The Battle to the Core
Aelita is entering some data in Sector Five. She notices that there is not enough power to activate the data. Then she sees a white orb giving up its life force to provide enough power for the data. Aelita screams, "No, Daddy. Don't do it." Aelita tries to shoot energy fields to deflect the monsters, but the Orb sends Aelita a message. "Daddy! Don't," Aelita shouts as her heart drops. The Ord glow intensifies, and it disappears. "No!" Aelita shouts. She wakes up in her room with cold sweats down her back. Allison knocks on her door. "Aelita, are you okay?" "Yes. It was a bad dream," Aelita answers. "Do you need us to come in?" Dawn asks. "No. I'm okay! I'm overthinking about life." "Okay," Allison says. The girls head for the showers, which Aelita does as well. In the shower, she sees a vivid vision of her father's death over and over. "Daddy," Aelita says as she cries. She sneaks out of the shower before Allison and Dawn can see her, to avoid more questions. Later, Aelita visits Jeremy in his room. "Hello, Jeremy. Um, did you sleep? Or shower?" "I didn't sleep, but I took a cold shower earlier to keep myself up," Jeremy says. "Jeremy, you need to sleep. These late-night sessions are not good for you." Jeremy smiles and kisses Aelita on her nose. "But, I have completed my MAS program. I am running a few more tests first." "But, you need to relax, sleep, and eat." "I will when we destroy XANA once and for all," Jeremy says as he gives Aelita a peck on the cheek. "Kisses won't stop me from worrying, but I trust you. I'll save you a seat," Aelita says with a worried smile. In the cafeteria, Aelita tells the others about her nightmare. "Do you think it was a premonition?" Yumi asks. "I don't know. It felt real," Aelita says. "And sorry for lying to you and Dawn, Allison. " "No, problem. That is a lot to unpack," Allison says. "I think it was a message from your father," Ash says. "Me too. He must know that the end is near and maybe wants you to be prepared for anything," Brock says. "Yeah. But do you think I am worrying too much?" Aelita asks. "No. Everything will work out," Ulrich says. "Of course, no need to worry," Odd says. "Hey, don't steal my line," Dawn says as the group laughs. "Hey, what's the joke?" William as when he approaches the table. The group became silent. "Can I sit with you?" William asks. Ash was going to answer, but Yumi spoke first. "Um, we are having a private conversation." "Well, we're friends, and I can listen." "Look, it is not the best time," Odd says. "What?" William says. "Look. It is best if you get to know the other students again," Ulrich says. William is dumbfounded. "I get it1" William leaves. "Stupid fuckers," he says as students cheer for him. "Man, you had us going," one student said. "What an act," another said. Meanwhile, "Excuse me? What the fuck? William is not the enemy! That was rude!" Aelita states. "Please, his fucking us didn't listen to you and Allison and got his fucking us captured but the Scyphozoa on the first day," Ulrich states. "Fuck you! I captured numerous times; what does that say about me?" "Well, it different for you because well you don't-um,' Odd mumbles. Aelita raises an eyebrow. "What was that? I don't have what? I'm what?" "Um," Odd mumbles some more. "I hope you weren't implying something about Aelita's Lyoko Warrior abilities," Dawn says. "No. Um," Odd mumbles again. "Ash, what were you going to say?" Brock asks. "I was going to say sure, but remind him that he has to regain our trust because he didn't listen to the girls. You know, baby steps," Ash said. "See, that is a mature answer! Plus, it could have happened to any of us. It happened to Yumi when it took her link," Aelita says. Yumi sighs. "You're right. We were hard on William," Yumi says. "Now, he is sitting all alone," Allison says. "How about this? We will be civil with him. But he is not allowed at the Factory." "I like that. XANA may want its soldier back." Aelita nods, and everyone agrees.
