Sorry that this is a little late, a little so far being the understatement of the year. I figured I'd have a little more time to write this up, but I figured wrong, yes ladies we guys make mistakes every once and awhile. But I think this chapter is the longest yet. And as you can probably tell we're winding down. Only a couple of chapters left before I finish this. Before I get to the chapter though, I'd like to reply to the reviews:

dantheman7777: Yeah, you're right about that. And I did get your email, I just haven't had time to reply yet, but I will hopefully tomorrow.

top20fan13: Thank you, that really means a lot.

Flying Star: Yeah, you're right, and they are important. They are, maybe, and maybe we'll see if Jeremie will in this chapter.

Aelita6349: Lol, yeah that's right, nuts he seems to be. Yep, that's true sometimes, but sometimes yourself is the only one that will listen. And thanks.

Ulrich221: Double thanks for that one.

Reviews have been replied to, apologies have been said, now all that's left is the disclaimer.

Disclaimer: I checked under the tree twice, turned the stocking inside out, and still no copyright. Maybe someday. One can dream.

As a last note so that you don't get too confused: "Talking" 'Thinking' 'Yourself thinking to you' Is it just me or did that last one not make sense. Please enjoy.

After breakfast Jeremie quietly excused himself from the table and went back to his room. He sat on the side of his bed and began to think.

'If what I think is going on here is what's actually going on, I better watch what I say. He's probably constantly watching me.'

'That was strange last night, but I can't help but feel like there is something new in my mind, something that I forgot but has returned. Maybe it has something to do with my dream. He said that things would be clearer.'

'So what do you remember?'

Jeremie closed his eyes so that he could get a better image of what he now remembers.

'Let's see. I was sleeping in bed. Then there was a knock at the door. I got up and answered it.'

'Who was there?'

'Nobody. I looked from side to side, and nobody was there. Then I looked down and still nothing.'

'Then what'd you do?'

'I closed the door and headed over to the computer to turn it on to talk to Aelita. I'm not sure why I had it off, but for some reason I did. Then I felt like I was being watched.'

'Watched by what?'

'I'm not sure yet, but it felt... cold. I decided that it would be quicker to use the laptop so I headed for that.'

'Then what happened?'

'There was this red glow and then a shot. It hit my laptop and sent it flying under my bed.'

'Then what'd you do.'

'I got scared so I ran to my bed and waited. But nothing happened. I lowered the sheet that was covering my face. I saw an orange glow coming from on the floor and then something coming at me. The next thing I knew I was dreaming.'

'What caused the orange and red glows?'

'I'm not sure.'

'Concentrate.'

Jeremie's eyes popped open and he let out a gasp. He knew what had attacked him that night. 'Roachster.'

Odd appeared in midair in the park. Luckily for him he was used to appearing in midair and so he gracefully landed on his feet. He looked around at his surroundings. "Hey Yumi, can you hear me?" he yelled into the air. He waited for a response, but none came. "Of coarse not, that would be too easy." He continued to scan the area and he remembered what Jeremie had told him about the last time he was in this place.

Odd saw a flower at the side of the path and bent down to look at it. He then started to talk into it. "I know what you're up to XANA, and I'm here to stop you. As soon as I get Jeremie back, we'll pop this popsicle stand." Odd chuckled and then grabbed the flower, threw it on the ground and smashed it to bits.

Ulrich appeared in the forest region. He looked to his side and saw Aelita standing outside the tower waving at him. He ran over to her.

"Hey Aelita, seen any monsters yet?"

"No, not yet."

"Okay, so where's the tower?"

Aelita pointed forward and said, "It's that way."

"Okay, follow me."

The two started running towards where Aelita said the tower was.

Jeremie walked down the hall. He needed a place that he could go to think, a place to figure out how to get out of here. 'If only I could contact the real Aelita, she could get me out.'

"Jeremie? Jeremie, is that really you?"

Jeremie lifted his head up and saw none other than Odd yelling to him from down the hall. 'Is that Odd? Hmm... something seems different about him. Could it be the real Odd? But that means that the rest have figured out what happened. Him being here might be a problem. If XANA suspects that I know what's really going on here then he might go all haywire on us again.'

"Well Odd, long time no see. It's been what ten minutes."

"What are you talking about Jeremie; I haven't talked to you in days."

Jeremie let out a forced laugh and gave Odd a play along look. "Always the kidder huh Odd."

"What? Oh, oh yeah. So where you heading?"

"I think I'll go to the factory to work on Aelita's anti-virus. You want to come along?"

"Yeah, sure. We have some things to talk about."

"Ulrich, how are things going?" Yumi asked into the microphone.

"Pretty good, we're almost to the tower and not a monster in sight."

"This seems too easy."

"My thoughts exactly. Do you see anything strange coming up?"

"No, it looks like it's just a straight path to the tower. Hold on, I think I see something."

