RPers this time around:

Aizxana as Jake, Chapman, partially Visser Three and Ellimist
Sinister Shadow as Visser One and Marco
TobiasHawk13 as Arciss, partially Tobias
Tobyas as Ax
Voran as Jamie, Esplin 328and partially Tobias
Kharina as partially Tom
me as Crayak, Elfangor, partially Tom, Visser Three, and Ellimist.

(Note:Regardless of official rank,"Visser Three" refers to Esplin 9466 the prime-the original Visser Three. "Chapman" refers to Innis 226, the Yeerk controlling him.)

A few days after the trauma of the final battle at the hotel, the Animorphs were meeting in Cassie's barn.

Time stopped.

Jake was white as a sheet, staring at the animals who had all frozen. "Um...what just happened, guys?"

(Time stopped!) said Tobias.

"So...I...see! Any ideas how?"

A figure appeared, looking like an old man. He was floating a few inches above the ground.

Tom was startled. "Who's that?"

"Uh…hi?" Rachel said.

"Don't be afraid. I will not hurt you. My name is Ellimist," said the being.

"And you have a drinking problem. It's okay, we are here to help," Marco said.

(What do you want?) asked Tobias.

The Ellimist ignored Marco. "I have come to give you a choice. A unique and important choice. Think carefully, for it shall pave your destiny."

"What?" Cassie asked.

Tom was still upset. "What?"

"What is this? What have you done to the world!" exclaimed Jake.

"I have stopped time. I have the ability, among many others, to do that," explained the Ellimist. "But now is not the time to discuss my talents. I have come to warn you. My enemy, the mighty and powerful, but evil Crayak, is coming. He shall soon be among us. He wants to propose...a game."

(A…game? Like Monopoly?)

A red eye appeared. NOT QUITE, it seemed to say.

"No. Not like...Monopoly. This is a serious game. A game of many choices. A game of many paths and outcomes. A game in which people may live, and others might die," the Ellimist said.

"What! Why are you being so vague!" asked Jake.

POOR TOOMY, ARE YOU BEING VAGUE TO NOT "INTERFERE"?

"My enemy, Crayak, has chosen to revive an old enemy of yours, although you will have to wait for him to tell you who. You too have a choice: you maybe bring any other creature, alien, android or human, living or dead, into your team. One individual, to fight with you. Choose wisely..." warned the Ellimist. "But first...Tobias. I have a question for you, and you alone. The others cannot hear you. What is it you truly want?"

Tobias was startled. (What? What I want most?)

"Your team has made a great sacrifice during this war. You have lost a team member. And you have given something that may be greater than death. I ask again, what do you wish for, the most?"

Tobias thought. (To be able to fight.)

"To fight..." The Ellimist looked thoughtful. "But you have an indispensable position on your team. I'm sure the others would agree that you fight like any of them?"

(But I can't fight any more! I can't morph! I can't fight! I can only watch out for them as they do all the fighting.)

"You would like to fight? To morph? Like...the others?"

(Yes.)

"Then, when you are next in need of a miracle, believe, and you shall be able to morph."

(What!)

"Tobias? What's the matter?" Jake asked. Time had resumed for the other Animorphs.

(That guy who calls himself Ellimist just…) Tobias repeated what had happened to him.

"You mean...he'll make you human?"

(Yeah, I guess so. But only when "I am next in need of a miracle, I have to believe, and I shall be able to morph". That's what he said.)

"Weird... But then, he sounds like a pretty crazy guy to me. I wish time would start up again. It's doing stuff to my head!"

(Where is he, anyway? He can't keep the world like this forever!)

"Yeah, what if it never begins again!"

"I shall start time again, once my opponent, Crayak, has shown up. For now, I suggest you give some thought as to whom you would like to be part of your team. Remember: anyone, living or dead," the Ellimist repeated. "So, you know the rules. Have you made a choice?"

Ax said to himself, (I wish Elfangor was back.)

"Elfangor? Very well..."

"What? No, wait, we haven't discussed this yet!" said Jake.

Ax was in despair, believing he had ruined everything. (NO! We need Princess Melissa!)

"Noooooooooooooooo!" cried Tom.

"We haven't discussed it!" Jake avoided Ax's eye.

"You have made your choice. That is final. Soon, you shall meet Crayak, and find out who he has chosen to face you," said the Ellimist.

"I guess Elfangor it is."

Ax couldn't decide whether to be happy or unhappy. He betrayed his princess, but he loved his brother.

"Who's Crayak chosen then?"

I HAVE CHOSEN THE LATE VISSER 3.

"How did I know he'd say that..."

"Good Luck." The Ellimist began to glow very brightly, encased in a white-blue light, and Elfangor appeared. Time started again.

(Elfangor!) Ax exclaimed.

Elfangor stood up, looking ready to fight. His memory was a bit shaky. "What's going on! Who are you humans?" He looked at Ax. "Who are you and how do you know my name!"

(It's Aximili, your brother!)

(Aximili? It is you? You are alive?)

"Elfangor. My name is Jake. It is an honour to meet you."

(Yes!) Ax said proudly, (And I killed Visser 3!)

(…Aximili? You have earned incredible honor!) exclaimed Elfangor.

"Uh...yeah...there's something else we should mention," said Jake. Ax explained everything that had happened since the fateful night at the construction site.

"This is so insane," said Marco.

(I am grieved to hear of your loss.) Elfangor bowed slightly. (You have shown true faith in continuing on.) Tom was grieving.

"We have just lost an important member of our team. But it is an honour to have you join us," said Jake.

(So. The Ellimist has interfered again. Do you know what he wants us to do?) Tobias explained.

"You've met this Ellimist before?"

(Briefly, and not an experience I particularly cared to repeat.)

"You must know of the tricks he plays then... I guess he is not to be trusted."

(He tells the truth, but we don't always interpret it correctly.)

"Elfangor, you'll need a human morph," said Cassie.

(Yes, I suppose I will.)

"Well, I guess now we've got a team again, we shouldn't waste time. Visser 3 is back and I doubt he'll be sitting around on his butt," Jake said.

"Excuse me? Again? As opposed to..." Tom trailed off.

(Being a human is wonderful,) Ax interrupted.

(I believe you. The sense of "taste" is very powerful, correct?) asked Elfangor.

(Correct! How do you know?)

(I've morphed Taxxon.)

"Yeah, just watch out for chocolate. I don't think we should introduce Elfangor to food just yet," said Jake.

A radio was on. "...and the nine world leaders will be meeting up in Washington D. C. for the World Conference later this week...among the audience will be...and Victor Trent, founder of family group, The Sharing."

(Human taste is even better, with delicious food made with sugar,) said Ax.

(NINE world leaders? How disorganized is this planet?) asked Elfangor.

"Actually, there will be hundreds of world leaders, but these nine will be the ones with the most power. I take it you heard that little mention of the Sharing? Guess the Ellimist wasn't going to be keeping us waiting around for long..." Jake said.

(The Sharing?)

(Let's go eat in human morph!) suggested Ax.

"No way, Ax! You're not eating anything." To Elfangor Jake said, "Yeah, the Sharing. It's a front organisation for the Yeerks. They advertise themselves as a kind of club for young people, promoting values like friendship, family, caring for nature and the community and all that. But it's really an organisation for taking new hosts, and for Controllers to meet. They are a pretty huge organization. If they're at this world conference, chances are they're looking at going in for the powerful guys."

(How should we stop them?)

"First things first, we need to get to Washington! The Yeerks aren't going be infesting people sitting aboard the mother ship... problem is, it's over 2000 miles away."

(A long distance journey...) Abruptly Elfangor said (No!…Excuse me.)

"This is insane! Elfangor is back from the dead, Visser 3 is back from the dead, and now we have to get to Washington to stop a bunch of presidents being made Controllers! Someone get me a straitjacket..." said Marco.

(What is a straitjacket?) asked Ax.

"I know what you mean, Marco. Ax, I don't suppose you happened to bring back some Andalite fighter or whatever to earth did you?" Jake asked.

(NO. The Dome Ship was all destroyed, and nothing was left.)

(What happened to GalaxyTree?) asked Elfangor.

(It crashed straight into the Earth's ocean.)

"I don't know the full details, but I don't think much was left. I'm sorry, Elfangor. But we need to work out how we are going to travel 2000 miles."

(I guess we could fly as birds. But maybe not,) said Tobias.

"We'd need some morphs that could go a heck of a long way...and we've only got a few days to do it. We could go by plane though? There would be a lot of problems with it but it might just work." Tobias was silent. "Tobias, don't worry, we'll find a way to get you there. I think we have a few choices. 1 - we fly there in morph. 2 - We catch a plane as humans, but we'll have to think about Ax, Elfangor and Tobias. And 3 - we hitch a lift in the luggage compartment of the plane, so we can morph and demorph throughout. The problem is, a plane would take over 2 hours to get to DC. We couldn't fly on in morph because we'd need to demorph somewhere."

(I guess in the luggage compartment would be nice.)

"We'd all have to find a way into the luggage then. Or, we could do it the old fashioned way, and 4 of us buy tickets!"

(What about Ax? He goes crazy over taste. They'd think he was a lunatic. And no one can be sure Elfangor won't be the same.)

(I won't. And there may be another way,) Elfangor said.

"What way?" asked Tom.

(There are certain...mythical weapons...that do not in fact...exist. As they are described. But one of them...can be used...for transport over extreme distances. And it's located...nearby.)

(Really? Which one?) asked Ax.

(It is called…um…the Loreen.)

(Really? I haven't heard of that one. What does it do?)

(It...transports...across...extreme...distances.)

(Is it something Andalites invented?)

(No.)

(Really? Which species invented it?)

(The…Hedricks.)

(How much distance can the Loreen cover?)

(...A trip across a planet would definitely be in its range.)

(Then it can take us to the capital.)

(Yes, it can.)

(How can we find this device?)

(I can lead you to it. Are we all agreed this is the course of action we want to take?)

"I guess so, um, maybe we should have a vote?" asked Jake.

(I agree with whatever my brother says!) Ax said.

"When do we go?" asked Tom.

(I believe whenever you are ready, we can depart,) said Elfangor.

"But what about family? Jake and Cassie and Marco still have to go home, or their parents will call the police."

"They will have to pretend they're going on a field trip," Rachel said.

"But we don't have any permission forms or something. The parents wouldn't even have heard of this field trip until the day before they went."

"They will just lie and say it's a last minute thing. And we can just print out forms."

"Okay." Tom played absentmindedly with a piece of hay.

"Tom and Rachel, you guys really shouldn't go home at all in case people from the neighbourhood recognise you as former Controllers. I know it sounds harsh but we have to be really careful now. But Tom - if you wanted to say goodbye for now, maybe you could morph Homer?" suggested Jake.

"Ok," said Tom.

(The Loreen resembles the mythical Time Matrix. Do not be alarmed when you see it,) Elfangor said privately to Ax.

(A time matrix? I thought that was invented by the Ellimist.)

(It's a myth.)

(Ah.)

"Well? Why are we just sitting around doing nothing?" Jake didn't realise the Andalites were talking to one another.

"Thinking our separate thoughts," said Tom.

"Ok, well, Ax, why don't you and Elfangor go and find this Loreen thing, I doubt any of us have a clue what it looks like. The rest of us can go home, get changed, say goodbye to our families - don't get seen, Rach and Tom! - and meet back here in an hour?"

(I'll just wait here,) Tobias said.

"Sure you don't wanna go hunting Tobias?"

(No, I just went hunting right before the meeting.)

"Ah ok! Well see you guys later I'd better go lay the lies on my parents! Coming Tom?"

"Yes." Tom started morphing.

An hour passed before some of the team regrouped in Cassie's barn. Jake demorphed from falcon. "I finally got a better morphing outfit too! I wonder if Cassie will like it..."

Tom demorphed. "She'll probably like anything you wear."

Jake blushed. "Yeah... hey maybe we should get some new morphs before we go, we don't know what we'll have to morph." Tom acquired a coyote.

"Hmm...might need something for spying too." Jake acquired a fly; Tom acquired a cockroach and squirrel. "Hey Rachel, you'd better get some morphs too...you haven't got that many either. Ok is everyone here?" Jake quickly acquired a horse for good measure. "Might as well stock up on morphs while we can!" Tom acquired an opossum. "What's taking Ax and Elfangor so long...? They do know where it is, don't they?" The others flew in as birds and started to demorph. "Hey, guys, you found that Loreen thing ok? You'd better get some morphs, Elfangor."

(The Loreen looks exactly like a time matrix. And it's in a 'construction site',) said Ax.

"A time what? Oh, we know where the Construction site is."

"That old place...that was where we first met you Elfangor! Man, how insane is that!" asked Marco.

(A time matrix. It…) Ax explained the mythical weapon's function: to access any place or time.

"Well, I didn't understand a word of that...but as long as it can get us to Washington in time. Shall we get going?" Jake started to morph to wolf. Tom morphed wolf, Ax demorphed and morphed, and Tobias checked that no one was near. "Ok, Elfangor, show us the way!" Elfangor led them to the site. "This is where you guys first got the morphing power? And...Elfangor...this is where, you know...?"

(Yes, he crashed here,) Tobias said.

(Yes. Remember, Aximili, this is not the time matrix,) Elfangor reminded.

