I love all you people. Really I do. I'm just sorry I have to mess with your feels every chapter. xD
Thank you all for your continued support! It really motivates me and makes me smile for the rest of the day. :) Seriously I should bake you guys a cake or something.
Disclaimer: I do not own Epic nor any of its characters, etc, etc. Enjoy!
Professor Bomba removed his specialized helmet and ran a hand through his hair again, a sigh escaping him.
After the bats had responded to the frequency, Bomba had led the flying rats away from his daughter. He'd counted the distance he'd put between the bats and Mary Katherine, finally stopping when he reached a worn, nearly forgotten path that led back to the house. Turning off his ipod, the bats quickly scattered, confused, searching for that tempting sound which gave them direction. Now the clumsy professor stood in silence, gazing up at the full moon resting in the sky above.
A giddy feeling rose up in Bomba's chest, a ridiculous smile on his face. "I was right! Oh boy I was right!"
Excited, Bomba took out a small notepad that appeared ready to fall apart. He jot down a few quick notes; the bat frequency worked, his helmet needed a night-vision setting, and he had finally found evidence of the advanced society of tiny people living in the forest. The skinny man's gaze hovered over that last note before he closed it and returned it to his pocket. Finding a boulder to rest on, Bomba let out a tired sigh and pulled a small photo from his breast pocket. Bomba was in the picture, his arm around the shoulder of a beautiful woman with short brunette hair. A toddler girl with short orange hair was curled into the woman's arms, her entire face smiling at the camera, a sparkle flashing in her eyes.
As he gazed at the photograph, Bomba felt a wave of sadness and regret sweep over him. He vaguely remembered when Mary Kath - no - M.K had arrived earlier that morning. He racked his brain for any more details but there was nothing.
Sweeping his thumb lovingly over the woman's cheek, the gangly man sighed sadly. "I'm a fool Joyce," he snorted, "I guess I always was huh? You were always telling me it was foolish to continue my research after M.K was born...but..."
Bomba tried to think back to all his memories before his divorce. He remembered marrying his lovely wife after telling her he would never leave her, even if she was susceptible to cancer. He remembered the news his wife was pregnant, the discovery the baby was a girl, and of course his daughter's birth. He had dropped everything to drive Joyce to the hospital, risking a heavy speeding ticket if he was caught. Bomba gazed fondly at the toddler girl in the photo, remembering holding her for the first time. He had tickled her nose and tummy, babbling baby talk with his newborn daughter. Her big green eyes had been his favorite feature, as they matched his.
The professor sat there and dug up some more fond memories of his family. M.K's first birthday, her first bicycle, her first day of school. A frown tugged at his lips as the memories became more fragmented and hazy. He could only remember bits and pieces of M.K's kindergarten years, at the same time he barely remembered the following Father's Day's, Mother's Days, Halloweens, Thanksgivings, Christmases, and so forth. Each memory got foggier as the years moved on, approaching M.K's seventh birthday. Bomba smacked his head to try and force the memories to become clear, but to no avail. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't remember his daughter's sixth birthday party, not even her Halloween costume that year.
"I ignored you...I ignored both of you..." He whispered regretfully, tears gathering behind his eyes.
Bomba remembered M.K's seventh birthday because that was the day his lovely wife had asked for a divorce. Joyce had whispered hotly that they needed to talk later, after the party was over, and Bomba remembered simply nodding with an 'yes dear' that said he had barely heard her. He had just found his second piece of Boggan armor and was studying it closely. That night, he had come into their bedroom to find Joyce's personal suitcases sitting by her side of the bed. Still not catching on, Bomba had asked what she needed to talk about. She had wasted no time in expressing her feelings towards his research and how it had taken him away from his wife and daughter.
"You didn't even buy your own daughter a birthday present! I went out and bought one so Mary Katherine wouldn't think her Daddy didn't love her!"
Bomba had tried reasoning, promising to lessen his research, but she didn't buy it. She called him out on all his false promises, tears trickling down her face, and handed him her wedding ring. It had been a surreal feeling, staring at the ring he had presented to his lovely wife years ago. It was all a blur to the professor; the next morning, going to the office and filing their divorce, the division of the property and of their daughter. After everything had been settled and M.K had been placed in Joyce's custody, his ex-wife approached him, her expression unreadable.
"I hope you find what you've been searching for in that forest. Because if you do, I want you to actually think about what you threw away and the people you hurt."
Twin tears slid down the gangly man's cheeks as he heard his seven-year old daughter's 'bye-bye Daddy' before entering her mother's car and disappearing. Ten years had gone by and Bomba had dove into his work to the point where he forgot about his ex-wife and nearly forgot he had a daughter. Ten years had gone by before he got a call from a doctor in New York alerting him to the fact his ex-wife had been diagnosed with cancer and had only three months to live.
"You were right Joyce...I...I see now. I pushed you both away and I can't ever change that," he sobbed. "And now...now I can't bring you back..."
He gazed at M.K as a toddler.
