A/N: Iceblock does not mean a block of ice, it means popsicles *nod*. And… no pun was intended while mentioning it. *nod*.

Marco was enjoying himself. He was flopped down on top of six cushions. He was licking on an iceblock and flipping through a porn mag (borrowed from Tom, behind Jake's back). Man, for the first day in months he was able to access the luxuries of a normal male teen life.

He was with Ax, who was in human morph. Tobias said the day was warm and beautiful and he wanted to just fly. Bet Rachel went with him. Jake and Cassie wanted to 'hang out' at a restaurant, then at Cassie's house. Man, Jake was a hopeless liar. So poor, unwanted Marco was stuck with Ax.

Nevertheless, he was enjoying himself. "Whoa… look at this!" Marco showed Ax the cause of his arousal.

"I do not see the purpose …puh…of two dimensional imitations of the human form, with excess…ess…excess parts exaggerated. Are these humans ill? They look unnatural. Uhhhhhnn nat uhhhhhhh ruuuuul"

"…aliens."

Ax then started stripping.

"Whoa man! Don't take offense with what I said okay? You're not alien, you're not alien at all! Oh oh stop that! Oh yuck, I so do not need to see this. Oh man you're definitely not alien there. Aaaaaarrgh!!!!!!" Marco flung himself off the cushions, the iceblock flew out of his hand and sailed into the air before splattering on the television set.

"Is something wrong? I'm hot. Hot-tuh."

"Eeeeeww shut up! Oh you mean literally. Ah… well… that's no excuse to take off your clothes. Put them back on!"

"I feel sick – "

"You're not alone, buddy, I do too. Put them back on!"

"Be quiet!"

Marco shut up, and gaped at Ax, forgetting that he was stark naked. He didn't know obedient arisths got cranky when they were hot.

Ax's face was contorted in concentration and he groaned, "My head…"  He crumbled to the ground and his nose started to bleed. With his eyes clenched shut he began to demorph. As he grew more Andalite the headache eased a little. He thought he could make out a thought-speak message…

Aristh Aximili-Esgarrouth-Isthill, if you can hear us you are ordered to reply, regardless of circumstances.

Ax had not finished demorphing. Andalite ship! he gasped through his splitting headache to Marco. They're here… have to notify Prince Jake… Marco, Marco? Andalites are here… give me some water… I need to respond to them… but… head hurts. Salvation… need… Uhh.

Now, why was it again that I gave him booze this morning? Marco thought to himself miserably.

Ax had finished demorphing. And now that his head was clear, he wasn't sure what exactly had happened. The Bold and the Beautiful was on, and he felt more comfortable watching television in human morph, so he morphed. Ah, what was The Young and the Restless compared to the drama of the Bold and the Beautiful?

"You okay now?"

"Yes."

"It must be the booze, no worries, man."

Marco resumed his initial position on the cushions, and got himself a new iceblock.

Suddenly there was a loud banging outside. Ax looked at Marco. Who could possibly know that someone was down here in the ground?

"Rude," muttered Marco. "Cant they tell I'm busy?" Ax looked meaningfully at Marco. After all, he didn't want to miss The Bold and the Beautiful. The human character Amber was about to come out with her feelings for Taylor…

So Marco labourously wrapped the iceblock in it's wrapper and set it aside, closed the magazine and lovingly smoothed out its creases. Swung his legs off the cushions and carefully got up without disturbing the piling of the cushions. He smoothed back his hair, did a karate kick, and walked over to the opening of Ax's scoop.

He opened the 'door', and drew in his breath. Visser Three was standing just outside, looking down at him with his trademark evil glare. "Yaaahh! Peace man, peace. Why, good morning blue deer. Can't a couple of boys relaxing underground without being interrupted? Hey, are you those guys from Star Trek?" Okay, okay Marco, just keep talking. They won't suspect a thing…

Is Aristh Aximili-Esgarrouth-Isthill here?

"…wha?" Marco muttered and looked around, pretending to look for the source of the voice. Hah! Bet Jake can't pull it off this cool! 

"I'm present." Ax walked into view… naked.

We are Andalite warriors, and we have many things to discuss with you. May we come in?

Marco cut in before Ax could say anything. "Um… wait! Hang on alright? We're busy, we won't be a minute, please wait?"

This is more important than matters in your daily life. And it's urgent.

"We're watching TV, but it won't take long!"

Listen, human –

"Let him put on a pair of shorts first!"

