New and Improved

Chapter 1: The New Team

Gotta give props to TB3 of LF for designing Sissi's Lyoko outfit.

Odd was cornered. The Krabe advanced towards him.

"Odd, get out of there, you've only got ten life points left," shouted Jeremie frantically.

"I'm pinned down Jeremie, I don't have a way to escape," said Odd quickly, with a hint of apprehension in his voice. Odd fired several arrows at his enemy, not bothering to aim, as there was no time. All failed to hit the target, and the Krabe closed in. Knowing it was his time, Odd gathered himself and made a frantic charge towards the monster, but stopped short to the sound of crunching metal. The Krabe stood up straight, and Odd noticed a javelin-like weapon sticking out of its head just before the before it exploded. After the debris disappeared, a girl floated down, using her anti-gravity abilities, and picked up the javelin, which had turned back into its normal form, a bo staff. She looked up and smiled at Odd, brushing a lock of hair out of her face.

"Thanks, Sissi," said Odd, breathing a sigh of relief. "I owe you one."

Sissi giggled. She was wearing a maroon tunic with a fatigue-style undershirt. Her pants were also maroon with a couple thick purple stripes and some golden-colored heart designs on the stripes down the sides. She had purple and maroon boots with fatigue-style laces. She was wearing a golden headband, with her dark brown hair made into a large ponytail in the back. Odd lost touch with reality as he gazed upon her, but only for a moment. The sound of Jeremie's voice snapped him out of it.

"Odd, Sissi, must you guys always be like that? You know we've got a world to save, or did you forget?"

"Oh, give it a rest, Jeremie," said Sissi.

"Yeah, Einstein," said Odd, "we know what we're doing. We're pros at this."

"Oh, yeah, then why do you two pros go and give Yumi and Aelita a hand then, hmm?"

Jeremie sighed. Ever since Sissi had found out about Lyoko and joined the group, Odd hadn't been the same. He was always getting distracted while fighting, which nearly cost the team on a number of occasions. Jeremie was beginning to wonder of allowing Sissi to join the team had been a good decision. Jeremie shook his head, ridding his mind of that thought. Sissi has become a valuable asset to the team, he thought to himself. She's a tenacious fighter, thanks in part to her Penchak Silat skills and her "never-give-up" mentality. Plus her relationship with her father, the principal, has gotten us out of many a jam. Jeremie's mind drifted back to the task at hand as he eyed the computer monitor. Sissi, Odd and Ulrich, quickly got Yumi out of trouble, and then quickly eliminated the rest of XANA's committee. Aelita entered the tower and promptly deactivated it. Jeremie's computer beeped, as he had gotten a call. The sound of Jim's voice came through to Jeremie's headset.

"Jeremie, what's going on? Did you manage to deactivate the tower? The flood appears to be subsiding."

"Yes, Jim. Aelita just deactivated it about 30 seconds ago. Everyone is safe now."

"You gonna return to the past?"

"Not this time, as it doesn't appear to be necessary. Besides we need to avoid returns to the past at all costs, remember?"

"Oh, yeah, right. See you all in a few. I'll cover for you."

"Thank you, Jim." Jeremie hung up and smiled. After a few keystrokes, all five of the warriors emerged from the scanner room. Odd and Sissi came out first, arm in arm. Yumi came out next, followed by Aelita, with Ulrich bringing up the rear. "Great work, guys," said Jeremie. "Today's mission was a piece of cake. XANA seems to be losing some of his edge." Aelita smiled.

"Maybe you're right, Jeremie. With Sissi on our team, XANA doesn't stand a chance."

Sissi, who had been sitting on the floor fixing her hair, looked up. Everyone was looking at her, smiling. "What?" she said puzzled. Everyone laughed, including Odd.

----

Jim met the kids outside of Kadic. "So, how'd it go, huh? What'd I miss?"

"Oh, nothing much," said Yumi with a smile. She brushed a lock of hair out of her face. "As usual, we kicked XANA's butt."

Jim chuckled. "Ha ha, sounds like fun. Man, I wish I could have come along this time."

"I know, Jim," said Jeremie, "but you were needed at the school. Mr. Delmas would have been suspicious had you not been around."

"I know, I know. It's just been a while since I've been in Lyoko. I'm beginning to miss it. I want to use my cool powers again."

"You'll get your chance again, you'll see." Aelita said, smiling, with a warm look in her eyes.

"I sure hope so."

"Me too," said Ulrich.

"Me three," chimed in Odd.

"Me—" Sissi started to say it, but Jeremie interrupted.

"Okay, you guys. I think we all get the idea. Let's head to class."

"Good idea," said Yumi. I'll see you all later. She headed off in the direction of Mr. Fumet's class. Ulrich watched her as she disappeared around the corner. He was startled by a tap on the shoulder. He turned around to see Odd and Sissi smiling at him.

"Come on, Ulrich; let's see what Mrs. Hertz has in store for us today. The three of them headed off to class, leaving Jim there alone the courtyard. Sissi looked over her shoulder.

"See you later, Jim," she shouted, waving. Jim put up his hand and smiled.

Gotta love those kids, he thought. Putting their lives on the line to save the world, how about that. He chuckled, shaking his head. Then he remembered. "Oh, I almost forgot!" Jim turned and jogged towards the running track, as he had a PE class to run. Little did he know that William had been watching and listening to them from across the courtyard. William rubbed his hand against his chin thoughtfully, and then he headed for Mr. Fumet's class.