Yes, I know that the last chapter was kind of … sad. (Sorry I can't think of a better word, need to improve my vocabulary! Bah-humbug!) But, as much as I loved Eoptis, it was his time.

Maybe I should give you guys some warning that this fic is not necessarily gonna be a happy one. But! That doesn't mean that good things aren't gonna happen.

Quillian: That is very true, what you said, "…it isn't all fun and being a hero…" That's the very basis for Asculan's hatred of Elfangor, he believes that Elfangor's need to be a hero is what caused the loss of his friend and the fact that no one else sees it makes him even angrier.

I'll leave you to make up your own mind about Asculan and his motivations, so, read on!

The REAL Cheese Monkey: I guess you're right about spewing everywhere. What's worse is that in the cold of space the bodies would be preserved like frozen mummies. That's something to think about.

Irish Rage And Love: The whole letter thing I didn't even plan. I was just thinking about how to start the chapter off and I thought, "What about writing a letter to someone's parents?" So that's a prime example of when a fluke goes right.

I thought it'd be different instead of having him, like nearly every other Andalite we know of, hero worship Elfangor. Though here's a interesting question "Asculan's ship in #54 in called the Elfangor. Why would he name his ship after someone he despises?" Just a thought I'll leave you with.

I like the last sentence too. It shows that even people we love, or care for, have to leave us eventually. We can't always have them around to depend on. Thanks for your review.

Elwing: Yes! That was kind of a dumb thing to say actually. (I feel really stupid now.) Please enjoy this chapter were someone the narrator really cares about dies. Not the brightest thing to say I think.

While Eoptis was, and still is, my favourite character he just didn't have a place in the rest of his story and like Deodatus he was put there since the beginning to die. Though what about another forgotten captain? Ellemar? Well, I don't think I'll kill him off…yet. You'll just have to ask the Ellemist.

Brisk? Well, Asculan, in my creepy little world, was teaching his younger warriors that good people die, not just the enemy.

I haven't seen the Google adds yet. I'll check them out. About the closing eyes thing…honestly I didn't think about dieing with all eyes open, but, thinking about it now, it seems kind of creepy. We'll stick with eyes shut.

I just tried to copy and past a chapter from this fic and it worked, so give it a shot! And about the whole copyrights thing…if this helps in any way "I, Edriss, hereby give Elwing permission to copy and paste from this fic. So there!"

Okay next chapter.

Chapter Twenty Two

A Hero Returns

Andalite date: 8569.25

Earth date: 1973

I have lost many battles. I have won even more of them. This battle was neither of those. The TailStrike was merely returning a favour to our cousins aboard the StarSword.

They had been caught in a battle that they could not possibly win, they had, in the old Andalite saying, stepped on more than they could have absorbed.

I had been standing on the raised platform of my bridge when I received a contact from the Andalite High Command. I spoke with Lirem-Arrepoth-Terrouss, the very same Lirem I had spoken to briefly on the Yeerk homeworld, he had done extremely well for himself. He was second in command of the War-Council and very close to full command.

(We have received a message that the StarSword is engaged in battle with the Yeerk Visser Three,) Lirem said directly to me. Behind him I could make out the forms of the other Council Members.

(Yes?) I asked guardedly.

(The battle may not go well,) Lirem continued. (We want the TailStrike to make an appearance. If your assistance is needed then…do what you must. If not – it will do well to show the Yeerks that we have many Dome ships.)

I folded my arms sceptically, (You mean a bluff, Lirem?)

Lirem gave a weak smile, (I mean a show of strength, Captain. It is my understanding that you have no standing orders?)

(Yes,) I said grimily.

(Then…I can only assume that your reluctance to meet up with the StarSword is personal?)

For a moment no one spoke.

(Yes,) I said eventually.

(Then go,) Lirem said.

Not without anger I bowed my head, (Yes.)

(Coming out of Zero-space…now!) Prince Kayless said. (One Pool ship, two halves of a Blade ship and a few retreating Bug fighters! We've won! I don't know how they did it but they did! The Yeerks are running!)

I felt this kind of exuberance over-excessive for such a small victory, (My cocky aren't we, Prince Kayless?)

He looked embarrassed then said, (I am picking up a damaged fighter on sensors…it is drifting from where I presume it impacted the Blade ship. The StarSword is too badly damaged to pick it up should we move in?)

(Who is aboard the fighter?) I asked.

Prince Kayless moved his stalk-eyes in a 'who knows?' gesture, (The pilot is unconscious.)

I gave an amused laugh, (Well then, pick him up. Before he knows it he'll be a hero.)

