InnotProvGuilp2


Chapter 4


On a city on Earth, many people were in a state of amazement. Shocked by the disappearance of two children, who had vanished without a trace, they now were extremely worried about their own children.

This wasn't a well excepted phase for many of the children, but mostly a small group of three children, who had bigger plans than staying at home all the time. They needed to meet and try and figured out what had happened to their friend.

So, one by one, the children snuck out of their homes, became birds, and flew away.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Nervously gaiting, Aximili was waiting in the woods for Prince Jake and the others. The disappearance of Marco and the young controller was startling, but what was even more amazing was the fact that they had vanished into thin air.

That posed problems toward Aximili. He was such a logical person that the mere idea of disappearing into thin air was preposterous, but Tobias had said that they did, and Aximlili knew that Tobias wouldn't deceive him.

After studying the area where they had last seen Marco, Aximili had come to one conclusion. Although it was completely against his beliefs, he realized that they could have quite possibly been pulled through a Vinalksli portal.

Vinalksli-Tharash-Esplillion had been a great scientist once, but after he had proposed his theory of being pulled through space from another planet, he was denounced as a joke. It was absurd, being pulled through space in that way. And his calculations hadn't made any sense.

But Aximili suddenly had his doubts. Although it was obvious that Vinalksli was mainly incorrect, the idea of being pulled through space had made Aximili start to think about it. If the Vinalksli theory was correct in that one way, it would explain how Marco and that controller had suddenly disappeared, would it not?

Aximili heard the sound of footsteps approaching, and he he was shaken out of his thoughts. Looking up at the arrivals, he saw Prince Jake, Cassie, and Rachel coming, Tobias resting on a tree above.

All right. Prince Jake said, motioning towards Aximili, Do you really think that this Vinalksli was correct? If so, is there any way to tag onto whatever he did?

Yes, Prince Jake, I believe that what has just happened here was, in fact, the Vinalksli theory. Unfortunately, no one had believed the proposition that he had made, and thus, the recordings were destroyed and we were not taught about him or his theory at school.

Prince Jake sighed, All right. So I guess that this means we are out of luck?

Yes, Prince Jake, I believe it does, Aximili replied, sighing as well, We might as well go on with our mission, for there is nothing that we can do to help rescue Marco.

Sadly, the group turned away, and they all began walking towards Cassie's barn. Aximili followed close behind, wondering if there was anything he had missed. Slowly, he realized that there wasn't.

There was nothing that the Animorphs could do to help their friend.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~


I'm hungry, Marco complained. He and Shirler had just found a clearing in the dense woods, and to be frank, Shirler was getting mighty sick of him. First she had found out that he was a so called Andalite bandit, now he was complaining?

She was the one who should be complaining! Shirler was the one at the most risk here, not him. Anytime now he could turn around and kill her before she could run away.

But, thinking of his complaint, Shirler's stomach growled, she replied, with as little emotion as she could master, I think I might have something in here.

Shirler reached down and searched through a small leather handbag that she carried at her side. Knowing that she was going to be searching for the Andalite bandits', she had brought along a few things.

Digging through, she pulled out the only thing that she could find that was useful. It was a small first aid kit, and Shirler wasted no time in prying it open.

Glancing inside, she realized that there was a packet of band-aids and gauze, some small health bars, and a few matches in the box. Pulling out the health bars, she tore one open and, after some consideration, passed one to Marco as well.

The bar was horrible, but it was food, and Shirler was starving. Never before had she been this hungry!

There are four more bars inside, she said, shutting the case and placing it back inside her bag, The only other things inside the bag is a notebook and some pens, and also a water bottle, but we've already filled that.

Marco shrugged, I guess the people who designed that kit were pretty stupid, wouldn't you say?

I don't know, and personally, I don't care. It's getting to dark to much else but sleep.

Yeah, I'm beat, but someone should stay awake and keep watch. he replied, glancing around.

I'll take first shift. Shirler said instantly, eying him suspiciously. What better way to kill her than when she was defenseless and unaware?

Marco looked back at her and raised his eyebrow, Sure., he said, obviously realizing that she didn't trust him. Well, obviously!, Just don't kill me while I sleep, okay?

