DISCLAIMER: I may never own the Animorphs. Not unless I suddenly aged 30
years, dyed my hair brown, gave birth to some sons, changed my name to
Katherine Applegate, and got some talent in writing. Wait, that's five
things. Only five. Five is not a lot. . .hm. . .where am I gonna get some
hair dye?
NOTE: Well I'm back from spring break and instead of writing my research paper like a good girl, I'm doing this. I hit a temporary roadblock while writing this (I think I left the voices in my head back in Pennsylvania), but I think I overcame it. Well, if you don't like this chapter you could always duct tape me to a basketball hoop and launch peanuts at me. And thanks to those of you who didn't want me to break my fingers or something. My fingers are fine. HAPPY EASTER! If you don't celebrate it, then HAPPY APRIL 20th!!
Ax -
My friends stared at me.
"What? What? WHAT!?" Rachel asked, her voice rising.
I remember my professor at the academy telling us that Sario Rips were rips not only in time, but space. We have been blown through time. . .and are on a different planet. I said.
"How do you know? Sand, trees, blue water, this looks like Earth to me." Marco said skeptically. "It's also freakishly hot, maybe we're in Jamaica?"
This planet's rotation differs by quite a bit to the rotation of your planet. I explained. It is approximately 1.294 times faster.
"Approximately?"
Cassie nodded. "I thought something was weird. There's two suns, I guess that could explain the heat. And look at the trees."
"Jeez, theres two suns. How did I not notice two suns!?" There were indeed multiple suns. One was smaller and red the other was quite large and yellow
"'Cause you're a dipweed." Rachel said. "Anyway, the trees look normal to me. . ."
The trees on the island resembled, at a glance, any common palm tree of earth. A long, thin, sloping trunk weighed down by very large green leaves and brown fruit. But with a closer look, you noticed something that is definitely not common on Earth.
Rachel tromped up to the trunk of one tree.
"This tree's got FUR!" she observed loudly. She was correct, the entire trunk was covered in a soft-looking light brown fur. She reached out to touch the furry tree.
Rachel, you probably shouldn't- Tobias started to warn her. Too late.
Rachel has always been a bit impulsive, and this time was no exception. She stroked her hand across the fur of the tree. As soon as she removed her hand, the tree bent.
"What the-"
The tree promptly swung over Rachel and began to vibrate vigorously.
"AHHHHH!"
"Rachel!"
Several heavy brown fruits were shaken loose from the top and dropped directly on Rachel. They made a comical "plunk" sound as they burst apart on impact, covering her in a thick, white liquid.
"Owwwwwwww! And grooooosss!" she cried.
Rachel, you okay? Tobias asked, concerned.
"Yeah, you alright?" Marco chimed in, looking as if he were straining with something.
"Yeah, but what the hell!?"
"Good. Then I won't feel guilty doing this." Marco fell to the ground, heaving with laughter. He laughed so loudly he had to clutch his side.
I am assuming that was some sort of defense mechanism. I speculated.
"Like those leaves that close when you touch them on some Asian plants" Cassie added (Note: My mom called them "touch-me-nots" but I think she just made name up. They are real). She was trying to conceal her laughter by biting her bottom lip. Prince Jake was doing the same, only slightly less successfully.
"You (chuckle). . .you should probably wash that off. . ." Prince Jake sputtered.
That liquid resembles the icing poured upon tasteful Cinnabons. I observed. I wondered to myself whether it also had the same overwhelmingly sweet and glorious taste. Probably not, as I had an unfortunate incident in assuming a human product called "Elmer's glue" tasted like icing. It did not.
Rachel glared at all of us, making sure to flick her long hair in our direction before heading to the beach. Prince Jake, Marco, and Cassie were sprayed with some of the white liquid. Marco was still laughing uncontrollably, until Rachel threw an unbroken fruit at his head. It burst, quickly coating Marco's hair.
"Hey, no! The hair!" he cried.
I knew you shouldn't have touched it. . . Tobias said sheepishly. Rachel made a face and bent into the surf to wash the mess away. Marco followed to wash off his hair. Before she returned to us she dunked Marco's head under the water and held it there.
"Um, Rach, I'm thinking you don't kill Marco right now." Prince Jake said.
"Fine." She released him and he burst from the water, muttering indistinct words.
"Alright, alright, back to business. Let's go into the forest now, only no one do anything dangerous, like touch the trees this time." Jake said the last part with a sidelong glance at Rachel. She ignored him.
