A Band Moves On

[~Symphony~]

Symphony was deep in thought as he galloped through the desert. He didn't know where he was going, but he just kept running. All he knew was that he had to keep running. Then he realized he wasn't alone.

He snapped backed into the real world, and slowed down to a stop. He forgot about the other horses trailing him. "Why can't we just stay in one spot, Symphony?" whined his brother. Symphony turned around and faced the members of the band. They all looked quizzically at him. Symphony hesitated. He didn't want to tell them about his father issues, and that he might come back to kill him and his brother. Since he was so young, Canon didn't know this, and Symphony had no plans of telling him anytime soon.

He thought about the day his father, Timpani, made his mate abandon her children. Canon walked up and tugged at his mane. Symphony jumped a little, and smiled. "Don't you want to see whats out there." He jerked his head toward the canyons. "Don't you ever wonder whats beyond those canyons? You know, meet new friends even?" Izzi lowered her head "There isn't really anything great over there. They all are low life scum!" Apollo nuzzled her. "Don't be that way. Not every horse is like that." Izzi nuzzled back, and went silent. Symphony knew what happened to her, but didn't want to get onto that topic. They all looked at there leader, waiting for his next move. Symphony turned, and just started running. Running toward the Bloodshed Canyons.

[silverhoof]

Artemis watched them from a few hundred yards away, sandy colored coat blending into the desert. The only dead givaway was her black markings that stretched from the tip of her muzzle to the base of her tail. Her eyes were silvery green, most unusual in a horse. She gazed at them in fascination. The red manes on two of the males was what had made her look in that direction in the first place. She would have ignored them, otherwise. Her sleek body moved towards them, muscles shifting beneath her pelt without the slightest difficulty. She was used to the sun and heat also, so it barely phased her. That created a downfall for her when winter came. She practically froze to death at the mere mention of a snowflake.
The mare's gait was gentle and smooth as she cantered towards the group, black mane and tail flowing on the wind.



Where I’ve become so numb
Without a soul
My spirit sleeping somewhere cold
Until you find it there and lead it back home

Wake me up inside
Wake me up inside

Call my name and save me from the dark

[[R].ebel]

Black hooves stretched across the plains, thrusting the great black stallion faster over the land. Desert sand kicked up behind him, sending a torrent of choking dust flying through the air. This was where he belonged. The Demon of the lands belonged in the place not many others could stand...the desert.

A scent rose through the wind and swept over his flaring nostrils. Another horse…to be exact five other horses. These were the horses of the Forgotten Band…the Devil’s Bands’ enemy. With an angry snort, Demon veered in their direction, unusually red eyes blazing in anger.

Five horses came into view, four running close together and one relatively far off. Demon slid to a stop in front of them and reared letting out a challenging neigh to Symphony. He tossed his black mane, powerful body glistening in the sunlight. Demon slammed his hooves down into the sand, snorting and glared at the band of horses. An evil gleam shown in his eyes as he began to speak to the others, evil dripping in his words.

“Well, if it isn’t the Forgotten Band. You will be forgotten when your band dies of out…which shouldn’t take too long.”

[[esperanza]]

Now I will tell you what I've done for you

Hooves clattering against the dry desert floor, an appaloosa mare followed her leader at a dead run. Her mane flew in the wind, sand kicked up by her hoofs. The strong black stallion snorted, veering in a different direction.

"What now?" Her voice snapped as she followed him, breathing hard to keep up with his quick pace. She wasn't exactly a desert horse; she had been raised in mountainous territory, and that was what she was used too. The sun glaring down on her back was agonizing.

She slid to a stop as they came upon five other horses. Demon started talking to them; apparently they were enemies. Jagura gave the other horses a cold, emotionless stare, her ears tilted back at a slight angle. She wasn't the kind that would go around looking for battles, but if it came to that, anything was worth getting her mind occupied. For a moment, she almost let her guard down as she thought about him, but with an arrogant toss of her mane, she was back to glaring coldly at the other band.

Fifty thousand tears I've cried

[~Symphony~]

Symphony skidded to a stop. Canon bumping into his rump as he stopped, pushed Symphony closer to the black horse. Everyone staring at the two horses, not expecting to see anything, or anybody in the desert.

Symphony kept his cool as the horse reared. "My, you have a temper. No need to get hasty." He said smart alickly. Symphony reared at Demon with his red hooves shining in the hot sun. "See, I can look scary too." He slammed his hooves down on the hard dirt/sand mixture. He knew that making jokes might set off Demon, but it might also throw him off. Symphony laughed at his not so funny joke, and looked behind him. Canon was cowering behind him, almost whimpering. Apollo was protecting Izzi by standing in front with his chest puffed out and looking as big as he could. He also noticed a yellow and black horse standing with them, making stares at the newcomers.

