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Pretty Hate Machine
Anger makes me vulnerable, making my head like a gaping hole to let in darkness… or light.
Chapter 11: Head Like a Hole
"Well, this would be the third time I've defeated you," Ulrich began, "The first time you didn't stand a chance, and the second time you didn't even put up a fight."
Yumi was a little bit surprised the possessed Ulrich wanted to speak to her. She felt slightly calmer knowing that he wouldn't slice her up right away, although, she could sense that he would want to very soon.
"And I won't lose this time," Yumi stated boldly.
"Indulge me. Why do you think you can win against me?" Ulrich enquired.
Yumi bit her lip, unsure how to answer him. She knew she couldn't rely on her determination alone to win this battle. She had to think of something out of the ordinary, something extraordinary. Something that could allow her to win this very important fight.
Suddenly, an idea struck her. It was incredibly risky, but if it provoked him, it might just give her the edge. But she was very reluctant to put this plan into action, knowing she was jeopardising the mission.
She dropped her fan to the floor, making herself look completely defenceless. The possessed Ulrich was taken by surprised by her actions. But soon enough, he cracked up laughing.
"Wow, did you really think you can beat me without your very weapons? You must be dreaming!" Ulrich bellowed.
"C'mon Ulrich, don't you want to spar with me, just like old times?" Yumi questioned cheerily.
Yumi felt nervous. She was aware she couldn't stop Ulrich without her weapons if this idea didn't go according to plan. She hated to gamble this last chance away, but she knew it was the only way that she could fight him alone.
Ulrich was about to burst into laughter again when suddenly he dropped his blades. His hands immediately clutched his head, trying to suppress the pain. Something was going on inside his body, and Avikar didn't like it one little bit.
Avikar felt his back connect with the dark wall and fell on his hands and knees. He looked up to see Ulrich controlling his own body again. He growled, annoyed that when he was around Yumi, Ulrich always interferes.
As he tried to get back to his feet, Ulrich found the switch and pushed it away from him. Avikar knew what was about to happen, and it he to stop it somehow.
"No! Stop meddling!" Avikar shouted.
Ulrich sprinted towards Yumi, launching his attack upon her. Yumi braced herself, expecting the worse to happen. However, she believed her plan was working. She just hoped it wouldn't backfire on her.
Abruptly, Ulrich threw a closed fist punch, which Yumi easily saw coming. She blocked the attack with her arm, twisting it slightly to feel less pain. Then she shunted his face with an open palm attack, pushing him back.
Ulrich attempted swing his leg at her. However, Yumi caught his left ankle in its ascension. She pushed him back, forcing him to hop on one leg, trying to keep his balance. Yumi saw a huge opportunity, and she had to take it.
Yumi charged for her vulnerable possessed friend, believing that she could end this soon. Even though he didn't put up much of a fight, she could understand why the real Ulrich wanted to lose this fight purposely to her. After all, it wasn't about pride. It was about freedom.
As soon as Yumi lunged for Ulrich, he somehow managed to place his left foot on the ground just in the nick of time. He then grabbed Yumi's shoulders, while Yumi had grasped his. They were in a deadlock, with no one letting up. Although, Yumi quickly realised that Avikar was fully back in control of Ulrich.
Suddenly, she felt like she was sliding back. It was only slight, but it meant that she was losing this battle. There was no way she could outmuscle Ulrich, especially while he was possessed by Avikar. She had to break the stalemate fast, or she would collapse and lose this very important fight.
"Ulrich," Yumi began, "Please remember all the good times we had while sparring each other. I can't beat Avikar by myself."
Ulrich gloated, "Begging for your precious Ulrich to come through for you? That's rich! No wonder why you're so dependant on him! You should learn to fight alone, knowing that he won't help you!"
"At least she gives a damn about me!"
Ulrich punched Avikar, drawing him away from the control panel. Using the left side of his body, he immediately swung his leg around, connecting perfectly with Avikar's face. Avikar was knocked to the ground, a few metres away from the control panel.
Yumi felt Ulrich's grip weakening on her shoulders. She let go of Ulrich's shoulders and pushed him back. His hands were ripped from her shoulders as he tried to maintain his balance. Yumi was unsure whether she should approach him again, knowing that Avikar could have recovered from the blow.
Avikar picked himself up. He saw Ulrich at the control panel, probably trying to find the switch that made him fall backwards. Avikar couldn't allow that to happen. He charged towards Ulrich, with his desperation fuelling him.
XANA's agent brought his arm around Ulrich's neck, pulling him away from the control panel. He held Ulrich's left arm behind his back, to prevent him for reaching out to the panel. Ulrich felt his energy depleting rapidly, losing circulation to his head. All of a sudden, he felt dizzy, almost like he was experiencing vertigo.
Blinking rapidly, he attempted to stay conscious. He had to. Yumi needed him, more than ever. She knew he was there, struggling against Avikar for control of his body. And even though she couldn't do much from where she was, Ulrich forced himself to remember those memories, those good times.
