The Unlikely #6
**Author's Note** If you're one of those people who like slower-moving plots, this is for you. I mean, only two major events happen! It is an "action-fic" though. And again, you'll understand it better if you read the ones before it. Also, if you are offended by talk of slavery, racial talk, or the Civil War, this isn't for you.
Chapter One
Ax
"What is the Civil War?" I asked.
"The Civil War was when the North part of the United States and the South part fought against each other. The South wanted to fight to form their own country called the Confederacy of the United States of America, or something like that. I'm not too big on history." Answered Cassie.
"Why were they fighting? " I wondered again. Why would any country fight each other?
"Because of slavery."
"Slavery? What is Slavery? "
"SLAVERY," responded Marco, "is when you own somethin', work it to death, give it barely any clothes, food, and shelter, and that "it" happens to be black people."
"Black? "
"African people." Cut in Cassie.
"Ah. Africa. I have read about that in-"
"The Guinness Book of World Records. WE KNOW." They all chimed together.
"Spies!!!" someone hissed.
"Wha-?" said Tobias.
A lean man missing an arm, a body part, pointed a gnarled finger at us and said again, "Spies! Yankees!"
"We are in BIG trouble," said Marco.
"SPIES! SPIES!" the man called again, frantically.
He set the whole camp in uproar. They came charging at us, waving guns. A few shots whizzed right pass me.
"Guys?" said Marco, "I'm thinking we should RUN!!!" We tore off fast.
"OW!" cried Rachel. A bullet had gone into her arm.
"RACHEL!" Tobias and Cassie cried.
"I'm okay," she said, "I hope this doesn't transfer back later."
"Yeah," said Tobias.
Finally we were able to find shelter. We sat down under a grove of trees. "Boy," said Rachel, "Crayak's curse REALLY came true, huh. We ARE sort of 'traitors,' considering the fact that we're 'Yankees.' I mean, how're we supposed to get out if this?"
"I think," I said quietly, "we must find the ship again, or we must destroy ourselves." I glanced at Prince Jake. He had been in a situation like this before.
"Yeah. Ax has a point, you know. I think it's the ship that caused this. And, since we're in a sario rip, there are two versions of us. Two Marcos, two Rachels, two Tobiases, two Cassies, two Axes, and so forth. If we don't get back, the two Cassies, for example, would exhilarate themselves. And, um, Ax, what time was it when we were just in the sario rip?" asked Prince Jake. He glanced back at me.
"It was about 8:37 PM, Prince Jake."
"Don't call me Prince."
"Yes Prince Jake."
Marco smirked at me. "What?" I asked innocently. "Nothin.' "
He threw up his hands. "Here's the trouble. We have to find the ship somewhere here or anywhere in a day or we're blasted to bits. Our other choice is to commit suicide or homicide or whatever. I mean, really! How are we supposed to do this?"
Rachel smiled sweetly at him. "Of course, Marco, there IS the choice of homicide. I would gladly morph to grizzly to annihilate you."
Marco looked up at the sky. "Plus I'm stuck with some murderous bloodthirsty physco. Lord in the Heavens, please help me! But not that I'm religious or anything, but help anyway!"
"Come on guys," said Prince Jake tiredly, "let's find the ship. If it doesn't work, we can kill ourselves. Happy now? And no, we are not going to do homicide."
We trudged on, Marco mumbling all the way.
"Quit it, Marco!"
"WHAT?! It's not like I'm yelling in your ear or anything!"
"Marco! Rachel!" said Jake.
Rachel sighed.
Marco rubbed his eyes. "Sorry guys," he said, "It's just that I'm not myself lately."
"Uh-huh," said Tobias, skeptical. "We all haven't, so could you at least keep your insanities to yourself?"
"Whatever," Marco mumbled. "Anyway, YOU'RE one to talk anyway, bird-boy."
"Why?" I inquired.
"Never mind," Marco said again.
Chapter Two
Marco
This wasn't me. Was NOT me. I never acted like this. And, for once, I didn't make a snappy comeback
"Look!" said Ax.
The dagger ship was in front of us.
