It was late at night, the day after the new students had been enlisted into Kadic and were spending their first night within its walls, when a young boy with blond hair snuck right into the factory while making a recording.
"Diary of Jeremie Belpois, Kadic Academy 8th grade student, October 9th. After my new roommate, Pit finally fell asleep, I went to find parts for my miniature robots. I couldn't find anything around here I could use, so I decided to rummage for scrap in the abandoned factory not far from the academy. I figured that I could find some old mechanical stuff that could be useful. I was not disappointed. I stumbled into some sort of complex complete with an entire computer lab and scanners, and especially this totally intense mainframe. For the moment, I haven't told anybody. It's my little secret. It was the coolest thing that's ever happened to me. That night, even though I was scared stiff, I decided to start up the computer." Jeremie said.
He slowly approached the room where inside was the Supercomputer's core. Without hesitation, he quickly turned it on as the core powered up, starting up the computers functions. After doing so, he quickly made it back up to the main room of the computer. "Okay, my friend, let's see what you have under the hood."
He watched as multiple screens popped up on it with one of them showing a pink haired girl.
"What is this? A video game?" Jeremie wondered.
"Who are you? Where am I?" she asked in a panic making Jeremie curious.
The next morning…
"What I don't understand is why these Reduxes keep sending us backwards." Francisca said.
"I feel you. First it was Gospel, then FreezeMan, and now we've gone all the way back to where it all began. What is going in this order supposed to mean?" David asked.
"Maybe whoever came up with this concept has a thing for nostalgia." Kaminari said.
"Now that I think about it…they usually end up as follow ups to other Reduxes." David said. "I mean, think about it. The Redux with Majora's Mask was followed up by the Redux where we fought FreezeMan, which itself led to the Redux of the War of Ages. However, because Sachiko and I rescued the Royal Knights, FreezeMan's Redux also led to the Redux in Ylisse where we defeated Ogugrima for good."
"But it was also where we let ShadeMan get away after we saw what he did to their UlforceVeedramon. Magnamon...wasn't very happy about that." Sachiko said.
"Hmm...I get what he's saying. Each Redux is like creating a brand new timeline whenever we go there." Sci-Twi said.
"Exactly. Which means Moloch sending us here is no coincidence." David said.
"Not a coincidence? You mean he sent us here on purpose?" Asta asked.
"Well, how else do you explain the Thousand Sunny still being there?" David asked. "He did say something along the lines of… "By the time you get out, it will probably be too late for you to do anything.""
"He said probably...like he wasn't sure if we'd get out or not." Terra said.
"Okay, maybe I'm just paraphrasing. But one thing about this plan of his doesn't make sense." David said. "Genis and Raine are still with us. If he was really going to infect all with elven-blood to wage war on the humans, why didn't he just take them away from us before sending us here?"
"That's right. He could have just grabbed them before tossing the stone. But he just left them with us. That's not his style at all." Shin said.
"Who is this Moloch guy anyway?" Sora asked.
"Moloch, known very well as the Demon Hitman. As his name implies, he's a hitman who kills. However, he has a code he follows...never fail a job, never turn down an offer, and never harm women or children." Shin said. "He's one of Mammon's enforcers in his little gang known best at the Demon Family."
"That's right. So that's why he didn't take Genis and Raine from us." David said. "Genis is biologically still a child, and Raine is female. His code prevented him from capturing them."
"He may be a hitman, but even he has to follow his own creed, even if it costs him his life." Shin said. "He knew very well if he took them, they would have been affected like the other elves and half elves. I suppose he just couldn't bare to see such a sight."
"While his heart may have been in the right place, that will soon prove to be a fatal mistake." David said.
"Sounds like something fun." a voice said.
"Yeah it…" Kaminari said before they turned to a boy with blond hair with purple tips.
"So is this about some video game?" he asked.
"Um…uh, something like that." David said.
"And uh...you are…" Eijiro said.
"Odd Della Robbia. New student and your new classmate." he said.
"I...see. And who's your new roommate?" a boy in brown hair asked.
"Why it's you...Mr. Ulrich Stern." Odd said.
"W-wait, are you serious?!" Ulrich asked.
"Yep. The principal told me to move in with you." Odd said.
"Latch on sounds more like it." Ulrich said.
"Relax, man. We're cool! Trust me, it's like you won't even know I'm there." Odd said.
"I sure hope so. But listen, the principal and I don't exactly go way back, so for now, let's take things nice and slow, okay?" Ulrich asked.
"Got it. Nice and slow." Odd said.
As their conversation finished, a familiar girl came up to them and eyed Ulrich.
"Hi there, Ulrich sweetheart. I have something important to tell you." she said.
"Like 'I lost my mascara' kind of important or the 'My pink T-shirt ran' kind?" Ulrich asked.
"No, nothing as serious as that. It's about you and me, Ulrich. If you wanna know more, come by my dorm at eight. I'm counting on you." the girl said before leaving.
"Ulrich? Sweetheart? Who's the good looking Babe?" Odd asked.
"Sissi. She's the principal's daughter. Guys flip over her, but she only flips for me." Ulrich said.
"Oh that's pretty cool." Odd said.
"Cool? She's totally brain dead and a total leech." Ulrich said.
"Oh, then in that case it's pretty lame." Odd said.
After the bell rang, the students then left for the classes.
"And then the waiter says "I don't have frogs legs, that's just the way I walk."" Odd laughed. "Get it?"
"Hahaha...it's so bad it's funny." Kaminari said.
"No, I don't get it. But what I am beginning to get is that your determined not to give me a break." Ulrich said.
"We're gonna have to get to know each other and you'll see by the end of the day, you won't be able to do without me. Same with everyone here." Odd said.
"Huh? Oh, oh yeah. We will definitely need you." Shin said. "Like that will ever keep happening."
Meanwhile, at the Factory….
"Artificial Intelligence? Can you hear me?" Jeremie asked the girl in the computer.
"Yes but could you please call me something else?" the girl asked.
"Okay. How about...Maya?" Jeremie asked.
"Maya...I like that." she said. "But what I really would like to know is why I'm here in this virtual universe?"
"That's not so easy. But I've already got a couple of answers. You're part of a virtual environment called Lyoko and you've gotta try to get out of there. Look around for a door or something like that." Jeremie said.
Maya did as Jeremie asked as she found herself exiting a tower like construct before entering a forest like area of some kind.
"Jeremie. I've given you a visual. Are you seeing this?" Maya said.
"It's not just a forest." Jeremie said as a holomap popped up. "It's a whole entire world! I'm counting four different sectors. Each one different."
As Maya looked around, she was soon spotted by some small strange cockroach like creatures. "Jeremie...I'm not alone here." she said.
"Incredible. It has its own ecosystem." Jeremie said before they started firing lasers at her. "What's happening?"
"They're attacking me!" Maya said as she ran from them and retreated back into the tower.
"Phew...your life points are regenerating." Jeremie sighed.
It was later back at school by the vending machines…
"So...about that girlfriend of yours…" Odd said.
"Not my girlfriend." Ulrich said.
"Oh, so she's available huh?" Odd said.
"Trust us Odd, she is not someone you want to spend your life with." Natsu said.
As they continued to talk about this, Jeremie soon approached the vending machine, but as soon as he tried pressing a button, he ended up getting an electrical shock before collapsing.
"Belpois!" Ulrich shouted.
"Oh he doesn't look too good." Pit said. "We gotta take him to the infirmary."
"Leave it to me. I'll take him." David said.
David soon brought him into the Infirmary as the nurse checked him.
"Nothing too serious. Just a minor electrical shock and some superficial burns." she said.
"Well, you wanted some juice, and you got it." David said.
"Very funny, Ishihara. But...thank you all the same." Jeremie said.
"Ah, it was nothing. Just looking out for a fellow student. I'll come back with Ulrich after martial arts class." David said.
It was later at that exact class that Jim, Vector and Franky stood before the class.
