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PATHS OF FATE
Book One:
Resurrection
2.
Arbron opened his eyes, and found himself in a strange place. He was in a place that was completely white, and it felt almost as if he were floating. He flexed his Andalite tail out of reflex and…
Ahhhhhhhh! he cried out in alarm. He was back in his Andalite body! He looked around sharply with all four of his eyes, suspicious of whatever had just performed this incredible feat.
ARBRON-SHAMTUL-GAHAR, DO NOT BE ALAMRMED.
A huge voice filled Arbron's head. It came from everywhere at once, from above him, below him, beside him. And it almost seemed to also be coming from inside him. That was a very unsettling thought.
Who, no WHAT are you?! Arbron yelled, half in frustration, and half in fright. But Arbron had no idea why this great voice scared him so much. After all, he had survived over fifteen years as a Taxxon nothlit, and that was far from a pleasant experience. He had seen many horrible, horrible things in his time as the leader of the Taxxon Rebellion, and the amount of times that he had knocked at Death's door scared him. And yet, no matter how many times he had almost died, Arbron always managed to survive. It was almost as if he was someone's puppet, or a pawn in some great game. Whenever he thought of that, he always remembered the stories that his parents used to tell him about Ellimists…
Quite suddenly, a door appeared out of nowhere, the air simply opened up and what looked like an old Andalite male, stepped out. His eyes were jet-black, almost like black holes, and it was almost as if there were stars in them.
Hello, Warrior Arbron. the old Andalite male said.
Arbron narrowed his main eyes, keeping his stalk eyes facing in opposite directions, scanning. It surprised him that, even after years trapped as a Taxxon, he still retained that one habit.
There are very few things in this universe that can kill an instinct such as watchfulness. the old Andalite said to Arbron, smirking.
Arbron hated being smirked at like that. Particularly by someone he didn't know like this…whatever he was. You didn't answer my question, Arbron snapped. What are you?!
The old Andalite smirked again. You ask what I am, and not who. he replied. You have the same insightfulness as your friend, War-Prince Elfangor-Sirinial-Shamtul.
Arbron blanched. War-Prince Elfangor-Sirinial-Shamtul? he asked. Well, at least he became the hero we both always wanted to be.
At this, the strange Andalite's smirk fell away. What was left was a look of utter defeat. He did, just as you once did. But I'm afraid that once you both became one, it ripped you both away from any kind of real happiness you might have achieved.
What do you mean? Arbron said suspiciously.
I'm afraid that I've messed up both of your timelines. the other Andalite replied.
Arbron was getting angry now. All his time as a Taxxon had not exactly given him patience. And he hated being jerked around like a puppet on a set of strings. And Arbron suspected that the "Andalite" he was talking to right now was the long-anonymous puppet master. And the "Andalite" still hadn't answered his question! What the hell was this guy? And what did he want.
Call me a messenger. the Andalite suddenly said.
Arbron started. This guy can read my thoughts? he said to himself.
The "Andalite" smirked again. Yes, I suppose you could call it a talent.
I'd call it an invasion of privacy! Arbron snarled angrily. This…whatever it was…was making Arbron very uncomfortable.
The "Andalite" simply laughed. Then he turned sombre. Arbron, what is the last thing you remember, before I brought you here? he asked.
Arbron was about to say something sarcastic, when he remembered what had happened. The last thing he remembered was…
I was killed…by some human hunter, I think. Arbron said slowly, trying to absorb everything. I was living in the rainforest with the Taxxons – the ones who had gained the morphing power at the end of the war – and some human hunter managed to get past the blockade the humans had set up, which was almost impossible to get through, and the hunter shot me. I heard a bang, and then it faded to blackness. Arbron looked up at the old Andalite. And then I was here.
I have a proposition for you, Arbron. the "Andalite" said, cutting in before Arbron could say anything more – or ask any questions.
A…proposition? Arbron said suspiciously, still not trusting the strange "Andalite" in front of him.
Yes, I believe it is one that will interest you.
Really. Arbron said, not really believing.
You shall live. the "Andalite" said cryptically.
As a Taxxon? Arbron snapped. He was fine with being a Taxxon, but if he had to live as a Taxxon for any longer, he was going to kill himself. No thanks, but I'd rather be dead.
