//------------------------------// // Of Caverns and Capture // Story: Lines and Webs // by Airstream //------------------------------// It was a scant four days later that the Condotteiri, along with Twilight, Spike, and Golden Radiance, arrived on the outskirts of Canterlot. It was agreed by all that the possibility of flying was far too risky. Patrols still canvassed the skies overhead, and it was in the middle of the first day that they had to take cover from a small fleet of airships, undoubtedly being sent from Canterlot to reinforce the garrison at Fillydelphia. "That's the Third Fleet!" Twilight exclaimed, noticing the banners flying from the riggings bore the distinctive crown and wing insignia of the Royal Fleet. She had managed to cast a discrete cloaking spell over the group, hiding them from the scouts that circled each ship overhead. Nearly seventy ships soared above them, the roar of their engines filling the skies. "Things must be pretty bad in Fillydelphia if they're sending the Home Fleet out there." "Indeed," Tarantella said from her position next to her. "Though I imagine that it will make fleeing the city much easier if they are gone. A lucky stroke for us!" And indeed it was. As they approached the city, the patrols became more frequent, forcing them to hunker down in groves of trees or low ditches, as many of the patrol wore the golden armor of the Guard. Soon, though, the air patrols were accompanied by teams of Regular infantry, necessitating cautious movement in the middle of the night. The last day of their journey was spent within sight of Canterlot, moving slowly from cover to cover as they neared the city. At last, the Pegasi declared that they could go no further. "It would be easier for you if you were to rest with us and infiltrate tonight." Tarantella said, staring at the setting sun as drab fabric was stretched across trees to create blinds and lean-tos for the Pegasi to sleep. "If what you say is correct, Golden Radiance, then the entrance to Canterlot's aqueducts is no more than a mile away. Are you sure it has been forgotten?" The construct wrinkled her brow in thought. "The aqueduct was closed eleven days before Hearth's Warming Eve, three years before I ascended to the position of Archivist. It had fallen into disuse after the installation of Canterlot's modern sewage system, and though the buildings housing it were to be sealed off, three city ordinances show that there were no plans to block off the tunnels themselves. They run through the caves of Canterlot, and there are no less than eight substations within walking distance of the palace. Given the state of emergency Equestria finds itself in, along with its severe understaffing in the north, I believe that the Regular garrison will have been sent north, leaving only the Guard to man the defenses. The tunnels, long since abandoned and likely forgotten, will be a low priority area, and much too large to guard effectively. This is the ideal place to enter, based on the updated maps of the city you have so kindly provided." Twilight nodded thoughtfully. "There's one that comes up through the garden, or close by. The entrance to the tower is across a courtyard, and if the Elements are to be used again tomorrow, Celestia will likely have removed the seals on the Vault. We can't lose focus now, Spike and Golden Radiance will accompany me through the tunnels, and the Gale Dancers will wait for us here. In case all does not go well, I want you ready to leave. If I'm not back by dawn tomorrow, you have to go. If your guards see anypony that isn't shining a red hornlight, be ready to run. That's the color I'll use when I return. Understood?" Tarantella nodded. "I understand, Twilight. If you make it back out, there are several safe houses manned by servants of Luna nearby. We shall hide in one of them, and then rendezvous with our allies in Cloudsdale. From there it's a quick flight to the Everfree and safety." The violet mare smiled. "Good. I think we are finally ready. We'll head in one hour after sundown. The less light we have the better." ________________________________________ The tunnels beneath Canterlot were a curious thing. The exterior of the mountain was granite and other hard stone, but centuries of stress form the powerful magic overhead had slowly transformed the interior from worthless rock into incredibly valuable and durable crystal. The aqueduct had indeed been unguarded, though an abandoned guardhouse showed that this breach in security did not normally exist. After a brief spell, the veiled trio once more ventured forth on their own, shielded from the watchful eyes of the night watch overhead. Normally manned by the Lunar Guard, tonight the recognizable elite of Equestria were visible, armor gleaming bronze in the light of their torches. Obviously Celestia didn't trust the Lunar Guard with the manning of external defenses while Twilight roamed free. The tunnels themselves were large enough for the trio to walk side by side through, and tall enough that Twilight's magic was unable to illuminate the uppermost reaches of the shadows without pointing her horn up. Luckily, Spike's excellent