Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners, particularly the characters taken from the animated series, Code Lyoko. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
A month past since the day at the studio. Aelita and Yumi are standing outside of the SubDigital's studio, waiting as Simon loads the last of the band's equipment on to their tour bus. Chris and the others, along with Sophie, had left the day before to make sure the venue for the concert was ready, and to do some pre-concert publicity.
Jim Morales was helping Simon loading the last of the equipment onto the bus, while Aelita was chatting quietly with Yumi, both stealing glances every now and then at Aelita's last minute traveling companion, Sissi Delmas.
After Franz Hopper defeated XANA, Aelita and her friends prepared themselves for her impending absence. Aelita had spent many afternoons with Simon, the sound man, rehearsing on the mixing board, trying out new music, and generally becoming familiar with him and the way he worked.
Odd, Yumi and Ulrich, in the meantime, were taking turns operating the supercomputer as Jeremie entered Lyoko to begin his training as Aelita's surrogate. Aelita was working the console the first time Jeremie was virtualized using Franz's profile for him, and just about fell out of the chair laughing when she saw his Lyoko persona. Afterwards, Jeremie just about quit, saying he would never go back to Lyoko in that form again, but Aelita took him aside and told him what her father had said, and added the smile and a kiss he had suggested, along with a big hug, to soften the sting. The genius groused a while longer, complaining about being a "yellow fairy prince," but kept at his training.
Yumi was slowly recovering from her ordeal. For the first two weeks after the studio incident, she awoke screaming every night from the nightmares she had. She wouldn't go to Lyoko for any reason for a time, so she got in quite a bit of practice at the console. She finally returned when XANA launched a particularly vicious attack on her family, nearly killing her parents before the Return To The Past took effect.
Franz Hopper made his presence known every now and then. Sometimes, the Warriors would see a group of spheres off in the distance, but they would disappear when any of them tried to get close. Jeremie got emails from Franz with additional information he could use; but the man never seemed to have time to contact his daughter. The girl got rather depressed that her own father wouldn't take a moment and at least say hello to her.
Two weeks before they left for London, Jim Morales announced that he was taking time off to join the SubDigitals on their tour. His nephew had asked him if he wanted to come, and the PE teacher jumped at the chance. One of the things Jim would be doing was assisting Simon with loading and setting up for the concert. Another thing he would be doing is watching out for Aelita and the other student that managed to be invited along.
Principal Delmas contacted Sophie and asked if another student could accompany Aelita and write a story about the concert for the school newspaper. Additionally, the principal had arranged with the local TV station for that student to present their article on the air. Jim Morales would act as cameraman for the video portion of the report.
Everybody thought that either Milly Solovieff or Tamiya Diop would be the lucky one to go, but it turned out that Sissi Delmas, the principal's daughter, got the nod. While almost all of the school chalked the decision up to favoritism, the truth was that Sissi was seriously failing her French class. The situation was serious enough that the girl would be put back a grade if she didn't improve; so the teacher offered her this last chance. Go along and write an outstanding article, then present it to both the school and the TV station, or flunk out and repeat the eighth grade. Sissi's joy at being able to go was severely tempered by the consequences if she truly didn't apply herself.
Jim and Simon finally finished loading the bus, and indicated that the girls should get aboard and get settled. Aelita gave Yumi a hug and a kiss, while Yumi told Aelita good luck with the concert. When Aelita boarded the bus, Yumi pulled out her cell phone and made a call.
Principal Delmas was there to see his daughter and Jim off. He once again reminded the girl of what was at stake, then gave her a kiss and told her good luck. He shook Jim's hand, then left to return to school. Jim ushered Sissi on board, then the bus set off.
Just as she sat down on the bus, Aelita's cell phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Aelita, it's Jeremie."
"I really wish you could have come with me," Aelita said, "it's kinda awkward having no one else to talk to but Sissi and Jim for the next two weeks."
"You'll be fine," Jeremie said, "and I couldn't come because I have to monitor Lyoko. Yumi could have done it, but she's still not too comfortable working with Franz. Plus, I'm supposed to be the one who deactivates the towers while you're gone."
Just then, the motor started, and the bus pulled away.
"Say, are you moving now?" Jeremie asked.
"Yeah, why?" Aelita replied.
"At the corner on your right, take a look," the blond genius said cryptically.
Aelita looked out the window at the indicated corner. There stood a man with bushy gray hair, beard and mustache. He was wearing round eyeglasses, a turtleneck and slacks over a laboratory overcoat. He looked up at the passing bus and smiled and waived at the pink haired waif inside.
"Hello, princess," came the voice of Franz Hopper over Aelita's cell phone, "you look beautiful, just like your mother. Have a safe trip, and hurry back. We've got a lot of catching up to do."
