Author's Note: I hope you enjoy it, the update is late because I been struggling with different things lately. As usual despite that I edited this twice I'm sure you guys will find grammar issues, so I apologize.

The Dark Prince

Chapter Three:

M.K. could not believe a year had already passed, she would be going home soon for the summer. Though, she was happy to see her father; here was a constant debate on whether or not she should try to see Nod. They have not spoken since that day, and every other time she tried to reach him, she could only get Mod and Grub, who she loved talking to, but she really wanted to talk to Nod. She hated how things how ended between them. She hoped they could be friends, despite her life moving in opposite direction from him. If she admitted to herself, after all this time, the pain may have faded, but she was still in love with Nod. She had managed to bury her self in amounts of social and school activity, but as the cab drew closer, the memories were coming back. And the dreams did not help much either.

She often saw Tara at night. It was strange, not only because the former Queen had died. There was the way she spoke to her as if they have not met but she knew they would. "You're journey has just begun, now chin up, girl. I know we haven't see each other, but I know you'll do great things. You'll have so much work to do, but you won't be alone. Everyone in this garden, has their warrior, their guardian of the forest, and as you can see that means elven more people, so you'll be fine. I'm sure of it. So smile, and you will get more than what you heart has ever wanted. I know you will."

The Garden she saw was full of flowers but all the people had gathered seemed focused on one white flower. They all looked different, their was a fairy with blond hair and bright orange wings, a male fairy with blue wings, a woman with raven hair and skin like the moon, a white rabbit dressed in leather, a man with bat wings, and several other different people, they all seemed to come from very different places. They seemed to be watching something, like a movie but she could never make out what it was.

Though it was just a dream, maybe it was just something she came up with because she missed her adventures. Yet, she could not help but think something else might come out of it, because she once thought the forest was just a place with trees and animals, but it turned out to be so much more.

Feet stomped against the wooden trunk of the base. Nod was mad. He made his way into Ronin's office, a tent made out of leaves with a small desk made from small twigs, "How many times do I have to ask for you to get rid of Darvas?" Ronin sighed, this again.

"As many as it will take you to quit asking," He quipped as he read the scroll in his hand standing up. Ronin never sat down for long, he always was a man of action even when he was just reading. "You know I wish you at least cut it down to once a week. I certainly would get things done a lot faster."

"You just put him on another team..." Nod began to suggest for the trillionth time.

"Enough," He tossed the scroll on his desk and gave the young man a stern look, "Ever since he rescued Autumn from the dark thing you been more determined than ever to get rid of him. Yet you have not told me why? This can't be just over a crush on a girl."

"It's not okay, I just don't like the guy." The young leaf-man crossed his arms with a serious look. Ronin had a feeling something was honestly bothering Nod.

"Why not? He has proven himself just as good as solider as you."

"He won't follow orders." It was a lame reason, even he knew that.

"My word still stands then doesn't it?" The wise solider teased.

Nod rolled his eyes, "Whatever! did you ever find out what was killing the Boggans. I would like to..."

"Not that either!" Ronin replied, "You're on Guard duty with your subordinates!"

"Why you know I could help!"

"Because you know what's killing the Boggan's has killed several of my men and women as well. I won't..." He took a deep breath.

"You are still treating me different because I'm my father, after all this time." Nod glared at him with a mix of disbelief and indignation.

"No," Ronin said honestly, "This has nothing to do with your father. You are still raw behind the ears, I can't have you out there, especially when you don't get along with your full team."

"I would if you just..."

"No!"

Nod pushed open the tent with all his fury. He still could not get Ronin to agree to anything, well that was not new. He sighed. How could he tell his father's old friend, that he thought that Darvas might be in on all this. He would not believe him, even Nod had to admit in his head it sounded like some kind of ruse to get Darvas out. Of course that was what he had been doing since the guy was assigned to him. The guy never listened to him, but now...the guy survived the darkness, he stood in it. Why? How?

