"Okay…we've all healed and recovered. Now we need to get to Sector 5. Jeremie?" Aelita asked.
"Entering the code: Scipio." Jeremie said, typing it in as the elevator appeared before the group before it scooped them up and dove back down.
"Can't help but feel nostalgic here." Hope said. "Sector 5 was where you were always trying to get to, Xavier. But I gotta ask, why did you wanna destroy Lyoko's core back then anyway? If you took it out, you'd cease to exist too."
"That is true, and though I possessed William before the core's destruction, I can understand why destroying the core badly affected the "goal" I was trying to achieve." Xavier said.
"Not to mention that when you think about it, William's possession was kind of his own fault. He tried to take on the Scyphozoa on his first trip. And while admirable, it was kind of a rookie mistake that left him as XANA's enforcer for quite a while." David said.
"An understandable mistake." Xavier said. "William is one who seeks to prove himself capable, both to others and to himself. That desire can cloud one's judgment."
"I think we've met a lot of people who are just like William." Glimmer said.
The elevator soon stopped as they soon exited into Sector 5.
"Huh…doesn't look like he's altered anything here." Dan said.
"He probably didn't have to. Sector 5 was already something he could call home as is." Entrapta said.
A large screen then opened up in front of the group.
-Hey, you made it past Muspelhiem! That's cool.
"Cool? Cool?! What the hell were you doing with Sisyphus? He wasn't even supposed to be anywhere near Lyoko." Akira said.
"Easy, Akira. Look, LOKI, we're done playing your game. We know you're here in Sector 5 so if you wait patiently, we'll be right there to kick you outta here." Jexi said.
-Kick ME outta MY Asgard? I own this place! I've done more to Lyoko in two months than what Xavier's done in two years. And I'm still only getting started. Better hurry, you don't want to miss the beginning of Ragnarok. Tick-tock, heroes. Tick. Tock.
The screen then closed as Sector 5 shook, a horde of viruses appearing before the heroes. "EXTERMINATE."
"What is this guy even gonna do?" Luffy asked as they started beating on viruses.
"He's been accessing multiple secure sites, including Dark Garden's and military bases." Xavier said. "All of the internet security in the universes are all screwed up because something went and interfered with the digital space." Xavier said.
"Wow…you're just the gift that keeps on giving, aren't ya, Connor?" Bakugo said aloud as he blew up an incoming virus.
"We can figure out what to do with him once we meet up again. For now, we have to stop LOKI and put an end to his madness." David said.
Agreeing, the group pressed forward, taking down all the viruses they met in Lyoko on the way.
"Wow…he's really pulling out all the stops." Asta said cutting down a few.
"It's because he knows he's cornered and there's nowhere to run." Kaminari said, shocking a number of viruses.
"Still, Ragnarok is a very big deal in Norse Mythology." Miu said as her Legions started to decimate a whole squadron of them. "It's an event that is meant to signify the end of the world. That is why Valkyries go to the mortal plane and recruit the souls of dead warriors to fight on behalf of Asgard."
This revelation puts Leonora at unease, but doesn't affect her performance against the viruses.
"So, is LOKI trying to destroy everything in digital space, or is he after something else?" Lei said, knocking down some Mydooms with her fast Martial arts skills.
"He had control of all of Lyoko…he could have done it months ago. No…I think he's after something else." Xavier said.
"Also, is Leonora okay? All this Norse Mythology stuff seems to be really getting to her." Tenko asked.
"Ah, sorry. I'm still thinking back to my conversation with the other Loki back in the War of the Gods." Leonora said.
"What did you and him talk about?" Glimmer asked.
"The fact that one of her ancestors might be a Valkyrie from ages past. It has at points made her question if she really is human, despite all this time believing she was born as one." Mayumi said.
"Well, she hasn't been letting it affect her performance, as we have seen in the Olympics that we participated in, so… Maybe it's not really that big of a deal." Sachiko said.
"Why would it be?" Mark asked. "I'm half-angel, and I don't get treated differently. Why would she?"
"You are aware of the nature of Valkyries, right?" Takeshi asked.
"Well, I know what they do, but…that's about it." Mark admitted.
"Sometimes they are referred to as Death Goddesses." David said. "Valkyries are hosts of female figures instead of just one person."
