The Leap of Faith

The Moon Lake

The moon shed light on the silver lake in the clearing of the forest adding to its luminosity. The crickets were chirping in the woods and fireflies were buzzing illuminating the forest like  stars illuminating the sky. Basking in the shimmering of silver lake were many pegasi.

The moon lake had become the only place on the crust of earth where the pegasi frolicked anymore.

Most pegasi were either rose of earth, night or moon but there was one which was distinct from others. It rose from the sun. The mane was bright and swept to side. The feathers of its wings were wide and pleated from gold. Its warm golden skin was kissed by the sun. Its eyes were warm and brown. It walked with grace and eminence.

The other pegasi parted with a little bow on the arrival of the golden one, who acknowledged them with a nod.

From the edge of the clearing, hidden from the sight, crouched in the bushes, were a pair of another brown eyes keenly watching as the golden pegasus drank from the silver lake.

Unlike the rest the golden Pegasus was aware of its watcher. But it waited for them to show themselves.

In the bushes the onlooker was watching the horse."Ray." The word was whispered trembling.

The Pegasus met the eyes into he bushes and gave a short neigh. The White and black Pegasus took off towards the night sky and the moon. The Brown Pegasus seemingly melted into the earth.

The golden Pegasus waited patiently for the observer to emerge from their hiding spot.

'You haven't changed'  The observer complimented.

'Neither have you'

The observer, a woman wearing royal blue robes drew near.
Her long jet black hair were resting on her right shoulder in a neat fish braid. Her eyes much like the Pegasus were brown but missing the warmth. Instead they was a sharp glint from seeing years of suffering and war.

"Ray, " She whispered aloud even though they never needed to communicate verbally to understand each other.

'How is Vixom? '

The woman's step faltered. He breath hitched and Ray knew she should not have asked about the lady's lover.

"Hopefully in a place where he would feel no pain. "

'I am sorry. '

The woman didn't reply.Her hand came to rest on the nuzzle of the winged horse. No one commented on the tremble that came along with the simple touch. Both were lost it the past when life was much simpler.

"Ray, " She closed her eyes. "We need you. "

'You know I can't return.'

She clenched her eyes shut to stop the traitorous tears of expected disappointment from escaping, "You are our last hope."
She tried in a desperate attempt.

'I can't. Not anymore.'

The Pegasus pulled away form her hand, letting it fall to her side.

It hurts the Ray to see her former friend in despair. But she herself was tied by the pact that didn't allow the pegasi beyond the boundaries of moon lake

'I can take you with me to the palace of Sol-'

"No!" She was shocked to hear the words of cowardice from her once fearless winged ally. "I have a duty to my people. They are counting on me," Her eyes turned to steel," And unlike you I don't run away from whom I consider my own. "

The neigh that Ray let out woke up the forest. Every creature roared and howled with her.

The woman alarmed, reached for her sword that was the same color as the wing of the Pegasus in front of her.

'You know I didn't run away! ' The winged horse replied in agitation.

"Yes you did! You took off like a coward as soon as got the chance, leaving me and my-"

'It is not always about you Roxanne! '

Roxanne was glowering at her. Her whole body shook with rage and her breaths came out heavy. Her tears that had become the momentary outlet of her anger, sorrow and frustration had gone dry in the summer wind. But her eyes we're still kindling fire.

'I am sorry Ro. I can't help you anymore. ' The Pegasus sounded defeated. 'Let me send you back home. '

A swirling purple portal appeared next to them.

"Home," Roxanne chuckled darkly. There was no home left. All that was left were burning smithereens of past and broken hearts."Fly back to Sol, Ray. That is what you have always done."

Ray turned around, spreading her massive wings to take off the opposite side of the moon,not waiting to see whether her old friend would step through or not, squeezing her own eyes shut to keep the tears at bay, ignoring the glare on her back.

No matter what she promised herself. She would not return to help the humans this time.

Despite knowing she would have to.