Chapter 18

Me: Finally! This chapter is FINISHED! I know I know you all want to kill me right?

*Dodges thrown rotten vegetables and swerving before imaginary Phaser shots. (You know... Star Trek guns) *

Me: I'M ! To any of you that will even read this... I finally have a little idea as to what the plot will be like... but I will also have some very farfetched science-y theories... blame it on my love for Doctor Who... and Star Trek (I just saw the 2009 movie and LOVED IT!) I know that I promised it somewhere in March but then life went crazy! I worked all summer at a Christian camp, started school after that, and then my dad became the pastor in a church in NEW YORK! So we had to visit family out west before we moved ages away... suffice it to say I didn't get it done until Sunday the 11th and since Christmas is in the past you can consider this your late Christmas gift or a Valentine's Day gift! AAAAAAAHHHHH! *Runs screaming from angry mob*

HERE IT IS!

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Thoughtspeak in bold italics.

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Michelle:

http:/www owndresses com/images/l/20110503/ image 329x449 jpg

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The date had been going well so far. Marco and Michelle had talked companionably, their subjects ranging from politics to sports to their favorite animals. Things slowed down when their meal arrived, as they started eating rather than talking. The quietness became unbearable for Marco until he eventually cleared his throat, about to speak but when Michelle looked up from her steak expectantly, he froze. She was so beautiful, in her bright green dress that almost matched her eyes. Marco reached over the booth table to put a wisp of her hair behind her ear, from where it had been blocking one of her emerald green eyes. The rest her blonde hair was catching the soft light of the restaurant. He started to pull his hand away but stopped as she placed her own hand over his keeping it pressed to her cheek.

"So, Marco, how do you think our first dinner-date is going?" She smiled sweetly, taking his hand laying it on the table but not letting go. Marco grinned,

"Pretty good, but I wasn't worried about it. I mean, this is our 5th official date." Michelle looked down at their entwined hands and then looked up through her eyelashes, "You mean besides all those times that I flew you all over the world? I guess you couldn't count those times. Although they could have been if you would have gotten up the nerve to ask me out." Marco scoffed and then switched his expression to one that looked pained as her remark sank in.

"Me, The Almighty Marco, one of the most famous of the already famous Animorphs, to not have the nerve to ask a simple pilot out on a date? Michelle, I thought you knew me better than that!" The 'simple pilot' gave him a glare.

"Alright! I did loose my nerve a few times, and I have to admit that it was a good thing that I didn't know your dad before I asked you for a date because that is one intimidating fellow; so is your brother Andy."

(Sorry, to put a break in the story, but from here on out is in Marco's POV.)

"Andrew." Michelle corrected. "He prefers being called Andrew since he doesn't think 'Andy' is tough enough for an Air Force pilot. Besides he's just being the big brother trying to protect his baby sister from someone that might be using her." Michelle let go of my hand to take a drink from her Sprite. "I told him that you weren't like that but he doesn't believe me totally. He works out every day so that he can beat you to a pulp if you are other than honorable and kind." I gulped a bit, Andy—Andrew was a big, tall, buff pilot about 6' 8" and was overprotective of his little sister; being 5 years older than his 19-year-old sibling. They may both have blond hair and innocent-looking faces but Andrew's face was generally a mask; he could be firm to the point of being ruthless. But I had nothing to worry about, my intentions were nothing but honorable. I liked his sister. In fact I might love her more than like her. I bet some of you are thinking, but they're too young to really be in love. It's a phase, it'll pass. And they can't get married at 18 and 19, they should wait a few years. But I can tell you, Michelle is a very mature young woman and I—well the war with the Yeerks caused all of the Animorphs to grow up rather quickly. I just hide my maturity better than the others. Jake grew up the most, he was still depressed but Cassie and his shrink were slowly getting him to not focus too much on the horrors of the past. All the Animorphs were much more mature than normal 18-year-olds.

Michelle is mature because she just is, but I think the loss of her mother grew her up a bit. She told me once about how her mother had died; her mother was also in the military, army. That was where she had met Michelle's dad, they got married and served together in the army until Andrew was born then she joined the police force in their hometown. When Michelle was born her father left the army to work at home as a police chief. Two years after Michelle was born her mother was shot in a bad neighborhood trying to break up a gunfight between two gangs.

Since she had been about two when she lost her mom, Michelle didn't really remember Mrs. Renée Brent, but she felt as close to her mother's memory as if she had been there the whole 19 years of Michelle's life.

We had finished our meal, "Well, I can assure you, Madame," I bowed low and offered my arm to Michelle after paying for our bill. "My intentions are nothing les than honest and I hope that our dating will lead to a more serious decision." Michelle laughed and slipped her arm through mine and I used my free hand to grab the umbrella I had remembered to bring inside with us. We walked out the door and stopped, I pressed a button on my cell that alerted my driver to come to the front of the restaurant.

