Heil Freedom
When the Animorphs get mysteriously transported back into WWII Germany, they're surprised to discover exactly how their friendship would've turned out in the midst of insanity.
A/N: All right, so it was originally supposed to be set in Denmark, but I found it more… interesting… to write it taking place in Germany. Recall, of course, the general attributes of the Animorphs. Tobias is blonde, I'm saying his eyes are bluish-green. Rachel and Jake are Jewish. Cassie is of African descent. Marco is of Hispanic descent. Ax, in human morph, is… not quite all there. Even in Andalite form, he's… not quite all there. Now that that's straight, let the story commence!
DISCLAIMER: I own virtually no one.
Chapter 1/ Tobias: A Jewish Name For An Aryan Boy
"Hey! Jake! Jake, you dummkopf! Open the window! It's COLD out here!"
16-year-old Jake Berenson poked a sleepy head out the window. "Marco? Wha—wha—what are you doing out there?"
"Trying to get you to come out here so we can discuss how we arrived here, duh."
"Whaddaya mean, how we arrived –hey, are we speaking German?"
"That's right, bro. Now come on, so we can get Tobias and Cassie and Rachel and possibly Ax."
"Right."
"I'm confused."
"Me too."
"Me three."
"Me four."
"Me five."
"In logical order, I would be required to say 'Me six', however, I am not burdened with confusion, though I am perplexed at the idea that Tobias and I are in human morph without consciously morphing. Mm. Orf. Mmmorf. Morrrrrf. Morffffff. The sound of 'ph' does not sound like it is spelled. It is quite a conundrum. Con. Un. Drum. Um. A pleasant sounding word—"
"Okay," Rachel said snappishly, head resting on Tobias' shoulder. "So Ax knows what's going on. Ax, explain in simple terms, for Marco's sake, so we can all get back to bed. That and I must've seen a thousand 'Juden Verboten' signs on the way here and I am really feeling uneasy."
"It's simple." Ax said. "It's the fault of the Ellimist."
"You blame everything on all of two people, Ax. It's either the Ellimist's fault or it's the Yeerks' fault. Don't you ever get tired of it?" Marco asked.
"No. Nnn. O."
"Ax, we get it." Jake interrupted.
"The Ellimist has some grand plan that he is forbidden to tell us—" Rachel muttered.
"—or interfere directly with, being bound by the rules of the age-old war he wages with Crayak." The rest chorused.
"Now that that's over, I declare this emergency meeting of the Animorphs adjourned." Jake proclaimed. "Tobias, if you don't mind, I'm crashing here for the night."
"Prince Jake, if I may point out that since you are already situated on the floor of Tobias' apartment, it is physically impossible for you to crash."
"Ax, shut up." Jake yawned. "G'night." Within five minutes, everybody but Tobias was fast asleep: Ax against the far wall, Jake sprawled out on the ground with Cassie curled up beside him, Marco leaning against the doorframe to the kitchen, Rachel snuggled underneath the covers of the bed.
Tobias had cautiously stepped over his friends to make his way to the entrance hallway of the tiny apartment he lived in on his own. Something was telling him that this was more than just one of the sick and twisted battles between Crayak and the Ellimist.
Tobias silently opened the hallway closet, only to brush his fingers against a worn coat, pockets filled with papers. Letters, forms, notes…
Herr Tobias Dietrich;
As of the 1st of September 1936, you will be under the official watch and protection of the Hitlerjugend Berlin Division…
Herr Tobias Dietrich;
Herr Ernst Mandel has requested a meeting with you at your place of residence at 8:00 AM on August 20, 1936…
Tobias took a quick glance at his watch. 7:45 AM. He cast a glance at the calendar. August 20, 1936. "Aw, SHOOT! Guys, wake up!"
"Huh?"
"Wheresa slimy Yeerks?"
"Whahuh?"
"Whasgonon?"
"There is a problem, Tobias?"
"Uh, yeah. You need to leave. Now." Tobias said hurriedly, hauling Jake up by the arm, offering the other hand to Cassie to help her up, all while kicking random objects into their rightful places.
"Why?" Rachel yawned, rubbing her eyes.
"Oh, nothing, only I just realized there is a Nazi official arriving here in exactly 13 minutes."
"What?!" Marco yelped, suddenly wide awake.
"That's what I said, too, now come on, and get out quickly, but inconspicuously." Tobias said hurriedly, while checking out the window. "Marco, Ax, you guys go now. Head down Wilhelmstrausse and don't run, whatever you do. Sure the Nazis don't like you, but right now they can't arrest you for being out before specified times, since it's only meant for the Jewish Germans right now."
"So what are we supposed to do?" Rachel asked, clinging to Tobias' arm.
"Oh boy." Tobias groaned. "Cassie, go now and go down Friedrik Blvd. Avoid Maultilese Ave. at all costs."
"Uh, Tobias, that guy was arriving at 8, right?" Jake asked.
"Yeah, why?"
"Because it's 7:57 now."
"Don't think I don't realize that. All right, go down the hallway until you reach number 1019. Knock softly on the door and tell them I sent you. Now!"
Barely a minute after Rachel and Jake had disappeared behind Fraulein Ava's door, the sound of hobnailed boots sounded through the hall. Swearing under his breath, Tobias hastily pulled on a pair of trousers and shirt, attempting to make it look like he'd just woken up.
"Herr Dietrich!"
"Good morning, Herr Mandel." Tobias said, opening the door. "I'm sorry you had to arrive to such a mess, but I am not the most tidy of housekeepers."
"Quite all right, Herr Dietrich. You received my notice, I hope."
"Of course, Herr Mandel. What was it you wanted to speak with me about?"
Herr Mandel smiled benevolently at the teen. "Herr Dietrich, your given name is Tobias, ja?"
"That's true." Tobias answered warily.
"A rather Jewish name for an Aryan boy whose bloodline is purer than the Führer himself's."
'Not too much of an achievement, seeing as the Führer's mother was half-Jewish,' Tobias thought sarcastically. "My father had a Jewish comrade in the great war whose name was Tobias. He died in the last battle and my father swore to name his son after him." Tobias answered automatically.
"And your mother had no protests?"
"My father was head of the household. My mother had no choice in the matter."
"So where are your parents now?"
"They were undesirables for the Reich." Tobias answered evasively. "They were sent away with all other Untermenschen."
"Ah yes." Herr Mandel smirked. "Well, you have received your notice informing you of your new placement at the start of next month?"
"Yes." Tobias answered.
"You cannot enter this man's family with a Jewish name such as you have. That is why we have taken the liberty of securing a good, strong, Aryan name for you. No longer will you be Tobias. You will take your place in Herr Fritzenfeld's household as Theobald."
"Very well." Tobias responded.
"I will need all legal documents containing your name. I will issue you new identification. And please don't forget the meeting tonight."
"I won't, Herr Mandel. That I assure you." Tobias answered, digging into a drawer and producing his birth certificate, identity card, pedigree papers and various other form.
"You would not be setting a good example for the younger if you were to miss the meeting," Herr Mandel persisted. "And as a member of the Hitlerjugend in training for the schullzstaffle, it is necessary for you to be present at every meeting."
"I understand, Herr Mandel." Tobias repeated. "I will be present at 6:30 in the evening, as it is required."
"Very well. Heil Hitler."
"Heil Hitler." Tobias returned as he closed the door behind Herr Mandel.