I struggled frantically against the waves, trying to stay afloat. I could feel my body fighting against me, trying to weigh me down. The only thing I had to hold onto was the robot, but it was quickly sinking with me.

I gasped for as much air as I could as my head went under. I panicked and kicked my legs as hard as I could to surface again.

"HELP!" I cried out, waving my arms frantically. I sputtered as sea water went into my mouth. "H-help!"

It was no use. Nobody could hear me and I was going to drown. I'd never see Lilo or my ohana again and regret built up inside of me as I recalled what had happened just before.

I tried to stay afloat for as long as I could, but my body tired out and I went under pretty quickly.

Finally, for the first time in my life I could truly see under the ocean. I could see why Lilo came down here so often now. It was beautiful. Like a whole new world I never knew existed. The sunlight sparkled through the water, illuminating coral and sea life below. I would never forget it.

I kept this in my vision as my air ran out and everything started to go black. I was too out of it to process something coming towards me, but I slightly woke up again when I felt my body being jerked upwards. After what seemed like an eternity, I broke the surface – something I never thought would happen again. A woman with blonde hair was holding me and a male pulled me onto a surfboard beside them. I sputtered and hacked up water from my lungs.

"You okay boy?" the male asked me. I gasped for air a few times before processing what had happened. They were the life guards. They must have seen me go under from where they were. I wondered how but then vaguely remembered they wore binoculars. They'd saved my life.

"That was a close one, let's get him back Kale," the female said. I slumped across the surfboard. I was exhausted. "I'll call the vet. Think he has an owner?"

At that my ears perked up, but I couldn't say anything. We got back to shore and there was a small crowd. To my surprise the Cobra and his team were already there, warding off the people. It must have been because of the robot. The police were trying to get people off the beach.

The humans checked me over and offered me a towel. I coughed up a little bit of water. Eventually Cobra came forth and the female life guard asked him if I had an owner. Cobra said something to her (I couldn't make it out with my hearing waterlogged) and the pair of them quickly turned to head back to the lifeguard station.

"Stitch... are you okay? That was a close one." Cobra knelt down beside me.

I looked at him shakily. "I-I-Ih..."

He removed his sunglasses and for the first time ever I saw a softened look on his face. He looked scared.

"I've called the family, they should be here any second. You just relax.. my team is taking care of things as we speak."

I stared at him at that. I wondered how he knew so quickly, but he answered my question before I could open my mouth.

"We monitored an unidentified object enter the atmosphere," he told me, putting a hand on my back. "One of my agents was off duty today, on the beach. Saw the whole thing and gave us the location."

That thing had come from space?

"Naga... Jumba's?"

"No."

I heard a shout and looked up to see Jumba and the rest of my family rushing towards me.

"Thank goodness you're okay!" Nani bent down beside me and cuddled me and Lilo buried herself into me.

"626... thank heavens you are being safe..." Jumba bent down beside me and took me into his arms. I saw him crying. They all were.

"Jumba thought was loosing you for sure. Were not able to get here quick enough after seeing what was happening."

I was shaking. I looked into my fathers face. "Gaba happen to meega?"

"Saw robot through monitoring camera on B.U.G," he swallowed. "Here not place to discuss, however. I need to get you back to the ship and check you over."

Nani and Lilo looked very worried as he picked me up in the towel and held me close. They thanked the lifeguards and Cobra and the beach was seemingly reopened again as we left.

It was a slow walk home. Everybody was quiet and I felt Jumba gripping onto me tightly. I could tell he was really upset.

Only after we got back home and up to the ship did Lilo break the silence. David and Pleakley had joined us, but kept quiet.

"Was something trying to hurt Stitch?" she asked shakily.

He sighed and rubbed his hand through his hair, setting me on the examination table and going over to type into his monitor. A picture appeared on the screen of the robot. "626, is this what was taking you?"

I nodded. Lilo gripped my paw.

"Is early model robot I designed for GDI staff when was working there many years ago. Personal assistant robots. Kind of being like butlers. This however, is modified design. Whoever was sending had access to blueprints somehow, but those blueprints were not only being lost many years ago, they were confidential and design that was not stolen from me. Must have been somebody knowing me on personal level."

I stared at the screen as Lilo held me against her.

"So... who could have had access then? A friend?"

Jumba and I already had figured out who. We looked at each other.

"621."

Lilo and Nani stared. "Wait... you mean that other Stitch guy?" Lilo asked.

Jumba nodded. "Had no idea what was happening to him."