In his room, Jeremy gets a message from Franz Hopper. "Franz Hopper?" Jeremy investigates the message. "It's a meeting on Lyoko. How do I know you are him?" Jeremy responses. Franz Hopper replies that the MAS is needed to defeat XANA, and he was working on one when the MIB came to find him and Aelita. That is a fact. "Aelita, are you guys finished eating?" Jeremy calls. "Yeah, what's up?" Aelita asks. "I received a message from Franz Hopper. he wants to meet with us." "My father? Is it real?" "Yeah. Can you all meet me at the Factory?" "On our way," Aelita says. "We have to go to the Factory. My father wants to meet us." "Really, for what?" Odd asks. "Jeremy didn't say." As the group heads for the park, Sissi listens to some music. "What else can I do?" Sissi sings as she sees Jeremy heading for the park. "The park at this hour? I need to see." So Sissi follows Jeremy to the park, but when he enters the utility hole, he is out of sight, and Sissi is mad. "Where the fuck did he go?" Sissi shouts when the group sees her, and she approaches them. "Where are you going?" Sissi asks. "Um, to the gym," Ulrich says. "Yeah," the others agree. "Really?" Sissi says. "No way." "Way. You could go after us. You need to keep up with the flips," Dawn says. "Excuse me? You both work for me, and it is your job to make me look good. And when was the last time you two were at practice?" "The last time we had it. Jim is the one who sets the schedule, remember?" Allison says. Sissi rolls her eyes and leaves. The group goes to the sewer door, and Jeremy calls again. "Where are you?" "Sorry. I think Sissi was following you. We have to go another way; we are coming," Aelita says. "Okay, hurry." "The door is locked," Ulrich says. "Since when?" Ash asks. "The beginning of the end,' Odd says. The group heads back outside. "What happened to the gym?" Sissi asks. "Not our day!" Yumi says. Here comes William. "Sissi, mym love!" "Fuck you? Getaway!" Sissi shouts. "But, I was only acting stupid because I was playing hard to get. But now, I want you!" "I know that this is a joke," Sissi shouts as William chases her. "William, I think you need a new act," Sissi teases. Meanwhile, the group heads for the lab. "Finally. Here is the scope. Franz Hopper has sent me a location for a rendezvous point in the Ice Sector," Jeremy says. "Are you sure? XANA has done this before. I remember it too well," Aelita asks. "I think it's your father. Hopper sent it right after I did the final testing for the MAS. However, we need to keep our guard up and protect Hopper. The last time, XANA went after think." "So, who stays and who goes?" Brock asks. "Everyone is going. XANA might be pulling out all of the stops." "Including me?" William asks as he enters the elevator. The group stares are him. "Come on. I have a score to settle with XANA," William says. "No!" Yumi rebukes. "You are a target. What if XANA sends an army to get you back. It's too risky." "Please. I heard that it could happen to anyone," William shoots back. "Hold it!" Jeremy says. "William can stay on as standby. He will go to Lyoko if the situation gets tense. Agree?" Everyone nods. The group minus William goes to the Ice Sector. "Here are the coordinates," Jeremy says. The group arrives at the waterfall cave. "Can I have a moment alone with my father?" Aelita asks. "Sure, princess," Odd says. Aelita heads inside and sees her father. "Daddy?" Franz Hopper responded with a glow. Meanwhile, XANA has activated a tower in the Ice Sector. "Fuck! I have to warn the others. At the same time, a specter appears and possesses William. William walks to Jeremy. "William, head for the scanners," Jeremy says. "Sure, after this," William says as he attacks Jeremy and throws him across the room. William heads for the scanners to disable them. "Jeremy? Jeremy" Aelita calls out. "Daddy, we need to leave," Aelita says. As she walks away, Hopper pushes out the was as ice boulders start to fall. the two make it out of the cave. "What the fuck is happening?" Aelita asks. "Look up!" Allison shouts. The Kolossus arrives with an army of Mantas. "Holy fuck! The showstopper," Ash says. "Where's Jeremy?" Dawn asks. "He stopped answering me," Aelita says. "Something is wrong. Someone has to go back," Brock says. "I'll go," Yumi says. She is sent back to the lab and finds William trying to destroy the scanners. "We should have brought you to Lyoko," Yumi says. "Well, XANA would have taken me there as well," William says as he attacks Yumi.
