To Save The Prince
Co-authored by: Phoenix710&Merigirl
Disclaimer: Neither Merigirl nor I claim any rights to Road Rovers or Samurai Pizza Cats. Road Rovers is TM of Warner Bros, and Samurai Pizza Cats is TM of Saban. All original characters are properties of Merigirl's imagination.
Chapter Eleven: Wedding Interrupted
Colleen woke up bright and early, and stretched her arms up way over her head, basking in the warm glow of the sun peaking therough the curtained windows. She sat up and stretched, glancing around her with a bright smile upon her face as she remembered what day it was today. The day she had always fantasized about, but never thought would ever come- her wedding day! Wow…her wedding day! Somehow, whenever she fantasized about this day, she never thought it would ever happen in a lovely European kingdom, much less one like Srenraw! Her hand traveled up to her collar where her ring was and slid it back and forth, watching the bright designs it made on the wall as it hit the sunlight. She got up quickly and made the bed. She glanced over at the pull out sofa where Hunter was sleeping peacefully. "What a sweetheart!" Colleen thought to herself happily, feeling like the luckiest dog on Earth. She knew plenty of male dogs would have gladly taken advantage of the situation…but not Hunter! He not only loved her, he respected her, and she loved and respected him right back. She softly made her way over to where Hunter was sleeping, and sat down gingerly so as not to wake him. She quietly ran her finger along his cheek. Hunter looked so cute and handsome sleeping like this. He smiled softly in his sleep, and Colleen had to resist the urge to just sit down on the arm of the sofa and watch him. Softly, she drew the blanket around his shoulders and kissed his cheek. "I love you, Hunter," she whispered as she got up and went to the window, opening it wide. She stepped out onto the balcony, and stared at the beautiful land at her feet. It really was quite lovely here. Maybe she and Hunter could ask Master if they could honeymoon here after the wedding. She took it all in, the brightness of early morning, the lovely trees that framed the kingdom. The brightly colored houses that made themselves almost like tiny rainbows, and from her place on the balcony she could see the many people putting up streamers, balloons, flying their country's flag, cutting flowers…all for THEM! For THIS day! Her smile grew even bigger and she felt like throwing her arms around the whole world in a huge hug! "Good Morning, Dear!" Came a cheerful voice, startling Colleen out of her thoughts. She turned around to see where the voice came from and saw Starlight grinning at her from the balcony next to hers. "And how are YOU this morning?"
Abso-bloomin-lutely fantastic!' Colleen answered. "Did you sleep well?"
"Well, I had to get used to actually sleeping as a human!" she laughed. "But it was actually enjoyable!" she stared at the view below her. "This is such a lovely view!"
"It is," Colleen agreed. "I wonder if Master will let Huntie and me spend our Honeymoon here?"
"No harm in asking," Starlight said. "I think this would be a perfect place to Honeymoon!" She turned to Colleen. She said, "I was thinking of going downstairs now and going to breakfast. Would you care to join me?"
"I'd love to!" Colleen smiled.
A little while, later both girl dogs were sitting on a lovely pure white table downstairs, enjoying cups of tea and some of the best pancakes they had ever had, while enjoying a very pleasant conversation. Colleen was telling Starlight more about the Road Rovers, and she in turn was telling Colleen all about life on the farm. "So then the Farmer was getting used to having his wife out of the house, when all of a sudden she came back, Poor Thing."
"Poor thing? How come?"
"Because she found out she couldn't do any BETTER than the farmer! Not exactly storybook, but an ending's an ending, and there ya have it!" Both women started laughing at that. She saw a person sitting at the piano playing a soft lilting song. "Hey," she called out. "Play something for my brand new daughter! This is her day today, play something happy!!" Colleen smiled, Starlight grinned. "Hunter was right, ya know. You really do have a lovely smile."
"Did Huntie talk about anything OTHER then me?" Colleen laughed.
