Wow. chapter 7 already. Personally I hated writing this chapter but I promise it's going to get a lot better afterwards. I've been rather annoyed at the fact that I could only call Crysta's dad either 'Crysta's father' or 'the old man' cuz I have no idea what his real name is. Anyway R&R.

Pips stared wide eyed at the ring of Fairies surrounding him, baffled. He could not believe what he just heard.

Crysta's father told him that the Fairies wanted to make him leader, but he brushed it off unbelievingly. However, once the meeting began and the subject was brought up by the Elders, he couldn't deny it then. A sea of hands rose in the air in agreement, finalizing the decision.

Pips had to fight this. Crysta had been trying so hard to keep things flowing, he was not about to let her efforts be pushed aside like this. Yes, she had been neglecting her duties recently but that doesn't give the Fairy people the right to make such a decision without her knowing. Pips voiced his thoughts angrily.

'If she is not here to contribute to her people then what right has she to decide? She has turned her back on us and is flaunting about with the humans. You on the other hand, have been continuously loyal and have shown great potential of leadership,' one of the Elders boomed.

'Not only that but you have managed to keep our current leader aware of her duties up until now. You willingly and selflessly support those around you and that is a quality that has been in your favor to this decision,' another Elder added.

'But what if I don't want to be leader,' Pips said desperately.

'Come on Pips!' someone, a female voice, shouted from the crowd, 'you're the best Fairy for the job!'

'Yeah! Everyone likes you and we listen to you.'

'Crysta only cares about herself!'

Murmuring amongst the crowd became louder as they voiced their opinions. All seemed to want Pips to lead them and were degrading Crysta to a level of disgrace. The noise reverberated around Pips and he felt trapped and suffocated by the cage of dependence that was slowly closing in on him.

'SHUT UP!!!'

A shocked silence settled in the area. Pips stared at the faces around him, angry and betrayed. They haven't even given Crysta a chance.

The loss of Magi Lune had been a huge blow and it had affected them all. The assurance of guidance was no longer there and Pips couldn't blame them for wanting to have someone they could rely on. It would seem that the Fairies have lost complete independence from Magi Lune's death.

'I refuse,' he said sternly quiet.

He could see and feel the shock and disappointment emitting from them, but he didn't care. All he cared about was Crysta, and he would not stand by whilst they dishonored her name.

'Crysta, is the most unselfish person I've ever met,' he told them, 'she's funny, smart, brave and spirited and she will go her own way to help others. Last year she saved a human from a falling tree, risked her life to trap Hexus and save Ferngully from complete destruction.

Now she has had the full weight of responsibility slung onto her shoulders as the new leader of our people. It's not easy. I've seen her struggle. I've seen cry at night because she feels responsible for what is happening and I've been trying to support her the best way I can.'

Only the calls of the forest continued to sound throughout his speech. In his anger he had unconsciously raised into the air, hovering above them so he could see everyone clearly.

'None of us, know what is happening,' he continued, calming down slightly, 'The Elders, who have lived a long, wise age have not come across this dilemma before, so I don't see how you can expect Crysta, let alone me, to know how to sort it.'

After venting out his rage, Pips allowed himself to float back to the forest floor.

'Instead of trying to replace her, we should help her. She cannot do this on her own and I know that I certainly couldn't either.'

Eyes peered at him from all directions. Some were in awe at the raw emotion with which Pips had spoken, some were guilt ridden and some were quite resentful at his words. Pips could practically feel the tension in the air. He was scared at what their answer could be.

'That's…that's all I wanted to say,' Pips said rather self-consciously.

The tense atmosphere was suddenly broken by a bright blue light that was flying around the trees that sheltered the area.

'Everyone! I have great news!'

Crysta angled her flight path to the centre of the trees and to the bare patch of earth where Pips was standing. She hadn't bothered to slow down in her excitement and almost stumbled into Pips as she landed roughly. Once regaining her balance, she lifted her head and spoke with a clear voice.

'I have found out why the trees are dying.'

Again a loud wave of sound filled the area as the Fairies began discussing and arguing amongst themselves. Many of them were angry at Crysta's presence, after being absent for so long and others were willing to listen to what she had to say.

The sudden uproar disturbed Crysta and she turned to Pips questioningly. She noticed he was pale and seemed rather drained, but relief was evident in his eyes. Her want for answers was immediately banished and was replaced with worry. She had never seen Pips in a state like this before and she took his face in her hands to examine him.

He silently told her that he was fine and she gazed at him cynically. The noise around them was growing in volume and it had reached a level at which Crysta wasn't going to be able to speak over. As Crysta looked around helplessly, Pips got an idea.

The drone of voices was suddenly drowned by the booming bass of percussion and the screaming vibrations of a guitar. Pips reappeared from a hole beneath the roots of one of the trees and was pulling the bright yellow tape player from its dormant home. He hit the stop button to find that the talking had died down and they once again had the Fairies attention. Pips nodded to Crysta to carry on.

She gave him a grateful smile then lifted herself into the air so she was in the centre of everyone's view.

'I have found out why the trees are dying,' she repeated, 'it is because we are growing them too quickly and too many. The soil contains things which the humans call minerals, and the plants take them from the soil to grow. However the amount of these minerals has been used up by our acceleration of growth and the recent young trees haven't had enough to survive. These minerals will naturally return to the soil, but that means that we will have to stop growing trees in those areas for a short time.'

'Where did you get this knowledge from? And what are we supposed to do instead?' another Elder demanded.

'I learned of this from the humans,' she answered, and there was an audible gasp from the Fairies.

'All we need to do, is tend to the forest as we have done before Hexus escaped and allow the trees to grow more slowly and naturally.'

'And what if this is a lie?' one of the Elders snapped, 'We've been in contact with this human before and from the example he made, he was completely untrustworthy.'

Crysta looked hurt by such an accusation, but it was fleeting as she lifted her chin determinedly.

'It's the truth.'

'Prove it.'

Her confidence wavered, how was she supposed to do that? Zack told her that these minerals were invisible to the naked eye but they came from all sorts of sources such as rain, dead leaves and other plant material. So it was literally impossible to prove their existence without the help from humans. Why did everyone doubt her?

The Elder sneered at her lack of response and turned to address the people.

'This is a serious matter. We have a leader who has been blinded by human lies and is sprouting nonsense that could lead to the discontinuing of the Forest's recovery. We do not have the time which you claim we must give. The ecosystem is out of balance as it is; we do not have room for the population of animals that have been forced to come here during Hexus's attack and many of them our starving due to lack of food. Can you possibly imagine the devastation that would occur if this continues?'

Crysta's eyes were wide in disbelief and they were shining with tears. Her father flew up to her and embraced her, trying his best to comfort her despite his small size.

'That is enough, Elder. That is enough.'

The Elder nodded in understanding.

'We will continue this meeting tomorrow morning. Everyone, back to work!'

The Elders are bastards, I haven't given tham names because I don't plan to have them appear again in my story. It is now going to be totally focused on Crysta, Pips and Zack until the next crisis arrises. What there's more? Course there is! Review.