Congrats to HayleyWolf for winning my Name contest and I appreciated all of the countless entries. I apologize, this fanfic is very overdue.

 

 

Jasper: The Legacy Continues

 

 

Chapter one

 

Sorrow

 

Perhaps it was the chilly night, or the half moon that shone brightly. Maybe it was just that time of year. Somehow, possibly, it might have been both. Whatever the cause, something urged the brown mare to wake in the middle of the night, laboring. Sweat made her stringy mane to stick to her neck. She silently stood, but her attempts to stay quiet failed. Her mate shook his head, and then looked at her.

 

Perhaps it was the fatherly instinct implanted into every male. Maybe it was the frantic look in Starlight’s eyes. Somehow, possibly, it might have been both. Whatever the cause, something made the stallion’s eyes widen, shaking. Hurriedly, he rose, stray pieces of grass clinging to his ruffled gray fur. He stood by the mare’s side, leading her to their planned nursery.

 

Perhaps it was only the known experience. Maybe it was just the noises echoing against the firm ground. Somehow, possibly, it might have been both. Whatever the cause, something caused the sorrel stallion to wake instantly from his slumber, eyes blinking open and shut. His muzzle brushed lightly on the clumps of grass as his head swayed from lack of sleep. Snapping awake, he clumsily stood tall and erect, then followed Shawn and Starlight.

 

 

 

Shawn looked around, his nostrils flaring. Protect her. Protect her, were the only words running through his frantic mind. He looked into her bright brown eyes. As frightened as they were, they seemed ready to face this new adventure. Starlight gazed lovingly at him. She paused, clenching her eyes closed tightly. Another contraction. Snorting, she continued on.

 

Shadows of oak, maple, and pine leaves were cast down on the horses. T.J. snorted, scaring the two. “T.J., what are you doing here?” Shawn whispered loudly, not wanting to reveal their location to the pumas and other predators that lurked in this area. “Personal guard.” he said neuterally, as if it were normal. Shawn chuckled and rolled his eyes, shaking his ebony mane. “Only trained horses get guard duty.” he joked. “What?” T.J. lowered his head, “I’ve had the experience.” He walked in front of the couple.

 

T.J. lead the way for the rest of ‘perilous’ journey, at least that was how T.J. described it. Shawn shook his black spotted head lightly. T.J. could be such a little foal, but his shenanigans always kept him going. When things became too serious, Shawn could always count on him for a good lift-up. The sorrel stallion always had a joke up his sleeve, no matter how dire or serious the situation was.

 

Minutes later, the dark but dry cave was spotted by T.J. “There it is.” he said, letting Shawn and Starlight pass by him. “Good luck.” he said. T.J. left, ready to guard the perimeter. Shawn turned away to the dreary cave. Though dark as night and creepy as a ghost, it was safe, dry, and it sheltered any living thing ready for a break from the chilly weather. Starlight looked up at the stalactites hanging from the ceiling. Glad it hadn’t rained recently, she walked in, ready for the next action in the long process.

 

 

 

 

T.J.’s golden-brown eyes scanned the barren and remote area. He trotted around, tossing his head. The snow was gone, and no water dripped from the bare trees, yet it was still wintery. He shook his creamy mane. Soon it would be spring, and with it would bring warmth and sweet green grasses. T.J. looked around. No life could be seen. Not a sound echoed over the land. He felt uneasy, tense. How could it be this silent?

 

He shook his head once more. He needed to concentrate on keeping Shawn and Starlight protected. Shawn hadn’t done the same to him, but he still felt the need to do something special for his friend. Obviously his actions of helpfulness weren’t necessary, but it was the only favor he could come up with in a short period of time. Giving Starlight the greenest pieces of grass and racing Shawn ‘til he dropped just didn’t feel like it was enough.

 

Snorting, he turned around, and trotted in the other direction. Something, a sound of some sort, had caught his attention. He flicked his ear, letting the icy air enter. T.J. shivered, from the cold and creepiness of the day both. What is that? He asked to himself. The noise was soft, like hoof beats on grass, but hard at the same time. T.J. walked to the sound, not knowing about the upcoming danger.

