Chapter 2

Jeremy was in the lowest portion of the factory activating the supercomputer when the rest of the LYOKO warriors arrived.

"Aelita told us what happened. How is XANA still alive?" Ulrich asked.

"I don't know, but he's back on LYOKO so that means that we have to stop him again. Get to the scanners, I'll prep everything." He said as he finished activating the computer. They then went up to the scanners and prepared to go to LYOKO.

"Transfer Ulrich, transfer Yumi, transfer Odd. Scanner Ulrich, scanner Yumi, scanner Odd. Virtualization." Jeremy said as he entered the keystrokes that sent them to LYOKO "You're heading to the Mountain sector." He said as he prepared to send Aelita and William.

The three of them landed in the middle of the path wearing the outfits that they had the last time they had been there. Ulrich was wearing his form fitting brown and yellow jump suit with his two swords on his back. Yumi wore a purple and pink body suit with flowered shoulder pads, a yellow sash tied to her back, and her two metal fans. Odd had a slim full body suit, purple markings on his face, a cat tail, and cat ears. After a few seconds Aelita and William dropped down with them. William had a full white jump side and carried a massive buster sword. Aelita wore a pink and black form fitting outfit with the small extension on her back with the wings that she could use for a short time.

"The tower is located a few meters to the southwest. There are no enemies on the radar, but that could change soon." Jeremy said. They then began to head towards the tower when suddenly the small path in front of them was destroyed in a flash of light.

"What was that?" William asked.

"I don't know. There was nothing on the radar. I'll just try to recalibrate the scanners." Jeremy said exasperated. Frantically he typed until something came up.

"I found something. There's something on top of a nearby mountain. I don't have a clear reading on it."

"Got it Jeremy." Aelita said. They moved quickly and found a way around the gap. As they approach the tower another flash of light struck in front of them, stopping them in their tracks.

"Jeremy?!" Odd yelled.

"I got it. Whatever that thing is it's hiding itself, but the scanners have been altered. I have it! I'm not sure exactly what it is but it should be in front of the tower." The smoke then cleared and they saw the enemy. He was tall and carried a long katana. He wore all black pants and a black sleeveless shirt. His left arm had a spiraling tattoo of a Chinese dragon with the tail starting on the shoulder and the head ending on the palm of his hand. The oddest thing was the mask that covered his face. It was mostly white with three red lines that evenly separated it into six quadrants.

"What kind of monster is that?" Odd asked.

"I don't know. There is no data on it." Jeremy said.

"I am a he." The warrior said.

"What the?" Ulrich muttered.

"I am a male. Therefore I would be a he, not an it." The warrior said simply.

"Who are you? I have never seen anything like you on LYOKO." Aelita asked.

"I doubt you would have. My name is Crimson, the dragon master. I work for XANA." Crimson replied.

"Then you are our enemy." William said.

"That is true. This tower will do nothing in your world. It is simply meant to restore XANA's strength. So consider this simply an introduction. A chance to meet each other." He said.

"So this was just a setup?" Odd asked.

"I guess you could say that." With a quick look between the five of them they nodded and struck. Odd began firing the laser arrows while Yumi sent the fans flying at Crimson. With a quick motion he used the sheathe to block the attacks. While the others attacked Ulrich and William moved in close to fight. William swung the sword in a downward arc, which Crimson blocked. Ulrich ran up Williams back and slashed at his enemies head but Crimson was too fast and slid under William, taking out his legs. Turning quickly Ulrich took out both his swords and began to use short quick slashes to try and deal damage but Crimson merely dodged the slashes without even drawing his blade. During all of this Aelita ran towards the tower to deactivate it. Before she reached the tower it deactivated.

"No." Aelita whispered.

"Well that is that." Crimson smiled.

"Not yet." Ulrich growled. He then created two copies of himself and began to attack. Crimson dodged all six of the swords that were being swung at him for several minutes until he moved away with intent in his eyes.

"Since you seem determined to be devirtualized I will oblige you." Crimson said as he took a fighting stance with the sheathe in his left hand and his right holding the hilt "Watch carefully. I will show you one of my fastest techniques." He then took a step forward while unsheaving his sword. As the sword was drawn a flash of light shined and before Ulrich could realize it he was coming out of the scanner.

"What happened?" he asked.

"He destroyed you." Odd said as he helped him up "When he drew that sword a beam of light came with it and took you out."

"Are you going to be okay Ulrich?" Yumi asked as she walked over.

"Yeah. I never saw that attack coming." He muttered. He moved out of the scanner as the doors closed and brought back Aelita and William.

"He gave us the name of the attack as he left. Said that it was called Crescent Draw." Yumi said as they moved over by the elevator.

"Crimson the dragon master. He was toying with us today." Ulrich said.

"No kidding." William muttered as he walked out of the scanner "If we want to beat him we are going to need some serious training." With silent agreement they headed into the elevator and to head back to Kadik each with the disturbing image of Crimson destroying Ulrich with a single slash.