//------------------------------// // Chapter 10: Into the Ruins // Story: After Midnight // by Nebula Star //------------------------------// After Midnight By Nebula Star Part 3: A Dying World *** Chapter 10: Into the Ruins *** “You two be good for Nata, alright?” Surprise said, as she hugged the twins. “I don't know how long we'll be gone, but I promise we'll be back before you know it!” They were gathered on the path leading north out of Ponyville that would take them to the ancient road to Canterlot. In addition to the five bearers, there were four changelings of Chrysalis's royal guard going with them. All nine of them were wearing saddle bags with supplies. Sonata, the twins, and many more of the townsponies had come to see them off. “Be safe,” Raindrop said tearfully as she hugged Surprise tightly. “We will,” Surprise told her holding out the embrace a few moments longer. “Time to go,” Kira said softly, not wanting to force them apart, but knowing they needed to get on their way. Surprise nodded and reluctantly released the fillies. Turning to follow the others, she gave one final wave and smile before looking forward toward their destination. The others were already starting down the road and she had to hurry to catch up. “SURPRISE!” A small voice cried suddenly and she turned back in time to see little Dewdrop, tears flowing freely from her eyes as she galloped and leaped up throwing her hooves around Surprise's neck and clutching tightly to her. “Come back safe... you, you have to come back!” She whimpered even as Surprise overcame her shock and embraced the small filly. “I will, Dewdrop. I promise, I'll come back, safe and sound. We all will,” she assured her. “I can't lose another mama...” Surprise froze. She'd never before considered just what she was to the two fillies. That they might just start to think of her as their second mother. But then, wasn't that what she was? She hugged Dewdrop tightly, hoping it would reassure her. “You're not going to lose me,” she said softly holding out the embrace a few moments more. Soft steps nearby made them both look up to see Kira by their side. “Don't worry, Dewdrop. I won't let anything happen to Surprise, Cryssy, or anyone else. I promise,” she said with a gentle smile. “You mean it?” Dewdrop asked and Kira nodded. “On my honor as a dragon-pony. I'll do whatever it takes to make sure everyone comes back safe and sound.” Dewdrop smiled thankfully up at her, then gave Surprise one last squeeze. Surprise released her and gave her a smile while ruffling her mane. “Look after your sister while I'm gone, okay.” With a sniff she nodded then turned and galloped back to Raindrop and Sonata. Surprise waved one last time and then turned and they were finally on their way. “Dewdrop hasn't opened up like that since her mother died...” She said softly so only Kira could hear. Kira smiled and stretched one wing around her as they walked. “Don't worry, Surprise, you'll see them again before you know it.” ~~~ On hoof, it took them nearly the entire day to reach the road up the mountain. That night they camped at the mountain's base. They were all on edge sleeping within sight of the ruins of the once great city, but morning came without incident and they continued their journey up the mountainside. They made good time and so it was barely past mid morning when they reached the gates of the ruins. Not much of the city remained. Most had collapsed down the mountainside after Midnight Star's chaos had torn it apart, but those parts that had been built on the cliffs themselves, and not on the artificial shelves that had been built to support most of the city, still clung to the mountainside. It wasn't even a third of the original city that remained, but even so, it still extended for miles along the mountainside. And looming above it all, further up on the cliffs above the city, was the dark castle of Midnight Star. Completely abandoned and left to the elements. The small group stood before the fallen gates of the city, looking out across the ruins. Somewhere in there would be the hidden entrance to the caves that housed the heart of magic. Being this close, Kira had no trouble confirming that the heart was somewhere in the depths of the mountain. The only question was, where? “Most likely, the original castle that was started for the princesses was built on top of entrance to the caves. That will be the place to start,” Kira told the others as she scanned the ruins. What little remained of the original castle was on the far side from where they stood, which meant they'd have to cross almost the entirety of the ruins. The chances of keeping their presence from becoming known by the shadow creature for that long weren't very high. “I doubt we'll be able to avoid being noticed so everyone be on guard. If you spot anything, call it out immediately. Once we get to the castle ruins, Atlas can use his spell to help us find the entrance to the cave.” Atlas nodded. “Shouldn't be too hard.” “Hopefully if we don't appear as if we intend to stay, the shadow creature won't bother us, but