Verve

Splash.

The Princess’s tumbling form rammed into the icy chill of the cold water below. Sun Song shined through its sheath - illuminating the frosty clear waters beneath her, but she wished it didn’t. At the bottom of the pristine pool lay the cleaned remains of several unicorn skeletons, long since past the point of decay. Grisly trophies of the spider’s victory - or perhaps a failed escape attempt?

She broke the water tension with a heaving gasp, significantly less magical mane sticking to her face. Nearly all of that magic from the Carnival - wasted. She spun around, looking for her friends, a sign of life - anything.

A hoof hooked her shoulder, making her scream and flap her wings desperately in an attempt to get away. This failed, as another, smaller hoof did much the same - pulling her onto a craggy rock face without her permission - a heavy wood bucket clinging to her leg from the well’s interior. Breathing and shuddering, Celestia turned to the pleasant sight of Vee and Pumpkin, who both watched her drip on the cold rock beneath them.

“Greetings, Sun-fry!” Vee chirped, staggering on her hooves. “I need a hospital! D’ohoho!”

She then unceremoniously flopped to the floor. “Come get me when there’s towels, coffee, or tents.”

Pumpkin sighed, frowning. “I-It looks like this place is connected to a natural cavern of sorts. I-If the spiders um… found it, they left no signs.”

Poor thing. The little mare was shaking in her hooves, dripping wet - just like the Princess. “Where’s Arin? Is he alright? And Tempest?”

“T-They’re fine. We left them laying back-to-back t-to stay warm, over here.” Pumpkin pointed to the edge of the cavern, a single lantern lighting up the ground around the two exhausted party members. The water here curved around the small cliff of the cave, ducking down into a natural aquifer - just as Celestia thought. The platform they rested on had dozens of sparse wood beams that had at one point collapsed against the floor; the structural integrity of this cavern had long since shifted, the pressure of the jagged rocks diverted somewhere else.

Onwards, the water began to run in a thin creek south west, deeper into a natural - and partly sculpted cave. Where could it lead? More importantly - was it safe?

Actually, questions like that could wait until she wasn’t bone-tired and struggling to stay awake. Trotting to Arin’s side, she rightfully collapsed against the faintly dozing duo. Panting in the fresh cool air of the caverns.

This left only the little witch, who looked around meekly at her bone-tired friends. “Does um… a-anypony want to help me set up a tent?...”

No response. Of course.

“I’ll help you, Smol-fry. By staying out of the way. Hmhm.” The Purple huffed, lifting a tired wing up - but stopping just short of preening, upon seeing the sticky strings clinging to it. That was definitely not good for the feathers. And not good for her teeth. The gooey strands may lock her jaw together, after all.

“I don’t suppose the Deer-fry packed any purple-based shampoo, Smols?”

Pumpkin spat the edge of the tent out of her mouth, huffing in exertion. She had dragged her own two-pony tent to the flattest spot on the ledge, after tugging it from her bag. Her legs fought her on this, but she pushed on bravely.

“They um… h-had a pumpkin scented one, for me. Haven’t you checked your bag yet?”

“I did snoot around for the good bean a few times, but otherwise - no.”

Finding little progress with the tent, she turned her attention towards warmth. There wasn’t much in the way of stoves in her pack - but there was an abundance of abandoned beams from the tunnel. Tugging some of the splintered pieces over into a pile, she was left with the daunting task of lighting yet another blaze. Right after they escaped the last one, too.

“Here,” Celestia said, her faint magic hovering Sun Song by Pumpkin’s side. The little mare gave it a tug from its sheath - intriguing the Princess as she held it aloft.

“I’ve never seen another pony who’s aura fell so closely in line with my own. I could tell, since the day we met that we shared that bit in common.” The Princess watched, as Pumpkin tapped the sword against the wood with a huff. Sparks flying off the blade like a wand, before sizzling the wood alight.

