Maggie

by King12345

Kinda like my other story The Sister only diferent kinda anyway its not too bad.

My name is Tobias. This is not an Animorph story so I'll spare you

the talk of the Yeerks and the others. This is my life. The ellimist

told me to write this, this story of my past. He told me to remember

humanity, and to write my most important memories. And so I

write this with no idea why I am writing this. The only clue is that

"A peice of your past will come to you soon" whatever that means.

And so I write....

AGE 3

I was living with my uncle when I was three. I was a good kid I

guess, although I had not yet learned to stay away from my uncle

when he was drunk. Anyway, I was on the playground when this

event took place. I was running home when I girl ran into me. I

started screaming, as did the girl. You see what I was looking at

was a exact copy of myself as a girl. And I guess the girl was

freaking out because she was looking at a male copy of herself. She

had long dirty-blonde hair that was out of control. She had the

same face as me only with femine features. There were only 2

differences between us, she was shorter than me and had green

eyes, not blue like mine. We both stood up and stopped screaming.

The girl stuck out her hand and smiled. "My name's Maggie. Whats

yours?"

"Tobias" I said begining to calm down.

"Hi Tobias! Wanna come over to my house and play?" Maggie

asked

"Sure"

Now you have to remember that we were three, and that seeing a

exact copy of yourself didn't faze you all that much. I learned that

Maggie was an orphan, some woman had droped her at an agency

when she was a baby and had no idea who her parents were. She

moved around alot with different rich people adopting her for the

tax reduction then dumping her. Maggie was always tough, even at

that young age. We became best friends fast. Once she saw how

screawed up my Aunt and Uncle were, we started moving around

togeather. If you wanted to adopt Maggie you got Tobias too. We

were like brother and sister. We were living togeather full time and

when someone would do the "Tobias and Maggie sitting in a

tree...." You know the song, Maggie would break thier nose.

Really, she would.

AGE 6

I was living in New York City at the time, it had become a place

Maggie and I lived in alot. It was about 4 in the morning when

Maggie woke me up. "Tobias? Toby? You awake?" Toby was the

nickname that she had given me, and I called her Magret. Both

names annoyed the other person to no ends. I rolled over trying to

ignore her. Then she sat on me. "TOBIAS!!! WAKE UP" Well

there was no point in trying to ignore that.

"What do you want" I mumbled.

"Let's break into the orphanage files." Maggie said with that insane

tone of voice she uses when she has a idioic plan.

I was used to her ideas so I wasn't that suprised. "What for?"

"Well, you know that my adoption agency is in New York. And I

know that they keep records of each adopt-e. So I thought that they

might have a record or somethin' of my parents." Maggie was

always wanting to know who her parents were.

Oh lord I thought, she's serious. "And how are we going to do

this?"

Maggie smiled. "I have a plan."

Maggie did indeed have a plan. And by some marical it worked.

We were now standing in a room that had a computer and lots of

filling cabnits. The adoption agency was small, only 300 people

had been adopted here.

"Tobias, you look in the files, and I'll look in the computer."

I sighed "Maggie I think that the files are locked and the computer

has a

password thing."

She just smiled "Tobias go away I'll take care of the computer.

Here's your key and now get to work."

I was looking for a file that had no name. Maggie didn't know what

her true last name was. So I was basicly looking for a picture. I had

found nothing and was losing my patience when Maggie yelled "I

found it!"

I rushed over, really impressed. "How?"

"Nevermind that Toby. Look! I found files named "Personal,

Parents, Brother, and Homes."

"Try 'Parents'"

"Gee, ya thunk it? Parents? I would never-"

I cut her off. Maggie was one of the most sarcastic people I've ever

known. "Just open it!" Maggie clicked and brought up a screen that

looked like this:

PARENTS: Loren and Jeff *******

OTHER FAMILY: Tobias *******, brother. Birth October 23,

1984 11:32

BIRTH: October 23, 1984 11:40

Maggie and I stared at the screen a moment in shock. No wonder

we looked alike, we were twins! And I was the older one. There

was no point in dining it, the last name was the same, the parents

names were the same. We read on about who had left her at the

agency. It was my Aunt. We went home in silence. When we were

inside Maggie spoke up.

"Umm...Wow, huh?"

"Yeah wow."

All of a sudden Maggie and I just hugged. I was hugging my sister,

my family. We pulled away, both grinning ear to ear. And said the

same thing.

"Oh my god! We're twins!"

After that we mostly lived in New York, never with our Aunt or

Uncle. I didn't like them and Maggie couldn't belive they didn't

even try to take care of her. Once we were ten we lived on our

own, being reconized as adults in the goverment. Our parents were

very rich and we lived off the money they had and they were still

collecting from the stocks they had invested in when they were

alive. We grew up too fast I suppose but we were happy. Maggie

was growning up to be stunningly beautiful and we still looked

alike, although Maggie hated the fact that she was shorter than me.

I was always dressed in style because Maggie loved buying me my

clothes. She was the wild twin and I was the calm, sane twin.

Maggie and I lived perminatly in New York and made alot of

friends. I wasn't picked on like I was when I was a human

Animorph. Maggie and I both hated water and would get sick at the

same times.

AGE 11

I was coming home from school one day, Maggie was in detention

for hitting someone. Maggie was a strong girl and if you got her

mad you were in trouble. Some boy had called her a dumb blonde

and Maggie got a tad mad. Anyway, I got out of the taxi and

headed up to the apartment. I open the door to find that Mike, my

best friend and Marcy, Maggie's best friend were waiting for us.

Then I saw the woman. I women with long dirty-blonde hair and

green eyes. She was tall. She was my Mother, Loren.

Marcy smiled at me. "Tobias this is your mom! Her name is

Loren."

A few hours later Maggie, My mom, and I were sitting at the

kichen talking. Well actually Maggie was yelling and I was just

sitting there.

"YOU MEAN TO TELL US, MOTHER DEAR, THAT YOU

JUST LEFT. YOU GAVE TOBIAS AND I TO THE DRUNK

UNCLE AND THE I'M-TOO-BUSY AUNT? WHO JUST

HAPPENED TO ME OVER TO AN ORPHAGE?" Maggie's eye's

always get greener when she gets mad. They were like emeralds

now. Our mother looked like she was sorry she had come. I had to

step in.

"Maggie? Shut up. Loren? explain." I suddenly felt all this anger

boiling up in me. I mean my mother had left me! My Mother.

Loren looked up. " I don't have one. I was really hurt when your

father died. And didn't think I could take care of you. So I gave you

over to my sister and her husband."

Maggie glared at her "This is bull shit Tobias. She left us. Thats

reason enough to just kick her out." I was about to disagree when

Loren spoke up agian.

"I understand that your angry and frusterated. All I need is some

money." Maggie looked down at the ground.

"Thats why you came looking for us?" I asked. I was angry now.

"You need money?! I don't think so. We thought for all these years

that you were dead. My Aunt and Uncle told me that. Leave."

"But--"

"LEAVE!!" I roarded. And that was that. She left. Maggie and I

were to say the least angry but we were more hurt. We had always

wanted a family we had always wanted to be children. Maggie and

I then changed a bit I suppose. We never wanted help from anyone

but each other. Our friends understood a little. But they had always

had it easy. But soon we were normal Tobias and Maggie. We

stuck togeather. Even through the constient arguing. Maggie and I

could get into a fight over anything.

AGE 12

I was falling asleep in Math when Ms. Windit called on me. Ms.

Windit never liked me very much. In fact she hated me. Ashley

poked me in the back to wake me up.

"Tobias? Answer the problem." What problem? I wondered. The I

saw Maggie pointing to a few numbers on the board. The answer.

"Ummm....1293.34?" Ms. Windit sort of snorted.

"You now have different homework from the rest of the class.

Write a 100 word essay on albebra."

"What? Why?" Maggie asked. "I.... Whoops...I mean Tobias got it

right!" Maggie's eyes got big and slapped her hands over her

mouth. Just then the bell ringed.

Maggie came up to me at my locker. "God Tobias. You could have

gotten me in trouble!"

Hey! You were the one who gave me the answer! You could have

gotten yourself in trouble!"Maggie and I glared at each other. She

opened her mouth and..

BBBBBBBBBBBBBBRRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGG!!!!!!

The bell for 3rd period. I had Home Ec. So did Maggie. Behind me

I heard Marcy and Mike talking.

"Oh man! I hope they don't get into another food fight. Last time

they trashed the whole Home Ec. room!" Marcy whined

"Dream on" Mike said.

So we got into a little food fight. A big food fight. And so what

that we had to spend lunch cleaning it up? NO reason get sent to

the princeable's office. After all that Maggie and I mad up and got

the mail.

"Hey Maggie? There's something for you in here." I handed her the

offical looking envolope.

"Oh my god" She whispered. She tore open the envolope and took

out the letter.She started screaming "I got in Tobias! I got in!" She

jumped up and gave me

a big hug.

"What did you get into?" I was very confused.

"Remember the Europe travling school that I applied for? I was

accepted! I leave in two months."

"Thats great!" How long is it for?

"Umm...two and a half years"

"Two years" I yelled

"Yeah and there's more. I can only send you letters and because we

go around everywhere you can't send me a letter in time for me to

get it." Maggie lookedup at me with question in her eyes.

"Maggie, you have to go. I know its alot of money so I'll live with

my Uncle and Aunt untill you get back so we can pay for you to

go."

"Really? You don't mind? But-"

"No buts your going."

I stoped writing. I remembered Maggie though being an Animorph

of course but know I remembered something important. She would

ge coming back into America in two weeks.

#2: The Meeting

MAGGIE

My name is Maggie. The daughter of Elfangor. Anyway, you

already know about the Yeerks so I'll spare you. But you don't

know about me. I've fought the Yeerks all my life. I do have the

morphing power but that's not what I usally use to fight. I'm half

Ellimist. I don't have magical powers and I am not a mind reader. I

am stronger than anything on Earth-or off it for that matter. I can

fight Hork-Bajir, Andalites, and anything else you want to throw at

me. I am smarter than any Andalite (But don't tell them that or

they'll just get there "I'm so arrogant I can't look down at you little

things" aditude) I've been in Europe for the past 2 and a half years.

