(I just made part 34: https://www.theguardianherd.com/messageboard/herd-chat/alternative-ending-rp-part-34 )

Stormglade:

Her care-free and bubbly attitude made his smile grow wider. He answered her question, "Uh, no. Not usually. And wait, seriosuly? I do?" He asked, going cross-eyed trying to see himself smiling, which sent Canyongold into a fit of giggles. Stormglade, feeling his heart brighten, allowed a small chuckle to escape his lips. It was more of a snort or a nicker, but you could tell he was happy by showing it in his own way. His smile slowly faded and he became distant, like he was thinking about something. He hesitated for a moment, then glanced at Canyongold. He slowly and cautiously out-stretched his wing to her, just like she did to him when they first met. "Wanna..." he cleared his throat and hesitated for another minute before continuing. "...Start over? ...I'm Stormglade." He said, grimacing slightly, fearful at being rejected.

(I like how Stormglade's scared of being rejected by her....but like 10 minutes ago he mercilessly rejected her lol)

Canyongold-

She gaped at him, smiling along with him. “Hooray!” She said prancing around. She looked back at him, smiling gentler now. She puffed her chest out. “That’s right. I do care! That’s why I came back,” she said, smiling. Then she asked him a question. “Do you smile very often? Cause you look good smiling!” She said, noticing how much more handsome and welcoming he looked with even the smallest smile.

Canyongold-

How could she be so stupid? How could she let herself show weakness? How? Anger bloomed gently through her chest, curling its way around her heart and squeezing. She had actually thought she could have a friend where she wasn’t looked at strangely because of her abundant kindness and rejection towards war. That’s why it seemed almost familiar, this anger and sadness at herself. She had felt when she’d first killed a pegasus, blood splattering on half of her face. She had thought it her own blood and had screamed, flying away, too sad to do anything.

This time it was different, more there. She glared back at him, but was surprised to see him standing, stiff and shaking ever so softly. Originally, she thought him to be laughing, but when she saw the clear little bulbs falling down his cheeks, she slowed to a stop. He was crying. She was in such shock she didn’t exactly remember turning around and flying slowly back to where he stood, still crying. She landed behind him and walked forward gently, coming up beside him. She didn’t know what was wrong, but she felt pity and sadness all the same. She shifted on her feet, feeling awkward and ashamed.

“A-Are you okay...? Was it..... was it something I said?” She asked gently, ears drooping.

( Aww he sounds so sad ;( I feel bad for him now.... )

Forestbeam-

The mare nodded. Then she pricked her ears. “Will it only be us who are going? Just us three?” She asked.

Breezebell:

The moment their words had set in, she was almost screeching out with joy and prancing over the grass. Her father was alive! And she had the chance to see him now! She quickly got over the excitement and nodded to them. "Yes, I know where my mother is. How could I not? I'll take you to her," she said, lifting into the air and flying over the clearings of Glacier Herd. They landed not far away, about 30 winglengths away from the triplets normal sleeping area, grazed Breezebell's mother. Forestbeam listened patiently as they retold the story, and nearly fell down from shock and joy. She nodded to them. "Yes, I am okay with traveling to Night Herd," she informed them, now that she had regained her bearings from the news.

Stormglade:

This time, Stormglade was barely able to hide his emotions. He tensed and his muscles twitched. He pawed the ground and turned away from Canyongold, feeling his lip about to quiver. He quickly composed himself and snorted. "Nothing. No reason." He said over a shaking breath.

In his secret heart of hearts, a tiny speck yearned to tell her-she was so easy to talk to. But his mind, who had controlled his every action, easily over-powered the tiny bit of hope. The coldness returned to his eyes, hiding the warmth that which was present for less than a moment. "You wouldn't understand...." He mumbled under his breath so that she wouldn't hear. He looked away again and pinned his ears, his face returning to its normal expression--cold.

Canyongold-

She smiled at him, a sickly sweet smile, one etched with hurt and happiness. “I’m not normally like that, just so you know,” she said quickly, a blush creeping up her neck. “I don’t normally yell.” She looked at hi,, and then swung her head around. Then she remembered her question. “I noticed you were all alone here yesterday. I know it’s none of my business, but why are you always here alone?” She asked tentatively.

