Odd whistles a nonsense tune, his hands in his pockets as he strolls through the hallways of the dormitory. He is in high spirits—he and Sissi had impulsively decided to spend the night together in Sissi's dorm room, and what a night it was.
He smiles as he recalls the way Sissi writhed beneath him, her eyes half-closed, her mouth agape and her cries of passion filling the room.
He makes a stop at the water fountain, humming softly as he takes a drink. Life's pretty great these days, he thinks to himself as he continues to make his way down the hallway. A triumphant grin spreads across his face as he reaches the door to his own dorm room. He turns the doorknob and starts to enter, but what he sees in front of him stops him right in his tracks.
The morning sun filters softly through the blinds, and in the dim morning light, the first thing Odd notices are the clothes haphazardly strewn across the floor. It looks as if a hurricane tore right through the room. He raises an eyebrow at the sight of the messy scene. His eyes then land on Ulrich's bed, where two figures lay entwined, snuggled closely together.
Odd's surprised expression morphs into a knowing grin. Well, well, well... looks like I'm not the only one who got some last night.
Not wanting to embarrass them in such an intimate moment, Odd quietly turns to leave the room. However, as he pulls the door shut behind him, he forgets to turn the doorknob again, and it closes with an audible click.
Inside the room, the sound causes Yumi to stir. Her eyes flutter open, and for a moment she is disoriented. It takes her a second to remember that she's in Ulrich's bed, wrapped in his arms. Her cheeks flush as she recalls the events of the previous night, and a sense of contentment washes over her. For the first time in a long time, she is genuinely happy.
Wait a minute, she thinks to herself. Some kind of sound woke me up. What was it? As the realization hits her, she sits straight up in the bed, eyes darting to the door.
"Ulrich," she murmurs, the remnants of sleep making her voice sound a bit hoarse. "I think someone was in the room."
Ulrich, still mostly asleep, mumbles incoherently and reaches his arms out to pull Yumi back into him. Yumi, however, is growing more and more alert by the minute. She carefully disentangles herself from his embrace and gets out of the bed, listening intently for any more sounds of intrusion.
"Come back," Ulrich coaxes her groggily.
"I think Odd was just in here, Ulrich."
Ulrich rubs his eyes and props himself up on his elbows. "What makes you say that?"
"I heard the doorknob. But he didn't call out or anything, though he closed the door too loudly. I'm sure I didn't imagine it."
Ulrich's mind is racing now. What time is it? Did Odd actually see us? He watches Yumi as she flits about the room, gathering their clothing and mumbling to herself. Her face is flushed, her hair is a mess, and Ulrich finds her absolutely breathtaking. He sighs and swings his legs over the side of the bed, and makes no effort to conceal himself as he gets up and makes his way over to where Yumi is standing. He wraps his arms around her from behind and buries his face in the crook of her neck.
"Okay. So the cat's out of the bag then. Is it really that big of a deal?" he asks quietly, tracing her belly button with a finger.
Yumi can feel her resolve melting away, and she knows that Ulrich can sense it too. She pulls away from him and shrugs his hands off of her.
"Yes, it is that big of a deal, Ulrich," she insists. She gestures to their naked bodies.
"Fair point." He chuckles. "Seriously, though, Yumi. I don't care. I don't care who knows about us. I'm not afraid to let the world know that you're mine."
Yumi can't help the smile that creeps onto her face. "Ulrich Stern, you are such a sap," she teases him.
"That I am," he says with a wink.
Yumi rolls her eyes, but her smile remains. She starts to say something, but is interrupted by the ringing of her cell phone.
"Hold that thought," she instructs him. She plucks the phone from where it rests on Ulrich's desk.
"Aelita?"
Ulrich watches Yumi's face closely. He can't hear what Aelita is saying, but he can tell by the way Yumi's face lights up with mirth that it must be something funny.
"Yeah yeah yeah. I'll be right there, I just need to uh... freshen up. Save me some bacon." She hangs up the phone and shakes her head, an amused chuckle tumbling out of her.
"What was that all about?" Ulrich asks.
"The gang's all at breakfast, but it's apparently 'awkward as all hell' and she wants me to come break the tension."
"Well then, I guess you'd better get going," Ulrich suggests. "I'll come join you guys in a bit. I'm gonna hop in the shower."
"Yeah, it's probably a good idea for us to walk in separately," Yumi agrees. "For now, anyway."
Ulrich gives her a quick peck on the lips. "See you down there."
Yumi leaves the room, shutting the door securely behind her.
