Well, this is a surprise. This fic popped into my head while I was reading another fic - one that is simply stunning. I fell in love with it, and I was immediately inspired. The fic was entitled On Being Reduced to Instinct, by The Starhorse. Gah, so beautiful! Check it out if you can - it's enthralling. I'll never reach that kind of talent when writing about horses. T^T
Anyways, I'll admit that the first part of this fic is similar to hers, but that's because you can only start these kind of fics in so many ways, and this is the way it flowed in my head. That being said, it definitely takes a different turn later on. The entire fic will probably only reach a three-chapter length, depending on how I decide to split up all the parts.
Disclaimer: I already mentioned Starhorse, and frankly I wouldn't want to own Maximum Ride with the way the series is going. (Sorry, that was a bit harsh, wasn't it?
The first thing Fang was aware of was the sound – such rich, clear sounds that wove around him, hints of chirping crickets mingling in birdsong and the soft ruffle of the trees. To his left a creek babbled cheerfully along, and sunshine bathed is back in a warm glow. Fang relaxed, pricking his ears this way and that to magnify the sounds, shoulders twitching as flies buzzed around him.
Wait…
His ears shouldn't be able to swivel.
Fang's eyes shot open, his vision lurching as he threw himself back and caught himself not on two legs, but four.
For a moment, he stood silent, lungs heaving, breath blowing, head hanging low. Disoriented and confused, he stumbled over to a tree to lean his strangely heavy weight against it.
Fang assessed himself.
This – obviously – was not his body.
His body was human – or as close as it could get.
But this body…
Fang craned his neck to the side, surprised at how easy the motion was. That thought quickly left him once he got a good look at his new form.
This body was equine.
He was a horse. A freaking horse.
Fang didn't know if he should laugh or cry at the ridiculousness of it all. Instead, he let out an indignant squeal, startling himself as he did so. That seemed to snap something inside of him, and he half-reared, letting his frustration out. He snorted and whinnied and tried to make some sense of this utter madness.
What happened? Where am I? Why am I in this body? What's going on?
Then he stopped, gathered himself, and looked his new body over. Four legs, a tail, a neck, and a head, and a thick, dark mane. His coat was a deep, glossy black, and he could make out the counters of the strong muscles that twitched underneath the velvet fuzz.
Well, at least he was a good-looking horse.
And he supposed he should count himself lucky he didn't have any injuries.
Fang tested his hooves delicately, taking steps forwards and backwards, pleased with the easy, effortless motion. His ears pricked as he heard a soft whuffing.
He tossed his head to see a strawberry roan standing at the edge of the clearing, shaking his darker mane out in what had to be equine amusement. Fang felt a prick of annoyance before it dawned on him that it had to be another of the Flock.
A good and bad thing, but he wouldn't question it for now.
He approached casually, head nodding with each step naturally, and brushed noses with the roan. The roan snorted a little but accepted the gesture, twitching his shoulders in a relaxed gesture. Fang swished his black tail and recognized the roan's scent, a name twisting from the muddled memories in his mind.
Iggy.
Apparently Fang had been recognized by his friend as well, as the roan rubbed his head along the thick neck of the black stallion. Both stood quietly together for a moment, communicating through the gentle whickers and pricked ears, before Fang stepped aside and headed into the forest, Iggy close on his flank.
It was time to find the rest of the Flock.
When the sky had begun to grow dark and dusk approached, Fang knew there might be a problem. He'd caught no scent he'd recognized, and Iggy hadn't made a sound, so he knew neither of them knew where the others might be, let alone where they themselves were.
Fang shook out his dark mane, tapping a weary hoof against the ground. They had to stop soon, but this place was too dark, and his instincts were twitching at the enclosing trees.
He knew that they'd have to find a long plain of grass, soon, or he'd go mad here in the forest.
But Iggy pushed him along, forcing him out of his thoughts. The roan's ears were laid back with an ease that Fang envied, and he wondered for a moment if the roan knew something he didn't.
