(A/N) Tabatha, thanks for reviewing again. Thank you a lot. Simply Sara,
thanks for reviewing again, and thanks for explaining #34. That story of
yours is really good. Hey, anybody out there who's bothering to read my
story, you should also go read Even So: The Truth Within the Lies. It's
really good, for those of you who like stories about the Andalite home
world. Qwerty, thanks for reviewing again. Qenies9, thanks for your review.
And what about the chapter did you not like? Aside from the fact that the
scene when Stella comes back to life is rather pathetic. What can I say?
I'm a sucker for sappy things like that. Okay I'll shut up now.
Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere's chapter nine!
Written in the Stars
Chapter 9: Never Give up
Stella and I had been working for many hours. The sun would be rising soon and she still hadn't managed to land a blow.
She stood before me now, still in Andalite morph. She was breathing very hard. I could see that she was tired.
{ We should stop now Stella. You need to rest. }
{ No! Again! } she said as she brought her tail blade forward for another attack. I easily blocked it.
{ You are too tired. You've been through a lot. I'll understand if you want to take a break. }
{ No! We are going to do this until I get it right. } With that she threw the blade at me again. Again, I blocked it.
{ It's not as easy as it seems. }
{ I don't care! We are going to finish this. }
{ All right, but remember to keep your main eyes on mine and your stalk eyes on my tail. Don't think about it. Just do it. }
She closed her main eyes for a few moments and drew her tail back up over her shoulder. When she opened them again I could almost see the fire burning in her eyes. She let her tail fly again. Once again I blocked it.
This time she backed off. She demorphed and collapsed to her knees. I thought she had finally decided to rest but when she looked back up at me I saw only rage in her eyes. She pulled herself shakily to her feet. Sweat was dripping down the sides of her face and each breath seemed to shake her composure. Then she leapt at me and her fist connected with the side of my head.
"Who needs the tail! I'll just use my fists!" she screamed.
I felt pain reverberating throughout my entire skull. Humans are much stronger than they appear. Despite my pain I managed to grab hold of her swinging fist. Unfortunately her human arms are much stronger than mine are so I barely managed to keep my hold.
{ Stella, calm down. }
"How can I calm down when he is still alive!? The filthy, murdering-"
{ Stella, please. I know how you feel. It's okay to feel the hurt. It's okay to feel the rage. But don't let it cloud your judgement. You are going about this the wrong way. You need to rest. You almost died yesterday. You are putting too much weight on yourself. If you don't take a break then you'll end up hurting yourself. }
She didn't answer, but she suddenly stopped struggling. The rage left her face and she was left only with pain. She was trembling. She collapsed to her knees once more. This time she curled up into a ball on the forest floor. I morphed to human and sat down beside her. As I placed my hand on her shoulder I began to feel the sobs shaking her body. I gently pulled her up from the ground to sit beside me. I wrapped my human arms around her and she rested her head on my shoulder. She cried as only one who has held back their pain for a long time can cry. I simply held her as the sobs were torn loose from her throat. There was no trace of the strong, resolved girl that had stood before me only a few moments ago.
"It's just not fair. Why couldn't I save them?" she asked helplessly.
"It's not your fault Stella. Just let it go."
"How? I can't just let him live knowing what he's done to so many innocent lives."
"I know, but you are in no state to fight him. But someday............"
I didn't finish the sentence. The sun was finally rising and as it began to light the forest I saw the dawn light up Stella's tear-stained face. We both turned to face each other. In that moment, even in all her grief and pain, she was so beautiful. I could hardly bear that she had suffered so much. I wanted to make it up to her but I wasn't sure how. I gently drew her face closer to mine. I suddenly felt calm. Calm such as I had not felt in all of my short life. Calm as I had never felt after the performance of any kind if ritual. Simply being with Stella, just sitting there in the forest holding her in my arms, filled me with a peace that I had never dreamed possible. These were the only things going through my mind as I pressed my lips firmly against hers.
She did not resist. She just brought up her own arms and wrapped them around my shoulders. This exchange would have been brief had I not chosen that moment to deepen the kiss. Stella had shown me how it worked last time. She opened her mouth under mine, almost as if she was trying to draw breath. But instead I let my tongue slip into her mouth. That taste was unlike anything that I have ever tasted in my time on Earth. It was sweeter than the best chocolate. More fiery than the spiciest chili. This action felt almost as if it burned my tongue. It was excruciating but I didn't want it to stop.
