Author's Note: I do not own Code Lyoko, etc.
Chapter Fourteen – Arrest
Aelita hugged Jeremy as the Return to the Past brought them back to late last night. She was happy that he succeeded in launching a return as Odd just stood smiling in the corner of the lab.
"You did it, Jeremy!"
"Don't thank me just yet. We are now back to square one, we have to do something about Ulrich's absence."
Odd spoke up, "What time did you call Delmas last time?"
"Around 8:08 in the morning after an early breakfast, we went to class afterwards."
"Okay, then we can assume from what Delmas told us, the real Mr. Stern called almost right after. So, you let him call first and then we can call."
The other two stood thunderstruck, "Wow, Odd. That was well thought out."
Odd stretched his arms to the side and stood on one foot, "When have I ever not been?"
Jeremy and Aelita chuckled. Odd began losing his balance.
"Whoa…whoa!" He slipped and fell on his backside. The pair laughed at their fallen friend and in a moment, he laughed too.
"I think we should call it a night and get some sleep."
Odd did a small salute, "Roger that, Einstein."
"Door, door, dang it…where is a door?" Yumi thought as she ran down the darkened corridors looking as same as the ones before them.
Mystoro's voice echoed down the citadel, "There is nowhere you can, dear girl, we are going to find you."
"Not…as long…as…I…keep…running." She said in between breathes.
"I believe you are out of time."
Suddenly, Yumi's right arm couldn't move and a second later, her right leg was paralyzed, and then a few seconds more before her left side was as well. She seemed to float in mid-air as this unseen force was holding her back.
"What is happening?"
"It is all right, they will not harm you unless I wish them to."
"Who? There is no one here."
"That's right. You can't see them because you are not psionic. Only those who have mastered the powers of the mind can see them. Son, Daughter, bring her to me."
She continued to struggle as she fought for her freedom, but to no avail as the unseen force had held over her. In a matter of moments, she was brought into the command room of the citadel. Andurith was gazing at the screens like he always does and Mystoro hovering next to him as his legs were locked in Indian-style.
"So this is how you repay my hospitality? With a vain attempt at freedom?"
"If you can call being tied to a restraining table, hospitality?"
"I was merely trying to keep you safe until you are needed, which should be very shortly. But if you desire the ability to move around so much, we can make other arrangements. Mystoro, take her to the dungeons. I am sure a nice cell down there will be sufficient enough to contain her."
"Yes, my Lord." He waved his hands and the unseen force turned Yumi around and moved her out of the room.
"Bastard! Let me go!"
"Don't worry, you will be seeing your precious Ulrich soon enough."
"Leave him out of this!"
Andurith whispered, "But I am not so sure that you will want to see him again, after all he has been through."
The halls echoed with Yumi's protests as she was taken away.
Elsewhere in another place attuned to darkness, Ulrich rested his chin on one of his knees as he propped it up on the bed. The newest Darkling General felt restrained in that he was forced to stay put while the others prepared for a possible battle with these…Cultists of Shadow.
"It is unfair, isn't it, Master?" Dracmatu said, still sheathed to his belt.
"Yes it is, but we have to be patient. Hopefully, this will not take long."
"Are you so sure? These people want to use you as a pawn like they are being used."
"No one commands me!" He shouted and then his eyes relaxed as he calmed down, "It is annoying that I get this welcome reception and now I am forced to stay in my room like some petulant child."
"Then, why not see what it is they are up to?"
"Like I would care? The only reason I went along with any of this madness was to see Yumi again."
"Ahh…love. It is the emotion that is the most powerful and the most dangerous."
"How so?"
"When you are with a person you care deeply about, everything seems brighter and the world is perfect…but when your love is taken from your side, your thoughts turn dark and all you care about is getting recompensation for their absence."
"You're right. That is what is happening to me then and even now."
"You have me, Master. I will let nothing harm you, so we can go."
"Okay, where to?"
"We need to get to the War Factory that is nearby."
"You can lead me there?"
"Yes, but you must hurry. The guards outside your door has just changed and we need to go now."
"Okay, let's go." Ulrich unsheathed Dracmatu from her scabbard and opened the door.
"Take a left, go down the other hall, and take another left."
"Gotcha."
He turned the corner and walked down the darkened hall as he tried to be as silent as he could.
"Yumi…don't worry, I am coming."
Sora stood back up and felt his wounds were completely healed. He found himself alone in the small hut that he and his friends built on this island long ago. He saw his clothes on the table in front of him.
He took his clothes and got dressed. He wondered where everyone was and so went outside. Still feeling weak, he leaned on the door frame.
