Okay, so I still don't own anything. This story has a few "commercial breaks." That's the only thing I could think of to split it up so I could talk about Alex for a minute. You can take a break to get a snack or whatever when you hit those. And this equation still holds true: * = telepathy . Enjoy the story! ~Grimwood grimwood83@yahoo.com
"The Vacation: Part 4; Strangers and Dangers"
~Somewhere on the road to Viridian City~
The sun was setting. Brooklyn's Igglybuff looked frantic at its trainer who had been a statue since dawn.
"Igglyy," it said worriedly.
"Don't worry. It's only a daytime thing," Cassie reassured the Pokemon. As if that had been a cue, the stone cracked and fell off each Gargoyle.
The Gargoyles gave their customary yawn/growl. Brooklyn and the rest of the Gargoyles looked around for the Animorphs and Pokemon.
Igglybuff ran straight at Brooklyn. Brooklyn bent down and gave the little Pokemon a bear hug. "Thanks for the day watch," he told it.
Ax, who had used his Poke-morph to memorize the Pokemon language, stated calmly, *Igglybuff, Totodile, and the rest that are trained by the members of your clan have been worried. This is the first time you've had them watch you during the day.*
"Ig iggly buff," Igglybuff replied.
*It said, "you're welcome,"* Ax translated, his Andalite form having a similar ability to understand each Pokemon's words as the actual Pokemon.
Brooklyn smiled, so did the others.
"Take a rest, Totodile," Angela said and recalled her Pokemon. The other Gargoyles followed suite.
"We're about a night away from Viridian City. That's if we walk. If we fly, we'll be there in a few hours," Jake informed everyone else.
"Does that mean what I think it means?" asked Marco.
"Exactly. Animorphs! Morph to Pokemon!" instructed Jake. The Animorphs morphed quickly into Pidgeots and Charizards.
*Dude, who's gonna ride who?* Marco wanted to know.
"Well, there's four of us and six of you. One of you could demorph and ride. I would personally prefer riding a Charizard," Angela suggested.
Rachel liked the idea. She demorphed and walked over to Angela. Then Rachel said, "I get Tobias." Tobias in Charizard-morph walked over and bent down. Rachel climbed on. "This is so cool!"
*Jake? Are we clear for take off? Should we meet at the Pokemon Center?* inquired Tobias.
*Sounds good ta me. Got that? Pair up, fly to the center, and wait there for everyone else,* Jake instructed.
"You make a good commander, Jake," Brooklyn off-handedly commented.
*Thanks, I think. It comes from having fought so many yeerk-related battles. Somehow, I'd become the leader of the Animorphs,* Jake explained.
Brooklyn went over to a Pidgeot and climbed on. Angela and Broadway mounted the remaining Charizards. Lexington jumped onto the last Pidgeot. As each Gargoyle got on top of an Animorph, they took flight. While flying, the Animorphs expanded upon Jake's briefing by telling some of their stories. The tales were punctuated by both laughter and tears depending on the story or section of story.
Once everyone arrived at the Pokemon Center, the Animorphs demorphed - though they had periodically demorphed during their flights.
"Welcome to the Viridian City Pokemon Center. My cousin whom you've encountered told me all about you. I'm Nurse Joy," a nurse who looked exactly like the last one they'd met stated.
"You have the same name?" Lexington asked.
"Yep. Our family really likes the name. Since we all look alike, we were all named Joy. Officer Jenny's family has the same problem."
"Great!" the group muttered sarcastically.
In private thought-speak to only the members of their group Ax said, *At least we won't get their names wrong.* Some of the others grinned while the rest barely controlled their giggling at Ax's unintentional humor, which somehow always makes it funnier to the Animorphs.
"Will you be staying long?" Nurse Joy asked, not noticing the giggles or grins.
"Sort of. We need to spend the remainder of the night plus tomorrow here in the center at the least," Jake told Nurse Joy.
"Okay. Chansey? Please get these travelers some food. Thank you. By the way, would you like me to check on your Pokemon?" she said rapidly.
Luckily, the group understood her. They handed over their Poke-balls that had Pokemon in them.
While Nurse Joy was taking care of the Pokemon, some one else came in. He stood a little way off from the Gargoyles. On his shoulder was an Umbreon.
"Name's Gary Oak. Who are you? What sort-?" he stopped short as the Gargoyles flipped open their Pokedexes, which they aimed at Umbreon. "Never mind the second question. Just answer the first one."
