I just wanted to start by apologizing to everyone. I really wanted to update on the 21st, but my computer decided against that. For future reference, though, I will try to update once a month. Oh, also, I meant to fix this but decided to mention it here, but in the last chapter, I gave a timeline. The last part of it incorrect; it's supposed to say, "And ch 9: 6th week to two months after the War." The part fluctuates, depending on one's count of the days passing. Thank you to everyone for your support!

Disclaimer: The Secret Saturdays belongs to Jay Stephens and Cartoon Network.

Chapter 10: Danger Lurks Behind Every Shadow

(3rd Person POV)

Time passed, and soon Ningirama was madly in love with Mashdaria, and she was falling for him. They decided to join each other for all of time, and they were married. It wasn't long afterwards that Mashdaria was with child. The two were overjoyed and couldn't wait for the child to be born. But one day, while to two were out, a giant snake attacked the couple. Ningirama used his powers to fight off the snake and protect his wife and unborn child. Ultimately, he succeeded, but at a great price. The snake bit Ningirama and killed him before he took another breath. Mashdaria watched as it happened, completely helpless. Ningirama's power left him and filled the essence of his unborn child. Yet this was not the end.

(Drew's POV)

I let the phone ring once more, praying for an answer, but it goes to voicemail. I hang up and shove the phone into my pocket. She has to pick up at some point, everyone does. Doc enters the room. I rush to him.

"Doc, I'm worried about her. She hasn't answered her phone, she won't email, she won't call me back. What if he got her again? What if -" He cuts me off.

"I'm sure she's fine, Drew. She's been through a lot, and she may just want some time to herself. She'll call when she wants to." I nod. Doc's right. Miranda will call me back when she wants to. Still, she was supposed to be in and out of Arthur's ship. What if something went wrong?

I walk out of the room and make some tea to calm my nerves. Between Miranda and that freaky vision I had a while back, I'm not sleeping, and my nerves are chaotic.

I grab my cup of tea and head outside. The sunlight fills the clearing and warms the air. Birds are singing, and animals are playing. This, this is how life should be, not this mess I live now. I feel tears in my eyes, so I take a nice long sip of tea to try and stop them.

A doe and a fawn are eating together behind some trees. Why has my life been such a mess? I was supposed to grow up with a mom, a dad, and a brother and be a happy family. I wanted to be a medical doctor when I grew up; I wanted to save lives. Then we took the cursed trip, the trip that tore everything apart. And then to abandon my dream for something else just to dull the pain with work, only to find out I was pregnant and unmarried was crazy. Thankfully, Doc married me after he found out, but then he gave away Lily. Then all this nasty Kur stuff showed up again, taking away Dr. Bara, Leonidas, and so many other lives.

Suddenly the phone rings. I read the caller ID. It's Miranda.

Meanwhile . . .

(3rd Person POV)

Obscured by the mountains of Peru, Dr. Beeman hatches another plan. He learns from his mistakes, and he learns quickly. Dr. Beeman calls up two good friends of his, Dr. Cheveyo and Dr. Cheechoo. He invites them over to his lab, unbeknownst to them, that Dr. Beeman isn't who they thought is.

The call ends, and Dr. Beeman summons his minions, the infamous Mr. Scheef and Professor Talu Mizuki. He tells them to hide any evidence of his work including themselves once his colleagues arrive. They leave the computer room, and Dr. Beeman joins Dr. Grey in a separate room.

"What do you want, Arthur?" Dr. Grey snaps. She's sitting in a chair with her hands over her lower abdomen, and she looks unwell.

"You know exactly what I want. I want you, power, and Kur itself in my control. I want all the greatest minds in the world to work for me, for power stronger than Kur, and for so much more. But, in order for that to happen, I need to have some friends over, and you need to make a call as well." Dr. Grey stiffens at the last part. "Oh, Miranda, don't worry. It's nothing major, just that you're having a little get-together later and that your so-called friends are invited." Dr. Beeman grabs Dr. Grey's chin forcefully. "And don't even think about trying anything funny. UNDERSTOOD?" Dr. Grey nods.

After the call is made, Dr. Grey waits at the designated place, trying desperately to act natural; her life literally depends her ability to act. Dr. Beeman is concealed behind some foliage, laser gun aimed, and ready to shoot at any moment.

At long last, the Saturdays' airship lands. Everyone gets out.

"So sorry we're late. Lily got sick, so we had to leave her at the house [(a/n) in this story, which I failed to mention previously, the Saturdays have a temporary living area near the remains of their house. They just took the long way back to it after Van Rook's funeral. Sorry for forgetting that!] with Doyle. I bet you were waiting for forever," Dr. Drew Saturday explains.

Dr. Grey laughs then whispers to herself inaudibly, "You have no idea." Then she invites them inside, where she knows danger lurks.

So, that was probably was one of my darkest chapters yet. Yikes. It wasn't supposed to go that way, but my outline (yes, I do outline each chapter) had it ending like that. Hope you guys liked it. I hope to actually post later this month with possibly more than one chapter. but I can't promise anything between moving and school starting. Thanks everyone for reading!