Here's the latest update. AN this story does not coincide with my story "Back With You"

Episode 5 - Adapting

Sheffield was buzzing with students eagerly trying to relax during recess. Caleb walked through the halls. He didn't particularly like being at school. But Elyon told him that it was what "Normal" kids did. And it was a lot easier than planning out that rebellion. But not as much fun.

"Something on your mind, handsome?" a voice Caleb knew was directed at him said. He turned to see Cassidy sitting on the window ledge. "Come on you can tell me."

"Cassidy? What're you doing here?" Caleb was shocked to see her.

"I'm going to to school. What's it look like." Cassidy said in a very playful tone.

"Aren't you a little...old?" Caleb asked.

"How dare you?" Cassidy yelled mockingly angry. "I'm only technically old. But Physically I'm still sixteen."

"Sorry...I didn't mean...I." Caleb stammered.

"Gee relax. You're too much fun. You're like a box of puppies." Cassidy laughed. "So, wanna talk about what's bugging you?"

"Who says anything is bugging me?" Caleb responded.

"Come on, spill it. Unless of course you'd rather talk to Cornelia about it?" Cassidy said. She knew she had him right where she wanted him.

"Okay, okay. I'll talk." Caleb said.

"I knew you would. So tell old Aunt Cassidy." She said in an almost motherly fashion.

"Well...It's great being on Earth and everything. But...It's not the world I'm used to. I don't know about the structure, the stuff students do. I'm just too used to being in battle all the time."

"Oh, so you're not happy with things here." Cassidy said.

"No, I'm happy...It's just taking a long time to get used to." Caleb admitted.

"Look Caleb. You're not used to the planet, and I'm not used to the century. Maybe we can help eachother out a little. I'm pretty sure you know a little more about cell phones than I do."

"Well, Cornelia taught me how to text, and how to use the internet...kinda,"

"GREAT. You can teach me that stuff. We can help eachother adjust." Cassidy said.

"I don't know." Caleb said. "Cornelia..."

"Look, Caleb. I know you're rebel leader and all that, but you're struggling here." Cassidy said. "And I know you're not going to tell Cornelia that you're not adjusted yet."

"And how do you know that?" Caleb asked. He was slightly irritated by how easily Cassidy could read him.

"'Cause you're a guy." Cassidy laughed.

Caleb didn't want to admit it but she was right. Despite the amount of time he had spent on Earth, he hadn't fully adjusted to the customs. "Alright, deal."

"Great. We can hang out after school. First thing, I am teaching you how to dance." Cassidy said.

"I know how to dance." Caleb retorted.

"Not according to the girls you can't." Cassidy laughed.

Caleb grumbled under his breath.

Takeda stood in the empty lab looking at the machine. Something seemed wrong. He approached the machine. He looked around it. Takeda had a feeling that the machine had been activated. Out of the corner of his eye he spotted something on the floor.

He crouched down to examine it. It was a footprint. Or at least what remained of one. It was obvioust that someone had attempted to clean it, but had worked hastily, not fully finishing the job. Takeda traced his finger along the floor. A small amount of mud came onto his finger.

He walked to the table and deposited the residue of mud into a small testube. He then walked over to a desk and lifted a phone. He dialled several digits and awaited for the phone to be lifted at the other side.

"Professor Carlin?"

"Speaking. What can I do for you sir?" Mr Carlin's voice came across the phone instantly recognising his boss' voice.

"I want you to come down to the lab and run some tests on a mud sample I've found down here. And I want you to run some tests on the machine as well." Takeda stated.

"I'll be down as soon as I can." Carlin answered.

"Be sure that you are." Takeda said before hanging up.

The girls were sitting at the Silver Dragon. Yan Lin was setting down plates of desert for them, whilst Mira was collecting the ones they had just eaten off.

"Thanks Mrs Lin...I mean Lins" Irma said. She began to tuck into Yan Lin's home made ice cream.

"Seriously Irma, you have an addiction that you really need to fight." Taranee quipped.

"Its not an addiction." Irma said after swallowing a mouthful of ice cream.

"Yeah. More like a love affair." Will joked. "Does Stephen know."

"Okay lets get one thing straight. I'm not addicted to or in love with ice cream. And Stephen is all the squeeze I need. Comprendé?" Irma said before she start wolfing her Ice cream down again.

