This chapter was written by me and edited by Undeadmonkey8.
Disclaimer: I do not own Code Lyoko, all copyrighting goes to Moonscoop.
I only own Lila. Mary is owned by AeroJester203. Cameron is owned by Undeadmonkey8.
Author's note: I forgot to mention to everyone that the cover for Changing Destiny: Lila's Journey, was made by the original artist who drew Future Jeremy and older Lila! This is now officially the last drawing we will see of Lila, and I do not plan on changing it. If you would like the artist's contact info, I'd be more than happy to share it to you through Private Messaging on fanfiction. The artist does charge a commission, however. But it is definitely not an expensive price if you're only having the artist, commission one character. One other thing, we have our update two days earlier than intended because today was supposed to be the day I originally intended to update Changing Destiny: Lila's Journey and not the 26th.
Enjoy!
The Missing Link: Part 2
Inside the scanner room
POV Cameron's
The scanner is a tall cylinder filled with golden light, humming with power. Somehow, this isn't reassuring as I step forward, trying not to talk myself out of this particular stroke of brilliance. I set a hand against the outside, and try not to think about the implications of the heat radiating from the metal.
"Explain this to me again, Jeremy?"
"You step inside the scanner, I input a few codes, and you're virtualized to Lyoko."
I swallow hard, allowing the dialogue to distract me from my nerves.
It's like my first Aikido tournament all over again. Still, Lila's there, and in trouble, and for Hecate's sake, Cameron, pull yourself together, I think.
"Sounds easy enough," I say, projecting a great deal more confidence than I actually feel.
"Couldn't be easier - it's actually one of the simplest programs involved with the supercomputer."
"I'll pretend that's reassuring," I mutter, too quietly for the microphones to pick up. Still, in for a franc, in for a euro. I force myself to step inside and allowing myself to flinch at the sound of the doors closing behind me. The light is even greater in here, and I close my eyes as a trickle of sweat that has nothing to do with the heat, rolls down my neck.
"I'm ready, Jeremy."
"Transfer: Cameron," Jeremy begins, and the scanner starts spinning. I stagger, briefly, and regain my balance, adjusting to the rotation.
"Scanner: Cameron." The scanner continues to spin, and a dull hum rises around me.
"Virtualization!"
The scanner's light shines even through my closed eyelids as a gust of wind rushes through my hair. Something yanks at the pit of my stomach, and suddenly I feel like I'm being stretched between two points infinitely far from each other.
Lyoko's Forest Sector
When everything calms down, I open my eyes to take in the scenery. It takes me a moment to realize that I'm not on the ground, and oh gods what did I do to offend you?!
Jeremy, thankfully, either doesn't hear me scream with the fall, or is polite enough to pretend he's not. My feet are under me, and I try to hit the ground in a crouch, but misjudge my momentum, and go sprawling. Hard.
It takes me a moment to recover my breath, and then I pick myself up. I brush off my outfit.
Wow, okay, hello excellent fashion sense. Thank you, Lyoko, for not making me look like a nitwit, I think.
A sunset-red tunic covers me from neck to knees, leaving my right arm past the shoulder bare, but covering my left arm to the wrist. The trim seems to be done in gold thread, and I peer at it more closely, slowly picking out 0s and 1s that denote some sort of message in Binary. Since that language is one that I don't speak, I'm at a loss as to what it says, but I still appreciate the effect. I mean I'm good with computers and all, just not that good.
Aside from the red and gold of the tunic, the rest of my outfit - sash at the waist, keeping the garment tied shut, trousers, and a pair of soft leather boots - are black. I twist and stretch, testing my flexibility and finding it quite satisfying before something jabs me in the side. A slender holster, containing a . . .
"Jeremy," I say, withdrawing the flute, "I'll bet you thirty euros that you can't guess what my weapon is on Lyoko."
"No bet. Now, the tower is due north - I'm materializing Odd's overboard for your use. It should be pretty intuitive, but I'll give you directions to the tower, just in case. From what I can tell on the monitors, it seems you have a flute as a weapon. Ha, okay that's pretty funny. I'll explain to you how it works, on the way there. Sending you Odd's Overboard... now!"
