CHAPTER 8: ASHES IN THE FLAMES - PART 1

"K-Keep moving!" Sunset Shimmer cried out as the three fillies pressed forward through the barren wastes of the once beautiful Equestrian common lands. They ducked, dodged, and used teleported over constant obstacles such as rocks, dead trees, and other forms of numerous debris which laid about the area. Sunset however kept herself ahead of the group for good reason, as she took a moment to glance back.

Trixie was currently on Twilight's back with both hooves wrapped around the mare's neck as she kept her eyes shut tight. She trembled, and bore a look of obvious fear while clenched to the purple mare, fully dependent on her help for the time being.

Sunset gritted her teeth before she instantly teleported in front of the two with an annoyed expression. "DROP HER TWILIGHT! She can trot herself! If she can't-" Sunset gave Trixie a cold glare then on, "Then she might as well burn. You don't have to lose yourself for this one."

Trixie looked to Sunset Shimmer with a shocked expression before her eyes saddened and she glanced to her lower right.

"W-What's wrong with you!?" Twilight stated stubbornly as she glared at Sunset.

Sunset shook her head, desperate as she just grunted in annoyance. "What's wrong with me is the fact that you're not willing to do what you have to in order to become strong in this world Twilight!" She huffed, appearing tired as she stated in a dragged out yet sympathetic tone. "I understand why you do what you do Twilight Sparkle, but, friends only slow you down. You have to make sacrifices!"

Twilight was silent for a moment as she lowered her head and frowned. "T-Then, what're we?"

Sunset's brows furrowed as she continued. "We're what we have to be, in order to ensure that Solar Flare doesn't win."

And progressively making its way towards them would be the black & red mist as it constantly enveloped all in its path.

Sunset sighed as she moved on ahead with a teleportation spell. "But fine! If you want to keep her, then don't blame me when something goes wrong! She's extra weight Twilight Sparkle, she'll only slow you down until its too late! Now let's go!" With that Sunset peered ahead again, as she began to leap from barren rock to barren rock, desperately attempting to get away from the oncoming mist.

Trixie had heard everything of course, and she only kept herself held onto Twlight as she muttered. "S-She's right. Trixie is just a weak unicorn, she's not special. Trixie only knows weak spells and doesn't know how to take care of herself. Trixie is useless."

Twilight shook her head, glancing back. "N-No no no. Sunset's wrong Trixie, you're not useless. She's just lived like this for a long time is all. Surely she doesn't mean what she says. And besides," Twilight paused, "You survived out here long enough on your own, didn't you?"

Trixie sniffled as she then gave a determined glare towards the ground. "Y-Yea, you're right." She climbed off Twilight's back in that moment before peering ahead with determination and then teleporting a few feet in front of Twilight before glancing back at her, now reassured and beaming with motivation. "And so is she! Trixie will now pull her own weight for Twilight Sparkle! Trixie won't be useless!"

Twilight smiled softly before she nodded to Trixie. "Right!"

As Sunset continued to make her way ahead, she still appeared highly upset. But soon, suddenly porting beside her would be Twilight Sparkle with a reaffirmed expression and slight smirk. Sunset's eyes widened almost in disbelief. "Y-You actually got rid of her!? Twilight, I could've-"

Twilight shook her head with a chuckle, "N-No I didn't drop her, look beside you."

Sunset's eyes remained wide as she glanced to her left, only to see a determined blue mare teleporting alongside them.

Trixie glanced over at Sunset with a firm nod before stating, "Trixie will not slow you down! Trixie promises!"

This actually brought a smile to Sunset's face. "Hmhm, maybe you're not so bad after all."

Trixie smiled and closed her eyes, "Right, Trixie is-" SLAM before she'd suddenly slammed face first into one of the dead trees which still loomed about. The mare rolled and tumbled, knocked unconscious as she laid on the ground not far off. Half her body now hanging over a deep hole which lead far beneath the barren wastes. Blood drizzled down her head between both brows, as she steadily slid down.

