A Hero of Darkness

Dark Dreams

Lightning was mad. He had led the herd to the small meadow, and all Scarlet could do was complain.

"I hate this!"

"I want to go home!"

"I want real food and someone to groom me!"

Seething with anger at Scarlet's whiny face, Lightning had run off. He was now furiously running through the forest.

Finally, Lightning stopped, sighed, and shook his head, his long, midnight black mane flew. I should probably go back, Lightning thought. I can't leave them alone.

He slowly started heading back. No sooner than he had walked a couple of steps, he ran into another horse.

"Watch it!" Lightning snapped, then sucked his breath in as he saw her.

She was brilliantly white, so white that she was practically glowing. Her silky mane rested perfectly on her neck, her tail long enough to touch the floor. A silvery horn protruded out of her forehead, through her long forelock.

"Whaaa...." He managed to say.

"I finally found you!" The gorgeous horse- or whatever she was- squealed, her large, dark eyes shining with unseen stars.

"You are our savior! You will save my herd from the pegasi! You- you aren't even a unicorn?"

"Is that what you are? A unicorn? Because I am a horse, and I am not saving anyone." Lightning snorted, finally finding his voice and stamping his hoof.

"Wait- what? But you are supposed to save us! You are the Darkness that is supposed to save our herd! Why? What is happening? I-I do not understand..." She managed to look confused, worried, angry, and scared, all at the same time, and look very good while doing so.

"Look, I don't want to hurt anyone, or save anyone, but I'm just- me. I don't have anything to help you. I'm sorry." Lightning sighed.

"But I am sure it is you!" The unicorn cried.

Lightning flicked an ear impatiently. He wasn't sure what to make of this strange new- thing.

"Well, who are you?" He asked, trying to change the subject.

"Zuri. But that doesn't matter. Please, just come with me. Maybe if I introduce you to my herd, something will happen..."

"No. I'm sorry. But I have my own herd. You are welcome to join us, if you want..."

She shook her head sadly. "Please..."

"I have already told you my answer."

She looked at her hooves. "I know you have said no, but- if you ever change your mind..."

Zuri raised her head, and her dark eyes met Lightning's.

"Say my name. I will come."

She gave Lightning one last look, sadness etched in her face, then turned and galloped away. Lightning stared after her. Say my name... But I would never leave my herd. Would I?

. . .

Zuri ran blindly through the forest. He said no...

But my family. The pegasi will treat them horribly. I have to save them. But this dark- horse. He is too stubborn. He's my only hope of saving my herd...

Zuri arrived at the pool and broke down next to it. She dipped her head low over the pond, her horn skimming it's surface.

I have to save my herd...

Zuri sighed. She rested her head next to the pool, closed her eyes, and gave way to the pressing darkness of sleep.

Zuri felt someone touch her neck. It tickled. Slowly, she raised her head to see Seren nosing her.

"Wake up!" She laughed.

"Alright!" Zuri said grumpily.

Seren ran across the meadow, nickering happily, her silvery blue mane flying out behind her. Zuri chased her excitedly. They ran around until they collapsed from the exhaustion.

"I still beat you." Seren whispered.

"As if." Zuri answered.

Suddenly, from nowhere, a feather fell onto Zuri's nose. She sneezed, and the feather was blown away, but another quickly took its place. Zuri looked up, and saw feathers falling from the sky like rain. Quickly, Zuri turned her head to look at Seren. Seren's eyes were wild with fear, and she screamed, terrified, at Zuri.

"Save me!" She cried, and threw her head, saliva whipping through the air.

The ground was falling away, to reveal a gaping black hole. Seren's back hoof slipped, and she fell, her front hooves scrabbling for something to grab onto.

"I'm coming!" Zuri shrieked, running forward to help her best friend, but Seren had fallen, screaming, into the dark pit.

"NO!"

Zuri looked around wildly, and saw other unicorns falling into the abyss. "MOTHER!"

Aurora ran frantically across the meadow to her daughter, but the downpour of feathers slowed her down. The ground cracked underneath her...

"MOTHER!" Aurora was gone.

A black unicorn was suffocated under a mass of feathers. Ciaran, the leader. "Zuri! You said you would save us!" The feathers covered his mouth.

"I thought I could! Please, no! Come back!" Zuri dropped to the ground, tears streaking down her cheeks.

The feathers turned into a raging fire, engulfing everything. Heat seared Zuri's flank. Everything was gone....

Zuri took a deep breath, sweat dripping down her forehead. "It was just a dream..." She whispered to herself.

But she was sure of one thing. She had to convince the "Darkness" to help her.

For her herd.

For her family.