Disclaimer: "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron" is owned exclusively by DreamWorks pictures and all affiliated organizations who helped develop the idea and film. I do not own any of the characters in that movie, but the ones you see featured in this story I do. They can be replicated with my permission, and believe me I wouldn't mind at all if you asked. I really enjoy constructive criticism, and compliments, so don't hesitate if you have something to say! And now I give you, A Twist of Fate.

A Twist of Fate

It was once again time for another early morning workout. A short, plump man led Flight Angel out of her roomy box stall, and into the aisle to be groomed. The sound of hooves thudding on the dirt floor was constant, for there were always horses being led from stalls to workouts, or stalls to pastures, or returning to stalls from workouts. Sunstar Stables was the racing complex that was home to many Thoroughbreds of all colors, speeds, genders, and personalities. Each specially trained by dozens of racing specialists selectively hired by the barn manager, John Thomas. He was a tall, elegant man with broad shoulders, gentle hands and a dazzling smile. He knew each of his horses by name, color, and ability, and was a master of the racing world.

The groom stroked Flight Angel's muzzle with his soft, feather-light hands. She nickered softly and shoved her nose in his chest pocket. "Sorry there Angel, no oats today," he apologized. The steel clips on the crossties were latched to her purple halter, and the light sheet she had worn overnight was lightly lifted off. "Looks like the first thing you did this morning was take a good roll in your shavings," he chuckled as he shook the wood chips from her blanket.

The currycomb circled swiftly upon her Palomino coat, her groom humming softly a tune from the country radio. She rested her back leg and sighed deeply. Her sky blue eyes watched him curiously as he combed out her long white mane and tail. He patted her silky rump as he walked behind her. Each of her white-socked feet was lifted one by one to be cleaned of packed mud, manure, and shavings. He now whistled through his pursed lips as he set the red saddle blanket upon her back. The light saddle was placed upon that, and the girth fastened tightly around her barrel. The cold piece of steel, the bit, was placed in her mouth as the soft, leather bridal strap was placed behind her ears. He pulled her forelock out from under the browband, and untangled it as he smoothed it over the star on her forehead. Flight Angel tossed her head eagerly, she wanted to go.

The short, gangly workout boy grasped the textured reins from her groom. "You combed her tail I see," he observed. "She will look heavenly on the track."

"Yeah, I got out every tangle. Don't work her to hard today Joe, she hasn't been eating well. I think she misses Canyoubelieveit, since he was sold off to that English horse breeder," he explained as he stroked her arched neck.

"I noticed she hasn't been performing like she usually does, but maybe with that new colt moving in next to her, she will get back to her usual," Joe replied casually. "Thanks for saddling her and grooming her for me, I pulled in a bit late today."

"No problem Joe. I suppose you want me to groom her when she returns?"

"Yes, you suppose right." Joe clucked and pulled on the reins as he stepped foreword. She clopped after him gazing at the horses in their stalls eating clumps of newly bought alfalfa. She turned around to look at her stall, which was on the end of the row. The stall across the aisle had a familiar chestnut head sticking out of the door. Flight Angel called to her and she answered, dropping the hay she had been chewing. Star Gazer was her name, and she was an Appaloosa, Quarter Horse mix; specially trained to lead racers to the gates at a track. The horse next to her was a stunning chocolate filly called Morning Star, for she was born in a field under the first morning light. The stall directly next to hers was empty, reminding her of the emptiness she felt in the place of Canyoubelieveit.

She pulled her head back around to look on the horses on either side of her. The one on the left of her was a liver chestnut known as The Phoenix by many racing fans. Phoenix was a legend at Sunstar Stables, and just about everywhere else. Phoenix and Flight Angel would travel to races together, and be stabled next to each other at the track. After this racing season, he was being moved up to the stallion barn; Flight Angel would miss him. To the opposite side was a short, speedy racer known as Crazy For Cocoa. She was light brown, with a silky mane and tail. She had four white socks, a stripe attached to a snip, and a high, sweet whinnie. She passed a grey called Greyhound, two more chestnuts, Diamond and Crystal, and a roan named Hot Emergency. Up ahead the aisle was blocked by a chestnut being groomed. One crosstie was unlatched and he was pushed to the side so she could pass.

"Look at the princess, all groomed and proper for her morning workout," the stallion snickered.

"I think I hear a hint of jealousy in your voice," she teased.

"Jealous of you?" he stifled a laugh. "You're kidding yourself Angel."

"We'll see Rusty. After I beat your behind a few times I think you'll change your mind."

"Hey, as long as I'm a close second watching that fine ass…" Flight Angel shook her head and smirked at his audacity as she stepped outside.

