Chapter 5 Seeing is Believing
A.N. – Ok, first I want to say there is a mistake in the last chapter with Nadia's electricity power. The power doesn't cost her any life points, but it will inflict 25 life points to more powerful monsters. This will be covered in future chapters. This is now fixed. Let's begin!
Disclaimer – I do not own Code Lyoko, the story ide, the plot, or the cover image. I am a fan of the show, the idea was submitted by LittleRedRebel, and the picture was drawn by Lisa Forbes.
The chief engineer from the local nuclear power plant is giving a lecture for Ms. Hertz's class. "Our heating plant uses energies supplied by a nuclear reactor, thanks to which we produce thousands of megawatts of electrical power. Here, we have the cooling tower, this is the turbine, the alternator, and finally, the reactor. This plant is one of the most powerful in the world." Ulrich looks out the window, most of the students finding the lecture boring. "As chief engineer, I'm particularly concerned with safety. And to guarantee this safety, security measures have been applied at every level of production." Odd is drawing Kiwi, sitting next to Jeremy. Nadia is sitting next to Ulrich. "The plant's design, its functioning, and problem phases. We call this combination of safety measures in depth defense. I'll be glad to answer any questions." Sissi is reading a magazine. Jeremy raising a finger.
"Uh sir?" Jeremy says, raising a finger.
"Yes, go on Jeremy" Ms. Hertz says.
"I'd like to know if an atomic process exists for fusing virtual particles and materializing them in the real world" he stands up. The other three turn to him, Odd smirking.
"Mm hmm." The chief engineer pushes up his glasses. "Son, that is in the realm of science fiction, sorry."
"Jeremy, I know you want to materialize Aelita but be more subtle next time. Everyone knows this is science fiction, except us" Nadia whispers to him.
"Uh, Jeremy is an excellent student, but he's a bit of a dreamer," Ms. Hertz explains, the other students laughing as Jeremy places his hands on his cheeks. Odd turns around, blowing a raspberry at Herb and Sissi. Suddenly, the power to the projector goes out. "Well now, what's happened here?" She tries to make it work, but nothing happens. "Oh, certainly nothing, just a blown fuse, that's all."
Jeremy turns to the others, Odd shrugging as the bell rings.
Yumi is standing outside the science building, waiting for her friends. Sissi and her gang walk out, the girl noticing her. Yumi stares at her and Sissi chuckles, walking away.
"And I'm saying that maybe Xana is behind this" Jeremy insists as they walk out.
"Jeremy, electrical failures are common. Not everything electrical is related to Xana" Nadia tells him.
"Nadia's right, it was just a short circuit" Odd dismisses it. They all meet up with Yumi.
"Odd," they turn around to see the principal approaching. "I've thought it over, you can form your group, the uh, Foxtrot Fanatics?"
"Yes!" Odd cheers at the news.
"It's the Pop Rock Progressives sir" Yumi corrects politely.
"But it must be open to anyone who wishes to play, is that clear?" Mr. Delmas finishes.
"No problemo sir," Odd answers as the others nod. He nods at them and leaves. "Yeah, let's hear it for the God of Rock and Roll!" Odd slides to the ground in excitement. "Hey, come on, if we step on it, we can photocopy the leaflets before lunch Jeremy."
"Well, you know what, I'm not into rock. Besides, I wanna check on that outage" Jeremy tells him, walking away.
"Okay, see ya later Jeremy" Yumi calls out.
Jeremy is in his room, typing away. "Hi. Is something wrong Jeremy?" Aelita asks.
"Hmm." He doesn't answer, looking for anything that could point to Xana being at the center.
"You know, if you ever have a problem, you can always talk to me about it" Aelita suggests.
"Weird," Jeremy murmurs. "Why can't I hear anything? Let's check this out." He presses enter on his computer. "Aelita? Aelita, do you read me?"
"Loud and clear Jeremy," Aelita is in a deactivated tower in the forest sector. "Is everything okay?"
"We had a power failure in class this morning and the school electricity system seems to be having problems."
Aelita slides away her screen, appearing on Jeremy's screen. "And? Do you think Xana's behind it Jeremy?"
"You never know," he answers, knowing Xana could do anything. "Have you noticed anything in Lyoko?"
"No," she shakes her head. "Everything's quiet here."
"Okay, I'll do a scan. If Xana's activated a tower, we'll find out soon." He stands up.
"Where are you going?" She questions.
"To the cafeteria. They've got brussel sprouts today. You know what they are?" He explains.
