This place, a field of beauty and grace was plagued by my mere presence. The colorful flowers that sprouted from the ground seemed to wilt as I paced past them - though I never touched a single one. The forest itself could sense the deeds I had commited in my past. It knew every breath I had silence, the nightmare foals have in their sleep. Me. Black Lightning. The name, in some, means nothing, but to others it means so much more. Horses have sworn to seek me and kill me, but none have ever mustered the gut. Life my dear, is a jungle, and you do what you have to to survive.

The sky was clouded with thick piles of condensation to my north and sunny skies to my south. While others fleed to their dens and shelters, I sought the rain. The noise it made as it fell to the ground soothed my heart, it was a time for thinking, a time to try and understand this world - though no one ever, truly will. This place was not one for the weak hearted. The good die young, and I wasn't going to take part in their foolish behaviors. However, unlike most, I realized that what I did was wrong. But the will to survive was more important to me. To live a long and successful life, that's really all we could ever do. Don't get me wrong, I'm a *bleep* at heart, but there's always been something in my mind that keeps me somewhat in tune with my sanity.

My ebony colors blended deeply into the shadows of the trees and nothing but the sound of hoof-beats would ever clue you into my presence. I approached the undergrowth at the edges of a grand clearing, just watching. Looking straight on in that direction, you would have seen two golden eyes, a dim star, and a strip of palomino - and possible the shadows of my face; but nothing more. However, I could see all. Including the mare just a little ways off. Her presence mattered not to me and I disappeared once more.

Circling around, I came out about twenty yards away to a little creek that slithered between the hills and disappeared into the trees. The place was bathed in silver moonlight. Lowering my head I drank my fill before moving off to graze on the sweet grass. The purpose of this place was clear, but it was no why I was here - of which was purely by chance. Ripping the grass with sharp movements, I flicked my tail at pests that weren't there. When I was done (I wasn't all that hungry, grass wasn't lost here), I lifted my head and watched the other femme, almost daring her to come and talk to me.

This one was much like me, though there were important differences one must always be aware of. She had a chestnut coat with large white markings across her face. While bigger than I, she did not frighten me. The youngling still had much to learn in the time to come. I was turning eight next year and while I was not old, I had been around the block enough times to know which places to walk and places to avoid.

She approached with bared teeth and ears pinned, as if to intimidate me. Ha. Did she know who she was dealing with? The experience I withheld? Kingdoms destroyed, families torn apart, all by my hand. And what did this vixen have? A few scrabbles? A troubled past? Participated in a war? Well then, good for her. But I can beat it. I had been in hundreds of fights. A bad history? Don't get me started. A war? I had led one. She could bluff all she wanted - but at some point, you have to be holding all of the cards.

Unlike her, I was not just violence and rage - a disgrace. I was thought, intelligence, cunning - a Dark. While she was fire I was water. I come in many different flavors - I can give you life, or I can kill you slowly; or quickly, if I saw it fit. She destroyed, I created a world where I could thrive. You know what they say, never bite the hand that feeds you - she would do well to abide by it.

I shook myself in that animal way, showing my disinterest. "I am not here to compete in your foolish games, vix - and so you have been warned." I spoke with the calm of the sea before the storm. Breaking eye contact, I sent an invisible message: I wasn't going to waste my time with her, and that I had no reason to prove myself. My muscles were relaxed and I was comfortable. If she wanted to mess with me, so be it - it would be a battle she would never forget.

My laugh was a dark cackle, light but deep in feeling. I had called her bluff, and now she had to compensate for it - but that wasn't what I was laughing it. Her choice in words had been poor, but had potential. French was she? I knew a few with French blood running through their veins. They were all fiery creatures, intelligent. They were, however, suckers for a few kind words. That doesn't mean, however, that their personalities didn't cover quite a bit of land - I don't mean to stereotype them in such a way. Doing so would be assuming, and you know what they say: Assume, it makes an ass out of you and me. Haha, such sad humor this world has.

"Dare I?" I laughed, lifting my head and walking forward with my tail held high. "My name is Black Lightning, daughter of Silent Storm and Toxic, sister of Gianna. Mother of Chaska, Seth, Wirani and the Unknown. Long lost mate of schizophrenic killer dubbed Blood Rising. My family is dead and long gone, riding upon the current of the breezes you feel through your tassels." I said loudly and with a proud attitude about me, but I was only beginning. "I have lied and been lied to. Watched death happen and been the cause of it. Unlike the many equines that roam these hills, I am of the darkness - not of the shadow."

With my introduction said, I once again relaxed. "Now, dare you tell me your story?" I inquired with calm orbs. The storm clouds on the horizon only drew closer and I could hear thunder roll on the horizon and flashes of light illuminated the atmosphere. A light sprinkle of rain had begun to dot my pelt and sink into the soil. "It matters not to me where you come from, only where you think you're going - but share it if you wish." I added after thought. My mane, a mixture of black and a yellow, blew in the breeze, whipping around my eyes in an almost irritating fashion. The air had cooled - the storm was coming.