Once the land is cloaked in darkness, and I am sure my guardians are sleeping I start to arouse.  My one eye opens just enough that I can spot whether my mother has indeed drifted off.  Seeing the feathered mare lying down a devious smirk tugs at my lips.  The same eye roves over to where Jack stands guard very near her, he too has gone to the other side.  Perfect, I think as my delicate face lifts slowly.

Curled up next to my brother I nudge him with my nose, "Eviction, wake up." I say in a quiet whisper.  He stirs and again I nudge him to wake, "Eviction, lets go."  His head lifts with tired eyes, Huh... What is it?  I hush him quickly, "shhh.  Be quiet you muppet, you wanna get caught!"  He stammers sleepily again, Caught?  What are you talking about?  My eyes give a roll as I lift myself up off the ground quietly.  "You coming or what?" I question as I begin to walk in the direction we had traveled from earlier.

He reluctantly follows with no more than a protest or three. "We'll be fine!" I assure him, though I could not make such promises.  "I wanna go back to the river we crossed and play in the water again," I laugh as I remember the sound I made as my flames sizzled.  My pace quickens, enticing him to speed up.  I-I don't know Escence, this sounds dangerous, he says, forever the voice of reason.  Again, I laugh and tease him, "What you afraid of the dark? Pfft...  Look around Vic, we light up the dark!"  His face scowls at me as he huffs disapproval, but he follows.

How much farther?  He begins to complain, a slight shiver creeping up his spine.  "It's just over here, geez," I reassure him.  The trickling of the water grows louder as they near.  Soon the glow of their bodies reflect off the ripples, creating a fiery looking stream.  "See!  I told you," I leap forwards and prance to the water's edge.  

My excitement grows as I stand looking at my reflection on the surface.  Eviction somberly joins me, looking at himself curiously.  The glow of his mane shows off the clear skull-like markings of his face even in the dark.  He snorts and I bounce into the river.  The droplets meeting my flames fizzle, sending smalls sparks off across my body as the flames reignite.  "Come on in Vic!" I call to him still standing at the river's edge.  

In my playing I do not consider how slick wet rocks are.  I dart to the far side of the river, crawling up the bank and then turn to leap back into the water.  As I turn my hard hoof slides on a slippery stone, twisting my rear leg awkwardly underneath me.  I cry out in pain, as I fall to my knees on the muddy bank.  "Aaahhh,"  I squeal as I lay on my side exposing my injured rear ankle.  Now caked in mud, my flames extinguish, and eyes search for the glow of her brother.  Escence!  He calls out to me, rushing to my side.  "I think I twisted my ankle.  Help me up onto the grass," I say calmly trying to pull myself in the general direction.  He fumbles about trying to figure out the best way to accomplish the task.  Finally settling on helping to push me back up onto my good legs and allowing me to rest my weight on his back, I limp towards the grassy flat --opposite of the Dale.  

Should I go get help?  He questions as I try steadying myself to stand.  I shake my head in protest, "No way!  Mom will kill us!"  He snorts in accusation, his eyes narrowed angrily at me.  "Don't look at me like that... I didn't force you to come," I say in a snarky tone, even though I am glad I am not alone.  My body shivers as the mud continues to cool my body.  "I-I'm cold," I say with chattering teeth.  Eviction moves alongside me, both combining our warmth and holding me up.  I smile happily, my head resting on his back, "Thank you for coming with."  He too smiles as he pronounces silently being my protector.  

The warmth emitted begins to increase just as my eyes had begun to shut.  At first, I think it to be my flames reigniting, but when my eyes open there is a thin glowing veil pulsating around us.  My head lifts as my face turns, noticing the same pulsing was apparent in the glow of Evictions eyes.  "Vic?" I whisper, my voice dipped in concern, "What's happening?"  He remains blankly staring in the opposite direction.  My eyes shift to see a pair of red glowing orbs floating in the darkness.  

