Secrets-The Way of Delta Company
Note: I updated Chapter 21 for Fairy Soldiers: Lovers & Friends. It is now called Arc 141: Safety Net.
Dawn is sitting on a bench writing some thoughts down in her homework book. "I think this would be good for this assignment." Dawn looks up and thinks about the past few days. "I wonder what would happen if William was a Lyoko Warrior. I mean, I trust Yumi's judgment, and she knows him better than all of us as his classmate." Dawn sighs as she sees Ash, Brock, and Allison walking towards her. "Penny, for your thoughts?" Allison asks. "No. Only wondering 'what if,'" Dawn said. "Like in the new Disney show, What If...," Ash said. Brock laughs. "Let's go. Mr. Sanban is waiting for us." Delta Company goes to Mr. Sanban's apartment, where he leaves them a note. To add a bit of context, Delta Company helped Mr. Sanban with some errands at the beginning of the year. In truth, they wanted some space from the Lyoko Warriors but helping an older adult is a bonus. Back to the note, Allison reads it. "Dear children, I am upstairs. Please bring my couch upstairs. The delivery workers quit at the last minute, and I need my couch. Please help, Mr. Sanban." "Who quits in the middle of the job?" Dawn asks. Ash turns his hat around. "We can do it!" A few minutes later, and the couch is stuck. "Maybe we need to pivot," Ash said. "Never say that!" Brock said. Allison and Dawn move their side of the couch, and it fits. "Great! I don't want to hear anyone's inner Ross anytime soon!" Dawn said. "Right! And to be clear, it was not a break! And Living Single was the OG!" Allison said. The group laughs. After the errand, Mr. Sanban gave everyone 1000 euros. They all bow to him. "Thank you," they said. As they leave, Paul shows up. "Helping an elder. Hmm, I wonder if there are more secrets." "What do you want?" Allison asks. "Nothing. Maybe we could be friends." "Friends. You lost that right when you tried to send me to military school," Ash said. "Well, I went instead and was sent here. Come on," Paul taunts. "No. Leave us alone, Paul," Dawn said. Paul rolls his eyes. "Pathetic," Paul said. "Let's leave," Brock said. Paul shakes his head, "I will see what they are hiding."
Later that day, the students receive their grades for the history project. "Looks like we are going to be eating well soon because Brock and I got the higher grade," Dawn said. "By a tenth of a point. Get over yourself," Ash said. "Come on. Now, we are even. But next time," Allison starts. "Next time, Dawn and I will go for two for two," Brock said. "No. You mean Ash and me," Allison said. The rest of the friends arrive. "I see your bet is settled," Ulrich said. "It is. You should try it as motivation," Allison said. "Sure, Jones, only when your penmanship improves." "Oh, like that history grade, Stern." "Funny!" Odd laughs. "You should not be laughing!" Ulrich said. "Oh, fuck you, Ulrich!" Odd said. A few minutes later, Paul spies on the group. "We are down to two sectors, and we have to stay on guard. However, I feel that we are keeping up with XANA," Jeremy said. "Is there any luck with the program?" Ash asks. "Not yet. I am running some tests on Lyoko first; then, I will share my data with you all." "In the meantime, we have to keep up the fact that XANA will try to attack the Core of Lyoko more often," Aelita said. "We know, princess. Just last week, XANA attacked the Core seven times. SEVEN! It got to the point when we wanted to live there because we knew XANA would be there," Odd said. "Exactly. We know it is coming, and we need to keep our head in the game." "We will, always Aelita!" Yumi said. "Okay, well, since we all have the afternoon off, I'll go to the factory to work on more tests," Jeremy said. "I'll join you," Aelita said. "To make out. (Makes kissing sounds)." Odd and Dawn said. "Talk to my finger," Aelita teases. "Dawn and I need to see Ms. Hertz. See you all later," Allison said. "We do?" Dawn asks. The others decided to play soccer in the park. Paul decides to follow the group to the park. "Understanding Delta Company, adventure and trouble always follow." At that moment, XANA posses a flock of Talonflame.
