Hunter Moebius and I do not own Code Lyoko, Maximum Ride, or Kaitlyn Belpois. We do, however, own our own OC's. As entities, the sedated characters will talk with italics without quotations unless someone is trying to think. Then it'll be in underlines. Spanish words, titles, and emphasized words are in bold.
Do you remember that one episode of Teen Titans, where Raven and Starfire switched bodies? And their ghostly forms traveled around before the swap? Well, let's just say that I never actually thought that sort of thing would ever happen to me. Not the body switching part, but… the ghost part.
This was where things started to get even more creepy. I mean, the whitecoats finally switched to the plan that we, or at least Yumi and I, were expecting from the moment we landed, and entered the School. And they weren't subtle about it, either, as I just told you. They just ran in, grabbed us, and stung our necks, sending every single one of us to sleep, not too long after.
So, you're probably wondering what happens next, right? Well, let me warn you… this is about to get absolutely bizarre.
The next thing I knew, I was floating. Or, at least that's what I thought I was. I was horizontal, and I felt like I could move around a lot better than I could, before my neck got stung. So either those whitecoats were a lot faster than I thought they would be, or something's going on.
I was still in that spacious room, the one with the fancy beds, pillows, and sheets, where they took us, not long after Sam came back from her rub, massage, and bath. The only difference was, I could see every single one of us lying in the beds, with different machines next to each of us, and tubes running from them to different parts of our bodies. If that wasn't shocking enough, the next thing I heard might have been.
Cat Girl?
I spun around, seeing a ghostly form of mi novio. Odd?
He nodded. The one and only! Are you okay?
I nodded, still slightly unnerved by all this. Yes, I think so. Ugh… Why didn't I get out of that trance sooner? I screwed it up heavily.
Don't do that to yourself, Cat Girl! He floated over to me. Reilly really got to you, and you needed to relax. It's like Sissi told you and Hunter, back in our old room: baths are great!
True, but William… he tried to warn me.
Do you think he knew the whitecoats were gonna burst in on us, right after he did that? Maybe Georgina tipped them off!
I shook my head. She left after Jeremie spoke to me the first time.
It was then that I heard another voice, one that was gentle, soothing, and disarming, almost subconsciously. Cassidy? Is that you?
I looked to see Aelita's form. Yes. It's me. Don't panic, but I don't think we are dead. I think we're having a bit of an out-of-body experience.
Another voice soon joined the fray, this one masculine, and slightly cynical. Wait, doesn't that only happen when you're going to die, huh?
I looked at the heart rate monitor connected to me. No, my monitor's still going at a normal rate.
Next was another feminine voice, this one deeper than Aelita's, but still soothing and gentle. That's a relief. So, all this is happening to you, too?
Odd nodded, smiling at Yumi. Yep. I bet we can haunt people now!
Odd… novio, that's a horrendously bad and stupid idea. Plus, we're not ghosts, I scolded.
Then why are we floating in midair, over our bodies? He interjected. Did their sedatives switch us?
No, this is not like that Teen Titans episode we watched last month. I can't even explain this.
Of course, the next voice belonged to someone who could. Someone whose voice was slightly in-between masculine and feminine, and a bit on the high end of the scale.
It's a sort of corporeal distortion, Cassidy, he explained, floating toward us. When the whitecoats injected us, sending us into a medically-induced sleep of sorts, our bodies became numb, and our spirits were allowed to escape. The reason we're all able to communicate with each other is probably because of our familial closeness.
That makes sense. Ugh! I still can't believe that I couldn't throw the relaxation off me fast enough to enact Plan 120, I berated myself.
Cassidy, that situation was out of your control, Jeremie tried to reassure me. None of us knew the whitecoats were going to come in, so soon after you came back, and attack us like that.
And would you rather have stayed upset? Yumi added, folding her arms and creasing her brow. Remember what Aelita and I told you about forgiving yourself.
Right. That lesson's still new to me, Yumi, I grinned sheepishly. Sorry about that.
Her expression softened. It's okay.
Odd raised a finger. You should have gone into that room with her, Yumi, instead of Georgina. I thought friends shared baths in Japan? I'll bet that's exactly what both of you would do every morning, whenever Cat Girl—
ODD! Yumi and I chorused, feeling our entities heat up as though we were blushing.
Even Jeremie grimaced a bit. T-that's… something we usually do in private, isn't it?
I nodded. Yes...
A high-pitched, yet echoing, bark emanated from the air. Darn those whatever they ares…
This time, instead of just me, everyone heard Kiwi.
Everyone's eyes widened, as mi novio's diggity-dog came slowly floating over. Odd was the most distraught by this.
Even my little diggity-dog…?! He spoke in a small voice, holding out his arms as Kiwi floated toward him. How could they do this to you…?!
Kiwi blinked, not even stopping before landing in his owner's arms. I wish I could tell you, Odd, Master.
Hearing Kiwi's voice for the first time, something usually only I could telepathically hear, surprised Einstein, as well.
Am I totally out of it, or did I just hear Kiwi talk to Odd? He inquired.
You're not if everyone is hearing it. Usually this was my way of communicating with him, if you remember, Jeremie. My entity heated up again.
This moment keeps getting weirder and weirder, Jeremie lamented.
Hey, we ended up getting captured by Erasers, and now we're at the whitecoats' mercy while having an out-of-body experience. I think the weirdness scale is at the nothing, zilch, nada now! I muttered as though to say, I have the bravery of a chicken nugget. Please don't call on me to answer.
Jeremie lowered his eyes, nodding. You've got a point.
And it's probably going to continue to get weirder, Yumi reminded us. I know Cassidy does, but do either of you three know what they're about to do to us?
Thanks for keeping me out again, I thought bitterly.
I still have the idea that this is exactly what Dr. Shrank would do to us, Odd answered, petting his dog's entity.
But Dr. Shrank wouldn't turn us into ghosts, or poly-whatever-thingamajigs! A new voice entered the fray, somewhat high-pitched, yet gentle.
Sister! I quickly floated to her and wrapped my ghostly arms around her. Oh, it's so good to see you!
She met my embrace, even if I was sure she couldn't feel it, either. Oh, it's so good to see you, too, dear sister! I was so afraid that, when I turned into this floating… whatever I am, that I wouldn't see you, or anyone else, ever again!
I'm sure we'll wake up, Aelita reassured, trying to keep us from freaking out.
Aelita is right, Ulrich nodded. They can't keep us this way forever.
By my estimation, before we became these forms, I'd say we've been out for… half an hour, Jeremie said. They did say five hours.
Five hours?! You mean we have to stay like this for five whole hours?! Sister was slightly becoming hysterical, alerting me to a quickening sound.
Calm down, Sister. Your heart rate's going off the charts. An amused thought hit me. How ironic. First my own goes off when I woke from my coma, then yours.
Huh?! She looked down at her unconscious body, lying in one of the beds, with the covers pulled up to its shoulders. You mean that anything I do up here, I feel down there?!
Seems that way. Try to keep yourself from freaking out. The whitecoats will probably get agitated that one of us is having a reaction, Jeremie answered.
Before she had a chance to relax, we heard another voice, one that would have set Ulrich off, had it happened a few years earlier.
Wow! This is killer! Look at me, guys! I'm like the third boss in Ultimate Blaster! William called out, as he soared past us.
Ex-y! I rejoiced, almost grabbing his arms.
Hey, Cassidy! He sounded happy to see me, as well. Hey, you're floating, too! All of you are! This is so cool!
I know, Odd smiled, petting his puppy's essence.
Sister looked over at William, worried. Be careful, William, dear! You might fly into a wall, if you're not careful!
Mi ex novio nodded.
This was when two more voices filled the air. The first was masculine, yet had a slight feminine tinge to it, while the second was feminine, and slightly lower in pitch than Sister's.
Does anybody know what happened to us? It was Patrick.
This is so weird, cuz! It's like we're dead… but we're not! Kaitlyn was with him, as the two floated toward the rest of us.
We're having a sort-of out-of-body experience, I explained, head lowering as my entity heated up.
