Warning: Rated for language, some violence and adult behavior.

The main characters of this story are based on characters from the cartoon 'Code Lyoko.' I do not own, nor do I claim, any copyright to these characters.


In their dreams, they were together, that's it.

Over the past months, they had played out their fears in their dreams before the other, and shared enough love and strength to carry them through. And in meeting their trials, they found their fears silly; the world didn't end, they weren't killed or humiliated. They were made stronger, more confident.

So now they lay together, giving and receiving the love they couldn't share in the real world. The thin silver chain that bound them shone bright and hot with the love they had for each other.


Lima Squad was dressed for outdoor activities today.

This weekend, a month and a half after Ulrich's 'accident,' was Field Day, where all of the squads competed for squad and individual all-school championships. It was also Visitor's Day, where the cadets' parents were invited to come and see how their children were doing.

Squad Leader Ulrich Stern looked at his squad and smiled inside. They had changed a lot since they came together. They were definitely more confident in themselves than that day months ago, when they got punished for Dexter's illegal move with the pugil sticks. He heard Yumi's soft giggle in the back of his mind as he remembered the circumstances that led up to Dexter's foul.

"Alright, men! Let's get out there and show them what we've got!" the Squad Leader called out to his squad.

"Attention!" he then called, "forward, march!"

Lima Squad snapped to, then marched out on to the field, in front of all of the staff, visitors and other squads. They were the last squad to enter.

Ulrich then called out a cadence.

"We are the Lost Boys!" he shouted.

"Lost Boys!" Lima Squad replied.

"Here come the Lost Boys!"

"Lost Boys!"

"We aren't the best!"

"Lost Boys!"

"But we're better than the rest!"

"Lost Boys!"

"We run in the sun!"

"Lost Boys!"

"'Til the day is done!"

"Lost Boys!"

"Study in the hall!"

"Lost Boys!"

"Then have a ball!"

"Lost Boys!"

"Sound Off!"

"One! Two!"

"Sound Off!"

"Three! Four!"

"What's our name!"

"Lost Boys!

"Say it again!"

"Lost Boys!"

"Shout it out!"

"LOST BOYS!"


The day wasn't all that bad. Lima Squad placed third in the Squad Obstacle relay, a race where each squad member ran a part of the school's obstacle course. They finished last in the Tug-of-War, but that was to be expected, Lima Squad just didn't have all that many big strong boys like some of the other squads did. But the best the squad did was they won the Squad Drill competition.

Where Lima Squad really shined though was in the individual competitions. In every individual event, at least one person from Lima Squad was in the top three. Ulrich took second place in the Squad Leader's martial arts sparring, and took first place in the Squad Leader's Pugil Stick competition.

Now Dexter Pennington was getting ready to compete for the Cadet Pugil Stick championship. He was facing the same boy from Alpha Squad he face months ago, the one he racked in the balls real good.

"Alright Dex, keep it legal this time," Ulrich told his friend, "you know he's gonna try and pay you back for last time, so watch out. And don't let him psyche you out."

"Got it, boss," Dexter replied, "all I want to know is do you want it over quick, or can I play with him a little?"

"Don't get cocky, cadet," Ulrich said, "other than that, your choice. Now go get 'em!"

Dexter gave his Squad Leader a smile and a thumbs up and stepped into the ring. The other boy was already there waiting for him. When Dex took his place, his opponent said, "ready to get it in the ass this time, loser?"

Dexter smiled. "That's what I asked your sister last weekend. She said no, she saves that for daddy."

Dexter's opponent turned beet red as the ref sounded the beginning of the match. In a flash, Dexter closed on him, knocked his pugil stick aside and hit him hard in the solar plexus, knocking him down. The ref quickly got between the two combatants and motioned Dexter to a neutral corner. He then stood over the downed boy and counted to ten, then made the announcement.

"Winner, Pennington, by a knockout!"


At the end of Field Day, Lima Squad was in full celebration mode. Just about all the boy's parents had come for the day, except Ulrich's. Dexter's parents were with their son now, congratulating him on his win today. From what Ulrich could see, the couple put whatever arguments they had between themselves on hold for the day, and concentrated on Dex.

"Congratulations, Ulrich," came a woman's voice, "you've certainly done well from what I've seen and heard."

Ulrich turned to the voice and saw Yumi's parents, along with Hiroki, standing there smiling. He beamed a smile back to them and walked over and shook their hands. Mrs. Ishiyama would have none of that and took the boy in her arms and gave him a big hug.

"That is from me," she told the boy, "and this is from your mother." She then pulled him close and kissed his cheek.

"So, this is what a military school is like," Mr. Ishiyama said, "a rather bleak looking place, if you ask me."

"Well, it's not so much bleak as functional," Ulrich replied, "it's not a bad place once you get used to it."

"Well then, maybe we should send Hiroki here," he said. Hiroki got a panicked look on his face at that.

"I don't know about that," Ulrich said coming to the boy's defense, "I was pretty far gone before coming here, so I needed the discipline. I don't think he's quite that far gone yet, right Hiroki?"

