The end of October was approaching, and they were almost drowning in exam materials, projects, and assignments, making it difficult to find time for anything unrelated to school. At least for Alex, because Odd managed to squeeze in parties and Lyoko between all of that.
It had been almost two weeks since the memorable action in the factory, and the virus had attacked several times. The lack of source codes had significantly weakened it, though it didn't explain the current appearance of the specters or why they were much more aggressive. However, the workload was so overwhelming that the warriors hadn't found time for a trip to the Core yet, where they hoped to get some answers. Della Robbia felt like Jeremy couldn't think about anything else.
They didn't have to try not to get in each other's way, but it didn't mean they completely cut themselves off. However, they were no longer as close; Odd remained her biology partner, particularly emphasized by Professor Hertz since he first received a good grade thanks to their project. They still saw each other in other activities, and a few times, they even played online when neither could sleep, but that was about it.
There was no time travel, and no one tried to kill her, making her think that distancing herself from Odd was working. In some ways, she was content with being just another girl in the crowd again. She only regretted being aware of all this, especially when she had to keep it a secret from Charlie. It also bothered her that the more she thought about it, the more she concluded that she had made the wrong decision. Did cutting ties with Xana in any way protect her loved ones when the whole world was in danger?
Despite that, she convinced herself that saving humanity wasn't her job. Helping Della Robbia? She owed him nothing, and even more so to his friends. He saved you, a quiet voice in her head said, but she immediately silenced it with her rational brain, reminding her that Odd was the cause of the whole situation she found herself in. On the other hand, if she had survived the return to the past without the current information, it could have been much worse. So, she couldn't determine if knowledge in this case was a blessing or a curse.
- So, are we going to the factory today? - she heard, cringing at the sound of that word. The situation wasn't helped by the fact that they were sitting in the school cafeteria, right next to the entrance, and she felt like everyone was literally looking at them. - What? Something wrong? - his green eyes focused on her in a mixture of confusion and concern. - Just don't tell me you're still afraid that everything will come crashing down on us.
- Yes, of course, I'm afraid. - she quickly picked up on his idea. - Do you remember when you fell off the scaffolding once and had a concussion?
- That's why we went back later, and I did that backflip. It's not worth giving up, and all that, right?- Charlie smiled before shifting his gaze to the ice cream melting in front of her. -You know your mcflurry turned into a mcshake?
- Well, I ate all the caramel. - she nudged the packaging toward him. - As for the factory, I really think there are a million better places.
- How many of those places aren't under surveillance? - he scoffed, transferring a spoon from an empty container to the melted mess.
- I'm sure we can find a few.
- I'd rather not risk it. If they kick me out again, my mom will hang me.
- Is that worse than being trapped under debris? - she muttered, but then remembered his mother's gaze when they accidentally broke her vase while playing in the living room when they were nine. - Okay, fair.
- Yeah, exactly. Besides, I like it there. Plenty of space, no one comes. Silence, peace, and us.
And a quantum computer with a deadly virus one floor below, she added in her thoughts.
- Unlike this...- he waved his hand, almost knocking a girl's tray of food, for which he quickly apologized. There were unusually many people at this hour. - Everything.
She sighed, knowing she wouldn't talk him out of this idea. She was also aware that even if she avoided this 'trip,' he would still go there, and the last thing she wanted was to send him alone into the wolves.
- Agreed. Just not too long because I want to finish today's tasks and have a free weekend.
- How about seven, then?
Neither of them noticed the guy sitting nearby, eavesdropping on most of their conversation. The dark-haired boy observed as the two headed towards the exit and in the meantime selected a phone number.
- Yumi? We might have a problem.
- Are you sure? - she asked, glancing at the clock showing nine o'clock.
- They should be here by now. - he shrugged, flipping another page of his reading. - By the way, don't you think it would have been better to tell Jeremy about it instead of spying on them?
- If you really thought that, you wouldn't have called.
- You got me. I want to see what they'll do. - he smiled, putting the poetry aside and focusing on the girl. - Do you really think she could be some kind of spy?
