Naturally, Link took point, walking in front of Ruby, who still had her doubts about him. His connection with the princess was the only reason she even gave him a chance. Before they entered, they found their first torch. Unlit as it was, accidents happen.

"This is, indeed, a torch," Link commented. "Can you light it? It'll help find our way back."

"Hm? Oh, yeah. Sure, one sec." Ruby looked up and down the height of it, examining it. It's made of metal, and there's barely any tinder in the bowl. "Nothing seems wrong..." She put her hoof to the top of the torch and silenced herself. In moments, a small flame lept from her extended limb and lit the tinder successfully. "Hm. Might have just b-" Just before she finished her sentence, the fire flickered and died.

"So," Link began, putting a hand to his chin, "the torches don't stay lit in this light snowfall... Odd, but not uncommon. Fire is fire, I get... Do yours fizzle that fast usually?"

"No, they don't. This is new to me too." Ruby shook her head.

"Hmm... If the torches marking the way are all like this, we might have the same problem with them. The next one is..." Link looked around for the next protruding torch. He found it, but it was barely visible. Looked like it was half a mile out. "There," he pointed. Ruby looked and squinted.

"No fire there either. Link, this isn't right." Ruby hung her head. "And since my flames won't stay lit here, I doubt they'd be of any use further in."

"Twice is a coincidence, Ruby. There could be something wrong at camp, but it's not guaranteed yet."

"How many torches are there supposed to be?" Navi asked, poking her head out from under his hat.

Link took out the map they were given and gave it a look over. "7," he answered, pointing at each one as he counted in his head. "9 if you include the ones that mark the outpost's border." He then coiled it up and tucked it away. "And we, unfortunately, don't have the luxury of trying to determine the cause of these unlit waymarks."

"Right... Even if they are extinguished, they should still be easy to follow."

"I hope so."

It had taken them about 30 minutes to reach the first unlit torch, and another 25 to reach the second. This, like the first, had nothing seemingly wrong with it, though the two were nearly identical.

"Is this really all there is to it? Just a series of torches?" Navi asked. She looked around and saw their third desination. "And look, another extinguished waymarking torch. What's three again?"

"A pattern. Something is definitely wrong, and not just the weather." Link retrieved a scroll and writing material. He also removed his shield to use as a surface. In a minute or so, he had a letter composed.

"To the princess I take it?" Ruby asked him. He nodded and handed it over, then put his stuff where it came from. She set it ablaze and watched as it floated away. "What's the cause, do you think?"

"It's just a guess, but there could be a unicorn that keeps them lit at the camp. I'd wager something happened to them for the torches to burn out. That guess is strengthened by your inability to keep them lit yourself; the magic that connects them as a whole amounts to more than you gave one."

"Wha-! Well if you know all that, what did you ask the princess?" Ruby looked at him in disbelief.

"I just asked if the commander was the one keeping them lit. If not, then our job is easy, but if she is, then..." Link looked to the third torch again. "Then our job just got that much harder."

A puff of fire formed a scroll in front of the mare. "That was quick. I swear, it's like she has these replies ready." Ruby opened it and read it aloud.

Dear Link and Ruby:

Pray forgive my lack of formality. Yes, Second Commander Prism is responsible for keeping the torches alight. Since they are fizzled out, I fear something grave has happened. Your mission is now of greater importance. Find, and if necessary, rescue the commander and her crew. Ordinarily this mission would be assigned to lieutenants and higher, but we have neither the luxury of time, nor the reserves of qualified individuals.

As mentioned, her position is vital. Failure is not an option. Make haste. Be safe.

~Princess Celestia.

The two stood in silence for a minute. Navi stayed warm in his hat, but listened as best she could. Silently, Ruby coiled the scroll and hoofed it to Link, who placed it in his pocket.

"As I thought. The commander is in trouble. Big trouble. This mission is now a B, or even A rank. To think that something out here has a military commander in custody. Makes me wish I brought more ponies."

"It's been an hour, and we only made it to two torches. It'll take us a couple hours to reach the other five. So, let's go." Ruby understood the situation, and began walking quickly through the ever-thickening snow.

Link followed, able to keep up. The further in they went, the colder it got and harder it became to see. Fortunately, the torches were closer spaced with every one they passed. However, the snowfall got heavier as time passed. Finally, after 2 hours about, the pair saw their final torch, beside another.

"This must be it," Ruby concluded. "And as expected, they're unlit."

Link heard shuffling around him. Quiet hooffalls battered the snow on the ground around them. "we're not alone..." Before he could make a move, he found a spear-tip pointed at his head, surrounded by a green aura.

"Not a move, monster," a stallion warned, "or your head will roll faster 'n you can blink." Slowly, he looked around him, and saw a few more aimed at him in different colored magic, but none aimed at Ruby. "Miss, You'd best come over here now. It's not safe around that thing."