As Ulrich throws on some clothes and gathers all his shower necessities, he smiles.
"Ulrich, you're such a sap," he murmurs to himself.
The truth is, he's been one the entire time. All the years of pulling away from Yumi truly hurt him deep inside - everything within him screamed for him to go for her but he couldn't let himself do it. He didn't think he deserved it. But now, things are different.
He's different.
He's grown up a lot since the early days, and he's ready to face his fears.
He turns the shower knob so that the cold water can shock his system fully awake. He lets his mind wander as he showers, and when he's done, he walks back to his dorm room and finishes getting ready for the day.
He makes his way down to the cafeteria. As he walks in, he spots the table everyone is sitting at. Yumi has her back to the door, but Odd is facing the entrance and his head snaps up as soon as Ulrich walks into the room. The two lock eyes. Ulrich nods slightly at Odd, acknowledging their mutual knowledge. Odd grins and gives him an approving thumbs up.
Ulrich makes his way over to the food line, and begins loading his tray with healthy breakfast foods. He picks up a cup and fills it with orange juice. He brings his food over to the table and sits next to Yumi, flashing her a small smile before digging into his meal.
"Sleep well last night, Ulrich?" Odd asks with a knowing smirk.
Ulrich scoffs. Here we go, he thinks to himself. Might as well play along. "Yeah. Best night of my life, honestly."
Yumi chokes, nearly spitting her drink out. "Ulrich!" she exclaims, her face burning.
Ulrich casually takes a bite of toast. "What? It's the truth."
Sissi shoots Yumi a glance. Yumi catches it. Sissi purses her lips and says nothing.
"Anyway," Jeremie interrupts. He clears his throat. "I'm thinking of doing a mission tonight to get the hang of destroying Replikas again. Herve and I were able to stay up all night in the lab recreating the Skidbladnir. I was thinking that we start operating in groups of three now that we've got more team members. Three on Lyoko, three translated back onto Earth to destroy the host supercomputer."
Everyone nods silently in agreement.
Just then, Aelita's phone rings. She looks at the caller ID. William. "I need to take this. It's Will."
As Aelita gets up, Jeremie looks up from his laptop and locks eyes with her for a moment. His eyes are clouded with resentment, and he wordlessly pushes his glasses up his nose before going back to his laptop.
Aelita glowers at Jeremie before turning to leave the room. Unbelievable, she thinks to herself. As she walks away, she answers her still ringing phone. "Hello?"
"Hey, Lita," comes William's voice. "Any chance you have time to meet up? I just got done with practice. There's something I want to talk to you about."
"Sure," Aelita says a little too quickly. She blushes and bites her lip, glad that William can't see how eager she is.
"Great. How about the bleachers right by the practice fields? They're behind the school," he adds for clarification, knowing she's never had a reason to go to the practice fields before now.
"I'll be there in a few." She hangs up the phone and puts it in her backpack.
As she walks, she wonders what could possibly be so urgent to talk about that William would call and ask to meet up like this, away from everyone else. She has a sneaking suspicion it has to do with the previous night's meeting.
Upon reaching the bleachers, she spots William standing around and talking to some of his teammates. His long hair is pushed back with a thin headband, and his damp t-shirt clings tightly to his muscular frame. He throws his head back and laughs, a hearty, carefree sound that makes Aelita's heart skip a beat as she realizes she's never seen him be so vivacious. Wow, she thinks to herself. He sure is something.
Just then, William turns and locks eyes with her. She notices his facial expression soften, and she swallows hard, suddenly feeling bashful.
"Excuse me, guys," William tells his teammates, a small smile spreading across his lips. He jogs over to the bleachers and hops onto them, then pats the spot next to him, indicating that she should sit beside him.
"Hi," Aelita greets him as she climbs up the steps and sits.
"Hi," William responds simply, a dreamy smile adorning his handsome features.
"So. What's this about?"
William leans back, placing his elbows behind him for support. "I just... I needed to see you."
Aelita can't fight the blush that spreads across her cheeks. She looks away from him and down at her feet so he won't see it.
"I've been so miserable since last night. I had no idea the kinds of things I did while I was... you know." He intentionally keeps his statement vague in case any of his teammates are accidentally within earshot. Some of them are already looking in their direction inquisitively, bumping shoulders and pointing over at them.
Aelita studies his profile, trying to read his emotions. "Okay. But that time in your life is not the sum of who you are. I know that for a fact. Last week you nearly put your entire reputation on the line for little ol' me. I still can't believe you were about to punch Pelletier like that." She is interrupted by William's roommate shouting something unintelligible to him.
