"I was trapped. Full of fear. No where to go." Syris said sadly. 
" But you got out Syris?" said Magic anxiously.
" Of course, otherwse I wouldnt be here" replied Syris.

" Are you telling the stories again, Syris" replied Izia smartly.
"Hahaha you always know" replied Syris

"Why dont you go ahead and tell us the story Syris, about all of us" said Anastasia knowingly.

"ok, it began like this"      

Syris's VERSION

A lonely foal is an easy target for teasing. At a young age, i was tormented by my looks, breed and colour. The said my face was too long, i was a weird breed and that i looked like dirt. No mares liked me because it was so called "uncool". I had a terrible Foal hood.

When i was about three some of the herd got taken away to the Calvary.  My mother was defending us standing guard. Not being a leader of the herd she was forced to stand guard. The lead mare was chased to a dead end and caught. My mother tried to stop them by harassing the mens horses, but while my mother was trying to get the lead mare free, 3 men and horses came over and tried to grab us. I was terrified , but he never looked at me, it was also terribly dark in the log. I was hidden due to my dark colours. Three out of seven foals were taken. My mother was terrified when she saw some foals were captured, she thought it was me . She ran towards the men and their horses, a rope was thrown at her head but just missed. My mother felt the rope and startled, she started running towards the cliffs. 

Three men on horses chased after her, she was a skilled fighter. Mother disappeared along with the men and horses. I and the other foals were terrified, one mare actually huddled up to me (whinnies quietly) . Mother returns with blood filled bruises and cuts. Mother ran straight towards the log where we were hiding and jumped straight over with the men following. Mother quickly turned around and kicked  on of the mens head, the mans head started to pour out blood. He and his horse rode away slowly but quickly. 

The other men and their horses left with the lead mare and foals. Mother was bleeding terribly but managed the strength to start crying. I wondered why she was crying, I told the mare on my lap i had to go, she said " No !!" she was terrified. So i whinnied louder than ever so my mother could hear m. She heard me and stopped crying, she thought i was gone. My mother ran to me and nuzzled me and the other foals. The lead stallion was terrified, scared and full of fear. He walked over to my mother and saw the effort she put into this battle ( effort due to cuts and bruises) and made her lead mare. Mother was overjoyed. 

* * * *

Growing up after the fight wasnt hard, The mare that layed on me in the previous fight hanged out with me all the time, we were best friends. We did everything together, watched the stars, ate grass and travelled together. My mother had to much to do now so i was left alone, so i spent most of my nights with the mare. 

* * * *

Another attack from the calvary was about to occur. My mother and lead stallion defended the front and ran towards the men. Two of the men came after me. Just as my mother did i ran towards the cliffs. The men were catching up so i jumped onto a rock and jumped over the back of them. i didnt realise that another man was riding behind them so when i was about to jump the man threw the rope over my head, and i was caught. I tried everything to get away but nothing worked. As i struggled to walk with the men, they surrounded me, possibly so no other horse could see me, they had also muzzled me. My mother was fightining for her life, but she had a glance and saw me being taken away. She ran towards the men hoping to harass them, but they again threw the rope and missed. Amazinly my mother grabbed the rope with her mouth and ripped it but before she could get to me the men had ran away ....... dragging me with them. (i whinnied and said "Goodbye")

I was tired, hungry and thirsty. The calvary site was no where in sight, it was deseted. No trees, water or food. How did the two legs and their horses survive in this drenching place?? A strange object cam out of the mans pants. It was round and hollow, then he turned the lid and pointed it into his mouth, then water went running out of the  strange hollow object, it must of been how they survive, it couldnt be anything else. Seeing the men drink water made me terribly thirsty, they were teasing me, making me feel bad. I just closed my eyes and kept walking, I was thinking about the fight when i was younger. Faith, hope and courage got me through that dreadful time, and it will help me again.

* * * *

The calvary was in sight, it was tall and had only one escape point. ..... The gate. The gates opened as we neared by, i was scared (just a little), when i walked in, the one and only thing that caught my eye was a big, square fence with a post and holding area. Something else caught my eye even more than this, the mare that was inside the fenced area, she was tied up. She looked fierce, but gave me a charmed look.

The colonel took me into the burning area (the place where you get the engravement 'US') first he snipped my mane to a crop and cleaned my hooves, it was painful but i could do nothing to stop him. The Blacksmith walked over with a fiery stick with the letters "US". It looked very painful, he was walking towards the back of me so i reared and knocked him, he walked away with a big cut on his arm. The took me to the stables i made friends easily by the way i havent got the burn mark.

