A/N: This is the longer chapter that I've written. I can't stand it; my hands are almost numb. Anyway, did you guys get my Clinton reference form ch. 24? I love Clinton jokes. Okay, in this chapter there is a time frame. Just read it (and review) first then look at this:
Week 1: Jessica starts acting weird
Week 2: Jessica is sick
Week 3: Jessica invites everybody to her house. That's when it happens.
Week 4: Halloween
Gir: Sorry.
The-Angel-from-Hell-09/10: Interesting scenario. Sorry but I couldn't update because FanFiction was shut down for 2 days. Thanks for reviewing. Haven't seen you in a while.
mizZhypocrite 101: I always put full names when I review. It's not going to change either (it's good for future reference). Yeah, fluffies are great. I like them too. The cookies are one reason why I said to "pay attention to details" in the disclaimer. Thanks for reviewing.
Black Cherry Cola: Where should I begin? I can't believe that you thought that it was over. lol. Also, I will finish this story…someday…yeah, someday…Thanks for reading.
J(at)Lyoko: It was a joke. Don't take it that seriously. If you want to kill someone then write a one-shot. Thanks for stoppin' by.
Janika: Thanks for the compliments. I also appreciate you proof reading the majority of this chapter. You get something special…
thesuperdot: Thanks, man. I think you'll like this chapter.
mvdj: Right…
The 13th Pearl: Two death threats for this chapter? Not bad if you ask me. Thanks for reviewing. Enjoy.
A/N: Okay, my AWE count is at 11. My death threat count is at 5. Thanksgiving is a few days away and I plan to do some typing (among other things). Don't forget:
WHOEVER IS THE 100TH REVIEWER SHALL HAVE A CHAPTER DEDICATED TO THEM and no double posting (but you can review other chapters)!
Disclaimer: I can't believe that nobody mentioned the fact that I didn't have this during the last block. You guys need to start paying attention to details (hint, hint). Anyway, I don't own Code: Lyoko or any of the characters except for Dan and Jessica.
This chapter is dedicated to:
Janika
The next day in Chemistry class---
'Come on, ring already!!!' I thought staring at the clock as my stomach started to growl. Jeremie was sitting next to me looking around the room. He seemed as bored as I was.
My mind was starting to wander. I looked back at the clock and the second hand was at two which meant it was overdue. 'I wonder if X.A.N.A.'s behind this. Making us stay here in Chemistry class forever. That'd be a good way to kill us.' Just then the bell rang. I felt so relieved. Jeremie, Ulrich and I walked out of Mrs. Hertz class together.
"It's about time. I don't get it, Jeremie. The second hand was already past the two and the bell still didn't ring. I think X.A.N.A's behind this. Could you check?" I asked Jeremie. Ulrich laughed.
"Odd, come on, you can't be serious," Jeremie replied with a hint of sarcasm in his voice, "Why would X.A.N.A. want to mess with the clocks?"
"To keep us in Chemistry forever! Don't you see it? He can make us starve to death since we couldn't get out of class!" I tried to reason with Jeremie about the seriousness of the situation but I have a feeling that it isn't going to work.
"Odd, you're just hungry. Don't worry about it. Now, let's get something to eat. I too am hungry." Ulrich said as we walked out the double doors to be greeted by Yumi.
"Hey, guys, what's going on?" Yumi said standing by the usual tree.
"Hi, Yumi." Ulrich said in a soft lovable voice. Yumi blushed.
"Hey, Yumi. Don't worry it's nothing. Odd's just hungry again. You know how he gets." Jeremie said rolling his eyes.
"Oh, I get it. Well, then let's go." Yumi said. I led the way to the cafeteria and everybody else followed.
We got our food a sat down at the table. Today's meal was mystery meat which is mysteriously inedible and smashed potatoes also known as very flat French fries. I also got a side of salad with slop; better known as watered down salad dressing. I couldn't figure out what flavor it was.
