AN: Thanks for all the reviews. As always, I have more chapters for you. No dedication this time. I can feel a last chapter coming soon.... Maybe I'll dedicate that one. As always, read, review, and enjoy!
When the pair finally met up with Odd and Aelita, Yumi had seven minutes remaining. The group crouched behind some closely set trees to plan their strategy.
"Fifteen hornets, five crabs, and three of us," Odd said, summing up the situation.
"Two of us," Ulrick amended, "Yumi will stay here wit Aelita."
"No," Yumi said, clutching her closed fan during a brief spasm of pain, "I'm going with you guys."
"You can't afford to lose any more life points," Jeremy reasoned.
"We're in this together," Yumi said firmly.
"Another five down, Yumi," Jeremy announced, "The more you argue, the less time we have."
"At least stay back with Aelita for a little while," Ulrick pleaded.
Yumi nodded shortly, the pain in her head nearly unbearable.
"Hey Jeremy, could you reload me before we go say hello to some old friends?" Odd asked.
"Ok," Jeremy said, typing the command into the computer. During the time the others were in Lyoko, he had developed a few beads of sweat on his forehead. Pulling off his glasses, he wiped his arm across his forehead to remove the droplets. Replacing his glasses, Jeremy looked at the screen at the placement of the monsters. The crabs had ringed around the tower, facing out. The hornets were circled around the tower with three above each crab.
"If you can break through one side, you should be able to slip Aelita to the tower," Jeremy said, looking over the map. "The monsters on the side closest to you seem to be moving more... It may be best to try attacking them."
"Got it," Ulrick said, edging around his tree carefully.
"Ulrick, wait," Yumi said, concern in her voice, "Be careful. It wouldn't be worth it if they killed you and I was cured. That goes for you too, Odd," she added, remembering how easily the overconfident warrior was devirtualized.
"Don't worry," Odd said lightly, "We always win."