**KITTY THE FREAKY DOES NOT OWN CODE LYOKO OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS**

-With Odd in the Courtyard-

Ulrich had followed his friend around the castle for a while, he was happy to see him again. The last time he saw Odd was when he was 8 and ran away from home. It had been some years since then but he found his good buddy again. Odd hadn't changed, still a fun loving dork that he always was.

This place was the most amazing thing Ulrich had seen since he was a kid. The place was so clean and peaceful. No sketchy thugs, no rude drunken people, like the places he use to stay since he ran away. All sorts of alleys and forgotten bedrooms where places he had called home but most of the time he just took a nap in an alley and waiting for some idiot to try to mug him. It was a lot simpler and more calming since he knew how to throw himself around there, tough and closed off. Here though, everyone was high class and he was less than dirt to them, he never did get how he and odd where friends, probably because he didn't act like a prince.

"So how did you get set up here?" He asked as they walked through some sort of courtyard, noticing all sorts of dummy's and training gear in a corner. 'Training area? I wonder who trains there. 'He thought as they walked

"I'm friends with the princess her, which by the way….um…about that job.." Odd admit, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Odd. What did you do." Ulrich said and he came to a dead stop. He didn't like it when Odd tried to 'Help'.

"I umm….Well you see…With all that's going on around here and with Lyoko's King I..uh I"
"ODD"
"Fine…I told King Ishiyama that you would um…be our 24/7 guard… And that you're a star sword fighter.." He muttered out, holding his hands out to keep his friend from hurting him.
"WHAT!" Ulrich said in shock and shook his head "Odd you're crazy! I can barely fight let alone guard you and someone else!"
"Actually there are four of us.."
"Odd you are still as crazy as ever"
"Ulrich you don't get it. You'll love it here and I'm not letting you say no. I know how you're living right now and you're not going back to it."
Ulrich stood in shock as he hushed Odd, glancing around before back at him. "How did you find out?"
Odd just laughed and shook his head "Please your crimes are known across the whole country side I'm sure, but lucky for you, you have me and no one knows said thief's name."

Ulrich couldn't believe this. Mostly that Odd had thought this all through. Odd of all people thought something through.

"Odd I don't know, if they find out wh-"
"But they won't! All they know is you're an old friend of mine and that you're a star swords fighter" Odd nudged his shoulder a little "Champ."

Ulrich just groaned and rubbed his temples "Odd. We can't just play these people. They will find out sooner or later."
"Yes but by then you will have earned everyone's trust and plus the King will be way too busy with stuff about King Xana, so we will have months to get you settled in! "He said then pulled out his puppy dog eyes "Come on Ulrich you can't leave, everyone is ready to meet you..except for Yumi.."he mumbled the last part under his breaths, out of Ulrich's ear shot "And plus Kiwi misses you so much!"
"You still have that dog?" Ulrich asked shock. Kiwi had been his dog since he was born, even longer it seems like.
"Of Course! Not that you trying to give him a heart attack with that crab that once didn't scar him FOREVER" He yelled and Ulrich couldn't help but actually laugh. They had some really good times when they were little.
"So. You'll stay?" Odd asked more serious and Ulrich just sighed, shaking his head and rubbing his temples
"I can't believe I'm saying this but ye-"
"AWESOME!" Odd cut him off yelling before dancing around like an idiot doing some little jig.

Ulrich laughed at his friend from a distance as he noticed a girl with pink hair come in, along with a older woman who just walked off. In his happiness Odd ran over to the girl and picked her up and threw her over his shoulder, much to her protest.
"ODD DELLA ROBBIA! Put me down right now!" She exclaimed as Odd carried her over to Ulrich, setting her down in front of him.
"Oh don't get you head steamed up Princess." Odd said joking as he set her down and gestured to Ulrich "Aelita this is Ulrich, Ulrich this is Aelita, Also known as Lita or Princess." He said proudly and the pinked haired girl just rolled her eyes and the two shook hands
"So you're the Ulrich Odd had been talking about. Nice to meet you." She said with a big smile as she looked back at Odd "So how was the meeting?" Ulrich just stood back and watched the two; he noticed Odd was acting weird. He had learned a few years ago to read Body language. Odd had to be the easiest person to read. He tapped his toes into the ground as they talked, clearly nervous. "Well A few threats here and there. We have till spring to pay back Monster King or he will attack us."

What? They are in danger? Ulrich thought as they talked about what to do and said names he didn't know of. This King Xana sounded like bad news to him and nothing would be good with that. The two turned back to him, remembering he was there "So Ulrich where are you from?" Aelita asked and Ulrich froze up, letting Odd answer "Oh he is from my city." He said so simply it seems awing to the other boy. Odd was a great liar.

"Oh that's cool" she said simply then looked at the rooms "Anyways I'm going to go get ready for dinner. See you there!" She said happily, running off as Ulrich turned to Odd again. "I thought I was there guard?" he asked confused. He didn't know much but eating with the royal families was something that guards didn't do.
"Pshh good buddy when are you gonna learn. You're going to be living the good life here!" He said as he nudged him forward with his arm "Come on let's get you to your room so you can get ready for dinner." He said as he pushed him on "And let's hurry, you know how I like my food." He said and the two laughed. Ulrich knew not to stand in the way of him and food.
'Time for a new life.'