- I don't know. I just don't believe that this is all just a coincidence, and I don't trust her. - besides, she felt like Odd wasn't telling them something, but she refrained from saying it out loud.
- Do you think Tyron might have something to do with it?
- Where did you get that idea?
- I don't know. How many people with quantum computers do we know who hate us?
- Jeremy found no connection with him or Aelita's father. - she stated. - But there are no camera recordings either, so I think she might have discovered the factory earlier and scanned herself.
- Wouldn't Einstein have her data then?
Silence answered him.
Several more minutes passed before they finally heard a conversation coming from outside. They hid behind one of the crates to get a good view of the entrance to the building. The boy entered first, followed by Alex. Both were dressed in dark tracksuits and backpacks, looking more like they were about to rob someone's house than enter an old, abandoned facility.
- It wasn't an elevator after all! I wonder if it works?- Charlie said, and before the girl could stop him, he pressed the red button. When nothing happened, he tried a few more times with the same result. - Oh, come on. - he grumbled, and then something caught his eye.
Curious, he approached the spot where Yumi and William were hiding; if he had taken a step forward and looked a little to the left, he could have seen them.
- Look! Someone was here! - he raised the book, waving it in the direction of his friend. Ishiyama glanced over her shoulder at Dunbar, and if looks could kill, he would be dead.
- Probably some homeless person. I don't believe anyone with a choice would choose to read this. - she rolled her eyes at the title of the book. - Just leave it where it was.
- It looks new tho. - he noted before putting the object back in its place.
Shortly after, they moved to the part of the building farthest from the location of the supercomputer. There was significantly more light here, coming through mostly broken windows, giving them excellent working conditions. The warriors exchanged glances as the intruders reached the graffiti previously painted on one of the walls and stopped there. Alex began to take spray cans from her backpack, handing them to the boy who talked about the colors he planned to improve. After a while, she started playing music on her phone, and he began to add elements to the existing pattern, while the dark-haired girl worked on a new project on the empty wall next to them.
- So that's why they came. - William murmured, taking advantage of the fact that they were at a considerable distance, and the music drowned out their conversation.
- Apparently. - the dark-haired girl whispered, critically examining their work. - Although I still don't understand why they came here when she knows about Xana. Do you think they saw us?
- No, otherwise, why would they take paint? Nothing here after us.
- Okay. - Ishiyama sighed, realizing that they had just wasted time they could have spent on much more interesting things.
So, they turned back to the main entrance, accompanied by the echoes of the song filling the building.
- Don't you want to go to town?
- I promised my mom I'd help her clean up. They invited friends for tomorrow's lunch, and she wants everything to look perfect.
- Too bad. - he muttered, trying to hide his disappointment. - I know this cool place, and...
- Shh! - she suddenly stopped, and the boy raised his eyebrows. - The music just quieted down. - she explained, and both turned their heads to where the sound had come from just a moment ago.
- So what? Probably nothing.
- I have a bad feeling.
- So, let's check it out. - he suggested, and smiled when she went first.
Meanwhile, Alex stared in shock as her friend's hands began to turn black, the spray can slipped from his fingers, and he fell to his knees a moment later. She couldn't force herself to react, her breath quickened, and fear paralyzed her limbs as she watched him grab his head, and his silhouette lost its sharpness. Finally, the dark-haired boy looked in her direction, and instead of his green irises, his eyes were completely black. The lack of recognition, the lack of life in his eyes made her own fill with tears in an instant. It didn't take a moment before she felt a tug in her chest, spreading throughout her body; through the spine, arms, legs, and fingertips. The image before her eyes flickered, and the girl fell, struggling to catch her breath. Panicking, she ran her hand over her chest, unsure if her heart was still in its place.
She was dazed, but she was alive.
Her skin tingled, the muscles were unpleasantly tense, but she was still alive.
For a moment, the possessed boy looked for something in the distance before turning his attention to the noisy device nearby. Soon after, her phone floated in the air and shattered into tiny pieces when the dark-haired boy clenched his hand into a fist. Then he looked at her again. She didn't think she had ever run so fast in her life. She felt like Charlie was stepping on her heels, almost feeling his breath on her neck. She glanced over her shoulder at the boy, who wasn't running but walking toward her, and yet he was still so close. She looked back, and she heard her name. Confused, she looked in the direction of Yumi and William, who were approaching her. In the first moment, she looked at their hands. Only when she noticed that they were normal, she ran to them.
