Author's note: This story takes place a little while after "Echoes". It's my first fanfiction, but not my first iece of writing. I really hope you enjoy it!
Chapter 1: Curiosity
Dear Diary,
It's been a while since the Supercomputer and Lyoko have been shut down, and since Daddy...died, and I've been feeling like my memories have been fading away. My past life seems so remote, and it's scaring me. I've been going to the Hermitage more, and hopefully, it will give me some answers.
Sincerely, Aelita
The miniature, pink book was concealed under the pillow, and Aelita flopped onto the bed to think about what she had written. Her memories had been vanishing. She could barely rememberany of her past life besides her father. She was glad she had her friends now, but didn't want to forget about her earlier ones. It really hurt her that she could barely remember her own mother's face.
She was very quiet that day at breakfast. Jeremy was reading, Yumi had gotten to school early to finish up her homework (but, got no help from Jeremy), Odd was telling Ulrich about how there was some new girl coming to school in a little while, and Ulrich wasn't even listening. He was already too busy staring at Yumi. Jeremy now noticed Aelita's presence.
"Hey Aelita, where were you after class yesterday?" He inquired
"Me? Oh, I…I was just…reading, reading in my room!" She stuttered in reply.
"Uh-huh...are you okay?"
"Okay? What do you mean?"
"You haven't been yourself lately."
"I haven't?"
"You've been…quieter, and spending a lot more time in you're room. I know I did that, but you haven't. I'm a little worried.
"I'm alright, you don't have to worry. I don't have much to say or do without Lyoko, that's all."
"If there's something wrong, you can always tell me."
"I know, thanks."
Aelita looked over at her other friends. Odd was still talking about that same new girl, Ulrich was still staring at Yumi, and Yumi was still stuck on her homework. She laughed. Her friends weren't exactly quick to stop what they're doing.
Sunday soon arrived, Aelita decided to go to the Hermitage. She needed to piece together her memories. That house had given her so many answers; it was all she could think of to help her now.
The aged house just sat there, as it has for 9-10 years unaccompanied, undisturbed in the woods. She opened the door, and an assortment of paper, cobwebs, and the occasional spider was swept away in a blast of wind from the world outside. Her footsteps echoed with what sounded like thunder in the vacant halls. I'd better start in my room.
She climbed the creaking stairs to the second floor. The dust got all over the place, and she was surprised that she didn't choke on it. Once she arrived in her room, she swept her gaze all around. Nothing seemed too different to her, until she looked under her bed. Something shined with a blinding silver light. It was a spectacular silver chest.
She tried to open it, but got no such luck. Of course, I get close to what I've been looking for and can't even open it! She stopped to think. Where would I hide a key? She exhausted the next half hour attempting to solve this mystery, but got no such luck. She was so close!
Anger boiled up inside her. This stupid house! I can never find anything out! It's so typical; I get so close and then yanked away at the last moment! Her anger spilled over into tears. All she thought was true. She calmed down a bit, and then went downstairs.
Her old piano sat in the living room, with a songbook open on it. She took a seat and played what she could. When she tried to hit one note, it made a bizarre sound. Must need to be tuned. She pried the top open and saw what had really caused the foul note. A silver key with tape on it. I must've taped it to the inside of the piano and it fell off.
She grabbed it and ran back to the school to finally see if this box could solve anything.