You might be wondering how I get all my information on the

Yeerks. Well, the Chee have a net of information that I break into

time from time. I can access any file except the one marked

"Andalite Bandits" The Chee don't know I exist. The idea of

Androids living among us never fails to creep me out.

I'm on the last hour of my flight to America and I can't wait to see

my twin brother, Tobias. He better be there waiting for me at the

Airport.

TOBIAS

I had called a meeting to tell everyone about Maggie. I felt like I

should tell them in my meadow, I felt more at home. Once

everyone was there I told them, or I tried to.

Hi everyone, I need to tell yo-- I started

"Bird-Boy its Saturday. You have to sleep in on Saturdays." Marco

whined

"Shut up Marco...Tobias?"

I felt nervous all of a sudden, Well, I have a twin sister, her name

is Maggie. She's been in Europe for all this time but she'll be home

at Five o'clock tomorrow. I let out in a long thought. The others

sorta stared at my for a second.

"Tobias? Why didn't you tell us about her sooner?" Cassie

questioned

I don't know. I wasn't really human for a while when I met you

all, then I was trapped. I guess I didn't really think about human

stuff. Marco looked like he was about to yell but Jake cut him off.

"Where does she fly in?"

In New York City on USAir.

"If we can get on a train early on tomorrow we could make it."

No, No I quickly objected I can go by myself

"No way!" Rachel said "I'm not missing my first chance to see a

relative of Tobias'"

I would have smiled if I could have And if you just have to shop

you'll just have to deal with it?

Rachel winked up at me "I'll just have to sacrifice the time."

Cassie spoke up "I hate to say this but I can't go. My Mom and Dad

are making

me do a family thing." She made a face "There's no way I can skip

out."

"Neither can I." Marco looked up at me "Sorry"

I told you I want to go alone! I exclaimed, I little harsher than

expected.

Jake raised his eyebrows and shrugged "If you want."

RACHEL

I was pissed at Tobias. Why didn't he at least tell me? We're

close...very close. Suddenly I heard the familiar taping at my

window. Rach? Can I come in?

I closed the book I was reading and opened the window. "Hi" I

whispered

Hi Tobais answered Listen Rachel...if your mad that I didn't

tell you all about Maggie he trailed off.

"No, Tobias" I said "I'm mad that you didn't tell me about

whats-her-name."

Maggie.

"Whatever. And now you won't let us go with you? Why?"

Because, because...

I realized what he was doing now. "Oh my god. You are thinking

about trapping yourself as a human Aren't you?" Tobais' only

response was looking down at my desk. "Tobias, go to human."

Once he was to human I gave him a big hug. I know it was selfish

but I was glad that he was thinking this way. "You have clothes for

when you get there?"

"Yeah. Listen Rachel-"

I cut him of "No Tobias, don't pick for us or the Yeerks. Do what

you want to do."

"Bye Rachel."

"Take care of yourself Tobias."

MAGGIE

I was going to kill him. I get here and guess who's not here? That's

right Tobias. And its more than that. He's missing, none of our

friends know where he is. They figured he ran away. And our

super-duper guardians are clueless too. Thats it I told myself, I'll

kill him. Just as soon as I figure out that he's safe I'll kill him. Sure

I got in on Saturday and not Sunday like I was supposed to but who

cares? TOBY'S missing! I was at Bloomingdales spending money

like anything....there is no emotional problem shopping cannot

solve. Marcy, my best friend was looking at me worriedly

"Ummm..Maggie? Are you OK?

"No, I'm not 'ok' Marcy, my brother is missing!! My brother!!!

"Omygawd! TOBIAS"

"Yeah he's missing."

"No! Tobais! He's over there!!!"

TOBIAS

I went to Bloomingdales looking for Maggie, where else would she

be? Then I heard Marcy scream "Tobias" and saw Maggie running

towards me. She jumped up and gave me a big hug. "You're

alive?!" I smiled, I hadn't realized how much I had missed her until

that moment. I held her out at arms length. She look older. But she

was still Maggie. Green hair, dirty-blonde hair. "Good to see you

again Maggie"

"Yeah. Now," She smacked me in the back of my head, "Where

have you been for the past two years?"

Oh..ummm.." I glanced at Marcy she mouthed the words good luck

"Here and there, I stayed with friends" And in a tree I added

silently.

"Tobias, I don't buy that but I really don't care. You need a hair cut

and new clothes. Let's do it."

MAGGIE

Ok, Ok I admit it what I said earlier sounded totally like a Valley

Girl but I was looking for an excuse to talk to Tobias alone,

without Marcy. And he did need a haircut. After all that we went

home. I walked in and almost immediately Tobias asked if he

could use the bathroom, and he kept on checking the clock. I think

that sounds a little suspicious, don't you? And then, about two

hours after that he did the same thing. I was beginning to think it

was Visser Three morphing Tobias to trap me, like he did a while

ago. I crept over to the door and looked in the peep hole. I saw

Tobias half morphed. That's when I started to scream.

TOBIAS

Whoops! I was guessing that Maggie saw me half demorphed. I

finish and run back outside. Maggie had really wide eyes.

"My god, you can morph!!!!" She managed to stutter out.

That surprised me "Yeerk?"

"No! Yeerk-fighter." We both stared at each other for a moment.

"This is what we call a breakdown in communication" Maggie said

dryly

"How long have you been fighting?"

"All my life, and you?"

"Two and a half years"

"Wow! I can't believe the Ellimist didn't tell me, Crayak too for

that matter."

"You know.."

"Yeah, you see I'm half Ellimist which makes me really strong and

smart but I also have the morphing power. And Crayak hates me

but he is sort of a blabbermouth. You see Tobias, I've fought the

Yeerks and Crayak all my life. Now you tell me your story."

"Well, I'm stuck in Morph as a Red-tailed Hawk and then the

Ellimist gave me back my morphing powers. I fight with Rachel,

Jake, Cassie, Marco, and an Andalite named Ax. And Ax is our

Uncle because Elfangor is our father."

"Oh I knew about Elfangor. So you all are the "Andalite Bandits?

That's good. I really don't like Andalites much. One thing, would

you like to be human again, with the morphing powers?"

AX

I was worried about Tobias. I was also a little mad. I would have

liked to know that my brother had a daughter. It was Monday and

all Animorphs were in school. None of us had heard from Tobias

and were all worried. I wondered if he had found Maggie yet. She

sounds like an interesting person from what Tobias had told us.

Just then two humans walked on to my scoop. On pure instinct I

whipped my tail at them. Amazingly the female caught it and threw

it back at me. It was then that I realized that one of the humans was

Tobias, although he looked older and the other looked a lot like

Him. That must be Maggie.

MAGGIE

"Yeah you're right Tobias, they'll accept me with open arms" I said

jokingly. I put out my hand, "Nice to meet you. I'm guessing your

Ax. I'm Maggie."

Tobias? What have you done? She knows everything now!

"Ok, first of all you can ask me things. Second I already knew

about everything. I've been fighting the Yeerks all my life and I'm

half Ellimist. I also did something you could never had dreamed of,

I gave Tobias back his morphing power and aged him those two

years that he had missed out on." I'm sorry but I told you that I

didn't like Andalites much.

Ax managed to let out a Oh.

Tobias smiled (he caught on to face expressions pretty fast). "Ax,

she's telling the truth. I'm totally human again with the morphing

powers. We bought an apartment and we're having our stuff moved

down."

RACHEL

After we had gotten out of school Ax had asked us to come to

Cassie's Barn for a meeting.

"Ax, what's this all about?" I asked a little annoyed

Tobias is back with Maggie. And

"And he's human with the morphing powers." A voice said behind

me. Tobias! I ran

up to him and kissed him before registering what he had said.

"What? How? Is that Maggie?" I asked pointing to the girl next to

Tobias. This girl was beautiful! And looked almost exactly like

Tobias except she was a she and was short with green eyes.

The girl-Maggie grinned "Yes I am. And you must be Rachel." She

nudged Tobias. In a stage-whisper she said "Wow Toby, you're

right. She is pretty." Tobias blushed. Then I noticed something

about him. He was older, and had I nice haircut.

Tobias looked down at me "Maggie has fought the Yeerks for a

long time. She is half Ellimist and gave me my morphing powers

back as a human."

"And I aged him a few years." Maggie smiled "You gotta love me."

MARCO

Wow! What a babe! I mean wow. Anyway Maggie and Tobias got

all settled in and went back to school. But not our school.

Noooooo..... They couldn't risk Chapman seeing them. Rachel and

Tobias were all lovely dovey and all I got was looking at the

goddess Maggie. Jake decided that she was part of the team so we

told her all of our secrets. Even the Chee, which made Maggie us

about how she had broken into the Chee's network over the years.

#3: The Entrance

TOBIAS

"TOBIAS!!" I heard Maggie scream out as soon as she got in the

house. Uh Oh I thought "In here." "Jeff found out that I liked him!

And what a coincidence it is that you're his best friend. WHY?

Why did you tell him?"

I laughed "You like Jeff?"

Maggie rolled her eyes at me "No I just get all dressed up for the

purpose of amusing myself when he comes--" Maggie narrowed

her eyes "You didn't know that I liked him?"

"Of course I didn't, you never tell me anything. Who else did you

tell?"

Maggie thought about that for a moment "Jo. But I don't think.."

She shurruged "Oh well." And plopped down on the couch next to

me.

"Hey!" I exclaimed "You act like you're going to kill me and when

its Jo that told him you just shrug it off?"

Maggie smiled at me "You know it. Jeez Toby relax."

Now I was mad "Stop calling me Toby."

"I'll call you anything I want!"

It was a normal afternoon in our house.

JAKE

We were heading up to Tobias' and Maggie's (well all of us except

Ax) house when we heard the fight going on in thier apartment.

Marco groaned

"Ahhh.. the sister-brother love of it all."

We open the door with the spare key that Maggie gave us and the

fight quickly

ended.

"Bird"

"Ellimist"

Cassie rolled her eyes. "What now?"

