Chapter 29: Some Time
Late at night, Ulrich looked up information on the computer as Odd flipped through the channels. "I can't believe this, the only channel in English is the news, how boring," Odd complained, but looked over at his friend as he typed on the computer, "what are you up to?"
"Well, Sword Hunter has started calling me Ero when she used to call me Samurai, I want to know what that means," he replied, googling the search.
"It means pervert," Odd replied, flipping through the channels once again, hopping to find something decent to watch.
He was right on the money as that's what the search brought up. "How did you know?"
Odd seemed to stutter before replying. "Well, I studied some... Japanese, after Yumi threatened me."
Ulrich wasn't buying it. "Well, will I find translations if I look up the history?"
"You don't need to do that!" Odd nearly shouted as Ulrich couldn't help but laugh.
Nicole walked down the hallways, holding the empty ice-bucket in her hands. Even though Bobby was alright, she couldn't help but feel depressed; she knew she should have told him when she had the chance.
She rested the bucket and pressed the button; but as it filled up she felt something strange on her free arm. She looked over and saw none other than Sword Hunter holding it, examining it. "What are you doing?"
"My friend Shadow said you thought you were a freak, but I disagreed with him," she replied, rubbing her cheek against her arm; causing Nicole to shriek and jerk her arm away. "I mean, with skin as soft as yours, I know girls that would kill to have it, no matter what color it was," her bottom lip quivered, "I'm even a bit jealous."
Nicole looked befuddled at the Sin teammate then looked down at her arm. "Y-You're jealous of my skin?"
"Why wouldn't I be, it's so soft and smooth to the touch; I wouldn't mind being bright pink if I could have your skin. If you weren't so self conscious about the color, I bet you could have the guys eating out of your hands."
A slight blush could be seen on her cheeks. "You... really think so?"
Sword Hunter then leaned in close to the nervous teen. "Just some advice: it's not what you got that matters, its how you use it."
Nicole blushed a deeper shade of red just as Sword Hunter skipped off. "Oh and your ice bucket is overflowing."
Nicole snapped out of her thought and looked over to see the ice falling out of her bucket.
Aelita relaxed on Jeremy's futon, swinging her bare feet in the air; it seemed like even after everything turned out alright, they haven't said two words to each other since the match.
She watched as Jeremy worked on his computer, the only light in that room coming from the screen. She didn't know why she couldn't talk to him and she hated every second that went by that she stayed silent.
But before she could say anything to break the silence, Jeremy stopped typing. "A-Aelita? Are you sure, you are alright?"
A gentle smile graced her face. "Yes Jeremy, I am fine. You don't need to worry about me," she replied softly.
But Jeremy slammed his fist on the table; the loud noise shocked the pink hair princess. "I'm so pathetic," he snapped, "you were in so much pain and all I could do was watch; I couldn't help you when you needed me the most."
He hid his face in his arms, he couldn't bear to look at his girlfriend; he didn't even know how he could deserve her.
However he felt her arms wrap around him from behind, hugging him gently. "I know you did everything you could Jeremy; I wish you wouldn't be so hard on yourself."
She hugged him tighter, her cheek pressed against his; but what shocked him the most was he felt her tear fall on his cheek. "Sometimes I wonder how I could deserve such a kind and sweet guy like you; who would do anything he could to make me happy. I almost feel I'm not even worthy of being by your side," her voice quivering, holding back her tears but some kept seeping through.
He placed his hands over hers, gently squeezing her warm soft hands. "I would... do anything for you, Aelita."
She hugged him tighter. "Then can I, stay in your room tonight?"
The next morning came as Sissy sat down with Odd, Ulrich and Yumi at the buffet. "Where are Mr. and Mrs. Einstein?"
"Jeremy said he had tests to run in his room, to make sure Aelita is truly alright," Ulrich replied.
"If you ask me, Jeremy is way over protective of our Princess," Odd added, eating the mountain of food in front of him.
"And if you ask me, you take the saying 'all you can eat' as a challenge," Yumi replied, causing the three to chuckle at their friend's expense.
"Yumi, since this is our last day before heading to the final's tomorrow; do you want to head to the Bathhouse after breakfast?" Sissy asked.
Yumi nodded. "Sure, sounds great."
Nicole was at the Nurses station getting some aspirin; when she turned around she was shocked to see Sword Hunter smiling. "Hmmm, I see you are already dressing lighter; I bet it feels good to not wear such baggy clothing."
