Ch 20

As Maka came to the entrance of the underworld.

"This is for the best." she was about to enter when suddenly she was gripped on the arm and pulled back.

"You can't do this Maka."

Maka pulled her arm away from the messenger god.

"Soul don't stop me from doing what is right! He won't let him leave and he would rather have innocent lives dying! I can't allow it!"

"Maka I had a talk with Kid and he is taking it to consideration." Soul said. "Let the faiths choose and go back home."

"Please as if he cares…" Maka sneered. "He won't let Crona go!"

"There's a way where everyone wins." Soul protested. "Demeter will have to accept it but at least she will have Crona, just not in the way she wants it to be."

"You're serious?!" Maka yelled. "This cannot be acceptable soul! How long will innocent dies as Kid's kingdom grows? I have to stop this before it's too late!"

Before soul can stop her, she put on the cloak and disappeared. Soul exhaled and decided to go tell spirit about this. He could try to stop her but then she could find a way to get soul lost and he be wasting more precious time. 'Telling spirit is the only choice right now. Hang on Crona.' And soul flew out in haste.

"Your going to unleash hell Maka and you will be the one to have front row seats."

In the underworld-

Maka saw Cerberus standing by and began growling.

'I can't waste it any at all.' Maka kept still and slowly made her path through the guard dog and began to ran. She was able to enter the kingdom with no problem. She sighed in relief seeing the king was no where in sight but can't search the whole castle if she wants to face the monster.

'Where can I find him?' She thought. Before she could figure or conjure a plan, she heard someone coming. She moves away to see the two servants carrying a bag of seeds.

"Hey Liz what do think Crona would feel about these new seeds for the garden?" patty asked. "I'm surprised Kid is allowing other plants to be grown."

Liz smiled. "Of course he will and Kid won't mind at all if this helps Crona with controlling his powers." Liz stopped for a moment to balance her hold on the bag of seeds. "Crona has been getting his powers and he's been growing plants in seconds, faster than Demeter! Kid has been helping him control his powers better and he is even happy to see most are in symmetry. The one s he adores the most are the tulips with deep colors." Liz smiled. "What is crazy was that nymph trying to seduce Kid and she even impersonated as Crona."

"I have never seen Crona that enraged! He made her emplode!"

"It's explode Patty and then Crona felt somewhat bad he brought her back into a mint tree. I now can make mint tea." Liz grin.

"And I thought Kid was sinister! Crona is just as scary." Patty giggled.

"But still the sweet and kindred spirit we all love." Liz affirmatively and smiled. "We still got to do other errands so sooner we deliver these the better we can finish."

Maka was surprised by the conversation. 'Crona has powers? He made someone explode!?' Maka followed the spirits behind.

They entered the garden seeing Crona planting some seeds in the ground and for a moment, they saw Crona's work grow within seconds.

"Crona these plants are growing beautifully. Kid will be happy to see your getting better." Liz said.

Crona smiled. "Its just crazy how I have my powers. I guess being here helped me grow. Being with Kid help me better myself."

Patty giggled. "Not as much as Kid spending time with you." She spoke with a snicker.

Crona blushed lightly. "Kid really is passionate especially in his draconian form." He was now deeply shaded red.

Both Patty and Liz giggled but Maka was shocked to hear what her friend just said.

'Demeter will not like this at all.' Maka could not believe Crona gave himself to that monster! That vicious god. 'It has to be a lie!'

"Well we got other stuff to do so we brought the rest of the seeds here. Call us if you need anything." Liz and patty spoke as they headed off.

Maka slowly crept to the garden only for Crona to turn as if he knew she was there.

"Maka I can see you." Crona crept slowly away from her direction.

"Crona please don't run!" Maka yelled as she took off the cloak. "I wanted to say I'm sorry!"

Crona although still scared was a little less tense but was still ready to run if she was planning another kidnapping attempt.

Maka continued. "Crona I'm sorry for what I did!" she kept her distance but continued. "I shouldn't assume what was best for you when I should have had taken into consideration." Maka held her head down. "I put you through an awful situation;" she then looked up teary eyed. "please, I only wanted you to be happy."

Crona was quiet for a moment and took a deep breath. "Maka… I'm not mad at you anymore for that, I have already forgiven you. I cannot stay mad at you." He spoke giving a small smile.

Maka smiled but soon became serious. "Listen Crona I need to tell you what's been happening up on the surface." Maka said. "All the plants on the surface is dying and soon the mortals are next to go."

"What do you mean? Mother could not do that?" Crona asked.

"After the last attempt to bring you home, I told Demeter what happened." Maka looked to the side and continues. "She is outright furious Crona! She decided and threaten if she couldn't have you back back then all the mortals won't have the source of their food either… I found out from soul's scroll that there was a way for everyone to not die but it didn't explain much."

Maka took a moment and looked to Crona with hope. " You and I know negotiating with Kid is like talking to a stone, he won't listen nor care. Please come back with me to Demeter…"

But little did Maka know Crona overheard Kid talking to soul and he heard what soul suggested. In truth he didn't want to go back even if his mother threatened to end all life.

"I need to speak with Kid first Maka. He is not like that, he will listen." but before Crona could go Maka had stopped him.

"Crona listen to me you need to go see your mother now! She misses you terribly!" Maka proclaimed.

"Maka let me see Kid!" Crona stated. Maka would not move but was pushed away by a force. She did not see the king but who was it?

"I don't want to fight you." Crona spoke.

Maka was shocked but kept her cool.

"Crona don't do this to us! Listen to reason!"

"I am listening and I need to talk to Kid and your in my way!" Crona glared down at his friend and his eyes were changing. "Please Maka your my friend, I care about you as much as everyone else."

Maka smiled, hoping Crona was agreeing with her.

"But I love Kid more than anything. I don't want to leave him." Crona held his sword out. "I want to make this work out but you are standing in my way."

"Crona I was taught by the best of fighters." Maka stated as she held her sword out. "I will fight you if I must to make you go."

Maka was the first to strike and Crona dodge her with less problem. Maka swung her sword but saw Crona bend back. Maka was shocked, Tsubaki and Stein taught her how to fight and was the top of her class. 'Crona never had any training yet he fights like he had done this for so long!' just as Maka was about to roundhouse kick, she was blasted off across the garden and practically near the port. She was scratched up but not badly enough.

"Maka I am warning you for the last time."

She looked up to see Crona across. "I don't want to hurt you."

Before Crona was about to leave, Maka tossed the vial toward Crona. as the vial cracked the liquid inside became gas. Crona coughing suddenly began to fall only for Maka to catch him.

Maka had grabbed Crona and ran off, leaving only his sword behind.

Unbeknownst to her, the king felt his queen called for him.