With that he turned over and fell asleep before he even hit the ground. Shirler waited until she was positive he was asleep, and then sighed and leaned back against a strange mutated tree.

You know, Morgan said, mentally grinning, He's awfully cute.

Oh shut up, Shirler snapped, I'm in a bad enough mood already, must you make it worse?

Come on, you know that you need his help. Remember, he can morph and all? Morgan probed.

I have realized. But I can take care of myself, and I don't need the help from some little human brat.

A little human brat who can become animals.

Who said I was talking about him? Shirler replied, Look, I am a member of the Yeerk Empire, and there is no way that I am going to become a traitor, no matter how much help I need.

Morgan fell silent. Reading her thoughts, Shirler could tell that Morgan thought that she was lying. Well! She show her. As soon as she had a proper weapon, Shirler would destroy the boy once and for all.

Really? Morgan asked, a bit of skepticism in her thoughts.

Oh course. Shirler replied without and doubt.

I don't think so, Morgan said, See, I know you Shirler. You aren't as bloodthirsty as all of those other Yeerks. You've tried to make friends, and in many cases you've succeeded. You don't like killing, and I know that if you were going to kill Marco at all, you would have already.

Shirler laughed, And what makes you so sure?

The fact that you asked his name. she replied, Did you really think I cared about what his name was? Sure, it would be easier if we knew, but that wasn't the real reason. See, I knew that by knowing his name, it would make you more hesitant to kill him. Shirler tensed, realizing what she was talking about.

Because now if you kill him, you wouldn't have just killed the enemy', or an Andalite bandit', you would have killed Marco. And I know that knowing the name makes it ever so much harder. Morgan finished.

Shirler was shocked. All this while Morgan had been testing her! And the worst thing was, she was right. It was harder to think of killing Marco now that she knew his name.

She clenched her fist. Darned that Morgan! Why did she have to be so smart in knowing just how to make Shirler stop what she was doing?

Sighing, Shirler realized that there wasn't a thing that she could do about it. She had already made her mistake, scolding herself for it wouldn't make any difference.

Just then, Shirler thought she heard something. Tilting her head, she listened carefully. There it was again! So it wasn't her imagination, but what was it....?

Suddenly Shirler could see what it was. A creature, with smooth, almost shimmering skin was making his way toward her. There was a long white streak down it's furred back, and it had eight arms, all of them waving around wildly. It's three legs were tilted back at the knees, and Shirler could just make out fangs in the dim forest.

Grinning savagely, the beast quickly leaped at her, fangs out and aiming.


Chapter 5


Marco awoke to the sound of a piercing scream. Shooting up instantly, he saw Shirler backed up against a tree, and a strange eight-armed beast coming toward her.

The creature leapt at Shirler, who dodged, but not before the creature raked her arms. She gave a yelp of pain and went down hard.

Marco had started to morph. Not to his gorilla, even the gorilla couldn't stop that thing. Instead of feeling muscles bulge out of his skin, he felt himself grow larger, and his eyesight dimmed. His arms and legs became slightly stump-like, and he felt horns growing out of his head. Marco was becoming a rhinoceros.

Glancing around, he could vaguely make out Shirler. The creature was coming near her once more, and Marco knew that he couldn't finish morphing in time.

Shirler! he shouted, making her jump slightly, but she still kept her fearful glare on the beast, I'm morphing, but try and hold him off until I'm finished, okay?

Shirler nodded tightly, and bent down to grab a large branch from a tree that she could use as a club. Gripping the branch tightly she prepared to use it.

Which was, as it turned out, a very good thing. Just then the beast attacked, and Shirler smacked it across the face with the club. The creature fell, dazed and confused, obviously not used to being attacked back.

By that time Marco had finished morphing, and he charged the creature. Despite the fact that the creature was dazed, it leaped fearfully away from the large, rampaging giant.

Shirler, follow the path I'm making! Marco shouted out to the girl. He could hear her running after him with his delicate hearing.

