Hello, I felt like writing another chapter…so I did. I'm real sorry I haven't posted for over a week, but I've kinda been busy.

Oh and I was re-reading book 54 when I realised that for the past twelve chapters I've been spelling his name wrong so from here on in it'll be Asculan.

Birdie num num: Shock! You'll have to read on! Why are you scawed?

Elwing: You bet ya! Aylary is certainly got more in mind than poor Asculan. Hmm, I don't know whether she's evil per say, she's kinda like an over extreme version of her daughter. Read on and you'll know what I'm talking about. I'm not sure but I really don't think she gives a flying fig about Asculan at all.

Yes, you are correct. Deodatus is there for a reason, this is the chapter it'll all come together. And growing up? Well you'll just have to read on. Again on Aylary, she is kind of a way over the top version of another Andalite we know and love, or at least that is the way I see this certain character. I am actually pleased that you find Aylary interesting as I don't think I've developed the characters very well, especially Eoptis and his daughter Aylary.

Deodatus is actually the Latin version of the name Jonathan, which means God's Gift.

I'll have to find that adress for you, I had it but then it kinda disapreared.

Urm…actually how did you come up with Elwing? It's an interesting name. I couldn't really think of one for me, that's why I chose Edriss. Funny 'cos I usually enjoy making up names.

Thanks for the LONG review! I hope you enjoy this response.

The REAL Cheese Monkey: My Deodatus! Mine! Stay away! shows teeth

Kharina: You're reviewing! Thanks, I'll return the favour the moment you post another Homecoming chapter.

Soooo, what do you think is wrong?

Hmmm, I try to write longer chapters. But I can't. I do hope however that what I di write you like.

Please keep reading.

Irish Rage and Love: Thank you. This chapter will hopefully be a pivotal moment in Asculan's life. Yeah, I'm glad you noticed the way Eoptis and Aylary are both much more aggressive than poor timid Asculan. They might gang up in the future; we'll just have to see how it goes.

Don't worry about the reviews. Just as long as you still read and enjoy the story that's cool. However I do like your opinions so please continue.

Now let's see what happens to Prince Asculan.

Chapter Thirteen

Disgrace

Andalite date: 8556.6

Earth date: 1962

(Prince Asculan!) Captain Eoptis cried (Do as I order! Fire – on – that – ship!)

I turned to face my Captain. (Captain Eoptis I cannot allow you to follow that course of action.)

Captain Eoptis narrowed his main eyes. His stalk-eyes were looking at the holographic displays in front of us. We were on the bridge, I stood facing the captain. The screen showed a ship, it was perhaps two or three times smaller than ours, it was almost entirely a deep black and shaped like a half-moon on its side.

Our sensors showed that all the other ships systems were functioning normally. Weapons, shields, life support.

Communications.

That is what was causing this difference in opinion. We had tried hailing the ship for over twenty minutes now, all the ships systems were working, as were ours, they could and should have answered by now.

Any other captain would have ordered a boarding party by now but not Captain Eoptis. His temper got the better of him and he decided to destroy the ship. I could not allow it.

How can you destroy someone for as little a thing as not answering hails? It was impossible for me to understand; unfortunately if the rest of the crew disapproved they were not showing it.

(I declare a challenge,) I stated boldly. Why was I doing this? My career could be ruined.

A challenge is the right and duty of any Andalite warrior to dispute the order of a superior if he believes that superior is breaching the basic rights of the people.

If my challenge failed I would be severely disciplined. I would be exiled. Permanently. And my tail blade would be cut off.

Captain Eoptis merely laughed. (You think Prince Asculan that you would win a challenge? Maybe I should remind you that I own the Council.)

I scanned the bridge for support. All the warriors just avoided my gaze. Even the T.O Prince Caysath-Winwall-Esgarrouth, he had become a friend of mine on the ship, but even he would not support me against the wrong Captain Eoptis.

I focussed all my eyes forwards in concentration, (Do you not accept my challenge Captain Eoptis?)

Silence. Captain Eoptis was now very upset. His blade was twitching, one move and there might have been an actual fight.

(Do as I order Prince,) Captain Eoptis grated (That ship is perfectly fine! The crew are alive! They are ignoring our hails! We will fire on them or I will make sure that you never see the light of another day for a very long time Prince Asculan!)

Not all of the crew shared his feelings I could tell, but none were willing to risk their careers for me.

I felt like I was at the end of the world. The moment Captain Eoptis just stood watching me seemed to last forever. It was almost as if I could see the future because then at that moment I realised that Captain Eoptis may be a warrior, he may be a soldier but he was also the worst king of killer. A politician.

He wouldn't risk a disgrace like this. He couldn't. I saw his decision in his eyes before he even said the words.

(This is a mutiny, Prince Asculan. A poorly planed and futile mutiny. Unfortunately for you my crew are loyal and smart enough to follow my orders. Now I will give you one last chance. Fire on that ship and I may forgive this act of treason on the very laws we stand for.) He was a smart one that Captain Eoptis.

The crew seemed to like the idea that of course Captain Eoptis must be right and of course I was the traitor, the mutineer, the deserter.

(Prince Caysath remove Prince Asculan to the brig. We will deal with this traitor when we return to the homeworld. In the meantime destroy that ship,) Captain Eoptis turned a stalk-eye to look at me. In private thought speak he said (Weak people, Asculan. Weak people.)

