Chapter Four of the Crossroads Stories
"Hey, Brian, want to go for a run?"
Brian looked up from his book at his girlfriend, "You shouldn't burst into people's bedroom's you know."
Cindy blushed, "Sorry . . . Jill taught me a new trick from the stuff Sirius sent her."
She ran over and grabbed his arm, "Come on!" Without waiting for a reply, she dragged him off his bed and out the door.
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"Now what was this new trick?"
"This . . ." She drew him close and gave him a long passionate kiss.
After she released him, he sputtered. "How did Jill teach you that?"
"She didn't teach me THAT, she taught me what I did during THAT."
"What'd you do?"
"Lent you some of my magic . . . go on, turn into a horse, I want to run."
"How?"
"Think it and FEEL it." Cindy tossed her head back and seemed to rear up, turning into a black horse.
Brian watched her carefully. "Might as well try . . ." he muttered. Within seconds, he was a handsome gray stallion.
Cindy whinnied happily and nipped him. "You're it!" She cried and dashed off. Brian followed her and they were soon stampeding across the ford of the river then turned to run along side of it. "Where . . . are we . . . going?" Brian called between breaths.
"The long . . . way . . . into . . . the . . . mountains."
"Where's that?"
"Here!" Cindy leapt into the deepest part of the river where it ran along the cliffs. Brian could barely see the steep path Cindy swam towards. Brian slowly followed, worried about his girlfriend's reckless nature. He remembered she had often acted that way in their old home, but she never had the means to do things like this. By now, she was scrambling from the water, straining to climb the steep, slick slope. Finally she reached the first ledge and waited for Brian. He made his way up the path slowly and carefully. Eventually he reached the ledge, breathing hard. "How often do you do this?" he gasped.
"I do something like this everyday." She nuzzled him gently, "Think unicorn, they're the only ones who can make it up this part of the cliff." Her form seemed to shimmer a gold horn materialized on her forehead, and her hooves became cloven, changing to the same gold color. She reared and whinnied, her neigh sounding like bells.
It was so easy for her, every change was instinctive, she was born into this life and loved it. Brian concentrated, slowly he became a unicorn. She led him high into the mountains bounding from ledge to ledge.
Finally, she stopped. Their hides dripping with sweaty foam. "Why go so far?"
Brian panted.
"Look . . ." A valley stretched out before them, a small village nestled there, looking tiny from Cindy and Brian's altitude. Brian could see Diamond riding the white horse Jill had given him. He looked up and waved, Cindy reared and whinnied in reply.
They turned away. "Where'd all those people come from?"
"Jill and I have been very busy."
"You brought all those people here?" Brian reared and returned to his normal human form.
Cindy became human again as well and nodded. "Mostly with charms, like we did with Diamond. We couldn't leave the village empty." She turned into an eagle and took off, circling Brian.
Again Brian mimicked her and struggled into the air. "Don't you ever get tired?"
"Yeah . . . eventually." Thunder clouds were beginning to build as they turned toward home.
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Jill stood on the balcony, watching the storm. The two eagles landed next to her, and returned to human form. Brian disappeared into the WereDen as Cindy leaned against the railing next to her friend. "Quite a light show." Cindy murmured.
"Yeah, I've needed this for a while." Jill replied. "It's cool how the setting sun is coloring the clouds."
"Hm mm. Pretty."
The storm reached them, beautiful streaks of lightning lit up the dark sky. The thunder became deafening and the rain fell in torrents.
Within seconds, Cindy felt like a drowned rat. She shook her head dejectedly,
"Let's go in, it's time for bed."
"All right." they climbed down the ladder into the WereDen and headed for their rooms.
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A great howling noise from upstairs woke Jill. Leaving her room, she slowly climbed the stairs. Cindy was already there, in her nightgown, her hair whipping around her face.
"Cindy!" Jill yelled above the noise. "What is it?"
"The storm, it had a wind behind it. That's hitting the entrance causing resonation."
Jill shivered. "I don't like high winds!"
"Come on, we'll be all right in here." Jill follows Cindy back down the stairs.
