(A/N) Lady Larien, thanks again for reviewing. And if you're certain that
you want to know how many of the books I have read.............I've read
books 1-8,10-13, 23, megamorphs 1: The Andalite's Gift, Alternamorphs 1 and
2, The Ellimist Chronicles, The Andalite Chronicles, and The Hork-Bajir
Chronicles. So not too many of them. I also know what you mean, next to Obi-
wan Tahl was my favorite character. Balog must die! Okay I'll shut up now.
Po, thanks for reviewing. Tabatha thanks for reviewing again. M, thank you
for reviewing. Narnian Princess, thank you for reviewing. Qwerty, thank you
for reviewing. Okay, now I really will shut up and write chapter 6, but for
now you get to read chapter 5.
Written in the stars
Chapter 5: The Rules of the Game
Early on Saturday morning we all met at Cassie's barn, morphed, and began our trek for the mountains. Tobias circled high above us. He was very nearly out of sight. Jake and Marco were in wolf morph. Rachel and Cassie were both in birds morphs. Ax and I were also in wolf morph. It took us at least an hour to reach the place where the other five believed that the controllers would begin their search. It was a giant lake deep in the heart of the mountains.
{ Remember everyone, if anything happens you're to head back to the farm immediately. } Jake said as he and Marco headed off back into the woods.
{ See you later Ax, Stella. } Cassie said.
Rachel said nothing, she just flapped off into the forest. Cassie quickly followed her. Ax and I left the shores of the lake and faded back in to the forest. Quickly we both demorphed. Then Ax morphed his northern harrier and I morphed into a falcon. We both fluttered up into the tree branches so as not to be seen.
{ Stella, forgive me for asking but why were you so upset last night? }
{ Because I don't need you protecting me every second of every day! I can take care of myself! } I replied angrily.
{ If you can take care of yourself then how come we have had to save you twice? You do not have to do this on your own you know. }
{ No I don't know and yes, I do have to do this on my own. I don't care what you all say. I'll never be part of your group and you know it! I'll never be an Animorph. I can't fight with you if you don't even trust me. The others don't trust me. Even you don't trust me! }
{ That is not true Stella, I- }
{ Just shut up! I know that you guys don't want me. You don't have to deny it. As soon as Visser Three is dead I'm leaving! I am out of here! I'm sure that'll make the others happy. }
{ It's just not true Stella. We do want you with us. I want you with us. I don't want to see you get hurt. }
{ It's not up to you to save me Ax. } I said, finally calming down.
{ I know Stella. But I want to. I want to be there for you if you need me. }
When I turned to look at Ax I could see no emotion in those bird eyes of his but I could hear the tenderness in his voice. For one wild moment, I knew that if I were to leave the group that it would be him that I would miss the most.
{ What do you mean? } I asked him. He was about to answer when a shot suddenly rang out through the forest.
TSSSEEEEEEEEEWW!!!
The dracon bolt hit the very tree that Ax and I were perched in. We were both hurtled to the ground.
{ AAAAAAHH!! } I heard Ax cry out as I hit the ground.
{ Are you all right Ax? } I asked as I hopped over to him. When I reached him I saw that nearly half of his wing had been ripped away by the explosion.
{ Oh my God. } I said with horror.
{ I cannot demorph here. How are we going to escape?}
{ I don't know.} I replied fearfully.
Just then, from the opposite end of the lake, a swarm of human, taxxon, and Hork-Bajir controllers spilled out of the trees. They shot at anything that moved.
{ But we have to get out of here and I can't fly like this. You must get out of here Stella, leave me. Go tell the others. }
{ No Ax, I won't leave you. }
{ You have to. It is the only way. } he said.
{ There has to be something that I can do. } I cried out in despair. Suddenly an idea came to me. Slowly I proceeded to drag Ax towards the safety of a clump of bushes, which was a difficult task in my bird body. When we reached the bush I managed to poke my head out one final time. I saw Chapman leading the controllers in our direction.
" Search every square inch of the forest! If that girl is here she won't get far!"
A group of Hork-Bajir ran past our bush. Ax and I remained absolutely still. One sudden movement and we would be discovered.
{ Stella- I cannot go on like this. I am bleeding to death. If I do not demorph soon I will die. } he said weakly. His blood was slowly staining my tawny brown feathers red. As he spoke I could feel the strength ebbing from his body.
{ No! I won't let you die. }
If Ax died it would be my fault. He and the others were only there in the first place because of me. If he died I would have nothing left. Despite what I had said to him earlier I didn't mind that he looked out for me. Ax did seem to be the only one in the group who really did want me there. As much as I wanted to deny it, Ax was the only thing that held me to the Animorphs.
{ Ax you have to demorph now! It's your only chance. }
{ No, if I demorph they will see. I won't let them find you here. If that is what it takes to keep you safe then I will die here. } His voice was so low that I could barely here what he said.
He was willing to die for me? He cared for me so deeply that he would give up his life for me? That was it. I couldn't let him die like this. I had to save him.
