Spring break is here baby! Woo! So that means lots and lots of updates! My depression hasn't gone away but that's okay! I hope you all enjoy this long overdue chapter. Co-author: Your_Meaning_Fren

~Maddy

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Max yawned as he walked into the cave he shared with the other two centaurs. The babies that were born earlier in the day were absolutely adorable, even to the harsh ginger.

They were defiantly Barney's because of their color. In the past the clan was made up of wild centaurs whose ancestors roamed the plains but, about a hundred years ago people started getting closer to their territory. With people come bad results and Barney was living proof of it. When he was younger, a year at most, he ended up falling in waste that humans had left behind and the substance left his fur and hair to become purple and green. Sure it was stood out in the natural environment but he made up for it in strength.

The children on the other hand were a light pink and a dark purple, also having DNA from Red. The pink one was a girl and the deep purple a boy, the couple was still deciding on names.

Odd footsteps sounded near the entrance of the den, making Max freeze. He sighed and relaxed when he saw it was only Ross walking with a limp. He watched Ross settle in his designated sleeping spot before laying down in his. Tim at the moment was on a midnight hunting spree, since the nocturnal animals would come out.  

Max threw his bear fur blanket over his body and relaxed a little more, stretching his legs out slightly. Soft sounds of the wind came from outside. His eyes opened slightly to find Ross, a few feet away, shaking slightly. He only had a thin dear skin blanket, since that was the first thing he ever killed.

Its tradition that the first thing that a foal kills, the keep the fur and use it for a blanket. Ross, when not hurt, was more of a distraction for larger animals. He was quick on his feet and could dodge the trees with ease while others took shots at it. Max from the very start was always tougher and was able to kill his bear with three arrows.

"Ross." Max called out to the small centaur. He lifted his head, looking at the ginger. He motioned for Ross to come closer. He slowly got up and limped his way over to the male.

Max moved over a little bit, offering him more of the blanket. Ross smiled at the act and carefully laid down, facing Max cause of his injury. The brunet smiled at the warmth that covered his body once the blanket was draped over him. "Thank you." He mumbled out tiredly as he closed his eyes.

~~~2 Months Later~~~

"Momma look!" Pink said excitedly, her hooves pawing the ground. Her real name isn't Pink, it is Heliconia which is a pink Hawaiian flower but everyone just calls her Pink for short. She was currently running over to Jess and Shelby who had tons of flowers within their baskets.

"What are they doing?" Purple mumbled harshly, walking up next to Red. Pink was over by the two females, looking at the flowers. Purple had the same situation as his sister. His name was Finch cause the birds in this forests had large strips of deep purple along their wings, but because everyone called Pink, Pink they decided to do the same with Purple.

Red smiled. "They're getting ready for the traditional race. Its a celebration time to see who is the fastest and eat till our hearts content. The racers this year are Max, Emily, Ross and Jess but I doubt Ross will run this year." He said softly.

"Why do you say that?" Ross said as he walked up next to Red, a smirk on his face. Red smiled softly.

"Your injury and all I would think-" Ross cut him off.

"There is no way in the world I am missing this race because of some stupid scratch, besides its almost healed anyway." He said crossing his arms a smile on his face.

"Why not, its just a race. . . " Purple said unexcitedly, watching his sister. She was mow wearing a flower crown and helping with the other flower baskets.

"The winner gets a prize of course. A command, they can make one other centaur do what they want, within reason. While the second and third place people get to stay, then it narrows down." Ross said excitedly.

Purple nodded and sighed. He saw his father carrying some wood for the bonfire that would also happen tonight. Purple walked over to him and asked to help. Ross smiled at the connection and soon made his way over to Adam, asking if could help with anything.

A few hours later, everything was in order and the race was about to begin. "Ross I'm not to sure you should race I think-"

"Jake, I'll be fine. It's just a race and afterward I'll relax okay?" Ross said as he started to line up for the race. Jake looked uncertain but nodded before leaving to the sidelines.

The race was one long round trip that started at camp and went around their territory, having checkpoints of course, but it ended back at camp. The first to make it back to camp won the race.

Ross looked to his left and saw Max stand next to him. He flashed a smile before getting into a better position. The brunet looked at the path ahead of him, the brown path trailing up and over a nearby hill then soon disappearing.

Ross sighed as he saw Adam pull up on the sidelines. He saw him grip the bow that was in his hand. Time seemed to slow as he raised his bow and shot it into the air. He was brought back into reality when he heard the pounding of hooves on the rough ground. The sound made him bolt forward, making the world zoom past him.

His mind was a blur and his only instinct was to run. Run till his hearts content and reality didn't come back to him until he passed the first checkpoint. It was a rough river that flowed through the path. Ross narrowed his eyes and speed up.

He heard the pounding of his hooves in his ears before silence filled the space. He landed perfectly on the other side, soon taking off once more. He slowed his rough fast pace and slowed to a trot. He looked around him and saw Max not to far behind him.

His competitive side started to arise and his pace increased, refusing to let the ginger gain up on him. His wish failed and the male soon pulled up next to him, going the same pace as him. Max flashed him a smile before increasing his speed. Ross clenched his teeth, unable to go any faster than what he was going already. Max was getting farther away and Ross's heart dropped with every foot he increased.

Suddenly, Ross felt himself come in contact with the rough path, pain searing through his thigh. "Max!" Ross called out, lifting his torso up with his arms. But Max was too far away to hear him and his distance only increased. Ross bent his fingers toward his palm in pain as he lowered his head, looking toward the floor. He opened his mouth in a silent scream as tears rolled down his face. He lifted his head up, looking into the dense woods next to him. His breathing was ragged and labored.

He then looked to his thigh and his breath caught in his throat. His cut, which he thought was healed was currently ripped open with a large rock that used to lay on the path. Bright red blood trickled down his leg and the pain only grew. He looked away and tried to move but pain only increased.

~~~2 Hours later~~~

Cheers filled Max's ears as he galloped into the camp. He smiled brightly as he started to realize that he won. The party then was in full swing, now that there was a winner.

Hours had passes and the others came back as well all getting the same welcome. It soon started to grow dark but the party was still alive.

Max smiled as he looked around the party, everyone having having a smile on their face. Then, a small thought trickled into Max's mind that soon made adrenaline run through his veins. "Where's Ross?" He asked Adam who was standing next to him.

Adam took a sip of his drink, clearly comprehending the question. His eyes then widened. "He never came back."

"We need to go look for him!" Max said urgently as he set his drink down on one of the nearby tables.

Everyone then seemed to turn their attention to Max who was now in full panic mode. "Max, just calm down I'm sure-" Adam started to say.

"No! I know he's hurt out there and now probably being eaten by some animal. I'm going to go find him, Barney you're coming with me." Max said as he grabbed on of the nearby bows, sliding it over his chest.

As Max started to leave the camp, Barney looked at Adam with uncertainty. The male only nodded, saying that he should go with him. Barney sighed and nodded and galloped over to Max, heading into the woods.