Chapter 12
Disclaimer: I don't own MLP: FIM or Redwall. I do own Shooting Star or Princess Rosethrone, and Colonel Ashpaw the Brave.
Shooting Star slept for eight hours and woke nearly immediately. Once awake Shooting Star makes his way out towards the entrance to the Castle of the Two Sisters. Princess Luna was in a bit of a slumber herself. That was until she heard the sound of hooves approaching. She opens her eyes and sees Shooting Star arriving. She raises herself silently watching him approach the area. Shooting Star approached the entrance where Sergeant Snow had began her first watch with Colonel Ashpaw aiding her. The two hares heard Shooting Star approaching. Colonel Ashpaw saluted Shooting Star "Not a blinking vermin in sight sa'h!"
"Which is a good sign" Shooting Star admitted "For now at least. It's only a matter of time before Rosethrone gets the idea where we are."
"Sadly so" Sergeant Snow admitted "But while we wait, we shall be preparing for her attack."
"Good" Shooting Star said sitting down.
The three heard the sound of Princess Luna's hooves approaching. Shooting Star turned "Afternoon my Princess!"
"Good afternoon!" Princess Luna said she is now standing right besides Shooting Star as the four looked out.
From her viewpoint, the Princess didn't seem to see any sort of attack from Princess Rosethrone, but Princess Luna knew that Rosethrone was indeed searching for them "How long do you suppose we have before Princess Rosethrone discovers our location?"
"Who knows" Shooting Star said "That depends on who and how many she has sent to figure out where we are. That part could take days or weeks. Then the actual attack could possibly take place in perhaps two or three days after she discovers where we are."
Princess Luna sat down looking out "Can we hold out once she finds us."
Shooting Star put a hoof over hers to comfort her as he could sense she was nervous about this whole war thing but Colonel Ashpaw answered in a typical hare speech "Bless you, your highness, hold out yes!"
"How long?" Princess Luna asked.
Now this changed both Hare's expression, while both shown that they believed they could hold out that next question caused both of them to lower their ears with the Colonel finally answering "How long? That's a totally different question, I'm afraid. Depends on how many vermin she has with her but hold out we can and I ensure you your highness we'll fight to the last creature if it comes down to it."
Sergeant Snow adds in looking around "Colonel Ashpaw's right! Despite our numbers we have a castle we are in, it would mean Rosethrone would have to attack this castle to take us down, her numbers will lower too."
Shooting Star thought about this looking at the trees "We'll have to think about something to prevent Rosethrone from taking us from surprise. Plus find others that can increase our armies..."
"Plus" Star Swirl added on as he approached "Let's not forget you need to start looking for the other tribes to unite them."
Shooting Star nods "Our very fate rests in that move indeed...But first we need to try to increase the numbers of our armies, but first."
Princess Luna smiled walking towards Shooting Star knowing where he was getting at "You have some time with me."
Star Swirl blinked "What sort of time?"
Princess Luna looked at the unicorn "Oh, I'm going to teach Shooting Star his heritage as a Pegasus Pony you know how he can control the weather."
Sergeant Snow looked at Colonel Ashpaw "Since when could anybeast can control the weather?"
Colonel Ashpaw shrugged "Got me Sergeant! To my knowledge weather isn't like that in Mossflower Country."
Star Swirl gasped realizing that the Princess of the Night had a point "Where that is true where you two come from, in Equestria, weather is usually controlled by Pegasus Ponies." He then looked at the Princess "But your highness! How will that help Shooting Star? No Pegasus Pony used weather as a weapon against the enemy."
Shooting Star grinned mischievously with Princess Luna catching onto the mischievous smile then smiled herself, then giggled catching onto the reason why Shooting Star was mischievously grinning like this.
"What's so funny my Princess?" Star Swirl asked.
Shooting Star answered for her "Well Star Swirl, maybe no Pegasus Pony used weather like that because they aren't warriors. I was raised on Salmandestron for most of my life and while I was taught to use weapons, I'm pretty sure that once I learn how to control the weather, then I can use it as a weapon. Just because nopony has done it doesn't mean it can't be used."
"You plan to use the weather as a weapon?" Star Swirl asked.
"Indeed" Shooting Star said he looks at Luna taking her hoof in his own causing her to blush "And Princess Luna will have a big part in teaching me that."
Princess Luna blushes redder and agreed "True, that's what I can do. After all you and your forces risked life to free me and my sister from Princess Rosethrone. It's the least I can do to repay you."
Star Swirl smiled "Well Princess Luna, I can't see why you shouldn't be able to, Shooting Star has every right to learn about the Pegasus pony heritage in controlling the weather."
"Could actually help us out against Rosethrone's forces" Colonel Ashpaw said "I mean where we come from that can't really happen but Shooting Star sa'h, you are originally from Equestria where we are now."
Shooting Star agreed turning to Princess Luna "Shall we go Princess? While Rosethrone looks for the Castle of the Two Sisters, we can spend the time together for you to teach me how to use weather."
Princess Luna giggled "I'd be happy too!"