Cornelia sat quietly. She was toying with her Ice cream. She wasn't hungysomething was bothering her.

"You okay Cornelia?" Hay Lin asked. "You've barely touched your ice cream?"

Cornelia opened her mouth to answer however beofer she did Irma cut across her like a band saw. "DIBS!" she yelled before grabbing Cornelia's bowl, proceeding to eat the contents. Cornelia gave her a cold stare.

"Thanks Irma." Cornelia said. "Anyway. I think Caleb might be cheating on me."

"What. That's rediculous." Hay Lin said.

"Yeah, Cornelia. I mean after everything he's done for you." Taranee said.

"Well, he was making excuses today, that barely passed as excuses." Cornelia fumed.

"Cornelia take a second to think about his. Remember when I thought Matt was cheating on me with Mandy? I jumped the gun way to quickly. I'm sure there's a valid reason for his behaviour." Will said reassuringly.

"Well, I'm making sure." Cornelia said taking out her phone and dialling a number.

Proffesso Carlin was in the lab. A small machhine was hooked up to a computer he was working at. "Interesting." He said. He lifted a tape recorder. "The scan shows that the mud sample recovered, does indeed show a different Ph, value than that of Heatherfield. Further study is required to determine the origin. Minerals found in the mud are simmilar to those found in moon rock samples." He set the tape recorder on the table and began typing again. He checked a different monitor that was running a schematics check on the Machine in the centre of the room. He picked up the tape recorder again. "Diagnostics show that the machine has seen much more use. The Machine seems to have suffered mild damage. Maintenence may be required if the amount of use, estimated continues."

The elevator pinged. Mr Carlin looked towrds it. He saw Robinson emerge with several men fitted with combat gear. Carlin ducked out of sight. The sound of the freight elevators caught his attention. He quietly moved to a better hiding spot, being careful to not be seen.

The freight Elevator arrived at the floor. A team of about fifty men, armed to the teeth, marched out of the room. Each one was also carrying duffle bags.

The men approached the machine in the centre of the room. Robinson adressed the men, "You all have your orders. Secure anything that will help our cause." He went over the machine and powered it up. A fold tore the air and the men approached it. The walked through the fold and disappeared. The fold remained opened. Robinson stood next to the machine.

Carlin whispered into the microphpne. "Robinson has just activated the machine. He's sent a strike team into the new dimension. Foreman Takeda, hasn't yet issued the official orders for us to re-enter the fold. Robinson is up to something. I'm going to find out what.

Caleb and Cassidy were in a Cassidy's living room. Cassidy was leading Caleb in the jive. Caleb was enjoying himself. He was beginning to think Earth's dance styles were better than those of Meridian. Maybe he could convince Elyon to introduce them to the people. An old song from the '50s was playing in the background, by some guy Cassidy called "The King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presly."

"That's it Caleb, you've got it. Just keep the rhythm, feel the beat, it's all in the hips." Cassidy was yelling at the top of her voice.

After another half hour they both collapsed onto the couch. A thin layer of sweat covered Caleb's forehead. He wiped his hand against it his bangs were stuck to his forehead.

"They don't dance like that in Meridian do they." Cassidy laughed.

"Never mind that it's more exhausting than fighting in Meridian." Caleb panted.

A knock at the door alerted them to someone's prescence. Cassidy's mother Emily, The old woman sauntered past them to answer it. "I'll get it." I'm up anyway.

Emily opened the door to reveal Kadma. "Hello, Emily."

"Oh, Kadma so nice to see you. Are you ready to go to bingo?"

"Is Cassidy here."

"She's in the living room. Come on in." Emily stepped aside to let the younger woman in.

Kadma said a quick word of thanks before. making her way to the living room.

"Hey Kaddy." Cassidy said cheerfully. "Wanna dance?"

"You should act your age, Cassidy." Kadma said ruefully.

"I'm sixteen...Physically." Cassidy retorted.

"And fifty seven actually." Kadma smirked.

"Okay, enough about my age. You're not here to lecture me are you. I mean, You'll be late for bingo."

Kadma was slightly angered. "No. I'm here to find him." Kadma said pointing to Caleb. "Cornelia is wondering what you're doing."

"Uh..." Caleb began.

"Just as I suspeceted." Kadma said looking coldly at Caleb.