"Oh, he told me a lot about the Road Rovers and the Master, and about how he tracked down some old records to find me." Her eyes went cloudy. "It was a true miracle of God, him doing what he did. I never thought I'd ever seen him again! " She sighed. "I'll never forget when he was born." she smiled at the memory. "It doesn't surprise me at all he was given the gift of speed. He was always such a frisky little puppy! You could barely keep a leash on him. Ever since he learned how to walk he would just run and scamper all around, Try to catch falling leaves. Race after squirrels…he ran me out of breath!" she laughed. "But I wouldn't trade that for anything in the world! He was my sweet angel. My comfort and joy. I loved every moment I was able to be his mother…." her eyes began to look teary. "Those 8 weeks were the happiest in my life. But then one day..without me even being warned…the Farmer came over to our doghouse with two people. I didn't know who they were or what they were doing there…but then next thing I knew the Farmer scooped up Hunter..and was giving him to those people! I couldn't believe what he was doing! I growled at him, I snarled, I tried to bite the on the heels…all I got was a rolled up newspaper to my bum, courtesy of the Farmer…and having to watch my baby get taken away…he took away my baby!" she looked down. "I never thought I'd ever see him again. But then about a year ago..a true miracle happened! This strange vehicle landed near the farm. At first, I didn't know what this was coming right at me..and I just tried to growl to scare him away..but when I smelled him...my God, I knew. I'd know that smell anywhere! My son! My little boy came back!" her eyes glowed. "My son came home! It was a true honest miracle!" She smiled and took Colleen's hand. "And when that ship came back again, at first I thought my son came back to visit. But when Exile and Blitz came I did know they were Hunter's friends just by looking at them, and when thy told me the happy news..it was like another miracle! Not only would I see my son again..but I'm getting a daughter too!!! " she grinned.
Colleen nodded. "I can certainly understand that, Starlight. I had a very hard life, too. I was basically a street dog. Born and raised upon the streets. Me Mum and I had to beg and fight for our food. Mum taught me not to be all feminine and wimpy like other girl dogs. She told me if there was something I wanted, not to just beg and show me eyes, I shouldn't be afraid to fight for it. Then she got really sick from the plague I think. From those dirty germ filled streets, ya know? She soon died… and I was all alone. " she looked down. " I had to fend completely on me own. I had to find me own food, fight for it all alone. It was a very lonely life to live. Sure I had me some boyfriends…but it didn't take long to figure out JUST what they wanted from me, and when they found out I wouldn't give it, they dumped me. Sometimes I wondered if I'd ever get out of the London gutter, or ever really be loved for who I really was. A tough, homeless London stray who's about as un-feminine as you can get!" she laughed. "Then Master chose me, I got taken off the streets…and I met Huntie." her smile grew. "Huntie…he's so different. He knew I was a tomboy..but he accepted that right from the start! He Didn't expect me to change and he certainly didn't try to get THAT from me. He treated me like I wanted to be treated. I guess that's why I was so glad you turned out to be his Mum!"
"And I can honestly say, Colleen, that in the short time I've gotten to know you, I don't think I could have gotten a better daughter! I know you and Hunter adore each other, it's so plain to see that every time you look at one another. You are everything Hunter has said you are. Sweet, caring, and brave and loyal...and I know you both are a perfect match! I don't think I could have asked for a better daughter."
"Aw, thanks, Starlight." she smiled. "Ya know something funny? When we first saw your picture..before Hunter told us who you were…we thought you were his new girlfriend!"
"You WHAT?!" Starlight laughed at that. "Whatever…"
"Well, Hunter was being very private about his mission. I guess he didn't want to tell us until her knew for certain he could find you. Blitz found an old picture of you, and you looked attractive in that picture. So Exile mentioned you might be his girlfriend and we all kind of agreed with that.." she laughed. "We all felt kind of foolish when he told us who you were!"
Starlight laughed even harder. "Hey, I love my son, but not THAT much!" Both girls started cracking up. "That IS kind of sick."
"Horrible," Colleen laughed. "I don't know WHY I agreed with Blitz."
"I don't know if I should be creeped out or flattered that you thought I was that young!" Both girls cracked up laughing. Colleen had to put down her teacup, she was laughing so hard. When they looked up, they saw Polly and Speedy looking at them.
"Sorry, are we interrupting anything?" Polly asked.
"No, nothing important," Starlight said. "I was just talking to my soon-to-be-daughter."
"Ok..room for any more on there?"
"Sure!" Colleen pulled out a chair. Polly and Speedy say down upon it.
"Soooo," Polly said happily. 'You're a martial artist, huh?"
Colleen smiled. "That's right."
Polly grinned. "Me, too. I'm a martial artist. In fact, we originally attempted to get here for the Prince's birthday party, because I was going to perform a special martial-arts dance for them, and also play my flute."
Flute?"
Polly took it out and showed it to her. "It's the one I've had since I was little. Speedy gave it to me as a present when we were young."
"Oh! And you were going to do a martial arts performance?"
"Yeah. But due to a VERY unreliable source, we got very lost and wound up 3 days late! But if you would like we would love to perform this dance for you!"
"I'd love too see it," Colleen said.