We pulled apart briefly. As I gazed into her eyes I felt a very strange sensation overcome my body. Suddenly she pushed me to the ground, not roughly though. She knelt her head over me. Before she could even react I pulled her down on top of me and wrapped my arms around her shoulders. Then I brought my head up a little bit and kissed her again. I closed my eyes, savoring the sweet taste of her lips. We were both breathing very hard now. Slowly we both returned to a sitting position. I could almost feel my passion for her burning a hole through my heart. How was it possible to love one being so much?
"Oh Ax, I love you so." She said as she wrapped her arms around me.
"Stella, Stella." I whispered her name over and over again. I pulled her face up to mine and kissed her again. I felt those strange, wonderful sensations coursing through my body once more.
{ Oooooooookay, I'll just wait outside then shall I. } I heard Tobias's thought speech in my head.
I quickly pulled away from Stella and turned to see Tobias ducking his head under one of his wings.
"Oh.....um...well..." I was completely tongue-tied.
Stella's face turned bright red and she quickly crawled over to her pack and pulled out some clothes to pull on over her morphing suit.
{ Tobias..... we were just- } I started to say after I had demorphed.
{ No need Ax-man. I get the picture. } He said. Even though his hawk features betrayed no emotion I could tell that he was grinning wickedly, in his own way.
"No really. Ax was teaching me how to tail fight and we stopped for a rest and....... well..... we just sort of......." Stella tried to explain.
{ Uhuh, yeah, right, sure. I can see perfectly well what's going on here. No need to be so secretive. It's not like we don't know that you two are an item. Just hope that Marco never catches you at that. You'd never hear the end of it. } Tobias said with a laugh.
Stella's face was still red but it was slowly fading to pink.
"How much of that did you see exactly?" Stella asked him.
{ I came in when Ax was moaning about you. } Tobias said matter-of- factly.
Stella's face turned red again.
"Um....okay. So what's on tab for today while the others are at school?" she asked him. I noticed that she was careful not to make eye contact with Tobias any longer than necessary.
{ Nothing as far as I know. We don't have anything to go on. So you guys can.......um.... go about your business if you want to. I'll leave. }
I wasn't quite certain what Tobias meant by this but I chose to ignore it.
"No, that's all right Tobias. But would you mind hanging around for a few minutes and keeping an eye on Gwyn? Ax and I have something to take care of."
{ No problem. }
{ Stella, what exactly do we have to take care of? } I asked her privately.
She didn't answer me. She started to morph to falcon. When she was finished she answered me.
{ You'll find out. Just follow my lead. } she said privately.
As soon as I had morphed to northern harrier Stella spoke to Tobias again.
{ We'll be back soon okay. Just make sure nothing happens to her. }
{ No worries Stella. Gwyn's safe with me. }
With that Stella flew off and I followed after her. We flew for almost an hour. When Stella finally landed I realized that we had come to the place where we had jumped off the cliffs.
{ What are we doing here Stella? } I asked her.
{ Ax....... Do you think I'm weak? } she asked me suddenly.
{ Weak? No! Of course not. You are the strongest person that I know. You survived the torture chamber of Visser Three. You defeated a Yeerk before it could take control of you. It has never been done before. I am surprised that even you are still standing after such an ordeal. How could you possibly think that you are weak? }
{ If I'm so strong how come I couldn't save my family? } she asked bitterly.
{ Stella, that you survived such torment at all, mentally and physically, is credit enough. Is that why you brought me out here? To ask me that? }
{ There was that, and something else. }
{ What is it? }
{ Ax, I'm scared. I think there's something wrong with me. } she said as she began to demorph.
{ Something wrong with you? How so? } I asked her as I started to demorph.
"I'm not sure. But something strange is happening. I started to notice it yesterday at the mall. It's not exactly pain. It's just this strange pressure that I feel in my head. I've never felt anything like it before. It's not a regular headache. It's almost like something is squeezing my brain. I'm afraid."
{ Yes Stella, something is wrong with you. }
"Who said that?" Stella asked fearfully. For indeed, it had not been me who had spoken.
{ I think you know. }
Then it hit me. It was Visser Three that we had both heard.
"Where are you?" she asked menacingly as she turned around to search the forest.
