Nightshade

It had been dry at Emerald Pines. The grass wilted underneath the intensity of the sun and everything became bone dry. The waters thinned and the vegatation lost its emerald tone. The scene was quite depressing--the once fluid and beautiful place now masked with a golden, dead tone.

Nightshade slept beside his mate the night the human's had left. They had been camping on the western boarder and the whole herd had steered clear of them. They wielded fire with their fingers and had shiny, metal guns that could kill any full-grown horse with just a short. Nightshade was half-asleep, his nostrils flared and ears still perked for any sign of humans or any natural predator. A twitch bothered Nightshade a good sum until he sneezed, his body quivering. That jerk had to be heavensent, because the next thing Nightshade knew--he was drowning it smoke.

Nightshade panicked at first, not being able to breath. The smog clenching his throat. Nightshade stamped his hind hoof, bumping into Ritual. "Wake up! There's fire!" And it was no false alarm. Flames licked at the grass and trees around them, swallowing it up as though it was an small meal for the wildcat-fire. Nightshade searched wildly for his son and daughter, his fatherly instincts saying one thing: Save Ritual and save the kids!

Pyro jumped when his father screamed. He glanced wildly for a moment, but he called out for all to hear, "Head southeast! We can get past the river to safety!" The proud heir called, bolting in that direction.

Hellcat & others.

Hellcat had woken up earlier to go get some water. She had taken the long way to stretch her legs and clear her mind. For some reason she had trouble sleeping, and so she figured water would of helped. Sadly, when she registered the smoke in the air, flames had already trapped her way back to the herd. So she swam across the river to the opposite bank. Knowing to keep her head down she headed farther out of the terra, toward where the humans had been camping. The fire had already went on here, now only small embers remained. Shaking her head she carried on, the smoke making her feel light headed. Soon she was starting to get dizzy, and passed out from being lost. She didn't know that she had traveled near the no man zone of the borders Opake Mountains and Sapphire Brook. The fire that had raged on would cover Hellcat's trail making it almost impossible to find her.

Ritual stayed for as long as she could searching for her daughter, but to no luck could find her. With one last cry she went to Pyro to lead him away with Nightshade quickly before they perished in the fire. She herded her group to Pike's Lake. Reo, Flora, and Taz had helped the other equines Zundi, Flame, and Golden Fire escape while the leads looked for their daughter before escaping. Tear and Dan searched in the skies, but the smoke was way too thick for them to see anything. They left with Ritual, Nightshade, and Pryo.

Nightshade

Nightshade waded through the streams and onto the dry bank. Ashes fluttered like butterflies through the air and landed upon his flesh. Nightshade flinched and snaked his head back to see his mate and son make it. The stallion watched longer, searching for his daughter. When she did not appear, sorrow began to wield a fire within him. Where was she? Had she been seen when the fire started? What happened to Hellcat? Nightshade stood beside Ritual, staring into the engulfing flame that swallowed up the territory. They were safe, but not from sadness.

Pyro was panting when he made it to safety. He whipped around, scared for his life. Where was Hellcat? Where was his twin?

Ritual

Ritual knew the chances of Hellcat surviving were slim. With a sigh she buried her face in Nightshade's mane when she caught up with him. Tears fell but she didn't speak. Than she looked to Pyro knowing he must be confused. How could she tell him that Hellcat wasn't most likely comming back? She looked up when Dan and Tear appeared. Ritual had sent them out to scout for Hellcat when the smoke had cleared. It seemed they have returneed.

"We're sorry Lady Ritual. We found no sign of her, or whether she made it out. Chances are she was caught in the fire and was burned. Do you wish for us to continue searching?" The last question was directed to Nightshade for Ritual had began silently crying again as she nuzzled her remaining child. She lost her daughter just when Hellcat hit mare hood. Now chances are she wouldn't have a foal herself.

Taz and his parents began to scount around looking for any sign of the fire dying out.

Hellcat, hours later, woke up not remembing anything. Getting to her feet she stumbled away, heading toward water to wash off.

Pyro

Nightshade closed his eyes, feeling pain stab him harshly. He didn't want to accept the fact, but he did.

Pyro stared off in the distance. She couldn't be dead. Something would've happened if she died...he'd feel an unimaginable pain. He'd loose a part of himself if she died. They were twins, so in sync. Pyro stamped his hoof viciously, squinting his eyes and praying. Let her be alive. Let her be alive... Pyro prayed repititiously.

Ritual

Ritaul remained near her son and mate.

Taz and the others continued scounting.