Before karate, I was on my school equestrian team (English saddle for any who care to know) for four years. Before that I occasionally rode off and on from when I was about two 1/2 in the western saddle, but I didn't really show. Anyways, I am and will always be an Equestrian. I adore horses and they honestly have the biggest personalities it isn't even funny. No, it is. I actually taught a horse to shake its hoof like a dog shakes its paw, the only issue is he learned he could do this to get things he wanted. So he tried to cheat the system. No Suds, that's illegal.
I've done soccer, swim team, equestrian, and karate. Equestrian was easily the most challenging yet rewarding. Certainly toughened you up.

ANYWAYS
Really hope you enjoy the chapter! :D
Someone on a discord chat more or less (in front of the entire server) called me childish because I dare to think of Crosshair as a three dimensional character with deeper motives. They didn't call my name specifically, but considering I'm one of the only people who call him Twiggs McGee (in fact I gave him that name), its a safe bet that was a shot at me.
So...
The next two chapters shall have a lot of Twiggy! Especially the next one! :D
Because we stan Twiggs in this house.

Enjoy!

"Uh... Ice?"

"Yeah?" I chirped, trotting down the trail with the Bad Batch jogging behind me.

Hunter, closest to me, cleared his throat as he pushed a pine bough out of his way. "Care to fill us in on this idea of yours?"

I flashed him a grin full of teeth. "You'll see!"

"Don't like that look," he muttered.

I rolled my eyes as I hopped over a log. "I can't be worse than Wrecker's maniacal grin."

"Aw, c'mon, Squeaky!" the demolition expert laughed. "I know you love my grins!"

Facts right there, Scruffy.

Ignoring Wrecker, Hunter retorted, "His grin is usually followed by mass destruction or me getting thrown."

"Oh, quit yer belly achin', Sarge," I said, rolling my eyes. "Where's that hundred percent success rate spirit at?"

"Cautiously suspended until I know what scheme you have planned."

"Scheme, huh? Well, Shaggy." I grinned as I saw the outer fencing of a pasture. "You're definitely in for a ride."

Hunter's voice turned sharp. "Ice, you better not be suggesting we hijack some animals and ride them."

Boo, you're no fun. "Fine, your ass can walk in the rain," I snorted, hopping the fence.

"Unless these creatures are very powerful, Wrecker will need to walk anyways," Tech said, provoking an offended "Hey!" from the tall man.

"It's Hillguides," I said. "Those big things in the barn. They can carry Wrecker. If not I got a solution for that too."

But I sincerely hope it doesn't come to that.

"Whatcha got in mind, Squeaky?" Wrecker called.

Oh nothing, just shifting and carrying you myself... "I'll tell you if and when my plan falls through."

"You do have a backup plan, then," Hunter said.

"My main plan is barely a vague amalgamation of one anyways, so I'm open to any suggestions should this go pear-shaped," I said over my shoulder, moving faster without the undergrowth hindering my progress.

"You don't have an actual plan?" Tech exclaimed.

"I said I had a vague amalgamation of one!" I defended. "So I have part of a plan!"

"How much?" Hunter asked.

"Dunno. Twelve percent."

"Twelve percent?" Tech squeaked.

"Better than eleven percent!"

"It is not! That is practically a one in ten chance a plan will succeed!" Tech protested, jogging to my side.

"Never tell me the odds, Techie!" Emerging from the trees, I grinned at the herd of Hillguides munching on grass at the foot of the hill. Perfect.

"That... could work," Hunter said slowly, stopping beside me.

"Ye of little faith," I snorted, rolling my eyes.

Hunter hesitated then shoved my shoulder. "I have yet to see what craziness you can get up to, Ice."

"Oh I'm the crazy one now?" I retorted, rolling my eyes again with a grin.

"You certainly haven't proven yourself sane."

"Get a room," Crosshair grumbled.

"I will delete your kneecaps," I said cheerily.

The largest of the herd had already raised its head, looking my way with ears pricked. A low knicker drifted over the field as the Hillguide swished its tail and trotted over.

Flashing another grin at Hunter, I laughed and punched his shoulder. "Time to cowboy up, Sarge."

