Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Lyoko, Total Drama, or Ace Lightning. Code Lyoko is property of Moonscoop, Ace Lightning is owned by BBC and Alliance Atlantis, and Total Drama is the property of Fresh TV.
At the suggestion of the same author and reviewer who suggested I make a crossover with Reboot I am continuing the Crossover Arc and I started working on this shortly after I finished Code Total Drama Reality: Secrets of the Net. This arc takes place after the Nephilim Arc where Duncan and Courtney temporarily lose their memories of Lyoko but before Eva joins the team and it also takes place after the second season of Ace Lightning where Lady Illusion sacrifices herself to save Ace and vanishes back into the Sixth Dimension. For those of you who don't know who Ace Lightning is he is the main character of the super hero show Ace Lightning that began airing in 2002 and ended in 2004 with only two seasons even though a third season was in the works but never developed. It was live action but the heroes and villains were 3-D based because they came from a video game brought to life, the first time live action and CGI (Computer-generated Imagery) animation had been used to such a huge and constant degree within a weekly television serial.
The main focus of the show was the power of friendship and the eternal battle between good and evil. Code: Lyoko and Ace Lightning have a few similar concepts that I've found after doing all sorts of research that I hope will sound believable. It'll be interesting to see the worlds of Lyoko and the Sixth Dimension clash because their different yet similar natures. Both being digital worlds and have the power to wreak havoc on the real world in ways we can only imagine except Lyoko is empty after the first season of Code Lyoko and the Sixth Dimension is home to perhaps a dozen characters that we never got to see and considering all the characters we did see you've got to wonder what else lives in that world.
Summary: Aelita and the TD Lyoko Warriors believed that they were the only ones battling evil on the digital plane but when a boy named Mark Hollander arrives in France he unintentionally brings with him forces beyond anything they have seen before that brings about a new wave of enemies that threaten to light up the skies of the Earth and leave nothing but death and destruction in their wake.
Xxx
The universe was truly a wonderful place, full of life in all shapes and forms spanning across an unlimited number of worlds. Unfortunately when life is created it also leads to another force that gives rise and brings destruction to all of creation around it. Conflicts, wars, and destruction have been waged throughout history and though no one will believe or confirm such a thing these battles almost always come down to two sides: Good and Evil.
What is good and what is evil usually depends on a point of view in some battle but the two sides exist and have existed since the beginning of time. Evil comes in all shapes and sizes with great powers with the intent to become the most powerful being of their world and enslave the inhabitants for their pleasure. However where there is great evil there is also good to stand in its way and thwart its plans, the side of Good that fights only to defend the innocent and the weak.
Thus came into the existence of the two sides of these wars: Good and Evil.
The two sides were opposite, as different as day and night and yet for every struggle, every battle, every victory, every defeat, a new battle would renew and thus the conflict would start again. Each battle would be fierce, it would be brutal, and it would end showing the fate of whatever world it took place on. With each battle each side grows stronger, tipping the balance of power more times than one could ever hope to count. The battle is unending, for each time a side loses someone else rises to stake their claim and continue the eternal struggle.
There have been stories of these battles for centuries and each one has left its own mark that is either remembered by everyone or kept hidden from the world for reasons that would be better left buried for all eternity. Sometimes these battles are kept secret for the safety of the world and its people and sometimes they are kept secret to prevent other beings of evil from taking advantage for the sake of their own selfish desires. The reason why is because for every conflict there is there is also a few extraordinary secrets that could change our way of life as we know it in ways we could not possibly imagine.
This is one of those stories but it's not just a story of a battle between Good and Evil. This story will show that for every team of heroes struggling to keep the world safe there is another hero out there, keeping the world safe from whatever threat that lurks in the dark places of the world.
And sometimes from places beyond the world.
Xxx
France
Paris: Boulogne-Billancourt
Kadic Academy
Recording
A computer screen turned on showing a small school dorm room with the web camera on as a pink haired girl sat down in front of the computer.
"My name is Aelita Schaeffer, I am a student at Kadic Academy in the suburbs of France and I am also the owner of a secret that could affect the entire world if it were ever to be discovered. During the nineties my parents, Waldo and Anthea Schaeffer, attempted to destroy secret military project codenamed Carthage. It was supposedly meant to disrupt enemy communications during the Cold War but it had quickly developed into an attempt to develop the first Artificial Intelligence that would take control of all enemy electronics no matter how big or small."
A picture of Waldo Schaeffer and Anthea Schaeffer while she was still pregnant appeared next to Aelita on the screen.
"My father, Waldo Schaeffer created a digital simulated world to act as the staging ground of Carthage's destruction by acting as the buffer and the conduit of an AI of his own creation: XANA."
The picture of Aelita's parents was replaced by the Eye of XANA and a window appeared showing a recording of XANA attacking Aelita and Waldo after being virtualized into Lyoko for the very first time.
"But XANA betrayed us and imprisoned us in Lyoko. A decade later the Supercomputer that held Lyoko was reactivated by a boy named Jeremy Belpois."
A picture of Jeremy replaced the Eye followed by a recording of Yumi, Ulrich, and Odd fighting XANA's monsters as they protected Aelita in various battles.
"He along with Odd Della Robbia, Ulrich Stern, and Yumi Ishiyama worked together to bring me back into the physical world and destroy XANA. But XANA faked his death and returned two years later, capturing my friends and leaving me alone after I barely escaped. At this point it seemed XANA had finally won until help came in the most unexpected form."
Aelita smiled as a picture of the Total Drama cast appeared over Jeremy's picture. A window appeared showing Gwen, DJ and Geoff being virtualized into Lyoko for the first time. Next appeared recordings of them and Bridgette in the first battle with XANA's monsters followed by a recording of Courtney, Heather, Trent, Duncan, Noah, and Izzy being virtualized for the first time and fighting alongside Aelita, Gwen, and Bridgette against XANA's monsters and Generals.
