Caged, and Mistaken!

     A thought occurred to her that had not before, why don't I just climb up, and travel on the treetops. It will be so much easier.

She nodded to herself and looked around. There were not very many trees that were good for climbing in the area. She was out of the canyon now, she realized. Malia decided that she should try anyway, and she dug her new, super sharp claws into the trunk a nearby tree. A blue ooze seeped out of the gap and dripped down slowly. Maila poked it, and it turned yellow right away! Whoa! She thought, how did I do that? She yanked her claws out of the bark and poked a small flower, that had grown from the moss on a log. Nothing had happened. She looked around, and saw a mushroom sprawling itself in the sun. She placed her palm onto it, and as she lifted her hand, she saw that the mushroom itself and not changed at all. But, the speckles of lighter blue that were on the top of it, where now a vibrant flickering yellow. This can't be happening. . . No, no this isn't real. Maila pulled away, and headed over to another tree. She proceeded to climb up the trunk until she reached the top.

The glistening sunlight flew through to sunrise, as the sky light up with wonder. She thrusted her arm up to the sky, and the rays that she had interfered with faded to a warm, gentle yellow. Maila squinted looking across the vast, open space, with a leafy, turquoise floor, made from tree tops. The yellow in the rays she had touched were now spreading back up to the sun itself. Oh no! Maila gasped What if the sun goes yellow too!

And just as that worry flooded her mind, the sun exploded with colour! Yellow covered the whole sky as Maila ducked in panick! The golden rays of sun soon faded to show the the sky was still blue, but the sun remained. What have I done! How do I change it back!

Maila paced on the spot as she realized that she-being so high up- could now see were the forest ended, and were Oouger's tent was! A titanic smile fell onto her face as she bounded towards it! As Maila reached the end of her tree top path, she slid to a sudden stop. What am I going to tell them! How do I explain everything? She pulsed as she clucked a chunk of her hair. Maila drew in a deep breath, and slid down the tree trunk. She could see Airibone and Silvics sitting together. She looked around to see Orkijace humming to a huge spider, as Tarska rolled her eyes in the background. Maila turned again, to find Oballi and Oouger sitting on a patch of moss, devouring a pile of various nuts and berries. They had food already! Uhr! She raged to herself. If I knew, this wouldn't have happened! She pounded the ground, with a loud bang. A few leaves fell slowly down to land on her as her friends turned the heads one, by one.

Oops! She hurriedly thought. Maila shrugged her shoulders and backed a few steps back, as huge tree trunks re-entered her peripheral vision. Oouger was the first to act, he sprung to his feet. Maila's first thought was for him to joyfully bound over, and supply a great big hug. But, that wasn't the case, as she remembered her new appearance. Maila didn't know what to do, Oouger was now at his enormous book, sifting through all of the pages. As he reached the end, his brow furrowed, soon becoming an awestruck expression. Silvics rushed over to his side, as they darted into his tent.

Maila planted her feet, wondering what was about to happen. Oouger reappeared in the doorway, Silvics close behind. They were holding something large, and freely shaped. Together, they opened it up, as they started to head quickly in her direction. It was a net. Oh no! Nah ah! Not today please... Maila got in a stance, ready to run, as they drew closer.

She let out a grunt, as a deep gas filled her lungs. The last thing that she saw, was Tarska's arm, and in her hand, she held a

gas pack. Traiter- she thought, as she collapsed to the ground.

~ * ~ * ~

Maila's head felt SO sore, and what was that smell? She tried to open her eyes, but was too tired. She strained her ears out to listen-

"Oo, can I see? Can I! Oh! What is that thin- wait it looks like . . ."

Maila could hear Airibone's low voice, very close to her. She listened to try and hear more-

"Ya, you can look, but be careful." That was Oouger! "I think it's an undiscovered species, how cool is that!" Are they talking about me? "Oh, neat!" Orkijace chimed in, "The face looks like Maila!" They are talking about me! "Doesn't it, Ooger don't ya think?" Why wouldn't it!? There voices stopped, and she heard footsteps. "Whoa, it's massive! But, it looks like us, shapewise." Obalie exclaimed. Maila felt her strength return to her, she snapped her eyes open.

She was in a cage. A cage! She swiveled her head to look at them. Oouger was writing in his big book, and the rest were gaping at her.

"It's me!" she snarraled. "Can't you tell?!" they jumped back, nudging Oouger, with terror on their faces. He looked confused.

"Maybe it's an impersonator?" he puzzled, "But, it's got the wrong colour! One of which, I've never seen." They all peered closer at her, risking their noses.

"Oouger! Let me out of this cage!" she hissed. He shot her a surprised glance.

"How did it know my name?" he marveled. "And how does it know our language?" Orkijace leaned in and smiled at her. Maila couldn't help a quick grin. "It's got Maila's eyes too, just still, incorrect colouration." she frowned at her friend. "Look at how many expressions it has!" Airibone mused. Airibone stood up on her hunches, as she crossed her arm with a flustered smile. Maila raised an eyebrow and tried to sit up. It worked, but she had to slouch. Stupid cage!

"Oouger, did you hear what I said? Let me out, you know I get claustrophobic!" Now this really got some true attention. He picked up a key that was resting on a rock, and pressed it into the bulk on the outside of the cage.

"I almost forgot to lock it, geez!" He gasped. Maila shook the cage as he pulled away fast.

"Can I prove that it's me?" she asked calmly. "Then will you let me out?" He spread his arms, blocking in a line between her and the rest of them.

"It's getting dangerous guys, I suggest we clear out." he pressed them towards the doorway. Orkijace, however, passed through, and grabbed the key.

"What's my last name?" she asked Maila, as hope flooded through her.

"You don't have one. Your name is just Orkijace, but Obalie calls you Orkie now. As a nickname, I remember from the other night, outside the village." Orkijace's jaw dropped. Maila had a smug smile, towards Oouger. He stepped forward and took the key from Orkijace.

"Why are we all here?" he quizzed. Maila successfully answered at least one question from each of them, until Oouger finally stepped forward again. He closed his eyes, took in a deep breath, and thrusted the key into the lock. It turned with a satisfying click, as the door swung gracefully open.

"Maila, if it's really you," he said. "You need to explain . . . this!" he finished as he gestured to her new self. She nodded, stepping out of the cage. Airibone was holding her breath, as Maila straitened up to her full height.

She noticed, that she was about a foot and a half taller now. Interesting. She now towered over her friends, nearly touching the roof with her head. She smiled and pranced out of the tent. They all followed, gaping at her once more. She decided to act like nothing had happened, and show them the black pillar, later. Much later, in fact.

Maila stretched out on the damp, fresh grass, and slid onto her belly. While making herself comfortable, her friends

gathered around, to hear her tale.

After she explained, Orkijace and Silvics where the only ones who seemed to believe her story. Maybe it would be soon, when she showed them afterall.

"Do you want me to go and show you?" she offered, this intrigued Airibone, but none else.

"Sure, remember what I had said earlier? It's like a big adventure is calling me in there!" she exclaimed gleefully.

"That wasn't possessed talk?" Tarska muttered.

Airibone stood up, and took a few paces towards the forest.

"Let's tell Oouger first though," Maila said, putting a hand on her shoulder. Airibone flinched as she noticed that Maila's yellow fur, was touching her.

"Sure." she exhaled shortly. Maila gave her a quizzical look, and turned to call Oouger.

When he got there, after they had asked him, he just shook his head.

"Too dangerous." he said plainly. They huffed at him and attempted persuasion, but failed. He had ad reason, but he was in charge, and they had to listen, at least when he was there . . .

That night, Maila and Airibone decided to sneak out, just before Oouger woke up, then it would be bright enough to see, but he couldn't catch them. This was a great plan a the time, before Maila realized, she had forgotten the way.

"Uh, so which way do we go?" Airibone questioned. Maila hesitated, but then chose to be honest.

"I just stumbled upon it. I say we just start walking." She looked down to meet her friends eyes. Airibone took a reluctant step into the forest, and nodded. She doesn't trust that it's really me. Maila realized. She looked up confidently at the 'path' ahead, hoping to sway Airibone's feelings. Together, they slowly picked up speed, looming into the forbidden forest, hoping to stumble upon a hidden canyon . . .