I don't own Harry Potter or Code Lyoko evolution

Confusion

Ulrich started to brush his teeth.

"Ulrich? Are you ready yet?" asked an impatient Odd.

"Hmmh mhhh…"

"Do you want spaghetti? For breakfast?" asked Odd.

"Hmmh mhhh mhh…"

"With olives?"

Ulrich spat the toothpaste out. "Go on, I'll come over later."

"Ok, see you in the canteen. You got me hungry with your pasta thing."

Ulrich started to brush his teeth again as Odd left. The light started to flicker and Ulrich froze. He turned to look at the light and stared as a disembodied spectre formed before disappearing again.

Later

"A really strange thing happened to me at home," said Yumi. "I was getting ready and some sort of electrical bug occurred."

"I saw something pretty weird in the showers," interrupted Ulrich.

"Ms Hertz?" asked Odd.

"No. it appeared out of nowhere, started to take shape…"

"And just disappeared," finished Yumi. "I know, I saw the same thing."

"So did I," added Harry. "It's like Xana's trying to attack but something's blocking him."

"If Xana had attempted an attack, I should have at least seen something," said Jeremy.

"Our classes start at ten, we would have enough time to go and check the holoscan, right?" asked Aelita.

"Sorry, it would be without us," said Yumi apologetically. "William and I have a test."

"Sorry."

"You can catch up then," said Harry as he nudged William.

Sewers

"What are you doing?"

Everyone turned to look at Laura.

"What do you think?" asked Aelita.

"You're going to the lab?"

"I'm guessing you'd like to come with us?"

"That's a good idea," commented Jeremy. 2There's something strange going on, we may need your help."

Laura smiled and started towards the factory

Lab

"Nothing, nothing at all," said Jeremy. "My app is working, everything is quiet on Lyoko."

"But Xana was doing something," said Harry. "Trust me, I know. I felt it."

"Felt it?" asked Laura. "What do you mean, felt it?"

"None of your business Laura."

"There! An activated tower!" Odd pointed at it.

"Where?"

"Just there, there was something for a split second. I'm sure!" insisted Odd. "There, again!"

"Yes, you're right. There's an activated tower in the mountain sector," agreed Jeremy.

"And another one in the desert," added Ulrich.

"What does this mean?" asked Aelita. "Why do they keep activating and deactivating?"

"Either Xana's planning something or there's something wrong with him," said Harry with a shrug.

"Maybe your Superscan is on the blink," suggested Odd. Jeremy glared at him. "Just an idea."

"It's possible but after what Harry, Ulrich and Yumi saw this morning, I'd say that these are short attacks," said Jeremy.

"Another trick?" asked Aelita.

"We have to check on Lyoko," said Jeremy. "Are you ready?"

Ulrich and Harry walked into the elevator.

"Meanwhile we'll check the Superscan program."

"I'll take care of that," interrupted Laura.

"Aare you ready? I'll transfer you to the two sectors."

Lyoko

Harry landed and looked around the desert. "Let's hope Xana doesn't try anything while we're here."

Mountains

"So, where should I go?" asked Ulrich.

"Don't know yet. Just wait. I've got nothing for the moment but it should come soon," explained Jeremy.

"Ok, I'm ready."

"This is going to take a while," said Odd as he pulled out a comic.

"Maybe a firewall stopping Xana from accessing the towers properly," suggested Harry.

"We don't know for certain Harry."

"What? It's just a suggestion."

"A tower just activated in the mountain sector. Go ahead Ulrich," said Jeremy. Ulrich shot towards it on the Overbike. "Not again!"

"Ulrich, it looks like the tower is going to deactivate," warned Aelita. Ulrich skidded to a halt as it deactivated.

"It's just deactivated!"

"What is the purpose of theses short lived attacks?" muttered Jeremy to himself.

"We could check out the cortex," suggested Harry. "The problem could be there."

"Xana could be setting up for a bigger one," offered Aelita.

"Send a message to Yumi, asking her to come here with William as soon as possible. I really don't like this. And Harry, has Sissi gone to see her mother again?"

"Yeah. She picks the most random days! I swear she has her dad wrapped round her little finger."

