gpshaw- I hope you don't mind me writing what you wanted me to next. I'm kind of using your idea, and making it blend with my own. If you don't want me to use it, I'll get rid of this chappie ASAP, ok?
It was dubbed the 'Applegate' project. A way to let the world know what was going on. It worked, although only to a certain extent. The Animorphs were discovered, and had to go into hiding. Their backup plan? Us. The shape-shifters.
Ian, is actually an alien boy named Ithiell, who can pass himself off as a human. When he came to earth, he met Robert, Amanda and me, and our blood mixed with his in the heat of battle. And then, before we knew it, we could become whatever we wanted. A table, a chair. Even animals. We met up with another of his race, called Rtaia, but she had to leave the planet for a short time. We don't know if she's still alive or not.
Their race? Chanaiben. Translated; Changeling.
Years later, we met up with the Animorphs, by chance, and began to fight the alien forces together. Then, they decided to start up the Applegate project, a book series aimed at revealing the Yeerk threat. They didn't, however, mention us for the specific purpose that if they were discovered, we would be able to take over. We could remain in hiding, and get into and out of places that they now couldn't. Like the school for example. But, as they expected, they were discovered, and we covered their tracks as well as we possibly could.
We spread the rumour (discretely) that they were dead, and someone else finished the book series, creating the ending that no one expected and talked about just like anyone reading a book series would do. I don't even think they believed it.
Anyway, with the Animorphs in hiding, we were the cleanup crew. Ian (Ithiell) and Amanda began to move on, feeling utterly helpless, and instead turned their anger and despair on one another. Robert took over 'leading' for a while, and I reluctantly followed, since I couldn't do anything else except try to keep them safe. After all, I'd agreed to it.
And now, we were standing in a car park, trying to figure out if these two knew about the Animorphs. Robert had followed the two, after hearing them talking about it as they passed by him on the street. They had said something about if it was a football game against the Yeerks and the Animorphs, that they'd bet on the Yeerks to win. It could have been a casual passing statement. Then again, it could mean they were Yeerks and they thought their victory was secured now that the Animorphs, or 'Andalite bandits' were dead. We couldn't be sure. So, Robert suggested we follow.
Shape-shifting is a lot different than you think it is. It doesn't have that crunching that morphing has, and none of that itchiness. And it takes a lot more focus, because we don't rely on DNA like the Animorphs did. It's more like melting, and reshaping. There's a little icy feeling when you start, but that slowly fades as you focus and become more like the shape your doing.
And we were going to shape-shift.
We ducked behind a support pole in the car park, careful not to been seen by them or anyone else, both focusing on the shapes we wanted to become. This time, it was animals.
My nose and lips melted together as my eyes grew big and round, and I suddenly could see into every dark shadow in the car park. Then the tattoo of white and brown spotted feathers emerged, and then became more 3-D, spreading down my body, and across my clothes. Beside me, I saw Robert shrinking at an insane rate. So much that I was soon taller than him, even as I began my own shrinking.
(Who's taller now?) I gloated in thought-speak as my head distorted and my fingers began to stretch, even as I began shrinking at a faster rate. I watched as his skin became hard and more like a roach exoskeleton, and the two extra legs sprouted from his chest. It was disgusting. It was necessary.
Finally, I was a cute little barn owl, standing next to a very revolting cockroach. But that was the plan. I was to follow them by the air, and Robert by car. When I managed to drop him on the car of course. I felt like I was the fighter plane, and he was my bomb. My very own little roach bomb. Horray for me.
(Hurry, before they drive outside!) Robert said, and I flapped my wings and grabbed him in my talons, flapping hard again and getting a little higher before I managed to get enough lift to turn around and watch as the car started driving out.
(After it!)
(Like I don't know that!) I retorted, beating my wings and following them to the car park entrance, blowing outside just before the car got onto the street, then circled around and dropped a little, just enough for me to see my target. I then let Robert go, and like a well-guided missile, he hit the top of the car, grabbing with his little roach feet and holding on for dear life.
(Thanks Jade. Now keep up with us. I don't want to loose you)
(I'll do my best) I said as I flapped after them, watching as they slowly pulled away. I think the only thing that helped me keep up with them was the red lights. I flapped hard, and kept up as much speed as possible, watching with keen owl eyes as they slowly started moving away from me.
(I'm losing them!)
(Do what you can. If you loose us, I'll just have to guide you here)
(How will you even know where you are?)
(I'll find a way) he said, sounding snippety. Then again, he had a right to. He was riding on the top of a car moving at about forty miles an hour... as a one inch long roach. Not the best way to travel.
Soon, they stopped at an old abandoned warehouse, getting out of the car and just looking up at it. They talked, I think, then walked off to go inside by a side door.
(Uh, Jade? Can you hear me?)
(Yeah, I can. I'll be there in a few minutes. What'd they say?)
(They said they were a little worried about meeting the 'visser' here. Something about a plan too, but I didn't hear the rest of it. Bug hearing)
(Well, do you think we should check it out?)
(Yeah. I think we should. Maybe the Animorphs can help us out here)
(Okay. Almost there)
(Good. I'm going in as a roach now. After all, they won't think a roach to be out of the ordinary in an already filthy environment. You go fly and come too, ok?)
