Prologue
Three Wonderbolts flew in formation over a sandy canyon in Saddle Arabia. At point was Spitfire, to her right was a dark stallion with a purple mane named Nightwing, and to her left was the third member of the group Greyfeather.
“We should turn around,” Nightwing urged as they flew closer to the cave. “Maybe they made it back.”
“Maybe they didn’t,” Spitfire shrugged, her wings propelling her forward in synchronized beats. She glanced over at him with the hint of a smile. “Are you scared?”
Nightwing was unsure about whether or not to answer. He was in no position to question an officer, let alone the commander. “Maybe we should wait.”
“And possibly let them die?” Spitfire asked. “Not on my watch.”
“It’s a dark cave,” Nightwing said. “I don’t like dark caves.”
Greyfeather listened to their conversation off and on but ultimately only nodded when needed. When they mentioned the cave he started listening more. “My mother told me to stay away from caves,” he added. “Especially dark ones.” They reached the mouth of the cave and they stopped.
“Well your mother is not here, Greyfeather,” Spitfire replied. “Plus caves aren’t all too bad once you get past the darkness.” Her voice echoed throughout the cave. She shuffled through her saddlebags searching for her headlamp. When she found it she adjusted the headlamp on her head.
“I’m sure the missing Wonderbolts will turn up if we wait,” Nightwing suggested. “Maybe wait until morning. Plus it’s a dark cave.”
Spitfire glanced around to get a feel of the interior of the cave. “Most caves are dark. Are you a Wonderbolt or are you a colt?”
Nightwing closed his mouth quickly and tried his best to hold back his anger. Both stallions were in the same recruit class, and Greyfeather knew that Nightwing didn’t like being belittled. Under the hurt pride, Greyfeather could sense that there was something else to his concern.
Greyfeather shared Nightwing’s concern. Both had flown in hundreds of missions and he wasn’t afraid of most things let alone the dark. Something was different about this mission. There was an edge about this darkness that frightened him. They were dispatched to this area after several squads went missing. Spitfire had decided to oversee this mission herself to ensure they returned. Greyfeather had his doubts about her guaranteeing their return as they ventured deeper into the cave.
Deeper in the darkness he could feel the eyes of something watching him, something cold and unloving to him and his squad. Greyfeather wanted nothing so much as fleeing to the safety of the base, but that wasn’t a feeling to be shared with your commander. Especially a commander as strict as Spitfire. She was captain for a reason: She was courageous, disciplined, driven, fierce, and a great leader. At least, that is how Greyfeather saw her.
“They were last spotted in this area,” Nightwing said. “Maybe they’re elsewhere. There are other places that aren’t as dark and are above ground.”
Spitfire ignored him. She glanced around at the cave to see if there were discerning features that could lead them to the missing Wonderbolts. Greyfeather knew that meant she shouldn’t be bothered.
There were some rubble on the right side of the cave so they headed over to investigate. The rubble seemed to be from some sort of structure.
“Is it pony-made?” Greyfeather asked.
“I don’t know,” Spitfire replied. She took a closer look at one of the pieces. It had some kind of rune on it. “Whatever it is, it’s old.”
Nightwing lifted his muzzle and inhaled deeply. “You smell that?” Nightwing asked. “Smells like death.” Greyfeather smelled the air and there was a scent of decay that was growing stronger. The feeling of impending doom loomed over them and felt like it was starting to constrict.
“We should go,” Greyfeather said.
“We need to keep going,” Spitfire said. Nightwing turned around and started to fly away. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“Can’t you feel it?” Nightwing asked. “Please, let’s go.”
“Yeah, I can feel it, but we need to find these ponies,” Spitfire replied. “For their families.”
“Our families will be waiting for us if we die here.” Nightwing said.
“We need to stay, Night.” Greyfeather said.
“But I’m partial to living.” Nightwing said.
“So am I.” Greyfeather said.
“Shut up, both of you,” Spitfire said. “Can you hear that?” Both stallions looked at each other as Spitfire glanced around.
“I hear nothing.” Nightwing said.
“Same.” Greyfeather said.
Spitfire stood silent as she kept looking around. She muttered a few curses as she finally stopped. The runes started glowing a florescent red and it seemed like they lifted off of the wall.
“You vile and corrupt ponies, you have wakened the children.” An evil voice echoed throughout the cave.
“Show yourself.” Spitfire growled.
“We’re all around you,” The voice said. Several pony silhouettes drew out of the darkness and entered their light. “We followed you ever since you entered the cave.” Greyfeather and Nightwing backed into Spitfire.
“C-can we go now?” Nightwing asked.
“Yes,” Spitfire said. Greyfeather could feel Spitfire shaking.
“Where’s the entrance, I mean exit?” Nightwing asked.
“Shouldn’t it be over-” Spitfire replied. She turned her head to where she thought they had come from. “There?” Greyfeather thought that it was in that direction as well but there was nothing but darkness.
