XANA's Location in the Network…
"The Kolossus has performed its function perfectly." XANA said as he and FreezeMan were in the AI's lair, looking towards William's body. "Not only will it make any attempt on Siberia's Supercomputer a risky endeavor, it has bought me enough time to develop a solution to this emotional error from the lies in Waldo's archives."
"What exactly have you done?" FreezeMan asked. "His emotional output has spiked."
"I have filtered the emotional interruptions through William's brain patterns." XANA explained. "Being human, he is capable of handling more complex emotions. As long as my control over him remains intact, these errors can be kept at reasonable levels. Otherwise, they would override my logic and cause an equivalent to a mental breakdown. I must have logic to defeat the warriors. But enough of me. What's your status, FreezeMan?" the AI asked.
"The first wave of machine soldiers will be ready for deployment soon. I have calmed any rampant emotions. However, new allies have joined the hero's side. According to the files from your system, they are the Freedom Seekers." FreezeMan said. "Also…it should be noted that the tower you transported the human in was hacked."
"That tower? I kept files on my control in there." XANA remarked. "This is troublesome, but it can be managed. I will make sure the Kolossus keeps the warriors from wresting him from me. In the meantime, make sure to continue your guard over the Supercomputer."
"As you command." FreezeMan said.
"Before you return, would you prefer a full wipe of your memories? It would keep the heroes from using any psychological attacks." XANA pointed out.
"There is no need. I intend to finish all of this for good." FreezeMan said. "I've let these insects toy with me for far too long."
Meanwhile at Kadic…
The school groups were currently hanging around in the courtyard, relaxing and passing the time.
"Jeremie's been pretty distant lately." Shantae said. "Do you know what's going on, Aelita?"
"I dunno, I'm a little worried about him." Aelita said. "Ever since we found out XANA has hundreds more supercomputers under his control, he's either at he factory or in his room."
"By the way, Ulrich. I hope you are gonna be okay after we bring William back home." David said.
"O-of course I would. I mean, Yumi and I are just good friends, that's all." Ulrich said.
"Mm-hm… Yeah, sure." David said, sounding unconvinced.
"Denial." Simon added with a grin. "Speak of the devil." he said as Jeremie ran up to the group in a good mood. "Judging by the grin, you've got some good news for us?"
"Good news indeed, Simon." Jeremie said, adjusting his glasses in triumph. "I've finally figured out a way to wipe out XANA."
This took everyone by surprise.
"You're serious, right? Wiping out XANA, permanently?" Glimmer asked. "With what?"
"A Multi Agent program. It's the thing we discussed the other day." Hermit said on the comm.
"So it's something like the Marabounta?" Simon asked.
"In a way. Right now, all it can destroy is two megatanks. But other than that…I think I finally have a way of freeing William." Jeremie said.
"That's great!" Shantae smiled.
"It sure is. Here's the plan for it. At the exact moment William is devirtualized, Aelita, at the Supercomputer in the Siberia lab, runs the program that will separate XANA from William." Jeremie said.
"You know that is not going to be easy on both ends, right?" Sachiko asked.
"The Kolossus? Please. Just think of him as another of XANA's monsters." Jeremie said.
"And then there's FreezeMan, but if we play our cards right with him, we might not need to worry much about him at all." David said.
"Definitely." Simon said. "And the Kolossus seems like a good challenge too." he said, holding a lollipop.
"Don't take it lightly. Jeremie is right in that it's one of XANAs monsters, but it's powerful enough to devirtualize you in one hit and its body is lined with magma." Hope said.
"Hope is right. His sheer size would be enough to crush anyone that gets close." Ulrich said.
"But if there's a chance that William can be saved, let's go and take it." Aelita said.
"Aelita's right, this is a big shot and we've gotta take it. And I think we'd better hurry, because his parents are coming here today, and if they notice his clone's stupidity and catch on, we're gonna be in for it big time." Glimmer said.
"All the more reason to go right now." Simon said.
"No time to waste then. To the factory!" Jeremie said.
"Wait, right now?! But today's lunch is a choice of either Tuna Casserole or Sauerkraut and sausages!" Odd said as everyone left for the factory.
"You can eat lunch tonight. Let's go!" Jeremie said.
"One of these days, we need to talk about the difference between lunch and dinner." Odd said as they headed out. "Did anyone ever tell any of you that you eat dinner at night?!"
It wasn't long before things were set. The Skid traveled back to the Ice Replika and linked up for transport to Siberia, so that the group could teleport straight there through Digimon Storage.
"The location is already registered, you can go anytime." Hermit said.
"Time to execute Operation: Arctic Shakedown!" David said.
"Good luck on your end, Aelita." Simon said.
As one group would attack the lab in the real world, the others arrived on Lyoko to deal with the approaching William.
