//------------------------------// // Into the Breach // Story: As Cutie as a Button // by Scrucee //------------------------------// Blue Button and Artemis quickly rushed through the narrow streets and dusty side roads of Cliffside's maze-like layout. Although Blue Button felt slightly intimidated by the initially overpowering personality of this other resident, he was glad to have found at least another pony to share in his panic. As well as many awkward glances shared between the two ponies, the pair exchanged a short conversation. "So what kind of spell has befallen your two companions, my dear friend?" Artemis asked, in a somewhat curious yet arrogant tone. "Well...I don't actually know, they seem to be in a trance of some sort and their horns are glowing with magic auras." Blue Button responded. He was barely keeping up with his assistance, who had not shaken off his posh, high class demeanour. "Well, this Unicorn..." he emphasised "...knows all kinds of mysterious and abominable magic. He cannot live without it." "But I thought Unicorns were limited in abilities by their..." he paused "...cutie marks." "They are!" stated Artemis with a knowing tone. "But this pony's talent is in unusual and interesting types of magic." Blue Button could scarcely believe his luck. A pony whose primary calling in life was to search for brave new frontiers in magical research, and he was about to assist him in solving his strange magic-based conundrum! Perhaps this day, things were looking up for once. Once arriving at the mouth of the daunting mines, the duo, especially Blue, were confronted with a strange revelation, however this new surprise was not the one they were expecting at all. Tealeaf and Arion were standing at the opening, appearing to be looking for something. Arion was sitting on a nearby supply crate calmly eating a sandwich whilst peering into the dark tunnel, whilst Tealeaf was pacing by the same spot muttering in a concerned tone. "Oh, where could he have gone? Did he go back home to duck out? Did he enter the cave? We need to find him somewhere." she moaned. "Calm down sis. He's probably just gone back to sandwich." blurted Arion with a burp. "That doesn't even make any sense!" Tealeaf huffed. "Oh, there he is! See I told you...something...what did I say again?" "Ugh!" "What I mean is, he's back. Look look, and he's even brought a friend. You can relax now." Tealeaf quickly trotted toward Blue, as she was very worried about his safety. The two had been together since foal school, and had always looked out for each other. Tealeaf even considered him her slightly older brother on occasion, something she was very vocal about. Arion, on the other hand, would inconvenience her on occasion with his witless prattle, hardly the ideal brother for such a mare. Arion, used to his sister's treatment of Blue Button, rolled his eyes. "What happened to you?" she asked. "We were just going through the normal procedure to have our magic removed when you ran off calling for help. Didn't we brief you on what happens when a Unicorn pony tries to enter the mine?" "Is THAT what you rushed this intellectual pony all the way here for?" interrupted Artemis. "Any old Unicorn around here is well aware of the effect the mine and its contents has on Unicorn magic." he scoffed. Sensing his acquaintance’s confusion, he slowly explained to Blue in a bored tone. "The effect of the Foals Gold on the Unicorns...is that their magic skills are temporarily taken away from them once entering this region inside the mountain. It's been baffling pony scientists as to why for a long time..." "We thought Madame Urbmane warned you all about it." mentioned Tealeaf in a monotone voice. "I believe your hint has been taken, my fellow ponies. You have in your presence, a Unicorn who lusts for danger and intrigue around every corner of the land! I will assist you in this endeavour to find the precious Foals Gold on your quest." Artemis proudly interjected in a regal fashion. "What hint?" asked Arion in a confused voice. But by the time he had finished his question, Artemis had already approached the entrance to the mines and began to have his magic taken away from him in order to begin the mission. The removal of the Unicorn magic took a mere ten or fifteen seconds, not as long as Blue had taken the time to be worried about. "I guess he can come too..." said Tealeaf flatly. "But be careful, these caves are no picnic, be prepared. Unexpected things are gonna happen, so don't try to be a hero." "Duly noted!" said Artemis proudly. Without further delay, the four ponies slowly stepped into the cave's entrance one by one. Artemis, being the adventurous one, raised his head into a proud stance and regally entered the darkness, followed by Arion, then Tealeaf, who gaze back from time to time in order to make sure Blue Button was keeping up. The sudden pitch black void, only lit by the soft, faint glow of a lantern was immediately unwelcome to the stallion, almost as unwanted as the cold chill of the rushing wind, and the distant, ominous screeching of the cave's native Cliffside Long-Eared Bat. The cave's removal of the Unicorn's magical power had done nothing to dampen their high spirits, however. Artemis was telling tales of his adventures of Maretonia, Stalliongrad and Hollow Shades to an eagerly interested Arion, who was carrying the supplies for the group in his saddlebags, which were packed to the brim with energy bars and hay biscuits. The group encountered a fork in the passageway before long, which Tealeaf remembered it was required to take a right at, and the group carried on walking from that point at a slow pace. "You know..." whispered Arion with a smirk on his face. "I have a spooky story to pass the time, if everypony is brave enough to hear it..." "Really Arion...really..." bemoaned Tealeaf with a tone somewhat between anger and frustrated boredom. "Okay. So here goes. This tale is not for the faint-hearted. It is the dark story of a group of ponies who dared to enter a mysterious and scary mine. When they stayed there for the night, in search of gemstones, they were hunted down...one by one...by the dreaded Moaning Monster of the Mountain!" Tealeaf simply gave the terrified Blue a wink and a reassuring glance. Blue, on the other hoof, had to endure the unnerving ordeal, however, for the next half hour. He was truly alone. Although Tealeaf intently checked in on him every once in a while, he was drained of his energy, as if the cave's magical dampening field had also affected his strength and ability also. "And they were never seen, ever again! Muahahaha!" Arion barely finished his story before Artemis butted in, as he had impatiently intended to from the story's introduction. "That makes no sense. How in Equestria did the Pegasus hurt her wing in a cave? And whatever happened to that monstrosity of a third act? You rushed that story terribly, and it possessed no suspense in the slightest." "It's a fantasy story, those details don't matter!" "Argh!" A rumbling of the ground. Quick hoofsteps in any direction. The walls seem to vibrate and contort, canvassed in darkness. A quick flash. A frightened glance from a long lost sibling. All distant in plain sight. Darkness. Darkness. Darkness...