Part One : Change in Lifestyle By: EeveeeFFwriter Disclaimer: Windstar and all of the following pokemon characters in this fic are of my own creation. Pokemon in general do not belong to me instead it is property of WB and a bunch of other companies. Chapter One I gazed solemnly around my quiet home deep in thought. It was a bright emerald green with long, lush grass that only frequent spring rains and warm, balmy temperatures could bring. An occasional blot, that represented a bush, marred the brightness with its darker coloring. The trees consisting of confers and maples edged in on the green meadows, but for the most part clung loosely to the forest line creating a dark smudge of army green against the pale brown of the towering hills behind it. Mountains the color of rich, dark coffee rose majestically up to the light blue sky covered with fluffy white clouds. The mountains surrounded the valley like stern, ancient guards. The valley itself was a pleasantly safe place because of those mountains. The Akeyos as we called them was an effective natural barrier against aggressors. Few four legged beasts were agile enough to top the rocky slopes or brave enough to risk their lives to the wrath of the swirling winds that blew at the top. The only creatures that could get in, or out for that matter, were those of the flying type. Birds frequently dove in and out constantly changing nesting sites and trees for those of the outside. Of the select few that were not birds there were the charizards. The fire lizards could breach our haven's stony walls, but they would have made a poor choice indeed for our herd's leader Fireheart is a brave and viscous fighter. He protects us. Aside from that all the adults of the herd and most of the younger ones can outdistance any would-be predators. They are too heavy to skim low and fast. Only the youngest of foals are truly at risk. Letting my gaze slid over the green landscape as it willed my mind continued on independently. Only when my eyes stopped on the small herd grazing almost directly below did I pause in my thoughts. Squinting, I could see my dam. Her violet body was dusky and therefore, difficult to spot, but her bright mane of sunshine yellow more than made up for it. Likewise, the Herd Master was distinguished by his fiery red mane with streaks of vivid purple and orange running through it with a coat black as coal. Other members held their own unique combinations of colors. Some were as bright as the sun above and others as dull as the muddy clay beneath my silver hooves. Looking down to the crystalline pool below beside my hooves I stared at my somewhat blurred reflection. My coat was blue dark as the night's sky just after the sun had fully set. Tiny pinpricks of silver looked like tiny stars all along my body. I looked to be a piece of the night's sky complete with a thin silver crescent moon arching across my broad forehead between two dark silver eyes. Silver flames rose softy from my forehead arching down my slender neck delicately and ending at my shoulders. My long tail flowed and cascaded out gracefully a yard or so behind my rump. Thin flickers of pale blur flame raced through both mane and tail creating the look that they were constantly moving comets. "Windstar!" The voice cut through my faltering train of thought and I snorted in exasperation at the interruption. I wish my legs were as flighty as my thoughts for then I would be a champion runner able to beat all challengers. Concentration was not my strongest point, which is why I often retreated up to the small glade where I was standing now. Under compulsion that is. "Windstar!" The voice persisted as the owner came closer, and louder might I add. I knew very well who was calling out my name and now I had a guess as to why. "What? Can't a beast concentrate alone around here? What is this, walk in on private time?" I pretended to grump. In truth I was pleased that my exercise in concentration had been broken off. I only completed it everyday at my dam's, Sunshine's, insistent request. A black head appeared around a large, gray boulder. My friend's green mane floated about wildly and there was an excited gleam in his light purple eyes. He had taken after our father far more than I had with his coal black coat. "Mintleaves, what is it? You are fluttering all about like a young filly. I shouldn't be interrupted from my task by Sungold's orders." I asked do my best to sound chide. Sungold, the lead mare of the herd, was the meanest one around and bossy at that, "You know she doesn't like to be crossed." Mint made a face at the thought of her displeasure, but his eagerness to gossip out weighted the thrashing it seemed for he remained. It must be serious I mused as he draw closer keeping a careful eye out for old devil mare. "A filly? Never. I do not twitter and