Taking Off To Tokio City...


It was a rainy night. All I could see from my seat was the beautiful lights bouncing on the glass of the car's windows as cars drove past us.

My eyelids were getting heavier by the second, I was sleepy.

" Jin-kun, you're already sleepy?"

" It's way past his bedtime, Mama."

" We've been in the mall for so long. I can't believe it's already this late."

My head started to fall as I resisted the urge to close my eyes.

" I wonder what's taking them so long, why aren't they moving?"

Mama asked worriedly while Papa tried to get a glimpse of what was happening forward.

Suddenly, the ground beneath us shook, snapping me full awake. Papa quickly opened the door as he stepped out, taking a better look of the scene ahead.

Just as we looked forward, we could see the bridge bending down, cars and trucks sliding downwards and the wires that were holding the platform were snapping as they could no longer hold the weight. Mama quickly jumped out of the car as she started to worry.

There was another shock, the bridge beneath our car started cracking as it slightly bend forward. The vehicles next to us started sliding down as well with their owners hurrying to flee.

The stream of people hurrying backwards while pushing each other pushed my parents a little further of our car that started sliding.

" Mama! Papa!"

Tears started to climb up my eyes as I realized I was alone and the car was speeding up slowly. Always clung to my seat, I couldn't do a thing. Suddenly...

" Mama! Hurry and get Jin out!"

My parents managed to reach to the car again and Papa quickly pulled back the breakers, stopping the car for a while.

Mama unbuckled my seatbelt as she held me up.

" It's alright, Jin-kun. We're-"

And then it happened. The wires snapped, the road fell down, and so were us.

It was a split of second. It was just a step that could've saved us, that could've saved them. Merely one step separated them from the intact part of the bridge... One step... A split of second... Had I fallen down with the car first, could they be alive by now?... So, why was I the only one to survive?...


Red eyes snapped wide open as that question was asked. Sitting up, the young man looked around the room.

All of his friends were sleeping peacefully, all you can hear there were the rumbles of the sleeping Hiro from the other end of the room, but even those couldn't wake them up.

He ran his hand through his head as he thought back to his dream.

Jin: " why do I have dreams of that night once again..."...


In the meeting room, the older adults were having a late meeting.

Jun'ichirou: " that's what he said?"

He questioned the blond man who sat at the very end of the long table. Kaios nodded with narrowed eyes.

Haruka: " I guess you understand what that means."

Jun'ichirou folded his arms, he was deep in thoughts.

Otacross: " there are spies in NICS deyo~."

He said while fiddling with his CCM.

Haruka: " how can he be so sure?"

Sakura: " ano, if I may speak. I think that's the mean reason why he has taken over the base. To confirm whether or not there are spies out there."

Haruka looked up at the security camera directed their way.

Haruka: " though I'm not really found of the idea that he is still taking over the base."

Mizel: " does it bother you that much, mother?"

His voice finally came out. Haruka nearly flinched at the word ' mother ' and pouted.

Haruka: " I'm only mother to Hiro and Mirai."

She said coldly.

Mizel: " I see then."

Jun'ichirou: " won't you tell us who the spies are?"

Mizel: " yeah, sure, as soon as I will leave with the chosen players. How to deal with them after that is up to you."

Kaios: " and why are you still controlling the base?"

Mizel's hologramme manifested in front of them.

Mizel: " to make sure no one is in danger. You don't know if their spies were ordered to kill people."

Jun'ichirou: " it's hard to believe that you're going this far to protect them, though they don't trust you?"

Mizel: " the Creator cares a lot about them. Keeping them safe is an important step to reach him."

Otacross: " I took it that you've met the Creator deyo~. So, how comes you don't know where he is?"

He asked with a pointed look.

Mizel: " I've never met him in reality though. But I've been in contact with him for a while."

He shifted his look between their reluctant faces.

Mizel: " I know you don't believe me. But you have to believe in him. For he is the only one who can help you all."...


Next day...

Mirai, Kazu, Jessica, Elie and Jin were called down to Dr. Yamano's LAB.

As soon as they stepped in, Beargguy flew off to Elie who tackled him with a large smile, rubbing him gently against her cheek.

