A/N Hi, I'm Zach, a new author who has decided to try his shot at writing. Please review and say what you think. Thanks for reading!

Code: America

"Back when I knew it all! Back when the world was flat and mom and dad didn't have a clue!" I sang to one of my favorite songs as I drove into Kadic's parking lot.

I parked my Humvee, got out, and took a look around. Winter break was over and students were mulling about. I took out my android to call my cousin. "Hey, Einstein, where the hell are you?" I said as Jeremie Belpois picked up. "I'm right behind you." I whipped around and pointed my Beretta at a medium height blond boy and a pink haired girl. "Zach, what's up with the gun? I thought you quit." Jeremie said as he pushed the gun away.

I holstered it and replied "Old habits die hard. You of all people ought to know that. By the way, who's this? Finally caught one?" He blushed and shook his head. The girl greeted me and said "I'm Aelita. You must be Zach, Jeremie's cousin from America."

"Yep. Took sixteen hours on my plane so I'm a little edgy." I said trying to explain the Beretta without revealing my past. She didn't question it further. Three other people walked up to the car as I took out a camo bag and a large briefcase. I considered taking a few other things but left them in the trunk. A boy in a green over-shirt, dark green T- shirt and camo cargo shorts, A tall Japanese girl in a black sweater, pants, and combat boots, and a boy in purple (literally, all purple) walked up and introduced themselves.

Or at least tried to. "Wait; let me guess from Jeremie's descriptions. You are Ulrich Stern, Yumi Ishyama and Odd Della-Robia. Then you must be Aelita-"

I stopped as a brain-splitting head-ache struck and collapsed. Images flew around my eyes. I saw a smaller version of Aelita and a kid I didn't know running around a lab.

I looked and saw an old man who said "Zach, Keep Aelita and Maverick away from the supercomputer." Without wanting to I replied "Yes Mr. Hopper, Anthea, can I take them out to the clearing?"

An older version of Aelita, apparently Anthea, said "Yes, just be careful." All of the sudden, the vision stopped and I was back leaning against the back tire. Aelita was in front of me, asking me if I was all right.

"Aelita… Aelita Hopper. Then you know," I stuttered. I stood up and grabbed my stuff. Then I walked to the Main Office. "Zach Flame, I'm a new student and I need my room key and schedule," I said to the secretary. I needed to get to my room and figure this out. "Okay mister… Flame" She gave me an odd look. "Not as bad as Odd though." She laughed. "I guess so. Here, you are sharing a room with Jeremie Belpois, I heard he is your cousin?" she said.

I nodded and replied "Yeah, it's a long story about my name though, and I don't have time." She gave me a look but didn't push it. "Alright, here is your schedule. You have Mrs. Hertz, Mrs. Meyer, Mr. Fumet, Mrs. Hertz again for competitions, Mr. Chardin, and Mr. Klotz." She handed me a key and a sheet of paper. "Why do I have a psychologist?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I'm not sure, I'm sure you can ask Principle Delmas later, when you have time." I frowned but thanked her and left. As I walked out of the office I saw Yumi, Jeremie, and the others rushing towards me. Aelita tried to talk but I ran off. As I neared the dorm, Ulrich ran up and asked "Zach, what gives? How do you know Aelita's last name?"

I ignored him and butted him with the back of my pistol. He stumbled and I was able to enter Jeremie's –and my- room without anyone following me. I looked around and smiled in approval, Jeremie's computer will suit my needs. I tried to log on but my cousin's security stopped me. "Nice work Einstein, but not good enough." I turned on my Techno Glasses and hacked into his mainframe.

"Damn, nice firewall." I grunted. It took about three minutes to enter Jeremie's network. I summoned up Project Carthage and found my answers. But before I could log out the door burst open and Jeremie's friends ran in. "How did you get in?" demanded Jeremie.

"My key, we're roommates now." I answered in a calm tone. "Why did you hit me with that thing?" asked Ulrich, clutching his chest. I probably hit him too hard. "Because, I needed to know if I was right."" Right about what?" Yumi asked, confused. I sighed and answered "Einstein, You don't know half my past. But before I can elaborate, I need to know some things."

No one said anything and I continued. "Are you all Lyoko Warriors? Is Aelita's former name Hopper? Have you been in contact with Franz Hopper? Do you know about Valhalla?" They looked around and Aelita said "You cannot tell anyone." I nodded and she continued.

"Yes, we are all Lyoko Warriors. Yes, I was once Hopper. We had contact but in the last battle with XANA, he was killed. No we do not know about Valhalla."

"I share my condolences with you, Aelita. Losing a Father is horrible, but watching them die is worse. Anyway, I ask to be a Warrior." Everyone was shocked, but Odd was the first to regain the power of speech. "We…we barely know you and you're already asking to join us?"

Ulrich added with grim features "I hate to say it, but I agree with Odd. The Lyoko Warriors isn't a book club. Besides, The Warriors are no more. XANA is gone. Hopper made sure of that." I shook my head and said "XANA isn't gone, and neither is Mr. Hopper. He just left your computer and entered mine. That's why I came to France."

Aelita demanded "What do you mean my father isn't dead? I watched him fall into the digital sea! And XANA is gone! Jeremie's program deleted every trace of him from the internet."

I shook my head again and replied "My parents, your parents, and XANA are all in hiding. XANA came to America and attacked the supercomputer in Las Vegas. My parents disappeared and I came here for help. I had no idea that my cousin was the cause of all this. Ulrich, you are right. I do need to explain myself. I am fourteen, turning 15 this March. However, I was stuck in the Las Vegas supercomputer, in the world of Valhalla. I think I was in there for sixteen years. I got out about six years ago. I have no idea how old I was when I went in. But, when I collapsed earlier I saw a vision."

I stopped and let everyone absorb what I said. "So you don't know most of your past?" Aelita said cautiously. I chuckled. "You could say that, but I know more than you did. Anyway, in my vision, or flash, I saw a young Aelita running around with a doll and another young boy. They couldn't have been more than ten. I saw your mother, Aelita. And Mr. Hopper talked to me. He told me to take you away from the lab.

I was probably thirteen. I also have a weird feeling about you. When I first saw you, I thought it was a crush, teenage hormones. Then after the flash, I realized it was a brotherly feeling, an over protectiveness. I think our live are connected. Straying from that, I am a CIA field agent. That is why I have a .50 caliber Beretta. I also believe that my family was sent to protect the Hoppers when they were building Carthage."

I stopped again as Yumi asked "So you know what Carthage is?" "Aye. Operation Carthage was an international project that the United Nations approved. It was started five years after the Soviet Union fell to keep other countries such as Iran, Iraq, Germany, and Japan away from the Russian nukes-""What? Why would Japan and Germany be kept from owning nuclear missiles when other countries have them?" yelled Ulrich.

I smiled and said "Germany and Japan initiated the world wars. No one in NATO was going to let them even see nuclear bombs. Anyway, we needed an unmanned program to keep the codes secure. Hence, Carthage was made. However, the scientists of Carthage were betrayed to the Nightblades, or the Men in Black as you have called them.

Everyone was either killed, or escaped to the internet, including my parents, Anthea Hopper, and Franz Hopper. I will tell you more tomorrow. I am tired and I still need to set up." Everyone but Jeremie and Aelita left. I disconnected my glasses and placed my own laptop on the desk. I then proceeded to unpack my stuff. However, I left my briefcase unopened.

Jeremie asked "Some family we are huh? Don't even know about each other's pasts." I looked at him. "Jeremie, I didn't know till a few months ago. We'll figure this out." He smiled weakly and silently changed and fell asleep. I stared at the ceiling until the comforting embrace of sleep pulled me in.