Rove had to get away from Canterlot, he just couldn’t take it anymore. Every day was the same, at school his teachers would say what an easy student Twilight was and at home his parents would show him another letter from Cadence and Shining telling them how perfect things are in the Chrystal Empire. Rove tried to be like his siblings, he did his best with his magical studies and didn’t do too bad with the practical side of it, but the theory was just so boring that he almost always failed his tests.
After being told one to many times that he just had to apply himself more Rove decided that it was time to move on. It didn’t matter where he went he just wanted to go to a place where nopony knew him, a place where he could make a name for himself. He didn’t expect to get lost on his first night out.
He wasn’t scared of the dark, and the light coming from his horn helped him to see where he was going, but he still jumped every time lightning struck. He knew that he had to find shelter soon or risk freezing in the cold and rain. All around him was nothing but trees, and he didn’t like the idea of sleeping under one with thunder in the sky. He decided to continue onwards hoping that he could find a roof over his head. Instead he wound up at a cave.
He sat quietly, trying to set some branches on fire. Inside was cold and damp and the ground was hard, but he was glad to not be at the mercy of the elements. Now that the adrenalin of running away and being lost started to wear off, Rove started to wonder whether he did the right thing or not. He couldn’t face the embarrassment of going home with his tail between his legs and decided that he would rough it out awhile longer. Laying there he thought about his home and family and the image of them brought a smile to his face as he fell asleep next to the flames.
Rove woke as dawn entered the caves mouth. His body was sore from a rough night’s sleep, but at least he was dry. He stretched his legs while getting up and observed his surroundings. The cave was gloomy, its brown surface looking almost grey in the light. His curiosity got the better of him when he saw the long dark tunnel heading deeper into the earth and decided to go that way himself.
There was no way to judge time in those tunnels but Rove knew that it was getting late. His hooves were starting to ace and he was getting really hungry. At first he thought that he was fine remembering all the twists and turns, but when he tried to get back everything just looked the same. He regretted not leaving a trail behind him and started to wonder if he would ever get out. He wanted to stop and lay down for a while when he saw a light at the far end of the tunnel. He sprinted forward hoping that he found an exit, what he gotten instead was a campsite. The place felt a bit off to him but he needed to find help. Rove stepped into the camp and decided to check out the biggest tent first. He didn’t find any ponies inside; instead there was a big wooden table with five miniature pony statues on it, each having a ring in front of them. All of them were beautiful and ornate except for the one at the center; it was made of simple iron and felt out of place between the others. Rove levitated it of the table and examined it more closely, but it was still just as bland as before. He decided to try it on and instantly felt warmth coming from his horn and spreading through his body.
“Looks like we caught ourselves another thief.”
Rove turned and saw a blue monster laughing at him. “I’m not a thief.”
“They never are, are they? And yet he is wearing my ring.” it said addressing the big cats behind him. “Throw him in the pit with her; I’ll take care of him later.”
Rove tried to get away but the tiger grabbed him in its paws forcing him to stop. It lifted him of the ground as easily as he would a rag doll and threw him into a hole in the ground. He tried to yell out but his only reply was a latch closing above him.
Rove didn’t know what was happening, first he was lost and now he got kidnapped. He decided to make a light with his horn and look around. The wall was steep and slippery with no way to climb out. He looked around for something to stand on and saw a dark figure at the far corner.
“Whose there?” Rove asked putting a little more magic into his horn getting ready to attack.
“Don’t worry I’m not going to hurt you, now would you mind helping me out here?”
When he got closer he saw that the pony in front of him was completely tied up. All four her hooves were bound together and her wings
were shackled. Rove used his magic to loosen the ropes but there wasn’t anything he could do about the irons.
“Thanks.” She said as she removed the black bag from her head. “So kid, how did you wind up down here?”
“Well…um, I.” Rove started when he noticed the mares pink eyes and grey mane. “Wait, I know you. You’re Daring Do, from the books. Does that mean that that blue thing is-”
“Ahuizotl? Yes, and it looks like you took like you took something from him. He isn’t going to like that, so I’m asking again, what brings you here?”
“I’m Rove; I got lost down here and ended up at his camp. I didn’t mean to take his ring, honest. I’ll give it back.”
“It’s not that easy getting that ring of yours off, and besides Ahuizotl isn’t as forgiving as he looks.”
Rove was confused by that, he tried to slide the ring of with his hoof, but it wouldn’t budge. Even after using his magic the ring still stayed on his head.
“How do I get this thing off?”
“As far as I know there is only one place where it can be done and it’s quite a long way off. I need that ring as much as old dog-face over there so I guess I’m going to be stuck with you for a while, but before we can do any of that we have to get out of here first.”
Rove couldn’t believe what was happening, in the last couple of days he has gotten lost twice, got kidnapped and met Daring Do. He knew that he should have been more scared than he was but all he felt was excitement.
“What do you want me to do?” Rove asked with a small smile on his face.