"Sora!" Kairi shouted as she walked up to the hut. She caught him as he fell and rested his chin on her shoulder.
"Sora…you are still exhausted. The pain you must have endured…I don't what to think about it."
"It's…nothing." He groaned and sat down on the sandy ground.
She knelt down and smiled, "You just need to rest a little longer."
"Where is everyone? Why is it so quiet?"
"Donald and Goofy are playing with Riku by the beach. I was playing with them and came back to check on you. Good thing that I did."
"Yeah, but…what about the ones who need us…Yumi and her boyfriend?"
She sighed, "Yes, they need us, but it will be pointless if you have no strength to fight."
He nodded his head, "You're right…as usual."
"I am going to put you back into bed. Don't worry, I've got a feeling about this and everything will be all right."
"Okay…" He said and allowed her to help.
Ulrich looked left and right, then ran down the cleared hallway. He knew they were getting close because he could feel the darkness tightening.
The voice snorted, "Why is this whelp important? He has a fancy blade, so what? It is nothing like what they need."
"Kaldur, the Great Shadow has spoken to me in the Ephemeral Chamber. It has divined the plan that Andurith and his Cult has in store for us."
Undying Soldier spoke, "This plan…it involves Ulrich, doesn't it?"
"Yes…it seems Andurith is trying to get his hands on a pure Dark Crystal."
Ulrich walked near the end of the hall that expanded into a loading dock where many ancient siege weapons were stored. He stood above the room, this catwalk must be used by engineers or guards when needed. But from his vantage point, he could see the other Darkling Generals from a safe distance and their voices echoed toward him.
"A nearly infinite sssupply of energy. How does he manage to obtain this rare power?"
"He didn't say. But we know it has something to do with our Ulrich and his lady friend."
"Yes…how is our new friend doing by the way? Can you fill us in…Undying Soldier?"
"Montague, why me?"
The puppet master smiled, "Well…you have been spending a lot of time with the boy. Does he remind you of anyone?"
"No, it is not like that. I am just…showing him the ropes."
Darkmancer stepped forward and stood near face-to-face with Undying Soldier, "You are having visions again, aren't you? Remnant thoughts of those who made you."
"Yes…he reminds me of my…I mean, his son."
"We will perform another blocking spell. Your protection of the boy is admirable, but it mustn't cloud your thoughts."
"I…understand."
"Good, now…according to Dermut, the Cultists now have our Ulrich's girlfriend. We must have her to ourselves for two reasons: To affirm Ulrich's loyalty and to prevent the Cultist's plans from achieving fruition."
Kaldur snorted, "So…" He said with a wide grin, "…we siege their citadel?"
Darkmancer nodded, knowing this is what he wanted to hear.
The large pig-man squealed in delight as he raised his large mace above his head, "Finally…some action to lift the boredom."
"Regardless of what may happen, Ulrich must remain here. We will triple the sentries guarding his room to prevent his escape. For the remainder of this conversation, we will convene in the council room to discuss the specifics of the invasion."
The other Darkling Generals walked down the exit on their level as Ulrich stood out from the dark.
"They plan to have us stay from the battle?" Ulrich near shouted as his rage began to cloud his view, he banged on the pipe of the nearby railing and it bent horribly down.
"Master, you are getting angry."
"Why shouldn't I be? They intended to keep me their prisoner from the start, didn't they?"
"Calm, Master. The darkness within you keeps me at your side, but too much is not good if you are to win."
"What victory is there for me to have?"
"To claim your prize. Once Yumi is in your arms, then you can go far away with her and do whatever you wish with her. I will be there to assure she doesn't harm you."
"There is nowhere we can go. They hold the power of darkness and can travel anywhere they so desire. We would never be safe again."
"You do have a point. But what if…no, that might not happen."
"What? Tell me!"
"If we unleashed her inner darkness, then she would be by your side and will be with you forever. Your loyalty to the Darkling Generals will be assured and you two will be accepted into the fold. I am sure you will be happy together."
"Is that what you truly wish for me to do?"
"A servant doesn't tell her master what to do, but I can advise if needed."
"Then that is what I will do. We will get Yumi first and I will deliver her to Darkmancer personally. I don't care what punishment I'll have to endure." He held his hands up, so he could see them, "To hold her in my arms again…" He curled both hands into fists, "…I will reshape everything to do so."
"Sentiment all well and good, but first we have to return to your room. If they catch us absent, our plans will be undone before they had a chance to begin."
He sighed, "You're right. We should head back now."
He turned on his heel and went back the way he came.
"Don't worry, Master. Very soon…we will all be together again."
Next Chapter, Sora receives a vision, Ulrich waits patiently for the next action, Andurith puts the next move into play.