Animorphs 2.0

Loren

Loren

I tore across the open space to the ship standing in the middle. The two Hork-Bajir standing guard didn't hear me coming. I lunged ripping one of their throats out. I felt bad; he didn't really have a chance against me. I was no sooner done with that one when the second one came charging. It swiped at me and I lazily slinked out of the way. So slow! I think to myself. This creature thinks he can defeat me? Ha! I jumped to the right and bit his side. He fell and I went for the neck. Hearing the sound of dying Hork-Bajir outside, the door of the ship opened and another Hork-Bajir stepped out. I was well finished with the ones outside by this point and now threw myself at the new one at the door. I caught him in the neck and we tumbled into the room. Looking around I became frightened. There were much more inside than I thought there'd be and my over-confidence was starting to become my downfall. I guessed, being the Visser's ship, it has more security. No need to frighten Elfangor, I thought. I'll deal with this.

They were no match for me. I bared my teeth and charged. There were about six Hork-Bajir and four Taxxons. I went for a Taxxon first, ripping out his gut. The other three charged him and began devouring their brother. That should keep them busy, I thought. The other Hork-Bajir closed in and I began my attack. I ripped off an arm here, dodged a blade there, I'd never felt this alive. The leopard's speed and agility were unmatched. Yet I couldn't avoid all blows. I already had a few cuts on my back and one Hork-Bajir got a lucky swipe at my stomach as I jumped. The Taxxons as well, done with their meal came to join the fight. They mostly got in the way, which was good, but I cut them down anyway. I was getting tired though. I needed to place the bomb; Elfangor would think something is wrong; I should've been out by now. I leapt away from the Hork-Bajir to a room and blocked the door. Even though it was weird to push things with paws, this body gave me huge strength. I figured the Hork-Bajir would try to communicate with the Visser, so I needed to hurry. I morphed back to human and picked up the bag I'd tied to my leg. I opened it and took out the black circular object hidden inside. I placed it against the wall and morphed back to the mighty leopard, ready to step out. The Hork-Bajir were already getting through. I made it easier for them and as soon as the first Hork-Bajir appeared, I was on him, slashing and biting almost...lazily. He went down and I pushed past him into the main room. I could see on the screen that more people were coming. The Visser was obviously with them. I needed to leave. Now. The trigger was on my front paw. It had a ten second delay. More Hork-Bajir arrived. The Visser must've pushed them. I needed to get outside. As I fought my way to the door, I found myself starting to struggle and then I heard a beep. Almost music to my enhanced ears. The trigger must've been pushed. The bomb was a black circular object with chemicals inside, it had a strong adhesive at the back, which stuck incredibly well to objects. The Hork-Bajir wouldn't be able to get it off without setting it off. They must have tried and I now had ten seconds. Ten. Nine. I began counting as I got closer and closer to my exit. Five. Four. I was out. Hork-Bajir coming after me. Two. One.

The force of the blast threw me into the air. Ah! Pain in my side. As the flames licked the exposed flesh of my injuries and blood-soaked fur. I landed and my legs crumpled beneath me. One leg was broken. I gasped with the pain. I struggled to get up and looked back. The Blade Ship was gone. So were most of the Hork-Bajir, but wasn't over yet. There were survivors and I began running. Dragging my broken leg behind me. I was full of scratches and bleeding. The cut on my stomach had opened and it hurt. But I didn't stop.

<Loren!> I heard. <Are you okay?>

Elfangor's voice helped me keep going. <I'm fine. I need to get under cover to demorph. I'll morph to bird then come home.>

<Be safe.>

<I will.> I was running slower and slower and my vision was getting fuzzy. I smelled blood and looked down. I was leaving a clear trail for them to follow. I needed to get to a river. I sniffed the air and followed the scent until I heard the flowing of water. The pain in my side was sharper than ever. I looked at the rushing water and shuddered. I have to go in there, I think. I gathered my courage and hurled myself into the water. It was freezing. I let the water carry me for a while, but then I tried to aim for the bank. There was a piece of land that jutted out into the river. I tried for that. I missed. I was spinning out of control. I saw a branch. I grabbed it. I could hold on. With my claws I climbed until I got to the top of the tree hanging over the river. I jumped down. However, with one leg already broken I fell badly, on the other leg. I needed to demorph. I had no idea how much time had passed but I concentrated as hard as I could on my body. As the morph started I see what was causing the pain in my side. A piece of metal. It'd lodged itself in my side when the ship exploded. It was a big piece of metal. It would stay in my side even after I was human. I would need to complete the morph to human then change into something smaller than myself. But I was already tired and with the blood loss I'd sustained my head was spinning, my vision foggy. I didn't know if I had the strength for one morph, let alone two consecutive ones. I gasped and tried to breathe normally. I reached out to Elfangor.

<Elfangor, can you hear me?>

<Yes, Loren. You're closer now. Have you morphed to bird yet?>

<Elfangor, I'm hurt.>

<So just morph out. You'll be fine. You know how it works.>

<I know, honey, but it's more than that. There's a piece of metal from the ship in my side. Being human won't take it out. I don't have time for three morphs.>

<What are you saying?>

<I'm stuck Elfangor. I can't get out of this one.>

<I'll come get you.>

<No. There's no time. They'll be looking for me. They can't be allowed to find you.> I could feel him crying and it broke my heart.

<What about Tobias?> I cried too now, I continued the morph but slowly, I wanted to hold on.

<Take care of him Elfangor. You're all he has now.>

<Loren, no! You can't! I need you!>

I looked up at the inky black sky, dotted with stars. I wondered which one was Elfangor's. <I love you.> I told him. Then I searched for Tobias' mind. He wasn't far from Elfangor.

<I love you, my baby.> I told him as he slept. <I will always watch over you.> I finished the morph to human. I reached down and pulled with all my might at the metal in my side. The morph loosened it, it came up easily. I threw it in the river. This way the Yeerks might not know it was me. I blessed their blindness in thinking only Andalites could morph. It was harder to breathe as the blood flowed more smoothly now, unstopped from me taking out the metal. I breathed in and out. In and out. I thought of the two most important people in my life. Tobias' warm face was the last thing I saw before I faded.