Chapter 26

WPOV

Akiko dumped her tray then came back to sit by me. I smiled at her.

"Is there something on my face?" she asked giving me a funny a look.

"No," I said quickly looking down.

"Then why are you looking at me like that?"

"I wasn't looking at you like anything," I defended. What was wrong with me? I felt drawn to this girl for some reason.

"Well, ok," she scoffed. Ulrich chuckled and went back to lunch line for a third helping of food. When he came back I laughed.

"It looks like Odd isn't the only one love sick around here. He couldn't eat and you can't stop," I chuckled.

His cheeks went red, "No. I'm just really hungry today that's all."

"Sure," I said in a sarcastic tone. He rolled his eyes at me and went back to eating.

My cell phone started ringing and I looked at it. It was Jeremy. I was confused as to why he was calling me but I answered.

"Hey, Einstein. What's up?"

"Xana has activated a tower. Aelita and Yumi are with me so it's up to you, Ulrich, Odd, and I guess Akiko to deactivate it."

I raised my eyebrow, "How are we going to do that without Aelita?"

"That's why I suggested Akiko. When I recreated Lyoko I made it so any female Lyoko warrior's print can deactivate a tower. But since Aelita and Yumi are with me you have no choice. We have to let her into the group. I left instructions on how to virtualize yourselves by the mainframe just in case of an emergency like this one."

I looked at Akiko who was looking at me puzzled.

"Ok. We're on it," I hung up.

"What was that all about?" she asked.

How the hell am I supposed to explain this to her? I looked at Ulrich who was still eating.

"Xana alert," I said and Ulrich stopped eating.

"What alert?" she asked annoyed.

"Ulrich can I talk to you for a second?"

He nodded quickly and walked out side with me. After I explained he nodded, "We don't have a choice. I'll get Odd. You take Akiko to the factory and we'll meet you there." I nodded and he took off to the dorms.

UPOV

I ran up the stairs and nearly ran into Sam. I apologized and asked if Odd was in our room.

"No, sorry. I was looking for him myself that's why I'm waiting for him to come back," she said.

"Well that's just great," I grumbled, "If he comes back tell him to get to he-knows-where right away."

"Sure thing," she smiled. I nodded at her then ran back down stairs, out the door and headed for the forest.

WPOV

"You're crazy," Akiko said after I explained, "Super computers, virtual worlds, monsters, it sounds like some science fiction movie to me."

"I know it sounds crazy but I can prove it to you and we really need your help," I insisted, "Trust me. I'm not pulling your leg"

"I don't trust anyone," she snapped shooting daggers at me.

"Sorry," I said puzzled.

"Ok. I don't know what game this is but I'll play," she smiled at me, "Show me this so called 'virtual world'"

I nodded and took her hand leading her to the forest.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"To the factory. That's where the super computer is. And quick question. Do you know how to fight?" I asked as I hurried her along.

"Absolutely. When you grow up in the ghetto you have to learn how to fight," she said gazing at me, "Why?"

"It comes in handy for being a Lyoko warrior. You'll see. I can't wait to see what you look like."

"Me too I guess," she chuckled. I saw Ulrich waiting for us already at the manhole cover but no Odd.

"Where's Odd?" I asked as he pulled away the cover.

"I couldn't find him. I told Sam to give him the message for me if she saw him," said Ulrich.

I scoffed, "I wouldn't hold my breath on that. That girl isn't very trustworthy."

"Yeah I know. But his phone is lost so that was my only chance," he said climbing down the ladder.

"Wait we have to get in a sewer? I thought we were going to a factory," Akiko crossed her harms.

"This is the way to get there. Don't be scared of a sewer," I said grinning.

"I ain't scared of nothing!" She said climbing down the ladder. I suppressed a laugh and followed her down into the sewer.

"Would you prefer skateboard or scooter?" Ulrich asked her when we were all on the ground.

"Skateboard for sure. What kind of wuss rides a scooter?" she said grabbing a board. I once again suppressed a laugh and Ulrich and I also grabbed skateboards. Ulrich led the way and I was impressed with Akiko's skating skills. She could slide down a rail with no problem just like Ulrich and I.

"Where did you learn to skate?" I asked her curiously when she rode up next to me.

"Eh here and there," she grinned at me, "Surprised?"

"Well, Yeah. I mean Yumi and Aelita skate, but they don't do daredevil stuff."

We came to the ladder that led to the bridge and skidded to a stop. Ulrich climbed up and I followed and Akiko followed me. We crawled out onto the bridge and took off running toward the entrance.

"Hope you're not scared of heights," I said grinning at her.

"I'm not. Why?" she asked puzzled.