Elie: " how is your arm?"

Beargguy: " as good as new. All thanks to the professor."

He said spinning it around to prove that fact to her.

Mirai: " good for you Elie."

Kazu: " then, our weapons."

Jun'ichirou walked to them with a smile.

Jun'ichirou: " I've fixed all of them and amended them so they can take on the maximum output for much longer if you ever happened to need it again."

Jessica: " thanks professor."

They said as they took their weapons from the table.

Jun'ichirou then shifted his look to Jin.

Jun'ichirou: " Jin-kun, LBX Zenon had reached just yesterday."

He said placing the LBX on the table. Jin rose an eyebrow in confusion. Yesterday?

Mirai read the room and quickly shoved Jessica and Kazu out, telling them that she wanted to try the new functioning of their weapons.

Elie excused herself as she left with Beargguy, leaving only Jin and her father there.

Jin: " professor, if it reached here yesterday then-"

Jun'ichirou: " I had to customize it for you. Plus, I needed to replace some parts with Zenon's old ones."

Jin's head went up to the brunette man at that.

Jun'ichirou: " It was Elie's suggestions. She said it will feel more like the older Zenon if it has some of its parts. Since there were some pieces that weren't heavily damaged, I repaired them and used them for the new Zenon."

He said holding up the LBX and giving it to the boy.

Jun'ichirou: " try it out."

Jin nodded as he pulled out his CCM. He hesitated for a second, for he didn't know how to face his partner again. He didn't even try to communicate with him through the CCM.

Finally, he pressed on a button and Zenon's visors lit up before Zenon jumped back to the table. Pulling out his weapon, he swayed it around as a test of movement before finally stopping, satisfied.

Zenon: " no different from the old one, nothing else expected from the professor. It's perfect, thanks."

Jun'ichirou merely nodded before Zenon looked back at Jin.

Zenon: " we need to talk."...


Meanwhile, Mizel can be seen flying above the city in O-Ligion's form. He knew it may make the ones at NICS angry for he left so suddenly, but that was an urgent matter.

No one seemed to notice him as he flew above their heads until he reached a certain building. Flying in through one of the broken windows, he made his way through the corridors and finally in front of a certain wooden door, where he stopped and shape shifted to the human body.

The building seemed a bit old as most of the doors, windows and stairs were broken. The walls were stained and the people there weren't that friendly either. But, it was the best place to hide Mizel.

The boy's eyes glimmered in red as he made sure to shut down any camera or eavesdropping device that was placed inside and outside the room before pushing the door slightly to which it opened as it was actually broken.

As he walked inside the dark room, he can see the shelves that were broken and the chairs thrown around. Drawers were pulled out, either half hanged or fallen down after being rummaged through. The computer on the far end of the small room was on, seems they tried to find some useful data.

Mizel sighed as he walked off to the computer's desk. He kneeled down as his hand reached out under it, searching for something on the ground. Finally finding it, he stood up. In hand, he had a small metallic ball that had some blue lines on it's surface.

Mizel smirked at the thought that one of the things they were looking for was that same device, but also they ended up throwing it accidentally under the table while making that mess and were never able to find it.

The blue lines on the small ball lit as particules flew out of it. Mizel left it as it hovered on its own, the particules formed together to shape the body of the same man with whom he had been talking a few days ago.

The man sighed as he pulled a chair and sat on.

" Who could have believed they will find this place as well."

Mizel leaned back on the table.

Mizel: " that Leviathan is so serious about finding you."

" Even though, he won't find me. I will make sure of that."

Mizel: " you know it won't be easy."

" Any brighter ideas?"

Mizel narrowed his eyes.

Mizel: " I will make sure to lead them to you sooner. That way, we can assure your safety."

" I hope so."

He looked up at the green head boy.

" You know what you have to do. This invention shall never fall in Leviathan's hands."

Mizel sighed.

Mizel: " I know. But are you sure, I won't be able to call you again."

" It's fine. Next time we meet. It will be face to face. Destroy all the Drivers in the other sites when you get there as well. Never leave anything of them that can be useful."