"Shut the fuck up, Roux!" he calls back. He turns his attention back to Aelita and smiles sheepishly. "Sorry. Bastien can be a little... meddling. Go on."
"What even happened that night, exactly? What did Pelletier do or say that made you so angry? All I remember is you telling me to play along, and then, uh... I remember that we kissed. I vaguely remember sitting and talking on my front steps after we left the party. But after that, nothing."
"I'm not surprised you don't remember. You were pretty drunk." William frowns and sighs. "Pelletier was being his usual, slimy self. Rumor has it he moved schools after he was accused of sexual assault at a party. When I saw him slip something into your drink, I knew I had to stop him. It just felt like the right thing to do. That was when you kissed me. And then, he said something about you being wild in bed because of how you and Sissi were dancing." He takes a deep breath as the anger sweeps over him again, as potent as it was that night a week ago. "I nearly lost my shit right then and there. Ulrich had to physically push me away before I could give Pelletier a piece of my mind."
Aelita's mouth hangs open. "Wow. You were willing to defend my name like that? Even after the way everyone else has treated you for the past few years?"
"Absolutely. Without a doubt." He looks away from her before continuing. "I still want to thank Ulrich for stopping me, because I honestly don't think I could have controlled myself. It wouldn't have just been one punch. But now, after last night, I don't think I want to thank him anymore."
Aelita grimaces. "I'm sorry."
William shakes his head. "No, it's fine. It's not your fault. He's right in a way, anyway. If what he said is true and I really did throw you to your death, I don't deserve to even be sitting here talking with you right now." He exhales heavily. "I have no idea how you're not afraid of me. Are you... are you not terrified of me?"
Aelita considers his question for a moment. She furrows her brow. "No. Not in the slightest. That wasn't you. That was XANA in you. Even if the others aren't willing to acknowledge the difference, I am." She gently takes his hand. "Thank you. For caring about me. For protecting me."
William swallows the lump in his throat. He has so many more questions - the main one being "what happens now?," but he doesn't dare ask it. Instead, he simply squeezes Aelita's hand lightly.
"My turn to ask another question," she says. "Where do we go from here?"
William raises his eyebrows. "That was what I wanted to ask you."
They stare deeply into each other's eyes for several beats.
"What if," Aelita begins, her voice wavering. She clears her throat. "What if we... try to make this work? Try to make us work? I mean, we've been 'talking' for a month now." She makes the air quotes with the hand not holding his.
"To be completely honest with you, I'm not sure how much more of this 'talking' thing I can take." His voice is shaking with emotion. "But I'm... I'm scared. There's not much in my life that's been stable after XANA, except for the soccer. I just need to be certain of something else in my life, for once."
Aelita notes the loneliness in his voice. "I understand," she replies quietly. "I'm scared, too... but not of you." She frees her hand from his, suddenly pulling him into a hug. She runs a hand through his hair as she continues. "I'm not going to run away from you. If we're going to do this, I'm going to stay right by your side. I care about you, William."
William wraps his arms tightly around her and buries his face in her chest. "I care about you, too, Aelita." Try as he might to hold it back, the floodgates open and the tears begin to fall. As he cries, the sobs cause him to tremble against her.
Aelita continues stroking his hair. She closes her eyes and rests her chin on the top of his head. I will not run away, she tells herself. I will not let the past control me.
Jeremie and Herve are in the factory, holed up in the lab. They are deep in concentration; Jeremie is typing feverishly into the supercomputer's keyboard while Herve observes, scrawling notes in his notebook as quickly as he can.
"Okay, everyone. Get onto your transporter spot," Jeremie says into his headset. "We reprogrammed the Skid to be able to accommodate five Nav Skids, so please confirm that there are six transporter spots for all of you."
"Affirmative," Aelita responds. "We're each standing on a spot now."
Jeremie hits the execution key. "Energize."
One by one, each of the Lyoko warriors is warped inside of their respective Nav Skids - Odd in the purple one, Yumi in the dark red, Ulrich in the yellow, William in the silver, and Sissi in the orange.
Lastly, Aelita is warped into the cockpit. She looks around to make sure everything is intact and as it should be. "We're in. Everything looks good, Jeremie. Opening interface. Cockpit to Nav Skids... do you read me?"
"Loud and clear, Aelita," Ulrich responds.
"Loud and clear, Aelita," Yumi and William answer in tandem.
