2050 Artemis...


... Elie: " eh! Kaidou Yoshimitsu?"

She could hear a weak yeah from the other side. He couldn't make it in time to visit her the previous night since he had to go with the adults to their base, so he called her the next morning.

Elie: " what's the matter, that's not your energetic and always excited self, Onii-chan? It can't be that you're afraid?"

She tried to tease him, but only a sigh came in response.

Ban: " Elie... How can I get out of the house tonight?"

Elie sweat dropped at that.

Elie: " that's what bothering you?... It's just like you, Onii-chan."

Elie shook her head and couldn't help but chuckle at her brother's childish behavior.

Elie: " alright, I will cover for you, just tell Mom you're paying me a visit, okay."

Ban: " really! Thank you sis!"

That was more like her brother...


That night as she was left alone, she was typing on her computer, wandering around different sites.

When she got bored, she closed her laptop and turned on the TV, flipping through the channels until she came across a news report. Unlike her brother who barely pay attention to what's happening in the world, she does care. Since she can't go out herself, it's her only way to understand what's happening outside this building.

Her eyes narrowed as she read the news banner, there were all kinds of news but it didn't mention a government assembly. She was alarmed at that and quickly grabbed her laptop. She typed away again and that's when she started to worry, there was no government assembly planned that day.

She bit her lip as she reached for her phone, dealing her brother's number, she waited for a couple of minutes but couldn't reach him. She tried reaching to both Ami and Kazu but couldn't. She then started to panic.

Elie: " Onii-chan, everyone..."...


Back at that time, her brother and his friends were help captive by none other than the very one they thought to be out the mansion that night.

One thing led to another and they discovered it was all a trap set to capture them.

Although the blunette woman who led them all the way there seemed to regret her actions seeing that most of them were merely kids, but she wasn't backing down either. Just as much as the brunette kid wanted to save his father, she also wanted to save her sister.

Even their HQ was ambushed. All hope they had build was gone.

Takuya: " Rina! Why? Why did you betray us?!"

Seeing her regretful face didn't affect him at all.

Takuya: " Rina!"

Yoshimitsu: " I'll answer in her stead. She had something she must get no matter what."

Takuya: " something she must get?"

Yoshimitsu: " right. Kamiya Crafts'... No, ours, Innovator's technology, Optima."

Takuya: " Optima... It can't be... Rina..."

It downed on Takuya.

Takuya: " I see it now. Your sister needs Optima, right?"

The kids didn't seem to get what was happening so Takuya took it from there to explain to them, revealing that the man standing in front of them was the main reason the Optima technology never saw the light.

Unbeknown to them, a boy was eavesdropping on their conversation from behind the door.

He was worried about his grandfather since he knew he would be outnumbered on his own so he came to his assistance. Never he thought he would actually get to see Seekers' members captured.

What he heard came as a shock to him as well. The man who took him in, the man who showed him nothing but kindness when he lost everything... He couldn't believe it.

Hearing that, Ban's blood boiled in his vines as he recalled his sister's situation. Many people who were suffering like her could have been spared.

Unlike him, Ami couldn't hold back her anger at him.

Ami: " keeping a technology that can save other people's lives for yourself just for money! That's Unforgivable!"

It seemed like if he was enjoying the whole thing from his wide smirk.

Yoshimitsu: " you're wrong in one thing. I didn't keep it for myself."

" Eh!"

" What do you mean?"

Yoshimitsu: " I may have used it on one or two people, just to test it."

" You!"

Jin's reaction was merely looking with an unreadable face at his grandfather. Why wasn't he defending himself? Is it really true, all of what he heard?

Yoshimitsu: " , with this your hope is at end. I'll have to ask you to die slowly while tasting the despair of losing everything."

Ban: " Dad!"

All the man did was to smirk. He actually had one more card up his sleeve, one which he explained calmly with an unwavering confidence.

Jun'ichiru: "... A Platinum Capsule with no decryption code is the same as a safe with no key."

His fact seemed to be strong enough to slightly faze the politician.

Jin: " what are you going to do now, grandfather."

Needless to say that the man resorted to threatening the life of Jun'ichiru's son to get information from him, and he assumed it was merely a bluffe at first. But it didn't seem the case when he gave the order to dispose of them, something he didn't see coming.

Before he knew it, the ceiling was blown. How and why he didn't know, but he knew the professor triggered it.

In the midst of the chaos, he saw Ban and the others hurrying to retrieve their LBXs. He thought about stopping them but then retorted. What if indeed, his grandfather was going to carry his threat?