Kadic

Yumi glanced at her bag as she heard her phone beep. She checked the message before putting it back and mouthing at William.

"Miss Ishiyama!"

Yumi focused on her test before glancing at William who nodded.

Desert

"You know, it's too quiet here," said Harry as he walked on his hands. "I don't like it."

"Harry, it's for you this time. Another tower has just been activated in your sector."

Harry ran as fast as he could and skidded to a halt just outside it before starting to fight the Krabes.

"Take it easy guys," said Laura. "With such ridiculous attacks, Xana isn't dangerous."

"Hey, you wouldn't say that if you saw some of the attacks he's done before," called Harry. "He's animated a giant teddy bear, sent an electrical ball against us, even a robot! Trust me, he's dangerous all right."

"Harry's right," agreed Aelita. "Xana is always dangerous. There's just no logic in this attack. I'm beginning to think that Harry's right and the problem lies with Xana."

"Just because you don't see it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. For real scientists, logic is at the very base of science."

"I'm not denying that but there's definitely something strange," said Harry. "I mean, some Krabes just arrived then exploded."

"And logic is also what remains to people with no imagination," added Aelita.

"Anyway, the tower's deactivated itself again," said Harry as he watched it close in on itself.

"Jeremy, what do you think's happening?" asked Ulrich.

"I think Harry's right when he says it's on Xana's end."

"You'd better be sure about that Einstein," said Odd. "I don't mean to put pressure on you but Aelita's father would have already figured it out."

"But not everyone is named Franz Hopper. He's busy, you know that. What's this thing?"

Laura tapped Aelita's shoulder. "Who is this Franz Hopper? Your father? I thought your name was Stones. You don't have the same one?"

"Can't you see that we're a little bit busy right now?"

"How is your father elated to Lyoko?"

"Mind your own business. You don't need to know about that."

"There's something else going on. But on the Cortex this time," said Jeremy.

"So, a trip into the digital sea then?" asked Harry. "Good."

"Do you really think Xana is bugging?" asked Aelita.

"That's an explanation but I'd like to be sure."

"We came as fast as we could," said Yumi as she and William entered with Luna. "What's going on?"

"Something is going wrong with Xana?" asked Luna.

"How do know?" asked Jeremy.

"Your faces."

"Anyway, what do you say about a trip to the Cortex?" they nodded. "Go right now, I'll brief you later. Odd, Harry, I'll transfer you to the arena then you'll go to the Skid."

"Finally, something interesting," said Odd as the group entered the elevator.

"I'll come with you in the elevator."

"You're not staying?" asked Aelita.

"I've got some homework to finish, I'm behind," explained Laura.

Lyoko

"You missed some Krabes exploding spontaneously and towers deactivating themselves," said Odd as the three landed. "Xana is seriously bugging."

"Odd, calm down," said Jeremy as Luna appeared. "We still don't know for now. Hurry and go to the garage."

They did just that.

"Jeremy, what's going on with Xana?" asked Yumi.

"I really don't know. Maybe a virus," suggested Jeremy.

"I think Xana is intelligent enough to deal with a virus," said Harry. "He wouldn't need to activate the towers."

"It would be crazy," said Jeremy. "We've been trying to destroy him for such a long time."

"That would be good news," said Aelita. "Jeremy, I'll be right back. I've got something to check."

She left as Yumi took the controls and guided them to the digital sea.

"If Xana is bugging, this may be the last time we're going to the Cortex," said Odd.

"No need to get carried away Odd," said William.

"Can you imagine? No more Krabes shooting at you, no more tarantulas devirtualising you. The Lyoko warriors will retire at last!"

"Really? And what do you intend to do with your free time?" asked Ulrich.

"I'll devote myself entirely to Luna."

"That's sweet," said Luna.

"Well, I feel sorry for Luna," said Ulrich.

"Be like that."

"What do you think about that Yumi?" asked William.

"Don't count your chickens before they've hatched," commented Yumi.

"For all we know, Xana may just be trying something out," added Harry.

Kadic

Aelita peered at Laura through the library window and watched her move away from her tablet to get some books. Running into the library, Aelita glanced at the screen and frowned. Laura was researching Franz Hopper. She slipped away as Laura returned.

Cortex

Odd drove the Megapod towards the dome.

"From now on, I need you to be my eyes. I want to see and know everything that is happening," said Jeremy.

"Got it," said Odd. "William is sitting next to me and Harry's sitting next to him. Luna, Ulrich and Yumi are sitting in the back. I don't know what Yumi and Ulrich are doing, probably holding hands."

Yumi slapped Odd across the head. "Jeremy only needs the important things."

"I second that," said Ulrich as he also slapped Odd.

"Ouch! You're worse than Krabes!"

Kadic

"You're not very discreet." Aelita turned to Laura. "Your father created Lyoko, right?"

"What gives you the right to search other people's lives and tell nonsense?" asked an annoyed Aelita.

"Franz Hopper, a genius computer scientist who becomes a teacher in a school that hides a quantum computer. It wasn't that hard to figure out." Laura folded her arms. "By the way, why did he suddenly disappear? Don't tell me he preferred his research over his little girl? Did he abandon you?"

"He didn't abandon me! He sacrificed himself for me! Would your father do the same? And it looks like you haven't finished your research if you think his story ends there."

Laura stared at Aelita as she walked off.

Lab

Jeremy stretched as he waited for news.

"Jeremy? We have a problem here."

"What's going on?" asked Jeremy.

"I know you're not going to believe me but a Krabe and a ninja are fighting," explained Yumi as they watched the fight.

"Against who?"

"Each other."

"The Krabes seems to be the attacker," added Ulrich.

"It seems like Tyron and Xana aren't working together," commented Harry.

"But why would Xana attack Tyron if he gets access to the network thanks to him?"

The Ninja dodged several laser and tried to stab the Krabe but he was hit and destroyed. The Krabe headed towards the Dome.

"Anyway, the score is now one-zero for Xana," said Odd.

"The Krabe is heading into the core. What should we do Jeremy?" asked Ulrich.

"Follow it. We need to find out what it's doing there."

"Certainly not sightseeing, judging from the way he handled that ninja," said Odd.

"I have no idea what awaits you inside so be careful." Aelita entered the lab and walked over to the terminal. "You're never going to guess what's going on. Xana's attacking Tyron."

"I can't see the Krabe," said William as they peered into the core.

"Well, obviously it's going to go deeper," said Harry.

"It probably teleported itself to the core," added Yumi.

They walked in as they armed themselves.

"What's going on?" asked Jeremy.

"Wow! It's pretty heated in here. Xana sent some heavy troops against the ninjas," said Ulrich as they watched the two forces attack each other.

"Where are the ninjas?"

"They're near the central interface. It looks like they're protecting it," commented Ulrich.

"The interface?"

"Xana needs the supercomputer to access the network," said Aelita. "Why would he try to destroy it?"

"Something tells me that he's not trying to destroy it but a program," said Harry as he rubbed his head. "I mean, he hasn't done it before."

"If Xana wants to self-destruct, we should let him do it," said Odd.

"I wish it were that easy but I doubt it," said Jeremy.

"There has to be a reason," commented Aeltia.

"Well, if we get to the interface, we'll find out," commented Harry as he scanned the core.

"Try to get closer," agreed Jeremy.

"That's easier said than done," pointed out Odd.

"Well, we'll never know if we don't try," said Luna. A Krabe fired at Yumi and devirtualised her.

"Are you ok Yumi?"

Odd fired at the Krabe. "They noticed us!"

The group started to fight indiscriminately. A ninja got William.

"It can't be, you'll all get devirtualised!"

"Really?" asked Harry as he defeated several Krabes. "Remind me Jeremy, when was the last time I got devirtualised by something?"

"They're doing their best Jeremy," reminded Yumi.

"It wasn't a critic. I would like to understand what Xana is doing."

Odd defeated a Krabe. "Ok, Xana is done now."

He and a ninja defeated each other at the same time. Luna soon followed him.

"The brothers know what they're doing."

"Do we?" asked Harry as he glanced at Ulrich fighting the last ninja.

"Tyron's done too."

"It's difficult to admit but you're the best," said Odd as they joined the others.

"Now get to the interface."

They ran over to it and Harry inserted the card.

