The Great Escape

Chapters

Prologue
Chapter Two: The First Day
Chapter Three: Taken

Prologue

Around eleven hundred years before the mane 6…

A dark and gloomy summer night descended upon the Crystal Empire…

There were a few lights still on within the once magnificent city, now shrouded in misery and darkness. On the outer reaches of the city, in a dimly lit house, huddled some ponies around a bed. They discussed on how to proceed with the birthing of a new foal, as the Pegasus mother groaned in pain.

“We have to do something!” said a snow white Pegasus on the left.

While the brown Earth pony on the right speaks up, “Well we can’t take her to the hospital! You know what they would do to the foal once it’s been born…” Everypony sighs and nodded their heads in agreement.

“It looks like we have no choice, but to do it right here, right now.” The green Unicorn calmly says.

As the unicorn started to prepare on the birthing, a dreadful sound starts emanating from the street. They all recognized the rhythmic beat of metal hooves on the pavement coming from below. Their faces start to fill with dread as they heard the noise come closer to the house.

The Pegasus quickly recovers from the shock and thinks furiously, “We need more time!” She points at the Earth pony and quickly orders, “You need to slow them down as much as possible at the door, fight them if you have to.” He quickly rushes out the door and downstairs without any arguments or second thoughts for his own safety.

As he left the room the Pegasus started to follow him, but the Unicorn stops her. She looks up to him with questioning eyes, he calmly explains, “Winter Storm, I need you up here to take the foal away if things work out.”

Winter Storm looks at the door, wanting to go downstairs, then looks back at him. “As you wish, Night Dust.” Winter Storm replies, as she walks towards the window taking a peek to see where the guards were. “I’m glad they are so noisy, they’re still a couple blocks from us.”

“Good, the more time, the better chances we have of doing this.” His attention was now fully on the groaning mother, Night Dust says quietly to her. “Okay I need you to push as hard as possible, but remember to breathe.” The mother nods silently.

Agonizing moments and groans passed on for what felt like an eternity. “Oh no… we might have a problem!” Winter Storm frantically says. As soon as she said that a large boom resounded through the house.

“Just a couple more seconds!” Cried Night Dust. Time seemed to slow down as they were hearing fighting noises, and a soft cry of a new born foal. Everyponies eyes went wide as they stared at him in awe. As Night Dust kept staring at the foal in his hooves, Winter Storm looked at the mother and sighs. He looks at the mother, somberly saying, “We knew this may happen, she is… rather was, a brave pony to do this for her son.”

Winter Storm looks back at the foal, “… He’s… An Alicorn?!”

Night Dust replies back, “That’s what it looks like to me! But we don’t have time for this, we need to go!” He uses his telekinetic abilities to wrap a blanket around the foal, and slips a small harness around Winter’s neck to hold him. At that moment they heard a horrible scream as their friend was being killed trying to slow the guards down.

“Where should I go?” Winter Storm asks Night Dust.

“You remember our old friend? Go there; I’ll slow them down so you can lose them.” Night Dust said, while grabbing the glass window with magic, ripping it out.

“You can’t stay here and die! I need you!” Winter Storm cries out.

Night Dust looks back at her, “I’m sorry but there is no other way, besides I've been waiting to give these bastards a piece of my mind.” Quickly giving Winter Storm a hug and nudges her toward the opening where the window was. “Go fly like the wind!”

A few tears fell onto Winter's cheeks as they both looked at the door to see soldiers starting to flow upstairs. “Goodbye my old friend.” Night Dust looks at the window-less opening, only to see the dark night sky.

“Goodbye my… love…” Replying to the open air, Night Dust looks at the window and breaks it into several small yet long pieces.

Before Night Dust knew it there were guards at the door, he started to shoot the shards of glass towards the ponies in front of him. Most of the glass shards shattered when they hit the metal armor, but some found vulnerable spots and sunk deep within their victims. He counted at least a dozen guards, including the three dead ones, as they started to back him into a corner with their spears. Night Dust stared at the spear tips, feeling like these were his last moments.

“Stop, don’t kill him yet.” Hissed a voice as it continues, “Our king wants to speak with him before you kill the Unicorn.” Night Dust looks over at the door to see a rather big stallion in a much more decorative armor than his comrades. He assumed that he was the captain of this group. “What does the King want with me?” The Unicorn asks feigning confusion.

“You know very well what he wants, now come peacefully or we will force you to go.” The burly stallion commanded. Night Dust glares at him, sighing and nods his head. “Alright… you don’t give me much of a choice… so let’s get going.”

The captain led the way out, while his men circled the Unicorn, some still keeping their weapons aimed at him. As they were on their way out, Night Dust looks over at his dead friend, whom was laying on the floor, throat slit, spear holes covered his body and blood pooling around him. Soon they were outside and started to head towards the center of the city, where King Sombra stayed in the castle.

As Winter Storm flew away from the house, she wanted to turn back to help her friend but keeps on flying. She looks down to see that the foal was asleep, thankfully, since any noise would attract unwanted attention.

