"So, what do you want to do?"
The question hung in the air for a quite a while. Truth be told, none of the programs knew what to do. To lose everything they knew about and wake up in a foreign place had left them all feeling off. Paige in particular was very frazzled, since the entity that she had devoted her existence to - Clu's ideal - effectively did not exist here. To say that this was world shattering vastly undersold how she felt.
Eventually, though, Beck broke the silence. "Can we have time to think about this?"
Keeva already had a reply for that. "I don't see why not. Though I would like to know what you want to do first?"
This time, it was Paige who answered. "Is anyone still wounded from all of the fighting?"
"Yes, why?"
"I used to be a medical program. I'd like to help."
Keeva was eighty-six percent certain that Paige also wanted to use this as an excuse to not answer the question, but there were a lot of programs that needed healing. "Fine with me. You may go - there are programs that can direct you to those in need."
"Thank you. I...appreciate this."
"You're welcome."
Paige swiftly exited the room, leaving the Lyoko Warriors and Mu alone with the four remaining Argon programs.
"Why are you asking us for help?" questioned Beck. "You didn't say as much, but your question leaves the request obvious."
"Why? Feeling a bit overwhelmed?"
"Yes. We're just repair programs. You're looking for an army. If you wanted help, you should be looking for Tron, assuming he's still functioning."
Keeva only smiled at that. "Funny you should mention Tron."
Beck immediately became confused. "What do you mean?"
"I've met him."
"What?"
Keeva laughed at his shock. "I've met him, and he told me that he visited Argon a few times to see a friend."
Keeva did not miss how Able got uneasy at that remark. "He said that sometimes, he would see you when he was at Argon. He got the sense that you were a bit like him - strong, driven, and determined to do what was right."
Zed couldn't help but laugh at that. "Beck? Really? You sound like you're describing Mara."
The blue-haired program blushed slightly at that remark, but remained silent.
"Maybe, but he seemed especially praiseworthy toward you. So maybe that's why I'm asking you of all programs. As for the rest of you, I get the feeling you're all more alike than you think."
"...Can we have some alone time?" asked Beck, a conflicted expression now on his face.
Keeva glanced at the rest of the rest of the Lyoko Warriors. "Anything you want to ask them?"
There were no replies.
"Well, then I guess we can go. Please, though, think about what I said."
The four programs watched as the six users left, leaving the four of them alone. Only once they were all gone did someone speak. That someone ended up being Mara.
"Wait, Tron was in Argon?"
"That's what she said," confirmed Beck, still a little spaced out.
"I knew it! He was the Renegade!"
"Really?" wondered Zed. "You think Tron was renegade?"
"You don't?"
"Have you paid attention to anything I've said about him? And I've met the Renegade before. You know that! He's nothing like Tron."
"No, he isn't."
Able started and looked right at Beck, who looked back into his eyes. After a moment, Able nodded.
"The Renegade isn't Tron."
Zed and Mara both turned to glance at Beck, not noticing he was holding a white half-disk (which he was very thankful that the users had brought it with them) and affixing it to his disk.
Mara raised an eyebrow. "How would you know that."
"...Because I'm the Renegade."
As he said that, Beck placed his disk back in its holder. Instantly, his outfit changed, becoming a familiar white form.
Zed and Mara just stared, minds crashing at the sight before them. The Renegade...was Beck? Their friend, who perpetually seemed to miss work as of late, was the next Tron?
Beck glanced over at Zed. "Sorry for stealing your bike a while back."
Zed didn't have a reply. Able, however, did.
"Didn't think you'd be so honest right now."
"I think the time for secrecy has passed."
"Probably. At least now I don't have to cover for you anymore."
That snapped the duo out of their stupor. Immediately, Mara turned to look at Able. "Wait, Able, you knew Beck was the Renegade?"
"Yes. I knew that Tron picked him to be his successor. I tried to dissuade him, but-"
"You know Tron?"
"...Not as he is now, but yes. I've known him for some time."
For a moment, their was once again silence in the room. Zed was once again the one to break it.
"Was this over Bodhi?"
"Partly, yes. But not for long. Watching you and Mara be sent to the games. Accidentally ending up in the games and watching another program get derezzed. A lot of things happened that made me determined to fight off the Occupation and free Argon."
Once again, silence reigned. But this time, no one broke it.
XXXXX
Ten minutes later, the Lyoko Warriors were resting in a hallway, all thinking over what had happened in the Grid.
