"Wow...Ulrich is really kicking it out there. No pun intended." Akane said as they watched him score goal after goal.
"Well there is a big game this afternoon so I kinda get it." Dan said.
"Oh we are so gonna win today." Rainbow said.
"I can agree with that, Ulrich will definitely be the deciding factor in today's game. Lincoln Junior High's got a tough team, but Ulrich could be the factor that changes that." Hope said.
However, as they were discussing that, strange things unfolded off the court. As Yumi was headed to school, for a brief moment, she felt weightless near a blinking light before falling back to the ground. "What the? Oh this better not have been…" she said before running down the path to the school.
"You're kidding...you actually floated...as in midair?" Kaede asked.
"Yeah, it was weird." Yumi said. "I think it might be XANA."
"Hmmm. It's possible. If he uses the right electromagnetic frequency, he can easily disrupt the earth's natural magnetism, or gravity, causing a small area to be completely weightless." Miu said.
"Especially since earlier, Sissi was practicing her cheerleading routine… The baton never came back down." David said.
"Yeah...guess that explains the satellite photo Tails shared with me." Ochako said showing a photo of the baton leaving the earth's orbit and going into space.
"Whoa, that really happened." Akane said. "So is this stuff really dangerous?"
"In a small area, no...but in a larger one...say about the size of the soccer field…" Miu said.
"That's bad news. We have to strike while the iron's hot and deactivate the tower XANA's activated before his plan goes further into effect." Hope said.
"Count me out." Ulrich said.
"What?" Jeremie said.
"I said, count me out. I'll help you all after the game is over." Ulrich said.
"You're gonna abandon the ship?!" Jeremie asked.
"Jeremie, easy! Ulrich's got a lotta pressure on him today because of the soccer game." Hope said.
"I understand that, but he would rather kick a ball around than save the world?!" Jeremie asked.
"You wouldn't understand." Ulrich said as he left.
"Hey, lay off a bit. He has a reason for being like this." David said.
"His parents are coming to the game and Ulrich and his dad have not always been on the best of terms and with Ulrich's grades...this game's pretty much all he can do to keep him happy." Odd said.
"Odd's right. It's why he's been practicing so hard for a while now. He's going to play today's game like his life depends on it." David said.
"Just in case XANA tries anything during the game today, maybe some of us should keep watch over there." Hope said.
"I'll go. With me there, Ulrich will at least have some positive reinforcement." David said.
"That's not the main issue. Pugilis still hasn't made a move yet. What's keeping them…?" Mayumi asked.
"I don't know. And I'm not all that familiar with Pugilis ways of conquest, considering it's a Fighting-type kingdom, but… If they are planning to strike at the soccer field, I'll handle it so Ulrich can focus on the game." David said.
"The only reason you guys never fought any of the soldiers the first time was cause I was handling them in the woods." Ranma said. "But I'm here. So...does this mean someone else is taking care of them before they even arrive?"
"I'm not sure, Ranma. Might be that prisoner from Chrysalia that went missing. Who knows? All we know is, your appearance here changes things a little bit." David said.
"Yeah. It does. The only reason I fought Gurdurr was cause he beat me. But we didn't even fight and I've gotten stronger since last time." Ranma said.
"Maybe that's why he hasn't sought you out this time." Genis said.
"Hold on a second, didn't Luxio say Pugilis has a new king?" Mahiru asked.
"No...she said former king. She was likely referring to the one who ruled before Gurdurr." Dracozolt said on the comm.
"And if the pattern checks out, this former king is able to Gigantamax too." David said.
"He was. But you don't have to worry. He left the scene many many years ago." Arctozolt said on the comm. "He was a warrior like no other. He battled over a million opponents in an all out kingdom war and didn't fall once. He then ordered all other kingdoms that they were invading from to never invade Pugulis lest you face his fists."
"Seriously? Whoa… That's crazy strong." David said.
"Yeah. After he fought, he held a competition and Gurdurr won it, which allowed him to take the former king's place, allowing the former king to leave Pugulis in good hands." Dracozolt said.
"He's probably stronger than your little alliance put together." Arctozolt said.
"Who was this guy?" Akane asked.
"The greatest fighter to ever walk the kingdoms and give up his rule to another. The wandering warrior and the king of fighters...Urshifu." Dracozolt said.
"Urshifu…." Hope said. "That's probably another mythical Pokemon from Galar we haven't seen yet, like Calyrex."
"Hmm...I don't know about mythical but that name does sound sort of familiar. I think I may have heard it during my Galar campaign." Titanica said.