Cindy disappeared into her bedroom and shut the door. Jill headed for her room then paused, contemplating. The wind howled louder for a moment and she decided. Turning, she tiptoed into Seph's bedroom and climbed into his bed, being careful not to wake him.
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Early in the morning, Seph woke to find Jill in his bed just an arms length away, sleeping peacefully, but looking cold. Seph slowly rolled her into his arms and fell back asleep, with a smile on his face.
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The next morning, Cindy was up at sunrise. The sky was a clear blue, everything was wet, clean, and new. Returning to her room, she got dressed quickly, emerging just in time to catch Jill leaving Seph's room. Cindy grinned, "Did you go in there last night?" Jill nodded and Cindy laughed all the way up to the library.
"What are you reading, Cinny?" Jill walked into the library, carrying two bottles of Surge. She handed one to her friend. Cindy was laying on the floor, surrounded by books.
She looked up, "Thanks." She took the soda and took a drink. "I'm not really reading, trying to decide which Animorph book I'm in the mood to read."
"Oh, why can't you decide?"
"I've read them all before, they're all old stories, I want a new one."
"A new book, or a new adventure?" Jill smiled slyly.
"You don't mean?"
"I do . . ."
Cindy grinned, "Sounds like fun."
Seph and Brian walked in, "What sounds like fun?" Brian asked.
Seph eyed the books, "Oh no, you two aren't planning to go off on a whim again, are you? Almost every time at least one of you gets hurts! I don't like waiting around here, wondering if you're going to come back or not." He drew closer to Jill. "I worry about you."
"Then come with us." Cindy stood, staring him in the eye. "Come with us for the adventure."
Jill's eyes glittered as she smiled. "Brian too!"
Seph sighed, "It's better than being here, I suppose."
Quickly Jill created a doorway drawing everyone through. They found themselves in a dark place, screams and cries reached their ears. "The yeerk pool."
Cindy whispered. She froze when she heard a deep growl behind them.
"Hork-Bajir!" Jill squeaked. The reptilian alien grabbed Sephiroth. Seph threw him over his shoulder.
The crash got the attention of everyone. "Run!" Cindy cried, scrambling to get away, trying to herd her friends into motion.
Two Hork-Bajir tackled Seph pinning him between them. "Seph!" Jill screamed turning back.
"Jill, no!" Cindy glanced back at the other girl and watched in horror as two human controllers grabbed her. She turned back only to see Brian get picked up by a Hork-Bajir. "No!" she howled and ran smack into a blue and tan creature. "Visser Three!" she gasped.
(So glad you know who I am. Take her!)
"Jill and I are not people you should mess with!" She snarled.
(Really? And what of these men?)
"Don't you touch them!" Jill screamed.
(I won't, if you behave . . . Make them some of us.) Visser Three turned and walked away.
They were led to the receiving line, with the struggling captives and the calm traitors. Oh well, Cindy thought to herself . . . It's only three days, we can get free then.
She looked away as they forced Brain's head into the vile water. Jill was next, then her.
A thought hit her, Jill and she knew who the Animorphs were. With their magic in the Yeerks hands, the Animorphs and the earth didn't stand a chance! Their captors had just forced Jill down, Cindy could see the Yeerk slug in her ear.
"SIRIUS!" Cindy screamed.
A bright green light flashed, surprising everyone. ("Cynthia, take Seph and get out of here, now!") Sirius' voice rang through her head.
("But Jill, Br . . .")
("NOW!") With a roar, Cindy became a small dragon.
"Come on, Seph!"
"I'm not leaving Jill!"
"No choice, come on!" Cindy grabbed him with her tail and slammed him into the ground, knocking him out.
She flung him onto her back and leapt across the pool. "Andalite!" The Controllers hissed.
"Not Andalite, Magical!" She reared.
A small light floated in front of her face. ("Follow it.") She did, up into the school entrance of the Yeerk Pool. She dashed into the student filled hall, her roar sent them scattering. She passed Rachel in her escape and crashed through the doors. Once outside, she took off and flew from sight.
("Oh, Sirius, what am I going to do?! With Jill in the Yeerk's hands, this world is sunk!")