Her goal right now was to reach the opposite side of the city from where she was. Winter Storm thought about flying through or over the city, which would cut her trip in half but decides she takes the scenic way of flying around it. Looking around, as she flew just over the buildings, noticed a Pegasus guard flying around. Even from at a distance, she could tell he was bored.

Diving quickly down into an alley, amazed that the guard never saw her. Winter Storm curses to herself quietly, “I should have brought my cloak.” Quietly as one could be, she walked towards the street, trying to see where that guard went. What she didn’t know is that the guard saw a white blur dive into the alley.

Poking her head out, she sees that the guard started to head back her way. Quickly jumping back, she started to fly to the other side of the alley. As soon as Winter Storm turned around the corner the guard shows up looking down the alley. “Hmm… I must be seeing things.” The guard mumbles to himself, “Must be time to go home I guess.”

Winter Storm resumes her escape, flying low around the city, avoiding what guards she saw. Luckily it was late and there were only a few guards roaming. 20 minutes of flying and hiding, Winter Storm finally saw her goal; a house across the street, down the alley on the left. There was only one problem; she could hear a guard patrolling around on the street somewhere close by.

Winter Storm looked around the corner of the building… To see that he was only a few feet away, headed her way. Quickly jumping out from the alley, Winter Storm spins around and bucks the guard, as hard as she could at his head. She felt her hooves connect to its target, and a very loud clang was heard as the unconscious armored pony fell to the ground.

Galloping as fast as she could towards the alley that was beside the house she has been looking for, arriving at the side door in moments. Wasting no time, she quickly knocks, once with a slight pause, then three times quickly, with a small pause then a last knock was heard on the door. On the last knock a slit in the door opens, and as quickly as it opened it closed again. Several locks could be heard as they were being undone, within moments the door swung inward and a voice could be heard from within. “Come in, quickly!” As soon as that door was open Winter Storm quickly walks into the house, not wanting to stay outside a second longer.

When she stepped inside, the door was shut behind her and relocked. The first thing Winter Storm noticed that it was very dark, so dark that she could barely even see herself. The pony, a black cloak covered his body, lights a lantern, dim enough to light a small area of the room. “Sorry it’s so dark in here, I just don’t want to attract attention.” The pony says, motioning her to sit down in the living room. He leads her into the living room, taking the chair that sat across from the couch, at the same time he removes his hood to reveal his teal coloured face, and horn.

Winter Storm lies down on the couch removing the foal around her neck, and gently putting him on the pillow in front of her. “I understand perfectly, Dark Fortune, these are troublesome times…” She replies back to his earlier comment.

“Indeed they are my friend, and if you don’t mind me asking but who is the little one?” Dark Fortune questioned her. Winter Storm looks at the foal for a few moments, unwrapping him from the blanket.

“Well… he doesn't have a name yet…” She softly replied after a few moments of silence.

Dark Fortune’s eyes widened as she finished unwrapping him. Getting out of his seat, he walks up closer to the foal to get a better look, what Dark Fortune first saw was that he was a unicorn. His mane, black streaked with dark red, which almost looked black in the dim light. It also slightly flowed like an alicorns’, if one was looking hard enough they could see it move. Looking down at the foals’ sides, there were wings, black as his body. he gently picked up a wing to inspect it, only to see white veins running up the length of the wings underside.

Dark Fortune fell on his rump, stunned, “He’s an Alicorn?! How is this even possible?” Almost shouting this out.

“Shhh, Dark Fortune, He’s trying to sleep, and I don’t want any guards coming here. I had to knock one out just outside, across the street.” She told Dark Fortune.

He replies back in a quieter voice. “I’m sorry it won’t happen again, I’m still amazed that he’s an alicorn!”

Winter Storm looks at him and says, “I just hope that Sombra doesn’t find out about him.”

Dark Fortune looks from the foal to her, “Me too, I would hate to see Sombra to try and corrupt him.

They sat there for a while watching the foal sleep in quiet solitude, Dark Fortune breaks the silence, “Would you like some tea? I don’t think the guards are coming anytime soon.”

Winter Storm nods her head, “That would be lovely; it’s been such a long night.”

Dark Fortune gets up, turns around and goes through the door leading into the kitchen. Leaving Winters Storm alone with the foal, and her thoughts. Questions started to pop into her mind, “How am I going to raise him? Am I going to be a good mother? I can’t bring him home… Not yet at least… What am I going to do?”

Lost in her thoughts, she never noticed Dark fortune come back and put the cup of tea down. He notices that she looks very tired and lost in thought as Winter Storm stared at the foal. Speaking up after a moment of silence, “Your tea is right beside you if you want some.” She looks at the cup, picks it up drinks it slowly.

“Do you mind if I stay here for a while?” She asks the unicorn with pleading eyes.