The large Hillguide slowed to a walk before asking, "Shadow Stalker?"

Well that was... new information. How the hell was a Kelusia species here? And wait... Shadow Stalker?

What kinda Warrior Cats nonsense...?

You literally made Alphians give themselves code names based on the exact same system. Sea Hawk, Stoney Killer, Blue Flame, Calico Whirlwind, hell your own persona is Icy Shadow!

This isn't about me.

It literally is.

"Hey..." The name Whispering Wind flashed through my mind. "Whispering Wind."

"What brings you on the side of the mountain to the Cove?" he asked, eyeing the Bad Batch before turning his attention back to me.

"Got shanghaied by some space marines," I explained, jerking a thumb back towards the men.

"Do I need to charge or kick them?"

"No, we're chill," I said with a shake of my head. Well, most of us. Not entirely sure where I stand with Twiggs yet. After that comment he's on thin ice. Hunter hardly likes me that way. The entire bunch pushes and shoves each other like a bunch of jocks, especially Hunter and Wrecker.

"Can you... understand that creature?" Tech asked in surprise.

"Ya." I barely caught my balance as Whispering Wind nudged me with his nose and almost sent me flying into Wrecker. "Alphians understand Kelusian critters," I continued, reaching up and scratching between his ear and the base of his antler.

"Fascinating! Do you automatically translate what you hear or is it like studying another language?"

"Magic is involved thanks to the Shapeshifter blood so it's an automatic thing," I replied before looking back at Whispering Wind. "Hey so uh... got a favor to ask."

"You want us to carry you to the barn."

"If it wouldn't be too much trouble."

"No, it was about time to head home anyways," Whispering Wind replied before looking back over his shoulder and calling to the herd, "We have some barebackers."

The herd lifted their heads, but only three trotted over to us.

Uh oh.

Whispering Wind looked back at me. "Only four of us are used to carryin' riders without saddles."

I frowned. Ok, that was a bit of an issue... "Can one of ya carry double?"

"Wait what?" Hunter asked, stepping forward.

"Rising Moon can," Whistling Wind replied, flicking his ears towards the third largest Hillguide.

"I can carry the skulled one and this thin one," Rising Moon said, approaching Crosshair to sniff his rifle.

"Rumbling Thunder can carry the large fella," Whistling Wind added. "I'll carry you. Wayward Hunter can carry the small one."

"Shadow, could you please translate for me?" Tech asked as he circled around Whispering Wind making notes on his vambrace.

"You're on the shorter Hillguide Wayward Hunter, I'm on Whistling Wind here, Wrecker gets the big one Rumbling Thunder, and Hunter, you and Cross are sharin' Risin' Moon."

"Sharin'?" Crosshair demanded, trying to stop Rising Moon from nibbling on his rifle. "Get!"

"Only four are used to carryin' people," I replied, a small grin tugging the corner of my mouth as Rising Moon showed no fear of Crosshair's waving hand and continued to nudge the rifle.

Crosshair twisted away and kept his front towards Rising Moon. "Why don't you share?" he hissed in my direction.

I grabbed my tail and lifted it. "Because Tech ain't sittin' on this."

"Ride behind him." He swatted at Rising Moon again. "Listen, you overgrown deer-"

"I don't ride second saddle to anyone," I interrupted. "Besides, it's uncomfortable to hold on to someone smaller than you in front, and there are only two people more than an inch taller than me here."

Fill in the blanks, Twiggs. I ain't holding onto your noodly self at high speed with a lot of friction. I may tolerate you at this point in time, but that is way closer than I want to be to you.

A rumble of thunder rolled over the hills, reminding me we were racing nature.

"You two shared the bed last night," I snorted as Whistling Wind knelt down for me. "You can share a mount today." Swinging my right leg over, I settled myself in a comfortable position and patted Whistling Wind's strong neck. "Alright, I'm settled." Hanging on as he got back to his feet, I looked down at the boys. They looked much smaller from this height. "C'mon! Mount up, time to ride!" I said, nudging with my thighs and heels to turn Whistling Wind towards the farmstead.

