An Abstract Truth: A Code Lyoko Fanfiction

Chapter 4: Adapting

MaDmAN's NoTE: So we finally get into the new version of the story. Sorry to anyone who liked the old storyline, but I just couldn't think of how to word some of the advancements, and the wolf subplot I put in had literally no point. There are some other things I've changed. All changes that have been made are because of later parts of my story's plan that contradicted what I had written so far.

Also, I plan on making all future chapters be from 3,000 words to 5,000 words. Why? Well it takes less time to write than a longer chapter, and it's easier to remember where you were on a shorter chapter. Plus I normally stop writing a chapter when I find a good spot to stop. I might then go back and add a bit of filler to the chapter.

Day 9 of being crippled:

So today I found out a fair bit that, due to being sworn to secrecy, I will not write here. Thanks to these explanations, however, I've been able to understand roughly why I may be capable of doing all these tricks with electricity. They also put me in one of those tubes from my visions. After I came out of it, I actually stopped having said visions, and it all sort of became clear-ish.

I've also begun working on controlling my electrical output. Maybe I'll be able to eat without holding the silverware with gloves or napkins again soon.

I.M.

Day 15 of being crippled:

So the principal's daughter has still been stopping by every once in a while. It's rather nice talking to her, it's kind of a relief to hear about someone with such relatively normal problems actually, when I have to deal with lightning coming from my fingertips randomly. We don't actually talk about anything that important apart from the 'therapy' parts, mostly it's just her telling me about gossip and rumors around the school. I've also begun talking to William in a similar way, and oddly enough he also feels kinda left out by Ulrich's group. I wonder if this is a running theme around the school.

Anyway, today some things happened leading to a RttP, causing me to have to re-write this entry. However, it should be noted that during those events, I figured out two things: the first was how to stop myself from zapping things by accident, while the other was how to shoot ACTUAL LIGHTNING BOLTS from my hands. Yeah. It's awesome, but also really painful to do if I charge it too much.

I.M.

PS: Also, I just realized after writing this that if anyone actually read this I'd be doomed. However, I've already written this much, so there isn't really any reason to stop.

Day 36 of being crippled:

So I haven't written in here for a couple weeks, but not much has really happened. I mean classes have been going fine, I've helped out with some problems that would have otherwise likely led to RttPs, I've made some more friends, and my electricity manipulation has improved a bit, but not much has really happened worth noting. I'm getting REALLY bored if you couldn't tell. I just hope that once I'm recovered I can get my lower body to catch up to my upper body quickly. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that a while ago: I've been lifting weights so that at least my upper body is getting a workout during P.E. classes, and I've gotten a tiny bit of muscle on my arms and chest.

I.M.

Day 48 of being crippled:

I've finally recovered enough that I can use crutches. I still sometimes use the wheelchair on more painful days, but the crutches are SO much more convenient. Not much else to talk about lately though. It's really just the same old song and dance at this point. I'll write more if anything happens

I.M.

Day 75 of being crippled:

It's been a while again, book. Sorry for not writing but literally nothing worth writing down has happened lately, apart from the fact that there's like a week until I'm given the OK to be walking again. Unfortunately I won't be able to do any activities that could strain my legs, like running, or doing sports, or practicing with my weapons, for another two weeks after the cast is removed from my leg. An update on the electricity, I can not hold in the flow from my body for about 8 hours continuously if I really try.

I.M.

Day 81 of being crippled:

I finally got out of the cast today. I guess tomorrow should be labeled 'Day 1 of being able to stand again' or something. Anyway, after I got back from getting the cast removed I had a few congratulations on my recovery from some of the people at the school.

It also occurred to me today that this is almost the end of my third month at Kadic, and Summer Break seems to be approaching kind of quickly. I'll be staying in the dorms over the summer anyway, so it's not that big of a deal for me.

I.M.

The next week, Tuesday, Early morning, Kadic Academy courtyard (May) [AN: Yes, I've started placing the month of the year in the first point of the chapter. This will only be the case for chapters that aren't directly running off of previous chapters]

"Hey Guys," Ivan called, approaching Ulrich, Jeremy, Odd, and Aelita, who were sitting on/standing around the usual bench, "What's up?"

"Not much. X.A.N.A. is still being quiet, the third party are still controlling the fifth sector's tower, and another mock-test is coming up." Odd complained, clearly bored, "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I actually kind of wish something would happen to just make things exciting around here for a bit."

"I know what you mean," Ivan replied, a small smile forming a little, "Though I kind of hope it doesn't involve X.A.N.A."

"Yeah, bu-" Ulrich was cut off as the bell went, "Never mind, let's get to class."

Several hours later, the school day was finally over, with students mostly just wandering the campus at this point in the day, with Jeremy, Aelita, and Ivan sitting in Jeremy's room, with Jeremy on his computer, Aelita looking over his shoulder, giving advice, and Ivan just sitting on the bed.

"So here's a thought." Ivan began, breaking the silence, "I haven't actually been to Lyoko in of itself. Maybe it would be better in the long run if I were to be sent there before X.A.N.A. actually attacks, so that if/when he does, I won't have to adjust to whatever I have there on the spot."

Jeremy was silent for a few seconds before responding, as though weighing the situation, "We don't really have much else to do, I guess. I'll call up the others and see if anyone else wants to tag along." With that, Jeremy pulled out his phone, and began writing out a text to the remaining three members of the group.

"Cool, I'll meet you at the factory then." Ivan said, excitement starting to creep into his mind a bit as he got up and left.

About a minute after Ivan left, Jeremy put his phone away, and looked at Aelita, "The message is sent, so we can go anytime."

"Yeah, let's go." Aelita confirmed, as Jeremy shut down his computer before the two left the room.

"So is this everyone today?" Ivan asked, everyone apart from one German had shown up at the factory entrance.

"Yeah, Ulrich has football practice today, so he won't be available for another hour or two." Yumi said, as the group walked to the elevator. The ride down was oddly silent as nobody seemed to be able to think of anything to talk about.

As the doors opened the first time, however, and Jeremy got out, the silence was broken as he spoke, "Ivan, could you go after I've virtualized all of them? I think it might go a bit smoother if your avatar is created without having to load the others simultaneously." He requested, looking back at the group.

"Sure. I mean I've waited what, three months now? What's another 30 or so seconds?" Ivan said with a slight grin as the doors shut again, and the elevator descended to a floor that had three metal tubes sticking out of the floor, the ground behind them covered in wires and tubes leading into them.

As Yumi, Odd, and Aelita stepped into the scanners, Ivan decided to glance around the room, notacing that despite the appaent age of the place, it was rather recent looking, and modern in comparison to the factory above, and a lot cleaner. As Ivan was looking around the room a little and just taking in the details, Jeremy's voice came through the intercom, speaking with Authority, "Scanner: Odd. Transfer: Yumi. Transfer: Aelita. Transfer: Odd. Transfer: Yumi. Transfer: Aelita. Virtualization." With the last word, the scanners opened, and a bit of smoke came out, but apart from that the tubes were empty. With a shrug, Ivan climbed into the closest one, and turned to watch the doors close, sealing him off from the rest of the room, before Jeremy's voice came back in.

"Scanner: Ivan. Transfer: Ivan. Virtualization." Ivan saw the tube flash with a bright, slightly yellow light, and felt the air in the tube whip around him, and suddenly everything stopped, and the light in the tube turned red. Then the doors opened up and he heard an alarm-like sound coming from the tube.

"Jeremy, what's going on?" Ivan asked,stepping out of the tube, and noticing he was in the exact same place. As he got completely out of it, the alarm stopped, as did the red lights.

"It seems you can't be virtualized on lyoko." Jeremy said over the intercom, shocked at the outcome. "It might be because of your ability, as it's possible that the electric field you produce is enough to mess with the scanner's functions."

Note to self: They're called scanners Ivan thought to himself, before responding "I guess it's not really a big deal. I mean I'm sure I would be of more help here than there anyway in the event of an actual att-." Ivan was cut off as the alarms blared again "Oh what now?!" He shouted, thoroughly annoyed at the situation.

"Exactly what you were about to say, actually. Good thing Aelita, Odd, and Yumi are already on Lyoko." Jeremy said, his voice getting a bit more of a 'in command' kind of tone to it. "I'm not sure what the tower is doing yet, but due to his football practice I can't contact Ulrich. Could you go back to the school and let him know what's happening?"

"On my way." Ivan said, before stepping into the elevator, and, being careful not to let any electricity out, pressed the button for the ground floor.

Around the same time on Lyoko, in the mountain sector.

"Alright Einstien, what's happening?" Odd asked, blocking an attack from a kankrelat before hitting it with a laser arrow.

"Activated tower, I've sent you the coordinates and your vehicles are loading now." Jeremy said, right before the overboard appeared in front of the feline warrior, and the overwing in front of Aelita and Yumi. "Unfortunately, the third party seems to be staying out of this one, so you're on your own this time."

"It's no big deal. I mean we've been the only ones that could deal with X.A.N.A. until now, so we should be able to handle him easily enough." Aelita said in a kind tone, climbing onto the overwing with Yumi. Both vehicles began flying through the air in the direction of the tower.

Back with Ivan, Kadic Academy, football field

When Ivan arrived, he was slightly relieved to see that the football team was taking a short break for water. "Hey Ulrich."

Ulrich turned to face Ivan "Hey Ivan, something up?"

Ivan took in a short breath of air before summarizing the situation, "A tower was activated. Odd Yumi and Aelita are already on Lyoko dealing with it. I was sent to tell you in case the effects are in this area." Ulrich's face turned serious for a moment, before Ivan continued "Don't keep that expression on. We don't want people to know anything is wrong. Anyway, you keep watch over this area. I'll look over the rest of the school and the forest." With that, Ivan turned around and walked to the main school buildings, hearing the team getting back to practice.

It didn't take Ivan long to get to the main building's roof, and as he walked through the door onto it, he raised an eyebrow at what he saw. For before him was a man in jeans, with a black t-shirt, black trainers, and a black baseball cap. "Yo, do you have any idea how hard it was for us to find you?"

"... What?" Was all Ivan said, unable to recognize the person. "Seriously who are you?"

The man smirked, "My name is unimportant. I need you to come with me. Normally we'd send in a strike team to retrieve an instance of your kind, but seeing how you've acted up to this point, we've figured it would be safe enough to try diplomacy. Now please, follow me." The man said "Oh, and don't worry about your friends on the virtual world. They'll be fine."

"How do you know about-"

"Please, follow me." The man said again, walking past Ivan, and back down the stairs.

This guy knows about lyoko... I need to know what he knows. Ivan thought to himself, silently wishing he had a cell phone as he followed the man.

Back on Lyoko

"Alright Jeremy, the tower's deactivated." Aelita said, "Has anything happened?"

"Just some traffic lights going haywire, and a few minor accidents, a couple small injuries, but nothing too serious. We don't need to return to the past this time."

"Traffic lights?" Odd asked, confused "Doesn't that seem a bit lightweight for X.A.N.A. to be doing?"

"We don't understand how he works, Odd." Jeremy said, "This might not have been an attack, as much as a threat."

One hour later, Location Unknown

Ivan was sitting in a small room, similar to those interrogation rooms you see in cop shows all the time, one table, two chairs, a mirror that you could see on the outside was a window, concrete walls, the usual. After following the man out of the school, they caught a bus into town, and eventually ended up going into a back alley. The inside of the door was just a stairway that lead deep underground. In fact, most of the hour was spent just going down those stairs.

Eventually, the stairs ended, revealing a rather professional looking establishment. White, almost shining walls, sliding doors of a dull grey metal, key pads and key-card scanners, etc etc. Ivan was lead through so many hallways he knew he wouldn't be able to find his way out by himself if he tried. Eventually he was lead to the room he was now in, and the man told him one thing "Someone who can answer your questions without being fired will be here shortly." With that, he was left there.

That wasn't even five minutes ago, and Ivan knew the door wasn't locked. However, not wanting to get lost in this place was more than enough incentive to stay put in the room.

A sudden clicking sound of the door being opened pulled Ivan's attention to a man entering the room, unlike the man that lead him here. This man was wearing a full black suit, complete with a black tie, and black leather shoes. He had slicked back blond hair "Hello there, Mr. Miller. Unfortunately, company policy prevents me from telling you my name, but if you want you can refer to me as Hamlet."

Ivan raised an eyebrow at this, "Hamlet?"

"All our code-names are Shakespeare references... Our supervisor REALLY likes the plays." Hamlet muttered the last part, seeming a little annoyed at his code name.

"... I suppose it doesn't matter." Ivan said after several seconds, "I was told you would be able to answer my questions."

Hamlet let out a sigh, "That depends on what you want to know."

"Okay, well then I guess first of all... Who are you people and why was I brought here?"

Hamlet raised his eyebrows at this, "I thought it would take a while to get to that question." He said, surprised, before answering. "We are the Foundation. We locate, capture, and hide anomalies that the world is not ready for, or that are dangerous to the world itself. We brought you here because you are an instance of one such anomaly."

"So what, am I never going to leave or something?" Ivan asked, raising an eyebrow.

"No. Nothing like that. Unless you become a threat, of course." Hamlet said coldly "You were brought here for a proposal from our side. You will remain free to do as you wish, bar anything illegal, or that would jeopardize our group, but, every once in a while we may... call on you for assistance." He finished, letting the message sink into a surprised Ivan.

"So basically I work for you, and I get to not be hunted down like a rabid dog?" Ivan summarized.

Hamlet paused, before laughing a little, "Well if you want to be blunt about it, yeah, though you will get a few benefits as well."

"... Such as?" Ivan pressed a little, deciding to test his luck in the situation.

"You will be compensated for your assistance, obviously, as well as being provided with weapons of your choice during missions that may involve combat. We will also provide you with these." Hamlet pulled out a small pill bottle from his jacket, and placed it on the table. "Taking one will stop your abilities as an instance of SCP (Redacted) for up to 6 hours. As you can mostly do that on your own. These would mostly be for instances such as metal detectors, or other things that your electricity would interfere with. Finally, you will also be taught multiple skills you may need on missions, such as building a temporary shelter, hunting, general survival, and driving."

"Driving?" Ivan asked, confused by the last skill on the list.

"You don't expect us to take your hand and walk you to the missions, do you?" Hamlet asked, with a small smile on his face.

Ivan was silent for a moment. "I think we have a deal" He finally said, a smile spreading across his face as well.

"In that case, we'll need to get you initiated... Oh, and you'll need to meet some of the local agents you'll be working with." With that, Hamlet stood up, and walked to the door, "Follow me, Agent Seyton."