After Yumi dumped me and Ulrich, both of us were really upset. Ulrich probably took it harder than I did. As much as I wanted to find ways to apologize to Yumi, I had a job to do. Due to my superpowers, I was the only one who could track down Xana. We had only four days left to stop Xana's plans. The fate of the world, the country, Aelita, and her child were in my hands now. If I failed... I tried not to think about it. I continued meditating and searching for Aelita by following Xana's trail. I knew I had to find her.
(William is shown sitting Indian style on the floor, he is then shown in as a shadow version of himself, wondering around in some fields in France)
William: I've looked almost everywhere in France. The cities of Paris, Lyon, Nice, Orleans, the provinces of Îl-de-France, Burgundy, Normandy... (he sighs) Where haven't I looked?
I thought to myself really hard.
If I was Xana and I had just captured Aelita, where would I hide?
I thought that Xana would hide herself in plain sight without anyone's notice. But after awhile, I began to think that I was wrong. So instead of going towards the more crowded and popular places, I went to the more deserted ones. In Lyon, I picked up Xana's trail and continued to follow it. Eventually it led me to the Alps. I walked down the Rhone river, and after walking down the river, it intersected with the Isère river. Then I saw a large 20 story building. The building was made of stone and had glass windows, but the very top window seemed to be blocked by large red curtains from the inside. I could feel Xana's presence. I knew she was in there.
William: Wow, that is a large building. Xana must be in there. (he turns into a shadow trail, slipping through the walls and ceilings, until he gets to the top floor)
I was hiding in a small corner of the room, far enough to avoid being seen by Xana, but not far enough that I couldn't see her. Xana smiled wickedly with confidence as she looked upon her prisoner. Aelita was strapped to the bed in specter form. Her back was elevated and her lower half of her body was covered with a white sheet-like blanket. It was easy to tell that she was heavily pregnant with Jeremie's child. But in spite of the danger she was in, Aelita looked at Xana with daggers in her eyes.
Aelita: You'll never get away with this Xana! Jeremie and the others will find you,and once they do, they'll tear you to pieces! (Xana chuckles)
Xana: You really think that they'll find you? We're in the Alps, one of the coldest and most deserted mountain ranges in all of Europe. The entire fortress is surrounded by an illusion barrier, so that no human can ever find us. So even if they knew you were in the Alps, they'd never find you. No one can save you, or your child. (Xana manifests a ball of blue energy in her hands, she slowly releases the energy, lulling Aelita to sleep) No one can stop me! Ah ha ha ha ha ha! (she sees William, looks away, then looks at William again and gasps) You!
William: Uh oh... I think I've overstayed my welcome.
Xana: So you're still alive, huh? Even after I throw you into the Digital Sea, you still live? Well it matters not. You and your friends will never reach my fortress! (she blasts him out the window, his shadow-like counterpart returns to his body)
William: That was close. Too close...I thought for sure she'd destroy me,but at least I know where she is.
I had discovered that they were in the French part of the Alps. At least I knew which country they were in. I called for the others at the Hermitage. Franz Hopper and Anthea were already there. Jeremie was the first to arrive, then Ulrich.
Jeremie: You really managed to find them?
William: Yes, it took me almost three days straight, but I did it.
Ulrich: Hey William?
William: Yeah?
Ulrich: Do you think Yumi will ever talk to us again? I've tried calling her three times and left two voice mails.
William: I called her twice and left a voice mail. She's really giving us the cold shoulder.
Ulrich: What are we even to her?
William: Probably just a bunch of hooligans.
Ulrich: We're supposed to be her hooligans. (sigh)
William: Ya know, I can't believe you're actually talking to me as if I was one of your friends...
Ulrich: Ya know, we may not be too different after all.
William: Really?
Ulrich: Really. When I was under Xana's control, I saw and heard everything Xana was forcing me to do... And I hated it.
William: Now you know how I felt when she possessed me all three times.