"Yeah... it does," Nicole replied.
"Well, it's a start," Sword Hunter added, "Well I got to head to the Stadium, have fun."
She then skipped off where she met with Bloodlust. "Hey I got an idea; let's go somewhere to eat after the match."
He grinned. "Oh, why is that?"
She put on an innocent mask, rubbing her index finger to her cheek. "I don't know, it just sounds like fun," but out of no where, she pulled out a switch-blade and moved it between her fingers, "but if you even try to bite my neck, I will slit your throat."
"Only you can sound innocent while stating a death threat," he chuckled, "but dually noted."
Nicole walked into the Lyoko training room where Will is scanning Bobby, Peeacee is right by his side and Dawn is sitting patently. "I got the medicine, how's it going?"
Will rubbed his eyes. "I have tried everything I can think of, but nothing's working."
"Don't push yourself, Will; you will collapse again," Peeacee replied in concern, placing her hands on his shoulders.
"So, there is nothing left you can do?" Dawn asked with tear filled eyes.
Will shook his head. "Sorry, I wish I could do more; but he is going to have to get his memory back the old fashion way. Just keep trying to jog his memory and hopefully he will remember who we are."
"It's going to be hard, since we live in another country," Nicole replied just as Sebastian released Bobby from the pod, "but he would do the same for us if we were in his condition."
Sissy and Yumi relaxed in the open air spa; the Bathhouse pretty empty as the guests were probably watching the match between Team Project and Sin. The only thing covering their bodies was a thin layer of sweat and a towel. "I'm, glad you suggested this place when we first came here," Sissy said, trying to strike up a conversation.
Yumi giggled. "I told you, you would like it."
"I'm sorry," Sissy blurted out, her hands now over her eyes dripping with tears.
Yumi was started by this sudden outburst, seeing her friend crying into her hands. "What do you mean, Sissy?"
"What I did, I'm so sorry," Sissy cried, "I know how much you two cared for each other, but I was only thinking of my self. I thought as long as I was happy everything would turn out alright. I still don't know how you can still call me a friend from what I've done."
"Well," Yumi replied, "it did hurt a lot to see that, but I know you are truly sorry for what you did."
Sissy stopped crying, moving her hand over her heart. "My heart still hurts though, I don't know if I will find anyone else."
Yumi smiled. "Come on now, the princess of Kadic High?" she rubbed her friend's back. "I bet you will have waves of guys at your feet with a flick of your wrist."
Sissy couldn't help but giggle. "You're right, what was I thinking? I can't wait to get back to school."
Yumi giggled. "I bet you can't."
Nicole, Dawn and Bobby were eating at McDonalds; he had a chicken burger, Dawn was drinking a milkshake and Nicole was eating a fruit cup. It was just too quiet for comfort as Nicole asked. "Bobby, does any of this bring back some memories?"
Bobby held his hand to his head. "Somewhat, everything feels familiar but everyone's faces are completely blurred."
"Don't worry, Bobby," Dawn replied, "once we get back home we will be in a more familiar environment; that should help."
"Thanks... D-Dawn, right?"
"Aren't we going to have fun explaining how this happened to his parents," Nicole commented, falling back into past memories.
She remembered when she was still back at the Orphanage; wearing so much baggy clothing she was sweating in the winter.
She leaned her back against the chain-linked fence. "Aren't you hot in all of that clothing?" a young voice asked.
She grinded her teeth, she would recognized that voice anywhere as she turned around to see Bobby and Dawn in light jackets on the other side. "It's only sixty-five degrees."
She knew that all they wanted was to get to know her so they could make fun of her behind her back; but for the past few weeks she didn't know what to make of it. "Maybe I just like being warm!" she snapped.
Even though Dawn hid behind Bobby, all he could do was smile. "But you're sweating, that can't be comfortable."
She wiped off the sweat from her forehead; he was right, it wasn't comfortable but it was better than showing off the disgusting flesh she called her skin. "W-Why do you keep doing this?" she asked in a quivering tone, her hands curling tightly into fists. "Why do you keep talking to me every time you come back from school?"
Bobby seemed to be befuddled by this question. "Isn't it obvious? I want to be your friend."
