Cedarfire dove again and ripped a gash in Flintwing’s neck, releasing blood which streamed down his neck. Then he rose again, flaring his wings.

Flintwing glared and took flight, his massive form slowly rising off the ground. Seeing the danger — if Flintwing got into the sky he would be unstoppable — Cedarfire dove and smashed hard into Flintwing’s right wing, breaking it with a snap. Flintwing crashed to the ground, bellowing.

Cedarfire landed. He wanted to get this over with. He reared over Flintwing, ready to deliver an over-stallion’s deathblow.

But he stopped.

He didn’t want to kill him. Cedarfire wasn’t that sort of stallion. He only killed when he had no other choice, when lives were in danger.

And even then he tried to find another option.

Cedarfire bent his neck to Flintwing, lying on the forest floor. “You are banished.”

Flintwing started to rise. “I AM NOT! YOU ARE NOT THE OVER-STALLION! I AM THE OVER-STALLION! IF YOU WANT TO BE THE OVER-STALLION YOU HAVE TO KILL ME!” He heaved himself upward.

Cedarfire narrowed his eyes, saddened and sickened, and delivered the deathblow.

Flintwing shuddered and became still.

Across the clearing, Hoperiver was shocked. But then she realized Flintwing’s cruel reign was over.

Over.

She stepped into the clearing nervously and bowed.

“Cedarwing,” she whispered. She raised her head and saw him looking at her in wonder.

“You’re right,” he murmured. “I am.”

The dark dappled filly stepped forward. “I can go home now,” she said, almost crying. “Home.”

Summersong had almost fainted, and even now she felt very shaky on her hooves and like her legs were made of grass. Cedarfire turned toward them, his face shocked, then slowly merging into tentative joy. He flung out a blue wing and declared to Starpebble, “You can go home.”

Starpebble nodded quickly, then knelt in worry by Ember’s side, who was motionless and still unconscious. She began to rub his neck with her wing. Summersong darted to her and began to help revive him, her heart pounding.

What if he exhaused himself? What if it was too much? She smacked him frantically with her wing. Ember, please wake up!

He stirred, and blinked, but then closed his eyes again. “W-What happened?” he mumbled.

Starpebble’s face showed her relief. “Cedarfire killed Flintwing, Oops. Cedarwing.”

Ember’s eyes flickered open. “I’m exhausted.”

Summersong traced a wing down his neck. “I know.”

Thanks for reading! Mild criticism welcome, PLEASE inform me of ANY mistakes, including spelling and inconsistencies.

Mountain Herd:

Flintwing~ (over-stallion) dark gray stallion with slate-blue feathers, black mane and tail. Deceased.

Cedarwing~ (over-stallion) agile bay stallion with blue feathers, black mane and tail, thin white blaze

Snowstone~ (under-stallion) white stallion with mint feathers, white mane and tail. Deceased

Stormrain~ (yearling) dark gray filly with dark green feathers, black mane and tail

Hoperiver~ (single/widowed mare) pure white mare with sparkling blue feathers flecked with amber, white mane and tail

Snow Herd:

Mistwing~ (over-stallion) white stallion with misty blue and white feathers, silver mane and tail

Ashcloud~ (lead mare) smoky gray mare with smoky purple feathers, black mane and tail, large diamond-shaped star on forehead

Frostroot~ (medicine mare) light gray appaloosa mare with pale yellow feathers, light gray mane and tail

Fogfire~ (captain) gray stallion with navy feathers, black mane and tail. Deceased

Moonfrost~ (mated mare) dark silver mare with dark purple feathers, black mane and tail, Deceased

Echoflower~ (single/widowed mare, elder) white mare with pink feathers, white mane and tail

Rainshine~ (yearling) dark silver dapple filly with silver feathers, black mane and tail

Desert Herd:

Cobrawing~ (over-stallion) bay pinto stallion with green feathers, mixed brown-and-white mane and tail

Dustcloud~ (lead mare) palomino mare with pale green feathers, white mane and tail, wide white blaze

Sunfire~ (captain) gold dun stallion with violet feathers, gold mane and tail, thin white blaze

Starpebble~ (yearling) silver filly with pale blue feathers, white mane and tail, deep blue eyes

Ember~ (black foal, yearling) solid black colt with black feathers, black mane and tail

Spark~ (black foal, yearling) solid black colt with black feathers, black mane and tail, four white socks

Brightsky~ (mated mare) bright palomino mare with mixed blue and purple feathers, white mane and tail

Sunlight~ (single/widowed mare) palomino pinto mare with pink feathers, white mane and tail. Ember and Spark’s dam. Deceased

Summersong~ (yearling) brownish-gold filly with pale pink feathers, light brown mane and tail