>> no matter the time. [claim]

[azul.]

R I K U

…Donna toki datte, tatta hitori de.

My steel tinted legs churned as I galloped through the moderately choppy sands of Destiny Islands. I could hear another equine galloping behind me. He was huffing and puffing. I wasn’t. Sora. ”Come on Sora, keep up!” My young voice called out playfully as I powered forward. Faintly, I could hear Sora’s out of breath reply. His childish voice, I enjoyed it so much. He was only two after all, while I was turning three very soon. ”Slow down would ya!” Ah, good old Sora. I laughed, and almost as if to spite the young bay colt, I kicked up my heels, and jumped forward. I could hear Sora yell in disbelief, but this would help him in the future. I was like Sora's mentor. He looked up to me, and I wanted him to be the best he could. Then I remembered Kairi. She was also running with us, much farther behind, but I could hear her playful giggles, growing fainter and fainter as Sora and I race, side by side through the island. This, this was home. I wanted to stay here forever.

Why, why did I keep having these dreams? While they did qualify as a dream, a good old memory, I still had them re-occur in my mind everyday. It was saddening, to remember this, and then I wake up in a cruel, dark world. I hurt, I hurt all over. Physically, I was fine, aside from a few gashes on my thin grey coat, where I'd foughten with Sophie, but that was alright. I hurt emotionally, mentally. I missed them so much. To not be able to see them, except old memories was hard. I wish I could see them, but even if I did see them, I doubt that life would be the same for me. It wasn't fair. I had another being inside me. Xehanort, or was it Xemnas? Xehanort was a Nobody, a Heartless, he needed someone to live inside to live again. He chose me. Why was that, I had just been seperated, and he found me. He manipulated me, I killed so many. I hated this time when I was a killer. I didn't recognize the ones that I loved, and that, that was so scary to me. That also brought up yet again, another problem. I had a Heartless, a Nobody inside me. Did that mean that I had a heart, or was I just doomed to live without one? I couldn't honest truthfully without regret. I didn't know. It stumped me, and I was just left to wander alone here.

The sun was just beginning to dip down in the far horizon. It lowered beneath the water so slowly, that I could see the water's light blue coloring darken into a rich gold. I was standing so still, on the island, connected by a bridge. It wasn't big, but it housed many of Sora and I's daily play battles. The trees, twisted at awkward angle's, and growing paopu fruits, were placed behind me. My young frame didn't move at all, but I could hear an equine aproaching. The bridge, old but still sturdy echoed with the hoof beats. I didn't know who it was until they spoke. "Hey, what's the matter?" The voice was feminine; Kairi. The corners of my mouth lifted into a small, determined smile. "I've been thinking... Our world is just a small place in this world. What if our world is just a piece of something muh bigger? That means that, we're a piece of something that's bigger than us!" My blue-green eyes didn't move from the horizon. I continued to watch it, but after my speech, I took in a deep breath. "You've been thinking a lot lately, haven't you?" Her reply was so kind, but I resisted looking at her. I didn't need to though, Kairi had taken a few long steps to be at my side. She was decently small, but she hadn't grown yet, and she was a year younger than me. Finally, I looked at her. Her eyes were such a warm brown tinting, that I smiled at her. When I spoke, I didn't realize how competitive my tone was. "Thanks to you! If you hadn't come here, I would of never have thought about any of this." My eyes remained on hers as I took a breath, speaking again. "Kairi?.. Thanks." I looked away, at the sun. It was gone completely, and the sky was turning into various rays of purple and pinks and blues. I could hear Kairi giggle. I smiled, and listened to her speak earnestly. "You're welcome."

