at all bothered by the cold. Some seemed to be enjoying it. They were laughing about something in Hooviet. Probably her and Professor Emeritus’ large coats.  The professor’s was bigger though, and bright green. Rarity would have had a fit. Story had a little fun imagining it for a while during the hike down the mountain.

“So, Blue stallion, is your…” Digger appeared next to Story, with a few of the others gathered around too. His question drew her from a mental image of Rarity desperately searching Stalliongrad for a suitable winter coat. 

“Friend.” Answering made Story feel oddly sick to her stomach. That was no longer the answer she wanted to give. She wished she had plucked up the courage to talk to Blaze while they were preparing. She’d certainly thought about it. But it turned out it took all her courage just to give him the new scarf. 

Digger laughed deeply, and so did all the others around her. What was so funny?

“Friend!” Digger said more in Hooviet and the laughter only got louder and more rancorous. “Zhat stallion is wanting more than friend, I zhink.” Digger winked at her. “Glasses must make blind see, not make more blind.”

“I see just fine! And I think Blaze-“ She was cut off by more laughter. This was humiliating. Really humiliating. At least being surrounded by the group made it warmer. Or maybe that was just the blood rushing to her cheeks. 

“HA!” Digger waved a canteen around, “Tonight we give you both zhis! See how long is ‘just friends!’” Story did not want to know what was in that canteen. She’d heard about Stalliongradian alcohol, but she did not want to try it now. Maybe not ever.

“No!” The Professor shouted, “I should take that away from the lot of you. Really. This is an expedition, for research, not a pleasure cruise.” His comments only got more laughter from the crew. 

Story tried to ignore the joking stallions around her. She concentrated on the steadily deepening woods around them. There were mostly evergreens here, but deeper into the valley there would likely be the bare trees that just a few weeks ago had the beautiful fall leaves. The running of the leaves didn’t traverse the mountains, so the leaves were left to fall on their own, once the weather turned cold. There were no birds, but Story wished at least a few could be heard so she wouldn’t have to listen to Digger and his crew. 

Something fluttered in the corner of her eye. She turned, but didn’t see anything. Maybe a bird or two had gotten left behind. Story got the shivers again, but not from the cold. She couldn’t shake the feeling that they were now being watched. 


***

The master and his apprentice gazed both watched the magical images of the Lost One as she inched her way closer to the ruins. 

“Perfect, all according to plan.” The master chuckled. “Is everything ready?”

“Yes, Dominus.” The apprentice nodded, “as soon as she is in the chamber, we can retrieve her.”

“Good, good. Then will be the time to rid ourselves of that Pegasus.”

“What shall we do about the others?”

“The same.”

“But Domius, one of them is an Alicorn. Surely the Equestrians will notice?” The apprentice wondered at the wisdom of this. 

“I hope so. Then the weak rulers will know our power.” The master grinned. 


***

Blaze paced around the campsite. It was taking for ever for the walking group to arrive. Thousands of terrible scenarios ran through his mind. Maybe they were lost, or Story’s crazy stalkers had kidnapped them, or that crazy unicorn could be back, just to name a few. 

“I’m flying back to check on them.” Blaze spread his wings.

“Blaze, I know you’re worried, but they are fine.” Twilight looked up from the diary. She glanced at the sun. “They still have time before we are supposed to go looking for them.”

“But if we wait till then-“

“They are fine.” Twilight rolled her eyes. “Besides, Story is doing what they wanted her to do. Find them, remember, why would they hurt her now?”

“We were searching for answers in the mine when we both nearly died.” Blaze glared at Twilight. “I’m not sure I really trust whoever it is that’s after Story.”

“That’s probably wise, but I’m sure that she’s fine.” Twilight gave a short chuckle, “And I’m the one who freaks out over nothing.”

Blaze grumbled but didn’t fly off. Twilight was probably right. Story was fine. Blaze devoted his energy to setting up the camp. He did keep a close watch on the sun, it seemed to crawl across the sky. Blaze and the two other pegasi built the camp around Twilight, who seemed to be engrossed in the journal. By the time the camp was finished, Twilight had made a large dent in the journal and it was nearly sunset. 

“Ok. Now I’m going after them.” Blaze opened his wings. 

“No need, my boy.” Professor Emeritus appeared from the trees. A group of very jolly ponies followed, and an exhausted looking Story was at the rear. Blaze walked up to her.

“Are you alright?” Blaze looked her over. She seemed fine, only despondent, and tired. 

“Yeah, just don’t drink anything Digger gives you.” 


***

Twilight stretched and shook her wings. She was still sore from spending the night on the ground, after a very long flight. And an interesting evening, during which both Story and Blaze seemed to be avoiding each other, and Digger, who seemed to find the whole thing hilarious. Twilight didn’t even want to know. 

Now they were all gathered at the worn stone arch that was the entrance to the ruins. Twilight would have assumed it was just another cave, if it weren’t for the assurance of Professor Emeritus that this was indeed the entrance. Once they all went under the arch, the crew lit lanterns to see, and Twilight, Story, the Professor and the other unicorns lit their horns. 

The inside looked much more like something that was built. The hollowed out cavern had buttresses and the pillars with patterns of vines and flowers long extinct. It was impressive. Twilight noted the lode stones and the possible ways it was built. It seemed that there was only one way this could have been constructed: magic. 

The walls were covered with carvings of ponies, unicorns actually, but they were worn down and it was hard to tell what they were supposed to be doing. Twilight thought of Clover’s journal. She’d managed to tell the professor what she’d learned, but Story and Blaze had been too busy trying not to fall into Digger’s hooves for her to tell them.

Apparently there had been a group of unicorns that broke off from the kingdom of unicorns just as they were making the initial trade agreements that would eventually fall apart and lead to the founding of Equestria. These unicorns thought that they could write spells to control the weather and grow food. They had left the land of the unicorns to find a place to prove themselves right. At least that’s what Starswirl told Clover before she left. The symbol that they had seen in the library, and on the tapestry might be the symbol of the group. Starswirl hadn’t actually divulged that piece of information.  

“This was clearly the main meeting hall.” Professor Emeritus was giving the grand tour at the moment. “My last excavation showed that there were a few ponies living in the mountain, but there were many more living just outside. There were several house mounds found.” He trotted into the next chamber. 

“Here we start to enter the corridors that lead to private chambers and further along there is another smaller meeting chamber.” The professor was moving at quite a clip. “Here you can also see a few of the places where carvings were blasted off.” There was a large patch of rough stone where the rest of the wall was relatively smooth.

Blaze leaned in closer. “These weren’t blasted, at least not with magic. I’d say they were taken off with a pick, or maybe even just smashed a bunch of times.”

“What in Equestria would lead you to that conclusion?” The professor looked up at Blaze indignantly. Blaze shook his head.

“Magic blasts leave a circular crater, with the crack line radiating out from the center. These don’t follow that pattern. They seem to be all over the place.” Twilight looked again. Blaze was right. This was done by something besides magic. The real question was why.

“Well then. I’ll consider that later.” The professor started walking again. “The chamber where I found Storybook is quite deep in the mountain.” The professor moved at a quick pace, forcing the others to move quickly. Blaze rolled his eyes, but followed the professor. 

They moved deeper into the caves, Professor Emeritus pointing out odd bits of knowledge here and there, usually aimed in Blaze’s direction. Twilight kept her mouth shut, lest the professor try to prove he was smarter than her. That might not end well. 

Story on the other hand was mostly unaware of the professor’s bruised ego. She still felt like she was being watched, and in this place, she didn’t think that was a good thing. She inspected every detail of the path they were on, hoping for a good enough clue to get them out of here. Caves were one of her least favorite places. This one at least was spacious. She didn’t feel quite so claustrophobic here, but every step brought them farther from getting out quickly. But every step might bring them closer to the answers. Story pushed her self forward, and she made her horn light a little brighter. 

“BOO!” 

“EEEK!” Story jumped, and turned around to see Digger behind her. He was having a very good, deep laugh, “You scared me.”

“Filly is jumpy today. Good thing big, strong, blue stallion here. Save you from monsters, yes?” Digger walked passed her, laughing.
She hoped there would be no saving today. Just exploring. She continued as she realized that she was behind everypony else. Even Blaze hadn’t come looking for her yet. She saw the Digger enter a tunnel and started to follow him. 

“Aiieeeughhh!” She heard Digger’s voice come from the cavern, and then heard shouts and screams form the others. Digger must have snuck up on them like he had her a few minutes ago. She smiled kept trotting towards the tunnel. The opening wasn’t large, and a blue light flickered inside. 

“AHHHGGGGHHHH!” That was Blaze, and he did not sound surprised. He sounded like he was in pain. Story raced to the tunnel, entering she found that it wasn’t a tunnel, it was a small cavern. 

And worse, her friends and crew were being attacked by a group of helmeted unicorns. There was one in the back, hooded, who seemed to be the leader. He shouted orders in Ancient unicorn. Several of the crew were unconscious, or worse, and the ones still standing were being blasted by unicorn magic. Twilight was fending off three of them with her unicorn magic, but as another member of the crew fell a fourth joined the ones against Twilight. 

Blaze was still standing, but he looked like he could fall any second. The unicorn aiming at him had a look that asked for blood. Blaze caught sight of her, “Run! Story go!” Blaze fell to his knees. Story took a few steps back. The center unicorn looked at her and spoke. 