"Are you taking me home via upon thy shining steed or perhaps thy limo, or mayhap thy red 1970's mustang?" Michelle looked up at me still smiling. Yes, I had gotten a small growth spurt and it also helped my case that she was extremely tiny.

"Neither, my Lady, for your humble servant has decided to not take you home now, but planned to take you with him to take a walk upon the seashore."

"But its cold and raining," she squealed when a raindrop hit her bare arm, squeezing closer to me to get under the umbrella I was holding. I moved it more over her only minding it a little that my expensive dress coat was getting wet. "You know that hurts my ego when you doubt anything I say. If I say we are going for a walk along the beach, we're going for a walk along the beach. And anyway that really did hurt my ego. "Michelle laughed again. I loved that I could make her laugh. It was a beautiful, true laugh, sorta high and it tinkled just enough to remind you of bells. She gently poked me in the stomach making me bend over with a fake groan. She smirked this time. Oh no. I prepared myself for teasing.

"Well someone has to deflate that big, swollen balloon you have on your shoulders" I bent back up and stopped my face inches away from hers. Unconsciously I started to lean in closer her and the girl I had come to love leaned slowly in too. Suddenly Michelle brought two fingers up and placed them softly on my lips. Her fingers were cool and soft against them, and I looked deep into her eyes before she looked away. "No, I'm sorry Marco." She looked back into my eyes. "I promised myself that my first kiss would be to my husband the day I married him. And kissing can be innocent enough but can lead to more." She turned away taking her nice, cool fingers away too, I coughed a little disappointed and yet that she could resist my devilishly handsome looks was a mark for the belief she put in the promise she had made. Michelle cleared her throat. "So where exactly are we going to be walking on the beach ... in the rain?' She raised an eyebrow at me. I raised an eyebrow back, thinking; I shouldn't do it. She might slap me for getting close to her... whatever...it'll lighten the mood. I furtively looked around. Then motioning Michelle closer I whispered her ear. "It's a secret." As I pulled my self quickly away well aware that I might be slapped my driver, Jameston Bond, who always had impeccable timing, pulled up to the curb. I stepped forward and opened the door of my limo for my date and when she was seated comfortably, slid in beside her. Michelle slid further around on the seats which are shaped like a curved 'L', so she was closer to the top of the 'L' and I was seated next to the door at the bottom right part. Michelle fumed the whole way to my secret cove.

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"Are we there yet?" Michelle asked impatiently, trying to remove the blind fold from her eyes. I gently slapped it away, checking the blindfold which was, for lack of a better idea and really bad planning on my part, my tie. Honestly she was acting like a five-year-old.

"Can you see anything yet?" I asked her sarcastically, "I told you, I'll take the blindfold off when we get there." She sighed and tightened her grip on my arm.

"You know at first this seem romantic but now it's just annoy- wow!" She trailed off ending in a soft gasp, finally able to see what was around us. I had taken her to a beautiful cave filled with dazzling crystals. What little light that was to be found so far from the entrance was reflected over and over, so the room was bright with iridescent colors. She let go of my arm and walked toward one of the walls a hand outstretched. Her fingertips lightly brushed one of the crystals. Michele tore her eyes away and ran them around the room in awe. "It's so, oh wow. It's so beautiful! Marco..." She turned a full circle and stopped; looking at me with shining eyes. "Thank you!" She came across the floor of the cave, sparkles of sunlight glinting all over her, running full blast until she hit me. She wrapped her arms around me and squeezed putting all her mute thanks in that embrace. She startled me with the way she had reacted to my trip, I mean, sure it was pretty but not THAT pretty. But, hey, she liked sooooo...

"You're very welcome, Michele." I whispered it into her hair as I returned the hug. She pulled back, "But I don't think you understand what I'm thanking you for. My dad and mom for their vacations went all over the world searching for caves. It was their special thing. They looked for caves just like this one; beautiful gems hidden in the ugly rock. My mom's favorite stone was crystal because it reminded her of all the adventures they had, and crystals help me keep a hold on the few memories I have of my mommy. That's why I'm thanking you, Marco, because you gave me this gift of seeing so many crystals; when crystals are such an important thing in my family." Michelle wiped her eyes a little but she was smiling brighter than the sun.

"Well, there's more." I said not really sure what to say to her. And I always have something to say. She grabbed my hand, excited.

