Tunisia...


Ban: " Tunisia ?"

Kazu: " never heard of it?"

Rina: " it's a small country in north Africa. Not a very famous country though."

Takuya: " at least, not until Dream Future had a branch there."

" Eh!"

Jessica placed her hand around her chin as she thought about it.

Jessica: " Omega Dain is sponsoring Artemis. Dream Future is the one that brought Omega Dain back. So I think there is a reason they had chosen Tunisia."

Haruka: " that's what we think as well. Since all the other places with branches hosted Artemis before, it will be suspicious to hold it there again."

Jin: " so they settled on there. I think they had expected something to happen in Artemis and were desperate to hold it nearby."

Takuya: " Artemis will be held tomorrow, but just in case, we want you all to head there earlier."

Elie: " eh? Why?"

Jun'ichirou: " scouting. We need to make sure the area is safe. And if there are L virus users around..."

Evangeline: " it will be really bad. I understand that."

Touko: " so we're heading out sooner than expected. Alright then. Let's get ready, Queen."

The pink LBX nodded as she followed after her partner.

Takuya: " I will take care of preparing the Duck shuttle. Except the ones who will be participating. We will have Momona, Wataru, Elie, Lilyan, Eva, Mirai, Ran, Ami and Kazu who will be going."

Yuuta: " while we stay here in case of an emergency."

Takuya nodded as he turned his look over their faces.

Takuya: " I trust that all of you will be careful. Most likely we're heading into the enemy's territory."

Asuka: " don't worry about us!"

She held up a thumb at him.

Vampire Cat: " we've been preparing ourselves for the worst scenario."

Takuya had a satisfied smile. He had just realized how much they had grown over the years. The young kids that were once surrounding him were mostly adults by then. Though it seems like if nothing had changed with them, he can still see how far they had come.

Takuya: " then once again, I depend on you all."

" Roger!"...


" You're taking him along?"

The girl questioned as she saw Mirai placing O-Legion in her bag. Just after the blonde and purple head finished fixing him, they gave him to Mirai to take care of him upon her insistence.

Mirai: " I thought he would feel alone if he suddenly wakes up and doesn't find most of us."

She smiled wearing her bag and strolled over to the door. Although Ruri wanted to comment, to say that it was a dim possibilty that he would wake up and even if he does it won't make a problem for him to catch up with them. But she knew that Mirai was aware of that. She knew the woman just wanted to keep him by her side, making sure no harm reaches him again.

With a sigh, Ruri put on her bag as well.

Ruri: " she is really acting as an older sister to him."

Checking for her laptop, her toolkit and her CCM, she gestured to valkyrie to get on her shoulder and they left after the blue haired woman...


Elie: " tomorrow, huh?"

Ban: " ah, it's almost there."

He looked at the blonde next to him who was gazing out through the small window of the Duck shuttle at the extended blue sea under them. Her reflection on the glass showed a bothered expression.

He reached to her hand and gently squeezed it in his. Lilyan looked to him at the act and he gave her an assuring smile.

Ban: " don't worry, we will find your brother."

She answered him with a smile and held on tightly to his hand. She knew she can trust his words.

Snap.

They both blinked at that sound and Lilyan sighed before looking at the blonde in front of them who kept looking at the picture she took with sparkling eyes.

Asuka: " Aw~! So cute!"

Lilyan: " Asuka-san, please delete it."

Asuka: " I refuse."

Lilyan: " Asuka-san."

Asuka: " definitely no."

Lilyan: " Asuka-san."

Asuka: " you should see how cute you're~! I will save this along with Jin and Elie's pic-...uh..."

Suddenly she felt the back of her head in flames as a couple of red eyes flung her way.

Everyone else had colors drained of their faces as they felt the Split Second Killer Emperor's cold air.

Elie blinked twice as she digested the blonde's words.

Elie: " what! When! How!"

When she turned to the man next to her she didn't find him. She looked around and much to her surprise, he was already by Asuka's side, extending his hand while giving her a burning look.

Asuka gulped at that and Ban merely sweat dropped.

Jin: " Asuka."

She looked at the still extended hand of Jin and hesitantly gave him the CCM. His eyes twitched upon finding their picture was her wallpaper.

He quickly deleted both their picture and that of Lilyan and Ban as well before returning the CCM to its owner, then he walked back to his seat. Zenon almost manifested a sweat drop at that.

Zenon: " as strict as ever."

Sendou was barely stifling his laughter at that while Asuka was bitting her bottom lip in regret.

Sendou: " you still can get one of the others to send it back to you."

