Hey readers, this is my first fanfic and I don't mind flames as long as I have a couple of honest views. Please R&R. I've tried to stick to what K.A. left us with, but I had to change little bits and pieces. Oh and mind any typo's I make- English is not my best subject ;) .

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THE START BOOK 55

Chapter 1 Ellimist's P.O.V

I was swamped by regret, how could I have let that one human die? Whose life had given me the edge against Crayak? Whose efforts combined with 5 others had saved the freedom of probably trillions if not zillions of species' around the universe in millions of different galaxies. How could I condemn her to death, and the lives of the morph capable humans and the Andalite, to sorrow and grieve over her demise for the rest of their lives?

But it was part of the rules for the "game", that neither Crayak nor I could bring the dead back to life. So how to make Crayak want her to come back to life? Hmm... I glanced over to what the remaining Animorphs were doing and gasped! What in the universe was going on here?

For Jake, Marco, Tobias- the forgotten Animorph, two morph capable humans and an Andalite stuck in human morph, were aboard a Bug fighter headed for Zero-space. But what really surprised me was the fact that Cassie wasn't there. So the mission must have been very dangerous for Jake to leave Cassie behind. So what could be that dangerous?

Of course! What else! They were looking for Prince Aximili-Escarrouth-Isthill, younger brother of Prince Elfangor-Sirinial-Shamtul.

Then it clicked, the way to make Crayak bring Rachel back! You see, the morph capable humans on board would have no chance of fighting and defeating THE ONE, and if THE ONE beat them then THE ONE would be vastly more powerful than both Crayak and I- put together. However if all the Animorphs were together and worked together then even Crayak could not defeat them without breaking the rules of the game.

Oh well time to go bother Crayak.

"Crayak", I called using my Ketran and form, "We need to have a little chat concerning the Animorphs and THE ONE" Crayak appeared in front of me in his dark monster guise.

"This had better be good, Ellimist, I was in the middle of wiping out all the sentient races in Quadrant 329 of the 1597th sector of space" he thundered.

"Do you realise that the remaining Animorphs, except for Cassie- the anomaly, have gone on a deep-space mission to save Aximili- their Andalite friend? And they will find THE ONE" I paused waiting for him to reply.

"Yes of course. I'd have to be a fool not to" he retorted angrily.

"Good, then you also know that there is no chance that they will win as they are now, however, if they were to be all reunited then they would most probably beat THE ONE. It may mean breaking the rules, Crayak, but it will be preserving your games of genocide for only you". Then I realise that my carefully worded last phrase had struck a chord with him, he would agree.

After he finally muttered, "Okay bring her back, just this once, though". I raced off to find the Animorphs and bring Rachel back to life as soon as possible because the sooner they were together the greater their chance of beating THE ONE.

At my command a previously darkened, curled up line of space-time brightened and straightened, uncurling and rushing straight into a tangle with 5 other lines. Yes! Rachel was back.

She materialised in front of me as the 16 year old she was, I mean had been.

" Geez, you ruined my life, now you want to ruin my death too?" she complained sarcastically, more than a bit annoyed. I smiled to myself, she was still the same old Rachel.

" No, I want to offer you the option of another life", I said, I couldn't let her know too much.

"What's the catch?" she asked suspicious, blue eyes narrowed.

" None, you and Cassie will be simply transported into a spaceship heading for the other Animorphs, however the spaceship will only last the trip there and back. Also only three humans may board it at any one time and return in it. Think of it this way, this is your only chance to see Tobias again" I coaxed.

" You call that 'no catch'?" she responded.

"Hurry, Rachel, hurry, every moment counts if you and Cassie are to save the Universe and all the Animorphs lives" I hastened, trying a different plan.

"Ooh, a mission. Why didn't you say so in the first place? I would have agreed immediately, I'll say one thing about death: remember to bring a book with you" she exclaimed her blue eyes brightening.

"Tell me", she continued, "exactly who are we fighting?" she questioned.

" That's for me to know and you to find out. So will you take this mission?" I asked carefully, knowing she would definitely accept.

" Well.... That depends,", she joked, "will it be suicidal and totally insane?"

"Yes, most likely" I responded seriously.

"Most definitely then" she answered half-serious half-joking.

" Ok then: oh and by the way, do you mind if I leave it to you to explain to them why you're still alive?" I needed to be sure.

"That's fine-" I cut her off by shuttling her straight onto the ship, and smiled, everything was going to be all right.

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Thanks for reading up to here peoples. I hope to get the next chapter( I've already written a rough copy) out soon but that doesn't mean that I wont listen to any ides "hint, hint". So please review soon! I finally got this out! Yeah!

Oh and Tweetz an' Barbie (two of my friends), I expect you two to tell me what you think of this chapter, tomorrow!

cya all,

nith