- Does everyone know the plan?
- Of course. - Ulrich grunted, snapped out of contemplation by the subtle, flickering patterns accompanying them at every stage of the journey. - We're stealing data, and you do your thing.
The landscape of digital depths, though nearly identical in almost every aspect, always made an impression. The sounds of their surroundings resembled the noise of crackling electric sparks, yet incredibly quiet and muffled by virtual waters.
Skid leisurely traversed digital seas until they spotted the outline of a dark dome on the horizon. It was one of the few things in the internet abyss that stood out. The globe's surface was full of angular irregularities and protrusions, as if wanting to convey to every traveler that this world, along with its owner, did not welcome visitors.
However, this did not deter the warriors of Lyoko.
- Exactly. If you get what I need, I can prepare the right program for Odd.
- And remind me, why are we going all the way to Cortex for this? - Stern asked, watching as, at Aelita's command, the entrance to the inner sea began to open.
- Remember how Tyron's defenses disrupted Xana's attacks? I'll try to create something like a barrier based on that. This way, Odd won't be receiving codes, though I can't guarantee that specters won't be able to transmit them through touch.
- Sure, but won't Xana gain more power then? - pointed Odd himself, stood behind the armchair with an expression of absolute weariness and observed Jeremy's actions.
Belpois held his fingers in the air and glanced at Della Robbia out of the corner of his eye before resuming his work.
- Frankly, I don't care after the last one.
- Besides, if Xana gives them to you, he's planning something much worse. - Aelita added, steering the boat upward and finally emerging on the surface of the familiar land. - We're in, Jeremy.
- About time. - Ulrich sighed, and he was right; they had delayed coming here long enough.
- I remind you that I had to reprogram the Megapod.
- Last time we were there, Kora didn't shift? - Odd rightly observed.
- Yes, but you never know. I prefer you to be safe. - Jeremy stated. - Besides, traveling with Skid takes a bit, and none of us found time for it.
- Oh, by the way, Odd, weren't you supposed to have a biology class now? - Stern remembered, and fortunately couldn't see the expression on the boy's face, or else he would immediately suspect something was up.
And that was the last thing Della Robbia wanted.
- Repeating a grade is not a threat to me, word. - he muttered, giving his voice the most indifferent tone possible. Apparently, it worked because the topic was quickly dropped.
- So, how is it there? Anything changed? - Einstein asked, checking information on the computer screen in the meantime.
Ulrich looked around from his seat in the navskid, trying to spot anything that seemed blatantly different.
- Not really. - he announced when both he and Aelita were teleported onto the platform.
- Everything seems the same. - the girl added, placing her hands on her hips and critically surveying the space around them; it looked just as unappealing as she remembered.
- It's like that on my screen too. - he stated, somewhat embarrassed, adjusting his glasses. - I don't understand this.
- You're right, it's a bit weird. - Stones echoed. - But there's also a possibility that something has changed at the core itself.
- You think?
- We'll find out when we get there.
- If so, just in case, send us something less spectacular than the Megapod, okay? - the samurai requested, smiling at the sight of the vehicle materializing in front of him. He looked over his shoulder at the girl who was already preparing her wings for flight, and then hopped on the motorcycle.
- Good, you would have scratched my vehicle anyway. - Della Robbia snorted.
Jeremy raised his eyes to the sky but said nothing.
Several moments had passed since the warriors had set out from Skid's resting place, traversing the uneven but fortunately stable surface of the Cortex. Traveling without the assistance of the Megapod, though more discreet, was decidedly slower, but it didn't bother them—at least, not everyone.
- So, are you riding that motorcycle, or are you carrying it on your back? - Odd sneered, crossing his arms over his chest and impatiently tapping his foot on the floor.
- You didn't want to give me the keys yourself. - the warrior replied with evident amusement in his voice, and Aelita rolled her eyes.
- I didn't think you guys would be so slow.
- We're close now. - Aelita announced, and a few minutes later, Stern halted his vehicle.
- It looks like you were right, Aelita. There are some changes after all. - he observed, staring at the ninjas nearby.
Two of them stood just in front of the entrance to the core, presumably guarding the passages, while the third was just entering the bridge. The warriors observed from hiding as a gap appeared in the doors, and then the silhouette of the opponent was illuminated by a blue beam; once the scanning was complete, the gates to the heart of the Cortex opened.