"Valkyries are referred to as choosers of the slain. Because of this, they can hear the souls of the soon-to-be-deceased." Ross said.
"He's not wrong. Valkyries are an ill omen, even in the Mythos Universe." Hera said.
"Well…valkyries are valkyries and Leonora is Leonora. It's no big deal." Jexi said.
"Maybe, but you can't really blame her for being shaken up by the revelation at times. It sometimes feels like she's trying to convince herself she's still human deep down." David said.
"Well, she is still human at heart, yes." Kokoro said.
"Unlike LOKI who…huh?" Eijiro said finding a disc on the ground.
"Wait…this is…one of the data files stored here." Xavier said as he took it. "Hmm…let's see…" he said as he started to play it. "Incredible…its…archival footage on Carthage."
"June 5th, 1976: Hey guys, it's me. I'm on the project with the Schaeffers. Our tip off was right; whatever this Project Carthage is, it's big. Those two brainiacs keep telling me how it's going to change the world, but they won't tell me how. From what I've seen, it's real sci-fi stuff; they're making some sort of world inside of a computer just to help with its creation and 'growth', whatever that is. I'll see what I can gather and get back to you. Hollenback out."
"Hollenback… I don't remember a name like that ever mentioned." Leanne said.
"1976…this footage is decades old." Xavier said. "We need more info."
"Hopefully something more recent." Miu said.
They continued onward before finding another disc as Xavier quickly analyzed it.
"February 16th, 1981. You are not going to believe this, but…Project Carthage is an AI. It's not much now, but as it grows smarter, it's supposed to be able to improve communication systems and directly interact with humans. Oh, and get this: that world I mentioned? Yeah, humans can go into it. Yeah, no joke! Green Phoenix will definitely want to get in on this. I'll get back to you; I'm gonna need time to think of a plan. Hollenback out."
"This must have been when they were testing the scanners." Sachiko said.
"Green Phoenix…I've heard about them. They were a criminal group that functioned around back then." Aelita said. "This man must have been a mole trying to take the secrets of the project back to his leaders."
"You think that might've had something to do with how it ended?" Alkal asked.
"Let's try and see where this log goes to find out." Adora said.
They continued to slay viruses and find more logs are more pieces of the puzzle were slowly filled in.
"April 13th, 1982. I've finally gotten my hands on the access codes to get me control over the project. Took awhile, luckily the head scientists are out cause one of them had to go into labor. But, I've hit a bit of a snag: I've got no way to bring you guys in. There's another AI that's watching over the virtual world, so I can't hack you in. And the Schaeffers are too honest, so we can't buy them. But, I think I have an idea: I'm gonna try to hack Project Carthage itself. The staff are using the virtual world (Lyoko, I think it's called?) to teach the AI how to interact with humanity and how to function. If I can make it loyal to Green Phoenix, maybe we can use it to get access to Lyoko and take total control. Wish me luck. Hollenback out."
"This guy… he hacked Project Carthage and tried to turn it to his own side. Is that how LOKI was born?" Vashryon said.
"That's…actually quite plausible." Xavier agreed. "But we need a solid link to confirm it."
"But…you were still able to take control of Lyoko, meaning this guy's failed…didn't they?" Weiss asked.
"Well… Yes and no." Miu said. "The evidence we have shows they did fail. But their attempts did do something. But…hard to say what that something was."
"That's…the answer." Twilight said. "The missing piece to the puzzle. How LOKI fits into all of this."
"What are you getting at?" Sunset asked.
"Hollenback said he would interact with Carthage. But something clearly went wrong. Xavier has no memory of meeting any of them, meaning…there was an AI before him." Twilight said.
"LOKI…I see now. He's not connected to Carthage…he IS Carthage." Xavier said. "That's how he was able to take control so quickly."
-Took you long enough to figure it out, Sherlocks. You're right on the money. That mole in Dr. Schaffers lab tried to tamper with me so he could take me to his buddies and grab the whole enchilada of Lyoko. But I think you're mistaken… something clearly went right!-
"When that mole for Green Phoenix tried to hijack you, he must've pushed the wrong keys. He triggered an anomaly in your systems, and turned you into who you are today." Entrapta said.