After mulling over it, he finally strolled to the stand on which their CCMs were. After locking eyes with Ban, he tossed each at its respective owner. The action made them bewildered. Seeing how they were standing still, he finally addressed them.

Jin: " hurry and go."

Just as the ceiling collapsed once more, they quickly backed to safety with Rina and Jun'ichiru disappearing in the dust.

Part of him wondered if what he did was right. It could be seen as treachery. But the other part only wanted one thing.

Jin: ' Ban-kun, I'll be waiting at Artemis.'

He thought before rushing to his grandfather who was held by his men...


Ban couldn't actually wrap his mind about what happened. The person who had gave him his LBX turned against them. His father didn't want to come with them. And finally Jin helping them out!

In the race of his thoughts, he didn't snap out of it until they were far away from the mansion, panting heavily for air.

Lex: " We should be safe out here."

Ryuu: " I thought I was a gonner."

Everyone took a few minutes to gather their thoughts and calm themselves before finally starting the serious talk, what they were going to do...


Words couldn't describe her happiness and relief when he called back. Although it was still early in the morning, she didn't mind that. It's not like that she managed to sleep anyway as she kept imagining all the bad things that may have happened to them.

Elie: " Onii-chan!"

Ban: " sorry Elie... I..."

Elie: " I know, it was a trap. It was already late when I figured there was no government assembly and couldn't reach you. The most important is that you're ok. Everyone else?"

She was feeling worried since she saw him in the video call, his jacket was more or less torn and he had a few wounds.

Ban: " they're fine and..."

He paused for a while.

Ban: "... I met dad..."

Elie narrowed her eyes at that.

Elie: " ok. Onii-chan, you better get yourself cleaned first, then you can tell me everything, and maybe we can have Mom to tell us a few things."

Ban: " eh! Don't tell me you think Mom knows about it?"

Elie: " isn't it strange that you get to come late and you're not punished that hard?"

Ban: " well... You have a point. I will contact you later."

Elie: " alright."...


It was a few hours later that she got another video call, though it was through the laptop and not the phone this time. Her brother had changed his usual outfit to the one he used to wear at house.

He walked down the stairs and went to the living room where he placed down the laptop on the table in front of him.

His mother walked off to him and placed a mug in front of him.

Marie: " you tried to save him, right?"

Ban looked up at her.

Ban: " I see. Then you did know about dad too, mom."

Marie nodded.

Elie: " since when?"

Marie: " I was just like you both at first, I thought your dad died... But, one day I got a call from him, saying that he may get us involved in something dangerous..."

She seemed to recall things for a second.

Marie: " I'm sorry because I kept it a secret from both of you until now."

Elie: " mom..."

Ban seemed in thoughts before that he had a determined air all over his face.

Ban: " Mom, I will fight the Innovators."

Both his mother and sister were surprised. Elie was mostly surprised because up until then, his only purpose was to find their father.

Ban: " I got it after I met dad today, how much important what he is doing for this world."

His mind drifted back to the Optima, something that he thought it may be able to save his sister too.

Ban: " that's why, I will fight alongside dad. I know I may end up involved in dangerous things, but, I have to do it!"

Marie: " Ban..."

She looked down at her daughter who wasn't less determined than her brother. Although she can't be a great help, but she can always support her brother.

Elie: " mom, I believe in Onii-chan. If it's him then he will be fine."

She then rose her eyes to her son and she too had a determined face.

Marie: " I understood. Do as you want. As for me, I will believe in you and your father."

Elie: " I believe in you too, Onii-chan!"

Ban: " thanks, mom, Elie."...


Elie spend a whole week nagging at him as to tell her what they were plotting for. She knew it was something dangerous for one thing. And since he didn't visit for a whole week she was starting to get lonely. And he finally answered her that day.

Elie: " Artemis?"

Ban: " ah. We have to win it so we can get the blueprints of the Eternal Cycler."

Elie: " I see, but dad is really awesome, thinking up all of this!"

Ban: " isn't he!"

Elie: " anyway, I will be cheering you from here so do your best, Onii-chan!"

Ban: " thanks, don't worry sis."...


It was past midnight, but the boy wasn't going to bed anytime soon. Or so what his butler thought.

He watched as Jin battled against a few of their guards, testing Emperor's mobility. All of whom he defeated easily in a matter of seconds.

When the battle ended, his butler looked off to him and he couldn't help but notice the disappointed look on his face. All of them, all of those whose LBXs were laying on the diorama weren't satisfying for him.

Jiiya: " young master, taking a good rest before the tournament is important too."

