We had figured out long ago that Aelita's memories, stashed in sector five, were the last of the keys to Lyoko. Knowing what and where, however, didn't make getting to them any easier.
This was officially the fifth try at getting the memories from sector five. Unofficially it was probably the ninth or tenth. With XANAs newfound access to the Internet it was much easier for him to create tough monsters. And with less time XANA spent focused on creating the monsters, the more time he had to plot and scheme. The more time he had to plot and scheme, the more time we Lyoko Warriors had to counter-plot and counter-scheme, leaving less time for things that were important, but not saving-the-world important.
Finally it seemed, we had a moment to try and get back some lost ground. But nothing is as it seems in Lyoko, from the virtual sea to the tricky oases in the desert sector, one really must see "Underneath the Underneath". But enough monologue, you'll see for yourself just how tricky Lyoko, and XANA can be.
As I was saying, we were on our fifth attempt at getting to Aelita's memories. XANA had been quiet for a day or so and we had time to rest up from our last fight. With restored energy and renewed hope we set out to the forest sector to get to sector five.
The strange white ball quietly took us to sector five. However as soon as the thing set us down, Jeremy spoke in a panic:
"Guys, trouble. XANAs just activated four towers. One in each region."
"What should we do?" Aelita asks. I can see the disappointment in her eyes and I'm sure Jeremy hear it in her voice. She really wants those memories back.
"Yumi, you and Ulrich go get those towers. Odd cover Aelita."
"But that's probably exactly what XANA wants us to do." I protest. "Dived and Conquor."
"We have no other choice. We are the strongest and now that we can deactivate towers Aelita can get her memories back." Ulrich says resting a hand on my shoulder.
"Fine." I spit pulling away. "But I'm warning you: This. Is a trap. There is no way he's quiet for days and then just as we enter sector five he activates four towers."
"I'm not saying it is, Yumi." Jeremy sighs. "In fact, I want everyone to be extra careful. Extra, extra careful. Quadruple careful for you, Odd.
"Come on!" Odd whines. "We'll be fine!"
"I hope so." I whisper before returning to the forest sector. The activated tower isn't far away and it's only moderately guarded: four bloks, two krabes, seven roachesters and a manta. Moderate by recent standards at least.
I'm proud to say I made it to the activated tower after loosing only 30 Life Points. Deactivation was easy. -"Yumi. Code…L.Y.O.K.O."
"Where to Jeremy?" I ask walking to the edge.
"Mountain sector, please." He says. I'm just glad it isn't the desert sector. But knowing Ulrich he headed there first.
Now, unfortunately there are six towers in each sector (excluding of course sector five). Each tower in a sector is connected to one tower in each other sector. That's why we never take one tower to the activated one. If we happen to be lucky and the tower we traveled from is linked to the activated tower, lucky us. Unfortunately XANA knows that and he picked four unconnected towers.
And just my luck, the tower I landed in at the Mountain Sector was the furthest tower from the activated one.
"You've got quite a trip, Yumi. Ulrich is just now deactivating his first tower, but his connected tower is closest to his second. Odd and Aelita have run in to surprisingly little resistance in Sector Five. But stay alert. I'll check back in a minute." Jeremy says as I gather my resolve.
As soon as I step out of the tower I take off in the direction of the activated tower. There are only a few minor pests here and there so I make pretty good time. I deactivate the tower easily and Jeremy informs me of a hidden activated tower near the tower I transferred from.
"So I have to go all the way back there?" I ask dreading the run.
"Yes, Yumi. I'm sorry I didn't see it sooner; the scan didn't pick up on anything unusual. But that's probably because it was focused on the four obviously activated towers.
I set about my journey quickly. A hidden tower couldn't be good news.