He whispered and Asuka sniffed, two tears could be seen at the corners of her eyes.

Asuka: " but I lost Ban and Lilyan's!"

Lilyan merely sighed as she rubbed her forehead while Ban smiled awkwardly and sweat dripped. He had a feeling that most of them may get killed before even Leviathan could have a chance.

Evangeline : " I wonder if everyone will delete that picture on their own before they have to face Jin too."

Twilight : " hardly."

MetamoR: " we've reached Tunisia Mo~. Everyone get ready to land Mo~."

Soon the wheels of the shuttle rolled on the asphalt of the airport and came to a halt. The bottom door opened and everyone hopped out.

Jessica: " so what should we do first?"

Haruka walked to them.

Haruka: " first of all, Eva, Mirai and I will look for a place where we can all stay. You should go and take a look at the stadium and around it for the meantime."

Gouda: " understood."

With that they split up once they left the airport. Jessica took out her CCM and checked the map.

Jessica: " yosh, we can get there by train, there is a station nearby so let's head there."

And they all nodded before following Jessica's lead...


Touko: " is this it?"

She questioned as they got off the train and crossed the street so they were in front of the building.

Jessica: " yep, it's called Radès Stadium."

Yuuya: " it's really huge."

Ami: " as huge as Odiba Stadium."

Arata: " so there will be our battlefield."

He glanced again at the stadium with the holograms of the 2056 Artemis' Logo surrounding it.

Hiro: " it seems they had placed a tough security around."

He pointed out at the many men in black suits who kept going back and forth, checking every inch around the Stadium.

Jin: " hopefully it will work."

Wataru: " do you think we can get a look inside?"

" I'm afraid you can't."

They all turned around to see a young woman with black short hair and a pair of brown eyes hidden behind round frame glasses approaching them. She was wearing a grey hoodie and dark blue jeans with grey sneakers.

" Dream Future had placed quite a tough security so no one is allowed there."

Momona: " unfortunately, so we can't get in."

" Not before tomorrow. They're quite worried about the LBXs attacks after all."

Muraku: " by the way, you're..."

" Oh, I apologize. My name is Aya, Aya Ibrahim. And you..."

She wondered her eyes around them.

Aya: " I think I'm quite familiar with few of you."

Jessica: " yeah, some of us had participated in Artemis before. But nevertheless let us introduce our selves..."

After they introduced themselves, the woman had her eyes wide in surprise.

Aya: " so you're all entering Artemis this year! It will be a tough tournament after all."

Yuuya: " you're entering as well?"

The woman nodded with a smile. She couldn't help but feel exotic over the idea of having famous LBX players as her opponents.

Aya: " by the way, if you want to take a look inside the Stadium I can take you there. I doubt any of you is planing for anything bad anyway."

Touko: " you can get us in?"

Aya: " yeah, I was actually tasked to help out securing the stadium."

Ran: " eh?"

She exclaimed as the other woman showed the security guards a small card and they moved away for her.

Aya: " so what are we waiting for, C'mon."

She led them in much to their surprise. They walked within the halls and came to the central area where the platforms and Dioramas were already set, ready for the coming tournament.

Momona: " so huge!"

He words echoed throughout the venue.

Jin: " so this is the stage."

Aya had turned her look around, making sure nothing was out of the place there.

Aya: " hopefully this Artemis will pass on safely."

Asuka: " with such security I doubt it wouldn't."

Aya: " actually there was a time when a bunch of LBXs managed to sneak past the security. Thankfully they were stopped and all but..."

Her tone was that of worry.

Kazu: "what happened once can happen twice, right."

Aya: " right."

She heaved a sigh. Everyone could see she was really down.

Aya: " if something gets out of control then the whole tournament will be cancelled. I don't want that."

She then turned to them.

Aya: " I'm sorry but I need to go now. I've got something to take care of. I will inform the guards about you so don't worry. See you in Artemis... maybe."

She waved at them as she made her way out of the central area. Everyone then looked at each other.

Yuuya: " LBXs that managed to sneak in..."

Ban: " mostly it's Leviathan."

Touko: " It makes no sense, the whole tournament is organized by Dream Future and even their bodyguards are everywhere, why would he send LBXs then if he already have control over the place?"

Ami: " that's a good question. Then, maybe those LBXs don't belong to Leviathan."

Achilles Deed: " then to whom?"

Zenon: " the creator?"

Ran: " it can't be... Can it?"

Lilyan: " he doesn't have a reason why."

Ruri: " anywho, don't forget why we're here."

Odin: " right. Let's check the stadium first, I doubt there will be another chance to get in."

