My feet marched, stepping on every loose leaf and making the loudest crackling sounds it could make. The forest I was in was surprisingly spacious, and the ground was flat, allowing the night's darkness to not hinder my movements. It doesn't hinder Ulrich or Yumi's line of sight either, and if they turn they will see me, but I could care less. They seemed so focus on the task at hand that an earthquake could happen and the ground splits open in front of them and they could easily fall to their deaths. So let my clumsy stalk commence and be quiet enough to stay hidden.

And that is what I do until the pair stops, right in the middle of nowhere. I hurry to hide behind a tree, pressing my shoulder blades harshly against the bark and holding in a stream of curses because I didn't mean to slam against this tree.

'Hurry the hell up and move.' I growled at them and slowly started to push off the tree.

But then I halted, the sound of heavy metal against metal came, followed by a quiet thud. I turn around and cautiously peered. My mind raced with ideas, but one that seemed to pop out was if they were taking a dip in the sewage.

And I was right. Ulrich helped Yumi down inside the hole in the ground and quickly followed. And then when he had himself securely down on the ladder, he placed the cover quietly over himself to close the gap. From my position, I made the conjecture that they were heading away from the school, closer to town, but didn't want to be caught. And so I made it my mission to continue.

I waited for about a minute and then left my hiding spot. I marched over to the metal cover and began to lift. It was surprisingly easy, not very heavy, like I expected, or as grimy or greasy as the ones back home were. I had experience in running away from people who wanted to strangle me for pissing them off. No one had ever suspected a girl like me to lift one of those 50 pound cylinders on and off to hide. It was one of those hopeful perks I've always looked out for.

And as I moved swiftly down the shaft, I remembered something. This was the same place I almost died by that swarm of hornets the first day I came here. It was also the first day that I had to be taken back into the past and relive the next couple hours again.

That meant that it had happened and I really was sent to the past multiple times. I couldn't have just known this was here without ever being here before. I was piecing the evidence together one bit at a time.

So that also meant that with each past back I've experienced had been future tragedies diverted, or that's what I can assume. It also meant that at least someone else had to be experiencing these things as well because he-slash-she-slash-them must be the ones fixing the bad futures. My grip on the cold ladder tightened, rust digging into my skin. I was getting an idea of who was behind this.

I was going to get my answers one way or, if all else fails, another.

With that final resolve, I moved down the ladder and into the darkness. The only lights on were the dim maintenance ones that were held back but cages. I hoped off the bottom steps and looked around. To my right was a skateboard, just sitting there with no owner.

I had finally reached a dead end in the sewers. The skateboard under me skidded to a stop and I stepped off. I didn't know that was possible, a sewer with an end. I had thought that they were endless and connected with one another for endless loops to no end. But France must be different, because this had an end.

I had thought I could follow and maybe catch up with Ulrich and Yumi, going straight the whole way as fast as I could on the skateboard I 'borrowed'. This way was the only lighted way, all other maintenance lights were dark, but I was now back to square one.

'Or is it.' I thought and brought my gaze up to the sewer lid at the top. A metal ladder was attached to the wall beside and I finally saw the scooter and two other skateboards sitting nicely, all lined up.

A grin broke through my stiff cheeks. I couldn't believe that it was this easy to find them. They didn't even bother to hide their toys from random strangers like I who could be prowling around. I took off my jacket and tied it around my waist. Underneath I only wore a thick strapped tank top, my red hair tickled the back of my neck, but I was hot and sweaty and it needed to come off. It wasn't a crime to show skin.

Propelling myself up the ladder, I couldn't help but feel rushed. My answers may soon be answer by a group of thirteen year olds acting like heroes. I slid the lid quickly off and shimmied out. Fresh, clean air engulfed me in a heavenly aroma. When I replaced the lid was when I finally took in my surroundings and worried on who would catch me in the act.

