Batman: Shadow Of XANA

Chapter Five - Comparing Notes

After meeting with the Lyoko Warriors, Batman continued to study the Supercomputer along with Jeremy and Aelita. As Batman studied the Supercomputer, it was clear that the technology powering the Supercomputer was among the most advanced he's ever seen. 

Batman: Interesting. How long have you been at this? 

Jeremy: For about a year, though Aelita's been fighting XANA for much longer than any of us have. She was stuck on Lyoko for the longest time. 

Batman: Stuck on Lyoko? 

Aelita: From what I can remember, my father virtualized me and himself to Lyoko when we were chased by men in black. Once I was virtualized onto Lyoko, my father instructed me to hide in one of the Towers. I hid there for years. 

As Aelita told Batman about her circumstances, Batman was curious about the circumstances about Aelita's origins and the circumstances that brought about it. Batman continued to study the Supercomputer and sent the information to Oracle. 

Oracle(Communicator): This Supercomputer is something else! I've never seen anything like it!

Batman: Have Nightwing and Robin found anything at the warehouse?

Oracle(Communicator): They've found nothing we can use. The data was corrupted. Porbably as a result of that Supercomputer being destroyed. Guess we got lucky. 

Batman: Was there anything else in there? 

Oracle: I found designs for something called the Ion Cortex. 

Batman: Hhm....keep me posted. 

With that, Batman continued to analyze the Supercomputer with Jeremy and Aelita. Aelita soon grew more and more curious about Batman. There was something about Batman that was familiar to her. 

Aelita: Batman, there's something I need to know. Why do you do what you do? 

As Aelita asked that question, the whole room fell silent. Batman took a moment to think of his answer. He thought about the promise he made before the night after the murder of his parents. He remembered making a vow before the portrait of his parents. 

Bruce(Past): I swear, by the spirits of my parents, to avenge their deaths by spending the rest of my life warring on all criminals.

As Batman recounted that day, he found his answer to Aelita's question. 

Batman: Because I made a promise.

Aelita took note of Batman's answer. It was something she didn't expect. She began to wonder about who that promise was referring to. It was clear to her that something happened to him to make him what he is now. Despite her curiosity, Aelita chose not to pry. While Batman analyzed the Supercomputer, Jeremy and Aelita were scanning Lyoko for any signs of a XANA attack. 

Jeremy: Anything on your end, Aelita? 

Aelita: I'm picking up no activated tower. XANA's been quiet. 

Soon enough, Batman finished his analysis on the Supercomputer. He then speaks with Jeremy and Aelita about his findings. 

Batman: This Supercomputer is more advanced than I thought. But I think I have the information I need. 

Aelita: What exactly are you going to do now? 

Batman: I'll send my findings to an ally of mine. From there, we'll decide our next move. 

Jeremy: There's one thing I need to ask you before we move forward. It's about the warehouse XANA was occupying. What is it?

Batman: The warehouse is an old WayneTech facility. It housed designs for the Ion Cortex. 

Aelita: Ion Cortex?

Batman: An artificial intelligence designed to end the world's energy supply problems. It was theorized that within five years, a worldwide surplus of energy would be created. 

Upon hearing this, Aelita and Jeremy quickly became suspicious. The Ion Cortex was a device XANA could use in it's nefarious plans. 

Aelita: What happened to it? 

Batman: The project was shut down after a testing run proved disastrous. The prototype was dismantled. 

Jeremy: But the designs were on that computer? 

Batman: Yes, but the data was corrupted. 

Aelita: XANA might've been able to download the designs before we destroyed the the Replika and corrputed the data to cover it's tracks. There's no telling what XANA could do with it. 

With that, Batman now had an idea of what XANA was up to. It was apparent that XANA had stolen the designs to the unstable Ion Cortex. However, Batman had no way of tracking XANA, but the Lyoko Warriors do. 

Batman: We need to find XANA. 

Jeremy: We've been monitoring Lyoko for any activated towers, but found nothing. But knowing XANA, he'll make his move soon enough.

As Jeremy mentions this, Batman steps back and contacts Oracle. 

Batman: Oracle, we've got a problem.

Oracle(Communicator): What's up?

Batman: XANA might be in possession of the Ion Cortex. I need you to run a scan of Paris near the Factory. Look for any high energy readings. I also need a status on that computer program. I have a feeling we'll might need it. 

Oracle(Communicator): I'm almost done with it. I had to reroute some WayneTech assets. I hope Lucius won't be mad. 

Batman: He won't mind. He'll know it's going to a good cause. 

Oracle(Communicator): I'll get to working on that scan. It's going to take some time. 

With that, Batman and the Lyoko Warriors began their search for XANA and the Ion Cortex. Meanwhile in another part of the city, several Polymorphic Spectres appeared. They soon took on the form of several of Batman's villains including Joker, Bane, Mr. Freeze, Killer Croc, Poison Ivy and many others. As they took shape, they began to move into the city, preparing a massive attack in an attempt to draw out Batman to take him out so that XANA could move forward with his plans without interruption.