Well, that's okay, Patrick's tone picked up a little bit. It's kinda like the secret level in Galactic Invaders.
But that's a video game, and this is real! Kaitlyn interjected. Maybe there's some reason why we're like this! Did we do something wrong?!
Not likely. Jeremie shook his head. Our corporeal entities, when sent into a state of sleep, by the sedatives the whitecoats injected into us, allowed our spirits to temporarily escape, thus creating this situation.
This is weird, Jeremie, Aelita agreed, also starting to feel a bit worried.
The rest of us nodded.
I really wish we weren't in this situation, I lamented.
I agree, Yumi lowered her head, shamefully.
Me, too, Sister added.
So do I, but I'm sure we can find a way out. Maybe something good will happen, Aelita suggested.
True, maybe Max and her flock are on their way right now! I realized. Jeb did say he would rescue us somehow.
Yumi's eyes widened, as she looked up at me. You're right! They've got to be coming this way. They're probably only as fast as birds, so they're getting here as quickly as they can. I only hope it's not too late when they do arrive.
Plus flying takes a lot out of them. Remember that one passage: Flying burned energy like nothing else, and after a long flight, I felt like I could eat a cow. Fork optional, I recited, eyes brightening. Wow… that was neat.
Yumi seemed surprised by it, as well. Did that just instantly come to you?
I think so. I guess our entities aren't tied back by headaches when trying to remember something, I smiled.
You know, Odd spoke up, I could go for a hundred hamburgers, too! Maybe even a chicken or two for dessert!
Looks like that will have to wait, Jeremie said.
Wait for what? Odd inquired. For Sam and Hunter to get here?
No! Aelita jumped in, pointing her entity's finger down at her unconscious body, which was also lying in a bed, covered up to its shoulders. Look! Those whitecoats are doing something to me!
I couldn't help but watch. I think this is what my vision was telling me. But it feels so surreal.
You said they were injecting some sort of syringe into you, Aelita commented, as she watched one of the whitecoats pull her body's bare arm out from underneath the covers. Where do you think they got it from?
I watched. I don't know.
Next, another whitecoat pulled an empty syringe out of his pocket, before gently stinging her arm with it. Surprisingly, entity Aelita cried out in pain, holding the exact spot where she was stung.
AELITA!Jeremie and I cried out. Are you okay?!
I… I don't know! She was quite surprised, as she pulled her entity's arm away, revealing absolutely nothing in the spot she covered. It's as if anything my body feels, I feel up here!
It's like if one of us gets panicky up here, the result happens down there, I noted, before my eyes widened. I—I think we just found our answer. But what would that do? It would be a tiny blood transfusion. And I'm not losing blood, am I?
Yumi glanced over at my body, as one whitecoat walked past it, while another walked over to it. No, you're not.
Suddenly, I felt like purring. Oh, God… they're p-petting my hair… I couldn't help it, sounding as though I turned into a cat.
Wow! Odd quipped, grinning at my entity. Even as a specter, you're still part cat!
Yumi continued to watch the whitecoat gently stroke my body's hair, just as I had said. He seemed to have an evil grin on his face.
"You're such a pretty little cat girl, Miss McGuire," he remarked. "Soon you'll see what changes we have in store for you…"
Was that REILLY?! I asked, panic starting to envelope me.
To answer my question, Odd floated down toward the whitecoat, while Yumi floated closer to me, as if she was trying to rub my back.
Even if it is, she reasoned, you've got to stay calm. Any rise in our heart rates could set them off.
Shortly after she calmed me, the ten of us heard a high-pitched, masculine cry of pain, like someone had been punched in the side, or had their toes stomped on.
Worry crossed my essence's features as I immediately glanced at Yumi, who I could tell was thinking the exact same thing I was. Was that ODD?! we chorused in fear.
It didn't take us long to get our answer, as a few seconds later, Odd floated back up with the rest of us, his essence's left hand covering a spot on his right arm.
Nope! He replied, a calming smile on his entity's face. Just your not-so-friendly neighborhood whitecoat!
Suddenly, his face fell, as he lifted up his essence's left hand. But I think that other one needs to trim her fingernails! That last touch really poked me!
Yumi's eyes immediately zoomed toward the wildcard's unconscious body, just in time to see the female whitecoat Odd mentioned pulling a syringe out of his arm, filled one-fourth of the way with blood. Why would they want your blood, Odd?
Maybe they're worried about my blood sugar, he guessed.
This is too weird, I blinked. First they take a sample of Aelita's blood, which I could almost see coming, but now they've sampled mi novio's blood, too?!
They could be doing anything with it, Einstein floated over toward Yumi, Odd, and I. They probably have another experiment in mind, if it's anything like your vision, Cassidy.
That's true, Jeremie. But I'm not sure if I want to find out what they plan to do with it...
Before I could continue, I decided to relax, my entity floating backward as I continued to purr, relieved to remember that the whitecoat running his fingers through my hair wasn't who I thought it was. But thank goodness that whitecoat that's petting me isn't Reilly… I got worried that he somehow got into this even after that other one told us he wouldn't bother us again.
They took him pretty far away, my geisha friend recalled. We heard footsteps going for several seconds, before they finally stopped.
Glad to hear it, I smiled, still purring. And would he stop petting mi pelo?!
I don't know how we can stop him, Jeremie remarked. Maybe he'll get tired of it and walk away, after a few more moments.
Okay, new rules on my body when I wake up: No one is allowed to pet my hair except close friends, family of, sisters by choice, my family, and boyfriends. William, you're allowed because I consider you a close friend, I crossed my ghostly arms in front of my chest. Okay?
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Good.
Aelita soon let out a sigh of relief, as she watched the whitecoat remove the syringe from her arm, bandage the insertion site, and gently place it back under the blanket.
I only hope they're going to do bloodwork on Odd and me, she remarked.
If my vision is coming true, I don't know, Aelita, I tried to remain tactful.
Maybe you've got a special kind of blood like me, Odd suggested, and they don't have very much of it, so they're taking a couple samples to hang onto, for later!
Odd, that's what a blood drive is for, I felt my entity heat up. And you and Aelita are too young to give.
She's right, she agreed. They must be using the samples for something else.
But for what? Kaitlyn inquired. What would they possibly want to do with your blood, Aelita and Odd?
I'd rather not find out, I growled, but my spirit still vibrated.
A short time later, the whitecoat took his hand away from my body, finally causing my entity's purring to stop, which I thought was a great relief.
Thank goodness… I thought I'd have to act like a cat forever…
Yumi smiled. I'm sure he would've been called away to help out with something else, after a while, if he hadn't stopped just now.
And that was when the last of our friends finally came around, answering a question Odd had jokingly asked, earlier. Two voices were heard, one feminine and of a somewhat mid-range pitch, the other masculine, his voice almost like a slightly lower-pitched version of Jeremie's.
This isn't the kind of thrill session I imagined! The female voice called out, as Sam came floating over toward us. Odd! What's going on with me?!
Hunter, the second one, came not long after, floating over at a slower pace. I r-r-really don't know w-what's going on here… h-h-how am I… u-up here… and… d-d-down there… a-at the same t-time?!
If you had heard me, both times as I had told everyone else, Jeremie was starting to get agitated, from having to explain their current status multiple times, you'd already know we're floating, because we're asleep! We're spirits!
Jeremie! Aelita scolded. Maybe they weren't able to hear you. It took them a while to finally come around, after all.
He sighed, looking at his girlfriend. Yeah, you're probably right.
Hunter raised his ghostly hands up to chest level, defensively. I'm sorry… I-I-I didn't know, okay? I-I'm just really f-f-freaked out!
Hunter, it isn't your fault, I reassured him. Jeremie just hates to repeat himself multiple times.
He lowered his ghostly hands and took a deep breath, which is weird, considering he didn't even need to breathe, in the first place.Yeah… I-I guess I can… u-u-understand that…
Jeremie adjusted his ghostly glasses, another thing I didn't understand, but Kaitlyn and I seemed to be wearing ours, too. Right… it seems that when the whitecoats stung our necks, sending us into a sleep-like state, we experienced a corporeal distortion, which temporarily allowed our spiritual manifestations to escape from our physical bodies, which is why we're up here, and down there, at the same time.
