.Fleeing the fire.

[wolf2]

<sup>.The Appaloosa mustang raced out of the rocky mountains when he saw the flames. The others would know to get out and fast, if they wanted to live. The stallion's feather danced in his mane, and the painted circle was looking straight ahead. Soon the trees began to thin out, and before the old stag muddy pools lay an ocean of desert. An ocean of fire. Never before and he seen such a place, filled by nothing but sands. He slid to a halt, looking back at the mountain that lay in flames. His heart dropped, but he felt a nuzzle. No one could see her but him, she was before him. Moon Dance, his love...but she was a phantom like figure that disappeared in smoke. The painted circle looked to the mountain again, she was in pain. He could feel her pain, hear her screams...but he understood with death comes life.

"Awenasa Atsila"

.He whispered. the words meant, My home, and fire. The mustang turned away only to gaze back. A deep sigh fell over his lips...his home was crying for him to help, and he could do nothing but watch her burn.</sup>

[ashleigh04]

The raging fire burned through the lands she half led. To watch the trees curl into flames was terrifying. She looked up as a branch covered with hot golden flame burned the grass she was grazing on. Shear terror whitened her hazel orbs. She kicked galloping faster. The smoke was not good for her breathing she knew she could die if she remained in the lands she loved.

The grassy rocks, the steepness halted to where sand began. Perhaps this was the shores? No sand wasn't like this there. This was sand from a desert. There were cacti dotted from place to place giving it a western look. She gathered herself deeper and deeper into the desert until when she looked around all she could see was... sand. Sand beyond sand beyond sand. Horror of no life flickered into her mind. Until she caught slight scent of a mammal. One from the herd, she knew that much. She followed the trail until the air blew it a side. The one chance she had of not driving herself insane and she missed it. All hope was lost she lifted her head one last time, though what kept her alive she did not know though perhaps it was the same scent she had whiffed in? She dragged herself back to the air and carried on.

A stallion stood beyond the sand. The blue circle wrapped around his eye gave the sighting of Tomahawk. She was on huge pile of sand letting her look back and watch the mountains somehow die. Though one area was not effected, she just hoped in that area Freedom Moon was there or out. Perhaps she would never see him again? Walking over to Tomahawk she nuzzled his velvet to make sure he was real, that she wasn't imagining things. He was. Tomahawk... she whispered softly. Looking back her smile was turned upside down, she just hoped the herd got out safely...

[bliss]

Towering mountains... worthy enough for gods.
Sunlight spreading it's golden light across their bodies.
The sun.
So warm.
Smoke? Surely not. There is no smoke emitting from the mountains...
Is there?
The images in the mare's head suddenly shattered like glass. Her body's temperature was increasing rapidly. A dark smoke filled her nares.
Crania jerked up.
The whites of her once calm eyes shown wildly, and she hurriedly stood.
Leaves around her were burning.
Burning?
She turned a full circle, her eyes taking in everything.
Fire.
Fire all around her.
In the trees, in the leaves, and now rushing towards her hooves. She reared frantically, her neigh filled the blurry air.
Her lungs rejected the smoke and she exhaled heavily.
Where to run?
She could not hide...
In a desperate move, she leaped over a thorn bush, and cantered.
But the fire stayed with her...
She wasn't running from it.
It was running with her.
Towers rested against her skull, not letting the wind around them enter.
She closed her nostrils the best she could, trying not to let a lot of smoke in.
Her mind ringed uncontrollably. That's all she could hear was ringing.
Where to go?
The mountains were no longer safe.
She entered a rocky part of the mountain, and began sliding down it sideways. Many sharp rocks scratched her tender legs all the way down, but getting away from this deadly beast was most important.
Up behind her she heard a tree snap and fall.
It made her heart sink.
To the desert...
It was the closest place around.
Fire couldn't burn in a desert, right?
Well... she'd just have to see.



