The Unicorn

Rain encouraged fur pelted creatures from their warm hiding places. On most days, staying dry would be the most desirable endeavor next to finding a meal. Prey and predator lined the edge of the clearing this day in a remarkable alliance. Wanting a closer look emboldened a timid rabbit to inch away from the tall trees and bushes that hid her from the world. A loud roll of thunder, that would normally send woodland creatures back into hiding, pulled the ears off of the back of the rabbit and drew every creature to full standing height as their heads gazed upwards. The sound was coming from a fiery ball of fog and steam descending from the sky.



Quite anticlimactically, a monstrous winged dragon landed in the clearing. Of all the creatures assembled, this beast knew best the significance of this day. It’s been well over a thousand years since the fated birth of the unruly stallion that roams these woods. That day was filled with sadness and disappointment. A day when all hope died with the passing of two of the most majestic creatures to have ever graced the soil with their hooves. This dragon remembers the day with vivid pain. He remembers how every being turned away with tears in their eyes when the last two unicorns known to exist brought into the world a pitch black atrocity that lacked the crown that gave these anomalies of life their magic.

It’s common enough among these creatures for one parent to perish. Although unicorns don’t physically give birth to their offspring, their essence is so strongly channeled into new life that depleting ones own life’s energy usually proves overwhelming. Desperation to make right this nondescript pony exhausted both parents past endurance. When those unicorns faded from existence leaving the young stallion kneeling and alone, an aura of bitter disgust would follow him in every aspect of his life from then on.

Being shunned and avoided inculcated a sense of sternness and seriousness not becoming of an animal of his breed. If not for being such a frightful and intimidating brute, most animals would merely assume him to be a run of the mill black horse. Most would overlook the lonesome being. Some would be curious to why a horse wandered the wood. Few would realize that he outlived every other creature by countless generations.

When the phoenix appeared in the clearing that morning, heralding the opportunity of new life, even the ancient dragon would have assumed this would be a dry run. To the surprise of even the most optimistic creatures, there kneeling to the great bird was the coal black horse. There was a distinct sadness in this meeting. Having two or more unicorns sacrifice their essence was dangerous enough. One lone unhorned unicorn would most likely be unsuccessful, beyond suicide.

A field mouse so soaked with rain water it almost looked flat, ventured close enough to the two that the heat from the flames dancing on the feathers of the phoenix dried its fur and stung its eyes. As more and more animals crowded closer for a better vantage point it was clear that the fear of being eaten or the dampness of the rain would not prevent a single creature from witnessing this moment. With a moment of generosity, the dragon reared its massive head back and punched a hole in the sky with a ferocious blast of gold and white flame. The midday sun rang down on every animal forcing them to strain to keep their eyes open.

To the surprise and disbelief of new eyes, there appeared to be a light bleeding from the horse moving in wisps to the space between him and the mighty bird. Thinking it may be a result of the newly forged sunlight disrupting their vision, the animals that had the ability rubbed their eyes to regain clear sight. Finding that the light between the phoenix and the stallion only grew brighter and more complex in color cemented the reason that every animal thought it was important to see it. Hours would pass and the endless stream of life would pour out into this spiraling ball of light and color. A knowing look from the phoenix to the dragon told each other that the process was taking too long and there was still far more to come.

The rain has since stopped on its own accord and although the clouds started to dissipate the light from the sun was growing weaker. As the clouds became orange and red from the setting sun, the stubborn black unicorn rose in defiance of his own weakness. With a sudden arching of the back and dip of the head an explosion of life force erupted from the pitiful creature. Lighter animals were blown back. Even the hardened dragon tilted his head to the side in fear.

When the dust settled and the confusion subsided, all eyes were back to the stallion, laid in a heap on its side. With a magnificent display the phoenix unfurled its wings and screamed at the sky, and a moment later was nothing more than a streak of fire into the heavens. Nearly every beast looked skyward watching the ascent. A shaking of the earth signaled the shifting of the mountainous dragon. A universal motion swept through the crowd in pockets. Those that had focused on the dragon witnessed it crouch down in a humbled bow. Those that had seen the ball of light take form were now pressing their heads to the ground. It wasn’t long until every creature realized what had happened and followed suit.

A glorious white pony stood in place of the spiral of color and light. In stark contrast, the spent black horse looked upon his child and watched as she grew to full height, her single horn still dancing with colors. Determined to be stronger than the dirt he lay on, the stallion forced his way back to his feet. Lacking now any of the magic bestrewed upon his race, he could feel the muscles straining to keep him standing. Striding towards him was his offspring, his child, his daughter. As her eyes settled in color to an endless black, her horn became a pure spiraled crystal.

Today was born a legendary unicorn, but the day also marked the granting of a wish made everyday for numerous centuries. Today was born a nondescript, run of the mill, charcoal black, ordinary stallion.