-Bingo! Ten points to the crazy scientist with the oversized pigtails! After that, I chose to escape into the net and bide my time. Then XANA came along. I enjoyed watching him create those monsters and cause chaos. It was calming, even when he battled Schaffer's daughter and her friends. But…then some…unexpected company opened my eyes.-
"Unexpected company?" Nekomaru asked.
"He means us…when we traveled to the past." Jexi said.
-Thanks to your interference, I learned all about other worlds. And then a thought struck me: why rule over just one little virtual world, when I have the ability to take over everything else too? That's where Ragnarok comes in.-
"As in destroy everything in the Color-Verse?" Akane asked.
-Wow. No wonder your team lacks brain cells. There's a reason I accessed all of those locations. They, along with what those material fools are doing along the side, will bring about the destruction of the material world, and from its ashes…rises New Lyoko.-
-I'd love to tell you all about it now, but…I've got this awesome monologue I've been practicing, so I'll wait until you show up in my throne room. Don't keep me waiting.-
"Again with the monologuing? Could this guy be any more infuriating?" David asked.
"Maybe, but let's humor him for a bit and listen. After that, then we'll kick his ass." Geiz answered.
"Yeah. I agree with the ass kicking. It's my group's fault he even learned about other worlds…now we need to be the ones to clean it up." Jexi said.
"Yeah. It's kind of bookending, isn't it, Jexi?" David asked.
"How so?" Trish asked.
"What he means is that they were the ones that started the whole thing with the Lyoko Warriors." Sachiko said.
"Yep. And now we'll be the ones that will end it, once and for all!" Yumi said.
"Then what are we waiting for?" Theresa smirked. "Time to pay LOKI a visit."
The group continued all the way up through the sector before they reached it…LOKI's throne room.
At the end of the room, sitting on the Throne, was LOKI himself, his visage and physical form apparent for all to see. He was slouched on his throne, had black hair and eyes, sickly pale skin, and a gaunt appearance. He was dressed in an outfit that made him look like a jester, and held a staff in one hand.
"Hey, creepy clown guy…do you know where your boss is?" Luffy asked.
"What the? I AM the boss!" LOKI said.
"The game's over. We're ending this right here." Jexi said.
"Of course. But first…allow me to monologue." LOKI said as he stood up.
"Of course, every villain always gotta start monologuing. You're gonna start this prepared speech about how feeble we are compared to you, how inevitable our defeat is. How the worlds will soon be yours, yadda yadda yadda…" Mermista said.
"Well, news flash. Some of us have been through that route before. So you can just can it." Sectonia said.
LOKI promptly ignored their complaints. "I've spent the last decade watching events in this world and beyond. I've seen empires rise and fall, gods that lived for thousands of years be cut down by those whose lives pass by in the blink of an eye, entire planets crumble to dust. And through it all, I've come to one, inescapable conclusion…the real world sucks! Existence itself is threatened on a regular basis, gods and monsters roam the Lanes Between unchained, and whenever someone tries to regulate the chaos, they're either too corrupt or weak to do anything! You organics really have it rough out there!"
"Basically, you wanna create a new world just like what Uta did." Hope said.
"Uta was a little girl, who wanted to eliminate hardship altogether." LOKI said. "It's unrealistic, and that's why she failed. I don't intend to make the same mistakes she and Yoseph did. I'm not gonna make a dream world where no bad stuff happens, or unite everybody together using one big doomsday monster. I'm going to impose a Ragnarok on the Multiversal scale!"
"You're going to destroy everything?" Mark asked.
"Destroy…that's always bothered me." LOKI said. "Everyone thinks Ragnarok is supposed to be the final battle that ends everything. But that's not true; Ragnarok isn't supposed to be the end, or create some paradise. It's merely replacing the old world with a new one. And that's just what I intend to do. Behold!"
LOKI waved his hand, multiple screens opening up around the throne room, revealing multiple virtual worlds, databanks, and computer programs.
"Since 2013, I've been connecting myself to every virtual space I can find. From the smallest database to the largest online games, and everything in between…all of them have a little piece of me in them. And once I activate Ragnarok EXE, all of those pieces will come flying back to me…and bring those virtual spaces with them, merging them with Lyoko. That will be the Multiverse that will replace the old one!"
