Episode 1: A New Routine (Epilogue)

As if nothing happened, the teens were back at breakfast as they were that morning, but knew full well all that had transpired before (or later) that day.

Oliver and Katie walked over and joined everyone at the table, as Maya said, "Wow, no one here actually remembers what happened."

"No they don't," added Kevin. "Guess that return to the past program really does work."

"And, it's good to see school got returned to normal to," said Oliver. "Otherwise, I'd never have this glorious pudding back on my tray again."

Feeling exasperated, Carine replied, "Seriously bro, was that all that was on your mind during that whole thing?"

"N… No," he stammered with guilt. "I mean, I'm just glad everyone's okay, and there's no more deadly gas around."

"You're not the only one," said Jace observing everything around them. "Who knows what would've happened if we didn't deactivate the tower.

"Still though," he continued, "Whatever does comes our way, as long as we fight together, X.A.N.A. won't ever win."

Hearing her boyfriend's profound statement, Adele couldn't help feel bold again, and leaned in and give him a quick peck on his lips catching him off-guard. Realizing what she had just done, the youngest Belpois daughter quickly turned her head and blushed furiously, the rest of the gang laughing at both their embarassment.

"Adele… wha?" asked Jace stammering.

"Umm… sorry," she squeaked. "I… I just… I love when you get brave like that."

Frozen in place, Jace finally replied saying, "Oh… um… well… you're were uh… much braver than me. You know, fighting alone on Lyoko."

Still slightly giggling, Maya said to her sister, "Wow sis, since when did you get so bold?"

"I swear, you two are so lovey-dovey, it's disgusting," added Yumiko giggling as well.

As everyone finished their breakfast and prepared to repeat their classes for that day, Adele pulled Jace to the side and said, "Hey, umm, my uh… mom told me what you said in the scanner room after you got devirtualized."

"Oh… you uh… you heard that?" he said blushing with his hand behind his head.

Without a chance to respond, Adele leaned her head against Jace's chest and placed her hand on his heart saying, "I couldn't bear the thought of losing you either. When I was on Lyoko alone, I didn't know if I was going to make it.

"And yet," she continued, "I remembered what I said to you the night we first fought X.A.N.A. That, when you're there with me, I can fight better.

"But..." she continued with her voice slightly breaking. "I realize now that, we may not always be able to fight together on Lyoko. And… it's scary to think about that"

Hearing Adele's revelation, Jace realized this was true too. But before he could dwell on that thought, he reflected back to shortly after he returned back to Earth and walked over to the corner of the holomap room and started praying to The Lord, asking for God to bestow strength unto her in the presence of her enemies. Coupled with hearing about how well she fought on her own from Katie and Oliver during breakfast, and managing to deactivate the tower, he knew that they were not fighting together alone, but that they had The Lord there to fight with them.

Comforted by this thought, Jace wrapped his arms around his love and said, "Don't worry Adele. Even if we can't always fight together, we have to remember, we're never really apart from each other."

Letting out a slight gasp, Adele asked what he meant by that. Jace then explained his earlier thought to her, and understood the truth of what he said, which quieted the doubt and fear in her heart.

"Still," he said. "That doesn't mean I won't try to fight alongside you as much as I can. After all, a promise is a promise.

"And besides," he added. "I think we make a pretty good team, don't you?"

Giggling at him, Adele placed her lips to his for a deeper kiss than at breakfast and said, "The best team," as the two walked hand in hand to their first period.

And indeed, it would take a team to fight this ongoing battle; a battle, that was only just beginning…

A/N: Thanks so much for following along to this first episode of many to come. Ever since I started picking up writing again during this lockdown period, it has helped to not only invigorate my creativity again, but also re-instill my faith in the Lord and my passion for following Him with everything I am.

My next episode will hopefully come sooner rather than later, so stay tuned. Hope you are safe, and continuing to live life to it's fullest!