Within two hour's time, she approached the edge of the desert. Beyond was nothing but dried up earth, carpeted by hot sand.
Her daggers struck the sand harder with each stride, the images of her burning home haunting her thoughts.
Sunset finally.
The mare had to stop.
Her pelt was caked with dust and sweat, and her lungs ached terribly.
Heart thumped wildly as she caught her breath.
She was all alone now.
Where were the others?
Surely they were safe... they had to be...
Amarantine lifted her nose to the wind... catching nothing.
Only dust...
With an agitated snort, she walked on...

[ashleigh04]

The scent of another caught her attention, since Tomahawk muted she trotted a few yards to spot a mare that she had seen before. She walked towards her, gasping for breath as the boiling hot sun beat hard on her back. Your from the mountains right? The fire, is it still a blaze? she asked hurriedly. It seemed the herd were getting out one by one but their was only 3 of them. Munchie, Tomahawk and this mare. Tomahawk is over there... she said nudging the air as if the explain. Come she walked back down so she didn't lose Tomahawk and settled herself down on the deep golden sand. There were very few blades of grass bursting threw the light sand gasping for breath, she was hungry from the journey yet so thirsty. Snatching a few blades she tugged the others to join her, after all they must be hungry.

Blood filled the sand, though it was old blood. Munchie stood up, fearing for the worse, it could be Freedom or a foal. Maybe a friend. Though it was a dapple grey mare's corpse. Just starting to rot. She felt sadness pound her heart. Though she did not know this mare it was hard for one to find someone dead no matter who they were. Feeling angry as the hungry vultures grabbed at the body she sharled them away. Turning the horses head she knew it was Dreamer. One she had been told about and admired. Feeling she needed a good send off she kicked sand over the body, so it did not rot. She said her goodbyes and blew at the sound. Cursing the fire, her life. Everything.

[bliss]

Sides heaved whilst lungs thirsted for the taste of cold, fresh air.
The mare stumbled and collapsed to the scorching sand.
On instant, she attempted to stand back up.
It was hard, for she was quite tired.
Blood-thirsty flies gathered around her sweaty body and landed upon her damp pelt.
The bites weren't painful, so she ignored them.
Any attempt to rid of them would end in vain anyway...
Marbles scanned the desert; lobes swerved around in search of any sounds.
The only thing she heard was the gentle scraping of the sand running along the ground by the force of a tiny breeze.
Her sight was blurring, but even through that she could see two tiny dots.
Her muscles rippled powerfully as she trotted forward eagerly.
The drowsiness was overcome by hope and elation.
The mare's clarion call stretched over the land, touching the ears of those close and far away.

The burning pain in her legs asked her to stop, and so she did.
Pools narrowed to improve her vision. The dots were considerably larger, and made familiar shapes.
Horses...
Dial tossed, and, with difficulty, her body rose off the ground in a graceful rear.
She hoped that they would see her...
And what was that decaying scent coming from?

[wolf2]

^{T.he stallion was caught up in the moment. Watching his home slowly die and call for help like a bleating doe. The painted circle looked forward, it seemed forever. The feather no longer danced in his mane, and a sadness filled the old war stallion's heart. He tried to think about the mountain when it would live once more, come back to life with newborn trees. At the moment all he could see was the mountain in flames, and not knowing if all the horses were out. He watched as a eagle fire from the mountain, calling. but his call was never answered. Tomahawk knew the bird called for his mate, and he knew the bird had died in the flames. He wondered where the deer and fox would go...where everything would go.
T.he stallion's thoughts where broken by soft words and a nuzzle. He looked at Munchie, thankful she had made it out of the flames. Still, where were the others? Freedom Moon and the other spotted mare...He could smell the scent of decay, a scent he despised. For it meant a life was gone. He saw Munchie walk away, and he watched her go. Then he saw another rear...the spotted mare. He reared himself, tossing his crane...telling the mare to come. He didn't want to leave this spot, for he could see his home from here. The old stallion's feather moved with his mane and he landed...but never came out. He waited for the two mares to come back...where they could watch the fire together.}

[ashleigh04]

She danced unhappily back to Tomahawk as she joined him in watching the flames burn higher. Freedom got out... she said to Tomahawk, she knew he was currently at the beach looking for new herd members. Though where was Puppet, Outlaw? She had not seen them for a while. Perhaps they didn't even know. Perhaps the burning flames had perished their flesh. No she couldn't think of that, she would have to ask the others. Have you seen Puppet and Outlaw? I fear they may still be in there she quietened off at the end and looked down. To watch lands she half led burn was so... dramatic and fatal.

