Being a first time fanfic writer, I messed up on the first chapter and forgot to put in my comments.

Disclaimer: I do not own the wonderful world of Ferngully or the characters within it. I did, however, create the villain, Roman. He was created from my imaginings of what a villain would look like in Ferngully aside from, of course, the smoky Hexxus and the animal snatchers from the second movie. I wanted to see what a villain of their own kind would be like. Also, from reading Diana Young's book I learned about a lot more characters the movie left out (Crysta's Mother Ash, her sisters Lily and Fern, and Pips' friends Sandy and Wilkea), so they are in here as well. Enjoy!

He watched. He was used to being invisible-it was intended. He was a master at hiding in shadows and in plain sight. He had a job to do. Kill the mage. It rang in his ears all the time. His Master needed this mission completed in order to take over Ferngully once and for all. He spent months observing her behaviors, her interactions, and where she went to hide. He knew it all. He was, however, greatly annoyed at how much time she actually spent alone-it was bare minimum. There always seemed to be someone around, especially her little male friend who clearly was lovestruck by the mere sight of her. It made him want to vomit. Love never appealed to him. It was too messy, too complicated, and you could never control the outcome. He needed control-craved it. Without control, he might as well be nothing. He reflected upon the events of that day. Crysta's refusal to leave that damn tree alone started everything. It was his home, and he liked it the way it was. Being around death made him stronger, more alive. The same went for fear, hatred, and jealousy. It all fueled him. Every attempt she made to save it made him a little weaker, and he absolutely could not have that. He had almost attacked her when the stupid red head showed up-of course. He had followed them when they took off and had taken his rare opportunity. He saw they were headed to the falls, so he went ahead and got to the top first, and laid in wait. He had hoped his body slam to Crysta would have caused her to fall to her death-a tragedy that would be un-traceable. He was wrong. Pips was going to have to go first if he had any chances at all of completing his mission. Roman smiled grimly to himself. He was not a failure. He would do it right next time. For now, he needed his tree to refuel him. There was not much else for death around Ferngully it seemed, and he needed to be strong. Tomorrow he would take his chance.

Crysta's home...

Father Ash and Mother Ash were trying to steal a moment, something that was a rarity with three daughters underfoot. She was laughing and tugging at his beard playfully when Fern came crashing in.

"Ewww! I don't want to see that!" she cried, covering her eyes.

"Then leave," her mother replied smiling.

"Batty said you wanted me...that's why I'm here," Fern said confused. Mother raised a brow.

"Not that I'm aware of. Are you sure he said I needed you?"

"Yes! Why would he lie? Why...?" Fern stopped herself. Had it been a coincidence that Batty had interrupted her plan to tell Pips she loved him?

"Well?" her mother prompted.

"Uh, nevermind. I'll just go then," Fern said, turning to go out again. She heard her parents giggling like teenagers and almost gagged. There should be a law about public display of affection by parents in front of their children. It was gross. She flew up to the highest branch and sat pondering her predicament. Should she confront Batty? Did he really know? She knew it was dangerous to profess her love to someone who was in love with someone else, but if she didn't, what if she lost her chance to make him see she was the better girl for him? Crysta was self-involved and unaware of Pips most of the time-he deserved someone who actually cared about him. Fern sighed and rested her chin on her palm. He was coming over that night for dinner. Maybe she could get a chance then.

Over by the old high rise...

"Crys, I need to talk to you." Crysta turned from what she had been doing to see Pips hovering behind her.

"About what?"

"Fern."

"What about her?"

"I don't know. Is she okay? She seemed kind of weird today," he said.

"I'm not sure," Crysta confessed. "I really should spend more time with her. She seemed down this morning but was better after our talk."

"Hmm. Maybe you should."

Crysta stared at him. It was like he knew something and wasn't telling her. He stared back. She turned away so he wouldn't see her turmoil in her eyes. Pips watched her struggle with a flower for a bit before coming up behind her, wrapping his arms around her, and placing his hands over hers. He felt her stiffen, but between the two of them, the flower came to life. He stayed that way as long as he dared but was even more surprised that she didn't pull away like usual. Crysta was fighting the internal battle of whether or not to turn around, to embrace the change that she was sure was going to happen. In the end, she cleared her throat and broke from his embrace.

"Crys," he started.

"No," she cut him off.

"Why?" he asked, confused.

"I just...can't," she said. She made to leave but he grabbed her wrist.

"Talk to me," he said softly. She looked up at him with such sadness in her eyes it almost broke his heart.

"I don't want to hurt you," she whispered.

"You won't," he said, shaking his head.

"How do you know that? How can you possibly know it won't all end horribly?" she asked.

"I don't, but that doesn't mean I don't want to take the risk," he told her.

"Please, Pips," she started. He opened his mouth to argue, but a resounding crash ended all chances for having a further conversation.

