Soaring Hooves galloped, fleeing from Yellow Shadow. Tall rock walls towered all around him. Sand and Wind rolled together, mating, giving birth to Blinding Gust. Soaring Hooves hated Blinding Gust, so he galloped faster.

He knew he headed the right way when Red Mother tilted up, forcing him to climb. His pistons pumped harder, his gears ground into overdrive. His chest rumbled. He let out a mighty snort through his exhaust pipes.

He beat his four hooves against Red Mother, always trying to leave her, to join Skywind, but Red Mother held him close, only letting his four legs leave her for short beats between bursts of speed.

But where was his saddle brother, Houndstorm? Yellow Shadow had roused Houndstorm, drew him back into rockmouth, down rockthroat. Without Houndstorm at his side or upon his back, Soaring Hooves knew fear. So he did the only thing he knew best. Run.

After many hoofbeats, Skywind Day darkened to Skywind Dusk. Firelife didn't shine as bright as it sank down, half in Skywind and half in Red Mother, many many hoofbeats away.

Guilt stabbed Soaring Hooves. He left Mare and Young Colt alone with Fever Tongue. He longed to get back to Houndstorm. But Yellow Shadow was there. He could not go back. Houndstorm would find him. Houndstorm was good and kind. He always uttered a word of affection, Chasm . Soaring Hooves did not know what Chasm meant, but it was always spoken with warmth and trust. Houndstorm loved galloping as much as Soaring Hooves. When Houndstorm hugged his back, leaning forward into Skywind, they were one. Together they could run forever. Perhaps even catch up to Firelife many beats later, at the end of Red Mother.

He missed Houndstorm's voice though, missed his reassuring pats. Even when Houndstorm used his thundersticks, even then he knew Houndstorm only did it to protect others.

Soaring Hooves ran until he felt the bursting speed inside him fill up. He could drink no more bursting speed. He was full. He liked when Houndstorm used bursting speed too, for in those beats, he became like Singsong feather, able to fly, just above Red Mother.

He slowed to a canter, then to a trot. He lay down beside some big boulder brothers, tucking his legs under his body, and resting his head in the soft, cool sand. Bursting speed was full, and he felt goodwarm. He closed his eyes to dreamtrot.

After a time, Soaring Hooves' metal ears twitched, turning this way and that. They picked up a hiss in the Darkwind, out beyond. He raised his head, eyes wide. The hiss sounded again, and this time was accompanied by padded feet under strong legs. It was Creeping Slitherfang. It should have filled him with fear. But Slitherfang only filled him with rage.

Climbing to his rubber horseshoes, Soaring Hooves answered Creeping Slitherfang's challenge with a roaring rumble from his exhaust. He pawed the ground with his front hoof, digging in, preparing to charge his hated enemy. A Slitherfang had tried to hurt Houndstorm after he saved the young mare from the many bad stallions trying to steal her away in the flying metalrock. He would have felt stronger now if his saddle brother sat atop his back, leading him into the charge. But the fire inside made up for his missing brother.

Rearing up on his hind legs, Soaring Hooves bucked at Slitherfang, offering one final warning.

Slitherfang hissed, crouching low, its back legs primed to launch upon him. He knew it would try to trap him, tie him up with its many serpent arms sprouting from its mane. He'd have to watch out, run away so he could circle back if they came too close.

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Without warning Soaring Hooves broke into a gallop, charging his challenger. The two clashed, mangling metal and tendrils. The tentacles tried to slither into the steeder, intending to weave behind panels, over cogs, and under pistons. But Soaring Hooves kicked, using bursting speed to empower his attacks. He felt Slitherfang quiver under his strikes and he knew he would reign. Still, Slitherfang threw its writhing cords all about him, fettering him down.

Soaring Hooves strained against the tethers, pistons pumping, gears grinding, until he ripped free, tearing most of the tentacles from his enemy's body. They wriggled on the ground, severed from their host. He circled around, gaining speed, dipped his head and charged again. This time he crashed into the abomination, knocking it down and stayed on top. He hammered all four hooves into the thing, beating it until Slitherfang stayed still.

Soaring Hooves had trampled Slitherfang to death. He reared up again, triumphant, loosing a great rumbling roar. Out of instinct, he shook out a mane that was not there, and pranced about in victory.

Twin whitefires burned, catching him by surprise. But he held his ground as they drew near.

He heard a voice though he did not understand the words, save one.

"By golly, it's Tracy's steeder. Whoa boy."

A man approached. The man bore a small shiny metal on his chest, as did Houndstorm. And he called Houndstorm by the word all others did. Tracy .

"Hey boy. You Tracy's steeder huh? Yep. Only steeder around. Nobody else wants to ride these things."

Soaring Hooves felt unsure. He backed up a few paces, shaking his head.

The man carried on in soothing tones. "Whoa, boy. It's okay. I've been looking hard for my old pal, Tracy. Got some bad news for him, I'm afraid. But news he needs to hear, just the same."

The voice sounded sincere to Soaring Hooves. And held hints of sorrow. The man kept saying that word. Tracy. He must want to find Houndstorm.

Coming up alongside him, the man proceeded to pat Soaring Hooves. He could feel the sorrow in the man's touch.

"You think you can bring me to Tracy, boy?"

Soaring Hooves wanted to get back to Houndstorm. This man held the same desire. But Soaring Hooves did not want to aid someone who would press Houndstorm down with deep sorrow. That was the last thing Houndstorm needed. What his saddle brother needed was him. Even if it meant facing Yellow Shadow. He could do it though. He'd just gained a victory over Slitherfang.

Without warning he bolted, soaring off, back the direction he'd come to reunite with his saddle brother.