"Crystal clear, Lita," says Sissi.
Odd chirps, "Same here, Princess."
"Alright," Jeremie says, "Go ahead and start the departure sequence. Releasing supports."
The sound of creaking metal fills the air as the five supports pull away from the ship, their lights turning off as they do so.
"Vertical propulsion operational," Aelita announces as she prepares for liftoff. She pulls on both joysticks, and the engines begin firing at full power, launching the ship up out of the hangar and through the north pole of Sector Five.
"All indicators are go. Tunnel open in three seconds," Jeremie states as he continues to type. He's typing so fast that Herve starts to grumble, unable to keep up with everything just yet.
Aelita expertly pilots the ship through the tunnel and out of the physical confines of Lyoko. "Brace yourself, everyone." She starts to press various keys rapidly as she runs through checks to make sure everything is clear. "Shields activated. Sonar activated. Stabilizers online and checked out. Primary access clear. Laser generators online. Cockpit to Nav Skids: ready for a dive?"
In unison, all five of them respond, "Ready."
"Here we go!" Aelita jams the joysticks forward, and the Skid dives at breakneck speed through the deceptively calm surface of the Digital Sea.
"Holoweb system online. Sonar shows no enemies, Aelita," Jeremie says. "Continue trajectory until otherwise instructed."
"Roger that. You'll know the moment we have company," Aelita confirms. "Rotation. Lights are operational."
After several minutes, the Digital Sea turns an ominous shade of red. "Look out, guys, there are a couple of Kongres on your starboard," Jeremie yells.
Herve leans forward, alarmed. "Kongres? Are those some kind of enemy?"
"Yeah, they're like giant eels that shoot lasers."
"Lemme at 'em!" Odd shouts.
Aelita depresses five levers on her left. "Release!"
Just as was discussed in the pre-mission meeting beforehand, the five Nav Skids detach from the Skid and become independent vehicles.
Sissi starts to panic. "Jeremie, I don't remember how to steer this thing! How do I fire the lasers? How do I do anything?"
"Calm down, Sissi," Odd cajoles her. "Let me try to help you out. Use the joystick to steer. Fire with the button on the top."
"Okay, I remember that part now," she responds.
"Don't forget you can use the joystick to strafe," Ulrich chips in.
"You guys are the best!" Sissi exclaims, her heart swelling with a renewed sense of confidence.
In no time flat, the team is able to eliminate the threat posed by the Kongres.
"Recovery," Aelita says as she once again depresses the five levers to recall the Nav Skids back to the ship. She pulls the levers up, and the Nav Skids slot themselves back into the ship seamlessly.
"You guys did awesome, but let's not celebrate just yet," Jeremie cuts in. "We've got tons of work ahead of us."
"What's our heading, Einstein?" Ulrich asks.
"Reverse course and keep going the same way you were going, but maintain the same altitude. So to speak."
"Got it," Aelita affirms.
"Herve, keep tracking the sonar," Jeremie commands.
"Roger."
"I see the hub, Jeremie." Aelita navigates the ship and positions it to be atop its entrance. "Broadband acceleration in five seconds."
"Affirmative. Everyone, get ready." Jeremie says as he punches in his usual code.
The Skid blasts right into the hub. The group is now enveloped in a mass of bright white light. When it clears, Aelita can see the Replika up ahead.
When they arrive at the entrance of the Replika, Jeremie cracks his knuckles. "Give me just a second here... okay, digital key activated."
"I'm sending you the signal, Jeremie," Aelita says as she places her palm on the touchpad in front of her.
After a few seconds, the mouth of the Replika slowly begins to open, allowing the Skid to slip in. Then it snaps shut in one fell swoop.
"Rotation," Aelita calls, as she rotates the ship back into a vertical position to prepare for a resurfacing out of the Digital Sea.
As they emerge, the warriors find themselves on a Replika of the Forest Sector, the lush green virtual landscape sprawling before them.
"It's beautiful," Sissi whispers.
"We're not here on vacation, Sissi," Jeremie warns her, his voice stern.
"Right, sorry," she says, embarrassed.
"Alright, gang. Like we discussed, once Aelita docks the Skid, I'll translate Yumi, Sissi, and Odd onto Earth to destroy the host supercomputer. Aelita, Ulrich, and William will stay to protect the Skid from whatever XANA throws our way."
"Ready to moor." Aelita brings the Skid right beside a dormant tower. "Skid secured."
"I'll activate the tower for our use."
