"I know. I wish there was something to be done as well. Preventing the spread of the infection is a benefit, this is necessary, but it is a terrible thing to be necessary." Then she shakes her head. "It would only have hurt you to try. Your friend was here, and me - we were enough for this."

Toby was angry during the fight, and afraid all out of proportion to how small the creatures were. The Cywld always makes her think of the virus used on her people, though it is at least less virulent and grotesque and painful than the stories. When her father told them some of those listening would cover their eyes after making small cuts under them, to be the afflicted. Toby would go to all fours and raise her neck and tail as high as she could in her best approximation of an Andalite body, to react as her great-grandmother had.