The two walk off with Princess Luna so happy that she was indeed going to teach Shooting Star how to use the weather, but she was also going to take the opportunity to learn more about the warrior, sure it wasn't exactly what one would call a perfect first date, but it has the opportunity to be treated as such a thing. The two walk out of the entrance, spread their wings and took off into the sky together.
"There they go!" Sergeant Snow complimented.
Star Swirl smiled "I've never seen Princess Luna so happy like this, seeing her like this makes me feel happy too. Something tells me those two will become real close."
Colonel Ashpaw shields his eyes from the sunlight "Ah, Lord Brocktree would welcome this. It'll also break his heart when Shooting Star might stay here with Princess Luna."
Star Swirl watches tears falling down his eyes feeling proud of Princess Luna finding somepony that will care for her "After what Rosethrone must've set into her while holding her and Princess Celestia captive, it's great to see the Princess of the Night get closer with somepony."
Princess Celestia watched her sister and Shooting Star fly off. She had overheard the conversation the two had with the two hares and Star Swirl. A huge feeling of pride and joy swelled within Princess Celestia that her sister might've found a stallion. In the Princess's eyes she could see how happy Luna was when around Shooting Star. The two sisters had been close to each other ever sense they had defeated Discord but their relationship started to slide once Rosethrone showed her true colors. Watching Luna with Shooting Star to the Princess of the Sun's eyes seemed to bring the old Luna back, where she was just as sweet but kind to a point. The big difference between the two was Luna was showing signs of truly being close to a warrior pony herself. Princess Celestia smiled deeply watching Shooting Star and Luna fly into the sky out of view with a big smile over her face at the thought of the possibility Luna would finally find a stallion and perhaps start a family between the two. She wanted the two to be together as to her they made a great couple. Princess Celestia closes her eyes thinking Shooting Star...Please keep my sister safe...Luna, may fortune look up to you two.
Braveheart was walking alone in the Everfree Forest. Normally a young colt like him would probably just want to seek out the Castle of the Two Sisters and surrender to them to live with them, but in this case, he knew downright, Rosethrone would kill his two sisters to get her way. When he thought of that, he knew right away that it was best to do what the Princess had ordered him to do. As he made his way towards Everfree Forest, he looks behind him directly at the castle. He could see and hear Ripfang howling out orders to the ponies that were still being trained by him.
"IS THAT HOW YOU ARE GOING TO SHOOT AN ARROW AT THE ENEMY?!" Braveheart heard the rat screech at a pony "YOU DO KNOW THE PRINCESS WILL BE DOWN HERE IN AN HOUR OR TWO AND IF YOU AIN'T READY TO SHOW YOUR IMPROVEMENT, WELL MATEY THERE'S ONLY ONE OPTION AND YOU KNOW IT!"
"D-D-D-D-Death!" the pony admitted shaking.
"That's right mate! Death will be ensured, the Princess expects you lot to be the best you can be! For once Braveheart gets back we'll be assaulting the Castle of the Two Sisters! So better make a good impression or else!"
"Yes sir! YES SIR!"
Braveheart walks off into the trees. Normally he would never enter the Everfree Forest alone, but Princess Rosethrone had given him orders to find the Castle of the Two Sisters and he was determined to do so. He wasn't going to let his sisters down. They deserved to live that much was certain to him, however in slavery was the question but at least they were alive. The young colt walks into the Everfree Forest unaware Rosethrone was watching him from her chambers. Even in her strain the green Alicorn was going to make sure Braveheart didn't betray her. She had every key in her possession even his sisters. She heard a knock at the door "Who is it?!"
"It's Limestone my Princess" a female voice announced.
"Come in!" Princess Rosethrone ordered.
The Princess watches as a vixen emerged looking sly as ever. The vixen's fur was red and her paws and footpaws were limestone in color. The Vixen looks at her as she bows "My Princess, Captain Ripfang said you called for me."
"I did indeed" Rosethrone said "Come over here then look out the window!"
The vixen obeyed peering out slyly in the area Braveheart was traveling "Your highness I only see a colt walking to the forest..."
"That colt is Braveheart" Rosethrone told Limestone "He's on a mission to discover where the Castle of the Two Sisters is alone."
"I see he's determined to do so" Limestone admitted.
"Determined yes" Rosethrone agreed "But I still sense a rebellious streak in him although it's quickly fading into complete obedience...Why I called you in is I want you to track him in secret."
The vixen chuckled licking her fangs understanding the Princess's motives "Ah just in case he may try to side with the enemy?"
"Indeed, or if he fails" Rosethrone said "You'll be the one that informs me of his progress and if he succeeds or not...And if he fails...or tries to defer...Capture him at once."
"That shall be done my Princess" Limestone said bowing "I'll get right to it."
The vixen retreats with Rosethrone peering out her window in Braveheart's direction a smirk on her face "I won't let you get the chance to betray me Braveheart...Limestone and I have been together sense we were young. Limestone is my personal assassin...That vixen won't fail me, if you play me wrong...Consider yourself good as dead...And your sisters will follow."
Rosethrone checks the time then began to leave her chambers.
