A/N: I also have this story on Wattpad with a cast for anyone that is interested. Search "The Feathered Prince," to find it.
Seth had the house to himself since his dad had taken off for a grocery run. He was spending it as he would: dancing to the most wonderful humming in the background.
"Hmmm-mm Hmmmm-mmm... Hmmm-mm Hmmmm-mmm Hmmmm-mm Hmmmm-mmm... Hm-mm Hmmmmm!"
Seth danced with a ballet like posture. He performed such a graceful dance with fluid posture. Somedays, he wish he was performing in front of an audience, but the idea of that terrified him. He didn't like it when all eyes are on him, it made him feel judged. In his opinion, it took courage to dance like that. After the melody ended, he let out a sigh, "Ugh. Who am I kidding?
His thoughts were interrupted when he heard commotion outside. Curious, Seth looked out a window and saw two figures run by. Seth exited his house in a hurry before seeing the sight.
Image his surprise when he saw a white tailed deer doe and a white unicorn in front of him. The two woodland faunas met the gaze of the light skin, as if there were in awe of him.
"Over there!" "I see them!"
Seth turned to where the commotion was taking place and saw a man with a bow. The archer drew his bow back and fired an arrow that missed the two hoofed creatures. "Don't let them get away!"
Seth's heart dropped at the idea of one of the animals getting struck with an arrow. He loves animals and the idea of the hunter killing a unicorn, an animal thought to be a myth, and a female doe terrified him. Seth immediately took action to follow the two mammals to make sure they don't get hurt and locked the house behind him. Seth ran around the block to see what the animals had gotten themselves into now.
The white tailed deer doe was cornered by two men with a large net while the unicorn was circled by men. It looked like all hope for the mammals were lost until the unicorn's horn emitted a semi bright glare that blinded the men. The two men with the net turned to face the light but held their hands to block the brightness, dropping the net in the process and allowing the doe to flee.
The archer returned and drew his bow again, aiming at the doe.
"No!" Seth cried, "Don't hurt her!"
The archer ignored his plea and fired, but missed again. The unicorn seemed to smirk at the archer's attempt, almost gloating him.
"Come on! We can cut it off before it makes it back to the forest!"
Seth watched the group of men hurry after the two hoofed animals, dread returning to his mind. As long as those animals were here, the group would continue to hunt them down. Seth entered an alley, hoping to get to the doe and unicorn before the group did. A neigh caught his attention and Seth picked up the pace before seeing what had made the noise.
A man with a lasso had roped the unicorn around the neck, grinning as he had the mythical creature in his grasp. "This will make a mighty fine sale!"
What he didn't take into account was the doe, who rammed him from behind, freeing her hoofed friend. The unicorn whined and took off with the deer behind him, keeping up the pace. But the rope was still on the unicorn's neck, causing Seth to have anxiety.
As the unicorn headed back into the forest, the rope got stuck on a branch. The unicorn yelped before being yanked to the ground, due to the sudden lurch. Seth saw the event and went to help, but the unicorn got up and shook off the pain. While the group was no longer following either fauna, the unicorn was still in danger with the rope on his neck. The doe ran past her friend, heading deeper into the forest while the unicorn lingered behind.
Seth, while loving nature, had never gone this far in the forest. But seeing how to the group was more intent on harming the animals rather than helping, Seth mustered up the courage and went in. The deeper he went in, the more peaceful and beautiful the forest became. It became quiet and serene with flowering bushes and trees, sunlight beaming through some of the trees, and a stream of glistening blue water.
Seth managed to catch up to the unicorn as the boy lost the doe. The unicorn eventually came across a waterfall like structure. The mythical creature trotted along the fallen log before slightly falling. Seth, fearing the unicorn's life, hurried to help the creature but said creature just got back up and continued along his way.
Approaching the waterfall, Seth saw there was a hidden cave from the rock formation. Seth assumed the unicorn went into the cave as it was its home. But with the rope still around his neck, Seth knew he had to help him. Carefully making his way across the log, the light skin was able to enter the cave. As the unicorn slipped again, Seth made his presence known, "Hold on!"
The unicorn finally noticed the human and let out a snort, before getting up and running into the cave. Seth managed to cross the bridge, relieved he made the walk, and headed inside the cave shortly afterwards. Along the cave's walls were various gems that shined and emitted light inside the cave. Seth slowly walked through the place, being careful and admiring the scenery as he did. He eventually found the exit...
And became amazed at the scenery.
The cave exited into a valley like forest setting. There was a large lake that stretched for miles, glistening and looking natural. The foliage had bright green leaves with various flowers blooming. Some roots of the trees were on the surface and contained glittering minerals within their bark. In the distance, there were a few mountains. It was almost like an untouched landscape masterpiece. "Incredible..." Seth breathed out.
A pained whine snapped Seth out of his trance and saw the unicorn struggling as the rope had been snagged on a root of a tree. The mythical creature continued to yank free, but was unaware of the pain he was in as he continued to pull himself free. Seth slowly approached the unicorn, which turned and narrowed his eyes in apprehension.