He scratches his chin with a hoof, thinking. “I don’t see why not, I have a spare bedroom that you can use upstairs… As for the foal, He is going to have to stay inside till I figure something out; we can’t have everypony seeing a new born Alicorn...”

Winter Storm gets up and hugs him, “Thank you! I’m kind of worried what to do… I have never raised a foal before.” Releasing her hug, she walks back to the foal and picks him up gently.

Dark Fortune walks up to her and puts a hoof on her shoulder, “It’s okay, I am here for you, but we should worry about this tomorrow. It has been a long night and we need to sleep.”

Closing her eyes, she sighs, “You’re right, I feel like I’m about to… --yawn--… drop right now…”

Dark Fortune grabs the dim lantern with magic and proceeds towards the corner of the room, “This way to your room.” He says to her. Winter Storm followed him up the stairs and through the door that was in front of the stairs, which was a bedroom.

Carefully Winter Storm puts the foal down on the bed, trying not to wake him, softly saying to Dark Fortune. “Thank you again for all this, I owe you one.”

He replies back, “Don’t worry about it, you would do the same for me if I was in your position.” After she climbs into the bed he quietly leaves the room saying, “Good night.”

Winter Storm tries to get comfy in the bed, shifting around for a few minutes. Looking over at the foal, which was practically invisible in the dark, picks him up gently and cuddles with him. She falls asleep almost instantly with him in her hooves, on top of her.

Twenty minutes of agonizing noises were all Night Dust could hear as the ponies around escorted him to the castle. The captain led them to the door that was beside where the crystal heart once proudly shining, now missing. Opening the door, the captain leads in first, up some spiral stairs, entering a small room with multiple doors, and they went up more stairs. Soon they arrived in a huge ballroom, walking all the way to the end to the giant double wooden doors.

Opening the doors, they arrived at their destination, the throne room, where King Sombra sat on the crystalline seat. Night Dust watched in horror as they got closer, and the King, dismounted himself from his throne, walks towards the group.

A snarling, evil voice emanated from the dark king, “Brighthooves! Where are the others? And where is the mother Pegasus?!”

To Night Dust, it looked like the captain, Brighthooves, was shaking in fear but he stands his ground and calmly replies. “My lord, we found them exactly where your scouts would be. But when we tried to enter the brown pony gave us some resistance, he was dispatched within minutes. We arrived upstairs only to find the unicorn, killing three of our men, along with the mother…” Trailing off at the end.

The king nods his head with this bit of information, asking, “What of her?”

Brighthooves takes a deep breath and says, “She’s dead, also there were no signs of the foal, however the window was ripped out, so I’m assuming that the Pegasus took off with the little one.”

Sombra stares at him with cold eyes, “This unicorn better know where they are.” Replying with a very chilled voice, as he turns his attention to Night Dust.

At this point the guards spread out, blocking any escape points if Night Dust even tried to escape. “Tell me, where is your friend? I know she took the foal, so don’t play any games on me.” The king spoke quietly, which sounded way more evil than normal.

Night Dust shivers with fear, but manages to reply back to him, “You will never find her or the foal!” The king stares at him coldly, and then started to circle to the left of Night Dust, inspecting him for a few seconds. Sombra kicks out hard against Night Dust’s right side; he gasps in pain and stumbles to the left. Night Dust manages to stay on his hooves; “I am not telling you anything Sombra! Even to my dying breath.”

“How bold of you, to defy your new king.” Replied King Sombra, “But you will eventually tell me everything you know.” He started to walk closer to Night Dust and glares at him with cold, evil eyes.

Night Dust starts to worry about how long he’s going to be able to take the beating, perhaps the beating of a lifetime if he needs to keep a secret. Shaking in fear, he manages to stay on his hooves; “Do your worst Sombra! I will never tell you anything!” Night Dust cried out in defiance, yet regretting for what he just said.

King Sombra raises a hoof and strikes Night Dust’s face, then quickly bucking at his side again, grinning slightly as he enjoyed hurting others. “I could do this for years to come, if that’s what it takes, all you have to do is just tell me where she went and it will all stop.” Said King Sombra, as he walked up to his new prisoner, bucking Night Dust’s side once more.

This time Night Dust hit the floor hard. Sombra watched as Night Dust struggled to get back on his hooves, after a few moments he gets up on shaky hooves. “You will… never get your… hooves on… your son, Sombra…”

King Sombra walks up to him again and sticks his face into the injured pony’s vision and says, “Now we are starting to get somewhere, nevertheless you are one stubborn pony.” Quickly striking at Night Dust’s face once more, whom falls down to the floor.

King Sombra then turns around and walks back towards the throne, “Guards take him to the dungeons, make sure he has something to nibble on, I don’t want him to starve on me.” Night Dust gets dragged from the floor and gets thrown onto one of the guards back. Who picked him up Night Dust was not sure, for things were spinning around like crazy, and soon passes out.

End of Chapter One / Prologue

Chapter Two: The First Day

Author Note; The point of view is now locked to the foal, Blaze Softfeather, Unless said otherwise.

