Pushed over the Edge

"So wait, he's moping because his parents are coming to see him and the movie he made?" Sissi asked.

"No, he's upset because his parents are perfect," Ulrich said. William and Sissi glanced at each other. "I know, it doesn't make any sense."

"Actually it does," Sissi said from her desk chair. William, who was leaning against the table, rose his eyebrow. "All you want is some real friends that don't suck up to you because of who you are." She sighed, "And all you really want is to be normal. Yes, I do wish I could have his parents other than mine, but I can see why he's upset... even if it is the weirdest reason ever. It's just like being the principal's daughter."

"Hmm," Ulrich muttered from her bed. "Anyway, why are you here, William?"

"What? I can't be here?"

"I was just asking."

"Boys, boys," Sissi chuckled, "It's alright. There's enough of me to go around. William was just telling me about his trip to Sam's house," Sissi smirked. The black-haired boy rubbed the back of his head. "Looks like you two are doing well."

"Yeah. Her parents are really cool, too. It's nice."

"I can tell."

"Anyway, I was also wondering," William continued. "What's the battle plan for dealing with XANA? I heard we were changing tactics."

"Yes, in a way," Sissi said, darting her eyes around the room. "Just be careful about who you talk to about it. The electric sockets have ears, you know."

"But what is the strategy?" Ulrich asked.

"Just be glad that we have one," Sissi smiled.

When the team did meet Odd's parents, they were surprised by how cool, current, and supportive they were. Soon, the theater room was filled, and Odd's parents had front row seats. Sissi, who was seating on the edge of the row beside Aelita then Jeremie, noticed something off. "Where's your computer?" She asked.

"Oh, ever since you linked S-Watch to my watch, I've expanded the program so I can detect towers on the S-Watch," Jeremie explained, "I've been improving the signal, so I don't have to carry the thing around all day."

"And you don't have to look like a hunched-over hermit," Sissi joked. Aelita laughed while the blond nerd grumbled. "Cheer up, Einstein. I'm glad you're finally starting to detach from that thing. Especially since we're so close to the end."

"Yeah," Jeremie sighed, stretching his limbs. "Although we have to figure out some scenarios if something goes wrong, you know."

"I know. But for now. Let's just enjoy the show."

"Speaking of which, where's Odd?" William asked from the other side of Jeremie. In the packed gym, none of them could find the purple-themed blonde. The teachers looked around for him. Sissi stood up.

"I'll look for him," She said, walking out of the gym. She got her phone and called. The sound was weird. It almost sounded like-

"Hello?" Odd answered. Sissi looked up the stairs right outside the gym. Odd was sitting on the steps.

"Odd, what are you-"

"Shhh! Keep it down! Can't ya tell I'm trying to hide?" Odd hushed. Sissi rolled her eyes and marched up the first landing of stairs. "What am I gonna do? I can't move an inch."

"You're nervous?"

"Yes!"

"Oh Odd," Sissi sighed, sitting down next to him. "Why are you nervous?"

"My parents are there. The school is there. I'm stressed out as it is."

"Oh," Sissi said innocently. She stretched her arms around his shoulders and smiled. "Why didn't you just say that? I've got the perfect remedy for you."

A couple of seconds later, people starting hearing shouts and yelps of pain coming from the outside. Then Sissi came in with Odd, slightly battered up and roughed up. He was clutching his stomach, too. The Dragon Queen promptly sat beside Aelita again; her arms crossed and her leg over the other.

"You know, there are other ways to motivate him without beating up him," Yumi smirked from beside William.

"Beat him up? I don't know what you're talking about," Sissi simply said. Odd got up and started talking, but then Jeremie's watch started going off. "Darn it." That's when everyone's phone going off.

"Time to go and don't answer your phone," Jeremie whispered. Ulrich made a sign to Odd who left the podium. The team rushed out of the gym and into the forest. They ran until they got to the factory, but Sissi suddenly noticed something as they entered the computer lab.

"Where's Odd?" She asked.

"Hmm, I can't call him. He might be hiding. I think I can triangulate the position of his phone," Jeremie said, typing. "There, found him."

"Where is he?"

"Here do ya think," Jeremie chuckled.

"Mess hall," they all said with a laugh.

"Well, what do we do?" Aelita asked. "Should we try and get him?"

"You guys go and de-activate the tower," Sissi said, "I'll get him."

"What are you gonna do?" William asked.

