Part 1
Ulrich: Are you ready to lose?
He looked over his shoulder, giving a mocking smile to his friend.
Odd: I'm still going to beat you!
The two boys race through the Sector 5 maze. Ulrich has the upper hand, but Odd is closing the distance fast. As they approach the Celestial Dome, he leaps in the air and passes Ulrich just in time to win the race. He stops the Overboard and looks his friend in the eyes with a victorious look.
Odd: I told you!
Ulrich climbs out of his vehicle and stands in front of his friend. He ignores Odd's attempts at teasing him as his eyes observe the Celestial Dome, reminiscing on all the battles fought against XANA. In particular, the time he almost lost Yumi standing in that same platform almost two years prior. At that time their relationship was much different, new and fragile like a tiny sprout. Jeremie's voice brings Ulrich from the depths of his mind back to the world.
Jeremie: How is everything in there?
Ulrich: Just the same. Absolutely fantastic...
Odd realizes he won't catch his friend's attention and decides to aimlessly navigate the interface. In the lab, the elevator door opens. Yumi steps into the lab. Resting on her hands is a square box with the words 'Eiffel Pâtisserie' written on each side of the box.
Yumi: How's it going?
Jeremie: Everything's fine.
Yumi: I think it's time to bring them back. She approaches the boy and looks at the monitor. It's getting late.
Jeremie goes over many windows at a steady pace. For the boy, nothing out of the ordinary seems to be happening in Lyoko; however, Yumi notices an unusual presence inside the Core room when Jeremie hovers the Sector 5 virtual map.
Yumi: Is that normal?
She points to a spot on the virtual map. Jeremie's eyes drift to the screen, but before he is able to grasp what is going on, Ulrich's voice echoes through the room.
Ulrich: Jeremie, can you... explain this?
Yumi holds firmly to the back of Jeremie's chair. Ulrich's distressed tone of voice made her heart race. Pounding on her chest like the bells of the Notre-Dame.
Jeremie: Explain what? What's happening?
Ulrich doesn't answer Jeremie's first plea for clarification, increasing his tension. After breathtaking seconds, the boy speaks up again.
Jeremie: Ulrich, what are you talking about?
Both Yumi and Jeremie's eyes lock onto the monitor, unsure about the nature of Ulrich's question. Scene shifts to Lyoko, Odd and Ulrich look mesmerized at the sight of the Skid. It connects to the Forest Sector tunnel and opens it, before exiting Sector 5.
Ulrich: The Skid is here, and there's someone piloting it.
Jeremie: That's not possible, the Skid was destroyed! Find Aelita and... Wait, where's Aelita?!
The virtual map no longer shows her in the Core Room.
Jeremie: Aelita, AELITA CAN YOU HEAR ME?!
He shifts his attention to Ulrich.
Jeremie: Ulrich, Odd, go after the Skid, I can't contact Aelita. Something is wrong.
Jeremie taps nervously on his chair's armrests.
Yumi: I knew this wasn't a good idea, why did I accept this... She looks at Jeremie. I'm going in, they might need reinforcements.
Yumi is quickly virtualized to the Forest Sector. She hops to the Overwing, and heads towards the Skid.
Jeremie: The Skid is heading your direction. Do everything to stop it!
Odd and Ulrich are barely able to keep the fast traveling Skid within sight. Yumi, in the other hand, is fastly approaching it. The three Lyoko Warriors are starting to corner the submarine. Jeremie looks at the map, both Yumi and the Skid are on the verge of colliding.
Jeremie: Yumi, get out of the way!
Yumi: If the Skid hits me, it'll damage the shields and make it vulnerable to Odd and Ulrich's attacks. I don't think whomever is piloting wants that.
The distance closes fast, and when Yumi finally realizes she won't be able to stop the Skid, it's already too late. She collides head on the Skid and is sent back to Earth. Immediately as the scanner opens, she delivers a strong punch to it.
Yumi: What an idiot!
Inside the Skid, warnings show up everywhere, signaling to the shields damage. The pilot stops the Skid and de-energizes onto the Forest Sector platform. Ulrich and Odd catch up and stop their vehicles. They face their opponent, a young girl with short white hair and ice cold blue eyes. She is wearing a light blue long dress ornamented with silver. She is wearing white gloves and a silver bracelet, as well as crystal blue high heels. A silver necklace with a blue light scarf made out of silk completed the look, making her seem out of place comparing to the combat equipped Lyoko Warriors. This sight makes the male Warriors mesmerized at her beauty, but also makes them confident on the fight.