PS – Also I am going to describe everything that he sees to the best of my abilities, although he will not know what they are until they are explained to him, since he is just a day old foal.

Chapter Two: The First Day

I woke up in the morning, feeling something soft hold me, so I opened my eyes to see a white pony hugging me. Enjoying the warmth coming from her I lay there for a few minutes, hugging her back. Eventually, I became curious of the room we were in, trying to wiggle free from the pony’s grasp. After a few moments of twisting and wiggling backwards, I rolled off her side and onto the soft, comfy bed.

When I landed on the bed I realized I had some things on my sides. Opening my wings to inspect them better, I saw that there were white veins running up on the underside of them. They were also shaped slightly different compared to the white pony’s wings. Why? I did not have a clue. I also saw my tail, mostly black with red streaking in the middle.

I started to flap my tiny wings to get a feel for them; they barely made any noise as they moved. After a few moments I closed my wings and tried to stand up, with shaky legs I managed to get up. As quickly as I got up I fell right back down onto the bed with a very soft thump. Looking back, forgetting about exploring the room, I see the pony still sleeping. So I crawled my way over to her shoulder and began to nudge it with my hooves.

In my small efforts to wake up her up, seems to have paid off, as she opened her eyes and looked at me. Jumping up, I hugged her neck, smiling widely and flapping my wings a couple times. “Awww, you’re so adorable…” The pony underneath said this while picking me up and hugs me back while on her chest. After a little while I pushed my hooves down so that I was in a seated position and flapped my wings a few more times.

The exact moment I sat upright, my stomach growled rather loudly for my size. “Oh you poor thing must be starving.” She said this as she sets me down on the soft bed then rolls out. I watched her with wide eyes as she landed on her hooves, flipping her light blue mane and picked me up again. She puts me on her shoulders and I hugged her neck so that I could keep my balance as she moved around.

Soon we were moving around the bed and towards the door, at the end of the bed was a desk covered with books. There was also a bookshelf beside the door crammed full with more books. Before I knew it the door was open and we made our way towards the stairs. I took what little time we had up here to look around before we went downstairs. I saw more doors that were closed, one only a few steps to our left, and one down at the end of the hallway.

Going down the stairs was a very bumpy ride, although I managed to stay on the white pony. We reached the bottom of the stairs in seconds, entering into a giant living room. The first thing I noticed that were more bookshelves covering every wall. I also saw a couch and chair, with a small table in the middle of the room. There were a few windows, but they were closed except for one, which let the light in.

My stomach growled loudly again as we moved through another door, leading into a small kitchen. The pony below me leans against the counter and I crawled over onto it. “Hang on sweetie; I’ll make you a salad here.” Kissing me on the forehead then turns around to prepare the salad. While I waited for my salad, I looked around the kitchen.

Looking to my left I saw a sink that was pretty deep, one that I couldn’t climb out if I fell in. Beyond the sink there was more counter space, along with an electric stove on the far left wall. There were small cupboards all around above everything. Across from me was a fridge, along with the white pony, whom was working quickly to get me food. She turned around smiling, and puts a bowl of salad in front of me.

I look at the bowl with curiosity, as the sweet aroma of the Caesar dressing tickled my nose. I stand up shakily, yet I stayed on my hooves. It was a lot easier to stand up on this hard counter compared to the soft bed. Putting my fore hooves on the edge of the bowl, I tip it slightly to see the inside better. Unsure of what to do, I sit back down and looked at the white pony with a sad look on my face.

She gently leans over the bowl and picks up a single piece of lettuce. Chewing slowly, a couple bites with her mouth open then she quickly swallows the food. Leaning over the bowl again, she picks up another piece, but this time offering it to me. I grab the other end of the small lettuce leaf from her mouth, and began to chew it. The light Caesar dressing tickled my tongue as I quickly ate the delicious piece.

My stomach growled for the third time as I gazed at the bowl hungrily. The white pony slides the bowl closer to me, “It’s all yours little one.” She said to me smiling afterword. I put my fore-hooves on the edge of the bowl tipping it slightly, and I began to eat the salad. After a few minutes of eating I had to stop, only finishing about three quarters of the giant salad. As I lifted my head out of the bowl I saw a teal unicorn, frowning at me from the door. I was instantly freaked out; the bowl of salad went flying to my side, spilling the rest onto the counter and wall. Taking a few frantic steps backwards, I forgot about the deep sink behind me and I fell into it. Before I fell in though I noticed that the white pony was in the fridge, she turned around to see what was going on. She almost dropped the bowl of berries when she saw me fall into the sink. Falling into the sink was… weird and scary, I couldn’t control my fall very well. On the way down, I somehow whacked the back of my head and landed on my back with a loud boom. Excruciating pain shot through my back and head as I rolled onto my stomach.

