Chapter 55: Rivals Clash
Abandoned Factory-Scanner Room
The massive industrial doors of the old elevator opened up and for the first time, revealed to Brandon the scanner room. He was quite amazed at the sight of the 3 scanner pods.
Brandon: Wooow...so these are the things that take you to...what do you call it...Lyoko?
Hopper: That's right youngster. Once you step in to one of the cabins, the doors will close and the cabin will create a virtual copy of yourself and thus teleport you to Lyoko. Which is what is going to happen now.
Jeremy: But before any of that happens, we all have one question for you. Do you swear do keep what we're doing a secret?
Brandon: Yes sir, I swear.
Jeremy: Then step right in and we'll get started.
Brandon: Well...if you say so...
Brandon felt unsure about what he was about to get himself into, but he knew that his new found friends were in need of help, and he would have done anything for them to trust him. He took a deep breath and stepped inside one of the three scanners.
Hopper: Would you like to do the honors Jeremy?
Jeremy: I would love to.
So Hopper moved out of the seat with Jeremy immediately taking his place and starting the virtualization process.
Jeremy: Here we go Brandon. Off to the Ice Sector with you. Transfer Brandon.
In the scanner room, the doors on Brandon's scanner closed and started to whir into life.
Jeremy: Scanner Brandon.
Brandon shut his eyes as a bright light started to engulf the scanner.
Jeremy: Virtualization!
Jeremy pressed ENTER. Brandon felt as if his insides were turning and twisting every which-a-way...but only for a few moments.
Lyoko-Ice Sector
Within a few seconds, Brandon was virtualized into the Ice Sector of Lyoko. Unfortunately, he didn't expect himself to be virtualized above the ground. He dropped down to the ground landing on his behind hard.
Brandon: Ouch! Aw man...a little more warning next time. I had no idea I was going to be spawned in above ground.
Jeremy: Sorry about that Brandon. But other than that, welcome to Lyoko.
Brandon gazed at the virtual world around him. But he wasn't really impressed much.
Brandon: Is this really all there is? Just ice and snow?
Jeremy: No it isn't. This is just one of 5 sectors on Lyoko. The one you're in is the Ice Sector. There's also the Forest Sector, Desert Sector, Mountain Sector, and the Core Sector we call Sector 5.
Brandon now felt impressed as he walked around a bit to the edge of the ice platform he was standing on. He looked down and saw the Digital Sea.
Brandon: What about that weird looking water that's below me?
Jeremy: That's the Digital Sea. What ever you do, DO NOT fall in there. If you do, you'll be virtualized forever.
Brandon:...Um...in other words?
Jeremy: In other words...if you fall in the Digital Sea, it would be "Bye Bye Brandon."
Brandon: ...Oh...
Brandon wisely backed away from the edge of the ice and back to the center of the platform where he was virtualized onto. He continued to gaze around the terrain surrounding him. As he was doing so, he caught a glimpse of what looked to be some sort of handle on his back.
Brandon: Huh? What's this on my back?
Jeremy: That would be your weapon.
Brandon: Wait...my weapon?
Brandon grabbed a hold of the handle and pried his weapon off of his back and brought it up in front of him. He was amazed at what it was. His weapon turned out to be a scythe, with a long metal shaft that was connected to the joint connected to the blade. The joint had a small purple gemstone in the middle of it. The blade itself was patterned with black and purple triangles that almost looked like teeth.
Brandon: DUDE! This scythe rocks!
Jeremy: I'm glad you like it. It goes along with your outfit quite well.
Brandon: ...Eh?
Brandon looked away from his scythe and looked at himself. He wasn't wearing his normal black Earthling clothes. Instead, he was wearing a half black-half purple armor long sleeve top with the same purple and black triangle pattern on it. The black color on his right side and the purple color on his left. The triangle pattern met in the middle of his body. He also had on black trousers, a dark gray belt, and black boots.
Brandon: *whistles* Not too shabby I must say. So, tell me more about Lyoko.