“You cannot escape this time Lost One.” He aimed a beam of magic at her. She prepared for impact but instead found herself floating towards the leader. She used her magic and interrupted his spell. Story fell back down to the cavern floor. Her body stung at the impact but she forced herself back to her feet. She looked back over at Blaze, he was on the ground, but trying to get back up. It was happening again, she couldn’t- Blaze, Twilight, Professor Emeritus, even Digger and the crew were all going to die if she didn’t-

“STOP!” She shouted then added in ancient unicorn, “I’ll go with you!” The unicorn’s paused their firing and Twilight collapsed with 
exhaustion. Story couldn’t see any other option where they survived. 

“Story…” Blaze was trying to stand, “Don’t you da-“ he fell again. 

“You will come with us?” The leader took a step closer to her.

“Yes, but only if you spare them.” Story hadn’t noticed her tears until just now, as they hit the cave floor. “Otherwise I’ll stay here and you’ll have to kill me too.”

“Story…don’t” Blaze was only able to lift his head. 

She turned back to him, “I love you. I can’t lose you again.” She looked back at the leader. He nodded and spoke to the others. They surrounded her and walked her over to the leader. 

Blaze pushed himself to his feet, “Don’t! Story!” He cried as a wave of magic surrounded the group. It grew very bright and then they were gone. “Story…” Blaze collapsed.

> Origins
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

He decided to wake the purple alicorn first. She was less likely to try and hurt him after what happened. Still all these ponies were in danger still. His former society was not to be trusted. They may have agreed to the terms to get what they wanted, but they would be back. 

“Princess, wake! No time!” He shook her shoulder gently. “Wake!”

“Hmm? Spike?” She opened her eyes slowly, “What?”

“Not Spike. Danger!” He lit the room with his horn, revealing the others still unconscious, a few of the Stalliongrad guides were slowly waking. 

“Danger?” the alicorn stood, and looked him in the eyes, “Can you see?”

“Yes. Please, wake others, then get out of cave!” He’d been too late to stop his daughter, but he could save her friends. 

“-tory, Story,” The blue Pegasus was waking now, as was the big red earth pony. 

“Why do we need to get out?” The Princess asked as she counted the waking ponies. 

“Others, coming back. Hurry.” He moved to help one of the others up, avoiding the waking Pegasus. He was not yet ready to face him, or explain to his actions. 

“No, Story traded herself for us, they won’t come back.” Blaze stood, shaking off the dust and wincing, but the pain didn’t make it to his eyes. “But I’ll find them.”

The unicorn helping the others wake and stand spoke with his back turned, “No, will come back. They lied.” 

“Why would they lie? They got what they wanted.” Blaze turned to another pony and helped him up. He was building endurance. Good. 

“They cannot be trusted!” He turned, and Blaze saw his eyes.

“You!” Blaze lowered his head and raised his wings. “You nearly killed me, and Story! Why would I trust you?”

“I speak truth. They, much worse.” He backed up, away from the angry, younger stallion.

“Worse than dropping a cave on us?” Blaze walked steadily forward, “Worse than trying to blast us to bits? How do we know you’re not with them? Tricking us? Playing us for foals?” 

The unicorn lit his horn in defense. “I did wrong, but no more. Please, trust.”

“Trust? Give me one reason not to tear you apart.” Blaze had backed him into a wall. 

“He might be Story’s father.” This voice belonged to Princess Twilight. Blaze turned to her.

“You got hit in the head. He tried to kill her.” He sounded more surprised than angry now. 

“I know.” Twilight sounded calm. “Story told me on the train. I think we should get out of the caves for now. Even if they don’t come back, we need to get back to Stalliongrad.”

“Do you really trust him?” Blaze didn’t let the older unicorn go.

“No. We’ll keep a close eye on him until we’re far enough away to hear his story.” Twilight turned to Digger, who was standing. “Can you do that?”

“Yes, Princess. He will stay in my sight.” Digger looked Blaze in the eye, “I can do this if you carry Professor. He is breathing but not awake.”
Blaze nodded and looked back at the unicorn, “You had better be telling the truth.” 


***

Story arrived in a dark place, surrounded by the unicorns she had arrived with. Based on the must and the high humidity, she was yet again in another cave. Sheer wonder at the chances of that overtook her terror for a moment. 

The others around her lit their horns, and revealed a very old bearded unicorn on a tall, wide stalagmite looking down upon them. Next to him was a younger, far more menacing looking unicorn stallion. Theo older one looked right at her. 

“Look!” He shouted, and more horn light filled the cavern, revealing it to be huge, and filled with ponies who were moments ago shrouded in darkness, “The Lost One has returned. Now we may begin our quest to live once again in the Green Lands!” The other ponies, all unicorns by the looks of things, shouted happily, causing multiple echoes in the cavern. The sound was overwhelming, so much so that Story didn’t question what the “Green Lands” were. 

The older unicorn continued to speak, and the crowd continued to cheer, and Story’s ears rang so much that she couldn’t actually hear any of what was being said. The Unicorns who had brought her here still stood around her, there was nowhere or way she could run. 
When the noise stopped at last, darkness also fell again. Story wondered how so many ponies could simply be swallowed up by the darkness. The only light once again was from the older unicorn on the pedestal. He and the other began to descend an unseen staircase, making their light disappear temporarily. Story hesitated to light her own horn, wondering what she would see. 

The light appeared again, and the ponies around Story moved, taking her with them. They followed the light down a narrow tunnel, and stopped before a small cavern, with little more than a rag covering the opening. The older unicorn gestured towards it with his horn. Story was shoved in, and she felt magic wrap around her ankle. The magic extended and embedded itself in a rock. She was now hoofcuffed, there was no running. 

What exactly was their plan? She couldn’t see outside the cavern, except for the light and the movement of shadows. The older unicorn was speaking in hushed tones. The unicorns who had brought her seemed to be agreeing to whatever he said. 

“You can’t! She’ll never trust-“ This voice was new, and spoke loudly. 

“Would you question me, Vetus?” This was the older unicorn again, this time at nearly the volume he had used in front of the crowds.

“No, Dominus.” This new voice sounded angry, but smart enough not to start a fight. 

“Good. Can I trust you to be her keeper?” 

“Yes. I will ensure she wishes to stay with us.” The tone was hard to read, Story was unsure exactly what this meant. She heard the sound of hooves walking away, and lit her horn. As she did, a stallion entered through the ragged curtain. 

“Hello, I –um” He sounded different than a moment ago. Story almost couldn’t put her hoof on why. 

“You’re speaking Equestrian!” A moment ago, and earlier, everyone had been speaking Ancient Unicorn. 

“Yes, we- I thought- it’d be easier if-I mean I learned so I could but-“ He sat down, and looked at her. “You look just like our mother. What I remember of her anyways.”

Story stopped, all her other questions could wait. “Our mother?”

“Yes, I’m your brother. I’ve been waiting to meet you such a long time.” The stallion wrapped her in a hug. “My name is Vetus, but I prefer Relic.” 


**

Everyone was gathered at the location where the balloons had dropped them off. The crazy unicorn had said they would be safe here, until nightfall at least. Twilight had sent a message to the ponies running the balloons to come get them, but they would be a few hours. Blaze decided it was time for some answers. 

The unicorn was tied up to a rock, but Blaze suspected he could get out if he wanted too. Digger was sitting next to him, and Blaze caught Twilight walking over as well. This might have been more fun if she wasn’t going to be there. He wanted to hurt someone at the moment. Twilight glared at him, then turned to the unicorn.

“So, do you have a name?” Twilight asked politely before Blaze could say anything. Did she have any idea what this pony could do? Had she not seen the collapsed tunnels or the scar on his shoulder?

“Valerius, but not in a long time.” He looked at the ground, “You have questions?”

“Yeah, quite a few of them.” Blaze practically spat, “Starting with why you tried to kill me.” 

“Did not see filia, only saw Blue Pegasus and other pony, in secret place.” Valerius looked pitiful, but Blaze didn’t buy it. And what was with the broken Equestrian? He seemed to understand it fine. “Made mistake. Did not know whole cave would fall!” 

“You didn’t cause that.” Twilight sounded reassuring, “I went over all the maps of the mines and the caves, and the damage you did shouldn’t have collapsed the tunnels.” 

“Fine.” Blaze sat, and glowered. Why was Twilight being so nice? This pony had nearly killed him, and Story, and despite all his help, had done nothing to stop her from walking away with the same ponies who had destroyed the library. 

“I think a lot of our questions can be answered if you just start at the beginning.” Twilight looked like she was getting comfortable, and she pulled out a notebook and quill, to take notes. 

“Are you serious? You’re just going to let him talk? We need information, not stories, we need to know if he knows where they are, or what they want with Story. We have to get her back!” Blaze didn’t realize he was shouting until he stopped. 

“Blaze, I know you’re upset, but all of those things might be in the story.” Twilight sounded calm, but Blaze detected the worry in her eyes. “We will find her, and chances are you will do most of the finding.” 

“I know I’ll find her, I just hope it won’t be too late when I do. We have no idea what they want.” A thousand terrible thoughts crossed his mind all at once, each worse than the last. What would he do if they found her dead, or- or worse. What if she did convert and sided with them? Blaze shook his head and looked back at Twilight. “I will not lose her.” 

“Good. Then you find her. I will tell you what I know, if you will listen.” Valerius interrupted, “She will not be harmed. They want trust and loyalty.” 

“Just who are these ponies?” Twilight asked, and Valerius began the tale. 