My body didn't stir through these memories. I was sleeping. More or less in a deep slumber, but it didn't matter all too much. I had collapsed in a random terrain, and passed out. It probably belonged to another horse. They would most likely come along and not care if I was dead, or toy with me until I was. Would I let them? Xehanort might not, but would Riku? I didn't know if I would try to fight them off. I might let them, but I still had to fight for them. Sora and Kairi. I was doing this, this whole journey, for them. I wanted to be back with them. My eyes, even if I was sleeping, squinted closed, tighter, to block out the sun. My legs stirred faintly in my slumber. I was frightened, why? These memories were great, the only bad thing was how much I missed them all, but I couldn't do anything about it. It felt, like I was falling, falling backwards into a pool of bleak darkness. I struggled, but as I stood in my dreams, I could see my shadow. It grew bigger, transforming into a monster. It killed me before I could move, trapping me in the darkness. My body twitched, shaking, trembling. I wasn't able to wake up though. Why couldn't I escape? I wasn't sleeping anymore; I was just trapped in whirling thoughts.

On that small, secluded island where Sora and I fight, we were there today. I was winning. I was quicker, more agile, better. My eyes glinted in determination as I skillfully made Sora stumble, and trip up. He fell backwards, landing against one of the trees. He stood up, and below his breath, I could hear him mutter some depressing words. "Man, I'm never gonna get it." Was I too hard on him this time? I wanted to help him, become the best he could be. This was just a harder route. Breathing easily, I spoke, my tone affectionate and calming. "C'mon Sora, you'll get it. You just need to focus more. Just keep trying; you'll be able to beat me-" "Yeah, you're right! I'll beat you-" We kept breaking each other's sentance. I laughed, and spoke. "Eventually. Remember that, you stand no chance now!" I laughed joyously, my body dancing in place for a moment. We always had the hottest debates. Snorting, I shook my crown, and bolted across the island, onto the bridge that was connected to Destiny Islands. My hoof beats echoed, but I was still able to hear Sora as he spoke quietly to himself, before running after me: "Yeah, eventually."

My dreams were slowly becoming tainted into nightmares. They were still good, but I was beginning to lose the minor details about the stories. They didn't matter, but they would lead to another bigger piece of the story, until I completely forgot about my past life. When I forgot about my past, would I forget about Sora and Kairi? If I did, then I would end up submitting to Xehanort, and he would forever control me. That would be the worst fate I could overcome. My trembling continued with such force, I began to break out in a faint layer of sweat. I wanted to wake up, but I couldn't. I was even mumbling to myself, in my head. My lips didn't form words, just a soft tone of fright. I need to escape, I need to leave this life, but I can't. I can't leave my nightmares behind and start over. Why was it so hard to begin again? Oh yes, one side of me wanted to start over. The other side was so confident, and wanted me to stay in this wrath forever. Xehanort.

I remembered, a long time ago, Sora, Kairi and I found a secret cave, and we began to make small drawings of each other in there. Recently, I found a door. I didn't know what it was, but I was curious. So when I was alone- that didn't happen very often- I curiously made my was down to the cave. I barely fit through the opening anymore, even if I was a small three year old. Still, I made it. The cave, it was full of so many memories in itself. The markings on the wall, I could remember the exact date when they were done. My blue green tinted eyes began to well up at the thought of the markings. "You are so weak young boy." I thought I was alone?! My eyes traveled everywhere in the cave. I could see the outline of a horse, staring at me. I couldn't tell anything else about him. "Who, who are you?" "These worlds have been connected." I didn't get it. Who was this guy? His voice was so deep, it started to frighten me. I wanted to run away, but I seemed to be drawn to him, and too scared to move. "What do you mean?" The other figure laughed, and spoke. "One who understands nothing, can learn nothing." My vocals stretched in a growl, but I stared at the door. When I moved to look back at the figure, he was gone. That, that started my obsession with the other worlds. That one meeting would change my life.

My trembling slowed when I remembered that day. The figure, later known to be Xemnas, scared me, so, so much. I was silent for the days after that, I didn't even tell Sora or Kairi. How foolish that was, I tell you. If I told them, I would have been okay, I think, but I kept it to myself. In fact, I doubted it at first, that's why I didn't tell them. If I wasn't sure about something, I didn't want to bring out the worry in a young, heart-filled colt like Sora. Even Kairi would worry, and her life probably hadn't been easy either. But I was changing then. I was changing now. This instant, I hadn't changed one bit. I was still trembling- it had slowed, but it hadn't stopped. My eyes remained close. The main thing that had changed was the amount of sweat, clinging to my coat. It wasn't hot outside, so this was purely made of nerves. I was beginning to appear white, my sweat frothing up, like foam. My voice was still being emitted into the warm air. Nothing more than a few ghastly sounds, trying to brush away these dreams, they held a low pleading tone, begging to make everything stop, but it wasn't going to anytime soon.

