Caught Between Time
By Kay
Disclaimer: Don't own Ax, Jordan, Crayak, Drode, Ellimist, or any of the Animorphs. I do own Tobi. Pleeaasse don't sue me!!! Thank you. :)
Notes: The 9th sequel to A New Chapter- there'll be one more after this, I think! So rejoice! You may be free of me after that! ;) By the way, I would really really like to thank Stacy for everything- you've been great help. Couldn't do it without ya! :) :) :)
April 2nd, The Future
Alex Isthill watched silently as the judge sat down in the large chair. The courtroom, all polished wood and dark leather seats, was filled with the majority of the people who had known Jordan in her short life. Students, parents, and even some teachers filled the audience and wanted to listen intensly to the hearing of Derek Finell. The drunk driver that had caused the accident that killed Jordan.
Ax closed his eyes in the silence, tense with the anticipation. He had waited a long time for this day. He didn't know how the humans' justice system worked, but he hoped it was as strict as his people's, if not stricter. Hoped it would be able to bring at least some justice to this nightmare.
Voices started to speak from the front of the room, where the lawyers and the important humans had been sitting. Derek's hunched form was wearing a crumbled suit, as if he really did not care about his appearence. Maybe he didn't. Ax sighed softly and opened his eyes again, shifting uncomfortably in his dark suit. Erek was sitting next to him, attired almost the same way. The room was hot and uncomfortable, but he was willing to endure it to see the trial.
Why was he here? Ax struggled to remember. The past few weeks had been an entire blur of blank memories and confusion. Sadness has clouded his mind. He struggled to clear it and listen intently to the words the humans up front were saying. Now he remembered. He had been determined to see the monster who had killed Jordan be punished. A small peace he wanted granted.
A very small peace.
But it was something. A start. Of what? Healing? he thought scornfully. Jordan was a part of his life- a part of him. He'd tried so hard to overcome the grief he felt when the Animorphs died... And now this? How much pain could a person take?
So much pain was going to happen here. So many humans, so many people hurt and grieving. They'd settle for no less than the maximum sentence. And neither would Ax.
But it would not bring Jordan back.
Closing his eyes again, Ax leaned back, trying to hide the anguish on his face.
They began.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jordan paced adamantly in her bubble prison, once again trapped within the transparent enclosure that had kept her away from the real world for days. Maybe even weeks, as far as she knew. It seemed like an eternity rather than the small amount of time it had been. Drode had been keeping her alive with food and water, but she was pretty sure that he only did it to keep her alive for a reason that would turn out hurting someone. She no longer had any doubt that Crayak or his henchmen were pure evil.
Sighing, she slumped to the ground and surveyed her surroundings for the hundreth time. Cold stone walls of grey rock that dripped with moisture formed a small room with no window. A door was on one side of the room, but she couldn't get out of the bubble to reach it. It wouldn't help anyway, since she knew it was locked. She'd seen Drode use the key before, as he took it from his funny belt and unlocked her cell room and came in, fed her, then left. THe only other exit was a vent in the cieling above her head. She thought maybe she could reach that- the bubble connected to the ceiling, so she could have touched it... but she wasn't that tall...
"Aarrrgghh!!!" she moaned, frustration creeping into her voice. She had no concept of time, or of what might be going on in the real world. Was her mother still grieving? What happened to Ax? Jordan felt a sickening lurch in her stomach at the thought of the agony he must be going through.
"Please don't give up..." she whispered, burying her face in her knees. "Ax... help me. Don't give up- I am not dead. Please."
Silence all around her.
"Please."
JORDAN
Jordan jerked, and sucked in her breath, looking all around her. The voice, coming from everywhere at once, and yet nowhere, had filled her mind, her half-starved for love and familiarity mind. It wasn't like the evil venom of Crayak's "voice." No, this held a sympathetic tone.
"Who are you?"
I AM ELLIMIST- I AM HERE TO UNDO WHAT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN
Jordan gazed around uncertainly, confused at his words. "What?"
I AM HERE TO HELP YOU
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ax squeezed his eyes shut as the verdict was given.
"For the charges of reckless driving, we find the defendant guilty." There was a small shout of triumph from across the room that invaded Ax's numb mind. Tom. Prince Jake's brother. Of course he would be here- Jordan had been his cousin.
"For charges of driving intoxicated, we find the defendant guilty." Again, more people crying and smiling as they realized that Derek would be punished.
"For charges of manslaughter... we find the defendant not-guilty." The arupt, calm words hung harshly in the air, dangling in front of the shocked audience. Ax stared, his eyes wide and his grip on the leather arm rests tighter than a cobra's grip on a mouse once it's caught it.
"What?" Erek asked in disbelief, rage and confusion filling his holographic features. "What?!"
Shouting erupted from the courtroom's audience, along with exclaimations of disbelief and rage. It had just been given almost that Derek would be convicted on all of the charges. With this it would be harder to get him the sentence wanted.
Ax stared, still gripping his chair. "Erek?" he whispered. "Is this normal?"
Erek stared at Derek's lawyer and muttered some words Ax had never heard before. Judging from the vulgar, sharp tone of his voice, they were not very kind.
"This is wrong," Erek muttered. "Derek must've done something... or his lawyer... there's no way..."
Ax looked at Erek weakly, still half-not understanding, but knowing it was bad. "What is going to happen?"
Erek looked at him, bitterness etched on his face. "Derek's going to get off easy."
Ax felt like crying. He'd testified at the hearing, hoping so badly that somehow, that lunitic would be sent off the streets for at least a while. But now... the odds of Derek rotting in jail were not that good.
The judge was banging the grovel, shouting hoarsly at the crowd to sit down and be silent. Some refused, and had to be threatened by the court baliff that they'd get kicked out if they didn't behave right then and there. Many sat down, tense and confused.
Finally having restored order to the room, the judge looked at them all with old, sky-blue eyes that seemed to bore into everyone's soul and back again. Ax could see wisdom in those eyes. Wisdom from experience.