flutter about; I merely prance handsomely, besides Sungold cannot touch me. Humans be damned, she can't lay a hoof on me because I'm under a higher power." Mint snorted puffing out his chest and arching his neck ridiculously. "Whose higher order? Your jurisdiction? I don't think she'd buy that." I teased. There had been a time when he was younger where he had the nerve to talk back. In Sungold's jabbing speech about disrespect she mentioned several times in an acidic that his jurisdiction didn't rule and hers did. "No Stupid, I'm under Fireheart's orders. He sent myself and a few others to round up the whole herd for a meeting. Even contrary old Sungold cannot argue with the great Herd Master himself. What a folly that would be!" Mint snorted tossing his boxy head with a smirk covering his face, "I would just love to see her put in her place. Roughly if possible." "So would I, so would I." I shook my head in amusement making my silvery mane float back and forth gently. Then I turned serious, "What is the meeting about that the whole herd has to be there?" "I dunno. Something exciting I suspect. I've heard from some pretty reliable sources that it's about humans." Mint replied cheerfully in anticipation of some excitement. Humans, I wondered privately as we headed down the trail to the inner depths of the valley, what were they to us? Few had ever managed to breach our mountains and those who did were not permitted to leave. The last human living here was a female named Alice. So died when I was just a foal. She couldn't leave because of the spell. The spell had been placed legend had it, making it so those who entered were not to leave humans and pokemon alike. It was put in place by a mighty half-human creature with infinite power and wisdom. So far the legend was true. None of us had ever succeeded in leave and not many wanted to either. Various species aside from us also resided in the valley and none of them had ever left either. Granted there were disappearances that could have been caused by a foolhardy creature trying but none had ever made it over completely. "Are you sure you heard it right?" I asked suspicious of an elaborate prank. Innocence shone from his face angelically and I swear there was a bright golden halo hovering serenely over his fat, black head. "Would I tell you wrong?" He asked with a grin plastered all over his long muzzle. I did not designate to answer since that would give him satisfaction. He lived to poke fun at other and I, as his best friend, was no exception to his hobby. Heaving an exasperated sigh at his evasiveness I realized I was just going to have to wait and find out for myself. I pushed past Mint galloping down the trail as he called after me. Chapter Two Mint's news was indeed true and accurate for that very sunset a meeting of great importance was held. Every member of the herd attended from the oldest mare to the youngest foal. Even creatures not of the herd attended including the leader of our personal enemies the Stantler. Our two groups quarreled constantly over grazing and the fact that he, of the Stantler, hovered to listen was an indication that something incredibly serious was happening. The meeting had its traditions and rules, however, so no blood would be spilt or flesh tore. "Silence." Sungold's fiery voice rang out quailing the conversations quite efficiently and quickly. She was a heavy mare with a nasty temper when crossed that reflected in her harsh coat. Her mane and tail were a brilliant shade of orange that faded until the very tips were a dazzling white. Her hard green eyes had an inner fire burning brightly that marked her infamous temper and everyone had felt her wrath at some point or another. My sire walked grandly up to the stone pedestal with the bearing of a true king. He had reined as Herd Master for many years, but his age showed very little. No white invaded his jet-black muzzle or gray in his cherry red mane. His violet eyes were clear and bright. The only sign of weakness in his proud strut was an old injure he had received from battle with a rogue arcanine that had somehow made it into the valley. The big dog had lost its life and the potential to be a threat and my sire had paid the price extracted. "I called this meeting tonight for a very disturbing reason known to me. This news, however, must be told in all haste so we may prepare for what will happen in the near future. Humans are coming for us. They come by air in huge balls of air with heavy cylinder baskets attached to the bottoms. I have no further knowledge of their purpose, but as it is with all humans it must be bad." He paused to stare across the crowd and continued in a hushed tone, "The premonitions are not so clear that I may know. They give no details, places, or specific actions. Merely the promise of ill to come." The