Thank you people who came back and gave a name to your animal, it gave much less confusion upon the author, butt the first few peeps who requested it haven't given me a name. I have decided that if they do not tell me their character's name, I will put in somebody else's character first, and wait until they tell me. So the characters will start coming in the next chapter. (Am I being too impatient?)

Disclaimer: If I didn't own the Titans in the last 15 chapters, what makes you think I will own them now, dammit!-Parody off of something Stewie of Family Guy said.

Starfire sighed as the cool water slid around her body. Today was particularly hot, and she had felt extremely lucky that the herd had found a river. It was rather relaxing compared to the four days it took them to get through the mountains.

As lead mare she had several responsibilities. First, she had to look out for predators, and she always had to make sure that every horse was there. Second, the foals were always wandering off, and she had to bring them back to the herd. Third, she had to make sure every body got food and water.

It looked so easy, but the mares made it so hard. Most of them didn't approve of Starfire being the lead mare, and they were especially whiney and angry when Inameron wasn't watching. Of course, Dashow was always there to make things better (either by comforting Starfire or spitting in some one's face)

And then there were the nights where she had to stay awake and watch for predators, while Inameron got sleep for once. Starfire couldn't imagine how tired he must have been when there was no lead mare. Being the lead mare was one thing, but being the lead stallion was a whole different story.

Suddenly there was a splash in the water. Starfire turned her head to see Meeko looking at her.

"What are you doing?" he asked. Starfire noticed that his baby fur was falling off, and a new thick darker coat was replacing it. He looked rather awkward, and clumsy. Even his voice was changing. Sometimes it would be high and squeaky, and then it would get really low. By next spring he and the other foals would be yearlings, and a new batch of babies would replace them.

"The water, I find it relaxing," she said. Meeko dipped his head and lapped up some of the water. After a moment he looked back up at Starfire.

"My momma likes you," he said, "She's not like the other mares. She's been that way since you saved me from that cougar."

Starfire felt slightly relieved that not all of the mares disliked her. "Thank you," she dipped her head, "I-"

She was cut off when a cry in the sky was heard. All of the horses looked up to see an eagle flying towards them from the mountains. Its beak opened and another cry was heard. The foals ran instinctively to their mothers.

Soon the eagle landed in a nearby tree. Inameron signaled to Starfire with his tail, and the two leaders went to greet the bird.

Starfire noticed that the eagle was large, much larger than normal eagles. If he wanted to he could easily pick up one of the foals and eat it, but that didn't seem to be his intention.

"Greetings eagle," Inameron said, "What brings you to our herd?" The eagle looked at him, and then Starfire.

"I have come to the right herd," he murmured. The eagle cleared his throat before continuing. "My name is Dyami, and I come bearing a message from Pegasus himself."

Starfire noticed the look of awe that appeared in Inameron's eyes. She remembered what he had said about the mystical winged horse. "Please, what is this message?" she asked.

"The shadow-creatures are returning," Dyami said, "And this time in a greater force. Pegasus has chosen his successors to lead us into battle."

"Shadow-creatures?" Starfire was confused. After a moment Inameron and Dyami explained them to her, and Starfire understood.

"So," Inameron said, "The prophecy is coming true. Five will come, when the shadows return. Five will come, and make the animals one. Five will come, with courage like thunder. Five will come, and fight to the death."

Starfire stared at the two. Obviously something very serious was going on, something she didn't understand. Sure the shadow-creatures were awful sounding, but five were to make the animals one. Five what? She was lost in though, when she noticed that Dyami was continuing.

"Pegasus has already marked the first with his feather, and has given him two to give to the other chosen horses. Pegasus will go to the other two and they will receive feathers as well. Mean while, your heard is to travel to the great-plains, and the chosen ones will meet you there in a few days time. Soon other animals will come, and the army will form once again. I am only giving the message to you. Other eagles have left to get the other animals."

Inameron thought for a moment. "I do know a route that will have us to the great-plains by the next sun-set. How much time do we have until the shadow-creatures return?"

"I do not know exactly. A few will come first, and then their army will be soon. I'd say by the time that the first snow falls, they will be ready." Dyami said. "But it will take some time to get all of the animals assembled."

Inameron snorted with determination. "Whether the other animals fight or not my herd will be ready."

Dyami lifted his head. "I'm off to collect more herds and spread the word. You should have some company on the great-plains by seven sun-sets."

"Wait," Starfire said, "Who was the first chosen horse to be gifted by the feather?"

Dyami though for a moment. "I believe it was a black stallion by the name of 'Robin'." Starfire's face lit up and for the first time in days she had a true smile that was brighter than the sun.

