Herd Life (General Version)

Ash stretched as he lay blissfully in the sun. Winter was almost over and the snow was just starting to melt, exposing budding new shoots of grass and flowers. His life with Celestia and her parents had been some of the most wonderful times he ever knew.

Dark had started taking him out to teach him things he said he needed to know. Things like what tree bark, or shrub was okay to eat and what to avoid. Dark dug up some roots and told him that they were okay to eat, but Ash found they had a horrible bitter taste when he tried one and thought that Dark was just having fun with him until he saw him eat one himself. Stopping at a nearby stream, Dark pawed his hoof at the ice until he broke through. Stepping aside, he let the colt take a long needed drink first before taking his turn. Ash would grow so exhausted on their treks out, Dark would have to carry him home.

When Meadowlark discovered he didn't know how to count, she muttered angrily about how some mares shouldn't have foals. The next night she spread out some brightly colored pebbles and started teaching him how to count. At first, he had difficulty with it until Celestia helped him, turning it into a game to make it fun. Now he looked forward to when Meadowlark pulls out the little gourd and starts spilling out the colorful stones for a new lesson.

Letting out a contented sigh, Ash wondered what new thing was going to happen today. Suddenly felt his tail get yanked and he found himself dangling upside down. A moment later, he was set down on his back and trapped between two forehooves. Then a tongue started to lick him along his belly in long strokes.

"No, mamma. I don't want to be cleaned!" Ash complained, trying to wiggle out of Meadowlark's grasp. As Meadowlark's pregnancy progressed, she had been doing this more often. She would snatch up a random foal and start to groom them without warning or consideration. When they told Celestia's father about it, he just laughed and said that it wasn't hurting them and to just let her have her fun.

A filly giggled nearby. "You did it again. You called her mamma!" Celestia said in amusement.

"I did not!" Ash quickly denied, even though he knew it was true.

"You did too!" Celestia argued. "He said it, didn't he mamma?" she asked, turning to her mother.

Meadowlark paused to smile down at the trapped colt. "I like it when he calls me mamma."

Dark suddenly picked up his daughter by her crest and walked over to Meadowlark. Dislodging the colt out of her grasp with his hoof, he deposited Celestia into the newly vacated spot. "Excuse me Meadow, I'm taking Ash out for a while." He said, setting the colt onto his back.

As they walked away, Ash turned and stuck his tongue out at the now struggling Celestia as her mother happily started grooming her.

"Where are we going?" Ash asked.

"The stallions are having a Gather to discuss where we will be moving off to," Dark answered.

"But isn't that for stallions?" Ash asked. "Why are you taking me?"

Dark glanced back over his shoulder and smiled at the colt. "Because I wanted to, that's why." He then suddenly stopped and started to turn, "but if you don't want to go, I can take you back," he offered.

Ash quickly shook his head. "No! That's okay, I'll be happy to come."

Dark let out a chuckle and continued on.

Winter was nearly over. The nights were still cold but the day's were warm enough to start melting the snow that covered the ground into slush. As he walked, Dark's hooves sank into the muddy soil as he crossed the meadow. Rounding a small hill, they came to a large group of stallions milling together talking. Sitting up, Ash gazed about as they moved through. One of the stallions broke away and trotted over to them, calling out to Dark who then stopped to wait for him.

"Dark. I'm glad I was able to catch you before he got here." He said, emphasizing the word with a slight sneer. "There is something I want to show you, when you have the chance."

Dark looked at the stallion quizzically. "Oh? What is that, Brightstar?"

The stallion shook his head. "It'll be better if I just showed you." He suddenly noticed Ash sitting on Dark's back. "Oh! Hello there." He greeted the colt.

Ash gave the stallion a nervous smile. "Hi."

Just then, many of the stallions quieted down as they turned to look at a stallion with a dark blue coat and white mane, that just walked into the group. Sitting up higher, Ash recognized the large stallion. His mother had pointed him out to him once. She told him that his name was Thunder Step.

Thunder Step was the lead stallion of their herd, having taken it through a challenge a couple of seasons ago, killing the older lead stallion, West Wind in the process. He was large and powerfully built, easily holding his new position through his strength. Dark said he was too young and foolish to be leading the herd, and that he would lead them to disaster if he didn't grow any brains.

Thunder Step held his head up as he gazed around the group of stallions. "Attention stallions!" He cried out. "Once the snow melts and the streams run freely, we will be leaving this place and going east, back to the grassy plateau."

Reaching over his shoulder, Dark took Ash's mane in his mouth and lowered him to the ground. "Brightstar, please keep an eye on him for me." His tone had lost all its normal gentleness.

Stepping forward, Dark lifted his head up high. "Why should we go back to the plateau? There is no trees for shade there and the only water was a tiny muddy pool that tasted stagnant," he asked loudly, letting all the stallion hear him. He had enough of this foolish stallion wondering them around from place to place in his endless search for greener pastures.

Thunder Step turned his head to look at Dark. "You again," he said, letting out an irritated snort, his eyes lingering on Dark's destiny mark for a moment. "We're going because I believe we'll find safety there. Predators don't like it there so it will be safe for the mares to foal."

