Chapter Text
Kankrelats and Bloks surrounded the activated tower in the ice sector. Yumi and Ulrich fought through the swarm while Aelita stayed back, throwing an occasional energy field. Jeremie had been unable to reach Odd, and tried calling again with no answer. It seemed like there was an endless swarm of monsters and no clear path to the tower. While Yumi took down several with her fans, Ulrich cut down several more with his sword. Just as a path was opening up, Ulrich was devirtualized from behind by a kankrelat’s laser.
Ulrich stepped out of the scanner and took out his phone to call Odd. “Come on, Odd. Just pick up.” No answer.
At a smoothie shop in town, Odd sat at a table across from a girl he met a few days ago. They were chatting over smoothies, and his phone was on silent in his pocket. The girl stepped away to go to the restroom, and Odd checked his phone. He saw the missed calls and swore under his breath. “Aw, man. What rotten timing.” He called Ulrich back.
Ulrich answered, “Odd, get to the factory!”
Odd sighed, “I even had a date today…”
“Yeah, tell that to XANA. We need you now.”
Odd’s date returned, and he reluctantly told her, “There’s an emergency with my roommate and I have to go.”
Back on Lyoko, Yumi and Aelita were almost to the tower when William appeared. Aelita stood back while Yumi entered a defensive stance with her fans. Yumi called back to Aelita, “Try to make it to the tower. I’ll keep him busy.” Aelita ran off toward the tower.
Jeremie was becoming increasingly stressed out. Although Aelita could shoot energy fields to protect herself, she was still the only one who could deactivate the tower. It was risky to send her alone. Where was Odd? Ulrich had mentioned that Odd was coming back from a date. When would he get there?
Suddenly, Jeremie saw movement on the scan. “Aelita, watch out! There are two hornets heading your way!”
Aelita took cover. “I see them, Jeremie. They’re in front of the tower.”
Jeremie tried to form a plan, but there was nothing he could do. Yumi was still fighting William, and if Aelita tried to get past the hornets, she could be devirtualized.
The elevator door opened, and Odd stepped into the lab. Before Odd could say anything Jeremie spoke up. There was a hint of anger in his voice. “It’s about time! I tried to reach you. This is serious, you know!”
Odd was surprised, but just responded, “I got here as soon as I could. Don’t sweat it, Einstein. I’ll take it from here.”
Jeremie turned his chair to face Odd. “You’re so irresponsible! We needed you. The fate of the world is more important than some date!”
Odd just stood for a moment, surprised by Jeremie’s reaction. Odd opened his mouth to respond, but Ulrich cut him off.
“Hey. Maybe now’s not the time.”
Aelita’s voice came from the speaker. “Ulrich’s right. We need some help.”
Odd still felt hurt but shrugged it off. “Fine, I’m on the way.”
On Lyoko, Odd cleared the way for Aelita. In the distance, William devirtualized Yumi.
Jeremie’s voice rang out, “Hurry up! William’s on the way!”
Odd stood guard. “Go on Princess, your tower awaits.”
Aelita entered and deactivated the tower.
They returned to the lab, and Odd regained his cheerful demeanor. “Another successful mission!”
Jeremie looked tired. “But we almost didn’t make it because you were too busy flirting.”
That stung, but Odd tried to shrug it off again. “But we did make it. Relax, Einstein.”
Jeremie didn’t respond, so Aelita stepped in. “Let’s just go back to school for now.”
As Jeremie and Aelita passed, Odd muttered to himself, “Sheesh, sorry I’m not perfect.”
Jeremie felt a small pang of guilt for his outburst earlier, but said nothing.