//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: Spike the Dragon: A Tale of Redwall // by Redwallfan2000 //------------------------------// Chapter 2 Disclaimer: I do not own MLP: FIM or Redwall. Brain Jacques owns the Redwall Series while Lauren Faust created MLP: FIM. Also the Redwall Characters are OC. It is the Spring of Early Harvest. Redwall has been a great place to live. Many peaceful seasons have come and gone but this season appears that the trees and bushes have blossomed early with an enormous amount of food. I myself have never seen so much fruits, and berries blossoming so early this spring. For the second time ever recorded, Redwall is without an Abbot or Abbess. This is quite strange as many of us thought our Abbot that passed away last season would've selected his successor but he didn't. It has been several seasons sense Redwall was ever under any serious threat. Still there is cation in the air. Skipper has told everyone that even though he enjoys our peaceful ways, that he feels that there maybe a danger on the horizon and he fears for everyone's safety. I don't blame Skipper for feeling this way, for deep in my own heart, I honestly feel that there really is danger on the horizon. It has also been many seasons sense Redwall has ever had a champion to defend our peaceful ways. If it wasn't for this feeling everyone here feels that Skipper maybe right, we'd probably be going threw our normal lives. Still this uneasiness is affecting everyone and without an Abbot or Abbess we aren't sure how to take it. Signed Brother Robert, Abbey Recorder An old mouse sat down writing away at his journal. Once he was done recording the old mouse adjusted his spectacles before closing it sighing. He had lived in Redwall for many seasons each season at least having an Abbot or Abbess. It also had been ages sense the Abbey ever had a Champion. They still had Skipper around to help and that wasn't going to change. The old mouse heard a knock on the Gate House's door. "Who is it?" The old mouse asked. "It's just me" was the response. "Ah if it isn't Blossom. Come on in" Brother Robert said. The door opened and Blossom stepped into the room. Blossom was Redwall Abbey's Badgermum unlike most female badgers whom were entering their golden age in life, Blossom was a young badger. She eyes Brother Robert as he made his way towards her."Good morning Blossom." "Good Morning Brother Robbet" Blossom spoke "Are you ready to assist Sister April in getting more herbs for the Infirmary?" "Oh yes, I nearly forgot about that" Brother Robbert said "Thanks for reminding me." "You're welcome" The badger replied while the two exited the Gate House. Once out of Redwall's gates they met a beautiful mousemaid in charge of Redwall's infirmary. The young Mousemaid was the great, great, grand daughter of Sister May and was just as fierce as her grandmother, especially towards the Red Kites which sometimes visited Redwall Abbey. The beautiful Mousemaid turns over towards the two "Blossom! Brother Robbert! Good morning!" "Good morning April" Brother Robbert and Blossom "Glad you two could join me." "You're welcome" Blossom ensured. "It seems like ages sense I've ever set paw out of Redwall's gate" Brother Robbert admitted "But it feels good." Blossom leads the way towards the forest. Once in the forest, Sister April makes her way over to some herbs. With Brother Robbert helping in another area. Blossom throws a bit of caution in the wind. Even though Redwall Abbey and Mossflower Woods were peaceful, there still could be danger lurking about. It is then she asks Sister Apirl "Don't we get some more medical supplies next week?" "We do" Sister April confirmed "I just need some herbs, right now I only have enough for around three days. So I need to collect more at least till next week." "Sounds about right" Brother Robbert admitted. Suddenly Blossom's eyes caught movement behind Sister April "SISTER APRIL, BROTHER ROBBERT! BEHIND ME!" The two mice obeyed and just in time too for a Fox pounced out where Sister April was. Immediately the Badger was onto him grabbing the fox by the throat. Despite this the fox gives out a growl "Curses! It's the Stripe Dog." "What do you think you were doing?" Blossom demanded. "I think you know exactly what I was going to do" The fox told the badger. At his snap about ten rats appeared. It was then Blossom seen that the fox and it's group was just one group out of the many vermin gangs that were lurking about in Mossflower Woods. The fox eyes the badger "What are you going to do stripe dog? You can't save your friends, the moment you break my body the rats will attack them. Blossom growls wanting to do just that to the fox. It was when she noticed that two of the rats had arrows attached to their bows aiming them specifically at Brother Robbert and Sister April.. The badger places the fox down whom turns "Kill the stripe dog first!" then take the other two as prisoners. The rats were about to do just that when a voice shouted "REEEDDDWAAALLL!" This stopped the rats from attacking briefly and those with arrows attached soon found javelins sticking threw their necks. The two fall slain and an otter appeared with four other otters. Blossom knew who it was "SKIPPER!" Skipper Oliver had arrived to assist the out numbered group. It soon didn't take long for Skipper to completely turn the momentum of the skirmish. When things looked bad the fox thought to retreat but Blossom manages to tackle him holding him by the neck high into the air growling "Now you are mine!" "No please!" The fox shouted "Don't!" Blossom seemed to ignore him when Skipper Oliver moved towards her "Ahoy there Blossom! Remember we don't kill those that have no fight in them." Blossom sees that Skipper was right and releases the fox eying him giving him one warning "If I ever catch you trying that again. Now leave!" The fox looks at what was left of his little group which was around four rats "So be it Stripe Dog." He starts to go but not before eying the badger and otter "You all haven't seen the last of Redfang!" He along with the rats retreat deep into the woods. Once Redfang and the four rats had gone, Blossom turns to Skipper Oliver "Thank you." "No problem Blossom" Skipper told her "We were happy to help." The group of nine now continued onto the task at hand to find more herbs for the week. Skipper Oliver couldn't help but not feel a bad feeling coming on. Sure dealing with the localized vermin gangs was one thing. He couldn't help but wonder what would happen if something happened to reunite the vermin gangs. Alone the gangs were no trouble to seasoned good beast like the Guosim or himself and his otters but all together could possess a threat to Redwall. The fox Redfang and his surviving members made their way deep into the foreset. Redfang was angry at his failure and should've expected this to happen. The fox was walking back and forward when a new rat appears. This caused Redfang to eye the new comer "What do you want?" "I've been traveling around these parts talking to the other gangs around here" The new rat said bowing before Redfang "My Queen has sent me to talk to you and also to tell you she's interested in meeting with all of you." "Where is this queen of yours?" Redfang asked. "About two weeks worth of walking" The new rat said. "Tell your queen we will take her offer" Redfang said. "Of course" The new rat said "Now I'll take you to her but just one second." Redfang nods allowing the new rat to go. The new rat wanders and turns into his true self a Changeling. The Changeling makes his way over to another that was hidden in the growth of the forest. The Changeling taps it's ally's head causing the one hiding to look up "Go back to Queen Chrysalis and tell her, I have completed my task in finding the gangs in these woods and all have said they are willing to meet her. Go to her and say they are coming." The second Changeling gives it's friend a nod before flying off to deliver the message. The remaining Changeling tuens back into his rat self to rest for the afternoon. For tomorrow he would be leading them to Queen Chrysalis.