The black stallion paused when they entered a clearing, ears pricking at the sound of rushing water. Behind him, the roan huffed a breath and moved towards the sound. Fang followed, lagging behind as he watched the dark contours of the forest, his primal instinct to be aware pricking at his mind.
Ahead of him, Iggy had bent his neck and was sipping the cold water when a crash sent them both stumbling backwards, the roan stallion rearing in a panic as the black behind him tossed his head high to get a better view.
All he saw was a spotted blur before something rammed into his flank, and Fang swung around, roaring, front legs stiff and hooves lashing out at –
The Appaloosa colt in front of him skittered back, squealing when a kick went neatly past his stocky head. Fang dropped to the ground, stiff and tense, muscles twitching with each breath. The colt's ears pricked and he shuffled forwards, head low and small tail swishing apologetically. The black stallion let the spotted colt nudge his nose, nostril's flaring as he caught the foal's scent.
Gazzy. The name brought another complex, twisted bundle of memories, and Fang pushed them away, instead running his muzzle along the small colt's legs and neck, checking for any scrapes and bruises. The Appaloosa didn't seem to mind, happily nickering as he reunited with Fang and Iggy.
Finally the black stallion pulled away and, with a shuddering breath, nudged the little colt back towards the woods. Gazzy didn't seem to mind the guiding touches, prancing alongside Fang while Iggy took up his usual position in the rear.
Eventually the found a spot Fang deemed suitable, and the black horse shook out his mane lazily, letting his head droop and his knees lock so that he could drift off to sleep. Gazzy only took the hint when Iggy came up alongside him, positioning the colt safely between the two stallions and taking much the same position as Fang. The Appaloosa colt shook out his sparse mane in imitation of the older horses before he arranged himself delicately on the ground, folding his legs beneath him and settling into the grass. The sound of each other's breaths lulled the tiny herd into slumber, though the black stallion's ears twitched at every sound.
Fang woke to a butting head at his side, swinging his head around to see the colt nuzzling his flank. The Appaloosa seemed dissatisfied at something, but he turned away with a flick of his tail. The stallion let it go, instead lowering his head to crop a mouthful of grass.
The surprised whuff of Gazzy had him twitching his shoulders in equine amusement, tilting his head to see the Appaloosa colt staring at with dark eyes. Fang rolled an eye and chewed carefully. To his side, Iggy had joined him, nosing through a patch of clover.
Gazzy plodded over, spotted coat twitching, but he shied away when Fang nudged a pile of grass toward him. Blowing in confusion, the stallion cocked an ear and rested his nose on the foal's shoulder, taking in his scent. Was Gazzy sick? Was his body not allowing his mind to take root? What –
Fang snorted when he finally understood the scents on the foal. The poor thing was still young – to young, in fact, to be used to eating grass. That warm scent, interwoven with the Appaloosa's own, was a milk scent.
The stallion didn't know if it was funny or disheartening. Gazzy would die if they didn't find the foal's mother – the real foal, whose body Gazzy's mind was occupying. The concept swirled in Fang's head for a moment before it was disregarded, and an easier one to accept took its place: the foal was Gazzy, and Gazzy was the foal. There wasn't a difference anymore – even if these weren't the bodies they were born with, these were their bodies now.
Fang snorted and let his head clear, but kept a worried eye on Gazzy and his thin spotted flanks.
They'd only been walking for a short while when they found the others.
Fang heard rather than saw the bay filly, the woods echoing with the excited squeals and whinnies that rang in the stallions' ears. While Gazzy rushed forwards, whinnying his own response, the roan and black stallions approached slowly, heads low in dread of the coming storm.
Coming around the bend, they saw the Appaloosa colt prancing around an overly-energetic half-grown bay, her thick mane flopping every which way as she tossed her head in excitement. Catching sight of the two stallions, she trotted over speedily, as if trying to show adult restraint but utterly failing as she got closer.
The young bay danced in front of the black stallion, breathing in his scent and turning to the roan to make sure she knew him as well. Finding both familiar, she tossed her head and neighed, racing back to the tree line and coaxing out another two horses.