"Uh, yeah, right!" the boy quickly replied, "I'm doing great in school, and next year I'll do better, honest!"

The family laughed together.


Ulrich made quick introductions of the Ishiyamas to Lima Squad and their parents. He then took them on a tour of the campus. Despite the threat of being sent here, even Hiroki was impressed by the school.

Finally, Field Day ended, and the parents made their way to the parking lot to leave. As Ulrich was escorting the Ishiyamas to their car, they ran into Commandant Krieger.

"Well, how are you Mrs. Ishiyama! I'm surprised to see you here today. I take it this is your husband and son?"

Yumi's mother smiled and nodded, then Ulrich made the introductions.

"I want to thank you for coming out today," the Commandant said, "though Field Day is one of the most well attended of the school's functions, it's still the case that not all of the parents or guardians of the cadets will come out and support their children. It's especially touching to see a cadet's friends come out in support."

"It was our pleasure," Mr. Ishiyama said, "Ulrich is all but a member of our family, and we wouldn't even think of not coming."

"I'm glad to hear that," the Commandant said, "well, I need to be on my way, and I'm sure you have a long drive ahead of you, so I'll take my leave. Carry on, Stern."

"Yes, Sir!"

As the Commandant left, Ulrich turned back to the Ishiyamas. Tears were forming in his eyes.

"Th-thanks," was all he could say.

"What did you expect," Yumi's father said, "when you took my daughter, you got us as part of the deal, all of us. And as long as she's with you, we'll stand by you too."


After seeing Yumi's parents off, Ulrich caught up with Dexter Pennington, who had just left his parents.

"How are you doing, Dex?" he asked.

"Not bad," was the reply, "better than I thought I would, that's for sure."

"How are your folks doing?"

"Dad's still gone, but they're talking to someone. I don't know what's going to happen though. Even though they were nice while they were here, I don't know what they'll do when they're gone. I think they just put on an act for my sake."

"Well maybe that's progress," Ulrich said, "if they're capable of putting their fighting off long enough to see you, maybe they can work it out so they don't fight at all."

As the boys passed by the Administration Building, Cadet Major Snow called out to them.

"Stern, get in here. You've got a phone call."


Snow led Ulrich to a desk with a phone.

"Line 3, it's your father," was all he said before leaving.

Ulrich picked up the phone and punched the button for line #3.

"Hello?"

"Ulrich, is that you?" came his father's voice.

"Yes, what can I do for you," Ulrich replied, keeping a neutral tone in his voice.

"Son, no need to be so formal! I'm just calling to see how you're doing. I'm sorry we couldn't be there for you today, but things have been hectic around here. So, how did you do?"

"Fine," was the reply, "the squad won several competitions, and just about everybody in the squad did well at something. One of my cadets even won the Cadet Pugil Stick championship!"

"Well, that's good," his father replied with no enthusiasm, "but how did you do today? I don't give a rat's ass about your little friends, I'm interested in you."

"I'm sorry, I must have misunderstood you," Ulrich said, a slight hint of anger rising in his voice, "not to beat my own drum, but I like to think that my squad mates doing so well is due to my leadership abilities and encouragement. But if you really want to know, I took second place in the Squad Leader's martial arts competition, and I won the Squad Leader's Pugil Stick competition."

"Well, that's what I wanted to hear!" his father replied happily, "I knew that once I got you into a more structured environment that you'd come around. And how's your grades?"

"Excellent. I'll have no trouble passing this year. Plus, I've been receiving tutoring on the classes I barely passed last year. My academics still won't look good, I know, but I don't think you'll have anything to worry about as far as this year is concerned."

"Well, I might be able to work around that," his father said, "well, I need to go now. I just wanted to hear how you're doing. School's out in two weeks, so we'll need to get your room made up and ready for you."

"Dad, would it be possible to talk to mom for a minute?" Ulrich asked.

"Sorry no, son," was the reply, "she's tied up at the moment and can't come to the phone. I'll give her your love though. Bye."

As he hung up the phone, Ulrich thought, I'll have to give the Devil his due. My coming here to Ravensbrook has helped me a lot.


Deiter Stern hung up the phone and turned to his wife. The phone had a speaker on it, so she heard the entire conversation.

"Well, bitch, your little boy sends his love," Deiter sneered, "and you seem to have won our little bet. I guess I won't be playing with you using this tonight."

He was referring to a small, flashlight looking device he held in his hands. He walked over to where Rachael was bound.

Deiter didn't lie to his son, his mother truly was tied up. He had bound her to a low table, fastening her arms and legs securely to the legs of the table. She was wearing a gag in her mouth, and secured to her head. She could breath, but not much else.

He stood over her and looked down at his plaything. He then leaned down and proceeded to slowly run the device along her body.

"No, I won't be using this tonight to play with you," he said. His hand stopped at a particularly sensitive place on her, then he pressed a button.

Rachael cried out as electricity from the device poured into her. She arched up as far as she could against the restraints holding her down. The gag stiffled her screams and prevented her from biting her tongue off.

"No, I won't be playing tonight," he hissed, "remember this, slave, I always win."