Spirit: Riding Free

Missing your friends?

Today is Emma's birthday.

I bet they're all at her party right now, eating cake and laughing.

And spilling their food and climbing on the furniture

and snorting crumbs out of their noses.

I know! I'm missing everything!

But we're doing something even better.

We're having an adventure.

- -

The whistle!

That means we must be passing by something exciting.

Or dangerous.

Can I go out and see?

-Sure. -No.

A train is no place for a young lady to go gallivanting about.

Aunt Cora!

Ah, why not let the girl explore a little?

I didn't move to the middle of nowhere with you

to watch my niece turn into some ragamuffin.

We aren't in the city anymore, Cora.

Lucky's gonna have to get used to frontier living.

-We all are. -

And I know she can handle a little freedom

without bringing disgrace to our family name.

Right, Lucky?

Lucky?

Wow.

- -

Oh.

- Look out! -

Get him! Come on!

- -Easy now!

Whoa, there they go! Stay on this one!

Hyah!

-Leave him alone! - Lucky!

- -No!

- - Hey, pick up the slack!

Whoa! Whoa, whoa, whoa.

Fortuna Esperanza Navarro Prescott!

You get back inside this minute.

- -No!

Outrageous.

Flinging herself at the rails with no regard for her own safety!

She would've jumped right off the back of the train

if I hadn't stopped her.

I needed to help him!

Help who? What happened?

This horse, this wild horse was racing the train

when these horrible men came and threw ropes on him.

Oh, no, no, Lucky.

Those are mesteñeros.

They're just taking the horse to be broken.

Broken?

It means trained.

Don't worry. They won't hurt him.

-But-- -He'll be fine.

I promise.

Oh, why are you hugging?

I wasn't done yelling yet.

Next stop, Miradero!

End of the line!

Ah.

Smell that country air.

Smells like manure.

You'll get used to it.

Well, Lucky, this is Miradero.

What do you think?

-Is this the whole town? -For now.

Tomorrow we're going to start dynamiting that land over there

to lay new railroad track,

and before you know it,

this will be a bustling city, fine as the one we just left.

- - Watch him! Pick up the slack!

Whoa!

That's him!

That's the horse!

- -

You said they wouldn't hurt him.

They aren't.

He's just not used to being handled.

He's too wild.

-He'll settle down in a few days. -

- Hyah! -

Careful or you'll end up covered in mud and smelling like a stable.

Although, most of the kids in this town seem to prefer it that way.

Well, thanks for the warning... and the shove.

-I'm-- -Fortuna Prescott.

Nice to meet you.

You can call me Lucky, but how did you know who I was?

Everybody knows who you are.

Your father owns the railroad.

-Well, he doesn't exactly own-- -I'm Maricela.

My father is the mayor.

- -Thank you.

I was really happy when I heard you were coming.

Finally, someone worth being friends with.

You wouldn't believe the kinds of kids I've had to put up with around here.

See you in school tomorrow.

What a charming girl.

Don't you mean, "What a snooty girl"?

She gives me hope that this place isn't completely uncivilized.

There you are.

Hi, Mom.

Hey, you settling in okay?

It's weird.

Even though my stuff is all the same, it still doesn't feel like home.

Well, you know, this is your home.

Your first home, anyway.

This is where I met your mom, and you were born.

-You loved it back then. -I was two.

So now you'll love it six times as much.

What's the matter, sweet pea?

You nervous about starting school?

I've never been the new girl before.

What if...

what if no one likes me?

Lucky, your mom had dozens of friends in the village where she grew up.

But even though she loved them, she wasn't happy.

Why not?

She wanted her life to be...

bigger.

So she left behind everything and everyone she knew

and came out here all by herself. And you know what?

It was the best thing that ever happened to her.

Or to me. Or to you.

So I need you to be brave like your mom was

and give Miradero a shot.

Deal?

Deal.

Morning!

Mmm, pancakes.

Well, someone's in a good mood.

You know, Dad, maybe I will love it here.

What in the world are you wearing?

You only have one chance to make a proper first impression.

I'm gonna put on shoes.

You're going to put on this.

Uh... no. Unh-unh.

Sorry, but there's no way that I'm wearing that dress.

Some first impression I'm gonna make.

I look like a marshmallow with feet.

Hey, fella.

What's the matter, boy? Don't you remember me from the train?

I'm sorry to see you cooped up in here. I wish I was home, too.

Would an apple help?

Mmm.

Sure you don't want some?

It's okay, fella.

I'm not gonna hurt you.

You're all right.

Boop.

- -

I guess you needed that.

Hey!

Oops. I'd better get to school.

Tell you what. I'm gonna make lots of friends today and so should you.

- -I know, but we're stuck here,

so we might as well make the best of it, okay?

Remember our promise!

Where do you think you're going, horse?

- -

They had about 20 trunks and a piano.

Daddy says her father is a railroad baron, which means she's a cut above.

Oh, I'm just happy I finally have an equal to socialize with.

Ugh, I just hope the new girl isn't equally stuck up.

Oh, you know how Maricela likes to brag. Maybe she was just exaggerating.

- -

Or maybe not.