Final chapter of this first ARC! Now we can finally get down to business.
(New enemies, new tensions, new lots of things.)
From this point on, if you'd like to see me introduce new characters or if you have ideas for enemies or specific dialogues between certain characters, feel free to share them in your reviews! I'd be happy to turn them into something you'd enjoy!

Also, I'm planning to start a side story, probably a One-Shot, about Odd's antics. Because why not. So same deal here, if you'd like to see him tease or mess with a particular character... throw some names my way!

The scanners emitted a final hum as Ulrich, Odd, Aelita, and Yumi returned to the real world. The group had managed to free Yumi from XANA's direct control, but this victory left a bitter taste. Though Yumi was freed, she wasn't quite the same. Her hair, longer and darker, slid over her shoulders, reflecting the internal changes she had endured. Her friends knew it: something inside her had changed forever.

Ulrich was the first to step out of the scanner, and his eyes immediately fell on Yumi. He noticed how she stood—distant, almost detached. Though she had been freed from XANA, part of her seemed to remain trapped in that darkness. Ulrich felt an even stronger need to protect her now.

Odd, trying to lighten the mood, threw a playful look at Yumi as he stepped out too. "So, Sleeping Beauty is finally back with us! How's it feel after your little nap, oh fair princess?"

Yumi managed a smile, though fatigue was evident on her face. "Princess, really?" she repeated, raising an amused eyebrow.
Odd winked, striking a laid-back pose. "It suits you, don't you think? With the long hair and all… Seriously, Yumi, you look amazing."

Ulrich, who hadn't stopped observing her, felt his cheeks redden slightly at Odd's words. He approached her, the worry still clear in his eyes. "Yumi, how do you really feel?" he asked gently.

Yumi looked up at him, her expression calm, almost serene. "I'm fine, Ulrich. Tired maybe, but fine."

He searched her gaze, hoping to see a sign of distress, but she seemed oddly at peace. "You know, if you need to talk, I'm here," he insisted softly.
She gave him a faint smile, but the shadow in her eyes remained. "I know, and I appreciate it. But for now… I'm okay."

Jeremy, absorbed by the data on his laptop, looked up, his glasses reflecting the screen. "We've stabilized the situation for now, but we can't let our guard down. XANA is still in her, and we need to stay cautious. Who knows what might happen now that he's no longer confined to the global network."

Aelita approached Yumi, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "We're all here for you, Yumi. No matter what happens, you can count on us."
Yumi nodded, touched by her friends' words, though deep down, she knew things would never be the same again. This new reality, however dark it was, she was ready to face it.

"I think it's time for a little cleanup after all that chaos in the shadows… Prepare for a return to the past!"

A few days later, after classes, Yumi headed to the gym as usual. She needed to burn off some energy, to regain a semblance of normalcy. In the middle of her training, Ulrich joined her. He watched her practice, admiring her determination while also worrying about how far she was pushing herself.

"Hey," he called out as he approached.

Yumi paused, wiping the sweat from her forehead with a towel before smiling at him. "Hey, Ulrich. You here to train too?"

"I thought I'd keep you company," he replied with a grin. "Mind if I join?"

"Not at all," she said, visibly happy to have him around.

They began training together, exchanging blows with a fluidity that showed their perfect synchronization. Ulrich couldn't help but notice that, despite the apparent normalcy of their sparring, Yumi seemed quieter than usual.

"So, how are classes going for you these days?" Ulrich asked, trying to strike up a conversation.

Yumi shrugged. "It's okay. I'm trying to catch up on what I've missed. It feels like I've fallen behind on so much…"

"You're still one of the top students, Yumi," he reassured her with a smile. "It's obvious you're working hard."

"And you?" she asked, curious. "Not having too much trouble juggling school and… everything else?"

Ulrich sighed, laughing softly. "It's fine. Mrs. Hertz's classes are still as tough as ever, but I'm managing. Odd, though, always finds an excuse for everything… I'm surprised he's doing as well as he is."

Yumi laughed, a light sound that warmed Ulrich's heart. "Odd is incorrigible… but I guess that's part of his charm."

Ulrich watched her long dark hair, gently swaying with her movements. He felt his cheeks heat up slightly before speaking. "You know… I wanted to say… Your hair… it's beautiful. I mean… you've always been beautiful, Yumi, but now…"

Yumi blushed slightly, turning away to hide her embarrassment. "Thank you, Ulrich… That's sweet." She tried to continue her training, but her movements became a bit less certain. Then, in an unexpected gesture, she leaned in and placed a light kiss on Ulrich's cheek, surprising him.