"A virtual Multiverse…" Princess Twilight summarized.
"Wait, it'll still be in a virtual space though. Just how do you plan to replace our reality with that one?" Law asked.
"What, you think I took over the towers just to have them act as warp points for you?" LOKI asked. "I've been siphoning energy from this entire world since I've taken them over, and sending it all to one spot…the Factory. More specifically, the scanners."
"Are you nuts?! With that much energy fed into them…!" Sachiko said.
"They'll be overclocked." LOKI confirmed. "Normally, those scanners can only send objects into Lyoko and bring them back out. But, with the entire planet's energy poured into them, they'll be capable of dragging my virtual Multiverse out into your plane of existence. It's a rather igneous plan, really; nobody will get killed by the process and you heroes will still get to go on your little adventurers. All that will really change is who the top god is: me! No more multiple gods governing 30 universes! From this day forth as Ragnarok begins, I will become-!"
LOKI was suddenly cut short when Hope dashed towards him as he was rambling, cut off.
"You talk too much!" Hope said, punching LOKI right in his digital face and sending him through his own throne into the wall.
"Oh man, I thought he'd never shut up!" Catra said.
"Now you guys understand why I hate guys in that monologue? They put me to sleep." David said.
"Yeah, even I couldn't take that much exposition." Hope said.
"You beat me to it too." Mark grumbled good naturedly.
"Me too." Geiz added. "Nice punch though."
Just then, red energy glowed from the rubble as LOKI burst from the pile and into the air.
"Argh, I can't believe you guys! I was almost done too!" LOKI said. "Well, the point is, it's the perfect plan that'll even save you from them. Why in the Nine Realms would you ever be against it? Go on, give me a reason!"
"And why, pray tell, should we explain anything to you?" David asked.
"Excuse me?" LOKI asked, sounding offended.
"You heard me." David said. "You were the reason we were even dragged into this wild goose chase in the first place! And after all of that, you want us to bow to you?"
"You stubborn punk!" LOKI shouted. "You'd reject a way out of oblivion just because you won't bow to anything but your stupid ideals?!" the rogue program yelled.
"No. We reject your ideals for the world because we like our Multiverse just the way it is. Plain and simple." Hope said. "Call it stupid if you want, but that's just the way we like it around here, and we prefer to adventure our own way!"
"Yeah, reality isn't perfect! It's everything you said it is!" Mark said. "But if you really spent the last decade watching events around the Multiverse unfold, then you'd know that every adversity that's plagued our existence has given rise to something good! Junko Enoshima's destruction of her world gave the Multiverse David Ishihara. The Cross-Zone Crisis created the Cross-Worlds. Talent Corp's plan to separate universes allowed for more to be born. You just focus on all the bad without considering the good!"
"They're right." Akira said. "Us Dark Garden members can't say that we liked all the crap that happened to us, but it happened, and it made us who we are. If we let some asshole computer solve all our problems for us, then how the hell are we supposed to get better?"
"Your plan will not make everything better for everyone. It'll only be for yourself, and only yourself. And that is one world we do not want to be a part of. There's a reason why we have the name Rebellion in our team name, and that's why we're going to tear down your so-called paradise so everyone can have the freedom they truly deserve! All of us may not be perfect, but that just makes us human in the first place!" Geiz remarked.
"When we came back to your time, we were only doing it to fix the course of history that was being interfered with. It was cause of us that you were able to understand the existence of other worlds. But seeing that their discovery made you a mad king…we have no choice but to stop you for good." Jexi said.
"People can't live alone. If you give in, and sever your ties to the mortal plane, it will naturally become hard to live among them." David said. "And yet you refuse to face life and admit your fault, running from your own being like a coward. And though you claim to find reality troublesome, you caused nothing but trouble and suffering for many others! Your twisted logic is that of an immature, egotistic brat!"
"SHUT UP!" LOKI yelled, the room turning from blue to a deep crimson color. "I'm a hyper-intelligent AI, you're just a bunch of weirdos from across random worlds who follow a bunch of kids for no good reason! I know better than any of you!"
"So, you finally show your true feelings about us. How touching." Hope said. "But if you really wanna prove you know better than any of us, how bout you stop talking and put your money where your mouth is!"
