Guardian of the Hearthfire

Guardian of the Hearthfire

Ch1:  The Crime of Existence

Crystal sat by a small forge in her workshop, holding a thin tube of glowing steel in front of her with her cyan-colored magic. Her white coat was covered in sweat and soot from hours of shaping the metal just the way she wanted it. With delicate deliberation, she began to bore minute holes in the tube with her magic. She wiped the sweat from her mane so it wouldn’t drip in her eyes; the slightest break in her concentration could ruin the whole piece. Finally, she etched her name on the inside in the flowing letters of the old Equine alphabet and lowered it into a nearby pail of water. Steam billowed up from the pail, and Crystal took a moment to feel the warm vapor on her face before lifting the tube out again. She placed it next to five others, each a different length, then stood back and took a deep breath to clear her mind.

“Mommy?” came a small voice from the back of Crystal’s workshop.

She turned from her work to see her four-year-old filly sticking her head into the room. Splotches of red and blue paint dotted her white coat and she had a long streak of yellow in her silver mane.

“Ophelia,” Crystal said. “What happened?”

“I wanted to paint you a picture.” She replied drawing her hoof across the floor.

“And you got a little carried away, huh?” Ophelia nodded sheepishly, and Crystal beckoned her into the room. “Come here, you’re just in time to see the final step.”

Ophelia stepped through the door, but stayed well back.

Crystal lifted the six rods in front of her to eye level with her magic. One by one she searched them for any defects in the metal. Finding none, she began to weave her spell. First one rod, then another shimmered, shook, and with a flash, turned into pure crystal. Time passed quickly as the process was repeated with the remaining rods. Finally, she let the magic fade and inspected her hoofwork, then looked back at her foal.

“What do you think Ophelia?” Crystal levitated the crystal tubes in front of Ophelia.

“They’re beautiful, Mommy,” said Ophelia gazing at the crystallized metal with awe.

“One day, when you’re older, I’ll teach you my Crystal spell. Now run along and clean yourself up.” Crystal nudged Ophelia gently on her rump, and the filly scampered out of the workshop. Once she was gone, Crystal took a spool of thread and hung the crystals and a wooden disk from a frame, creating a wind chime. She hung it from the ceiling alongside a dozen others she had made, then left the workshop.

She found Ophelia in the living room, trying to lift a brown book as big as her body out of the bookcase with her magic. She didn’t look any cleaner.

“Ophelia dear, what are you doing?” Crystal asked.

“Practicing, so I can be just like you.” Ophelia glared at the bookcase in frustration, then redoubled her efforts.

Crystal smiled proudly and lifted it herself. “Ophelia, why don’t you have a seat on the...” Crystal paused, looking at the paint in her foal’s coat and remembering the state of her own, “floor, and I’ll show you what’s in here.”

Ophelia nodded, and hunkered down in front of the couch. Crystal cuddled up next to her, holding her close with a foreleg and setting the book down in front of them with her magic.

“This, Ophelia, is our family album.” Crystal opened the book to the first page. ‘The Chime Family,’ it said in firm calligraphy.

“It has all our memories from when your father and I were foals,” Crystal explained, showing Ophelia images of when Crystal was a filly. She stopped on a picture of her and Silver’s wedding day.

It showed them at the altar about to say their “I do’s.” Crystal wore a white dress with a long train embroidered with flowers. Her mane was done up in a bun and set with a rose behind her right ear. “You look pretty, Mommy,” said Ophelia.

Crystal smiled. “Yes I did. That was the second happiest day of my life.”

Ophelia looked up at her mom. “What was the happiest day?”

“The day you were born, silly,” Crystal said, nuzzling Ophelia’s cheek and turning the page. The next picture showed Crystal holding a newborn foal in a hospital room.

“Is that me?”

