Ridiculously dark but fluffy and awesome Jerlita on the horizon, batten down the hatches and prepare to be boarded.

I do not own Code Lyoko, but I wish I did.

This is set after Aelita is finally drained by the Scyphozoa, but in a partially alternate universe, Aelita is fully materialized after the incident. Please do not be harsh about details, as I have not seen a full episode of this show in literally years.

Resolute.

Jéremíe had called in sick. For the fourth day in row. At this point, he was sick, sick to his heart, and sick with worry. The rest of the gang had gone back to a normal school schedule, but he was unable too. The rest of the Lyoko Warriors had brought him blankets, and pillows, as well as food. He hadn't slept or eaten in days. He had made use of the blankets, and formed a cocoon for the comatose form of Aelita. She at least had a pulse, and her breathing was regular. The encounter with that accursed spawn of XANA, coupled with the traumatic transfer to earth had taken a toll on the beautiful girl, and she slumbered, so still that only her breathing allowed him to reassure himself that she still lived. He had directed his nervous energy and rage at XANA into a sleepless vigil over Aelita's still form. On the dawn of the fifth day, the first spot of hope Jéremíe had experienced in the sleepless days manifested itself. Aelita stirred. Jéremíe's first reaction was disbelief, fueled by fear that it was but a sleep born hallucination.

Then, it happened again. This time, more emphatically. Then, she attempted to sit up. This attempt also failed. Jéremíe sprung up from the Super Computer Chair, and rushed to her side. He was already sobbing brokenly, and Aelita looked at him, bewildered by his sudden appearance and ragged cries. Then after a moment, she realized that she was seeing him in the real world, and that she was really here. Then, recollection flooded back, and her eyes flew open in sudden, mind numbing horror. She slumped back down, falling against Jéremíe's form. He recovered slightly, enough to regain his chivalrous tendencies. He quickly lowered her down onto the impromptu cushion of pillows, resting her gently against the floor. Aelita looked up at him, her eyes wide with the horror that she was remembering. She shivered, but not from the cold touch of the steel floor. Jéremíe nodded in mute understanding. They had lost.

It is often said that hope springs eternal, and after a few moments Jéremíe was able to whisper, brokenly, but with a hint of resolve.

"At least we still have you."

This was enough.

Jéremíe and Aelita embraced, warmly, and with a hint of their old fire to continue the fight returning. Jéremíe was a much different figure than before, and this experience had aged him. It had also made him more resolute.

"There is goodness in this world still, Aelita." Spoke a newer, less innocent Jéremíe. "And I will protect it. Starting with you."

The experience had also changed Aelita; she was not the same girl that she was before. She still loved life, and beauty, and Jéremíe. They knew that they were going to face new challenges in the months ahead, but they also knew that they would face them as a group. Together. Resolute.

Aelita stood then. Jéremíe stood as well, supporting her still new body. She leaned on his shoulder, but grew stronger every second. Even when she could stand alone, she held onto Jéremíe, but not in a weak fashion, no, not at all. She held to him the way that an iron blade forged in a fire binds to the hilt of a mighty blade. Together, and with the rest of their fire hardened order, they would strike back at XANA, and destroy him utterly. Jéremíe looked at Aelita, then, and laughed, a brief portion of his old more innocent personality showing through.

"Till death do us part?"

The pink haired girl looked at him, in shock. Even with new resolve to finish the fight, she still blushed at this, but smiled and nodded. With this, the couple turned, and headed for the elevator, Jéremíe already dialing Ulrich, Yumi, and Odd simultaneously. The time to strike was now, while XANA was still weak, and they still had fighting chance.

They would need to stay Resolute.