Spoilers for the entire series! If you wish to skip the background, scroll straight to the text in GREEN
"Answer this, Ellimist: Did I . . . did I make a difference? My life, and my. . . my death . . . was I worth it? Did my life really matter?"
"Yes," he said. "You were brave. You were strong. You were good. You mattered."
"Yeah. Okay, then. Okay, then."
The Ellimist looked down at the bravest Animorph solemnly, waiting for her to fade from existence.
LETTING GO OF YOUR STRONGEST CHESS PIECE SO EASILY? I'M SURPRISED, ELLIMIST. The Ellimist looked upwards to spot his nemesis staring down at him. In that moment, attention diverted by the glowing red eye, a small, wrinkled dinosaur-like being appeared in a flash and then disappeared with the prone form of Rachel. He looked back down to see that she had already passed.
"I understand that you may be bitter about losing this final game, Crayak, but did you really feel it necessary to interrupt this moment?" The Ellimist asked patiently.
OH, I AM NOT INTERRUPTING. I, TOO, CAME TO PAY MY LAST RESPECTS TO THE MOST BLOODTHIRSTY WARRIOR OF ALL. IF I HAD KNOWN AT THE START WHAT SHE WOULD BECOME, I WOULD HAVE TRADED A HUNDRED OF MY PIECES FOR HER. The wizened Ketran nodded slowly.
"That she was a force to be feared is something that I agree on." Then he looked back up at Crayak. "Whatever happens to the lone Blade ship that escapes, it does not matter. I have won the game, Crayak." The Ellimist sensed the ship flying towards Kelbrid space, knowing that as soon as they encountered any other ship, they would be destroyed. "You agreed that you would cease medding in the universe, should you lose."
I AM NO FOOL, ELLIMIST. WHILE THIS OUTCOME IS MOST UNSATISFYING, I UNDERSTAND THAT IF I SHOULD FIGHT, IT WOULD NOT END WELL. YOUR DESTRUCTION, MY DESTRUCTION, THE DESTRUCTION OF THE UNIVERSE. WITHOUT A UNIVERSE, I COULD NOT SEEK ENTERTAINMENT IN THE ELIMINATION OF RACES. WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE ME DO? The Ellimist smiled.
"It seems that with this game, you've become wise enough to see that I will refuse any further requests for more games."
I WILL ADMIT THAT I HAVE LEARNED FROM THIS DEFEAT. I BELIEVE THAT FROM NOW I WILL WATCH MY REMAINING PIECES AND WITNESS THEIR DEMISE, OR PERHAPS THEIR SURVIVAL.
"If you meddle with their fate, I will know." The Ellimist spoke simply. It was not a warning or a threat. It was a statement that promised trouble for Crayak should he inflict anything upon any other galaxy or planet with his handful of broken Yeerks.
THEN THIS IS GOODBYE, ELLIMIST.
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3 Years Later
There was a dangerous smile on Jake's face. Rachel's smile. "Full emergency power to the engines," Jake said. "Ram the Blade ship."
The Ellimist's attention was piqued and he appeared in the galaxy system just in time to see a sun that should have provided heat for millions of years supernova prematurely.
GOOD, I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION. The Ketran had felt the disturbance and his displeasure showed on his face. BEFORE YOU ACCUSE ME OF BREAKING MY PROMISE, I SUGGEST THAT YOU LISTEN TO WHY I WANTED TO CALL YOU HERE. YOUR PRECIOUS ANIMORPHS ARE ABOUT TO BE CAPTURED AND ABSORBED.
"Explain." The Ellimist asked almost coldly. Crayak had no business bringing his destruction to an innocent part of the universe.
THE ENTITY WHO HAS ABSORBED THEM IS NONE OTHER THAN THE VERY SAME ONE THAT EXPELLED ME FROM MY OWN REALM IN THE DISTANT PAST.
"I do not see what this has to do with me. I may have been attached to them, but it is no longer my place to meddle, just as it is yours not to destroy suns and leave planets helpless in darkness." The Ellimist was close to reacting with action. The bright red eye that faced him stared him down.
THIS ENTITY IS STRONGER THAN I AND NOW HAS ENOUGH KNOWLEDGE OF EARTH TO REALISE THAT ABSORBING ITS POPULATION WILL MAKE IT EVEN MORE POWERFUL. IMAGINE ALL THE HUMANS ON EARTH WITH SPECIAL EXPERTISE, SCIENTISTS AND PROFESSORS AND COMMANDERS OF ARMIES. THE ENTITY WILL MAKE USE OF THIS KNOWLEDGE TO TAKE OTHER WORLDS AFTER. I IMAGINE THAT ABSORBING EARTH'S KNOWLEDGE WOULD MERELY BE THE PRECURSOR TO IT TAKING THE ANDALITE HOMEWORLD. The Ellimist, feeling as he did about both humans and Andalites, lowered his arms immediately. WHEN IT HAS ABSORBED ENOUGH RACES, WE WILL BE THE LAST TARGETS. THE ENTITY IS NOT LIKE US YET. IT CANNOT AFFECT TIME AND SPACE WITH A SINGLE ACTION. BUT IF IT CAN ABSORB OUR POWERS, IT WILL BE ABLE TO DO WHAT IT WISHES WITH THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE.