Lexington glanced up from examining the Pokedex he held. He was about to comment on the coolness of this technology, but tilted his head and stated, "I'm Lexington. These are my friends: the red one's Brooklyn, the chubby one's Broadway. No offense, Broadway."
"None taken," his rookery brother replied.
Lexington continued, "The female is Angela. The bird is Tobias. Ax is the one with four legs and a lethal tail blade. The humans are Jake, Cassie, Rachel, and Marco." He had pointed out the last four as he introduced them.
"Hmph. I'd ask for a Pokemon battle, but Nurse Joy just took yours away," Gary said politely.
Jake called the Animorphs into a tight huddle. Tobias perched on Rachel's shoulder.
"Since he wants a battle, do we want to have two of us morph and give him one?" Jake asked.
*If we did, who'd fight?* Tobias countered.
"ME!" Rachel cried out after Tobias had voiced his question.
"Why am I not surprised?" Marco more stated than asked with a glance at Rachel.
*If Rachel's in, then I'm in,* quipped Tobias.
"All right. Now I'd like to ask for a volunteer for 'director' of the battle," Jake said.
*How 'bout Ax? If he'd be so obliging?* Tobias suggested, laying his hawk eyes on "uncle".
*I will if Prince Jake tells me to. You know I would, Tobias,* said Ax in an oddly hopeful tone and one eye-stalk pointed at Jake.
"Then it's settled. Okay, here's my plan. I'll morph to Gargoyle so I can keep in touch through thought speak. Rachel and Tobias will morph to Pokemon and Ax will act as their 'trainer.' Cassie and Marco will stand near the other Gargoyles during the battle. We'll tell Gary that it'll be a two on two match. Ax, tell the Gargoyles the whole plan. Animorphs, go for it!" Jake instructed. The others followed through with his orders while Jake morphed to Gargoyle.
"This should prove interesting," Brooklyn commented after he and the rest of the clan present received Ax's message.
"No way!" Gary exclaimed with surprise as he watched three of the Animorphs shift into a Gargoyle, a Pidgeot, and a Charizard. He and his Umbreon stepped back to give the Animorphs a little more space.
*Would you still like that battle?* Ax inquired.
"You got it! We'll have to have it outside, though. Nurse Joy wouldn't enjoy a battle in her center. Trust me on that," Gary stated. Everyone moved outside.
Chansey brought out the food, which only Broadway seemed to notice and partake of.
"I take it that this will be a two on two?" inquired Gary.
*Yes,* Ax replied.
"Then go, Umbreon!" Gary called out.
"Ummmbraaa on!" the Pokemon replied as it jumped to the makeshift battle field.
*Tobias, go!* ordered Ax. With a roar, Tobias complied.
"Careful, guys!" Angela called. She had shown the information from the Pokedex to Jake and both were now worried.
Ax's team was working just as hard as Gary's - Gary's second Pokemon being an Arcanine. However, they were nearing the time limit of the morphs!
*Rachel! Use a Gust attack to finish the fight! Then I want you and Tobias to demorph!* Jake instructed through private thought-speak to Rachel and Ax. He had already demorphed to human and remorphed Gargoyle ten minutes ago. Ax repeated the command for a gust attack for Gary's benefit.
Rachel called out with the Pidgeot's voice as she caused a Tornado-force wind from the Gust attack. Gary's Arcanine was knocked flat! Umbreon and Tobias were suddenly at it again before Jake or Ax could order Tobias to do anything else.
*Tobias! Hurry! You've got only fifteen minutes left. Use Seismic Toss to finish this!* Jake ordered through private thought-speak, which Ax again edited for Gary's benefit.
Tobias roared mightily as he charged the Umbreon. The Umbreon gave a sort of squawk of surprise. Tobias would have missed picking it up, too, if he hadn't had so much practice hunting things smaller than himself for food as a hawk.
*Demorph or be a nothlit! For a second time!* ordered Jake worriedly. Tobias complied and was soon a hawk again.
Unfortunately, all the Gargoyles had been thoroughly distracted by the battle. The sun came up and they all turned to stone!
~Commercial Break~
~Back at the Eyrie Building on the first night Alex had been back with out either one of the trio, an Animorph, or Angela~
"Alex? Where are the trio, Animoprhs, and Angela?" Fox asked her baby. Alex merely shrugged and fell asleep in his mother's arms.
"This creates a minor problem," Xanatos said in a business-like fashion and calmness. "Owen, contact Rachel's mother. Tell her that the vacation may last longer than originally planned and not to send them more money until further notice."