Ulrich: The pilot is a girl. She looks...
Yumi: She looks WHAT?!
Her voice makes Ulrich shake and mentally curses himself for his comment. He looks to the Skid and sees a passed out Aelita inside Yumi's NavSkid.
Ulrich: Aelita's in the Skid.
Jeremie: Get her out of there asap!
Ulrich: Odd, I'll buy you some time. Hurry and get to the Skid.
Odd speeds up in the Skid's direction. The girl starts running to the Warriors, moving surprisingly fast for her footwear. As Odd passes her she turns around and motions her left hand towards him. From her left hand an almost transparent dark blue beam appears and attaches to the Overboard. Her grasp quickly drains it's life points, sending Odd to the ground. When she is ready to attack Odd, Ulrich whistles loudly shifting her attention. She looks at him with defiance painted on her face. She rushes to Ulrich, who super prints in her direction.
Jeremie: Odd, GO!
Odd starts heading to the Skid again. When Ulrich and the girl are about to collide, she vanishes into thin air. A puzzled look appears in Ulrich's face, but just as soon as she had disappeared, she reappears just behind Ulrich and uses her grasp to drain Ulrich's life points, making him fall from the Overbike. He lies on the ground, barely able to move, each second under her grip feeling like a thousand years, making him weaker. At the same time he is devirtualized, Odd is caught off guard, when the speeding Overbike runs him over and sends him back to the scanners. Tasting her victory, the girl heads back to the Skid and touches it with her right hand. White light emanates from it. Inside the submarine, the warnings disappear, replacing them with the shield window indicating they had been fully healed. She then energizes and disappears into the digital sea with the Skid and Aelita inside of it.
Scene shifts to the lab, Jeremie types feverishly with Yumi by his side, in the verge of tears. Ulrich and Odd enter the lab room defeated. They sit in the ground and don't say a word. Aelita has been taken from them.
Jeremie: This is not possible, sh-she must b-be in L-Ly-Lyoko somewhere. SHE HAS TO!
He punches the keyboard with all his strength. His rage quickly dissolves into a sense of emptiness and loss. Unable to say a word, the defeated Warriors look at the boy. In between tears, Jeremie's is able to mumble at his friends.
Jeremie: G-Guys, leave me alone. I'll find h-her. I'll bring her back. J-just leave me alone.
The three Warriors look at each other and nod. They enter the elevator, leaving Jeremie on his own. On the bridge outside the factory, Yumi, Ulrich and Odd walk silently on the bridge under the starry night sky.
Odd: I hope Aelita is ok...
Ulrich: I'm sure she is! Jeremie will find her in no time. Isn't that right, Yumi?
Yumi: We don't know what we are dealing with... I knew this wasn't a good idea.
Ulrich: There's no way we would've predicted this.
Odd: We should get going... It's late and we there's nothing we can do now.
Ulrich: Do you want me to walk you home, Yumi?
Yumi: I need to be alone, Ulrich. Talk to you later.
Yumi parts ways from the boys. She arrives home to her parents waiting in the living room.
Mrs. Ishiyama: Yumi, you're late, we are about to start dinner.
Yumi: I'm not hungry, I'm going to bed. Goodnight.
Hiroki seizes the opportunity to tease his sister and deliver his catchphrase.
Hiroki: Oh, Ulrich... Ulric-
Yumi: Shut up!
Yumi runs upstairs, she enters her room and locks the door. The girl sits on the ground, and a few tears fall down her cheeks. In their room, Ulrich and Odd lie quietly on their beds.
Ulrich: Odd, are you asleep?
Odd: No, what about you?
Ulrich: No...
Odd: I wonder where she is right now.
Ulrich: I don't know. But we'll save her.
Odd: I hope so.
Night turns into day, Kadic slowly wakes up to a Sunday mourning of October without classes. Jeremie arrives at Kadic at lunch time. He grabs a coffee from the vending machines and heads to his room. He has bags under his eyes from the sleepless night. The blow of losing Aelita has hit him the hardest. Ulrich spends the day at the gym, trying to keep the events of the previous day off his mind by practicing Pencak Silat. At the end of the day, while leaving the gym, he decides to call Yumi.
Ulrich: Hey... how are you today?
Yumi: I'm fine.
Ulrich: We need to talk, as a group. We have classes tomorrow, and we'll have to explain Aelita's disappearance.