But, unfortunately, a bunch of scrabbling men in blue uniforms were inspecting it in amazement.
"Uh-oh," said Cassie.
"Um, Ax?" I asked, "Wouldn't that be giving us HUMANS technology? And in that case, breaking Seerow's law?"
"Yes," Ax said.
"Guys?" I said, "No offense, but I think this is the TIME to stop the sario rip? Right? And I mean, um, note to Rachel: DO NOT GET EXCITED. But, um, isn't this where we commit, um, commit-"
"Suicide or homicide?" asked Rachel.
"Yes. But maybe, we, um, could die a different way other than killing our-"
Ax was growing pale. "NO!" he interrupted.
"What is it Ax?" asked Jake anxiously.
"The-the-the-th-the humans. They-they-they-they have, they are, it-it-it will, the-the-the ship, will-"
"What is it Ax?!" said Rachel impatiently.
"The ship! The humans! They-they have upset the retailea-"
"Just what will happen?" asked Tobias.
"The ship! It will blow up in five seconds!"
"Genocide," I said.
"YOU MEAN WE STAY?" asked Cassie incredulously. "No way!"
"Better than killing ourselves," said Jake. "Besides, they already probably messed up the dagger ship."
"Yeah, um, yo-"
BOOM!!!!
"AHHH!" I cried. I almost fainted from the pain.
FLASH!!!
A flash of blinding white light blinded me.
And we were back at Cassie's barn.
Chapter Three
Tobias
I looked around. We were all still here. I thought so, anyway.
"Well anyway," said Jake, "Ax? What time is it again?"
"Hey, Ax, what's with it with the "PM" thing. Next thing you know, YOU are going to be walking into an AM/PM. Get what I mean?"
We all stared at him.
"What? You guys never laugh at my jokes. That stinks. I mean, where's your sense of humor?"
We stared at him again.
He threw up his hands and muttered, "I give up. You guys are hopeless."
"No, Tobias! Don't say it! NONONONO!" cried Marco.
"Oh, man," moaned Marco.
"Can we PLEASE get back to the subject?" demanded Jake. He was rubbing the bridge of his nose again.
"Oh PUH-leese," said Marco, "And if I remember correctly, we didn't even HAVE a subject."
"The subject was, 'the sario rip,' Marco, if you were paying any attention," said Rachel.
"ANYWAY," said Jake, "we're only lucky that we made it in time."
"You mean not having the stains of our friends' blood on our claws or paws or jaws or 'aws' or whatever?" asked Marco.
<"Aws?" > wondered Ax.
"Never mind," Marco said.
"Well, sort of," said Jake.
"Uh-huh," Marco said. We all just at there for a while, thinking.
"Well," said Jake, "I-"
"Lemme guess," said Marco, "we get to kill ourselves TOMORROW."
Jake sighed tiredly. "I guess," he answered.
"Whoopee!" said Marco, " then again, maybe not 'whoopee.' "
"Whatever," said Cassie.
Chapter Four
Rachel
The next day was especially dreary. It was even raining!
[**Author's Note** Do you notice that it's always sunny or clear in the Animorph books and fanfics?]
After school I stared out the window, listening to the drops go 'pit pat' and slide down my windowsill.
I knew Tobias wouldn't come today. It was raining and he couldn't possibly fly.
The phone rang. "I'll get it!" I shouted and picked it up, hoping that somehow, miraculously, it would be Tobias.
"Hello?"
"Oh, hi Jake."
"I don't think we can talk today. Because of water, you know?"
"Yeah," I responded. So we couldn't meet today.
"Boy, this is just getting funner and funner," I muttered.
"What?"
"Nothing," I said.
"Well, uh, enjoy your, um, uh, afternoon, I guess."
"If that's even possible," I muttered again. Then I said, "Well, um, bye Jake."
"Bye," he said.
I clunked down the phone. I had to get out of here.
Downstairs, I pulled on my raincoat, boots and grabbed an umbrella. Hoods, to me, were very uncomfortable.
I decided to see Cassie first.
She was sitting inside the barn on a stool.