Maggie looked at us all "Nothing, absoulty nothing. Want anything

to drink." And gave Tobias a look that said you tell them you die.

Rachel gave Tobias a peck on the check and sat down next to him.

Maggie came out of the Kitchen and threw sodas at us. "Whats this

all about?" Tobias asked.

Maggie went into her room and for a second it looked like Marco

was going to fallow her I stopped both of them with a glace. "Erek

has some news for us."

Suddenly Crayak appered in frount of us. The real Crayak, not on

of his workers. "Hello." He began using a true voice. "How nice to

see you all agian." He looked at Maggie with shock and fear. "And

always a pleasure, Maggie."

Maggie laughed a cruel laugh, "What do you want Crayak? We

don't have the time nor patience to deal with your crap."

Crayak re-appered in frount of us and grabbed me. "If I do not get

Elfangor's children now, Jake will die." Maggie stepped forward. "I

don't think so Crayak, Honey." Then she hit Crayak square in the

jar and sent him reeling. "Go Maggie" I heared Rachel whisper.

Cassie grabbed me and gave me a hug. Just then Maggie did-well

lets just say it wasn't pretty. Crayak flew into a vortex that had

appered in the back of him....and he took Tobias with him.

RACHEL

"Tobias!" I screamed and tried to do after him. Maggie grabbed me

and threw me onto the couch. I sometimes forget how strong she is.

She was right of course, but we had to do something! He might get

killed. We could...maybe....a million thoughts flew through my

head. They were broken when Maggie screamed "ELLIMIST!!!!

GET DOWN HERE RIGHT NOW!" With that he appered in

frount of us.

"WOH!" Marco exclaimed "You can do that?"

"Looks like I can." Then Maggie turned to face the Ellimist "What

happened? Where is he? AND why didn't you stop them?"

The Ellimist looked at her with his usual calmness CRAYAK

TOOK TOBIAS, HE IS IN CRAYAK'S REALM AND BECAUSE

I COULDN'T

Maggie narrowed her eyes. "How do we get there?"

I CAN ONLY ALLOW ONE OF YOU TO GO. I WILL

TRANSPORT THAT ONE. AN..INTERESTING SITUATION

HAS ARISED BETWEEN CRAYAK AND I, HE IS BEGINING

TO BECOME A MORTAL AGIAN AND BEFORE HIS

POWERS COMPLETELY DISAPPERED HE MADE A REALM

EVEN I CAN'T PENATRATE. LUCKLY I AM ABLE TO

TRANSPORT A INDIVIDUAL INTO IT. HE WISHES FOR

TOBIAS AND MAGGIE TO JOIN HIM. I WILL BE BACK IN 15

MINUTES TO COLLECT THE TRAVLER

"Gee, thanks for the help." Maggie said dryly "I'll go."

Thats when I did the biggest mistake of my life, "No way,

Maggie...I'll go."

"WHAT?!" Maggie exploded "No offence Rachel but I'm the best

fighter here."

"And I'm going"

VERY WELL RACHEL, I WISH YOU LUCK

#4: The Death

TOBIAS

Crayak took a step towards me and shows me what has happened

at my house,

Rachel volutering to save me, Maggie screaming at the Ellimist

and everyone else just looking confused. The last thing I see is

Rachel going into the Vortex I've been trapped in. Crayak comes

over to me. "Well, well, well it looks like Rachel's trying to get

herself killed once more, to bad that I'll-"

"Don't you touch her Crayak, I'll kill you if you do. I'll honest to

God will."

"Tobias, you dumb human, this is what I planed on. Yes I want you

and Maggie but I've waited this long. I want Rachel now." He

smiled at me "You do know that Rachel is experiencing your worst

memories right now. Well you do now. Think about how she will

be dusgusted of you when she finally gets to you. Think about it."

RACHEL

I was suddenly in a blue tube that flashed pictures and thoughts on

it's walls. The Ellimist had told me about this, he told me that I

would encounter Tobias' memories. Thats when Maggie had really

started to scream. She seemed to have been worried that I wouldn't

be able to take it. I was thrused forward into a picture that was

projected.

I was Tobias when he was trapped, completly as a hawk. I had I

feeling it was early on in the fight. Tobias was thinking how

relaxed he was and maybe he should pay me a visit. Then it

happened the hawk suddenly took over and went for a mouse in a

field. Then Tobias, my sweet loving caring Tobias began to feed. I

felt the human Tobias suddenly take control and I heard him

thought scream. He bolted to the mall and on towards

Rachel...errr..me. I was in the Mall for a gymnastics compedition

and saw a bird come flying at me. I remember being worried and

shocked, and then such consern as he hit the wall..

I was yanked back into the vortex and was badly shaken. I wanted

to hold him and kiss him, to make sure he was alright. I realized

what I would be seeing now. Whenever I thought about Tobias

eating like a hawk I had cringed. That was what bothered me most,

and thats what Crayak would show me.

CASSIE

I was running towards the woods where Ax lived. We had thought

we all should be in one spot. I was scared for Rachel and Tobias.

And even though Tobias was in more danger I was more worried

about Rachel, we had all heard what the Ellimist had said, about

reliving Tobias' past. Sometimes, just not very often, Tobias would

come and talk to me about hawk things because he knew that they

creeped Rachel out. I hoped that she would be able to manage. I

found Ax and he morphed to human and we walked to Maggie's

and Tobias' appartment as I filled Ax in.

MAGGIE

I was standing gaurd at the refrigerator, as I always did whenever

Ax payed us a visit. He had this little habit of eating all of the food

in the house when he came over. Although that wasn't my main

corcern at the moment. I worried for Rachel, not for Tobias. Tobias

had powers that I can't even compare to, although he doesn't know

what they are yet. As it is, I only know one. I can't hurt Tobias.

Even though I try to tune out my streagh when trying to steal a

remote or something he could block me. Tobias just thinks I'm

being nice but the truth is he could hurt me even if I use my full

streagh. This only works with me though not in a battle or

whatever with other people. Wierd huh? Then agian I don't think

the children of Elfangor could be anything but strange.

I was also scared for myself. The others don't know it but Crayak

has an ability to convert people to his side. Once he finds a

vulerable place to strike he can take that person. And if he did that

to Toby I would be killed. Its almost ironic, the person who has the

best chance of killing me is the only one who's ever loved me.

JAKE

I was watching Maggie. Something was wrong with her. She

looked..scared. Something that I haven't seen even when she faces

20 Horks in battle. I knew she was worried about Tobias and

Rachel but she was usally so good at hiding emotions. I suddenly

felt selfish, what? Isn't Maggie allowed to feel? Cassie wasn't back

with Ax yet so I was the only other person she could talk to, Marco

is not a good person to talk about feelings with. I cationsly stood

up and went over to her. I gave he enough warning, last time I

didn't I ended up with a broken nose.

"Hey" I said "Want to talk about it?"

She looked suprised "Do I ever want to talk about it?" She smiled

at me "Sure why not."

Marco look at me suprised "Wow Jake, youv'e been hanging

around Cassie too much." Then he turned his attention to Maggie,

"What's wrong?"

Maggie must have changed her mind about talking about it because

all she said was, "Oh nothing really, just worried about them."

RACHEL

I had just emereged from yet another memory, luckly I had been

wrong about what Crayak would show me. It wasn't just when

Tobias was a hawk. It was his whole life. I was getting sick of it

too. All I wanted was to get this stupid mission over with and go

home. I needed to talk with Tobias and see if he was alright. I

hoped so, I was worried about what Cayak might be saying to him.

I was pulled into a new memory only this one was not one of

Tobias'. It was Maggie, a little girl Maggie, fighting and killing. It

was imposable odds, she could only have been 7 at the time but she

won, and all of the yeerks had been killed, by Maggie, with her

own hands. She was covered in blood, as soon as she had gotten to

a house (this must have been a time when she didn't live in NYC)

and washed all the blood off her. Maggie then crept inside and

went to bed.

I was back into the good ol' vortex and relaxed. It was then that I

realized how alike Maggie and I were. I was put into a new place.

A place that seemed real, not a memory. Then I saw Tobias laying

in a pile of his own blood.

TOBIAS

I was still captured and was begining to wonder if Rachel had

given up. I cared about her and wouldn't want her to die because of

me. I heard Crayak behind me. "Is that so Tobias? Here's a deal.I

won't kill her if you kill me. I shut me eyes briefly before

answering. "Deal"

The battle was the worse I've ever experienced in my life. Crayak

was now a mortal but a mortal who was VERY VERY strong. He

took me throght and started to strangle me. I somehow got free of

his grasp and push him away from me. Then it hit me. If he didn't

have anyone to kill he would die. The Ellimist had said if himself

"Crayak lives off the fear of others. He was now mortal though still

Crayak. And now that he could only stay in one place he could

only feed off my fear. I realized what I would have to do, if I killed

myself there would be no more fear. Crayak would die, the thret

that Crayak had placed on my friends would disapear, and maybe,

just maybe the Yeerks would all die.

I picked up the knife and stabbed myself. The pain was terrible,

and I cried out to Maggie and Rachel. But they never came. The

last thing I saw was Crayak, dead.

MAGGIE

I was laying on my bed when I heard it. I single voice, that sounded

like Tobias called out. "Help me." That was all I needed to get

myself going. I went out to dig up the Time Matrix. And get into

that damn Vortex.

#5: The Death

RACHEL

I felt like my chest was about to explode, I wanted to hurt, to kill

whoever did this to my Tobias. But all I did was cry and let my

tears fall on his face. I slowly got up, and looked around for clues

to..to anything! My foot suddenly hit something soft. I looked

down and soon realized it was Crayak. A dead Crayak. Tobias

must have...but why was he dead? The air opened in front of me,

like the Ellimist does. Only it wasn't the Ellimist, it was Maggie.

She looked at me and looked confused

"Where's Tobias?" She asked before seeing the body. Then she

screamed and rushed over to him. Maggie tried everything before

sitting down, defeated.

"He's dead isn't he?" She asked me and looked about to break down

in tears. Only she didn't, instead she offered me her hand. "We

have to go, who knows what will pop out next."

"Yeah," I managed to pull the words out of my brain. "Yeah, we

should go."