 

 

 

Shawn smiled, his blue eyes gleaming. He nuzzled Starlight, who by now was exhausted and drained of all energy. She grinned, then laid her head back down. It was hard enough giving birth to one foal, let alone two. Shawn let her rest. He licked the first foal.

 

Its black, moist mane stood up in all directions, no matter how hard Shawn licked. The colt’s brown coat shone as it reflected the rising sun. Its bright eyes gazed at Shawn, and he tried to nicker, but couldn’t quite figure it out. He nibbled on Shawn’s dark mane and squeaked. “How about Oliver?” Shawn said. Starlight nodded her approval.

 

Shawn laughed, then looked at the other foal. His smile disappeared. The grey colt laid in the corner, curled into a ball. He didn’t move; nor make a sound, breathing exempt. The foal’s coat stayed dark in the corner where sunlight could not reach. Its eyes were halfway closed, and it said nothing, even when Shawn licked him as well. Shawn snorted. This foal had little chance of surviving. He looked back at Starlight. Her face had implanted the worry he had. He lowered his spotted head. It broke his heart just to think of one of his foals passing on, even if he hadn’t even spoken to him.

 

A stifled neigh filled the air, a frightened one. Shawn’s ears pricked; he recognized the voice. One look between him and Starlight mentally stated the obvious. T.J. was in trouble. Shawn, confident Starlight was safe, took off to find his best friend.

 

 

 

 Things became fuzzy as T.J. ran for his life. He had found a living thing, but not the kind he was looking for. This one only had two legs, and was riding one of T.J.’s own kind. A lasso whizzed over his head, hardly missing his neck. What crazy idea went on in the human’s minds that made them think they could take on every horse?

 

T.J.’s creamy mane and tail flew behind him as he tried to escape the cowboy. He turned his head. “Can you stop him or something?” he neighed at the cowboy’s mount.

 

“Not really. He just keeps kicking!” the gelding whinnied back. T.J. turned back forward and rolled his eyes. Domesticated horses these days, he thought.

 

T.J. surged forward past a tall boulder, its rough grey side scratching his barrel. He winced as it made contact. Continuing to gallop, T.J. looked behind him and smiled. The human was gone, his unhelpful horse with it. T.J. slowed to a walk, his lungs gasping for air. His adrenaline rush was gone, and in its place remained nothing, just a tired stallion. He lowered his head, letting his forelock fall into his face. His eyes began to close, slowly. “T.J.!”

 

 

 

Starlight shook her head, but was instantly dizzy. Humans could at least wait for a recently pregnant mare to regain her strength before taking her away. Oliver pranced around beside her, unaware that being taken by humans was a bad thing. Starlight watched as he walked ahead of the cowboy’s gelding. The colt smiled, but the horse paid no attention to him. Unaffected, Oliver trotted back to his mother and tried to nurse, but was stopped as Starlight couldn’t pause.

 

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, Starlight thought about the other foal. Unable to see his gray coat, the human had left the small colt behind, taking only his mother and brother. She lowered her head. The foal would have no chance of survival without her.

 

Starlight continued walking. What would Shawn’s reaction be when he came back to an empty cave?

 

 

 

 

“T.J.! What are you doing here? Are you alright?” Shawn loudly whispered. T.J. hurriedly put his head up. “Huh? Oh, yeah, I’m fine.” His head wobbled. “Are you sure?” Shawn asked. He worried about his friend. His side was bleeding badly. T.J. appeared unbalanced, but said, “Yeah.”

 

Shawn sighed. T.J knew more about his injuries himself than Shawn did. “Well, come on then.” Shawn nickered. He led T.J. back to the cave, excited to show him the new foals. Starlight would probably be sitting up by now and playing with Oliver. Shawn pricked his head up and paused. He hadn’t named the second foal yet. He snorted. It wouldn’t matter; the foal was destined to die. Why name him? It would bring more emotion to his passing. “Are you ok?” T.J. asked softly. Shawn just nodded and kept moving.

 

As they reached the dark cave, Shawn and T.J. were in for a shock. Starlight and the two foals were gone! T.J.’s eyes widened, then he passed out. Being over-run added to the stunning disappearance must have been too much for him. Fighting tears, Shawn didn’t notice T.J.; he was too fixated on his thoughts. He froze, taking in the empty cave. Nothing was

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