"The cast of the Canadian Reality show Total Drama arrived in France for another season: Total Drama Reality and five of them came upon me during an attack. It started with Geoff, Bridgette, DJ, LeShawna, and Gwen first but as the war against XANA waged on more of them joined us in the fight and it soon became apparent that this time XANA was playing for keeps. We encountered new enemies as XANA created digital versions of us, his Generals to lead his army and fight us and even more enemies and allies appeared from beyond the Digital Sea."
A small window showing a recording of Tom, the Guardian from the Net arriving in Lyoko. The window showed several battles between the Lyoko Warriors and the viruses in many systems in the Net, culminating in the final battle with the Trojan Horse Virus called Megabyte in his dragon form in the Supercomputer.
"An Anti-Virus program calling itself Guardian 453, Tom arrived in Lyoko and told us of a new level of Cyberspace called the Net that was under attack by XANA. We helped him save the Net and in turn we learned a lot about the Digital World that humanity created but did not understand. Now the battle has returned to Lyoko when a new threat arrived in the form of a super virus calling itself Nephilim and his creator, Dr. Lyon. Both were affiliated with Project: Carthage and were looking to finish what was started years ago but this time we had help."
A recording of Seraphim appeared fighting Nephilim in the City Sector was next.
"Seraphim, an AI created by a student of my father to protect the world from them appeared and with his help we defeated Lyon and his creation but we paid a terrible price. Seraphim sacrificed his life to restore Lyoko and give us a chance to track down XANA to end his threat once and for all. And we lost two members of our group during the battle. They were not killed but as of now they've lost any chance of helping us continue the battle."
Aelita showed a picture of Duncan and Courtney and a window popped up showing a recording of Nephilim deleting Duncan and Courtney's Avatars.
"The battle has evolved as XANA has not just returned for revenge against me and my friends or to take over the world; he has started a war between digital and organic life. He seeks to control this world to bring it into an era of peace but without free will it is not a true peace. I pray we are able to stop this war before it evolves beyond our ability to contain it or the Earth along with humanity will be scared in a way that will never heal."
Aelita sighed as she clicked the mouse on the 'End Recording' icon and the screen went black as Aelita turned the computer off.
End Log
Xxx
America
Conestoga Hills
Hollander Residence
A computer screen powers up, showing a video chat room with a teen sitting in his room looking at the camera from the other end.
"Hey, Mark. I heard what happened a few nights ago and I got to say you got a lot going on. Kilobyte's in the game which is good for you but now Lord Fear is on the run and Lady Illusion might be…gone. This game of yours is going crazy from the sound of it and it doesn't sound it's going to be stopping anytime soon."
A blond haired British boy nodded in agreement. "It definitely has, Pete. Ace has been a little down since Lady Illusion sacrificed herself to save him from Fear. I hope he'll be all right. In the meantime the Amulet's broken again and we need to find it, before Lord Fear finds the pieces or the game really will be over this time."
He was honestly worried about Ace as he never before experienced the emotions regarding the loss of a loved one. Mark just hoped it wouldn't affect Ace for too long. Kilobyte may be gone but Lord Fear, with or without the other villains in the Carnival of Doom was still a threat. They needed to work together if they planned to win the game once and for all.
Xxx
Sixth Dimension
Circus Sector
As the people of the physical world went about their daily routines a plan to affect the millions of lives was being hatched on a non-physical plane of existence but yet existed all the same. The world around him was composed of nothing but lines of data and codes but to a recent visitor it was all real. And what especially was real were the tentacles that were hovering outside of his iron cage that caused the man to recoil in horror.
"How quickly power changes hands, programmer." The owner of the tentacles whispered in a cold voice. "Not too long ago you created me, imprisoned me, controlled me like a puppet. And now here you are, caged like I was when you controlled me and I assure our positions will never be reversed again. Now that all is left is deciding how much use you are to me."
The tentacles hovered dangerously close to the man who cowered and shook in his cage. "Wa-wait, Kilobyte! I can get us out! I designed this world and I know how to get us out!"
"I'm sure you will." The man known as Kilobyte pulled his tentacles back as he walked up to the cage. "Otherwise I will have to find a way myself and what happens to you if you are no longer useful…Well, that does not bear much thinking."
The man shivered in fear as Kilobyte opened the cage, pulling him out as three small clowns surrounded him.
"This is my world now, programmer. Anything that happens I know and if my new friends detect even a hint of treachery then they'll be…most displeased." Kilobyte said as the clowns pulled the man out of the circus.
Soon he would be free of this prison and he would have his revenge on those who defied him.
Xxx
Conestoga Hills
Abandoned Observatory
'Thunder Tower'
"Come on, Ace! You can't keep on sulking up there! What about Fear? We should be tracking that bonehead and his walking golf club down!"
The owner of the young female voice was none other than Sparx, a Lightning Knight and side kick to Ace Lightning who at the moment was sitting on the roof of the Lightning Tower which was in a reality an abandoned observatory, looking up at the evening sky.
"What's the point? Kilobyte is gone, Lord Fear vanished and Lady Illusion…" Ace trailed off as he stood up and floated down onto the floor.
Sparx hated seeing Ace like this, a watered down saddened version of the hero he was meant to be. All because Lady Illusion had done what no one, not even Sparx, had expected her to do: sacrifice herself to save Ace and the world.
"Don't be so down, Ace. She might not be gone." Sparx suggested. "She could just be somewhere in the Sixth Dimension."
"Possibly." Ace conceded.
"So all we need is the Amulet and we'll get her back." Sparx continued.
Ace sighed. "It doesn't work that way."
"Huh?" Sparx stopped, looking confused. "What do you mean?"
"In our hands the Amulet would only summon a fellow Lightning Knight and though Lady Illusion is not aligned with Kilobyte or Fear anymore I wouldn't be able to summon her even if we had a piece of the Amulet." Ace explained as he looked up at the sky. "I doubt Fear will want to bring her back unless only so that he could destroy her."