Nani stood up at that. "Jumba. Answers. Right now!" she demanded angrily. "I don't want to hear end of discussion from you, clear?"

"Fine, fine..." he muttered.

"Many many years back at GDI, Jumba was being outcasted and ignored at work, and ex-wife somehow made way to top position of working with board, despite my ranking as head scientist. She started in administration and this left Jumba feeling very down and angry, but real blow was coming when ex-wife mentioned she never wanted child."

Lilo looked a little confused, but Nani just looked sorry for him. He continued.

"Jumba did, and to stop from being feeling miserable, he began working hard... experimenting. Every weekend I would scour galaxy for genetic templates and I had my own secret lab. Lifeforms started off small. Being simple creatures, with basic intelligence, but would perish shortly after with bodies unable to sustain life. I worked on this. Finally, breakthrough came with Experiment 621."

They looked at me at that.

"621 was my personal assistant. I named him Chopsuey because he would steal my chopsuey," he said, and Nani snorted. "He would work for me while I was at GDI, collecting DNA samples. I thought wife would hurt him, thankfully she did not. She became jealous of him."

Nani nodded. Pleakley put his hand on Jumba's shoulder. I knew this was hard for him.

"Eventually Jumba learned real reason why was being treated how he was at GDI. I had Chopsuey help me with that. But when I created 626, was becoming very jealous of him. I had been neglecting him for Stitch," he looked away. "621 snapped."

"Well... what happened?" Nani asked quietly.

"Tried to kill me. 626 saved my life."

"Something you created tried to kill you?" David asked quietly. Jumba nodded glumly.

"He went away for few months, but then was returning again. Had mutated himself into horrible, hideous creature and had strong vengeance against 626 because he was not only superior, he was my biological son and was jealous. Ratted on Jumba to police. 626 managed to stop him, however as result arm was ripped in half. I had to repair him. Just as nearly finished charging him, police broke in and grabbed me. Destroyed charging process, resulting in 626's recent death. Dragged me to jail."

"Oh my god!" Nani cried out at that, hands flying to her mouth in horror. Lilo looked mortified.

"626 was breaking me out. We went into hiding..." he sighed. "So... that is being story. No more asking me any more questions. Should not even be telling you this, but due to what happened today, have no choice to warn family."

Jumba looked at me. I knew he wasn't going to say anything about what had really happened and what I'd done.

"So then... is 621 after Stitch now?"

"Have no idea if was him or not, but there is being no way that anybody else could have had access to those blueprints. Might have tracked us down and made attempt on 626's life. Because whoever did this, knew exactly that water is biggest weakness."

I sighed. Not only was I malfunctioning and constantly being mocked by something, now I had this other experiment making attempts on my life. I'd done literally nothing to Chopsuey, yet he hated me for being Jumba's son and making him proud.

"Stitch... was this what you meant when you said you had a dark past?" Lilo asked me quietly. The rest of the family looked at us at that.

Jumba answered for me as I looked away. "We both have, little girl," he said quietly. "Is not something we want to discuss. We've been running from past for so long, perhaps... it might finally be catching up to us."

I paled at that. Lilo noticed and kissed me on the cheek. I looked into her face.

I could see how anxious she was. She'd just dealt with Pudge dying, and now this had happened. She was shaking beneath me and holding back tears well. It was a lot for her to handle and I was amazed at how well she was coping. She was trying her absolute hardest not to break down. I rubbed her hand.

"626, am not wanting you to leave house from now on."

"But... what about work? Class?" I asked.

He sighed. "You MUST be supervised. I will not have you slip from my grasp again. If 621 is wanting to play games like this, then so be it. I'll deal with him myself."

"Naga. He might kill you..." I said softly. That alarmed the others.

"And he just DID try to kill you 626. He is not to be underestimated."

I lowered my ears. Nani looked scared. Finally for the first time, I think she was beginning to realise what she was dealing with. I could tell from the way she looked back and forth between us.

"Jumba... are we going to be in danger because of this?" she asked, sounding hesitant. She went over to Lilo and I felt a little hurt when she pushed me away gently to hold onto her herself.

Jumba noticed this, instantly coming over and holding me against him.

"You took us in and made us part of family, Nani. For that we will always be thankful. But yes, being what we are... we have had dark past. Very dark past. If anything happens, is myself and 626 that will be targets. Is why Grand Councilwoman keeps tabs on us. Not for our sake, but sake of planet and ohana. We have to deal with anything that comes our way. But I assure you, you are under protection with United Galactic Federation, as mentioned years back after Lilo proved she was owning 626. If anything were to be happening, would put distance between family. I would be taking 626 and leaving."