vision was able to see far more than Twilight's comparatively feeble eyes could, and they passed uncontested through the vast emptiness underneath Canterlot. Twilight shivered. The last time she had been down here was during the disaster that had been her brother's first wedding, and Twilight still had plenty of bad memories she associated with the caverns. Even Cadance was loath to speak of her time in the caverns, though Twilight could easily imagine it. Alone, frightened, without food or water, sure that as soon as all was lost that she would be killed...much as she hated Cadance for her complicity in Celestia's plans, she wouldn't wish these caves on anypony. Spike noticed her beginning to hyperventilate, working herself into a panic. Spike held up one claw, and the small group stopped in their tracks. Making eye contact with Twilight, he spoke very clearly and calmly. "Twilight. It's alright, I'm here. We both are. Nothing's going to happen to you, I promise. Remember? I promised to protect you, and that's exactly what's going to happen. Now, I need you to calm down and breathe. Ok? Just focus on breathing. I'm right here." The unicorn mare slowed her breathing, focusing on getting air in and out. Twilight trembled a little, and she suddenly felt weak, unable to stand. She half lowered herself, half collapsed onto the floor. She tried to reach for the crystal, but she couldn't focus long enough to grab hold of it with her mind. She was down here in the caves, tons of rock pressing down, and she was trapped, trapped trapped trapped trapped trapped... Spike, much to his credit, did not raise his voice or do anything to agitate the unicorn. Instead, he merely picked her up, leaning against the rock of the cave, cradling her like a child. Calmly, he spoke again. "It's ok, Twilight. You're alright. We promise, we won't let anything bad happen to you. You're so close, Twilight. We're almost done, it's just a short walk away. But I need you to be brave for me, Twilight. Be brave for me like you used to, ok? I need you. Please, Twilight. I'm waiting on you, you've been so brave and we're almost done." He felt the shivering unicorn gradually relax. At last, her breathing slowed, and she looked around, eyes no longer wide with panic. Finding the dragon, she smiled weakly. "I'm sorry, Spike. So much has happened...I guess the caves just sort of set it off. I'm ok now, really. Could you put me down?" Spike set her down gently, and her hooves landed firmly on the ground once again. "I understand, Twilight. Really. You've been through things nopony should have to go through. But you don't have to do it alone. We will always be here for you, Twilight. I promise." Golden Radiance nodded. "I consider it a privilege to have been part of your journey, Miss Sparkle. Regardless of the outcome of tonight's events, I shall always consider myself your ally and friend. By my estimates, we are halfway there. I will be with you in the tower every step of the way." "And I'll be holding the tunnel when you get back." Spike said with a smile. "And you've got a flight of Pegasi ready to kick all sorts of flank for you once we get outside, and an army ready to support you past that. You're never alone, Twilight. I know you're asking yourself how you can possibly succeed, but with that kind of power behind us, how could we not?" The unicorn stared at her reflection in a smooth face of crystal. The mare in the mirror was far different than the one who had left Ponyville, she realized. This mare wore an amulet containing the knowledge of a hundred hundred Master Mages, this mare had an elite squad of Pegasi as her bodyguard. This mare wielded magics unheard of by ponies, ancient magic of a millennium ago. This mare was supported by an amazingly powerful magical construct, and she was the only one in Equestria who knew a dragon, let alone knowing one who was willing to fight for her as Spike was. This mare was powerful and strong. She stood taller, and her face and eyes held a dangerous cast, her body fit and lithe, her mind clear and quick. She was more than a pawn. She was more than an Element. She was more than Twilight Sparkle. She was Magic incarnate, and woe betide the pony, goddess or no, who thought to stand in her way without consequences both swift and terrible. The unicorn turned to her greatest allies. "I'm ready. Let's go." ________________________________________ "Tarantella, who is that?" "Who is who?" "That, in the woods over there." "Merda! Protezioni Solari!" "Che cosa? Alle armi! Rapidamente, si deve ritriarsi! Repiegare!" ________________________________________ The small procession wound its way up through the tunnels, the light of Twilight's horn glinting weirdly off of the jagged surfaces around them. Twilight could hardly contain her nerves, as the thought of her target so near and yet so far away threatened to drive her mad. Around and over and through tunnels they traveled, occasionally choosing between one branch and another. Golden Radiance steered them closer to the surface, and the abandoned old sub-basement they would be emerging from near the Vault. At last, they found themselves