This chappie was written in a rush. I might change it. Tell me what you think and i'll decide, ok? Thankyou :)

Jade

I managed to pull of the scout thing for about five full hours, and in the last hour, I took longer before I lifted off. I was getting very, very tired. And not just as an owl. Being zapped is not like getting a jolt of energy. It's actually more draining than you think.

I checked Jake, who was sound asleep, then went over to Marco. I blew through the window. But I was too tired to stop properly, and landed head over little bird feet. I crashed into the mess on Marco's floor, landing on my back, probably with a broken wing as well.

(Okay, ow)

"What? Huh?" I heard Marco say as must have bolted up in his bed. I heard the springs in his bed groan, but I didn't see him until he leaned over the edge of the bed, looking down at me.

(It's just me. And may I say, that really, really hurts when you do that) I said as I tried to right myself, a searing pain in my wing making me stumble a little as I did.

"What happened? Are you all right?" he whispered.

(She's fine. Just took a little owl tumble. And may I say, that was the funniest thing I've ever seen) Robert laughed as he came into view.

(Hey shut up!) I snapped, thinking it probably would've looked funny... if I hadn't been doing it. Marco got off his bed, careful not to squash Robert, and picked me up gently, putting me on the bed. Then he went and shut his window, closing the blinds as he did.

"Okay, all clear"

(For what?) I asked, even though I knew. I watched him walk over and turn on his bedside lamp, folding his arms and looking down at me.

(All right all right) I finally gave in, focusing my shattered mind on my human form. Very soon, I was just a girl sitting on a bed with daggy clothes. Robert came and perched himself right near my fingers. I pulled my hand away, suddenly feeling exhausted. Beyond exhausted. And I guess it showed.

"Maybe you should just take about half an hour or something" Marco suggested as he sat down on the other side of me. I blushed, not really meaning to.

"I'm fine. I can take it. Plus, I need to keep a constant watch on everyone, in case David decides to..."

(I'll take over for you. I can watch them just as easily as you can) Robert said, and as I turned to look down at him, he added (And if it gets me away from this snoring freakaziod, then I'd be glad to)

"Hey, I do not snore!" Marco protested, but in a low whisper. We were both whispering. After all, he wasn't alone in the house.

(Trust me, you do) he said, then to me (A few fly arounds, then I'll come back and let you take over, ok?)

"But what if..."

(No butts Jade. This is your plan, and if you go into battle like this, we'll never win) he said as I saw this spider body bloat, and the wing pattern of the barn owl replaced the disgusting hairs of the tarantula. I hated spiders.

Very soon, there was a barn owl sitting on the edge of the bed next to me.

(Marco, please open the window for me. Jade, you stay out of sight for now) he instructed, and I placed myself out of sight beside the window as Marco opened the blinds then the window. Robert took flight, gliding easily out the window, and Marco shut it all again.

(Don't worry, I won't be long) he assured me (then you can be the leader again)

I wanted to tell him I was definitely no leader, but I knew by then he couldn't hear me. I could just imagine him flying out in the dead night air, those wings of his making almost no sound as he glided over paved streets and rooftops. Now, I was alone with Marco.

He smiled at me, and was about to make a joke, but I held up my hand to stop him.

"Please, no more for now. I don't even have the energy to laugh right now" I said, walking over and collapsing on his desk chair. He frowned, but stayed silent and sat on his bed.

"I'm sorry, it's just..." I sighed, dropping my head in my hands and leaning my elbows on my knees. Seconds later I felt him kneel beside me.

"Take a few. I think you need it" he said.

"A few what? A few hours sleep?" I asked looking at him. Then I looked at the bed. I was tempting... but I couldn't...

"It's ok. I'll stay watch..."

"But I'm supposed to be protecting you, and besides, it's your bed, how do I know you won't..." I trailed off, shaking my head.

"I won't. Look, we're in this together. All of us. The Animorphs, and you guys. Trust me. I can make jokes about it later"

"But, you... what about..."

"Hel-lo? I'm an Animorph remember? I can take care of myself"

By then I was too tired to argue, and let him lead me there, where he lay the blankets over me, and I drifted off to sleep as soon as my head hit the pillow...

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I was dreaming again. Fragments of things that had happened to me... things people said... people did.

Robert lifting me up off the ground by the shirt collar, snarling those four words that had nearly destroyed me. Amanda, when her mother had died. Those eyes going cold and dark...