I begin to shuffle myself sideways and turn to face the same direction he was staring at the red glow.  Soon I find that the pain in my ankle is gone and again I can move with ease.  My gaze casts out to the shadows and I decide there is something of a memory surfacing around them. 

"Dad?"  I whisper into the darkness, a puff of vapor escaping my lips as my warm breath meets the cool air.  With my ears perked forwards, I take a curious step. Stop, Eviction instructs me.  In most cases I would dismiss his caution, but my movements stop.  I glance to my brother whose eyes still pulse in sync with the orange glow still around them.  In that moment I look around at it, noting that it is clearly not by my doing.  It has a warmth much like my flames, like a comforting embrace.

Within an instant it is gone.  I shift my gaze to my brother whose eyes have gone dim.  "Are you ok?" I ask.  His white masked face turns to me slowly, his pit less eyes roll back as he falls forward faintly.  I quickly reach to brace him and instinctively call out for help...

My dreams are not of rainbows and butterflies tonight.  Each time I drift off another image of death and destruction comes.  And each time my brother is there.  I jolt awake before I know what his role is there, but I can't imagine it is him who causes the chaos.

Pressed against my father's chest there is a comfort there I did not feel when held against my mother.  Her embrace has always felt more restricting.  Now, against his chest, there is a freedom I have longed for.  So, I remain, willingly in my sleepless drifting.

I am awakened once again, but it is not my nightmares that are the cause.  A bright flash ignites the sky, followed by a low rumble.  My sleepy eyes blink rapidly as I look up to the skies.  I notice my father's glowing eyes looking up too.  Worry that it would soon be raining causes me to step from my father's side and towards where my brother lies.  My red eyes watch the rise and fall of his ribcage, assuring me that life still existed within him.  

My head lowers, bringing my nose to press against his neck.  "Vic," I call to him softly.  He remains motionless still and my head rises, turning to look at my father for guidance.  Finding none I bring myself to lay next to him.  My head resting on his back just as we used to as foals curled up to share warmth.

Sleep evades me and so I stare up to the cloudy skies.  Electric strings of lights flash brilliantly above.  Each one unique in its shape and intensity.  In my minds musings I don't notice the slight shift in my brother appearance.  His usual flames started flickering back to life at his hooves.  It isn't until a familiar voice calls to me that I am brought back to my reality.

Escence.

The voice is weak, but it holds his same tone.  My head lifts as a smile breaks across my lips. "Vic!" I say with relived excitement, "You're ok!"  I curl my neck to nudge him gently before rising to my hooves.  The living flames of my body dance in delight as tiny orbs of fire levitate around us.  His head lifts, looking up to me with his glowing white eyes, a matching smile on his face.  I back up a pace to allow him the space to stand, but remaining close enough in case he would need support.

He rises shakingly, but soon steadies.  I come to his side and then look to our father who still stands where he was.  My smile is bright as I speak, "He's ok!" Their father simply nods his head and continues to watch them.

"What was that Vic?  W-what happened?  Where did that light come from?  And my ankle, it doesn't hurt anymore.  Did you do that?"  The questions rattle off uncontrollably.  My eyes searching him for answers.  All he can manage is to stare at our father with a narrowed gaze.  It isn't until I nudge him impatiently that he answers, Yes I healed you.  He says simply and emotionlessly, his focus still on their sire.  I notice and ask, "What's wrong Vic?"  My gaze shifts between them, trying to place the tension.  I don't trust him, he says while motioning to their father.  My brow furrows in confusion, "Vic.  That's our father.  He helped us.  He stayed all night with us to make sure we were safe..." 

I take a step back.  Still staring forwards, he replies, we need to go home.  Still confused by the situation I do not argue and simply nod.  Before turning to leave I walk up to the undead thing and bring my muzzle up to meet his tattered face.  He brushes his along me as he had the day I was born.  It brings me comfort even in the awkward situation.  

Turning now I walk back towards the river's edge, looking back to see Eviction following cautiously.  Their father remaining still and observant.