"So...what do we do? Tobias, you wanna fly up and check the place for people?" Ax turned his stalk eyes to back of his head so no one could sneak up on him. "Ax, you know how this thing works?"

(I do. One of us needs to touch it and form a visual image of the place and...place...where we're going,) said Elfangor.

"A visual image? The only thing I can picture is the White House. Or maybe the FBI HQ because they showed it in the X Files. Ax, do you have a visual picture at all?"

(No,) Ax replied.

(Any of you?) Elfangor asked.

"I know what the White House looks like," said Tom.

(How detailed is your image?)

Tom tried to remember. "Pretty detailed."

(Perhaps you will need to do it, then. We should all make contact with the Loreen.) Elfangor touched the sphere.

"This is insane!" Marco, with the others, touched it.

(Hold steady...) All of a sudden they were behind the White House. A different place...and unknown to them, a different time.

Later on the night they had left, Visser Three walked into the Blade Ship. (Visser One! Long time, no see!)

Visser One was instinctively unfazed. "Oh shut up you dapsen, I just saw you the --" She turned around. "Oh lords! You... You!"

(As usual, you demonstrate a lack of ability to communicate. How goes the invasion? You are aware of the Earth leaders' gathering?)

Visser One was still very shocked. "I... Of course I am aware of it. But before anything else, I am just going to sit down... and you are going to TELL me how it is you're back here! I must be having some sort of horrible nightmare. I mean, Visser! You are dead!"

(The Ellimist and Crayak are playing some sort of game they want me involved in. So, here I am. How long has it been since the bandit...shot me?)

"Not all that long, maybe a week or two at the most but... is it permanent? Are you ALIVE forever? Or will you die again after this "game"?"

(I don't know.)

"Should have known. You don't know much, do you? I suppose Crayak has chosen you to return, as the Ellimist is apparently sided with those Andalites isn't he? Does that mean the Andalites have a say in this "game" as well? If they do that isn't good for us... Do you realize this is the very first time the both of us have had a civilized conversation? What has happened!"

(Well, I've come back from the dead.)

"I figured that much, you idiotic dapsen. Do you realize how much shock you've caused us? I'll -- no, you'll need to find a way to explain this to Iniss 226... Oh, and have I mentioned that Iniss now holds your rank?"

(No, you-INISS?)

Arciss walked in. "Visser o-VISSER 3!"

Chapman walked into the room and saw Visser Three. "Excuse me? Uh, why's there a hologram of Esplin here? Didn't we see enough of him when he was alive?"

"NO! He's alive! I saw Visser 1 talking with him!"

"What are you talking about, he's alive? That dapsen was shot in disgrace down in the Yeerk pool."

"He has a mind of his own!"

Chapman strode up to Visser One. "Forgive my ignorance, Visser 1, but what is he doing here? He's DEAD! Arciss! What is going on! Is this some kind of trick? Has someone else gone and got themselves an Andalite host?"

Arciss wanted to run and scream. "It's…Visser 3!"

"I know that! What's he doing here!"

Visser One had told Arciss. "Crayak and Ellimist are playing a game, and Visser 3 was made alive by Crayak for some reason!"

"Ellimist and Crayak...I thought they were myths! So how long do we have that oaf among us again? Don't think for a second he's taking his old rank back!"

"Nobody knows how long he's here. At least until they finish their game. Maybe forever."

Visser One looked at Chapman. "Excuse me, I think I'm the one who decides who gets what rank." She looked at Visser Three, who was smiling and thanking the heavens. "Waaaiiit just one minute. Not so fast. Esplin, you'll have to prove that you deserve your rank back. And Iniss, you'll have to prove you deserve to keep it. You'll play this "game" with Crayak and report back here regularly. The one who causes the win in our favor will be the new Visser Three. So it is in your best interests not to fail."

Arciss whispered to a random Yeerk, "I bet Visser Three would win."

"You sure?" the Yeerk replied. "He did get killed last time."

"Who cares? This time, he'll probably look out for Andalites trying to kill him. And he knows more about Andalites. AND he killed Elfangor."

"Maybe you're right."

Visser One sat back down at her desk, but really didn't look into her work. "Uhh…"

"'course I am," Arciss said. "So, Visser 1, what are your feelings on this?

(I shall be filing this with the council immediately! To deprive me of my rank is a grave injustice!)

"Technically, Visser 1 could do that," Arciss said to himself.

Visser One looked very in pain and rolled her eyes to the ceiling. "Visser Three, YOU got KILLED by an Andalite ARISTH okay? Why should I give you your rank back?" To Arciss she said, "What are my feelings? I feel sick."

(And how do you know that was an aristh?)

"You DAPSEN! Has dying sapped away your memory! You kept boasting to me about how EASY it would be to take down a bunch of young ARISTHS. You said you could do it with your eyes closed! And then you go and get killed!" To Arciss she said, "Not anymore!"

(You've been reading too many memos from him.) Visser Three indicated Chapman.

"WHAT memos!" Visser One lowered her voice. "To tell you the truth I'm glad you're back, alright? Chapman wasn't doing a very good job with your rank. But don't expect me to do you any favors! You still need to prove you deserve the spot."

Privately to Visser One, Visser Three said, (I'll do that.) Publicly he said, (Will the Blade Ship be ready to fly to Washington?)

Chapman had overheard. "Visser 1, may I point out that despite holding the rank for less than two earth days, my actions still resulted in the death of an Andalite bandit! That's more than he ever did, and he held the rank for years."

(And a valued informant as well.)

"I'll ask Arciss to get it ready and we'll leave straight away." Visser One nodded to Arciss. "Chapman I won't kick you out of your room. Esplin, you'll need to find somewhere else to sleep." To Chapman she said, "Maybe so, but the Andalite died more because of the boy David than anything else. You'll still have to prove you deserve to keep your rank. Don't question me, that's final. If you question me again I shall give the rank directly to Esplin."

Chapman rolled his eyes. "Fine...let's just get this over with so I can prove my worth..."

"Don't roll your eyes at me, Iniss Two-Two-Six! ... And Esplin, that goes for you too, although I know you aren't going to STOP, so why do I bother?"

(The bug fighter is ready, Vissers. Or is it Visser?" asked Arciss.

"No matter. Thank you Arciss."

"You're welcome, Visser."

(Let's go, then!)

"So, where are you going to sleep Visser? You could share a room with Chapman. Visser One looked at Chapman shaking his head frantically. "Well... I guess not."

(What about Chapman's old quarters...oh yes, you were so menial you were stationed with a family on Earth.)

"Here, sleep... sleep on the floor! There. Now everyone's happy."

"You could share a room with either Visser 1, Councilor 3 or perhaps Councilor 4," suggested Arciss.

(The Councilors would too scared to share their room with a formerly-dead Visser.) Visser Three looked at Visser 1.

"So you have a best friend?" Arciss asked, desperate.

"Oho don't look at ME!" said Visser One. Quite exaggeratedly and deliberately, Visser Three turned his head away while keeping his stalk eyes staring at Visser One.

"Well, since you're silent, I take it you have no best friend. Maybe Councilor 4 won't be afraid of you?"

Visser One rolled her eyes. "Oh lords. FINE. FINE." She dragged Visser Three to the room while muttering and cursing the whole way. "If you really must!" They got to the room. "It's just a Blade ship. A.k.a. I only have one room. So I'll give you a blanket and a cushion, since somehow you simply CANNOT sleep standing up like a NORMAL Andalite. And you get the floor. Take it or leave it."

Arciss followed. "I can lend you a mattress."

(ANDALITE? Excuse me, dapsen, but I'm a Yeerk. Intelligent and powerful enough to be inhabiting an Andalite, but a Yeerk nonetheless. And I'll take the floor.)

"Okay. Good. And I'm going to change, so if you need the bathroom you'll just have to hold it," said Visser One.

"Shall I use my invisibility powers for good or for evil?" asked Arciss.

(Miserablenight.) Visser Three fell asleep. Visser One hummed audibly from the bathroom.

"Yay. I finally got invisibility powers." Visser Three snored louder. "VISSER 1! CAN YOU HEAR ME!" Visser One came out of the bathroom in a silk purple knee-length nightgown. Arciss stared.

"Is he... awake..? Stop staring at me! Visser Three wake up!" commanded Visser One. Visser Three snored louder.

"Sorry." Arciss looks away. "Maybe I should stay here just in case."

"Stay here? Stay here where? It isn't exactly the hugest room in the universe."

"Maybe outside the door, Visser. In case HE wakes up and feels the urge to murder Chapman or someone."

"Outside the door? You're just going to sleep outside? I hate to do that even to a low-rank. Oh alright, you can stay here. Where, I don't know."

"Thank you. Near the door. He won't be able to escape without waking me!"

"Okay, just... don't give me a heart attack by letting me wake up with your face like TWO INCHES from me, like Visser Three does when he feels like being sadistic."

"I'll just grab some things." Arciss ran to get a sleeping bag and came back.

"Great." Visser One smiled an "I just want to go to bed" smile. "Alright, well, I need some rest. So, good night, Arciss." She climbed into the bed and sighs deeply. "Mmm, it's nice to lay down after a hard day of filling dreadful forms…"

"Good night Visser One." Arciss fell asleep.

The next morning Chapman was brushing his teeth in the corridor, and saw Visser Three come out of Visser 1's room. "Alright?" He looked at Visser 1's door, grinning wryly. "Good sleep?"

Visser One came out of her room in the same nightgown looking VERY exhausted. "You dapsen! You kept me up all night with your infernal SNORING!" she whined.

(Aggravating you is easier than destroying those BANDITS!)

"Aww, rough night, eh, Visser? I had a wonderful night. These new quarters are just excellent - it's the first time I've slept in mine since being promoted! Especially mine, although I did find it does have a rather strange smell emulating from the mattress..." said Chapman.

Arciss woke up, and the first thing he noticed was Chapman. "Visser! What are you doing here?"

(Today is launch day, correct? What are we waiting for?)

"For Visser 1 to get dressed..."

"I'll go get the Blade ship ready. Come on everyone, let's go! We haven't got all day!" Chapman said. Arciss got ready.

Chapman sat in the pilot's seat, tapping his fingers impatiently. "Arciss, are the troops in place?"

Arciss checked. "Yes, Visser."

"Good...but I have no idea how it can take longer for a couple of Vissers, wrong - one Visser and one ex Visser to get ready than a whole army." He started the engines, hoping the others will hurry up.

"As long as they're not murdering each other, it's fine."

"I dread to think how they managed to spend a night in the same room without tearing each other's throats out..."

Visser One came back out of the room, fully dressed. "Okay! And I heard something about your mattress stinking Chapman... Visser Three, what have you done to it?"

"Luckily, both of them slept. I'm dreading right now. They could be hanging each other!"

"That would be the case, wouldn't it! Just as we are about to embark on the biggest mission of the Empire, those two go and kill each other." Chapman rolled his eyes. "Come on!" He tooted the big powerful ship horn.

"Yeah." Arciss watched nervously. "I'd better check up on them." He hopped out of the ship.

"I did not SLEEP! Visser Three slept like a baby, but I couldn't sleep because of his AWFUL snoring and talking in his sleep! So watch out, I am cranky!" warned Visser One.

"Did you murder Visser 3, Visser?"

"Good grief. Couldn't you have found an extra room at all?" asked Chapman.

"Because then I'd feel responsible..."

"Me? Or Visser 1?"

"Actually, any of you."

"Well I certainly didn't kill anyone. I was down here the whole time...waiting for everyone else!"

Arciss checked a square on paper. "Good...what about you, Visser 1?"

"If I had to stay ONE EXTRA MINUTE in that room with Visser Three yelling "GIMME SOME CHEESE!" at the top of his lungs in his sleep, then yes, I probably would have had an urge to murder him."

"Whooot!" He checked off another square. "Did Councilor 8 murder Visser 3?"

"Oh, are you passing some cheese around? I'll have some too, if you don't mind, and maybe some crackers. I haven't had any breakfast yet," said Chapman.

"Me neither, come to think about it."

"I don't have any cheese. Visser Three was just yelling that in his sleep because he is a disturbed dapsen. And why did your mattress smell, Chapman?" asked Visser One.

"I don't want to wait til lunch, and I doubt there'll be time for tea this afternoon... Come on already!" Chapman said.

"Did anyone murder Visser 3 yet?" asked Arciss.

"He probably murdered himself... go get me some cheese, would you Arciss? There's a good fellow."

"Answer the…" Visser One swore. "question Chapman! WHY DOES YOUR MATTRESS SMELL? Did Visser Three contaminate it?"

Arciss got cheese. "Here you go, Visser! And now I'm going to make sure no one's murdered." He went off.

"ANSWER CHAPMAN! I've asked you the same question three times!"

Arciss came back with Visser Three, making sure no one got murdered.

"That Visser Three was stinking it out when he slept on it for all those years! Now all I can smell is Andalite hair!" said Chapman.

(Shut up, rank-stealer. That was my room and I deserved to make it smell however I liked. Probably smells far worse now you're in it.)

"Visser Three, what is WRONG with you? Do you usually yell such... things in your sleep?" asked Visser One.

"Visser 3, did you murder anyone?" Arciss asked.

"I don't think so, it would have been me and I'm still here."