After my encounter with the shadow horse, I had strange dreams. Hmm, dreams about dreams. Was he really a dream though? Maybe I was imagining it, but it didn't explain these dreams I was having. One particular afternoon, I had been by the shore of Destiny Islands. I didn't even think that I was asleep, until Sora came galloping to me, and spoke some mocking words. "I thought I'd find you down here slacking off!" I said that to him, a lot. Sora was a slacker, not me, so it made me smile faintly, and speak tenaciously. "Shut up Sora. I actually- nevermind." I knew Sora could see right through me. We always could. My eyes couldn't hide anything, they surged with emotion, so instead, I spoke in a challenging manner. "Wanna explore? We haven't been in a long time you know. I also think I saw a papou fruit on the far side of the island. I know you want one for Kairi and you to share." Sora didn't reply, but he glared at me. I laughed, my body picking up a flighty trot, carrying me around the island. Sure enough, Sora was behind me.

Finally, I was able to wake up. My blue-green eyes opened with fright, adjusting to the piercing light. I blinked a few short times, trying to remember where I was. I was near a lake. At first, I thought that I was near the waterfalls, but I wasn't. Big surprise. With a short upheave, I pulled myself up, and looked around. I shook, small pieces of froth sliding off my steel tinted frame. I had to move, but I remained still. I was thinking of the dreams. they were real, more like distant memories, but I held them so close to me. Then, there were the bad memories, that I didn't want to forget, but I didn't want to think of them either. Not right now. So I began to move after those few moments. More like stiffly wobbling around. My legs had locked up. I was so tired. I dragged across the ground, and glanced around. A few things caught my attention, but I just walked right by them. Where was Sor- no, it was Serpent. Remember that Sora, Serpent, a lone colt who was abandoned. Then there was Jayila- a horse who I believe was part of my destiny- where was she? I didn't know where she was, but I was here, they weren't, case closed.

I had almost drifted off, back into sleep, back into the dreams, but when I slipped up, falling to me knees on a small ledge, I came back into reality. I snorted, rising unsteadily. I needed to concentrate. Once I was up, I stood on the ledge, looking out into the distance. I hadn't seen any equine, and was I supposed to claim a land? I didn't know, it was so different here, so I suppose I needed to change too. I looked around for a few moments, and spoke. My voice was so clear, not even ruling. It wasn't hesitant either, but I spoke into the clear air, calling for Serpent and Jayila. Sora and Kairi, Mickey and Maleficent, so many others, I called for them. I formed words too. The final part of my words were spoken in a quiet manner, a small whisper.

"This is mine. This is my new home. Is it like this, when heartache begins? My hikari is here. I know it, but the darkness is too dark for me, I can't escape now. I need help."

The words were held so close to me. It made me sigh shakily, and as I stared up into the sky, remembering all the words that Kairi and Sora said to me. I remembered it all, but I couldn't have it all, so I was forever longing. My eyes began to glisten. Was I crying? I wasn't supposed to, I didn't want to, but I did. They fell freely, and I tried to furiously blink them away. It didn't work, so I just looked away. The trail where I was crying, where the tears fell, it darkened the color of my face. I was home, but not really. Where was I, why am I here? I need help Sora, Kairi. Help me.

