The pod that I had held in my hands now laid in the shimmering pool of water, the moonlight above it. The moon casted a shadow over the people of the forests, their mouths hanging open in amazement at the pod. My fingers wanted to outstretch towards it, wanting to feel the familiar touch of the pod's vines twisted onto my arm.

I felt the presence of Nod, he was standing tall beside me, but his jaw was slacken with the amazement of the pod's beauty.

Anyone in this room could become Queen of the Forest. She'd become the heart, helping the destroyed land that the Boggans had tore down. I gasped, along with the rest of the room as the pod began to bloom, it's light pink petals beginning to spread with grace that seemed impossible for a little pod.

Suddenly, a spark of life began to thrive from the pod's heart, and with it- the ghost of the beautiful Queen Tara.

I stared with glazed over eyes, the beauty of the Queen memerizing all of us. I could feel Ronin's gaze on her, his sad smile on his face as he saw his Queen.

"Mary Katherine," She said, with a smile on her face, "You have saved all things in the forest, you helped my people thrive, and you guarded the pod with your life," Her warm brown eyes flicked with golden specks, her dimples were on her soft cheeks as she continued, "for that, I couldn't think of a better queen." She told me.

The Queen's powers that had been trapped inside of the pod suddenly began to spin around Queen Tara, and I.

"M-me? Queen?" I asked with a shaking voice.

Queen Tara smiled, "You." She whispered. She turned her attention to Ronin, her happy expression fading and for a moment, she looked as if she was about to let a tear streak down her face.

"Ronin." She said with a light voice, suddenly parting from me and to her beloved.

"My Q-Que-" He couldn't finish, as a tear began to fall from his eyes, his hands tried to touch her cheek only to come back with nothing.

He smiled lightly, it was almost a ghost of a smile, but the Queen had noticed it. "Now there is your smile." She told him, she leaned towards him, as if trying to embrace him. But her ghost form wouldn't let her touch him, "I must go, goodbye Queen Mary Katherine, and brave Ronin. Goodbye all creatures of the forest!" She said with a loud voice that was rhythmic.

I stared as she evaporated into air, Ronin's hands reaching out as soon as she left. He wanted her so badly to be here, his face turning from the smile and back to the frown, but this time he had tears running down his face. I gulped, he must've loved her more than anyone in the world.

As soon as he caught me staring, he straightened his form and sniffed. Wiping away his tears, he stared at me.

The powers of the Queen had began to spin faster around me- I watched in amazement, gazing at the beautiful sight. It was more that just beautiful, it seemed like it was all a dream.

"Wait!" I said, as the cloud of powers began to come closer to my body, "what about my father?" I asked quickly.

No one could answer before the wave of whiteness came over my vision.

I gasped for air, feeling the powers of Queen Tara soar into me and knock the wind out of my lungs. The feeling of my clothes ripped away from me, and quickly another softer fabric touched my skin. My eyes opened once again, only to witness the creatures of the forest bowing to me with smiles.

Nod looked up at me from his bow, winking quickly before anyone could see.

"Nod." I could hear Ronin's aggravated voice.

Nod laughed, before standing up with the rest of the Leafsmen.

"May I present to you," Ronin's voice boomed as he moved to my side, "Queen Mary Katherine."

"I prefer MK."