"Sentencing Saturday, 2:30 P.M.," he announced, banging his grovel once more and standing. He started to walk out of the room.
No, Ax thought. It cannot end like this.
Unsure of why it was so important to him, he stood. Jordan was dead- gone. He could not change that, just as no one else could change that. Now, if putting the one responsible for her death behind the bars of a human jail cell would somehow bring some meaning to this, he knew he would try for the best he could get.
It would not bring her back. But perhaps it would bring some amount of ease to the pain ripping him inside out.
Ax stood among the mass of families, and weaved through the crowd of people.
No one noticed as he followed the judge.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"So... you're here to help me," Jordan said slowly, leaning back against the clear wall of her bubble. It slightly unnerved her to think her back was leaning against what seemed to be air, but she tried to focus her attention elsewhere. "But you can't do anything to get me out of here."
YES
Rubbing her forehead in impatience, Jordan mulled over what she had been told. "So... how in the heck are you supposed to rescue me if you can't get me OUT OF HERE?!"
I WILL ENLIST THE AID OF ANOTHER
"Who?" Jordan demanded.
A FRIEND
Jordan struggled to her feet, and looked up at the ceiling and at the walls, seeking the body to this voice. "What ARE you?"
SOMEONE YOUR SISTER ONCE KNEW
Jordan's eyes widened, and she hesitated. Finally, she asked softly, "Rachel knew who you were?"
YES
Jordan closed her eyes and considered this mysterious being. Could she trust him? Maybe. From the tone of this "Ellimist" there was more to him than he was letting on. How did Rachel know him? Did that mean that Ax knew him too?
YES
Jordan jumped, feeling startled and irritated at the same time. "You can read thoughts too?!"
YES
This time Jordan detected a hint of amusement in the voice.
"Urghhh..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Judge Gordan Foster groaned as he shut the door to his office. The familiar leathery book scent calmed him as he sat down behind his desk in his black leather chair. The quarters was decorated nicely, with stately and crisp coloring. The furnishings were comfortable, yet professional looking. It was a place of solitude and tranquility after a long trial, and after today's trial he needed all the time he could get in his office.
He leaned back in his chair and shut his age-old eyes. At seventy-three, he knew he was a spry for an aging man, but spryness never changed the aching in his bones. Or the aching in his head. Being a judge was not as easy as it looked.
Thinking over the case he had just went through, he felt a sick drop in his stomach. That poor family, he thought. They had wanted justice so badly...
But something had happened. Something went wrong. Because Derek hadn't been convicted of manslaughter like he rightly deserved. Gordan didn't know why, since he was not part of the jury who had given the verdict, but he did know that that slimy, weasel-faced lawyer Derek had hired probably had something to do with it. However, you did not make such accusions without proof in this system.
"Your Honor?"
Gordan jerked and opened his eyes. Pulling a stern face, he glared at the teenage boy who was standing in front of his desk, looking at him with desperate brown eyes. He was probably in high school- a nosy kid looking for something fun.
"What are you doing back here?" he demanded to the boy.
The boy looked at him. Gordan blinked and sat back in slight shock at the anguish on his face. It was like all the pain in the world was whirling through this child's mind.
"I do not wish to bother you," the boy said calmly, but with despair in his eyes. "But I have reason to believe that your verdict was not fair."
Despite himself, Gordan had to lean forward in curiousness, wondering what exactly the boy would have him do about it. "Yes? And why is that?"
The boy looked at the judge solomnly. "Because Derek should have been convicted of manslaughter. He killed a human. He should pay judgement."
Vaguely, Gordan wondered at the odd tone the boy had said "human" with, but mostly his mind was intent on the even more odd prospect of this boy acting as if he could do something about it. "Just what do you want me to do about it?" he asked gently.
The boy looked confused, and bit his lip thoughtfully as if he hadn't thought that part through yet. "Your Honor... I do not know much about this system you use. I do not know what you can do- is there anything? There has to be something..."
Gordan sighed. "Nothing, I'm afraid. Without proof the verdict was staged, we're stuck. I'm afraid that my power only goes so far," he said softly.
The boy looked at him for a long time. Studied him. Finally, with a defeated tone that held bitterness and confusion in it's depths, he said, "I believe you." He shook his head. "I am... I am sorry to have disturbed you in your resting. Goodbye."
He left, and Gordan sat back, wondering. Wondering how such a young lad could look like his whole world had caved in on him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As soon as Ax came home from the trial, he collapsed in mental exhaustion on his bed. Not even bothering to remove his shoes, he fell into a deep, much-needed sleep. He knew later the pain would come even harder, but at the moment all he could feel was an endless weariness and fatigue.
Erek quietly shut off the light and closed the door. Today had been a hard day for them all, and he could not blame Ax for wanting to sleep the rest of it.
Tobi trotted into the room before he shut the door, and made her way over to Ax's bed where he was laying on top of the blankets. She jumped up on the bedspread and lay down beside her master's form.
i"Ax... I need your help."/i
iAx opened his eyes in surprise and confusion, his heart pounding. The room was bathed in white light that was soft and easy despite it's bright glare. The room was almost empty except for the bed he was sleeping on. Looking around, he could see no one, but the familiar voice came again, with it's pleading tone that made his heart wrench./i
i"Help me- I'm trapped. I need your help."/i
i"Jordan?" Ax asked, his breath catching in what was obviously some sort of dream. "Is that you?"/i
i"Go to Cassie's barn, and wait. All will become clear."/i
iAx looked around, more confused than ever. It was Jordan's voice, the the words seemed to be someone elses. "When? When should I go?"/i
i"Soon."/i
Ax jerked awake with a gasp, and sat up in bed. The digital numbers on his bedside clock read: 7:23 P.M. Tobi was napping beside him. Shaking his head, Ax tried to dislodge the sharp memories of the dream from his mind. The whole thing was ridiculous- Jordan was dead. Forever. Nothing and no one could change that.