"Yes, sir," Owen replied stiffly. He then followed through with Xanatos's commands. "Hello. This is Owen Burnett of Xanatos Enterprises," he announced as someone answered the phone.
"Hi. I'm Naomi. What can I do for Xanatos Enterprises?" Rachel's mother replied in a business manner.
"I'm afraid you'll have to prepare yourself for a shock. Mr. Xanatos's son, Alexander Xanatos, has transported your daughter, your nephew, their friends, and some associates of Mr. Xanatos elsewhere. We are uncertain as to where they were transported. That will have to await Young Alexander waking back up," Owen told Naomi.
"Whoa. Rewind. Are you telling me that after my daughter and her friends have finally defeated a nasty alien race, they've all vanished?" Naomi asked with panic leaking into her voice.
"That's one way to put it. Do not worry, ma'am. I am quite certain we can get them all back."
"Certain? As in there is a tiny bit of doubt?"
"You are correct again." Owen displayed one of his rare smiles, this one being slightly smug.
Naomi wiped a bit of hair out of her worried face and continued, "Okay. When will they be back?"
"We do not know."
"You sound like an Andalite or two that I've met," she muttered.
"What was that?"
"Nothing. Please, tell me what you do know."
"We know that Alex was the last person to see the group. We also know that he is an infant that tires readily after an adventure has taken place. It will take time to determine what he knows. Mr. Xanatos wishes you not to send any more funding for the vacation until further notice.
"Alright. I expect to hear from you the instant my child is back! If not, I might try holding Mr. Xanatos responsible and have a court hearing. I was a lawyer and could easily get the job back," Naomi threatened.
"Understood. I will inform Mr. Xanatos of your cooperation."
"Thank you. Good-bye," Naomi finished.
"Have a nice day," Owen stated. Then they both hung up. "Mr. Xanatos? Rachel's mother says that we are going to have to tell her the instant her daughter and friends reappear. She gave the threat of a lawsuit if we do not comply."
"Very well, Owen. Thank you. I hope we get this resolved soon. Perhaps we should send for all the Animorphs' relatives to come spend the rest of the time here at the Eyrie. Yes, I think that will work quite nicely."
"Yes, sir."
"Owen? May I ask a small favor?" Fox asked.
"Yes," he replied.
"Will you see if you can contact my mother? I'd appreciate it if she were here to help with Alex."
"I can try, Mrs. Xanatos, but I cannot guarantee anything."
"Thank you, Owen."
Owen then went about arranging for the guests and contacting Queen Titania.
~Commercial Break~
~Outside the Pokemon Center in Viridian City~
*Do we have a second in command?* Tobias asked.
*No. As I am the only Andalite present, and my opinion should be heeded, I say that Cassie should take charge. Either her or Rachel,* Ax replied.
"I think it should be Rachel," said Cassie.
"Okay. I'll take charge for today," Rachel agreed.
"Hey! Don't the rest of us get to vote?" Marco demanded.
"I think you'd be out voted anyway. After all, there's only one of you, Marco. Ax suggested me or Cassie. Cassie went for me. That's three for me," Rachel told him stastically.
"Uh, may ask if they're gonna turn back into flesh and blood?" Gary inquired.
"Yeah. They do. It happens every day. At night, they wake up," Marco quipped.
"Guys? Their Pokedexes have turned to stone as well. The weird thing is, the Pokedexes are showing the trainer ID information," Cassie said.
"That's a good thing," Rachel commented. "The bad thing is, Jake's Pokedex is currently inaccurate."
"Yeah, he doesn't look human at all," said Gary.
*Rachel? I am willing to protect the Gargoyles while someone or more than one goes to get our Pokemon,* Ax offered.
*I'll stay and help Ax,* Tobias said.
"Cool. Cass, you stay, too. Gary? Marco? You two are with me. Let's go get those Pokemon!" Rachel commanded.
"Okay!" Cassie, Marco, and Gary all said in unison.
Marco, Rachel, and Gary then went into the center. They talked to Nurse Joy for a little while to tell her what had happened. Nurse Joy went and got the Pokemon.
The Pokemon, Animorphs, and Gary protected the Gargoyles throughout the day in shifts of three humans and whatever Pokemon offered.
Finally, night fell and the Gargoyles all woke up. Including Jake!
"Jake!" Cassie cried, running straight over to him. She hugged him tightly, then stepped aside for Charmander and Houndour to show their affection.
