Blooming of the pod, yay!

Percy: Hey guys, sorry I've been busy. *mischievous wink*

Me: *facepalm*

Disclaimer: I. Do. Not. Own. Epic. How many times do I have to say this? -_-

Thank you for all the people that favorite/followed/reviewed my story so far! 33 reviews! Wowza!

"So basically, the pod has to bloom in moonlight," Ronin summed up. Tara nodded and hummed. He wasn't done with the questions however, "What if it doesn't?" She frowned. Has there ever been a pod that had bloomed in darkness? She answered hesitantly, "I don't know exactly. But it has to bloom in the light of the moon."

The bird gently fluttered down and clasped it's feet on a rock. Ronin helped the Queen off as Nim Galuu emerged from the tree.

"Ronin. Your Highness." He addressed them both, bowing with all of his six arms.

Nod's and M.K.'s birds soared down for a landing. Mub acted unusual, scrambling off the bird and racing into the tree, Grub after him.

Ronin watched them run off, "What's happened to them?"

Nod shrugged innocently, "Dunno."

M.K. tilted her head questioningly at him, a small smirk on her face, "You really don't know?" She slowly dismounted and petted the bird's beak. Her hair glinted a slight silver.

Nod scratched the back of his neck, "No clue." He lied.

She laughed and leaned forward, whispering, "You look cute when you're jealous."

Nod spluttered, his face heating up immediately.

M.K. patted his cheek and left him behind, mouth open in shock.

The ceremony began just when Nod had regained his senses. With the help of some guards on duty, of course.

The only sound that could be heard was Queen Tara's footsteps as she walked over to the small pond of water.

The pod floated easily in the tiny spring and strands reached for the closing moonlight.

Suddenly, a guard was thrown across the room, his armor smoking with rot.

"Mandrake!" Ronin unsheathed his sword, as well as twenty other leafmen.

"Well, this must be the delivery room." Mandrake smiled pleasantly and tried to knock aside another guard.

He fell aside and got to his feet, eyes burning with fury.

Nim Galuu nervously laughed, "You've got yourself lost, buddy. Down the hall and-"

"Silence!" Mandrake roared, pushing him aside.

M.K. and Nod stood at battle position in front of the pod. Nod was so nice to let her borrow his knife. Why did it have slime on it?

At Ronin's command, they attacked. Arrows flew and connected to Mandrake's arm and hand.

Mandrake roared for backup, but Nod put a stop to it. He slammed the hilt of his sword into Mandrake's gut. The Boggan King staggered, coughing. Nod swung his sword around and it clashed with Mandrake's staff. Ronin leaped forward to help and crossed swords with Nod.

They shoved back Mandrake until he flew out into the forest.

The Jinn cheered.

However, the Boggans heeded their king's call and soared around the tree.

Queen Tara crouching in the corner, trying to tend to the leafman's injuries.

M.K. grabbed Nod's arm before he could race off, "Be careful. I'll stay here and watch over the pod." He nodded and raced out of the tree.

Queen Tara stood, draping a blanket over the man's body. A few Jinn walked forward and carried the body out.

Her Highness stood, gazing at the pod with no particular emotion.

The moonlight shone over the pod as it radiated energy.

M.K. watched as it slowly bloomed and the Queen's powers seeped from her. Her dress became a light sky-blue and watched the gold dust curl playfully around the room until they rested in the new ruler's hands.

M.K.'s eyes widened as the dust shimmered around her. For a moment, she couldn't see anything, but gold. The it faded away and she saw the Jinn kneel as well as former-queen Tara.

She looked down and gasped. Her short dress had grown longer and shimmered a pure white. Her hair had been curled and a small crown of white flowers rested on her head.

The sounds of battle slowly diminished and the leafmen entered. Nod's eyes seemed to look like an owl's as he began to figure out what had happened. Ronin looked no different, but he had managed to stop staring at her.

Nim Galuu bowed to her, "Your Majesty."

Queen M.K. smiled and curtsied. Then she realized she still held Nod's knife and walked over to him. She slipped the knife in it's the sheath and gave him a small smile.

"Let's celebrate, in honor of the new Queen, Mary Katherine!" Nim announced.

M.K. made a face at her full name. How did he know anyway?

Nod noticed and laughed. He bit the inside of his cheek and M.K. couldn't help thinking that he looked so cute, even when he had a new bruise on his face. She rolled her eyes, gripped his shirt, and kissed him. He looked shocked for a moment, but then he smiled against her lips.

Tara cheered along with the Jinn. Ronin watched her, smiling. M.K. nudged him and gave him a pointed look. He sighed and slowly walked over.

His Tara smiled at him, "Hey, Ronin."

Ronin didn't reply and just swept her up in a kiss.

"Well, today seems to be a very happy day for everyone." Nod said over the cheering. He gripped her hand.

She smiled and nodded, "A very happy day."

Okay, I swear this is one of the most happiest chapters I have ever written. Ever! Maybe even one of the longest chapters too.

Percy: *sniffs and dabs eyes with a tissue*

Me: Are you crying?

Percy: NO! I never cry. *sniff*

Me: *gives him a hug*

Review! Story's not over yet! :D