Yumi: You're right. Have you spoken to Jeremie?
Ulrich: I tried to call him, he didn't answer.
Yumi: I'm sure he has a plan.
Ulrich: I sure hope he does. I'm going to take a shower now, see you tomorrow.
Yumi: Wait Ulrich! Thank you for calling.
Ulrich: Anytime, that's what friends do for each other.
Yumi: Yeah... That's what friends do.
Ulrich: I'm going to hang up now. Bye.
Ulrich takes a cold shower in the empty boys bathroom. When he's done, he goes into Jeremie's room. He speaks with a bubbly tone of voice, trying to cheer up his friend.
Ulrich: Heeey Einstein, how are you doing?
Jeremie: Trying to find a way to bring Aelita back.
Ulrich: Any idea already?
Jeremie: I'm trying to rebuild the Skid. If she disappeared into the digital sea, we'll need it to search for her.
Ulrich: And how long will it take you?
Jeremie: Without Aelita to help me... Probably a month.
Ulrich's optimism takes a strong blow from the news. He tries to hide his disappointed look from his friend and keeps questioning him.
Ulrich: Do you have any plan to cover up her disappearance?
Jeremie: That's dealt with. I called Delmas this mourning over the factory.
Ulrich: Yumi said you would have a plan, Einstein. Do you have any idea who took her? Do you think it could be XANA?
Jeremie: I have no idea...
The conversation continues for a few minutes before Ulrich decides to go to sleep. He heads to the door and places his hand on the door handle but decides to turns around. Jeremie is facing away from him. The light of the computer monitor engulfs him. A new feeling takes over him. Worry.
Ulrich: Jeremie, I think you should go to bed...
Jeremie: That won't bring her back.
Ulrich: You've already pulled an all-nighter. You need to rest.
The blond boy remains unmoved.
Jeremie: Ulrich, do me a favor and let me work.
Ulrich tries to convince his friend once more to no avail, and decides to go back to his room. Odd's playing with Kiwi on his bed when Ulrich enters the room. They exchange a few words before the two of them decide to go to sleep. The next day, Mrs. Hertz class starts with an announcement, unexpected by most.
Mrs. Hertz: Class, pay attention! As some of you might already know Aelita Stones isn't here today. She had to travel to Canada for a family emergency. We are not sure when she is coming back.
Odd and Ulrich look to Jeremie. The boy genius has a fatigued look and is making his best to stay awake. His eyes feeling heavier by the minute. When class ends, the three boys meet Yumi at the vending machines. They talk about Aelita until William shows up.
William: Hey guys, how are you doing?
William inserts a coin into the one of the machines and waits for his coffee, while Yumi sips on her hot chocolate.
Odd: We are well. What about you, William?
William: A little tired.
He picks up his coffee and starts walking away.
William: It was great to talk to you.
William joins a group of people and when they are far enough, the conversation resumes.
Odd: Shouldn't we tell him?
Yumi: We can't trust him in Lyoko again.
After classes end for the day, Ulrich, Odd and Yumi hang out in the boys' room. Yumi and Ulrich sit on the boy's bed while Odd feeds Kiwi.
Yumi: This is so frustrating! Jeremie's is doing all the work by himself. I feel so useless.
Ulrich: Relax, Yumi. We need to trust him.
Yumi: I know... I just hate this feeling.
Ulrich: I hope he stops and sleeps tonight.
Yumi: What?
Ulrich: He has pulled all-nighters since Saturday.
Yumi: That's not good. Anyways, I'm going home. I'm already late.
Yumi exits the room. In the corridor, she finds Jeremie.
Yumi: Jeremie, what are you doing? Are you done for the day?
Jeremie: No, I still want to finish some stuff. I'm just taking a bathroom break.
Yumi: I think you should go to sleep, Ulrich told me you haven't slept since Aelita was taken.
Jeremie: I can't... I need to...
He starts to tear up. Yumi embraces him.
Jeremie: I miss her so much. The day I turned that supercomputer on I promised I would protect her no matter what happened. I failed.
Yumi: You didn't. You couldn't have known, none of us did. I also miss her, but I trust you, I know you'll find her. But you need to rest.
Jeremie: Ok... I'm going to sleep. See you tomorrow.
Yumi: Promise?
Jeremie: Yeah... let me just go to the bathroom.