"Okay…so what about Fear? What do we do about him? He's on the run but that doesn't mean he's out." Sparx changed the subject. "We can't let him go running around out there. What happens when the other bad guys come back?"
"The good thing about that night is when the Amulet was put together by Kilobyte and broken again when he was defeated all the villains we defeated were forced back into the Sixth Dimension so it's just Fear." Ace replied as he turned around with a hand to his chin. "You're right about one thing, Sparx. We can't let Fear get his hands on the Amulet."
"Really?" Sparx questioned with an excited look.
"With Fear gone and no villains running around the Carnival we have a chance to collect all the pieces of the Amulet and end this once and for all." Ace continued. "Okay, Sparx, here's the plan. I need you to keep an eye on things here and watch for any sightings with Fear. I'm going to ask Mark and Chuckdude for helping with finding the Amulet."
"All right!" Sparx punched a fist into the air. "We're back!" She put two fingers in her mouth and let out a loud whistle. "Lighting Flash to me!"
Sparx's personal ride came down in front of her and she hopped onto it, letting a loud whoop as she shot out of the Lightning Tower.
Ace watched as Sparx flew off with a sad look. "Hopefully we'll all be back Sparx."
He had a plan but it wasn't what Sparx was thinking of.
Xxx
"I, Lord Fear, Master of Terror, Ruler of the Carnival of Doom, and Supreme Ruler of all Evil reduced to this! Forced to hide in an abandoned mortal barn like a sticking animal. This is humiliating and degrading to a being of my status!" The walking skeleton known as Lord Fear raged as he paced back and forth inside the wooden barn he had found outside the city that was large enough to hide him and his personal ride, the Doom Wagon.
He had been here for a few days, trying to figure what to do next. All he had left was his trusty staff, his ride, and a rodent for a minion.
"It's not that bad, boss! At least we have our health." The flying rat known as Dirty Rat offered to try and make Lord Fear feel better.
That did not comfort Lord Fear in the slightest and he showed it by glaring at the Rat, mentally smirking as the rat let out a whimper as he floated back. He did not trust the Rat and for good reason. The Rat, while weak was among the most devious of his minions and even once usurped control of the Carnival of Doom from him. And Fear didn't forget that Rat instantly sided with Kilobyte when he arrived and cast Lord Fear aside to take control and was only with him because there was no one left.
He didn't trust the Rat but he was only one left besides his trusty staff and he needed all the help he could get. He would not give the Lightning Knights or even Kilobyte the satisfaction of admitting defeat after just banishing Kilobyte to the Sixth Dimension.
"And what good is our so called health when we are reduced to this? Hiding like common pathetic mortals here?" Lord Fear spat as he turned away from the rat. "I had it all in the palm of my hand, Kilobyte and Ace Lighting were down in front of me but the traitor Lady Illusion tricked me. I dare not return to the Carnival, not when Ace Lightning is most likely watching for any sign of my return and without pieces of the Amulet I cannot summon any of my minions back to aid me. What I need is a way to turn the balance of power back in my favor."
To say things had gone bad for Lord Fear was a bit of an understatement.
He had not been able to find a piece of the Amulet or lead his gang of villains to take over the world because of the traitor Lady Illusion and his arch nemesis, Ace Lightning. When Lady Illusion sacrificed herself to save Ace Fear had seen the look in Ace's eyes, a look of pure anger that shook the walking skeleton even to this day. He was no doubt searching for Fear at this very moment, forcing Fear to take refuge in an abandoned barn on the outskirts of Conestoga Hills. Even if defeating Kilobyte had increased Lord Fear's power the Master of Terror was hesitant to take on Ace if he was determined to avenge Lady Illusion.
To be honest Lord Fear understood Ace's desire for revenge for the supposed death of the woman he loved, the woman that Lord Fear himself had loved that had betrayed him for that wretched superhero. Fear had trusted her and she betrayed him more than once and after all they had been through she disguised herself as Ace Lightning because she knew he would betray the hero in the end. The small feelings of remorse was squashed by feelings of hatred and jealousy coursing through Lord Fear's non-existent heart and he shoved those feelings aside to focus on the current situation.
If Lord Fear was to ever gain the upper hand he needed something very powerful to destroy Ace Lightning and the rest of the Lightning Knights so that Lord Fear could finally rule this pathetic mortal world.
"It is kinda bad when you say it like that boss. Too bad we can't bring the others back the way Kilobyte was putting mortals in the Sixth Dimension. I mean without the Amulet we're the only ones left." Dirty Rat commented.
"Yes…" Lord Fear stopped pacing. "The ability to send someone into another dimension without the Amulet is an ability that would give anyone a great advantage…Perhaps there is a way."
"Huh?" Dirty Rat looked confused.
"I have a job for you my flying minion." Lord Fear walked up to the rat. "Find the science teacher from the mortal school and bring him to me."
"Huh? Why?" Dirty Rat asked.
"Never mind why, just do it!" Lord Fear snapped.
"You heard his Lordship." Lord Fear's trusted staff, Staff Head said as the glass orb sitting above his head glowed bright orange. "Get moving!"
"Okay! Okay!" Dirty Rat whimpered and took off through a hole in the roof.
"An excellent plan, my Lord." Staff Head said as its orb started glowing. "And with Kilobyte out of the way you'll be unstoppable."
"Indeed my Totem of Terror but you're wrong." Lord Fear replied.
"Huh?" Staff Head looked confused.
"The combined assault of our attack with the sidekick and Lady Illusion was not strong enough to destroy him. It only sent him back into the Sixth Dimension even though doing so increased my power. If I had the Amulet in my possession it would have been different but the end result was still the same." Lord Fear explained before smirking. "But once I get all my minions back I'll be strong enough to show myself to Ace Lightning and finish him off once and for all. And when I collect all the pieces of the Amulet I'll finish the Lightning Knights and their annoying sidekicks once and for all, leaving this world ripe for me to conquer. And no one will stop me this time, not even Kilobyte or Ace Lightning!"
