Author's Notes: This idea occurred to me while I was reading #54. I wondered what Tobias might be going through as the war ended. And I wondered what would happen if he discovered the Time Matrix. What would he change? After several weeks, I started writing. This is just the prologue and first chapter. More will follow. Though it might take some time, since I'm writing another story too. Please read & review. Let me know what you think of this idea and what you see happening with it.

TIME AND TIME AGAIN

PROLOGUE

The Time Matrix. There is no other device, tool or weapon in the universe with such power. Some weapons may be used to destroy people, places, and things. Some weapons can totally obliterate them from existence. But the Time Matrix can do so much more. With the Time Matrix, you can not only kill your enemy. You can do more than destroy an enemy's existence in the present and future. You can destroy your enemy in the past. You can prevent your enemy from existing. Ever. You could kill your enemy at birth. You could prevent you enemy from being conceived.

That is the power of the Time Matrix. It has such great power to be used, and misused. It has such great ability to be used for good, but also for evil. In the hands of a good person it could be used for decent purposes. In the hands of an evil person it could be used for destruction. The one to harness its power can literally rewrite the history of the universe. Such a person could be nearly omnipotent. Nearly invincible. Such a person would hold almost limitless power.

But to truly hold this power, a person would need to know the consequences of using the Time Matrix. There is a saying I have heard many times: "A single butterfly, beating its wings in China, can start a tornado in America." Meaning, one small action can have a profound effect on the world. One man can affect the course of history of a nation, of a world, of a galaxy, and even of a universe. Some individuals have effected the course of history through their own intellect, without the aid of the Time Matrix. I have had the opportunity of meeting and even befriending some of these individuals.

My name is Erek. At least it is my name in this "life." I have lived dozens of human lives. I am a Chee. An android. We are nearly invincible, nearly immortal. Yet we are not dangerous. Our creators were the Pemalites. They were peaceful, and they created us to be the same. We are incapable of violence. Our programming will not permit it.

In my time on Earth I have observed thousands of years of human history. I have watched since the time that humans lived in primitive tribes. I have seen them grow and develop to the point that they are at this day. Many of my people have been amazed at their rate of development. Few races have advanced in technology as quickly as the human. Humans are known for their ability to adapt. And humans adapt quickly.

Some humans are humble. They only want to do what is right. Such people do not care about the praise of others. Some humans are proud. They are arrogant and do only what is in their own self-interest. They care only about looking good in the eyes of others. But many humans are somewhere in between. They want to do good, but can't ignore their own desires, for better or worse. Some want to do what is right, but don't always stop to think of the consequences of their actions. They want to help others, but want to be happy. And nobody's perfect. Everyone makes mistakes from time to time.

It is inevitable that a human using the Time Matrix, even if for the best of intentions, will make a mistake. If one uses it to change the past, it is impossible to see all the possible effects making that one small change can have. Though he intended to do right, he cannot know how many things he set wrong. He may hurt the innocent, even those whom he intended to help.

Right now, I am standing here in the wreckage that was once our city. I know I will not have to wait long. He will be here soon. I wait. I wait in the place where the Animorphs' story began. Though none would recognize this as that construction site. It looks nothing like it did several weeks ago.

This place holds a secret. It is easier to find now, though none but the closest observer would notice. It is still mostly buried. A human could walk right by without seeing it. It would take the eye of a hawk to notice it.

I stand here waiting for that hawk, who is not truly a hawk. I know he will come. It's already part of history. This is not my story. I only play a small, yet important part in it. This is the story of that hawk.

CHAPTER ONE

My name is Tobias. And I was one miserable-looking hawk.

I am Tobias Fangor. I have always been known as Tobias. Though many would not know me by my last name. It was only two years ago that the identity of my real father was revealed to me. My father's alias when he was on Earth was Al Fangor. And now I take his last name, as I should.

He died while giving Earth a chance. It was he who gave me and the others now called the Animorphs the power to change into any animal we touch. He hoped by doing so, he would give Earth a chance to survive a little longer, until his people could come and save us.

We're lucky the Andalite's didn't destroy us as well. They were that obsessed with ridding the universe of the Yeerk threat, that they would destroy a whole planet, if necessary, to do so. They were ready to destroy Earth and every living thing on it to defeat the Yeerks.

The Andalites were prepared and had more firepower. But at great sacrifice... too many sacrifices, so much of it meaningless. But with sacrifice we were able to defeat the Yeerks before the Andalites destroyed them and all humankind along with them. It was more than my father hoped for from us, though I know he'd be proud.