[nuzzer2]

Jaliya & Serpent


Stilt like limbs carried my tiny frame into new unknown lands, I had been clinging to the scent of Riku for the past hours – following his trail to this haunted place. Tiny visuals took the surrounding nature in, I wasn’t afraid or nervous – I felt more home here, then I had ever done before. Coal colored skull lowered to the ground, taking a deep whiff my nares made sure that I was on the right away – I had to find Riku soon – these woods would not be safe for me for very long, even though I was a true dark. I bared my young fangs as a young wolf trotted past me in a stalking tempo, he knew that his long canines would tear right through my young hide easily – and wasn’t planning on letting me go anytime soon. I reared up on strong hind legs and stared the wolf down with furious orbs, so what if I could not beat him? Hell no if I would roll over and die without putting up a fight, I let loose a shrill cry of anger and went straight for the wolf – I bumped right into something hard and fell to my belly on the cold ground, my young orbs stared up at a tall bay mare.

My optics shone with anger and rage, how dare this low lived creature attack one of our own? I lowered my mug to the young wolf and stared right into his ugly yellow visuals. A cloud of heated air flew out of my nostrils, had the wolves lost their mind? Would he take up the challenge towards one of his fellow creatures? I had walked for many nights along side with wolves; I knew their every move – their way of fighting. A loud snarl to the left of me, made me jerk my slender cranium in that direction – a large grey furred female wolf was snarling at me – her fangs were barred and eyes narrowed to small slits. My auds fell against my neck in less than a second and my orbs narrowed as well, I snapped out into the chill air – warning this silly wolf, challenging her to come near.

She didn’t disappoint me, seconds later she stepped towards me – fangs still barred dripping with drool – so she thought that she was in for a quick meal? I let out a loud snort and took four casual steps in her way – making sure not to make too much distance between the young wolf and the young colt – then I roared out a scream of combat. Rearing up in powerful hind legs I swung my deadly for-hooves in her direction – aiming for her spine – of course I missed, I had not thought that this female would be that easy to get rid of. Quickly I swung around in time to place a well-aimed kick to the chest of the female wolf, told you I knew their combat strategies didn’t I? I was distracted for a second as the young wolf sprung for the colt, turning around I caught him by the throat – sinking my long fangs into his thick pelt – then threw him with all my force towards a nearby tree.
A moan of pain slipped from my throat, and I cursed myself as the female wolf jumped up and grabbed me by the throat – I had done what no equine ever should do, I had dropped my guard for a second, and that was enough for the huntress. Again I reared up kicking with my for-legs, desperately trying to kick the annoying wolf off me – but as I expected she hanging on tight, and my air supply was getting lower and lower by the second. Finally I closed my eyes in determination – so she had a death wish eh? Without a second thought I threw myself to the ground, throwing my whole body weight on the hind legs of the female, as I predicted she let go with a howl of pain – I had effectively broken her hind legs and crushed her lower spine. My eyes – full of hatred and fury – searched out those of the wolf, and I finished her off with a hard stomp on her forehead – crushing her cranium with a ‘crack’.

“Teaches you to attempt to murder one of your own allegiance”

I snarled then turned around staring at the young wolf laying by the tree, his two yellow orbs were watching me closely until he slowly got up and ran for it. I let him go – maybe that single young wolf could tell the rest, that no one would touch anyone near this bay colored demoness. I raised my crown into the chilly air and let out a challenging call for any nearby creatures, I was ready to take them on now – show them that if they messed with dark equines, they would end up like the crushed huntress below my blood speckled for leg. Slowly I turned my gaze to the youngster, he was coal black and a pure Arabian from what I could see – what was he doing here alone? Clearly he wasn’t old enough to live without his mother yet.

“What are you doing here young one?”

My auds fell forward once again and a gentle smile spread on my lips, I was once again the Jaliya that entered Midnight Acres.
I stared with huge eyes as the show formed out in front of my young eyes, this demoness had appeared out of nowhere – saving my life – with her sharp hooves and nasty personality , she had reminded me much of my mother. Then she turned towards me and a smile appeared on her lips, true to be said I was shocked, how did her personality change like that so fast? From a warrior princess – I glanced at the dripping wound on her throat – to this nice mare? I stood up on strong legs and huffed.

“I could have dealt with them myself! But if you must know, I’m looking for Riku – he should be around here somewhere, I think.”

