Animorphs Re-Read: #3 The Encounter (Chapters 1-4)

Chapter 1
And right then I had the strangest feeling. Like I should go with her. Like I should be with her.

So the first line of the book is Tobias saying that he's a freak of nature. Well, I'm sure glad I picked a happy character to be my first fictional crush.

And Tobias gives the usual 'I can't tell you anything' talk. Then he goes on talking about how he used to be picked on. The fact that he's a nothlit (aka someone trapped in morph) is brought up by him wondering what color his eyes used to be. He then worries that he's forgotten something like that when he hasn't been trapped in his red-tailed hawk morph for very long. Tobias says it doesn't matter, anyways, since he's a hawk now.

Tobias is flying by this one car lot. I just got finished with Under the Dome, I don't need another evil car salesman.

Tobias dives down at something. It turns out to be a cage that holds a red-tailed hawk. Tobias rants about Dealin' Dan Hawke who is keeping the hawk prisoner. I'd say this is insane but you have to look at it from Tobias' point of view.

From what I remember of this book it's about Tobias coming to terms/peace with himself. Not fully, but learning to handle not being a human boy anymore. At the start of the book he's not at peace and to think a young teenager wouldn't think this is giving them too much credit. Teens can be smart. But one who has been bullied, trapped in a body not his own, and fighting a secret war against aliens can't always think clearly.

Tobias decides not to wait for a moment when the commercial won't be filmed. Dan goes to feed his pet hawk and Tobias continues to dive. He continues to not rethink his plan as the cameras get ready to roll to film the commercial live. Tobias says that Marco would call the plan insane, but he doesn't care.

Tobias finally reaches the cage and starts to undo the lock. People are basically going 'WTF' and all attention is on bird-boy. Dan tries to make a joke out of it and tells some people to shoo Tobias away. Tobias seems to take that as a challenge. Tobias sees someone coming after him but continues to try and free the hawk.

Tobias is still getting the hawk free, but he realizes that this might be harder than he thinks. There are a lot of people coming after him. He cries out that Rachel appearing now would be a good thing. She says sorry but she missed the bus. An elephant cry is heard and that's Rachel!

People wonder what is going on, but Tobias knows. It's also sort of sweet how he makes sure to say that Rachel is impressive right now even if she's not pretty. Not pretty since she's currently in elephant morph.

Dan forgets about Tobias and shows much greater concern for the elephant that is stomping his convertibles. Tobias said he'd be smiling if he had a mouth at the moment.

Tobias finishes freeing the female hawk and he remarks on their differences. The female red-tailed hawk he freed is a TRUE hawk and not one with the mind of a teenager. As the hawk flies to freedom he has a feeling that he should be going with her. That's the hawk part of him talking.

Rachel asks to leave and Tobias knows it's time for them to go. He looks longingly at the female red-tailed hawk flying away.


Chapter 2
But I was glad to fight the Yeerks. Maybe I just had less to lose than the others. Or maybe something about the lonely, defeated, yet courageous Andalite prince touched me so deeply that I could never regret fighting to settle the score.

Tobias says he hears sirens. Rachel replies sarcastically since she is in elephant morph and can hear them clearly. Rachel says that she's demorphing as quickly as she can. Tobias then says that he hopes the cops are humans and not Controllers.

Tobias and Rachel escape into the woods behind the car dealership. Tobias says that the morphing process is incredibly weird. Especially when  you watch someone morph. Tobias talks about how Rachel looks as an elephant. The best part of this is when he says they haven't tried to weigh her in elephant morph. I'm just stuck here with an image of an elephant on a scale.

He talks about how dangerous Rachel can be. How she can throw a Hork-Bajir, a deadly opponent, like it was nothing.

Rachel starts to talk about how stupid Tobias had been earlier. How he should've waited until the commercial was done being filmed since Controllers could've seen the advertisement. I think this shows that Rachel does love Tobias. She was willing to do something risky and possibly blow the Animorphs' cover just for Tobias. No one sane would have followed Tobias on his insane 'mission', but someone who loved him would. Rachel isn't the sanest person, but this mission didn't involve bloodshed.

Tobias recounts what we already know about Controllers.

Tobias asks if they're going to be in trouble and Rachel says they are. Tobias says that he should take the blame since the idea was his. Rachel tells him to stop being so noble as she had fun on his insane little venture. Aw! You two are so adorable!

Tobias remarks that he finds Rachel attractive, but she isn't as attractive now as she's still demorphing. Once she finishes demorphing she says it's time to get away. And fast. Tobias says to go to the convenience store and Rachel hopes there are flip-flops there. Yes, Applegate never gave the Animorphs a type of shoe that they could morph with. Even though aqua shoes (?) were suggested to her at least once by fans.

Tobias beings to recount how he became involved with the war with the Yeerks.

Tobias ends his recount by saying that he is trapped in morph and that's why he didn't morph alongside Rachel.

As Tobias flies he thinks of what the female red-tailed hawk is doing. He talks about what red-tailed hawks like and confuses himself for a hawk at one point. It's sad to see Tobias trying to figure out what he is because the hawk part of him is permanent. Even when he gets his morphing abilities back, and gets to acquire his human self, the hawk part seems to carry over.

And another mention of the word 'thermal'!

When Tobias flies by a building he sees a businessman look up at him. After Tobias passes the building he talks about sensing something above him. Something huge, but when he looks up nothing is there. Tobias focuses more intently on what he knows is there and finally sees a ripple. It is so faint that he starts to doubt that he saw anything at all. He follows where he believes the ripple is going.

Tobias can't keep up with it and flies over to Rachel's house. The other Animorphs are waiting for them there. He calls out to Rachel in thought-speech but she can't reply as she's not in morph. He jokes with her and says that he bets the first words Marco will say are 'Are you insane?'.

It seems that the other Animorphs have seen the commercial and Marco does ask if Tobias and Rachel are insane. You should've bet money on that one, bird-boy.


Chapter 3
"You’re right," Marco said. "But since all of you guys think you have to save the world, and since you’re all my friends, more or less, I figure someone has to keep you from being total idiots."