Crystal nodded. “You were only a few hours old. Your father had left the camera at home. It was raining, so when he finally came back with it he was soaking wet. He looked like a walking carpet with his mane plastered in front of his eyes! I think it was the funniest thing I’d ever seen,” she said smiling at the memory.

“What was the funniest thing you’d ever seen?” questioned a new, deeper voice.

Crystal and Ophelia looked up from the photo album. In the doorway stood an earth stallion, his silver coat sooty from blacksmithing and his short brown mane a frazzled mess.

“Daddy!” Ophelia leaped up and ran to her dad, who picked her up and swung her in the air.

“Hello my little angel.” He gave Ophelia a quick peck on the forehead.

“Hello dear, how was work?” asked Crystal.

“It was fine, though I did get an unexpected visit from Iron Luck. He wants to meet me tonight at the Inn. He didn’t say why, just that it was important.”

“Why don’t you come join us? I was just showing Ophelia our family album.”

“How about you and I start dinner, then we can look at it while we eat.”

“That sounds fine. Ophelia, why don’t you head up stairs and wash up? We’ll call you down when dinner’s ready.”

“Okay, mommy,” Ophelia replied, heading upstairs to the bathroom.

Crystal followed Silver into the kitchen. “So, what should we have?” Crystal asked.

“I was thinking just soup and sandwiches,” Silver replied.

Crystal nodded and opened the pantry where they kept the canned soup, while Silver took a loaf of bread and some greens out of the icebox.

“So when do you have to go see Iron Luck?” asked Crystal, working the can opener with her magic.

“Right after dinner I’m afraid.” Silver opened a cabinet and set three plates and bowls on the table.

“What do you think he wants to talk about?” Crystal poured the soup into a saucepan and set it on the stove to cook, then handed Silver a knife.

“I’m not sure,” he said, cutting slices from the loaf. “I hope its just an update on the Phoenix Order’s movements. The way he sounded when he wanted to meet me though, I fear it’s something much worse.”

“You don’t think she knows about the amulet, do you?” Crystal began stirring the soup with a wooden spoon.

Silver shook his head, “I don’t think so. We would know if she had.”

“Just be careful when you meet him,” said Crystal, looking into his eyes. “He’s not the same friendly pony he once was. I fear that Scarlet may have gotten to him.”

“No way,” Silver shook his head vigorously. “I’ve known Iron Luck since we were foals. I trust him with my life.”

“Okay, Silver. I’m just a little anxious, that’s all.”

Silver ran a hoof through her light blue mane. “Don’t worry I’ll be careful. Now let’s get dinner finished.” Crystal smiled and turned back to the stove, while Silver finished putting the sandwiches together.

As the soup came to a boil started, Silver called Ophelia down. “Supper’s ready!” while Crystal carried the dishes into the living room and set them down around the still-open photo album.

“All clean, mommy,” Ophelia said, smiling at her parents. “But you’re not,” she chuckled, covering her mouth with her hoof.

Silver and Crystal looked at each other’s soot-covered faces.

“You better get washed up for dinner,” said Ophelia in a squeaky voice that sounded like Crystal at her most stern. She scowled at them, but could keep it up for only a few seconds before bursting into laughter. Silver and Crystal couldn’t help themselves: as they gave into the foal’s infectious laughter. They were still chuckling when they came back from the kitchen, their faces and hooves scrubbed white and silver while their bodies faded into mottled, sooty gray.

They gathered around the photo album lazily munching on their meal while, Crystal and Silver took turns telling Ophelia the stories behind the pictures. One picture, showing over a dozen ponies wearing blue uniforms and caps, caught Ophelia’s eye. She pointed at it with her hoof.

“When was this?” she asked.

“That was the third, annual Manehatten PD reunion,” explained Silver. “Your uncle Iron and I were partners when we were younger.”

“Yes, and you two spent the whole day bragging about how you caught the notorious Thuderwing,” said Crystal, nudging Silver playfully in the ribs. “You foals were lucky.” she turned to Ophelia. “Iron and Dragon Lily brought their daughter Moonbeam, and you played together in the park all day, remember?”

