Panic started to worm it's way into Lightdrop's gut. He wanted to run, he wanted to get as far away form Ravenstrike as he could, but it seemed as if his hooves had taken root. Lightdrop stood frozen in the bushes as he stared out at the black stallion, praying that Ravenstrike would go away. For one terrifying moment, the stallion looked straight at the place where Lightdrop and the others were hiding, but then Ravenstrike spread his wings and flew off.

"Lightdrop?" asked Twilightdawn, who was now standing next to the buckskin yearling.

Lightdrop took a long and shaky breath, then turned around and looked at the wrest of the patrol. There was six of them now, including Lightdrop, and all of them had lost everything. Bluestone was trying to look strong, but he couldn't hide the sorrow in his eyes. Cliffstone's head hung low. Twilightdawn looked as if she was on the edge of a melt down. The last two members of the patrol, a stallion named Copperstorm and a mare named Orchidfeather looked equally heartbroken.

Twilightdawn put her wing around Lightdrop, and dipped her head, "Your sire was a brave stallion, and he didn't deserve to die like that."

"None of them did." spat Cliffstone.

No one said anything for a long time, then Copperstorm let out a long breath "What's our next move?" he asked, looking at Bluestone.

There was another long silence, in witch Bluestone didn't answer, then finally he said, "I have no idea."

"We need to take revenge on Ravenstrike." announced Cliffstone.

Copperpool glared at the brown stallion, "How would you purpose we do that? All of Stone Herd wasn't enough to stop him." Cliffstone was silent, he had clearly not thought his proposal through.

"I say we leave Anok." said Orchidfeather, "Ravenstrike clearly wont let us live here anymore."

"We can't just leave Stone Herd." protested Twilightdawn.

Orchidfeather used her wing to point in the direction of the herd, "You saw them, they are no longer the steeds we knew."

"You don't know that." argued Twilightdawn. "What if there's a way to turn them back to the back to the way they were."

"Well if there is, I'm staying." said Cliffstone.

Orchidfeather tossed her head, "Suite yourself."

"Everyone stop." ordered Bluestone, "Arguing amongst our selves wont fix anything. We are all grieving for out loved ones, so I suggest we sleep on it, and continue the conversation in the morning."

The patrol agreed, no one really wanted to be having this discussion right now. Lightdrop huddled up next to Twilightdawn, and quickly fell asleep.

~~~

Lightdrop's eyes popped open, he was standing in darkness. Black was the only thing he could see, he took a step and it felt like he was wading through a lake. 'Hello?' called Lightdrop, but no one answered. 'Why am I here?' he tried again.

This time a voice did answer, 'Turn around.' it whispered.

Lightdrop turned around and saw hundreds of pegasi. He gasped as he recognized a few of them, and realized that these were all of the Stone Herd pegasi! Lightdrop was about to bound over to them, but then he realized that something was wrong. All of the steeds appeared to be trying to run from something. But what could it be?

'Lightdrop.'

At the sound of his name, Lightdrop jumped. He twisted his head around to try to see where the voice was coming from, and a small white mare with pink wings emerged from the darkness.

'Who are you?' he asked.

The mare dipped her head, 'My name is Luckywish.' she said.

'What is this place.'

'This place,' said Luckywish, 'Is where Ravenstrike traps all of his victims, and tortures them.'

Lightdrop stared at Luckywish, bewildered, 'Then how are you here?'

Luckywish looked embarrassed, 'I was one of Ravenstrike's first victims.'

'How?'

'It's a long story, and I don't have time to tell it right now. I just wanted to show you your herd.'

'Why me?'

'Because, you are special, but I don't have time to explain that either.' Luckywish was starting to sound a little panicked.

'What do you mean you don't have time?' asked Lightdrop, and suddenly the image of Luckywish flickered.

'I have to go now.' said Luckywish.

'But I have more questions.' said Lightdrop, but Luckywish had already disappeared.