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HM-08 The Unicorn Planet Mystery - 01/01/2008

Written By The Writing Team Of Darrel James Vanwinkle & Joanna Leigh Vanwinkle

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To find a cure for Alex's illness, the Hazardous Materials team go where no sleuthing team has gone before, as two waring planets find out just what it means to cross paths with Earth's foremost teenagers of daring do!

Coming up next on Hazardous Materials!

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Previously on Hazardous Materials...

In Mexico, Alex came down with a mysterious illness that originated from Ireland when he and Vicky visited there in Hazardous Magical Mystery Tour. Dr. Remedy informs Vinnie that only Alex's own people can cure Alex and the team were preparing to make the trip, when suddenly, Vicky rejoined the team just in the nick of time.

Mikael smiled. "Glad you could make it, Vicky. Sorry about the Tarzan joke."

"No problem," she responded. "You are looking at the official escort, approved by the head of Hazard Corp, of Alexander Hazard. Where he goes, I go."

Vinnie smiled. "That is just awesome. Now we need to procure transportation for our mission. Any ideas, Trina?"

"You bet. Just let me make a quick phone call," she said, stepping away from the others. "Hey, Dad, the team needs intergalactic travel accommodations to some system that has some kind of barrier around it." She paused for a moment. "Because Alex is sick and we have to find a cure for him." Another moment passed as Trina began to frown. "What do you mean I can't go?" she demanded. "Fine. I'll let Vinnie know. Bye." Then she turned to the others. "The good news is that Dad will provide you guys with transportation to that system. The bad news is that I'm not allowed to go with you."

"I've decided to go back to Ireland and find out how Alex got sick there," Erina said suddenly. "I think my mom and I will be able to find out how he got an illness from his home world here on Earth."

Vicky shrugged. "We're going to have a limited team this mystery, aren't we?"

Mikael said, "Mark has to babysit YOU-KNOW-WHO, and Genie found out that as an Earthbound spirit, she's tied to Earth. If she tries to leave, it will send her straight to Heaven and then we would never see her again."

Mark was still cursing about it.

Genie was still pouting about it.

"Well, sorry guys, but we've really got to get going," Vicky said, moving over to stand by Alex and Kevin.

"I'll transport those of us that are going to Tracker Corp.'s headquarters. I'm sure that is where Trina's father will have our transport waiting," Vinnie explained. "Cheer up guys, we'll keep you informed on how our trip is going."

Kevin nodded in agreement, "Unless, of course, they kill us as soon as we show up."

Genie then did something unusual. She removed one of her bracers and put it around Vicky's wrist. "I may not be able to come with you, but now you will have the strength that I have here on Earth as long as you wear this Bracer. Good luck, guys. If anyone needs me, I'll be moping at the HOLLYWOOD sign." And POOF, she vanished.

Mark sighed, as he looked to the others, and handed Kevin one of his magic wands. "This will allow you to cast three spells before its charges are totally expended. It will be like having me there, Kevin. Take care of Alex for us. Good luck." He then hugged Kevin, then released him and teleported home.

Mikael hummed. "Now I feel bad that they can't come. Well, let's get this trip moving. Lionel, help me with one side of Alex's hover-stretcher."

Lionel did as he was told, and they were ready to go to the Tracker Corporation.

Ivan and Reena escorted Adam with his wheelchair.

"Thanks, Genie, but I don't know how well this will hold up if I have to let me power loose," Vicky said, smiling.

"Thanks, Mark," Kevin replied, hugging Mark back.

Vinnie opened the portal to the Tracker Corporation and said, "Let's go, people."

The Team were then standing within the famed Tracker Corporation.

Ivan smiled. "This is the second time I've been in here. The first time I took this..." And he pulled out a weird ornament and screwed it back into place on a lamp shade. "And no one believed me when I told them that I had hit the Tracker Corporation all those years ago."

Mikael face-pawed himself! "The more we learn..."

Adam said, "Let's keep to the subject guys."

Reena added, "Yeah. Alex isn't getting better with the bad jokes."

Mr. Tracker cleared his throat. "Do you really think you took anything that I wouldn't have noticed Ivan? At any rate, I have your cruiser prepped and waiting for you, Vinnie."

"Great, we just need to get Alex comfortably settled before we take off," Vinnie acknowledged.

Trina was glaring at her father. "I still don't see why I can't go," she muttered.

"Now, Katrina, I explained it to you over the phone. If you show up there in all your jaguar glory both planets are going to think the other one hired you as some sort of assassin which would escalate their hostilities against each other," he said patiently.

"Whatever," she snapped and strode away from the group toward Mr. Tracker's office.

Vicky considered that exchange for a moment before asking, "Just how much do you know about these worlds and their conflict?"

Mr. Tracker turned to face Vicky. "I know that there are two major planets at war with each other. The planet that Alex is obviously from, and the other planet which is populated with, in layman's terms, reindeer people. They've been at war for some unknown reason for a very long time. At the same time, unfortunately, the people of Alex's planet have been fighting amongst themselves to determine what family will be the next ruling faction," he paused to let that information sink in then continued. "So what you're going to be up against is a whole planet who will want Alex dead just because of his race and a planet that will mostly want him dead depending on what family he actually belongs to."

"That's just flipping wonderful," Vicky responded, looking over at Alex on the hover stretcher.

Lionel said, "Dr. Remedy said that he would meet up with us in space somewhere."

Reena said, "So who is going to be flying this transport for us?"

Adam sniggered, "Hopefully anyone except Captain Weird."

"I'm going to fly it, of course," Vinnie explained. "It is my cruiser."

Mikael said, "Well, lets get Alex secured into the cruiser then."

Reena said, "Lets do it, guys!"

Soon the space bound team was hurtling through space. Vinnie worked the controls like a pro and gave his full concentration on the task at hand. When he did finally address the team it was to say, "I'm preparing to jump into hyper drive, you might all want to make sure you're strapped in securely."

"This is going to be pretty tricky, guys," Vicky said, holding Alex's hand absently. "We have absolutely no contacts on this planet. How are we supposed to find a cure on a planet that everyone is too busy fighting everyone else?"

Mikael grinned. "Then we'll MAKE some contacts. I am a Salem Warlock Cat."

Reena said, "But you're --"

And at that moment, as Earth's atmosphere was left behind, Alex reverted to his unicorn form again, as he ended up in ripped clothing again, but still unconscious.

Adam smiled. "The naked unicorn is revealed again, guys."

Vicky pulled out a pack that she'd been carrying and began pulling out Uni-Alex sized clothing. "Here, Kevin. Mr. Hazard already had this packed up for Alex. Though why his clothes rip when the illusion is dropped is beyond me." Then she turned away to allow Kevin to re-dress Alex.

"These are some pretty neat clothes. Mr. Hazard must have personal tailors on staff," Kevin said as he dressed Alex in the extremely malleable clothing.

"I doubt it will be that easy, Mikael," Vinnie said. "If it were, outsiders would be coming and going more frequently, barrier or not."

Suddenly over Vinnie's communication console, a voice issued, "This is Commissioner Reivax calling the Silver Surge! I just got word that you were about to head to the Unikron and Foresta world system! I'll meet you just outside of the barrier that you're going to run into! I have the key to the back door! Do not ask how I have the key, just allow me to get you safely in! If you don't wait, the locals will shoot your ship out of the sky! Reivax out!"

Reena said, "Did he just say that the locals will shoot us down?"

Mikael said, "I am surprised that was actually Commissioner Reivax from New York City. I wonder why he has a key to their back door?"

Adam said, "Actually, what I am wondering, Mikael, is how you had all of that information about your teammates before we went to Mexico. You really ticked off your friends by saying all of that stuff."

Mikael then blushed, as he was hoping that the others had forgotten about that with the recent stuff going on. "Well, that is to say... um..."

Lionel arched an eye. "Why don't you just tell them that you and I made a trip to Space Master's Satellite for a magic lesson and you did some research while I was studying my spells? Because that IS what happened, guys. I don't know why Mikael is embarrassed to talk about it. Anyone can go see Space Master and his Video History Disks (VHD)."

Vinnie chuckled, "Yes, visiting Space Master's is always fun. The key is to keep the information you acquire to yourself," he said with a wink. "As for Reivax, I'm more concerned with how they would have weapons capable of shooting us out of the sky."

"Well, it is probably because he doesn't want us to know we can go and find out stuff about HIM," Vicky suggested. "Right, Mikael?"

"The barrier is up ahead," Vinnie interrupted. "Take a look."

Mikael said, "I was more curious about Alex's past, but then... I got carried away and couldn't help but to look at everyone's disks. It's just so tempting not to."

Adam looked at the barrier just ahead. "Whoa! Looks like a blender of neon colors on high speed! We'd be shorn to pieces if we went through that!"

Reena said, "I see another ship over there, Vinnie! It doesn't look like a Courageans vessel though... It has Galactic Patrol markings all over it."

Lionel was now looking too. "Telescopic Vision!" He just cast a spell and is looking over there. "It is a Galactic Patrol mini-vessel. And it's been piloted by a reindeer guy wearing the Patrol Officer's uniform. And there's another reindeer in there with him, also wearing the Patrol Uniform. I don't see any unicorns though." He closed his eyes. "Spell off." Then he reopened his eyes. "Wooooo.... that spell always makes me dizzy."

Vinnie smiled knowingly, "That would be Reivax and Giuseppe." He then switched on the communication system. "Silver Surge here, I haven't seen you two in uniform for awhile," he chuckled.

Charles replied, "Officer Arclight here, Silver Surge. We're not here to help you on planet, because we know we would not be welcome on Unikron, but we're your ticket in and out of the barrier. Without us, you can't even teleport out of that barrier. It keeps things in and out. Though it does glitch now and then, which is why we know where the back door is. We're going to open it now for you. When you're ready to leave, radio us on frequency 45-ZQ and we'll open the barrier once again for you. On Unikron, your landing target is an abandoned Unicorn clan's base. They were called the Seerhoof Clan, but when all of the fighting started, they mysteriously vanished." And the coordinate information on that area arrived in Vinnie's computers. "If you have to go to Foresta for any reason, aim to land at Rudolph's Lighthouse on the Crystal Sea. He doesn't allow the fighting to come near his place, so its been marked as a neutral zone, of sorts. Before the barrier went up, ships would land there all the time. Now the only ships he sees are those that sail those crystal oceans." The coordinates for that location then arrived. "If you aim for any other planet, I unfortunately have no other information on those worlds or what you may encounter if you do land on any of them, although I know they are inhabited and I know at least one of them has the Junkyard Mice people. They are always collecting things and your ship would be a fine collectible."

And with that, a light pulse shot out from the Galactic Patrol cruiser and a ship sized hole opened up in the barrier!

"Good luck in there, cause once you're in, no one else can get in or out unless we open this hole."

And that is when Dr. Remedy appeared on board Vinnie's ship. "Sorry I'm late. Looks like I got here just in time. Let's go, Vincent."

"Glad you made it," he replied. "I hope everyone is ready, things are about to get VERY nasty." And with that brief warning, Vinnie maneuvered his craft through the opening and they found themselves inside a system that hadn't been seen by outside eyes for past eighteen earth years.

Inside the Uniclef Star System...

Adam smiled. "Ooh! Pretty planets and rings and cloud formations! I like!"

Reena smiled too. She was GLAD that Adam got to come see something like this now. He would be easier to deal with after the mission was over with. She still prickled a little from having to babysit him, but he needed this exposure.

Mikael said, "I assume that planet is the Junkyard Mice place. It looks like a spaceport with a huge restaurant and the rest is a sea of garbage."

Lionel was paying attention to Alex now. "Um, Kevin... why is Alex glowing like that?"

Sure enough, there was a glamour like aura of ghastly pale light all around his body.

"I have absolutely no idea," Kevin said, worried.

"I'd say it is the proximity of his home world," Vinnie suggested.

Vicky was holding Alex's hand. "He's very warm now also."

Vinnie looked over his shoulder briefly. "Can you check on him, Dr. Remedy?" he asked, returning his attention to piloting the cruiser.

Dr. Remedy walked over and began to examine Alex, as suddenly, the ship encountered psionic turbulence in space between the worlds. Apparently the fighting isn't just on the physical level in this system. It's on the mental level, too.

Reena said, "What was that, Vinnie?"

Adam was looking at a console screen now. "What does thruster four at 65% mean?"

Mikael said, "I hope we aren't going to be stuck somewhere making repairs."

Lionel stood with Kevin, hugging him a bit. "I hate flying, Kevin."

Kevin was holding his head, his teeth clenched to keep from screaming in pain. "These guys fight dirty," he managed to get out.

Vinnie was frowning, "That just means we're not going to be able to make any quick maneuvers. I'm afraid we're going to have to aim for Rudolph's lighthouse. It is actually closer than Alex's world."

Vicky was checking the monitors. "Where did it even come from?"

"If I had to take a guess, I'd say from Alex's world. I have a feeling that someone there knows that we have him on board and they want to keep us off their world," Vinnie responded, entering the coordinates for the lighthouse.

Dr. Remedy said, "This glow is, unfortunately, a beacon light. It alerts other unicorns to his presence. That is how they knew he was up here. I wish we could extinguish this light without harming Alex. By the way, people... Alex's name on his homeworld will evidently NOT be Alexander. I just thought you should be warned." He won't tell them that he KNOWS what the unicorns actually call this illness.

Adam says, "You better make it a good landing then, Vinnie. The 65% just became a 55%. It's losing power, looks like."

Mikael hummed. "Suppose I used my magic to help stabilize the cruiser, Vinnie? Would that help?"

"It might help, but it would also tip our hand. We want to keep our own abilities as quiet as we can. We'll be landing in just a few minutes," Vinnie announced. "Hold on tight, this is going to be really bumpy!"

Vicky and Kevin stayed close to Alex as Vinnie maneuvered the injured craft down toward the heavily forested planet. As they entered the atmosphere, they could see great stone keeps across the land and flourishing sea ports along the coasts. The island they were heading for, however, appeared too small to allow a safe landing, but Vinnie did not appear concerned as he guided the craft to a rough, sudden landing.

Adam's wheel chair tried to roll from the landing, but Lionel caught it and prevented it from capsizing.

Reena had been holding on to the back of Vinnie's pilot seat. "What is the extent of the ship's damage, Vinnie?"

Oddly enough, on Foresta, Alex's beacon light simply faded and turned off on it's own.

Mikael said, "Oh fun. If we try to get Alex anywhere near his homeworld, the other unicorns will be alerted to our coming."

"Is everyone alright?" Vinnie asked, checking the gauges for damage reports. "I'm afraid you might be right about that, Mikael. The damages look minimal. In fact, it looks as though the systems just need to reset themselves. Of course, that could take awhile."

"Hey, guys," Kevin said looking out toward the lighthouse. "Bright red, glowing reindeer coming our way."

"That's just Rudolph," Vinnie responded, not even looking up. He continued to get all the systems ready for a reboot.

Vicky laughed. "You're kidding? Rudolph, the red-bodied reindeer? Does he get to play reindeer games?"

Vinnie looked up, "I wouldn't joke about that on this planet. They HATE Santa Claus."

Adam looked and said, "Is he wearing a flap or is he butt naked? He looks kind of... well... revealing..."

Reena face-handed herself. Why is Adam turned on by a reindeer man?

Mikael said, "We better show him that we're not dangerous." And he headed out of the ship and waved a white cloth in the air.

Lionel hummed, staying near Kevin and Alex.

Rudolph circled the downed cruiser once before landing at the entry hatch. "I haven't seen a space cruiser in several years. Welcome to the Lighthouse, friends. My name is Rudolph. That was some crash. Looks like you got uni-blasted."

"Greetings, Rudolph," Vinnie said, stepping forward. "It has been awhile, hasn't it?"

Vicky stood in front of Alex, preparing to defend him if the situation proved it necessary.

"Yes, we were Uni-blasted," Vinnie verified. "Someone over there doesn't want us bringing our cargo to their planet. Which means they know something about how he ended up on Earth."

Rudolph hummed. "If that is the case, it is highly unusual, Vinnie. The only someone who could have a feeling for that would be a someone who helped to get your friend off the planet in the first place. Otherwise, the unicorns would not have even bothered to know that you were coming. As you know, the unicorns can teleport and their range does reach from world to world now. We have had battles on our own soil because of invading unicorns. And reindeer, such as myself, can fly and are not stopped by the border of outer space. So we have had a few battles in their airspace, as well. But I know from experience that the Uni-Blast is a last defense for repelling invaders. The user who uses it must rest and recover for at least three days to recover from using the power."

Reena hummed. "So if they are recovering, they won't be able to Uni-Blast our coming over a second time. Is that what you're saying?"

Rudolph nodded his head slowly. "Yes, but repairing this space cruiser will take some time... time that you simply do not have. I would suggest manual transport without a ship. My brothers and I don't utilize this method of transport very often, but if we can pull a fat human and a worlds load of toys around the Earth in a single night, then transporting you and your friends to Unikron shouldn't be a problem at all."

Mikael said, "That would be greatly appreciated, Rudolph. I can use my magic to place a pocket of air around our manual transport. And maybe at the same time, now that we know it will happen, place a damper magic around Alex so the other unicorns are not instantly tipped off to our bringing him there."

Vinnie hmmed. "I bet that whoever helped him get off the planet set up an early warning that activated as soon as we entered the system," he considered. "They can teleport between worlds now? As far as you know, can they teleport out of the system?"

"Somehow, I never pictured reindeer like you," Vicky pointed out.

Rudolph was petting Adam's head with a paw. "All of my brothers are as muscular as I am and as bare, little lady," he said to Vicky. Then he said to Vinnie, "Outside of the system would be a bit far. The problem there is that they have the drawback of having to have seen the planet prior to teleporting there. It has something to do with setting an anchor location for their teleportation ability."

Adam was liking to be petted by Rudolph. :)

Reena smiled. "The sooner I get to bake someone, the better I'll feel."

Lionel then said, "Alex is slightly awake, guys, but his speech is a jumble."

Alex's eyes were closed, but he was muttering words slowly. "...cloak...horn...cloak...horn..."

Mikael hummed. "What do you think Cloak Horn means, Kevin?"

Kevin shook his head. "I have no idea. How about you, Vicky?"

Vicky was smoothing Alex's forehead. "Easy, Alex," she was whispering to him. She looked up at the others and said, "I don't know."

"The sooner we get over to Unikron, the sooner we can get him cured," Vinnie said, looking around. "Wait a minute. Where'd Ivan go?"

Mikael looked around. "Same place Dr. Remedy went, I guess. Both of them are gone. Don't tell me this solar system is already getting a taste of Hazardous Materials..."

Reena grinned. "Ivan probably found someone to sell a Carrington Security System to. You know how he is."

Rudolph hummed. "I better get the manual transport set up and call a few of my brothers. I think Dasher, Comet, Donder, and Blitzen are all free today. The rest have day jobs in the city." He then fuzzled Adam's hair again. "You're really cute, sonny. I wish I had a son like you." And then Rudolph departed to get the manual transport set up and to call the others.

Adam smiled. "He was really nice. Good paw hands, too." And a fantastic looking body!

Lionel was prepping Alex for transport to the manual transport.

Meanwhile on the Unicorn world, Dr. Remedy and Ivan Kingsley were checking out their intended destination before the shuttle got psionically blasted.

"The others are going to be upset, Remedy," Ivan remarked, as he secured the perimeter and installed a Carrington Security System at the same time.

Dr. Remedy grinned. "You could always call them on your communicator, Ivan. I know you have a comm-unit for calling Vincent whenever you want. Besides, we needed to secure our base before the others arrived."

Vicky was helping prepare Alex while Kevin was attempting to communicate with Alex telepathically.

**Alex, if you can hear me, please tell me what you mean by 'cloak horn',** he sent.

"We appreciate you're assistance, Rudolph," Vinnie replied.

The message that Kevin received in return from Alex sounded like...

**vinnie...cover...unihorn...with...leadpack...sto p...signal...**

Rudolph replied, "It is always a pleasure to help you out, Vinnie. It has been quite a while since your last visit."

Kevin looked over to Vinnie and asked, "Can you cover Alex's horn with a leadpack?"

Vinnie thought for a moment. "A leadpack? Yes, that should disrupt any signaling power of the horn." Vinnie disappeared into the shuttle for a moment. When he returned, he moved to Alex and quickly did something over his horn. "That ought to keep his planet from sensing him."

Lionel and Reena helped Adam get him and his wheelchair out on the sled, while Mikael brought out some supplies that they had brought with them.

Mikael said, "Come on, Kevin. You can either sit up here with Vinnie and me, or back there with Vicky, Alex, Lionel, and Reena."

Once everyone was properly situated in the sleigh, Vinnie said to Rudolph, "We're ready whenever you are."

"This should be interesting," Vicky murmured, holding on to Alex.

As Rudolph hitched himself up to the transport sleigh, Dasher, Comet, and Blitzen arrived and hitched themselves up to the sleigh, as well. Comet winked with a sly grin at Vinnie.

And then they were off rocketing into the sky and with a Unikron clan base rendezvous.

And while on Unikron, Dr. Remedy had pulled one of his disappearing acts, which left Ivan by himself.

He was finishing the security around the abandoned base when he got a surprise. A regal armored white unicorn man with a red mane and red tail stepped into the base and pulled his sword when he saw the human there. And when the unicorn spoke, it sounded like music coming out of his mouth, but no words that Ivan could understand.

"Sorry, horsie. I don't speaka da local uni-tongue. No comprende." Then he shrugged and proceeded to ignore the unicorn. Maybe it would go away.

The unicorn marched over and poked the human in back with his sword.

And in the blink of an eye...

...the unicorn was standing there -- butt naked, while Ivan held all of the unicorn's equipment and weapons.

Ivan then put the stuff down and returned to what he had been doing before, leaving the now embarrassed unicorn warrior to collect his things and get redressed.

The unicorn having redressed, was making his horn glow at the human, until he finally said in very broken English, "What a primitive language. How did you take my clothes and armor earlier?"

Ivan turned to the unicorn with a grin. "I used to be the galactic famous Notorious Crook. I'm retired from that now. Currently, I make and install security systems. And make far more money doing that than I ever got from stealing." He winked. "Ivan Kingsley is my name."

The unicorn smiled a little. "The famed Notorious Crook. There are a few clans I would LOVE to see you rob. But that is neither here nor there. I am Cryston Warhorn, a prince of my clan. But I don't care about war. I only want to compose my poetry and woo the woman of my dreams. Alas, her clan is as hateful as my own."

From the opposite direction that Cryston had come from, a regal and beautiful female Uni approached. She wasn't dressed in the battle armour that Cryston had sported, but she did carry a very deadly-looking sword. Her mane and tale were red, like Cryston's, but her hide had a pale red sheen to it. Her sharp green eyes considered Ivan warily before looking at Cryston and addressing him in the melodious Uni-language.

^What is this, Cryston?^ she asked, giving Ivan a cautious berth. She was obviously untrusting of the strange being.

Cryston replied in the same melodious unicorn tone. ^Aurora. This man is the famed ex-criminal, Notorious Crook. He was told to meet with some people here. He could not have known that you and I use this place for our rendezvous meetings.^

Ivan hummed. "Okay. She must be the woman of the other clan that Cryston mentioned. As long as she doesn't poke me, I won't have to remove all of her stuff. I wonder when the others will get here? And I wonder where Dr. Remedy went?"

The reindeer sled entered the atmosphere of Unikron at that moment, and made a beeline for the rendezvous place that the team had told him about. They truly only wanted to get their sleigh landed before a patrol of unicorns saw them in the air on the Uni's home world.

Rudolph said to Vinnie, "We'll be in the abandoned Uni compound in a few moments. We don't want to take a chance of being seen in the air. These unicorns are always on edge, especially the armored warlike ones."

Aurora looked surprised and then amused. ^What would bring them to this world? Unless they are wanting to get dragged into the middle of the conflicts.^ Standing at Cryston's side she considered Ivan. Then she looked up and frowned. ^What are they doing here?^

"Ivan seems to have some company," Kevin pointed out.

Vicky peered toward their destination. "Are we caught before we even get started?"

Rudolph and the others quickly landed the sleigh inside the abandoned compound, as Dasher said to Vicky, "I know about those two unicorns. They are secret lovers from separate unicorn clans. It's the classic Romeo and Juliet theme, I am afraid... their clans despise each other horribly. So they have to meet secretly, or not at all. If we leave them alone, they'll leave us alone. Though I am sure they are wondering why we are even here."

Mikael hummed. "Perhaps a magical language translation for the rest of us so we can understand Unicorn speech? I don't want to cast a spell at them... they might take the action as an attack."

Lionel said, "Alex is muttering again... and he's sweating a bit more now."

Alex sounded delirious, as usual. "....-iestess... know... cure... ... -ec--d... --bert-..."

Reena arched an eye. "What is an Eck'ed Bert?"

Comet was helping Adam off the sleigh with his wheelchair.

That got Cryston's attention immediately, as he eyed the handicapped boy casually. ^Why is that one boy seated in that wheeled seat device?^

Ivan smiled at Vinnie. "After Dr. Remedy grabbed me in a teleport, he left me here to secure the place and he disappeared off to God knows where. The male unicorn's name is Cryston Warhorn. I haven't had the pleasure to hear the name of his lady friend, yet."

"Take it easy, Alex," Vicky murmured, wiping his brow. She looked over at the unicorn couple. "Do you think they know about a priestess?" she asked.

"That's a good idea, Mikael," Vinnie agreed. "And it will help when we encounter others, which is inevitable."

Aurora approached Rudolph and asked, ^You are taking a great risk coming here. What is your business?^

"How is it that Alex can know these things?" Kevin asked no one in particular. "Was it information that was 'programmed' before his birth?"

Rudolph replied in the same melodious language that Aurora had used, saying, ^I know the risk is great, but where the will of a Surge is involved...^ at this point, he pointed directly at Vinnie. ^...you do as you're told and are glad to live another day. I am only here now because a Uni Mind Blast zapped his ship into crash landing on my world. He was coming here with a sick Uni who originates from this world, but who was egg-napped at a very early stage in his development. The Uni, who his foster human father named Alexander, grew up on Earth and in recent years helped to found... the Hazardous Materials junior detective team. Alexander is currently ill and supposedly, his cure lies here on his original home world. And that is the only reason they came. They are not interested in our pointless war at all. They only want to cure their friend.^

Mikael said, "Ooookay... I've enough of not being able to understand the locals, so here goes the Insta-Translation spell, guys." And he cast the spell on himself and all of his friends, which tipped off to Cryston and Aurora immediately that the Old World anthro Salem cat was actually a Warlock... a magic user.

Cryston remarked. "A mage. I haven't seen one in many years." His speech still in his original language, from the sound, but easily translated by Mikael's spell.

Reena smiled. "I like the way this Uni talks. It denotes a well studied civil voice, unlike the cowboys back home."

Lionel said, "Best not be making eyes at the male Uni, Reena... for I don't think your fire powers would protect you from his love interest over there."

Adam was quietly etching the two new Uni's in his sketchbook, doing what he did best when seeing new mythies.

At that moment, Dr. Remedy returned with a collection of local herbs. "Good, you all made it. I have been collecting some herbs that will help dampen Alex's fever, but we will need a -"

"- a priestess." Ivan finished for the good doctor. "Alex has been feverishly muttering information, Dr. Remedy. But what we can't figure out is... an ec'd bert. Alex implied that he was suffering from that."

Dr. Remedy slyly grinned when he heard the partial words. "Oh yes, I knew that. Let us just say that it is an illness that is not contagious, yet both Cryston Warhorn and Aurora Firebane will know all too well. Cryston more than Aurora, though. Males have to deal with this a lot more than females. You might say that it involves something sexual. And another human cannot make the cure." And that is when he whispered to Ivan, "...and Vicki is sure to blow a gasket when she hears what the cure involves..."

Cryston arched an eye when he overheard what the doctor had said. Then he mentally said to Aurora... I see. The young Uni boy has entered his Second Puberty stage. A priestess, or another female Unicorn who has an interest in him, will be needed to bring him through it. Otherwise, he will transform into a Uni Beast, like those that dwell in the Forbidden Canyon on the continent of Eden. You know the ones I refer to...

"Egg-napped?" Aurora asked. "Hm."

Kevin smirked at the mention of something sexual and Alex in the same sentence.

"What do you mean a human can't make the cure?" Vicky asked, suspicious. "What kind of sexual cure is it exactly?" she demanded.

Aurora replied mentally... Do you think he is the lost prince? From the body language of the female who is caring for him, it would probably be best for a priestess to perform the task. It seems you have an admirer also.

Vinnie was thanking Rudolph and the other reindeer for their assistance. "I'll repay you all as soon as we complete this mission."

Cryston mentally replied to Aurora, If he is the lost prince, then it becomes my duty to protect him. My clan father would demand it, especially if Alexander indeed proved to be Prince Xaneldera, missing since his egg had been named. He does resemble one of our people. But have you noticed the quiet psionic human boy who has been loyally staying near Alexander's side? Perhaps he is Alexander's chosen companion friend. The line of Princes were allowed that right, you know.

Dr. Remedy smiled at Vicki. "You are human, young lady, despite your blood. And as long as I have been asked to interfere in this matter, it is no longer in your control. We will do whatever it takes for Alex to be cured. And you will likely not like a bit of it. Because if you prevent this cure from taking place, then you will be forcing Alex and Kevin together. And I don't know if Kevin is... that way... or not." He gave a knowing wink to Vicki, but didn't smile. "Yes, that will be the result if Alex is not cured. The locals call the species a Uni Beast, and that species is confined to an off limits section of the planet where no one ever goes. At least, not on purpose. Even their bravest warriors are afraid of that canyon."

Mikael and Lionel both irked, as they realized what Dr. Remedy was talking about.

Ivan, on the other hoof, smiled, saying, "I wouldn't have expected that. But he would be right at home on Hollywood Boulevard." He laughed afterward.

Adam's attention was attracted when the canyon was mentioned. A place where Unicorn Warriors fear to tread? I would love to sketch the place someday. He seemed to want to capture everything in pictures.

Reena rolled her eyes. "These are his people, Vicki. You should be more mad at whoever got him deported off of his own planet in the first place."

Vicky frowned. "I won't stand in the way of whatever cure is necessary, but I will say this, if any being on this planet tries to harm him or stand between us, it'll be the last thing they ever do," she explained menacingly. "That goes double for whoever was responsible for egg-napping him in the first place. I'm sure they will try to eliminate him as soon as it becomes evident that he is back on the planet."

"So can we find a priestess and get Alex cured so we can get him back to Earth?" Kevin suggested. He could sense the two unis conversing but he hadn't attempted to eavesdrop on their private conversation.

"All right, Dr. Remedy, what do we need to do to get this cure whipped up?" Vinnie asked.

If he is the prince, then the feud between our families will finally be over. We must get him to the priestess as soon as possible, Aurora thought.

Dr. Remedy grinned at Vinnie. "Well... first we have to strip him out of his clothes. All of them. And secondly, we have to prepare this herbal salve and carefully spread it all over his genitals. And thirdly, Vicki can't do it or it will spoil the salve. A male has to prepare the salve and a male has to spread it. As I said before, this will only dampen the illness; it will not cure him. The priestess will be needed for that." Someone is enjoying this all too much.

Cryston then stepped forward and grabbed Kevin by one hand and examined his hand closely, sniffing it once. "Yes, as I suspected. You are the chosen companion of Alexander. He chose you." He then turned to Remedy. "I will make and apply the salve. Aurora needs to examine this boy here." To prepare him, is what Cryston actually meant.

Back inside, Reena said, "Kevin is Alex's chosen companion? What on Earth does that mean?" She was looking directly at Kevin now.

Mikael and Lionel chuckled, as Mikael said, "I think it's because Alex hugged Kevin just before he passed out in Mexico. He accidentally got his unicorn scent all over Kevin, and Kevin hasn't had a chance to wash himself off yet. If you'll all recall, we went directly from Mexico to Vinnie's ship, then up into space. So naturally, Kevin hasn't had a chance to take a bath yet. He smells like Alex."

Adam wheeled his wheelchair outside of the compound, thinking the others were too preoccupied to notice him, and wheeled himself off to one side where he could get some fresh air and sketch in the landscape of the planet. I wonder where this canyon is that the Unicorn Warriors are afraid to go to? If it's anything like the Painted Desert or the Grand Canyon, then it would be fantastic for me to sketch into my book. I have to get a chance to go sketch it. But the others are really concerned over Alex, and rightly so. No one has a spare moment to help me find nice scenery to sketch.

Vicky frowned. "So I'm to stand by and do nothing while I wait for Alex's people to cure him? The same people who obviously tried to make him disappear permanently in the first place?"

Aurora looked from Kevin to Vicky and suggested, "You could stand by and watch him die." She then turned her attention back to Kevin. "Come with me," she invited, turning and walking away from the others.

"Um. Ok," he replied, looking back at the others and shrugging. "I hope I'll be back."

Reena smiled. "Oh don't be such a baby, Kevin. She's pretty and not interested in you in that particular way." She then quietly muttered, "...but if she was, then there would be a fight..."

Cryston was busy making the salve with precision and carefulness. "These are good fresh herbs, Dr. Remedy. You have a keen eye for natural ingredients."

Mikael and Lionel had sat down in a corner for a magic lesson. Mikael has to make sure his student/apprentice gets his education.

Adam was wheeling his wheelchair along a trail to the east of the abandoned uni-clan base, and was just wheeling past a small copse of trees, when he saw a crude sign with uni-words that read, Warning: Wyld Uniherd Canyon! Abandon All Ye Hope To Enter! And there was a picture of a skull and crossbones over a gully like ditch on the sign, too. "This must be the place the others are all afraid of. It doesn't look scary to me." And he began to wheel his wheelchair down the trail that led into the gully/ditch canyon place.

"That's not what I mean," Kevin explained as he followed Aurora. "I'm more concerned with the damage that sword might do."

Vicky continued to watch over Alex. "Hang in there," she whispered to him. "I wish there was something I could do but they keep saying that it has to be a female of your race. Whatever it takes to make you better," she finished, caressing Alex's hair.

Vinnie, who had silently watched Adam wheel away, shook his head with a smile. He wondered how this adventure would affect the human boy.

Ivan hummed. "I wonder if the other half of the team are having as much fun as we are?" Then he YAWNED for effect.

Reena grinned. "If you're that bored, why don't you march off to the Uni-Capitol and announce that Madame Borva is going to take over their planet?"

Ivan laughed. "I would never say that, but visiting the capitol has crossed my mind..."

As Adam was wheeling his wheelchair along the canyon trail, he suddenly became aware of something walking along with him, just behind his wheelchair. He stopped the wheelchair and saw... Alex's unicorn body... only it was completely naked and... he was see-through. "Alex? Is that you?"

Alex smiled. "Astral Projection. I wasn't sure if it would work. Kevin was teaching me how to do it. Looks like Kevin is a good teacher. Where are you going, Adam?"

Adam replied, "I wanted to find something in this canyon that would be worthy of my putting in my sketchbook. The others are all worried about you, so I didn't think they would notice my leaving."

Alex smiled again. "Vinnie saw you. And I sensed you getting further away. So I came to keep you company. Good thing Vicky can't see me like this." He winked.

Vinnie turned to Ivan and smiled, "You know, that's not a bad idea. Why don't you do a little spying for us and find see if you can find out who is restless because of us entering the system. I'm sure whoever it is will be making preparations for a great confrontation."

Vicky looked up, "Is that wise?"

"Ivan can be in and out so quickly they'll never know," Vinnie chuckled. "He's been known to do it before."

"That may be so, but I am more concerned about his scent. Wouldn't that alone make him detectable," she asked.

"So what, exactly, are you going to do to 'examine' me?" Kevin asked Aurora as she led him down to a stream.

Aurora turned to him, her horn glowing... Are you willing to lay down your life to protect your friend?

Kevin had felt that they Unis were communicating mentally but had previously been unable to tap into it. Now, with her directing the thought to him, he understood why. The force of just that question was powerful enough to knock a lesser being off their feet. But he wasn't a lesser being.

I will do what is necessary to protect Alex from harm. What is it that you mean to do to me? ...he asked.

Her eyes widened... You can freely communicate mentally, she observed. Perhaps you are worthy to be his right hand.

What does that mean? Kevin demanded.

She smiled then... You will see, she responded as she attacked his mind.

Being caught off guard, Kevin was knocked to one knee by the sheer power of the attack before he threw up his defenses and rose back to his feet. He knew what was at stake if he allowed her to defeat him and he had no intention of allowing anyone to defeat him. If his own mother couldn't use her mind to cow him then neither would this Uni warrior.

Ivan grinned. "Vinnie is referring to my Notorious Crook reputation, Vicky. Strangely, even Cryston over there had heard of me and I'd never been on their home world before."

Cryston chuckled as he applied the salve to Alex's body. "We've heard stories..."

Reena giggled. "Then have you heard the story about Psi-Khan?"

Cryston nodded his head. "Oh yes. Aurora knows that story all too well. She is impressed that a human female could have that level of mental power."

Mikael then said, "I think Reena is referring to a fact that your Aurora obviously isn't aware of... Kevin is Psi-Khan's son."

Cryston was glancing at the general direction that Aurora and Kevin had gone. "By Unikron... she may be in for a fight then. But then again, she's always claimed she could best Psi-Khan in a fight."

Astral-Alex and Adam soon came across two unicorn stallions, wearing dirty brown rags and wielding clubs, who had been eating a lizard carcass. And it had evidently been a huge alien lizard when it lived. The two stopped when they saw the supposed ghost of a unicorn with a boy in a wheelchair.

"What-you-want?" one asked in a very broken speech.

Adam replied with a smile. "I am looking for something beautiful in this canyon to sketch for my art book. And Alex here is keeping me company. Who are you guys?"

The other replied, "Uni Wylders. We didn't receive in time for our second puberties from a priestess and we were exiled to the Breeders Canyon to spend the rest of our days molesting each other or any other unicorn who dared to enter the canyon trails. Why are you bound to that chair?"

Alex responded, "Adam is handicapped, which means... he's crippled. His legs don't work anymore, so he needs this chair to get around. Without this wheelchair, Adam would be lying on the ground helpless. He makes up for his disability by drawing fantastic beings and wondrous landscapes. He is a great artist. He's drawn me before."

"I know what he was referring to, Ivan," Vicky responded, "I'm only concerned that you won't be able to hide your scent, or your thoughts, from these hyper-vigilant Unis."

"That could be interesting, Cryston," Vinnie began, "considering that Kevin is more powerful than his mother by leaps and bounds. And no one seems to know why."

I don't want to hurt you, Kevin spoke, please stand down.

Aurora chuckled, You shouldn't be concerned about me, I have bested some of the strongest minds in my clan.

I'm not part of your clan, he pointed out unnecessarily.

You are strong, I'll give you that, she complimented, but are you strong enough? she then sent forth a mental blast that would have incapacitated a lesser being.

Kevin easily blocked the blast and then frowned. You're not holding back, he observed.

Of course not, this is for the fate of our people.

I warned you, Kevin said sadly as he let loose his power which even the non-mental beings nearby were able to feel.

The mental shockwave knocked Aurora to the ground, but not unconscious. It shattered the mental barrier she had been using to protect herself, and she lay there stunned for several moments. When she was finally able to gather herself, she stood slowly and dusted herself off.

"You are indeed worthy of the position that has been given to you," Aurora said, her voice registering the mental pain she was in.

Kevin sighed, "I'm simply Alex's friend, and I have been for a very long time. Even Vicky, who scares the crap out of me, doesn't stand in the way of that. What made you think that you would?"

Cryston then finished the salve application and said, "I can sense two things... one, Aurora is done with Kevin. And two... Alex isn't in his body at the moment. It's an ability that I have never seen a unicorn use before. I did not know this was possible."

Mikael glanced over and muttered another spell. "Oh. Astral Projection. Kevin was teaching Alex on how to use the ability. I wonder where Alex went if he is using the ability right now?"

Dr. Remedy smiled, looking at Vinnie. "I think I know. Am I right, Vincent? Are you thinking what I am thinking?"

In the forbidden canyon, the uni wylders led Astral Alex and Adam into their crude village. It more resembled Native American dome adobes than sophisticated Unikron dwellings. Soon, they were meeting with the leader of the uni wylders... a unicorn named Skyspirit Dominance. But this unicorn had wings and battle armor.

Skyspirit said, "I was wondering how long it would take humans to reach our world. And you..." he was looking intently upon Alex. "...you look like the Lost Prince. If anyone on this planet thinks that you are the Lost Prince, then you will be in for some dangerous battles and horrific fights."

Astral Alex replied, "My friends and I are only on planet so my body can be cured. After that, we're heading back to Earth. We don't want to stay here for any longer than we have to. We're the Hazardous Materials junior detective team from Earth."

Adam was already sketching Skyspirit in his sketchbook with excitement. A unicorn with wings was very rare.

"Yes, Dr. Remedy, Alex is accompanying Adam," Vinnie acknowledged.

Vicky looked at Cryston and asked, "You mean that you can't astral project?"

Just then, Aurora and Kevin rejoined them. "Did you guys know that they know about my mother up here?" he asked.

Ivan grinned. "They know about the entire United Crime Syndicate up here, Kevin. They even knew who I was. WAS being the key word, of course."

Lionel then said to Kevin, "Alex has been using that ability you taught him, Kevin. The Astral Projection. He is currently off with Adam some place."

Reena hummed. "When it comes to sketching new things, nothing stops Adam from having a chance to see the new things for himself. I feel better knowing that Alex is keeping an Astral eye on him. But still... Adam is pretty helpless in that wheelchair."

Cryston replied to Vicky, "No one on Unikron can astral project, as you put it. Of course, there are many abilities sealed within the forbidden library on the Island of Illiathium. Ever since the Unikron navy was abolished, access to the island has been forbidden. We don't even know what is there anymore."

"That sounds like exactly the kind of place we need to investigate," Vicky suggested. "When is the priestess supposed to be here anyway? Or do we have to take Alex to her?"

"That's a great idea," Vinnie agreed. "Who's up for a little exploration of forbidden places?"

Vicky smiled for the first time since Alex fell ill, "I'm staying with Alex."

"I can always contact Alex's psyche," Kevin said, up for an adventure.

Cryston said, "I should stay here with Vicky, to fight off any Unicorns who even think they can take Alex away. However, be that as it may, we need to take Alex to the Priestess. She never travels herself. I believe we can get a local cloak for Vicky so at a distance, she cannot be seen as a human."

Mikael hummed. "Lionel and I will go with the forbidden places party. What will you do, Reena?"

Reena grinned. "Ivan and I can go scouting around. When I am totally on fire, I don't even begin to look human. I simply look like a female fire elemental. I can be the distraction while Ivan does the sneaky thing."

Ivan grinned. "I am up for that!"

Dr. Remedy said, "The reindeer can be disguised by a mind reflection powder so they can escort the rest of you out to the island. I will be going with Vicky. The priestess knows me from a long time ago. I am not human myself, as you might have guessed."

Lionel said, "Adam should be okay where he is, as long as the uni wylders are being polite. Astral Alex is with him, unless he is needed in his body for the priestess cure."

Astral Alex asked, "Skyspirit... we were led to believe that the gay unicorns were exiled to the forbidden canyon lands. But no one here looks gay. What is really going on out here?"

Skyspirit chuckled. "Wrong canyon, Alex. The exile canyon is on the Continent of Eden. It is the only legal ship allowed to sail. They take those who have missed their second puberties to the shores of Eden and they are abandoned there. I have a friend who lives there. It is quite the place for gay debauchery. Most of those effected don't even realize that they are doing it. I feel sorry for them." He then grinned. "But you asked about what is going on here. We're the local rebellion. Cryston Warhorn and Aurora Firebane know about us, but their clans do not. If the other unicorns figured out that we were out here this close... there would be a war going on."

Astral Alex nodded his muzzle. "I promise not to tell any other unicorns about this."

Adam blinked his eyes. "You mean this isn't the Exile Canyon? Darn... I was really hoping to see the place. But I did get to see a rare winged unicorn in battle armor, so the trip isn't completely wasted. But I do want to see the actual Exile Canyon, if possible."

"I'd better let Alex know that we're moving his body. We don't want his spirit getting permanently separated from his body," Kevin explained, concentrating to send the message to Alex. "That's done. I think I'd like to see this forbidden island of knowledge."

"Well, I'm going to check it out. If it is forbidden, there must be a reason why," Aurora said.

Vinnie laughed. "You'll fit in beautifully with the HM crew, Aurora."

Astral Alex hummed, getting the mental message from Kevin. "The others are getting ready to head out. They are preparing to move my body and go find the priestess."

Skyspirit arched an eye with a grin. "Do your friends know how Second Puberties are dealt with here on Unikron?"

Adam chuckled, "If it's what it sounds like, I would guess it has something to do with sex."

Astral Alex looked appalled.

Skyspirit laughed. "That is EXACTLY it, Adam. Second Puberty is dealt with by allowing the priestess to be your first, as the saying goes..."

Astral Alex exclaimed, "THERE IS NO WAY IN HELL VICKI WILL ALLOW THAT!!!"

Cryston was picking up Alex's body in his arms. "There is honor in what I do."

Ivan and Reena were preparing to go molest the local city. "I draw attention to myself while you be sneaky and wrong, Ivan," remarked Reena.

Ivan grinned. "Notorious Crook at his best, of course."

Mikael grinned. "Island paradise, here we come. I sure hope there are forgotten magic books there. I could stand to expand my magical library."

Dr. Remedy said, "Do be careful, Mikael. Sometimes forbidden also means something imprisoned on purpose."

Lionel smiled. "Mikael knows what he's doing." I hope...

Vinnie nodded, "I'm sure the true purpose of making it forbidden was propaganda. The powers that be probably don't want the mass of the population to know the truth behind a lot of things."

"So you're saying that we're being kept ignorant of important knowledge?" Aurora asked.

"It's just a theory," Vinnie shrugged. "Either way, it should be interesting to see what is classified as 'forbidden'."

Vicky chuckled as she walked with Cryston, her hand never leaving Alex's arm. "So does this one priestess take care of all young Unikrons entering their second puberty?" she asked Cryston.

Cryston replied to Vicky, "Oh of course. All of the young males are sent to her, unless they are unable to reach her... but with the priestess chained to the great goddess statue of Arovea, her mobility is limited to the temple itself."

Dr. Remedy was expertly keeping his mouth shut.

Astral Alex then sent a mental message to Kevin... Please have someone make sure Vicky doesn't kill anyone, particularly the priestess! *MENTALLY EXPLAINS THE PUBERTY THING*

Adam smiled. "So how are the rebellion preparing for their battles against the nobles?"

Skyspirit replied, "Come, I will show you our war room and training arenas." And the three then headed deeper into the camp.

Mikael's idea and illusion for the reindeer to pull their created watercraft out toward the island was to make the reindeer look like unicorn seahorses, and have then fly forward at water-level, effectively running on the surface of the water while flying. Mikael would maintain the illusion, so if any unicorn did see them, Uni-Sea Horses would be all they saw pulling the water craft.

Lionel said, "Ms. Aurora? Why do the Firebane's and the Warhorn's hate each other so much?" Ah, it's story time!

Kevin choked. ^That could be a problem, Alex. I'm going to the forbidden island. I just hope the others can keep her under control. What am I saying?? The priestess is dead!^

Aurora smiled. "Well, Lionel, it all began at the creation of our race. Legend has it that the God of our people had two sons. Those two sons soon began bickering and they split apart from each other and began fighting. It is said that the Warhorns and the Firebanes are descended from those two sons. Effectively making us descended from the God of our people. However, Cryston and I could care less about the stupid legend, we just want to be together in peace and quiet. But the way it is looking, this stupid war may never be over." Aurora sighed. "You see, our families have forbidden us to even speak to each other, much less spend any time in each other's company. If the legend is true, I would think the God would be happy to have the two families united, but our parents don't see it that way."

"Wait a minute," Vicky said, "she's chained to a statue? Why? How do we know that this isn't some trick to get us to bring Alex into some bastard's evil clutches?"

Cryston gave a hurt glare at Vicky. "I've been there myself, human. It is not a trick. Being chained to the statue is a rite of direct divine blessing for the priestess. Though her chains are long enough that she has a good roaming walk of the temple. Her bed is soft. Also, only the subject of the ceremony is allowed in her bedroom with her during the actual assistance."

Dr. Remedy was then thinking, Oh boy, he shouldn't have said that last part...

Astral Alex was very worried that Vicky was going to kill everyone on planet. He was actually glad to be where Adam was.

Mikael said, "I think I see the island just ahead. Looks to me like there is some sort of ancient building or two there. And Vinnie is likely right, especially if one of those buildings turns out to be a library... the Unicorns in charge are probably hiding knowledge from the rest of the populace."

Vicky dug in her heels and grabbed on to Alex. "SAY WHAT??" she demanded. "I don't even think that's going to happen. I don't give a rip what your planet's ridiculous customs are. NO ONE is going to sleep with Alex but me! And that isn't happening until we are both ready. NO ONE is going to force themselves on Alex while he is incapacitated. I'll rip her freaking horn off and shove it up her crotch!!"

"It is beautiful," Aurora said in awe. "I have never imagined what the isle looked like. We are taught not to even think of it."

Vinnie smiled. "Well, when you travel with the HM crew, you get to see all sorts of places that are not for the feint of heart."

"And some places that are," Kevin added with a laugh.

Cryston didn't let go of Alex for a second, and was continuing. "You gave up the right to have a say so in whether he lives or dies when you brought him to this planet, Vicky. And for the record... the one who helps Alex must be 1) a blessed female member of his own people, and he certainly isn't human, now is he? and 2) the intercourse or education thereof is necessary to prevent Alex from reverting into a same sex unicorn molester. If he devolves, it will be your fault for preventing his cure. I am sure your friends all knew what was going to be involved and no one told you. You seriously act like that this was the first time you had heard what was going to occur. If he could be cured by being with a human female, don't you think that the Doctor here would have suggested that?"

Dr. Remedy wasn't even looking at the two of them. "Nice horizon. Pretty plants. Yes."

Lionel grinned. "Who all remembers... the Haunted Toy Factory and the Glack Phantom?" He giggled with a wink.

Mikael laughed! "I think Genie still has that Bad Mouthed Bunny toy, although I haven't seen her with it in a long time. I wonder what she did with it?"

"YOU don't seem to get it UNI-BOY," Vicky growled. "I will kill your priestess if she lays one hand on Alex. As for bringing him here, it was under the impression that Alex was suffering from a disease that is native to this planet and can only be cured on this planet. Alex was completely comatose until we entered the system so I don't see how the GOOD DOCTOR would have known about his need to be raped by a uni-whore," she glared fire at Dr. Remedy. "As for rights, Alex isn't under the jurisdiction of this planet because some being saw fit to exile him from this planet before he was even hatched, so the laws and customs of this planet don't apply to him. Besides, have YOU ever saw any of your race that has devolved because they refused to submit to some archaic ritual?" she demanded.

"UGH! I could have lived a long time and not remembered that," Kevin shuddered.

Vinnie just laughed.

"That sounds horrible," Aurora said.

Mikael grinned. "I am sure Kevin would be honored to mentally share a memory of it with you, Aurora. For now, though, we are almost to the island."

Lionel said, "That was the first time I had ever seen Mr. Tracker and Mr. Dalton working together, too."

Cryston replied with a sigh, his eyes on the ground, "Actually, I have, Vicky. I had two male friends from another clan who didn't know they were about to enter their Second Puberty stages... and... the three of us were supposed to have been training that weekend at a private training location. I had arrived late and I got to watch it... happen... they even lost the ability to speak. Then they tried to get at me, but Aurora helped pull me up on top of a cliff, out of their reach. From there, we watched them devolve the rest of the way. It was... to say the least... the most horrifying thing I have ever witnessed. I knew my own Second Puberty was approaching within a few weeks, so I made damned sure I got to where I needed to go before... before..." he had tears falling off of his muzzle at that point.

Kevin sent a flash of the encounter to Aurora who shuddered. "I can understand why you would want to forget about that encounter."

Vinnie laughed. "Prepare to dock," he said.

Vicky frowned. "That sounds like some cruel world-wide enchantment to me. Unless your Gods are just that cruel," she insinuated. "And where do all the babies go from the priestess assistances? You're not going to tell me that she doesn't get knocked up every time."

Cryston said, "She can't get knocked up, as you put it. She was sterilized as part of the ceremony to become the Priestess. It's a rather involved process, Vicky. So you see... if she ever did get pregnant, she would lose the favor of the gods. Is that what you were really worried about? Her laying a unicorn egg from her time with Alex?"

Rudolph said, "We'll be pulling up right on the beach. There is no one out here to see us arriving here, so it should be safe enough. Although I am getting the oddest sensation of some impending doom from that stone building over there that only has windows around the top. And they are all barred in both directions, like a mesh."

Mikael hummed, looking that way. "The dread secret that Remedy warned us about?"

"I still think it sounds like some kind of mass-enchantment," Vicky repeated. "Fine, we'll continue, but if we get ambushed, because someone knows Alex is in the system because they blasted us, I'll take great pleasure in incinerating the lot of them, priestess included."

"Perhaps whatever is kept in there is actually the secret to ending this Great War?" Kevin suggested. "The mesh bars could be to keep people out and not about keeping it in."

Cryston said, "It is surprising that your team can take you anywhere."

Soon, fortunately, they reached a large white polished spiral shaped estate with a large spiraled tower in the center. There were two holy unicorn guardians at the gates, but Dr. Remedy approached them and very quietly whispered something that Vicky is not meant to hear in their ears, and a most terrified expression crossed their muzzles, as they stepped off to the sides as far away from the visitors as one could get.

Dr. Remedy nodded to Vicky and Cryston. "Come, we have entry permission. The guards won't bother us now."

Cryston then carried Alex's body inside, and as he crossed the threshold with Alex, Astral Alex suddenly felt himself yanked HARD back into his body!

Alex moaned... "give... some...warning... next... time..."

Cryston blinked his eyes. "Oh. I forgot about the holy anti-spirit barrier around the estate. We're almost to the Priestess, Alex. Vicky obviously is being difficult."

The island team then walked up on the shores and toward the two buildings.

Mikael then said, "So are we going to unseal the foreboding doom building first?"

Aurora looked around nervously. The island had been forbidden for generations, and just being there was enough to make her twitch. She had never been one to obey the rules, her relationship with Cryston a good example of her willingness to break free, but something about this island gave her pause. Something evil was locked away here.

"I'm beginning to think that this wasn't such a good idea," she murmured.

Vinnie cast a glance at her, surprised by her sudden change of heart.

"I thought you said this place was beautiful," Kevin reminded her, also surprised. "You look more skittish than a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs."

Cryston hummed, as he looked at Vicky. He then spoke directly into Vicky's mind. If you are so concerned about being Alex's first time, then why haven't the two of you done this yet? We have told you this before... if a human female could solve this problem, your team would not be here now. This ceremony must be done for Alex's own sanity and well-being.

Dr. Remedy slowly guided Alex's floating stretcher through the impressive marble and coral corridors.

Mikael approached the sealed building and examined the locking seal. "As Ivan would say... this place needs a Carrington Security System. I can open this too easily. I am surprised that it isn't better protected, but I suppose the fear placed in the citizens was great enough to keep people away. But we aren't ordinary people; we're Hazardous Materials." CLICK!

The seal fell off the door and hit the ground as Mikael opened the door and led Lionel and the others inside the foyer...

Skyspirit had escorted Adam to see the Painted Canyon on the other continent, keeping the boy safe from horny hands, of course, so Adam could sketch the canyon from an aerial angle that no one would ever get to see. They wouldn't be staying there long, fortunately.

Vicky looked at Cryston as she considered his question. "So for all you know, I could cure Alex of this if I was willing to mate with him? The reason I hadn't before, WE hadn't before, is because we were both waiting for the approval of Alex's father. The man that raised him, that is. We wanted to do things the right way. With full approval and acceptance. We wanted to be married before we took that next step. It was a mutual agreement. We didn't want to enter into a relationship based purely on physical needs. I don't want Alex to hate me."

"I'm beginning to think the fear was not some imagined fairy tale told to young colts to keep them in line," she muttered, holding her sword at the ready.

"I'm not sensing anything," Kevin said after a moment of scanning.

Vinnie smiled, "Come on, you babies. Lead on Mikael!"

As Mikael led the way inside, the team was almost chomped by a massively huge ferocious primeval mastiff like cloven hoofed beast with razor sharp fangs. The only one present that would even know what the thing is was Aurora Firebane.

The beast was then attacking the team moving at quite a fast tear!

Lionel had already thrown a force field spell around himself for protection, and Mikael was casting Lightning spells at the horribly ugly beast monster!

Inside the priestesses chambers, Dr. Remedy arched an eye when he saw the priestess that was 'chained to the statue'. He stepped forward and said, "Your holiness... as is protocol for meeting with a priestess, we must both recite the gods and goddesses prayer in the ancient script. I hope you don't mind. If you would be so kind as to start it for us, I will then take the next verse, and so forth."

And the moment the first verse was out of the priestesses mouth, Dr. Remedy frowned and glanced at Vicky, exclaiming, "This is NOT the Priestess!"

And with that, 'the Priestess' threw off the chains and pulled a nasty looking sword, and then she tried to cast a spell of Immobilization on the team!

Cryston however also had his sword in hand and deflected the spell away from the team! "If you want to take down a fake, Vicky... now's your chance!"

Vicky was already beginning to glow a bright hot white. "GET OUT!" she roared as she advanced toward the 'priestess'. The heat radiating off of her vibrated the very air in the temple. She hoped the team would vacate quickly, as she didn't want to incinerate her friends, but she couldn't contain the power that was surging through her. Her rage at a fake priestess trying to harm the only person in the universe that she loved had broken the control she had worked so hard to obtain in the past few months.

The 'priestesses' sword melted like butter as Vicky reached her. "You picked the wrong unicorn to mess with," she growled before the full force of her power erupted at point blank range of the 'priestess'.

Aurora, having already had her sword drawn and ready, deflected the beast's huge jaws. "Beware! Its bite is deadly!" she shouted.

"You think!?" Kevin answered trying to get a mental leash on the monster.

"It's POISON!!" she screamed, deflecting another attempt of the creature.

Vinnie summoned a cage around the creature before it could lunge at Kevin. "That should contain him while we look around. I wonder if there are anymore of those around here?" he pondered.

As Dr. Remedy, Kevin, and Cryston were guiding Alex's hovering stretcher out of the building, they were joined by Ivan.

"Looks like I didn't get here in time to warn you. I just barely found out that the entire imperial city here is under rogue leadership and the Priestess was a fake."

Cryston exclaimed, "Wasn't Reena with you though?"

Alex directed a question at Dr. Remedy. "What did you tell the guards earlier to make them all run away, Dr. Remedy?"

Dr. Remedy grinned. "I told them that Kevin was Switcher Woman's grandson and that he was the companion to the unicorn prince that we were escorting."

Back inside the temple, as the Fake Priestess was starting to try to use her mind control powers on Vicky, she was suddenly struck from behind by Reena who was still in all-flames on mode.

"Looks like I joined the party at the right moment, Vicky!"

From further within the old building, Aurora and the team heard a female voice call out to them... "Is there someone here?"

Mikael arched an eye. "Who could that be, Aurora? I thought you said this island was forbidden to all unicorns."

"It's supposed to be," Aurora confirmed, giving the caged beast a wide berth.

"It could be a trap," Vinnie pondered aloud. "Let's go check it out!"

Kevin rubbed his head. "This is getting entirely ridiculous. How are we supposed to heal Alex if the priestess is gone?"

"Thanks, Reena," Vicky acknowledged. "Should we kill her or question her? I vote for killing her, she'd probably just lie to us anyway," she continued as she began cooling down.

As the team cautiously entered the next chamber, they came upon a metal door that had been bolted closed from their side. And through the barred window in the door, they could see a gigantic nude female unicorn chained to an even larger unicorn statue of a god.

Mikael blinked his eyes. "Tell me that I'm seeing things! That uni is as large as 'Mom' in Australia!"

To Aurora, she was plain to recognize... it was the _real_ priestess.

Dr. Remedy replied to Kevin, "The real priestess is as big as 'Mom' in Australia. That's why I knew this fake was a fake. Plus the real priestess knows the old mantra backwards and forwards. And I, too, know the old mantra."

Ivan said, "I was able to learn that this capital imperial city is fairly new and the temple is new, too. The original is supposedly on some island somewhere."

Reena grinned and said, "I think killing her is far better than having my buttocks glow in the dark so brightly that the Caninarians on Sirius III can see it like a night light in their skies."

Vicky began to heat back up. "Death it is then!" she exclaimed, perhaps a bit to merrily.

"So what are we supposed to do now? If that wasn't the real priestess, how is it that not more unis have been ending up exiled because of their 'condition'?" Kevin demanded. "We're running out of time!"

"Oh my!" Aurora said, awed. "Priestess! What has happened?"

The Uni-Priestess replied, "Aurora Firebane? Oh good... I was hoping either you or Cryston would show up sooner or later. You two are about the only unicorns on this planet with a lick of sense. That usurping fake visited me in my chambers one night and told me that my reign of controlling the Unikron people had ended. And the next thing I knew, she exited the chamber laughing as that door suddenly shut and was sealed from the outside. Then she set off a summoning grenade, or tried to... she threw it inside the chamber with me, but I quickly tossed it back through the window bars on the door and that beast was summoned to the outer chambers. I haven't seen another Unikron since that night. What's been going on?" Then she noticed the humans, cat people, and reindeer. "Has Unikron fallen?"

Mikael said, "You better allay her fears, Aurora. I'll focus on getting that beast off to a dimension where it's bite won't be so dangerous to anyone." And he turned his attention toward sending the beast creature away.

Ivan replied, "Actually, those who refused to play along with their game were exiled to fend for themselves in Eden. The rest were given, get this... an anti-sex stimulant that literally dampens the desire to breed."

Dr. Remedy arched an eye. "You mean they chose to use the sterilization drug? I thought they outlawed that on Unikron ages ago because of the horrific side effects."

The entire inside of the Fake Priestesses building suddenly went up on the greatest of blazing inferno like fireballs, as the evil bitch ceased to be... though Reena and Vicky were perfectly alright within the conflagration.

Reena glanced around. "Did we cause all this? Oops!"

Aurora bowed down on one knee before the priestess. "No, Unikron has not fallen. These individuals are here to heal the lost prince. They went to," she paused, "what we believed to be the temple for the ceremony."

Vicky stalked out of the 'temple', straight toward Dr. Remedy. "You! You knew this wasn't the real temple. You knew before that bogus mantra. You've been here before so you knew we were headed to the wrong place, and you allowed us to waste time dragging Alex here! What are you playing at?" she demanded. "There had better be some pretty damn good answers coming out of your mouth pretty quick, or you'll be joining the 'priestess'."

The Uni-Priestess said, "Yes, I thought I sensed my son, the Lost Prince, in the star system."

Mikael coughed, as he poked his head back inside. "Alex is her son?"

Lionel blinked his eyes. He was expertly and privately thinking, I didn't foresee that possibility. But then if she is Alex's mother, then sex can't possibly be the cure to his condition. And if that is the case, the Vicky will be... wringing Dr. Remedy's neck over there... oh boy. I hope Kevin is someplace safe.

Alex was in fact receiving a mental message at that moment from Mikael about what they found at the island. "Kevin? I need you again..."

Cryston examined Alex when he voiced a need for his companion. He wanted to make sure Alex wasn't succumbing to the illness.

Ivan irked when he saw Vicky giving Dr. Remedy the Evil Eye, and he wisely slipped back beside Alex and the others.

Reena wasn't on fire now as she patted Kevin on the shoulder. "I think now might be a good time for Mark's magic wand, Kev. Think you can teleport all of us, Vicky and Remedy too, out to where Vinnie and the others are?"

Dr. Remedy didn't even flinch at Vicky's anger. "I doubt you could get yourself to the temperature needed to even harm me, but if you did, then Alex would be dead and it would be your fault." Then he paused very briefly and continued. "I was hired to come here by the Rebellion and get this fake 'taken care of'. I assume you did kill her, didn't you? Rumor is... she isn't even a Unikron. The word I had was that she was a V'orgpyre, which is a wolven vampire that requires pure unicorn blood to survive. You helped liberate the people of Unikron from a deadly menace in much the same way you would liberate your gangs on Earth from a rival gang leader who didn't respect you. As for bringing Alex here, the only way to catch this fake off guard was to have the Lost Prince present; the ultimate blood catch. But there is still time to get Alex back to the real Uni-Priestess." He glanced aside at Kevin. "Isn't that right, Kevin?"

"Your son?" Aurora whispered.

Kevin, hating being dragged into Vicky's crosshairs, was already pulling out the extra wand. "Hang in there, buddy," he said to Alex as he waved the wand in an arch meant to encompass the entire group. They instantly appeared outside the real temple.

"How dare you! If you had been honest with us to begin with, we would have taken care of that bitch anyway. What else have you lied to ME about? The cure perhaps? It has nothing to do with sex, does it?" Vicky was still fuming, ignoring their change in scenery and Remedy's comment about just how hot she could get.

Vinnie looked outside, "Bring Alex in. Quickly!"

That grabbed Vicky's attention. "I'll deal with you later," she growled, turning to follow Alex inside the true temple.

Soon, inside the real temple in the Uni-Priestesses chambers, and even Skyspirit Dominance and Adam with his wheelchair had arrived to join them... it was time for the actual assisted cure and the explanation of events that led up to the conclusion of this mystery. The Uni-Priestess had Kevin come close to her as she helped the boy get undressed and then... he had to lay with Alex in his embrace while the Uni-Priestess lightly sprinkled some sort of misty water droplet vapors all over the two. "From Prince to Companion, in the early morn's dew... an adult coming mantra, shall ever hold true... and whence they came from innocence a friend... A cure beckons forth from eternity to end." And then, a bright flash of light overtook Alex and Kevin and when the light faded, a majestic Unikron Prince in exotic silk clothes stood before the Uni-Priestess. And next to him dressed in the Psychic Armors of the Companion and similar exotic silk clothes was Kevin Seasons. The Uni-Priestess then smiled and gave the Unikron Prince a kiss on his horn-tip, before turning to Kevin and laying a soft kiss on his mouth.

OM!!!

"And the cure is now complete. However... the rest of the story needs to be revealed, yes?"

Mikael said, "I would think so. Explain how a Uni-Priestess who is supposed to remain pure can have Alex as her son."

Ivan added. "Yeah, I too would like to know that story."

Reena then said, "And how is it that all of the Unikron know Psi-Khan, Kevin's mother, who has never been off of Earth?"

"That's what I'd like to know," Kevin agreed.

Vicky smiled up at Alex, relieved that he was well once more. She remained quiet, however, allowing the others to ask the questions, she was so enthralled by Alex's pristine appearance it was all she could do just to look upon him. Seeing him in all his princely glory calmed and soothed her.

The Uni-Priestess got herself comfortable and started the story. "About 20 years ago, Earth reckoning, I was approached by Unikron, the god of our world. He appeared to me and told me that I was to lay an egg from his psionic essence that would be the next ruler of the Planet Unikron. He told me that on the night I laid the egg, he would return and take the Prince off to educate him in the ways of Unikron. And so it came to pass that I got very heavy with a single egg. Your egg, son. However, on the night that I laid the egg, Unikron did not return. And that worried me because he was such a god that he would not forget the promise that he had made for his own son. However, late into that night, the temple was invaded by that fake and the monsters and they seized the egg for which they could not break," at that point, she sniggered. "...and then they carried the egg out of the temple for which I never saw it again afterward. The fake had bragged that she and her people had found the way to cure my people of their second puberty which among our people places the victim into an unending rest until cured and she told me that I would no longer be necessary. She also bragged that she and her people had built a new imperial city with a new temple where she would pretend to be me and she would deal with those who came to see her. During my isolation here, Kevin Seasons... I was not simply idle. While I could summon food and drink, I could not leave the temple because of my dedication to the god himself. And that is why I am chained to his statue. It is bondage by choice of my love for a man that is unattainable to me. As Aurora and Cryston know of all too well. During a few of my times of trying to reach out for help, I managed to penetrate the barrier that surrounds this star system and my power was so great that it reached Earth. There were two minds that I could sense there that impressed me. One was a female of great power but her mind was filled with evil intentions..."

Ivan muttered, "...that is Psi-Khan to a tee..."

"...and the other was a very young boy who had the most innocent wish in his mind. He wanted his father who had disappeared to bring him a unicorn so he could be friends with him. That young boy was you, Kevin. I could sense that my egg had been sent to Earth, so... I sent you the mental ability to always know where and when a unicorn was around. Therefore, when you grew up, you and my son would simply become friends more easily. However, shortly after that, your mother sensed that someone off planet was trying to peep her mind and on that day she tried to psionic blast all of Unikron. However... her blast was weakened as it passed through space... her intentions as well as her cohorts and her power ranking did arrive on world for all to know of. And that is how we know of Psi-Khan. But now that the Lost Prince is returned, I know now that he could never be happy here. Therefore, I must insist that he return to Earth with the rest of you when you are ready to go. Also... because you have brought my son home, I will now remove the barrier around the star system and allow free and open trade and travel once again. Vincent Cabriano... I have summoned your star ship from Foresta and it has been repaired for your return journey home. I am truly sorry that fake disabled your ship when you first arrived. I hope that all of you will consider the people of Unikron to be your friends. As for the Reindeer of Foresta, you did help these heroes restore order to Unikron. Therefore, as a reward, I will call out an end to the planetary war. But keep in mind that personal hatreds which I cannot quell will still exist... only that you will be welcome here at my temple."

Mikael smiled. "I guess that wraps up another mystery, guys. Who all is ready to go home to Earth?"

At that moment, Cryston said, "I want to come back with you people. It is my clan's sworn duty to protect the Lost Prince should he ever be found and now that he is found, I must go with him to Earth."

The Uni-Priestess then added, "Also, before it slips my mind... Alex... from now on, you must spend 90% of your time daily in Unikron form. If you do not do this, you could fall ill again, and then you would have to be brought back to me yet again to be cured."

Ivan huhed. "This just gets more and more complicated."

Lionel replied, "You're telling me."

Vicky, who had sat silently listening to the story, suddenly stood and glared at Vinnie. "You were in on Remedy's little plan also, weren't you?"

"Of course," he replied with a smile.

"Figures," she muttered.

"Priestess," Aurora addressed, "I would like to accompany Cryston. We have been through much to be together, and I would like to stay at his side."

Kevin was quiet as he thought about all the priestess had told them.

"What of the relationship between Alex and me?" Vicky wondered aloud. "And is no one else curious as to why the God Unikron didn't show up when he was supposed to?"

The Uni-Priestess replied to Cryston and Aurora, "The both of you will be allowed to accompany Alexander Hazard, the Lost Prince Xaneldera, or Prince Xanel Unikron for short, back to Earth. And although Kevin Seasons is Xanel's chosen Companion, it is Cryston's duty of his clan to protect the Lost Prince should he be found. And he was found by Cryston himself. Though Aurora's clan have skills and training that are also most useful in the Prince's life, it is for that reason that I will allow you to go, Aurora. I cannot side one clan against the other and say that I allowed you to go because you loved the Prince's protector. That would cause more unnecessary fighting." She then turned and looked at Vicky. "Your relationship with Xanel will continue, young star child. When we of Unikron use the word 'Companion', it is not to imply sexual mate, as you might be wrongfully thinking. On Earth, the term the people there would use is 'Bestest Friend', which is different from Best Friend. Among the Unikron, a Companion is never considered to one's 'Intended Spiral', or as the Earth people would say... 'Love', 'Mate', or 'Husband/Wife'. Although Alex may love Kevin as a friend would, it is not an implied sexual desire." The Uni-Priestess then said, "As for why you feel the most calmed around Xanel... I must ask you if you were unaware that you were not human yourself as you appear to be?"

Mikael kept his mouth shut when he heard the Uni-Priestess say that. He had known for some time, but he didn't want Vicky's glare aimed at him. And he hoped that Lionel kept his mouth shut this time, too. Or the apprentice would be punished when they got home.

Of course, Cryston and Aurora had embraced publicly and crossed horns as they deeply kissed each other.

OM!

Adam was quickly sketching the rare scene before him. There would never be another chance, he thought.

With the barrier around the star system gone, Dr. Remedy in that way that seemed to be a signature effect for him... simply faded away as if he was no longer there. Though he did mentally tell Vinnie, 'you will receive your payment soon for your assistance in your team's assistance.' And then, Dr. Remedy was gone. He who lies to Vicky then runs away... while she is distracted, lives to heal worlds another day.

Ivan rolled his eyes. "I'm starting to miss picking locks and making security systems... You know... I haven't said my catch phrase in a long time."

Vicky nodded. "I had suspected for some time, though I have yet to figure out what, exactly, I am."

"Well, we should be returning to Earth," Vinnie said. "And now that the barrier is gone, I can transport us all back."

The Uni-Priestess said to Vicky, "Had it not occurred to you that your powers and the powers of Stellea Rae are nearly identical? In any event... the reason your mother is never around, quite obviously, is because she is an extraterrestrial, just as I, Cryston, Aurora, and yes... Alex/Xanel are. And when you are around extraterrestrial beings, you feel the sensation of being calmed, as if you were around those who are like yourself. You certainly don't get this feeling when you are around other humans."

Skyspirit said, "I will make sure the Godd-, er, the Uni-Priestess is taken care of. Transport your team, Vincent. Now. Hurry." T.M.I. is coming out, in other words.

Alexander caught that slip of the tongue very quickly. Now that he wasn't sick, he was very much on alert. 'My mom is actually the Unikron Goddess? Then that would make me... like Hel... No wonder the Asgardians all gave me that odd look when they saw me. I'm a god.'

Vinnie then quickly transported the entire group, plus the two extra Unikrons, and his cruiser, back to Earth.

Vicky, who was poised to finally get some real answers, was furious to see they were outside of Mikael's place on Warlock Hill. "Vinnie!" she began, but Vinnie had transported himself elsewhere to avoid Vicky's wrath.

Grim blinked his eyes when he saw that the space team had returned. "Oh good, you're back. The others you left behind got recruited for something Hel and Erina needed doing, but they should be back any time soon."

Mikael was already dragging Lionel inside the house, saying, "Next meeting in 30 days, guys!" SLAM! The door was closed and locked tight after that.

Reena smiled at Adam. "I better get you back to Utah, Adam. Did you have a good time?"

Adam nod-nodded his head rapidly. "I got all manner of new pictures for my sketch book! I am planning on turning a few of them into actual paintings! We can go home now!"

And the Daltons left Warlock Hill.

Ivan giggled, as he walked over and got on his motorcycle. "I need to go sell some security systems, guys. See you in thirty days." And he put on his helmet, made sure Kevin had his helmet on too, and the two sped off at high speed.

Cryston blinked his eyes on how fast the team dispersed toward the far corners of the winds. ^I have never seen people vanish so fast before in all my life. They fled like there was a storm coming.^

Alex (Prince Xanel) replied, ^The storm is called Victoria Lane aka Vicky. I better call Reggie to come and pick me up. Transporting a bunch of Unikrons around will be a bit tricky and-^ He paused when he noted Garm had appeared almost point-blank and was giving him a wet slobbery kiss on his face! "Uhh! Garm? In this case, because you can teleport, you can give I and my Uni-friends a ride back back to the Hazard Estate. I'll see to it that you get another steak when we get there."

Cryston held on to Aurora and asked, ^What about Vicky? Isn't she coming with us?^

Alex smiled. ^Vicky has to go check in on her gangs, then she has to go report in to my father. She will be busy for a while. We'll see her later. Besides, she looks to be mad at Vincent for some reason. And you don't want to be the substitute for Vinnie, do you?^

Cryston replied, ^Maelstrom No! You are my responsibility!^

Alex grinned again, as he looked up at the sky. "Okay credits producer... take it away."

And with that, the ending credits for this episode began scrolling up the screen, as Garm transported himself with Alex and the two Unikrons back to the Hazard Estate.

**End of HM-08 The Unicorn Planet Mystery

Stay tuned for HM-09 Who Stole My Garm?**