"Hi Cassie!" I said. I was feeling better already when I saw her.
"Oh, hi Rachel! I didn't think you would come today. I mean, well, you know . . ." she pointed outside.
"Yeah . . . everyone's gloomy today. I mean, for once, Sarah actually didn't bother me!" We both laughed.
"You wanna have a get together anyway? No meeting, just in the mall, you know." I said.
"Sure! But what should we do?"
"Well . . . watch Marco um, well, try to make us laugh with his pathetic jokes?"
"Well . . . let's just wait until they get here."
After we finished calling them, we left for the mall.
In about two seconds, the rest of the group came. They were dragging Ax away. He was struggling to get back to the See's Candies store.
"Ax! Ax! Calm down! You're overreacting!" cried Marco. Over his shoulder he said, "Cassie, help! We can't control him!"
I laughed. "Ax," I said, after regaining my composure, "calm down. This is the mall with controllers for miles around. And Visser Three is scanning the place you are eating."
Slowly, slowly, Ax calmed down.
"That, that chocolate! It was extremely rich and tasty! It tastes quite wonderful! Ful. Wonder. Ful."
"It's called dark chocolate, Ax-man," said Tobias.
"Ah. Yes. Dark chocolate. That is a very tasty substance. It could almost top cinnamon buns. B-"
"Don't say it Ax! Make the record of no stutters in one sentence! Come on! You can do it! We're all rooting for you!"
"-uns. Uns. Sss."
"Aw, you ALMOST did it," Marco complained.
"Did what? What? At?"
"Oh, Ax, you're impossible."
We went and bought some hotdogs. Ax dug into them as soon they were on the counter.
Marco was staring into space.
"Marco! Hello? You still in there?"
He snapped back. "Oh, sorry, I met this really pretty girl, wh-"
We all started laughing.
"Well, guys!" said Marco, indignant, "It isn't funny!"
After we calmed down, Marco started to describe her.
"Well," he began, "I first began to watch her because I thought she might be a controller." "Since when do you do that?" asked Rachel. "I mean, there are controllers everywhere. Why single out this girl?" she leered.
Marco ignored her.
"Well, first of all," Marco said, "she's REALLY pretty. She has this hair that seems to float, and she looks like a supermodel. Exceeding you, Rachel."
"Oh, I don't know about that," she said, flipping her hair. "You see, once I give her a black eye, you can never guarantee someone's looks will stay the same."
Marco continued. "There's just this one thing. She's hooked on crack. Well, not hooked, but I saw her take some yesterday from this gang after school."
Everyone stared.
"WHOA," I said, "Crack? Are you SERIOUS?"
Marco nodded. "I saw her and told her she could be suspended for that, or go to jail or whatever, but she just laughed this melancholy laugh and said she didn't care whether she lived or died."
"Whoa," said Tobias, "that is SERIOUS."
"Uh-huh," agreed Jake.
"What is 'crack'?" asked Ax.
"Its real name is cocaine. It's also a drug," I said, "not the medicine kind. It could make you die or really sick or whatever."
"Ah," said Ax, nodding, "we have something like that on the home world. It is called zyrrinixshal. Of course, no Andalites ever use it."
Marco rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, sure, whatever. But answer me one thing, Ax; do Andalites EVER do bad things?"
"Not that I know of. Of."
We all sighed and stared at Ax, who was finishing the last hot dog.
"Well, I gotta go catch some more babes," said Marco.
"You wish," said Rachel.
"Bye guys!" said Jake and Marco.
"Bye Jake!" I called. Marco hooted as they left.
"Oh my god!" cried Marco. "It stopped raining! In fact, It's snowing!"
We all moaned at that. Then Jake laughed. "It's not true, guys! Look!"
"Marco, I'm gonna kill you for that," said Rachel.
"As if," he replied. Ax and Tobias demorphed and left.
"Bye guys!" cried Tobias.
I turned to Rachel. "Isn't he just SO polite?" she asked dreamily.
"Oh, Rachel."
Chapter Six
Marco
The next day I saw her again. Tsae-Lin. That was it. How the hell did I remember her name? I thought.
