Battlecry
The big black thoroughbred stallion trotted confidently through the grass, searching for some company. He was a very valuable horse, stolen from a racing stable in California. The thieves had brought him to Atroe City to sell him in the Unknown Corral, but he had fallen from their truck one rainy night. Now he was free, and trying to survive in the wilderness, with no one to bring him awarm bran mash, or sweet, wonderful timothy hay.
Battlecry kept up his trot until he reached the edge of the territory. He could smell that it belonged to a herd of horses, and that they were not far from here. He pulled back his front lips in order to scent the horses better. He couldn't smell a dominant stallion, but there were several mares and foals. Resuming his trot, he heades toward them.
Doyce,Melody
Melody spotting the unkonwn stallion ran up to him.Her small filly legs propelling her foward."If you here to join,challeng,or looking for someone you have to wait for the lead mare Black Wonder,"she said happily.
Doyce seeing her daughter near a stranger came up silenty,and stood as she waited for the stallion to answer Melody.Then she glanced at White Mist to see if he had anything to say.
White Mist
White Mist spotting Doyce and Melody near a strange stallion he padded closer.He was curious,and yet cautious incase this stallion wanted to challeng for teritery.Even though Black Wonder wasn't here the new commer might just want to challeng anyone.He waited for the stallion to answer his daughter,even though she didn't know it, Melody.
Cherry & Celao
Cherry the mustang mare soon followed the rest.She then looked back to her brother who hadn't gone with black because he was scared someone might try to steal the mares.
Celeo came up beside the others.He would protect them with his life if this stallion dare try anything.He had caught the fillies words. Well she was a smart one and he was quiet glad she was apart of this herd.Well speak upHe spoke pawing the ground.
Doyce,Melody
Melody feeling protected when the herd followed made it clear she was standing her ground.She stomped a small hoof waiting for the stallion to answer.Flicking her tail she threw back her head making her mane flick away from her eyes.They showed wild and untamble.
Doyce smiled at her daughter reactions to everything.She'll be strong she thought.
White Mist
White Mist smiled when he saw little Melody messing around.Although he couldn't tell her he was very proud of her.She was headstrong it seemed too.Glancing he saw that Cherry and Cleao had come too.
Black Wonder
Coming back alone was a hurt to Wonder's pride. She saw the black stallion and approached, nostrils flared. Seeing Melody made her smile. "Hello, sir, I am Black Wonder, leader of this herd. State your business, please." Wonder commanded.
Doyce,Melody
Melody seing Black Wonder come up smiled.She padded over to her silently."This male just showed up and has said nothing so far,"she said.Then feeling like she needed to she padded back and stood infront of the stallion as if protecting the herd.Her eyes looked like a pit of fire.Narrowing her eyes she waited for the stallion to answer.
Battlecry
Battle pranced in place proudly, trying to show off in front of his "audience". He knew it always got cheers from humans before a race, so maybe it would work now.
However, when the mare Black Wonder addressed him, he stopped his prancing. He drew himself up to full height and said, "I am Battlecry, and I come here for company. Who are your humans?" He asked, wondering why these horses had no halters on in their huge, unkept "pasture" as he thought of it.
Doyce,Melody
Melody flciked her head back in suprise."Their are no humans here,"she said a bit edgy.It was only cause she heard the horrible stories of humans from her mom.
Doyce narrowed her eyes stlightly at the stallion."Like my daughter said no humans,"she repeated.She didn't like nor trusted them.
White Mist
White Mist looked at the stallion like he didn't know a thing.Althought he kept his moth shut.He had nothing to say for both Melody and Doyce had spoken what was needed to speak.Why would the horse some here if he was looking for humans.Their was no scent of humans in the air.No sighn of their weird tools they use.He listened and waited silently.
Celeo
He tossed his dial.And stop that foolish Prancing your just showing off and its not working. Show offs are idiots. The only ones that can get away with prancing are young ones cuz its for the young the babieshe snorted standing tall as well.Humans are nothing but pests that harm us.he snorted.His nares flared.He had a scar over his right eye from his second encounter with a human.He may be a mustang but he was a strong one.
Black Wonder
Black Wonder stepped in front of Melody. "Thank you." She said to the filly. Looking at the ebony stallion, standing proud. When he mentioned humans, she caught her laughter on her tongue. "We are wild? Can you smell or hear humans? I can tell you once lived with humans." Black Wonder replied, looking at the Thoroughbred. He was a Thoroughbred, and black, just like her. Wonder had been born wild, but she was pureblood Thoroughbred. Her mother escaped a wildfire, pregnant to racing champion in the 1990s named Cigar. Wonder smiled softly. "If you seek shelter from this 'dangerous' valley, away from the vast population of felines and wolves, we will protect you. But if you wish to see company with humans, I can lead you to a place a human might take you in. We'd love to have another warrior stallion in our herd. We hope to have a huge herd that can withstand human-capturing."
Doyce,Melody
Melody moved when Black Wonder came up.She nodded not able to speak when she said thank you.She had a smile on her face as she went to go stand nezt to her mother.
