Alright, I decided some of the reviewers were right and that an Animorph fic from third person was kind of weird so I went and changed it. This chapter is in first person. Thank you for all the reviews. Thank you!

And this isn't exactly the most action packed chapter so please just be patient. There will be a lot more fighting later on. Right now I just wanted to focus on getting Tobias and Elfangor introduced.

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Chapter # 2: Luke, I Am Your Father

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As was said. That was when things got really strange.

All of a sudden there was a shout from the secretary and then this . . . this blue centaur-like creature with a long scorpion tail burst through the office door.

"Andalite!" Mr. Visser hissed the word as if it was an obscenity and jumped up from his seat, turning around to face this centaur-thing.

(Visser Three) came the voice that wasn't a voice from the centaur-thing. At least I guessed it was from the centaur-thing. I was a little busy freaking out about there being a centaur-thing in the first place and that there was a voice in my head to really know for sure. Voices aren't supposed to be in your head. It just wasn't done unless you were crazy and I just didn't think I was crazy. Though you never knew.

And then things got even weirder if that was even possible.

"Take the boy!" Mr. Visser shouted at Mr. DeGroot and then he started to—I blinked—change. But I couldn't stay and really watch this change as at that moment Mr. DeGroot grabbed me bodily and started to drag me out through a secret back door.

I, of course, protested this, trying to get away by kicking and thrashing, but Mr. DeGroot had a good hold on me and continued to drag me through the door and out into the back parking lot area.

"Fire!" I screamed as I thrashed, hoping that some kind savior would be passing by at that very minute to hear my screams and knowing that people only came to help if they thought they were in trouble too. Thus the screaming of 'Fire!' when there was no fire.

But instead of some kind savior I instead got yet another centaur-thing—this one was bigger and a darker blue so I knew it was a different one—who burst through the secret door as if it was cardboard and came running after me and the retreating form of Mr. DeGroot.

I decided that this would have to do as Mr. DeGroot attempted to keep his hold on me and open the door to some nondescript van at the same time. I didn't make this easy on him as I continued to thrash and actually tried biting him to no avail.

But then the centaur-thing was there and Mr. DeGroot's head was suddenly not connected to his body. Suddenly free, I stopped where I was like an idiot and stared, feeling a little sick to my stomach as the head rolled away and the body collapsed to the ground, no longer holding me captive. That centaur-thing had just decapitated my lawyer!

(Come with me) came the voice that wasn't a voice in my head, assumedly coming from the centaur-thing as the blue creature then started to run off only to pause and call again (Child. We need to go!) Apparently it was waiting for me to follow it.

Still staring at the decapitated head of my lawyer, the face forever frozen in an expression of surprise, I slowly started to follow after the centaur-thing, not quite sure if the creature was only drawing me away so that it could chop off my head too.

But as we ran away the centaur-thing began to change just as Mr. Visser had begun to change. It was the strangest thing I had ever seen, like someone had taken a ball of clay and started playing with shapes. A crevice appeared in the middle of the creature's face and then two blobs of fats popped out to form lips. Then the eyestalks on the top of the creature's head shlooped, for lack of a better word, into the centaur-thing's head one at a time.

Ears grew and the eyes changed as the creature's spine seemed to dislocate and crunch and change—the centaur-thing had to stop running as this happened and we took refuge in an alleyway where I tried to stay as far away from my savior as I could but couldn't help staring as this creature crunched and twisted and shlooped its way to being something different.

The centaur-thing's front legs and hooves sucked into its body and the spine stopped moving around so that the creature was standing on its two back hooves, straight up like a person. And then these hooves started to separate into digits, hard black toes appearing and heels popping out to create black feet, swiftly turning into regular human feet. The knees crunched and twisted around. The blue fur began to become spotted with regular human skin, like the centaur-thing was becoming bald really, really fast. Hair started popping out of the creature's head in bursts and the bones in the face rearranged and changed.

Eventually the changes came to a stop and I was left with a regular, everyday human adult who just happened to be wearing spandex. He had regular brown hair on his head and two brown eyes and looked like he was about 30. I didn't want to be anywhere near him. What the hell was this guy?

The former centaur-thing seemed to ignore me to go dig behind the dumpster for something, eventually coming out with a brown Sears bag. Taking out a set of clothing and some shoes, he began to dress. This was just all too weird for me and I backed into the alley wall, still staring at the former centaur-thing. Questions were on the tip of my tongue wanting to break free but I was too freaked out.

