They stepped through the door and into Ulrich's room. But he wasn't there.

"Where is he now?" odd sighed. Everyone's eyes were filled with worry.

"I think I know," Yumi looked down to the ground.

"Where?" Alieta asked.

"I've been coming to see Ulrich by myself and he keeps mentioning a poison. Where else would you find a poison in lyoko?"

"But that's impossible," Jerimie said over the intercom.

"What are you two talking about?" odd asked, completely confused.

"XANA can only make electronic things. To control Ulrich's physical form XANA would have to infiltrate something stronger. "Alieta said.

"What!" Odd cried.

"He had to put something in the scanner." Yumi said.

"But wouldn't that have affected us to?" asked odd.

"I don't think it would," said Jerimie. "It would be keyed into his genetic figure."

"So even if we get him back every time he comes to lyoko this will happen?" Odd asked.

"I think so." Jerimie's tone was dark.

"We can't worry about that now," the pink haired girl said. "Right now we have to find where Ulrich is."

"Right here," said a voice. They turned to see a flickering shadow of what used to be a healthy boy.

"Ulrich!" Yumi tried to run to hug him. But as she did her arms went right through him. "Ulrich what…?"

"Jerimie managed to get me a form of lyoko but now…" Ulrich gestured down at his thin flickering body. "XANA has gotten rid of my body, even if you can get me out of lyoko I won't have anywhere to go."

"But that's not possible," Jerimie said.

"When you go on lyoko there's a full proof protection on your physical body. There's no way XANA could ever get through that." Alieta cried.

"Apparently he did," Ulrich groaned gripping his head. His already pale face faded in and out of focus.

"But, Jerimie can counteract it," Odd said. "Right Einstein?"

"I- I don't think I can."

"I have an idea," said Ulrich, falling to his knees.

"No, don't talk, Ulrich," Yumi reached out for his hand and it fell right through. "You need to rest."

"There's no time," Ulrich said. His voice quavered and everyone got closer to hear him.

"Let him talk," said Jerimie. "I'm open to any ideas."

Ulrich nodded. "I think if I can fad far enough I can get into the fabric of the network. There I can locate my body and get out."

"But that's so risky," Alieta said. "There's no way of knowing if you can come back after you fade."

"But it's our only chance… my only chance." Ulrich smiled slightly. "I'm open to any better ideas, agh!" he cried out as his entire form twisted.

"But…" Yumi stopped speaking and Odd gripped her hand.

"You'll be just fine Ulrich," he said but his voice was quivering. "You're too stubborn to die."

Ulrich smiled and closed his eyes. His body flickered for the last time and faded into a shadow.

"Ulrich!" Yumi sobbed.

"De-virtualization," Jerimie said. With a press of his keyboard all the lyoko warriors minus one came back.

When Yumi stepped out of the scanner her face was tear streaked and pale.

"It'll be fine Yumi," odd smiled. "Like I said he's too stubborn to die."

"Yea," Yumi said.

But they were still there a half hour later and no change had occurred.

"Come on guys," said Jerimie. "It's been to long we have to go."

"No!" Yumi argued. "We have to stay here. He's coming back!"

"We'll wait for a little longer then," Jerimie gave in.

Another hour later all hope had been lost.

"Come on," Odd stood. "We can't wait any longer. He should have been back by now."

"Aright," Alieta said.

Yumi couldn't speak, only tremble with suppressed sobs as Odd led her back to the elevator.

A sound from behind made them turn.

"What," said a tired voice. "You couldn't wait for me?"

"Ulrich," screamed Yumi and her hug knocked them to the ground.

"Ouch," moaned Ulrich. He was deathly pale and thin as a rake but he managed a smile.

"Aw," Odd said. "Love has been reunited.

"What the heck," smiled Ulrich and kissed her right on the lips.

Yumi seemed shocked for a moment but eventually gave in.

"Wahoo!" Odd cried.

"Finally," Alieta smiled.

It would take a while for Ulrich to look like himself again and get back the weight he had lost while on lyoko but they were all together and he was with Yumi. Everything would be just fine.

Le fin

I hope you enjoyed. and i know it's short

R&R!