Dragon dust and dammit all, I am never, I repeat, never letting the boy throw the clock out the window ever again!
Big thanks to Clockwerk for keeping me as a prisoner til I got off my tail and got this actually done! I was procrastinating by reading some really awesome Danny Phantom comics on DeviantArt. I really gotta get some way to post stuff on there…I have so many things I'd like to just put out there and be done with the matter.
Before we start: clarification for JadeNoRyuu! The only reason Aelita was the only one to notice his slip is because she was sitting right next to him, and he was quiet when he spoke.
To Guardian Dragon 2.0: How are you so certain I'll even have him go to Lyoko, hmm? ^.^ All in good time. I have my plans. (And frying pans!)
Thanks to all the reviewers! Now let's get started. *crosses fingers in hopes everything stayed in the right order*
Chapter 12: Of Translators and Top-Secret Alien Schemes
"What do you mean? What's wrong with him?!"
"We don't know…his vitals are perfectly normal, but he seems to be in some sort of coma. We don't know how to explain it. I have to ask you to wait outside for a while. You can see him later, once we're sure he's stable."
His eyes open slowly, ever so slowly, as the light floods his vision. Faintly, he hears a steady beep from a monitor. Aware of a burning sensation in his lungs, he forces himself to take a breath and release it. Again. After what seems a long time of doing this, he no longer is required to give such focus to the task. Instead, he is able to turn his attention to his surroundings. He shivers, fingers and toes slightly numb. 'Why are hospitals always so cold?' he wonders quietly. 'Hospital…? Oh…yeah…I'm in a hospital. I wonder why…'
The sound of the door opening pulls his eyes away from the ceiling and the sight of a young woman greets him. She looks at him, seeming surprised, before she turns and leaves the room. "Docteur, je crois qu'il est conscient," a quiet voice says, just outside his door. The young woman, most likely a nurse, returns, followed by a slightly older man, presumably the doctor from his attire. The doctor moves about, glancing at monitors, taking down notes on his clipboard. Every once in a while, he glances at his drowsy, yet curiously green-eyed patient.
The nurse comes to the other side of his bed, switching his attention. "Salut, là," she says to him. "Comment vous sentez-vous?"
His brow furrows. "Wha-what…?"
"Il semble être en état de choc, monsieur," she says, looking up at the doctor. The man simply nods gravely, focusing on his notes. "Il pourrait peut-être envie de voir ses amis maintenant?" Now the doctor looks at her, seeming a bit uncertain. After a while, she says something else, gaining a nod from the doctor. With a smile to the patient, she leaves the room.
'What curious people…' the patient thinks quietly, staring at the door.
~Code Lyoko: Jeremy~
"You are all here for Rixon, yes?" the nurse asks us.
Aelita is the first to stand up. "Yes, miss. Is he all right? Is he awake?"
"He seems fine to me," the nurse replies, giving her a reassuring smile. "The doctor says you may see him now, but I ask you be careful. Don't excite him too much. He seems to have had quite a shock." Aelita follows closely behind the nurse, Yumi standing next to her, while Ulrich, Odd, and I let them have a little space. We are silent, probably all thinking about the same thing: Rixon.
Why was Rixon at the Factory? How did he get there? It was impossible for him to know how to get there unless he was immune to time travel like the rest of us. That's impossible as well. The only way someone can be immune to time travel is if they've been through the scanners at least once. Rixon surely hasn't, I know. So how did he know the way?
The nurse leads us into a room. Rixon is sitting up, looking around. I'm not surprised that he's so confused. I probably would be in his shoes. The nurse leaves the room, perhaps to consult with the doctor. "Rixon?" Aelita smiles, standing close to him. "How are you?"
He simply stares at her, brow furrowed. "Chto?"
"Uhh…is it just me or is he not understanding a single word we're saying?" Odd seems so cynical, even when he's serious.
Rixon is still staring at Aelita, seeming confused and a little distressed. "Aelita… To yest' vashe imya? Kak ya znayu, vy?"
"Rixon." Aelita's voice is gently and understanding. She shakes her head. "I don't understand you." Her statement only seems to confuse him more.
"Nope," Odd confirms. "He doesn't understand us at all."