Taking advice or instructions from a dream was ridiculous. Absurd in every way. Ax was thankful he was not gullible and obeying it- it would probably just bring a cold night at the barn in. The whole thing was illogical, and very much unlike him.
Sighing, Ax grabbed his demin jacket and a leash. Shaking Tobi's small body, he woke her up. "Come on, Tobi. We are going to take a walk to Cassie's barn."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ax stood inside the barn, his breating uneven from the quick walk down the cold streets. It had been a very long time since he'd been here. So much had not changed- it was still as if his friends and himself had just been there a moment ago, planning and lounging on the hay bales. The dust drifted lazily, and he could see the moon faintly through a hole in the cieling. The light flittered down into the barn, shining on half of the animals that were in the cages.
Tobi was in Heaven. She yipped and tugged at the leash, driving to get at the animals in the cages that surrounded her. Ax scolded her quietly, and looked around again. The familiar and yet eerily silent place delved up memories he'd almost forgotten. Swallowing, he shoved the sadness away. Now was not the time.
"Hello?" Ax asked hesitantly, unsure of what to do. All of a sudden, the absurdity and lunacy of this hit him. What did he think he was doing?! Following a dream- an empty voice from his dreams? It was foolish and illogical and not to mention went against everything he believed it. The only thing at work here was his own hullucinating mind.
"Are you sure about that?" a calm, placid voice asked from behind him. Whirling, Ax gasped. A figure of an old man stepped from the shadows, glowing a pale blue that seemed dimmed for some reason. Robes pooled around him on the barn's ground.
"Ellimist," Ax said, stating it instead of asking it.
"Yes, the Ellimist." He smiled faintly, his image almost transluctant. "It is I."
Ax stared, surprised by the way he could vaguelly see objects through the powerful being. "Is there something wrong with you?" he asked lamely, unable to think of another reason for the sickly appearance.
The Ellimist laughed. "No, no, aristh, nothing is wrong with me. I'm merely traveling incognito- Crayak may sense my presence if I am not cautious." Ax felt a pain of anguish at the title, and shook his head.
"I am no longer an aristh." He paused. "What do you want with me? The dream? Was it you?"
The Ellimist nodded serenly. "Yes, it was me. You see, from the very start, Crayak has had his eyes set on destroying you. He hates having the remains of the Animorphs alive, well, and walking around. Fortunately, he is not able to destroy you due to the Rules we have set for this universe."
Ax's mind whirled. "Okay... Why am I here now?"
"I see you will not be distracted." The Ellimist nodded. "Crayak took control of the opportunity when Jordan was taken into a coma, and bent the rules slightly." He gazed at Ax with wise eyes that made him tense. He had never trusted the Ellimist. But now, he would listen if it had something to do with Jordan. He'd take the risks.
"Bent the rules?"
"Yes." The Ellimist's face shadowed. "He created an illusion. An almost real one, that Jordan had died in the accident when truthfully she had been thrown of the car and unharmed. He replaced her with a decoy- an entity. It was within the rules as long as he did not harm Jordan herself, and now, with her in his clutches, he is in the position to make an unfair deal that will most likely bring harm to you."
Ax sat down aruptly on a hay bail with a dazed look, taking it all in. Tobi jumped on his lap, grinning, and licked his face until he blinked. "She is..."
"Yes. She is alive."
"It cannot be..."
The Ellimist smiled faintly. "You find it hard to believe? All along, you could not truly grieve, which would have been a devestation beyond many others. All along, somehow you knew. That is the flaw in Crayak's plan- he may be able to present the illusion, but to make others believe it is an entirly different matter."
Ax numbly asked, "Where is she?"
"In Crayak's home. It may be hard to believe, but the evil creature does have a home." Ellimist grimaced. "I have come to give you the chance to get Jordan back, Aximili-Esgarrouth-Isthil."
"Ax. My name, it is Ax," Ax said shakily. "And what is the catch, Ellimist? What do you get in return for this? Why are you doing this- what do you want from me?"
The Ellimist looked sad- a world weary oldness in his ancient eyes. It scared and surprised Ax at how much emotions were being revealed in the usually aloof being with so much power. He shuddered at the Ellimist's heavy words. "As much as you may not believe it, young one, I only do this to see that something goes right for once. I've watched you. Cried with you. You do not believe it, perhaps, but I can feel, and I know how hard it was to watch your friends die. Because I, too, watched them die, helpless, bound by my own Rules." He looked at Ax pleadingly, and Ax almost let loose a bubble of laughter. Such a powerful, uncaring alien that was looking at him like he wanted forgivness from Ax, a nothing. Almost made him laugh- almost. But the sadness that was radiating from the Ellimist stopped him.
"It was not your fault," Ax said, and stopped. It was true- his words were true. As much as he'd like to blame the Ellimist, even the blue man in front of him had limits and weaknesses. Just as any other would.
ARE YOU READY?
Ax looked up, seeing no one. The Ellimist had left his form and returned to the invisible, mystery he was. No more emotions, only calm, crypic words.
"Yes. Take me to her."
In the space of a heartbeat, Ax went from staring at Tobi's nose, to staring at a broad, smooth metal wall higher than the Dome ship he'd crashed on.
Stumbling back, he stared up dizzily at the wide, tall sheet of lead that sparkled omniously in the darkness. It was impossibly smooth, no dents or cuts or scratches... Nothing. Quickly, Ax whirled and looked behind him.
Then wished he hadn't.
Ax gasped and jerked back instinctivly. Space. Cold, wide open space, darkness reaching off into the abyss. No planets or stars to see, only cold black empty space that could not touch him. It amazed him, thrilled him, and scared him. It was like Z-Space, only he could feel the chill that was only the smallest part of the vast region. He looked down, feeling slightly nauseated. He was standing on a small platform that was attached to the wall that seemed to go on forever in all directions.
He leaned back against the wall, and cried out as it swallowed him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jordan gazed restlessly at a non-existant spot on the grey wall. It was all beginning to bore her. How long had the Ellimist been gone? Days? Hours? Maybe even minutes- who knew with this wacky place. Time seemed to slow down or speed up spontaneously.