"The reason we left there in the first place, was because the pool dried up! Have you even considered sending ponies there to even find out if the water is back?" Dark retorted.

Ash listened as he danced around trying to watch what was happening, but his view was blocked and he couldn't see. Suddenly he felt himself getting picked up and deposited onto Brightstar's back. Sitting up, he found he now had a clear view what was happening.

"At this moment, many of the mares are fat with foal. It would be sheer idiocy to march them all the way back to a plateau!" Dark said angrily. "And what happens when one of the mares can't keep up with the herd? Will she just be left behind!? How many mares will you leave behind to go to a worthless place!? Answer us! How many!?"

Thunder Step threw his head back and shook his mane as he stomped his hoof in anger. "You dare challenge my decision!?"

Dark Storm planted his hooves and met the stallions gaze. "Yes! I am sick of how things have been done! You drive us from one place to another, without any concern for any of the weak that fall behind, and I say No More!" Turning, Dark looked out at the other stallions and addressed them. "Look around, this land is fertile and lush with grass. There is pure clean water within easy reach and berry bushes and fruit trees all throughout the forests. This land is just what we need and its ours for the taking!"

The dark blue stallion stomped his hoof to the ground and stepped closer to Dark, his nose flaring angrily. "It's not safe here! Soon the wolves will come! They always come! They will rush in and clamp their jaws over all our throats and tear them out!"

"Then we will fight back!" Dark shouted back. "Let us take this place as our home, and if anything comes to hurt us or our families, they will feel our might when we push them back, smiting their bodies at the ends of our spears or upon the power of our hooves! We are PONIES! Not dumb animals. We can stand up and build a future for our foals. I say we do it here, in this place!"

Dark Storm fell silent, as he turned a moment to look at Ash. Their eyes met, and Ash could see the passion that burned behind his eyes. A passion fueled by his love for his family and his fellow ponies.

"You get a destiny mark and suddenly you think you can challenge me! I am the alpha of this herd! I am Thunder Step! I can take any mare I want, and no stallion will stop me!" Thunder Step bellowed angrily. "You only have one mare left to you, and I can take her away too! If you don't silence yourself this instant and beg my forgiveness, I will banish you from this herd, and cast you out into the wilderness!"

"There is no need to for that, because I banish myself!" Turning, Dark Storm addressed the gathered stallions. "I henceforth leave this herd and start a new one right here! If any pony, stallion or mare wish to join me, then meet me at the cracked rock in the center of the meadow upon the day Thunder Step leaves. You will all be welcomed into my herd!"

Ash couldn't help himself. He suddenly dropped down from Brightstar's back and dashed forward. Racing through the legs of several stallions, he rushed right out into the open area where Thunder Step and Dark Storm confronted each other.

"I will join you!" Ash exclaimed.

Dark Storm looked back at Ash, his face softened with a smile. "My herd grows already Thunder Step, and yours diminishes."

Thunder Step let out a snort. "You call gaining a runt of a colt a success?"

"I count him more of a stallion than you." Dark Storm answered back.

Thunder Step suddenly let out a enraged whinny, and lunged towards Dark, his teeth flashing.

Dark was waiting for this. He had been surprised that Thunder Step had waited so long to answer his challenge. Laying his ears back, Dark held his ground and met the stallion's charge. Their bodies crashed together and Thunder Step lashed out, striking his hoof painfully across Dark's shoulder. Shoving his weight forward, Dark pushed Thunder Step back, forcing his hooves to slide back in the soft earth.

Thunder Step struggled to halt his slow retreat. With a snarl, he threw his head back and slammed it into Dark's, sending him stumbling back from the blow. Dazed, Dark shook his head trying and clear it. Before he could fully regain his senses, Dark felt Thunder Step slam into him as he tackled him to the ground. Falling together onto the grass, the two began to beat at each other as they wrestled across the ground. Dark felt the air painfully driven from him when Thunder Step drove his knee into his gut. Gasping for breath, Dark managed to punch Thunder Step in the side of his head before rolling away.

Staggering back to their hooves, the two faced each other as they panted for breath. Thunder Step was bigger than him and stronger. If he was going to have a chance, he was going to need to keep Thunder Step off balance.

"What's the mater?" Dark asked, grinning. "Perhaps you'll rather face the colt?"

Thunder Step neighed with fury and recklessly charged at him. Dancing to the side, Dark quickly dodged and bucked his hoof straight into the enraged stallion ribs as he passed. Staggering from the impact, Thunder turned and attacked him again. In his rage, Thunder Step swung wildly at him, striking glancing blows across his shoulder and neck. Rearing back, Dark smashed his hoof across Thunder's muzzle as hard as he could. With a snarl, Thunder shook off the blow and whipped his head back around to sink his teeth into Dark's withers.

The viciousness of the bite caught Dark by surprise. Throwing his shoulder into Thunder's, Dark shoved him away. Feeling the stallion's teeth tare away, Dark quickly turned himself and bucked out with all his strength, right into Thunder's chest. The terrible blow lifted the surprised stallion into the air and flipped him back onto the ground groaning.