The darkness crept closer and the smell of decay grew stronger. Panic started setting in.
“Fly.” Spitfire ordered. The three ponies flew as fast as they could toward the direction of the mouth of the cave.
The glowing runes dispersed throughout the cave and gave birth to more silhouettes. Most were ponies, others griffons, and a few other creatures. Each one struck fear in the Wonderbolt squad.
“The children are angry,” The voice echoed. “They are hungry.”
Shadows lunged at them and tried to grab them.
“What do we do, Captain?” Greyfeather asked.
“Fly faster.” Spitfire answered. Fear had consumed the brave captain, and this was unsettling for Greyfeather.
“HELP!” Nightwing screamed. Greyfeather glanced back as Nightwing was swallowed up by the darkness. There was nothing he or Spitfire could do to help Nightwing.
“Do you want to be next?” Spitfire called out. Both ponies flew as fast as they could. It seemed like they weren’t going anywhere.
“These are your children,” The voice echoed. “Feed them.”
There was a glimmer of light up ahead and they flew towards it. A feeling of hope started to swell as they inched closer to the light. Then there stood a giant stallion, clad in dark armor, and his eyes glowed a deep red. Any feeling of hope was dashed.
All of the shadows stopped and watched.
“I am the knight that kills your light,” The stallion said. His voice was gruff and authoritative. “I am the bringer of fate.”
“Enough of these riddles, who are you?” Spitfire demanded.
“I am known as Malice,” Malice answered.
“Move.” Spitfire demanded.
“Make me.” Malice said. Spitfire flew at Malice and took on the massive stallion. Greyfeather decided to join in on the fighting. They fought Malice but none of their attack could penetrate his thick armor. “Enough.” He swatted both ponies towards the mouth of the cave. Then he started reciting some unknown language.
The dry desert air was a relief to Greyfeather. He breathed in a sigh of relief as he got up. Greyfeather glanced over to Spitfire and saw a bunch of runes encircling her. Within a second darkness started flowing into her body and Greyfeather tried to rush to her side. However, a dark chain crossed his chest and started pulling him back.
“No. Captain, help!” Greyfeather called out. Spitfire looked around dazed but couldn’t seem to find him.
“I can’t see!” Spitfire yelled.
Greyfeather was pulled back into the cave and was swallowed up by the darkness. His headlamp went out and he could hear the sounds of hoofsteps drawing near him. Death was there to claim him.
“Eat, my children.” The voice echoed.
He could feel the gnashing of teeth on his flesh. The tearing of his body caused him to scream out for help. Nothing came to help him.
Author's Note
Started off with the POV of a different character. The rest of the story is going to be a third person POV of Spitfire.
Hope you enjoy.
Feel free to leave a comment or suggestions.
Edited by my friends One True Thrond and DMoFL71
More Questions Than Answers
****1****
The world was filled with darkness as Spitfire woke up on a wooden surface. The air was dry and there was a cool breeze. It felt as though it were moving. She felt around and felt the warmth of another to the right of her.
“Aye, the Captain lives,” a mare sneered.
“Deadeye, you mean the deserter,” a stallion corrected. His voice sounded as if it came ahead of Spitfire.
“Where am I?” Spitfire asked.
“Shut up.” Deadeye barked.
Spitfire was hit by a blunt object then spit on. She tried to get up on her hooves but the Deadeye knocked her back down. Humiliated and angry she tried to get up again. Once more she found herself on the ground.
“I am Spitfire, captain of the Wonderbolts.” Spitfire said with authority. She struggled to get up one more time.
“You are a criminal.” The stallion replied.
“Just drive the cart Quicksilver.” Deadeye shouted.
“I am.” Quicksilver shouted back.
“Watch out for that tree and get back on the road!” Deadeye warned.
There was a swift jerk that sent Spitfire tumbling toward Deadeye. Spitfire was then shoved to the cold hard floor.
“It would be better if we didn’t have to transport her in the dark of night.” Quicksilver said.
“Just shut it.” Deadeye responded.
“Who the hell are you and where are you taking me?” Spitfire growled. She wanted answers and she was losing patience with these ponies. Blind or not, she was going to fight.
“Oi, you shut it as well.” Deadeye shouted.
Spitfire was hit in the back of the head and she blacked out.
****
Spitfire had no idea where she was or how long she had been on the cart at that point. There was an uncomfortable heat radiating over her. She recognized that as heat from the sun. It appeared that her other senses had started to strengthen.
The cart hit a bump, which reminded her that her head pounded like a bad hangover. She groaned and tried to get up, but she was knocked back down.
“Good morning Sunshine.” Deadeye said.
I really hate that bitch, Spitfire wanted to fight back. However, she was too impaired to even try. She was thirsty and hungry.
“Can I get some damn water?” Spitfire asked. She thought that if she took this approach she’d get what she wanted.
“Drink piss.” Deadeye yelled.