The final battle cost us one of our own. It cost the life of the one who meant everything to me. And now... the girl I love is dead, never to return. It was devastating. Rachel is dead, and my life seems so empty without her. What would life be like without her?

I was so frustrated, so angry. I swerved to avoid one of the rare trees in this desert. I shouldn't be so caught up in my own thoughts. Distractions could be deadly in this weather.

I was angry at Visser One for leading the war. I was angry at Jake for sending Rachel alone on the Blade Ship. I was angry at the Yeerk in Tom's head for being so treacherous. I was angry at the Controller in polar bear morph that killed her. I felt so much frustration and anger. I had no way to really vent it.

Rachel was the first to truly love me. She didn't care about what my outward appearance was. She didn't care that when I was fully human I was a geek and a bully magnet. She cared for me like no one else did. She was the one who helped me to believe I was worth something. That I mattered as an individual. Because of her I know that I can be loved.

I saw a news report last week. Apparently the Yeerks just threw Rachel's lifeless body into space like garbage. The Andalites found her and brought her back to Earth. The funeral was to be held near the destruction that was once our home in California. It was stupid of me to take off at Washington. But I wasn't thinking then. I just needed to get away. Away from Jake, away from the Andalites, away from the media... just away from all of it. I needed some time alone. Washington's just so far away from everything I know. It's more than 2,000 miles away from the meadow I once called home. I was now rushing back there as fast as I could. I had to make it back in time for her funeral.

I flew as a hawk as long as possible, but let's face it. Hawks aren't meant for flying mile upon mile. I have used many morphs to get this far. My duck morph has been useful... that is, when I could find a flock of ducks going the right direction. I have used my cheetah morph. Very fast, but likewise not meant for endurance running. I've used my wolf morph. A wolf is good for endurance running, but relatively speaking, not very fast.

But morphing is also tiring. Which is why I was once again in my true hawk form. I had actually made pretty good time. But who would expect that over the Salt Flats of western Utah, one of the biggest deserts in the United States, that I would come across this terrible thunderstorm? I was drenched. Flying was nearly impossible. But I couldn't afford to stop. I had so little time. I had to be in California in two days.

Another particularly strong gust of wind hit me. I used every technique I knew to keep moving forward, but it was impossible in this kind of weather. I finally swept toward the ground and landed on top of an overgrown sagebrush, one that would not be moved by the wind.

None of the tricks I used before would work right now. I'd actually made it some distances by latching onto bike racks of cars moving westward. You think roller coasters are exciting? Try landing on a car and holding on as it speeds up to about 75 miles per hour. I thought diving was thrilling. I can control my speed in a dive. But on top of a car I had no control over the speed. Letting go wasn't an option, that is, unless I wanted to go spinning beak over talons and end up as road kill. After one close call I decided that it was too dangerous.

It wasn't even an option right now. I had to be at least fifty miles from the nearest road that would take me west. I was going to have to stop. That was the last thing I wanted to do. If I had to stop, I was left with nothing to do but think. And thinking was the last thing I wanted to do right now.

Every time I was left with my own thoughts, her death would creep back into them. I kept seeing it over and over again. Time and time again. I saw that Controller in polar bear morph, as he raised his paw and brought it down on Rachel. Even in human form Rachel could hardly be called defenseless. But standing there alone, just a 16-year old girl, she never stood a chance against a beast of that size. She was slammed against the wall and there was no doubt in my mind that she was dead. No human being could have survived that blow.

I didn't want to think of it. She was dead. But the hawk had nothing to focus on in this weather. The hawk was only concerned that it was wet. I couldn't lose myself inside the hawk right now. All I could do was remember her death. Again and again. I was powerless to do anything to prevent it. All I could do was watch from the bridge of the Pool Ship as she was mercilessly killed.

I would have done anything to prevent it. Anything. But as they say, "You can't change the past." But how much I wish I could. She should be alive. Alive!

ARRRGGGHH!! I cried out in frustration in open thoughtspeak.

I guess I eventually fell asleep. Because when I came to, both the wind and rain were gone. Just a few lingering gray clouds. It couldn't have been more than an hour. I saw a flock of ducks coming from the east. I was in luck for a change. I made the morph to duck as quickly as possible and took to the sky. I joined their flock as they continued power flying to the west. I could stick with them until I neared the two-hour limit. They would take me closer to the place I once called home. To the funeral of the one I love.

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Add. Author's Notes: Don't forget to review. I hope to have Chapter Two up in about a week or so.