"Go!" he yelled at her. She fled. He turned around to see what had created all the commotion. He couldn't believe his eyes.

"Ohhhh not again!" he groaned. The giant smiled at him and waved.

Zak.

Crysta's home...

Lily was giggling to herself and peeking around the corner at Zak. She hadn't forgotten him since his first trip to Ferngully. Sometimes she thought about him a lot. Crysta had brought him home with an aura of excitement. Pips had looked extremely pissed off. Lily sat back and watched what would happen.

"Look who I found!" Crysta had called to her mother. Mother Ash had welcomed Zak with a hug, making Pips roll his eyes.

"Zak! How good to see you. What brings you back?"

"I just couldn't stay away," he said, looking at Crysta. She blushed. Pips had never wanted to punch somebody so much in his life. "I also missed your wonderful hospitality," Zak added. Pips made a pfft noise. He'd never seen so much ass kissing in his life. He pulled Crysta aside while her mother fawned over Zak.

"I'm going to go," he muttered into her ear. "I can't stand the carryings on happening here." She met his eyes but just nodded. He turned to leave, only to find Fern in his path.

"Please stay," she begged. "I can't stand him either. You and I can pull pranks on him together!"

"I'd rather not, Fern," he said. "Tell Crysta if she wants to finish our conversation, she knows where to find me." Fern watched him leave out the door, wondering what he was talking about. She didn't like the way they had looked at each other in their exchange.

The evening passed with a lot of talking and catching up. Zak had tales to tell of how his efforts to raise awareness of rainforests had been positive so far. Crysta was enraptured by everything he said. Lily wished he would pay more attention to her. He had said, "Hello gorgeous" when he saw her, but that wasn't enough. She wanted him to look at her the way he did Crysta. Fern had disappeared altogether. Lily wasn't sure why. She was sad her relationship with her sister was dwindling so much lately. She dismissed these thoughts easily and focused her attention on Zak.

Fern had followed Pips. She was standing outside his door wondering what to do. She felt it was now or never. She had to tell him, especially with Crysta now drooling over Zak. He had to finally see that she did not love him back. She held her breath and knocked. Pips answered looking hopeful, but his face changed when he saw her.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

"I need to talk to you," she insisted. He came out and closed the door.

"Go ahead," he nodded.

"Look, Crysta doesn't care about you. Not like I do. Has she not proven that to you?"

"Fern..."

"No, let me finish! She doesn't care. She. Doesn't. Love. You. I do." Fern was shaking so hard she could barely stand.

"Aww Fern," he said, rubbing his face with his hand.

"Just give me a chance, please! I know you, and I would never hurt you," Fern begged.

"Fern, listen to me. I am really flattered," Pips started.

"But...!"

"Stop. Fern it means a lot to me what you just said, but I don't share the same feelings," he said gently. "It wouldn't be fair to you. My heart belong to someone else."

"Then get it back from her!" Fern shouted. "She's not in love with you. Give it up!"

"I can't," Pips said quietly. Fern stared at him, unwilling to believe what he just told her. She launched herself at him and tried to kiss him, but he was stronger and grabbed a hold of her elbows, pushing her back.

"Fern, come on, stop," he said sternly. She struggled for a second before tearing away sobbing.

"Fern!" he called after her, but she didn't stop. She was so embarrassed and ashamed of what she had tried to do. What would Crysta think of her now? She tore home and didn't even bother to use the front door-just climbed in her window. She threw herself down on her hammock and bawled.

Pips went back inside still shaking after what had just happened. Fern loved him? Fern? Little Fern who would tag along and try to be apart of his and Crysta's skylarking? How had this happened, and why hadn't he seen it coming? He sat on the edge of his bed with his head in his hands. He didn't know if he should even tell Crysta. It would deeply shock her. She might even decide to bow out and feel that he was better without her like Fern had said. He fell backwards groaning. How the hell did he get into this mess?

...

Zak and Crysta left the others after a while and sat outside talking.

"So how are you, really?" he asked her. "You seem stressed out."

"I am," she confessed. "There is so much to do, and it all falls on me. Sometimes I just wish I hadn't been made the mage you know? I don't get to just be normal." Zak took her hand and squeezed it.

"I think you are normal. You just have so much extra on your shoulders that it makes you feel like you're separate from everyone else."

"You're right," she nodded. She smiled at him. He grinned back, and they shifted their focus to the forest.

"Man, I really missed all of this, you know?" he said. "You're so lucky."

"I guess," she laughed softly. "I sometimes wonder what it's like in your world though."

"You would hate it," he admitted. "Too crowded. Too busy, and people are not all that friendly."

"Hmm," was all Crysta said. Zak let the silence settle between them for a while before asking. It was a burning question he had wanted to know since he had returned.

"Are you and Pips...you know...together?" he asked her. He watched her face and the shadow within it.

"Not...really," she told him.

"Do you want to be?"