Ophelia shook her head, and looked back at photo. “Where are you, Daddy?”

“Right there.” Silver pointed to two stallions, a silver earth pony and a brown pegasus with a black mane, sitting in the middle of the front row. “Uncle Iron’s the one next to me.”

There were only a few more pictures before they finally reached the end of the book, and Crystal put it back in the bookcase. “Ophelia, I think it’s time for bed,” she said.

“Aww, but Mommy, I’m not tired!”

“I’ll sing you a lullaby,” Crystal offered, tantalizingly.

“Okay,” said Ophelia, bounding up the stairs to her room a wide grin on her face.

“I’d better be going then,” yawned Silver heavily, lifting himself up from the floor. “Don’t want to keep Iron Luck waiting.” He grabbed a cloak from a peg and opened the door.

“Be careful dear,” said Crystal, following Silver to the door.

He turned around and gave Crystal a quick peck on the cheek. “Don’t worry I will.”

====SSS====

A cold north wind blew through the town of Nightingale, the first sign that a major storm was approaching from the Everfree Forest. The moon was hidden by the storm, casting a shroud of darkness over the town. The lanterns that lined the streets did their best to combat the encroaching darkness, acting as beacons to those ponies still wandering home. The rumbling of thunder could be heard from the Everfree forest as the storm drew closer to the town.

Any pony that wasn’t tucked in their bed, fast asleep, was busy trying to get home before the storm hit: closing up their shops, lugging carts to safety, or stumbling home from the bar. Throughout the town, Mayor Scarlet’s guards could be seen making their nightly rounds.

An earth pony stallion lurked in a dark alleyway across from the town inn. He waited patiently for the guards to pass before he quickly crossed and slipped inside. Turning away from the door, the earth pony took stock of his surroundings. The main foyer was warm and inviting, hosting a decorative fireplace in the corner with a roaring fire burning in its hearth to provide ample heat to the room. Sitting at the main desk was a light blue earth pony. Putting his paper down, he looked up to greet the new arrival.

“Welcome sir, are you here to rent out a room?” asked the clerk.

“No, just here to meet a friend,” explained the earth pony before moving into the main dining hall. The room was spacious, and finely decorated. He noted that it was colder here than in the foyer; the fireplace dark, save for a few smoldering embers. A hooded figure sat in the far corner, looking across the room and making eye contact with the newcomer.

“Guardians protect you, Iron Luck,” said the earth pony removing his hood.

“And you, Silver,” replied Iron Luck removing his hood to reveal a brown pegasus stallion with a black mane.

“What news do you have, my friend? Your summons sounded urgent.” Silver asked taking a seat paralleled to Iron.

“None that’s good I’m afraid." Iron luck paused for a moment scanning the room, looking for anypony who might be eavesdropping. Satisfied that no one was around he leaned in close and whispered, "Scarlet knows about Ophelia’s gift, and the Hearthfire amulet.”

“How?” Silver replied leaning closer to Iron Luck.

“I’m not sure, but she plans to raid your cabin at the stroke of midnight.”

Silver’s eyes grew wide with fear as he said, “I need to warn my family.” Silver turned to leave when the door to the inn burst open and two unicorns in red cloaks galloped into the foyer. Before Silver could react, Iron Luck was on him, pinning him to the ground.

“Iron! What are you doing!?” Silver grunted as he struggled against the pegasus.

“Sorry, Silver, but I have my own problems to deal with.”

Silver continued to struggle, trying to get the pegasus off his back as the two unicorns approached. He knew that if he was trapped by their magic, it would all be over. Silver promptly struggled to his hooves and bucked Iron Luck off, sending him flying towards the unicorns. He collided with them, sending them toppling in a heap back towards the door. Not wasting a second, Silver dashed out the back of the inn. The unicorns quickly recovered and gave chase. Silver bobbed and weaved through the empty town streets trying to lose his pursuers. No matter what he tried, he could not shake them, and he was running out of town to hide in. Soon he was forced to head out of town, galloping towards home.