Rixon looks momentarily at him before finding his sheets more interesting. His hand starts to wring his right wrist. He blinks looking down at it. "Moi chasy…" he says, almost too quiet for us to hear. "Ne udivitel'no…" He looks back up at us. "Vy znayete, gde moy oborudovaniye?"
"Any idea what he's saying?" Rixon makes a sound similar to an exasperated sigh. He taps his wrist, three times. When we don't figure it out, he does so again before using his thumb and middle finger to encircle his wrist. "Oh, I get it!" Odd says, eyes wide. "He's asking about that watch he's always wearing! No wonder I thought something seemed off." He seemed thoughtful for only an instant. "I'll see if I can get it."
"And there's no way I'm leaving you unattended in a hospital," Ulrich says sternly, following him out the door. Surprisingly, they return almost immediately, Odd carrying a small bin. He gives it to Rixon, who sifts through the contents. He takes his watch first, fastening it carefully. He presses two buttons simultaneously. Then he takes the other item out of the box. It seems like it might be a hearing aid of sorts. He expertly sets the device over his ear, taking the short cord behind his neck. He uses his other hand to guide the cord, but I can't see what he does with it. He stiffens momentarily, then relaxes. Looking back at his ear, the device seems to have disappeared. He taps his head, just above his temple.
"'S that better?" His voice is a bit off, uncertain, as if he's struggling with the translation.
"Okay, that just makes no sense," Odd claims. In his confusion, his voice is loud.
Rixon winces, scratching behind his ear a moment. "It's just a translation aid," he says quietly.
"Translation aid?" I have to ask. "How does it work?"
For a second, it seems like he's panicking at the question, but that alarm is gone as soon as it is there. Maybe I just imagined it. "Uh…basically, it hears what I hear and it translates the words to my native language. I don't know Flor-F-French very well, so it's really helpful for me. My…uh…dad came up with it. I'm just testing it out for him…" He stares down at his hands, seeming uncomfortable.
"So your dad's an inventor?" Odd asks excitedly. "Cool!"
"You could say that," Rixon replies wearily. He rubs his head, closing his eyes.
"Are you feeling alright, Rixon?" Aelita, concerned, reaches for his hand. He pulls away, watching her from the corner of his eye. What is his problem?
"I'm fine." He lowers his hand and smiles at her. "Just fine."
"Rixon." My voice is sharp when I finally speak. There's something bugging me, and I want answers. "What happened?"
He tilts his head. "What do you mean…?"
"I mean before you passed out," I say, easing my tone. "You gave us quite the shock when you collapsed in the courtyard."
"Courtyard…?" His brow furrows. "But I…I wasn't in the courtyard." He looks at me, shaking his head. "I wasn't in the courtyard…I was…I was…it was some…sort of room…wires all over the place…an elevator behind me." He closes his eyes, concentrating. "There was a computer. More advanced than the ones at the school. And a holo-projector. A large holo-projector was in the center of the room." He opens his eyes. "The equipment was fully functional, and…" He looks at me, glancing at Ulrich as well. "You…you were…there…?"
I look at the others. This is going to become very difficult, no doubt.
~Code Lyoko: Ratchet~
"Honest, I swear. How could I forget something like that? And why would it be replaced with such a vivid image? I remember the place so clearly!" I'm still trying to convince them of what I had seen. No matter what I say, though, they all have logical answers to disprove it. The practice is frustrating, nevertheless.
"Maybe you were dreaming of a place you've been to before," Yumi suggests.
I shake my head, agitated. My ears twitch at the weird sound created by the front door of the hospital sliding open. "I didn't recognize it to be. I've traveled some, but I never came across such a place. The only reasonable explanation is that I have visited such a place somewhere close to Kadic."
"We don't know any place like that, and we know this town well, Rixon," Aelita says simply. I frown. Not well enough, I'd say. I know what I saw.
This entire day has been confusing and stressful. I feel like going back home to Veldin and just crashing. Too much is going on. I nearly flipped out when I realized I didn't have my watch on. I'm glad I kept a second holo-device completely out of sight, in case this kind of thing happened. Clank and I hoped against it, but we still had to be prepared. Speaking of Clank, I need to tell him about my attack. He'll want to know about that. Then he'll lecture me about knowing the symptoms and getting to him before it happens again. I know him well enough to predict that.
