( Yay! I actually got more reviews. Review + story = happy Claire chan.
Happy Claire = more writing. Tee hee!)
Note: If you didn't figure out yet why Visser Three wanted to capture Melissa , you will in this chapter. It kinda rough , but I've read worse. And the Peace Movement Yeerks are mentioned again. So very obviously they're in this story. And Reubren will give you more insights on himself , and how the Mendelites came to know the animorphs. )
Jinako-chan: *gives box of advil for spinning head* I agree with you. The capture part was not cute. I almost scared myself when I wrote it. (laughs) But this is a long story so far. I needed a conflict to keep it interesting.
Briana luvsfutballhead: * hugs the new person with excitement* Yay! Thanx for the review. I am aware of Melissa's age. But I am fan from waaaaaayyyy back , so I didn't know this when I made my characters. To be honest I was really not happy with the last animorph book. I really hated it , sorry. Everyone except Marco and Cassie ended up badly. And allot of things were left unexplained. Like what happened to the Peace Movement? And everyone either died or ended up messed up. I mean I liked Alloran getting saved but that was about it. And I waited practically the whole series to see Rachel and Tobias together at the end or Tom freed , so it was kinda disappointing for me. If only one had died , but come on why both? I guess I'm a romantic , I dunno.
Anifan1: Another new person! YEEESSS! I may well try your idea.
Melissa:
I woke up in a cell. It was dimly lit. My head was throbbing painfully. Bleeding.
The evil jerk had hit me. I'd hoped he'd killed me. I didn't want to live if Reubren was gone forever.
Tears of grief began to well up in my eyes. I fought them , and squeezed my eyes shut. I would not let them see me cry. I'd be strong like Reubren was.
I sat up. My eyes wouldn't focus , but I heard him. Tap , tap , tap. He was circling me. I tried to look around.
Don't even think you can find a way out , human. he sneered. These are my personal holding cells designed specially for andalite prisoners. They are not easy to escape from.
He paused , and stood still. But my vision was still hazy.
Especially not a weak creature such as yourself.
I refused to speak or even acknowledge the insult.
Nothing to say , human fool? Is it beginning to dawn on you that you have no hope left? No Andalite to save you? he taunted.
My fists clenched , and I gritted my teeth , dying to leap and destroy. But I couldn't see straight much less try to kill him.
I guess he noticed my reaction . He let out a cold laugh. He knew he'd struck me where it hurt.
My hand drifted towards my cheek. My last memory of Reubren was being torn away as I fought to shield him. He touched my face , caressed with the palm of his hand. A very pleasurable sensation had run through me.
Get your mind off of the Andalite scum! Visser Three's hateful voice cut through my thoughts. He whipped his tail forward and aimed it at my head. He's gone. You will not see him again. But you will see allot of me , and I suggest you not let your mind wonder while I question you.
I seriously considered telling him who the true scum was. But there was a question that kept nagging me.
" Why the interrogation?" I asked , curiosity outmatching caution. "You could save time by putting a Yeerk in my head , couldn't you? You yourself could have infested me."
It wasn't smart. I know. But it was killing me not to know why he hadn't just done it the easy way , I mean wouldn't you?
As my eyes finally began to focus , I saw those stolen Andalite eyes smirk. I wanted the pleasure of seeing your shame after your own betrayals. And revenge is sweet.
I laughed. " What? I damaged you in the eyes of your precious council? Betrayal my arse. That'll never happen. I'll never lead you to my friends. I'd die first."
He blinked his large Andalite eyes in surprise. Actually the names and whereabouts of your friends were an afterthought. I know who most of them are already. he sounded amused. I do thank you for reminding me though. I nearly forgot.
" You would go after good people you piece of crap!" I said harshly.
His tail flat connected with my jaw before I knew it had happened. I slammed hard onto my back , sending a jolt of pain up my body. The breath was knocked out me. I shakily tried to pull myself up.
Silence! I do the talking!
I glared at him.