Twilight and Sunset immediately paused, as Twilight cried out to the blue mare. "TRIXIE!"

Sunset gritted her teeth as she wore a panicked and irritated expression. "B-Buck!" She squinted at Trixie from afar, as it didn't take her long to notice the mare was unconscious and steadily sliding down into the hole. Sunset, now appeared a bit more conflicted, guilty, and hesitant; but that didn't stop her from doing what she had to. She turned back towards the opposing direction from the mist. "C-Come on Twilight, we've gotta keep moving, it's over for her. She, she was just too clumsy to be able to keep up with unicorns like us."

Twilight shook her head, "NO! We can't just-"

Sunset snapped at her. "W-WAKE UP TWILIGHT! Those who're born with talent survive! Trixie is just some commoner unicorn!"

Twilight was speechless as she just looked at Sunset in disbelief.

Sunset growled beneath her breath as she lowered her head, obviously annoyed and flustered. "Listen, I don't want to be the bad guy here! But Trixie is too clumsy, s-she's too different from us. I'm honestly amazed she managed to survive this long!" Sunset then glanced back in the distance to see the red & black mist still wasn't halting in its progression; she glared at Twilight. "Twilight, YOU were meant to survive. Y-You can be a help, you can actually make a difference! I've heard stories about what you did even on the outside, and that means something! I-If we can just get you to the north beyond the Crystal Mountains, we can find the support we need! Together we can-"

Twilight immediately turned from Sunset Shimmer in that moment, racing for Trixie.

Sunset cried out to the mare in desperation. "T-Twilight! GRAH!!!" She growled before stomping a hoof and racing after Twilight as well.

Twilight halted before Trixie, as she knelt down, lowering her frame and nuzzling the blue mare. Trixie didn't respond, and Twilight appeared panicked, as she dragged Trixie up, preventing her from falling into the hole. Her eyes saddened as she continued to nudge Trixie. "T-Trixie? Wake up, we need to go okay? Please, wake up. Wake up Trixie." She continued in these motions despite the wall of red mist continuing to make its way towards them. She paid no attention to it, as she just frowned, "T-Trixie? Are you okay? Please say something."

Sunset wore a look of absolute annoyance and disgust as she glanced over at the wall of red & black mist, then back at Twilight, then back at the mist. A small sweat drop coursed down Sunset's head as she now appeared desperate. She glanced down the pitch black hole, knowing of the many rumors that there lurked many dangers beneath the surface of Equestria. Even she had fears, and knew that they'd be at a horrible disadvantage down there. But what choice did she have now? They'd already wasted too much time, and Twilight wasn't going to budge. If they'd remained concentrated they could've made it for the hills leading up to the Crystal Mountains before the red mist consumed them, but now, they'd have to take a different route. Sunset Shimmer just closed her eyes as she let off a wailing cry of absolute annoyance. "ERAAAAAAAAAAH!!!" Before on impulse and moving off emotion, she shoved Twilight and Trixie down the hole, before diving down it herself as soon afterwords, the red mist poured over the hole and covered their location as the three plummeted into the darkness below.

Sunset eventually rose first, her face covered in muck and grime as she just sighed heavily. Her coat was dirty, and she was halfway submerged in the brown muck as she attempted to press her hoof onto it to climb onto some other form of a hard surface to no avail. Her horn lit up as she glanced around, catching sight of nothing but barren rock walls and multiple passageways which she had no idea which lead to where. She possessed a grim scowl as she noticed flat ground not far off, and immediately ported to it. "Ugh..." She was obviously still annoyed about the entire situation, as she also ensured her scrolls were still on her being as she glanced about yet again, then paused as she saw the two other mares laying in the same muck she was, having yet to awake from their brief slumber, Twilight's perhaps due to shock. She closed her eyes with a sigh before shaking her head and then calling out to them. "Twilight, Trixie! Get up, we've got to keep moving. We've managed to avoid them for now." Sunset paused as she glanced, "I guess we may have caught ourselves a break, for if there's something I know for certain, it's that Princess Solar Flare and her companions would never come down here. That might be a good thing."