"There, there..." Seth said in a soft tone, placating any hostility the beast might have, "It's alright."
The unicorn rolled his eyes, "Easy for you to say. Let's see how you feel when you're being strangled."
Seth was taken aback of what he just heard. The unicorn... spoke?! With moving lips and everything?! "You can talk?"
"Ding ding ding," the unicorn sarcastically said, "We have a winner. Of course, I can talk. Now are you going to gawk or help?"
Seth shook out of his stupor and drew his attention back to the task at hand. "It looks like it's on there pretty tight."
"Nah, this is nothing. All the woodland animals are wearing them these days," the unicorn said, still using sarcasm.
"Are you always this snarky?" Seth questioned, while trying to help the mythical creature.
"Oh trust me," the unicorn continued, "I can be snarky as I want when I want."
Seth rolled his eyes at the mythical creature's remarks before coming up with another idea, "Hang on. I'll find something to cut it."
"Sure, good luck with that." The unicorn stopped his yanking for now.
Seth wandered around the forest, trying to finding anything that seemed to be sharp. Most of the stones he came across were too dull. "Where are all the sharp rocks at?"
"Oh, you know them. They migrate this time of year," the unicorn remarked.
Seth had to refrain from leaving the fauna alone with the rope, even with the quips the beast continued to say. He's too nice for that. Seth continued search before a bright glow caught his attention. The glow was covered with vines and roots, so Seth had to part them and get a better look at the glow's source.
The glow came from a small gem. It was made in the shape of a teardrop with a pointed top. It resembled a diamond or crystal of some sort. And for some reason, Seth thought the gem had called out for it. Ignoring his superstitious feeling, Seth thought the gem is perfect for freeing the unicorn.
He reached for the gem and gripped the edges of the crystal. Then he pulled. With a firm pull, he got the gem free from its confinement. Seth took a bit of time to admire the crystal's structure before returning the snarly equine. "This should do the trick."
As he pulled out the gem, Seth was unaware of the dozens of eyes on him.
"Did you see that?"
"Of course, I saw that!"
"He just pulled the sacred gem as if it was a daisy in a flower patch!"
"Does that mean..."
"Yes. He is the one we have been waiting for."
Seth made his way back to the sulking unicorn, who managed to sit like a dog before his eyes went wide at the gem in the human's hand. "Where... did you get that?!"
"Umm, from that big tree with the vines and roots all over it," Seth said, confusion present in his tone.
"And you're telling me you just pulled it out?" the unicorn replied with shock evident in his tone.
"Yes?"
"Just like that?"
"Yes!" Seth was slowly becoming annoyed with the unicorn's attitude towards him. The human was able to cut the rope and free the equine, who shook his mane with joy before addressing the gem again.
"So it's you then..."
"Okay," Seth defended, "I'm starting to get a little offended with your tone towards me having the stone. I'll put it back if that makes you feel better."
"Did you see that, your Highness? He used the sacred gem!" the unicorn said, not directing his attention to the human before him.
Seth was confused until he turned around. He soon saw a menagerie of woodland animals: a gray wolf, a North American porcupine, a red squirrel, a boar, a turtle dove, a red fox, a river otter, a striped skunk, and the white tailed doe from earlier.
Seth soon saw another human, who radiated with a light aura. The human appeared to be a male with brown hair and in some sort of royal attire with a wand in his hand. He levitated in front of Seth, seemingly observing him, before landing.
"Um, I'm so sorry if I wasn't supposed to take the gem. I'll put it back right away!" Seth hastily said, startled by all the eyes on him. It was like his fear of performing in front of a crowd. The fact a wolf, fox, and boar were staring at him didn't help unnerve him at all either.
"No need to apologize," the man said in a regal like tone, "We've have been waiting for you for a long time."
Seth's confusion returned. They had been waiting for him? That makes zero sense in Seth's ears. "Me?" He pointed to himself for emphasis.
"Yes. But first allow me to thank you for helping Holden," the man said before his eyes shot at the accused equine. "What were you thinking, venturing off into the human world. You know as well as everyone else that a fauna of the Enchanted Forest can be-"
"Killed by a human, yada yada yada. I swear it's the same speech every time," Holden the Unicorn finished before joking about his death, "It's all over *gasp* I'm done for! *cough* Goodbye, cruel world!" he flops to the ground and pretends the play dead.
"Please," the white tailed deer spoke, "If you got shot, it wouldn't be the worse thing. You have magic remember?"
"You are not out of the picture either Kayla," the man said, addressing the doe now, "Why did you venture outside when you know the consequences as well?"
"Holden made bet that we could find help. All we 'found' were humans that were willingly to either stuff or sell us," Kayla the Deer said.
The man rolled his brown eyes, "What am I going to do with you two?"
"Look, I wanted to get help. Someone or something that could give us an edge in this war!" Holden pointed out.
"And look where that got him," the porcupine whispered to the wolf, who snickered.
The man finally addressed Seth, "What is your name?" in a kind tone.
"Seth," the light skin replied in a shy tone.
