Stormlake woke up and yawned. As her sleepy eyes wandered around her, confusion settled in her. This wasn’t Sky Meadow. And where was her family?

Then Stormlake remembered. These pegasi next to her had kidnapped her yesterday.

Determination sprang her to her hooves. She needed to escape! Stormlake stretched her dark blue wings and took off into the sky, hoping to put some distance between her and the steeds before they woke up.

“There you are!” Stormlake felt teeth grab her wings. That didn’t work out.

They landed and walked towards the eastern border of Mountain Herd. There Nightfire spoke to her. “Get ready for a long journey.”

“What journey? Where to?”

“A journey to the Flatlands.”

The Flatlands! Stormlake stared at him open mouthed.

“Yes.” Nightfire sounded proud. “We are starting a new herd, a herd where we can graze as much as we please. Let's go.”

Stormlake couldn’t absorb all that information. One day she was playing with Mintleaf, the next she was kidnapped and going to the Flatlands.

Nightfire’s tone turned serious. “Now, can I trust you to fly on your own? Or do I have to carry you?”

“You can trust me.” Excitement rushed through Stormlake’s mind. There it was, a chance to escape!

“Okay. Lets go.” They took off into the air. Stormlake watched them closely, looking for opportunities, but none came.

The three pegasi flew for over an hour. The hot sun blazed above them, making Stormlake feel dizzy. Finally Nightfire spoke. “We land here.” They touched down wearily. Her tired wings clasped at her sides.

The gray filly watched a group of about five pegasi land, as exhausted as they were. Another came, about the same size.

Then Stormlake heard pegasi cheering, “Pinewing!” A moment later, a group of steeds, a bit bigger, came. The pegasi stared at a stallion that she assumed was the over-stallion of Valley Herd.

But her eyes were on a different steed. A yearling, white with pale blue wings. Stormlake looked into her sparkling blue eyes, and knew instantly that they were going to be friends.

Valley Herd

Stormlake- large gray filly with dark blue feathers, silver mane and tail, two hind white socks

Over-Stallion

Pinewing- bay stallion with yellowish green feathers, brown mane and tail, two white hind socks

Lead Mare

Elmcloud- chestnut mare with light green feathers, white mane and tail, four white socks

Stallions

Nightfire- large piebald stallion with white feathers tipped in black, black mane and tail

Sun Herd

Over-Stallion

Thunderwing- dark bay stallion with vibrant crimson feathers, black mane and tail, two white hind socks

Lead Mare

Silvercloud- light gray mare with silver feathers, white mane and tail, four white socks

Medicine Mare

Sweetroot- old chestnut pinto with dark pink feathers, chestnut mane and tail, white star on forehead

Stallions

Redheart- large dark gray stallion with dark red feathers, black mane and tail. Stormlake’s sire. Deceased

Mares

Goldsun- palomino mare with gold feathers, two hind white socks. Stormlake’s dam

Sunpetal- white mare with yellow feathers, flaxen mane and tail

Yearlings

Mintleaf- bay filly with green feathers, bay mane and tail, pale scar on chest, green eyes

Ashfeather- bay filly with maroon feathers, bay mane and tail

Thunderblaze- gray colt with vibrant orange feathers, gray mane and tail

Weanlings

Starbeam- palomino filly with silver feathers, four white socks. Stormlake’s sister

Constructive criticism welcome.