"I don't know. I'm afraid we'll lose everything if it doesn't work," she confessed. "It's not like he hasn't hinted."

"Ah." Zak wondered what to say next. What the hell, he thought, here goes nothing. "I still care for you very much."

"You do?" Crysta turned to him surprised. "It's been a long time."

"I know. I've thought about you all the time though. No girl compared to you, trust me," he smiled. She didn't respond or say she cared for him back. Zak wasn't sure how to take that. They sat for a while longer.

"It's late," Crysta said after a while. "We should go inside." Zak nodded.

Zak hesitated to say good night. He wanted to kiss her so bad. Crysta felt nervous. She didn't know what to expect, so when he did kiss her she wasn't all too surprised. She was even more surprised she didn't pull away.

"Til tomorrow," Zak whispered, squeezing her hand and waving good night. She entered her room feeling strange. The kiss had been nice, but it hadn't stirred up her feelings the way her dream kisses did. What did it all mean? She tried to settle into her bed, but she heard weeping coming from Fern's room. She slipped into the hall and went to Fern's door. After listening for a moment, she crept inside.

"Fern?" she called softly.

"Go away," Fern said through gritted teeth.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I hate you. Just leave me alone!" Fern threw a nut at her. Crysta ducked.

"Obviously something happened. Where did you go tonight?" Crysta was not ready for Fern's response.

"I went to tell a guy I loved him, but he rejected me. Are you happy now?" Fern spat at her. "I hate you! You get everything and appreciate nothing!"

"Wha...I...Fern what are you saying?" Crysta was stunned. How did being rejected make Fern hate her?

"You told me I was beautiful. How come he can't see that?" Fern sobbed. Crysta reached over to touch her, but Fern yanked away.

"I don't know, Fern," Crysta said quietly. "How can I help?"

"Go away," Fern said muffled from her pillow.

"Fern..."

"Just go!" Fern shrieked. Crysta obliged. She met her mother in the hall, who gave her a questioning look-one Crysta couldn't answer. She went back to her room instead and tried to sleep to the sound of Fern's crying and her mother's soothing voice.

After fighting to sleep for what seemed like hours, Crysta gave up and went to find Batty. He always knew what to say it seemed. She found him upside down not too far away from her window. She smiled. It was sweet that he acted as a protector to her. He awoke when she slipped onto the branch beside him.

"Crystabelle," he said yawning. "What brings you into the wild, wild west tonight?"

"I just wanted to talk to you. I feel so confused right now, and Fern is so angry with me over something I have no idea about."

"Do tell, spit it out, come on now," he rambled in his nonsensical way.

"She said she told someone she loved him tonight, and he rejected her. Somehow this makes her hate me. I can't figure out why," Crysta mused.

I know, I know! Batty thought to himself. Then he drooped a little; he had failed in preventing heartache for little Fernie. He reminded himself to talk to her later.

"Sounds like a puzzle," he said. "I wouldn't worry about it too much. Perhaps she sees you as all knowing and more beautiful than her, and it upsets her."

"Why would she think that? That's not true at all!" Crysta was shocked. "I always tell her how beautiful she is. She should not be comparing herself to me. I'm a mess."

"You? A mess? Sufferin succotash! What in the world for?" Batty asked. Crysta fought back a smile. She gave up long ago trying to figure out his strange sayings. She just accepted that was the way he was.

"Zak told me he still cares about me very much," she started. Batty visibly flinched, but she didn't notice. "I just don't know if I feel the same way about him."

"Is there someone else?" Batty asked. He watched her face. Faces revealed everything he knew. They gave cues that the person didn't realize they were giving.

"I'm not...sure," she admitted. She looked over at Batty, who was smiling at her. "What?" she asked.

"Me thinks, little bug, there is. Perhaps you should talk to this other person before figuring out how you feel," he suggested.

"I knew you were going to say that," Crysta moaned. "I just don't know how without getting him excited."

"Make yourself clear. Be calm, and express your fears of hurting him," he said.

"I did. That didn't work."

"Hmm. Well, I'm out. You know where I stand on the whole human vs. fairy love thing. I think you just need to figure this out on your own, love," he sighed. Then he yawned hugely. Crysta took the hint. She kissed his snout and thanked him for listening. Then she flew home. After a fitful few minutes of tossing and turning, she fell asleep. Batty, however, hung there awake a long time. He felt terrible that he had been unable to prevent such a harsh reality for Fern. He took it upon himself to protect the Ash girls, and this was a huge failure. He wondered how he was ever going to make it up to her. Before finally falling asleep, Batty missed the movement in the shadows-one that was the biggest threat to the girls he loved so much.

...

He had seen it all. Roman now knew his grand opportunity to getting closer to Crysta. It was all too perfect. The best part was they had all caused it themselves. They only had themselves to blame. Roman slunk off into the night. He had preparations to make.