- What are you doing here?
- What are we doing here? - Ishiyama scoffed before a loud bang echoed from the spot where an energy ball hit one of the crates.
The trio turned their attention to the possessed victim, who shifted his gaze between the girls, as if unable to decide which one to eliminate first. Finally, he lunged at Yumi, and almost succeeded in catching her, if not for Dunbar's quick intervention.
- I'll take care of him! You two, run! - he shouted at them, starting to wrestle with the possessed.
Charlie managed to dodge the first blow, only to respond with a strong punch to the chest, sending the warrior to the ground. As he tried to get up, the opponent looked around for Ishiyama, who had managed to run into the elevator. In the meantime, she had connected with Jeremy, who, fortunately, was already running to the factory. The possessed boy gritted his teeth and focused on Alex, who still couldn't bring herself to move. It was an opportunity for Dunbar, who jumped at him again, trying to subdue, but Charlie was faster. He caught the opponent's arm before it could even touch his shoulder and pulled, forcing him to fall. The brunet lay on the floor again, groaning in pain, but none of the friends paid attention to it. His movements were unnaturally agile, and before the girl could understand what was happening, in a second, she was on the ground, while black fingers tightened around her pale neck. She tried to loosen the grip, to no avail. When she began to choke, his silhouette started glitching. It was her chance to break free, which she immediately took, just like William, who hit the attacker with a metal pipe, knocking him unconscious.
- Will he be okay?
- Ye. - William grabbed him under the armpits, starting to drag him towards a nearby pole to tie him up. - They always end up better than us.
- What are you doing here? - a familiar voice caught their attention as the other Lyoko warriors, led by Jeremy, finally arrived at the building. - And who's this?
She didn't bother answering, too focused on Charlie, who lay a few meters away. His pale skin glistened with sweat, much like when he had the flu. Only now, when she had a chance to observe the circles under his eyes and the small veins of an equally dark shade, it was clear to her that his appearance differed from the spectrum she had dealt with before. She looked at him and didn't know what to think.
It wasn't fair.
It was absolutely unfair.
All this time, she tried to stay away from Odd and the rest of the Lyoko warriors. She tried to protect herself and, above all, her best friend, only for Xana to use him against her, to attack her. It didn't make sense. She did nothing, and Charlie did nothing. Did Xana really intend not to tolerate them just being in the factory?
- Hey, he'll be fine. - Odd approached the girl, while the other warriors headed towards the elevator. - They'll handle the tower as quickly as possible.
He hesitated before finally placing his hand on her shoulder. She didn't look at him, but she didn't push his hand away either.
- He looks like he's getting worse. - she admitted, and only now did the blond pay attention to the boy. She was right, even for a possessed one, his skin was too blue, and his breath weak, as if Xana was draining the energy from him.
Suddenly, the boy opened his eyes, and this time not only his irises were black, but the whites as well. Streams of dark tears flowed from his corners, which, after a moment, began to release in the form of smoke, along with the rest of the matter escaping from his entire body. It was visible to the naked eye as the specter began to circulate above their heads, leaving Charles exhausted and unconscious. Finally, the shadow descended to the ground again, forming the shape of its previous victim. This one no longer looked sick but... angry, and that anger was directed at Alex. Odd didn't think twice before pushing her out of the projectile's flight path. They rolled a bit further before he was the first to get up from the ground, pulling her to a safe place.
- Wow, at least I didn't miss the whole fun. - he scoffed, leaning out only to see the circle of lightning surrounding the polymorph, approaching them.
Several of them hit the crates and old furniture scattered around. Some desk nearby exploded, and one side almost hit Della Robbia in the face. Most of the projectiles, however, were aimed at one and the same place, trying to destroy the obstacle in their way – the wall.