***

Story pushed away from the stallion. She wasn’t sure what to do. She should be looking for a way to escape, a way to make this stallion help her, even if he didn’t want to. But if this really was her brother, and based on his coloring she suspected it was, he would know where she came from, who her real family was. 

“Please, I won’t hurt you.” He smiled, but didn’t meet her eyes. “I’ve waited a really long time to meet you.” 

“You’re my brother? Do you know how I ended up alone in a sealed chamber?” Story wasn’t sure why here mind went there, but it did. Had her parents wanted her? Had they wanted Relic? 

“I was very young, and I’m not sure I was told the truth, but I can tell you the story I was told.” Relic looked up at the small cavern they were in. “My grandfather was the one who told me. I think that he was telling me all the truth he could.”

“How did you get here?” Story saw Relic’s confused face, “I mean, why do you live in a cave system? I think I’d like to know that first, then you can tell me about my parents.”

“Well, that is a very long story, but I guess I can tell you…”


***

There was a time when three kingdoms prospered. The earth ponies, unicorns, and pegasi all lived apart, without need of aid from each other. Some say this was because of the magic of a fourth kingdom, the alicorns. Some say that it was because of magic lost to us now, and still others believe it was because our world, and ponies needed no magic to survive. 

But after this time forgotten in all but dreams and legends, the sun needed help rising, the rain did not fall, and food became hard to grow, and the three once proud nations found themselves slowly falling into despair. The unicorns needed food and fair weather, while the pegasi needed food and sunlight, and the earth ponies needed sun light and helpful weather to make food. This was the first time any pony could remember that the three tribes needed each other. 

The unicorns were divided on what to do. They could use their magic to take over the other two kingdoms, or they could enter into the agreement proposed, that each kingdom would provide their specialty, in exchange for what they needed. The unicorn king at the time felt it too risky to attempt an attack on the other two kingdoms, so he signed the agreement. 

A group of unicorns decided this was not good enough, that unicorns were intelligent and powerful, and if the other tribes were not to be beneath them, then the unicorns could do without them. They then left in search of a place where the unicorns could become a great nation, without the aid of the other kingdoms. 

They were the first ones to find the fertile land of what you call Equestria. They became my people. For many generations they lived in peace, carving a great city into the mountains. They aided their brothers far away in raising the sun and moon, but were able to live off the land, and had little trouble with the weather. 

Then a new group of unicorns arrived. They came across the city in the mountains, and claimed that the agreement with the other tribes had fallen apart, and their home was destroyed. With them was the princess of the unicorns, and a wise and clever pony named Trifolia. These unicorns were welcomed, and invited to stay, but soon we discovered that they had lied. 

It was not long after when the pegasi and earth ponies arrived, having followed the unicorns. The unicorn princess denied having anything to do with the arrival of the other tribes. Together the unicorns made an attempt to oust the other tribes, but as a sudden and freezing winter came, they found themselves trapped in the mountain city with the remainder of the other two tribes. 

Everything froze, except Trifolia, an earth pony, and a Pegasus. When everything thawed, the leaders of my people realized that they had been tricked, and Trifolia had brought the other tribes. She had been guilty all along. Still, for some reason the unicorns who had come with her, and the other tribes thought that she was a leader worth following, and we were pushed out of our land for disagreeing. As many of our spells were lost, and the lands north of Equestria are cold year round, with no growing seasons, we soon found ourselves hiding deep in the caves of the Northern Mountains. We’ve held out for millennia, but each passing generation grows smaller and smaller. We’ve struggled to survive, alone and forgotten.


***

Twilight thought for a moment when Valerius ended his story. Trifolia? That was ancient unicorn for, for clover! They pony they thought betrayed them was Clover the Clever. The destroyed carvings in the cave were damaged by the ice from the Windegos. It all made sense. 

“Did they take Story to the North Mountains?” Blaze asked, almost excited, “Do you know where?” Twilight almost laughed at the change in his attitude. The prospect of finding Story was appealing, but there were so many more questions to be answered. And the balloons weren’t here yet. 

“They will take here there, but I have not returned in many years,” Valerius looked up at the mountain above them now. “Not home anymore.” 

“Why did you leave? How did Story end up in that sealed chamber?” Twilight asked this time, and noted that Digger had fallen asleep. 

“That is long story too.” Valerius sighed, “And hard to tell. I wish filia was here to hear it.”


***

“I can’t believe there’s no record of this in any books.” Story wondered how such a large piece of history went missing, especially now that she was the head librarian. Why would this have been written out of history?

“I doubt your leader would want you to know her failings.” Relic turned, and stared at the mare in front of him. She was not what he’d expected, except that they shared similar coloring, and she did look like their mother. He’d thought she’d be thinner, but she looked to be healthier than the mares here. Equestria must not be as much of a wasteland as they thought. 

She was also less afraid than he’d imagined. He was supposed to gain her trust, but she didn’t seem to need it. He could tell she was calculating a way out right now, or at least trying to. She was curious about him, her family, and this place, but no story was going to keep her here. There was something in Equestrian worth going back to. 

“Our parents called you Crocea.” Relic saw a look of disbelief and slight disgust. He tilted his head, “What so wrong with it?”

“They named me ‘yellow.’” She rolled her eyes, “Real creative.”

“Better than Vetus,” He smiled, “Who calls a newborn foal ‘old’?” 

“Point taken. I can see why you prefer Relic.” She looked down, “My name is actually Storybook, or just Story.” 

“Well, would you like to hear about the parents who gave us such horrible names?” Relic smiled when she nodded, and began the tale as best he knew.

“Our father was called Valerius. He was one of the best warrior mages in a very long time. He magic was strong, and he was a descendent of our founding Dominus. There was talk about making him the leader of all of our troops. When he became a centurion, the Dominus gave him a wife, Silentia. Avus* told me that our father was obviously in love with her, but that it was less obvious that she loved him. 

"I was their first foal, and everyone was glad their first born was a colt. I don’t remember much about them, but I do remember hearing them laugh and talk, and sitting on Pater’s shoulders. Then you were born.  I was always told that you were kidnapped by the Adamas Canem, the diamond dogs that sometimes give us trouble. They said that our mother got sick after giving birth to you, and passed away, and our father went out to rescue you but never came back. 
"I always believed this story, but I remember vaguely while Mater was pregnant with you, she and Pater had some kind of fight, and it seemed so important, but then, after you were born, it seemed to be over. I don’t know why, but one day not a week after you were born, you and Mater were just gone. Pater seemed angry and worried. He left me with Avus and left. I never saw him again.” 

Relic looked over at his sister again. She seemed truly sad, but she was also biting her lip. Was there something she could add? Or did she know that this was a lie? Relic suspected that the story he’d been told was a lie. Would the Diamond Dogs have taken her to the Equestrians? How did she end up in a sealed chamber? Her presence brought more questions, not answers. 


***

Valerius sighed and looked at Twilight, “My Equestrian may fail. I not tell such long story in Equestrian**.”

“If needed I can translate, though it might take the both of us to get the point across.” Twilight just wanted him to begin. He sighed and took a deep breath. 

“I was a warrior, my wife was Silentia. We had a son, Vetus.” Valerius wiped a tear away. 

“Story has a brother?” Blaze let that sink in a moment, “and he’s still with them?”

Valerius nodded, “Nothing went as I thought it would. When Silentia was carrying Story, or Crocea, as we called her, accusations that Silentia was unfaithful came forth. I knew she did not care for me the same way I cared for her, and so like a fool I believed them. She insisted otherwise. I did not accuse her publicly, hoping she was telling the truth, and I was wrong. 

“When the foal came, I saw that she could only be mine. She bore my color for her coat. I apologized for my rash disbelief of my wife. But others still did not believe her. Though only I could officially accuse her of such a thing, the troops took her to trial when I was gone. Story was two days old, and they left Vetus alone. Our punishments are harsher than they need be, because we could support so little population.
When I returned, they had already killed my innocent wife, and were ready to send my daughter away. Any foal without a father is sent to the top of a mountain to die, as no one will care for them. I was unable to stop them, so I left Vetus with my father, and went myself to that place, but my daughter was not there. I cast a spell of sight, to see my daughter if she lived. I saw her being carried by an Equestrian. 

"We are told many lies about Equestrians where I am from. I feared for my daughter’s life. I did not know that she would be safe and well cared for. I travelled in secret, following her. I did not know what she was brought to the castle for. There in the castle, I wondered at how well they cared for this tiny foal that was not theirs. 

"It was also there that I learned I could never return home. I intended to show myself to your princess, and go back for Vetus. Then I would raise them both as far away from the ponies who had betrayed me as possible. But as I entered the palace I saw a few of my once loyal guard enter her chamber. They were there to kill my daughter. I was going to attack, when one of the princess’s guard defended her. They escaped, but I confronted them outside. 

"I was wounded. The soldiers went back and said I was dead. I knew that I had to protect my daughter. They would come back and finish the job. I watched over her from a distance. I cast a spell over her that made it so a vision spell could not see her, as if she was dead. 

"But I grew old, and my spells were not strong enough. I don’t know how they found out she was alive, or why they want her back now. I am certain that if they wanted her dead they would have killed her already. They need her for something. I know this.” Valerius was in tears at the end of his story.  Twilight and Blaze sat in silence for a while. This was not the story they had expected. Blaze realized that these ponies may want revenge, but how would Story help them achieve that?