{ Nowhere that you can see me. I am inside your head. } he answered silkily.
"What?" she asked in a shocked voice.
{ No, it can't be. He's lying. } I told her.
{ Oh not in the way that you would think. I am still on the Yeerk mother ship. The only reason that you can hear me is because of a device implanted in your head. }
"So what's the deal? Do you have control over me?" she asked him.
{ Oh no, far from it. When I placed the Yeerk in your head, he carried with him, a monitoring device. Unfortunately for myself, I didn't see the need to place a tracking device on you. This device allows me to keep track of your vital systems. It also allows me to communicate directly with you or anyone standing near you. Which reminds me. Are you alone Stella? } he asked her.
"Yes." She answered.
{ Hah-hah-hah! Foolish girl! Did you really think that you could get away with lying to me? This device also monitors your emotional state. I can see that you are lying. There is someone with you. Someone...... that you care for.....deeply. }
I could see the fear blossoming anew on Stella's face.
"What do you want?"
{ I want you dead Stella. But so long as you hide from me it is something that I cannot have. }
I raised my tail blade. Every atom of my being told me to fight back. But there was nothing that I could do against this unseen enemy.
"And why have you waited so long to contact me?"
{ I was waiting until you noticed the presence of the device. I first noticed the fear growing in you this morning. Then I decided that it was the right time to make myself known to you. }
"So is this a permanent thing?"
{ No. The device will cease to function within a week or so. But you haven't got a week Stella. I'll make sure of that. }
"Do I even want to know where this is heading?"
{ You have done the impossible. You have successfully rebelled against a Yeerk and you still live to tell the tale. I can't have something like that scarring my reputation. I propose that we meet in combat to find out which of us is stronger. I cannot have an insignificant human child standing up to me. }
"Can you say obsession?" Stella asked sarcastically.
{ I most certainly can. What has that got to do with anything? }
"Oy."
{ So what say you? Do you accept my challenge? }
{ No Stella! Don't do it! }
But she ignored me.
"I accept." She said calmly.
{ Good. There is an abandoned construction site just outside of your town- } he started to say.
"I know where it is."
{ Even better. Then that is where we shall meet. I will come alone and I expect you to do the same. }
"How do I know that you won't break your word?" she asked him contemptuously.
{ You do not. But I expect you to come alone. This is between you and I. Because of what you are I cannot allow you to live. }
"What do you mean by that?"
{ I would bother to explain but you will not live long enough to care. We will meet tonight. Now if you will excuse me, I have some preparations to make. Hah-hah-hah! }
"Yo! Visser Three! You still there?" she asked.
There was no answer.
"I'll take that as a no."
{ Stella, why did you do that? }
"Visser Three wants a fight? He'll get a fight."
{ But Stella, he might kill you! }
"Then so be it. If I die, then I'll die avenging my family." The steel determination and rage had returned to her face. She had a purpose again.
{ Stella........ why must you confront him? }
"I think you know Ax. You have the same reasons that I have. Besides, I'm gonna prove to him that we humans aren't going to take things lying down. He's accused us of being cowards. I can't let that stand."
With that she morphed back to falcon. Instead of arguing I also morphed to bird and followed her as she flew off. As we flew over the forest together I contemplated Stella's resolve to fight Visser Three. She was so brave. I had never seen an individual brave enough to take on the challenge of facing him in single combat. Not even the best of the war princes on the home world had the courage to fight him. And yet this young human girl with no fighting experience whatsoever was willing to face him. Humans puzzle me greatly. They appear so cowardly and weak at first. No reasonable creature would ever take a human as a threat. But beneath all of that, there is an indomitable spirit that will not give up. At least in some humans anyway.
{ Stella, what are you going to tell the others? }
{ Nothing. This is my fight. I don't want them to get involved. Someone could get hurt.}
{ This is my fight too Stella! I can't let you go alone. Visser Three will never keep his word. You can't fight him alone. I-}
{ I can fight him alone and I will. As long as Visser Three is aiming for me, anyone close to me is going to end up getting hurt. }
{ Okay, don't tell the others about it. But at least let me go with you. I can help you. Is it so wrong to ask for help? }
{ No Ax. You'd only be in my way. I won't have you dying because of my mistake. Everything will be fine if I go alone. This is my duty. I must see it through to the end. }
Duty. I couldn't argue with that. She had hit me in a weak spot. We Andalites are raised to believe in the importance of duty. How had she known that it would get me to be quiet? Stella thought so much like an Andalite it scared me. How could she possibly think that she lacked courage?