The mare that was in the fenced area was released into the stables. She came up to me and told me her name was "Anastasia". Ananstasia kept me company and told me taht she was used as a practise attacker. I asked her what that meant and she said "It means im used to practise fightining, its painful but it beats being killed or slaughtered. i was shocked and nodded, i undestood what she was talikng about.

She also told me that she was captured from when she was a foal, a calvary attack. Could this be a foal from his herd ?? Anastasia went n telling me that their was this foal that they all teased and that he looked like dirt  (she laughed a little). I thought it was very mean, he looked very handsome and strong  ( Anastasia goes into a charming pose) and i also hea........ I interrupted her and said " I'm that foal my name is Syris !". 

Anastasia squealed excitedly. She also interrupted me saying that the two stallions walking to her were the stallions that teased me. They walked up to Anastasia and said " Come on beautiful lets go away from this piece of dirt" Anastasia was furious she yelled "NO !!".  The stallion gave me an attacking stare, and then bared his teeth at Anastasia so i jumped in front of her and he bit me, I was in pain. Anastasia reacted quickly and hit the stallion, the stallion walked away furious. Anastasia came up to me and asked if I was ok. I replied yes im fine.

* * * * 

The day came for me to be broken, i refused. The pulled me out of the stables and took me into the fence area. Anastasia  was tied up next to the arena. I saw that many of the horses that were broken, were mainly brown. I was brown whiched frightened me. The kept dragging me to the arena, i tried to escape but i couldnt break free. the tookme to the holding area and saddled me up. The saddle was terribly tight, it was strangling me, i could hardly breathe.  They put this unusual piece of metal into my mouth with ropes over my mouth, it made a big clang when i opened and closed my mouth. The end of the weird rope went onto the back of my neck. 

A two leg jumped on the back of me, i didnt know what to do. I thought again of the calvary attack when i was a foal, i remember something now, i saw the lead stallion bucking and rearing, falling to the ground trying to get the two leg off. I knew what i had to do.

The man jumped on my back and tightened the rope that went into my mouth, i turned and looked at him, he had a smerk look on his face. I snarled. They opened the gate and i ran out the gate and i bucked, kicked, reared, fell to the ground trying to get him off. He poked me with some hard, metal, round, spinning things. It hurt terribly which pushed me on to get him off. 

I ran to one side of the fence and bucked as hard as i could. It didnt work. So i ran to the other side and hit him onto the fence, he fell of and in that victory .... the fence had snapped. This was my chance, i reared up and i called Anastasia to get ready to run. I smashed down on the fence as hard as i could, i was in luck .... it broke. I jumped over the broken fence, Anastasia followed. She bucked and kicked the man off her back. she ripped the saddle off and she followed me. 

We ran to the gate but a man and his horses blocked our way. I winked to the other horses ( we had an alliance with them), so they bucked their riders off and we all bolted for the gate. A few men blocked our way with ropes, their were several of the men and we were trapped. I decided to go with my instinct. I grabbed the rope and kicked the man down. The other horses followed.

Me and Anastasia were running towards the south to the grazing lands where many herds stay. As we were running away from the calvary base, another group of horses and calvary men were rushing to the calvary base. I wanted to help them, but if i helped them i would get caught. So we kept running until we were out of sight.

We ran until nightfall, the day was long and tiring. Running from the Calvary men was tiring. I was worried about the horses we saw when we were escaping, i wonder if they feel sad about me not helping them ?? I couldnt help them, i wouldve been caught ... again. That night, Me and Anastasia found a safe place to rest and luckily there was a lake and a couple of apple trees.

Ananstasia looked surprised on how i managed to plan that whole escape plan. She said "The plan worked, how did you know what to do ??" I replied in fear "The calvary attack when we were foals"l. Anastasia nodded in understandment. I went off and collected some apples from the tree, they were very high up. So i had to jump as far as i could to reach the apples. I also collected some water, enough for the night.

Anstasia and I were unbelievably tired, so we layed down next to a big old oak tree, and rested for the night with Ananstasia leaning on my back (Syris gives a quite winnie) .

