FMA: The Black Mustang Book 1: A Wild Filly

Chapter 1: Hopelessly Lost

Edward was hopelessly lost, stopping to lean against a tree and rest for a while. Looking around, he saw that he was in a wide meadow, and wondered how he got there. "Where am I? And how did I get here?" He wondered softly to himself. Ed sighed and scanned the field for any sign of life among the tall flowers and grass. A dark shape caught his eye, sparking curiosity in the young teen. A black horse picked its head up, looking at him with dark brown eyes. The animal pricked its ears, taking a step towards him. Ed was unsure of what to do, walking closer to it. "Hey there, boy. What're you doing way out here?" The short teen asked, tilting his head. The wild horse seemed slightly offended at being called male, drawing its head back to give Edward a dirty look. The boy laughed and rubbed the animal's head. "Oops, I guess you're a girl."

Chapter 2: Cinder

Edward wondered if he could tame this horse, as she was wild. He made a halter out of old leather, somehow managing to make a lead rope out of a torn part of his jacket. "Okay, that should do it…" He said to no one in particular. "Now, what should I call her?"

A few feet away, the coal-black mare watched the boy intently. What is he doing? She thought, twitching her ears. In her point of view, Edward was different from the other humans she had seen. The teen was very small in stature, with golden hair and eyes, and the way he rubbed her head with such gentle affection was something she had never seen before. Why is he this way? Why is he so gentle to me?

After the halter was finished, Ed noticed the mare watching him. He smiled and walked up to her, scratching behind her ears and gently rubbing the halter on her nose. "I'm just gonna try this halter on. It's not going to hurt you, it's okay." He said softly, slipping it over her nose. The black mare lowered her elegant head, allowing him to bring the halter over her ears. Edward smiled and took the lead in his hand, rubbing her silken neck. "I think I'm gonna call you...Cinder, because of your coat."

Chapter 3: Going For A Walk

After three days of earning Cinder's trust, Edward decided to try something new. He took the mare's halter off and walked away, pleased to hear soft steps behind him. Looking back, he saw Cinder plodding along behind him, her eyes trained on the boy. When Ed stopped, she stopped. When he backed up, the coal-black horse did the same. This exercise continued for about two hours or so.

The sun began to drift lazily from the sky, turning the crystal blue into a beautiful array of orange, red, pink, and purple.