{ All right. Fine! But no matter what happens stay here. } With that I shot out of the bush.
{ Stella come back! What are you doing? }he cried as I made for the other side of the lake. I had to draw their attention away from Ax.
TSEEEEEEEEWW!!
The dracon beam grazed my tail feathers and I went careening out of the sky. For a moment I lay, dazed, on the shore of the lake. Then I began to demorph.
"LOOK! SHE'S OVER THERE!! DON'T LET HER GET AWAY!!!" The voices came from all over the forest.
Before I could turn to run I was on the ground with a pile of human controllers on top of me. They pulled me up and two Hork-Bajir held my arms. Chapman stepped out of the mass of controllers.
"You've given us a lot of trouble Stella. Now tell me, where are the others?"
"What others?"
"Don't play stupid with me girl. I know who has been hiding you. WHERE ARE THEY?"
I didn't answer him. I just spit in his eye.
"Perhaps I can get it out of her." One of the humans said as the crowd parted and he stepped forward. I was suddenly gripped with dread. I recognized that voice.
The human began to demorph right in front of me. When the transformation was complete, before me stood my parents' killer. Visser Three.
{ I would recommend that you tell me where the Andalite Bandits are hiding. I believe that you know that the rest of your family has been infested. If you do not tell me what I want to hear then I will kill them all. }
Once again I remained silent.
Suddenly two birds dropped out of the sky. A red-tailed hawk and a northern harrier. They attacked the controllers with a vengeance. In the confusion I was able to escape.
{ FOOLS! THE GIRL HAS ESCAPED!! BRING HER BACK!! IF SHE GETS AWAY AGAIN IT WILL BE YOUR HEADS!!! }
As I ran I started to morph. Feathers broke out all over my skin and my feet became claws. I shrank rapidly a beak sprung out of my face. At last my arms blossomed into wings and I shot up into the sky. I turned around one last time before I flying away and I saw Visser Three glaring up at me.
{ Run while you can. But no matter where you go I will find you. You cannot escape me. You pathetic humans won't abandon your loved ones. You will come back for them. You will come back to this very spot. And I will be waiting. }
I didn't let him know that I heard the truth in his words. I just turned and flew away. A few minutes later I was joined by Ax and Tobias. Jake had told us to go back to Cassie's barn, so that's where we went. Once inside Ax and I demorphed.
{ Jake and the others should be back soon. No worries. } Tobias said.
{ Are you all right Stella? That abomination didn't hurt you did he? } Ax asked me.
"Ax.....", I didn't finish the sentence. I just stood there, trying to find words for what I now had to do. Ax seemed to understand what I needed just then. He stepped forward and put his arms around me. I didn't resist. I just put my arms around him and rested my head on his chest.
{ Ooooooookay, I'll just leave you two alone now. } Tobias said as he flapped out of the barn.
"He has my family Ax. He said.........he said that....... that if I don't tell him where you all are hiding that he will kill them all." I sobbed into his chest.
{ You shouldn't listen to him. Even if you do give us away, he'll kill them anyway. } he said as he stroked my tear-stained face.
"What am I going to do?"
{ Don't worry Stella. We'll think of something. }
We didn't speak for awhile after that. Ax just held me while we waited for the other four to get back. When they finally did come back we separated.
"Why are you two back so early? What happened?" Jake asked us.
{ We were attacked by Visser Three. } Ax said simply.
"Are you guys all right? Where's Tobias?" Rachel asked.
"I'm guessing Tobias is back at his meadow." I answered.
{ After you all left Stella and I morphed into birds to keep watch. Then the controllers found us. I was injured and the wound might have been fatal if Stella hadn't drawn the controllers away from me. She demorphed right in front of them and they would have captured her but I had time to demorph and then morph to bird again. Tobias and I went after them and we were able to get her out of trouble. But what about you all? Did you find out anything? } Ax asked.
"No, I guess we were in the quiet part of the forest." Marco said.
"We didn't see anything either." Rachel said as soon as Marco had finished laughing at himself.
"You all know that Visser Three has the rest of my family infested. Now he is threatening to kill them if I don't reveal you guys to him."
"I don't think that Visser Three would kill them. It would be a loss of some perfectly good hosts. Sorry if I sound heartless Stella but that's the way it is." Jake told me.
{ Forgive me for contradicting you Prince Jake but he would kill them. I do not believe that he would mind the loss of a few humans just to get back at Stella. }
"Exactly how much family do you have Stella?" Cassie asked me.
"Not too much. Both of my mother's parents are dead. So that leaves my father's parents. There's my mother's brother, Uncle Steve, who's married to Aunt Kelly. They have two kids, my cousins Mike and Joe. Then there's my father's sister, Aunt Maggie. She's married to Uncle Jeff. They have three kids, my cousins Jim, Ella, and Gwyn. That's pretty much it."
"I'd hate to have to tell you this Stella, but I don't think we can save all of them. Maybe a few of your cousins...." Jake started to say.
"What do you mean you can't help them?! They wouldn't be like this if it weren't for me. We have to save them. Gwyn's only a year old!"
