Rating for slight swearing, k? Cause… well… I dunno! Feel lyk it!

Chapter eighteen (AHH!); Whatever it takes…

Present…

Amanda

I just stared. And I didn't stop staring until Jake spoke.

"What the… will that thing work? And… will it…."

Ithiell turned and smiled at Rtaia. She looked like she'd done something wrong. Or… maybe she thought her feet were more important. Ax put a hand on her cheek, taking it quickly away and looking flustered. But I guess it gave her the courage to look up at us.

"The effects are only temporary. I redesigned it after I figured out the key components of this particular…"

"Yes! We get to be invincible!" Rachel broke in, pumping a fist into the air. Robert laughed a little at her, making me think they could've been the perfect couple if they'd met earlier. Either that, or tear each others heads off.

"Not exactly. Although, pretty close to it"

"So, let me get this straight" I began "We are going to use exactly the same thing as the Terinans used on us, right"

"Not exactly, but close" Ithiell said, smiling down at me again. I sighed, putting my forehead against his shoulder. He patted my hair a little with his free hand chuckling.

"Don't worry Mand, we can get through this"

"I know. I just… I'm so tired of all this shit"

Absolute silence followed. I felt Ithiell tense up a little.

"Gah! Did… did I just hear that?" Jade.

"Well… yeah" Robert. Sounding just as shocked.

"Amanda, you… you just swore!"

"So… what? I'm not allowed to swear then?" I turned to look at my best friend. She just cracked into a loopy smile and said.

"Yeah, it's just… wow, I've never hear it before"

"Wait a second. So, you've never…"

"Guys, please! Focus here!" Ithiell broke in. Jake smiled and looked at me, shrugging.

"All right, so we take this… medicine. How long does it last for?"

"Well, you guys might have to take it while you're in animal forms, since morphing seems to be more resistant to things crossing over from morph to morph. Ax? Rtaia? You know what to do when we get there. Everyone else, we hit em hard and fast. Now, I'll carry more of the medicine when I shift, just in case. Is everything as clear as can be with all of you?"

We all said yes, we all knew what we had to do. Jake pulled his people aside, probably to give them a pep talk, since Ithiell really wasn't good at that kind of thing. Rtaia and Robert went to check out the situation before we attacked. Jade, now with her head expertly bandaged by Rtaia, walked off somewhere else, winking at me as she did. Now, it was just me and Ithiell.

I looked up at him, as he quickly shifted to human for a short time. Once human, he led me out of the clearing we'd managed to escape to, and in some thick trees.

"Amanda, I just want you to know, if anything happens to either one of us…"

"I love you"

He smirked "Well, you took the words right out of my mouth"

"You don't have to say it, I know what you feel. And now you know how I feel"

"Mand, I've always known" he leaned down and kissed me gently, wrapping his arms around my waist. I put my arms around his neck and just looked into his beautiful eyes. I liked when he was human. I could kiss and cuddle him a lot more. But… when he was himself… he was irresistible. Too bad I couldn't kiss him while he was all big and blue.

Actually, he'd once explained to me how they kiss. It involved making clicking and some other kind of shrill sound only they could hear, and rubbing their noses together. Honestly? It sounded cute.

"Ithiell, you're amazing. I just wish we weren't from two different worlds"

"What's that got to do with it?"

"It's just… I dunno. We do things different, and if we…"

I shut up pretty quickly. It was stupid to think of the future with Ithiell. Or even if I had a future with him. After all, I was only sixteen, and it would be years before I could think of marriage seriously. Plus, there was that thing of the war, and one or neither of us making it out in the end.

Damn life just sucks sometimes.

"Mandy, right now, there's no-where I'd rather be than with you"

"But… don't you have arranged marriages and junk back at…"

"Nope. Marriage is only for those mature enough. I won't be 'mature enough' for a few more years"

"Ah"

"I don't know what you're so worried about" he pulled me close and hugged me tightly.

