-*Please read!*- I added a bit onto the last chapter, I realized that YESTERDAY, so in order for this chapter to make sense, it would be wise to go back and look. Or you don't have too, what ever floats your boat.

Many Moon Cycles Later

"Ready?"

"Most definitely."

Loki and I had planned a prank, in which the Gardener's shrubs became people. Of course the Gardener already talked to them like they were real people, but this was way more exciting.

"Here he comes!"

"Hush!"

The Gardener entered the garden humming off key. "Oh by Odin's beard! My shrubs!" The Gardener exclaimed. "Here it is." Loki whispered, elbowing me. "You are beautiful!" The Gardener told the now human shrubs. Loki looked at me with betrayal in his eyes, but there was no heat there. "Whoops?" I offered. My green and yellow clad friend just pushed me out of the bushes. "Was this by your doing?" The Gardener-Who was now hugging his shrub friends- asked me. "Me? Oh no, this was Loki!" I exclaimed, pulling Loki out of the bushes. "Thank you! Thank you Prince Loki!" Our pranks turned out a lot like this. There was an idea, me picking the person, person yelling, Loki thinking he won this time, person thanking Loki. It has all happened many a time before. I don't think Loki minded much, he loved the thrill of the prank, I loved watching the people smile. and this way Loki got into less trouble. "I am sorry sir, but Prince Loki and I have to be somewhere." I apologized to the Gardener, tugging Loki out of the garden with me. After we were out of earshot of the garden Loki started in with his rant. "I almost had that one! How do you even know that these people will like getting pranked?!" I sighed. Every single time,

"I listen more than I speak. Two ears, one mouth." When Loki and I reached the library Loki paused and asked "Do you like that motto? Because you seem to say it about every week." I glanced at his hands and replied. "Of course I do, and I say it whenever you pull a prank and it backfires, so of course I say it a lot." We spent so much time together, Loki and I had become what he called 'Forever Comrades'. I just laughed and continued on with my best friend. Thor had flirted with me until one day he noticed my necklace. After that Thor just acted like a big brother. Whenever I asked why the crystal was so important everyone just made an excuse to leave. "Are you nervous?" I asked him. "What, what would I have to be nervous about?!" Loki started to flail his hand in the air. "Thor, I just know you were a bit worried about him." Everything seemed to freeze in that moment. Then Loki exploded. "Yes! I am worried, Thor isn't ready! He is still an arrogant fool who parades around thinking he is always right, and everything and everyone who opposes him is wrong. You think he is worthy? You think once Thor is on the throne you will be able to figure out the secret of the crystal? And then go back to a perfect family who doesn't have a care in the world?!" All I could do was whisper "Training, I-I have to go." Before slipping away from Loki and the god's fiery rage about his brothers ignorance. My feet took me where I needed to go, while my mind started shaking up the bad memories box. I stopped for a second, and let one sniffle out. This was not the time for those thoughts.

Oh darn, I can't be late. This is my chance to prove I am worthy of the knowledge of the crystal.

Now I was running, just hoping by some unforeseen problem all the recruits would be late. Here is where you take notes kids. When running through a training field of any kind, don't. I never saw what was coming.

I am so, so sorry that this is so short, and I haven't updated in three months! Wow, has it really been that long? I took part in National Novel Writing Month, and that was AMAZING, so I was still writing, just not for this story. Special thanks to fandomflier15, I didn't see your review until last week, but you inspired me to put my butt in gear! More updates will be coming soon, and I sincerely hope you will continue reading! Please, please forgive me, PondLake.