"Jeez, Kaddy. You always jump to conclusions. I'm teaching Caleb how to dance."

Kadma raised an eyebrow. "Why on Earth would you do that?"

"'Cause he need to learn how." Cassidy said. "The guy had two left feet until half an hour ago. No offense." She directed at Caleb.

"None taken. I think." Caleb said.

"Okay," Kadma said. "But why exactly are you teaching him how to dance?"

"It's an agreement. We're helping eachother out." Cassidy stated.

"How is learning to dance helping?" Kadma asked, clearly pizzled.

"Caleb's not used to the planet. I'm not used to the time. We're trying to help eachother learn a few things." Cassidy said taking her cell phone. "I mean watch this. Caleb read this." She threw her phone over to Caleb.

"It says; What's up? We're heading for pizza. Wanna come? Smiley Face." Caleb said tossing the phone back to Cassidy.

"Now I want you to read that and tell me what it says." Cassidy said throwing the phone to Kadma.

Kadma looked at the message. Her eyebrows raised in astonishment. "This actually means something?" Kadma asked. "I've seen some obscure languages, in my time but this takes the cake."

"Exactly. And I need to learn these things in order to fit in here." Cassidy said earnestly.

Kadma understood what Cassidy meant. "Ok. I see your point Cassidy."

"Just don't tell Cornelia." Caleb interjected quickly. "She might get the wrong Idea."

"Cornelia is hot headed. She'll get the wrong idea, if I tell her nothing." Kadma pointed out.

"I guess you're right." Caleb said. "Well, I tell her next time I see her."

"Good call."

"Hey, Kaddy. Why not stay. Maybe you could learn some stuff about this time." Cassidy suggested.

"Thanks for the offer. But According to Yan Lin. People my age, aren'tsupposed to be up to date, with all the teenage culture of today." Kadma smiled.

"Yeah, you are lookin' a little old. No offense." Cassidy joked.

Kadma's smile fell slightly. "None taken. I think."

An hour had passed and Professor Carlin hadn't moved from his spot. He kept his eye on the fold. And Robinson who had taken a seat near the mouth of the fold.

A soldier re-emerged from the other side of the

The strike team. Re-emerged from the fold. Carlin watched as they walked in through. His eyes widened in horror. The men were dragging large humanoid creatures. Numbered in the dozens. Their faces were twisted and ugly. The wore only loin cloths and fabric wrapped artound their feel like boots. They were were all They roared as their captors led them through the room.

Robinson watched as they led them through the lab. "Take all but three of them to the next level down."

The men led the creatures to the freight elevator. The monsters thrashed against their confines. One of the men was knocked onto his back. Robinson pressed a small button that sent a large electrical charge through the chains. The creatures cried out in agony.

The three remaining Lurdens that Robinson requested stood in front of him, flanked by two armed members of the strike team. "I want you to lead these creatures to the street level. Then release them. I want to have a little fun with the Guardians."

Cornelia and Will were walking through the town. Cornelia was still unconvinced of Caleb's fidelity. "I mean if he's not happy. He could at least say something."

"Cornelia, I'm sure Caleb's happy. Maybe he's working on a suprise for your birthday." Will said.

"My Birthday isn't for another two months."

"Well then he's got lots of time to prepare."

Cornelia stopped in her tracks. "Oh yeah. Take a look. over there." Cornelia pointed to the window of a pizza parlour. Caleb was seated at a table with Cassidy.

"Cornelia, maybe it's not how it looks." Will said trying to calm her down.

"Well we're going to find out." Cornelia said making her way across the street.

Inside the restraunt. Cassidy and Caleb were enjoying dinner. "I can't believe how much all this stuff cost now." Cassidy said.

"In Meridian, you need to have your own farmto eat this kinda stuff.." Caleb told her.

"Yeah but when I was...my age, this meal woulda cost less than three bucks."

"I guess things have changed a lot. "

Cassidy was about to answer again. But another voice came from the door. "So, this was that big important thing you had to do?" Cornelia fumed making her way over to the table.

"Uh...Hey, Cornelia." Caleb laughed nervously.

"That's all you can say? 'Hey, Cornelia.' You got some nerve."

"Cornelia don't get the wrong idea." Cassidy began.

"Be quiet. I'll get to you in a minute you hussey." Cornelia yelled.