"I see." The Ketran was silent as he remembered his own experiences such a long time ago with Father, the being that had also absorbed his friends. It spurred him to decide. "So, I presume you called me here for assistance."
YES AND NO. I WAS THINKING OF PROPOSING THE FINAL GAME. I WILL HANDPICK A TEAM TO FIGHT AGAINST THE ENTITY. YOU WOULD DO THE SAME. NO HOLDS BARRED. WE WOULD SEND OUR TEAMS TO FIGHT THE ENTITY. WHOEVER'S TEAM WINS WILL WIN THE GAME. The Ellimist was silent, digesting Crayak's suggestion. BY USING PROXIES, THE ENTITY WILL NOT KNOW OF OUR EXISTENCE AND IT SHOULD BUY US MORE TIME TO FIND A REFUGE FROM HIM IF THEY LOSE.
"And what if they do lose? Both teams?" The Ketran asked.
WE START AGAIN AND FORM ANOTHER TEAM. YOU SEE, WE CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE THIS GAME. SO WE WILL KEEP PLAYING UNTIL WE WIN.
"I notice that you say 'we'. Are you suggesting that this game will be a team effort?" The Ellimist questioned skeptically.
I WAS THINKING THAT THE RULES OF THIS GAME WOULD NOT FORBID THE TEAMS WORKING TOGETHER. IF THEY CHOSE TO.
"Rules?" The Ellimist folded his arms, curious to know what Crayak meant.
LIKE I STATED BEFORE, WE WOULD FORM TEAMS. THERE WOULD BE NO RESTRICTION ON WHO WOULD BE IN THE TEAM. FOR THE SAKE OF SIMPLICITY, HOWEVER, I SUGGEST THAT THERE BE A LIMIT ON THE NUMBER OF BEINGS IN THE TEAM. SECONDLY, WE ARE NOT TO UNDULY INFLUENCE OUR TEAMS. WE MAY NOT COLOUR THEIR OPINIONS IN ANY WAY AND PREJUDICE THEM AGAINST EACH OTHER. THUS, THEIR FREE WILL MAY LEAD THEM TO CO-OPERATE. IF THIS MAKES THEM MORE LIKELY TO DEFEAT THE ENTITY, THIS CANNOT BE A BAD THING. FINALLY, WE CANNOT INTERACT DIRECTLY WITH OUR TEAMS. WE WILL USE A 'GUIDE' CHARACTER. THIS WILL LIMIT ANY ACCIDENTAL BIAS AND IF THE ENTITY ABSORBS A TEAM AND SIFTS THROUGH THEIR MEMORIES, THEY WILL NOT FIND ANY EVIDENCE OF GODLIKE BEINGS WHO CAN MANIPULATE TIME AND SPACE- THEY WILL ONLY SEE THESE MYSTERIOUS GUIDES WHO SEEM UNUSUALLY KNOWLEDGEABLE.
The Ellimist thought about Crayak's proposal. "Fix your destruction. In the time it takes for you to recreate the sun you destroyed and repopulate the races that were killed by this, I will consider this." Crayak's immediate movement and the spark that blossomed into a sun surprised the Ketran. If Crayak was so eager to win him over that the malevolent being would willingly create rather than destroy, then this might be serious. The idea of Father absorbing him now that he had godly powers was a rather terrifying idea. As the avian race that had previously lived on the dead planet reached its five-hundredth generation, the Ellimist turned to the red eye watching him. "I accept your challenge. If this being is half the threat that you claim, it is in our best interests to work against it. What are the starting conditions of this game?"
THE STARTING POINT IS EARTH. WE WILL SEND DOWN OUR GUIDES TO EACH TEAM MEMBER WE CHOOSE, INFORMING THEM OF THE THREAT TO THE UNIVERSE. They both flickered and reappeared, hovering above Earth against a dark and starry backdrop. WE MAY USE OUR GUIDES AS OFTEN AS NECESSARY, AS THE GOAL OF THE GAME IS TO SUCCEED, NOT TO LOSE. HOWEVER, WE MAY ONLY ALLOW THEM TO TRANSMIT DETAILED INFORMATION IS WHEN THE TEAM CAN PROGRESS NO FURTHER WITHOUT OUTSIDE GUIDANCE OR EVEN PHYSICAL HELP.
"This seems more than reasonable, Crayak." The Ellimist remarked.
I NOTICE YOUR HUMOUR, ELLIMIST. I NOW CHOOSE MY GUIDE.