Panting for breath, Dark Storm stood over the defeated stallion. "I am the leader of my herd and you are on my land. When the snow melts, you will leave with whatever remains of your herd and never return."

Ash moved in and stepped up next to Dark. "And it's not a destiny mark, its a cutie mark." He said, correcting Thunder Step with a firm nod.

Dark Storm looked down at the colt and smiled. "That's right." He then turned and looked out over the stallions. "You all hear that? I have a cutie mark!"

Dark turned and with Ash by his side, walked through the crowd of stallions, who parted respectfully as they passed through. Some of the stallions they passed showed hostility on their faces, while most looked shocked at what had just happened. A few openly smiled at him and bowed their heads down.

Once they were out of sight, Dark lifted Ash up and set him down onto his back, where the colt then hugged his hooves around his neck and squeezed tightly. "You are so amazing! There's no stallion like you!" The colt said, hugging Dark. "When I grow up, I want to be a stallion just like you!"

What the colt just said, suddenly rang through Dark's mind like a thunderclap. When I grow up, not if I grow up. Dark smiled. Things were already changing! His heart leaped in his chest with joy. For his foals, and for all the foals. He will change the world! He will make it so that they will all see a future for themselves. And it will start right here in this place.

With his blood still heated from his earned victory over Thunder Step, as well as Ash’s inspiring words, Dark found he was practically strutting as he walked along. Ignoring the pain, Dark limped for home.

He found Meadowlark lying, sunning herself just outside their little fir-tree home with Celestia playing nearby. Meadowlarks lemon colored coat shone under the bright afternoon light and Dark couldn't help but admired her rounded curves over her large pregnant belly as he approached. She looked absolutely beautiful.

Taking Ash off his back, Dark set him down. "Go play with Celestia." Limping up to his mare, Dark reached down and nuzzled her neck affectionately.

Meadowlark lifted her head and looked up at him curiously. "What are you?..." She paused when she noticed the injuries on his body. "What happened!?"

With her large belly, Meadowlark struggled a moment to clamber herself back up onto her hooves to look him over. She saw the bite wound on Dark's withers and the hoof marks across his body and frowned.

Dark grinned and scratched the back of his neck. "Let's go inside. There's some things I need to tell you."

"I'm sure you do," Meadowlark said, pursing her lips at him. "Celestia, Ash. Please stay out here and play. Dark and I are going to talk. Make sure you stay close, though." She added as she squeezed herself through the opening.

Dark went through after her and pulled the branches shut behind him.

⚜⚜⚜⚜

"Do you think she's mad at him?" Ash asked, glancing at the shelter.

"I don't think so." Celestia said, adding a pebble to her snow-pony to form a second eye. "I haven't heard any yelling."

"Well, that's good." Using a branch to make a tail, Ash stepped back to admire his work.

They had both built snow-ponies. His was the papa, and hers was the mama. Gathering snow, Celestia began to make their foal. Finishing, she stood and joined Ash and looked at their family. Pressing her side against his, she looked at him "Ash? Would you kiss me?"

Ash ears shot up straight as he looked at Celestia. "What!?"

"What?" Celestia asked, blinking up at him with her large magenta eyes. "Don't you want to kiss me?

Ash awkwardly scratched the back of his head. "I ah..." he didn't know how to answer her. He wanted to kiss her, but
something about it scared him.

Celestia leaned in closer, her lips coming near his. "Please," she asked, closing her eyes. "Just a little one."

With his gaze focused on her lips, Ash's heart began galloping in his breast as he suddenly felt hot all over. Seeing no other choice , he did the only thing he could think of. He ran away.

⚜

Dark had finished telling Meadowlark what had happened and why he had done it. She listened quietly all throughout his telling, never showing any signs of what she was feeling behind her stony gaze.

"You see, that is what I want." Dark explained. "I want every foal to have a future they can look forward too."

Meadowlark gazed at him with an unreadable expression. Shifting her weight, she then leaned in towards him and kissed him on his forehead. "Don't ever do anything like this to me again." She leaned back and smiled. "That's a wonderful dream. I'll give you whatever support I can to see it happen."

Suddenly a charcoal brown colt exploded through the branches at the entrance to their shelter. A moment later a familiar little filly followed after as she chased him. Running around the space, the colt fended off the filly as he sought out a place to hide.

"Come on, give me a kiss!" Celestia cried out as she chased Ash around the tree in the center.

"No! Leave me alone!" Ash shouted back.

Meadowlark and Dark watched the foals with bemused looks on their faces.

"My, they do grow up so fast. Don't they?" Meadowlark giggled in amusement.

"Isn't this backwards? Shouldn't he be chasing her?" Dark said shaking his head, bemused.

"Mamma! Tell her to stop!" Ash cried out to Meadowlark as he desperately dived between her forehooves and hugged himself to her chest.

Meadowlark smiled and shook her head with a exacerbated sigh. "Celestia, stop trying to molest little Ash."

Celestia skidded to a stop and pouted up at her mother. "Okay, mamma."