The Heart of Lyoko

                                    

                                          
The sunny air brimmed hope on her peach-white, no, pale white skin. With the long hours indoors, Sissi began to lose her "shining" complexion. Her eyes drifted to the singing birds–the Larks and Song Sparrows. But the cold old factory frame soon came in sight, and Sissi left her pristine forest venture.
                          
The Dragon Queen went to the computer room where Jeremie busily typed. Yumi and Aelita played a game of Wei Qi on the floor. "Hey, aren't the boys supposed to be back?" Sissi asked.
                          
"I'm in no rush. I enjoyed the break," Yumi smiled. Her dark-haired friend rolled her eyes.
                          
Walking over to the chair, she rested her elbow on Jeremie's headrest. "How's the scan coming along?"
                          
"I've almost completed it. I'm starting to share your queezy feelings about XANA. We haven't heard anything from him yet."
                          
"I think you're just paranoid," Sissi smirked, "But you're right. He must be preparing something big." Just then the loud elevator rolled down, and Odd and Ulrich walked out. "Ah, and it was so quiet."
                          
"Really? You mean you didn't miss us, your highness? I'm hurt." Odd dramatically sighed.
                          
"Well, I wouldn't say- OW!" Jeremie rubbed his hurt head, glowering up at Sissi. "What was that for?"
                          
"Whoops, my hand must have slipped... quickly." Her monotone voice came with a small smirk. Jeremie grumbled and continued typing as Sissi walked over to Odd and Ulrich. "Nothing really exciting. Jeremie's making a scan for XANA on the internet."
                          
"What happens when we find him?" Ulrich asked.
                          
"Theoretically, we'll be able to send you onto the World Wide Web to fight him, but it's going to be complicated to do that. First, let's see what the big bad wolf is doing. Here we go." Jeremie pressed the last button, and the scan started up. "Yeah! It works!"
                          
"You sound surprised?" Sissi crossed her arms.
                          
"Sometimes my programs don't work, you know that more than anyone."
                          
"Yeah, but you eventually get it right. Stop doubting yourself, Einstein," Sissi said with a highly held head. Jeremie rolled his eyes with a smile.
                          
"I'll try," he said, earning a smile from Sissi.
                          
"Right, well, let me remind you that we have our schedules to get?" Odd said.
                          
"Oh! Which reminds me, Odd. You owe me one," Sissi smirked, strolling into the elevator. Odd shrugged and walked in with her.
                          
"Hey, Ulrich," Yumi whispered, picking up the Wei Qi game. "I... I've done some thinking over the break, and I... need to talk to you."
                          
"Sure, what's up?"
                          
"Can you guys hurry up?" Odd called.
                          
"I'll tell you later," Yumi sighed.
                          
While Ulrich couldn't figure out what Yumi was going to talk to him about, he felt as if it were major news. When the team got their schedules, word got out that the teachers had tried to break up the Lyoko team, namely Odd. Yet, Sissi worked her magic to make sure that the thought never came up. So the team stayed together for their classes. Crisis averted, XANA had launched an attack later that day, but Jeremie couldn't figure out what was happening. Fingers typed away as Sissi rushed down the ladder to the computer room. "Hey, Sissi. Why didn't you go to the elevator?"
                          
"I don't know. Something just told me not to ride it this time," She answered Jeremie. Then the elevator door opened up to Ulrich and Yumi. "Whu-oh."
                          
"Hey, guys. Is something wrong?"
                          
"Nope, not a problem at all. We're the best of friends," Ulrich muttered while Yumi huffed.