Then, having gotten dressed in a plain t-shirt and jeans and sneakers, the former centaur-thing looked at me and spoke with his now human mouth. "Tobias. I can't explain everything right now, but you need to trust me. I'm here to help."

"What are you?" I asked, still staring wide-eyed at this creature.

"I'm an Andalite. An alien. My name is Maril-Patiniva-Corias and what I just did is called morphing."

That wasn't enough to calm me down. "You killed that man."

"I know," the alien said, his voice seeming to be trying for soothing. "He was a Controller. Another alien. An evil one. I'll explain all this later though. We need to get going before anymore of those Controllers find us."

I wasn't about to move anytime soon. "And how do I know you aren't just going to kill me too?" I asked, that fear still paramount in my mind.

"Because we did all that to save you." Obviously seeing that this did nothing to calm me, he frowned and continued, "Look. You're just going to have to trust me on that. We need to get going." And, that said, he went to peek outside the alley. Seeming to find everything to his liking, he indicated for me to follow him and stepped into the light of the day-lit, busy sidewalk. For a moment I didn't move, but then he looked back at me with some impatience and I decided that if I wasn't going to trust him I should at least follow him because he seemed to know what was going on and I was still lost. Because really. Aliens? That was a little outside my normal realm of experience. I had no idea what to do.

What followed was the weirdest walk through the familiar streets of my town that I had ever experienced. This former centaur-thing was just walking around like everything was fine and normal. Nobody even looked twice at him. That, if anything, was the scariest thing I had ever seen. Because who knew how many of his kind were out there. There could be thousands just walking among us like they belonged.

I shuddered at the thought and hurried my pace a little so that I was walking just behind the alien. I couldn't help but steal little looks at everyone we passed, wondering if they too were like him or maybe one of the other aliens that the Andalite—I suppose I should call them by their real name and not centaur-thing—had killed. What had he called them? A Controller?

Eventually, after a long and windy and ultimately confusing path, we got to a plain one-story house near the meadow and the Andalite entered through the front door as if he owned the place. Inside, three other Andalites were waiting in what seemed to be their natural form.

(It's about time) one of them said, the thought-voice seeming to be coming from the snooty looking one on the right.

Maril-P-something-something, the Andalite that I had so far been spending my time with, began to morph back into his Andalite self without reply, as if he was used to this from the other Andalite.

(Were you followed?) the Andalite in the middle asked. He was ordinary size and looked a lot like the other three Andalites but he somehow also seemed to be the one in charge.

Waiting a moment until he was finished with his morph, Maril said, (No. If anybody was following us, we lost them.)

The Andalite in charge nodded. (Good.) Then he seemed to turn his attention on me. (And are you alright?)

I just stared, still freaked out and convinced that they were going to kill me at any moment.

(He's fine. Just a little confused) Maril answered for me, knocking one hoof against the floor as if getting ready to move.

(Have you explained anything?) the leader asked, turning back to Maril.

(Just that we are Andalites and that we aren't going to kill him.) Maril seemed to frown with his eyes. It was the second strangest thing I had seen all day. (He seems convinced we will anyway though.)

The leader nodded at this again, seeming to understand. (Which is just as well. He is wise to not trust so quickly.)

The snooty one seemed to really want to say something to this but he, perhaps wisely, didn't. The one in charge shot him a look as if he had though.

"So you're not going to kill me then?" I spoke up finally, a tremor to my voice, just needing to know this for my own peace of mind. I still kept close to the wall and door though, not quite trusting the aliens enough to come any further out.

The leader smiled at me with his eyes, making that the other second strangest thing I had seen today. (No) he said kindly, (We are not going to kill you.)

(We saved you) the snooty one said, sounding both a little indignant and smug at the same time. Impressive.

"From . . . from those guys?" I asked nervously, looking from one Andalite to the other. My eyes came to rest on the one that hadn't said anything yet. He seemed to be the smallest. Perhaps he was the youngest.

(Yes) the one in charge said and I turned my attention back to him, (From "those guys.")

(They're called Controllers) Maril said, speaking up again to explain. (They're what happens when a Yeerk takes control of a being.)

I blinked. "What's a Yeerk?"

The snooty one stomped his front hooves and looked irritated. (What's a Yeerk? What's a Yeerk?) This question seemed to have bothered him a great deal.

