EXECUTION

When Seashade saw silver and bay, she was so glad. “Seashade, what happened to you?” asked Springcloud. She then noticed the black fur from the black foal and golden fur from a golden palomino. Seashade lips trembled, wondering if she should tell her. Finally, she let out her breath. She decided to tell her. “I was stolen and I was taken to Sun Herd, where I saw Stoneheart.”

“The black foal?” whinnied Springcloud and Aspenbreeze in unison. As if Stoneheart was spying on them, the air glowed and she appeared in front of them. Seashade shuddered and two seconds later screamed as Stoneheart hurled her into a tree. “Seashade!” screamed Aspenbreeze. Just then Seashade passed out and a nightmare gripped her.

She was a newborn filly, she and Springcloud were visiting her dam's fresh grave. Seashade saw light brown feathers and scooted underneath the larger mare's wing. Redwing landed and spoke. “You will not live past a year; you will die on your birthday. I won’t let you threaten my herd.” he turned to Springcloud. “I suggest you get rid of it before it kills us all. . .” his voice faded as she woke up.

When Seashade woke up, she saw that the Twenty-Year Star flamed brighter and much larger than the sun. It was almost time. Seashade used her horn to teleport her onto Death Rock. “I’m ready,” said Seashade. Echocloud turned to look down at Seashade. “I won’t take your bad luck upon my wings; Redwing will do the honors.” said Echocloud. It had always been Redwing’s place to kill Seashade.

Redwing reared, trying to find the best place for the deathblow. Without further delay, he clenched his jaw, dropped his sharpened hoof and struck.

SURVIVAL

Um, why did I feel nothing? I know I heard that sickening crack of hoof and bone! thought Seashade. She looked up and saw Redwing’s surprised and enraged expression. Seashade saw an elegant bay pinto filly tumble off Death Rock. She galloped toward her and fell, hoping to grow wings before she hit the ground.

“Uh, Springcloud, the middle of my back hurts, why?” asked Seashade. Springcloud looked at her back, which was turning very red. “Oh my stars, Seashade! You’re growing your wings!” nickered Springcloud. Her eyes filled with tears. Suddenly, white wings popped out of Seashade's back.

Seashade gripped the air current and pushed down. She rocketed toward Aspenbreeze and landed, examining the wounds. With a picture of the wounds in her mind, she flew up toward the star that would give her even more power. The light from the star reached Seashade and her wings fell to her sides.

Every steed’s jaw dropped in awe and fear. The magic from the star shot into Seashade, and she recoiled, slightly scared. Once she finally felt full of the magic, she flew back to Aspenbreeze and hovered over her twisted, broken body. “Get back everyone, I don’t know what I can do with this yet,” said Seashade, her wings quivering. She got all of her magic and lifted Aspenbreeze off the ground.

In only a few seconds, Aspenbreeze's wounds had begun to close up, and her eyes flew open. “What happened? Did you get your power?” asked Aspenbreeze. Redwing walked to Seashade warily and dropped his head in the form of submission. “I apologize for trying to kill you, I hadn’t known that you were a good steed,” he said, and then he dared a glance up. Seashade was shocked but also thankful for an apology. “Stand up, please,” she said. Redwing stood up and glared at her. Seashade reached up her shaking wing and rested it on his shoulder. “It’s alright, don’t worry.” she nickered softly, like a mother to a terrified foal. She glanced around her and saw many steeds backing away, refusing to believe that she was good.

Seashade raised her head a little and set her jaw. “If any of you wish to leave, you can. No one is forcing you to stay here,” she said, raising her voice so that everyone could hear. Many of the steeds, including Stoneheart, turned around and cantered away.

Seashade lifted off into the air. “I’ll be right back, everyone,” she said, and then flew in the direction of Stoneheart. Stoneheart saw her and blasted her out of the sky. Seashade got back up and blasted Stoneheart. What neither of them knew was that everyone had followed Seashade. She shielded herself from some attacks, but then her shield shattered.