A/N ~ Sorry this took so long. My brother hogs the computer. This chapter is in Elfangor's point of view. Another important note, if this isn't your first time reading this fic – I screwed up again. A small change in the last chapter, Tobias has to demorph to hawk before acquiring Elfangor. He doesn't explain anything, just says that it's a long story, and leaves it at that.

Disclaimer: No, obviously I don't own the Animorphs, or any of the characters. *sigh* They belong to K.A. and Scholastic. Nor do I own the song Day Is Done, which belongs to Peter, Paul and Mary.

My brain was still trying to absorb everything that had happened in the last twenty minutes, as I said a final goodbye to my son - my son! – and placed my hand on the Time Matrix, traveling carefully through space, but not time. Not yet.

I hid myself behind one of the half-built walls in the construction site, and watched as Tobias stumbled out of the ship, playing the part of me. He fell, and the one who had to be his younger self tried to hold him up, to no avail. I wondered how strange it must be for Tobias to be reliving this bizarre scene from such a different viewpoint. I watched as the young people offered to help him, and he refused.

Tell me why you're crying, my son.

I know you're frightened like everyone.

I am still here, Tobias, I said in thought-speak. I felt his relief and gratefulness, and he opened his thought-speak to me as well, as he explained the Yeerk threat to these young humans.

Is it the thunder in the distance you fear?

Will it help if I stay very near?

I am here.

When he sent one of them into my ship for the morphing cube, he told me about them in private thought-speak. He told me their names and gave me some last-minute instructions. Seeing them again seemed to make him feel both sad and, somehow, fulfilled.

And if you take my hand, my son,

All will be well when the day is done.

The boy Jake came back out and Tobias explained the morphing power to them, then waited for them to decide. The younger Tobias and the girl, Cassie were quick to agree, but the one called Marco had some misgivings.

And if you take my hand, my son,

All will be well when the day is done.

While they were deciding, the red lights of a Yeerk ship appeared in the sky. I felt a shiver run up my spine.

There is no time, Tobias told them. You must decide!

Day is done (when the day is done),

Day is done (when the day is done),

Day is done (when the day is done),

Day is done.

The humans made their choice and I quickly gave Tobias directions on how to use the morphing cube. He gave them the morphing power, and warned them about the two-hour time limit. I would have laughed at the irony of this, had it not been so sad.

Do you ask why I'm sighing, my son?

You shall inherit what mankind has done.

The Blade Ship and the Visser appeared in the sky with the Bug fighters. Terror ran through me. Tobias told the humans to run. The blond girl that Tobias had told me was Rachel said, "No, we'll stay with you. Maybe we can help."

I alone heard the cry that Tobias gave then. One of both joy and sorrow. He smiled for her. No, he said. You must save yourselves, and your planet. The Yeerks are here!

In a world filled with sorrow and woe,

If you ask me why this is so,

I really don't know.

Finally they got the message and ran. Except for the young Tobias. I stood, frozen. Was he in danger? Could this ruin everything? Or had it happened this way the last time? When it was me?

The boy knelt and took Tobias's hand. My hand? Tobias put his other hand on the forehead of his younger self, giving him some extra, last-minute information. Then the boy ran after his friends.

And if you take my hand, my son,

All will be well when the day is done.

And if you take my hand, my son,

All will be well when the day is done.

They hid behind a low wall, and the Yeerk ships landed – the Bug fighters. And the Blade ship. Visser Three's ship landed in the construction site, dark and sinister. I stiffened. The Abomination was really here. On Earth.

Day is done (when the day is done),

Day is done (when the day is done),

Day is done (when the day is done),

Day is done (when the day is done).

Tobias continued to tell the now morph-capable humans about the Hork-Bajir and the Taxxons, as the creatures poured from the ship. One of the Hork-Bajir stood almost on top of the group of scared young humans, and Tobias warned them to be silent and then reassured them, giving them courage.

Tell me why you're smiling, my son.

Is there a secret you can tell everyone?

The Hork-Bajir and Taxxons turned toward the ship, silent and still. And Visser Three came out. A cold shiver ran up my spine. My old enemy. The abomination that my foolishness had helped to create. And he thought that Tobias, my son, was me. They spoke to each other coldly.

Face it, Andalite, the Visser said, you have fought well and bravely. But you have lost.

My human jaw hardened. How could I just stand here and let this evil creature destroy the son I had only just met, but already cared deeply about? I began to demorph back to my Andalite form. I wasn't going to let Tobias sacrifice himself. I wasn't giving in. Not without a fight.

I felt tears come to my still-human eyes as Tobias stood, shakily, through his fear and pain. His bravery astonished me. And when, after the Visser threatened his (my) family, Tobias whipped his tail and struck his Visser Three's shoulder, my heart swelled with pride.

I had stopped demorphing as I watched the scene, and when I saw Visser Three start to morph as well, I quickly continued my morph. Fully Andalite, I watched the Visser finish becoming the alien monster he intended to kill Tobias with.

My fear fed my adrenaline, and I started out of my hiding place. The Visser had lifted Tobias in the air. Through one of my stalk eyes, I saw one of the humans – Jake – jump up and start over the wall. I never cease to be amazed at the bravery of humans. He was trying to do the same thing I was! And all he had as a weapon was a piece of pipe.

No! Tobias cried. The boy hesitated, and his friends pulled him back down. I saw for an instant the face of the younger Tobias. That boy was the reason Tobias was doing this. He was the whole point. While this Tobias died, that one would live on. And it was my job to see that he was happier in the end than his older self had been.

It was for these young humans that Tobias was sacrificing himself. His earlier words came back to me, "when the timeline is changed, this me will cease to exist." I stepped back behind the wall and morphed back to human. I needed to be less conspicuous. And I needed to cry.

Do you know more than them that are wise?

Can you see what we all must disguise,

Through your loving eyes?

I remembered how Tobias had given strength to the humans, and I decided to follow his example. I concentrated on sending Tobias some of my own strength and courage.

And if you take my hand, my son,

All will be well when the day is done.

And if you take my hand, my son,

All will be well when the day is done.

Thank you, he said. I – I'm glad I got to really meet you.

Tears were streaming down my face. As am I. I responded. Tobias. My son. I – I love you.

Yeah, he said weakly. I - He gave a sudden cry of pain. Through my tears, I saw the Visser lifting him above his open mouth. He dropped him into his terrible jaws.

I alone heard the one last cry of a dying warrior. I love you, Rachel!

Day is done (when the day is done),

Day is done (when the day is done),

Day is done (when the day is done),

Day is done (when the day is done).

I leaned against the wall and cried. I wanted to stand there forever, but I couldn't stay. The humans were being chased, and the Hork-Bajir were sure to look behind this wall. I placed my hand again on the Time Matrix, and visualized a place hidden in the woods. It was time to honor my son's dying wish.

A/N ~ Wow. That was hard to write. *Wipes tear from eye*  I promise this is going to be a positive story. It will have a happy ending. Really.