Hay Lin and Taranee were still in the Silver Dragon. Irma's phone chimed. She took it out of her pocket and read a text message. "Well girls I gotta go. Dad wants me to get home."

"I'll go with you." Taranee said, getting up from her seat. "I gotta get started on that Science project.

"I better go too. I have a painting to work on." Hay Lin said.

The girls stacked the pates and left them in the middle of the table. They made their way out the back door.

There was a rumbling in the alleyway. "I guess Blunk's here." Hay Lin said

Taranee wasn't sure. "I would normally agree but..."

"It doesn't smell bad enough for Blunk to be here." Irma pointed out.

Taranee clicked her finger. A small flame errupted, light surrounded them. They looked around. They gasped at what they say. In the alley there were two Lurdens. both were scouring in a dumpster. They turned and came face to face with the Guardians.

"What are they doing here?" Taranee almost screamed. The Lurden's began to advance.

"We better call Will and Cornelia." Hay Lin said.

"So. Are you going to tell me what's going on or not?" Cornelia demanded.

"Ok, I'll explain everything." Caleb said. "I..."

'WILL, CORNELIA! THERE ARE LURDENS IN THE ALLEYWAY. WE NEED BACKUP!' Taranee yelled through the psychic link.

'Taranee, you're interrupting at the wrong time.' Cornelia said.

'Cornelia, you can interrogate Caleb later. We need to go.' Will said.

Cornelia fumed. "You and me are going to have some serious words. You too." Cornelia barked at Caleb and Cassidy. "But right now we have work to do. Will get us out of here...But not her." Cornelia said pointing at Cassidy.

Will, Cornelia and Caleb ran outside before teletransporting away. Cassidy stood beside the table alone. She plopped down in her seat again, before yelling to the waiter. "Can I get the bill please?"

Carlin was still in the lab. He had collected another mud sample from the floor after the soldiers. The computer was once again running a composition check. He lifted the tape recorder. "A second mud sample has been recovered after mereturned from the alternate world. The Sample matches that of the sample earlier recovered. There is no doubt now that Robinson has been using the machine behind Takeda's back. I'll run some more test before I report to the Foreman."

He set the tape recorder down. on the table and began another test.

Will, Cornelia and Caleb arrived. Irma, Taranee and Hay Lin, were backed into the corner by Lurden's. Will Pulled the Heart of Kandrakar from her pocket. "Guardian's Unite!"

The Aura Mere's energy flooded into the girls bodies. Transforming into their Guardian forms. The girls were now more than a match fo a couple of measley Lurdens.

Cornelia rose vines out of the ground and attempted to capture the Lurdens. However they foresaw the attack and dodged it. Cornelia was angered that creatures like Lurdens were able to dodge the attack. "You, Bozos are keeping me from Important Business." She picked up a dumpster and threw it at the Lurdens.

They failed to see this coming. They were stuck by the dumpster and pinned against the wall. The Lurden's tried to push their confines away. With little success.

"Will, Fold those jerks out of here." Irma said.

Will opened a fold to Meridian in the wall. The Lurden's began to fall through the fold. But one grabbed ahold of Hay Lin's ankle. Pulling her through with them.

"HAY LIN!" They all yelled and swiflty follwed them through the fold.

Hay Lin thrashed as the Lurden held her upside down. She began to panic. One picked up a stick and swung it. Hay Lin Braced herself for the impact.

"Hey ugly." Caleb yelled, running at the creature. He swifltly ran and jumped kicking it in the face. The beast fell back in pain. The guardians surrounded the two Lurdens. The tow Lurdens then began to laugh. The girls looked around.

Dozens of Lurdens srruonded them. "Okay. I didn't see this coming." Will said.

"Suggestions?" Taranee asked.

"Beat 'em all!" Irma yelled.

The Guardians didn't need any more intruction that that. They all began to fight back the Lurdens every way they could. Irma forced several over the creatures to begin fighting eachother. "Come on, you guys make it to easy." Irma laughed.

"Irma please take this seriously. " Taranee yelled. She was using heat blasts to force them to keep their distance.

"Guys, relax, we've dealt with way more than this before." Will reminded them.

Caleb was beating back the Lurdens as best as he could. One Lurden grabbed his arms to keep him in place. "I still got my legs!" He yelled kicking furiously at the beasts as they charged him.