Ulrich looked over the room which was nearly empty. He finally broke the silence and said, "Guys, I think we have a problem."
"What kind of problem?" Jeremie asked.
"X.A.N.A.'s last attack; he took control of Dan and he tried to kill me," Ulrich explained in a soft voice, "Look, Dan's right arm is entirely mechanical which mean X.A.N.A. could control it at any moment and come after us."
"Are you joking?" I said. If not then no wonder his punch knocked me out cold.
"'fraid not, Odd." Ulrich replied.
"What should we do?" asked Yumi, "We have to find out more about it."
"Yeah, but the only way I can see us doing that is to tell him about Lyoko," Jeremie stated, "I mean how else would you explain how we know about his arm?"
"Good point. I guess were going to have to tell him then." Ulrich concluded. The mere idea sent shivers down my spine. We've never told anybody about Lyoko before.
"Whoa, hold on Ulrich," Jeremie cautioned, "We have no idea how he'll react. He could tell others."
"Listen, Jeremie, we're telling him. I don't feel like getting my neck broken again." Ulrich rubbed his neck uneasily.
"Say what!?" I said confused. For once in my life I felt like not eating.
"During the attack I had to fight Dan and he broke my neck just before time returned to the past. He knows how to kill. It's like he was trained or something."
"You're not joking are you?" Jeremie asked amazed; Ulrich nodded, "Well, if he's that powerful then I guess we have no choice. When do you want to break the news?"
"When we're done eating. I can't wait any longer." Ulrich said.
The hallway of Ulrich's and Odd's dorm---
We walked in silence to Dan's room. I knocked on the door. Dan opened it a second later.
"Uh, hey…guys" He said eyeing us. It was obvious that he wasn't expecting company.
"Dan we need to talk to you," Ulrich began, "Would you mind if we came in? It's kind of important."
"Okay...," Dan replied still unsure of our intentions, "Come on in."
We accepted his reluctant invitation and entered his room. I sat on the floor against the door. Jeremie was on his bed and Ulrich and Yumi were sitting together on the vacant bed. Dan had a commanding view of us from his computer chair.
He closed a folder on his desk and said, "So, what brings you guys to my room?"
"We'd like to talk to you about your…arm." Ulrich replied.
Suddenly, Dan's facial expressions turned from a natural curious look to a stunned serious stare at Ulrich. "What do you mean?" Dan demanded with a threatening tone.
"Your right arm. It's fake. It's made of metal." Ulrich answered.
Dan closed his eyes and sighed heavily. His shoulders sunk down low. "Only two people here know about that. Which one of them told you?" He asked, depressing. His eyes were downcast.
"That's the thing. You see…" Ulrich then started to explain the whole deal about Lyoko and X.A.N.A. Jeremie interrupted him from time to time to add details. Yumi and I didn't say a word except to explain what our Lyoko characters looked like. It's a lot of information for one day. I think he took it pretty well.
"You guys are freakin' idiots," Dan recapped the situation, "…that would be my thought if you hadn't mentioned my arm. However, since you did I have no other choice but to accept what you said as true. So what you're saying is that this X.A.N.A. virus infected my arm and took control of me. I then tried to kill you and Yumi yesterday but nobody remembers it except for you four."
"Well, there is Aelita too." Jeremie added.
"Okay, so five then. Anything else?" Dan wondered sarcastically.
"No, that's pretty much it but you need to understand that there is a possibility that X.A.N.A. could re-infect you," Jeremie explained, "So to prevent that from happening we'd like to know more about your arm. Maybe I could make a device that would help."
"I'd appreciate that very much," Dan said, "The last thing I need is someone's blood on my hands," The confidence in Dan's voice began to rise, "Do any of you guys have weak stomachs by any chance?" That question made me hungry.
We all said no and in response Dan said, "Then let me show you who I really am." He then took off his shirt and pinched his bicep. Instantly the skin on his arm removed itself displaying a very complex configuration of metals. I stared in awe at the contraption and so did Jeremie.