"Look, Stella. If it was so easy to save hosts from being slaves don't you think my brother would be free by now?"
"I'm sorry Jake. I guess I just got carried away."
"I think we all might get carried away if we don't get some rest. Let's not think about this until tomorrow. Okay?" Marco said.
After that they all headed home. Ax and I headed back to the forest. I didn't bother to tell them that it was pointless. I wouldn't be here tomorrow. Despite what Ax had told me, Visser Three was right. I couldn't just abandon my family to him. I had to go back.
* *
*
Later that evening while I got ready for bed Ax stood guard at the edge of the clearing. Suddenly he turned to face me and he hid his face in his hands as if he were in pain.
{ I cannot stand this anymore! Stella, there is something that I must tell you. }
"Speak Ax-man."
{ I am not quite certain how I can say this. It is not something that I have ever felt for another being. Whenever I am around you..........I am in agony. The closer I get to you, the worse it gets. I even feel it in my true form. In human form this desire is almost too much to bear. In human form I have seen that Rachel is beautiful, but I have never felt this way around her. Though you are beautiful I do not believe that it is that which draws me. } By now his face was a mere inch from mine and he had his hands on my shoulders.
I knew that this behavior should have frightened me but his words stirred something in me. Something that I had felt for no man.
"You called me beautiful. No one's ever called me that before."
{ Why ever not? You are the most beautiful creature that I have ever laid eyes on. }
"Well........I'd say that you're a bit blinded by your........feelings for me. I'm not exactly the world's most raving beauty. I'm more what you would call a freak."
{ Far from it Stella. }
"Ax, could you morph a human real quick?"
{ Why? When I am around you in human morph I am very nearly in pain. How would it solve anything? }
"I think I might know how to help you. The only way to ease the burden of love is to express it. Suppressing it will only destroy you further."
{ How do you know all of this? }
"Actually it's something my sister used to say. Before they took her. She was a real philosopher, my sister."
{ So was Elfangor. } he said as he started to morph.
"There's something we have in common. Siblings that the Yeerks stole from us." It wasn't much to carry a conversation on but I was having trouble collecting my thoughts when my eyes fell on Ax. He was fully human now. There was a little bit of all the Animorphs in him except for Tobias. Though his looks did seem a bit girlish at times he was almost impossible to resist.
"What happens now Stella? It is getting worse." As he stared at me I felt sweat break out on my palms. His normally inquisitive gaze had become suddenly blank. As he took me in his arms I felt the same blankness steal over my mind. My mouth had run completely dry. I felt like I was drowning in the power of his eyes. The only thing that would save me was his kiss. Oy, teenage hormones can be a scary thing. But somehow it was more than the hormones. Something beyond mortal desire. Somewhere beyond the place where I stood in the cradle of Ax's arms. For the moment, instead of trying to figure it out, I gave in to the longing of my heart.
Slowly Ax brought his hand up to my face and stroked it with his palm. It did feel wonderful but it did nothing to sooth the pain of dying. Every second that his lips were not on mine was slowly killing me. Suddenly I saw fear and pleading in his eyes.
"It's not working. Stella, how exactly do humans kiss? I am suffering Stella. Every moment that I cannot express my love to you feels like a stab through my heart. What can I do? I am in so much pain. These emotions are tearing me apart!"
I giggled softly and drew his face closer to mine. Gently I pressed my lips onto his. Suddenly his human instinct seemed to kick in and he held me even tighter to his body. It felt like he was trying to crush me but at the same moment my pain left me. I could breath again. As I opened my mouth under his the threat of death suddenly passed. It was so wonderful, that first kiss. Little did I know that by doing it my destiny had been altered forever.
After a long while we pulled apart. I could still taste his lips.
"I love you Stella. I couldn't say it before but it is true. My feelings are against every law laid down by my people but I do not care. I need you too much. I want this too much."
"Really?"
Instead of answering he covered my mouth with his own again. Slowly he began to drag his lips down my neck. In between kisses he murmured the words, "I-love-you."
After nearly two hours of this Ax had to demorph. Reluctantly I pulled away from him.
"We should probably get to sleep." I said, trying not to cry at the loss of his touch.
{ Must we stop now? } Ax asked. I could almost feel the hurt in his voice.
"I'm afraid so. We can't get in too deep this early on. And Ax........please don't tell the others about this. Not that I didn't enjoy it but I don't believe that they should know just yet. They might take it the wrong way. Do you remember how you told me that our love wouldn't be accepted among your people. Well.......I don't think that even the other Animorphs would accept you and I.......together."
{ As you wish Stella.}
With that he turned away from me to keep watch and I crawled into my sleeping bag. For a long time I lay in the dark, dreading what I had to do. I hated giving up what I had just found in Ax, but maybe through my sacrifice he could go on living in secret. Maybe I could buy him and the other Animorphs some time. Silently I rose from the sleeping bag and crept over to Ax.
Quickly I morphed into an Andalite. I noticed that even his stalk eyes had drooped in sleep. That was unusual, even for him. Softly I placed my palm on his face.
