After Crocness and Thorne got Shaiden out of the moat, the Defenders went inside the castle and crowded into its large living room. Shaiden was sopping wet and shivering, so Thorne got her a blanket, Kook and Crocness lit up a fire in the fireplace, and Tinkor and Ballista worked on making some hot chocolate.

Before long, the living room lit up with a warm orange glow. By the time Shaiden's teeth stopped chattering, Tinkor and Ballista walked in with the finished hot chocolate. The Defenders each grabbed a mug, minus Thorne and Gildar. The huntress smirked as she handed a mug to Shaiden.

"Here's some hot chocolate for you, little girl!"

Shaiden glared at her as Ballista laughed.

"Ballista, what are you doing?" Skabb asked. He grinned mischievously. "You forgot the mini marshmallows!"

A couple Defenders laughed alongside the barbarian. The ninja growled at Skabb.

"Just shut up!" she yelled.

Gildar lifted an eyebrow and smirked. "That's a little rude for someone your age, isn't it?"

Shaiden full-on bore her teeth at the viking as everyone else (not counting Kook, Thorne, and Crocness) laughed even more. Normally, Kook would of contributed to the taunting and teasing, but Thorne's heavy glare restrained him from doing so.

"Alright, that's enough!" Crocness dangerously growled.

Everyone turned to the half-human, half-reptile. Crocness crossed her arms and eyed her surprised comrades scornfully. No one dared to say another word.

"Thorne, why don't you explain to us why Shaiden's ten years old?" she suggested, turning to the alchemist.

Thorne crossed his arms, then began. While he explained what had happened in the lab, from the fire to the slime, he made sure to shoot Kookaburra an angry look every ten seconds. Kook took a nervous sip of his hot chocolate every time Thorne did so.

"Good job, Kook," Ballista said sarcastically after Thorne finished the story.

"Hey, I didn't do it on purpose!" Kook replied defensively.

Thorne angrily stared at the bird for a minute longer, then turned to his sister. He glared at her chidingly.

"Shaiden, what were you doing out on the moat? You should of known better than that!"

Shaiden groaned and rolled her eyes. "I just felt like it, okay?"

"You FELT like it?" Thorne inquired irritantly. "What kind of an excuse is-"

Thorne froze. His eyes lit up with realization. "Hang on a minute..." the alchemist said slowly, rubbing his chin.

Thorne stared at the floor for a moment as he processed what had happened during the day. He thought about his sister's anger issues, desire for independence, and constant whining. He snapped his fingers together. "Shaiden, the formula not only messed with your physical stature, it's also messing with your head!"

The ninja cocked her head. "What do you mean?"

"You're not acting like yourself, Shaiden; you've been rather hasty, and you've been acting like a smart aleck."

Shaiden narrowed her eyes. She opened her mouth to speak, but then shut it when she realized that she couldn't deny Thorne's declaration. He was right.

Gildar shrugged. "Not to mention immature, and annoying, and easily irritated, and-"

Crocness jabbed her elbow into Gildar's ribs, making him shut up. The water monster moved her gaze to the alchemist.

"How bad is it that formula messed with her head?" she asked.

"I don't know. But I suspect that it's nothing major. Besides the size and attitude changes, she's just fine."

Crocness nodded.

"How long is she going to stay like that, my boy?" Knightriss asked.

"For a couple years?" Ballista inquired.

"I better not!" Shaiden cried.

"Not if my new formula works," the alchemist stated. "I've finished it just as my sister was being pelted with splat balls, and now all I need is for her and Kook to come down to the lab."

"I'm there!" the ninja declared, jumping out of her seat.

Shaiden dashed into the hall, then skidded to a stop. She turned back towards her brother and the bird.

"Come on, hurry up!" the ninja yelled, stamping her foot impatiently. "Let's go!"

Kookaburra, amused, grinned and ran after the ninja. Thorne rolled his eyes, and strode close behind them.

Just to be clear, I have nothing against ten-year-olds. But when you're younger, you just tend to act younger and stuff, so...but I don't mean to offend any ten-year-olds reading this. (Besides, you'll be eleven in another year or so.)

Please review if you wish. I'll see how soon I can get the next chapter up.