Being possessed by Avikar brought him only darkness, with the recent memory of his father beating his mother and almost killing him being repeated to him by Avikar over and over again, he felt like there was no light in his life. But each time he heard Yumi's voice, whether when he was forced to dangle her over the edge of the bridge or when he beat her against his will, he felt like he was brought back to life.
Each time he blinked, he attempted to reminisce the time they had spent together. The time when they first sparred, to the times where he had a good laugh with her, to the times he supported her, and the kiss that almost happened. Flooded with those thoughts, he felt his strength return to him. There was no way he wanted to give up on Yumi, especially since she was saving his life.
Yumi noticed that Ulrich quickly got his balance back. She was relieved that she didn't sprint towards him like last time. However, Ulrich was approaching her fast, and she had no idea what to do next. She wanted to grab the fan containing the program in it from her pouch, but if she missed him she was putting the entire mission at risk.
Ulrich slammed his elbow into Avikar, forcing him to let go of Ulrich. He spun around and kneed him in the stomach. To finish off his attack, he lifted up his right leg and threw a very powerful kick to Avikar's head. Avikar was knocked back quite easily, allowing Ulrich to focus on the control panel.
As Ulrich closed the gap between them, Yumi spotted that he was going off to the side slightly. Yumi was unsure whether it would be best to draw out her all important weapon. When Ulrich was only two metres in front of her, she raised her arm up at Ulrich's neck level and closed her eyes.
She felt a huge thump on her arm, shaking her on the inside. She opened her eyes to see her possessed friend violently falling to the floor, hitting it back first. She was slightly overwhelmed by seeing Ulrich collide with her arm hazardously, but she had to seize this opportunity.
Yumi quickly pinned his body down, pressing her knees on his legs and her hands on his shoulders. With her entire body weight on him plus a little extra pressure, it reminded her of the end of their first Pencak Silat lesson together. She won that one if it wasn't for Jim interrupting. She managed to get Ulrich to the ground and stared deeply into his eyes. And that's when the spark was made.
Ulrich looked behind him, seeing Avikar attempting to get to his feet. Avikar was on his last legs, having to spend his energy controlling Ulrich's body while fighting Ulrich was difficult. He stared at the boy angrily, knowing that it was he that ruined his plans, along with Yumi Ishiyama, who knew how to provoke him.
He did not put into equation how two mortal beings could support and motivate each other to keep on fighting, even if it meant fighting each other. Avikar wished he was strong like XANA, who could easily repress any sort of resistance coming from Ulrich Stern. However, Ulrich was very much immune to possession by XANA due to the amount of times he'd been to Lyoko. Even though this was XANA's only option, to send one of his agents to possess Ulrich, it was better than not possessing him at all.
"Boy! Don't you want to kill me right now?" Avikar asked, making a blade appear at Ulrich's feet, "After all you've been through thanks to me, don't you want to release your anger and finally get your revenge?"
Ulrich perked up at interest at the suggestion. He could finally release his inner feelings, and not be burdened by thoughts of his father bashing his mother. Ulrich picked up the blade, slowly approaching Avikar. He could feel that very hatred pulsing throughout his body, ready to be released.
Avikar lowered his head, knowing that this was the end of his possession of Ulrich. He balanced himself, kneeling before Ulrich as he appeared to worship the body's true owner. But he managed a smirk across his dial, enjoying how this would all end.
Ulrich pointed the blade to Avikar, gazing at him. He wanted to kill Avikar through the hardships he'd been through. He hated Avikar for almost getting his way by dangling Yumi over her watery death, he hated Avikar for taking advantage of him and most especially, he hated Avikar for controlling his body.
Although Ulrich wanted to strike him down so badly, he hesitated. A new thought came to his head, a thought that questioned that if this death would solve anything in Ulrich's life. Ulrich breathed heavily, trying to focus on the answer to that question.
No, Avikar's death wouldn't change anything in Ulrich's life. The only thing he had to gain was his body, and even though that was a huge thing, having a body back was the least of his concerns. His father would still be the same person. There wasn't enough evidence to mount upon his father yet. And most especially, the memory of that night would still remain.
Ulrich lowered his blade, staring down at Avikar. There was nothing Avikar's death would change. He remained still, watching Avikar carefully.
"Why won't you put me out of my misery Ulrich?" Avikar enquired.
"Because revenge won't make my life better than it is now," Ulrich declared.
"Then… if you don't have the balls to kill me… I'll just have to make sure you'll regret your decision!" Avikar bellowed.
Suddenly, Avikar leapt towards Ulrich. Ulrich swung his sword like a baseball bat, hitting Avikar with the flat of it. He spun around and sprinted back towards the control panel. Avikar could easily take him out at this moment, and he needed to let Yumi know.
Yumi felt Ulrich's body seizing up underneath her hands. She knew something was going on inside, and she had to stop it at this moment. Without any hesitation, she slowly pulled out the fan with the antibodies within it. She hoped Avikar wasn't in control of Ulrich's body, otherwise he might've easily seen it and do whatever in his power to disarm Yumi.
Fortunately, there had been no retaliation from Ulrich yet. She moved the fan, which would be now visible in Ulrich's sight. She was so worried that Avikar may all of a sudden overwhelm her and ruin her chance to free Ulrich.
