Disclaimer: Code Lyoko is copyrighted by Moonscoop.

I only own Lila. Mary is owned by AeroJester203.

Ontological Paradox

This chapter was written by me. It was edited by AwesomeFanFictionAuthor.

Inside an old lab

Location: Switzerland

POV Lila's

Mary and I reappear somewhere, it's dark. Wherever we are… It's freezing! I rub my arms together. I can see my breath coming out of my mouth and Mary opens the door. We're in an old lab similar to the one I've come to know with the others.

"We're here," Mary informs. The lights turn on one by one, the heat starts to come on, too. We seem to be in some sort lab, similar to our old lab but mostly everything feels cold.

"Was that… them?" I ask.

"Him," Mary answers. "And yes, it was. He likes to keep this place cold for some reason. But not to the point where the equipment becomes frozen."

"So if they're whole again… what exactly happened to the evil half of Xana?' I ask, raising an eyebrow.

"I'll show you," Mary answers. Mary and I unstrap ourselves. We get out of the time machine and step onto the cold floor.

I shudder, but nod my consent so Mary can possess me. She turns into her white spectre smoke form then flies into me. I gasp.

Relax, Mary says. Close your eyes… and I'll take you back to what happened during the three years I was away. I'll skip ahead a bit, though. I had to conserve my energy… since most places were without electricity. You'll be able to see everything through my eyes as if it were currently happening.

Flashback

Location:

London, England

POV Mary's

It had been nearly two years since I left Lila and the others in the dark timeline. I have been to numerous locations, space included, since the evil half of Xana had used the space laser that's up there. My first instinct was to go there.

Unfortunately, it wasn't there. I tried to find Tyron's supercomputer, and even though that took six months to do so… he wasn't there either. He was smart enough to leave those two places.

I made my way over to London because it was one of the few places still left standing, despite the path of destruction that Future Xana and I had been following.

For some reason, I also felt that it had a special significance to the evil half of Xana.

I walked the streets of London. The abandoned cars… children's toys left on the ground when the chaos started. There aren't any bodies to speak of.

Perhaps that is a good thing, Future Xana says to me. He had become whole again on day one.

How so?

It meant their deaths were instantaneous. They did not suffer.

Do you think… your evil half gave them… Mercy? I ask.

Doubtful. I imagine he enjoyed hearing their screams as they were vaporized.

Yes, I think that does sound more like him, I agree. If there is a supercomputer in London… where do you think it's hidden?

It wouldn't be in a spot where people from the public or even the private sectors would be able to access it easily. They would also have to keep it somewhere safe, away from any prying eyes. That much energy in one place would practically scream "We have a supercomputer and want you to know about our worst kept secret."

So then the only place that might be suitable for such a machine is…

That's right, Future Xana says, Underground. There's a military base close by from what I remember of that map we saw on the display.

Right. I'll head there now.

According to the billboards, several months after the world leaders were choked with smoke years ago, temporary military bases were set up in major cities across the world to combat evil Xana. They didn't know at the time that's what killed their leaders, but the information explained that the military bases would also be the main rendezvous point if things got worse and they had to evacuate the country. At least that's how it was for London. France was different.

Afterwards

London Military Base

Upon arriving at the base, we see it's like many we've seen before: completely empty. I look around, trying to spot a manhole grate.

There, I see it up ahead, Future Xana tells me. I see the grate and start running for it. I pull the grate to the side, and there's a light down there.

"We've got electricity!" I exclaim.

Let's go, Future Xana tells me.

I'm happy to oblige.

Inside the tunnel

I reach the ground after climbing down. To my and Xana's surprise, it's a dirt tunnel rather than a sewer. It's big, too, and there are lights that seem to lead down a path. We're not sure how far it goes, but I start walking anyways.

Afterwards

I've been walking for more than a mile now. It's been about two hours since I started. The tunnel doesn't seem like it's going to end any time soon, and it's a miracle that the electricity in this place is still running.

Not a miracle, Future Xana tells me. It could be him. So let's keep up the pace, shall we?

I understand.

Afterwards

I kept going for another three miles. The good thing about being a spectre is never having to take a break. I'm not exactly immortal, I need energy. I've been conserving, so I'm not that low, but it will be nice to recharge here. I feel the heat coming from somewhere up ahead.

