Disclaimer: I do not own Spirit Stallion of the Cimarron

Claimer: I do own Yael and Melody

Chapter 8 Ten Years Later, and a Reunion

With Spirit

It had been ten years since Spirit almost fully gave in to the Colonel. Ten years since Spirit had last seen his herd, his family. And he had been through a lot of pain since then.

Lizie was still there and was always found hanging out with Spirit. In fact they actually almost got together, but didn't. At this moment Spirit and Lizie were drinking water not saying anything.

They both feared one thing.

They both feared that Spirit would fully give in. And they both knew that we would if he had the right persuasion.

When Spirit was done drinking he lifted his head and looked around. He knew that it was only a matter of time before he got hurt again. He did not fear the pain, but he also didn't want his mind to wonder too much.

"You miss them don't you?"

Spirit snapped his head in Lizie's direction and didn't say anything. He knew that she knew that she was right. There was nothing to say when the truth was already said. Lizie looked like she was about to say something else when…

"Mustang!"

"Got to go, the Colonel calls," Spirit said quietly. This time it was Lizie's turn to not say anything. With that Spirit turned around and galloped to the Colonel.

The Colonel had his saddle and the reins for him to ride Spirit. Spirit did not move at all, he just stood there waiting.

When the Colonel had everything set he got on Spirit.

"Come along now Mustang," the Colonel said.

Spirit didn't make a sound has he did has he was told. He started to walk and let the Colonel guide him.

Spirit still remembered when he was almost broke and what the Colonel said to him.

Flashback

Spirit did everything he did the last time this happened. He was too tired and submitted.

When Colonel thought he had won, Spirit tried to get the reins in his mouth like last time. The Colonel unfortunately expected this, and held onto the reins.

Spirit tried to get him off again but failed.

'I can't,' thought Spirit.

"Come on, Mustang, time to make you ours," said Colonel.

All the horses hung their heads, sad and angry. But they know it wasn't Spirit's fault. Even the strongest willed horse like him can't get someone off their back without food or water for four days. It would be a miracle if he had made it to five days, but five days would be pushing it.

Five would be impossible.

Spirit allowed them to cut his mane and do everything except mark the US on him, at that he fought.

"No need to worry about that, just yet, Murry," said the Colonel. Murry looked at him.

"He gave up. That is enough for us. Besides once we train him… He will only listen to me," finished the Colonel.

End Flashback

Just remembering that day gave Spirit the shivers. So he tries not to think of that day. There had been no new wild horses being brought in since they got Spirit.

Spirit knew that it was a matter of time before they do, and when they do Spirit will stop at nothing to make sure that horse gets out of here and saves everyone here including himself.

The other horses that Spirit saw everyday still respected him even though he doesn't fight them unless it comes to get the US mark on him. They respected Spirit not because he was the Colonel's new horse. But because of what Spirit did in the past.

All the horses including Lizie still believe that the Spirit that saved them is still in there. Just waiting for the right motivation to fight.

Two horses were walking by heading towards where Lizie was. Spirit didn't move his head toward them and asked, "Can you tell me the time?" (Meaning the position of the sun or moon.)

One of the horses looked up quick and said soon after, "It is noon Spirit."

"Thank you," Spirit said

The Colonel stopped Spirit and waited. Spirit wondered what was going on but he assumed that he was just checking on things. Spirit closed his eyes and let his mind wonder back to the herd, and the humans at the Lakota Village.

With the herd

It has been ten years since the herd saw Spirit, and ten years since Melody's death. Rain, Esperanza, and Yael all still hope that Spirit will return to them someday. But that hope was slowly vanishing.

Everything was alright, but Yael still kept a good lookout for any of the Colonel's men.

At the very moment, it was noon and the herd was stopping for a rest, and some food to eat. There were things that occurred to Yael though, good and bad. The good thing is that they had run into some other horses that have heard of Spirit and would help the herd if the time came.

The bad thing is that they were at the spot were as far as Yael was told by his grandmother, Esperanza, they were where Spirit saw the smoke of the Colonel's man's camp. The entire herd was at edge but they acted as if it was nothing.

Rain was wondering when Yael would step up to take his place as leader of the herd. She had been noticing recently that her son has been doing his farther job at keeping a lookout for danger and the Colonel's men. Rain stopped eating the grass and lifted her head to look at Yael.

She knew that by age he was ready, as well as physically. But mentally and emotional she wasn't too sure. Even though he hides it well, she can tell that the death of Melody and no sign of his farther are bothering him greatly.

Rain looked at her son a little while longer before she started to walk to him. When she got to him she stopped and didn't say anything. So she just stood there waiting for Yael to say something.

"Mother, will we ever see farther again," Yael asked.

