Authors note

I am sooooo sorry. I haven't updated this story for MONTHS! I have never left something that long before, I'm supposed to be revising for GCSEs at the moment, but I couldn't leave it any longer. So sorry guys (whoever is actually reading this :L) but I'm back now!

Disclaimer: I do not own Sarah Jane Adventures or any of its characters. The only things I own are Amy, the Malis Monstrum and another character coming soon...

Chapter 4

Luke didn't really feel anything. It was like the feeling you get when you know someone is looking at you but you're looking at something else. While the Malis Monstrum was finishing off his scan of Luke's mind, Luke cast back to the others. Were they okay? Has Sarah-Jane arrived at the scene yet? Had Rani woken up yet? Luke frowned in the direction of the Malis Monstrum. He was still miffed at the fact he did that to Rani, whether it did any harm or not. Then he grinned slightly. He was still really pleased Rani would be okay. He had been thinking of Rani a lot lately, but he wasn't sure why. She probably said something memorable to him, though he couldn't remember what it was...

"Scan is now complete Luke Smith" the Malis Monstrum stated.

"Right, what we do now?"

"I have to analyze it, see what part of the brain creates beliefs, then try to find a way to build a defence mechanism around it."

"How long will that take?"

"I am unsure. At the latest, 6 days."

"6 days! That thing could be here by then!"

"Yes I understand that Luke Smith, but it's the best I can do."

"Okay, okay. Let's hope that creature you told me about decides to turn up a week late."

"Mr Smith, I need you." The simple command had massive results. Amy gawped as the alien super-computer opened up to reveal its complicated and advanced insides. In Amy's opinion, even the cheesy fanfare was impressive.

"Wow."

"Yeah, he's pretty cool, isn't he?" Rani grinned.

"Just a tad" Amy gulped.

"Hello Sarah-Jane, how may I assist you? Oh, I see we have a guest."

"Yes, Mr Smith, this is Amy, Amy, Mr Smith" Sarah-Jane introduced.

"A pleasure to meet you Amy."

"Nice to meet you, Mr Smith."

"Mr Smith, I need you to tell me everything you know about a creature called a Malis Monstrum."

"Of course, Sarah-Jane. Processing..."

Amy took the opportunity to look around the attic. Small it may be, compact and magnificent it most certainly was. It was stuffed full of alien gadgets that amazed Amy even more than the time she discovered Pluto wasn't a planet. She looked at Clyde with expectant eyes.

"You do this kind of thing often then?"

Clyde spun round, not expecting a question like that to pop up.

"Well, yeah, I suppose we do."

"It's incredible. Life must be so exciting living a lifestyle like this."

"Yeah, we never know what's coming, which makes it kind of scary, but mysterious, lively and fun all at the same time. I'd be a completely different person if it wasn't for Sarah-Jane and her little attic in Ealing."

The two started laughing, Rani pretended to wretch and Sarah-Jane smiled slightly, but then Mr Smith suddenly sprang to life.

"Process complete. Malis Monstrum is a species from the Crystallum Galaxy. They are known to be peaceful, graceful and completely in sync with their natural surroundings. They don't appear to be any kind of threat to us, so may I inquire to why you are researching them Sarah-Jane?

"They took Luke. You must be mistaken Mr Smith. The creature threatened these three and took Luke away. They can't be harmless!" Sarah-Jane cried. She looked on the verge of crying, something not normal in the slightest. Rani thought it was an appropriate time to give Sarah-Jane a hug.

"Don't worry Sarah-Jane, we'll find him. He'll be fine."

Rani silently prayed that Luke was okay. She could only remember him holding her hand, standing in front of him and then it went black. She mentally punched herself for being so useless. It might have been her downfall that lead Luke to go to that monster. She also felt like crying, but decided to stay strong for Sarah-Jane; after all, it's her own son that's been taken.

"On the contrary Sarah-Jane, I have some news that may change your opinion of the Malis Monstrum."

"I highly doubt it, but go on."

"Some time ago, the Malis Monstrum's planet was completely deprived of the children. They were like empty shells, just solid beings with no souls. Eventually, it caused the destruction of the planet. Very few of the inhabitants escaped, vowing to help fellow planets that were under the threat of the mysterious being that caused the devastation."

"How horrible. So, are you saying that if the Malis Monstrum did take Luke, it was because they are trying to help? But how?" Rani called.

"It is said that the children stopped believing. It was said their worst fears were revealed, before everything they believed in was ripped from them, like the belief of hope, love, sorrow, emotions in general. It is widely believed that the mysterious being fed off the energy of the children's beliefs."

"Of course! Luke's mind has the concept of 10,000 children! The Malis Monstrum could be using that information to try and help!" Sarah-Jane shouted excitedly.

"The mind concept of 10,000 children?" Amy gasped.

"We'll explain later." Clyde whispered.

"So what do we do now?" Rani asked.

"Do the most sensible thing. Hopefully, the Malis Monstrum's ship is in orbit. If it is, I might be able to pass a message through to make sure Luke is okay."

"Good idea Sarah-Jane!" Clyde grinned.

"This is so exciting!" Amy squealed.

"It gets better than this Amy, this is just the beginning." Clyde smiled. He then swore he saw Amy smile and blush. He went the shade of crimson in return. Rani rolled her eyes sarcastically and placed her arm on Sarah-Jane's shoulder.

"Right, can you detect them Mr Smith?" Sarah-Jane questioned.

"Scanning...Space vessel located. Confirmed Malis Monstrum's position."

"Can you patch me through?"

"Certainly, Sarah-Jane."

Luke was sitting with his head in his hands while the Malis Monstrum, who just revealed his name, was Piscina, was working on the defence mechanism, when the two of them heard a slight crackling coming from the control system. Luke stood up suddenly. Piscina dropped his equipment was a start and slowly walked over the said area. Luke saw him gulp and felt the urge to swallow too.

"Please no, don't let it have followed me here."

"I guess we'll see now, signal is about the make contact."

The crackling got louder the closer the signal got to them. Piscina looked as if he was going to faint. Then the signal finally reached the control room. Piscina and Luke both held their breaths, when Sarah-Jane, Rani, Clyde and Amy appeared on the large screen.

"MUM!" Luke breathed out, clutching his chest.

"Luke! Are you okay? Are you hurt? What's going on-" Sarah-Jane started.

"Sarah-Jane, let him breath! You okay Luke?" Rani smiled.

"Rani! You're okay! I was so worried! I'm fine, absolutely fine."

"Yeah, your pal there doesn't look to good though." Clyde laughed.

Luke looked over to see Piscina looking white as a sheet. Luke assumed he hadn't quite got over the fact that it wasn't this creature sending the signal, but as he got closer, he realised that Piscina wasn't looking at the screen anymore; he was looking at a small orange button above it. It was flashing in frenzy. Luke frowned.

"What is it? What's wrong?" Luke asked.

"I- Th-We" Piscina began stuttering, when the group in the attic began screaming.

"Mum! Rani! Clyde! Someone explain what's going on! Amy!"

"Luke, Luke? What's going on? The ground just shook like mad; did any of you do that?" Rani yelled.

"We didn't do anything! Piscina, what happened?"

Piscina turned to Luke and the screen slowly, whimpered a little before declaring "He's arrived on Earth."

Oooooh cliffhanger, I LOVE doing that :D Good chapter? Bad chapter? I'd love your opinions, so please please review :D thank you guys! xxxx