Factory
The group came on down to the main floor where they saw Jim sleeping on a cot surrounded by all his things. After losing his job as a teacher, Odd was more than okay letting the big guy stay at the factory. Sure, Jim did prevent Einstein from getting back, but they weren't blameless.
They were the ones who made their former teach suspicious of them. In the end, Jim did help them, he's been supportive, and he hasn't blabbed the secret to anyone. In Odd's book, the former teacher was okay.
"Hi Jim!" Ulrich exclaimed waking him up. "Did you have a good sleep?"
"Huh, oh yeah great!" Jim stated. "Oh, by the way I really appreciate all you've done for me, but I do have to admit I was getting a little board."
"How would you like to come with us to deactivate XANA?" Odd asked.
"I wouldn't miss that for the world." Jim smiled. "You haven't forgotten your promise Jeremy?"
"I haven't and Odd's cool with it." Jeremy stated. "As soon as XANA's deactivated, me and him will tell Mr. Delmas everything. We'll show him what was here, and you'll get your job back."
They started to walk over to the elevator.
"That's great!" Jim exclaimed. "I can't wait until this is all settled." They entered the elevator. "From now on, you kids are welcome to call me Jimbo."
"You know Jimbo, you're a lot cooler of a grown up than I gave you credit for." Odd stated as he pressed the button.
Battery Room
The door opened and the group stepped out to see the battery react as it came up for all to see.
"Are you sure you're alright with this?" Odd noticed that Aelita was nervous, so he put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "If you want, we'll wait a couple of days to see how you feel."
"No." Aelita shook her head. "The sooner the better."
Odd nodded before approaching which opened the switch. "Well, XANA you caused us all a lot of trouble, but I can't say it's been all bad. We met Aelita and I made friends with some great people.
Still, you need to be shut down." Odd looked back at the group and noticed that Aelita was physically shaking which caused him to waver. "I can't do it." He turned around to see they everyone was shocked.
"What do you mean Odd?" Jeremy asked.
"Just look at Aelita." Odd stated which everyone did. "She's still shaking just with me standing here. I don't think it's because she wants Lyoko to stand. Something is wrong Jeremy, and we've been reckless before. Isn't there any way to prove Aelita won't be hurt by this before we do it?"
"You do make some good points Odd." Jeremy stroked his chin. "I can easily put together a program meant for a full scan, and we can run it over Aelita. Make sure there's nothing harmful to her in shutting this down. It should only take an hour or two at most."
Evening…
Everyone had to get back to class, but Jeremy worked diligently on the program after school. When it was done, they all gathered back at the factory. Jeremy ran the program while they waited in the lab.
Jim and Odd stood behind Jeremy while Yumi and Ulrich were chilling elsewhere in the room.
Jim looked at the screen. "Don't tell me you understand all that?"
"It's not that complicated." Jeremy retorted. "Time to begin the analysis."
"Don't worry about it, Jim." Odd stated. "There's a reason Jeremy's nick name is Einstein. He's one of the few who understands this."
Aelita, we got what we need." Jeremy spoke into the headset. "You can come back now." He pushed a button. "Let's see if there is any trouble to be had." His eyes soon went wide. "Whoa, you made a nice catch Odd."
Aelita rejoined the group.
"You mean Odd was actually onto something?" Ulrich questioned.
Aelita looked at the computer. "He was. It seems XANA has infected me with a virus. That's what was making me shake and worry all this time. If the supercomputer is shutdown, I go with it."
"He must have done it during the transfer." Jeremy stated. "The virus forges a link between Aelita and XANA. If he goes, she goes."
"We can't let that happen." Odd stated worriedly. "Aelita just got here. We can't lose her."
"It's alright Odd." Yumi walked over and patted his back. "After all this time with her, none of us want to lose her either."
"Is there anything we can do?" Jim asked.
"Yeah." Jeremy replied. "Try to find an Anti-Virus, but it could take a long time."
Odd looked at Jim and decided to talk with him one on one about the situation. Considering what could happen now, he figured it was about time. Especially since he hadn't really done that since this all went down.
"Jim, mind if we talk in private?" Odd asked
"I told you to call me Jimbo." Jim stated. "Yeah, I guess I don't mind."
"Aelita, Yumi, and Ulrich, would you mind waiting down here with Jeremy?" Odd asked. "Depending on how this goes, we'll need to have a group meeting." He looked at Jim. "All of us."
Everyone in the room was confused.
"I guess, but what are you doing Odd?" Ulrich questioned.
"With XANA still active, he's on my mind now." Odd stated. "That's why I'm going to take steps to make sure we can deal with whatever comes our way." He walked to the elevator. "Come on Jimbo."
Jim entered the elevator with him.
Factory: Main Floor
Odd and Jim exited the elevator.
