Author's Note: I know I said I would update soon but my school life started to pick up a bit and it really sidetracked me. I have been writing bits of this chapter whenever I can so the result was it took a long time to post and proofread. I wish I didn't keep you waiting during a cliffhanger because I know the pain of having a cliffhanger and then the story comes to a pause.

I want to thank everyone who has been patient and I half expected to have a lot of mean reviews but you guys are so supportive and seem to understand my situation and it means a lot to me.

Here's chapter twenty-six! Hope ya'll like it!

Clarion raised her head from where it was resting on the plush grass. She blinked a good number of times and rubbed her eyes to get her bearings. Her head was banging and her limbs felt as if the weren't attached to her small frame. She stared at the grass on her hands and knees and breathed deeply and closed her eyes as to her it seemed the world was spinning. Clarion couldn't remember what had happened after they had entered the cave and it was then she realized she no longer had a tail. She recalled entering in the cave with her family and gripping Milori's upper arm when everything began to swirl but other than that her mind was blank. Gathering her strength she sat up on her knees and ran her fingers through her, surprisingly dry, hair and look around the area. She saw her siblings all lying on the floor along with her lover. Not wanting to wake the up, she gripped the pendant that held the life support for the birds and recited the enchanted words the Chloe told her and soon enough the birds had appeared along with their belongings. She smiled up at the birds and stroked their feathered chests in turn before hearing a grunt from behind her. She turned to see Milori waking.

"Clarion?" He called out as he sat on his knees. His face then winced in pain and he clutched his head. "Ouch."

"Are you alright?" Clarion asked as she walked over, sat beside him and cupped his face. "Your head will feel better in a minute, it just needs to adjust from the water pressure to the air pressure." She explained as she kissed his temple lovingly.

Milori nodded and waited for the relief of the pain. "Are you alright?" He asked suddenly and began inspecting her for any marks of being harmed. Clarion shook her from side to side, smiling all the while at his protectiveness.

"I'm fine, a slight headache but fine." She smiled at him and kissed his cheek as he smiled back at her and closed his eyes as her warm lips made contact with his cold cheek. As she pulled away he cupped her face in his hands and kissed her forehead before kissing her lips slowly and lovingly. They pulled away for the second time and looked at the family and soon enough they all began to wake up with banging heads.

"What happened in that cave?" James asked as he helped his wife, Louise, up. He continued to clutch his head as he held Louise in his arms.

"I think we are not meant to ever know." Elizabeth suggested. Robert shrugged from beside her, considering the idea.

"Probably." He replied as he ran his fingers through his hair.

At that moment he realized that Clarion had freed the birds and their belongings from the pendant and went over to grab something for them to eat, hoping that some nutrition would help with their heads. David left Dania's side to go and help him bring the packs down from the owl's back. The brought the bags to the center of the group and opened it up to see what they could find. Discovering yogurt, fruit, nuts and some eggs that had stored, they decided to have some breakfast. Judging from how close the sun was rising from the horizon, they had all been passed out the entire night. Sitting down with their now cooked meals they all began discussing what will be happening next.

"So we just need to find that mystical cave?" Dania confirmed. Everyone nodded and simultaneously looked around for any signs of a cave.

"The map did say we should have landed right by it." Milori said and everyone shared a confused look. Suddenly Clarion had an idea.

"Maybe if it so mystical, the cave is invisible or has some sort of secret passage way?" Everyone considered the idea and went back to eating. The energy and nutrition had helped tremendously with their heads and they were feeling back to normal in no time. Packing everything back on the birds, the decided to walk around seeing the cave shouldn't be too far away according to the map.

They had only ventured out a few meters before Clarion had halted them to a stop. "What are you doing?" David asked his sister in law as he looked behind them to see that where they had all passed out was still in plain sight.

"It's somewhere here, I'm sure of it." Clarion replied firmly as she began to wander about.

"How would you know if it was here?" Robert asked. Clarion rolled her eyes and kept searching.

"It's just one of those feelings you know? The ones that convince you so much that you end up doing the most craziest things, even if it was wrong." Clarion explained.

Milori nodded in understanding and helped her search. Seeing as they didn't have much of a choice the siblings began looking to. They looked in probably about every possible hiding spot. Under rocks, above trees, behind plants but they had no luck. Just as they were about to call quits and move on Clarion spotted a certain tree glowing. It had a rather interesting shape and seemed to have a lot of potential compared to other trees. Feeling drawn to it, Clarion walked over and placed a hand on the glowing bark. The tree began to rumble and Clarion nervously took a step back to the safety of Milori's arms. The tree suddenly split open to reveal a barren land with a cave. Robert looked closely and moved behind the tree to see that the land wasn't there and that the cave had a hidden portal. The all looked at one another and held hands as they stepped in, the tree swallowing them whole.

Opening their eyes, the looked to see the cave before them.

"Should we go in?" Clarion squeaked nervously. Milori looked at her lovingly and nodded. She smiled up at him and cuddled up to his side.

"It's now or never." Dania whispered as she walked over and wrapped an arm around Clarion's shoulders. Clarion smiled up at her elder sister and sighed.