(Calm yourself, Erithin) the leader said, giving the snooty one a warning look before turning back to me. (A Yeerk is what you would call a parasitic slug. They crawl into a being's ear and take control of the brain and thus the entire being. Unfortunately for this planet they are currently involved in a massive invasion process. Done in secret so that no human is aware.)

"And those people that you guys saved me from . . . Those were Controllers?"

The leader nodded yet again. (Yes.)

(And not just any Controllers) Maril said. (That was Visser Three himself.)

"Who?" I asked but then realized whom he must be talking about. "You mean Mr. Visser?" I'd thought that guy didn't seem right.

(That is usually the name he takes on when he is in human form) the snooty one—Erithin apparently—said condescendingly. That guy was starting to get really irritating.

I frowned at him but turned back to Maril and the one in charge and continued with my questions. "But why would they want to take me? I mean, shouldn't they be trying to take control of important people?"

There was a pause where all the Andalites exchanged what seemed to be an uncomfortable look until finally the one in charge looked back at me and said, (You are far more important than you know.)

I frowned again, wanting to tell him that no I really wasn't, but eventually decided to go with something else, saying instead, "You mean because of the whole my dad is an alien thing? Did you know him or something?"

There was another pause as all the Andalites but the one in charge looked at me with what seemed to be some incredulity. The one in charge blinked in surprise, but then seemed to get lost in thought.

Eventually he came out of this thought and spoke again, only this time somewhat haltingly. (You . . . you could say that.)

I was starting to get excited here. This meant I actually had a family, even if it was a somewhat weird family. "So all of that was true? Do you think I could meet him?"

(First let us decide what we are going to do next and then we can see,) the one in charge said kindly and I frowned in disappointment. That was just a nice way to say no.

(Now,) the leader said, seeming to want to get the conversation started. (Does anybody have any ideas on what we do next?)

I really wanted to ask what they had been thinking, rescuing me without having a clue what to do once they had me, but I refrained.

(Well . . . we can't exactly bring him back home.) Maril said almost hesitantly as I looked at him. (The Yeerks know his face now. They'll only take him again.)

Which was true and I didn't want that. I turned to face the one in charge warily. Surely they wouldn't rescue me only to let me be taken again, would they?

(But we can't keep him with us) Erithin said. (He's a human.) The sneer in that mind-voice all too apparent.

Well that was a little insulting—what was wrong with being human?—but, again, I wasn't going to say anything. I'd seen how fast they could move those tails and I kind of liked my head where it was. Just because they said they weren't going to kill me didn't mean they couldn't change their mind.

Still the one in charge deliberated. For a long few painful moments, the knowledge that this could be the point that would change my entire life white hot in my mind, there was silence.

Finally the leader looked to me, (You have two choices. We can keep you hidden for the rest of your life or you can go back home and face the Yeerks head on, trusting that maybe they have given up on you.)

Well that wasn't much of a choice. "I'll stay with you," I said, voice shaking just the littlest bit. But I was sure. I had never been surer in my entire life. I didn't want to go back. What did I have to go back to anyways? Getting beaten by my uncle? Being ignored and bullied in school? I'd miss Dude but that was about it.

(You will never see your parents again) the Andalite warned.

Which wasn't a problem. This just made me all the more sure. "I don't have parents," I told him.

This seemed to shock the Andalite some and he drew his head back in surprise. (What? But surely you must have someone.)

I didn't really want to admit this but . . . "Well, I have my uncle," I said, feeling a little embarrassed and ashamed, the way I always felt when talking about Uncle Nick. "But he's not exactly the greatest guardian there is, you know?"

(What happened to your mom?)

I frowned. Why would this alien want to know that? Still he had asked. "She disappeared when I was really little."

(And your dad?) the Andalite pressed, seemingly strangely intent about this. Maybe the aliens had some strange alien-taboo about orphans?

"He died even before that. I don't remember him." I shrugged uncomfortably. "Though I guess it doesn't matter because apparently he's not really my dad anyways, huh?"

The leader looked at me for a long moment as he seemed to digest this. Then he said, (And you would be okay with just leaving your uncle to deal with your disappearance?)

"I doubt he'd even care I was gone," I muttered. Which was embarrassing to admit to these strange aliens—what did they care about the life of some human?—but it was true.

