Calvin and the gang were walking back to the school after their third mission. They began talking about what had happened.
"So, it was Anthony Schaeffer who saved my life and tried to contact us." Calvin said.
"This makes no sense." Sam said. "The guy who was mostly responsible for XANA's creation and the one who tipped off the feds about Franz Hopper's project is trying to help us? And why did he use my body?"
"Maybe he wants to compensate for his wrongdoings." Ami said. "He also said he was alive on Earth. But where could he be?"
"He could be at the school." Dennis said.
"Why would you think that?" Antea said
"Think about it: Direct access to the factory, perfect alibi. Not to mention it was the school that Franz Hopper taught at before his disappearance."
"Maybe it's Jim." Sam said. Nobody said anything. "Come on. It was just a joke."
"A joke?" Calvin said "I think that's a perfect theory."
"Yeah. Why else would he bring up doing so many jobs and 'rather not talk about it'?" Dennis said.
"I don't know." Sam said. "But I do know that…"
Just then Rumiko, who was being carried by Dennis due to the mind wipe program making her pass out, woke up and looked around.
"What happened? Where am I?" She said drowsily.
"You passed out a little while ago." Sam said. "We were just taking you to the infirmary."
"Funny. I had that crazy dream again." Rumiko said. "The one with the factory and the computer thing."
"Yeah, you definitely need some rest." Dennis said. "Come on, I'll take you."
After taking Rumiko to the infirmary, everyone else walked to the cafeteria for dinner.
"So what's on the menu for tonight?" Sam asked
"Steamed fish and vegetables." Dennis said.
"Great." Calvin said. "Excuse me while I starve to death."
"You know that when you enroll in this school, you fill out a paper that tells the staff what food allergies you have." Dennis said.
"Yeah, but usually the alternatives are even worse, trust me." Calvin said. "I guess I'll just have the vegetables. Anything's better than…"
"Hey, losers." They heard Sammy shout as she ran up to them. "Did you hear the news?"
"Mom finally got a facelift?" Sam said.
"Oh yeah, you're so funny, little brother."
"'Little'? Yeah, by three minutes." Sam said. "Anyways, what's the news?"
"Mom's holding a talent contest in two weeks to see who's going to open for The Subdigitals and DJ Aelita Stones at the end of the year dance."
"Get out." Dennis said. "The dance isn't for another five months. Why is Sissi bringing this up so early?"
"That's just how Mom likes to get things started." Sammy said. "Of course, your loser band doesn't stand a chance against my melodious voice. Especially with me being the principal's daughter."
"If you're so certain you're going to win, why are you even telling us about the contest?" Antea asked.
"To tell you that I've finally found my ticket out of this two-bit academy." She said. "Well, off I go." She then skipped off to the cafeteria.
"Hard to believe you two are related." Ami said.
"I know." Sam said. "Now let's go. If I don't get something to eat soon, I'll be up all night."
After that, they got their dinner and afterwards, got ready for bed.
The next morning, Sam was in the bathroom taking care of his morning routine when he heard singing coming from the showers.
"This may never start.
We could fall apart.
And I'd be your memory.
Lost your sense of fear.
Feelings insincere.
Can I be your memory?" (A/N: God, I love this song.)
Sam followed the singing to one of the shower stalls and he couldn't believe who the singing was coming from.
"So get back, back, back to where we lasted.
Just like I imagine.
I could never feel this way.
So get back, back, back to the…"
"Calvin?" Sam asked.
"WAAH." Calvin said startled and grabbing a towel to cover himself. "HAVE A SENSE OF DECENCY, WILL YOU?"
"Was that you singing?" Sam asked.
"Well, yes." Calvin said. "I didn't think anyone was listening. I'll stop if it makes you feel better."
"Dude, your singing's incredible. Don't stop."
"You really think so?" Calvin asked.
"Definitely." Sam said. "Why did you think that it wasn't?"
"I don't know." Calvin said. "Probably because I just didn't want people thinking I was bad."
"Wait." Sam said. "Nobody's ever heard you sing?"