"But...but I can bring M.K back. I'll make it up to her, you'll see. Oh Joyce I wish you could see her now! She's growing up, forging her own adventures, just like we had wanted..."
The professor wiped his eyes and forced a smile, placing the picture back into his breast pocket. He sat there, waiting, willing to wait for his wonderful daughter to return so he could start making up for all the years he had failed her.
Nod hadn't moved an inch. He still sat on the wooden floor, cradling M.K's cold body to his chest, the blood from her lips still speckled on his face. He was busy cleaning the blood off her lips and chin, his eyes glazed over from shock. A warm hand on his shoulder broke his trance, something Nod was both happy and upset about.
"Nod..." Ronin trailed off, unsure of what to say. "How...are you doing?" What kind of question is that Ronin? The poor kid just lost the love of his life!
The younger Leafman shrugged weakly. "I dunno. I feel...empty. You ever get that feeling?" Ronin nodded in response. "It reminds me of when dad died."
Lost for words, Ronin stood and approached the Queen, his hands now clean from M.K's blood thanks to one of the Healers.
"Your Majesty, I advise that you wait until the sun rises before speaking with M.K's father. The Boggan threat is still real and they could very easily attempt to take you down in revenge of Mandrake's defeat."
The young Queen nodded quietly. Sighing, the silver-haired general informed her he would send out scouts to locate M.K's father. He wasn't sure if the Stomper was in his house or searching the woods for his daughter. Glancing at the Stomper girl's body, his heart contracted painfully as he tried to imagine informing her father that his daughter had died saving a world that was not hers. The Healers insisted the Queen leave with them so as to return to her chambers and rest. She pleaded for more time, to which they agreed. The new Queen sat on her knees next to Nod and M.K's body, her small hand finding the Stomper girl's cold one.
"I'm so sorry M.K," she sobbed. "I have all this power but I couldn't save you. Queen Tara could have done it, because she was awesome like that. But...but me...I don't even know how to make a flower bloom."
The little Queen looked at Nod then, her eyes brimming with tears and regret. "Nod...I wanted to save her, really! I don't want anyone ever to die! Especially someone who...who isn't even from our world."
With that, Queen Merida rose and left with the Healers, leaving only Ronin and Nod with M.K. The Leafmen General opened the door a bit and spoke with Finn, ordering him to form a small search party and find M.K's father. He gave Finn directions to the Stomper's house, just in case he wasn't in the forest. He stressed that he wanted the Stomper only to be found and monitored; Ronin and the Queen would explain in the morning what had happened. Saluting grimly, Finn complied and left, leaving only Grub and a now conscious Mub.
"How is she?" Grub asked hesitantly. Mub was silent, which was unusual, his eye stalks low and sad.
Ronin sighed sadly and tried to find the right words. "She...She's gone. The rot got to her heart before the Queen could heal her."
The snail was speechless, and the slug seemed to sink into himself. "Can...can we see her?" Grub managed. Ronin nodded, avoiding eye contact.
Holding the door open, Mub and Grub glided inside, Ronin closing the door behind them. The duo were both silent as they hovered by M.K's body, still held close by Nod. Grub tried to put a slimy hand on Nod's shoulder, but the teen shrugged it off. Mub mumbled something that sounded like an apology, but to whom was a mystery to Ronin. Leaning against the wall, the silver-haired general gazed out the window, replaying what the young Queen had said. It was true though, that Tara could have healed M.K. But she was gone and now so was the Stomper girl, and all because of the Boggans. He curled his hands into tight fists, suddenly wanting nothing more than to be surrounded by an army of Boggans again just so he could destroy each and every one of them and avenge those close to him who had been slain.
"My baby girl...I never got to tell you how I felt," Mub complained. Nod glared half-heartedly at the slug, but said nothing.
Grub comforted his friend and they glided over to the wall opposite Ronin. Silence reigned for a moment, threatening to break the small semblance of normality they were all trying to cling to. Ronin began to go over in his mind how the rot could have reached her heart so quickly. It was so different from all the past procedures, for usually Ronin beat the infection and the Leafman or Leafwoman would heal. But this time, this time Ronin hadn't been quick enough, which ate away at him terribly. Just as if M.K were one of his soldiers, the Leafmen General felt he was responsible for the teen's death. Another casualty to add to his list, which was beginning to weigh down his soul. But what tore at Ronin the most was his knowledge that removing the arrow could potentially kill the patient, which had never happened in all his years as general. Only with Nod's father had trying to remove the arrow possibly killed him, which had haunted the silver-haired general to this very day.
"What did you just say?" Nod growled.
The Leafman General looked at the younger Leafman with confusion. "What are you talking about Nod? No one said anything."
The brunette glared at his superior, a blaze in his once dull eyes. "You were muttering about knowing the risks." Nod clutched M.K's body like a lifeline. "What risks Ronin? What were the risks here? Tell me!"