"Still can't get rid of me." Speaking of the pest, Nod thought to himself as the dark haired man smirked over his shoulder.

"No, you're worse than any disease." He walked passed him, who had currently been carving a piece of fruit. While Autumn had split a nut with Lud, they currently were all taking a break from training, eating Lunch, "We have guard duty at 1600."

"Seriously, you couldn't at least accomplish something useful." Darvas stated swallowing the last of his juicy treat. He had been just as eager to go on the discovery team to search for the origins of this thing as him. One might have thought that was a good thing, but it just made Nod more suspicious.

"Don't be so mean Da, he has just as much power as you do when it comes to Ronin," Autumn pointed out.

"But my darling of the fall," He teased, "It is what I do."

She rolled her eyes with a giggle. They were flirting again and the leader had to admit he was a little jealous. "Yeah, he wouldn't be your precious Da without his quirks, would he?" The team leader teased them.

"Oh he is not my precious anything." She smiled, "Just Da."

"Oh I think a spear just pierce right through me," The silver eyed man faked falling onto the ground. Autumn laughed.

Suddenly a slimy blur made his way through. Nod did not know snails could move that fast, he wished he moved like that when they were in that cave, and M.K. was... not again. He thought he stopped thinking about her, apparently he was not over her yet. "I'll save you!" Grub called, "My fellow leaf-man." He slimmed over Darvas who was squirming.

Whatever bad day Nod was having, just got better by ten times. He started to laugh with the others. He felt lighter, oh boy, had he missed Grub.

"Get off of me," the dark haired man shouted as he pushed him off, "I'm fine, I'm fine, get off NOW!"

"Sheesh," Grub called off and hid away in his shell, "I was only trying to help." The words echoed in the hallow depths.

"Yo flat face." Mod called, Darvas blinked at the insult. "Yeah you," He pointed with his eyes, "Don't you mess with my buddy." He gave his friend a slimy hug. "It's alright buddy. You." He glared at Nod, "Can't you teach your flat face friends how to treat a fellow solider. Well, except for her, she's a fine thing." Autumn giggled some more, "But not as fine as M.K. Of course."

"Yes," Grub popped out his shell, "That's why we are here."

"My lady is waiting for me," Mod said shaking his body. Darvas raised a brow, and the blond hair girl was amused. Ronald gave a smirk. All except Lud who was looking up at the sky trying to figure something out. "And you," the slug said with a mumble.

"Yeah!" Grub perked up, eager relay a message for his friend, "She asked for you."

"Well, I don't want to see her, and we have guard duty." Nod began to walk away.

"Yeah," Darvas agreed but then shouted, "Not for another four hours!" He yelled, "We are supposed to be training right now." He explained to the slug and snail.

"Well, we wouldn't want to interrupt anything." Mod began to push Grub away hoping to get out of bringing Nod.

"I'm sure Ronin we'll make an exception my fearless leader." Darvas grinned, and Autumn nodded her head, "And I'm so sorry," He bowed over at Grub who grinned, "I hope no harm came to you."

The snail grinned, but Mod was not buying it, "You stop it you walking flat-face, I know what you are up to." He put a slippery finger on him and shoved.

"Oh and I know what you are to." Silver eyes stared down big ones, he looked right at him undetered by Mod's attempt at being intimidating.

Grub pushed his head in between the two, "Come on Nod, let's go talk to Ronin! He would let us both off I'm sure, to see M.K." .

Nod stopped to turn his head and glared at Darvas who just smiled like the devil. "I don't want to see her."

"Don't say that!" Grub cried, his eyes getting misted. "She's our friend and she really wants to see you."

"Too bad I don't want to see her." He crossed his arms and stood in place. "Now let's go train!" He ordered.

"Now," the red head complained, "We just got a break."

