~ Black Horse ~

Striking their hooves against the ground, the country trolls shouted encouragement to the runners of today's race.

Poppy, a pretty pink troll with a white horse's body, was staring at the distance they should go; they should get out of the city, get to the cliff and come back to cross the finish line. It might have seemed long but not for the country trolls; their most precious gift was undoubtedly their four paws, which enabled them to run faster than any other tribe. Scratching her hooves against the ground, Poppy waited impatiently for the starting signal to launched to stretch her paws.

Mayor Delta Dawn finally appeared on a rock, holding her banjo in her hands. The silence go in the crowd and she can begin her speech:

- Dear Country Trolls! She says in a loud voice, I'm happy to introduce you to today's runners! Everyone will have to run as fast as possible if they want to win this race!

The Country Trolls shouted for joy, Delta Dawn silenced them and continued:

- We have a new runner today ... The Black Horse!

Surprised and anxious murmurs ran through the crowd, a new runner? Where did he come from? What was he doing in their village? An impostor ?

Poppy turned her gaze to the stranger, widening her eyes in surprise: a centaur advanced with a certain step, his blue night horse fur was the only thing that could be seen the true color. The troll had completely covered his face and his skin and hair, hoping to remain anonymous. He was really a black horse. Poppy frowned as he stood next to her, she was stunned by his beautiful blue eyes she managed to see despite his handkerchief. He turned to look at her and gave her a wink, which made her blush.

- And don't forget ! .... Delta Dawn screamed as she prepared to give the start

She raised her hand, ready to scratch the strings of her banjo. Then, without knowing it herself, she named the biggest defect of the Trolls Country ...

- ... don't trust anyone! Then, with a cloud of dust, the runners start the race.

* * *

- I can't believe it, this Black Horse is faster than the whole village! Poppy growled.

After this morning's race, Poppy had been to Hickory and Dickory. The two twins watched her go around in their house, knowing that they could do nothing to calm her down. Poppy continued to scatter the straw on the floor, angry at the stranger who had taken her first place.

- And what are you going to do? Asked Dickory

- Give him hoofhits? Hickory asked next

Poppy was still angry:

- I'm going to snatch his pretty hair and break his shiny hooves ! She did not even realize what she was saying, then I'm going to rip off his handkerchief so everyone can see who this handsome centaure is!

- Oh my god ... Dickory sighed.

- Uh ... Poppy, you do not think you're falling in love with this "Black Horse" but you do not want to accept it because he took you first place in this morning's race? Hickory guessed, Poppy blushed furiously

- Me ? In love? Never in life! She said and sat down, crossing arms and her front paws

She began to think, she had to show this beautiful stallion with muscle who was the leader:

- I'LL SEE DELTA DAWN TO SAY HER TO REMOVE THIS BEAUTIFUL TROLL FROM THE RACE!

- She'll tell you no, Dickory pointed out

- ARGH, VERY WELL, I WILL PROPOSE A CHALLENGE TO HIM!

- He never talks to anyone, you saw it this morning, Hickory reminded her

- I WILL WIN THE RACE OF TOMORROW AND SHOW THIS BODY OF GOD WHO IS THE BETTER RUNNER!

Then she ran off, leaving the house of the twins in disorder.

- She's in love, the twins said at the same time before getting up to clean their house.

* * *

Poppy ran to the center of the city, leaving a cloud of dust behind her. She wanted to find the Black Horse to make it clear that she would win the race tomorrow!

The country troll finally found him, surrounded by girls who asked for autographs. Strangely, he refused them with a nod and tried to get away from them. Poppy felt a strange feeling develop in her chest: only she had the right to look at this beautiful blue stallion darkblue! She blushed at this thought and went to help him get rid of all those trolls that bothered him ... Only to help him, not because she was jealous.

She approached, hitting the ground to divert their attention from the beautiful centaur. The females looked at her, and Poppy stood directly next to the handsome troll, feeling chills running through her skin as her white fur brushed against his dark blue one.

- Leave him alone, you see that he needs a break to rest his hooves! She crossed her arms seriously.

Black Horse's eyes widened before nodding to approve, the country trolls seemed disappointed and finally walked away, leaving both runners alone.