(Fly? Oh maan... wait a second, you're going in now? Wait for me!)
(No time. What if they're already talking? I need to get as much info as possible if we're going to stop this plan of theirs)
(Well... all right. But be careful. You might be a roach, but if you get squashed...)
(Yeah, I know. Going in) Then, there was nothing from him. I landed behind the car, crawled the best I could as an owl under it, then shrunk rapidly to fly. Only one thing worse than becoming a roach, would probably be this; a fly. I fired my wings when I was done, and took off in a crazy loop, up and towards what I hoped was the warehouse, wishing I had Tobias's eyes to guide me there. I went through one of the windows up high, then flipped upside down and landed on the ceiling, taking in the whole picture.
There were the two guys, standing in front of a blue alien-deer and two Hork-Bajir. There were two other humans standing at the other small door of the warehouse, looking like they wanted to run from the room.
"Yes visser" one of the men was saying "Everything is on schedule. Providing work for jobless people by promising to create something out of this warehouse has so far been a success. We have a hundred fifty people so far that have signed up for our trial job placement, and there are certainly more to come"
(Good. I expect the portable kandrona to be here in twelve earth hours from now. When it is correctly positioned, we will begin infestation of all those who come through that door) Visser One said, laughing like he'd just won the lottery. I could imagine what Marco would say to that; they're not earth ours, they're just hours, all right?!
"Yes visser. We expect to see twenty new recruits at the office tomorrow morning, giving the Hork-Bajir enough time to get into position as well as to set up the kandrona. We will have at least seventy before the day is done visser"
(Good) he smiled with his Andalite eyes (I will leave this to you, and wait for your report)
(Robert?)
(Yeah, I heard. I'm gonna try to follow...)
(NO! They'll see you!)
(But if I figure out where the visser is...)
(He's going where he usually does; the Blade ship! Now get out of there and let's find a way to get this information...)
(A ROACH!!) Visser One roared in my head, almost making me loose my grip on the curved ceiling.
"But visser, the Andalites... the Animorphs... are dead"
(Then why does this roach follow me? It is in the daylight, and it followed me! It is not an ordinary roach, KILL IT!!)
"Yes visser" I saw the two men trying to stomp on the roach that was darting in and out and around their feet like mad. It then darted under a stack of empty boxes that were piled high all around the room.
(Robert you IDIOT!! Hang on, I'm coming down!) I buzzed from the ceiling, heading straight down like a stunt pilot, landing between a whole stack of boxes.
(No, don't! They'll...)
(It's too late you idiot. I'm becoming something else and saving your ugly roach behind!)
(Damn it Jade! All right, when I get a second I'll join you. Just remember to...)
(Oh shut up and remember to thank me after I've saved your sorry butt!) Wings disappeared as I grew, and white and black striped fur ripped across the sickening skin of the fly. Ears grew and slid to the tops of my head, and tiger eyes replaced the gross compound fly eyes. Pads grew from sticky fly feet, and my two extra legs melted and slurped back into my chest. Very soon, I was full tiger, crouching in the middle of several stacks of boxes, listening to the two men shoving boxes aside, stomping away with their leather shoes. Visser One was still screaming at them to 'kill it' and from the sounds of it, the Hork-Bajir had gotten in on the stomping act, and I heard boxes being sliced in two as the four of them rampaged.
Soon, a roach practically slid into my left paw.
(Is that you?)
(Yeah, is that you?)
(Oh come on. Do you think a full grown tigress would be here in a warehouse?)
(Uhh, yeah) I saw him slowly start to grow, and I sort of shoved him behind me as I heard the four coming closer, gathering my legs under me and preparing to pounce. Seconds later, a Hork-Bajir head appeared over the boxes, and....
"Hwwwrrrrooooaarrrrr!!" I let loose a roar, and leaped! He tried to fend me off, but I was too close for him to use his blades, and I latched onto him with my powerful jaws, biting down hard and waiting as he suffocated...
Slash! Hork-Bajir blade cut into my flank! I roared and jumped off the first one, turning my attention to the second one, the one who'd cut me. I dodged another blow, and leaped! Clawed his face, making him stagger back. He fell, and skewered himself on his own tail blade!
(Andalite! GUARDS!!!) Visser One roared as the two men came at me fumbling in their shirt pockets for...
Wham! They never saw the polar bear that came up behind them, hitting their heads together. Robert!
(Now, what was that about saving my butt?)
(Not now Robert!) I cried as I dodged a blow from the vissers blade, barely, and ducked as the two at the door began firing at us. But I knew what was coming. I knew the visser never went anywhere without a whole battalion of Hork-Bajir. The humans were just trying to buy them time.
(I'll get them) He ran, lowered his head, missed a shot by the first, and head-butted him square in the chest. He looked dazed, but then fell like a ton of bricks. And while the second was distracted, I raised one frying-pan sized paw and hit him over the head, knocking him out for a while.
(ANDALITE!!!) Visser One roared and rage and fury. He came at us, but we dodged to either side of him, making him turn to try and get us, that tail whipping furiously...