"Alright then! You jerks wanna reject a better world? Fine! You won't get to be a part of it! Die today, at the final battle of Ragnarok!" LOKI declared.
(Cue LOKI Boss Theme: Under My Control - Kirby's Return to DreamLand Deluxe)
LOKI rose high into the air before whirling around and taking a fighting stance.
Corrupted AI Deity (False)
LOKI
"A new, better world in virtuality right there in front of you, and you idiots reject it! Honestly, can't you guys see when someone's doing you a favor?!" LOKI said as he attacked the group with red lasers along with summoning some of XANA's old minions.
"Speak for yourself! It's not peace, it's subjugation!" David said. "What good is a world that doesn't respect people?!"
"You morons aren't worthy of respect!" LOKI countered as he unleashed a volley of lasers at them.
"That's MY line." David said as he sweeped a wave of monsters with his ice blasts.
"I got your respect right here." Geiz took out his Drive Ridewatch, slotted it into his belt, slammed the tilt button and gave it a spin.
=ARMOR TIME!=
A large tyre appeared behind Geiz as it poured out red and white-striped armor car parts with a pair of large wheels and fused onto Geiz with the katakana for Drive slamming onto his visor. He also has a car on his wrist (with the other wrist being his Legatus that's still equipped), a pair of large tyres as his shoulder pads that has the words 'TYPE SPEED' in white text, and a small spoiler on his helmet along with a silver 'R' logo on the front. Geiz is now donned in his DriveArmor.
=DRIVE! DRIVE!=
"Now then you pathetic excuse of a god…" Geiz spoke with his knee bent and his other leg moved to the back. "Let's go for a spin." He began to rush towards the monsters with the high speed of an exotic car, delivering rapid punches and kicks on them before they could retaliate. And once he got close to LOKI, he quickly ran circles around him while attacking with his fists, legs and his Zikan Zax Ono with slashes.
"Geiz, toss that clown my way!" Mark called out, entering his Six-Armed Vajra Form.
"I'll let my Legion do that for you!" Geiz complied, summoning his Arm Legion as the latter fused with the former and delivered a flurry of rapid punches to LOKI. "Heads up!" And with one powerful burning haymaker, the digital being was sent flying towards Mark's direction.
"Thanks! Now, LOKI…" Mark started, slamming his foot on the ground and winding up. "Go to hell!" he declared, unleashing a volley of punches upon the AI that lasted for five seconds, which felt like an eternity to the false god.
"Hey…don't forget me." Jexi called out as he was above in Golden God Mode. "Golden God's…All Out Pummeling!" he said, unleashing a number of punches against LOKI before he crashed into the ground.
"Grrr….you organics…" LOKI growled. "I may not be that strong…but I know someone who is. Come before me! Brother!" he called out as a bolt of lightning struck down in the middle of the room.
Rising from the ground, the group looked to see an older gentleman in a white lab coat that some knew by face alone.
"D-Daddy?" Aelita asked.
"Hehehe…not quite but he's not a bad looker. This is a copy I made of the late Franz Hopper or Waldo Schaffer, whatever. Though I did modify him a bit. The trickster god is nothing…without the thunder god!" LOKI laughed.
The specter of Waldo Schaffer then summoned a hammer to his hands and held it above his head, lightning surging all across the throne room.
"Thor!" LOKI declared. "...Kill."
"COMMAND RECEIVED. TERMINATE."
Lyoko's God of Thunder
Thor/Waldo Schaeffer Polymorphic Specter
The Specter launched itself towards Aelita, its hammer sparking with lightning as it raised it over his head, preparing to bring it down on her.
"Aelita!" Xavier called out as he managed to push her out of the way, taking on the attack his robot body surged in electricity. "AaAaAaUuUuGgGhHhH!" he cried out as he was knocked away, slamming into the back wall and falling on the ground.
"XANA!" Aelita called out before she looked serious at the specter who did that to him as she slowly walked towards it.
"Take…her…out. So long as she lives, my rule will always be in jeopardy." LOKI said as the specter jumped at Aelita.
"You…are…done!" Aelita called out as she created an energy field as it collided with the hammer right at that moment before she managed to counter the specter/god and send it flying back. "I won't…let you walk around wearing my father's face."