Those words stung her deeply. It wasn't long ago that another girl at that orphanage said the same thing, then overnight it seemed like her secrets were as public knowledge. It was as if they were broadcasted on the six-o'clock news and the consolers were doing nothing to stop the teasing, more like they were egging them on.
She watched as he moved his right hand through the gate. "Come on, let's shake and be friends."
So many conflicting thoughts were clouding her mind, she couldn't tell if this was an elaborate plan to make fun of her or if this was for real; but before she could think she bit him on the hand.
There he jerked it out of the gate and Dawn gasped, quickly grabbing onto his hand. "Bobby, are you alright. Oh no, it broke the skin; we better get home and have it bandaged."
Nicole felt immediate regret from what she did, pressing her fingers to her lips as she saw the two run off.
The next day quickly came as she rested her back against the chain-linked fence, watching the other orphans play as she was glad that she wouldn't have to deal with those two ever again; but yet, a part of her wished they would come back so she could at least apologize for how she acted.
"Why do you look so sad?" a voice asked.
She was shocked, turning around to see none other than Bobby and Dawn on the other side of the fence. "What are you doing here?" she asked in shock.
Bobby looked befuddled. "Why wouldn't I be here? We're friends, right?"
She tightened her hands into fists and grinded her teeth hard, but still felt tears fall down her face. So many conflicting thoughts hit her mind; all these words like friendship, trust, compassion always brought her nothing but pain.
She couldn't stand it anymore; she pulled back the hat that covered her face then removed her snow gloves, pulling down her baggy sleeve to reveal her light green skin. "So, you really want to be friends with a freak like me?!" she yelled at him; glaring intensely and breathing heavily, waiting for his reply.
Even though Dawn hid behind the boy, Bobby only looked confused. "Why would you call yourself a freak?"
Nicole couldn't believe her ears; for once someone didn't think of her as a freak. She didn't even know if that's what he really said. "W-What did you say?"
"I don't see why you would call yourself a freak; besides dressing up so much your drenched in sweat," he replied smiling, but then showed his hand to Nicole; a bandage covering where Nicole bit him the other day. "What do you think of my bandage?"
Her eyes went wide, she completely forgot about that. "I-I'm sorry," she replied in a quiet tone, "I didn't mean, to do that."
"You don't need to be sorry; I actually wanted to thank you," he replied smiling, "once this becomes a scar, I will always have a memory of when we met."
Nicole then snapped out of her thoughts; she should have remembered it earlier. Reaching across the table she grabbed Bobby's right hand.
There she moved back the long sleeve of his shirt and even though it was nearly fully healed, she could still see the scar. "Bobby, do you remember how you got this scar?"
Bobby looked at his scar; his left hand quickly moved to his head. She knew if there was any chance to get his memory back, this had to be it.
He remembered standing outside the gate of an orphanage, the person on the other side of the chain-linked fence. Her face still fuzzy but it started to come into focus. "N-N-Nicole?"
Both Dawn and Nicole's face lit up. "Bobby? Do you, remember us?" Dawn asked, her voice brimming with hope.
Bobby rubbed his eyes; the images of others came into focus. "Yeah, you're Dawn Knight and your Nicole Smalls," he replied while smiling.
The girls squealed in joy, latching onto him which in turned caused him to fall out of his seat.
If the days didn't seem to pass by fast before, it was the next day as Team Kiwi and Team Project stood at the center of the Lyoko Stadium, not an empty seat in the house, just as the Announcer was getting ready to speak. "It feels like it was only yesterday that this Tournament started, but already we have come down to the final match. And for the final match we couldn't have asked for two greater teams: last year's finalist Team Kiwi and two year finalist and last year's semi-finalist, Team Project."
The crowd cheered their lungs out as the announcer continued. "Will Team Kiwi grab another championship victory or will Team Project reclaim their glory? I'm getting excited just thinking of the possibilities. We've had good times, bad times, and strange times during this great tournament, but now it all comes down to this. So without wasting anymore time, let's get this match started! Team's, get to your stations!"
The Controllers sat at their computers as the Bodyguards and Deactivators got to their pods. "Now, ready!" the announcer called out.
"Scanning," the Controllers stated as the pods closed.
"Get set!"
"Transfer," their images appeared on their screens.
"GO!"
"Virtualization!" the Controllers called out, hitting the enter key.
To Be Continued.
Yup, I'm almost finished. The last chapter is next, hope you like. Read and Review.