Touko: " you have a point. So everyone, we need to split up to cover this whole stadium. We have to consider the prospect that some LBXs are hidden here already, whether allies or foes we still don't know so be careful."

She told them with a commending air to which they all nodded before splitting into groups and started patrolling the building. Their CCMs in hands, they kept their eyes open for anything out of the place.

When they finally met at the front door, everyone shook their heads. It seemed that they didn't find anything that was suspicious or out of the place.

Ban: " I think things are under control."

He said glancing at his CCM once again and his expression was that of seriousness as he saw a red dot a little bit far away from the stadium.

Jin: " what's the matter?"

Ban: " outside the stadium."

He didn't take his eyes of the screen as he spoke. Everyone else checked their CCM and soon they could see that same dot.

Yuuya: " we should... Eh!"

Before he could even finish his sentence, the dot had already faded out of the screen.

Beargguy: " how?"

Elie: " a glitch?"

Ban narrowed his eyes feeling uneasy about it.

Ban: " I don't think so, this program was created by Kirito and Eva. No way it can have a glitch."

He looked at his friends, his face reflecting nothing but seriousness.

Ban: " everyone, let's go check it out."

They all nodded at him. Leaving the stadium, they headed straight towards where the mark had disappeared. The whole area surrounding the venue was huge parking areas. It was twice the size of the the stadium and empty except for the few vehicles belonging to the stuff.

They all nodded at each other, holding their CCMs up in one hand and their LBXs ready to fight in the other, they proceeded to the marked spot. Yet, they found nothing upon arrival.

Lilyan: " what could have happened?"

Sendou pulled out a card.

Sendou: " hermit, upright, the secret will be revealed."

Gouda: " this is not the time for your tarot cards!"

Sendou: " it's been always the time for me!"

Gouda: " you..."

Dot Phasor: " guys..."

Gouda and Sendou stopped their argument as to listen to what the LBX had to say. The white and red unit was looking down at Momona's CCM were more red points could be seen.

Momona: " there are still some around this area."

Hiro: " so let's go take them down! We don't want them ruining Artemis this year!"

Jessica: " agree. Let's split up to cover the whole parking. Be extremely vigilant. They could be hiding anywhere."

They all nodded in agreement before splitting up again, heading off towards the red dots...

Mirai: " no luck."

Her mother shook her head with a defeated sigh. Currently they had sat down in a cafe and ordered something to cool their throats after looking around for so long.

Evangeline: " the hotels are all reserved, there is no place where we could stay. And I doubt we can afford an expensive hotel for all of us."

Strike Freedom slightly peeked up from Mirai's pocket so no one but the three of them could see him.

Strike: " we have to admit we were wrong to come this late. Everyone were so excited for this year's Artemis that they wanted to attend no matter what."

Mirai: " and so every place is now full. Guess we have no luck here."

She sighed before the waiter had brought her and Eva's tea and her mother's coffee. Haruka took a sip of the brown liquid before voicing out.

Haruka: " shall we try one more time."

Mirai wasn't convinced they could actually get a result, but she nodded nevertheless. She also didn't want to spend the night in the airport for that matter...


Around the stadium, they were able to clear most of the area of the infected LBXs.

Hiro and Yuuya had just finished out one that was hiding down the sewer for their surprise.

Hiro: " Jessica wasn't joking when she said they could be anywhere."

He looked down at the remaining of the destroyed unit.

Liu Bei: " I wonder if they were hiding, waiting for some sort of signal."

Achilles D9: " for what?"

Liu Bei shrugged.

Yuuya: " nevertheless, with this we should have finished here."

He looked down at the screen of his CCM that showed no more red dots.

Hiro: " still it doesn't make sense."

Achilles D9 nodded his head, agreeing with his player.

Liu Bei : " why would Leviathan attack this place? He is the one controlling it."

Their CCM suddenly buzzed and when they looked down, there was another infected LBX nearby.

Hiro: " Yuuya-san!"

Yuuya didn't have to wait for him to finish, he nodded before both of them immediately darted off to the location.

Hiro kept his eyes on the screen as they made a shortcut through the shrubs before they widened when they were a few meters away of the spot.

Hiro: " it disappeared again!"

Yuuya: " what's wrong with these marks!"

Achilles D9 didn't wait and dashed forward to see what was happening there. He stopped when he faced the back of a certain young woman.

Hiro and Yuuya quickly caught up with him and their eyes widened when they saw her as well. She was holding an LBX on one hand and her CCM on the other.

The black haired woman turned back with a surprised look. She quickly tagged her LBX into her pocket and faced both males.