"We can handle the Kolossuss, right Brock and Ulrich?" Ask states. "Yeah," they agree. "Okay, we are going to get Hopper to safety," Allison says. Hopper glows when Allison touches him. "Right, Franz Hopper is your uncle through his marriage to Anthea," Dawn says. "Nice to meet you," Allison says. The group battle groups of Mantas. "Take this," Allison makes two plasma spears and attacks a Manta. Dawn uses her Poi sticks and knocks out a few Mantas. Odd climbs on a boulder and down a few aerial shots while Aelita shoots a few down. At the same time, the boys manage to climb on top of the Kolossus. "We need to get the target on the head," Ulrich says. "Of course. Lead the way,' Brock says. Meanwhile, Yumi is struggling with William. "No match for me, bitch!" William says. "Such a mouth for a fucking AI," Yumi says. She manages to get to the elevator; however, William phrases through the door and attacks her, and throws her out one of the elevator teachers on the main floor. Jeremy wakes up and sees William gone and that Franz Hopper is sending him data. "Hello?" "Jeremy," Dawn says, "Are you okay?" Aelita asks. "Not really, but I'll be okay. Now, let me see." Jeremy reviews the data. "What is it?" Odd asks. "It is data to transform the MAS into an anti-XANA program," Jeremy says. "What is the difference?" Odd asks. "The data will make sure that the MAS is for XANA. Like an antibody made specifically for XANA instead of a general program that is similar to XANA," Allison says. "Exactly. I am going to add the data to the program," Jeremy says. Dawn defeats a few more Mantas as the program is complete. Ulrich reachers the head, and the monster is frozen. "Huh? What happened?" Brock asks. "I hit the target," Ulrich says. "I see it. There is another on the arm," Ash says. When he reaches for it, he is crushed. "Ash!" Ulrich cries out. "Okay, I'll go. Super Sprint!" Franz Hopper makes a beeline for the Digital Sea. "Okay, Aelita, you have to go to Sector Five to implement the program," Jeremy says. "Okay," Aelita says. Brock jumps down and helps Dawn. Allison gets de-virtualized from the Mantas as Jeremy enters the code: Scipio and Aelita, Odd, Dawn, and Brock enter the transporter. Ulrich hits the arm target and gets rushed as the Kolossus goes down. The four arrive at Sector Five and enter the Celestrial Dome. When Aelita enters the program, "Jeremy, there is not enough energy." "Fuck. I know, but look out!" Jeremy shouts. The Mantas ambush the group. The group battles the Mantas, but Odd, Brock, and Dawn lose their life points, leaving Aelita alone. "What a trip," Odd says. "Where are the others?" Brock asks, "They went to help Yumi," Jeremy says. Yumi and William stumble into the assembly room. William corners Yumi when Ulrich, Ash, and Allison arrive to battle William. Ash and Allison take over first so Ulrich can take care of Yumi. Allison pushes William into a pile of boxes but William charges at her. She jumps on him and flips him over. William sprints over and throws Allison into a pile of pipes. Ash sucker punches William, and he falls to the ground. Ash carries Allison to where Yumi and Ulrich are, only for William to grab him and tilt his head back. "No!" Allison shouts as she hits William in the groin with a pipe. Ash falls on the floor, and Willam grabs him, shocks him, and throws him across the room. Ulrich holds the pipe and goes toe to toe with William. William shakes the pipe and grabs Ulrich, but Ulrich kicks him. William attacks Ulrich by punching his stomach over and over. Ulrich moans as William throws him with the others and starts to charge up.
In Sector Five, Franz Hopper appears and sends energy to the Supercomputer. "He is sending energy to the Supercomputer," Aelita says. "He is," Jeremy says. Aelita notices that Mantas are attacking Hopper. "Daddy, don't! Getaway!" Aelita shouts as she tries to attack the Mantas. As Hopper's life points dwindle, the Supercomputer gain enough power. "What is going on?" Dawn asks from the scanner room. "Franz Hopper is sacrificing himself for his daughter, again," Jeremy says. At the same time, William makes the whole room shake as the walls become electrified. Yumi, Ulrich, Ash, and Allison huddle together in fear and pain. "Aelita, please activate the program," Jeremy pleas. "But, my father. I can't let him die!" Aelita cries out. "Aelita, our friends are not going to make it with William. The window is small, so please. Don't let your father's sacrifice go in vain." Aelita takes deep breathes as she activates the program just as her father is killed. "Daddy!" Aelita cries anti-X.A.N.A. program is a success, and all the Replikas are destroyed one by one and X.A.N.A. along with them. In the Lab, Jeremie watches the interface in amazement as his program causes all the Replikas on the internet to vanish. Yumi, Ulrich, Ash, and Allison look on as a massive specter is forced out of William's body and disintegrates before their eyes in the assembly room. The white light sweeps through the surface sectors and disables the activated tower, symbolizing that this is the end of X.A.N.A. forever. Jeremy brings Aelita back as the Lyoko Warriors convene in the scanner room. Jeremy arrives to comfort a distraught Aelita. "He sacrificed himself to save the world, and I didn't get a chance to say goodbye!" Aelita cries. The group gives her a bear hug in support.
After a few days of mourning, the Lyoko Warriors have one more mission: turning off the Supercomputer. XANA is gone but at the expense of Aelita's father, Franz Hopper. What happens now? Victory is supposed to be sweet, but why does it feel empty. Life goes on, but the feeling of losing someone who didn't have a fair chance at life makes life seem like a privilege, not a right.