Ulrich and I jumped onto the ropes and swung down to the elevator.

"Oh," I heard her say. Then she jumped onto a rope and swung down next to me.

"So this is the famous factory," she said looking around as she got in the elevator with us, "So where's this super computer?"

"You'll see," Ulrich said hitting the button.

The complicated door opened and we walked into the lab.

"Wow," she said her mouth dropping open, "And all this time I really thought you two had lost it."

"Nope. Head for the scanners. I'll try my best to start the virtualization," Ulrich said sitting in the big chair.

"Scanners?" Akiko looked at me funny.

I nodded at her, "Come on." She got back into the elevator and I hit the button.

The door opened again and I walked out into the scanner room. She followed me looking curiously at the scanners. "What are those things?"

"The scanners. They pretty much teleport us into Lyoko."

I went to one and stood inside it.

"Virtualization doesn't…hurt does it?" She asked reluctantly getting into one.

"No. But you do feel a little funny after the return trip. A bit weak in the knees and out of breath," I said.

I heard the elevator open and Ulrich ran in and got into one of the scanners. "I hope I didn't mess up," he said as the doors shut.

Wind started to blow in my face and I was lifted up into the air. Then I shut my eyes as I was sent to Lyoko.

I virtualized and dropped to the ground in the ice sector. I landed next to Ulrich and we both heard an "ouch!" come from behind us. I turned around and Akiko stood up. She still had a gray jump suit like the rest of us but she kind of reminded me of Odd. She had a wolf tail and ears and war paint that kind of looked like whiskers under her eyes. On her shoulder was a bow and she had a sack full of arrows on her back. Her sleek black hair actually looked blue here on Lyoko and it was in a ponytail. She looked over herself.

"Wow. I look like a wolf. Awesome!" she examined her bow, "I'm guessing this is my weapon? I love archery. This is too cool! Ok so what do I do?"

"We protect you since you're the one who has to stay virtualized to deactivate the tower. I'm the warrior who's been coming here the longest out of us three so I'm in charge. This isn't a game. We have an important mission to complete. Oh and if you see a huge Jellyfish, run and don't try to take on it yourself. Ok the tower is this way," Ulrich said pointing to the red tower in the distance.

"Got it," she said, "Don't worry. I'm good at taking orders."

"I learned my lesson from the last time I tried to play hero," I said nodding at him.

"Ok, good. Let's go," Ulrich said taking off toward the tower. We followed him and I spotted 3 kankralots coming our way.

"Super sprint!" yelled Ulrich before a yellow blur raced ahead of us and sliced through one of them.

I ran up and swiped my giant blade at one of them. They both exploded.

"Akiko, now would be a good time to try out your weapon," Ulrich called and we watched her. She pulled out an arrow and set it on her bow. She pulled it back and aimed before releasing it. It hit the last kankralot right on target and it exploded.

"Not bad," I complimented before we ran toward the tower.

"There's two tarantulas guarding the tower. William and I will take them out while you head for the tower," said Ulrich and we nodded.

"Super smoke!"

"Super sprint!" We both sped off toward the monsters and it was pretty easy to take mine out, but Ulrich got shot several times and devirtualized.

"Ulrich! Is he gone forever?" Akiko called out somewhere behind me.

"Nah, when you run out of life points you end up back at the factory in the scanners. Don't worry," I said before I was shot myself in the stomach. I groaned and fell to my knees.

I looked up at the tarantula and before it could shoot me again an arrow hit it right in the face and it exploded. I stood up and smiled at Akiko who ran up to me.

"You're a natural!" I said grinning at her, "Now go inside the tower and when you rise to the platform, place your hand on the interface. Then the tower is deactivated."

She nodded and looked up at the tower, "Is there a door? Or am I supposed to magically poof in there?"

"Just walk into it," I said chuckling. She raised her eyebrow at me but did what I said. After a few minutes of waiting the tower turned from red to white.

"Yes!" I said happy I finally had my first successful mission.

"I don't think we have to launch a return in the past so just devirtualize each other then we can head back to school. It's almost three," I heard Ulrich's voice.

"Ok!" I called and Akiko came out of the tower.

"It's strange in there, but this is super cool. Now what do we do?"

"Shoot an arrow at me and I'll swipe you with my blade then we'll get back to Earth."

"Ok," she said looking at me funny and grabbing an arrow.

"One…two…three!" I said and I swiped her right when her arrow hit my chest.

I stepped out of the scanner and I saw Akiko almost fall out of hers. I stepped up and caught her though.

"I feel funny," she said looking up at me and I laughed.

"Don't worry, you'll get used to it"