"Really?" Hope asked. "What did you hear about it?"
"I don't remember." Titanica said.
"Hmm… I'm gonna bring this up with the guys at Sunny. In the meantime, you guys…" Hope said.
"Just calm down. We can worry about the info later. We need to head to Lyoko now." Pit said.
"Right, sorry. Let's go. David, stay safe." Hope said.
"Don't worry about me. I'll be fine." David said.
They hurried off to the factory and quickly sent a team off to Lyoko. The first being Yumi, Odd and Ochako. And the second consisting of Hope, Akane and Double D.
"Okay...we made it in." Ochako said.
"Just keep heading for the tower. And be careful...I see a signal you all will probably not like." Miu said.
"Let me guess...Lost Thieves?" Odd asked. "Been awhile since they showed up in here."
"I see it. And...wait...isn't that?" Yumi said as they looked down the path to the tower to see Lan standing on the path.
"It's Lan?" Hope asked.
"Well well...looks like we have quite the audience here." Lan said. "Guess all seven of you want to play."
"What's his deal anyway?" Odd asked.
"He's got the power to make the effects of his cards real." Hope said. "I've wondered about this for awhile, actually. Lan…you're from the Real World, aren't you?"
"Hehehe….and here I thought I was careful with hiding that." Lan said.
"I knew it." Hope said.
"Hope, what are you talking about?" Akane asked.
"I've had my suspicions about Lan and his powers since the very beginning. I had a theory about him, so I wanted to be sure. Now I know. Lan is from the real world… and he's a Jumper."
"You're half right. I am from the Real World...but I'm no Jumper. I didn't get my abilities till I came into this world." Lan said. "You'd be amazed what happens when someone from the real world gets brought into the world of you fictionals. Then again, I'm pretty much fictional now myself."
"But it doesn't make sense… why would you want to leave the life you had behind in your world? You were probably a great trading card game player, a champion."
"Not great...I'm actually a world ranked champion. And I didn't leave it...I was brought here one day. Even in this realm I'm pretty high ranked. But...the games...they just weren't enough anymore." Lan said. "I wanted more to this new life...then I met Arthur and he showed me how to best use my abilities. I will show this world that I exist without having to just win tournaments."
"I admire that kind of goal, but if this is the path you want to walk, someday it will lead to destruction." Hope said.
"So what?" Lan said. "If I end up destroying myself, it'll be more proof that I lived here. Now...I have respect for your friend Ishihara so I'll give you one chance...run away or you'll be annihilated."
"You know we can't do that." Ochako said.
"Suit yourself." Lan said. "Loading the deck...Lost Fortune! Let the game begin! I start by summoning Fortune Lady Fire!" he said as a woman in red appeared near him and started summoning fireballs to attack.
"Move!" Hope said as everyone evaded the fireballs. "Double D, what should we do? We've never faced Lan directly but we know his abilities."
"That's right. Lan is able to use only five cards at a time. That's the limit of his realism ability. He's likely planning to summon monsters to keep us away from the tower." Double D said.
"We can't keep up with him, but maybe we can outplay him." Yumi said. "If we play our strengths right, we can outmaneuver him and get Aelita to the tower."
"Double D, we're counting on you. Put that brain to work and use us to outsmart Lan." Hope said. "I know you can do it."
"Right…I can do this." Double D said as he surveyed the area, seeing rocks. "That's it! Ochako, Yumi, the rocks, we can use them as a shield. Odd, help me with covering fire. Everyone else, deal with any monsters that get too close."
They quickly huddled up as Yumi and Ochako made the rocks float.
"Oh, trying to make a shield huh? Well...let's see how you handle this! Fortune Lady Water!" Lan said as a woman in blue appeared and fired water shots at them.
"I think not!" Double D said as he fired a Ki sphere at one of the water shots, causing the liquid to explode out harmlessly.
"I got the others!" Hope said holding his hand out and projecting an aura that froze the other water shots, turning them to ice. "Spectral Blizzard: Sub Zero Veil! Odd, Yumi, now!"
"Laser Arrow!" Odd called firing at fortune Lady Water.
"Hiyah!" Yumi threw her fan at Fortune Lady Fire, destroying them both.
"Oh no...you almost had me. I activate two of my traps! Slip of Fortune x2! Your attacks are negated!" Lan said.
"He's trying to keep his monsters alive…" Hope said. "That's it, I know what he's up to. He's looking to summon an Earthbound Immortal!"