"Well well well," an unfortunatly familiar voice called, echoing. "Little Rachel is either bored, or had found something of interest on the wall. What is so great that you've been staring at it for 30 minutes?"
Jordan gritted her teeth, and stood. Slowly, taking her time, she brushed her jeans off and turned around to face the Drode.
"Drode, what do you want this time, you over-grown eggplant," she snapped.
Drode giggled and stepped back, holding his hands over his heart in the universal gesture of injury. If he had a heart- Jordan was beginning to doubt it. He tried to look hurt. "Why, Little Rachel, I can't believe you would compare me with a mere vegetable from your planet. I am so much much more."
"Yeah, you're right- you're an over-grown brussel sprout," Jordan said lamely, trying to find a way to get a rise out of the creature. "You're nothing, Drode. Just some jerky alien who works for a freaky tentacled machine."
"Crayak."
"Like I said: a freaky tentacled machine." Jordan pretended to calmly examine her hands. "So when do I get out of here?"
Drode laughed. "As soon as your lover boy alien kills himself or something, I would say." He batted his eyes. "You and him had quite a relationship, didn't you? The little Rachel psychopath and the alien nothlit with so much guilt we felt SURE he'd give up and take care of our job for us by killing himself. But noooo... You had to revive him. You and the pathetic, non-violent Chee." He sneered. "Do you really think he's so strong he'd hold on to life through YOUR meaningless little death?"
Jordan wanted to scream at him, kick him, hurt him. She hated him- for what he was doing, and what he may have already done. Her biggest fear was that his words were true- but she couldn't believe it. She wouldn't. She struggled to control the burning hatred and rage that welled up inside of her at his words. "Ax won't kill himself. He's better than that- he's strong. And besides," she added furiously, "Erek wouldn't let him. You're full of it, Drode, you know that?"
Drode looked delighted to get her angry. "There's the fiery little Rachel I like to see! You're a great deal like your sister, you know that? Just as Ax said- of course, he had no idea what he was saying. He was impossibly easy to influence, you know."
Jordan stared at him, a cold feeling of fear bubbling beneath her surface. "What? What do you mean- influence?"
"Ohhhh, simply that maybe my master and I had an... effect... on your little arguement." Drode clapped. "And what a delightful arguement it was! Of course, we could not influence your words, but you did just fine yourself..."
"You mean... you..."
Drode laughed. "My master and I merely built up the hostile feelings and planted a few suggestions, Little Rachel."
Jordan felt sick. Forcing away the overwhelming feeling of guilt, she glared at Drode. "You pathetic little creep." She ran at him, struck out blindly, hoping to feel her fist connect. It didn't- only hitting empty air. She screamed her rage, and fell to her knees, tears streaming down her face. She had to get out of here- she HAD to. It was driving her insane.
"I'll kill you, Drode," she promised, sobbing while she screamed her threat. "I'LL KILL YOU!!!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ax felt a cold crash through his body, screaming in pain as the biting cold liquid seemed to wash through him. The silver metallic liquid filled his mouth with bitter taste when he screamed, though, so he bit his lip down hard and squeezed his stinging eyes shut. He was not sure what had happened- one moment he leaned against the wall, and it... gave way somehow. Like it was water. Swallowed him, sunk him, and passed him through it's thick shield.
Suddenly- air. Ax felt the rush of pain and cold leave him, and he fell. He yelped as he landed on a hard, white floor on his stomach. He choked on the left over silver liquid that made up the wall, and spit it out. Blinking furiously, he sucked in the air and stopped his shivering. He sat up, and turned to look at the wall, which left no sign of being solid except for a slight ripple where he'd come out.
Ax looked at his surroundings, breathing hard from the experience he'd gone through. He was in a white hall lit up with harsh, bright lights. It was devoid of anyone and anything, save for the metal door at the end of the hall. Judging from the smooth, untainted surface, it was the same material as the wall.
"I do not wish to go through that odd experience again," Ax muttered, looking around for another way. He wished it was not so silent- his footsteps echoed loudly, and his breathing sounded like it didn't belong to him. The echoing sound of his footsteps all of a sudden sounded different, as if he'd hit metal. He looked down.
Ax stepped back, kneeled, and examined the grilled vent he'd walked over. It was about the size of his bedside table top- he should have no trouble crawling through it. The only problem was removing the cover...
Ax clumsily wrapped his fingers around the bars, and gave an experimental tug. It didn't budge an inch. Grunting, he strained and pulled at it, wishing all the while that he had chosen a better morph to get stuck in. Gasping, he struggled to move it up just an bit more...
Suddenly, he cried out and dropped it, falling back with tears in his eyes at the unexpected shot of pain that went through his entire arm from his shoulder. Whimpering slightly, he tried to move it, and winced at the pain he felt when he did. Gently, he fingered his shoulder, probing. Dislocated, he realized. Jordan had once dislocated her shoulder- the memory only made him feel worse.
What had she done? he thought, struggling to recall how she dealt with it. She'd had her track coach do something... He'd shoved it into the joint again, hadn't he? Ax reluctantly studied his shoulder, and took it, trying not to jar it. Then again, he thought in reconsideration, he'd have to jar it if he was to put it back into his socket.
Clenching his teeth against the pain, he jerked it up and popped it back into place.
"Aaaahhhhhhh!!!" he screamed, unable to help but cry out against the excrutiating jolt of pain he felt. He leaned back against the wall, shaken. His shoulder was still throbbing uncontrollably, but at least it was back where it belonged. Ax closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again to see whether he'd had any progress on the vent at all. To his relief, he saw that the cover had moved over slightly when he dropped it, leaving a space big enough for his hands to fit through. He should be able to use one of his hands to push it over all the way off, now.
Ax ignored the way his shoulder still hurt for a moment, and quietly began to plan.
If he was going to face Crayak, he wanted to surprise him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The end so far.. Part Two of this is out, by the way. I should have uploaded it- just look for part two of this!! ^_^ Thanks!!!