A little while later Hunter and Colleen were in the room along with Starlight when the Wardrobe People came in. "Sir Hunter? Lady Colleen? The wedding clothes are all ready now and the Sultan says it's time to get ready. "
"Ok, cool!" Hunter smiled and hugged Colleen. 'It's time! I'll see you at the Church, Sweet English Rose!"
"Take care, Love!" Colleen gave him a kiss as he made his way into another room. Soon the wardrobe people came in, and with Starlight watching, they got to work fast. Soon, Colleen stood in the middle of the room wearing what was perhaps the most beautiful dress she had ever seen. It was a deep rich red with a bright white lace trim on the bottom and sides. Lovely jewels were sewn into almost every spare space. Sparkling emeralds, glowing bright blue sapphires, rich red rubies surrounded by a diamond border. They braided two tiny parts of Colleen's hair, one on each side of her head and brought them together , holding them in place in the middle of her forehead with a diamond barrette. The rest of her hair fell in rich waves down her shoulders. "You are truly Lucky" she told Colleen. "It's very rare that someone gets to have their reception in the Gold Room! That's a special room, very sacred, It's only open theree times a year for special occasions..and the Sultan has deemed you special enough to enter it!"
. Lady Tressa then came in and gasped when she saw Colleen.
"Oh Dear, you look stunning!" she smiled. "I came to bring the finishing touches." She held out a shiny golden headband woven with diamonds and seven disks of gold hanging down from it. "This is the Srenraw Marriage Band. Every bride has worn it,. The 7 bands represent the 7 virtues upon with we have built our kingdom- Honesty, Loyalty, Charity, Faith, Forgiveness, Honor, and Courage." She then held out a golden tiara. It was woven with diamonds and had 7 points on top with had a diamond sitting on each one. "Thee Tiara of Marriage!"
"It's so lovely..oh Lady Tressa, it's too much.."
"Not at all, it's traditional. A bride of Srenraw must wear this." Lady Tressa first put the headband on Colleen and let the disks rest against her forehead, then fixed the tiara on her. Starlight could hardly keep from crying.
"She looks so beautiful!"
"Oh, Lady Tressa, may I introduce Huntie's mother, Starlight?":
Starlight bowed. "An honor, your Majesty!"
A little while later Starlight came into the room her son was in and gasped at what she saw. Hunter was in the middle of the room dressed in a light blue robe trimmed with gold. His shoes were woven from fine gold cloth, and the mantle he had around his shoulders was a rich golden color. He looked like a true prince. Starlight gasped with tears in her eyes. "Oh Honey, you look so handsome!"
"Thanks, Mom. You look great, too!" The Wardrobe people had decked her out in a bright white dress with a light pink lace trim. Starlight sat on the sofa.
"Hey, I only wanted the best today. Ya know, I was talking to Colleen this morning.":
"Yeah?"
Starlight smiled. "I love her, Son. I know exactly what you see in her. She's wonderful!"
"Were you grilling her?"
"Hey…I only want the best for my little boy!"
Hunter laughed. "After all this time you still think of me as your little boy?!"
"Of course I do! In fact..here" she patted her lap. "Sit on my lap!"
"Mom…I'm a little too big for that now!"
"What's wrong with a Mother wanting to hold her child? I only carried you around for 9 months! Come on..sit on my lap" Hunter looked around to make sure no one was around to see this…then moved gingerly until he was on her lap. Hunter smiled.
"Oh, Mom, this brings back so many great memories. I remember…"
"Bad idea!! Bad idea!!" Starlight said quickly. Hunter got up.
"Sorry, sorry, Mom. You alright?"
"Yeah," she rubbed her lap. 'But you're a lot bigger than I thought!" she laughed. "Here," she patted the cushion next her. "Sit HERE!" Hunter laughed and sat. "So, you nervous at all today, Honey?"
"Nope. Thought I would be REALLY nervous..but I'm not, I'm calm." He smiled. "Guess that's because I know exactly what I'm doing. I'm marrying the kindest, sweetest, loveliest, most unique dog on the face of the earth that I'm madly in love with! This day can't get any better!"
"We're almost there, General," Groomer said. Parvo smiled. They'd had to make a pit stop to get some rest and refill the plane. Now they were FINALLY coming in for a landing.
"Goody," he said. "Soon, my revenge on those mutts will be mine at last! Are you sure you're all right, Groomer?"
"A bit scratched from the ropes, but otherwise fine."
"Good, I wouldn't be so calm if I knew they had hurt you in any way. Wait..what's that sign up ahead?"
"Something about a wedding, General, I'll zoom in on it."
The Sultan was talking to Exile, Blitz,Shag, and Master. "All right, so you have your parts ready?"
