Chapter 16
A Blast From The Past
'"If we're only ever looking back, we will drive ourselves insane.
As the friendship goes, resentment grows. We will walk our different ways." - Bad Blood by Bastille.
Snapping into a full on gallop, Bolder raced towards the two horses and skid to a sudden stop as he sprang in between the quarrelling mare and the stallion. Pinning his ears with a hostile body language, he courageously faced the aggressor, pawing up the ground with a shake of his regal neck. "That's no way to treat a mare!"
Both of the horses ceased their bickering and looked startled at the unforeseen appearance of the young loner. It was clear that they were so consumed in their own troubles that barely had paid attention as to who may have been lurking in the background. The bay roan stallion seemed quite taken aback, as he eyed the intruder cautiously. Then to Bolder's surprise, instead of throwing him a challenge, the bay roan's maddened expressions changed into relief.
"Oh! Thank goodness!" He exclaimed, sighing happily. "She's all yours! Take her!" And with that, he rudely shoved the mare to Bolder, promptly swung back and broke into a fast canter. "I never want to see you setting foot in my territory ever again, you evil shrew!" He neighed furiously, giving the mare a final warning as he swiftly departed from their presence.
"May you rot in hell, Copper! Rot in hell!" Screamed the mare right back at him enraged.
Everything was happening so quickly, that Bolder didn't have enough time to register what exactly had transpired or why the two horses had been in such a heated dispute, or why on earth did the bay roan dash away so suddenly. The relieved stallion, whose name happened to be 'Copper', was already gone and out of view, blending in the dark landscape. Instead of fighting Bolder, the horse had 'thanked' him as if he had done him some sort of a favour. Betting his lashes in confusion, the lone Mustang's eyes shifted on the black mare. "Is everything alright? Did he hurt you?" He inquired with a gentle nicker.
The mare was glaring after the roan stallion with narrowed eyes, her glower throwing sprinkles of fury. "I'm fine. Copper's just an ignorant dumbass, that's all." She replied once the stallion was no longer in sight. The mare's coat was entirely black except for the white socks on all four of her legs. "Thanks for your help, but I'm not interested in joining your harem, so why don't you make like a tree and leave? Go back to your herd and let me deal with my own problems." Her voice came off cold, ungrateful and not to mention, very unfriendly.
Bolder knitted his brows and couldn't help but roll his eyes. He certainly did not expect such a haughty reception from the mare. A simple 'thank you' would certainly suffice! There was no need to be so impertinent.
"I don't have a herd."
As soon as he said that, the black mare's cool, uncaring, indifferent attitude was instantly replaced by compassionate pout that formed on her lips. "Aww...see, now I feel bad. This was probably your chance to win yourself a first mare and here I am, refusing you so flatly." She spoke, imparting nothing but pity towards the young stallion. She paused for a moment, taking a good look at his masculine physique.
"Tell you what, give me few months and once I'm rid of this inconvenience..." The mare distastefully motioned her head towards her swollen, growing belly. "...I'll consider your offering." She finished with a seductive little wink. "Okay, cutie? Now, return to your bachelor buddies."
Bolder became even more confused. "No, I'm not in a bachelor band. And you've got this all wrong; I ain't looking for a mare...well, at least not anymore." Disoriented young horse went on to explain. "I simply thought you were in trouble and needed help. That's all there is to it."
The mare's dark eyes widened in disbelief. "My, my...looks like chivalry still exists. I thank you for your gallantry but allow me to ask...how is it, that a handsome stallion such as yourself, has no band to associate himself with? Our kind cannot function alone."
"Yet here I am." A sad smile of irony, grazed Bolder's lips. He was so bored and done with answering the exact same question to every single horse that was surprised to hear of his unusual behaviour.
"Indeed." The black mare observed him slyly, overcome with great interest. Her previous indifference had washed away as soon as Bolder had told her that he was a loner and not in search of a mate. Now all that was left in her was intrigue and curiosity. She had never heard of anything so unlike their species before and besides, this stallion was so dashing. It was a real shame that he was all alone. After studying him for a considerable amount of time – which kind of made Bolder uncomfortable – she remarked with a smirk. "Ahh...I recognize that look."
