Lyoko was once a peaceful planet, inhabited by peaceful species that was friendly with other species. There rarely was any violence in the Lyoko, it was how the planet could go through a fine evolution with no extinction ever happening. This is all because of one specie that knew how to resolve the conflict amongst species. This man's name is Bruce. He belongs to a specie known as Anodites, species with notable pointy-ears. They possessed mysterious powers that was never understood by the most intelligent beings in Lyoko. Nevertheless, everyone praised the Anodites, particularly Bruce for helping them bring peace. This however changed when a rogue named XANA chose to rebel peace, and attack the inhabitants of Lyoko with his army. XANA's use of violence wasn't the only tool used to destroying peace, he manipulated other species to show animosity toward the Anodites. Lyoko was never the same ever since XANA turned Lyoko against the Anodites.
But unknown to XANA, he was about to get a taste of his own medicine. Bruce and XANA had fought in a bloody conflict. It was on for months until Bruce finally defeated XANA using his sorcery powers, but it costed the lives of his loyal comrades.
"You will never win, Anodite. You may have the won the fight, but you have never won the war. My death will set forth a legacy where all Anodites will be despised by the other species in Lyoko.", XANA said. He cackles loudly.
XANA is right, Bruce thought. He still remained expressionless as he stared at XANA. "You are right with what you say. I can never end their xenophobia attitude toward the Anodites, but eventually the Anodites will regain the praises of non-Anodites. My visions do not lie to me. Peace will be restored to Lyoko", Bruce said. "and you won't be around to see it.".
"You will kill me?", XANA said in amusement. "I thought killing me is against your code.".
"I did not say I'm going to kill you XANA.", Bruce said.
XANA thinks what Bruce plans to do with him.
Bruce casts a spell that causes a mysterious blue light to surround XANA.
"I can't move!", XANA said. The blue energy has entrapped him.
"XANA, for the countless Anodites you have caused to their death, you are hereby banished, and you will remain here for eternity.", Bruce said. He casts the spell, causing XANA to burst into sparkles of blue energy as XANA's screams of agony finally faded.
What remains of XANA is the symbol, the eye of XANA inscribed on this ground. Bruce buried the symbol with numerous rocks. The rocks will make sure nobody discovers XANA. If anyone found out, and touched this symbol, consequences are bound to happen to them, and to Lyoko.
Centuries later...
Though XANA has finally been sealed away, his legacy was sustained by Lyoko continuing to express hate at the Anodites. Majority of the Anodites that are powerless with no sorcery have been enslaved by the non-Anodites.
Despite the increasing slavery of Anodites, not all have succumbed to slavery. Some have been hiding, scared to experience the same suffering its own kind had.
"Ulrich, help me! Please, help me!"
Ulrich ran away. He couldn't bear witnessing anymore deaths. He took every possible course to run from the thing that killed its allies. In the end, he realised of his inevitable death, and perhaps suffering. He was against the wall as the dark mist surrounded Ulrich. Before his eyes, several dark figures have emerged from the mist. They went closer toward him. He has no chance of escaping now.
They cackled before they all charged at Ulrich. Ulrich covered his eyes with his arms. He refused to see them attack, but he knew pain is unavoidable. It will flow through him. A blade made contact with Ulrich. Ulrich dies, the last of the warriors killed by the dark warriors. They are truly unstoppable, no one in Lyoko could surpass them. Lyoko is lost.
Ulrich instantly woke up in sweat. He soon realised he is in a bed. What he saw it was all just a dream. The nightmare felt real as though it was a vision. Nevertheless Ulrich hopes he never experiences that dream any time soon.
He got dressed, and walked came to school. The school is filled with mixed species. There are other academies where Ulrich could've trained to be a soldier. This is perhaps the worst academy he's ever been to. And it's too bad because it was already too late for him to change. He has been in this academy for years.
Class is starting, Ulrich had to be prepared. Class isn't exactly the typical boring stuff the younger cadets would learn. This class group tends to ensure its best students are updated on what is happening around Lyoko.
"Uh... are you Ulrich?"
Ulrich turned. Upon examining the figure, his entire outfit is filled with the color purple. He has a blonde hair partially dyed purple and spiked, and he has a purple tail.
"That depends. Who wants to know?", Ulrich said, looking away.
Odd threw himself to sitting next to Ulrich. "Odd Della Robbia! His brand-new roommate!", the stranger introduced himself.
"What?", he exclaimed. Ulrich is shocked to learn this. How could he have a roommate?
"I'm knew at the academy and I was told to move in with you", Odd said.
"Latch onto me sounds more like it.", Ulrich said without looking at Odd.
"Relax! I'm totally cool! Trust me, you'll see; you won't even know I'm there.", Odd reassured him, wrapping his arm around Ulrich.
Ulrich drags Odd's arm out of his back. "You've gone a little too far.", Ulrich said.
"Wow, geez, is that what you're always like?", Odd asked curiously.
