Featherbrook interrupted. "It was Star, sir," Featherbrook said, dipping his head at Rockwing. "We found him at the bay. Star summoned a killer whale to kill Snakewing." Featherbrook lifted his chin. "But it doesn't change anything. We have a new over-stallion. We are not weak, nor are we in the need for a certain power-hungry stallion to steal our Herd. We are perfectly fine." Featherbrook arched his neck boldly at Rockwing, his eyes calm and determined.
Mangofrost swallowed and pressed against Featherbrook's side, and Grassflurry brushed her wing against hers.
Rockwing, unrattled, fanned his wing. "You wouldn't believe how much I don't care," he snorted. He turned his head to the rest of the steeds in the valley, snapping his head up.
"Steeds of Anok!" He neighed. Ears pricked to him, and some pranced excitedly. Rockwing paused and waited patiently for the pegasi to calm down.
As he did so, Mangofrost caught Smokewing dipping his head in his respect at Featherbrook. Featherbrook dipped his head back, and the ice was broken. Both stallions turned their heads back to Rockwing, pricking their ears. Mangofrost relaxed for a moment. It was good to know that Smokewing really did care for his Herd.
Rockwing continued. "We shall march towards Sun Herd as one, with our heads up and wings flared! Together, we will DESTROY Sun Herd!" He neighed, and the pegasi whinnied their agreement, rearing and blasting battle cries into the dusty blue sky.
Mangofrost blinked her dark amber eyes, and small smile creeping up her face. Grassflurry nudged Mangofrost, also grinning, and they exchanged a smile. Their voices echoed through the meadow, morphing with the rest of the steeds', into one ear piercing battle cry.
***
Mangofrost and Grassflurry weaved through the Jungle Herd steeds. They were having the time of their lives. No one seemed to care that they were here, and Rockwing had even looked at them for a second before snorting and going back to nickering with one of the Jungle Herd steeds.
In the corner of her eye, Mangofrost saw a brown colt standing with the Mountain Herd steeds. He didn't look like one of them, he was much taller then average Mountain Herd colt, and his hide was smooth and glossy.
Mangofrost trotted over to him boldly. She passed a group of Desert Herd steeds, and shook her head. The Desert Herd steeds were VERY tall, with chiseled faces and bulging eyes. Beside them, stood Snow Herd. Snow Herd looked like pale grizzly bears compared to the Desert Herd steeds. They had furry legs and muscular bodies, with thick hides that were sweating. The wide wings rested on their backs, fanning themselves as if trying to cool down.
Mangofrost dipped her head at Icewing and he nodded back. Mangofrost smiled. She reached the Mountain Herd steeds. The brown colt, who was standing off to the side, saw her, and waved his bright orange wing.
Mangofrost waved back. "Hello," Mangofrost said. She looked him up and down. She felt Grassflurry trot up to her side, and he to was staring at the brown colt in confusion.
"I'm Brackentail," the brown colt mumbled, arching his neck back in embarrassment. "I'm not from here." Brackentail sighed. "I'm actually a Sun Herd steed. Kind of." Brackentail blinked and stepped back nervously.
Mangofrost blinked. "Oooooh. That makes sense. But why are you here?" Mangofrost eyes widened and she straightened, her wings flaring. "Are you a spy!?" She neighed.
"No, no!" Brackentail threw out his wings. "I help Rockwing! Don't worry," he nickered.
Grassflurry frowned at Brackentail. "Why?"
"Umm... kinda a long story," he muttered, looking sheepish.
As Grassflurry narrowed his eyes at Brackentail, Mangofrost caught sight of a different foal. A filly, with the same built as Brackentail. The silver filly had a mix of light and dark purple feathers. Also from Sun Herd, Mangofrost guessed. On the other hoof, though, the filly looked as if she had been tortured. Chunks of her mane had been ripped out, and her tail was almost completely gone. When the filly turned her head to look at Mangofrost, her eyes looked dull and lifeless.
Mangofrost looked back at Brackentail, who was pawing the ground with his hoof nervously while Grassflurry eyed him warily.
"Umm, well, nice chatting with you, Brackentail. Me and Grassflurry have to go," she said.
"Right, yeah," Brackentail nodded. "But, I didn't catch your name?" He looked at Mangofrost.
"It's Mangofrost," she sighed. At the corner of her eye, she saw Featherbrook waving his wing at them for them to come. Mangofrost flicked her ears. "Bye!" she called over her shoulder to Brackentail, before trotting off with Grassflurry.