Earlier, I was wondering why I had been taken to the hospital. Turns out I had been out for two days. Local time of course. That would turn out to be…crap, I'm terrible at conversions. Clank's the one who normally does that kind of stuff, not me. I should have gotten a better education. Oh…wait…not an option. I got off track again. Anyway, it's not too terribly long. I probably slept about eight hours or something. I'm not surprised. I was exhausted. I don't think I've slept since I've landed on this "Earth." I really need to set my schedule right…
~Code Lyoko~
"Ratchet! Do you realize how worried I have been?" Clank inquires heatedly. Of course, the question is rhetorical. "You have been missing for a very long time, and my readings indicate you had another attack, and your equipment was removed. Were you seen at all?" All I do is shake my head. When Clank's angry, he rages – and I mean rages. Well, as much as a robot can anyway. I always find it smarter to just be quiet until it passes. Shouldn't take too long. He's already calming down. "Where were you, Ratchet? What happened?"
I concentrate, trying to remember everything that had happened between now and when I had left Clank earlier. Or the other day…? I hate it when I'm on a planet with different time zones! It gets so confusing. Carefully, I begin to tell him what had happened, but he interrupts me when I mention the factory building and what I had found inside. "You say you found this after your attack? And you were having some form of visions on your way there?"
I shrug. "Yeah. It was really weird. And you wouldn't believe what kind of tech they had there. Sure it was big, but it was almost as advanced as what we have."
"Interesting…please, do go on." I finish fairly quickly, seeing as I had fainted and then woke up in a hospital, coming back to my room when I had finally been released. In the silence that follows, we both think on what has occurred. "Perhaps we should return to this factory to take a better look at the equipment. I am quite curious about it. Can you remember the way?" I nod. "Excellent. We should go as soon as possible."
"When it's dark, then," I suggest. "Everyone will be asleep then."
"Very well. We shall go tonight."
~Code Lyoko~
Dinner sounds like an amazing idea; I don't care how terrible the food is. I don't recall the last time I ate, but whatever. I'm hungry now – period. I'm actually surprised at how great I feel. I mean, I feel just amazing! It's not normal, but I'm too giddy to care or worry. I can't even recall the last time I felt this great. It's like my attack yesterday never even happened. Just shows what a good night's sleep can do. I head down to the cafeteria at a swift pace. It would be a smart idea to get a little bit before our excursion tonight. I hope I can find it again. For some strange reason, I've not been able to remember the exact route. I hope I can remember when it gets dark…
The cafeteria is bustling as usual. I take a deep breath through my nose, smelling the food. The scent is surprisingly familiar and certainly enough to make my mouth water. It could only mean one thing: pot pie. There is a slight difference in the smell – they probably don't use Leviathan meat – but that is definitely pot pie. Eagerly, I step to the back of the line. Who knew they'd serve my favorite food here? This day just gets better and better! Thankfully, the line moves quickly, and I receive my food, my smile returned to me by Rosa. What a pleasant woman she is. I find it strange when I realize Odd and his gang aren't sitting at their normal table. Actually, they aren't here at all. Hm…wonder where they all ran off to…
Ready to dig into my pie of vegetables and meat, I sit down. I cut a piece and take a bite. For a moment, I sit there, frozen. A smile forms on my face. This pie…is the best pie…in the history of pie. I dig into it hungrily, barely chewing as I eat. After a few moments, I slow down. Might as well savor good food while its here. I take a curious glance around the cafeteria while I chew slowly, my attention finally being drawn to a small group just leaving the line. At the head is a fairly attractive young woman with black hair. One of her companions is neatly dressed, round glasses set upon his nose. He's a rival of Jeremy's, I think. The other seems a more slovenly fellow due to his hunched posture, vacant expression, and unkempt, straw-colored hair.
"Good evening, miss Delmas," I say in a friendly tone just as she passes my table. "Care to join me?" I indicate to the empty chairs around me. She gives me an odd look, almost angry it seems. Before she can quip, I speak again. "I must apologize for my actions towards you the other day. It was quite uncalled for, and I hold no basis for such action to you." I think I spend way too much time around Clank; I'm starting to talk like him these days!
"Well…" she starts grudgingly. "…I suppose I can forgive you…" I flash a charming smile at her as she sits down next to me. The other two look at one another after a glance from her before moving on, sitting at a table further down. I wonder why; they were welcome, too. "So," she starts purposefully. "How well do you know Jeremy and his gang?"