"It's made out of a titanium alloy and is pretty much indestructible," Dan stated, "It's made by the Reed Corporation here in town. They make new upgrades and models while I try them out. I have a contract with them. The skin you saw was an upgrade I got about a year ago. It's called the 'Flesh Maker'. It makes a dense polycarbonate structure or plastic cover my arm disguising it as a normal limb. This thing is so advanced that I can even feel a few feelings while my skin is 'on'. The other upgrade on this model is a strength upgrade." Dan pointed to a knob on the inner side of his right arm, "I can turn this dial and my strength will increase anywhere between one and ten times my normal capacity. It's come in handy a lot."
There was an awkward silence after he finished his sentence. Dan didn't say anything; he just stared blankly at the floor. We looked at each other in confusion. After some time I broke the silence and asked, "Hey, Dan, if you don't mind would you tell us how you got that." Yumi leaned over and kicked me. I doubled over coughing in pain. Dan laughed.
"It's alright. I don't mind answering that question," Dan replied smiling, "But before I do you all must promise me that you won't tell another soul about this."
We all agreed solemnly.
"Good. Also, I'd just like to say that if I start crying in the middle of telling it I don't want you to think any less of me; what happened that night still haunts me." Dan closed his eyes and sighed.
"Okay…it all started a little over four years ago. I was nine years old at the time and was living in America. Like most kids at that age I had a group of friends. Kind of like you guys. My friends' names were Aaron, Adam, Joey and Jessica. We were all very close and did everything together. Jessica was my best friend though. She and I had more in common then anybody else in the group. But that all changed.
About a month before Halloween four years ago she started to act very strange. First, all the sudden she tried to get close to me; physically close; both during school and after school. I knew that she liked me more than any other boy but at age nine? Something was going on; I didn't like it. However, every time I asked about her behavior she would just change the subject. That went on for a whole week.
Then, the next week she mysteriously didn't even come to school. Don't ask me why. I tried calling her at home but I couldn't reach her. The following week she said that she had a very bad cold and had to go to the hospital. I had no reason to not believe her but it was all too strange.
That week she invited all of us to go to her house to celebrate something. I forgot what we were going to celebrate but I and my friends agreed to come. It was going to be a slumber party.
You see, Jessica's dad was rich. Her house was huge and had a lot of things so when you're offered an invite you don't reject it.
Anyway, we all arrive there at about 6:00 PM. Everything was going as planned. That is, we were all having a great time and having fun. Jessica's parents were out on a date so we had the whole place to ourselves until late at night. Like I said everything was fine until about 11:30 PM.
We were all playing some board game that was getting boring. Jessica offered to get a new one from her parents' bedroom. We agreed and she left to get it. However, about ten minutes later she still hadn't come back. Aaron went to find her first…,"
Dan's voice was starting to get weak. I looked at his face and it seemed like he was in anguish. He continued, "The next time I saw him would be at his memorial service." Dan broke out into tears. Everybody was shocked. Not at seeing a guy cry but at what we just heard. I didn't know what to say.
Thankfully, Yumi broke the silence, "Dan, if it's too hard then you don't have to tell us. I think we have a good idea as to what happened next." She went over and put her hand on his left shoulder.
Dan looked up at her, "Thanks but I have to finish it. I always answer a question." He closed his eyes and relaxed. Yumi sat down again.
"After Aaron had been gone for five minutes Joey went next. Ten minutes after that Adam followed." Water could be seen falling to the floor from Dan's face. "Strangely enough, nobody heard any screams or yells. So I was left alone. I knew that something was wrong. Five minutes after Adam left I too decided to check out what was going on.
I walked to her parents' bedroom but stopped before the closed door. Something was telling me to be careful. I can't really say what it was but something was trying to warn me. I hesitated in opening the door but I eventually got it about three-fourths the way open and peered inside.