The girl kept Einstein informed, who listened in silence. Della Robbia, on the other hand, watched him, wondering why he seemed surprised by something so predictable.
- It seems Tyron is learning from his mistakes. - she concluded her report with a loud sigh.
- Well, we did trash his computer last time. No wonder he's paranoid. - Odd interjected, leaning his elbow on Jeremy's shoulder and leaning toward the computer so that the others could hear him better.
- Getting to the interface won't be as easy.
- We can go there and find out. - Stern declared, reaching for his swords. However, before he could grip the handles, a series of projectiles struck him in the back, resulting in almost instant elimination from the game.
- Ulrich! - Stones only managed to say that much before both she and her icon turned red.
Belpois widened his eyes, as did Odd, who had been watching the computer screen the whole time; neither of them had time to react and warn any of their friends of the danger.
- What? How did Xana know they'd be there?
- It was probably some patrol. - Della Robbia suggested, not being as agitated as Jeremy. - Just bad luck.
- No, Odd. - he hissed, and his blue eyes shifted to him, finally recovering from the shock. - Xana literally materialized mantas behind them. It wasn't a patrol!
- Okay, geez! I'm not the one in charge of thinking. - he raised his hands, moving away toward the door through which Ulrich and Aelita were just passing.
- Where are you going?
- Don't you want to send me to take care of them? - the blond stopped, glancing over his shoulder at the bespectacled one, who looked at him with bewilderment.
- What? No way. If ninjas are guarding the entrance, I won't unnecessarily expose you.
- And what could happen to me? - he irritatedly asked. - You yourself said we could never get together in the Core, so it's worth a try since we have the time.
- It just doesn't make sense, man. - Ulrich stated, and Stones nodded.
- Then why did I even come here? - Della Robbia rolled his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest. - I thought there would be some action!
- Don't complain; you'll have your chance.
- When?
- Yeah, exactly. - Belpois chimed in. - Do you think we can repeat this on Saturday?
- Okay, but not the three of us. If Tyron has minions before the core, he'll quickly send others. It's better to take advantage of the fact that we still have the element of surprise.
- Ulrich is right; the ninjas didn't see us. We'll have a better chance as a group. - Aelita added. - We need to ask Yumi and William.
- What about Alex? - Stern asked, and his gaze shifted to the roommate.
- What about her? She still can't do anything. - Odd objected, and the boy noticed his eyebrow twitch involuntarily; he often did that when he got annoyed. It convinced the warrior that the blond was hiding something from him, and all signs pointed to a certain Alex Meyer.
- True. - Stones said. - She needs training; otherwise, she won't be of any use to us.
- She'll get an accelerated course. She has a pretty powerful weapon, and I really care about that program. - Einstein declared.
- So, training after all, huh? I like that! - Stern smiled. - I have tomorrow afternoon off if you guys are up for it. - he added, locking eyes with Del Robbia, smiling even wider. - You definitely want to.
- Okay, two is enough. What do you say, Odd? You'll let her know?
The whole trio looked at the blond, who felt a bit like a deer in the headlights of a speeding car. He slid his hands into his pockets and sighed, clenching his fists.
He knew it would be like this. He knew it since the moment it turned out that the girl was insensitive to going back in time, and he confirmed this belief the last time Jeremy sent her to Lyoko.
He was useless, more than ever, and Einstein understood that; everyone was aware of it. So it wasn't surprising that they wanted to include Alex, even temporarily, in the fight against Xana. Paradoxically, however, he couldn't turn back time to erase his mistake.
He didn't intend to talk about it aloud. However, if using the girl again (and he hoped for the last time) was to benefit both her and him, the answer was only one.
- Of course.
The clear soles of his sneakers impatiently tapped on the wooden floor. Blue eyes stared blankly at the wall, and a thousand thoughts raced through his head every second.
His hands, always busy with work, now remained still, folded on his knees. He wasn't used to pondering over a problem without being halfway to solving it. But now he found himself at a dead end, unable to even try to get out, deprived of options he could reach for.
It was frustrating.
- What are you thinking about? - Aelita's soft voice invaded his thoughts, making him jump in his place. He almost forgot about her presence.
