Opening Moves

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A/N: This may be the last scene for "Opening Moves". Don't worry, that doesn't mean that the series is over, and, don't forget, there's also Yumi's P.O.V. for this scene.

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Chapter 5

The Battle for the Tower: Ulrich

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"Guys, watch out! There's a group of Hornets breaking off!" Jeremie shouted. Sure enough, about three of them had vanished from the horde, and were heading toward our left flank, shooting lasers as they went.

Suddenly, I tripped over a rock lying in my path. Silently, I cursed myself for not noticing it. I saw all three charge up their lasers. Looking at the main horde, I saw a Megatank begin charging it's own shot, and so was a group of three Blocks. I closed my eyes, waiting for the last pain I would feel.

But it never came. Yumi had thrown her fans in such a way that all of the attacking monsters were destroyed. She then grabbed my hand and pulled me up.

"You okay, Ulrich?" she asked, and I thought I saw a faint red tinge in her cheeks.

"Yeah..." I said, daydreaming slightly.

"Um, hey, lovebirds! I'd hate to break it up, but we still have to worry about getting to the tower!" I heard Odd say, just as he was hit by a laser from one of the Blocks.

"Odd, be careful! You have 60 life points left!" Jeremie yelled.

"That's plenty! Laser arrow!" Odd replied, shooting an arrow at the Block that had shot him.

Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain in my shoulder, causing me to stagger to the ground.

"Ulrich, what's wrong? You just... stopped!" Jeremie said.

"I don't know. I just felt a sharp stab of pain!" I said, biting my lip to keep myself from screaming.

"Something's wrong. There's no way a small fall can do that!" Jeremie shouted.

"Odd, carry Aelita. I've got Ulrich. We're going to make a break for the tower." I heard Yumi say. "I think it may have to do with the sniper attack."

"But, Yumi, the nurse said that Ulrich was healed!" Odd said.

"Anyway, we'll just get slaughtered if we stay here." Yumi said.

"Yumi's got a point, Odd." Jeremie said. "Head for the tower fast. Watch your footing, but don't stop or slow down. Move in an unpredictable fashion."

I felt hands lift me up. Yumi and Odd then ran straight for the tower. Around me, I saw lasers fly by. For three minutes this went on. Finally, we entered the tower. For some reason, the monsters that were surrounding it just stood there, not shooting. Yumi put me down next to Aelita, and I staggered weakly to my feet. I then fell back down, and I saw no more.

When I woke up, I could feel that I was still in the tower, but that Yumi, Odd, and Aelita were not there. Scared, I looked around. They were in the center of the platform, typing something into a holographic keyboard under Aelita's direction. I staggered to my feet and walked over.

"Ulrich, you're awake!" Yumi exclaimed, hugging me.

"I know, Yumi. But I'd appreciate it if you didn't try to suffocate me." I said.

"Oops, sorry." Yumi said, blushing furiously.

Suddenly, a loud bang sounded throughout the tower. The monsters had opened fire again.

"Let's go, everyone. We have to reach the activated tower." I said seriously.

We ran back out of the tower. Immediately, the monsters began shooting us. I blocked most of the shots that came my way. Jumping onto the first monster I found, a Block, I stabbed it in the X.A.N.A. eye.

"Impact!" I yelled, jumping off the Block. It exploded into digital pieces, which vanished.

For five minutes, this continued. But we finally destroyed all of the monsters. But Odd was devirtualized, and Yumi was down to 50 life points. I was slightly better off, with 60 life points. If another horde were to attack, we wouldn't make it. But the activated tower was in sight, so I wasn't worried. Aelita was already in the tower, so we just stood guard.

I realized that the school prom was tomorrow, and I hadn't asked Yumi yet. I decided that this would be a perfect time.

"Yumi?" I asked, blushing slightly.

"Yes, Ulrich?" she replied.

"Do you... Err... Want to go to the prom with me?" I asked.

"Sure, I'd love to, Ulrich!" Yumi said enthusiastically, blushing.

"You... You mean it?" I asked.

"Yes, I mean it, Ulrich." Yumi said, and she wrapped her arms around me. Then she leaned in, and I felt her lips touch mine. I felt my heart beat faster the longer the kiss lasted. We stayed like this until I felt the familiar sensation of the return trip to the past.

A few hours later (or earlier, if you understand what I mean), Sissy approached me, smiling. I let out a groan, but I decided to break the news to her.

"Ulrich dear, would you like to go to the prom with me?" Sissy asked, and I could tell that her hopes were up since Yumi wasn't with me. She was shopping for clothes to wear for the prom.

"No, I would not like to go to the prom with you. For your information, I am going to the prom with Yumi." I said flatly.

"You... You are!?" Sissy shrieked, and I could tell that I had hurt her feelings. But I didn't care at this time. All that mattered to me was that she saw that she stood no chance against Yumi. Maybe now she wouldn't keep trying to ask me out.

Sissy ran away from me, crying her eyes out. I later found out that she had attempted to get into a locked broom closet, but Jim caught her and gave her detention for a week. Even the principal agreed that Jim was justified, though Sissy tried to appeal to him.

On the night of the prom, I stopped by at Yumi's house. We were to walk together to the prom. There was a nice, full moon. Before walking to the school, I lightly kissed Yumi on the cheek.

When we arrived at the school, we met up with Odd, Jeremie, and Aelita. Aelita had been materialized because Jeremie had refused to go to the prom without her. Only Odd was left out, but he didn't seem the least bit upset about it, though I suspected that was an act so that we wouldn't feel guilty.

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A/N: I hope you liked this chapter. This was a chapter that I completely enjoyed writing because it was a direct contrast to how I started this series.

If the next chapter isn't posted by tomorrow, there will be a week delay because the new school is really pushing on my free time (we were already assigned two essays!) Plus, I'm planning on joining the school clubs and teams, such as the soccer team.