I would just like to take the time (again) to thank all of my readers, though right now I seem to not be getting many (but that happens to all authors). But none the less, I thank you all who have read. Hmmm, maybe I do have readers, but just not all of them leave reviews, ah well, Im not going to ponder over it. I do how ever have another announcement to make. I am currently also taking the time to write another story, but it's a one shot (a very long one though), actually I haven't really decided if I want to have chapters or not, Ill decide later on. Ok, I also have one more thing to say before I let you have what you came for. I have noticed that most of you do like this story, but some think it leaves out a little explanation, don't worry, I have realized why this is, its because I rush too quickly to get things done. So in exchange for waiting a tad bit longer, I will make sure that nothing leaves you wondering "what the..." (As best as I can). Well, enough ranting...lets go.
Disclaimer: I do own Code Lyoko...yeah right, if I did, it would have sucked most likely. And I don't own The Matrix either...that would have sucked if I did too.
Claimer: Alas, I do own my ACC's (so at least I can say I have something) and you cant use them (name wise I don't care...just the character itself I mind).
Chapter 6: Balance of power
(Where we last left off from chp 3)
"Operator."
"Zen, did you catch what the oracle said?"
"Yes I did. Trish and Seth are on their way as well. They should be here soon."
At that moment, Trish and Seth arrived at the warehouse, and made there way down to the bottom level where Zen was waiting for them.
"Good, you're here. You wont believe what's going on."
Seth and Trish's expression went from eager to worried in a split second.
"Why what happened?" Seth spoke up.
"I afraid things have taken a turn for the worse." Zen began. "An outside program who is called XANA has some how hacked into The Matrix."
"That cant be, it's nearly impossible to hack The Matrix's system, how could a mere program be able to do it!"
"I don't know, but after he got there, he and Smith arranged a meeting, and even formed an alliance with him, at least this is what the Oracle says. What gets me the most is, that after a period of time, I saw that Smiths power has risen substantially, maybe even enough to start his reign of terror on our world."
"Then what are we waiting for, we got to get in there and stop him!" Trish shouted.
"Alright then, you two head over to the uplinks, and Ill get you jacked in. Then we'll go from there."
Trish and Seth made their way over to uplinks, and prepared for another trip to The Matrix, but this time, they had no idea what they were up against. Because now that Smith and XANA are one, it would be a whole new battle for them.
Zen typed up the information to where he was sending them and then hit the enter key which initiated the sequence to send Seth and Trish to The Matrix.
They opened their eyes to find that they were in the middle of a dark, and abandon road. Most of the houses were run down, and the neighborhood looked pretty rough. Seth had on a long black leather trench coat and also wore a pair of sunglasses to go with it. Trish on the other hand, had more of a latex type of material trench coat, also with sunglasses. Seth was armed with two .45 Caliber pistols, while Trish was armed with a 12 gauge shot gun. They may have been armed well, but when facing smith, it wasn't nearly enough.
They took the time to recognize their surroundings, and soon knew exactly where they were. They didn't even have to look at the street signs, they could already tell that they were in the area of where the oracle lived. Once they realized this, they awaited orders from Zen.
Seth took out his cell phone to contact Zen to inform him that the transfer was indeed successful, and to find out what they needed to do next. He set the phone to "speaker phone" so that they all could hear it.
"Operator." Came Zen's voice from his end.
"Transfer was a success, awaiting orders." Seth replied in a dark tone.
"Good, you know where you are right?"
"Yes."
"Alright, Jack should be there soon, wait until he arrives, and then we will proceed."
"Understood."
A few moments later, Jack arrived to greet his friends. Once there, Zen quickly told them what they were to do.
"Alright guys, you know the situation."
They nodded their heads.
"Then it's time we get to work. Smith is stronger than ever, so I want you all to take extra precaution, don't do anything too risky, do you hear me, especially you Jack."
"Hey, I told you I was fine, that bullet didn't even come close to me. Besides, that was a long time ago, I think I matured a little now."
Seth and Trish snickered to themselves after they heard this, knowing full well the day that Jack matures, is the day that Smith wins.
"Hey, what's so funny, Im being serious here."
"We have no time for this." Zen shouted to them. "There is more at risk now, so get going."
"Sir yes sir." Jack replied
"One more thing. I sure wish that I was there with you guys, I sure could use a little break from this. I know that one day Ill be able to do that, but until then, good luck."
"Thanks Zen." Trish replied. "Ok, so where was Smith last."
"He was last seen at the intersection of Lake and North, he shouldn't be to far from there. But be careful, and watch out for this XANA, we don't know what he's capable of."
"Will do."
And with that, the connection was ended. The three of them started toward the intersection of where Zen had specified and prepared themselves for battle.
"Smith." XANA spoke.
"Yes."
"They're here."
"Who would that be."
"The group I told you about."
"Do you think they are searching for you?"
"No, they are searching for the captive I took with me."
"I see, what do you think we should do?"
"Eliminate them. But one thing puzzles me. How were they able to get here, there is no way Jeremy was able to hack into The Matrix, even I had trouble doing it."
"You must have left a digital "trail", so to speak, for him to follow, and who is this Jeremy."
"He is the one responsible for me being unable to complete my plans, him and the rest of his little friends. I want them dead more than anything else. The captive I took with me, is the actual one who stops me, but she can not protect herself, so she has this bunch of kids do that for her. My monsters can't stop them, and just as I am about to achieve victory, I am stopped by this menace that is placed in my way."
