Forbidden Land

1 day later, 1am.

Pinkamena opened the hatch for the fake basement, and checked the alley. Empty.
They stepped outside in silence, closing the trapdoor and arranging their camping backpacks on their backs. The streets had the usual army patrols walking around. Mane pulled out his compass and searched for the north.

"According to where I'm facing, west is... that way." Mane pointed in the direction.

"Then let's get moving. Our street is empty now, It's our chance." Said Pinkamena peeking by the corner.

"Let's go on an adventure!" Mane cheered.

"Shhhh!" Pinkamena putted a finger in front of her mouth.

Three hours later of walking, they were already outside Ponyville's perimeter, following the train tracks in the distance. Three in the morning and some minutes after that with the coffee in their bodies making the desired effect of keeping them awake and walking.
The moonlight was their only night, avoiding lighting up anything else, knowing some patrols were around the train tracks in case of something.

"Hope It's beautiful place." Said Pinkamena, trying to keep track of Mane in the weak light.

"Me too. At least It's chilly outside." Mane expressed happily while gazing at the stars.

"I wouldn't said chilly. It's just those warm summer nights."

"Yeah, those are enjoyable too." Mane agreed. "Is It your first time camping?"

"No. When I was little, me and my sisters used to go camp in a very unusual place." Pinka smiled over the memories.

"Where to?"

"In the mines." Pinkamena giggled.

"Mines?" Mane laughed. "What's so interesting to camp in a mine? There's no moon or stars there."

"I've seen them enough times in my time. Have you heard about light emitting minerals?"

"Not much. Do they actually exist?" Mane sounded eager for the answer.

"Yes. Some emit light after being present near a source of It, and some others emit naturally." Pinkamena caught up with his pace until they were walking side by side. "If you go deep enough, you might find a cavern complex, and sometimes there are these ones. We used to bring our sleeping bags and an oil lantern. And then we would turn It off and see the gems glowing in the walls and ceiling of the cavern."

"Sounds like a natural wonder."

"It is." She smiled even more. "If we get to visit my family, I'll ask my sisters to take us there."

"I'll wait." Mane's horn glowed and made his night vision spell. "We are getting a bit too far away of the train tracks."

"Let's walk there then." Pinka suggested.

They walked closer to the train, following the same direction they were going for with a change ahead. A flock of birds coming from some trees passed by chirping away, adding more to their alert senses.

"There's something there." Said Mane.

"I can sense It too." Pinkamena whispered. "Whatever It is, I don't feel like fighting It."

"Me neither, let's speed up a bit." Mane agreed, starting to walk away.

Mane took the chance to teach Pinkamena a technique he learned to speed up without getting exhausted. Twenty paces running, twenty paces walking and repeat. After some minutes doing It, they were a good distance from where they were.
The stallion kept walking and looking up front were they were heading to, but Pinkamena kept looking over her shoulder, but there was nothing coming after them.

"Mane?" She called.

"What? Is there something behind us?" He asked.

"No. But... what do you think we're gonna find there, besides ancient ruins?" She asked nervously.

"You mean creatures? Dragons are pretty territorial, but I don't think one would be there." Mane answered concerned too.

"What could have happen there? Do you think It's was a creature?"

"Maybe yes, but maybe not."

"If It was not, maybe a war? Themselves in one of those tantrum sessions?"

"Who knows?" Mane asked with a sigh.

"We don't. Maybe Princess Celestia and Luna?" Pinka commented. "They lived all these years reigning over Equestria and the books mentioned them during those times."

"Only adds more mystery why they have seemed to forget the place..."

"Yeah..." Pinkamena sighed in thrill. "Do you think It's haunted?"

"I'm a cursed stallion, so I easily believe if weird shit happens there." Mane consented. "Hey, can you pull out the water in my pack?"

"Sure, just stop so I can take It out." Mane stopped and Pinkamena opened his backpack searching for the bottle. "Here, leave some for me."

"Thanks." Mane opened the bottle, took It to his mouth and drank some of It. "Here. We should save It until we get there unless we find a something to refill It."

"Obviously." Pinkamena accepted the bottle and drank some water too. "Refreshing... where are we?"

"Good question." Mane pulled out his map and looked to the sky. "The moon's position should say almost five in the morning. And our place..." He performed his night vision spell on him again. "I see a bifurcation in the train tracks ahead. I'll say we are here." Mane made a small light with his magic allowing Pinkamena to see.

"Alright, let's take the left then. Pretty much keep going forwards." She said looking over the map.

"Let's keep going then." Mane folded the map and putted It on his pockets.

"Can we stop a bit when the sun rises? I could get a rest." Pinka complained softly. "This backpack is killing me."

"Yeah, we'll need to eat something later. But let's not linger or else we won't get there that soon."