MC: Hello again. How's everyone doing? Hope you've liked the story so far, cause I'm back with chapter two!

Thanks goes out to The Mad shoe1 for being reviewer #2. Thanks a lot. You're encouragement makes the writing much easier.

Sorry for the REALLY long wait, I hope to have future chapters out a lot sooner.

Once again for clarification, I do not own Code Lyoko.

Chapter Two:

Darkest after Dawn

Pink. Jeremie really loved the color. He might even like it more than blue, which had been his favorite for as long as he could remember. A bright pink shock of hair had greeted Jeremie when he first awoke from his deep slumber. He took a deep breath, breathing in the scent of Aelita's rosy locks. He felt happy for the first time in a long while. Not wanting to remove his head from atop Aelita's, he simply sat there, his mind blank except for thoughts of the girl in his arms. Eventually, after what seemed like a long time, when he felt it was time to get up, and he slowly lifted his head to survey his surroundings.

He and Aelita were sitting, huddled together in a corner of the super computer control room. The room was in disarray. Broken CD's lay strewn across the floor, mingling with many other scattered objects. Small chunks of the ceiling had broken off during the night, crashing to the floor, leaving it pockmarked and covered in dents. The screen of the super computer itself was dark, though it looked intact. Two of the ceiling lights were broken, leaving two more still functioning and a third flickering on and off. The elevator doors were still sealed tight.

Memories of the previous night flooded back into Jeremie's mind, leaving him reeling in shock. He leaned his head back against the wall, wanting to scream.

Suddenly worried about Aelita, he quickly wrapped his arms around her once again. He could feel her chest rising and falling slowly and gave a quiet sigh of relief. Remembering Odd, Ulrich and Yumi, he reached for his mobile to find it wasn't in his pocket as it usually was. Looking across the floor, he noticed it sitting on the floor near the computer terminal. It had been smashed by a piece of broken ceiling, leaving tiny fragments scattered all around.

Slowly, Jeremie lifted Aelita from his lap, standing up before replacing her still sleeping form upon the floor. She stirred, slowly shifting her position to be more comfortable on the floor. Jeremie looked down at her, wishing she didn't have to face the horribleness of their situation. He would give her a few more moments of sleep before awakening her into the harsh reality they would both have to face.

Just as Odd's eyelids began to open, the first traces of sunlight began streaming across from the horizon. In the still early light, Odd was just able to make out remains of the once-great city that stretched out before him.

The fires had all gone out. There was nothing left to burn. Despite the growing sunlight, the entire horizon was dark, blackened by the flames of the previous night.

Odd averted his eyes from this silent scene of destruction, choosing instead to head down into the factory. Quietly sliding down one of the ropes, Odd stared down at the group of sleeping people huddled together on the factory floor. As he began walking through the sleeping crowd, sleepy faces peered out at him, still unsure if the events of the previous night had been a dream. He saw Milly and Tamiya looking wordlessly up at him, a look of silent, dreadful comprehension on each of their faces. He passed Sissi, Herb, and Nicholas, who had taken a place in the center of the group. Sissi was still resting, with Herb sitting quietly watching her sleep, and Nicholas sitting next to him looking around the factory nervously. The teachers were sleeping in a corner of the large room; Odd expected the stress of feeling responsible for the group had really taken a toll on their nerves.

The whole situation seemed very grim. However, when Odd finally reached his friends, he couldn't help but smile, in spite of everything that had happened. Yumi and Ulrich had fallen asleep lying in one another's arms with Ulrich's head leaning on Yumi's shoulder. Both of them were smiling.

Hearing a noise behind him, Odd turned around to see a few of the others beginning to stand. Some of them were milling around looking as though they were waiting to be told what to do, while others were walking up the stairs to see what had happened during the night. Odd could hear loud gasps and cries of shock as they reached the door and began getting their first view of the world outside.

Odd reluctantly reached his hand down and slowly shook Ulrich and Yumi into consciousness. They both looked around, silently assessing the situation.

Yumi was the first to speak. "What… what happened?" Her voice sounded anxious as she asked, as though she was frightened of what she would hear as the answer.

Odd just stood there and shook his head, pointing to the entrance up above where a large group of people was forming, looking out upon the terrible scene.

Slowly rising, Yumi and Ulrich walked over and quickly ascended the stairs to the entrance of the factory. The other onlookers parted for Yumi and Ulrich, giving them a full view of the destruction. Yumi clutched Ulrich's arm, and the pair of them stared, dumbstruck for a few moments at the world around them. Then, still clutching Ulrich's arm, Yumi collapsed to her knees, pulling Ulrich down with her. Yumi let out a long cry of anguish, like that of a wounded animal, while Ulrich just stared, silent tears rolling down his face. He wrapped his arms around her, and she buried her face into his chest, soaking his shirt with her tears.

Soon, the rest of survivors, drawn to the sound of Yumi's cry, were gathered at the entrance, looking out upon what was left of their city.

Odd, who had seen the destruction first hand, and was not eager to view it once again, stood alone in the back of the group. Suddenly remembering Jeremie and Aelita, who were no doubt still down with the super computer, he slid back down one of the ropes and ran over to the elevator. He pushed he button several times, waiting anxiously to hear the noise of the rising elevator car. It never came.

Odd leaned precariously over the edge of the shaft, looking down. It was pitch black and Odd couldn't see or hear any sign of the rising car. Pulling out his phone, he dialed Jeremie's number. A cool metallic female voice quickly answered him. "We're sorry, but your call cannot be completed at this time. We apologize for this inconvenience, and we hope to have the problem fixed soon. Thank you." The line went dead.