We trudged through the forest, going nowhere in particular. Prince Jake wanted to explore first and find a safe place or perhaps a way home. There were strange-looking multi-colored plants everywhere, but no one was in a hurry to touch them. We heard a few squeaks, squawks and snapping, but we saw no wildlife except for the occasional small mammal scampering away from us. At least I knew Tobias wouldn't go hungry. There was no grass at all; it was all white sand. There was little light also, because the leaves of the furry trees blocked most of the sunlight. They were as big as Earth banana leaves, which are quite large.
"Ax, any idea what planet this is? Or what to expect?" Cassie asked.
My human friends often assumed I knew a lot about other planets and aliens because I am an Andalite. In truth, that was possibly my worst subject at school, Aliens and their planets. I actually knew very little, especially compared to my classmates. Anyway, females were more likely to do better in that class than males. Males usually did better in classes like plintconarythmic physics, which I didn't do well in either. Well, I would use what little knowledge I had to help my friends.
I do not know. Marco made a face that I believe showed exasperation. Or perhaps he was having gastrointestinal complications, I have not yet mastered human expressions.
"That's great. Awesome, in fact. Here we are, a couple hours away from being annihilated by ourselves on a planet with freaking demon trees - "
"A Whomping Willow." Cassie said thoughtfully.
"What?"
"It's from Harry Potter. This tree that beats things up." She explained.
"Please, can we get over the freakin tree?" Rachel begged.
You're a wizard, Harry. I said. I merely wished to display my knowledge of human popular culture, since I felt a little self-concious now that I wasn't able to give them useful information about this planet. They looked at me strangely.
"Tobias, dude, break his TV." Marco called upward.
I tried. He just fixed it again.
YOU severed the cord?? I asked.
You were watching too much Ax! No one is supposed to memorize the theme song to every TV show in history!
But -
Suddenly Rachel yelled a word I believe was extremely obscene and saved only for drastic occasions. She was furthest behind us, perhaps because she was still feeling anger from the tree incident. She was staring a few feet to her left.
Tobias flew down and landed on Rachel's shoulder, taking care not to hurt her. He had been flying over the canopy and could not see well through the leaves.
What is it - OH MY GOD!
The rest of us came back to see what they were looking at. My hearts almost stopped beating when I saw it.
"Oh, oh, oh my - " Cassie made a heaving noise and turned around. She ran to a bush and vomited. I could only hope the bush wouldn't attack her. Fortunately it did not.
Before us, half-hidden under a few leaves, was the controller wearing the green shirt. Or at least what was left of him. His face was completely gone, with only bits of flesh covering his fractured skull. His green shirt was ripped to shreds and the flesh underneath was red and torn, as if stung by millions of small insects. Mutilated feet poked out from beneath the leaves. The skull seemed to be trapped in an eternal grimace. At his side was a scrap of metal tubing bored with many holes. The rifle. The remains still looked wet, as if this was done only moments before. (Note: Was that too graphic? I know I rated this PG, but was that okay? I don't know how sensitive some people are.)
Prince Jake and Marco were pale.
"How. . .What. . .What could have done that?" Jake stammered.
I. . .It looks as though it was done by insects. I replied.
I don't see any bugs. Tobias said.
"Yeah, it looked like insects." Cassie said weakly. She was supporting herself on Prince Jake's shoulder.
Or it could be some sort or virus. . . I said.
"You guys. We're in trouble." Marco pointed to the shoulder of the controller. The arm was gone. I looked closer and saw what he was worried about.
This man's arm has been seared off by something that emits high temperatures. I said.
"A dracon beam?" Rachel asked.
Perhaps, although this looks too clean.
"What do you think?" Prince Jake asked, looking at me.
Prince Jake, I believe there is a dangerous technologically advanced race on this island.
END OF CHAPMASTA 5! Ya know, Ax always seems to be the bearer of bad news. I should shift that job to someone else next time. Anyway, I bet half of you already figured out where they are, or at least who/what else is on that island **grin** I know a lot of you figured out my "mystery aliens" in my other story THE SOMETHING. No, Super Hurricane, they aren't on the Andalite or Garatron world, but that would've made a good story. . .damn I should have never thought out this plotline so far ahead. I'm hoping maybe I was a little more successful in keeping the suspense and not making it too easy, but ya know, I aint good at this hehe. If you didn't figure it out this chapter, you'll definitely figure it out in the next one. Well, thanks to those of you who have reviewed this far. Tell me what you didn't like and what I need to work on.
And oobergoober, you're probably right, Ax may never have mentioned driftball in #11. But I heard it somewhere, I'm not even sure it was from Animorphs, and I thought it would look good. That's all. If anyone could tell me were I could have possibly gotten the word "driftball" will you please tell me? It's bugging me now, hehe. You're also right about my descriptions and stuff. You're not the first one to point out that weakness in my stuff. I'm still trying to work on it.
