TOBIAS

Originally Aired: January 17, 1999
Written by: Carl Ellsworth
Directed by: Graeme Lynch

**This ep is a bit confusing to transcribe. Please note that anything Tobias says that is designated with T.S. means Thought-Speech, and he's in his hawk morph, mean while anything he says without it, means he's in his human form.**

Opens in Tobias' room. An alarm clock goes off..

AUNT MARY:
(calling out off screen) Toby? Toby are you up? Come on Toby, [you don't want to be late] for your first day of school. Toby!

TOBIAS:
(to himself) It's Tobias Aunt Mary. Not Toby.

Rolls out of bed and checks hair in a mirror and heads to the bathroom.

AUNT MARY:
(off screen) How'd you sleep? Was the bed comfy?

TOBIAS:
Yeah. Fine. It was really.. uh... soft.

The screen starts to flicker and the shot freezes as we pull out.

TOBIAS T.S.:
I don't believe it. That was me.

Cut to opening theme.

Cut to Ax in human morph holding what appears to be a shiny CD player. He is talking to Tobias by a stream and Tobias as a human was just an illusion.

AX:
Tobias, what is wrong?

TOBIAS T.S.:
It's freaky to watch.

AX:
But Tobias.. these are your own memories. The Dartak-det is simply converting them into a living diary for you, do you understand? It records your memories.

TOBIAS T.S.:
I just didn't know it was going to look so real.

AX:
We can stop if you wish.

TOBIAS T.S.:
No! I don't want to, I just have to get used to it.

AX:
Very well. Then I'll show you the real capabilities of this device.

Ax closes the device and suddenly everything goes black around them.

TOBIAS T.S.:
Whoa! What did you do Ax?

AX:
I'm adjusting the Dartak-det to project your memories around us, so we're not merely watching them on screen. Come here. (motions for Tobias to perch on his arm)

TOBIAS T.S.:
How come there's nothing here?

AX:
Well, you're not remembering anything.

TOBIAS T.S.:
So?

AX:
So remember something. It responds to your thoughts.

Suddenly Tobias and Ax are in a school.

TOBIAS T.S.:
It's working.

AX:
Do you know what we're observing Tobias?

TOBIAS T.S.:
It's my first day of school. Look!

Cut to Tobias as a human entering the school looking a bit bewildered. A girl knocks into him causing the books he was holding to fall.

GIRL:
Sorry.

Tobias hastily gathers up his books and walks toward some lockers. In front of them is a senior talking to some other girl.

TOBIAS:
Excuse me.

The guy ignores him, so Tobias taps him on the shoulder.

TOBIAS:
Excuse me. Hello. How you doing?

GUY:
What do you want?

TOBIAS:
Uh.. my locker.

GUY:
What? Are you new or something?

TOBIAS:
Yeah, I guess it's kinda written on my forehead.

GUY:
What? Now you've got attitude? The only thing I hate worse than a new kid, is a new kid with attitude. You see these lockers here? You see them new kid? Look at them. They're senior's lockers.

AX:
These "seniors", do they all behave so rudely?

TOBIAS T.S.:
Always.

The senior dude then proceeds to take Tobias' locker assignment (which is written on a slip of paper).

GUY:
The lockers for the underclassmen are downstairs, and yes, that would be you. Would you like a closer look?

The guy holds Tobias' locker assignment out In front of him. Rachel appears behind him and plucks it out of his hand.

RACHEL:
Hey, just as I thought, we're locker neighbors. (takes Tobias by the hand) Uh.. I need your help with something.

Rachel drags Tobias away from the senior, who winks at Tobias, as they leave.

Cut to Rachel and Tobias on the stairs. They are heading downstairs towards their lockers.

RACHEL:
Don't let Gerald get to you. Besides, he's been a senior for five years.

TOBIAS:
Really?

RACHEL:
Mmmhmm.

TOBIAS:
Uh.. thanks.

RACHEL:
No problem. By the way, I'm Rachel.

TOBIAS:
Tobias.

They reach the bottom of the stairs and are in front of the lockers.

RACHEL:
That should be yours there.