"Yes, but I don't know what they taste like. Are they good?"
Ulrich pushes away his tray in disgust. "They're gross, ugh!"
"Odd, what are you up to now?" Jim asks as Yumi, Ulrich, Nadia, and Jeremy turn to Odd, who holds out a flyer.
"We're holding auditions for our group." Jim snatches the flyer reading it. Odd walks away, holding out a flyer in the air. "Hey, if anyone is interested, we need a drummer!" He hands out the flyers. "Here. Here you go" he stops when he gets to Sissi's table, Nicolas standing as he holds out a hand patiently. Odd just walks away from them. Nadia quickly grabs one and hands it to him.
"Nadia, why did you do that?" Odd asks.
"One, the band is open to anybody. Two, if you do good things, good things will happen to you. I may have just found you a drummer" Nadia tells him.
Everyone is at the vending machine. "Let's see now, hot chocolate? No, soup. No, the soup tastes like dishwater," Odd comments at what's available. Ulrich leans in and presses a button. "Hey, you pressed soup!"
"Aw come on, it's not that awful" Ulrich tells him.
"See Odd. You didn't give Nicolas a flyer, so bad things are happening to you" Nadia adds.
Only a few drops come from the machine. "Oh, this miserable machine's on the blink again. Either that, or Nadia jinxed me."
"Sorry Odd, but the universe is proving me right."
"Or maybe it's another power failure" Jeremy suggests.
"Are you worried?" Yumi asks.
"Yeah, I am. I'll keep checking things out."
Nadia starts to think that this may be Xana's doing. These two events in the same day can't be a coincidence.
"If you need us, we'll be in the gym. We're gonna hold auditions" Yumi tells Jeremy.
Someone in the gym is doing heavy metal. Odd looks like he can't listen to it. Yumi has a leg raised to her shirt. Ulrich has a look of boredom to disappointment. Nadia is listening patiently. He finishes, looking at the four.
"Well yeah, you've got a lot of style," Odd admits. "It's heavy metal right?"
"Oh yeah, sure, I love it" the guys says, tapping a symbol.
"Really sorry Mike, um, but we're looking for something more…traditional, you know?" Yumi breaks it to him easily.
Mike just shrugs with a smile. "Next!" Odd calls out, Mike placing the sticks on one of the drums. He walks away and Odd gasps at the next participate. He smiles as a girl with dark hair in a tank top walks to the equipment. She has a flower in her hair.
"Hello guys" she greets.
"Hey, how are you Naomi? I didn't know you played the drums" Odd comments.
"Well yeah, a little. Besides, I've always dreamed of being in a band."
"Okay then, go on" Ulrich tells her.
She starts playing and it's obvious to everyone except Odd, that Naomi doesn't know how to play. She finishes and bows. Odd stands up and starts clapping.
"Great Naomi, that was fantastic. Well, I mean, come on, we're not gonna find anyone better, right?" Odd says, turning to the other three, who stare at him.
Jeremy is looking over Lyoko in his room, realizing something. "400,000 volts at a high-tension pylon?" He rubs his chin. "That's not right. "he presses a few keys. "Aelita?"
Her face appears on the screen. "Anything new?"
"Well, not really," he scratches his head before the power in his room goes out, shutting down his computer. "Aelita!" He tries turning on a lamp before running out of his room. He races down the stairs and into the park. He appears at the entrance of Kadic, catching a glimpse of the pylon, which is surging with electricity.
Odd taps his knees with drumsticks as they wait for another participant. They hear the doors opening, turning to a panting Jeremy. He stops in front of them, taking a deep breath.
"This is Xana's doing! I'm almost sure of it" Jeremy says, taking another chair, sitting in front of them.
"Yeah, go on" Yumi urges. Jeremy takes off his glasses, wiping his forehead.
"The current's cutting out all around the school and the pylon outside is way over the voltage limit, it could explode!"
"But why would Xana do that?" Ulrich wonders.
"Your guess is as good as mine Ulrich" Jeremy shakes his head.
"If Xana wants to make something explode, he must have a destination in mind" Nadia says.
"Only question is, where and when?" Yumi adds.
"Surprise!" They turn around to see Sissi, Nicolas, and Herb. "It's obvious that my friends and I aren't very welcome by some of you. But my father did say that the band was open to everybody right?" They stare at her. "Oh, but don't worry, I don't wanna be in a group of deadbeat weirdos. But Nicolas just loves the drums."
"A drummer huh?" Odd asks, amused. "What does her play, his mom's pots and pans?"
