"So, where do we find the gang today?" Gemini asked. "I'm asking because I don't really know this period in time much like the last two."
"Well as far as we know, this was the day Aelita started attending the school, around the same time we travelled back here." Dan said.
"Perhaps they're at the school right now." Kohaku said.
"Yeah...we even launched fireworks to celebrate our return. But it's way too late for that now." Sonic said.
"So the obvious choice to find them would be the courtyard." Hope said.
"I take it that's their usual spot?" Hisui asked.
"Yep. They tend to gather there a lot." Mayumi said.
"Honestly. It may feel weird for some of us who are attending school for the first time. Good thing Mari made these outfits for me, Kohaku, and Hisui." Kor said.
"I don't think she had to go that far. Seriously, she overdoes things way too much." David said.
"Now now, David. There is no such thing as going "too far" for fashion." Rarity piped in.
"Indeed, at least we're not drawing attention to ourselves." Camilla said.
It didn't take long for the group to head to the courtyard where a special field trip was already in progress.
"Oh I remember this! It's that field trip to the forest." Lucy said.
"Yeah...and we can still pass. I even have the picture I drew." Luffy said holding a badly drawn flower picture.
"You held onto that all this time?" Petra asked.
"We told you before...there are no sunflowers in the forest!" Natsu said.
"Sunflower? It's a daisy." Luffy said.
"Can anyone tell from any angle you look at it?" Hope asked.
"Guys, over here!" Jeremie called as the group came over to them. "Where were you last night? Someone set off the fireworks when you didn't come."
"Sorry. We got held up in something." Jesse said.
"Too bad, you would've really enjoyed them, but not what happened before." Jeremie said.
"What happened?" Kendo asked.
"Well, I figured we needed new ways to fight XANA since I was able to Materialize Aelita here." Jeremie said. "So I programmed a detection system that will sense any Activated tower, as well as three new vehicles."
"Sounds pretty cool if you ask me." Natsu said.
"Not exactly. In the middle of our testing run in the Desert Sector, a new monster showed up. A Tarantula." Odd said.
"Tarantula?" Starlight asked.
"It's better not to ask." Ulrich said.
"Good to know." Al said.
"So we're just going into the woods and sketching plant pics?" Hope asked.
"Yep. Pretty much." Maka said.
"Good thing Shiozaki is with us. She can help us out with the plant descriptions." Francisca said.
"Oh yeah. She uses the Nature Style right?" Kohaku asked.
"There is no Nature Style. Shiozaki uses a Vines Quirk." Kendo said.
"Sorry." Kohaku said.
"Grace is the one that has the Plant Style, if that was what you meant." Kokoro asked.
"Geez… Ever since Furious Sports, that name always seems to go back to Kohaku." David said.
"Dark Pit is no better off either. Because he's Pit's dark half, his wings had to be duct-taped, too." Petra said.
"How did you get him to be taped?" Hope asked.
"You don't want to know…" Dark Pit said. "Let's just say my team's methods were more… extreme."
"I'm not even gonna ask. Let's just go and do this field trip." Ruenheid said.
As the group talked, they were unaware as they headed into the woods, they were being watched by several eyes in the treetops.
"...!" David gasped.
"What's wrong?" Francisca asked.
"I'm getting this feeling...We're not alone here." David said.
"I can sense it too. Let's keep going for now." Aluche said.
"You don't think… are the Kingdoms here already?" Leonora asked.
"It's possible. They don't need to touch ground but they can send troops ahead of time." Ranma said.
"We need to figure out who, or what... Were dealing with." Kendo said.
"Not out here. Too many students. Let's try and get further into the forest." Soul said.
"For now let's just play along." Saki said.
"Yeah. Using our powers where people can see us will only cause a panic." Elize said.
"Wait. Where's Aelita?" Al asked.
"She must have gone further into the forest. We shouldn't leave her alone. It's not safe there." Zinia said.
"Right. Let's go look for her." Kor said.
Further into the woods, Aelita walked on her own as she looked around scared. "Monsters only exist in fairy tales. Monsters only exist in fairy tales." She repeated to herself before she saw a vision of a wolf before she screamed and ran off further in, dropping her notebook on the way.
"Aelita?!" Hope asked as the heroes later came to find her notebook. "Where in the heck did she go?"
"These footprints show she must've gone this way." Veruschka said as the group saw footprints.
But they didn't last long as they were blown away as they saw several birds with spiked feathers above.
