The group was huddled around the monitor, Jeremie typing away furiously. They all held their breaths until the blonde was done and shut off the screens.
"So?" Yumi asked.
"Its true I found a way to get William back and to remove any viruses on you or Lily."
"Really, that's great!" Aelita said, hugging Lily. Her face became concerned and solemn as she looked around. Everyone was happy, over joyed almost. Ulrich and Yumi were sharing a hug while Aelita and Jeremie did the same.
"Isn't that great news Lily?" Odd asked, engulfing the girl in a tight hug.
"I don't really understand what happens after we get William back?"
"Isn't it obvious? Once we get William back we'll shut down the super computer, destroying X.A.N.A."
"And Lyoko." she whispered, removing herself from the hug and walking off.
"Hey, where you going?"
"I don't feel so well. I'm heading towards my room." Lily pushed the button and walked the rest of the way towards the school. Her head was down low and she felt a pit in the center of her stomach. She couldn't understand why she was so sad instead of feeling happy. Without X.A.N.A she could live a happy life without the constant fear of him watching her.
"You know why you don't want me to leave." a voice whispered in her ear. The fear was nothing compared to how much the truth hung in his voice. He was right she did know why. Even if she didn't want to face it, X.A.N.A was her father and Lyoko was her home. Lyoko was the place she knew she could run to when she was scared, it was her safe haven.
Sure on Earth she had her room in the dormitory and her friends to keep her safe. Ulrich and Yumi could give her advice about Sissi while Jeremie and Aelita helped her study for the various classes she didn'd understand and then there was Odd. Lily still didn't know where she stood with Odd even though he's told her time and time again that he's sorry and he's done numerous tasks to prove it. One of those tasks was sending Lily a bouquet of different colored lilies with a portrait he drew himself of her. The picture was currently hanging above Lily's bed in a frame Aelita had found in the hermitage.
Its been about a week since prom and Odd has taken Lily outside of the school every night he could. They would to the movies or a dinner sometimes they just walked around the city. It was always so nice the night air and it would be just the two of them, no one else.
"Hey Lily!" the girl turned around to see Odd racing towards her.
"Hello Odd."
"I thought I'd walk you to your room and maybe if you're feeling better we can walk around tonight." The two set off towards the dormitory as the bell rang for everyone to be dismissed.
"Well it's getting late, shall we go on our walk?" Lily said, peering out the window a few hours later. Odd got up from his spot on Aelita's bed and opened the door.
"After you my lady." Lily giggled at his comment and walked out of the room, Odd following shortly after.
The two passed through the metal gates and walked down the side-walk. There was a light breeze that sent chills down Lily's spine and she rubbed her bare arms trying to warm up. Odd noticed and removed the purple jacket he had brought. He set it around Lily's shoulders and she sent him a warm smile of appreciation. Lily zipped up the jacket as they continued to walk towards the park. The full moon illuminated the grass and flowers while it reflected in the lake. There was a white bridge the over looked the lake and lead towards a white gazebo. Lily leaned against the wooden fence and watched as Odd paced back and forth.
"So what's on your mind, Odd?" she asked, stopping him in his tracks.
"Well...Lily, there's something I've wanted to tell you for a while now." a blush appeared on his cheeks as he struggled to find the right words.
"So what is it?" Lily asked, her eyes narrowing towards the boy. Odd opened his mouth to ask his question when a scream rang from his lips. Lily watched as purple electricity swirled over the boy's body until it dropped him on the wooden ground, unconscious. Lily ran towards the boy and kneeled beside him. She didn't notice as a tall man stood behind Odd. The man grabbed the neck of Lily's shirt and tossed her over the edge of the fence, down to the water below. When Lily had gotten to dry land and ran towards the area Odd was, Odd was no where to be found.
