Author's Note

I had an issue with the italics, so unfortunately the dialogue is not in italics. I will correct it when I can!

Otherwise, enjoy. Please comment and offer feedback!

Prolouge

The cave mouth was a black vacuum of light against the mountainside. The black spot stood out against the natural grays of the cliffs, as though warning those who came near to abandon their journey. Coupled with that was a treacherous path, with only those whose hooves sound and their eyes forward could navigate without plunging into the depths, never to arise again. To go down that path, one would either have to be determined, or be a fool.

There seemed to be one who was so. A dark brown pony slowly made his way down the aforementioned path. His eyes were a light yellow, reflecting the rocks as he picked around them so carefully. He was a unicorn, the tip of his horn bent slightly backwards. Adorning his flank was a decorated obsidian sword, the same that he carried now on his hip.

This pony was not one that generated hope nor friendship. His eyes were cold and forlorn, his features downcast. He walked quickly, as though he was afraid for his life. The look he gave off was one of utter hopelessness and fear, as if is soul had been wrenched away and replaced with a robotic core. If one saw him, they would have said that he had been running from something.

The pony stopped at a large ravine, separating him and the cave. He narrowed his eyes and his horn lit with violet magic. Rocks from the bottom of the ravine levitated up, forming a natural bridge for him to cross. He trotted quickly across it, letting it fall back into the ravine once he was over. The rocks took several seconds before they hit solid ground.

Approaching the dark mouth, he stopped and looked around the rock face. His trained eyes quickly spotted his quarry. He gently pushed in a jutting stone, causing a grinding sound in the darkness. A large black panel, camouflaged perfectly into the cave mouth, slowly slid aside from inside the cave to let those inside.

Taking a moment to breathe, the pony slowly walked into the darkness. Instantly, all light was banished, replaced with unrelenting darkness. His fur stood on end the further he made his way into the passage, mixing with the watery residue from the stalagmites. The further he made his way in, the further it seemed he was abandoning the light.

The path felt endless, driving him towards the core of the mountain. The air became still and damp, making it much harder to breathe. The water formed small pools around him, some of which the depths he knew nt. Yet his hooves easily avoided each one, swiftly descending further unaided.

He finally felt the ground level out under his hooves, signaling he had arrived. He now stood in a pitch black cavern, the only indication of such the howling of wind inside the natural chamber. From the noise, it appeared to be roughly thirty feet high. The length he could not discern.

As he waited, his eyes moved around the walls until he saw it. A single patch of mirth began to writhe, distinguishing it from the eternal night. As he stood, his fur still on end, the mirth coolheaded into a purple swirling cloud. It traveled up what he assumed was the cave wall, stopping at the ceiling.

The mist began to expand, filling the darkness with eerie purple lighting. Its glow revealed the natural rocks of the cave. The shadows it cast were ones of jagged teeth and nightmarish images that would send most ponies running for home. Yet the unicorn only scraped his hoof on the ground once and was then still.

Even though he had felt it maybe a hundred times, the sensation of the mist flying forward was one he was still not prepared for. The moment that the cloud touched him, any remaining warmth he still had was vanquished. His eyes dilated for a brief second, his nostrils flaring as he tried to suck in air.

The cloud formed a ring around him, sealing him inside it. Slowly, it began to rotate and spin, stirring up dust in the air and adding to the hellish depiction. The pony could only stand still and await for the cloud to finally stop so he could breathe again.

Hetrimer... The mist uttered. The noise was both inside his mind and outside, echoing off the cave walls and his mind. It carried a sinister tone that did nothing to help his ruffled fur.

Yes, master? Hetrimer thought back to the cloud. The being was inside his mind, and thus was reading each and every thought he had.

I take it your misssssion went well? The mist began to turn opaque, surrounding him in only the purple aura.

Of course, master, He replied, Shining Armor is no more.

The pony turned and levitated something out of the sheathe where his sword was. It was the chestpiece of the royal guard and former prince of the Crystal Empire. He laid it on the ground, bowing. A single drop of blood lay on the edge.

Exxccccccelent! The mist seemed to flare up, Does his wife know of this yet?

Hetrimer slowly arose back to his hooves, taking a small moment to recollect himself. He nodded once more, She is under the belief that her husband is on a royal affair in Canterlot. If all goes well then she will not know of this development for several days.

The ring suddenly tightened around him, although trying to give him a hug. He wheezed heavily and coughed, but allowed for it to happen. It wasn't often that his master gave him this much attention.

Perfeccction. Now all we need do is bring forth my vision of anarchy and chaos! The mist seemed to laugh inside his head, a deep and morbid sound.

Hetrimer nodded once more, praying if he agreed he'd be released from this constriction. He was granted his wish, and he coughed violently to refill his lungs.

I have another misssssion for you, my most faithful ssservant. The spirit flared up again, then slowly settled down.

The pony slowly bowed down, touching his nose to the floor. Whenever he was addressed as the servant, it was best if he acknowledged his words.

You've learned well my apprenticccce. Now, all that is left is for us to destory the last pony who could possibly stop my plans.

What of Celestia and Luna? Hetrimer asked quickly, still bowed over, Could they pose a threat to your plan?

No, they are nothing more than toolsss to this nation. No, the real threat liesss within a small town that you may know well. The spirit suddenly vanished, leaving him in total darkness.

Suddenly, her name was instantly transferred into his mind. His eyes widened in surprise, yet he was not sure how to react to it. Still, he had his mission.

"Of course, master."