Fang pricked his ears when he scented the palomino mare at the forefront, her head lowered cautiously. He skittered forwards, his giddiness at seeing her dulling a little when he caught the sight of her favoring her left front hoof. He stretched his neck and brushed noses with the mare, making absolutely sure it was Max, before he nosed her hoof, taking stock of the damage done. He lifted his head with a snort. Nothing a little rest couldn't fix.
Max sent him a half-grateful, half-disgruntled look, and he realized she must be a little unhappy with the situation. He reassured her with another brush to the nose, and then he turned when something tiny bumped his flank.
He found himself staring into the expressive eyes of a tiny white filly, her nose pink and mane fluffed up. Fang twitched his shoulders in amusement and rested his head alongside Angel's, rumbling contentedly in his chest. Angel tried to copy the adult rumble, but it ended up more like a purr. Iggy shook his mane in amusement, plodding up to bump noses with both Max and Angel. The palomino mare blew gentle air at Iggy's face, and he nodded in jerks, his horse body having trouble with the human motion. Max's withers twitched in surprise, flicking her tail.
Fang kept his amusement to himself. It seemed Max was dumbfounded by the fact that Iggy could see in his new equine body. Fang himself had been a bit surprised at first, but had then accepted it as another strange bout of fortune.
Now the black stallion shook his mane and bumped Angel gently in the side of the head, calling out to her with his mind. Angel? Angel?
The white filly was watching her brother trot circles around the bay, but her ear flicked back once and then forwards again. With a quick huff, Fang nudged Angel's small flank, nearly toppling her over. Angel, answer me right now!
Angel snorted, but still didn't respond to his thoughts. Worry blossomed in the black stallion's chest, and he stomped one hoof against the ground, teeth snapping together with an audible click. Angel, can't you hear me?
On the other side of the white foal, Max had approached, swinging her golden head with anxiety, undoubtedly trying to get Angel to answer her as well. The roan stallion simply stood off to the side, ears pricked as he watched the forest. His stance reassured Fang that he could focus on Angel, and not observation.
Beyond them, both the bay and the Appaloosa had halted their prancing, heads turned towards the adult horses with an inquisitive prick of their ears. When Gazzy himself snorted and stomped, Fang knew that Angel wasn't responding to any of them. The spotted colt made his way over, nuzzling up to his sister with quiet whickers. The two were fairly close in size, though Gazzy was blockier and a little more muscled than his slender sister. Angel tucked her head under Gazzy's in an equine hug, as if to reassure them that all was well.
Fang tossed his head and moved to Max's side, giving up on forcing Angel to answer. By the way the palomino mare had pinned back her ears, the stallion would have guessed that Max had done the same, though she wouldn't care to.
But the golden mare simply blew air through her nose and dropped her head wearily. Fang nosed her neck, berating himself for not noticing her condition earlier. He should have guessed Max would push herself to find the rest of the Flock. His friend probably hadn't eaten or slept for those past few stressful days, and Fang could see the exhaustion lining her equine body, though he wondered if it was something more.
The stallion, acting on some primal instinct, led the mare over by a grove of trees and nudged her down. Max took the request surprisingly easily, folding her legs underneath her and resting her head on the ground. Fang stood and snorted quietly, eyes flickering to Angel, who obediently came up beside the mare and settling beside her. Nudge came up on her own, bay legs still flicking with the last dregs of her excitement as she stood by the black stallion, Gazzy and Iggy following her lead. Together they formed an equine circle, protecting their injured leader and giving her some easy rest.
Fang pricked his ears at the sight of it all – his Flock members sleeping peacefully, with only the lightest of noises.
Then he shook his great black head, reminding himself of its new weight and size. No, they weren't so much a Flock anymore. Flocks were meant for birds.
Horses were meant for herds.
Fang woke early in the morning, his senses on high alert. His eyes, dim as they were in the darkness, picked out an unsettling stillness across the forest.