"What look?" Strider's nephew frowned.
"Your look...the look of a rejected lover."
H-how did she even...?
Clearing his throat in embarrassment, Bolder attempted to deny the accurate statement of the mare. "Erm...no, no. That's not-" He shook his head with an uneasy, awkward smile, hating how evident his deeply buried feelings were.
"Oh come on, hun... there's no lying to me." The mare interjected, growing quite amused at the young stallion's reaction. "I know it because I've experienced it myself."
"You have?" Hesitantly said Bolder.
"Unfortunately, I have." Confirmed the mare with a nod. "I know what it's like to be young and infatuated with someone who doesn't care about you the same way. But trust me, it's a foolish thing. It will definitely go away and it'll get better with time." She comforted in her own way.
"You speak as though you were old."
"I've dealt with so much crap that sometimes I feel like I've lived a century." Confessed the mare, as if she had been carrying the weight of the world on her back. "But tell me, hun, how long have you lived as a solitary creature? You look to be no more than four or five at most."
"About a year."
"And how are you liking it so far?"
"It was tranquil and perfect..." started Bolder honestly.
"...until you met her." Ended the mare knowingly as she began to shuffle her legs forward and closer to him. "Oh, the pain of unrequited love!" She declared in a dramatic fashion.
"She's a fool for not appreciating what's in front of her. But then again, inexperienced fillies can be very silly. What is your name, sweetie?" Her gaze was glued on him, as her eyes pierced his with a dark glow that did not fail to send a freezing shiver down Bolder's spine. He couldn't explain why he felt that way every time she spoke to him or looked at him. There was something so devious about this mare and yet, he couldn't put it into words.
"It doesn't matter. You may call me the Lone Stallion as everyone else." What was the point of telling her his birth calling when all the creatures of the land referred to him as the Lone Stallion?
"That's very generic, don't you think?" The mare snorted in disapproval. "Handsome sweetheart like you, deserves a proper calling. Wouldn't you agree, ...moonshine?" Her mischvious gaze traveled to the stallion's unique, but faint, white marking on the forehead that resembled a half moon.
Bolder instantly let his thick, auburn forelock cover the vague, spotty symbol, quite embarrassed that she had managed to notice it. "Oh, it's nothing." He blushed.
"I think it's cute."
"It makes me look stupid." He groaned, muttering the words out in annoyance. He had never liked his distinctive but thinly-lined marking ever since he were a foal, and managed to successfully hide his 'blemish' as he called it, up until now.
"You are way too modest." Commented the mare, amused at the fact that a gorgeous stallion such as he, was so oblivious of how devilishly attractive he was. And in a way, that was precisely what made him so irresistible. He was completely unaware of his beauty, strength and striking presence. "If you won't give me your name, I'll have to call you Moonshine, then." The mare teased, after a short interval.
"It's the Lone Stallion." Calmly replied Bolder.
"I am Misty." The mare grinned as she introduced herself.
"Nice to meet you, Misty." Bowed the blood-bay politely. "If you'll allow me, I'd like to escort you to where you're headed. Night time can be beautiful but it's also dangerous."
"I'm fond of the night." Responded the mare with a sultry drawl. "Everything fascinating always happens at night." She breathed softly.
"I thought most of our kind were in love with the sun?" Bolder cocked his head to the side, raising one of his eyebrows in curiosity.
"The sun is overrated if you ask me. There's something very charming about the gleaming light of the moon at night." Misty leaned nearer to him suggestively, eyeing the young stallion as though he were nothing more than a piece of hay to be devoured.
Bolder abruptly backed away from the confident, provocative allure of the mare, as the uncomfortable sensation gripped at his muscles. Letting out an exhale, he cleared his throat. "So... how did you get over him?"
"Get over who?" Misty was surprised at the sudden change of topic.
"Your infatuation."
"Oh honey! I didn't..." Giggled the mare teasingly. "...I got under him." She added with mischievous wink, but then frowned unhappily. "Hence why I am carrying this foal now." She did not look all too pleased nor excited about the prospect of being a mother.
"That... doesn't sound very romantic." Cringed Bolder.
