Using a one-liner prompt I found on Pinterest, I wrote about Snowflake's disastrous adventure into the Ponyville mines. I hope you enjoy. :)

"They're better off without me, I know they are." The stallion whispered into the empty space. The only light came from the gems sprouting from the cavern walls. He walked to his saddle bag that was leaning against the wall and pulled out a dusty picture. He gently blew on the photo, revealing himself and a mare sitting next to each other. Their smiles were warm and caring. A small smile spread across his dry lips as his tears formed in his eyes.

"Oh, Pearl," his voice breaking echoed through the darkness. "I have done nothing to deserve you." He carefully returned the photo to his saddlebag and looked around at the dimly lit space, no exit in sight. "But this," he trudged toward the small pool of water that stood in the center of the cavern and stared at the grungy, thin face looking back at him. "This, I deserve." He sighed and walked back to his saddle bag and let his body fall to the floor with a thump.

With nothing to do but think, it was all Snowflake could do to keep himself from falling into madness by focusing on one thing. Returning to his beloved Pearl and holding her once again. The first pony who had believed that he was something other than spoiled rotten. The first pony who had seen not the pony he had been, but as the pony he could be. The only one who had seen the good in him.

Even his own family - his mother, father and sister - believed he was nothing more than an entitled, spoiled, selfish brat that only cared about himself and his social image. That was the reason his mother had sent him to Ponyville in the first place. To make friends, learn a few things about the world and the creatures in it, and to learn some humility, of course. And he had made friends. After being severely humbled and slightly humiliated by his peers, he'd learned the hard way that he wasn't the most important pony in Equestria.

Over the next few months, he'd grown especially close to the quiet and kind earth pony. She'd shown him that there's more to life than fame, glory, and money. But, one day after class had let out, he had gone out on the town with another mare from class. She'd recognized him as the son of Prince Blueblood and Sunset Shimmer and he'd slipped back into his old habits. Pearl confronted him, told him that he wasn't making any friends by using his status and money. He'd told her that he didn't care about making friends if everyone else only cared about his status.

He'd lost her that day. And for a while, he didn't care. But, he soon came to realize that losing her was the biggest mistake he'd ever made. The only time he'd ever felt truly happy was when he was with her. He knew then that he had to apologize and get her back. He'd apologized to her on multiple occasions, but to no avail. He had hurt her. And he had to do whatever it took to get her back. With the help of the last pony who considered him a friend - Chocolate Swirl - they'd put together a simple, but perfect plan.

Coco left a note in her room telling her to go to Sweet Apple Acres just before sundown. Snowflake was there waiting when she came walking up that hill. He'd laid out a few snacks for them to eat on a picnic blanket with a perfect view of the sunset. At first she was hesitant, but she slowly came around and he showed her that he really had changed. He told her just how he felt about her and promised that he would never return to his old ways. He'd only asked one thing of her, to be his friend again.

"I can't be your friend," her words echoed in his mind. He could still feel his heart ache at that moment. But, she smiled, "You're more to me than just a friend." She leaned forward and in that moment, as her lips met his, it felt as if everything was finally perfect. As if the stars had aligned and everything he'd ever wished for and dreamed of had finally come true.

But, now, as he lay on the dusty floor of the dank cavern, all he could do was reminisce and think of what to tell her when she saw her again. He would explain how he'd been searching for the perfect gem to give her when he would finally gather up the courage to ask her to marry him. He'd even asked Alexander to help him look, since he had an eye for gems like his mother. They'd pack food, but even with rationing he'd run out within the first week.

He was fading in and out of consciousness when he heard a distant rumbling. At first dismissing it as his empty stomach, but the rumbling became loud and sounded like it was growing closer. He looked up at the barrier of boulders that had trapped him in here. He used what little strength he had to produce a light with his magic. Upon closer inspection, he noticed the boulders beginning to shudder and heard the distant crumbling of rocks growing stronger. He quickly trotted to his saddlebag, threw it over his back, and put a great distance between himself and the barrier.

He was only a foot or two from the pool of water when the rumbling grew quiet. Had they stopped? Were they going to give up on him when they were so close? Suddenly, the rumbling started again, only stronger. The walls of the cave started to shiver in response. He looked up nervously as pebbles began the fall from the cavern ceiling. He held his hoof over his head to shield him from the debris, his magic now faded.

A sudden light broke through from across the room, grabbing his attention. "Hey!" He called out, his voice broken and hoarse. "Help! I'm in here!" He shielded his eyes as the light grew bigger and brighter. "I'm here!" He shouted. The rocks raining from the ceiling were now the size of baseballs. "Please hurry!"

"Snowflake!" He heard a soft voice calling from the other side of the wall that made his heart leap with joy. "Snowy! We're coming for you! Just hold on!" He walked closer to the barrier as the hole grew bigger. A loud rumbling made him stop in his tracks, only a few feet from the barrier. The boulders began to loosen and fall to the ground. The wall suddenly collapsed all at once. He coughed and waved his hoof to clear the dust. He felt magic wrap around him and carry him into the blinding light. He was set down on the other side of the barrier. He blinked to clear his vision and the blurry figure in front of him cleared to reveal… her.

He used what little strength he had to propel himself forward and wrap his hooves around her small body. He felt her hooves hold him tightly. Her pelt was soft to the touch, her beautiful mane swirled and curved, flowing over her shoulder. She was breathing hard and he realized she was crying. He backed away enough to see her tear-stained and overjoyed face. He gently wiped the tears away with his hoof and kissed her gently on her forehead.

"I've missed you, my dear." His words seemed to only make her tears grow as she buried her face in his neck.

"I thought you were gone! I thought you'd left me!" She cried out, unable to keep her voice from breaking with emotion. He softly shushed her and stroked her mane.

"I would be stupid to ever leave you," he said as she laughed. "And I'm not going anywhere." He kissed her cheek and whispered. "Let's go home." She nodded, her head still resting on his shoulder.