- I don't understand Odd's role. - he said. - If Xana got all the codes, he would escape the supercomputer on his own. I thought there might be new safeguards in Cortex, but almost everything is the same. - he ran his fingers through his hair and stared at the floor. - So even if there was another supercomputer, why would he want to transfer to another one instead of just freeing himself?
- Are you suggesting something?
- I... I'm not entirely sure. - he admitted, raising a worried look to her. - But I'm afraid for Odd. I don't know what will happen if he gets all the codes, and I have a feeling that...
- That he is the key to this puzzle? - she finished for him, and her green eyes stared at him with understanding.
Every action of Xana, seemingly illogical and random, somehow connected with each other, always having the same outlet, which was Odd Della Robbia. This knowledge, however, wasn't useful enough for him to fully understand the motives of the artificial intelligence, and he realized that something was constantly slipping away from him.
And the awareness that something threatened his friend, and he couldn't find an explanation for it, kept him awake at night.
- Do you think the same?
- Yes. Yumi also doesn't consider it a coincidence, but I have no idea what would distinguish him from the rest.
- And what could make Xana change the target... - he mumbled before stretching and turning his face to the computer. - Well, I guess we should take care of-
- I hope we can get into the core. - she fired back, anticipating his words. He looked at her, knowing perfectly well what she intended to say before she even opened her mouth. - Maybe I can meet my mother again.
- Aelita...
- It's pointless, Jeremy. I'm eighteen already, Tyron doesn't threaten me as my legal guardian. He said he doesn't want anything more from her, and yet she still doesn't contact me!
- We don't know how it looks like. Maybe she depends on him financially. Maybe he's blackmailing her and seeking revenge for infecting his computer. There are many options. - he explained, and after a moment, he grabbed her hand, causing her to raise her eyes to him. - I promise you that on the next mission, we'll try to find out something about it. Okay?
She pressed her lips together.
Nothing was okay.
Anthea hated Tyron. The girl was sure of that, and that meant only one thing: there had to be another reason why she didn't talk to her. The creator of the Core and her father's former collaborator was fanatical, stopping at nothing to achieve the goal of his research; Jeremy was right, and it was logical to assume that he was again standing in the way of Anthea's understanding with her mother. However, deep down, part of the girl was afraid that maybe the problem was with her; maybe her mother just didn't want to see her anymore and wanted to leave that part of her life behind.
She didn't know which option was worse.
- Okay. - she sighed, and a small smile finally appeared on her face, pushing her fears into the farthest corners of her brain. - Let's get back to this program.
- You're fucking cheater, you know? - the blond scoffed, bursting into the room in the evening, taking off his shoes, jacket, and sweatshirt along the way. Shortly after, he threw himself on the bed, completely ignoring some acquaintance from Ulrich's class who watched him from top to bottom and quickly disappeared.
- What is it this time?
- Training, but great, I love trainings! - his voice was overly sweetened and heavy with irony, and if looks could kill, the guy would already be dead.
- Come on! It's true.
- The truth is that you threw your best buddy, and you know it! - he growled, pointing a finger at the guy, who only rolled his eyes in response.
- You'll thank me for that when you make up with the girl.
- Why do you think I had a fight with her? - he raised an eyebrow.
Ulrich looked at him from under his brow, with an expression of endless disapproval.
- For what reason would you shout at me now?
- Because you know damn well I don't want her in Lyoko!
- And that's why you suddenly went with us to the café yesterday just to avoid her at the cafeteria? - he crossed his arms over his chest.
- I went because we finally buried the hatchet with Yumi.
- Of course. And you also skipped for Yumi Jim's class on Monday, English on Tuesday, and biology today, right? - he rubbed his chin, squinting his eyes, not taking his gaze off the blond. - It's very strange that those are the lessons you share with that one girl with green hair, what was her name...?
The blond was silent for a moment, staring at his roommate before lowering his gaze to the floor, clenching his teeth. If he noticed it...
- It has nothing to do with her.
- Interesting. Alex said something else... - he shrugged and turned his face to the desk, only seeing with the corner of his eye how Della Robbia raised his head sharply.
- Like what?!
Bingo.