NOTE: Well I'm back from spring break and instead of writing my research paper like a good girl, I'm doing this. I hit a temporary roadblock while writing this (I think I left the voices in my head back in Pennsylvania), but I think I overcame it. Well, if you don't like this chapter you could always duct tape me to a basketball hoop and launch peanuts at me. And thanks to those of you who didn't want me to break my fingers or something. My fingers are fine. HAPPY EASTER! If you don't celebrate it, then HAPPY APRIL 20th!!
Ax -
My friends stared at me.
"What? What? WHAT!?" Rachel asked, her voice rising.
I remember my professor at the academy telling us that Sario Rips were rips not only in time, but space. We have been blown through time. . .and are on a different planet. I said.
"How do you know? Sand, trees, blue water, this looks like Earth to me." Marco said skeptically. "It's also freakishly hot, maybe we're in Jamaica?"
This planet's rotation differs by quite a bit to the rotation of your planet. I explained. It is approximately 1.294 times faster.
"Approximately?"
Cassie nodded. "I thought something was weird. There's two suns, I guess that could explain the heat. And look at the trees."
"Jeez, theres two suns. How did I not notice two suns!?" There were indeed multiple suns. One was smaller and red the other was quite large and yellow
"'Cause you're a dipweed." Rachel said. "Anyway, the trees look normal to me. . ."
The trees on the island resembled, at a glance, any common palm tree of earth. A long, thin, sloping trunk weighed down by very large green leaves and brown fruit. But with a closer look, you noticed something that is definitely not common on Earth.
Rachel tromped up to the trunk of one tree.
"This tree's got FUR!" she observed loudly. She was correct, the entire trunk was covered in a soft-looking light brown fur. She reached out to touch the furry tree.
Rachel, you probably shouldn't- Tobias started to warn her. Too late.
Rachel has always been a bit impulsive, and this time was no exception. She stroked her hand across the fur of the tree. As soon as she removed her hand, the tree bent.
"What the-"
The tree promptly swung over Rachel and began to vibrate vigorously.
"AHHHHH!"
"Rachel!"
Several heavy brown fruits were shaken loose from the top and dropped directly on Rachel. They made a comical "plunk" sound as they burst apart on impact, covering her in a thick, white liquid.
"Owwwwwwww! And grooooosss!" she cried.
Rachel, you okay? Tobias asked, concerned.
"Yeah, you alright?" Marco chimed in, looking as if he were straining with something.
"Yeah, but what the hell!?"
"Good. Then I won't feel guilty doing this." Marco fell to the ground, heaving with laughter. He laughed so loudly he had to clutch his side.
I am assuming that was some sort of defense mechanism. I speculated.
"Like those leaves that close when you touch them on some Asian plants" Cassie added (Note: My mom called them "touch-me-nots" but I think she just made name up. They are real). She was trying to conceal her laughter by biting her bottom lip. Prince Jake was doing the same, only slightly less successfully.
"You (chuckle). . .you should probably wash that off. . ." Prince Jake sputtered.
That liquid resembles the icing poured upon tasteful Cinnabons. I observed. I wondered to myself whether it also had the same overwhelmingly sweet and glorious taste. Probably not, as I had an unfortunate incident in assuming a human product called "Elmer's glue" tasted like icing. It did not.
Rachel glared at all of us, making sure to flick her long hair in our direction before heading to the beach. Prince Jake, Marco, and Cassie were sprayed with some of the white liquid. Marco was still laughing uncontrollably, until Rachel threw an unbroken fruit at his head. It burst, quickly coating Marco's hair.
"Hey, no! The hair!" he cried.
I knew you shouldn't have touched it. . . Tobias said sheepishly. Rachel made a face and bent into the surf to wash the mess away. Marco followed to wash off his hair. Before she returned to us she dunked Marco's head under the water and held it there.
"Um, Rach, I'm thinking you don't kill Marco right now." Prince Jake said.
"Fine." She released him and he burst from the water, muttering indistinct words.
"Alright, alright, back to business. Let's go into the forest now, only no one do anything dangerous, like touch the trees this time." Jake said the last part with a sidelong glance at Rachel. She ignored him.
We trudged through the forest, going nowhere in particular. Prince Jake wanted to explore first and find a safe place or perhaps a way home. There were strange-looking multi-colored plants everywhere, but no one was in a hurry to touch them. We heard a few squeaks, squawks and snapping, but we saw no wildlife except for the occasional small mammal scampering away from us. At least I knew Tobias wouldn't go hungry. There was no grass at all; it was all white sand. There was little light also, because the leaves of the furry trees blocked most of the sunlight. They were as big as Earth banana leaves, which are quite large.
