(Dragon, can you make a part 35? It's getting laggy)

Magicpetal:

She watched her fly away until she couldn't see the mare any longer. "Ugh. Well, there goes family time."

Emberblaze:

He glanced at Magicpetal and frowned. "There won't be a family time until Darkstone and Dad get back." He said, shifting his weight as he thought about his father.

Brightwing was almost always on scouting trips or on patrol duty. The triplets never saw much of their father anymore- but at least he was safe, which puts their mind at ease.

Goldenstream:

She pinned her ears and slapped Emberblaze upside the head. "Way to go, Mr. Depressing for saying that comment, which totally makes us feel all better." She muttered, her tone of voice rolling in sarcasm. Magicpetal giggled as Emberblaze shut his mouth with an angry grunt. Goldenstream, satisfied turned back around to face Silverflame. "Gosh, they make me annoyed. They act like foals!" She said to Silverflame.

Just as Goldenstream finished her comment, a hurling mud-ball was chucked at Goldenstream and it splattered on her golden cheek. She whirled around to see Magicpetal, rolling on the ground with laughter and Emberblaze getting ready to throw another one. "Ohhhh, Emberblaze, it is so on!"

Starsummer:

She nodded to Shadowfire and to Silverflame. "I saw Crystalcloud and Maplewing by the stream, too. I'll go get them." She said to her fellow council members. She glanced back to the triplets, who had stopped playing and were staring at her in worried confusion. "I'll be back. " She nickered in a calm, motherly tone. She nuzzled them quickly, before cantering off towards the lake and with a slight grunt, lifted off over the trees and soared west.

(Okie! I'm back)

(Hey. I'd really, really love to RP but I have LOADS of homework. So, hopefully i'll be on later tonight, but don't count on it. If you have to, someone can play as my OC's)

Silverflame-

Shadowfire's words dragged Silverflame out of his daze, "Oh, umm... I think I saw Mistcloud over with Pearlsong and Moonwing near the stream." he said, angling his ears in the direction of the stream.

Shadowfire coasted over his former homeland, admiring the scenery in a way he had been unable to do before this time.

The herd was alive, a seething mass beneath him on the undulating meadow as its members moved back and forth as they grazed, chatted, and frolicked. Nor were its members limited to the ground. He could see the forms of at least a dozen young steeds flying around the heavens.

He focused himself. There was a reason he had left the herd, after all. He couldn’t waste time taking in the scenery on an urgent trip.

He scanned the ground again, and saw the pinto barrel of Starsummer surrounded by younger steeds. He angled down, leaning left, and looped in a slow spiral down to land in front of her.

”I need to talk with the Council,” Shadowfire said, interrupting the mare’s conversation. “Have you seen Mistcloud?”

Breezecloud came up behind the dapple gray stallion. “I’m here if you can’t find her,” she said. “What’s going on?”

Shadowfire shook his head with a glance at the triplets. “Later.”

Silverflame-

"Council stallion," corrected Silverflame, knowing that if Mistcloud knew that Moonwing was being referred to as Glacier Herd's over-stallion, she'd be pretty annoyed. This was because there had been a bit of hostility and confusion when they were trying to intergrade the former Flame Herd steeds into the herd on the topic of who was in charge, and it had taken a lot of effort on Mistcloud's part convince them that a council was a legitimate way to lead a herd.

Just then, Silverflame was pulled away from his thoughts as Goldenstream started pacing a circle around the small group, and the young stallion was instantly mesmerized by her beauty. She looked so much better then she had before the migration, her stunning chestnut coat glistened in the sunlight, and her creamy white mane and tail rippled as she walked. Even her purple feathers seemed to have a glow about them.

Emberblaze:

He huffed at Silverflame, and ruffled his feathers. He glanced at the young stallion. Silverflame had grown to be slightly taller than Emberblaze, which bothered him because Emberblaze was older, but he tried not to look jealous.

Besides, Silverflame's father was a massive stallion, so it wasn't surprising to see Silverflame inheriting all his father's traits.

He grumbled and looked away, which made Magicpetal laugh and nudge him jokingly.