I threw my hooves over my head and began to cry. I felt a pair of hooves wrap around my sides, I looked up to see the white pony with a worried look on her face. She quickly hugged me to her chest and proceeded to exit the kitchen. I buried my head into her neck when I saw the strange pony once more. She quietly asks him, “Can you grab those crystal blackberries for me please?” Soon we were lying on the couch, tears still flowing and I was whimpering softly.

“It’s okay sweetie, I’m here for you, please don’t cry.” She quietly said to me as she gently stroked my back. I lifted my head from her neck to look at her, only to notice that the strange pony was looking down at us, from behind the couch. I quickly try to hide from him, climbing over the white neck and went underneath her blue mane. She giggles and picks me up for another hug, “It’s okay, he won’t hurt you sweetie, momma is here.” I looked up to her with teary eyes, and I hugged her tighter.

I heard a deeper voice speak out, which didn’t sound too pleased, “I’ll go clean the mess in the kitchen.” My mother turns her head to reply back, “I’m so sorry about that, Fortune.” I played around with her mane while they talked. “It’s okay Winter, it was my fault anyhow.” She looked back at me and smiled, trying to cheer me up. I smile back at her, feeling a little better, yet my head still throbbed with pain. I look over at the table to see a bowl full of berries, and then back at her.

I tried to reach for the bowl but it was too far away for me to even touch it. Mother spoke up after my attempt to grab the bowl, “If you are a good little foal, I’ll give you some berries.” I cuddled into her chest, and when I was comfortably nestled into her, I looked up with wide eyes. My mother giggled once more and said, “Awww, I just can’t say no to that cute face of yours.” She got off the couch to pick up the bowl and picked a berry from the bowl. I reached out and grabbed the berry from her prompting mouth. Biting down on the bumpy fruit, juices explode from the sweet berry. It was so tasty and sweet that I wanted more of them. Looking back up to my mother’s smiling face, she gave me another berry. This time I savoured the berry, chewing slowly, I also noticed the teal unicorn return. I finished my treat and buried my face into my mother’s chest. But I tentatively kept poking an eye out to see what was going on. Looking over at the chair that was empty, now occupied by the unicorn whom looked seriously at us.

“Now that the mess in the kitchen has been cleaned up, I think it’s time we named the little one.” Said the Unicorn named Fortune.

My mother replied to him, “Again, I’m sorry about that Fortune, but you are right, he does need a name…” I looked up to her, hoping to get another delicious berry. But what I saw was that she was just staring at me, so I tried to reach for a berry from the bowl that was sitting beside her flank. Before I reached the bowl, it started to float towards the table. My jaw dropped as I watched it float away, as it landed on the table a berry started to come towards me. I waited for the berry to get close enough to grab it, and when I jabbed my head out, biting down, hoping to get a berry but only got open air.

Feeling confused, I looked around, eventually spotting the berry just above my head. The berry remained motionless while I watched it, and after a few moments I tried to grab it again. Giggles erupted from my mother as the berry flew away from me once again. I whimperede softly as I buried my head into her chest.

“Oh sweetie it’s okay, Fortune please give the berry to… Dusk” I looked up to see the berry floating in front of my face, so I quickly grabbed it before it disappeared again, finally getting my treat. Mother spoke up while I ate the berry, “Hmm, Dusk doesn’t really fit you…”

The pony across from us replied back, “No, not really, although I should have a book that is full of names somewhere around here.” I watched Fortune twist around looking for the right book. After a moment a book came out of the bookshelf and floated towards us. My mother’s hoof reached out, opened it and began to read it. I curiously looked at the open book as she flipped through the pages. Strange archaic lettering covered every page, even though a few words stuck out. Mother giggled at me once more as I try to flip the pages in the book in front of us.

My mother twisted me around, exposing my belly up to her and she starts to tickle me. I tried to stop the tickling torment by gently trying to push my mother’s face away from my belly, but I was laughing too hard to do so. After a couple minutes she stopped tickling me, I was still half laughing when I leaned forward and hugged her neck. “Hmm, it seems that Eclipse really likes you, Winter.”

“Well I like him too, he’s so adorable, but I’m sure there’s a better name for him in that book.” My mother replied back to him. I looked towards the floor as they spoke to each other, wanting to explore the room. I started to slowly crawl to the edge of the couch and looked down as the book floated towards us. I looked back at my mother to see that she was occupied with the book in front of her. “Well what do you think of Spitfire?” My mother asked Fortune. “Well to me it sounds like a mare’s name and not for a colt.” Replied Fortune.

“I guess you’re right, Fortune.” My mother passed the book back to him. While they were busy with the book, I made an attempt to get to the floor. Before I could slide off, I felt a hoof wrap around my chest. I look down to see a white hoof holding me back. She lowers her head to mine and said, “When we find a name for you, we can go play. So please just wait a few more minutes.” I nodded my head as she brought me in closer to herself.

As I snuggled into my mother’s chest, Fortune spoke up after a moment of silence. “How does Nightcrawler sound to you Winter?”