"That thing, is my travel companion," Ruby countered, unmoving. "He means you no harm, so lay down your weapons. At the very least, hear us out."

Silence for a few moments, then another voice spoke, "Fine, We'll hear you. But make it fast."

"Greetings from Canterlot Castle. I am here on orders from the Princess of the Day to find, and if necessary, rescue, the one named Second Commander Sapphire Prism."

"There's nopony in our camp by that name." Link noticed the spears shift away slightly.

No way we got the location wrong. He said there's nopony in camp by that name. "If she's not here, then where is she?"

The spears dropped completely as an orange stallion came into view. Most of his body was covered in cloth to camouflage himself in the snow. "So then, what's your name? And offer your orders as proof, if you will."

Link retrieved the scroll containing his orders and handed it over. "Good to match a face with a voice." He recognized it as the first stallion. "I am Link, graduate from the Royal Guard Academy. This is Ruby. We are here on official orders to secure the safety of the commander at this post."

"You brought a civilian here?" he asked, reading the letter to himself.

"Indeed. As I said, on orders."

"I see. Well, truth be told, we expected a rescue team from the big city. Last thing we expected to see was ... something like you." He coiled the scroll and held on to it. "No offense."

"I can assure you, uh... sir. He may be different, but he's more than capable." Ruby looked around and saw silhouettes of other ponies around them. "Can we, uh, talk somewhere else?"

"Of course. This way." He turned and led them into a rather large tent near the middle of camp. "Gentlecolts, meet the rescue team from big fancy Canterlot."

The ponies around the room looked at him questioningly. Three others pushed their way inside behind Link and Ruby, likely the other spear wielders. All wore similar camouflage to the first one. "Let's get started, shall we?"

"Right," the stallion said. He turned to his crew of 6 ponies and announced, "Alright, listen up. This, uh, guy, is from Canterlot under orders to rescue our commander. If he has questions, answer them best you can. If you have questions, tough rocks, you can wait 'til he's done."

Link looked around inside the tent. It was a large tent, big enough to seat ten more bodies. There was a pit in the middle of it with a fire to keep warm. He looked up and saw a vent in the roof for the smoke. "Thank you for the floor," he began. Then he turned to the others. "Do any of you know where the commander is?"

"Yes, I do," a mare in the corner said. "Last I checked, she was 2 miles west of here, sealed up in some kind of ice cavern."

"Is she alone?"

She shook her head. "No, there are three others with her, trapped inside like the commander. We don't even know if they're still alive. Some transfer this was..."

"I'll have none of that, now. Until a time comes that their lifeless bodies lay at my feet, I will act with the belief that they still draw breath. Now, How long ago did she disapear?"

A stallion against the tent wall spoke up. "Her exploration team went out about 3 days ago. Gave us direct orders before doin' so. Lass over there's only one made it back." He pointed at the mare in the corner. "Awful shaken, she was, comin' back without 'er team."

"Hmm... Could you not carry any of them back with you?" he asked the mare.

"I would have tried, but... like I said, it was sealed closed. The entrance froze over not two minutes after the others went in. I couldn't so much as dent it. And if I tried harder, the strain would empty my magic before I got halfway through."

"You were outside?" he asked. To which, she nodded her head. "Were you on sentry duty? Is that why you stayed behind?"

"Yes, I was keeping watch until the four of them came out. When I realized that couldn't happen, I came back here."

Link turned to his partner. "Ruby, would you like to test your mettle against a wall of ice?"

"I don't see why you're giving me the option. There's no other way forward, so of course I'll give it a try."

"I get that she's an earth pony with likely impressive strength, but I used fire magic to try and melt it, to no avail. Since that didn't work, then it's overflowing with magic, that I just can't overcome." The mare looked up at them. "I tried, and I couldn't do it. I couldn't save them..."

"All is not lost, I assure you. We'll get the commander back, I guarantee it," Ruby promised. "I may not look it, but I've got some tricks up my sleeve."

"Can you retrace your steps and take us to the entrance?" Link asked the mare. "Being the only pony who knows where it is, I can ask no other."

"I ... can, yes. But... How do you plan on getting inside? The entrance is-"

"Frozen over, I know. You said that already. Just trust in us."

"Well... I don't have much option. I'm ready whenever you are."

Link pulled out three apples, handed one to her and Ruby. "Eat up, you'll need your energy."

"You have fruit?!" the stallion asked him. "Have ye got any more?"

"Yes. Would you all like one?" One by one, he took them out and passed them to the other stallions. Only 8 left... Before I go home, I'll need to get more food from Twilight. "Ruby, can you take a letter to the princess with this update? I'll leave its contents to you."

"Sure." Ruby took off her bags, withdrew a scroll and her ink and began writing , using Link's shield as a surface.