Featherbrook sighed as they approached.
"What is it, Featherbook?" Mangofrost asked, cocking her head at her cousin.
"We'll have to leave you two here. We can't risk bringing you to Sun Herd, it's too dangerous," he murmured. He flattened his feathers against his back, knowing Mangofrost wouldn't approve.
"What are you talking about? Stay here while you go off to battle!? NO! I'm coming!" Mangofrost whinnied, instantly puffing her chest and flaring her wings angrily.
Featherbrook sighed and shook his head. "No, Mangofrost. You and Grassflurry will be staying here, in Mountain Herd. Rockwing has already discussed it with us, surprisingly. He picked a few of his most skilled steeds to fly back here after the battle is over, to bring you, Grassflurry, Shadepebble, and several other steeds to the Sun Herd territory... if... no, when, we win. He's planning to have a feast of some sort with us four Herds, while Sun Herd grieves or something like that." Featherbrook shook his head in amusement.
Mangofrost flattened her ears. "No, Featherbrook, I'm still going. You can't stop me." She swatted her tail and trotted off. Grassflurry, glancing at Featherbrook apologetically, trotted after Mangofrost.
"Mangofrost, maybe you should think about this before you go sneaking off into the battle," Grassflurry said quietly to her.
Mangofrost whirled to look at Grassflurry. "Excuse me!? Grassflurry! Stop sounding like my cousin!" She huffed angrily.
Grassflurry rolled his eyes. "Well, he is sorta right. You could actually die in the battle," he said, all of a sudden looking pale.
Mangofrost halted. "You think I don't know that? Grassflurry, I know I can die. But I still have to go." Mangofrost swallowed. "For Snakewing."
Grassflurry blinked at her and pressed his lips together.
"I have to do this... for my sire. I need the revenge. I need Sun Herd gone." Mangofrost lifted her chin. "And I vow, by the end of this day, Sun Herd will be destroyed."
A flash of silver and light grey sparkled in the distance. Wingbeats echoed in Mangofrost's ears, before slowly fading.
She turned her head back to Grassflurry. "Sun Herd will not stand," she whispered.
Jungle Herd:
Smokewing- Successor over-stallion. Bay appaloosa with brown-and-white-spotted feathers, black mane and tail, snip on nose.
Snakewing- Over-stallion. Bay with forest-green feathers, black mane and tail, one white sock. Deceased.
Berrycloud- Lead mare. Buckskin pinto with pale orange feathers at the mantel that fade to white, white mane and tail, green eyes, wide white blaze.
Featherbrook- Warrior. Light bay appaloosa stallion with sapphire-tipped pale yellow feathers, black mane and tail, wide white blaze, two hind white socks.
Ashrain- Battle mare. Dark bay mare with yellow and green feathers, black mane and tail, one white sock, snip on nose.
Mangofrost- Yearling. Liver chestnut paint yearling filly with aqua-tipped rich yellow feathers fading to white, white mane and tail, warm, dark amber eyes.
Grassflurry- Yearling. Bay roan yearling colt with bronze-tipped pale green feathers, black mane and tail, ice-blue eyes, thin white blaze.
Snow Herd:
Icewing- Over-stallion. Dark silver stallion with powder blue feathers, white mane, white ringlet tail, blue eyes, white star on forehead.
Mountain Herd:
Rockwing- Over-stallion. Magnificent spotted silver stallion with dark blue and grey feathers, black mane and tail highlighted white, one white front anklet.
Desert Herd:
Sandwing- Over-stallion. Palomino stallion with dark-yellow feathers, wide white blaze, one white sock.
Sun Herd:
Thunderwing- Over-stallion. Dark bay stallion with vibrant crimson feathers, black mane and tail, wide white blaze, two hind white socks.
Star- Black foal. Solid black colt with black feathers, white star on forehead.
Mangofrost!!! Bro you could die. You're mother will have lost her mate and her daughter in such a short amount of time! What is going on in your head girl!
NICE!
Idk why but the "Snow Herd" thing in the characters section looks weird in the post, but when I tried to edit it looked normal. It's weird.
There's Silverlake....
OOOOooOOOOooOOOOoOOoOOoOooooOOoooooh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! idk why I think Rockwing nickering with someone is funny but I do XD AWESOME!!!!!