Strider opened his mouth to answer, but instead came out with: "Are you Esperanza's son?"
Spirit widened his eyes.
"How do you know my mother?" He asked.
It was a while before Strider spoke. "I'm your father, Spirit."
Spirit couldn't believe his eyes, he reared up and neighed loudly, kicking at the air with his front hooves.
Strider did the same, and the two stallions nuzzled each other over the stable door.
A moment later, Summer popped her head over her stable door, and saw Spirit standing in front of Strider's stable.
"Dad? Is that you?" She asked curiously.
Spirit looked at Summer, and smiled again.
"Summer! Look how you've grown! You have no idea how much we've all missed you!" Spirit cried, as he nuzzled his daughter.
"Oh, Summer. There's something Strider and I need to tell you… Strider is your grandfather!" Spirit finished.
"Strider? But how…what…?" Summer questioned, feeling puzzled.
Strider explained about Esperanza, and how he had been taken away by the old colonel when Spirit was born. Summer nodded and smiled.
She understood.
"This is remarkable, it's the best day of my life!" Summer grinned.
"But dad-how come you've come here now, and not three years ago when I left?
Spirit looked awkward for a moment, then he smiled.
"You're three years old today, and it's time you took over as leader of the Cimarron herd. Of course, you need to have a stallion first." Spirit explained.
Lightning looked over his stable door eagerly, trying not to give too much away.
Summer looked flirtily at him, and Lightning sighed deeply.
"It looks like you've already found one!" Spirit laughed.
"What? Lightning?" Summer asked, "no, he's just my friend." She tried to sound truthful, but it was obvious that she was embarrassed, as her cheeks were turning bright pink!
Lightning noticed this.
"Of course, Summer. Whatever you say!" He chuckled.
"Okay dad," Summer sighed, "let's go back to the Cimarron Herd. Come on Strider and Lightning, let's break out of here!"