I caught up to her. We had periods 1-4 and 8 together. Science, Social Studies, English, French, and Gym.
"Hi Tsae-Lin," I said. "Funny how I remember your name. I mean, I barely remember anyone's, you know?"
She smiled half-heartedly. "Just call me Lin," she said. "Or T.L. Or Tsae-Lin. Not that it matters anymore."
"Okay, Lin."
"Where do you live?" I asked.
"Why do you want to know?" she inquired.
"I . . . um, I, uh, just want to know."
"I live near you."
I was startled. "How do you know where I live?"
She looked even more depressed. "I know things that you would never expect me to know."
Okay. She was cute. And weird, not to mention the fact she was also depressed.
"Why do you use crack?" I asked.
She sighed. "I have no desire to live. No one cares, anyway. I have nothing to do anyway."
She sighed again. "But why would you care?"
I said nothing.
I was debating with Jake whether or not to tell her about the Yeerks.
"Marco, why would you do that?"
"Well, because, um, she might be taken by the Sharing?"
"And why is that?"
"Well, um, uh . . . because she's so vulnerable right now?"
Jake sighed. "Let's wait for the others . . ."
"You wanna do WHAT?" said Rachel later.
"Tell her about the Yeerks."
"Marco, she could be a Controller. You ever consider that?"
"Well, um, would a Yeerk use crack?"
"Well . . ."
"Ask her," snapped Jake, "ask her if she wants to join the Sharing. If she does, then we'll consider it."
I sighed. But that was the best I could do.
Why do you even wanna go to such trouble? I thought. Why? This was insane. But then again, I was actually TRYING to do it.
"Lin?"
"Hmm?"
"You ever consider joining the Sharing?"
"I don't care. I know it's a front for the Yeerks, but I won't join unless they ask me too."
I was shocked. "How do you know about the Yeerks?!"
She laughed. "Like I said, I know lots of things."
I stared at her. What is wrong with her? I thought.
Chapter Seven
Jake
"WHAT?!" I asked in sheer astonishment. "How does SHE know about the Yeerks? Our cover is gonna be blown!"
Marco shrugged. "Who knows? She doesn't seem normal, at least not to me."
I sighed. "If she knows about the Yeerks, then maybe . . ."
"She could become one of us?"
"To be honest with you Marco, I guess so."
Marco eyed me critically. "Jake, your dad DEFININTLEY has way too much influence over you."
Later, we all decided to let Tobias spy on her. If she seemed all right, we could give it a try.
It was up to Marco to get her address.
Chapter Eight
Tobias
I had to spy on a person. Again. Last time it was Marian. This time? Someone named Tsae-something.
I sighed.
"Yup," confirmed Marco.
"To see if she's, um, eligible."
I flew to her house. I knew just where Old Rose was, because my uncle lived there. Of course, my uncle's house was basically a shack, so I couldn't say that we really LIVED there.
Old Rose was sort of crappy. No offense, but it was. It stank a little from being so close to the dump, and the houses were ancient. And I mean ancient. Really.
<675, 675. > I muttered to myself. I spilled air and landed on a windowsill.
Nope. Not her window. At least, I don't think.
Next one. No.
Last one. A girl was sitting there. Was that Tsae-something? She was sitting at some desk, pencil in hand, but not really doing anything. There was a mat with holes and basically, that was it. She wasn't much better off than me. When I was human, of course.
The door opened. A man came on, threw some bread to her, and left. I could smell the beer from here.
Tsae-something took the bread and slowly began to chew it. Her eyes were misty.
It was right then I knew she was not a controller.
Why? I have no clue.
I watched her. She finished her homework, or whatever it was, ate a little more bread and left the rest on her desk. She came towards me. I quickly flew out of sight.
Tsae-something opened the window and whistled. A bird flew towards her. She gave it the rest of her bread. It chirped and left.
I had seen enough. I flew towards Rachel's house.
The window was opened.
Rachel was sitting inside. "Hi Tobias," she said cheerfully. "Done spying?"
"So, is she a controller?"
"How do you know?"