The older Leafman knew he couldn't lie to Nod, but the words that lay on his tongue felt like stones in his heart. "In our Leafman medical training, we are taught about Boggan arrows and how to proceed if one of our own is hit. We are taught that removing the arrow is the Leafman's only hope...but..."
There was color in Nod's skin again, and a fire in his eyes that threatened to swallow anyone in its path. "But what Ronin?" He ground out, still glaring.
Taking a deep breath, Ronin spoke. "Removing the arrow is dangerous and there is the risk that...that removing the arrow could potentially kill the Leafman."
Nod never thought he could ever hate Ronin. Sure it was irritating when the older Leafman nagged him about the Leafman code and being a team player, but he had never gotten to where he actually hated Ronin. Now, however, a rage foreign to the brunette rose up in his chest, directed at his second-father.
Turning his attention to gaze at M.K's face, Nod felt the rage increase and he grit his teeth, tears gathering at his eyes once more. Ronin had killed M.K, the Stomper girl who Nod had fallen deeply in love with. Ronin had killed someone close to Nod, again.
Swiftly, Nod placed M.K's body onto the floor and jumped to his feet, hands balled into tight fists. "You knew!?" He began. "You knew she could die and you didn't say anything?!"
Ronin stood his ground. "She would have died quicker if I'd left the arrow in!" Nod shook his head, "Fine, but you still knew and didn't tell me!"
The silver-haired general took in Nod's stance, recognizing it from years ago when the boy had refused to accept his father's death. The only difference was Nod's height and the fact the young Leafboy had not been wearing armor at the time. But something Ronin also noticed was how the brunette was favoring his left side, as if he were injured.
"I'm sorry Nod, I should have told you. I just didn't want to upset you."
The brunette glared menacingly, the fire never leaving his eyes. "You killed her."
"No, Nod listen to me. You are letting your emotions control you, remember what I warned you-"
"Shut up!" The silver-haired general closed his mouth and watched Nod carefully. "I sat there and held her down, listening to her scream as you twisted and pulled at that arrow! Do you know what it's like to sit there and watch someone you love scream in agony? Do you know what it's like to have blood coughed onto your face and cover your hands? Do you know what it's like to look into that person's eyes and almost die from the pain that you see there?"
Ronin nodded sadly, looking at the floor. "I do."
Nod was shaking now, his face flushed from his anger. "Have you ever had to love someone so much that watching them scream nearly kills you?" Again, Ronin nodded.
"This is the second time you've taken someone away from me. My father was the first, but I was young and stupid and believed you had tried your best."
"I did try Nod! Your father stopped me from saving him! He knew he was going to die so he made me promise to look after you!" Nod's expression didn't change.
"Still, you killed M.K. She died saving us and you stand there thinking about how you knew the risk!" Ronin approached the younger Leafman, his hands up in surrender.
The silver-haired general tried to explain how much he had wanted to save M.K. He told the brunette how much it had reminded him of Tara 's and Nod's father's death and that he'd wanted things to be different this time. All the while, Nod kept his fists tight and his eyes shining with anger, tears ready to fall but waiting until the right moment. Mub and Grub watched the scene unfold in silence, too afraid there might be a fight to do anything. When Ronin finished, Nod stubbornly held onto his anger. His heart bled and the pain, he knew, would never go away. M.K had become his precious person, one he could love and cherish and protect. Someone he could trust in and always come to when things were rough. His mother, he thought bitterly, had been dishonest and untrustworthy, leaving soon after his father had died. He never found out what had happened to her and honestly he didn't care. His father was gone and he was left to grow up under the Leafmen General's watch. When the brunette had met M.K, his heart had lifted, which had confused him at the time. However, as the day had worn on, Nod found himself falling for the beautiful and feisty Stomper. He felt he could trust her, believe in her, and he had wanted nothing more than for her to stay with him. While flying with her arms around his waist, Nod had imagined her training to become a Leafwoman, fighting by his side to defeat the Boggans. He saw them together, flying their hummingbirds recklessly in a race or a game of tag. Now she was gone, just like everyone else, and his heart was empty, devoid of any love or life.
With the tears finally falling, Nod straightened, his right hand falling on the hilt of his sword. Ronin studied him warily, but otherwise he seemed clueless as to Nod's intentions. Swiftly, the younger Leafman drew his sword and held his ground. "Fight me," was all he said.
"No. Nod I could never-" He was interrupted by the brunette charging him, a battle cry escaping his lips, sword at the ready. Quickly, Ronin expertly deflected Nod's sword and kicked the young Leafman away. Angry tears fell down the teen's cheeks as he gripped his sword tightly again, swinging wildly at his superior.
While easily defending himself, Ronin tried to snap Nod out of his anger. "Stop this Nod! You are letting your emotions take over!" Nod's sword swept over the silver-haired general's head, nearly trimming his already short hair. "Stop lecturing me!"