"How are you all? I'm happy to see so many of you here tonight. Kaleri Pi Yat, Kogo Suku, Jutsu. No, these are not dishes served at a golden Chinese restaurant." Jim said.
It was at that moment that a young girl with short black hair walked in.
"Oh uh...no offense to you, Miss Ishiyama." Jim said.
"None taken. I'm Japanese." she said.
"Well, anyway, these are combat techniques that can save your life. As they did for me when I was a forest ranger in Quebec." Jim said.
"Wait, you were a forest ranger?" Kendo asked.
"Yes. As for what happened, well I was quietly enjoying a waffle with maple syrup by my campfire when I was attacked by a vicious beaver. Its razor sharp teeth were going for my jugular, but I was able to save myself thanks to my perfect mastery of the razor hand of Le pong chang." Jim said.
"Did that really happen?" Adora asked silently.
"Don't ask me. I don't really know where Jim comes up with this stuff. He's probably better not talking about it." Kendo said.
"Oh really? Since you think that's so funny, Adora, Ishihara...you two are sparring first." Jim said.
"Wait, what?" Adora said. "Wait, this is David. I know he's powerful but...maybe he goes easy on beginners?"
"Yeah...I wouldn't count on that." Usopp said. "I thought the same thing about this girl who used to be on the team...I ended up flat on my back in five seconds."
Adora and David took the center.
"Well, you ready?" Adora asked David.
"You shouldn't be asking me that question." David said as he did a few jump kicks for showmanship. "You should be asking them to my feet."
"Oh, I am screwed." Adora said as the match began before David quickly brought her down to the ground.
"Whoa...impressive, Mr. Ishihara. But you could have gone a little easier on her." Jim said.
"Sorry. It's sometimes hard for me to restrain myself in a fight." David said.
"No...arguments on that." Adora said as she got up.
"Now, Mr. Stern and Miss Ishiyama." Jim said as the two got on the stage and started sparring.
"Not bad for a beginner." Ulrich said before Yumi went and got him down with a leg sweep. She quickly pinned him before the two blushed from being too close and backed away.
"Not bad but you could use a lot more practice." Franky said.
"Now that's enough for tonight. Now bow to each other and go get some beauty sleep." Vector said.
While Yumi bowed, Ulrich just walked off.
"Nice to meet you too." Yumi said.
"Sorry about him. He's got a bit of cold exterior, but he's a nice guy once you get to know him." David said.
"Okay...not bad. But tomorrow...I'll definitely improve." Adora said walking out the door.
"Supply closet." Franky said.
"I got turned around." Adora said before going out the right door.
"Wow...just give her a long nose and she'd be like Usopp the first time this happened." Vector said.
"Wow...seeing it now...a lot has changed." Usopp said.
"I better go check on Ulrich. See you guys." David said.
We catch up with Ulrich as he found his dorm room completely trashed by a small dog.
"My Room! And where'd this mutt come from?!" Ulrich asked.
"That's Kiwi. He's my dog. He just had a little fit, that's all. You understand. The poor things not used to being cooped up." Odd said.
"I mean look at this! My CD's! My clothes! He's trashed everything. And did you see what he did in my bed?" Ulrich said.
"Well I can't just take him outside. There are no dogs allowed at Kadic." Odd said.
"No kidding. I think the principal's going to be interested in hearing about this." Ulrich said heading out.
"Aw...it's gonna be okay, my little diggidy dog." Odd said petting him.
It was at this same time that in Jeremie and Pit's room that on Jeremie's computer screen appeared a strange eye of sorts as an electrical surge went into a nearby robot causing it to go wild.
Ulrich was walking down the hall before he spotted Adora and David.
"And what is she doing here? This is the boys side of the dorm." Ulrich said.
"Oh...sorry. Guess I got a little turned around and…" Adora began before they heard screaming from Jeremie's room. Running there, they opened the door to see him and Pit being attacked by robots.
"Guys! It's finally happened! Machines have gained sentience and are rebelling against the people!" Pit said. "What am I saying? Help us! Please!"
"Got it. Let me just go get a crowbar." David said.
"Better hurry!" Adora said as the robots spotted Adora.
"Forget the crowbar." Ulrich said prying them off Jeremie and Pit before breaking them apart. "Your little friends are kinda aggressive. Maybe you should check their settings."
"I had nothing to do with it. They just attacked us all of a sudden." Jeremie said.
"You have to tell us what's happening." Adora said. "We can help."
"Nevermind." Jeremie said.
"Come on. Tell us. I mean...what if you get attacked by a hair dryer next?" Pit asked.
"You guys wouldn't understand." Jeremie said.
"Look, we aren't leaving until you tell us." Ulrich said.
"Okay. What have I got to lose? I'm already in over my head. I may as well tell you. But first, can you keep a secret?" Jeremie said.
The five then headed to the factory, traveling through the sewers.
"Ugh…this place stinks. But at least it's a great way to get past curfew." David said.
"There's also another secret passage on the campus too." Jeremie said taking them inside of the factory and to the computer.
"So this is the mega computer huh?" Ulrich said.
"It's actually a super computer. When I activated it, I discovered that it runs a whole virtual universe called Lyoko." Jeremie said.
"You know what Belpois? This morning's electrical shock fried your brain. This thing's just the control center of the factory." Ulrich said, not believing anything Jeremie was taking about.
"And what do you call this? A program for spray painting doors?" Jeremie asked bringing Maya up.
"Hello, Jeremie." Maya said.
"Whos the girl with the pink hair?" Ulrich asked.
"I think she's part of the computer. Maybe like an AI." Adora said.
"That's Maya. A form of artificial intelligence that lives on Lyoko. I don't know what she's there for yet." Jeremie said.
"So, based on that, you didn't program her." David said.
"No. I woke up the moment Jeremie restarted the super computer. I don't know who I am. My memory has been erased." Maya said.
"Maya has to hide in some kind of tower. As soon as she leaves it, she gets attacked by monsters. You gotta believe me, guys. This is an incredible discovery." Jeremie said.
"What if it's just one big video game?" Ulrich asked.
"I don't know…I think it's a whole lot bigger than that." David said.
"David is right. My robots are designed to retrieve a ball and they tried to kill me. That's not all. Before they attacked, a sort of logo appeared on my computer. The same one the monsters had on Lyoko." Jeremie said.
"If that's true...you should shut this thing down and call the police." Ulrich said.
"Tch…yeah, like the police would believe any of that." David said.
"Plus I wanna help Maya better understand what she's doing on Lyoko." Jeremie said. "If I'm right...we can materialize her here on Earth."
"This is nuts. What makes you think you can?" Ulrich asked.
"You'll see." Jeremie said taking them down to a room with three large cylinders. "I haven't found the code to materialize Maya to Earth, but I have found the one that can send someone to Lyoko. The supercomputer analyzes your molecular structure through these cabins before breaking down your atoms, digitizing them into a digital carnation in the digital world."
"Uh...help?" Adora asked.
"You step inside the cabin, you'll enter the virtual world." Jeremie said.
"Jeremie, these things don't exist yet. There's no way." Ulrich said.
"Why don't we test it then? We just need a guinea pig." Jeremie said.
"Huh...I think I know where to find one." Ulrich said heading out. It was a little later he returned with Kiwi.
"You brought a dog?" Jeremie asked.
"Yep. Should work just fine." Ulrich said putting him in the scanner.
But as soon as they head left, Odd and Sissi had snuck in. "There you are." Odd said going to grab Kiwi. But the dog jumped out just as the door shut, sealing Odd inside.
"Okay...testing guinea pig…" Jeremie said. "Huh...that's a weird looking dog." he said as Odd appeared on the screen.
"That's no dog. That's Odd Della Robbia!" Ulrich said in shock.
"We need to help him, now!" Adora said rushing down to the scanners.
"That won't work. The procedure's already started and I don't know how to stop it." Jeremie said.
After a matter of seconds, Odd was virtualized and sent straight to Lyoko. He re appeared in the sky and landed on the ground. His outfit made him look like a humanoid cat.
"Huh? What happened? Where am I? And why am I dressed up like a giant purple cat?" Odd asked.
"Uh...Odd Della Robbia?" Jeremie asked.
"Who's calling me?" Odd asked.
"It's me, Jeremie Belpois." Jeremie said.
"Is this a joke?" Odd asked.
"Um...no." Jeremie said.
"So is this one big video game?" Odd asked.
"No, this is a whole virtual world! And you're in it." Pit said.
"Really? Cool." Odd said before being shot in the back by the roach like creatures. "Uh...Jeremie...guys. I got some giant cockroaches coming at me."
"Oh great. Guys, Odd's in trouble. You better go on in." Jeremie said.
"We're on it." Ulrich said going into one of the scanners.
"Okay, now this I can do." Adora said going in well.
"Wait for me!" David said going in the last one.
"Stay safe you guys!" Pit said.
"Okay. Transfer, Ulrich. Transfer, Adora, Transfer, David. Scanner, Ulrich. Scanner, Adora. Scanner, David. Virtualization." Jeremie said as the three ended up inside Lyoko.
"Huh...now this I could get used to." Ulrich said dressed as a samurai.
"Well...this is a surprise." Adora said in her She-Ra form. "Never thought I'd end up inside a computer."
"What, you've never played anything with a customizable avatar before?" David asked as he was in a hunter's outfit.
"Hey, how come all of these guys have cool outfits?" Odd asked.
"Seems the scanners must base your personality into your digital incarnation." Jeremie said.
"I don't think about giant purple cats." Odd said. "I'd rather have a cooler weapon than these claws." Odd said before accidentally firing an arrow. "Nevermind. This rocks."
"Now try and hook up with Maya in her tower." Jeremie said.
"Maya?" Odd asked.
"A girl who lives on Lyoko." Ulrich said.
"No way. There are babes here?" Odd said.
"But I get the impression that Belpois has flipped her." Ulrich said.
"He's in love with a virtual chick? Is he nuts?" Odd asked.
"Yep." Ulrich said.
Upon walking through a nearby tower, they ended up falling through it before ending up in another tower, this time in a region of Lyoko covered in ice.
"I see. So if you enter the bottom, you'll end up in another part of this Lyoko place." Adora said. "Like some kinda warp zone. Huh? That looks suspicious." she said seeing one tower glowing red while the others glowed blue. "Is that supposed to be normal?"
"Somehow I don't…" Odd said before they were approached by block like creatures. "New baddies. Great."
"Hey, it's just a few blocks. We can…" Adora said before they were surrounded by a whole cluster of them. "Oh…"
"Yeah...I just remembered this scene and...it's gonna sting you guys a lot." Pit said to them.
"It's gonna what?" Adora said before they all open fired on them. Adora blocked with her sword before being taken down from the back and devirtualized.
"Ugh…" Adora groaned. "Okay, that hurt a lot. Jeremie?" she asked before climbing up to see him tangled in a mass of living wires. "Oh my god!"
"Guys, how many life points do we have left?" Odd asked.
"Not many left." Ulrich said.
Odd was then hit and devirtualized.
Ulrich raised his sword and stabbed one of the Bloks in the eye, destroying it. "Yes! I got one!" he said before he was blasted and devirtualized.
"Guess it's up to me now." David said as he threw his sword at one of the Bloks, destroying it. He retrieved it before facing the last one. "If I'm going down…I'm taking you with me!" he ran right at it, stabbing it just as it blasted him, destroying both at once.
"Oof…man, that was brutal." David said.
"Yeah...tell that to us!" Adora said as they were battling with the live wires attacking them.
"Hang on!" Ulrich said stabbing a piece of sharp metal into the wires before being shocked and sent back.
"Ulrich!" Sissi shouted.
But before the wires could get at him again, Odd landed the finishing blow as they fell lifeless.
"Works better a second time. Told you you guys couldn't do without me." Odd said.
"Weird how the wires just came alive." Adora said. "What could have caused that?"
"Trust me, that answer is going to come soon." Pit said as the tower still glowed red.