After everything that had happened, the children finally fell asleep.
It had been a crazy day.
They had learned that Marko was the Grass Man. They had discovered that there was a way home. And now they knew that animals in this strange world had abilities that could help them escape.
But while the children slept, something was watching them.
Deep in the jungle, not far from the mountain, a bird sat silently on a branch.
It had been watching the children.
Listening to everything they said.
When the children finally fell completely asleep, the bird spread its wings and flew toward the town.
It landed near the police station and slipped down through a small pipe.
At the bottom was a dark room.
And someone was waiting there.
The bird landed in front of the person.
Then it spoke.
"The children know."
The person looked up.
"What did they find out?"
"The truth about Marko," the bird replied. "They know about the animals too. They know almost everything."
The person smiled.
"Good."
They leaned back into the darkness.
"That gives us a little more time to work."
The bird tilted its head.
"And when the time comes?"
The person's smile disappeared.
"Then we'll help."
A pause.
"But we're helping only one side."
Morning came far too quickly.
Marko woke the children one by one.
Mimi.
Kyler.
Jack.
Jeff.
And finally…
Allen.
Allen was the last to wake.
After everything he'd been through, Marko knew he needed the extra sleep.
When Allen finally opened his eyes, Marko gathered everyone together.
"Alright," he said. "It's time."
The children looked at him.
"Time for what?" Kyler asked.
"We're going to find an animal for each of you."
A cheerful look spread across the children's faces.
"So we'll have our own pets?" Jack asked.
"Not exactly," Marko replied.
He smiled.
"These animals are different. They have abilities that can help us get home."
The children became excited.
"If we all find one," Mimi said, "we'll have enough power to open the door?"
"Maybe," Marko answered.
Then his expression became serious.
"But there's something you need to understand."
The children stopped smiling.
"These animals are extremely difficult to find."
"Why?" Jeff asked.
"Because they choose you."
Marko looked at each of them.
"They'll come to you. Not the other way around."
"They'll speak to you…"
"…and only you will be able to hear them."
"If one chooses you, tell the rest of us immediately."
Kyler frowned.
"Is that all?"
Marko hesitated.
"No."
The children waited.
"There is one animal that is different from all the others."
"What kind?" Allen asked.
Marko looked toward the jungle.
"It's an exotic creature."
"No one has ever been able to get close to it."
He paused.
"But if you can talk to that one…"
BOOM!
A massive explosion shook the mountain.
Everyone jumped.
Another explosion followed.
BOOM!
The children ran toward the edge of the hill.
Fireballs were rising into the sky in the distance.
Mimi's eyes widened.
"What is that?!"
Allen stared toward the jungle.
His face went pale.
"It's coming from the jungle."
Marko's expression suddenly changed.
He knew exactly where they needed to go.
And whatever was happening…
It had already begun.