* * * *

The next morning, the skies were clear and full of happy chirps from birds. I got up and realised Anastasia was gone. I was terrified, what would i do without her. Had she run away ?? I heard a slight sound coming from the apple trees. It was Anastasia collecting apples, (Syris gives a slight "pheww). Anastasia said smartly "Were you worried about me, ohh dont worry im a big girl and plus your to charming to run away from ( Anastasia gives a wink)". "Actually i thought you ran away, (*Syris laughs). "Hahaha dream on " Anastasia replied.

 We walked back to the oak tree and  started to eat the apples, and we were also talking about a plan on what to do next. Anastasia suggested that we head south becaus she has heard of the Cimarron herd and she also heard that many horses that go into that heard will normally find mates. Syris was shocked, he didnt want a different mare ..... he loved Anastasia.

Anastasia seemed to be charmed by Syris's ways. Was she teasing me ?? Anastasia saw the worried looked on his face. "oh dont worry Syris, I was only joking (laughs a little) " "You scared me Anastasia"
"How did i scare you?" " You scared me on saying, We'll find plenty of mates" " Hahaha thats funny, but dont worry ....... I ........I ..... I ......love you (Anastasia is ashmed)" " Why do you looked ashmed, I love you too"
They both smile in happines and nuzzle.

We followed Anastasia's plan and headed south to the Cimarron herd. We werent walking fast because we wanted to conserve our energy for when we needed it. Anastasia was talking quietly like syaing a prayer. Walking home got really boring easily, so i suggested to Anstasia that we have a race to see how could run the longest, she agreed and we stated running i sprinted ahead (a dumb idea but seemed worthy at the time).

After several hours, i was so tired, so i let Anststasia win. She whinnied in joy. So we started walking again and there was a clearing, a clearing of horses. Anastasia quickly said thats the Cimarron herd!. So she dragged me to the lead stallion (Spirit) and asked him if we could join his herd, he replied "Of Course everyone is welcome." So we setteled there until the right moment.

* * * *

We were the odd couple. Everyone else had foals and some were even leaving to strat a herd. We felt left out, but it wasbetter than being alone. Spirit came up to us one day and siad "Why do you look afraid?"  "We feel left out, we have no foal, no herd to start ... we dont know what to do" I replied  "Well .. Matrix has no friends ? "  he replied   "Matrix ?" i replied confused   " Matrix...... Come over here !" he replied, and went to go get him.

Spirit and Mtrix returned. MAtrix introduced himself very nicely. While we were talking, Spirit left to go back to the rest of the herd. We all started talking about our past and MAarix was born into the herde and hasnt left since, he is waiting for the right mare to show up.

   * * * *

One day rain was shouting to help this special mare, she chose me and Matrix. We ran to help the mare, Matrix stopped...... he was shocked. I asked him "Whats wrong, we have to go !"   "Shes beautiful ...." Matrix said in a romantic voice. I shook my head and dragged him with me. We carried the mare to a tree and placed her in the shade,  apparently she was Rains half - sister. We were told to look after her, well Matrix did all the looking after. He loved her, like ive never seen any horse love something that much before. 

Matrix .. fed, got her water and cared for her like a foal. One day she woke up, she stared at Matrix and said quietly "I love you"  "I love you too" Matrix replied, he nuzzled her and she nuzzled back. The mare told us that her name was Faith.

* * * *

Faith and Matrix decided to start a herd. They asked Spirit and Rain if that was ok, they said yes and before they left they asked me and Anastasia if we'd like to come. We shouted "YES!".
So we started looking for a place that was beautiful and not close to a calvary base or herd.

We eventually found a nice place near a long ciff that wasnt dangerous, there is a lovely stream with a couple of rocks and lots of trees for shade and a large area for running or grazing.

-------------------------------

"Wow!!!   A touching story Syris"  Leecil started  to cry a little

"I shared that story, the only difference is my child hood" said Anastasia.

"Tell us Anastasia, PLEASE !!" said Evoke with a cute puppy face.

"Ok it started like this "     .......................

Anastasia's VERSION      (foal hood) the rest is just like Syris's.

I was called the prettiest foal in the herd. All the boys flirted with me except for one, Syris. Syris was dirt, rubbish and the worst nothing. I abosoloutly hated them  teasing Syris, Syris didnt deserve it he haqd no say in what he would look like. I wanted to play with Syris but the mean colts dragged me away from him, because he was so called 'uncool' to hang out with. I didnt care about my reputation, surely all the guys liked me but.... i hated them. I liked Syris. I couldnt let my feelings out because i wouldve been teased as well, it was the wrong thing to do; i shouldve went over and played with him but i just couldnt.

