KIDNAPPED

Spiritstorm, a filly deeply saddened by the death of her mother, left the herd so that she could try to use her magic alone, without anyone seeing her. The young filly was the white foal. White foals gain powers at birth, and the power eventually comes with immortality when they reach their first birthdays. Suddenly, she saw Autumnberry, her best friend, gallop out of the trees like she was on fire.

“Autumnberry?” asked Spiritstorm. She saw cuts and scrapes crisscrossing her coat and she grew angry. “What happened to you?” Spiritstorm asked.

“I was being chased by some Spring Herd mares, and they demanded to know where you were. They cut me while trying to grab me,” said Autumnberry. She backed away from Spiritstorm, scared. “Run, now! Get back to Tigerstar!” Spiritstorm's ears drooped, and then she reared, whirled around, and bolted back toward the herd. The mares grabbed her mane and tail. Spiritstorm screamed at Autumnberry. “Get Tigerstar or Redray!”

The two mares took off toward Spring Herd's territory. This was Spiritstorm's first time flying. She hated every bit of it. One mare, who looked like the captain, glared back at Spiritstorm and then at her team. “When we get to Spring Herd, drop off this filly at Crescent Valley! If anyone is getting killed by this— this thing, it’ll be Echostar.” she neighed over the beating of their wings.

A few hours later, when they arrived, they dropped Spiritstorm at Crescent Valley. The over-mare, Echostar, and the black foal, Fernheart, pranced around Spiritstorm and told the small team to leave. “So, you're Spiritstorm?” Echostar asked. Spiritstorm nodded. “I assume you already know that your lead stallion plans to execute you on your first birthday.”

Spiritstorm nodded in agreement, hoping they hadn’t dragged her here just to tell her that. And then she looked back and did not see Redray or anyone. She’d been abandoned. “I want to make a deal with you, Spiritstorm. It will save you.” neighed Echostar.

Spiritstorm thought for a moment. What could this evil mare want? Power? To rule over the herds? Spiritstorm shook her head, deciding that the mare wanted power. “Not happening,” she said. Echostar reared, and slammed the lush, green grass with her front hooves, making Spiritstorm's teeth rattle. “Take her back to her herd before she’s . . . missed,” she said, nodding to the team, who had been watching in the bushes. They grabbed Spiritstorm by her mane and flew her quickly to Dreamer Lake and dropped her in, leaving her to drown.

THE MURDER

When Spiritstorm saw silver and bay, she was so glad. “Spiritstorm, what happened to you?” asked Tigerstar. She then noticed the black fur and golden fur. Spiritstorm's lips trembled, wondering if she should tell her. Finally, she let out her breath. She decided to tell her. “I was stolen and I was taken to Spring Herd, where I met Fernheart.”

“The black foal?” whinnied Tigerstar and Autumnberry in unison. As if Fernheart was spying on them, the air glowed and she appeared in front of them. Spiritstorm shuddered and two seconds later screamed as Fernheart hurled her into a tree. “Spiritstorm!” screamed Autumnberry. Just then Spiritstorm passed out and a nightmare gripped her.

She was a young, small filly. She and Tigerstar were visiting her dam's fresh grave. Spiritstorm saw light brown feathers and scooted underneath the larger mare's wing. Redray landed and spoke. “You will not live past a year, foal. You murdered my filly, and so you will die on your birthday. I won’t let you kill anyone else.” he turned to Tigerstar. “Kill it, before it becomes immortal and kills us all!” he said.

“No, I won’t,” said Tigerstar. “It is her choice, and I can tell you that if she is under my protection, she will not destroy us. I believe she will save us from ourselves. The steeds here are terrified of her, but Autumnberry isn’t. She will stay close to the filly until her birthday, and then depending on how she acts, we will decide whether to let her be immortal or die.”

Redray growled and lowered his head to his daughter’s grave. “I will avenge you. Your daughter will get the treatment she deserves for killing you,” he said and turned to face Tigerstar. “If that foal kills even a bug, she will die. Understood?” he said. Tigerstar nodded, upset. With a dangerous flash of his teeth, Redray flew away and landed on Death Rock. Tigerstar had gently pushed the filly under her wing.

Spiritstorm walked out, scared. Since she couldn’t speak properly yet, she pretended to be Redray giving her the deathblow that would take her life. She stopped and was very clearly scared. Tigerstar sighed. “It’s alright, he won’t do anything,” she said, knowing it wasn’t true. Her grandfilly would die soon, and she was scared.

When Spiritstorm woke up, she saw that the Twenty-Year Star flamed brighter and much larger than the sun. It was almost time for her death. Spiritstorm used her horn to teleport her onto Death Rock. “I’m ready,” said Spiritstorm. Echostar turned to look down at Spiritstorm. “My pact still stands. If you gain your immortality, you will be forced to join me and give it up, then, you must submit to me.” said Echostar. The other leaders grumbled angrily. “Weak power-hungry psychopath . . .”

This filly can’t live if she’ll be used by Echostar! Sunstar knows how that’ll end! Redray thought. He reared, trying to find the best place for the blow. Without further delay, he clenched his jaw, dropped his sharpened hoof, and struck.