Authors Note: I apologize, but I had to delete the other "Fall" for that new chapter thing they're doing. I am so, so sorry if I deleted your review :-( "The Fall" has been written before for those of you who have pointed it out [:-)] but the last one had a lot of mistakes, so I rewrote it. The beginning is remotely similiar, but it gets much different later in the story.
Disclaimer: No, I'm not KAA (obviously), thus I don't own animorphs or any factions concerning. I do, however, own Aurana (Aur 1-6-2), Aur 1-6-1, Ana, NeVar, Leana, Læ, and the other added characters that you'll either have met or will meet, because they are my creations, and cannot be used in any story without my permission.
Thank you very much to Emily, who supported me greatly during this.
*//I see love, I can see passion. I feel danger, I feel obsession
Don't play games with the ones who love you. Cause I hear a voice who says:
I love you ... I'll kill you ...
Loneliness, I feel loneliness in my room ...
Look into the mirror of your soul
Love and hate are one in all
Sacrifice turns to revenge and believe me
You'll see the face who'll say:
I love you ... I'll kill you ...
But I'll love you forever...//*
-*~*-Enigma
Prologue I: Black Hole
It was dark and gloomy on the way home from work at the mall. Ghastly streetlights cast a pale eminence that barely could bathe a person in its glow before subsiding into black edges, being swallowed up in the darkness along with everyone else.
She thumbed her hair back behind her ear. It was a thing she unconscientiously picked up from being human and having access to the many motor skills these creatures held.
A thing she would learn to never take for granted again.
The Empire was stalking all of the underranked. They were looking for something. For someone. A traitor. And everyone knew it could end in genocide if the person were not found soon. She knew she was not the one they were looking for, but she was a participant of the Movement. This search could destroy the entire operation.
She had been a victim of these searchings. Her sunglasses, a deep shade of black with a metallic blue undertone, hid a world of pain and an eye whose skin matched the black pleather jacket she wore. Her jeans, faded, but still of use, covered a split leg and a microfracture to the bone, just above where her kneecap had been removed and replaced with a metal one containing a computer chip the size of a cell that tracked her every move.
They had removed a section of Ana's bone marrow as well, for no obvious reason except to get the information they so desperately thirsted for. They had removed it the human way, which was the most painful and primitive. That day and the week thereafter she resented the human's painful and primordial technology. She could still feel and imagine the weight of the hammer-like object, sleek and sharp, spattered in blood, six times slammed into the needle that was injected into her thigh. She screamed, of course. They all did. But it was done, and over. They had no need for a further investigation.
The were still more, healthy and suspicious controllers to be dealt with.
That explained her limp. But, like everything else, she got over it and was laughing and talking with her human companion again.
But not that night. This night, a silent taboo forced both their mouths shut and left them alone in their dark personal minds to manifest whatever nightmares that lurked in the inescapable dark forest of the dark edges of their minds. A thick fortress of reality barricaded these monsters, but tonight it was as if a virulent mist swept down this fortress, letting the nightmares free.
Both Ana and Aurana's minds were comparable and contrastable, but they each held the same motive. She shivered, grasping her arms firmly crossed, not sure of whether to be afraid of a human or one of her own this night.
Inadvertently, her mind began to wander. It drew back to the dreams she had begun to have not too long ago. They were confusing, and scared her more than anything else. Almost as much as being discovered by Visser 1 did.
No two dreams were ever alike. But they always seemed to have the same message. The first one she had began with her in a solitary place, lit only by the light of the moon. Around her, huge walls of rock surrounded any chance of escaping, except for in front of her, and behind her. And there was a boy. He seemed to be unaffected by the moonlight, for his face was shielded by the shadows of the night. He approached her, but she was not afraid. She knew this stranger from somewhere. She felt safe when he held her, and even in her dreams she knew who this person was and why he was embracing her. He leaned forward, kissing her on the cheek, and she smiled. But then he pushed her away. She felt a slight bit of pressure on the back of her neck, but then a snap! came and she fell. She kept her face hidden, afraid to look up at him. She was not afraid that he would hurt her. She was afraid that he would see her… She touched her face; it was damp, for she had begun to cry. Eventually she did look up at him, when she'd dried her tears. He held something in his hand that gleamed in the moonlight. He reached forward, offering a helping hand. She wanted to take it. She wanted to... but she couldn't... she couldn't let herself...