Stormglade:

There was no readable emotion on his face, but underneath, her words cut through him as easily as butter. He swallowed hard and his wing muscles tensed. His heart ached from her words because he knew they were true, but he forced himself to remain stoic. He shrugged and looked towards the sky, trying to hide the hurt. "Whatever...Not like I care..." There was only slight hesitation in his voice, but he hid it well. He glanced at the filly and found himself staring. "At least you're not afraid to speak up for yourself." He said. "And maybe you can handle yourself..."He paused, then continued quickly. "Not-not like I was wrong about you. I knew you were fierce from the start." He mumbled, internally kicking himself for being so stupid. "Stupid...stupid...stupid..." He grunted gently and shifted his weight from hoof to hoof.

Canyongold-

She immediately dropped her wing and pinned her ears, rattling her feathers. "Sir, I don't mean to be rude, but I did not show any sign of intentions towards befriending you. I always thought it was common courtesy to say thank you to the pegasus who just about got you out of a ditch. It is not my fault if you think every small filly like me can't handle herself. You'd be surprised," she said, rage causing her muscles to tense. She had never been so offended and angry before, considering she had just thanked Stomrglade for helping her, and he took advantage of that to insult her. She sighed deeply, a glint in her eyes. Her feathers ceased their rattling and her eyes cooled. "I came here to thank you, and I have done that. If you will not accept my gratitude for helping me, then I hope you will at least remember the first act of kindness you've ever done, and you will know you blew it for your arrogance and stupidity," she sniped back. Then realization dawned on her features and she softened, her wings slackening. "I... I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean...," she stuttered, realizing her terrible mistake in yelling at this stallion.

( XD. It's fine )

( That is so sad River. I have a younger brother xd )

Canyongold-

She didn't remember much during the time when she was in the medicine den, but she had heard voices speaking of her injures , but after 30 minutes or so she felt much better after being given water and a bit of salve for her torn feathers. She breathed deeply and happily trotted out of the medicine mare den, careful to the medicine mare's warnings not to use her bruised leg as much so it could heal, and not to sit down or lay on her bad flank.

She cantered, putting light pressure on her injured hoof, in the direction where she had seen the stallion to properly thank him while she wasn't half asleep. She soon found him grazing in roughly the same area, and approached him gently, smiling gratefully. She came up a few winglengths away and dipped her head in thanks. "Thank you for helping me yesterday.... That was... embarrassing, I must admit," she said, a small laugh escaping her. "Thanks for tolerating me," she said, smiling kindly. "I'm Canyongold," she nickered, holding out her wing in a friendly wing-shaking gesture.

( For some BIZARRE reason, Stormglade cracks me up XD )

Cayongold-

She had awoken to the feeling of hard stone, and squinted open her eyes. She saw the stallion and smiled weakly, and whispered, "Thank you," before drifting off into a daze with dehydration and a concussion. She fought hard to keep from falling asleep for the few seconds before the medicine mare got to her, but it took a lot of effort out of the small filly.

(I feel like I should clear this up: the Trap is not far away from Glacier Herd's territory: in fact, the northeast border is quite close to it. The sheer size of the forest itself is what makes it a long trip.)

(sry I gtg to bed bye)

Stormglade:

He watched her struggle to take off and he felt something in his heart. He coughed and sneezed. "What the heck? What am I feeling?" Stormglade asked himself, starting to think a disease had infected his immune system. His brain answered. 'Pity, Stormglade. You feel pity." Stormglade stood still for a second then chuckled. "Gross." He said. He began grazing again, but couldn't. He started glancing every now and then at the filly, but every time he did his tough, cold sigh screamed. "It's not your problem! You don't have time for weak feelings of mushy-gushiness." Stormglade nodded and turned away from her, cramming the pity deep down.

Duskblade:

He pinned his ears involuntarily. "The only thing I can tell about The One before you meet her is that she is powerful in our culture. Everyone respects her, and unless you want to start an unnecessary war, then I don't suggest insulting The One in front of the others. The One does not mind, but the others mind much. Please, for your own sakes, do not anger my herd," he said, his tone as serious as it always had been. The filly named Redmoon almost looked like she'd laugh, but a quick glare silenced her.

Stormglade:

His eyes flared wide and he dug his hooves into the soil. He whirled around only to be face to face with the filly. He swallowed hard and clenched his jaw shut so hard he thought his teeth would shatter. He took a step away from her and rattled his feathers, very confused as to why this filly was speaking to him. "Uh..." His voice dropped an octave from its normal pitch. He pointed a golden-tan wing towards a cave about a mile away. His eyes were the size of goose eggs and he stood as still as a statue. "Please don't ask me another question. Please just leave me alone..." He pleaded silently.