Rachel easily opens her locker and stuffs her books in as Tobias tries to open his. It doesn't open.

TOBIAS:
It must be welded shut.

RACHEL:
These lockers are so ancient. You just gotta have the touch.

Rachel fiddles with the locker, and gives it a good thump and it opens.

RACHEL:
There you go.

TOBIAS:
Thanks again, Rachel.

RACHEL:
So... feeling welcome on your first day of school?

TOBIAS:
Oh yeah.. I'm fitting right in.

RACHEL:
Maybe I'll catch you later.

TOBIAS:
Yeah [?]

As Tobias watches Rachel leave, the lights fade and he looks around.

TOBIAS T.S.:
What's this?

AX:
My turn.

Fade into Cassie's barn. She enters.

CASSIE:
Hey Ax, I've got some blankets for you. It's kinda cold in here at nighttime. How are Jake's clothes working out for you?

AX:
Very strange.. strange.. ange..

Ax turns around and Cassie (and we) see that he's got the sweater on backwards.

CASSIE:
You've got the sweater on backwards Ax. The buttons go on the front.

Ax tries to get it off, but ends up turning in circles and falling into Cassie.

CASSIE:
Just try and take it off, okay?

AX:
Yeah.

Cassie helps him get the sweater off by pulling it down off him. (It's a cardigan-type thing).

CASSIE:
Okay? Go this way then. Okay.. Step. Step. That's right. There you go. Okay keep practicing on those two legs. It still looks a little bit wobbly.

AX:
Yes, wobble, wobble-- wobbly!

CASSIE:
I've got some homework to do, but I'll be back in a couple of hours to see how you're doing okay?

Ax finds and puts on a motorcycle-type leather jacket.

AX:
Thank you Cassie.

CASSIE:
You'll be safe in here. Nobody knows you're here.

Ax finishes putting on the jacket as Cassie leave. He stumbles around and reaches into the pocket of the jacket to find ten dollars. He then proceeds to leave the barn.

TOBIAS T.S.:
You went out that day?

AX:
I had to get on with my mission-- to become better acquainted with your customs and people.

Cut to Ax stumbling down a grassy path to a busy road.

TOBIAS T.S.:
Looking good Ax.

As cars pass by him, he holds out his arm, and a cab who think's he hailing one, pulls over and stops.

CABBIE:
Yo kid.. you need a lift?

AX:
No, I need a transport.

CABBIE:
Well that's me, get in.

AX:
Oh. Many thanks.

Ax walks to the back of the cab and stands by the door waiting.

CABBIE:
You getting in kid?

AX:
Yes, I'm waiting for the airlock to open.

CABBIE:
It won't open by itself and I'm sure not a chauffeur, so just lift up the handle and pull.

AX:
Handle, handle (Ax pulls the handle and the door opens) Ah.. (gets into the cab) Hmmm...

CABBIE:
Hold on. (Pulls away from the curb quickly)

Cut to the mall entrance. The cab pulls up.

CABBIE:
Here we are.

TOBIAS T.S.:
I can't believe you actually did this.

Ax gets out of the cab and proceeds to enter the mall without paying the cabbie. The cabbie gets out of the car.

CABBIE:
Hey kid! Six bucks!

AX:
Six.. six... six..

CABBIE:
Six dollars. You kids.. come on now. Dig in those pockets and cough it up.

AX:
Dig? Ah! Yes.. pockets..

Ax pulls out the ten dollar bill and hands it to the cabbie and coughs.

CABBIE:
That's more like it.

AX:
Are you certain there will be an adequate sampling of humans who resemble me here?

CABBIE:
Kid, I don't shop in malls anymore ‘cause they're filled with humans who resemble you.

AX:
Ah.

CABBIE:
I think that you'll find plenty of your species inside.

AX:
Excellent.

Ax proceeds to go into the mall, but the cab driver stops him.

CABBIE:
Kid-- change.

AX:
Change? Into what?

Cabbie stares at Ax as if he's lost his mind and shoves four dollars into his hand and leaves. Ax heads into the mall.

Cut to Cyberia.

