> Tales of the Battle Foals: Darken Skies > by Nothing2007 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Prelude > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- After the great battle between Snowdrop and the Battle Foals, the tales of their adventures spread across the world. Every nation heard the tale of these heroes. But between those who cheered the group or outright hated them, there were some who watched them curiously.  Within the Smoky Mountains was an ancient castle. No one knew who constructed it or why they built it. Many  believed the griffons erected it all those years ago. But nowadays, it does help a group of fillies and colts, alone with other beings, hide from the world. No one ever came to this place. As the young unicorn colt strolled along the old hallway, the creaking and groaning sounds of the castle filled the air. His metallic footwear was creating sounds on the worn, discolored floor. His coat had a peach color. His tail and mane were both the same color—black with blue stripes running through them. His face was concealed by a bluish black mask, but his eyes shone with the blue hue of the ocean.  The colt poked his head around. The castle was ancient and in disrepair, yet it was still a functional building. Younger foals passed him by as he walked down the corridor, and older foals were practicing fighting or chatting with one another. The colt approached a large door, and after some concentration with his magic, he opened it with his horn.  A dilapidated throne chamber was within. Though it was shabby, it nevertheless had a nicer appearance than some of the other rooms in the old castle.  As he made his way to the throne, the moonlight illuminated a slightly damaged skull, which served as his cutie mark. His jacket had a black leather body with glistening red and blue accents. His necklace, a metal skull that he wore around his neck, was the one that sparkled the most. Sitting on the throne was a filly, slightly older than the colt. This was uncommon, as he was one of the oldest already.    Her mane, which complemented her purple coat perfectly, was a brilliant blue color that gleamed in the moonlight.  She was dressed in her metallic armor, adorned with white and purple stars. She never removed the armor. even after doing her own cleaning. She looked away from the foal she was chatting with. For the colt, she had some crucial news.  The foal left the two other foals alone in the royal room after whispering something in the younger foal's ear. “Hello again,” said the filly. What appeared to be a mangled metal crown on top of her head glittered in the moonlight. “What is the mission, my unholy one?” asked the colt as he bowed before her. “I have some news for you,” said the Unholy One. “I wonder if you have heard the news spreading around the castle." "I have," the colt said. "Something about an army of snow monsters that threatened Equestria being vanquished by a group of foal warriors." "Though my friends and I are growing restless, I wish we could have done it.” “I know,” said the unholy one. “That’s why I’m sending you and your friends on a quest,” she said as she gave the colt a map. “What is it?’ asked the colt as he looked at the map.  “I want you to investigate a blacksite,” said the unholy one in a bitter voice. Her voice was matched by the stern look of the colt. “Hey,” said the unholy one. “I know you and your friends hate those places, but you are getting rid of them. Was that what you wanted?” The colt said nothing. She was telling it like it was. Despite their hatred for them, he and his companions were determined to destroy each and every one of them. As he tucked the chart away, the colt said, "I know." "But how will we be compensated for this task?"  "I expected you would ask," said the unholy one. "You can have some of the precious gems and unusable gold I have in the vault in the back." The colt grinned, but his mask prevented everyone from seeing it. "All right, we'll get the assignment done." The colt turned and left through the door. The unholy one stood up from her throne and stepped out a side door as the massive door closed behind him.  She returns to a platform that overlooks a garden. It was the most exquisite area of the castle, with its antique yet lovely plants and flowers. It was also quite strange. In the chilly mountains, most plant life would not survive, but here it flourishes. A few of the younger ones were running through the garden when she looked on. A few were even sleeping in it. Her only response was to smile. The colt finally reached his location. Opening the door revealed a sizable area. For those who lived there, it was consoling. A dark-tan-coated peagus filly sat on one of the four beds. She wore a vest that matched the green and purple tones of her tail, and her mane matched too. Her cutie mark was the collision of two blades. But there were scars all over her body that she was unable to conceal. Some were hidden by the purple bandana around her neck or the vest she wore. Yet the majority could still be seen. Although part of her wings were made of metal, they were still purple. The most identifiable feature, though, was the bloody bandage covering her eyes. It was covered in blood. Another colt was seated on a different bed. He carried a gray coat with speckles of black, and he was slightly taller than he was.  But aside from himself and his friends, he never disclosed the reason behind the red gas mask that largely obscured his face. A bluish-black helmet covered the rest of his head. He has black stripes on his tail and mane, which are purple-red. He wore black shoes and a jacket that was red, purple, and black. In addition, he had a red scarf around his neck. He was talking to the filly.  Meanwhile, there was another filly on the opposite bed. She was a peagus; she wasn’t just any Pegasus.  