By Kay
Disclaimer: Don't own Ax, Jordan, Crayak, Drode, Ellimist, or any of the Animorphs. I do own Tobi. Pleeaasse don't sue me!!! Thank you. :)
Notes: The 9th sequel to A New Chapter- there'll be one more after this, I think! So rejoice! You may be free of me after that! ;) By the way, I would really really like to thank Stacy for everything- you've been great help. Couldn't do it without ya! :) :) :)
April 2nd, The Future
Alex Isthill watched silently as the judge sat down in the large chair. The courtroom, all polished wood and dark leather seats, was filled with the majority of the people who had known Jordan in her short life. Students, parents, and even some teachers filled the audience and wanted to listen intensly to the hearing of Derek Finell. The drunk driver that had caused the accident that killed Jordan.
Ax closed his eyes in the silence, tense with the anticipation. He had waited a long time for this day. He didn't know how the humans' justice system worked, but he hoped it was as strict as his people's, if not stricter. Hoped it would be able to bring at least some justice to this nightmare.
Voices started to speak from the front of the room, where the lawyers and the important humans had been sitting. Derek's hunched form was wearing a crumbled suit, as if he really did not care about his appearence. Maybe he didn't. Ax sighed softly and opened his eyes again, shifting uncomfortably in his dark suit. Erek was sitting next to him, attired almost the same way. The room was hot and uncomfortable, but he was willing to endure it to see the trial.
Why was he here? Ax struggled to remember. The past few weeks had been an entire blur of blank memories and confusion. Sadness has clouded his mind. He struggled to clear it and listen intently to the words the humans up front were saying. Now he remembered. He had been determined to see the monster who had killed Jordan be punished. A small peace he wanted granted.
A very small peace.
But it was something. A start. Of what? Healing? he thought scornfully. Jordan was a part of his life- a part of him. He'd tried so hard to overcome the grief he felt when the Animorphs died... And now this? How much pain could a person take?
So much pain was going to happen here. So many humans, so many people hurt and grieving. They'd settle for no less than the maximum sentence. And neither would Ax.
But it would not bring Jordan back.
Closing his eyes again, Ax leaned back, trying to hide the anguish on his face.
They began.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jordan paced adamantly in her bubble prison, once again trapped within the transparent enclosure that had kept her away from the real world for days. Maybe even weeks, as far as she knew. It seemed like an eternity rather than the small amount of time it had been. Drode had been keeping her alive with food and water, but she was pretty sure that he only did it to keep her alive for a reason that would turn out hurting someone. She no longer had any doubt that Crayak or his henchmen were pure evil.
Sighing, she slumped to the ground and surveyed her surroundings for the hundreth time. Cold stone walls of grey rock that dripped with moisture formed a small room with no window. A door was on one side of the room, but she couldn't get out of the bubble to reach it. It wouldn't help anyway, since she knew it was locked. She'd seen Drode use the key before, as he took it from his funny belt and unlocked her cell room and came in, fed her, then left. THe only other exit was a vent in the cieling above her head. She thought maybe she could reach that- the bubble connected to the ceiling, so she could have touched it... but she wasn't that tall...
"Aarrrgghh!!!" she moaned, frustration creeping into her voice. She had no concept of time, or of what might be going on in the real world. Was her mother still grieving? What happened to Ax? Jordan felt a sickening lurch in her stomach at the thought of the agony he must be going through.
"Please don't give up..." she whispered, burying her face in her knees. "Ax... help me. Don't give up- I am not dead. Please."
Silence all around her.
"Please."
JORDAN
Jordan jerked, and sucked in her breath, looking all around her. The voice, coming from everywhere at once, and yet nowhere, had filled her mind, her half-starved for love and familiarity mind. It wasn't like the evil venom of Crayak's "voice." No, this held a sympathetic tone.
"Who are you?"
I AM ELLIMIST- I AM HERE TO UNDO WHAT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN
Jordan gazed around uncertainly, confused at his words. "What?"
I AM HERE TO HELP YOU
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ax squeezed his eyes shut as the verdict was given.
"For the charges of reckless driving, we find the defendant guilty." There was a small shout of triumph from across the room that invaded Ax's numb mind. Tom. Prince Jake's brother. Of course he would be here- Jordan had been his cousin.
"For charges of driving intoxicated, we find the defendant guilty." Again, more people crying and smiling as they realized that Derek would be punished.
"For charges of manslaughter... we find the defendant not-guilty." The arupt, calm words hung harshly in the air, dangling in front of the shocked audience. Ax stared, his eyes wide and his grip on the leather arm rests tighter than a cobra's grip on a mouse once it's caught it.
"What?" Erek asked in disbelief, rage and confusion filling his holographic features. "What?!"
Shouting erupted from the courtroom's audience, along with exclaimations of disbelief and rage. It had just been given almost that Derek would be convicted on all of the charges. With this it would be harder to get him the sentence wanted.
Ax stared, still gripping his chair. "Erek?" he whispered. "Is this normal?"
Erek stared at Derek's lawyer and muttered some words Ax had never heard before. Judging from the vulgar, sharp tone of his voice, they were not very kind.
"This is wrong," Erek muttered. "Derek must've done something... or his lawyer... there's no way..."
Ax looked at Erek weakly, still half-not understanding, but knowing it was bad. "What is going to happen?"
Erek looked at him, bitterness etched on his face. "Derek's going to get off easy."
Ax felt like crying. He'd testified at the hearing, hoping so badly that somehow, that lunitic would be sent off the streets for at least a while. But now... the odds of Derek rotting in jail were not that good.
The judge was banging the grovel, shouting hoarsly at the crowd to sit down and be silent. Some refused, and had to be threatened by the court baliff that they'd get kicked out if they didn't behave right then and there. Many sat down, tense and confused.
Finally having restored order to the room, the judge looked at them all with old, sky-blue eyes that seemed to bore into everyone's soul and back again. Ax could see wisdom in those eyes. Wisdom from experience.
