UNLIKELY FRIEND

by Cherie

Prologue

The cold blanket of night had just covered the entrance to crystal mines when the slim figure sneaked by. The figure stopped and leaned against the side of the mine. "Come on Ben, where are you?" the figure whispered nervously to himself. The clouds moved from the moon, the hand like indention now clear on it. The light from the moon lighted the figure... a Mudokon. He wasn't much different then the rest, except for a few greyish spots throughout his body. He fingered his blue/black feather nervously as he looked around the area. The only cover around here would be the rocks. Long a go there had been a huge, majestic woods, but the Glukkons had that cut down long ago. A sudden sound made the Mudokon jump. He listened to the sound carefully. Footsteps. It could be anything. A Slig, maybe even a Glukkon. The Mudokon bent to the ground and picked up a leftover piece of metal, prepared to defend himself. A shadow came around the wall. The Mudokon gulped and raised the metal bar, ready to swing it down if necessary. The owner of the shadow begin to turn the corner. "Jud?" a voice whispered. The Mudokon lowered the metal bar. "Ben?" he asked. The owner of the shadow turned the corner. Another Mudokon was standing in front of him. Ben. In his arms he held a lavender-pink, female, Mudokon child. "Sorry I took so long. I had a hard time getting Ali up... which I still haven't done." Ben muttered as he looked down at the child. "Ali, honey, time to wake up." Ben whispered as he shook the child gently. Ali gave a slight yawn and open her eyes. "Aw, daddy, I'm tired. I want to go back to sleep." Ali complained, rubbing her eyes sleepily. "I know, but we have to go now." Ben explained, as he put Ali to the ground. "Oh... o.k" Ali murmured. Ben smiled and turned to Jud. "Thanks for waiting Jud." Ben said. Jud nodded. "No problem, now lets go." Jud said nervously. "You're not going anywhere." came a growl. Ben and Jud whirled around to face three Sligs, their guns cocked and ready to fire.

Ben gulped slightly as he focused on the three Sligs. "Umm, heh, heh, nice night, wouldn't you say?" Ben laughed nervously. The lead Slig snarled and moved forward. "Yeah, nice, now get inside before I'm forced to shoot you." he growled. "What do we do?" Jud asked. "Hold on, I've got a idea." Ben whispered back and turned back to the Sligs. Suddenly, his face took on a look of fear. "Oh no! It's horrible!! Dreadful!" Ben shouted, pointing behind the Sligs. "What is?" asked one Slig as all three looked behind them. "Your breath." Ben replied and kicked all three Sligs down. "RUN!" Ben cried and the three did so. The Slig with a gash across his left eye growled as he got up. "No one kicks me down... NO ONE!" he snarled and launched forward. Jud, Ben, and Ali were running as fast as they could across the dark landscape." *huff* you and *puff* your bright *huff* ideas!" Jud snapped. "Stop talking and keep running." Ben snapped back. Ali was trying her best to catch up with the older Mudokons but she wasn't doing so well. Suddenly, her foot caught a rock and she went sprawling. "Ow!" she yelped as she landed. "Ali!?" Ben cried as he saw his fallen daughter. The other two Sligs had got up by now and were very close. Ben zipped back and scooped Ali up in his arms. Ben ran again, this time his daughter in his arms, and the Sligs close behind. Jud, seeing Ben's situation, stopped and ran back. "You keep going! I'll hold them off." Jud yelled. "What! But Jud..." Ben stammered. "No buts! It's more important you and Ali get out!" Jud snapped and ran toward the Sligs. Jud ploughed into two of the Sligs, the other Slig, moving fast out of his way. The Slig jumped out at Ben. Ben, caught off guard by the sudden leap slipped on the wet grass. Ben went rolling down the hill, holding his daughter close to his chest. Ben hit the bottom on the hill. Unfortunately, on the bottom of the hill was a rock. Ben's head hit the rock with a sicking crack. Ali went rolling out of Ben's arms from the force of the impact. At that moment the Slig with the gashed eye picked his way down the hill. He stopped at Ben's limp body. He gave it a light kick. No response. "Great." the Slig murmured. "Daddy?" Ali questioned as she got up and ran over to her father. "Dad! Wake up! Please wake up!" Ali cried, shaking her father. Tears formed in Ali's eyes as she looked up at the Slig. "Why isn't my daddy getting up?" Ali asked. The Slig gave a deep sigh and shook his head. "Your dad is dead kid." the Slig murmured. Ali's eyes stared in shock. "No! He can't be! No!" Ali stammered as she looked down as her father's lifeless body. With a sudden wail of sadness, Ali laid her head on Ben's chest and sobbed...

Chapter 1

WRINNNNNNGGGGGGG!!!