And then his friends arrived. Ten Hork-Bajir, all armed to the teeth. Three were carrying weapons, but the rest... well, the really didn't need anything. They were death on two legs.
(Now what?!) I cried as we gained some distance before turning around to face them, skidding on the metal floor as we turned.
(Now we fight)
(This is so not fair!) I cried, feeling fear welling up inside me. We were only supposed to follow these guys... now we might have to die, and there was no way to call for backup!!
(This war isn't fair) he said softly before the first three reached us, and as their team-mates fired the Dracon beams at us.
(AHHHHHH!!! I'm hit!) Robert cried as he roared in pain and rage, ramming into his first opponent with all the raw power that a bear possesses. He fell back, and onto one of the ones firing at us. I dodged a blow as well, but another burned my left ear off as I leaped up at another, and I was nearly skewered by an elbow blade, but I managed to leap clear. I landed on the floor, then jumped back up and tore him apart from behind.
Three down, but seven more to go!
TSSSSEEWWWW!!!! The tip of my tail was gone!
(Keep going! We give up now, we're toast!!) Robert screamed, even now he was fighting on three legs.
(Yaaaaaahhhh!!) I screamed as another blade cut deep in my left flank, and I spun around and went straight for his face, and ripped at his eyes. He fell back screaming and clutching now bloody eyes.
(Serves you right!) I snapped as I picked out my next victim, but two Hork-Bajir were on me before I had time to blink! One nearly separated my head from my shoulders, but I jerked away just in time... and got nailed by the second one! He now reduced my tail to a bloody stump! I roared and jumped up, slashing him, but another took his place! Then... the worst kind of thing that could ever happen to anyone in battle, happened.
Wham! One sliced cleanly through my spine, at the middle. I was immobile from the waist down!
(Robert!) I wailed, but I heard the bear roar, and saw he was fighting the remaining four, all at once... and losing.
I roared up at my opponent, trying to still sound menacing, but he knew I was defeated now, and he smiled. He raised his blade, preparing to cut straight into my skull...
"Hrrrrroooaaarrr!!" Something hit the Hork-Bajir, ripped at his face, then leaped off with the Hork-Bajir screaming in pain. I turned my now fading eyesight to see...
A cougar! One of the others? An Animorph?
I watched with my vision going blurry the whole time, to see the cougar race at another Hork-Bajir, slash, then jump away! Then another! Finally, Robert had a fighting chance! He barrelled into the first one, sending it careening into one of his fellow controllers, then slashed the last one, sending the blood everywhere!
Now they were all gone! We'd one... and we were still alive!
(Thanks Jade)
(Robert? That wasn't me. I'm... here) I called back, watching as Visser One backed up towards the door he'd obviously come in from, morphing human as he went. His face showed contorted anger.
"I'll get you, and when I do... there will be NO mercy!!" He yelled, then disappeared out the door. It was only then that Robert turned to look at me, then towards the cougar. I tried to pull myself towards them on my front legs, but the bodies and the blood stopped me from going anywhere fast.
(Jade, are you all right?) Robert came to me now, looking concerned.
(I... I can't move... feeling a little...)
(Well... whoever you are, you can't demorph here. Visser One will have cleanup crews here in a matter of seconds) that voice. It was human!
(Demorph? Man have you got your information wrong) Robert said as he picked me up as best as he good in his good paw, standing up to his full height and walking awkwardly towards the big double doors. I dangled like a bean baby. The cougar kept pace with us.
Robert head-butted the a door, sending it flying open, with it banging noisily against the side of the warehouse, then coming back in, but the cougar... whoever he was... stopped it. We walked weirdly towards the small stretch of woods, lucky to not have been noticed, where Robert placed me on the ground gently.
(Change back Jade. It's all right now)
(Oh...okay) I said fuzzily, trying to clamp my mind down on the one image; the human me. But so many others...
(Come on Jade. Remember to focus) to the cougar he said (Who the heck are you. And by the way, thanks)
(Me? Who are you?) he retorted, giving nothing away. Fading...
(Jade, remember what your fighting for. Remember your duty. Now CHANGE BACK!!) That got me. Somehow. A part of my mind latched onto the image of the girl standing in the mirror that morning. The tired but happy eyes...
Slowly, but surely, I began to shrink. Organs shifted and replaced themselves, and slowly a whole human girl appeared where a broken tiger lay just seconds before. Robert was beside me, and he helped me up off the ground, supporting me when I stumbled a little. The cougar however...
(Wow! You're both... human? How did you get the morphing technology?)
"Morph? Sorry, we don't morph, we shape-shift. And its not technology, it's blood. And a bit of fate too, I guess"
(What... I...)
"Wait... how do you know about morphing technology?" I asked as soon as Robert let go of me. We both stared at him. The cougar... whoever he was... sighed, and then his form began to change. In the darkness, I thought I saw him gritting his teeth, but I convinced myself it was just a trick of the light.
But we watched as a guy not much older than us emerged from the sleek cougar body. He stood, and looked at us with a face that couldn't seem to decide what to do or say. Finally, he sighed again.
"My name is Erik"
Yeah... good? Whatcha think???? Workable now? Or no?
