Ok, well this chapter is written by Rachel again. Hopefully it turns out ok. As usual, please read and review,

and tell me what I could work on to become a better writer

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Athalina was once again located in her small room off of the end of the ship.

In her hand she held a small picture of her and Marth, together on one of Azarath's mountain tops. The picture was old and faded, torn at the edges, but still one of Athalina's prized possessions. Marth was flashing one of his brilliant but rare smiles. She remembered that day, it was the last time that she had seen Marth. They had journeyed out alone with a picnic basket to Mount Antinia. They had a wonderful time, just sitting on top of the mountain and gazing out at the land below. It wasn't the most glorious sight, but when they were together, everything was wonderful. They had just sat, huddled close under a warm blanket, talking and kissing.. They had stayed there all night, waking in the morning to watch the sun rise and walk back into town holding hand the whole way. It was there, that they ran into trouble. Ten Azarathean agents pulled Marth aside saying that he was a murderer. He said he was set up, "I would never murder anyone " he screamed. They dragged him off while he screamed, "I didn't do it, I swear. I love you Athalina, I love you " All she could do was watch him being slowly dragged off, with tears pouring out of her eyes. She didn't know what to do. Athalina didn't think he could murder anyone either, but at the same time, she knew that it wasn't that easy to set some one up.

When Athalina heard that Marth had escaped from jail, she was happy that he was free, but worried for his safety. She was exhilarated at the thought of finally being able to see him again, and feel his touch and the warmth of his hands. But at the same time, she was extremely nervous about what Ariel might do. Athalina knew that Ariel hated Marth, and she couldn't help but cry at the thought of Ariel killing him.

Apple walked into the room, "What is wrong Athalina? Why are you crying?" she said in a genuinely concerned voice.

"I'm not crying Apple, I have allergies." Athalina said, trying not to sound choked up.

"Oh, how silly of me," replied Apple in her normally giggley voice. "But, do you not miss Marth?"

Athalina was surprised at Apple's question, thinking that she could not even spell her own name, never mind being able to read someone's emotions.

"Uh, well...yes. I am actually. I just don't want Ariel to hurt him you know. I just don't think that he murdered anyone, you know?"

Apple tilted her head to look at Athalina, with her tear-stained face lying pitifully on the bed. "You know, I don't really think that he did either. I kind of think that Ariel is a liar." she said.

This surprised Athalina to the point that she almost fell off of the bed. Apple-thinking for herself, this didn't happen very often.

"You're right," Athalina replied, "Ariel is a liar. You know, she was happy when Marth got put in jail, because she wanted me to focus more on the missions. She wanted him to be in jail."

Apple suddenly got had an expression like a light bulb had turned on in her head, "Like oh my god, Athalina. What if ARIEL set him up?"

Athalina had pondered this thought in her head for some time, but had never really thought that it could be true, but if Apple could see it, it just might be so. "She probably did Apple. That would make sense. I mean, she has so many connections all over the place, it'd be easy for her.Tthat would make me more focused on missions. I mean, she never did like Marth, or Raven."

Apple nodded her head, seeming to agree, "Yeah. Uh, I gotta go cook dinner, Athalina. Tonight's my night. How does apple pie sound?" she giggled, "Get it, you know, apple, like me."

Athalina nodded, relieved to see that Apple was back to her normal self. "You go do that." she said.

Athalina thought about that whole conversation and got even more suspicous.

"What if it was Ariel?" Athalina asked herself out loud.

"What if what was Ariel?" Athalina tured in suprise to see Ariel standing in the doorway with the meanest look on her face.

"Um...awww...well...nothing" Athalina had not felt this scared in a long time.

"Awww, you know you can tell me anything" Ariel said taking a seat next to Athalina on the bed, tring to act nice and sweet. Athalina could see though it.

"No its nothing I was just...talking to myself"

Ariel looked at her and narrowed her eyes with anger. "What were you and Apple alking about?" Her voice was as cold has cold could get.

"Oh, you know she just needed help reading the recipe for baking apple pie" Athalina answered in a timid voice and tried as hard as she could to smile.

"Ya sure" Ariel said in disbelef.

A voice over the intercome could be heard saying "Approching destination. Estimated time: 7 minutes 35 seconds."

"Oh good. I've so been looking forward to fighting our fellow friends. I can't wait to show you what I have in mind for them" Ariel said with her usual evil smile and got up to leave the room.

Before Ariel left, she turned and siad "I'd suggest that next time you and Apple want to talk about me, make sure that I'm not in hearing distance."