Canyongold-

It wasn’t a dream! This sent a wave embarrassment at not being strong enough to fend for herself. This brought another wave, this time of self anger. She would have to train harder to become better, and she quickly stood up and tried to fly, but found her legs buckled under her weight and she looked at her flank, grimacing. There was a small bruise on her flank where the yearling had kicked her to knock her out of the air. Her leg was also slightly bruised from where she‘d landed.

She stood up again, and this time she could limp forward. After limping a few steps away, she felt she could place her hoof down without feeling to much pain. She say a stallion grazing winglengths away, but he was the closest pegasus to her, so she walked towards him, tucking her slightly bloody feathers on her back. When she reached him, she asked, “Um, excuse me, would mind pointing me in the direction of the medicine mare den?” She didn’t feel like admitting to this stranger that her mind was a little fuzzy and her vision was off, so she didn’t.

Stormglade:

He had watched a group of yearlings carry a filly discretely back to the meadow. She now laid in a heap on the far corners of the meadow. Stormglade wasn't too far away, but he couldn't stop watching her. He was intrigued by this filly-and the fact that he didn't know why made him even angrier.

He saw her start to stir and he quickly averted his gaze before she saw his eyes. He glared at his hooves. 'Idiot." He mumbled. He started to graze, swishing his tail at nothing. No one grazed at this part of the meadow. All the grass was already dead, so there was no reason to be here. "Good." He mumbled again.

Canyongold-

She awoke in a cold sweat in the meadow, struggling to breath. Her eyes bulged as she looked around her. Just a dream. She sighed, but then looked down at her feathers, and saw they were tattered and torn. SHe gasped

Goldenstream didn't waist any time. "There's a group of Sky herders-not much older than me-who have taken Canyongold captive. Me, Emberblaze, Redmoon, Oceangold and Gemfrost talked to the leader of the sky herders and he said that they hadn't meant to take Canyongold captive-they wanted Redmoon and her family. But, rest assured, Canyongold is safely back at the meadow." She paused for a breath and to let her words sink in before continuing. "The leader, or Duskblade, said that Forestbeam's mate, Crimsonstorm, is in the Trap. Duskblade says he's waiting for Redmoon and the rest of her family."

There is someone else called "The One." Duskblade speaks of this "One" like he's high and mighty. Duskblade want to bring Redmoon and her family to the Trap to see there father and meet the One."

"Of course, Redmoon agreed. Oceangold volunteered to go with Redmoon, but she sent us to ask a council herd member if they would come with them." She glanced down, then looked back up at them. "I don't know whether their telling the truth, but I do know that they're not a threat." Goldenstream turned away and pointed with her wing. "They're North, about a mile away from a clearing."

Silverflame-

Silerflame dived right behind Goldenstream, with Emberblaze and Gemfrost following close behind. The group touched down just outside of the medicine mare den, and quickly located Jaggedwing and Briarcloud who were still walking towards the den. With a sigh of relief that he had been right, Silverflame hurried up to the elderly couple. "Excuse me," said the bay, "But would you be willing to help us with something?"

Jaggedwing grunted, "Make it quick." he grumbled.

"Oh you be nice." said Briarcloud, giving her mate a smack with her tail. Then she turned to take in the group of yearlings. "How may we help you?"

Silverflame dipped his head, "Thank you, and uh... well... Goldenstream, why don't you explain?"

Goldenstream nodded. "Let's go to them."

Emberblaze glanced at Goldenstream like she'd told the punch line of a joke wrong. "Uhh...Have you forgotten that our parents are in the Council? Ya know, Mom and Dad?" He asked, ficking his ears.

Goldenstream glared at him. "Yes, I know Emberblaze. But, you have clearly forgotten that our Dad is not here. He's out on a scouting mission to look for safe migration trails. And Mom? She's not in any sort of condition to deal with something like this." Goldenstream replied, meaning how pregnant Starsummer was becoming.

Emberblaze looked slightly taken aback, but then her words settled and he nodded. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

Goldenstream smiled, swishing his tail over his flank. "Of course I'm right. Now, let's go get Jaggedwing and Briarcloud." She said, before diving towards the medicine mare den.

Silverflame-

The bay shook his head, "They went off to make an announcement or something, but I did see Jaggedwing a Briarcloud just before I took off." he said, remembering that he had passed the elderly couple on his way to talk to Magicpetal, "I think they may have been heading to the medicine mare den to check on Twigstrike."