Indeed she did see something, for right in front of Ulrich and Aelita appeared two crabs. Behind the crabs, coming from behind the tower, were three roachsters. "Yumi, I think we may have a problem here."

"Something's not right here." Aelita said.

"What, besides the fact that we now have five monsters standing between us and the tower?"

"Well, roachsters usually travel in groups of five, but there are only three up ahead."

Before Ulrich could say anything, he felt two sharp pains in his back. He turned around and said, "I think I found the missing roachsters."

Jeremie and Odd walked into the factory. "So what you're trying to tell me is that XANA trapped me in some 'virtual earth' and you're here to rescue me."

They swung down the ropes and headed for the elevator.

"Yes, but that's not all. Before I left XANA launched an attack and if we don't get out of here before Aelita deactivates the tower then we'll be dead."

Jeremie pushed the button and they headed down to the super calculator.

"Yeah right, like I'm supposed to believe that."

"But I'm telling you the truth."

The door opened and they went over to the computer, but stopped on their way there to finish their discussion.

"So if that really is the truth, how did you get here, I'm the only one that knows how to use the super calculator."

"Yumi did it, with the help of Aelita that is."

"I don't believe you."

Odd was getting a little tired of his friends arrogance and started to raise his voice. "But Jeremie you have to believe me. If we don't get out of here soon, we'll be dead."

Jeremie too raised his voice as he spoke. "And if I don't finish my anti-virus for Aelita then she's as good as dead."

Now, more concerned for his friends and his own well being, Odd calmed down a bit. "Jeremie..."

"Odd, if you're just going to keep bugging me, just leave." He took his seat in front of the computer.

"Fine Jeremie, but when we're dead, I told you so just won't be enough." Odd then ran back to the elevator and made his way out of the factory.

"Hello Jeremie." Aelita said as her face appeared on the screen.

"Hey Aelita." Jeremie said with a bit of despair in his voice.

"What's wrong Jeremie? You know that if there's anything wrong you can talk to be about it."

"I just had a fight with Odd."

'So he did make contact with Jeremie. I'll have to put an end to that.' "What about?"

"He came up with some absurd story about how XANA trapped me in a virtual earth and how he's here to save me."

"That couldn't have happened; XANA would only be able to do that to you if you went to Lyoko."

"That's exactly what I was thinking. Oh well, Odd's a tough guy, he'll get over it."

"So what are you working on now?"

"I'm continuing my research on your virus in hopes of finding a cure for it."

"Okay, I guess I'll leave you to your work."

"Okay I'll talk to you later Aelita."

"Bye." Aelita's head disappeared from the screen.

'I got to find someway to get Jeremie to listen to me. I thought he understood from that look he gave me. If only I could contact Yumi, she'd know what to do. Wait, that's it. Maybe I can still reach her with my cell phone.' Odd reached into his pocket and started searching for his phone. 'Where did I put that thing? Oh, there it is.'

Odd pulled out his cell phone, put in Yumi's number, crossed his figures, and pressed the send button.

"Ulrich you just lost twenty life points from those last two hits." Yumi informed her friend.

"Thanks for the update, I'll be sure to take care of those two first."

RING RING

Yumi reached into her pocket and retrieved her cell phone. 'I hope that's not my parents, they have a tendency to call at just the wrong moment.'

"Hello?" Yumi said into her phone.

"Oh Yumi, I'm glad I got a hold of you." Odd said, relief pouring out of his voice.

"Odd?!? But how? I didn't know you could use your mobile in that virtual earth."

"Yeah, go figure. How are things going for Ulrich?"

"Not good. He's surrounded; two roachsters at his back, three at his front, and two crabs also at his front. I hope things are going better for you."

"I wish they were too, but unfortunately they're not."

"What's wrong, can't find Jeremie?"

"No, I found Jeremie, but he doesn't believe me."

"Wait, he doesn't believe you? Hmm, why don't you start from the beginning."

"Well when I found Jeremie he acted like I've been with him and then he gave me this look like a just play along look. So I did and we headed to the factory. On the way there I told him about everything that was going on and he didn't believe me and told me to leave, so I did. What should I do?"

"Aelita, can you create a barrier to protect yourself while I take care of our pest problem here?"

"Yeah, sure." Aelita clasped her hands together, bent down on the ground, and hummed a beautiful melody. Four slabs of digital ground came up and produced a bubble like structure around her. She was safe, for now.

"Now that Aelita's safe, it's time to take care of you little pests that shot me." Ulrich turned and faced his two foes who were starting to charge there lasers.

I hope you all enjoyed that one. I will hopefully have some spare time tomorrow to start on the next chapter. And I will hopefully not make you guys wait another two weeks for an update. Well, I have some stories to review, some emails to reply to, and some sleep to catch up on. Until next time.

(Belated) Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Happy insert holiday choice here. I hope you all had a good time.