Disclaimer: The Magic School Bus is not mine.

Chapter Eleven

"There they are," Latano said, his voice as calm as ever.

"Where?" Tim asked.

"Way off in the distance. But they'll be here soon enough. They're fast." The Elf expertly fit an arrow to his small bow. "As you probably guessed, the range of these things isn't very good. But neither are theirs. Now, Tim, I'm only guessing they're here for you, but if I tell you to run, I need you to run and find another group."

"I won't leave you!"

"Tim, your loyalty is appreciated, but not necessary. The gleems are not trying to kill me. They prefer prisoners. They may be trying to kill you. But we don't have any more time to argue this." He let an arrow fly. Then, as an afterthought, "I hope you're good at dodgeball."

"Someone hit something," Noka said confidently. Ms. Frizzle, who had donned a pair of sunglasses, looked where he was pointing as her Elven companion aimed and fired.

"Good aim," she commented.

"Try yours," the Elf suggested. "It shouldn't be too hard for someone who's as good at pinball as you."

"How'd you know about that?"

"A little bird told me," he joked as he fired again. This time, his fire was returned. It missed its target, but made Liz take shelter in Ms. Frizzle's dress. Just then, a robin flew down from the top of the building and perched lightly on Noka's shoulder.

"Glad you made it, Rose," Noka smiled. "Rose: Liz, Ms. Frizzle. Liz, Ms. Frizzle: Rose. A sort of 'seeing eye bird.' A fellow warrior." He aimed again. Rose chirped a little. He lowered his bow a little. Rose chirped again, slightly lower-pitched. He fired.

"Is it just me, or is that bow a little small for you?" Ralphie asked. "You're not an Elf."

"And I'm not quite human! So what am I? I know, I know. Whatever I am, I do a lousy imitation of Shinzon," Peter laughed as he aimed again. "But, really, anything else would be too big to carry at the same time as a sword. And, believe me, you'll need your sword."

"Oh, dear. Any last-minute pointers?"

"Yeah," Peter smiled as he pulled Ralphie out of the way of an arrow. "Don't get hit, mellon nin."

"There, hold it like that," Morgan instructed, guiding Phoebe into an aiming position. "There, now let go." Phoebe did. The arrow flew a couple of feet.

"Um . . . yeah," Morgan nodded. "Pull back more . . . a lot more. There, now point it a little lower than that . . . perfect. Let 'er fly."

This time the arrow flew straight. It didn't hit anything, but Morgan knew it would attract attention. "Both of you, if I say to run, run, fast. I have a feeling we'll still be able to communicate. Good job, Arnold, but not so tense. It'll affect your aim. Relax."

"Relax? How am I supposed to relax?"

Morgan fit an arrow to her bow. "Concentrate, but let go. Like this." Her arrow flew up, barely missing one of the shapes in the distance. "It'll be easier when they come closer," Morgan assured them.

"Closer!" Arnold exclaimed, gripping his bow tight.

Suddenly, an arrow came flying right at the frozen boy. Morgan tackled him to the ground, placing herself in the arrow's path. She barely suppressed a scream as it hit her shoulder. Phoebe quickly returned the fire, then rushed to Morgan's side.

"I'm all right," Morgan insisted, pulling the arrow from her shoulder. "Welcome to my world."

Saki – beep, beep.

xWhitexStaRx – :) Wish our teacher showed Bill Nye more often. But, then, school's out, so there's really no point in wishing for that. :)

the ultimateSora – Yes, we all like Carlos. :)