A/N: This one was also one we had to write sentences rather than a paragraph. Not as "impressive" (riiiiiiight...) as the last one, but again, it worked out well.

After a sequence of "magical torsion techniques", the little blonde boy opened his eyes. A grateful smile appeared on his face as he looked up at Jeanie.

"Congratulations," began the old woman, "for only those filled with hope can overcome that poison, even if it's treated."

"I knew I'd be all right," replied the nearly mortal boy proudly.

Jeanie looked up and said, "Before you shower me with gifts, I will accept no gratuity. Now, you mortals should be on your way."

At that, the same thing as earlier recurred; the kids suddenly found themselves standing in a dense forest.

"Uh, did she give us any conductive advice before we left?" asked Job rhetorically.

"Well, shall we continue our excursion?" suggested Ty.

The rest of the group concurred, but JC only looked around in confusion. The group was surprised when the boy announced his deduction: "Marc's gone."

Ty only gave a cursory glance around and said, "He's probably just using the bushes or something."

The little boy nodded and hoped it was that inconsequential.

Marc sighed as he incorporated all of the day's events into a single thought. As much gratitude as he felt toward Jeanie for helping JC, he couldn't help but feel guilty, like he should have been the one to help his brother.

"You should be feeling guilty, you miserable excuse for a brother," snickered a corpulant old tree.

Marc was mortified to find out that the tree, named Cherry, was not psychic but had simply read his face.

"Even the one named Ty is a better brother to JC than you are," mocked Cherry, carefully executing his master's well laid plan. "A sure consequence of you leaving, even if only for a while, would be Ty taking your brother from you. Take my advice, kid," he induced, "Your self-appointed leader needs to be dealt with. Besides all he does is cause you mortification."

The more Cherry talked, the more his gratuitous suggestion appealed to the blonde. Once he was certain his seduction was a succuss, he ended saying, "But of course, it's your decision to make." He then offered to conduct the boy back to the group, but he declined.

As Marc walked back the way he had come, Cherry mumbled, "Miserable ingrate; he didn't even leave a tip for my counceling session." But inspite of the money shortage, a cruel grin crossed his face for he knew that this news would gratify his master.

to be continued...