"Come on answer," the girl muttered as she ran back towards the school, her mobile smashed against her ear, " Jeremie, it's Lily. Odd's been kidnapped by some guy that shoots lightening. Yeah, okay I'll meet you all in the factory then." The girl jumped into the sewers when she found the spot in the forest. She ran towards the factory while the others waited down below for her.
"About time you got here, X.A.N.A has launched an attack and we already know what it is." Jeremie said as the elevator opened to reveal Lily. Before they were able to say another words their cell phones beeped with an incoming message. They all looked at the flashing screens, stunned into silence.
"Send Lily to the Ice Sector or never see Odd again," Aelita whispered the message out, her voice cracking with worry.
"What should we do?" Yumi asked, looking at Jeremie for an answer.
"I have no idea, we can't risk Odd's life but we can't just hand Lily over to X.A.N.A. Who knows what he'll do to her." Jeremie sighed in frustration as he rubbed the bridge of nose with his fingers.
"Send me to Lyoko." Lily said, her face and voice emotionless.
"What?" everyone looked over at the girl in surprise.
"Send me to Lyoko, hand me over to X.A.N.A."
"No Lily, I refuse to send you." Jeremie said.
"Jeremie, you have to! We have to save Odd or X.A.N.A will kill him!" Lily's voice cracked with a mixture of anger and concern and the emotions reflected in her ruby eyes.
"No Lily and that's final."
"Wait Jeremie didn't you say there's an activated tower?" Yumi spoke up as the air in the room thickened.
"Well yeah."
"We can still save Odd by deactivating the tower."
"That's right, we forgot about the tower." Aelita said, a smile on her face.
"Well let's go then, there's no time to waste." Lily said already walking towards the elevator.
"No Lily, they'll go you're going to stay here." Jeremie said, his voice coated with seriousness.
"Jeremie I'm worthless on Earth, if Aelita gets attacked and devirtualized I'm the only one that can get in the tower."
"She's right Jeremie and there's no time to argue." Aelita said, much to Jeremie's disappointment. The four rode towards the scanners and landed on the plain grass land of Lyoko. Trees lined the paths as their vehicles materialized. Aelita hopped onto the Overboard while Lily rided with Yumi on the Overwing and Ulrich followed on the Overbike. They all raced down the numerous paths, keeping a watchful eye for monsters.
"Heads up the welcoming committee is here." Jeremie warned. The group looked ahead and saw William with two crabs.
"This will be fun," Yumi sighed as she gave Lily the controls and attack the first crab on the right. Ulrich took the lead and circled the other crab, leaving William to Lily and Aelita.
"Let's do this Aelita." Lily looked over to her pink friend and the two shared a smile before circling William with their vehicles. William looked around and raised his sword, trying to find a good time to strike. Lily noticed his weapon lowering and she smiled with satisfaction.
"Why are you fighting Lily? If you come with me, Odd will be spared and the tower will be deactivated." he said, trying to attack Lily's emotions.
"Don't listen to him Lily, X.A.N.A only wants to get in your head. He's full of lies!" Aelita called out. A smile appeared on William's face as he swung his sword towards the pinkette. The weapon hit Aelita square in the stomach and flung her off the Overboard. Aelita cried out in pain as she fell to the ground, towards a grinning William. He raised his sword for the final blow but was thrown back when a blue orb hit the blade and sent it flying away.
William looked towards the sky as Lily prepared another orb. William ran towards his sword but moved to the side, dodging the second attack. The grin never left his face when he dodged another orb and kept dodging. Lily threw another orb and once again William dodged only this time there was something behind him. Aelita was just getting to her feet and shaking off the attack when a blue orb soared through the sky and hit her in the back.
"Aelita!" Lily cried out, shocked that her attack had finished off the pinkette, much to William's pleasure. He let out a heart chilling laugh and watched as the other warriors were soon defeated by hornets that appeared from behind the tower.
"No where to run now, Lily." William said, as a lazer hit the bottom of the Overwing and caused Lily to fall to the ground.
"Oh no, Lily hurry run and hide!"