"Uh… maybe, the possibility that one of us could die in the next few hours?"

"Oh. Well, besides that"

"Whatever. Let's just get back before Jake and the others have a fit" I muttered, then pulled away enough to kiss him again. It felt good and sent wonderful shivers up my spine.

We pulled away and he nodded, pressing his forehead against mine for a few precious seconds before letting me go and shifting back.

We went back, and prepared to win the war.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

Past…

Jade

I sighed, leaning against a wall. We were on Lowri's ship, in space, and we'd been recruited by the Chanaiben government to fight a war on… some weirdo planet. Things that looked more like brick walls than aliens. Apparently they were big ole computer kind of beings, who operated everything through telekinesis. I'm surprised they needed our help. You know, three twelve year-old humans? It just didn't make much sense, when you really, truly thought about it.

Not far from me, Robert sat in a spare chair, spinning himself around on it. Amanda was standing near Ithiell, asking him a few questions. I could see she was wringing her hands together, like she did when she was worried about something. Now, she seemed terrified. Ithiell was just smiling at her, answering her questions. Rtaia and Lowri were having what looked like a slightly heated discussion with another female Chanaiben. Whoever she was, she looked P.Oed to the max. I could almost see smoke steaming out of her ears.

Okay, it was more like she was angry, and Rtaia and Lowri were just talking like they were suggesting we all stop and get a burger or something.

It had been about three months on the ship, and in that three months I'd worried that I'd miss the birth of my new brother or sister. I hoped I'd get back in time…

"I always wonder what they're saying" Robert said, looking up at me. I nodded, a little uneasy. The Chanaiben beside him suddenly piped up, and Lowri turned and suddenly snapped at him. Everyone on the bridge suddenly seemed tense.

Ithiell quickly came over to us, looking serious. Amanda was beside him, sort of clinging to his arm, looking terrified.

"All right, they say we're approaching the Arthatt planet. Sensors are detecting three Terinan ships, and our fellow ships are coming in right behind us"

"Battle ships?"

"What?"

"Are the Terinan ships all battle ships? And what about the ones coming in behind us?"

"I… I do not know"

"All right Ithiell, thanks a lot for telling us" I said, glaring at Robert. He looked at me, then glared right back. Boys… hated 'em…

We turned and watched as this strangely beautiful rainbow like planet came into view. Then… in the shadow of the sun… I saw the Terinan ships.

"All three battle ships. This doesn't look promising" Ithiell muttered, then walked over to Rtaia and started talking to her in their language. Amanda shivered a little.

"I've never felt so scared in my life" she whispered.

"Same" I muttered, feeling my own fear creeping up into my throat. Right now, we were helpless in this ship. We couldn't do anything, and shape-shifting wouldn't do us any good. Plus, we barely knew what was happening, let alone being able to help the others.

Then there was that thing about being in space and all… you know, like in a plane? Only worse. Get sucked out… and die within seconds.

I pushed down the fear as much as I could, instead watching as we closed in on the three ships. I heard Lowri shout something, and then the lights flashed red.

"Into battle!" He said in English, and the three of us looked at each other. The others on the bridge, including the other female and Rtaia, let out simular vocal shouts in their own tongue. Ithiell just smiled sadly. Then Lowri said something to him, and he went wide-eyed.

"HUG THE WALLS!" He screamed, just before there was an explosion of something, and Amanda and I pitched forward, falling flat on our faces. Seconds later Ithiell was there, helping us up.

"Return fire!" the female said.

Suddenly I saw blue streaks shoot straight towards one of the battle ships. One rocketed, then something shimmered. I watched in horror as the Terinan ships came straight at us, all firing at once.

"SHIELDS!" Lowri yelled. Seconds later me, Amanda and Ithiell were all in a pile on the floor. We managed to get up onto our knees, but I didn't dare go any further than that.

"Where are the others!" Rtaia cried, grabbing hold of her brother.

"Too far away! We did not expect them to be so fast" Lowri narrowed his eyes, looking every part the captain he was.