And then she would wake up, sweating and crying. It was disturbing to her; she was not supposed to have dreams. And even more, dreams such as this. But she was. She didn't tell her host of these dreams. It was not that she was distrustful of her; she actually had an adequate relationship with her host, considering she was human. It was that she was confused and hated not having the answers. She was a Yeerk, why could she not decipher a simple dream such as this???
Lost in thought, she did not come to awareness of the jet-black limousine that slowed down and began to follow her until it sped up then stopped completely a few feet ahead. A man in a dark suit came out. She stepped back almost automatically; the interrogation had left her with a fear of physical proximity of any kind.
"You will be escorted into the car," he said in their native language.
"I was proven innocent. What more do you want?"
"That is not for me to answer."
Knowing that it was inevitable that she would end up in the car one way or another, she opened the door and sat down. A man sat across from her, his frosty stare breaking right through her façade of cockiness.
"Aur 1-6-2."
"Visser One."
He smiled. The car began to move. "So sorry to give you the notion that you were free."
"I am sorry I had hope of that. What do you want, Visser? I passed the interrogation."
His smiled disappeared. "How you accomplished that I do not know. But next time, you will be attached to the Memory Enhancer; that is if you do not break down this time.
Her eyebrows raised in apprehension and curiosity.
"Do you know where you are going?"
"Interrogation of course."
He leaned closer. "Yes, but which?"
She raised her head, trying to think clearly. "It couldn't be the V.6," she thought. "Or the OV and the 73 would be far too lenient." And then it hit her. Like a sudden impact of a meteor hitting a planet. "Black Hole."
He was glowing with excitement. "Yes. The Void. Black Hole. Whatever you low-class insignificants call it."
"If I was so insignificant Visser, or at least in whatever rumor you have over me, then why would I be here?"
"You are insignificant because you are a traitor."
She tried not to show her fear, or overwhelming sickness that suddenly came over her. She tried looking out the dark windows, to where lay a thicker wall of darkness. No way out. "I have done nothing but be the victim of a lie," she finally murmured, shattering the silence.
"You would hope so."
"One day, Visser, you will receive payment for all that you have done. I hope those Andalite bandits give you that payment you deserve.
"It seems to me you are quite well acquainted with these bandits."
She retaliated. "What? That is a lie!"
The car came to a slow stop before the Visser could respond. The door opened to the girl's side.
"Go," Visser One said to her, seeing the inscrutinable fear that became her air. He fed on this, and gestured toward the open door.
She stepped out of the car, trying to hide whatever fear she could. Her hose asked her what The Void was. Be grateful for what you have. was all that could be said.
Prologue II: Into The Void
When she awoke, she was confused. She could still see, and feel. She looked around toward the table, covered with bloody scalpels and other unrecognizable sharp objects. She felt the back of her head, which was completely healed from the operation. No one was there in the room with her.
"Glad to see you have awakened," the voice came from nowhere but at the same time, from everywhere. She sat up and felt the blood rush back down toward the rest of her body. "This Void created particularly for you. The effects will come slowly. I suggest you return to your host's home. Escaping will not do a thing. Do not forget about the homing chip that has been injected into your host's leg."
She was glad to get away from the place. Grabbing Ana's jacket, she quickly left the room and walked toward home. It was late, and getting later. Her host's mother would be worried, and her host's father would be angry. She had to get home.
She'd hear stories about The Black Hole, or, Void; nightmarish sequences she tried to push away from her mind but at the same time couldn't help but forget. A stinging sensation came to her eyes. She stopped, and turned toward a puddle on the ground where a bright streetlight directed most of its' energy toward. She slowly took off her glasses.
And almost shrunk back, sickened. She looked around, realizing that her eyes were becoming dim. But not throughout the entire eye. Only in certain parts, certain pieces. In the water's mirror-like reflection, these certain parts had become white. Her entire retina was not gone, which compensated for her ability to still continue to see. She turned and walked quickly toward home, trying to get there before the entire Void kicked in.
She realized that she no longer was cold; not that much, anyway. Her left arm felt nothing. No warmth of the jacket. None of the freezing air. Devoid of any feeling at all. The same feeling came to her leg.
She heard a step behind her, and her pulse quickened; but she was glad that she could at least continue to hear. Fearing the worst, she spun around, her hand on her Dracon beam.
A girl stood. She was no older than her host, and did not seem to pose a threat. Even more, her hands were out; there was no sign of a weapon inside of them.
