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TOBIAS

"As far as we know, the area we're to fight in is a large plain area, filled with boulders and crevices," started Jake

"Like No Man's Land in World War I," said Marco

"We know what the enemy is: Yeerks, who we've fought for three years, added onto that the pursuit for the Lasterol Stone, and the Howlers, who can mince us no problems"

(First thing would to scout out the area, so we can find all the advantage points) said Ax

"And check out the rest of the place," said Rachel, "just how exactly is this fortified?"

"Who wants to go scouting?" asked Jake

"I'll go," I offered

"Same here," said Tori

I looked over at my youngest daughter. I was surprised that she wanted to come with me

"Tobias and daughter spending time together," said Marco, "lovely"

"It is a good idea," agreed Rachel, "she can go with him instead of Leah"

"Why not anyway?" asked Leah

Rachel just gave her the don't-question-me look and I smiled

"Dad, can I come too?" she asked

"No dear, you can stay here and help the others," I said

"Damn," she mumbled

"Let's go and check this place out," said Sam

He and Adam jumped up and left, followed by Leah and John

"Tobias and Tori, go and scout," said Jake, "we'll see you soon"

I got up to leave, but Rachel stopped me

"Watch over her," she whispered so Tori wouldn't hear her

"No worries, I know what to do"

I turned to leave and followed Tori

"Later Red Baron," called Jake

"Leaving now, Air Control," I grinned

I left the room and went through the front doors, where Tori was waiting for me

"Ready, Dad?"

"Ready when you are"

I began to focus on the red-tailed hawk that had been a part of me for eons, shall I say?

I felt the very slight itchiness of feathers etching across my skin and on my clothes. My lips form into the hard, wicked beak, as I shrank smaller and smaller. Wings feathers formed across my arms, my toes melted together into sharp, deadly talons. The red tail feathers that give the hawk its name formed

I flapped my wings and suddenly, I was in the air

I was back as the hawk

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TORI

I watched as Dad took off into the air, so I continued the rest of my morphing. I shrank, but I still felt powerful. Feathers grew, forming my large wings and tail. A hooked beak and wickedly-sharp talons grew

I had morphed the wedge-tailed eagle, the largest bird of prey in Australia

With one sweep of my strong wings, I lifted into the air and joined the hawk. Or my Dad in this case

We spread apart, but close enough to maintain thought speak

(So why did you want to come along, Tori?)

(Don't know, maybe for thrills I suppose)

(I see, you wanted to be more like Leah, right?)

I searched with my binoculars-like vision, looking for any signs of the enemy. I knew that he was right. Leah is like the warrior of us three. Maybe I wanted to be like her, so what? Do I always have to be the one to seem like an air-head?

(I guess you're right, maybe I do want to be like Leah)

Dad laughed and flew higher for better view

(Well, she is like your mother: strong-willed, tough, brave)

(And I'm the air-head)

(Maybe so, but you know you're not an air-head. You're just like your mother and Leah. All you need is time. That's all it is, you're taking your time) he said simply (What were you like when you fought Crayak?)

(I got sliced in half)

(What?)

(I know, I know. I didn't know what was happening until it was happened)

(You're not the only one)

(What do you mean?)

(Before you were born, when I was still a hawk, I nearly got sliced in half)

(Who whacked you?)

Dad laughed again

(The former Visser Three, while I was handing Jake the Lasterol Stone)

(Wait, wasn't Alloran-Semitur-Corrass Visser Three?) I asked quickly

(You sure do remember your Andalite names)

(Hello, I am of Andalite heritage, so of course I can remember a name like that)

(And back to your question, yes he was, but you should know by now that he was taken over by a Yeerk)

I sighed

(Yes, I know, of course I know, just checking)

Dad laughed and I smiled in my mind. We continued flying, searching for any little –

(Hey, you see that?) I asked

(See what?)

(Something moved, something moved behind that boulder down there)

Dad came over and wheeled overhead. That's when the thing moved. It was humanoid, but the skin looked like cooled, cracked lava. It had large robin-blue eyes and four metal claws grew out from behind the hands. It looked up at us and drew a weapon from one of the belts around its waist

(What is that?) I asked

(Oh-no) said Dad

I saw him flying higher and decided to do the same

That's when the creature aimed at me

(Tori, move fast, it's a Howler)

I swerved towards Dad. Too late

The Howler fired its weapon

And lots of small, knife-like objects shredded my left wing

I started to fall, unable to hold myself up

Falling faster and faster, out of control, straight towards the ground

Then, something light and small struck me in the right side. I landed hard and heard the cries of my father screaming in my head

(Tori demorph, now!)

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