"It's been long enough." Their leader stated. "That's an order let's go." Autumn stood up and gave a hesitated glance at the two bugs. Ronald dragged himself, while Lud looked at his usual spot. Darvas patted Grub lightly only managing to get a little slim on his hand which he resisted the urge to wipe off.

"So who is she?" he whispered.

"She is Nod's..." Grub began but Nod interrupted with a firm voice which he promptly ignored with a roll of the eyes.

Grub whispered lower, "She's Nod's first love."

"Darvas now, or everyone is going to get extra laps!"

"Da, get you're butt out here. I can't run extra laps, my figure can't get anymore perfect."

"Oh what a curse." He teased back, "I'm coming! Give me a minute." He patted Grub again, "Let me see what I can figure out." Mod was glaring at him the whole time. Darvas just smiled, as the snail eyes rose up in delight.

"You don't want her to be sad." He told Mod, who begrudgingly shook his head in agreement, "Alright, see you guys later." When he was out of sight he wiped his hands and leaned in near Autumn.

"What was that about?" She questioned her green eyes preening with curiosity.

"You don't want to know who she is?"

"Of course I do, but I got less sullen methods." She replied and then raised her voice, "Who's M.K." Darvas shook his head with laughter but it froze when he saw the look of hurt on Nod's face. He knew that look of utter helplessness, he felt it when his mother got sick with a mysterious disease, most people didn't know that, but most people did not know much about him.

"Um, Autumn we should just uh..."

Nod turned around. It was the first time he ever been that sharp with her. "I don't think this has anything to do with your training so stay out of it!"

"So she was that important." The blond girl included, "and here I thought... never-mind." She had a sad grinned but shook her head, "Consider it dropped."

"Autumn," Ronald lightly patted her on the back.

"You can't ask things like that when someone looks at you like that." Darvas pointed out.

"Like what?" She asked.

"Like their whole world was stolen." He replied.

She turned to face him, looking into those eyes of his that often scared others, but she always thought they were beautiful. "You know that look, don't you?"

"Yeah and so do you. I didn't know you were that serious into Nod." He replied.

"Well, I never really thought about it until now, you know, but yeah I like him a lot." Darvas shook off the feeling that was trying to make its way up. He learned a long time ago how to close off emotions, he was not going to stop now.

"Let's go you two," Nod yelled. "Hurry up!"

The auburn girl shoulders sagged at the news that was just given to her from her snail friend. Her father was in the background working on another project and she could hear him babble on about improvements,"So he didn't want to talk to me." Grub shook his head sadden as he watched the look in M.K. eyes.

"I don't really blame him," She halved smiled.

Mod pushed his way in front of Grub, "Don't worry about him, we will always have our love my spectacular angel."

She tilted her head with a smile, "That's new! I'm an angel now."

"Oh yes,"

"Are you going to ask me if it hurt when I fell." She lightly teased.

"When you fell? Did you fall or you okay?" Grub asked peering closer searching for injuries.

"No, no," She shook her hands in front and was full of laughter, "Oh no, I'm fine, it's just a lame line."

"Yes it is," Mod agreed. "I can come up with something way better!"

"I'm sure you can, thanks guys. It is so nice seeing you. So can you tell me what's going in the forest." Grub looked hesitated but that did not keep him from speaking out.

"There's been mysterious deaths!" He exclaimed, "Boggans and Leaf-man."

"What?!" She exclaimed. She knew it. She just knew it, now Tara's dreams had to mean something. "Like what, when? How?"

"The last few months," her father interrupted, "I've helped the Queen as much as I can, but I still..." He gestured to something on the the table.

"Is that a...Dad you been performing autopsy's on the kitchen table, I eat there."

"No, no," He shook his head, "Not on the table, well yes, but I've always had something underneath them and look..." He waved his hand, "Gloves." She cringed.

"Suddenly meat-lovers pizza doesn't sound so yummy."

"What's that?" Grub inquired.