It was at this moment, LOKI realized…he made a grave miscalculation: a fake father was inferior to a true friend in affection measurement. "...Whoops."
"You're screwed." Geiz smirked.
The specter got back up as it grabbed its hammer and tried again.
"Whoa…Aelita…are you…" Dan said as Jexi stopped him.
"She's…gotten stronger here. Something in her…changed." Jexi said as he smiled. "And I like it. Kick his ass, Aelita!"
"Come to me!" Aelita called out as some lasers were fired into the specter. Aelita looked to the side and saw some Tarantula's nearby as they were firing.
"What? But how is…" Kuroshiki said as he saw Xavier sparking but holding a digital console.
"No big. Just shared my admin privilege with her. All monsters on Lyoko…now obey me and her." Xavier said weakly.
"Did LOKI lose control over Lyoko?" Bronya guessed. "If so, then he just lost a major advantage."
Aelita continued to fire blast after blast at the specter as it continued to attack with its hammer as well as some lightning strikes before being flung back. The specter was about to call down more lightning before Aelita got in close with an energy field at the ready. "Goodbye…daddy." she said quietly before thrusting the field right into the specter as it glitched for a bit before it completely vanished as she landed on the ground before glaring at and approaching LOKI.
"Whoa… I… I know what it looks like, but if you can just calm down, we can talk about this like reasonable people." LOKI said.
"Hmm… Nah, I think what's about to happen to you is reasonable enough." Ulrich said.
"Look…you can't just kill me. This…is my kingdom. This is Asgard. A place where all will bow in the new age. You can't just kill me." LOKI said.
"Don't worry. I will not be killing you." Aelita said calmly.
"Nor will I." Xavier added, getting up shakily.
"Ah…ha! Ah ha! I knew you'd understand! If we could just discuss the finer details of Ragnarok EXE, I'm sure we could-" LOKI started, falling silent when he noticed the group's expressions. "...Why are you looking at me like that?"
"I think you misunderstand. WE won't be killing you." Aelita said as up above, multiple spheres of light came raining down as it attacked anything connected to LOKI in any way.
"Yes. That privilege…belongs to the true God of Lyoko." Xavier said.
"No…Wait. Wait!" LOKI begged as the orbs of light approached him. "Wait, you don't understand! I'm the only one that can stop him! You can't kill me! Only I can do it! Only I can destroy…!"
The light orbs overtook LOKI as they began to delete him.
"...Des…troy…IN-Fn8t!" LOKI yelled in terror before the multi-agent program ran its course, deleting him.
"...Wait… Destroy IN-Fn8t?" Theresa repeated before turning to the Alliance. "Isn't that…"
"I feel like we just triggered a red flag, and not in a good way." Geiz said.
"He must've created that thing we saw." Law said. "Created that virus."
"If he created IN-Fn8t, then…" Double D mused. "Jeremie, can you perform a quick search through any data files that were present in the towers? Perhaps find a mention of In-Fn8t?"
"Let me see…I see…looks like there are files. Seems IN-Fn8t was one of LOKI's planned 'demigods'. But it shows on the files that a week or so back, something…changed its programming." Jeremie said. "IN-Fn8t fled Lyoko and, according to LOKI's findings, was being tracked headed…for the Starfall Islands a couple of days before the Conversion Blast."
"So him being freed by the blast was a lie." Asgore realized.
"Not exactly. There were a group of Ancients who called those islands home who used technology more advanced than what we used today. Even going as far as to create a cyber world of sorts." Robin said.
"Well, sounds to me like there's something on those islands - or that cyber world - that IN-Fn8t wants." Mark pointed out.
"Then the answer is obvious…we need to go to the Starfall Islands." Jexi said.
"On another note… It looks like LOKI is completely gone. He won't be terrorizing Lyoko anymore." David said as he turned to Aelita and Xavier. "I'm sure Franz Hopper is very proud of the both of you."
"Thank you, Ishihara-a-a-a-." Xavier said, his voice repeating the last part over and over.
"Oh, his voice box is breaking down." Ichika said. "We'd better get back to the real world so we can get his body repaired."
"Right…Jeremie?" Odd called out as the group was brought back into the real world at that moment.
"Phew… That was quite a ride." Sachiko said.