The storm hit: the rain coming down in sheets that quickly drenched Silver as he galloped down the muddy dirt road. A bolt of lightning streaked past him as he galloped. Another bolt flashed above him, revealing the two unicorns still in pursuit, their horns lit as they primed another lightning spell. One of the unicorns released his magic, sending a bright white bolt of energy at the fleeing pony. The bolt missed by a hair, discharging harmlessly into the ground.

Startled, Silver increased his pace. The unicorns continued their pursuit, increasing their speed in an attempt to match their quarry. The chase lasted only a few minutes before the unicorns began to slow down, exhausted both mentally and physically. Silver continued at a breakneck pace, unaware that he’d left behind his pursuers. After a minute, he noticed a distinct lack of spells crashing into the ground around him and chanced a glance behind.

To his relief, the unicorns were no longer pursuing him. Seeing that the danger had passed at least temporarily, Silver slowed to a brisk trot as he continued down the dirt road. Looking around at his surroundings through the rain, he could make out the silhouette of a cabin in the distance, and just beyond that was the Everfree Forest. Even from here the forest gave off a dark and ominous feeling enhanced by the storm raging above him. In the sunlight, Silver could imagine the meadow and pond that rested just outside the forest’s border. He returned to his gallop, closing the distance in a few minutes. Silver burst through the door and galloped into the living area, water dripping down his cloak and his mud covered hooves as he searched around the house.

"Crystal! Crystal! Where are you!" shouted Silver, his eyes darting around the cabin. A loud thud sounded from above him. He moved to the bottom of the stairs and called up. "Crystal we need to go now!They're coming." A white unicorn came trotting out of one of the bedrooms, a white unicorn filly standing next to her.

“Ophelia, head to the back door and wait for us there.” said Crystal

“Ok mommy,” Ophelia replied. She was clearly confused, but didn’t question her mother.

“Silver, what’s going on?” Crystal asked worriedly once Ophelia was out of earshot.

“You- were right, Iron Luck- sold us out, and Scarlet’s guards- are on their way. I managed to- outrun two of her unicorns, but they’ll- be back and with more guards.”

“Ok. Silver, you go get the saddle bag from the kitchen, I’ll get the amulet from our room.” Silver nodded his understanding before quickly crossing to the kitchen. Once he was through the door, he moved to the cabinet on the far side where they kept the saddlebags. Silver slung the bag over his back and exited the kitchen, finding Crystal headed down the stairs with the amulet floating beside her. He quickly undid the clasps on the bag so that she could put the amulet inside.

“Ok, we should get out of here before Scarlet’s guards get here,” said Silver. As they started towards the back door, a heavy knock was heard. They all  immediately fell silent.

Silver once again indicated towards the back of the house, and the two of them crept silently to the back door where Ophelia was waiting for them. Silver quickly opened it and slipped out as Crystal levitated Ophelia onto her back and followed him into the rain.

No sooner had their hooves met the soil than they were in a full gallop across the plains. It only took a few moments before the ponies that had been at the front to take up the pursuit. A quick glance back allowed Silver to see that it was a group of seven stallions, all earth ponies, clad in red armor. Hovering above them was Iron Luck. The fleeing ponies made a beeline for the Everfree Forest, a dark place that they hoped would shelter them from their pursuers. As they drew closer to the forest’s edge, a sense a dread and fear washed over them. However, there was no turning back. The two ponies only thought of protecting their daughter as they charged headlong into the forest and were immediately swallowed in the darkness. Crystal lit up her horn, illuminating the area as they continued their mad dash deeper into the forest.