"Aheck! Aheck aheck!" Twilight soon began coughing as she had her eyes closed with a look of intense displeasure, as she coughed out muck and maggots even, throwing up a little as she glanced around, feeling off balance as she finally woke up.

"T-Twilight!" Sunset Shimmer called out to the mare in worry. "Hurry on over here, bring Trixie to!"

Twilight appeared disoriented as she looked at Sunset, still glancing around. "W-Where are we?" She glanced over to her left to see Trixie laying there and then looked to her worriedly. "T-Trixie!" Before Twilight grabbed hold of the blue mare, and then began dragging her to Sunset's location. Sunset soon used her magic to help lift Trixie out of the muck with Twilight before the two just sat there, breathing heavily as they took another moment to gaze around, taking in the sights of the underground cavern.

Twilight continued with her previous question. "S-Sunset, what happened?"

Sunset was silent for a moment, giving Twilight a blank and somewhat cold stare before just sighing and then standing to all four hooves. "Well, nothing that matters now. What matters is the fact there we're stuck down here with who knows what. Either way we've got to find a way out of here somehow, and that means choosing one of these tunnels and just doing our best to navigate out of them."

Twilight's brows furrowed as she stated firmly. "O-Okay, that's fine. But we're not leaving Trixie!"

Sunset glanced back at her with a tired look. "Don't you think I've figured that out by now? Literally, you almost got us killed for her." She paused, "But I guess that's another quality that this world needs. Once we manage to escape all the bad stuff, maybe you can remind us what's good Twilight Sparkle." Sunset Shimmer flashed her a hopeful and somewhat playful smile. "I can't wait for that day."

"Aheck!" Soon coughing, and then gasping for air would be Trixie, as she continued to just cough as she laid on her side.

Twilight smiled brightly, "T-Trixie!"

Trixie then laid on her belly as she looked at Twilight tiredly. "T-Twilight? OW, T-Trixie's head." She placed a hoof over her partly bloody mane as she whimpered before glancing over at Twilight then around the area. "W-Where are we? Are we in another cave?"

Twilight chuckled a bit before smiling. "Um, sort of."

Sunset didn't hesitate to comment. "And it's aaaaaall thanks to you." She glared back at Trixie, "Did you already forget what happened?"

Trixie took another moment to recall, before she did and frowned heavily. "N-No, Trixie remembers."

Twilight snapped at Sunset. "S-Sunset! There's no need to-"

Sunset cut her off. "NO Twilight! She needs to understand how much of a burden she's become! Let her think otherwise, and she'll just continue to take advantage of your kindness, until it costs you your life! I've seen mares like her! They always get good ponies hurt."

Trixie frowned heavily as she remained silent, lowering her head.

Twilight shook her head, glaring angrily at the mare. "SUNSET, YOU-"

Trot, trot, trot, trot.

Sunset, Twilight, and Trixie's eyes immediately widened as they glanced over in one particular direction, hearing those hoof trots.

Trot, trot, trot, trot.

The trotting only steadily became louder as all three mare's then huddled closer to one another. Sunset took the lead as she gulped, her horn glowing vibrantly as she just stood there, glaring down a passageway awaiting whatever was coming. "G-Get ready you two."

Twilight gulped as well but appeared just as determined.

While Trixie trembled behind the two, but remained steadfast, attempting to convince herself she was brave.

And soon, a tiny light emerged from afar, as did a figure. The figure was a pure white pony with a gangly green mane. She wore a bored expression with half closed eyes, but it was her features in particular which caught the three off guard. One of her wings was missing and her horn was broken. She was currently elevating a rusty old lantern by her side with weak magic, but she graced the three with a smile. "H-Hello Children. Please, don't be afraid. I heard the three of you from afar; it seems, you have all fallen into a very, strange place, I can imagine."

