Heya! This is my fan fic based on the Defenders of Anok Roleplay I created, explaining the backstory of some of my favorite characters. (My friend read it and said I should post it :)) For a bit of backstory just to make a bit more sense for those who aren't in DOA:

This is several thousand years after Windborn, and there is no longer the hundred-year star. It was made into a star relic that was split between the herds (Shadow, Earth, Storm, Ice, Fire, and Water). Fire Herd is the most brutal and really is cutthroat. When the new herds were created, the pegasi were taken to their own hide-away island that you can't access without crystal to protect them from the humans. There is a whole bunch of drama, but none of it is really pertinent to the story :)

Chapter 1 starts with Smokemoon's background, and more to shape the ferocity of Fire Herd, but the rest of the story is going to be more from Ashfrost's perspective, (who isn't in this chapter)

Hope you enjoy! The 2nd chapter is better and longer fyi.

Chapter 1

It was a crystal clear night, the stars shone bright in the heavens. The wind whistled softly through the small medicine mare cave. Intertwining branches and vines held a large assortment of poultices and herbs in small open containers. A small stream of water flowed into a pool surrounded by rocks in the far back.

In the center, however, lay a large mat made of knitted pine needles and moss. A beautiful grey pintaloosa with purple feathers was spread out on top of it. The only noise came from the month-old foal who was bleating. The others were silent.

Summerbreeze, the palomino medicine mare shook her head slowly. “I’m sorry Wintersun. There wasn’t anything I could do.” The buckskin pintaloosa known as Wintersun hung her head, tears falling silently down her cheek. “It’s a wonder she survived this long…”

The black foal fell to his knees beside his dam, whinnying mournfully. The buckskin looked at the medicine mare sadly. “What shall be done with Smokemoon?”

“I have been thinking. My brother’s mate has just given birth. Unfortunately, their foal…has joined Echomoon in the Golden Meadow. But she does have plenty of milk to take care of him.”

“Thank you, Summerbreeze. I know my sister would be pleased to know that he will be safe and loved, since I am unable.” The palomino smiled dolefully and nodded. She turned to the corner. “Opalmist?” The medicine mare apprentice trotted from the shadows, her iridescent feathers sparkling. “Yes?”

“Can you take Smokemoon to Rainstar and Spiritwind?”

“Of course.” The dark palomino smiled, walking to the small colt and exchanged breath. “Come with me,” Opalmist coaxed. Smokemoon glanced at his aunt, who nodded with a small smile. The black foal trotted anxiously after the apprentice, giving one last long look at his dam’s body.

Once they had gone, Summerbreeze and Wintersun stepped outside. “He’s not a black foal, is he?” The medicine mare asked

“No. His sire was really a dark grey. In the light you can tell.”

“I was worried. Rumor is spreading quickly of the starfire coming back.”

“Wasn’t all of it put into the relics?”

“So it was believed…but…” she shrugged, ruffling her cloudy blue feathers. “The things you hear as a doctor. If you ask me, though, it seems that some Storm Herd steeds are getting shadier than Shadow Herd.”

Wintersun looked around and nodded. “Yes. But Fire Herd is getting out of control. What they do to their steeds…” She shuddered. “That’s what happened with Echomoon and Rockstream. A Fire Herd scout intercepted them. Rockstream bought her just enough time to get away. But it wasn’t enough.” Wintersun sobbed into her wing.

Summerbreeze looked at the mare sadly. “I’m so sorry,” she stroked the buckskin’s back . They stood that way for a while until the sun peeked over the hill, signaling the beginning of the day in New Anok.

Pegasi descriptions for chapter:

Storm Herd

Wintersun - Buckskin pintaloosa with harvest orange feathers frosted in blue/white. Sister to Echomoon.

Echomoon - Light grey Pintaloosa with purple feathers, moon shaped star on forehead. Sister to Wintersun, dam to Smokemoon, mate to Rockstream, Deceased

Smokemoon - Dark black colt with an undertone of grey. 4 stockings, a waning moon star on his forehead, and blue feathers. Foal to Rockstream and Echomoon

Earth Herd

Summerbreeze - Palomino, bald face, 2 white hind stockings. Cloudy blue and white feathers. Head Medicine mare and dam to Opalmist

Opalmist - Yearling dark palomino with misty colored wings made of blue, grey, green, and brown, hind stockings. Medicine Mare Apprentice and only filly to Summerbreeze

Water Herd

Rockstream - Really dark grey (almost black) with 4 stockings. Mate to Echomoon, Sire to Smokemoon, Deceased.

Rainstar - Sorrel tovero with creamy mane and tail. Periwinkle feathers tipped in yellow. Mate to Spiritwind, dam to Summerdew

Spiritwind - Buckskin with white feathers tipped in black. Mate to Rainstar, sire to Summerdew

Summerdew - Buckskin tovero with black mane and tail, teal feathers. Filly to Spiritwind and Rainstar

Thanks @Dragon for the design idea for Smokemoon, since his character is based off of Artemis Fowl (loosely) and you did a lovely job of turning him into a pegasus for my contest. If you don't want me to, or whatever, just say so and I can totally change it