Note: Like every other Animorphs fanfic writer on this site, I use ((this)) for thought-speak. Not even HTML code will work.

"Marco! Did you remember the sunscreen?" Jake called from the other room. "I think that's the only thing we're missing."

"Yeah, I got it," I replied. "Let's head to Cassie's barn. I just hope Rachel will remember the snacks. Oh! Don't forget some cash."

"Right…" Jake said with a smug grin on his face.

I suppose I should tell you who I am. In case you hadn't already noticed, my name's Marco. I'm a member of the Animorphs.

Today was special, not only because it was Saturday, but because it was the first Saturday in the longest time that we had neither homework nor Yeerks to worry about. To celebrate, we all decided to go to The Gardens for the day. The Gardens is a theme park with rides and animals. It's kinda like a zoo, SeaWorld, and Six Flags thrown together. You should see it.

After parking out bikes outside Cassie's barn, we saw her walking out of her house. "Hey Cassie! How's it going? Where's Rachel?" Jake asked.

"I'm fine. Rachel's inside the barn," she replied.

"What about Ax and Tobias?" I asked.

"As you might expect, Tobias is already here. Last I checked, Ax is running late."

"When did you last check?" asked Jake. Just then, Rachel walked out of the barn.

"She was in here about five minutes ago," Rachel said, referring to Cassie. "As soon as Ax gets here, we can start discussing plans for the day."

"He should be here any minute," Cassie added. "Tobias said he'd be running a little late. Let's go into the barn and wait for him."

Inside the barn, a red-tailed hawk was sitting on a barrel. He was cleaning himself, but soon finished and looked up. ((If I could tell you more,)) I would, Tobias said. ((All I know is that Ax will be a little late.))

As if by cue, an osprey flew in through the other barn door. ((I am here,)) Ax said. ((When do we leave?))

"We leave as soon as we finish discussing a couple of things," Jake answered. As Ax demorphed, Jake continued. "First of all," he started, "We need to decide who will be the one to officially enter the park."

My hand shot up. "I volunteer!" I said.

Jake raised an eyebrow. "Why so eager, Marco?" he asked.

"Um, two reasons," I said. "One: I can drive."

"Well, yeah, but so can we," Rachel pointed out, indicating herself, Cassie, and Jake.

"Second reason: I don't want to wait in a public restroom for half an hour."

"Fair enough," Jake said. "After all, someone has to come in the regular way."

((Could someone please inform me as to what the plan is?)) Ax asked. ((I seem to have forgotten the finer details.))

"Sure thing, Ax," said Cassie. "Basically, all six of us are going to The Gardens for the price of one. Everyone but Marco will fly into the park as a seagull, to five different restrooms at the edges of the park, and dimorph there. Marco will go around to each restroom delivering clothes and expanding his party."

((Party?)) questioned Ax.

((A group,)) Tobias clarified.

Jake continued. "We could all get in for free, but then we'd all have to walk around in leotards or gym shorts without shirts."

"Wait a second," I interrupted. "Couldn't Cassie's mom get us in? I thought she was working there this weekend."

"She could," Cassie said, "but she can only get us in for half price, if we're lucky. Our method lets us get in for one sixth the price. That's…" She was silent for a moment. "…saving eighty-three and one-third percent!" she concluded.

((Actually, Cassie, Ax and I can't chip in; we don't have any money. You'll each have to pay one-fourth , thus only saving 75 percent,)) Tobias said.

"Oh. Okay then," she sighed.

"Cassie, has the admission price changed?" Rachel asked.

"No, it's still 46 dollars. Which means we each chip in…" she thought for a second. "Eleven dollars and fifty cents."

Everyone reached into their pockets and pulled out their wallets. The next thing I knew, I had 34 dollars and 50 cents in my hands. "You know what to do, Marco," said Jake. "Finish the difference." I nodded. "Cassie, can you run into your house and get two bags? Oh! And your parents know where we're going, right?"

"Yes!" cried Cassie as she left the barn. "Except they think we're paying full price!" For some reason, I found this amusing, but I didn't really laugh out loud.

Author's note:
So, how did I do? This is just the first chapter; I still have at least four other chapters already written in my notebook that I need to copy to Microsoft Word and then into the document editor. Let me know where I can improve, and also please let me know if any of the characters seemed out-of-character. Predictions? Questions? Go ahead and review.