"I guess I was just afraid of being criticized."
"Calvin. 'Ellen Hubble' once said: 'To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, be nothing.'"
"You mean Elbert Hubbard." Calvin said
"Whatever. You get my point though, right?" Sam said.
"Yeah." Calvin said. "Why are you still here? I'm still showering you know."
"Alright, but hurry up. All the good food's going to be gone if we're late for breakfast."
"Then go on without me." Calvin said
"Okay." Sam said. "You know, with you as a singer, we're a shoo-in for the contest."
"What about Samantha?" Calvin asked.
"Oh, don't worry about Sammy. Everyone's afraid to admit it around her, but she's a horrible singer." With that, Sam left and Calvin resumed showering.
Within a short time, as it seemed to everyone, the first week of February came, which was the week of the talent competition. The band, minus Rumiko, was already prepared. Before the show, Sammy was already talking to her mother.
"But Mom." Sammy said
"I'm sorry, honey." Sissi said. "But the school board clearly said that as long as you're performing, I can't be a judge." (A/N: Yes, I know that Kadic, being a private school, probably doesn't have a school board. Just play along with it.)
"But now, I'll have a worse chance of winning."
"Believe me. You have a better chance than anyone else."
"Would Samantha Della Robbia please come up to the stage?" The announcer, really one of the students, spoke. Sammy then walked up to the stage, placed a CD in the stereo, and began singing, albeit rather horribly, to some 80s pop song.
"This is her 'melodious voice'?" Antea asked
"Well, it's better that what my brothers listen to." Dennis said.
When she finished, one of the judges then spoke.
"Okay. Thank you for trying, now get off the stage." Sammy then stomped off fuming with anger.
"Hey, Sammy." Sam said laughing. "Looks like your ticket got voided and you're still stuck in this two-bit academy after all."
"By the way, Sam." Calvin said. "What name did you give our band?"
"Don't worry about that." Sam said. "I've got it covered."
"Next up: Team Lyoko." The announcer said.
"Well, that's us." Sam said
"You named us after Lyoko?" Dennis asked.
"So what?" Sam said. "As long as everyone thinks it's a secret and based off a fiction novel, we're still safe." Just then, Rumiko ran in.
"Hey guys, sorry I'm late." She said
"Where were you?" Ami said.
"I misplaced my guitar."
"Whatever." Calvin said. "Now let's go."
The band then lined up on the stage and began performing, with Calvin singing, to Sugarcult's 'Memory'. (A/N: Which I'm not going write, because frankly, for a filler chapter, this chapter is long enough).
When the song ended, everyone was already in cheers, except for Sammy, who was left dumbfounded.
"Wow, Calvin." Antea said. "You have a great singing voice."
"I agree." Rumiko said.
"I think we have ourselves a crowd favorite and a potential winner." The announcer said.
"Potential?" Sam asked.
"Well, yeah, there's like twenty acts left." Calvin said.
After the other acts finished, some tough competition, some just plain pathetic, the announcer then began to call out the winner.
"It was a close competition, but after careful deliberation, we have decided our winner:" He said. "Team Lyoko!"
The band then came up to the stage.
"You named our band after Ulrich's book?" Rumiko asked Calvin.
"I didn't name it." Calvin asked. "And what do you mean 'Ulrich's Book'?"
"I'll tell you later." She said. The announcer then came up to them.
"As the winner of this competition, you'll now be opening for The Subdigitals for our end of the year dance."
"We're opening for The Subdigitals?" Rumiko said.
"You didn't tell her?" Sam asked Calvin.
"I wanted it to be a surprise." Calvin said.
"Well it's a great one." Rumiko said. "Wait. End of the year dance? Isn't that like four months from now?"
"Don't ask." Sam said.
"Well." Calvin said. "We'd better get off to class now."
Yeah, just another filler chapter, I'm getting tired of them too. This is just something to hold you guys back. But after this one will be another filler chapter (To celebrate my birthday next week. (hint hint)), and then I'll start focusing on the plot (as well as wrapping up the past stories) some more.
Please Review.