don't count on it. Keep your elements on at all times.” The other bearers all nodded. “Perhaps we'll get lucky and the beast will know what the elements are and be too intimidated to challenge us,” Chrysalis said hopefully. “That would be nice,” Kira agreed. “But again, I wouldn't count on it.” “Don't worry!” Surprise spoke up, grinning. “I've been practicing my light spells! If that mean shadow shows up, I'll just light it up so there will be no more shadow!” She then demonstrated. Her phantom horn appearing as she cast her spell. Instead of being emitted from the horn itself however. The light instead came from Surprise's eyes. Kira laughed at the sight of the pegasus's eyes emitting beams of light. “I suppose it's worth a try, but I don't think a simple light spell will work, Surprise,” she said when she regained control of her laughter. The light from Surprise's eyes faded as she ended the spell. “Why not?” “How could a shadow creature drive pony's away from here if they couldn't move in the light? I don't think it's actually made of shadow, it probably just looks like it.” “Ah well... At least I have a light spell for in the caves.” Kira laughed softly. “Yes, it will certainly be useful for that,” she said, then started forward. “Well, let's head toward the castle. Atlas, keep scanning for caves along the way just in case there's another entrance. Everyone else, keep your eyes open for any movement.” ~~~ Destiny looked around nervously as they followed one of the main roads toward the ruins of the ancient castle. She didn't know much about Equestria's history, the nocturne tribe had abandoned the nation shortly after the princess of the night had fallen to corruption. What little she knew was mostly from Kira and Atlas, and it wasn't encouraging. The Canterlot castle hadn't been finished when Princess Celestia had fallen, and Nightmare Moon and Discord had each taken control of part of Equestria. The castle had then fallen under the control of Discord. The city itself had been leveled several times during the wars between Discord and Nightmare Moon, and each time it had been rebuilt. Then only three years ago it had been leveled again in the battle between Midnight Star and the two immortals. A small number, either too afraid to try their luck in the wilds, or too reluctant to leave their homes, had chosen to try and live under Midnight Star's reign and rebuild, despite Midnight's tendency to tear the city apart with chaos magic on a regular basis. What remained was a collection of half repaired, barely livable homes, most built from bits and fragments of older buildings that had long since fallen. It wasn't a very welcoming place by any stretch of the imagination. Rustling her wings, Destiny couldn't help but look longingly toward the open skies above the city. They could have made the trip a lot faster if they could have just flown. It was only Atlas who couldn't fly, but they couldn't leave him behind. He was one of the bearers after all, and so a vital part of the mission. And unfortunately he was too big to be carried the whole way. She glanced at him feeling a little guilty. She was just nervous, it wasn't his fault he was a unicorn and couldn't fly. Was that movement!? Destiny looked past Atlas to the far side of the road they were following and the collapsed house there. For a moment she thought she'd seen something moving in the shadows beneath the rubble and few remaining walls, but as she looked closer, there didn't seem to be anything. “Destiny?” With a start she realized she had frozen mid step. “I... I thought I saw something over there,” she said indicating the ruins. Immediately one of the changeling guards, took off, flying over to ruins in question. Kira stepped to Destiny's side and put a wing around her. “Don't be afraid to speak up. We don't know what we're dealing with. If you see anything, tell us right away, even if you're not certain. You can see into the shadows better than the rest of us, so you're more likely to spot something. Its better to have thousands of false alarms, than ignore the one true threat.” Destiny nodded. “Okay.” “Nothing here,” the changeling called back a moment later and quickly rejoined the group. “Let's keep moving then. Atlas, any sign of the caves yet?” He shook his head. “I can sense there's caves down there in the mountain, but there's nothing near the surface here. My spell only has an accurate range of about a hundred paces. Further than that I only get vague impressions.” Kira nodded. “Alright, just tell us if you sense what could be an entrance.” “I will,” he assured her and they continued on toward the castle. It wasn't long until Destiny saw movement again from the ruins, but just like the first time, she couldn't be certain and when one of the guards went to check, he found nothing. Several more times they caught glimpses of movement in the shadows, each time pausing to check it out. Most the time it was Destiny that saw it, but a few times others thought they'd seen something as well. They never caught whatever it was, however, nor could they confirm