(No I did not murder anyone! But I will if you keep asking questions! And Visser 1? I've just come back from the dead. Surely I'm going to be a little out of character?)

"Fine. Fine." Visser One sat down on a chair near them and practically fainted of exhaustion. "Uhhh you're going to pay for this."

"Ok. Now all I got to do is make sure no one murders him! Or he anyone!" Arciss said to himself. Visser One yawned.

"Right, well if we've all finished today's round of killing each other, shall we be off?" suggested Chapman. Visser Three sat down as well as an Andalite could next to Visser One, staring stonily out the window. Arciss, too, sat down. Visser One weakly punched Visser Three in the arm and kind of fell asleep on the chair arm nearest Visser Three. Chapman rolled his eyes. "Well, since the two of you look a bit preoccupied, Arciss, you can be my co-pilot." He got into gear and took off into the sky. Arciss copiloted, hummed a little tune, and tapped his feet. "I'm gonna wake those two up!" Chapman started flying the Blade ship crazily, doing loop-the-loops and going up to extreme G forces. "Hehehehe. I've always wanted to fly one of these babies." Visser One snapped awake but still just kind of lay there on the chair arm.

"I think I'm going to be sick," said Arciss.

"Um... why the sudden speed?" Visser One asked.

(Ahhh! What are you doing, you stupid boy! Can't you fly like a normal person! And what is Visser One doing drooling all over my fur?) Visser Three pretended to look in disgust, but didn't move away from her.

"He wants to wake you two up because it's getting boring. He also wanted to fly this blade ship," Arciss informed.

"Twenty hours of intensive flying training shouldn't go to waste!" said Chapman.

(Argh! Stop with the ridiculous maneuvers already!)

"They're not boring," Chapman said.

(Alloran says if you can't fly a machine as simple as this, you don't deserve your rank. He also says that...shut up, viral villain-oh, is this public thoughtspeak?) Visser Three swore.

"Excuse me? Incapable of flying? I think I'm more than capable of flying this machine, thank you very much. These are first-class maneuvers. Can you do this?" Chapman took the ship into a complicated series of movements, at top speed. "I doubt just any pilot could do that and not crash into the nearest mountain. Oh, and Visser? Can't you come up with your own thoughts instead of repeating what your host says?"

"Well, Chapman has a point Visser. He also says what? Yes, it was public thoughtspeak. Now I'm curious," said Visser One.

(That we're incapable dapsens, well actually he used "dapsen"'s Andalite equivalent, that don't deserve any rank short of menial aristh. Raving host-speak...I'm used to it.)

"Oh, alright." Visser One lay back on the chair arm. "I'm tired. Can't a Visser get her sleep around here?"

"I'm not surpised, having that guy snoring away at you all night. You may as well take a snooze. This journey is gonna take an hour or so," said Chapman.

"Okay. Good night Chapman. Good night everyone." Visser One lay down and fell asleep for a while.

Chapman tapped his fingers on the controls, already bored. As the ship neared Washington he said, "Ok, everyone, I've just realised something. It's best that we don't take the Blade ship down to Washington, I know we can cloak it but we shouldn't take any chances so I'm going to leave it in orbit. Our armies can stay up here until we need them, the rest of us can take the bug fighter. Except," he grinned wryly, "there's only room for two of us in the Fighter. So two of us are gonna have to parachute down. I'm doing it, who's the other person to throw themselves out of this ship?"

(Either Visser One or me.) Visser Three was still half-asleep.

Chapman called to a random Yeerk, "Steady the ship for me, would you? I need to get my chute on. Ooh, it's been years since I've done this! All that time stuck in that boring human residence!"

"Yes, Visser." The Yeerk typed something into the computer.

"No, I'm not going. Okay, no. I'm staying HERE. How about Arciss goes?" suggested Visser One.

Chapman kitted up and addressed the pilot. "Take us down to 12,000 feet, I don't wanna jump out and find there's no oxygen. Ready for a thrill, Arciss? You've done this before in training, right?"

"Why do I have to go jumping? I got low marks on parachuted jumping!" Arciss said to himself.

"All ready? Don't worry, you've love it when you're in the air. Just don't forget to pull the rip cord! Oh and make sure your facing the ground when you pull it, or the chute will get tangled up. And don't pull the reserve in the blade ship. Only if the main is broken or doesn't open. And cut away first. Oh, I'm going to shut up now, they should have taught you it in training!" To a random Yeerk Chapman asked, "Hey you - we're at 12,000 feet right? Hurry up and open the hatch, let's get going already!"

Arciss swallowed. "Who's going first, Visser?"

"Eh, I'll go if you like! I just want to see you follow me, don't get left back up here ok!" Chapman positioned himself by the open hatch, and leapt into oblivion. "Come on, Arciss, whoa, it's been years! My host is going crazy here!" he called on the radio, freefalling.

Arciss took a deep breath and leapt. "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Chapman was still freefalling. "Oh yeah, this is the life! The other Vissers are missing out!" He pulled the rip cord, and the parachute opened. "Ok, Arciss, you opened your chute yet? That silver building there with the helicopter pad on the roof? That's our landing zone. Aim for that, and we'll wait for the Bug Fighter."

The Bug Fighter, however, was hosting a feud. Visser Three had woken up completely. (Hey, where'd the two low-ranks go?)

"Um... they left. Because apparently there wasn't enough room," Visser One said.

(So can we leave now?)

"I'm all for leaving... But where do we go? They sort of just left us here."

(Well, can't we go down to Washington with them?)

"Apparently we can't. Don't ask me why. We'll just have to stay here until they get back."

(Oh. Joy.)

Visser One sighed. "Why couldn't Chapman bring YOU along instead of Arciss? You're irritating me already."

(13 seconds? I think I've set a new record.)

"... Yes, yes I think you have!"

They heard Chapman's voice on the radio. "We're aiming for the silver skyscraper with the helicopter pad. We'll wait for you two there." There was a pause. "Woooooo hooooo this is amazing!"

"I hope I don't break anything." Arciss ripped the cord. "You know, I got low marks because I usually crash-landed..."

"Ahh, well, as long as you land in one piece. Just brake about ten meters from the ground." Arciss panicked and broke too early. Chapman landed nicely and pulled off his parachute kit, or "rig".

Arciss landed on his face in a pile of dirt. "Oooof!"

Chapman pulled Arciss to his feet. "Now where have those 2 Vissers got to? Sorry - Visser and Ex-Visser, I should say! I radio-ed them a second ago, they should have replied."

(Do you want us to come down? How?) Visser Three said over the radio.

"We're on the roof of that big silver building below you. It looks fairly secure, and you can land the bug fighter on the helicopter."

(Great. Visser One! We can get out of here!)

"See you in a second then! Don't take too long, if you can help us, and try not to land on us!"

"Can we?" Visser One questioned.

"Don't hurry...I'm sure the Earth leaders are sitting around doing absolutely nothing..." Chapman radioed.

"I'm never going parachuting again," Arciss said, and to Chapman's radio comment he responded. "Unless they're being rescued by the Andalite Bandits."

"As the humans say 'If at first you don't succeed, then parachuting's not for you'," said Chapman.

"Wise saying. Made exactly for me. Don't you think the Andalite Bandits could be here now?"

"Could well be, especially if they travelled by whatever their equivalent of a bug fighter is." Chapman looked up, scanning the sky. "Where are...hey! Those idiot Vissers haven't cloaked the bug fighter! The bandits might spot them!"

"I guess they're too busy murdering each other to notice." Arciss radioed the bug fighter: "YOU HAVEN'T CLOAKED THE SHIP!"

"I dread to think what they're doing to one another..." Chapman said dryly.

"Any minute now that ship is going to crash."

"Are you two going to get your lives in gear and come join us? You might want to cloak the ship too... yeah? Durrr."

(Let's land this already!)

"Right." Visser One was a bit motion sick from Visser 3's bad flying.

"Well, keep an eye out for any Andalite bandits..they're bound to be on us, and they've probably gone and spotted the Bug fighter already," said Chapman.

It was in that morning that the Animorphs emerged behind the White House. "ELFANGOR! AX! MORPH SOMETHING ALREADY!" shouted Jake.

"Keep it down! Do you want the whole world to know we're here?" asked Tom. Ax morphed into a human.

"I think they will if they see Elfangor! C'mon, dude!"

(I should be able to morph!) Elfangor quickly acquired and morphed Jake.

"Why Jake! It's your long lost identical twin!" exclaimed Marco.

"Brother, what were you about to morph? Orph. None of your voyages took you to earth...ear." Ax said.

"Whoa...what a ride! Maybe we should hide among the bushes while you guys morph, I don't think the president will take too well to mutant aliens and a bunch of kids running around the front lawn," said Jake.

"I agree. Eee."

""Yes, we should go. Oh. Aximili, I have been on Earth, that's when I hid the Loreen. Eeeen," Elfangor said.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh." Ax ate a cigarette butt.

"Aximili! No white cylinders!"

Ax spat out the cigarette. "But they're deliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiicious! Cious."

"Can we please get to business! Elfangor, make your brother concentrate, would you?" asked Jake.

"Ax, you heard the...are you the prince of this group?" Elfangor asked.

"Princess Melissa died," Ax said.

"We don't exactly have a Prince... I take it you mean another leader?" asked Jake.

Ax explained exactly what a prince was. "Can I have a cinnamon bun? Please? Ease?"

"No, Ax, there isn't time for cinnamon buns. Anyway, we've got a pretty important mission ahead of us. I don't want to make a mess of it before we've even started."

"Where should we go?" asked Elfangor.

"Better morph and find the building where the world leaders are meeting I guess. Sniff around and see what the Yeerks are up to." Jake started to morph falcon.

"All right." Tom started morphing to his bird, Ax started to demorph, and Tobias just watched the whole process.

"Ok everyone? Let's take off and head towards the UN building."

(I forgot to ask before, but what does ok mean?) Ax asked.

"Ok? Means 'alright?'"

(Ah. I understand.)

Tobias was scanning. (Look! There's a bug fighter!)

"What? You're right! Why hasn't it been cloaked? I thought they had the technology to do that. And...there's two guys parachuting down - maybe they came from it? Let's fly over and see who they are."

(They do have that technology. They're just too intellectually lacking to use it,) said Ax.

(No need...I already see them! It's...David's Dad and Chapman!) asked Tobias.

"Chapman? Well, that does it, the Yeerks are here! Maybe the building is where the world leaders are gathering. This is the best lead we've got so far, maybe we should fly down and try and spy on them? Chapman's got a gun! Tobias, get out of his sight! Where's everyone else?" Jake looked around to make sure the others hadn't been hit.

Tobias tried to get out, but was too late. (Aah! I'm hit!) He fell.

"Tobias!" Elfangor knelt down next to him.

"Tobias!" Ax followed. "What happened?"

"A Controller shot him. Mmm. Tobias, can you respond? Pond?"

(It hurts!)

Elfangor nodded. "Open your mind and relax."

(Kinda hard, don't you think!)

"Yes…" Elfangor almost was crying in his human morph.

"Let me see your wing," said Cassie, touching it.

(Ouch!) Tobias concentrated on her, to avoid concentrating on the fact that he was dying.

"Tobias! You okay?" Jake tried to distract the Controllers.

"I believe he is not," Elfangor replied.

"We should get out of here then...Tobias is injured and the Bug Fighter is moving in! Cassie, are you in morph? Is he okay?"

"No. I'm no judge of Yeerk weapons, but...this is not good," said Cassie.

"We have to get him out of here, there's so many controllers and going to be so many more. What animal morphs do we have that can hold him as well as escape? Gorilla? Another bird?"

"I don't think another bird can hold him. Gorilla, maybe," Tom said.

"Ok, Marco, morph gorilla and grab Tobias when Cassie says it's ok. Quickly as you can though please. Everyone else, morph flies and we'll see follow the Controllers…Ok on second thoughts I'll stay back here with Marco and Tobias. Elfangor? You take charge of everyone else." Jake was morphing tiger, out of sight. "Cassie? What's happening! Is he ok?"

Tobias groaned.

"Tobias! Stay with me! Stay. With Me. That's it! Keep looking at me, never look away. Concentrate, Tobias, stay awake, ok? Stay awake, look at me. Concentrate on me. Just concentrate on my face," Cassie said.

Tobias concentrated. His wing became a bit thinner, and he became taller.

"That's great, Tobias, just keep...what on Earth?"

(What's going on?) Jake asked.

Tobias was still almost unconscious. (What?)

"Tobias? You're...morphing...!" Cassie was shocked. "Into ME!"

(What? Tobias is morphing?) asked Jake.

Tobias was even more shocked. (!) He was still morphing.

"It's okay. Don't worry. Just morph," Elfangor instructed.

Tobias was almost finished. "Oh my...Tobias, you're…" Cassie looked away.

"Alive!" exclaimed Rachel. "Oh…"

Jake ignored the fact that Tobias was not in the "morphing suit"-he had other things on his mind. Half angrily, half happily, he said, "You didn't think it was important to tell us you could morph!"

Tobias was somewhat confused. "What happened? I can morph? How did that happen?" He noticed his current status, then remembered the Ellimist. "Oh! Remember, the Ellimist? He said…"

"The Ellimist did this? When did he say that?... Well...maybe you could have said something before. Well now you can morph, you'd better morph back, human bodies are too weak to be around here right now."