"So, what's this about Odd?" Jim asked.
"I don't want to assume, but XANA may be activate for longer than we thought." Odd turned to him. "That means, it may be some time before we can tell Delmas about this. What I'm saying is, if you're going to go to Delmas or the police, can you do it now rather than later."
"Go to Delmas or the police?" Jim could understand where Odd was coming from. "I wouldn't go to them now."
"Why wouldn't you?" Odd asked. "It's not like you actually owe us. In fact, it's our fault you were fired in the first place. If we had been more careful, you never would have been suspicious, and you would still have your job."
"Don't be ridiculous." Jim stated. "It was my fault. I chassed Jeremy down those stairs, yet you kids gave me a chance. Jeremey trusted me, you let me stay here, Ulrich and Yumi seem okay with me, and you all forgave me for what I did."
"Yeah, but now you're stuck here unless you go to Delmas." Odd stated.
"I can't blame you for mistrusting." Jim stated. "I haven't been here as long as the rest of you, and I had my reservations about what you were trying to do. Then, I saw Aelita in the flesh. She might have been some artificial intelligence, but she's human now.
Some program, who doesn't understand that, will harm her if he's shut down. If I went to Delmas, even if the computer doesn't get shut down, that girl couldn't live a normal life. I can't be the cause of that, so I won't say anything until Aelita is safe. You have my word."
"I was hoping you'd say that." Odd smiled. "Hoping I could trust you. I thought I could, but I had to be sure for Aelita's sake." He shook his head. "Sorry for the third degree there Jimbo."
Jim smiled. "You're just doing your best to take care of someone you care about deeply." He patted Odd's shoulder. "I can understand and respect that."
"Jim, we need to talk with the others now." Odd shook his head. "Up to this point, there's something you haven't done, and if XANA's going to be sticking around, you're going to need it to keep up with us moving forward."
Jim followed and they rode on back down.
Computer Room
Odd exited the elevator with Jim and addressed everyone. "Guys, I just talked with Jim, and he has my upmost trust." He nodded. "With that, he's already been involved in all of this. Since XANA is sticking around, I say we make it official. Let's make him a Lyoko warrior."
The group all looked at one another.
"I was the one to bring him in, and he hasn't said anything." Jeremy nodded. "Plus, I made a promise."
"If Odd thinks Jimbo is trustworthy, then I do to." Aelita stated.
"Some extra muscle could be nice." Ulrich stated. "Guess I'm in to."
Yumi approached Jim with her arms crossed. "You swear not to give up any of this until we can put XANA down for good?"
"I'm not entirely sure what's going on, but you have my word." Jim stated. "I won't tell anyone. I swear."
"Good answer." Yumi nodded. "Alright, I agree."
Jim looked to Odd. "What's all this about?"
"Up until now, we've had a failsafe in case you decided to break your promise with Jeremy." Odd explained. "You saw Aelita come out of those scanners. Well, they're for more than getting us to and from Lyoko. They protect us against a feature we have."
"It's called 'Return to the Past'." Jeremy continued. "As someone doesn't die, and it's not that virus, all damage done by Xana can be reversed by going back in time to before the incident. We're immune because we've either gone through the scanner or were already there."
"Really now?" Jim was shocked.
"By going through the scanners, you'll become immune to a return to the past." Odd stated. "In addition, you can come to Lyoko to take the fight to XANA with the rest of us. This is up to you Jim. You don't have to do it if you don't want to."
Jim looked at these five kids and thought about what he just learned as well as the trust they've shown him. "Some artificial intelligence is out to harm you kids, and the world." It did not take long for him to have an answer. "Send me through the scanner."
"Odd take him down to the room." Jeremy nodded. "I'll create a virtual image of him for the supercomputer. After that, he'll be immune like the rest of us."
"Let's go Jim." Odd stated.
Once again, the pair stepped into the elevator."
Scanner Room
The pair exited the elevator and came up to the scanners with Jim stopping before his. He wasn't scared, but the guy was worried.
"Jeremy, what does this do exactly?" Jim asked. "I know it sends you to and from Lyoko, but what will happen? Will I even fit in there?"
"If you're worried about it hurting Jim, don't be." Jeremy stated. "The process is painless, and it's much bigger on the inside than you think."
"I can attest Jim." Odd stated.
"Alright, I'm steeping in then." Jim stated.
After he stepped in, Jeremy began the process. "Scanner Jim."
Computer Room
Everyone above gathered around to observe as Jim was scanned into the systems.
When it was completed, Jeremy nodded. "Welcome aboard Jim."
Scanner Room
Jim's scanner opened and he stepped out feeling slightly weakened. "Not as bad as I thought."
"How do you feel?" Odd asked.