Lord Fear threw his head back and cackled loudly that echoed throughout the barn. The Master of Terror would rise again.
Xxx
(A computer screen powers up and the cursor clicks on a file labelled 'Game Start'. The Amulet of Zoar appeared on the screen and broke apart while the gem in the middle piece engulfed the screen. The screen now shows blue data lines moving with images of multiple characters on the top and bottom of the screen moving in inverted directions.)
It's hard to take a stand
(Mark Hollander firing his Lightning Gauntlet)Thomas Wansey as Mark Hollander
It's hard to do what's right
(Chuck Mugel typing away on a computer)
Marc Minardi as Chuck Mugel
No matter how scared you are
(Kat ducking as an energy blast flew over her head)Ashley Leggat as Kat Adams
You've got to stand and fight
(Aelita standing in a scanner before being virtualized and appearing in the Mountain Sector of Lyoko in her new Avatar)
Sharon Mann as Aelita Schaeffer
But we don't have to play this game all alone
(Ace Lightning flying and shooting lightning bolts from his hands)
Michael Riley as Ace Lightning
Cause there's a hero
(Gwen blocking lasers with her scythe while Heather shoots shuriken at a Pyramid, hitting in the Eye and destroying it)
Megan Fahlenblock as Gwen
Rachel Wilson as Heather
There's a hero in us all
(LeShawna smashing a Dark Krab with her hammer)
Novie Edwards as LeShawna
When a hero stands beside you
(Geoff and Bridgette fighting side by side against XANA's monsters)
Dan Patronijevic as Geoff
Kristen Fairlie as Bridgette
You can hear them call
(Cody and Noah firing their pistols at Hornets)
Peter Oldring as Cody
Carter Hayden as Noah
There's a hero
(DJ blocking lasers with his barrier)
Cle Bennet as DJ
There's a hero in us all
(Trent playing his guitar, shooting fire and lightning from its end)
Scott McCord as Trent
There's a hero in us all
(Sparx clashing her sword with Lord Fear's staff while Random Virus clashed with Anvil)
Deborah O'Neil as Sparx
Cathal J. Dodd as Random Virus
You have to do what's right
(Ace Lightning in the Sixth Dimension fighting of a crowd of zombies)
You have to do what's good
(Lady Illusion gasping as she turned into pixels in Ace's arms before vanishing)
It's hard to stand and fight
(XANA's Avatar appears out of a black cloud followed by his generals as a tower behind them glows bright red)
When you're misunderstood
(Kilobyte laughing as he held the complete Amulet of Zoar)
But we don't have to play this game all alone
(The Lyoko Warriors and the Lightning Knights standing together as a dark cloud covered the sky over France)
Cause there's a hero
(Ace flew at Kilobyte with his hands sparkling with lighting as Kilobyte's tentacles extended from his back)
There's a hero in us all
(Aelita closing her eyes and activating a tower that glowed pink)
When a hero stands beside you
(Pink lightning hitting Ace, powering him up)
You can hear them call
(Kilobyte roaring as his eyes glowed bright gold with the Eye of XANA appearing as pupils)
There's a hero
(The Warriors and the Lightning Knights battling Kilobyte with everything they've got)
There's a hero in us all
(Ace becoming a literal human shaped lightning bolt that exploded in a flash of light)
There's a hero in us all
CODE TOTAL DRAMA REALITY: HEROES OF DIMENSION EARTH
Xxx
Return Of The Master Programmer
Conestoga Hills
Mugel Residence
Chuck Mugel sighed as threw his backpack onto his bed which he later fell on a second later. "What a day."
"Long day, Chuckdude?"
"Gah!" Chuck jumped up and smiled when he saw Ace Lightning floating at his window. "Ace, dude!" He opened the window and allowed Ace to float into his room. "What's up? Lord Fear up to no good again and you need help?"
"It's not Fear I need help with Chuck, its Lady Illusion." Ace answered, walking over to Chuck's laptop. "Is there any way to find her in the Sixth Dimension and bring her back?"
"Lady Illusion?" Chuck scratched the back of his head. "Well if she's still alive I would say we could use the Amulet but Lady Illusion's not a Lightning Knight so you won't be able to bring her back. The only other way would be the portal in the Haunted House, the one I used to help bring Sparx back."
"And would Lady Illusion know of this portal?" Ace turned and faced Chuck.
"I kinda doubt it, Ace. I mean if any of the bad guys knew we'd be up to our necks in bad guys until someone put the Amulet back together." Chuck replied thoughtfully. "Good thing Kilobyte doesn't know about it either."
"Yeah, it is a good thing." Ace looked back at the laptop. "Have you found him?"
"Well, I lost contact with Rick but I imagine he's still in the circus. I haven't been able a solid connection with the ga-I mean the Sixth Dimension since that night at the Carnival. I'm still working on it but if I get the connection up and running I can check in on Rick and see if Lady Illusion is still alive." Chuck hastily said.
"You don't have to worry, Chuck. I'm not upset about it being a game anymore. Mark spent a long time trying to tell me and I didn't listen but he also stated I was as real as he was." Ace glanced back at Chuck.
"Well yeah! You're here! You're talking with me!" Chuck said with a big smile. "If that's not real I don't know what is."
"Yeah and so are the others." Ace nodded with a small smile. "Thanks for the help, Chuckdude."
"Anytime, Ace." Chuck watched as Ace flew out his window and watched him vanish into the sky. He then turned back to his laptop with a worried look. "Oh, I got a bad feeling about this. I better tell Mark."
Xxx
Conestoga Hills
Hollander Residence
"Are you sure about this?" Mark asked as his father put a suit in a large case. "This is a little sudden."
"It's just a few weeks away in France dear and your mother will look after the house while I'm gone. You really want to pass up a chance to see France? I thought you'd be happy, it's close to England after all." Mark's father, Simon replied with a smile. "Doesn't that sound exciting?"