Now tell me: what are the names of those sentimental , incompetents in the stupid. he paused as though trying to get out something particularly embarrassing or disgusting out. The so called Peace Movement.
I stared. " Huh?"
Oooh yeah, them. Now I remembered. Cassie and M.C. said something about that. But it was so unexpected.
" I really don't know what you're going on about."
I see. Perhaps I can jar your memory.
Slash!
His tail cut a deep gash in my arm. Then the blade pressed against my throat.
I whimpered , trying not to cry out in pain. I barely suppressed it.
I was beginning to feel afraid. I knew about the Peace Movement of course. But I didn't know any names. I never met any of them. M.C. told me about Shaiel , but Visser Three knew about him. It didn't matter. I wouldn't have told even if I knew.
But even if I could convince him I didn't know anything , things still looked bleak for me. Maybe I could live a while longer if he thought I knew something. Not that I really cared at the moment. But anything to postpone him making me a controller.
" Even if I knew something , you think I'd tell you?" I said carefully choosing my words.
His tail moved. I closed my eyes , ready to accept my death with grace. But he didn't kill me.
Instead he began slowly cutting a vertical wound down my throat so that I practically felt the skin being ripped open.
I cried out. My eyes watered.
You will tell me , if you want to save yourself from having me torture it out of you. he replied confidently , his eyes narrowed slits. I know you know something. he continued persuasively. They would not contact Andalites , but the humans they are going so far out of their way to make peace with.
" But.I don't.I can't tell you anything." I said pitifully. I was in pain. It was useless to hide it.
Ah , but you can. He began cutting an even deeper slash down my leg. Then he traced the blade back through the same wound in jerking , stabbing movements.
" AHHHH!" I screamed. I fell to my knees.
Who are they?! he yelled. I'm losing patience!
No answer from me. Fwaap!
He slammed me against the wall.
" I don't know , okay?!" I shouted , as I fell on my face.
There was a long silence. He stared at me for a while. A piercing , penetrating look. I just lay there and breathed. Would he believe me?
I see you want to be stubborn. Fine human , I'll play that game. I need the entertainment.
He jerked his hand in a signal , and four Hork-Bajir loomed out of the darkness,
This human is yours. Cause her pain , but keep her alive. Then he laughed as my motionless form gave a shudder. Laughed at me. Just scream for me when they get too rough and you feel like talking. .though you're likely to end up screaming anyway.
Reubren
The sterile smell of the room wafted through my nostrils as my eyes slid open.
" He's in good hands , Sabrina. Calm down." said Erek.
So like Sabrina. She had acted so calm before. But now that she had gotten me here she was worried. Act first , worry later. She's one of those people who would go around saving everyone if she could.
" Do you want Jake and the others to be here?" Erek asked.
Fenom answered. " No , it's in the middle of the night. Let them have one decent night of sleep. They work hard enough. If we tell them at all let's wait until morning."
Sabrina considered. " Yeah. One of ours was taken tonight. So we will get them back."
" Give them a vacation. You know Marco's just gonna complain." Eustace said.
" And you with him , right? " M.C. teased.
I do not want to go home just yet. Aximili stated. I do not believe I will be able to sleep after this.
I almost smiled. Aximili and I were not close. Yet he cared. I was touched.
Don't want to be the only Andalite , again huh? I teased weakly , knowing he'd take me seriously.
He jumped. No! It's not that-
It's okay. I was joking. I laughed.
He used to get so upset when I even insinuated he'd do something outside of what was his duty. But I guess being with the animorphs mellowed him out. Our relationship isn't shorm material. His shorm is Tobias , his own nephew.
I would have liked to known Elfangor. I could have asked him what to do about my predicament with Melissa. We would have to go open with it sooner or later. But I don't think he told anyone on the andalite home world about Loren , I mean , his own brother recently found out.
I could have asked what made him choose a female that was not from his species. How he made the decision to stay by her side. Obviously he loved her and I knew I loved Melissa , but it would be nice to talk about it with someone who knew.