"I feel ready to help." Jim nodded. "I wonder what I'll look like on Lyoko."
"You'll know eventually." Odd stated. "Just keep in mind you're new to this. It took a while for any of us to become effective in there. Whenever you go, I'd stay back to observe and learn."
"Whatever you say Odd." Jim nodded. "I'm not here to step on any of your toes. I may be an adult, but I know you all have way more experience in there than I do. You're the leader. Whatever you say goes."
"Good to know Jimbo." Odd nodded. "Let's go."
Kadic Academy: Next Day…
Odd, Ulrich, and Jeremy were hanging out at some steps discussing their latest problem.
"So, you got any ideas on how to remove this virus from Aelita?" Ulrich asked.
"Not yet, but I had my computer running calculations." Jeremy replied. "Hopefully, they'll be of some help."
"Hey, here come the girls." Odd stated before the guys walked over. "Hello Princess. How was your first night here on earth?"
"Sleeping is really wonderful." Aelita commented happily.
Yumi smiled. "She would have slept all day had I not woken her up."
The girls laughed as the 1st bell rang.
Factory
The scanners opened below, and something woke Jim up. "What's going on!" He was staring at a Krankelat. "Are you one of XANA's monster?"
Math Class
Math class was a rather normal affair. The teacher asked Sissi what a pair of prime numbers were, she got it wrong, and he then asked Aelita who gave an answer that was right as well as above what he wanted. Then someone came running down the hall screaming.
When the opened the door, it was revealed that he had been running from a Kankrelat which saw Ulrich pushing everyone back into the room. "Get back everyone!"
The rest of the class, except for the Lyoko Warrior, rushed to the back of the room.
"XANA's changed tactics." Jeremy declared. "He's sent his monsters to earth. There must be an activated tower on Lyoko."
"That means, we got to get to the factory; however, I'm betting XANA's last minute transfer student isn't going to let us go." Odd stated.
"He will if I draw his attention." Ulrich declared. "You three gone on without me." He pulled out his phone. "Yumi and I can handle this."
"I don't like this, but if there's a victim, we can't reverse it." Aelita shook her head. "Anyone whose been on Lyoko is more qualified to fight hem than someone who hasn't."
"Let's go guys." Jeremy stated.
The grouped stepped out to see another kid running. The Kankrelat was back and focused on them.
Ulrich got into a fighting stance. "Get going guys." The rest of them ran while he charged the monster. "Let's see how good you really are."
The monster fired, but Ulrich managed to jump clear over it before continuing to run. This resulted in the monster firing on him nailing the student in the back. Still, he continued to run drawing the monster's attention.
Ulrich was soon running down a hallway before the Kankrelat was nailed with a javelin, thrown by Yumi, destroying it. Ulrich looked at her and saw that she was carrying a bundle of them on her back as well as a kendo sword.
"Here, I found this in the sports shed." She passed the sword to Ulrich. "Figured it may come in handy."
Ulrich swung it a few times. "Yeah, this will work." More Kankrelats were coming down the hallway. "Come on, we need to get in the open."
Factory
Jeremy, Odd, and Aelita made it to the main floor of the factory where a battle had clearly happened. There were holes everywhere and scattered, destroyed monsters strewn about.
"Wow, Jimbo's given them a run for their money." Odd commented as they entered the elevator.
"Seeing as he's not out here, he must be further in the factory." Jeremy pointed to the elevator. "Let's go."
They went on down to the scanner room where they found Jim skewering a Kankrelat with a metal rod. "That'll make you think twice before leaving your world."
"Hey Jimbo, good to see you had things under control here." Odd stated.
"Oh, kids you're here." Jim turned to them. "I noticed a little to late though. A good portion were just streaming out, and I couldn't stop them with the ones that were blocking me."
"You did fine." Jeremy stated. "Ulrich and Yumi should be able to handle the ones at school. They're capable like that."
"We can stay here trying to stop them, but we'll tire eventually." Aelita spoke up. "I need to go back to Lyoko and deactivate that tower."
"I don't like this one bit." Odd didn't want to think about that, but she was the only one who could do it. "What if we're just playing into XANAs hands? I know we have to do this, but still…"
"This is a risk we have to take Odd." Aelita stated. "There's no other quicker solution, and the longer we wait, the worse our chances become."
"Gaah!" Odd yelled in frustration. "I know." He shook his head. "Come on Jim. Looks like you're getting your fist mission now."
"Right." Jim nodded. "I'm with you kids."
The three of them each stepped into a scanner while Jeremy went above to virtualize them. "Transfer Odd. Transfer Aelita. Transfer Jim. Scanner Odd. Scanner Aelita. Scanner Jim. Virtualization!"
