Back at Kadic Academy, Jeremy sat in his room doing homework. It was to easy really. Jeremy smirked as he answered another seemingly complex problem. Jeremy's computer gave a little beep, and after looking at the latest pop up on the screen he put his head back down to finish his work. His mind suddenly let off an alarm and Jeremy jumped up, running to the computer.

"That can't be..." He whispered in shock, looking at a screen he hadn't seen in years.

It was for Lyoko.

As suddenly as the box had popped up, the screen disappeared. Jeremy shook his head trying to make sense of what had happened. Impossible! He thought, trying to reason with himself. We shut Lyoko down years ago, it had to have been my imagination. Jeremy decided, and also decided he needed some air. All this homework must be getting to me. Jeremy thought, leaving the room just as another Lyoko window popped up.

~(0)~

As suddenly as Yumi had turned the machine on, she turned it off. Why'd she even turn it on? There wasn't anything here for her anymore. But, I wanted to remember my first time as a Lyoko Warrior. A small voice whispered in her mind, and Yumi knew that was the truth. She had been young and naïve then, but now she was stronger and tougher. Lily had helped her more than her friends with being a better warrior. Amazingly, the sunshiny girl was actually a tough as steel, powerful fighter. Lily was the one who had taught her how to be quicker, stronger, a more experienced warrior. Lily had taught her more tricks with her fan, too. Apparently, if you twisted the fan, spike jutted out! It was just perfect for hand to hand combat. But, you had your friends before. The voice at the back of Yumi's head said quietly, and once again it was right.

Friends were better than anything, and that was all there was to it.

Sometimes, Yumi wondered if she had given up her friends to fight RITA. Taking another breath, Yumi flicked the power switch back up, turning Lyoko on again. Biting her lip, Yumi headed back upstairs and carefully lowered herself into Jeremy's chair. The screen in front of her flickered to life, showing a battle on Lyoko. There was Lily and Theo, fighting the dumb ninjas and dragons that RITA had thrown their way. While her friends were fighting, Yumi noticed a new figure arrive on the scene. The girl was dressed in pure black with vivid red hair and eyes, and a smirk was on her face. Like RITA's minions, this girl joined the fight, but instead of actually going at the Blast twins, this new girl pointed her hands at the Lyoko Warriors, and a dark, ominous, black mist shot out of her hands. RITA's creatures all backed away from the smoke, leaving Yumi's friends stuck in the middle of the darkness.

"RITA, you took long enough!" Theo called out, but then doubled over coughing.

"Of course, you little pest." RITA 2.0 purred. "And where is the other one? The despicable human who killed my mother?" RITA hissed, and Yumi was surprised a virus could take human shape. Since when was that possible? "My little minions bore me, but you two will do nicely." RITA finally decided. "A Lyoko Warrior at my disposal, this could be fun. You're mine!" RITA hissed, shooting the black smoke straight at Yumi's friends. The smoke engulfed the duo, and Yumi's friends fell to the floor coughing and gasping for breath. When the two finally stood up, their eyes were red and held the 'R' for RITA.

They had been RITAfied.

"No!" Theo choked out. "Yumi, help...get...help."

"She's not...not..here...Theo." Lily gasped out as RITA's control became permanent.

"Well, that was easy. Come along now, the third little warrior should be coming to your rescue any day now." RITA smiled, and she turned to walk away. All of RITA's creatures followed her, including Lily and Theo.

"Lily! Theo! No!" Yumi screamed in horror. They were gone, RITA had her friends. She was doomed. Just, doomed. There had to be something, but what could she do? There was only one thing she could do. Yumi realized, and picking up her phone Yumi started dialing.

~(0)~

A little while later Yumi was standing in the middle of the forest, on top of the manhole cover leading to the sewers. She was a little nervous about this meeting, and so she decided to stand atop the sewer entrance so they wouldn't know. But Yumi knew they wouldn't be fooled, they knew the way to the super computer, to Lyoko. Beneath her feet in the sewer were scooters, skateboards, and a bike, ready to race once again. But her friends had to show, and they had to believe her.

"What's up, Yumi?" Odd asked when the old Lyoko Warriors gathered about her.

"I have to tell you guys something." Yumi admitted.

"What's wrong Yumi?" Aelita asked curiously.

"I have a secret, and you aren't gonna like it." Yumi replied nervously. "I need some help, I need your help. I've been battling in Lyoko for the past 3 months." Yumi sighed, relieved she had finally told them the truth. Now, they just had to believe it.

Only problem, would they?