"Oh, no..." Ali murmured to herself as the bell signalling the time for work to begin rang." I don't want to get up." She grumbled as she pulled herself off the cell floor. The cell door slid open, something it was wired to do at this time. With one last yawn Ali trudged out the cell door. In the little light there was in the mine hallway you could see Ali's pink-lavender skin. So much different from the usual bluish tone of skin. She was wearing leather like shorts and top. Her feather was a mix of purple and pink. "Hey, guys." Ali greeted as she walked over to two Mudokons. "Hey, Ali." the younger Mudokon greeted in his somewhat chipper tone. Next to the younger Mudokon was the familiar Mudokon, Jud. Older, of course. The greyness that had been mixed with his skin color had spread more through his body. He was now thirty years old. About ten ten years away from his life expectancy. His eyes which used to look so alive, had by now lost their glow. These were the eyes that have seen too much of the grisly side of reality. Such as that incident ten years ago. "Hey, Jud? you all right?" Ali asked, breaking Jud out of his thoughts. "Yeah, fine." Jud replied with a weak smile. " Your finally catching up with your age, eh Jud?" the other Mudokon laughed. Ali gave a frown toward him. "Cal, be nice! you'll be old someday too you know." Ali shot back. "That is if he stops standing up to authority." Jud muttered. "Hey! I can't help it. The way they treat us like animals just makes me mad! They have no right!" Cal snapped back. Jud gave a low sigh. "I know Cal, I know, but there's nothing we can do about it." Jud said sadly. " There has to..." Cal started. "Leave it Cal! Just leave it!" Jud interrupted suddenly. Cal gave a surprised look then turned away from Jud. "Fine, if you don't want to try anymore that's fine with me." Cal murmured. Ali could see things were getting tense. So she did what she usually did when things got tense. She did something to make them laugh. Ali bent down to pick up one of the crystal rods that littered the ground and gave the name to crystal mines. She put the flat end piece in her mouth. "Hey! Guess what I am!" Ali smiled then put a mean look on her face. "HEY! you! Yeah, you, get back to work! Tote that barge, lift that bale!" she growled in a rough voice. Cal started laughing hard. Jud even cracked a smile. "Oh, that's a Glukkon! Definitely Glukkon!" Cal exclaimed between laughs. "Correct!" Ali smiled as she removed the crystal rod from her mouth. Jud suddenly began to frown. "You know, you could get in trouble for that." Jud said. "Trouble? Me? Naw, you're only in trouble when you get caught!" Ali smiled. "AH HUMM!" a tall, grayish Glukkon suddenly grunted behind her. "I'm in trouble." Ali murmured.

Ali gave a slight gulp and smiled nervously. "Matterson, hi, umm, nice morning isn't it." Ali laughed with a quiver in her voice. Matterson gave a low sigh and shook his head. "I should be yelling at you but your lucky today. I was just looking for you." Matterson sighed. Ali eyes widened in a surprised look. "Me sir? Ummm, if this is about the little buzzsaw incident I swear, temporary insanity..." Ali started. "Let's not get started on that again. besides, that's not why I'm looking for you. I just want to see you in my office." Matterson replied, wincing slightly at remembering the buzzsaw incident. "Why?" Jud said in a strong, blatant voice. Matterson turned to Jud and gave him a cold stare. "This doesn't concern you, so stay out of this." Matterson snarled slightly. He then turned back to Ali. "Let's go." Matterson mumbled. Ali gave a sombre nod and followed Matterson. She turned her head back to Jud and Cal and gave her ever so famous. "Help me!" look. Quietly she followed Matterson into the office. As soon as she trudged in the office the door swung shut. Ali jumped and gave a slight yelp. She wasn't sure if she was more afraid of Matterson or the prospect of Matterson's office being haunted. "Now, stop that! There are no ghosts in Matterson's office, unless you count Matterson himself." Ali scolded herself. Matterson sat down at his desk. "Sit down now, won't you." Matterson smiled, gesturing his head toward a wooden chair before the desk. Ali gave a nod and sat. "Now, I bet your wondering what I called you in here for." Matterson started as he leaned back against his chair. "Well, that thought did cross my mind." Ali replied. "Well, you see, you weren't exactly hatched here." Matterson started. "You see, when you were young we found you and your father out in the wild. Nneedless to say we didn't mind getting the free workers." Matterson said. Ali gave a slightly confused look. "O.k, so I wasn't hatched here. Big deal." Ali replied. "Wait, I'm not done. You see, as of late, your real owners have found you and requested you back." Matterson finished. Ali gave a flinch at the word "owner". "Umm, Sir, I don't mean to sound rude but I would rather much stay here." Ali said. Matterson gave a frown. "I'm afraid you don't have a choice. Seize her." Matterson said calmly. Ali whirled around to face three Sligs. One of the faces was familiar. The gash was still there but was now covered by other battle-scars. "Xaiver." Ali gulped slightly. A amused gleam came into Xaiver's eyes. "So, this is the one who's going to Molluck, eh? Heh, this will be easy." Xaiver gloated. " Excuse me... Molluck!" Ali yelped as she backed away. Ali's throat tightened. She heard many horror stories about Molluck, and this was not helping to dispel any of them. "NO WAY!" Ali shouted and backed up. Xaiver gave a snort and jumped forward, kicking Ali in the chest. Ali gave a slight grunt and fell back, winded. Xaiver then swatted Ali hard over the head with the butt of his gun. The back of Ali's head grew cold as the darkness overtook her vision. She could hear Xaiver laughing as she blacked out.