AX:
I was feeling much more confident walking on two legs.

TOBIAS T.S.:
You went to Cyberia looking and talking like that?

AX:
Like what?

TOBIAS T.S.:
That! I mean you look like John Travolta in Grease.

AX:
John Tra-- who?

TOBIAS T.S.:
Never mind.

Back to Ax when he was in Cyberia.

AX:
(walking up to a couple at a table) Greetings and salutations. My name is Aximilli-Esgarrouth-Is.. (suddenly leaves the two and walks up to the people at the bar) Hello. I enjoy your clothing. Greetings.

BOY:
How about that?

ANOTHER BOY:
Come on..

Cut to a kid playing a video game.

COMPUTER:
Congratulations Galactic Warrior. You are now in the overlord atmosphere with 200..

AX:
Is this a training program for human warriors?

BOY:
Exactly dude.

AX:
"Ultimate Space Challenge."

BOY:
Go! Go! Go! I've got him!

AX:
Oh, that is ridiculous.

BOY:
Yes! I've annihilated their fire base.

AX:
It is not possible to only use those six buttons to track a fleet vessel let alone destroy one.

BOY:
Who asked you?

AX:
Well with the limitations of your human finger dexterity and the primitive motor skills of your race, I'd worry about the safety of this planet.

As Ax is talking the guy loses the game.

BOY:
(grabbing Ax) I'd worry about your own safety pal.

Scene fades away to Ax against the black screen. He looks to the side.

AX:
Elfangor? Tobias, what is this memory?

TOBIAS T.S.:
It's the night we met Elfangor.

ELFANGOR:
Tobias!

TOBIAS:
How do you know my name?

ELFANGOR:
Guard this Tobias, with your heart and your soul. (Holds out the disk)

Tobias is reaching for it, but a strong wind seems to be holding him back.

AX:
Stop! Enough of this.

The scene fades back to the meadow where they started.

TOBIAS T.S.:
Ax, are you okay?

AX:
Elfangor, (sighs) my brother.

TOBIAS T.S.:
I'm sorry Ax. I couldn't control the memory. I didn't even know I was thinking...

AX:
Don't Tobias. It was a very important moment. I'm sorry I interrupted it. Let's continue.

TOBIAS T.S.:
Elfangor meant a lot to all of us Ax. He inspired us all and changed our lives.

AX:
Thank you Tobias.

TOBIAS T.S.:
But I wasn't dealing so well with the changes.

Cut to Tobias running in the woods.

AX:
Where are we Tobias? What is happening?

TOBIAS T.S.:
We were all trying to morph for the first time and I was totally freaking out.

TOBIAS:
These guys aren't for me. None of this is.

TOBIAS T.S.:
I mean we'd just met an alien who told us we had to save the world, and oh by the way, we could morph into animals. I just couldn't deal.

Tobias in the meanwhile is hyperventilating by a tree when he suddenly seems to realize that he's alone in the woods, and with all the strange animal noises, it's a spooky thing.

TOBIAS T.S.:
I didn't know what to do.

TOBIAS:
I'm losing it. (Runs out of the woods)

AX:
You didn't want to miss your friends.

Cut to Tobias in his room reading a magazine.

TOBIAS T.S.:
I didn't think I needed friends.

Suddenly through the air vent he hears his Aunt Mary talking on the phone.

AUNT MARY:
I don't know for how much longer. I'll have to give them an answer by Monday. Well, I'll talk to Toby, I mean Tobias. Can you believe he's such a big kid now, he won't let me call him Toby. Maybe he'll be okay with going back to his Uncle's for a while.

Cut to Tobias now at Cyberia listlessly playing a video game.

TOBIAS T.S.:
I started hoping all of it was just a bad dream. That it would just go away. No matter how many games I played, it wasn't going away.

Tobias gets up from the game and walks away. He sits by another computer.

MAN:
You look like you carrying the weight of the world right there, on both shoulders.

TOBIAS:
Yeah, it'll be there for a while.

MAN:
Why is that?

TOBIAS:
‘Cause I guess you carry the weight of the world on your shoulders when you're the guy that's gotta save it.