> Deal With It
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The inn in a tiny village near the northern most border of Germaniegh was quiet. In the tavern below it the only sounds were a few ponies talking quietly, the clink of utensils and cups, and the sound of pages turning. 

Twilight was buried in the journal. So far it had only confirmed Valerius’ story about how a group of unicorns came to live in the North Mountains. Twilight had taken to calling them the North Mountain Unicorns, or NMU for short. It wasn’t brilliant, but it was sufficient. 

Their rescue party had grown since leaving Stalliongrad a few days earlier. Once assured that Professor Emeritus and the others were going to be alright, Blaze, Twilight, Valerius and Digger had traveled north through Germaneigh. In Marelin they’d met up with Wind Chaser, Rainbow Dash and Spike. Twilight had felt bad asking him to come, after all getting to stay with Rarity was practically a dream come true for him, but he was the best and fastest way to get messages to Canterlot, and she had really been missing him, and the others. Maybe it was watching Blaze be generally miserable that made her want some familiar faces. 

Rainbow Dash and Digger were hoof wrestling at a booth in the corner. The rest were eating quietly. Twilight levitated her roll, took a bite and went back to reading. She managed to knock out another day in the journal. 

BANG! The sound of a plate hitting the table brought Twilight back to the present. She looked up to see Blaze storming out of the inn. What was this? She stood to go confront him, but a wing on her shoulder stopped her. 

“I’ll handle this.” Wind Chaser got up calmly and followed the younger Pegasus. 

Blaze walked in a hurry down the one road in the town, towards the pine forest just outside of the village.  How could they all be so calm? They’d spent two days in this village and barely had the bones of a plan. 

Story had been taken. She was alone and in trouble and every second counted. At least while they were traveling it felt like they were getting closer, doing something. Now they were just sitting, while Story was one day closer to- to whatever they had planned for her. Maybe they were already too late.

“Blaze!” Wind Chaser’s voice echoed behind him. Blaze didn’t turn. He didn’t want to talk, he wanted to hit something. “Blaze!” The older stallion called again. Blaze ignored him. 

Whoosh! Wind and snow flew into Blaze’s face as Wind Chaser landed in front of him. “Blazefinder, I swear I will tell your father!”

“That’s not really a threat anymore.” Blaze tried to go around him, but Wind Chaser was fast for a stallion of his age. “What. Do. You. Want?” Blaze spat. “Why are you worried about me? We need to be finding Story. We need more than a skeleton of a plan. How are you so calm?”

“Because calm is what the situation calls for.” Wind Chaser put a wing on his chest. “And I’m not nearly as calm as I look. They have my daughter for Celestia’s sake.”

“Then why are we still here? What is holding up finding her?” Blaze shouted, “She could be-“ He couldn’t bring himself to say it. He knew she was still alive. He just didn’t know for how long. He took off without waiting for an answer. He flew on Northward. There was no point in wasting time. They’d just have to start looking. He’d just have to start looking. 

Blaze swerved as a grey blur headed right for him. Wind Chaser came back around, but Blaze sped up, and dove into the fog. He put as many trees as he could between himself and Wind Chaser. Ducking and weaving wasn’t really Blaze’s strong point though, and while glancing back, Blaze hit something and tumbled down. 

He landed on his back in the snow. He lay stunned for a moment, and while he was down, Wind Chaser stood over him, standing on Blaze’s feathers, effectively pinning him down. 

“Get off! Story can’t afford for us to waste time.” Blaze didn’t struggle. He was useless without his wings whole. 

“I get it! You’re angry!” Wind Chaser shouted down at him. “I’m angry too. I’m angry at the psychopaths holding my daughter captive. Who are you angry at?” 

“Them! Me! I don’t know.” Blaze barked back. He was angry with Story’s kidnappers, but he was angrier with himself.

“Them I get, why are you mad at you?” Wind Chaser was still shouting and panting. 

“I should have protected her, stopped them. Done whatever it took to keep her from them.” Blaze glared at the standing over him.

“Like die?” Wind Chaser spat. “How would Story feel about that?” 

“Not a captive.” Blaze tried wriggling a little, but the pull on his feathers made him stop. 

“Yeah, you weren’t there after you died.” The words were an angry whisper, with Wind Chaser’s muzzle a few inches from him, the older pegasus’ yellow eyes glaring down at his, “For three days I watched my daughter try to grieve for you. She blamed herself, hardly spoke, barely ate, and never left her room. She’s only ok now because you didn’t actually die.” 

I love you Blaze, I can’t lose you again. That’s what she’d said before they’d taken her. Before she went with them. Sweet Celestia, he was an idiot. 

Wind Chaser sighed, “You can’t be mad at yourself because she didn’t want to lose you.” He stepped off, panting. Blaze stood slowly. Wind Chaser was right. He couldn’t stay mad at himself. It was clouding his judgment. 

“Fine.” Blaze took a few deep breaths. “But we still need to get moving. We don’t know how much time we have.” 

“Yeah, I had a thought about that, but we’ll need to run it by Valerius.” Wind Chaser started walking back to the village. He was still panting, “I now remember why I retired.” 


***

Story couldn’t make sense of the strange ponies who were holding her captive. She was familiar with the villains in storybooks either treating captives like dirt, or holding them in a gilded cage offering luxury in exchange for freedom. 

She was in the middle. She wasn’t in a dungeon, she seemed to be permanently housed with Relic, who at least attempted to make her comfortable. His chambers were smaller than her apartment, but Relic had found a blanket for her, and somehow procured Blaze’s ratty old scarf from where ever it was they’d taken her saddle bags. 

They were trying to earn her trust. But so far they’d been doing a pretty rotten job. No pony had hurt her while she was here, but they’d destroyed her library and threatened her family, and then nearly killed her friends. No amount of sweet talking or family connections would keep her here. Blaze would find her. 

She hoped. She couldn’t undo the magic that attached her to the rock, so escaping on her own was unlikely, and she had no idea where she was, except in a cave. A rescue might be her only hope. She refused to lose that hope. Even if Blaze couldn’t or wouldn’t save her, her dad would come. 

Right now, Relic was gone, presumably doing his job. Relic was the caretaker of the last treasures of this sorry society. Story was alone in the small room lit by a magical fire burning in a stone bowl suspended from the ceiling. 

She wondered if this was supposed to make her feel lonely. It was working. She held the tattered scarf between her hooves and tried not to miss home as much as she did. This was just an adventure. It would be over soon. She’ be home, re-reading a favorite books in no time. Maybe even curled up next to Blaze. 

Why had she confessed? It was stupid! And it was so not what she should be worrying about right now. She wished she’d gotten an answer. Then at least she’d know. She nuzzled the scarf. It smelled like Blaze. She’d never really noticed that he had a scent, but now she missed it. She also missed the way her books smelled and hearing her Mom’s voice. It’d literally been months since she’d talked to her family. Had she really said a proper goodbye? 

She tried levitating the rock again, with no success. It was too big. She wondered if she could levitate the magic chain around her ankle. It didn’t seem possible to move magic with magic, but Twilight wasn’t here to tell her otherwise, so she tried it any ways. 
The chain lifted, so Story pulled on it. It did not come loose from the rock. She used her magic to tug harder on the chain. When someone did come for her, it was important that she knew if she could be detached. 

She pulled harder, and felt the chain pull out from the rock ever so slightly. Excited she twisted the chain. It turned, and came just a little looser. Not enough to pull out, but if she kept working, she just might escape without a rescue. 
The tattered curtain rustled and Story dropped her magic. Relic walked into the room, and smiled at her. He at least seemed to want nothing more than to get to know her, and maybe convince her to stay. 

“Dominus would like to speak with you.” Relic sighed, “I was hoping we’d get to talk more about Equestria. It seems we were quite wrong in our estimations of life there.” 

“Well, most ponies are pretty happy.” Story was actually beginning to hope that Relic could come back with her. He was nice, and Story caught him looking at her with something like amazement, and a hint of sadness. 

“Were you?” Relic cast a spell on the magical manacle and now Story was hoofcuffed to him. He looked sorry to be doing it. “You’ve told me a lot about Equestria, but not much about yourself.”

Story had done that on purpose. She didn’t want to shut Relic out, but she wasn’t sure she could trust him. She didn’t know who he’d tell, or what others might do with information. “I was very happy.” She didn’t elaborate. There were still too many unanswered questions. And there was still the library. The ponies who had ordered that would face their reckoning. 

Relic began leading the way out of the room. Story stayed close to him, but the chain didn’t seem to be in the way. “That cloth I pulled out of the bag, is it special?” Relic asked softly. They passed a set of guards at the entrance to a tunnel, or a room. 

“Yes. How did you know to get it?” Story had been wanting to ask. 

“It just looked like something we might actually have. Your Equestrian textiles are quite impressive.” Relic looked around him. They passed a thin, weary looking mare, with a young foal on her back. Relic stopped for a moment, causing Story to trip on the hoof cuff. 

“Ow!” She looked up at Relic, who was still in a daze. After a moment he looked down, and offered Story a hoof.

“I’m sorry. I got lost in thought.” Relic continued walking, and Story noticed that his eyes were glistening. What was this about?

Relic turned down a tunnel, and it opened up into a larger chamber. There was a table carved out of stone and the older, bearded unicorn known as Dominus, was seated behind it, and on his left was the pony Story now knew was Dominus apprentice. 