Everything was normal. The bed was made and the room was all tidied up to look nice. Convince that there wasn't any danger I walked inside. In the middle of the room I called out for Jessica. I received no reply.
Then I heard the door click shut. I turned my head towards it but it was too late. Jessica trust a kitchen knife at me. Like I said, it was too late. The blade penetrated my right arm and even went into my chest." Dan lifted his right arm up and pointed to a vertical incision about a half inch tall. It hadn't healed very well. After a few seconds he set his arm back down and continued his testimony.
"After I felt the pain of the knife cut through my body I can't really say with certainty of what happened next. Once Jessica let go of the knife I turned to face her and I struck her head with my left arm. It was a weak hit but it was the only thing I could do in my defense. After that I blacked out.
Some time later when I came to I was lying on the floor in a pool of blood and Jessica was knocked out. I pulled the knife out of my arm; there is no way to describe the pain I felt.
I knew I didn't have long to live so I crawled along the bloodstained carpet to the dresser that had a phone on it. With my left arm I tugged on the phone's modem cord and made it fall to the ground. The receiver was off the hook and I heard dial tone. Quickly, I dialed 9-1-1 which is the emergency number in America. I then got connected and told the person on the other line where I was and what happened. However, as I was doing so I could feel my body weaken. The last line I could remember saying was, 'Just help me.' I then blacked out again." Dan closed his eyes and breathed in and out slowly.
After pausing a few seconds he added, "There was no way I should have won that fight. The next thing I remembered was waking up in the hospital with bandages over my chest and right arm. The doctor told me that the knife severed my central nervous system of my right arm making it impossible for it to move again. So he had to amputate it while I was unconscious. Otherwise the dead nerve would have spread further into my body.
One day while I was in recover watching TV I turned to a news program. They had a headline that read 'Midnight Massacre Trial Underway'. It sounded interesting so I watched. A minute later I figured out that they were talking about the night Jessica stabbed me. Somehow this 'Massacre' had gotten national attention. It's also when I learned that my friends were dead.
However, before I could get a prosthetic arm I had to testify in court about what happened that night. Apparently, the police arrested Jessica and she was being held at the police station.
During my time in court the lawyer prosecuting the case asked if I would like to say something to the defendant. I did and asked her why she killed them. However, since it was a court proceeding she couldn't give an answer.
The press was all over the case. There were so many cameras I couldn't believe it. After I gave my testimony I was bombarded with interviews and exclusives every minute of the day. They wouldn't let up.
A week later the final ruling was to take place. I decided to attend. That day changed my life. Even more so than the night of the party. The verdict was not guilty!"
There was another awkward moment of silence. Yumi began to sob; Ulrich comforted her. Dan just breathed slowly in and out like before.
"After the trial the doctor told me that he called some prosthetic making companies. However, a representative from the Reed Corporation overheard him and talked to me before the others did.
He told me that his corporation had a contract with the Department of Defense in cybernetic development. He wasn't too specific but I'll cut to the chase. Professor Helen was his name and he offered me a contract that said if I'll try out new models and upgrades for prosthetic arms then in exchange I wouldn't have to pay for them. Naturally, I agreed. He also said that I'd get the newest, top-of-the-line models.
Once I got out of the hospital I tried to get back into society. Unfortunately, the kids at school didn't help. Jessica had switched schools too. Since the hearings had gotten so much publicity no one would talk to me. They thought I was some sort of psycho or something. About three months later they pretty much ran me out of school.
After that happened, I fell into a deep depression. For the next few months all I could think about was why Jessica killed them. However, I couldn't find an answer. That question drove me to seek her out.
Three-and-a-half years later, I'm here still trying to find her but I know I'm very close. Earlier this year, I received a lead from one of her relatives who is sympathetic to me. Her Uncle Ben told me that she changed her name and came here. He didn't know what she changed it to." Dan rolled his chair around to the paper weighted desk and grabbed the folder he closed earlier.
"I have four suspects…"
A/N: What? Were you expecting something else?