[midnight]

A small little colt galloped over towards Munchie and looked around in search of someone. He then looked up at Munchie and whinnied quietly " Have you seen my brother I can't find him?" He said while then looking around them. He had a chestnut coat with a golden colored mane. His eyes were a green color and there was a small moon over his right eye. He came up to about Munchie shoulder as he stood right next to her still looking for his brother.

[ashleigh04]

Looking down she caught eyes of a little colt. She smiled weakly showing signs of pain and tiredness. Could this perhaps be Freedom Moon's little brother he had spoken about? Nuzzling the little un' gently she asked And who exactly is your brother? not in a stern voice how some may have thought but in a trusting voice. Fire began to parade the desert. It got closer but not close enough she trotted to the colts side tugging him to stay by her breast where she could keep an eye on him. That was the thing that was so nice about Munchie she was always looking out for horses especially innocent little foals.

[midnight]

The little colt smiled lightly " My brother is named Freedom Moon he is the lead of the Rocky mountains. He is a bay colored with a black mane and tail with alot of scars on his right side." He said in a small voice knowing that if Freedom hadn't come back for him that he would have been alot better. Freedom had gotten hurt trying to save him. " My name is Cimeno what is your name ma'am."

[ashleigh04]

Munchie smiled happily Hello little Cemeno I am dubbed Munchie, yes i happen to know Freedom Moon he is my mate. I have a feeling he may stop by here shortly... she added hoping that he would. The fire was almost near and she nipped Cemeno's rump to move further out. Tomahawk... the fire is coming further move near this bush she said pointing over there while in midst canter. She nodded for the other mare to follow, she really needed to know her name.

[midnight]

Cimeno smiled and moved away while then letting out a whinny towards a dark figure on the other side of the flames. Then as his whinny ended Freedom walked out of the flames towards them with a smile. " I couldn't find anybody eles." He said while then shaking some of the fire's debries out of his mane. Cimeno nuzzled Munchie's leg then walked over and stood next to his brother arguing abit.

[ashleigh04]

Munchie smiled nervously, not knowing why however. My Freedom isn't your brother a beauty she said teasing them both happily. Who would have though with her beautiful home in flames she could manage a laugh? Not her for sure. She walked over to them both, lunging at the ash in Freedom Moon's mane and tugging them out gently. Hushing them further away she could finally relax. The fire didn't look like it was going to get far since there was nothing but a few blades of dead grass to keep it alive unlike the rocky mountains where there was plenty of ripe grass, lushious trees and more to let it burn.

[midnight]

Freedom nuzzled her maw with a smile " He may be a beauty but he is also a pain in the hooves." He said with a smile towards his brother but Cimeno just shook his head. " If it hadn't of been for me you wouldn't of gotten all those scars on your neck Freedom." As Cimeno said that Freedom shuddered lightly at the memory and stepped closer towards Munchie.

[ashleigh04]

Munchie laughed, she couldn't believe such a cute young colt could be a pain but she wondered how he had rescued Freedom well it seemed like that anyway. How did you help him, sweetie? she asked the colt trying to think up kind words to call him. Sweetie, that sounded... sweet. Yeah she'd stick with that. Nuzzling the ground she realised how dehydrated she felt. Wondering over she felt something drop onto her back, another and another. It was rain. In a desert? It couldn't be. After a while the old waterhole was formed and she took a sip out of it until the rain stopped.

[OOC: a bit of magic lol.