This is it, Future Xana says. I walk into the room.

Inside the supercomputer room

Upon entering the supercomputer room, I gasp. It's a larger machine than anything we've seen before. It's on a big round silver floor, with steps that lead up to it. On the right is a screen with a keyboard. I see what's on it.

Mary… Future Xana trails off.

Yes, I see it, I confirm. The eye of Xana is on the screen. It blinks red. A deep loud roar comes from within.

"My lesser half and his pet have finally arrived," evil Xana speaks from within the computer. "Where is Belpois's child?"

"I am no one's pet," I tell it. "And she's safe. You will never find her."

My time machine necklace is hidden under my shirt.

"I will kill you, and corrupt my lesser half. I will take his power, then, with that necklace of yours… I will go back in time. To destroy all life! In all timelines!"It exclaims. Evil Xana laughs maniacally.

That won't happen! Future Xana exclaims.

"Go!" I exclaim.

Future Xana expels himself from me, a huge swirling yellow spectre. While the evil Xana comes out of the interface terminal. Its shape is the same from before Future Xana became Benevolent: a swirling black spectre. The two of them collide, their energies clashing with one another.

I run onto the steps then head over to the terminal interface Evil Xana just left. I sit on the chair and begin to type. Future Xana and I had come up with a plan to defeat his evil half using Jeremy's old Marabounta program. When we first talked about how to kill Evil Xana, I reminded Future Xana about the Marabounta. In fact, Future Xana even told me, and I quote:

"I NEVER thought this insane virus would be useful someday."

But now that day has come. We followed the Evil half of Xana's path of destruction and we're going to get rid of it. Once and for all. I type quickly, using my spectre speed to enter the codes necessary to launch the program.

"What are you doing, cursed woman?!" Evil Xana shouts,while battling Future Xana.

"Now is the time, my friend!" I exclaim.

"Understood!" Future Xana exclaims, flying into the supercomputer.

"No!" Evil Xana roars, flying after him. I'm surprised he took the bait that easily.

Come on… I think. Future Xana flies out of the machine rather quickly. He immediately fuses with me again.

"Goodbye and good riddance!" I exclaim, having finished the last of the coding. I press the enter button and evil Xana is expelled from the Supercomputer.

On the screen, a marabouta sphere materializes. Yes, the same Marabounta program that Jeremy made ages ago. It starts to spread, forcing Evil Xana back inside the supercomputer.

"NO!" Evil Xana roars, we see him completely absorbed by the supercomputer.

The supercomputer itself starts short circuiting.

We need to leave, now! Future Xana exclaims.

Right! I think. I change into my white spectre smoke form and fly out the way I came.

Afterwards

Back on the streets

I fly out of the grate, a fiery explosion follows me so I move to the right. I turn back into my human form, landing on the ground in a crouch position. I look up.

"Mission accomplished," I say proudly.

Yes, but now we need to check other continents for a supercomputer that has a working battery. That'll take more time, Future Xana tells me.

I know. Lila, I'm sorry…. It seems like I may be delayed… I trail off, saddened.

End of flashback

POV Lila's

I open my eyes and Mary expels herself from me. She changes into her human form, her feet firmly on the floor. It's a bit warmer now.

"It took a year just to find this place," Mary explains. "And three months to find the necessary parts to upgrade the time machine, as well as setting up the specific parameters in order to travel back to 2019. We're at the very end of the year: 2046. Hence why it's so cold, winter has been harsh lately., I should also tell you... this is not the same Earth we just left. Our Future Timeline... was lived on this Earth."

I look at her, stunned. That means the theory I read from so long ago about multiple Earths was correct.

"That's a lot to process. Mary… are we sure this is the right path for us?" I ask, hesitant.

The computer turns on and a white chair moves over to me. I look at Mary, but she nods and I sit down. The chair brings me to the computer and Future Xana speaks up.

"Lila, this is the right path. You and Mary will have a normal life once you succeed in rebooting your timeline. Your friends in the new timeline will not be erased, either. You will live a happy life, the one you deserve."

"That's a relief… but if we really are on another Earth's future, and that's where I lived all along, wasn't the original plan to send me back to the past of this world? Why was I sent to the past of a different Earth?" I ask.