whether they even seen anything at all. By the time they were nearing the castle ruins, they were all on edge. None more so than Destiny. She shivered, looking side to side, trying to watch every direction at once. She was certain they were being followed; that the shadow creature was just biding its time, watching them, waiting for an opportunity to strike. “You alright?” Surprise asked softly, stepping up to her side and wrapping a wing around her comfortingly. She shook her head. “No,” she whimpered. “That thing is following us. I just know it.” Surprised nodded. “Yep, it sure is.” Destiny looked at her, shocked at her calm confirmation. “How do you know?” “My wings always tingle when somepony is following me, and they've been tingling since the first time you saw it,” Surprise explained calmly. Hearing this, Destiny began trembling under her wing. “How can you be so calm!?” “Well, so far it hasn't tried to do anything,” she shrugged. “Maybe it just wants to make sure we don't plan on staying.” “But, what if it's just waiting for us to lower our guard!?” Surprised smiled reassuringly. “Then we don't lower our guard.” “But, what if something happens!?” “We can't worry about what ifs,” Atlas told her stepping up to her other side. “We just have to continue on and hope this shadow creature understands that we're not here to take over its territory. While at the same time keeping our guard up just in case.” “Besides, even if it does decide to attack, I don't think it will really hurt anypony. At least, it hasn't killed anypony yet. When it drove all the ponies out of Canterlot; it didn't really hurt any of them, it just scared them,” Surprise told her. Taking a shuddering breath, Destiny tried to calm herself. It was good to know that the shadow creature wasn't known for being excessively violent. Atlas smiled and pulled her into a comforting hug. “Don't worry, Destiny. We're all getting through this together, then we can go home and never worry about this shadow creature again.” Destiny hugged Atlas back, aware that the rest of the group had paused as well, but they all seemed to realize that she needed this. “Thanks, Atlas,” she whispered softly after a few moments. Slowly she opened her eyes again... to find a glowing pair of slit pupil eyes staring back at her from the shadows of a collapsed building. “BEHIND YOU!” She screamed leaping back and up into the air, pointing with her hoof. Everypony spun toward where she was pointing, but even as she had screamed the warning the eyes had vanished and the darker shadows receded, leaving only an empty ruin. Even so one of the changeling guards leaped forward to investigate, while the other three took up defensive positions around the group. As usual, the guard didn't find anything in the ruins. Destiny was a wreck, her entire body shaking uncontrollably. Concerned for her long time friend, Kira hurried to her and embraced her, wrapping both her wings and forelegs around her. “It's okay, you're okay!” She intoned confidently, trying to soothe the nocturne. “I... I can't... I can't take this!” She whimpered, clinging to Kira as if her life depended on it. “Yes you can!” Kira told her firmly. “That thing is following us!” She almost screamed in response. “I know, but it can't hurt you! Not so long as I'm here!” Kira told her, holding her tightly, hoping it would remind Destiny how strong she was. “I won't let anything happen to you!” “But, the others...” She whimpered. “I'll protect them too! I'll protect them all!” Kira told her with such confidence that Destiny's fears slowly began to subside. “We'll all protect each other!” Chrysalis corrected. “So long as we stick together, no shadow creature will get the better of us!” Destiny sniffed once more, her trembling slowly fading in Kira's embrace. She could feel her friends all around her; feel their concern for her. Finally she let go of Kira and stepped back, though Kira still kept a wing around her, comfortingly. She looked up at Kira. “Can we, stop for a bit. I need... I just, need some time.” Kira looked back into her eyes and slowly nodded. “Okay,” she said softly. “Then... would it be alright if I did the shield dance, just in case?” Kira nodded once more. “Okay, and I'll put wards around us while we rest so nothing can approach us without me knowing it.” Destiny smiled thankfully then went to Atlas and Surprise, the three of them lying down together, with Destiny in the middle; Surprise stretching a wing over her protectively. Kira watched them for only a moment before turning and starting to pace the perimeter; casting the ward spells, just as she'd promised. It wasn't long before Chrysalis joined her, casting a second layer of ward spells for the added peace of mind. Once they finished, they rejoined the others, the changeling guards taking up positions around them so they could watch all approaches and react instantly should the wards be triggered. ~~~ It was nearly an hour before Destiny had calmed enough that she felt ready to try her ritual dance. This one was intended to provide all present with a magical