When he suddenly mumbled in his sleep I pulled away from him sadly. With the thought that I might never see him again I galloped off into the forest.
The night was dark but I knew the way to the lake in the mountains.
* *
*
"Ax......get the others out of here while you still can. Take Gwyn, she is all that's left."
{ I will not leave you here Stella. }
"You must. It is......too late for me.....my love."
As I heard these words I felt such despair as I have never known in my entire lifetime. I heard the truth in her words and there was nothing that I could do to save her. The scene faded away and darkness overcame me.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!"
{ Stella! } I called out into the darkness of my mind.
Suddenly I saw Visser Three standing before me.
{ It is too late. She is dead. You failed to save her. Just as you failed to save your brother. } At these words my head was filled with his maniacal laughter.
{ NO! It's not true. } I cried out, trying to block out that horrible laughter. Once again I heard Stella's screams.
{ Where are you!!? } I shouted as I jerked awake.
It was only a dream. Just a dream. I told myself this as I tried to slow down my ragged breathing.
{ Stella? } I said as I walked over to her sleeping bag. Fear seized me when I realized that it was empty.
{ STELLA!? }I called out. Where could she have gone? Suddenly I looked down at the ground and realized that there was a different set of hoof prints mingled in with mine. They were those of a young Andalite female. The tracks headed off towards the mountains. She had gone back to the lake.
This was terrible! What did she think she could accomplish by it? I knew that she wouldn't give us away but what did she think she could do by giving herself up to Visser Three?
Without wasting another second I headed off through the forest to Tobias's tree.
This was my fault. I had let myself slip off guard. How could I!? I mentally rebuked myself. If I had been more careful she would not have left. Suddenly my dream came back to me. Unlike many on my planet, I am not one who believes in the gift of foresight. But for a moment I feared that this might be a glimpse of the future.
{ TOBIAS! Tobias wake up this instant! This is an emergency! }
{ What's up Ax-man? } he asked sleepily.
{ Stella has disappeared. I am certain that she has gone back up to the mountains. To the lake. }
{ Back to Visser Three. } Tobias said as the realization hit him.
{We've got to get up there. }
{ You're right. I'll get the others. }
{ There is no time. We have to get up there NOW! }
{ All righty then. Ax and Tobias to the rescue. } he said, lifting off into the air.
As we headed off into the night I prayed that we weren't already too late.
* *
*
When I started to see the lake through the trees I demorphed. Slowly I drew closer to he edge of the water. I didn't see anything unusual at first.
Then Hork-Bajir and taxxons appeared out of nowhere. Lights flashed all around me. I saw bug fighters swoop down out of the sky. How could I have missed those?
{ You will not escape me this time Stella. } I heard Visser Three say as he stepped out of the trees towards me. He signaled a group of Hork-Bajir to surround me; dracon beams leveled at my chest.
"You don't have to worry. I'm not going to run away this time." I said as I lowered my head in submission.
{ So, you finally realized the truth. Tell me where they are hiding. }
"I won't tell you anything until I see my family alive."
{ Your family is back on the Yeerk mother ship. In other words you will have to come back with me. }
"Yeah right. I'm not going to any Yeerk ship. I demand that you bring them back here."
{ I do not make deals with lesser species, human. } Having said this he whipped his tail blade forward and pressed it against my neck.
{ I suggest that you drop your demands. I am perfectly capable of finding them on my own. }
"Oh really? Not from where I'm standing."
{ What? I do not have time for this. I will not hesitate to kill you Stella. I can do this without your help. }
"Then kill me.....and find out."
In response to this he pressed the blade even harder up against my neck. I felt a small trickle of blood seep down my neck.
Suddenly I saw movement somewhere in the trees. Without even knowing how I knew, I could tell that it was Ax. Why was he here? How did he know that I would come here? I wanted to drive him away and at the same time I wanted him by my side. There was nothing that I could do against Visser Three. So I did the only thing that I could think of. I screamed. I screamed loud and long.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!!!!!!!!"
Just as the cry left my lips he burst out of the trees, followed by Tobias. He slashed out at anything in sight. He took down quite a few controllers before they got him. I didn't see what happened to Tobias.
{ Ah well. Maybe I will just use this young Andalite as leverage. What say you to that Stella? }
The Hork-Bajir dragged Ax forward.
{ No Stella! Do not let him use me against you! Don't give the others away! }
I turned my face away from him. It wasn't supposed to happen this way. I had no choice but to give in.
"Will you promise not to hurt him?" I cried out to Visser Three.
{ What was that? }He asked.
{ Excuse me? } Ax said.
"If I surrender, and I return with you to the Yeerk mother ship, will you promise not to hurt him?"
{ Of coarse. } he said silkily.
{ Stella don't listen to him! He is lying! } Ax tried to fight but the Hork-Bajir held him back. Visser Three's blade ship landed then.
{ Are you ready to go Stella? }
For a moment I hesitated. I looked back at Ax. I could see the pleading in his eyes.
