Marchus and Kel made thier way deeper into the jungle. It no longer smelled like water but had more of an earthy smell to it. And the moss and vines had given way to more of the strange looking trees and plants.

The trees were tall and stalky with a head of bush like green foliage. Bright purple five petaled flowers that seemed to give off a slight glow climbed up the trunks and entertwined in the branches making it look like the tree had both flowers and fruit. Golden pare shaped fruit hung from the tree. Kel was curious as to what the fruit was and if it was safe to eat.

Kel stepped toward one of the trees, as he did so the purple flowers followed his movement.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you. " Marchus said. He didn't look up from the device he was looking at. "Some of the plants in here are not very friendly."

That made Kel pause. He had not thought about the plants being dangerous. He slowly backed up and the flowers moved thier 'face' toward him until he was back next to Marchus.

"Thanks for warning me. " Kel said. Marchus just gave a swift nod. They moved deeper into the jungle. The ground beneath thier feet was no longer moss covered stones but was long green grass that cushined thier feet making it possible for them to move silently. Kel was busy looking at all the new types of trees and flowers that he wasn't watching where he was stepping. One second his front paws felt the coolness of the grass beneath his feet and the next he felt the cool wet sand. He was not able to stop in time and found himself knee deep in watery sand. What is this? Kel struggled to move forward. With each step Kel seemed to sink deeper.

"Stop, hold still!" Marchus shouted. He had turned around when he heard Kel grunting with his efforts to leave his perdicument. "what ever you don't move. You will only sink deeper."

Using the small light on his device Marchus started to look around the area. There was a large tree. it's foliage a dark green in color and none of the purple flowers surrounded it. He ran over to it and started to shift throught the undergrowth. Marchus only felt the soft green of the moss under the spread of the vines. No trace of fallen limbs. So he grabbed one of the vines and pulled. The vine became up rooted and he managed to free a good couple of feet of it. Marchus used his claws and cut through the vine. Then he ran back to Kel. He was glad to see that Kel had done what he said and had not moved. The sand had not yet reached his shoulder.

"Here, catch!" Marchus said as he threw the vine to Kel. Kel caught it and surprising Marchus he managed to tie it around his first set of of shoulders. Then Kel grasped the vines. "Ok I got it. " Kel yelled. Marchus placed the devise down so as to be able to have a better grip on the vine. And then he pulled, and pulled. At first Marchus didn't think it was working but then he heard a loud sucking sound.

"It's working. " Kel shouted excitedly.

Marchus took courage in that and continued to pull until Kel was back on solid ground. Kel stood up and looked down at himself. The top half was completely devoid of the mud and sand except for his hands where he had gripped the vine. The lower half was covered in a light colored mud with small pieces of gravel stuck to him like glue. The ground around was splattered with the mud and gravel mixer.

"Well Iv'e looked better. But at least I am alive. " Kel joked. " Thank for saving me."

"Welcome. " Marchus answered. He caste his gaze back to the ground and bent down and picked up the device. He gently wiped the screen off where a couple of splats of mud had fallen.

Kel waited til Marchus moved off then he shook himself. Mud and sand went flying. Some the sand fell in amongst the purple flowers and instantly the flowers attacked.

"Ah note to self, stay away from the purple flowers and watch where I step. " Kel muttered to himself.

Marchas was once again focused on finding his way through the jungle, keeping an eye on the device in his hand. Kel just shook his head. The device was good at helping them map the jungle. And hopefully they would be able to find the other side. Kel was no longer excited for adventure. Nearly dieing was not all that fun. Not for the first time he wondered if maybe he should have gon with Shasta and left Thomas to do the adventuring. But it was too late now to really think about it. For all Kel knew Thomas was home helping himself to Kya's famous apple pie.

Just then Marchus took off running. Kel didn't know why but he figured if Marchus was running he should too. It was not long before Marchus he slowed. Kel saw the glimmer right before Marchus bent down. When Marchus stood back up a small computer chip was pinched between his thumb and finger.

"Shall we see if this is a good one. "