WHAT UP!

YES, I'M ALIVE!

I'm so sorry that this is so late, but if you read my bio you'll understand why I had to take a break. Life sucks that's all I'm going to say. I hope that this makes up for it and I will try to update MUCH more.

I also want to add that I'm back in college, but I'm only taking two classes. One being English, which has helped break my writer's block tremendously.

Thank you so much to everyone who has stuck around and know that I love you all!

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to Austin & Ally

Chapter 24

To Win the Morning Star's Support

No One's POV

The carriage bounced around as Austin and Ally began their journey to the Morgenstern's household. Austin was staring out the window, his mind deep in thought over something, while Ally's own brain was racking over her latest revelation.

"Even though I said I love him," She thought. "I myself don't really know what true love is. I know I like Austin, well now I do, but I don't feel like it's the same as what my parents have. I mean, come on, I only met the guy a few weeks ago, and not under the best circumstances."

Ally shuddered a little when she remembered exactly how she and Austin met. Not exactly the perfect 'girl meets boy' scenario.

While it was interesting to think about that, there was also something else weighing on Ally's mind: meeting the Morgenstern family.

"I know that they support Austin's decision, but I can't let my guard down that easy." Now, before she had left the palace, Avion had let her look up information on the Morgenstern family and they were interesting. "They weren't listed as human, they were called sprig…"

"Spriggans," Ally's flow of thought was interrupted by the male sitting just across from her. "They are a special form of Earth mages that can communicate with the forests around them. At times, they can also develop into trees themselves."

"How did you know I was thinking about that?" Ally asked and then realized, "Were you reading my mind?!" She asked angrily. She probably should have seen that coming, but then again, she didn't really think that form of magic truly existed.

"Not at all." Austin said as he smirked back at her. "I just thought you might want to know a little something about the Morgenstern's before you meet them. Better to know your enemy before confronting them."

"Enemy?" Ally asked. "I thought the Morgensterns were on your side?" That moment Austin's face went from happy to completely stern.

"They are and have been since even before I was born, but that doesn't mean they won't have their own concerns."

"Concerns about what exactly?"

"Our marriage and the reunification of magical and non-magical." Austin ran his hand through his hair as he let out an exasperated sigh. "Even though they have a little more trust in humans than the others, they still can't handle what humans have done to the plant life around them. Being Earth mages, they care about the health of the plant life around them and to see the damage left behind makes them very angry."

"So, what do you suggest we do?" Ally asked as she adjusted the neckline of her dress. Even though she was listening intently to Austin, she couldn't help but notice that his eyes veered downward instead of up towards her eyes. It was a little unnerving and annoying.

"We," Austin began as he regained his composure after being caught. "Must think of a plan to steer them in the right direction: creating a plan to help the environment. If we can do that, then we can get them on our side and that will be a huge asset to us in the future." Now this Ally could get on board with.

As a huge nature lover, herself, she would do anything to help save the wild and plant life around them. The trees, flowers, and animals were just so naturally beautiful that she always wondered how anyone could want to destroy that for their own selfish needs. The planet was not made just so humans could destroy their own home very slowly!

"No problem," Ally said in a very confident voice. "I already have a plan developed." Austin could feel his face begin to break out in a smile as he looked at Ally. She may not know it, but she was truly unaware of her own prowess. He could see that she had the promise to be a queen and he hoped that it would be his queen.

"And, who even said I was going to marry you anyway?!" Ally yelled as Austin continued to smile at her.

Suddenly, the carriage came to a full stop, jolting Ally forward slightly. If she had been standing up, she would have ended with her head in Austin's lap and that was the last thing she wanted. Ally looked out as the door to the carriage was opened and Austin climbed out ahead of her.

He held out his hand for her to take. Ally took it and just as she got out, tripped forward on her long gown. Austin grabbed her around the waist and held her close to him. He smirked as he leaned in close to whisper in her ear.

"Don't worry," He said. "You'll be saying a different tune soon." He let go of her waist as he looked into her face. "One way or another, you'll fall for me and then it'll only be a matter of time."

Now, normally Ally would have felt a little shy about giving a comeback, but now…

"Well then," She said as she pushed Austin away. "We shall see who falls first and trust me, it won't be me." Ally then began to ascend the short number of stairs leading to the Morgenstern manor, leaving a slightly awestruck Austin behind her.

He was used to a headstrong Ally, but this was a new development. She was responding to his flirtation, didn't back down with her comments and shot back with a good comeback… this was an Ally he could get behind.

"Well then, my lady, let the games begin."

I know this is short, but remember, I'm still trying to jump back in to my rhythm and I can promise that the next one will be MUCH longer. Either way, I hope you enjoy this and that you will still continue to support me. Things are just about to get VERY juicy.

I love you all and remember, STAY ROSSOME!