They break the hug and go their separate ways. Yumi heads home and Jeremie goes to the bathroom. Afterwards, he enters his room. He puts on his pajamas and lies in bed, he stares emotionlessly at the ceiling. Desperation surfaces, tears come down his cheeks raging, he balls his fists and let's a sob escape from his mouth. He cries until he is fully void of energy and sinks deeply into sleep.
Part 2
A week goes by, the Lyoko Warriors start coping with the absence of Aelita. However, suspicion starts arising in the school. One afternoon, Odd and Ulrich hangout next to the vending machines. Sissi shows up, the smirk on her face indicative of her trouble-seeking attitude.
Sissi: Oh look, aren't they the leftover dorks. I bet Aelita ran way to Canada because of you weirdos...
Ulrich: Sissi leave.
Sissi: ...and Jeremie, poor thing. She pretends to cry. His littl-
Sissi's words open a gash on the boys. This time Odd takes action and walks up to her. He grabs her wrist and looks at her in the eyes. A threatening expression in his face makes Sissi step back.
Odd: HE TOLD YOU TO LEAVE!
Ulrich looks at his friend with a surprised look, Odd's reaction to Sissi's provocations was unexpected.
Delmas: What are you doing? Odd looks behind his shoulder. Mr. Delmas has arrived just in time to see him scream at his daughter.
I don't tolerate this behavior in this school, much less to my daughter. I want you in my office, right now!
Odd and Delmas leave. Ulrich and Sissi are left behind. He gives her a condescending look.
Ulrich: You truly are an awful person...
The boy leaves as well. Sissi balls her fists and pretends to brush off Ulrich's comment, but guilty takes over her. At lunch time, Yumi, Ulrich and Jeremie wait for Odd to arrive from the headmaster's office. Kiwi's owner joins them a few minutes later. He sits with his head in between his arms.
Odd: Four hours of detention after classes and Delmas is going to call my parents.
Ulrich: Sissi is the worst.
Yumi: I can't stand her.
Jeremie: She has only gotten worse since you started dating.
The rumors spread through the school like wildfire. Yumi and Ulrich blush at their friend's remark.
Odd: Wait, IS THAT TRUE?!
Yumi: Of course not. Milly and Tamiya saw us in the gym and they decided to write whatever came to their minds. Ulrich seems disappointed by Yumi's words, but decides to remain quiet. Also, thanks for nothing Jeremie!
Ulrich decides to change the subject when he realizes Yumi isn't very happy.
Ulrich: How's the progress on the Skid, Jeremie?
Jeremie: I was working faster than predicted until I found a bug yesterday. I'll try to solve it today.
William passes by the table with some of his friends, but decides to separate from the group and join the Lyoko Warriors. Once again they immediately stop their conversation and look at him. Some suspicion is noticeable in his voice.
William: Hey guys! What's up...?
Yumi: Just... having lunch.
William: Ok... Some friends and I are going to the cinema after classes, do you want to come?
Yumi: Why not? I need to have some fun after what happened...
Her friends stare at her.
William: What happened?
Yumi: Uhh... Nothing.
William: Are you guys hiding something from me?
Ulrich suddenly shifts his attention to the newcomer.
Ulrich: I-I'll go as well! T-to the movie! I want to go too.
This clumsy attempt of changing the subject, makes William even more suspicious.
William: Ok... He decides to play into their game and stops questioning them. What about the both of you?
Odd: I have detention, can't go.
He sighs and leaves.
Jeremie: I'm busy.
He also leaves.
William: What happened to the four of you?!
Yumi: We just... miss Aelita.
Ulrich gives her a worried look.
William: I'm sure she will come back soon. He gets up. I need to get going, see you.
Yumi waves slightly.
Ulrich: Are you crazy?! 'We miss Aelita'? I thought you didn't want him to know!
Yumi: I don't, but he is getting suspicious and I needed something convincing enough to tell him.
After classes, Yumi, William and his friends leave class and wait at Kadic's entrance. It's only a few minutes before Ulrich, Sissi and other 10th graders show up. Johnny and Hiroki are amongst the group.
Yumi: Wait, what are the both of you doing here?
Hiroki: We are going the cinema. Do you think we would miss the 'Attack of the Aliens 2'?
Yumi: Wait, is that what we are going to watch?
William: Yeah, isn't that cool?
Yumi: ... Yeah I guess.
Johnny: Yumi, if you want we can share the popcorn.
Yumi accepts Johnny's offer, and pats his head.
