Chapter 29

The revelation of Alfonse's past, helped Artemis to see her teacher in a new light. It also made speaking to him somehow a little easier, as she now knows of his burden and the pain he felt which seemed to surmount her own. There were things she still wanted to know, such as the name of the love of his life, but she knew better to ask as she was sure he would tell her in his own time. With the information out in the open, the two worked together on perfecting Artemis's Hawk Sight.

It was still difficult at first, but after awhile, her patience soon succeeded. Although it was still intense for the animal fairy, she had learned how to control the intensity and use the ability to her advantage. Alfonse would have her fly on Strider and use his abilities as a water fairy to teach them how to use the Hawk Sight to fight. Then he would have Strider fly a little ways away and Artemis would use their shared gift to fight on the ground. Progress had been made, and unbeknownst to her, Alfonse had deemed her ready for the next peace of information every Hawk Rider should know.

On the day he decided to tell her, Artemis was found play fighting with her large red-tail hawk. Watching the two, made the water fairy think of his own hawk and sadness flooded in him again at the thought of his long gone companion. Then Strider looked up at him and Artemis, who was giggling, turned around and noticed him too. The animal fairy walked up to him, a controlled smile on her face, along with an questioning gaze.

"You have done well Artemis, so well that there is only one more thing I must teach you. Come, follow me." Alfonse said, and began walking towards a tunnel to their right.

The tunnel was dark, except for the small holes in the ceiling to give them light. It was also different from the others, for they were made of dirt. This one was made up of dirt, rock, and eventually only roots. With each step they took, the thicker the roots became.

The two came to a wall of roots as their dead end and Artemis was about to question on whether they had taken a wrong turn, until Alfonse placed his palm on one of the roots and the wall split open to reveal a doorway. Walking through, there was a not a room per say, but rather a small clearing made up entirely of roots. In the center, was a bright light hovering inside what looked to be a large stone bowl.

Walking up to it out of curiosity, Artemis reached to touch the light and was surprised to not get burned. Instead, she felt a surge of warmth flow within her with such an intensity, it made her feel alive.

"What is it?" Artemis asked, mesmerized by the light.

"The heart of the Pixie Dust Tree." Was Alfonse's answer.

Surprised by this, the animal fairy turned to him "I thought the Pixie Dust Tree only lived by it's roots."

"The tree is special as you know. In the beginning of creation, Gaia had made one in each world she created to keep them alive, along with giving the fairies their ability to fly by using pixie dust. The heart of the tree is also what's keeping Morpheus from killing Neverland."

"If it's keeping him out, then how is he supposed to feed on it to be able to do so?"

"Ages ago, the Hawk Riders before us had found a way to turn the heart into the source of the barrier. They did it by channeling their aura's by creating a beacon of light and fueling it into the Pixie Dust Tree. The only way for it to be taken down is by a Hawk Rider only and since we're the only ones keeping Morpheus's darkness at bay, it is unlikely he could ever feast on it."

Artemis stared at the light with a newfound perspective and it was at this moment she fully understood her purpose as a Hawk Rider. Seeing the expression on her face, Alfonse could feel hope for the first time in an age, and knew it was time to correct one of his mistakes.

It was later in the evening when Queen Clarion was finally in her room after a long day of fulfilling her duties. She was looking at her reflection in a bowl of water, silent in thought as she unpinned her hair from its up-do. In the midst of the quiet, a soft fluttering flooded her ears and then a soft knock on her door. Turning toward it, she went to open the door for it to reveal the one person she hadn't seen in years. Alfonse stood awkwardly, expecting to be yelled at, but was instead immediately in the embrace of his queen and friend.

"I thought you were dead." Queen Clarion muttered, fighting back her tears.

"I'm sorry, I thought it was better if I stayed out of your life after what happened." Alfonse replied, letting go of her.

"Alfonse, what happened then wasn't your fault anymore as it was mine. You need to put the past behind you."

A small sigh came from the water fairy, as he then said "I know I must, but that is not why I'm here."

"Then why?"

"A hawk has chosen a new rider, a young animal fairy named Artemis."

Surprised by this news, Queen Clarion couldn't help but exclaim "Artemis! I knew that there was something unusual about her, but I didn't think it would lead to this."

"She's quite a good student, quick minded and very strategic for someone who's never been in a battle before. It seems her hawk had chosen her because she showed no fear of healing it. However, it's not just her I came to talk to you about. It seems Morwen is back and if he has returned, then Morpheus won't be too far behind." Alfonse states, knowing she understood too well what the situation entailed.

"Then what must we do?"

"It is too dangerous for anyone to leave Pixie Hollow, you must delay the changing of seasons."

She expected this, but it still wasn't easy to hear it. "I'll speak to the ministry tomorrow, but I cannot guarantee what the result would be."

"At least you can trust another's judgment on the most dire of situations. Artemis believes we should tell others of our existence, but after last time, I don't think I could bear another disaster."

A thoughtful expression appeared on the queen's face as she replied "You know for a long time I believed the same thing, even more so after what happened to Milori. However, I've come to realize by the younger fairies that secrets can also be the cause of destruction. If Artemis believes there are people she knows she can trust with the knowledge of the Hawk Riders, then you should allow her to share it. After all, what better way is there to possibly find potential new students?"

Alfonse had thought about this and couldn't find any answer to give her. So when he left her that night, he knew she was right and was hoping he would not regret what he was about to do in the morning.

Author's Note: Hello wassup? *Sigh* this one was a bit of a doozy, I started it last night and then my laptop last connection so that meant I lost the stuff I didn't save, and so I gave up afterwards. However, I'm happy to have it finished and I hope you all liked it. Thanks again everyone for keeping up with this story and I'll try to write another one tomorrow but I can't guarantee anything. Until next time!