"Yumi," a weak, yet desperate voice called out for her.
Yumi noticed that it was Ulrich communicating to her. The real one, not Avikar. She was so relieved to hear his undistorted voice, yet she knew there wasn't a lot of time left, knowing that Ulrich was probably fighting off Avikar for her.
"Save me," Ulrich pleaded.
Yumi nodded, and slashed her weapon across his body. The antibodies rushed into his gaping wound, killing off Avikar's infection inside Ulrich's body. Yumi stood up off Ulrich's body, as he began to clutch his head. He was already feeling the effects of the antibodies setting him free from Avikar's grasp. Even though it was a painful process, and difficult to watch, Yumi told herself that the pain would go away soon.
"Argh! What is this pain?" Avikar screamed, holding his own body.
Ulrich watched Avikar yelp in pain, as he was attacked by the antibodies in Yumi's fan. He soon hit the ground, trying to attack the antibodies, but to no avail. The antibodies were concentrated to destroy Avikar and the rest of him inside Ulrich's body.
Avikar squirmed as the antibodies drained his powers. Ulrich approached him, wondering when the antibodies would leave him alone, or at least, give it a rest. Soon enough, the antibodies retreated from Avikar and jumped up into Ulrich's blade. The blade happily absorbed the antibodies, making it glow green.
XANA's agent panted heavily. He was practically half dead, and his body was screaming in pain. But he was still alive unbelievably. Avikar looked up at Ulrich, quivering in fear noticing that his blade had the antibodies within it.
"Ulrich, b-boy. I-I beg you. P-Please spare me. I can h-help you g-get what you want. I-I won't t-take control of your body. Please," Avikar pleaded.
"You know what Avikar... You had me fooled back there for a moment. And yet, you want me to forgive you after you betrayed me twice? I don't forgive betrayals," Ulrich hissed.
"So, you're still killing me out of revenge?" Avikar asked, smirking.
"No, that's where you're mistaken," Ulrich responded, "Your single death won't change a thing in my life, except I get my body back. I still have to deal with my father, and I'm still fighting XANA."
"What is it then?" Avikar enquired.
"Your death is my freedom. So, goodbye Avikar," Ulrich answered.
Letting out a battle cry, he plunged his sword into Avikar's chest. Avikar let out a deafening scream, feeling the antibodies killing him from the inside out. He glared at Ulrich with absolute hatred, desiring to kill him.
"This is far from over Ulrich. You've only scratched the surface about your father's unethical experiments. And if you're going to find out more, you have to go through Blaise and Pascal!" Avikar yelled.
He laughed diabolically until he dispersed from sight, leaving Ulrich wondering. Ulrich realised that he only won the battle, but not the war against XANA and possibly his father.
But before he could question anything else, Ulrich collapsed, finding that fighting for his freedom had cost him his consciousness for the time being.
Once Avikar was defeated, the monsters immediately were transported away from the area. Odd sighed in relief, glad that he did not have to deal with those monsters for one more moment. He was close to getting devirtualized, but even if he was, he knew he distracted the monsters from Yumi.
Yumi picked herself off Ulrich, staring at him as he devirtualized. Then, she suddenly realised she wouldn't be on Earth unless she was removed from Lyoko quickly. There was no time to think about the past battle.
She commanded Jeremie to materialize her and Odd back on Earth. Odd was confused, but then he understood why Yumi wanted to head back to Earth right away. Jeremie typed up the process quickly, sending Yumi and Odd back to the scanner room.
Yumi leapt out of the scanner, observing the scanner doors before her. They promptly opened, revealing Odd Della Robbia. He stepped out of his scanner, looking in the same direction as Yumi. They were eagerly waiting the return of their friend, who would be back to normal.
With a loud hiss and with a lot of steam escaping the cylinder transporter, the doors revealed a collapsing Ulrich Stern. Yumi sprinted towards her friend, catching him just in time. Odd was soon by her side, supporting his weight. However, they were both relieved that Ulrich was back on Earth, in control of his own body.
Yumi looked down at Ulrich, and smiled at him proudly. She could not have saved him without his help. And he rightly deserved his rest, after being through all these incidents, he desperately needed it.
Author's Notes: Wow, this chapter was by far the hardest to write. Heck, I even wrote the chapter after it before this one was completed. But boy, I really like the finished result.
The reason why this is the hardest chapter to write because I was alternating between scenes on Lyoko and scenes in Ulrich's mind very rapidly. It was difficult to write it while trying to make sense, considering things in Ulrich's mind happen a lot faster than events in reality. Although, once I started writing it everything seemed to flow really well despite my fears.
The choice to kill Avikar or not was to develop Ulrich's character and to see how far he's come throughout the story. His decision redeemed a little of himself, knowing to not let anger consume him and to release it at the right time.
Well, if you have a question to ask me. Between now and next Wednesday is your last opportunity to. So ask me via PM your question so I can answer it in the next chapter's Author's Notes.
Anyway, drop a review and look forward to the next chapter!