I had lost the scent of him during the battle and was a bit lose now, but there was no way in hell I would show this mare that – besides what if Riku didn’t want me to tell anyone else of him? I looked closer at the mare, what was she doing here anyway? Was she following Riku?

“What are YOU doing here?”

I asked in a harsh tone, I had to be strong and prove I could take care of myself.

I stared at the little guy with humor in my eyes, so he was following Riku as well eh? I didn’t know Riku had a son. My ears pricked up and caught the call of Riku, I cast a short glance on the colt, who nodded at me then set in a light canter towards the call. I caught sight of him standing on a small ledge, his coat covered in sweat – and I instantly got worried, what happened to him? I looked down to notice the colt had stopped by my side and was staring at Riku as well. My orbs focused on the grey stallion as I let out a whinny – to let him know that we had arrived.

[azul.]

R I K U

...Unmei wasurete, a kite kita noni.

Calling you, calling you home. Please, take me home. I can't be here anymore. I can't be this same Riku as I have been for the past years. Battling with Xehanort, and his spirit living inside me. It was only a matter of time before he won, or I met him, in real life. When I did, what would I do? Try to beat him? Xehanort. He's much stronger than me, much better. He has the power of darkness, and I had the power of light. Sometimes, I thought that I was on the losing side. I wasn't. I had them on my side, even those who I hadn't met. Cloud, maybe. Cloud's distant memory, like mine... What was his name? Oh, Zack. Cloud had just said that Zack left, he hadn't told me the reason, but I would eventually find out. Still, it seemed that the Heartless- The Nobodies, outnumbered the light. That was scary to think like that. It actually scared me, a being who, half of their life, their mind was entitled to being a Heartless. Wow.

My legs still shook as I stood on the ledge. Not as bad, but they trembled faintly. Maybe there's a devil inside of me. Maybe. Xehanort was like that to me, the opposite of the old Riku. I was losing control of my own life. What if I lost? What if I had to give up my soul to Xehanort? I would lose everything that I had, or used to have. I can't let it happen, but how could I stop, or even just slow Xehanort's ruling? I had to find out, or else I was truly doomed to live like this. I was still crying. Why? I wasn't sad, maybe longing, for Sora and Kairi and the islands, but I'd been longing for, well, a long time. These were just being used for a show, right? No, I was still crying. I was still sad, and before I could shake the tears away, more began to spill from my blue-green, holocast eyes.

Faintly, if I listened closely, I could hear some equine, speaking to each other. Where was I? Perched on the top of a ledge in Black Lake. I was staring somewhere, focused. Well, sort of. Most of the time, I was staring at the sky, praying, begging, that I could be sent home to where I belonged. Maybe, though, maybe, I was supposed to remain here. But I didn't want to stay here. I wanted to go back to where Sora and Kairi were. Then again, until I was magically whisked away, or death found me, I would have to remain here. I could run away, but that wasn't an honest answer. I could jump off the ledge, to my short death, but something was stopping me. Maybe it was him, taunting me to fight him. He wanted to kill me.

I could hear wolves growling and snapping. They were fighting something. I wanted to turn and fight them, but something stopped me. "Don't waste your energy Riku. Just wait, I want to beat your when you're at your strongest." My eyes widened. No, he'd never been that cruel. Xehanort, why? He was meant to be like that Riku. A sigh left me. Soon enough, the wolves were silent. Had they run off? Who knows. My eyes closed. I didn't need to see the world right now. I didn't need to, I didn't want to see it. Even as I heard the faint voices of two speaking, far off, I didn't pay much attention. The voices rose, and I had to tune them out. It may have been important that I didn't, but oh well. I seem to mess up a lot. Don't we all?

The voices finally grew loud enough that I listened. I still didn't know who it was. I wasn't thinking right now, I forgot who it was. Hmm. My mind was growing fuzzy; for a second, I actually looked over the ledge, tempted to jump. My muscles bunched together, ready to take off, when another nickered. They nickered for me. I was so shocked, that I slipped some, trying to stay up. It was Jayila, and Serpent. Had they already met? I was scared to look at them. Jayila sounded so worried, and this would be new to Serpent. Hmm. My tears continued to fall, and I furiously tried to wipe them away, but I eventually gave it up, and turned to look at them. I was still sweating, and my smile was lopsided, half-hearted. I slowly walked to them.

