Disclaimer: You know, KA Applegate owns this, not me. All that junk.
So, here we finally meet the Animorphs. Let's hope Madra doesn't make such a fool of herself.
Now this is semi-depressing. And at the end, it's actually kinda contented. That's new.
Just remember the blue button down on the bottom of the screen. Madra will be very happy with you. ;)
Chapter 3
My eyes were wide open. My mouth also hung open.
You'd think I'd be prepared for this.
Andalites look a bit human. They have the normal human body, up until the legs. They have a body similar to a herd of creatures with hooves that I noticed around here. It is hard to explain if you have not seen it.
Andalites have bluish fur all over their bodies, with different shades depending on their age and gender. They have no mouths, and use their hooves to eat and drink. They only have a slit for a nose, and four green eyes.
Yes, four eyes. I find it peculiar as well. The two main eyes are set in the head the same way human eyes are. But the other two eyes are mounted on two small stalks on the top of the head.
Finally, the part of an Andalite you should really always watch out for. The tail of an Andalite is dangerous. It has a blade on the end of it, and since Andalite tails are so strong and long, they can slice off part of you quicker than you can think.
I know. I've seen it.
You see, while the Andalites fight the Yeerks, one had been captured by the Yeerks many years before. He was War-Prince Alloran-Semitur-Corass. He was respected, until he massacred thousands of Hork-Bajir so the Yeerks could not enslave their bodies. And then he was taken by the Yeerks.
He was infested by Esplin 9466. The Yeerk that is now called Visser Three. The Yeerk I served under all my life, and who took away my childhood. He wants to take over Earth, and use the humans as host bodies. He has fought the Andalite bandits often.
But Visser Three is formidable. He will stop at nothing to get what he wants. And along with being the only Andalite Controller ever, he also has all of Alloran's experience and fighting abilities, and his morphs.
Most of the time the Andalite bandits run when they see Visser Three morph into some hideous creature from a far off planet. It seems no Earth animal has ever defeated the Visser in morph.
"Andalite?" I whispered.
The Andalite's eyes narrowed and his tail whipped forward.
(Yeerk!) He snarled. I heard his voice in my head. All Andalites use telepathy to speak.
Too late I realized my mistake. He thought I was a Yeerk. Of course, any normal human would not know what he was. Only human-Controllers would correctly identify him as an Andalite. Stupid of me.
I stayed very, very still. I could feel the tail blade on my neck. One twitch and I wouldn't have a head anymore. I needed my head.
"I am not a Yeerk." I said calmly. The Andalite's eyes narrowed further. "I was once a Controller, but I escaped from the Yeerk pool." I held my breath. Hopefully he would believe me. Really, really hopefully.
The Andalite was silent for a moment. He seemed to be considering this.
I tapped my foot on the ground softly. He was taking a long time to consider this.
(Come with me.) He said at last and turned around. I noticed his eye stalks watching me. I also knew his friends were also probably watching.
As he trotted off, I wondered if I knew what I was getting into. The Andalite was probably leading me to his prince, his leader. This Andalite looked hardly to be more than a few years old, a teenager in Earth standards. Though his face was awfully familiar as well.
We walked towards a meadow where a red-tail hawk perched. The Andalite stopped beneath the tree, as four other hawks flew down. They perched in different limb-like things. I cringed, hoping that the trees would not come alive and hit me again.
(What do we have here?) I heard. I looked around, trying to determine from who the voice came from. Useless, I knew. You couldn't tell.
(She says she is not a Controller and that she escaped from the Yeerk pool.) There was silence. I bit my lip.
(How can we know for sure?) I saw the eyes of the Andalites boring in on me.
"Well, you could kill me, as I am sure your friend here is very willing to do." I said as I eyed the young Andalite who was indeed twitching. I saw the small gray bird glare at him, and he stopped. Was that bird the leader then?
It was time to lay my cards out. I couldn't afford to find the Andalites, and then be killed by them. I needed to convince them that I was important. "But frankly, that would be a waste. Especially," I drawled. "Since I have information you may be interested in."
(What information?) This time, I could tell it was from the gray bird. He was definitely their leader. And he was hooked.
I stepped into the middle of the meadow, closer to the gray bird, without him being directly aware of it. "It has been six days since I last saw the Yeerk pool. I can give you information on the Yeerk's newest project. I can tell you what Visser Three is up to." I narrowed my eyes and lifted my head. "Your spies wouldn't have this information. Not this detailed, anyways. My Yeerk was high-ranking and was an essential part of it. I can tell you all of this…" I let that trail, and looked the gray bird in the eye. "The question is: will you listen?" I said quietly. Let them consider that.
The Andalite looked back at me, unafraid. I smiled inwardly. Good. Here was a strong leader. I was afraid I was dealing with some insane person. Then I would have a problem. But people like this considered things greatly. I might yet be saved.
I could tell they were discussing the situation quietly, in private thought-speak, a form of telepathy. I sat on the ground and reclined. Let them think it out. They knew where I stood. I thought I knew where they stood. All I needed was for them to make the decision I knew they would.
Then- (We have reached a decision.)
I stood up quickly, but casually, and brushed pieces of grass from my shoulders.
(We have decided to let you tell us this information.) I nodded. I had expected this. (Under one condition-)
I sighed. I had expected this too.
(We will watch you for three days, just to make sure.)
"Fine." I said quickly. "You shall know the truth soon, anyways."
(Wait.) I heard another bird say. Not the leader this time. It was another one. (You'll want something in return, won't you?)
I smiled. "Clever Andalite. But what could you possibly give me that you have?"
The birds looked at each other again. But before they could say anything, I raised my hand. "Wait. There is something you can do for me." I looked up at them.