Two warriors came and escorted me to the brig. A sheath was put over my blade to stop me from using it to escape. My hands were cuffed together using mag-cuffs. I turned to look at the warriors as they left the brig, (You know I was right. Why didn't you help?)

They just stood and looked at me; they both seemed at a loss of words. Then just as guiltily they turned and left standing just outside the hatch.

I looked out of the clear plex bulkhead just in time to see the curved black ship destroyed by the ships shredders. There was no sound of course and I couldn't see the bodies of those dead aliens, whatever they might have been. But see, I had studied too many simulations of shredder fire not to know how they died.

For hours I just stood and watched the empty zero-space that we had entered moments after the ships destruction. I felt so unintelligent at that moment.

How could I have just lost everything I had worked for over a race that wouldn't even answer us? That most likely didn't even know about Andalites, let alone me. They wouldn't care if I dropped down dead right now. They wouldn't even know.

And yet I was sure, even now, that I was right. I had made the right decision. I knew without a doubt that Captain Eoptis was wrong.

(The whole ship is wrong!) I cried out to no one. (The whole ship is wrong!)

FWOOOSH! The hatch opened and Captain Eoptis stepped through. He looked at me and closed the hatch.

For a long while we just stood face to face not saying a word. It was then I was thankful for every bit of height I had against him

I could not help but feel as if I was an experiment that Captain Eoptis was watching. I stared back determined not to look away, Captain Eoptis turned away sharply breaking his gaze. He marched towards the hatch then turned around to face me again, almost as if he could not think about what he wanted to say to me, his student, the traitor.

(How would you explain your criminal act to your son, Asculan?) He asked me. What struck me was that he did not sound angry, nor did he sound emotional at all. His thought speak was flat and detached.

(I still hold the rank of Prince,) I said.

He looked at me, (What would your son think of his father spending the rest of his days in a military prison? Fortunately we will not have to find out, Prince Asculan.)

(Why? What game are you playing, Captain?) I was growing tenser by the minute, what was Captain Eoptis trying to get me to say?

He turned away facing the hatch. (Remember when you were an aristh on the Nexus? Remember I contacted you?)

I frowned, (Yes. You told me that – that my father had died.)

(Timing is never right is it?) He still would not turn to look at me. (I have received contact from Aylary on the Homeworld. Deodatus died two days ago.)

I felt my blood freeze. My fingers lost all feeling. (What?) I asked quietly.

Suddenly Captain Eoptis turned and advanced on me. I was backed into the wall with the captain's blade at my throat. (Have you got everything, Prince Asculan? Did you forget anything, Prince Asculan? A shredder, perhaps?)

I thought. I hadn't brought any personal items onto the ship this time; I had no need for a wish flower. Aylary had given me newer holo-pictures. A newer modal shredder was issued to me when I boarded the ship. That meant that …

(You left a shredder in your scoop!) Captain Eoptis cried. He was the most angry I had ever seen him. (Deodatus is dead and it is because of you! Do you deny it?)

(It wasn't my fault…I didn't know…) I couldn't think, my brain was clouded.

Captain Eoptis lent within a few millimetres from my face. (You will suffer, Asculan. I promise you. First you betray me, then, you are the cause of my only grandchild's death…you will never see the light of a new dawn so help me…)

(Captain!) Prince Caysath bounded into the brig. (We have Norshk pirates closing in fast!)

(How long till they reach us?) Captain Eoptis barked.

(Two point oh nine minuets, sir,) Prince Caysath replied.

Captain Eoptis barged past Prince Caysath. With one last glance Captain Eoptis said to me, (I will win this battle only so I can make sure you die.)

Prince Caysath shot a questioning glance at me. I could not even reply. I was already lost on a battle in my own mind, a battle between guilt and sorrow. Which one would control me?

From the clear bulkhead I watched the battle as we lunched fighters to intercept the Norshk. The squadron did close turns and fast paced manoeuvres high above the atmosphere of an ice planet we had been chartering. I watched as the fleet split in half and disappeared into z-space only to re-emerge behind the Norshk and open fire.

It looked as if we were to win until from behind one of the many moons of the planet I saw a second fleet of Norshk waiting. Of course! They would wait until our fighters ran out of fuel and energy, until we thought we had won and then they would use our pride against us and attack.

The warriors on the bridge were to busy watching the battle to notice the second fleet. Without warning the Norshk lit up their engines and came rushing the remainder of the fleet.

(Noooo!)

One by one the pilots lost their lives to stolen shredders. With the fighters disabled the Norshk turned their attention to the Rebellious herself. We were outgunned and out manoeuvred. Captain Eoptis had no choice, as mad as he might be he was still a brilliant captain.

(All crew to the escape pods. We will have to live to fight another day.)

The announcement came from the bridge. I could hear the thundering of hooves outside as the warriors of the Rebellious ran towards the escape pods.

I saw them launch from the ship, almost like a small horde. They disappeared almost immediately into Z-space.

Alone and forgotten I watched as the Norshk came in for the finishing blow.

TSEEEEEW! One engine was gone.

TSEEEEEEW! TSEEEEEEEW! The stabilisers and second engine were destroyed. Down the ship fell, dragged down by the planet bellow's gravity.

The hard wire mesh floor rose up to meet me. My head connected hard with the rigid metal and slowly I lost consciousness. The ship faded and swam before me.

Seconds before I let go completely I felt the impact of something hitting me, though what and where I could not tell.

I tried to raise my head and then all was gone.

Here you go this chapter was longer I think. Please RVIEW and tell me what you think.