- It was the last time I helped you! Poppy growled and looked at him.

Then, to her surprise, the blue stallion sighed:

- Thank you ... I thought never can escape from them! He laughed

His voice was so beautiful, she widened her eyes and opened her mouth slightly. Which made his "enemy" laugh.

- I know ... You're probably the only one who has heard my voice except Delta Dawn ... It's not a problem, I guess, he looked at her up and down, obviously biting the lip behind his handkerchief.

- Pervert! She said immediately and walked away from him.

He smiled, loving this game. It must have been what was called coup de foudre at first sight ... It was what he had felt during this morning's race. He followed her, running lightly to her and give her a slight push with his horse's body. She blushed, groaned and moved away from him, leaving him far behind her.

- I know you love me, what if I took you galloping with me to the Fields of the Sun ?

- If you think I'm going to follow you, you're really stupid.

- Okay, let's start with something simple ... What's your name, my beautiful lady?

But she continued to move away, he go standing in front of her, his chest against hers and her nose a few inches from his black handkerchief. She blushed furiously and gave him a hoofhit to him let her pass. He let her do it, crossing his arms and looking at her with teasing eyes and obvious love.

- Pretty horse, princess, could I ride it one day? He smiles teasingly.

Poppy blushed furiously, feeling her heart beating at full speed at his words. Her hooves wanted to change direction and remove his handkerchief and kiss him to silence him and tell him how he was .... Stop it, Poppy.

- Believe me, I'll win the race tomorrow! She growled, continuing to walk away.

The Black Horse smiled greatly, she loved him, he knew it:

- Okay, can I at least know who the pretty girl is who throws me a challenge? He smiled.

After a moment of hesitation, she finally named herself:

- Poppy.

- Pretty name, he says simply before finally moving away.

When she was sure he was gone, she blushed like crazy and started hitting her hoofs against the ground nervously.

"But what's happening with me?" She panicked

* * *

- And don't forget ... Don't trust anyone! Delta Dawn says before scratching the rope of her banjo.

It was the signal, Poppy rushed to the Fields of the Sun, following today's route.

- Hey, Pops, did you sleep well? Asked a familiar voice next to her.

It was that stupid Black Horse, he was galloping backwards and was overtaking her. She gave him an angry look and doubled speed to take the lead again. He looked at her with admiration and went back in the right direction to come back to her effortlessly.

- Finally, we have our romantic walk together in the Fields of the Sun, huh? He was still trying to flirt, and she was pushing him away, not wanting to lose their challenge.

- This is not a romantic walk ! She screamed furiously, giving him a furious hit tail on the side before overtaking him again, but he come back to her again.

Soon they were running in the Fields of the Sun, side by side when one of them passed before the other. The hot rays shone their fur as the stallion continued to flirt with the beautiful mare.

- How do you do to be so beautiful? He asked with a relaxed look.

- How do you do for being so annoying? She replied

Then, he seemed finally to take a serious look, he stopped, placing it in front of her and preventing her from continuing the race.

- What are you doing ? She asked with an angry voice

- I know you love me, but you're angry at me because I won the race yesterday.

She blushed furiously, trying to get around him. But he stopped her and gave her a furious look that reflected a broken heart:

- I'm serious, you could not forget the main rule of this race and trust me !? He asked.

She finally stopped struggling, losing herself in his eyes for a moment. Then she looked down:

- How can I trust someone who does not trust me enough to tell me who he is?

The Black Horse resumed his smile:

- Branch.

- Huh?

- Branch, you never asked me for my real name, it's Branch.

He took off his disguise to reveal a teal troll with royal blue hair and a lilac nose. She blushed and looked down again. He laughed softly and put his hand on her cheek so she could look at him again.

- So, you want to go for this walk? He asked with a smile.

- And the race? I thought you wanted to win it ...

He blushed and looked down:

- What, what did you do?

- We're not even registered, I erase our names from the list, he burst out laughing.

- You are serious ? She laughed, you knew your plan would work! She laughed and followed him as he went to the Fields of the Sun with a laugh.

Poppy grabbed Branch's hand as pressing his horse's body against hers as they finally walked side by side.

- Now, can I ride your horse? Branch asked

- Pervert.