In school I was always taught not to be open with other species. I was told about Prince Seerow.
Poor guy. I sympathized.
P- oor - what?! the teacher practically screeched. He shouldn't have been so stupid!
Anyone could have made that mistake. I said. Prince Alloran was worse anyway. I mean , destroying half a race , THAT'S stupid.
I may as well have not had an opinion. I got punished. I believe you call it detention.
It was no better in the military.
Aristh Reubren-Ashul-Tarien! Stop drawing rude pictures of Instructor Sofor and pay attention! A warrior must be alert and serious at all times!
Serious? What was the fun in that? I put away my glowering , scar faced , picture of Sofor with his little ishmar blade ( similar to what you call a butter knife.) He had an expression like he had drank too many of those human beverages containing alchohol. He had a big word cloud over his head saying: Blah blah blah blah blah blah.
Unfortunately Sofor saw it before I put it away. My hearts turned to ice and I froze.
A very ugly , horrible silence. Then he gave a noise like dying Kaftid bird.
I figured I'd better start running while I was ahead.
REUBREEEEEEEEEEEEENNNNNNN! GET YOUR INSUBORDINATE , DISRESPECTUL TAIL BACK HERE AND RECEIVE YOUR PUNISHMENT!!!!
I had a large patch of my fur removed from my back. Unschweet. By law he wasn't allowed to hit me. Luckily too. Because I would have ended up with more than a scar.
I remembered the day I was taken at outpost. My fur was just growing back. And then the blade ship. Then Melissa , then meeting the Mendelites.
They told me their story. They were taken out of school one day as I mentioned. They were put onto two ships. They were headed to Earth with their warriors. And at the same time they were training the younger cadets like Sabrina and her group. Yeerk intelligence agents found out somehow. We underestimated them. Visser Three had a small fleet waiting for them. The Mendelites are advanced , but I doubt even we could have fought off a whole fleet with two fighters and a single War ship.
They had escape pods luckily. The younger ones were forced to escape. They crash landed their small ship on a strange planet. They'd made it to Earth. They built their home in the trees , it being a first priority. They needed a place to stay if they were going to do anything. Then one day they saw Aximli feeding.
They knew him already , and he knew them. He had run into Sabrina on their own ship when they were having ..oh what you'd call mingling I guess. If we were going to work together , we may as well socialize. But the Dome Ship went ahead of theirs. They were supposed to meet it. But they found Yeerks waiting for them instead.
So they met the humans: Jake , Rachel , Cassie , Marco , and Tobias. They were thrilled to see that they were not alone in their fight on Earth. And the animorphs could help them act like and dress like humans. I have to say I am envious. It was not hard for them , and they could stay in their own forms.
Later on though , Chapman , the infested assistant principle realized that their identities were counterfeit. He knew of Mendelites of course , and began to suspect who they were.
One day , when they had a meeting with the animorphs , a controller was sent to follow them. They had not had even yet there first battle. And over the months they had healed from the shock of losing well over 300 of their people. They got careless.
It was discovered that the animorphs were in fact human , and that Sabrina , Lavender , Eustace , M.C. , Madison , Darien , Fenom , and Austin were .not exactly human.
But the Mendelites have some blackmail hanging over Visser Three's head , that not even I know about. Something they found out when they first brought to the Blade Ship. A promise is a promise I suppose , and sense Visser Three did not harm any of the animorph's families , they did not disclose it.
He has of course caused trouble for them on the side. And I truly feel sorry for Jake , having to live with a controller. Much less his poor brother being a host. I could not imagine Epsen being a host. Or my father.
Erek walked up to me. He stuck a needle in my arm , and I sank into dreams of happier times when I was not fatally injured , my mother and Epsen were alive , and Melissa was with me.
( Sorry. I know this chapter was short. In the next one I will add a new POV probably Toms , now that I'm brain storming. It seems Reubren liked to goof off in school as do all of us. Expect updates to usually be on week ends. If next week you don't hear from me , it will probably be because I have a crummy progress report and I'm punished. Please pray that I'm not!)