Tobias started morphing back to hawk. Elfangor nodded slightly. "With all due respect Prince Jake, we should evacuate. Now."

Ax could still thought-speak in human morph. Privately to Elfangor he asked, (Is he the Prince? Am I supposed to call him prince? I already swore allegiance to Princess Melissa.)

(I don't know.)

"I'm not a prince! But yeah, I agree. Everyone, abort mission! Get out, now!"

"How can we run? Those controllers will notice 7 kids suddenly running away, and a bird flying away!" Tom exclaimed.

"Morph hawks! Fly away, spread out."

"They'll notice HUMANS turning into hawks! Not demorphing to Andalite, them morphing, but just morphing!"

"Ok, I'll provide a distraction. One person morph at a time, hide them while they're morphing!" Jake, as a tiger, growled at the Controllers.

"Ax or Elfangor should go first, before the controllers pay us too much attention."

(Good idea, they'll assume we're Andalites too, then. They can then help me distract the Controllers while the others go.)

"Elfangor, you go first," Ax said.

The Controllers, however, had been dealing with their own issues from the time they had seen Tobias. "There's a hawk!" announced Arciss.

"Those bandits have got hawk morphs! Better shoot it just to be sure." Chapman pulled out a Dracon beam.

Visser Three emerged from the recently-landed Bug Fighter. (Yes, that one was in the Yeerk pool.)

"Ah, there you are - there's the Andalite, there may be others! Got your Dracon?"

Arciss shot his at Tobias. "Good aim," Visser Three said.

"Thank you," Arciss replied.

"I think one of the birds was hit - find it, will you, Arciss? Visser - there are Bandits everywhere. Mostly in bird of prey morph. I assume they are trying to follow us to find out how we are tackling the world leaders situation," Chapman said.

Arciss looked down. "There are some kids around it. I think the Andalites have morphed human kids. Maybe."

"Hmm, humans? That's a good idea - humans will fit well in this environment and will be camouflaged. It also makes our job difficult because we can't just go shooting at any humans. Did you get a look at their faces?" Chapman asked.

"No, they're just huddled around the bird. Two with brown hair, and two with REALLY dark hair."

"Well, let's go get them! Where are they?"

Arciss told him.

"Let's go!"

Arciss went, and Visser One followed them. She looked behind her. "... Hey, where's Visser Three off to?"

Arciss paused. "You're right. Where IS he?"

"Chapman? Where's Visser Three?"

"I take it you mean the late Visser 3," Chapman muttered. "I don't know, I was jumping out of a fighter. Wasn't he with you when you landed?"

"He might have fallen off the roof! And the Andalites will now rip him apart limb from limb," said Arciss.

"He was, but he kind of... left? I guess? Oh lords, Arciss, you're right! We have to FIND him before he does something REALLY stupid and gets himself, AND us, killed!" Visser One exclaimed.

"But how? We can't exactly yell "Visser 3!" from the top of this building!"

"I know, I know, but we have to at least LOOK for him."

"Hello! Am I the only one realising we have a bunch of Bandits not twenty meters away? Shouldn't we concentrate on getting them first?" Chapman asked.

"Erm...Visser 3 is an idiot, and I know he'll get us ALL killed SOMEHOW," said Arciss.

"Too right he is...ok, well you guys might as well go off and look for him, I'll look for the Bandits."

"Chapman, are you mad? It's VISSER THREE were talking about. If we don't find him, who KNOWS how horribly ruined our plan will become," Visser One said.

"Yes, and these are the Andalite Bandits!"

"Great. More problems."

"I say we call for backup. NOW," said Arciss.

"You're probably right, Arciss. We don't have enough with just us. Go ahead, call up some backup."

Arciss called for backup. "Let's find Visser Three!"

Visser Three emerged in human morph. "Am I the only one who knows how to properly hide the Bug Fighter?"

Visser One almost fainted in shock. "Where. Were. You. You. DAPSEN! We were all looking frantically for you, you know! You could have got us all KILLED! We had no clue where you were! And don't you EVEN tell me you told me you were leaving, because I would have HEARD YOU!"

"Hiding the Bug Fighter. How many of those bandits have you...accounted for...yet?"

"Seven," Arciss said.

"All 7? Better than I would have thought."

Visser One was still ticked at Visser Three for freaking them all out so much. "We're waiting for backup." Realizing the confusion (Visser Three had meant "accounted for" as "killed", and Arciss had interpreted it as "counted"), she slapped Arciss across the face, then glared at Visser Three. "No, stupid, we haven't "accounted for" ANY of them. Can't you see that? Yes, there all dead, and yet they're still surrounding us. Get a brain, Visser." She was obviously still angry.

"Arciss had decent aim at the red-tail."

"Well if he would stop being stupid maybe he would have actually SHOT HIM." Realizing that Arciss had hit the hawk, she amended, "Oh well what do you know. I was wrong, I believe Arciss DID hit the red-tail!"

Very dramatically, Visser Three entered the Bug Fighter and produced a recorder. "11:42 am. Edriss admits wrongness." He put it back in the fighter. "I'll be saving that for the record books."

"11:42 A.M. - Visser Three climbs a notch on the dapsen ladder."

"11:43 am: Visser One looks down from the very tip-top of the dapsen ladder. Unfortunately for the universe, she does not fall and break her neck."

Chapman rolled his eyes. "Maybe you'd like to come down from your ladders and work out a plan? Where are the Hork-Bajir? Let's get them in that building - search every inch! I don't care if any humans see them - they're all going down to the Pool later anywhere - just find those Bandits!"

Visser One completely ignored Chapman. "Well, I'm glad YOU don't fall off the ladder, Esplin, because since you are so very much HIGHER than me, you would fall right on me and lords know we don't want that."

"For crying out loud. Are we going to do this or what?"

"Sure, sure." To Visser One, Visser Three said, "Apparently you don't understand the meaning of the phrase "tip-top"...a shame, as you're the one that wants to infiltrate human culture. It means the pinnacle. The apex. There can be nothing higher."

"Whatever. Yeah, start fire," Visser One said to Chapman, before talking to Visser Three. "I KNOW what tip-top means. But I am not at the tip-top, as evidently you are a MUCH bigger dapsen than I am."

"Right, where are the Hork-Bajir?" To a random Hork-Bajir-Controller Chapman commanded, "You - get them formed up! I want this building searched for any human children! And if anyone sees us, take them to the Yeerk pool.

"Yes, sir!" it replied.

"Keep watch up here as well." Chapman saw Jake in tiger morph. "Ahh! Someone throw me a dracon!"

Arciss saw Jake the tiger. He shot at him and made a minor injury.

"There's probably more of them about - go look for them. Where is Visser One!"

"Right here. Look around before making assumptions, Chapman," said the Visser.

"The Andalites have morphed humans, we've sent in the Hork-Bajir to get them. Looks like this mission has gone slightly awry. Are we still going ahead with plans?"

The "Andalites" had not exactly. Jake was fighting with Chapman. (He's just got hold of a dracon beam, but not for long...!)

Ax looked up. "Is that Visser Three?"

(Chapman? Or the Visser Three? Not sure I want to hang about to find out!)

(THE Visser 3!) Is he going to kill me? He'll surely recognize me!

Jake got hit. (Aah! I'm hit! Think I'm ok though! All the Hork-Bajir are heading downstairs - probably going to look for us. How many of us are morphed to hawk yet?)

(3,) said Tobias.

(Ok, those who aren't, get behind that big vent shaft in the middle of the roof. I'll stop any Controllers from going round there.)

"I will help," Ax said.

"What should I do?" asked Elfangor.

(Anyone who's morphed hawk, get outta here. Ax and Elfangor, you keep the Controllers back. While the others morph. Chapman's just headed downstairs with a load of Hork-Bajir, but the Vissers are still up here. When the others are morphed, you two get go hawk and get out as well. Elfangor, you acquired a bird at the barn right?" Jake paused. "I'll try and find somewhere to demorph later...)

"Yes, and I have the DNA of the kafit bird from my homeworld as well. And Jake, be careful. We do not need two arial nothlits."

Ax attacked. He almost got his head cut off, only he ducked just in time. "Whoa, Ax! Maaan that was close. The others are morphed now, so I suggest you guys get outta here," Jake said.

Ax spotted Visser Three aiming at him, and started to move so Visser Three didn't hit him. (They've got Dracons. This could be very problematic,) Elfangor commented. Ax almost got hit, and then got hit in a leg.

(Ahhh!)

(Ax! Are you morphed? I suggest you haul!) He limped away, somewhat slowly.

(Where can we go to?) asked Elfangor.

(Anywhere!) replied Tobias.

Jake punched at a random human Controller and grabbed a Dracon in his teeth. (I've got a dracon! I'll use it to keep them back.) He morphed hands a tiny bit so he had fingers to hold the dracon. Tobias scraped a Hork-Bajir's eye.

(Should we get into the building?) Elfangor asked.

(I think we should, but maybe we should find a new way in. They will be looking out for large animals, maybe we should sneak in as insects. We should find something for Tobias to morph.)

(Could we enter as humans?)

(I don't think they'll welcome kids in there...besides they might have seen us and are now on the lookout for kids!) Tobias warned.

(I don't think so, I saw they have huge armies of Hork-Bajir going down. They will probably just cart us off to the Pool,) Jake replied.

(You're right. Very astute. Yes, we should get you an insect morph.)

Tobias tried to acquire a fly.

(Have a look down at the alleys, there might be some roaches or something by the Dumpsters! Gross...but necessary! I need to morph, I'm still in tiger morph but the Vissers are still up here. Can anyone try and distract them?)

(Certainly!) Elfangor demorphed and headed towards the Bug Fighter. Tobias got a roach morph.

Jake found somewhere out of sight to demorph and morph to falcon. "Ok, let's go! We'll fly up to the sky, circle high up out of sight of the Yeerks, then one by one, fly to that big building across the road. There, we can morph insects, everyone ok with that?"

(Yes.)

"Mm-hmm," Cassie agreed.

(Ok, I'll go first, then Marco, Cassie, Rachel, Tom, Tobias, Ax then Elfangor last.) Jake circled up in the sky for a while before checking out the other building and swooping down. (Clear!) He demorphed.

The others followed him. "Who's that guy entering the building?" Marco indicated Visser Three, in human morph. "He doesn't look very pleasant."

"Visser Three," said Ax.

"Okay. Why do I have a very bad feeling we're going to be entering that building very soon?"

(Because we probably are,) Tobias said.

"We are entering... as insects, remember? Has everyone got a bug morph by the way?" asked Jake.

(Yeah.)

(Yes,) Ax replied.

(Of course,) said Tom.

(Ok, we'll go roaches. They can fly and they're pretty much indestructible. We'll enter through that window with the balcony, there's room to morph and plenty of cover.) Jake flew over to it. Tobias flew, landed, and morphed, as did the others. (Woah, roaches are strange! This is the first time I've morphed them! Ok, everyone ok?)

(Must...survive...must...Jake? That you?) asked Rachel.

(Yeah, I think so! Someone just crawled over my back! Ok, which way is the window!)

(I believe it is approximately 42.652 degrees from the north of where I am currently situated,) Elfangor informed.

(Ok...that's really useful, Ax... Why don't you just move in that direction, and we'll follow you. You two sound so alike in thought speak. Anyway, shall we go?) Jake scurried off, following Elfangor.

(I believe we should.) The others followed.

Jake looked through the venting system. I( can see large shapes through the ventilation shafts - I think they might be Hork-Bajir. We should find where they are infesting the world leaders.) He grimly said, (We could do with a map of the place!)

(Yeah, there's a lot of things we could do with. Should we fly out and follow them?) asked Rachel.

(I have a feeling there's a lot more of them than we can see. Maybe we'd be better finding the world leaders, what do you think?)

(I think that maybe it's too late. But it's worth a shot,) Tobias said.

(Of course it is!) Elfangor exclaimed.

(This was what we came to do, right?) said Jake.

(I believe so,) Ax replied.

(Guys! I can hear voices, I think they are human! Let's get up in the air vent and see if we can get closer to them.)

(Why do we always go into air vents?) asked Marco. (They give me the creeps.) Ax started crawling up the vent.

(How can vents creep you out, Marco? How many vents have you crawled in before today?)

(I don't know but vents are omens. We always end up in a bad situation when we crawl through one.)

(I think I end up in bad situations whenever I go through abandoned construction sites,) Cassie observed.

(I ended up in a bad situation when you guys dragged me into the woods that night,) Jake said.

(I ended up in a bad situation when I knocked out my prince, although that was mildly to be expected. Actually, I was in a relatively bad situation long before then...) Elfangor realized he was letting information slip. (How much longer do we have in this morph?)

(Half an hour. You were saying?) asked Ax.

(Um...well,) Jake was embarrassed. "Maybe we should move on. The voices are getting closer, I think we're nearly there.)

(That would be excellent,) said Elfangor.

(Well maybe we should creep in and get a good idea of what's going on, then find somewhere to demorph and remorph. Otherwise we'll be trapped.)

(All right. More sneaking around,) said Tom.

(Hmm, curiosity killed the cat, more like. Or cockroach. Come on, there's an opening from this vent into the room, let's see what's going on.)

