A/N- Thanks to everyone who informed me about Andalite names. It was a big help; Zantar's full name should be included in this chapter.
DH- Burns your soapbox I think we see what you mean by now! Thanks for your input though.
Chessrook44-Thanks for the compliment! Yeah, I have an idea for another book, making this a 'series', but it's in rough stages right now. I'm still not sure whether to post it.
Wraithlord42-Thanks for the input, and Alanthi isn't 'technically' in the military. She isn't a warrior, anyway. She's training to be a scientist who works for the military.
Korean Pearl- Thanks for info on Andalite names, as I said above. It was helpful.
Panthergirl-Thanks!
Mersang-I don't think Andalites were encouraged to have more than two children, it says in the Andalite Chronicles there were usually only two. But I could be wrong.
It's a weird experience, being an Andalite. That was my very first morph, ever, and I have to admit its one of the coolest and weirdest at the same time. Suddenly I've got two, no three, extra appendages, including the tail, which is so cool.
And having no mouth was really strange. I felt like someone from a sci-fi movie, speaking with telepathy. Except my life is kind of like a sci-fi movie, isn't it? I can go so much faster on four legs than on two, and I actually beat Zak to the meadow! I never could have done that as a human.
Although eating was the weirdest part of all. Having food go up your legs is a very weird, ticklish sensation, but after awhile it began to be a nuisance. I had to keep reminding myself it was natural.
Then, on an impulse, I decided to demorph. I wasn't near the limit yet, but what if someone saw me as an Andalite? That would be kind of hard to explain. So I asked Zak to wait while I demorphed before leaving the meadow. I was glad I did.
We went back to the old method of me riding on Zak's back, and were not more than five minutes into the woods before Alanthi found us. What a close call! She trotted up next to us, but concentrated her eyes elsewhere. Then she began to talk.
Listen, Zantar, I'm sorry for the way I acted last night. I shouldn't have run away like that.
It's okay, Alanthi, Zak replied. Than after a moment Alanthi spoke again.
I may not like it, but I think I should be honest with you. Last night, you asked what other Andalites would think of you being raised on earth, and not knowing as much as they do. She paused for a moment, and then went on. Honestly…some people are likely to be prejudiced. Actually, a lot of them will probably be. I was at first, a little, but then, well, it isn't just smarts that count, although they are important. I think you could be as smart as any one of us, if you studied really hard and got some tutoring, but I'm not totally sure. So, it might be kind of hard to get a job, when you come. But I could help you study or something… She trailed off.
Zak was quiet for a moment. Then he said, Thanks for being honest with me, Alanthi. I'm still not sure what to do, this is a big decision. But I appreciate your info. After saying this, though, Zak looked depressed. I felt really sorry for him, but I wasn't sure what to say. Finally, I decided changing the subject might help all of us.
"Hey, Alanthi, I've been wondering. Do Andalites have any last names? I mean, you've told us that your name is Alanthi. But my name is Bri Johnson. So do you have a last name?"
She looked unsure if she should answer, but then said, Yes, actually. Andalites have three names each. My full name is Alanthi-Estana-Illinia. Estana is my father's middle name, and Illinia is my mother's last name. I am the first child in my family.
Zak looked intrigued, and asked, What is my full name then? What were my parents' names again?
Alanthi concentrated. Your father's name was Kylaron-Semityr-Dyron, I think. And your mother was Aleera-Treminar-Dantil. So that would make you Zantar-Semityr-Dantil.
Zak tried it out. Zantar-Semityr-Dantil.
"In human, that makes you Zak Semdan."
Zak turned his eyestalks back to face me. What?
"Well, maybe not in human, but in Bri's Human Translations of Shortened Andalite Names, that is your name."
Zak groaned. Bri, you are taking this name-shortening thing too far. It was funny the first time. Interesting the second time. Now it's just annoying. There was a short pause, and then everyone started laughing.
We spent the day in the forest and hills around Zak's home. We even went as far as Sam's ranch, to show Allie what it was like to ride a horse. And we had a generally good, relaxed time. Nobody mentioned Zak's Decision.