"I was let free," she sneered toward the girl. "Do not make me even the score for what you have done to me."
"I am not the one that did this to you," she responded quietly. "I want to help you, Aurana."
"Liar." She peered closer. "How do you know that name?"
"You would not remember."
Aurana gave a derisive laugh. "You are not a very good liar at that, whoever you are. I want to know the truth."
"My name is Casiela to you. Do you remember that?"
She did not remember. But it sprung a recollection, from somewhere far in the back of her mind. A sudden searing pain ripped her stomach, and she doubled over, trying to continue to stand.
"You are hurt," the girl called Casiela said. "Let me help you."
"I do not need your help and I do not need you. Get away from me. The Empire is finished with trying to interrogate me! I will not succumb to The Black Hole."
She stepped toward Aurana and helped her up anyway; Aurana accepted this gesture, seeing as she had no choice or way to strike back. Then the girl stepped back into the darkness.
I am not going to hurt you, Casiela said. In a few moments, she stepped back out; this time in the form of a wolf. I am one of the Andalite bandits. And I would like to help you.
The Andalite bandits! Aurana wanted to scoff, but she knew this was true. The wolf sat down and gazed at her with focused eyes that barely reflected the streetlight above. "Why would you want to help me?" Aurana finally sneered. "I am not of any importance to you, Andalite."
On the contrary, Casiela responded, You are. You just do not remember why.
"You seem to understand why not. So I ask you; why can I not remember any of this you seem to tell me?"
That is partially our fault. Casiela admitted. You will find out soon enough. Right now, though, I believe it is time that you have your reunion. I will bring you to a place where you can make a decision of your own. But first, you need to meet someone.
"Who?"
The wolf turned and trotted into the darkness, where the woods lay. Follow me, and you will see whom.
Aurana hesitated. But, this creature couldn't be any worse than the fate she had received from the Empire, even if it was an Andalite. She followed Casiela into the darkness, toward a place of remembrance and pain. A place she's known for a long time; yet did not know at all.
Prologue III: No Exit
Aximili-Esgarrouth-Isthill was awakened by a sound. His eyes opened quickly; the creature that was coming toward him was at least two hundred feet away in the air.
It was not the creature's descent toward him that had woken him up. It was the voice that did so.
Ax-man. We need you at the barn.
Tobias? It is late. What is occurring?
I will explain it to you there. Come on.
Fully awake, Aximili followed Tobias toward the barn, curious and confused. The barn was illuminated by one light that emanated out the door; Tobias flew in, and follwed.
Cassie walked in at the moment he did. "I put her to sleep. She's far from okay, though," she was saying toward the others, who were all there.
Who is?
They all stared at him. He blinked, confused. Did I say something wrong?
Cassie sighed and shook her head. "No, Ax, you didn't. Don't sneak up on us like that."
I apologize. Aximili decided not to ask again about her patients. He was aware about her close connection with animals of all sorts, and her personality trait of morality toward all creatures.
The others talked awhile about entrance strategies, Aximili every so often adding his own input on Yeerk technology, but at the same time wondering why he was her, when Cassie spoke.
"Ax, what's a 'black hole'?"
They looked at Cassie and then to him.
Well, it is a deep tear in space where a star has imploded and-
"No, I mean 'The Black Hole'? Or 'The Void'? Yeerk-related."
He stared at her for a moment when recognition came to mind. Oh! The Void? Well, why did you now just say that? It is the highest Yeerk Interrogation System outside the chamber. It is almost like a biological warfare virus, except for some reason it only affects beings and their Yeerk in a sort of symbiotic relationship. It has existed-
"Yes, Ax, but what is it? This is extremely important."
He was surprised at her curtness, but continued. It is a sort of virus that attacks the senses, temporarily anesthetizing them until it dies off from exposure to oxygen gas.
"Like an sedative?" Prince Jake said, suddenly interested. "So it deprives of both the Yeerk and the host of any sense at all?"
Yes. It leaves them solitary and most are affected their entire life by it. It is like being left in an atmospheric-less matrix, completely alone. You cannot feel anything, no matter how much you try. Or hear, or see, or communicate.
"How long does it last?"
The time varies. It depends on the amount of the virus she was given.
They looked at each other, exchanging glances, and finally curiosity could not hold him back any longer. What is this about?
More silence, then, "Bring her in," Prince Jake said.