* * *
"Take care of Gwyn for me, okay." Stella said as she prepared to embark on her suicide mission.
"Stella is there any way that I could talk you out of this?" I asked her.
"No."
"How exactly do you plan on killing him?"
"I don't. But if I do die then I'll die proving to that freak that it won't be as easy to take Earth as he thought." She answered boldly.
Stella turned away from me to walk away through the forest. But I stopped her and turned her to face me.
"I love you Stella." I whispered as I wrapped my arms around her.
"I know." She whispered back. I saw the glistening sign of tears in her eyes.
Without another word I brought my face down to hers and kissed her. Probably for the last time. As we drew apart I felt tears spring to my own human eyes.
"Why do you have to leave me? I can go with you. We can stop Visser Three together."
"Wishful thinking Ax. This is something that I have to do on my own. I don't want to see you get hurt. If I don't come back.........tell the others what happened."
I didn't answer her. I simply pulled her to me and kissed her again. I never wanted this moment to end.
Suddenly she pulled herself away from me.
"Please Ax. Don't make this any harder than it already is. I need to go." I could see tears streaking down her face as she backed away from me.
Then she turned and walked away. She did not look back.
After a long while I demorphed. I just stood there, staring off in the direction that she had gone. Suddenly Tobias flew into the clearing.
{ Hey Ax-man. Where's Stella? }
{ I- I cannot tell you. } I answered brokenly.
{ I don't like that tone of voice. What happened? }
It was then that the answer came to me. I couldn't just let Stella go off and die. I had to follow her where ever she went. It was my responsibility if I was willing to accept the burden of loving her. I had to protect her. Besides, I had a score to settle with Visser Three.
{ Hello. Earth to Ax. Are you still in there? }
{ Tobias, we must get the others. I cannot let her die. }
* * *
As I walked into the construction site I was completely on edge. My heart started to beat wildly at the slightest noise. I wondered aimlessly through the half-finished concrete buildings. Suddenly I realized that I had come to the place where I had first seen the morphing cube. This must have been the spot where Elfangor first landed. Or somewhere near here. That meant that it was also the spot where he had perished, at the hands of Visser Three. Was it me who would now die in this self-same place?
{ A fine place you have picked. The very spot where Elfangor died. }
I spun around and found myself facing Visser Three. With him was a small band of Hork Bajir controllers.
"So, I see that you haven't kept your word. Why am I not surprised?"
{ Isn't it ironic? The very place where Prince Elfangor was brought down will now be your final resting place as well. }
"Don't count on it Visser. I don't plan on dying here. You messed with the wrong girl and now you'll pay for it." I said, trying to sound bold. Don't get me wrong. I was sick with fear. But I remembered just then, something that Claire had told me a long time ago. It was a school play and I had some serious stage fright issues. But then she told me that courage is not the absence of fear, but that something else is more important than fear. Bringing down this vile creature was definitely more important than fear.
{ Pretty words Stella, but is that all that they are? }
As the sun set a bolt of lightening split the sky overhead. A few raindrops fell to the Earth and thunder sounded.
{ This electrical storm is a perfect backdrop for your demise. } Visser Three sneered.
"No! It's you who dies this time! I am not afraid of you!"
With that I leapt at him. He was so shocked that I would dare to attack him in my true form that he didn't even try to stop me. I felt a strange sort of exhilaration course through me as my fist connected with his face. I rained in many blows on his weak upper body before he could even react. Finally I pulled back from him, satisfied to see bruises popping up on his head and arms. At least I think that's what they were. It was hard to tell through his fir.
{ YOU'LL PAY FOR THAT YOU INSOLENT BRAT!!! Not afraid of me are you. Well I shall remedy that. }
{ STELLA!! } I heard Ax's voice in my head.
I turned my head to see Ax running towards us. Behind him were a bear, a tiger, a wolf, a gorilla, and a hawk flew overhead through the increasing rain.
{ The star must die! } Visser Three shouted for all to hear.
"What star?" I asked, suddenly fearful again. I had heard those words before.
{ Now you die. } he whispered vehemently. Then he whipped his tail-blade forward.