("You have some time . . . I blocked her magic and gave her amnesia. Get help, the spells I cast do not last long . . .") His voice faded.
("Thank you, Sirius, you've saved our hides again.")
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Cindy landed deep in the woods, lay Seph down, and waited for him to wake up. It didn't take long, "How could you leave her, Cindy? She's your friend!"
"I know . . . You do realize I left Brian too, don't you? Sirius said leave, so we had to leave. We'll get them back."
"Fine then, let's go." Seph rose and marched off.
"Wait! We need help. This way."
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"I'm telling you, this huge lizard ran from the Yeerk pool entrance carrying this old geezer." Rachel exclaimed.
"What'd it look like?" Jake asked.
"Like a fancy Dinosaur."
The barn door squeaked and the group jumped in surprise. "A dragon actually."
Cindy stepped into the barn. "And that man would not appreciate being called an old geezer."
Ax leapt forward, pointing his tail blade at her throat. (Who are you?)
"My name is Cindy, I'm someone who needs your help . . . the Yeerks have made my boyfriend and my best friend into Controllers."
"So have many other people's friends and family members. Why are yours so important?" Jake asked
"Because Jill is a Sorceress and she knows who you all are."
"A Sorceress, what do you think we are? Insane?" Marco sneered.
"No, she is Sorceress. She and I are magicals."
"Oh yeah? Prove it"
Jake nodded, "Let her go, Ax."
(Yes, Prince Jake.) Ax retreated as Cindy moved further into the barn.
Slowly she nodded her head, thinking. A low growl started in her throat. "She is insane!" Marco muttered. She grew a long purple tail and huge bat-like wings unfolded from her back. Slowly, she reared back, shifting into a dragon with a roar.
"Insane, Marco?" She asked, cocking her head. "My guardian has cast a spell that block's Jill's magic and given her amnesia. We must get her out before the spell is broken, or you all are doomed."
Tobias fluttered in the rafters, (Someone is coming.)
Cindy became human again. "Jill's boyfriend."
Seph walked in, "Are they helping or not?" He glared at Cindy.
Marco dived underneath an exam table, "Is that who I think it is?" The other
Animorphs glanced at him in surprise.
"If you're think Sephiroth from Final Fantasy Seven?" Cindy asked. "Yes, he is.
And he is on our side."
"So, how do we rescue your friends?" Jake asked. "We need a plan."
"Where do they live? We could try and get them at home." Cassie suggested.
Cindy shook her head, "We live in another dimension. We have no ties here."
"So how are we going to get them?" Rachel demanded. "We're not going to the
Yeerk pool!"
Seph looked up. "They are at the mall . . . recruiting."
They threw together a quick plan, "All right, let's go." Jake ordered. They climbed into Cassie's dad's truck with Cindy at the wheel.
"You do drive better than Marco, don't you?" Rachel asked.
Cindy smiled, "Yes, much better I'm sure." Marco grumbled.
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At the mall entrance, Cindy could see Jill an Brian handing out pamphlets.
"There they are." Cindy stopped the truck in front of them. "Hurry."
Everyone but Cindy piled out and rushed the to Controllers. Cassie stepped up to Jill. "Visser Three wants you to come with us." She whispered in her ear.
"All right. Come, Brian." They all climbed in the back of the truck.
Brian glanced into the cab of the truck, "Hey, that's Cindy and Seph."
Cindy floored the gas petal, racing out into the road.
Quickly the Animorphs pinned Jill and Brian to the bed of the truck. "Cindy . . ." Brian purred evilly. "It seems only fitting that you joined up with the Andalite bandits."
Cindy glanced back at him, "Yup, too bad you couldn't join me."
"Then why not join us?"
"Heh heh, very funny." Cindy glanced back, "Not on you life!" she adjusted the rear view mirror. "Guys, we're being followed."
"By what?"
"A black limousine."
"Visser Three!"
Jill shrieked and seemed to convulse. "A memory! She's remembering!" the Yeerk cried and began to struggle with herself.
Suddenly she looked frantically at Sephiroth. "Sephy, help me."
Seph leapt through the window into the bed of the truck. "That's the real her! Let her up!"
"But . . ." Marco started, releasing Jill in surprise.
