A/N: I'm really sorry I've been gone for so long. There's been a ton of complications going on in my life, some good…..others not so much. Recently my school showed Footloose and of course I had to go and try out for it. Anyways, enough of my ramblings, here is the newest chapter. Please comment, follow, and favorite if you enjoy this story for more.
Xana slowly paced back and forth over the bridge that led to the abandoned factory that served as his home for so long. Noticing Odd's presence he turned and caught the teens prying eyes. "Still clinging to your existence?" The dark haired man asked as if he was surprised to see what was left of the young boy. "Not much longer, I just have one last thing to do" Odd whispered as he jumped up to sit on the safety rail of the ancient bridge. Xana nodded silently then turned to stalk back to the gaping maw that served as the entrance to the factory that had been his home for so long. "I guess this is goodbye" Odd said sliding off the rail as the dark haired man disappeared into the shadows.
It seemed like hours to Odd as he sat waiting on the bridge, in reality it was only a few minutes. He heard them far before they emerged from the wood line directly to his right. Ulrich was in the front as was custom for the small group of friends. His chocolate brown hair was uncombed and he had bandages wrapped around one fist as if he had hurt it recently. Behind the German teen was Yumi who was obviously not enjoying herself as she got closer to what she believed was a trap. Aelita and Jeremy brought up the rear side by side, neither of them talking.
"Looks like Xana is being serious" Ulrich muttered when he reached the edge of the bridge, behind him Yumi merely grunted. "Let's hope he keeps his promise" Jeremy interjected as he straightened the wide rimmed glasses in his nose.
As the group passed by Odd dropped down from his perch and fell in line beside Aelita. He followed the group all the way to the elevator where they solemnly crowded into the small space. The blonde glanced over at Aelita sadly; he slipped his hand into hers and gripped it tightly. A small smile graced Aelita's lips as she felt Odd's hand in hers, even though she couldn't see him he was there.
The elevator ride ended quickly, too quickly for Aelita's liking. The doors hissed open revealing the massive supercomputer's core sitting in the middle of the room. Yumi was the first to step out; the others followed her with less enthusiasm. "Aelita should have the honor" Ulrich announced when Jeremy made a move for the switch. "Be ready to turn it back on if this is a trap" the blonde Einstein replied stepping back to make room.
Aelita took a deep breath and stepped forward tentatively, behind her Odd placed his hand on her shoulder. "Remember me princess" he whispered as the Aelita took hold of the switch in her shaky hands. Suddenly she stopped and shook her head causing her pink hair to sway.
"I-I can't do it" she stammered in defeat, Yumi stepped forward to do it herself but something stopped her. Odd's hands drifted down to Aelita's and guided them back to the switch. "I will always love you" he whispered before Aelita flipped the switch.
As soon as the switch was shut off, the humming from the computer died off as well as Odd's touch. "It's finally over" Ulrich whispered in shock, the teens exchanged mixed glances as memories of Lyoko danced through their heads.
Three years after that fateful day in the factory Aelita and Jeremy finally started officially announced their relationship. Five years later they got married and soon had children. In all the couple had three children, their names where Lilly, Franz, and Odd. Even though she was more than happy with Jeremy Aelita could never bring herself to forget her time with Odd. On days when everything seemed bleak she sat down and thought about him and how his smile could vanquish any bad mood. Jeremy died a few weeks after his eighty-seventh birthday, Aelita followed four years later.
Yumi and Ulrich dated on and off until Ulrich got a contract to play futböl in England. Even though they were separated by miles of water the pair still kept contact through the years. When Ulrich retired due to a injury that he'd never recover, Yumi was at his side helping him along the way. They married within a year and had two children, Max and Allison. After accepting that he would never play ball again, Ulrich settled down as the gym teacher at Kadic Academy. Yumi followed her husband to Kadic as a science teacher, after Jim Morales passed away she took over as vice principal.
Sissi graduated from Kadic and began studying to be a botanist until her father died of a heart attack. The board of education asked Sissi to take over as headmaster of Kadic. She accepted and appointed Jim Morales as her vice principal. After two years on the job, Sissi fell in love with the school's police officer, Hardy. The couple married in a matter of months and had two children. Jim continued to work at Kadic for seven years until he was forced to retire due to health complications; he passed away two weeks later.
The gang never forgot Odd, and every year on the anniversary of his death they would all gather at the factory to remember a young blonde who never stopped smiling. Memories where shared, some happy, others not so much. Whenever the subject of Odd came up there were no tears, only smiles, any less would be an insult to the teen's memory. Even though everyone took Odd's death hard they stayed strong, knowing that the blonde was watching them from heaven with a goofy smile plastered to his face.