Chapter 14

Was that worry? But, it was so peaceful here…in the expanse of freedom, of quiet. I felt the pull again, and the nothingness faded. I wanted to stay there, why was it going away? Gradually a white light replaced it. I blinked my eyes painfully in the glare. "Where did it go??"

I cried out loud. "It's not your time yet." I heard a voice say. I knew that voice. From so long ago…it was familiar. The voice stirred feelings of joy and happiness inside me, I didn't know why…

"W-who said that?" I asked, glancing around the incredibly bright place. I saw a figure walking toward me. He had a huge mane; it was a pale gold, with brown streaking through it, and a little tiny bit of grey at the edges. His face was all scarred. I knew how each and every single one got there. "DADDY!" I squealed, running up to him. Wait, running? My leg was healed!

"Your leg is only healed here Hobblestep. You will still have to bear its burden in the real world." He said calmly, seemingly reading my mind. My father nuzzled me affectionately and I drew in the scent that I had missed for so long.

"Someone else wants to see you." He murmured in my ear. I drew back from him to look around. I saw another male lion, standing a few feet away. His mane was a very pale yellow. His pelt was a light golden colour, and he had kind blue eyes.

"Hi Hobblestep…" He mumbled shyly. He had a smooth, moderately high-pitched voice, and spoke slowly and clearly. I was certain I had never heard that voice before. I cocked my head to the side. "Who are you?" I asked curiously.

He took a few steps closer. And looking at his paws, gave a sheepish smile. "Don't you remember your own brother?" He asked, looking me in the eye. I studied his face. Took in his scent. My whole body began to quiver. Spark! "S-Spark?"

"That's me…" He replied, nervously ruffling his pale mane. I was shocked, I didn't know why. I had just seen my dead father, so it shouldn't be surprising that my brother was here, but he'd GROWN! He was my age! He was big, and handsome, and nothing like the horrible corps that used to haunt my dreams.

He didn't have any scars, or broken bones, he looked untouched. He could have lived to be this old if it wasn't for me I thought miserably. He could have been a Mane, and had cubs. But he had died saving my life.

Life was so unfair. He had so much potential. "Um…aren't you going to say something…?" He mumbled, his eyes darting up from his paws for a moment, and then darting back down.

I couldn't think of anything to say. I felt like jumping for joy, and sobbing all at the same time, so I buried my face in his huge yellow mane and just took in his scent. "I've missed you so much Spark…" I whispered shakily, trying not to cry. He nuzzled me back.

"I've missed you too sis." He replied solemnly. Then, letting his voice take on a lighter tone he said, " Heh, for a minute I thought you wouldn't forgive me…" I scrunched up my nose. "Forgive you for what?"

"Dying. Not being alive to protect you from all the things you've gone through. If I lived I would have been there for you sis. You wouldn't have had to put up with all the crap everyone gave you.

So many times I've seen lions being cruel to you, and..." His voice got angry, and intense at the end, and then trailed off. I laughed and cried at the same time.

"Forgive YOU? You died for ME! And besides, I have Fire to take care of me. I felt Spark stiffen when I mentioned Fire. "What's wrong?" I asked him. He looked at me, opened his mouth as if he were about to say something, then closed it again.

"You know I've tried to protect you before." He said, changing the subject. I didn't know why he didn't want to talk about our brother, but I didn't object. "How?" "Remember when you were in the pride? Sometimes you would wake up tired, or, or just be tired in the middle of something, for no reason?"I thought back to the times I had woken up with an unshakable exhaustion, I nodded.

"See, well that was me…well…sorta. Cause, it takes a lot of energy to bridge our worlds, and talk to you. My energy and yours. I've never been able to get through to you before, and all I've done is tire you and myself out.

But, I did it because I was trying to warn you about Proudmane, about your 'friend' Hover, I wanted so badly to tell you what was gonna happen…I needed Dad's help to get through this time…we aren't actually allowed to do this.

The dead, really shouldn't be talking to the living, but…rules are meant to be broken…right?" Spark sounded so unsure of himself. What ever happened to that cub I used to know that was sure of his every step? Of course, one could ask the same thing about me.

"Of course! And I'm so glad to see you both! I…I thought I'd lost you forever…" I mumbled sadly. I guess I had, this was probably just a delirious dream I was having from loss of blood. But I didn't care.

The thought that Spark may have grown up wherever he was, and that my father was still around…it made my heart sing. "I never left you Hobbs...and I never will." said Spark.

My father came up beside us and nudged Spark on the side. "We have to go. Before anyone notices. And Hobblestep needs to wake up."

He said calmly, in his smooth, deep voice. His voice made me feel safe, and taken care of. Spark frowned, but didn't object. "Bye sis…I'll come see you again. The next time I can…"

He called as my father led him away. "Goodbye Spark!" I called back. He turned around and said something, but before I could make it out, the white world faded away. And I woke up.