Marco continues yelling at Rachel and Tobias for being idiots. Jake made them promise never to do anything so stupid again. And Cassie, the peacemaker of the group, makes sure everyone is friends at the end of the argument.

Marco brings up the point that the Animorphs are supposed to be fighting the Yeerks and not rescuing animals. I like that Tobias' stunt in the beginning of the book is being dealt with realistically. The fact that the Animorphs know it's stupid and aren't saying how cool it was. Making sure Tobias and Rachel know to never do it again and to be more careful.

Tobias challenges Marco by bringing up the point that Marco doesn't want to fight the Yeerks. Marco tries to make an angrier expression than Tobias' natural face and fails. Marco says that he doesn't want to save the world but he knows someone has to keep them all from making stupid mistakes. He says that person is him. I like that Marco is fighting for his friends, especially Jake, and not because he cares about saving the world. Shows some strength to make all that sacrifice for friendship.

Tobias brings up the fact that Marco is the most reluctant Animorph even though he was one of the original members. I think I heard someone mentioning the fact that Applegate said she would've written Tobias as something other than straight if she could. I think she said either gay or bi. And I think that sort of shows in the next paragraph.

How he describes Marco is almost like he's sad he can't be closer to him. He brings up Marco's sarcasm and confidence like those are qualities he admires. Like those are qualities he wished he could pull off easily like Marco. A big piece of evidence comes at the end of the paragraph. Tobias says he guesses 'girls' think Marco is cute due to the boy's long brown hair and dark eyes.

Does anyone else see that?

Jake and Rachel joke about them being in trouble if Marco is the sensible one. Everyone laughs. It ends up with Marco throwing a pillow at Jake. Tobias remarks that the two are opposites but have been best friends forever. Jake is the one that he'd turn to in times of crises, though.

Cassie says she has to get back to her barn to do work. Marco jokes about not using the word cage around Tobias so bird-boy won't have her house destroyed. The group laughs as both her parents are veterinarians and her barn functions as a rehabilitation clinic. Tobias says that Cassie is the animal expert of the group.

Jake asks if Tobias is coming home right away but Tobias says no. The others in the group feel sad for Tobias and he seems to resent that. Jake also seems to be feeding Tobias like a pet bird. Bird-boy tells Jake to be careful since Tom is a Controller and if he notices Jake feeding a bird there could be trouble.

The others leave making Rachel and Tobias the only ones in the room. Rachel says she doesn't like to think of Tobias living in an attic, but he says he's okay. He thinks of telling her about the ripple he saw earlier but decides against it. He doesn't know what it is and he doesn't want to worry Rachel.

After they say good-bye and he flies out he talks about how he hates being pitied. He hates how the group sees him as being trapped and not remembering he had a shitty life as a human anyways. He says that there are things he has now that he didn't have then. Like the sky.

Take my love, take my land
Take me where I cannot stand
I don't care, I'm still free
You can't take the sky from me.

 Sorry...I went off on a tangent there.



Chapter 4
As for me, Tobias, when I hadn’t been in school, I used to spend most of my free time watching TV, hanging out at the mall, doing homework, reading…all things it was difficult for me to do, now.

The following day Tobias goes back to where he had seen the ripple. He makes mention that he's still not sure if he actually saw it or not. He comments that red-tailed hawks aren't made for soaring like eagles or some buzzards are. He's like a fanboy of how well Turkey Buzzards can soar.

Tobias then mentions that the hawk mind would be just as happy perched on a branch waiting for prey as it would be soaring. This leads to him thinking of the downsides of being a hawk. He seems like he wants to hunt but is afraid of the backlash from Marco.

Tobias makes mention of when you're in morph that the animal mind can be hard to control. He brings up the point that Jake couldn't help himself eating a spider. Tobias thinks if he loses control once that he won't be able to stop himself. The conflict Tobias has within himself shows that he likes being a hawk but he's not fully at peace with his place in life.

Tobias realizes that maybe the ripple only comes at a certain time of the day. Therefore his entire day is free. This wouldn't be a problem if he was still human, but he's not. A red-tailed hawk spends most of its day hunting, but Tobias hasn't yet started to hunt. If he were human he'd do stuff like watch tv or read. But he can't do those things in a red-tailed hawk body.

It's strange that he says that he misses school since he used to get bullied there. But the alternative is his home life which is even worse. Oh my god! Tobias thinks his parents don't love him! Fuck you, Ellimist! Fuck you!

Seems that Tobias had Jake lie to his aunt and uncle. Made it so that the aunt thought Tobias was with the uncle and vice versa. Tobias thinks that they'll figure the truth out one day, but he also thinks that they won't care.

Tobias decides to go to Rachel's house and see if she's available. Just as he's about to head over there he sees the ripple again. How he words this part is almost like the ripple is calling out to him. The ripple then changes direction to head towards the mountains and Tobias sees a flock of geese. The geese are going straight for the ripple. All of a sudden the head goose's wings collapsed and it slid through the air.

Most of the geese don't seem to make it out alive.

When the geese hit the ripple Tobias could see metal. He suddenly knows what the ripple is. A Yeerk ship!
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Animorphs Re-Read Table of Contents

Animorphs Re-Read: #2 The Visitor (Chapters 17-20)

Chapter 17
"The point is," Chapman said, "that I agreed to be made into a host. I agreed to…to…" He looked like he was about to throw up. "I agreed to surrender my freedom. To become a Controller. To accept this filthy thing in my head. To accept your control. I agreed…but only if you would spare my daughter."

Rachel remarks that Visser Three in person is much worse than seeing him in hologram form. She says that his host body doesn't look different than the Andalite prince that gave them their powers and warned them of the Yeerk invasion. She says that Andalites don't look threatening, though they are strange.

But she says that Visser Three seemed to feel different than Elfangor. I must say that Animorphs did have some mystical stuff going on with it. Most noticeably, so far, talking about Visser Three.

Rachel watches the two Hork-Bajir and recalls what Elfangor had said about them. That they had been a good people before being enslaved by the Yeerks. Just like humanity is a good people but may end up enslaved by the Yeerks. But it's hard for her to see something innocent in something like a Hork-Bajir.