Ronin shut his mouth and focused, picking out the openings where he could strike. Dodging another sloppy swing, the older Leafman punched Nod right in the gut, sending the teen stumbling backwards and coughing. The older Leafman noticed how long it took for the teen to recover, which was unusual as he had held back his punch. "So the great General Ronin fights dirty now huh?" Nod taunted before coming at Ronin again. The older Leafman swept Nod's legs, sending the teen tumbling to the floor, his sword clattering loudly out of his hand. He reached for it, but Ronin stepped on it, holding it firmly under his foot.
"Listen to me Nod," he began, forcing the brunette to meet his eyes. "I am sorry. I should have told you about the risk, but as I said I didn't want you to get upset. I wanted...I wanted you to have hope that she would be alright."
Nod listened, really listened, and his expression softened just a bit. Ronin studied his hands, remembering how only moments ago they had been covered in M.K's blood. "I wanted to save her so badly, because I didn't want to go through the pain again." He sighed before continuing, his eyes closing. "Your father, as I told you, died very much the same way, except deep down, as I pulled with all my strength on that damned arrow, I knew he wasn't going to make it."
A pang went through Nod as he listened to his second father. It hurt to hear that Ronin had known his father would die, yet it was also comforting to know the general had ignored reality and had tried to save him. "When I saw M.K lying on the ground with that arrow in her, it reminded me so much of your father...and...and of Tara." Nod saw Ronin's bruised face morph into one of great sadness. "For both of them, I could do nothing. So...when you told me she was alive I felt a rush of hope. I thought that this was my chance to finally save someone I cared about. Finally I could leave, wash off the blood, and smile knowing that the one I cared about would live."
The brunette stood and put a hand on the older Leafman's shoulder. His chocolate eyes met Ronin's sapphire ones, the fire dimming, leaving only ashes of understanding in their depths. "I understand now Ronin. I'm sorry I blamed you, I really am. I was being stupid and wasn't thinking."
"Heh, more like letting your emo-" Nod's mock glare made Ronin chuckle. "Next time I won't be so nice about it, General."
Smiling a small smile, the silver-haired general wrapped his arm around Nod's shoulder, pulled him close, and proceeded to give the teen a rough noogie.
"Ack! Stop it Ronin! You're messing up my hair man!" Ronin laughed as he replied, "Think of this as payback for swinging your sword at your superior."
The brunette yanked himself away and scowled at his second-father, who held a grin on his bruised face. Picking up his sword, Nod studied it but didn't put it away. A serious expression overcame him as he returned to M.K's body. Placing his sword beside him, the younger Leafman knelt by the Stomper girl and grabbed her hands lovingly, bowing his head and placing a gentle kiss on them. Ronin was making his way to the window again, Mub and Grub still standing somberly in the corner. He watched his best friend's son whisper something into those cold hands, sadness creeping up onto him again. Turning away, the silver-haired general gazed at the moon's reflection on the water surrounding Moonhaven, faintly hearing the soft clang of Nod's armor as he picked up his sword again.
He heard a pained grunt from behind him and turned to see the brunette clutching his side, face screwed up in pain.
"Nod!"
The forest was beautiful.
M.K blinked in wonder as she walked slowly through the glen, brushing her fingers gently over soft leaves and fragrant flowers. The only thing she found odd was the fact everything seemed faded. The flowers were varying shades of bright blues, reds, pinks, and oranges, yet they were faded, almost grey, which unsettled the Stomper girl a bit. Looking up, she gasped at the site of the moon and stars with the sun beside it, as if they were always together. A thin mist covered the forest as well, which made M.K suspicious. She searched for any Boggans, but there was no one but herself.
She was a Stomper again and the strange forest was very quiet, not a single sound arising, even from her footfalls on the soft, leaf-strewn ground. There were no animals or insects in the wood either, something that puzzled M.K.
'What is this place?'
The Stomper girl stopped at a small pond and studied her reflection. There was no evidence of her wound, in fact there was no indication she had been fighting Boggans at all. Her clothes were clean, as well as her skin and hair.
'But...I was hit! I felt it!'
M.K shook her head and knelt by the water, touching the surface with the tip of her finger. The rings spread from her touch, rippling along the otherwise still water. As the ripples disappeared, M.K gasped at the face she saw. Nod was smiling warmly at her, his chocolate eyes calming her nerves and bringing a sense of peace to the teen. She called to him, but he didn't respond. Tentatively, the red-headed teen tapped the water again, Nod's image disappearing and replaced by Ronin's warm, yet serious smile. The bruises on both Leafmen were gone and their eyes sparkled with health. M.K tapped the water again, the next face being Tara's, and following was her father.
"Dad...I'm so sorry. I should have believed you, but I just wrote you off as crazy and left." Sadness welled up in M.K's chest, but she did not cry.
Tapping the surface again, the Stomper girl saw her reflection again. With a sigh, M.K bowed her head and tried to figure out what was going on.
"Looking for someone?"
M.K fell back with a yelp, eyes wide as they tried to find the speaker. When they did, her jaw fell open with shock.
"Honey, what have I told you about gawking? It's quite rude."