Goldenstream:

She turned to Silverflame and grinned. She saw the light spark of jealousy in Emberblaze's eye, but she ignored it. "See? Even Silverflame, the son of the Over-stallion of Glacier herd," She said, matter-of-factly, "Thinks I can beat you in a race." She said again, prancing a small circle around her siblings, showing off her bright purple feathers and tossing her sparkling mane to the other side of her neck.

She chuckled and playfully swishes her tail toward Silverflame as she passed him, adding a slight wink.

(I partly want to call a council meeting to discuss keeping an eye out for other herds, but I feel like having two timeframes and three settings is confusing enough. Can we stick to finishing the Night Herd business for now?)

Silverflame-

It was 6 moons since the migration, and Glaicer Herd seemed to be adjusting well to it's new surroundings. Silverflame had been especially enjoying himself, spending most of his time with either Goldenstream, his sister Pearlsong, or in the army training grounds with Snowfrost and Sparrowfire. The young bay was almost full grown now, and Silverflame towered over most of the colts his age. His long legs were hard with mussel, and his neck had the unmistakable arch of an over-stallion, no doubt inherited from his sire.

He was now trotting back from another training session because Snowfrost had accidently delivered a nasty blow to the base of his wings, and Silverflame didn't want to further aggravate it. But when he glanced up at the sky, and saw a streak of purple and copper, he completely forgot about the injury, and raced over to meet Goldenstream. He arrived just as Starsummer was consoling her to yearlings that hadden't won the race, "Plenty more races for Goldenstream to win." nickered Silverflame, jokingly, glancing at the very annoyed looking Emberblaze.

As Oceangold touched down in the clearing they had flown so long to get to, practical matters reasserted themselves. Normally she might wait to hear protocol in a new herd’s territory, to learn what they may find offensive and avoid it. But she was famished. An almost-two-moon flight was not an ideal activity for a pregnant mare, as she wasn’t getting nearly enough meaningful rest— and not enough food to even speak of. Her ribs were showing, and her abdomen had swollen slightly but noticeably, each enough to be seen through the winter coat she had started growing during the long flight. She bent her head toward the first clump of grass she saw, munching into it with a satisfied and exhausted sigh. The grass was nothing special— close to death in the cold— but to the exhausted mare, it was bliss. She ate at least six mouthfuls with no hesitation, then recalled Cloudroot‘s warnings about overeating. She forced herself to stop, instead looking around at the clearing’s inhabitants. Softly, she heard the thumps of her companions and the Night Herd steeds landing behind her.

“Now what?” she asked softly.

The triplets dove towards land, the fierce wind whipping their manes and feathers.They burst through the cloud layer, neck and neck. Magicpetal thrusted her wings out to the side first, then turned and burst toward the large meadow. Goldenstream free-fell for a second before whipping around and extending her wings. She dashed after Magicpetal, flicking her tail at Emberblaze with a mischievous smile.

Emberblaze smirked and did a backflip before spreading his wings wide, slowing down and finally stopping right before crashing into the trees. He pumped his wings and shot forward. He quickly caught up to Goldenstream and Magicpetal was 4 wing lengths in front. Emberblaze set his sights to the large meadow stretching in front of him. He quickly spotted his mother, who was grazing next to Breezecloud. Emberblaze flapped his wings and the triplets were all neck and neck again.

They got closer and closer to their mother, who had now raised her head to watch them. Goldenstream slowly pulled out in front of them, to Magicpetal's and Emberblaze's dismay. The two losing siblings frantically tried to gain on her, but Goldenstream was too far out in front. The chestnut yearling landed next to Starsummer, with a slight stumble because of how fast she was going, but quickly recovered and started laughing tauntingly at her siblings.

"Ha!!!! I won!" She snapped, prancing. Emberblaze and Magicpetal landed and glared. "Yeah! Yeah! Don't you forget it!" She snapped again, grinning broadly. "Yeah well, I let you win!" Emberblaze argued. "You did not! You just couldn't catch up!" Goldenstream shot back. "I bet you just got lucky." Magicpetal mumbled. "That was not luck!" Goldenstream gasped, offended. "I won that, fair and square! You two are just sore losers!" She said, swinging her hips.

Starsummer smiled and nickered, amused at her foals argument. "Alright! That's enough." She said, nuzzling Goldenstream. "There will be plenty more races." She said, calming the yearlings down.