"The answer is simple," Future Xana says. "Had we sent you to the past of this world, the damage of the timeline would have affected you. The changes that occurred in where you experienced your death and your death was prevented, would have had disastrous results on your very future existence. You would have been vulnerable to time paradoxes," he explains. "Our mission was to give you a new life. Without having to worry about that. So that is why we chose a world similar to this one. I know you did your best in the beginning to try to keep things the same."

"Yeah, I did… and maybe things turned out so different because I tried so hard to make them the same. But… What about you, what happens to you now?" I ask.

"It is unfortunate, but I must remain behind in order to launch the return trip. From there, you and Mary must take matters into your own hands. You will have a short window of opportunity to do so. I am sending you back the night Jeremy restarted the supercomputer in 2019. I can not do anything for the people who have been lost to this timeline. You can, because you and Mary have the ability to warn Jeremy of this future. But this knowledge is not what makes this return trip unique. Its powers are enhanced greatly, because I'm using the time machine's calculations too, despite it not being connected to the supercomputer. I know its capabilities since Mary and I are the ones that finished creating this time machine. You and Mary must make sure the future does not come to pass, otherwise this will all happen again. A continuous loop."

I smile weakly at him. He's been with us for so long. I nod.

"I promise this won't happen again," I vow.

"Very well then," Future Xana says. The chair moves me back to where I was earlier. I get off it and go to Mary.

"What do we have to do?" I ask.

"All we have to do is sit in the time machine. Future Xana will do the rest," Mary says.

I turn to the computer.

"Xana… Thank you for everything," I tell him.

"You're welcome. Lila, we may not have been related, but I feel as if we were siblings. We have shared pain over the loss of our father. Our friends. Our world. Today… That all ends."

I nod. Mary and I sit in the time machine and strap ourselves in.

"Lila, I have one last gift for you," Future Xana starts.

"What is it?" I ask.

Future Xana's voice starts to garble. He clears his throat and I recognize the voice he's using.

I smile slightly.

"You're really too much, you know?"

"I know," he says, in Jeremy's voice. "I'm launching the program now. Get back into to the time machine you two."

Nodding, we do so and sit back in.

"Lila… Mary. Goodbye and good luck. Return to the past now!"

A big yellow bubble engulfs everything. Mary and I hold our hands. We close our eyes as it then engulfs us, sending us back to 2019.

Years Earlier

2019

Location: France

In the woods near Kadic

Mary and I hear crickets. We open our eyes and we're in a familiar setting. It's the woods near Kadic.

He did it… I trail off. Xana, thank you. Truly.

Mary and I quickly get out of the time machine. Mary bends down and presses a button. The time machine starts to shrink, then folds in on itself. She hands me her time machine necklace, and I nod. I take it then put it on under my hoodie.

"What are we going to do? We're not going to make it in time," I say.

"I'll go," Mary says. "I have your number still and didn't bother to use any of my cell phone's battery. It's a miracle it's still working given the winters I endured."

Mary takes out her cell phone and tries to turn it on, it takes a few seconds, but it flickers on. She calls my phone and I answer.

"Now you can hear everything when I'm on the bridge," she says, her voice echoing on mine.

I nod.

"Okay, that'll work. I'll wait for you here."

Mary puts her phone in her pocket. She turns into her white spectre smoke form and flies off.

On the factory bridge

POV Mary's

I fly above the factory bridge, seeing Jeremy just starting to walk on it. I fly down to where he is, transform into Aelita, and land in front of him. He's startled by my presence, his eyes widening.

"Ae-Aelita?" He asks. He takes his glasses off to make sure he's seeing me clearly. I shake my head.

"I'm not Aelita," I answer. He puts his glasses back on.

"Then who are you?" He asks.

"I could tell you, but I'd rather stop you from what you're about to do. Reactivating the supercomputer, and all."

He raises his eyebrows.

"How could you know that?"

"Oh, isn't it obvious, Jeremy?" I laugh.

"Am… Am I dreaming? I could have sworn I left the house."

"Well, you didn't. You are correct, I'm your subconscious," I lie. "I know you're worried about Aelita, but there's a place you haven't had the doctors check yet."

"There is? Where?" He asks incredulously.

