Diving...


Before they knew it, a whole week had elapsed without a way of retrieving the conscious of their LBXs. The mysterious artifact which had swallowed their data was still there, floating around Tiny Orbit's main site in the infinity net.

As for the attacks, they had strangely reduced. It could have taken them no time at all dealing with them if it wasn't for the fact that most of the fighting became Arata and Muraku's responsibility since EX Nova was the only LBX able to defend against the Killer Gear. Most naturally, both of them were running far and yonder after those units whenever they were on the action.

Meanwhile, Otacross had cut off his sleep to find a way to penetrate the strong defense of the artifact. William and Sakura were providing the support he needed. But no matter what he did, there was no way he could reach the four LBXs.

Mizel: " that was their plan from the very start."

Evangeline looked back at Mizel, trying to learn more of what he meant.

Mizel: " the Killer Gear couldn't stand against the Jogress LBXs, they had to mass produce it and that was eating up time and resources for Leviathan. That's why, he wanted to get rid of the most troublesome obstacle for it."

Evangeline : " our LBXs. He knew they were going out to fight when he send the Virtual Killer Gear and opted to capture the conscious of Odin, Zenon, Dot Blastrizer and Magna Orthus."

She caught up.

Twilight : " but, we still have EX Nova with us."

Mizel: " yeah, but it's all we could to keep defending. With EX Nova alone we can't move to the offense."

William: " he got us."

Kirito rose an eyebrow at that.

Kirito: " offense?"

Reading his face, Mizel elaborated.

Mizel: " we were thinking of waking Minerva up."

All eyes then went back to him, rather confused and curious about what he meant. William was the only one who didn't tear his eyes of the codes in front of him.

William: " we were building up strength, it was the best time to counter attack before Leviathan finishes his body, however, this happened. Seems he sensed the danger and wanted to deny us our chance to attack."

Evangeline : " I don't get it. You said yourself we can't let Minerva out before Leviathan moves to his body because he was under a very tough protection."

William: " I know I said that. In my defense, I didn't expect you to pull a Jogress LBX. But since we got two, we thought it may have been possible to face Leviathan and cut him off the other backup servers he has before using Minerva to finish him off. Seems I had my hope very high. "

He heaved a frustrated sigh when his log ended with an error again.

Mizel: " we've lost our only mean of offense."

Kirito took one last glance at them as they recovered from their exasperation and tried all over. Satisfied, he turned back to the door.

Evangeline : " where are you going?"

Kirito: " to make sure someone won't lose his nerves at this time."...


Meanwhile, the development team where running scans back and forth over the four unconscious LBXs before Yuuki decided to finally give up.

Yuuki: " there is no way to unlock the super functions again. They can't be activated unless by the AI's authorization. The best you can do now is have Kirito's version of the Vaccine program and use that."

Jin and Ban exchanged looks. As appeasing as it may sound, they doubted they could stand a chance against the droids wrecking havoc about the city using that.

Ban: " even William can't unlock their extreme power again."

Jin: " seems like a dead end for us. Unless we recover our LBXs from that thing, we're as helpless as any other person in front of the Killer Gear."

" That if it was the Killer Gear alone."

They all turned back to the door as it slid open, Kirito and Kousuke stepping in.

Jin: " I'm surprised you're still around."

Kousuke: " I don't have anywhere else I would rather be."

He shrugged while the professors focused back on Kirito.

Jun'ichirou: " Kirito, you don't possibly mean what you once mentioned..."

Ban and Jin looked back and forth between the both of them. Was there something they didn't know?

Kousuke: " when we went to shut Goliath down, we glimpsed some of the army Leviathan was rallying. "

Ban: " we didn't hear of that?"

Kirito: " we didn't want to give the young ones nightmares."

Ban rose his eyebrow at Kirito, affronted.

Jun'ichirou: " let's say, what Leviathan has up his sleeves will make the Killer Gear seem like a cute little puppy."

They both wondered what could it be that Leviathan was preparing.

Ban: " if it's already finished, why didn't they use it yet?"

Jin took a moment to think of it.

Jin: " a trump card against us in the final battle, isn't it."

Kousuke frowned seriously.