instant his hollow voice faded away the field was buzzing with conversation and all of it worried. My sire did nothing to reassure the panicked groups of milling horses just watched with sad eyes. His proud head hung low as if he had no answers to the questions we seek. It was the first time I realized that he, my sire, was merely mortal just as the rest of us. He wouldn't live forever and didn't have superpowers. He had led all this time by his wit and strength nothing more. "Are they after all of us pokemon?" A big dog vulpix yipped in a deep voice. He had been seated next to a rattata, but now was up on a stump looking alert and worried. My sire shook his great head in negative and sighed heavily like an old man, "Not to my limited knowledge although it would be best if you stayed out of sight. The visions only show ponytas and rapidashes. I am truly sorry that I cannot provide you with more accurate information." True regret tinged his bass voice and I felt bewilderment settle over me like a dark cloud. My thoughts were frantic as the voices that murmur all around me in the press of bodies. Why wasn't Father taking bold action, preparing a dashing plan to save us all? Was he scared and helpless like the rest of us? "When do they come?" A mare asked from my right. Her tiny foal was anxiously pressed to her side and she swung her head around to nuzzle it. I recognized her as a distant cousin and that she was the youngest mother in the valley. "Soon." He muttered with a distinct lack of sprit. The one worded reply gave us little relief. After that we all drifted away to our various sleeping arrangements. Torn between going with my friends and staying to comfort my mother I paused. A pretty, young filly I had my eye on before approached my shyly. She was aptly named Dewdrop. Her coat was a milky white that shone like a shiny river pearl in the sun. Her mane and tail were formed out of a clear blue flame that wafted gently in the non-existent breeze that all of us seem to possess. Her hooves were the color of spun silver and the inside of her ears a delicate pink. She had a gentle, timid nature. She was quiet as a result and fairly shy about approaching others. That was why I was so surprised at her approach. I had heard also that she was an Empath. Before I could utter a word of greeting she said quietly with her blue eyes cast to the ground, "I just wanted to say before it is too late that I like you. I've seen the looks you have been casting and would have like to know you better. I felt I should say this before the humans come and ruin our lives. I would never forgive myself if it had never been said." With that she fled into a group of fillies where I wouldn't dare follow for fear of being mobbed. I was pleased and confused all at the same time. Pleased because she had singled me out and returned my interest. Confused because of her reference to the fact that the humans were coming and that was the end. It wasn't that I doubted my father, however, I found it hard to take the warning completely serious. Humans were a rarity here and one misguided premonition hardly warranted as a full-blown alert for doomsday. Mint trotted up grinning and remarked, "Scoring on the ladies I see." "I have more style and class than you shall ever hope to achieve." I replied loftily although Dewdrop's ominous good-bye had made me nervous and jittery. "Whatever." Mint retorted lightly and stuck his pink tongue out at me. He headed off towards the group of young males we hung out with. After a moments consideration I turned and followed him. Even so, I couldn't shake the sense of forbearing that plagued me. Chapter Three I awoke awash with sweat and a terrible feeling of irrepressible terror. It sat in my belly like a hard lump of clay and somehow I knew, I knew, that today was when the humans were going to invade our peaceful home bringing with them sorrow and unspeakable things. Nightmares had plagued me all night and I was foggy with the lack of sleep. Scrambling to my feet hastily from my thick bed of straw grass, I bumped into Mint. He jerked away in surprise and looked up at me through lidded eyes. His voice was full of sleep and dull when he slurred, "What are you do? What is it? Nightmares, yes, well, go back to bed now. Humans aren't here just yet you know. Fireheart will come up with a strikingly brilliant plan and we'll go on living as we always have. You'll see." With that he fell asleep and was accompanied by loud snores. I had flinched at the offhanded assessment of the situation that I felt was not taken seriously enough. The other thing was his complete confidence in Fireheart's abilities to handle the unknown. Lastly, this situation wasn't some silly little nightmare I had dreamed up with a belly full of bad grain, it was real. As the morning wore on, however, I