This chapter is dedicated to my loyal reviewer, PhantomFan07

Chapter Ten: The Bachelors

I pricked my ears, trying to figure out what was going on, what I was hearing.

The last two weeks had been bliss. Summer Sky and I had roamed together, and for some reason, there had been no problems! It was as if everything was right in the world when she was around.

But something was wrong today.

Sun?

Yes?

Are those... hoofbeats?
I sniffed the air, wondering what was around.

Oh no.

A stallion.

Sky, run.

Why?
There's a stallion around, now run!

We immediately went from standing to galloping. I could tell that we were going fast, for I could feel the wind in my mane, and hear my hoofbeats thundering over the ground.

But when I looked back, I found a bright bay chasing us.

Sky, I'm going to stop and fight him, you go on.

What?
Summer Sky, listen to me-

No! He might kill you!

Yes, but he may also kill you, and then I'd never forgive myself. Now.

She gave me one last pleading glance, and galloped on. I skidded to a halt and faced the stallion.

He was a bit taller than me, but more rangy than muscular. I wasn't sure if I could take him or not.

But I had to.

For Summer Sky.

Well. Just a colt. This'll be easier than I thought.

I lashed out at me. and I dodged nimbly, kicking out with my hind legs and catching him at the jaw.

Not quite.

He bit my flank, and I squealed.

So it went on.

I really can't remember much of that battle. I mean, I've been in worse by now. But my most vivid memory was the end.

I turned and reared, striking him right in the chest, like my mother had hit me two and a half years ago. The rogue stared at me, and then turned around. I whinnied triumphantly and began to chase him off.

I had won my first real battle.

Little did I know...

000

It was him again. The rogue, only five days after our battle. This time, Sky stayed behind.

This time, I doubted I would win.

Trust me, I tried. I dodged and hit, bit and kicked, but it was no good. The rogue finally drove me off this time.

And I watched him take Summer Sky with him.

000

I lipped listlissly at the water. There seemed to be no point. I hadn't been able to save Sky. My wounds still ached, and I really didn't care. I deserved them.

But at the watering hole, I smelled the scent of other stallions. Four of them.

A bachelor band.

It couldn't be! I had searched for one all year and couldn't find one! But I looked into the water, and saw the reflection of four stallions.

Wheeling, I saw them. Tumbleweed, the youngest, was a tiny dun two year old. Fox, a four year old, was dark brown, and reminded me of Mudslide. Sonny, a colt my age, was a sorrel pinto with a white stomach, three stockings and one sock, and a bald faced marking. He had one blue eye and one brown eye. And then there was Zephyr.

Zephyr was a striking horse. He had wall eyes, and was rangy with a white body and sorrel head. He was around five years old, and the the leader of the band.

I tossed my head, watching them as they circled me. I saw a friendly spark in Sonny's eyes, but it looked like Zephyr was ruthless, and Tumbleweed and Fox were too afraid to not do exactly what he did.

But after a long moment, Zephyr squealed an initiation squeal. The others squealed as well. I was in the herd.

But that didn't mean that Zephyr liked me.

000

R and R!