No one was around, not a person. It seemed to me that I was on a bridge, one that was long and wide and gave me a reason for the sewer to have a dead end. Water from a river ran through the bottom of the bridge and sewer water dripped out of the pipes attached to it. On one end of the bridge was a road connecting to town, and I highly doubt Ulrich and Yumi took that way. The other end had an enormous abandoned factory, vines clinging to the walls and parts of windows had broken. Yes, some buildings can be like that and still function, but it just seemed as if it was truly void of action. Rust and decay formed on parts of the walls, lights were dark, no steam came from its chimneys and no machinery buzzed with life. There was no evidence that the building was up and running.

'They're hiding in there, child.' That voice from before spoke, but no pain or images ran through. I was grateful for that. 'Answers will be found there.'

'Thanks, telepathic voice.' I thought blatantly, annoyed. I could've figured that out myself, if it would actually given me the chance. This was the second time it contacted me, and that was twice too many. I didn't need commentary or help. "And stop calling me child."

I shook my head and looked at the abandoned building. I knew that that factory was the perfect spot for someone to hide. 'Or for someone to hide something.' I ran toward the building, caution thrown to the wind, with adrenaline pumping. Cool air blew on my face, my hair whipped around wildly and my legs pushed as hard as they could. Answers were about to be given.

I stood over a broken flight of stairs, a clear 20 feet direct drop to a cement floor. From there, it was a large space, void of living objects, but I could see a few turns toward who knows where and maybe a rickety elevator that could've lead anywhere. Hanging from the ceiling in front of me were sturdy looking chains with no signs of rust or decay.

Sighing, I placed my hands on my hips and pouted to no one. I couldn't help but feel disappointed at myself. I had thought that this would lead me to them, and which even the voice in my head agreed. I groaned. That did not sound sane at all.

'Child, you are not insane.' The creepy hallucinating voice informed me. 'Believe me when I say that everything you are going through is all logical and sane.'

I rolled my eyes and answered, out loud, "Please, that's what all crazy people think." I wave my hands by my hand and exaggerate, "'The voices told me to do this, really, honestly!' Yeah, that works great for the police."

The voice stays quiet for a few moments, but it does answers back.

'You don't have to be convinced right at this moment,' It admitted, the sound vibrating and buzzing through my mind was an odd sensation. I scratched the area beside my temple curiously as it was the main buzz spot. 'But you will when you go down and see the group of Lyoko Warriors in action, fighting against a cause that hinders the future for humanity.'

"You want me to believe that a bunch of kids want to do something as serious as that?" I scoffed. If any person was around here, I would definitely be labeled insane and weird.

'Yes. These kids are not normal and will be the downfall of humanity. Have you ever heard of the saying, 'Don't judge a book by its cover'?'

I plopped my butt down on the last step, and then I hung my legs and started to lazily kick empty air. This was crazy business, getting a lesson taught to me by some voice in my head. Of course I knew that saying, it was a common one that any person in their right mind should know. I looked over my shoulder to make sure nobody was around. The sun was now gone and it was the in-between almost black sky with no stars, street lights on the other side of the bridge blinked to illuminate the road. I was completely alone.

"Okay, fine." I caved, "I'll give you one chance and that's it, got it?"

'One chance is all I need.' It told me, purring over its words like it was a female flirting at a bar. 'Now, go down there and enter the elevator, and then let it do the rest.'

I peered over the edge, a nervous jitter felt like it was slapping itself over my face and halting any further movements. It wasn't as if I was never scared of heights, and maybe that group aren't either, but I could find no reason to be able to hop down safely. There may be another way down there, if I looked around. I try to call out for the voice, for a way to get down, but I received no answer and was left completely alone. A slight breeze blew through, causing enough force to make the chains hanging from the ceiling shift.

I smack my palm with my fist. "Brilliant. They use the chains to swing down." Then I scratched my chin and pondered aloud, "Did the nerdy boy also climb down this way as well? Shit, who knew?"

Quickly, I shook out my limbs and grabbed one of the two chains hanging down from the ceiling. It had to be like climbing a rope in gym class, but easier because climbing is harder, right. I stepped back and tried no to think about the broken bones I'll receive. Then I took a breath and jumped, internally cursing.

And seconds later, with my eyes shut, my feet touch down on solid ground.

