This is dedicated to the brave soldiers at Wikipedia, as well as everyone here, especially mageintheshadows. Oh, and there are no OCs in this one!
There are mushrooms all around you.
- - -
- - -
"It's over, Aelita," said the bright orbs that were her father. "Xana is too powerful. He's become a threat to all mankind. I've got to shut down the supercomputer."
Aelita sat inside the tower, overwhelmed with fear that her daddy would disappear forever. "But does that mean we'll die?" she asked unsteadily.
Franz Hopper's answer was stern but calm. "No. But you mustn't forget me! Ever! Never forget, Aelita!"
Aelita didn't understand what he meant, but she had no further time for reflection; the tower grew dark, and the little girl drifted into unconciousness.
Aelita's tearstained eyes fluttered open. She sat up in bed, slightly dizzy. The clock beside her read 3:36 a.m.
She wiped the tears from her face, surprised at herself for crying in her sleep. Her father had told her to never forget, but she would rather not listen to that now. Aelita didn't want to remember the pain that tore her apart again each night in her dreams.
Franz Hopper only wanted his daughter to be happy. He wanted a world without danger, but Xana was a menace to the whole planet. Then again, it was probably Jeremie's fault for starting up the supercomputer. No, it wasn't. If it weren't for Hopper there would be no supercomputer to start up.
Moonlight, being interrupted by windowpanes, made four square shadows on the wall. The air was so hot that Aelita could scarcely breathe, but she was sure it was cooler outside.
On nights such as this, she felt the urge to visit the Hermitage, or Lyoko, or any place that reminded her of her past life. Lyoko was only virtual, and she had been imprisoned there for several years, but it was a place where she always felt safe, despite the monsters. It may have been a virtual universe, but to Aelita it was very real.
Lyoko. She found it hard to believe that her home away from home was left with only two regions, the Mountains and Sector 5. She would have to avoid the Scyphozoa.
A bit exhausted, Aelita decided to go back to sleep to stop her racing thoughts. Maybe her dreams would be less scary this time.
- - -
As the sun kissed the horizon, Ulrich was stuffing book after book into his knapsack. He turned around as he realized he was one book shy and scanned the room with his eyes, but found no trace of his history book. Finally, discovering it under Odd's pillow, he pulled it out mercilessly.
"Hey, what are you doing? I'm trying to sleep," Odd whined.
"Sleep?" Ulrich repeated slowly. "We have no time for sleep, good buddy. We have to get this room in tip-top shape. Don't you remember what today is?"
Odd instantly sprang out of bed, his eyes as wide as saucers. "It's the anniversary!" He was right. That breezy day was the two-year anniversary of the day that Team Lyoko met Aelita. Since it was a Sunday, the event would not be spoiled by endless classes and homework. As a bonus, there had been no Xana attacks recently.
As for the method of celebration, Yumi and Jeremie thought Aelita would be delighted if Yumi's mother baked a cake; Ulrich said they should just get her a present or two; Odd wanted to throw a grand party with the works. The decision eventually turned in Yumi and Jeremie's favor. The group had no money, and a cake would cost little.
Now Odd started to push different things into his closet. "Did Mrs. Ishiyama bake that cake yet?" he asked, his voice muffled from being buried in the closet.
Ulrich shrugged. "Don't know. I'll call Yumi." He picked up his cell and dialed the number. "Hey, is the cake ready?" Pause. "What? Well, can you fix it?" Pause. "I don't know, just lock him in his room." Pause. "But why? I thought it was a cake, not a Chinese dishtowel." Pause. "Alright, bye Yumi." He hung up, then turned to Odd, who brought his head out of the closet to hear the news.
With a sigh, Ulrich reported, "Hiroki devoured the cake. All of it. Yumi said she and her mom worked really hard on it, and it was strawberry too."
"Didn't they punish him?"
"Hiroki locked himself in his room. They can't get through to him."
Odd sat on the ground and threw his hands in the air in exasperation. "Well, what now? I really wanted something special for Aelita today! I mean, it's no anniversary without a cake, you know!"
"Do I detect a hint of concern?" Ulrich laughed. "Hey, Odd, it's gonna be alright, don't spaz out on me."
Odd turned scarlet ruby and quickly mumbled, "I wasn't spazzing out, I..."
"Okay. Sorry, Romeo. Look, we can pick up a cake at the store and replace the one Yumi's brother ate. No big deal."
"But it's not as special as a homemade one."
"Birthday Girl won't know the difference. Promise."
"It's not her birthday, Ulrich, it's the two-year anniv--"
"Odd! Details! Whatever!"
- - -
Yumi walked across the courtyard with a strawberry cake, keenly searching for any of her male friends. For now, she had to make herself scarce from the Birthday Girl at all costs while holding the magical cake. She must be prepared, on Aelita patrol. Odd had given her strict instructions to guard the cake. "Don't let her see it until 3:00 p.m.!" he
Distraught by her brother eating the cake that she and her mother baked so painstakingly, Yumi bought another one at the store before coming to Kadic. It wasn't as alluring as the original, but hopefully it would be enough.
She received a lot of curious stares from her schoolmates, but continued her march until she reached the dormitory building. She dashed down the hall and knocked on Millie and Tamiya's door.
Millie opened it and greeted amiably, "Hi Yumi."
"Hello," Yumi replied. "Listen, can you and Tamiya hold onto this cake until 3:00? It's for a friend of mine."
"Absolutely," Millie assured her. "We'll take great care of it, don't worry."
"Cool, I appreciate that. Well, I have to go. Bye."
Just as she stepped outside, Yumi's cell phone rang. "Yes, Jeremie?" she answered, listening intently. "Okay, I'm on my way." She hung up and looked at the sky. So much for the anniversary. Thanks a lot, Xana!