MAN:
Oh... you're the one. You have my sympathy. I mean whoever chose one person to save the world must be a little crazy. Sounds like you need to join forces. That would make [the] job a little easier don't you think?

TOBIAS:
They don't need me.

MAN:
They told you that?

TOBIAS:
No. Look, I didn't ask for this. You know? Things just seem to happen to me anyway.

MAN:
That so?

TOBIAS:
Yeah.

MAN:
I always say "Things happen."

TOBIAS:
I know and things happen for a reason, right?

MAN:
Right. Except for one. Things don't happen because of some mystical force you think is out to get you.

TOBIAS:
You'd be surprised.

MAN:
I'm saying, these things that just happen to you? Stand up to them. Make them a challenge. Show them that you're not going to let them get the best of you. If you don't, you'll just send up coming back here every time feeling sorry for yourself. But if you do... you just might find the answer to that question.

TOBIAS:
What question?

MAN:
"Why me?"

TOBIAS:
Thanks.. uh..

MAN:
Fred. And don't mention it. So, you're off to save the world?

TOBIAS:
Yeah, I think I'll give it a shot.

Tobias gets up, and suddenly is confused.

AX:
What's wrong?

TOBIAS T.S.:
It was the weirdest thing. It was like he was there one minute, and the next, he was gone.

Cut to the woods with Tobias crouching out there.

TOBIAS:
(sighs) Okay, let's see what this is about.

Holds out hand and starts to morph to a hawk, but stops and changes back to human.

TOBIAS:
What am I doing?

He then begins to focus and morphs into a hawk.

Cut to Tobias flying, and intersped with flashes of the town from a bird's-eye-view.

TOBIAS T.S.:
It was unbelievable Ax. I had a little trouble with my balance at first, sort of like with your walking, but soon I was riding the thermals like a pro. It was the greatest feeling--I finally felt free up there. Freer than I could have ever imagined. It was so cool. That's when I joined the fight. After I felt this new power as a hawk, I knew I could make a difference. Fred got me back on track, but Rachel made sure that I stayed there.

Cut to the next day with Tobias walking down the street home. Rachel runs up behind him.

RACHEL:
Hey Tobias!

TOBIAS T.S.:
This is the next day after we'd won our first battle against the yeerks.

TOBIAS:
Rachel, hi.

RACHEL:
Good to see you. Thanks for the heroic rescue last night.

TOBIAS:
Don't mention it.

RACHEL:
When you didn't say goodbye at the barn, we thought we'd seen the last of you.

TOBIAS:
Yeah, I thought you had too.

RACHEL:
Really?

TOBIAS:
Yeah, come on, I mean I'd just seen you guys turn into a cat, a horse..

RACHEL:
(laughs) A rat.

TOBIAS:
Yeah, Marco turned into a rat.

RACHEL:
Oh, a perfect choice.

TOBIAS:
I guess, I just took a little longer than you guys.

RACHEL:
I don't know about that.

TOBIAS:
You don't?

RACHEL:
No. Ever since we met Elfangor I've been asking myself "Why me?" I mean, why us? Why now? It's not like I don't have enough things to deal with. Fighting aliens wasn't exactly on my list.

TOBIAS:
You mean you've though about not doing this?

RACHEL:
Constantly.

TOBIAS:
That's a relief. I thought I was the only one.

RACHEL:
No way Tobias. We're all feeling the same thing, we're just dealing with it in different ways. Your way was a disappearing act, but that's okay.

TOBIAS:
What's your way?

RACHEL:
I just get on with it. Do what I have to do.

TOBIAS:
That's cool. So... are you going to stick with it?

They stop In front of a house.

RACHEL:
I'm not sure.

TOBIAS:
Me neither.

RACHEL:
After what I've seen, after what happened yesterday, I think so. It sounds crazy, but maybe this didn't just happen. What if we were chosen for a reason?

TOBIAS:
Like what?

RACHEL:
I don't know-- it's probably different for all of us.

TOBIAS:
So what's your reason?

RACHEL:
Just to make a little difference. We did that last night.