Jill moaned and clutched her head. A look of evil crossed her face. "Cindy, stop for Visser Three!" She yelled, lunging for the cab.
"No!" Seph blocked her way, grabbing her arms. "Jill, fight the Yeerk, free yourself!"
"She'll never win!" Jill screamed with a blast of magic.
Seph was knocked into Cindy, causing her to lose control. the truck slammed into a tree and Cindy hit her head on the steering wheel, knocking her out cold. "The spell is losing effect!" Seph cried.
Hork-Bajir emerged from the trees. One ripped open the door and grabbed Cindy's unconscious form. "No!" Jill cried, magic pulsating from her. Something seemed to snap and a Yeerk appeared in front of her and on in front of Brian.
"Cindy!" Brian cried in his own voice.
"Jill, Brian, Seph!" Jake yelled. "Come on we have to get out of sight!"
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Quickly, Jill followed at Brian and Seph's heels. "What about Cindy?"
"Don't worry, we'll get her back." Cassie said.
"Yeah, a hundred to six are our usual odds." Marco added.
Rachel began to morph a bull elephant, "Let's do it!" She cried before loosing her voice.
Ax demorphed from human as the others began to morph. Jake morphed tiger, Marco morphed gorilla, and Cassie morphed wolf. Jill concentrated, slowly she shifted into a huge white tiger. Seph smirked and Brain did a double take.
Jill stepped up to Jake, "Let's go." she growled then let out an earth shattering roar.
"Jill!" She turned to Seph. "I need a sword." She nodded and conjured his musame blade into his hands.
The group strode out from hiding. Visser Three stood next to the Hork-Bajir that held Cindy. (Andalite bandits, surrender now or this human dies.)
"We'll never give into you, Visser Three, never again." Jill growled. She whispered in Jake's ear, "When I give the signal, rush them."
Jake relayed the message to the other Animorphs. (Are you insane?!) Marco asked.
Jill panted a smile, "Sometimes."
Visser Three stepped forward, (You are going to give up her life so willingly?)
Jill heard a faint hounds bay. "Don't bet on it!" She rushed forward.
Visser Three struck Cindy with his tail only to be blocked by a strange green light. (WHAT?!) The light condensed into a huge winged hound.
The hound pounced on the Hork-Bajir, wrestling Cindy away. ("Jill, we must get out of here. There are more on the way.")
("Right, Sirius") Jill hopped up on her hind legs becoming human. She pointed to a group of Hork-Bajir and in a bored voice called, "Fireball."
(Let's go! Come on!) Jake ordered.
Jill ran up to Cindy, Sirius was protecting her but could not carry her to safety.
She placed her hand on Cindy's forehead, ("Change into a wolf-pup.") She ordered.
Though unconscious, Cindy did. Jill gathered Cindy up and hurried after the Animorphs.
(NO!) Visser Three yelled.
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"That was my dad's new truck! He is going to go through the roof!"
Jill smirked, "Truck? You mean the one out there?" She pointed out the door.
Cindy glanced out and laughed, "Good job, Jill!"
Cassie's jaw dropped, "You fixed the truck?"
"Yeah, well, we broke it, we might as well fix it." Jill smiled.
Ax and Tobias walked in as humans, "We are ready. Red-de, de, de."
Cindy rolled her eyes as she caught Jill watching Tobias with a faint smile. ("Jill, long white hair, teal eyes . . .")
"You're no fun, Cinny!" She whined. "Come on, let's go to the mall!"
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"So what exactly are we doing?" Cindy asked as she leaned on Brian.
"We are having fun." Jill replied, as she walked between Tobias and Seph. Seph coughed and crossed his arms, ignoring Jill.
("Uh, Jill, Seph's being ignored.")
("He'll live, sweety. I'm not doing anything.")
("Except annoying Rachel, you know, her and Tobias are like . . .")
("Yeah, I know.")
("Pay attention to Seph, Jill.")
Jill leaned on Seph and smiled at him.
"I hope we can eats some Cinn-a bons, zzz, bun-zzuh."
"Sure, Ax, sounds good to me." Cindy answered. They walked to the food court and enjoyed a victory meal before going home.