"Spearow!" Twilight said. "A whole flock of them."
"Well then… Flying Kingdom of Avia it is then." Hope concluded.
"Should we charge through, Hope?" Lin asked.
"Sure, do it! We'd like a chance to claw out your eyes." one of them said as they all laughed.
"No. I've got this." Francisca said. "It won't take all of us to deal with these bird-brains. You all go on ahead."
"Alright. Catch up to us when you're done here. And be careful Franny." Zan said as the group ran on ahead.
"One little girl against all of us. Easy! Let's go!" One of them said as they all charged at Francisca.
Francisca conjured icicles and sent them flying towards the Spearow.
"Aah! Retreat! Retreat!" One of them said as they all dodged the icicles flying at them before flying away.
"Whew… That was something. But...why do I feel like it's not over yet?" Francisca asked.
"Franny, behind you!" A voice yelled out as Zan rushed in and blocked an oncoming attack.
"Whoo, that was close! Nice save, sis!" Flamberge said running up.
"You two… Didn't I tell you to go with the others?" Francisca asked.
"Yes. But we sensed something else besides those birds and came rushing back. Show yourself!" Zan called out.
"Well...seems there are some powerful warriors out here." A voice said as two birds stepped out. One resembled a duck with a leek and the other a larger bird with a long beak.
"Who are you?" Zan asked.
"Farfetch'd and Fearow...Avia's top jailers." The duck said.
"And you three are interfering with our mission. Therefore...we're about to take you as prisoners." Fearow said.
"Sorry. But I prefer you don't underestimate us. Franny! Berge! To arms!" Zan said as she summoned her Spear.
"Right. Let's go, my sisters!" Francisca said as her fists charged in ice.
"WIth the three of us together, no way a couple of bird brains will beat us! Give us all you got, oh yeah, I'm burning up!" Flamberge said drawing her sword.
"I'll make quick work of them, my trusted partner. With a simple Wing Attack!" Farfetch'd said charging in.
Francisca dealt an icy uppercut at Farfetch'd. "Berge, Zan, now!"
"Yeah!" Flamberge said.
"Understood. Thunder Lance!" Zan yelled as she thrusted spear onto Farfetch'd as lightning struck him. "Berge!"
"You're mine, Fearow!" Flamberge said summoning four swords.
"How dare you harm my buddy! I'll make all of you pay with a Drill Peck!" Fearow said as he ignored Flamberge and went for the other two.
"Franny! Let's do it." Zan said charging up her magic.
"Alright." Francisca said as she charged in. "This is one of my master's favorites. Arctic Style: Crystal Blitz!" Francisca landed a barrage of icy kicks before sending him upward. "The final blow is yours!"
"Right.I who stand in the full light of the heavens, command thee to open the gates of hell, come forth divine lightning! This ends now...Indignation!" Zan chanted as a beam of lightning struck down on to Fearow.
"Well...that was easy." Francisca said after both birds had been taken down.
"Nicely done sisters. We should catch up to the others." Zan said.
"No fair… I didn't get one hit in." Flamberge moped.
"You'll get your chance soon, Berge. I'm sure of it." Francisca said.
"Yes, so don't worry." Zan said as she smiled at her.
"Heh… thanks Franny, Zan." Flamberge said.
As this fighting had gone on, Aelita had ran further into the forest before arriving at an old house. "The hermitage." she said as she headed inside. Upon entering the house, it looked ransacked and deserted. As she walked, she had visions of the house at an earlier point in time where she saw a man playing on the piano. She was confused until she was suddenly attacked by a black shroud as she screamed.
Later, the group met up with Yumi, Ulrich and Odd outside the Hermitage.
"The Hermitage… it figures she'd come here." Hope said.
"Let's head inside. Hopefully she's safe." Aluche said.
"Hey, if you guys are wondering about this creepy place, this is where…" Hope said before David shut him up.
"Loose lips sink ships, Hope. And we don't spill info on the future." David said.
"Right because of Ulrich, Yumi, and Odd, right?" Lin asked.
"Right. They can't know about this yet." David said.
"Alright. We'll hear the story later when it's safe to talk about it." Ryu said.
"Guys! I found her!" Dan said next to Aelita as she woke up.
"Get out! It's a trap!" She said before the door slammed shut behind them.
"Oh, this is not good." Petra said.
"Hiyah!" Kohaku yelled as she kicked the door down.
"Kohaku! Desk!" Kendo warned as a desk was flying at her.
"Oh no you don't!" Hisui yelled as he caught the desk.
"XANA...it's him. He's possessed the house." Lacy said.
"Seriously? I didn't expect him to turn this into a haunted mansion story."
"We've got to get moving to the factory!" David said.
"That's only if we get outta here before XANA traps us in a Sauna!" Hope said as the basement door was sliding to be shut.
"Grr… I can't hold this door forever." David said as he tried to hold the door.
"Hold on!" Ryu said as he shifted into Dragon Form and grabbed the door as he helped pull it back. "Alright, everyone out."
"Ryu!" Natsu shouted before a couple of electrical cords hit Ryu electrocuting him into unconsciousness.
"Grr… Guys, hurry! This door is really going to crush me!" David said. "Guys?" he asked before most of them ran out. "Oh give me a…" he said before a claw like hand was holding the door back. "Uh...thanks?"
"Tell me...the Japanese girl known as Yumi...is she trapped in the room down there?" the figure asked.
"Yes, with Ulrich. They're gonna die in there if we don't get to the factory right now." David said.
"Then I don't have much time." the figure said running down there.
David headed out and made his way to the factory. "Attention everyone, Ulrich and Yumi are trapped in the sauna at the Hermitage. Anyone that's available, head to the factory and back up Odd and Aelita."
"It's Gray. I'm already en route!" Gray said.
"Me and Arnice are on our way to." Ace said.
"Alright. I'll be counting on you guys." David said.
It didn't take much for the three to be transferred into Lyoko, it's Ice Sector to be more precise.
"This feels weird." Ace said as he had white and black tribal markings on his cheeks.
"You're in a virtual world, Ace. The avatars are customized specifically for each individual." Jeremie said.
"Interesting, I must say this is impressive." Arnice said as she was in her transformed state. "Where are Odd and Aelita?"
"Running from that." Gray said pointing to Aelita running from a strange creature with blaster limbs and a robotic looking deer with fire antlers.
"What the hell, are those robots?" Ace asked.
"Well one is. The other is a monster on Lyoko." Gray said.
"So...more people have come to mess with Flame Stag!" The deer robot said as he charged at them.
"Here he comes!" Arnice said as she launched a huge fireball from the air.
"That is useless!" Flame Stag said breaking through. "Speed Burner!" he said charging.
"Let me handle this. Ice Make: Sword!" Gray said making a sword as he charged. He rose it into the air before slashing through the robot.
"I...I may have fallen. But my master is far more powerful than you!" He said before exploding.
"Alright. All that's left is the monster." Ace said before piercing through it with Judgement Bolt Chidori.
"Aelita, Odd, you two okay?" Arnice asked.
Aelita only ignored her as she ran for the tower.
"What was that about? Is Aelita alright, Jeremie?" Ace asked.
"Yeah, she's fine. She's just doing her job in deactivating the tower." Jeremie said. "She is the only one who can, after all."
"I see. Anymore monsters in the area?" Arnice asked.
"No. I think we're all clear." Jeremie said.
"Trust me...when Aelita makes it to the tower...the mission is accomplished so no need to hunt down monsters." Gray said.
"Alright. So what happens now?" Ace asked.
"This." Jeremie said. "Return To the Past, now!" He said as a bright light spread before time restarted to the point where the group was about to head off to the forest.
"Okay...that was weird. Did we just go back in time?" Lin asked.
"In a way." David said.
"So it never happened huh? At least Yumi and Ulrich are safe. But what happened to XANA?" Aluche asked.
"Gone into hiding, concocting his next plan." Petra said.
"But we'll be ready next time. By the way, Aelita, are you alright?" Kohaku asked as she put a hand on her shoulder.
"I'm fine. I just had these...strange visions when I was inside that place." Aelita said.
"I see. We'll give you time and some space to sort it out. We'll help whenever you need us." Zan said.
"Thank you. I'll be counting on you all." Aelita said.
Meanwhile, over in Avia…
"So you mean to tell me, three little girls defeated the two of you?" Asked a green lizard like creature with leaves on his arms.
"Yes. Well it was really the two of them. The third just kept talking and showing off." Fearow said.
"Shh. You're gonna make it sound worse. But all is true, Top General Grovyle." Farfetch'd said.
"Hmm. If that is the case, these Dimensional Heroes are more adversary like than I thought. I think we'll have to call in...the Flying Aces." Grovyle said.