“Welcome Lost One! We trust you have been bonding with your brother?” He sounded friendly, too friendly. Story remained silent. He spoke in Ancient Unicorn, and he must know she understood. It unnerved her that they knew so much about her. 

“Please, come sit.” The apprentice spoke, now that she could see him better, he looked older than her and Relic. Maybe ten years or so older. Still, he was much younger than his teacher. His roughly cut yellow mane stood out against his dark green coat. Relic nudged Story in the direction of the offered seat, and followed her to the seat next to him. 

Food was levitated in by a few thin ponies. So far everypony but the guards, and Dominus were the kind of thin that could worry doctors in Equestria. Relic seemed a little better, but not quite like someone who grew up on Equestrian fare. 

The food placed before Story and the others was the same horrible stuff that she’d been served for the past few days. It seemed to consist of  mashed up mushrooms and salt, and maybe some kind of grain. Story had never particularly liked mushrooms, but now she never wanted to eat them again. The others began eating, and Story followed, and tried not to make her dislike show. 

Story hardly touched the bowl in front of her, and the others ate in silence. They were all aware of the reason she was called here. This was the point in the kidnapping where she found out what they wanted from her. She doubted it was just because they missed her. As the other bowls emptied, Dominus cleared his throat. 

This was the first time she’d gotten a good look at him. The first time they’d met both he and his apprentice had been hooded. Dominus looked old enough to be her grandfather or great grandfather. His coat was a dark red, but his mane was completely grey, and his muzzle was worn and wrinkled. His eyes were completely milky, and she wondered how well he saw. Just like the unicorn in the mines. She wondered if that really was Valerius. 

“You must be wondering why you are here.” Dominus voice slid out and around Story. She didn’t respond. “I take it you can see the state we are in.” He waved a hoof towards the skinny serving ponies. 

“We suffer, Lost One.” The apprentice spoke. 

“I have a name.” Story was tired of being “Lost One.” She hadn’t been lost until she’d been kidnapped. 

“Yes, I apologize. Vetus, what did your parents call her?” Dominus cleverly didn’t ask what she’d been called in Equestria.

“Crocea.” Relic answered without much emotion. He seemed to be at odds with his leaders, but not enough to make him rebel publically. Or maybe he thought he couldn’t. 

“Yes, that was it.” Dominus nodded, “We are able to grow little in these mountains, and barely make enough to keep going.” Story suspected this sob story was true. The few ponies she’d seen were underfed. 

“What does this have to do with me? Sounds like you’d be better off with one less mouth to feed.” Story tried not to glare at Dominus. He wanted her to trust them. Giving away her anger might make him retaliate. 

“Don’t you see? You can help us.” The apprentice spoke. “While we all wish you could have been brought up with your real family, destiny took you from us so you could save us.” 

“I’m sure that Princess Celestia and Princess Luna would be more than happy to help, if you reach out to them.” Story didn’t volunteer to go, but maybe they would at least consider a peaceful path instead of whatever else it was they had planned.

“Hmm. Sky names, are your princesses pegasi?” Relic asked the question, and seemed genuinely curious. 

“N-no. They are both Alicorns. All the princesses are” 

Tenuous silence fell over the room. Relic’s face changed expressions like he was trying to puzzle out how to respond. Dominus and his apprentice glared down at nothing, and looked back and forth at each other. 

“Alicorns are myths” Dominus’ authoritative voice silenced and stilled Relic, but Story wasn’t about to let them keep believing a lie. 
“No, they’re not.” Story stood with her hooves on the table. 

“I understand that Equestrians worship the Alicorns, but they are simply not real.” Dominus turned to his apprentice like the discussion was over. 

“I’ve met them. Princess Celestia is my boss. Princess Twilight is my friend.” Story watched Dominus as he turned angrily back towards her. He knew. He was well aware that the rulers of Equestria were alicorns. He was just lying to all his subjects. 

“Whatever you believe, my dear, is a moot point.” Dominus glared at her, “Reaching out to Equestria is not an option. Equestria is on fertile land, but it is not something we wish to be a part of.” 

“So what, exactly, is your plan?” Story spat back at him, “and what does it have to do with me?” 

“There are spells hidden in Equestria, kept from the unicorns who live there.” The apprentice spoke now. While Dominus was old and mean, his apprentice might actually be the more evil of the two. His voice was the kind that Story wanted to believe, but she could detect hints of slippery malice under its smooth cover.  “These spells in the hands of magical masters, like us, could bring us out from these caves forever.” 

They wanted the spells in The Vault.


***

“Signal Flares?”

“Check.” Spike put the flares into Blaze’s saddle bags. They were finally getting somewhere. 

“Extra rope?”

“Check.” Twilight made a nock on her list every time Spike put one of the supplies in Blaze’s bag. Rainbow Dash was sitting idly in a corner. 

“Are you sure you can fly with all this stuff Big Guy?” She sounded like she was teasing, but Blaze knew this was as close as she would get to asking if he needed help. 

“Positive.” Blaze wasn’t doing all the gear packing, Digger would have pretty full bags too. 

“Emergency Rations?” Twilight didn’t seem to be aware of any other conversation. 

“Check.” Spike put several bags of hay seed in. 

“Well, I doubt you’ll be able to keep up with me.” Rainbow bragged.

“Not the plan.” Blaze knew that Rainbow Dash was the speed scout, Wind Chaser was on point, and he would hold the rear with the stuff, at least until they arrived deeper in the North Mountains. “I’m more of an endurance flyer.” 

“Hey, I have endurance.” The Pegasus mare took a defensive stance. It was hard to believe that she was the same age as him. 

“I know, I know. I’m too big to be really fast, but I can stay aloft a really long time.” Blaze wasn’t sure if he was bragging or trying to reassure Rainbow Dash that he was fine. He didn’t add that he could sleep and fly at the same time if there was someone to keep him on the right track. 

And despite wanting to reach Story as fast as he could, Blaze understood the importance of not out stripping Digger and Valerius, and Twilight. She could fly, but not as well as the pegasi in the group. 

Speaking off, Wind Chaser appeared at the door with Valerius. “Are we almost ready? I can only keep Digger away from the ale so long.” 

“Extra parchment for letters?” Twilight continued.

“Check.” 

“That was the last thing to be packed.” Twilight put her quill in her own saddle bag. “Anything else before we leave?”

“One thing.” Valerius looked at Blaze and Rainbow, “If Unicorns attack, block with wings, not chest. Pegasus magic in wings will deflect most magic. Princess- most Unicorns not using real spells, just raw magic. Use spells against them, they will not be able to block them. Defense spells will need more power behind them to work.” 

“That’s fascinating. Do they really not use spells?” Twilight started asking Valerius more questions. Wind Chaser pushed her towards the door, gently. 

“You can ask questions while you walk.” Wind Chaser glared mildly at her. She blushed and exited. The others following behind her. Spike hopped on Twilight’s back. Digger was outside waiting. 

“Why am I waiting out here for ponies? Good Ale is inside.” Digger laughed, but started walking. The sky was just barley light. They were all bundled up against the still cold weather. In Canterlot ponies would be starting to prep for Winter Wrap Up. Here, in the foot hills of the Northern Mountians, winter would cling longer, no amount of Pegasus or unicorn magic able to make the deep chill dissipate any sooner than it wanted too. The frozen wasteland beyond the mountains had only winter year round, except in the magical Crystal Empire. 

Blaze took off after Wind Chaser and Rainbow Dash. They went ahead, but he made sure that the ponies who were walking were usually right below him. The cold wind in his face made reminded him that they only had a plan to find the hideout of the NMU. Blaze just hoped that Story would hold out until they could find a way in to get her. Hold on Story, I’m coming for you. 

> Promises
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Relic waited to leave. Something told him this might be the last time he ever saw his sister. She was still sleeping, curled around the tattered cloth she’d called a scarf. She clutched it between her front hooves, and then buried her nose in it. 

She’d protested adamantly against helping Dominus with his plan. They wanted her to open something only she could open. Relic wondered why she’d refused. Didn’t these ponies deserve to get out of these caves, to eat the foods they had in Equestria? He ran his hoof through his red and blue mane. In the two days since Dominus had outlined his plans, Relic had questioned and re-questioned her motivations, and his own. 

He’d only ever heard stories of rivers, or forests, or apples. He’d seen the sun, but never long enough to be warmed by it. Nights were too cold to ever leave their caves. Did she not see what they could gain by moving to Equestria? 

She probably did. Story was smart, and better educated than even he was. She must know something about the rest of the plan, or Equestria, or maybe even Dominus that he didn’t. Had Dominus been wrong about Alicorns? Had he lied? Relic wasn’t sure what to think. 
He didn’t always agree with Dominus, but Dominus always had his ponies’ best interests at heart, right? Relic scoffed inwardly. He hadn’t believed that in a long time.  If Equestria was like Story said, then all three tribes lived in peace. That might be better than going it alone, even in a fertile paradise. But how was he supposed to know? 

Story stirred, and was soon looking at him. “Why are you staring at me?” She asked sleepily. 

“I- um- why don’t you want to help us?” Relic sat down as Story sat up. “We can’t survive here much longer.”

Story stared at the ground and rubbed her eyes. “I know. I can see that everyone here needs help.” She cleared her throat, “It’s just that Dominus is planning to take over Equestria. He may not say as much out loud, but I think he plans to wipe out every pony who lives there. That would include my family.” 

“I’m your family. You were born here.” Relic put a hoof on her shoulder. “You’re all the family I have left.”