"Jayila... Kairi- Ergh, no. Sorry. Jayila. Welcome. Serpent. Welcome also. This is Black Lake."

When I fumbled Jayila's name, I only sighed, and apologetically looked towards her. Then I looked at Serpent, and reached forward, nudging him. I then nuzzled Jayila. Another sigh escaped me. This time, it racked my whole body. In a few moments, I spoke again, after using my blue-green eyes to search the meaning for Jayila and Serpent being together.

"I suppose that you have... met? Right?"

Time to wait Riku, time to wait patiently, while tears continued to fall from my vivid eyes.

[nuzzer2]

Jaliya & Serpent


Orbs widened slightly as I stared at my … king? The worry was growing and growing inside me, my heart was reaching out to touch his – trying to comfort him in a silent way. I reached out slowly – gently and touched his sweaty neck with my soft muzzle, I needed to assure myself that this was really Riku, I had to admit it scared me like nothing else to see him like this. I winced at the movement, as I stretched my neck for him – the throbbing from the wound on my throat began again. I pulled my muzzle back and cursed softly to myself, I didn’t need to worry Riku or the little Serpent at the moment so slowly I curved my neck – trying to hide my screaming wound from getting seen. I had to admit though, the bitch of a wolf’s canines had gotten me good – a hoarse cough shook my entire frame and I shook my head in annoyance – this was not the time or place to whine about silly wounds, I had beaten the shitty wolf – end of story. I lowered my slender head to Serpent and licked him in a reassuring way, this colt was so damn young! Where was his mother? I lifted my cranium – not too high though – to look around, where was Riku’s lady? My tired orbs focused on the stallion in question, as my worry spilled over my lips.

“Where is Serpent’s mother? I assume you’re his sire?”

My words were slow and gentle – I had knocked into my head by now that Riku was far out of my grasp, a stallion like him could and would never stick to one mare, stallions that did that were extremely rare. I let out a long drawn sigh as I stared out into the air – maybe it was me who needed to change? Become an ordinary mare? Fit in the herd, become the mother of the current kings’ spawn? Orbs closed as I thought it over, could I live like that? Side by side with other mares sharing my dear? I let out a snort and yanked my head down to nip at the sparse grass on the ground, maybe I should just stay as a protector mare – I had just proven my worth to myself and the youngster by my side, and it was not unheard of fertile mares becoming protectors – warriors of the herd, watching over everyone.

Young eyes observed Riku carefully, why was he crying? Serpent had absolutely no idea and was getting slightly worried – Riku was my role model and like a cool big brother for him, was it okay for boys to cry? I frowned in disgust as the mare called Jaliya licked my skin – sure it did feel kinda nice – but no stallion with respect for himself let a mare lick him like that! I reared up on my tiny hind legs but quickly fell to my legs again with a thump, the lack of milk were getting to me – slowly creeping up my spine as a wolf nearing its prey. The world blurred before my eyes and I shook my head violently, the mare spoke of my mother and Riku – Riku as my father? I let out a dreamy sigh, that would have been awesome – he was so cool and nice! I focused my small reptile-like eyes on the mare beside me, so she was a mare of Riku? I stared from the mare to my cool older ‘brother’ and back again. The mare had won my respect, no doubt about that she had saved my life and I would forever be in her debt for that, I glanced at Riku again, he didn’t appear to know any of it.

I locked my orbs on the forest surrounding the territory from where we had come, wolves weren’t normally that aggressive – maybe towards a young colt, but why did they not back down when I had arrived? She had appeared to be completely insane – I clenched my teeth together, what if the female wolf had been sick? I had let my guard down and her canines had been buried deep in my throat – right into the blood. If she had been carrying any disease, I would surely be affected now.