Tom privately thoughtspoke to Jake. (Why do you talk so much? I get the illusion you talk, and people only say things when you stop for breath.)

(I dunno...maybe it's because I'm nervous.)

(Oh, then I understand.)

(Guess some people go quiet, others make jokes coughcoughMarco!cough! Me? I talk.)

(I wonder what I do? Maybe ask people questions. I don't know!)

(Maybe! Ooh, we are right above the room now. But it's difficult to see with these eyes. What can people see? I can hear voices, but I can't tell if I can recognise them.)

Tom listened. (Can't recognize them either.)

(I can see the backside of the roach preceding me,) Elfangor observed.

(Anyone see any Hork-Bajir or controller we recognise? I thought I heard Chapman's voice around here a second ago,) said Jake.

(I think I might hear hooves,) Cassie said.

(The former Visser Three! He's coming down the hallway. Listen out for thought speak.)

(They would take care, I believe, to hide any thoughtspeak from us,) said Elfangor.

(Probably. But only if they suspect we are around.)

(Visser Three likes the sound of his voice. He usually yells out his orders for all to hear,) said Rachel.

Tom strained. (I think I can hear something about the time…)

(This earth material tastes good, and a black thing is hovering over us,) Ax said.

(Honestly...now he's obsessed with taste even when he's not in human morph,) said Jake.

(Aximili, I do not think that substance is meant to be digested,) cautioned Elfangor.

(No way, Ax. Not a good idea. Ok, guys? This is it. I think I can see Visser Three and Chapman, plus a whole bunch of humans. I think they are getting ready for the infestation. We should find somewhere to demorph and remorph.)

(Should we volunteer to "cover" for the others?) Elfangor privately spoke to Ax.

(Yes, that would be an honourable thing to do,) Ax replied.

(Right, we can demorph in this T-junction in the air-vent - it's big enough for humans. It's also big enough to allow us to morph smaller or sleeker fighting morphs like cats or wolves. Elfangor and Ax, you will have to fly out and demorph in the room,) instructed Jake.

(I will do so.) Elfangor continued privately to Jake. (If you survive this mission, and I do not...if it would not be too much of a strain...) He trailed off.

(Elfangor, you're gonna have to spit it out. I don't know what you mean and there's a lot to think about now.)

(On the Dome Ship that crashed is a computer file, my hirac delest, ah...a sort of "final statement" from when I died. I would appreciate it if you accessed it--assuming I die, which I'm not planning on.) Elfangor spoke to all of them.

(Well, I have a feeling the Ellimist will be playing his tricks later...) Jake said to the others. (Sure, I'd be honoured. Just don't die on us yet.)

(I will do my best.)

(We're here all right. I can see Hork-Bajir,) Rachel said.

(Ok, battle morphs then, people. But choose something smaller that you can morph up here. Tom, your cheetah will be fine, but Rachel you'll have to go wolf. Marco, you might have to do a partial morph in here and finish it out there if you want to go gorilla. Tobias, you might have to hang back and keep watch,) Jake said. Elfangor demorphed and slid out of the vent. Jake morphed tiger. (Ok, is everyone morphed?)

"Al-"-(most), Marco finished.

(Ok, let's get out there!) Jake leapt into the room.

The others followed. (We're too late! Half of them have already been infested!) Cassie exclaimed.

(Well let's save the other half!) Jake leapt at Chapman.

(When this is all over, any chance we can get some of their autographs?) Marco asked. Tom leapt at a Hork-Bajir.

(The only ones I recognise are useless leaders! Tom, behind you!) Jake pretended to talk to Chapman. (Sure you wanna shoot me, Yeerk? Better grow some muscle in that trigger finger of yours! Tom, behind you! A load more Controllers have come through the door.) Tom spun around and slashed Controllers with cheetah's claws, not badly enough to do serious damage, more as a warning.

The battle was on. The Yeerks had been getting ready since the first encounter on the roof. Arciss spotted an innocent pigeon and killed it. "Excellent work Arciss. Keep it up and you are in for a good promotion," Visser One said. Arciss knew that that pigeon wasn't an Andalite, but pretended it is, and shot another animal.

"Have the communications officers found out whether the human leaders are assembled yet?"

"That's it Arciss. Now concentrate on the ones who SEEM to be attacking us. As for promotions... I don't seem to see any in this direction." Visser One looked at Visser Three and Chapman. "Are you both going to try harder, or shall I just hand the rank over to Arciss?" Arciss shot at a demorphing Elfangor. "Oh yes that's it! Shoot the Andalite!"

Chapman ignored her. "Visser One - are we going ahead with the infestation of the world leaders or what? I say we do - we've spend enough work on this already, but we're going to have to change our plans. The Andalites are all over this. I'm heading downstairs to get set up the hologram around the portable pool - Arciss, you're in charge of the Hork-Bajir up here! I'll have my radio."

Arciss got him in the arm, but not seriously.

"Alright. Formulate a new plan. But quickly, and don't let the Andalites know we're changing our mind," said Visser One. Arciss grabbed a radio.

"All right. We forget the subtle approach. We get as many squads as we can down here. Block off all entrances to this building. Set up as many pools as we can. Infest everyone inside this building. It's going to take all night, but it's the only was we can make sure that we get the human world leaders and stop the Bandits from preventing us," Chapman said.

"Alright. Alright, do it."

"Right, where are my Hork-Bajir team leaders?" Chapman looked around. "You - Take the top floor, you lot - all the floors below that apart from ground, and you-ground floor. Make sure all the exits are sealed. If the humans start making a fuss, don't worry, they'll be one of us soon. Everyone else, let's hunt down these bandits."

"This better work, Iniss, there is a lot at risk here if we don't succeed."

"I hope so...any chance of Esplin pulling his finger out and giving us a hand? It's a hardcore approach, surely this is his sort of thing?"

"Yes, he really should be rejoicing that I've finally given in."

Visser Three didn't want to accept that Iniss came up with a decent idea. "Fine, let's go. I'll be informing the Council of the deviation from plan."

"Yes, you will." Visser One added jokingly, "Then they can blame you for not following it."

Visser Three clenched the teeth of his human morph. Sarcastically, he spoke. "Where shalt I go, Oh Visser?"

"You shalt go hide back under whichever ugly rock you cometh from."

"Anything to getteth away from you." Visser Three stalked into the Bug Fighter and demorphed. (Good luck with those bandits.)

"Am I having nightmares, or did Visser Three just wish me good luck? 12:16 PM - Visser Three wishes Visser One good luck."

(12:16 pm. Edriss refers to me as "Visser" again.)

"Setting up the hologram now in the Blue Room," said Chapman.

"12:16 and a HALF PM - Esplin is calling me "Edriss" again," Visser One said.

Visser Three saw Ax almost get his head cut off. (There's the dapsen that killed me!) He grabbed a Dracon beam from the Bug Fighter and took aim.

"Security for the humans is tight down here, but nothing we can't handle," Chapman said.

(One would hope, one would hope...) Visser Three shot at Ax.

"Yes, you better hope, Iniss, or else your rank is gone," said Visser One.

(I apologize for my overuse of That Word which I'm Not Going to Repeat, and request that you stop using it. I'm not sure what your hosts make of it, but it greatly excites mine.)

"Fine, fine...So what now? Any progress on the bandits?"

(I think I just Draconed one.)

"You think?"

(Despite the belief of many, yes, I do, oh shut up Alloran.) Visser Three aimed the Dracon again. (Let's see if I can get any more...)

"How can you THINK you Draconed one? It's either you did or you didn't. Should be plain enough to grasp."

(Let's make this simple. I shot a Dracon beam at a bandit. It may have been hit, or it may have ducked. I can't tell from this angle. Perhaps you'd like to venture out and check?)

"No thanks, Visser." Visser One decided to shut up and concentrate on the mission.

(By the-Elfangor? What is HE doing here?)

Arciss looked at Elfangor, and then Visser Three. "Maybe the Andalite bandits revived him as someone revived you?"

"I'll bet you that's who the Ellimist chose to revive!" said Visser One.

(Would an Antarean Bogg be conspicuous around here?)

"Erm, yes," said Arciss.

"The bandits have morphed birds and escaped! Keep a look out by all the entrances in case they come back!" Chapman said.

"Yes, Visser Three, it would. We're on it, Iniss," said Visser One.

"We've secured the area where we'll infest the world leaders, we're just trying to restrain them now. Anyone want to come join us for the action?" radioed Chapman.

"Yes, certainly!" Visser Three, in human morph, dashed in. Arciss followed.

Humans inside were looking really worried. "Right, there's a situation in the building. I need everyone in the Blue Room, right now," Chapman said.

Someone was worried. "Why? What's going on, you the police?"

Chapman pointed a Dracon at them. "Just do it! Now!"

They did.

"Guard the doors!" Chapman instructed Hork-Bajir. "It doesn't matter if they see you, just don't let anyone escape. Are all the world leaders on this floor? According to the plan, they were all meant to be up here by now."

(I see an ugly guy surrounded by multiple bodyguards. He doesn't look very bright.)

"That must be the -- Yes, that is him, the most important human on this planet: The President of the United States," said Visser One.

(Puny humans, shall we begin?)

Arciss watched out for Andalites.

"Don't forget, they can morph anything, even Hork-Bajir or other humans," reminded Chapman.

Visser One came back from the ship where she'd been for a while. "Progress report?" Arciss reported.

"The world leaders have been secured in the Blue Room, and we are now setting up a Pool. The building is secure, so other humans will soon be infested. We have Hork-Bajir posted on the roof and at all exits to watch for Andalite bandits."

(Excellent. Have we agreed on which Yeerks will receive the honor of infesting the world leaders?)

"We have a number of applications from various Vissers, and a few sub-Vissers. There are 12 positions available, and I have some Yeerks in mind who would be good for this role."

(Including yourself?)

"No, no, I am happy with my own host. Besides, my position requires that I spend much time on board the mother ship. The Yeerks who take these leaders as their hosts would have to continue living on earth to fool the humans. Plus, I'm too bust running armies to pretend to run a country as well!"

(I admire your mild humility. So let's see this list...hmm, I suppose we should pretend to seek Visser One's opinion?)

"Oh, you can if you think it is necessary. But it has pretty much been decided - all the Yeerks are in the portable Kandrona now, ready to infest their new hosts." Visser Three headed down the hallway to where Chapman was. "Ah. "Visser Three." We are getting ready to infest these world leaders. Now we have them in one place, I need to fetch the portable Kandrona." They were in a large room with a meeting table in the middle of it. A group of suited men and women were sitting at it, looking around scared and in confusion at the Hork-Bajir who were standing guard.

(Okay. May I suggest we infest the shrubbery first?)

"The shrubbery?"

(Bush?)

"Ahh I see! Yes, good idea."

Visser Three shook her head at Visser Three's thickness. "His NAME is Bush, Visser. That does not mean he is a BUSH. And to think I was even considering giving you that rank back…"

(1:11 pm. Visser One shows once again she's a human-obsessed traitor. Let's infest these guys already.)

"Bring in the portable Yeerk Pool. Let's get these Yeerks into their new hosts," Chapman said to the Hork-Bajir. They did so. "You." Chapman pointed to one. "Get the first human in the restraints."

A Hork-Bajir grabbed one of the leaders. "Where is the Secret Service when you need them?" President Bush asked.

"Don't worry, we've got control of your Secret Service."

(I think that's a cause for him to worry,) Visser Three privately thoughtspoke to Chapman.

"Sheesh, I was being sarcastic. Look, just grab the next guy in line and start infesting them will you? Instead of standing around flapping your tail about?"

(Yes.) Visser Three grabbed one of the leaders.

"State your name and rank," Chapman said to the first world leader, just infested.

"Gnarss 271, Sub-Visser Nine."

"Good. Gnarss, help infest the other humans. Then report back to me."

Gnarss saw Elfangor exiting the vent. "We may have a bit of a difficulty."

"What?" Chapman turned around, not recognizing Elfangor. "Andalite! I should have known you bandits would turn up!"

"We should save these host bodies."

"Yes...good idea. Don't kill them. Just try and lock them in this room so we can infest them together! I take the large Andalite."

(I was referring to the human leaders, but the Andalites as well.) Visser Three had apparently forgotten it was Gnarss's idea. (The "large one" you refer to...I've already, as it were, killed him once and would rather like the privilege of doing it a second time. But I suppose...)

The Animorphs were equally busy. (Jake, look at the woman by the window.)

(Oh, that's Visser One. She discovered Earth, unfortunately. She hates Visser Three and vice versa,) Tom informed.

(How long has she been a Controller?)

(What? Who?)

(Marco...don't say anything, ok?) Jake cautioned.

(Sure, why?) Marco replied. To Tom he answered, (That woman over there.) Jake listened uncomfortably but continued fighting.

(Um... since before Visser Three took control of Earth. Why?) asked Tom.

(Just curious.)

(No reason? Why don't I believe you?)

(Look, let's save this for after we fight the aliens. Kapeesh?)

(Ok.)

Arciss shot a Dracon beam, stunning Rachel.

(Rachel!) Cassie exclaimed.

Chapman almost got swiped by Jake. "Maybe we should forget infesting the others until we have fought off these Andalites!" Arciss tried to stun Jake, but missed.

(Yes, that sounds intelligent. A rarity, at any rate.) Visser Three morphed Antarean Bogg.

