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