"Are you a criminal, Jumba?" Nani asked hesitantly.

Jumba looked at me at that. I'd told Lilo both he and I were, but Nani didn't know. He hesitated.

"Ex."

Nani's eyes widened slightly. She clutched Lilo tighter. Pleakley intervened, rushing over and putting his arms out between us.

"Nani, they've both had a bad past, but they've changed. I've known Jumba ever since I was assigned as his partner to capture Stitch... I know him for who he is and I can tell you that his past truly haunts him, as does the Little Monster's. They let go and moved on, became better! I know this is a lot to take in, but please. Don't start pushing us away. We are family. Ohana, yes? One big happy family!" he grinned sheepishly.

"It's just a lot to deal with Pleakley. I'll come to terms with it eventually, but I'm not fond of the idea of another experiment out there trying to make attempts on Stitch's life like this, if that truly is the case."

Jumba swallowed. "I'm not happy about it either, larger girl. Is my creation and was my fault he turned out like this. Are not related, but almost like sibling rivalry, if you will. 626 can fend for himself, provided is not near water. But I will equip him to deal with this, as with myself. You and ohana focus on wedding and birthday plans. If need be, 626 and I will seek other location to remain until this is dealt with."

Lilo's eyes widened. "You mean... you're going to leave?!"

"Only if situation calls for it."

"Where would you go?" Nani asked, sounding a little blunt.

"Away. That's all you need to know for now," Jumba responded, sounding just as blunt.

I slumped. This was awful. Jumba turned and set me down wordlessly, starting his examination. He checked my ears, nose and mouth. I felt okay. Still a little waterlogged, but the situation was bothering me more.

Lilo was crying now. I pushed down from the table and went over to Nani. She looked at me and held Lilo close. "..."

I stared up at her. We remained like this for a moment and Lilo started pushing against her to get to me. Eventually she sighed and allowed me in. I hugged Lilo tightly and she kissed my nose again. I felt Nani place her hand on my shoulder.

"Never let anything happen to Lilo..." I muttered against her leg while Lilo buried her head into me. "Love too much."

Nani sighed. "Well... I don't know what's going to happen, but for the time being, I just need to sit down and process this. I've got so much on my plate right now."

I watched Nani as she turned and headed back out of the ship, David following her. Pleakley sighed and followed them as well.

Jumba just sat down (or more rather slumped down) in his chair with his face in his hands. I held Lilo's hand in my paw as I walked over to him and looked up at him.

He looked down at me. "I'm so sorry I was not there to protect you today 626."

"Naga. Not your fault."

"You know it is, 626. He is my creation. Is like this because of me."

I went quiet at that. What he was saying was true.

Jumba had done awful things in the past. But the main thing was that he'd redeemed himself. He'd proven to me what a caring father he was, as well as to the family. I hated seeing him so stressed because he looked so worn down and tired. At least three times now I'd seen him yawn.

"Stitch, I'm sure Mr Kuakini will understand what's going on if you can't go to work. And kumu if you can't go to class."

I sighed. "Neesa, naga na quala."

"I can go and help him," Lilo told me and I shook my head. "...No?"

"Naga. Isa no way you can lift stock. Kuakini can't. Only meega. Strong."

"Well... what about other things? I'm sure it's not that hard to put stuff on shelves."

"Naga. But Lilo child, shouldn't have to work."

"It doesn't bother me. Your safety is far more important, especially if this evil mean experiment is after you."

I put my paw to her face. She stared back at me before also putting her hand on my cheek.

"Why would anybody want to hurt you?" she asked. "You're so... kind. So caring. You're the best friend I've ever had. I just don't understand..."

I sighed gently. "Will always be evil in world, Lilo."

She looked away, lowering her hand.

"Um... so... what does Chopsuey look like?" she asked. I realised then she'd never seen him before.

Jumba started typing on the computer. "This is being him before mutation..."

We looked up at the screen, which flickered and then the file opened. My eyes narrowed. It was his file. Lilo stared at the picture in interest.

He was wearing his jumpsuit, similar to the red one Jumba had given me, but a deeper red in colour, almost purple even. Like me, he had four arms but no antennae. That same spiky mohawk I remembered was on his head. His spines were much sharper than mine, and his claws were as half way as long as mine when I fully unsheathed them to their true length.

I did feel bad for what had happened to him. But if it really was him that had made an attempt on my life today... after already ripping my arm in half and trying to harm Jumba... well, I was more than prepared to put up a fight. If he even he so much as laid a finger on Lilo, or Jumba, I'd likely end up killing him. Even if I didn't want to. With my green eyes, there was no telling what would happen or what I'd do if they took hold again and I lost control.

"He's kind of cute. He reminds me of you, Stitch," Lilo smiled at me.

"Ah, but looks can be deceiving," Jumba told her. "And now, this was him fully mutated. How he was last time we were being seeing him."

Lilo stared as the screen flickered and showed Chopsuey, fully mutated. I saw her face scrunch up in disgust.

"Ew... he looks so... ugly. What happened to him?"

Jumba shook his head. "Not sure. All I can guess is that he found a way to hack into one of my mutators with DNA during months he vanished. All he was caring about was raw power... being better than 626," Jumba looked down at me and ruffled my head. "Sacrificing own body for that was likely last thing he was concerned about."

Lilo up at the image sadly.

"Jumba thinks maybe he did so because he wanted to win my affection. After 626's creation and successes, was entirely deadset on wanting to prove he was superior. The obsession drove him to brink of insanity. To him, 626 was not just obstacle in way, he had deserved no place with us. Was jealous of our bond. He hated that 626 was my child."

I sighed at that. Lilo looked at me sadly. "Do you think... if that was him today, he could be reasoned with?"

Jumba put his hands on her shoulders. "Lilo... sometimes, as much as we are wanting to help others change, they cannot. Some people... is just no going back. They will fight to death to get what they want, and are so far gone they are not caring in slightest if others are hurt or killed."

"But... you made him right?"

"Yes?"

She looked at me, before pointing to my chest. "He has your heart. Wouldn't Chopsuey?"

Jumba shook his head. "I was creating him, yes. 626 is way he is because is half of Jumba. 621, was not. Just experiment. Not related to me, hence could not care less about attacking myself or 626."

"Oh..." Lilo looked sad. I rubbed her back. "Well, I still believe everybody has good in them somewhere. You did, Stitch..."

"Ih... neesa retcha Lilo... he ripped my arm in half. No doubt, would hurt you. To get at me."

Jumba nodded. "626 is right. Is cunning creature we are going to be dealing with and cannot underestimate him. If he is knowing how close you and 626 are, he could be targeting you. Is why we must be leaving if something happens. So he doesn't know about family."

"But... if you guys left, then we'd be unprotected here."

"Hence why Bubbles man and CIA would be stationed around home. Monitoring and protecting. They have access to equipment from UGF."

"Oh..." Lilo responded. "I don't want you to go."

"We are not wanting to go either, little girl," Jumba said, looking at me. "But if comes to it, safety of 626 is priority, as well as safety of ohana. Will have plan in place just in case beforehand. I just need time to devise one."

Lilo nodded. She looked at me. I looked back at her and she gripped both of my paws.

"I made a promise to Stitch that I'd be there for him every step of the way. He's done so much for me. I want to do the same."

Jumba looked back at her at that. "You are liking 626, aren't you little girl. More than friend."

Lilo went pale, as did I. Uh-oh.

"Uh..."

Jumba looked angry before he started laughing, putting a hand over her back. "I have noticed you two on more than one occasion. Snuggling, smooching him on cheek, as earth term goes."

Lilo went very red. I could hear her heart racing.

"I-I"

She slumped. "I'm sorry Jumba..."

"Why?" he asked.

She looked confused. "Because... well... Stitch is an alien. I'm a human. Isn't it not right?"

"Perhaps not. I know for fact larger girl might not approve. But, just as with 626, I think how you feel should take priority over thoughts of others. Is about you, yes?"

Lilo stared at him.

"I just want 626 to be happy," he continued, looking at the screen. "Has suffered through so much in his life on account of... me, and other things. If he is being happiest with you, so be it."

Lilo looked at him in shock. "So... so you don't mind?"

"Even if I did, 626 would not be having it. I know this for fact," he said, eyeing me.

I nodded. He was right about that. He knew me too well.

"Would rather not be loosing relationship with son due to being barrier preventing happiness. Could not do such a thing to him. If you are liking him for who is is, is making Jumba very happy. After all, he is my creation."

Lilo smiled.

"But... what about..."

"Will not be telling older sibling or surf boy. Or even Pleakley."

I smiled at that. Lilo put her head against mine.