Doyce smiled at her daughter.Then she turned her attention into listening to Black Wonder.She was silent as she watched what was going on.
White Mist
White Mist watched silently.He flicked his tail as he listened to Black Wonder give the options to the stallion.He glanced at Doyce and Melody.Then he turned his gaze back to Black Wonder and Battlecry.His ears flicked as he waited for Battlecry to answer Black Wonder.
Battlecry
Battle was taken aback when all of the horses acted so hostile to him. He said confusedly, "But, aren't all horses taken care of by humans? And why do you say they are mean. the have been nice to me for my whole life. They feed me, brush me, give me water, change my stall bedding, wash me, and the best part is when they take me to the track to race. I am undefeted." He said proudly, not knowing that the other horses had no idea what he was talking about.
Doyce,Melody
Melody looked at her mom nervously.What was this stallion talking about?She stepped closer to her mom watching the stallion silently.
Doyce narrowed her eyes at the stallion.Couldn't he tell they didn't know a thing he was saying.
White Mist
Fourantly for him he knew what the strange stallion was talking about."We don't need humans to take care of us.You had an easy life with nice and good humans.All i meet was bad people so i ran.I'm glad i did,or i wouldn't know the feeling of beeing free.Having not to worry about a thing.Letting the wind blow my mane free.Even though i had a harsh life at first it was worth it,"he said to the other stallion.He hoped the stallion would hurry and choose already.
Celeo
He snorted and shook his head.No horse needs a humanHe spoke and stomped a hoof
Black Wonder
Black Wonder rolled her eyes. "Well, buddy, you need to learn a lot about this valley. Captive horses are not pets, nor racehorses. They are used as fighters, forced to kill one another. They are beaten, forgotten and no one cares much for them. I wish not to sound stingy, but I speak only the truth." Wonder told Battlecry, flicking her tail with annoyance. Had the stallion not known of reality? He probably was a pampered idiot, and raced his head off to create him more of a pampered pet. "In this valley, its better to be wild. Mark my words. If you don't want to end up a fighter, then join us. You are more then welcome, my friend."
Doyce,Meldoy
Melody smiling walked a bit closer standing a bit aways from Black Wonder.She was listeing intently so she'll know in the future.She was paying so much attention that she didn't pay attention to anything else.Her ears pricked high up.
Doyce watched silently making sure her daughter was okay.
Battlecry
Battle was understanding vaguely now. "So, no humans live here? And there is no one to groom, feed, or excersise you?" His head was drooping a little, and he felt embarrassed and stupid for not knowing this.
Black Wonder
"No." Wonder confirmed it, her tail twitching. "It is very confusing, yes...I am sorry you did not know. Life changes dramatically when coming from being a captive horse, to a wild one."
White Mist
White Mist felt sorry for the other stallion.He was probly very confused at the moment.Espiecally when he looked like a fool for not knowing this.Tail swishing he stomped a foot silently.Flicking his head he listened to what was going on.He still had to talk to Black Wonder.
Celeo
He snorted.Like we need humans to do any thing for us we are better and stronger then them and can take care of our selvesHe spoke standing tall.
Battlecry
The big black stood sullenly. He felt so stupid right now, and some what scared, because there was nothing to protect him or care for him the way he was used to.
White Mist
White Mist suddenly understood what Battle Cry must be thinking."We take care of each other.Anyone old enough to fend for themselves do that and protect those who can't.You feel good about it to,and the most important thing is that you don't need human help or anything else except those you trust,"he said sweeping a gaze at everyone.When he finished he stood tall tail swishing.He belived what he said.He had a smile on his face showing Battle Cry that he was trying to be nice when he said this."Nobody is stupid either,"he added not wanting the other stallion to feel that way.
Doyce,Melody
Melody feeling confitendent padded closer to the strange stallion.She was still too young to worry about strangers.
Doyce watched her daughter silently.Her ears perked forward.This mare would protect her daughter at any cost and it showed in her eyes.
Howler
Battle smiled softly back to White Mist, feeling better. He had a new vew about this wild life, and it was better than his old view. Now it sounded like it would make you strong, stronger than a human could, and you would be free. Not just like in a pasture, where you could run around and graze, but actually free to do whatever you wanted all the time, and not just from 3:00 to 5:30 pm. It made him feel excited and jittery.
So now he wanted to be a part of it, this wild life. He wanted to join this herd, and be free with them. "May I join your herd? I want to know what it's like to be really free." He said eagerly to Black Wonder.
Black Wonder
The mare nodded briefly at White Mist. "Correct." She acknowledged him. When Battlecry asked, she smiled briefly. Tail held high, she tried to look like a lead mare. "Yes. I believe you will like how it feels to be free, Battlecry." Wonder liked the feelings she put into the word free, trying to get her herd to realize that freedom was something great. "Welcome, Battlecry." Wonder looked at Melody with a inward laugh. Such a spirited filly. Wonder though. She liked Melody, she adored her spirit and charisma.
Celeo and Cherry
Celeo and listened andwatched and snorted.His head high and tail semi high.
cherry snorted.