"Sentencing Saturday, 2:30 P.M.," he announced, banging his grovel once more and standing. He started to walk out of the room.
No, Ax thought. It cannot end like this.
Unsure of why it was so important to him, he stood. Jordan was dead- gone. He could not change that, just as no one else could change that. Now, if putting the one responsible for her death behind the bars of a human jail cell would somehow bring some meaning to this, he knew he would try for the best he could get.
It would not bring her back. But perhaps it would bring some amount of ease to the pain ripping him inside out.
Ax stood among the mass of families, and weaved through the crowd of people.
No one noticed as he followed the judge.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"So... you're here to help me," Jordan said slowly, leaning back against the clear wall of her bubble. It slightly unnerved her to think her back was leaning against what seemed to be air, but she tried to focus her attention elsewhere. "But you can't do anything to get me out of here."
YES
Rubbing her forehead in impatience, Jordan mulled over what she had been told. "So... how in the heck are you supposed to rescue me if you can't get me OUT OF HERE?!"
I WILL ENLIST THE AID OF ANOTHER
"Who?" Jordan demanded.
A FRIEND
Jordan struggled to her feet, and looked up at the ceiling and at the walls, seeking the body to this voice. "What ARE you?"
SOMEONE YOUR SISTER ONCE KNEW
Jordan's eyes widened, and she hesitated. Finally, she asked softly, "Rachel knew who you were?"
YES
Jordan closed her eyes and considered this mysterious being. Could she trust him? Maybe. From the tone of this "Ellimist" there was more to him than he was letting on. How did Rachel know him? Did that mean that Ax knew him too?
YES
Jordan jumped, feeling startled and irritated at the same time. "You can read thoughts too?!"
YES
This time Jordan detected a hint of amusement in the voice.
"Urghhh..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Judge Gordan Foster groaned as he shut the door to his office. The familiar leathery book scent calmed him as he sat down behind his desk in his black leather chair. The quarters was decorated nicely, with stately and crisp coloring. The furnishings were comfortable, yet professional looking. It was a place of solitude and tranquility after a long trial, and after today's trial he needed all the time he could get in his office.
He leaned back in his chair and shut his age-old eyes. At seventy-three, he knew he was a spry for an aging man, but spryness never changed the aching in his bones. Or the aching in his head. Being a judge was not as easy as it looked.
Thinking over the case he had just went through, he felt a sick drop in his stomach. That poor family, he thought. They had wanted justice so badly...
But something had happened. Something went wrong. Because Derek hadn't been convicted of manslaughter like he rightly deserved. Gordan didn't know why, since he was not part of the jury who had given the verdict, but he did know that that slimy, weasel-faced lawyer Derek had hired probably had something to do with it. However, you did not make such accusions without proof in this system.
"Your Honor?"
Gordan jerked and opened his eyes. Pulling a stern face, he glared at the teenage boy who was standing in front of his desk, looking at him with desperate brown eyes. He was probably in high school- a nosy kid looking for something fun.
"What are you doing back here?" he demanded to the boy.
The boy looked at him. Gordan blinked and sat back in slight shock at the anguish on his face. It was like all the pain in the world was whirling through this child's mind.
"I do not wish to bother you," the boy said calmly, but with despair in his eyes. "But I have reason to believe that your verdict was not fair."
Despite himself, Gordan had to lean forward in curiousness, wondering what exactly the boy would have him do about it. "Yes? And why is that?"
The boy looked at the judge solomnly. "Because Derek should have been convicted of manslaughter. He killed a human. He should pay judgement."
Vaguely, Gordan wondered at the odd tone the boy had said "human" with, but mostly his mind was intent on the even more odd prospect of this boy acting as if he could do something about it. "Just what do you want me to do about it?" he asked gently.
The boy looked confused, and bit his lip thoughtfully as if he hadn't thought that part through yet. "Your Honor... I do not know much about this system you use. I do not know what you can do- is there anything? There has to be something..."
Gordan sighed. "Nothing, I'm afraid. Without proof the verdict was staged, we're stuck. I'm afraid that my power only goes so far," he said softly.
The boy looked at him for a long time. Studied him. Finally, with a defeated tone that held bitterness and confusion in it's depths, he said, "I believe you." He shook his head. "I am... I am sorry to have disturbed you in your resting. Goodbye."
He left, and Gordan sat back, wondering. Wondering how such a young lad could look like his whole world had caved in on him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As soon as Ax came home from the trial, he collapsed in mental exhaustion on his bed. Not even bothering to remove his shoes, he fell into a deep, much-needed sleep. He knew later the pain would come even harder, but at the moment all he could feel was an endless weariness and fatigue.
Erek quietly shut off the light and closed the door. Today had been a hard day for them all, and he could not blame Ax for wanting to sleep the rest of it.
Tobi trotted into the room before he shut the door, and made her way over to Ax's bed where he was laying on top of the blankets. She jumped up on the bedspread and lay down beside her master's form.
i"Ax... I need your help."/i
iAx opened his eyes in surprise and confusion, his heart pounding. The room was bathed in white light that was soft and easy despite it's bright glare. The room was almost empty except for the bed he was sleeping on. Looking around, he could see no one, but the familiar voice came again, with it's pleading tone that made his heart wrench./i
i"Help me- I'm trapped. I need your help."/i
i"Jordan?" Ax asked, his breath catching in what was obviously some sort of dream. "Is that you?"/i
i"Go to Cassie's barn, and wait. All will become clear."/i
iAx looked around, more confused than ever. It was Jordan's voice, the the words seemed to be someone elses. "When? When should I go?"/i
i"Soon."/i
Ax jerked awake with a gasp, and sat up in bed. The digital numbers on his bedside clock read: 7:23 P.M. Tobi was napping beside him. Shaking his head, Ax tried to dislodge the sharp memories of the dream from his mind. The whole thing was ridiculous- Jordan was dead. Forever. Nothing and no one could change that.