barrier that would protect them from harmful magic until the energy of the spell wore out. She had no trouble performing the dance, and as she finished Kira felt the protective spell wrap around her. She was actually surprised by the spell's strength. From what she sensed, she estimated it could block several spells from even the strongest of unicorns. In fact, she couldn't be sure without testing it. But she thought it might even be strong enough to block one of her strongest spells. Once Destiny finished the ritual, they started on their way again. She was doing much better the second half of the journey through the ruins. Though Kira thought it may have been because Atlas stayed right by her side, quietly engaging her in conversation to keep her from thinking about what was out there. Kira saw them several times with their heads together whispering to one another. A few times, Destiny was even smiling. It was small, and fragile, but a smile none the less. Kira smiled as well when she saw this. Atlas was a very kind-hearted pony. Almost as kind as Destiny herself. She was glad they were both her friends. Atlas didn't forget his role in their mission however and continued to scan the mountainside for caves near the surface as they walked. But as they approached the castle ruins and he still had not found anything, Kira was confident that her original guess had been correct, and the castle itself was built over the entrance. She just hoped it wasn't too buried in the rubble. Kira looked ahead at the ruins looming before them. Though half of the castle had gone over the cliff when the supports had collapsed in the battle; what remained was still a sprawling maze of collapsed corridors and chambers. Some were easily recognized, parts of the walls still standing, clearly marking the boundaries of a chamber. Others were gone completely, and all that remained was a pile of broken stonework and tiles with the occasional piece of rotting furniture or ruined tapestry. There was no doubt in Kira's mind however, that the entrance to the caves would be somewhere inside. Confirmation came only a few moments later. “Feels like there's something near the cliff-side in the castle grounds.” The caves I can sense seem to get close to the surface there, but I'll need to get closer to be sure.” Atlas said, his horn glowing. Kira nodded smugly. “I knew the princesses would want to guard the entrance themselves. Come on everyone, let's find these caves!” She called to the rest of them, picking up the pace as they entered the castle grounds. Destiny was becoming nervous again as they made their way through the castle ruins. These ruins had a lot more places for the shadow creature to hide. She tried to keep from breaking down again though, they were so close. If they could just find the heart and do what they had to to save it, then they could leave this place and never come back. “There's definitely something... this way,” Atlas said, leading the others toward one of the deepest parts of the ruins where several floors of the castle had once stood. It wasn't long before they had to climb over some of the rubble. Or at least, Atlas had to climb. The rest of them of course had their wings. Finally they reached a section of the ruins that was right near the cliffs above the city where there was several rows of small identical rooms. Or at least they had been identical. Now some were completely collapsed making it all but impossible to determine the room's size, while others still had most of their four walls standing. “I think this was part of the barracks,” Chrysalis said as she hovered over the site, examining the ruins. Kira grinned. “Of course, what better way to protect the entrance than to have half the royal guard sleep on top of it.” “Well not quite on top of it,” Atlas corrected. “The tunnel I can sense is a little further back, but it doesn't quite reach the surface. We may have to dig it out.” “How far?” Kira asked. “At least six or seven paces.” Kira winced. It had taken her more than ten minutes of constant spell-work to cut through a fraction of that. Taking time to rest, it would take her a few hours to get through so much. “That won't be a problem.” Chrysalis said landing nearby. “Just tell us where and my changelings and I will have a tunnel cut out in no time at all. We do typically live underground after all.” Kira looked at her surprised. “You can dig out that much, that quick.” She grinned. “We've developed some very efficient tunneling methods over the years.” “Alright then, Atlas?” Nodding he stepped forward heading toward where the rubble ran right up to the cliff-side. "From here, dig strait into the cliff, and about thirty degrees down and you should hit it. Chrysalis nodded. “Alright, just keep an eye on our progress and tell us if we start to go off course.” She said gesturing for her changeling guards to join her. “Everyone else; we're standing guard,” Kira told the others and Destiny nodded. ~~~ It only took the changelings a half hour to dig the tunnel through to what Atlas had sensed. When they did finally