They all looked to the pony curiously, confused. Especially Sunset Shimmer, she simply glared at the new pony for a minute before glancing her up and down again in confusion. "Y-You're an alicorn? I've never heard of or seen you before!? Who're you!?"

The mare smiled softly as she glanced towards the barren ground at that moment. Her eyes saddened as she possessed a dead look to her, almost as if she were hollow but still wore that smile for reassuring the children. "Ah, no, I am no alicorn. That privilege has long since passed. I'm nothing now, nothing more than a shell." She chuckled a bit before closing her eyes and tilting her head to the right at them with interest. "But let's not trouble you children with such things, might I ask what you're all doing down here?" She lowered her rear to sit.

The three remained hesitant, as both Twilight and Trixie looked to Sunset with a worried expression, as if asking her what they should do.

Sunset glanced down to her left and right at each of them, before groaning somewhat and just shaking her head. "Ugh! Fine." She then trotted forward as she remained focused on the mare before placing a hoof on her chest and bowing her head. "W-We are three unicorn ponies seeking refuge in the north. I was by myself at first but I happened to stumble across these two in my journey, we're currently being pursued by some very dangerous ponies I'm sure you're aware of." Her brows furrowed as she avoided eye contact in that message. "Princess Solar Flare and Nightmare Moon. I-If we're caught by them, I...I don't even want to imagine what they'd do to us." And although Sunset Shimmer didn't mention it, she was more worried in particular about herself as she thought about Princess Solar Flare. Especially me....

The snow white mare blinked a bit before she chuckled softly. "A-Ah I see, the princesses. That would be quite unfortunate. We cannot allow you three to be caught then, isn't that correct?" She rose as she kept her lantern elevated at her side before looking down a particular passageway and smiling. "Shall we, little ponies?" She noticed they were still cautious and reluctant to follow her, which she understood, she bowed her head to them. "Worry not little ones, I am only leading you down the one path which you desire. These passages are filled with many creatures, some dangerous, some harmless. Believe it or not, many seek refuge in these caverns, amidst the danger which awaits us all on the surface. I seek to take you to the cave used by dwellers of the north, those who seek passage into the Crystal Mountains."

Twilight suddenly made her way forward. "T-Thank you! Thank you so much!"

The mare nodded to her. "Please, do not thank me. I am more than happy to assist you young ponies." She then began to make her way down the long passageway, leading deeper into the caverns, and she fully expected the three fillies to follow close behind her.

And after glancing at one another one last time for approval, the three steadily made their way closer to the mare as they followed her.

"S-So, um, may I ask, what's your name?" Twilight glanced up at the mare as she trotted at her right side.

The mare's eyes widened a bit as she chuckled softly while keeping her gaze ahead. "Um, it's Chrysalis."

Sunset Shimmer's brow raised as she was listening in the background, she appeared a bit shocked, almost stunned by that name.

T-Twilight blinked a bit, confused. "C-Chwy...Sawis?" She glanced over at Trixie, as if they were both thinking the same thing.

Trixie glanced up a the mare now as well, just as confused. "What kind of pony name is that?!"

Chrysalis smiled a bit as she opened her mouth, as if about to say something. "It's-"

"Not a pony name."

Chrysalis, Twilight, and Trixie's eyes widened as they all glanced back at Sunset Shimmer in surprise.

Sunset wore an ultimately worried expression as she was obviously hesitant to say it, "Y-Your name, isn't of pony origin, is it?..."

Chrysalis's eyes saddened as she still bore a smile. "You're a sharp one aren't you?"

Twilight and Trixie looked to one another, still confused before focusing on Sunset Shimmer.