Arciss rolled his eyes. Under his breath he said, "Visser Three is an idiot."

(Rachel's out! Uh, guys? What is THAT Visser Three's morphing? It doesn't look good. Maybe we should haul?) suggested Jake.

(Doesn't look good? I've been digested by it and I'm still here,) Elfangor said.

(You were eaten by that thing? Don't suppose you managed to catch its weaknesses, before...um...)

(There are very few, I'm disappointed to inform you.)

(So, we grab Rachel and run?) asked Tom.

(As far as the human leaders, would they prefer death to infestation?)

(It depends. All humans have different ideas about what they want, and what freedom means for them. Some would prefer death, but others would see it as an act of cowardice. It's impossible to tell,) said Jake.

(I'd prefer to stay alive and run!) said Tom.

(What about that portable Yeerk pool? If we can destroy that, then at least the leaders won't be able to be infested.)

(Yes...that could be useful. Who has the best morph for something like that?) asked Elfangor.

(Maybe something really strong and powerful? Like an elephant or rhino? I don't think we have time to do anything other than just smash it up.)

(And as our normal luck, the only person with an elephant morph is conveniently unconscious,) Marco commented.

(Maaan this all seems to be going wrong! Ok, how else could we destroy that thing?)

(Marco's morph seems capable of picking it up,) Elfangor commented.

(Yeah, good idea. Marco, wanna try and inflict some damage on that thing?)

(No, I don't want to. Yes, I will.) Marco attempted to heave it up.

(The Pool!) Visser Three was horrified.

"Get that gorilla away from it!" called Chapman.

Visser Three whipped out a Dracon.

Elfangor saw Visser Three aiming at Marco and taunted, (Even in that morph, you still need a Dracon beam?) Jake tried to keep Visser Three and Chapman away from Marco and the Yeerk pool, and Elfangor tried as well. (You've already killed me once, scum. No second chance for you.)

(Ah, the first time was just to wet my appetite! Now I'm ready for the main course!) Visser Three replied. Amused, Elfangor let his guard down. Visser Three suddenly took an unexpected swipe at him. (Oh yes, that was just a taster.)

Elfangor dodged in, trying to acquire the Bogg's DNA, although he didn't know if it would work as that itself was a morph. (You have good taste at least.)

The Visser morphed back. (I certainly do. Now...let's see what's on the menu for this evening!) He took a step forward, arching his tail over his head, then brought it forward in a sharp but graceful movement towards Elfangor's neck. (Andalite against Andalite, huh prince Elfangor? Both in our own true bodies?)

(Your true body is a slug. A worthless slug.) Enraged, Elfangor began making stupid mistakes in the tail fight.

The Visser was sarcastic. (Oh yes, I'd almost forgotton! Well, I suppose this body will do just as well!) He ran forward again, swiping his tail. It made a nasty gash in Elfangor's shoulder, who dodged to the left, angling his tail in. Visser Three darted towards Elfangor, blade flashing. (You think you can beat me? You've already lost to me once, what makes you think you can do it again!)

(Correction. I lost to you when you were armed with much more of a fleet. I think things will be different today.)

(Yeees, that was rather fortuitous that we managed to get you one your own for once!) He laughed evilly. (You were a hard Andalite to pin down, you know!)

Elfangor's voice was grim. (Oh, I do.) He went at the Visser's legs.

Visser Three was knocked down. (Agghh! Can't you just give in like last time!) He struck with his tail as he tried to stand up again.

(I hardly count my actions of last time as "giving in".) Elfangor deliberately aimed for the place where he almost hit Visser Three the last time.

(I was half hoping you'd be wanting to show off one of your exotic morphs that night. But no...) Visser Three started laughing, then yelled in pain as he got hit by Elfangor. (Obviously it's going to be different this time!)

(No, no such luck.) Elfangor got slashed. (You've improved.)

With mock politeness the Visser said, (Why thank you. As have you.) He slashed back.

Elfangor was almost jovial as he replied, (Death has obviously honed our skills.) He stumbled, then retreated.

(Would you like to die again? You might rise again, and your skills could be even better! Let's see, shall we?)

Elfangor turned one of his stalk eyes to Tom and narrowed it. (Do not use the Loreen after you have returned home. Hide it somewhere safe,) he said privately. Brashly to Visser Three he declared, (And as every good scientist knows, two experimental subjects are better than one!) He charged in.

(Absolutely! The larger the sample, the better!) Visser Three rose up on his rear legs like a horse, then struck down with his tail blade.

(I don't think you fully understood my meaning.) Elfangor was gashed, but aimed another blow.

Visser One had, of course, crept into the building with a few Hork-Bajir bodyguards, and was watching the flow of events behind a few large crates.

"That dapsen better be on his guard." She raised an eyebrow. "He is getting cocky. Getting cocky can cause stupid mistakes."

"Should we help him?" asked the first Hork-Bajir.

Visser One rolled her eyes. "He is outnumbered. Big time. We will need to help him if he doesn't smarten up any time soon."

(Can we take out the others while those two are doing their thing?) Marco privately suggested to the other Animorphs.

(Yeah we'd better-) Jake replied (all the Yeerks are distracted by those two fighting it out.)

(Shame. Can't we sit here and watch the final showdown instead? I'll get popcorn?)

(Sure you don't wanna add to the special effects? Come on, dude, we're all in on this now.)

(Fine...different perspective on things at least.)

(Ok! We'll be taking down Hork-Bajir as well as humans, but this is a dangerous environment, so don't pick anything lumbering or that has poor eyesight.)

(The Visser is mine,) Elfangor said.

Visser One crouched behind her crate. She watched Visser Three and Elfangor battle it out, and then set her eyes on the remaining bandits.

"On the count of three, attack them." Visser One said. "Get the bandits. But try to distract Elfangor."

"Yes, Visser," the lead Hork-Bajir said.

"One... Two... Three!" Visser One said, and about ten huge Hork-Bajir, armed with blades and Dracon beams, charged for the Animorphs. Visser One stood up and watched them, feeling much safer than before.

Elfangor danced away and started to dodge up the stairs to the roof. The Vissers, their guards, and the other Animorphs (with the exception of a still-unconscious Rachel) dashed after them, leaving the confused world leaders where they were.

Jake, in tiger morph, lunged for the nearest Hork-Bajir. "Rooooarrr!" he yelled, slamming his massive paws across the lizard's face. The Hork-Bajir went down, and Jake moved onto the next one. (Guys there's more Hork-Bajir turning up!) he yelled to the others, noticing Visser One's bunch of henchmen.

Meanwhile, Visser Three was gloating again, staring at Elfangor. (You survived once, you're not going to survive again,) he whispered as they circled each other menacingly. Suddenly, he noticed a familiar figure over the other side of the roof. She was surrounded by Hork Bajir, but it was defintely her. (What are you doing here?) he bellowed. (These Andalites are mine!)

Visser One frowned. That insolent little grub. Can he GET any cockier? He obviously needs all the help he can get. ... Suddenly, she smirked.

Oh well, his loss.

"Okay, Visser Three!" Visser One yelled, loud enough for him to hear her. "Die if you want to."

She snaped her fingers, motioning to her Hork-Bajir. "My troops, retreat! The Visser obviously does not want our help."

The Hork-Bajir turned back instantly. They ran back to stand by their Visser.

Visser Three watched as Visser One's troops begin to retreat.
(Hey!) he shouted. (You can't withdraw now! You'll let the Bandits win! You'll be a traitor to the Empire! The Emperor will eat your head for dinner! And we don't want that, do we?) he added.
Getting incredibly frustrated, he began to lash out carelessly at Elfangor - who hopped nimbly to the side.

"I thought you wanted the bandits aaaall to yourself..." Visser One taunted angrily. "If you want me to send my troops back to help you, just say the word. If not, forgive me Visser but it's your loss."

The Visser narrowed his main eyes. (I can handle them by myself,) he snapped. (It just means that you're not having anything to share!)
He dodges a swipe from Elfangor, and added, angrily, (and STOP distracting me!) He forgot that it was he who started the conversation in the first place.

"You STARTED the conversation!" Visser One shrieked.

Visser Three carried on lashing out at Elfangor. Meanwhile, Jake was confused at seeing a load of Hork Bajir suddenly retreat. He saw and heard Visser 1, and it clicked.
(Guys! The Vissers are in the middle of an argument! Try and confuse them! And try and distract Visser 3!).

Visser One looked on, wondering if Visser Three would ever learn.

Marco looked at Jake and nodded slightly. (I'll try and distract Visser Three, because there is no way one gorilla is going to get past ten Hork-Bajir the size of Manhattan.) He leapt off to aid Elfangor.

(Good idea,) said Jake . (I'll go round the other side, see what Visser One's up to.)

Jake leapt accors the bodies, his sharp eyes focused on Visser One. He could hear her taunting Visser Three. (Those two are still at it!) he commented to no'one.

Visser Three swiped again at Elfangor, but Elfangor dodged nimbly to the side, and came back with a horrific counter attack. The Visser cursed loudly as Elfangor's tail blade left a gaping gash in his shoulders.
(Alright, Prince, you asked for it...) he murmured.

(I did indeed.) Elfangor remembered the ugly morphs the Visser had, and tried to imagine where he would be most vulnerable mid-morph.

The Visser ran through in his mind his list of morphs, and finally focused on a large, dragon like creature he acquired from a distant planet. He pictured it in his head, expecting the changes to appear. But nothing happened!

(You dapsen!) he yelled, partly to the Ellimist and partly to himself. He didn't have any of his old morphs!

Behind him, Visser One raised her eyebrows in light amusement.

(What?) Elfangor asked, getting in another blow.

The Visser cursed again. He didn't seem to hear Elfangor, but he was sure irritated that he was losing the fight. He gasped in pain as Elfangor's blade struck his back. Hasn't he got any morphs he can use? Surely he shouldn't be expected to last a fight without morphing?

Tobias' shrill cry was heard as he flew at Visser Three, adrenaline pumping through his veins. He aimed for the eyes...

(Nice one, Tobias!) called Jake as Tobias swept down at Visser Three.

(Dapsens!) yelled the Visser again.

(You don't need to be involved in this,) Elfangor called to Tobias.

Jake wasn't the leader, but he felt inclined to encourage Tobias to back down. (He's right dude,) he calls. (They can handle it.)

Visser 3 was getting seriously wound up now, and it was making him careless. In his rage, he galloped towards Elfangor, tail blade waving all over the place.

(Right,) said Tobias, and flew toward the group.

Elfangor took a defensive stance and tried to parry the Visser's thrusts.

The Visser rans forward, tail swiping and slashing.
(Aghh!) he yelled. (You've had it once, you're not having it again!) His tail caught Elfangor's shoulder, drawing rich blue blood.

Elfangor winced and stepped back a little. Privately, he was wondering what exactly he "had", but didn't voice this.

(What?) taunted Visser Three. (Taking a step back? Surely that's a little cowardly?)

(Surely you'd know.)

Tobias was fighting the urge to step in and swipe his talons at Visser Three again.

(You're calling me a coward?) bellowed the Visser. (How dare you!) He lunged forward again.

Elfangor was ready; he went on the offensive this time, trying to ignore the wound the Visser gave.

"Lost your morphs, have you?" Visser One taunted loudly. "Ha ha ha... Oh!" She saw Visser Three's tail blade penetrate into Elfangor's shoulder. "Good hit, Visser! -- I mean... Is that all you've got?"

Marco crept up behind Visser Three, trying not to roll his eyes at the irritating Yeerk Visser, who also happens to be his mother, cheering and jeering from the sidelines. Contemptuous, he drew his huge gorilla paw back.

( You're. Going. Down. ) he said privately to no one.

Visser One saw the movement. "Watch out!" she shrieked.

Visser Three spun around. But before he had time to even THINK about reacting...

- WHAM!

Marco's paw connected squarely with the side of the Visser's head. He slumped down onto the floor, stunned unconscious.

Visser Three lay unconcious, not moving.

(Nice one dude,) said Jake dryly. "That was possibly the most brilliant or the most stupid thing I've seen this week. Don't look at Elfangor yet, ok, he looks a bit insulted."

(Let's end this once and for all.) Tobias landed near Visser Three. If the Visser awakens, he would find a beak used for tearing mice to pieces at his throat, and Tobias prepared to force the Yeerk out of Alloran.

Visser One was watching the scene unfold, wide-eyed.

"Well, as much as I hate to say... we have to help him." she saido her Hork-Bajir. "Go! Now!"

The Hork-Bajir obeyed and charge for the Animorphs.

(Uhh... guys?) Marco pointed frantically at the oncoming army of huge creatures.

Elfangor started attacking, mildly affronted.

A Hork-Bajir got to Tobias, and kicked him. His wing was broken, and he lay bleeding.

But Hork-Bajir features started appearing from his sprawled bird body...

Visser One walked up very quietly to the spot where Visser Three was laying unconscious. Suddenly, she started running to scare Tobias off. It doesn't work, and Visser One decided to simply walk up, hoping the bird will not bite her.

She knelt down and slapped Visser Three's cheek softly. "Wake up, you dapsen!" she said, more nervous than angry.

Marco, who had just knocked down his Hork-Bajir, looked back.

( You guys! I think Visser One is trying to revive him!