{ No Stella. Please. }
{ I'm sorry Ax. It's the only way. }
Sadly I followed Visser Three on to the blade ship. I turned back one last time.
{ Stella, don't do this. } But it wasn't Ax who had spoken. I looked back into the forest and I saw a simple shadow, nothing more. I didn't answer Tobias this time. I just turned around and walked towards my doom.
This time I did not look back.
Written in the stars
Chapter 5: The Rules of the Game
Early on Saturday morning we all met at Cassie's barn, morphed, and began our trek for the mountains. Tobias circled high above us. He was very nearly out of sight. Jake and Marco were in wolf morph. Rachel and Cassie were both in birds morphs. Ax and I were also in wolf morph. It took us at least an hour to reach the place where the other five believed that the controllers would begin their search. It was a giant lake deep in the heart of the mountains.
{ Remember everyone, if anything happens you're to head back to the farm immediately. } Jake said as he and Marco headed off back into the woods.
{ See you later Ax, Stella. } Cassie said.
Rachel said nothing, she just flapped off into the forest. Cassie quickly followed her. Ax and I left the shores of the lake and faded back in to the forest. Quickly we both demorphed. Then Ax morphed his northern harrier and I morphed into a falcon. We both fluttered up into the tree branches so as not to be seen.
{ Stella, forgive me for asking but why were you so upset last night? }
{ Because I don't need you protecting me every second of every day! I can take care of myself! } I replied angrily.
{ If you can take care of yourself then how come we have had to save you twice? You do not have to do this on your own you know. }
{ No I don't know and yes, I do have to do this on my own. I don't care what you all say. I'll never be part of your group and you know it! I'll never be an Animorph. I can't fight with you if you don't even trust me. The others don't trust me. Even you don't trust me! }
{ That is not true Stella, I- }
{ Just shut up! I know that you guys don't want me. You don't have to deny it. As soon as Visser Three is dead I'm leaving! I am out of here! I'm sure that'll make the others happy. }
{ It's just not true Stella. We do want you with us. I want you with us. I don't want to see you get hurt. }
{ It's not up to you to save me Ax. } I said, finally calming down.
{ I know Stella. But I want to. I want to be there for you if you need me. }
When I turned to look at Ax I could see no emotion in those bird eyes of his but I could hear the tenderness in his voice. For one wild moment, I knew that if I were to leave the group that it would be him that I would miss the most.
{ What do you mean? } I asked him. He was about to answer when a shot suddenly rang out through the forest.
TSSSEEEEEEEEEWW!!!
The dracon bolt hit the very tree that Ax and I were perched in. We were both hurtled to the ground.
{ AAAAAAHH!! } I heard Ax cry out as I hit the ground.
{ Are you all right Ax? } I asked as I hopped over to him. When I reached him I saw that nearly half of his wing had been ripped away by the explosion.
{ Oh my God. } I said with horror.
{ I cannot demorph here. How are we going to escape?}
{ I don't know.} I replied fearfully.
Just then, from the opposite end of the lake, a swarm of human, taxxon, and Hork-Bajir controllers spilled out of the trees. They shot at anything that moved.
{ But we have to get out of here and I can't fly like this. You must get out of here Stella, leave me. Go tell the others. }
{ No Ax, I won't leave you. }
{ You have to. It is the only way. } he said.
{ There has to be something that I can do. } I cried out in despair. Suddenly an idea came to me. Slowly I proceeded to drag Ax towards the safety of a clump of bushes, which was a difficult task in my bird body. When we reached the bush I managed to poke my head out one final time. I saw Chapman leading the controllers in our direction.
" Search every square inch of the forest! If that girl is here she won't get far!"
A group of Hork-Bajir ran past our bush. Ax and I remained absolutely still. One sudden movement and we would be discovered.
{ Stella- I cannot go on like this. I am bleeding to death. If I do not demorph soon I will die. } he said weakly. His blood was slowly staining my tawny brown feathers red. As he spoke I could feel the strength ebbing from his body.
{ No! I won't let you die. }
If Ax died it would be my fault. He and the others were only there in the first place because of me. If he died I would have nothing left. Despite what I had said to him earlier I didn't mind that he looked out for me. Ax did seem to be the only one in the group who really did want me there. As much as I wanted to deny it, Ax was the only thing that held me to the Animorphs.
{ Ax you have to demorph now! It's your only chance. }
{ No, if I demorph they will see. I won't let them find you here. If that is what it takes to keep you safe then I will die here. } His voice was so low that I could barely here what he said.
He was willing to die for me? He cared for me so deeply that he would give up his life for me? That was it. I couldn't let him die like this. I had to save him.
{ All right. Fine! But no matter what happens stay here. } With that I shot out of the bush.
{ Stella come back! What are you doing? }he cried as I made for the other side of the lake. I had to draw their attention away from Ax.
TSEEEEEEEEWW!!
The dracon beam grazed my tail feathers and I went careening out of the sky. For a moment I lay, dazed, on the shore of the lake. Then I began to demorph.