- Nothing specific. - he said, sitting at the desk, sipping his tea, and flipping through another page of the comic. For a few short moments, he waited for Odd to speak, but finally, he gave in and sighed. - Come on. What happened?
Blond snorted, turning his face to the wall and burying himself in the bedding. For a while, he focused on the colorful shapes of his drawing on the wall. The paper had managed to yellow in places untouched by marker ink, and the tape in the lower right corner was peeling off halfway, collecting dust and dirt in the air.
- Is it about Sam again? - Stern suggested, and the blond's heart jerked painfully in response to the mentioned name.
- No, I don't think about her anymore. - he muttered; his voice was quiet and filled with fatigue. However, the awareness that he sounded like twelve-year-old Ulrich talking about Yumi made him quickly pull himself together. - We met on Friday. It was her birthday, so I arranged something.
- That's why you came in so wasted. - he sighed, taking another sip. - Everything clear.
- We went to our place. You know, near the old bridge. It was cool; we talked about something, drank, and... we started kissing.
He never thought that he would ever feel silly talking about such things, especially to Ulrich. On the other hand, he also never avoided confrontation with the girl he kissed, so maybe it balanced out.
- And that's it?
The blond turned sharply, sitting on the bed.
- Yes, damn it, because Jeremy had to call then and absolutely...
- No. I'm asking if you two are quarreling because of that?
- We're not quarreling! - he snapped annoyed. - I just... the thought that I have to talk to her about it bothers me.
- So you'd rather avoid her for the rest of the world?
- Only until I figured out what to tell her. - he opened his mouth, then closed it again, until finally groaned and fell back on his back. From the burning frustration, his body quickly shifted to the irritating cold in his stomach at the mere thought of facing the girl after all this. - I like her, but no relationship is an option.
- Did she suggest such a thing?
- No. - he clicked his tongue. - Actually, she said something quite the opposite.
- So I really don't get what the problem is here. - he sighed.
And he was right. It shouldn't be a problem, not for Odd. But he just didn't know what to say to her. Should he apologize? Act like nothing happened? Or maybe ask for more?
Damn it, probably the blond would feel better about all this if something had happened - at least he could then try to fix something, instead of being suspended in the midst of complicated feelings. He liked to tease her, but lately, he had gone too far. Again.
- I just don't know what she thinks and...
- Then talk to her! - he exclaimed, throwing the comic on the table and grabbing his head. - My brain already hurts.
- But you asked yourself!
- And I gave you great advice and an opportunity to put the plan into action. - he grumbled. - Don't thank me.
Right after that, he turned off the bedside lamp, and then lay down in bed. It took only a few minutes before Odd's deep sigh broke the silence.
- Alex didn't tell you anything, did she? - the silence from the guy was overly eloquent. - Fuck you.
- I learned from the best. - he replied and chuckled when one of Odd's stuffed animals hit him on the head.
He accidentally caught her the next day, on his way to his room. Actually, he didn't even start the conversation with her; she was the first to greet him. She was nice, and if he had ignored her strangely indifferent expression and his own accelerated heartbeat, maybe he would have fallen for it, thinking everything was fine.
- Training? - she almost spat out the word, grimacing as if the word burned her larynx and irritated her tongue.
If it amused him, he didn't show it. Maybe because he avoided eye contact with her.
- Yes, this afternoon. If you want, of course. - at that moment, he finally raised his eyes, giving her a chance - a favor - to refuse.
And she should have done it, considering his absurd behavior.
It was midweek, a few days after he himself, of his own accord, invited her to meet. He gave her a present, gave her alcohol, gave her hope, and disappointment in one. After he hung up, she expected him to finish what he started - but he didn't. Instead, they returned to the dorm, and he didn't say a word the whole weekend. She really wanted to believe that his absence from their shared classes was a coincidence.
She didn't understand why he behaved like this; why Odd Della Robbia, of all people, avoided her because of a kiss - as if the devil himself were ashamed of his own sins. Maybe it should worry her, but watching him in this edition now, shy and embarrassed, somehow made her feel like herself again; the same cynical and cool girl she was before the blond disturbed her routine.
And it was precisely this sense of control that prompted her to say;
- I'll come.
And the satisfaction of seeing the expression on his face almost made up for all the wrongs.