TOBIAS:
Yeah, that was just one night.

RACHEL:
Well, this is my place.

TOBIAS:
Oh, cool.

RACHEL:
Til next time?

TOBIAS:
Yeah, definitely.

AX:
You've always been courageous Tobias and you have taught me to be as well.

TOBIAS T.S.:
That means a lot, Ax, but don't think paying me a compliment's going to get you off the hook.

AX:
Oh, I didn't realize I was on a hook.

TOBIAS T.S.:
Cyberia, how did you get away from that guy?

AX:
Oh, I think it was the back door.

Cut back to Cyberia, and we see Ax falling into a pile of trash outside. There are three bullies standing above him and laughing.

AX:
Doesn't that happen to everybody?

TOBIAS T.S.:
Ax...

AX:
Just then my friend returned.

A Cabbie drives up.

CABBIE:
Yo kid, need a lift?

AX:
Why yes.

Ax gets into the cab.

Cut to the cab driving down a street and suddenly stopping.

CABBIE:
Get out. This is as far as four bucks gets ya.

Ax ends up in a park. He walks up to a girl selling ice-cream.

GIRL:
Ice-cream?

AX:
Greetings.

GIRL:
Hi. Do you want some ice-cream?

AX:
Oh yes, please.

GIRL:
What flavor?

AX:
Aximilli-Esgarrouth-Ishtil.

TOBIAS T.S.:
Wow..she's cute.

GIRL:
Okay.

AX V.O.:
Cute?

GIRL:
One scoop or two?

AX:
Yes.

GIRL:
I'll give you two, and since you're cute, it's on the house.

TOBIAS T.S.:
Ax, she's flirting with you.

AX V.O.:
Flirting?

TOBIAS T.S.:
Never mind.

AX:
What house?

GIRL:
(laughs) Here. Enjoy.

TOBIAS T.S.:
Man, you could have easily gotten her phone number.

AX:
But all I wanted was ice-cream.

TOBIAS T.S.:
(sighs) You've got a ways to go yet Ax.

Ax is puzzled with what to do with the ice cream and begins to wipe it on his shoe, but the girl sees.

GIRL:
Hey!

Ax, still confused, begins to wipe the ice-cream on his face. A dog barks and he looks up. A dog and his mistress are playing fetch. The woman throws the stick into some bushed and the dog runs after it. Ax drops the ice cream and goes towards the dog.

WOMAN:
(sees a dog exactly like hers run past her) Sugar! Sugar! (Suddenly she sees her dog emerge from the woods with the stick) What?

TOBIAS T.S.:
So that's how you got back to the barn.

Cut to the barn. Ax is returning just as Cassie is entering.

CASSIE:
Ax? Ax?

Ax finishes morphing back to human when Cassie sees him walking.

CASSIE:
Wow, you've gotten so much better.

AX:
Much practice... tice..

CASSIE:
Well keep up the good work. Do you need anything while I'm here?

AX:
No.

CASSIE:
Okay.

Cassie leaves the barn.

TOBIAS T.S.:
Much practice. Yeah, you've been practicing all over town.

The scene fades back to Ax and Tobias as a hawk against the black background.

AX:
And I must say, I've come to love being in my human form.

TOBIAS T.S.:
Ax, what memory is this?

A human Tobias walks up behind them.

AX:
Well, let's call it an ongoing memory, of you as a human.

TOBIAS:
How did this happen?

AX:
You're doing this Tobias. You're merely picturing yourself as a human.

TOBIAS:
Of course. The diary can create an instant memory. It's like I'm back.

AX:
You were never gone Tobias. It is an Andalite's belief that form is only a limited part of who we are. That is why we learned how to morph.

TOBIAS:
And I'm okay with it Ax. Being a hawk is a big part of me now.

The human Tobias the diary created begins to fuzz and fade.

AX:
I'm glad Tobias. And thank you for sharing your memories with me. It has truly been an honor.

TOBIAS T.S.:
Will you stop with the honor stuff? Besides Ax... the honor's all mine.

© Scholastic Entertainment / Transcript by Pam