Wrecker, who had been happily stroking the nose of his mount, looked eagerly at me as Rumbling Thunder knelt down. "Squeak, can they understand us?"

Rumbling Thunder snorted and nodded.

"Aw sweet!" Wrecker exclaimed. "Thanks, fella!" Awkwardly getting atop Rumbling Thunder's back, he looked over at me again as the Hillguide stood up. "Hey, Squeak, how you look so relaxed sittin' like that?"

"Four years of competitive ridin' and off and on ridin' experience since I was two and a half years old," I chuckled, watching with amusement as he shifted in an effort to match my posture. "It's sticks with ya."

"You competed?" Hunter asked, looking me up and down.

"Yep! Won a lot of pretty blue ribbons in jumpin' crossrails and two foot jumps. I'll tell you what, you had to play mental gymnastics to memorize the course."

"You willingly jumped these creatures?" Tech asked.

"There's a reason Equestrians are some of the craziest athletes out there. We control a one ton animal with four fingers and our thighs, never underestimate us. In this case I've only got my thighs. Which is why they're so strong." I thought for a moment. "Ya know, between equestrian and karate I could probably crush a watermelon with these. I mean my friends asked once if I could break a watermelon with my head thanks to karate. I know I'm better off not tryin' that, but I got enough dumbass energy I may attempt it."

"I can break a melon with my head!" Wrecker announced.

"Dude really?" I exclaimed, grinning. "That's awesome!"

"No one is breaking anything with their skulls," Hunter barked, tone suggesting this wasn't the first time he'd had to stop his teammate from mutilating fruit with his cranium.

I laughed. "Well, anyways, back to ridin'. I jumped higher than two feet when trail ridin', then jumped an oxer a couple of times in trainin'," I said, watching Tech quickly climb on Wayward Hunter's back. "Man is jumpin' fun though. Literally feels like you're flyin'."

"Can you jump bareback?" Tech asked as Wayward Hunter stood up.

"I can," I replied, thinking over a few lessons. "Hard to do jumpin' position with no stirrups, but I have done it."

"Can you jump today?"

"Eh, dunno if Whispering Wind is up for that."

"I'll manage one or two if you want to show off, Shadow Stalker."

My grin returned. "Guess I might!"

"We don't need you falling off and breaking your leg," Hunter reminded me as he walked over to Rising Moon who was still trying to get at Crosshair's rifle.

"I've been yeeted off before and ain't broke anything yet, even when I more or less slid five feet on my face in hard dirt. We're built different, don't you worry about me," I snorted.

Hunter merely shook his head, muttered something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like 'dini'la dala', and swung himself up after Rising Moon stopped grabbing for Crosshair's rifle and knelt down so the commando could get on.

He'd make a good cowboy.

Hunter looked my way. "Ice, how long until we reach the farmstead? And Cross, get up here."

Trying not to snicker at Crosshair's angry muttering as he got on behind Hunter and held on best he could around the pack, I replied, "Depends on how fast you boys are up for goin'."

And me... only galloped a few times and none were a voluntary decision.

"Fast as we need," Hunter replied, hanging on as Rising Moon stood up and walked over beside me.

"Good to hear," I snorted, shifting into a good position as Tech came to my other side. "Then it may be about thirty minutes. Now, y'all better hold on tight. Loosen your hips too or you'll bounce right off. Go with the gait, don't fight it."

"Shadow, what are you going to tell them?" Hunter asked from beside me.

"What every mount loves to hear, Sarge." I grabbed a hold of the short yet thick mane. "Barn time."

I swore the entire herd's heads lifted at that and with a snort from Whispering Wind they filed in behind us.

Tightening my grip as I felt my mount start forward, a large grin split my face. Felt so good to be back in the saddle. More or less.

Feeling the power and might of the animal beneath me, moving to match his gait, blending together, becoming one entity almost.

Unless you've ridden, truly ridden, it was impossible to describe the bond that formed between a rider and a horse. Certainly a special kind of trust, even if you and the horse were strangers. A partnership in the truest sense of the word. Cliche, perhaps, but that was the truth.

