Relic waited to leave. Something told him this might be the last time he ever saw his sister. She was still sleeping, curled around the tattered cloth she’d called a scarf. She clutched it between her front hooves, and then buried her nose in it.
She’d protested adamantly against helping Dominus with his plan. They wanted her to open something only she could open. Relic wondered why she’d refused. Didn’t these ponies deserve to get out of these caves, to eat the foods they had in Equestria? He ran his hoof through his red and blue mane. In the two days since Dominus had outlined his plans, Relic had questioned and re-questioned her motivations, and his own.
He’d only ever heard stories of rivers, or forests, or apples. He’d seen the sun, but never long enough to be warmed by it. Nights were too cold to ever leave their caves. Did she not see what they could gain by moving to Equestria?
She probably did. Story was smart, and better educated than even he was. She must know something about the rest of the plan, or Equestria, or maybe even Dominus that he didn’t. Had Dominus been wrong about Alicorns? Had he lied? Relic wasn’t sure what to think.
He didn’t always agree with Dominus, but Dominus always had his ponies’ best interests at heart, right? Relic scoffed inwardly. He hadn’t believed that in a long time. If Equestria was like Story said, then all three tribes lived in peace. That might be better than going it alone, even in a fertile paradise. But how was he supposed to know?
Story stirred, and was soon looking at him. “Why are you staring at me?” She asked sleepily.
“I- um- why don’t you want to help us?” Relic sat down as Story sat up. “We can’t survive here much longer.”
Story stared at the ground and rubbed her eyes. “I know. I can see that everyone here needs help.” She cleared her throat, “It’s just that Dominus is planning to take over Equestria. He may not say as much out loud, but I think he plans to wipe out every pony who lives there. That would include my family.”
“I’m your family. You were born here.” Relic put a hoof on her shoulder. “You’re all the family I have left.”
“I know. But I can’t let Dominus take the lives of innocent ponies.” Story returned his gesture. “I think maybe you can understand that.”
“I can.” Relic sighed. “But your refusal isn’t going to stop him. And if you continue to defy him Dominus might…” Relic knew all too well the ruthlessness of his leader. He just didn’t have the strength to oppose him.
“That’s a risk I have to take.” She shuddered. She only wished there was some way she could warn Princess Celestia. With some warning, the guard might just survive the attack.
“You’d rather die than help?” Relic pulled back.
“No! I want to help you, all of you.” Story reached for him again, grabbing both shoulders with her hooves. “I just can’t help Dominus. If he wanted to do this peacefully, I would help him. I would even forgive him for what he’s already done.”
“Equestrians wouldn’t accept us. They wouldn’t understand.” Relic turned to go. “They can’t know what we’ve gone through.”
“We have a Princess of Friendship. Loving and accepting is part of what Equestria’s built on.” Story walked over to him. “Please, Relic, I can’t let Dominus hurt anyone. I think you know how this ends. Think of the families, think of the foals.”
Relic knew all too well that Dominus had no extra care for foals. He knew that first hand.
“Relic, you’re crying. What’s this really about?” She waited as he wiped his eyes.
“You’re right. We can’t let him do this. No pony should lose a foal.” Relic started to leave. He had to get out of here before he did anything that could get him killed.
“You’re speaking from experience aren’t you?” Story wrapped her hooves around him, halting his exit. “I’m so sorry.” Relic tried to resist, but his very weary heart gave in. He wept. He let out all the pain and anger that he’d held back. He told her the story, and realized that nothing he did would fix this, or bring them back. He’d been fooled by Dominus into thinking that bringing his people into Equestria would ease his pain. He’d held onto some childish respect for the stallion even after what he’d done. But that ended today.
It was only after he pulled away that he realized Story had cried as well. She was wiping her eyes. Perhaps other Equestrians could accept them. Maybe they could be saved without the death of others, of innocents.