Ulrich, also slightly flustered, felt warmth spread through his face. "I mean, I'm just saying… you really look beautiful."

They exchanged a look, each feeling a wave of warmth that was both embarrassing and comforting. This moment of sincerity brought a touch of normality to their relationship, despite everything they had been through.

The next day at the cafeteria, the atmosphere was slightly more relaxed. The group of friends sat at their usual table, discussing homework, recent classes, and the events that had recently unfolded, trying to regain a sense of normalcy despite everything they had gone through.
Their trays were filled with the usual cafeteria meals, and Odd couldn't help but grimace as he poked at his main dish with his fork. "I swear, this hamburger patty could double as a discus… or maybe a new weapon on Lyoko. Seriously, who cooks this stuff?"

Ulrich smiled, shaking his head. "You always have something to say about the food, Odd."

"Well, food is a very important subject!" Odd shot back, taking an exaggerated bite. "And wait till you try the beans… I think they qualify as culinary torture."

Aelita, nibbling at her salad, exchanged a knowing look with Yumi. "Odd will never change, will he?"

"And thank goodness for that," Yumi replied with a smile. "We need someone to keep things light."

"By the way," Odd continued, "did you guys see Jim's face this morning when someone swapped his coffee for decaf? I thought he was going to have a heart attack."

Jeremy, engrossed in his study notes, glanced up with an amused smile. "That was your idea, Odd?"

Odd feigned innocence. "Me? Never! I'm just helping the school staff remember to take care of their health."

The group burst into laughter, a rare bubble of normality and joy amidst their darker concerns.

"Besides," Odd added, twirling a fry between his fingers, "if Mrs. Hertz's math lessons were a weapon, I bet they could devirtualize a Megatank!"

Ulrich, sitting next to him, chuckled. "Odd, I keep telling you, doing math is good for your brain, even if it's not always fun."

Odd made an exaggerated grimace. "My brain rebels every time I see an equation, I'm sure it's trying to tell me something!"

Aelita, reading a book while absentmindedly munching on her salad, looked up to chime in. "Maybe if you actually did your homework instead of putting it off until tomorrow, you wouldn't feel so overwhelmed by math."

Odd pretended to think hard. "Hmm… No, I think I'll leave math to Jeremy and focus on mastering the art of being charming. Everyone has their specialty!"

Jeremy, still focused on his notes, looked up again, smiling. "Charming, huh? I'm curious to see how you plan to use that on your next math test."

"Simple, Einstein," Odd said with a wink. "I'll just flash a smile at Mrs. Hertz and hope she gives me extra points for style."

Suddenly, their conversation was interrupted by the loud arrival of Sissi, accompanied by Hervé and Nicolas. She stopped in front of their table, arms crossed, a challenging look in her eyes.

"Well, you all look cheerful today," Sissi said with a sharp tone, her eyes fixed on Yumi. "Yumi, you've been acting like the queen of the school lately, haven't you?"

Odd couldn't resist immediately firing back, a mischievous grin on his face. "No, Sissi, it's just because she doesn't spend her time annoying everyone like you do."

Sissi rolled her eyes, clearly exasperated by Odd's remark. "Oh, shut up, Odd. No one asked for your opinion."

Ulrich, who had remained silent until now, stepped in with a calm but firm tone. "What do you want, Sissi? We're just trying to have lunch."

Sissi shrugged, pretending to be interested in her nails. "I was just wondering why Yumi's been acting so different lately. Did you do something to your hair to make it grow so fast? Or is it just the stress making you more… mysterious?"

Aelita threw a protective glance at Yumi before answering on her behalf. "Maybe Yumi's just focused on more important things, unlike you, Sissi."

Sissi narrowed her eyes, clearly unhappy with Aelita's response. "Very funny. You really think you can keep hiding things from me? I know something weird is going on with all of you, and I'm going to figure it out."

Jeremy, who hated unnecessary conflict, tried to defuse the situation by changing the subject. "Sissi, we're just tired from all the schoolwork. If you really want to know what we're up to, maybe give us a break for a bit? It might help you understand."

Hervé, trying to impress Sissi, chimed in awkwardly. "Yeah, that's right! Let's just leave them to their boring stuff."