To say that Rain was surprised would be an understatement. She didn't think that he would ask that.

"Of course we will. Your farther is not one to give up without a fight. But we must wait for his return. Just keep hoping that he will come soon. I mean your farther is Spirit after all," Rain replied with love and honesty.

"This is not what you came to ask me though is it," Yael said in a knowing voice.

"You are correct, Yael."

"What is it then, mother? What has been troubling you," Yael asked with confusion and concern.

Rain thought of a good way to approach this. She didn't know how he would react to it, but she had to ask.

"I have no troubles aside from to usual. I came to ask you if you are prepared to take your place as leader of this herd. You are old enough and I know you still grief over your sister's death and your father's sacrifice. But I need to know. I can't do this forever," Rain said as gently as she could.

Yael lowered his head a little bit and thought about what Rain just said. He knew that his mother was right but he said "I fear that I would be betraying farther if I do. I mean, it is his herd and farther is not dead. So I would be betraying him."

"You would not be betraying your farther Yael, but making him proud," Rain replied sternly but also filled with love and pride.

Yael nodded his head so she could guess his answer. But what they didn't know is that the Colonel's allies were surrounding the herd.

When Yael felt something was off he turned around in time to feel a chain around his neck. Rain screamed out his name but he was too busy trying to get out of it. While he was fighting his capture the entire herd was captured as well.

"Let's take them all to the Colonel. We don't need all of them, and I'm sure that he doesn't either. But we have to take this land and finish the railway," One of them said.

Yael was mad, he stepped up as leader and they get captured. The men didn't want to wait, or go slow. The galloped forcing the herd to gallop as well so they don't get hurt or choked.

Within the 6 minutes they were at their destination. (AN: I know it takes days but you understand.)

"Wow, jackpot open the gates," shouted one of the solders.

The herd was guided in and looked around.

They saw many horses that looked at them in worry, fear, and hope. Lizie was one of the horses and looked at Spirit.

When Yael realized where they are he fought the humans with all his might until he heard a gunshot.

The Colonel got off a horse that reminded Yael of someone he knew, took off his saddle and reins and the horse galloped away.

Yael still couldn't place where he had seen that stallion before. His mother and the rest of the herd that he decided to take over were not looking at the familiar stallion, but at the Colonel.

"Well, well, if it isn't a herd of wild horses," The Colonel said with a smile.

Yael looked at the Colonel with hatred.

Meanwhile with Spirit

When he felt the reins and saddle come off he galloped away knowing that whatever it was he knew he didn't want to be near. Not to mention that the Colonel didn't stop him, either, this is a bonus for him.

Spirit galloped to Lizie and the other horses near her. He didn't look happy and didn't know why he had this awful feeling in the pit of his stomach.

"What is wrong," Spirit asked when he saw their faces.

"Spirit, you're herd is here," Lizie whispered to him. That was all Spirit had to hear before turning his head sharply to see for himself.

And to his fear and sadness it was his herd. Not just any one or amount of his herd, but his whole herd. This is not what Spirit wanted he did not want to see his herd in this place that he considered a hell hole.

Spirit looked closely at his herd. He recognizes his mother, his mate and some other stallion that could possibly be Yael.

"Tie the one glaring up, and let the others wonder. If their leader brakes the others soon follow," the Colonel said. Spirit heard this and got mad.

The one glaring at the Colonel was fighting well from what Spirit could see. But he had lots to learn if they are going to escape, if all of them are going to escape.

Lizie looked at Spirit with pity. It was his herd after all.

"Where do…"

"The post no food or water three days," the Colonel answered Sergeant knowing by experience what he was going to ask.

"Right away sir," Sergeant said. All horses watched as Yael fought against Sergeant. Sergeant finally gets Yael tied to the post. Spirit watched with hope that he was the key to get out when he heard Rain shout, "Yael!"

Spirit's eyes widened. The stallion tied up to the post was his son. Spirit looked at his herd and looked to make sure the Colonel was busy. He was, the Colonel went inside with Sergeant to discuss something that Spirit didn't care about.

"Over here," Spirit shouted. The entire herd's heads and Yael's turned to Spirit. And the herd galloped quickly to him.

Rain was to say the least happy to see Spirit again, but saddened on the situation that they reunited in. She can't wait until they escape from this place and go back home. Rain looked towards her son then turned to Spirit and said, "I hope he can win."

"He will, don't worry. I'll sneak our son some water and food in the night so he will still have strength to fight," Spirit replied turning to his son as well. He couldn't believe how much he had grown.

Spirit knew that they were all going to get out of here. He just had to help his son win against the Colonel. Spirit then turned to the other horses and nodded to them. They all nodded back, they all knew except for Spirits herd what his nod meant. They will all be free…and soon.