Kousuke: " I'm afraid it's the case."

Ban's head fell slightly, his nails digging in his palms as he clenched his fists.

Ban: " the enemy is getting stronger while we're standing here, doing nothing. "

He said chancing a glance at their LBXs in the middle of the scanner. Kirito looked at the livid man before speaking again.

Kirito: " we're trying our best, be it with recovering your LBXs or trying to come with counter measures against Leviathan."

Ban: " but-"

Kirito: " I understand your frustration. However nothing would be gained from losing your nerves and acting recklessly. I assure you, Yamano Ban, that even with my version of the vaccine, you won't last two minutes out there in the battlefield. So you better reconsider your plans."

Ban lowered his head and pouted, his anger and vexation not ebbing yet. Jin glanced one more time at the brunette beside him before looking up at the older blonds.

Jin: " then Kousuke, Kirito, we'll be depending on you to take over us until this dilemma is worked out."

Kousuke sneered.

Kousuke: " you could have never found better than us."

And then they pivoted around and walked away. Jun'ichirou made for his son and had one hand resting on his shoulder.

Jun'ichirou: " there is nothing we could do here. You both had been up long enough, you should rest up."

Ban finally relented and heeded his father's advise, leaving the LAB along with Jin.


Far from the grasp of the humans, deep in the infinity net and not so far from Tiny Orbit's network, the cubic artifact was yet floating, undisturbed. There was no sound issued from it. However, behind its wall, clinking and clanking resounded again and again as weapons bounced off the perfectly seamless and strong surface.

Odin: " it's no use."

He said staggering backwards and plumping on the ground.

Unicorn: " this thing is tougher than it seems. It's an endless maze that we can't break through."

Beargguy: " not even my maximum output beam could damage it."

He squatted down, utterly exhausted too. Zenon was the only one who miraculously kept on.

Odin: " you will get nowhere like that. We've been on it for 139 hours now. "

Zenon: " then what? Sit down and stare at it until it collapses from boredom?"

Beargguy: " I definitely wish it could."

Zenon: " don't you understand, we're trapped here while Leviathan is breaking loose around the real world! We're not there to help our players! Jin and the others might be in trouble as we speak!"

He swayed his hammer vigorously on the wall again, yet it didn't cause even the smallest dent.

Unicorn: " I'm worried about Lilyan..."

Beargguy: " hope Elie is calm during this situation."

Odin: " we're all worried about our players. But there is nothing we can do. As of now, instead of depleting our energy aimlessly, let's save it for the time of need."

" Eh?"

They looked back at him befuddled as he said that.

Zenon: " time of need?"

Odin: " if my guess is right, Ban and the rest will be here soon."...


Even if he said he would rest, there was no way he would. Whenever he had so much on his mind and wanted a break, LBX was always a let out for him. Be it maintenance or battling they always managed to put him at ease no matter how concerned or worried he was. Yet, he didn't have such privilege now with his LBX cooped up in the LAB.

He tried to work around it. He tried watching others battle, helped Ryan with some maintenance, but it didn't soothe him. He was feeling a sense of urgency to do something more than that morning.

" Ban-kun?"

He halted upon hearing his name and turned around, meeting with a certain blue eyed man.

Ban: " William?"

William: " if I didn't know better, I would have said you've turned to an eagle. You've circled the lounge five times already."

He was subduing a chuckle.

Realizing that he was caught up in his own thoughts for so long to notice where he was walking, Ban rubbed his head and laughed sheepishly.

William: " I understand the situation that you're in. That's why I sought you."

Ban pouted. It was strange just how easily William's tone could shift from mirthful and joyful to dead serious in a matter of a second.

William: " I'm afraid that cautious is a luxury we no longer have. Time is ticking by and we can't afford losing any more of it."

Ban: " William..."

William: " Ban-kun, what if I told you there is a way to bring all four of your LBXs back?"

Ban's frown deepened.

Ban: " I would do it."

William eyed the younger man carefully, gauging his resolution.

William: "and... if it's what Leviathan is waiting for?"

Ban's eyes widened slightly.

William: " we know your LBXs are alive and well in that artifact. But that's not an act of good will from Leviathan."