"Hmm?" Hermit asked as she looked at the monitor. "Energy is currently being gathered from the other Replikas."
"The big guy's coming. XANA must've noticed we're here." Connor said.
"Be ready for anything." Simon said.
"Lan is preparing a counter for the Kolossus but for now, focus on William." Miu said.
Back in the Siberian Lab, the attack group there moved inside where they saw a number of robots lined up in attention.
"Hey, um… Those robots weren't there before, were they?" David asked.
"XANA must be further ahead with his conquest plan than we anticipated." Spectra said. "We definitely gotta shut this place down."
They hurried to the door.
"Ah! One of them just moved!" Odd said.
"Really? Which one?" Aelita asked.
"Ha. Just kidding." Odd said.
"Phew… Don't scare us like that, man." Hitomi said.
After a few seconds though….
"Hey, one of them just moved!" Odd said.
"We're not falling for that joke again." Mermista said.
"Only it's no joke this time!" Odd said as all the robots started moving.
"Jeremie? Door? Now?!" Flameberge asked.
It was then that FreezeMan entered the room. "Ah…just in time. All troops! Open fire!" he commanded as the robots started to fire on the heroes.
"Freeze Lancer!" David said as he fired crystals at the robots. "Damn, there are so many of them."
"Yes, and you'll find some of them are quick learners." FreezeMan said as some of them started firing crystals at the group.
"Whoa-oh! I guess I set that one up." David said.
"Adaptation program. Meaning they'll adapt and maybe even copy any sort of attack or maneuver they see or are programmed with." Tails said on the comm.
"It's over, organics. This is where you fall!" FreezeMan said.
The door soon opened as the heroes ran inside with FreezeMan and the robots in pursuit.
"We can't keep running forever. They'll just catch up to us." David said.
"They're blocking the only way out. Retreating is all we can do." Tulip said.
FreezeMan then approached as Aelita retreated to the computer as the others held the line against the robots. "It seems you really have reached the end of your ropes." he said.
"Maybe we have… But you can bet that we're not going down without a fight." David said.
"I grow tired of your exercises in futility." FreezeMan said as he prepared to freeze them over.
"Whoa whoa…easy with the ice hand. I mean…if you kill us…who would reunite you with your allies?" Adora said.
FreezeMan stopped as a dark aura showed. "Choose your final words…carefully." he said darkly.
"She speaks the truth. Think, do you really think they would want to see you like this?" David asked.
"I've heard enough of your lies!" he said knocking them back. "I am tired of you people toying with my memories and my heart." he said in anger.
"Your…heart? I thought you said robots don't have hearts." David said.
"Grrr…." FreezeMan growled.
"We're not lying. Please, look at this…before you try and kill us!" Zan said holding a tablet with a picture of the six Gospel robots with Miu.
"It…cannot be. QuickMan, AirMan, KnightMan, ShadowMan, CutMan…and MagnetMan." FreezeMan said.
"That's right. Miu worked herself to the bone to bring them all back, just like we told you she would." David said.
"Hmm…" FreezeMan said as he connected to the tablet. "Analyzing photo. No signs of photo editing used. From a very recent date. This…has merit. My comrades…they are truly…"
"You can walk away from this now, and we can bring you to your comrades." A2 said.
"Hmm…" FreezeMan said looking to the soldiers and then back at the struggling heroes. "All troops…stand down."
"Order denied." one of the soldiers said.
"Damn… XANA must've overridden FreezeMan's authority." David said.
"Executing new directive. Execute warriors and traitorous robot." the soldier said.
"I see…so this is how I am to be treated after so much loyalty." FreezeMan said as a number of the soldiers started to freeze over. "Bare witness, organics. You are about to learn why Gospel was a truly feared robotic organization."
Back on Lyoko, the others there continued to fight William until he jumped right into the Digital Sea.
"The Big Boy's coming." Simon said as the area shook.
"Did you just…oh nevermind!" Theo said as the Kolossus rose up from the Digital Sea. "Wow…he's even more intimidating up close."
"Bollocks." Simon said as his left eye glowed.
"Hang on…we'll try and buy you all some time." Hermit said as part of the sea froze around the Kolossus.
"Okay…now…" Theo said as he, Simon and Ulrich climbed onto the beast to chase William.
"Ready for round 2?" Simon asked, flying up with Malphas's wings.
"If you think you're gonna succeed, think again!" William said. "I belong to XANA now!"
"Never say never." Simon said.
"I'm gonna enjoy slicing all three of you in half." William sneered, readying his sword.
"Dance, hotshot." Theo said, switching to Aquarius Mode as he fired water shots at William who blocked with his blade.
"How do you feel about a buckshot party?" Simon asked, pulling out the Onyx Rose and firing a knockback round.
"Easy you two. We're not supposed to devirtualize him yet. Wah!" Yumi said before she was taken out by the Kolossus.
"Sorry, Yumi. But with this guy, it's survival right now." Theo said.
The three continued to clash with William on top of the Kolossus. All the while, the hulking titan of fire and brimstone struggled immensely to break free of the ice.
"Dunno how much longer the big guy can be kept on ice… Jeremie, is Aelita ready yet?" Connor asked.
"She's entered the program. On my command, take out William." Jeremie said.
Simon switched to Franz Gregor, ready to fire a bolt.
"If you're gonna try and take me back… I'll just have to take you out before that happens!" William said as he blocked one of Ulrich's Katanas. Then at that moment, the Kolossus finally broke free of the ice as it started to climb onto dry land.
"He's loose!" Theo said. "There's no way we can stop him now."
"Oh…I wouldn't be too sure." Lan said on the comm as new footsteps were heard. On the otherside was a large monster with a volcano on its shoulder and its body looking like the remains of an ancient ruin. "Kolossus…meet No. 06: Chronomaly Atlandis!" Lan said.
"Is that an Animech?" Simon asked.
"No, it's a monster from Lan's card collection." Hope said. "It's one of the largest monsters ever made in Yu-Gi-Oh."
"Eh…not gonna argue." Lan said as Atlandis and Kolossus clashed. "Doubt it can beat the Kolossus, but should buy you guys some time."
"Much appreciated! Now then…" Theo said as they once again focused on William.
"One new monster won't make a difference!" William said as he continued to fight back against them.
The fighting between them was so intense that they were knocked off both battling giants and to the ground. Ulrich knocked away William's blade as he was distracted by Theo's shots and brought to the ground.
"Jeremie!" Ulrich said.
"Aelita, launch the program." Jeremie said as Aeilita did so.
William smirked. "You haven't won yet!" he said, using Super Smoke to get away.
"Of all the…" Ulrich said before he and Theo were crushed by the Kolossus's foot.
"Victory!" William said before he was shot in the back.
"Forget about me, did you?" Simon asked.
"Guess…you finally got me…" William smiled as he was devirtualized.
"Yup. You're coming home" Simon said before turning to the Kolossus. "Now as for you. PDEE BAR-"
"Simon, it won't be enough! Madama Butterfly is still too small!" Hope said.
"Yeah…and it looks like…" Lan said weakly as he collapsed as Atlandis was slashed to bits. "Sorry…we lost our time."
"Well, guess I have to go bigger then." Simon said.
"Simon, that's enough." Connor said. "We got William back. We don't need to fight the Kolossus."
"But the Skid…!" Simon said.
"It's just a program. Those can always be rewritten." Miu said.
"What about Odd and Aelita then?" Simon asked.
"They'll be fine. Just focus on coming back." Jexi said. "David, how is the situation?"
"Well…" David said as his group was emerging from the lab with the surprising addition of Reformed Society and an injured FreezeMan in tow. "We had a bit of backup. But, FreezeMan looks pretty shaken up."
"He's been badly damaged and will need repairs." Zan said. "The robots are too numerous so we're going to have to escape and seal up the lab."
"Good call." David said as he looked to the additions. "Thanks for the save, though."
"Yeah. It was about time you guys showed up." Hitomi said.
"Well, as the saying goes: "Better late than never."" Captain Cold said with a smirk.
"Hear that? All is good." Jexi said.
"But…" Simon said before he saw the Kolossus destroy the Skid as it slid across the ice and exploded in the Digital Sea.
"They're fine, Jeremie got 'em out in time." Connor said.
"Yes, we were lucky to be devirtualized before the Skid was destroyed." Aelita said.
"Don't worry Simon." Connor said. "Next time will be the last time the Kolossus ever shows its ugly face again. Because when it's time to strike on XANA, he's going with him."
"Then that will be when we help it on its one way trip." Simon said.
"Yeah… This is it." David said. "Our final battle is close at hand. It's gonna be all hands on deck. Let's give this everything we've got!"
Meanwhile, in the present…
"It's gonna be all hands on deck. Let's give this everything we've got!" David said on a recording.
"Ah…he always says lines like that. Okay…so that's every single team that's been to Lyoko, plus Mythos Hearts and Fatebreakers. Didn't mean to involve them, but didn't have much choice considering how close they were to the heroes." Reality Check said to herself. "Now I wonder what sort of…" she said before she suddenly froze stiff. "This feeling…it…couldn't be…" she said looking out nearby to see a large man with blond hair and glasses walking about. "Catastrophe?!" she said in shock. "Of all the worlds, he had to walk this one? Wait a minute…he'd be perfect as a big bad. XANA's secret weapon against the heroes!" she said. "Oh…fangirling hard over here."
Reality Check then headed outside, despite her shivers she pressed on to Catastrophe.
"I'm gonna make this the best show ever!" she cheered.