began to feel slightly foolish at what others deemed an overreaction. There wasn't even the tiniest sign of humans on the pale yellow horizon of dawn and the day was unfolding much in the same way as it did any other day. For lack of things to do besides unhealthy worrying I went in search of the only other one who had the same feelings. Dewdrop. After a few minutes of wandering around quite aimlessly I found her by pure accident. She was resting alone in the shade of a weeping willow tree with the long branches and leaves concealing her. Her head was down towards the ground, but it wasn't it a relaxed way. Muscles shone tautly from her neck. Her legs were bent slightly and her mane was pressed so close to her body that it was nearly invisible. Her ears were set forward and her nostrils were strained and distended. It seemed that she had had no sleep last night either. Unsure of the welcome of my presence would bring I turned to go. Dewdrop's clear voice rang out behind me and held a pleading note to it, "Please, don't go yet. I need to talk to you." Not quite sure what she wanted to talk about and having an unpleasant hunch I almost declined. Turning I walked back to her. I had a distinct feeling that his conversation would be very disturbing to my mental health, but the desire to help Dewdrop in the time of her need drove me forth. For a moment she seemed to ignore me then spoke in a hauntingly soft voice, "They will come today and take what they wish with none to stop them. Neither you, nor I, nor your friend Mintleaves will be spared from them for they are greedy for young muscles and fine coats. Fireheart will fall and this valley will be thrown into chaos." "That's I gloomy prediction." I said trying to be light and cheerful about it the way Mint always seemed to be even in the worst situations. My mind was racing underneath the spoken guise. Fireheart would fall to the humans? Sure that could never happen. He was as his name claimed the very fire and heart to our valley. Everyone looked to him for advice and council. Other leaders mimicked him and students apprenticed under him. He protected the herd with ferocious teeth and hooves from all dangers and when those failed, he used his sharp mind and wit. He was a capable leader with kindness as well as firmness. Suddenly Dewdrop started sobbing violently. Her milky sides heaved violently as the sobs wracked through her slim body and her breath came in gasps. Between the long, noisy sobs she managed, "I hate my psychic abilities! Why should such a terrible curse be laid at my feet?" Her passionate hate shook me even more. Among the herd, there were a few powers from another element aside from the usual fire. These were scattered among the worth to differing degrees. I myself had a touch of ice. "They give me images of the future that I can't change!" Appalled at how upset she was I gently shifted my shoulder under her bobbing chin. She leaned into it gratefully and gave a last sob before hushing. Somehow, I managed to find the words to soothe her although later I had no memory of what I said. I was not, as Mint had implicated, a ladies man. Most often my tongue tangled embarrassingly and snared leaving me with nothing, but the most stupid of phrases. With Dewdrop, it was different. I was not sure why and did not want to analyze it. It was enough that it simply was. Chapter Four As the morning went on the sun burned away the dew that collected on the long, swaying grass, and I began to have a mounting uneasiness. I would have thought it would decrease as time lulled it, but instead it threatened to engulf me. At a loss for what to do, I went off to find my friends. I found them horsing around by the thin river that meandered through the valley. More than one was dripping wet and so I assumed that the water was fairly warm. It is true that ponytas, and rapidashes for that matter have a difficult time with water, but we are not, as many so naively assume, hurt by it. If the temperature is high enough as it is with the river, which is heated by the volcanoes that surround us, we can tolerate it quite well. "So, Windstar, you finally have come! Have you been spending do quality time with young Dewdrop?" A young stallion by the name of Windfrost teased. I wondered if the time we had spent would fall under quality. Probably not in this lifetime. "Nay, you know Windstar, he never flirts with the fillies. His tongue is quite the traitor." Another by the name of Moonstone put in. "Come on then, let's continue." Mint said impatiently. I had a feeling that underneath he was saving me from more torture and shifting the interest. Just as we had gotten into a lively game of tag, a loud humming filled my ears. Looking upwards for the source of the hum my heart froze with dread. The sky above the valley was thick with shiny metal