standing in the final cavern. "This is it, I believe. It comes up right next to the Vault, all you'll need to do is blast a hole large enough for us in the bottom of an old fountain. With luck, the Guard will be stretched thinly enough that they won't be able to respond to the disturbance until we're through. From there it's three hundred yards to the Vault, and we can easily disable the Guards on duty before they alert others. After this, of course, we can-" Twilight felt rather than saw a beam of teal magic, no more than an inch across, move through the air, catching Golden Radiance squarely in the head, boring through like a hot knife through butter. The construct collapsed to the floor, caught completely by surprise, the emerald in her eyes winking out like a candle in a stiff breeze. Twilight watched in horror as she reverted to a simple book once more, the moonlight and blood fueling her returning to the mare who had brought her to life. Twilight felt the magic wash over her as she spun almost without thinking, a shield of obdurate grey magic flicking into existence between her and her assailant. Cadance's next beam of magic, easily recognizable as a stunner spell, was not deflected. Instead, Twilight's Breaking magic dispersed it entirely, the light winking out of existence. Spike, a bit more slowly, whirled around to face the Alicorn. Upon seeing her, he growled. The Alicorn switched off her magic. "Very impressive, Twilight." she said, her voice low and unthreatening. "You've really matured as a spellcaster, I never got the chance to tell you in Fillydelphia." Twilight's horn did not remain dormant. "Back down, Cadance. I don't want to hurt you, but I will if I have to." "Will you really, Twilight? How much of that is you, and how much of that is your Breaking magic talking? How much longer do you think you can use it? You must be exhausted, and using that magic is anything but easy. Besides, I'm talking to you as a friend. You wouldn't hurt me, would you?" Twilight's face set. A bolt of brilliant, pulsating black leapt from her horn, striking the wall inches away from Cadance's head before she even had time to react. When she next spoke, her voice was cold and deadly serious. "I don't want to cross that line. Doesn't mean I won't. Do not test me, I've had a very bad week." Cadance lowered her head, trying to talk to her. "Alright. I'll stay here. I just want to talk, Twilight. I've been sent to see if this can be resolved without bloodshed. I'm to let you know that the band of Pegasi outside have all been captured or killed, and we've sealed off every escape route. You've lost, Twilight. A good fight, but you lost as soon as you entered the tunnels. It's over. I'm going to have to take you up top soon, but I want this to end peacefully. You don't want another Fillydelphia, do you?" "Shut up." Twilight growled. "That wasn't me, that was your fault. You followed me." "We gave you the opportunity to leave peacefully, but instead you chose to fight. Do you know how many ponies you helped to kill, Twilight? Over one thousand. Well over one thousand, in fact. And they certainly weren't all military, though we now have to explain to their families that they were horribly killed by you, Twilight. Wives are missing their husbands. Children are missing their parents. And speaking of children, a total of one hundred and fifty eight foals were killed because of you, Twilight." "Not another word, Cadance. Not another word, or I swear I'll-" "What, exactly? Drop an airship on me? Your brother is missing an eye and a leg, though we've given him replacements. How does that feel, Twilight? Because it feels awful to me. How does it feel to hurt not just innocents, but the ones you care about? Did you know Pinkie Pie collapsed when she got back to Canterlot? She almost had a miscarriage because she was busy trying to find you before you hurt yourself or someone else, Twilight Sparkle. How does that feel, knowing that you almost killed another? How does it feel knowing-" "Shut. UP!" Twilight howled, unleashing a torrent of Breaking magic, fueled by pain and fear and rage and guilt at the Alicorn. Cadance blurred, moving faster than Twilight thought possible, her horn sparking with stunner magic. Before she could touch the skin, however, Spike's wing swept down, catching her under the chin. Spike's wing gave a sickening *crack*, folding under the enormous force. The dragon roared in pain before exhaling a torrent of fire in her direction, forcing the Alicorn to blink away from it, horn working furiously to escape the inferno. "Twilight." Spike growled, his eyes glinting dangerously, almost mad with pain and anger. "Go." "I'm not leaving you, Spike. No way." Cadance tried for another spell, but was driven away by another blast of heat from Spike's fanged maw. "Get the damn Element and run, you idiot! You can come back for me later, but if you're captured it's all over! Go, run!" Twilight opened her mouth to say something, but thought better of it. Focusing, she blasted a massive crater in the ceiling, sending the debris flying away from her. Using magic to bolster her muscles, she leapt through the