M.K could only stare at the one person she had never expected to see again. When she found her voice, it still shook with surprise. "M-Mom?"
The woman with beautiful short brunette hair smiled fondly, her eyes smiling and her laugh like wind chimes. "Well who did you expect? The Grim Reaper?"
Tears blurring her vision, the 17-year old rushed over to her mom and hugged her, burying her face into that familiar chest. Chuckling, Joyce wrapped her arms around her daughter lovingly, gently caressing her orange hair. M.K sobbed, unable to say anything other than 'I missed you.' Shushing her daughter softly, the woman lifted M.K's chin to meet her loving gaze.
"I missed you too sweetheart." Joyce kissed her daughter's forehead, then studied her more closely. The Stomper girl wiped her eyes and sniffed under her mother's gaze. "You seem different M.K, are you hiding something from me?"
Blushing madly at what her mother was hinting at, M.K began to stutter. Her mom burst into melodious laughter, the sound chasing away all of M.K's uncertainties.
"Haha you should have seen your face! I was just teasing dear, goodness you take things way too seriously." Joyce grinned impishly, a site that had been so familiar before he mother's death.
"I've really missed you Mom, I thought...I didn't know how I would move on." The 17-year old smiled, "But I think I'm ok now."
Joyce nodded her head and kissed her daughter's forehead again. "I'm proud of you dear, for all that you've done." With that she stood from the log she had been resting on, walking slowly around the pond. "What...what do you mean?"
The woman rested her hand on the trunk of a fully-bloomed weeping willow. "I mean M.K what you've been doing in the forest. Especially with that handsome young man, oh what was his name again?"
M.K blushed lightly, "His name is Nod. And how do you..." Joyce waved the question away as if it were a pesky fly. "Honey I have been watching over you ever since I died in that hospital bed." Her tone softened as she added, "I was worried, so worried in fact that I am stuck here."
Confused, M.K asked for an explanation. Her mother sighed and joined her daughter by her side again, an arm on her shoulder. "Do you remember when I told you about everyone having their own guardian angel?" The Stomper girl nodded slowly. "Well, in a way I am your guardian angel. The only difference is that I am only a soul stuck in between."
The teen tried to piece together her mom's words, but they were still confusing. "Stuck between what?" Her mother's smile dimmed a little, "Stuck between worlds."
There was silence, which seemed to stretch on for eons before her mother spoke again. "M.K, where we are now is the in-between. There is a Heaven and there is a Hell, but there is also the in-between, what some call purgatory." M.K gazed at her mom in wonder, taking in all she was saying.
"Ok but why are you stuck here?" Joyce looked at her daughter with all the love in the world. "I'm stuck because when I died, I died worrying about what might happen to you without me. You hadn't seen your father in ten years and I worried that you might do something drastic after my death. I wanted to be sure you were going to be alright, which held me back from entering the gates of Heaven."
M.K's eyes were wide, her mouth slightly hung open. "How do you know that?"
"An angel explained to me that until my soul was fully at peace, I would remain in the in-between, watching over you."
Ok, this was a lot to take in, but M.K took some deep breaths and forced herself to think. "Ok, so...wait, then why am I here?" The realization had finally dawned on her; her mother was here because she was dead, so...what did that make her?
The woman frowned sadly and placed a hand on her daughter's cheek. "You are dead M.K, and it seems your soul is at unrest as well."
Her stomach twisted into tight knots at those words. She was dead, gone, six feet under, and there was nothing she could do about it. Tears of confusion trickled down her face, landing silently onto the ground.
'I'm dead. I'm dead and Dad doesn't even know.' She gazed at the water and shook. 'And Nod...Oh God he must be devastated! I have to get back to them!'
Apparently she had been panicking, because her mother's arms wrapped around her once again, shielding her from the cold truth. Her mind raced and she came to the conclusion that she couldn't die, not yet. There was so much she had to do! She needed to make up with Dad, she needed to apologize for calling him crazy and not believing in him. She needed to see Nod again, she needed to tell him how she felt; a kiss wasn't enough. Looking up at her Mom with desperation, a thought struck her.
"Mom, didn't you say something about my soul being at unrest? And that's why I'm here?" Joyce nodded sadly. "Well, then is there any way I can go back?"
Her mom seemed confused. "Go back? You mean back to the living world?" Her daughter nodded. "Well I...I don't really know. All I know is that until I am sure you are going to be fine, my soul shall remain here."
"That's it!" Joyce was still confused. "Mom don't you see! I'm dead and here because my soul isn't at peace. You died and have been here because you were worried about me."
"Ok but..." Then it dawned on her. "Mom, if I'm dead, why are you still here? That's the question."
Her mother thought for a moment and agreed with her daughter. There had to be a reason she was still here...so what was it? "Mom, help me try to think of a way out of here. Please!" The desperation in her daughter's eyes made Joyce smile slyly. "I assume you want to go back for more than just apologizing to your father? Hm?"
M.K blushed bright red. "When I say I've been watching over you, I mean I have literally been watching you through that pond. I saw you and that...what is he called? A Leafboy?"
