A/N many of the ideas for the next few chapters came to me in my dreams, so please keep that in mind as you enjoy them.
20 years after the events of The Fall of XANA.
Standing in the gleaming white halls of Einstein and Einstein Robotics, a tall, skinny man with spiked blond hair with a purple streak is walking down the corridor.
Speaking into his phone, he says: "That design you sent me is so blocky- it looks like a 4 year old designed it. Redesign it and make it smooth, sophisticated, and elegant, like all our other products," He says as he hangs up.
"Why do they put me, the famous Odd Della Robia in charge of such aesthetic blind engineers," he grumbles to himself.
As he nears a cross hallway, 2 gleaming silver robots with the eye of XANA embossed on their left chest emerge and level their lasers directly at the man.
"WHAT?! THESE GUYS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE DEAD!" He exclaims.
Behind him, a wheeled droid with a tall scope coming out of its base comes speeding down the hall. From the top of its scope, it fires 2 bright blue bolts of electricity at the combat robots. They strike exactly in the middle of the robots' chests and they collapse to the ground.
"Nice work Piaget," Odd compliments as he stoops down to address the robot.
At the sound of multiple loud stomping noises coming from down the hallway, he shoves himself against the wall in between 2 support pillars. The robot also crams itself against the wall, and folds it carriage up so that it looks like a funky modern art sculpture. 16 of XANA's combat droids march straight down the corridor, oblivious to the hiding Lyoko Warrior.
As the robots march by, a black cloud emerges from an outlet and flies into the camouflaged security robot.
Once the noise of the stomping combat robots has died down, Odd emerges from his hiding spot. Behind him, the security robot uncamouflages itself. Leveling its scope directly at Odd, it fires 2 bright blue bolts of electricity straight into his upper back. The Lyoko warrior collapses to the ground, dead.
Inside the grungy garage of the Paris Fire Brigade station 43, is a tall, slim man with brown hair, changing out of his firefighter uniform, into a dark green shirt, army jacket, and blue jeans.
"Hey Stern, what are you going to do on your days off?" The firefighter next to him asks.
"It so happens that Yumi is off from work and we're going to take a little trip to Provence," Ulrich responds.
"To think, it took you 2 over 20 years of dating to figure out that you were right for each other," the firefighter responds
"Right. See you in a few days," Ulrich says.
As he turns around, he sees one of his fellow firefighters- a bulky woman with dirty blonde hair just staring at him.
"Hey Clarisse. What's going on?" He asks
She responds by continuing to stare at him. Out of habit, he focuses on her eyes and sees a horizontal eye of XANA.
"No!" he exclaims as he bolts for the door of the station and she follows.
As he runs he dials Yumi. As she picks up he exclaims:"XANA's back. He has possessed Clarisse and she's chasing me,"
"Clarisse? You mean that woman who has a crush on you. What makes you think she is possessed by XANA?" Yumi asks.
"She was staring at me changing and I saw the eye of XANA," He shouts, as Clarisse catches up.
"Meet me by the Cafe we love," Yumi says as she hangs up.
Clarisse soon catches up to Ulrich. As they reach the cafe, she slams into him knocking him off his feet.
As he lies on the ground Clarisse stands over him, purple lightning flashing through her hands.
"Hey Clarisse! That's My Fiance," Yumi shouts as she punches Clarisse squarely in the chest.
Reaching down, Yumi helps Ulrich up. Clarisse immediately pops back up and starts charging Yumi and Ulrich. They dodge and using a series of lightning fast pencak silat moves they manage to hold her off. The genardame come running and bring 4 tasers to bear on Clarisse. They open fire, sending 4 thin arks of electricity through the air. A deep, unhuman scream comes from Clarisse as a large black mass flies out of her mouth and into the air.
Standing over Clarisse's now crumpled body, Yumi remarks: "I think we have to call Jeremie,"
Standing in the ornate, brown hall of the Boston Museum of Science, a man sits on a bench with a view of the bustling city traffic outside the museum's grand entrance hall. Seeing a man in an elegant suit, he stands up gingerly, joints stiff from the start of arthritis.
"You must be Reserve Commander Weitzler," the man says as he gives Weitzler a firm handshake.
"You must be Mr. Popuffin. You ready to see what your donation has provided for the museum," Weitzler says
"Yes I am. I'm glad that they hired you to design the exhibit. You are probably the best person that there is to discuss Defender Command's anti-terror campaigns and the XANA project," Mr. Popuffin replies.
"Thank you for your kindness and your donation. I hope that this exhibit lives up to your expectations," Weitzler responds.
"I'm sure it will. Before we begin, if you don't mind me asking, I noticed you were a little stiff when you stood up to greet me. Is something wrong?" Mr. Popuffin inquires.
"I'm starting to come down with Defender syndrome- the arthritis and anemia that is caused by the Defender implants," Weitzler responds.
"Is there anything they can do about it?" Mr. Popuffin asks.
"I'm afraid not. They can try to alleviate the symptoms, but I will struggle with this until I die," Weitzler responds grimly.
"Shall we start the tour?" Weitzler continues.
With that, the 2 men walk off into the exhibit. 2 hours later, they walk out, and Mr. Popuffin says: "Marvelous. This is exactly what I was looking for. Very well done,"
"Thank you sir. If you have any other exhibits that you want to fund, please feel free to contact the charitable contributions office," Weitzler says as he guides Mr. Popuffin out the door.
Returning to his office, he finds his phone ringing.
"Museum of Science, Special Curator Weitzler speaking, how may I help you?" He answers
"Odd's dead," Jeremie's gravelly voice says into the phone.
"Oh no. I'm so sorry to hear that. What happened?" He replies.
"That's where it gets worse. XANA is back," Jeremy continues.
"WHAT?!" Weitzler exclaims into the phone.
"XANA took control of one of my security robots and used it to shoot Odd in the back. A specter attacked Ulrich earlier. We are in trouble," Jeremie explains.
"Have you notified Defender Command?" Weitzler responds.
"No," Jeremie responds tartly.
"I will call them," Weitzler responds and hangs up.
Dialing the next number he hears: "UN Defender Command Switchboard. How may I help you,"
"This is Reserve Commander Weitzler. I need to speak to the duty officer," Weitzler says
"One moment please," The switchboard operator responds calmly.
"Lieutenant Commander Miller, how may I help you?" he hears over the phone.
"This is Reserve Commander Weitzler. XANA is back. I repeat XANA is back," Weitzler says into the phone.
"Who is this XANA figure? Why is that important?" Miller responds sounding bored.
"Check case file 2020-4267. That is your answer. That message needs to be relayed to General Van Zanten. Also advise him that Odd Della Robia is dead," Weitzler says.
"Right. I will relay that message. Have a good day Commander," Miller says skeptically as he hangs up.
Not even 30 seconds later, the phone rings and Weitzler immediately picks it up: "Reserve Commander Weitzler how may I help you,"
"This is General Van Zanten. What evidence do you have that XANA is back?" He hears over the phone.
Commander Weitzler explains everything- the death of Odd, the specter attack on Ulrich, the panicked call from Jeremie.
"Effective immediately, I am reactivating you and promoting you to Colonel. Get on the first available flight to Paris. Contact the remaining Lyoko Warriors, tell them that they have been reactivated and are to gather at UN Defender Command Paris. Once you arrive, you are to assume command from their base commander. Additional squads will be moved to assist you. Wipe XANA out. I do not want a speck of him left behind this time. Understood," General Van Zanten orders
"Yes sir," Weitzler says as he hangs up and dials Jeremie.