(I wanted to focus more on some details so sorry if its a bit slow. I wanted to match it as much as I could to Mrs. Alvarez's writing. Enjoy!)

Star looked out upon the sea. He took a deep breath, filtering the air as small droplets of water tickled his muzzle. He closed his eyes, Letting the warm sun warm him and the current of the water splash his legs. This air, it calmed him. It brushed off the feeling of destruction and death. It gave a new feeling, the feeling of freedom. The stallion stepped into the water. The saltwater filtered through his coat and into every little hair, cleansing it. He dove in, sending a large splash into the air, making nearby Seagulls scatter. His wings unfurled and he pumped his wings, propelling himself forward. Fish darted away as he neared, and he listened to the distant singing of the killer whales. A dark shadow appeared as a seaweed bed passed overhead. Memories flooded back to him, swarmed him in warm yet longing thoughts. This bay was a cove of memories. Here was where he lived on his own in an era where he could not fly, where he had befriended a small bird, where he had learned to fly. He thought of his life before his first Birthday. He wished so bad to go back. To play one last game of chase with Bumblewind. Joke one last time with Dewberry, Hazelwind, and Ecofrost. Sleep one more night under the Grandmother tree. Learn one last lesson from Grasswing.

He let out his breath, watching bubbles of air dance towards the surface. He resurfaced and climbed ashore, his heavy hooves sinking into the damp sand below him. A large flat rock caught his eye. This plain grey rock, so simple, yet meaningful. This rock had been Crabwing’s rock. The stallion had cracked oysters open for the Seagull to eat, which made the bird very fond of him. He knelt besides the rock, and pressed his forehead against the cold stone, letting Crabwing’s memories wash over him. A small tear fell to the ground. His wet dark mane flopped in the wind as a large flight feather fluttered. It was tied to his mane. He looked to the side at it. Its was the most beautiful golden color, a color that matched his eyes, with brown tips. This was Bumblewind’s. More feathers appeared beside it. Bright Aqua blue. Only one pegasus he had ever met had those feathers.

Large soft wings wrapped around him. He looked up and saw an elegant chestnut filly. No, not a filly. A mare. He stared at her, watching as she gazed upon the sea. She had grown up so much since his first birthday. She was no longer the small, long-legged filly he knew, she was a proud independent young mare. The young mare that was his best friend. Morningleaf. She caught him staring and her bright amber eyes sparkled with curiosity.

“What?” she laughed.

“Nothing,” he replied “Its just.. We’ve grown so much. I never wished to grow up like this. To be forced to be a stallion to protect Anok. For you to be forced to become a mare to protect your family and friends. Just because we became ‘adults’ doesn’t mean we had to start acting like them. I just wished I could’ve given you a normal childhood.”

“Normal is merely a word. YOU are my normal. I could imagine living and not being with you.” she looked into his eyes.

He returned the stare. The last sentence, meant as a best friend, felt more than just something a best friend would say. But he didn’t question. He enjoyed the moment. Soon he would leave and travel to Sun Herd’s old territory, where he and his friends would live in peace with all 5 herds. But the thought swam in his mind. Did he love her?