The dark grove did not hold their pursuers back however, as they also plunged into the forest hot on their tails. Crystal looked behind her, and could see nothing past the light of her spell. However she could hear the maddening sound of the stallions’ hoof beats as the forest amplified the sound, giving the illusion that a thousand guards were right behind them.

“They're... not... slowing..." Crystal panted as she increased her pace.

"Guess ...means...gasp...more...scared...," Silver grunted, putting every ounce of energy into galloping ahead.

The two ponies continued their charge through the forest, Crystal’s spell illuminating their path as Silver crashed through the underbrush. Behind them, their pursuers continued to gain ground as their training and endurance quickly overcame that of their fleeing prey. The stallions were only a few feet from Silver and Crystal when the air around the pursuing guards turned cold, the guards’ breaths becoming visible as puffs of white vapor.

Suddenly the forest was filled with sounds of cracking wood, and just moments later two large trees collapsed in the path of the pursuing ponies. The crimson clad stallions reared in surprise, stopping quickly before running into the fallen logs. Silver and Crystal continued on at full speed, oblivious to what had happened behind them. The only thing on their mind was escape.

“Crystal... hold up." Silver slowed down to a brisk trot when he noticed the lack of pursuers.

"What's... wrong... we have to keep going." She looked around the forest, expecting the stallions to leap from the shadows at any moment.

"I think... they finally... gave up," Silver stated, a smile on his face, trying to remain optimistic.

“I don’t think so... If they... follow us this far... into the forest I doubt they... give up,” Crystal replied between labored breaths.

“You’re... probably right,” Silver replied wearily. The two ponies continued to move ahead, though now at a brisk trot.

“Mommy what’s going on?” asked Ophelia.

“Don’t worry Ophelia everything’s fine,” said Crystal her head moving from side to side, looking for anything that might leap from the shadows..

“But why were those ponies chasing us?” Ophelia asked as she tightened her grip around her mother's neck.

“Because...because we're playing tag, and those ponies are ‘it.’ So we have to run away from them,” Crystal stated, a forced smile on her face.

“Oh, well then we better start running, because they’re right behind us,” said Ophelia, as she looked off into the darkness behind them, though Crystal and Silver couldn't see anything beyond the light from Crystal’s horn. But the sound of the hoof beats returned, sending Crystal and Silver into a gallop once again. As the pair continued to head deeper into the forest, the light from Crystal’s horn started to waver. Despite this, they pushed on, until Crystal suddenly collapsed. Silver stopped quickly, noticing that his wife wasn't by his side.

“Daddy! I think mommy’s hurt!” Ophelia was in a panic pacing nervously around her mother.

She was down on her belly, her hooves spread out, and at the edge of her light was a root. She managed to get back up but a hiss escaped her lips as she put weight on her back hoof , causing her to collapsed once more. Crystal winced as she tried to get up. "Silver! I think I broke my leg." Silver came up beside her, seeing a dark, purplish bruise on her back leg.

“Do you think you can walk?” Silver asked bending down next to Crystal.

“I think so, but they'd catch us at that pace,” pain lacing her words as she tried to stand once more.

“Then what are we going to do?” Silver bent down, and helped Crystal to her hooves.

"We... can’t let Scarlet get her hooves on Ophelia... We have no choice but to go to plan B,” said Crystal through clenched teeth. Wincing every time pressure was applied to her injured hoof.

“But there must be another way!” Silver pleaded.

“There is no other way! Scarlet must never get Ophelia or the amulet,” Crystal shouted with the last of her strength, making her sound angrier than she actually was. Silver sighed in defeat as he reached into the saddle bag and pulled out the Hearthfire amulet, an important relic from a bygone age.

Silver brought Crystal next to one of the trees so that she could lean against it. He then looked over at Ophelia and said, “Ophelia, come here please.”

Ophelia’s face was a mixture of confusion and worry as she approached her dad. Silver waited until Ophelia was directly in-front of him before placing the amulet over the filly’s neck almost like he was bestowing a crown to a queen. It was a simple piece of jewelry, a gold chain with a small pink stone in the shape of the heart set into it. The jewel that was dark before began to glow with a soft red light as it was placed around Ophelia’s neck.

“What’s this daddy?” she asked admiring the jewel.

“It’s a family heirloom, it-it will help protect you.” A single tear trickled down his muzzle as he moved to Crystals side.

“Look mommy, isn't it beautiful?” Ophelia asked oblivious to what was going on around her.

“Yes...Yes Ophelia it is,” Crystal smiled even though she was on the verge of tears.

"Mommy?" Ophelia cocked her head to the side as she drew closer to Crystal.

"Yes, little one?" Crystal managed, struggling to keep her voice strong.

"Why are you crying?" asked Ophelia, confused as to why her mother was shedding tears.

"Be...because I have to send you away Ophelia," Crystal’s heart shivered as she spoke. She didn't want to do it but she knew it was the only way.

"Wha...Why?!" tears began to well up in the corners of the filly’s eyes.

"It’s...it's the only way to protect you," her voice cracked.

"Crystal, they’re almost here. If you're going to do it, it needs to be now!" Concern was etched into Silver’s face as the sounds of the their pursuers grew louder.

"I will find you little one... One day," Crystal whispered comfortingly to her daughter as the light of her horn began to intensify. She put every ounce of strength she had into it. She brought her horn down upon the filly’s head, and in a bright flash, the filly was gone.

====SSS====

Fluttershy was finishing up dinner when a bright light flashed through her window, startling her into diving under a nearby pillow. She poked her head out from behind it when she heard crying coming from outside the door. Fluttershy's caring instincts quickly took her to the door. Opening it a few inches Fluttershy quickly found the source of the crying. On the doorstep was a white unicorn filly with a silver mane. Fluttershy looked around and, seeing nopony in the area, slowly approached the filly, attempting not to frighten her.

"Umm...Are you alright?" asked Fluttershy, her voice just above a whisper. The filly jumped at the voice and dashed into a nearby bush.

“Don’t be afraid. I’m not going to hurt you,” said Fluttershy, inching her way closer.

“You’re...You’re not?” replied the filly, unsure of the yellow pegasus.

Fluttershy nodded, the filly stepped out of the bush and sat down in front of her. Ophelia’s cheeks were damp from the tears and her sapphire eyes seemed to glisten. And in the next moment, Ophelia was bawling her eyes out, cradled in Fluttershy’s arms. She wrapped her hooves around the filly, hoping to calm her. As the filly continued to sob, Fluttershy could feel that she was just a scared, lost, and confused filly.

"There, there little one. Everything’s going to be alright," Fluttershy cooed as she stroked the filly’s mane.

"I want my mommy!" Ophelia cried, "why did she have to send me away?!"  Ophelia continued to cry into Fluttershy's chest, as Fluttershy continued to comfort the filly. A few minutes passed before the filly’s hysteria passed.

Fluttershy set the filly down in front of her and wiped a tear from Ophelia’s cheek then in her most gentle tone asked, "Why don't you come inside, and I’ll make you something to eat."

The filly nodded and followed Fluttershy into her cottage, her head low. "Why don't you have a seat on the couch? Is there anything in particular you would like?" Ophelia shook her head as she moved over to the couch and sat down next to one of the pillows. Fluttershy quickly put together a simple dandelion sandwich and brought it over to where the filly was sitting.

"Now, what is your name?"

"O...Ophelia," said the filly, munching on her sandwich.

"Ophelia, that's a nice name. Can you tell me what happened?"

"I-I-I don't know. We were running from some ponies th-then... then my...." Fresh tears began to roll down Ophelia's cheeks as she buried her head in a nearby pillow.

Fluttershy sat beside the crying filly saying, "Oh... please don't cry, you don't have to talk about it anymore if you don’t want to." she began to stroke the filly’s mane. After Ophelia calmed down once again, Fluttershy offered her the sandwich, but Ophelia simply pushed the plate away. "Ok maybe later then. Why don't you rest. Tomorrow we'll go and talk to my friend, Twilight. Maybe she can help you find your parents."

"Ok," Ophelia said weakly, curling up beside a pillow and drifting off to sleep: exhausted from the day’s events.

====SSS====

Iron Luck found himself outside of Scarlet’s chambers. After the capture of Silver and Crystal, Scarlet had requested his presence immediately upon his return. Calming his breath and steeling his nerves, he pushed on the door and entered.

Scarlet’s quarters were simple yet elegant: across from the door there was a fireplace, above which was the order’s crest - a scarlet phoenix on a black shield, its wings spread. Engraved above the phoenix was the order’s motto: Sicut Phoenix, resurgemus renascentis. Iron Luck learned that the motto was written in an old form of Equestrian. It roughly translated as “Like the Phoenix, we shall rise reborn”.

Finally, his eyes landed on a scarlet unicorn with a light red mane and tail looking over Lake Luna on the balcony.

“You summoned me, mistress,” intoned Iron Luck, bowing before the unicorn

“I’m very disappointed in you Iron Luck. I’ve come to expect more from my lieutenant.” Scarlet’s voice was laced with anger as she stepped out of the balcony and came to rest in front of Iron Luck.

“I’m sorry, mistress, I will find...”

Scarlet stomped down her hoof.  “Silence you worm! I gave you one job: to capture the filly and retrieve the amulet! You dare return to me without either. I should throw you into the dungeon for your incompetence,” Scarlet’s eyes flared with rage as she spoke.

“Forgive me, I will capture the filly and retrieve the amulet.” Iron Luck dropped even lower, his snout touching the ground.

Scarlet relaxed slightly saying, “You have your chance Iron Luck. But if you fail me again, you won’t need to worry about protecting your family.” Scarlet glared at Iron Luck, making sure her point got across.

Iron Luck trembled at the thought. “Of-Of course, I-I understand.” He was tripping over his words as he backed away towards the door. Scarlet returned to the balcony as Iron Luck left the room.

Once he was well away from Scarlet’s chambers did he breathe a sigh of relief. He had expected to be killed on the spot, or worse that his family would be hurt. What he feared now was facing his friend. Shaking the thoughts from his head, he had one last chance, and he wasn’t going let it slip away. Hanging on to that one thought, Iron Luck started towards the dungeon.

====SSS====

The dungeon was at the lowest point of Nightingale manor, only one way in or out making escape impossible. The two red-clad earth ponies standing guard stepped aside and opened the door. Iron Luck quickly descended the stairs. The air grew colder and colder as he came to the bottom of the spiral staircase.

The main room of the dungeon was lit by two lanterns that hung just above the staircase exit. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust, but soon he was able to see the rest of the room. The walls were made of a reddish stone, brought from the Unicorn Range. Despite the cold Iron luck could see and hear, droplets of water seeping through the cracks. Along the far wall opposite the staircase there were five cells placed directly next to each other. The bars were made of normal cast iron, and were assembled in a checkerboard pattern. He also learned that the bars were enchanted with multiple spells, to keep them from rusting, and to weaken a unicorns power.

Opposite the cells there were various torture instruments of all shapes and sizes. Some were pointed, others were curved to look like a sickle. Iron Luck shuddered, he hated looking at the awful instruments. Returning to what he came here for he crossed the stone floor to the last cell in the room where Silver was being kept.  He found him and Crystal asleep on their cots, knocking his hoof against the bars, the prisoners awoke from their slumber.

“Where did you send her?” Iron Luck asked, showing no emotion.

“Why would we tell you,” Silver spat at Iron Luck’s feet. “To think I called you my friend.” Silver turned away.

“Watch your tongue; the only reason you haven’t been beaten to death is because of me,” Iron Luck snapped back.

