I do not own the Phantom Stallion series, characters, plot, etc. That would be Terri Farley, and I think it goes without saying that I am no Terri Farley :) So now that we have the disclaimer out of the way... Enjoy!

Chapter 1

Sam woke suddenly, the constricting feeling of anxiety heavy on her chest. She couldn't place the feeling. Nothing appeared to be immediately wrong, but the immense sensation of dread prevented her from drifting back to a peaceful rest.

Then she heard it. Quiet at first, but gradually more audible. The horses were calling restlessly to the night. One particularly high shriek pierced the crisp Nevada air.

That was all the indication she needed. Flinging the covers off, Sam pulled on a jacket and flew down the stairs as quickly as she was silent. As she sprinted to the barn, her ears detected another, more dulled echo of whinnies - there were other horses near. And by the progressively fainting sounds, they were on the move.

Sam couldn't help but feel that staying away would keep her out of an inevitable world of trouble, but her pressing curiosity urged her otherwise. As long as nothing went wrong, she thought, there was a good chance no one would ever know.

Tempest and Ace nickered greetings to her as she entered. "How's my pretty girl?" she cooed as she stroked Tempest's soft face. She snorted, and Sam couldn't help but smile at her eagerness. Her mare was truly going to be a great horse. But tonight she moved over to Ace's stall.

"Hey, sweet boy," Sam said gently. "Ready to go for a ride?" Tempest was by far faster, but she was also very young. Experience and calm were the advantages of her little bay mustang. He lowered his head over the stall door to nudge at her pockets for treats. "Maybe Jake was right, I do spoil you too much," she giggled. "I promise I'll get you some of those afterwards."

The bit slid easily into Ace's mouth as Sam placed the bridle on his head. Not bothering to lose time with tacking up completely, she swung up bareback.

Soon the two were thundering away from River Bend, immersed in the black sky lit only by the radiance of the stars above. The mustang's hooves struck the ground only briefly but with tremendous force, and Sam tightened her grip on a handful of mane. Two years ago, she would never have been able to ride quite like this.

It wasn't long before she could make out the forms of riderless horses in the distance. They had to be wild. Even though Sam couldn't see him, it was as if she could feel him.

Zanzibar.

The two followed behind, Ace struggling to keep up. His breathing had become labored, but Sam had a strange feeling they needed to pursue them. Why would the Phantom's herd be galloping in the night away from the secret valley? Then Sam remembered: this year there had been a rise in the mountain lion population. The cats are predators that hunt primarily at night, and no secret valley could keep them out. No mountain lion would stalk them for so long, but she knew well that a spooked horse could flee for miles.

With alarm she realized they were encroaching on the Prathers' property. They were new, and had relocated their Arabian farm to Nevada a year after Jake had left for college. As far as Sam knew they were nice people, but they took great pride in their fine horses and were deeply embittered by the loss of one of their prized mares shortly after moving in. Sam had heard a stable hand had watched dazedly as she had leaped over the tall turn-out fence.

Suddenly a mare broke off from the herd, with a black foal at her side. Sam couldn't help but notice that she was taller than the average mustang; her legs were longer, her face more delicate.

"No...," Sam gasped. That was the Prathers' Arabian mare. And she wanted to go home.

Then the Phantom emerged, barreling after the runaway mare with an authoritative bellow. The ranch house was now in sight, and Sam observed with dread the light that appeared through the window by the front door. Not wanting to get caught in the middle of the mess that had unfolded, she slowed Ace to a halt. A man emerged from the door, the porch light slowly flickering on as it detected movement. By the constant direction of his gaze, it became very clear that he had spotted his lost mare.

"Prisma!" he called to her desperately. Though still a ways off, she appeared to have already made the decision to return as she galloped at a pace the foal could follow at.

With a rapid, sweeping turn, the Phantom cut her off half way. He stood in front of her, trying to herd her back to the rest of the horses.

"Oh no you don't!" Sam heard the man spit defiantly.

That was when she saw the rifle. Instantaneously it was raised and aimed at her horse. Her Zanzibar. She wanted to scream, to call out to him, but she was so frozen with shock that she couldn't bring her lips to force the sounds.

BANG!

The sounded erupted through the desert.

The shrill, terrible scream of pain cut through the air.

Sam's wide eyes were glued to the Phantom. It seemed like ages as she watched him rear on his hindquarters wildly, but then his front hooves hit the ground and he was careening away with the rest of his herd, seemingly unharmed. The breath she was subconsciously holding flooded out from her strained lungs.

Her eyes reverted to the mare, and the ache returned immediately as the sleek legs buckled and the beautiful horse's body crumpled to the ground.

"Damn it!" the man yelled with anguish. He continued to curse and shout with alacrity, and when he noticed the foal, which was hovering over its mother's body, his voice became cold and hard. "Worthless, polluted bloodline." Shaking his head, he turned and headed back inside.

Sam was infuriated. How could anyone be so cruel? For Sam, it wasn't even a question. Her mind was already made up to return to River Bend with the foal.

Nudging Ace forward, she began to make her way cautiously towards the scene of the tragedy. At first the foal danced away from them nervously, but he never strayed far from his mother. Sam had no idea how to get him home - she had nothing with her. Ace halted and they waited patiently for a long time. Eventually curiosity gave the foal the courage to greet Ace tentatively. The older horse gently touched noses with him. Once Sam saw the foal felt comfortable around Ace, she walked her horse a little ways off towards home.

The poor creature had conflict all over his face. He was torn, anxious to be near Ace but unwilling to leave his mother's side. Sam walked Ace over to him one last time and walked away again. This time, the foal made the decision to follow: a choice that probably saved him his life.

This was how the three of them made the long walk home. Ace leading the way, Sam trustingly letting him guide them home and the foal alongside them. Dawn broke over the desert and Sam admired the foal's jet-black coat and eyes that glistened like fire in the sunlight.

Alright, there's the first chapter. Thanks for reading!

Now since I hate begging for reviews, I'm going to resort to something much, much classier: Bribery! The more reviews the quicker the update - simple as that! :D