Mew: Why are you looking up here! Go on, read it!
Draiku: Idiot…
Controller
Chapter 3
When Malik returned to the Yeerk pool, it was like always. He was put into a cage, and he sat there tiredly, thinking.
Marik changed greatly in the last few days. Whenever Malik was sad that he couldn't talk to his siblings or friends or whatever, Marik comforted him. It didn't seem like he was, but Malik felt that he was. One time Marik even let Malik have control over his body once more as long as he didn't tell anyone that Marik was there. That was when even Marik's short words of comfort couldn't help.
Marik even seemed kinder. He even stopped talking about the Sharing around Malik's family, as if he didn't care anymore. During the science test, Marik managed to get all the questions right, plus the bonus ones, getting Malik a 200. When Malik asked why, Marik just said that he didn't want to put all of his scientific knowledge to waste. But Malik felt that there was another reason.
But one thing that made Malik confused was the fact that he and Marik talked to each other more, and most of the time they didn't insult each other. Of course, whenever Malik was upset he usually blamed it on the Yeerk, but otherwise he'd never say an unkind word to him. Heck, even when Malik figured out that Ax was actually an Andalite, Marik didn't tell Visser, even though he knew. (Malik had figured out this by, assuming that Andalites couldn't taste, thinking over the fact that Ax got excited whenever he ate something with an "exciting" flavor. Marik had literally slapped himself when he figured out that it was that obvious.)
Am I falling in love? Malik asked himself while in the cage. No. I can't be. Not with an alien, especially one that's slug-like and parasitic. Besides, Bakura's the only one for me. Hands down. He sighed softly, hugging his legs to his chest. The thoughts were making him feel so confused! But then again, Marik's human form was very handsome…but still, he wasn't really a human. And he would probably never be one, either.
Malik pushed away his feelings for Marik and convinced himself that he hated him. It was hard, but at least the Yeerk wouldn't know that he had been thinking such things.
Finally, a Hork-Bajir came and led him out of his cage. He grabbed Malik and forced him to the pool, then thrust his head into the sludge. Malik waited for the sensation of Marik entering him. When he felt it, he mentally sighed and waited for Marik to take over his body again.
/Welcome back/ Malik said dully once Marik had wrapped himself around his brain.
/I see that you're chipper as usual/ Marik replied. /Anything happen/
/No. Nothing./
/Good./
/You're going to need to breathe sometime, Yeerk/ Malik said, feeling his lungs hurt.
/Oh. Sorry./ Marik lifted his head up out of the sludge. He recalled that Malik only called him "Yeerk" when he was especially worried or angry. Otherwise he just called him by name, or at least part of his name.
/So? What are we doing today/ Malik asked as Marik used a towel to dry himself off.
/I dunno./
/Oh. And…is it alright if I tell my family about you/
/No./
/Please? I think that they should know. Or at least let me be in control around them, please, so I can actually speak with them./ He felt Marik considering this.
/First promise me that you won't tell them of me unless I give you permission, and that if I need to get to the pool you won't resist/ Marik said.
/I swear./
/Good. Now let's get home./ Malik blinked. Marik had never called Malik's home his own, never. He would usually say something like "Let's get back to your home," or something. /Don't say a word/ Marik added sharply, hearing Malik's thoughts.
/I didn't say anything/ Malik replied innocently. He felt a wave of slight depression come over Marik, and he wondered why. /Is something wrong/ he asked.
/No! Nothing's wrong and we will leave it at that/ Marik snapped.
/Okay, okay, sheesh/ Malik said, mentally rolling his eyes. They finally arrived at his house and Marik let Malik have control.
/Remember, don't tell them unless I let you/ Marik said.
/I know. I won't/ Malik replied, a little sadly.
/What's your problem/ Marik snapped.
/I want them to know, just in case something happens. I want them to know not to hurt you or anything/ Malik mumbled. Marik blinked.
/What do you mean…/ he asked suspiciously.
/Well, let's say that I have to wear a helmet for something. And let's say that the chances of me getting hit on the head are very high. If they knew that you were here, then I could have a good reason not to do it/ Malik explained.
/And why would you care whether or not I get hurt/ Marik demanded.
/I don't know/ Malik replied honestly. There was a moment of silence.
/Fine. You can tell them/ Marik said in a low growl.
/Thank you/ Malik said gratefully.
/I should be thanking you. You're the one who doesn't want me to get hurt, for reasons I don't know, or care about./
/Then you're welcome/ Malik said, mentally grinning. He walked inside and found his mom and brother working in the kitchen, while Isis took a break and watched television.
"Mom? Isis, Rishid?" Malik said. "Can I tell you something…important?" His mother and brother walked out of the kitchen.
"What is it, Malik?" his mother asked. Isis turned off the TV as Rishid and his mom sat on the couch.
"Um…I don't really know how to start this, but…do you believe in aliens?" he asked dumbly.
