Celestia."

"You did kill her!" he errupted, bolting towards the cliff wall. He couldn't climb up or reach his nemisis, but he shouted the place down in a vain hope that he would lose balance and fall to the ground. "You didn't ahve to kill her! She has a daughter! A young filly!"

Pirate took no notice of his former captain's accusations. "She was a traitor, she was killed like she was deserved. And speaking of which, send him to Van," he ordered to Nickle's sentries. "Let that scrawny cat finish him off, we have no use for him anymore."

"No! I told you the truth! You promised me freedom! Let me go!"

"You will get your freedom, Nickle, Cpatain of Defensive Units," Pirate laughed, glaring at him, "when you are released from your pain."

James stood at his post, not looking at the events unfolding, trying to block them out. His best friend was certain to die, but was that just? He had betrayed them all, endangering them, but at least he had not reveiled everything about them - every member, their attack plan, the truely important facts. He had always believed in looking at the bigger picture and doing what was right for the good of the majority - but was it really worth losing his friend for complete strangers? Many of which were likely to be sentenced to death. The ball was rolling, there was no stopping it now.

"Spuro, you are to be imprisoned, starved, then sent to Van. If you survive you will be sent to oneof the Elite Fighters, who will ensure your fate. Any final requests?" Pirate announced, grinning.

"Yes," he replied, all fear gone from his mind and body, "instead of imprisoning me, which would take days wo weaken me, I wish to fight you - here and now. Surrenders allowed, the loser faces Van. If they survive his brawl they will be free to do as they choose; for me, leaving, for you, leading. And I think that the rest of the herd will agree that I will lose our battle, so why refuse?"

He couldn't just blurt out the plan to kill all the officers, he would just deny it. There was no way to get out of this without staring death in the face, but the least he could do, no matter what situation he was in, was to prevent the discovery  of the entire group. So far, only four of them had been discovered, but Ghost could not accuse them all if there were no more confessions.

He had talked to James about their course of action if he was to disappear. James would take over, using his judgement - even if it was different to his own - to do the best in the name of freedom and nature. He had no doubts that his teacher would make the right choices, and maybe, just maybe, it was time for a new leader.

Pirate leapt from his platform and landed on the rock hard earth, apparently unharmed. "Then let's fight."

His eyes flitted open and closed, then finally stayed open. It was dark, the sky was pitted with bright specks, stars sending their light to him. Spuro suddenly remembered his fight with the lead stallion. He was doing well, possibly able to beat him. But he had sprung back with vengance, and struck him across the back of the head, knocking him out cold. He had heard James' voice above the hubub, since he had managed to shout, "I surrender!" before collapsing.

Now he was cold and alone, far from the Counsil or even the centre. The place was strangely familiar, and it took him a minute to work out that it was the gully he had first wandered through. There was a growling behind him, and he ducked. The cougar landed in a heap before him.

The big cat hissed. "You can't keep your luck up, you're weak."

"I was Captain of Attack for a reason," Spuro replied, staggering up and carefully balancing his weight, "I'm tough."

"Your friends were delicious," the puma purred.

He flared his nostrils and took up a quick-footed defence. "Don't mess with me, Van, I have generations of cougar butt-kickers in my heritage - you don't stand a chance against me."

The painter lunged at him, but he reared and hit him with a hoof. He stood on all fours again, waiting for the next attack. The cat tried circling him, but he just turned on the spot. Eventaully the stallion chased him up against a wall. He managed to pin him in place, putting just enough pressure on the carnivor's chest to cause him pain.

"Where is the herd, Van? Did they leave?" he snorted.

"I'm not telling you anything," he hissed, hackled raised. Spuro applied more pressure. "Ok, ok! They left after twilight, about four hours ago, every single one of them!"

He felt the pressure lift completely off his lung and fell onto the dusty, thirsty ground, gasping for air. He was tempted to go for the mustang again, but the sound of hoofbeats was already far away.

Spuro stopped to rest at Shortie's woodland. He observed the towering trees and shifting shade, wary of who might be guarding the visionary. But he was clearly alone, aside from an ancient stallion within the clearing, basking in the moonlight.

He tiptoed into the clearing and said aloud, "You knew all this was to happen, didn't you?"

"I am not a visionary for nothing," the grey replied wisely, fixing him a level stare with blind eyes. "I told you to trust somebody last time, and now you can be sure to trust me. I've known all along of your group - the Resistance - Bent told me all about it from the start. Yet I said nothing.

"I also told you that the world needs balance, and if you do wrong you must do something right to repay it or else pay the price. You have done bad things over the years, Spuro, killing in wars and teaching others to fight each other. But the fact you not only disagreed with it but you also fought against it outweighs those deeds. You have nothing to fear, like you used to. Face your enemies."

"But what if they beat me?" he asked desparately, eager to catch up to the Band before it was too late. "They're so much stronger, I was lucky to escape my last fight, and the test."

"You survived because of your own actions. The ones you fear have done nothing but evil, they are sure to pay for it. But even in victory, Spuro, be merciful. If they neglect that, they will face the consequences. All will be well. Now hurry - your family is waiting."

Willow wandered through the travelling mass searching for James. She knew that approaching him could bring attention to them, but she just had to know if Spuro was alright. All she knew was that he had been arrested and she hadn't seen him since. Just before nightfall she and all the mares in the herd had been rounded up and taken on this rediculous journey, and none of them had the curtosy to tell them where they were going.

So, leaving little Cygnus with Marsha, she set off to find the remaining captain. He was walking on the outskirts of the march, not paying any attention to the happenings around him. He was worried sick about Spuro, who was like a son to him, and at the same time he was mourning the loss of his dearest friend.

"James? Where are they taking us?" she asked meekly.

"That's 'Sir' or 'Captain' to you, missy!" an officer snapped.

"It's alright," James told him, straightening up. "we're moving out, that's all I can tell you. It shouldn't be far now."

She nodded and headed back to the other mares to tell them the useless information.

Jade woke slowly in the gently sunlight, the breeze blowing her mane all around her. She wasn't as old as she looked, but her health had deteriorated over the years. At least she had her mate to look after her, and a safe homeland to enjoy. She thought back to when she was younger, and the journey she made across the mountains with Durango. She thought about her son's first steps, how he related to snow as he was born into it. She wondered what he was doing at that moment, if he was even alive. Goodness knew her father had given him one hell of a fright when he chased him out of the herd.

Much had happened over the years, the title of leader had been batted between the kiger mustang and the quarter horse, but eventually the family had made amends, and Spirit had retired from his position, leaving the job completely up to Durango. But as the years went on it became more and more worrying that they had no one to follow in his place once he was gone, and she was far too weak to mother any more foals.

But there was hope yet. Recently, many more mares had joined them, searching for a safe new home. They all had the same story; they left their home because they were scared and upset. It was suspicious, and Jade didn't like sharing her stallion that she had fought so hard to get, but she still welcomed the strangers in. They were clearly exhausted and shaken from whatever experiences they had endured.

If anything, it was too quiet in their home now. Most of the herd lay about in the grass all day or grazed by the forest and river. The last remaining predators left long ago, once they had learned not to cross the two stallions. There were no men, and no other herds for miles on the planes. It was their perfect haven, ideal for all wild horses. Yet it lacked one thing: wild events.

The herd was nearby, and clearly not set on moving about. Pirate listened to the reports from Shot and his horses, then discussed the plan with James, who was doubling up for attack and defence - the precise reason that they had a head of both divisions. Once he knew what was going on, the giant flaxen went to find the mares.

They were waiting