MAGGIE

Everyone had gone home, most crying. Cassie was having Rachel

over so they wouldn't have to explain why she was upset. Most of

my fellow Animorphs were crying, they all were blaming

themselves. Except me. Do you want to know a secret? I've only

cried twice in my life. Those two times were the lowest points in

my life, and Tobias was there both times, conforting me, helping

me cope. I ran though every idea in my head that might be able to

bring Toby back. Toby, the nickname I gave him somehow

conforted me. All the good times we had shared came rushing back

to me.

It hit me right then, Rachel and I had left his body in the vortex.

And I might have to have a funeral. Ugh, I hated funerals. Once I

had attend my own. That is a memory I'd rather forget. Just then

the tears came. I was soon sobbing. I needed to be with my friends.

Not the Animorphs, I'm never supposed to ask for help with them.

But my old friends, the ones that Tobias and I had grown up with.

The ones who would never know my secret. Marcy and Mike,

Tobias' and mine's best friends. I picked up the phone and started

to dial.

MARCO

I have always said that laughing cures the soul. Not now, laughing

now would be ridiculous. I wasn't as close to Tobias, not like

Maggie, Rachel, and Ax. I was worried for those three. Rachel

couldn't stop crying. Ax looked like he was in shock. And Maggie,

well what can I say? Maggie puts up a wall whenever emotion is

about to strike. I was having a flashback to the two times when

people that I was close with have died. Jake and my Mom. Jake

came back because of a time thing, and as it turned out my Mom

was never dead just controlled. Witch in itself was a curse and a

blessing. Now I had hope to live with to free her but I also had the

extreme choice that I have to face whenever I see her, to kill or not

to kill? I'm advioding the subject, aren't I? I really don't care. I felt

that I should help someone to show them that I've done this and

gotten through it. I decided on Maggie. I had lost a family member

and she just lost her whole family, period. No dad to cry with,

nothing.

I flew over to the apartment and demorphed as soon as I got in the

window. The place felt really empty.

"Maggie?" Now I was getting nervous, "Ummm..Maggie? You in

here?" Then I saw the note.

Jake, Rachel, Marco, Cassie, Ax:

I've gone to New York for a while. I'll be staying with some

friends. Number is 675-0900. Just ask for Maggie or Marcy. Be

back soon.

-Maggie

Jake was NOT going to be happy about this.

CASSIE

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN THAT SHE'S GONE?" Jake roared.

Marco winced, he had just called us all over to tell us that Maggie

was gone. It was a dumb thing to do, I mean we should all stay in

one place when something like this happen. But I also understand

Maggie's view of things. I mean the only tie she has with us was

Tobias. And now that he was gone she wanted to be conforted by

their old friends. She was going to have to tell them anyway. I

pulled Jake over and told him this.

"I really don't care Cassie, what if Crayak came back?" He sighed,

"Marco? What's the number?"

"Put it on speaker." Rachel whispered, I was getting really worried

about her. She was either crying or just sitting there. I know that

she thought it was her fault that

Tobias' died, but still....

Jake dialed the number and put it on speaker phone "Hello?" A

unframiler voice answered "Is this for Maggie." She sounded as if

she had been crying

Jake took a breath "Yeah, tell her it's-"

Maggie all of a sudden got on "Jake. I know. I'm guessing you got

my not."

Marco spoke up "Yeah we got your note Maggie. Why are you in

New York?"

You could practically hear Maggie roll her eyes "Ask Cassie."

RACHEL

After our little chat with Maggie we all headed home, or rather I

went home with Cassie. She has been so great though all this,

never pushing me. I had never realized how much I cared for

Tobias until he was gone. I loved him. I loved him as the loner, the

nothlit, and the human. And now he was gone.

I couldn't sleep, so when Cassie finally drifted off I got up and

called Maggie in New York. This time Maggie answered.

"Hello?" This time I defiantly knew Maggie had been crying

"Hi Maggie, it's Rachel."

She paused momentarily "Hi Rach, how are you doing?"

"Not so good." I stopped "No good at all." I said my voice

cracking, "And you?"

"He was my brother." She stated with a sad voice, "He was my

only family."

I wanted to change the subject, It was just plain weird to hear

Maggie depressed and well...emotional. She wasn't like that.

"When are you coming home?"

"I'll be home around 7 AM today."

"Today? God is it Saturday already?"

"Yeah it'd be 3 in the morning." I heard a zipper in the background.

"I'm packing now."

"Well, then I'll let you go."

"Bye"

AX

This wasn't possible. Tobias, my shorm could never be dead. Not

possible. It was the work of that foul creature called the Ellimist.

We should never had trusted him! He was evil. Tobias had been

tricked by him and we all have helped him. I didn't understand it.

Maggie dealt with all this in a strange way. Leaving us all. I cried

for Tobias as I did the death ritual, after all, Tobias is half Andalite.

It was a way for me to say good-bye.

MAGGIE

I had finally gotten home. I came in the house and just collapsed on

the couch. I was worried about Rachel, she had sounded really bad.

Not that I'm one to talk. I wanted to talk to Tobias, to make sure

that he was alright. Unlike the others I know that after life does

exist. For me at least. When I die I will become a full Ellimist.

Only I won't be Maggie. I will be part of the Ellimist. Not

something that I am looking forward to. But I really don't know

what is happening with Tobias. All I know is that he is gone.

I missed New York and all my friends there. All of them had been

so upset when I had delivered the news, it showed how much they

cared. But now that I had partners in the fight, I felt connected to

them. Where ever I would go I would fight, its my nature. But who

and where should I fight?

I needed coffee. Black coffee. I've always been addicted to it and

probably always will be. Tobias can't...couldn't...stand the stuff.

Suddenly a Falcon flew through the window.

"Hey Jake. You need something?"

Once fully demorphed he glared at me "I want an explanation.

Now!"

That pissed me off I mean my brother is dead and he can't

understand why I'm upset! "Oh Gee, Jakey boy what do you want?

Why I'm upset that my brother died? Why I went to see my real

friends and arrived around 8 at night only to be later called at a

friends house to be yelled at! I then had to leave my friends VERY

early in the morning and then suprise, suprise! Get yelled at by

everyone's favorite leader." I glared back at him. He was suprised I

could tell. I had a temper but I try to keep it down or its total Jerry

Springer.

He went from suprised to angry fast "Don't test me Maggie. I've

been leading the Animorphs for 2 years."

"And I've been fighting since I was 3!"

He was stunned "3 years old? My god, you had no childhood!" He

was no longer mad he was pitying me. And I hate pity more than

Visser 3 (Okay, so maybe I hate Visser 3 a tad more.)

"I don't need your pity Jake."

He then did something totally unexpected, he hugged me. "Maggie,

I'm sorry."

With that he left.

I had a very familiar feeling in my stomach, I was falling for Jake.

"Great" I muttered to myself "I like one of the love birds, and he is

in luv with Cassie." I needed to forget these feelings I told myself,

Cassie's my friend. (a/n, all J&C fans read note at end)

RACHEL

I was the next morning and we were all gathered in Maggie's

apartment. Maggie was in the open kitchen making a salad for

herself and talking away, she seemed to be on a caffeine rush. Just

then air opened in front of us. Tobias. Wait a minute TIBIAS!!!!!!!

I ran to him and jumped up and kissed him over and over not

believing what I was seeing. Tobias on the other hand looked very

confused.

"WHAT. And I mean WHAT am I doing here? I was in the

vortex!" Just then Ranch dressing came flying at us. Maggie had

been about to put the dressing on the salad when she looked up.

She tightened her grip on the bottle and Whoops!

"Toby!" Maggie screeched "Your alive!" She ran over and gave

him a hug as I reluctantly let go of him.

"Was I dead again?" He sighed referring to the David incident

NO TOBIAS, YOU WERE REALLY DEAD, the Ellimist voice

rand out

"Then why am I here?" He asked

IT WAS ALL A TEST SO THAT YOU COULD PROVE THAT

YOU ARE ABLE TO GIVE YOUR LIFE, ALL OF THE

MEMORIES OF THAT YOU ARE DEAD HAS BEEN ERASED

FROM YOUR OTHER FRIENDS

Maggie rolled her eyes calmly walked up to him and hit the

Ellimist square in the jaw.

#6: The Hate

MAGGIE

I studied myself in the mirror after haven taken my shower. I

looked the same, pretty, green eyed, dark blonde me. Yet I did not

feel the same. I looked tired and worn out, or maybe I looked like I

had too much sleep. I had horrid bags under my eyes that I hid with

some concealer and foundation. I usually won't wear make-up at

all, in my opinion its all too much work. But I didn't want Tobias

to worry.

It didn't matter much anyway. I was always tires in the mornings. I

got dressed and ran for the bus, Tobias was already gone. When I

got on, I cheered up. I'm more of a people person and I love to give

all my friends fashion tips. Tobias talked with his friends, who

happen to be the most popular boys in school. Tobias and I are

gaining a whole lot of ground in the popularity front. Not like Toby

cares but, well I'm a girl so I'm a wee bit more vain. Like he read

my mind, Tobias took Jo's seat next to me.

"What's wrong, Margaret? No coffee this morning?" I smiled and

as I opened my mouth to answer the Ellimist appeared and started

to kill all of my friends so that soon, only Tobias and I were left.

Tobias turned to me and glared "It's all your fault Maggie. All your

fault"

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP

I groaned and threw a shoe at the damn alarm clock. What was up

with these dreams? Falling out of bed I made my way to the

kitchen and poured a cup of coffee. Just then Tobias came

staggering out of his room, morning people we are not.

"Ugh" I greeted him

"Ugh" Was his chipper reply, I blinked trying to wake up and shake

the dream off, I had never had a problem with dreams before. Well,

that's a lie but I knew that in time it would go away.

"I get dibs on the shower" I muttered

That woke Tobias up "No way, I'm older!"

"Grrrrr...its by seven god damn minutes Toby"

"Listen, Margaret, I-" He cut himself off "Oh go take the shower."

"Thanks Tobias, we still going to the beach with everyone?"

Everyone meaning our school friends.

"As long as were not in the water, yeah."