"Hey, Brian, want to go for a run?"
Brian looked up from his book at his girlfriend, "You shouldn't burst into people's bedroom's you know."
Cindy blushed, "Sorry . . . Jill taught me a new trick from the stuff Sirius sent her."
She ran over and grabbed his arm, "Come on!" Without waiting for a reply, she dragged him off his bed and out the door.
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"Now what was this new trick?"
"This . . ." She drew him close and gave him a long passionate kiss.
After she released him, he sputtered. "How did Jill teach you that?"
"She didn't teach me THAT, she taught me what I did during THAT."
"What'd you do?"
"Lent you some of my magic . . . go on, turn into a horse, I want to run."
"How?"
"Think it and FEEL it." Cindy tossed her head back and seemed to rear up, turning into a black horse.
Brian watched her carefully. "Might as well try . . ." he muttered. Within seconds, he was a handsome gray stallion.
Cindy whinnied happily and nipped him. "You're it!" She cried and dashed off. Brian followed her and they were soon stampeding across the ford of the river then turned to run along side of it. "Where . . . are we . . . going?" Brian called between breaths.
"The long . . . way . . . into . . . the . . . mountains."
"Where's that?"
"Here!" Cindy leapt into the deepest part of the river where it ran along the cliffs. Brian could barely see the steep path Cindy swam towards. Brian slowly followed, worried about his girlfriend's reckless nature. He remembered she had often acted that way in their old home, but she never had the means to do things like this. By now, she was scrambling from the water, straining to climb the steep, slick slope. Finally she reached the first ledge and waited for Brian. He made his way up the path slowly and carefully. Eventually he reached the ledge, breathing hard. "How often do you do this?" he gasped.
"I do something like this everyday." She nuzzled him gently, "Think unicorn, they're the only ones who can make it up this part of the cliff." Her form seemed to shimmer a gold horn materialized on her forehead, and her hooves became cloven, changing to the same gold color. She reared and whinnied, her neigh sounding like bells.
It was so easy for her, every change was instinctive, she was born into this life and loved it. Brian concentrated, slowly he became a unicorn. She led him high into the mountains bounding from ledge to ledge.
Finally, she stopped. Their hides dripping with sweaty foam. "Why go so far?"
Brian panted.
"Look . . ." A valley stretched out before them, a small village nestled there, looking tiny from Cindy and Brian's altitude. Brian could see Diamond riding the white horse Jill had given him. He looked up and waved, Cindy reared and whinnied in reply.
They turned away. "Where'd all those people come from?"
"Jill and I have been very busy."
"You brought all those people here?" Brian reared and returned to his normal human form.
Cindy became human again as well and nodded. "Mostly with charms, like we did with Diamond. We couldn't leave the village empty." She turned into an eagle and took off, circling Brian.
Again Brian mimicked her and struggled into the air. "Don't you ever get tired?"
"Yeah . . . eventually." Thunder clouds were beginning to build as they turned toward home.
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Jill stood on the balcony, watching the storm. The two eagles landed next to her, and returned to human form. Brian disappeared into the WereDen as Cindy leaned against the railing next to her friend. "Quite a light show." Cindy murmured.
"Yeah, I've needed this for a while." Jill replied. "It's cool how the setting sun is coloring the clouds."
"Hm mm. Pretty."
The storm reached them, beautiful streaks of lightning lit up the dark sky. The thunder became deafening and the rain fell in torrents.
Within seconds, Cindy felt like a drowned rat. She shook her head dejectedly,
"Let's go in, it's time for bed."
"All right." they climbed down the ladder into the WereDen and headed for their rooms.
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A great howling noise from upstairs woke Jill. Leaving her room, she slowly climbed the stairs. Cindy was already there, in her nightgown, her hair whipping around her face.
"Cindy!" Jill yelled above the noise. "What is it?"
"The storm, it had a wind behind it. That's hitting the entrance causing resonation."
Jill shivered. "I don't like high winds!"
"Come on, we'll be all right in here." Jill follows Cindy back down the stairs.
