//------------------------------//
// Descent into Darkness 
// Story: My Little Vampire Lord 
// by Glowing Forge 
//------------------------------//

Fluttershy's earlier impression of the weather was confirmed as she trotted down the path leading away from her home. Walking in this heat would be exhausting. Fluttershy squinted in the presence of the intense brightness cursing her forgetfulness in not bringing her sunglasses.

Continuing on, Fluttershy found herself making her way toward Ponyville. Stepping off the path she changed direction seeking the edge of the Everfree Forest where; according to Discord, the cave she was looking for would be found.

Having walked for some time already, Fluttershy felt compelled to take stock of her supplies. Briefly coming to a stop she lifted the saddle bags off of her delicate frame and set them down in front of herself. "Let's see. Flint and steel, a torch, a length of rope and a couple apples for when I get hungry." Fluttershy smiled feeling well prepared.

A short time later Fluttershy spotted a rocky outcropping near the treeline and hurried over to investigate. The smooth grey stone had an opening on the other side that descended steeply into the ground. There were no tracks near the entrance to the cave, the local animals must have been avoiding it..

Beginning to move into the cave Fluttershy suddenly came to a stop. A chill ran up her spine as she considered what she was doing. "This cave is so dark and spooky" thought Fluttershy. Opening her saddlebag Fluttershy retrieved her flint steel and torch. Expertly striking a spark onto the torch it roared to life causing the shadows at the edge of the cave to dance eerily. Having some light bolstered Fluttershy's spirits.

Taking the torch in her mouth, Fluttershy made her way into the cave. Extending her wings a little for balance Fluttershy carefully stepped down the slope. As she descended Fluttershy drew further and further away from the oppressive sunlight finding herself surrounded by walls of stone and blackness.

The torch in Fluttershy's mouth sizzled and popped as she took in her new environment. Aside from the noise being made by her light source, the cave was deathly silent. Stalagmites jutted up from the ground all around punctuating the darkness that seemed intent on swallowing up the flickering light and the pony holding it. Fluttershy pressed on deeper into the cave.

Keeping track of time was difficult in this sunless place. Fluttershy had been exploring the cave for what seemed like ages when suddenly her ear twitched picking up a new sound off in the distance. The faint noise appeared to be water dripping from the celing. Hearing this reminded Fluttershy of the terrible thirst that still gripped her, stealing some of her focus and leaving her feeling weak and helpless.

Listening more closely as she continued on, Fluttershy heard the sound of dripping water change. Following the sound she came across a formation of rock holding a natural pool of water. The pool was being fed by a formation of three stalactites, drop by drop. Drawing closer Fluttershy could see the water was perfectly clear as reflections of torchlight shimmered on it's surface. 

Fluttershy considered continuing on but she decided to stop, remembering she had forgotten to pack something to drink . Setting down her torch for a moment she leaned forward to smell the water. Satisfied that the water was not tainted, Fluttershy lowered her muzzle into the pool and began to drink. The water was cool and pure but she could find no refreshment in it. Holding her breath, Fluttershy dipped her face into the water and then shook herself dry before picking up her torch and proceeding deeper into the cave.

Navigating this subterranean labyrinth was becoming difficult as Fluttershy no longer had a clear sense of direction. One stretch of cave melded into another. A scraping sound broke the relative silence. Fluttershy gulped audibly. Hadn't discord assured her that this places wasn't dangerous, that nothing lived here? "Better to finish doing what I came her for and leave. The sooner the better" Fluttershy thought.

Distracted by the scraping noise, Fluttershy failed to notice that the flame of her torch was starting to dim. No longer able to see well enough to navigate, one of Fluttershy's hooves glanced against an exposed rock almost causing her to trip. Confused about why she couldn't see very well, Fluttershy looked at her quickly dimming torch. Real fear began to build in Fluttershy. "No, no no no" she whined as the torch flickered and extinguished. Tears were beginning to form distorting her vision. "Wait a second. Why can I still see" Fluttershy asked herself. Looking forward again Fluttershy noticed a dim red glow illuminating the cavern walls.

Following the dim slowly pulsating red light to it's source, Fluttershy found herself in a part of the cave where the ceiling was not visible in the soft glow. Nearby, a deep crimson crystal sat attached to a rock. Fluttershy could feel the crystal's presence in the air as she moved closer.

Remembering the noise from earlier, Fluttershy wasted no time reaching out to claim her prize only to find it was firmly affixed to the rock. When tugging at the crystal yielded no results Fluttershy weighed her options. Deciding on a course of action Fluttershy turned and walked away from the crystal for a step or two before looking back over her shoulder and giving a mighty kick with her rear leg. Her hoof smashed against the crystal with enough force to break it off from the rock it was attached to. Shadows moved as the crystal was thrown in an arc skittering across the cavern floor and leaving Fluttershy in near darkness. Moving in the direction the crystal had traveled, Fluttershy found it in a small crevice. Reaching out a hoof, Fluttershy found the crevice was small and difficult to reach through. Forcing her hoof deeper into the crevice pain shot though her leg like a lightning bolt but she managed to get a hold on the crystal. Pulling her hoof from the crevice was equally as difficult and painful. Fluttershy could see even in the softly glowing light she had cut her hoof badly, blood flowing from the wound and spattering on the cavern floor.

Gingerly taking a step, Fluttershy found she could still walk on her injured hoof. Moving back in the direction she had come proved difficult but not impossible as some parts of the cavern began to look familiar. As Fluttershy neared the enterance to the cavern she heard a loud cry from the direction she had found the crystal. Not wanting to run across whatever had made that sound Fluttershy hurried from the cave into the waning daylight.

Finally outside once more, Fluttershy took another look at her wound. Blood still oozed from the injury indicating that it would need attention as soon as she returned. Wasting no more time Fluttershy hurried home hoping her errand would prove fruitful.

As Fluttershy was making her way home the sun began to set sending streaks of red and orange across the sky. Back at the cave another figure was emerging into the fading light. Bending down and examining the blood stained dirt, the the mysterious entity snarled setting off after it's prey...