Chapter 53: Reunited

Abandoned Factory-Computer Lab

Aelita: WHAT?! Are you serious?

Jeremy: I'm serious Aelita. We'll be over there soon.

Aelita: Okay, we'll wait here.

Aelita ended the call and turned to face Natalie, Alexis, and Mariah, who looked at her confused when she said that they'll wait at the lab. But before any of them could ask, the elevator doors opened revealing Gary and Jonah, who had just come from the gym after XANA's attack, with the "Best Costume Contest" trophy still with them.

Gary: G'day ladies. What did we miss?

Mariah: Mrs. Belpois was actually just about to tell us.

Natalie: By the way, what's with the trophy?

Jonah: Oh, it turns out that Gary and I actually tied for the "Best Costume Contest" win. We both won it.

Alexis: Oh, congrats you two. Now what were you saying ma'am?

Aelita: Right, Jeremy and the others are on their way here to the factory. Reason being, is because it's time to bring my father home.

Gang: What? Seriously?

Aelita: Indeed.

Aelita began to think back to all the memories she had with her father during her young life before all the Lyoko and XANA mess happened and then began wondering what it would be like to see her father again after so many years. The gang could see her thinking and respectfully stayed silent as they waited for Jeremy and the rest of the warriors to arrive. They didn't have to wait that much longer, as 10 minutes later the elevator doors opened again and this time revealed Jeremy, Odd, Ulrich, Yumi, and William. Without wasting a moment, Jeremy jumped into the revolving chair and faced the screen. He took a disc case out of his coat pocket and inserted the disc that contained Franz Hopper's program. But before he could run it, he had to bring Hopper out of hiding first. He then had an idea on how to do it. He turned to Gary and Jonah.

Jeremy: Since the party's over, let's get you two back on Lyoko and get you out of your forms. While you're at it, see if you can lure Franz Hopper out of hiding.

Jonah: And how do you expect us to do that exactly?

Jeremy: I don't know. Sweet talk?

Gary: Hardy har har. Come on Jonah.

So the two young warriors descended down to the scanner room and stepped inside. A few moments later, they were virtualized in the Desert Sector again. Whilst Jeremy prepped the Reversed Energizing Program, Gary and Jonah scanned around the dusty sector looking for Lyoko's Creator.

Gary: Hello? Mr. Franz Hopper? This is Gary and Jonah of the young Lyoko Warriors here!

Jonah: XANA's latest attack on Earth has been stopped so it's all clear for you to come out!

Gary: Mr. Belpois said that your materialization program is ready, but he can't run it without you being here in our presence!

Suddenly, they heard a loud splashing sound coming from the Digital Sea.

Gary: You hear that mate?

Jonah: Yeah...you think that's him?

They soon got their answer as suddenly, a large purple and white energy orb rose from below the plateau and floated gracefully down in front of the youngsters.

Jeremy: There he is.

The rest of the warriors gathered around Jeremy and looked at the screen to see Lyoko's very creator now in sight.

Jeremy: Tell him that I'm going to bring you guys back first before him. Then, he has to go to a way tower in order for the program to work.

Jonah: Right. Mr. Belpois said that he's going to bring us back to Earth first. Then, you have to go to a way tower. The program won't work if you're out here. Then afterwards, he'll launch your materialization program to bring you back.

The young warriors really wished that Hopper was able to communicate to them, but without having a Lyoko form, it was impossible to do. But Jeremy did receive a message from Franz just as Jonah finished speaking. He read it out.

Jeremy: I understand. You two go first. I will wait my turn. Okay boys, I'm reversing the Energizing Program.

Jeremy pressed the ENTER key on the keyboard and in an instant, the two young warriors were devirtualized. The two scanners whirred back into life and when they opened up, Gary and Jonah stepped out now back in their normal Earth attire.

Gary: Ah that's more like it.

Jonah: I miss having my Lyoko form on Earth already.

Gary playfully shoved Jonah as the two friends ascended up the ladder to the Computer Lab, where the rest of the warriors were waiting for them. They gathered around Jeremy, who just received another message from Hopper.

Jeremy: I have located a nearby Way Tower. I'm on my way there now.

So the warriors waited as Franz Hopper floated away towards the Way Tower. Luckily, it wasn't very far away, as he reached it within a relatively quick time. He went inside the tower and floated in the center of the lower platform. He then sent another message to Jeremy.

Jeremy: Alright Jeremy, I'm ready to come home.

He then turned to Aelita.

Jeremy: You ready to see your father again?

Aelita smiled widely.

Aelita: I'm ready. Run the program.

Jeremy: Running the program now. Code: Earth!