Much better, Einstein, I thought.
So, that means we get to watch the whitecoats operate on us? Kaitlyn looked a bit worried.
If we're in the same room, then yes. Tell you the truth, this does feel weird to me, Kiwi pretended to scratch his ears.
Huh?! Kaitlyn, Patrick, William, Hunter, Sister, and Sam all looked over at Odd's ghostly diggity-dog, as if he had randomly peed on all their physical legs.
Sister, dear, Sister looked worriedly at me, am I hearing things, or did Kiwi just talk?!
I would be lying if I said you were hearing things, I replied.
This is so unreal! William remarked, his look of surprise turning into a grin. This is better than a dream!
B-but, this isn't a dream, Hunter reminded him. I-if this was a d-dream, wouldn't we be able to c-change it? You know, l-like a… lucid dream?
Yumi nodded. None of us are dreaming. Otherwise, I'm sure we all would have turned this into a dream where we're back at Kadic by now.
Yeah… Sister could do some cool makeovers in Lyoko HQ, I smiled.
Her ghostly face lit up. Ooh! And convince my father to put that whirlpool bath in there, and hire someone to wash us, whenever we want!
Suddenly, I felt my entity shake, but no one was shaking my body or even uncovering me. I think I'm having a vision…
Before anyone could reply, or even react, I started reciting a news report as if I was a news anchor, sounding just like the one who reported on the comet VG724, Olivia.
Authorities today are continuing the search for twelve missing adolescents and their dog, eleven reported missing from Kadic Academy, with a twelfth reported missing shortly after. Eleven of these adolescents were boarding students attending the Academy, Jeremie Belpois, Aelita Schaeffer, Kiwi and Odd Della Robbia, Ulrich Stern, Yumi Ishiyama, William Dunbar, Elisabeth Delmas, Patrick Belpois, Kaitlyn Belpois, Samantha Knight and Cassidy McGuire, while the twelfth, Hunter Moebius, was reported missing by his aunt and uncle. Jean-Pierre Delmas, principal of the school, told police on Wednesday that several scientists and strange wolfish men visited Kadic, sedated most of the faculty, himself included, and abducted the eleven students. This correlates with the story given by Jeanette and Marcel Moebius, the purported relatives of Hunter, that claimed he had gone for a walk, but had not returned after five hours.
My voice suddenly changed to Mr. Delmas'. We want to assure everyone that the search is continuing, and we will not stop until the children and their dog are found. The faculty of Kadic, including myself, takes great care of our students, and assures everyone that the abductors will be found, and dealt with appropriately.
I suddenly stopped for a few seconds, before continuing in Mr. Delmas' voice, Sissi, dear, if you can hear me… Daddy's looking for you and your friends. Don't worry, we're going to find you.
That was Daddy! Sister cried.
If Cassidy McGuire is with you… I'm worried about her, too. I really hope the both of you are safe and sound, wherever you are.
Sister smiled warmly, as she looked over at me. Daddy's worried about you, too, Sister dear. He is your substitute father, after all.
Before I could react, my voice changed to Jim's. They definitely messed with the wrong Jim! If those dunderheads ever show their faces here again, I'll show them the hard way out. As for what happened, I'd rather not talk about it.
Everyone couldn't help but laugh at that.
Next, Anthea's distressed voice was heard. They had just weakened XANA… how could anyone do this to her, or any of them?! We thought everything would be safe, for a long time! And now… Aelita, sweetheart! We'll find you and your friends, just as you would have tried to find us!
M-Mommy? Daddy? Aelita whispered.
Jeremie floated over toward his pink-haired girlfriend, and wrapped his ghostly arm around her, despite the fact that he knew she wouldn't feel it.
We're worried for our daughter, too. My voice changed to Takeo's. This is an injustice that will not go unpunished! I hope her captors will feel the shame they have brought upon their own families!
Mom… Daddy… Yumi's voice was nearly fragile. Hiroki...
Next was the voice of Hunter's uncle, Marcel, who had a slight French accent. I simply don't understand. We had brought him here to immerse him in French culture, before he was to be enrolled into Kadic Academy. Was this because he was an American?! His French was getting better every day!
Uncle… Marcel… Hunter squeezed his eyes shut. A-Aunt… Jeanette...
My voice switched to Bruno's, but my eyes widened when it did, My son has gone missing?! How do you expect me to just sit back and let this happen?!
Nice to know you care, Dad, I heard Ulrich muttering, still in shock.
My mother was next. One of my baby girls is missing?! She was a hero to her own country! She even broke a record with MegaTanks! How could this happen to her?!
Mom… I gritted my teeth, but had to keep going. They do know…
Then Jeremie's mother could be heard. I-I don't understand! What could anyone hope to gain by kidnapping my poor Jeremie?! He's made Michael and I very proud, both by what he has done in school, and by his actions against XANA, along with his friends. Jeremie, dear… we miss you, and we hope you're alright!
From beside me, I heard Einstein's voice come close to breaking, if that was even possible in his current state. Mom… Dad… w-we're gonna f-find a way out… I promise you.
James came on the line. My son is a dynamic youngster. He may not be perfect in school, but that does not give anyone the right to kidnap him! They'll be found, and dealt with properly, I can promise you that!
William smiled. We will get out of here, Dad! You can bet on that!
The next voice to come out of my entity's mouth was Katie Belpois. They did what?! I hope they find her and her friends fast, and deal with those who kidnapped her! Kaitlyn, Cookie Foot, please tell me you're safe and sound, wherever you are! The police will find you!
Don't worry, Ma! I'm gonna get out of this prison and then kick some ass! Kaitlyn declared, no one even daring to comment on her curse words.
And then Hector Belpois' voice came after. Patrick, wherever they've taken you, please, just do whatever they say. We all miss you, and we know the police will find you soon enough. Please, hang in there! For your mother and me!
Patrick clenched his ghostly fist, a look of concern overtaking his entity's face. I will, Dad, Mom… don't worry. I won't be here for long.
A voice very near and dear to mi novio y yo, Odette Della Robbia's, wafted through my entity's mouth, next. I'm sure Odd will pull through, just like he has in every other situation. They probably just needed him to fix something for them. He's quite good at fixing things, you see. If they don't bring him back after he's done, I'm sure he'll be found. We miss you, Odd! Take care of Kiwi for us.
Odd couldn't help but smile. There's my Mom and Dad! We'll get back, don't worry, Mom!
But Odette wasn't finished. And Cassidy, Sweetie, if you can hear this, we miss you, too, and hope that wherever you are, you're taking good care of Odd, and he's taking good care of you. He must have missed you so much, he asked them to bring you along, too. But we know they'll find the both of you, safe and sound.
Asked? More like dragged along for the unintended ride, but thank you, Mom… My eyes would have streamed with tears.
And then it was Bridgette Knight's turn. I always knew she would wind up with the wrong crowd. We didn't want it to happen, but we hope they'll find her. I hope she takes this as a lesson, and a need to turn herself around. But Samantha, we love you, and we miss you… please come back home safely!
I hope that they won't pull me out of school. I like Kadic, Sam worried.
Why would they do that? Odd looked over at her, trying to reassure her. Once they find where we are, we'll tell them it had nothing to do with you. Besides, they'll be more likely to be happy you're back.
Then the news anchor came back on. Rock band "The Subdigitals" today also shared their sentiments over the abduction of the twelve, specifically Aelita Schaeffer and Cassidy McGuire. McGuire and Schaeffer, formerly Stones, had earned a DJ spot following a contest sponsored by the band, performing a Moody Blues cover song that fans all around the world enjoyed on their second album. When told about the situation, drummer Chris Morales had this to say.
Chris Morales followed. T-they've been kidnapped? Then we've got to make sure that the police find them. If they try to hold them for ransom, they're not getting anything from us. Aelita, Cassidy, if you can hear this… Nico, Benoit, Sophie, Simon, and I all hope you're both safe and sound, wherever you are. Hopefully they're not mistreating you.
Chris! Aelita smiled.
