Prologue: Leaving

A/N: The apparent winner of my poll! X3 Though, I'm not sure how far this story is going to go, we'll all see what happens, huh? XD Ideas are definitely welcome.

Onward to the chapter!

Ulrich sat Indian-style on Jeremie's bed and looked at his hands. He wasn't sure how to tell them that he was leaving… He knew that it was going to be difficult, but not this bad. It had taken him ten minutes just to stammer out to Aelita that he needed to talk to everyone about something important. He didn't have his normal confidence.

"You can tell us, you know that, right? We won't get mad if you did something that you think is going to hurt us…" Aelita told him, putting a re-assuring hand on his shoulder.

Ulrich took in a deep breath and then began, "Well, since Xana has been attacking less and less lately I decided it was time for me to move on… If I want to get anywhere in the world of soccer then I need to get to an athletic school… So, my dad found a better job opportunity and now we're moving to the United States…"

His friends all began speaking at once.

"It could be a trap placed by Xana, you know."

"Don't think that we only want you here because of Lyoko!"

"Who else am I supposed to pull pranks with and hangout with?"

"Just leave us behind when things get boring? Nice one Ulrich…" Yumi said angrily after the others had quieted down. She stormed out of the room, slamming the door as she left.

"I was offered a full paid scholarship to this boarding school in America that has an amazing athletics program… If I want to be a professional soccer player when I'm out of school I need to get in to a big name school and get scouted. I can't stay here for the rest of my schooldays kicking butt and barely slipping by in school…" he stated looking at his friends' expressions. Odd's was hurt, Jeremie's was of pure anger and hurt, and Aelita's face was one of understanding. At least one of them got it…

(*)(*)(*)(*) A Few Days Later (*)(*)(*)(*)

Ulrich kicked the soccer ball and got it up in the air. He balanced it on his head before dropping it back down to his knee and then to his foot. His dad was due to be here soon and Aelita had promised to see him off. She'd said that she'd try to get Odd to come, but that's the best case scenario. Jeremie and Yumi were still fuming at the news. He turned around to be tackled with a hug.

"We're gonna miss you, buddy," Odd stated as he pulled himself away from the hug and let Aelita hug him.

"Glad to hear it… I made this decision out of faith in you guys… I know you can best Xana even without me…" he stated as rain began to sprinkle down.

Aelita nodded and hugged him tighter. "We're going to miss you…"

"If you ever think of coming back you'll know where to find us. I'll make sure Delmas keeps our room open for you," Odd stated as his dad's car pulled up.

"My dad said we'll be there for at least a year. If his job is decent and he's getting paid well enough, we'll stay. If not, we'll be moving back here," Ulrich stated as he gave the two one last hug and went toward his dad's car. "Bye!"

"Bye!" they both yelled as the car drove off.

"Do you really think we can defeat Xana without him?" Odd asked as they ran back toward the dorm building, neither of them having brought a coat.

Aelita shrugged. She wasn't sure. "We'll see when the time comes, I guess…

For a few weeks everything was quiet… Odd, Kiwi, and Aelita silently mourned Ulrich's leaving and Jeremie and Yumi stayed holed up. Yumi normally stayed at her house and only left for school. She didn't talk to anyone and went straight home after school let out.

Jeremie basically did the same thing, though he sporadically skipped school or a certain class here and there.

For Ulrich, things were going pretty well. He was getting good grades because he could actually pay attention and study and he was getting better and better at soccer and the coach already loved him. It was amazing.

He'd made a few friends, but not many and he was beginning to settle into the way things worked at his new school. He didn't like the bad habits most of the students had picked up, but oh well. He was better than drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol.

Or was he?

A/N: Fail of a prologue chapter thing, but oh well. It set the mood and idea of the story. This will probably be short, so don't expect too many chapters. X3

Read and review!

~MoonlitxAngel