"Thanks Uncle Jumba. I'd hate to think what Nani would do if she knew."

"Probably try to make you unhappy by preventing it. Why should you be miserable?"

Lilo nodded.

"I need to work on plans. I am wanting you to wear this, however." he turned and fumbled around in a metal drawer for a moment or so, before pulling out a metallic red arm band. I recognised it.

"What is it?" Lilo asked.

"Is tracking device. Sends direct signal back to super-computer here. I will be linking it to 626's GPS as well, to be keeping solid eye on pair of you."

Lilo nodded. She held up her wrist and put it on. "Please not to be removing. Is waterproof, weatherproof – whatever you want to name it. Will not have to worry about damage."

"Cool!" Lilo responded, running her hand over it.

"626 used to wear on missions. So could keep track on him."

Lilo grinned.

"Give me moment to up-link to 626's GPS."

Jumba started typing on his monitor. He brought up that blue screen with my stats. But when he pressed something, I felt that weird pain I'd had before in the back of my head.

"Ogata!" I yelped, holding the back of my head. Jumba whirled around at that, looking alarmed.

"626? What is being wrong?"

"Naga nota..." I responded. He turned me around and inspected the back of my head.

"Hmm... Get into scanner."

More tests? Ugh. I sighed before heading into the next room where it was located. Jumba told Lilo to wait where she was.

My father initiated the scan, looking at his monitor with his finger to his mouth. After two minutes, he looked at the results.

"Hmm... chip seems to be in working order. Is nothing on data to indicate anything out of place. Was pain you were feeling?"

I nodded. "Bonda ekna."

"Twice now?" he repeated.

"Ih... felt weird pop in back of neck."

At that he turned me around and felt the back of my neck. "Any pain?"

"Naga."

"What about here?"

"Naga."

"Well... scan returning as normal. If happens again though, tell me straight away. Might have to do internal examination. Especially with what is happening to you."

I sighed. He looked saddened and sat up beside me on the bench by the scanner.

"626... you are dealing with a lot right now, yes?"

I nodded. He rubbed my ears.

"Do not have to go through alone. Little girl loves you, as do I. Even if world seems against you, we are not."

"I know... y'sb noxt."

"You do not deserve this 626. I will still work as hard as I can to find solution to problems. Promise."

"Kexdis..."

He hugged me tightly, before letting me down and we went back out to Lilo, who instantly drew me into a hug. Jumba watched us as she kissed me on the cheek. I licked her nose.

"Come on Stitch. Let's go cheer you up!"

Jumba smiled as we left.

"Tada!"

Lilo twirled around in her new dress, ribbons flowing behind her. I stared. She looked absolutely stunning.

"Lilo... very pretty." I smiled at her.

"You think?"

"Ih. Star of wedding, naga Nani."

That made her laugh. "I don't think she'd be very happy about that," she smiled, before gazing down at the device on her wrist. "Why did this have to happen now..."

I looked away from her at that. "Sometimes... life isa very hard. Just gotta keep going."

She looked at me. I stood up and walked over to her. "I think... you doing good job so far. Lilo strong girl."

She smiled. "I'm strong for you now Stitch. I know you'd want me to be."

"Ih..." I responded, putting a paw on her shoulder. She put her hand on top of it.

"So... how do you feel about your dad knowing?"

"Was scared..." I admitted. "Thought he be angry, like Nani. Underestimated."

"He will always put you first Stitch. Just like my mom and dad always put me first."

I tilted my head. "Nani?"

"She came second!" Lilo grinned, before laughing. "Nah... our parents loved us both. Though they got annoyed with Nani because she liked to stay out late."

"Oh?"

Lilo nodded. "Before she met David, she kept going out with other boys. Mom and dad didn't like it too much. I remember dad calling her spoiled once. She sometimes woke me up when she came in at like... four in the morning. "

I stared at that. "Lilo... bad times with family?"

"No, no. Of course not! It's honestly typical behaviour of teenage girls Stitch. I just hope I don't end up like that..."

"Oh..."

Lilo nodded. "When... mom and dad died... she changed entirely. She stopped doing all that."

I looked at her.

"She gave up everything to look after me. Even her surfing. Despite she was doing so good at it and winning medals and trophies. She'd always wanted to be a professional surfer. She started a long long time ago, when she was a child."

I recalled seeing those in Nani's room. I'd always wondered what they were for.

"She put me first above herself. The surfing stopped mattering to her. Even though it was her most favourite thing in the world."

