Apollo's Awakening

Part 1: Depth Of Good And Ill

Then, in my childhood, in the dawn
Of a most stormy life was drawn
From ev'ry depth of good and ill
The mystery which binds me still.
~Edgar Allan Poe, "Alone"~

"Oh come on Majesty, hurry up and eat your oats. It's almost time to leave, we don't want to keep the mortals waiting now, do we?" coaxed Apollo, who was leading the other horses towards his chariot.

Majesty gave an objecting winny, and finished her oats by the time he got back. "Now that's a good girl." Apollo patted her smooth mane.

"You'll need fuel for today. The days are getting longer, which means more work hours for us."

She looked at him almost disapprovingly, and then allowed him to lead her forward. Apollo harnessed Majesty in, along with the three other winged horses; Twilight, Cloudnine, and Skydance. Skydance and Cloudnine were ponies, and looked anxious to go. Twilight and Majesty were calm and almost bored, and the littler ones seemed to be getting on Twilight's nerves. He stomped his hooves semi-angrily. His charred black coat looked eerie, and the whites of his eyes were piercing. Majesty was the beautiful opposite of Twilight, with an entirely white coat and deep, black eyes. She stared past him into the sky ahead, and Apollo couldn't help but follow her gaze into the clouds. As he harnessed Skydance in, Cloudnine happily nudged her brother. The ponies were both brown with white spots, like the contrast of a person with freckles. They were playful, and always full of excitement.

Apollo hopped into the golden chariot and glanced down at his bow and arrow, resting beside him. Him and his twin sister, Artemis, had had these for what seemed like forever. They were a part of their childhood. Images of meadows and peaceful childhood memories flickered across his mind, and his smile contained a hint of longing. It's been a long time since he's been together with his family again. His sister was always challenging him, and her competitive spirit seemed contagious.

As children, Apollo always took charge and was responsible, while Artemis ran loose and wild like an animal.

Unlike Apollo, Artemis used her bow and arrow for battle, while he used them as protection and more of a way to reassure him when he was tense.

As Apollo's mind was drifting, Twilight neighed loudly and he jumped. Back in focus, Apollo took hold of the gleaming reins, and with a small twist at the corner of his mouth, he exclaimed "Let's go!"