My mother looked down at me and shakes her head, “No, it doesn’t sound right, I feel that names are powerful things and can shape one’s destiny.”

“Hmm, I don’t know about that, the choices one makes can shape their destiny.” Replied Fortune as he kept staring at the book. I became quite bored with their conversation as I laid my head down on my mother’s soft forehoof and closed my eyes.

"Enough of this, is there another name you can see for him?" Asked my mother.

"How about... Midnight?" asked Fortune.

"Oh I really like that one!" She nudged the top of my head with her snout. I opened my eyes and looked at her, shaking my head. "What? You don't like it?" I simply just sat up and pointed a hoof at the book. "Well... Okay then, could you pass the book please Fortune?" He nodded his head and made the book float towards us, as the pages flipped to the first one. I looked at both pages full of scribbles, so I waved my hoof at it. My mother flipped the page expertly with her hoof and I looked over both pages again, seeing nothing but scribbles. I continued this pattern for several pages, until one word caught my eye, which still looked like scribbles. I put my hoof right underneath it and looked at my mother. She glances over at Fortune, then back at me, "Are you sure, Blazing?" I nodded my head at her and looked at Fortune, whom looked confused.

"Did he really just name himself?" Fortune said.

My mother closed the floating book and gently pushed it towards him saying, "It sure looks that way doesn't it?"

As Fortune put the book back where it came from he said, "Well I can say that I've never seen a foal name himself."

My mother got off the couch and put me on the floor near the coffee table. "This bundle of joy is already full of surprises." She said this as my mother disappeared upstairs and while I waited for her to return, I stared at Fortune. Quickly looking to my right, I saw the table leg beside me, and I tried my best to hide behind it.

Fortune got off the chair, approached me and lowered his head. "Would you like some berries, Blazing?" I looked at him warily, and then slowly nodded my head. He smiled at me, and brought the small bowl down from the table, putting it in front of me. I glanced at the bowl then kept staring at Fortune. "It's okay, I won't bite you." His horn started to glow as a berry started to floated towards me. I took the proffered berry and ate it quickly, as another one flew up from the bowl.

I ate the second berry and looked past Fortune to see my mother at the stairs, watching us. I smiled and flapped my wings a couple times. Fortune noticed a change in my mood and looked behind him, saying. "Winter can I have a word with you?"

"Umm… Sure Fortune, just give me a moment." As Fortune got up and left, my mother approached me. I went around the leg and hugged her as she said. "I will be back in a moment sweetie, go ahead and eat those berries if you want." Winter got up and picked something out of her wing, placing a ball on the floor and left me alone. I looked at the ball curiously; it was purple with stars all over it. I tapped it gently with my hoof and it rolled away from me. I looked at the bowl as the ball got to the couch and stopped. Taking a berry, I got up, slowly and shakily made my way over to the ball and tapped it again. I sat down, watching the ball roll to the bowl as I heard.

"You know why I wanted to talk to you."

"Yes I know, so get on with it." My mother replied.

The ball stopped beside the leg as I got up and made my way towards it while hearing, "If that foal is who I think he is, you have to leave soon."

"How soon do you want us to leave?"

I tapped the ball, a little harder this time, it rolled over to the bookcase, bouncing back towards me slightly and stopped.

There was a moment of silence before Fortune gave his answer, "I'll give you two days to get ready."

"That's okay with me; I'd rather not cause any trouble for you."

I really didn't feel like going over to the ball so I just sat down beside the bowl and slowly ate the berries.

"Good it's settled then."

It went quiet in the other room and I heard hoof steps approach towards me. The first pony I saw was Fortune, I shied away from him, hiding behind the leg. A couple seconds later I saw my mother walking around the couch towards me. She noticed that I wasn't playing with the ball that she gave to me. Bending down she asked me, "Where is the ball sweetie?" I pointed my hoof towards the ball, on the other side of the room. Winter smiled at me and went to fetch the ball while I ate another berry.

She came back in seconds, and laid on the floor in front of me, rolling the ball to me. It stopped right in front of me so I tapped it back to her with my snout. The ball didn't even get halfway to her; she simply smiled and stretched her hoof, tapping it back to me. I pushed the ball with my hoof, this time it made it to my mother. We passed the ball back and forth for about five minutes before I let out a yawn.

I tried to fight my closing eyes as my mother giggled, saying. "Aww, you're so adorable, Blazing." She picked me up as my head was starting to bob to the floor. I nestled myself into her chest and as we went up the stairs, I couldn't keep my eyes open anymore. I felt myself being put down onto something soft, so I cracked my eyes open to see my mother heading through the door.

I let out a soft squeak which stopped her in the door, as I stretched my hooves out to her, she came back to me. She gave me a couple kisses on my cheek and quietly whispered to me; "It's okay sweetie, I'll be just downstairs as you sleep here." I let out another yawn and let my eyes close again as I heard a soft click of the door being shut.