The two of them ran out of the forest, and stopped about fifty feet away from it. Gasping for breath, Shirler collapsed on the ground as Marco demorphed.

What's with the skin-tight stuff? she asked, seeing his morphing outfit as he demorphed.

We can't morph baggy clothing, Marco replied, his normal voice returning as he spoke, That just isn't how morphing works.

Shirler nodded, and breathed deep, Thank you. she said, and Marco saw that she was having a bit of trouble saying it, I don't say thank you that well, but...thank you. You saved my life.

Glancing over his shoulder, he bit his lip, Don't say that just yet, he gasped, Look behind you. Marco saw her turn around, and he knew what she saw.

No less that twenty sets of glowing red eyes coming toward them from the forest.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Shirler inhaled sharply at what she saw. It was that creature again, and it appeared to have brought all of his friends. Quickly, she turned to Marco.

Do something! she hissed.

What am I supposed to do? he asked.

I don't know! Morph or something!

Nodding, he began to morph. The first time he had morphed, Shirler had had her gaze fastened on the beast that was attacking her, but now she could truly see how horrific it really was.

Marco grew larger, and sprouted hair all around his body. His own hair from his head grew longer and ran down his back in a mane. His arms likewise became longer, and he teetered forward.

What are you morphing? Shirler asked.

A horse. We need to get out of here fast. he replied.

This shocked Shirler. We need to get out of here fast? He actually was going to save her again, in less than two minuets, even though she was a Yeerk?

Shaking the amazement off, she said, But I don't know how to ride a horse! It was true, she didn't, she had never learned.

Marco seemed to shrug, even in his horse morph, So learn, he stated, leaning down to let her on his back. Shakily, she got on and grabbed onto a bunch of his mane. Instantly, they were off.

Shirler could barely hang on. The beasts that were attacking them had come closer in the time it took Marco to morph, and now she could make out the individual markings of them.

But, as fast as the creatures were, they slowly melted into the back round as Marco ran faster and faster. As soon as they were completely out of sight, he slowed down, panting.

Shirler jumped off his back as he began to demorph. They were now in the mountains, their tall peaks leaning over them. Shirler didn't know if the mountains were any better than the forest, but least they were away from those horrible creatures.

Marco finished demorphing and immediately collapsed on the ground. Seeing Shirler's concerned glance, he explained, Morphing exhausts someone the more they use it. By morphing twice in two minuets during a time when I should be sleeping, I exhausted myself.

Shirler nodded, I'll be on guard again.

To her surprise, Marco shook his head, You should get some sleep. I've already gotten my little cat nap, now it's your turn. And don't worry, I'm to beat to try and kill you. he added with a wink.

Shirler smiled in spite of herself, and fell into a deep sleep.


Chapter 6


The child that he had selected lay in sleep. Somehow, she had acquired an acomplise though, which was rather confusing to him.

The man tapped his fingers as he watched the girl sleep, while the boy stayed up to keep watch. For one reason or another, the boy could become animals, but that did not deter the fact that the boy was there.

As he watched, the man realized that it didn't matter how she had been able to get the young boy to help her, just as long as she was able to make it here. As long as she arrived here, she could enlist the whole society of this world to protect her.

He needed her to get here, and he did not care how she made it.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Glancing at Shirler, Marco noticed the gash on her arm. It was congealing, but it appeared to be losing a lot of blood per minuet.

Walking over by her, he lifted her arm up and examined it. Although he wasn't Cassie, he did know when a cut needed wrapping up and when not, and the definitely needed to be covered.

Yawning, he reached over to get the small first aid kit. Shirler had slept all through the night, and he couldn't seem to awaken her. And the fact that he was worried about those creatures coming back had kept him from falling asleep.

Unfortunately, he now desperately needed rest. There was no way that he could fight off the beasts now, even if they did attack. He would most likely faint before he could morph.

Pushing his thoughts aside, Marco opened the small case. He saw the four health bars, the gauze and band-aids, the matches, and, something that Shirler had missed, some athletic tape.

Pulling out the gaze and tape, he gently wrapped her arm up in the gauze. Once he was done with that, he taped it shut and hoped that it would stay on. If only he had paid more attention to whatever Cassie was doing with those animals!