"Don't worry about it." Sissi smiled as she pushed the elevator button. She ran as fast as her legs could take her. Her legs didn't ache by surprise as much now. The school ground was filled with growling angry students and teachers. Sissi quickly snuck into the mess hall where she noticed Rosa's pot was missing. She rolled her eyes, walked down the row of tables, and looked underneath one of them. There was Odd, scooping out the last of whatever it was the lunch-lady cooked. "You're such a pig sometimes.

"I resent that," Odd remarked as he got up from the table. "So, how are we getting out of here?"

"I don't know," Sissi said. "The whole school is after us, and heading into town is bound to get us in trouble. Probably the best thing is to wait it out."

BANG!

Jim with a bunch of 7-graders charged in. "Get them!"

"That might be a problem! Come on!" Odd grabbed Sissi's hand and ran out the other end of the mess hall. They made it all the way to the groundskeeper's shed, but they didn't go in.

"Wait, Michael's probably in there with a rake ready to attack us," Sissi said. "I know! The woods. We can lose them there."

"But they can catch up to us one by one."

"Easier than all of them ganging up," Sissi replied. The shed opened and out came a possessed Michael the groundskeeper with a rake in hand.

"Hehe, come here so I can rake ya in," He said. Odd and Sissi glanced at each other.

"Or we can just fight them," Sissi mumbled, shocking Michael with an electric pulse of her cane. He didn't buzz like the other people, but he fell down, unconscious.

"Come on! Let's try and get to the Hermitage," Odd said. The two ran for the woods with an angry horde right behind them. Sissi knew they had to run away from the school and the factory. It was the only way to make sure none of the people got to the supercomputer. They managed to get to the crossroads in the forest, panting and huffing. "Okay, I think we're safe for now."

Sissi sat down on the ground when a sharp pain ran up her leg. "ARgh! When are you going to heal?! I hate this leg!"

"Hey, hey, keep it down," Odd hushed. Sissi silently simmered. The blonde knelt down. "Let me see it."

"You're not exactly a nurse."

"Just trust me." Odd looked at the leg. "Well, nothing's broken or worn down. Just make sure to rest it for a while after this."

"Okay, Doctor Odd," Sissi smirked. Then she frowned, "It doesn't make sense. Why isn't XANA zapping us like he usually does?"

"Maybe he can't do that with the power he has. I mean, he's got to get control of a lot of people. That's a lot of power," Odd suggested.

"True," Sissi sighed. She slowly got up. Sissi didn't have much time to think before the whole school ambushed them. "Great," She muttered.

"Come on, you two should be punished for not respecting your elders," said Odd's mom. Sissi rose her eyebrow.

"Odd, should we just fight them?"

"Uhhh I would say yes, but since XANA doesn't have full power over them, I think we might hurt them," Odd said.

"We could use the Return to the Past."

"Sissi."

Sissi rolled her eyes. "Well played XANA." They were taken into captivity and escorted back to the school with gardening tools, brooms, and ladles used to push them forward. "This has got to be the strangest attack ever."

"Just stall them," Odd whispered. But then they were shoved up to the school's roof. Their feet a foot from the four-story building. The gusty wind threatened to knock them over. Odd gulped.

"Still think we shouldn't fight back?" Sissi asked as she looked over the edge.

"Alright, now time to say your prayers," Said Odd's dad. "Any last words?" His words were barely heard over the wind. Sissi started planning her moves. If she felt the slightest push, she would spin around and fight them off, especially if they pushed her with something metal. She would have to get Odd first or maybe he could duck. Either way, she would have to move quickly before-

"Sissi, I think I love you," Odd said. Sissi's eyes shot open. She looked at Odd. She couldn't think anymore. How could she?

"W-W-What did you say?"

"I." The words stuck to his lips. "I just wanted you to know just in case we don't make it."

"W-Why now?!"

"I don't know... I panicked!"

"Oh cut the baloney! You're always calm under pressure!"

"Well, not this time! This is different!"

"How?"

"I don't know!" Odd answered. She glared into his eyes, but she couldn't be truly angry.

"Why... Why not Sam?" She laid down all the disguises and subtle workings. The game was up; the imposter found. "You said you didn't know which one to pick."

"It... it was a lie. I knew which one. I just... overthought it... and I didn't know if you would say yes," Odd hung his head. "I just wanted you to know."

Sissi shook her head. "Hehehehe, I think I love you too, you idiot. I just wish we were-" Suddenly, they looked back. XANA's minions dropped their weapons. The crowd was returning to normal. The team de-activated the tower and returned to the past. The day repeated itself. Odd, more thankful for his parents being the way they were, cooly presented his movie from the stage. Sissi's part was in there, but Odd didn't ridicule her in this movie. While the gym filled with laughter and cheers, Odd winked from the podium while Sissi only smiled back.

Continued...