TOBIAS

I couldn't stop laughing. Maggie and I, as you know hate water. As

soon as

Maggie let that little fact slip two guys, Mark and Jeff had picked

her up and was dragging her towards the water. Maggie couldn't

use her streagh on them and I could see the look on her face from

here. Pure frustration. Jo and me were still laughing when she

managed to gasp "Come on Tobias, lets go save your sister." While

she said that she grabbed my hand and gave it a squeeze. I likes Jo

and all, but only as a friend. And as Maggie put it "Toby honey,

friends is not the direction that her delusional mind is heading."

She was defiantly right on this account. I managed to get away

from her and run towards a screaming Maggie.

"Put me down NOW" She roared. Jeff and Mark had a good grip

on her and Maggie looked like she was about to hit them. Now

don't get me wrong, Jeff and Mark are all pretty nice guys but they

were, well...picture Marco and multiply by ten. After I saved

Maggie from the water we headed over to get some coke.

"I hate it when I get picked up and carried around like a 2 year

old." She muttered, I laughed and that was all that Maggie needed

to start her raving "I mean come on! Marco gives me more respect

and that is just sad to admit. Its bad enough when you carry me

around but your allowed cause your my brother. But when Moe

and Larry come over and-" I cut her off by stuffing a piece of pizza

in her mouth.

"Shut up Maggie dearest, lets go home."

RACHEL

Cassie was staring at my with big eyes. "Rach? Don't cause a

scene, DON'T"

I looked at her with enraged eyes "Cassie, Cassie, Cassie. Why

would I make a scene? That little cheerleader is flirting with my

boyfriend. What's to be mad about?"

She rolled her eyes "Rachel, Rachel, Rachel. He pushed her right

off and now he's heading over to the snack place with Maggie.

Remember Maggie? Tobias' sister?"

Let me back up. I went to the beach with Cassie today to get break

from Yeerk fighting. When we got here I see Tobias and Maggie

with some of their friends, Maggie carried of by two morons who

didn't know not to mess with Maggie, then saw that Jo girl flirting

with Tobias. Not that I could really blame her, Tobias had become

a major hottie. I mean, wow. But that's not the point. I squinted

over to Maggie and Tobias and saw them leave. "Bye Cassie, I

need to go yell at Tobias."

I was heading down the road to their apartment when it happened, I

was suddenly in front of a very ugly face, one that not even a

mother could love. It spoke to me in thought speak

Hello Rachel, how nice of you to join me. Is the little killer mad,

hummm? I hope so. Suddenly a spark flew at my face and I was

shoved back to my realm. I felt different, not so that I needed to

turn home but enough to concern me. I ran to Tobias' apartment,

maybe Maggie would have an answer for me.

JAKE

I was worried, not about the Yeerks but about me. I was in love

with Cassie, I thought. But lately Maggie has been haunting me.

Her beautiful face and striking eyes that seem to read my thoughts.

She was, she was....so unlike Cassie. But I needed Cassie. She

completed me. Sweet, caring, understanding.

I swore under my breath, I wished that we had a building to blow

up or an Animorph to rescue. Anything to keep my mind of my

personal problems. I really have to stop wishing for stuff. My

phone rang next to me.

"Hello?"

"Hey Jake its Maggie." Great way to get her off your mind Jake, I

thought. Talk to her

"Oh hi. Sup?" Trying to sound causal

"Nothing good. Rachel is in trouble, get everyone and come over to

my place."

MAGGIE

I had finally gotten into a good mood and then what happens?

Rachel comes in the room and punches me. It didn't hurt exactly,

just annoyed me. I had her pushed up agenst the wall before she

could think. She struggled in my grasp but, pul-eaze? She's human.

I'm not. Not all the way at least.

"Listen to me Rachel, I'm not going to hurt you, yet, but I want an

explanation. So? What is it? A stressful day? Credit card maxed

out?" I talked to her as I would if she were a Yeerk.

She snickered at me and spoke, "What do you take me for? I want

to kill you. And I will."

"Well, duh, but why?" I couldn't believe we were having this talk.

Rachel was my friend, kind of. She always seemed to resent me.

And the whole time I had her up agenst the wall with one of my

hands sipping a diet coke.

"I don't need one, dearie. You kill for a living, and then you joke.

You are evil."

NOW I was pissed, I spun her around and shoved her so that she

was dangling a foot above the floor. "Evil? You can me evil? At

least I don't crave the fight with my soul, addicted to it, wanting it."

I pulled out my knife that I have stashed around the house and put

it to her throght. "Believe me, you don't have the strength to stop

the murdering." I shoved her back on the couch and called Jake,

and got Tobias.

AX

"Its called the Harpnok" Maggie explained "It will take a persons

soul and magnify the anger to the one person the Harpnok hates the

most." She grimaced "That'd be me."

I looked at her with suprise "How wawawa do youuuuu know

this?"

Marco rolled his eyes "Roughly translated: How do you know this

Buffy?"

Buffy. A name that Marco had been calling Maggie lately, like the

way he calls Rachel Xena.

She smiled a smile that did not look happy, "Well, Joker, I have

fought this guy five or six times in my life and he hates me for it."

Jake did not look directly at Maggie, but seemed to talk to her,

"Why didn't you tell us about this guy?"

Before Maggie could answer Tobias interrupted her, "Who

freaking CARES!!! We need to help Rachel before the Harpoky or

whatever it is called hurts her!"

Maggie grinned at Tobias "Rachel would love this answer."

MARCO

This was insane! I mean we've done some stupid stuff but this just

tops all stupidity. Maggie started to look worried then looked like

she was trying to decide if the situation was funny or dangerous.

"Well" She started "The only emotion in Rachel's body at the

moment is hate. Some we have to give her love." That's when

Maggie started to laugh, "Unfortunately the only people who

qualify for this task is Cassie and Tobias because those are the ones

closest to her, and who she loves the most."

Cassie let out a sigh of relief "Oh, well then I'll do it."

That's when Maggie really started to laugh "No you won't, Tobais

has to. Its a really long story and I'll tell it to you when we have the

time. Let's just say that the person who helps her must be a

different kind of love than a friends' love."

Tobias looked thoughtful "All right then, what do I have to do?"

Maggie smirked, "You have to go into her body"

RACHEL

My body! No way was Tobias going into my body. Hi, its Rachel,

Maggie was a tad off when she explained the hate thing. My body

was being controlled by hate but I, the real Rachel was still alive.

And she was getting really embarrassed. So was Tobias. Then

Maggie told us the worst part of the plan that even she couldn't

laugh at. They would have to go to the Yeerk Pool to get the device

that Maggie wanted to preform whatever she was going to do to

poor Tobias.

I felt like crying. The hate inside of me kept on growing, I felt like

I was about to lose control and surrender to it. I hated Maggie,

what she said to me. I hated Jake for knowing what was inside of

me, Cassie was a fool who cried for her victims, and Marco was a

prick who wouldn't fight if it wasn't for his Mother. And

Tobias....well Tobias I wouldn't kill, Tobias was good.

It would go back and forth like that evil, to normal, evil, to normal.

Then I totally lost control of the hate inside of me. The last thing I

remember is Tobias kissing me and promising to save me. The

fool, no one could save me now.

TOBIAS

I was worried sick about Rachel, I had seen the look she gave me

when I said good-bye to her. Maggie kept on glancing over at Jake

and I knew why, she liked him. And Marco told me something

else, Jake liked Maggie. I hoped that Maggie wouldn't mess Cassie

and Jake up, even though I knew that Maggie considered Cassie a

friend and wouldn't break them up, deliberately.

Maggie was a smart girl, as you know. She showed us how to get

around the Yeerk bio-filters. Which helped us a lot. Then the battle

begin, Maggie and I were alone together I was in my Elephant

morph and Maggie was herself. 20 Hork-Bajir! 30 Taxxon and

who knows what else. I turned to Maggie Let's do it! She

screamed.

The fight was awful, Maggie disappeared when 10 Horks jumped

on her. The rest of them attacked me, one of the blades blinded my

left eye. I started jumping up and down, using my trunk,

ANYTHING to stay alive. Maggie on the other hand was taking

down her pack with ease. Once those 10 were dead she went after

the Taxxons, slicing them up in no time. She was a wonderful

fighter or maybe a terrible fighter. Everytime I saw her fight I had

to look away. She helped me with the rest of my Hork-Bajir. Once

that was done we ran to the others.

CASSIE

Maggie and Tobias came into few, Maggie covered in blood and

Tobias looking shaken. Maggie turned to me, "Look for a green

sphere that has two lights on it."

She turned to Jake and Marco "Keep a lookout and tell me if

anyone comes near." I saw Jake hide a smile, Maggie sometimes

switched into leader mode when we were in a fight, she and Jake

were like co-captions. I was worried that Maggie was stealing more

than Jake's job. More like Jake himself. Oh well I thought, think

about that that later.

Maggie looked over at Ax who looked confused Why are you

giving Prince Jake orders? I thought that we all followed our

Prince.

Maggie looked a little mad at that "I don't fallow anyone, Ax."

Then you share the Prince position with Prince Jake? Then I must

call you Princess Maggie from now on

From the other side of the room I heard Tobias snorting, trying not

to laugh. "You do that Ax-man." Tobias said still chuckling.

"Found it!" I exclaimed

Maggie took the weird looking thing from me and held it up.

"That's it" She said giving me a smile "Lets go."

RACHEL

The morons opened the door to the apartment just as I got free

from my chains. Maggie ran over and tied me right back up. Tobias

looked very nervous in the corner.

"OK Maggie, what do I do?"

She gave him a reassuring smile "Just place your hand on her head

and concentrate. I'll do the rest."

"That's reassuring, what is that thing for?" Tobias asked, indicating

the green thing that Maggie held in her hands.

"It'll monitor the responses Rachel's brain is receiving and to make

sure that the Harpnok doesn't go into your body."

Marco sighed "Well senesce Rachel is temporarily evil, no big

change there, I'll do the honors......Let's do it!"