Cindy disappeared into her bedroom and shut the door. Jill headed for her room then paused, contemplating. The wind howled louder for a moment and she decided. Turning, she tiptoed into Seph's bedroom and climbed into his bed, being careful not to wake him.
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Early in the morning, Seph woke to find Jill in his bed just an arms length away, sleeping peacefully, but looking cold. Seph slowly rolled her into his arms and fell back asleep, with a smile on his face.
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The next morning, Cindy was up at sunrise. The sky was a clear blue, everything was wet, clean, and new. Returning to her room, she got dressed quickly, emerging just in time to catch Jill leaving Seph's room. Cindy grinned, "Did you go in there last night?" Jill nodded and Cindy laughed all the way up to the library.
"What are you reading, Cinny?" Jill walked into the library, carrying two bottles of Surge. She handed one to her friend. Cindy was laying on the floor, surrounded by books.
She looked up, "Thanks." She took the soda and took a drink. "I'm not really reading, trying to decide which Animorph book I'm in the mood to read."
"Oh, why can't you decide?"
"I've read them all before, they're all old stories, I want a new one."
"A new book, or a new adventure?" Jill smiled slyly.
"You don't mean?"
"I do . . ."
Cindy grinned, "Sounds like fun."
Seph and Brian walked in, "What sounds like fun?" Brian asked.
Seph eyed the books, "Oh no, you two aren't planning to go off on a whim again, are you? Almost every time at least one of you gets hurts! I don't like waiting around here, wondering if you're going to come back or not." He drew closer to Jill. "I worry about you."
"Then come with us." Cindy stood, staring him in the eye. "Come with us for the adventure."
Jill's eyes glittered as she smiled. "Brian too!"
Seph sighed, "It's better than being here, I suppose."
Quickly Jill created a doorway drawing everyone through. They found themselves in a dark place, screams and cries reached their ears. "The yeerk pool."
Cindy whispered. She froze when she heard a deep growl behind them.
"Hork-Bajir!" Jill squeaked. The reptilian alien grabbed Sephiroth. Seph threw him over his shoulder.
The crash got the attention of everyone. "Run!" Cindy cried, scrambling to get away, trying to herd her friends into motion.
Two Hork-Bajir tackled Seph pinning him between them. "Seph!" Jill screamed turning back.
"Jill, no!" Cindy glanced back at the other girl and watched in horror as two human controllers grabbed her. She turned back only to see Brian get picked up by a Hork-Bajir. "No!" she howled and ran smack into a blue and tan creature. "Visser Three!" she gasped.
(So glad you know who I am. Take her!)
"Jill and I are not people you should mess with!" She snarled.
(Really? And what of these men?)
"Don't you touch them!" Jill screamed.
(I won't, if you behave . . . Make them some of us.) Visser Three turned and walked away.
They were led to the receiving line, with the struggling captives and the calm traitors. Oh well, Cindy thought to herself . . . It's only three days, we can get free then.
She looked away as they forced Brain's head into the vile water. Jill was next, then her.
A thought hit her, Jill and she knew who the Animorphs were. With their magic in the Yeerks hands, the Animorphs and the earth didn't stand a chance! Their captors had just forced Jill down, Cindy could see the Yeerk slug in her ear.
"SIRIUS!" Cindy screamed.
A bright green light flashed, surprising everyone. ("Cynthia, take Seph and get out of here, now!") Sirius' voice rang through her head.
("But Jill, Br . . .")
("NOW!") With a roar, Cindy became a small dragon.
"Come on, Seph!"
"I'm not leaving Jill!"
"No choice, come on!" Cindy grabbed him with her tail and slammed him into the ground, knocking him out.
She flung him onto her back and leapt across the pool. "Andalite!" The Controllers hissed.
"Not Andalite, Magical!" She reared.
A small light floated in front of her face. ("Follow it.") She did, up into the school entrance of the Yeerk Pool. She dashed into the student filled hall, her roar sent them scattering. She passed Rachel in her escape and crashed through the doors. Once outside, she took off and flew from sight.
("Oh, Sirius, what am I going to do?! With Jill in the Yeerk's hands, this world is sunk!")
("You have some time . . . I blocked her magic and gave her amnesia. Get help, the spells I cast do not last long . . .") His voice faded.
