AN: Wow! I just set a new record, one that I do NOT want to break ever again. I am so sorry I haven't updated in like, a week, but my computer completely broke down. The screen just went black! Anyways, my sincere apologies to everyone. I'd also like to thank everyone for giving me more than 100 reviews at only chapter 7 (actually, it's only really chapter 6!)! That's amazing! With my last story, I got 100 reviews on the 15th chapter! So, I'd like to thank killerpurplekitten for being the 100th reviewer! Now as a reward, and apology, I'd like to give everyone a good chapter, so here goes nothing. Enjoy!

Chapter 8:Confusion,a Prank and Guilt

A frightened Yumi looked up from her cell phone. Her eyes were huge, and horrified. She noticed Ulrich's eyes were also huge, but they looked more confused rather than horrified.

"What is this supposed to mean?" Yumi asked as she shoved her cell phone in Ulrich's face. "I don't know, my cell has the same thing. But, looking at what it says, one would guess X.A.N.A is back, but that's just a guess, you know with the whole I'm back thing." Ulrich said sarcastically.

"Well gee Ulrich, that's a little obvious! But what does it mean 'he's back'? I thought Jeremie managed to shut X.A.N.A down." "He did, temporarily. Maybe, with Aelita being awake again and all, X.A.N.A awoke too." Ulrich and Yumi contemplated on this subject a little while longer before Yumi's mobile rang again.

This time it was Jeremie. Finally, and explanation for all of this. Yumi thought as she read her caller ID. Ulrich looked at her, his eyes telling her to hurry and pick it up, whoever it might be.

Yumi obeyed the silent command and clicked the answer button as she put the phone to her ear.

"Jeremie, what in the world is going on?" Yumi started off the conversation. "Well, I thought I had finally found the materialization code for Aelita, and I was starting the process when I got a message from X.A.N.A, I activated him again. I feel so stupid! How could I have let this one slip? I was just so excited, I thought I'd actually found the code. Well, I found a code alright, the code to bring X.A.N.A back. Go ahead and yell at me all you want. I just wanted to let you know it was my fault all of this misfortune is happening." Jeremie ended his regretful speech and waited for Yumi's response.

To his surprise, Yumi wasn't mad at him at all. "Jeremie, don't be so hard on yourself. We all make mistakes! And we can all help to fix the one you made. We've fought against X.A.N.A before, we can do it again." Yumi reassured Jeremie.

"Yea, but you and Ulrich are no longer in France, and to tell you the truth, you two were the best fighters. I'm really going to need your guy's help on this one, but I don't see how you're going to get over to France." Jeremie reminded Yumi of this slight inconvenience.

"Well, Ulrich and I will just have to fly over ASAP." Yumi made it sound so simple, but she wasn't thinking her plan all the way through. "You know Yumi, you and Ulrich still have people who watch over you, and don'tcha think they'll wonder where you went?" Jeremie, once again, pointed out the problem.

But Yumi had a good point herself that Jeremie hadn't thought of. "Does the return to the past trip still work?"

Odd, still in the principal's office, looked up from his mobile after reading the unwanted message from X.A.N.A. He was shocked, and had many questions for Jeremie. Luckily, Jeremie had sent a message not too soon after.

Odd, it seems all I can do today is screw up! I'm really, really sorry I blew up at you earlier, but I need you help. My stupidity has gotten me into more trouble. I'm sure you've gotten X.A.N.A's message, and it's all my doing. Meet me at the factory in 5. –Jer

Odd understood immediately, and got to work on a way to get out of the principal's office ASAP.

Man, the principal sure was taking a long time to call him in, it had been 15 minutes already. Odd figured there was a parent in the office, for there was LOTS of yelling from the guest, and he could tell Mr. Delmas was getting angrier by the minute.

Odd looked up at the secretary who noticed his glance. He was still thinking of a distraction, when he heard the pissed parent in the principal's office yell "MY KID HAS ATHSMA! YOU CAN'T FORCE HIM TO PLAY SPORST THAT WILL KICK UP AN ATTACK!"

Just then, Odd got the greatest idea. He slowly started to act like he couldn't breathe, gradually pretending to gasp for air and then he started the wheezing. He held his throat as if he was suffocating, and started coughing uncontrollably.

The secretary looked up, and noticed Odd's face as he pretended for his 'asthma attack' to get worse. By then he was chocking and gasping frantically. The secretary scrambled over to Odd and tried to help him.

"Inhaler gasp I need my gasp inhaler!" Odd managed not to laugh at the secretary's face. She looked uncertain of what to do. "Where is it?" she asked. "In my gasp P.E locker gasp."

"Well, I'll go get it for you right away." The secretary assured him. However, Odd had different plans. "No gasp you don't even know my gasp locker or combination gasp." Now Odd looked like he was turning blue. That's when the secretary started getting really scared.

"Just tell me where it is and what you combination is, and I'll go get it." She urged. "But, gasp I don't think the guys gasp would appreciate you seeing them gasp changing." Odd told her. Odd wished he could've taken a picture of the stumped look on the secretary's face. It was hard to keep from laughing.

"Well then, you go get it. And I want you to come back as soon as you're finished. Got it?" Odd thought the secretary must have been stupid to believe his act. Guess she doesn't want to take any chances. Well, that's just in my favor. I bet she thought I was the parent's kid! Odd thought.

He hurried off towards the locker room, so the secretary wouldn't know he fooled her in case she was watching him, and as soon as he rounded the corner, he headed for the factory.

Jeremie awaited the arrival of Odd back in the factory. Aelita continued to assure him everything was going to be okay, but he wasn't so sure. He knew the five of them had been able to fight X.A.N.A before, but Jeremie was almost certain he had gotten stronger.

None of the five were looking forward to the new encounter with an old rival.

AN: Okay, don't beat me up, I know it's short. Spring Break is this weekend for me, and I'm leaving tomorrow, so I didn't have a lot of time to write this chapter. I hope you all like the act Odd pulled. Anyways, I don't have a review goal for this chapter either, just surprise me when I come back for my trip. Thanks a bunch! -tinkerbellbt

Question of the Day:

I have taken random quotes from my friends this past week, and I want you to pick your favorite. The winner will be announced in the next chapter!

I want the body.-Madison D.

Smell my cheese.- Brooklyne S.

My dog is so gay!-Chris N.

That could have been my squirt!-Jillian W.

Fred died, but nobody liked him anyways.-Hannah G.

Egghead is out of control again.-Stu G.

Kill the beast!-Andrew H.

I have mayonnaise in my ear-Andrew J.