"No," Rishid and his mother said.
"Kind of," Isis replied.
"Well, then what if I told you that there was an alien inside of my head that can control my every movement?"
"I'd laugh at you," Rishid said with a true, big-brother grin.
"I'd probably ignore you," his mother admitted.
"I dunno. I'd probably just laugh and humor you," Isis said with a giggle.
"Okay, now I know that my family doesn't believe a word I say. Anyway, remember on that night that I came home real late?" Malik said. They nodded. "That night I was taken to a huge pool, where they forced my head into a slimy, grey sludge. That was when one of these weird aliens entered my head and took control of me. And remember when I came home that night? That wasn't me talking."
"Of course it was. You said what you always say every night you sneak out," his mother said.
"I know, but the alien, Marik, could read my mind. He knows everything about me, my past, my thoughts, everything. I didn't want to believe it at first, but it was true. And before I forget, Isis and Rishid, do not, under any circumstances, join the Sharing. It's a set up for the Yeerks, which are the aliens I'm talking about." Isis and Rishid looked at each other nervously.
"Anyway," Malik continued, "only a few days back when you saw that I had this cut? Well, I wasn't mugged at all. When we were in the Yeerk pool, a huge hawk came flying and it cut my eye. That's how I got it, the cut."
"Malik, no offense, but this isn't exactly believable. If you're telling the truth, then can we see this mind-controlling alien?" Rishid said dully. He looked at Malik like he was insane. Malik pouted slightly.
"I'll have to ask him to come out," he replied.
/Marik, they--/
/I know. I heard. And I'll come out, if you like. Through your left ear, since that's the one I use all the time to get in/ Marik replied. /But let me come back in right afterwards. I can't survive in a dry place for very long./
/Thank you./ Malik put his hand underneath his ear casually and waited for Marik to crawl out. Finally, Marik appeared. He squeezed out of Malik's ear and onto his soft hand, causing his family to gasp in horror and disgust.
"Oh, gods," Isis said softly. "It…it crawled out of your ear."
"I know. Anyway, this is Marik, the alien controlling me. Well, not now and when I was talking to you, but anytime else. During school, when I'm coming home from school, if I ever go outside, he's controlling me," Malik said, holding Marik gently. "And, man, this is definitely one of the weirdest talks I've ever had with you guys. I never imagined that I would tell you guys something like 'hey, mom, guess what? I'm being controlled by a slug-like alien'!" He chuckled quietly, trying to lighten the mood a bit. It didn't work.
"So…you were telling the truth?" Rishid said, eyes wide.
"Yeah. But please, don't tell anyone else! I don't want Marik to get hurt, or any of the other hosts at the Yeerk pool," Malik begged.
"Okay, we won't tell anyone, but can we at least speak with Marik? I need to tell him something," his mother said, suddenly sounding angry.
"Alright," Malik said, slightly worried. Suddenly, there was a crash and a screech of a hawk. The hawk flew through the window and snatched Marik out of Malik's hand. Malik gasped and stood up.
"No, don't!" he cried. "Please don't harm him! Please!" He ran after the hawk and grabbed it by its red tail-feathers.
/Let go of me! This is only for the best/ the hawk said, flapping madly.
"I told you to let go! Marik and I…we've become friends!" The hawk, the Andalite, was definitely surprised, though he didn't say it.
/Fine, but it's your loss/ he said, dropping the Yeerk. Malik caught him and realized that Marik felt quite dry. He hurried to the sink, filled it up, and gently put Marik inside. The hawk sat on the table, watching him carefully.
"Personally, mister Andalite, I don't think that this is my loss at all. If you become friends with someone who would usually be an enemy, that's a gain," Malik said, glaring.
/Whatever./
"Oh, and you know Ax, right? Both of us know that he's an Andalite, and you must be one of the people he was sitting with at the table at Burger King," Malik added.
/T-the Yeerk knows/ the hawk said.
"Yeah. So, which one were you? Jake, Cassie, Rachel, Tobias, or Marco?"
/I was Tobias. But just so you know, I'm what Andalites call a nothlit, someone trapped in a morph for staying over the two hour limit. This is my normal form./
"You're stuck as a hawk? And there's a limit?" Malik asked. The hawk nodded, a very human gesture. Rishid walked in, staring at the hawk with large eyes.
"I'm never going to get over this," he said. "Mind controlling aliens? Talking hawks? Gods…" Malik chuckled.
/Anyway, yeah. There's a two hour limit, and if you stay in a morph longer than that, then you're stuck in the morph forever. Of course, I can morph, thanks to someone called the Puppet Master./
"Weird…" Malik said softly.
/I'd better get going. If you want, I can tell the others not to hurt you or your Yeerk/ Tobias offered.
"Thank you. I'd appreciate that," Malik said, smiling gratefully. Tobias nodded again and flew out of the broken window. Malik picked up Marik to check on him and placed him next to his ear again. Marik instantly crawled inside and Rishid watched with amazement.