Dawn and Allison were in one of the science labs. "Allison, why are we here?" Dawn asks. "Because that was rude of you and Odd about Aelita and Jeremy," Allison said. "Whatever!" "But sweet!" Dawn pauses. "Excuse me!" "I mean you and Odd!" "Stop. We're friends." "But you like him." "I do like that he is the life of the party." "And the love of your life!" Dawn places Allison in a headlock. "Funny, Jones!" "Admit it, Adams!" At the park, Brock referees a two-on-two soccer game between Odd and Yumi vs. Ulrich and Ash. Paul spies on them. "I can say that Ash is somewhat a better battler than a soccer player." Odd runs down the grass when Ash slides and kicks the ball to Ulrich, who scores a goal. "Goal!" Brock shouts. "The score is three all. The next one decides it!" "Get ready!" Ulrich said. "For you to lose," Yumi said. As the game progresses, Paul gets closers. Ash turns around and sees nothing. Brock looks up and sees nothing as well. Ash runs past Yumi and is trying to score when a flock of Talonflame flies through. "Whoa!" Ash said. "Shit, that hurt!" Yumi said. She pauses when she remembers the crows from a few weeks ago. "Are you okay?" Ulrich asks. "Yes," Yumi said with a slight blush, which causes Ulrich to blush. "I'm not!" Odd said. "That was weird. We're not near food!" Brock said. Paul ducks when the flocks come again. "What is the problem?" Odd asks. The third time, the flock uses Ember. "Okay, maybe we should leave," Ulrich said. As Ash gets up, he sees something in one of the eyes. "Look at those eyes!" "XANA!" Yumi said. "Run!" Brock shouts. As they run to the maintenance hole, they call Jeremy. "Good timing, XANA activated a tower in the Mountian Sector," Jeremy said. "No shit, Sherlock. A flock of Talonflame is attacking us!" Ulrich said. "Talonflame?" "That is the fire/flying type, right?" Aelita asks. "Yes. We were attacked with Ember!" Ulrich shouts. "Okay, I'll call the girls, and we'll all meet up in the factory," Jeremy said. Bro k notices some of the Pokemon left. "I think Dawn and Allison are in trouble," Brock said. Back in the classroom. Dawn pauses. "I mean, I think-hold on Jeremy is calling. Talonflame? What!" "Dawn!" Allison screams. Allison grabs Dawn, and they run out of the classroom as Talonflame crashes through the windows. "Dawn! Allison!" Jeremy calls. "They might be in trouble," Aelita said. "We're okay!" Dawn said. "We are hiding in the library." In the factory, Jeremy tells the group to head to Lyoko. "What about Dawn and Allison? You remember what happened to Yumi," Ulrich said. Yumi smiles. "I think they will be okay. Dawn said Jim is on watch," Jeremy said. "Great, let's fight XANA," Ash said. "Really, where do you fight this, XANA?" Paul asks. The snake! "Paul!" Ash and Brock exclaim. "What the fuck!" Odd walks by Paul. "Oh, hey. Don't let the good lord-whoa another one!" "Tell me! Does danger follow you everywhere?" Paul asks. "Fuck you!" Ash said. "Look. You all go to the scanners. I can entertain Paul," Jeremy said. The group goes. "So, this is why you skip the gym," Paul said. "Whoa is me!"
In the Library, Dawn and Allison hide with the lights off with other students. "Why are the Talonflame hostile? Are they Confused?" Ash J asks. "I think so!" Allison said. One of the Talonflame spots her. The other spots Dawn. The group splits into two and attacks the Library. Dawn and Allison run and head to the factory entrance on campus. Jeremy notices a Talonflame in the lab. It tries to attack him, but Paul stuffs a Poke Puff in its mouth. "That would hold it for long. Maybe I can lead it away." "Good idea. The factory floor is all yours," Jeremy said. Paul lets the Talonflame chases him. On Lyoko, the group comes across purple shape Mantas. "Jeremy, why are the Mantas different colors?" Ulrich asks. "I don't know. Be careful!" Jeremy said. The Mantas attack the Warriors. Brock can hit one with his arrow but gets by one. Yumi hits one as well but gets hit by one too. "Are you guys okay?" Ulrich asks. "I think so," Yumi said. Ulrich attacks the Manta but gets hit, and so does Odd. Aelita attacks two Mantas but gets stung by one. Ash uses his sword and defeats two Mantas but gets hit by one. "Okay, now we need to step it up!" Yumi said. But when she takes out her bow and arrow-what! Brock takes out his fans-what!" "Whoa, did Brock and Yumi trade weapons?" Odd asks. Ash looks at his hands and sees two blue energy fields. Aelita holds a heavy medieval sword. "Too heavy!" Aelita said. Ulrich gasps as he sees Odd holding his sword. "I can guess what you have," Odd said. "Jeremy!" Ulrich calls. However, Jeremy is not there. Why? Because there was another Talonflame, and it attacked Jeremy. So, Jeremy is running on the factory floor. Dawn and Allison arrive at the factory and see Paul and Jeremy use mirrors to deal with the Talonflame. Dawn sees some water blasters on the ground. "I heard there was a rave here last night," she said. "And Talonflame is weak against water," Allison said. When Allison jumps and shoots water at the Pokemon, Jeremy and Paul are about to be pecked to death. "It has 300 refills at once!" "Thanks. I'll head back to the lab!" Jeremy said as he takes one. Paul takes one as well. "Since we don't have Pokemon on campus, I'll guess this is the next best thing, right?" Paul asks. "Yes. Also, if Ash came up with this, what would you say?" Dawn asks. "Pathetic, but at least we're alive." On Lyoko, the warriors try to use their "new" weapons. "Jeremy!" Aelita calls out. "What happened?" Jeremy asks. "Where were you?" "Playing with feathers. Why am I being told to refill Yumi and Ulrich?" "Because these purple Mantas played Freaky Friday on a Tuesday," Odd said. "The only way I see is to do a return to the past to fix the problem," Jeremy said. "Great! I need a crash course like now!" Ash said. "And I need a gym!" Aelita said. "Don't panic. If we stay calm, we can figure this out," Brock said. He threw a fan like a frisbee, and it scratched a Manta. "Go but do it with confidence," Yumi said. "And for you, relax and aim for the eye," Brock said. Odd and Aelita struggle a little. "You two have to get close. Maybe not Aelita but be Odd's back up," Ulrich said. Ash uses "his" energy fields to clear a way for Aelita and Odd. Ulrich aims at two monsters and hits them. "I seem to be better than Odd." "Fuck no!" Odd said. Dawn and Allison shoot all of the Talonflames down except for the leader. Paul is on top of the railing and jumps on it. It goes crazy, but Paul manages to get it to fly into a net. "That was an Ash move," Allison said. "Don't tell him," Paul said. On Lyoko, Aelita activates the tower. "Okay, an RTTP!" Jeremy said. But XANA attacks the Core of Lyoko, and everyone except for Aelita lost their life points. "Jeremy!" Aelita said. "Hold on; I cam calling Allison. "Okay, we're coming. Dawn. we have to get to Lyoko." "Okay," Dawn said. "Thanks, Paul." Paul nods. Wait, the leader Talonflame sees her friend on the ground, blames the human children, and uses Flame Charge and Flare Blitz. "Jeremy, the leader Talonflanme is angry, and it is using fire-type moves," Allison said. "Okay, I see. Those are Physical moves so it can get hurt," Jeremy said. "Plus, the factory could be in flames," Ash said. "Yeah, but Allison, Aelita, and Dawn have to save the Core first," Yumi said. "You guys switch with Allison and Dawn, and please be careful; we're not sure what is flammable there," Jeremy said.