Taking advice or instructions from a dream was ridiculous. Absurd in every way. Ax was thankful he was not gullible and obeying it- it would probably just bring a cold night at the barn in. The whole thing was illogical, and very much unlike him.
Sighing, Ax grabbed his demin jacket and a leash. Shaking Tobi's small body, he woke her up. "Come on, Tobi. We are going to take a walk to Cassie's barn."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ax stood inside the barn, his breating uneven from the quick walk down the cold streets. It had been a very long time since he'd been here. So much had not changed- it was still as if his friends and himself had just been there a moment ago, planning and lounging on the hay bales. The dust drifted lazily, and he could see the moon faintly through a hole in the cieling. The light flittered down into the barn, shining on half of the animals that were in the cages.
Tobi was in Heaven. She yipped and tugged at the leash, driving to get at the animals in the cages that surrounded her. Ax scolded her quietly, and looked around again. The familiar and yet eerily silent place delved up memories he'd almost forgotten. Swallowing, he shoved the sadness away. Now was not the time.
"Hello?" Ax asked hesitantly, unsure of what to do. All of a sudden, the absurdity and lunacy of this hit him. What did he think he was doing?! Following a dream- an empty voice from his dreams? It was foolish and illogical and not to mention went against everything he believed it. The only thing at work here was his own hullucinating mind.
"Are you sure about that?" a calm, placid voice asked from behind him. Whirling, Ax gasped. A figure of an old man stepped from the shadows, glowing a pale blue that seemed dimmed for some reason. Robes pooled around him on the barn's ground.
"Ellimist," Ax said, stating it instead of asking it.
"Yes, the Ellimist." He smiled faintly, his image almost transluctant. "It is I."
Ax stared, surprised by the way he could vaguelly see objects through the powerful being. "Is there something wrong with you?" he asked lamely, unable to think of another reason for the sickly appearance.
The Ellimist laughed. "No, no, aristh, nothing is wrong with me. I'm merely traveling incognito- Crayak may sense my presence if I am not cautious." Ax felt a pain of anguish at the title, and shook his head.
"I am no longer an aristh." He paused. "What do you want with me? The dream? Was it you?"
The Ellimist nodded serenly. "Yes, it was me. You see, from the very start, Crayak has had his eyes set on destroying you. He hates having the remains of the Animorphs alive, well, and walking around. Fortunately, he is not able to destroy you due to the Rules we have set for this universe."
Ax's mind whirled. "Okay... Why am I here now?"
"I see you will not be distracted." The Ellimist nodded. "Crayak took control of the opportunity when Jordan was taken into a coma, and bent the rules slightly." He gazed at Ax with wise eyes that made him tense. He had never trusted the Ellimist. But now, he would listen if it had something to do with Jordan. He'd take the risks.
"Bent the rules?"
"Yes." The Ellimist's face shadowed. "He created an illusion. An almost real one, that Jordan had died in the accident when truthfully she had been thrown of the car and unharmed. He replaced her with a decoy- an entity. It was within the rules as long as he did not harm Jordan herself, and now, with her in his clutches, he is in the position to make an unfair deal that will most likely bring harm to you."
Ax sat down aruptly on a hay bail with a dazed look, taking it all in. Tobi jumped on his lap, grinning, and licked his face until he blinked. "She is..."
"Yes. She is alive."
"It cannot be..."
The Ellimist smiled faintly. "You find it hard to believe? All along, you could not truly grieve, which would have been a devestation beyond many others. All along, somehow you knew. That is the flaw in Crayak's plan- he may be able to present the illusion, but to make others believe it is an entirly different matter."
Ax numbly asked, "Where is she?"
"In Crayak's home. It may be hard to believe, but the evil creature does have a home." Ellimist grimaced. "I have come to give you the chance to get Jordan back, Aximili-Esgarrouth-Isthil."
"Ax. My name, it is Ax," Ax said shakily. "And what is the catch, Ellimist? What do you get in return for this? Why are you doing this- what do you want from me?"
The Ellimist looked sad- a world weary oldness in his ancient eyes. It scared and surprised Ax at how much emotions were being revealed in the usually aloof being with so much power. He shuddered at the Ellimist's heavy words. "As much as you may not believe it, young one, I only do this to see that something goes right for once. I've watched you. Cried with you. You do not believe it, perhaps, but I can feel, and I know how hard it was to watch your friends die. Because I, too, watched them die, helpless, bound by my own Rules." He looked at Ax pleadingly, and Ax almost let loose a bubble of laughter. Such a powerful, uncaring alien that was looking at him like he wanted forgivness from Ax, a nothing. Almost made him laugh- almost. But the sadness that was radiating from the Ellimist stopped him.
"It was not your fault," Ax said, and stopped. It was true- his words were true. As much as he'd like to blame the Ellimist, even the blue man in front of him had limits and weaknesses. Just as any other would.
ARE YOU READY?
Ax looked up, seeing no one. The Ellimist had left his form and returned to the invisible, mystery he was. No more emotions, only calm, crypic words.
"Yes. Take me to her."
In the space of a heartbeat, Ax went from staring at Tobi's nose, to staring at a broad, smooth metal wall higher than the Dome ship he'd crashed on.
Stumbling back, he stared up dizzily at the wide, tall sheet of lead that sparkled omniously in the darkness. It was impossibly smooth, no dents or cuts or scratches... Nothing. Quickly, Ax whirled and looked behind him.
Then wished he hadn't.
Ax gasped and jerked back instinctivly. Space. Cold, wide open space, darkness reaching off into the abyss. No planets or stars to see, only cold black empty space that could not touch him. It amazed him, thrilled him, and scared him. It was like Z-Space, only he could feel the chill that was only the smallest part of the vast region. He looked down, feeling slightly nauseated. He was standing on a small platform that was attached to the wall that seemed to go on forever in all directions.
He leaned back against the wall, and cried out as it swallowed him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jordan gazed restlessly at a non-existant spot on the grey wall. It was all beginning to bore her. How long had the Ellimist been gone? Days? Hours? Maybe even minutes- who knew with this wacky place. Time seemed to slow down or speed up spontaneously.