("Thank you, Sirius, you've saved our hides again.")
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Cindy landed deep in the woods, lay Seph down, and waited for him to wake up. It didn't take long, "How could you leave her, Cindy? She's your friend!"
"I know . . . You do realize I left Brian too, don't you? Sirius said leave, so we had to leave. We'll get them back."
"Fine then, let's go." Seph rose and marched off.
"Wait! We need help. This way."
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"I'm telling you, this huge lizard ran from the Yeerk pool entrance carrying this old geezer." Rachel exclaimed.
"What'd it look like?" Jake asked.
"Like a fancy Dinosaur."
The barn door squeaked and the group jumped in surprise. "A dragon actually."
Cindy stepped into the barn. "And that man would not appreciate being called an old geezer."
Ax leapt forward, pointing his tail blade at her throat. (Who are you?)
"My name is Cindy, I'm someone who needs your help . . . the Yeerks have made my boyfriend and my best friend into Controllers."
"So have many other people's friends and family members. Why are yours so important?" Jake asked
"Because Jill is a Sorceress and she knows who you all are."
"A Sorceress, what do you think we are? Insane?" Marco sneered.
"No, she is Sorceress. She and I are magicals."
"Oh yeah? Prove it"
Jake nodded, "Let her go, Ax."
(Yes, Prince Jake.) Ax retreated as Cindy moved further into the barn.
Slowly she nodded her head, thinking. A low growl started in her throat. "She is insane!" Marco muttered. She grew a long purple tail and huge bat-like wings unfolded from her back. Slowly, she reared back, shifting into a dragon with a roar.
"Insane, Marco?" She asked, cocking her head. "My guardian has cast a spell that block's Jill's magic and given her amnesia. We must get her out before the spell is broken, or you all are doomed."
Tobias fluttered in the rafters, (Someone is coming.)
Cindy became human again. "Jill's boyfriend."
Seph walked in, "Are they helping or not?" He glared at Cindy.
Marco dived underneath an exam table, "Is that who I think it is?" The other
Animorphs glanced at him in surprise.
"If you're think Sephiroth from Final Fantasy Seven?" Cindy asked. "Yes, he is.
And he is on our side."
"So, how do we rescue your friends?" Jake asked. "We need a plan."
"Where do they live? We could try and get them at home." Cassie suggested.
Cindy shook her head, "We live in another dimension. We have no ties here."
"So how are we going to get them?" Rachel demanded. "We're not going to the
Yeerk pool!"
Seph looked up. "They are at the mall . . . recruiting."
They threw together a quick plan, "All right, let's go." Jake ordered. They climbed into Cassie's dad's truck with Cindy at the wheel.
"You do drive better than Marco, don't you?" Rachel asked.
Cindy smiled, "Yes, much better I'm sure." Marco grumbled.
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At the mall entrance, Cindy could see Jill an Brian handing out pamphlets.
"There they are." Cindy stopped the truck in front of them. "Hurry."
Everyone but Cindy piled out and rushed the to Controllers. Cassie stepped up to Jill. "Visser Three wants you to come with us." She whispered in her ear.
"All right. Come, Brian." They all climbed in the back of the truck.
Brian glanced into the cab of the truck, "Hey, that's Cindy and Seph."
Cindy floored the gas petal, racing out into the road.
Quickly the Animorphs pinned Jill and Brian to the bed of the truck. "Cindy . . ." Brian purred evilly. "It seems only fitting that you joined up with the Andalite bandits."
Cindy glanced back at him, "Yup, too bad you couldn't join me."
"Then why not join us?"
"Heh heh, very funny." Cindy glanced back, "Not on you life!" she adjusted the rear view mirror. "Guys, we're being followed."
"By what?"
"A black limousine."
"Visser Three!"
Jill shrieked and seemed to convulse. "A memory! She's remembering!" the Yeerk cried and began to struggle with herself.
Suddenly she looked frantically at Sephiroth. "Sephy, help me."
Seph leapt through the window into the bed of the truck. "That's the real her! Let her up!"
"But . . ." Marco started, releasing Jill in surprise.