"I want to fight the Yeerks."
There was silence. Then a kind voice asked me. (How old are you?)
"In Earth years? I am nine years old."
(You're a bit young-)
"And yet, your friend here is scarcely more than a few Andalite years old. But I've seen him fight against Visser Three himself. I see no reason why you, a small hunted band of Andalites on an unfamiliar planet, not knowing when the Yeerks will strike next, I find it strange that you would decline another member. Especially one who knows the Yeerks."
There was another silence. I had them now. They would think seriously about this.
(We-) The voice of the leader sounded shaken. Was their argument that bad? (We shall discuss this with you tomorrow. For now-) He looked at the young Andalite. (Aximili will share his scoop with you.)
Lovely. But who was I to complain when I was starving to death a few minutes ago and running from killer trees?
(Prince J-) The Andalite protested but was cut short.
(That's an order, Aximili.) To me, he said. (We will bring you food and water. You are hungry, I suppose?)
My stomach gave a loud rumble. I laughed. "It sounds like it."
(Fine. We will speak with you later.) Translation: We haven't finished interrogating you yet.
With that all four of the birds flew off.
I looked at the young Andalite. He didn't seem particularly thrilled. (Well,) I heard the red-tail hawk say who, for some reason had not left, (I guess I'll bring you over to Ax's scoop.)
"And you will, of course, be watching me?"
(Of course.)
"And they will bring food soon?" I asked, trying to keep the anxiety from showing. But the hawk must have heard it anyways, because he laughed and said. (Yeah, they will. One good thing about Andalites is that they always keep their promises.) He paused, and in a gentler tone asked, (How long has it been since you've last eaten?)
I thought back. "At least six days."
(You spent six days out here without food?) He sounded shocked. (It's a miracle you're alive!)
"It's a miracle I'm here at all." I interjected dryly. We arrived at the scoop.
It was small and had a semi-covered roof. It contained a television, clothing, a World Almanac, and a picture of a Cinnamon Bun. I was going to ask, but decided I didn't want to know.
Even though it was small, it had more than enough room for Aximili and me to sleep in it. (You can sleep here.) Aximili said.
Aximili? Where had I heard that name?
I clicked. "Your brother, was he Prince Elfangor-Sirinial-Shamtul?"
(Yes.) He said curtly, and turned away.
"He would've been proud of you." I said to his back. Slowly, every so slowly, I saw his eye stalks looking at me. So I had part of his attention. I talked on. "He was one of the greatest Andalite warriors ever. We always heard stories of Elfangor's most recent attacks. They were always severe blows to the Yeerk Empire. And even though he wasn't one of our people, we were always cheering him on. The Yeerks feared him above all other Andalites."
(Did you- know my brother well?) The Andalite looked at me with his main eyes now.
"Not well, but since my Yeerk was of high-ranking, I had to fight him once or twice. He was a formidable opponent. He nearly killed me several times. And after that, all I had to do was say his name to make my Yeerk shudder." I smiled at the memory. "The day he died was a sad day for the rest of us. The Yeerks may have forced us to laugh at his death, but inside, we all cried. He would've been proud that his own brother carries on his legacy."
Aximili nodded and straightened himself. (I will make him proud.) He hesitated. (You don't mind if I have a moment to myself?)
"No, no. Go ahead."
He galloped off. By now, I realized that the red-tail hawk and several other hawks were listening in.
(Good story to tell him.) said the red-tail hawk. (We all admire Elfangor.)
(Here.) said another voice. Several bars were thrown onto the ground. I approached them cautiously and picked them up. They were covered in some sort of plastic crinkly covering.
"What is it?" I asked, turning them around.
(Don't they have candy bars on the Yeerk ships?) The voice asked, sounding amused. (Go on, eat it.)
I bit. "It's a bit hard to eat." I called out.
(Uh, that's the wrapper you're trying to eat there.) The red-tail hawk sounded like he was trying not to laugh.
"Of course." I said quickly, and ripped it.
Underneath was some dark hard food. I bit into that.
My eyes nearly popped out. It was amazing food. It was better than anything I had ever tasted! It had a rich thick flavor melted on my tongue.
I swallowed and quickly ate another. And another.
(Slow down.) laughed the voice. (You'll get a stomachache.)
I swallowed and then began to eat much slower. I did not want to have another aching stomach and throw up everything again. "Of course. Thank you for you advice."
(No problem. You don't need anything else, do you?)
I looked to the horizon, but the sun had already set. Oh well, maybe another day. "No, I am fine."
(Ok, then I'm outta here now.) The birds flew away, leaving the red-tail hawk with me.
(I'll be over there, ok?) He said. I nodded. He flew off.
I waited for a while, sleepy and for once, full. I was- what was the word? Happy? No, of course not, I had never known pure happiness besides that one moment when I looked up into my mother's face. No, I was just contented. A small emotion, yet I was glad to feel it now.
Aximili came back. He went into the scoop and watched me eat. He settled on the ground and watched me recline and close my eyes.
Well, technically, I was still being watched. I didn't really care about that. It wasn't like I was going to pull something off now. How stupid did they think I was?
(I-) I heard the Andalite falter, and then regain his voice. (I want to thank you for-) He hesitated again.
"For what I said? No problem." I said with my eyes still closed.
(Yes.) He seemed uncomfortable. (You- What is your name?)
I thought for a moment. Why give away my biggest secret yet? "Call me Madi." I said.
(Madi. If you attempt to try anything, know that my tail blade will be at your throat and may not be so kind this time.)
And with that happy thought, we went to sleep.
Wasn't that a nice ending? Ok it was the best I could actually do without making it cheesy.
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