Mizel: " don't worry about it."

The man smiled.

" I shall cut off the call then, till we meet again. Take good care of yourself."

The body of the man disappeared into small blue particules as the small device fell down in Mizel's hand. He narrowed his eyes which glowed in red while the orb shined in blue as he sucked something from it before he crashed it...


He had made his way back to NICS HQ only to be met with doubtful looks. He didn't pay them any thoughts as he shape shifted back to the human form. When his feet touched the ground, he gave them all a pointed look.

Mizel: " we have to leave today."

That took everyone by surprise.

Arata: " today!"

Mizel: " we're running out of time. Leviathan had already made his move to find the Creator. We have to move as well or we will be late."

Kaios and Jun'ichirou exchanged looks and nods.

Kaios: " very well then. Everyone, get ready. Duck shuttle will take off after a few hours."...


Zenon: " what were you even thinking of!?"

The LBX questioned his friend's sanity, to which Jin looked away.

Jin: " I'm so-"

Zenon: " I'm not talking about me getting destroyed here so don't apologize. Jin, you're not yourself anymore."

The male narrowed his eyes.

Zenon: " to not be able to react to defend yourself? That never happened with you before! Even during your grandfather's incident! You never were this weak!"

The male snapped at that. Was he weak? Is that how he was now?

Zenon: " you have to understand that there are things you can't control, Jin! So are you going back to regret things that you couldn't change! You can't change any of the past fights! You can't make them go any other way! So why are you pondering about them like if you could actually do something!"

Jin: " maybe if we just didn't do anything..."

Zenon: " that's not a solution either! Jin! You know that as well!"

He did.

" I don't like this look you have."

They both snapped and looked up as they heard the familiar voice, only to see Lilyan standing in front of them. Jin was the only one who didn't know they were leaving soon and so she went to inform him.

Jin: " Lilyan..."

She walked to him with steady steps and stopped a few inches from his face.

Lilyan: " those eyes full of regrets and loneliness, I once had the same eyes as them. Jin-san, you're being pulled down into an abyss with no bottom. You're breaking down, just like I once did. But I wonder why. Though you're surrounded by friends, you seem lonely to me?"

Jin merely narrowed his eyes at her. Lilyan took a step back.

Lilyan: " I just came to inform you that we're leaving soon. You better get ready."

She turned on her heels and walked away but finally halted as she looked over her shoulder.

Lilyan: " don't think of what you could have done, the more you think of it, the more you will blame yourself for everything that happens. Whatever you chose, whatever you did, I'm sure that back then, you've believed it to be the best choice to make. No one has control over fate, but we have control over our choices. "...


Meanwhile as everyone was getting on the Duck shuttle, they could see from the windows Cobra and Mangos arguing down there.

Cobra: " why should I be the only one going!?"

Mangos: " because you're the one to do the babysitting."

He said coldly.

Cobra: " it's not my job to babysit kids! Plus, shouldn't you go help us as well!"

Mangos: " unlike you I'm very busy here."

Hiro sweat dropped from his seat as he was watching them.

Hiro: " even after those years, they never change."

He gave an awkward smile at that while Ran rose an eyebrow like if that wasn't something unexpected for her.

Ran: " of course, cobra and mangos are natural enemies after all!"

Cobra: " what's that face you're making!?"

Mangos merely huffed as he had enough, he turned back on his heels and walked away, ignoring Cobra who was yelling at him.

Cobra: " don't ignore me!"

Suddenly Dr. Yamano placed a hand on the other man's shoulder, making him stop.

Jun'ichirou : " Cobra, we don't have time, we should go."

The man merely sighed in defeat as he followed the professor to the jet.

Soon, the Duck shuttle took off with its destination being Japan.

Touko: " I can't wait to tell Papa about everything we went through."

Everyone from NICS weren't so excited for the idea.

Jessica: " most likely that it reached them... The thing about Mizel..."

Mirai: " how do you think they will react?"

Hiro moved back his head so he could look at his sister sitting right behind him.

Hiro: " either they cooperate with him until we find the Creator or we will be considered criminals who are helping a former terrorist."

