"Hope fades," a voice sings clear and true, much to my own surprise, from my throat as we run. My hooves have gotten larger, my legs stronger, my muscles growing, nearly doubled in size from last month. My girth grew daily, it seemed, and I was afraid my skin might burst as my body rushed forward toward an adult frame each day. The beginning of a new year for me was approaching, approaching swiftly. "Into the world of night." Beside me, Eytan lets out a roar and I giggle, breaking the melody for a moment as we romp onward, legs falling into the earth with youthful haste.

"Through shadows falling out of memory and time."

The grass whipping at my legs, our legs, as we run smoothly through the meadow, flowers brushing my underside and the wind lapping at my wings. There was no time to stop and ponder the world today. I had awoken to a golden sun and lots of energy. I remember being younger and awaking to faulty limbs and wasted days. The youth which rode along in my spirit now, it was not tied to the limits of my physical strength. I am young, I am happy. One day, I will grow strong and somber, but for today I am nothing but a child with his beloved friend. "Don't say we have come now to the end."

"White shores are calling."

The earth which rumbles underneath my feet goes unnoticed in the pace with which Eytan and I move, the blue of the sky the only constant and the shades of green a blur. The wild colors of the beautiful flowers soar by my eyes fleetingly, never registered except for the feeling that I am dancing through waters of rainbow colors. "You and I will meet agai-," my voice cuts off as I look toward my left, seeing a familiar black and white figure in the distance. With a smile, I look toward Eytan who looks up with knowing black eyes. "Midas!" I say to him before changing our pace and racing forward toward the stallion of the Dragon's Throat.

As we got closer, I know for certain this tremor was not natural. I look worriedly forward with dual toned eyes toward the small figure of Midas, my brows knit in worry as Eytan lets out a rumbling call as well. I did not know of my own magic at this time, let alone the magic that Midas held. Still, our pace increases even more, if it were possible, as the two of use race like speeding bullets to the side of our friend who may be in need of our aid. Before we can close the massive expanse of the meadow, Midas already begins to drift toward the edges, and we tuck out necks and run onward, breath being pulled steadily in and out of my lungs.

Sweat begins to form in the creases of my skin, causing discoloration in the brown and blue areas of my coat, but I do not mind. My hooves only begin to slow when we get close to the familiar, winged form, my body settling into a lope as I move up toward him, my breath heavy and my nostrils heaving. I snort out some of the dust that had unknowingly clogged my passageways, looking back up with a joyous smile toward the stallion I have come to view as a father. "Midas," I say, my voice cheery but worried. "You seemed like you were struggling back there... are you alright?"

Mother had never taught me to be subtle.