I'm hearing this, alright, coming out of my mouth, I fought to keep a straight face. This was no time for me to laugh. Besides, I was still giving the report.
The anchor's voice returned. The band later released a press statement, saying that they hope for the successful location of Schaeffer, McGuire, and the ten other abductees, and their condolences go out to the affected families.
I'm glad that they care enough for all of us, I blinked.
The police are urging anyone with any information pertaining to the abduction of the twelve adolescents to contact Police Headquarters immediately. Personally, after everything the ten Kadic Academy boarders and their fellow canine had done for the entire world, in regards to their fight against XANA, this comes as a major shock, and a major blow. This could only be done by kidnappers who have much to gain from this abduction. What are their motives? What do they seek to gain from this? Only time will tell. But I believe everyone will agree with me, when I say that this is too great of a loss to everyone, around the world, and hope for their quick and swift rescue. Olivia Descartes, France 24 News.
I stopped being a radio after that, as my own emotions slowly began to get the better of me. Just as we had assumed, everyone had started looking for us. I couldn't help but feel incredibly overjoyed, both by this fact, and Jim being alive, but at the same time, an overwhelming sense of fear, because of how long it might take them to find out that we weren't being held prisoner in France.
Yumi looked over at me, a reassuring smile on her entity's face. At least we know for sure that Jim's still alive.
I nodded, a slight giggle rising in my essence's throat. Yeah, it was really cool to hear his voice coming out of my mouth. Jeb was right! I'm so happy!
Sister wrapped her ghostly arms around me once more. Oh, I'm so happy, too, dear sister! They're going to find us, too! Maybe Jeb told them where we are, too!
Maybe, but we don't know that for now, I blinked. I can't believe this is happening to us.
But at least we know they're looking for us, Ulrich noted.
That's always reassuring, Kaitlyn nodded.
Hunter nodded in agreement, as well. A-And it tells me something… you try to get immersed in French culture… b-before going to a F-French boarding school… and you get taken back to A-America… anyway. My aunt must've… told the news that I was… g-getting ready to enroll into K-Kadic… once I was able to… it was after I heard about you guys… I r-really wanted to meet you all… and become your friend… you guys are like my heroes…
We understand, Hunter, Yumi smiled.
Odd grinned. And soon, you will be going to school with us! We'll be glad to have you! It's like a dream come true, isn't it?
Hunter nodded, and I could tell he was getting pretty excited, just thinking about it. Oh, like you wouldn't believe!
That was when my eyes darted down to the door where the whitecoat took Aelita's blood away. Something wasn't right. What were they doing with it? What purpose did that do? All it seemed to serve was to make my former first roommate cringe in pain. She was just as worried about it as I was.
But all our questions were about to be answered, and not in the way any of us expected.
Both doors into the room soon opened, as twenty-four different whitecoats filed in, twelve from each door, all carrying plastic bags, containing some sort of weird liquids. The whitecoats carried these bags over to each of our bodies, before walking around to the machines that controlled most of the wires that went into and out from each of our bodies, rolling over metal poles, such as the ones that would hold blood samples, and intravenous bags, and attaching the bags they carried to them. From there, each whitecoat took a wire from the machine, which was already running to one part of each of us, and inserted them into the bottoms of the bags they had just hung. The liquid began to flow from each bag, through the wires, into each of us.
Wow! Odd remarked, surprised. Now this really feels like Hospital of Horrors!
The thought of that, along with what we all had just seen, scared me. What if that's the bird DNA that Max and her flock also got in the womb?! Things were getting even crazier. I only hoped that they didn't make us lose a sense of our own humanity—or doggyness.
Sensing my entity shake, Yumi held me close to her side, if such a thing were possible. It's gonna be okay, Cassidy. It looks horrible now, but it's going to get better. Just try to be brave.
I have the bravery of a chicken nugget right now, Yumi. I don't know what to do. Not even in this form, I whimpered.
But do you want to run the risk of having a heart attack down there? Jeremie inquired.
Won't the whitecoats just think she's reacting badly to whatever's in those bags? Ulrich argued.
But she has panicked in front of them before, Sister brought the point to the front.
A-And… Georgina isn't… h-here to help her body… calm down… Hunter pointed out, extending his ghostly index finger toward my motionless body.
Yumi's eyes widened. That's right!
Does anyone know a solution? Kaitlyn asked.
First we all need to just stay calm, Jeremie suggested, even though from the sound of his voice, it was easy to tell he was just making it up as he went along. We don't know what's in those intravenous bags, but making any rash decisions, and causing our physical bodies any sort of pain might end up making things more dangerous than they will be, once we finally wake up. Let's just… play it by ear, huh?
Playing it by ear, huh? Well, let's go over playing it by ear, our life, so far. We didn't get to escape the sedan, nor did we get the chance to do Plan 120, and I should have been able to throw my relaxation trance off to enact it, I trembled, fear and shame mixing into a deadly combination.
Before he could reply, Jeremie happened to glance down at my unconscious body, grimacing as he watched the machines that were connected to me reacting to it.
He quickly looked back at me, and waved his ghostly hands in front of his entity. Okay, okay! So playing it by ear is a terrible idea. Cassidy, the first thing we need to do, is find a way to get you to relax!
Sister found Jeremie's grimace contagious. Please, dear Sister… the whitecoats are bound to get antsy if you don't calm down! She placed her ghostly hands together, trying to interweave her fingers, but forgetting how hard it is to do that, when you can't even feel your own fingers. What if I… give you as many hugs as you want, every single day? Just ask me, and I'll drop whatever I'm doing, and hug you!
That actually wasn't a bad idea. That would work. I'd absolutely love that, Sister. Slowly, my entity calmed down.
Before anyone else could react, a new whitecoat entered the scene, carrying a new bag. Floating downward, I looked on the side. My eyes widened. It was the same Sharpie-marked words from my vision: PRECIOUS DNA, INJECT TO SUBJECT 12 IMMEDIATELY!
Aelita, I think I found out what they did with your blood, I gulped, or would have.
She started to tense up. W-what did they do with it…?
I think they modified it, but I don't know what they will do. In my vision, he inserted it into a line. If they overheard, then they might do it differently, I looked up at my worried friends.
But that isn't what happened. Instead, just like my vision had shown, the whitecoat walked over to my unconscious body, took one of the tubes running from it to the machines near my bed in one hand, and proceeded to unzip the bag with his other. The syringe was withdrawn, as the whitecoat slowly adopted an evil grin. Setting the bag on the floor near my bed, he then inserted the syringe into one end of the tube he was holding, making sure its entire contents had been squeezed out. Once he had finished, he recapped the tube, placed the now-empty syringe back into the bag, re-zipped it, and made his way toward the door he came in through, just as another whitecoat entered, carrying a similar bag in her left hand.
Oh, no! Jeremie grimaced, his entity's entire face contorting with fear, as he raised his ghostly hands to his mouth. What did they just inject into your IV, Cassidy?!
As much as I could feel myself wanting to freak out as badly as Jeremie was, I tried my hardest to be brave. I think that—that was… A-Aelita's… B-But what it w-will do to me… I don't know…
That shocked everyone. William, Kiwi, Aelita, Sister, and Yumi gasped. Jeremie was seconds from biting his ghostly fingernails, even if I told him that he shouldn't in the past. Odd's eyes widened. Patrick's, Kaitlyn's, Sam's, and Hunter's ghostly jaws dropped. Even Ulrich, who would usually try to keep a straight face, couldn't help but adopt a fearful expression.
What?! Sister, Yumi, Odd, William, Aelita, and Kaitlyn shrieked in unison.
Now, not even Sister's promise of on-demand hugs could stop me from freaking out. And not in a good way. My mind went absolutely crazy, thinking of all of the possible reasons for why the whitecoats would inject me with Aelita's DNA. And since my brain didn't have the same limits as a spiritual entity, as it did when I was in my physical body, I found myself thinking about some options that never would have occurred to me, normally. Naturally, this made things even worse.