The sunlight blinded her sensitive eyes as she stepped outside into the cool spring air. She shivered as the air hit her lungs and she pranced as her excitement mounted. The three year old starting race was in two weeks, and she was entered in it. And the fact that there was a new colt in the area made her legs tense and dance. Was he going to be anything like the fiery spirited, high-strung Canyoubelieveit? She tossed her head and lashed out with her back leg for pure enjoyment. Joe looked back at her cautiously.

She snorted and swished her tail at the flies that were landing upon her glossy golden coat. "Your ready to go today ain't ya girl?" Joe asked softly as he reached behind her ears to scratch them.

As they neared the track, the horses galloping around it became more focused and recognizable. Flight Angel saw Soldier Under Fire galloping around the track, and Out Of Nowhere coming up behind. The sorrel mare, Sunfire, was slowly trotting off the track with an uncoordinated jockey bouncing up and down with her stride. Flight Angel admired her for she had trained so many young jockeys into derby winners; (she was a schooling horse, for people that is). A chestnut gelding broke into a rocky canter as he warmed his muscles up for his morning workout. She had never met him before and didn't know his name. Was he the new horse? No, he couldn't be, could he? She whinnied to him, but he didn't reply.

Angel scanned over the horses on the track again. Her eyes fell upon a black, handsome stallion that was cantering effortlessly down the back stretch. She stopped for a moment and admired him as he rocked, so flowing, so beautiful. "Angel, c'mon girl lets go. That blasted stallion probably had his morning workout already," Joe urged. She hastily surged foreword, her hind quarters swinging out to the side.

By the time they reached the gate, she had become lathery and sweaty without even breaking into a trot. The gentleman with the stopwatch in his hand looked at her with raised eyebrows, but didn't mention anything to her handler. Her blue eyed gaze was still upon the stud as he passed by her on the home stretch. She heard his choppy snorting sort of breath, and felt the wind that flew behind him as he passed. Her nostrils fluttered and she dug her hooves into the soft dirt track. It was perfect today, a fast track.

She felt the lightness of Joe as he climbed in the saddle and the soft pressure from his legs urging her foreword onto the track. She broke into a swift trot, and it took him a while to pull her back to a jog. Flight Angel flicked her long cream tail with annoyance. Why wasn't she able to run? Her feather light steps hardly lifted the dirt on the track, and her heart was sailing in the clouds; as was her head. The stirrups clicked at her sides, and the morning birds sang there greeting songs from the oak trees outlining the farthest end of the track. What a brilliant morning. She finally was given her head, and was allowed to canter.

They had finished their warm-up and were waiting at the gate for the new horse to finish his. Flight Angel couldn't understand why he had a longer warm-up than her, but didn't think of it very long for he appeared. His black coat seemed to be darker than the night sky on a moonless and starless night. His eyes were the color of soft, new leather with pieces of gold reaching out from the middle. Not one speck of white was on his entire body, except for a few white strands on the circle where his neck met his body. He was conformation wise, a beautiful horse. She whinnied and he answered in a deep, stallions greeting.

"What do you think eh Angel? A beauty or what?" Joe asked excitedly from the light racing saddle upon her back. She snorted a reply.

"Get her up there Joe, we know there a pretty pair but let's see them run!" Mr. Thomas exclaimed from his position near the man with the stopwatch. Flight Angel and the handsome black were lined up next to each other in front of the gate; Flight Angel on the inside, the black on the outside. "One time around boys!" he paused.

"GO!"

Both of them were kicked into a mad gallop in unison. Flight Angel out in front, and the black a head behind. There hoof beats thundered together and the dust they kicked up trailed behind them for yards. Flight Angel could feel her heart beating against her wide chest, and her lungs madly collecting oxygen to pump to her muscles. Yellow foam from her open mouth flecked her neck and Joe's t-shirt. The black stallion pulled ahead of her, his massive strides lengthening the gap between them. She wanted to know his name more than anything, but didn't make a sound. She wanted to watch him run, to race against time.

"Easy there girl, wait for the back stretch," Joe steadied as he pulled her back. She obeyed him, reluctantly settling in behind his ebony body. His flaming black tail whipped her in the face. She snorted as Joe patted her neck.

They rounded the corner onto the backstretch. The rail flashed by like an everlasting white snake. The soft turf was kicked into her face from his blurred hooves and legs, but by now, her life as a racer had made her accustomed to that. Joe moved her back on the outside so she could get in front of him. The stallion was trying to keep ahead, but by now he was spent. She pulled ahead just before the turn that would eventually lead to the home stretch.