Ran: " does that mean they will send cops to capture us when we reach the airport just like in movies!? I don't want that!"

Yuuta: " cops..."

The young boy had a shiver running down his spine as he imagined the police taking them away.

Touko : " don't be ridiculous, Papa won't let something like that happen. I'm sure he understands the importance of the information that Mizel kid have."

At the same time in the bridge. Cobra, Haruka and Jun'ichirou kept a look on the boy who stood next to Metamo R as it flew the jet through the sky. His eyes were glowing red as he was checking all the footages form the security cameras.

Mizel: " yes, everything seems ok."

That made the adults rise an eyebrow at him.

Mizel: " it will be bad if they sneaked a few LBXs in."

He said and walked out of the cockpit. Everyone went in silence as he entered with the adults behind him.

Mizel: " now that there is no more danger to us, I can inform you of the situation."

Everyone's eyes narrowed at that.

Mizel: " first of all, you are familiar with Minerva, right?"

Evangeline : " the good AI that send us the program."

Mizel: " Correct, now the Creator we will be looking for is actually the one who created Minerva."

He folded his arms.

Mizel: "the program you're using now was created by Minerva. The Creator and I had modeled it for her and she gave it to the ones she deemed to be fit to help her stand in Leviathan's way, thus earning with that creator authority over it."

His eyes wondered over their faces, though they were doubtful about him, they listened diligently.

Mizel: " Leviathan had gathered a number of humans to help him and he put his hands on one of the strongest Companies in the world..."

Kirito narrowed his eyes.

Kirito: " Dream Future, with such company, Leviathan can reach anywhere since most of the world's network is within their hands."

Mizel: " and that's why, Minerva was obliged to run away and hide, for if Leviathan finds her, he can easily erase her. She found it necessary as well to gather help on her own."

Elie: " and that's how she ended up choosing us."

Jin: " but why us?"

Mizel: " Minerva searched for trustworthy people and stumbled across the past incidents, finding most of you. Others were chosen after she had monitored you for a while via the cameras all over the world."

Kirito: " wait. Hold on..."

Kirito cut in, drumming his finger on the armrest of his seat.

Kirito: " by doing so, there is a greater risk to expose her whereabout to Leviathan. How did she?"

Mizel: " I covered her."

He answered curtly.

Mizel: " I had helped as well in the real world, making sure the program reaches you safely and that your LBXs won't get infected before that."

Muraku's eyes widened in realization.

Muraku: " I see. That's how our LBXs didn't get infected in the second world."

Mizel: " true, plus, I've came to contact with your LBXs in the real world and modified them to be able to withstand the program."

Sendou: " hold on, what!"

Mizel: " the modification I added aren't noticable after all. Plus, what do you expect? How do you think a normal LBX can perform the Armor change? Or possibly create two other real clones from nothing."

Sendou groaned as the boy made a point.

Evangeline: " that's actually, pretty terrifying to think that you were close to us and even modified our LBXs without our notice."

Odin: " not to mention those LBX are actually us. I wonder what you've done to us?"

Mizel continued on as if he didn't hear his question.

Mizel: " Minerva's influence on the real world is limited, for she is merely an AI, a set of data. And with a restriction on her access to avoid Leviathan. There is very little to what she can do. But, if we manage to find her and set her free, I'm sure we can get Leviathan down."

Jun'ichirou : " then you don't know where she is as well, despite knowing that much."

The man pointed out and Mizel merely inclined his head.

Mizel: " it was necessary. The only one who knows where is Minerva, is the Creator. The one whom I amended the program with."

Touko: " I don't understand. If you amended the program with him, then you should know where he is? If so then finding Minerva is easy."

She shot his a quizzical glance.

Mizel: " not actually. I may have been in contact with the Creator but he wasn't the real thing. He was merely a projection of his thoughts that he used to communicate with me in the place I was kept in where we worked together. The real Creator is somewhere else, hiding from Leviathan as he is targeting his life."

Yuuya: " then, how to get to the Creator?"

Mizel merely smirked as he was waiting for that question. Now they're past the convincing phase and ready to go through the main point.

Mizel: " we have to play the search game..."...