Superman/Batman: The XANA Conspiracy

Chapter Three - Amazo

As Batman and Superman made contact with the Lyoko Warriors, they made their way to Belle Reve while the Lyoko Warriors tried to pick up XANA's trail. When they reached Belle Reve, they arranged to have a meeting with Professor Ivo. Batman and Superman were soon escorted to Ivo's cell. Upon seeing the two superheroes, Ivo chuckled.

Ivo: How thoughtful of you to visit me.

Batman: This isn't a social visit, Ivo. We've got some questions for you.

Superman: You can start by telling us about Project Carthage. 

Ivo: Project Carthage? Now that's a name I haven't heard in a long time. 

Batman: Tell us everything you know about the project. 

Ivo: Officially, Project Carthage was a humanitarian endeavor by the Swiss government to revolutionize communication systems. In reality, it was designed for military purposes. I was one of the few people who knew it's true purposes. But when Doctor Waldo Schaeffer discovered the truth, he left the project. 

Superman uses his Super Hearing to listen to Ivo's heartbeat. 

Superman: He's telling the truth. 

Batman: Go on. 

Ivo: Months after he left, Schaeffer came to me asking for help on a...project he was working on. 

Batman: XANA. 

Upon hearing this, Ivo was taken aback by how quickly Batman was able to deduce it, not knowing that Batman had previously encountered XANA. Ivo took a moment to regain his composure. 

Ivo: Yes. XANA. Dr. Schaeffer was convinced that XANA would be the key to undoing Project Carthage. Unfortunately for him, Schaeffer attracted some....unwanted attention. Helping Schaeffer create XANA inspired me to build Amazo. 

Superman: What else do you know about XANA? 

Ivo: XANA is a...curious creation. At first, it was your standard multi-agent system. However, it became stronger. And then it suddenly disappears off the face of the Earth as did Waldo Schaeffer and his family. A shame too. I would have very much like to have studied XANA. 

As Ivo revealed his role in both Project Carthage and the creation of XANA, it was clear that Ivo was connected to XANA's recent attacks. Meanwhile at a S.T.A.R. Labs facility, the body of Amazo was kept in storage. What no one in S.T.A.R. Labs realized was that a shadowy Spectre sneaks inside the room. The Spectre then enters Amazo. After a moment, Amazo activates with his eyes displaying the Eye of XANA. As XANA took control of Amazo, he quickly broke free from his container. Amazo's escape triggered an alarm across the S.T.A.R. Labs facility. Guards were immediately dispatched to contain the situation. As the guards surrounded Amazo, Amazo raises his hands and unleashes a torrent of lightning upon the guards, blasting them all back. Amazo then proceeds to break out of the S.T.A.R. Labs facility. Amazo then uses Superman's flight to fly away. Meanwhile all the way back in the Factory, Jeremy was scanning Lyoko for signs of XANA. As he did so, Jeremy picks up something. 

Jeremy: XANA's activated a Tower!

Aelita: We should let Batman and Superman know. 

As Jeremy was about to contact ceremony, there was an alert on his computer. When he checks on it, he sees a news report detailing Amazo's escape from S.T.A.R. Labs. 

Odd: Oh you've got to be kidding me! 

Ulrich: That's not good....

Yumi: Jeremy....

Jeremy: Already on it!

Back in Belle Reve, Batman and Superman continue questioning Ivo about his connection to both XANA and Project Carthage. But as they do so, Batman is contacted by Jeremy. 

Batman: What is it?

Jeremy(Communicator): We've got a situation, Batman! XANA's activated a Tower on Lyoko. And Amazo.....

Before Jeremy could finish his sentence, crashing was heard. Immediately after that, Amazo bursts through the wall. Without hesitation, Superman and Batman attack Amazo. During the attack, Amazo unleashes a torrent of lightning on Superman and Batman. Amazo then blasts both Superman and Batman back with a blast of Heat Vision. Amazo then turns to Ivo. 

Ivo: What an unexpected turn of events. 

XANA/Amazo: Professor Anthony Ivo. Your assistance is required. 

As Amazo spoke, Ivo could see the Eye of XANA in Amazo's eyes. It didn't take long for Ivo to piece it together. 

Ivo: And you must be XANA. 

Suddenly, Batarangs were thrown at Amazo. The Batarangs explode on Amazo, but it does nothing. Superman then blasts Amazo with Heat Vision, but Amazo cancels it out with Heat Vision of his own. In a shocking turn of events, Amazo also conjures a red tornado in tandem with the Heat Vision.

Ivo: Fascinating....

Superman: Whatever you're planning, it ends now, XANA!

XANA/Amazo: Rudimentary creatures of blood and flesh. You touch my mind, fumbling in ignorance, incapable of understanding. Even you do not understand what you are. This body will do.

Batman charges at Amazo and places several Batarangs on him. He then detonates the Batarangs, engulfing him in a powerful explosion. Despite this, Amazo grabs Batman by the throat. 

XANA/Amazo: When we last fought, you were a rogue element. Now I know how you fight. 

As Batman and Superman attempt to take down Amazo, the two were overpowered. XANA had empowered Amazo beyond his full potential. Ivo was deeply fascinated by this. Soon enough, Amazo grabs Ivo and escapes from Belle Reve. 

Superman: I'll go after Amazo! You get back to Paris! 

With that, Superman chases after Amazo while Batman uses the Batplane to get to Paris. In that moment, XANA had made his move. He had taken control of the android Amazo and now had Professor Ivo in his grasp. Now XANA was ready to get his plan in motion.