Aya: " ah, it's you guys? What are you doing here?"

Hiro quickly grabbed his flying LBX and tagged him into his pocket as well. Not quite wanting the woman to have the wrong idea.

Yuuya: " Aya-kun this should be our question?"

Aya: " I told you guys I have to secure the area around the stadium, of course I will be wandering around the parking lots and all."

Hiro: " by any chance, have you noticed anything strange around here?"

Aya shook her head.

Aya: " nothing at all."

Yuuya: " strange... I'm sure it appeared around here..."

He whispered to the blunette who nodded, no less confused as the other male.

" Finally caught up with you guys!"

Soon Momona and Wataru where there. It didn't take long until all of them gathered.

Jessica: " oh, Aya!"

Aya: " why are all of you here?"

She said rising an eyebrow and everyone could see she started to have uneasy thoughts about them.

Touko: " we got lost and separated when trying to find our way out."

She quickly made up an excuse, though it didn't convince the black haired woman totally but at least she seemed to let it pass.

Aya: " come on, I'll show you the way."

Suddenly her CCM rang. Strangely enough Hiro's rang as well and it was his sister. They quickly answered.

Aya: " yes. Yes everything seems fine. Eh! Dream Future?!"

Hiro: " Dream Future!?"

The both said at the same time, leaving the others with confused looks.

Aya : " Someone stopped it? Alright, I will be on my way."

She pocketed her phone back before turning to the others.

Aya&Hiro: " I/We need to go to Dream Future."

Both the woman and the man blinked twice at each other.

Aya: " okay... Guess we're going together then..."...


They quickly ran out the station and headed to the huge building that was towering above the others with Aya leading the way.

Once inside the main lobby, they were able to see Professor Haruka Eva and Mirai along with a black haired man around his 50.

Hiro: " Nee-chan, Mom!"

They all span around to face the group of the newcomers.

Hiro: " thank God you're safe."

Aya: " Baba!"

She ran off to the man who gave her a reassuring smile.

Aya : " what happened here?"

The male narrowed his eyes as he looked back at Mirai and Eva.

" LBXs tried to infiltrate the company. Thankfully those two were around to stop them. You have my thanks, because of you no one was hurt."

They smiled gently at him.

Mirai: " don't mention it."

Evangeline : " we're just glad everything is alright, President."

" President!"

That caught everyone out of surprise.

" I almost forgot to introduce myself. Bechir Ibrahim, the head of the north African's branch of Dream Future."

Almost everyone widened their eyes at that, now understand how Aya was able to get to them into the stadium all along. Aya merely rubbed the back of her head before shifting her attention to her father.

Aya: " though it's the first time they're attacking the building, I wonder why?"

Bechir: " I don't know either. At least, there was no damage done."

Aya: " thankfully. But, about Artemis then?"

Bechir: " though I'm against it, but they're insisting on holding it."

He father said rather gloomily.

Aya: " I see..."

While the conversation between the father and the daughter continued on, the others approached Mirai and Eva as to understand what happened.

Evangeline : " just were looking for a place to stay before we saw the breakout. Thankfully they weren't Killer Droids and they weren't that much to begin with, so Mirai and I managed to finish them off."

Hiro: " I was really worried when you told me you fought LBXs on your own."

He breathed out in relief.

Ban: " thankfully everything is alright now."

Mirai: " I won't be so sure about it."

She gave them a sweat drop and they all blinked.

Haruka: " actually, we didn't find a place to stay in."

" Eh!"

Momona: " but then!"

Haruka: " seems we will have to stay in the duck Shuttle back in the airport."

Kazu: " no way!"

Aya walked over to them.

Aya: " hold on, don't tell me guys you were hoping to find a place today without reservation? You won't find any place on the last day before Artemis."

Asuka: " we weren't planning on coming early after all."

She scratched the back of her head with an upset face.

Bechir: " I heard the situation. I will see to it myself that you're provided of a descent place for tonight."

Everyone then looked at him in surprise.

" Eh!"

Haruka: " it's nice of you, president but you don't have to trouble yourself."

Bechir smiled.

Bechir: " I won't worry about that. Consider it as a thank you."

Mirai: " but-"

Bechir: " no buts."

Everyone looked at each other with confused and reluctant faces.

Ban: " what should we do now?"

Aya: " accept of course, it's rude to turn it down now."

She folded her arms while giving them a pointed look, daring them to refuse.

Elie: " since it's the case we can't refuse, can we?"

Bechir: " I'm afraid you can't."

Haruka sighed at that.

Haruka: " then, thanks for the hospitality..."...