Amused laughs filled the bridge. My crew had been with me now for three years and had become adjusted to my views of what constituted to a 'hero'.

With a slight shudder I felt the ship latch on with the fighter. (Let us go and see this…hero.)

I moved towards the doors of the bridge, War-Prince Jaham followed but Prince Kayless stayed to watch over operations while I was gone.

It took a long while to make it all the way down to sickbay. As I passed my crew I saw other princes and warriors, even a few arisths.

I was careful not to let them know I noticed them. My crew needed to think of me as a higher being, almost, to function well. Those captains who were friendly with their crew always ended up getting into needless moral debates over every single little thing.

I just didn't need that. Surprising how only now, three years after his death, I could understand why Captain Eoptis ran his ship the way he did. I understood why he gave the order to have me arrested, in fact I approved.

I only wish I could have told him that…

At last we arrived at sickbay. I entered and called for the doctor.

(Yes sir?)

(The pilot of the ship?) I enquired.

(Ah yes. Well, you are not going to believe this…I don't, but well…look for yourself.) He gestured towards a 'bed'. There, lying peacefully, still unconscious, as none other than the lost Aristh Elfangor-Sirinial-Shamtul.

(Him!) I shrieked. (What is he doing here?)

(Well, we haven't figured that part out yet but I'm sure that when he wakes up he can tell us,) a voice said from behind me. I turned to see Prince Nescord, the tactical officer of the StarSword.

(Prince,) I greeted formally.

(Captain,) he returned. (Captain Feyorn sent me over to make sure that the hero of this battle is alright.)

I was gladdened to hear the word hero said with a sneer. (He looks fine. The moment you can I want him off this ship.)

Prince Nescord nodded, (I will do my best, Captain. It appears that your assistance was not needed. If only we had more lost arisths showing up and saving the day…the war would be won.)

(I like you Prince Nescord,) I said.

He smiled at me, (We met briefly at the Academy. You started the fight that ended up with me and the rest of the arisths cleaning up for a month.)

(Oh yes,) I mumbled rather embarrassed at that memory being brought up.

Eventually I got my wish and Elfangor was transferred to the sickbay on the StarSword. It was overloaded with wounded already but I didn't care. There was no way I was having Alloran's enslaver on my ship. No way.

I had tried to speak with Feyorn, Breeyar and Sofor but they would not even look at me.

(This is childish Feyorn!) I called after him ten minutes later. (Speak with me!)

(Warrior!) I cried. (He was been promoted? He runs away for three years and he gets promoted? I happen to know that War-Prince Jaham has served me well for years and yet he does not get the recognition he deserves!)

(I can only tell you what Captain Feyorn told me, Captain,) Prince Nescord said sullenly. (Elfangor woke up, asked to see the captain, spoke to him for a few hours then the captain called me and the F.O and Prince Breeyar and informed us that he was promoting Elfangor. I objected but…was overruled.)

I placed a hand on Prince Nescord's shoulder, (You did well in coming to me. I will take it up with the War-Council.)

I duly did as I said I would but to know avail. Lirem and the head of the War-Council, none other than Captain-Prince Ellemar, had already heard from Feyorn and approved.

Now you must understand that I was already upset so my reaction to what happened next is quite understandable.

(- the War-Council feels that War-Prince Jaham could serve better here – on the Homeworld,) Captain Ellemar was busy saying. (We also feel that as you are the most experienced captain it would be the best if we sent to you the next great prince in this war.)

(Who would that be?)

Only one word was said, only one, but it was enough to have me lose my self control – completely.

(Elfangor.)

(Never! I will never have that – that – him serving on my ship! I would rather have a Yeerk under my command! I would rather be a Yeerk! He is a traitor, he ran, he betrayed Alloran, and then you praise him! I. Will. Never. Allow. Elfangor. On. My. Ship.)

(You sound exactly like your dead teacher, Asculan,) Captain Ellemar reprimanded.

(I don't care! I don't care! Don't you see? Elfangor…he is…not like us.)

(Not like you.)

(Please,) my tone turned to begging, (I could not stand having him aboard my ship. He reminds me so much of -)

(Seerow?) Captain Ellemar asked. (Yes, he does. If one Seerow can start the war another can finish it. You will accept this transfer or I am afraid the War-Council will have to revoke your command of the TailStrike. Understood?)

I said three words I never thought I'd say to the old warrior, (You are such a fool, Ellemar. I don't know what Captain Eoptis had against you but, by all that is free, I will carry on his hatred for you as long as I live. I will have Elfangor on my ship but understand this…never again will I ever do anything for you, Ellemar. Never.)

There you go. Asculan was going to have a run in with Visser Three…but I decided not yet. Please REVIEW!