The Descendants

# **Day Herd**

*The black foal:*

Star—solid black stallion with black feathers, white star on forehead. Sire of Violetstorm and Thunderfrost. Mate is Morningleaf.

*Lead mare:*

Morningleaf—elegant chestnut mare with a flaxen mane and tail. Bright-aqua feathers, four white socks, blaze on face, amber eyes.

*Mares:*

Shadepebble—heavily spotted silver mare with pale-pink feathers, black mane and tail, thin blaze, three white socks. Born a dud and a runt to Mountain Herd, joined River Herd, then joined Sky Herd with her friends.

Flamesky—red roan mare with dark-emerald and gold feathers.

Aspenbreeze—small chestnut mare with light-purple feathers. Flaxen mane and tail.

Lightfeather—small white mare with white feathers, white ringlet tail, white mane. Star's dam. Born to Snow Herd, adopted by Sun Herd. Deceased.

Larksong—sky herder. Buckskin mare with dark-blue feathers, white snip on nose, black mane and tail.

*Medicine Mare:*

Dawnroot—white mare with light-blue feathers tipped in light purple, white mane and tail, light-brown eyes.

*Stallions:*

Brackentail—big brown stallion with orange feathers, brown mane and tail, two hind white socks.

Frostfire—captain. White stallion with light-blue feathers tipped in violet. Dark-gray mane and tail, one blue eye. Born to Snow Herd, adopted by Mountain Herd, joined Sky Herd.

Clawfire—white stallion with blue-gray feathers, jagged scar on face, gold eyes. Born to Snow Herd, joined Sky Herd.

Riverbrook—white stallion with light-gray mane and tail, dark-blue feathers tipped in light blue.

*Foals:*

Violetstorm—dark bay filly with a black mane and tail, four white socks, and a white star on forehead. Light-violet wings tipped in aqua and black.

Thunderfrost—black colt with a wide blaze on face, black feathers tipped in bright-aqua. One silver eye and one golden eye.

Starfrost—white colt, pale-yellow feathers edged in white, light-green eyes, curly tail.

*Yearling:*

Rippleglow—mean palomino yearling colt with a white mane and tail, green feathers, wide blaze, two front white socks.

# **Night Herd**

*Over-stallion:*

Stormwing—gigantic gray dappled stallion, purple feathers, black mane and tail, black eyes.

*Mares:*

Echofrost—sleek silver mare with a mix of light- and dark-purple feathers, one white sock, white mane and tail, hates Starwing. Returned to Anok from the Sandwen Clans.

Oceandream—perfect bay mare with a black mane and tail, dark-green feathers edged in silver, light-golden eyes.

*Medicine Mare:*

Oakroot—light-gray mare with a white mane and tail, light-pink feathers, white stripe on face. Hates Starwing.

*Foals:*

Riversun—black piebald filly, black-tipped violet feathers, wide blaze, green eyes. Already has her starfire.

Skyheart—bay pinto yearling filly, black mane and tail, stripe on face, dark pink feathers.

Flamewind—blue roan yearling colt with blue feathers tipped in yellow.

# **Sky Herd**

Star coasted on the breeze, letting the wind fly through his mane. Five moons after leaving the Flatlands of Anok, Star had formed a new herd, Sky Herd. He was now mates with Morningleaf, and they had two amazing foals, Thunderfrost, in honor of Thundersky, the loving father that Morningleaf had lost. And they had a filly, whose name is Violetstorm, named after her beautiful violet feathers. Morningleaf kicked off and flew toward Star, her amber eyes shining. “Hi, Star!” she nickered.

Star hovered and returned the greeting. “Good morning,” he said. “Where are the foals?” Morningleaf looked around and saw Rippleglow, the mean yearling that picked on everyone he saw, bullying Violetstorm and Thunderfrost. Star saw him and barreled past Morningleaf, flying so fast his black wings blurred. “Papa!” whinnied Thunderfrost. Star landed and faced his son, wishing he could fly. Rippleglow grabbed Violetstorm's wing and twisted it until she screamed. Morningleaf, Brackentail, Clawfire, and Frostfire galloped to her aid. Frostfire's eyes darkened, and his sharp hooves glinted in the morning sun.

