I am SO sorry for the delay. I was in Carolina for three days visiting my grandparents, then when I finally got back, the computer I use now has a virus in it. While my dad is trying to get it fixed, I am forced to use my old, crappy computer. Anyway, here is the next chapter of Life as a Lyoko Warrior! Enjoy and please review!

My friend hit the floor hard, thankfully missing the bear, and even from where I was in the tree, I heard the sickening crack of a bone. His howl of pain was imminent as well as me screaming his name once more. The bear stared at him for a moment, then took a step towards him. That was too much for me as I snapped of a piece of a branch.
"Get away from him!" I cried as I threw the stick at the beast.
The stick hit the bear on the head and it turned its attention to me, glaring daggers at me. Then, it stood up on it's hind legs and made an attempt to slash my foot. I brought my foot up quickly, his sharp claws missing by mere inches. The bear tried several more times before giving up. It turned back to Alex and made its way towards him. I scampered down the tree and yelled randomly, waving, doing anything to get its attention.

Luckily, the bear locked eyes with me and I took off running. The bear chased me but I managed to keep a significant amount of distance between us. That is, until I reached a hill where I skidded to a stop. I glanced at the hill, which was adorned with many rocks, twigs, random shards of glass - probably from beer bottles - and back at the bear, who was closing in on me. I took a deep breath and began my way down slowly. I was only a foot or so down when the bear reached me. I tried to quicken my pace but the bear slashed its paw at me. It's claws weren't extended - thank God - but the blow sent me rolling down the hill, getting covered in scratches.

When I finally reached the bottom, I was doubled over in pain. The clout was bad enough, but now I had various pieces of glass in my arms. I gritted my teeth as I pulled them out, causing blood to trickled down my forearms. I sighed, wincing, and looked up the hill. The bear had vanished, and I assumed it was either searching for a safer way down to my position...
... Or it was heading back to Alex.
I prayed that it was coming after me. Alex's leg is probably broken and it's all my fault. I ducked behind a tree to catch my breath and analyze my wounds. There weren't too bad, nothing critical. I heard a few gruffs and snorts of the animal and held my breath. I waited a few minutes before peeking cautiously around the tree. When the coast was clear, I made my way back to Alex as quickly and quietly as my pale, slender legs would allow me.

I found Alex leaning on a tree, struggling to get up. I quickly ran to him and propped him up on my shoulder. He saw me and gasped softly.
"You... You're hurt," he mumbled.
"No, I'm fine. You're hurt," I corrected.
"Where's the bear?" he asked.
"I think I lost it. But that doesn't matter. I'm getting you out of here," I told him. "Which leg is injured?"
"My right one."
"Lift it up so we can move."
He acceded and we limped back towards the site. Unfortunately, we couldn't get far because the bear had found us again. We stopped, frozen in fear. The XANA possessed bear must've been thinking the same thing I was.

We are so screwed!

The bear slowly closed in on us and I made an attempt to keep Alex behind me, but he got out of my grip and stood in front of me. The bear knocked him out of the way with ease and he hit the ground hard.
"Alex!" I shrieked and rushed to him.
He was moaning in pain and I was crouched down next to him. The bear was on us again, standing on its hind legs. It raised its paw, its claws extended and swung at us. I leaned over Alex, squeezing my eyes shut, waiting for the pain.

Instead of pain, all I felt was a cold nose poking me in the face. I opened my eyes and the bear was sniffing me. It licked me once, before getting back on all four of its legs and walking away. I blinked several times, then sighed, got of Alex and sat on my knees.
"They did it," I murmured.
Alex's phone rang and I answered it.
"Hello?"
"Dialla! Are you alright?!" Ulrich's voice was full of apprehension.
"Yes, I'm alright. Alex might've broken his right leg though."
"And the bear?"
"It's gone. Nice timing you guys. And don't bother with a return to the past."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive."
"All right then."
I hung up when Mr. Rider and many others appeared.
"Where'd the wild bear go?" Edward asked.
"It, uh, ran off. But, Alex is hurt. I think his leg is broken," I explained.

Mr. Rider lifted up his son carefully. "Alright, let's get you to the hospital, kiddo."
Edward helped me up. "You should come, too, so you're scratches don't get infected."
"Uh, well, okay." I said reluctantly and stood up.
We helped Alex into the car and Mr. Rider drove us to the hospital. We reached the hospital within ten minutes and Alex was led away on a stretcher while I was led into a room. My wounds were cleaned and bandages quickly and unfortunately Mr. Rider called my parents. Soon, I was being crushed by my mom's skinny arms in a bear hug as she was hysterical. After my dad pulled her away I took in some lungfuls of air. Once I did, I calmly explained the situation, emphasising the fact that I was fine, and persuaded them to go home. They obliged and I went to see Alex after they left.

I found his room and knocked politely, even though the door was open. In the bed grinning like an idiot, Alex was dressed in a hospital attire. His left leg was trapped in a large green cast the covered most of his leg. He held a black Sharpie.
"Wanna be the first to sign?"
I smiled and walked over. I had just finished writing my message, adding a little heart at the end, a nurse came in and announced that his friends had arrived. We stared at each other confused until a group of kids walked in with a card.
"Hey, Cripple," I frowned at his insult but he didn't notice. "We heard you got hurt so we made you a card."
"Aw, thanks, Odd," Alex replied.
Odd placed the card on the table next to his bed and noticed the marker.
"Ooh! Can I sign your cast?" Odd begged, snatching the writing utensil from my hand.
Alex stuttered out a yes and Odd latched himself to the cast, writing 'Get better soon, pal!' and then drawing a strange smiley.

The rest of my friends crowded around, begging to sign, and I noticed my brunette friend hanging by the door,. Judging by how he was sulking, I could tell he didn't want to be here. I walked over to him.
"Was everything okay on Lyoko?" I asked lowly.
He nodded. "William was a little tough but we took him down."
"That's good to here."
I paused for a moment. "Look, Ulrich, I know you don't like him, but could you please sign his cast?"
His face twisted into disgust. "Why?"
"Because, you can write whatever you want," I said, "And if you had a cast, I would have him sign it if that helps."
"It doesn't, but I have an idea," he said and walked over.
He waited for Aelita to finish before signing. I peered over to see what he wrote, but he wrote it at a strange angle that it was difficult to read. After chatting with him, the nurse told us we had to leave because he had to stay the night for some reason.
When we left I asked Ulrich what he had written.
"It's an... inside joke, between us," he replied simply.

Alex's POV

I was a little surprised that Ulrich was signing my cast. Once he finished, I looked at it. It read:
Stay away from Dialla.
I smirked, chuckled lightly.
Good, he's still willing to fight for her. It wouldn't be much fun without any competition.