The 17-year old laughed as she sat on a boulder covered in lichen. "He's a Leafman Mom." Joyce nodded her head. "Ah yes, well I saw you two and you guys make such a cute couple!" Her mom put a hand over her heart, "And boy is he emotional! You should have seen him when you were...injured. I was crying!"
Suddenly the smile was gone from M.K's face. She looked away from her mother, becoming increasingly interested in the grass. After an uncomfortable silence, the Stomper girl finally spoke. "What was he like Mom?"
"He was crying, a lot, and he kept calling your name and telling you everything was going to be alright." Joyce fixed her daughter with a sad look, "It reminded me of you, that day in the hospital."
M.K met her mom's gaze, her eyes a torrent of emotions. "Listen M.K, ever since you shrunk, I've watched you step out of your comfort zone. I saw you take responsibility for your mistake and saw you involve yourself in something that, you were right, had nothing to do with you."
The teen listened quietly, seeing as she had all the time in the world now. "You have made me so proud and I wish I could help you get back." Joyce's tone was regretful and small lines at the corners of her mouth suddenly became visible. "I wanted you to be happy, and those friends of yours made you smile again."
Mother and daughter sat in silence then, neither knowing what else to say.
Rushing over, Ronin knelt to see what was wrong. Blood was oozing from a small gap between his Leafman armor, but the pain Nod seemed to be in indicated that the wound must be far more serious. Carefully, the silver-haired general removed Nod's armor to get a better look. There was a bit of blood-soaked moss over the wound, which Ronin removed. His breath hitched at the site before him; a small, jagged hole lay over where the brunette's kidney was. Blood pumped slowly from the wound with the beat of the young Leafman's heart, pooling onto the already blood spattered wood.
"How...how bad is it?" Nod grunted, one eye closed against the pain.
Ronin studied the wound gravely. "Bad, you could bleed out if you don't get help soon." Standing, the silver-haired general found some spare cobwebs and held them to the wound, desperate to stem the bleeding.
"How did this happen?"
The chocolate-haired teen scrunched his eyes tight against the pain. "When we were up there trying to fight off the Boggans, one of them got a lucky shot. I sliced him in half afterwards and at the time I was too caught up in the battle to feel much pain, so I just yanked out the arrow, slapped some moss from my saddlebag on it and kept fighting."
Ronin glared at the younger Leafman, "You were hiding it. Why?"
Nod groaned in annoyance and pain. "Because I didn't want you or M.K to see I was hurt. I was planning on sneaking off to the infirmary after the pod bloomed, but we all know how that worked out."
A gasp escaped Nod's lips as a wave of pain rolled over him, his eyes wide with agony. Ronin waited until the pain had subsided before moving the teen to lean against the wall. Blood trickled from the brunette's lips and he was starting to cough, signs that Nod was quickly getting worse.
"Mub! Grub! Go get the Queen and the Healers right now! Tell them it is very urgent!" The next words were difficult to release. "Tell them Nod is dying!"
The slug and snail hurriedly left the room, remembering to close the door behind them. Turning to inspect the wound again, Ronin noted the blood trickling from Nod's mouth again.
'He shouldn't have blood coming out of his mouth if he was hit in the kidney.' Realization hit him, but he didn't want to accept it. 'His stomach must be bleeding too.'
Carefully, Ronin peered into the wound, but he could only see bloody tissue. Regretfully, the silver-haired general pushed his hand down on Nod's stomach, the pain escaping the teen's throat with a short scream. More blood bubbled to his lips, proving Ronin's suspicions.
Nod gasped and shook with pain, fixing his second-father with a look of frustration. "Why...why did you do that?"
"To see if your stomach had been hit by the arrow as well, which it unfortunately was." The brunette's face fell. "So...the rot?"
The Leafmen General bowed his head tiredly, wanting very much to never hear the word 'rot' ever again. "I'm not sure. If you yanked out the arrow almost immediately after it hit you, then the rot couldn't have had enough time to spread only a small drop of rot into your system."
Nod coughed blood into his hands. "Which means...?" Ronin sighed, "It means the rot is spreading very slowly through your body." He looked away, glancing at M.K's still body. "In other words, you will bleed out long before the rot kills you."
The chocolate-haired Leafman sat silent for a moment, his hands pressed firmly on his wound. After a few moments of uncertain silence, Nod spoke again. "You don't have to worry about me Ronin." He flashed that usually infuriating smile, which was now tainted with blood. "I can't leave you here alone. Who knows what kind of trouble you would get into."
Ronin smirked, trying to embrace the air of calm Nod was trying to exude. "Oh definitely. Wouldn't want the Great General Ronin racing in one of Bufo's fixed races would we?"
The younger Leafman started to chuckle, but it soon morphed into another bloody cough. Carefully, Ronin lifted the cobwebs and checked the wound. It was still bleeding, but maybe it was slowing down? It was hard to tell, but at that moment the silver-haired general sealed his life-long hate of the color red. As the two waited for the Queen and the Healers, Ronin explained to Nod how much he and M.K had reminded him of himself and Tara when they were younger. The brunette smiled a bit, quirking an eyebrow at the usually stoic general.