*Easy! Don't you wanna know how it felt?* Jake asked. His reply was chorus of "yes"s.
He demorphed quickly and began to tell them. "First, I was startled by suddenly being immobile. The next thing I noticed was that I was dreaming. I was dreaming about the days before we were the Animorphs and a little bit about some of our adventures in the aftermath of meeting Elfangor. When I started to wake, the dreams broke up. I immediately felt rejuvenated! It was so weird yet so, uh, how do I describe it? So, so..."
"It felt so good?" Broadway supplied.
"So wonderful?" Angela suggested.
"Relaxing?" Lexington offered.
"Helpful?" supplied Brooklyn.
"All of the above," Jake replied. "How'd it go for the rest of you?"
"Fine, I guess. At least until we realized we'd have to protect you as well," Marco stated and winked at Jake. Jake merely chuckled at his friend.
Suddenly, there was a strange man with very slick, black hair standing near them. He was wearing a red business suit, a wry smile, and a ring with a garnet on his left ring finger. Next to him was his pampered, purring pet Persian.
"Good evening. Did you sleep well?" the man asked.
*Prince Jake! This is the man Mewtwo warned us of!* Ax warned in private thought-speak. Jake studied the man and gave a simple nod of his head.
"Would you like to come to my gym for a battle?" asked Giovanni.
"Hmm. I dunno. We may be rested," and Jake indicated himself and the Gargoyles, "but I don't think they are." He had pointed out his friends, Gary, and the various Pokemon.
"That's all right. I can wait until all of you are well rested."
"Uh, no thanks. Besides, how do we know-" Cassie broke off her statement. She'd almost said either "safe to be around" or "working for the yeerks". Cassie was at a complete loss.
*How do we know that you're not planning to take drastic measures?* Tobias asked.
"You have some powerful psychic Pokemon if they can speak," Giovanni commented. "I will harm neither you nor your Pokemon. Please, come stay a while at my gym. My employees will surely help you with anything you need."
"No," Brooklyn said flatly.
"No? I'm not sure I can take a 'no' for an answer. Besides, haven't your mothers taught you that it's-" Giovanni stopped as he realized he was talking to another "Pokemon". He gave another oily smile and continued, "rude to refuse a battle? Especially one with a gym leader?"
Jake signaled the Animorphs, Gargoyles, Gary, and all the Pokemon not in a Poke-ball into another huddle. Tobias took perch on Ax's shoulder this time. "What do you guys think? Should we give him a battle?"
"No way. Last time I battled in the Viridian Gym, I lost due to his most powerful Pokemon. I don't remember much else about it, but I remember my Pokemon were with Nurse Joy for about a week or so," Gary told them.
"I also say no. Mewtwo warned us of him. Mewtwo was right, too. He thinks we're Pokemon," Brooklyn piped up.
"Rude or not, we shouldn't go against him. It won't work out in the end. His greasy grin is evidence of that," Marco, ever the strategist, stated what he had noted.
"Any one have a reason for us to fight him?" Jake inquired.
"Nope," said Cassie.
"You gotta be kidding if you think I'm going up against him! I know, I'm one of the toughest you've ever met, but I'm not stupid!" Rachel exclaimed. Marco looked for the world like he wanted to debate Rachel's intelligence but wasn't about to get into it right then.
*I refuse to fight him, especially with the double warning we've recieved,* Tobias said and ruffled his feathers irratedly.
*I will not fight him willingly. I will only do so if you order me to, Prince Jake,* said Ax, both his eye-stalks watching Giovanni very carefully.
"Okay. We're not battling him. How are we to get away? Any ideas? He looks like a very nasty person with a lot of 'toys' at his disposal," Jake told them.
"I have an idea. You flatly refuse Giovanni, then get inside the Pokemon Center. It might be your only chance," Gary suggested.
"Okay. Any other ideas? If not, we'll go with Gary's plan," said Jake. He looked at each of his comrades, and no one offered any other ideas. "Right. Let's do this."
The huddle broke up. Jake cleared his throat. Then he said, "Though it is rude, we talked it over. We're not gonna fight you today or any other. We'll earn our badges elsewhere. No offense, Mister, but we can't condone an unwilling battle to commense."
"I. . . see. Very well, young man. I will, however, keep the hope that you will visit my gym someday." With that, Giovanni turned to leave.
*Hurry, or else he might change his mind!* Tobias warned. They all turned tail and headed back into the Pokemon Center.