"How did...oh well...so much for the surprise." Lan said. "So...let's not keep you all in suspense!" he said as a strange heart like contraption appeared in the air as it absorbed the two fortune ladies. "Come! Earthbound Immortal Aslla Piscu!" he said as the heart like organ grew and changed before becoming a large hummingbird like creature with orange lines all over its body.
"Whoa, you totally called it! How did you know?!" Akane asked.
"I'm pretty well versed in Yu-Gi-Oh myself, so I'm familiar with a lot of deck strategies and combos." Hope said.
"Not as much as David and Sachiko, though." Odd said.
"Yeah, you're an amateaur compared to those two." Lan said. "Then you also know that Earthbound Immortals can't be destroyed. Normally I would need a field spell in the world outside of Lyoko...but since Lyoko is basically just one big virtual field…"
"They don't have any weakness here." Hope said.
"Yeah. Not even the Universal Villains could stand up to one of these guys." Lan said.
"This is bad, we need to think fast. That thing looks like it could wipe out all our life points with one shot." Yumi said.
"Fear not, fellows. Lan thinks he has us beat, but he's mistaken. Let's hold out for a little while longer." Double D said.
"You sure?" Ochako asked.
"I'm positive. This isn't a card match. This "Aslla Piscu" may be invincible to our attacks...but perhaps it can be tricked. Lead it to that ledge!" Double D gestured, pointing to where a ledge was partially formed.
"I think I might have an idea." Aelita said as she ran off to it and began using her Creativity to make the ledge grow before her.
"Aw...trying to take an alternate route? Not very smart considering she's your key to the plan. Aslla Piscu...attack the girl!" Lan ordered as Aslla Piscu flew left and right and attacked Aelita with its talons and beak.
"Not gonna happen! Double D!" Hope said as he and Double D leaped in front of Aslla Piscu. "Tien, were borrowing your move! Ready Double D?!"
"I believe so!" the boy responded, putting his hands into a certain position. "We can't damage an Earthbound Immortal...but we can move it! Neo-Tri Beam!"
Double D blasted at Aslla Piscu as it screeched and tried to attack him.
"Hey, birdie!" Hope said as the immortal looked at him. "Say Cheese! SOLAR FLARE!"
"You idiot!" Lan said as Aslla Piscu was unphased by the attack as it grabbed Hope with one talon. "You just wasted your chance to run. Nothing you guys can do can harm Aslla Piscu. And now...destroy the girl!" Lan ordered as Aslla Piscu hit Aelita with its beak, forcing her over the edge.
"Aelita!" Hope shouted.
"See? You can't win. You lost. Your key player is gone." Lan said smiling. "I win again." he said laughing a bit as Double D did. "Why are you laughing? You just lost."
"Because that was exactly what we were hoping for." Double D said.
"What are you talking about? You wanted me to kill her?" Lan said.
"No, we just needed you to focus on her copy." Double D said as he pointed behind Lan. Lan looked over his shoulder to see Aelita running into the tower.
"What? How…" Lan said.
"We knew from the start we couldn't beat you. So we decided to distract you instead." Akane said.
"See, Double D had you playing into his hands the whole time." Ochako said.
"I get it now. She wasn't just making the ledge grow, she made a double of herself. While they and the double were being attacked by Aslla Piscu, she walked down the path and right past me without me even realizing." Lan said.
"Indeed. This has been quite the experience, but…" Double D said as he looked towards the signature light of the RTTP. "...looks like our time is up. Pleasure playing with you, Lan." he said, waving goodbye as the light overtook them.
"Can't believe it. For the first time in my life...I lost." Lan said before the light overtook the area, bringing them back in time to just before the match started.
"Yeah! Go Ulrich!" Rainbow and the others cheered as Ulrich scored a goal for their team.
"Wow, I still couldn't believe you managed to pull it off against Lan, Double D. With enough polish, you could be a better strategist than I am." David said.
"You really believe so?" Double D asked. "That's high praise indeed, coming from you."
"Don't get too excited about it. You still have a long way before that happens." Mayumi said.
"I understand. I haven't been as helpful as I can be since joining the alliance...but I swear I'll do my absolute hardest to live up to your expectations." Double D assured.
"Still… I know Lan may have lost today, but in the world of trading card pros, he's a world champion. Maybe someday, we'll be able to face him in a real card game." Hope said.
Meanwhile in his room…
"Damn it. I lost. I can't believe I lost." Lan growled. "I fell for such an easy trick. I hate this feeling inside me. I swear...next time we fight...I'll definitely crush him into the ground."