"Don't worry about it," M.K. waved the thought a way and gazed closer to the screen, "Can you guys do me a favor?" They nodded.

"Can you guys get me Ronin?"

"Ronin why?" the snail wondered.

"You are not into old guys now? because baby I got years of..." Mod began.

"This is important," She looked at him with a serious expression, they hadn't seen since their adventures.

"Okay," Mod agreed, let's go he shoved Grub out of the way.

"But what's pizza?" the snail kept wondering.

When they were out of sight her father looked at her with concern. "What's wrong?"

"I don't know, it may be nothing." She stared at the small tiny dead body, "but then again...dad do you think I was cute when I was small." He blinked with a surprise.

"Uh yes."

"Ronin," The two slimy friends shoved their way through the tent. The leader of the leaf-man stared at them with a pleasant surprise. He had just finished some more paperwork and could use the break.

"Mod and Grub, I didn't except to see you here today."

"M.K."

"My fine lady," They spoke at the same time.

"She wants to..."

"And keep her away from Nod." They spoke once again. It went on like that for awhile before Ronin's delight turned into a headache. He knew that he was more likely to get a straight across out of Grub. "Private Grub," Who immediately perked up for attention, "Tell me what's going on." Mod began to open his mouth, "Close it."

"She's," Mod began.

"Shut it," The jaw came down again, "Now," He pointed at him, "NOW!" Mod slammed his mouth shut and mumbled something between his lips but Ronin ignored it.

"M.K. wants to talk to you." A straight answer, it was so much shorter than if he had let the two continued but Ronin was a little surprised, it was not like they had not had a conversation on occasion but he been very busy, lately. "Oh, I'll come to see her tomorrow." He waved it off.

"She sounded urgent."

That was even more worrisome, M.K. understood his work and was busy herself, "How urgent?"

"She..."

"You listen up if my angel of the forest asks for you, you go to her." Ronin just raised a brow, not the least bit shocked by Mod's words.

"I'm so sorry, but I think you should go," Grub agreed. "Sir," He saluted.

"Okay let's go," He made his way out of the tent, straighten his coat on his way to the bird.

"Now?" they both questioned.

"It's urgent, isn't it?" He threw on his helmet. "Get on," They piled on.

"Like the good old days," Grub grinned.

"Good, not so sure." Ronin replied buried beneath the large bugs.

Ronin leaned against the tree looking up at the rounded lens standing in his usual confident stance. "So you say you been seeing Tara in your dreams."

"I'm sorry," She was worried about him, it only been a year since her death and she knew it couldn't be easy. "I didn't mean to..."

"It's...I'm being doing okay, Nod has been keeping me busy." She smiled fondly with a twinge bit of sadness.

"Oh I imagine."

"So, you say your in a garden."

"I know it could be nothing but with..."

"It's not nothing." He was sure of that. It was not just a dream he was sure of that. He knew that sometime dreams could be used as method of communication by those who possessed the magic of the forest.

"Oh what is it?" Her father inquired over her shoulder.

"Dad!" She complained as he had startled her a bit, also she was hoping to keep this conversation between her and Ronin. Her father still was obsessed with their world, and she did not know how much of what she had been dreaming was supposed to be a secret.

"Sorry M.K. but you been anxious since they left and I'm now curious. You know I haven't really found anything strange about the bodies, but I'm not exactly a medical examiner."

"We have nobody else," Ronin replied and then he directed the conversation back to the red head. "Your dreams, the garden I know of it."

Her eyes widened in surprise, "You do?"

"Yes...well I've heard of it, everyone in the forest has." He look thoughtful, remembering the story in the scrolls and what he was taught back in School.

"Well I haven't," Her father peered closer and she pushed him away, "What is it?"

"It is the place all the leader of the forest meet once a year to prepare for things to come." M.K. Guessed that meant it was okay for her father to know about what they talked about.