Note: If you didn't figure out yet why Visser Three wanted to capture Melissa , you will in this chapter. It kinda rough , but I've read worse. And the Peace Movement Yeerks are mentioned again. So very obviously they're in this story. And Reubren will give you more insights on himself , and how the Mendelites came to know the animorphs. )
Jinako-chan: *gives box of advil for spinning head* I agree with you. The capture part was not cute. I almost scared myself when I wrote it. (laughs) But this is a long story so far. I needed a conflict to keep it interesting.
Briana luvsfutballhead: * hugs the new person with excitement* Yay! Thanx for the review. I am aware of Melissa's age. But I am fan from waaaaaayyyy back , so I didn't know this when I made my characters. To be honest I was really not happy with the last animorph book. I really hated it , sorry. Everyone except Marco and Cassie ended up badly. And allot of things were left unexplained. Like what happened to the Peace Movement? And everyone either died or ended up messed up. I mean I liked Alloran getting saved but that was about it. And I waited practically the whole series to see Rachel and Tobias together at the end or Tom freed , so it was kinda disappointing for me. If only one had died , but come on why both? I guess I'm a romantic , I dunno.
Anifan1: Another new person! YEEESSS! I may well try your idea.
Melissa:
I woke up in a cell. It was dimly lit. My head was throbbing painfully. Bleeding.
The evil jerk had hit me. I'd hoped he'd killed me. I didn't want to live if Reubren was gone forever.
Tears of grief began to well up in my eyes. I fought them , and squeezed my eyes shut. I would not let them see me cry. I'd be strong like Reubren was.
I sat up. My eyes wouldn't focus , but I heard him. Tap , tap , tap. He was circling me. I tried to look around.
Don't even think you can find a way out , human. he sneered. These are my personal holding cells designed specially for andalite prisoners. They are not easy to escape from.
He paused , and stood still. But my vision was still hazy.
Especially not a weak creature such as yourself.
I refused to speak or even acknowledge the insult.
Nothing to say , human fool? Is it beginning to dawn on you that you have no hope left? No Andalite to save you? he taunted.
My fists clenched , and I gritted my teeth , dying to leap and destroy. But I couldn't see straight much less try to kill him.
I guess he noticed my reaction . He let out a cold laugh. He knew he'd struck me where it hurt.
My hand drifted towards my cheek. My last memory of Reubren was being torn away as I fought to shield him. He touched my face , caressed with the palm of his hand. A very pleasurable sensation had run through me.
Get your mind off of the Andalite scum! Visser Three's hateful voice cut through my thoughts. He whipped his tail forward and aimed it at my head. He's gone. You will not see him again. But you will see allot of me , and I suggest you not let your mind wonder while I question you.
I seriously considered telling him who the true scum was. But there was a question that kept nagging me.
" Why the interrogation?" I asked , curiosity outmatching caution. "You could save time by putting a Yeerk in my head , couldn't you? You yourself could have infested me."
It wasn't smart. I know. But it was killing me not to know why he hadn't just done it the easy way , I mean wouldn't you?
As my eyes finally began to focus , I saw those stolen Andalite eyes smirk. I wanted the pleasure of seeing your shame after your own betrayals. And revenge is sweet.
I laughed. " What? I damaged you in the eyes of your precious council? Betrayal my arse. That'll never happen. I'll never lead you to my friends. I'd die first."
He blinked his large Andalite eyes in surprise. Actually the names and whereabouts of your friends were an afterthought. I know who most of them are already. he sounded amused. I do thank you for reminding me though. I nearly forgot.
" You would go after good people you piece of crap!" I said harshly.
His tail flat connected with my jaw before I knew it had happened. I slammed hard onto my back , sending a jolt of pain up my body. The breath was knocked out me. I shakily tried to pull myself up.
Silence! I do the talking!
I glared at him.
Now tell me: what are the names of those sentimental , incompetents in the stupid. he paused as though trying to get out something particularly embarrassing or disgusting out. The so called Peace Movement.