Me and my friends used to always play tag, and when we got tired we layed down on the soft green grass. Syris came over to us one day and said "Hi, do you think i look like dirt?" i was shocked he was usually shy of me "ummmm ...  I thi .." i started to say " of course she does, ehy would she l;ike you" my friend said rudely. I shook my head and ran after Syris. I caught up to Syris and said " I dont think you look like dirt, id love to hbe friends but i get dragged away. "Thank you, maybe we can meet sometime?" Syris replied    "Sure id love to " i nuzzled him and left.

I went back to my friend and she was confused but we continued with our game until lights out.
After lights out is when i planned to met Syris. I got a glimsp of Syris getting up and headiung to the lake. So i quietly got up and snuck out from my parents. Syris was waiting at the lake, i ran over there and said "Hi", "Syris i thought you wouldnt come" Syris replied, "Of course i came, i never break my word", "Well ok".

We played tag all night, not making a noise, until dawn. We walked back slowly and quietly, just before i walked away he grabbed me and nuzzled me and walked away slowly while giving me a smerk good look, i smiled and i think i blushed. I quickly snuck back under my mothers head and went to sleep. In the mornring a strange whistle occured, some men and horses were approaching fast. I was scare dmy parents were gone i lost them amougnst the herd, I closed my eyes and i just ran, ran away but a horse barged into me and dragged me to a safe place. It was Syris. Syris was shaking a little, me... i was terrified.

Syris'' mother called us over to hide in the log, the chance was now so we ran for our lives to the log. We stumbled in and Syris had a big cut on his leg. I was going to sit next to Syris but the teasing foals dragged me over to them. A while had passed it was still going on, Syris'' mother left the entrance. A group of men with horses cam over to the log, they had ropes. The teasing foals were stubborn and pushed me straight into sight of the men they tied the rope around me and dragged me out of the log. I tried to whinny to Syris but i got bumped and pushed by the other foals that were getting dragged out of the log. The only foals that were left were 3; Syris, my best friend and a mean teasing horse.

I was terrified, scared and horrified. What were they going to do to me... kill me ? I wasnt going to think like that so i looked forward and hoped for the best.

* * * *

A large base was spotted up ahead, the men started to move faster so i got dragged along with them, but i was too tired to run so i collapsed but they kept dragging me. We arrived at the base and i was covered in blood. A massive wound to my back from dragging me along the rough rocky road. It hurt like hell.

This place was massive, an arena, stables and a burning area. Their wernt many foals here and they all had the burn mark 'US'.  The men realised i was too hurt to get the burn mark , but they still took me over to the area where they burn and crop your mane and tail. First they cropped my mane , which get me really angry, but i couldnt do anything about it and i couldnt move. Next, he did my hooves, nailing nails into my hooves hurt like mother mercy. They did not not give me the burn mark. Thank god for that.

They took me over to the stables, where all the other foals were. The teasing foals didnt let me make friends with any other foals, because of their protection. Their protection was soo irritating i bit the horse that was holding me and joined the girl foals. Which is where i fitted in, Not with those miserable creeps.

* * * *

I was all grown up. my job was too look after the new commeing foals and i also had a painful job... I was the practice dummy where they got on me and tried to break me. I wasnt broken i just went along with it so i wouldnt get killed. The foals that i came in with were all broken.

On a day of my dummy deals a strange fresian horse came in that looked like dirt, he didnt look like much but he sure looked handsome.

After they took him too the stables, they let me go their too. I introduced my self and he butted in rudely and said "Anastasia its me .. SYRIS !" i was shocked and nuzzled him.

"You too really loved eachother back when you were foals and even now you do aswell" said Matrix.

"Yes we did, and our togetherness helped us escape" replied Anastasia

"I'm surprised you made it out alive" said Tanner

"Hey ... Tanner thanks for everything, with helping us get together. We can only repay you with gratitude and love" said Anastasia desperetly

"Oh it was nothing you two did the work ;)" said Tanner

"Hahahah, thank you Tanner" said Syris

Anastasia wanted to say something to the whole herd. She said " Love is destined for you, but its up to you who its destined for".

THE STAR GAZER HERD ARE STILL SHORT ON NUMBERS, MY CONTEST IS STILL ACTIVE AND WILL BE UNTIL I HAVE ALOT OF MEMEBERS AND REMEMBER YOUR CHAR COULD BE IN ONE OF MY FANFICS ;)