Just then, a fern poked through the small window, its leafy stems curled tightly. Confused, the Leafmen General got up and studied the fern warily, glancing back at Nod who shrugged. Hesitantly, Ronin touched the fern, the stems unfurling slowly under his fingers. Within the stems was a small pod, similar to the one Tara had chosen to infuse with her magic to crown the next Queen.
"What is it?" Nod coughed. Ronin shook his head, "A pod, but I don't understand why-"
A golden aura suddenly arose from behind the pod, sending the general back a step. It morphed slowly into the one person he loved more than anything.
"Tara..." He whispered, his eyes wide with awe. The golden form of the slain Queen smiled back. "Hello Ronin."
Apparently Tara wasn't expecting Nod to be injured, for her eyes widened as she turned to greet the reckless teen. Nod lifted a bloody hand to wave, a wince crossing his features. Turning to Ronin again she asked, "What happened to him?"
"Boggan arrow. He yanked it out after it hit him, so it's only the blood we have to worry about." His lips had curled into a grimace.
Tara looked from M.K's body to Nod's, a sadness in her eyes. "I have only enough power to save one..."
The silver-haired general bowed his head, when something struck him. "Wait, Tara, how...how are you here? I thought all your magic went into that pod and to the new Queen?"
The golden Queen smiled slyly, "It's a little Queen secret. You see, after each Queen deposits their magic into the pod and to the next Queen, they become...well normal." She turned to gaze at the shifting moon. "But the night they lose their magic, the full-moon's power grants those powers again, but only for while the full-moon is in the sky. However, this little trick only happens on the Summer Solstice."
Ronin nodded, but inside he was still confused. "However, since I am dead, my temporary power allows me to appear in this form before you. I can also use my magic as I did alive. This pod here will strengthen my magic, which will allow me to save M.K or Nod." She gave him a sad smile, "However, my magic is limited and even with this pod's help, what I'm going to do will use it all up."
Ronin met her gaze, sadness in his again. "And...what happens then?" Tara smiled apologetically, "I disappear, for good."
Nod watched the two lovers silently, taking in all they were saying. There was no way he was letting Tara use up her magic to save his sorry butt. He glanced at his wound and winced, then looked at M.K's body. Besides, the Queen with the help of the Healers could patch him up, but Tara was the only one who could bring M.K back.
"Save her," he coughed, jerking his head at the dead Stomper girl. He cursed the blood that kept choking him, but no matter how much he swallowed it came up again, tangy and bitter. "I'll be fine once the Healers and the Queen arrive, just save her." His eyes were pleading, sending a shiver down Tara's temporary form. "Please."
Glancing at Ronin, who nodded in agreement, Tara agreed to save M.K. Relief flooded the brunette, taking away the pulsing pain for just a moment. "Ronin, take the pod and place it in M.K's hands." The older Leafman did as he was told before sitting on his knees and gazing at his lost love, trying to memorize her just once more. Tara sat opposite Ronin and gazed at the girl she had chosen with a sad look, her eyes darting to her wound before turning to the pod. Closing her eyes, Tara placed her glowing hands on the pod, which in turn began to glow.
Nod watched, mesmerized. A wave of pain hit him again and he groaned, tired of feeling like someone was stabbing him with a sword repeatedly.
'What is taking Mub and Grub so long? At this rate I'll be dead before they arrive!' Nod didn't panic though, and focused on the once in a lifetime experience before him. One, he noted, he hoped never to see again.
Tara took a deep breath, ready to use up all her magic to save this one girl. Just before she did so, the dead Queen opened her eyes, smiled at Ronin, and kissed him. The silver-haired general was caught off guard, but he quickly realized what was happening. Closing his eyes, Ronin relished the feel of her lips on his, their texture the same as if she were really there and alive. His heart soared and a warmth spread throughout his body as if her kiss had injected the sun's rays into his body. His face melted into one of sheer love and happiness, something Nod had never seen on his second-father.
Pulling away, Tara smiled at her love, her eyes sparkling. Smirking, Ronin tilted his head in a small bow. "Will that be all, Your Majesty?"
Laughing, Tara bowed her head, closed her eyes, and poured her magic into the pod, two teasing words brushing against Ronin's ears.
"So serious..."
M.K gazed at her reflection in the still pond, her spirits low and her hope dwindling.
"Mom, can I...ask you something?" Joyce turned from her perch on a log, "Of course."
The 17-year old hesitated, gathering her thoughts. "How do you choose between a world you were born into...and a world you aren't a part of?"
Her mother stared at her for a moment, considering the question. After a few minutes, she sighed and replied, "I don't know. You just...choose."
M.K groaned, "Thanks for the help Mom." Joyce held up her hands in surrender, "That is a difficult question M.K." She studied her daughter, thinking for a moment. "Is this about that forest?"