TOBAIS

Oh this was sooooo not my idea of a fun, relaxing Saturday. I cared

about Rachel a lot and would do anything for her, but this felt like I

was violating part of her. I had a feeling she would be a very mad

Rachel when she got better. If she got better, I still wasn't sure what

to do once I was in her head. Maggie said that "You will know

when it is time." God, she sounded just like an Ellimist.

I was in my room, trying to get some sleep as Maggie had said to

do. It wasn't working. Then I heard Maggie scream out

"Tobias! Time to switch body's!" Maggie never took anything

seriously. I got up and went over to Rachel, Maggie told me what

to do earlier so I knew (sota) what I was doing. I placed my hand

on her forehead and shut my eyes.

I heard Maggie's voice as though it was far away "OK Toby, I'm

turning on the machine...NOW! You'll switch in 5....4....3....2...

RACHEL

"1!"

Suddenly I was no longer in control, it was like having a new

person controlling your body, which really was what was

happening. I suddenly felt a mind push up from under this one...

I was back! Me the real Rachel! Then I felt a surge of anger and

hate as I began to lose control ... then I heard Tobias' voice

Rach? Come on fight it!

Help me I managed to reply

There were suddenly bursts of color and....love. I saw all the times

that Tobias had ever been loved and all the times that he had loved.

I saw the time he learned that Maggie was his sister and how happy

he was. I saw when I helped him remember humanity. And I saw

our first real kiss.

I love you too Tobias

I woke up to see Tobias laying down, asleep next to me. The others

were gone and

I was grateful for that. I was untied, it was about time, my

circulation was being cut off. I smiled when I looked over at

Tobias, he was such a great guy.

I got on top of him and kissed him as he slowly awakened. I

smoothed out his hair and smiled down at him.

"Mind if I spend the night?" I had never loved him so much

MAGGIE

I had decided to spend the night at Cassie's to give Tobias and

Rachel privacy. I knew they wouldn't go that far, as in THAT far

but I knew the feeling when you are awokened after Harpnok is in

you. I heard someone behind me, Jake.

"Hey Maggie, we need to talk." I knew what he wanted to talk

about

I smiled at him, "Listen, I'll make this easy for you. We are friends

that are both dating someone. You love Cassie and that's all that

matters."

Jake let out a breath, "Your right, just friends." We shook hands

and separated.

I hope he didn't see me glance back at him.

#7: The Switch

MAGGIE

You want to know a secret? The development of fungus is one of

the most boring freaking thing you will ever learn in your life time.

Half the class was asleep, and the other half I wasn't sure was still

breathing. Tobias was one of the asleep ones and I was about to

wake him up but decided ageist it. It had been a rough week.

Fortunately, for yours truly this was the last period of a looooooong

Friday. Very long as in so long I thought it was Tuesday until

lunch. Now, you may be asking, what is Maggie doing awake? Or,

what is she insane?! This is Fungus, sleep central! GO TO SLEEP!

Tell me about it. One little word for you, coffee. I bought a new

brand a couple days ago and it keeps me up until the end of the

day. Then I crash.

Anyone else noticing how I'm babbling? That's because I have a

sad, confusing tale for you all. It really isn't a fighting or important

stuff. Just an event that was important to me, Ever wonder if your

life was a book or a TV show? Yep, you guessed it. That's what I,

and the genius that call themselves the Animorphs discovered.

That's what I mean when I said "It had been a rough week."

**EARLYER THAT WEEK**

TOBIAS

I hate Mondays. I mean, truly, deeply HATE Mondays. And yet

they keep on coming. I was in the kitchen eating something that

resembled Cheerios when it happened. I reached down to grab a

math book to do some of my homework when my hand touched the

book. I looked down and almost passed out. It was an Animorph

book! Number #30, The Reunion. I looked at the cover and saw a

picture of what I could only guess was Marco morphing a

cockroach. I looked at the back and read the summary. I was no

longer as scared as I was puzzled. Why hadn't we heard about this

before? And second, why was the book so out of date? That

happened a long time ago.

Maggie came out of the shower looking confused as well. She was

holding up a soggy book that read Animorphs #1 The Invasion.

"Is one of you a writer that changed your name to K. A. " Maggie

squinted to read the cover "Applegate? And never told me?" She

paused rasing her eyebrow at me,

"Or has something bizarre happened. Again" She added

"Like I know? I have number #30." I waved my book at her

"Ugh, a Marco book." She sighed "Lets call the others."

RACHEL

RING! RING! RI-

I cut the phone off as I picked it up. Who would call this early, this

early on Monday at that.

"Hello?" I answered with a not-quite-awake-voice

The person on the other end chuckled, "You sound chipper"

"Hey Tobias" I said, I loved the guy but not at this hour, "What do

you want?"

"Did you by any chance get a book on, oh, I don't know....us?"

That woke me up "Excuse me?"

Tobias sighed "Look around your room for an Animorph book."

"Tobias I am not in the mood for-" I picked up a book that had a

picture of Cassie on it and said The Message. "Tobias? I'll be over

in a a few minutes."

MAGGIE

I kept on glancing over at the book that I had gotten, I was dying to

read it but nooooooo.....Tobias had to take it from me! Everyone

else was here besides Marco, I had to let the phone ring about 80

times before the boy picked it up.

DING-DONG

Tobias looked up from reading his book, "Maggie? You mind?"

"I still don't understand something Tobias, why is it that you all can

read your books and I can't read mine?" All of the others had there

heads barred in their books.

Cassie had something called a MegaMorph and Jake was reading

#22, The Solution. It was a Rachel book that told about a kid

named David (who I had never known about thankyouverymuch)

DING-DONG

Whoops I had forgotten about Marco! "Sorry Marco" I said after he

was in

"Shhhhh!" He exclaimed "This is getting really good!" I looked at

the book he was reading, #23 The Pretender, that was narrated by

my brother. Suddenly we were no longer in my house, we were in a

book store.

MARCO

To be exact, we were in the children's section of a book store. One

that had way, way, WAY too many "Animorph" books.

Rachel's eyes were big, "Where are we? I think I would have

noticed a series about us in the book store."

Maggie, who looked a little too calm for my taste, rolled her eyes,

"We're in a different dimesion..Duh."

Tobias looked a little annoyed at his sister, "What do you

mean?....Duh"

"Shut up Toby!"

"Listen, Margaret--" Tobias began

That's when I decided to step in "Hey Tobias and Buffy? You mind

shutting up for a while? We really don't need a fight between you

two when were in the middle of a crisis."

"Shut up Marco" They both said at the same time

Jake look as if he was getting a headache, "Marco's right. Maggie

tell us what you know."

"Well, what a was going to say before someone," Maggie shot a

look at Tobias "interrupted me was that we were somehow thrown

into a universe where you all are

book characters. Why? I don't know. But once I was thrown into a

world where everyone looked like the Spice Girls." She rolled her

eyes when she saw our faces,

"Kidding people! But once I was in a world where the untire plant

was bugs."

"Well, now that we know Maggie has lead an insane life, HOW do

we get out?" I asked.

Rachel spoke up, "Hey where's Ax?"

Maggie looked up from looking at all of the books, "Oh well, it

was probably only for humans." (a/n: I can't write for Ax! So he

really doesn't have big parts in my stories, Sorry!)

"Again I ask, HOW do we get out?"

Maggie shook her head, "Like I know, when It happened to me, I

was returned a week later. And no one had known I was gone."

RACHEL

After all that, I noticed that we were in the Mall, and it was my

idea to see if anything else was different. So we made our way out

while Maggie started to complain.

"I mean why aren't I in the books?" She whined, "I'm now a main

character...I want recognition!"

"Well, Maggie maybe its because the books are only up to #30 and

that was a long time ago." Tobias said placidly. "That book is when

Marco's mom shows up again-" Tobias would have said more but

he was interrupted by Marco. "Thank you Tobias, lets move on."

Tobias took the hint, it was still a sensitive subject for Marco.

After that, his mother had come back once more and then...when to

make a long story short, she died.

Maggie sighed, "Let's get a computer and look up Animorphs."

"Why?" I asked

"Well gee, I dunno Rachel maybe so we can see who this

Applegate woman is, if the stories are popular, any fan sites out

there." She paused, "But I'm betting that only morons read these

books and probably a few small amount of morons at that."

MARCO

Small amount, sure that's it. These people were obsessed! We were

in a hotel room with a borrowed computer. A computer that had

been on for almost 4 days straight. We had learned a lot about each

other and Maggie had learned all of our missions. Sorta like a field

trip. There were millions of sites, a bad TV show that we had the

pleaser of watching, everything! We had turned off the computer

and some us were reading the books and some of us (as in me)

were watching a person called Maggie.

Through all the things that had happened, I couldn't get my mind

off her. Her strength and beauty were astounding. I might be in

love with her. I tried to ignore these feelings. Feelings like that

only make you weak. I had to ignore them for Maggie's sake. What

would she do if she found out, Maggie may be blunt but she's not

cruel. She might date me out of pity. Shaking these thoughts out of

my head I looked over at Jake. He was reading #19, a Cassie book.

Suddenly he got out and went over to her.

"Cassie, I love you." He said and then firmly kissed her on the lips.

The whole group had there mouths hanging open, all for Maggie.

She looked as she had been slapped, but that was only for an

instant. She was back to emotionless in a flash.

"Wow, that sorta came out of nowhere, didn't it?" Maggie said.

"Why didn't you tell me about what you were feeling?" Jake asked,

ignoring Maggie.

"I don't...I don't know. It was a hard period for me." Cassie said,

blushing.

Rachel grinned, "Come on let's ummm.. go for a walk to the pool."

She smiled over

at Tobias, "You want to come? Oh! And Marco and Maggie too of

course."

Tobias looked at Maggie for a second, "I'll be there in a sec.

Marco, you can go."

We all walked outside giving Cassie and Jake thier privacy. I head

them talking and laughing. Tobias looked at me, "I'll handle this."

That suprised me, how fast Tobias caught on to that I understood

what Maggie was going through, and at that...wanted to help.

Maggie had walked away to the balcony that was in the hotel, it

was empty. "No, man its all right. Let me do this."

Tobias looked concerned but came to a decision fast, "Don't say

anything Marco-like." And with one look back at Maggie he

walked away.