End of Chapter Two: The First Day

Chapter Three: Taken

Chapter 3: Taken

It was the second morning that we stayed at Fortune’s house. It was a quiet morning as I woke up, curled against my mother’s chest. I slowly opened my eyes, while letting out a quiet yawn. I felt my mother stir underneath me as I stretched out. I felt her warm hoof wrap around me for a hug, I reached out and returned the hug. “Good morning sweetie. I hope you slept well.”

I squeaked at her, and wiggled up to her neck, cuddling it. My mother held me for a while until my stomach rumbled with hunger. She sighed and rolled out of the bed, I whined at her at the sudden loss of heat. I looked up to my mother as she picked me up from the bed. “Oh sweetheart, It’s okay, I’m right here.”

We exited the room and went downstairs to the kitchen, It wasn’t long before I was fed. After I ate, my mother brought me into the living room and set me down on the couch. She grabbed a blanket and wrapped it around me, saying. “I will be right back okay sweetie?”

I nodded at her, and crawled over to the edge of the couch, watching her my mother go upstairs. As soon as she disappeared from sight there was a loud crashing noise to my left. I jumped and squeaked out in surprise, turning around to see where the noise came from. There were several ponies flooding through the door, the first pony went into the kitchen. The second pony that came in, however, noticed I was sitting on the couch. I saw a rather big bag float by his side as he rushed towards me.

I screamed and tried to get away but the big pony threw his bag over me, trapping me to the velvety darkness that enveloped around me as I struggled to escape my confines. I pushed as hard as I possibly could, but the soft walls kept shifting. After a moment I was jolted around and banged against a corner of a wall. Loud clanging noises were all around me as I curled into a ball and whimpered. I heard a voice call out, "Hey you clumsy oaf, be careful with that bag!"

The pony holding my bag replied back, "He will live." l felt myself sway from side to side as he continued, "Let us get these three to the castle before the King gets impatient with us." A door slammed shut loudly behind me, this caused me to squeal and jump in fright. The soft walls of the bag made me to slide to the bottom again. I returned into a small ball as a pony started to talk.

"I'm bringing the foal to the King; I will meet you colts there." My captor didn't even wait for a reply and took off as I heard a rhythmic pattern of metal hooves striking the ground quickly. After a few turns I knew I was never going to see my mother again and began to cry. It didn't take long for the guard to notice my sobbing, saying.

"Be quiet foal, we're almost at the castle." This didn't stop me from crying, but he didn't say anything else. After some time has passed, the guard slowed down and said.

"We are here at the castle foal. Behave yourself and maybe the king will let you live." I whimpered even more but the pony kept talking,

"Guards! Open that door; I have a present for the King."

There was a new voice to my right that said, "Where are the others?"

The guard holding my bag replied back, "They are on their way; they were slow so I ran ahead."

There was a moment of silence before the new pony said, "Very well. Go see the King." The door in front of us squeaked open then slammed shut behind us. I jumped at the loud noise and felt myself spiral upwards. A couple minutes passed by, the metal hooves echoed more and more and eventually stopped.

An evil, menacing voice boomed out loudly, "Where are the other guards that were sent?"

The guard replied, "They will be here soon, but I have brought you a gift, my lord."

I heard slow heavy metal hooves strike the floor as the king approached us. "And what is this gift?" Above me the bag was opening up and I was forcefully rolled out. I landed on my side, knocking the wind out of me; I curled up into a ball quickly and looked at the King. He lowered his head closer to inspect me better; however I couldn't stand his stare. I quickly turned around and ran as fast as I could. I took a couple steps and I felt something hold my tail down, looking back I saw the King's metal hoof firmly planted on my tail. I tugged on my tail as hard as I could, but to no avail.

"Where do you think you're going little one?" The only reply I could give him was a pitiful squeak and shrank down to the floor.

The king looked over at the guard and says, "Excellent work for bringing my foal to me, now leave us." I glanced over to the guard whom bowed and left the room. The king picked me up with a hoof and took me towards the throne.

There was a little platform in front of the crystalline throne; he set me down onto the pedestal saying. "Stay here little one, or I will make you stay there." I was absolutely terrified so I laid down on the cold, hard floor and didn't move. A couple minutes passed by and a pony came through the door.

He quickly approached us and bowed down asking. "What can I get for you, my lord?"

I turned my head to look at the King as he casually tossed a clear crystal away. "Get the Prince here a pillow and bring the trainers."

The new pony bowed while saying, "As you wish, King Sombra." I took the time to observe the giant throne room as the pony left. The entire room was black except for the windows, which let the light in. There wasn't a whole lot to look at so I just laid my head down onto my hooves, waiting. Fifteen minutes passed by with nothing happening, and just as I was about to fall asleep a loud boom echoed through the room.

I jumped slightly at the noise and looked up. There was a big group of armored ponies that entered the room, I noticed a familiar Unicorn and a Pegasus. I jumped up in joy as I realized it was my mother, and I was about to run over to her when the king growled. "Stay where you are foal." I stopped myself and sat down, head hanging low.