Rachel then takes notice of the Taxxons. They're basically evil, cannibalistic space centipedes. Later in the series you learn that even Taxxons don't like being Taxxons. But, for now, you just know they look evil and Elfangor said there were no good Taxxons. Never mind that his friend, Arbron, was trapped in Taxxon morph and lead a bunch of Taxxon rebels. But Elfangor was dying so I give him a little pass for skipping that part.

Visser Three asks Chapman if Rachel is the Andalite bandit. When Chapman gives confirmation the Visser and Rachel basically stare at each other. Rachel mentions the extreme fear she has being so close to him. When he thought-speaks to her she nearly blurts out that she is a human. I do not blame her as she's young and death is hard to face at any age.

Rachel then realizes that she will never win this battle of wills with the Visser. She continues to mentally break down and then she finds comfort in Fluffer's mind. While Fluffer had fears, they weren't Rachel's fears. Fluffer did not care about Visser Three. Tobias uses this in a future book where he is tortured. Instead of hiding behind a cat mind, he hides behind his red-tailed hawk mind.

When Visser Three picks Rachel up she lets Fluffer's mind dictate what she'll do. And she sniffs the air to get a better idea of what Visser Three is. The Visser remarks that Rachel's morph is similar to Jake's tiger morph. Chapman tells Visser Three that the tiger and cat are similar. That they are both felines.

Visser Three tells Rachel that Andalites are brave, whatever their other faults may be. Rachel wonders how she should answer him as saying 'thank you' doesn't make much sense. The Visser then gets angry when she doesn't answer him. Rachel knows she can't answer him and, again, states that she will die in cat morph to protect the Animorphs' secret.

Visser Three then turns his attention to Chapman and asks where Melissa is. Chapman stutters as he doesn't like telling the crazed Andalite Controller bad news. And the Visser grabs Chapman by the neck and holds the point of his tail-blade at the human Controller's neck. Chapman then tries to bring up the point that his host is resisting him. This causes Visser Three to go into yet another rage.

He brings up the point that his Andalite host tries to rebel and does Chapman really think a human host is a powerful as an Andalite one? This sort of reminds me of my fiance. How if I have pain he always has it worse. That I can wake up with a sore neck and, meanwhile, he can hardly get out of bed on his own.

Chapman continues to argue his point by bringing up that he is an Assistant Principal, he has to act human a lot. And if he starts doing odd twitches his cover could be blown. Chapman ends it by saying he wouldn't be of use to the Visser. Visser Three retorts that Chapman isn't seeming very useful to him at the moment.

Chapman asks for his host to talk to the Visser directly. Visser Three starts to look around. Rachel starts to look around even though she doesn't know what she's looking for. She catches some movement and then assumes it's just another Hork-Bajir on patrol duty. Visser Three finally says yes to Chapman's request.

The following is one of the most heartbreaking things in the series. Get your tissues ready!

Iniss allows Chapman to fully control his own body. Chapman, not having been able to move his body for so long, has trouble standing up or speaking. It takes him a little bit to say 'Visser Three'. This makes the Visser very annoyed. Visser Three then demands for Chapman to say whatever he's going to say and get it over with.

Chapman recounts how he became a Controller. He didn't want to but his wife did. The now Controller wife of his threatened to infest his daughter if he didn't give in. Chapman says that he forgives his wife since she was weak and Visser Three liked to exploit that trait. Visser Three takes the compliment as a Hork-Bajir reminds the Visser that they were on a schedule.

Chapman continues saying that he only became a Controller to save Melissa. This is just downright heart breaking! I mean...I mean...the emotions that are coming over me! Chapman had to watch his wife become a Controller and then allow a parasitic slug from outer space to control him all to keep his daughter safe. The amount of bravery needed to make that sacrifice is just overwhelming!

As the realization that Chapman gave up his freedom to save his daughter hits Rachel, it seems like her heart stops.

Visser Three isn't affected and tells Chapman that him being a host is important. Chapman slowly rises up, mind you that this is a very hard act for him to pull off, and threatens Visser Three. Chapman says that Melissa isn't a threat but he is.


Chapter 18
In seconds it would all be over. I would be aboard the Visser’s ship. I would leave Earth. The only thing in my future was pain. Maybe I would die before I betrayed my friends. A depressing kind of thing to hope for.

[So. What’s happening now?]

Visser Three laughs at the idea of Chapman being a threat. He lightly pushes on Chapman's chest and this causes the human to not be able to stand. He falls down. Chapman is crying but he's not done being a bad ass yet. He tells the Visser to ask Iniss if it's the truth that he will fight for his daughter forever. When Chapman stands up again he's not crying and the Yeerk is in control. Iniss confirms that what Chapman says is true and that the human will disrupt his work.

Iniss also says that Ms. Chapman could be a problem too. Iniss says that's he's better able to work with a voluntary host. He ends with saying that he will do whatever Visser Three says, though it may be hard for him. The Visser remarks that of course Iniss will do what's he's ordered to and that Melissa will stay freed for now. Visser Three decides this since he has one of the Andalite bandits in his custody.

When given the okay, Chapman leaves. Rachel remarks that at least Melissa is safe. At least as safe as a human can be in the home of two Controllers.

Visser Three says to move out and Rachel starts to lose all hope. She starts thinking that the best outcome would be her dying before she betrayed her friends the Animorphs. Just as she loses the last of her hope someone thought-speaks to her asking what's happening.

Rachel asks if it's Jake that's talking to her. Jake replies that she'd be an idiot to think it'd be anyone else. Rachel yells at him saying that she told him to go away and Jake replies that he wasn't going to abandon his cousin. I'm just here wondering how Rachel couldn't see that Jake would keep quiet to make sure she was safe. Or as safe as he could keep her with him being a flea and all.

When he hears how little time he has left he doesn't seem that disturbed. Rachel watches as the door of the Blade ship opened and she sees the horrors within. Jake says that all the Animorphs aren't going anywhere and Rachel wonders if all of them are fleas now. Jake replies no, but that Tobias was supposed to follow Rachel. So the other Animorphs should be around. Rachel says the others won't be able to do anything but Jake has a differing opinion.