Suddenly she felt the splashing of liquid on her. It was not water, nor was it urine, but it had the strong smell of alcohol. She recoiled and winced in pain as the liquor got in her eyes.
“Fuck you.” Spitfire hissed.
“Aw love you too, Sweetheart.” Deadeye mocked.
Spitfire could smell the liquor on Deadeye’s breath as the drunken mare leaned over and planted a kiss on Spitfire’s cheek.
“Drinking again?” Quicksilver asked
“You know it.” Deadeye slurred.
Deadeye departed from Spitfire. The smell of alcohol departed with Deadeye.
“Archimedes won’t like that.” Quicksilver said.
“Just drop me off at the Lodge Pub in Brightsville.” Deadeye slurred.
Spitfire started to inch away from their voices. Ever so quietly she felt around for the edge of the cart. She could hear the bickering of the two ponies. Keep arguing, she finally felt the edge of the cart. The only thing that she could do to avoid detection was roll off. When she did it was the most graceful fall. Finally she was free.
In a matter of seconds she clumsily got to her hooves and started running away from the sound of the cart. There was a commotion in the direction of the cart but she kept going forward. Her ears started picking up on the chatter of ponies. That was the direction she wanted to go in she decided.
There was a scent of spices, fruit, and vegetables in the air and she knew she was close to a market. Vendors shouted out what they were selling, some ponies casually chatted about current events, and other ponies haggled with the salesponies. Occasionally she bumped into ponies but for the most part ponies got out of the way.
“Deserter!” Quicksilver shouted.
Spitfire pushed herself a little harder. Her legs were starting to tire but she was determined to get away. She ran into a wall of ponies and fell to the ground. There was a ringing in her ears from hitting her head on the ponies.
She could feel ponies touch her and try to grab her, but she broke away and started running again. Spitfire could hear the shouts of ponies trying to get her. Then she felt claws around her then she felt the wind in her mane. Her captor was a griffon by the way they felt.
“Get off me.” Spitfire demanded. She flailed around trying to break free of the griffon’s grasp. The griffon ignored her and kept flying. Her wings were constricted by his grasp so she couldn’t open her wings to get away. Even if she had use of her wings, where would she go? Finally she gave in and waited to hear the voices of her former captors.
Minutes passed and the griffon didn’t land. Spitfire found this odd. It didn’t seem like she ran that far from Quicksilver. She was sure of that face but with every passing second she started feeling unsure about the entire thing.
Far from the smells of the market she started to smell burning incense. There was a calming sound of running water. Spitfire could feel a peaceful sensation come over her.
Finally the griffon landed with Spitfire in claw.
“You retrieved her,” a mare calmly said.
“It took a lot of tracking and waiting but I got her,” the griffon said with a deep masculine voice.
“Put her down, Swyft,” the mare said.
Swyft placed Spitfire on the ground.
“You sure that she’s the one?” Swyft asked.
“She’s the only one that made it out of the Temple of Shrouds,” the mare said.
“That cave?” Swyft asked.
“Yes,” the mare said.
Spitfire started to inch away. She was unsure of whether or not to trust these two. Even if there was this feeling that she was meant to be there.
“Spitfire, I have a gift for you,” the mare said.
“You sure you want to give her that gift?” Swyft asked. “You know you won’t be the same after you do.”
“I am certain,” the mare said.
There was a hoof that was placed on Spitfire’s head. Spitfire felt the joy of the happiest moment in her life. The moment she remembered was when she first learned how to fly. She felt the love of her mother as she guided Spitfire gently off the ground. A smile came over Spitfire’s face.
As her memory ended Spitfire could see a light that cast out the darkness inside of her. She opened her eyes and she could see. A sense of relief came over her as she looked around at her surroundings.
There was no sign of the griffon or the mysterious mare. Spitfire had started to wonder if she was hearing things. Was this all a dream? She had wondered if it was a dream since she woke up blind on the cart.
Shrugging off her questions she wandered around to see where she was. From what she could deduce was that she was in a temple that had white columns that held up a ceiling with a fresco of a battle scene. The battlefield was filled with epic pegasi dogfights, while earth ponies and unicorns fought on the ground. There were ponies in the painting that reminded her of a few ponies she knew.
“Hold still, deserter.” Quicksilver demanded.
Spitfire got a look at one of her captors. Quicksilver was a burly earth pony with a silver mane and a brown coat. He donned a heavy suit of silver armor.
Suddenly she could smell alcohol. She turned around and standing behind her was a mare in heavy silver armor. The mare had a yellow coat and a black mane.
“Why ‘ello Sweetheart.” Deadeye said.
Deadeye grinned then head-butted Spitfire. Spitfire fell to the ground. As she fell she caught sight of a beige filly standing next to one of the pillars.
“Wait.” Spitfire muttered.
Spitfire reached out for the filly. Before Spitfire could do anything else, she could feel a sharp pain in the back of her head before she lost consciousness.