I blink at her a moment. Why is she so interested in them? "Not very…why the interest…?"
"Well, isn't it obvious? They're always so secretive, disappearing at the oddest times, stuff like that. Like now for example! They're not here, but everyone else is." I look around, and her statement is confirmed. How strange. Where could they be? "They do this all the time," Sissi is saying. "I don't understand why my Ulrich would spend so much time with them when he could be hanging out with me."
I look to her. "Have you ever thought of the possibility that he doesn't like you?"
I instantly regret my statement when she seems offended. "Not like me? How could he not?! I mean," she regains her composure. "I am beautiful. Not to mention the principal's daughter."
"Arrogance and position will gain you nothing," I say. "Trust me…I know. You are beautiful. And confident. Both qualities many men would vie for. I'm sure you're smart and reach for great goals. You're strong willed and prepared for what should be done. Beyond your arrogance, there's a heart filled with compassion. Is it so much to ask you wait for the right one instead of claiming one before you're grown and ready?"
She looks irritated at my words only a moment before her expression turns to slight confusion. Honestly, I'm surprised as well. "No one has ever talked to me like that before."
"From what I gather, you push people away. It may not be intentional, but the one advantage you claim is truly your curse, and your arrogance displays it like a beacon."
Apparently a bit disoriented, she nods once. After a while she looks up and smiles at me, a genuine smile. "Maybe you're right," she concedes. I return her smile. Maybe she's not so bad after all.
Do not ask me where that last scene came from. I was drunk on apple juice and orange sherbet sprite after our Anti-Prom/Vocaloid Rave the other day. I'm too lazy to change it… T.T I may go back and redo this chapter later…I don't much like it….
Flame me if you will. Curse my name, complain, rage, whatever.
He's not going to Lyoko.
(Yet.)
*NO SPOILERS!*
Someone calm her down, please.
[I will deal with her.]
Thank you. ANywho!
The people of the planet Florana natively speak French! For my purposes, of course. ^.^ Gotta love the near slips. Yeah, I cheated. Used Google Translate, which is - of course - crap.
French is a freakin' hard language to learn. Just ask my sis; she's learning it. Any language is hard, really. Especially when it comes to conjugation.
This is a long chapter…wow…I didn't know I was capable of that. Six pages, not including author's notes. And I got hungry while writing the scene at lunch! ^.^ That's certainly a first. I also used some of my vocabulary words! Yeah, I'm home-schooled, so I still have spelling and vocabulary as well as grammar and literature. Cool, huh?
Sorry this is a bit of a filler…I'm having trouble with deciding exactly what the next X.A.N.A. attack is and the specifics of it. I want to be at least slightly original with all of this stuff.
I suppose I should have clarified with all the craziness. Italics are…well, should I call them flashbacks? He's seeing the alternate time line. Bold and italics within those is him saying what was said in the alternate time. Italicized text with '' are thoughts. Hopefully that made sense of all my nonsense.
My thanks to all of you giving me suggestions.
I'm so sorry that this chapter is late! I meant to get it up before I went to Eeyore's birthday party on the final Saturday of last month, but things got out of hand; I wasn't even done a week after! I will try harder. I really want to go for at least a bi-monthly posting schedule. I'll get better, I promise! Things seem to be flowing a bit faster and better now, thanks to my friend Mouse.
I feel so terrible right now. I'm hot as heck down here in Texas. Oh, and Daniel forced me to wear a dress.
(Haha!)
Shut up before I sic Ardent on you!
(Are you crazy?!)
*He's creepy…*
(I'll say! He's insane!)
ANywho! I'm headed off for Chapter 13 now. Keep rockin' til then!
*By the way! Did anybody find the quote? It was my idea! I'll tell you next chapter if you don't get it! ^.^*
IMPORTANT: Oh! One last thing! A friend of mine of DeviantArt, Saphire321 - the illustrious author of "The Murder of Me," set out a journal saying she would advertise others' comics. I asked about fanfiction, and she claimed yes! All I need now is a logo… I have a few design ideas, but I'm not exactly the best at such things. How about you, my great readers, give it a whirl? I'd love to hear and see your ideas ^.^
Happy times, all!
~Foenix Nightshade~