Dear Princess Celestia:

This is Ruby. We found the camp. The ponies stationed here said the commander was stuck in some ice caves to the west. We, as ordered, will go in and rescue her from whatever danger she is in. Will likely send another letter when we successfully rescue her.

Your Faithful Book Restorer,

~Ruby Inferno

Once done, Link returned his shield to its place on his back, and watched as Ruby lit it up and sent it on its way to the princess using her unnatural fire. The ponies looked at her, like they looked at him for being human. "What was... th-that?"

"Never you mind what it was," she replied, eating her apple. The others continued theirs as the mare stood up. "Ready to go now?"

"Yes, I am. As are you, I take it?"

"We are. Ruby, we move on. Lead the way, Miss... Uh..." Link left the sentence alone as he waited for the mare to answer with her name.

"Aurora," she replied, "Just Aurora."

"Well, Just Aurora, after you." He smiled a bit and followed as she left the tent, covering her muzzle with the cloth, Ruby close behind.

Not too long after they departed, another puff of fire formed a scroll. Ruby hoofed it to Link, who opened it and read to himself.

Dear Link and Ruby:

Thank you for your updates, and your cooperation. I have faith that you will succeed. The ice caverns of that area run wide, and it's easy to get lost. I suggest drawing a map of where you have been, to keep track.

I have sent your progress report to Twilight Sparkle, and she hopes you are safe as well. She has a surprise for you upon returning to Ponyville.

~Princess Celestia

"What's it say?" Ruby asked him.

"Just that she appreciates the updates." Link coiled the scroll and followed closer. "Hey Aurora. I was told the commander is responsible for keeping the torches lit. But if you have the fire magic, then how does she fit into it?"

"That's true enough. I set one torch on fire in camp, the spell relays to the other torches in line. Then, she casts a barrier spell over the first one, and that one relays as well. And since the main one died out, it sent the lack of spell to the others. Trying to light the second in line will do nothing, since the main torch is unlit, as I'm sure you've surmised."

"I see," he said quietly. "Are these barriers special?"

"Yes, in a way. The majority of her spells are self-sustaining, refreshing themselves to stay in use. I don't know how she does it, but I'm sure that's how she got to be a commander." Aurora looked onward toward a big snow dune in the distance. "It's all the way out there, and we've still got a long way to walk."

The remaining distance was crossed with very little talking. Link learned all he felt he needed to know. After about an hour's walk later, they arrived at the ice wall blocking the entrance to the commander's prison.

He stood in front and examined it. If only Rainbow were here, she'd be able to tell how much magic this wall had. Then Aj would rear up and buck with so much force, it'd split the cavern in two, most likely. "Ruby, this is your obstacle. How will you go about it?"

Ruby put a hoof against the wall and closed her eyes. "I don't know how much magic sealed it shut, but I'm sure I can open it, somehow." If I just try to buck it open, it might hurt too much. there's no weak point in its surface, or pocket of air to exploit. If there's no fault, then I need to make one. Carefully, she stood up and put her other hoof beside her first, concentrating.

"Earth ponies don't know unicorn magic, so how is she able to send fire messages?"

"The same way she's gonna break this wall. Just watch."

Ruby focused energy into her points of contact, and spread a web-like array of lines across its surface. Each one surged with fire magic, and the heat alone could be felt through the cold air. The wall began to warm up, all at once. She continued charging up the web, increasing its self-sustainability. Cracks began coming out of the webbing, breaking the surface slowly. That's what she was going for. Quickly, she turned and gave the web a fiery buck, sending a wave of energy through her array. All at once, the web released all of its pent up heat, burning through the ice's thickness.

As the web started to disappear, Ruby stood normally and smiled. "All that's left is to..." With a little push, she toppled the barrier of ice that barred entry into the ice cavern.

"Incredible!" Aurora exclaimed. "It never occurred to me to hit it all at once. How the Tartarus did you do that?"

"Magic, how else?" Ruby responded. She began moving the ice off to the side as Link approached.

"Now that that's cleared, we can get this under way." He turned and faced Aurora. "If we have not returned in 24 hours, send a message to the princess. Ask for Captain Shining Armor's assistance in the matter. Should we fail, he's the only pony I can think of who can help." Link continued into the caverns and looked at the slope leading down. Then, he turned around and added, "Sorry to have you be sentry again, it really is for the best."

"As you order it," Aurora said.

They heard rumbling as a new wall of ice barred their exit. Of course this would happen. Something in here doesn't like visitors... Link and Ruby looked down the slope and took their first step.

A bit shorter chapter, I know, but the journey chapters are expected to be short. It's basically, "Go this way, do this list of things, interact with everyone(pony), find out where you're supposed to go next, and go there."

Keep in mind, there's a few child weapons to choose from, so cast your vote. Choices are:

Slingshot - This world's version of Deku Nuts - This world's version of Goron's Bracelet

Only 6 chapters (roughly) to go to help me decide.