“I know. But I can’t let Dominus take the lives of innocent ponies.” Story returned his gesture. “I think maybe you can understand that.” 

“I can.” Relic sighed. “But your refusal isn’t going to stop him. And if you continue to defy him Dominus might…” Relic knew all too well the ruthlessness of his leader. He just didn’t have the strength to oppose him. 

“That’s a risk I have to take.” She shuddered. She only wished there was some way she could warn Princess Celestia. With some warning, the guard might just survive the attack. 

“You’d rather die than help?” Relic pulled back. 

“No! I want to help you, all of you.” Story reached for him again, grabbing both shoulders with her hooves. “I just can’t help Dominus. If he wanted to do this peacefully, I would help him. I would even forgive him for what he’s already done.” 

“Equestrians wouldn’t accept us. They wouldn’t understand.” Relic turned to go. “They can’t know what we’ve gone through.” 

“We have a Princess of Friendship. Loving and accepting is part of what Equestria’s built on.”  Story walked over to him. “Please, Relic, I can’t let Dominus hurt anyone. I think you know how this ends. Think of the families, think of the foals.”

Relic knew all too well that Dominus had no extra care for foals. He knew that first hand. 

“Relic, you’re crying. What’s this really about?” She waited as he wiped his eyes. 

“You’re right. We can’t let him do this. No pony should lose a foal.” Relic started to leave. He had to get out of here before he did anything that could get him killed. 

“You’re speaking from experience aren’t you?” Story wrapped her hooves around him, halting his exit. “I’m so sorry.” Relic tried to resist, but his very weary heart gave in. He wept. He let out all the pain and anger that he’d held back. He told her the story, and realized that nothing he did would fix this, or bring them back. He’d been fooled by Dominus into thinking that bringing his people into Equestria would ease his pain. He’d held onto some childish respect for the stallion even after what he’d done. But that ended today. 

It was only after he pulled away that he realized Story had cried as well. She was wiping her eyes. Perhaps other Equestrians could accept them. Maybe they could be saved without the death of others, of innocents. 

“I have to go, or somepony might wonder what’s going on.” Relic wiped his eyes again. Story nodded. He looked her in the eyes. “Have you ever wondered how we tell night from day?”

“What? Relic-“

“There is a hole near the summit of the mountain. The guards pass it on their rounds once every two hours or so.” He hoped she understood what he was trying to do. “If you want to see it, the easiest way to follow all the paths that slope up. It’s the only thing above this particular level.” He gave her a quick hug and walked out. 

Story grabbed her chain with her magic and pulled as hard as she possibly could. 


***

Darkness shrouded the apprentice as he went about his work. He had attempted to cast a spell of sight for Valerius, but come up empty hooved. That old stallion must be casting a protection spell. He had also tried the blue Pegasus, as well as the little purple alicorn. All he could see was a wall of white light. 

He knew it must be Valerius helping them. Only he would know their vow to the Lost One would be broken. He wondered why they trusted the old unicorn at all. But Equestrians were known for the way they trusted and forgave. One of these days it would get them into trouble. 
He had to think of a way to get rid of the blue Pegasus, Blaze. An utterly ridiculous name, even in Equestrian. If he was going to get what he wanted, that Pegasus had to go. He alone would be reason enough for the Lost One to return to Equestria.  That could not happen. 

All the apprentice had ever wanted was enough. Enough food, enough warmth, and enough power to do whatever he wished. The fertile plains of Equestria held enough food and shelter and warmth for all of the ponies, but power he could only gain here. There would be many changes once they left these dark and dismal caves. 
Once the Lost One was convinced to help her true family she would then be hailed by them as a hero. If he convinced her correctly, she could be their hero and their Queen. 


***

Blaze wandered about the sky at a slow pace. They were finally in the Northern Mountains, but he still wasn’t ready to stop. Valerius had been able to transport them, with Twilight’s help, to near the mountain top where unwanted foals were exposed. Blaze shuddered at the thought. What kind of ponies would ever, ever try to kill a foal? Valerius said it didn’t happen often, but that it would happen at all made Blaze sick. 

He scanned the mountain below him as the other set up camp. They weren’t sure how to get in, so Blaze searched for any sign of an entrance, or any sign of life for that matter.  These mountains were mostly barren, there weren’t even animal tracks beneath him. There was only a vast expanse of white, broken by patches of rock. Blaze did his best to taken in all the details of the mountains, in case he did find something. 

A peak rose up in front of him, rocky mostly, but patches of snow held onto the flatter places. It looked climbable, if you were patient and careful. One patch of snow was a wide ledge, backed up against tall walls of rock. 

Something small and yellow was wiggling where the ledge met wall. Blaze nearly flew past it, he just happened to glance down at the right moment. A second later the yellow thing was replaced by a soft glow. A soft purple glow. There was only one pony it could be. 

“Story!” Blaze cried out as he landed. He couldn’t believe it. He knew his talent was finding things, but this was just a miracle. “Story!”

A yellow hoof appeared from a hole in the wall of the mountain. “Blaze!?” It was her voice. Blaze landed and looked around, but he wanted to leap into the air again at the sheer joy of hearing it. The hole was too small for any pony too crawl through. He bent down and put his face level with the hole. 

“Story, thank Celestia.” Concerned filled him for a second. “Are you hurt?” 

“No, I’m fine. I’m so glad you’re here, I can’t get out!” Story’s face was visible just past her hoof. She seemed to be smiling and crying at the same time. Blaze felt like doing the same.

“I know. But I’m so glad you’re ok.” Blaze wasn’t sure how they would get her out. He couldn’t make the hole any bigger, it was surrounded by solid rock. If only the others were here. He could fly and get Twilight, she could teleport Story out. Story unfortunately had never learned that spell. “Are you safe where you are?” He wrapped his hoof around hers. Holding it reassured him this was really happening, and not just a dream. 

“Not really, Blaze listen.” Story squeezed his hoof. “There’s not a lot of time.” She glanced behind her, eyes wide and full of tears. 

“Story, what’s wrong?” Blaze didn’t like where this conversation was going. He would not let Story sacrifice herself again.  “I’m not going to just leave you here.” 

“You have to get a message back to Celestia. Promise me.” Story held tighter to his hoof. 

“Yes, of course, I promise.” Blaze wondered if the others were looking for him. If Twilight or Valerius found them, they could blast a hole in the rock, “But I’m not leaving without you.” 

“Just listen first. The ponies here are planning an attack.” She glanced behind her again and lowered her voice. “They want the spells in The Vault.”

Blaze lay down in the cold snow, as close to Story as he could get. They must be coming after her, she kept looking back, and stopping to listen. “Story, can you hide and wait for me somewhere? I’ll come back with someone who can make this hole bigger. It won’t take long.”

“Blaze please. The attack is planned for a month from today, the first day of spring. If they get those spells-“ Story started to cry in earnest. 

“We won’t let them. I promise.” Blaze nuzzled her hoof. His heart was slowly sinking, he had a feeling he’d have to fly away without her. She was so close, but he may as well have not found her. No, he could at least pass on this message. 

“They need me to get into the vault.” That at least assured her safety a little longer. “But if I don’t help them they’ll try anyway. It will just take them longer. They have the magical power to do it.” Or not. 

“Will you help them?” Blaze was afraid of the answer. He knew Story well enough to know that she’d make the sacrifice if necessary. She’d already done it once. 

“No. I can’t. If I do they might succeed and-“

“Story, you have to help them. We’ll come up with another plan to stop them.” Blaze couldn’t believe what he was hearing. 

Story looked at the frantic face through the frustratingly small hole. He was more concerned with her than all of Equestria. He didn’t understand. If she was with them, they could teleport right to the door of the vault, get in, take what they wanted, and teleport right out again. Without her, they’d have to blast through layers of magical protection, or come up with a scheme to get the princesses to let them in. They were the only others to have access. Even if the Guard or the Army were prepared, these Unicorns might be too fast for them. 

“Blaze, please, warn Celestia. Stop them from destroying Equestria.” She hated the expression on his face, the concern, and all the worry. 

“If we warn her it won’t matter if you help them or not. They’ll kill you if-“ Blaze knew this was futile, but he was going to say it anyway. He wasn’t about to find Story and then fly away knowing he’d lose her, forever. 

“I know! I’m sorry.” Story pulled back. “The guards are coming, go before they hear you, or they’ll catch you too. Once you stop them, find a pony named Relic, or Vetus. He can tell you what’s really going on.”

“No, Story! I won’t let you do this.” Blaze was shouting into the tunnel that revealed the only speck of daylight here. They’d all hear him. “Don’t do this to me, Story, please, I just found you.” Blaze was crying now too, a sight she hadn’t seen since they were tiny, tiny foals. 
She wasn’t going to be able to hold herself up in the tunnel much longer. She needed Blaze to go. They might kill her for trying to escape. 

“If I promise to help them, will you go?” Story touched her hoof to his muzzle, feeling his strong jaw, and his wet fur. 

“Do you promise?” Blaze nuzzled her hoof. Tears still spilled out. 

“Yes, I promise.” Story met his eyes again, but couldn’t keep looking into them. She wasn’t sure if she was lying or not. 

“Fine, but first-“ He pulled her towards him by her hoof, there was just enough space in the hole for Blaze’s muzzle and her leg. His lips met hers, and for a brief second she forgot that she was in a tiny, cold, dirty tunnel. She was just with Blaze, someplace warm and safe. 

