//------------------------------//
// Inferno by Knight of Lycaeus 
// Story: Tainted Love: A Twysalis Prompt Tag Collab 
// by Foals Errand 
//------------------------------//

by Knight of Lycaeus

“When you said you had a trip in mind to show me something special in return for me showing you around our oldest Hive I didn’t think we would be here, especially since I thought that Ponies had abandoned the lower parts of Mount Canterhorn,” Chrysalis said as she followed Twilight through a large stone door that blended in with the rest of the mountain. “That’s why I had used the crystal caverns to hold you and Cadance.”

Twilight nodded, “The caves down here being abandoned are mostly true, but there is more to it. Originally these caves were once highly profitable mines that broke down once the resources ran out. However there is something else still down here that Ponies still make the journey to see which is located under the crystal caverns, much deeper in the earth.”

“What could possibly convince you Ponies to make the trek into some abandoned caves? I thought there was a preference for you to live among nature and the sky, or something like that, although this place looks like it would be better suited to house a Changeling Hive, if it wasn’t for the fact that it is quite cold down here,” Chrysalis commented as their trek continued deeper and deeper. The caves were largely unlit save for a few scarce lanterns located along the tunnel.

“Well saying all Ponies would make the trek down here is largely untrue. The stone door was enchanted by a rune master to respond to Unicorn magic only. It’s Unicorns who still make the trek down here, or rather well most Unicorns. There are some who view this place as archaic and irrelevant, which is ironic given how some of them are part of the very vocal minority that still maintain archaic traditions and rituals. Earth Ponies on the other hoof see little interest in coming here especially as all the resources are gone or are too small to be of any use. While Pegasi are not fond of leaving the sky for the ground especially when it’s deep underground.”

Chrysalis was about to question Twilight again before the Alicorn made a motion asking her to remain quiet for a bit. Twilight led Chrysalis towards the end of the tunnel where the light was gradually growing brighter and not because there were more lanterns.

“This is what I wanted you to see,” Twilight said indicating for Chrysalis to look into the next cavern.

Chrysalis walked into a new space, one that was large and rather expansive. A few veins of small crystals poked through the walls and ceilings in places, but what was important was what was at the center of the large cave. The center of the expansive cave was noticeably hotter than the rest of the place had been and it was now easy to see where the heat and light was coming from, a large pillar of fire in the middle of the room.

“What? How is there a fire burning down here and who would build a fire here of all places?”

Twilight walked next to Chrysalis, “Actually no Pony knows who built the fire here. The early Unicorn settlers to the mountain were a mining camp who had sought shelter within the mountain during a bad storm. One of the miners found their way here and word soon spread amongst the Unicorns of this place. For centuries Unicorns were divided about how they would view this place; however many of them were heavily religious and believed it was a gift from their deity, a continuous source of warmth and given how fire figured into their mythology and beliefs it is easy to see why they would think so. A rare few sought to study how a pillar of fire continues to burn despite all evidence suggesting that no fire has enough fuel to burn for as long as it did.”

Chrysalis looked over at Twilight, “You mean to tell me Ponies have a constant burning source of fire for over millennium?”

Twilight nodded, “Several millenniums actually, the first settlers came here before the Unification and for a time built a thriving town around the base of the mountain. A few wealthier Unicorns established homes as high as half way up the mountain, but raids from other Ponies tribes along with erosion led them to abandon the town. It wasn’t settled again until after the Equestrian Civil War.”

Chrysalis looked around the room again and the pillar of fire still burned as hot as it had been when she first entered the room a few minutes ago. “So what do Unicorns even use this place for? Executions? Sacrifice?” Chrysalis asked.

Twilight paled slightly and shook her head, “Please don’t suggest those ideas as some Unicorns have tried to use this place for one or the other, but thankfully they failed. Down here, this place is considered sacred especially since fire is connected to the Sun, the dawn, life, and so on. Many used to throw in offerings as means of giving something to their god in hopes of a better year. It’s an old tradition that only a few still maintain, but given its cultural significance many Unicorns still make the trek to see this place.”

Chrysalis chuckled, “Now I understand why you wanted to drag down into old caves. It certainly is an incredible place, I can’t believe Canterlot was built over such a heat source and it’s not even a volcanic mountain.”

Twilight nudged Chrysalis, “Why could you possibly think I would drag into old caves for?”

Chrysalis grinned and opened her mouth before it was shut by Twilight’s magic, “You know what?” Twilight said. “I rather keep guessing, so let’s pretend that I never asked that question.”