Silverflame-

"Thanks!" called Silverflame, as he shot up into the sky, then off in the direction Magicpetal had indicated. On his way, he almost ran into Emberblaze, Goldenstream, and Gemfrost who were traveling at a rapid speed. "What's going on?" he whinnied.

Gemfrost snorted, "There's a group of yearlings back that way that claim to be here to bring Redmoon, Breezebell, and Forestbeam to Crimsonstorm!" answered the bay roan yearling, as the group of now four yearlings raced back to Glacier Herd. "We're on our way to alert the council so we can figure out what's going to happen next."

(Same, and it's not even 9am yet for me. Also, I'm not going to be able to get on till later today, so... sorry)

(Holy moly chicken scribble. My notifications xD)

( I gtg for a while too XD. I have to groom horses. Au revoir! )

Redmoon:

She stared back at him, not quite sure why she felt so guilty for choosing to go with this group of sky herders.

Duskblade- (I will put his description in the character page soon)

"We are supposed to take you straight to The One, who will then escort you to Crimsonstorm," he said, his voice filled with high respect whenever he spoke of The One or Crimsonstorm.

(I want to write one more, then we can.)

Oceangold nodded with satisfaction as she saw the others fly away. She turned back, catching a glimpse of the steel in Redmoon's eyes in the process, to look quizzically at Duskblade. "You never answered my question," she pointed out. "What are we doing when we get to Night Herd's territory?"

(Night herd is on the other side of the Trap from Glacier Herd, right?)

Oceangold stared her down, hard. "I'm coming with you, Redmoon," she said, in a tone that was not open to argument. "I don't know or trust these steeds, and I'm not about to let a two-year-old disappear with them." She lowered her voice and flew closer. "And if necessary, I can help you escape."

Redmoon:

She stared hard at the yearling. “You do not have Redmoon. You have stolen Canyongold. I am Redmoon,” she said. They earling looked at her in a completely new way, and clicked his tongue to alert them that they had the wrong pegasus and to deliver Canyongold home. Then he turned to Redmoon. “Do you know of pegasi named Breezebell and Forestbeam?” He asked.

She nodded. “They are my family.”

“Then you must find them and bring them here. We have orders to take you, and I do not plan on displeasing The One. You will either come willingly, or we will take you forcibly.”

She hesitated and glanced at Emberblaze. Then she looked back to the yearling Duskblade. “I will come, but the others won’t until I see you are not lying and my father is alive!” She said, glancing at the others, already planning her escape. She should take this matter to the Council, but she wasn’t going to do that unless she wanted to start another war right before the migration.

Magicpetal watched as her siblings figures disappeared into the horizon. Goldenstream's words had hurt, but Magicpetal knew she was right. Her leg was healing, but it still throbbed painfully. She cocked her hurt leg to rest and folded her wings, feeling utterly useless. She heard a familiar voice behind her. She turned and saw Silverflame, who looked concerned and slightly angry. Magicpetal eyed him and said, "You think I know?! Emberblaze just claimed he heard something. I didn't hear it, neither did Goldenstream. But, my sister took off after Emberblaze and flew North. I don't know where they are...or what they flew towards..." Magicpetal said, worry etched all over her face.

( Merci, Riverbreeze )

He answered the first question; “I am Duskblade, and this is my sky herder crew,” then eh asked, “Who is Canyongold?”

Emberblaze pinned his ears, his eyes going hard. "How do know that stallion!? Where are you keeping him?! Take us to him." Emberblaze said, eyeing the yearling up and down. They were about the same height, but the stranger was skinnier and leaner. He had longer wings and longer legs, while Emberblaze was more stocky. Emberblaze growled again, "Who are you, and why do you want Canyongold?"

( Okay, it doesn’t have to be this way, but I was thinking for my OC Azulbolt and Night Herd, maybe they need more steeds and have been scavenging through the herds to capture and bring foals back. Maybe they stumbled upon Crimsonstorm’s grave and he was still alive, took them back to their territory, and healed them. Then he keeps on asking, “Where am I? Where is Redmoon and Breezebell and Forestbeam?!” So them came out here to get them for some bizarre reason. It doesn’t have to be this way and we can all just forget about this endeavor of my imagination if you’d prefer it )

(WHAT. THE. PLOT TWIST. What just happened, exactly?)

( I didn’t realize that was Stormglade... No It’s not Stormglade.

