Disclaimer: Okay, once again, I do not own anything belonging to the Animorphs story. Anything of that nature belongs to K.A. Applegate. The only thing I own is my original character, her storyline, and this story idea. Yay, I own something!
Author's Note: Man, it has seriously been a long time since I updated this story. I'm so sorry I took such a long hiatus from fanfiction writing, but college has a tendency to do that to people. Anyways, I'm back with another chapter, and since I'm in a summer semester, I will hopefully have time to crank out another one or two before I start losing my free time again. Sorry to all of you who have had to wait for another chapter (if any of my original readers/reviewers are still around) and if you haven't read this story yet, thanks for giving it a chance and I'd love if you'd review it. Until next chapter, ja ne!
Chapter Five: Identities
Ax stumbled backwards in complete and total shock. How… how! His mind raced through the events that just transpired. How was it that this human child had acquired an Andalite, let alone a female? As a cadet, he knew that there were no females in the space fleet near Earth, so how was it that there was one standing before him?
The rest of the small group seemed to share in their alien friend's astonishment, though each for different reasons. Jake's mind whirled in vain, trying to decide on a strategic plan of action to deal with this new development, but none could push past his surprise. Rachel, while bringing her grizzly counterpart into the back of her mind, found herself distracted by the newcomer's physical form, which seemed distinctly female. Cassie found herself awestruck at the speed and fluidity at which the girl had morphed from one form to another. Tobias remained perched on the branch above the scene, but leaned forward intently, taking in every detail that he could.
And Marco, well, Marco was trying desperately to rub his eyes back into focus, convinced that he couldn't have possibly seen what he thought he had seen.
"How- I mean- what the hell…?" he managed to stutter out in his confusion. He looked around at the other shocked faces surrounding him, seeming to calm down a bit. "Well, at least I know I'm not the only one who saw that," he mumbled.
Ax was the first to overcome his stupor. Gathering his wits, he charged back towards the strange female before him, tail arched high overhead. In a blink, he slashed his blade forward, only to have it knocked off-course by another blade. He took a step back and began circling warily, the female copying his move. Again and again, he slashed at his opponent and found himself denied.
Jake was still trying to get over his shock as the two aliens clashed. Nevertheless, his warrior instincts kicked in as he noticed something strange taking place in the fight. The strange Andalite seemed to block every blow easily, but never made an attack of its own. Making up his mind, he stepped towards the dueling pair. "Ax, stop this right now," he said firmly, authority flooding his voice. "That's an order from your prince."
Aximili stopped circling, but did not lower his tail. My prince, I will not leave myself open to attack from this…creature.
With a small laugh, the other Andalite stepped back, lowering its blade and torso and spreading its arms wide in a sign of submission.
Jake, as satisfied as he could be with the situation, moved closer to the other Andalite, noting the smaller build, purple-tinted fur, and hint of femininity. "Is there any way that we can try a civilized conversation with no tail-fighting involved?" he asked, a hint of exasperation coloring his tone. "This isn't really getting us anywhere."
The strange Andalite inclined its head in mocking agreement. Fine with me, it said calmly.
No sooner had Jake had let out a sigh of relief than it added mockingly As long as you keep your pet pony under control.
Marco tried to suppress a laugh as Ax once again tried to launch himself at the offending creature, but was halted by Jake's outstretched arms and stern look.
"You're not helping the situation," Jake chided as he returned his focus to the newcomer.
You'll forgive me if I seem rude, said the Andalite. It's been awhile since I've had to make polite conversation.
Cassie stepped forward as she looked the smaller alien over from head to hoof with a puzzled look on her face.
The alien arched an eye in a distinctively questioning human gesture. Is there something about me that's confusing you?
Cassie blushed. "Sorry, I didn't mean to stare," she said. "It's just that you look, well, different from all the Andalites we've met. Is is because you're female?"
The other nodded.
Ax's voice lashed like a whip through the minds of those gathered. She's no Andalite, female or otherwise. She's some cowardly thing that somehow managed to acquire an Andalite.
The other sighed with frustration. Will you please drop the high and mighty act?
Ax visibly bristled at her comment. Not until you explain yourself.
Jake stepped forward. "I would like an explanation, too. For starters, though, would you mind morphing out of that shape? I don't think Ax will calm down until you do."
Obligingly, the girl quickly reverted to her human form. Cassie was again shocked to see the speed, fluidity, and control that the stranger had over her morphs, something that Cassie took a kind of pride in.
After she had fully resumed her human form, the girl sat down on a nearby log and looked around at the group, seemingly waiting for the questions to start.
Rachel was the first to speak up, giving the girl an inquisitive look as she did so. "There's one thing that I don't understand."
"Really? Only one?" Marco said snidely.
Rachel ignored him, still focusing on the seated girl before her. "You went from a hawk morph to a human to an Andalite. Yet you say that you're an Andalite." She paused, collecting her thoughts. "That doesn't work. If you're really an Andalite, you would have had to morph from the hawk to Andalite before morphing to a human. So you have to be human."
You see? said Ax. She's lying.
Cassie stepped forward with a thoughtful expression on her face. "Unless… there's another explaination."
The girl regarded her with a level gaze. "So what do you think that explaination is, Cassie?"
"Well, if you'd care to indulge me," she said, "would you mind morphing to Andalite again?"
The stranger inclined her head and stood. Within moments, a purplish-blue Andalite stood in her place. Well? she questioned.
"Now morph into the hawk form we found you in," said Cassie.
"What are you getting at?" said Rachel. "That can't work. You can't go from one morph to another without reverting back to your true form. We've already established that she has to be human because of her morph from hawk to human without an Andalite stage in between. It's not…"
Rachel trailed off as she stared at the female Andalite. Her fur was beginning to take on a distinctive pattern that spread all over her body, suddenly turning three-dimensional as feathers sprang into shape.
The others stared in disbelief as the girl-turned-Andalite shifted once more, shrinking to take the form of a brownish marsh hawk.
The hawk looked from person to person, seemingly waiting for a response from those gathered. When none came, the hawk melted away as the stranger resumed her human shape.
"Wha-…wha-…what the hell are you?" stammered Marco. The others seemed to share his confusion.
The girl allowed a hint of a smile to play over her lips. "Let's just say I'm…complicated," she said. "But please just trust me. I am a friend."
"Well…friend… just where did you come from and what are you doing here?" said Rachel, the mistrust obvious in her voice.
"It's a long story," the girl said. "A very long story."
"Hold on, hold on," Marco interjected. "I have a much more important question than what you are or where you came from," he said. "Just what the hell is your name?"
The girl seemed to contemplate her answer before she spoke.
"Alex," she said. "Just… Alex."