I took a deep breath, this wasn't going to be easy. I knew in my

heart that I would spill my feelings towards her to her. I just didn't

know how. I decided to keep it simple, that was the only way to

talk to her without her getting mad.

"Hey Maggie." Brilliant Marco, I said to myself, way to be

creative.

"Marco! You suprised me! What are you doing here?" Maggie

asked

"I can see your upset," Too bad for keeping things nice and easy.

"What makes you think I'm upset?"

"Cause I can see pretty well through your emotional cover." I

turned her face around

so that she was looking straight at me. "And I'm guessing its about

Jake."

She looked as if she were going to slap me for a second then

thought better of it, "I suppose, but he loves Cassie, even an idiot

like me can see that." She said giving me a half smile that made me

stammer for a second before continuing.

"Umm..well, your not an idiot." I smiled at her, "I know that for a

fact, because I don't care for idiots."

"Marco..." She started before I cut her off.

"No, this time me first Maggie. I care for you." I smiled at her

shocked expression, "I love the stars. Don't you? My Mom and I,

when I was a little kid would pick stars to wish on." I closed my

eyes briefly, "I just made one. In fact she's standing in front of me."

Maggie looked at me with beautiful green eyes. "Tobias and I used

to do that, but we weren't that young." She smiled at me. "I would

wish for a thing that could never come true, so I wouldn't be

disappointed." She turned to me leaning close, "And now that wish

came true. You." She said to me before she softly kissed me, on the

lips. It was my first kiss, and I didn't know what to do.

Unfortunately the kiss ended before I could do anything. She

pulled away and smiled, "Pay me a visit later so we can talk."

TOBIAS

Marco did NOT just kiss my little sister. I glanced over at Rachel,

who looked like she was having trouble breathing.

"Did, they, I mean, you know, did they?!" I said

"Oh they defiantly did." I looked over at Marco who was still

standing on the balcony. "Stay here Rach, talk to Maggie was

maybe take her to get a CAT scan." I

walked briskly towards Marco and spun him around. I think I gave

him a heart attack.

"What the hell was that?" I demanded

"Uhhh..uh oh, you saw that?"

"Yes, Rachel and I did. So what happened. Why did you kiss

Maggie"

"Hey! First of all Maggie kissed me and second...well..." I rolled

my eyes, and Maggie complains about me and Rachel? That's a

laugh. But then I saw that Marco did care for Maggie, not just her

looks (Maggie has had enough trouble with that) and softened,

"Well if you hurt her, your dead. Remember that." Then I was back

into my apartment. With everyone else with me.

"Well, what was the point of THAT?!" Rachel exclaimed and fell

on to the couch.

Maggie went over and took Marco's hand. "I think I know."

#8: The End

MAGGIE

Suicide. One word that I always feared the most. The reason I

feared it was because I always knew it was my destiny. When I

started the fight, I was told never to care or let anyone care in

return. I had never obeyed that rule. Now I wish I did.

The Animorphs have started to care about me, so I know this will

be hard on a lot of them. I told Tobias that my death was

inevitable, but I never told him that it was so near. Maybe he will

understand what I'm about to do. Or perhaps he won't, because I

know how much he loves me. He's my brother and I will always

love him, one of my greatest mistakes.

I've always known I was going to die young. The Ellimist told me

himself that he would kill me. My death date was tomorrow. But I

don't go down like that, if I have to be destroyed, I'll do it myself.

My hands are starting to shake as I write a letter to my friends, the

Animorphs.

Funny, minutes before my death I consider them my friends. I

never thought I really belonged with them. I pick up the gun I'm

about to use on myself. And I am afraid, god help me, I don't know

what else to do. I've fought this moment for 5 years. But its

coming, very fast. I put the gun in my mouth, Just don't let it hurt

was my last thought as I pulled the trigger.

MARCO

Maggie had been acting really distant lately so I decided to pay her

a visit. I mean, I AM her boyfriend (kinda). So I brought over a

movie and got ready for a fight. Maggie hated it when I just show

up without notice, so I have to do it at every possible chance.

"Maggie? You in there?" I yelled when no one answered my ring.

Taking out my key to her apartment (Tobias and Maggie gave one

to each of us for emergencies) I opened the door. I walked around

when I didn't see her, and then headed towards her room. Knocking

on it, she still didn't answer. So I opened the door and then saw

Maggie, Maggie with blood all over her and a gun in her mouth.

For a second I couldn't move. Dead, Maggie is dead. That's the

only thing I could think about. Then I ran to the bathroom and

threw up my lunch. I couldn't move for a second. I closed my eyes

for a second and convinced myself that this was just a bad dream.

When I opened my eyes I would be back in bed. I almost convinced

myself, until I opened my eyes that is. When I opened them, I was

still in Maggie and Tobias' apartment and as I walked to Maggie's

room and as I saw her laying there, dead. Then I started to scream.

TOBIAS

I hurried up to my apartment when I heard loud and somewhat

familiar screaming. The door was already unlocked so I ran in,

"Maggie?" That's when I recognized the yell, Marco. "Marco?

What's wrong?"

"Oh god, she's dead " was his faint reply

I felt panic starting to take over my body, I came to a complete

stop, "Who's dead?"

"Oh god,"I could tell that he was in Maggie's room, even then I

didn't even think that it was Maggie that had died. I ran into her

room and stopped. Maggie was laying dead on the ground with a

gun in her mouth. Suicide, it was the only possibility. But why?

Maggie was .Oh god, that's what she meant when she told me

that her death was enviable. But why hadn't she told me that it was

soon. The tears started then, I couldn't stop them. I felt a little

strange, Marco and I were never really close. But soon we were

both crying, standing up and staring at Maggie. But it wasn't

Maggie anymore, Maggie was gone.

RACHEL

I got the call from Tobias around two o'clock in the afternoon, I

could tell he had

been crying. "Tobias? What's wrong?"

"Its its Maggie."

"What about Maggie?" I asked urgently. Maggie and I were never

really close, but she was still a friend.

"She's dead."

I drew in a breath and put the phone down for a moment, after I

collected myself I picked up the phone, "I'll get everyone else, don't

freak out, It'll be ok."

JAKE

We had all gathered in Ma I mean Tobias' apparment. Cassie was

next to me crying softly, holding on to me like her life depended on

it. Tobias and Rachel were on the couch, both were crying but

Rachel hid her tears from Tobias and was trying to confort him. Ax

was in the corner looking like he didn't know what to say.

Marco..Marco wasn't doing well at all, he was pacing back and

forth basically freaking out. As for me, I mean I didn't know what

to do, so I just sat there, stunned. I mean, suicide, who would have

thought about it for Maggie. She always seemed in control. A little

spazy, but always in control.

We had shut the door because know one wanted to look at Maggie

and no one wanted to move her. Tobias had taken the gun and set it

in the kitchen. We didn't know what to do. All of a sudden Marco

exploded, "WHY? Why the hell did she have to kill herself"

Tobias spoke up for the first time, "Because she didn't want to be

killed" We all looked at him like he had lost his mind, sighing, he

continued, "She once told me that her death was inevitable, and

that she would be killed,"

Marco's voice got really low, "And why exactly didn't you tell us?"

"Because I had no idea what that meant, Marco. How was I

supposed to know that my twin sister was going to kill herself the

next week? And she even told me never to tell anyone." Tobias

paused, "Especially you Marco."

MARCO

Why didn't Maggie trust me? We had been close, and I thought that

she would have told me something, anything. I couldn't believe that

she had told Tobias not to tell me, especially. It was only 4 o'clock

and I was ready to go to sleep and never wake up. I still couldn't

comprehend that she was dead. It wasn't possible! Maggie was too

young, too beautiful, too oh god, she was really gone. It was

weird about how much this hurt. Maggie and I had only been

friends for a few months and dating for about 3 weeks. Yet, it was

almost to painful to bare. Although there was nothing to be pained

about, I realized, if Maggie was selfish enough to put us all through

this, she wasn't worth crying over. But that realization didn't

matter, because as soon as I got to my room, I cried and couldn't

stop.

MAGGIE

Well, this was confusing. One minute I was nice and dead with a

bullet in my head and the next I was in paradise. My joy had no

bounds, and it wasn't because of my beautiful surroundings, or

because of the wonderful realization of life after death, no it

was .I can't explain it to you unless you ever knew complete and

utter happiness, which, unless you're dead, you can't.

Sounds weird doesn't it? I mean I had just said that

death=happiness, and I know that's not right. But as I looked

around this realm that I was in, I realized that death wasn't so final

as mortals believe. Death meant the end or final, and "death" wasn't

like that at all. I was being reborn, all the guilt, blood, lives, lies,

hate, or pain was gone. I felt no regret for my suicide, and I wasn't

worried about anyone that I had left behind .not even,

umm .Tom? Taylor? Toby

All of a sudden it was like waking up from a dream, Tobias, oh

god, what was he going through? All of a sudden the surroundings

fanished

VERY GOOD MAGGIE, I WAS WORRIED THAT YOU

WOULD FORGET

The Ellimist, I thought, I die and the guy still fallows me. "Forget

what exactly?"

WHEN A MORTAL DIES, THEY BEGIN TO LOSE ALL

MEMORIES AND AWARNESS OF THEIR PAST LIFE. ITS

NORMAL AND TO BE EXPECTED, BUT FOR ELLIMISTS TO

BECOME COMPLETE THEY MUST FIGHT IT. YOU DID.

"Great" I muttered, then it hit me about what he had said "Excuse

me? Ellimist? I'm Maggie. You know, me. The blond, mean, and

fashionable dressed girl. The one who is SUPPOSED TO BE

DEAD!!"

CALM DOWN. ALL IS WELL. YOU WILL NOW TAKE MY

PLACE AS THE ELLIMIST, AND I WILL SHOW YOU HOW .

RACHEL

Tobias and I were in his bed, he had finally fallen asleep. I was

worried about him. I hated Maggie at that moment., Why had she

done this to us? Why did she hurt Tobias and Marco so much. I

briefly thought about him, Marco had run out of the apartment after

Tobias yelled at him. I really couldn't blame him, I could imagine

what it would feel like to lose Tobias. Stroking Tobias' hair I

thought about what Maggie had said to me once

Maggie? What's the matter, you spaced?