The Stomper girl held her mother's gaze for a moment before looking at the faded forest. There was a longing in her eyes that was not lost on her mother, but her daughter seemed deeply torn by the question. M.K hugged her knees to her chest and rocked gently back and forth, thinking. She hadn't seen her dad in ten years and now that she saw his suspicions of tiny brave warriors protecting the forest were true, she could bond with him and reconnect. He was her father and she loved him, and yet...The forest was such a beautiful place, but more than that she felt so much a part of it then she did with her father. When she had held the pod Queen Tara had entrusted to her, she had felt it pulse like a heart; the life of the forest. She had adapted so quickly to the new world; learning to fly a hummingbird and jumping super high, heck she had disguised herself and snuck into enemy territory to save her new friends! The more M.K thought about it, the more Nim Galuu's words struck her. She had risked her life - no she had died for a world that was not hers! The answer should be obvious, but her father was still there, making the decision difficult.
Suddenly there was a familiar presence, one M.K remembered distinctly. Whipping around and getting to her feet, the Stomper girl gasped at the figure she saw. Queen Tara stood before her, glowing radiantly and bringing color to everything around her. She smiled warmly at the girl she had chosen, her eyes sparkling.
"M.K, it's good to see you." The teen smiled back, "Same here, but...why are you here?"
M.K's mother joined them, standing a few spaces away from her daughter, but staring at the dead Queen with awe. "Oh, Queen Tara, this is my mother."
Tara smiled even brighter, "It's nice to meet you. You have a brave and wonderful daughter." Joyce nodded, "Thank you, I've noticed."
Queen Tara laughed before turning to M.K again, her eyes soft now. "M.K, I chose you for a reason, which you fulfilled past my expectations." Her gaze hovered over where the teen's wound had been. "You died to save our world, and for that we are all thankful."
M.K blushed a bit, "Oh um, thanks." Tara came closer and spoke with slight urgency. "I am here to bring you back. You have not finished what you were destined to accomplish."
Both Stomper's mouths fell open, shock on their faces. "Y-You mean...you can send me back? Back to my Dad and Nod and Ronin and-"
"Yes dear," Tara chuckled. "I can, but there is a catch."
M.K looked to her mom, who simply shrugged. "Ok, what's the catch?" Queen Tara fixed her warm gaze onto M.K's bright green eyes. "Because you died as one of us, my magic will revive you only as one of us." She glanced at M.K's mother, "In other words, the new Queen will not be able to make you a Stomper again."
M.K was stunned. She should feel torn inside, she should be asking if there was any other way, but she wasn't. As much as she wanted to be with her Dad again, M.K knew she belonged with the Leafmen now, she belonged with the forest, and her heart agreed. Turning to her mother, she saw there was a bittersweet look on the woman's face.
Before M.K could say anything, her mother stopped her. "Go. You need to live. You belong with them." She looked up at the sky, "Besides, if you don't then I'm stuck her for all eternity."
That made the 17-year old laugh a little, which chased away her worries. Turning to meet Tara's gaze again she smirked, a determined glint in her eyes. "Ok, I'll do it."
Tara smiled apologetically, "I really wish it didn't have to be this way, but since your whole being was in our world when you died, your soul belongs to the forest and no magic can change that." M.K bowed her head in respect. "I understand and it's ok." She turned to look at her mom one more time, a smile on her face. Joyce let a tear fall as she gathered her daughter in one final hug, kissing her forehead and wishing her good luck.
"Remember, I'm always with you. You just can't see me." The teen stroked her mother's short hair and reassured her she would be fine. "I love you Mom."
"I love you too sweetheart."
Letting go, M.K faced Tara again, her heart light as a feather. Closing her eyes, Queen Tara placed a gentle kiss on the Stomper girl's forehead, her very being enveloping the teen. A pleasant warmth filled M.K's whole being, making her close her eyes and smile in delight. The warmth quickly gathered at her heart and she began to feel light-headed. She didn't hear her mother's goodbye, but she did hear the whispered words that tickled her ears.
"Take care of them for me..."
Woo! I've been dying to write this part of the story and I'm so happy I finally could! :D
I hope you guys liked it! The Ronin and Tara thing made me smile like an idiot just writing it. ^-^ They are just too cute.
Holy crap I injured Nod too?! I'm such an evil person. Muwahahaha!
Also, a shout-out to those who reviewed Chapter 2!
wolf girl811, mjoi25, Pineapple-Sorceress, SupeyNinjaZora19, winter's-lion, KeishlaTheEpicwriter, White Aura Dragon, Queen Ceilidh, LilliannaStone, Chibi fangirl for life, Sunshine-Midnight123, Fullmetal LeafWizard, KeybladeMasterofDreams, and Mikado X Goddess.
Thanks so much for the lovely reviews, and thank you to all the guests who reviewed the second chapter! I truly appreciate your feedback! :D
Please leave a review, M.K and Nod are giving free massages. :D