"What! Where?" I laughed at her enthusiasm

"I don't know, Michelle, after what you just told me I don't think I can top myself." She looked at me with steel, cool, green eyes

"Show me, or I will kill you and no one will find the body. This place is secret right?" I gulped and looked down at our hands, tugging at her hers to start us walking again. We walked toward another exit from the cave that wasn't easily visible because of the way the sunlight reflected over it. This exit led us out into a beautiful harbored beach with huge cliffs that covered the white sand almost to the water, keeping us dry. It looked as awesome as ever but something felt off. In the back of my mind a warning was screaming at me from the long-forgotten part of me that I used to use to keep me alive in the toughest moments. No matter how long it had been since our last real battle against the Yeerks, that part of my brain was always there and it usually was helpful. I decided to listen to it, and looked around surreptitiously for the carefully concealed security guards I had wanted placed. I couldn't find them which meant one of two things; one they were really good at concealing themselves and were hidden really well. Or two, they were distracted/out of business due to some unforeseen detail. "Wait, Michelle! Something smells fishy..." My call was badly timed; she had already slipped out of her high heels and run from the door of the cave, smiling, out onto the soft sand. I thought about my oversensitive bad feelings, and decided to ignore it, shoving it back to the back of my mind. I also slipped out of my tennis shoes (yes, I wore tennis shoes with my suit. I didn't want to be too formal), wiggling my toes in the pleasantly cool sand. Something caught the corner of my eye as I strode toward Michelle.

Turning midstride, I saw some type of thing, a hybrid made of what looked like a mountain lion, rhinoceros and elephant, leaping down the cliff face that stood to the left of the entrance to the cove. It had the body of a mountain lion the horns of a rhino and the ripping tusks of an elephant.

Skidding down the last 6ft. the creature loped toward Michelle sensing her to be the weaker prey. Unconsciously I began morphing, going into my old battle form, gorilla. Big Jim, the gorilla whose DNA flowed through me had died a couple of months earlier so I felt sad becoming a DNA copy of him when he was gone. Luckily I had been able to take some time to see him before he was gone forever; they were putting him out of his misery. It was probably for the best, at least that's what Cassie had told me, since Big Jim was no longer the strapping male that he had been. He looked tired and sick, which I guess is what happens when you get old. Unfortunately for the creature about to attack my girlfriend, DNA copies do not get old. I was no old, sick, weakling.

It was probably a good thing that my shoes were off considering the first change happened to my feet. They swelled significantly and abruptly changed black, the skin toughening to the strength of leather. The swelling of my feet ran up my legs, torso and arms, exploding the suit threads with a large ripping sound. The ivory buttons on my white dress shirt pinged off the rock wall and some fell into the water. Well, there goes my twenty-two thousand dollar suit.

The hair on my swollen arms grew as thick as grass on hyped up Miracle-Grow and spread like a group of marching ants across my, now, black skin. My human head was the last to change; I bet I looked pretty weird with an adult, male, Silverback gorilla body and my incredibly cute, yet comparably small head.

I had morphed gorilla so often that I didn't have any trouble with its instincts. I was instantly in control of a huge 420 lb. gorilla who had half of that weight in muscles as strong as steel. I probably could have bench-pressed a minivan, if I were in the mood, of course. But I wasn't.

With a bellow of primal rage, I charged the hybrid... whatever-it-was. The Mountainrhinophant screeched at me and reluctantly turned form Michelle, who had fallen down in the sand with a look of dumbstruck terror. It screeched again, its screech sounding like a bloodcurdling scream. It was a warning to me to back off. Unfortunately my gorilla was a male, used to the dominant figure. Not only that, but I was in there too, and I was ticked off since this thing had interrupted a really nice date. I was not going to heed any warning, so I lumbered slowly on my knuckles and feet to attack it.

The Rhinophant swiped at me with a forepaw, just missing me. In retaliation I swung a ham-fisted hand at its head, if I had connected with the animal's head, my battle would have been over. With cat-like reflexes, well considering... anyway, with really fast reflexes the creature ducked and whipped his tail forward and hit me with it. A numbing effect spread from where the tip had hit me. It was then that I noticed another feature of this hybrid that was previously hidden; it had a poisonous barb in its tail that was secreted inside its tail normally. I knew now that I had to beat this animal fast, one because the numbness was spreading down my arm and across my chest, and two I needed to beat it before it had a chance to poison me further.

"Look out!" Michelle's cry brought me out of my thoughts just in time to duck the numbing tail. Okay, first I have to get Michelle out of here. Then I have to beat this thing. Third I need to talk to Jake... darn it! I think he's still in class right now! I'll have to wait for him to get out.

