Jeremie, Ulrich and Odd were gathered dejectedly around the workstation. Yumi had fallen into the digital sea, and they were all very upset. Ulrich in particular had a glazed, absent expression, as though his mind was attempting to shut itself off from the horrible reality that had unfolded.

"I never would've thought it was possible…" Jeremie said, ending the unbearable silence. "For one of us to become..."

"It's all my fault", Ulrich said despairingly. "If I'd been faster, she would still be here"

"But there is a solution, and Jeremie knows what it is" Aelita pointed out.

"The materialisation program… it's operational, but Aelita will have to give up her place to Yumi"

Ulrich and Odd glanced at each other. Then Ulrich turned towards Jeremie. "Can you… bring Yumi back here?"

"Yes. But I can only materialise one person – one and only one"

Jeremie found himself staring vacantly at the computer screen.

"Jeremie, please, you should choose Yumi", Aelita said. "She's part of your world already"

"You have a point…" Jeremie said. "But Yumi's spent 14 years of her life on Earth – you've never experienced life here at all. It seems unfair that Yumi should get that chance instead of you"

"You can't be serious!" Ulrich shouted. "You have the ability to save Yumi, and you're going to choose not to?! You have GOT to be kidding me!"

"Ulrich's right, Jeremie", Odd said. "Yumi has family and friends here – if you pick Aelita instead of her, you won't just be forsaking Yumi, you'll be forsaking everyone that knew her as well"

Jeremie was shaking, but then suddenly he clenched his fist. "No"

"What?" Odd, Ulrich and Aelita said in unison.

"No. I'm not going to do it. Aelita means too much to me. I'm going to materialise her instead"

"Why you –" Ulrich lunged towards Jeremie, but Odd managed to stop him in time.

"Jeremie", Odd said, as calmly as he could, "what happened to needing to prepare for Aelita's arrival to Earth first?"

"Change of plans" Jeremie said. "We materialise her now. I'll sort out her IDs and enrol her at the school as a border, and while that's happening, she'll stay here and I'll bring her food and water"

"This has got to be a nightmare", Ulrich muttered, his head in his hands. "The real Jeremie wouldn't be this selfish. The real Jeremie would never even consider this"

"Selfish? For wanting to Aelita to experience the joys we take for granted? Ha! Listen, Ulrich, it's not up to you – it's up to me!"

"But I was the one who created that program in the first place!" Odd pointed out.

"I'll congratulate you on your genius some other time, Odd. Get ready Aelita!"

"Jeremie, please don't do this! Yumi needs saving, please!" Aelita looked distraught.

"No! I'm doing it, I'm doing it!" As he said this he was typing furiously. "And… now!"

Without a second's hesitation, he hit the enter key.