Princess Luna had taken Shooting Star onto a cloud at the opposite entrance of the Everfree Forest. Specifically speaking it was in the area of Equestria that would later on become Ponyville. This was done for several reasons, one of those reason was for Shooting Star to watch over his surroundings to make sure he didn't spot Rosethrone's forces or scouting units searching for the Castle of the Two Sisters. Both Shooting Star and Princess Luna knew that Rosethrone would've sent out scouts so with the two in the opposite entrance area they could see any activity Rosethrone's forces had. The other reason was for the two to have sometime alone to not only in Shooting Star's case learn from Princess Luna how to control the weather but to get close to her. Princess Luna looks at Shooting Star blushing "Thanks for allowing me the opportunity to teach you how to control weather."
Shooting Star turned towards her "Wouldn't have anyother pony teach me my heritage than you Princess Luna. You were the one that brought it up after all."
She smiled blushing red as Shooting Star poked her in her nose playfully. She looks at him in his calm blue eyes "Oh I can teach you this indeed Shooting Star, question is how much of a quick learner are you?"
"I'm a quick learner" Shooting Star said "Took me at least a half a week to learn to fight with my hoof blades, but took me about half an hour to learn how to use my arrows."
Princess Luna smiled "Perfect!" she blushes "Not trying to rush you off course, I know learning techniques can be hard for anypony to do."
"That is true" Shooting Star admitted "But I'm a relatively quick learner."
Princess Luna giggled "Great! Ready for your first lesson?"
Shooting Star held her hooves"Sure, what is there to do first?"
Princess Luna smiled putting a hoof underneath his chin blushing red "First, how about a race? It's best to get your wings pumping as controlling weather takes everything a Pegasus can do. Racing usually prepares a Pegasus for using weather especially when they haven't done so before."
Shooting Star agreed "Alright I suppose we could race."
Luna gets up trotting over and placed herself at his right on the cloud then points to another cloud which was in front of a tree in the center of Ponyville. Specifically the tree that would become the Golden Oak Library later on "Race you to that cloud over there and back!"
"Sounds good to me" Shooting Star said.
Princess Luna smiled getting ready for the race "Hope you can catch up! An Alicorn can be quite fast."
"I've raced Colonel Ashpaw a few times when were younger and Hares can be quite fast too" Shooting Star told her smiling.
"Once we get the race in" Luna told him "We can proceed like me showing you the good stuff!"
Shooting Star agreed "Very well."
Princess Luna stood at Shooting Star's left side nose to nose with him and was so close that their wings were touching each other causing both to blush red. Princess Luna gets ready and spoke "On your mark...Get set..."
The two get ready to race and Luna spoke "GO!"
The Princess tore off fast at first but Shooting Star caught up to her in no time. The two spent a lot of time trying to get ahead of the other. Just when one of them pulled ahead slightly the other would catch up. This was only to a certain point as they were so close to each other that neither got the advantage over the other, however as they got to the cloud near the treehouse Shooting Star was beginning to pull way ahead. Luna caught up to him just in time to see him begin to fly backwards. She began flapping her wings faster in an effort to catch up to him. As they rounded the bend clouds seemed to come at them causing each of them to swerve in and out of the paths of the clouds. This gave Luna some room to close the gap but once Shooting Star was in the clear path he took off faster and pulled ahead. Luna smiled watching this but she flaps her wings more faster and they cross the cloud they had started on...Directly with Shooting Star just barely winning by mere inches...In fact the two crossed in a way that Luna's head was nearly crossing the line at the same time. Only an inch of their noses was what separated them. Once on the cloud Luna huffs amazed out of breathe as she had never raced against anypony before"Wow! I lost that one!"
"Not by much Princess" Shooting Star told her amazed she was able to catch up with him.
He took his time to realize that if Luna was this fast, then Rosethrone must've been just as fast or faster, not good odds but he could manage to figure out a way to avoid her. Princess Luna smiled putting a hoof underneath his chin "Good race."
Shooting Star put his own hoof under her chin "Indeed."
Princess Luna quickly regained her energy "Took everything I had and I lost by just inches. Those races you had with the Colonel must've took a lot out of you."
"Oh it did" Shooting Star said "Especially when it seemed that food was on the line."
Princess Luna giggled "You and the Colonel raced for food?"
Shooting Star blushes "Well wasn't my intention to do that...It was the Colonel's idea though...Those races taught me one important thing about hares."
"Which is?" she asked almost ready to burst out laughing.
"One can't ever beat a hare when food is involved. I know because every race I had with the Colonel when it did occur there was food at that area, he always won. Hares are impressive warriors but they aren't beasts to mess with when food is involved."
Princess Luna giggled "Wow."
Shooting Star looks at her "So how do we control weather?"
Princess Luna smiled spreading her wings "Watch me Shooting Star because I'm about to show you how to control weather."
Shooting Star nodded preparing himself to do so watching her carefully.
End of chapter
Shooting Star's lessons in learning to control Weather begins and we get a fun race between Luna and Shooting Star. But wait...Rosethrone has sent her Vixen out on Braveheart...Will Braveheart succeed in his mission or will the Vixen have to report some 'bad news' to Rosethrone? Next chapter is Chapter 13: