Book 2, Chapter 18
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the known characters/places of Redwall or in MLP:FIM, I do however own Shooting Star, Colonel Ashpaw the Brave, Braveheart, and Princess Rosethrone.
Morning came and Shooting Star sat looking in the direction of the city where he and his allies would take a fight into it, in order to liberate it or at least make it their nearest destination. All Shooting Star had at his side were Princess Luna, Martin the Warrior, Ruff the otter, Queen Evergreen the Changeling Queen with her daughter Princess Chrysalis alongside the entire Changeling Hive and their new member Rockhoof. He had no idea how many soldiers Princess Rosethrone's second army contained but he knew that if they pulled this plan off then they could pull this off. Right now, Shooting Star was waiting for Queen Evergreen and Princess Chrysalis to return. He had sent the two to scout ahead and see what the situation was like. Thirty minutes later the two rulers of the Changelings returned disguised as ravens. Once they had arrived safely Princess Chrysalis returned to normal with Princess Luna landing safely, Queen Evergreen was waiting alongside the Warrior Pegasus..
"It's as you thought would happened is true" Princess Luna reported "That whole city is under Princess Rosethrone's control!"
Shooting Star sighs hating when he was right but he also wasn't too surprised he was right. Sometimes a warrior could think on what their enemy commander was thinking. Martin put a paw to his neck as he spoke "Princess Luna did you see how many soldiers were in there?"
"Strangely most of them were hiding" Princess Luna reported.
"But we did see a few vermin patrols inside the city" Princess Chrysalis admitted "It was clearly obvious this Captain Darkwing is quite a clever tactician."
"He's doing what wise tacticians normally do" Shooting Star admitted.
"Man" Martin found himself saying "This is the first time, I've ever heard of a commanding captain be nearly as smart as his leader he serves. Normally the opposing leader is smart but left with a second-in-command that isn't as smart as she or he is, but Captain Darkwing is one clever opponent."
"I can see why he leads Princess Rosethrone's second secret army" Star Swirl admitted.
"There is a bit of good news" Princess Chrysalis told the group "We saw aircraft!"
"Where?" Shooting Star asked.
Princess Luna made a circle on the ground with a hoof detailing the city then drew another circle to detail where they saw the ships "It's a bit further into the city, but if we could take one of these aircraft we could plot a course to the Hypogriph's home kingdom."
"Interesting" Shooting Star muttered "If we can get to the aircraft without Darkwing noticing we could easily get to the Hypogriphs."
"See? We can do it right?!" Chrysalis asked him.
"We could" Shooting Star admitted "We just need to spread chaos and confusion. That four way plan is the plan we should stick to."
"But what about the enslaved ponies?" Princess Luna asked him.
"We may not have the numbers to hold the city" Shooting Star told her "But in the confusion there can be time for the enslaved ponies to ether come with us or get away."
"Leave that to me and Rockhoof!" Star Swirl told Shooting Star "We'll come up with a plan to get the freed ponies to safety as you spread that confusion and chaos in that city. Then after we got nearly all the ponies to safety we'll make our way to the aircraft."
Shooting Star was forced to agree with Star Swirl on that one "Sounds like a plan. Luna did you see multiple ways into that city?"
"Yes, but while it wasn't exactly four as you were hoping, there were at least three entree points into the city!" Princess Luna told him.
"We'll have to go about as we can then" Shooting Star admitted.
The Warrior Pegasus stood up now addressing his allies "Okay everypony here's the deal that city is indeed overrun by Princess Rosethrone's second secret spying army. We are to go into it in alternative ways as planned, both Princess Luna and Princess Chrysalis will take you to the destinations. Once in the city it's important we try to go in undetected in other words we want to try to be stealthy...Changelings this is the perfect opportunity to take the form of the enemy and use your disguises to your advantage! If given an opportunity to take you must deliver ether a knock out blow or a death blow to the enemy but free anypony that you see that is taken captive. Then once the ponies have been freed we'll make our way to the aircraft ships. As long as we aren't spotted by the enemy we should be able to reach our destination unseen."
This was all agreed to by the Changelings whom all looked at each other then nodded in agreement.
"Make your moves count" Queen Evergreen told her subjects "It's time to show Princess Rosethrone we aren't pushovers that she thinks she can easily dispatch! Do indeed check your aim though we don't want any enslaved or captured pony casualties!"
Shooting Star prepared himself with his bow and arrows. Martin prepared himself resting his paw on his father's sword ready to attack. With nothing else said Shooting Star and his allies made their move.
Captain Darkwing the Raven was hiding himself inside the city, now he wasn't told there were aircraft in this city nor did any of his subjects think of scouting inside the city looking for them. The raven was waiting alongside Rosethrone's clone. The Raven was looking for signs of Shooting Star's eventual attack on the city. The Raven captain knew he would but Rosethrone's clone was getting too anxious to attack a major sign that the Raven knew for certain that this was indeed one of Rosethrone's clones. Sure his Princess was anxious to take her enemy out but not that anxious. The real Rosethrone would allow herself to wait like an ambush predator then pounce on her opponent when they least expected it that was her true tactic, sit, then wait, then ambush your enemies let them fall into your own hooves where you were totally in control.
They watch over the city expecting Shooting Star to fall into their trap. A rat was patrolling one area in the city looking over it for Shooting Star's forces. So far so quiet, the young rat senses weren't the best in detecting danger. Shooting Star had hidden himself in the safety of the shadows as he and Martin were going in from the front. Both warriors hid themselves in the bushes and saw the young rat whom was guarding but also watching over three ponies being escorted to their new captors which were just about any animal known. There were some cats, there were also sharks and other citizens in the city all wandering about. Martin pointed to the rat "There's one."
Shooting Star carefully put an arrow to his bow and carefully aimed it, then he let the arrow fly. It flew straight and true! The rat was dead before he even knew it as the deadly shaft struck him and exited out of his chest striking a shark creature whom was also the slave master selling the slaves. Both creatures fall without a sound causing the other creatures to pause. Then before a cat could react Martin was upon him from the shadows trusting his sword. The cat fell without a sound. The three ponies blinked as Martin and Shooting Star emerged readying themselves more. Shooting Star waves them towards him and Martin but mentioned to try to stay in the shadows. The ponies amazingly knew what the Pegasus wanted and obeyed. They came forward with Shooting Star growling at their predicament they were in chains linked together. He raised his hoof blades and sliced the chains off.
"You're free" Martin told them in a low tone "Now make your way to Star Swirl and Rockhoof, you'll be in freedom now."
The three ponies nodded then bow to Shooting Star and Martin giving them their thanks. Once they had left Shooting Star mutters to Martin "If we had the time to look for the one responsible for this slavery, I have a mind to tell him off."
"Tell me about it mate" Martin said agreeing with him "I've seen lots of creatures in slavery, even was enslaved myself by Badrag the Tyrant but this is pretty bad, at least we have the numbers to save all the ponies here."
"That we do" Shooting Star said as the two walked off to do more damage.
Ruff the Otter was making his way from the river. The otter would have no problem in being steathy at least in the water. He carefully made his way towards the city from the riverbank diving underneath the water every now and then to give anybeast watching from the land in Rosethrone's army the illusion that no one was really there. It was having an effect on three members of Rosethrone's army, a magpie, a fox and a rat. The Magpie blinked seeing this occurance "Is there somebeast in the water over there?"
"Over where?" the rat asked with the fox blinking too in confusion.
"Over to our front!" The magpie said "You two check it out more!"
The fox growls "Not without taking you with us!"
"Then who would sound the alarm if that is a foebeast? Nope I'll stay-"
Without haste Queen Evergreen in disguise as a second magpie arrived "How about you go, and I'll stay watching. If it is a foebeast it might take all three of you to do bring him down."
"Er, watch what you're saying!" the fox told her aggressively
"Do you want me to report you to the captain for disobeying my orders?"
The fox bit his lip, if there was one thing Darkwing was strict on it was superior obedience, he didn't tolerate insubordination, those that were found insubordinate were dealt a swift death by him "No!"
"Then get to it you three right now or I will report you!" Evergreen commanded.
The three soldier ran off to obey the order none wanting to be reported to their captain. As they were running off Queen Evergreen hid a small smile, Changeling disguises worked almost all the time when the foebeasts weren't aware of their presence. She then pretended to watch for Ruff but eventually takes her leaves leaving the three soldiers behind without anyone on duty watching from the back.
The three soldiers wouldn't figure this out until it was too late. Halfway out of the area towards the river where Ruff was approaching silently hiding underneath the water swiftly. The otter waited armed with Otter javelins and his paws. He waits just as the Magpie landed on a branch near the river to get a better look. The otter dove for the ground grabbing a pebble and loaded it in his sling, the bird would have to go first if he had any chance on taking these three out. Queen Evergreen did him a good favor and even ditching them was a second favor. The otter chuckled amused at the Changeling's shapeshifting abilities. As the magpie was landing it then looked back towards where Queen Evergreen was supposed to be standing but wasn't. He was about to speak out but a pebble came out at lightning fast speed thrown from Ruff's sling slamming hard into the Magpie's head. The force of the blow killed the magpie instantly as it's lifeless body hit the river with a SPLASH. The fox and the rat heard the splash and came running towards the river not to get the body of their comrad but to see if there was something in the river. As they get to the water, Ruff snuck up from behind the rat and grabbed him causing him to scream but not before they disappeared into the water. The fox heard his comrade's screams and turned to help where he saw his comrade get taken into. Instead of calling for help or sounding the alarm the fox reached for his sword but one of Ruff's javelin's soon got him in the neck and he fell lifeless. Underneath the water the rat tried to fight the otter off with his life but their was no contest underneath the water. The otter used his tail like a blunt weapon knocking the rat out with one blow then let the body sink into the bottom of the river to drown while unconscious. He now gets out of the water and makes his way into the town.
In the sky Princess Luna was hiding in the clouds as Shooting Star had ordered her. She saw Princess Rosethrone or what she thought was Rosethrone and the evil Princess was out an about specificlly walking over towards Shooting Star and Martin the Warrior. Trying her best not to be spotted or giving off her position to warn Shooting Star. She watches horrified as Chrysalis led the Changelings below into the city disguised as the vermin sending constant confusion. Without haste Luna spreads her wings and dives as fast as she could without being seen. Shooting Star and Martin were rounding the corner to free other pony slaves unaware of Rosethrone's presence that is until they saw Princess Luna diving for somepony. The Pegasus and Mouse warriors knew it could only be one pony Luna would do this to other than Chrysalis, Princess Rosethrone!
"Luna" Shooting Star muttered to himself "You're gonna get yourself captured!"
Martin thought quickly "Not for long though, come on we're gonna save her!"
The two warriors ran towards Princess Luna. At the same time Princess Chrysalis and her mother still in disguise watch as Princess Luna dove for somepony. Even Chrysalis knew this was a trap "Darn it Luna! You're gonna ruin our plan!"
"No, sense talking to yourself dear, come on we've gotta go save her!"
"And you say I'm hard to handle...She needs guards to watch her too!"
"You're honestly worse than her" Evergreen told her daughter "But if that is Rosethrone, Luna is diving for you can't blame her. That torment the real Princess Rosethrone gave Princess Luna went to Luna's head and when she sees Rosethrone she losses herself...Now come on!"
"Right behind you mother!"
Ruff also saw Luna diving and knew the plan was about to up in smoke "Oh Princess Luna, you're blowing it! From the look of things it was working!"
The otter doubled his speed and ran as well.
Princess Luna dove faster with the intention of killing Princess Rosethrone or whom she thought was Princess Rosethrone. Unaware Darkwing had set this up alongside Princess Rosethrone's clone. The plan was to lure in Princess Luna and capture her and use her to lure Shooting Star towards them or force Shooting Star out of the shadows. Once the Raven saw he was losing troops and fast he knew Shooting Star's game and had quickly adjusted. Princess Rosethrone's clone stood waiting to capture Shooting Star once he arrived in the area horn glowing red when Luna comes crashing down upon her with maxium force of her flight. Both Princesses collide violently with Princess Luna litterally seeing nothing but red as she was overcome with anger. She wanted nothing more than to kill Rosethrone for what she had done to her and Celestia and for trying to capture her Shooting Star off guard. Luna now pinned Princess Rosethrone's clone whom looked up at her. Luna glared at Princess Rosethrone "Gotcha Rosethrone" her horn glows ready for a kill "Now I am gonna do to you what you would have done to Princess Celestia and myself, behead you!"
Princess Luna formed a sword with her horn but a heavy net dropped upon her causing Luna to fall onto Princess Rosethrone's clone and stopping her spell briefly. Princess Rosethrone's clone chuckled as she blasted Luna off of her and onto her back. Luna grunts hitting the ground pinned by the net.
"On the contrary my dear Princess Luna" Darkwing said flying into view as he was the one that dropped the net "We have you."
"Darkwing!" Princess Luna spat venomously.
"You should know by now about the first rule of war Princess" Darkwing told her in a both mocking and but helpful advise tone "Never, give into your anger. That stuff literally blinds you and you can't see straight...No we have you and we will give you to Rosethrone."
The clone of Rosethrone smirks evilly "Indeed!"
"You're not the real Rosethrone?!" Luna gasped.
"Du'h!" The clone of Rosethrone smirked out "The real me is still going to capture your dear sister and the Castle of the Two Sisters soon...But now I shall soon have you at my hooves."
She nods to two rats whom tied Luna's hooves together even her wings. Luna's horn glows trying to break free of the net but Rosethrone's clone put a special herb on it preventing any spell from working "Now Luna you are my prisoner now!"
Luna grunts trying to fight back. Darkwing turned to two rats whom were Chrysalis and her mother Evergreen is disguise "Take her to our camp. We'll begin transferring our prisoner to the real Rosethrone soon after we've captured Shooting Star as well."
The two rats swiftly grab the rope with Chrysalis muttering out silently to Luna "Way to nearly spoil our plan Luna!"
"Not now!" Evergreen warned her daughter.
Darkwing however smirked as if now realizing his error "Oh did I say you two...My mistake!"
Princess Rosethrone's clone's horn burst out with high intense magic that it turned both Chrysalis and Evergreen back into their normal selves. The raven moved a wing even snapping and his army swiftly surrounded the two Changelings.
"And don't think neither the Princess even if she is a clone or I hadn't figured this out ether! Now you're all surrounded!" Darkwing said.
"And are going to die!" Princess Rosethrone's clone said.
Shooting Star and Martin knew that by now they couldn't rescue Luna nor the Changeling Princess or Changeling Queen just yet and stayed put. Shooting Star turned seeing Ruff coming. Ruff waved to them "Sorry mates...I came as swiftly as I could."
"No, worries mate" Shooting Star said "Tell all the Changelings that are still around to regroup and bail out of the city, this mission is a failure and now has turned into a rescue mission."
Martin agreed "Even when we were doing so well...Darkwing will expect us to rescue them"
"Then we'll have to plan with Starswirl and Rockhoof to save them" Shooting Star said.
Star Swirl arrived on the scene by teleportation "Rockhoof has already made it to the aircraft. I can take us there by teleportation."
"Please do once the rest of the Changelings have arrived" Shooting Star said "Then once we meet again we'll have to save Princess Luna, Princess Chrysalis and Queen Evergreen."
Star Swirl nodded and teleported the group to the ships.
The clone of Rosethrone and Captain Darkwing had taken their prisoners with them deep into a camp. All three captives were in chains with the Raven captain looking at them "All what's left is to capture Shooting Star and this mission he's at will be a failure."
Luna gave him a look "He won't fail! He'll get to the Hypogriphs! Even if he has to abandon us he mustn't fail!"
"It's not his way" Princess Chrysalis told Luna causing her to look at the Changelings in confusion.
Queen Evergreen agreed with her daughter "Shooting Star isn't the type to abandon anypony or anycreature. He'll come for us."
"Predictable" Darkwing told the three captives with Luna looking upset now blaming herself for this mess for she knew the two Changelings were right, Shooting Star wouldn't abandon them, that was the difference between him and Martin from just Rosethrone and her forces "And he'll be playing into my claws. Soon the real Rosethrone will have both an Equestrian Princess, Shooting Star himself, and his entire allies eliminated."
The clone of Rosethrone yawned "Boring but effective."
"It maybe boring" Darkwing told Rosethrone's clone "But it's one motive the real you would want...When everything is in your hooves."
While waiting to see the Maulwolf again, the real Princess Rosethrone couldn't help but smirk evilly. Oh how right her raven captain was. Things might have started off poorly with Limestone trying to track and bring Shooting Star and Luna back to them but with Darkwing, oh she could taste victory at last! It was true in her mind, once everything was falling into your hooves and you could predict your enemy's moves then it was a way she loved...She and her army never lost a proper ambush and the capture of Princess Luna while using her clone whom was one of many clones of her trying to capture the Pillars of Friendship was the next big thing and to cap it all off she finally had the leaders of the Changelings in front of her soon. Oh how she'd make an example out of both Changelings once she got to them. She knew that Darkwing would keep the three captives alive knowing that the real Rosethrone would want that privilege to deal with them. She now spoke to herself "Oh Rosethrone, you're forces will never fail you completely...Just a bit more and I'll have Shooting Star too! Then nopony will stop me!"
Her laughter echoed into the darkness as if she knew she had won one.
Uh-oh, Princess Luna has gotten herself captured with both Princess Chrysalis and Queen Evergreen captured as well on their attempt to save her. What is Shooting Star's plan to save the three? Things will be answered!