They began to walk towards the cave and just before they were going to enter, a giant ghost like creature appeared. The monster laughed evilly and blocked the path into the cave, their only hope of getting their parents back. The ghost had gold piercing eyes and a white body that seem unattached from the head. It laughed once more and it seemed as if the stars could fall with just one evil chuckle.

"What brings you all here?" The ghost bellowed at the royal family. "Nobody is welcome here!"

The sibling stood back nervously and looked at one anther. Clarion then stepped forward nervously. "We've come to retrieve the golden butterfly gem." She explained. The ghost looked at her. "Please. We really do need it."

"Why should I give you my prized possession, girl." The ghost sneered at the fairy queen. "You are nothing compared to me. Nothing you here me! Nothing!" The ghost screamed. Instead of cowering back, Clarion stood tall and brave.

"Very well." She muttered. "Nothing, huh? I'll show you who has nothing." She turned to her family and whispered her plan they all nodded. Before the ghost had time to react, Milori trapped it in a large icebox. Using her fast flying talent Clarion placed it in a whirlwind and sent it far away. During that, the siblings snuck in the cave and checked to see if the ghost had any friends lingering inside. Clarion and Milori soon joined them and they slowly made their way through the twists and turns of the cave. The soon reached an open area with four possible paths leading to a floating platform. Looking at their feet they say thousands of gold butterfly gems.

"How are we supposed to know which one of these is the real gem?" Robert asked as his eyes continued to scan the floor.

"I think it's that one." Clarion pointed to the platform that was floating. On it was a stand, which held a glowing golden butterfly with a spotlight hanging over it showing all it's golden glory. Clarion looked at her brother, giggling.

"I can see why you would guess that one." He shrugged jokingly. They all made their way to the four possible paths that all lead to the platform. Eyeing them suspiciously, Clarion looked over to see a sign hanging on the wall.

She walked over and began to read it. "Four gems, four paths and four siblings that all disappeared on her fourth birthday like ghosts. The youngest of the four will impress the most." Clarion read out loud.

"That means that you have to get it?" James asked." Clarion nodded and eyed the paths once again, not certain that all four paths were going to be fine for her. Each path had their own twists and turns and their own way to getting to the platform. It seemed too good to be true that all four paths would lead her safely to the gem she so desperately needed.

She walked towards the edge as she tied up her long honey brown hair into a high ponytail to keep it away from her eyes so it wouldn't distract her. Looking down she noticed it seemed to be a bottomless hole. Gulping nervously, she looked back at Milori. He walked over to her and hugged her tightly.

"You can do this, sweetheart." He whispered as he rested his forehead rested against her own. "I know you can. Be careful, okay?" Clarion nodded and continued to hug him he pulled away and pulled her face close for a passionate kiss. Pulling away he looked into her blue eyes and smiled. He let go of her so her siblings could wish her good luck.

"I love you Clarion." Dania whispered as she hugged her youngest and only sister with all her might. "Go and do this. Do it for all of us." Clarion nodded and hugged her brothers before walking to the edge once more.

Looking at the paths she carefully stepped onto the first one before quickly jumping off as the whole bridge crumpled to the ground. Everyone behind her gasped in shock and Clarion could fee her heartbeat racing but she forced herself to remain calm. Stepping onto the next one she realized that this one would hold her weight. Slowly walking on it she turned so she was now up against the wall where the rest of the platform remained. Just as she pressed herself to the cool rock, the very platform she had walked one collapsed. She breathed deeply as she continued to take baby steps against the wall, towards the platform all the while her family were shouting out 'suggestions.'

"Watch your foot!"

"No, don't step there…No! Not there either."

"You're doing great so far."

"Watch out!" Clarion closed her eyes and blocked out their voices to focus on her task. After every step the floor would crumple behind her. Soon enough though she was at the edge but there was a problem. Clarion had to jump onto the platform, which meant life or death for her. She knew she had her wings to help but they recently had run low on pixie dust and began to save it for more important things than flight. Taking a deep breath she felt her foot leap of the collapsing platform and she landed safely on the floating rock. Running to the gem she quickly grabbed it and smiled at her victory.

The cave began to rumble and the ceiling began to break apart and fall down on the remaining platforms that could have helped her return to the other side. But as the sign promised a glowing blue bridge appeared and she ran across it. The siblings all ran and quickly made their way out the cave just before it sunk into the ground. They all laughed in relief and hugged before noticing the portal door was beginning to close on them. Running as fast as they could, they leaped out and fell onto the grass.

They looked up to see the birds raising their eyebrows at them and giving them a questioning hoot. They all laughed and Clarion looked down at the glowing gem in her hands. They had finally collected all four gems and all they needed to do was find the disappeared diamond castle, which may potentially lead them to their parents. Milori leaned over and whispered in her ear.

"I knew you could do it, my love."

Author's Note: Well there you have it guys! They finally found all four gems. I'm going to have to think about the next part so again the next chapter will most likely be a longish wait. Sorry about that! It means a lot to me that you are all so patient and wait for me.

Oh and thank you so much for over one hundred reviews again! When I see my story it's hard to think that the one hundred reviews are for me! Honestly guys you make my day with them. Please don't stop reviewing! Tell me what you thought of everything in this chapter please!

See you all in the next chapter!