Chapter 2

Hours later Ali started to stir. "Ow, anybody get the number of the train that hit me." Ali mumbled as she opened her eye's groggily. Her whole body felt sore and she swore she could feel a bump on the back of her head. "About time you got up." A voice suddenly said. Ali jumped and open her eyes wide. She looked up to face Xaiver. "Gahhhh!!" Ali yelped and jumped up. She was suddenly jerked back by the ankle. Ali calmed down enough to look at the shackle on her left ankle, connected to the floor. "Jumpy one, aren't you?" Xaiver smiled, which if you didn't know it was a Slig smile you would be running home yelling mommy. Ali took a deep breath before speaking. "What... is... going... on... here!" Ali yelled, not in one of her best moods. "You're on the way to your new, permanent, home." Xaiver said, sitting down on a cushioned bench and fiddling with his gun. Ali looked around. "What is this, a train?" Ali asked, looking around the compartment they were in. "Wow, nothing escapes YOU." Xaiver said sarcastically. Ali gave Xaiver a angry glare. "Oooo, if you didn't have a gun and I wasn't shackled to this side I'd..." Ali started when a Slig with a yellow blaze down it's snout. "Umm, Sir, your wanted in the meeting room." the Slig mumbled nervously. "Great, what do those idiots want NOW!" Xaiver murmured and started out. "You stay here and guard our little friend here Zander, I'll be back soon." Xaiver said to the Slig and walked off. Zander gave a annoyed snort. "Right, like i don't have anything else I'd rather do." Zander growled as he sat opposite of Ali. Ali looked at Zander. She didn't know why but this Slig seemed different. She decided to make conversation. "Umm, hi, so, your name's Zander?" Ali greeted, trying not to seem nervous. "What's it to you?" Zander snorted. "Oh, nothing, it's just that I think it's a interesting." Ali replied, not to be discouraged. "Yeah? well, your the only one who does." Zander murmured. Ali gave a slight frown. "Umm, my name's Ali." Ali said, hoping to get more of a response. "Like i care." Zander growled. "Oh, boy... this is gonna be a tough nut to crack." Ali thought to herself.

Elsewhere, in a dark room, a figure floated. The figure was floating in a crossed leg position and had it's hands by it's side like it was meditating. The only thing noticeable about the figure was the long dark cloak and hood that covered it's body. Slowly, it open it's glowing eyes. It suddenly started to swerve it's hands around. A greenish smoke came out of nowhere and shaped itself into the shape of a train. The figure's eyes glowed brighter and it put it hands up. Suddenly, it let one hand down on the smoke train with a hard "whack!"

"YIPE!" cried Ali as the train suddenly shook. "What was THAT!" Ali asked as she got up the floor." I don't know..." Zander said softly, terror clear in his eyes.

Down the hallway, the force of the train's sudden movement sent Xaiver rolling. "What is going on here!?" Xaiver yelled as he pulled himself up. "We don't know Sir! The tracks clear and the train was checked this morning. It just suddenly jarred, like something hit it." a Slig yelped, clearly afraid. "Well, don't just stand there! Find out what's happing. The train suddenly lurched again. once again, the small compartment Ali was in was shaken. "OW! Geesh! I wish it stop doing that!" Ali yelped. "You're not the only one." Zander moaned. The train jolted ounce again. Ali was still on the floor so she didn't fall. She figured the best move was to pull herself into a ball and close her eyes. As she did her whole body quivered from fear of whatever coming blow.

The figure looked down at the smoke train figure. The figure put it's hand over it. "Enough of this playing...time to finish this." The figure said in a echoey, feminie like voice. The figure then cupped it's hands over the train. As it did so a bright ball of green light formed in it's hands....

"I feel sick." Zander whined. "Yeah, I feel a bit queasy myself." Ali murmured as the jolts continued. "I wish this stupid thing would stop." Zander groaned. Suddenly, as if on cue, the jolts stopped. Zander looked up in surprise. "Woah, think it stopped?" Zander asked. Ali began frown as she cocked her head to listen. "I don't know... I think that was just the beginning." Ali said softly. Zander cocked his head as well. "Your right... it's quiet... too..." Zander started when suddenly it seemed as if the train was lifted by an unseen force. "GAHH!WOAH!" Zander cried as he went rolling forward onto Ali's side. Ali herself was scared stiff. "What is this!" a flippen tornado!" Zander yelled, trying to get up... to no prevail. Yells and shouts could be heard from the hallway. Yells of fear, confusion, and pain. Suddenly, the train flipped over. "Ack!" Ali and Zander cried as they now landed on the ceiling. Ali was near enough to the window to look. "What the...we're like twenty feet off the ground!!!" Ali shouted. "WHAT!! that's not possible!" Zander yelped. Ali suddenly gave a low gasp. "What! What is it!" Zander asked. "Well, we seem to be floating over a cliff and if for some strange reason or another this train might decide to go back to obeying the laws of gravity well..." Ali started. That's when the force that had been holding the train let go. "AAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!" Both Mudokon and Slig screamed as the train smashed down the the cliffs bottom.

