It was growing closer to the black foal's birthday, and Mosswing knew that he must put his plan into action. So, he announced that a rock throwing contest would be held on the first day of autumn. There would be contests for distance and accuracy which would further be divided between bone breakers and zappers. The winners in each of the four categories would be sent on a special mission, but only a three pegasi knew that.

Ashfrost knew that the only way to save Ravensong's life was to be one of the winners. She and her mother were the only two pegasi other than Mosswing who knew about the real reason of the contest. It was to find the best rock throwers to kill Ravensong. Ashfrost practiced mercilessly for every single category. Most pegasi were only entering one category, but Ashfrost planned to enter them all so she could make sure she had a chance to go on the mission. She was best at throwing very accurate zappers, but she practiced for everything.

When the day for the contest arrived, Ashfrost felt like she had a million butterflies in her stomach. Her dam landed next to where she was grazing. She looked nervous too. "We will both probably get to go on the mission. And if you don't get to surely I will," Echocloud said to calm her filly's nerves for she was entered in two contests also.

"I know. I'm just afraid that if we don't..." Ashfrost couldn't finish her sentence.

"Don't worry. Everything will be okay," Echocloud told her and then flew off to check the grounds that had been marked off for the contest.

Ashfrost knew she couldn't fail. As the butterflies fluttered in her stomach, the weight of her task fully settled on her for the first time.