Seeing the transportation vehicle materialize, I look at the Overboard.
Oh boy… this is going to be tricky to use, I think and get onto it.
POV Lila's
Inside the tower
"Hopefully Cameron will get here soon, I'm bored," Odd says.
"He'll be here. You guys fought him, right?" I ask.
"Yeah we did," Ulrich replies. "And it wasn't pleasant. He's a good fighter."
"I'm sure he'll help us out. I'm just glad we can trust him," Aelita says. As if on cue, Cameron stumbles into the tower, dusting himself off and giving me a smile. We look at his outfit.
"Einstein, no FAIR! I'm the only who STILL looks like a nitwit on Lyoko!" Odd complains.
Cameron raises an eyebrow, glancing at him, "Nothing wrong with cats, Odd. Have you tried using those claws on Xana's monsters? They look like they could do some serious damage."
Odd twitches, a full-body motion that has me worried he might fall off of the platform.
"Nothing wrong with cats, he says," the boy mutters, "You all know full well I'm a dog person!"
"If you two are done," Jeremy's voice echoes through the tower, "You'll need to head for the edge of the Sector - once you're there, I'll call up the transport orb."
"Transport . . . orb?" Cameron blinks, looking around at us, "I'm . . . not going to like this, am I?"
"Probably not," I say. "Let's go!"
Odd, Ulrich, Aelita, and I run out of the tower and phase out of its "doorway." Cameron is last to follow us since he's still new to this.
Afterwards
Reaching the edge of the sector, with no trouble from any monsters, we hop off our vehicles. Cameron had gone on Ulrich's Overbike the whole way, with Ulrich driving it. Looking up, we hear Jeremy say:
"I'm entering the code now. Scipio."
Looking up, the transport orb floats down. Cameron gulps, and the transport orb opens. It scoops us all up, as it brings us to Sector Five.
Sector Five
Arena room
The transport orb drops us off in Sector Five. The room starts spinning, and Cameron places his hand on his head, falling to his knees.
"Nope. Def-" he gags, pressing a hand to his mouth for a moment,
"Definitely don't like that. How do you guys stand it?"
"Don't worry, you'll get used to it. Virtualization too," I reply.
"By the way Lila, without your human DNA sequence code you're just as vulnerable as Aelita. If you lose your life points - you'll disappear forever. Also, Cameron that flute of yours has more than a few ranged and area attacks, as I mentioned on your way to the tower. Be careful, otherwise, Lila and Aelita can get caught in those attacks. That's something we should avoid. Same for you Cameron, you don't have a materialization code for Sector Five yet."
"Yeah, I got it. Thanks, Jeremy," Cameron says. As he gets back on his feet. The room starts to slow down, and the wall begin aligning.
"So, uh, what exactly do we have to do here?" Cameron asks.
"We have to trip a key mechanism, so we continue our mission and retrieve Lila's DNA sequence code from Xana. Since this is his home, we have to go through a series of obstacles. One of these obstacles; usually includes flying bots. And, there's a countdown which starts... now."
The wall stops and aligns itself. The door opens and we start running into the doorway. Running into it, we then run down the corridor and get to the next set of walls. Cameron following behind us, we stop at the walls. The walls open, and we start running down the next corridor. My eyes start blinking rapidly as if I'm watching TV.
In vision
The vision is at a camera angle, showing me the different paths to take. It's more detailed than my usual visions. Finally, it reaches the room, where it looks like it's just a bridge we have to run across and get to the countdown key. However, the ceiling starts falling down like columns, hitting the ground. The columns then start to go up.
End of vision
"Lila, is it another vision?" Aelita asks.
Getting my wits about me, I look at Aelita.
"Yes!. I - know where the key mechanism is!"
New room
Reaching the new room, we walk inside to see the bridge. It's a straight line from here and to the countdown key mechanism, just like my vision showed.
All we've got to do is somehow get across that bridge, without being crushed by the columns. The others besides Aelita, Cameron, and myself would be crushed to death if we attempt it. Note to self, remind Aelita to find Cameron's materialization code after she finds mine, I think.