Symphony turned back around and noticed the mare making the "angry eyes" at his band. "You don't look too much like a desert horse, did he drag you out here?" Symphony asked. He looked into Demons red eyes. The same color eyes as himself. Symphony waited his reaction with his head cocked to the side.

[[R].ebel]

Demon watched as the mustang arrogently mocked him but he found it unamusing and his expression did not change. He snorted pawing the ground, irritably at the mustangs.

"It would seem you are the ones who do not belong in the desert" Demon said as if the question was veered at him, though he knew it wasn't. "A few soft hoofed horses like you can't survive in a place fit for only the strongest. Only the strong survive. Haven't you ever heard that? The strong weed out the weak...in other words I weed out weak."

Demon's eyes flashed to Jagura then back to Symphony. Most horses wouldn't stand up against four others and possibly a fifth if the other mare was to come but Demon was unafraid. Nothing put fear through his eyes. Every thought of fear was clouded...except one...the one weakness he had he would not share and no one knew about.

[silverhoof]

Artemis stared up at Demon, green eyes flashing. "Why does pain bring you so much pleasure? There is enough of this world for us to share- why do you insist on ruling all of it when it is not possible?" She rose her head up and arched her neck defiantly, ears up. Her mane and tail fluttered around her long-legged form in a rare, soft breeze that barely ever struck in the arid desert. "This land is wild. It cannot be owned, so stop trying to and leave us alone." Anger flared in her eyes, and she uttered something only for Demon's ears. "Even if it could be tamed, the elements would rise up and destroy you. The gods would never allow a horse like you to overrule horses like Spirit, his herd, and us rogue bands that side with him."
She glanced back at Symphony ever so quickly, to try and read his expression. Gods, she hoped she'd done the right thing.

Back off I’ll take you on
Headstrong to take on anyone
I know that you are wrong
Headstrong
We’re headstrong
Back off I’ll take you on
Headstrong to take on anyone
I know that you are wrong and this is not where you belong
I can’t give everything away
I won’t give everything away

[[esperanza]]

Screaming, decieving, and bleeding for you

'You don't look too much like a desert horse, did he drag you out here?' Those words cut like knives through Jagura's guard. She narrowed her eyes even more at the other band leader, her ears flat against her skull.

"No one forces me to do anything!" she screamed harshly, rearing at Symphony. Her sharp hooves pawed the air, kicking up dust as they hit the desert floor again. She glared at every horse in the Forgotten Band, going over them each with her cold, dark eyes.

"They aren't even worth our time," she snapped to Demon. Jagura realized that they couldn't possibly take on five horses, but she wasn't about to admit that outloud to him.

And you still won't hear me

[[R].ebel]

Demon chuckled at the opposing mare's words, evil peircing the air. "Please. You think that weak stallion Spirit scares me? I fight anyone, anytime anywhere and if I weren't so busy with my plans I would fight you all here and now."

It was just about that time Jagura spoke of leaving. Demon looked to her with his red tinted eyes, giving her angry snort. The sense of her weakness filled him but he said nothing and turned back to the others. "A word of advice...Stay out of my way."

With a snort, Demon pushed his way through the group and began in a gallop across the desert he was so accustomed to. He would have to have a word with Jagura...

[~Symphony~]

Symphony saw the red in Demons eyes before he galloped off. 'Its scary how much he looks a acts like father' He shook the thought out of his head and looked at Canon. "Why do you always have to joke around!" Symphony jumped at Canons surprisingly loud voice. Canons eyes were glued on him. "Somebody could have gotten hurt." Symphony glanced at the band mates. "We could have taken them if he did try something." He walked to the front of the members and turned to face them. "I am your leader. I will always have your back if you have mine."

He then noticed the new mare. He gave her a nice smile and walked to her. "I am glad you are on our side." He went to a more serous tone. "You made a good point back there to Demon. But I am afraid not only words are going to stop him. He will come back at some point and will have to fight." Apollo stepped up. "We will need more help to take him down. He will eventually gather more evil horses and build his 'army'." "Then we must get more members as well. Until then we should get moving."

Symphony turned and started galloping. His hooves beating the hot dirt and sand, not phasing him at all. "A few soft hoofed horses like you can't survive in a place fit for only the strongest." Symphony rolled his eyes to himself of the thought of what Demon said. He was born and has lived in the desert all his life, as have Canon. He did worry, however about Izzi and Apollo. They were a part of a herd that lived nowhere near the desert. He didn't know much about Artemis, but she looked accustomed to it. He would get to know the new mare as soon as the sun would set, and find a place to get a good nights rest.