But Sissi wasn't done. "You know, Yumi," she continued, ignoring Hervé, "it seems like you think you can act like the queen around here now. You're keeping secrets, acting like you're better than everyone else…"

Yumi, who had remained silent until now, slowly raised her eyes to meet Sissi's. When she spoke, her voice was surprisingly soft, but it carried an undeniable authority, almost regal in its presence. Her tone, calm and assured, sent a slight shiver through the boys around her, unable to look away.

"Sissi," Yumi began, each word delivered with an icy elegance, "I choose my friends carefully, and I've chosen the ones who truly matter to me. I have neither the need nor the desire to justify myself to anyone, least of all to you. So, if you want to avoid being humiliated again, I suggest you mind your own business."

Her gaze, locked on Sissi, was intense, as if she were judging her from a higher place, but without another word. This tone, this way of speaking, left everyone frozen in place. Sissi, taken aback by Yumi's confidence and power, seemed to lose her usual composure. She opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out.
Finally, Sissi clenched her fists, her eyes filled with frustration and anger. "Fine," she said in a trembling voice, trying to save face.

Before anyone could reply, Sissi turned on her heel and left the cafeteria, followed closely by Hervé and Nicolas, who looked more embarrassed than anything else.
Once they were gone, Odd, still under the effect of Yumi's words, let out an admiring whistle. "Wow, Yumi… You really put her in her place. I think I'll have to start calling you 'Your Majesty' now."

Ulrich, whose heart had quickened during the exchange, nodded slowly. "Yeah… That was… impressive."

Aelita smirked, proud of her friend. "I think Sissi just realized she can't compete with you, Yumi."

Yumi, though a bit embarrassed by their reactions, smiled softly. "Thanks, guys. I didn't mean to be harsh, but she needed to understand."

Odd winked at Yumi. "No worries, princess. We know you did what you had to."

Jeremy, amused by the situation, finally spoke up. "Well, let's not let Sissi ruin our lunch, right?"

"Exactly," Odd added, spearing a green bean with his fork. "And who would have thought our Yumi could be so… noble."

Yumi just smiled, touched by her friends' words, though she knew deep down that the strength she had felt when confronting Sissi was just a glimpse of the deeper change taking place within her.

Odd, true to form, seized the opportunity to lighten the mood once again. "Hey, what do you guys say we end this meal in style? We could try guessing what this neon green pudding is supposed to be."

Jeremy rolled his eyes but couldn't help smiling at Odd's unshakeable sense of humor. "Odd, you know that one day you're really going to poison us with one of your food experiments?"

"I take that as a challenge," Odd replied with a mischievous grin. "And speaking of challenges, who's up for a spoon fight after lunch?"

The group burst into laughter, and despite the recent tensions, this moment of camaraderie reminded them why they were so close. Despite the looming threats, they knew they could always count on each other to face whatever challenges came next.

Though XANA had been temporarily subdued within her, he was not entirely gone. William, still under XANA's control, watched over Yumi like a silent guardian. His appearances were frequent, but he didn't seek to threaten her. On the contrary, he seemed to protect her, ensuring that she didn't stray too far from XANA's intended path.
One afternoon, as Yumi walked alone through the park, she sensed a presence behind her. Turning around, she saw William standing a few meters away. Without a word, he knelt before her, his expression unreadable.

"William…" she murmured, slightly surprised but keeping her calm.

"Yumi," he replied, his voice low and respectful. "You have nothing to fear from me. I'm here to watch over you. You've accepted what you are, and XANA knows it. He has tasked me with protecting you, guiding you."

The symbol of XANA briefly flashed in William's eyes, pulsing with a red glow. Yumi noticed it immediately, her gaze locking onto his, though she didn't react. She simply watched, without emotion, the unsettling glow.

William slowly stood up, approaching her gently. He raised his hand, hesitated for a moment, then softly caressed Yumi's cheek. His touch was both tender and strange, a mix of protection and obsession. "You have nothing to fear anymore, Yumi. We will always be by your side, even in the darkest times."

Yumi remained still, her gaze meeting William's. His eyes were filled with a strange light, a total devotion that felt both comforting and unnerving. She didn't say a word, simply holding his gaze with cold determination.

William slightly inclined his head, accepting her silence. "Whatever happens, I'll stay close. XANA watches, and as long as he slumbers, I'll be here."

