This is a continuation from the "Rise of Nine", before the "Fall of Five". Just a reminder of what happened at the end of the book - John and Nine met up with Six, Eight, Marina and Ella at Dulce Base. Together, they fought Setrákus Ra, barely escaping with their lives...

Six POV:

After ripping through the countless Mogs and FBIs with ease, we reached Nine's batty looking car.

"What the hell is this piece of junk?" I say.

"Er. A car." answers Nine. "By the way, you look pretty cool in your that thing."

I roll my eyes. "Let's just get in."

Turns out, it was too small a space. We even rescued Sam. Not all of us can hitch a car ride. I drive, Marina beside me, with Eight, Sam and Sarah behind us. Nine and John end up running beside the car.

Actually, when I got in, I was AMAZED. It was so high-tech. I can hear my accomplices gasping in wonder. I'm totally shocked.

I lean out the window. "Dude! This is some major stuff you have here."

I think he blushes a bit. "Yeah, honey. It's the latest model. The hottest babe in the world this is." he says, petting the car.

"Hell, yeah." I laugh.

The smug grin is suddenly wiped from his face. "Sirens." he says. "We'd better get going."

They begin running, and I rev the car up. I don't drive too fast, but at their running pace, which is at 80 km per hour.

I can see they are running their fastest as we cruise along. After driving for 20 minutes, we are far away from the place already. We stop at some dense woods.

John POV:

I fling myself onto a grassy patch.

"Boy, THAT was SOME work out." says Nine, flexing his muscles in front of Six.

I just help Sarah and Sam down. "Are you guys OK?" I ask, hugging Sarah.

"Apart from all these cuts and bruises, YEAH." says Sam. He limps out.

"Did you find your dad?" I ask.

Judging by his face, I know the answer. "H-he's dead." Sam finally says. "I saw his body."

I don't know what to say. Instead, I reach over and hug him. The others watch in silence.

"OK." says Nine. "Enough of the love-love, kiss- kiss bit. Let's get to know each other."

With a great effort I release my arms from Sarah. "I love you." I whisper, as she turns away, her eyes filling with tears.

Eight begins rummaging in his chest. "GOT IT." he cheers. "What?" I ask. He pulls out 10 marble-like balls which are attached to small chain necklaces.

"What the heck!" cries Six. "NO WAY."

I'm still confused. "What?" I ask.

Marina looks confused too. "You gotta be joking, man!" says Nine.

Ella gasps, her eyes wide, like orbs.

"Watch this," Nine says, grabbing the pendant with a purple marble and pulling it around his neck.

Suddenly, he begins to shrink, getting skinnier along the way. His long black hair turns blonde and short while his eyes turn green. He looks like a thin, small, scruffy teenage boy.

"Whoa!" I cry. "What did you DO?"

"Duh, John. We're WANTED. People'll recognize us if we are in our true form." His voice isn't so loud and booming anymore, instead, there is a tiny pathetic squeak to it, and it's less deep.

We all laugh. "You look like a nerd!" laughs Six. "No offense, though." she says, quickly looking at Sam. Sam just shrugs.

Marina POV:

I am eager to try out one of the necklaces. So I reach out a hand and grab a pale blue one, putting it around my neck.

At once, I feel as though I'm shrinking a little. My arms grow shorter, but my hair grows longer till it reaches my waist. My brilliant blue eyes turn a soft brown color and my brown hair turns blonde.

I can see Eight staring and I blush a little. "You look less pretty." he says dismally.

I shrug. "How do I look?"

"Okay."replies Six. "You look like a normal teenage girl. Very ordinary."

I nod, smiling. "Don't want to draw attention, do I?"

"Remember," says Eight, "this only lasts for an hour. After that, we have to put it back into this box and charge it for about half an hour."

"Plus, we need to get a new car." adds John.

I'm feeling thrilled. So many of us are coming together like that. I'm totally awed.

"My turn in the car." says Nine.

"One of us just GET ANOTHER CAR already." says John.

Eight gets up, saying, "I'll go get it somewhere."

"NO," Six firmly puts in.

"It's a PERFECT idea." I say, wondering why Six objects. "We ALL have to go. We can't loose each other again."I nod meaningfully. "Six's right.

We ALL have to go."John sighs. "I'm tired of running here and there." "I'll be the one outside."volunteers Six.

"Dude!" cries Nine, shocked. "She's a GIRL. Are you willing to let her suffer so you can RELAX? Seriously. Have some stamina. I'm only MODERATELY tired."

Hope you enjoyed the read, and please review! :)