Hiroki: Be careful Johnny, you don't want to Ulrich to be jealous.
Yumi and Ulrich blush and look at the kid with a threatening look, causing him to laugh loudly.
Sissi: Let's get going or we will be late.
As the group starts walking away from Kadic, Ulrich mumbles to Yumi.
Ulrich: Odd should be here instead of her.
Odd sits in the library, empty at that time of the day. Jim is the only one there apart from him. He is reading a magazine, not paying attention to the teenager. Jeremie sits in his room, trying to fix the bug on the Skid's program, which is revealing to be harder than the boy expected. Scene shifts to the cinema, some students buy tickets and popcorn, while others decide to use the bathroom before the start of the movie. In the empty projection room a socket flashes with electricity. Suddenly, a dark shadow comes out of it, climbs the wall and gets into a movie projector. The group of Kadic students starts entering their cinema room. Yumi sits in between Johnny and Ulrich. Herb and Nicholas enter the room empty-handed right behind Sissi, who carries a huge bucket of popcorn.
Sissi: The both of you, go sit in the back. I don't want you near me right now.
Herb: But Sissi, I-I thought we were going to share the popcorn.
Sissi: Do you think I was going to share my popcorn with you?
She signals them to go to the back of the theater. They leave and Sissi starts approaching Ulrich.
Sissi: Ulrich dear, do you mind if I sit here next to you?
Ulrich: I do, go sit in the back.
Sissi: But I have some popcorn, do you want to share?
Ulrich: Not really.
His words are intentionally short, cold and straight to the point. Sissi's pride is hurt. She looks around and notices the only vacant seat is next to Herb. She sits next to him with an infuriated look painted on her face. When he tries to take some popcorn out of her basket, she slaps his hand making him retreat. In Jeremie's room, the boy is immersed in his work. All of a sudden, the superscanner goes off.
Jeremie: This can't be happening right now...
In the theater, the movie starts playing. The very first scene is action packed, jelly-like blue glowing aliens with tentacles serving as arms fight each other with the help spaceships.
Hiroki: This is sick!
Suddenly, the screen surface acquires the properties of a Lyoko tower, giving the ability to some of the aliens to break the forth wall and start coming out of the projection screen into the room.
Sissi: I wasn't expecting this kind of uh... effects.
When the people in the room realize what's unveiling upon their eyes, panic takes over the room. People start running around screaming. Sissi, Herb and Nicholas hide under their sits, while Yumi and Ulrich stand up, ready to fight. The boy's phone rings. He answers the call and Jeremie's voice is heard on the other side.
Jeremie: Ulrich, there's an activated tower.
Ulrich: I've figured.
Jeremie: I need you in Lyoko.
Ulrich: The cinema is full of aliens. There's no way we will make it out of here.
Jeremie: I'll try calling Odd instead, just hang in there. I'll figure this out.
Ulrich: And how do you plan to do that? Aelita isn't here to deactivate the tower.
Jeremie: I don't know, but I'll find a way.
Ulrich: Do you think XANA is behind this?
Jeremie: I can't know for sure.
He hangs up the phone.
Yumi: What's happening?
Ulrich: An activated tower.
Yumi: Is it Xana?
Ulrich: Jeremie's not sure.
Yumi: How are we going to deactivate it without Aelita?
Ulrich: No clue...
Yumi: When I thought things couldn't get any worse.
William: Did I heard it right?
William approaches Yumi and Ulrich.
Yumi: It's nothing William. Just help us get everyone out of here safely.
Yumi rushes to Sissi's aid. She has been dragged from her hiding spot by an alien. William looks to Ulrich.
William: Mind explaining?
Ulrich: Just do what she says.
He sprints in Yumi's way with William right behind him. The panic is aggravated when aliens block the door, stranding the students inside the room. Hiroki and Johnny hide in one of the corners. At the same moment, Jeremie rushes down the dorms, calling Odd.
Jeremie: Odd, there's an activated tower, Ulrich and Yumi are in danger.
Oddwhispering: I can't leave right now, I'm on detention.
Jeremie: Just find a way, meet me at the factory.
He hangs up the phone and bolts into the woods. Odd decides to evade without warning Jim. The man hears him running and starts yelling.
Jim: Della Robin, get back here, right now!
When Yumi punches the alien who's attacking Sissi in the back, a third tentacle appears on the hurt spot and sends the girl flying over three rows of seats. William runs to help the girl.