{ NOOOOO!!! } I heard Ax shouting.
As the blade came slashing down towards my neck to end my life, time froze once more.
THERE IS STILL A CHOICE TO BE MADE STELLA.
I heard the voice of the Ellimist in my head as he drew me up out of the three dimensional world.
* *
*
Written in the Stars
Chapter 9: Never Give up
Stella and I had been working for many hours. The sun would be rising soon and she still hadn't managed to land a blow.
She stood before me now, still in Andalite morph. She was breathing very hard. I could see that she was tired.
{ We should stop now Stella. You need to rest. }
{ No! Again! } she said as she brought her tail blade forward for another attack. I easily blocked it.
{ You are too tired. You've been through a lot. I'll understand if you want to take a break. }
{ No! We are going to do this until I get it right. } With that she threw the blade at me again. Again, I blocked it.
{ It's not as easy as it seems. }
{ I don't care! We are going to finish this. }
{ All right, but remember to keep your main eyes on mine and your stalk eyes on my tail. Don't think about it. Just do it. }
She closed her main eyes for a few moments and drew her tail back up over her shoulder. When she opened them again I could almost see the fire burning in her eyes. She let her tail fly again. Once again I blocked it.
This time she backed off. She demorphed and collapsed to her knees. I thought she had finally decided to rest but when she looked back up at me I saw only rage in her eyes. She pulled herself shakily to her feet. Sweat was dripping down the sides of her face and each breath seemed to shake her composure. Then she leapt at me and her fist connected with the side of my head.
"Who needs the tail! I'll just use my fists!" she screamed.
I felt pain reverberating throughout my entire skull. Humans are much stronger than they appear. Despite my pain I managed to grab hold of her swinging fist. Unfortunately her human arms are much stronger than mine are so I barely managed to keep my hold.
{ Stella, calm down. }
"How can I calm down when he is still alive!? The filthy, murdering-"
{ Stella, please. I know how you feel. It's okay to feel the hurt. It's okay to feel the rage. But don't let it cloud your judgement. You are going about this the wrong way. You need to rest. You almost died yesterday. You are putting too much weight on yourself. If you don't take a break then you'll end up hurting yourself. }
She didn't answer, but she suddenly stopped struggling. The rage left her face and she was left only with pain. She was trembling. She collapsed to her knees once more. This time she curled up into a ball on the forest floor. I morphed to human and sat down beside her. As I placed my hand on her shoulder I began to feel the sobs shaking her body. I gently pulled her up from the ground to sit beside me. I wrapped my human arms around her and she rested her head on my shoulder. She cried as only one who has held back their pain for a long time can cry. I simply held her as the sobs were torn loose from her throat. There was no trace of the strong, resolved girl that had stood before me only a few moments ago.
"It's just not fair. Why couldn't I save them?" she asked helplessly.
"It's not your fault Stella. Just let it go."
"How? I can't just let him live knowing what he's done to so many innocent lives."
"I know, but you are in no state to fight him. But someday............"
I didn't finish the sentence. The sun was finally rising and as it began to light the forest I saw the dawn light up Stella's tear-stained face. We both turned to face each other. In that moment, even in all her grief and pain, she was so beautiful. I could hardly bear that she had suffered so much. I wanted to make it up to her but I wasn't sure how. I gently drew her face closer to mine. I suddenly felt calm. Calm such as I had not felt in all of my short life. Calm as I had never felt after the performance of any kind if ritual. Simply being with Stella, just sitting there in the forest holding her in my arms, filled me with a peace that I had never dreamed possible. These were the only things going through my mind as I pressed my lips firmly against hers.
She did not resist. She just brought up her own arms and wrapped them around my shoulders. This exchange would have been brief had I not chosen that moment to deepen the kiss. Stella had shown me how it worked last time. She opened her mouth under mine, almost as if she was trying to draw breath. But instead I let my tongue slip into her mouth. That taste was unlike anything that I have ever tasted in my time on Earth. It was sweeter than the best chocolate. More fiery than the spiciest chili. This action felt almost as if it burned my tongue. It was excruciating but I didn't want it to stop.