Silverflame-

Silverflame was in the process of helping Sparrowfire and a few other steeds move a tree that had been blown over during the wind storm, while keeping one eye on Goldenstream. He was vaguely concerned when he watched the pretty chestnut get into a tussle with Magicpetal, then fly off with Emberblaze, but he had to stay with Sparrowfire and his crew until the tree was moved. The second the tree was gone, SIlverflame let the captain know he need to go, then went as fast as he could over to Magicpetal. "Is something wrong?" demanded the bay, "Where's Goldenstream?"

Gemfrost-

The bay roan yearling let out an annoyed huff, when would other steeds learn it wasn't always best to rush in to these sorts of things? Well, there was no use pondering that now thought Gemfrost as she shot out for her hiding spot to join Goldenstream and Emberblaze in the sky.

(And...is the lead captor Stormglade? It says dark bay with salmon pink wings-that's his description. He doesn't have to be the lead-captor but I figured it would add more drama)

(Awww!!!! Ok :'( byeee)

Emberblaze:

He was dozing in the warm sun, flexing his wings and drinking in the energy. "Ahhh...Peace and quiet." He said moments before a faint sound reached his ears. His eyes flared open and he leaped to his feet, spooking Goldenstream and Magicpetal who grazed next to him. The sound was faint and far away, but there. He glanced at Goldenstream and motioned for his sister to follow. "C'mon. We gotta help." He said, before kicking off and flying towards the sound.

Goldenstream:

She hadn't heard the sound, but she trusted her older brother. Magicpetal arched her wings, prepared to take off, but Goldenstream held her back. "Stay here. If there's danger, you are in no condition to fight it." Goldenstream said, gently. She nodded at Magicpetal's hurt leg.

Magicpetal:

She swished her tail and pinned her ears. "I won't back down when someone needs me." She snapped, arching her wings again. This time, Goldenstream wasn't so gentle. Goldenstream grabbed Magicpetal's tail in her teeth and yanked her back. Magicpetal grunted in protest and kicked out her hind leg in warning. Goldenstream huffed and dropped her. "Magicpetal, you will only get in the way. You're leg isn't healed enough to help. And, I can't help or fight when all I'm doing is worrying about you! Stay. Here." Goldenstream sternly said, with a burning intensity. The older sister turned away and kicked off, pumping her purple wings to catch up with her brother, who had made it half-way to the sound.

Brokenflame-

The copper stallion had been keeping to himself ever since he had returned Honeyfall to her herd, he should have known that he wouldn't be accepted. Neither the steeds from Glacier Herd or Flame Herd really wanted him, but they also weren't bothering him. This of course was just fine with Brokenflame because he was worried what would happen once things calmed down, and Glaicer Herd's council would have time to determine the fates of Cherrycloud's former followers.

Honeyfall-

Honeyfall was glad to be back in Glacier Herd even though everything seemed to be in a constant state of chaos. She had barely seen hide nor hair of Brokenflame since the battle, but she had checked in to make sure he was okay. Snowfrost was being an absolute pain because he was refusing to leave his best friend's side, and couldn't go 30 minutes without asking if Honeyfall needed anything. This was partly because Dappleroot had insisted that she take a few days to rest up, and partly because Snowfrost had been worried half to death since she had left to go on her mission to Red Herd. But either way, Honeyfall was beyond done with this whole thing.

Dappleroot-

The medicine mare heaved a deep sigh. Even though she was only 23 years old, Dappleroot felt old. The whole ordeal with Flame Herd attacking was diffidently not helping. With a large amount of effort, Dappleroot started trudging back to the medicine mare den loaded down with all manner of herbs to replenished the almost existed store back in the cave. When she approached the entrance, she was surprised to see that Breezecloud was there, and concerned that somethings may be up, Dappleroot quickened her pace and was able to catch the last sentence or so from the lead mare. "What's happening?" she asked, dropping the herbs she was carrying in her mouth.

Coablaze:

He woke up to the sounds of soft voices echoing in the cave. He groaned and knew if he opened his eyes, he might just close them and go to sleep again. So he glued them shut and listened as he tried to control his breathing to adjust to the numbness in his abdomen. He heard something about migration and hoped he wouldn't be left behind, not able to see Mintcreek or his friends for a time. When he heard them discussing that very topic about the four most injured steeds, he knew he'd be staying behind. He hated this, of course, so he just let their serious tones lull him into another deep sleep, one where he didn't have to worry about being left behind.