She looked at me as if to ask why, but then said, "So what's Old Rose like?"
"Really?"
"Meaning it's pretty crappy?"
"What did you see?"
I told her.
She cocked an eyebrow. "Okay. But I still don't see why she isn't a controller."
" 'Kay. But wait one sec'. Let me put a 'do not disturb' sign on the door. Or maybe I'll just say I'm going to Cassie's."
After a while, an eagle flew towards me.
I flew towards her windowsill. We perched there.
Tsae-something was sleeping on the mat, covered by a raggedy blanket. She looked out of place there. Another thing. Bruises on her cheek.
We flew back to her house.
"Bye," said Rachel.
I caught dinner and perched on my tree to sleep.
Chapter Nine
Rachel
"So we go ahead and do it?" I asked.
"Well, if Tobias is sure . . ." said Jake.
"He's sure," I said.
"Okay Marco," said Jake.
Marco was out already. In a moment he was back with her.
She looked at all of us. "Animorphs," she said.
We all glanced at her in shock.
"How did you know that?" said Cassie slowly.
Ax galloped in. Then he saw Tsae-Lin.
"Andalite," she said smoothly.
"It's okay, Ax." He lowered his tail about 1/10 of a millimeter.
"I repeat, 'it is OKAY.' Calm down, Ax."
He finally lowered his tail completely.
She shrugged. "Who knows?"
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"It just pops into my head. Why? I have no clue."
Ax was staring at her. Then he backed away.
Tsae-Lin looked at us. "Well?"
"Well what?"
"Why am I here?"
"We . . . uh, we were wondering if . . ."
"If what?"
"Would you join the Animorphs?" Marco finally blurted out.
"Um . . . okay . . . not that I have anything else to do . . ."
Ax held out the blue box. She touched it.
She looked at us uncertainly. "So," she said. "What do we do now?"
"We having nothing planned today. You can go now," Jake said coldly.
I knew she was not welcome.
Chapter Ten
Tsae-Lin
I turned and left. I didn't care if Jake liked me or not. Why would I?
I walked home again. I had grown use to the stench. And my house was the worst on the block.
"Wo hui jia le!" I said in Chinese, which meant, "I'm home!"
My dad, sitting in front of the TV watching Friends, simply grunted and belched.
I headed to my room. Sitting down in front of my old Salvation Army dresser, I pulled out my diary as always.
I flipped back an entry to 3 years ago.
Dear Diary,
Today Mom went insane. Dad took her to the psychiatrist, but nothing changed. She went around the house raving that she was the Empress of China and picking up furniture, declaring it inferior and throwing it away. Dad said he wouldn't take her to the insane asylum. He actually vowed it. And it wasn't because of me, either. I was scared and didn't want Mom to stay. But, here-
I flipped to another entry of last year.
I REALLY wish Mom would just leave.
Our new house, on Old Rose Street, stinks. Literally and unliterally. It's old, run-down, and it's next to a dump. Nothing close to our old house. Dad said he couldn't get a fine house because Mom would just ruin it, but I think it's because he isn't working and living off on his inheritance . . . lucky Grandfather was so rich and he really liked Dad or else we would be on the streets now.
Dad forgot my birthday again. I made up for it by playing hooky. I wish he would at least do SOMETHING, even to just say Happy Birthday, but no can do. Oh well, there's al-
I gazed in awe at what I had written. I was actually optimistic about something! I sighed. I was so naïve back then.
I slammed it shut and waited for my dad to give me dinner, because he declared downstairs his personal territory and I could not go there except to leave and come in. I pretended to do my homework, which was already done, so he wouldn't slap me and accuse me of lying like yesterday.
The next morning I used crack again at school. Except Marco stopped me.
"Lin, don't poison yourself. Don't you know that crack is the #1 killing drug in the world?"
I laughed mirthlessly. "Do you really think I care? Do you? You're a fool, Marco. An utter fool."
Marco stepped back as if I had slapped him. For one moment I actually felt pity for him, but then quickly pushed it away.
"Just don't use it, okay?"
I glared at him. "You're not the boss of me. I can use crack when and wherever I want."