Beside Jeremie, Herve slams his notebook shut. "You know, all this note-taking you're having me do seems useless. I'd rather just watch and learn by doing."
"This isn't a game, Herve. We can't just wing it and hope that everything works out okay. This requires immense precision and alertness at all times. Just watch and learn for now, if you must."
Herve rolls his eyes.
"You three ready? Remember, you only have thirteen minutes of time before you're brought back," Jeremie says, primarily to remind Yumi and Odd not to waste any time. "Teleportation."
In the cockpit, Aelita presses a series of buttons. "Energize."
As William, Ulrich, and Aelita are atomized onto the Replika's surface, a laser shoots in their direction. Ulrich, sensing the danger, sprints forward and uses one of his sabers to block the shot from hitting Aelita.
"Thanks," Aelita says appreciatively.
Ulrich nods curtly.
Meanwhile, Yumi, Odd, and Sissi have been materialized on Earth, and are navigating the halls of an abandoned research laboratory. After a few minutes of sneaking around, they stumble upon a room with a large computer.
"Is this it?" Odd asks.
"I'd say so," Yumi responds. "I don't see a supercomputer, and this is the biggest computer in the building so far."
"This place is sketchy," Sissi says as she rubs her arms warily.
"Uh oh, guys. Activated tower on the Replika. Odd, Yumi, Sissi... be on the lookout."
Jeremie's warning sends a shiver down their spines.
"Will do," Yumi responds.
"Alright, let's blow this sucker up," Odd declares.
"Ulrich! Be careful! You just lost forty life points!" Jeremie barks.
"I'll be fine, Einstein," Ulrich grumbles as he blocks yet another laser. "Super Sprint!" He runs in circles around a Krab, jumps up into the air, and stabs it right in the insignia. He jumps off before it explodes.
William grips his sword with both hands, charging it with power. He eyes two Krabs to his ten o'clock. With a powerful swing, he releases an energy slash that devirtualizes both Krabs at once.
Ulrich grits his teeth as he charges toward two Tarantulas. "Triplicate!" Once his clones are summoned, he commands them, "Cover me!"
With their swords raised and at the ready, the three Ulrichs charge right at the Tarantulas. One of the Tarantulas is immediately devirtualized.
"Way to go!" Aelita cheers as she does her own damage to the second Tarantula.
"Seven minutes left. What's taking so long?"
"Listen, here, Einstein. We can't all be geniuses who can hack into supercomputers in less than a minute," Odd retorts.
"Just hurry up already."
"Uh...guys... what the hell is that?" Sissi cowers as she points to a little round monster crawling towards her.
"Oh, that? That's a Kankrelat," Odd responds nonchalantly. He aims his wrist at the creature. "And don't worry. It's harmless. Laser arrow!" The Kankrelat explodes.
Sissi yelps and jumps back.
"Relax," Yumi says. "Odd's right. You'll get the hang of it eventually." She types furiously on the keyboard. "Come on, come on. I don't have much time left." She resorts to slamming her fist on the keyboard.
Another Kankrelat appears and shoots a laser, hitting Sissi right in the abdomen. "Ow! Shit!" She stumbles backwards, and Odd catches her before she falls.
"Hey, hey, relax. Use your weapon."
Sissi shakes her head. "I'm scared."
"Babe, come on. You were all gung-ho about this earlier."
"That was before I actually came here and had no idea what the fuck is going on!"
"Okay, okay, take a deep breath. Calm down. It's like learning a new sport. You just gotta practice."
"Okay." Sissi nods. She takes a deep breath and readies her weapon, clutching the handle tightly. She flings her dominant arm in front of her, and a whip materializes out of the handle, slicing through the Kankrelat.
"Nice job!" Odd exclaims.
"I did it!" Sissi cries, her face lighting up.
"Aelita, that's twenty more life points. You have to be more careful."
Aelita rolls her eyes. "I'm trying, Jeremie. Energy Field!"
The Tarantula dodges her attack and gears up to fire at her again. But, in a matter of seconds, William is in front of her, holding his sword up in front of himself to shield her. "Get back, Aelita."
She takes a step back as he charges his sword up again. William swings an energy slash forward, unaware that Ulrich is sprinting towards the same target for a close-range kill. The energy slash both destroys the Tarantula and instantly devirtualizes Ulrich.
"Ulrich!" Aelita yells.
"Three minutes," Jeremie alerts the group.
"Alright, I can't crack it. On three, we all hit this thing with everything we've got," Yumi says as she wields her fans in front of her face.
