A small yelp, like that of a ravenous chiuaua, interupted all of our trains of thought.

"Aelita!" everyone cried, except me.

Odd ran in the direction of the yelp, and Yumi began to follow with me behind her, but a sharp pain rang in my head again. I doubled over because of the pain. "Ow..." I muttered.

Yumi about faced and came to me. The japanese girl held me up with one arm, leading me towards the direction Odd ran in. "Kazuya, devirtualize Brianna! NOW!" she ordered.

I'm on it. my friend called.

"No! I'm fine! Besides, Aelita's in the tower!" I retorted, watching Aelita disappear into a pillar.

Return to the past, now! Jeremie and Kaz chided in unison.

Then, there was a flash of blinding white light.