Jeremy pressed the ENTER key once again and began running the complex program. Inside the Way Tower, Franz Hopper's energy orb shape slowly ascended upwards a bit. Then, he slowly started to disintegrate until there was nothing left. Hopper had vanished. Jeremy and the warriors could hear the whirring sound of one of the scanners below them. Aelita was the first to climb down the ladder towards the scanner room with the rest of the warriors following in pursuit. They quickly gathered around the middle scanner and waited for the moment of truth. After what seemed like ages, the scanner door slowly opened and a plume of mist flooded out. It covered the warriors faces preventing them from seeing if the program worked, but when the mist cleared, there laying in the scanner was a man that looked to be in his mid to late 50's, gray hair and mustache, and wore a red turtleneck shirt with a white lab coat over it, long khaki pants, black shoes, and a pair of circular glasses over his eyes. The man groaned as he started to wake up. Slowly, his eyes opened but his vision was blurry. But after a few moments, his visioned cleared up and he could see that he was surrounded by the young and old warriors. The warriors were astonished and Aelita smiled widely as several tears trickled down her face. The program had worked to perfection.

Hopper: Aelita...

Aelita: Welcome home Daddy!

Hopper stood to his feet and hugged his daughter tightly for the first time in 3 decades. A round of applause erupted from the rest of the warriors as the father and daughter were reunited at last.

Hopper: Aelita, I'm so happy to see you again. After all these years, you have no idea how good it feels to have my arms wrapped around you again.

More tears streamed down Aelita's face. She could hardly think of anything to say. She was so overwhelmed and downright grateful. Finally, after taking a few more moments to gather her thoughts she spoke.

Aelita: I never thought I'd get to see you again. I thought I'd lost you forever when those Mantis shot you down.

Hopper: Well you won't have to live with that thought anymore. I'm home now and that's all that matters.

Hopper and Aelita released each other from their hug and the Lyoko Creator faced everyone else.

Hopper: Jeremy, I want to give you my biggest thanks. If it wasn't for your hard work and sacrifice, I probably would not be here standing in your presence today.

Jeremy: I'm glad I can help the Creator of Lyoko.

Hopper smiled then turned to face the young gang.

Hopper: And you youngsters I must praise as well. If it wasn't for your bravery to not only face against XANA but your own friend also, well then I again wouldn't be here now.

The gang smiled, but Jeremy interrupted.

Jeremy: I'm sorry to cut to the chase so soon sir, but I'm afraid we still have XANA to deal with.

Hopper: I understand. Let's head back up to the lab and I'll explain everything.

So the warriors and Hopper used the elevator to ascend back up to the Computer Lab. Once there, Hopper took a seat in the chair and turned to face the warriors.

Hopper: As you're all now well aware, XANA is planning on ruling the world and he's using young Matthew to help him slow us down. But I do have a solution. I know you Jeremy have spent many hours trying to break into XANA's world, but not succeeding.

Jeremy: Yeah...don't remind me.

Hopper: Well, I think I might be able to help. But of course, I will need a little bit of time to do that. But until then, you all know what to do. Keep your guard up and always be ready to fight back, whether it's against XANA or Matthew.

Natalie: That brings up a question. How are we going to get Matthew back? XANA's made him even more powerful now than what he was before he got possessed. Plus, he's given him his own set of wings like me and Mrs. Belpois.

Hopper: It's true that XANA has made young Matthew stronger and has given him a few upgrades. And a lot like Mr. Dunbar over there, XANA will do almost anything to keep Matthew his slave. Unfortunately at the moment, I don't have a way of bringing him back to Earth. But in due time, I'm sure that we can all come up with something. I also think that you youngsters are due for another Lyoko Upgrade.

The gang looked perplexed.

Mariah: What do you mean?

Hopper: What I mean is, with the way Matthew has shown his great power, it may be nearly impossible for you 5 to last for a few minutes against him. So I think, to even out the playing field, you all should get upgraded a little bit.

Gang: AWESOME!

Hopper: However, like cracking XANA's code, it will take time for me to construct your upgrades. So unfortunately, you all are stuck with what you got.

Gary: But...if we're stuck with what we have right now...how are we going to stand a chance against Matthew? No offence to our elders, but even they couldn't stand a chance against him when he first got possessed.

?: Well...what about me?

The gang and the old warriors jumped when they heard an unfamiliar voice. Just then, they heard someone climbing down the ladder leading into the Lab. When he dropped down to the floor and turned to face the warriors, they all gasped in shock. Mostly the young warriors were shocked to see who had just joined them. Brandon was there.


Plot twist anyone? HA HA! I bet ya didn't see that one coming at all. What is Brandon doing there and why? All these questions will soon be answered in Chapter #54 when Brandon explains his reasons. But that, of course, will come at a later date. But until then, I hope you guys enjoyed reading Chapter 53. I know it may be a bit short, but short chapters come about every now and then. It's just a part of being an author I guess. But anyways, thank you guys so much for reading this latest installment of the story. If you liked, be sure to tell me in the reviews or shoot me a PM. Also be sure to follow and favorite if your new to this story. And be sure to stick around for the next chapter of New Youth.

Thank you all again for reading and enjoying! More to come soon. But until then, and as always, FakeACU83 OUT!