T-t-t-this… d-d-doesn't… make any… s-s-sense! Hunter cried, his usual fear-driven stuttering getting worse as he tensed up. A-a-are we j-j-just… g-g-guinea p-pigs?! A-are they g-gonna… i-i-inject all of u-us… with each other's… D-D-DNA?!
I don't know! I shouted, increasingly freaking out.
If I could actually feel others' touches, I would have felt Yumi wrap her ghostly arms around my entity, once more. Whatever this is, we can't let it get to us! What if this is just another one of their tests?! We all need to relax, otherwise the whitecoats are going to get really suspicious!
T-that's right! Odd attempted to sound confident. T-they want us to go crazy… don't they? So… we've just gotta… get the better of them! Yeah! Don't let them get onto us!
But the whitecoats wouldn't let that happen. In fact, they had another interesting tactic in store for us. We soon found that out, when Kiwi suddenly yelped in pain, before looking around, almost as if he was looking around for the culprit. Who did that?!
Kiwi?! Odd instantly soared toward his diggity-dog, the tension within him reaching new heights. What's wrong? Did one of those whitecoats get you, too?
The essence of mi novio's pet looked down at his canine body, the only one lying in a bed without covers pulled over any part of his body, to find a whitecoat injecting a syringe into his neck, right below his collar.
Right there! He pointed with his essence's nose, before growling with his entity's teeth bared. I'll bet they're making me part cat! Just like Hunter's guinea pig theory!
But Odd and the others didn't have time to see where Kiwi was pointing. Why? Because things got even crazier. And I mean really crazy. Not even three seconds after Kiwi watched a whitecoat inject something into his body, a team of twelve whitecoats entered next, one walking over to each of our beds. I watched one whitecoat approach my bed, and gently pull the covers over my physical body back, before softly turning my body onto its belly, keeping my head to the side, so I could breathe. The others watched as the other whitecoats soon did the same with their own physical bodies.
In an instant, my physical back felt as though it was on fire after they turned my body over. As I began to react to this sensation, I happened to notice the others making similar expressions, some even squirming, suggesting they were feeling the same thing I was.
Ahhh! Yumi frantically rubbed her ghostly hands across her entity's back, thinking it would somehow stop the pain. There's something wrong with my back! What are they doing to us?!
I-I wish I could tell you, Yumi! I sobbed, unable to handle my own discomfort.
She floated over to me, her entity's face still showing the pain she could feel from her physical body, before trying to wrap her ghostly arms around my entity. Don't worry, Cassidy… we're all here for you. We're all going through the same thing! Hopefully it'll all be over, soon!
I hope so… I whimpered, scared for everyone as well as myself.
Yumi pulled herself back, while still keeping her ghostly arms wrapped around me, in order to try and give me a comforting grin, despite the pain she found her physical body in. However, as she looked at my entity's face, her own eyes were immediately drawn to something strange that had appeared in my hair, and she let out a gasp.
What is it?! I moaned, my spiritual eyes squeezed shut.
Don't look now, Yumi croaked, but Aelita's DNA is doing something to your hair…!
I opened them slightly, my entity shivering. Y-Yumi?
Now Jeremie's curiosity had been piqued, and he floated over next to Yumi, to get a better look. A look of pure surprise overtook his entity's face, when he noticed my ghostly hair, as well. Cassidy… it would seem as though… part of your hair… has changed… color.
What Einstein means to say, mi novio floated closer, his entity's face also pain-stricken, is that you've got a pink highlight, Cat Girl!
My eyes widened as they ever-so-slightly looked up. There it was, a pink strand taking precedence on my bangs, wrapping nearly around my entity's head, like a streak. My essence's jaw dropped. Oh, holy…
What… the… hell?! Kaitlyn's ghostly eyes widened, as she looked at my new, as mi novio so conveniently put it, pink highlight. Why did they do this to you?!
Hunter floated over, looking slightly surprised, albeit filled with pain, as well. Would you… be i-i-insulted i-if I… s-said the pink a-a-actually… went well with… y-your… n-n-natural brown h-hair…?
Reaction or not, I screamed in terror. Having a natural strand of pink hair freaked me out like literally nothing else. It was like Hunter had suggested; I felt like a guinea pig. Why had they done this to me?! What would they gain by doing this?! Did they have it out for me?! I figured they had seen the monster, which is why they had kidnapped us in the first place, but was this their way of getting back at me, for something I had done, but didn't know what?! Could someone throw me a bone, for crying out loud?!
Without even waiting for an answer, Hunter tensed up even further, gritting his teeth, squeezing his eyes shut, placing his ghostly hands over his entity's ears, and nearly compacting his spiritual body into a ball, as he heard me scream.
Aelita tensed up even more, as well, only she didn't try to cover her ghostly ears; she merely grimaced. She couldn't understand the reasoning behind my pink strand of hair, either. She knew it must have come from her body, but what she wanted to know, like me, was why they did it in the first place.
Without a second thought, she floated over toward me as fast as she could, and wrapped her ghostly arms around me, wishing she could find my "off" button.
Slowly, her hug worked. What—how—why me?! I cried. I don't know what I did to deserve this!
None of us do, she tried to reassure me. But it's not the end of the world. We'll find out what happened, and do what we can to take care of it. I know it seems really crazy now, but we'll get through it, just like we always have.
Don't look now, but I think they're saying something, Ulrich pointed his ghostly finger downward.
Indeed, standing around my unconscious body were two whitecoats. The one that had turned my body onto its belly was talking to another, which just so happened to be the other whitecoat I was starting to hate.
"Looks like Miss McGuire's body is adapting perfectly to the DNA… she'll be so happy to be little Miss Schaeffer's sister…" Mandy smirked evilly.
That did it. It was the last part of her sentence that really got Aelita and I. Aelita for being the unwitting and unwilling donor, and me for being the unwilling test subject. Remember how I said that I was starting to hate Mandy? That last comment of hers just upgraded that. Now I really hated her.
Looking over at Aelita, her face was nearly frozen in shock, as if she'd seen a trio of ghosts, who then proceeded to kill me, Jeremie, Yumi, Ulrich, and Odd in cold blood right in front of her. I couldn't help but feel nearly similar, and it brought things back around to that question, once again: why?
I watched Einstein's pink girlfriend cover her entity's mouth with her ghostly hands, too afraid to even say anything that resembled human speech. For my part, my jaw had dropped, almost to my chest, and I was afraid it was going to detach itself from my mouth.
And my friends weren't faring much better, either.
Did we just hear what we think we just heard?! Odd looked at me as though I might explode from his mere glance.
I—A-Aelita's—WHAT?! Jeremie incredulously shouted, hoping against all hope his entity's eyes and ears were playing tricks on him.
Yumi's entity's eyes had metaphorically enlarged themselves to the size of shot-puts, as she brought her clenched, ghostly fists up near her entity's mouth.
Why are they… doing this to you?! she squeaked out.
Ulrich and William had paled, as well, if such a thing were possible during an out-of-body experience.
I tried to make a noise, but my mind had figuratively jammed itself, thanks to all the fear, so I couldn't find the will to articulate. For all intents and purposes, I had turned into a female stunned Piglet from the time they tried to find Christopher Robin.
For a moment, it seemed almost as though Sister had been taken over by Aelita's father once more, as she was nearly as starstruck as I was, babbling incoherently with her entity's eyes wide open, and her essence's fingers pressed flat against her ghostly cheeks, bookending her entity's gaping mouth.
Of course, this only lasted for about fifteen seconds, before she suddenly found the will to become coherent again, and slowly made her way over to me. When she got there, she wrapped her essence's arms around my entity, as we still hadn't gotten the memo that we couldn't feel those things; of course, that implied that we cared about that in the first place.
Ohhhh… dear sister…! she managed to speak, nearly as distraught as I was. I'm so sorry…! I know how scary this must be for you!
But I couldn't answer her right away; my mind still wouldn't let my entity's mouth form words that sounded anything like English. All I could manage to do was undulate sounds and squeaks. Finally, the block dissolved, and I started crying again.
With my composure completely shattered, it wasn't long before Aelita started crying as well, leading Yumi to slowly float over to her, and wrap her essence's arms around the pink-haired girl's entity in a comforting manner, cooing softly to her. Sister soon started doing the same, in an attempt to comfort me, as well. This was all way too much for both of us.