She was his girl. Her coat had stripes of purple and a gorgeous shade of blue. Her coat is matched with her blue/green tail and mane. She had on a mechanical necktie with flowers and a vest in red and black. Her cutie mark was ice, and she had mechanical wings as well. The colt sat down beside her, and she lifted her head and kissed him. Though no one could see it, he was blushing brightly. Two more foals sat in the corner, silently next to each other. Using a pull-up bar was one of them. Although his body was a machine, he was still a colt. Actuality. His mane, which appeared to be the only organic feature on him, was brown with black streaks, and he had a gray coat from the metal. He had a mask-like black face with blue, glowing eyes that did not look natural. His shoes were the same as the colts but were black with some red. He wore a black helmet with blue stripes and a blue shirt with a brown bandana. And last but not least, a unicorn filly was playing a violin while seated on the ground. In addition to her magenta coat, she had a music note as her cutie mark. The blue stripes on her body contrast sharply with her mane of black and purple hair. She accessorized with a necklace and earrings that complemented her deep green eyes. The foals look at the colt. “What did the unholy one tell you?" said the colt with the gas mask. The colt smiled. “We have a new quest.” The foals look at each other and smile with glee. They have been waiting to get out. “Where to?” Ask the blind filly. “I want to get more treasure and kill some more monsters!” The other colt turned and looked at her. “Don’t you already do that outside of the walls?” he asked. The blind filly sign “Those $&*% monsters are too scared now to come over,” she said. “Well,” said the colt. “I’m sure you will find monsters to kill.” The blind filly smiled as she pulled out a wooden pole and pulled it in half, revealing two scythes. “Let’s %&@% do this,” she grinned. The colt smiled as the other foals pulled their gear. “Then what are we waiting for?” said the colt. “Let’s go.” > Warriors > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The early morning sun rose over the equestrian hillside as it's bright light shone over Ponyville. The town would soon be a hive of activity, full of ponies from diverse backgrounds. But one soul was up early. Bullseye holds her bow steady, the arrow trained on it's target. Three red circles were painted on a wooden piece. It was a gift from the CMC, so she had something to practice on. And that piece of wood was getting an arrow stuck in it. She fixed her gaze on the target. Holding her bow steady, she let the arrow go. The arrow flew straight for its target. It seemed to move in slow motion. Then it flew fast, as if it had just stepped out of slow motion, and struck the target dead on, striking the center once more. "Sign," Bullseye grumbled. She was eager for a challenge, but she was already so proficient with the bow that she easily hit every target. She looked up at the sky. The sun was rising up. "I better get home before Film Noir gets mad again for being late for school," said Bullseye as she grabbed her quiver, still full of arrows, and threw them onto her back and started to walk away from her spot when she turned around. She swore she saw something move in the bushes. Meanwhile, in another house... The sunlight from Celestia's sun entered the room, where a colt and a filly slept. The sunlight shined most on a young alicorn. A red unicorn did not like the sound of his alarm clock blaring off. Smacking the clock so hard it fell off the stand, the unicorn rose from his slumber. "I really hate that clock," grumbled Fire Fight as he got out of bed. "But it's a necessity for me." Fire Flight climbed out of bed and walked to the opposite side of the room, where a sleeping filly lay. "Hey," Fire Fight murmured into her ear in a gentle yet lovely tone. "It's time for you to get up." The amethyst eyes of the filly opened. "Hi," she whispered softly but tiredly as she kissed Fire Fight on the cheek, making his cheeks flush. "I'm getting up," she yawned as she pushed herself out of bed. Her bluish gray coat glistened in the early light. After getting out of bed and dressed, the two went downstairs to the kitchen, where his mother, Mrs. Fight, was preparing breakfast. "Hello, you two," Mrs. Fight remarked. "I have some omelets ready for you two." "Thanks, mom," Fire Fight remarked as he and Shadow Shroud sat down to have their meal. There was then a knock on the front door. “I got it,” said Fire Fight’s father, Fist Fight, as he walked towards the door and opened it. It was Bullseye. "We have to go," said Bullseye to Shadow Shroud and Fire Fight. "Crap!" yelled Fire Fight as he looked at the clocks, and school would start in a few minutes. "Bye, mom and dad," said Fire Fight as he and Shadow Shroud ran out of the door with their saddlebags. "Bye, son," said Fire Fight's parents. A FEW MINUTES LATER: The three foals were walking to Cheerliee's schoolhouse, talking as they walked. "So how are things with you and Film Noir?" Fire Fight ask Bullseye. "Not much," said Bullseye. "I have just been practicing my archery," she replied with a sign. "Is something wrong?" Fire Fight ask. Bullseye just sign again. "I wish there was an actually challenge," said Bullseye. "But I'm already too good at hitting a target. Which speaking of which, I swear I saw something in the woods." 'Something?" ask Shadow Shroud, raising her eyebrow. "Are you sure you didn't see a timberwolf or something like that." "I don't think so," said Bullseye. "It seem smaller and a lot faster than a normal timberwolf." "I was probity a rabbit," said Fire Fight. "Don't try to think about it too much." "Alright," sign Bullseye as they approach the schoolhouse. She couldn't get it out of her mind. She felt like she was being watch. A strange filly was watching in the distance, hiding in the trees. She could see them through the sweat and the blood. She can see their thermal scents. Who are they? I need to know