book 4 || Jaguar's Uprising

Chapter Twelve: Tag, You're It

The morning was cold. Like Vixen when she was in a bad mood. Shianne shook the leaves sticking to her white pelt and saw Vixen doing the same. Vixen seemed upset for some reason, Shianne thought it was just because she wasn't chosen to lead the journey. But Shianne thought she would've gotten over it by now. 

"Vix, you okay?" She asked and Vixen glared. 

"First of all, my name's Vixen and yes, I'm fine." The chestnut mare then wandered out of the enclosed area to graze. Shianne saw Milkweed was still sleeping and didn't want to disturb him. Lark and Ivy were pulling moss off the nearby trees while Jet was nowhere to be seen. 

"What happened to Jet?" Shianne wondered, following Vixen. The mare ripped out grass with her yellow teeth and ignored Shianne. 

When Shianne asked for a second time. Vixen broke. "I don't know, Shianne! Stop bugging me!" She yelled, waking up Milkweed. "For once, take a hint and leave me alone." Shianne's head fell below her knees and she turned away. 

"Do you know where Jet went?" She asked Lark, who was rearing up to grab the moss for Ivy, whose legs weren't long enough. 

"Naw, he said he was leaving or something. I was only waking up when he told me." She explained and went back to tugging at the moss. 

Shianne's jaw dropped. "And you didn't say anything?" She walked away rolling her eyes. Now I'm wondering how many cowards are we pulling along on this journey. Will Jet tell Jaguar what are plan is? Shianne started to panic, and Vixen noticed. 

"What are you doing?" She snapped, watching Shianne pace around. 

"Jet left, and our plan has leaked!" Shianne yelled at the mare and Vixen trekked towards her. The mare stopped dead in front of Shianne and breathed steadily in her nose, calming the white apprentice down. 

"We're going to be fine. StarHerd won't abandon us." Milkweed was also up and listening. He seemed so interested in learning about StarHerd and the ancestors. Shianne watched as he had his ears pricked forward, it made her heart melt. 

"You're right, Vixen. What should we do today?" Shianne asked, the horses gathering around for a little meeting. 

"Shianne, I have something to say to you." Vixen started, Shianne flinching at her name. Vixen let out a long breath, "Shianne, I know this is your mission but I feel like you're over thinking this whole thing." Vixen's eyes were for once filled with sympathy and kindness. 

The silver-eyed mare felt disappointed with herself. Vixen was about to tell her off for being such a horrible leader and then leave as well. It happened before. Vixen left and joined RogueHerd so, she could do leave again. 

"You're trying to avoid death."

Vixen's words racked Shianne. The answers were finally coming to Shianne, Vixen knew them before her. She was avoiding battle. And it was only because Shianne was afraid. Afraid of death. 

"You're right," Shianne's voice mumbled off. "I'm such a coward." Shianne felt like collapsing and crying. 

"No, Shianne, you're very brave. It just has to show." Vixen's gaze fell upon the sun that looked to be a few inches off the ground. "I had a prophecy before we left on this mission. Before you were even born. I saw a horse, with a white mane, standing in a black area. She was watching the sunrise and reared up when the sun fully rose." Vixen paused, keeping her gaze on the horizon. "The scene was beautiful. Words spoke in the background,  'Like the sun you will rise above everyone.' I thought the words meant me. I thought I was the one." Vixen's amber gaze fell back on the small group of horses, who were hungry to hear more. 

"Until you were born. You were pure white and for some odd reason you were born in the rising sun rather than the night." Shianne's expression furrowed.  She never knew she was born in the morning. 

"That's why I've always been sour. I can't help it. Your family loves you, you're the grandfilly of many famous steeds and I was jealous because I never knew my family. I was adopted at birth." For once in a lifetime, tears fell down Vixen's face. "I don't know what my mother looks like. All I remember was her voice and aging is making me forget." 

"She doesn't see me in my dreams." There was a long, deadly, pause. "Shianne, you're the luckiest filly I've ever known. You might not feel that way because of your coat, but you are. And you are the sun to rise above everyone." Her words left Shianne with a deadly chill. Vixen let another horse talk, but nobody did. Shianne wanted to add something but she didn't dare. 

"I- I was thinking. I know we sent Ashes as a spy but I want to have a look myself." The horses around her gasped. 

"No, you're the horse Jaguar is looking for." Milkweed spoke that time, his eyes glistening with worry. 

"I don't care," Shianne muttered and she started to stride away. Milkweed cantered after her, trying to talk her out of it. Shianne blocked out his words and the only thing she could hear in her head. I'm going to finish this war, once and for all.

"Please! Milkweed, let me do my mission. I'm destined to finish this war and we're getting nowhere!" Shianne screamed angrily, while the other horses looked at her in concern. 

"The bombs! Ask Taka for them." Milkweed suddenly became excited and Shianne pinned her ears in annoyance. "If the Pegasi won using them, we can too." 

"Milkweed! Come to real life!" Shianne's yellow teeth snapped at him. "That's just a foal's tale it doesn't actually exist." Shianne howled, fury burning deep inside her bones. 

Milkweed took a step back, his face bursting with bleakness. "But- I- I thought- what about Rain?" He questioned, stepping closer. 

Tears started to sprout in Shianne's eyes and she fell on Milkweed, balling. "I'm sorry. I'm just so angry with myself. I'm the one who's supposed to bring this war to an end, but I can't even think of a good plan." Milkweed gently groomed Shianne's back. 

 "You're okay. Everything's going to be fine." Milkweed reassured, feeling warm next to Shianne. The truth was, he loved her. (I know it sounds quite sudden) When the mission started, he thought she was the prettiest mare he's ever seen. She was gentle and soft but also willing to fight for her loved ones. She was really brave and bold, she just hasn't shown her courage yet. 

Milkweed was jealous of Shianne and Kyper's relationship and didn't want to interrupt. 

"Thanks, Milkweed. Let's get those bombs." And with a wink, Shianne's muzzle touched against his flank and she galloped away, yelling "Tag!"