When he pulled away, she was cold and scared again. She almost asked him not to go, but he had to if he was going to warn everyone, and possibly save Equestria. 

“I love you, Story. I need you to stay alive.” Blaze brushed away tears. It seemed a futile effort. 

“I love you too. Please, stay safe.” Story didn’t bother to brush away the tears. She watched as Blaze turned and took off. Seconds later magic surrounded her and dragged her back to the darkness. 

> What Now?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The camp was nearly set. The sheltered outcropping was large enough, and there were a few patches without snow for the tents. Digger and Wind Chaser were pitching the last tent, Rainbow had just returned with a pile of firewood, and set it down with an exasperated sigh. 

“Why did we let the Pegasus pack mule fly off again?” Rainbow whined, “He could totally carry way more sticks than me.” Twilight wasn’t sure if Rainbow was serious, or just being lazy. 

“Did you want to stop him?” Wind Chaser called from his position by the tent, “He is bigger than you.”

“Yeah, well, I could still take him.” Rainbow snorted. “I just want him to do his fair share.” Twilight supposed it didn’t matter that Blaze was doing a part of the job, he was making sure they were far enough away from any entrances to the NMU hideout. 
As if on cue, a showering of snow and dirt covered the party as Blaze came in for a hard and fast landing. His heavy breath made puffs of fog in the icy air. 

“We have to get a message to Princess Celestia. They plan to attack on the first day of spring.” After speaking he gasped for air. Twilight wondered if there was something wrong, Blaze couldn’t seem to catch his breath. 

Wind Chaser left Digger holding a tent line, “Where did this information come from? What did you find?” His commanding tone shook Twilight, and Blaze turned away from him. 

“I found her, but I-I couldn’t get to her.”  Blaze shook his head. “She warned me, I- There was no way to get to her.” 

“You mean-“ Wind Chaser took a step back. “Story?” Blaze nodded, not meeting the older Pegasus’ eyes. Wind Chaser inhaled sharply, “W-was she alright?”

“Yeah, I think so, but she was trying to escape, and I couldn’t get her out. They- They- I don’t know what happened to her.” He brushed tears away gruffly. “She insisted I bring you the message. I’m sorry.”

The grey Pegasus wiped his eyes, then cleared his throat. “No. You did all you could. We’ll get that message back. We do have Spike with us after all.”

Twilight started to call for him only to remember that he was curled up next to her, the day of hiking and teleporting was wearing him out. She nudged the little dragon awake. 

“What is it Twilight? I was having a nice dream.” He rubbed his eyes and yawned.

“I need you to take a letter.” 


***

Two unicorns, both with very lean, but surprisingly strong, muscles and the slightly milky eyes, typical of these unicorns, dragged Story into the same chamber where she’d met with Dominus and his apprentice before. They both stood, Dominus’ face contorted with anger, and his apprentice eerily blank faced. 

Story took a deep breath in, and waited for Dominus to begin. She would not give them any hint that she had been able to send a message. She couldn’t. 

“You would try to escape?” Dominus’ voice was surprisingly even, though a tone underneath was all hatred and anger. 

“Yes.” Story glared at him. She really didn’t have much to say.

“This betrayal cannot go unanswered.” Dominus’ horn started to glow a strange dark green. If it hadn’t been for her captors, Story would have backed away. Dark magic was not what she had been expecting. 

“Master,” The apprentice spoke, “I believe there may be another way of persuading her.”

“Silence! I will decide what to do with this traitor.” Without releasing any of the magic, Dominus turned to his apprentice. 

“Please, leave her to me,” The apprentice looked strangely protective. Story wasn’t sure what to make of this, but if it meant she didn’t die right now, she’d take it. 

“No, I do not intend to kill her.” Dominus turned back to her. “I just need to make her a slave.” She did try to back away this time. This was bad, if she had to obey, she might have to tell them, and then they would change their plan, and Equestria was in trouble. 

“But that would inhibit her magic, which is the key to get into the vault.” The apprentice sounded as if he were talking to an old relative, who didn’t hear or understand very well. Dominus’ horn stopped glowing, and he glared at his apprentice. 

“Fine. Do what you will, but if our plans are ruined, it will be on your head.” Dominus stormed into a back room. 


***

Story was dragged to a room after the Apprentice. As she was thrown in she instantly noticed the cold and then as the two guards left, she noticed how well lit it was. The Apprentice was staring at a wall of stone. Only Story realized that it wasn’t stone, it was ice. This cave was actually open to the outside, only covered in a thick layer of solid ice. 

It explained the brightness, and the cold. The straw bed in the corner and the stone chest at its foot said this was a bedroom, but Story wondered how anyone could live in a place so cold. She was shivering, but from cold or fear she couldn’t tell anymore. 

To her surprise, the apprentice dropped a blanket over her. This one was a real, newish looking blanket, not a torn up rag, like the ones Relic had. It did help with the cold, but Story continued to shiver. She could not read the expression on the apprentice’s face. 

“You do not need to fear me, Crocea. I do not wish to harm you.” He sat opposite her, and stared directly at her. He appeared to be nearly blind as well, and yet he seemed to see fine. Story couldn’t puzzle it out. 

“What do you want?” She tried not to sound rude, in case she offended him, but this had to be some kind of ruse. 

“To leave this icy place, take our rightful one in the fertile lands, and hopefully have you by my side.” He was more matter-of-fact than Story expected.

Then she heard what he’d really said. “Wait, what?” She started to shiver again. Surely he was just trying to get a raise out of her, she what she’d do.

“Do you not understand?” He brushed his mane out of his eyes, “When Dominus is gone, I will be the next Dominus. I wish for you to be my queen.” 

Story almost laughed, but held back. Was this his brilliant plan for convincing her to help? Make her queen? “You can’t be serious.” It was the only think she could think of to say. 

“But I am.” He walked next to her, too close for comfort. And he looked at her, with what could only be described as a leer. “You would make an excellent queen, and after you aid us, the others will offer no quarrel.” 

“I don’t think I could do that.” The strange shock of it had rendered Story slightly baffled and tongue tied. 

“Oh but you could,” The apprentice walked back up her other side, “You are intelligent, educated, and,” he ran his eyes up and down her, “rather lovely. Or is this what you doubt?”

Story actually thought about what the apprentice had said in spite of herself. Did she think she wasn’t pretty? She’d never paid much mind to it, but she’d never considered herself a great beauty either. This was the first time a stallion had told her though, except for Blaze, and he didn’t really count. It wasn’t like he was in lo-

Except that he was in love with her. He’d said so, and he’d kissed her. Really well, actually. Story started to blush thinking about it. Blaze loved her! She hadn’t had time to actually process what had happened. 

The Apprentice laughed, reminding Story of where she was. “Are you unused to compliments?” The apprentice was trying to flatter her into submission, and taking that blush the wrong way, given how close he was to her. It would have been sad, if Story didn’t find him so frightening. 

“I couldn’t. I can’t, you-“ She stopped herself before she insulted him outright. That would not be wise. “I don’t even know your name.” 

“Oh, it’s Commodus, but when I inherit Dominus’ position, it will simply be ‘Dominus’ as well.” A smug smirk crossed his lips and he seemed so very sure of this coming to pass. 

Story saw an opportunity, “Ah, a very noble name, is that why you are Dominus’ apprentice?” She wasn’t sure if almost flattery would work, but maybe she could get more information. 

“A little, but only in that I come from a noble family.” Commodus began to hold his head a little higher, “I was chosen because as a colt I showed the greatest potential for powerful magic.”

“Oh, I imagine that made some other families very upset.” Story decided to sit, like she was fascinated and had no intention of going anywhere. 

“Indeed, you are very perceptive.” The comment made Story laugh internally. Perceptive, it came from the fact that Commodus behaved exactly every ego-maniac villain she had ever read about. 

“Any one rival you bested in a particularly glorious fashion?” Story batted her eyelashes, or blinked a lot, she wasn’t sure if those were the same thing. Flirting was not in her repertoire of useful skills.

“Oh not really. We were all very young.” Commodus settled down next to her and started to tell the story, “Dominus had another apprentice, but he died unexpectedly of one of the many maladies that plague us here.”

“I see. So he had to choose another.” She put her head on her hooves. 

“Yes. There was talk of making your father his apprentice, but his untimely death after your disappearance ended that campaign.” He put a hoof on his chin. “I think I was twelve.” 

“That doesn’t sound so young.” Story didn’t want to reveal that she thought he was too old for her. 

“I suppose it wasn’t. Still, there weren’t any real competitors.” Commodus rolled on to his back, “It was obvious that after Valerius died I would be apprentice.” 

“I see.” Story wanted to just ask outright about a lot of things. She didn’t however want Commodus to figure her out. He rolled back over. She decided to leave well enough alone for the moment.  Commodus sat in the silence as well. He seemed to be comfortable with it, but Story wasn’t so sure. 


***

Blaze tried to keep all his emotions under some semblance of control. He couldn’t focus on actually solving any problems over the part of him screaming to just start fighting his way in. Also, seeing Story alive at least for now had removed a block in his brain he hadn’t realized was there. Suddenly questions he’d never thought to ask and answers that were just as odd flew through his mind. The underlying theme though, Why Story? Why Now? If they could smash their way into the vault, why not do it?