Marco leaned back against the hard, cold stone, and for the first time, examined the girl. She was tall, with a muscular build, and she had a short hair-cut, ending just below her ears. Her hair was a dark brown, somewhat like his, but unlike him, she had very pale skin, which Marco thought was a bit odd.

Sighing, he wondered yet again whether he should just kill her and be done with it. It was the one topic that he just kept coming back to, no matter how much he tried to forget. She was a controller who knew who and what he was. All in all, she had to be destroyed. Right?

Marco didn't know anymore. Placing his head in his hands, he tried as hard as he could to work things out, but he simply couldn't. It was too confusing.

In one way, he realized that he should kill her. She was someone who was basically bent on killing him. Marco had no reason whatsoever to trust her, and he realized that if she had the proper weapons, that she would kill him.

Yet, he couldn't that. Well, he could, but not now, not while she was helpless. Even if she thought that killing a helpless victim was what Andalites did, he had to show her that he wasn't like that.

Or was he?

Marco was torn from his thoughts as he heard Shirler waking up. She sat up and blinked in the sudden sunlight.

Why didn't you wake me up for my watch? Shirler asked, confused.

I tried. You were out cold. Marco explained, Watch out for your arm, it had a nasty cut on it.

Shirler looked at the gauze on her arm, and then at Marco, Thanks. I'm sorry I didn't wake up, do you want to sleep now?

Marco nodded and curled up on the rock. It wasn't the most comfortable place in the world, but he was so tired that he didn't care. Marco was almost asleep when he heard something.

Raising his head, he asked, What is that?

I don't know. It doesn't sound much like those creatures that chase us, they were more like wolves. Shirler said, tilting her head towards the sound, These people are simply walking around, making a lot of noise, so I doubt that they are trying to kill us.

Marco nodded, Do you thinks that they are the locals?

she said, starting to stand up, You stay here and wait while I go check it out. With that, she started walking swiftly off towards where the noise had come.

Marco waited for a while, but soon he felt his head start to drop. Closing his eyes, he fell asleep.....

Something shook Marco in the shoulder, Wake up! he heard a voice say.

Marco opened his eyes and saw Shirler standing there with two very human like creatures by her. The only difference between them and normal humans from the outside was their long pointed ears that rose slightly over their head, and they had a weird jewel on their foreheads.

Come on. Shirler said, gathering their stuff, Garben and Shactli have offered to take us to the town.

Garben? Shactli? Marco asked, glancing at the two aliens, Is that them?

Shirler rolled her eyes, No, I gave the mountains pet names. Of course it's them.

I'm Garben. the smaller one said. It was a female whatever the race was called, and she had long strawberry-blond hair running down her back. She had a glistening emerald gem in the center of her forehead.

I'm Shactli, the older male said. He had jet black hair, and like Garben, had a emerald gem, I'm Garben's older brother.

Shirler nodded, That's was those crystals are for. They establish a family.

Marco nodded, glancing at the two, It's odd how they look like humans. No offense or anything, gesturing towards Garben and Shactli, But all of the other races I've met don't look a thing like you....

Shactli spoke up, answering to Marco's confused look, Now, come on. The village is not that far away.

Silently, Marco and Shirler followed them. It was a short walk towards the village, and when they got there, they were almost shocked to see a group of very modern looking houses, side by side. Garben and Shactli noticed their startled faces and frowned.

You think that we are primitive? Garben asked, with a small pang of hurt in her voice.

Well, no. Shirler answered, It's just that we usually assume the word village' with the word primitive'. I guess that we were proven wrong.

Marco nodded, to tired to speak. He hoped that their new friend would allow him to sleep. He was so tired that the mere thought of sleep made him shake with exhaustion.

Soon the group reached a house. Garben and Shactli led the way inside, and then Shactli glanced at Marco.

Are you tired? he asked. Marco simply nodded, not even caring to make a sarcastic remark.

Well, you can sleep there if you want, he said, pointing to a couch on the far side of the room.

Marco went over to the couch and curled up. There he fell into a deep sleep....