The end of the race had come too soon for Flight Angel. She loved to run and feel the harsh breeze in her face and let the wind comb her mane. The black was breathing hard, even after the saddle was off him. Was he not trained properly? It wouldn't have mattered, she had let him win. She didn't know why but she just did. Angel wondered if he knew, and figured eventually that he probably did. After passing him near the 3/4 pole, he probably knew he had been beat there.

Flight Angel was turned out in her pasture alone after her outstanding workout. She was grateful to be out of the noisy barn and not listening to the annoying gossip that went around.

"Did you hear about the new colt?"

"Why yes, he beat Angel this morning didn't he?"

"Did anyone see him yet?"

"I caught a glimpse of him earlier, handsome fellow, black as midnight."

She sighed softly; blowing a butterfly off a daisy in front of her. She watched it flutter and waver until it settled again on a nearby bush. Angel dipped her head into the lush bluegrass and took up a mouthful. It tasted wonderful, regenerating her strength. Oh how she wished to have some carrots. She was drawn away from her thoughts when she heard a flowing, tenor voice behind her.

"Nice race today."

She curiously walked over to him, replying softly, "Yes indeed. I haven't run that hard in a long time." His eyes became distant, somewhat longing.

"That is nice to hear, it makes me feel important in a way."

She smiled. "Well I should hope so. No one has beaten me on my home turf before."

He raised an eyebrow and then turned his head. "You let me win."

"Never," she said taken aback. "You can ask anyone." He rested his black head on the top rail of the white fence that separated them.

"Still, I'm not sure I quite believe you," he replied plainly. She raised her eyebrow and tilted her head slightly.

"Fine then, we shall see tomorrow when we exercise."

"I'm racing you again?" he asked, surprised.

"Not racing, warming up. But yeah," she smiled.

"Oh," he sighed. "What is your name? Angel is it?" He inquired trying to change the conversation.

"Flight Angel, but everyone calls me Angel," she smiled. "And yours?"

"Blackbird's Wing, but plain Blackbird will do just fine," he replied softly. She turned her head away and was going to say something when she heard a whistle. Both heads turned towards the sound. It was Joe waiting at the gate. Flight Angel whinnied and picked up a trot towards him. Blackbird hesitated for a moment then followed. "Hey Angel wait up!" he called after her.

"Hey girl," Joe greeted softly as he scratched behind her ears. She whickered and pushed her head into his chest. "Cut it out," he laughed. "Looks like you made a friend eh?" Joe reached out his other hand and rubbed it up and down Blackbird's nose. "What a pair you two make. I wonder if he's as goofy as you," he said as he pushed her head away. She quickly brought her head back to where it was and pushed it into his pocket. "Oh carrots is it?" He pulled an orange carrot out of his pocket and broke it in half. "Here ya go." She chewed it loudly, half of it sticking out of her mouth. Blackbird nudged him; he wanted a carrot, too. "Alright okay, you can have the other half."

"Joe! We need you to work Luckyboy out on the track. C'mon hurry up!" an old groom shouted from the barn entrance.

"Well I will see you both later," he sighed as he trudged over to the track with a final pat.

Angel watched him for a few moments, whinnying a goodbye.

"Nice man isn't he?" Flight Angel sighed as she turned her head back around to look at Blackbird. Her blue eyes searched his face.

"Yes, very nice. Does he always ride you for workouts?"

"Yeah most of the time, unless John wants to ride me. He's our owner," she answered as she saw the look of confusion on his face. "You'll get to meet him soon."

"Is he nice?"

"Yes, why wouldn't he be? He's the greatest horseman in Kentucky," she replied proudly. "Why do you ask?"

"No reason, just curious."

For the next few hours they grazed on the lush grass that grew in the pastures. No more words were spoken between them, only a beautiful silence that swept away the afternoon. The setting sun gleamed off Flight Angel's coat, and made a beautiful silhouette out of Blackbird, making her heart flutter. The first star was shining overhead by the time Joe led her back into the barn. Angel took a long, cool drink out of her water bucket before she answered any of Morning Star's excited questions.

"Well, how was the run? How does he look? Did you spend all afternoon with him?" Morning Star rambled quickly.

"The run was good, he's all black, yeah I spent all afternoon with him," she replied quietly.

"Well where is he?" Star Gazer asked impatiently.

"Joe just went to get him calm down, calm down."

"Is he going to be in the empty stall next to you?"

"I don't know, I believe so." Star Gazer and Morning Star exchanged excited glances. Angel looked at them cautiously. "Guys I know what you're thinking, no."

"Well one of us has to hit it off with him, right?" Morning Star smiled.