Cassie was gone, and then walked in with a girl. Her hair shielded her face, and she limped as she walked. She clung to Cassie weakly as though her entire life depended
...hand in hand. Closing in, there was nothing that either could do to stop the human emotions that powered them both. He touched her face, and she welcomed this by smiling. They moved in closer...
Aximili jerked. A hallucination. But his prince was looking at him with an odd expression.
"Do you recognize her?" Prince Jake asked.
He did not answer at first. It was obvious that she was a controller. But why would they bring a Yeerk in here? Now? I do not believe so But then, he changed his answer. Vaguely. I do not know from where.
Her head lifted at the sound of his thought speech. She remembered, too. Not much, but just enough to recognize that there was something at the back of her mind that could not be reached; yet, it was still there.
"You two went through something new, something I can't say upfront because it can't exactly be explained. But the end result wasn't good. Erek and you, Ax, collaborated to create this solution that removes memory. We lessened the dose so that it can be reversed. Both of you ended up taking is."
"So why did you bring me here?" Aurana asked.
"You're going under interrogation. Erek said that even though you personally couldn't reach the information, the Yeerks could. And you have information that could literally kill us all if it landed in the wrong hands."
So you are allowing us to retrieve these memories? Aximili asked.
"You have a choice, Ax. You chose to forget everything. It is your choice to deal with it. But this is the last time. I don't want that solution getting out of hand; it might have some long term effects that could be dangerous."
I had more of a past. But I chose to forget it?
"For the sake of the team. But right now, I say, choose for the sake of yourself."
I choose to remember, he looked at the girl more closely, now. Something compelled me to lift off her sunglasses.
With glassy eyes she looked at him. It was like staring at a holophotographic picture from long ago, just recently unearthed. As an effect of the Void, the only color in her iris lay in blotched. Those, too, would soon deteriorate.
Aur...
She smiled for a moment past her fatigue and pain. "Aur 1-6-2."
No, he said suddenly. It was something else as well.
Her smile broadened. "Aurana."
Yes.
"You two will soon find that all out," Prince Jake said. "Ax, you can morph human for this. Erek said the intervals of memory shouldn't last longer than an hour, and you won't have time to morph after you consume it.
Aximili nodded and took the solution, sitting down on a bale of hay. He fell asleep before he even realized it, his last thought being that it was just a simple memory. And memories are difficult to underestimate, correct?
Next to him, Aurana fell asleep. The nightmare would be somewhat worse for her.
Disclaimer: No, I'm not KAA (obviously), thus I don't own animorphs or any factions concerning. I do, however, own Aurana (Aur 1-6-2), Aur 1-6-1, Ana, NeVar, Leana, Læ, and the other added characters that you'll either have met or will meet, because they are my creations, and cannot be used in any story without my permission.
Thank you very much to Emily, who supported me greatly during this.
*//I see love, I can see passion. I feel danger, I feel obsession
Don't play games with the ones who love you. Cause I hear a voice who says:
I love you ... I'll kill you ...
Loneliness, I feel loneliness in my room ...
Look into the mirror of your soul
Love and hate are one in all
Sacrifice turns to revenge and believe me
You'll see the face who'll say:
I love you ... I'll kill you ...
But I'll love you forever...//*
-*~*-Enigma
Prologue I: Black Hole
It was dark and gloomy on the way home from work at the mall. Ghastly streetlights cast a pale eminence that barely could bathe a person in its glow before subsiding into black edges, being swallowed up in the darkness along with everyone else.
She thumbed her hair back behind her ear. It was a thing she unconscientiously picked up from being human and having access to the many motor skills these creatures held.
A thing she would learn to never take for granted again.
The Empire was stalking all of the underranked. They were looking for something. For someone. A traitor. And everyone knew it could end in genocide if the person were not found soon. She knew she was not the one they were looking for, but she was a participant of the Movement. This search could destroy the entire operation.
She had been a victim of these searchings. Her sunglasses, a deep shade of black with a metallic blue undertone, hid a world of pain and an eye whose skin matched the black pleather jacket she wore. Her jeans, faded, but still of use, covered a split leg and a microfracture to the bone, just above where her kneecap had been removed and replaced with a metal one containing a computer chip the size of a cell that tracked her every move.
They had removed a section of Ana's bone marrow as well, for no obvious reason except to get the information they so desperately thirsted for. They had removed it the human way, which was the most painful and primitive. That day and the week thereafter she resented the human's painful and primordial technology. She could still feel and imagine the weight of the hammer-like object, sleek and sharp, spattered in blood, six times slammed into the needle that was injected into her thigh. She screamed, of course. They all did. But it was done, and over. They had no need for a further investigation.