Even Kiwi was reacting to Aelita's and my terrified cries, but for a different reason, as he covered his head with his front paws, leaning forward and gritting his teeth. His reason was that something was happening within his physical body, as a result of the whitecoat's injection; however, it went unnoticed, as everyone else was either thinking about our current situation, or paying attention to Aelita or I, trying to calm and comfort us. Even Odd didn't pay him any mind, assuming he was reacting that way because of what had happened to myself and my former first roommate.
Nearby, Jeremie was still incredibly confused, to say the least. He was still trying to figure out what the point was of injecting Aelita's DNA into me, and if there was any real motives behind it, aside from the classic all-purpose, we just wanted to make sure it would work.
Odd tried to be strong for me, but found it incredibly difficult, if not impossible.
While most of us were saddened or confused by this, Kaitlyn was too busy clenching both of her essence's fists, gritting her entity's teeth, positively fuming at Mandy's and the other whitecoats' actions. Like Einstein, she didn't know what it all meant, but at that moment, she wished her body could have awakened, that way she would've had a chance to personally give each of them a piece of her mind, for as long as she could get away with it.
That's it. When I wake up, I'm going to kick their asses! she growled. They're not gonna mess with two of my friends, and get away with it!
For Ulrich, it didn't take very long for him to finally sum up enough courage to want to do the same. His entity's eyebrows slowly lowered, as a scowl soon took over its face. Floating over to Kaitlyn, he gave her an understanding nod, showing her that he'd love to join her, if the moment presented itself. No way was he going to let them get away with what they did to Aelita and me, either.
Their party soon got another member, in the form of Patrick, as he floated over to join the two. His entity's face bore a look similar to Ulrich's, which was all the brown-haired boy and Kaitlyn needed to know, to be sure he was with them.
William floated over toward Aelita and me, gently wrapping one of his essence's arms around each of our entities, comforting us warmly, moments before shooting the resistance a determined nod, showing them he was on their side, as well.
I was shaking beyond my own control. Never before had I ever experienced anything like this. Heck, what I was experiencing right now was nothing I had ever experienced before, so it was like two new experiences compounded together. The end result left me quite broken, hoping I could find all of the pieces within the five-hour time period I was given, before my body would wake up.
In the midst of all this, Jeremie slowly found the strength for something else. Even though the situation seemed bleak, something drove him to keep going, anyway. It was the same drive that kept him fighting against XANA, no matter how many times everyone, especially Aelita and me, kept pushing him to take a break. He felt that his girlfriend and I needed a boost as well, and he knew exactly how to give it to us.
Girls, listen, he began. I know this situation seems really bleak, and that our conditions couldn't possibly get worse, but they have to get worse, before they can get better. And I feel as though these are at their worst, meaning that things can only get better from here. Yes, Cassidy, you have a few strands of pink hair, just like Aelita, but that shouldn't be the end of the world. Hasn't XANA done worse things to you, especially? And what about our backs? Yes, they're in a lot of pain right now, but hasn't XANA done even crazier things to us? Maybe this is a sort of opportunity. Something that can help us, even though we only think of it as a hindrance, right now. What if this is our chance to do something even better? We don't have to sit back, or in our cases, lie back, and let these crazy trials and surgeries be the end of our worlds. We've been through worse situations than these.
Sure, XANA's never tried to make our backs flare up like this, but can you remember all of the other things he's done to us, that threatened to rip us apart, yet failed miserably? He's sent flocks of crows after us. He's run you all over with MegaTanks. He's trapped you and Yumi on Lyoko without your digital DNA sequence codes. He's tried to convince you and Yumi that your brains were experiencing cellular degeneration. He's tied some of us up with vines. He's kidnapped you, in order to force you to change the Supercomputer's nuclear battery, before trying to kill you. He's destroyed your psyche on countless occasions. And on some of them, you've actually contemplated stopping altogether, not going to Lyoko, and even avoiding the factory. But do you remember what happened? We all helped you through it, and you came back, even better than ever. The point I'm trying to get across is, no matter what crazy things we've been through, no matter what trials we've come through, no matter what hardships we've overcome, we've always bounced back. XANA can't tear us apart, and neither will a bunch of whitecoats! Do you understand?
At nearly the same time Jeremie finished his pep talk, the strange feelings from Kiwi's physical body began to subside, and the dog's entity's eyes suddenly popped open, giving us the impression that Einstein cheered him up, as well. He looked around, like he was lost, before pulling his essence's front paws off from its head, and slowly floating over to our entities.
Uh… yeah! he tried to reason with Aelita and I. Besides, I don't like it when you all are sad… It makes me want to howl mournfully at the moon. You know what the two of you need? A nice, soft belly rub! That always helps me, whenever I'm sad! Actually, I could go for one, right now, too!
Slowly, Einstein's speech, and mi novio's diggity dog's words, melted into my psyche. I took an unnecessary deep breath, my entity calming down, an amused smirk upon my essence's features, my ghostly hand gently rubbing his spirit's belly. Th-thanks… Jeremie and Kiwi…
Aelita soon calmed down as well, feeling the effects of her boyfriend's pep talk, and Kiwi's comment, as well. She reached up to rub her essence's eyes, even though no tears had actually fallen the entire time.
You're right, she remarked, her entity's mouth slowly curving upward. XANA could never break us apart. So why should we let these whitecoats try to break us?
They can't break us, Yumi agreed, especially when we know everything they're capable of.
Yeah! Odd exclaimed, his entity feeling stronger. It'll take more than some silly back pain to take down Odd the Magnificent!
That made me laugh, something I definitely needed. Odd…
Odd turned to look at me. Okay, okay! It can't bring down Cassidy the Magnificent Cat Girl, either!
I burst out laughing even harder at his addition, which even started Sister laughing, as well. The two of us remained in our hugging position as we cackled, releasing all of the tension and distress we had built up.
Aelita giggled a bit as well, but something down below grabbed her attention once more, nearly canceling out most of the calming effect of Jeremie's speech. Look! Something's growing out of our backs! It looks like… wings!
Yumi let out a gasp, bringing her essence's hands up by her entity's face, as she looked down at her body. Sure enough, a few black-colored feathers had started to pop out of her back, like small crystals against her bare skin, almost befitting her former wardrobe choice. While she knew it was coming, just like I did, it didn't surprise her any less.
Aelita soon looked down at her own body, and surprise overtook her essence's features, when she saw the feathers that were slowly growing out of her own back. They were pink, looking like they would be quite soft to touch—we would have been flabbergasted if they hadn't been—but what was even more interesting, was that they looked almost vibrant pink, which made them look almost like her wings on Lyoko.
Out of my own sprung tri-colored feathers, a weird combination of pink, purple, and brown, almost like my own in the virtual world. I wasn't sure whether to be freaked out, or filled with admiration, as I looked at them.
Jeremie noticed a few feathers had appeared on his back, slowly starting to grow out, like Aelita's, Yumi's, and my own. His reminded me of a blue jay's wings, as they were blue and black, with white tips. I was sure his wings would look almost like a noble's cape, once they had finished growing.
Looking down at himself, Ulrich watched brown feathers slowly make their way out of his bare back, with other shades, both light and dark, slowly emerging soon after. From the way they looked, they almost looked like they could be used as camouflage, once they had grown. He didn't realize this at first, but I could tell he was somewhat amazed by them, anyway.
From Sam's bare back sprouted russet-colored feathers, decorated with black freckle-like spots, which slowly pushed their way out. Her face was a combination of surprise and amazement, even though I couldn't help but think of a butterfly's wings, as I watched them slowly emerge.
As mi novio watched his own body, feathers with an interesting color scheme slowly began to pop out of his bare back; a few white feathers, along with a few purple feathers—those being of two different shades of purple—both with golden tips. They, too, looked an awful lot like the color scheme of his old ninja-cat outfit. And, as usual, Odd was more amazed than surprised, when I looked at him.