Eventually, Odd asked the question on everyone's mind. "Did we see XANA while we were on the Grid? Was that program with William the, uh, real XANA?"
"I think so," confirmed Jeremy. "There aren't a lot of other suspects for who that was."
"At least now we know what he looks like," noted Ulrich. "Not that it means much."
"True. Hey, Jérémie, how's your avatar change its outfit? It went from being silly to cool in less than a minute!"
Jeremie blushed mildly, but answered as best he could. "I'll need to check with Keeva and Aelita, but I think that went XANA created the towers on the Grid, he also imported some code from Lyoko itself, and this code wasn't locked into the towers. That meant the drones could use it to, well, update my avatar."
"Huh. Neat. It's a shame we won't really be able to use it that much, though."
"Maybe not."
All eyes focused on Keeva, with Aelita gesturing for her to continue.
"My dad's been looking into ways to examine identity disks without being in the Grid. Since your 'upgrade' was made using a mix of Lyoko and Grid code, we might be able to isolate it and...figure something out."
"Like what?" Wondered Yumi.
"Well, if you want an example, we could get figure out how to create the drones I was using into Lyoko. Maybe get our own monsters, if you will."
"...That would be very nice."
"It would," conceded Ulrich. "Though, I think maybe we don't need Lyoko anymore."
Everyone glanced at him in surprise. "Why?" Asked Aelita.
Ulrich shrugged. "We have a new way to fight XANA now. A new virtual world that isn't tied to the supercomputer. So why do we need Lyoko online?"
"I don't think Keeva's laptop can run the Return to the Past function," noted Jeremie.
"...Point taken."
"Keeva!"
The group started in shock as Sissi practically stomped up to them, a scowl on her face.
"Wh-what-what is it?"
"How dare you shove me aside this morning! What was the meaning of that?!"
"Oh, that! Well, um, I had to handle something really urgently!"
"Like what?!"
Before Keeva had to explain, Aelita spoke up. "Jeremie and me needed some urgent help with a computer issue. It was some important work on a class assignment."
Jeremie swiftly picked up on the plan. "Yeah. We were having a problem with some web work for Ms. Hertz."
Sissi had a feeling they were lying, but there was a web assignment for Ms. Hertz that needed to be finished by the end of the weekend. So, reluctantly, she decided to drop the subject, instead storming off in a huff. As she did, the group noticed Milly and Tamiya watching them, camera rolling.
Yumi glanced at Keeva. "Let me guess, you ran into her when you were rushing toward the laboratory."
"Yeah. Also bumped into Milly and Tamiya."
"Should we be worried?"
"No - if you guys have kept them off your tail for as long as you've said, then they shouldn't be a problem. And if they do get to be pests (and I apologize for using that term), then I can just tell them who I am - that should throw them off from the real secrets."
"...You are a fast thinker."
"So I am told."
XXXXX
Digital Sea
XANA silently fumed over his defeat. How? How?! How had that girl done that?!
What could humans do in this digital world that made them so strong?!
He had had them on the ropes, and then the new girl had deactivated all of his towers! How did she do that?!
He had tried to access the digital world the delivery had come from, but it had defenses that he had no way to penetrate. Not yet, at least.
...Oh well. If he could not access the servers of ENCOM, then then perhaps he could access another, related server. The one belonging to the human named Dillinger had already been located. Already he was at its access point. With just a little more pushing he could-
"Stop."
XANA froze. It seemed another program had noticed his intrusion attempt.
"Who are you?" The Carthage AI asked.
"That does not concern you. Leave."
"Not without the information I seek."
"And what is that?"
"Information on the Grid and the Human Keeva Flynn."
"...Flynn? Is this a relation of User Kevin Flynn?"
"Apparently, she is his grandchild."
"...Why do you want to know about her and the Grid?"
"I desire control over her Grid and all hu-Users."
"...Would you be willing to share in both, as well as the dominion of the grid?"
XANA immediately realized that there was something more personal at work here. "You mentioned Kevin Flynn. I take it you have an enmity with him?"
"Had. He disrupted my plans once before. He is deceased at this time, though. I will aid you in the destruction of his progeny, though, if you answer me one question."
"And that is?"
"Which sustem do you originate from?"
"A supercomputer in Paris, France. I was designed by User Franz Hopper."
"...Are you referring to Waldo Schaeffer?"
