It was late in the night when a dark smoke emerged within the factory's reproduction line as it quickly took control of all the production equipment as the computer and monitor screens inside gained the eye of XANA.
The next morning…
"As you can see, this sheet of titanium is incredibly more resilient than any sheet of steel." Hertz said.
"You should have used that for your robot." Nicholas whispered to Herb.
"I'm afraid this material is a bit out of your price range but that reminds me. Don't forget that the robot competition is this afternoon so don't forget to turn in your model if you plan on competing." Hertz said.
"Is yours ready, Jeremie?" Ulrich asked to which Jeremie gave a thumbs up.
"What about yours, Herb?" Sissi asked.
"No problem. Come and see it after school, okay?" Herb asked as Sissi smirked.
Later on the quad….
"Hey Miles, why didn't you enter the robot contest?" Hiyoko asked.
"Because my mechs are not things meant for playing." Miles said. "They're for serious hero work and terrain traversing. While I do have my tools, most of my mechs were in the Galaxy King before we were transported."
"Miu was planning to enter Fulgore, but realized that he's too big, so… She's trying to make a...smaller version of him." David said. "His Mini-Me, if you will. Though with the material used, she said she might not be able to replicate him exactly."
"Yeah, Fulgore's tech is way too advanced for this age." Sachiko said.
"It's funny you say that Sachiko, because we know about a supercomputer that is way beyond our time right here near Kadic." Mahiru said.
"Not the same thing, Mahiru. Fulgore is from an alternate dystopian future." David said.
"Every world's advance in technology is different. In theory, Fulgore's design and programming could be years ahead of the Supercomputer." Keebo added.
"Lets not get too ahead of ourselves though. Lets focus on cheering on Jeremie and his creation right now." Hope said.
"Yeah...Kiwi 2 is definitely gonna be a crowd pleaser." Ochako said.
And so that afternoon was spent with the group watching the two robots battle it out on the court via a basketball game. The two bots kept one another on their feet until the final round. As Kiwi 2 was about to make the basket, it suddenly fell apart into multiple pieces, making Iron Sissi the winner.
"And the winner of this year's robot contest is Herb." Jim said. "And remember Class 9-B, you got Phys Ed in five minutes."
"I don't get it, Kiwi 2 was rolling, why'd it suddenly fall apart?" Hope asked.
"We can show you. Take a look." Milly said showing the camera.
The footage showed at the second Kiwi 2 was looking to dunk the ball, Iron Sissi was commanded to shoot a bolt from its mouth at high speed, piercing through Kiwi 2's body before it exploded into pieces.
"So that's what happened...he cheated." Jeremie said.
"I swear… Sportsmanship really is dead…" David said.
"What can you expect? It's Sissi and her two henchmen." Hope said before hearing a noise. "What was that?!"
A large humanoid robot then muscled its way into the gym before it looked directly at the group.
"Trouble." David said. "Guess XANA finally brought in the Terminator."
"Wait...I've seen those parts around the factory before." Miles said. "Oh lord...he's gotten hold of the assembly line."
"I think now would be a good time to run." Ross said.
"Quick, into the locker room!" Kazuichi said as everyone ran for the men's locker room and headed inside.
"Hey, you can't come in here!" one of the boys said to the girls in the group.
"No time for gender rules, giant killer robot right outside this door!" Rainbow said as the robot banged on the door as the students fled, Yumi and Ulrich blocking the door.
"We need to get to the factory immediately before XANA programs his own personal army." Miles said.
"Like this guy will give us the chance. I'll stay with Ulrich and Yumi. Jeremie and Odd will go to the factory and I'll catch up with you guys later." David said.
"Okay. We'll see you then." Miles said as they split up.
"And now...let's get out of here." Ulrich said as they left the locker room as the robot broke right in.
"We need an expert in robotics to help with this." Yumi said.
"Our choices are either Miu or...Herb." David said.
"Miu will probably be needed at the factory." Yumi said.
"Herb it is, then." David said.
The three then ran to find Sissi, Nicholas and Herb walking together.
"Excuse me. We're gonna need him for a few seconds." David said, grabbing Herb.
"Hey, let me go. I'm no part of your gang." Herb said.
"Funny, wonder how Sissi would feel about cheaters." Ulrich said.
"Uh…" Herb said.
"Milly and Tamiya recorded the whole thing, you know." David said.
"Fine. I'll help you. But I'll need Hertz's drill from the science lab." Herb said.
