Code X

Chapter Ten - Reunion

Zero and Axl, the two skilled hunters, suffered a painful defeat to the mysterious Bass. Thier pride was hurt. But it went farther than that. They were hurt from the story Protoman told them as well. What were they supposed to feel? Both of them could turn Maverick at any minute.

X wasn't too happy with the story either. His best friend...killed his creator? It's because of him that he doesn't know anything about himself or his past? The pain wouldn't disappear.

Ulrich and the others were also effected by the story. It reminded them that they should always stay as close as possible. They thought back to the times Xana tricked them into fighting each other. That made thier friendships stronger and closer. They knew if they would have had to go through learning something like that, they'd be in serious pain too.

Protoman, feeling like a third wheel, decided to do something to help everyone out.

"Why don't we go out and patrol some areas? With the eight of us, it shouldn't take that long."

He waited for a response. X and the other hunters continued looking sadly into the floor. Odd jumped out of his seat.

"Ya know, Proto is right. We need to get off our butts and do something! Come on guys, what do ya say?"

The group remained silent and waited for something more suitable to be suggested. As if by signal, a siren went off saying "INTRUDER ALERT! INTRUDER ALERT!" They all jumped up and Signas's voice came over the intercom "The intruders are located in the training facility. Please, leave it to the professional Hunters to take care of the situation!"

Automatically, the group looked at each other, nodded, and ran off in the direction of the training facility. Each of them running at full speed, every member's attittude was serious. Not even Odd was able to joke about this. After all, what if Bass came back with a new partner? The announcement did say "intruders" after all.

Jeremy and the future Zero arrived into the Maverick Hunter building. Immediately, sirens started going off and red lights began flashing. The two looked around confusedly. A maverick hunter came to the computer, as the two were in the training room, and activated a maze like area filled with enemy reploids.

"What!? What's going on here?" Jeremy shouted. He wasn't the only one confused. Zero was confused as to why they would attack him when he looked only slightly different from his past self.

The two of them looked around as steel walls surrounded them and enemies appeared in front of them. Zero and Jeremy pulled out their weapons, a saber and a long naginata – a type of spear, and began hacking and slashing their way through the 'roids as they searched for an exit.

"Tch, some welcoming party," Zero groaned as he cut another foe down.

"Tell me about it. I thought this was supposed to be safe!?" Jeremy complained.

"You're telling me kid!"

As the two arugued, they stopped, seeing in front of them a large squad of fighters comprised of the Lyoko gang, the Maverick Hunters, and Protoman.

"Guys!? Is that you!?" Jeremy shouted, exciteed to see his friends after all this time.

"Hey who are you?" Yumi asked, unknowning of the person in front of her. None of them have seen that form before.

"It's Jeremy. So X, Zero, Axl, recognize me?" The future Zero asked. The hunters stared as the looked at the Zero in front of them. It was true he looked like Zero, but they weren't sure how it was possible that there could be two Zeroes. It had to be a fake.

The two sighed. Zero began talking again. "I am the future Zero. I come from the year 22XX. I am here to help you. I brought along Jeremy, from the year 2006, so the two of us can help you to stop the problem you guys are going to encounter."

"Is it Bass!?" Axl shouted.

He shook his head. "No…it's the two of you," he said pointing at Axl and Zero.

"That's a lie!" X shouted.

"Actually," a familiar said, "I think he might be right!"

Everyone turned to see William, his blade pointing at them. His face was wearing that cruel and evil smirk he always seeemed to wear since Xana had posseded him. He had black and red clothing on and his blade was that of a buster blade, a large sided blade with a small hilt.

"William!? What are you doing here!?" Ulrich shouted. He'd never liked William, whether he was controlled by Xana or not. This was because Yumi had more of a crush on William than him.

"He must've followed us through the portal!" Jeremy shouted.

Axl looked at him and laughed. "So what? He's just some kid right? Let's take him down!" He aimed his gun and started firing.

"Axl! Don't!" X shouted. He knew they wouldn't be concerned if it was just a common enemy. William smirked and quickly swung his blade around and deflected Axl's bullets back to the group, forcing them to duck to dodge them.

William raised his blade into the air and black fog escaped from his blade and covered the room, making what few enemy 'roids were left, go hay-wire and have Xana's odd, circular symbol on them. The 'roids then charged at them.

"Shooters! Take them out! Close fighters! Team up with me and we'll take him out!" The future Zero shouted. It seemed he had become accustomed to giving orders, seeing as how he was the only one to give them in his time.

Immediately, the group listened to him. Aelita, Axl, Odd, Protoman, and X, began shooting at the rouge training machines, and the two Zeros, Ulrich, and Jeremy, rushed in against William.

Author - Dun Dun Dun! What will happen in the battle? Who will win?

William – Does he always do this?

Bass – Yup.

Author – Tune in next time to find out!