"Quite ready," Blitz said,.
"Fine, now the musicians should be here with.." the sound of Polly's flute was heard. "Make haste!" The Sultan said. "Make haste, the musicians are here. Let everyone in the kingdom know! It's time! Make haste!"
Soon, the entire kingdom had gathered for the wedding to end all weddings! From near and far in the kingdom everyone in Srenraw had gathered. The Church was packed to the brim, and people lined the sreets. Sound equipment was set up along the streets. Soon, the Sultan himself boarded the podium. "My fellow subjects," he began. "Thank you one and all for coming to this special, wonderful occasion!" Applause was heard from everywhere. "And now, to begin this ceremony, Miss Judy Collins, assisted by Polly Esther Cerviche!" The crowd applauded as they boarded the stage. Polly brought her flute to her lips, and accompanied Judy as she began 'The Rose'. As she was singing, the bodyguards began the procession, followed by the Sultan and his wife who sat in the front row. The cross bearers were next, followed by flag bearers. The assistant followed holding up a Bible, then Reverend Ruegger. When he took his place at the altar, a side curtain opened and Starlight came out, followed by Hunter. Starlight took his hand and led him to the altar, kissed his cheek, and stood to the right. Xavier came up the aisle, scattering incense, and Lavinia followed, scattering rose petals. Shag then came up, pushing Muzzle. Blitz and Exile soon followed. Then the guests stood up. A golden chair was being brought in. The chair was covered with curtains on the front and sides. Slowly, the bearers carried the chair up until it was near the first step of the altar. The Master then stood up from the front row and came to the chair. He reached out his hand, and helped Colleen down off it. She had on a gold cloak, which hid her dress. Master guided her up the aisle until she was facing Hunter, at which point the music stopped. Master then removed the cloak and she stood there in her dress, so that everyone could see for the first time. They all oohhed and ahhed. Hunter and Colleen smiled at each other, and joined hands, as together they knelt in front of the Reverend.
"Today is a day of joyous celebration," he began. "And with love in our heart we all gather here today, to witness the marriage of Hunter, and Colleen. We are gathered here to celebrate the marriage of two individuals, but we are doing more than that. We are celebrating life itself. These people before us, through their love for one another, have reminded us what makes life precious. Love. Loyalty Courage. You all might know these as parts of thee virtues of our land, but these are virtues that these two also have. For they have, in the face of extreme danger to themselves, fought fearlessly against powerful forces that thereatened to destroy our own dear Kingdom.
"We call Hunter and Colleen heroes. That they are indeed. But more importantly, they have become children of our land. We love them, we care about them. We admire and resect them. I know I speak for every one of us here when we say, Hunter, Colleen, it is a joy and a privilege to share with you this, your wedding day. Hunter, do you, in front of God and these witnesses take this woman to be your wife? Will you promise by all that is holy to love, honor, cherish and keep her through good times and bad, therough sickness and health, and forsaking all others, keep thee only onto her until death parts you?"
"I will," Hunter said, smiling with love and joy.
Colleen, do you, in front of God and these witnesses take this man to be your husband? Will you promise by all that is holy to love, honor, cherish and keep him through good times and bad, therough sickness and health, and forsaking all others, keep thee only onto him until death parts you?"
"I will," Colleen said with tears in her eyes.'
One of the Handmaidens then stood up, and took the mike while holding the Bible. "A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isiah.."
Once she had finished, another Handmaiden came forward. "A reading from the Song of Solomon.."
Once they were done, Reverend Ruegger asked Hunter and Colleen to stand up. "Now we come to an important part of the ceremony..the part where you receive the blessings from your family friends, and all who love you, At this time, I would like to ask all of your loved ones who are here to come forward and make a special blessing in a Holy Name. May you now be married, not just by the Lord, but by all of them!" He waved his hands around the Church, "If there is any man or woman here who can show just cause why these two May NOT be joined together, let him or her now speak, or hereafter forever hold his peace!" Silence reigned. But before he could continue, the door burst open, and two unwelcome faces disgraced the scene.
"I do! I object!!" the voice roared.
Blitz, recognizing whom it was, stepped forward. "And I object to YOUR objection!!"
"Be off with you!" Reverend Ruegger cried out. "This is a house of God, and you are both tainting it with your presence!"
Next Chapter: Since Parvo and Groomer have decided to try and ruin Hunter and Colleen's wedding, the Rovers suit up, as do the Pizza Cats, and then they take the fight outside the city. Will the Rovers and Pizza Cats win, or will Parvo and Groomer have the last laugh? Find out next time, in Chapter 12-Battle Royale!