Disclaimer: I do not own.
Chapter 16: Empty
So things were just a little bit off. Despite the fact that a tower had clearly been activated, there wasn't a single enemy in sight as they charged through the forest sector. Their formation was tight because of this: the three lined at the front as Odd took up the rear. "Doesn't even look like Xana is trying anymore."
Odd snorted at the comment, "It seems Xana finally came to his senses. He really stands no chance against us." He claimed proudly, though obviously speaking too soon as a beam struck him from the side- sending him skidding across the ground. He skirted several feet against his will and then flipped over to his feet before he rolled off the edge.
He bounced on his toes to regain his balance as his gaze came to rest upon his attacker. Vaguely he wondered if he had insulted the virus on a personal level but that seemed silly. Even if he was attacked first.
"What's the deal Jeremie?" Clearly Ulrich wasn't happy but that wasn't too surprising since he never really seemed to be. This time at least he had good reason. They had a computer genius on their side that was suppose to warn them about these sort of things but hadn't.
The question went unheard since a similar one had come at the same time. "what happened? Odd just lost ten life points."
A lopsided grin came to Odd's face, "And here I thought it felt like more." He shot a few arrows as he darted around the cube shaped enemy, drawing its attention from the others.
"Bloks." Yumi drew one of her fans, flicking it open as she answered. With a quick toss she dispatched Odd's opponent, causing him to leap backwards as it blew up.
"That's strange."
It wasn't really the response that any of them were hoping for since it left a lot to be desired. "What's strange?" Ulrich asked through gritted teeth as he swerved around a few shots of one of the two remaining bloks, before charging the monster. He landed on it and plunged his blade in as Jeremie finally got around to explaining properly.
With Odd's enemy removed he searched out another, aside from the two already engaged in battle with his friends. Something else caught his attention though- fleeting between the trees. It appeared to be floating, long whips of light trailing around it. Odd could feel his teeth suddenly grinding together and before he knew it… he was off, running.
"They aren't showing up on the radar."
There had been a moment that Aelita considered following but she wasn't much of a warrior on this world. She hadn't seen what had caused Odd to flee the scene but with his haste she figured it must be something serious. "Odd just ran off." She announced despite the conversation already taking place, they'd stop to address this new issue.
As Ulrich finished off the last blok Yumi glanced sideways at Aelita, "Where'd he go?"
"I found him guys and…" There was a pause before Jeremie continued. "He's chasing the Scyphozoa."
It never occurred to Odd that this might be a trap, even though it should have. The only thing that was on his mind was that this monster had done something to Sissi. The only sensible thing to do now was hunt it down and get answers- even if it had never showed any promise of being able to speak.
During the process of chasing it, it some how escaped his line of sight which was the reason he was stopping now- his tail thrashing back and forth with irritation. "Where are you?" His voice was still oddly light despite his mood. "I just want to ask a few questions."
A shadow fell across him and he whirled around but even though he managed to get a shot off, it had done him no good. The moment the tentacles snaked around him he found himself unable to move.
Reality was gradually fading around the edges and taking on odd hues as all the physical feeling left his body. There was nothing but a numb empty sensation in its place and a desire to free himself. He wasn't sure what it was doing to him- he didn't have anything to give like Aelita did. His lips parted, the presence of a word on his tongue but it was lost as a slash of steel cut across his vision.
Suddenly it felt as if he had been drenched by a blast of cold water, his insides turning into ice. He didn't have time to comprehend as a voice grasped him. "What took you so long Della Robbia? I've been calling you forever." Whether that was true or not didn't seem to matter. He found himself reaching out and grapping the girl by the shoulders. "What are you-" Sissi released a squeal of protest as Odd began to shake her and shoved him backwards.
The action staggered him and as his heels smacked backwards into something solid he found himself falling.
"Odd?" Her voice was sharp with fear.
"Odd?" Softer now, different. It wasn't Sissi he was hearing anymore but Yumi. From his position on the floor he could make out her shoes but nothing more and so slowly he pushed himself up. "Jeremie thought we might have lost you for a moment there."
He wasn't looking at her but rather the spot he had just seen Sissi, solid and real. There was no trace of her having ever existed though. Just the tall trees lingering in the background and offering no explanation. "Where are the others?"
"They're deactivating that tower."
He was still standing there when Jeremie finally called them back from Lyoko.
Where had Sissi gone?
A/N: Read and Review. And sorry, this one is really short.