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ToonKendal — Maple Leaf (Maple's Story) - Chapter 5
Published: 2017-09-06 18:29:19 +0000 UTC; Views: 265; Favourites: 9; Downloads: 0
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Description "Days passed. I was training with Midnight. I improved my speed. I improved my swordplay. Before I knew it, I was getting stronger. I was also getting braver."



Midnight looked at the princess, who beamed with happiness. "You've done well, Maple."

Maple took off her helmet. "It's all thanks to you, Lady Midnight."
The two smiled at one another, until Midnight snapped back into action. "There is no time to waste! Your father is in trouble!" Midnight looked towards the east. "And this kingdom."

The princess took a deep breath, looking in Midnight's direction. She saw the path to Joni's area. Maple has never gone, yet she hears it is not quite appealing to the eye. Literally. It is very dark there. Maple looked down. She remembered Joni's words.

You can't do anything but panic.


She was right before. Panicking. That's all she ever did. She couldn't even look Joni in the eye. She hides away during castle attacks. She panics when she sees a tiny bug. 

But not anymore.

Maple felt something she hasn't felt in a long while. Bravery. Hope.  
She felt like she could do this. She would be the one to save the land. The one people would be proud of. She'd be a hero. 




"Midnight. I'm ready. I'm ready to do something for everyone. No more crying!"

Midnight didn't say a word. She ushered Maple inside the weapon hall and picked up the sword. She took her own. 
Maple opened her mouth to speak, but was given her armor by Midnight. "Are you okay, Lady Midnight?"

Midnight put a hand to her face. "I'm...proud."

Maple adjusted her armor. "You are?" 

"Yes. You did it. I helped the Princess. I'm proud of myself for doing it. I'm proud of you for finding your strength." She turned to Maple. "You'll be an excellent ruler."
Maple smiled. "And you can be the chief of my Royal Knights." She looked down at her sword. Midnight's old sword. She saw her reflection in it. Her in knight's armor. 

Midnight put a hand on her shoulder. "Princess Maple versus Sorceress Joni." 

The princess nodded and she opened the door to the hallway. "Come on! If we're going to get there, we will need transportation!" Her voice had a now confident regal sound to it. She went into the halls and towards the stables. 

Midnight noticed the direction they were going. "Wait! Horses?!"

"Hey! I may not have known to fight and be brave, but I loved to ride horses."

Midnight began to sweat nervously. Her hands tightened up into fists and she forced a grin upon her face. ''Gr-eat. We are riding horses."

Maple went to a white horse with a rose in it's mane. Upon seeing her, the steed buried it's muzzle into her hair. Maple giggled. "It's good to see you too, Snowy!"

Midnight glanced at the animals, nervous waving at each of them. "Can we try another sort of transportation, your highness?" She quickly backed away when she felt breathing down her neck. "I don't do horses."

Maple had a pink saddle in her hands, putting them on the horse. "Oh, Midnight. Are you afraid of the horses?"

"I'm not afraid of them, Maple!" She felt a horse bump against her. She quickly turned around and it was a black horse with white spots near the flank. Midnight quickly backed away from it. 

Maple smiled. "Remember when you taught me to be brave?" She walked to Midnight. "If I can learn to overcome my fear of fighting and cowardice, then you can at least pet this dear animal. They are all nice horses."

Midnight made a fist and raised it in front of her. "I'M NOT AFRAID!"

"Then touch him."

Midnight looked up at the horse. It looked down at her. They were both staring at each other. Midnight's eye twitched and slowly raised an arm upwards. The horse brought it's muzzle to her hand. Midnight quickly jolted back. "OKAY! I touched him! Can we just head to where Joni is now?"

Maple giggled and whistled for Snowy. He galloped next to her and gave her a playful nuzzle. Putting her sword in it's sheath on her back, she climbed on. "Well, you have to ride him to get there faster. He already has a saddle."

Midnight groaned and slowly approached the horse, who began to eat the grass. "OKay, horse. I can do this." In a rush, she hopped on the steed, jumping on it's back. The horse neighed and ran around in panic. 

"STOP! STOP IT YOU THING!" Midnight grabbed the reigns and whipped them violently. "STOP!"

The horse skidded to a stop beside Snowy and neighed loudly.

"Soothe him."

"Soothe him?"

Maple nodded. "He's not calm."

Midnight quickly patted the horses neck. "There, there?"
The horse neighed again, softer this time. Midnight took off her helmet and wiped her forehead. 

Maple looked towards the gate she opened. She felt a huge sinking feeling suddenly. "Wait- Midnight. what if I mess up?!"

Midnight adjusted her helmet. "That's all a part of learning. Besides, I know that you can do it. For your father. For the kingdom!"

"But, What if-"

"-you save everyone?" Midnight interupted. "What if you gain a powerful ability to destroy her once and for all?"

Maple blinked. "Wh-huh?"

"Don't focus on that, okay? Let's let time flow and what happens will happen."

Maple took a deep breath. "OKay. Let's go!" She pulled the reigns on her horse. "Hyah!" She was now headed for the gate.

Midnight yanked her reigns. "Go horse! GO! WHY AREN'T YOU GO---AAAAAAAA!!!" Midnight let out a scream as she suddenly began to move. Her horse was fast and he followed behind Maple.



Maple followed the pathway. Worries built up in her head as went outside her kingdom. She was in the forest now. "You can do this, Maple! You will be a hero! A princess hero!" The trees were bright colors of orange, red and yellow. As she rode through, the leaves fell down. She heard the sound of the nearby waterfall on a river. She heard the birds chirping. The sights were beautiful. Behind her, Midnight strugged on her steed. Sounds of Midnight frustrated when riding him made Maple laugh. 


"Wait, Maple! Didn't we pass by that waterfall before?"

Minutes passed and Maple noticed it too. "Wait. Are we going in circles?" 

Looking around, things seemed normal. They were going straight. Maple pulled the reigns, stopping her horse. "Joni must've put a spell here. It's a puzzle now."

Midnight's horse skidded to a stop again, giving Midnight a small freakout before she patted it again. "There, there, horse." She looked around. "Well, we need an alternate route." She pointed to a hill. "Around that mountain perhaps?"

Maple looked up. It was a very short mountain, but it lead to the deepest woods. "I don't know."

Midnight smiled. "Look. We can do this. Together."

"Together." Maple smiled. "Okay. Let's go!" She pulled her horse in the direction of the mountain. "That way, Snowy!" 

Midnight mimicked Maple. "Um, That way, um....horse." 

Maple looked back at her. "Aren't you going to name him, Lady Midnight?"

Midnight looked at the horse and tensed up. "I'm not attached to the thing, Maple. Let's just go."



The two rode towards the mountain, preparing themselves for whatever strikes next.
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Comments: 5

PrincessMuffinArt [2017-09-07 14:56:23 +0000 UTC]

Midnight's afraid of the horses. That's so cute. 

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Dynomy84 [2017-09-06 19:38:09 +0000 UTC]

AND THUS IT CONTINUES

Oh Midnight. A tough armored shell on the outside, panicky about horses on the inside.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

ToonKendal In reply to Dynomy84 [2017-10-16 17:24:08 +0000 UTC]

Thank you for your support.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Dynomy84 In reply to ToonKendal [2017-10-16 18:00:03 +0000 UTC]

No problemo! Also happy birthday!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

ToonKendal In reply to Dynomy84 [2017-10-18 03:28:58 +0000 UTC]

Thanks.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0