I stared. " Huh?"
Oooh yeah, them. Now I remembered. Cassie and M.C. said something about that. But it was so unexpected.
" I really don't know what you're going on about."
I see. Perhaps I can jar your memory.
Slash!
His tail cut a deep gash in my arm. Then the blade pressed against my throat.
I whimpered , trying not to cry out in pain. I barely suppressed it.
I was beginning to feel afraid. I knew about the Peace Movement of course. But I didn't know any names. I never met any of them. M.C. told me about Shaiel , but Visser Three knew about him. It didn't matter. I wouldn't have told even if I knew.
But even if I could convince him I didn't know anything , things still looked bleak for me. Maybe I could live a while longer if he thought I knew something. Not that I really cared at the moment. But anything to postpone him making me a controller.
" Even if I knew something , you think I'd tell you?" I said carefully choosing my words.
His tail moved. I closed my eyes , ready to accept my death with grace. But he didn't kill me.
Instead he began slowly cutting a vertical wound down my throat so that I practically felt the skin being ripped open.
I cried out. My eyes watered.
You will tell me , if you want to save yourself from having me torture it out of you. he replied confidently , his eyes narrowed slits. I know you know something. he continued persuasively. They would not contact Andalites , but the humans they are going so far out of their way to make peace with.
" But.I don't.I can't tell you anything." I said pitifully. I was in pain. It was useless to hide it.
Ah , but you can. He began cutting an even deeper slash down my leg. Then he traced the blade back through the same wound in jerking , stabbing movements.
" AHHHH!" I screamed. I fell to my knees.
Who are they?! he yelled. I'm losing patience!
No answer from me. Fwaap!
He slammed me against the wall.
" I don't know , okay?!" I shouted , as I fell on my face.
There was a long silence. He stared at me for a while. A piercing , penetrating look. I just lay there and breathed. Would he believe me?
I see you want to be stubborn. Fine human , I'll play that game. I need the entertainment.
He jerked his hand in a signal , and four Hork-Bajir loomed out of the darkness,
This human is yours. Cause her pain , but keep her alive. Then he laughed as my motionless form gave a shudder. Laughed at me. Just scream for me when they get too rough and you feel like talking. .though you're likely to end up screaming anyway.
Reubren
The sterile smell of the room wafted through my nostrils as my eyes slid open.
" He's in good hands , Sabrina. Calm down." said Erek.
So like Sabrina. She had acted so calm before. But now that she had gotten me here she was worried. Act first , worry later. She's one of those people who would go around saving everyone if she could.
" Do you want Jake and the others to be here?" Erek asked.
Fenom answered. " No , it's in the middle of the night. Let them have one decent night of sleep. They work hard enough. If we tell them at all let's wait until morning."
Sabrina considered. " Yeah. One of ours was taken tonight. So we will get them back."
" Give them a vacation. You know Marco's just gonna complain." Eustace said.
" And you with him , right? " M.C. teased.
I do not want to go home just yet. Aximili stated. I do not believe I will be able to sleep after this.
I almost smiled. Aximili and I were not close. Yet he cared. I was touched.
Don't want to be the only Andalite , again huh? I teased weakly , knowing he'd take me seriously.
He jumped. No! It's not that-
It's okay. I was joking. I laughed.
He used to get so upset when I even insinuated he'd do something outside of what was his duty. But I guess being with the animorphs mellowed him out. Our relationship isn't shorm material. His shorm is Tobias , his own nephew.
I would have liked to known Elfangor. I could have asked him what to do about my predicament with Melissa. We would have to go open with it sooner or later. But I don't think he told anyone on the andalite home world about Loren , I mean , his own brother recently found out.
I could have asked what made him choose a female that was not from his species. How he made the decision to stay by her side. Obviously he loved her and I knew I loved Melissa , but it would be nice to talk about it with someone who knew.
In school I was always taught not to be open with other species. I was told about Prince Seerow.