Suddenly an earthmover starts up. The Hork-Bajir that was carrying Rachel panics and goes to the Visser.

Rachel informs Jake that one of the gang has started an earthmover and he says it's time for him to act. He starts to try for a double-morph. Rachel, meanwhile, keeps track of the earthmover that is moving right for the Blade ship. Visser Three yells at the Taxxon to get them into the air because any human machinery like an earthmover would totally beat an alien space ship!

The Taxxon says that it'll take two minutes to get off the ground. The Visser doesn't like the answer so he slices the alien with his tail-blade. He tells some of the other Taxxons to take off and the others to eat the bleeding Taxxon. Taxxons will eat anything that bleeds and so all were excited when their comrade started to ooze blood.

There's, thankfully, only one paragraph describing how the Taxxons eat their fallen comrades.

Rachel looks, sees Jake demorphing, and yells at him. He tells her to be quiet so he can concentrate. The rule of only one morph at a time is established! As Visser Three is distracted, Rachel also demorphs. While she does so she looks at the Taxxon being eaten, the earthmover, and then she sees a red light as the earthmover is being disintegrated.

Rachel reminds herself that she has to focus on her morph even though some of her friends might've just died. She makes it so that her cat morph has human-like hands so she can let herself out. One of the Taxxons yells at the Visser while she is doing this.

The Visser turns around and Jake distracts him. Visser Three screams in pain as Jake claws him. When Jake gets off the cat loving Yeerk, some Hork-Bajir come to defend the Visser. Jake yells at Rachel to run and she agrees. This isn't a fight she can win.

So she runs and remarks that cats can run fast, but not as fast as a Hork-Bajir. Jake beats a troublesome Hork-Bajir. He yells at her to run since she is too small to fight. However, there's still a Hork-Bajir after Rachel. The alien reaches for Rachel but she dodges him.

Marco and Cassie have started another earthmover!

Rachel rushes towards a half finished building so that she can demorph. Her time is almost up! She tries to drown out every sound and focus on demorphing. Suddenly Visser Three, in one of his many crazy morphs, lifts a piece of concrete that was covering Rachel and all thoughts of demorphing leave her.


Chapter 19
Another hand like living rock slammed in front of me.

Even the cat in me knew- it was hopeless.

Rachel, yet again, has given up hope that she'll live. This time because Visser Three has morphed into something monstrous. I will agree that Visser Three has some pretty messed up morphs and sometimes they don't make much sense. But I'd be fucking lying if I said that they weren't awesome and I love seeing them.

Visser Three is trying to get to Rachel and not caring which of his men he kills. To say he is obsessed with getting the 'Andalite bandits' is an understatement. Rachel does the smart thing and starts to run away from him. However, Visser is there for her. Even the cat part of her thinks they're about to die.

Rachel's break comes when she hears a loud explosion. She runs away and realizes that one of the earthmovers has destroyed/blown up a Bug fighter! Shit! I need to add earthmovers onto my list of 'things I need in case of an alien invasion'.

Visser Three is pissed off at this incident and Rachel doesn't envy the Hork-Bajir who let it through. In the Hork-Bajir's defense: he was operating on logic?

I'm all for the Animorphs distracting the Yeerks with equipment but...an earthmover, nothing special, destroying an alien craft? Okay, I'll retract my previous opinion in favor of this one: That is awesome! B-movie awesome is the shit I like!

Visser Three yells in anger and continues to come after Rachel. Luckily Tobias is there to pick Rachel up. He complains that Fluffer is fat and next time she should acquire a cat that doesn't weigh so much. Tobias states that he'll fly her to the trees but then he has to let go of her. Tobias drops her and she demorphs on the way down.

As Rachel and Tobias watch the Visser destroy his own troops in anger, Tobias shows that he's the master of understating a situation. Tobias just states that Visser Three must be angry that they got away.

Rachel turns her focus on the others and asks if they survived. Tobias says they all survived and Rachel says she should feel glad she has survived, but all she feels is tired as she collapses onto the ground.


Chapter 20
"Melissa, your father loves you more than you will ever know. And more than he can ever show you. Signed, someone who knows."

Rachel goes to another gymnastic class and remarks that Melissa is free. Even though she messed up, big time, her friend is free. Her reason for fighting is free. I'm starting to ship Rachel/Melissa really hard because of this book.

Rachel watches, though hides the fact she's doing so, when Melissa opens her locker and reads Rachel's letter. Rachel had written the letter on the computer so her former friend couldn't tell it was from her. She tells Melissa, through the letter, that her father loves her.

This is sweet of her to do. She knows she can't go and infiltrate the Chapman house again, unless she wants to have Melissa infested, but she still tries to comfort her former friend.

Rachel says that Melissa seems to be more into practice that day.

Afterwards the group meets up. Cassie asks how Melissa is and Rachel brings up the note. She says that she knows it's bad for security, but she doesn't care. Chapman gave up everything to protect his daughter and the least Rachel can do is tell Melissa that he loves her.

Jake doesn't seem to mind.

Then it's brought up that there will be another fight with the Yeerks, with Visser Three. Marco is surprised and Tobias replies that they will continue fighting until the Andalites arrive.

I forgot how much of a cat person Visser Three is. I also found out that someone else beat me to the punchline of Visser Three being a cat person (thanks, Ifi!). And I am reading Ifi and Adam's review of the Animorphs series before I read her fic (that was recommended to me).

I also loved seeing Chapman in this book. The length he went to protect his daughter is beyond amazing.

The next book in the Animorphs series I will be Re-Reading will be

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Animorphs Re-Read Table of Contents

Let's Play Mario Kart Wii: Getting Gold (Parts 34-36)

I continue on with my goal of getting first place in every cup!




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Let's Play Mario Kart Wii: Getting Gold Table of Contents

Animorphs Re-Read: #2 The Visitor (Chapters 13-16)

Chapter 13

Rachel wants to run when Visser Three says for Chapman to kill her immediately. But then the cat mind helps to save her. She knows that if she even flicks one whisker that her secret will be out. That she will be dead.