He rammed the yearling, sending him sprawling into the grass. Suddenly, he saw pale yellow feathers clash with green. “Starfrost!” he whinnied. Rippleglow reared, ready to deliver the deathblow. “Get your filthy wings away from my cousin!” squealed Thuderfrost, charging Rippleglow. Thunderfrost rammed Rippleglow and knocked him off his hooves.

Thunderfrost grabbed Rippleglow by his wing and dragged him over to Star, Morningleaf, Brackentail, Clawfire, and Frostfire. “Now say sorry!” he neighed to Rippleglow. Rippleglow bucked, kicking Thunderfrost in the chest. Riversun, the filly of Petalcloud and Nightwing, cantered into view, and skidded to a halt. “Rippleglow, stop!” she said, her eyes glowing silver. Rippleglow refused and reared, attempting to threaten her. Riversun's eyes darkened, and silver smoke drifted out of her nose. “Don't make me repeat myself, Rippleglow! I will kill you if you don't stop!” she whinnied, bluffing. Thunderfrost's eyes glowed, and suddenly he saw white light. It was his granddam, Lightfeather!

She whispered to him. “Hello, Thunderfrost. It's me, Lightfeather. I want you to know that I am here for you.” she said, placing a wing over his heart. Lightfeather disappeared, and the world snapped into focus. Tears streamed from Thunderfrost's eyes. Star trotted to him and placed a wing over him. “Was it Nightwing?” he asked. “Did he say something to you?”

Thunderfrost's sobbed, leaning into Star. “No, it was Lightfeather. She . . . she said that she was there for me.” he whispered. Star exhaled, relieved. *At least it wasn't Nightwing coming back.* he thought. “Do you want to learn how to fly?” he asked Thunderfrost. His son nodded his head and galloped in a circle, trying to flap his large wings. “Hold on, Thunderfrost!” nickered Star. Star, Morningleaf, Violetstorm, and Thunderfrost trotted to the meadow. “Now, I want you to break into a gallop and flap your wings as hard and you can.” said Star. Thunderfrost did just that, and lifted off the grass. He squealed happily while Star whinnied instructions. Morningleaf lifted off and soared with her colt.

Riversun saw them flying and lifted off, joining them. Dawnroot, the medicine mare, trotted into the sky. “Star, may I speak to you?” she asked him.

Star nodded and they glided to the ground, where the rest of the council was. “We've been talking, and we all agree that we need an over-stallion and a lead mare.” she said.  Star pricked his ears, listening. “We think that you and Morningleaf are best for the job.” she said. Star's eyes went wide, shocked. He and Morningleaf were only 2 years old, and the responsibility of it was astonishing. “Would you mind if I had some time to think about it?”  he asked. Dawnroot nodded. “Please make your choice as soon as you can.” she said. Star nodded and lifted off, gliding back to his family. Morningleaf nuzzled him, and looked at the scars that had just begun to grow hair.

“I can tell something's wrong, Star. I've known you since we were foals.” she said. Star sighed, long and slow. “The council has decided that we need an over-stallion and lead mare. And they've chosen us for the jobs.”

Morningleaf looked right at him. “Fine . . . I'll take the position of lead mare.” she said. Star exhaled, feeling relieved. “I'll take the position of over-stallion, then.” he said, then he reared and jumped into the sky, toward the council. “I've made my choice,” said Star. “Me and Morningleaf have chosen to be the lead mare and over-stallion.” he said. Dawnroot's face brightened at this news. “Wonderful, Star . . . wing.” she nickered, adding the over-stallion's name to his. They flew to Morningleaf and Star told her to follow them. She joined them, and they formed a V formation, with Star at the lead.

When they got to the rock, they landed and Star walked to the edge. He stamped his hoof, and sent the herd galloping his way. “Dawnroot, would you explain?” he asked. She nodded. “The council and I have decided that we need an over-stallion and a lead mare.” Many steeds objected.