Jeremy: Lyoko is a virtual world that XANA hides in. In each sector are 10 towers, except for Sector 5 which only has one. Each tower gives off a light blue aura around it, meaning that the tower is inactive. XANA can activate a tower in order for him to gain entrance to Earth and cause massive chaos, which explains how he was able to possess the animals and bring his minions to Earth. Once he activates a tower, the blue aura turns red and only Matthew and my wife Aelita can deactivate them to stop XANA's attacks. Unfortunately now, we only have Aelita.
Brandon: But, why is XANA so bent up on attacking just us?
Jeremy: The reason being is because back when my friends and I were students at Kadic, I discovered this place and switched on the supercomputer without even thinking about the consequences that could come with it. After I turned it on, XANA re-awoke and started to attack us. This went on for about 2 years until we thought we destroyed him with a special Anit-XANA program I created.
Brandon: And let me guess the rest of the story. Up until Matthew came along, XANA was inactive. Then Matthew and his friends reactivated him?
Jeremy: Pretty much. And then there was all of XANA's attacks on the school, his possession of Matthew, and then there's now.
Brandon: I think I get the gist of it all. So what do you want me to do now? I don't see any bad guys around.
Jeremy: That's because XANA's most recent attack has already been stopped. We just wanted to get you acclimated to Lyoko. I'm getting ready to bring you back now.
Brandon: Oh...well that was uneventful.
Jeremy: Don't worry, you'll be able to get a little piece of action soon.
But Jeremy was about to be proven wrong. As he was getting ready to bring Brandon back to Earth, the supercomputer began to sound an alarm. Jeremy looked at the screen and saw that something was heading straight for Brandon...or should I say...someone.
Jeremy: Uh...oh...
Brandon: Umm...Mr. Belpois...what's uh oh?
Jeremy: You may wanna look behind you.
So Brandon did. He turned around and saw someone coming towards him. From what he just learned from Jeremy, there was only one "someone" on Lyoko other than him.
Brandon: It's Matthew!
And indeed it was. Matthew skidded to a stop along to ice standing face-to-face with his rival. And if you haven't guessed already, the XANAfied warrior was not very happy to see him. He immediately brought out his War Hammers from his holders. Brandon now grew nervous as Matthew began to step closer to him.
XANA Matthew: So we meet again Brandon. I see you're a Lyoko Warrior now hmm? Pathetic! I have no idea why those fools allowed you to join them.
Brandon felt intimated, but managed to put on a brave face and try to stand up to Matthew.
Brandon: I'm different now Matt! Trust me, I've changed! I've realized what I've done was wrong and I feel stupid not to realize it sooner.
XANA Matthew: It doesn't matter anymore. I've told you this before. Once you're my enemy, you stay my enemy!
Matthew jumped forward and swung his duel hammers at him, but Brandon was quick to dodge...even after he nearly got hit. Matthew swung his hammers at him again, but Brandon jumped out of the way. Matthew tried it a few more times, and still couldn't hit him. He was starting to get frustrated.
XANA Matthew: Call yourself a Lyoko Warrior? Can't even put up a good fight.
Brandon: Oh yeah?!
Brandon dug down deep and grabbed his scythe and started to counterattack. Matthew swung his hammers at him again, but this time they clashed against Brandon's scythe. This stunned Matthew for a split second, but it was all that Brandon needed. He began to swipe his scythe at him, but Matthew kept dodging him as well. But Brandon didn't give him. He spun around in a circle and sliced his scythe at Matthew's stomach, causing his to lose 40 lifepoints. Matthew groaned as he tried to counterattack, only to get hit again in the side by Brandon's blade, costing him another 40 lifepoints. Matthew had enough. He summoned his giant sword and focused his energy on it. Brandon had no idea how he did that, but he quickly put that thought to the back of his head.
XANA Matthew: IT'S OVER NOW BRANDON! ELECTROSLASH!
Brandon: NOT THIS TIME!