Normally Mark would think so but he had a few things on his plate, such as spending time with his new girlfriend, finding pieces of the Amulet before Lord Fear does, and checking in on Ace. "Well, I kind of have…had plans for the next couple of weeks. I thought I would spend some time with Kat since we only started dating a while ago."
"Oh don't worry, we won't be gone long and you can always trade messages with her like you do with Pete." Simon patted Mark on the shoulder. "You've been a little stressed for a while and I thought a trip to France would be good way to help you…unwind as teenagers say these days."
Mark was even more hesitant to argue with his father as he wasn't wrong about Mark being a little stressed from saving the world but he couldn't tell his parents about that. He would have been all for a vacation if Lord Fear wasn't still on the loose. "Can I just tell Kat and my friends about this before w go?"
"Sure, my boy. It'll take all day for me to get my suits all put away for the trip. So go on and have some fun." Simon nodded.
"Thanks dad." Mark smiled as it was hard to fight his parents when they were just looking out for him.
After speaking to his parents he ran up to his room and pulled out his cell phone.
Xxx
Kent Brother's Carnival
"Nothing…Nothing…Nothing…" Sparx sighed as she walked around the deserted Carnival of Doom. "Bonehead's not coming back here anytime soon." She stopped when she heard the cell phone Ace left her ringing and quickly answered. "Sparx here."
"Sparx? Where's Ace?" Mark's voice asked.
"Nice to hear from you too, kid. Ace took off for a bit and I'm at the Carnival checking things out. Lord Fear hasn't come back yet from the looks of it so I'm looking around for pieces of the Amulet. Sooner we find them the sooner we can kick his bony butt." Sparx answered with an eager smirk. "Ace went to check on something."
"Well when you find him can you tell him I might be gone for a few weeks? My dad has a business trip to France and he wants me to come along." Mark explained. "He thought I could use a vacation."
"Ha! Sad to be missing all the action, kid?" Sparx chuckled. "Don't worry, me and Ace survived a whole summer with you gone. A few weeks will be easy."
"What about Random Virus? What if his evil side takes over while I'm gone?"
"Random's hiding back in the junkyard. We'll keep an eye on him. We don't have a lot of baddies out at the moment." Sparx spared a glance around the Carnival. "It's quiet and weirdly peaceful around here."
"Well, hopefully it stays like when I get back. Thanks, Sparx." Mark said.
"Anytime kid." Sparx hung up and sighed. "Where did you go, Ace?"
Xxx
Ace sighed as he looked down at the small town of Conestoga Hills below him. He had dedicated himself to protecting the people since he first came into this world, following his code as a Lightning Knight.
Or rather his programming.
He knew the secret of his origin along with everyone else's origin from the Sixth Dimension but did it define who he was. He was a hero, a protector, someone who helped keep the people of this world safe from evil. But now he is someone else, someone who is about to risk himself to save someone who brought out possibly the strongest emotions in him.
'This is it. This is where I leave everything to Mark and Sparx.' Ace thought as he brought his hands up, pointing them at the sky. 'Sorry everyone, this is something I have to do but don't worry. I will be back with Lady Illusion.'
He hesitated for a second before powering his hands up and releasing a stream of lightning that shot into the sky. His power light up the sky as a single strand of lightning shot across the night sky, lighting it up a lot longer than a normal bolt of lightning should. And it was seen by a few people who recognized that light.
Xxx
Sparx stopped the Lightning Flash when she saw a spiral of lightning above the Thunder Tower. "What in the Sixth Dimension is…Ace!"
She high tailed it towards the Thunder Tower, pushing the engine on the Lightning Flash to the max in the direction of the lightning, knowing that Ace was connected to it.
Xxx
Ace grunted as he continued shooting the pillar of lightning into the sky, taking into account of the power he was losing but kept going. First it was one hundred percent, then it was seventy percent, sixty five percent, and by the time his power was at fifty percent his form was starting to shimmer, becoming partially static from the loss of power.
"ACE!" Ace could hear Sparx shouting. "WHAT IN GREAT HOT OBLIVION ARE YOU DOING?! YOU'LL RUN OUT OF ENERGY!"
'Sorry Sparx.' Ace closed his eyes as he poured the last of his power into the pillar of lightning that set a bright flash of light that would have blinded anyone except Sparx if they had been watching.
The lightning vanished into the night as Ace fell back, falling down towards the ground but luckily Sparx was there to catch on her ride.
"Ace!" Sparx got up and put Ace on the ground, watching his form shimmer into pixels. "What were you thinking?"
"So-sorry, S-Sp-Sparx. I-I got to do th-this." Ace said with a small smile. "Lo-Look after Ma-Mark. You can ha-handle Fe-Fear. Do right-right and fear not."
Sparx's eyes widened as Ace vanished into nothing. "Ace…"
Xxx
"Ace did what?!" Mark exclaimed into the cell phone.
"I saw it, kid. He literally shot all of his power into the sky and disappeared. He's back in the Sixth Dimension by now." Sparx sadly explained.
"What was he thinking?" Mark whispered before his head shot up. "Lady Illusion."
"What?" Sparx asked.
"I think he went back into the Sixth Dimension to find Lady Illusion." Mark realized.
"Is he insane? Even if he does find her how does he plan to get back?" Sparx exclaimed.
"Probably through the portal in the Haunted House, the one you and Chuck used to escape. If Lady Illusion does find her and they make it through the portal they can make it back here." Mark explained but sat down on his bed. "But what if Kilobyte is there and finds out about the portal?"
"That does sound bad, kid. You picked a heck of a time to leave." Sparx commented.
"I didn't pick…" Mark sighed. "At least we know Lord Fear isn't hiding out in the Carnival. Maybe you can find a few pieces of the Amulet before he does."
"So now what? We sit back and wait?" Sparx asked anxiously.
