//------------------------------//
// Into the pit 
// Story: Frozen:The day the sun died. 
// by Brosparkles 
//------------------------------//

	Smoke drifted across the room in a small, crowded Canterlot bar. Alcohol was one of the few things people could turn to, and the bar’s sales showed it. Pre-apocalypse hard cider was being sold more than ever. On top of that, the bar owner had supposedly found an old cider press, powered by magic, made by her father and uncle. She was bartending tonight, her red mane contrasting with her blue jacket. Guards blocked the entrance, they looked like mercenaries. It was necessary to keep the place secure, the crime rate in Canterlot had shot up ridiculously, most ponies trying to get anything they could get their hooves on. The place was full, a musical act was booked tonight. On stage a beautiful white mare was finishing her act, on her last song. Her purple mane flowed freely as she sang, cutely curled behind her, wearing a light purple dress..She had a cutie mark of a quarter note.  Along with her were a young reddish brown colt, playing a saxophone, a brown stallion playing the piano,  a much older, grey mare, wearing her signature bow tie, and playing the cello. Octavia was the main draw of attention tonight, she was famous all throughout Equestria before the apocalypse, and just as famous now. She had retired years ago, but decided to come back on stage once more, with a new group. They had wrapped up their performance, and the crowd cheered. They headed off stage, and went to get some cider. The barmare served them up some mugs of cider, and they sat at a nearby table.

“You were brilliant up there, Sweetie.” Octavia said.

“Thanks, but I could never compare to somepony as great as you. You’re the reason so many ponies showed up today, anyway.” Sweetie Belle said.

“You’re improving, really. They loved you.” Octavia said.

An orange pegasus sat near her, her purple mane cut short, with her feather cutie mark shown proudly on her side.

“You were amazing!” Scootaloo exclaimed.

Scootaloo was heavily covered in patchwork clothing to stay warm in the frozen wastes. Holes were cut into her clothes to let her small wings flap freely. Her wings were much smaller than normal, seemingly too small to support flight. She was one of the only ponies with her condition, and the first to fly with it.

“Thanks, really.” Sweetie Belle said, and took a big swig of cider.

Scootaloo ordered a drink, and signaled to Apple Bloom to sit near her. Apple Bloom took over ownership of Sweet Apple Acres, which now grew whatever would take to the frozen soil. Her farming techniques managed to grow some of the more rare crops, within heated buildings. She earned her cutie mark when she took control of Sweet Apple Acres, an Apple cutie mark, as was traditional in her family.

“So Sweetie. Have ya’ll thought about performing anywhere else?” Apple Bloom asked

“Where else is there? Ponyville’s gone, and Canterlot’s all I know.” Sweetie said.

“Manehattan is still alive.” Octavia said.

“Really?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Yeah, I’ve seen it, on a delivery. Not quite as big as Canterlot, but the city is still there.” Scootaloo said.

“Maybe I should-” Sweetie said, before being interrupted.

A stallion came crashing in through the door, bloody and bruised.

“What happened to you?” Octavia asked.

“I don’t even know. That...thing just attacked me!” The stallion said, panting heavily.

“Thing?” Sweetie asked.

“It had scales, and a huge jaw.” he said, gesturing to a bite mark on his leg.

“Come on, let’s get you some help.” Apple Bloom said, and he leaned on her.

The two of them left the bar, heading to the medical center.

“What do we do?” Sweetie asked.

“Is there anything to do about it? How would we stop it?” Octavia said.

“I guess not. Still, I don’t feel safe out here.” Scootaloo said.

“Come on, let’s go home, I was thinking of getting out of here anyway.” Sweetie said.

“I’ll be staying here for a while longer, I’ll see you later.” Octavia said.

Scootaloo and Sweetie left, heading to their home. They had undressed, preparing to sleep.

“I still don’t feel right about ignoring this.” Sweetie said.

“Can we talk about this tomorrow? I’m really tired.” Scootaloo said.

“Me too.” Sweetie said.

Sweetie crawled into bed, and quickly fell asleep.

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Sol awoke, hungry and sore. Yesterday took a lot out of him, he was too shook up to have worried about eating yesterday, and he felt it now. The smell of food coming from the kitchen was heavenly, he headed that way. He could hear chatter from the dining room, somepony was in there. 

“Ah, Sol! Perfect timing, we were just about to start breakfast.” Luna said.

Everypony else had gathered around the table, he took his seat next to Aqua. They had begun eating, when somepony entered.

“Princess!” Scootaloo exclaimed.

“What is it, child?” Luna asked.

“Did you hear about what happened last night?” Sweetie said.

“Hmm? What would that be?” Luna said.

“Somepony was attacked!” Scootaloo exclaimed.

“What?” Sol exclaimed.

“Late last night, somepony said a scaly creature attacked them!” Scootaloo said.

“You mean those...things are attacking ponies in the city?” Aqua asked.

“You’ve seen them?” Scootaloo asked.

“Luna, this is worse than we thought.” Spike said.

“Where is he?” Luna asked.

“Apple Bloom took him down to the medical center, he’ll probably still be there.” Sweetie said.