The were still more, healthy and suspicious controllers to be dealt with.
That explained her limp. But, like everything else, she got over it and was laughing and talking with her human companion again.
But not that night. This night, a silent taboo forced both their mouths shut and left them alone in their dark personal minds to manifest whatever nightmares that lurked in the inescapable dark forest of the dark edges of their minds. A thick fortress of reality barricaded these monsters, but tonight it was as if a virulent mist swept down this fortress, letting the nightmares free.
Both Ana and Aurana's minds were comparable and contrastable, but they each held the same motive. She shivered, grasping her arms firmly crossed, not sure of whether to be afraid of a human or one of her own this night.
Inadvertently, her mind began to wander. It drew back to the dreams she had begun to have not too long ago. They were confusing, and scared her more than anything else. Almost as much as being discovered by Visser 1 did.
No two dreams were ever alike. But they always seemed to have the same message. The first one she had began with her in a solitary place, lit only by the light of the moon. Around her, huge walls of rock surrounded any chance of escaping, except for in front of her, and behind her. And there was a boy. He seemed to be unaffected by the moonlight, for his face was shielded by the shadows of the night. He approached her, but she was not afraid. She knew this stranger from somewhere. She felt safe when he held her, and even in her dreams she knew who this person was and why he was embracing her. He leaned forward, kissing her on the cheek, and she smiled. But then he pushed her away. She felt a slight bit of pressure on the back of her neck, but then a snap! came and she fell. She kept her face hidden, afraid to look up at him. She was not afraid that he would hurt her. She was afraid that he would see her… She touched her face; it was damp, for she had begun to cry. Eventually she did look up at him, when she'd dried her tears. He held something in his hand that gleamed in the moonlight. He reached forward, offering a helping hand. She wanted to take it. She wanted to... but she couldn't... she couldn't let herself...
And then she would wake up, sweating and crying. It was disturbing to her; she was not supposed to have dreams. And even more, dreams such as this. But she was. She didn't tell her host of these dreams. It was not that she was distrustful of her; she actually had an adequate relationship with her host, considering she was human. It was that she was confused and hated not having the answers. She was a Yeerk, why could she not decipher a simple dream such as this???
Lost in thought, she did not come to awareness of the jet-black limousine that slowed down and began to follow her until it sped up then stopped completely a few feet ahead. A man in a dark suit came out. She stepped back almost automatically; the interrogation had left her with a fear of physical proximity of any kind.
"You will be escorted into the car," he said in their native language.
"I was proven innocent. What more do you want?"
"That is not for me to answer."
Knowing that it was inevitable that she would end up in the car one way or another, she opened the door and sat down. A man sat across from her, his frosty stare breaking right through her façade of cockiness.
"Aur 1-6-2."
"Visser One."
He smiled. The car began to move. "So sorry to give you the notion that you were free."
"I am sorry I had hope of that. What do you want, Visser? I passed the interrogation."
His smiled disappeared. "How you accomplished that I do not know. But next time, you will be attached to the Memory Enhancer; that is if you do not break down this time.
Her eyebrows raised in apprehension and curiosity.
"Do you know where you are going?"
"Interrogation of course."
He leaned closer. "Yes, but which?"
She raised her head, trying to think clearly. "It couldn't be the V.6," she thought. "Or the OV and the 73 would be far too lenient." And then it hit her. Like a sudden impact of a meteor hitting a planet. "Black Hole."
He was glowing with excitement. "Yes. The Void. Black Hole. Whatever you low-class insignificants call it."
"If I was so insignificant Visser, or at least in whatever rumor you have over me, then why would I be here?"
"You are insignificant because you are a traitor."
She tried not to show her fear, or overwhelming sickness that suddenly came over her. She tried looking out the dark windows, to where lay a thicker wall of darkness. No way out. "I have done nothing but be the victim of a lie," she finally murmured, shattering the silence.
"You would hope so."
"One day, Visser, you will receive payment for all that you have done. I hope those Andalite bandits give you that payment you deserve.
"It seems to me you are quite well acquainted with these bandits."
She retaliated. "What? That is a lie!"
The car came to a slow stop before the Visser could respond. The door opened to the girl's side.
"Go," Visser One said to her, seeing the inscrutinable fear that became her air. He fed on this, and gestured toward the open door.
