We Animorphs are the most hunted, endangered species in the world. Animorph, it's Marco's word, pretty cool huh? You could say I kind of like him, as in LIKE.
Animorph, it means animal morpher, any human who, like an Andalite, has the power to morph. It has some awesome responsibilities. We six were chosen, or that's how I like to think of it, by a dying Andalite Prince. It's been hard on all of us. I mean, no kid should have this much responsibility on their shoulders. It had been a week of almost nothing but battles, and we were all drained.
Rachel and I were going to the mall, when we saw a flash of light and way up in the sky we saw something falling.
"Whoa, Rachel did you see that?" I asked when I first saw the tiny dot way up in the sky.
"I do now, what is it?"
"I haven't the faintest. But whatever it is, it's coming down fast!"
Whatever it was, was a book. Old and worn, but still in pretty good shape. It was, or at least it looked like, a Journal. Hand-written in the classic style. It was well written in the extreme. I realized something then, I recognized this book from somewhere - but where?
Oh! Of corse, I knew now where I had seen this book before. It was, or rather is, Atrus's Myst book.
"Rachel, I know this will sound weird, but. I've seen this book before," I said, knowing it wouldn't seem so weird next to some of the things we Animorphs have seen.
"Why is that so weird?" See, what'd I tell you.
"Because, I've seen this book. It's not normal. I think Atrus called it a 'Linking Book'," I said.
"Who's Atrus? And what's a linking book?" Rachel asked.
"Atrus is this guy I know from a game called Myst."
"Myst, I've heard of that game. It's where you have to find out who's destroying Myst island, isn't it?"
"Yeah, and you have to fine out who to release from the prison book."
"Cool, why don't we show this to the others?"
"I don't see why not."
We set off for Cassie's barn.
"Hey guys! You'll never guess what we found," Rachel said.
"What?" Jake asked.
"The Myst book," I answered.
"What Myst book?" Marco asked.
"Haven't you ever played Myst?"
"No," he said.
"Have you even heard of it?"
"Yeah, once."
"Have any of you heard of it?" I asked, directing my question to the others.
"Yeah, I've sort of heard of it," Jake said.
<I haven't,> Tobias commented.
<Nor have I,> Ax added.
"I haven't either," was Cassie's reply.
"Okay, then I'll fill you guys in," I said.
"Myst is a computer game, in it the player has to solve mysterys and puzzles. It's hard, but it's cool too."
<So, this book leads to that world also?> Ax asked.
"Yeah."
"Cool. So, oh Fearless Leader, do we go in, or do we stay out?" Marco asked.
"I don't know, we have a responsibility to defend Earth from the Yeerks, but then again we could all use the vacation."
"Why don't we vote on it, Jake-o?" I sugested.
"Okay, lets. What do you think of the idea Cassie?"
Figures that he'd ask Cassie first, he kind of has this thing, this crush, on her.
"I kind of like the idea, we could all use a bit of rest. And I think the puzzles would keep us sharp. I vote yes."
"Rachel?"
"As much as I like the idea of going into another world, I vote no, what if the Yeerks attack while we're gone?"
No surprises there.
"Fair enough. Marco?"
"I vote we go, I've had enough danger for one week."
"Okay. Tobias?"
<I vote yes, Marco's right there has been enough danger.>
"Ax?"
<I would like to see this mist, Prince Jake, but if the Yeerk scum attack who would be there to stop them?>
"It's not mist, Ax. It's Myst," I said.
"Okay, three in favor, two against, Katie, or should I even ask?"
"Yes, I vote we go."
I had seen the image before, but still it was pretty amazing to see it for real.
It was almost black at first, then it grew brighter, it looked like a work of art.
The image was of an island, trees and biuldings. It was way cool. The picture was like a real-time fly-by of the island, I had expected as much from playing the game. When the image was at full zoom, I touched it.