"I got some time left. I'll check in with Chuck and see if we can contact Ace." Mark stated. "I got a bad feeling about this."
"You and me both, kid."
Xxx
Sixth Dimension
Entrance to the Carnival of Doom
When Ace opened his eyes again he was greeted with the familiar sight of the entrance to the Carnival of Doom. It wasn't the Carnival of Doom in the mortal world, it was the one in the Sixth Dimension that had been created by Lord Fear's twisted imagination.
'Or should I say it was created by whoever created us.' Ace thought as he stood up. 'Now I just need to find Lady Illusion and then get back to the mortal world through the portal in the Haunted House.'
Ace walked through the gates and into the dark looking carnival.
Xxx
"No way! Ace is in the Sixth Dimension!" Chuck exclaimed, falling onto his bed as he listened to Mark and Sparx's story. "And he's gone looking for Lady Illusion?"
"That's what we think Chuck. We need you to try and find contact Ace because he might be in over his head. Even if he does find Lady Illusion there is a chance he could end up bringing Kilobyte back." Mark explained.
"Oh yeah, that's bad." Chuck brought his laptop onto his lap. "He's going find Lady Illusion and bring her back through the portal in the Haunted House."
"As if we didn't have enough problems." Sparx groaned as she sat down on the floor. "It's bad enough Lord Fear's missing and Mark's going off to Fran but now this. What does he expect us to do while he's gone?"
"It's pronounced France, Sparx." Mark corrected.
"Whatever. Doesn't he realize even if Lord Fear's on the run that bonehead's even stronger now?" Sparx groaned.
"Stronger?" Mark looked at Sparx. "What do you mean?"
"You remember that orange blast that fried Illusion? An attack changing in color usually means that the attack power has changed drastically and since Lord Fear helped Ace clear the Carnival of Kilobyte and his goons that means he's more powerful than ever." Sparx explained as she stood up. "We need to take him out before Ace gets back and if he ends up bringing Kilobyte back."
"She's right, Mark. I just checked Lord Fear's stats and his power point level has gone way up. He's a lot stronger to the point only Ace would have a chance of beating him. The plasma beam from his staff took out Lady Illusion in one hit and it can do the same to the Lightning Knights." Chuck said, looking at his laptop.
"I have to get back to my parent's house. I only have a few minutes before my dad leaves. Are you sure you guys will be all right?" Mark asked.
"Don't worry, Mark. We can handle it." Chuck smiled. "The Chuck-dude's on the job!"
"Okay, Kat should be over by now." Mark looked at his watch. "Good luck guys."
"You too, kid." Sparx nodded with a smile as Mark left the room.
Xxx
Sixth Dimension
Carnival of Doom
Abandoned Laboratory District
"I am waiting, Programmer." Rick shuddered as Kilobyte's voice hissed behind him. "What is taking so long?"
"These computers aren't like the ones back at my shop. I need to make a connection with my databanks which was lost when you found all the pieces of the amulet. I have start over from scratch." Rick quickly explained.
He yelped as Kilobyte pulled the chair around and found himself face to face with his psychotic creation. "I am not interested in feeble excuses, Programmer! I want a way back into the real world where I will finish what you started. You had best hope your usefulness to me does not come to an end or I will be quick to see your departure from my sight!"
Rick whimpered as Kilobyte slammed his chair back into the computer console of the mad scientist looking lab he was in that Kilobyte had found for Rick to use and slammed the door on his way out. When he was gone Rick sighed in relief but knew he needed to find a way to escape and soon. It only a matter of time before Kilobyte ran out of patience and tried to kill him. He knew that the only way to get out was through the portal hidden in the Haunted House but with Kilobyte keeping a close eye on him it would take a miracle for him to even set one foot there.
Rick just needed something to distract Kilobyte long enough for him to escape and that was what he was looking for right now. The DataStream, the main method of how he was able to bring Ace Lightning all the characters in the game to life. He did not create the DataStream, he merely found it as he worked on making the game as real as he could. The DataStream was simply put, a stream of data and codes that were chaotic and unpredictable and yet they were the most complex form of coding that he had ever found.
He researched the DataStream day and night, trying to understand where it had come from and who made it until he realized that no human hand had made it, it was the digital fabric of the Internet itself. Using what he had learned from studying the DataStream he had discovered a way to advance the programming of the characters to the point that they would not only become fully aware, but they would be able to interact with the players and even touch them.
Of course no one believed him and he was fired for that.
But he wasn't going to let that stop him. He set up online version of the game and used the DataStream as a conduit to bring Ace Lighting into the real world, programming Lord Fear and his gang to take over and proof the genius of the man who created everything. Unfortunately with the help of his human allies Ace defeated Lord Fear, forcing Rick to create Kilobyte to gain the upper hand. If not for a simple power outage Rick probably would have won but with his consoles down he lost control of Kilobyte and now was imprisoned in the very world he had created with his creation ready to kill him. That was why Rick needed a way to escape and so he was looking through the DataStream for a way to stop Kilobyte before he did anything else.
"All right, all parameters met. If the DataStream can bring people in and out of the Sixth Dimension maybe it can bring me back." Rick banged the keyboard. "But I don't have a power source. I need a power surge to directly bring me out."
There was no thunder storms in Conestoga Hills so he needed some place else with the right amount of weather that would make it possible for him to escape.
"Come on, come on…" Rick muttered as the screen showed global weather reports. "All I need is one place that has the right amount for weather for a thunderstorm that will give me what I need."
The computer beeped and highlighted the capital of France: Paris.
"Says there's a high of thunder and lightning in France." Rick smiled as he whispered. "Well, I could use a little time away from America and I can visit all the popular museums there. Now I just need to remotely and connect to every network there, so if and when the storm hits any computer system that I am connected will immediately run my program and freedom for me! You're not getting me, Kilobyte, I'm the Master Programmer and I run this place."
