Whoot, New chapter! Man, I'm on a roll. As always, let me know what you think! (And I know not all of you readers do. That, or seven people looked at the last chapter forty times. And I know this story isn't so amazing as to require five re-reads).
Ulrich leaned against the wall beside the elevator, arms crossed over his chest as he watched Jeremy working at the supercomputer. The blonde had arrived close to twenty minutes ago, wife in tow, and had immediately taken over as if he'd never been away from the factory. Now he was running a scan of Lyoko, searching for his missing friend, with wife and daughter leaning over his shoulders.
"Any sign of him?" Ulrich asked his spot on the wall. At the computer Jeremy shook his head and the room lapsed back into silence for a few minutes.
"Now?" Ulrich asked. Again, Jeremy shook his head, and again silence resumed.
"How about-?"
"Ulrich, I'll let you know when I find something," Jeremy said, glancing over his shoulder at the impatient boy. Just as he said this, the computer gave a beep, getting Jeremy's attention. "Um, Ulrich, I think I've found him."
Ulrich immediately pushed himself away from the wall and, followed by Yumi, Michel, Terence, and Adelle, crowded around Jeremy's chair.
"Where is he?" Ulrich asked, eyes scanning the computer screen.
"There," Jeremy said, pointing to a small purple spot on the screen. "He's in Carthage. You'll need to head to the Ice Sector, then I'll send you the Transport Orb."
"Alright, let's go," Michel said, turning and heading for the elevator. A hand on his arm pulled him to an abrupt stop.
"Where do you think you're going?" Yumi asked her son as Ulrich pulled him back over to the group.
"Where does it look like I'm going?" Michel retorted. "To Lyoko, to help you save Odd."
"Michel. This isn't a game, this is dangerous, especially now that Xana is involved."
"And that's why you need our help," Terence said, coming to stand beside Michel.
"Your help?" Ulrich said, crossing his arms. Terence nodded.
"I agree with them."
"You what?" Ulrich asked, looking at Aelita.
"They have a point," Aelita said. "There are only three of us. Without Sissi and William, we'll be up against Xana, Odd, and whatever monsters Xana has on his side, probably more Wulves. Having four inexperienced warriors with us is better than nothing."
"Four?" Terence asked, looking at Michel and Adelle. "No, there's just three of us." Aelita shook her head, resting a hand on Lauren's shoulder.
"Lauren's coming too."
"She is?" Michel asked.
"I am?" Lauren asked at the same time. Aelita nodded, causing Lauren to shake her head. "No, I think I'll just stay here and help dad."
"Come on Lauren, you need to come to Lyoko!" Adelle said, grabbing her friend's hand and stating to pull her over to the elevator.
"No, I don't think I do," Lauren said, trying to pull her hand away.
"I do," Terence announced, helping push Lauren towards the elevator.
"You guys, I am not going to Lyoko!"
--
"Yes, you are."
Lauren glared at Michel, moving to stand by her mother.
"Aw, don't you look adorable?" Aelita said, giving Lauren a good once over. Lauren looked down to see what her mother meant.
Lauren had arrived on Lyoko dressed in a long sleeved purple leotard with a short darker purple skirt, which Lauren immediately tried to pull down to a more modest length. She also had a wide gold band around her waist, which was tied at her back in a large bow. Her hair was pulled up in a large bun, which rested at the back of her neck.
Michel gave a joking wolf whistle, which Ulrich hit him upside the head for, while Terence let out a whinny 'Aw'.
"What's your problem?"Adelle asked him curiously.
"He's just sad because Laruen looks better than him on Lyoko," Michel said, tossing an arm around his friend's shoulders. "Isn't that right Cupid?"
"I hate you," Terence grumbled in response.
"Did everyone make it to Lyoko?" Jeremy asked, his voice drifting down from the Ice Sector's sky.
"Yeah, we're all here," Ulrich answered.
"Alright, head for the edge of the sector, you're fairly close to it. The Transport Orb will be waiting."
"You heard the man," Terence said, beginning to walk in a random direction.
"Get back here," Ulrich said, grabbing the raven's arm and tugging him back to the group. "That's the wrong way. And you shouldn't just go wandering off. Now that Xana is back, there may be monsters about."
"Like that other Wulf," Adelle said, giving a slight shudder.
"Other Wulf? What other Wulf?" Yumi asked.
"Last time I came here, there was a white Wulf here, it attacked Odd and I."
"Well, let's hope it doesn't decide to show up again," Ulrich said.
"Let's get going," Aelita said. "The sooner we get to the Transport Orb, the less time the Wulf has to attack as." Yumi and Ulrich nodded in agreement, then the trio suddenly took off running, following the familiar path to the edge of the sector. The other four teens exchanged surprised looks, then took off after the disappearing adults.
The group ran for a few minutes, not seeing any danger, a fact that Terence felt compelled to point out.
"Terence, you're going to jinx us," Lauren said as she ran next to him, the two lagging slightly behind everyone else.
"Come on Laruen, you can't really believe in that stuff," Terence said. Lauren opened her mouth to answer him, but before she could say anything, Lauren was interrupted by a loud thud, followed by a few purple lasers impacting the ground around her. Terence and Lauren turned to see a rather unwelcome sight.
Running behind the pair, and slowly gaining on them, was the white Wulf Adelle had mentioned. Lauren saw the monster, then turned back to Terence, a scowl on her face.
"What did I tell you?" she said.
"I bet it was just an-ah!" Terence cut himself off with a shout as one of the purple lasers caught him in the back, knocking him to the ground.
"Terence!" Lauren shouted, skidding to a halt next to the boy.
"Do something!" Terence yelled, struggling to retrieve his bow.
"What do I do?" Lauren asked, looking between Terence and the Wulf, her fear clear on her face.
"Anything!"
Lauren turned to face the Wulf, trying to think of something to do. To her knowledge she didn't have a weapon, and she had no idea how to fight. There was nothing she could do. And the Wulf had realized this. It skidded to a halt, growling as it aimed its cannon at Lauren.
As the Wulf's cannon charged, Lauren screwed her eyes shut, turning her head away and raising her arms over her face as the Wulf fired.
After a few moments Lauren remained in that position, waiting for the laser to hit her. But it never did. Slowly opening her eyes, Lauren caught sight of Terence staring up wide eyed at something in front of Lauren.
"Whoa," he breathed, looking at Lauren. Confused, Lauren lowered her arms to see what had Terence so amazed. What she saw had her own jaw dropping as well.
Before her glowed a large wall of golden yellow energy, shielding herself and Terence from the perplexed looking Wulf.
"How did you do that?" Terence asked, climbing to his feet.
"I have no idea," Lauren said, looking over the shield.
"How long do you think it'll last?" Terence questioned, stepping forward and pressing hand against the shield.
"I don't know," Lauren said, grabbing her friend's hand and beginning to lead him away, "but I'd rather not find out."
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