Visser Three is staring at her and she can sense the Yeerk looking through his host's eyes. Chapman is also looking at her intensely. Rachel is terrified of her situation but the cat part of her doesn't give a shit. There is nothing to hunt or fear. It doesn't consider Chapman a threat.

Visser Three says, again, to kill Rachel. Rachel's response is to meow. This makes the all mighty Yeerk confused. Chapman stutters as he replies that a 'meow' is the sound a cat makes. It might possibly mean that 'Fluffers' is hungry.

The Visser then takes a swipe at Rachel with his tail-blade. Rachel reacts on pure instinct. She gets into a defensive position and takes a swipe at the Andalite tail-blade. This causes Visser Three to laugh. Both Rachel and Chapman are confused. The Visser laughing doesn't seem to make sense.

Visser Three compliments the cat. Saying how it is so small and yet so fierce. That it went after a creature such as him without thought of its own safety. The Visser says it's a pity that cats aren't suitable for hosts. The Visser then says for Chapman to kill Rachel since a cat would be a perfect morph for an Andalite to use.

When Chapman points out that Fluffer belongs to Melissa and so killing him would blow his cover, Visser Three is angry but agrees to let Rachel live. To defend herself, Rachel rubs herself against Chapman. The Visser asks about the movement and Chapman replies it's to signal Fluffer wants to be fed.

Visser Three says that it's amusing that a cat can manipulate other creatures to do its bidding. He says Fluffer can live until they resolve the matter about Melissa. Iniss says that they had an agreement with Chapman. The Visser sneers and says that agreements are just lies to use to gain voluntary hosts. He says that if Chapman had brought him the Andalite bandits they wouldn't have to talk about a cat or girl.

Chapman says that he'll bring the Andalite bandits to Visser Three. The Visser tells the Controller to do that and the morphs into a Vanarx (things that eat Yeerks on the Yeerk home world). The Vanarx has its mouth close on Chapman's head. But, being a hologram, it does nothing. It scares Chapman shitless nonetheless.

Visser Three reminds Iniss that he gave him Chapman's body and he can suck him out again. The Visser asks Chapman if he wants to see what happened to the last person to fail him. Chapman tries to stop the footage by yelling. The footage shows the Vanarx sucking a Yeerk from a woman's ear.

Visser Three starts to demorph and tells Chapman not to fail him. When the hologram shuts down, the room goes dark. When Chapman finally leaves the room Ms. Chapman is there asking what Visser Three said.

What do you think Visser Three wants? What do you think he's obsessed with now?

Chapman says the Visser wants the Andalite bandits. He says the Visser morphed into a Vanarx (also known as a Yeerkbane) and Ms. Chapman says that she thought it was only a rumor that Visser Three had acquired a Vanarx. Chapman also says that Visser Three had killed another Yeerk with the Vanarx. I don't know the importance of the name or the 'second century' part.

Whoever the Yeerk the Visser killed must have been important to Chapman as he speaks out against Visser Three.

The conversation is interrupted when Melissa asks her parents for help with her math homework. While Melissa's parents being Controllers is horrible and frightening, they sure as hell should be able to help her with math!

Chapman snaps at Melissa saying that they're busy at the moment. I don't say he's wrong for snapping as he's (both Iniss and Chapman) concerned about Melissa and the fact that he's been given a death threat by his boss. Ms. Chapman is able to keep her cool better. You can tell that Melissa is disturbed but is trying to hold everything together. I want to hug her!

Chapman finally says that he'll be up to check on Melissa later and see if she still needs help.

Rachel notices that the words the Controllers are saying are right and yet wrong at the same time. That humanity was missing from the words. This scares Rachel in a way that is different from the Yeerk pool. This is a fear that makes her want to cry instead of scream. Rachel finds herself going after Melissa.

Tobias is finally able to contact Rachel and she tells him that she's in Melissa's room. Tobias says he was worried that Rachel was trapped in the basement. Tobias says that Fluffer is trying to head home and the others are having a problem stopping him. I totally didn't see something like this being a problem!

Rachel tells him that there is still something she has to do. Tobias, being rational, reminds her that it won't be good if the real Fluffer arrives while she's still there.

Rachel jumps onto Melissa's bed, where her former friend is, and starts to purr. Though it takes a second for Rachel to know what the sound she's making is. Melissa than puts an arm around Rachel and that makes the cat part of her nervous. But then Melissa starts to scratch Rachel in a good spot.

Melissa asks Rachel what she did wrong. Rachel thinks that Melissa knows she's human, but then realizes that Melissa thinks she's talking to Fluffer. This scene is heart breaking. Just so damn heart breaking. We get a look into Melissa's secret pain through Rachel's cat morph.

I love and hate this scene for how heartbreaking it is.

Tobias tells Rachel to get out now and that Jake is freaking out. Rachel replies that she needs to help Melissa right now. Rachel then realizes she stopped purring and then starts up again. She does so because Melissa needs her to purr. Melissa then continues to cry and asks why her parents don't love her anymore.

This causes Rachel to have a new reason to fight. She sees the pain that the Yeerks have caused Melissa. How the Yeerks didn't have to infest her or for her to be brought into the war. But the Yeerks had removed Melissa's parents from her and now she only has a cat for comfort. Rachel says it's not a grand reason, but it was her reason.

Tobias continues to beg Rachel to come out, but she says to just wait and for Jake to shut up. Rachel purred as loud as she could for Melissa. Then Rachel realized how horrible it must be for families to be torn up like this. She wonders about how it would be if suddenly her parents stopped loving her like Melissa's had. At least from Melissa's point of view.

When Melissa falls asleep Rachel comes out to an angry Jake. He says she has ten minutes to spare and that she has to have a good reason for risking herself like that. Rachel reports what she learned in Chapman's basement. She also says that she's decided something and Cassie asks what.

Rachel says she will take whatever risks she has to because she hates the Yeerks so much. She says she will find a way to stop them. I'm sad since I know where this thought process will lead her.