"LOOK! SHE'S OVER THERE!! DON'T LET HER GET AWAY!!!" The voices came from all over the forest.
Before I could turn to run I was on the ground with a pile of human controllers on top of me. They pulled me up and two Hork-Bajir held my arms. Chapman stepped out of the mass of controllers.
"You've given us a lot of trouble Stella. Now tell me, where are the others?"
"What others?"
"Don't play stupid with me girl. I know who has been hiding you. WHERE ARE THEY?"
I didn't answer him. I just spit in his eye.
"Perhaps I can get it out of her." One of the humans said as the crowd parted and he stepped forward. I was suddenly gripped with dread. I recognized that voice.
The human began to demorph right in front of me. When the transformation was complete, before me stood my parents' killer. Visser Three.
{ I would recommend that you tell me where the Andalite Bandits are hiding. I believe that you know that the rest of your family has been infested. If you do not tell me what I want to hear then I will kill them all. }
Once again I remained silent.
Suddenly two birds dropped out of the sky. A red-tailed hawk and a northern harrier. They attacked the controllers with a vengeance. In the confusion I was able to escape.
{ FOOLS! THE GIRL HAS ESCAPED!! BRING HER BACK!! IF SHE GETS AWAY AGAIN IT WILL BE YOUR HEADS!!! }
As I ran I started to morph. Feathers broke out all over my skin and my feet became claws. I shrank rapidly a beak sprung out of my face. At last my arms blossomed into wings and I shot up into the sky. I turned around one last time before I flying away and I saw Visser Three glaring up at me.
{ Run while you can. But no matter where you go I will find you. You cannot escape me. You pathetic humans won't abandon your loved ones. You will come back for them. You will come back to this very spot. And I will be waiting. }
I didn't let him know that I heard the truth in his words. I just turned and flew away. A few minutes later I was joined by Ax and Tobias. Jake had told us to go back to Cassie's barn, so that's where we went. Once inside Ax and I demorphed.
{ Jake and the others should be back soon. No worries. } Tobias said.
{ Are you all right Stella? That abomination didn't hurt you did he? } Ax asked me.
"Ax.....", I didn't finish the sentence. I just stood there, trying to find words for what I now had to do. Ax seemed to understand what I needed just then. He stepped forward and put his arms around me. I didn't resist. I just put my arms around him and rested my head on his chest.
{ Ooooooookay, I'll just leave you two alone now. } Tobias said as he flapped out of the barn.
"He has my family Ax. He said.........he said that....... that if I don't tell him where you all are hiding that he will kill them all." I sobbed into his chest.
{ You shouldn't listen to him. Even if you do give us away, he'll kill them anyway. } he said as he stroked my tear-stained face.
"What am I going to do?"
{ Don't worry Stella. We'll think of something. }
We didn't speak for awhile after that. Ax just held me while we waited for the other four to get back. When they finally did come back we separated.
"Why are you two back so early? What happened?" Jake asked us.
{ We were attacked by Visser Three. } Ax said simply.
"Are you guys all right? Where's Tobias?" Rachel asked.
"I'm guessing Tobias is back at his meadow." I answered.
{ After you all left Stella and I morphed into birds to keep watch. Then the controllers found us. I was injured and the wound might have been fatal if Stella hadn't drawn the controllers away from me. She demorphed right in front of them and they would have captured her but I had time to demorph and then morph to bird again. Tobias and I went after them and we were able to get her out of trouble. But what about you all? Did you find out anything? } Ax asked.
"No, I guess we were in the quiet part of the forest." Marco said.
"We didn't see anything either." Rachel said as soon as Marco had finished laughing at himself.
"You all know that Visser Three has the rest of my family infested. Now he is threatening to kill them if I don't reveal you guys to him."
"I don't think that Visser Three would kill them. It would be a loss of some perfectly good hosts. Sorry if I sound heartless Stella but that's the way it is." Jake told me.
{ Forgive me for contradicting you Prince Jake but he would kill them. I do not believe that he would mind the loss of a few humans just to get back at Stella. }
"Exactly how much family do you have Stella?" Cassie asked me.
"Not too much. Both of my mother's parents are dead. So that leaves my father's parents. There's my mother's brother, Uncle Steve, who's married to Aunt Kelly. They have two kids, my cousins Mike and Joe. Then there's my father's sister, Aunt Maggie. She's married to Uncle Jeff. They have three kids, my cousins Jim, Ella, and Gwyn. That's pretty much it."
"I'd hate to have to tell you this Stella, but I don't think we can save all of them. Maybe a few of your cousins...." Jake started to say.
"What do you mean you can't help them?! They wouldn't be like this if it weren't for me. We have to save them. Gwyn's only a year old!"
"Look, Stella. If it was so easy to save hosts from being slaves don't you think my brother would be free by now?"
"I'm sorry Jake. I guess I just got carried away."
"I think we all might get carried away if we don't get some rest. Let's not think about this until tomorrow. Okay?" Marco said.