He just needed to stall for time now as it would take a day for the thunderstorm to hit France but he knew he had a chance to escape now. But what Rick did not know was that his plan did not go unnoticed by someone, someone who was like him.
Trapped and looking for a way to escape.
Xxx
Location Unknown
"Damn you, XANA. Damn you." A man sitting on cylinder like platform surrounded by data screens whispered. "This is not the end. I will not be stopped so easily. I'll be back and they will all pay!"
He had been trapped for little over a week now but it felt like eternity to him and he had no wish to be here for the rest of his natural life or longer than that. He refused to be trapped here a second longer which led him to the inside of the tower on his small Replica, looking for a way out.
"If only I could gain access to a scanner I wouldn't be in this mess. I've lost my connection to Lyoko and without it I can't use Schaeffer's scanners. With the scanner in lab destroyed I have no way to materialize myself back into the real world." Lyon looked at the screen. "I could try and recreate Nephilim but XANA absorbed his data and without his data I'd need to start over from scratch. There has got to be a way!"
Then as if the Universe was answering his prayers the digital screen beeped.
"Hm? What's this?" Lyon looked at the screen. "An unknown signal is connecting with multiple networks across France. Probably nothing but the signal is surprisingly complex and it's coming from inside…an online game network. Perhaps I might be able to use this."
Dr. Lyon was not finished, not by a long shot.
Xxx
"The connections too slow. The storm will be over before I connect with a quarter of the networks." Rick muttered, starting to lose his control. "I have to speed up the process somehow or I'll never get out! Kilobyte will kill me before I can find a way to bring us back!"
To his surprise a messenger box appeared on the screen of his digital computer. There was no username on the box.
Only a simple word: Hello?
Not knowing what else to do Rick typed: Who are you?
You are attempting to access multiple networks at once. What you are trying to accomplish?
Rick frowned. Are you with the authorities?
I am Dr. Lyon and I am the lead scientist for a special project known as Project: Carthage. Now who are you and why is your signal coming from inside a game network?
Rick's eyes widened as he quickly typed. My name is Rick Hummel, I am trapped in a computer game I created and I'm trying to get out. I'm sending a copy of the program that I used to bring my game to life.
He clicked on the 'Send' button and waited.
…
…
…
This program is surprisingly complex for a video game and you've managed to create this program based off data from the Digital Sea.
"The Digital Sea?" Rick asked and then typed. Do you mean the DataStream?
The Digital Sea is the Internet in the form of a sea, endless lines of data and codes in the form of an ocean that when used right can create almost anything. Your DataStream is a cultivated version of the Digital Sea that acts as a conduit between your 'game' and the real world. That is why you attempting to connect with multiple networks in France, you are attempting to widen that conduit.
Rick's eyes widened in disbelief. You mean you have…Created programs like this before? How is that possible?
There is much the government has created without public knowing and this is one of them. Now that I know what is happening I'd like to offer you a way out.
Rick typed quickly. How do I get out?
I have something that can bring you back into the real world but I will need your help.
Rick frowned. What do I have to do?
I want you, Rick Hummel, to help me to get back into the real world.
Rick's eyes widened again. You are trapped in a game too?
In a manner of speaking. You can get out but I unfortunately cannot so in exchange for helping you I want to help me.
Rick was shocked but was still able to type. How do I get out?
I have a special program that when combines with yours, Rick, will allow you to enter the real world but not as an ordinary human. You'll be mass of data and electricity in the form of a human, much like what your program here seems to be able to do.
To show he was serious Lyon sent Rick the digital blue prints of the program he was talking about.
Rick looked over the blue prints and he was shocked by what he saw. Amazing.
Do we have a deal?
Rick quickly typed. Sure. Just get me out of here!
Xxx
"Wonderful." Lyon smirked as he uploaded the program.
The program was in fact the data codes for the copy of XANA which he had copied before he upgraded and restored it by fusing the data with the back-up data for the AI of Project: Carthage that had become the enemy of the Lyoko Warriors known as Nephilim. But by infusing the copies of the old codes along with program created by this digital human named Rick Hummel he would be able to cross over between the real world and the digital world. Rick could leave and then later with his guidance he would materialize Lyon back into the real world. He would finally be free of this digital prison and then he would get his revenge.
"XANA, Aelita, those brats…" Lyon whispered with a sinister grin. "They will all pay. All of them and I just found the perfect way to make it happen."
Xxx
Place your hand on the screen.
Rick didn't know what was about to happen and he didn't care. He placed his hand on the screen and a bright light traveled up his hand and through his body.
"PROGRAMMER!"
Rick's eyes widened in horror as Kilobyte knocked down the door, glaring at Rick with an enraged look on his face. "HURRY!"
"YOU BACK-STABBING FEEBLE WORM!" Kilobyte thrust his tentacles forward but the light engulfed Rick, turning him into a black cloud that was absorbed into the digital computer, gone from the Sixth Dimension.
Upon seeing his prisoner was gone Kilobyte reared his head back and let out an enraged howl that shook the foundations of the Sixth Dimension.
Xxx
France
Paris
It was raining and storming in France, the kind of weather that no one would want to be outside in. Inside an abandoned factory a series of computer screens came to life and a black smog like substance slowly leaked out of the screens, coming together on the floor and rising up, shaping itself into a human like form that slowly became more and more human.
"I AM BACK!" The now solidified Rick looked down at his body with an excited grin as he started dancing. "I AM BACK! I AM BACK IN THE REAL WORLD! RICK'S BACK AND KILOBYTE'S STUCK BACK IN THE GAME! WHHHHHHHHHOOOOOO-HHHHHHHOOOOO!"
Rick Hummel, the Master Programmer was free of the very world he created and he was ready to take on the world again.
But first he had some unfinished business with his creations and he had no intention of letting them defy him again.
Xxx
Location Unknown
The strange appearance of a human appearing in the factory did not go unnoticed. Somewhere on the digital plain of existence a dark and intelligent mind stirred as it sensed something. "Hm? A sudden burst of energy. I've never felt something like this before."