"There is no need to announce your sending of the Drode." The Ellimist shook his head. Suddenly a humanoid being appeared, floating in front of the large red eye, its own eyes shut as if sleeping. I CHOOSE DAVID THE FORMER ANIMORPH.
"I was not aware you kept him!" The Ellimist was shaken.
HE AMUSED ME. I ALSO KEPT ANOTHER PLAYING PIECE, MORE FOR DISPLAY THAN ANY OTHER PURPOSE, BUT GIVEN THE EXISTENCE OF THIS GAME, PERHAPS IT MIGHT BE OF USE TO YOU?
"I will be choosing Elfangor, thank you." The Ketran remarked primly as the form of an Andalite flickered in front of him.
INTERESTING. I HAD THOUGHT THAT THIS PIECE MIGHT BE OF MORE VALUE TO YOU. It then appeared-
"Rachel." The Ellimist spoke only one word.
YOU MUST UNDERSTAND THAT THESE GUIDES, BECAUSE OF THEIR NEED TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE, WILL RETAIN FREE WILL, PHYSICAL FORM AND ANY POWER THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE POSSESSED ORIGINALLY.
"Including the power to morph..." The Ketran muttered.
I UNDERSTAND THAT DAVID THE FORMER ANIMORPH IS A NOTHLIT, SO I SUPPOSE HE SHOULD START OFF LIKE YOUR TOBIAS. AS AN ANIMAL THAT CAN MORPH INTO A HUMAN BODY FOR TWO HOURS AT A TIME.
"No. That would not be fair. If this game is to be played properly, David will need to be back in his human body." The Ellimist knew that Crayak was playing on his sense of fairness, but there were more important things to worry about. "I will take Rachel as my guide...you haven't influenced her, have you?" The prone form of Rachel floated over to the Ellimist so that he could check. He examined her mind and found it free of any corruption. "Alright. And what happens when one of us wins?"
YOU ARE WELCOME, ELLIMIST. Crayak remarked almost sarcastically. WE WILL DEAL WITH THAT WHEN IT COMES TO IT. I BELIEVE THAT THIS GAME WILL OCCUPY TOO MUCH OF OUR ATTENTION TO WORRY ABOUT THE FUTURE. NOW, LET US SEND OUR GUIDES DOWN TO EARTH AND LET THE GAME BEGIN.
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The One, the being that is now worshipped by the Yeerks, is coming for Earth and eventually, the rest of the universe. The Ellimist and Crayak, not wanting it to gain knowledge of their existence and wanting to preserve the universe, are playing a game that may be the only hope of saving it. So, they are playing a game where their guides, specifically chosen beings that will pass on guidance and aid, will go down and brief their hand-picked teams of people that will be sent out to stop The One before it can reach Earth. There are no holds barred.
You are a being that has been chosen to form part of a team to stop The One. You are in the middle of your normal lifestyle when it is interrupted.
If you are greeted with an apparition of DAVID: You have no idea why this boy has suddenly come to you or who he is. But when he morphs in front of you, you are silenced. Since the Animorphs, the only people that can morph are Andalite tourists or anti-terrorist squads that generally keep themselves very well hidden. Who is this child and why can he morph? Something out of the ordinary is happening.
If you are greeted with an apparition of RACHEL: A young teen appears in front of you. When you hear her name and are greeted with her no-nonsense attitude, you start to question whether you are losing it. Rachel the Animorph died in the last battle of the Yeerk-Human War three years ago. How can she be here before you? Why is she talking to you? Why hasn't she gone off to find the other Animorphs, lost in space and presumed deceased?
As the Ellimist and Crayak can choose anyone they wish to be in their team, you may play any race. As long as there is a reason to why they are on Earth, they are eligible to be picked. Ever since the end of the war, Earth has been more receptive to the idea of other aliens besides the Andalites. There are still Yeerk nothlits among them and Andalite tourists are not too uncommon. Your adventure begins in the middle of a normal day. I will be playing the Guides David and Rachel; if your first post is just a normal one, I will reply with the appearance of your Guide, who will brief you and inform you of the mission. It is then up to you to find your fellow teammates and then decide how you will fight your new enemy. It would be ideal to find a way off of Earth, as if you wait for your enemy to come to you, if he destroys you it will be too late for Earth. No, it would be best to find your enemy first and use the element of surprise to fight him in space. However you prepare for this is up to you.
Character Profile:
Team: (Ellimist or Crayak- remember that they are using Guides so that The One doesn't realise they exist and try and hunt them, so your character will not actually have any knowledge of Ellimist or Crayak and will only know their Guides Rachel and David)
Name:
Age:
Gender:
Race:
Appearance:
Personality:
History:
Morph-capable?: (Y/N. If so, please state morphs already acquired. Remember that it's rare to possess this ability considering that Escafil cubes are highly-guarded, so please also explain why you have this ability. Also, please don't have too many morphs- we don't want people being overpowered! However, for all those answering No, is there anything stopping you from planning to steal one in the RP in order to give you another weapon against your enemy?)