“I-I’m a sun witch. I praise the sun, just like how you um… raise it. I-I draw power from daylight.” She pushed the blade back into its home, gently returning it to Celestia’s side.

“I’ve heard little in the way of witches in my long life, but perhaps there’s something to it I should have investigated. Most ponies typically draw ambient magic in the air inside their embers. Which gives Unicorns the ability to cast spells, Earth ponies great strength, and Pegasi the ability to fly despite their small wings. On top of standing on clouds, of course.”

“W-Well, witches don’t-”

“Trade secrets, Smols! Don’t let Princess Snooty trick you, she’ll tax you more!” Vee spurt, flapping her feathers weakly in defiance.

“It’s fine, Vee. I-I trust the P-Princess.” The little autumn pony shivered in reply.

“You’re only saying that because she has mind control powers! That’s why I don’t stare at the sun anymore. Hmhm.” Regardless of Vee’s insane rambling, Pumpkin continued.

“A-A witch misaligns their ties to their race’s respective p-planes. H-Hold on…” She closed her eyes, breathing deep. Recalling Tempest’s lessons and steadying her nerves, as Celestia made her way to the fire - taking careful consideration of the sleeping Seraph, and the tired Tempest. With help from the exhausted earth pony, they both managed to bring their respective lovers towards the flame. Even Vee snooted up the nerve to roll closer to the warmth.

“Because of this, we weaken our bonds to our natural magic, instead opting to absorb more of another. For m-me, I’m tied to the Solar Plane, much like you, Princess. This um… m-makes me slightly weaker, compared to an Earth pony - smaller too, since I started so young. B-But I can cast magic! Which is a good trade.”

“How very odd. I’ve never heard of this practice before; then again, witches are secretive of the arts…” Celestia waved her webbed wing at the fire, instantly roasting away the tethering strings. She’d need a torch to get the fine details, but for now - it worked. Luckily, they weren’t soaked through like they were in Corpse Vale. With a few flicks, enough of the water had rolled off to let her cover Arin in her protective grasp. The Seraph murmured, as his body worked to overcome the last of the toxin. It was a slower process for him; Seraph blood interacted differently with the venom, much like her own would.

“W-Well, you typically need the help of a Familiar to start the process, or another witch who’s educated in the arts. V-Vee is um… the best teacher for that. I’ve been helping Tempest, t-though! She’s learning. Maybe one day, she won’t need her old horn at all. T-Think about it like this. Earth Ponies are typically adapted to the magic of the feywild, and the majority of their magic comes from there. The rest comes from the ambient energy o-of the sun and moon. With lots of meditation, practice, and help from another - I could change my um… plane balance. So now, while I’m still a feywild pony - most of my energy comes from the sun, and none from the moon. I-It’s weird, and the longer you study and practice the art, the more effective it is.”

Celestia relaxed as the conversation moved on. An interesting topic like this, after the last few encounters - helped eased the twitching, overwhelmed nerves. The less deadly warmth of the campfire helped, especially with Arin safe and sound by her side. They even made an effort to strip their soaking wet gear, resting it on a spare plank nearby to dry.

“So with time, you can channel magic like a Unicorn, but only through one type of ambient magic - unlike a pony like, say, Twilight.” The Princess pointed a hoof, confirming her thesis.

“...Who?” The little mare tilted her head.

“Right, you’ve never met. Famous Princess of Friendship, has a book about her friends and their adventures, saved Equestria multiple times?...” She spun that very same hoof around in a circle to prove a point. Pumpkin could only scratch her head and wonder.

“...D-Did she ever do an interview on Canterlot ‘95? Or um… star in any romance novels?...”

The Princess frowned. Twilight was famous, right? Ponies did know who she was. “Were you… nevermind. It’s not important.”

Pumpkin traced a hoof along Tempest’s cheek, sighing. The tall mare cracked her eyes at the touch, but was simply unable to do anything but stare and mumble.