Chapter 14

Rachel remarks that her grades are falling due to all the stress in her life. She says that she's trying to save Earth from the Yeerks and that's taking a lot out of her. Then she admits that she's not trying to save all of humanity, but her friend. Rachel is spending her energy on saving Melissa.

Rachel recounts that she now knows what's gone wrong in Melissa's life. Why her former friend is so distant. Her parents are infested and the Controllers can't act human enough. They can't act like they truly love their hosts' daughter. They can only pretend. So Melissa doesn't think that her parents love her anymore.

Of course when Rachel describes it she confuses the Yeerks for their hosts. I'm merely explaining how it's really happening.

Whenever Rachel thinks about Melissa's situation she gets very angry. She thinks on her own parents getting divorced. She thinks about how she thought that they didn't love her when they separated. But they do still love her. Rachel then goes on to say that love is very important to the human condition.

I'll bring up now that my own parents separated when I was very little (my Mom divorced her second husband while I was in college, but he was a cheating asshole and I never liked him anyways) but I never got the pain of divorce like Rachel has here. I don't really remember the divorce happening and it was so long ago that I can't imagine my parents being together.

When Rachel leaves math class Jake informs her that there is going to be an Animorphs meeting later. It'll be where they had demorphed earlier in the book (the church tower). Rachel comments that it's a long walk and Jake says Rachel doesn't have to walk. He's hinting at Rachel using her bald eagle morph as a mode of transportation!

Rachel makes mention of it taking effort to take off. She wonders if her human body gets any of the exercise. I'm going with no to that question.

Once Rachel has taken off she sees Tobias. She describes his tail feathers as a 'beacon'. Is that a Rachel/Tobias moment? I'm going with a yes to that question.

Rachel and Tobias talk. Tobias says where to go for some good thermals. I think the suggestion is partially for fun and partially to help. Rachel says that flying is beyond awesome and like the nicest thing in the world. Tobias says flying is great but there are other great things that only a human, not a bird, can experience. He says it in a way like he's stating a fact and that he's not feeling sorry for himself. But I wonder...

They spot the church tower, and possibly Cassie, and go there. Upon arrival Marco starts to say that they should have costumes. This is seriously so damn amusing. Then Jake and Tobias join in the conversation. Turns out that Marco just wants people to see them as superheroes. He brings up the X-Men outfits.

Rachel points out that they aren't superheroes in a comic book. Marco says that he wants to be a superhero in a comic book since that'll mean he won't die. I like that Marco is talking about his fear of dying in an amusing manner. Though he isn't covering up his fear that well.

Jake asks if Marco can focus on reality for once.

Marco and Cassie then discuss what is considered fashionable. Jake says for a second time for them to concentrate before Marco will finally take things seriously. Marco says that he should be spending more time with his Dad since he's still not okay after his Mom died.

Rachel says that Marco's Mom died and his Dad broke down. Though Marco's mother's body was never found. She says the reason that Marco is so reluctant to fight the Yeerks is he's afraid if he dies then his father will break down even more. Jake is getting impatient and then Cassie comforts Marco. She says that the Animorphs need him but his Dad comes first.

Cassie says,  "There isn’t much point in doing any of this if we forget why we’re doing it."

You go, Cassie! I never was much like Cassie but she's one of those characters that I could never be like, but I'd love to. She has this peacemaking ability and moral compass that I'd love to have.

Rachel starts thinking about Melissa and then about her family. How great it was to have her family even when they got on her nerves. She tries to comfort Marco but he doesn't act kindly to it. Everyone has a part to play in the group and Rachel did something that she doesn't normally do.

Marco then gets serious and asks what they plan to do next. Of course he asks this in one of the most sarcastic ways possible. Rachel says that she wants to go back into Chapman's house to find out the location of the Kandrona. She says if they destroy the Kandrona they'll hurt the Yeerks badly. Of course it's safe to assume that's not the real reason she wants to go back to the Chapman house.

Marco points out the obvious flaw in her plan: they don't know what a Kandrona is. They know what it does. They know it's important to the Yeerks. They know destroying it will hurt the Yeerks. But they don't actually know what it is.

Rachel says that's why she needs to spy on Chapman. Chapman talks to Visser Three and so she'll eventually find out what a Kandrona is by sneaking into Chapman's house. Everyone looks at Rachel. Tobias asks her privately if she's really proposing the plan to spy on Chapman or if there's another reason. Jake tells her she can't go alone and Rachel says that it'd look suspicious if two cats went in.

It seems Rachel hadn't told the others about Visser Three saying to kill her. That's something sort of big and important to hide from the group, Rachel.

Jake doesn't catch on that Rachel is hiding something but Cassie does. When Cassie asks, Rachel says that nothing happened but that it was scary. Rachel considers this enough of the truth. Cassie still insists that someone should go along with Rachel. Rachel's response is to ask if she's going to turn into a flea and ride on her back. I don't know which is funnier: the foreshadowing or the bug morph joke.


Cassie then says that they should at least think about it. Jake relents and says that Rachel can go in one more time and maybe they'll get lucky. Marco points out that they have never been lucky and Rachel retorts that maybe things are about to change for them.

Tobias says that finding the Kandrona isn't the only reason Rachel is going back into the Chapman house. She wants to help Melissa. Rachel replies that helping Melissa is the same thing as hurting the Yeerks. When the others are confused with her saying 'Same thing' it seems as though Tobias was talking to her privately.


Chapter 15

This chapter begins in such an awesome way. The night is dark and stormy and so the line that begins the chapter is a cliche. An overused line that Rachel/Applegate has fun with. It begins with 'It was a dark and stormy night' and Rachel's defense is that the weather is actually like that. She also says that she has always wanted to use that line.

When Rachel arrives everyone is there, including Tobias who is trying not to be blown away by the wind, but Jake. Rachel asks where Jake is and Marco replies that he's been grounded. Rachel is nervous that Jake isn't there for the mission. It's like some of her confidence is lost because he's not there.

Tobias says he sees Fluffer and that the cat is torturing a rat. He reassures Rachel that it's not a shrew. Rachel gets slightly angry at Tobias' comment saying just because she was a shrew doesn't mean she is a fan of them. Rachel notices that something seems to be odd about Cassie.

