Operation: outback fire

Chapter 10: Past Confrontations

Ashley started spending more and more time in Lyoko while I spent more time honing my sword skills

"Hiya" I slashed the training dummy diagonally through the shoulder and the straw stuffed into it started spewing out onto the carpet

"Well that was coming" I crouched down and started getting the straw and putting it back into the dummy. Knowing that it would spew more straw everywhere I grabbed the dummy and walked outside. I set the dummy up again and put bricks around the target except for one circle that I drew on the target to represent of of XANA's monsters. I moved back and readied the sword.

"Hiiya!" I sliched straight through the middle of the target and straw started spilling out of it again. I sheathed the sword, packed up the straw and the dummy and threw it into the forest.

"How's your sword practice going?" I turned around and Ashley waved to me

"Good" I mumbled and waved back

"Ya know it isn't good to keep your emotions bottled up" she moved over to me and put her hand on my shoulder

"I'd rather be alone" I shook her hand away and walked back into my dorm. I put the sword under my bed along with my rifle I got from Emma and sat on my bed. I got a knock on my door and I opened it

"Tom what's wrong?" Ashley stood at the door

"I'm fine" I went to close the door but she grabbed my arm. I turned her and she followed me

"No you're not fine!" She slapped me. just stood there, motionless of what just happened. Ashley stepped back and glared at me

"Now do you want to tell me?" I waved for her to take a seat

"I'm not really into relationships because of all the times I've been rejected and it's all my fault, I've secluded myself ever since" I could feel the tears welling up inside of me

"And I'm constantly bullied and harassed by my stupid class about me and a girl I used to have a crush on" I felt a tear falling down

"And to top it off the person bullying me never leaves me alone" I started crying and Ashley comforted me

"Hey I've got an idea, what dorm is she in?"

"Dorm 55" I wiped the tears away and followed her. We walked out of the boys dorm area and walked to the girls dorm area. She walked up to dorm 55 and turned to face me

"Talk to her, when you say 'why are you doing this' I'll pounce out" she knocked on the door and moved next the frame. She walked out and faced me

"Oh look it's mr hopeless crush" she laughed with her friends

"Why are you doing this?" Ashley tackled and stuned her

"If I were you I'd run away. Now" they all shuddered in fear and ran back to their own dorm

"Now Tom you can punch her" she smiled to me. I moved over to the bully and threw a single punch at her. I felt so good so I punched her over and over and over again untill my knuckles were bloodied and she was on the brink of death. I walked away but I ran back and kicked her one more time.

"Never tease me again" I walked away and to Ashley

"Well I'm done"

"Good let's go, Will reported an attack"

"Thanks for the help" I smiled to her

"No problem I hatted her too" she smiled back. We both got to the super computer and asked Will on the situation

"XANA's more powerful and has almost devirtualized Mitch and Cameron so I need you both to virtualize right now" we rushed over to the pods and got virtualized. He spawned in my mechanical wings and I donned them.

"Ashley hop into your hat" she did as Will said and warped over to where the other's were. I took flight and made my way over, I sped towards the ground and landed.

"Nice trick Ash" I pulled out my sword and began slashing at them

"Thanks" she threw another card at them. Ashley ran towards the tower and stopped outside.

"So you're deactivating the tower huh?" I caught up to her

"Yep, just defend me" she walked into the tower. Some of the monsters found me and started attacking me

"I never get a break don't I?" I smiled to myself and threw the sword at the first one I saw

"Wild fire" I smiled to myself and aimed my hands and fire flew out from my hands and destroyed the creatures. Ashley walked out of the tower and smiled at me

"Having fun?" She smirked at me

"Yeah" I sheathed my sword. Will de virtualized us and I decided to spend time with Ashley.

"So how are you doing now?" She nudged me

"A little better thanks to what you did earlier" I nudged her back

"Hey you owe me one"

"Yeah I noticed"

"And that means you're coming on a date with me" she smiled to me and walked out

"Be here by 5pm sharp" she left me a note and walked out