“Pumpkin?...” she said, the little pony resting her chin in her damp mane. Her large lover was snuggled up into her hooves, her face against Pumpkin’s chest - close to the fire.

“Y-Yes Tempest?”

“If you ever drug me again without my knowledge, I’m breaking up with you.” Pumpkin’s hoof stopped stroking at Tempest’s admission, mewling sadly.

“I-I’m sorry, I-I didn’t… It… I just wanted to…”

“...But thank you. Regardless of how bad everything hurts right now, I think I recall ripping a spider’s heart out with my bare hooves. I’m guessing whatever you gave me worked.”

“I-It did! You killed hundreds of spiders, I-I’ve never seen a pony become so v-violent and… d-dominant before.” Pumpkin blushed, planting a kiss in Tempest’s wet mane.

“...Dominant?” Tempest questioned.

“O-Oh hey! I forgot to finish setting up the tent, I-I better um… get right to that!” Pumpkin squeaked, suddenly full of energy. Draping the bone tired mare to the floor, Tempest couldn’t even move her head to watch her bumble off.

“You did well, Tempest. Even if you said some horrible things to me over our journey. I am in your debt.” Celestia frowned, cupping Arin’s cheek.

“I don’t recall asking for your opinion, Princess. But… Thank you, regardless. For the kind words only. Next time, my decision is final - I am a leader and a Commander, and this isn’t the first time my directions have been called into question by you. We should have gone around. Now we’re wasting more precious time beaten and broken in the bottom of a well.”

“...Very well then. We’ll do it your way, in the future,” the Princess relented. There were many words unspoken between her and the chipped-horn Unicorn, Celestia’s intentions put to the side temporarily in favor of keeping the party alive and stable. Maybe one day, she could reveal her reasoning - for now, rest was more important.

Eventually, Pumpkin managed to erect one tent - she then returned to the fire to finish drying off. Under her care, the lil’ witch managed to turn the wine-colored mare over - drying her mane and tail by the fire’s warmth. Not to be outdone, Celestia gave the same treatment to her lover - who shuffled and groaned in his sleep.

“I’ve never directly cast healing magic before… i-is it that draining?” Pumpkin asked, stroking a hoof through Tempest’s mane. She did little to resist - only occasionally stare up at the little pony who tended to her without a second thought.

“It depends on the experience, knowledge, and natural affinity of the caster. Arin is exceptionally talented at patching up wounds - but he has plenty more to learn, and lacks experience in the art. On top of this, his magic is still relatively new. It will grow with time; his endurance is still building, after all. Magic is a lot like a muscle; the more a Unicorn, or I’m guessing a Seraph, uses it - the stronger it becomes. But there’s many strange properties about him I’ve yet to learn myself. Also keep in mind that the venom seems to have a strange effect on him - I’m assuming his natural regeneration, coupled with the antidote you gave him is exceptionally draining. Let’s hope he can sleep this off.” Celestia’s hoof helped nuzzle his nose into her mended chest, the wound left behind nothing more than a faint memory.

By now, with most of the water dry and little left to discuss - it was a group decision to stuff into one tent for the night, save Vee - who managed to stir up the energy to retrieve a pot, a new mug after losing the trusty thermos, and coffee from her bag. Even if the single tent was a bit small, with a little shuffling and close cuddling, the battered ponies - and sleeping Seraph - managed to stuff themselves inside. If there was spare energy left for a second tent, the four didn’t have the reserves left among them to construct it. With several of Vee’s dream catches set up along the walls - they managed to find solace in the warmth.

‘Morning’ came, in the infinite darkness of both Lunar magic, and the cave’s chilly interior. Thankfully, the snow couldn’t find its way inside the now comfortably warm tent, nor farther than the well’s opening.

Arin was the first to awaken, nose locked under Celestia’s muzzle; wondering where his clothes went, of course. He almost had a mini panic attack - the soft wings were a bit too much like webbing after yesterday’s events. But with the soft fluff surrounding him, he quickly stifled his worries and settled in for a long cuddle.