Sunset trotted forward a bit before questioning the mare further. "B-But, that would mean you're a, changeling? All the changelings were wiped out a long time ago, and judging by the accuracy in history books, y-you're not in your true form either."

Twilight and Trixie just paused, before baring fearful expressions and glancing up at the mare silently. They slowly began to back away.

The mare only continued to smile softly. "A-Ah, I see. So you know that as well." She looked to them with a serious look then. "But that doesn't mean you need to be afraid of me children. I mean you no harm, I was only hiding my true appearance for I knew you wouldn't accept me otherwise. You are but little ones, I know that seeing a familiar would be the best way to make you all comfortable." She held out a hoof towards Twilight and Trixie in particular. "Please, trust me. I want to help you three escape this dark place, allow me to guide you."

And that's when Sunset lost her composure, snapping immediately at the mare. "AND WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO HELP US!?" She growled beneath her breath as despite her anger, she looked as if she were on the verge of tears. "W-Why would you, a changeling, want to help the three of us? The kind that decimated yours for absolutely no good reason! Who deceived you into coming to a peaceful gathering only to force your queen to witness the horrendous acts before being wiped out yourselves in the trap?" She stomped a hoof, "WHY!?"

There was a looming silence as Trixie and Twilight glanced back and forth between the two.

The mare remained silent for a moment before she just bore a soft smile at Sunset. "Because of love."

Sunset paused, with wide shocked eyes.

The mare continued before placing a hoof over her heart. "Long has my kind been ridiculed for feeding off the love of others. But, it is not only food to us, it is not only sustenance, our talents is also a way of confirming the happiness which surrounds us all. We see the value of love in all creatures, for it is that important to us. Or was. I will not blame three children who likely weren't involved for the actions of your leaders, that would be most unfair." She closed her eyes with a slight chuckle, "What's done is done. I'm sure the changelings, and their Queen, would have moved on from such an ordeal by now. The last thing we want, is a world without love."

S-Sunset whimpered as she lowered her head, before muttering. "I-I'm so sorry...I, I.."

The changeling, Chrysalis, shook her head. "Do not apologize child, you couldn't have known. Nor would you have known if I had a say in the matter. But it seems you're quite educated in past events, would it be safe to assume you're of Canterlot Royalty?"

Sunset raised a brow at Chrysalis before continuing. "Yes, I, I was raised in Canterlot." She said this with a hint of discern for the word.

Chrysalis chuckled. "I see. And what about you two, are you also royalty?" She looked to Twilight and Trixie with interest.

Twilight started with a slight smile, "Y-Yes, I was also raised in Canterlot Miss."

Trixie lowerd her head as she appeared saddened as she glanced to the lower right, embarrassed. "T-Trixie is a commoner unicorn."

Chrysalis gasped. "A-A commoner unicorn!? How have you managed to survive!?"

Trixie's eyes widened, almost as if she were recalling something horrible. She gulped, trembling somewhat before moving closer to Twilight and then muttering again, "T-Trixie doesn't know. Trixie was just lucky she guesses." She lowered her head further, sulking.

Chrysalis blinked a bit. "I-I see, how amazing. You are truly impressive Little Trixie." She regarded the little filly with a caring smile.

This caused Trixie to smile a bit, obviously a little happy to actually receive praise for her upbringing rather than disgust.

Sunset looked to Chrysalis again with interest. "But Chrysalis, how did you manage to survive down here as well? Changelings are creatures that're sustained by the amount of love that surrounds them. How're you able to live if there is no love?"

Chrysalis tilted her head to the right with a playful smirk. "That, is something I've often wondered myself. I believe that it might be due to my memories." She paused, "Memories of the ones you loved never fade. And the love they had for you, that, is something you never forget as well." She smirked a little with a playful expression. "My changelings might be gone little pony. But I will never forget them, or all that they did for me. Even now, even beyond this life, they help sustain me and keep me alive. Love, truly is the most powerful magic there is."