Chapter 7


After Marco had conked out, Shactli went out to the garden. Or, at least, what Shirler took for a garden, with overgrown purple and blueish-green plants curled inside it. In the end, Garben and Shirler were left alone to talk.

So you come from a planet called Earth? Garben asked, genuinely interested, This planet is called Malcifiker, isn't it beautiful?

Well, actually, yes. It is quite pretty, and it would be better if it weren't for those horrible creatures that chased us. Shirler answered, shuddering at the memory.

What creatures?

Shirler shrugged, They had eight pointed arms, and three thin legs. They were a bright red and black all over and ---

Garben gasped, You escaped Shrakars? she asked, amazed. Shirler nodded.

Oh my..... No one has ever been able to escape the Shrakars before. You'll be heroes!

We don't want to be heroes, or at least I don't, Shirler said, So those creatures are called Shrakars?

Garben nodded solemnly, Yes. The Shrakars are evil, or at least we think so. They have killed many of us in the past year.

That's horrible. Shirler said, sad for them, but using fake emotion. The Andalite Bandits' had killed many of her people to. Just the thought of that made her angry again, but she was careful not to show it.

Garben said, lowering her head in some sort of praying. It was obvious that one of her friends or family members had died.

What happened? Was it someone you knew? Shirler asked, interested.

Garben nodded, My best friend's older brother died three days ago. He was searching for the meaning of the pink sky.

Searching for the meaning of the sky? Shirler asked, But it's there to protect you from burning up.

We know that, Garben replied, sighing, I said the pink sky. That's not it's usually color.

This confused Shirler, Not it's usual color? What is it's usual color?

It was a lovely faint purple. With tinges of green in it, Garben replied, But now..... now it is a horrid deep pink. Each day it keeps getting darker.

Shirler replied, sighing. Garben then stood up and silently left the room, to pray some more Shirler supposed.

Fidgeting, Shirler kept thinking that there was something that she had forgotten. That had to do with the pink sky. Racking her mind, she tried to figure it out, but she couldn't. It just wouldn't come.

That bites. Morgan said simply.

I know. Shirler replied, exasperated, Why? Why can't I figure it out?

Maybe you are little past due on your trip to the pool. Morgan said slyly.

Shirler gasped. That was it! She should have been weak with hunger for Kandrona rays by now, but she wasn't. That was the meaning of the pink sky!

What? Morgan said, sounding anxious and annoyed at the same time.

I remember learning about Kandrona rays. Shirler said excitedly, When force into an atmosphere at great amounts, the sky grows slightly pinkish.

Yeah?

And the more Kandrona rays that are there, the longer someone can stay out of the pool. That is what s causing the sky to turn pink, it's the Kandrona rays! Shirler said, happy for her discovery. This way she could stop worrying about dying of Kandrona starvation.

Yes Morgan said slowly, Isn't it rather odd how the sky started to turn pink a few days before you, someone dependent on Kandrona rays, appeared?

Shirler gasped, the blood draining from her face.

Don't you see, Shirler? Morgan asked, We didn't come here by accident. Someone brought us here. This is proof.

Shutting Morgan out, Shirler started to make her frazzled mind work. She had been brought here. Why, she didn't know. But somehow, someone had found a way to bring her here. They were controlling where would go, no matter how subtle. And she didn't like it one bit.

Now you know how I feel, Shirler. Morgan sollemly whispered.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Perfect. Even though it was obvious that the young Earth child had figured out his basic plan, there was no way that she could stop him. He controlled what was happening, and if he wanted, he could drag her to his lair now.

But no. He wanted to tire the girl out. It would not be helpful if she was in full strength. She couldn't stop him, of course, but it would be harder to complete his plan then, and he wanted it to be simple. But as for the actual plan?

She was falling right into it.



*Well, there you go, the second part of my WONDERFUL *grin, grin* fic. That third part will take a bit longer to get out, considering the fact that I had this almost finished when I submitted the first part, and the fact that at the moment, I only have half a chapter of the other one done, so..... Anyway, thank you Ani-Bookworm #1 for your.......expressive review. That was hilarious.