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Chapter 7: the forbidden canyon

The bushes shook revealing the large group of animals came into view, they soon began to cross into fossa territory, many of the lemurs didn't want to be here being as there the primary food source for the cat like creatures. Looking back the landscape changed drastically, the whole place was rock sharp ridged mountains and spots of vegetation, but that didn't change a certain zebra's appeal to it. Marty's ears twitched and swiveled, as if they were on caffeine, to the unknowing resident they wouldn't think much of it since he was bigger than a fossa being a zebra and all, but to those who know him it's a much darker story. Alex caught sight of Marty's nervousness, he wouldn't blame him, the monochromatic steed was almost the fossa's main course days ago, he would understand why Marty is so nervous, he would be and he's sure his friends are too. He looked down sadly, why wouldn't they be nervous, after his wild instinct took over he fled to the fossa side of the island and in doing so, caused his friends, mainly Marty to chase after him. Marty forgave him, but he never forgave himself for almost getting Marty killed, he remembered Marty's screams for help as he ran from the fossa, on that day Marty was almost eaten alive and if it wasn't for Melman swinging in he would've.

Again Alex glanced at the zebra, he knew he had to speak on the matter "Marty-" he began the zebra's ears twitching in response "-i know about your worry, about the fossa and you don't have to blame yourself, you saved me after all." the lion tried to explain himself. He was still upset that the zebra left the zoo, but not angry, though he did have to admit the island was a gorgeous place and he did deserve a vacation from the city, but a nagging feeling arose about Marty's take on New-York.

Marty looked at him in an inquisitive way "what? Are you saying that I blame myself for this, look Alex, I wanted to go to the wild, that was my birthday wish after all, but I didn't want these nightmares messing with my damn head. My worry Alex is the fossa and this place, you heard what Velen said, even the fossa are scared of this place, something in there is worse than you when you fought the fossa, that's what worries me." Alex looked at him as the two stopped on the rocky terrain.

"So what are you saying that this is my fault!?" Alex asked in a shocked manner, Marty however looked as if he sucked a lemon.

"Good god no, I don't blame you Alex, I'm just saying that we didn't know about any of this, the canyon, these monsters, Anders, your wild side, we knew none of it." The monochromatic steed explained the best he could, but now was worried about bringing up Alex's wild side to him.

All the lion did however was sigh, truthfully Alex in some way blamed himself for the whole ordeal, he always wanted his performance to be perfect for the people, but in doing so he became a lousy friend. He remembered a time when Marty got his treadmill for the first time and when he started it he was shot off the machine, for the longest time the zebra was called purple stripes for his bruising after hitting the bars. Even though he told him to dust himself off and ignore those who were calling him names, he did somewhat chuckle at Marty's accident, to Gloria's dismay after catching him chuckle. The whole reason he's been acting this way was when he found out the boat (freighter) arrived in Madagascar, well come to find out the penguins used up all the gas after their long voyage to Antarctica and this information did not sit well with the lion. It was then a dark feeling arose in Alex, a feeling of distrust in Marty, it was the same feeling he felt when Mehrunes dagon was occupying his mind, it was the feeling of deceit.

Marty caught sight of Alex's look, it was the same look he gave him when they first arrived on the island, in a worried tone the zebra could only ask "are you okay Alex?".

The lion in swift response caught Marty off guard with a question he didn't expect: "tell me Marty do you really want to go back to New-York!?"

The steed staggered "uhhh" he bit his lip, but Alex could see right through it and didn't give his friend any second to continue.

"why!?-"Alex asked, again catching the zebra off guard "why don't you want to return to New-York, i thought we were your friends, i thought i was your friend!"

Marty stepped closer "I am your friend Ali Al, it's just…"

"It's just what!?" Alex snapped back, making the zebra take a few steps back, but the zebra wasn't looking his friend in the eye, no, he was looking at his now extended claws. Seeing the terrified look on Marty, he looked down at his paws only to be shocked at his extended claws and that's when Alex pieced things together. "You're still scared of me? You don't trust me-" the both of them heard the lion's stomach growl "-you still think I'm a monster?". Marty shook his head, terrified to speak or comment on such matters, but knew he had to say something.

Opening his mouth to reply to Alex's wild accusations, but wasn't able to get the chance when the lion shoved his paw in Marty's face "no don't, I've heard all i need from your silence.". The lion began to walk away leaving a saddened and dumbstruck Marty to stand and watch his friend wander back to the others, who in turn were a good distance away. However what the two didn't know was that Melman kept a close eye on both Marty and Alex ever since the two started acting strange and what he saw and heard worried him.

Continuing on their trek with both Alex and Marty now caught back up with the group, they began to venture further toward the Forbidden Canyon, worried glances scanned the area as they began to see the change of landscape. Wherever they looked the less they saw the amount of vegetation, and a lot more rocks, blood and bones, mainly of fossa and lemur. Mort nervously walked next to Maurice the Aye-Aye could understand why, the mouse lemur was worried for Julien, though he was probably more worried about the king's feet than the king himself and he could sense that mort wasn't the only one nervous. The penguins waddle closer together closer than ever and skipper wasn't going to take any chances on a botched mission. From what he heard regarding rumors and stories, this canyon caused more death and destruction than any fossa attack, it was the reason why he was scared and why he wanted his men to stay close together.

Calm and eerie silence, calm filled the air, the silence made any of those who felt it feel like they're being watched, but the silence was the worst part for the group, for as they followed Velen they soon stopped. They soon found out why they stopped looking up; they saw the large crevice entrance to their destination covered by a beyond rusted portcullis (castle gate), with walls as high as five story buildings lined with razord teeth.

"Here we are-"Velen turned to the terrified group "-welcome to the Forbidden Canyon.".

The group stared at the canyon, some of them gulped, others wet themselves a few both, Marty just stared at the entrance, it was time, time to enter the jaws of his dreams, the jaws of the canyon and the jaws of death.

What do you think of this chapter, what do you think they'll find there, will they find the solution to Marty's nightmares or something more? I'd like to hear your thoughts in the comments, the next chapter will take place in Tamriel and to those who played Skyrim, you'll know what Helgen is.