White Mist
White Mist smiled when the stallion agreed to join.Then he glanced at Wonder.Maybe this was the time to talk to her.He padded toward her silently making sure his head and tail was a bit lower."Black Wonder do you have a moment to talk,"he asked her respectfully.His tail flicked silently.The day that Melody would turn three was soon approaching.
Doyce,Melody
Doyce watched silently.
Melody snorted a welcome to the new stallion.Then she bucked playfully.Feeling happy she ran around the group silently,and then to her mom.Then she turned and smiled innocently at the others as if she hadn't ran around and bucked.She was still playful for now.
Battlecry
Battlecry's face lit up when they accepted him. He tucked his chin into his chest and arched his neck, he pranced happily and snorted. "Thank you, Black Wonder. I am very pleased about this." He smiled and then bucked away across the meadow after Melody. Since the stallion was only three, he was still a colt sometimes.
Black Wonder
Wonder smiled, and turned to White Mist. "Yes." She replied almost boldly, flicking her tail and trotting away from the herd. Turning to Mist, she guessed it was something about Melody. "What is it, White Mist?" Wonder questioned kindly, a bit softly.
White Mist
White Mist waited while she came over."Tommow will be Melody's third birthday.Makeing her an official mare,mind you.I'm thinking about telling her i'm her dad,but she was told her dad had died.I've told Doyce and she said it was up to me.I was wondering if i could have your opion on the subject,"he said kindly.He swished his tail and waited.
Black Wonder
Wonder listened kindly, taking a brief glace at the spirited filly. Hesitating, Wonder answered, "Telling Melody is the right thing to do. It would be better without Doyce around, though," Wonder told Mist. "If Melody is enraged that her mother lied all this time, she'll yell and then run." Wonder paused, flicking her long ebony banner and frowning. "If its just you, she's not going to yell at you, because, to her, your still a elder horse. If you wish, I can accompany you, or speak to her later."
White Mist
"Thank you,I would like you to be their.Melody,"he called to the filly silently.He waited for her to come.
Melody
Melody came along quietly.Her ears pinned against her head worriedly.Had she done something wrong she thought."Yes,"she asked White Mist.She seen him alot of times when he would come and talk to her mother,but rarely he talk to her.
Black Wonder
"Okay." Wonder responded, looking at Melody as she came up, smiling weakly to comfort the filly. Wonder waited for Mist to talk first, since this was his daughter he was telling the truth. If Melody did run, in confusion, Wonder would be the one to follow. Wonder knew these things were tough, especially on a filly who thought her father died ages ago.
White Mist
White Mist decided to just come out with it."Melody,your mother told you that your father died,but thats not true.I'm your father,and me and your mother kept it a secret until now,"he said.He waited for her reaction tense.He knew if she ran in anger it be his fault.
Melody
As soon as she heard what White Mist said she felt angry.Angry at him and her mom for not telling her."No your not,"she yelled at him.Then she turned and ran off.She didn't leave the territary just ran away from the herd.
Black Wonder
"Let her chill out, Mist. I'll go talk to her, friend," Wonder waited and then followed Melody, going at a slower pace and arriving five minutes later, to let Melody calm down. The black Thoroughbred walked up with a soft expression, to show Melody she wasn't their to lecture her. "Melody, do you want to talk?" Wonder asked kindly, flicking her tail and looking at the younger filly. "I know your angry for them lying, I can honestly say that no horse wouldn't."
Melody
Melody looked up."I think that be nice,"she said to Wonder.She did want to talk about it,but not with her parents.She get mad at them most likely.
Black Wonder
Wonder smiled faintly, standing in front of Melody with a friendly pose. Looking at the filly, who looked ready to cry, she began to speak, "I know you feel angry and betrayed...but you must forgive them," Wonder started off kindly, "Maybe the right thing was to tell you the truth, but some parents are afraid. I do not know the story, but maybe Mist barely knew your mother when the bred. Doyce became a bit ashamed, because she let love go a bit too far. Maybe she wasn't ready." Wonder honestly didn't know it, but she knew these scenarios. Mare meets stallion, they fall in love, breed and then the Mare finds out that she barely knew the stallion. Wonder had seen it plenty of times. Many of these times, the stallion left to start a herd, forgetting the mare. "You can't hide the truth. Your going to have to accept that White Mist is your real father," Wonder said after a pause.
Melody
Melody listened silently.A tear running down her face.More threanted to follow,but she took a deep breath and swallowed."I understand,but it still hurts.Like a hark kick,"she said,but that was it.She waited for Wonder's reply A smile upon her face.
Black Wonder
"When you feel up to it, come and the best thing to do would apologize." Wonder said. "I must return to the herd. Just hang out here, if you must, and chill out."
Melody
"I will and thanks,"she said to Black Wonder before digging her hoof into the ground.When Black Wonder was out of sight she began to give out her anger.With a snort she lunged at a tree and stuck it with her hooves.Again and again she struck.After awhile the tree fell down,it was a short still growing one,she had gven her anger off.Turning she began to graze alone.