Jin merely whirled around while the guards took their LBXs and left. He walked off to the cabinet that held many trophies, symbols of his hard work. Never he once was beaten, no matter what was the field. But Yamano Ban, was the only one who managed to shake him so far. It was disappointing that both of their battles so far got interrupted.

His air was that of determination. No matter what they say his mission is, there is only one thing he is willing to accomplish. He is going to settle things with the brunette...


It was finally the big day, and she had her tv on since early in the morning to not miss on anything, even the introduction ceremony.

First were A block's, Jin and Lex's block. The first matches weren't really that interesting, it was an easy win for both of them. But it was a good chance of Elie to see Emperor M2's performance, even for a few seconds.

Elie: " its movements are even faster and smoother..."

She couldn't help but being mesmerized with Lex's skills as well.

Elie: " nothing else expected from the legendary LBX player. I can't sense any flaw in his play... Yet..."

Her excitement slowly faded.

Elie: " something... Is off about him..."

It was soon the semi-finals, and much to everyone's surprise, Jin started off with a finishing function.

Elie: " so even he knows better than to underestimate the legendary player."

It was just proved as the later manged to stop his attack with one punch.

The battle got just more fierce from there, with all three LBXs exchanging attack functions, seriously launching at each other and Hakai-O eventually broke over.

Just then, Elie's eyes widened when she glimpsed it, pulling back with no reason, which led to Lex's defeat.

Elie: " what... Was that?"

As expected, A Block's finalist was Jin.

Next was B Block, the most eye-catching player was a man in a costume who used an LBX that she didn't see before.

Elie: " Masked J... J... J?... J!..."

She sweat dropped as she looked at the man on the stage and had an awkward smile.

Elie: " seriously Dad..."

It was then her borther's turn and she held her breath through the whole block. She knew her brother wasn't going to lose easily, but again, it was world level players he was against. Just seeing him jump from Kitajim's shop everyday battle to Artemis... She couldn't help but worry.

When both Achilles and Konoichi received that damage while protecting Hunter, she bit her bottom lip. It must have seemed strange for other spectators back in the venue, sacrificing one's unit for another. But that was Ban and his friends' way of battling, and she admired it.

She was praying when her brother was left all alone against Kaita on the battlefield with a limp leg, yet he managed to take her and everyone else watching him back then by surprise when he finished off warrior with a flashy move. It was then that she exhaled in relief as he made it to the final stage.

Elie: " Onii-chan, you've grown so strong."

D block's battles were mostly led by both Sendou Daiki and a boy named Yujin who introduced himself as Otacross' disciple.

The most fierce battle was between those two and it took Elie all she had to refrain from cursing the purple head.

Elie: " once cheating and now using your own teammates! Is fair play not in your dictionary! You..."

She was thankful for Yujin to have beaten him, hoping that would bring him to realize his wrong.

As for E Block, she was almost sure, like everyone else, that Hannibal would be the finalist. But Haibara Yuuya seemed to catch her eyes and make her rethink. As she watched the Judge's moves, she couldn't help but having a bothered face.

Elie: " it's strange? I feel nothing from this LBX!? It's just like... Someone who merely receive orders... Someone empty and broken... A puppet..."

She looked up at the boy in control, his eyes void from any emotions send a small shiver down her spin. It didn't took him a lot of effort before ensuring his spot at the final stage as well.

During the break, she used the chance to check about Haibara Yuuya, but found nothing about him.

Elie: " who is he...?

Her eyes wandered back to the TV's screen just when the MC was making the call for the final battle.

She watched with excitement every moment of the royal battle. Her suspicions about masked J were proven to be right after he saved her brother's LBX from being destroyed by the Judge.

The battle raged on, her excitement quickly turned to fear when Yuuya lost control and viciously destroyed Bibinbird X.

For some reason, and despite all the slashing and trashing around, Elie could see that Judge was actually asking for help.

Both Yuuya's teammates held tightly on their laptops and escaped the place when they realized there was no way to stop the boy going haywire.

Eventually her brother and Jin had to take matters into their own hands and teamed up, gambling on the possibility that they would stop him by defeating Judge, which actually worked.

The boy returned to normal and collapsed down before he got transported away on a stretcher.

Elie breathed out in relieve at that. Still she couldn't help but notice her brother and Jin's combo play was almost perfect.

The last two standing players resumed their own battle, one they had longed to continue. She couldn't blink as the fight got more and more tense, and for some reason, she was overwhelmed with a joy that she never felt before by just watching them battle. The two LBXs exchanged attacks, each dashing with everything it had and trying to dodge the other.

