A/N: A huge thank you to Animorph92, AndalitePrincess, Uzamaki Hinata, Riza-san, bladepaw83, and Solemn Euphoria for reviewing. Seriously, you guys made my day. Yes, I killed Ronnie, and yes, this stuff is serious, but I'll try to make it a bit lighter later on. As always, please read and review as much as possible. luv yazzz!!!! :)

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Chapter Four

"Ellimist!"

I kneeled on the cold ground, clutching my chest as if it were coming apart. "Ellimist!"

He wouldn't come. How many times had I called for him in the past, very much like this? He never came.

"Ellimist!"

So of course I was surprised when the air crackled and he was suddenly standing exactly two feet in front of my face. I mean, who wouldn't be?

Yes, Cassie?

I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came. "Ellimist, I…"

I dropped to the ground in a dead faint.

o0o0o0o

Cassie!

I was running. I didn't know why, I didn't know how; I had no legs, no body to run with. But I was running.

Cassie!

The Voice was calling to me… it was so familiar, so inviting.

Cassie, help me…

Jake!

I strained to see him, but wisps of fog clouded my vision. Yet I had to see, had to make sure it was him. It could still be the Other…

Cassie!!

I had longed to hear his voice for so long, yet now I was afraid. He was stronger with the enemy. He had hurt me before. What was to prevent him from doing so again?

I turned run.

Cassie Avery. A cruel smile played across his face. I have waited so long for you, as well.

It was the Other!

He moved slowly closer, that same menacing smile still perfectly in place. Cassie Avery, he chanted. Cassie Avery. You are mine.

A light suddenly pierced the darkness, and I looked up to see another, glowing faintly blue. Ellimist? I asked silently.

The figure moved closer, so that I could almost- not quite- see his face. A sneer filled with contempt crossed the Other's lips.

Who do you choose, Cassie Avery? he asked me. Do you choose the one you loved… or him?

I turned desperately from one face to another. Jake's, so beautiful, so frightening. And… and…

Ax?

Ax!

Ax!

You must make your choice, Cassie Avery. Us… or him?

o0o0o0o

Some hours later I awoke on the ground outside my home. Actually, it had been Ronnie's, but I had moved in with him after his proposal…

My chest twisted painfully as I tried to push away the memory.

Cassie?

I closed my eyes, wishing I could lose consciousness again.

You are awake.

No, genius, I'm dead.

Cassie, such thoughts are not beneficial to your health.

I finally responded. "What do you care?" I asked bitterly. "You've only destroyed my life, why would you care about my mental health? It's just all that I have now days."

You chose to do this.

"Yeah? Well, I'm insane. You should have reincarnated Rachel or something. She would have knocked some sense in to me."

Cassie, you know I cannot do that.

"Sure, yeah, whatever." I yawned, then winced at the pain that gesture caused me. I must've fallen pretty hard.

Cassie…

I sighed. "I know, I know, I've got to find some way to steal a ship now. I really don't have anything to lose, now."

I suppose not.

I winced again, almost wishing for Shala's aggressive affection.

"So now what?" I asked. "You gonna help me steal an Andalite spaceship?"

No.

"Figures."

Would you like to learn how your friends accomplished this?

"No."

The Ellimist smiled. Very well, then. It is your choice. You must find a way to leave Earth. I can guide you only so much.

"Well, thank you very much for your assistance, Ellimist. It's been a pleasure working with you," I replied sarcastically.

The pleasure is mine.

"AAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!"

I turned in utter shock at the guttural scream that pierced the air. No human could make such a sound.

"Ellimist?" I asked slowly. "What is-"

"Cassie?!??"

I leapt to my feet in first astonishment, then joy. "Toby!"

My joy turned instantly to concern as I observed her bruised body. Hork-Bajir did not bruise easily. "Are you alright?" I asked, almost forgetting the silent, unobtrusive presence of the Ellimist.

Her eyes blinked wildly. "Yes, Cassie, I'm fine," she replied, sounding utterly bewildered. She turned to me, confused. "What happened?" Her eyes narrowed. "And what is he doing here?"

I followed her gaze. "I truly have no idea," I muttered.

The Ellimist was smiling again. That casual, bemused almost-grin of his was really beginning to annoy me. I assumed you needed assistance.

I bit back the age-old saying Marco had taught me long ago. Something about assuming making a-

"So you brought Toby?" I asked irritably. "Couldn't you have given us some warning?"

He shrugged. Perhaps.

I rolled my eyes and took a very confused Toby by the leathery-like arm. "Come on, Toby. I think I have some explaining to do."

She glared at the Ellimist for a moment, and then looked at me with a total, have-you-gone-nuts-what-are-getting-me-into-this-time? expression on her face. I sighed. This was going to take a while.

She startled me with her harsh reply to my statement. "Like hell you do!"

She was getting more human all the time…

o0o0o0o

"So what you are telling me is that Jake and the others are somehow still alive?" Toby asked incredulously.

I nodded. "Yeah, I guess so."

"Cassie, that's impossible," she stated flatly.

I nodded again. "Yeah, I know."

"So why are you going?"

"Because I can."

She sighed in a very unToby-like frustration. "Cassie, this doesn't make any sense whatsoever. And you expect me to help you with this?"

"I don't expect it. The Ellimist does."

Toby shot a wary glance at the old blue man standing only a short distance away from us. "I guess I don't have a choice then?" she asked.

"Doesn't look like it."

She sighed again, this time in defeat. "All right, you win. I'll help. I'll round up some of my team and we'll get you a ship." Her large eyes narrowed slightly. "On one condition."

It was my turn to sigh now. "What condition?" I asked wearily.

"You don't die."

I pretended to consider for a moment. Then I struck out my hand and she caught it firmly.

"Deal."

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Review!! Review!! Review!!! :D