Odd starts getting in a running position. I place my hand up, stopping him.
"Hang on Odd. In my vision, I saw that this is definitely a trap. Cameron, can you try using your flute and walk to the countdown key mechanism? Then trip it?" I ask.
"I can... what kind of trap are we talking?" Cameron replies.
I point to the ceiling, "Falling columns. Got anything for that?"
Cameron nods, biting his lip as he pulls his flute free, "Yeah . . . yeah, I think I've got something for it. Stand back - way back. I don't know for certain how big this can get."
He moves to the beginning of the walkway and raises the flute to his lips. As soon as he steps forward, the first column begins to fall, bringing certain devirtualization with it.
As it comes within mere meters of him, however, Cameron inhales deeply and blows into the flute. A single, pure note fills the air, and a pulsing wave - barely visible as a ripple in the air - blasts away from him. The column slows, coming closer, closer, too close, and then slams down as Cameron steps out from beneath it.
Step by step, he continues, that same note remaining in the air. Almost twenty longer seconds pass, before he reaches the far end of the pathway, and hits the key with his elbow. The mechanism lights up, forming the eye of Xana, and the columns begin ascending, leaving the walkway clear. The door opens.
Cameron is trying to catch his breath, when we reach him, but offers a smile and a thumbs up.
"That," he pants, "was pushing it. Don't usually . . . hold a note for that long. Just need . . . a minute. I know we can't really breathe here on Lyoko, but seriously, I've never held a note for that long. I'll need to get used to that too."
"I'd say you earned it," Jeremy says, "With the countdown Key mechanism managed, you've got time. Well done, Cameron."
We resume our run, Cameron taking up the rear, as he puts his flute back in his holster.
Elevator area
Reaching the end of the corridor, we walk into a room with open space. A small bridge is at the end.
"Here comes our taxi. Cameron, you better jump fast," Ulrich says.
"Jump? Jump when?" Cameron asks.
A noise starts approaching us, and looking over to him Aelita exclaims:
"Now!"
Jumping down, we land safely on the elevator. The elevator turns and brings us up.
Afterwards
The elevator comes to a halt, bringing us just beyond the celestial dome. Cameron leaps off immediately, turning back to glare at it as if the elevator had personally offended him, "I'm starting to think I hate this sector," he growls, "Or maybe that modes of transportation on Lyoko all hate me."
"Did you run all the way to the tower by the way?" Odd asks, "You arrived awfully fast. If so - didn't Jeremy give you a vehicle?"
There's a long pause, as Cameron looks embarrassed, "I-he-that is-" he clears his throat and looks away from the group, "I used your Overboard. I fell off it at least three times."
Odd howls with laughter, the entrance to the Celestial Dome begins to rise, and we start running onto the bridge. Aelita runs up to the data interface and reaching it, she presses her hands to it.
"Aelita, do you know where to find Lila's DNA sequence code?"
"Not really. But I'll manage somehow," Aelita replies. She continues using the data interface, going through various digital windows.
"So what sort of monsters are here anyways?" Cameron asks.
"Well... we usually have to fight these flying mantas," Odd replies.
"Uh... Flying what now?" Cameron asks.
"Flying mantas. Think of the ones that you would see in an ocean, they're similar. Just they're colored black and white, with the eye of Xana on them. They should be hatching soon," I explain.
Ulrich, Odd, Cameron, and I look up at the data running through Sector Five. We hear screeching as a hole starts opening.
"Uh, Lila by any chance did Yumi tell you why she was running late today?" Ulrich asks.
"No sorry Ulrich," I say. "I don't..."
"I see..." Ulrich trails off.
"Hey, when we're back on Earth, you can always apologize for accusing her of being with William. I'm sure she'll accept your apology. And Cameron... we'll be able to have our hangout for sure."
"I'd like that. And it's NOT a date Odd," Cameron glares at Odd, who shrugs.
"If you say so."
The screeching growing louder from the nest, we look up at it.
"I think the nest is hatched! Lila, by my side! I think I have a way to block their attacks. Odd, Ulrich, can you take care of them?" Cameron asks.
