ANIMORPHS
The Alternative
Author's Note:
Yes, I'm a dirty whore that likes to use the Ellimist's powers to alter stuff.
Yes, I've inserted my own character into the story, but I swear he won't be a Mary Sue.
And yes, this story may (probably will) involve slash. Between Ax and Marco.
If any of these things bothers you, don't read it. Otherwise, enjoy.
Authors Note #2:
I don't know why everybody seems to think that Andalites would be so against homosexuality. I mean, sure, they've got that thing with disabled people, but still. For that reason, I made them...mostly accepting of homosexuality. But only mostly.
Final Author's Note
I. Am. Sick. And. Frelling. Tired. Of. Weepy. Ax/Marco. Pairings.
Love is about being happy. About 90 of the good M/A pairs are DEPRESSING.
A little drama is good. Twisting people's heartstrings is better. Romantic and sexual tension is good too. I draw the line when it's EMO.
For God's sake, LET THEM BE HAPPY FOR A LITTLE WHILE NOW AND THEN! Let them end with HAPPINESS! Is that SO much to ask??
Anyway, this is one of those fics with twists and turns, with heartache and sadness. But it will also have joy, mirth, love, and HAPPINESS. And dammit, if I have to shove it down your throats with a grapefruit spoon, I WILL!
Disclaimer:
I don't own the characters (except Zeke, of course). I'd never steal Applegate's stuff.
Warning: Contains occasional offensive language, possibly significant violence like in the books, and (eventually) explicit sexual contact between consenting same-sex minors. If this offends you in any way, don't read. If not, carry on.
PS-This is probably an insanely large Author's Notes page. Oh well. Sue me.
EVIL WILL NOT SEE, FOR EVIL LIES
NOT IN GOD'S PICTURE BUT IN CROOKED EYES.
- J.R.R. Tolkien
«·»
Prologue
Amidst the never-ending, convoluted, shimmering strands of time, the Ellimist watched and waited. He had lived like this for eons, longer than the race that called itself humanity had existed. Within his mind teemed the remnants of uncounted others, those who had passed before and that had merged with him long, long ago. He stared at one very bright line that had once turned billions upon billions of others; it was a line composed of a scant half dozen others, but it radiated a power that commanded even his respect.
However, he saw where that six-strong line ended. All of its members perished, even though he had helped, sheltered, aided, always indirectly and often in ways beyond corporeal understanding. First, Rachel, who had valiantly sacrificed herself to protect her fellows. Then Aximili-Esgarrouth-Isthill, the brave and uniquely humble Andalite prince who became the unwilling slave of the terrible One. Jake, Marco, Tobias, all slain in a brave but fruitless attempt to save their friend Ax, whom they freed just long enough to take his own life rather than remain with the One. And finally, Cassie, who died saving endangered extraterrestrial species, upholding her ideals to the last.
Inwardly, the Ellimist sighed. Of course, he had long lost the body he originally belonged to, so long ago that he could hardly remember what it had felt like. However, as the human Animorphs would have said, old habits die hard. The Ellimist rarely grew close to anyone in this existence he currently led; it wasn't that he didn't care, he simply saw so much more than anyone else could. Only his most dire enemy, the Crayak, could function on the Ellimist's level, and they had been locked in opposition from the first. He saw the seven lines branch, separate, dim, but they always remained connected in some small way. He turned his attention to other things.
Then, however, something caught his "eye." He returned to the seven lines, and traced them back, back to the beginning, following the many connections and pathways. He noticed that another line, another child burning with possibility, could have joined. There could have been seven Animorphs. However, before the lines could join, before a connection significant enough could be made, circumstances changed, lives separated.
«What is this?» he asked of no one in particular. «We must investigate...it may be that the story's end has not been written...»
The Ellimist called on his reality-bending powers, those that many would call "nearly omnipotent." He smiled as he brought together the warriors that he valued so, hoping beyond hope that they would accept, hoped that he could do this. He could not let Crayak win again. Had to try, even if things looked bleak.
The six humans and one Andalite appeared in a place they were familiar with. The barn, where several other meetings like this one had come and gone, both with the Ellimist and servants of the Crayak. He walked into the room from outside space, through a door that the assembled children could only see while he walked through it.
Ax and Tobias were the first to realize what happened.
"Ahhhh!" the boy cried, at first unable to reconcile where he had just been, and what he had just been, with his current situation. Ax looked startled, but focused on the bright blue being with not a little tension.
Marco, whose hands looked rather soapy, like one doing dishes, was the first to respond. "Oh, God, not again. Yes, to top off a day of spring cleaning, laundry, and dishwashing by hand, I just knew I needed another trip through Inside-Out world!"
«Hello to you, as well, Marco,» said the voice that was not a voice, that spoke inside and outside and everywhere at once. «Welcome to all of you. Jake, Cassie, Tobias, Rachel, and Aximili-Esgarrouth-Isthill.»
Rachel looked as if she'd just been doing gymnastic exercises, and wasn't exactly happy either. "What do you want now?"
The Ellimist studied them for a moment. «There is something you must know. A question we must ask of you...because many things depend upon it. First, I wish for you to look and listen.»