After that they all headed home. Ax and I headed back to the forest. I didn't bother to tell them that it was pointless. I wouldn't be here tomorrow. Despite what Ax had told me, Visser Three was right. I couldn't just abandon my family to him. I had to go back.
* *
*
Later that evening while I got ready for bed Ax stood guard at the edge of the clearing. Suddenly he turned to face me and he hid his face in his hands as if he were in pain.
{ I cannot stand this anymore! Stella, there is something that I must tell you. }
"Speak Ax-man."
{ I am not quite certain how I can say this. It is not something that I have ever felt for another being. Whenever I am around you..........I am in agony. The closer I get to you, the worse it gets. I even feel it in my true form. In human form this desire is almost too much to bear. In human form I have seen that Rachel is beautiful, but I have never felt this way around her. Though you are beautiful I do not believe that it is that which draws me. } By now his face was a mere inch from mine and he had his hands on my shoulders.
I knew that this behavior should have frightened me but his words stirred something in me. Something that I had felt for no man.
"You called me beautiful. No one's ever called me that before."
{ Why ever not? You are the most beautiful creature that I have ever laid eyes on. }
"Well........I'd say that you're a bit blinded by your........feelings for me. I'm not exactly the world's most raving beauty. I'm more what you would call a freak."
{ Far from it Stella. }
"Ax, could you morph a human real quick?"
{ Why? When I am around you in human morph I am very nearly in pain. How would it solve anything? }
"I think I might know how to help you. The only way to ease the burden of love is to express it. Suppressing it will only destroy you further."
{ How do you know all of this? }
"Actually it's something my sister used to say. Before they took her. She was a real philosopher, my sister."
{ So was Elfangor. } he said as he started to morph.
"There's something we have in common. Siblings that the Yeerks stole from us." It wasn't much to carry a conversation on but I was having trouble collecting my thoughts when my eyes fell on Ax. He was fully human now. There was a little bit of all the Animorphs in him except for Tobias. Though his looks did seem a bit girlish at times he was almost impossible to resist.
"What happens now Stella? It is getting worse." As he stared at me I felt sweat break out on my palms. His normally inquisitive gaze had become suddenly blank. As he took me in his arms I felt the same blankness steal over my mind. My mouth had run completely dry. I felt like I was drowning in the power of his eyes. The only thing that would save me was his kiss. Oy, teenage hormones can be a scary thing. But somehow it was more than the hormones. Something beyond mortal desire. Somewhere beyond the place where I stood in the cradle of Ax's arms. For the moment, instead of trying to figure it out, I gave in to the longing of my heart.
Slowly Ax brought his hand up to my face and stroked it with his palm. It did feel wonderful but it did nothing to sooth the pain of dying. Every second that his lips were not on mine was slowly killing me. Suddenly I saw fear and pleading in his eyes.
"It's not working. Stella, how exactly do humans kiss? I am suffering Stella. Every moment that I cannot express my love to you feels like a stab through my heart. What can I do? I am in so much pain. These emotions are tearing me apart!"
I giggled softly and drew his face closer to mine. Gently I pressed my lips onto his. Suddenly his human instinct seemed to kick in and he held me even tighter to his body. It felt like he was trying to crush me but at the same moment my pain left me. I could breath again. As I opened my mouth under his the threat of death suddenly passed. It was so wonderful, that first kiss. Little did I know that by doing it my destiny had been altered forever.
After a long while we pulled apart. I could still taste his lips.
"I love you Stella. I couldn't say it before but it is true. My feelings are against every law laid down by my people but I do not care. I need you too much. I want this too much."
"Really?"
Instead of answering he covered my mouth with his own again. Slowly he began to drag his lips down my neck. In between kisses he murmured the words, "I-love-you."
After nearly two hours of this Ax had to demorph. Reluctantly I pulled away from him.
"We should probably get to sleep." I said, trying not to cry at the loss of his touch.
{ Must we stop now? } Ax asked. I could almost feel the hurt in his voice.
"I'm afraid so. We can't get in too deep this early on. And Ax........please don't tell the others about this. Not that I didn't enjoy it but I don't believe that they should know just yet. They might take it the wrong way. Do you remember how you told me that our love wouldn't be accepted among your people. Well.......I don't think that even the other Animorphs would accept you and I.......together."
{ As you wish Stella.}
With that he turned away from me to keep watch and I crawled into my sleeping bag. For a long time I lay in the dark, dreading what I had to do. I hated giving up what I had just found in Ax, but maybe through my sacrifice he could go on living in secret. Maybe I could buy him and the other Animorphs some time. Silently I rose from the sleeping bag and crept over to Ax.
Quickly I morphed into an Andalite. I noticed that even his stalk eyes had drooped in sleep. That was unusual, even for him. Softly I placed my palm on his face.
When he suddenly mumbled in his sleep I pulled away from him sadly. With the thought that I might never see him again I galloped off into the forest.
The night was dark but I knew the way to the lake in the mountains.
* *
*
"Ax......get the others out of here while you still can. Take Gwyn, she is all that's left."
{ I will not leave you here Stella. }
"You must. It is......too late for me.....my love."