William: YUMI! He kneels next to her and starts helping her stand. She has a hand over a bloody cut on her head, Are you ok?
Yumi: Yeah, I-I'll b-be fine.
In the factory, Jeremie sits in the command chair, tapping nervously on the arm rest.
Jeremie: How am I going to solve this...?
Odd arrives soon after.
Odd: What should we do, Einstein?
Jeremie: Just go to the scanners, maybe you can do something from Lyoko.
Odd is virtualized on the Ice Sector. He hops onto the Overboard and speeds to the tower.
Odd: Any plan yet?
Jeremie: Not really, we can't deactivate the tower without Aelita.
Odd: So what should I do?
Jeremie: I don't know... Just let me think, I'll find a way.
He punches the keyboard with frustration. On the movie theater, there's no prospect of things getting better. Ulrich was defeated trying to save Sissi, and more aliens keep coming out of the screen. William and Yumi hide in between rows.
Yumi: What should we do?
William: I have a plan, we need to open the doors and let everyone escape. After that, we go to the projection room behind this one and turn of the film. That'll at least stop their numbers from increasing.
Yumi: But how?
William: If you, Ulrich and I attack the ones stranding the door, at least one of us will make it out of here.
Yumi: That's the best plan we have, let's try it.
They both stand up and scream at Ulrich, who's lying on the ground several rows down.
Yumi&William: ULRICH! THE DOOR! NOW!
The three run to the door in the middle of the pandemonium. The aliens start haphazardly swinging their tentacles in the teenagers' direction. William dodges one attack, and delivers a roundhouse kick to one of the aliens' face. The alien's ire increases. It returns a bone crushing bow to William's torso. The warrior falls to the ground in agony. Ulrich and Yumi are more cautious, trying to trick their opponents into a favorable position. In spite of their efforts, the aliens have the upper hand and start backing them into a corner.
Ulrich: This isn't going work.
An idea suddenly crosses Yumi's mind. Without warning, she rolls on the ground through the aliens' open legs. She bolts to the door and busts it open with a kick. When the aliens start chasing her, Ulrich punches one of them on the back, shifting their attention. Yumi runs down the corridor, and enters the projection room with a middle aged fat man from the cinema's staff running after her.
Staff member: You can't go in there.
Yumi tries to turn off the projector to no avail.
Yumi: Desperate times call for desperate measures...
She rips the projector's cables and throws it to the ground. The girl smashes it repeatedly until it's reduced to a bunch of junk.
Staff member: You have a lot of explaining to do!
Yumi: No time!
In Lyoko, Odd finds a defenseless tower.
Odd: There are no monsters guarding the tower.
Jeremie: I see... It's probably a trap be careful.
Odd: There's something weird though.
Jeremie: What is it?
Odd: The tower is yellow.
The cat warrior flies in circles around the tower.
Jeremie: That means XANA isn't behind the attack.
Odd: What should I do?
Jeremie: Just let me think... I-I'll find a way...
Yumi gets back to the room, past people running in the opposite direction. Ulrich is the last to exit the room. The 10th grader helps a heavily wounded William out of the room.
Yumi: Is everyone out?
Ulrich: I think so.
Yumi closes the room's door.
Yumi: This won't hold them forever, William needs an ambulance.
Ulrich: Help me carrying him.
Staff member: What's going on here?
The old man looks at the teenagers from the end of the corridor. When he sees the hurt boy, decides to help Ulrich and Yumi carry him, instead of questioning them. As they are about to leave the corridor, screams echo through the room.
Yumi: Someone's inside...
Hiroki: YUMI, IT'S ME! HELP!
Yumi: HIROKI!
She signals Ulrich and the man to take William to an ambulance, and rushes to the door. Yumi busts it open, and enters the room. The two boys hide behind her, shaking with fear. The aliens start motioning their tentacles towards the group.
Yumi: RUN!
One of the aliens is able to wrap a tentacle over Yumi's leg, making the girl fall to the ground. A groan of pain escapes from her mouth. Johnny and Hiroki turn around, hold Yumi's hands and try to pull her out of the alien's grip. Outside the cinema, ambulances arrive to assist the hurt students. Ulrich drops William off at one ambulance and runs back inside. Several police men try to stop him but he dodges them. The police chief takes charge and starts giving orders to the officers on the scene.
Police chief: We need to close down the building. He points to three officers. The three of you, go after that boy!
In the factory, Jeremie's frustration is rapidly increasing.