Tobias, now fully Hork-Bajir, ran toward Visser One. He leapt toward her, blades flashing.

Visser Three came to very suddenly. Someone was slapping his face. (What in the name of dapsen is coing on? No one touches me without- Oh. It's you.)
He scrambled to his feet, taking on a moment to look around and realise where he was.
(Let's get back to this little charade, shall we?) he spat at Elfangor.

Visser One turned around just in time to see a Hork-Bajir (Tobias) coming towards her!

"Back away!" she yelled. She raised her Dracon beam, but it was too late to fire. She turned and ran away, but then felt a searing pain in her back as the blade sliced a deep gash. She screamed and stumbled to the ground.

(Charade? I suppose it would be, seeing as the expected end result isn't all that permanent.) Elfangor said.

(It's a bird morph, Visser!) Visser 3 snorted. (Not exactly the thrilling of morphs...)
He raised his tail over at Elfangor again. (Unlike this one. Much more of a challange, this brilliant body...)

Tobias grabbed Visser One and pressed his armblade to her neck. (No one move or she dies!)

Elfangor had not been expecting an attack that early, and was caught off guard. He fell to the roof, squinting.

Visser One clenched her eyes shut, trying to stay calm, and was careful not to move an inch.

Visser 3, not expecting his attack to be so efficient, tumbled forward as he swung his tail a second time.
(Aghh!) he yelled in rage, as he and Elfangor tumbled down into a mess of sprawling arms and hooves. Visser 3 tried to swipe again with his tail, and kicked with his legs. Eventually, he managed to deliver a powerful kick to Elfangor's head.

"ESPLIN DON'T!" Visser One shrieked in panic. "HE'S GOING TO KILL ME!"

Even more disoriented, Elfangor arched his tail out of the chaos.

Tobias' blade nicked her chin...

Visser 3 didn't notice any of this. He wa too wrapped up in his fight with Elfangor. Now that he had given one blow, he was starting to feel cocky.
(What is it the humans call this game?) he mused, drawing up a powerful hoof above Elfangor's head. (Ah yes. Football.)

"No! Don't kill me!" Visser One yelled. "HELP ME, you dapsen!"

(No! Elfangor!) Tobias yelled. (Don't do it, or she's dead!) The blade cut off more skin.

(Which one? They discriminate between two similar games.) Elfangor replied to the Visser.

Visser One took deep breaths. Must... remain... calm...

(Tobias, DON'T!) Marco yelled in private. (Concentrate on Visser Three. She didn't do anything!) He decided to omit the fact that he wished NOT to see his mother's head cut off.

(Tobias!) Jake barked suddenly, surpising himself. (Leave Visser One alone.)

Before Visser Three's hoof managed to come down on Elfangor's head, Elfangor suddenly leapt up and Visser Three was knocked back. The Visser took a few steps backwards.

(He's going for a running kill,) says Jake. (It looks like he's lost his sanity. Tobias, try and put the Visser off his track.)

Tobias knocked Visser One to the ground and leapt up.

(Edriss!) shouted Visser 3 without thinking. He was running at a flat out gallop towards Elfangor, a manic expression on his face. Suddenly, he kicked off his back legs, and sailed through the air heading straight for Elfangor. His hooves hit Elfangor's chest. The two of them went tumbling once more - this time, towards the edge of the roof.
(Uh oh,) says Jake. (I don't think those two bought parachutes. Elfangor! Morph!)

Visser One got up, raising her Dracon beam in panic. She saw Visser Three and Elfangor tumbling towards the edge.

"Esplin, look out!" she yelled. "Morph!"

Visser Three could not morph. Maybe he didn't think maybe he didn't have a suitable animal to morph. He was still tumbling forwards with Elfangor, gaining speed.
(Edriss!) he cried again...
And then, he tumbled down into the streets below, screaming all the way.

(Protect the Ma...) Elfangor forgot he had been trying to hide that it actually was the Time Matrix. (To-) He hit the ground hard.

Beyond herself, Visser One sprinted to the edge of the roof and knelt down in shock, watching as her worst enemy and a hated Andalite warrior dropped down to the ground below.

"Esplin!" she yells. "Esplin!"

She tried to stand up, but stumbled and struggled to catch her balance as she very nearly fell off the roof herself.

(Mom!) Marco yelled to himself. He ran forward and caught the struggling Controller in his powerful gorilla arm.

"Let me go!" Visser One half-sobbed. "Let go, Andalite filth!"

Esplin lay on the ground, barely conscious. He hit some kind of awning on the way down, which slowed his fall enough so as not to result in instant death. But his bones were broken, and he wasn't going to live much longer.
Around him, Controllers who were part of the mission raced out of the building and began to usher people away so they cannot see him.
"Infest all who catch a glimpse at him," he heard one Controller say.
Visser Three could barely think. He couldn't open his eyes. But he could hear...he heard a voice far away. Familiar. He knew that voice. He hated it? No...surely not. He was sure he loved that voice.

Visser One finally broke free of Marco and went tearing across the roof and down the narrow stairwell leading into the building at breakneck pace. She ran down the seemingly endless floors, and when she finally arrived at ground level, she pushed open the exit door and ran outside into the mass of Controllers crowding around Visser Three. She saw him laying bleeding on the ground and knelt next to him.

"Esplin?" she asked shakily (though trying to not MAKE it sound shaky) "Are you alright?"

Esplin could barely move, but he at last managed to open his eyes.
"Vis...Edriss," he murmured. "It's you."

"Yes, it is me," Edriss said. She hesitated, looked around, then held out a hand to stroke his facial fur. "You're going to be okay. You're going to take down that Andalite. In fact, I think he may already be dead. You win, Esplin..."

Through it all, only Visser One realized the depth of her efforts to hold back tears.

(NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!) Tobias screamed. Already, he was demorphing. When he finished, he flew downwards. He looked with hope in his heart...

Somehow, he had a closeness to Elfangor that he didn't know where it came from...

Esplin looked into her eyes one last time. (We won, Edriss,) he said. (We won...)
He closed his eyes one last time...slipping away from her forever.

Jake had crept to the edge of the building.
(Elfangor...) he whispered. The haunting image of the Andalite Prince being thrown over the edge was just too much. He couldn't watch. Now, he could see his lifeless body, several hundred feet below. Nearby was the Visser's. Surrounding them both were teams of Controllers, posing as police or security, holding people back.
(It's over,) he muttered, scarcely believing it himself.

Visser One, realizing at last that her most relentless enemy was gone, along with the arguments, and quite frankly the undeniable feeling of joy she used to feel when she was with him, found herself missing him already. She could not keep up the act any longer. Closing her eyes and feeling the tears starting to roll down her cheeks, she turned around and ran back toward the building, only to realize that the door did not open from the outside. She punched the door as hard as she could as she collapsed onto the ground and started to sob.

"Esplin..." she whispered to no one but herself. "Why did you have to leave me here alone?..."

Esplin was bathed in white light...

Around him he could see images of his life. The missions. The murders. His friends, and enemies. And finally, he saw her. Edriss.

"Visser Three," he heard. "Have you served your purpose?"

He looked up and saw the Ellimist, flying, barely visible, against the white light.

(Yes, Ellimist,) he said dreamily. (I think I did...)

Jamie Cemmelon, a girl passing by, watched the events, a look of awe in her face. "What the..."

Tobias looked upon Elfangor's dead body. (NOOOOOOOOOO!) He said this publicly. He didn't care if he did. (Elfangor! NOOOOO!)

Elfangor, of course, did not reply. Entangled from the Visser, he radiated pride in some odd way.

"Blue horses!" Jamie yelled out. "Or centaurs!"

Visser One watched as the Animorphs, in their battle morphs, moved away. Suddenly, stricken by an onslaught of sudden rage, she ascended the stairs, took out her Dracon beam, and started shooting wildly. Then, to her sick joy, she heard a thought-spoken cry of pain.

(Ahhhhh!)

The wolf -- Cassie -- fell to the ground, contracted with spasms. Unluckily for Visser One, she had forgotten to switch the beam from stun level to kill level...

Jamie leapt to the ground, hearing the weapon being fired. She landed near a human-Controller.

(Cassie!) Tobias screamed. (Cassie!) He flew to her side. (Cassie, are you alright?) He checked using his intense vision for injuries.

Visser One clutched her Dracon beam, raising it again to the Animorphs.

"Die, Andalite filth!" she exclaimed, and shot again.

- TSEEEW! TSEEEEW!

Jamie screamed as she was dragged to a black van. Inside the van was one Hork-Bajir and a small pool with a portable Kandrona. Jamie's head was thrust underneath, and something slimy wriggled into Jamie's head.

Esplin 328 (not to be confused with Esplin 9466 Lesser or Prime) folded herself into the folds and crevasses of Jamie's brain. (Human?) she groaned. (How boring.)

(Get out of me!)

I don't think so, sweetheart, the Yeerk sneered. She read into Jamie's thoughts and memories. She lived in a foster home, with two parents who didn't care. All they cared about was their jobs and the Sharing. (Looks like your parents are already with us, Jamie.)

(GET OUT!)

Esplin ignored her host and said, (Infestation complete.) The Hork-Bajir grunted in approval, handing her a Dracon beam, which she took happily, and the girl, controlled by the slimy Yeerk in her head, calmly left the van, Dracon clutched in her hand.

She saw Tobias hovering over the building up ahead. "Andalite filth," she sneered, and shot.

Jake was still in shock from Elfangor's death, but there was more to worry about. He looked around, his big tiger eyes fixing on Cassie's wolf body. She had been hit - a dark burn mark could be seen on her flank. (Cassie!) Jake cried helplessly, nudging her with his nose. (Wake up - demorph! Please demorph!)

(Cassie!) yelled Tobias. But he couldn't do anything. He was plummeting to the ground, plummeting to...something soft? He heard laughing.

"We have one of the Andalites!" Esplin/Jamie yelled enthusiastically. She kicked Tobias. "Filth. Demorph from that pathetic form. Now."

Visser One shot and hit Cassie again. "DIE, Andalite filth!" She aimed for Jake, but misses.

Jake pounced out of the way. Hopefully, V1's shredder was only set to stun, but he could still smell burning fur coming from Cassie's direction. Jake decided to try and keep V1 from shooting her again - by distracting her attention to him. He began to creep forward, watching her, ready to dodge her attack.

(Never,) said Tobias, defiantly. He was worried about the others, but couldn't do anything without ending up giving the Yeerks more information than they need: that he was a hawk that could morph.

(Jake, don't be an idiot,) Tom would have rolled his eyes if he could. Instead, he tried to drag Cassie down the stairs. (Marco? Ax? Help me out here.)

Hork-Bajir were moving towards him, but Jake could see an advantage there. As the Hork-Bajir circle closer, Jake suddenly dodged to the right - behind one of the big lizards. Visser One fired at him, but hit the Hork-Bajir instead.

All of a sudden Tom remembered. (The Loreen! Guys, we can get out of here!)

Jamie grabbed Tobias, and crushed his other wing. A scream of pain can be heard by the others.

(AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!)

(The Loreen! Yes!) Jake shouted. Suddenly, he heard Tobias. (What's going on?) he called.

Visser One shot again, barely missing Jake. She saw Jake pounce towards her, and in sudden shock she fell back, hitting her head hard on the ground and muffling a groan of pain.

(This Yeerk is...TORTURING ME!) Tobias yelled.

Esplin laughed cruelly. "Andalite filth. Why don't you morph out now?"

Tobias thought back to his Andalite morph. He could perhaps use it...but...

(Let's haul!) Tom said, emerging from the stairwell. (Can you get that Dracon?)

A truck drove up, and an unconscious, battered elephant was seen inside of it. (It was actually retrieved from the zoo).

(Rachel!)

Esplin aimed her Dracon at the bear. "Tell me now, or I'll shoot the bear!"

(NO!)

"Come on, now!"

Tobias focusds on his Andalite morph. Now that Visser Three was gone, and Visser One probably already knew about them, he figured that he should save Rachel.

Once he was fully Andalite, Esplin turns her Dracon on him and fired on stun. He crumpled, and two Hork-Bajir grabbed her arms. Her ear was pressed to his, and she wriggled free of Jamie and entered Tobias.

Tom dodged forward, hoping to swipe the Dracon away from Visser One and shoot Jamie.

Jamie, now free, fell to the ground as Esplin folded into the cracks and crevices of Tobias' "Andalite" brain. She began to access the senses...body functions...memory.

(GET OUT OF ME!) Tobias protested.

(Never would I do such a thing, Andalite. You're mine now.) Then, as she read Tobias' memories, she corrected herself, (No...not quite an Andalite, are you? You're human...but bird. Odd combination.)

(Get out!)

Esplin stood up. (The Andalite bandits are merely human children. How quaint.)

Esplin nodded to the Hork-Bajir-Controllers. (Move into a guard formation around me.)

They did so.

Visser One tried to get up, but found herself too dizzy to do so. Before she knew it, she had a Bengale tiger on her, blocking her path.

Tom grasped the Dracon, spun it to "stun", and quickly shot at Tobias.

(Do not even think about it,) Jake told Visser One. He was careful to try and sound like a stiff-upper lipped Andalite. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Tom shoot at Tobias. He was sure there's a good reason, but checked anyway. (Tom? What's going on? Why are you shooting at Tobias!)