What happened next is another story entirely. It and the other stories of their adventures are recorded elsewhere.
Temporarily The End.
"The Vacation: Part 4; Strangers and Dangers"
~Somewhere on the road to Viridian City~
The sun was setting. Brooklyn's Igglybuff looked frantic at its trainer who had been a statue since dawn.
"Igglyy," it said worriedly.
"Don't worry. It's only a daytime thing," Cassie reassured the Pokemon. As if that had been a cue, the stone cracked and fell off each Gargoyle.
The Gargoyles gave their customary yawn/growl. Brooklyn and the rest of the Gargoyles looked around for the Animorphs and Pokemon.
Igglybuff ran straight at Brooklyn. Brooklyn bent down and gave the little Pokemon a bear hug. "Thanks for the day watch," he told it.
Ax, who had used his Poke-morph to memorize the Pokemon language, stated calmly, *Igglybuff, Totodile, and the rest that are trained by the members of your clan have been worried. This is the first time you've had them watch you during the day.*
"Ig iggly buff," Igglybuff replied.
*It said, "you're welcome,"* Ax translated, his Andalite form having a similar ability to understand each Pokemon's words as the actual Pokemon.
Brooklyn smiled, so did the others.
"Take a rest, Totodile," Angela said and recalled her Pokemon. The other Gargoyles followed suite.
"We're about a night away from Viridian City. That's if we walk. If we fly, we'll be there in a few hours," Jake informed everyone else.
"Does that mean what I think it means?" asked Marco.
"Exactly. Animorphs! Morph to Pokemon!" instructed Jake. The Animorphs morphed quickly into Pidgeots and Charizards.
*Dude, who's gonna ride who?* Marco wanted to know.
"Well, there's four of us and six of you. One of you could demorph and ride. I would personally prefer riding a Charizard," Angela suggested.
Rachel liked the idea. She demorphed and walked over to Angela. Then Rachel said, "I get Tobias." Tobias in Charizard-morph walked over and bent down. Rachel climbed on. "This is so cool!"
*Jake? Are we clear for take off? Should we meet at the Pokemon Center?* inquired Tobias.
*Sounds good ta me. Got that? Pair up, fly to the center, and wait there for everyone else,* Jake instructed.
"You make a good commander, Jake," Brooklyn off-handedly commented.
*Thanks, I think. It comes from having fought so many yeerk-related battles. Somehow, I'd become the leader of the Animorphs,* Jake explained.
Brooklyn went over to a Pidgeot and climbed on. Angela and Broadway mounted the remaining Charizards. Lexington jumped onto the last Pidgeot. As each Gargoyle got on top of an Animorph, they took flight. While flying, the Animorphs expanded upon Jake's briefing by telling some of their stories. The tales were punctuated by both laughter and tears depending on the story or section of story.
Once everyone arrived at the Pokemon Center, the Animorphs demorphed - though they had periodically demorphed during their flights.
"Welcome to the Viridian City Pokemon Center. My cousin whom you've encountered told me all about you. I'm Nurse Joy," a nurse who looked exactly like the last one they'd met stated.
"You have the same name?" Lexington asked.
"Yep. Our family really likes the name. Since we all look alike, we were all named Joy. Officer Jenny's family has the same problem."
"Great!" the group muttered sarcastically.
In private thought-speak to only the members of their group Ax said, *At least we won't get their names wrong.* Some of the others grinned while the rest barely controlled their giggling at Ax's unintentional humor, which somehow always makes it funnier to the Animorphs.
"Will you be staying long?" Nurse Joy asked, not noticing the giggles or grins.
"Sort of. We need to spend the remainder of the night plus tomorrow here in the center at the least," Jake told Nurse Joy.
"Okay. Chansey? Please get these travelers some food. Thank you. By the way, would you like me to check on your Pokemon?" she said rapidly.
Luckily, the group understood her. They handed over their Poke-balls that had Pokemon in them.
While Nurse Joy was taking care of the Pokemon, some one else came in. He stood a little way off from the Gargoyles. On his shoulder was an Umbreon.
"Name's Gary Oak. Who are you? What sort-?" he stopped short as the Gargoyles flipped open their Pokedexes, which they aimed at Umbreon. "Never mind the second question. Just answer the first one."
Lexington glanced up from examining the Pokedex he held. He was about to comment on the coolness of this technology, but tilted his head and stated, "I'm Lexington. These are my friends: the red one's Brooklyn, the chubby one's Broadway. No offense, Broadway."
