Hey guys! I'm SO sorry this took so long to get out! I've been working on other things! Enjoy...

"Yes, a new lead mare," Nightshade said. The mare reared, shocked. “Summercloud is . . . is dead?” The mare dropped her head. “My daughter . . . she’s gone . . .”

The mare, Stormheart, lowered her head to the foals. “I will be a lead mare again, if I’m needed.” she nickered, then lifted off, her dark-aqua feathers dancing in the breeze.

CHAPTER 2

Stormheart glided to the sunstone, the rock that all Summer Herd leaders used to speak from. She then cleared her throat. "Pegasi, our lead mare has, unfortunately, passed away,"

What!

Who did it?

Why?

Stormheart raised a wing, signaling for silence. "Do not interrupt me! Summercloud has passed away because she committed suicide.” she pointed her wing at the black foals. “Bring them to me.” she stomped a hoof, sending warriors flying toward the foals.

“Run!” Nightshade screamed. The foals lifted off and flew straight up, hoping to lose their attackers in the clouds. “When I say 'pin', we pin our wings and try to run into them! Understood?” the foals nodded, swiveling their ears to catch the word. Nightshade watched the battle steeds and then yelled. “Pin!” she yelled, then they each pinned their wings, plummeting into guards faster than lightning strikes.

Soon, the entire patrol was down. Stormcloud rattled her wings in fury. The foals landed, breathing heavily. "Ugh, you brats!" exclaimed the mare, ears pinned and tail lashing.

“Not our fault your guards are so weak,” neighed Thunderfrost, his voice rumbling.

Stormheart bared her teeth and charged at the foals. Nightshade saw that the mare was rushing at her, and she jumped as high as she could, and, being strong and powerful, cleared the mare and leaped onto her back.

“You might be my grandmother, but you mean nothing to me!” she said, and reared, then crashed her hooves down, her eyes dark with fury.

“Go!” yelled Nightshade to her siblings.