Nightshade rolled her eyes. “Shut up!” she snapped. Nightwing growled at Nightshade, and Thunderfrost slapped his wing over Nightshade’s muzzle. “Nightshade, keep quiet! Don’t insult him!” he hissed, angry. Nightshade grunted. “Fine!”

Nightwing looked at Winterwing. “Who’s this?” he asked, walking toward the stallion. Thunderfrost growled. “That’s my father. He abandoned me because he was scared of me. I accidentally killed my mother, so I got mad and I did that.” he said, angry. Nightwing’s jaw dropped. He smoothed his expression and hugged the yearling. “Sorry that happened to you,” he said to Thunderfrost. He, Nightshade, Springsky, and Thunderfrost trotted to the meeting, where a mare named Brightsun stood.

Nightwing stood in front of the foals, his head lifted and his neck arched. “I assume you’re Brightsun?” he asked. The mare nodded. “I’ve come to make a deal. If you give me the foals, I will spare Nightshade. If not, I will kill her.” Nightwing spread his wings, blocking the foals. “No. This is my family, I will not leave them for your twisted games!”

Brightsun whistled. Two stallions named Sunfire and Stormblaze started attacking the foals. “Get off them!” yelled Nightwing. He twitched with anger. He stood still, afraid to let loose any kicks. A crack of bone sent him flying into action, causing him to attack Sunfire and Stormblaze. “Get away from them!” the black stallion yelled, eyes turning silver. He realized that he still had his starfire. He used his shield for himself and the foals. “Are you alright, guys?” he asked. The foals nodded.

Nightwing nodded, and the foals flew up with Nightwing in the shield. Nightwing righted them and flew to the plain with the herd leaders. He released the shield once they were all safely on the ground. Pegasi all around stood, terrified. A blood bay mare named Ambershard walked to Nightwing caustiously. “Hello? Sir? I have a question,” she said. Nightwing turned around to face her. “Hello? Who are you?” he asked.

“I’m Ambershard, sir,”

“Okay. Ambershard, what’s your question?”

“In the legends, you’re described as a tyrant, as evil. Is that true?”

Nightwing fell silent. “Yes, it is. I’m not like that anymore. With over 200 years to reflect, I’ve realized my mistakes and have made up with everyone I’ve wronged.”

Ambershard bowed, then hugged him. “You need this hug, I can tell,” Nightwing smiled and hugged her back. Nightshade hugged them, and so did Thunderfrost and Springsky. Winterwing limped to them and looked at Thunderfrost. Thunderfrost growled at his father. “What are you doing here, Winterwing?” asked Thunderfrost. Winterwing winced, hating the fact that his son despised him this much. Nightwing looked at Thunderfrost. “Thunderfrost! Don’t say that!” said Nightwing. Nightwing blocked Thunderfrost’s view of Winterwing. “Why have you come? What do you need with my son?” he asked.

“Your son?! He has half of my genes, and none of yours!” yelled Winterwing. Nightwing raised his wing. “Enough! I am not allowing you to keep this colt! He’s already been through enough, with being abandoned by your petty flanks!” Winterwing growled. Thunderfrost lifted off and rammed past Winterwing, flying off. Nightwing growled at Winterwing. “You’ve made a grave mistake.”

Nightshade slapped Winterwing with her wing. “Pathetic excuse of a father,” she muttered, before flying after Nightwing. The wind rustled, taking feathers with it.