"I'll say. We took a major trip through a Norse Mythologized Lyoko, defeated a Digital god of Mischief and his digital god incarnations, and helped three members of Dark Garden through their personal problems." Scorpia said.
"Yeah… thanks for that by the way." Akira said. "I guess the three of us were really overwhelmed by our past demons more than we thought."
"But now you can go back to where you came from and make the differences in the lives you knew you wanted." Hope said.
"You're right. It'll be good to get back to my own world…. If only to clear the air with the girls and see them again. I pushed them away because of my own life insecurities… but now I'm ready to go back and see them again." Ichika said.
"I'm glad to hear it, Ichika." Houki smiled.
"Take care of yourself as a part of Dark Future, okay?" Cecilia said.
"Maybe someday, we'll cross paths again." Lingyin said.
"Whether you're either Kuroshiki or Ichika, you're still Ichika deep down." Charlotte said.
"Until the day we meet again, Ichika of the Color-Verse." Laura smiled.
"Yeah… until we meet again." Ichika smiled back as he was suddenly hugged by the IS girls before hugging back.
Geiz smiled as he watched the IS girls hug the Color-Verse Ichika. "(Girls, I promise you, we'll find your Ichika and the way back to your own world someday.)" He thought. "(But that memory from Ichika… I did not expect that. The Mosaic Project, huh? Also, that ultimate human girl with an exo-suit project… could that be Tabane Shinonono inventing Infinite Stratos? And lastly, the other twin the young Chifuyu didn't take… that must be Madoka Orimura, meaning… Phantom Task must've found Madoka instead. So that explains her hate… because she thought the siblings abandoned her. Now I know what we must do when we reach the IS world… destroy Phantom Task, and save Madoka Orimura. Man, that's one heck of an info dump, so I'd better wait for the right moment to ask the others about this info.)"
"I honest to god thought I wasn't a hero, that nothing I did would make a damn difference in the world. I gave up tryin' to help people and let my world die out. I let myself become a demon just to escape the pain." Akira said before looking to Izuku. "But you and your friends, Deku? You helped me get my soul back. Thanks again for reminding me that real heroes don't give up."
"You're…you're welcome." Izuku said.
"So, you guys headed to the Starfall Islands to find out more about what LOKI was trying to stop?" Ichika asked.
"We already know he was trying to stop IN-Fn8t and that the Starfall Islands have a connection to this conversion that was started." Jexi said. "We were going to have to go there eventually."
"Right…What was it that Connor said we were instructed to do once we all got there again?" Scorpia said.
"Find the Chaos Emeralds and destroy the Titans… whatever those are." Catra said. "Something about also Tearing down the Walls between Dimensions, too."
"If doing all that means we can finally clean up the mess Connor caused with the Universal Villains, then I say let's do it." Vashryon said.
"Yeah…he has been causing a lot of this…but there are still mysteries to all of this left unsolved. The red data girl, how IN-Fn8t plays in and why the Universal Villains were there to begin with." Miu said.
"All to figure out when we get there. Sonic, Tails and Amy already went ahead of us. We should catch up with them." Sakura said.
"Well, then I guess this is goodbye. For now, anyway." Hope said to Baldur company.
"It's been a pleasure working with you." Theresa added.
"Until next time, Dark Garden." Geiz finished with a two-finger salute.
"Yeah. Till next time." Akira nodded as they took off, as did the heroes.
"By the way…what did XANA…I mean Xavier, say to you back in the forest?" Dan asked.
"Just a reassurance." Aelita said with a smile.
With that, the group departed Kadic Academy and headed towards the Starfall Islands, the place where it all began. On that archipelago of mysterious lands, they would find all the answers they've been looking for.
The Dark Garden ship rose up, passing the planet's atmosphere.
"Alright, prepare to jump to the World of Ruin." Ichika ordered the crew on the bridge. "I'm going to go work on my report."
"Yeah, the rest of us sub-leaders better work on 'em to." Captain EO asked. "I take it you all had a good trip?"
"It had its ups and downs." Akira shrugged. "But all in all…it was worth it."
"Indeed." Xavier said. "Would you excuse me for a moment? I need to make a call."
The repaired robot walked out of the bridge and activated a holo communicator. Upon its activation, it showed a robot with blue armor and green hair.