“What has happened to you Riku? And yes we have met – you have a pack of nasty wolves in that forest. One of them – a young male – was going for Serpent just as I arrived, what worries me though is that an older female joined him shortly after and went for us? From where I come from the wolves lived in respect with dark equines, don’t they here?”

I spilled out my troubles as a waterfall - it all just flowing out of my cavern. Again I looked around for any sign of the young colts mother – where could she be? Didn’t she know young ones needed milk often? I thought of my teats – they were still filled with milk and no filly by my side to drink it, how much longer before it would disappear? Hopefully not long – it was just a constant reminder of the young one I had lost. Like the encounter with the crazy wolves had brought up memories of my mate, my eyes narrowed to tiny slits as I stared off into the woods. I was extremely tempted to run in there find the pack, and slay every single one of them.

[azul.]

R I K U

...Totsuzen no hikari no naka.

Today. It just wasn't my day, was it? Jayila stared at me like I was a monster. Well, half of me was a monster. But, when I first met Jayila, I was the regular- no, I was just the calmer side of Riku that day. I was the other side of me... No, wait. Xehanort was one side, the transformed Riku was the other side. What side was I on today? I seemed to be neither. That's why, when Jayila reached forward, and touched my thin neck, still sweating, I trembled. My breath escaped me in a hurried notion, and I sighed faintly. However, my eyes, still flooding with a few tears, narrowed in concern as she retreated. I could see a wound on her neck. I didn't know how it happened, but it felt like I couldn't speak. My mouth opened, but I just drew a blank. I was dumbfounded as to why I was so silent. I was, I was.... I was lost, again. The one thing I despised, I was now consumed by.

Jayila, she spoke. My light eyes peered away from her, my body swiveling slowly to face away from the pair. I walked back to the cliff, my jaw set. My jaw line was rigid, so tense, but I wasn't angry. Instead, I stared out to where the other lands were. Blankly, I could add, the emotion reading in my eyes were blank. My eyes, they didn't glitter, but I was somehow able to register Jayila's words after a moment of concentration. Me? Serpent's sire? Hm. The tenacious side of me wanted to whirl around and stare at the two, and Xehanort's side wanted to laugh, and agree. He wanted to lie to Jayila, and crush her feelings. So I did neither. I didn't look at either of them, instead, my dished crown swung over in the general direction of Chaos' woodlands. Serpent should know that. A snort shook my frame, as I tried to speak again. My voice, it hadn't changed, but it wasn't that rich, silky tone that I used. If anything, it was scratchy, rough, weak.

"His mother.. She is in Hollow Woods, with a tyrant, named Chaos. And.. I'm not his sire. I only met him, and his mother left him with me. I'm not a very good parent am I? I can't even feed him, let alone care for him. I don't think I could be a parent, nor a king, Jayila."

My voice, it was barely above a whisper. My eyes closed shamefully. I wanted to go away. My dished crown dropped slightly, auduals twisting back to hear what was happening. "Come now Riku, they already know that you're insane; it's only a matter of time before they both, will leave you behind." A sudden inhale made me cough raggedly. The dusty air was inside me, and even as I coughed, it felt okay. It felt good to feel that sudden pain in the pit of my throat. At least I could still feel pain. I knew that when I battled, whether it be him, or anyone else, I'd feel pain, mentally, physically, and emotionally. That was the downside. I didn't know what they were doing; I didn't hear any words or anything, but I couldn't look at them, not like this.

She spoke again. Her words hit me like a punch. They stung, my eyes pinching together, my jaw line stiffening until it hurt. What has happened to you Riku? No, don't say that, nothing's happened to me. I'm the same- Quit fooling yourself Riku, you aren't the same, never will be, ever. So why was I different? Oh yeah, that's right, Xehanort was getting stronger. He was already stronger than me, and while I grew weaker, he built himself up on that. How could I face him? My crown turned to meet Jayila's gaze. I barely held it. Everytime I blinked, I wanted to look away. I spoke doubtfully, wistfully, doubting myself. I wanted to shrug my shoulders and sigh.