She stepped out of the car, trying to hide whatever fear she could. Her hose asked her what The Void was. Be grateful for what you have. was all that could be said.
Prologue II: Into The Void
When she awoke, she was confused. She could still see, and feel. She looked around toward the table, covered with bloody scalpels and other unrecognizable sharp objects. She felt the back of her head, which was completely healed from the operation. No one was there in the room with her.
"Glad to see you have awakened," the voice came from nowhere but at the same time, from everywhere. She sat up and felt the blood rush back down toward the rest of her body. "This Void created particularly for you. The effects will come slowly. I suggest you return to your host's home. Escaping will not do a thing. Do not forget about the homing chip that has been injected into your host's leg."
She was glad to get away from the place. Grabbing Ana's jacket, she quickly left the room and walked toward home. It was late, and getting later. Her host's mother would be worried, and her host's father would be angry. She had to get home.
She'd hear stories about The Black Hole, or, Void; nightmarish sequences she tried to push away from her mind but at the same time couldn't help but forget. A stinging sensation came to her eyes. She stopped, and turned toward a puddle on the ground where a bright streetlight directed most of its' energy toward. She slowly took off her glasses.
And almost shrunk back, sickened. She looked around, realizing that her eyes were becoming dim. But not throughout the entire eye. Only in certain parts, certain pieces. In the water's mirror-like reflection, these certain parts had become white. Her entire retina was not gone, which compensated for her ability to still continue to see. She turned and walked quickly toward home, trying to get there before the entire Void kicked in.
She realized that she no longer was cold; not that much, anyway. Her left arm felt nothing. No warmth of the jacket. None of the freezing air. Devoid of any feeling at all. The same feeling came to her leg.
She heard a step behind her, and her pulse quickened; but she was glad that she could at least continue to hear. Fearing the worst, she spun around, her hand on her Dracon beam.
A girl stood. She was no older than her host, and did not seem to pose a threat. Even more, her hands were out; there was no sign of a weapon inside of them.
"I was let free," she sneered toward the girl. "Do not make me even the score for what you have done to me."
"I am not the one that did this to you," she responded quietly. "I want to help you, Aurana."
"Liar." She peered closer. "How do you know that name?"
"You would not remember."
Aurana gave a derisive laugh. "You are not a very good liar at that, whoever you are. I want to know the truth."
"My name is Casiela to you. Do you remember that?"
She did not remember. But it sprung a recollection, from somewhere far in the back of her mind. A sudden searing pain ripped her stomach, and she doubled over, trying to continue to stand.
"You are hurt," the girl called Casiela said. "Let me help you."
"I do not need your help and I do not need you. Get away from me. The Empire is finished with trying to interrogate me! I will not succumb to The Black Hole."
She stepped toward Aurana and helped her up anyway; Aurana accepted this gesture, seeing as she had no choice or way to strike back. Then the girl stepped back into the darkness.
I am not going to hurt you, Casiela said. In a few moments, she stepped back out; this time in the form of a wolf. I am one of the Andalite bandits. And I would like to help you.
The Andalite bandits! Aurana wanted to scoff, but she knew this was true. The wolf sat down and gazed at her with focused eyes that barely reflected the streetlight above. "Why would you want to help me?" Aurana finally sneered. "I am not of any importance to you, Andalite."
On the contrary, Casiela responded, You are. You just do not remember why.
"You seem to understand why not. So I ask you; why can I not remember any of this you seem to tell me?"
That is partially our fault. Casiela admitted. You will find out soon enough. Right now, though, I believe it is time that you have your reunion. I will bring you to a place where you can make a decision of your own. But first, you need to meet someone.
"Who?"
The wolf turned and trotted into the darkness, where the woods lay. Follow me, and you will see whom.
Aurana hesitated. But, this creature couldn't be any worse than the fate she had received from the Empire, even if it was an Andalite. She followed Casiela into the darkness, toward a place of remembrance and pain. A place she's known for a long time; yet did not know at all.
Prologue III: No Exit
Aximili-Esgarrouth-Isthill was awakened by a sound. His eyes opened quickly; the creature that was coming toward him was at least two hundred feet away in the air.
It was not the creature's descent toward him that had woken him up. It was the voice that did so.
Ax-man. We need you at the barn.
Tobias? It is late. What is occurring?
I will explain it to you there. Come on.