"Oh here we go," Flight Angel sighed. She turned around in her stall to munch on the hay that was placed in the back, and waited to hear the light footsteps of Blackbird down the aisle.

"Easy Blackbird easy," Joe soothed as he led him into the spacious racing barn. He was clipped to the crossties near the entrance, quietly watching Joe grab a brush from a tack box. He was curried over and over until his coat shone like satin. It was a soft as a foal's coat, and just as furry. Joe combed all the knots out of his tail and mane, and brushed the grass pieces off his face. "There ya go Blackbird, all handsome and shiny. You'll defiantly catch a filly's eye eh?"

Joe left him stand there as he quickly ran out of the barn to help get a stallion under control. He looked around as he waited, shifting his body weight from one side to the other. There were golden lights strung down from the ceiling by rope cords, giving the place a homey look. There were wisps of hay scattered on the dirt aisle here and there, and bunches clumped around stall doors. There was a chestnut nearby who seemed to have an interest in him, and kept watching him for a long time. "So you're the new one?" he asked gruffly.

Blackbird, startled a bit, answered, "I guess."

"I figured as much, I don't know why everyone is talking about you."

"Everyone is talking about me?" he inquired taken aback.

"Yeah, the fillies and mares mostly. You must consider yourself lucky, a real ladies man huh?"

"No not really, but it's kind of nice to think mares are talking about me," he said timidly.

"Well you just remember I'm top stallion here, and don't forget it," the chestnut growled. Blackbird didn't answer. He shot the chestnut a dirty look before obliging to being led back to his stall.

"Hey Blackbird," Angel greeted. "You look nice."

"Huh, oh yeah thanks," he said dreamily.

"What's wrong?"

"Oh nothing, just something someone said that's all." He looked towards the chestnut down the aisle who was looking fiercely back.

"Who Rusty? Did he give you the "I'm the top stallion'" warning?" she asked, rolling her eyes.

"How did you know?"

"Believe me, I know. Don't listen to him, he says that to every new piece of horseflesh that steps foot here. It's a good thing he feels threatened by you," she chuckled as she stuck her head further out of her stall. "Here comes Joe."

Joe reached his hand behind her ears to scratch them. "You ready for your brushing?" He clipped the lead rope to her halter and led her down the aisle to an empty spot, which just happened to be in front of Rusty's stall.

"Oh look, it's the princess herself," Rusty sassed as her left side was latched to a cross-tie.

"Oh look, it's the loser," she snapped.

"Is that so? Well we shall see tomorrow, Angel. I'm being worked with you both," he grinned. "Then we will see who will win."

"Win what?" she growled. "It's not an actual race."

"Well you of course, who else?"

"Me? Win me? I'm not a piece of scrap metal you can win!" she spat.

"I never said you were. But that's all you'll be when your racing career is shattered by my records, and my speed."

"You couldn't win a race if everyone started 100 yards behind you."

"Well you didn't win the race earlier today either. Or was that because you're precious Blackbird was with you, and didn't have the speed to win?"

"He had enough speed; he just hasn't had the proper training."

"Sticking up for him now eh? That won't help him tomorrow, you can't run for him."

"Yeah well I can run with him," she paused. "No one runs with you."

"There are a lot of people who dream of running with me."

"Yeah name one."

"Your little friend Morning Star, didn't she tell you?" he grinned maliciously.

"Tell me what?"

"Well don't you know? We're together."

Angel rolled her eyes. "She would never date scum like you, not even if you were the last stud on earth."

"Oh really now? Why don't you ask her about our first workout together, she seemed to be pretty into that." Flight Angel swerved her hind legs around and kicked at his stall door. She couldn't get her head free to bite him, she was tied to the cross ties. He pulled his head back quickly into his stall where it couldn't be reached.

"What's wrong Rusty? I thought you wanted a piece of this?" she gritted her teeth as she stood still again.

"Not that piece of you," he grumbled.

"Well if you want me you're gonna have to agree to the whole package, that includes these." She lashed out with her back leg and kicked his door again, cracking it slightly. Joe rushed to her head and grasped her halter to control her.

"Easy there, its okay, easy," he soothed. Flight Angel pulled her head out of his hold and kicked the curry brush by her feet towards him. "Alright, might as well. Just as long as you're going to be sensible."

Flight Angel stood still while Joe brushed her golden coat. Rusty decided to ignore her for now, much to her relief. Angel avoided his gaze and tried to keep from lashing out at him; just his presence irritated her anymore. Blackbird had to beat him tomorrow, she was depending on him.

A/N: You're probably wondering, What on Earth does this have to do with Spirit? Well, it isn't called A Twist of Fate for nothing, and I'm not going to spoil it. Mwahaha!