But the day wasn't that important. What was important was the barbeque, later that night.
We invited everyone, of course, but the male Andalites declined. I had the feeling that they were impatient to be away, and would have left already, if Mendanosh hadn't insisted on giving Zak the three days to make his decision. Alanthi decided to come. I was liking her more, as we spent some more time together, even as arrogant as she could be sometimes. But not enough to loose my best friend to her.
Then I pushed that thought away. Zak wouldn't leave me for Allie. He would go, if he decided to go, because he wanted to be with his people, and his family. Not because he had a crush on an Andalite girl he had only known for a week.
Before we could go, we needed some way to disguise Allie's human morph. In the end, Allie ended up acquiring Sam's human morph and performed a Kacheet, or Frollis maneuver, making her look less like my identical twin. Then we were off.
Sam drove us to the barbeque, which was hosted by the church's youth group, and mainly for teens. I had a friend who went to this church, and she'd invited me, but anyone could come. There was supposed to be games and music later.
We all arrived and I introduced Zak and Allie to some friends. Zak was kind of shy, but Allie surprised me- she had good social skills. She didn't know much about earth culture, but she was able to use what she did know to learn more by chatting. Surprisingly, she was able to get over stuttering all the time, although it did come up once or twice. After visiting with everyone for a while, we headed over to the food. I cautioned both Zak and Allie about over-reacting to the food, but apparently it didn't have much affect. They still gobbled their food down faster and more rapturous than anyone else at our table. The others looked on a little strangely, but soon accepted that although my friends ate strangely and talked differently, they were nice people on the inside.
When everyone was done eating, we just sat around talking until someone announced the games were starting. The very first game was the three-legged-race, and everyone was asked to pick a partner.
I turned to Zak and asked, "Be my partner?"
"What do-oo we have to do?"
"Well, we put or legs next to each other, then our legs are tied together and we run. No big deal."
"Are you serious? Ear. Ee-us."
"Yes, I'm sear-ee-us. Now come on, you don't have a choice. Lets go!" Allie ended up being partners with a girl named Jamie, and we all tied out legs together. Then it was time to start.
"Ready?" called one of the leaders. "Set? Go!"
It won't surprise you that neither our team nor Allie's team won that night. Zak and I stumbled down onto the grass after three steps, laughing. Allie and Jamie weren't too far ahead of us. But that was okay; it was all in good fun.
Besides, Allie and Zak made up for it later on in the night. They had a Twinkie-eating contest. You know, the one where you see who can eat a box of Twinkies the fastest? Man, that contest was over in a flash. Zak and Allie both stuffed the Twinkies in, and Zak was only seconds ahead of her in finishing his box. He won a gift certificate to Cold Stone for his efforts.
After all the games, music was played until adults came to pick us up. We started a big group dance, and some people paired off, even if it wasn't a slow dance. When that started, I asked Zak, "Hey, you uh, wanna dance?"
"I-I don't know how. Ow. And remember the race? Ace."
"The race was fun, and this will be too. You'll see. Come on!"
The song that was playing right then was Spinnin' Around by Jump 5, and as we ended up in that big group, just spinning, I reflected that this is just how I felt at that moment. I forgot about the possibility of Zak leaving, and just concentrated on just the here and now, and the two of us.
And right as I was getting into the moment, the part about not loosing your balance played, which was ironic, because that's what Zak did. We fell down on the grass in a heap. Zak looked real embarrassed, but I just laughed again. It was a great night.
I guess I tried to keep myself distracted for the car ride home, not saying anything. Zak and me sat in the back, looking out the windows, just thinking, while Allie told Sam everything that happened. Right then I wished I could read minds, because I wanted to know what Zak was thinking. Tomorrow the Andalites would be leaving on their spaceship. Would Zak be with them?
A/N-This is wrapping up. Next chapter should be last or second to last, and there'll be an epilogue. So about two to three chappy's left! Hope everyone enjoyed this, nothing too deep, but Bri's starting to like Zak as more than just a friend…