hole, leaving Spike to his fight. Spike watched her clear the hole, turning his attention to the Alicorn. He could smell her easily, though he wondered why he had not before. Hoping to distract her for as long as possible, he decided to begin talking. "She doesn't blame you, you know." he said calmly, turning in place. Cadance's voice echoed from several different directions. Spike hated that spell. "Blame me for what?" she responded, her tone mildly curious. "For the circumstances of your birth. Nopony can change who their parents were, not even you. We visited the grave of your parents before we left. I don't know how much you were told of them." he said, covertly scooping up a small handful of debris. "I never asked, to be honest." "They loved each other very much. Those Pegasi outside are related to you. A more deeply connected family would be hard to find. So at least we know Celestia picked the right ponies for the job. And the story of your birth was interesting as well. Your mother named you Mi Amore. It's never been said if she was calling for her husband or addressing you. I'd like to imagine both." "...You know that I can't just let either of you leave. I believe in Celestia's vision. I just wish you two would as well. It's unfortunate what must be done, but I think it would have been better had Twilight remained ignorant. She'll be brought to heel soon enough. Who knows, we might be able to do the same for you." The dragon smiled. "Ignorance is bliss, right? I'd have to agree with you, we were both happier before all of this. But even now, neither of us would willingly go back." He hefted the small collection of gravel in one claw. "You don't have a choice." Spike whirled, his nose having done its work. Aiming behind him and to the right, the gravel sped from his claw at a terrific speed, impacting against Cadance's veil, which flickered and died. His tail snapped back, catching her squarely on the side. Cadance bore the blow like she was made of iron, but such was the force of his strike that Spike's tail still knocked her off of her hooves. Horn flaring, she stood up, a triumphant grin on her face. Spike realized that while he had been distracting her, she had been working on something for him as well. Massive links of chain burst from the earth, coiling around his legs and wings, forcing them roughly to his sides. Spike did his best to remain on his feet, as another length looped around his neck, spiraling around his jaw and locking it shut tightly. Spike could resist no longer, collapsing to his knees with a muffled roar of rage. The chains constricted even more tightly, digging into his sides, causing him to labor for breath. He struggled to break free, as they coiled still tighter, and he felt his vision begin to fade to black as he fought for consciousness. His thrashing slowed, and eventually he ceased his struggles, focusing solely on breathing. "Good, Spike. Just keep breathing. Those are very special chains. Moonsteel forged in the heart of the sun. They're the same kind of chains that bound Luna to the moon for one thousand years. Remain still and you'll have no trouble breathing. Try to break free, and...well, you know that already. Don't worry, we're going to fix you both. You'll just have to stay down here for a while." Spike could do little but glare in impotent rage at the Alicorn smiling sympathetically in front of him. She looked straight into his eyes. "I'm going to give you an opiate spell, alright? It'll help you to keep calm so you don't hurt yourself." Her horn burned with teal light as she leaned in closely. Spike snorted, trying to move away, but the chains held him fast, constricting in warning. Cadance waited for him to finish before touching his forehead with her horn. Soon, the drake lay quiescent on the floor, eyes dilated and his movements sluggish. The Princess of the Morning surveyed her handiwork. "There you go. Somepony'll be by every now and again to renew that for you. In the meantime, take it easy. We won't give up on you, Spike. Promise." With that, the Alicorn disappeared in a flash of blue light, returning to oversee the proper accounting of the prisoners below the city. Related, were they? She'd have to look into that. ________________________________________ Twilight leapt out of the hole, and immediately realized that she was in deep trouble. Between her and Canterlot Tower, containing the Vault, were not two, not ten, but a full century of one hundred Guardsponies, Equestria's elite fighters. Each of them was a unicorn, and Twilight's heart skipped when she realized that they were all outfitted in adamantium plate. Not only that, each held a length of adamantium chain in one hoof. Twilight simply stared as one of them stepped forward. Clearing his throat, he spoke directly to her, his voice deep and commanding. "Twilight Sparkle. We are here to escort you to Princess Celestia. You are hereby advised to surrender yourself to the protective custody of the Royal Guard, and allow the inhibition of your magic. If you refuse, we will be forced to subdue you by other means. What is your response?" Twilight's exhausted body trembled, her mind