"The heart. The sickness isn't some new virus but rather a simple infection in the heart. Sometimes the most obvious answers that don't seem right, are actually correct."

"And if I'm right… all Aelita would need are antibiotics! She could be cured!" He exclaims.

"She can," I answer. "Jeremy… There's something you must know. Never return to the factory and make sure no one trespasses on this property."

"But… Why?" He asks.

"As your subconscious, we always knew there was a chance Xana survived. If you reactivate the supercomputer… The world and our future will be doomed," I tell him. "You need to have faith in Aelita. You need to have faith in us. Now close your eyes and remember what I've told you."

Jeremy closes his eyes.

"I'll remember."

I take my cell phone out and put it on the ground of the bridge. I transform into my white spectre form, then fly into Jeremy and possess him.

In the woods

POV Lila's

I hear someone walking towards the phone.

"Lila, it's Mary," Jeremy says, it seems she possessed him. "I'm going to take your father home. I'll meet you once I'm done. I've warned him, so now all we can do is hope."

"Okay Mary, thank you for letting me know," I say.

Afterwards

Jeremy and Aelita's house

POV Mary's

Upon reaching our old house, I put Jeremy's hand in his pocket. I take out his keys, then unlock the door and head inside.

Inside the house

I go over to the door where Lila's old room is. I quietly open it, and see that this is Aelita's room. She's sound asleep. I can tell the infection has taken a hold of her, her skin pale. Her pink hair is starting to lose its color. I walk into the room, then close the door quietly. I have Jeremy rest his arms on the bed. I put his head down, then close his eyes.

Best of luck, Jeremy. To you and Aelita, I think.

I exit Jeremy's body and take Lila's phone out of his pocket, then fly under the door, knowing it may be the last time we ever see each other.

A few moments later

POV Jeremy's

I wake up in Aelita's room.

That was really a dream after all, I think. So bizarre… but maybe just maybe… My subconscious was right.

Outside Aelita's Room

I close the door, as to not disturb Aelita. I walk over to my room at the end of the hallway. I take my cell phone out then dial Dr. Michaelson on speed dial. I hope he doesn't mind me calling this late. Our nurse is probably asleep downstairs, since she's here until the next nurse arrives.

The phone starts to ring. Then he picks up.

"Yes Jeremy? Is something wrong?"

"Dr. Michaelson, I was wondering… have we checked Aelita's heart out for an infection?"

In the woods

POV Lila's

I see Mary's white spectre smoke form heading towards me. She transforms into her human form then runs over and hugs me.

"Lila… we did it," she says.

"I think there's one last thing to do," I say. Mary raises her eyebrow.

Afterwards

Back on the bridge

I got my suitcase out of the time machine. Mary got her stuff out too. The one good thing that's in the suitcase is my old wallet with money. I never really bothered to spend it the first time around. So I have my ID and Mary has hers. We plan on staying in a nearby hotel for the next few days, maybe longer, until Mary and I can set everything up to have a new life here in this rebooted timeline.

I brought the copy of my father's laptop and the copy of Mia's laptop from little Lila's timeline.

With those two laptops, hacking the government together is going to be easy. We'll be able to get new IDs for us to use in this rebooted timeline too.

Mary and I look at the riverbank. I hold her time machine necklace, part of me not wanting to let go. I'm 17 and a half years old now. I should be 18, but time travel has gotten in the way of me aging right.

Mary puts her hand on my shoulder.

"You okay?" she asks.

I shake my head. "Part of me doesn't want to let go. In case of an emergency."

"I know," Mary says. "But it's time you and me had a normal life. Don't you think we deserve that?"

"I do…" I trail off. I take one last look at the time machine necklace, then let it go. The time machine necklace drops down into the river bank, it feels like forever but we hear a splash.

"Time to go," Mary says. I take one last look at the factory, then grab my suitcase and pull the handle on it. I start walking, and Mary leads the way.

Our future might be uncertain but at least it will be peaceful. It's time for Mary and I to begin our new lives.

TO BE CONTINUED:

IN:

Time Rewritten

Author's Note: Hi everyone, well just one last chapter to go. I can hardly believe it. The final chapter will start with a big time jump from where we just left Lila and Mary. How much has changed for them? Find out soon!

As always don't forget to share your thoughts in a review!

LyokoWarrior1994