For anyone who said all you had to do was sit there, they clearly didn't know what it meant to truly ride. Truly blend and connect with the horse.

Or Hillguide in this case. They were close enough to horses.

Equestrian was definitely one of the sports that required the most teamwork. At least in football or soccer there wasn't a worry about the ball being able to kill you if something went wrong.

Clicking and nudging Whistling Wind faster, I noticed the other members of the herd were following alongside as we made our way towards the open field.

Oh boy, here comes the writer brain...

But it really was a beautiful sight seeing so many powerful creatures moving together like a river of muscle and fur. And we hadn't even switched gaits. The moment we broke into a canter or even gallop I knew the rolling plains would rumble with the thunder of hooves.

"You boys ready?" I asked, taking a deep breath and swallowing down the adrenaline pulsing through my veins.

"Ready when you are, Ice," Hunter said, fingers tightening in the mane as Wrecker laughed and Crosshair cursed.

I looked out over the broad and empty expanse of rolling grass in front of us and grinned. "Then let's run like the wind. Hi ho, Silver, away!"

Hunte's helmet turned my way slowly. "What?"

"Don't worry about it," I snickered, looking back across the field. "Alright, here we go."

A kick in Whistling Wind's flanks and the herd was off.

Red.

She'd gone red in the face when he mentioned her doubling up with one of them.

Embarrassed?

Hardly.

Agitated was closer.

Wasn't as if he needed her to spell it out for him when she mentioned there were only two people taller than her.

And Wrecker was definitely out. He needed a mount to himself.

Crosshair would have been the only real option.

He expected that response from her. That obvious discomfort at even the thought of being close to him.

What Crosshair had not expected was the sharp stab in his chest.

Did she really hate him that badly?

Why shouldn't she, after how you treated her earlier? After she saved your life? You really think she'll forgive you just like that? She's only being nice to keep tension down. She's still angry at you.

He was well aware of that. Hells, he deserved that. Deserved to have Shadow angry at him. Deserved her scorn. Her hate.

Yet... after her episode atop the mountain she'd actually reached out to him. Granted, all she'd done was tap his damn hand after all he'd done was tell Tech to leave her alone. But she'd still thanked him.

The amount of warmth that tiny gesture had filled him with was irritating to say the least, especially since it lingered whenever he thought of the moment.

His eyes shifted towards the Alphian woman riding to his right, squinting at her as if that would help him unravel the mystery that surrounded her.

It was not as if she was hard to read, for she was extremely animated and was straightforward with her thoughts and opinions.

But Shadow herself...

Sharp tongued and headstrong, she nevertheless was...

Kind. Caring.

Not in an outright, obvious way, of course, but little gestures and smiles. The occasional kind word. A gentle touch here and there.

Hidden more often than not, especially when she knew he was near, but he couldn't blame her.

Afterall, what happened the moment she showed a feasible weakness to them while he was in earshot?

He went after her.

Every time, without fail, Crosshair attacked her. Took a verbal knife, drove it right into the chink in her armor, and twisted it. Pushed it deeper, searching for the thing that would finally make her snap.

He couldn't help it. It was a skill he often used to exploit enemies or keep people at a distance. It worked without fail every time. He found out what made people tick and they stayed away from him.

But... he didn't want to keep Shadow at a distance.

The revelation disturbed him.

Not good.

Not good, not good, not good.

She was getting to him already.

She should hate him! Hate him like everyone else who met him!

Yet even after he'd attacked her relentlessly time and time again, she'd still let weakness show.

No, not weakness. Shadow was anything but weak. She wasn't showing weakness.

She showed vulnerability.

Crosshair noticed the way her guard dropped around Tech, Wrecker, and even Hunter. The way she grew playful, laidback, and even outright friendly. He envied the ease at which the others spoke and interacted with her, but he knew why that was.

All of his brothers had shown her vulnerability in return. They'd opened up to her as she opened up to them. Not excessively, but enough to show they didn't mind her being around them.

He wished he could do the same.

But his pride, his damn pride, wouldn't let him.

All he wanted was to speak to her without it turning into a verbal firefight. Speak to her without it ending in yelling.