The assembled Animorphs looked at where he pointed, and saw what looked like a window into time. Millions, billions of strands, uncountable in number, weaved in and out and around and through everything. Then they saw seven bright, shining strands, that wound together to make a brilliantly shining cord, one that changed the paths of thousands of other strands.
«Those strands are you, my friends. Your lives, your efforts, and your sacrificies have made great changes. But...»
"We don't like 'but,' Ellimist. Not at all," said Jake, sliding back into his unquestioned leadership position. "What do you have to say?"
The Ellimist, for the first time since they met him, looked...pained. «Your endings are not as bright as your journeys. You all die. We will show you.»
Suddenly, the images flowered in their heads. Rachel, committing the ultimate sacrifice so that everyone else could survive. Marco, Jake, and Tobias, all being slain trying to save Ax, and Ax taking his own life rather than be slave to The One. Cassie, dying because she overstretched herself saving animals, because she never really let go of Rachel and the others. Death.
«Now do you see?» he asked, an echo of sadness in that non-voice. «I could not stand idly by and let you die. But, as you know, we will not interfere. I will not make decisions for you. Therefore, you must choose, and even we do not know if the alternative is better. But, I am getting ahead of myself.»
In less than a blink of an eye, the children were no longer in the time-frozen Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic. The Ellimist had taken them to that place outside of time, where inside and outside, top and bottom, back and front were all the same thing. The Ellimist's home, so colorfully known as "Inside-Out World" in Marco's mind.
"Ladies and gentlemen..." Marco started, but trailed off, as even his attention was drawn to the Ellimist. He was there, not in his corporeal form, but in his true 'shape': a massive white light, that was everywhere and nowhere, that had no beginning, one beginning, and all beginnings. He simply was.
«You must look and listen. This boy-Ezekiel-was a potential Animorph. However, the strands twisted away from meeting with Prince Elfangor-Sirinal-Shamtul, and he was gone before he could join you.»
‹What is special about this human?› asked Ax, with just a trace of that Andalite arrogance. ‹Why does his presence or non-presence matter?›
The Ellimist smiled, though how the Animorphs knew that was difficult to say. «Ah, ever inquisitive, despite your Andalite pride, Aximili. And I do not know if I can answer your question...this boy is unique. We cannot see far into the possible future with the six of you until he joins you.»
"So basically what you're saying," said Rachel gruffly, "is that you have no idea if having this guy along will even help."
«No, I do not, Rachel, he answered, unusually frank. «But the choice will not only be yours-we must ask Ezekiel as well.»
Suddenly, an eighth person appeared among those standing on the solid nothingness that the others were. He bore a lonely expression, and his bright blue eyes seemed haunted. His clothes were messy, his short black hair messier. He glanced about in surprise, then looked at the Ellimist.
"You told me about what this might mean, Ellimist. They should know what will happen if they do not choose to accept me."
«All in good time, Ezekiel. If you choose to not change the timeline, all of you will return to it as it is. None of you will remember what happened, especially Ezekiel. Your secrets will be safe. If he chooses to accept your burden, and you choose to accept him, you will not remember this discussion. It will be as though Ezekiel was always there. Whichever way you choose, you cannot go back.»
Ax was the first to give his vote. ‹Yes.›
"How can you say that so fast, Ax-man? We haven't even been able to think about it yet," Marco admonished, pursing his lips. "I mean, I don't want to die any more than you, but...this seems a little too dangerous."
‹You don't understand, Marco. I...I felt what it was like to be part of The One. It was worse than being a Yeerk host could ever be. It is better to fight it like a warrior than to run away like a coward, even if you don't know you'll win.›
"Can't argue with the man's logic!" Rachel cried, grinning. "Count me in."
Jake waited in silence, as Cassie added, "I don't want to be the last...not like that. Maybe things can be different this way. Maybe we can really win...together." She looked at her best friend, Rachel.
"I vote yes, too," said Tobias, his sad smile getting a little brighter. "Who knows? I think Zeke looks like a nice guy." Zeke blushed, but said nothing.
"Well, with bird-boy, the Blue Deer-Boy-Scorpion from Outer Space, Xenia: Warrior Princess, and Miss Save the Whales voting yes, there's no good reason to vote no. Besides, I was too pretty to die anyway," Marco laughed, jokingly flexing the muscles in his forearms.
"Oh, give it a rest, Marco," Jake said, cuffing his friend playfully on the shoulder. "And I vote yes, too. Cassie shouldn't have to be alone like that."
«That leaves one vote,» the Ellimist replied, 'turning' to 'look' at Ezekiel. «Ezekiel, do you wish to join the Animorphs, knowing that it will be a long, difficult struggle against impossible odds?»
Suddenly, the group saw an enormous change come over Ezekiel. His eyes became brighter, his expression transformed from lonely and defeated to fiercely determined. "Yes, Ellimist. I accept." He looked as though he had never been more certain of anything in his life.
«So be it. May whatever deity you worship smile upon the choice you have made. And remember-I will keep watch over you, young warriors.»