Oh, sorry Rachel, but I was worried about something.

What?

Tobias' and mines destiny.

Heavy thinking for a Saturday morning.

She had said that on one of the few days we had hung out together.

I hadn't given it much thought at the time. Now I couldn't get my

mind of that word "Destiny" I wondered if it really exist. And if it

does, did Maggie know hers?

MAGGIE

I was changed. My life had passed before me, and I was no longer

the girl that had lived it, I was the woman who had watched it. One

moment of my life had stayed in my mind, the time when I was

three and been told what the Yeerks were and what my purpose

was. The Ellimist explained everything to me that fateful night.

I had been out late at night playing with some friends with parents

supervision. But I had wondered away and went over to look at this

building called YIH. I went to look in the window when something

came up behind me. A weird alien, like a big disgusting worm. It

started to attack me but I was too quick, I jerked my body into it

and it

exploded, I ran home crying, not talking to anyone.

*11 YEARS AGO*

When I got into the house, I realized I couldn't have done that. It

was impossible for a 3 year old. Then another fact hit me, why and

how did I realize that I shouldn't have been able to do that? As

soon as I thought that a old man appeared out of no where.

BECAUSE YOU ARE DIFFERENT

"Swell, and who are you?" That was another surprise, I defiantly

sounded older, like the big kids.

I AM A BEING CALLED THE ELLIMIST, I CHANGED YOU

WHEN YOU WERE BORN. YOU ARE A HALF ELLIMIST.

AND THE REASON YOU SOUND AND THINK DIFFERENT

IS BECAUSE OF THAT. YOU ARE SMARTER THAN

ANYONE YOUR AGE, OR IN TIME, YOURS AND MANY

OTHER RACES. YOU ARE UNIQUE. YOU WERE CREATED

TO PROTECT AND SERVE. YOU WILL PROTECT A BOY,

WHO YOU WILL SOON MEET.

"And who would this boy be?"

I CANNOT TELL YOU HIS NAME OR FACE. AND YOU

WILL PROTECT HIM WITHOUT YOU KNOWING IT. BUT

THIS BOY IS THE CENTER OF CREATION, THE COURSE OF

EARTH AND THE UNIVERSE WILL CHANGE WITH HIM.

HE IS A BEGINNING, AS WELL AS AN END.

"So your telling me this kid has a lot on his shoulders?" The

Ellimist smiled but didn't say anything.

IN YOUR SHORT TIME ON EARTH, YOU WILL FIGHT THE

YEERKS.

"And they would be.."

Well, you can guess where it went from there, the Ellimist

explained the Yeerks and morphing to me. He told me my

strengths and limitations. As you might have figured the "boy" was

Tobias. Funny, only now I realize who it was. I took all of the

aliens stuff pretty well, but the thing that got me was how fast my

mind worked now. I already had an idea on a computer program

that would help me. And I saw how weak our technology was. And

the way my mind worked now, I knew I no longer had the mind of

a 3 year old. The day after that, I met Tobias (nice timing huh?)

I mean when I broke into the orphanage, come on. A normal 6 year

old could never think up that. Tobias was actually pretty dense not

to notice. When we started living on our own (Tobias and I) I

morphed into a adult (although to this day Tobais still believes that

the government allows us to live on our own) to rent and all that.

(a/n: well there you go to all you people who send me letters about

those facts, and yes I had that planed, uh-huh, yep, the whole time)

Suddenly the Ellimist voice sounded out through the cosmos.

WELL?

"Well what?"

WILL YOU BECOME ME?

TOBAIS

I smiled looking at an old picture of Maggie and me, we looked so

young. Although Maggie had started to fight. I think I was pretty

dense not to notice. We had just had her funeral and everyone was

depressed. I was going back to New York for a week, my NY

friends insisted that I shouldn't be alone in the house and that I had

to stay with them. There was no way of getting out of it. Normally

it would feel good to have friends like that, but now I felt like

nothing would never feel good. Rachel was coming over in a few

minutes to say goodbye (and knowing Rachel re-pack for me). The

other Animorphs were coming over later, but Rachel and I wanted

to talk in private. I heard the door open and Rachel come in.

"Hey," she said softly. Black wasn't Rachel's color, but she still

looked beautiful. God help me that I noticed.

"Hi Rach, how are you doing?"

She studied my face, which held a poker face that no one could

figure out except Maggie "Better than you obviously, don't think I

can't figure out what your feeling through that face." Or Rachel it

seemed.

"I'll be ok, I know she's happy now. I mean there has to be life-after

death."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because if there wasn't Maggie would kick God's ass then come

back and come back to complain."

Rachel laughed "Yeah, I bet she would."

I smiled "Well, I guess I'm back to being alone again." Those

words popped out, and I wanted to reach out and take them back

when I saw the hurt look on Rachel's face.

"Tobias, you'll never be alone, you have me." She leaned against

me and put her head on my chest.

"I know, I just meant " My voice trailed off.

"Don't worry about it. I know how much you loved her." She

shifted her position so she was looking up at me. "But the one

thing you might not know is how much I love you." She kissed me

softly and looked at me in the eye, "And I want you that I'll always

be here for you to talk to, not just as a girlfriend."

"I know.." Rachel cut me off with a kiss, and it felt pretty good.

#9: The Ellimist

MAGGIE

I am not dead. I am a creation outside of time itself. Self. That

word, that word that you use to explain yourself was fading. I was

no longer me, I wasn't myself. I was the, a, and many Ellimist.

There is one Ellimist, one creature. But I am powerful enough that

I can be a whole race within my body. Or mind. Or whatever it is

that is me. I'm deeply afraid. I was the Ellimist. But I wanted to be

Maggie. Maggie was a girl that I had lost, not long ago. But I can

still feel her within me, making sure I always hold my own.

I remember my friends, the Animorphs. I remember the groups of

friends I had made around the country. I could see them all by

thinking about them. Tobias, my brother was back home. I saw him

packing up my room. Saw him crying. He never understood why I

did it. He never would. But even now, I see him healing. I am not

afraid for Tobias, he has Rachel who, although I never respected

her much on earth, has greatness that I trust and admire. Jake and

Cassie had each other, if anything my death has brought them

closer together. Marco? It almost hurt me to watch him. He wasn't

doing well. He loved me, I can see that too clearly. I wish I could

feel the same. But Marco was strong, he would survive. Ax, well

Ax was doing great. At least ONE of the great Animorphs is

kinda-sorta sane. Too bad he's the alien of the group.

Tobias never found that letter that I wrote to him and the

Animorphs. And now it seems he never would. Because I, Maggie

will disappear. Maggie will never exist.

TOBIAS

The past week of school was hell. Complete and utter hell. If one

more person apologizes to me .. I'll lose the last shred of sanity I

have left. I can't stop asking myself why she did it. Then again, I

guess I'm doing better than Marco. He is a mess. Worse than me.

Last I heard from Jake, he wasn't eating, cutting classes. I didn't

know what to make of that, I mean I knew Maggie her whole life,

and yet I was recovering faster. Maybe it was Rachel, maybe it was

because I knew Maggie would never want to see us like this, or

maybe I was just an emotionless person. I had packed her room up,

and that had been the worst. I found little notes that she had

written, pictures that I never knew she still had, clothes. Yeah that

was the worst.

I needed to get away. I opened my window and started to morph

into the very familiar Hawk body.

MARCO

Maggie. That one word gave me so many emotions, hate, anger,

shock, happiness, and..and love. I was in love with her. I was in

love with a person who wasn't here anymore. Sometimes I wish I

could talk to her, even just for a few minutes. It was awful,

sometimes I wished the pain would stop. That it never started. I

was worse than when my mom "died". She had left me. Maggie I

mean, she had caused me this pain.

"How could you have done this to me? Why did you, what was

going through your brain?"

"Not much." I stood up and franticly searched my room. I hadn't

exactly expected an answer. But that voice belonged to Maggie.

"Over here, Marco." I looked over at my bed. And saw Maggie.

Maggie, hair up in a ponytail, jeans and an old T-shirt. Not exactly

the Maggie look.

"I oh ah" I finally found my voice, "You dead."

"You Marco." She said smirking. "Yeah, it's me. Sorry that I didn't

dress up. I've been having one hell of a week."

"I know the feeling." It was weird, I knew fully well that Maggie

was dead. But it also just felt like she came over to watch a movie

or something. Suddenly, I couldn't stand it. I had to kiss her, to

touch her to see if she was real. So I did. And she kissed me back

and smiled.

"Marco, come on. I just came over to tell you something." I moved

to stand up, but she held me down and put her arms around me.

"Listen to me baby, I know you love me. And I know you miss me.

But soon it will be over. You won't remember me."

She sighed, "Oh and Marco? Ask out a brunette next time, there

much more stable"

THE ELLIMIST

My life was over. Maggie wasn't. I use the title Eliminate now to

prove a point. I erased my time line. In doing so I changed a lot of

lives. Tobias was still a hawk, never having a sister. But I gave him

someone, someone that helped him as I did. A best friend with a

home life as screwed as Tobias'. I named her Maggie, I think it was

fitting. And plus she looked exactly like me. Pure coincidence, I

swear. Their story is a wonderful one. But, I don't have time for

that. Perhaps I'll tell it someday.

I returned my thoughts to my lost friends. Rachel and Tobias were

proudly looking at their daughter take her first steps. Jake and

Cassie were running after their two kids. Marco was trying to get

out of a date. The Yeerks were gone. And as planned, humans were

involved with the fight against them. But that was all in the future.

For the present I see Tobias trying to catch breakfast. Rachel is

staring out of her 2nd period class wondering if Tobias will ever be

human. Jake is thinking about Cassie and visa versa. Marco was

asleep. Ax was grazing wondering about his home planet, and what

his family was doing.

Me? I know my name is Maggie. But for the time being, you can

call me the Ellimist.

A/N: There you go. M&T is done. A very short ending I know, but

I like it this way. . Give me your opinions and all

that.