A gust of wind picked up, and all the debris and loose elements began to swirl around as if a real storm had broken out in the room. Alex's eyes widened as she saw Charlie, who still lay within reach of the attack. She wanted to run towards him, but the blond stopped her, telling her to hide. He, in turn, took care of the unconscious boy in time, getting rid of what was left of the rope and taking the victim to a safe place before flying objects could seriously harm them.
And then everything froze again.
The clone's silhouette seemed to disappear and reappear at a fast pace until it finally dissolved in the air, and the levitating objects fell to the floor. Odd looked at his phone and, seeing Jeremy's message about the deactivated tower, smiled broadly. Carefully, he placed the boy under a column before standing, wanting to give the girl space.
- Is he okay? - terrified, she ran to her friend, examining his face for any wounds.
When she found none, she sighed with relief and looked up at Della Robbia, only now noticing his appearance. His hair was more disheveled than usual, and his sweater was torn and covered in dust. In addition, he had a small scratch on his cheek, although other than that, he seemed fine.
- I don't understand. Why did you take such a risk?
- Me? - he snorted, pointing at her neck. - You better check yourself.
For a moment, she said nothing, grateful that her hair covered her face as she leaned over her friend. Watching his breath normalize slightly brought her some comfort.
- I was so scared. - she confessed, and the sorrow choked her throat, accompanied by a sense of guilt. She didn't help William in the fight, couldn't escape from the possessed Charlie, didn't even think to draw that damn spectrum away from them. - If it weren't for you, I...
- Alex, please. - he sat next to her, thinking he might have said something wrong. She looked so sad that, for a moment, he considered hugging her, but quickly dismissed the thought. - None of us would let you die, but we've been doing this for years. Forget about it.
- I wish I could. - she snorted, trying not to cry, though her lower lip had already started to tremble. - I just stood there the whole time, Odd, and I couldn't move. I couldn't even think, damn it! I didn't know what to do because I was sure nothing could be done! And then you came, and literally...- her voice broke, turning into a hoarse whisper. - If something happened to him, I... What would I say to his parents...
Della Robbia straightened up, his heart beating faster as he looked at the broken girl, only to shift his gaze to the brunette, whom she was unconsciously stroking on the hand. So everything she said... all that helplessness and fear for life... was about him?
Before he could even think about what he was doing, he was already holding her in his arms. What surprised him even more was that she returned the hug. He felt her trembling, though she tried with all her might to hold back the sob, and that hurt him. He hated it when people cried in front of him. At first, he was a bit tense, ready to pull away at any moment if she asked. But she didn't, and, moreover, she hugged him even tighter, clearly suggesting he shouldn't leave. It gradually made him relax, and out of habit, his hand started to stroke her hair.
- When we started, I didn't know anyone, you know? - he whispered, his soothing voice sounding in her ears. - We only had a common secret and a great adventure, even with the mortal danger. Only later did problems arise. Deeper relationships, a dark past, new enemies, and... the constant fear of losing everything. - the melancholic tone quickly turned into his typically cheerful, though still equally quiet, voice. - It's easy to play the hero among people you don't have much in common with; then you somehow get used to it and do it automatically, even if the stakes start to get higher. I had plenty of opportunities to learn not to think in such situations, just act, but you didn't. So please, don't blame yourself.
After a few deep breaths, she nodded before pulling away, wiping her reddened eyes with the sleeves of her hoodie. She noticed dark stains on his light sweatshirt, and she couldn't help but let out a sad laugh at the sight of smudged eyeliner.
- Sorry. And thank you for saving him. - she said, not knowing if it was due to fatigue, but for the first time, these words seemed to come out of her mouth so naturally. She could have expected that speaking with him was always so easy. - If you ever need help... if I can be of any use... let me know.
- You don't have to...
- If Xana wants a war with me so much, I should give him a better reason than painting graffiti in his lair. - she snapped, causing him to involuntarily raise the corners of his mouth.
- Does that mean we can hang out again?
- I think so. - she raised her eyebrows. She didn't expect such an answer. - Why?
- So, can we finally go for that coffee?
She chuckled, but before she could answer, white light surrounded their figures, transporting them into the past.