x HEROIC.

[azul.]

Z A C K

The mirror can paint out many illusions, many lonely souls.

Steps were purposeful. Encased in a black cloak without a thought of the where-abouts that I was going to. I had a mission, and it carried me further then where I needed to be. Angeal. Hmm. Confusion. Cloud. Where were they? It made my mind hurt but I didn't show it. Despite the potentially dangerous situation that I was in, a tom cat smile remained on my facade. It grew tight when I ran into another equine, or rather, they ran into me- I was too graceful to run into someone. I had been taught well, but whenever another equine passed too close for comfort, I sidestepped with the agility of a warrior, and let them pass. I got a few odd glances from some of the equine, which worried me to a degree.

When I rose to find myself in my old home. With dad. It was obviously a dream, one that I'd had for a few months after leaving home. After that dream happened, I usually came across something bad. Very bad. It was like a curse, because my father lost what he had in a bad deal. A grimace made me close my dark eyes in question. The few moments where my crown drooped to relive the moment I saw the fight with Angeal and some other foes. It wasn't a haunting thought, but it was a thought that brought on a lot of stress. My eyes snapped open at the same moment I saw something dart across the waterfront, before disappearing behind a cluster of trees. I smiled. It was probably a frolicking weanling, racing his partners. It reminded me about Cloud. He was about 2 years of age now.

I almost chuckled. He never ran around. He moved with a swagger, it seemed like arrogance, but it was a confident air around him. It was never mistaken. Not only did he not look like the others with his vibrant sunkissed coat and dazzling blue eyes, he was silent. I thought something was wrong with him, until he spoke. He spoke like a robot, but I saw that underlying strength, so I've been helping him. He branched off though, and I don't know where he is now. He reminded me of that figure that ran off. I shook my crown, my tassels flinging against my neck. Once roached to look like a warrior, it was now long enough to slap my neck and shoulders when I laughed. I laughed a lot too.

Still, that figure, it never seemed to leave, so I stared at it, intelligant eyes studying the figure until it finally disappeared. It must've been staring at me. I chuckled. I wasn't much to look at. I didn't have an extra limb, nor did I have a roman nose like my father did. Powerful and Tall, I was a normal horse, besides being a SOLDIER. That was another story though. Releasing a soft breath, I looked at the water before me, and called out for a lone equine. I wasn't worried; if it was a fighter to come to me, I could fight, and I could be kind. Double edge sword. I was a fighter like Angeal, and kind like my father. A perfect match.

[lynx'']

I N T R E P I D

My chocolate orbs scanned the area infront of me, nothing. I rolled my eyes and sighed softly. It was asif everyone was hiding, hisding from me, the world, life. I bounded forward into a lively trot, holding my head high, as i had been taught, however, most of my elegant actions came naturally. i was a pure arabian, therefore, graceful, elegant, suprising. snapping my legs up to my body, i slowed to a walk as i neared the caves at the edge of the beach. sand particles clung to my pelt, making the white on my legs turn a sandy creamy colour. As i neared the darkness, a low growl escaped my kissers. No, i had not forgotten the encounter at Black Lake, I almost had to blame the colt, snyper, for luring my dearest Emira into a trap. everything seemed perfectly planned. I closed my eyes momentarliy and inhaled the salty air, somehow, it refreshed me, my eyes snapped open and i spun around at the sound of another creature.
My dished dial tilted slightly, and a low, silky nicker escaped my lips in a kind greeting. Emira's personality had been rubbing off on me. Yes, i would always be her warrior, i would take my own life to save hers. I loved her, so so much. and nothing would ever change that. But i knew she was unhappy with me being such a bully. I would always carry that gene, but i would not show it when i was with her.
I lifted my right forehoof off the ground and placed it back down in the sand, i took a small step forward and looked at the one infront of me. Hi I didn't know what else to say, i wasn't so good at not being rude...it was prooving a challenge.

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[azul.]

Z A C K

There're never noticed as the speed threw all the different times and the different months...