Confused, Odd was about to press re-dial when a voice stopped him. "It won't work." Odd turned around to see Emily facing him. She had a stony, emotionless look on her face and seemed as if she was trying hard not to cry. She held up her phone and waved it a little. "I've tried calling about five different numbers and none of them worked. My best guess is that whatever happened," she gestured to the door of the factory, where a large group of people were still gathered, "stopped the phones from working too."

"Great," muttered Odd sarcastically. "Thanks Emily." She simply nodded silently, her face still rather blank. She turned around and walked over to sit with a group of other girls, all of whom were also sitting in silence. This attack was having more of an effect on them than he had though. They were all probably suffering from shock, even himself, Yumi, and Ulrich. Pushing that thought from his mind, he moved towards the steps that led to the entrance of the factory.

They all had more pressing problems that emotional wellbeing. Staying alive, for example.

Ulrich and Yumi we sitting silently, leaned against the outer wall of the factory. Both had their arms wrapped around the other, and Ulrich was slowly running his hand through Yumi's hair. It had been awhile since Odd had left them up there to return to the factory. Yumi's family had come over each embraced Yumi for a long time. Even her little brother seemed affectionate. They had left after a short time however, seemingly sensing that Yumi wanted to be alone with Ulrich. Neither of them had spoke, they simply sat there. Ulrich's mind was strangely empty, all of his thoughts focused on the girl in his arms.

A hand suddenly touched Ulrich's shoulder, causing him to look around. Odd was looking at both him and Yumi, an emotionally hardened look on his face. After a few moments, Odd asked, "Are you two alright?"

After a moment Ulrich nodded slowly and Yumi sniffed, saying, "Yeah, I think so."

"Good," responded Odd, his voice suddenly sounding rather businesslike. "Because we need to find Jeremie," said Odd. A look of surprise and comprehension appeared on both Yumi and Ulrich's faces.

"I completely forgot," said Yumi, as Ulrich nodded in agreement.

"The elevator isn't working and neither are the phones," Odd told them. "So we have to take the long way down."

"Right," said Ulrich, climbing to his feet and steadying himself before helping Yumi up as well. "We'd better get going."

Ulrich started off in the direction of the inner factory, when Yumi stopped him. "Wait Ulrich," she said, her voice concerned, "what about all these people." She gestured towards the large group of people near the factor entrance, her family among them, as well as the few still remaining inside. "We brought them here, we can't just leave them here." She thought for a moment before continuing, "they need someone to tell them what to do."

Ulrich looked at the group at large and realized Yumi was right; the people who had finished gawking at the destruction outside had started to migrated back towards he center of the main factory floor. They were just milling around, looking nervous. Ulrich could tell the needed a leader.

As if right on cue, Jim walked out of the mass of people and towards Ulrich, Yumi, and Odd. He looked strange, as if for the first time in his life he was unsure of what to do. He stood in front of the group a moment before speaking. "I don't know how you three knew this place was safe, but you did." He paused for a moment before asking, "What are we going to do know?"

Ulrich thought for a moment and looked at his two friends, to see them both looking at him, waiting to see what he would say. Deciding that he seemed to have been chosen as a temporary leader of the group, he thought for another moment before speaking. "We aren't sure what we're going to do next, but before we can make any decisions, we need to get deeper into the factory. There we can learn more about everything that's happened." Jim looked unconvinced so Ulrich thought a little more and then continued, "I'll tell you what, Jim. I'll stay here and help you think about our next move, while Odd and Yumi go deeper into the factory."

Jim seemed satisfied with this proposal, but as Ulrich finished Yumi made a small noise of protest and reached out to touch Ulrich's arm. Ulrich turned around and Yumi whispered so only he could hear. "I don't want to leave you," she said in a hushed undertone. "I could stay here with you," she whispered, sounding hopeful.

Ulrich turned and looked her in the eye for a moment before responding, "I don't want to leave you either, but it seems like I sort of have to stay to make Jim happy, and I don't think it's a good idea to have anyone by themselves." He gestured at Odd, who had been listening quietly to the whispered conversation.

"You think XANA might attack or something…" she said, her voice trailing off.

"You can never be to careful," said Ulrich, sounding nervous. "Besides," he continued, the first small smile of that day spreading across his lips, "I've got Jim here to protect me. He probably knows all about fighting evil advanced A.I. and would just rather not talk about it." Yumi gave small laugh, though she still sounded nervous about leaving Ulrich.

"Don't worry Yumi," said Odd, some measure of his old, cheerful voice returning, "Ulrich will be fine."

Yumi nodded half-heartedly before walking over to tell her family the main situation. Ulrich and Jim were just beginning to address the group, saying they needed to do a head count to tell who was with them, when Yumi suddenly ran up and grabbed Ulrich in a tight embrace.

"You be careful, ya hear?" she whispered into his ear, her voice shaking slightly.

"I will," he said, turning to stare into her dark eyes. "And you be careful too, OK?"

"Yeah," she said, her voice low.

They held each other for a few more moments before braking apart. The stared at each other for a few seconds before Yumi sped forward and gave Ulrich a quick kiss.

On the lips.

Ulrich sat there for a few moments, a small smile appearing on his face. Then he shook his head, clearing it so he could focus on the task at hand. He gave quick nod to Yumi and Odd, who nodded back before turning and beginning their descent into the deeper, hidden part of the factory.

MC: Dude… that was hard to write. Hope you liked it. I wrote about half the chapter back in January, got a huge writer's block, and gave up for like three months. Sheesh. Sorry if anyone was waiting a long time for this to come out. I'll try harder to have chapters out consistently.

I know that the story seems all sad and depressing, which it kind of is, but the whole story is focused on the end of the world and stuff, so it kind of makes sense that it would be unpleasant at some parts.