We don't mind –

"He's busting to pee!"

That's irrelevant. Aristh Aximili, tell the human to mind his own business. We have urgent matters to discuss –

"Erm… we… we need to finish! We're… doing each other. You know what I mean? And it's urgent." Before the Andalite could reply after his look of pure disgust, Marco slammed the 'door' shut and dragged Ax by the ear into the corner.

"Marco, this is very important. The Andalites have finally come, why are you being so rude? You'll reduce their respect for us."

"… that's not Visser Three?"

Ax stared at Marco and didn't comment.

"Fine, fine. But look, how do you know they aren't holograms or something? How do you know they're it? Why are you being so thick? I wouldn't have resolved to such a desperate excuse if you'd have cooperated! It's like, where's the Andalite bandit, Oh I'm right here. And please, put on a pair of shorts. Now!" Ax obeyed. Marco rang up the others using Ax's mobile.

Then Marco opened the 'door' to the Andalite. Only to find that there were several Andalites now present. The Visser-Three-Impersonator one was still there, and three others, one of which looked suspiciously familiar. But then again, all Andalites looked similar. They let themselves in.

Ax was gaping open-mouthed at the one who looked familiar, and drool dripped down his chin. Marco was glad he and Rachel sacrificed their time to teach Ax human expressions. He seemed to be overdoing it, but it's not bad for a beginner.

May I speak to them alone, Diwwalt? Familiar one asked the Visser-Three-Impersonator.

As you wish, and they left Familiar with them, and exited.

Aximili! I'm so pleased to see that you're alive! Yep, this is some sort of Yeerk trick, Marco thought. When an Andalite sounds so delirious-happy you know something's wrong. Ax was still staring at Familiar. Then he started to demorph.

Glad to see for once Ax isn't knocked blind by the presence of an Andalite. Marco put his right pinky and thumb together – a signal to his comrades. To Marco's surprise, Ax walked up to Familiar and they touched tails. I knew I was expecting too much of Ax to keep his senses.

Erek withdrew his hologram and a wolf, a grizzly bear and a tiger flashed into view.

You can leave now, Erek. Thanks.

I am so bored. There is absolutely nothing here that I can see. The shielding is definitely better than the Blade Ship's 'cause I can't even see a ripple. Tobias announced from somewhere outside.

Familiar looked at each of them, unfazed. I see four of you. Is the fifth one either dead or captured?

"I didn't know aliens couldn't count," Marco muttered. He might as well continue to play 'innocent human' as it wouldn't help to be inconsistent in his lies. "See, one, two, three, four, and me. Jeez."

Familiar tilted his head and studied Marco. I gave the morphing technology to five humans, and I only see four.

And Marco gaped at Elfangor. "You're dead!"

That response seem to be delayed. Elfangor chuckled. Ax blinked at Marco and shook his head human-style. I did not die. After I gave you the morphing ability, a Yeerk traitor started shooting Visser Three. He wanted me as host, and had his own loyal followers to help him. He was oblivious to the troubles Visser Three had gone through to catch me. Visser Three was forced to demorph. The Yeerk traitor had me bound into a private room and insisted on what he called 'socialising with the host'. He wanted to watch my fear and discomfort by talking to me while I was held still by Hork-Bajir before entering me. My wounds were crudely treated so I would not bleed to death. This delayed my infestation and allowed several Andalites to rescue me.

A/N: This story is moving so slowly. I have so much pointless junk that do nothing for the plot… *sigh*

And to my reviewers (less reviewers each chapter, c'mon people, what's wrong with you!)

Muse: Doesn't it tell you something about your work when people review, and probably read, less?

Myst: *blinkblink* No.

Muse: ~___~;;

Phoenix – Yes, reeeeeeeeead, that's my good girl. You're _still_ not done shopping for furniture? Aii… use this ficcy as antidote.

Jinako-chan – The… _potential_ sibling is not relevant... unless I think up of something to make it relevant… Sleep too much and insanity will leave you, which means that when the penguins get you you won't even know!

Nova Mist – Your general message is to unite Elfangor, Loren and Tobias. *points and laughs at you*  *has been sadistically laughing at you since your review in Ch3*  ^.^
j/k J      Still fweeends??  Gah… I warned you the explanation for Elfie's lame.

By the way, I have only very vague ideas as to where the story is going. Any suggestion is welcome. Erm… the chapters might be updated slower from now on because I have lots of exams and assignments next term. *nods*