Disclaimersee chapter 2. enjoy!

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Chapter 5—the newbies

I emailed directions to Cassie's barn to silverheart and Beth and told them to meet us there the next day.

Tobias stood watch and Aximili morphed human.

Beth arrived first. On horseback.

"My parents wouldn't give me a ride, and I heard we'd be in a barn. Do you guys got an empty stall for Immi?" she asked, dismounting.

"Yeah, sure, that one over there. I'm Cassie," Cassie introduced herself and immediately went over to help, talking about breeds and riding.

"I see what you mean about her being like Cassie," Jake laughed.

As if on cue, Beth called out, "I'm glad you guys agreed to see me. how many Yeerks can I kill by day's end?"

Rachel laughed.

"I was wondering the same thing myself. Jake, when's the next mission?"

Marco slapped his forehead, "Oh, no, two Rachels!"

Then Silverheart showed up on a bicycle.

"Hi. I'm Jake Silver. Ah, Michelle, so nice to meet you in person. This the group?" he asked, looking around with eyes the color of melted silver.

"Yeah. Beth—hrsygrl—is putting her horse away. She rode here bareback," I laughed.

Beth and Cassie returned and introductions were given.

"I'm Jake," said Jake pointedly.

"Then just call me Silver. It's what everyone calls me," silverheart said.

"Okay. So we've decided to tell you about us. No more members, though. 9 is enough.," Jake said.

((Michelle, as the newest member, do you want to do the honors?)) Tobias asked, making sure only the other Animorphs could hear.

I nodded.

"Beth, Silver, we fight the Yeerks the best we can, but we had help. The original members were given a gift by Aximili's older brother Elfangor. The power to become animal morphers. They, in turn, gave that gift to me and have decided to give it to you. Cassie, if you would," I said. She took the blue box out of her backpack.

Tobias landed and Aximili raised an eyebrow at me.

"No, Aximili. Remember when you demonstrated with me I fainted. Tobias, not the Hork-Bajir morph," I said.

"Michelle, you're talking to the hawk. I haven't seen Tobias yet," said Beth.

"Tobias, human please." I'd decided to go fox.

I shrunk first this time—one tail hole in my jeans is enough—then grew the tails and ears. Next, the snout. Then the fur and paws.

Tobias grew and I heard his silent thoughtspeak grumbling as he again lost his keen hearing and eyes.

I looked up at Beth and Silver. Beth, again, was unfazed by the weirdness. Silver looked at me, half confused, half fascinated.

"Michelle?" he asked.

((It's me.))

"Hey, Tobias. Wondered if you were here," Beth said.

((They're taking it in stride,)) I said, ((Aximili?))

Aximili nodded and stood.

((Prepare, guys. Aximili is going to demorph to his natural form,)) I warned the two newbies.

They nodded.

Aximili demorphed.

Beth's and Silver's jaws dropped. Especially when they saw the tail.

I quickly demorphed.

"Aximili is an Andalite. The tail comes standard," I said, sitting down, "Tobias, you can demorph now if you want to."

Tobias gratefully demorphed.

((You'll understand when you get raptor morphs,)) he said in response to Beth's look.

"So, still wanna join?" I asked when everyone was comfortable in their forms.

"Sign me up," Beth said instantly.

"Me too," Silver said.

"Put your hands on the blue box and concentrate," Jake said, taking over and beginning the ritual.

Beth's first morph was her horse. Silver's was a wolf.

"Now we got the newbies initiated, when's the next mission?" Rachel asked.

"New members get morphs tonight. The newbies are our mission until they're not newbies anymore," Jake answered, "Tobias, Michelle, take them to the Gardens tonight. Battle, water, bird, optional powerhouse morphs. Now, Silver, your parents are controllers?"

"Yes," he answered.

"Do you know the ranks?"

"Sub Visser 749 and a simple Efrin pool Yeerk," Silver said.

"Okay. Listen to any snatches of conversation you can and report it to us if it seems important."

Silver nodded.

"Beth, any controller relatives?"

"Not a clue. I'm just here to make sure my brother's life is paid for in as much Yeerk blood as I can spill."

"I think you and I will get along perfectly," Rachel said, smiling.

"Two psychomaniacs," Marco said, "I'm in trouble."

"Only if you act stupid," Beth said.

"You don't yet know Marco, Beth," Jake said, laughing, "I'm pretty sure 'Stupid' is his middle name."

Beth laughed and looked at her watch, "Oh shit! I'm late! Mom expected me home 15 minutes ago! I'll see you guys later. Michelle, Tobias, see you tonight," she said, jumping into the stall and onto her horse.

"See you tonight, Beth," I said as she cantered her horse away.

"I'd better head home, too. See you tonight, Michelle and Tobias," said Silver. He headed out to his bike.

"Well if that isn't a meeting ender, I don't know what is. See you guys," said Jake.

Aximili left, then Rachel, Marco and Tobias. I rode part of the way home with Silver until he turned down a road.

I went home.