((MARCO))

I guess I looked pretty stupid, an osprey perched with its beak open. Jake was alive? After three years, my best friend was alive? Everyone else seemed pretty stunned, but Tobias snapped out of it first. He swept down to try and get Rachel out of the enclosure, where a bunch of hungry tigers were slowly making their way over. Rachel was too big for Tobias to grab alone, so Ax and Cassie flew in….

RROOWWWRRR. I nearly jumped out of my skin as a tiger—Jake—let out a growl, causing the other tigers to back up.

Nice vocals, Jake I remarked casually.

Thanks, Marco Jake replied with a small chuckle. Silent with concentration, two ospreys, a red-tailed hawk, and a northern harrier worked to drag the bald eagle out of the enclosure.

It's a good thing she's unconscious Tobias said, hesitantly working his talons to get a better grip. Or she'd be tearing us up.

It would hurt Cassie agreed. Slowly, we heaved the large bird of prey out.

Ax? How much time left? Tobias asked, stretching his wings.

30 of your minutes Ax replied promptly, while he eyed Jake. I thought that was weird.

okay. Honestly, I don't want to spend the rest of my life as an osprey I said flatly. So let's make like a river and go

What about Rachel? Cassie asked persistently.

What about Rachel came a groggy voice…Rachel.

Rach! You're up! Tobias said happily.

Yeah, what happened? Rachel asked.

Not now, you need to go and demorph Jake said firmly.

Jake! Rachel screamed.

Don't DO that! I said loudly. That's how you fainted last time! We can have a happy reunion LATER! Unless…you'd like to be trapped as a bald eagle? I didn't wait for a response, and took off, quickly followed by the others, who called good-bye to Jake.

We'll see you tomorrow! Cassie called.

Alright, see ya Jake seemed a little sad, but he padded proudly to his spot. We flew in silence for awhile, before arriving at Cassie's barn. We demorphed.

"I can't believe this!" Rachel muttered. "My cousin…..alive….trapped!"

"That is not the worst of it," Ax (in human form) said solemnly.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I demanded. Ax turned toward me sadly.

"Prince Jake is Yeerk infested," he said with his usual calm.