"Ow...oh, boy, I can't believe I'm alive." Ali murmured a few minutes later as she pulled her self out of a pile of rubble. She got up and stretched. She looked down at her ankle and noticed that the shackle was gone. "Must have gotten broken off in the crash. "Ali murmured. Ali looked around her. As far as she could see she was alone. Twisted and bashed in iron raised above her as she walked. "Helloooooooooo!!! Anyone home!!?" Ali shouted. The only sound she was greeted by was the sound of her echo. Ali continued to walk around the wreck. Suddenly, she felt something soft under her foot. She looked down to see a body of a mangled Slig under her foot. "EWW!! YUCK!! GET IT OFF!!" Ali squealed in disgust as she leap off the body. After rubbing her foot in the dirt trying to rid her foot of that "Ew, I touched something gross." Feeling Ali looked down at the Slig. "Poor thing... didn't stand a chance." Ali murmured as she looked at it. Another thought then crossed her mind. what had become of Zander. "ZANDER!!!" Ali called out, In hopes to get a response. Ali listened for a sound but was greeted by none. Ali gave a sad sigh. "Too bad, he didn't really seem that bad of..." Suddenly, a low cough sounded. Ali jerked her head up. The coughing grew a little louder. Ali ran over to the coughing noise. "Zander?' Ali asked hopefully." Who did you think it was... the Easter bunny?" Zander's voice growled. Ali looked down. there, under a sheet of twisted metal, was Zander. "Oh, good! You're alive." Ali smiled. With that Ali tried to pull the metal off Zander. "Forget it, that's not going to work." Zander snorted. "You're right..." Ali agreed, looking at the metal with a frown. Ali thought for awhile then smiled. "I'll be right back!" She said and took off. Within minutes Ali was back, and in her hands a metal rod. "O.k... lets try the good old lever mechanism!" Ali smiled. Ali put the rod under the metal sheet and started to push on it. The metal moved slightly. "Yes! This is gonna work!" Ali cheered and kept pushing. Zander watched Ali with interest. After a few seconds of nothing but the grunts of Ali attempting to push the metal off Zander spoke. "Why are you helping me?" Zander asked. Ali gave a shrug. "Don't know, guess it's Mudokon nature." Ali replied. "I would have thought you would have left me here to die." Zander murmured. Ali looked down at Zander and smiled. "Listen buddy boy... I don't leave anybody to die. It's just not me." Ali said and then gave a huge push on the rod. With that last push the metal lifted off Zander. Zander pulled himself up and shook himself. "whew! that feels better." Zander sighed as he stretched. He then took a better look a round his surroundings. "Uh, oh." Zander gulped. "What?" Ali asked. "I just realized that I have no idea where we are." Zander said.

Chapter 3

It was growing dark at the time Zander had stopped banging his head on a tree. "Umm, that can't be too good for your head." Ali commented. "Oh...shut up." Zander growled. Ali gave a slight sigh and shook her head." O.k, now that your done smashing your head in lets go." Ali said. Zander gave a surprised cough. "Go!?' he asked. Ali rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Well, duh, we can't stay here!" Ali replied. Zander gave a snort. "If you think I'm going anywhere with YOU, you're nuts." Zander snarled. Ali gave a shrug. "O.k then, fine, stay here and be all alone... in the dark... with nothing but the wild flesh eating animals and possible ghosts of your kin." Ali said in a low spooky voice. She then turned and walk into the woods. Before she disappeared into a foliage she turned toward Zander and smiled. "Goodbye. Hope you'll last till morning." Ali whispered then disappeared. Zander was silent. In the woods, Ali was sitting on a stump, waiting. "Three... two... one." Ali counted to herself. "HEY! WAIT UP!! DON'T LEAVE ME ALONE HERE!!!" Zander yelled almost on cue. Zander burst through the foliage next to Ali. "I thought you didn't want to go anywhere with me." Ali grinned. "Um... well... I thought you would know more about the wild then me so I'd stand a better chance of survival if I come with you." Zander explained nervously, not sounding very convincing. Ali smiled. "Whatever you say." she grinned. She got off the stump and stretched. "Lets go." she said.