Matthew fired his red and white electric slash at his bitter rival, but surprisingly, Brandon slid underneath it. He jumped back to his feet and sliced his scythe at him one last time, devirtualizing Matthew in a puff of black smoke. Matthew, who was absolutely furious, screamed out as he was devirtualized.
XANA Matthew: YOU'LL REGRET THAT BRANDON! I'LL BE BACK!
That was all he could say as he disappeared into a cloud of smoke. The old and young warriors stared at the computer screen in absolute awe.
Yumi: ...Amazing.
Natalie: He took down Matthew...all by himself.
Hopper, who was standing behind the warriors, couldn't help but smile.
Hopper: I told you all that he could be a key asset to us.
The warriors couldn't agree more. Brandon put his scythe back into its holder on his back and stood in the middle of the icy platform in triumph.
Brandon: So, do you guys think I'm cut out to be a Lyoko Warrior?
Jeremy: Yes we do. Well done Brandon. Time to bring you back in. Materialization Brandon!
In a split second, Brandon was devirtualized back into the scanner room. He felt weak when he stepped out, but eventually gained his strength back. He made his way to the elevator and arrived safely back to the computer lab. All the warriors were waiting for him. They all gave him big smiles.
Jeremy: Welcome to the Lyoko Warriors Brandon.
Brandon: Thanks everyone. I'm ready to take on XANA!
Hopper: But unfortunately, your young friends aren't.
The gang looked at Franz Hopper confused.
Alexis: What do you mean?
Hopper: You all said it yourselves. You all can't handle Matthew by yourself right?
Gary: Oh yeah...
Hopper: Exactly. He's proven to be incredibly powerful under XANA's control. But I have a solution.
Jonah: Our Lyoko Upgrade?
Hopper: Precisely Jonah.
Mariah: What do you have in mind Mr. Hopper?
Hopper: Well if I told you, then it wouldn't be a surprise. But don't worry, it shouldn't take me too long to make them.
Natalie: But hang on a moment sir, what about the return to the past? That's still broken.
Hopper: Hmm...yes. The return to the past does take priority over the upgrade. Hmm...ah I have an idea. Does anyone have a notepad?
Jeremy: I do sir!
Jeremy brought out a pad of paper from his shirt pocket and handed in to the Lyoko Creator. Hopper brought out a pen and quickly wrote down some notes on the paper. When he was done, he ripped the sheet out and handed it to Jeremy. Jeremy looked at it and saw that it was the ideas of the upgrades for the young warriors.
Hopper: You handle that and I'll take care of the Return to the Past.
Jeremy: I'll get right on it!
Unknown Factory-Unknown Location
Meanwhile, Matthew stepped out of a scanner in a factory far away, where XANA was waiting for him. He didn't look too pleased.
XANA: I'm disappointed in you Matthew. I thought you could handle your biggest enemy.
XANA Matthew: Forgive me Lord XANA. I didn't expect him to be that strong.
XANA: Hmm...you have been a wonderful asset to me...Very well, I will show mercy.
XANA Matthew: Thank you My Lord. It won't happen again.
Matthew smirked to himself as XANA left the room.
Finally, the rivals clash. And it seems that Brandon has the upper hand. Who would have thought? Oh yeah...I WOULD HA! Anyway, I sure hope you all enjoyed the chapter. I've just been on an absolute roll with these. This is the like the 3rd chapter I've done in about what, the span of a week? Not too bad huh? Moving right along, like I said I hope you all enjoyed. If you did...well hopefully you all know the drill. But anyway, thank you guys again for reading and enjoying this chapter. And before I leave, I wanna give a big thanks to...guess who...yep pokemonking0924 for the idea of Brandon's weapon. Which by the way, is sorta similar to the one used in "Soul Eater." I DO NOT HAVE RIGHTS TO THEM! DON'T YELL AT ME FOR THAT!
*Ahem* Anyway, more to come soon so just stay tuned. (Hey that rhymed) Until then, as always, FakeACU83 OUT!