Tobias says that he'll scoop out the area. He has trouble flying due to the weather. He finally rights himself and gives the all clear. Rachel starts to feel sick and says she knows she'll feel better when she's in morph. I'm wondering if that's because the cat's confidence is so great or that once Rachel gets moving she'll be fine.

And AGAIN Rachel morphs without first taking off her clothing first.

The rain comes down harder and Marco is the first to complain. Rachel tells him to shut up because at least he has a raincoat. She only has fur, plus she can't smell anything in the rain. Cassie walks up to Rachel and she remarks on the height difference. Cassie then pets Rachel. I'm not saying this part is worded suspiciously, but it's worded suspiciously.

Luckily Rachel is in cat morph and so doesn't pay much attention to Cassie's action. She remarks that cats don't have much interest in humans unless food is involved. Rachel then says she's off and starts moving. She remarks that she thought cats hated all water, but she realizes that cats hate rain because it makes it impossible to smell. And without smells a cat feels lost and cut off from the world.

Rachel continues saying that rain also makes it hard to listen for important sounds. She says that rain to cats is like being in the dark for humans.

With those thoughts going through her head, she runs through the kitty door. She thinks that Jake not being there is a bad omen. That something will go wrong because he's not there.

Rachel remarks that she knows the Chapman house, both as a human and cat, and is familiar with Chapman's routine in contacting Visser Three. Chapman does keep his routine and starts to head down to the basement. Rachel says the plan is for her to hide in the basement and just observe. But that the whole plan revolves around her not being seen.

Sounds easy enough.

Rachel is more at ease when Chapman is walking down the stairs since people don't tend to look behind them when they do so. She still has to be careful as one mistake could be fatal. When Chapman reaches the bottom of the stairs Rachel goes behind the couch. Chapman stops and acts like he heard a noise. But he eventually starts moving again.

As Rachel starts to follow Chapman again she hears some talking to her through thought-speak. The person asks what's happening and Rachel nearly plows right into Chapman which would've blown her cover. A few seconds later the person identifies himself as Jake and repeats his previous question.

Rachel hides herself as Jake continues to question her on what is going on. She says he scared her and he asks if they are okay. This makes her even more pissed off. Jake says that he's on her and Rachel tells him to stop joking while she dodges Chapman's feet. Jake says he can't see and finally says that he's in flea morph.

Rachel is surprised about this and I'm here laughing about how much they were talking about not doing insect morphs earlier in the book.

Rachel asks why Jake thought it'd be a good idea to morph into a flea when he had such trouble in lizard morph. Jake says that being in flea morph isn't that bad because a flea doesn't really have a mind. He says that it's like he's not a flea at all because of how little there is of the flea in both mind and senses. He also reveals that the others were in on the plan of Jake hitching a ride on Rachel.

Rachel realizes that Cassie had petted her to deposit Jake. Jake defends himself by saying that they were all worried about Rachel and that Tobias had given them information. Rachel thinks that it's both good and bad to have friends that care about you. She thinks it's creepy to have Jake on her.

When the hologram of Visser Three appears Rachel informs Jake of the situation. She also tells him to not distract her. Jake asks why bother hiding since she's undercover as Fluffer and nothing went wrong last time. The following bits of dialogue where Rachel informs Jake about the full situation and he proceeds to freak the fuck out are just priceless.

Chapman and Visser Three greet each other and then Chapman begins to report. He talks about the new hosts he has for the Visser. The creepy part of this is that it's shown that at least one member of the FBI is a Controller.

Visser Three then berates Chapman for not catching the Andalite bandits (aka the Animorphs). Chapman tries to defend himself by saying that he has to wait until the bandits show themselves. The stupid part of the conversation is when Visser Three asks how Andalites could acquire powerful morphs (like the tiger and elephant) and Chapman doesn't reply about zoos. Think, my enemies! Think!

Visser Three then goes onto saying that he needs suitable hosts to guard the Kandrona.

Jake asks what is going on and Rachel says the Visser is chewing Chapman out. Jake jokes that Marco will be sorry that he missed that happening. Rachel points out the downside is that the Visser really wants the Animorphs to be dead.

Rachel doesn't dodge one of Chapman's movements and now both Controllers are aware of her presence. The Visser asks what's happening and Chapman says it's the cat again. Visser Three reprimands Chapman for not killing Rachel earlier and the human Controller tries to tell the Visser why that didn't happen.

I will say that the Visser takes it in stride since he says the cat has to be one of the Andalite bandits. That there is no doubt now. Rachel basically tells Jake that they're now in some bad shit. Some seriously bad shit.


Chapter 16

Visser Three is happy since now they won't have to search for the Andalite bandits. They have one right in the room! Chapman asks if the Visser wants to kill Rachel. No, Chapman, he doesn't want to kill her. He wants to spend the rest of his time invading Earth by feeding her treats and petting her menacingly.

Er...Visser Three wants to torture Rachel. He tells Chapman to seize Rachel before she can morph back into 'Andalite form'. Torturing an Andalite is bringing the same sense of glee to the Visser that I have while looking at this guy:

Chapman tries to get Rachel and she knows that surrendering is the best option. There is no way that she's getting out of the Chapman house without being captured first. But her and the cat mind are in agreement. They won't surrender.

I'd like to bring up again how much Rachel and Fluffer are alike. It's like their personalities are a match made in Heaven.

Rachel attempts to attack Chapman when he comes at her. She describes it seeming as if the Controller is moving in slow motion and she's at normal speed. She manages to scratch Chapman who recoils in pain. The Visser screams at Chapman to catch Rachel while Jake is wondering what the fuck is going on.

Chapman goes to pick Rachel up while she still tries to fight. Visser Three, proving that he is a cat person, compliments the cat and then tries to tell Chapman how to get control of it. Rachel notes that she is able to cause pain for Chapman, but that she will lose. She is fierce as a raging demon, but Chapman is still bigger than her.

When Chapman has a good grip on Rachel, Visser Three tells Chapman to bring her to him. Chapman asks what he should do if Rachel demorphs into 'her Andalite shape'. The Visser reminds Chapman that he has weapons and to use them on her if she demorphs. The Visser also tells Chapman to bring Melissa.