Sometime later, Ali and Zander had stopped to rest. "Whew, I've never walked that long before." Zander panted. "No time to rest now. We have to find someplace to sleep." Ali said. "Aww... man." Zander groaned as he got up yet again. "Now, maybe I could get some tall sticks..." Ali started when Zander suddenly yelped. Ali whirled around to see Zander falling off the side of a gorge in the earth. "Zander!" Ali cried as she ran over. "Zander! Are you o.k?" Ali asked. "Yeah, I'm fine." came the answer from the bottom. Ali gave a sigh of relief. "Hey! Come and see what I found." Zander yelled. Ali slid down the side carefully. "What'cha find?" Ali asked, walking over to the slightly bruised Zander. "I found a cave we can sleep in!" Zander exclaimed. Ali smiled. "Great! Good thing you fell eh?" Ali said happily. Ali and Zander walked into the cave. It was large and deep. A little damp but good enough. Ali gave a yawn and laid down, as did Zander. They haven't been lying down very long when Ali heard a low hiss. "What was that!" Ali gasped, jerking her head up in alarm. "What was what?' Zander asked groggily. "It... it... sounded like a hiss." Ali whispered. "Oh, don't be silly, it's just your..." Zander started when the hiss sounded again, only louder. "Then again..." Zander murmured. Ali and Zander looked into the cave. Staring back at them was a pair of glowing eyes.

"EPP!" Zander yelped as he jumped into Ali's arms. "Cut that out!" Ali scolded him as she threw him down. The hissing grew louder as the creature advanced. Ali and Zander backed slowly out of the cave, hoping the creature wouldn't follow. Importunely, the creature did. The second it stepped into the moonlight Ali recognized it. "Aw, shoot! It's a Scrab!" Ali yelped. "I've noticed thank you..." Zander replied. The Scrab gave another low hiss then suddenly gave a vicious and angry howl. It then charged toward Ali and Zander. "RUN!!!" Ali cried and ran. "Right with you!" Zander yelped and ran as well. The Scrab wasn't too far behind. "*Huff* of all the times to...*Puff* forget my gun up there!" Zander panted. "We've gotta get back up, the Scrab can't get us there!" Ali replied. "Wait a sec.." Zander huffed as he suddenly stopped. Zander picked up a big stick off the ground and held it out toward the Scrab like a sword. "Back! back! back, flesh eating monster! Back to the hole you crawled from!" Zander cried as he pointed it to the Scrab. At the first the Scrab looked a bit confused. Suddenly, the Scrab lunged forward and and bit the stick in two. Zander looked at the stick in surprise. "Umm, you knew I was joking about the monster thing didn't you? Heh, heh..." Zander mumbled nervously as he backed away. The Scrab gave another screech and chased after Zander. "Yeesh! What a sorehead!" Zander cried as he ounce again ran. "Anymore ideas Einstein?" Ali asked sarcastically. "Oh, shut up!" Zander shot back. Ali and Zander ran to the side of the cliff and started to climb. "Climb for your life!" Ali yelled, looking back as the closing in Scrab. "I'm climbing! I'm climbing!" Zander shouted. Ali's hand gripped the top. Ali gave a slight grunt as she pulled herself up. Zander was almost up the when the dirt under the feet of his metal pants gave way. "HELP!!" Zander cried and he started falling toward the waiting Scrab. Suddenly, his hand was gripped by another. "Hold on! I got you!" Ali cried as she pulled Zander up. The Scrab's beak clamped onto the foot part of Zander's pants. The scarab gave a sudden wail of pain from the sudden biting of metal. Ali pulled Zander up the whole way. After Zander got his breath back he got up and picked up his gun. "You didn't like the taste of that, eh? Well, see how you like the taste of this!" Zander growled as he cocked his gun. "HEY! hold it!" Ali cried as she pushed Zander's gun to keep from aiming. "Are you crazy!? That thing tried to kill us!" Zander yelled. "Zander, it wasn't personally after us. It was just defending it's territory." Ali explained. "But it..." Zander started. "How would you feel if someone had invaded your territory.?" Ali interrupted. "Well... I guess I wouldn't like it." Zander said after thinking for a while. "See there? Now, do you understand why you shouldn't just shoot it because it chased us?" Ali asked. "O.k, o.k, I get your point." Zander sighed as he watched the Scrab go back into it's cave. "Well, I guess we'll sleep under the trees tonight." Ali said. Ali and Zander walked over to the grove and laid down. Ali gave a yawn and stretched out. "Night Zander." She murmured as she drifted off to sleep. "Night." Zander whispered then closed his eyes.

Chapter 4

The train crash site was quiet. The light of the moon glinted off the metal. It seemed to shine particularly on a huge pile of scrap. Crickets strung their sweet lullabies as the fireflies hovered like stars. All was quiet and still. Suddenly... movement! A pile of rubble was shifting. What could it be? Erosion? A small earthquake? A mutant mole? For a while, the rubble stopped shifting. Suddenly, the rubble seemed to explode. A figure burst from the rubble with a scream of anger and triumph. The figure shook itself and dusted itself off. Then it stepped into the moonlight. Standing there was Xaiver. He did look a little worst for wear. On his face were long lines of blood, trickling from his newly earned scars. Xaiver looked around. He frowned when he spotted the one of the many carcases of Slig." Weakling. No wonder you're dead. You didn't have the will to survive." Xaiver sneered. He then spat on the body and started to limp off. One of the wires in his metal pants was damaged. It would be a long, agonizing walk to Molluck's stronghold. Once again a battle to survive. This was a battle Xaiver planned to win.