"So Einstein, what did you find?" asked Odd as Jeremy looked through the data.

"It looks like Xana destroyed a security update Tyron applied on his supercomputer," explained Jeremy.

"And may I ask why Xana would have been annoyed?" asked Odd.

"Well, I guess it was the source of the interference on its attacks."

"Like the ones Harry, Ulrich and Yumi experienced?" asked Aelita.

"It also explains the activating and deactivating towers."

"So this means that Tyron acts on his own, like Xana doesn't exist?" asked Odd.

"I have a feeling that Tyron doesn't know that Xana exists," said Harry as he paced.

"I don't get it, they're on the same side, right?" asked William.

"Apparently not," commented Harry.

"Maybe Tyron ignores the fact that Xana lies in his supercomputer," suggested Jeremy.

"Or he doesn't know about Xana."

"In that case, we should warn Tyron," suggested Aelita.

"Warn him?" asked a supplied Yumi.

"Tyron should be able to understand the danger caused by an AI getting out of control."

"From what I know about him, he won't listen," said Harry. "And that is if he believes us about Xana's existence."

"We should try it at least," decided Jeremy.

"Wait, I can't believe it. Are you sending a sweet note to Tyron?" asked Odd.

"Just a meeting request. Let's wait for a reply."

That night

Jeremy snapped up and picked up his phone.

"Yes?"

"Ulrich, Tyron has replied. Let's go to the lab. Tell the others."

Harry put his glasses on as he heard Jeremy talking.

Sewers

"Me, not diplomatic? I'm better than William," protested Odd.

"I never get angry except when Ulrich bothers me."

"You're the ones bothering me right now."

"Stop it!" Everyone fell silent. "I said that only Aelita, Harry and Yumi should go to the Cortex."

"I'd like to see Tyron too," said Odd. "Ok, we may not be diplomatic but we could just go and keep quiet."

"You couldn't do it."

"But isn't it dangerous to let them go alone?" asked Ulrich.

"Harry can keep them safe, right Harry?"

"Yep. No monsters can get past me!"

"And I can devirtualise them if anything goes wrong. Do you feel reassured?" asked an annoyed Jeremy.

"But I…"

"Odd!"

Cortex

"This place still gives me the creeps," commented Harry as they walked towards the terminal. Aelita activated it and a screen activated.

"So tell me little avatars, what is this essential news I need to learn? Do you even know who I am?"

"You are Professor Lowell Tyron, an old associate of Franz Hopper," said Harry. "I know you have other things to do and I thank you for taking the time to speak with us."

"Professor Tyron, do you know about Xana?" asked Aelita.

"Xana? Never heard of it." Ulrich and William shared a look. "What is it? A video game?"

"No." Harry shook his head. "A dangerous computer program that currently resides in your supercomputer. He wants to take control of the network."

Tyron laughed. "If that was true, then I would know it."

£Tell him that if Xana continues to gain more power, he will end up controlling the whole network," Jeremy quickly said.

"Xana is crafty and can easily create false reports," said Harry. "And if he recovers his full power, he will take over the network."

"I'm the one controlling everything. Tyron fears no one, not even this Xana that is supposedly hidden in my supercomputer. Do you want the proof?"

He snapped his fingers and three ninjas appeared. Harry dispatched them easily.

"Jeremy, I think you need to bring us back in."

They disappeared as Jeremy did just that.

"It's crazy, that guy may be a genius scientist but he won't hear reason," said Yumi as they returned to the lab and sat down.

"A genius? You mean a psycho! Just let me go and explain things to him," suggested Odd.

"There's nothing to do," said a sombre Aelita. "He doesn't realise that he's giving Xana full access to the network."

"And I have a feeling that he'll try to find us," said Harry with a sigh.

"Actually, I think he might be helpful," said Jeremy, causing everyone to stare at him. "His latest update disrupted Xana, right?"

"With what result?" asked Ulrich. "It failed after all."

"Yes but in the update I found some interesting lines of code," explained Jeremy.

"You mean to help us design our virus against Xana?" asked Aelita.

"Exactly."

"Einstein, you're a real genius," proclaimed Odd.

"Well, I'm glad to hear I'm not a psycho."

"That, you are definitely not," said Harry.