Jill moaned and clutched her head. A look of evil crossed her face. "Cindy, stop for Visser Three!" She yelled, lunging for the cab.
"No!" Seph blocked her way, grabbing her arms. "Jill, fight the Yeerk, free yourself!"
"She'll never win!" Jill screamed with a blast of magic.
Seph was knocked into Cindy, causing her to lose control. the truck slammed into a tree and Cindy hit her head on the steering wheel, knocking her out cold. "The spell is losing effect!" Seph cried.
Hork-Bajir emerged from the trees. One ripped open the door and grabbed Cindy's unconscious form. "No!" Jill cried, magic pulsating from her. Something seemed to snap and a Yeerk appeared in front of her and on in front of Brian.
"Cindy!" Brian cried in his own voice.
"Jill, Brian, Seph!" Jake yelled. "Come on we have to get out of sight!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Quickly, Jill followed at Brian and Seph's heels. "What about Cindy?"
"Don't worry, we'll get her back." Cassie said.
"Yeah, a hundred to six are our usual odds." Marco added.
Rachel began to morph a bull elephant, "Let's do it!" She cried before loosing her voice.
Ax demorphed from human as the others began to morph. Jake morphed tiger, Marco morphed gorilla, and Cassie morphed wolf. Jill concentrated, slowly she shifted into a huge white tiger. Seph smirked and Brain did a double take.
Jill stepped up to Jake, "Let's go." she growled then let out an earth shattering roar.
"Jill!" She turned to Seph. "I need a sword." She nodded and conjured his musame blade into his hands.
The group strode out from hiding. Visser Three stood next to the Hork-Bajir that held Cindy. (Andalite bandits, surrender now or this human dies.)
"We'll never give into you, Visser Three, never again." Jill growled. She whispered in Jake's ear, "When I give the signal, rush them."
Jake relayed the message to the other Animorphs. (Are you insane?!) Marco asked.
Jill panted a smile, "Sometimes."
Visser Three stepped forward, (You are going to give up her life so willingly?)
Jill heard a faint hounds bay. "Don't bet on it!" She rushed forward.
Visser Three struck Cindy with his tail only to be blocked by a strange green light. (WHAT?!) The light condensed into a huge winged hound.
The hound pounced on the Hork-Bajir, wrestling Cindy away. ("Jill, we must get out of here. There are more on the way.")
("Right, Sirius") Jill hopped up on her hind legs becoming human. She pointed to a group of Hork-Bajir and in a bored voice called, "Fireball."
(Let's go! Come on!) Jake ordered.
Jill ran up to Cindy, Sirius was protecting her but could not carry her to safety.
She placed her hand on Cindy's forehead, ("Change into a wolf-pup.") She ordered.
Though unconscious, Cindy did. Jill gathered Cindy up and hurried after the Animorphs.
(NO!) Visser Three yelled.
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"That was my dad's new truck! He is going to go through the roof!"
Jill smirked, "Truck? You mean the one out there?" She pointed out the door.
Cindy glanced out and laughed, "Good job, Jill!"
Cassie's jaw dropped, "You fixed the truck?"
"Yeah, well, we broke it, we might as well fix it." Jill smiled.
Ax and Tobias walked in as humans, "We are ready. Red-de, de, de."
Cindy rolled her eyes as she caught Jill watching Tobias with a faint smile. ("Jill, long white hair, teal eyes . . .")
"You're no fun, Cinny!" She whined. "Come on, let's go to the mall!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"So what exactly are we doing?" Cindy asked as she leaned on Brian.
"We are having fun." Jill replied, as she walked between Tobias and Seph. Seph coughed and crossed his arms, ignoring Jill.
("Uh, Jill, Seph's being ignored.")
("He'll live, sweety. I'm not doing anything.")
("Except annoying Rachel, you know, her and Tobias are like . . .")
("Yeah, I know.")
("Pay attention to Seph, Jill.")
Jill leaned on Seph and smiled at him.
"I hope we can eats some Cinn-a bons, zzz, bun-zzuh."
"Sure, Ax, sounds good to me." Cindy answered. They walked to the food court and enjoyed a victory meal before going home.