Title:The Andalite Wars

Summary: It's been more than ten years since the events of Animorphs took place. Peace never lasts, and we seem to be looking for a fight now. Andalites have given humans some technology, some we learned based on Yeerk wreckage; still it might actually be an even match.

Spoiler Warning

This story is post series for Animorphs. It contains huge spoilers for the original books, so if you never finished those, you might not want to read this.

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Chapter 3: Exsul

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Today had been relatively calm thus far. Though I had a feeling perhaps the War Prince who was responsible for our training had gone easy on me again. It was probably why the others gathered at a distance, standing in a circle.

I tried to approach, but they took off at a run, beyond the academy and to a small tree lined field that served as our break area. While humans may think it looked like a park, it acted more as a cafeteria for me and my fellow Andalites.

My name is Exsul-Issil-Impator, and I am an Andalite aristh. Though I've barely made it to any rank and am still subject to frequent training drills. Of course, they're necessary in this time of peace, as we don't get to actually use our skills in combat.

<Hello,> I attempted to greet my fellow aristh as I approached. They ignored me, turning away, and i felt my hearts sink. Of course, they resented me for getting special treatment. I hated that Prince Toraan was easy on me as well.

I was just as capable as any other fighter, I felt as capable...but they acted like I was delicate because I couldn't morph, I was a vecol. Maybe I was weaker for it...a Prince would know...he'd seen battle, fought in the war against the Yeerks. What did I know?

Scuffing my hoof against the grass I moved to a different section of the field. My steps were slow, uncaring as I absorbed nutrients through my hooves without thought.

Why think? What was there to think on? If ever I were to deploy, I would be stuck on a ship, fighting in close combat only as a last resort. More likely I would be trained for a position I could carry out from the home world. Never needing to risk blade or life.

My tail twitched at the notion and I ground my front right hoof hard into the grass, main eyes closed tight. My stalks drooped and shoulders slumped. Was anything worse than being a notallssith?

Suddenly I was let into the conversation of the other aristh where they stood in their circle a little ways off. Their thought-speak filtered into my mind as they discussed current events.

<They still let those humans study here,> One of the more harsh aristh, Hiriinn, chimed in, <It's a violation of Seerow's Kindness, isn't it? It's bad enough those fools Elfangor and Aximili gave the humans secrets...>

<I don't agree with humans being here,> Kilreg, a small aristh who was a skilled morpher contributed, <But Elfangor and Aximili are heros...>

<My father says the people are going soft...> The next to speak was Uuret, a particularly strong looking aristh, <It's sad really, like how they let anyone become a aristh.>

I saw how they glanced at me with their stalk eyes. My own swept away, but not in time to keep them from knowing I heard.

<Well, some of the humans they allow are little better than notallssith themselves,> A rare female artisth, Ingari, quipped.

<I bet they were shipped off because they embarrassed the other humans,> Uuret's reply was vicious.

<Like that one!> Ingari swiveled her stalks to glare at the humans returning to their dorms, in particular a girl with vivid orange...or was it red...hair pushing herself along in a chair.

I let my stalk eyes follow, though as soon as they landed on the human girl I found myself opening my main eyes and turning to face her completely. I had heard about earth people bound to chairs, but I'd never seen one before. It filled me with a strange sort of excitable curiosity.

These humans were incapable of using their legs, debilitated, they couldn't walk! My hearts skipped as I considered this. It could happen for many reasons. Tragic accidents were a frequent cause; though through morphing technology humans can heal these injuries, assuming they are compatible with the method. Sadly there is also a tendency for humans to have genetic defects that take there ability to stand and walk.

It was rather tempting to call out to this girl. To seek in her a kindred spirit, trapped by limitations. Surely here on the Andalite Home World she would have morphed by now to regain her walking if such were possible. I wished to find out more about her. To ask which genetic disorder kept her chair bound.

Unaware I moved a step toward her as she drew closer. Her skin was light, dusted with freckles. But my focus was on how straight she sat. She kept her head high; laughing with another, walking, student. Her arms must have been strong, to push herself forward using the large wheels on her chair with seemingly little effort. And the other humans did not seem to reject her, or accept her out of pity.

Suddenly she turned to look at me. Had I accidentally let something slip through to her in thoughtspeak? My main and stalk eyes were quick to look away, each in a different direction. After a moment, I let my stalks glance up, expecting to find her going on her way.

Instead, there she sat, having lingered as the other students moved on. The mouth that split her face spread to display her teeth, the edges of her mouth tilted upwards. We've been taught this is a smile, and a way of expressing kindness. Her hand released the wheel, and she lifted it towards me in what's called a wave.

I swiveled my stalk eyes to the side, looking at my fellow aristh. They were, as expected, watching the interaction. I could read the disdain in their eyes.

Deciding for a course of boldness, I chose to return her human greeting. But before I could do more than lift my hand, the sound of commanding hoofbeats approached rapidly from base. I forgot my greeting, and the girl as the entire group of aristh turned to face an urgent looking Prince Toraan.

<Break time is over,> The old Andalite commanded, his stalks narrowing over my shoulder as we gathered in front of him. He was looking at the chair bound girl, <Come on, aristh. We're heading to an important meeting.>

We set off after him, back into the base. My left stalk eye turned toward where that human girl had been, but she was gone.

The Prince lead us down hall, then past where the turn that lead to the academy wing was. We knew better than to ask question him, but curious stalk eyes twisted in his direction.

<This isn't just our little group. There are going to be big issues discussed at this meeting.> Turning down a side hall the he reversed his stalk eyes to look at us, <Today could be the beginning of the rest of your lives.>