"None taken," his rookery brother replied.
Lexington continued, "The female is Angela. The bird is Tobias. Ax is the one with four legs and a lethal tail blade. The humans are Jake, Cassie, Rachel, and Marco." He had pointed out the last four as he introduced them.
"Hmph. I'd ask for a Pokemon battle, but Nurse Joy just took yours away," Gary said politely.
Jake called the Animorphs into a tight huddle. Tobias perched on Rachel's shoulder.
"Since he wants a battle, do we want to have two of us morph and give him one?" Jake asked.
*If we did, who'd fight?* Tobias countered.
"ME!" Rachel cried out after Tobias had voiced his question.
"Why am I not surprised?" Marco more stated than asked with a glance at Rachel.
*If Rachel's in, then I'm in,* quipped Tobias.
"All right. Now I'd like to ask for a volunteer for 'director' of the battle," Jake said.
*How 'bout Ax? If he'd be so obliging?* Tobias suggested, laying his hawk eyes on "uncle".
*I will if Prince Jake tells me to. You know I would, Tobias,* said Ax in an oddly hopeful tone and one eye-stalk pointed at Jake.
"Then it's settled. Okay, here's my plan. I'll morph to Gargoyle so I can keep in touch through thought speak. Rachel and Tobias will morph to Pokemon and Ax will act as their 'trainer.' Cassie and Marco will stand near the other Gargoyles during the battle. We'll tell Gary that it'll be a two on two match. Ax, tell the Gargoyles the whole plan. Animorphs, go for it!" Jake instructed. The others followed through with his orders while Jake morphed to Gargoyle.
"This should prove interesting," Brooklyn commented after he and the rest of the clan present received Ax's message.
"No way!" Gary exclaimed with surprise as he watched three of the Animorphs shift into a Gargoyle, a Pidgeot, and a Charizard. He and his Umbreon stepped back to give the Animorphs a little more space.
*Would you still like that battle?* Ax inquired.
"You got it! We'll have to have it outside, though. Nurse Joy wouldn't enjoy a battle in her center. Trust me on that," Gary stated. Everyone moved outside.
Chansey brought out the food, which only Broadway seemed to notice and partake of.
"I take it that this will be a two on two?" inquired Gary.
*Yes,* Ax replied.
"Then go, Umbreon!" Gary called out.
"Ummmbraaa on!" the Pokemon replied as it jumped to the makeshift battle field.
*Tobias, go!* ordered Ax. With a roar, Tobias complied.
"Careful, guys!" Angela called. She had shown the information from the Pokedex to Jake and both were now worried.
Ax's team was working just as hard as Gary's - Gary's second Pokemon being an Arcanine. However, they were nearing the time limit of the morphs!
*Rachel! Use a Gust attack to finish the fight! Then I want you and Tobias to demorph!* Jake instructed through private thought-speak to Rachel and Ax. He had already demorphed to human and remorphed Gargoyle ten minutes ago. Ax repeated the command for a gust attack for Gary's benefit.
Rachel called out with the Pidgeot's voice as she caused a Tornado-force wind from the Gust attack. Gary's Arcanine was knocked flat! Umbreon and Tobias were suddenly at it again before Jake or Ax could order Tobias to do anything else.
*Tobias! Hurry! You've got only fifteen minutes left. Use Seismic Toss to finish this!* Jake ordered through private thought-speak, which Ax again edited for Gary's benefit.
Tobias roared mightily as he charged the Umbreon. The Umbreon gave a sort of squawk of surprise. Tobias would have missed picking it up, too, if he hadn't had so much practice hunting things smaller than himself for food as a hawk.
*Demorph or be a nothlit! For a second time!* ordered Jake worriedly. Tobias complied and was soon a hawk again.
Unfortunately, all the Gargoyles had been thoroughly distracted by the battle. The sun came up and they all turned to stone!
~Commercial Break~
~Back at the Eyrie Building on the first night Alex had been back with out either one of the trio, an Animorph, or Angela~
"Alex? Where are the trio, Animoprhs, and Angela?" Fox asked her baby. Alex merely shrugged and fell asleep in his mother's arms.
"This creates a minor problem," Xanatos said in a business-like fashion and calmness. "Owen, contact Rachel's mother. Tell her that the vacation may last longer than originally planned and not to send them more money until further notice."