Ulrich hummed to himself, expressing displeasure over people continuously questioning his never-happy look just because he never cracks a smile.
Their talking ended when they noticed a girl with her nose in the air walking toward their desk.
"Hi there, Ulrich sweetheart! I've got something very important to tell you.", the girl said softly.
"Not interested.", Ulrich said coldly.
"It's something about you and me, Ulrich! If you want to know more, come by my room when the darkness shrouds the lights. I'm counting on you!", the girl said before passing Ulrich and Odd's desk.
Odd watches the girl go before turning back to Ulrich. He was impressed by Ulrich's nickname. "Ulrich…"sweetheart?!", Odd said amusingly. "Who's the good-looking babe?".
"Sissi Delmas.", Ulrich answered.
"No way, Jean-Pierre Delmas? The same guy who was famous for discovering Sector 5 and making it a safe haven for many inhabitants, has a daughter?", Odd exclaimed in shock.
"Yes, Jean-Pierre Delmas's daughter, Sissi Delmas.", Ulrich confirmed.
"That's pretty cool!", Odd said.
"Not for me.", Ulrich said. A pink orb suddenly appeared, flowing around Ulrich. The orb was so fast, even Ulrich couldn't see it properly. But he knew he saw something.
For the rest of the period, Ulrich and Odd remained quiet.
The period had finally ended as cadets head out to the yard.
Ulrich and Odd leave the building together even though Ulrich had no intention of walking with Odd. Odd was making stupid jokes which did not affect Ulrich because he wasn't fond of any of his jokes.
As soon as Odd made the last joke and laughed, he said "Get it?!" to Ulrich.
Ulrich stops walking and looks at Odd. "No. But what I am beginning to get is that you're determined not to give me a break.", Ulrich said.
"We're gonna have to get to know each other. And you'll see, by the end of the day, you won't be able to do without me!", Odd said.
"I only need myself.", Ulrich replied coldly.
Ulrich finally walks away, leaving Odd with no one he can latch onto.
A pink orb flows above Ulrich and Odd, observing them, particularly Ulrich. It registered Ulrich's behaviour.
Nobody is following him, which is good as Ulrich is heading toward somewhere in Sector 5 where no one really hangs around. In fact, it is banned by the academy, which Ulrich did not care breaking. There is someone he needed to meet in person. Someone who would come here to meet Ulrich, someone who possess unique abilities no one in Lyoko perhaps doesn't know about.
"You took your time.", a girl remarked.
Ulrich looks upon a long, platinum-blonde haired girl with pale skin, blue eyes, and rose cheeks.
The girl turned, looking at Ulrich with a smile.
"Got a little sidetracked.", Ulrich said.
"I can see that, the frustration in your eyes tells me everything."
"I wish you could stop reading my expression, Elsa.", Ulrich said.
"Helps to know why you're always late.", Elsa said.
Ulrich comes close to Elsa. They embraced, and kissed.
"My worry grows as Lyoko succumbs to its darkest enemies rising from the darkness, to the point you will be forced to stop hiding in Sector 5.", Elsa said with a worried look.
Ulrich looks away from Elsa. He stares at the sky. "Five years, and you forgot so easily.", he remarked with a disappointing look.
"I have never forgotten a single one of those squads that died for you.", Elsa said. She pulls Ulrich close to her face. "You know that.".
Ulrich sighs, finally removing the disappointed look from his face. "Even if I were to go on a suicidal run across Lyoko, other dimensions, planets, there is no one in Sector 5 that pleases me with the set of skills I'm looking for.", Ulrich said. He turns away from Elsa. "anyway, why ask me to end my retirement?".
"I have sensed Lyoko's greatest enemy rising from the darkness.", Elsa said, expressing her worry.
Ulrich's head raised, surprised. "The histories of Lyoko tell XANA is the most fearing, powerful, and dangerous monster unleashed throughout Lyoko, known for turning Lyoko's people against the Anodites for centuries, hence slavery existed. Poor sons of bitches everywhere.", Ulrich said.
"Could be XANA, or a new enemy? I hope it is not him. The only person who managed to seal XANA was...", Elsa said.
"The Anodite who vanished centuries ago.", Ulrich said.
A pink orb flows around the area, watching Ulrich and Elsa talking. It registered their worries while hiding. It flowed closer to Ulrich and Elsa.
Suddenly, Ulrich sensed a presence that's getting closer to him. He turned, no one was there. Ulrich was sure someone was coming toward him.
Elsa noticed Ulrich's posture. "Someone here?", she asked.
Ulrich examined the whole area. He drew his saber in case he had to fight it. Sector 5 isn't exactly a safe territory. He calmed down once he saw two people walking elsewhere in the area. Those two people haven't seen Ulrich yet.
Elsa saw the two people too. One of them is a black-haired young girl in black clothes, and the other is a black-haired boy with bangs. They seem to having a honeymoon. "Who are those two?", she asked.