Something was not right. His ears swiveled in all directions, his nostrils flared to catch the tiniest bit of scent. No, something was definitely not right. He nickered softly, just enough to rouse the roan from his light sleep, and caught Iggy's eye. He flicked his nose in the direction of the forest, and together the two stallions scanned the tree line.
An uneasy whuff from the roan was all Fang needed. He stamped one hoof, startling Max from her slumber and making her rise quickly, jostling Angel awake as she did. Gazzy and Nudge were up by now too, standing nose to nose and sharing a comforting breath. Fang shook his dark head and moved his tiny herd forwards a little, when –
Crash!
The woods came alive with terrifying howls. Fang reared, screaming for a fight, but then whirled where he stood and charged forwards, pushing his friends out of the forest and onto the grassy plains just before them. Forests meant trees and trees meant roots, and roots meant possibly tripping – which in turn would lead to death by wolf. Max pounded forwards, she and Nudge shielding Angel in the middle. Gazzy surged by Iggy's side, eyes wide with terror. Fang positioned himself at the back, throwing his head up to look behind them every once in a while.
Those bounding shapes after them did not look promising.
Max's angry squeal caught his attention, and he saw a thin wolf snapping at her heels. Fang was too blinded by rage to decide if it was an Eraser or not – it was a threat in his eyes, a threat to his herd. He leapt forwards, kicking out at the wolf and feeling bones break beneath his powerful hooves. The wolf whimpered as it rolled away into the deep grass, and the black stallion brayed his triumph, urging the herd to run faster.
But all too soon, they were encircled by the wolf pack – starving canines with ribs flashing beneath ragged fur, but whose eyes spoke of death. They ran beside the small herd of horses, loping unevenly and on weary paws. The palomino mare snapped her teeth at another wolf that dared to come to close. Her lame hoof was of little importance to her now – she was protecting her herd, and she would do anything to save them.
The wolves soon lost interest in the overprotective mare, and shied away from both the powerful stallions, leaving Nudge and Gazzy as the most vulnerable targets. One came just too close to Nudge, and she lashed out in blind fear when –
Crack!
Her hoof connected soundly with the side of Gazzy's neck, and he was sent tumbling down and to the side, rolling right into the waiting jaws beyond them. Fang skidded to a stop, horror flashing through him as he saw the wolf pack descend upon the writhing Appaloosa colt.
Every fiber of his horse instinct was shrieking to run, to flee, and to let the little foal's sacrifice save the rest of the herd.
His human half was screaming Gazzy's name, seeing blue eyes and blond hair and that happy grin –
The black stallion surged towards the wolf pack, screaming defiance, the canines scattering in the path of his thundering hooves. Behind him he heard the faint calls of Max as she, too, came racing back to the defense of her little trooper.
Fang kicked out, catching one wolf on the jaw and the other at the base of his skull, sending them both flying. They hit the ground hard, and didn't get back up. The palomino mare had rushed to the spotted foal's side, nudging his bloody flank and persuading him to get to his feet. The foal was deathly still.
An angry braying announced Iggy's arrival, and high-pitched screams let him know that Angel and Nudge had come back as well. They encircled their fallen member, lashing at the bewildered wolves with flying hooves and snapping teeth. It wasn't until Fang raced after the wolf he'd deemed the alpha and broken his leg that the wolves slunk back, snarling fitfully but weak and unwilling to fight an angry stallion defending his herd. They disappeared back into the darkness, glowing eyes disappearing one by one.
Fang snorted angrily after them, but he knew they'd gotten off lucky. If those had been Erasers, they would have all been dead, instead of just…
The stallion trotted back quickly, nosing his way to Gazzy's side. The spotted colt was still and unmoving, flanks and neck smeared with blood. Fang's tail lashed at the copper smell. He pushed on the colt's shoulder with his nose, nudged him harder, even took a little of his fluffy mane in his teeth and pulled, but there was no visible response.
Behind him, the white filly let out a low, long wail of sorrow.
I'd at like to get at least a few reviews before I upload the next part, but regardless I'll upload it within the next few days.
Review Please! :)