He paced in a circle. Normally he’d fly to blow off steam, but he knew he’d fly right back to that ledge. He’d explained everything to the rest, Spike had sent a letter, no reply yet. Now they just needed a plan. There had to be something he could do. Some clue he’d missed, anything. Clues! That was it. He was a detective. It was time to think about this like he would any other case. Twilight’s appearance was lucky. He needed to talk this out. 

“If you keep pacing in a circle, you’ll melt the snow.” Twilight was making a joke but she didn’t sound jovial.

“I know.” He sat. “I’m just trying not to do something stupid.”

“That’s understandable. There’s a lot that doesn’t add up.” Twilight pulled out a piece of paper. “I’m going to make a list.” 

“Not a bad idea.” Blaze nodded, “Start with what we know for sure.”

“Ok?”

“Trust me. It works.” 

“Alright….” Twilight started writing, “We know that the NMU have Storybook. We know that there is at least one outside entrance to their cave, even if it is too small to use.” She sat and thought.

“We know that Story was born in those caves.” Blaze spoke and Twilight wrote, “She told me to find someone called Relic, or Vetus, once we defeated them.”

“But we don’t know who they are right?”

“Right” 

Twilight made another list. “This is things we don’t know.”

“Vetus is son. My son.” Valerius was walking up to join them. “Is trea- Story’s brother. Relic I do not know.” 

“Oh. Ok.” Twilight scratched Vetus off the list of unknowns and onto the list of knowns. “We have no idea how to get in.”

“I have not seen any old entrances. They have moved.” Valerius sat with them. “I do not know how Storybook travelled.”

“Travelled where?” Blaze wasn’t sure that he understood.

“To small room. I know not how she went.” Valerius’ equestrian was failing him again.

“I think I see.” Twilight tapped her quill, “He’s not sure how Story got from here to the old ruins.”

“I’ve been wondering that too. It’s lead to other questions.” Blaze looked around. He had a thought. And a way to start investigating. “Valerius, where are foals abandoned?”

“Over next peak. Why?”

“I want to see it.” Blaze shook out his wings. “Can you teleport there?” He aimed his question at Valerius, but Twilight nodded also. “I’m going to get Wind Chaser and Rainbow Dash. Can you bring Digger, Twilight?”

“Sure. But do you really want to see that place?” Twilight shuddered. 

“I think it may have answers.” 


***

A few minutes later, Blaze landed in a crater in the mountain side. Valerius, Twilight and Digger were waiting. They all seemed uncomfortable. Rainbow Dash and Wind Chaser landed behind him. 

“This is the place, Valerius?” Blaze asked and the older unicorn nodded. There was a single pillar of stone that rose out of the crater a few feet. It had a bowl shaped top. Blaze could guess what it was for. “Twilight, are there any wild animals here?”

“Well, there might be a few, but it’s too cold for animals. I’m not sure about monsters though.” Twilight looked around, “Why are we here again? This place is spooky.”

“Yeah, and morbid.” Rainbow Dash pointed out. “I’m glad Spike stayed to watch the camp.” 

“I promise, its important.” Blaze looked down, “We need to remove the snow.” He hoped he was right. His hunch was odd, but it was the only thing that made sense. Once all possibilities are eliminated, then the impossible must be the truth. 

“Blaze. I get that your upset about this morning, but this is really odd.” Wind Chaser didn’t make a move to get any snow. Digger on the other hoof, was proving to have earned his nickname. 

“Blue Pony is smart! I think iz on to somezing.” Digger continued to clear the snow. The rest looked at each other. 

“Well, it can’t hurt.” Rainbow started kicking snow off the cliff.   

With the help of some massive levitation magic, the crater was clear of snow in less than an hour. Rainbow Dash though it was odd that he didn’t want to move it all at once, because Twilight could do that. Blaze wanted to make sure only snow was tossed of the cliff.  Blaze looked around. It was just like he suspected. 

“Dude, there is nothing here.” Rainbow Dash whined. “We just moved all that snow for what?”

Blaze ignored her, “Valerius, how many foals are abandoned here a year?” 

“There were few when I was young, one or two. When I left six or seven, one year ten.” He looked ashamed. “Still, always too many.”

“So, about six a year for goodness knows how long, no wild animals to speak of. This doesn’t add up.” Blaze looked around him again. There was just one more question “Where are their bones?” 


***

Story was still in Commodus’ room when she sensed night was near. The wall of ice was darker, and she was tired. Commodus had disappeared after a while, stating that he had duties to attend to. She had looked around. There wasn’t much in the room. Even in the small stone chest there were only more blankets, and under them was nothing. This must not be where Commodus kept his secret things. This was clearly just where he slept. A bowl of the horrible mushroom mush was delivered about an hour ago and she forced herself to eat it. She was never ever eating another mushroom again if she got out of here.  

The curtain that served as a door opened and Commodus appeared. He took off his cloak, and for the first time Story could see his cutie mark. It was a golden laurel wreath. She couldn’t help but think that if he’d been raised in Equestria he could have been a force for good. But he’d been raised here. He was poison. And a powerful one. 

“No escape attempts while I was gone?”

“I don’t see what good it would do me.” She told him the truth. She knew that just enough truth and she could make him believe a lie. Not that she’d come up with one to tell. 

“You are so much better off here.” He smiled a wicked smile, and there was a terrifying look in his eyes. He lit a fire in a well in the stone wall, “The nights are still quite cold. You should join me…” 

Story’s face flushed instantly and ferociously. “I think- I mean- That’s not really-“ This was terrible, though she should have guessed. She just didn’t think this was one of those stories. It did fit with the ego-driven villain though.  

“I suppose it would be your first time, I forget that you are younger than I am.” He stood close enough to her that she could feel his breath on her neck. He wasn’t so much taller than her, but the thought sent tremors though her spine, and not the good kind. 

“I’d actually prefer that tonight not be my first time.” She took a step away from him then she decided one wasn’t enough, and kept backing away. 

“Do I frighten you?” He closed the gap she’d made and nuzzled under her neck, she tried to step back again, but realized that she was against the wall. This was not what she had been going for. She didn’t respond to his question, though the answer was yes. She had to think of a way out. She didn’t think she could talk her way out of this one. It was clear by the way Commodus had started to nuzzle and nip at her neck that he was done talking. 

Brute force it was. Story knew she didn’t have the physical strength to shove him of. Magic though… She gathered her strength and pulled as much magic as she could to her horn. If she aimed for his eye, she might surprise him enough to get away, and if she was lucky she would blind him. She let out all of her magic at once. 

Commodus cried out in pain, and he jumped away. His right eye was smoking, and the rage on his face was more terrifying than his leer. He cursed and there was a bright flash of light. 


***

“So explain that again, slower.” Rainbow Dash had her hoof on her forehead. “Why exactly did you make us move all that snow?” 
The group was gathered around a fire back at their camp. Spike was asleep in the tent. The rest were listening to Blaze explain himself. 

“Ok. So after finding Story and sending a message off to Canterlot, I tried to think.” Blaze hoped this would help. “But the only thing I could think about was Why Story? Why did she survive as a foal? Why did they want her back?” 

“They want into the vault. It was either Story or a princess.” Wind Chaser was following at least a little. 

“Exactly. They need into the vault to get the spells they need to take over Equestria.” He cleared his throat.  “It’s just, they sound so lucky.” He could sense protests, “I mean the one foal who happens to end up in the wrong place and survive also happens to be the one that can get them what they want. There were too many coincidences.”

“There were a lot of chance happenings working in their favor.” Twilight had to agree. 

“So I thought, maybe somewhere along the line it wasn’t an accident. Maybe they’d stacked the deck.” Blaze saw some recognition in Valerius’ eyes. “I thought it unlikely that the NMU somehow made it so that Story was the Head Librarian. They must have made it so that she survived.”

“That makes sense. But how could they guarantee that she’d end up being useful?” Twilight was starting to catch on. She was a smart pony after all. 

“They couldn’t. They can’t control what happens in Equestria.” Blaze kept his own surprise at his revelations carefully hidden. Still it made sense now. If he had figured out their motives, maybe he could find their weakness and save Story before anything horrible happened, if he wasn’t too late already.   

“But then why arrange for her to be saved at all?” Wind Chaser asked rather gruffly. Blaze knew that he wanted the same thing, to save Story, but maybe after this they could come up with a plan.

“That was my question. I had the thought that maybe this wasn’t the first time this had happened. Maybe there were other survivors. Maybe they’d just been waiting for one of their own to rise to a position of power.” Blaze shook his head. Story wouldn’t have considered herself in power. “But that would only work if they had sent at least dozens of others.” 

“So you needed to find out first.” Valerius sat a little farther than the others. “It seems strange that they would not say that these children were to be sent afar. Our people would consider it noble sacrifice.” 

“I don’t know. I just know that there are probably others in Equestria who come from here.” Blaze thought, “I wonder if more research would reveal other adopted unicorns who have gone missing. That would have to wait until we got back though.” 

“I think I get it, but why not tell us all of this upfront?” Rainbow gestured back towards the crater. “We moved all that snow….” 
“I know, I had to see how many foals had actually been abandoned. If there was evidence left of them then my hunch didn’t hold up. I can say I’ve never been so relieved to be right.” Blaze felt tired and sore all over. It had been a very long day. He found Story and lost her, he had no idea if she was still alive and alright, or not. They may not be able to save her at all. And he’d decided to have an epiphany mere hours after what was probably the most emotional thing that had ever happened to him, ever. He just wanted to sleep, except that there was still a warning going off in his brain that he had to get to Story…now.