break through they were somewhat surprised to find it wasn't a natural cave, but a pony made tunnel leading into the mountain. But Atlas confirmed that it was the entrance to the main cave system and that it was likely the castle's access tunnel. It had been collapsed not far past where they broke through, cutting off that entrance to the caves, though Atlas thought there might be more entrances further on into the ruins. Regardless, they had found one entrance and that was all they needed. “Alright, Everyone who can, use light spells. It's going to be dark in there,” Kira said as they prepared to enter the caves. “And while we're down there, everyone stay close and don't get separated. For all we know the shadow creature is still following us, so let's not make ourselves easy targets. And keep a sharp eye out, the creature will likely have plenty of places to hide down there so we have to be careful.” “We'll go first and light the way.” One of the changeling guards offered. “Alright.” Kira nodded. “Let's get going then.” The tunnel the changelings had dug out was surprisingly smooth considering how quickly they had done it, and Kira began to wish she had studied their tunneling techniques as well as their transformation magic when she'd stayed with them all those years ago. The chamber where she'd kept the Elements hidden for centuries had taken her months to carve out on her own. After around six paces they reached the ancient tunnel that must have been dug out even as the castle was being built. Perfectly level, the tunnel wasn't very long, and before they knew it, they had reached the caves themselves. “Wow.” Surprise said simply, her eyes glowing as they all emerged into a massive, crystal lined cavern. Even with all their light spells, the far side of the cavern disappeared into the darkness; only glints of light reflected from more crystals pierced the black void. Half of Ponyville could have fit in the first chamber alone. “Well, now that we found the caves, where do we go?” Chrysalis asked, turning to Kira. Frowning Kira concentrated, sensing the ambient magic in the world around them. She could sense the heart was close, but just how close? And in what direction? She reached out, trying to feel the almost imperceptible currents within the ambient magic that she knew had to be flowing away from the heart. Finally she got it. “That way,” she told them; indicating a path ahead and to their right. “The heart is less than a mile away.” “There's mine cart tracks!” Surprise said looking down the path Kira had indicated. Kira nodded. “That was how the heart was discovered. Unicorns were mining these caves for gems. When they came across the heart however, the princesses immediately closed the mines and had everyone who knew sworn to secrecy. Then of course, once they died, it was only the princesses that really knew what was down here.” “How did you find out?” Surprise asked. “It was when I first saw visions of this time... I saw the elements and the heart of magic. I didn't know where it was at first; but I knew I needed to obtain the Elements of harmony. So I came to Canterlot to try and convince Princess Celestia to leave them in my care. I didn't go to their original castle at first because I knew what was going to happen to Princess Luna...” “Luna? Was that Nightmare Moon's name before...?” Surprise asked. Kira nodded. “Anyway, I wanted to see Celestia alone. Luckily she was overseeing the construction of the castle here while Luna was still back at their old castle. So I came to talk to her. She was busy though, so I had to wait until a time she could see me. While I waited I meditated on the vision I'd had. And amidst my meditations, I was able sense the heart deep within the mountain. It helped that I knew what the heart would feel like from my visions. “Unfortunately, neither my visions nor my meditations gave me clear instructions for navigating these caves. Atlas, what's it look like?” He shook his head. “There's dozens of tunnels of all different sizes branching off of this main chamber, alone, and every one of them has multiple branches going all different directions. It's a maze down here Kira.” “We'll find it.” Chrysalis said confidently. “Even if we have to search every tunnel.” Kira nodded in agreement. “Hopefully we won't have to...” A cloud of pure darkness erupted from the shadows ahead. Kira threw up a magic barrier around herself and all those behind her, but even as she did, the changeling guards were engulfed, vanishing from sight. The darkness crashed against Kira's barrier with far more force than she was expecting. She gasped as she felt her magic draining at an alarming rate. She couldn't hold out for long. Desperately she held onto the barrier, protecting her friends as Destiny screamed. Seeing Kira straining to hold on; Chrysalis cast a second barrier inside of Kira's should it fail. Still Kira fought with all she had against the shadow. Then, as quickly as it had appeared, it was gone; vanishing into the shadows of the cave. As for the changeling guards; there was no sign of them.