Dark Ascension

"Look out!"

It nearly crushed me! We left barely an hour ago and already I could have been killed from a mere boulder falling from the cliff. If it wasn't for Starswirl's quick lightning bolt striking it in half, it would have crushed me to. Well after that... shocking event (ugh. I'm a terrible comedian) we went on through the cave we usually do go through which we dubbed "Rocky Ravine" for how many rocks have fallen to nearly kill us...

"Left side clear" Clover called out. "Right side clear too" I called in response. We awaited the clear from Starswirl but... nothing. "Starswirl? STARSWIRL!" we both screamed. Bad. This is really bad! Why isn't he calling out!? I got out one of my energy herbs just in case I needed a boost. "Clover, I'm going to find Starswirl, you coming?" I inquired quickly. "Yeah, I'm on my way. We need to find him"

I traced left and right through the middle sector of the cavern. Nothing except a few travelers like us, thankfully heading in the opposite direction of us. I was feeling really reluctant to turn back, but I couldn't find Starswirl... I didn't want us to get hurt here. "Super get over here quick! I found Starswirl!" Clover called out. I zipped out of the right sector and reached them. Starswirl was unconscious, we had no idea why. Luckily he wasn't wounded, probably he got hit in the head by something... or someone. "Wha..." came a voice. Starswirl! "What... happened... Clover? Super?" he asked us slowly.

"We don't know what happened, but at least you are ok" Clover replied to him. "No matter... we should press on. Let's move guys" I added.

We left Rocky Ravine and came out onto a vibrant green field, sword-like blades of grass as far as our eyes could muster. The grass felt like soft cushions as our hooves brushed across them. Clover actually stopped a few times, looking at the insects that inhabit grassland. I ran forward to scout around and- "Sorry but I can't let you pass" said a random pony blocking my way. I jumped back in alarm. "And why's that?" I replied. He had a sinister look in his eye. I braced myself just in case he made a move. "You are Super Effective, studying under Starswirl the Bearded aren't you?". A shiver ran through my spine. How the hell did he know who I was? I could understand Starswirl but me? I'm not known at all. "No... I'm just a traveller. I'm sorry if I caused you any trouble" I replied nervously. Now I was more than suspicious, he was reaching for something.

"I'm sorry, but I know you are lying, and I can't let you cause trouble for us" he smirked evilly as he continued reaching into his cloak. "Us? Who's Us?" I attempted to press him before something happened. "There's no point in telling a dead man information, now is there?" I dashed back in time, a dark blade just barely scraping on my saddle bag, luckily no cuts.

"Starswirl! I need some help here!" no one responded.

My foe laughed at my call for help as if it was futile. "Pathetic. Do you really think I'd face 3 of you alone?"

His voice partially muffled by the sword being in his mouth. That is bad. He isn't a unicorn obviously, or he would hold the sword with magic, but that means he could be a Pegasus. If he is, this could turn ugly for me, as I've never fought a Pegasus before, only grounded foes.

"Since I'm about to kill you, you might as well know who I am. I'm simply known as DA-1"

What the hell does DA-1 even mean? But I can't think about this now. He lunges at me with his blade in tow. His blade was like a blade of midnight, made out of solid ebony, one of the rarest and most lethal metals you could ever use to forge a blade.

It gleamed in the dawn. A streak of white sunlight seeped right down the blade swiftly, letting me know this guy was seriously intent on killing me. I sidestepped to the right just in time, he slipped right past me, but he didn't seem fazed. He swivelled around and the blade streaked across my hair. Before he could attack again, I unsheathed my short sword, our blades clashed like two storms battling for ownership over the sky. He leaped into the sky then jabbed straight down with his hind legs, I tried to swipe my sword up but to no avail, he clashed it out of my mouth with his own blade and tripped me right over, slamming me into the ground.

"I would say any last words... but you aren't deserving of them," he swiveled in a 360 motion, as if taunting me, then lunged straight down.

"Did you think it would be this easy?" I taunted him, trying to boost my own morale. With my hind legs, I jabbed upwards and he lost his footing, now was my only chance. Get away or strike now? I would need help, so I dashed back to where Starswirl and Clover were then- What!? How the.... I can't move! Something was holding me. I looked around to see a sickly black and purple aura holding me, like the dark magic we are seeking out. Now I knew, I was being held by magic! But who was- "Looks can be deceiving, can't they?" that voice... my foe! He revealed that he was a unicorn, but how!? Why would he hold his sword in his mouth?

"It's basic diversion tactics... do you not even know that? Letting enemies know you can use magic means they can easily create counter strategies towards your magic,"

What he said just then... made sense. Concealing your identity to trick your foes. But that means... Clover! That must be why she- Why am I thinking of this now!? I'll ask her later. The pony starting bringing me towards him with his magic, his sword being held by the same.

I drew my blade, ready for action. I wasn't going to fall to scum like him! "Come on then! Is this magic all you have!?"

The aura faded. And we both charged.