Finally her brother managed to make The Emperor break over and she screamed on top of her lungs from excitement and happiness, forgetting for an instant that she was in a hospital. Could you blame her? Her brother just earned the title of the best LBX player in the world.

But it didn't last for so long, suddenly she saw an explosion coming from the diorama and everything went off. They didn't continue airing and she was worried.

She tried to call her brother but he didn't pick up. She started to panic and was left with her own thoughts for the whole day before getting a message from Ami that she had send when Takuya was driving them home. She told her that they were alright and that her brother needed time for himself.

Elie breathed in relief at that, though couldn't help but wondering about what had happen...


Ami came out from the house and shook her head.

Ami: " not here."

She and Kazu were looking for Ban non stop but they didn't seem to find him. They started to wonder if he may have gone to retrieve the Platinum Capsule all on his own.

Ami then snapped when an idea crossed her mind.

Ami: " maybe he is there..."...


The last thing she predicted was for him to show up in her room early in the morning. He seemed down, holding a white box in his hands, and she had a feeling she knew what was there.

As she took the box, her hands flew to her mouth to prevent a gasp of horror as she saw the broken LBX.

Elie: " it's... Horrible..."

Ban: " and the Platinum Capsule was stolen too... If I had been more careful... Then..."

He gritted his teeth as the scene of the explosion flowed within his mind. Elie gently caressed the broken parts as she recalled the match of the previous day.

Elie: " ne, Onii-chan..."

Ban looked up at her as she took one of Achilles pieces. It was what was left of its chest and its head.

Elie: " do you blame Jin for what happened?"

Ban was taken aback by that question. Did he blame him?

Elie: " I know that it seemed at that moment like if Jin was controlling Emperor to do that but, what do you think? Do you think he did it?"

Ban looked down.

Ban: " I don't."

Elie merely stared at him as he thought about it.

Ban: " because I saw him smiling. I know that he had enjoyed the battle, and I find it hard to believe that he did that."

He met her eyes.

Ban: " I don't believe he is a bad guy."

Elie smiled softly at him.

Elie: " true, I could tell,by looking at your LBXs while you were fighting. The Emperor enjoyed that battle, and so is your Achilles."

She said as she held the broken piece up and smiled. Her brother looked at the yellow eyes of the broken LBX.

Ban: " did you enjoy it, Achilles?"

The LBX's eyes glimmered for a second and Ban had a soft small smile.

Ban: " I see, I enjoyed it too."

Elie had a satisfied smile at that...


She picked up the call as soon as her phone rang.

Elie: " hi Ami! How can I help you today?"

Ami: " sorry to bother you in this time but, we're looking for Ban everywhere and we didn't find him. Is he with you?"

Elie: " he visited this morning and left a few minutes earlier."

She heard a sigh.

Ami: " thanks."

And she ended the call...


Jin closed his CCM as his grandfather didn't answer and stared out the window silently while his butler drove him home. There was a lot of things on his mind. Who could have expected the boy he encountered as a kid in the hospital would show up in front of him again, and in that situation.

The words of his butler were still ringing through his ears.

" There is no way to treat it."

Unintentionally his fist clenched tightly. Just what may it be that Yuuya had been through for the past 8 years he was living by his grandfather's side, not knowing of anything.

Maybe he should really confront him when he is back. Once he decided on that, a second thought crossed his mind. That of the brunette boy walking out the hospital. Of all places, Jin didn't expect to run into him there. Though he somehow felt thankful that he didn't notice him. But it still makes him wonder why he would be there.

He quickly shook his head, he needs to sort his priorities. First, he needs to get answers from his grandfather about all that happened in Artemis. Second, he needs to get a new LBX, a one safe to operate which wouldn't explode to his face...


Days Later...

Elie: " Odin! It's awesome!"

She said as she held it up, looking at its parts excitedly.

Ban: " but can you imagine that dad was Masked J!"

Elie sweat dropped.

Elie: " it was pretty obvious Onii-chan. J and Jun'ichirou, plus, his costume wasn't that good to hide his identity."

Ban blinked twice before sighing.

Elie: " the thing that I find it hard to believe is how the hell Jin managed to stop a bullet train with an LBX!"

Ban: " well, he saved us so I'm not complaining."

He shrugged. Elie sighed.

Elie: " so you're going tomorrow to search for the legendary hacker, right?"

Ban: " yeah, dad left another way to get the blueprints after all. We need to get the decryption code before the Innovators make a move."

Elie: " be careful."

Ban: " you too, stay healthy."

He said as he took the LBX from her, giving her a tight hug and rushing out...