November Story Contest

Water Wanders – Part 2 (read part one here)
by microphone & Black Mist
Age 11

Introduction

            After about a week, Black Mist noticed Sokki was back. He chased her off again. "Wait!" Sokki whinnied. "Seabiscuit sends his apologies and congratulations. He wants to tell you he's proud of you. He just wanted to make sure you are okay." "Yeah, well, you could've said that before!" Black Mist snarled and chased her off. Sokki didn't return.

Ezekiel           

            Silver Mist came over. "Black, don't worry, Sea is your brother after all. What Sokki says might be true." Black nuzzled her. "I'm just worried about you and our herd." "I know Blacky, but all will be okay in the end." "I know Silver. I know." "Guys, I think Starlight saw something." "Starlight? But she's a foal... I'll come." Black said, and hurried away with Spider. Silver followed. "What did you see Starlight?" Black asked the little filly. "Um, well I saw a movement over there, and it looked like it was a bay or black horse." "Did you see if it was a boy?" "It was a young stallion. It wasn't Sea though, not from your description." "Hmm... Silver, Shiloh, lets check it out. Spider, gather Moonstriker and Zarah and tell them to watch out for anything." Black pushed his way through the bushes and the two mares followed him. "Hello? Come out! We know your there!" Black neighed. A black stallion struggled through the bushes. "Who are you?" Black asked suspiciously. "I am Ezekiel (Angel). I know I'm a stallion, but I promise I will not challenge you and will not have any foals. Please, I need somewhere safe to stay." Black studied his eyes and face carefully. "I can tell you are not lying. Very well, if Silver and my other mares agree. Come," Black led the way back through the bushes. "Hi Belle. Spider, Zarah, Moonstriker, Firefly, Thunder! All mares and foals gather over here!" Black Mist called across the meadow. Everyone came galloping up. "What's wrong Daddy?" Starlight snorted. "Everyone, Ezekiel wants to join. He is a stallion, but he promised not to have any foals of his own and not to challenge me. What do you think?" "I don't know. He could be lying." Thunder contemplated. "He was not lying. I could tell by his face." "It's okay by me then," Silver said. "And me!" Starlit agreed. "I guess," Thunder said. "The outcome is positive!" Black Mist said. "Welcome, Ezekiel, to Water Wanders herd!"

More Trouble

            Only two days passed before Black saw someone pushing its way though the barrier. Suddenly Kat (Seabiscuit's healer) came through, carefully carrying some stems of foul-smelling plants. "Sea sends me in peace. He wishes you luck." "Thunder! Hello Kat. Please stay here until I have my herb specialist come over here. I need you to deliver a message depending on the outcome of her recognizing these plants." Thunder sniffed the plants carefully. "Nightshade!" She exclaimed, rubbing her nose on the grass. "Black Mist, Kat or Sea was trying to poison us!" Kat looked horrified. "No way! Sea gave me these, and it wasn't Nightshade!" "You must be losing your smell then Kat! Any normal horse would recognize the vulgar smell this foul plant reeks of!" Thunder yelled. "Stop it!" Black whinnied shrilly. "Kat, deliver this message to Sea. 'Sea, I appreciate you trying to give us herbs, but they turned out to be Nightshade. I know you are my brother, so please tell me what you want. Oh, and I have another member of my herd. A stallion guard. Goodbye brother,'" Kat disappeared.

Final Warning

            Annie returned and pushed her way through the bushes. Shiloh was on guard. "Black, come over here! It's Annie, from Sea's herd." Black cantered over. "Hello Annie. What does Sea want?" "He told me to tell you that he does not want to be your brother. He wants to settle this fight over your mares and territory like two warriors. He challenges you to meet him in the clearing between the territories at midnight tonight. And you may only bring three witnesses." "Tell him I will be there." Annie disappeared.

            At 11:30 that night, Black, Silver, Shiloh and Ezekiel made their way to the clearing. Sea was waiting there, a vicious snarl appearing on his face when he saw Black Mist. "Hello brother," Black said calmly. "I am not your brother! I would never allow a stallion to merge into my herd! You are an idiot to trust him! Ezekiel is his name right? Doesn't that mean 'Angel'? Ha! Weakling! Mother would've been disappointed!" "Are we going to settle this or not?!" Black Mist warned. "Of course! Get ready!"

The Fight

            Black Mist turned and bowed deeply, showing a sign of respect. Sea didn't. "Now!" Sea yelled. Black dodged out of the way as Sea charged, attacking him from the rear. He bit Sea's flank, tearing off a chunk of skin. Sea turned a raked his hooves across Black's back. "Ah!" Black cried out in pain. Silver gasped in horror as Sea bit her stallion's neck viciously. Blood poured down Black's neck and leg. Black kicked Sea in the chest, knocking him away. Black reared, lunging toward Sea as he staggered backward. Sea turned and bucked, but Black jumped sideways, kicking Sea in the stomach. Sea snarled and lunged again. Black Mist tore his neck as he plunged past him. Sea turned, gasping. He reared, and leapt at Black Mist. Black stumbled and fell. Sea landed on his left front leg and Black Mist felt it snap. He shrieked in pain! He staggered to his feet. He surprised Sea by attacking him. He bit at his back, tearing skin from it. Blood trickled down Sea's bay coat. Black Mist kicked and bit harder, flailing his legs and hitting any part of Sea's body that he could. Sea whinnied in pain as he fell to the ground. Black stood over him, holding up his broken leg. Sea tried to stand, but Black Mist held him down. "Kill him!" Ezekiel yelled. "No," Black Mist gasped. "He is still my brother." "Your weak!" Sea snarled, but he recognized defeat. "Go! And never return to my territory!" Black yelled.

            "Oh Blacky! I thought you were going to die!" Silver nuzzled Black affectionately as he staggered over. "Let's get you to Thunder. You need some healing up." Ezekiel congratulated him and so did Shiloh. "If I were lead stallion (not that I'm challenging you,) I'd make you a guard!" Ezekiel said, helping Shiloh and Silver support Black as they walked back to Paradise Meadow. As they staggered through the bushes, roars of cheers greeted them. But then Starlight shrieked, "He's bleeding! Thunder, Thunder! He needs you!" Thunder came galloping over. "Get the herbs Starlight!"

Recovery

            Two weeks later, Black was still limping, but almost back to normal. Silver was always by his side. She made sure he ate his herbs everyday. Black Mist never saw or heard another Freedom Friends spy. As he was recovering, Ezekiel was very reliable. He asked Black Mist what to do to help run the herd until he was better, and helped keep the mares close and collected.

            And finally, when Black Mist was as recovered as it was possible to be, he thanked Ezekiel and said, "You have definitely kept you promise! You are a very honorable stallion, Ezekiel."

The End of Part 2

Do not fear! This isn't the only adventure Black Mist and his herd will have. This is just a start! The next adventure will be just as exciting! I promise! What will Black Mist do with his limp? What will he have to do next to keep his mares and territory? This is just the beginning of a great adventure for all ages to read!

Thanks for reading everyone! I am still looking for mares and foals to join my herd. Please W-Mail me or chelsea2 for more information and the link. I enjoy writing these, and I promise, if you join before next story contest, I will add you to my next story!!! Deal? Tell your friends please! Thank you, microphone