What's Left of You

Chapter 7

"No way am I getting on that thing," Drew declared that moment the small group stepped foot outside Solodad's little cottage. "No."

"Have any better ideas on how to travel?" Solidad questioned. Drew opened his mouth to reply, but she cut him off. "Your wing hasn't healed enough yet for you to fly, so don't even think about it, assuming you'd be able to make it though the takeoff."

"My wing is just fine, thank you," Drew protested stiffly.

"Aw, come on Drew. You're going to hurt his feelings," May teased, letting the nearest Pegasus nuzzle her.

"Don't care," Drew argued, earning a glare from Misty and Dawn.

"It does have feelings!" Misty snapped.

"Don't take it personally, geez," Drew muttered. "Demons and Pegasi have had a history of staying separate."

"Just give it a try," May encouraged. "Just hold out your hand and stroke her muzzle." Drew gave another look at the brunet, hoping that she was kidding. He sighed upon seeing that he wasn't getting out of that one, and slowly approached the Pegasus with his left arm extended.

The four females watched as he softly placed his hand on the Pegasus's head. For a moment, the winged horse stood stalk-still. Then, he took in Drew's scent.

Enraged at a demon touching him, he reared up spreading his wings out as far as possible. Solidad made a grab for his reigns, but she wasn't fast enough. The Pegasus brought his hoofs down on the front of shoulders. As fast as she could, May sent strong puffs of wind at the Pegasus to push him away from the grounded demon.

"Whoa, whoa. Easy boy. Would it be okay if you let that boy ride you?" Solidad coaxed. The Pegasus snorted and looked at Drew who he'd struck to the ground as if to ask 'um... Boy?'

Solidad sighed. "Fine. Would it be okay if you let that demon boy ride you?"

He whinnied indignantly and turned his head in obvious disgust.

"And you're wondering why I didn't want to ride it," Drew commented. May gave him a whack on the head for making the situation with the stubborn Pegasus worse than it already was. "It's a him," she reminded.

"Flightfeather," Solidad pleaded, "please let him ride you. He doesn't mean anyone any harm."

Flightfeather snorted.

"Flightfeather," Solidad insisted firmly.

Flightfeather visibly sighed before hanging his head, signaling that he'd allow Drew to ride him.

"Good," Solidad instructed. "Drew, put one foot in that stirrup and one hand on that saddle horn, and swing yourself into the saddle."

Doing as he was told, Drew mounted the seething Pegasus.

May laughed as Drew and Flightfeather glared at each other.

"Hey Solidad?" May wondered. "Are those three Pegasi yours?"

Solidad shook her head. "Thunderclap is, but Flightfeather and Torrent are wild Pegasi that live in this forest and they happen to be my friends. But technically, no." She turned to the others. "We're going to have to double up. May, you ride with Drew. You hear that, Flightfeather? If you dump Drew mid air, you'll also be dumping May."

Flightfeather let out an 'aw...' sound.

May jumped into the saddle behind Drew, the hight and distance of the leap aided by her air powers.

"Misty and Dawn, would you two like to ride Torrent?"

"Aye sir!" Dawn yelled with a grin.

(Summerchu, that one was totally for you.)