Chapman gets nervous about this. It's like he truly cares for the daughter of his host. Visser Three says that it's because of Melissa that Rachel was able to infiltrate the house. Once the hologram goes away Chapman throws Rachel across the room. I'd berate him for that, but he seems to really care for Melissa and now she's going to get infested. And it's all because of this damn cat.

As Rachel is concentrating on righting herself and Chapman is getting a handheld Dracon beam, Jake is wondering what the fuck is going on. Any point of him in flea morph, so far, is making me laugh. Especially when he asks what's going on. I don't know if those are supposed to be funny moments or not.

Rachel finally explains to Jake that they're in a mess. Chapman knows she isn't a cat, they'll be taken to Visser Three, and their Assistant Principal is pointing a Dracon beam at her. When Jake replies that their situation is bad, Rachel replies that it's worse since Melissa is about to be infested. Rachel's real reason for infiltrating the Chapman house is going to be lost.

Chapman calls to his wife and then threatens Rachel. It turns out Iniss doesn't want Melissa taken since it would make Chapman an unwilling host. And Iniss doesn't want that to happen. So I guess Iniss doesn't care so much for Melissa than for the ease he can control his host. Understandable.

Ms. Chapman asks what is going on and Chapman explains. Jake asks what is going on and Rachel says that she's about to be put into a cage. Chapman tells Rachel to go into the cage, while threatening her, and Rachel goes in. She knows it's useless to fight now. Chapman then tells Ms. Chapman to get Melissa. This is where things get odd...

Remember in the last book where Tom was able to resist his Yeerk for a few seconds? This is more dramatic with both Chapmans resisting so much that their Yeerks can't make them stand straight. The Chapmans make it so their Yeerks can hardly talk. Also the Chapmans hit themselves.

This scene is so moving because it shows a few things. It shows that hosts can resist the Yeerks. No host, according to Iniss, has ever won against a Yeerk. But they can resist. However, the most moving thing about this little scene is the fact that we see how much Melissa's parents really love her. They are willing to be infested but resist when Melissa's freedom is threatened. Chapman was an ass in The Andalite Chronicles, but his character has seemed to evolved during the interim. A lot, I might add.

Rachel is spooked by the incident. She tells Jake what's going on and both are impressed of the importance of the Chapmans resisting their Yeerks. Rachel says they're resisting because Melissa is being threatened.

The Yeerks regain control of their hosts and this has made an impact on Rachel. She had trouble, before, seeing Yeerks and their hosts as two separate beings. But now she has proof that there are two different creatures in one body. She tells Jake that the Yeerks are now regaining control.

Iniss tells the Yeerk in Ms. Chapman that he can't handle his host being rebellious. He has to be at school every day. Chapman is needing time to recover but he'll rebel again when he's recovered. But Iniss is annoyed because he thinks that what Chapman will be doing is just annoying and useless. Ms. Chapman points out that Chapman doesn't have to win, he just has to wait for one moment and then strike.

Chapman says he'll try to explain to the Visser why Melissa must stay a free human being. As Chapman is taking Rachel and Jake out Melissa comes in. She is confused about Fluffer being in the cage. Rachel becomes frightened because if Melissa doesn't back off then she'll be infested for sure.

Rachel thinks up a plan. She calls to Tobias, who luckily enough can hear her, and tells him to bring the real Fluffer inside the house. Of course Jake does his usual 'what the fuck is going on' thing since he is in flea morph.

Melissa is crying over Fluffer and Rachel is overloaded. She is dealing with possibly losing a friend and Jake yelling at her telling her to explain the situation.

Rachel looks as she is getting closer and closer to the car. Suddenly the real Fluffer comes shooting across the lawn. Because Rachel has cat vision she is able to see Tobias. Fluffer is scared and sees the cage and tries to get in it. He is shocked when he sees himself. Rachel says the cat part of her is confused since it's not part of any 'cat reality'. She also notices Tobias cut Fluffer to get him moving in the right direction.

Melissa is shocked and asks what's going on. Chapman replies that the cat in the cage isn't Fluffer and he's taking it to a shelter so 'his' owners can pick him up. Melissa asks why he didn't say that before and Chapman says he didn't notice her. The daughter brings up the fact that she was crying. Chapman is confused. And I think this part is more painful because we, the readers, know that her parents love her dearly. They love her so much that it gives them the strength to resist their Yeerks. But she doesn't know that and thinks this is further proof that she's doing something wrong.

Rachel tells Tobias thanks and asks Jake if he's still with her. Jake says he's still here but wants an update. Rachel tells him about the current situation. He says it's not hopeless but she has another opinion on the situation. She tells him to leave and he refuses to. He won't abandon Rachel. I'm just swooning over this part so much right now.

Rachel points out the only way things end out well is if Jake jumps off now and she gets tortured. To do otherwise is to risk two members of the team, of which one is the leader. I am getting teary eyed over the fact that Rachel is risking so much since she is so young.

Rachel informs Jake that they're at the Construction site. When he continues to refuse to get off her she starts to scratch him off. He finally relents and says he'll get off her.

Rachel looks at the Construction site and remembers the events from the first book. The events that started them off on the path to become Animorphs. She thinks of Elfangor dying and the fact that, like him, she was losing her fight. She starts to think if there is any hope and if fighting the Yeerks is just a useless gesture.

Before Jake jumps off he tells Rachel to be strong. To make sure that Jake has truly gone she talks to him. She says that she does need him and that she has changed her mind. When he doesn't reply she realizes she is all alone. Because Jake would totally not lie to her or anything.

Rachel sees the bug fighters descend. She is especially scared of the Blade ship. Chapman is scared of the Blade ship. This is because it's Visser Three's personal ship. Rachel starts to think about the possible outcomes. That the Visser would morph into the Vanarx and eat Iniss before killing Chapman.

Fear starts to eat away at her so she tries to borrow the cat's courage. But when the door of the Blade ship opened up Rachel experienced only fear.

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Animorphs Re-Read Table of Content