Speaking of Odd, his dog was sprouting wings of his own. Gray feathers grew from Kiwi's shoulder blades, as his jaw dropped.
Kaitlyn gasped as she watched little hot, neon pink feathers slowly emerge from her bare skin, marking yet another interesting color contrast. As they slowly continued to grow, she could also see black leopard spots on a few of the small feathers. Something about it told me that hers might turn into quite an interesting array, once they grew out fully.
On the other end of the spectrum, Patrick's eyes widened at seeing raven-hued feathers popping out of his back. He realized these would probably go well with the jacket he usually wore, but the thought of having black wings wasn't any less surprising.
Mi ex novio found his bare back was slowly sprouting midnight blue wings, and he was taking it about as well as Odd did his—he actually thought they were pretty cool. They weren't his favorite color, but to him, he knew they were still going to look epic, regardless.
Even though Hunter had mostly come to grips with his current state, I watched his eyes widen, as he watched green feathers slowly poke their way through his bare back, before black ones followed after. As his eyes saw the green, it calmed him slightly, giving him the thought that maybe this won't be as bad as he thought.
Next was Sister. Her essence's hands went up to her entity's chin once more, as she beheld the yellow feathers that slowly made their way out of her bare back, and pink feathers began popping out afterward. That would make quite an interesting color scheme, and probably fit her quite well, considering how she used to dress.
Cassidy, Jeremie looked at me, feeling the need to state the obvious, I think you were right, about the whitecoats putting avian DNA into our bodies...
I metaphorically gulped. I— But I couldn't say anything. All I wanted to do was rehearse my vowels, as the shock still had a pretty tight grip on me. But that was enough to tell Jeremie what he wanted to know, anyway.
Thankfully Yumi still had her essence's arms wrapped around me. It's okay, Cassidy. We're all quite surprised, just like you. But don't worry. Maybe this will be the last experiment the whitecoats do to us, before Max and her flock save us.
And she couldn't have been more right—just as she said that, Jeb, Georgina, Ari, and seven others I remember reading from the books rushed in. That's when It became a madhouse. Nearly every single whitecoat in the entire School came rushing in, trying to stop Max, her flock, and the others from taking our bodies. They punched, kicked, and found other ways of trying to attack, but Max and the others were ready. A few kicks and punches went through, but most were blocked, and returned. Some of the whitecoats didn't know what hit them.
Watching from above, Yumi and I were amazed to say the least. Max had knocked out two whitecoats within the first minute of her arrival, with Gasman and Fang each taking another three out of the picture. Ari even found himself knocking out a couple whitecoats, with Jeb joining him to knock out a third.
"Angel! Take the smallest victim you can find and get him or her out!" Max ordered.
Nodding dutifully, the tousle-haired blonde girl unfurled her white wings and soared above. Soon, she dove in, wrapping Kiwi into her arms and zooming out of the room.
And if the fighting below us wasn't crazy enough, we got another shock when, just as Angel took Kiwi from the room, Kiwi's essence suddenly flew out of Odd's entity's arms, and phased through the ceiling, mi novio's surprised eyes following him.
KIWI! he yelled. No! Come back, my little diggity-dog!
She must've taken him out of the School, Ulrich blinked. You'll be reunited with him soon, Odd. I'm sure she wouldn't go too far with him.
"Gazzy, take out that one and take whoever you can carry!" the oldest of the flock yelled.
He nodded, giving an uppercut to the whitecoat that accosted him and racing toward Odd. He detangled my wildcard and rushed him out of the bigger room.
Told you, Ulrich smiled.
Before he could reply to his former roommate, Odd's entity was suddenly flung backward, crying out in surprise as he phased through the wall.
Of course, I didn't see or hear this, as I was still fixated on Max and her flock taking out the whitecoats like a small town throw down, while unhooking my friends' bodies from the tubes, and carrying them away. Max had just finished punching out Mandy—to which I started to go nuts with joy—when she whirled around.
"Nudge!"
"Oh, look at this pink-haired girl, Max!" Nudge smiled. "She's so pretty, so cute and cuddly, she looks like she's such a beautiful girl, and her wings make her look even more beautiful! She's just so adorable, I really can't take my eyes off from her! Can you see her, Max? Isn't she one of the most beautiful things you've ever seen?"
"Yes, Nudge, take her and go!" she growled.
Of course, my former first roommate wasn't expecting Nudge to gush all that praise, as her entity heated up by several degrees, while finding herself at a loss for words. She'd never heard anyone talk about her like that, and especially not that highly of her, I could tell.
She's a motor mouth, I deadpanned, giggling on the side.
Yes, well, uh… Aelita started to reply, that's very—WHAAA!
Yep, you guessed it; before she could finish her sentence, if you could even call that a sentence, through the ceiling she flew, phasing through it as she went.
AELITA! Jeremie cried.
Einstein, take a moment to relax. She's free from the School now, Yumi soothed.
I could feel Einstein calm down just a bit, as he looked over at Yumi. So, by the looks of things, once a member of the flock takes one of our bodies, our spiritual entities are automatically taken with them, that way we stay within an optimal distance?
Sounds like it, I nodded.
And soon I'd be the lucky budding bird-girl that would get the chance to test that theory, as Jeb ran over to my body, unhooked the tubes and wires, pulled me out of the bed, and carried me out of the room. Sure enough, I felt an invisible pair of hands wrap themselves around my entity, before jerking me backward through the wall, which I phased through, surprising the others.
"Sorry we couldn't get to you in time to stop this, Cassidy. I know you can't hear me, but we're going to get you to Dr. Martinez's place. Don't worry, when you wake up, all your friends will be there, too, safe and sound," he said to me.
Thanks, Jeb. Glad to see which team you are on, I smiled.
"I think we can get you waking up as soon as we get you in the van. Just hang in there."
I calmed down as I flew along with my body, continuing to smile as I watched Jeb rush me through the School's hallways, toward the exit. Once he got through the doors, there was a van waiting outside, just as he had said.
I guessed in a way, Plan 120's unexpected person was not with Sam, but with Jeb.
"Georgina will carry Hunter out. She's been on our side the whole time."
I grinned as I heard this. There was something about Georgina that just gave me that sort of feeling. While I thought her kindness and gentleness was just a side-effect at first, I couldn't help but feel this tiny inkling that there was more to it than that. I was glad I was right. I wonder if Hunter noticed it, too.
Cat Girl! Odd cried, seeing me come into the van. Oh, am I so glad to see you! Uh… both of you!
Me, too, Odd. The others are on their way. Georgina was on our side. Can you believe it?! I giggled.
She was?! Odd interjected, quite surprised to hear that. She must be a really good actress! I couldn't see that for miles!
No wonder she was gone when Jeremie talked to me. She was waiting for Max and her flock, I smiled.
That's wonderful that she was fighting for us, Aelita smiled. But I wonder who told the whitecoats what was going on?
My best culprits are Mandy or Reilly. Both are mean, I growled, remembering the shunt.
That wouldn't surprise me, Kiwi snarled. I'd love to sink my teeth into both of their shoes!
And then pee on them? I asked, a smile growing on my face.
He let out a bark of agreement, panting a bit. You got it!
That got Aelita giggling, as she covered her entity's mouth with her essence's hand. Kiwi was too cute, especially when she could hear him talk, too.
The three of us soon heard wings coming closer, moments before Iggy landed, carrying Jeremie with him. Shortly after that, we heard the panicked cries of Einstein's essence, before it landed next to us, above the van.
Jeremie! my former first roommate rejoiced. I'm glad you're okay!
Jeremie wrapped his essence's arms as tightly as he could around Aelita's entity, as if he was overjoyed to see her, as well. Oh, Aelita! I wasn't sure what had happened to you!
Looking over at me, he asked, Is Iggy blind?
Yep. Accident when he was here at the School. He was having an eye procedure done to improve his night vision, and something went wrong. It's complicated to say the least, I answered.
Soon after, the sound of flapping wings filled our entity's ears, as Max and Fang soon landed by the van, Max carrying Yumi, while Fang carried Ulrich. The two gently placed their respective captures into the vehicle, shortly before a masculine and feminine scream filled the air. Yumi's and Ulrich's essences phased through the front entrance of the School, before coming to a stop above the vehicle, next to the rest of us.