[silverhoof]

Artemis glared after Demon and Jagura as they galloped into the distance, their forms fading against the blue sky. She turned around, hooves gently thudding against the sand as Symphony spoke to his band.
Her green-grey eyes betrayed her surprise as the grey stallion acknowledged her. He nodded her head and uttered a faint, 'mm' in agreement to his words.
She blinked for a moment as Symphony began to gallop off. Her brow furrowed. Did they not know this desert well enough? Where they were headed the canyons were like a maze. Even if you knew the way out, it still took at least a day, and the place was filled with cougars.
"Wait!" She called, and raced to catch up with Symphony.
Her hooves pounded the desert sand as she galloped alongside the stallion. "If we go to the east there's a clean break through the canyons. It goes straight to grassland. It'll be a lot easier to find food and such there, and it's only about half a day away. We'll be there before night falls."
Her clear gaze reflected his red one as she watched the stallion's actions.

Face it
This is what we're up, up against?
You're waiting
And every minute is a minute away

Less is more except when it comes to mistakes
How long is long, that depends how long it takes

[~Symphony~]

Symphony was glad Artemis knew what she was doing. "Sorry." he smiled, "I never went outside the desert, so naturally, I don't know much about the grasslands." He knew Izzi and Apollo knew the way, but there were cautious on going back.

He heard Canon give a giggle. He turned head and gave him a hard look. Canon looked around as if he did nothing. "What are you laughing at? You know just as much as me, maybe less." Canon mumbled a sorry, and ran looking down on the ground. Symphony looked back into Artemis's green eyes. "Why don't you lead the way? The other members were suprised by this. A leader was supposed to lead, not a member, a new one at that. "I know I am the leader, but you are more familiar with where we are going." Symphony did not want to be a harsh leader, he wanted to be friendly. He was not Demon. He waited for her answer, as he galloped next to her.

[silverhoof]

A look of surprise entered Artemis' eyes, showing through in her astonished expression also. "Uh... s-sure..." She had meant only to give advice, not to end up guiding the whole band.
She felt nervous, suddenly, as though it were a test to see if she were worthy of roaming with them.
This mare had a very peculiar personality. There was the side of her that had shown through when Demon had come- the headstrong side that tended to cloud most of her rational judgement- and the soft, shy side that almost always masked the other. Oh well... she supposed she'd probably make friends with the albino, at least... If they decided to kick her out, she'd continue as things were before she'd ever even seen the group.

Her sandy body made a ninety degree turn towards the section of canyon that broke through to grassland. Her mane and tail streamed out behind her as she ran, small clouds of dust exploding beneath her hooves. She let her eyes gaze up for a moment, not needing to pay attention for now. Just run in a straight line until you see the arrow-shaped rock, then turn and keep going until you see the break. The sky was clear, unbroken blue, white-gold sun glinting. There was not a single bird flying.

After a moment's thought, she realized that she had never mentioned her name. Artemis' head turned slightly, so she could see the others from the corner of her eye. "I'm Artemis."

[~Symphony~]

Symphony was glad the mare decided to step up. It showed courage and he liked that. He galloped up next to her but still slightly behind her. "Oh gosh! How rude of us not to introduce ourselves!" He gave a cheesy smile. "My name is Symphony." He paused a little before continuing, to see her reaction. "That is my younger brother Canon." He shifted over so she could see the young horse as he nervously said hi. "And the albino is Izzi, and the other is her mate Apollo." Apollo nodded a hello. Izzi gave a friendly smile, hoping this mare would be a nice friend.

"It is nice to meet you Artemis. But we will talk more when we get to the grasslands." He didn't want to sound rude, but he loved to run in silence. Symphony thought it was a good way to get away and listen to your thoughts. Another way to forget your problems. They continued to run. Muscles and sweat glistening in the sun.

[silverhoof]

It's the honesty of these worlds
Ruled by magic and mighty swords
That makes my soul long for the past

The sandy mare smiled and gave a nod of her head at Symphony's statement. She understood perfectly. When you spoke, there was a feeling of binding, of being tied to the earth.
In silence, there was happiness.
Dreams lived, and the rush of air against your skin swept you away from the harsh reality that nothing was perfect.

Artemis realized her eyes were closed, and opened them. She could see the arrow-rock, and turned towards it, running past it and slowing to canter without warning. She ran her gaze up the canyon wall, taking in every shadow and every crack.

There.

There it was. She slowed to a walk, and carefully entered the crack. It was narrow, just under wide enough for two mustangs to walk side by side and fit through. Wide enough so that if the band members went in a straight line, there should be no problem.

Artemis allowed her green-grey eyes to travel up to the ribbon of sky that floated between the rusty walls of the canyon. She looked straight ahead again. It was a long trek through the place, but they'd get through it. She noted that the sun was turning the sky a pale shade of pink-red, and that the first star could be seen.

Carry me to neverland
In this spellbound night