The mind quickly reached out and tried to locate the source of the energy source. It discovered the energy surge had allowed something to enter the real world through a series of computer in an abandoned factory.
And it wasn't just any abandoned factory.
"A specter…No, there's no tower involved. Whatever it is its mind is not bound to a digital domain and was able enter the real world in a complete spectre form and human body." The being stated, narrowing its eyes. "What's going on?"
He did not like being in the dark with a strange event like this. The idea of someone using the same of techniques as him was intolerable to him and he would not stand for anyone standing in his way, even if his dear little 'sister' was one of them.
"If someone is utilizing that kind of power they must have extensive knowledge of Lyoko and possibly me. If that's the case then I might possibly have another enemy, another Nephilim as an adversary. It seems Lyon is not done being a thorn in my side." The being smirked. "If he wants to play some more he should know what happens if he loses."
Oh yes, XANA was interested in this new turn of events and if he could use it against his sister and the warriors then he saw no reason to interfere.
Yet.
Xxx
France
Kadic Academy
"Mmm…" Aelita opened her eyes as she sat up on her bed and looked out the window, seeing the stormy weather. "…It's been a long time since I've seen a storm that bad."
Aelita could not help but feel the storm was some kind of omen.
Xxx
"So you're going off with your dad to France for a few weeks on a business trip while Ace is back in the game looking for Lady Illusion. You picked a heck of a time to leave, Mark." Kat said with a small smile as she and Mark walked back to the Hollander house.
"I didn't exactly pick a time, Kat but I want let you that Chuck and Sparx will keep an eye on things here." Mark replied.
"So I guess asking for an interview is out of the question?" Kat asked rhetorically.
"Kat, I talked to you about this before." Mark sighed as he stopped walking, making Kat stop as well. "We can't go around telling everyone about this and besides, Lord Fear's on the run and Sparx's already refused to be interviewed."
"Fine." Kat sighed reluctantly.
Ever since that night at the Carnival where Kat had learned Mark's secret life she had been hoping to make a story in the Conestoga Hills High School Journalism section about it but Mark, Ace, and Sparx refused any attempt by her to interview them. It had gone without saying that Kat was disappointed but she stopped pushing the issue a few days later.
"So, you remember to send me pictures?" Kat changed the subject.
"Yeah. Just a few weeks of nothing but museums, historic sites, and anything non-super hero related." Mark nodded with a small smile.
"I'm surprised you won't die of boredom." Kat said as she kissed Mark on the cheek.
Xxx
Sixth Dimension
The House of Illusion
Monkeys dressed as clowns were all over the fence surrounding a small house with pink and purple striped walls and a purple roof. The gates to the house were made of candy canes which would have been as odd to anyone from the real world if they were to come upon this house. Inside the house a woman sat in a large white chamber with a large crystal ball in the center of the room. The woman was none other than the owner of the house, Lady Illusion.
Lady Illusion was Lord Fear's second in command and former lover but had betrayed him when she fell in love with Ace Lightning and saved him on many occasions. It had been rough due to her jealously of Ace and Sparx's partnership, Staff Head blackmailing her, and Lord Fear's wrath for her betrayal but it has been worth it in the end. Now she was back in the Sixth Dimension, alone and with only the creatures created to guard her home for company. She hoped Ace was all right but knew that he had been saddened by her loss.
She knew Lord Fear would betray him once they had defeated Kilobyte and she knew once Kilobyte was defeated Lord Fear would be strong enough to destroy Ace.
So she knocked Ace out and took his place in the final battle, willingly taking an upgraded blast to the back from Lord Fear's staff. At least in the end she faded back to the Sixth Dimension in her love's arms and knew that he loved her. But now that she was here she had to be careful because Kilobyte was in the Sixth Dimension and if he found out about her betrayal there was no doubt that he would tear her apart with his bare hands. For now she would wait in her home for a sign that let her know it was time to leave and find a way to reunite with her love.
"Ace, you shouldn't have come here. Kilobyte will know you're here and he'll use you to escape back to the mortal world." Lady Illusion whispered as she looked into the crystal ball. "Hold on for me, Ace. I will find a way to be with you again."
It showed her beloved in the Sixth Dimension looking for her. She had to hurry and find him before Kilobyte did.
Xxx
Conestoga Hills
Airport
The Conestoga Hills airport was as busy as it was any other day with people arriving or leaving. Mark and his father were already in line waiting to show their passports and have their luggage taken onto the plane. While Mark was waiting in line he didn't noticed the man in the dark coat and hat a few feet behind him, shaking uncontrollably. The man was looking back and forth for some reason and kept his head down whenever anyone looked at him.
Too bad it wasn't enough to keep a certain pair of eyes from finding him.
"There you are, Cheese-man. And you're hanging out with Ace's side kick huh?" The Dirty Rat snickered as he looked down at the line from a window. "Taking a trip are we? Not without Lord Fear, you aren't!"
He quickly took off into the air and flew back to where Lord Fear was hiding to tell him the news. Ace's sidekick and the teacher heading somewhere and that was not good as Lord Fear needed the teacher's help to bring the gang back. And if they captured Lightning's sidekick as well then they could force Ace to give them pieces of the Amulet in exchange for the safe return of the side kick. Mark looked up when he thought he heard something but saw nothing on the window.
For some reason Mark felt like he was about to take part in another big adventure. As he walked to the gate he sent a message to his friend, Pete.
"It looks I'm going on another vacation and I'm kind of worried, Pete. Ace is back in the Sixth Dimension, possibly looking for Lady Illusion. Sparx and Chuck are in charge of things until either me or Ace get back and I have to believe things will be okay. After all we've been though, I know better than anyone even if Lord Fear and Kilobyte never give up, neither will Ace and as long he's got me, Sparx and Chuck we might have a chance to win this game once and for all. Until then, I guess you just believe your friends can hold out."