"Yeah, we'll do our best," Ulrich replies taking out his Katana blade. Odd cocking his paw, I run to Cameron's side. Reaching it, he pulls out his flute and places his finger on the letter G.
"I hope you were right about this meaning 'Guard,' Jeremy," Cameron says. He blows gently, and something starts to form in front of us as the mantas begin charging their lasers.
"Laser Arrows!" Odd exclaims. Firing off his laser arrows, the mantas fly up to avoid them. Once the arrows pass, they level out, heading for us, and opening fire.
"Super Sprint!" Ulrich exclaims. Using his Super Sprint, Ulrich super speeds our way, leaving a trail of yellow behind him. Cameron's creation starts coming to life. A shield, which is nothing more than a barrier of blue energy, is guarding the front side of Cameron and me.
Turning to our blind spot, I take my staff out so I can be ready to use Exardesco. Just as I do, I look at Ulrich. He continues running, with his super speed.
He jumps off the bridge and he lands on a manta. Taking out his Katana, Ulrich starts slashing through the manta. A light shining from within the manta arises.
"Super Sprint!" Ulrich exclaims and using his super speed he jumps off it and onto the other manta, in time before the manta explodes.
Ulrich slashes through its outer shell. A shine arises from within the manta, same as the last one. Ulrich keeps his Katana in the manta, as he uses it to guide himself to the edge of the bridge we're on. He sheathes his Katana blade and then jumps off the manta. The manta explodes. Yelling, he barely manages to catch the side of the bridge. Using his hand, he tries to pull himself up.
"Nice job Ulrich!" Jeremy compliments.
Odd runs over to help Ulrich and pulls him up all the way. Odd dusts Ulrich off.
"Way to go good buddy," Odd smiles.
"Thanks. Those mantas are a real piece of work," Ulrich says.
Seeing the Xana Bots coming our way, Odd starts firing off his Laser Arrows.
"And Jeremy I'm going to need to be reloaded soon!"
"Right... Reloading now!" Jeremy exclaims.
"Aelita!" I exclaim. Looking at the Xana Bot, I'm unable to start the chant for Exardesco quickly enough. They start flying to Aelita. Charging their lasers, they release them.
Odd runs on both paws and feet. Getting in front of Aelita, he takes the lasers head on. His body disappears into a cloud of pixels.
"Odd!" Ulrich exclaims. Using his super sprint he super speeds, over to Aelita and quickly unsheathes his Katana blade. He blocks the lasers one by one, as Aelita continues to search the data interface. The Xana Bots dodge their own lasers, trying not to get hit by them.
"I've, I've got it! Uploading it now, Jeremy!" Aelita exclaims, pressing the data interface. A red bar appears as it starts loading. One of the bots, different from the small group that's attacking Ulrich who is still reflecting their lasers back at them, starts zooming toward the blind spot I'm guarding.
"Exardesco, Exardesco!" I exclaim, chanting in Latin. My amulet glows, letting me know my Fire Bolts are ready. Swinging my staff, I launch two Fire Bolts at the Xana Bot, giving it no room to dodge them in time. The two Fire Bolts hit the Xana Bot and it explodes.
Keeping my staff up, just in case, Ulrich continues blocking the lasers from the Xana Bots. He quickly reflects them with his Katana, and they are reflected back at the Xana Bots. Their own lasers hit them and they explode. Ulrich's sheathes his Katana blade and looks at Aelita. I sheathe my staff.
"Is it done?" he asks her. Looking at the red bar, it fully loads and the eye of Xana blinks, confirming the uploading is done.
"Yes, it is! Lila, your DNA sequence code has been uploaded!" she exclaims happily. Sighing in relief, Cameron then lowers his guard dome down. He puts his flute away in his holster. Seeing that no other mantas are hatching, or Xana Bots coming our way, I walk up to Aelita and Ulrich.
"Thank goodness… I'm glad that's over and done with it. Oh, I almost forgot – maybe we can get Cameron's materialization code into him for Sector Five, while we're here?" I ask, reaching them.