“I have to go, or somepony might wonder what’s going on.” Relic wiped his eyes again. Story nodded. He looked her in the eyes. “Have you ever wondered how we tell night from day?”
“What? Relic-“
“There is a hole near the summit of the mountain. The guards pass it on their rounds once every two hours or so.” He hoped she understood what he was trying to do. “If you want to see it, the easiest way to follow all the paths that slope up. It’s the only thing above this particular level.” He gave her a quick hug and walked out.
Story grabbed her chain with her magic and pulled as hard as she possibly could.
***
Darkness shrouded the apprentice as he went about his work. He had attempted to cast a spell of sight for Valerius, but come up empty hooved. That old stallion must be casting a protection spell. He had also tried the blue Pegasus, as well as the little purple alicorn. All he could see was a wall of white light.
He knew it must be Valerius helping them. Only he would know their vow to the Lost One would be broken. He wondered why they trusted the old unicorn at all. But Equestrians were known for the way they trusted and forgave. One of these days it would get them into trouble.
He had to think of a way to get rid of the blue Pegasus, Blaze. An utterly ridiculous name, even in Equestrian. If he was going to get what he wanted, that Pegasus had to go. He alone would be reason enough for the Lost One to return to Equestria. That could not happen.
All the apprentice had ever wanted was enough. Enough food, enough warmth, and enough power to do whatever he wished. The fertile plains of Equestria held enough food and shelter and warmth for all of the ponies, but power he could only gain here. There would be many changes once they left these dark and dismal caves.
Once the Lost One was convinced to help her true family she would then be hailed by them as a hero. If he convinced her correctly, she could be their hero and their Queen.
***
Blaze wandered about the sky at a slow pace. They were finally in the Northern Mountains, but he still wasn’t ready to stop. Valerius had been able to transport them, with Twilight’s help, to near the mountain top where unwanted foals were exposed. Blaze shuddered at the thought. What kind of ponies would ever, ever try to kill a foal? Valerius said it didn’t happen often, but that it would happen at all made Blaze sick.
He scanned the mountain below him as the other set up camp. They weren’t sure how to get in, so Blaze searched for any sign of an entrance, or any sign of life for that matter. These mountains were mostly barren, there weren’t even animal tracks beneath him. There was only a vast expanse of white, broken by patches of rock. Blaze did his best to taken in all the details of the mountains, in case he did find something.
A peak rose up in front of him, rocky mostly, but patches of snow held onto the flatter places. It looked climbable, if you were patient and careful. One patch of snow was a wide ledge, backed up against tall walls of rock.
Something small and yellow was wiggling where the ledge met wall. Blaze nearly flew past it, he just happened to glance down at the right moment. A second later the yellow thing was replaced by a soft glow. A soft purple glow. There was only one pony it could be.
“Story!” Blaze cried out as he landed. He couldn’t believe it. He knew his talent was finding things, but this was just a miracle. “Story!”
A yellow hoof appeared from a hole in the wall of the mountain. “Blaze!?” It was her voice. Blaze landed and looked around, but he wanted to leap into the air again at the sheer joy of hearing it. The hole was too small for any pony too crawl through. He bent down and put his face level with the hole.
“Story, thank Celestia.” Concerned filled him for a second. “Are you hurt?”
“No, I’m fine. I’m so glad you’re here, I can’t get out!” Story’s face was visible just past her hoof. She seemed to be smiling and crying at the same time. Blaze felt like doing the same.
“I know. But I’m so glad you’re ok.” Blaze wasn’t sure how they would get her out. He couldn’t make the hole any bigger, it was surrounded by solid rock. If only the others were here. He could fly and get Twilight, she could teleport Story out. Story unfortunately had never learned that spell. “Are you safe where you are?” He wrapped his hoof around hers. Holding it reassured him this was really happening, and not just a dream.
“Not really, Blaze listen.” Story squeezed his hoof. “There’s not a lot of time.” She glanced behind her, eyes wide and full of tears.