"There's more of you?" M.K. She should not be so surprised but she never really thought of their being more then those in the woods behind her father's house. He nodded.

"Yes, there are 11 more forests, all different, but connected to us."

"Why haven't you been there?"

"I can't only Queens and their warriors can go."

"Why am I seeing this garden? Am I? Oh no, will have to be small again?"

"Very well could be." Ronin smirked, "I think you look cuter when you were smaller anyway."

"Are you sure."

"No well have to bring the Queen for a meet, she's coming to discuss things with your father."

"How has she been? She's so young." M.K. often wondered why the former queen picked somebody so young and inexperienced, she must see something they do not. She had no doubt of that, though.

"Good, but I do worry about her being so young, I don't think she'll keep her smile like...Tara did."

"Well, nobody was like her." M.K. agreed, she only knew the woman for a minute but she was pretty sure from all the discussions and the way the people mourned her, she was awesome.

"No, they isn't," He agreed with bitter-sweet fondness, "Well, I'll be back soon with the queen, so we can discuss things then. We have to be careful though." He looked serious at her.

"Why?"

"We may have most of the Boggans under control but they been restless and with them dying in an unexplainable..."

"They're blaming you guys, of course." She rolled her eyes, "They gave us all the trouble and we almost get killed trying to restore balance and they went to blame you guys first time something is out of whack, when it is probably their fault."

"I don't think so, not this time." Ronin replied, "Anyway I'll be back soon."

"Thank you." She nodded.

"M.K." Father began, "I'm not sure if I like this. You being small again, there is no telling what will happen. If this is about that boy..."

"It's not," but maybe she was lying to herself. He placed his hand on her shoulders.

"Okay, if you say so, I got so much work to do." He began to exam more of the small artifacts.

Nod stood by, bored out of his mind leaning against the post. He gazed over at Darvas, who had been surprisingly quiet. He thought for sure the guy would be pounding details out of him, yet he for once followed orders. He was up to something. He looked so focused too, he had to be plotting.

Darvas gazed up, "What!"

"Nothing, you usually have some insult by now."

"Oh the one time I decide to be nice you are complaining." His silver eyes swirled around.

"Oh No," Autumn had been walking back and forth, checking the parameter with her staff in hand. She held it in between them. "Guys, this was a miracle don't ruin it."

"I'm not..." Darvas stood straighter as his silver eyes took in the leader of the Leaf-men heading their way. Everyone else followed his eyesight.

"Ronin," Nod was taken aback, "What are you doing here?"

He grinned as he came down, "I thought I give you a break."

"Oh please yes." Ronald whined.

"I'm so bored," Autumn agree running toward Ronin.

"Doing what exactly," Nod knew something was up immediately.

"Helping me escort the queen."

"Really," Autumn exclaimed, Darvas nodded his head with a grin even he seemed excited. Ronald was dancing in joy, and Lud was being Lud, showing his excitement by stating all the facts he knew about the queen.

"To where?" He was not surprise that Nod was suspicious. It was not often he got a mission like this during these times, despite his field experience during the time of the pod. Nod was still raw and the queen was important, yet he had a feeling that it might be the idea to get them all back together. Ronin sighed, it would still not be easy telling him.

"Where?"

"Who cares?" Daravas stated, "How can you of all people turn this down. You have been complaining more than us how boring this all is." He just glared.

"Because I know Ronin," His arms crossed, his eyes focused, "Where?"

"To the Watch Tree." It had been fondly named so because it was where anyone went to go get Info from M.K.'s dad, it was the nearest camera to the base, so much so you could still see base in the distant.

"No."

"If you are not coming along willingly. I'll make it an order. You are going." He stared him down.

"And that's work so well in the past," He rolled his eyes and waved him off with both hands, "Maybe I'll go back to racing."

"You are a leader now you can't leave your team behind."

Autumn leaned close to Darvas, "Why doesn't he just go."

Darvas knew exactly why, "Her..."