Was that even possible?

She drops her guard if the other person does. Maybe that could be a start?

It'd be hard, agonizingly hard, but he wanted to try anyway.

After all... it was better than nothing.

Fuck yeah!

Grin stretching from ear to ear as we rode at a canter across the hills, I realized I'd forgotten just how much fun riding was. The wind in your face, ground a blur beneath you, the feeling of being free...

Damn I needed to do this more often.

We had yet to break into a gallop, but Whispering Wind said there were only a few more hills until we hit the wide flat expanse. Then we'd really be flying.

Up ahead I saw a small stand of trees and a fallen log on the outskirts. Perfect.

Whispering Wind must have spotted it too, for he asked, "Jump?"

"Let's go!" I yelled, grin turning crazed as I nudged him faster.

"Shadow, the hells are you doing?" Hunter shouted.

Ignoring him as I drew closer to the fallen log, I tried to steady my breathing and keep in tune with Whispering Wind's pace as the Hillguide's ears shifted forward.

Everything else faded away as I focused in on the target.

Fingering tightening in the mane.

Counting the strides.

Gauging the jump.

Breathing in rhythm.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

Jump!

Lifting myself off his back into jumping position, parallel to his body, I held on tight as we sailed over the jump.

Weightless. You really felt weightless as you flew over a jump, especially a bigger one.

The only issue was the landing.

Do it wrong... well it was self critiquing.

My landing was luckily pretty smooth and I didn't end up with a bruised tailbone or pelvis. I was already gonna be walking like a cowboy after this anyways, I didn't need to deal with any bruises.

Or... wait wouldn't I have a bruised tail? Instead of tail bone?

I really needed to remember my anatomy wasn't the same.

Steering Whispering Wind back towards the others as we all continued to canter, I laughed, "Ta da!"

"Nice jump, Squeaky!" Wrecker exclaimed.

"Thanks, Wrecker!"

"Do that again!"

"Whatcha say, Whispering Wind?"

"See one up ahead!"

Yelling in excitement, I readied myself for the next jump. This one was big, the tree a fallen oak, but I could do this.

I got this. I can do this. I got this!

Heart pounding in rhythm with Whispering Wind's hooves against the grassy earth, adrenaline pulsed through me.

Measure the distance.

Tighten your grip.

Time the jump.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

Up!

Pushing myself up in jumping position once more, the landing was a little rougher than the first but considering that log had to be around three feet high and just as thick, that went pretty well.

"Show off," Hunter snorted as I rejoined the main group.

"Rich comin' from you, Sarge," I snickered as we cantered up and crested the final hill, coming to a stop.

"Shadow, what place is the blue ribbon?" Tech asked, tapping the side of his helmet which made me wonder if he'd recorded me.

I flashed him a grin as I kept my breath steady. "First place."

Wrecker laughed. "I see why! You look good, Squeak!"

Giving a mock bow, sat back up and gazed across the field. In the distance against the edge of the woods stretching to the foot of the mountain, I thought I could faintly see the farm.

Well... I know someone who can see that distance. "Hey, Cross."

The sniper's helmet turned my way.

I inclined my head towards the farm. "What can you see?"

His helmet remained fixed on me before he looked out over the field. "Wooden barn, two stories. Another two story wooden buildin', guessin' it's a cabin. River in the trees. Small garden, orchard, what looks like a poultry house."

"Damn, that's impressive," I remarked, squinting at the tiny blob of dark brown. "Wish I had eyes like that, I can't see for shit."

"You see perfectly well in the dark," Hunter commented.

"That's different," I countered, shifting positions. I gripped with my thighs, wrapping my legs around his belly best I could and shoving my heels down. Squaring my shoulders, I called to the Bad Batch, "Ready to run?"

"Ready to go!"

"Alrighty!" Adjusting my position one last time, I called to Whispering Wind, "Run like the wind!"

And that's just what we did.

dini'la dala= insane woman :D

Hope y'all are ready for the next chapter, it's one of my favs and has actually been in the drafts since before OtaGS ended!

ALSO THAT TRAILER AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH