Chapter 10 Success and Failure
A.N. – The final chapter of the arc. Which means this story is close to the end. Should be done before the end of May. But this also means our mystery man reveal chapter is coming. Clues are in previous chapters for hints. When I reveal him, I will decipher each clue at the end. Anyway, time to put the network graveyard to rest.
Short Summary – Franz Hopper leads the warriors to Xana and Anti-Xana's base to rescue Aelita. They plan their break-in, but Franz doesn't want to go in risk of revealing himself to Aelita. The others head in with Franz watching over them, but can they stop Xana and Anti-Xana from escaping into the real world?
Disclaimer – I do not own Code Lyoko. I am just a fan of the show.
Continued from Last Chapter…
"What are you doing here?" Ulrich said.
"Like I said, I'm here to help you rescue Aelita" Franz said.
"Not that, I mean in the network graveyard. You're not a program."
"When you're virtualized you're whole structure is like a program. But since I was bound to the digital sea, I became a program that could travel through the network."
"So you ended up here after Xana destroyed you" Yumi said.
"Correct. When they both arrived here, I kept an eye on them to see what they were planning. But it only seems I know just as much as you."
"What do we do now?" Odd said.
"We reach their base."
"You know the way?" William said.
"Yes, but stay close. The whole place is crawling with traps. Stay close to me and don't disturb any more traps. You'll only risk attracting more."
The group traveled through the vast network graveyard all with Jeremy and Laura both watching them.
Lab
"I didn't think Franz survived. I know he wouldn't rematerialize, but I didn't think he would end up in the network graveyard" Jeremy said.
"What happened?" Laura said.
"During the final battle with Xana, me and Aelita both developed a multi-agent program that would destroy Xana from the inside. When we reached Sector 5, we didn't have enough power to launch the program, so Franz sacrificed himself to provide the power to defeat Xana."
"So that's why Aelita gets all emotional and defensive when someone talks about him."
"Up until her mother reappeared, Aelita was convinced she lost her whole family."
"But aren't you guys her family?"
"We are, but Aelita would like to see her whole real family."
Network Graveyard
The group continued to travel silently through the network graveyard, and then suddenly a huge building appeared in the distance.
"That is their base" Franz said.
"It's on the other side of the graveyard. We would have never found it" Yumi said.
"Yes, they hid it, so that anyone who would enter would not find them easily."
"Okay, so how do we get in?" Ulrich said.
"Like any normal building through the front door, but I would find a back door if I were you. They probably know you're coming, but not when."
"So they'll stall us until they escape."
"Precisely."
"Okay, the plan is we find this back door, rescue Aelita, and exit the network graveyard."
"Good, now execute it well. Good luck."
"You're not coming with us?" Yumi asked.
"As much as I would like too, I can't let Aelita see me. I don't like being the dead one, but I can't have her wasting her life trying to save me."
"But don't you know how happy she would be to see you again, in the flesh?"
"I can't risk it. I know she misses me, and I miss her just as much. But I can't be a parent in a place she can't even see me. She also has her mother. Just promise me one thing: protect and keep her safe no matter what."
They all agreed and went to the base to confront Xana and Anti-Xana.
"Franz, can you at least watch over us?" Ulrich said.
"I will stand guard, but I will not enter."
They all continued towards the base.
Xana and Anti-Xana's Base
Inside the portal room, Xana and Anti-Xana hooked the machine up to Aelita.
"Don't worry. This won't hurt, I guarantee that" Xana said as he placed a helmet on Aelita's head.
"What are you doing?" Aelita said.
"Searching your memory. When we find a suitable place, we'll activate the portal, step through and be free once more" Anti-Xana said.
Aelita feared the worse as her memories started to flow on the screen.
The warriors on the other hand were behind the building.
"Okay, this looks like our back door" Ulrich said as they entered the building.
"Wow, look at all this tech. Einstein would be in heaven" Odd said as they entered the technology room.
Yumi went up to a case and it activated showing something horrible. "Um guys, you might want to look at this" she said and the others looked inside. Inside the case was the Seeker. "It seems inactive."
"Yeah, but this proves he was not created, he was made" Ulrich said.
"That would explain why he is organic."
"This must be the one that brought Aelita here then" William said.
"Maybe not. We'll have to reach the room where Aelita is to find out."
They continued to search around when they heard a scream come from another room.