Ka-Blam!

Ka-BOOOOOOOOMM!

BBBBBBBOOOOOMMM!

Three explosions! All from inside the ship!

"What-"

Suddenly the control panel where one of the Chanaiben males were working exploded, and… and he was blown to pieces. Amanda and I screamed, ducking as his insides splattered on the floor beside us.

Lowri shouted something, and then everyone on the bridge was talking at once. Only… in Chanaiben.

"I believe we may be in trouble" Ithiell said, looking frightened.

"What! What's going on!" Robert yelled. He was desperately trying to hold onto the chair.

"It seems the engine is beginning to overheat, and our systems are unable to compensate"

"Oh. Crap"

"Yeah" I muttered. Suddenly Lowri was beside us, looking like he was sizing each of us up. Then he gently took my arm and hauled me to my feet. I swayed, looking at him.

"What… what are you doing!"

"I need you human. I need your help"

"I will come too" Ithiell said. Lowri nodded. He smiled encouragingly at me, and soon I was following him of my own accord. Ithiell was right beside me. We ran down the big hallways, with me sliding around corners and almost tripping over my own feet as we went. Soon, Lowri opened a largish door, and inside it was chaos.

Chanaibens were running around, crying out both desperately and angrily. Smoke was coming from god knows where, and I saw someone that looked very bloody on the floor.

"Come" he took my hand, leading me through the smoke. Ithiell followed, taking my other hand so he wouldn't loose us. Seconds later we were at a large panel, and Lowri let go of me, turning to me.

"I will need your help, young one" He turned to Ithiell, who nodded. I backed up a little as they stood on either side, then grabbed both edges and pulled. Both were grunting and panting heavily as they finally heaved the big panel thing up, then dropped it on the ground under their feet. Lowri then turned to me, looking beat.

"Child, inside there is a lever behind a small panel. It is the coolant lever. You must reach that lever before the engines explode"

I nodded "I'll do my best"

I put my hand on the bottom of the entrance, then yelped as I burnt my hand.

"Dive in" Ithiell suggested. So, I backed up, took aim and hoped I didn't smash my skull in the process, then dove straight into the opening. Once inside, I crawled on my belly towards what I saw to be the panel Lowri mentioned. I yanked hard, pulling with all my might at the panel. I yanked it off finally, hearing the cries behind me becoming more desperate.

I looked at the lever, then pulled it with aching fingers. I pulled with all my might, until I finally felt it start to move. I pulled harder, finally gasping in relief when it finally flipped downwards all the way.

I heard a hissing from behind me, then cries of what I hoped was joy. I wriggled my way out, backwards, finally feeling the floor with my body halfway out the crawlspace. I almost toppled backwards as I pulled my top half out, but Ithiell caught me before I did.

He helped me up, and suddenly Lowri was in front of me, smiling that creepy yet strangely funny smile that all Chanaibens did.

"You have done it! You have saved us!" he grabbed my head in his clawed hands, then bringing the side of his face close to mine and making clicking sounds. He did it to both cheeks, and I guessed this was how he showed gratitude. Hoped it wasn't some mating ritual or whatever…

There was suddenly a shrill beeping, and someone spoke over what I thought sounded like a walkie talkie system. Lowri smiled.

"Our friends have come to join us! And there are two more than expected! Come, let us defeat our enemies once and for all!" He took my wrist gently, leading me out and back down the hallways. I turned and looked at Ithiell, giving him a 'help' look. He just smiled.

"Do not fear. Lowri is just… overjoyed"

"All right. I'll trust you"

And I did. For a long time to come…

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

I ran down the hospital hallways, desperate to find my mothers room. I was late… too damn late… coming back from my last battle in space. I had a small cut on my cheek, which would've been much worse if Lowri hadn't intervened. I'd been lucky. I'd been very, very lucky. Now, mostly healed, and I raced along knowing my parents wouldn't really notice it.

