This chapter is probably the most confusing yet! I promise you, the next chapters will answer your questions! Enjoy!
Finally, three days of preparation, Morningmist and the others were ready to leave the Canyon Meadow. Lakeroot, Pebblewind, and the other guards were going to stay, and keep a look out for Icefeather and Spiderhoof.
“Thank you for everything, Lakeroot.” Morningmist neighed, overwrought with emotion.
“Make us proud!” Pebblewind nickered. Riversun blushed.
“We will try!” Starfrost whinnied, his mouth still full with grass.
“You mean we will!” Riversun butted Starfrost affectionately with her wing.
As Morningmist exchanged breath with the others one last time, she wondered if she would ever be able to learn the secret of the stars...
~
After a long day of flying, they were about half way through the Wastelands. The silence felt eerie. Even the small fire that Riversun was able to light with a few starfire sparks did little to raise Morningmist’s spirits.
“Is everything all right?” Riversun neighed, noticing how Morningmist was scuffing the dirt with one hoof.
“I am just worried about the prophecy. It all seems so hopeless.” Morningmist’s neighed despondently.
“What do you mean hopeless?” Starfrost nickered, confused.
“I have never really done anything myself. You guys always fought my battles for me. I left you when Icefeather first attacked us over Big Sky Lake, I hid in a tree when Pebblewind attacked Riversun, and left her fighting Pebblefrost when we ran into him again.” Morningmist began to cry.
“It took Riversun coming back to help us to make me stand against Icefeather. I have risked your lives several times. I couldn’t even safe my own Mommy!” Morningmist sobbed.
“But, Morningmist, it’s not like you were alone in doing all those things! I hid with you in that tree, and flew away with you when Pebblewind attacked. We all make mistakes!” Starfrost comforted.
“I know, but it seems like I make more of them then anyone I have ever met.” Morningmist gasped. Riversun starred at her sympathetically.
“It only matters that we learn from our mistakes, not how many we make.” Riversun whinnied.
Starfrost’s gaze suddenly landed on a feather that was flying in the breeze. “Guys... look at this.” He placed his hoof over the feather so it would not fly away.
Morningmist gasped. The feather was black and was tipped in orange. She had only seen feathers like this one other time... on Spiderhoof’s wings.
Another feather caught her attention. This one was light blue and was tipped in silver. The color of Icefeather’s wings.
~
Pebblewind relaxed in the sunshine that spread through Canyon Meadow. It had been one day since Morningmist and her friends had left, and the atmosphere was calm.
Beside him, Lakeroot calmly sorted her herbs. Pebblewind couldn’t help but feel admiration for the young medicine mare. It must be hard work finding all the right herbs!
Pebblewind turned his gaze back to the other steeds, who happily frolicked in the grass. A sudden scream burst him from his thoughts.
Lakeroot twisted in agony in the grass, and above her stood Icefeather and Spiderhoof. Pebblewind’s heart sunk as he saw what else they had. Morningleaf and a small silver bead. Morningleaf was a mess, her beautiful aqua wings were broken, and she looked devoid of hope.
The other pegasi stopped what they were doing and starred at the newcomers. Icefeather trumpeted menacingly to the herd.
“You will help me attack Morningmist and her friends.” Icefeather commanded and pointed the bead at them. Silver starfire poured out of the bead and went into each pegasi’s mouth. Their eyes and turned silver.
“We will attack Morningmist and her friends.” The new minions of Icefeather and Spiderhoof neighed.
UM
WHAT THE FRIGGIN' PEGASUS IN ALL OF ANOK JUST HAPPENED?!?!??!??!?!?!?!
WHA?!?!?! NOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OH MY GOSH MIND CONTROL!!!!