"Sounds like Aelita. Let's go!" Ulrich said. They reached the room and looked in amazement. "Whoa, this is insane!"
They all looked in the portal room and saw the machine that Xana and Anti-Xana were using to get out.
"Looks like we have an audience" Xana said.
"Indeed we do. Now they will see the extent of our combined knowledge" Anti-Xana said.
"Finally, we meet again" Ulrich said.
They saw Aelita tied to the table.
"Aelita!" Yumi said.
"Guys, watch out! This room is rigged!" Aelita said.
"Get rid of them!" Xana said.
"With pleasure" Anti-Xana said snapping his fingers and the warriors were thrown against the wall and the Seeker that took Aelita appeared.
"Now, back to business."
The warriors were pinned and all they could do was watch the machine work. Yumi knew the Seeker could use its telekinesis without hands, so she decided to try it herself. She focused on an object and as she concentrated the object lifted and she envisioned it hitting the Seeker. And the object was thrown at the Seeker hitting the eye immobilizing it and the warriors were released.
"How!?" Anti-Xana said.
"Your Seeker isn't the only one that has telekinesis" Yumi said.
"Very unfortunate, but too late as usual."
They looked in wonder, but saw that Xana has picked an exit.
"Time to leave" Xana said.
"Till we meet again" Anti-Xana said as they both steeped through the portal and back into the real world.
"Where did they go?" Ulrich said.
"Somewhere in France. They said they were going to meet their master after they escaped" Aelita said.
"Now we got to escape" Odd said.
"Untie me and I will help you."
"Wait! I'll do it." Franz said as he walked to Aelita and untied her.
"Daddy?"
"Hello darling."
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm bound to here. I can't die, but I also can't leave."
"Why?"
"After I was destroyed, I was sent here, but got killed the moment I entered and once you die here, you're stuck here forever. Even if I die, I'll just respawn somewhere else."
"So we can't save you?"
"No, and don't try to. I want you to live your life and not waste it looking for me."
"Okay, but I do wish I could reunite you with mom."
"Before you go, take this" Franz said giving Aelita a locket.
"What is it?"
"A present for your mom. Don't open it. You'll only see what's inside after your mom sees."
"How do you know I'll see her again?"
"Your love for her is strong. And either she'll seek you out or you will. Either way you will meet. Keep it as long as possible until you see her."
"I will daddy."
"Goodbye, my dear."
"Wait, I thought you said you didn't want her to see you?" Yumi said.
"I did, but after thinking it over, I decided against it. Remember, I'm a genius. I think with reason."
"Okay how do we get out of here?" Ulrich said.
"We use me" Aelita said.
"Why you?"
"Because I'm the guardian. Use this helmet and pick a memory. More preferably the lab."
Ulrich used the machine to find a memory of the lab and activated the portal. They all stepped through and hoped for the best.
Lab
Jeremy and Laura lost the video feed and were trying to get it back.
"Damn it! I need to know the progress!" Jeremy said.
"I'm working on it Jeremy" Laura said with a little of 'shut up already' in her voice.
Suddenly, a bright flash of light appeared in the lab and the warriors all appeared.
"They're back!" Jeremy said. And he saw Aelita. "Aelita!" He ran up to her and immediately hugged her.
"Come on Jeremy. I want more then that" Aelita said pulling Jeremy in for a kiss.
"So, you guys succeeded?" Laura said.
"Unfortunately no. They're somewhere in France" Yumi said.
"We'll have to find our mystery man now. He's the only one that controls them now. He's our primary target now" Jeremy said.
"Laura thanks for helping Jeremy in my absence" Aelita said.
"No problem" Laura said with a smile knowing that she and Aelita were on the best of terms.
In a forest near Normandy
Xana and Anti-Xana appeared in a forest to keep out of the public eye. They planned this with their master before their escape.
"Where is he?" Xana said.
"Right here" the mystery man said. "Now that you are here, we can begin phase two. Capture and imprison the Lyoko Warriors. Be ready, they are coming to me."
"Are you sure?" Anti-Xana said.
"Yes, they need me. I'm the only one who can help them with their situation."
A.N. – More suspense and a mini clue here. Next time, our mystery man comes to light! Who is he and what does he want? All these questions answered next time! Be prepared to be shocked! Post your final thoughts on who he might be! PM me with story ideas! Don't forget to review with questions or comments! Stay safe and healthy out there! Normal story upload rate begins next week! As always, till next time! See ya! –lyokowarrior97