"Good idea. Aelita you can use the data interface, but be on guard everyone for any more monsters that might appear. The mantas hopefully won't hatch again any time soon," Jeremy replies.
"Right we will," Ulrich says.
Using the data interface, Aelita starts searching for Cameron's materialization code.
"I… I really don't like this sector. A bit creepy," he shudders, walking up to us. He reaches us too.
I nod agreeing with him.
"You said it."
Afterwards
In the scanner
POV Lila's
Opening my eyes, I'm back in the scanner. The scanner's doors open. I step out as Odd, Ulrich, Aelita, and Cameron smile. Odd, Ulrich, and Cameron were materialized first once we got back to the Forest Sector. Then, Jeremy used the Code: Earth program to bring Aelita back in, using the way tower we were all in earlier. And after Aelita was materialized, I was brought back in last.
"Good looks like you're back to normal. Let's go and tell Yumi the good news. I'm sure she'll be thrilled," Jeremy says.
"Yeah, I am too," I say.
Cameron looks at my time machine necklace.
"That family of heirloom of yours Lila... it's really curious," he says.
"Thanks. Maybe, someday I'll tell you the history behind it," I smile. He smiles too.
Under the arches
Aelita, Jeremy, and I are under the arches with Ulrich, Odd, and Cameron.
"I've got to admit, those Xana Bots are really tough and really fast. I'm glad I got to Aelita in time," Odd says.
"I am too. You did well Odd," I compliment.
"Thanks!" Odd exclaims.
Yumi walks up to us, reaching us she notices Cameron is with us.
"So Yumi... Cameron here would like to tell you something," Ulrich says.
Cameron gives Ulrich a Look, and he shrugs carelessly. Yumi glances between them, raising her eyebrow. Cameron sighs, turning to her.
"I filled in for you while you were away." As he finishes speaking, he winces slightly, "That might have come out wrong - I'm not replacing you by any measure, just joining the group. That is if you're okay with me joi-"
"I think it'll work out. Besides, the more of us there is to fight Xana the better. Right guys?" Yumi asks.
"Yeah!" Odd and Ulrich exclaim, giving each other a high five.
"Thanks, Yumi, I appreciate it," Cameron says.
"Me too," I smile.
"You're welcome," Yumi smiles.
"Cameron your powers on Lyoko - they're a bit unique. Particularly the note you used to affect the terrain in Sector Five," Jeremy says.
"There's never been someone like that on Lyoko. I can create terrain, and affect it myself sometimes... but your abilities are on a different scale. Barriers, repelling waves . . . whatever else your flute can do . . . Xana may go after you if you give him trouble," Aelita worries.
"Well, Xana is going to have a tough time," Cameron smirks, "I may be new, but as long as I follow the rules you guys give me on Lyoko, I'm sure I'll be okay. If he wants a piece of me, I'll be happy to take him on."
"By the way Yumi. How did your class photo go?" I ask.
"It went well! Do you guys want to see it?" Yumi asks. She unzips her bag. Grabbing the framed photo from it, she holds the photo. Looking at the photo, I can see Yumi and William, are standing side by side in the photo behind their classmates. Noticing her smile in the photo, she seems rather happy.
I'm glad it went well for her, I think.
Looking at Yumi, Ulrich says:
"Say Yumi... about accusing you of being with William? I'm um... sorry. You can choose whoever you want to hang out with."
"I know I can Ulrich. And apology accepted. As for what I had planned well... maybe I'll tell you later," she says. She puts the framed photo back in her bag, and she zips up her bag. She shoulders her bag.
"Okay..." Ulrich trails off.
Looking at Cameron, I say:
"Um Cameron, did you want to go to the park? We never did get a chance to hang out."
"Sure... and Odd, it's not a date!" Cameron exclaims. Odd laughs a bit, as the others do too. I blush slightly.
Can't a guy and a girl just sit on a park bench and talk, and not call it a date? I mean... yeah I like Cameron. But this is definitely NOT a date, I think.
Cameron and I make our way to the park so that we can have our hangout and talk like we had planned.
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LyokoWarrior1994