*We don’t want another Nightwing!*

*I refuse to be ruled by a tyrant!*

“Enough!” whinnied Brackentail, looking around at his fellow herdmates. “Star is not a tyrant! Nightwing, on the other wing, *was* a tyrant! I say that we all give Star a chance! All hail Starwing! All hail Morningcloud!”

Brackentail lifted off and flew toward Starwing. “I have a quick question. Remember Thundersky?”

Tears stung Morningcloud's eyes as she remembered her sire, his crimson wings, wide blaze, and his loving heart. Brackentail noticed her pause in breath. “I’m sorry!” he whinnied, wrapping his wings around her. "Anyway, I was wondering if I could maybe become a captain?"

Star nodded his head, happiness glittering in his eyes. "Brackentail, colt of Rowanwood, you have proven your strength and resilience in both good times and bad. And from here forward, you will now be known as Brackenfire, captain in Sky Herd's army." he said. Suddenly, Brackenfire’s head flew skyward. “I heard something, like an over-stallion calling his herd.” he said. Frostfire glanced at Morningcloud, and their history flared between them like it often did. Starwing galloped to the edge and jumped off, pinning his wings. Then he pulled out of his dive, rocketing over the grass. Stormtail, Petalcloud's moose of a guard, glided with Riversun. Stormtail looked in Starwing's direction.

Riversun waved her wing at Starwing, and Starwing waved back. Stormtail's eyes glittered with violence at the sight of Starwing healthy. He glided over to Starwing, landed, and looked up at him. "Hello, Star . . . nice to see you again." he said, malice churning in his black eyes.

Starwing stood taller, feeling confident. "I think you know that's not my name anymore, Stormtail." he replied. Stormtail lifted off and brayed a challenge.

Starwing jumped into the sky and returned the bray. Suddenly, a violet wing with black tips sliced the air between the fighting stallions. Riversun faced Stormtail with her ears pinned. "Stormtail, stop!" she whinnied, her eyes glowing gold. Stormtail reared, towering over her. "What! You're the healer? You're meant to be a destroyer! To carry on your parents reign of destruction!" he shouted.

"No! That's not what I want! I don't want to kill pegasi! In fact, I believe in Starwing! Not you! I don't care who my parents were, I am not Nightwing!" she neighed.

Stormtail's eyes hardened to stone. "Fine, but soon, little filly, you *will* find out that Star 'wing' is not good enough of a leader for you." he said to her. With that, he lifted off and flew away. Riversun sobbed, and black flowers sprang up from the ground.

Starwing wrapped his large wings around Riversun. "Do you want to come with me, and join Sky Herd?" he asked her. Riversun nodded slowly, still a bit sad. "But . . . won't the herd hate me, because of who my parents were?" she asked.

"No, they won't," Star nickered, and then they exchanged breath. *At least I hope not.* he thought. The two steeds walked toward Sky Herd, and Starwing spread his large black wings, getting the herd's attention. The herd looked up and saw Riversun, then they began rattling their feathers, furious.

Starwing reared and slammed his hooves on the rock, silencing everyone. "Riversun was alone with Stormtail, and she hates him, so she wanted to join our herd." he whinnied, and all the steeds shared angry murmurs. "Morningcloud, will you escort this filly to Dawn Meadow to let her graze?" he asked without looking back. Morningcloud nodded and trotted to the filly, nudging her along.

Thunderfrost and Violetstorm trotted to Riversun and they exchanged breath. "Let's pretend that Thunderfrost is a Night Herd steed who escaped, and we were sent to hunt him down." suggested Violetstorm.

Riversun's ears drooped, but she quickly shook off her sadness. "Sure, why not," she replied to her friend. Thunderfrost reared and galloped away, pretending to be terrified. Violetstorm caught up to him quickly and tackled him. "Where do you think your going?" she said, imitating a mare named Oceandream. Thunderfrost pinned his ears and squealed. "Let go!" he neighed, trying to act like a stallion. Riversun trotted toward him with her tail lifted. "So, where were you going?" she said, playing as the lead mare.

