Spark gasped and tucked his wings, speeding after Ember, who had already disappeared through the cloud. The wind whipped in his face as he fell below the cloud and pinned his wings, streamlining his body and shooting past Ember. Far below, Starpebble struck the ground with an audible thud and Spark was sickened. He touched down and rolled head-over-hooves to a stop next to her, already calling up his golden starfire.

Ember skidded to a stop and flared his wings, sparks falling from his mouth. But they were silver. When they touched Starpebble’s broken body she flinched, moaning. Ember turned to Spark, his eyes wide with fear. He coughed, trying to call up the golden starfire, but only silver whispered out. “Spark!”

Spark shoved his brother aside and roared starfire onto Starpebble, his heart reaching out toward her. She twisted on the ground and he finished, leaving her as fresh as a new foal. She blinked, disoriented, and Spark turned on his brother.

“WHAT WERE YOU DOING?” he roared. Ember flared.

“I didn’t mean to! It was an accident, I’m sorry, Starpebble!”

Spark twirled on his hooves, trying to calm himself. “You still did it! And then you hurt her more!”

Starpebble struggled to her hooves. “Hey, stop!”

But Ember wouldn’t listen. He reared, tears pouring from his eyes. “I’M SORRY!” He came to ground, glaring at them through his tears. “You just want to be together, don’t you! FINE THEN!” He flared his wings, ready to fly.

Spark tamped down his rage and opened his mouth. But before he could Ember lifted off and shot away toward the jet streams. Starpebble screamed after him, “EMBER!” She leaped off the ground, flying in a wobbly line after him.

Spark stood frozen, staring after his brother, regretting every word. Ember caught a jet stream and rocketed away, a tiny black dot far above.

Slowly, Starpebble spiraled down to Spark She landed, tear tracks marring her silver face. She shook her head. “I couldn’t catch him.”

He saw a flare of anger in Starpebble’s eyes and flinched. “I didn’t mean for him to go! I was just… mad.”

She sighed, turning away from him, her wings drooping. “I know.”

Spark walked after her and touched her wing, but she pulled away. “Just… leave me alone,” she whispered, and walked away.

Ember shot away from Desert Herd, tears sprouting not just because of the wind. He flew farther and farther away from Starpebble, whom he had hurt. I’m sorry! he thought miserably, I would never hurt you! His heart was heavy and his anger was burning brighter. He dropped out of the jet stream and loosed a plume of silver starfire across the sky, wondering if he could ever bear to use it.

He glanced down. He was above southern Mountain Herd territory, and far below he saw two tiny dots. He swooped closer and saw that they were pegasi. With a jolt he recognized them.

They were Sprucefeather and Stormrain.

He landed in front of them and they reared, startled. Sprucefeather whinnied at him, glaring. “It’s you.”

He nodded sadly. “It’s me.”

“Where are your friends?” she snapped, circling him. He sighed.

“Away.”

Her eyes flashed. “So you’ve been thrown out at last?”

“In a manner of speaking.” Starpebble, I’m sorry! Spark, how could you? I didn’t mean to!

Immediately Sprucefeather seemed to soften. “I’m sorry, my love! I know how that feels. I will be your friend.” She sidled closer. “But I can offer you much more.”

Hope you all enjoyed! PLEASE inform me of ANY MISTAKES OR INCONSISTANCIES be they a missing period or a plot hole or a weird travel time or ANYTHING! Thank you!

Mountain Herd:

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

Sprucefeather~ (widowed mare) bay mare with green feathers, black mane and tail

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, silky white mane and tail

Stormsun~ (single mare) chestnut mare with turquoise feathers, curly black mane and tail fading to light brown, four white socks, blaze

Rockroot~ (medicine stallion) smoky-gray stallion with deep pink feathers, black mane and tail, white snip on nose

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

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

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

Palmroot~ (medicine mare) gold dun mare with amethyst feathers, black mane and tail, black points

Tumbleweed~ (nursing foal) buttermilk buckskin with turquoise feathers, black mane and tail, uneven blaze