"We'll see about that," was his reply.
After I had finished my lunch I went into the schoolyard and took out the remaining crack I had.
Four kids came towards me. The Animorphs.
"So," I sneered, "you want to try some yourself?" I wasn't normally like this . . . actually only starting this year I had become guarded and cold. I used to be nice, I think. Not that I'll ever be nice again.
"Don't use that," snapped Rachel.
"Oh yeah? Make me."
Jake sighed. "Look," he said, "we aren't exactly all friendly about this either. Marco persuaded us. Since we rarely actually do a good deed, we listened."
"Oh, and saving the world from those awful Yeerks aren't good deeds?"
Cassie said almost gently, "We worry about you, Lin. Please don't make us worried."
"Really," I said, "you sound just like my mom before-" I stopped. I'd already said too much.
"Before what?" Her look was gentle, probing. My eyes darted around to see if I could escape, but I was cornered.
"Before she became insane," I blurted and ran away. They didn't come after me.
After school Marco caught up with me again. "Just what do you want exactly?" I said, exasperated.
"For you not to use crack."
I was silent. Then he spoke again. "Your mom's insane?"
"I don't want to talk about it." I walked faster.
"No, I just-"
"What about YOUR mom, Marco? What about her? Former Visser One? Huh? Huh?" I exploded.
Marco stopped following me. But I had a sense I was being watched.
Chapter Eleven
Jake
Our task has been unsuccessful.
"Why do you suppose she uses crack?" asked Cassie.
"I don't know . . . didn't she say her mother was insane?"
"Plus she lives on Old Rose Street . . ." said Rachel.
"What's wrong with Old Rose Street?" I asked.
"Tobias showed me once . . . it's where he used to live. You know, next to the dump?"
"Oh . . ."
"I feel sorry for her," said Cassie.
"Yeah," I agreed, "no wonder she's so cold."
"Let's spy on her," said Marco, who came out of nowhere. We were all startled.
"Jesuit Marco, could you give us a warning next time?" said Rachel.
"Hey, for once, you were all surprised. Major improvement, don't ya' think?"
"MARCO!"
"So. What's up with Lin?"
"Well, she basically insulted me, but then again, YOU always do that, Rachel."
"Marco. Shut up."
"Whatever, Xena."
Cassie looked at us. "I think we should really try to get her to stop using cocaine."
"Why?"
She sighed. "Let's just try."
Chapter Twelve
Tsae-Lin
Dad was going into one of his rages again. I crept outside with the diary. Huddled next to the trashcans in the alley, I began to silently pray.
Dear God, please make Mom sane again. I know she's a crazy Controller who's eaten oatmeal, but I hope she will be sane someday. We had such great times together! Ever since she went crazy our family has been ruined!
Tears rolled down my cheeks as I recalled some of our memories together.
Oh please God, please! I'm begging you! I would do anything, anything! Whatever the price there is to pay for it!
Suddenly I was floating in air.
HELLO.
"Ellimist!" I hissed. His guise was an old man.
YES. I HAVE HEARD YOUR PRAYER. I CAN MAKE YOUR MOTHER SANE AGAIN, TSAE-LIN. BUT WILL YOU EXCEPT?
"Yes! Anything! ANYTHING!"
ANYTHING? The Ellimist said to me, doubtful.
"Then what is it?!"
A BIG PRICE, TSAE-LIN. A BIG PRICE.
"What is it?!" I cried in sheer exasperation.
YOUR LIFE, TSAE-LIN. WILL YOU BE WILLING, FOR YOUR MOTHER TO BE SANE, TO PAY THE PRICE OF YOUR LIFE?
I was shocked. Sure, a big price, but never this.
"Give me time, Ellimist. Give me time." I said steely.
VERY WELL. YOU HAVE THREE DAYS' TIME. AND THEN, MAKE YOUR CHOICE.
And there I was again, huddled against the trashcans. I considered the choices I had. But I knew what I had to do. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I got up and went home.
TO BE CONTINUED . . .
Look for the next one, Unexpected Suprises-The Death #7
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