When the night sky has fallen. The sky was darkening to a clear, orange background. The remaining sun glinted in my eyes sharply, making me squint, but I could still see an approaching equine. It was little. Dainty. I came to a conclusion quite quickly that this was not the weanling who darted across the beaches edge. Instead, this weanling wore a troubled expression. It was hard to tell from here, but it looked like a scowl. Auduals twitched forward, catching the foal's sound. A growl. I tried to smother my laugh, but it failed miserably, and I started to laugh as the figure approached. He tried to be so animalistic, a sign that he was defensive, or a clear attacker. The laughter subsided, but then began again as I thought of Cloud. He was the same way too. Still, I didn't want to seem rude, so I snorted, a goofy smile playing on my lips.

The colt spoke a simple greeting. While he did, I studied him with that seemingly unnatural smile. He was a small pinto; leggy, with his eyes narrowed. My own dark eyes blinked, the trance of my silence broken. I blinked lightly, and then started to speak cheerfully.

"Hey there kiddo. What're you doing out here?"

I asked, a hint of laughter etched into my silky smooth voice. I stared at the colt, then nodded to myself, grinning. Auduals slipped forward, and my tassels blew back from a salty breeze. I made a small noise, and pivoted to the side, staring at the ocean, until my crown turned to look at the colt once more. I had a deep memory, so I questioned the colt about his past attitude.

"Got a temper? You sounded like a lion back there."

Like Cloud, I added silently, smiling to myself. A heavy sigh released me from asking anymore, but I lowered my crown to nose at the darkening sand as if grew damp from the ocean foam.

[lynx'']

I N T R E P I D

I studied this one infront of me, a small smile played on my lips. He seemed a nice guy, interesting, like he held alot from his past. I listened to his words, my auds flicking forwards at the lyrics he spoke. Wandering, as per usual. I do it alot, its better than staying at home 24/7 I spoke kindly, but my tone still held that dark shiver it would always hold.
I did like to explore, already, i was wanting to move out of daddys lands, i wanted my own place, my own home. Somewhere where i could do what the hell i wanted. I wanted to explore the lands of Midnight Acres, so i knew alot more than what i should. When he spoke again, i couldn't help but smirk, he was a good guy, i could tell. You could say that.. I paused, and looked out to the ocean, breathing in deep gulps of fresh, salty air. I clsoed my eyes for a second, my nares flaring, tassels flowing behind me, every now and then, a slight whip would come to my neck. I turned back to him. Past experiences...you know? I get wound up pretty easily. Somehow, i felt safe talking to this stallion. Normally, i would shout or scold at Emira for telling too much information, but now i was doing it. I felt so guilty for my past actions that it almost brought a tear to my eye, however, i was strong, i could bottle these feelings up.
I took another step towards the brute, and looked up at him, he was taller, and obviously older. Who are you? I asked, not in the rude way that i used to, but in a rather plesant accent.

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[azul.]

Z A C K

You say, "Go any where you want to, just open your eyes-

The colt spoke again. That's when I realized that he possessed that dark blood of the foes that Angeal fought. My gaze dropped, then lifted, higher until I was staring at the darkening sky. I smiled; this was a little boy, not a killer, certainly he didn't kill Angeal and leave me alone. So it was all fine. Still, that feeling when you're being watched fell over me, as he spoke with a sharp edge in his voice. I nodded quietly. He finished speaking suddenly, making me stare at him in surprise. Such an independant boy, who seemed to despise home. Why? Most colts were kings in the making. If he didn't like it, then he must be an outcast, even more like Cloud.

"Home life troubles you?"

I watched him speak again, then inhale a deep breath of the salty air. I wanted to warn him that it wasn't good for him, but I had no proof. I never saw anyone die becuase excess salt. It was simply a myth that I spread along. A snort was emitted from my nares, and I raised my crown, enjoying the feel of the wind in my tassels. When they grew out, I felt free. It was great. I listened to the colt talk. When he spoke of past experiences, I started laughing again cheerfully. It wasn't a mocking laugh, but I had to start walking forward along the beach's edge, getting my black limbs wet before I stopped long enough to speak.