Nadia smacks him on the back of the head. "Shut up and be professional instead of insulting and rude."
"Okay guys, I'm off to the factory. Keep you posted" he leaves, and Nicolas picks up the drumsticks.
He taps them, revealing himself to be a natural. Odd sits there with a dumbfounded look while Ulrich, Yumi, and Nadia pay closer attention. Sissi sees their reactions, smiling smugly. When Nicolas finishes everyone claps except for Odd.
Sissi laughs. "Looks like you found yourself a drummer." They leave them alone.
"Nicolas? The drummer in our band?" Odd asks in disbelief. "I don't care how good he is, the answer is no. Besides, Sissi set this up just to give us a hard time."
"Maybe for once, she was trying to help," Yumi tells him. "And you've gotta admit that Nicolas can really play the drums."
"Better than Naomi, that's for sure" Ulrich smirks, placing his hands behind his back.
"She's a beginner, she needs a little more time" Odd argues.
"Uh huh, a couple of more years should do it" Ulrich replies.
"Come on Odd. Just because you like a girl doesn't mean she has to be a part of the band. You can date whoever you want, just use a little common sense with this" Nadia tells him.
"You gave him the flyer" Odd argues.
"I only did what the principal told YOU to do. I think it's time for a reality check. Grudges are one thing, but we are trying to be a social band. Either Nicolas is our drummer, or you'll be a band of one: YOU! I'm going to visit Jeremy at the factory," Nadia says storming off, clearly angry. "Oh and one more thing. Your welcome. I found your drummer."
"If Sissi's idea was to cause trouble, she's done a great job" Ulrich comments.
"I agree with Nadia Odd. We need a good drummer and we're all part of this. So, unless you can play everything by yourself, you'll reconsider Nicolas" Yumi tells him.
They all hear a sound of a trombone behind them, turning around to see Jim playing one. "Uh, would you guys need a slide trombone by any chance?"
"Huh?" They all look in confusion.
Jeremy opens the door to the boiler tunnel when his arm is suddenly grabbed. He turns to see Nadia.
"Nadia, what's up?" Jeremy asks.
"I'm coming with you" Nadia replies.
"Why?"
"I'll tell you later."
"Okay, let's go!"
They run down the boiler room tunnel. They end up in the sewers, grabbing his scooter, Nadia grabs her skateboard. They ride to the factory entrance, climbing up to the bridge. Jeremy presses the button to the elevator and the door closes in on them. They're taken to the lab, and he sits in his chair, which swivels around the holomap.
Aelita looks around in front of a tower in the forest sector. She feels pulsations and Jeremy turns to the map of Lyoko. He types away on the supercomputer. "Aelita, sorry about the outage. What's new?"
Aelita appears on the supercomputer screen. "You were right to be worried. Xana's woken up" she reports.
"Great, now we gotta find what Xana's gonna blow up" Nadia responds.
"Huh?" Jeremy turns his attention to another screen. "The scan's picked something up. The tower Xana's activated is in the desert region."
"I'm on my way" Aelita says.
"Be careful Aelita."
"I will."
Jeremy tracks down something, making a realization.
Jim plays his trombone, the others staring. "Well, what do you say?"
"Uh Jim, the fact is…uh, you see we're a rock band, not a military brass band" Odd tells him, Yumi's phone ringing. She answers it.
"Okay, be right there," she hangs up. "We're going to have to audition you another time."
"Oh no you don't, you're not going anywhere unless you agree to take me as part of your group!" He threatens, but they're already gone. The three start running to the park, approaching the manhole cover. Ulrich opens it.
"Jeremy, we're on our way" Odd says, over the phone.
"Okay, Nadia's already here" Jeremey responds.
They all climb down the ladder. Yumi and Ulrich wait for Odd and Ulrich throws his skateboard. They skate over to the factory ladder. Ulrich opens the shaft, getting out first. He helps Yumi up and they run to the entrance. They use the elevator to go down, the doors opening to the lab.
"Ah, at last…" Jeremy says, noticing the three, Nadia standing to his left. "Here's what Xana's up to. Once he's stored enough voltage in the pylon, he'll unleash it all."
"Unleash it where?" Odd wonders.
"Guess, on the nuclear plant."
"Creating a short circuit and-" Yumi starts.
"Nuclear catastrophe and apocalypse" Nadia finishes.
They all gasp at this.
The pylon sparks, a firefighter talking on a walkie talkie. "I can't manage to cut the power. I've tried everything. I've never seen such a weird thing."