"Times are changing, he's getting stronger, better than me, so he's starting to gain more control over me every day- and I'm powerless to stop it. It's only a short time before he's taken control completely, and I will cease to exist."

My eyes squeezed together again, their once clear, blue-green tint growing cloudy. No, I can't cry again. I did anyway, but my eyes remained close. The trail where the tears fell darkened against my skin; I sighed, and spoke angrily.

"I know exactly why they attack us- or you, in this case. We aren't dark. You and Serpent might be, you might be a dark, but half of me isn't. Half of me is a gentle kid who wants to be back home, and the other half is basically the god of all evils! That's why! They know that I'm the prey, and they try to harm the ones I care about, so I feel weaker!"

Xehanort really was winning now. I yelled and yelled, until my voice grew hoarse. My foreleg stomped the ground beneath me, until it broke off, falling a long way underneath me. This seemed to outrage Xehanort. He began to throw directions into my mind, making me shake my crown, and stomp around. I finally turned to face them, my facial features set in a scowl. I sighed, and walked over to them, my forelegs trembling, limping. I spoke in such a deep tone, I felt that it was Xehanort speaking.

"You're hurt, you're hungry, and I'm insane. Welcome to the damn family."

I really needed to get out. My footsteps began to hurriedly carry me towards the place where Jayila said the wolves had resided. Eat me now, just eat me, feast on me. It would be better than hurting Serpent or Jayila.

[nuzzer2]

Eyes closed in denial as I watched Riku, something was terribly wrong inside him – or maybe I just had not seen this side of him before now, yet I still held the strong feeling of wanting to comfort and nuzzle him to he would be alright. However something inside me yelled at my brain, yelled that he might not ever be alright again – and I probably wouldn’t be the one to help him if he did. Cloudy eyes filled with tears of frustration snapped open as he turned around to gaze away from us – away from me and Serpent – somehow I actually felt betrayed, felt as if he was turning his back on us for good even though I knew he just could not meet our eyes at the moment. The grey stallion swung his head towards unknown lands and the words that followed shocked me more than his tone. The mother of this little colt – I focused my teary eyes on Serpent – left him with some unknown stallion, even though he was not weaned yet? My eyes narrowed in anger and I let out a snort, I would have given everything to get my little filly and some dark bitch just left her young son for some stallion? Orbs jumped back to Riku and I answered him in a cold tone.

“Stop talking badly about yourself, you’re a wonderful stallion taking a young colt in without a second thought – that the mother is a bitch is another case though.”

I turned around to stare down at the little black colt, I still had milk in my teats and of course I would share it with him – even if my filly had been alive I would have taken in this young colt – everyone deserved a second chance.


“I still have milk from when I was pregnant, feel free to drink all you want young man”

As I spilled my colt tones they slowly softened to end in a soft whisper, my motherly heart called out for this young stallion – I glanced at Riku – and the lost older one. I wanted to be there for them, help and care for them – maybe even love them. Yet again I reached out to touch Riku, I didn’t care about the consequences this time, just wanted to let him know that he could count on me – I would never leave him behind – even if the evil side took over, Riku would still be in there somewhere.

“I’ll never leave you behind Riku, i’ll never stop having faith in you – even if he takes over I’ll stay and pray for you to return to us”

Strong and dangerous lyrics to spill, I knew that, if Xehanort took over he would probably attempt to hurt me and little Serpent, and I would not be able to do anything but try to protect us from his strong hooves. My long ears pricked forward as he spilled new tones – so he did care about us? My heart warmed up and the words I uttered just a few seconds before gained more value – but the words also stung me like a bee, he wanted to go home? I raised my crown to the sky and sighed. It didn’t last for long though, they snapped back to Riku as he acted up – a frown settled on my features and I stepped in front of Serpent to ensure he would be safe if Xehanort got free.

“Riku please –“

My tones were cut off as he began to leave in the direction we had arrived from and I sighed with sorrow.

I just watched everything going on with scared eyes, as Jaliya offered me milk I took the offer without thinking twice – the milk was rich and full of protein, I drank until I was full then watched the scene with heavy sleepy eyes.