Perhaps stirred by Arin’s twitching, Tia made an effort to nuzzle warmly into the Seraph’s hair. At least most of the webs were gone now, but a proper bath was definitely called for. Something they could hope for soon, perhaps. Like every ‘morning’ after their events on the moon, she began the sweet process of kissing, nosing, and cuddling her lover to consciousness.

“Psst… feeling better?” she whispered to her winged lover.

“Tons. I feel like I haven’t had a meal in weeks. Let’s see if Vee kept the fire going.” He made to stand, but a soft voice caught his ear.

“W-Wait! Do you think you can cast another healing spell on Tempest?” Pumpkin mewled, stirred by their shuffling. The unicorn in question grunted, a tired hoof reaching up to hook the little mare and drag her in for a warm snuggle.

“I’ll be fine, you two. Just bring in food when you can. Double rations for me. And maybe something for headaches, if Pumpkin doesn’t have anything on hoof.”

Arin slowly peeled himself up from Celestia’s wings, clenching his fist in a flash of chiming light. Gentle bells rang as the tall mare sighed, blood ran fresh through her veins. The horrible ache in her muscles began to ease, and the throbbing pain in her head stifled and waned.

“...Unnecessary. But thank you.”

With that, the Seraph and Princess made their way into the now uncomfortably cold air of the caverns; a faint blue magic seeping in through the moonlight of the well. As Arin approached the flame with rations in hand, Celestia turned her attention towards the entrance they fell from. Summoning her courage, she spread her wings wide - darting up the hole in a flurry.

“...Tia?” Arin called after her, looking up from his makeshift stove. Vee had snooted up what would be her tenth cup of coffee in the past few hours, staring past him at the far wall. Her now pristine wings cradling the cup like hands.

“She’s just checking the fires, Tall-fry. With any luck, the whole forest is gone. Less skitterbugs and all that jazz. They deserve it. Only way to cleanse an infection like this, hmhm.” she said sagely, as indeed - Celestia returned, a thin layer of soot across her body as her wings gently cupped the air, falling into the caverns below.

“Bad news. The flames are still burning bright and hot. I believe the last wildfire of this size took several days to burn out. The only good news is that during our run - we put the majority of the forest behind us, and traveled closest to the western hills. We’re around an hour from the edge of the Moon’s embrace, as well - at a steady trot, of course.”

She landed next to the flame with a billow of wings - sparks shooting down the corridor ahead of them. Soon after, Tempest and Pumpkin appeared. Pumpkin sticking close to Tempest’s protective hooves, wrapped in a warm blanket - the now much more lively Unicorn quick to return the affection.

Arin had managed to scrape a heavy meal from their combined resources; aged cheese sizzled on crisp, buttery biscuits. A small stock of eggs cooked to perfection, seasoned heavily by the unique herb blends of the White Tail - the aroma summoning thoughts of wilder lands. It seemed that all sentient creatures in Equestria had a small taste for protein; exotic tastes grew with time, from the looks of it. Fresh grapes, preserved by their satchel’s magics, joined their plates - along with diced apples and cinnamon seared pumpkin, glazed with a thin, white icing. Not the pony, the gourd. Pumpkin wasn’t on the menu.

“Thank the Feathers for our forested friends,” Arin said, as plates were served, and the travel pan was left to the side to be cleaned later. Within seconds, Tempest downed all of her food, in probably… four bites, growling in defense of her meal. Which left the rest of the ponies - save Vee - mildly shocked.

“Are you-” Celestia began, but Tempest raised a hoof to silence her. She was still chewing, after all.

“Habit. My time in the Storm King’s ranks taught me to finish meals fast. Especially if you were hungry. If not, some creature may swipe a roll off your plate - or worse, the whole platter. As I grew older and more talented, few invading limbs would survive the attempt. Nevertheless, when I’m starving - I hardly chew or complain.”