Fully awake, Aximili followed Tobias toward the barn, curious and confused. The barn was illuminated by one light that emanated out the door; Tobias flew in, and follwed.
Cassie walked in at the moment he did. "I put her to sleep. She's far from okay, though," she was saying toward the others, who were all there.
Who is?
They all stared at him. He blinked, confused. Did I say something wrong?
Cassie sighed and shook her head. "No, Ax, you didn't. Don't sneak up on us like that."
I apologize. Aximili decided not to ask again about her patients. He was aware about her close connection with animals of all sorts, and her personality trait of morality toward all creatures.
The others talked awhile about entrance strategies, Aximili every so often adding his own input on Yeerk technology, but at the same time wondering why he was her, when Cassie spoke.
"Ax, what's a 'black hole'?"
They looked at Cassie and then to him.
Well, it is a deep tear in space where a star has imploded and-
"No, I mean 'The Black Hole'? Or 'The Void'? Yeerk-related."
He stared at her for a moment when recognition came to mind. Oh! The Void? Well, why did you now just say that? It is the highest Yeerk Interrogation System outside the chamber. It is almost like a biological warfare virus, except for some reason it only affects beings and their Yeerk in a sort of symbiotic relationship. It has existed-
"Yes, Ax, but what is it? This is extremely important."
He was surprised at her curtness, but continued. It is a sort of virus that attacks the senses, temporarily anesthetizing them until it dies off from exposure to oxygen gas.
"Like an sedative?" Prince Jake said, suddenly interested. "So it deprives of both the Yeerk and the host of any sense at all?"
Yes. It leaves them solitary and most are affected their entire life by it. It is like being left in an atmospheric-less matrix, completely alone. You cannot feel anything, no matter how much you try. Or hear, or see, or communicate.
"How long does it last?"
The time varies. It depends on the amount of the virus she was given.
They looked at each other, exchanging glances, and finally curiosity could not hold him back any longer. What is this about?
More silence, then, "Bring her in," Prince Jake said.
Cassie was gone, and then walked in with a girl. Her hair shielded her face, and she limped as she walked. She clung to Cassie weakly as though her entire life depended
...hand in hand. Closing in, there was nothing that either could do to stop the human emotions that powered them both. He touched her face, and she welcomed this by smiling. They moved in closer...
Aximili jerked. A hallucination. But his prince was looking at him with an odd expression.
"Do you recognize her?" Prince Jake asked.
He did not answer at first. It was obvious that she was a controller. But why would they bring a Yeerk in here? Now? I do not believe so But then, he changed his answer. Vaguely. I do not know from where.
Her head lifted at the sound of his thought speech. She remembered, too. Not much, but just enough to recognize that there was something at the back of her mind that could not be reached; yet, it was still there.
"You two went through something new, something I can't say upfront because it can't exactly be explained. But the end result wasn't good. Erek and you, Ax, collaborated to create this solution that removes memory. We lessened the dose so that it can be reversed. Both of you ended up taking is."
"So why did you bring me here?" Aurana asked.
"You're going under interrogation. Erek said that even though you personally couldn't reach the information, the Yeerks could. And you have information that could literally kill us all if it landed in the wrong hands."
So you are allowing us to retrieve these memories? Aximili asked.
"You have a choice, Ax. You chose to forget everything. It is your choice to deal with it. But this is the last time. I don't want that solution getting out of hand; it might have some long term effects that could be dangerous."
I had more of a past. But I chose to forget it?
"For the sake of the team. But right now, I say, choose for the sake of yourself."
I choose to remember, he looked at the girl more closely, now. Something compelled me to lift off her sunglasses.
With glassy eyes she looked at him. It was like staring at a holophotographic picture from long ago, just recently unearthed. As an effect of the Void, the only color in her iris lay in blotched. Those, too, would soon deteriorate.
Aur...
She smiled for a moment past her fatigue and pain. "Aur 1-6-2."
No, he said suddenly. It was something else as well.
Her smile broadened. "Aurana."
Yes.
"You two will soon find that all out," Prince Jake said. "Ax, you can morph human for this. Erek said the intervals of memory shouldn't last longer than an hour, and you won't have time to morph after you consume it.
Aximili nodded and took the solution, sitting down on a bale of hay. He fell asleep before he even realized it, his last thought being that it was just a simple memory. And memories are difficult to underestimate, correct?
Next to him, Aurana fell asleep. The nightmare would be somewhat worse for her.