"Yes, sir," Owen replied stiffly. He then followed through with Xanatos's commands. "Hello. This is Owen Burnett of Xanatos Enterprises," he announced as someone answered the phone.
"Hi. I'm Naomi. What can I do for Xanatos Enterprises?" Rachel's mother replied in a business manner.
"I'm afraid you'll have to prepare yourself for a shock. Mr. Xanatos's son, Alexander Xanatos, has transported your daughter, your nephew, their friends, and some associates of Mr. Xanatos elsewhere. We are uncertain as to where they were transported. That will have to await Young Alexander waking back up," Owen told Naomi.
"Whoa. Rewind. Are you telling me that after my daughter and her friends have finally defeated a nasty alien race, they've all vanished?" Naomi asked with panic leaking into her voice.
"That's one way to put it. Do not worry, ma'am. I am quite certain we can get them all back."
"Certain? As in there is a tiny bit of doubt?"
"You are correct again." Owen displayed one of his rare smiles, this one being slightly smug.
Naomi wiped a bit of hair out of her worried face and continued, "Okay. When will they be back?"
"We do not know."
"You sound like an Andalite or two that I've met," she muttered.
"What was that?"
"Nothing. Please, tell me what you do know."
"We know that Alex was the last person to see the group. We also know that he is an infant that tires readily after an adventure has taken place. It will take time to determine what he knows. Mr. Xanatos wishes you not to send any more funding for the vacation until further notice.
"Alright. I expect to hear from you the instant my child is back! If not, I might try holding Mr. Xanatos responsible and have a court hearing. I was a lawyer and could easily get the job back," Naomi threatened.
"Understood. I will inform Mr. Xanatos of your cooperation."
"Thank you. Good-bye," Naomi finished.
"Have a nice day," Owen stated. Then they both hung up. "Mr. Xanatos? Rachel's mother says that we are going to have to tell her the instant her daughter and friends reappear. She gave the threat of a lawsuit if we do not comply."
"Very well, Owen. Thank you. I hope we get this resolved soon. Perhaps we should send for all the Animorphs' relatives to come spend the rest of the time here at the Eyrie. Yes, I think that will work quite nicely."
"Yes, sir."
"Owen? May I ask a small favor?" Fox asked.
"Yes," he replied.
"Will you see if you can contact my mother? I'd appreciate it if she were here to help with Alex."
"I can try, Mrs. Xanatos, but I cannot guarantee anything."
"Thank you, Owen."
Owen then went about arranging for the guests and contacting Queen Titania.
~Commercial Break~
~Outside the Pokemon Center in Viridian City~
*Do we have a second in command?* Tobias asked.
*No. As I am the only Andalite present, and my opinion should be heeded, I say that Cassie should take charge. Either her or Rachel,* Ax replied.
"I think it should be Rachel," said Cassie.
"Okay. I'll take charge for today," Rachel agreed.
"Hey! Don't the rest of us get to vote?" Marco demanded.
"I think you'd be out voted anyway. After all, there's only one of you, Marco. Ax suggested me or Cassie. Cassie went for me. That's three for me," Rachel told him stastically.
"Uh, may ask if they're gonna turn back into flesh and blood?" Gary inquired.
"Yeah. They do. It happens every day. At night, they wake up," Marco quipped.
"Guys? Their Pokedexes have turned to stone as well. The weird thing is, the Pokedexes are showing the trainer ID information," Cassie said.
"That's a good thing," Rachel commented. "The bad thing is, Jake's Pokedex is currently inaccurate."
"Yeah, he doesn't look human at all," said Gary.
*Rachel? I am willing to protect the Gargoyles while someone or more than one goes to get our Pokemon,* Ax offered.
*I'll stay and help Ax,* Tobias said.
"Cool. Cass, you stay, too. Gary? Marco? You two are with me. Let's go get those Pokemon!" Rachel commanded.
"Okay!" Cassie, Marco, and Gary all said in unison.
Marco, Rachel, and Gary then went into the center. They talked to Nurse Joy for a little while to tell her what had happened. Nurse Joy went and got the Pokemon.
The Pokemon, Animorphs, and Gary protected the Gargoyles throughout the day in shifts of three humans and whatever Pokemon offered.
Finally, night fell and the Gargoyles all woke up. Including Jake!
"Jake!" Cassie cried, running straight over to him. She hugged him tightly, then stepped aside for Charmander and Houndour to show their affection.
*Easy! Don't you wanna know how it felt?* Jake asked. His reply was chorus of "yes"s.