"Ax, any idea what planet this is? Or what to expect?" Cassie asked.
My human friends often assumed I knew a lot about other planets and aliens because I am an Andalite. In truth, that was possibly my worst subject at school, Aliens and their planets. I actually knew very little, especially compared to my classmates. Anyway, females were more likely to do better in that class than males. Males usually did better in classes like plintconarythmic physics, which I didn't do well in either. Well, I would use what little knowledge I had to help my friends.
I do not know. Marco made a face that I believe showed exasperation. Or perhaps he was having gastrointestinal complications, I have not yet mastered human expressions.
"That's great. Awesome, in fact. Here we are, a couple hours away from being annihilated by ourselves on a planet with freaking demon trees - "
"A Whomping Willow." Cassie said thoughtfully.
"What?"
"It's from Harry Potter. This tree that beats things up." She explained.
"Please, can we get over the freakin tree?" Rachel begged.
You're a wizard, Harry. I said. I merely wished to display my knowledge of human popular culture, since I felt a little self-concious now that I wasn't able to give them useful information about this planet. They looked at me strangely.
"Tobias, dude, break his TV." Marco called upward.
I tried. He just fixed it again.
YOU severed the cord?? I asked.
You were watching too much Ax! No one is supposed to memorize the theme song to every TV show in history!
But -
Suddenly Rachel yelled a word I believe was extremely obscene and saved only for drastic occasions. She was furthest behind us, perhaps because she was still feeling anger from the tree incident. She was staring a few feet to her left.
Tobias flew down and landed on Rachel's shoulder, taking care not to hurt her. He had been flying over the canopy and could not see well through the leaves.
What is it - OH MY GOD!
The rest of us came back to see what they were looking at. My hearts almost stopped beating when I saw it.
"Oh, oh, oh my - " Cassie made a heaving noise and turned around. She ran to a bush and vomited. I could only hope the bush wouldn't attack her. Fortunately it did not.
Before us, half-hidden under a few leaves, was the controller wearing the green shirt. Or at least what was left of him. His face was completely gone, with only bits of flesh covering his fractured skull. His green shirt was ripped to shreds and the flesh underneath was red and torn, as if stung by millions of small insects. Mutilated feet poked out from beneath the leaves. The skull seemed to be trapped in an eternal grimace. At his side was a scrap of metal tubing bored with many holes. The rifle. The remains still looked wet, as if this was done only moments before. (Note: Was that too graphic? I know I rated this PG, but was that okay? I don't know how sensitive some people are.)
Prince Jake and Marco were pale.
"How. . .What. . .What could have done that?" Jake stammered.
I. . .It looks as though it was done by insects. I replied.
I don't see any bugs. Tobias said.
"Yeah, it looked like insects." Cassie said weakly. She was supporting herself on Prince Jake's shoulder.
Or it could be some sort or virus. . . I said.
"You guys. We're in trouble." Marco pointed to the shoulder of the controller. The arm was gone. I looked closer and saw what he was worried about.
This man's arm has been seared off by something that emits high temperatures. I said.
"A dracon beam?" Rachel asked.
Perhaps, although this looks too clean.
"What do you think?" Prince Jake asked, looking at me.
Prince Jake, I believe there is a dangerous technologically advanced race on this island.
END OF CHAPMASTA 5! Ya know, Ax always seems to be the bearer of bad news. I should shift that job to someone else next time. Anyway, I bet half of you already figured out where they are, or at least who/what else is on that island **grin** I know a lot of you figured out my "mystery aliens" in my other story THE SOMETHING. No, Super Hurricane, they aren't on the Andalite or Garatron world, but that would've made a good story. . .damn I should have never thought out this plotline so far ahead. I'm hoping maybe I was a little more successful in keeping the suspense and not making it too easy, but ya know, I aint good at this hehe. If you didn't figure it out this chapter, you'll definitely figure it out in the next one. Well, thanks to those of you who have reviewed this far. Tell me what you didn't like and what I need to work on.
And oobergoober, you're probably right, Ax may never have mentioned driftball in #11. But I heard it somewhere, I'm not even sure it was from Animorphs, and I thought it would look good. That's all. If anyone could tell me were I could have possibly gotten the word "driftball" will you please tell me? It's bugging me now, hehe. You're also right about my descriptions and stuff. You're not the first one to point out that weakness in my stuff. I'm still trying to work on it.