Tainted
By Cybra
For Flying Star: Your prize for naming switch!Jeremy's back story as per the mini-contest rules. Hope you like it!
Disclaimer: Code Lyoko belongs to the French.
It was the cruelest thing XANA could've possibly done to him.
Most victims of XANA possession woke without having any clue what they had been doing under the digital demon's control or even what had happened in the first place. This had been a relief since it would've led to a lot of Returns to the Past in order to wipe their memories. That, in turn, would've led to the evil artificial intelligence increasing its power even more.
However, it seemed that XANA didn't want to spare him a single moment of torment. He'd known the instant the monster had taken over, like a cold hand grabbing him by the scruff of the neck before hurling him into a distant corner of his own mind. As if that wasn't bad enough, he maintained full access to his senses. He could see every movement XANA made him make, hear every word XANA made him say, and feel every spark of electricity that crackled beneath his skin, waiting to be unleashed onto its nearby victim. He had the so-called luxury of watching his body do the work of his hated enemy, and there was nothing he could do.
Jeremy fought the invisible chains, struggling for even a second of freedom. He wanted to warn Aelita as they walked away from gym class that it wasn't him she was talking to. He yearned to yell at her to run away before the demonic artificial intelligence hurt her. However, his lips remained sealed as the words he wanted to say refused to pass them. XANA's control was complete.
Mentally, he shouted at his sworn enemy, cursing it and vowing to rip its hardware to shreds atom by atom once Aelita was freed and safe from any repercussions if it laid one finger on the girl.
He felt the one controlling his body's amusement at his futile threats as it reached out and shocked the pink-haired girl who had started to catch on, knocking her unconscious.
Immediately, the imprisoned boy launched a mental assault, throwing every ounce of will he possessed into the attack in an attempt to make XANA let Aelita go. If he could knock it off-balance and make it drop its burden, the shock of hitting the ground might wake his princess, allowing her to run away and get help.
He sensed XANA stumble, its unfamiliarity with his body coupled with the suddenness of the blow. It adjusted its footing and its grip much to the boy's extreme disappointment. The digital demon made his lips frown as it launched a counterattack.
He was flung backwards, any ground he had gained immediately lost along with some extra. Striking one of his own mental barriers, he lie temporarily stunned in his "cell".
XANA paused for a moment as if checking to see if he would launch another attack before adjusting its grip on Aelita again, slinging her over one shoulder. Then it started to walk towards the woods on campus.
And Jeremy could only silently scream in emotional agony as his body carried her closer and closer to the factory.