Michelle, try and move back into the cave. But watch out for more attacks there may be more creatures inside. I glanced at her to see if she understood my thoughtspeak. She nodded and slowly started to crab-crawling toward the entrance. The hybrid animal sensed the movement and turned its attention back to her. It screamed at her and she stopped. I have to distract it from her. I bellowed and pounded my chest and thrust a fist into the sand, to get the Rhinophant to turn its attention back on me. That probably looked really cliché. I knuckled around the beast so its back was to the cliff face. When that was done, I bellowed again, trying to stir up the Rhinophant enough for it to leap on me. It worked. The muscles in the back legs and hind quarters rippled and then bunched as the Rhinophant hybrid prepared for launching its lithe body at me. Preparing myself for the force of the impact my own muscles firmed themselves. Contrary to what you may think I was not going to just let that thing best the famous Marco Hunt. As soon as the creature's hind feet had left the ground I wondered briefly if I had actually gone insane. I mean I was letting some maniac creature jump on me just because I didn't have a better more sane plan. Oh well. At least I'm going to die as a famous superstar with a really hot girlfriend, and not alone in a cold, padded cell.

I placed my insane plan into action when the monster was in the air. I hurtled my body, as had as I could running in the sand, and slammed into the mountain lion/rhino/elephant/scorpion, which in turn slammed the crossbreed into the cliff face, crushing it with the sheer momentum and weight of my charge. I shook my head to clear the fuzzies, and saw the monster lying still on the sand. Just to make sure it was really down for good I slung my fist against its skull with enough force to dent a car door beyond repair.

I stepped back and looked around trying to spot Michelle instead I saw the movement of a figure at the edge of the woods on top of the far side of the cove's cliff. In the brief glance I saw it was a human with shoulder-length, curly, black, hair. Then I heard a soft call, "Marco?" It drew my mind from the form on the cliff. Again, almost unconsciously I demorphed back into myself. As the final changes finished I searched for Michelle's person, I found her slightly slouched in the shadow of the cave entrance. She looked disturbed and still scared. It wasn't that I expected anything different. I had seen my other friends morph and knew that it is not pretty. And of course this near-death experience would have scared me too, if I wasn't used to having my life threatened. I walked toward her and she fell into my arms leaning on me instead of the cave wall for support.

"Michelle, are you okay?" I searched her arms and legs for broken bones and blood. She had a cut on her palm that was crusting up with sand in the wound, it needed to be cleaned soon, but she otherwise seemed fine. Michelle withstood my concerned searching with a solemn expression. "Michelle, do you have any broken ribs I don't think it would be very appropri—" Michelle cut me off. She seemed to like doing that.

"I'm fine, really I am." I shook my head and started to check her arms and head again. "Marco!" She grabbed my shoulders and shook them to calm me down. "I'm fine, you reacted quick enough that ...that thing didn't get me. "You were amazing. Besides you were the one who battled it, are you okay?"

I nodded my head, "Any injuries I might have gotten were taken care of in the demorphing process."

"What about next time? Will the poison still be there?" I shook my head.

"DNA is not affected by injuries sustained in battle, my gorilla form will be as normal as if I had never battled that Rhinophant. That's the only way we Animorphs survived long enough to do any damage to the Yeerk Empire." Michelle looked me in the face, at my use of a really big word and at my idea for the creature's name, from picking up her heels and brushing the sand lovingly from the shoe.

"The what?" She walked over to where my shoes lay, no wobble left in her walk.

"The Mountainlionrhinophant. You know it had the body of a mountain lion, elephant tusks, and rhino horns... I guess I should put something in there about a scorpion tail... what? Nickname things are my specialty; after all I was the one who came up with the name Animorphs. It's my thing." At the end I was indignant; she was looking at me weirdly. She unbent her legs standing up. When she was back beside me she patted me on the arm.

"I think it needs some work, dear. Mountainlionrhinophant." She tested the word out for herself. "Yeah, I don't think it will catch on as quite as well as Animorph did." I assumed a nonplussed expression trying to hide my pouting inside, "Come on. We need to go talk to Jake about this. He should be out of classes when we get there." Michelle just laughed and followed me into the cave and to the limo.

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Me: *covered in rotten veggies and stuck in stocks grinning ruefully*

There you are... Chapter 18. I hope that it was long enough to please you all; with how long it took me to update. I've already started chapter 19 and hope to finish it soon, but no guarantees. So no holding your breath. Oh and as a final question, what do you all think of Marco's last name. I like it and I didn't go with any, you know, Mexican/obviously Spanish name because I think that only his mom was Spanish/Mexican since that's how she's described. I also think that it's only from his mother that Marco gets his Mexican/Spanish looks, and since no name was introduced in the series I came up with this one. HEY WATCH IT!" * Glare at two of my fans that were rightfully mad at me... I think it was AnimorFan and Blueberry the Doom Chicken... throw buckets of slop and dirty water at me. My old friend Vendetta is gleefully poking me with a pitchfork.* I think I will sigh now... *sigh* Anyway thanks for reading... I wish a fantastic Valentine's Day. (whatever's left.)

P.S. I will put a link at the top of this chapter (with spaces in between for the periods) to what I envision Michelle's green dress. AND an imaginary cookie sandwich to anyone who can guess who the figure on the cliff is!

:D

The little face wants you to review for the sad author in the stocks. Please.

;D