We pulled apart briefly. As I gazed into her eyes I felt a very strange sensation overcome my body. Suddenly she pushed me to the ground, not roughly though. She knelt her head over me. Before she could even react I pulled her down on top of me and wrapped my arms around her shoulders. Then I brought my head up a little bit and kissed her again. I closed my eyes, savoring the sweet taste of her lips. We were both breathing very hard now. Slowly we both returned to a sitting position. I could almost feel my passion for her burning a hole through my heart. How was it possible to love one being so much?
"Oh Ax, I love you so." She said as she wrapped her arms around me.
"Stella, Stella." I whispered her name over and over again. I pulled her face up to mine and kissed her again. I felt those strange, wonderful sensations coursing through my body once more.
{ Oooooooookay, I'll just wait outside then shall I. } I heard Tobias's thought speech in my head.
I quickly pulled away from Stella and turned to see Tobias ducking his head under one of his wings.
"Oh.....um...well..." I was completely tongue-tied.
Stella's face turned bright red and she quickly crawled over to her pack and pulled out some clothes to pull on over her morphing suit.
{ Tobias..... we were just- } I started to say after I had demorphed.
{ No need Ax-man. I get the picture. } He said. Even though his hawk features betrayed no emotion I could tell that he was grinning wickedly, in his own way.
"No really. Ax was teaching me how to tail fight and we stopped for a rest and....... well..... we just sort of......." Stella tried to explain.
{ Uhuh, yeah, right, sure. I can see perfectly well what's going on here. No need to be so secretive. It's not like we don't know that you two are an item. Just hope that Marco never catches you at that. You'd never hear the end of it. } Tobias said with a laugh.
Stella's face was still red but it was slowly fading to pink.
"How much of that did you see exactly?" Stella asked him.
{ I came in when Ax was moaning about you. } Tobias said matter-of- factly.
Stella's face turned red again.
"Um....okay. So what's on tab for today while the others are at school?" she asked him. I noticed that she was careful not to make eye contact with Tobias any longer than necessary.
{ Nothing as far as I know. We don't have anything to go on. So you guys can.......um.... go about your business if you want to. I'll leave. }
I wasn't quite certain what Tobias meant by this but I chose to ignore it.
"No, that's all right Tobias. But would you mind hanging around for a few minutes and keeping an eye on Gwyn? Ax and I have something to take care of."
{ No problem. }
{ Stella, what exactly do we have to take care of? } I asked her privately.
She didn't answer me. She started to morph to falcon. When she was finished she answered me.
{ You'll find out. Just follow my lead. } she said privately.
As soon as I had morphed to northern harrier Stella spoke to Tobias again.
{ We'll be back soon okay. Just make sure nothing happens to her. }
{ No worries Stella. Gwyn's safe with me. }
With that Stella flew off and I followed after her. We flew for almost an hour. When Stella finally landed I realized that we had come to the place where we had jumped off the cliffs.
{ What are we doing here Stella? } I asked her.
{ Ax....... Do you think I'm weak? } she asked me suddenly.
{ Weak? No! Of course not. You are the strongest person that I know. You survived the torture chamber of Visser Three. You defeated a Yeerk before it could take control of you. It has never been done before. I am surprised that even you are still standing after such an ordeal. How could you possibly think that you are weak? }
{ If I'm so strong how come I couldn't save my family? } she asked bitterly.
{ Stella, that you survived such torment at all, mentally and physically, is credit enough. Is that why you brought me out here? To ask me that? }
{ There was that, and something else. }
{ What is it? }
{ Ax, I'm scared. I think there's something wrong with me. } she said as she began to demorph.
{ Something wrong with you? How so? } I asked her as I started to demorph.
"I'm not sure. But something strange is happening. I started to notice it yesterday at the mall. It's not exactly pain. It's just this strange pressure that I feel in my head. I've never felt anything like it before. It's not a regular headache. It's almost like something is squeezing my brain. I'm afraid."
{ Yes Stella, something is wrong with you. }
"Who said that?" Stella asked fearfully. For indeed, it had not been me who had spoken.
{ I think you know. }
Then it hit me. It was Visser Three that we had both heard.
"Where are you?" she asked menacingly as she turned around to search the forest.
{ Nowhere that you can see me. I am inside your head. } he answered silkily.
"What?" she asked in a shocked voice.
{ No, it can't be. He's lying. } I told her.
{ Oh not in the way that you would think. I am still on the Yeerk mother ship. The only reason that you can hear me is because of a device implanted in your head. }
"So what's the deal? Do you have control over me?" she asked him.