Hi, Lovebirds! Odd smiled.
The two dusted each other's essences off, feeling their entities heat up at this greeting, before turning to face the rest of us.
Odd! Ulrich exclaimed. Boy, am I glad to see you!
I told you they'd be waiting for us, Yumi reminded him.
And no sooner had Yumi finished her sentence, then more footsteps arose, followed by another scream. Georgina rushed through the doors of the School, carrying Hunter in her arms, before gently placing him within the vehicle, moments before his essence phased through the School's entrance, coming to a stop near the rest of us. He looked quite out of breath, even though he didn't need to breathe.
Could we… stop moving for a minute… he breathed. All this… moving around is gonna… give me an… overload...
She can't hear us, Jeremie informed him.
He looked over at Einstein. Yeah… good point… I just need a minute… to calm down… before we start moving again...
Who's left? Aelita asked.
Just… Sissi, William, Patrick, Kaitlyn, and Sam, Hunter replied, glancing into the air as if he was thinking.
"I have to get Sissi, Hunter, sweetie." Georgina said, giving him a gentle kiss on his body's temple, then repeating the same gesture on my own before rushing back into the School.
Right after she did that, I felt a gentle feeling of warmth just cuddle my essence, like someone was giving me a hug. I could see Hunter feeling something similar, as a smile appeared on his entity's face.
She's so wonderful, he remarked, almost sounding dreamy, as though that was all it took to calm him down. I just hope we'll see her again, after this is all over.
And I'm sure you will, Hunter, Aelita reassured.
He grinned at her in reply, just as Ari came barreling out of the School's double-door entrance, Kaitlyn, Patrick, William, and Sam's bodies under his arms. As he brought them up to the vehicle, and gently set each one inside, four more screams filled the air, as each person's essence phased through the School's doors, one at a time, before landing with the rest of us.
Kaitlyn! Patrick! Jeremie smiled, relieved at seeing his cousins.
Hold the pepper and eat the candle, Patrick remarked, looking as though his sudden trip through multiple walls had left him in quite a daze.
Even I couldn't stop myself from laughing at that. It sounded almost like the kind of non-sequitur I would say, if I was in his position.
Kaitlyn, what happened to him? Einstein cried, worried that his male cousin had gone nuts.
She giggled at that. Don't worry, cuz. He's just not used to phasing through so many walls at once. He'll be fine, by the time his body wakes up.
Jeremie took a deep breath, probably a force of habit. That's a relief.
Next, I looked over at Sam, who looked nearly as frazzled as Hunter did, after Georgina carried him out.
Odd, does this sort of thing happen to you all the time?! she asked my wildcard, her former love interest.
Weeeeell… only sometimes, Odd replied. Every other time, it's a lot weirder.
We all waited a few more minutes, getting slightly worried about why Georgina was taking so long, when she finally burst through the School's double-doors, carrying Sister. Relief spread to all of our entities' faces, as Georgina gently placed her in the vehicle, between Hunter and I, just as a scream filled the air. Sister's essence phased through the doors at nearly the exact moment Georgina set her down, and she soon landed with the rest of us, somewhat frazzled, before setting her entity's eyes on me.
Sister! I cried out in happiness, wrapping my ghostly arms around her.
Oh, Sister! She quickly returned the gesture, similarly overjoyed. Oh, I thought I'd never see you or anyone else again!
We'd fight tooth-and-nail for you, Sister, just like you all, minus William, Sam, and Hunter, fought for me. Determination made my entity heat up with a different fire.
Sister's entity's face glowed with pride at my reply. I could tell she loved knowing that the others would look out for her, just like she would do for them. We were all one big, happy surrogate family in a way, and most of us knew it; I was sure Sam and Hunter would soon find this truth out for themselves, as well, when the time was right.
With every single one of our bodies in the vehicle, Max and her flock flew out of the School, before coming to a stop overhead, providing aerial cover for the vehicle that would carry us. Georgina looked over to Jeb, after taking a head count.
"Is that everyone, Jeb?" she asked him.
"Yes," Jeb confirmed. "Reilly overheard their conversation after you brought Cassidy back from that wash. He quickly tipped Mandy off big time."
"We should have been extra quiet, then," Georgina lamented. "I was too busy trying to help Cassidy calm down, I almost didn't think about it."
Yumi clenched her essence's fists, her entity's eyebrows falling as she heard that. That Reilly…! UGH! I can't believe he ratted us out!
He must've been butt-hurt that Cassidy showed him up! Ulrich growled, feeling just as angry as Yumi was.
Now I wish I had a scalpel, I snarled. Or a black mamba!
I can't believe he eavesdropped on us like that. Even Aelita was angry about that. You're right. A scalpel would really help.
At least Max and her flock didn't let them get away with that, Jeremie noted, his entity's eyebrows pointing downward as well. Otherwise, he probably would've gotten much worse from all of us.
Yeah! I want to introduce him to the Schyphozoa! Odd agreed. See how he likes it!
While we all burned in our anger, Jeb pulled a case out of the vehicle. "They said the sedatives given to them would last for five hours. I think we can shorten this."
Georgina looked at the case in his hand. "How are we going to do that?"
"I have something that would reverse the effects. It'll make them a little woozy as they wake up. Georgina, I want you to drive. Ari's taking the passenger seat," he said, taking a vial and an empty syringe out of the case. "I'll stay in the back to wake them up. Did you bring their clothes?"
Georgina nodded. "They're in another case in the back. All freshly washed, just like them, and ready to go."
"Great. Start the drive to Dr. Martinez's. Max will lead the way from above," Jeb ordered, filling the syringe, closest to me.
"On it," she answered, closing the side door, before running around to the other side of the vehicle, opening the driver door, and hopping into the driver's seat.
The engine soon turned over, knocking Yumi from her anger as her entity's eyes widened, realizing what this meant.
They're about to take off! she warned the rest of us, fear slowly overtaking her entity's voice. That means they're about to pull us with them! We'd better hang onto something, quickly!
How about our bodies? William suggested. They are practically our anchors.
Her entity's eyes returned to normal size. You're right. And they're probably going to wake our bodies up, on the ride over to Dr. Martinez's house.
No sooner had she said that, than I felt something sting my arm. I cried out in pain and surprise, putting my essence's hand over my entity's arm, in retaliation.
Cassidy?! Odd cried out, floating close to his body.
Don't worry, Odd, Yumi gave his essence a calm, reassuring smile. Jeb's giving our bodies a sort of antidote, to get rid of the sedatives they gave us. We're going to be waking up, sooner than we thought we were.
At least he isn't looking to play with my DNA, I muttered, still wincing.
Aelita nodded, giving my essence a comforting smile. Jeb doesn't seem like that kind of person to me.
That's true. I'm glad about that. It still stings right now, I tried to smile back at her.
She floated over to me, and tried to rub my essence's back with her hand. It'll be okay. It probably will for a short time, but once you're awake for a while, I'm sure the feeling will go away.
I nodded, moments before I felt another interesting feeling reverberate through me; it was the feeling of my consciousness pulling my essence back into my body. Even though I couldn't see my own essence, I slowly began to disappear, causing Aelita's entity's eyes to widen momentarily, before they relaxed, accompanied by a soothing, disarming grin overtaking her entity's face, once she realized what was going on. I watched everything around me slowly fade to black, all of my friends disappearing all around me, moments before the sensation slowly returned to every inch of my body, bit by bit, to the point where I no longer felt as weightless as I had. I could've easily compared it to getting devirtualized, but by Jeremie's hands, rather than getting shot enough times by one of XANA's monsters.
The next thing I knew, I began to feel every part of my body slowly coming back to life, as if I was just waking up after only four hours of sleep, bringing with it every single ounce of the fatigue and grogginess that you'd normally get if you did that. Of course, I knew I hadn't been sleeping. After having an experience like that, you couldn't possibly dismiss the entire thing as only just a nightmare.
It did leave me with a good feeling, though; it was great to know that Jeb and Georgina were on our side.