"Who said anything about romance?"
Bolder pressed his lips together, quite puzzled and confused at the mare's foreign remarks. "Apparently, no one."
Misty laughed again, shaking her long, dark mane. Gotta love the strong, silent type. "You are so innocent, Moonshine...I bet you haven't even..." She closed her mouth, stopping suddenly and shot him a flirtatious look. "Well...have you?"
"I don't know what you are implying." Quickly dismissed Bolder, unwilling to give any thought to the mare's forward question and started to move off. "Look, are we going to head out or not?" He sighed, trying to divert her attention.
"Oh, come on, you know." Insisted Misty, not ready to abandon the 'fun' subject at hand. "Have you ever...well?" A playful smirk spread across her dark features.
"I have never bred a mare, if that's what you're asking me." Admitted Bolder as his eyes focused on the winter scenery up front. He didn't know why he had become so self conscious and vulnerable at that second. "Can we go now?"
"Ugh, you are so perfect." Suspired Misty, gazing at him longingly. "If only I weren't in foal." She rolled her eyes, scowling in vexation. "Anyway, you are a sweetheart for offering me company but sadly, I'll have to decline. I'll take it from here myself." She flicked her tail with a gentle motion and walked forward, crunching slowly in the snow.
"Are you sure?"
"I'm positive, Moonshine." Grinned back the mare. "Cimarron lands aren't too far from here."
"Cimarron?" Bolder froze in shock.
"Yes, well... that's where my unborn foal's daddy is. I need to tell him the news. Oh, he'll be in for a nice treat! I can't wait to see his horrified face!" Prattled the entertained mare, already imagining the stunned expressions of all herd members. Taking great pleasure in the fact that she was about to cause a huge disturbance in the peaceful band.
"Spirit sired your foal?" Bolder gaped at the mare, disbelief written all over his handsome features.
"You know that cocky bastard?" Misty crinkled her nose in antipathy.
"Almost everyone knows of him." Said the stunned Bolder.
Misty scoffed, rolling her eyes once more. "I suppose you're right." She let out a sharp hiss. "Can't believe I used to fancy that hot-shot. Oh well, gotta go and give him a scare of his life."
"I can't believe this..." Bolder mumbled to himself before calling after the black mare. "Hey Misty! Are you going to be alright?"
Misty gazed back at him, a seductive smile appearing on her muzzle. "I'll be just fine, sweetie. Hope to see you again sometime... perhaps in the Spring?" She suggested flirtily. "And who knows? Maybe you'll put your hidden, unpractised skills to the test."
But Bolder wasn't really listening or paying any heed to the coquettish mare. He was still under the impression of the revelation that she had given him, trying hard to process the unexpected information in his head. Spirit sired both Misty and Rain's unborn foals?! Did Rain even know about this? Was that the very reason why she bolted from him in the first place?
"Are you absolutely sure you're talking about Spirit, the lead stallion of the band of Cimarron?" Bolder questioned yet again, still in denial at the news.
"Do you know anyone else that's named Spirit in the herd of Cimarron?" Scoffed the peeved mare, and then knitted her brows. "Why? Are you acquainted with him?"
"Alas, I am." Miserably responded Bolder, powerless to hide resentment from his voice that had begun to lace his tone. "Can't believe he'd be such a jerk to Rain..." He whispered to himself in frustration and Misty was unable to hear that sentence. "Has he made it his mission to mount every single thing that moves or what?" He spoke up loudly, becoming absolutely revolted and angry at the son of Strider all over again.
"Hah! Welcome to the lives of 'real' stallions, Moonshine." Cackled Misty.
"...And that's why I'm glad I'm a recluse."
The lovely, bright sunshine glittered the pure snow in sparkles, the boundless, wild lands were covered in soft mantles of the white substance. It gave off the impression of magic..enchantment was woven in the lives of wild Mustangs, and more the elegant mare lived amongst them, more she loved and admired it. The world all around her was wrapped up in nothing but whiteness...in fact, her stunningly pure, white coat was almost invisible as she blended with the winter surroundings so perfectly.
