A thick smoky haze fell over charred cavern walls. Water dripped from the stalactites onto an endless pile of gold coins and precious jewels. Among the treasure rested various golden artifacts that were beyond value; a goblet once owned by an ancient king, a dazzling tiara adorned with brilliant opal spheres, and above all, an ancient swivel mirror.

The mirror rested atop a mound of melted gold and shimmered in the dim light. Its legs were crafted from the wood of a throne taken from a conquered empire long, long ago. The frame was lined with the purest of silver and a flawless cut and polished oval of crystal lay fastened over top a plate of gold, which cast the finest reflection possible. Around the lustrous frame of the mirror, many ancient symbols were etched into it. A vague luminescent green light glowed from within the gouged etchings, and it pulsed.  

Beneath the gentle sound water droplets splashing against golden coins, silence reigned aside from a distant and faint heartbeat coming from all directions. Suddenly a bright light illuminated the forgotten cavern, and a flash of green sparked from the mirror, then the beating stopped. With a final flash of green light, the etched symbols along the edge of the mirror faded into black.

~~~

One last look behind, and terrors are staring back at me. One final regret, as silence descends, this monster is still roaming free. This monster is still here. NEVER! This monster is inside of me.

~~~Several Days Earlier~~~

"Well this is interesting," Rarity stated as she skimmed a book regarding ancient treasure and artifacts. "It would appear that there is an abandoned dragon's cave atop a mountain that everypony is too afraid to enter due to some superstitious curse nonsense."

Twilight Sparkle looked up from a book of her own and snickered. "While curses do tend to be superstitious nonsense, I'm sure there are other, better reasons that ponies avoid that cave."

"Perhaps so." Rarity continued to read. "Well, listen to this, While it is known that the dragon left his horde of treasure over a millennium ago and never returned, the locals believe that the dragon's soul still guards the cave. They forcefully restrict entry under fear that the Dragon's Curse will otherwise destroy their rural village."

"You're right. That is interesting." Twilight Sparkle shrugged and stifled a yawn.

Rarity rolled her eyes and dropped the book. "Twilight, dear, don't you see?!" she shouted. "This is more than just interesting this is a golden opportunity to gain priceless and fabulous treasures."

"I'm sure that cave has been looted a thousand times over by now. Not to mention the fact that rural mountain town yokels aren't exactly known for being easily swayed. They'll never let us in." Twilight Sparkle shook her head and gave a quick nod. "Trust me on this one."

Rarity huffed as dozens of fantastical imaginations flooded her mind from herself sporting an emerald king's crown to being dressed in gold silken robes. "Are you absolutely certain we can't try? You're a princess now, Twilight. Your loyal subjects are obliged to obey your every wish. Why not flash your badge every now and again, so to speak?"

"Well..." Twilight began to speak, then froze as she gazed into her friend's wide, shimmering blue eyes. "I..."

Rarity widened her gaze and pouted her lip. "Please..."

Twilight sighed and averted her gaze. "Well if it really means that much to you, I suppose we could try. I can't make any promises that the locals will recognize my authority, though."

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you so much, Twilight!" Rarity jumped up and rushed to her friend's side to pull her into a constricting hug. "I just know that this'll be worth it. Just you wait and see, love."

"I'll schedule us a train ride up the mountain in the morning..." Twilight choked and patted Rarity's back.

***Present Day***