I looked down. Jumba had done the same for me. He'd sacrificed a lot for my well-being, being banished from his own home planet. From his own kind.

Lilo smiled at me. "Jumba did that for you too, right?"

I nodded.

"I'm sure he wouldn't change that for anything Stitch."

I looked at her. She looked back at me. "Go on then."

"Hm?"

"Put on your suit. I want to see you in it. I'll show you how those cuff links work."

"Oh... um, okeytaka. Nani said show?"

"I know how to do it!" she chirped at me.

"Okay."

I pulled the suit from our closet and unzipped it from the bag it was in. Lilo helped dress me before bringing up the cuff links and folded napkin like things Nani had shown me before, also putting them on too. She pulled the tails down at the back, before putting my top hat on my head.

"There..."

I walked over and looked at myself in the mirror. Lilo grinned and stood beside me, looping her arm around mine.

"You look so cute Stitch," she said to me, slightly blushing. "You look... nice."

I smiled at her. "So do you, Lilo."

That made her go red again. She hugged me tightly.

"I'm so excited for the wedding!"

"Ih, me too."

"Yep, it'll be your first one. I know how much you've wanted to feel like a real part of the family Stitch."

I nodded. "We married though?"

"I know... but as in, a real wedding. Nani's wedding will be just the thing for that!"

"Ih!"

"Not to mention, your birthday afterwards too! It'll be so much fun. Did you want to invite anybody?"

"Uh..." I'd never thought about that.

Of course, there was Lilo and my family. But who else liked me enough that they'd want to come? There was Mr Kuakini and his family. Moses. Cobra... maybe Nani and Lilo's family if they were still here.

I paused. Mertle.

Should I invite her? She did seem very different lately.

Lilo noticed me hesitate. "Stitch?"

I looked at her. "Think... Mertle... come?"

He face dropped for a moment or so. "Mertle?"

"Ih..."

"Oh. I don't know, Stitch. Do you think she should? I mean... she has been acting differently lately."

I took her hands into my paws. "Lilo... this morning, when you at beach, Mertle spoke to Stitch. When I was watching you from table we sit at."

Lilo looked alarmed. "Oh?"

I nodded. "Ask me, what wrong with you. I tell her about Pudge. She no laugh though. Just interested about it."

"She didn't laugh? I thought she would have."

"Ih, me too. Maybe... she change though. Jumba change. Mertle too?"

Lilo stared at me. "I-I don't know. If you want to, I won't stop you. I... still don't like her much. After what she did with the bleach and how she has been to us."

I nodded. I needed to think about it.

"Either way, it's your day Stitch and it should be entirely about you. I'll support you no matter what you do."

I smiled at my best friend. My angel. She smiled back at me.

I really hoped nothing would go wrong. Especially during Nani's wedding and my birthday. Lilo took a picture of us with her camera before helping me out of the suit. She also pulled off her dress, putting the good attire away while I sat on my bed and watched her, thinking.

I hated to think what would happen if Chopsuey decided to make a move. He'd come so close to drowning me today and I had been so unprepared for it. It just reminded me that even here on Earth, I wasn't exactly safe from anything. But that also got me thinking.

About Jumba's ex-gang.

The assassination squad. The 6-26B's, as they'd been called.

I recalled Jumba telling me about them cutting him off that time we'd spoken on the cliff ledge. They'd been angry. And with the nature of their work, I didn't think they would have taken too kindly to that. If 621 had tracked me down... and known about Jumba's blueprints, then what was stopping them from tracking Jumba down too?

What was stopping them from working together?

My eyes widened at this revelation. Of course, I might be over-thinking it, but it was more than a plausible idea. Chopsuey didn't attack me out of nowhere like this for nothing – he had intent to kill me. He was cunning and obviously no jail was enough to hold him back if he'd tracked me to earth.

"Lilo..." I breathed, jumping from my bed. "I need to get to Jumba... might be in danger..."

Her eyes widened. "S-Stitch...?

"Stay here!" I yelled to her, opening the window and leaping outside. I had to get to my father and warn him.

"Jumba!" I screamed, bolting down the side of the dome and up the stairs. "JUMBA!"

I charged into the ship screaming his name. Jumba wasn't in his lab. My heart started to race and I jumped a foot in the air when a loud crash came from down in the repair bay.

Crap.

Was I too late? I didn't even want to think about the outcome if I was...

Heart pounding wildly, I charged for the back of the ship, screaming my fathers name.