Her blue gaze wandered over towards a young two year old filly...she was her firstborn daughter. So lively, so beautiful. The white mare was proud of her. The filly's burning, chestnut hide was definitely inherited from her handsome sire, while the white spots around her body were from her dam. The mare mused in silence as she regarded her pretty daughter, wondering what was going on in her adventurous, little head. She was just like her father...headstrong, brave and very daring, ready to venture out into the unknown and explore unfamiliar, new places. That scared the mare at times as she worried for her daughter's safety. She had lost her fearless father to harsh winter in the mountains...a horrible avalanche had taken him from her. And she wouldn't be able to endure the loss of her only reminder of the noble mate she once had.
Truly, her life had changed so much since her beloved mistress had set her off into the wild. Maria, her sweet, loving owner, hoped that her prized mare would be able to survive the cruelties of war by joining the mustang way of life and she hadn't been wrong. Thanks to the wise stallion, (who was known as ' the untameable Raphael' among the humans and 'Rogue' among the horses) and Paco the friendly burro, the white beauty had found her place among the wild herds.
It had been two years since the passing of the brave stallion - her true love. Bonita missed him dearly but she now had a new family to dote over: First and for most, she had been blessed with a beautiful filly, who was as spirited as her sire. Also, the elegant white mare was to give birth for a second time! She was in foal again! Her new mate and lead stallion, Smoke, was no Raphael, but he was kind, gentle and caring. It was impossible not to love and appreciate him. And she also had wonderful, supportive friends by her side. Paco was always her loyal friend and Aranda was the lovely, bay mare that had grown so close to her that they were inseparable as twin sisters would've been.
Bonita smiled, breathing in the frisky, fresh winter air, grateful for another glorious day in the wild. Her eyes were lingering on her pretty daughter, who was almost mature enough to go off on her own and her motherly heart sank at that thought. La Sierra...she had called her filly in honour of the mountains that her tender, mistress Maria had often spoken about. It was just like yesterday when the tiny foal was born...
...Where did the time go?
In a sudden flash, she was nearly grown, and presently another foal was on the way and Bonita couldn't help but wonder if it would be a colt or a filly. Three days ago, due to stern blizzardy storms, Smoke and Bonita had agreed to lead the herd in the northern side of the country where they'd remain till the cold weather abated. Bonita knew that the charm of the new territories was too much to resist for the curious filly like her daughter, but she had firmly cautioned her to stay with the family. And while the filly had been upset at first, she reluctantly complied anyway. Currently, her daughter was standing on a small hill, peering over at the neighbouring horses below, wishing she could meet them.
Bonita swished her long, pale tail and continued soaking up the warm sunshine of a fine, winter afternoon. She needed to get some rest; she was growing uncomfortable by the minute...the foal would come very soon and she couldn't wait to meet her new little one.
The vibrant, splashy-coated filly gazed down at a group of horses that had gathered around a small water hole. Due to the sunny weather, the frozen river had melted in some of the places and created a small pool where young members of the herds were splashing and playing in it rather joyously. Sierra watched them with a sad, yearning smile on her lovely countenance. If only she could join them somehow. Or at least venture out on her own to traverse and explore the new, fascinating lands, but her protective mother would have none of it. She never let her out of eyesight. Sighing regretfully, the filly contented herself in observing the fun-loving horses below, who were all so young and so unconscious of the fact that a beautiful, lithe creature was gazing intently at them.
There were three main herds that formed together to get a drink of water. The foals from each band, bounded after one another, racing back and forth, playfully spattering the water at each other. Among their group, a brilliant, golden yellowish colt – who looked to be no more than seven months old – captured the filly's attention the most. He was so bouncy, energetic and spirited. He was bursting with personality and life! One moment he was splashing water at his friends and the next, he was prancing in the snow with yearlings and two-year old colts twice his size. Sierra watched him in amusement, quite enthralled at the little rapscallion's stunts and his fearless character. "If I have a sibling like that, how fun it'll be!" She thought to herself, as a bright grin animated her lovely features.
"Sierra!" Called the gentle, bay mare. "Come, join us, darling."
"Coming, Aranda!" The filly took one last look at the neighbouring horses and at the golden colt, blazing as the fireball in the sunshine and then, trotted off towards her family.