"How could you!" Marik yelled, both mentally and physically, pacing back and forth. "How could you let the Andalites get me!" He was clearly upset.
/Marik, please listen to me. Tobias broke through the window and grabbed you. He must have seen you, since hawks can see very well. I had no idea that he was going to do it/ Malik replied calmly. He tried to calm Marik, but he didn't know how to without a body.
"You're lying! I know you are!" Marik yelled. Tears began forming in his eyes and they flowed down his face.
"Malik, are you alright?" Rishid asked, trying to comfort him.
"I'm not Malik!" Marik snapped, shoving Rishid away.
/Marik, I'm not lying. I swear that I'm not. I know that you're upset, and probably reeeealllly ticked off, but you need to believe me. If I had wanted to kill you, I would've done so while you were in my hand. I wouldn't have let them take you/ Malik said. Marik continued pacing, not knowing what to say. He finally stopped and kept his head lowered. /I'm really sorry for doing that. I shouldn't have told them in the first place/ Malik said.
/Fine/ Marik murmured. /I believe you. Just…next time, if there is a next time…be more careful. Please./
/I promise I will. Oh, and my mom wants to talk to you, so be careful/ Malik added.
/Oh, shit. She's pissed, right/ Marik asked.
/Yeah. Or at least she seemed to be. She's very good at hiding her emotions when she wants to/ Malik said with a slight chuckle. Marik chuckled back. He walked into the living room with Rishid following him. Malik's mother stood up, looking Marik in the eye.
"First of all, are you my son, or the alien?" she asked in a sharp tone.
"I'm the Yeerk," Marik replied. Malik's mother instantly slapped him across the face, glaring. Isis and Rishid gasped. She only did that when she was really angry. Marik put his hand to his cheek and looked to her with wide eyes.
"If you get my son hurt again, then I won't hesitate to tie you up in the basement until you die! I've been observing your behavior over the last week, and every three days you leave for a long time, which means that there must be something you have to do that's important to your survival! So if I lock you away until three days have passed, then you will probably die," she snapped. Marik's eyes widened even more.
"You wouldn't!" he choked out.
"I would. Oh, and Malik, sorry for the slap, dear, but he deserves it for giving you that awful scar," she added, now smiling. "But I swear, if you get him hurt again, I'll leave you to die." She pointed her finger at Marik, glaring again.
"Y-yes, ma'am," Marik stuttered. Malik was laughing so hardly he felt his lungs hurt, or at least he imagined that he did. /Shut up, Malik/ Marik said, mentally pouting. /It's really not funny./
/Gods, yes it is/ Malik replied. /I knew that she'd say something like that! I knew it/
/Your mom's mean! I'm glad that I never even knew my parents, if this is what they act like all the time/ he mumbled. /I'm going to let you have control again, alright? She scares me./ Malik took over once again, except he was laughing so hard that he fell over and clutched his sides.
"Malik? Or is that the alien?" his mother said.
"It's me, Malik," he managed out. "He's scared of you! Oh, gods! He used to be all arrogant and stuff before you did that!"
"Good," she said, helping him up. "Now, I have one more thing to ask you. Is he forcing you to do this?" Malik stopped laughing and blinked.
"At first, yes, but now…well, he hasn't started controlling me during this time at all, or he hasn't stopped me, so I guess that I'm letting him control me by my own wishes now," he said.
"I see," she said solemnly.
"Mom, he's blind and almost totally deaf in his natural state. I imagine that the pool is like a dark, silent prison, or at least to me it is. I wouldn't want to live that way, would you?" he asked.
"No, not at all, but are you sure that this is the right decision?" she replied. Malik nodded.
"Yeah. I'm sure," he said.
"Then if you believe it is right, then I do too," she said, pulling him into a hug. Malik smiled.
"Thanks," he said softly and she pulled away. Rishid stood up, clapping his hand on Malik's shoulder.
"I might not ever look at you the same way again, especially if you have a bad-tempered, alien slug in your head, but you're still my brother, blondie," he said with a grin and ruffled Malik's hair. Malik chuckled.
"Whatever, baldie," he replied with a grin. Rishid laughed. Isis got up and hugged Malik tightly.
"Be careful," she said softly. "Don't get hurt again when you go to the pool again."
"How did you know I was going to the pool?" Malik asked as she pulled away.
"You said that there were other hosts there, so I figured that Marik has to go there every few days to rejuvenate or something. And you said that a hawk attacked you, so I'm guessing that there were other hawks or something there also, which means that there was an attack. I don't want to see you with even more scratches or something, alright?" she said, keeping Malik an arm's length away. "So be careful. If someone attacks, take cover, hide somewhere, even if you have to go into the pool."
"Okay, I promise," he said softly. She smiled.
"Good."
They spent the rest of the evening chatting with both Malik and Marik.
TBC
Mew and Yoko: Please R&R!