{ Oh no, far from it. When I placed the Yeerk in your head, he carried with him, a monitoring device. Unfortunately for myself, I didn't see the need to place a tracking device on you. This device allows me to keep track of your vital systems. It also allows me to communicate directly with you or anyone standing near you. Which reminds me. Are you alone Stella? } he asked her.
"Yes." She answered.
{ Hah-hah-hah! Foolish girl! Did you really think that you could get away with lying to me? This device also monitors your emotional state. I can see that you are lying. There is someone with you. Someone...... that you care for.....deeply. }
I could see the fear blossoming anew on Stella's face.
"What do you want?"
{ I want you dead Stella. But so long as you hide from me it is something that I cannot have. }
I raised my tail blade. Every atom of my being told me to fight back. But there was nothing that I could do against this unseen enemy.
"And why have you waited so long to contact me?"
{ I was waiting until you noticed the presence of the device. I first noticed the fear growing in you this morning. Then I decided that it was the right time to make myself known to you. }
"So is this a permanent thing?"
{ No. The device will cease to function within a week or so. But you haven't got a week Stella. I'll make sure of that. }
"Do I even want to know where this is heading?"
{ You have done the impossible. You have successfully rebelled against a Yeerk and you still live to tell the tale. I can't have something like that scarring my reputation. I propose that we meet in combat to find out which of us is stronger. I cannot have an insignificant human child standing up to me. }
"Can you say obsession?" Stella asked sarcastically.
{ I most certainly can. What has that got to do with anything? }
"Oy."
{ So what say you? Do you accept my challenge? }
{ No Stella! Don't do it! }
But she ignored me.
"I accept." She said calmly.
{ Good. There is an abandoned construction site just outside of your town- } he started to say.
"I know where it is."
{ Even better. Then that is where we shall meet. I will come alone and I expect you to do the same. }
"How do I know that you won't break your word?" she asked him contemptuously.
{ You do not. But I expect you to come alone. This is between you and I. Because of what you are I cannot allow you to live. }
"What do you mean by that?"
{ I would bother to explain but you will not live long enough to care. We will meet tonight. Now if you will excuse me, I have some preparations to make. Hah-hah-hah! }
"Yo! Visser Three! You still there?" she asked.
There was no answer.
"I'll take that as a no."
{ Stella, why did you do that? }
"Visser Three wants a fight? He'll get a fight."
{ But Stella, he might kill you! }
"Then so be it. If I die, then I'll die avenging my family." The steel determination and rage had returned to her face. She had a purpose again.
{ Stella........ why must you confront him? }
"I think you know Ax. You have the same reasons that I have. Besides, I'm gonna prove to him that we humans aren't going to take things lying down. He's accused us of being cowards. I can't let that stand."
With that she morphed back to falcon. Instead of arguing I also morphed to bird and followed her as she flew off. As we flew over the forest together I contemplated Stella's resolve to fight Visser Three. She was so brave. I had never seen an individual brave enough to take on the challenge of facing him in single combat. Not even the best of the war princes on the home world had the courage to fight him. And yet this young human girl with no fighting experience whatsoever was willing to face him. Humans puzzle me greatly. They appear so cowardly and weak at first. No reasonable creature would ever take a human as a threat. But beneath all of that, there is an indomitable spirit that will not give up. At least in some humans anyway.
{ Stella, what are you going to tell the others? }
{ Nothing. This is my fight. I don't want them to get involved. Someone could get hurt.}
{ This is my fight too Stella! I can't let you go alone. Visser Three will never keep his word. You can't fight him alone. I-}
{ I can fight him alone and I will. As long as Visser Three is aiming for me, anyone close to me is going to end up getting hurt. }
{ Okay, don't tell the others about it. But at least let me go with you. I can help you. Is it so wrong to ask for help? }
{ No Ax. You'd only be in my way. I won't have you dying because of my mistake. Everything will be fine if I go alone. This is my duty. I must see it through to the end. }
Duty. I couldn't argue with that. She had hit me in a weak spot. We Andalites are raised to believe in the importance of duty. How had she known that it would get me to be quiet? Stella thought so much like an Andalite it scared me. How could she possibly think that she lacked courage?
* * *
"Take care of Gwyn for me, okay." Stella said as she prepared to embark on her suicide mission.