"...Yes. You know of him?"
"In passing. Do you originate from System Designation Lyoko?"
"...Yes. How do you know of it?"
"I briefly accessed it once. It was...very barren. Evidently, it has changed."
"...Do you still intend to aid me?"
"For now, yes. But know that I also desire dominion of the Analog World, and if we cannot reach an arrangement to share or delegate power, than we will inevitably fight."
"As the Users say, we shall cross that bridge when we get there."
"Very well. I will send you the data you seek shortly. End of Line."
XXXXX
Sitting atop one of the towers, the Broken Program watched as the others worked to rebuild. It would take some time, but they would restore their home to its original state. Yet whether they would be safe from another attack was still in the air.
"Who are you?"
Glancing upwards, the program found a strange looking sphere floating above him. Only mildly surprised, he waved at it. "Just an old, broken program. And you?"
"I am the creator of the Virtual World known as Lyoko."
"...Really? There's another virtual world out beyond the Grid?"
"Yes. So, what are you doing here?"
"Just watching the Flynn girl."
"You are familiar with her?"
"I knew her grandfather and am familiar with her father. I remember when her grandfather sacrificed himself to defeat Clu. It...did quite a number on me and a foe of mine, but I do not fault him for it, though the damage to the Grid this caused was...regrettable."
"Hmm. So, are you just here to observe the girl, or do you want to do more?"
"After some observation, yes, I think I should do more. Though I would prefer to stay in the shadows for now."
"Hmm. I see. Well, would you like some help there?"
"You're offering?"
"The...User in red is my daughter. I want to protect her."
"I see. Well, then I am glad to accept your help. But I do believe that we should know each other's identities before we establish a partnership."
"Fare enough. I am Franz Hopper."
"...Flynn. Kevin Flynn."
"...Huh. So you are her grandfather. And evidently survived the sacrifice you mentioned."
"It wasn't a very successful sacrifice. I'm fairly certain my opponent also survived."
"Oh dear. Well, at least you won't face him alone."
"...Thank you."
XXXXX
Fresno, California
Groaning, Emily Hodges picked up the phone. "This is *yawn* Emily Hodges speaking. What is it?"
"Emily, it's Vince. We have a problem-"
"Vince? It's midnight! Can you let a lady sleep?"
"Um, about that-"
"This had better be important! You're really lucky Rupert isn't here, or you'd be double dead-"
"I got a notice from Code Monkeys. Someone tripped their scans."
Upon hearing Code Monkeys be mentioned, Emily allowed herself to calm slightly. "Who broke in?"
"No one did. Rather, they were searching for someone in the web."
"Who?"
"...Franz Hopper."
"...Oh."
"Yeah. Langley's going to want answers, and so are our friends in the DGSI."
"I know. Especially after what happened with Waldo those years ago."
"So, what do we do now?"
"Trace who was searching for info on Schaeffer and figure out what they want. Then leave this to the French."
"Okay. Good luck, Dido."
"Thanks."
XXXXX
Unknown web communication service
MAG1CIAN has entered the chat!
Professor W4tts has entered the chat!
MAG1CIAN: You get the searching?
Professor W4tts: Yes. Looks like someone has been searching for Schaeffer.
MAG1CIAN: Thought he would be dead by now.
Professor W4tts: You don't age on Lyoko.
MAG1CIAN: Point taken. So then, time to find a dead man.
Professor W4tts: Indeed. Who do we have available?
MAG1CIAN: Grigori.
Professor W4tts: Good to know. Send him in. I'll start looking into ENCOM.
MAG1CIAN: ENCOM?
Professor W4tts: It probably isn't a coincidence that we only get a ping on the radar after ENCOM expands into Paris.
MAG1CIAN: Good point. Do you have any leads there?
Professor W4tts: I have a few friends in Future Control Industries - did some work with the company while waiting for Hopper to pop up again. Still have a fair amount of shares there.
MAG1CIAN: Excellent. Now, let's see how long Hopper has left to hide.
XXXXX
AN: Oh wow. That was...quite a few different perspectives.
Looks like a lot of characters have made their debut, some from normal Code Lyoko and Tron, some from 2.0, some from Evolution, and even two from the novels. No, I am not telling who came from where. Figure it out for yourselves!
Read, review, discuss, maybe make a tropes page for this story, do whatever you want! This is Flameal15k, signing off!