“We should go hear what he has to say.” Sol said.

“Thank you for telling us this.” Luna said.

Luna stood, she had finished eating.

“Come on, let’s go.” Spike said.

Everypony had finished, and followed Luna.

“We should come with you.” Scootaloo said.

“I suppose there’s no harm in that.” Luna said.

The group headed through the town, still mostly empty, but a little more active than when Sol got here. A few ponies were going about their business, and the street outside the bar where Sweetie played last night had a few ponies outside it. Two were talking, the other simply sat, a cloud of smoke covering him. Smoking was almost unheard of in Equestria before the freezing, as was drinking, but they quickly became popular afterward. The center was just to the left, and the group entered. It was a very small building, but it was packed. Ponies were filling almost all of the beds, injured or sick. The few ponies with medical knowledge and skill were rushing about, horribly understaffed and under equipped 

“Princess! What can I do for you?” A nurse asked, somewhat stressed.

“I’m just here to speak with somepony.” Luna said.

“Who?” she asked.

“The victim of the attack last night.” Spike said.

“Right this way.” she said, leading them to him.

He was lying in a bed, bandaged somewhat sloppily. He looked up at Luna confusedly.

“Princess?” he asked.

“Hello, Gust.” Luna said.

“You know my name?” Gust asked.

“Of course, I know everypony’s names here.” Luna said.

“Well, what can I help you with?” Gust asked.

“Can you tell me about the night you were attacked?” Luna said.

“If it’ll help. I was walking close to the Palace, heading back into town, when I heard these loud, scratching footsteps. I turned around, when I was tackled to the ground, I tried my best to get away, but my muscles locked up. I fought as hard as I could and managed to make it into town, but that thing tore me up. Some mare helped me up, and took me here.” he said.

“If that...thing is able to leave the mountain, then we’ve got a huge threat to deal with.” Aqua said.

“Well, what are we waiting for? If we wait here, somepony else could get hurt.” Spike said, leaving.

“Spike, wait!” Luna said, chasing after him.

Spike left, Luna chasing after him.

“Princess, I’m heading back there. Are you coming?” Spike said.

“Spike, what’s gotten into you? Why did you storm out of there?” Luna said.

“I need to stop this. If you’re coming, great. If not, get out of my way.” Spike said, flying into the air.

“Where’s he going?” Sol asked, as he headed outside.

“I don’t know.” Luna said.

“He just left?” Aqua said, following Sol.

Sol took off into the air, chasing after Spike.

“Sol!” Aqua yelled.

“Let him go.” Luna said.

“But-” Amethyst said.

“Maybe he’ll get through to Spike. I never could.” Luna said.

“What do you mean?” Aqua asked.

“He always helps out around the castle, but he never seemed to want to help me. It felt like he had some sort of other purpose.” Luna said.

“So what do we do now that we’ve got the only hope for fighting those things throwing a tantrum in the sky?” Amethyst asked.

A plume of flame shot into the sky, and Sol came flying back down towards the group.

“He wouldn’t even listen to me.” Sol said.

“Of course not. He’s never been very reasonable.” Luna said.

“He wants to help. I can tell.”  Sol said.

“I’m going.” Amethyst said.

“I guess we don’t have any other options.” Aqua said.

“Let’s go!” Sol exclaimed.

“...Ok, I’ll do it. For Celestia.” Luna said.

They headed off towards the mountain, where the pitch black cavern awaited. The caves were just as dark as before, but they felt different, and were a bit warmer, and much wider.

“Spike must have blown through here, only dragonfire could burn hot enough the cut through the rocks.” Luna said.
Outside of the entrance the light returned. Bodies of several of the scaled beasts lie charred on the ground.

“Maybe Spike’s on to something.” Amethyst said.

“Maybe.” Luna said.

They continued on throughout the caves, getting further than before. The ground grew more orderly, and seemed to resemble a crude road. As dark as the caves were, light could be seen ahead, coming in quick bursts. As they approached, the bursts were revealed to be green dragonfire. Spike was ahead, burning through rock blocking his path.

“Spike!” Sol said.

“You actually took those things down!” Luna said.

“They didn’t even put up a fight. I barely had to use my flames.” Spike said.

“But they were so strong before.” Sol said.

“They just really hate fire.” Aqua said.

The rocks ahead melted, and almost immediately after cooled. They continued to do this under his flames, until a path was made. Ahead of them was a pit,with no obvious way down, and no telling how deep. Aqua picked up one of the smaller rocks with his magic and dropped it down the pit. It seemed to take ages for it to hit the bottom.

“Well, we can probably hover down, but I don’t know about flying back up, and then that leaves Aqua and Amethyst.” Sol said.

“I can carry them.” Spike said.

“Well, are we doing this?” Amethyst asked.

“I’m in.” Sol said.

“Me too.” Spike said.

Luna and Aqua seemed hesitant.

“If it must be done.” Luna said.

“Ok. If I must.” Aqua said.

Spike grabbed Amethyst in one hand and Aqua in the other. The group hovered down, Aqua with eyes closed from fear, not that he could see much to begin with.