Hello and welcome to my first fanfic. This is the first part of the Sitka's journey with chapters 1-4. Just a warning, there is going to be a little blood in it. Otherwise, enjoy!!!
Chapter 1:The Fight
"Leave here!" Sitka snarled as she lunged a the cougar with all her might. Just seconds before, everything had been fine, peaceful, until the hiding lion had caught a whiff of an easy meal, her brother Freedom... and had attacked. Sitka had sprang into action as soon as the lion had came out of hiding and prayed that her brother had gone back to the herd. The beast let out a mighty cry of pain and rage as her front hooves slammed into its body. Leaping up, it tried to pounce upon Sitka's back but missed by inches, plowing red rows into her shoulder blade. Just then, the well known golden buckskin stallion, Spirit, rushed out of the crowd of terrified horses, knocking the cougar flat on its back. "Stay away from my daughter!" he shouted. The cougar fled, not wanting to suffer anymore humiliation at being beaten by a horse.
As Sitka and Spirit returned to the herd, Rain trotted up and nuzzled them both. "Sitka, are you alright?" she asked. "I'll be fine mother," she replied. "Where's Freedom?" Rain looked confused. "I thought he was with you," Spirit shook his head. "Has anyone seen him?" he asked the herd. The same answer came from all the horses: no. Rain panicked. "Spirit, we must find him! He could be hurt or dead!" Spirit rallied the horses and split them into groups. "Find my son!" he ordered. He and Rain lead the first party that traveled to the western pass, while several other mares and stallions lead the others to the forest and other passes. Soon the only horses that remained were Esperanza, the colts, fillies, foals, Temperance, and Esperanza's elder son Silent Bandit, who had relinquished his right as leader to stay in the herd. Sitka's aunt Temperance was pregnant with her first foal. Sitka hoped it would be twins. Her aunt had much difficulty galloping so she couldn't go on the search and Bandit stayed with his mate, knowing she could be an easy target for predators. Esperanza had to stay to babysit all the young horses and foals and entertained them with stories about Sitka's grandfather Strider, who had long since passed away.
Slowly, the hours dragged on and day became night, There was no sign of Freedom or any of the parties. Sitka laid down to sleep. Her brother and crush Eclipse laid down next to her. "Eclipse, I'm scared," Sitka said. "Don't be," said Eclipse. "They'll find him," But in truth, Eclipse was just as worried as Sitka was about Freedom. Sitka tried to calm herself by thinking about the Lakota village, her friend Ashanti and her mate Dakotah. It was to no avail. Sitka looked up at the stars and wondered how they could be so happy in this horrible time.
When the sun began to peek over the mountains, Sitka didn't awake like she usually did, because Rain had not returned to wake her. She did not awake until the sun was high in the sky, when the parties came back. She woke to he mother's wailing. Spirit looked very upset as he called his two remaining children to him. "Sitka, Eclipse, I have some grave news to share with you-" "Your...brother," Rain sobbed"Is...gone," Sitka screamed as Eclipse just stood there with his mouth agape. "You mean...he's dead?" he asked. "I don't know," said Spirit. "I just don't know," Sitka raised he teary eyes up to the sky, hearing the mournful cry of the eagle. This would be a long day.
Freedom galloped until he thought his lungs would burst. Finally he slowed and looked around the rugged prairie. "Where am I?" He asked himself. Maybe he was near the lakota village where his sister Morning Arrow was staying. He would find shelter there. In the distance, thunder rumbled. Freedom's heart began to race. Lightning split the sky, causing Freedom to gallop all over again. Never had the little foal been so frightened before in his life. Rain began to pound down upon his back, soaking him to the skin. He was scared, wishing that his mother was with him. He missed his home and family terribly and hoped he was going in the right direction to get home. The ground was so wet that Freedom began to slide without control. He whinned in distress, slamming into a palomino filly exactly his age. "Oww!" cried the filly. Freedom picked himself up. "I am so sorry," he said. "But with this rain and all... and, I'm just scared, I'm lost," "Me too," said the filly, getting off and shaking the mud off her beige coat. "Maybe you would like to help me find my herd, then we can find yours" "Sure," Freedom said. "By the way, my name's Freedom," The filly turned. "I'm Kacey,"
Sitka waited. For a smell, a sound, anything. Any trace of Freedom. But always nothing. In the dead of night, her resolution was made, and she galloped off into the impending darkness. However, Eclipse stopped her. "What do you think you're doing?" he asked. "I've gotta find him." she said. "Sitka, no. It's too dangerous, you'll be killed." "Eclipse, I can take care of myself," "This could take a while.He could be anywhere," "I'll be back in time to see our cousins born." Sitka said assuringly. But in truth, she really didn't know. It was early December and she only planned to search for a few weeks with litle food, water or sleep, since she thought of herself as a hardy horse. She reared and galloped off. "Sitka wait, Sitka!" Eclipse called after her. "Goodbye," she whispered back to Eclipse as she galloped she galloped past the Cimarron borders, not sure of what laid ahead.
High upon the mountain top, the Albino gazed at Sitka and snorted. The daughter of Spirit was strong, but he was stronger. She had much work to do before she could defeat him. An idea popped into his head, if he could catch her alone, he would be able to rid himself of this annoying mare forever! He smiled evily "Your days are numbered, mare," Little did he know that Sitka had some protection of her own...
As Sitka galloped, she felt a sudden chill go through her. She felt a presence, but she couldn't place it. There were no stars in the sky, only making tonight creepier. Suddenly a whinny broke the silence. In panic, she spun around, coming face to face with a huge white stallion. "Who are you?!" she cried. The stallion gazed at her for a long time before speaking "I am Dumbledore, ghost of the mountains. You have a special gift, making you the only one who can see me. I am here to protect you...and help you find your brother," The fily couldn't believe it, she had thought ghosts were just fairy tales, let alone anyone of them having the duty to protect her. Her throat was dry, and only one word escaped from her. "Woah,"
'Why are you here to protect me?" asked Sitka. "There is a dark force stalking you at this moment, The Albino is ready to estinguish anything that is a threat to him and that includes you. He would not harm you in the Cimarron territory, but now that you are beyond its borders you are easy prey," "Fine, you can come along if you must, but you have too-" Dumbledore lifted his great nose into the air and before Sitka could finish he yelled out "Freedom went this way! Follow me!" Sitka, not knowing if she could trust the ghost, galloped off after him. The two horses streaked like comets, covering many miles in only a short time. Now, Sitka smelled the air, she caught a faint whiff of Freedom and whinned with joy. Dumbledore had done it! And now she would soon be reunited with Freedom! "You're right Dumbledore! I'm so glad you came with me." Dumbledore only chucked and shook his head. Suddenly, Dumbledore's great white head shot up and his ears pinned. "Get behind me," he ordered. "Why?" Sitka asked. "Do you trust me?" "What?" "Do you trust me?" the stallion repeated."Yes..." than get behind me!" A cougar lept out of the darkness and lunged at Sitka. She braced herself, but at the last secound Dumbledore lunged out and kicked the cougar squarely in the head. The cougar staggered then fell unconcious. Sitka stared at it in shock. "I thought..." "That ghosts can't harm a living creature? No, that's just a hurtful ghost steriotype, like us saying 'Boo!'" "I'm sorry, said Sitka"I just thought, well you know," "It's alright," said Dumbledore, chuckling. "Many horses are taught to fear ghosts, but some of us are not as dark as you think we are," Sitka smiled, but deep down she was thinking, this force helping her could not only find her brother, but fight off her arch enemy too...