"Past experiences. Hmm. Ya sound like a buddy of mine. Only he's like a mute. Experiences in life are actually pretty cool, you'll see kiddo."

I didn't stop to wonder if he objected to his adopted name, Kiddo. I didn't mind either way, I was the eldest one here. I chuckled, and then looked at the colt in good spirits, surprised to see a tear glistening in his eye, making that eye shine ridiculously. I pretended like I didn't see it, I didn't want to embarress a little guy like him, so instead, I waded into the water, lowering my head until it was level with the colts, and spoke.

"Well Kiddo, I'm Zack, SOLDIER, second class."

I almost hoped that he asked what a SOLDIER was, I pranced in place, my tassels covering my eyes, preventing me from seeing the pinto weanling. I still had an image in my mind, and before he could speak again, I jumped forward, my crown reaching his in a joyful gesture.

"So Kiddo, what's your name? Surely, it can't be Kiddo, right?"

I questioned him, grinning, before I looked at him, the smile softening into a paternal gaze. I snorted, and watched him with level eyes.

[lynx'']

I N T R E P I D

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I scowled slightly, and pawed at the sand underfoot maybe that came across too strong. I stated firmly, I had made out i was not happy at home, that was the oppisite. I sighed, then continued my speech Life at home does not trouble me at all, i am Heir to the great Hollow Woods, first born of the King Chaos. I am a born adventurerm you may of guessed that already. I enjoy alone time, making sure i know everything about everywhere and everone. I want to be a king, like my father, the day will come; soon. I stepped back, and took a quick glance back at the darkened cave. How was it that the darkest couple in Midnight Acres had managed to projuce such nice offspring. Darn. I was letting my parents down. I scowled again and my jaw tightened in annoyance, the sun caught my chocolate eyes, turning them a dark hazel for a moment, i flicked my cord sharply and turned back to the stallion as he spoke. Well Zack, i'm Intrepid. i didn't say alot, i didn't need to, i was fighting with the dark side now, i could feel it crawling out of my flesh, wanting to rip its way into my mind.
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[azul.]

Z A C K

To all the broken wishes that are marked entirely in grey, remember that."

The proud movements slowed. The prancing stopped, and my tresses didn't fling upon my dark neck in joy. Kiddo scowled; so deeply, I imagined that he was angry at me. Not with me, I didn't care, but at me. I snorted, my auduals remaining tipped forward. He was admitting to me that he didn't like his home life, and now he was trying to erase the gesture that he was speaking. He was a heir. While my dark eyes remained on him, I thought of Angeal. I was like a heir to him too. But this boy didn't seem proud of being a heir. The throne was waiting for him at Hollow Woods, and he was busy exploring. Quite a strange subject.

"Sure it will Kiddo. There comes a time for you to be a king, and then there are times when you need to step down. Any good king should know that."

I explained softly, giving the colt a level gaze, my crown lowering to his level. I reached out, bumping his painted neck firmly, before glancing up. My neck turned to where the colt was looking at. I snorted calmly, and shook my dished crown, listening to Kiddo, now Intrepid introduce himself. I nodded, then retraced my steps to where he spoke of Hollow Woods. It didn't sound like anything very common, so I began to question the youngster.

"Hmm. Well Kiddo, Hollow Woods sounds like a pretty forbidden place. Could make some shiver in fright. So that means that your father, Chaos?- is a dark, right?"

I paused, preventing myself from forming a scowl. Instead, I sighed lightly, and nodded to myself, imaging Angeal in the distance. His broad body, staring back at me, grinning. So I grinned too, and continued.

"See Kiddo, my trainer was killed by some others, I think they were darks. Mean old folks, they were. Their eyes glittered with hate for the world. They took my trainer's life without a second thought. Does that sound like something your father would do?"

It was a simple, but a loaded question. I released a soft breath and snorted, watching the colt's eyes for any sign of anger building.