Opening my eyes to see a monster over me, who later became the boy I'd named Ian....

(Jade, wake up!)

I bolted up, making the smallest gasping noise. I looked at the clock beside me. It read three am. I'd been asleep almost two hours.

"Jade, what is it?" Marco asked. He had been standing by the window, I saw, peeping out every now and then. He had the blind pulled back a little when he'd seen me bolt up.

"Open the window. Now" I said, going back to my place on the other side of the window. Marco did what I'd asked, and soon Robert blew through the window, landing on the bed.

"What is it?" I said tersely.

(You were right... only, he didn't go after who we thought he would. He's... he's gone after Cassie)

"What's happened? Is she all right?" I asked, but even as I said this I began to change. Beside me, on the other side of the window, Marco was doing the same.

(She's ok... for now. But... he's a golden eagle... in her room. And.... he has Amanda, Jade! He's threatening to chomp her down if Cassie doesn't go outside peacefully. Cassie's stalling him, for now. But we've got to hurry!)

(Get the others! You and Marco, go round up everyone. I don't care if you do it together or separate, just get them. I'm going after David) I said as I finished the change to barn owl. My heart was hammering. Amanda's life was in danger, and it was my fault!

We blew out the window, one at a time, and into the early morning air. Two barn owls, and a great horned owl.

Is this what happened when you were the leader? Is this how you felt?

(Jade, don't blame yourself. You couldn't have known... you needed the rest...)

(I don't care what you think Robert! I made a mistake, and now I've got to save Cassie and Amanda!) I yelled in private thought-speak to him as we all keeled off in different directions, with me going straight towards Cassie's farm.

(You're only human...) were his final words before I was out of range of him. I sped on into the night, pumping my wings for all they were worth, hoping that when I got there it wasn't too late. It was my plan, and I'd stuffed up big time!

When I got there, I saw the whole scene. Cassie was beside her bed, braced in a defence position, looking down at the golden eagle who had a small cockroach in its mouth. Amanda. And she was screaming blue murder in my head.

"Let go of her, please" I heard Cassie beg when I'd gotten close enough.

(Only if you come outside with me) David mocked, lifting his head back, preparing to swallow the roach whole. And Cassie couldn't move any closer towards him.

"I... I can't. My parents would see me..."

(Are you sure you won't reconsider?)

(Cassie, it's me! Don't worry, the cavalry's here. Go along with him for now, I'll be there in a few seconds!)

"I.... all right. Just please, let go of her"

I saw David drop Amanda. By then I was close enough, and I dove in through the window, flaring and bringing my talons forward and into his back.

(Ahhhh!!!) He screamed, but he couldn't shake me off. I watched as Amanda skittered over to Cassie, who picked her up gently.

(Amanda, are you all right?!)

(I am, thanks to you! Oh god I thought I was going to die a roach... oooohhhh) she moaned in absolute horror. I guess it wasn't a good thought.

(Let go of me you stupid... aaahhhhh!!) he yelled as I dug my talons in deeper. It was the ultimate revenge.

(Cassie, Amanda! Meet me in the meadow when you can, all right?) I yelled as I let go of him, hopping out the window and nearly getting skewered by his beak as he chased after me. In the distance, I saw what looked like a flock of birds. But I knew it was the others. And I was glad.

(Who's that? Jake? Well come back little Jakey, I've got a little surprise for you) David cooed as he followed me. He was bigger, but the night belonged to the owl. And I'd also been a golden eagle, so I knew the strengths and weaknesses of that eagle.

But nothing was stopping him from gaining on me. And he was gaining, fast.

I was just hoping the others would get here before he got close to me. My plan was not to be alone when I did confront him. I needed to burst his bubble dramatically. I needed the others, but at this rate it might be too late...

(Nothing to say Jake? No words of wisdom from the oh-so-wise and wonderful leader? Oh well, guess it's better that way. Maybe it'll stop you from ordering Rachel to go after my family. You remember that Jake? You remember what your power hungry cousin said to me? No? Well, maybe I should jog your memory)

I turned my little owl head to look over my shoulder, and found he was a lot closer than I thought he'd be. Still, I powered on. I was almost there...

But I knew, even though I was still clinging to a small hope that I would, I knew I'd never get there in time. I'd stuffed up again, and now I was probably going to have to die for real, in a body that wasn't mine...