:: http://www.geocities.com/dragynmistress :: :: By Kym Carhart :: ---------------------------------------------- Skyfire - Chapter 02 The young pyro pegasus, Skyfire, would be no match for the dangers of the world beyond, since there was no one to care for her. The volcanic crater had destroyed much of the vegetation that had once surrounded it, so it would be many years before it would actually become inhabitable for any of the magical creatures. Skyfire, with no where to go home to, flew around aimlessly for hours. She had already passed over the sea of lava, which by now had hardened to rock, and was passing over a long mountain chain east of the volcano. Her wings were beginning slow in beats because of exhaustion and Skyfire decided to concentrate on where she should sleep for the night. In a mountain valley below, her eye caught a large weeping willow tree that might make a wonderful bed for the night. Now a weeping willow tree growing in a mountain climate means there must be some magic in it. The tiny pegasus managed a decent landing near the tree and wobbled on her foal legs toward it, for it had been her first tome to walk upon land. Just as she was about to fly up to a large branch over head, a voice shreiked, "No flame! No fire!" The confused Skyfire searched around for the orgin of the voice, but could find no one. A high-pitched squeaky voice overhead screamed, "What did I say, stupid creature? NO FIRE!" Skyfire looked up, and there sitting on a high branch was the strangest creature Skyfire had ever seen, even though it was really one of the first creatures she'd ever seen. It had thin limbs and long ears and a beak like nose, dull colored wings, and a coppery light hung about it. "Excuse me, ummmm, sir or whatever you are, I'm lost and I need a place to sleep for tonight," said Skyfire. "Where are your parents, young animal of fire?" questioned the strange thing in the tree. "My parents are dead, and I have nobody to take care of me," the pegasus replied as a tear drop streamed down her face. Skyfire plopped down to the ground and began to sob as a hot river of tears came pouring from her fiery eyes. "There, there. Don't get your feelings in a rut. Perhaps if you extinguish that tail of yours, you could come up here and make yourself at home," the creature said, attempting to comfort her. Skyfire's crying slowed and she looked up at the creature. "I don't know how to exting-...exting-..., oh whatever that word was, my tail out," she said miserably. Before the foal could begin to sob again, the creature said, "Well, ummm, maybe you can sleep under the tree. The willow's shady branches will protect you just as much as being up here in the tree. Just don't get too close to the trunk." Skyfire immediately took up its offer and nestled down a few feet away from the trunk. "Oh, by the way," spoke the creature, "My name is Woolins. I'm a young mothkyn over from the Phanta Woods. I left my clan in search of my independent self," he said proudly. "I plan to start my own clan one day, and I shall be leader," he added. The little pegasus yawned. "My name is Skyfire, and I'm inde-...inde-..., whatever that word is, too," she said. "Um, what does that word mean, by the way?" she asked Woolins. "Oh, independent? It means to do things all by yourself without any one else," he answered knowingly. "Well, good night Skyfire," said Woolins. He waited for a reply. "Skyfire?" he searched in the darkness, but Skyfire was already fast asleep, under the swaying curtain of weeping willow leaves.