No. Mighty Ducks, the animated series not mine.
But Princess Ambrosia and story are mine ^_^
***
Prologue
- 10 years ago -
They thundered past the skeletal forest like swift wolves, bounding over bush, rock and fallen tree. What they could not avoid, they ploughed through, armored hides shielding them from splintered bark and protesting leaves. What was left in their wake were the trees' mourning of loss for their unfortunate companion, the wind echoing their cry of eternal sorrow…
Just one more… Just one more… Just one more…the elder one chanted in his mind, the jagged rock in his hand gnawing at the coarse bindings that tied him to his kin. The smaller one of the two trembled with fear, for he was young and the world was dark, with much fear surrounding them, captives of savages the Kingdom had long since thought extinct since its' banishment to the Outlands…
Yes…!! the taller boy's heart leap for joy as the rope snapped inaudibly, the cords loosening past his chaffed wrists. His charge replaced his piteous whimpering with a squeak of surprise, "Wha—"
"Shh!!" the more learned one chided the child gently, holding his small beak firmly, "You may give us away, little one…" He jerked his blood-brother closer and whispered his plan, "We only have one chance for this, so we must work fast and work well. I'll distract the guards while you run away. Head east, towards the rising Phoenix. I'll meet yo—"
"But what if you get caught…!!" a small frightened voice protested as he yanked his beak back, small hands curled into tightening fists.
"Then… at least you'd be safe…"
The blond-haired child sniffled, "I-I… d-don't want to g-go…"
The elder one by 10 years patted the shaking figure in his arms, "You must, little one… If I am caught, then… you must go to seek help…
"Think of it as a royal duty, little one…"
The younger boy sniffled as he lifted his head, "A duty to the King…?"
The former smiled. "A duty to the King…"
"Then I will do as the King commands…"
Less than a heartbeat later, a wild cry rang through the hollow night, pale feathers reflecting the light of the dying moon as a figure crashed through the throng of wild beasts. Limbs caught jaws unaware, as his crude weapons drew blood and cut through vulnerable flesh. Picking himself up from his fall, he hesitated, if only a little, before turning blindly away from the chaos he had created and ran for his life…
Squeezing his way away from the gory scene was a blue-eyed child, weaving through the maze of muscle and metal to the sanctuary of the forest. No one noticed him as he wound his way past the vicious current of towering giants, his angelic tresses hidden by the dark cloak once belonging to his relative.
That is, until the river of darkness suddenly vanished, leaving him with neither shelter nor hiding place.
"Look there – the princeling is escaping…!!"
Not daring to turn back, he ran faster. Faster than the thundering hoof beats that followed him to his sanctuary. Faster than the hammering heart beats that pounded within his small chest.
A bramble forest leapt before his eyes. He did not stop. He tore into it, ignoring the stings it left as flesh and feathers were split and scattered…
"The H*L—" the hooded figure chasing him cursed, his steed rearing against the black gate of thorns. His companion rode up beside him, "Ch, the brat'll be the death of us if he tells what has happened this night…!!"
A third brought his horse between them, a ball of blue fire in his gaunt hand.
"Ah… but only IF he *remembers* what has happened this night…"
The azure-white fireball was released. A moment later, a strangled cry resounded in the distance. The three horsemen chuckled darkly, turning their mounts away, "Let us return to the Raptor…
"The child is as good as gone…"
~*~*~*~
Another night had descended upon the castle. The knights filtered through the arched portals wearily, their most recent discovery weighing heavily in their hearts. Their leader said a silent prayer to the gods watching over them, preparing himself to deliver the sorrowful news…
The doors to the King's inner sanctum burst open as he pushed past the oaken leaves. Immediately, thirteen pairs of eyes were laid upon his body.
One body, a slight one, slammed into him.
"What news from the rides, my faithful guide…?! What news of my brother and my cousin…?!?!"
The weathered knight did not dare look into the youth's eyes for fear of showing his despair too soon. Instead, he knelt before the white-feathered lad and brought out a torn cloak—
The gathered Council shrank back in fear at what the torn cloak signified…
Then the swordsman produced a handful of pale feathers and deposited it into the stricken boy's open hand. The younger man looked down…
Blood smeared past his white hands, glinting off every shaft…
"No…"
"We are truly sorry, my Lord…" the kneeling figure announced, dropping his head further, "We fear your cousin has been captured by the Wild Saurians in the West…
"As for you brother…
"We regret to report that he is dead…"
The Council shook with panic and confusion. Amidst the chaos, no one heard the sickening crack of the bone hitting frigid stone as the last surviving member of the Royal House dropped away from consciousness, his world shattered…
~*~*~*~
Far away, a timid child gasped as she sat up from her bed, her mahogany braid undone. As the images in her head danced on the borders of her fragile consciousness, she began to cry.
~*~*~*~
"The men have returned…!!" a shrill cry sounded through the crude encampment. Immediately, the women and children leap to their feet, running to greet their husbands and fathers returning from their raids…
Bright eyes scanned the many faces that trooped through the sentry gates, her heart praying for safe journey for her only beloved. The last rider came through, the gates closed. Her heart clenched uneasily.
"Boo…!"
She shrieked, the pan in her hand striking flesh as she brought it upon her attacker. The larger figure stumbled painfully to the ground, holding his sore head. He protested through his vehement cursing, "Argh! And to think you'd be happy to see me…!!"
"YOU!!" she exclaimed indignantly, then in relief, "You…!!" Slamming herself into him, she muffled her frustrations in the crook of his shoulder, "I was so worried… so worried…"
"Hn. Women…" he grunted teasingly, "One minute they're beating you black and blue, the next, they're all over you…"
The clang of metal upon gauntlet made many cringe…
"Oi, stop being so unfair – I'm *UNARMED*…!!" the husband growled, wrenching the heavy black utensil from his wife's hand before it could inflict more damage upon his person. She merely spat a foul word, "Me…? UNFAIR…?! *YOU* were the one who sneaked up on *ME*!! And where were you befor—"
He silenced her with a searing kiss, guiding her to him. Almost predictably, she relaxed in his arms, her limbs falling obediently beside her. Around them were innocent whistles and stifled chuckles…
"I came in with wounded, beloved…" he informed as he guided her to the tent that served as their infirmary, "I did not dare risk his wounds any longer…"
She turned to stare at him, her features puzzled, "Wounded…? Who was wounded…?"
He shrugged. Pulling back the curtain, he let her see for herself the identity of the infirmed.
"A child…?!" she gasped, falling by the bed, "Gods – what *happened* to him…!!"
The healer within threw them a glare, but knew better to chide. Minutes later, his duties done, he left the unconscious one with the two adults.
"I do not know what had happened for him to acquire such grievous wounds, my dearest," the bandit admitted, sighing to sit behind his young spouse, "We found him at the edge of the Brambles as we rode past…"
"He is so young…"
Indeed. The frail figure on the pale sheets could not be more than 5 to 6 years of age. She sighed, wondering what beast would abuse such a vulnerable thing. Surely not his parents or kin… she reasoned, banishing the thought as she combed through his golden crown.
Suddenly, the youngster winced, her hand perhaps pressing against his bandaged head. She removed it. Behind her, her mate rose to regard the one he had rescued.
Cornflower blue eyes blinked once. Twice. Turning to his rescuers, he stared blankly.
"Who am I…?"
***
Onward, to Chapter 1... *sweatdrop* Ai...
Meanwhile, comments...? Reviews...? Rotten tomatoes...?