Hay Lin had dissappeared. She was creeping around knocking out Unware Lurdens. "Wow, this is too easy."

The girls fought and fought. But they were heavily outnumberd. They were beginning to think that they would need to retreat. Suddenly dozens of the Lurdens were slammed to the floor, by what appeared to be a giant hammer.

The Guardians looked up. There stood Sandpit. One of his hands connected with the ground keeping many of the Lurdens pinned to the ground. The sound of Galloping was heard.

Soldiers on horseback, charged the scene. The Lurdens paniced. The ones that were not pinned by Sandpit, or still conscious, ran.

Most of the soldiers chased them into the woods. One horse stopped at the Guardians. Mounted on the saddle was Tynar. "Good to see you all again."

"Tynar." Caleb said "You got here, just in time."

"Yeah Tynar. Thanks for the assist." Irma said.

One of the Lurdens laughed. "You may have got us guardians. But many of us are still on your planet. One of us follwed the rebel and the girl."

Everyone turned their attention to the creature. "Did you know they could talk?" Irma asked.

"Cassidy's in trouble." Caleb yelled. "We gotta get back to Earth." Cornelia fumed at his words.

Will tore open a fold to Earth "Thanks, Tynar. We owe you one." They all charged through the fold.

Tynar turned to Sandpit. "Owe me one what?" He asked the mass of sand. Sandpit appeared to shrug.

Cassidy walked in the direction of her house. "I hope Cornelia's not too mad. If I can just explain."

She passed an Alley and a noise caught her attention. She stopped and looked down the Alleyway. She shrugged it off and continued to walk.

A giant hand grabbed her around the waist and dragged her down the alley. She felt herself being thrown through the air. Cassidy connected with the wall and slid down to the ground.

Dazed Cassidy shook her head to try and clear her head. She opened her eyes and gasped. A lurden stood over her. It appeared to be laughing. It raised a fist and swung for her. Cassidy was frozen in terror. She culdn't even close her eyes. Everything appeared to move in slow motion.

A green blast blasted the Lurden down the alleyway. Cassidy was shocked. She looked down the alleyway to see Matt. He ran down to her side. "Cassidy, are you okay."

"Well, my back is killing me but other than that, I'm swell." Cassidy said. Matt helped her to her feet. "What're you doing here?"

"I had a gig." Matt replied holding up his guitar case. "I was on the my way home."

"That was lucky." Cassidy smiled. "Hey don't you live a few blocks from me?"

"Yeah actually. I mow your mother's lawn every once in a while."

"Oh, how nice of you."

Whilst they were speaking, the Lurden had charged them again. The Lurden ran as fast as he could. A large vine wrapped around his ankle and suspended him upside down. Cornelia was standing at the far side of the alley. "Not so fast bub." She flew close to the Lurden and eyed Cassidy. "She's mine."

Carlin gathered his notes and headed towards the Elevator. He pressed the button. The doors pinged open. Robinson stood in front of him. "Michael. Going somewhere." He said trying to sound friendly.

Carlin was not buying it. "Don't try to pull one over on me. I saw what you did. I have proof that you are using the Machine behind the Foreman's back. What were those creatures?"

"Oh that is not any concern of yours. I have plans." Robinson smiled.

"Well they stop here." Carlin tried to push his way passed but riddle pushed him to the ground.

"No, My plans are only beginning. Those creatures are helping us adapt to fighting our enemies. The Guardians."

"Our men all said they saved their lives." Carlin spat at Robinson.

"Others remember being beaten up by them." Robinson said nonchalantly.

"Takeda will stop you. He'll throw you out."

Robinson advanced on Carlin. "No, Takeda won't find out. Give me the notes."

Carlin felt his body acting against his will. His arm rose and handed the folder to Robinson. voice then cut through his mind.

'You're going to forget what you saw. You'll tell Takeda, you found nothing.'

Carlin struggled. He couldn't understand what was happening to him.

'And I want you to so something else. It's about your son. Stephen.'

"Leave my son out of this." Carlin tried to block the voice out but he succumbed to unconsiousness.

"Okay. I want the truth. What's going on?" Cornelia demanded.

"Okay. Me and Casidy were hanging out. We were trying to help eachother...adjust." Caleb said truthfully.

"What do you mean, adjust?"

