Chapter 7: Attack of the Gym Teacher

Jim sets to unlocking the field house quickly and stepping inside, moving around the cluttered items to the back. He pulls a box down from the shelf, completely oblivious when the light bulb flickers, and a dark, nigh on transparent being forms behind him. The gym teacher eagerly grabs a pole from the corner, a discus, and a few other items he wants to try out with that Rixon fellow. The short time around the track for that boy is just mind-blowing, so he wants to see what other aspects he's good in.

The man was too occupied to notice as the shadow moved closer to him, snaking around his ankle before striking and possessing the large man. His eyes opened revealing a black symbol on ivory.

~Code Lyoko~

Jeremy picks up the stopwatch, staring at the time with an expression similar to the first to see it. "I don't believe it!" Almost instantly, other students crowd around him for a glance. The general reaction is that of shock and awe.

Rixon blinks, shifting uncomfortably under their stares. "What?"

Odd looks away from the stopwatch, pouting. "He broke my record."

"More like the school's record," Ulrich says, eyebrows raised. "You must've been the top runner at your last school." Rixon shrugs, lying down in the grass while the other students divide.

Rixon relaxes as the direct focus is turned away from him.

The students primarily lie about, chatting in groups on the grass as they wait for the teacher to return. The main subject of talk is, of course, the new kid: Rixon Darkstar. No one knows where he comes from, nor anything about him, truthfully. Rumors spread here and there about him being from a really small country, too small to be on any map.

Rixon smiles to himself as he listens to the whispers of the other students. He sits up suddenly. What was that? He blinks, trying to understand. Maybe the air pressure is messing with me again… He feels it again: a pressure, as if something was squeezing his chest, trying to shatter his heart and lungs. He coughs, leaning forward.

"You okay, Rix?" one of the students inquires.

"Yeah, 'm okay," he says quietly. Another short bout of coughing.

"Are you sure, Rixon? You might be getting sick." Rixon looks up at the pink-haired girl, blinking hard a few times.

He clears his throat. Shakes his head. "Fine. I'm fine; nothing's wrong." He tries not to let his voice sound strained. What is with me? He smiles at her reassuringly. She still seems concerned, but lets the matter alone. As she listens to her friends chat, she watches Rixon, wondering about the new student.

The bell rings loud and clear after a while. One or two leave before groups start to get up and head to the locker rooms. "Where do you suppose Jim got off to?" Ulrich asks. "Do you think something happened?"

"Maybe it's X.A.N.A." Odd suggests in a low voice.

"I'll check the Superscan when I get to my laptop," Jeremy says.

"I don't like it…I'm gonna go see if I can find him." Without another word, he runs off in the direction of the field house.

Rixon walks out of the locker room as Odd passes. For a moment, his eyes follow the blonde curiously. He shrugs, shifting his bag on his shoulder, and heads towards the courtyard. "Rixon!" He turns his head at the sound of an increasingly familiar voice. Aelita waves to him. "Are you going anywhere specific?"

Again, Rixon shrugs. "Not particularly. Just up to my room, I guess. I don't have much better to do. And I'm having trouble with Algebra, so I need to do some studying."

Aelita smiles. "Do you mind if I drag you away for a bit to the Library? That's the best place to study, and no one's allowed in the dorms for a while yet. Come on; I can help if you'd like. I'm not too bad at Algebra myself."

"Uh…thank you…" Rixon says. He follows her, listening as she hums. Just to start a conversation, he asks, "Do you sing?"

"Huh?" Aelita looks at him for a moment, registering. Then she is smiling again. Always smiling… "No. Actually, I'm a bit of a DJ. I'm working on a new mix for the Subdigitals to play before there next concert."

Sub…digitals? "Don't you mean Subsonics?" Rixon inquires, confused. Aelita laughs a little. After a bit though, Rixon questioning throughout, she explains that the Subdigitals had changed their name a few months before. "Oh…heh…guess I'm not really up with the times around here…"

"That's alright. No- Oh, Jim! Hi, Jim. Odd's looking for you. The bell rang before you got back so we all–" She stops speaking as he looks at her, growling. "Jim…?" Another growl. Then she sees the purple static over his hands…and the symbol in his eye. She gasps, stepping back. X.A.N.A….

Rixon has a totally different train of thought. He shifts slightly, balancing his weight and dropping his bag on the ground. The hell? Why is he acting so weird, so different from before…?

The large teacher smirks, his possessor amused by the small boy, thinking him foolish to believe that he can protect the girl. He steps forward slowly. Aelita backs away while Rixon again shifts. The boy is directly in the teacher's path now. He curls his hands into fists, though uncertainly. "Rixon." Aelita's voice is small, just a whimper as she stares in horror. "Look out!"

Jim brings up his hand and pushes Rixon away, purple electricity dancing around his body. He hits the wall hard and falls to the ground, dazed. Jim turns to Aelita, who backs away. In only a few steps, he is upon her gripping the back of her neck. A small spark of electricity knocks her out. He picks her up, heading in the direction of the forest.

"Hey!" Rixon rushes forward, fists raised. "Put. Her. D-" He gasps as he is pushed back a second time, winded. "Aelita!" He gets up again, determined to keep the girl from harm, but still confused about the current situation. He lunged at the large man, trying to avoid the same hindrance. Jim kicks up, hitting Rixon in the chest, then pushes him away, using enough electricity to knock him out.

If Aelita had been conscious, she would have seen his body flicker, temporarily turning into something else. Something other than human.

It took me forever to get this done. Stupid college essays. Bleck!

Anywho, hoping you enjoying this chapter. My first X.A.N.A. attack!

Really cheesy title, I know, but I couldn't think of anything else. Anyways.

Any questions? Comments? Lovely little box down there to leave them in.

Review please! :)