Chapter7: Strange Dream
Aelitaopened her eyes and found herself in a damp cave. She sat up andlooked around. It seemed she was the only one there.
Dartz?Jeremy? Ulrich? Aelita asked. No answer came. She could hearrushing water further back in the cave and decided to see what itwas. She got up and walked toward the back of the cave. The rushingwater grew louder as she got closer to the back. She came to a largechamber with a waterfall that created a small river, which left thecave through a small opening in the wall opposite where she came in.Ulrich was sitting near the river using a pair of sticks to try tolight a fire.
Morning,Sleeping Beauty. Ulrich said as he noticed she had entered thechamber.
Whereare we?
Fromwhat I know somewhere in China.
WheresDartz?
Hewent to get some firewood. Well need some if were staying herefor the night.
Werestaying here for the night?
Yep.Dartz said as he walked in through the same passage Aelita had,carrying a pile of neatly cut logs. Were miles from any form ofcivilization and itll be better if we dont travel at night. Wedont know what might be lurking around.
Wellif we want to stay here were gonna need to get this stupid firestarted. Ulrich said. Dartz sighed and snapped his fingers. Asmall flame appeared at the end of his index finger, which he used tolight the thin sticks laying in a pile where Ulrich was.
Thatshould keep us going for a few hours. Once those are spent wellmake another one with these. Dartz indicated the logs he hadbrought with him.
Someoneis going to have to keep watch. Aelita said. If something comesin here looking for food Id rather not be eaten.
Dartzand I will alternate watch duty. Ulrich said. Tomorrow wellhave a quick breakfast, then well get going and hope we can find aplace to stay tomorrow night.
Illtake first watch. Dartz said. You two should get some sleep.
Okay.Aelita said. Wake us if anything happens. Aelita and Ulrichlaid down on the floor and quickly fell asleep.
AelitasDream
Lyoko:Forest Sector
Daddy?Young Aelita called. Daddy, where are you?
Yourfather is dead. A deep voice said. Aelita turned around quickly. Aman in a black cloak stood a few feet away. The cloaks hoodcovered his hair and eyes.
Whoare you?
Myname is of no importance. The man said. Very soon the virusknown as Xana will break free from the bonds keeping him inside thesupercomputer. It is your destiny to destroy Xana and the numerousviruses he will make when he breaks free. You will be helped by threevery close friends. The man waved his hand in front of him andthree figures, no older than fifteen, appeared. Aelita recognized thefirst one immediately.
Thatlooks like my cousin Dartz. She said, pointing to the figure onthe right.
Youare correct. The man said. That is your cousin, or what he willbe like when you will embark on your quest to stop Xana. The othertwo He motioned to the other two figures. You will meetalong the way.
How?Dartz and I are the only ones who know about Lyoko.
Youwill find a way. The man said as he started to fade.
Wait!I have so many more questions to ask!
Allof which will be answered in due course. The man disappeared.
EndDream
Aelitawoke with a start and looked around. Dartz was nowhere to be found,and Ulrich was no longer lying next to her. She got up and walkedtoward the cave entrance. She heard a clash of metal and quickly ranto the entrance. A ring of highwaymen was huddled around a nearbytree. The clashing seemed to be coming from the center, but itsounded like two fights were taking place at once. One of the mensuddenly flew into a tree and Aelita caught a glimpse of Ulrich,sword drawn, before the gap closed.
Youguys really do suck at real sword fighting. Dartz said from insidethe ring. Another man flew into the cave wall, which Aelita had toduck away from to avoid being hit.
Youguys okay in there? Aelita asked.
Yep.Were good. Ulrich said. Ulrich used a large rock to jump overthe mens heads and land next to Aelita. Have a good sleep?
Notreally. Aelita said as she transformed into her Lyoko form andshot a highwayman with an energy field.
Here.Ulrich said, handing Aelita his second sword. That may be easier.
Thanks.
Lookslike more are coming. Dartz said as he joined the two at theclearing. Aelita and Ulrich looked to see another band of men rushingthrough the trees toward them.
Howmany you think you can take? Ulrich asked.
About50. Dartz said. But theres at least a hundred of these guys.Pretty large group for highwaymen.
Theyarent highwaymen. A voice said. A boy, about 15 years old withshort brown hair, jumped out of a tree a few feet to their left.
Thatsthe Black Dragon Squad. The boy said. Theyre a band ofduelists who attack travelers who go through these woods at night.
Duelists,eh? Dartz said
Yeah.You guys duelists?
Iam.
Good.Parley! The men stopped rushing at them. I have a challenge foryour leader. Bring him out. A tall man with a duffel sack over hisshoulder stepped forward.
Whatsthe challenge? The man asked.
Ichallenge you and your best duelist to a duel.
Twoon one? Aelita asked. Isnt that a bit unfair?
Notif I help him. Dartz said. I never turn down a good duel. Aduel disk materialized on Dartzs arm and he stepped forward.
Isee you got what I was doing. The boy said.
Wasntthat hard to figure out.
Thenwell do two separate duels. The leader said. Crus! Asecond tall man, though not as tall as the leader, saluted.
Yessir! Crus said.
Youllduel Blitz. The leader said. Ill take care of the smallfry.
What,too scared to face me yourself, Goron? Blitz said.
Ican choose whoever I please to face you.
Itwas a bad choice choosing to duel me. Dartz said. All fouractivated their duel disks.
Letsduel! They said in unison.
Hereschapter 7. All I ask is one review and Ill give you the nextchapter.