“...Riiiight,” Arin said, as Pumpkin used a supplied knife to cut her toast in half - nosing it onto Tempest’s plate with a smile. The unicorn couldn’t help but grin, reaching down to plant a kiss on the little mare’s nose.

“So! Tempest. You probably already heard, but the forest is still burning to its roots. Any spiders left either died in the blaze, or burnt to death trying to escape. It could be up to a week before it’s safe to trot onwards. Since you’d like to lead without our advice, what do you suggest we do?” Celestia offered, trying to keep things neutral.

The mare chewed at her hardy toast for a minute, thinking.

“What are the chances this water leads into a natural stream or river?” she asked Celestia; she was the most capable of answering the question, but to everypony’s surprise - Arin answered first.

“Extremely likely. When I worked the mines back in Erenorn, we sent our coal spoil down an underground aquifer like this one in paddle boats. It saved the management thousands in Talons, as the vessels could be plucked easily from the water, and dumped into a slag heap nearby - without the need of carts or tracks. If there’s water movement, it’s moving somewhere. Likely downwards. Look at the erosion - it’s been flowing long enough to cut a channel through the rock, at the very least. The village here likely connected to this in some way, to send barrels down stream for easy transport. It would be stupid not to, and you can tell they did something - look at the struts and supports.”

“...That was an extremely well informed response that I was not expecting. Thank you, Arin.” Tempest almost wanted to pat him on the back for his knowledge on back breaking work.

“I can be smart sometimes, too. When Celestia doesn’t steal the limelight.” He gave her a gentle prod with his elbow, the mare rolling her eyes and squeezing him in a wing. “But to finish my point… if they did send supplies down river, they probably made sure you could walk all the way through to the end. That way if something got stuck, they could dislodge it and keep things moving. But now I wonder… what were they moving?”

“Now this is where I come in.” Celestia flapped her wings, proud of her knowledge. “My guess would be wine; heavy and hard to move, sold to taverns and companies in barrels, and it can be stored in cellars below ground to ferment. A strap of barrels could sell for thousands of bits to the right buyer… but if this heads further west, then that means there’s more decimated pony civilizations stricken from the history books, or a society cut off from Equestria by impassable land and impossible waters.”

“It makes me wonder why other airships haven’t been this way, if the Seraph could hide this far from Equestria’s government without persecution.” Tempest finished her toast, her spare hoof draping fully over her little mare’s back.

“Inhospitable free weather, no points to refuel without carrying extra sources of energy, the foul of Corpse Vale weakening magic engines - there’s plenty of reasons why a pony expedition could be halted.” Celestia thought aloud, listing easy excuses for a pony to decline the chance.

“But not a Seraph. We’re a foolhardy race, willing and able to take risks on a whim. Even I’m a victim of it at times.” Arin chuckled, remembering all too fondly of how he convinced Umbra to give ‘being a good pony’ a shot. Now look where it landed her.

“...I do recall updated airship schematics reaching my hooves around five years ago, that could circumvent magic tampering and brave rough weather - with better storage of Alchemist’s Fire for fuel. It came from an anonymous source at the time, and after passing my inspection - we incorporated the changes into our fleets. I now know these were Seraph war designs, the more I consider it,” Tempest finally admitted, after a moment of silence.

“All talk and no preening makes Vee a very dull pony. Let’s hit the wings and start flapping. My eyes are dry from catching up on my wall staring, and I’d like to sip my coffee on the road, please.” She pulled a checklist from her bag, using a bent feather to tick ‘complain’ from her list.

“V-Vee has a point. I don’t like caves that much, and knowing that a big spider could wiggle in at any moment i-is creeping me out.” Tempest had to nuzzle comfort into the smaller pony, but eventually agreed.

“Then there’s no time to waste. We’ll pack up and move immediately.”