The flash of lightning woke him from sleep.

A storm was coming...and Winston knew it.

Thunder bellowed shortly after...crackling within the sky.

Looking up, he swallowed at the sight of darkness growing.

His trusty companion was still resting from their travels.

Without saying a word, he nudged his snoozing friend.

It didn't take long for him to sense the danger as well.

Tossing his blanket off then rising up, he surveyed the sky ahead.

"What do you see mate?" he yawned while stretching.

Winston squinted and gave his somnolent pal... "that look"!

"I see it too," he shook off the tired and gathered his wits.

The riders prepared themselves as battle loomed.

There wouldn't be much time once it began.

Everyone's fate would be decided in a matter of minutes.

Winston motioned for his buddy to hop on.

With a quick adjustment to the saddle, he was secure.

They were both nervous...however, gravity drew them in.

The destiny of a man and his horse...compadres in life and death.

Earth chose them to be our storm wranglers.

Weather demons seek the destruction of this planet.

They form quickly and strike just as fierce.

Only these two supernatural forces stand between us and ghouls.

It is their responsibility to protect us...no matter what!

Existing between life and death, Winston and Roy can feel pain.

Every battle either strengthens or surrenders their virtue.

Most are won...but it's the loses which particularly sting.

Vapors founded upon imagination are always in turmoil.

The simultaneous universe reality frequency is growing stronger.

A gateway between two worlds...every decision matters.

Winston and Roy need our help as they are good.

The cloud goblins are bad...don't let them win.

They feed off negativity.

Our heroes exist because of integrity.

The door separating dimensions is cracked...things are getting in.

The storm wranglers are busy these days...

Winston saw the beast forming as he stomped his front legs.

Roy held tight to the reins, preparing for a burst of speed.

With the intensity of electrical bolts they commenced.

Attempting to cut the creature off at the pass, they forged onward.

Wicked atmospheric aberrations don't waste any time.

Destruction's a reflex to them, which is why they're so dangerous.

The sight was truly abhorrent to Winston and Roy.

This battle was going to be a rough one.

A split second before the monsters torment began...they arrived.

"Not today partner!" Roy shouted.

"Get...out...of...my...way!" it slowly grumbled back.

Winston neighed with might and offered a vicious stare.

"Well...you see, we can't do that," the cowboy jested.

"I...will...show...no...mercy," the villain tried to intimidate.

"Mister...I'm warnin' ya...I only ask once," he leaned in.

It reached for the gallant duo with its wretched hand.

Winston kicked with mighty force because he wasn't having none.

Recoiling its paw...Roy shouted, "YOU'VE BEEN WARNED!"

The demon was trying to gather strength as it sensed their power.

It drew upon nearby clouds...adding to its mass.

Both Winston and Roy knew what it was doing.

With haste, they subdued the creatures cumulonimbus ambitions.

Zipping and darting about Winston confused the wind.

It shot about in a dozen directions as its potency dispersed.

The cloud beast was frustrated and roared in anger.

Roy looked down as he noticed a small town below.

They were encroaching dangerously close.

The people were scrambling for cover from the storm.

Sensing their fear the sky ogre was emboldened.

Panic was overtaking the humans below.

The brute was growing in strength and size.

The horse and cowboy did what they could to distract.

The townsfolk were succumbing to selfish behaviors.

Instead of helping each other, they were pushing and shoving.

Winston and Roy grew weaker with every ungenerous act.

Giving all of their heart...they continued to fight.

The two would never surrender.

"Until the end!"...it was their motto.

Tired and fatigued the battle was turning sour.

Gasping but holding tight...a dagger softly rose into the sky.

The cry of a child...deafeningly loud and chillingly quiet.

Turning their attention below, Winston and Roy were horrified.

An abandoned baby left helplessly in the street.

A final act about to seal their fate.

The demon went for the jugular as the storm began.

A torrential downpour infused with lightning and wind.

His wicked hand began to strangle Winston and Roy.

They beat upon it in their last heroic attempt.

Roy felt Winston's leg partially separate the monster's grasp.

Slipping in front, his best friend took the full brunt.

Roy gasped as he screamed, "No...Winston!"

The horse's eyes rolled back into its head.

Able to fully breathe, he tried to break the beast's fingers.

Tears streamed down his face as it was all too real.

Roy scratched and clawed with final-moments-tenacity!

The cloud colossus reveled in their agony.

Winston's lifeless body was the only thing saving Roy.

His partners sacrifice would not be in vain.

Even if the cowboy failed...he'd never give up.

The same went for Winston.

A trait seared into their hearts...it was a reflex...



TO BE CONTINUED...

(As the peril of a village hangs in the balance, will Winston and Roy be able to defeat this intense foe? Stay tuned for the continuation of this epic battle as our hero friends are in the fight of their lives.)

© Samuel Petersen


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