"Well, I'm still not fully used to Earth. Cassidy offered to help me learn some more."

"What was in it for her?" Cornelia asked.

"I'm not used to the time. It was a two way teaching system. He tought me how to read text dialect." Cassidy said.

Cornelia seemed to believe her. "So you weren't cheating on me?"

"No. Never." Caleb said sounding offended.

"Uhh, Cornelia..." Cassidy began. "May I remind you, He's the son of one of my old colleagues. That'd be kida awkward."

"I guess." Cornelia said. "Sorry I thought you were cheating on me." She hugged Caleb tight. "And...I'm sorry I called you a hussey, Cassidy."

"Meh, I'm over it." Cassidy said playfully. "Anyway it's getting late. Comin' Matt?" Will eyed Cassidy and Matt, with an ambiguous look on her face. "We live in the same neighborhood, Will. Relax."

Will eased up. She didn't like accusing Matt of anything. But she was just curious. "It's okay. Besides there might still be more of those things out there. Make sure she gets home safe."

"Will do. I'll call you when I get home." Matt said. Will kissed him on the cheek and everybody wne their seperate ways.

Matt and Cassidy walked in near silence. "So, Matt. Will seems really comfortable letting you hang out with other girls." Cassidy said.

Matt looked towards Cassidy. "Well, she wasn't always cool with it. She used to be constantly suspicious. But she knows I wouldn't do that to her. And she can admit when she's wrong."

"That's so sweet." Cassidy said. "So when're you gonna tell here that you love her?"

Matt froze in spot. "What?"

"Come off it Matt. I heard the song. It's obvious. Plus the way you look at her, and how you act around her."

"How are you reading me so easily." Matt said slightly annoyed.

"'Cause you're a guy." Cassidy laughed.

"Well, She heard the song first. She knows."

"Matt, you're not a coward. You have to say it. It's a rule." Cassidy said. "You'll have to say it sooner or later."

Matt knew she was telling the truth. He knew a lot of relationships fell apart because those all importtant words were never opened."

The elevator pinged at the lab. The doors opened and Stephen emerged. He looked around the room. "Dad. You here?" He walked around the room. He found his father slumped over a desk. Asleep. He shook his father. "Dad. Dad, wake up."

Carlin stirred. He woke to see his son standing over him. "Stephen. What're you doing here?"

"Mom, was worried sick. I had to come looking for you. It's Eleven O'clock." Stephen said. "You were only supposed to work a half day toady."

Carlin looked at his watch. He rubbed his eyes. "I'm sorry son. I must've got caught up in somthing. How'd you get in here anyway?"

Stephen leant close to his father. "The security here is terrble. I hacked it." Carlin looked at his son with disapproval, but was also a little impressed. "Hey, what's that machine in the middle of the room do?"

Carlin looked at the fold machine. "It's just a piece of scanning equipment. Nothing special."

"Well, we should get home." The two headed for the Elevator. Carlin pressed the button that lead to the carpark. "Hey, son."

"Yeah, Dad." Stephen answered.

"I think it's about time me and your mother met that girl you've talked so much about."

"Irma?" Stephen said suprised. "Okay but, why now?"

"Well you've been going out a while and I'd like to get the chance to meet her."

"Okay. I'll talk to her tommorrow."

"Great. Invite her over for dinner this sunday. "I'm sure we'll really get along."

The Elevator door opened. Takeda stood there waiting for him. "Carlin? I've been waiting on those results."

"What. Oh yeah. That mud. No sir there was nothing. It was just mud." Carlin said. The truth locked deep within his mind. Unaccessible to even himself.

Stephen was confused why his dad was working on a mud sample. Takeda looked at Stephen. "Carlin, why is your son here?"

"Sir. I uh came looking for him. He didn't come home at the usual time. Mom got worried so...I came to get him." Stephen said honestly. omitting the part that he hacke their security. "I found him asleep at his desk."

Takeda was suspicious. "Michael I've known you a long time. You never fall asleep at work. Maybe you should take a few days off."

"No thank you sir. I'll just go home and get some sleep. It's just aheadache." Carlin said.

"Well, off you go then. Be sure to get some coffee before you drive home." Takeda said.

Carlin said a word of thanks beofore making his way to his car. Takeda watched him. Something was definately wrong.

More next week.