"The pylon can take one million volts. Once it's all accumulated, Xana can blow everything up" Jeremy explains.
"Nuclear sabotage, that's a little over our heads, wouldn't ya say?" Yumi starts to panic.
"Yeah, what do you mean?" Ulrich questions.
"Think about it. If we fail in Lyoko, the whole region will be wiped out."
"Not to mention, mankind will face extinction due to the radioactive pollution the spreads through the air. Total victory for Xana where no one can stop him" Nadia adds.
"We've got to warn the authorities!"
"Are you crazy?" Jeremy questions.
"Even if they can help, we're the only ones who can stop Xana!" Nadia tells her.
"Not only that, but they'll also be an inquiry and we'll be questioned," Jeremy points out as Aelita follows the pulsations in the desert. "We'll have to tell them everything! And if they discover Xana, they'll pull all the plugs out."
"Considering Xana doesn't wipe us out before then" Nadia points out as this is a race against time.
"I know we'll lose Aelita, but we're talking about a nuclear disaster!" Yumi argues.
"Okay. Let's take a vote. Who's for raising the alarm?"
"For" Yumi says.
"Against" Jeremy says.
"Against" Odd also says. Aelita appears on the monitor.
"Sorry Aelita, but I also think we can't take that big of a risk. I vote for. Let's report it" Ulrich says.
"I don't want a nuclear disaster, but we're the only ones who can stop Xana. I do neither" Nadia declares.
"Well then, two votes for, two votes against, and one neither. It's a tie. We don't tell anybody" Jeremy declares, since he didn't want to lose Aelita. Plus, the risk of telling everyone could lead to Xana's victory.
"I think it means that we should tell everybody!" Yumi points to Jeremy.
"Don't I have the right to vote?" Aelita asks, Jeremy turning to her.
"Why sure you do. That way, there won't be a tie" Jeremy responds.
"In that case…I vote for."
"Huh?"
"I don't want thousands of people to die just to save me."
"Thank you Aelita" Yumi says. Jeremy looks a little upset.
It was decided that Ulrich, Odd, and Nadia will go to Lyoko while Yumi heads off to warn the authorities. Nadia was still mad at Odd, but she would let it go for now to deal with this situation. The three all step in and Jeremy successfully virtualizes them to Lyoko.
"We're gonna make it, huh guys?" Odd asks.
"I sure hope so Odd" Ulrich answers.
"If not, this will be our final mission" Nadia adds. Aelita is a few feet away from them.
"Okay, the scan has located the activated tower" Jeremy tells them They all run to Aelita. "It's in the desert sector, near an oasis."
"I know where it is. That way, on the other plateau" Aelita points ahead.
Yumi opens the manhole cover, seeing the pylon growing worse. She manages to make it to the school, where the power has gone out.
"I don't get it, the plant is functioning perfectly, but the city is in total darkness," the chief engineer says as he hangs up the phone, sitting next to Ms. Hertz in the principal's office. "No need for alarm though. We're working on finding the reason."
There's a knock on the door before it opens. Yumi walks inside the office. "I'm sorry to disturb you sir, but it's really important. You've gotta trust me. I know it's gonna sound crazy sir, but please hear me out. The nuclear plant is in danger of blowing up!"
They all stare at her.
The four arrive at the oasis. "I don't believe this, what's going on? Where is this tower?" Odd questions as they only see water.
"We can't see it now, but its here alright. Look at Xana's pulsations. They all converge here" Aelita explains.
"Come on, you can do it. You can't be too far away. You've gotta find it fast, the pylon is gonna be overloaded soon!" Jeremy insists as it goes up to 77%.
Yumi runs to the entrance of the school as the pylon gets covered in electricity. "Jeremy, the principal and Dr. Delaker didn't believe me."
"We're going crazy here too Yumi. The pylon is 85% charged and we can't find the tower!"
Ulrich stabs the ground with his sword. Odd stares at the water. Nadia looks for any red halos that were hiding. Odd throws a rock in the air before tossing it in the water., but it shines instead of rippling. "Huh?" He touches it, his hand phasing through the pool. He looks at his hand. "I found it."
"Hmm?" Ulrich responds.
"Huh?" Aelita says next.
"We've been tricked. There's no water down there, just a surface layer. I'll go and have a better look." Odd says, jumping in. The others follow and they all see the activated tower. They race over there past the field of rocks. "There." Suddenly, three krabs emerge. It charges its laser and hits Odd in the leg.