“Story, what’s wrong?” Blaze didn’t like where this conversation was going. He would not let Story sacrifice herself again. “I’m not going to just leave you here.”
“You have to get a message back to Celestia. Promise me.” Story held tighter to his hoof.
“Yes, of course, I promise.” Blaze wondered if the others were looking for him. If Twilight or Valerius found them, they could blast a hole in the rock, “But I’m not leaving without you.”
“Just listen first. The ponies here are planning an attack.” She glanced behind her again and lowered her voice. “They want the spells in The Vault.”
Blaze lay down in the cold snow, as close to Story as he could get. They must be coming after her, she kept looking back, and stopping to listen. “Story, can you hide and wait for me somewhere? I’ll come back with someone who can make this hole bigger. It won’t take long.”
“Blaze please. The attack is planned for a month from today, the first day of spring. If they get those spells-“ Story started to cry in earnest.
“We won’t let them. I promise.” Blaze nuzzled her hoof. His heart was slowly sinking, he had a feeling he’d have to fly away without her. She was so close, but he may as well have not found her. No, he could at least pass on this message.
“They need me to get into the vault.” That at least assured her safety a little longer. “But if I don’t help them they’ll try anyway. It will just take them longer. They have the magical power to do it.” Or not.
“Will you help them?” Blaze was afraid of the answer. He knew Story well enough to know that she’d make the sacrifice if necessary. She’d already done it once.
“No. I can’t. If I do they might succeed and-“
“Story, you have to help them. We’ll come up with another plan to stop them.” Blaze couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
Story looked at the frantic face through the frustratingly small hole. He was more concerned with her than all of Equestria. He didn’t understand. If she was with them, they could teleport right to the door of the vault, get in, take what they wanted, and teleport right out again. Without her, they’d have to blast through layers of magical protection, or come up with a scheme to get the princesses to let them in. They were the only others to have access. Even if the Guard or the Army were prepared, these Unicorns might be too fast for them.
“Blaze, please, warn Celestia. Stop them from destroying Equestria.” She hated the expression on his face, the concern, and all the worry.
“If we warn her it won’t matter if you help them or not. They’ll kill you if-“ Blaze knew this was futile, but he was going to say it anyway. He wasn’t about to find Story and then fly away knowing he’d lose her, forever.
“I know! I’m sorry.” Story pulled back. “The guards are coming, go before they hear you, or they’ll catch you too. Once you stop them, find a pony named Relic, or Vetus. He can tell you what’s really going on.”
“No, Story! I won’t let you do this.” Blaze was shouting into the tunnel that revealed the only speck of daylight here. They’d all hear him. “Don’t do this to me, Story, please, I just found you.” Blaze was crying now too, a sight she hadn’t seen since they were tiny, tiny foals.
She wasn’t going to be able to hold herself up in the tunnel much longer. She needed Blaze to go. They might kill her for trying to escape.
“If I promise to help them, will you go?” Story touched her hoof to his muzzle, feeling his strong jaw, and his wet fur.
“Do you promise?” Blaze nuzzled her hoof. Tears still spilled out.
“Yes, I promise.” Story met his eyes again, but couldn’t keep looking into them. She wasn’t sure if she was lying or not.
“Fine, but first-“ He pulled her towards him by her hoof, there was just enough space in the hole for Blaze’s muzzle and her leg. His lips met hers, and for a brief second she forgot that she was in a tiny, cold, dirty tunnel. She was just with Blaze, someplace warm and safe.
When he pulled away, she was cold and scared again. She almost asked him not to go, but he had to if he was going to warn everyone, and possibly save Equestria.
“I love you, Story. I need you to stay alive.” Blaze brushed away tears. It seemed a futile effort.
“I love you too. Please, stay safe.” Story didn’t bother to brush away the tears. She watched as Blaze turned and took off. Seconds later magic surrounded her and dragged her back to the darkness.