Starsummer was very close to birthing. Whiteshadow estimated that she give birth 1 moon before the yearlings turned 2, so Starsummer was very pregnant and waiting on the newest foal.

- 6 months after the migration-

Magicpetal and her siblings were flying over the beautiful Dawn herd landscape. As soon as the herd crossed into Dawn herd's border's, Magicpetal loved it. It was everything Horizongold said it was. The thought of her crush made her heart pound, but she knew that he would return and they would be together soon.

The sun was out and the herd was active. Foals were playing, yearlings were racing, and the mares and stallions were either battle training or relaxing in the warm sun.

Magicpetal's winter coat was gone, revealing her sleek and shiny under-coat which gleamed. She was now a very capable flier. The long migration had strengthened her wings and she no longer feared of getting swept up in a cross-wind.

The triplet's birthday was approaching very soon, and Magicpetal was ecstatic. They'd all turn two in 2 moons, so they were enjoying their last weeks as yearlings.

Goldenstream glided up next to Magicpetal, their wingtips touching. Goldenstream had matured even more within those 6 months. She was still sarcastic and sassy, but she was also smarter and more cunning. She used her head and trusted her instincts to guide her. She was calm and never panicked. Goldenstream's mane and tail had grown and her wings were bright and healthy. She had rounded muscles and she had grown taller, too.

Goldenstream was still a little skinnier than usual, but her ribs were no longer showing.

Goldenstream craned her neck, and saw Emberblaze flying above the two sister's with breathtaking power and ease.

The brother flew down to them and glided next to Magicpetal. He had grown and matured, too. His dark bay coat was shiny and his wings were impressive. He had grown taller and his voice had deepened a little. He learned to be patient as he waited for Redmoon's return. His heart ached for her and he missed her like crazy, but he tried to do what Canyongold had advised- don't worry too much about her. He was still very protective of his family and even a little hot-headed, but he was also always ready to play and race his sisters. All his battle scars had faded into nothing but a memory and a rough spot on his coat.

Emeberblaze burst out laughing and called to his sisters over the wind, "Race you back to Mom!!" He whinnied, and without waiting for a reply, flexed his wings and dove towards land, with Magicpetal and Goldenstream streaming behind him, neighing their pleasure to the wind.

Gingerblaze-

6 moons. That's how long it had been since Gingerbalze's dam, Cherrycloud, had taken her joint herd army and headed north. It's how long it had been since the chestnut had last seen her mother, though she had learned of her fait from a spy who managed to evade being captured at the end of the battle.

Since then, the small remnant of Flame Herd steeds that had been left behind in the desert territory had been forced to flee their home and inhabit a much smaller territory in the area know as turtle beach. They were a group made up of mares, yearling, newborns, and walkers, with a few battle mares and under-stallion which had been originally assigned to guard those who didn't fly north.

It had been a struggle to survive these last few months, but the small herd had managed, and now that it was spring Gingerblaze had hopes that things would become easier. But it hadn't. Many steeds had come down with a sickness known as desert cough, which led to the infected steeds coughing so frequently that it became a struggle for them to eat and drink water. This eventually led to the steeds becoming so weak they could only lay around and do nothing, and shortly after this they would most likely die.

The part that made this epidemic so much worse then any before it, was the lack of a medicine mare. Cherrycloud had insisted on taking all of them with the army, but none had returned, and without a trained medicine mare, the last of Flame Herd was in dire need of help.

(So what actually happened to them? What went on with “The One”, where does Crimsonstorm fit in, and how does the situation resolve itself?)

Oceangold’s wings had passed the point of screaming at her. That was distant history by now, it seemed. Now, almost two moons into flying to the far northeast corner of the Trap, her wings were sending a constant, low moan of agony to her brain, causing her to need to ask for relatively frequent rest stops. She knew she was slowing the group down, but they had brought it on themselves— no one was drafting, the most efficient way to travel long distances. There was little talking; the mystery and aura of The One seemed to discourage chitchat. All in all, Oceangold thought, she was regretting the decision to make the trip— until she heard Duskblade call out from her left. “The clearing and caves of The One are in sight!” The Night Herd steed pointed with a hoof.

A strange spirit of adventure overtook Oceangold’s psyche, and for the first time since they started flying her wings felt great. “Finally! Shall we land?”