The next day it started to blow up rough again, and all the animals tucked themselves under sheltering trees or into rocky caverns. Sierra was restless and Bonita seemed very restless too. Smoke watched them both anxiously. By nightfall dark swollen clouds were massing overhead. Even in the valley a heavy, hot wind reached down and sighed in the trees. Bonita had left the herd but she had not gone towards the cliff path. Sierra saw Smoke - their protective lead stallion and the sire of her mother's unborn foal - edging after her, though not going close. Sierra observed curiously as the entire band huddled closer together. Paco, her mother's loyal, burro friend, kept a watchful eye out on the herd also, aiding Smoke in his leadership duties.
Sierra crambled up onto a ledge of a rocky ridge that reached out into the valley. The big drops of rain were starting to beat against her. It was going to be a wild night. She could see Bonita, so heavy with her unborn foal, walking slowly along below a cliff face, through low bushes. There was a little cavern in the cliff, filled with soft, white sand that had been dropped by the river in particularly high floods. Perhaps her mother had thought of sheltering there? Then suddenly Sierra felt a surge of an excitement which she could not quite understand. Could it be that the foal was going to be born?
Would it be a colt, just like that golden rascal she had seen the day before? For the first time, Sierra felt strongly how she and the new foal, her brother or sister, and her mother, Bonita were bound together. They were going to be a big family now and she was so excited. Ever since she were a little foal, she had no one to play with but yearlings. She had always hated being the youngest one of the herd, but now she was going to be the eldest member, and she was to help her mother and adoptive father raise the little foal. In an instant realization, she knew that to run with any other herd would be dull, so dull, unless the herd's stallion had a strange quality about him that mesmerized and excited her. No matter how much she loved her family, she knew that her destiny was supposed to be different; her adventurous heart was skipping and calling her to go... to seek out new places. But even then, she knew that she and her offspring would always be interweaved in these wild lands. Always and forever...she belonged here as an untamed, unbroken, free spirit and so would her descendants.
Forgetting all else but her excitement about the new foal, Sierra sprang down off her ledge into the gloom of the approaching stormy night, and, as uncertain as Smoke had seemed to be, walked in the same direction as that taken by Bonita. She could hear thunder rumbling in the distance. Spring was coming, with thunder and new foals; with rushing streams and the first, warm, eddying scent of rain. Sierra raised her head to sniff the air and as she did so the sky above was riven with branching lightning. She stood there as Paco, Aranda and the rest of the herd moved towards her, everyone anxiously waiting for the arrival of the new foal. Nothing came...no sound, no nicker. And so, they waited and waited. Sierra's eyes began to tire and her head was drowsily dropping. Powerless to resist her exhaustion, she drifted off to sleep.
Once the morning light shone, the filly jerked awake. Paco and Aranda had protectively taken their place by her side; one to her right and the other to her left. Numb mist seemed to envelope her in silence, through the heavy fog she could see the shadows of the stallion and his mare and a tiny foal at their feet. Encompassing grey mist hung low, everything was so obscure. In the hush that followed, Sierra heard a funny nickering whinny. No longer uncertain, she hurried towards the sound. Smoke, Bonita and the newborn foal, emerged from the thick fog, meeting Sierra half-way. A misty shape seemed to appear in front of the coming two year old as her eyes settled on the defenceless, dark-colored filly, who had so clearly taken after her sire when it came to appearance.
"How lovely she looks," Sierra said happily, eyeing the white socks on the tiny, black foal's legs. "We should call her..."
"Misty?" Spirit spat out her calling in such a disgusted manner that for a moment, anyone observing him would've thought that he had seen something or someone absolutely nauseating.
"Surprise, surprise." The black mare grinned, spiteful smirk forming on her lips. "Did you miss me?"
"You've got some nerve to show up here after what you did!" Angrily lashed out Spirit. "If you weren't a mare, I'd knock you in to the next century by now, you vile hag!"
"Now, now, violence is never the answer." Misty gritted her teeth, her ears instantly lay flat against her head as she shot Spirit a death-stare.
"What are you doing here, Misty?" Interfered Cloud impatiently, regarding the mare with nothing but contempt. "You aren't welcome in our herds."