"Well well well," an unfortunatly familiar voice called, echoing. "Little Rachel is either bored, or had found something of interest on the wall. What is so great that you've been staring at it for 30 minutes?"
Jordan gritted her teeth, and stood. Slowly, taking her time, she brushed her jeans off and turned around to face the Drode.
"Drode, what do you want this time, you over-grown eggplant," she snapped.
Drode giggled and stepped back, holding his hands over his heart in the universal gesture of injury. If he had a heart- Jordan was beginning to doubt it. He tried to look hurt. "Why, Little Rachel, I can't believe you would compare me with a mere vegetable from your planet. I am so much much more."
"Yeah, you're right- you're an over-grown brussel sprout," Jordan said lamely, trying to find a way to get a rise out of the creature. "You're nothing, Drode. Just some jerky alien who works for a freaky tentacled machine."
"Crayak."
"Like I said: a freaky tentacled machine." Jordan pretended to calmly examine her hands. "So when do I get out of here?"
Drode laughed. "As soon as your lover boy alien kills himself or something, I would say." He batted his eyes. "You and him had quite a relationship, didn't you? The little Rachel psychopath and the alien nothlit with so much guilt we felt SURE he'd give up and take care of our job for us by killing himself. But noooo... You had to revive him. You and the pathetic, non-violent Chee." He sneered. "Do you really think he's so strong he'd hold on to life through YOUR meaningless little death?"
Jordan wanted to scream at him, kick him, hurt him. She hated him- for what he was doing, and what he may have already done. Her biggest fear was that his words were true- but she couldn't believe it. She wouldn't. She struggled to control the burning hatred and rage that welled up inside of her at his words. "Ax won't kill himself. He's better than that- he's strong. And besides," she added furiously, "Erek wouldn't let him. You're full of it, Drode, you know that?"
Drode looked delighted to get her angry. "There's the fiery little Rachel I like to see! You're a great deal like your sister, you know that? Just as Ax said- of course, he had no idea what he was saying. He was impossibly easy to influence, you know."
Jordan stared at him, a cold feeling of fear bubbling beneath her surface. "What? What do you mean- influence?"
"Ohhhh, simply that maybe my master and I had an... effect... on your little arguement." Drode clapped. "And what a delightful arguement it was! Of course, we could not influence your words, but you did just fine yourself..."
"You mean... you..."
Drode laughed. "My master and I merely built up the hostile feelings and planted a few suggestions, Little Rachel."
Jordan felt sick. Forcing away the overwhelming feeling of guilt, she glared at Drode. "You pathetic little creep." She ran at him, struck out blindly, hoping to feel her fist connect. It didn't- only hitting empty air. She screamed her rage, and fell to her knees, tears streaming down her face. She had to get out of here- she HAD to. It was driving her insane.
"I'll kill you, Drode," she promised, sobbing while she screamed her threat. "I'LL KILL YOU!!!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ax felt a cold crash through his body, screaming in pain as the biting cold liquid seemed to wash through him. The silver metallic liquid filled his mouth with bitter taste when he screamed, though, so he bit his lip down hard and squeezed his stinging eyes shut. He was not sure what had happened- one moment he leaned against the wall, and it... gave way somehow. Like it was water. Swallowed him, sunk him, and passed him through it's thick shield.
Suddenly- air. Ax felt the rush of pain and cold leave him, and he fell. He yelped as he landed on a hard, white floor on his stomach. He choked on the left over silver liquid that made up the wall, and spit it out. Blinking furiously, he sucked in the air and stopped his shivering. He sat up, and turned to look at the wall, which left no sign of being solid except for a slight ripple where he'd come out.
Ax looked at his surroundings, breathing hard from the experience he'd gone through. He was in a white hall lit up with harsh, bright lights. It was devoid of anyone and anything, save for the metal door at the end of the hall. Judging from the smooth, untainted surface, it was the same material as the wall.
"I do not wish to go through that odd experience again," Ax muttered, looking around for another way. He wished it was not so silent- his footsteps echoed loudly, and his breathing sounded like it didn't belong to him. The echoing sound of his footsteps all of a sudden sounded different, as if he'd hit metal. He looked down.
Ax stepped back, kneeled, and examined the grilled vent he'd walked over. It was about the size of his bedside table top- he should have no trouble crawling through it. The only problem was removing the cover...
Ax clumsily wrapped his fingers around the bars, and gave an experimental tug. It didn't budge an inch. Grunting, he strained and pulled at it, wishing all the while that he had chosen a better morph to get stuck in. Gasping, he struggled to move it up just an bit more...
Suddenly, he cried out and dropped it, falling back with tears in his eyes at the unexpected shot of pain that went through his entire arm from his shoulder. Whimpering slightly, he tried to move it, and winced at the pain he felt when he did. Gently, he fingered his shoulder, probing. Dislocated, he realized. Jordan had once dislocated her shoulder- the memory only made him feel worse.
What had she done? he thought, struggling to recall how she dealt with it. She'd had her track coach do something... He'd shoved it into the joint again, hadn't he? Ax reluctantly studied his shoulder, and took it, trying not to jar it. Then again, he thought in reconsideration, he'd have to jar it if he was to put it back into his socket.
Clenching his teeth against the pain, he jerked it up and popped it back into place.
"Aaaahhhhhhh!!!" he screamed, unable to help but cry out against the excrutiating jolt of pain he felt. He leaned back against the wall, shaken. His shoulder was still throbbing uncontrollably, but at least it was back where it belonged. Ax closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again to see whether he'd had any progress on the vent at all. To his relief, he saw that the cover had moved over slightly when he dropped it, leaving a space big enough for his hands to fit through. He should be able to use one of his hands to push it over all the way off, now.
Ax ignored the way his shoulder still hurt for a moment, and quietly began to plan.
If he was going to face Crayak, he wanted to surprise him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The end so far.. Part Two of this is out, by the way. I should have uploaded it- just look for part two of this!! ^_^ Thanks!!!