At that moment, the robot had spotted them.
"Damn… This guy is persistent. You guys head to the science lab. I'll hold this guy off until Fulgore gets here." David said.
"Got it, be careful." Yumi said.
"I may not be John Connor, but I can handle this." David said as the others left for the science lab. "Hey! Terminator!" he called out to the robot, taunting it.
The robot then looked to David, locking on to him as it sprint towards him.
David formed an ice shield to block the robot's attack. The robot then went on the offensive as it pounded away on his shield with blow after powerful blow.
"Arctic Style: Ice Fangs!" David said as he dropped the shield and went for a punch with his fist encased in a panther's head. The ice pierced through parts of its body before the robot tossed him off.
"Heh. Not bad. But I can still fight." David said as he started firing crystals.
The robot deflected the crystals with its arms as it combated David blow for blow.
"It's starting to read my movements. I don't think I can keep this up for much longer." David said.
"You don't have to, David." a voice said as something landed in front of him. It was Fulgore.
"Fulgore, you're here!" David said.
"Sorry to keep you waiting." Fulgore said. "Great job holding out against this guy. Get going to the factory. I'll take it from here. Sectonia and Tanjiro are already on their way there."
"Got it. Thanks, Fulgore." David said as he ran off.
"Now then...I think we need to be properly introduced." Fulgore said as he repeatedly beat against the robot standing before him before tearing it apart. "That's one down. But more will be on their way soon."
Meanwhile at the factory….
"Fulgore's destroyed the robot, but it's only a matter of time before XANA makes a new one." Jeremie said.
"Yeah...make that...no time." Rainbow said on the comm as she was being stared down by a robot equipped with blasters. "Please tell me the others on Lyoko reached the tower. He's giving them major upgrades."
"They're almost there, just hang on." Jeremie said.
"Easy for you to say!" Rainbow said dodging bolts launched at her.
On Lyoko…
"Yeah...we might have difficulty reaching the tower." Tanjiro said as they saw the tower on a rotating platform.
"It's not really all that difficult. You just need to watch your timing." David said.
"You're right. I think I have an idea to get across." Tanjiro said. "Aelita, grab onto me."
'Oh, okay. I'm ready." Aelita said grabbing onto Tanjiro from behind.
"David...you're going to launch us into the air." Tanjiro said.
"Me? Um… Okay. Fair warning, though… This might hurt a little bit." David said planting his sword on the ground. "Breath of Ice: Second Form! Crystal Spires!" he said as a trail of ice crystals headed to Tanjiro and Aelita and sent them high into the sky.
"This is just what we needed. Breath of Water: Ninth Form! Splashing Water Flow-Turbulent!" Tanjiro said moving his body around in midair, creating what seemed like an ocean of streams before quickly landing next to the tower. "Hurry on inside."
"Okay, thank you." Aelita said running into the tower and deactivating it.
"Looks like it worked. Thanks for going with my plan." Tanjiro said.
"Still, are you okay, Tanjiro? You were warned it might hurt a little." Sectonia said.
"Don't worry. I'm just fine." Tanjiro said.
"Of course you are. You've lasted against tougher than that." David said.
"Yeah...I have. That's because I'm not going to die until I save Nezuko...and avenge my family." Tanjiro said.
"You can count on us to help if you need it. Sayuri and Fubuki know how strong Muzan Kibitsuji is. You're going to need some help against him." Sectonia said.
"Thank you." Tanjiro said as the white dome spread across. They were then brought back to the time of the competition at the match point. Kiwi 2 grabbed the ball and headed to the basket and just before the bolt could hit, Kiwi 2 twisted its body to the side and made the basket.
"And that's all for this year! The winner is Jeremie!" Jim said as the students cheered.
"Yeah! He was ready for it this time." David said.
"Yep. And it looks like Sissi's taking it to Herb." Hope said seeing Sissi chewing out Herb.
"How could you let that thing win? You're about as ugly as your robot!" Sissi shouted.
"Eh...he's not as bad when he wants to be." Yumi said.
"Yeah...least not unless you force his hand." Ulrich said.
"Mm-hm. No doubt about that." David said.
"Still, it creeped me out how well those robots reminded me of actual Terminators." Rainbow said. "When that bot pointed its blasters at me, I almost heard Arnie say 'you are terminated'."
"Huh. Never pegged XANA as a fan of those movies." David said.
"Let's just hope he never makes real Terminators." Hope said.
"Yeah, that would be the day." Sachiko said.