"I'd keep my mouth shut if I were you, Cloud." The dark mare threw at him audaciously, not even bothering to show an older stallion the courtesy or respect he deserved. "This doesn't concern you. I'm here for Spirit."
"I want nothing to do with a wicked witch of the west!" The young stallion exclaimed, barely able to contain the raging fury inside him.
"And you think I want to get close to a crazed lunatic like you?" Sharply retorted the mare, taking great offence at Spirit's stingy statement. "But thanks to your inconsiderate actions, I'm carrying a foal now...so I've come to let you in on the news: You're going to be a father."
There was a pregnant pause. Cloud's jaw hung open, while the rest of the horses, including Esperanza and Willow gasped in shock as they came forward with stupefied expression on their faces. Every single one of them was utterly horrified at Misty's revelation, their eyes widened as dinner plates. Spirit, however, burst into an uncontrollable fit of a hysterical laughter, breaking off the dead-silence.
"That's the funniest thing you've ever said in your entire life, Misty! Really, thank you! I needed it." He sniggered, trying to subdue his obnoxious chuckling.
"You think I'm joking?" The mare hissed, narrowing her eyes in disbelief. That only caused Spirit to laugh even harder as well as louder.
"No, truly... stop. That's quite enough!" He attempted to suppress tears that were escaping from his eyes as he continued chortling.
"This isn't a joke, you clueless ape!" Cried the frustrated mare. "I am in foal and you are the sire!"
This time, Spirit ceased his hysterical outburst and glared at the mare solemnly, his nostrils flaring in scornful resentment as he spoke up. "Do you honestly think me so dumb as to fall for your manipulative lies? You've been gone for what? Almost nine months if not more, and you want me to suddenly believe that I am the sire of your little demon? Please! I know all about your vulgar nature. And I don't even want to think about how many studs you stood for. Some idiot stallion probably covered you and now you want me to take on that responsibility. Well, you can go back to where you came from. I ain't falling for your bullshit story!"
"Hear! Hear!" Cheered the eager Cloud. "You tell that vulgar, Spirit!"
"Excuse me?!" Misty shrieked indignantly. "Vulgar?!" She let out a bitter scoff as her eyes traveled towards the silent mares. "Can you believe these two judgemental hypocrites? Why, Spirit...have you forgotten what happened between us or would you like me to remind you?" She turned back to the young stallion, trapping him under her ferocious glower.
"That won't be necessary. I already have nightmares from it!" Snorted Spirit. "It gives me the creeps...it's like bugs crawling all over me."
"Bugs?" Misty said, sounding unimpressed.
"I'm sorry! You're right. 'Snake' would be a much more suitable term to define you." A wicked smirk animated his features.
"Snake?"
"Or a viper, rattler, serpent ...you get the idea."
"Ah! I see how it is...you've had your way with me and now you want to toss me aside as though I were your toy! Hah!" Screeched Misty. "I don't think so. You better grow a pair and accept this responsibility because I'm not going anywhere!" She crowed triumphantly.
"I don't believe it!" Spirit fired back, resolutely making up his mind to drive the mare away from his herd once and for all. "Now be gone or sure as fate, I'll send you flying myself!"
"Are you for real? Look at my stomach, you blind bat!" Her irritating voice hollered.
"I said I don't believe it!"
"Misty, get out of our territory before we lose it." Cloud warned, striding towards the black mare purposefully as he attempted to put pressure on her with his authoritative presence.
"Your ignorance baffles me." Misty stomped her foot, baring her teeth threateningly at Cloud once he neared closer to her. "Fine, you two stallions are stupid beyond reason. But why don't we question the experienced mares?" Her malicious glare focused on Esperanza, Willow, Goonda and Scarlet. "Your esteemed lead mare knows that I'm saying the truth. Isn't that right, Esperanza? Didn't you banish me while knowing that I was carrying your grand-foal?"
Esperanza remained quiet, her heart thumped in anxiousness as she lowered her gentle eyes, unable to find an appropriate response for the dark mare.
"Leave my mother out of this, you lying snake!" Spirit shouted, barely managing to hold his fiery temper in check. "If this is your pathetic attempt to weasel your way back in to my life, well... think again, cause it ain't working!"