Thunderfrost tried to lift off, but couldn't. They played for hours, then they trotted to their parents, with Riversun following at a distance. Riversun lay down a few winglengths away from Violetstorm and her family and started to sob, suddenly realizing that she did really have a family in the herd. Morningcloud saw Riversun lying down alone, and trotted toward her.

Morningcloud laid down next to the filly and rested a bright-aqua wing over her back. Riversun was so shocked that her starfire turned silver, and she accidentally blasted Morningcloud's wings, killing them. She stared at Morningcloud's feathers, terrified of what she'd just done. She quickly healed her, burst into tears, then trotted away to be alone.

Starwing glided to Morningcloud and sighed. Morningcloud pinned her ears at the filly. "We need to get rid of her." she whinnied. Starwing looked toward the foals. "No, the foals love her, it would hurt them if we got rid of her!" he neighed back. The two began arguing, and Riversun heard it. She galloped out of the woods, her eyes glowing silver. "Stop fighting you two!" she neighed. "Morningcloud is right, I should leave."

Violetstorm and Thunderfrost galloped to Riversun and wrapped their wings around her. Riversun pushed them away and turned around, walking back to Night Herd. "Look what you've done, Mama!" whinnied Thunderfrost.

The foals whirled around and galloped after Riversun. Riversun skidded to a halt and slammed into the ground. Violetstorm walked to her and helped her up. "It's alright, don't mind our mother, she can be very mean sometimes." she said.

Shadepebble trotted toward Starwing and Morningcloud. The foals lifted off and flew toward Shadepebble. "The tribute is almost finished! One more pegasus needs to place his stone." she said to them. They cantered toward the tribute, and Starwing flew up next to it. He watched the pegasus place his stone, and then waited for the cheering to cease.

"This tribute stands for Bumblewind, Silverlake, Thundersky, the one hundred and forty pegasi who left Anok, and all the pegasi who gave their lives to free us!" he whinnied.

Morningcloud flew to the top of the tribute and whistled the cry of a lead mare calling for her herd, sending the herd galloping her way. "If Starwing hadn't built that tribute, we wouldn't be here right now. All our thanks goes to Starwing the Great Healer!" she whinnied. Morningcloud turned to Starwing and bowed, and the herd followed.

Starwing's ears grew hot with embarrassment. "Please stand, Morningcloud." he said to his mate.

She stood, and the herd followed. Echofrost galloped into the herd, her purple feathers catching the sunlight. Starwing trotted to the edge of the tribute and jumped down, free-falling for a moment. Then he pinned his wings and dropped. He then opened his wings and extended them, slowing him down enough for him to settle into a fast glide. Once he was low to the ground, he fluttered his wingtips.

He met Echofrost at the base of the tribute. "What are you doing here, traitor?" he asked her. The mare's eyes shimmered in the afternoon sun. "I have come to offer a pact, Star." she answered him. "Fly with me, and we will talk more about it."

# **The Pact**

The two pegasi trotted into the clouds. A few minutes later, they stopped, hovering above the clouds. “Fly to where the Hundred Year Star used to be, and open your mouth like you did on your first birthday.” said Echofrost. Starwing did as she instructed, and his power flew into his mouth.

The golden light healed him, but then it turned silver. Echofrost's eyes grew a bit wide. The two landed and Starwing's hide crackled with dark energy. "Follow me, Starwing," nickered Echofrost.

Starwing followed her to Stormtail, now Stormwing. Starwing's eyes were silver, and his ears were pinned. He had a sudden desire to kill Morningcloud. He jetted off the grass, flying toward his mate.

Starwing blasted Thunderfrost out of his way, but Thunderfrost had projected a shield, using some of his father’s starfire that he inherited from him. “Papa, stop! Please!” he whinnied. Starwing glanced at the colt, and his silver fire turned golden. He landed and relaxed, feeling a bit sad.