Odd landed as he always does while Aelita and Jim landed on their butts. Jim wore military fatigues with a dark red and dull white camouflage aesthetic as well as a matching beret. On his back he had a metal bo staff.
"Army attire, huh?" Jim looked at himself before taking the bo staff of his back and swinging it. "Yeah, I can make this work."
Odd helped Aelita up. "It's strange to be virtualized."
"I can agree to that." Jim stated.
"You two will get used to it." Odd assured.
"No air to breath, no smells, and no warmth. No nothing." Aelita stated. "I miss the real world already."
"Let's go you two." Odd stated.
The trio ran off in the direction of the activated tower.
Forest
Ulrich rushed forward and smashed his kendo sword into a Kankrelat smashing it against a tree while Yumi threw a couple of javelins at a couple of Kankrelats behind them. After the monsters were destroyed, she retrieved the weapons and managed to put them back in the bundle.
Ice Sector
The trio were currently being chassed by a group of Hornets. They soon got in close and each one nailed Jim.
"You only 40 life points left Jim." Jeremy declared.
Jim took off his metal staff as his mind had an idea. As he thought it, his staff was charged with electricity which he leveled at the hornets and fired. A bolt arched through the air, but the monster's dodged them.
"Electricity." He gripped the staff before coming to a stop. "With this, I can fight them." Odd and Aelita came to a stop. "Don't just stand there you two. I'll hold these three here. You two just need to get to the tower."
"Right Jimbo." Odd started running. "Let's move Aelita."
They started running as the Hornets flew back around for them.
"Focus on me you creeps!" Jim faced them with his staff at the ready. "I'm ready for you! Come on!"
He fires off another bolt and nailed a Hornet destroying it. They fired on Jim, so he threw his staff like a javelin managing to impale one more monster while taking both shots. He was then devitalized.
"Odd and Aelita, Jim bought you some time, and I'm picking up a cave coming up on your left." Jeremy stated. "If you can skate down it, you'll be closer to the tower."
"Got it Einstein." Odd stated.
"It's over there Odd." Aelita stated.
They went into the tunnel with the remaining Hornet following.
Forest
Ulrich managed to take out another Kankrelat before taking a shot to his arm forcing him to drop the blade. He managed to catch it with his good arm.
"Ulrich, you okay?" Yumi shouted.
"I'll live." Ulrich stated.
She took a shot to the leg making it effectively useless.
"Yumi!" Ulrich shouted.
He moved in front of Yumi and started doing his best to block the coming blast.
Computer Room
Jim had ridden the elevator up and ran out with urgency. "Jeremy, how are they doing?'
"They're nearing the tower, but that last Hornet managed to catch up." Jeremy stated. "Still, with what you did, they should be fine. Odd's got all his life points and arrows after all."
Ice Sector
As Odd and Aelita skated on down the tunnel, they could hear the hornet closing in.
"Don't worry, I got this." Odd flipped around and aimed as he saw the hornet drawing near. "Laser Arrows!"
He fired off three rounds with the first two missing, but the last hit its mark. The pair then skated right out of the cave and could see the tower.
Forest
Ulrich was fighting as hard as he could smashing the monsters away from Yumi while she had managed to prop up against a tree and tried to help with her javelins. Ulrich took a couple of shots to his legs causing him to collapse in pain.
Yumi limped forward. "Stay away from him!"
The remaining monsters just shot the pair knocking them over. One more shot, and it would all be over. Then, the monsters collapsed, and a white light washed over everything.
Factory: Past, After School…
Jim was back to being a teacher since they went back to before he got fired. Now, the group, with Jim, were gathered in the computer room feeling rather down. Aelita was still on the computer screen.
"We managed to stop XANA, but that stupid virus is still in Aelita." Odd shook his head.
"Don't give up hope Odd." Ulrich stated. "After all, she can still come to earth, and we can just treat it here."
"Odd, like me, knows that wouldn't work." Aelita stated. "I'm the best bet we have at detecting XANA's activated towers. I'll need to stay here until an anti-virus can be found."
"It's just not fair." Odd punched a nearby wall with tears in his eyes. "She was here."
"Take it easy Odd." Jim patted his back. "Breaking your hand won't fix anything."
"She may not be able to stay, but what about just an hour or two to visit?" Yumi questioned.
"That should be fine, but most of my time will need to be spent on Lyoko." Aelita stated.
Odd clenched his fist and closed his eyes.
"Odd, I got the program to materialize her, so you can believe me when I say this isn't the end." Jeremy nodded. "In the meantime, I'll work on something easier to achieve. Something that'll let her at least live here with us. Just trust in me."
"Yeah, okay." Odd nodded. "I trust you Einstein."
This may not have been the end, and many of them were down; however, there was hope this could work. That hope meant XANA wasn't victorious yet.