The old Andalite laughed. No, as an Andalite. he replied.
Arbron's eyes widened. Really?
Yes, really. You will be Andalite. For a while, anyway… the "Andalite thought to himself. But, it'll all work out for the best.
And never become a Taxxon? Arbron asked.
Never to become a Taxxon. Ever.
What's the catch? Arbron asked suspiciously.
The "Andalite" smiled to himself. Still suspicious as ever, Arbron. You never did take anything for granted. He mused. There isn't a catch. the "Andalite" said. Not unless you call having your memory of this timeline erased a catch.
Arbron thought about that. Well, he didn't really care. He didn't really care if all his memories of his time as a Taxxon were erased. Really, he wanted them erased.
Good, the "Andalite" said, reading Arbron's thoughts again, once again making Arbron very uncomfortable.
Will I remember this encounter with you? Arbron asked.
Only as if it were a dream. the "Andalite" said.
Some dream. Arbron snorted. More like my worst nightmare.
The "Andalite" simply laughed. At least he still has a sense of humour, he told himself.
Are you ready? the "Andalite" asked Arbron.
Arbron took a deep breath, wondering why he was so nervous. This time around, it'll all turn out for the best, he told himself firmly. He raised his head to look at the "Andalite". Yes, I'm ready.
The "Andalite" smiled and nodded. Very well. he said, pleased that this was going so well. Yes, this time, everything will go perfectly. he thought to himself. It was a pleasing thought. Goodbye, Arbron, and good luck. the "Andalite" said.
Arbron said, Wait! Where will I end up now? What year will I…
But he was already gone, and the "Andalite" disappeared, smiling to himself.
3.
Wait! Where will I end up now? What year will I…
Arbron! I'm so glad I found you! What happened to you? I lost you and Alloran in the Taxxon feeding frenzy. Arbron turned to see Elfangor-Sirinial-Shamtul facing him. Arbron looked at him through the shattered compound eyes of a Taxxon…
A Taxxon?
NOOOOOO! Arbron screamed, directing his thought-speak to the old Andalite he had spoken to earlier. You tricked me!
Suddenly, the world around Arbron froze. Everyone and everything – including Elfangor – was frozen. Arbron sensed that time itself was frozen. The old Andalite whom Arbron had spoken to earlier appeared.
Demorph, Arbron. The "Andalite" said. Demorph, and you will forget everything.
Demorph…and forget everything? Arbron asked slowly.
Yes. Demorph…but hurry, your time is almost up… the voice faded away, and time started again.
Are you all right? Elfangor asked.
Elfangor, is that you? Arbron asked.
Yes, it's me. Now come on, demorph. We have to find Alloran, the humans, and the Time Matrix, and then get off this planet. Elfangor replied.
Arbron, remembering what the old Andalite had said, immediately started to demorph, feeling a powerful joy overcome him as he resumed his Andalite form. He tested his stalk-eyes and flexed his tail. This really is happening! Arbron said joyfully. I really am… suddenly, he lost all track of what he was saying. It was as if he couldn't remember a thing. He looked over at his companion – Elfangor – who he noticed looked like him, and then Arbron suddenly remembered who he was: aristh Arbron-Shamtul-Gahar, and he was on the Taxxon Homeworld with War-Prince Alloran-Semitur-Corass the disgraced. They were on a mission to retrieve the Time Matrix from a Skirt Na ship, and then fly away with it to make sure it didn't fall into Yeerk hands. And they had the two humans – Loren and Chapman – to take care of.
Two humans? What was he thinking? There were three. God, am I going insane? Arbron asked himself. First I suddenly forget everything I've ever known for about half a minute, and then I forget that we have three humans to take care of? Besides, how could I forget Maria…? Arbron blushed furiously at the last thought. He didn't know exactly why he was attracted to her so much.
Watching from above, the old "Andalite" smiled. Arbron might not know it yet, but together, he and Maria would achieve great things.
Very great things.
The "Andalite" disappeared, calling the other saviour to him.
TO BE CONTINUED…
Author's Note: what do you guys think? Did you like that chapter? Should I still continue? Please R&R! and send any other feedback to nova_mist@yahoo.com Thanks!