"Did you say monsters?"
"Yes, in my world, I have the power to produce monsters, they are armed with lasers, and it's obvious of their job."
"Right. Hmmm, this gives me an idea."
"What would that be?"
"Suppose you could use your power here. We could use that to out advantage. With my powers and yours, there is no way for even both of our enemies to stop us."
"I never even thought of that, lets give it a try, looks like we have to switch control in order to do this."
"Right."
Smith and XANA focused on the exchange of control. It was easier and quicker than last time, so fast that it was almost instant. Once the change was complete, what was once Smith, now was in the appearance of XANA. After the switch, XANA focused on creating a monster. He did it just like he would in Lyoko, but being in The Matrix, it could require a bit more focus. After concentrating for a few moments, a light appeared in front of them. It started to expand and take a form as well. Soon, after a few moments, it had become a mega-tank.
"This is your monster, a ball?" Smith asked a little puzzled by the sight.
"Don't be quick to judge, this is only one of my creations, but it is the most powerful. Watch and see."
The mega-tank turned its body, and aimed in the direction of an old blue house. The tank opened up, revealing the rest of it that was concealed inside of it. It gathered energy, and fired a huge beam right at one of the near by buildings. Upon impact, the laser caused an explosion, and causing heavy damage to the structure.
"You were saying." XANA spoke up.
The Lyoko team was having no luck themselves, as they continued on to find Aelita and get her back before XANA could act upon them again. But there was so much that they did not know, such as where Aelita was, or even where they really were. Sure they knew that they were inside The Matrix, but where in The Matrix were they? And how big is The Matrix? Was it so big that even Lyoko mainframe computer could not decode all of the information? So many questions for our heros, but none of them may ever be answered.
"Jeremy, this is useless. Just searching here could take years, and who knows what XANA could be up to." Odd complained. He sat down on a near by bench to take a rest, knowing that his continuous efforts were not going to be payed off.
Ulrich and Yumi also took this opportunity to take a break as well.
"We've been searching for hours Jeremy, and we haven't found anything even remotely helpful. We need a new plan." Yumi also put in.
"Im sorry guys, I just don't know what I can tell you. This is different form Lyoko, so the game plan has changed. For now, this is the only real option, unless you want to sit there and do nothing. Try going further into the city, maybe someone else is here as well, and could possibly help."
"You have a good point, and I guess going into the city could help a bit more, especially if we found someone who could help. Lets just hope that good luck is with us."
At that moment, they all heard a big explosion coming from way up ahead. Along with the explosion, an averaged sized building also came crashing down. They all stood there with shock on their face.
"Well, I think we know now where XANA is." Odd said, breaking the silence.
"Lets go check it out." Ulrich added as they all ran off to see what might be the cause of this event.
"What the hell was that!" Seth shouted after they heard the explosion.
"That doesn't look like Smith's doing to me." Trish piped in.
"Well enough wasting time, lets go stop who ever, or what ever it is." Said Jack as he added the last of the commentary.
The three of them headed off to find out what was the cause of the dilemma, but little did they realize that the would be in for a couple of surprises.
Ulrich's group arrived first to the scene and by this time, most of the pedestrians had left the area, and once again the group was left with shock on their faces, as they stood there staring at a man wearing black who was standing next to a mega-tank, and had a particularly evil smile on his face.
"Is that..." Ulrich started
"It couldn't be..." Yumi added.
"It is..." Odd finished up.
"XANA!" They all said together.
"So." XANA spoke up. "You were able to get here after all. It's a shame really, I was looking forward to destroying you in my world, but now I suppose I could settle for this. Especially after all the misery you caused me. But I wont be the only one causing your demise."
The group stood there in confusion that soon turned to horror as XANA changed form. Smith had taken back control of his body and XANA returned to the corridors of Smiths mind, where he waited peacefully for his next opportunity to strike.
"So, these are the ones I've heard so much about." Smith began, with an evil smile forming on his face. "These are the ones that keep getting in the way, who foil your plans, who stop you where you stand. I must say that I am a bit disappointed, I was hoping for them to be a bit stronger, but there still is strength in numbers I suppose."
"Who are you?" Ulrich asked in a dark tone.
"I am Smith. Soon to be the one to control this world and the one you live in, along with my new accomplice of course."
"So you and XANA are in this together?"
"Yes, and Im afraid it's going to take more than you three to stop us."
At that moment Seth's group also arrived to the scene, only to find that their greatest enemy was there. And right beside him stood a giant ball-like structure. They also noticed three other individuals about their age there as well.
"Who are they...what is that...did Smith do this?" The group whispered amongst themselves.
"Well, it looks like this might be an interesting fight after all. What do think XANA, six on two doesn't sound too bad, what do you think?"
Smith and XANA switched control yet again.
"I don't know, we do have the mega-tank, but maybe we should even it out a bit."
XANA focused his mind, and after a few moments four blocks appeared right before their eyes. The battle was about to begin, but could both groups trust one another. Either, way, they were about to find out.
Boy, that was a doozy of chapter. Im sorry to have kept you all waiting, but it better to get it done right, than to just get it done. The next one shouldn't be as long of a wait, now that Im getting into more of a flow with my writing. I hope you all enjoy what you have waited so long to see. Well, I got nothing more to say, so drop a review off when your done, thanks in advance. If I made any errors, feel free to point them out.
