Chapter 13

The sun had set hours ago, but David had been unable to sleep. Finally, in an attempt to find some source of comfort, he went to find his brother. David found Nate talking with Psylocke in the throne room. He thought it might be best to come back later, but Nate insisted that he wasn't interrupting anything that couldn't wait. "What's on your mind, big brother?"

"Nathan, I wanted to ask you about my powers." David could instantly sense his brother's discomfort. "Forgive me, but I really need your help. Telepathy, telekinesis, flight and superhuman-strength aren't a problem, but I recently discovered another power of mine."

"Teleportation?" Nate asked.

David shook his head. "It's much more serious than that, I'm afraid. Remember when I showed up in Snow Valley, and you started losing your powers? Well, that was a result of this mutant power. It affects other mutants' power in various ways. In your case, it just blocked them for a while. In a more recent case, it pushed the mutants' powers to their potential peaks. I can't really control it, but I can determine whether the effect is good or bad."

Nate rubbed his chin thoughtfully for a minute. "Interesting. The more I learn about you, the more I have to give the Master credit; he certainly knew what he was doing. But I'd be glad to help you learn more about that power of yours."

"Many thanks, brother," David said. "But it seems you have another visitor."

Nate looked up to see Rose at the doorway. "Let's go, Betsy," David whispered, taking her hand. "I think they need some time alone."

After David and Betsy departed, Rose slowly made her way to the throne. "Nathan, I need to tell you something," she said.

He smiled and took her hands in his own. "I'm listening."

"I've given some thought to what Jackie said. I just don't think I could rule an empire, even if it was by your side."

"Then you won't have to," Nate said, standing up. "I've already appointed Jackie the ruler of the Darkness Realm until my...replacement arrives. Which means we're going home tomorrow."

Rose stared into his eyes. "Do you really mean that, Nathan?"

"I certainly do. I've missed you, Rose, and we really should spend more time together. Relieving myself of royal duties is just what this relationship needs."

"Nate, will we ever meet again?" Kory asked early the next day.

"Only time will tell," Nate said as he hugged her, "but I certainly hope so. Good luck finding the rest of your team."*

Kory nodded as she, Donna and Kyle flew into the morning sky. "Thanks again, Nate!" she shouted.

"So, what's next for you, Nate?" David asked.

“I'm going home, David,” Nate replied. “Will you and Angel be joining us?”

"You better believe it! I think we all need to go home this time around."

Nate smiled brightly. "Okay then, one mass teleportation, coming right up!"

"Natey, WAIT!" shouted Ariel as she ran up to him. "You're not really leaving me again, are you?"

"Sorry, Ariel, but I need to be with my family."

"But...don't you love me anymore?" she asked with tears in her eyes.

Nate wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead. "Ariel, you'll always be one of my dearest friends, and I'll always love you. You'll soon be happy enough without me, I promise."

"But how could I ever be happy without you? I love you!" Ariel cried as she buried her head in his chest.

Nate just shook his head and lifted her chin. "You'll meet someone new, and they'll make you happier than I ever could."

"Will you visit me sometime?" she questioned. He smiled and quickly kissed her. "It's a promise, Ariel."

*Nate refers to the New Teen Titans, kinda like DC's version of Gen X

Three hours later, Nate and his companions had finally returned to Salem Center. "Nathan, you're so unfair. How could you kiss that poor girl and leave her wondering what might have been between you two?" Rose asked.

"I wouldn't worry about it too much, Rose," Nate said as he unpacked his things. "I've got a good feeling that Ariel will be just fine pretty soon. Why, I bet she's in the arms of someone else right now," he said with a secretive smile.

Ariel Chylde slowly drew her hand across the stone chair where Nate had sat so often. She sighed and hugged herself tightly. "I miss you already, Natey, but you won't come back, will you?" She blinked away another set of tears as she walked to the throne room. "Maybe Jackie can shed some light on this mysterious new ruler. They say he's like a living shadow or something."

As the royal guards opened the doors of the throne room, Ariel received the shock of her life. Sitting upon the throne, dressed in a flowing black robe complete with the traditional markings, was the new prince. A shock of white hair hid one of his eyes, while the rest of his head was topped by long reddish-brown locks. His eyes seemed to glow with an eerie black light, and his pale skin offered a sharp contrast.

His gaze shifted to land upon Ariel. Something close to a smile appeared on his face as he beckoned her closer. She slowly made her way the throne, where he took her right hand and kissed it. "You must be Ariel, the one I've heard so much about," he said, locking his dark eyes on hers.

"Y-Yes," she stammered, suddenly nervous. "Natey...is it really you?"

He smiled and replied, "What do you think?"

She shook her head. "I think I'm having a wonderful dream."

"It's no dream, I assure you," he stated as he stood up. "I am the new prince, and I do believe the position of princess has yet to be filled. How would you like to have it?"

Ariel's eyes grew wide. "M-Me? But how could I?"

"All you have to do is take this jewel," he replied, placing the second Jewel of Darkness in her hand.

"Are you serious?" she said, staring at him.

"As serious as death, maybe even moreso," he nodded with a grin. “Or is that, ‘til death do us part?’”

Ariel blinked. "Are you proposing to me?"

"No, not yet," he said with a laugh, "but soon. Now, do you accept my offer?"

"I guess so," she said, gazing at the small jewel in her hand.

"Wonderful! Shall we go?" he asked, offering his arm to her. "Jackie will want to know about this."

Ariel smiled and took his arm. "What should I call you?" she asked.

"Whatever you want, dear girl. The choice is yours."

She thought for a moment as they walked out of the room. “How do you like ‘beloved?’”

He chuckled and added, "'Dear' would be just fine for now, you know."

"Very well, dear," she said as she smiled laid her head on his shoulder.

The End!

Well, that's all for now. Needless to say, I'm already working on another story that explains this. If you didn't like what you read, I encourage you to write a story of your own and send it to me. And, if you liked what you read, I encourage you to write a story of your own and send it to me. Heh. Okay, I'm done! Seeya next story! :)