Patchfeather glided with the rest of the team over spruce trees, hills, rivers, and lakes, but there was no sign of any Mountain Herd activity. Even though it was a very stress full mission, Patchfeather was enjoying her self.

It became clear to Patchfeather that she was kind of an out sider in the group, out of the eight steeds on the team she was the youngest, but not by much. Beanwind was closest to her age being only a year older then her, but he mostly hung around Smokeleaf and Aspenflight, and Coldfire was good friends with the other three pegasi Flameberry, Lightfall, and Iceray. Leaving Patchfeather wishing Dragonfrost and Smokemoon were here.

The team flew until dusk, then they landed by a small lake. While Patchfeather, Beanwind, and Smokeleaf, got a drink and rested. Coldfire led the rest of the steeds in checking the near by woods for predators.

Suddenly there was a roar coming from the direction of the woods, Patchfeather froze she new that roar.

"Everyone move!!!" yelled Coldfire.

Patchfeather automatically started flapping her wings, then a weight landed on her back. She was thrown to with such force she had to gasp for air. Everything seamed so familiar to the last time. Except this time Patchfeather had back up.

Patchfeather tried to stand up, but she was hit with a wave on nausea brought her back to the ground. Patchfeather looked up at the bear, it stood over her, drool dripped off it's muzzle, it's beady eyes looked down at her.

Then there was flash of light blue and gray, and Coldfire stood before the bear. Coldfire made a combination neighs, whinnies, and growls.

Patchfeather watched in shock as the bear paused and looked at Coldfire for one long terrifying moment, then it turned and left.

"Th-thank y-you." stammered Patchfeather. "How did you do that?"

"My sire taught me how to fend off bears when I was a foal." said Coldfire, "Are you hurt?"

"Umm..." Patchfeather shakily stood up, "I'm fine, just a little dizzy that's all."

"Good, we should move to the other side of the lake." said Coldfire.

Smokeleaf landed, "Actually this is probably the best place to rest, since the bear is most likely to scared to come back." Smokeleaf.

"Are you questioning my judgement?" demanded Coldfire.

"Yes." said Smokeleaf.

"Stop!" Aspenflight landed between the two stallions. "Smokeleaf, you have to respect Coldfire, Icewing put him in charge. And Coldfire he dose have a point."

"Fine." spat Coldfire. "We sleep here tonight."

Aspenflight rolled her eyes, "Stallions."