As I heard these words I felt such despair as I have never known in my entire lifetime. I heard the truth in her words and there was nothing that I could do to save her. The scene faded away and darkness overcame me.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!"
{ Stella! } I called out into the darkness of my mind.
Suddenly I saw Visser Three standing before me.
{ It is too late. She is dead. You failed to save her. Just as you failed to save your brother. } At these words my head was filled with his maniacal laughter.
{ NO! It's not true. } I cried out, trying to block out that horrible laughter. Once again I heard Stella's screams.
{ Where are you!!? } I shouted as I jerked awake.
It was only a dream. Just a dream. I told myself this as I tried to slow down my ragged breathing.
{ Stella? } I said as I walked over to her sleeping bag. Fear seized me when I realized that it was empty.
{ STELLA!? }I called out. Where could she have gone? Suddenly I looked down at the ground and realized that there was a different set of hoof prints mingled in with mine. They were those of a young Andalite female. The tracks headed off towards the mountains. She had gone back to the lake.
This was terrible! What did she think she could accomplish by it? I knew that she wouldn't give us away but what did she think she could do by giving herself up to Visser Three?
Without wasting another second I headed off through the forest to Tobias's tree.
This was my fault. I had let myself slip off guard. How could I!? I mentally rebuked myself. If I had been more careful she would not have left. Suddenly my dream came back to me. Unlike many on my planet, I am not one who believes in the gift of foresight. But for a moment I feared that this might be a glimpse of the future.
{ TOBIAS! Tobias wake up this instant! This is an emergency! }
{ What's up Ax-man? } he asked sleepily.
{ Stella has disappeared. I am certain that she has gone back up to the mountains. To the lake. }
{ Back to Visser Three. } Tobias said as the realization hit him.
{We've got to get up there. }
{ You're right. I'll get the others. }
{ There is no time. We have to get up there NOW! }
{ All righty then. Ax and Tobias to the rescue. } he said, lifting off into the air.
As we headed off into the night I prayed that we weren't already too late.
* *
*
When I started to see the lake through the trees I demorphed. Slowly I drew closer to he edge of the water. I didn't see anything unusual at first.
Then Hork-Bajir and taxxons appeared out of nowhere. Lights flashed all around me. I saw bug fighters swoop down out of the sky. How could I have missed those?
{ You will not escape me this time Stella. } I heard Visser Three say as he stepped out of the trees towards me. He signaled a group of Hork-Bajir to surround me; dracon beams leveled at my chest.
"You don't have to worry. I'm not going to run away this time." I said as I lowered my head in submission.
{ So, you finally realized the truth. Tell me where they are hiding. }
"I won't tell you anything until I see my family alive."
{ Your family is back on the Yeerk mother ship. In other words you will have to come back with me. }
"Yeah right. I'm not going to any Yeerk ship. I demand that you bring them back here."
{ I do not make deals with lesser species, human. } Having said this he whipped his tail blade forward and pressed it against my neck.
{ I suggest that you drop your demands. I am perfectly capable of finding them on my own. }
"Oh really? Not from where I'm standing."
{ What? I do not have time for this. I will not hesitate to kill you Stella. I can do this without your help. }
"Then kill me.....and find out."
In response to this he pressed the blade even harder up against my neck. I felt a small trickle of blood seep down my neck.
Suddenly I saw movement somewhere in the trees. Without even knowing how I knew, I could tell that it was Ax. Why was he here? How did he know that I would come here? I wanted to drive him away and at the same time I wanted him by my side. There was nothing that I could do against Visser Three. So I did the only thing that I could think of. I screamed. I screamed loud and long.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!!!!!!!!"
Just as the cry left my lips he burst out of the trees, followed by Tobias. He slashed out at anything in sight. He took down quite a few controllers before they got him. I didn't see what happened to Tobias.
{ Ah well. Maybe I will just use this young Andalite as leverage. What say you to that Stella? }
The Hork-Bajir dragged Ax forward.
{ No Stella! Do not let him use me against you! Don't give the others away! }
I turned my face away from him. It wasn't supposed to happen this way. I had no choice but to give in.
"Will you promise not to hurt him?" I cried out to Visser Three.
{ What was that? }He asked.
{ Excuse me? } Ax said.
"If I surrender, and I return with you to the Yeerk mother ship, will you promise not to hurt him?"
{ Of coarse. } he said silkily.
{ Stella don't listen to him! He is lying! } Ax tried to fight but the Hork-Bajir held him back. Visser Three's blade ship landed then.
{ Are you ready to go Stella? }
For a moment I hesitated. I looked back at Ax. I could see the pleading in his eyes.
{ No Stella. Please. }
{ I'm sorry Ax. It's the only way. }
Sadly I followed Visser Three on to the blade ship. I turned back one last time.
{ Stella, don't do this. } But it wasn't Ax who had spoken. I looked back into the forest and I saw a simple shadow, nothing more. I didn't answer Tobias this time. I just turned around and walked towards my doom.
This time I did not look back.