He demorphed quickly and began to tell them. "First, I was startled by suddenly being immobile. The next thing I noticed was that I was dreaming. I was dreaming about the days before we were the Animorphs and a little bit about some of our adventures in the aftermath of meeting Elfangor. When I started to wake, the dreams broke up. I immediately felt rejuvenated! It was so weird yet so, uh, how do I describe it? So, so..."
"It felt so good?" Broadway supplied.
"So wonderful?" Angela suggested.
"Relaxing?" Lexington offered.
"Helpful?" supplied Brooklyn.
"All of the above," Jake replied. "How'd it go for the rest of you?"
"Fine, I guess. At least until we realized we'd have to protect you as well," Marco stated and winked at Jake. Jake merely chuckled at his friend.
Suddenly, there was a strange man with very slick, black hair standing near them. He was wearing a red business suit, a wry smile, and a ring with a garnet on his left ring finger. Next to him was his pampered, purring pet Persian.
"Good evening. Did you sleep well?" the man asked.
*Prince Jake! This is the man Mewtwo warned us of!* Ax warned in private thought-speak. Jake studied the man and gave a simple nod of his head.
"Would you like to come to my gym for a battle?" asked Giovanni.
"Hmm. I dunno. We may be rested," and Jake indicated himself and the Gargoyles, "but I don't think they are." He had pointed out his friends, Gary, and the various Pokemon.
"That's all right. I can wait until all of you are well rested."
"Uh, no thanks. Besides, how do we know-" Cassie broke off her statement. She'd almost said either "safe to be around" or "working for the yeerks". Cassie was at a complete loss.
*How do we know that you're not planning to take drastic measures?* Tobias asked.
"You have some powerful psychic Pokemon if they can speak," Giovanni commented. "I will harm neither you nor your Pokemon. Please, come stay a while at my gym. My employees will surely help you with anything you need."
"No," Brooklyn said flatly.
"No? I'm not sure I can take a 'no' for an answer. Besides, haven't your mothers taught you that it's-" Giovanni stopped as he realized he was talking to another "Pokemon". He gave another oily smile and continued, "rude to refuse a battle? Especially one with a gym leader?"
Jake signaled the Animorphs, Gargoyles, Gary, and all the Pokemon not in a Poke-ball into another huddle. Tobias took perch on Ax's shoulder this time. "What do you guys think? Should we give him a battle?"
"No way. Last time I battled in the Viridian Gym, I lost due to his most powerful Pokemon. I don't remember much else about it, but I remember my Pokemon were with Nurse Joy for about a week or so," Gary told them.
"I also say no. Mewtwo warned us of him. Mewtwo was right, too. He thinks we're Pokemon," Brooklyn piped up.
"Rude or not, we shouldn't go against him. It won't work out in the end. His greasy grin is evidence of that," Marco, ever the strategist, stated what he had noted.
"Any one have a reason for us to fight him?" Jake inquired.
"Nope," said Cassie.
"You gotta be kidding if you think I'm going up against him! I know, I'm one of the toughest you've ever met, but I'm not stupid!" Rachel exclaimed. Marco looked for the world like he wanted to debate Rachel's intelligence but wasn't about to get into it right then.
*I refuse to fight him, especially with the double warning we've recieved,* Tobias said and ruffled his feathers irratedly.
*I will not fight him willingly. I will only do so if you order me to, Prince Jake,* said Ax, both his eye-stalks watching Giovanni very carefully.
"Okay. We're not battling him. How are we to get away? Any ideas? He looks like a very nasty person with a lot of 'toys' at his disposal," Jake told them.
"I have an idea. You flatly refuse Giovanni, then get inside the Pokemon Center. It might be your only chance," Gary suggested.
"Okay. Any other ideas? If not, we'll go with Gary's plan," said Jake. He looked at each of his comrades, and no one offered any other ideas. "Right. Let's do this."
The huddle broke up. Jake cleared his throat. Then he said, "Though it is rude, we talked it over. We're not gonna fight you today or any other. We'll earn our badges elsewhere. No offense, Mister, but we can't condone an unwilling battle to commense."
"I. . . see. Very well, young man. I will, however, keep the hope that you will visit my gym someday." With that, Giovanni turned to leave.
*Hurry, or else he might change his mind!* Tobias warned. They all turned tail and headed back into the Pokemon Center.
What happened next is another story entirely. It and the other stories of their adventures are recorded elsewhere.
Temporarily The End.