Black Beauty

The beautiful black stallion was spending his time wandering around the eskers, clearly bored. He looked at the ground instead of where he was going, but all he knew was that he was walking atop an esker, a pretty high one too. He feared not, for he was used to walking along cliffs and everything else. He hoped a human wouldn't come along, despite his boredness, because he was enjoying his freedom so far. He just wanted something to do or something. He had, after all, won the Breeders Cup, "Best Young Horse", and Champion 2 yr-old Arabian 1999. He was a horse to own, heheh.
He lashed his tail around, keeping his eyes half shut and head down. His hooves pounded on the sandy stuff that the eskers were made of. He hoped that something would happen. His boredness was far too complicated.

*Riders*

Word had gotten out from one place or another that a very fine young stallion had been lost. People eager for reward, and also eager for a chance to steal such a fine creature, began to search for this black stallion. So it happened that a group of humans atop horses came trotting over an adjascent esker ridge, downwind of Black Beauty.

They couldn't be for sure, but it seemed this was the horse that was missing. Even if they were wrong, they were sure he'd make a good horse anyway. Or bring them a good deal of cash, for they were wanting to set up a business of horse fighting.

Two riders fanned far out. Two others fanned out as well, but not as far as the first two. Then the last one stayed directly in line with the black stallion. On signle, the five began to advance on Black Beauty. Each person had a rope ready.

Black Beauty

Black Beauty continued walking until he heard the other horses. He flung his head up and stared directly at them, at first thinking the humans were giant bumps, which most would think, but he soon found their scent and backed away, teeth bared. He was bored indeed, and at least something came. He backed away more and then slid down the large esker, getting few scrapes. He quickly stood and stared hard at the humans. He started galloping in circles, being very wary of the ropes.

*Riders*

The riders closed in, following Black Beauty down the next esker as two of the men rode around the sides, meeting the stallion at the bottom. They made a large semi circle, yet wide enough for his circling. They shouted and looped their ropes in the air, moving closer and closer to the black horse. They attempted to corral him against a nearby, steep-sided esker...

Black Beauty

The stallion tossed his head into the air, and let out a high-pitched, shrill whinny. He continued galloping around in the circle, but was soon trapped against an esker. He stopped and reared up into the air, now anger overcoming fear. He let out high neighs and pawed the air. He landed with a thud and lashed his teeth out at one of the horses. He started kicking with his hind hooves, determined to not get caught again, but he knew there were still too many humans and horses around.
He suddenly felt tired and shrieked loudly. He kicked out one last time before running out of energy and he stood there, head flinging from side to side. He didn't clearly notice the twirling ropes and started "hopping" around the small area he had left. It seemed like he was dancing. His breathing was hard and a snort was emitted as he continued hopping around on his hooves.

*Riders*

Some of the horses shied back but were skillfully guided and controlled by their riders so as they didn't go out of control. Some showed their teeth and pulled their ears back, but were willed about by their humans and so didn't really do much about fighting back. Suddenly, two riders drew close and tossed their lassos at Black Beauty, trying to catch him around the neck.

"It's no use struggling!" One of the horses ventured, being led close to the stallion, "You'll just end up hurting yourself like the others... and you'll need your rest."

Black Beauty

The stallion lashed out at another horse again and went to kick one of them, but the rope caught around his neck. He could feel it tighten securely. He neighed and ignored the horse's words. He liked his freedom, but who would know what would happen to him now? He wasn't worried though. He could handle these humans. He suddenly felt tired, but he thrust his head up sharply, wanting to get the rope off. But it was useless; he was forever captured now. Maybe another day he would run wild again. He snorted and started walking around, quickly, still thrusting his head up and down.

*Riders*

The closed in about him now and the other threw their ropes out about his neck. Now they began to try and lead him away. But if he should buck, fight, or cause any troubles, they would have to stop and wait for him, or use their own means of 'calming' him down...

Black Beauty

Black Beauty pulled his head back and neighed. He dug his hooves into the ground and pushed the opposite way. But he soon gave up and stood there. He still pulled at them and snorted.

*Riders*

The humans braced themselves and their horses, making sure to keep Black Beauty within their circle. Two of the riders were nearer to the stallion's backend, but certainly made sure to stay clear of his kicking hinds. One of them pulled a long rod from the side of his saddle and touched it to the black stallion's flank; sending a powerful electric charge into him! It was a sort of taiser which they hoped would get Black Beauty moving.

Black Beauty

Black Beauty was startled at the high shock. When he felt it surge through his body, he reared and pulled back even harder, getting more scared and frightened than angry. He had lived wild much longer than he had been in human hands, making him take the wild trait. He continued to pull back harder when the shock ended. He swung his head forward and up. He used all of his strength possible and and brouhgt it back down and tried to slam his flat head into the horse closest to him. He wouldn't go. Not without a fight. He pulled back again and raised onto his front legs and kicked his hindlegs out at whatever, hoping to strike another horse behind him...

*Riders*

The nearest horse snorted loudly and stumbled back as Black Beauty butted him with his head. Instantly the equine's ears laid back and he offered a smart snap of his teeth to the black stallion.

A second horse was struck by the fight stallion's hind hooves. A great huff was heard as the air swooshed out of the mare's lungs and she fell sideways to the ground, tossing her rider earthward as well. She struck her legs out frantically before picking herself up again, wide-eyed and fearful. Black Beauty's wild struggle caused her more panic now. Without a rider to help calm and command her, the mare reared and then turned, running to a nearby esker.

The circle was partially broken, but there were still four ropes about Black Beauty's neck. They pulled tighter now and once again struck him with the electric prod, trying to drive the fight out of him.

Black Beauty

He shot up in a long jump when the prod struck him. he wheeled around and lashed his teeth out at one of the horses. He started to pull back the opposite way of where they were going with all of the might and strength he had left, refusing to give in to the humans.

*Riders*

The stallion that got bit gave a shrill scream and reared up against his rider's commands. He kicked out at Black Beauty, enraged now at being wounded.

The other humans struggled to remain in control of their horses. They pulled the ropes tighter and tighter, trying to yank him in the direction they wanted him to go in.

The mare who had dispatched her rider now galloped away.

Black Beauty

He pulled back more but was kicked by the other stallion. Blood leaked from the wound, located at the base of his neck. Black Beauty, now raged but quickly losing energy, lashed his teeth out at the stallion again and then tried to ram his head into the horse. He soon stopped pulling hard and he started to uneasily pace around.

*Riders*

The stallion let out a scream, feeling the teeth tear at his flesh. He reared back, being butted by Black Beauty. His human was thrown off, cursing like a sailor as he hit the ground and was nearly stepped on by his ride. He grabbed the reigns and began to calm his stallion down before mounting him once more.

The humans began to shout and tug their ropes tightly. They were trying to wear him down now.