"Ohhhhh, Zander, time to get up!" Ali said as he shook a snoozing Zander. "Aww, mom, I don't want to go to school." Zander moaned in his sleep. Ali gave a slightly annoyed look. Her look brightened when she spotted the river. She picked a large leaf off a tree and dashed over to the river. She dipped the leaf in the water and collected the water like it was a bowl. She then ran back to Zander with a impish smile. "Uh, oh... FLASH FLOOD!!!" Ali cried as she poured the water onto Zander's head. "ACK!! HELP!! I'M DROWNING! I'M..." Zander cried till he noticed Ali rolling on the ground, laughing. "I gotcha! I gotcha GOOD!" Ali laughed. "You are going to PAY for this!! Mark my words, I'll get even! You'll see!" Zander growled. By now Ali's laughter had subsided. "O.k, I'm sorry. I had to get you up someway though!" Ali smiled. She then looked to the woods. "Well. let's go find breakfast." Ali said.

"What do you mean the train never arrived?!" A VERY angry Molluck shouted at a small, timid, Slig. "Uh, well, it never came... I think it may have crashed sir." The Slig gulped nervously. Molluck gave an annoyed sigh and shook his head. "Great, just what I need." Molluck growled as he got up from his desk. He pushed by the Slig and headed down the hall to another door. The Slig followed him much like a puppy dog would. He opened the door as Molluck walked in. The room was dark. There seemed to be nothing in it. "Oracle, I know you're in here, show yourself!" Molluck yelled into the darkness. As soon as he said that the hooded figure suddenly appeared.

"What do you want this time Molluck?" The figure asked in it's echoing voice. The Slig next to Molluck trembled in fear at the sight of oracle. Molluck himself didn't seem afraid. "Oracle, tell me, has the train crashed?" Molluck asked. "Which train?" Oracle asked. "The one transporting the female Mudokon and you know it!! I hate it when you try to avoid answering by being Literal!" Molluck yelled. "Testy today aren't we?" Oracle teased. "Just answer the question." Molluck growled. "Fine, to answer your question, yes." Oracle answered. "Ok then, is the female Mudokon alive?" Molluck asked. "Which one?" Came Oracle's answer. "You KNOW which one!" Molluck yelled, losing his patience. "O.k, o.k, yes, she is alive." Oracle answered. "Good, where is she?" Molluck asked. "In the woods." Oracle answered "WHERE in the woods?" Molluck yelled. "Where there's a lot of trees." Oracle said. "ARRGH! Forget it! I'll have some Sligs find her!" Molluck shouted, his patience stretched thin. He then stomped out, the Slig shutting the door behind him. For a while Oracle just floated there. Then it thought out loud. "I LOVE doing that to him!"

Chapter 5

Two weeks later.....

Night had fallen and Zander and Ali were sitting around a fire they had built. Ali had just finished the last of her apple she had been eating and was now relaxing. Zander gave a low moan. "Something wrong?" Ali asked, noticing. "What's wrong!? What's wrong?! I'll tell you what's wrong! I'm lost, cold, miserable, tired, and I'm stuck out here with YOU!" Zander yelled. "I'm guessing your not a big fan of the outdoors." Ali said calmly. "No, what's so great about the outdoors anyway?" Zander snorted. Ali smiled and pointed up. "That." Ali said. Zander looked up. Up there in the dark blue canvas were billons of stars. Out here in the woods the sky was much more clear, making it easier to see the stars. The stars twinkled like Christmas lights. To add to the beauty, a shooting star shot by. "Woah..." Zander uttered in awe. "Cool, huh? If you had taken time to stop moping and complaining you would have noticed this earlier." Ali smiled. "Well, I guess I do sorta complain a bit." Zander murmured. "A bit?" Ali questioned. "O.k, o.k, a lot! But I'm not used to outdoors all right?" Zander snapped. After he took a slight breath he looked over to Ali. "I suppose I should thank you. I mean, first you got me out from under the rubble, you saved me from being that Scrab's dinner, and not to mention without you i would be starving right now." Zander said. "Hey, no prob, think nothing of it." Ali smiled. "No, really, I mean, nobody's ever cared for me. All the other Sligs think I'm a wimp. I have no friends. My own father even seems to be ashamed of me." Zander sighed. Ali looked over to the Slig with a concerned look. "Wow, that's rough, who's your dad?" Ali asked. "I don't want to talk about it." Zander mumbled. "Aw, come on, it won't hurt to tell me" Ali pleaded. "O.k, o.k! If you must know, Xaiver is my dad, o.k!" Zander snapped.

Ali looked surprised. "Xaiver? Your dad? No way!" Ali exclaimed. "Weird, isn't it? He's so violent and I'm so less forceful. Sometimes I wonder if I'm really his kid at all." Zander said. He then sighed and lowered his head. "I think he's ashamed of me, because I'm not like him." Zander sighed. Ali walked over to Zander and put a hand on his shoulder. "Consider yourself lucky." Ali said to him. "Why should I consider myself lucky?" Zander snorted. "At least your dad's alive." Ali sighed. Zander turned, surprised. "Oh, sorry, did I touch on a bad subject?' he asked, concerned. "No, it's all right... you didn't know." Ali whispered and turned. She sat down and bent her head low. "He died when i was little, smashed his skull on a rock. I don't remember much of him but I do remember that he loved me." Ali sighed. Zander noticed tears forming in her eyes. "I'm sorry about your dad, I didn't know him but he had to be a nice guy if he had a daughter like you." Zander said. "Thanks, Zander." Ali smiled. She then stretched and yawned. "Well, we better get to sleep." she yawned as she stretched out on the ground. "Goodnight Zander." she said. "Goodnight... Ali." Zander said back. Ali's eyes opened in surprise to hear Zander say her name. She then smiled and closed her eyes to sleep.

"I'm bored." moaned a Slig as he leaned against one of the front walls of Molluck's stronghold. "Oh, zip it, Lugnut!" the other Slig growled. "I just don't understand why we have to guard outside these walls if no one is crazy enough to even WANT to come in here." Lugnut moaned. "Well, better then having the job those poor Sligs inside have." the other Slig laughed. "Hey, what's that coming over this way?" Lugnut asked. "What's what?" the other Slig asked as he looked over. A figure was heading their way. Lugnut and the other Slig lifted their guns. "LUGNUT! SHERRIKO!! don't you DARE shoot me!" a familiar voice growled. Sherriko gulped. "No way... Xaiver!?"

Chapter 6

Lugnut and Sherriko stared in shock at Xaiver. Xaiver was covered in dust, blood, mud and sweat. He was a very shocking sight. "Xaiver... everyone thought you were dead." Sherriko gulped as he looked upon Xaiver's blood cased face. "Well, guess what? I'm not!" Xaiver growled as he pushed by Lugnut and Sherriko. As he limped down the hallway all the Sligs in the hall stared in shock. Even a couple of Vykkers on the way to their labs stopped when they sighted Xaiver. Xaiver ignored their stares and stepped into one of the doors with a cross mark on it. In the room was a Vykker, working on a something that resembled metal pants. The Vykker turned at the sound of the intrusion. "Hey! Who said you could..." the Vykker started till he saw who it was. "Xaiver? I thought you were..." the Vykker started. "I was dead, Ii know. I'm not here to listen to listen to prattle! I need a new pair of pants, my old ones have some damaged wires." Xaiver growled. "Umm, o.k, I was working on something new as of late..." the Vykker started. "I don't want to hear it! Just give me a new pair already!" Xaiver snarled. "O.k! Yeesh, well, your lucky, I just finished this new model that I think would suit someone of your calibre." the Vykker said as he pulled over what he had been working on. It was a pair of metal pants, only different from the usual kind. This pair was silver plated with gold trim down the side. It had a long tail and three prong like objects on the end of it. The feet of the pants had big, ragged claws that looked like they could dig through steel. Xaiver looked at the pants in interest. "Hmmm, impressive looking so far. But how does it handle?" Xaiver asked. "Well, why don't you see for yourself?" the Vykker smiled, glad that Xaiver liked his work. Xaiver took out his restraining belt and the Vykker put Xaiver in the new pants. As soon as Xaiver had control over the pants he started to move. first he moved the massive tail from side to side. He then found that he could press the tips of the prongs together. As he did a crackle of electricity sounded. "Careful with that! that thing shoots out electricity!" the Vykker cried in alarm. "Electricity, eh? I'm liking this thing so far!" Xaiver grinned. He then flexed the claws on the feet. To his surprise the claws cracked the tile. "I like this thing." Xaiver grinned. "So glad you do." a voice suddenly said. Both Xaiver and the Vykker turned to face Molluck. "Hello, Sir." Xaiver said, not even wincing in Molluck's presence. "Glad to see your alive Xaiver, I could use you." Molluck smiled as he walked over. "What for?" Xaiver asked. "Well, it seems that the female Mudokon you were transporting to me is still alive and somewhere in some woods." Molluck explained. "Lemme guess, you asked that Oracle. If you ask me, that thing is dangerous." Xaiver growled. "Despite what you think Xaiver, I was wondering if you like to lead the search group?" Molluck asked. Xaiver thought for a second then smiled. "Of course." he said.

It was foggy in the forest at early morning and Ali and Zander were caught in the middle of it. "Wow, this is thick." Ali murmured. "No kidding, I can't even see my hands." Zander agreed. Bushes and branches rubbed against the duo. "I wonder where we are?" Ali asked as she looked around the forest. "I dunno, but I have feeling were a long way from the nearest mall." Zander replied. As Ali and Zander walked through the woods, a strong wind picked up. "Woah!" Zander cried as he lost his balance and went rolling into the foliage. To Zander's surprise he started sliding down the hill. The wet rocky surface under him was acting as a slide. Zander slid down the hill and went flying into a river. "ACK! *cough* YUCK!!" Zander cried as he spat out a fish. "Hey! Zander! You all right?" Ali yelled from the top. "Yeah, I'm fine, just be..." Zander started when he heard a loud yelp. Within seconds Ali was sliding down. she slid smack into Zander. "That was kind of fun." Ali said as she pulled herself up from the water. "Glad you enjoyed it." Zander grumbled as he hauled his already wet body up. "That was pretty wild... if the wind hadn't blown you down there we never would have found this river." Ali smiled. "Yeah, I never would have broken my spine." Zander grumbled. "Oh, don't be a baby." Ali said and looked around the scenic river. she then spied a small mountain. "Hey, if we could climb up there we could see everything from there." Ali exclaimed. "That sounds like a good idea." Zander nodded. Ali and Zander walked down stream till they came to the mountain. "Woah, how are we supposed to climb this?" Zander asked as he looked at the smooth sides of the mountain. "Hmm, I didn't think of that." Ali murmured as she walked around the the mountain. Suddenly, a root caused her to trip into the foliage on the side of the mountain. "You o.k?" Zander asked. "Yeah, I... hey! Look! Stairs!" Ali cried. "What, no way!" Zander yelped as he ran over. It was true. Carved in the side of the mountain was a flight of stars, covered by the foliage and trees. "Wow... this just gets weirder and weirder." Ali said. without a word Ali mounted the stairs. "Come on!" Let's see what's up here!" Ali cried as she started up the stairs. Zander was right behind her. As soon as she got to the last step Ali looked to see what was on the top.

Chapter 7

Nothing. The flat top of the mountain appeared to be deserted. "Well, this is a nice open place." Ali murmured as she looked around. "Funny, you think that a mountain with stairs might actually have something big on it." Zander said. Zander then paced around on the top. He hadn't gone far when his metal foot caught onto something. The sudden jerk caused Zander to trip and fall on his face. "Woah... what's that?" Ali asked as she examined what Zander had fell over. She shifted the sand and came up to face wood. "Hey, Zander, you found some kind of trap door!" Ali exclaimed. "Great, why is it I'm always the one to find this stuff?" Zander grumbled as he got up. Ali ignored his comment and pulled at the iron ring on the door. The door opened with a creak. Dust flew out, flying into Ali's face. Ali gave a light sneeze then turned to Zander. "Come on! Lets go see where it goes!" Ali said as she climbed down a set of wooden rungs leading down the hole. "Wait up!" Zander cried and followed after her. Usually, tunnels are very dark. This tunnel though, had glowing rocks lining the side of it. "Cool." Ali murmured. As Ali and Zander walked down the dusty tunnel Ali couldn't help but notice drawings craved into the sides. At first glance you could tell they were made long ago. That was the only thing that surprised the pair. Pillars, vases, broken works of art lay littered in the tunnel. Most of the time, Ali would be a bit anxious at exploring a place like this. For some reason though, Ali felt safe, as did Zander. Soon, Zander and Ali came to the end of the tunnel. For a few seconds Ali and Zander were blinded by the sudden appearance of more intense lighting. When their vision cleared they were amazed at what they saw.

"No way... absolutely no way." Ali breathed as she gazed at the sight in front of her. Before her in what would be called a cavern was what looked like a village square of a city. A river cut through the middle of the floor. Large chunks of stone gave evidence that there might had once been a bridge over it. Broken down walls were everywhere. on the ceiling was the light source, a large chunk of glowing rock embedded into the rock. "Wha... what is this?" Zander asked, amazed as Ali was. "I think it might had once been an city or something. "Ali replied. There were many other tunnels from the city square. Some were blocked but many were open." Let's see where THESE lead." Ali said as she jumped over the river and headed to one of the tunnels. Zander followed. Ali and Zander looked around the tunnel. Down the tunnel on both sides were many doors. Ali walked into the nearest one, moving the shell curtain. inside was what looked like a bedroom of some sorts. There was a chair made from wood sitting in one corner. In another corner was a bed. Pillow, sheets, and mattress, All there. "Wow, I wonder who, or what lived here?" Ali asked out loud. "Dunno, all I know is that it's here." Zander replied. Ali and Zander then looked at each other. They could tell they both had the same thing on their minds. "MINE!!" Both Slig and Mudokon yelled and rushed for the bed. They reached the bed at the same time. They started to push at each other. "I saw it first!" Ali cried. "Yeah, well, if it weren't for me we wouldn't even had found this place." Zander growled. "So what? I still saw it first." Ali shot back. "Give me one good reason why you should have this room and I'll let you have it." Zander said. "I'll give you four good reasons... one... two... three... four!" Ali growled as she put one finger down with each number, making a fist before Zander's face. "Those are very good reasons." Zander gulped as his eye's fixed on her fist. He then backed away. "Umm, I think I'll go take another room." Zander smiled nervously. "You do that." Ali said. when Zander walked out Ali fell down onto the bed and gave a contented sigh. She was gonna like living here.