( Can I just Clear something up; Redmoon Breezebell and Forestbeam would have DEFINITELY been back by 6 months xD )

Whiteshadow-

After hearing a commotion from outside of the cave, Whiteshadow poked her head out just in time to see an arctic fox scampering away. She sighed, glad that they would be moving on soon because this wasn't the first animal who had gotten ambitiously close to the cave, and she knew it was only a matter of time before larger animals were doing the same.

Before Whiteshadow returned to her work, she shared a quick glance Darkstone, but imminently started to feel guilty. She was almost 4 moons pregnant, and still had yet to tell her mate they were going to have a foal. It wasn't like she didn't want to tell him, it was just that Whiteshadow knew he would have never allowed her to come out here, and she had promised herself that she would still carry out her duties as a medicine mare for as long as possible until the foal was born.

Darkstone:

He had been overjoyed when hearing he could stay with Whiteshadow through the long 6 months. He had no idea she was pregnant, but he did have a sinking suspicion that something was wrong, he just didn't know what. Darkstone, along with 5 other uninjured stallions, were guarding the medicine mare den from predators while the other handful of stallions were helping the medicine mares' prepare for the migration and guarding the graveyard..

Darkstone stood tall, his muscles flinching at every noise coming from beyond the valley. He had grown some more within those 6 months. His muscles became more refined, his mane and tail longer, and his coat and feathers very luscious.

He heard Whiteshadow's voice speaking to a young stallion he'd known as Twigstrike, one of his nephews friends, behind him. Twigstrike sounded worried, and Darkstone could've guessed why.

Emberblaze was going through the same thing. Emberblaze had tried not to worry too much, but it was hard not too worry when they hadn't heard anything from Redmoon and Breezebell in moons.

The sound of russling leaves snapped his attention back forward.

A bush about 15 wing lengths from the medicine mare den shook vigorously. Darkstone lashed his tail in warning to the under-stallions surrounding him and they sprang into alert. Darkstone tensed and flexed his wings, ready to defend against or attack anything that came out. The bush shook again, and a small arctic fox stalked out from the bush, its chilling amber eyes going wide at the sight of the group of fearsome steeds standing before him.

Darkstne exhaled in relief that it wasn't something bigger or more dangerous. He snapped his jaws, creating a loud clacking sound, and the fox scurried away quickly. "As you were." He mumbled to his fellow under-stallions. Darkstone resumed his position in front of the den, but not before glancing at Whiteshadow and winking playfully as she caught his gaze.

6 months later...

Whiteshadow-

It had been 6 happy moons since Darkstone had asked her to be his mate, and the herd had almost completed it's migration, with the last few remaining steeds scheduled to head out the next morning. Whiteshadow had been assigned to care for them for the three moons or so, but she hadn't minded to much because Darkstone had been allowed to come with her. Especially since just before returning to the 'graveyard', Dappleroot had confirmed the fact that Whiteshadow was expecting Darkstone's foal, and the gray mare knew she wouldn't have been able to bare being apart for her mate this long under these circumstances.

As thoughts of her unborn foal swirled in her mind, Whiteshadow bustled around the almost deserted medicine mare cave, finishing up with a few last minute preparations before she left to rejoin the rest of the herd. "Hold still." she snapped, as she looked over Twigstrike to double check his injuries were not in any danger of becoming inflamed.

"Sorry." replied the antsy stallion, as he glanced worriedly out the cave's entrance. Ever since the migration had begun, Twingstrike had been on edge, but it had nothing to do with the herd, and everything to do with Breezebell. The young mare had run off with her mother and sister on a quest to find her thought-to-be-dead sire the day the migration had been announced, and hadn't even said good by to him. If Twigstrike had not been confined to the medicine mare den at that point, the young roan stallion would have surly gone after her, but instead he had been forced to wait and watch for her return. Unable to do anything.

"She'll be back." said Whiteshadow, trying to comfort her patient.

Twigstrike shook his head, "Then why hasn't she? It's been 6 moons, and we've heard nothing."

"Don't give up." she encouraged, "I have faith that she will come back at some point."

"Then what?" snapped Twigstrike, "She'll come back here and find that we're all gone. She'll think that we abandoned her and her family."

Whiteshadow looked at the stallion, he looked despite and worried, and the worst part was, there was nothing she could say to help him.