Allison and Dawn meet Aelita on the edge of the sector and head for Sector Five. Meanwhile, only small fires are all around the factory. "Here, use these water blasters," Paul said. They split up into two groups: Ulrich, Ash, and Paul put out the fires, and Brock, Yumi, and Odd try to calm down the Talonflame. "I wish we had some food," Brock said. "I do. Dawn made a bunch of Poffins in class," Odd said. "Okay, we have to be quiet and calm." "Maybe I can wake up its friends. Maybe that can work," Yumi said. "Good idea," Brock said. At the Core, a purple Manta hits Allison and Dawn. "Twisted Tuesday!" Dawn said. "I still have Ash's heavy sword!" Aelita said. "Okay, we can do this!" Allison said. Allison spins Poi and hits a Manta. Aelita jumps and flies on one Manta while attacking another. Dawn makes her own Poi stick and attacks two creepers. On Earth, the fires are almost out, but Talonflames makes more. "This is impossible," Ash said. "Don't have your superpowers," Paul said. "Paul, stop. We need to call a truce," Ulrich said. "Like the squirrels," Paul said. Ash looks up. "If we can hit the sprinklers." "We can out the fires," Ulrich said. "And slow down Talonflame," Paul said. Yumi wakes up some of the Talonflame and feeds them. Odd and Brock try to calm down the leader but no luck. "It is mad as fuck!" Odd said. "I know. I wish we can do more," Brock said. The flock of Talonflame wakes up and talks to their leader. The leader looks at the human children. She flies to Brock and eats the Poffin. "Talonflame!" "Alright!" Odd said. The flock uses Steel Wing to crack the sprinklers and put out the fire. However, a pipe falls on Paul's head. "Paul!" Ash shouts. He goes to him. "Stay awake!" "Your hotdog breath stinks!" "Paul, you need to stay awake, so please don't be an asshole" "And, you're alright!" "Thanks. You too!" On Lyoko, Aelita manages to hit the last Manta while Allison and Dawn hit the last creepers. "All done," Allison said. "Great! RTTP now!" Jeremy commands.
After helping Mr. Sanban, Delta Company sees Paul. "Ash helping the elderly?" Paul teases. "Yeah. Mr. Sanban is sweet, but he should shop at a store where the employees don't quit every day," Ash said. "Huh?" "Yeah. Next time, we'll ask you to help. He gives out a lot of money," Brock said. "What? Are you asking me to help?" Paul asks. "Yeah. I mean, getting extra cash for helping plus getting an allowance from our parents is sweet," Dawn said. "I guess. What is the catch?" "We can log this as community service hours, and Mr. Sanban won't tell the school he pays us. Plus, it is a break from GI-Joe-Jim," Allison said. "Okay, I'll think about it," Paul said. This time around, the group meets in Jeremy's room. "Okay, that was weird. Let's hope XANA doesn't pull any more tricks with the Mantas," Jeremy said. Allison notices a small black dot on Jeremy's right hand. "Also, I was able to get more-" Jeremy stops when he gets a knock on the door. Aelita opens it. "Thank you." "It is from Crissie Lola!" "A rave at the factory floor!" Yumi said. "With a glass dancefloor, mocktails, and more," Ulrich said. "A rave! Everyone will be there, and that could be a problem," Jeremy said.
Jeremy is right! Anyone can find the lab during a rave. At least Delta Company has made peace with Paul. Also, Crissie is one of Odd's ex-girlfriends who saw Dawn and Odd kiss during their fake date after the RTTP. Yikes! Also, XANA got creative with the Warriors, but at a party at the factory, XANA is going to have a field day!