My mother screamed out when one of guards shoved her forward, "Let go of me you ruffians!" When the group got to the middle of the room, Dark Fortune nudged my mother's’ hoof and pointed at me.

She gasped and said, "Blazing! Thank goodness you are alright!" I stretched a hoof out, wanting to be in her caring hooves. She tried to approach me but the guards stopped and shoved her back.

My mother sat down and began to cry; Fortune put a hoof around her and asked. "What do you want from us Sombra?" The dark king got off his throne, and slowly made his way towards them.

"What do I want? Crystals, and soon they will be mine. Guards take him to the mines, leave the mare here." Most of the group turned their weapons and escorted Dark Fortune out of the room.

A couple guards stayed at the doors while the King talked to my mother. "So you really thought you could keep my foal away from me..."

He paused for a minute, my mother's sobs echoed through the giant room, "Tell me, after all this time, surely you have named him."

The king got no response from my mother so he said, "If I'm not mistaken I do believe that you said 'Blazing' before no?" My mother collapsed on the floor in tears, I couldn't stand seeing her like this.

I jumped off the pedestal and ran towards her. I had gotten halfway to her; then out of nowhere, a wall of black crystals appeared all around of me, trapping me. I tried to stop myself but I slid right into the new wall, face planting into it. I whimpered as I held my tender nose in pain, my mother screamed out as she ran to me.

"Blazing! Are you okay sweetie?" She tried to push and kick my crystal prison with no luck as the king started to laugh at us. My mother gave up on trying to get me out and stared at me through a small crack. I scratched at the crack mercilessly when I noticed mother's tear stained face.

King Sombra said, "Well that was easy..." a loud boom interrupted the king as he turned around leaving us alone momentarily.

My mother started talking quietly to me, "I'm so sorry, my little pony..." I held a hoof out to her, tears running down my cheeks like waterfalls. It wasn't long before Sombra came back to us, accompanied by several ponies.

He said, "Take her to the dungeons." My mother didn't even resist the guards, she was utterly defeated at the fact I was with the King now. The King turned his attention towards me when the guards had left.

Quietly he said, "Now I would have you training right away but it seems you need some disciplining." I feared for what was going to happen to me, I cowered in the middle of the crystal prison. When I looked up again I noticed the crystals around me were gone, as Sombra lowered his head to me.

"Don't disappoint me Blazing." One of the new ponies that had stayed approached and inspected me. He lifted my right hoof up, twisting it gently, and then moved to my left side. I sat still while my left wing was raised, lowered, and twisted to see how far it could move. He lifted me up so I was standing, 'What is this pony doing?’ My question was answered when I saw a hoof fly towards me.

Quickly ducking down, the hoof sailed right over me, missing by hairs. The pony that tried to hit me walked over to the king, saying, "Well it seems he will be quick and agile, but his strength and endurance is something I will have to test."

Sombra nodded at him saying, "We shall have him start next week then."

I looked away from them and stared at the Pegasus in front of me as he said, "It will be some time before he can fly, probably within a few months at the rate he will be growing." he turned around and left the room along with the other trainer.

King Sombra returned to my side, picking me up and headed towards the throne, not saying anything. I noticed a nice big pillow where I was sitting earlier. The king set me down on the red cushion gently; I pawed at it until he spoke up.

"It's late and you are going to have a busy day tomorrow, so get some rest Blazing." I was confused; my mother said the king is cruel and evil. But he was kind of being nice to me and it was weird. I brushed the thoughts away with a yawn and curled up into a ball. As I was passing out I heard a soft click as the door quietly shut. It almost seemed like I feel asleep instantly.

My dreams were full of shadows, flickering, tormenting me, laughing at me. I woke up several hours later in a cold sweat as wind howled past the castle. Looking around warily, I couldn't really see anything in the dark room. However I knew something was in the room... But where was it?

I cautiously put my hooves on the crystal floor and got up. As I moved forward, I kept poking my hoof out in front of me to make sure I wouldn’t fall off the pedestal. After a few moments I eventually found the edge, spinning around I crawled down the steps. I had a hard time placing my hooves down, as they were as dark as the room around me. After a few minutes of struggling I got to the bottom of the giant throne and began walking along one of the dark walls.

I got closer to the other side of the room, and felt more uneasy with every step I took. I constantly kept looking around the dark room making sure that I really was alone. I reached the doors with nothing to be seen, I turned around and started heading back to my bed. However before I could even put my hoof down, I heard a loud shattering noise to my left side.

A really cold wind whipped through the giant room as glass scattered all over the floor. I squeaked loudly and began to run towards the throne, as fast as I could. I risked a glance behind me to see what was there; a big black shadow hanging ominously in the air.

When I looked at the thing, it surged towards me, making me run even faster. However as I ran, I stumbled on my own hooves, causing me to roll to a stop. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the shadow thing surge over me as I covered my head.

End of Chapter 3: Taken