“What happened to you, Iron Luck? I know you would never let Scarlet change you,” said Crystal.

“It’s none of your concern Crystal. Now tell me where did you send her?” Iron Luck asked, in no mood to explain himself.

“She has your family, doesn't she? I can see it in your eyes,” Crystal replied; her gaze never leaving the pegasus.

Iron Luck’s anger melted away. He regarded the exhausted mare with admiration. Crystal had always been good at determining what troubled ponies.

“She captured them shortly after I infiltrated the Phoenicians. It’s how she keeps her commanders in line. I tried to stay strong, but she threatened to hurt my daughter if I didn't tell her everything I knew, so I did.”

“Iron Luck, we can help save your family and get Ophelia back if you just let us go,” said Crystal.

“I’m sorry Crystal, but I can’t risk my family getting hurt. Now please tell me where you sent her. I’ll do everything I can to make sure she’s not harmed.”

“I’m sorry Iron Luck,” said Crystal, “but you know we can never let Scarlet have Ophelia or the amulet-”

“And I can’t lose my family,” Iron Luck interrupted. “Now tell me where she is.”

“We don’t know. I simply sent her away. She could be anywhere.” Crystal turned away from Iron Luck and joined her husband at the back of the cell.

“Fine then, you leave me no choice,” Iron Luck said motioning to the guards standing by the exit. “Separate them. You have my permission to do whatever you like to get the information, so long as you don’t kill them.”

The two guards saluted, moving towards the cell with twisted grins. Iron Luck trotted up the stairs, the screams of Silver and Crystal echoing as he left the dungeon. a single tear trickled down his cheek.

“Gather my captains and have them meet me in my quarters.” Iron Luck turned to the one of the guards at the entrance.

“Yes sir,” the pony replied before galloping off.

Iron Luck stomped off to his quarters, furious at his friend. “That foolish Silver.” He continued his frustrated march all the way to his quarters, all the while trying to justify his actions. He hated having to betray his friend, but what other choice did he have? He would not jeopardize his own family just so the world might still be at peace. When he opened the door to his quarters, he found all his captains waiting patiently inside. There were ten of them, many of whom were earth ponies, all of whom were loyal to Scarlet.

When he was fully in the room they all saluted him. Returning the salute, he moved towards the center of the room. Taking a deep breath, he looked about his quarters, The walls were made of a birch wood. The ceiling was high allowing a chandelier to rest several feet above the floor providing light to the whole room. For furniture there was only the necessities a bed, a desk and a drawer, each made out of oakwood. By his bed resting on the nightstand was a battered old picture frame: His most prized possession.

Iron luck closed his eyes as he remembered that day him and his family were having a picnic outside of Nightingale, in the Whispering Meadows. Iron luck sat to the left sitting up straight and tall. Next to him was his wife, Dragonlilly, a blue coated earth pony with a light pink mane. She was a florist dealing mainly in the selling of exotic flora. In between them sat Moonbeam, their daughter, to the surprise of both of them she was a unicorn, her coat was white and her mane was a light blue. She had a goofy grin on her face as she held up a plush doll that looked exactly like her. He had given it to her earlier that day as a present for getting good grades in school.

A smile spread across his face as he opened his eyes, the memory already beginning to fade. He returned his attention to the center of the room which had a large area rug covering up much of the wood floor underneath. It was primarily red, with the order's seal and motto, stitched into the the fabric. His captains were arranged in a semicircle around the order's seal. Iron made eye contact with each one of them before speaking,

“Men, we have a difficult task ahead of us. Mistress Scarlet wants the Hearthfire Amulet. Unfortunately we do not know where the prisoners have sent it. Therefore, I am sending you out; you will search all of Equestria if you have to. Do not return until you have found the amulet and captured whoever may possess it.”

The captains saluted and left Iron Luck’s chambers, leaving the pegasus to his thoughts and his internal torment.