Odd: Any idea, Einstein?
Jeremie: No... NO! I CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHING! WE ARE DOOMED WITHOUT AELITA!
Odd: Calm down, Einstein! I'm sure you can figure this out.
Jeremie starts violently punching the keyboard.
Jeremie: I'M SO USELESS! I CAN'T DO ANYTHING WITHOUT HER!
Inside the cinema, Ulrich bolts into the corridor. He sees the two boys trying to help Yumi and joins them. The aliens start exiting the room.
Ulrich: Boys, RUN AWAY NOW!
Hiroki and Johnny are hesitant to follow Ulrich's order. The hoard of aliens trying to go through the door frame cause it to begin breaking.
The monsters start screeching louder. The corridor becomes full of deafening noise. Hiroki and Johnny get scared and leave the scene. The door frame breaks and the aliens surround Ulrich and Yumi. Jeremie is sitting against a wall, with his arms around his knees. Odd's voice is heard through the computer.
Odd: Einstein, can you hear me?
Jeremie looks to his left. The square box with 'Eiffel Pâtisserie' written on it, is sitting on the ground. Jeremie pulls is closer to him and opens it. There is a cake inside. The once delicious cake is now full of mold from being an entire week in the humid factory. Despite of it, Jeremie is still able to read the letters on top of it. 'Happy Birthday Aelita'. Memories invade the boy's mind. He is sitting with Aelita in a bench. It's late in the afternoon. The sky is on fire, painted with beautiful shades of orange. Aelita stares deeply into Jeremie's eyes.
Aelita: Thank you for never giving up on me... I love you.
Yumi and Ulrich dodge multiple attacks from the aliens. Their tentacles leaving huge holes on the concrete floor and walls. The three police officers fire their guns as an attempt to free the teenagers.
Police officer 1: This won't help, we need reinforcements.
Police officer 2: I'll go ask for help outside.
The walks away. Ulrich punches one of the aliens in the back. Just like it happened with Yumi, a giant tentacle appears in the wounded back. It wraps around Ulrich's neck and throws him against the the wall. Due to its weakened state, the wall breaks. Ulrich falls to the ground of the women's bathroom. He spits blood. Inside the lab, Jeremie gets up with a confident look. He uses the sleeves of his shirt to clean his tears. He mumbles to himself.
Jeremie: I won't give up, Aelita.
He puts on his earpiece.
Jeremie: Odd, can you hear me?
Odd: What in the world took you so long? Do you know how to deactivate the tower already?
Jeremie: I don't know if it's going to work, but try to ent-
He is suddenly interrupted by Odd.
Odd: Wait, Einstein... There's something weird happening with the tower...
Odd looks at the tower, flashing quickly from yellow to white. One of the aliens is ready to deliver a killing punch to Yumi, but falls to the ground. The other aliens do the same, leaving the girl in awe looking at them.
Yumi: The tower... they did it!
The girl walks to Ulrich and kisses him. The male warrior is taken by surprise. They hug for a few moments, until several police officers enter the bathroom. They are taken outside. On the way out, they see several doctors around William. They both run in their friend's direction.
Yumi: What's happening?
Doctor 1: You need to leave!
The police officers try to pull the teenagers away.
Yumi: NO! LEAVE ME ALONE! HE IS MY FRIEND!
The doctors do their best to keep the boy alive, but he is giving in to his injuries.
Ulrich: HE IS DYING! HE IS OUR FRIEND!
Yumi breaks away from the police officers. She picks up her phone while running to William. She calls Jeremie.
Jeremie: Yumi, you won't b-
Yumi: WILLIAM IS DYING, LAUNCH THE RETURN TO THE PAST! NOW!
Yumi picks up William's hand and holds it tightly. Jeremie types on his computer.
Jeremie: Return to the past now!
White light from the supercomputer engulfs the factory and then the cinema. The four Lyoko Warriors sit in the cafeteria. They look at each other for a brief moment. Yumi gets up and runs out.
Ulrich: How did you do it?
Odd: The tower deactivated itself.
Ulrich: William almost died, it's best if we go check on him.
Yumi sees William and his friends heading to the cafeteria as she is going down the steps. She run to
him and they both hug. The students who see the scene start whistling.
Student 1: So Yumi is dating William and not Ulrich?
Yumi let's some tears fall down her cheeks into William's shirt.
Yumi: I thought you wouldn't make it...
William: It's ok. I'm here.