"Odd!" Jeremy shouts.
"I hate those horrible krabs!" Odd mutters. Ulrich pulls out his sword.
"Aelita, it's you they're after. Go on, run!" Ulrich calls out. She runs and one of them starts chasing her.
"Aelita!" Odd yells after the girl. The krab starts firing lasers at her and Nadia jumps in front and blocks the laser with her saber. The krab shoots the sword out of her hand. She turns invisible, but the krab fires and still hits her, which ends her invisibility. The krab plans to finish her, but Odd takes the fall and gets devirtualized.
"Odd, no!" Nadia screams. She quickly grabs her saber. She jumps up and throws it in the eye. The krab explodes as Nadia lands. She retrieves her saber.
Ulrich deflects lasers with his sword. He runs forward and uses his triplicate ability. The original Ulrich jumps up, stabbing the second krab, defeating it.
"I'm sure Nadia feels grateful for saving her, but things look bad here," Jeremy says as Odd joins him. "Up to 95%. Soon, Xana will be able to attack the nuclear plant."
Electricity is shooting out of the pylon as Xana continues to draw more power. Yumi is talking to the police. "Can you repeat that?"
"The voltage that built up in this pylon is going to be used to blow up the nuclear power plant sir! How can you just stand there, do something, before it's too late, huh?!" The two stare at each other before looking back at her.
"How do you know all that?"
Yumi narrows her eyes, clenching her fist.
"Go on, go on," Ulrich tells the clones. They jump up, one of them defeated, but the other manages to defeat the first krab. "Fusion!" Ulrich puts his sword away as Nadia arrives with Aelita.
"Go Aelita, save everyone" Nadia tells her as she runs to the tower.
"A supercomputer in a factory? A virtual world?" The officer asks.
"I swear, you have to believe me!" Yumi insists. They look at each other.
Aelita enters the tower and walks to the middle. She floats up to the other platform.
"It's gonna work" Odd says. Aelita continues floating, the pylon reaching 100%. It starts to power up. Aelita reaches the top.
"Oh no!" Yumi exclaims, electricity gathering up. Aelita walks up.
The electricity starts moving to the power plant.
Aelita presses her hand to the screen. Jeremy gasps, Odd's mouth is open.
Aelita
Code
The electricity has almost reached the power plant.
Lyoko
The electricity flickers to a stop in front of the power plant, the pylon reaching down to 0. Jeremy sighs in relief. Odd turns to him. "Ready for a return trip to the past Odd?" Jeremy asks.
The tower deactivates before the return trip is launched. It engulfs everything, Yumi smiling.
Odd's band, the Pop Rock Progressives, finally perform as song. Only difference this time, Nicolas is on drums and Jim is playing his trombone.
"Okay, hit it!" Odd orders. "Three, four, and-" Nicolas starts playing, followed by Odd on guitar. Ulrich is on keyboard. Jeremy and Nadia are both in chairs. Yumi starts singing a song called 'Mystery Girl,' dedicated to Aelita, but only the Lyoko Warriors knew that. Herb clap for them but stops when Sissi gives him a look. Jermey enjoys the song, eating popcorn, while Nadia is just watching. Odd smiles at Nicolas' playing, leaning into Yumi's ear. "You were right, he's doing great."
"Are you talking about Jim?" Yumi responds as they all look at Jim.
"Great, you guys. The energy is super nuclear!" Jeremy claps. "You're gonna make this town explode!"
"Maybe next time, wait a few weeks after we save the town and millions from a nuclear fallout" Nadia whispers to Jeremy.
They just literally stopped a nuclear apocalypse.
The performance ends and Nadia heads back to her room when Odd stops her.
"Nadia, wait!" Odd tells her.
"What?" Nadia asks.
"Are you still mad at me?"
"No, maybe a little. But I can't stop seeing you because…you know."
"I know, I'm sorry. I guess I didn't see the obvious answer."
"No, you were just blinded by love. It happens. I accept your apology."
"Still friends?"
"Always."
Odd walks away when he turns around. "One more thing: thank you."
Odd walks downstairs as Nadia smiles, knowing Odd meant Nicolas. "Your welcome Odd" Nadia whispers quietly before entering her room.
A.N. – A little conflict this chapter, but that's common in this show. The real conflicts will come when love is involved. Next time, Nadia possibly learns a secret from her past. Who knows? I do, but that's for next time when a holiday arrives. PM me with story ideas! Review with questions or comments! I will respond! As always, till next time! See ya! -lyokowarrior97