Tobias crumpled. Jamie tried to get out of the van but was cut across the back by a Hork-Bajir.

(Back away,) Tom directed, (or you lose your only infested Andalite.) To Jake he explained, (Not positive what's going on here.)

Completely out of it, Visser One fell back on her elbows. Her eyes started to close as she reached out for some unknown destination.

"Esplin..." she mumbled desperately as she tumbled down into unconsciousness.

Meanwhile, Marco, standing close by, shot a look at his "mother" in disbelief.

(Um, excuse me?) Marco exclaimed. (Did she just say 'Esplin'? Did I MISS something!)

His eyes diverted to Tobias, who had fallen onto the ground. (Oh god, Tobias!) He then noticed Tom with the Dracon in his hand. (Tom, what did you DO?)

(Tobias got infested. I stunned him.) Impulsively, Tom sprinted across the roof. (Oh, great. Marco, Jake...um, Ax? Anybody still conscious...get that Loreen where the Yeerks can't.)

He had more important things to think about than what in the world the dazed Visser was muttering.

Jamie dragged herself out of the van, looking down at Tobias, then grabbing his Dracon. "What-what is this? What is an Andalite?"

(The Loreen is on the ground,) Jake said. (We can't all get down as the guards are blocking the entrances! One of us in bird morph...) he looked at Tobias worriedly, (will have to go and bring it up here so everyone else can join. No idea if you can do that, I don't think you can just grab it in your talons and pick it up! It will probably require a load of mind concentration.)

Ax ducked down the stairs and began his bird morph.

(Jake, do you think they'd let Tobias go if we gave up the Visser?) Tom suggested.

(Dunno,) Jake said. (Are the Yeerks into negotiations? Guess we could have a crack at it...)
Jake was unsure what to say; he was suddenly being forced to make those decisions.

(Mine was all right. We can give it a try.)

(Um, yeah,) Jake said. (Right, yes, good idea. You do that.) He took another glance at Tobias, then at everyone else who was still in morph. (I'll go falcon and try and get the Loreen,) he said. (Give me a shout when you've got Tobias and I'll bring it up here.) If I can work the darn thing... he thought to himself.

Tom turned to address the Controllers. (Your Visser is hostage. We will trade her for the Andalite.) He indicated Tobias, still unconscious.

One of the human-Controllers, a guy looking like he had some authority, stepped up in front of Tobias with a defiant look. "You aren't getting the Andalite that easily."

Another Controller grimaced and frowned. "What are you DOING? We cannot give up the Visser!"

"Shut up!" the first Controller said.

Jamie looked around. "Vissers? Andalites? What's going on?"

The Yeerk in Tobias stirred.

Hidden rather precariously behind some ventilation shaft, Jake began to demorph. (Come on, come on!) he muttered, concentrating as hard as he can. Eventually, the last of the orange and black fur faded away, and he was sitting there shivering in his tight black shorts and teeshirt - his morphing outfit. "Falcon," he said to himself. Immediately, the changes began.

(Please hurry up,) Tom instructed the Controllers. He wanted to see how the others were coming along, but couldn't risk turning and revealing Jake's hiding spot.

At last, Jake felt the falcon's mind surface beneath his. (I'm ready,) he told Tom. Trying to remain hidden, he hopped to the edge of the building. He opened his wings and soared into the air. Letting his bird's mind take over, he tucked back his wings and fell into a dive - beak first, hurtling towards earth faster and faster. The building was over 50 stories, but in a matter of seconds, Jake was having to open his wings and slow his descent. Remaining about 30 feet from the ground, he scanned the ground, eventually finding the Loreen just where they left it.

A human-Controller stepped out of the van. "How can we trust you? Will you release the Visser first?"

(Well?) Tom asked the others, unsure of what to do.

The human-Controller hissed at Jamie, "Shut up."

Jake circled the Loreen, trying to remember how to work it. (Guys? I need to know what's going on. Is it clear for me to bring up the Loreen? Or are the Yeerks willing to make a deal?)

The Yeerk in Tobias began to stand up.

Jamie glanced around.

(I doubt it...He's regaining consciousness.)

The Controller from a while ago conceded. "Yes. Release the Visser and we will hand over the Andalite."

Visser One stirred, but remained unconscious.

Tom dragged Visser One to the other side of the roof and down the stairs, where he saw Rachel still unconscious. (Crap. Ax, how long does Rachel have in morph?)

He pressed a button and waited for the elevator.

Suddenly, Visser One's eyes shot open, and when she noticed Tom holding her, she immediately struggled to get out of his grasp. Still dazed and not totally alert, her first instinct was that of survival.

"Help!" she cried. "HELP!"

Esplin narrowed Tobias's eyes. (You will not!) he yelled defiantly. (This body is mine!) And then, he began to demorph.

Jamie watched curiously, wanting to do something.

Jake realised that the Yeerks weren't going to realise Tobias. (We'll have to try and take him with us, and starve the Yeerk out later,) he said, not realising that Esplin was morphing.

(Okay.)

Visser One stood up and tried to pull herself out of Tom's grasp.

Esplin finished morphing. (Let the Visser go, Andalite filth! Or we'll kill this girl!) He knew about the "Andalites'" morality.

Jake grabbed onto the Loreen with his talons. He concentrated hard on the roof of the building. A split second later, he was there - amidst the action. Tom was still holding Visser One threatingly. But to his left, he could see Esplin, morphing Tobias's body.
(Tom, we have to make a choice!) Jake shouted. (We can either grab Tobias, before his Yeerk finishes morphing, and get him out of here. Or we can take Visser One with us. But you're the only one left in a morph strong enough to do either of these things. And we have to try and get Rachel and Cassie out of here as well! Marco - try and get Rachel to come to!)

Marco, circling the building in osprey morph, swooped down and landed beside Rachel's heaving bulk. No point in trying to remain unseen for the moment - the yeerks and them were at a stand-off.
(Rachel, come on!) he thought-shouted. (Wake up! You have to!) Panicing, he resorted to his dumb jokes. (Miss Selfridge is having a 50 off sale! Quick!)

Visser One reeled back, still struggling to get away from Tom. "What are you going to do to me, Andalite filth?" she sneered, raging. "Go ahead, kill me if that's what you want! I don't CARE!"

(We'll find somewhere to starve you out of your host's head!) Jake threatened. He was concerned though for Marco's mum. He could not let her get hurt. He saw Marco, still by Rachel, watching apprehensively.
Where could they go? Even if they did take Visser One, there were few places they could hide... Ax's scoop? Some remote desert in Zone 91?

"KILL ME, ANDALITE FILTH!" Visser One yelled, hysterical. "KILL ME IF YOU WANT ME DEAD SO BADLY!"

With a hard pull, she managed to break away from Tom's hand.

(Guys!) Marco yelled. (Catch her, she's getting away!)

Tears blurring her eyes, Visser One ran to some unknown destination. Somewhere along the way, she saw a Dracon beam on the ground. Looking back, she saw Tom and the tiger racing forward to corner her. Her back was against the wall of the building... There was no way out.

In sudden anguish, and with tears running down her cheeks, Visser One picked up the Dracon beam.

"I'm sorry..." she choked in a murmur.

She turned up the setting on the beam and, gazing blindly at nothing, pressed it against her temple.

(MOM!) Marco yelled, knowing instantly what the Visser was about to do. (MOM! NO!)

But it was too late for Eva, or for the Yeerk Visser within her to react to this new development. For at that moment, closing her eyes one last time, Visser One pulled the trigger.

- TSEEEEEEEEEEW!

The shot resounded a mile away as Visser One, and her host body, crumpled onto the ground.

(Oh, god!) cried Jake, shocked. (The Visser killed herself!) After a second, he realised, (that means we have no bargaining tool anymore! We have to get out of here!) He looked around helplessly at Rachel, Cassie and Tobias. He panicked. The Hork Bajir were closing in, and there was nothing he could do.

And then, the world stopped. Time stood still. There was silence - not even Jake's powerful falcon hearing could hear a thing. But then, Jake realised that he was no longer a falcon. He was human - wearing his old morphing suit. Around his, he could see Tom, Marco, Cassie and Rachel in their original selves. They were awake, and moving.

The Ellimist stood in front of them, a glowing, ethereal being.

"Tobias," Jake said. "Why isn't Tobias here?"

Even before the Ellimist had brought them to this state, the whole world had stopped for Marco. The picture was still fresh in his mind: His mother, or at least the Yeerk within her, had shot herself. Killed herself! His mother was dead! After all that... she was really gone.

No... No, this is not happening. It CAN'T be happening! My mother is not... dead...

Marco blinked back tears.

Jake quickly turned to Marco. "I'm...sorry," he said, at a loss as what to say. "There was nothing we could do. At least she's not in any more pain, from that...slug."

"But WHY would Visser One kill herself?" Marco raged. "What did SHE have to be suicidal about!"

The Ellimist gave Jake a crooked smile. "There are many timelines that have been twisted. Things are not as they could have been." Suddenly, the Loreen appeared at the Animorphs' feet. "You have a chance to revert it."

"Revert it?" Marco asked, hopeful again. "You mean my mother... and Elfangor could be alive? And Tobias could be uninfested?"

"Yes. However, the stalemate means Crayak can continue with his schemes. Already, E-the former Visser One is engaged in a distant part of the galaxy.

You can use the Matrix, for that is what it is, and take on the dangerous duty of reconstructing this timeline. Or I can advance you to the Garatron homeworld."

"Advance us to the Garatron home world to do what?" Marco asked, sensing something fishy.

"Defeat a fledgling Empire before it can do too much damage."

"What kind of a fledgling Empire...?" Marco asked. "Andalites with pitchforks?"

"I'm not allowed to tell you that."

Jamie looked around. "What...what..." Time had stopped for her. She listened to the Animorphs and the Ellimist, not understanding anything...

"Already innocent bystanders have been drawn into this weave. I cannot guarantee that she will remain unaffected if you try and interfere with the flow of time. You, on the other hand," he addressed Jamie, "I can safely remove. You will not need to have gone through any of that trauma."

"I don't like this," Jake was muttering. "We don't know what's going on." Suddenly, he pointed a finger at the Ellimist - like he was going to try and threaten the most powerful being in the galaxy. "You just trick us! You say one thing and do another! I bet you knew about Elfangor and Visser Three dying again. And why can't you tell us about this mission?" He paused. "What are Garatron, anyway?"

"Garatrons are a race of...quadrupeds. And I can't tell you about the mission because I have certain limitations on my...moves.'

"We can't make this decision!" Tom blurted. "Where's Melissa when-" He notices the Matrix as if for the first time.

"Quadrupeds? Like horses? Or...Andalites?" Jake said. Just then, he noticed Tom looking at the Time Matrix. He knew what he was thinking.

"Like Andalites."

"Guys?" Marco asked, giving Jamie the fish eye and trying not to think about his dead mother. "... Who is this girl?"

"An example of how this timeline is affecting others outside the war."

"Is she coming with us?" Marco asked. Then, under his breath he muttered, "Great. Another "initiation ceremony"."

"No. The choice will be for your group only."

"Wait," Jamie said. "I-I want to help...it's the only thing in my pathetic life that has ever mattered. I don't want to return to my old life..."

Marco snorted. "Look, you have NO idea, okay? Trust me, you DON'T want to be involved in this mess."

"You will have a dangerous task, Jamie," the Ellimist said. "But your place is not with these. You belong back where you came from: you have seen the horror of the Yeerk menace, and you must remain on Earth to oppose it."

"I do. My life is nothing. I...I haven't had anything to live for. Now, I want to fight. Whatever these things are, I want to fight them. I'm tired of my old life...the dull times at school...the horrible home life with my adoptive parents...and the Sharing meetings. No, wait, the Sharing is fun. I just joined, and I think I really like it..."

"Okay, first step. QUIT THE SHARING. Trust me, you want to stay as far away from there as possible!" said Marco.

Before Jamie could respond, the Ellimist reached towards her protectively. A dark band began to cut her off from the others.

"At least she's safe..." Marco said.

"Great," Jamie mumbled, as she was returned to her reality. "I hate the world anyway...it would be cool if aliens took over it...heh..."

The Ellimist addressed the Animorphs. "Have you come to a decision?"

"Jake?"

Jamie sulked. "Hello, boring planet Earth, destined to be more boring the next day." She had arrived on a desolate street corner. "Blegh blegh blegh blegh blegh." She made her way to the Sharing building. She didn't care about the odd humans telling her not to. In fact, her life was so much the pits that she'd spend the rest of her life in the Sharing complex. Her anger that they wouldn't include her is so fierce that when she arrived, she was actually struggling to smile. She opened the door, accidentally slamming it closed. "Sorry," she said through gritted teeth as she made her way to an area where they had paper to draw on. She grabbed some and a few pencils and crayons. She wandered off to a corner where there are no people and sat down. She began drawing a picture of a Hork-Bajir. The Hork-Bajir was eating a person.

"Why are you looking at me, anyway?" Jake said, looking at Marco. "Like I'm meant to decide?"

"Let's face it," Tom sighed, "I...care too much. I can't make this call."

"I say we do it." Marco said. "You say Visser One will be there? ... That Yeerk killed..." he choked, "... killed my mother. I'm going to make sure she pays for it."