Dyami nodded to Inameron, and then to Starfire. "Good luck," the eagle said, "You will need it very soon." Then his big brown wings unfolded and he seemed to lift into the air. Soon he was only a small spec amongst the white clouds and the blue sky.

Inameron stared at Starfire. "'Robin.' You seem to know that name. Do you care to enlighten me?"

Starfire looked at the white stallion. "You know him as well." She said. "You have battled against him."

Inameron looked at her, and soon an expression of dismay spread across his face. "Then, I have separated you, and have delayed the gathering of our army. I only hope that my mistake has not damaged the possibility of saving my herd. I'm sorry."

Starfire felt a wave of sympathy for him. "Do not place the blame upon your self," she said, "You could not have known that Robin was chosen."

Inameron stared at her. "If the shadow creatures were born by the hate of others, then you have created none. The world needs more like you." He then turned away to address his herd.

After announcing what was going to happen, some of the mares objected. A few feared for the safety of their foals, and some others did not believe that the shadow-creatures were returning, and no living being had seen Pegasus' face for over a hundred years. Never the less, Inameron encouraged them that it was the right thing to do, and he would find a way to protect the foals from blood shed. Soon the herd was moving again.

The way to the great-plains was dotted with a few mountains, and then went around a large pine forest. But they weren't going that way. They were taking the short cut.

Instead of going through the mountains, Inameron went around them. There was a rocky ledge that stayed directly above a river, but if one were to follow it, they would see that it would cut right through the forest, and take them to where they needed to go. Besides, they would always lose the risk of getting lost.

But there were dangers as well. Giant boulders lay at the top, and if one were to fall on a horse, they were as good as dead. The edge was also a danger, if one were to step off of it. Despite the dangers of the short path, the herd decided to take that route. They would reach the great-plains by sunset the next day.

Almost immediately, Starfire noticed that some of the mares were extra cranky. One of them shied away from a bush, and almost pushed Starfire over.

Dashow trotted over. "The mares aren't actually being nasty on purpose right now, you know. This short cut has a bad history."

Starfire was interested, "Please, tell me of the 'bad' history."

"Well," Dashow began, "There was the steel hoof band, a certain group of bachelor stallions. They were traveling on the ledge when all six of them were crushed by a large boulder, and then there were three foals that fell over the edge. And then there was a mare that was killed by a bear that happened to be taking the same path. I've also heard of humans being killed there too. It's a bad place, that's for sure."

"And we will reach this edge by tonight?" Starfire asked with only a slight quiver in her voice.

"Yeah, but knowing Inameron we won't start it until tomorrow." She then shook her head. "According to some of the older mares, my father wasn't always like this."

Dashow's voice then took a deep mocking tone, trying to pretend she was the mare who told her this. "He was a brash bold stallion who didn't know what in the mane he was doing." Dashow then dropped the mocking voice, "But then they say that all changed the day he met Owyhee."

"Who is this Owyhee?"

"I haven't told you?" Dashow asked, "Thought I already did. That was my mother's name. The mares say that Inameron was drinking one day when a grey mare just trotted up to our watering hole. My dad froze, and they say it took the kick from one of the herd to make him move again. He was too busy staring at the horse, and said she was the most beautiful creature he had ever laid eyes on, even though she distinctly carried the human 'stench' on her. Soon he got her to join the herd, and one day she became lead mare, and had a filly, and everything in life was perfect until the 'accident'."

Starfire nodded, "Yes you have already told me about the 'accident'. But I though your father disapproved of taking human horses."

Dashow nodded, "Yes, he says they are too weak to survive more than a week, and should be returned to their human's immediately so they aren't killed, bur he just fell in love with her. Love makes you do stupid things, weather its taking a supposedly 'weak' horse into your herd, or jumping off of a cliff onto the back of a raging buffalo to get one's attention."

"Jumping onto a buffalo?" Starfire asked.

Dashow nodded in delight and lifted her upper lip in a snickering way. "Yes, this is how my dad was born, you see…"

But Starfire found herself not listening anymore. 'Love makes you do crazy things.' Would one of those crazy things be taking a feather from a dead horse, and accepting leadership over an army? Starfire hoped.

Yep. A note to readers: Dyami is the Native American word for eagle, and Owyhee is a desert in Nevada. The mare named Owyhee will be important, but not until way later in the story. Speaking of later, you've probably already guessed what I'm going to do with the characters you are making, so if you would so kindly (if you already haven't) Tell me it's name, and I will start putting them in the next chapter. Please review.