"Yumi Ishiyama, a calm and collected cadet. She is regarded for being kind and sensitive of other people's personalities and feelings, and she makes an effort to reassure them of her dedication, care, and trust.", Ulrich explained.
"The other cadet?", Elsa asked.
"William Dunbar.", Ulrich said with a changed tone as he dislikes William's personality. "Reckless, a show-off, and sometimes-childish.".
"I see, the younger cadets have different personalities.", Elsa noted.
William and Yumi will eventually see Ulrich if he stays here any longer. Ulrich turned. "You should leave before they see you. Ice Sector and Sector 5's inhabitants don't really act friendly toward one another.", he said.
"Be safe, Ulrich. If my feelings are true, Lyoko will be in danger once again.", Elsa said.
Ulrich nodded.
They kissed each other before Elsa teleports herself out of Sector 5.
Once Elsa was gone, Ulrich looked at Yumi and William from a distance. Love between cadets is prohibited, but Ulrich chose to stay quiet. He leaves the area.
Yumi and William finally have the time to spend for themselves.
"How far I've come.", William said, feeling he has accomplished good things which started from when he was in first year as a cadet.
"It was only two years, William. We have a long way to go.", Yumi said.
"And us.", William said.
Yumi glanced William, showing an unsatisfied look. "William, I love you but I think we're taking this a little too far. We must have boundaries in our relationship, to be Lyoko's soldiers.", Yumi said.
"Bullshit.", William said. "I love you, Yumi. We are meant to have a life together, not waste our life by death.".
"Part of being a soldier is sacrificing your life for the countless lives you serve to protect." Yumi said.
"Okay, I'm sorry. I just don't want to lose you.", William said.
Yumi places his hand on Yumi's cheek. "You won't.", she reassured him.
William and Yumi finally kissed.
Elsewhere in Sector 5, a blonde-haired boy has crept in Sector 5 using the secret passages. Along with him that returned to Sector is his girlfriend. Their relationship has been stable since they entered the academy.
"Told you we would make it back to Sector unharmed, Maya Schaeffer..", the blonde-haired boy said to his girlfriend.
"Jeremie, I'm not sure it's a good idea.", Maya said.
"Relax, Maya, this rock might help us enhance our research of what's really happening around Lyoko. Think about it, we barely understand what this symbol means. Maybe it could symbolise hope or a secret organisation operating in the shadows of Lyoko.", Jeremie said.
Maya and Jeremy returned to their secret base. Nobody knows about this base. They had a ritual set up in the room. The final piece was the rock Jeremie and Maya discovered outside of Sector 5.
"Give it to me.", Jeremie said. Maya handed Jeremie the rock. Jeremie walked over, he plugs the rock onto a table.
Jeremie and Maya stayed together. They recited the spell together. As recited the spell, a bright light came out from the rock, much to their astonishment. Jeremie and Maya went closer to examine what their spell has done to the rock. The result could be anything, and they are both already excited to see what's the end result. Their excited faces disappeared quickly when red light illuminated the room.
"Uh... Jeremy are we doing it right?", Maya asked. "This feels wrong.".
"Patience, Maya. Maybe this is supposed to happen.", Jeremie said.
Even if Jeremie stopped, it was already too late. Something appeared out of the symbol, it took the appearance of the symbol inscribed in the rock. It was the eye of XANA. The light exploded across Maya and Jeremie's faces as they lose conscious.
Across Sector 5, Ulrich took a very long stroll. It was already dark. He should've slept. He knows he shouldn't waste his hours strolling around Sector. Maybe the thought of a new threat has caused him to stay awake. Maybe a chance it could strike Sector 5. Ulrich would need to be prepared to this possible crisis. He is Sector 5's best chance of getting everyone to safety.
Suddenly, Sector 5 was shaking. Ulrich staggered a little, but tried to move onward. He wanted to know what's causing the grounds to shake extremely. Is Sector 5 experiencing a sudden violent shaking of the ground?, he wondered.
Ulrich examines the entire town. He is right, Sector 5 is experiencing its grounds trembling. Later, red beams shafted from the ground holes. Something is happening in Sector 5, Ulrich knows it. He has to find out what originated the great disturbance in Sector 5.
Unknown to Ulrich, a pink orb watches him as Ulrich runs with his super-speed ability.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
In regards to Ulrich in this story, he is one of the central protagonists in the story. Ulrich in this story is viewed as a warrior who had experienced many awful things in the past 5 years that no other person has. He's also the oldest of the cadets. Yes, he is older than William and Yumi. There are reasons. I remembered in Code Lyoko Season 1, Ulrich was established as the apparent leader. But after season 1, his role as the leader was diminished, which I didn't like. In my opinion, I preferred Ulrich Stern as the leader and his character to be a little more mature, like Yumi. According to Code Lyoko wiki, his name is German which apparently translates to "ruler of the homestead" or "chief". And it does mention those translations references to how Ulrich sometimes takes command when fighting XANA.
The next chapter will feature one of the most important characters in this story.