"Welcome, Seth," the man bowed in respect, "I am Harrison, the Forest Guardian."
"Forest Guardian?" Seth repeated. He had never heard such a title before. But that would explain the wand in his hand and how he levitated.
"Yes, a role given by my father," Harrison said before taking a more solemn tone, "before his passing."
Seth felt the guardian's pain. He had lost his mom too at such an early age. "I'm sorry to hear that."
"It's alright. Before his death, he appointed me as his successor. But my brother, Jeremy, wanted to be appointed the role," Harrison explained, "But his plans when he would achieve the position were nothing but of greed and power. If he had gotten his way, the Enchanted Forest would have been doomed. So you could imagine his temper when he found out."
"After I was given the role, Jeremy disappeared. But a few years later, he returned with his son, Ian. And with newfound power. He became to use dark magic to take over the forest one by one. Slowly, the forest began to decay and wither from the use of dark magic and grew to infect the land nonstop," Harrison continued. "We wished for him to leave, but he refused. With a heavy heart, I sent my bravest fairies and elves to stop him, but he stopped them all by transforming them into animals."
"Hence us," the porcupine said, "Perhaps we should introduce ourselves. You have already met Holden and Kayla. I'm Hannah."
"Name's Heaven," the gray wolf introduced.
"Brooklyn here," the red squirrel said.
"Matthew," the boar bowed, "and the turtle dove is Natalie, my girlfriend." Said turtle dove flew to her boyfriend's mane before speaking, "Hello."
"They call me Brandon," the red fox spoke.
"I'm Camille," the striped skunk introduced.
"And I'm Johnny," the river otter said.
Seth acknowledged each of the forest animals.
"With every use of his powers, he grows stronger," Harrison informed.
"But now that you are," Holden emphasized as Seth realized what he needed to do.
"So you need me..." the light skin realized.
"Yes. Seeing as you are the one that pulled the Magic Crystal from its chamber," Harrison said but Seth couldn't take the pressure.
"You must have me mixed up with someone else."
"It is foretold that whoever frees the Magic Crystal will overcome Jeremy and save the forest. Many inhabitants of the forest have tried but none have been able to free it. Well, until you, Seth," Harrison spoke.
Seth processed the words of the Forest Guardian slowly. Reality soon hit him, causing him to stutter, "So I'm... your... hero..."
"Yes you are!" Hannah cheered, "Oh give me a hug!"
The porcupine ran only to be intercepted by Kayla's hoof, "Quills, Hannah, quills," the doe stressed.
"Oh right, sorry," Hannah sheepishly laughed.
All the animals began to express joy: Brandon whopped as Heaven howled, Johnny hopped into the water before flipping in the air, Matthew and Natalie shared a hopeful glance, Camille shook her tail in a joyful manner, and Brooklyn starting to do the running man.
Holden gazed at Seth's appearance before commenting, "Well, he doesn't look like much but I can get behind him saving us."
Seth immediately put up calming gestures as the fauna was cheering as if they were all saved. This wasn't a role he wanted to explore, all he is a son of a baker who is too scared to dance in front of people. "Wait, wait! Please, you got the wrong person. I... can't be the one you are waiting for," the boy admitted with a sorrowful tone. All the forest animals' expression turned to one of sadness. "I wish I could help... but.. this isn't for me. I'm so sorry..."
Holden quietly remarked, "I knew it."
"Holden," Harrison lightly scolded, "This is his choice and we will not force someone to give their life. The dangers that Jeremy possess are dangerous. You have witnessed it first hand many times."
"But-" the unicorn tried to retort but it died in his mouth.
Seth felt the animals' distress and wanted to help with their dilemma but it would take a miracle for him to stand up to someone with magic. With a heavy heart, he gave the Magic Crystal to Harrison, who accepted it with no questions. "Once again, I'm sorry. But it's getting late. I need to go back to my neighborhood. No doubt my dad is wondering where I am."
"It's alright. Holden, you, Kayla, Heaven and Matthew will escort you back to the waterfall," Harrison said.
"Excuse me-" Holden started but silenced himself from a raised eyebrow from the Forest Guardian. "Alright, alright. Come on deer, wolf, and Matthew."
"Hey how come you call Matthew by his name?" Kayla questioned.
"Simple," the unicorn said with his head held high, "He doesn't make bets that he knows he will lose all the time."
"If I had a predator drive right now," Heaven began as the deer, unicorn, and wolf began to bicker amongst themselves as the boar just shook his head before beckoning Seth to come along.
"Goodbye... I do hope you win this war you are in." And with that, the boy left, leaving the remaining animals and Harrison in a state of despair.
"That's it. Game over!" Johnny, being dramatic, stated and fainted for emphasis.
"We can't force him to join a war we have kept secret," Harrison stressed, "It will take time."
"But how much time?" Nathalie cooed.
"... I am not sure."
The forest creatures could only hope that the human came around.
Unknown to them, a pair of crows watched the interaction. The dark feathered birds shared a glance and smirked, before taking flight into the decaying parts of the woods. Their master would be most be most pleased with this newfound information.