"She's saying the truth, my son." Esperanza's voice rose in a quiver.
"What?" Spirit jerked his head back at the palomino mare, while Misty couldn't help but grin in satisfaction.
"I did drive her out of the herd after she told us that she was expecting." Esperanza admitted with a heavy heart. "I thought she was making it up, but I've been so mistaken. She's indeed carrying your foal. I'm convinced now more than ever." The lead mare dropped her head sorrowfully, her gaze was glued on the black mare's growing belly.
"No...you wouldn't hide something like that from me." Spirit shook his head, unwilling to accept that his mother had been so dishonest with him. "Please, tell me that you had nothing to do with this." He implored desperately, feeling of doomed helplessness overtaking him.
"It's not her fault." Cut in Willow, Strider's older sister. "We were the ones that persuaded her to banish Misty because we were frightened. She tried to kill Rain. We didn't want to have someone capable of murder amongst ourselves."
"That is a nonsensical lie!" Shrieked Misty, before Spirit could open his mouth to answer his aunt. "I've never done anything like that. Yes, I dislike Rain and I'm glad she's gone. And yes, I even celebrated when she dumped your sorry ass." She told Spirit gleefully. "But I didn't try to kill her. That is a very serious accusation and none of you have the evidence for it."
"Are you saying that Rain was lying when she told me that you deliberately pushed her off?" Scarlet broke her silence, no longer able to listen to Misty's spewing rubbish.
"Of course, she was!" The black mare's squealing voice, almost made Spirit's ears bleed as he groaned in frustration. "She was a jealous, selfish brat! She threatened to banish me from this herd more than once."
"Shut your trap, Misty!" Spirit spat, ready to reach over and strangle the shrew right then and there, but he managed to pull himself together when his eyes caught the glimpse of her delicate condition. "Rain's not here to defend herself...your words mean nothing."
"Aww, you're so pathetic." Mocked Misty with an amused smirk on her face. "Still protecting her hide after all she put you through."
"Wait, so you're indeed carrying Spirit's foal?" Cloud chimed, a horrid realization hitting him as he tried to figure out what to do in such a conflicting situation.
"Yes, I am!" Confirmed the black mare, glaring at no one but Spirit.
The young stallion stared at his audience in dumbfounded stillness, as though he were witnessing a dreadful catastrophe unfold before his very own eyes. Slowly, slowly he backed away, shaking his head in shock. "N-no." He muttered. "This...can't be happening."
"Spirit?" Esperanza took a step towards him, rather concerned at his reaction.
"How could you keep this from me, mother?" Angrily snapped Spirit and twirling round on his heel, he burst into one of his whirlwind gallops and took off.
"Where do you think you're going?!" Misty screamed after him.
"Could it be that the idea of sharing a demon foal with you scared him out of his wits?" Cloud commented slyly.
NOTE: This chapter took some of the inspiration from the Spirit of the West books by Kathleen Duey. The names and the characters were taken from those short novels that came out in 2002 along with the original movie. Anyone interested to find out more about how Strider and Esperanza met or how Bonita became a wild horse or how Sierra joined the Lakota village, you can find these books on Amazon.
Review replies:
MadiShania99: Thanks so much for your kind words! I am so glad to hear you are enjoying this story so far. But please, don't break your phone. Lol.
Thereader: You have a keen eye for detail! Great job for accurately analyzing Nova's feelings and for guessing that it was Misty. I love Brazil, by the way!
Spiritfan123: Thank you for always sharing your opinion :)
Jenny: You always have something interesting to point out! What I also find interesting is that you never take sides or which character you stand for. You always regard them neutrally. At least that's what I gathered from your reviews. As for Nova, I'll repeat the same thing Thereader said. Despite knowing how the wild herds function and respecting those rules, she noticed that Spirit willingly breaks traditions for those he truly loves. She felt entitled to Rain's place. I hope it makes sense.
Hercule: Yep, she is!
Anyway, thank you all so much for always sharing your thoughts. They support and motivate me!
Also, regular updates will mostly come out on Fridays or on the Weekends.