"Stella is there any way that I could talk you out of this?" I asked her.
"No."
"How exactly do you plan on killing him?"
"I don't. But if I do die then I'll die proving to that freak that it won't be as easy to take Earth as he thought." She answered boldly.
Stella turned away from me to walk away through the forest. But I stopped her and turned her to face me.
"I love you Stella." I whispered as I wrapped my arms around her.
"I know." She whispered back. I saw the glistening sign of tears in her eyes.
Without another word I brought my face down to hers and kissed her. Probably for the last time. As we drew apart I felt tears spring to my own human eyes.
"Why do you have to leave me? I can go with you. We can stop Visser Three together."
"Wishful thinking Ax. This is something that I have to do on my own. I don't want to see you get hurt. If I don't come back.........tell the others what happened."
I didn't answer her. I simply pulled her to me and kissed her again. I never wanted this moment to end.
Suddenly she pulled herself away from me.
"Please Ax. Don't make this any harder than it already is. I need to go." I could see tears streaking down her face as she backed away from me.
Then she turned and walked away. She did not look back.
After a long while I demorphed. I just stood there, staring off in the direction that she had gone. Suddenly Tobias flew into the clearing.
{ Hey Ax-man. Where's Stella? }
{ I- I cannot tell you. } I answered brokenly.
{ I don't like that tone of voice. What happened? }
It was then that the answer came to me. I couldn't just let Stella go off and die. I had to follow her where ever she went. It was my responsibility if I was willing to accept the burden of loving her. I had to protect her. Besides, I had a score to settle with Visser Three.
{ Hello. Earth to Ax. Are you still in there? }
{ Tobias, we must get the others. I cannot let her die. }
* * *
As I walked into the construction site I was completely on edge. My heart started to beat wildly at the slightest noise. I wondered aimlessly through the half-finished concrete buildings. Suddenly I realized that I had come to the place where I had first seen the morphing cube. This must have been the spot where Elfangor first landed. Or somewhere near here. That meant that it was also the spot where he had perished, at the hands of Visser Three. Was it me who would now die in this self-same place?
{ A fine place you have picked. The very spot where Elfangor died. }
I spun around and found myself facing Visser Three. With him was a small band of Hork Bajir controllers.
"So, I see that you haven't kept your word. Why am I not surprised?"
{ Isn't it ironic? The very place where Prince Elfangor was brought down will now be your final resting place as well. }
"Don't count on it Visser. I don't plan on dying here. You messed with the wrong girl and now you'll pay for it." I said, trying to sound bold. Don't get me wrong. I was sick with fear. But I remembered just then, something that Claire had told me a long time ago. It was a school play and I had some serious stage fright issues. But then she told me that courage is not the absence of fear, but that something else is more important than fear. Bringing down this vile creature was definitely more important than fear.
{ Pretty words Stella, but is that all that they are? }
As the sun set a bolt of lightening split the sky overhead. A few raindrops fell to the Earth and thunder sounded.
{ This electrical storm is a perfect backdrop for your demise. } Visser Three sneered.
"No! It's you who dies this time! I am not afraid of you!"
With that I leapt at him. He was so shocked that I would dare to attack him in my true form that he didn't even try to stop me. I felt a strange sort of exhilaration course through me as my fist connected with his face. I rained in many blows on his weak upper body before he could even react. Finally I pulled back from him, satisfied to see bruises popping up on his head and arms. At least I think that's what they were. It was hard to tell through his fir.
{ YOU'LL PAY FOR THAT YOU INSOLENT BRAT!!! Not afraid of me are you. Well I shall remedy that. }
{ STELLA!! } I heard Ax's voice in my head.
I turned my head to see Ax running towards us. Behind him were a bear, a tiger, a wolf, a gorilla, and a hawk flew overhead through the increasing rain.
{ The star must die! } Visser Three shouted for all to hear.
"What star?" I asked, suddenly fearful again. I had heard those words before.
{ Now you die. } he whispered vehemently. Then he whipped his tail-blade forward.
{ NOOOOO!!! } I heard Ax shouting.
As the blade came slashing down towards my neck to end my life, time froze once more.
THERE IS STILL A CHOICE TO BE MADE STELLA.
I heard the voice of the Ellimist in my head as he drew me up out of the three dimensional world.
* *
*