At that moment, Twilight appeared to be distraught as she thought about those words. She was only reminded of her brother, and her mother and father. She frowned as she lowered her head and muttered softly to herself, "I'd beg to differ."

Trixie didn't quite catch that but noticed Twilight's expression. "I-Is Twilight okay?"

Twilight's eyes widened as she immediately nodded hurriedly. "A-Ah yea Trixie! I'm okay! Thanks for asking!"

Sunset Shimmer smiled earnestly at Chrysalis herself. "I-I see. Thank you Chrysalis, your, kindness, means a lot to us."

Chrysalis nodded once again before raising a hoof towards the three of them. "It is no trouble little ponies, so, shall we continue?"

Princess Solar Flare and Nightmare Moon each touched upon the ground of the barren fields. They were alone for the time being, having stopped towards the middle of the barren wastes as they glanced about momentarily, attempting to catch sight of anything suspicious.

Princess Solar Flare continued to gaze around the area in annoyance as she raised a brow. "......Something, is not right."

Nightmare Moon glanced over at her sister in confusion. "What? Surely there is no way they could've escaped that sister."

Princess Solar Flare sighed as her eyes were halfway closed. Of course they escaped. My student is far smarter than that, if she was not forced to use that, then it means she found some other means of avoiding us. Surely they have not already escaped into the Crystal Mountains. Or perhaps-... Solar Flare glanced towards the beaten dirt surface with interest before she smirked slightly. Hah, would even you become that desperate my dearest student? I highly doubt it. But soon her smirk disappeared as she focused back on the issue at hoof. But that is not my current concern. "Somepony is watching us. Somepony very,.......different".

Nightmare Moon's nose wrinkled a bit. "Different, different how? Hah! What pony would be foolish enough to stalk us?"

Solar Flare squinted a bit, glancing back as she appeared focused. "One with a lot of confidence." She paused, "Where are the others sister, have they drifted far behind?" Solar Flare continued to gaze around the area, as if attempting to track something. There is magical residue in the air, but it is foreign, unknown to me. Has somepony been tracking my movements ever since we left the city?

Nightmare Moon turned around as she sighed, fluttering a bit. "Yes, thanks to that big oaf of a dragon."

Solar Flare lowered her head as her face darkened. "I see, then remain on guard for the time being Sister, I believe we've been-"

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Suddenly going off around both Princesses would be a series of explosions in the form of multi-colored smoke bombs.

Princess Solar Flare's eyes widened as she gritted her teeth in an absolute rage. W-WHAT!? She snarled ferociously, but not due to the sudden attack, but more so, the affect it actually had on her. She glanced down at herself. I-I....cannot move. "SISTER!!!"

Nightmare Moon was currently laying on her back like a roach, frozen still as well. "WHO DARES INSULT ME LIKE THIS!?"

And as Princess Solar Flare's brow twitched in reaction to her sister's position, and anger at her own current predicament, she suddenly glared ahead at the sound of trotting towards the two. Such ARROGANCE! This fool dared to trot up to them alone!? Who was this!? Solar Flare began cackling in amusement, as she stated with a cheeky grin. "Aaaah! So eager to show yourself before the ruler of Equestria itself? Go on then, I will reduce your bones to ash you insolent whelp!" She snapped angrily, her eyes practically bulging out of her skull from how insulted she felt. "I WILL CRUSH YOU! YOU DARE ASSAULT ME SO OPENLY!? Do you know who you're toying with!?"

And soon the tiny figure came into view, it was no more than a filly's size. It wore a brown cloak as its eyes remained focused on the princesses. She spoke, her voice was high pitched as a small magical barrier surrounded her, and a strange amulet glistened in the red & black mist. "Torch my land you two have done, a debt to pay, each has one." She lowered her hood to reveal a tiny little zebra, as tears rolled down her cheeks and she gave both princesses a determined glare. "Small, I may be, but I, will set this world free!"