//-------------------------------------------------------// Spirit: Stallion of the Equestrians -by flutterarity1988- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 1 //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 1 They say the history of Equestria was written from the saddle of a pony. But it's never been told from the heart of one. Not until now....I was born here, in the place ponies would like to call the old Equestria. But to the rest of the ponies the land was ageless...no beginning between earth and sky. Spirit: Stallion of the Equestrians Chapter One: The sound of deep breathing filled the open valley of wild green grass; Esperanza was giving birth to a new born colt. The valley was vast and wide...not an enemy in sight. Esperanza began to push; she pushed with all her might and courage. Eventually after hours of exhausting work out came a beautiful golden colt with brown socks and a brown nose. Wet and cold the baby colt struggled to breathe breaking through the thick wet sack. When the colt staggered up right and gathered his strength he gazed up tiredly at his mother Esperanza. His vision was blurry and foggy. He blinked a few times and realized he was no longer in his mother's whom. In shock and amazement he struggled to stand on all fours, spirits survival instincts were kicking in. He knew every move he made was a life of matter and death. Any moment a predator could leap out and grab him from the warmth and comfort of his mother from under his fragile muzzle. But spirit didn't give up, he stood brave and strong underneath his mother’s nipples, grasping his muzzle over Esperanza's nipples, suckling hard to suck in the nourishment that he desperately needed.  When he was done and full spirit gazed at the beautiful blue sky, turning his head slightly over to view the rest of the mystery world he suddenly came into. Everything was big and vast! There were huge rocky red mountains and green yellowish hills rolling along. Not a danger in sight. Spirit was now more comfortable to roam away from his mother Esperanza a bit and explore his surroundings. Several weeks later spirit began to grow more and more each and everyday. While he was exploring he stumbled along a crystal clear river. Spirit was fascinated by the movement of the river. He sank down and took a drink of the freezing cold water into his throat. It stunned him for a bit but eventually spirit got used to the stinging cold of river water, even though he would rather have his mother's warm milk over the cold river water. Spirit’s legs grew longer and spirit knew he was growing faster and bigger each day. Esparanza knew this day would come. She knew she had to teach her son the basics of survival on the vast plains of Equestria. Esparanza led little spirit to the herd’s favorite watering hole. Spirit lapped up several licks of fresh mountain water flowing into his fragile throat. Then suddenly spirit heard and felt a vibration! What could it be!? Baby spirit thought to himself. Then as he was giving it thought he suddenly felt a presence near him, right above him! Spirit looked up above him suddenly and saw a huge buffalo staring right down at him! Right next to the huge buffalo was a smaller one, a younger buffalo. She looked about the same age as Spirit. She pranced and splashed in the cold water purposely splashing spirit. The water was cold but fun and together Spirit and the little buffalo played. Then Spirit heard his mother's whinny, he had to listen to his mother's call. Spirit ran towards his mother then glanced back at the young buffalo as if saying goodbye he let out a whinny to her. She grunted back at spirit and then she left with her herd of buffalo. Spirit liked the new friend he made and hoped they would get to play again someday. Spirit thought of a name to call her by. He dubbed the young buffalo "Little Strong heart" Spirit soon began to become more independent, he started off on his own one sunny afternoon into the wide green plains. Spirit gazed up at the sky wondering what else is out there. What adventures awaited him? He thought to himself. Then he heard a birds call. Cuckoo!! Cuckoo!! He looked up at the sky to see where the noise was coming from. Then he saw a huge bird lion like creature. It was a griffon! She was flying in all kinds of directions, swooping up and down towards spirit. As if she was inviting him to a race. Spirit couldn't pass up the opportunity and burst out onto a full gallop! He gave it all he had to try and win the griffon. His hooves pounded hard on the soft green grass and dirt. The wind was flowing through his mane, the feeling made Spirit feel freer than ever before. The griffon spread her wings wider and started flapping faster and faster in an effort to keep up with the colt. But she soon realized that Spirit was no match for her and gave up. Spirit slowed to canter and then a small trot and then came to a stop. He looked behind him towards the sky and saw the griffon behind him. She let out a cry and flew over spirit one last time and then she was gone. Spirit liked racing with the griffon, he thought what a cool friend she would be. He then dubbed her "Gilda" Then Spirit noticed a flash on his flank! There was a shape of a griffon on his flank now. He then realized he got his cutie mark!! Spirit jumped and pranced with joy, he was now officially becoming a stallion! And so I grew from colt to stallion, as wild and reckless as the thunder over the land. I raced with the griffon and soared with the wind. Flying? There were times I believed I could. This was my homeland. As far as I could see, there was no end to my world and to who I would always be. Like my father before me, I became the leader of the equestrian herd. And with that honor....came responsibility. Winter had passed and spring arrived. There were two new colts in the herd now. Spirit had to be extra aware of his surroundings now. He had to protect his herd. He observed the plains looking out for anything out of the ordinary or suspicious. Everything seemed to be perfect and safe. Spirit then heard a cry kah! Kah! It was his good friend Gilda again challenging Spirit to a race! Spirit was excited as ever and took the challenge. He burst into a hard strong gallop his hooves beating the ground from beneath him. Gilda could see how much faster Spirit has gotten since the last time they raced. She wouldn't let that faze her though; she then swiftly spread her wings and flew ahead of Spirit. She noticed that she was in the lead this time! Then all of a sudden she let out a warning call to Spirit, He thought that Gilda was just trying to distract him from winning so he kept on running as fast as he could. Then Spirit heard the warning cry again. Spirit then stopped and glanced up at her. She was franticly waving her wings and crying out a kah! Kah! Then Spirit knew something was wrong. Spirit then heard another cry, but this time it wasn't Gilda. It was the baby colts whinny!! Spirit galloped to where he heard the cries of the baby colts. Then right before the colts stood a changeling!! It was in the form of a mountain lion! And it was about to pounce right onto the colts to severe their fragile necks. Without hesitation Spirit leaped in front of the changeling stomping right on its skull crushing the changelings head beneath his powerful hooves. Blood and bone and brain matter were scattered across the ground. Spirit hooves were covered in blood. Spirit then went to check on the colts. They were both ok, and so was the rest of the herd. Spirit whinnied up at Gilda thanking her; if it wasn't for her the colts could've been killed. The herd was angry at Spirit for not paying attention, but they quickly forgave him. After all; Spirit did manage to protect the herd just in time. Night fell over the land; the only light was the glistening of bright stars. Spirit did one last round to make sure the herd was safe from danger. Everything was still and quiet, except for the two colts. They were still awake and biting on each others ears. Spirit neighed at them, warning them to go to sleep. They stopped playing and closed their eyes shut, but as soon as Spirit turned away the two colts opened their eyes and continued playing. Spirit turned around and stomped his hoof at the two, letting the young colts know that he's serious about going to sleep. They stopped and closed their eyes, this time not waking back up to play. Spirit saw his mother up on a small hill, he decided to join her and watch the night sky with her. They meet noses and nuzzled each other. Spirit stared up at the stars with his mother; He thought to himself how wonderful life is. He had freedom and his herd, and nothing was ever going separate them. Then out of the corner of his eye he saw a twinkling of red light in the distance. He didn't know what it was, and neither did Esperanza. Spirit decided he must go see what that strange light glowing in the distance was. Esperanza begged her son not to leave, but Spirit reassured his mother that he would come back and to not worry. She whinnied as Spirit galloped off, hoping her son would come back safe and unharmed. Something new had come upon the land that night---something that would change my life forever. And so my journey began.