I breathed out a sigh and looked around the concrete factory. Litter laid around and graffiti covered the walls, and a wide, rusted metal elevator were all that made the place pretty much. I could bet machines would be found if I ventured far, but the elevator was my next stop. I ran over inside it and repeatedly started pressing down on its giant button.

I was actually fairly surprised when the elevator creaked and the door lowered, shutting me inside. My heart pounded inside my chest as my wide eyes only stared at the button. I either went up or down, the movement of this metal death trap was uncertain at best. I had to grip the handlebars on the walls to steady myself.

Just when I thought I had a steady stand, the elevator jerked to a halt and I fell straight on my butt. The door in front of me opened, loudly creeping to announce my presence, and I had a look into a completely new world.

"Holy shit." I breathed, pulling up on the railings to stand. Outside the rusted walls of the elevator was a dark blue room. A machine, with three large bright screens- a big, technological computer probably- was sitting in the middle of the small room. Attached to it was a thick metal seat, a glimpse of a arm resting on the armrest. On the other side of the screen was a hologram, a circle core with long, rocky lines going North, South, East and West. "What is-"

"What are you doing here?" A voice demanded. I pulled my gaze away from the hologram and saw none other then the nerdy Jeromie Belpois staring at me in the large seat.

I jumped straight and scratched the back my head. I quickly thought for a second before putting both hands behind my back and lifting my chin to him with a winning smirk.

"I followed you here," I told him happily. "Well, Ulrich and Yumi, actually. And now you have to tell me everything, or else I may tattle."

Jeremie looked at me as if I was a pain in his neck rather than someone to be worried about. My smile limped a little and I crossed my arms to him, glaring my eyes as menacing as I could. I find something with a random voice in my head telling me how, which meant I wasn't totally crazy, but I deserved answers somehow and way. We stare intensely at each other for a few seconds before a familiar voice breaks it.

It sounded like the Japanese girl, Yumi. "Jeremie, what's happening out there?"

Jeremie turned away from me and replied to the computer via earpiece, "It's Laini, the transfer student. It seems she must've followed you guys here. Now she's demanding me to tell her what's happening."

"Well, we have bigger problems here in Lyoko. Have you fixed the bug yet?"

"No, you just need to give me a little more time."

Annoyed, I piped in a, "I'm standing here, dude. Tell me what's going on?"

That's when the ground above us rumbled, a chunk of ceiling fell and crashed to the ground between me and Jeremie. I jumped back and covered my face. It lasted a few seconds and then stopped, and when I removed my hands I saw Jeremie, unfazed by what happened, typing into the computer at lightning fast speeds.

"Here we go," Jeremie said and then clicked the enter button on the keyboard.

A big red exclamation point flashed on the screen followed by rapid beaps. I dropped my guard and walked up behind his seat, looking at his screens and analyzing what I was seeing.

Jeremie slapped his hands down, panicking. "No, this can't be!" While above us the ceiling started to crumble and the ground shook, but it was relentless this time and stayed unstable. It was hard to maintain footing, and at this rate we would've been crushed by debris soon enough.

"Looks like you've got a nasty bug." I said, pointing to his screen.

"Jeremie, I've got to deactivate the tower."

I blinked a few times in surprise. I knew that voice, but I didn't know from where. It was feminine, high-pitched and sounded tired and defeated. A flash in my mind gave me the image of a young girl with a smiling face, her hair bright pink. The last time I heard that voice had to of been years ago, but I didn't know how I knew that, either. I shook my head and placed a hand on Jeremie's shoulder.

"No, give me a little more time." Jeremie pleaded to the screen. 'I'll start over again."

"Jeremie, you know there's no choice." The female voice responded slowly.

"Wait," I called him out, looking the screen with the bug's information. "This bug is an easy fix."

Scene!

Sorry about the long wait, but I was just stuck on how to work everything out, and then I got busy and forgot half the stuff that I didn't write down.

And then I went camping with the family for two weeks.

Anyway, please tell me what you think! Or point out grammar mistakes! Commenting always help!