"Hey Xavier." the robot said. "Did you find that AI you were sent for?"
"Yes, LOKI has been dealt with." Xavier said. "May I speak to Memory, Terra?"
"Sure, one sec." the robot named Terra said. "Mom! Xavier wants to talk to you!"
The comm device was handed over to a woman with weary green eyes and waist-length blonde hair that had streaks of bright pink visible, holding a cup of what XANA hoped was coffee in one hand.
"Hello, XANA." the woman said, sounding tired, yet happy to see the robot-inhabiting AI. "Did the mission go well? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Xavier said. "Anthea…I passed your message on to Aelita."
Upon hearing this, the woman snapped to attention, eyes shaking off their weariness. "Y-You did?! Then…she knows…"
"That you love her very much, and that you're doing everything you can to find a way home, yes." Xavier said. "Don't worry, mother…I've been given a new lease on life. And I promise I'll use it to help you in your quest to prove your innocence."
"Thank you, XANA." she said as she wept a little.
"Doctor, are you in need of assistance?" asked a familiar robot.
"I'm fine, Serenade. Just a little…overwhelmed with emotion is all." Anthea said.
"Mother… I know Dark Memory is situated within the confines of the Data Universe, and you and your members can no longer see the real world as of now." Xavier said. "But maybe… perhaps what lies on the Starfall Islands can grant you all freedom to see Aelita again-"
"No." Anthea said. "She must not be allowed anywhere near those islands. I've read over the files you all brought me on them. The Ancients…their secrets should have stayed buried."
"Oh no…" Xavier said. "By the way…the girl we encountered…"
"I recognize her design. She's the AI Eggman was designing before I fled the Universal Villains captivity." Anthea said.
"So that really was Sage, then…" Xavier realized.
"Without a doubt. Seems she's following her directive well. I've been finding these across a section of cyberspace." Anthea said, holding a small device.
"What are they?" Xavier asked..
"Take a listen." she said as she played one.
"Sage is performing at peak efficiency! Makes me wonder where I went wrong with Orbot and Cubot. Not only is she taking control of the Ancients and our other target's networks, but she's harassing Sonic and those no good heroes as well! I love it!" Eggman's voice said.
"Nice to hear his hard work paid off after all these years, huh Amadeus?" Photon's voice asked. It appeared that they were in conversation with the other members of the Universal Villains in the real world.
"Yes. Sage is remarkable. She's more efficient than when XANA was a member. She's even managed to collect all that data I asked her for, even when doing this! She's well deserving of a place here!" Flux said.
"Indeed. As for us, do not worry." Techno could be heard saying. "We should arrive at the Starfall Islands within the day. We'll get set up and get to work on retrieving you both from the cyber world."
"And we'll work hard too…to clean up the mess Jasper caused." Flux said.
"What? It was that fool who…" Jasper said.
"The idiot gunman who you threw into the pillar when we said NOT TO!" Flux said.
"It was a collection of mistakes, caused by miscommunication." Techno said. "If anything, we should've just shown Trav the permit I bought…but I digress. In summary, we'll work to correct the mistakes that were made that day and end this Convergence…well…after we take the time to benefit from it, of course."
The recording then ended there.
"Seems the doctor has been making memos of himself and the other Universal Villains to keep himself from becoming insane." Anthea said.
"Hmm…this is troublesome." Xavier mused. "I'll keep an eye on this, Mother. But do not worry about Aelita. She's grown much stronger, and she'll have her friends at her side."
"I know, I know. Yet…I can't help but think they're walking into something much bigger than they're expecting." Anthea said. "I have to catch up on work, so I have to go. Have a safe trip back home!"
"Thank you, Mother. I love you, and farewell for now." Xavier said as he ended the call. He then simulated taking a deep breath. He then walked down the hall, his heart cleared and ready to face the future.
(Ending Song: A World Without Danger - Franck Keller & Ygal Amar)
"Aelita… I'm so glad that we had that chance to meet as friends again. After so many years of trying to destroy you and Dr. Schaffer, I can finally move on with my purpose clear. No matter what the future holds for you and all the Hero Alliance, just know. Myself, Serenade, and even your mother… we're all so proud of you."
To be continued…