Poor guy. I sympathized.
P- oor - what?! the teacher practically screeched. He shouldn't have been so stupid!
Anyone could have made that mistake. I said. Prince Alloran was worse anyway. I mean , destroying half a race , THAT'S stupid.
I may as well have not had an opinion. I got punished. I believe you call it detention.
It was no better in the military.
Aristh Reubren-Ashul-Tarien! Stop drawing rude pictures of Instructor Sofor and pay attention! A warrior must be alert and serious at all times!
Serious? What was the fun in that? I put away my glowering , scar faced , picture of Sofor with his little ishmar blade ( similar to what you call a butter knife.) He had an expression like he had drank too many of those human beverages containing alchohol. He had a big word cloud over his head saying: Blah blah blah blah blah blah.
Unfortunately Sofor saw it before I put it away. My hearts turned to ice and I froze.
A very ugly , horrible silence. Then he gave a noise like dying Kaftid bird.
I figured I'd better start running while I was ahead.
REUBREEEEEEEEEEEEENNNNNNN! GET YOUR INSUBORDINATE , DISRESPECTUL TAIL BACK HERE AND RECEIVE YOUR PUNISHMENT!!!!
I had a large patch of my fur removed from my back. Unschweet. By law he wasn't allowed to hit me. Luckily too. Because I would have ended up with more than a scar.
I remembered the day I was taken at outpost. My fur was just growing back. And then the blade ship. Then Melissa , then meeting the Mendelites.
They told me their story. They were taken out of school one day as I mentioned. They were put onto two ships. They were headed to Earth with their warriors. And at the same time they were training the younger cadets like Sabrina and her group. Yeerk intelligence agents found out somehow. We underestimated them. Visser Three had a small fleet waiting for them. The Mendelites are advanced , but I doubt even we could have fought off a whole fleet with two fighters and a single War ship.
They had escape pods luckily. The younger ones were forced to escape. They crash landed their small ship on a strange planet. They'd made it to Earth. They built their home in the trees , it being a first priority. They needed a place to stay if they were going to do anything. Then one day they saw Aximli feeding.
They knew him already , and he knew them. He had run into Sabrina on their own ship when they were having ..oh what you'd call mingling I guess. If we were going to work together , we may as well socialize. But the Dome Ship went ahead of theirs. They were supposed to meet it. But they found Yeerks waiting for them instead.
So they met the humans: Jake , Rachel , Cassie , Marco , and Tobias. They were thrilled to see that they were not alone in their fight on Earth. And the animorphs could help them act like and dress like humans. I have to say I am envious. It was not hard for them , and they could stay in their own forms.
Later on though , Chapman , the infested assistant principle realized that their identities were counterfeit. He knew of Mendelites of course , and began to suspect who they were.
One day , when they had a meeting with the animorphs , a controller was sent to follow them. They had not had even yet there first battle. And over the months they had healed from the shock of losing well over 300 of their people. They got careless.
It was discovered that the animorphs were in fact human , and that Sabrina , Lavender , Eustace , M.C. , Madison , Darien , Fenom , and Austin were .not exactly human.
But the Mendelites have some blackmail hanging over Visser Three's head , that not even I know about. Something they found out when they first brought to the Blade Ship. A promise is a promise I suppose , and sense Visser Three did not harm any of the animorph's families , they did not disclose it.
He has of course caused trouble for them on the side. And I truly feel sorry for Jake , having to live with a controller. Much less his poor brother being a host. I could not imagine Epsen being a host. Or my father.
Erek walked up to me. He stuck a needle in my arm , and I sank into dreams of happier times when I was not fatally injured , my mother and Epsen were alive , and Melissa was with me.
( Sorry. I know this chapter was short. In the next one I will add a new POV probably Toms , now that I'm brain storming. It seems Reubren liked to goof off in school as do all of us. Expect updates to usually be on week ends. If next week you don't hear from me , it will probably be because I have a crummy progress report and I'm punished. Please pray that I'm not!)