Odd aims his wrist at the computer, and Sissi cautiously points the handle of her whip in the same direction.
"Wait!" Odd shouts. "On three or after three?"
"Ugh, why do you always do this... on three! One, two, three!"
All three of them launch their weapons at the computer, and as it starts to smoke and spark, they run out of the room as fast as they can.
"Bring us back in, Einstein!" Odd calls.
"Energize!"
The three are teleported back into their respective Nav Skids just as the computer detonates behind them.
"Energize," Jeremie says again as he atomizes William and Aelita back into their positions on the Skid.
Aelita quickly undocks the Skid and navigates the ship back towards the Digital Sea, which it plunges into. Just before the Replika explodes, the Skid is spit out through its mouth.
After an uneventful journey back to Lyoko, the warriors are rematerialized on Earth. As they come up the elevator to meet Jeremie, Herve, and Ulrich, Sissi is tapping her foot nervously.
"You good?" Aelita asks her with a raised eyebrow.
"I feel... kind of weird, actually. Like I have excess energy in my body."
"You're letting the power of being a hero get to your head, babe," Odd says with a laugh. "You'll learn to appreciate that adrenaline rush though." As the exit the elevator, Odd smacks her butt playfully, eliciting a yelp.
Aelita snickers. Her eyes slide to William, who chuckles along with her. But his mirth is short-lived.
"What the fuck is wrong with you, William?" Ulrich bellows as he crosses the room.
"What are you talking about, man?" William responds, raising his hands defensively.
Ulrich jams his finger into William's chest. "You fucking devirtualized me! That was a crucial kill and you fucked it up!"
"I didn't do it on purpose," William responds. "Obviously."
"How stupid can you be? Don't you know that when you're attacking a target with someone else, you check to make sure there's no one in your line of fire?"
"You super sped into my attack. Of course there was going to be collateral damage."
"Collateral damage?" Ulrich shifts his stance like he's readying to lunge at William. "I'll show you collateral damage."
Aelita, noticing the escalation, steps between the two boys. "Ulrich, calm down," she says sternly.
"Out of the way, Aelita."
"Don't tell her what to do," William snaps.
"How about you both relax," Odd intervenes, his hands up and palms out as he roughly nudges the boys apart.
Yumi watches the scene unfold, her curiosity piqued. She hates seeing Ulrich so worked up, and she's always known him to be level-headed. This time, though, he seems different. He seems unhinged. She can't shake the feeling that there's more to it than just friendly fire.
"Alright, guys," Jeremie says curtly. He claps his hands twice, his gaze fixed on the screen. "That was a pretty good run. Sissi, good job with your first kill! There will be many more exhilarating battles in your future. Herve, let's work on how quickly you process and interpret all the data on the screen, but even so... props to you for noticing some things I didn't see. You were a crucial help. William..." He pushes his glasses up his nose. "Ulrich's right. You need to be more aware of your surroundings. We don't want a repeat of what happened your first time being virtualized."
William narrows his eyes. "There won't be one."
"Good. XANA lost his second-in-command the second we brought you home. Don't forget that he can, at any time, pull out all the stops in an attempt to get you back."
William chuckles darkly. "You must take me for an idiot. I am aware of what XANA lost. I am aware of the implications every time I will step foot on Lyoko going forward. Not that you guys will let me forget, anyway."
"Then do your due diligence and get your shit together."
William grits his teeth. "My shit is together, Belpois. You wanna know why? Because I have no intention of ever going back to XANA. I've got too much shit to live for now. Too much at stake." He pulls Aelita into a one-armed hug, rubbing her shoulder softly.
"Wow, how inspiring," Ulrich seethes, crossing his arms.
"Ulrich, knock it off," Aelita rebukes him.
Jeremie raises an eyebrow at William and Aelita. He notices the way Aelita is pressed up against his side, and the protective way William's arm is draped around her. He's not surprised, but he can't deny the hurt and jealousy that blossoms inside his chest. "Anyway," Jeremie begins. "Today was a success. We'll continue running more training missions this week to get everyone acclimated to Lyoko combat."
Odd whistles. "Woo-wee. It's a little, uh... heavy in here. Time for some fresh air." He grabs Sissi's hand as he starts to walk back to the elevator. "It's late, anyway. Goodnight, everybody."
As the two of them exit the factory and walk across the bridge, Sissi sighs. "These friends of ours are so melodramatic, honey. Who knew Jeremie had it in him?"
"Not me, that's for sure. In all the years I've known him, I've never thought green was a good look for him."