He then stepped back, slowly retreating until he disappeared into the shadows of the trees, leaving Yumi alone with her thoughts. She could still feel the lingering touch of his hand on her cheek, but she didn't let it disturb her. She had accepted what she had become, and though she knew her life would never be the same, she was ready to live with this new reality.

Back at the factory, the group gathered to discuss recent events. The atmosphere was less tense than before, but uncertainty still loomed.

"Yumi, I'd like to run a scan on you," Jeremy suggested, his eyes glued to his computer screen. "I want to make sure everything's okay with your codes and see if we can understand the changes that have been made since XANA merged with you."

Yumi nodded, ready to face this new step. She took the elevator down to the scanner room, settled into one of the scanners while Jeremy began the analysis from the lab. Aelita stood beside him, eyes focused on the screen, ready to assist.

"Her codes seem stable for now," Aelita murmured, observing the data flowing by. "But there are definitely changes. XANA managed to integrate part of himself into Yumi. He left traces in her code, subtle but deep modifications."

Jeremy kept typing on his keyboard, his brow furrowing more as the results came in. "Wait… that's not all. I'm detecting something else…"

"What is it?" Aelita asked, leaning closer to see.

"Yumi's virtual DNA sequence… the one XANA replaced last year… it's mutated," Jeremy replied, a note of surprise in his voice. "It's like her DNA codes have evolved on their own, but I don't understand why."

Ulrich, standing nearby, watching every move and word with intense focus, asked, "Could this put her in danger? Could XANA exploit it?"

Jeremy shook his head, unsure. "I'm not sure. It's a strange evolution… For now, I'll focus on the other data."

He continued scrolling through the information, his eyes narrowing in concentration. "There are clear traces of XANA. It's not a virus exactly, but… his presence is palpable in Yumi's code. I'll need to analyze this in-depth later; it's too complex right now."

Aelita looked at the screen with concern. "That means XANA is still active in her, in some way."

"Exactly," Jeremy confirmed. "He's there, embedded in her code and clearly present in her system, but for now, he doesn't seem to be trying to take control. We'll have to stay vigilant."

Once the scan was complete, Yumi stepped out of the scanner and joined her friends in the lab. She met Ulrich's gaze, and he gave her a reassuring smile, though tinged with a bit of worry.

"So, what's the verdict?" she asked, seeking to understand what they had discovered.

Jeremy hesitated for a moment before answering. "There are changes in your genetic code, Yumi. Traces of XANA are still there. We'll need to stay careful, but for now, everything seems stable."

Yumi nodded, absorbing the information. "I see… Thanks, Jeremy. I know I can count on all of you."

Odd, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, watched the scene with a mix of amusement and seriousness. "So we've got a Lyoko princess with a little XANA bonus. Kinda gives her a mysterious edge, don't you think?"

Yumi responded with a smile, tired but determined. "Whatever happens, I won't let XANA control me. Not now, not after everything we've been through."

Aelita placed a comforting hand on Yumi's shoulder. "We'll make sure everything goes well."

The group exchanged glances, each understanding the gravity of the situation but determined to stay united. Ulrich, his gaze fixed on Yumi, felt a wave of relief but also of determination. They still had a long road ahead, but he was ready to do whatever it took to protect Yumi.

As they left the factory, Ulrich and Yumi walked side by side, the light from the setting sun casting long shadows on their path. The silence between them was calming, a stark contrast to the inner storm each of them felt.

"Ulrich," Yumi murmured after a moment of quiet.

"Yes?" he responded softly, turning to look at her.

"Thank you for being here. I know this isn't easy for you either… but knowing you're by my side makes it all a little less scary."

Ulrich squeezed her hand gently, feeling a new sense of determination. "I'll always be here, Yumi. No matter what happens, you'll never be alone. I promise."

They continued walking, an invisible bond connecting them even more tightly. Yumi, though aware of the shadows that lingered within her, felt more at peace. She had accepted what she had become, and she knew that with Ulrich and the rest of the group, she could face whatever came next.

But as they walked away, one detail remained unknown to all of them. Behind Yumi's neck, hidden beneath her hair, the symbol of XANA briefly appeared, pulsing softly before vanishing again. For a fleeting moment, Yumi's eyes glowed a deep red, a reflection of the dormant force within her, lying in wait, ready to awaken at the right moment.