Tamiya snaps a picture for the school's newspaper.
Tamiya: Yumi is actually in love with William! What a scoop!
Sissi: I told you, little brat! There's no way Ulrich would-
Ulrich snaps the picture out of Tamiya's hand and rips it apart.
Tamiya: Hey! That was my picture!
Ulrich points at both girls.
Ulrich: Just so both of you know, Yumi and I are dating and I don't want the both of you talking about it. GOT IT?
The scary look on Ulrich faces causes the girls to run away. Jeremie and Odd look at him astonished.
Ulrich: What?
Odd: The way you talked to them... Even I was scared.
Ulrich: Sissi got what was coming for her, and I don't want to deal with Milly and Tamiya talking about us.
Jeremie: Also, are you sure you are feeling ok? Did you just admit you were dating Yumi?
Ulrich: All that has happened lately, but especially today made me realize how important Yumi is for me. And I don't want to have to hide that...
That night, Jeremie, Ulrich, Odd, Yumi and William meet in Jeremie's room.
William: So what happened today? Is XANA back?
Yumi takes charge of the conversation.
Yumi: I think it's best if you stay out of this.
The four boys look at her.
Yumi: XANA managed to possess you, I don't want that to happen again. We can't go through that again.
William: It's not going to happen aga-
Yumi: It was a mistake to bring you to Lyoko in the first place. It's better if things stay as they are, let us handle this.
William: I want to help you in Lyoko. I think I deserve that after what happened today.
Yumi: No... We can't risk having another problem to deal with.
William: Then just tell me what's going on... I don't understand what's happening. Why did Aelita leave now that XANA is back?!
Yumi and William's conversation quickly turns into a screaming match.
Yumi: JUST STAY OUT OF THIS! WHY IS IT SO DIFFICULT FOR YOU?!
William: BECAUSE I'M LONELY... and I thought you were my friends... but don't even trust me.
William runs out the room to hide his tears. He shuts the door behind him, silence takes over the room. Yumi turns to her friends with watery eyes. Ulrich hugs her, and Jeremie changes the subject.
Jeremie: I called you guys here because of what happened today.
Odd: Do you know who or what activated the tower?
Jeremie: No, but it's definitely not XANA. I checked everywhere, and there's nothing on the Network. However, I found something much more interesting.
Yumi: What is it?
Jeremie: Aelita. I found her this afternoon.
Ulrich: Where is she?
Jeremie: Inside one of the replicas.
Ulrich: Weren't all of them destroyed by the multi agent program?
Jeremie: That's what I thought. Upon checking it I realized why it wasn't. This replica isn't fully created yet. It was in the middle of it's creation when XANA was destroyed, since it wasn't infected yet, it wasn't targeted by my multi-agent program. That's were Aelita is.
Odd: If we know where she is, shouldn't we go there and save her?
Jeremie: The Skid isn't ready yet, I haven't managed to get rid of the new bug.
Yumi: How long will it take?
Jeremie: After I solve the bug it'll be almost ready, I'm positive I can make it a few days.
Yumi: That's great, just a few days and Aelita will be back here. We'll be able to turn that supercomputer off for good.
The good news cheers up the group's mood. Jeremie is taken aback by Yumi's desire to turn off the supercomputer but decides to not say anything. Yumi leaves minutes after and Ulrich follows her.
Ulrich: Y-Yumi... Tomorrow don't forget our pencak silat practice.
Yumi: I-I won't.
They smile at each other.
Ulrich: I need to tell you something... please don't get mad.
Yumi: What did you do...?
Ulrich: The whole school could or could not know... that we are dating.
The boy was expecting Yumi to scream at him, but she gives him a soft expression.
Yumi: It's fine by me.
Writer's note
I sincerely hope you liked the first chapter of my Code Lyoko fanfiction. I had been wishing to upload it for years now, but never did it. Code Lyoko has always been an important part of my life and this fanfiction is a story that my friends and I started as kids and is only seeing the light of day many years after.
It's also an updated chapter!
I'm much happier with this new version. I think the story flows much better, and the plot is much more interesting. Yumi and Ulrich are finally dating!
The next chapter is coming soon, it just took me a long time to rewrite the chapters so I decided to upload this one this week. If you read the other version, make sure to review and tell me what you think.
I also created a survey for this chapter (link in my bio)
It probably won't stay up for long, but thank you in advance if you decide to take it.
Anyways, thank you for reading and I hope you had fun reading!
i bPáras