birds. The circled closer making dives and frightening the herd. Men hung out of the little baskets beneath the balloons and out the holes in the metal birds shouting at the top of their surprisingly large lungs. It took all of three seconds for the whole herd to go into a panicked frenzy of thrashing limbs and tossing heads. I seemed to be the only exception. Doing my best to peer through the milling herd, I spotted others with cool heads as well. Fireheart stood in the middle of the fray withstanding shoves, buffets, and blows trying desperately to bring in some order. My mother stood with him. Her legs were braced and her body was used a shield for my little brother who stared with bewilderment at the chaos around him. Dewdrop was on the opposite side of the confusion. Her head was low with defeat and exhaustion. It seemed that she had not, as I had suggested to her earlier, taken a nap. The sleepless evening was beginning to tell. For a moment, I was torn between joining my parents and Dewdrop. It was moments too long for the humans had landed their noisy contraptions and were pouring out from the open maws of the machines like ants. I wished they truly were ants for then I could squish them beneath my hard hooves. A man stepped out commanding immediate respect and silence from the mob. They turned to listen to the man as I did. By human standards he was fairly handsome and attractive, however, there was something to him. Perhaps it was the hard expression or the cold eyes that warned, no practically screamed in my head DANGER! Nervously I shied at his voice as it boomed out echoing on the hills. "Listen here." I shuddered feeling my skin curl up and stretch out in turn. His voice was as cold and emotionless as his dark eyes, "Round up the yearlings and all the young bachelor stallions, but leave the adult mares and the young foals alone as well as the master stallion. I have full confidence in your abilities for that is why you were chosen. If you happen to find some of the other pokemon residing here do not hesitate to capture them. With that I leave you to complete your task." He clipped off his last sentence sharply and whirled to stride into his metal bird with a pale persian strolling at his heels. Its jade eye rolled lazily over us then it was swallowed up by the metal bird's maw. Screams and scrambling began as the men closed in on us. I watched one closely as he pulled small object from where I supposed his waist would be. I found it difficult to tell because of the human's two legs. Pressing his flexible fingers against the object it enlarged almost tripling its size. A white beam shot out and materialized into a full-grown rapidash. I felt shock go through me like an icy breeze numbing my body and slowing my reactions. That was Darkwind! He had been my older brother. The only thing was he was supposed to be dead due to a flood. I shied at the ghost, although he looked solid enough. His dark maroon eyes stared at me without recognition and he pawed impatiently. Within seconds my mind processed that he wasn't dead and that he had been captured to be a human slave. He was now under their command. As the human mounted him clumsily, a shudder ran through my dark coat although the air around me was mildly warm as most spring days are. Gathering my sense and penning it up so it could not flee again I ran. I never knew my legs could move so fast or pump so hard. Rather than charge blindly I headed towards the path to the foothills and my secret glade. I figured that the humans would decline to follow up such a dangerous path and if they did that they would give up searching for me. My plan was hasty but it was better than doing nothing or milling around in a stupor begging to be captured by the humans as the others were. I had almost reached to path when a mounted man appeared from the left. He neatly cut me off and pushed towards me. I sensibly retreated eyeing him warily as I went. He seemed to be in no hurry and took his time. That gave me time to memorize him. He was young for a human. He was past a yearling in human years, but not quite a full stallion yet. His face was clean- making him smell ever so slightly of after-shave and there were a few nicks under his chin. His eyes were a stormy gray and his hair was a sandy blond falling to his ears and tied neatly in the back where it was longer. His face was set. There was no emotion to it. There was neither pleasure nor disgust in his expression merely straightness. While I had been observing him he had been observing me. Sizing me up to some invisible quota. Nodding to himself he readied his sphere, which he had unhooked and lobbed it at me. I tried to dodge, but it was far too late. It connected solidly with my shoulder and I went into darkness. Author's Note: E-mails are always appreciated! Thanks.