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.