clouded with stress and fatigue. Her eyes swept the scene in front of her, as she found her center, analyzing the data. So strained was she, however, that only one thought occupied her mind, a ridiculous thought that refused to leave. "How would Daring Do handle this?" Suddenly, she saw her opening. Sagging slightly, she spoke, her voice weary. "Fine. I surrender. You win." The stallion who had spoken blinked. This was not something he had expected, and he was thrown off guard. "Really?" he asked, his stance shifting from one of readiness to one of confused defensiveness. Twilight sighed. "No. Not really." And with that, a bolt of magic spat from her horn, knocking the lead pony off of his hooves, his chain spiraling through the air. Twilight caught it in her tail, spinning it as she had seen Applejack do so many times. The rest of the Guards took their stances, watching as Twilight drank deep from the reservoir of moonlight and magic in her crystal, turning, at least temporarily, from a tired, hurt, and defeated mare into a force to be reckoned with. The chain hummed as Twilight spun it faster and faster. She forced good cheer into her voice, knowing full well that one of her only edges in this fight was her reputation. "Now," she said, her face cast in a defiant smile. "Let's recap. You've been sent here to capture me, and bring me back to Celestia. One hundred of Equestria's finest, on strict orders not to kill me or seriously hurt me, am I right? Of course I am. Celestia needs me alive. What you should keep in mind, though, is this. I've got no such restrictions when it comes to you. 'Look at her!' You're probably thinking. 'She's all alone, just one mare! What could she do?' Well, that's true. I've got no plan, no backup, no weapons worth a damn save some very heavy chain which I'm looking forward to using. But most of all, I have Nothing. To. Lose. And that should scare you to death. So, before one of you brave defenders of Equestria takes a shot, consider doing the smart thing. Let your comrade go first." Her words had their intended effect, each of the ponies staring her and shying away unconsciously. Twilight pressed her advantage, spells of unimaginable power flying from her horn as she cut through the ranks like a force of nature, lashing out with the chain and kicking with her hooves, magically enhanced flesh and bone nearly as dangerous as the swinging metal or the crackling energy she wielded. Her initial assault caught them completely by surprise, and before they could react, ten of their number lay disabled on the ground, all of them very much unconscious, sporting broken limbs for their troubles. They jumped into action remarkably quickly, however, as Twilight raised her magical shield once more, the stormy energy merely canceling out the arcane bolts. A length of chain wrapped around her neck, and Twilight gasped at the cold seeping through her skin. Before she could react, it fastened itself shut once more, creating a tight collar. Two more wrapped around her hooves, and Twilight's eyes flashed hot white, as she let loose with a massive pulse of magic that accounted for another twenty guards, including the ones that had dared try to chain her. She moved like the wind, like flame, like lightning. She was an unstoppable force and an immovable object. The leaf on the wind and the sturdy oak it came from. Faster and faster she fought, as the best one hundred of Equestria's best soldiers fell like wheat before her fury. At last, Twilight stood victorious, shackled and wounded, but her chains hung loose, and she remained proud and unbound. Fighting the effects of the chains, she limped into the Vault, ready to face her next challenge. What she was fully expecting was the Bearers of the Elements, perhaps even Celestia herself. What she found was, in a way, worse. There, waiting for her, sitting in a row, their Elements laid out in a pile in front of them, were her friends. Not the Bearers as she had seen them, but her friends, who looked at her with expressions ranging from shock to relief to sadness. "Heya, Twilight." Rainbow Dash said. "How you doing?" Rarity spoke next. "We all agreed darling, this was probably the best way to speak to you." Fluttershy nodded. "The Elements made us look a bit scary. And we had a feeling that's what you'd be coming here for. So we took them off." Applejack looked right into Twilight's eyes, her green orbs reminding the unicorn horribly of Morning Star's own. "We just wanna talk, Twi. Ain't nothin' gonna happen, Pinkie promise." She looked over to the party pony beside her, who appeared worn and tired. "Y'all get that, sugarcube?" Pinkie Pie nodded weakly. "Got it, Applejack. We've been really worried, Twilight. We're willing to do whatever it takes to have you back with us. If you want to fight us, go ahead. We agreed not to use the Elements on you except to get rid of all the nasty magic. But could you at least explain to us why you did what you did?" Twilight Sparkle looked at her friends, eyes welling up with tears. She tried to speak, her voice catching. "I-" She swallowed around a lump in her throat. "Yes. I'll talk to you. Let's talk."