There was another moment of silence as the Andalite seemed to consider this. Then he said, (Then I welcome you, Tobias LePais. We shall see about getting you a place to sleep of your own soon. And I suppose we should introduce ourselves. This here,) he swung a delicate hand to indicate the smallest of the Andalites who still hadn't spoken. (Is my little brother, Aximilli-Esgarrouth-Isthill. That over there,) he indicated the largest Andalite on the left, (Is Maril-Patiniva-Corias. And this—)

The arrogant one interrupted here. (My name is Erithin-Nazul-Kamarili.)

I nodded and tried to repeat the names in my head so I would remember them. Then I frowned as I realized that the one in charge still hadn't introduced himself. "And you?"

(And I . . .) the leader seemed to hesitate before finally introducing himself. (And my name is Elfangor-Sirinial-Shamtul.)

I stared. I couldn't help it. I probably should have done something else, but I just stared. That name sounded way too familiar. "Then you . . ."

(Yes.) Elfangor nodded, a human action that I recognized. (I am your father.)

And I found myself unable to even snicker at how Star Wars that statement was. This was my dad!

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The discussion went on long into the afternoon about what they would do with me. Obviously I would stay with them and hide from the Yeerks for as long as possible, but there were a few inherent difficulties in hiding me for the rest of my life. It just wasn't possible to think that I could stay hidden from the Yeerks for years upon years. Sooner or later I would have to be let out of the house and they would find me. This had started a big argument about what they should do that Elfangor's little brother Aximili and I had decided to stay out of. Instead we had retreated further into the kitchen where we had gotten better acquainted.

(So you're really Elfangor's son?) Aximili had asked, looking at me with only curiosity.

Jumping up to sit on the counter, I shrugged. "I guess so. It's weird. I've never had a dad and now that I do I don't know what to do about it. What do you say to a dad you've not only never met, but who's an entirely different species from you?"

Aximili blinked, obviously trying to think about that and finding himself unable to. (I don't know)

We sat in silence for a few minutes then I glanced at the young Andalite curiously. "How long have you guys been on Earth anyway?"

(Three of your Earth years) Axmili provided promptly.

"And are there more of you Andalites out there?"

Aximili shook his head, obviously an Earth trait that he had picked up. It looked strange on him. (We are the only Andalites on Earth. There was a great battle and we were the only ones to survive. We have tried to get in contact with our people but have had no success.)

"Well that must suck," I said, trying to imagine being the only ones of my species. I couldn't do it.

Aximili blinked again. (Suck what?)

Obviously he hadn't understood the human slang. Of course he wouldn't have. He was an alien. "I mean that must . . . be horrible for you," I tried to explain. "It must be difficult."

(Oh,) Aximili seemed to understand. (It does have its difficulties) Aximili said, obviously trying not to complain. (But we have each other and that is enough. All of us could have easily been the only one.)

I nodded. "Yeah that probably would have been a lot worse."

(And Earth life isn't so bad) Aximili said, (You are a strange and backward planet, but you can be very amusing and the sense of taste is most incredible. I have found this food called the Cinnabon. Have you tried it?)

I nodded again. "Once or twice. It was okay."

(It is amazing) Aximili disagreed. (The others say different foods are far superior, but I disagree. When we eventually do get in contact with our home planet I will have to introduce this creation to my people. They will love it.)

"I guess it must be strange for you to experience taste and all that, what with having no mouth and all." I stopped, having a thought, and narrowed my eyes at Aximili thoughtfully. "How did you guys eat?"

(Through our hooves, of course) As if that should have been obvious.

"Right. Of course." Silly me.

(Alright Aximili and Tobias, you may come back in now) Maril's thought-voice broke into our conversation and I jumped down off of the counter and followed Aximili back into the living room.

"So what's the verdict?" I asked, having become much more comfortable among these strange aliens in the past hours.

(I'm afraid there is no verdict) my father said. (It has grown late and we are tired and hungry. Tempers are being tested. We have decided to come back to this subject on another day when we are more rested.)

I frowned. Well that was alright for them, but I was a little curious about how I was going to be living from here on in. But still, it was up to them so I probably shouldn't complain. "Um. Okay, I guess."

And so all of the Andalites except Elfangor left to go back to their homes in the forest on the other side of the meadow. Apparently only Elfangor lived in the house. They had needed someone to get a job so that they could both have money and better infiltrate into human society and Elfangor had been the obvious choice. He was both the leader and the only one with Earthling experience. Eventually Elfangor and I were left alone and we stood watching each other awkwardly.

"So . . ." I said, trying to break the awkward silence.

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TBC?