Luckily, I'd run into my 'evil twin' (my Chanaiben double) who told me the way to go, and also told me of the situation. Tina and Ryan were here as well. They were going to be taken to Nick's mums place, but they refused, and instead told dad they wanted to come here. Nick had come to watch over the three of us while my mother was in labour. I'd just gone to get him a bottled coke (well, she did) and gave it to me. I raced along, almost collapsing as I gave it to him. I was tired… so, so tired from all the running and screaming…

"Where've you been? You look like you've run a marathon!"

"I… uh… I needed to go… powder my nose" I said as he opened it, shaking his head. Nick had strange blue eyes, and much darker brown hair. He was from dad's side, and in spite of him looking dark, he was actually quite funny. Yes, a little crazy, but hey, weren't we all?

Just before I'd left for the… whatever planet it was… I'd gone and sat on the workbench as he played with his dad's car, cursing every now and then (I learned English curse words from him, and French from Luke) before finally slamming the hood, muttering and cursing something about the car being too old or whatever.

He stopped when he'd seen me, then told me to wait there. He'd returned with a small holster, and inside it, a small dagger with a green Chinese dragon emblazed on the blade. It was beautiful. It was mine from then on.

"I wana see the stawk" Tina muttered, tugging at her nightshirt. She was a tired little eight year old. I was a tired thirteen year-old. Tough, she could take it.

"Yeah right" Ryan muttered. He was sitting on the top part of the bench, yawning. Nick downed some of the coke, sighing when he stopped.

"Just what I needed. Thanks JD"

"Not a prob" I muttered, sitting beside him and Tina. Ryan put a leg over my shoulder, and I shoved it off. God, the older he got, the more annoying he got!

As for Nick… hmm… he was about seventeen, eighteen when I was thirteen. About Connors age, I guessed. And he wasn't a bad cousin either. Just a weird, many swear words cousin.

I yawned, feeling what they call 'bone-weariness' set in. I was beyond tired. But I spared a thought for my poor mother, who had endured almost fifteen hours of labour.

I suddenly heard noises coming from the room, a loud shout, someone screaming in agony, someone else let out a pained gasp, and then…

… and then I heard a baby crying. After about five minutes my dad came out, looking tired but more happy than I'd ever seen him. He wrapped me in a bear hug, then repeated the process with Tina and Ryan. He tried to give Nick a hug, but he laughed and shook his head.

"No no old man, not me!"

"All right then, little boy" he turned to us "Who wants to go in first?"

"Me" I said, surprising myself. Ryan pretended to fall off the seat, onto Tina, who cried out. Nick went over to sort them out, and dad led me into the room when everything was ready.

I saw my mother; my exhausted, but beautiful mother, holding a small bundle. Its eyes were closed and it was quiet. My mother saw me and smiled. I gave her a peck on the cheek, then looked down at… the thing.

"Jade, meet your new baby sister Phoebe" She said, and I smiled and moved around to see the face. So small, so innocent…

"Oh mum, she's… amazing"

"Want to hold her?" she asked, and before I knew it was holding the small bundle. She was small, probably no more than three kilos, but she was the most unbelievable sight I'd ever seen.

"Jade, are you ok sweetie" it was my father, and as I looked up at him I felt a tear sliding down my cheek. I smiled.

"I'm just in shock dad. She's… I won't let anyone hurt her, I promise you both that"

Mum smiled "We know you will honey. You've been a good big sister so far. We don't doubt you for an instant"

"Don't cry baby" Dad found a way to kiss my forehead as I held the small, sticky bundle close. The stuff that they came out covered with was supposed to be good for them if you left it on for a day or so.

"I'm not. I think I'm the happiest I've ever been. I love you mum, I love you dad"

I smiled. And I didn't stop smiling as I looked at the baby that was my littlest sister. No, she'd never be hurt. Not by school bullies, nor by evil invading aliens.

I'd make damn sure of that.

WOW this was long! Hope u lyk, and hope u review!