Ban: " he's using them as decoys?"

William: " precisely. And he is waiting for us to make a move. He deliberately left us one way to get through."

Ban mulled over the situation carefully. Leviathan was patiently waiting for them to do whatever they were supposed to do to retrieve their LBXs. The risks were too much for them. Still...

Ban: " even though, if there is a way to save Odin and the rest I will do it."

William: " Ban-kun..."

He was slightly taken back by surprise at his confidence.

Ban: " you said it yourself, them being safe isn't an act of good will. Leviathan will sooner or later make a move on them and then... It will be late."

William smiled softly at him. The confidence and determination he showed were enough to spur him as well.

William: " it's a risky thing. Even though, are you still willing to bear it all?"

Ban: " no doubt!"

William: " that seals it then."

Ban: " William..."

Blue eyes shot back at Ban as he called up.

Ban: " if possible, keep it a secret from the others."

William's eyes slightly narrowed.

Ban: " I don't want to expose them to any more danger. If possible, I want to go through with it alone."

William stared at him for a moment and then sighed.

William: " I'm glad it came from you. The truth is, we only can use one person."

Ban sighed in relief at this.

William: " I will get things ready. Tomorrow morning meet me down at the Control Pod test room. I will feed you on everything else then."

Ban: " understood."

With a bow, he left for his room. William looked after him, smiling in satisfaction.

William: " such guts, and strong sense of justice. It's really admirable."

" Are you satisfied with him then?"

William didn't look back at the green head, only his smile broadened.

William: " ah. I understand why Lily would get attached to him."

His eyes flicked back to the boy.

William: " but having you overhear us is a bit of trouble for our plan."

Mizel hummed in thoughts before turning on his heels and walking away.

William: " hold on..."

Mizel: " I'm doing what I believe is right."

William: " Mizel... You won't..."

Mizel's frown deepened as he stopped in front of the elevator's door.

Mizel: " you're doing a mistake, and you know that."

William said nothing. A ding sounded as the elevator reached their floor.

Mizel: " you'll thank me later." ...


The next day, Ban headed down to the Control Pod test room as early as possible.

As the door swooshed open before him and he climbed down the stairs to where Eva, Mizel and William were hunching over a pod, he couldn't help but feeling something odd with the room. He looked around, trying to figure it out before William addressed him.

William: " good morning, Ban-kun. I see you're early."

Ban's head snapped towards the older man and approached him. He was holding a very familiar goggles like machine. Ban realized immediately it was a Nerve Gear, slightly different from the one they saw at professor Elenkova's place. He figured it may have been the first prototype that William had.

Ban: " the sooner we get it over with the better. And it's best if the rest don't know about that."

William sweated as he swapped looks with both Eva and Mizel who were giving him meaningful looks.

William: " about that, seems we had a change of plan."

Ban: " eh?"

As he exclaimed, the door opened again. This time, Elie, Lilyan and Jin walked down the stairs and off towards them.

Ban: " why are they..."

William sighed as he pointed at Mizel and Eva.

William: " they told them about everything."

Jin's look hardened as the brunette looked back at them.

Jin: " you were intending to go all on your own."

Ban narrowed his eyes slightly.

Ban: " I did. And even if it wasn't my own choice, there is only one Nerve Gear."

Mizel: " not anymore."

Mizel held his hands in front of him, slightly appart. A circle of green light appeared in between them before it enlarged to match in shape the machine in William's hand.

As the light faded, Mizel was holding a replica of the Nerve Gear.

Mizel: " I can create as much as we need."

He held it above his head.

Jin: " that solves it."

Ban glanced back at the three of them, still reluctant and unsatisfied.

Jin: " we're not letting you bear the responsibility on your own."

Lilyan: " Ban-kun, I will follow you no matter where you go."

She swapped looks with William and he very much begrudgingly nodded.

They were determined. Ban couldn't find words against their resolution. He then shifted his eyes to Elie and his look slightly hardened. She was the only one whom he wouldn't want going.

Elie pursed her lips as she figured out his inner thoughts.

Elie: " don't bother. I'm not backing now. I won't let you go alone. Plus, I want to save Beargguy myself. He is my partner after all."

Before Ban could protest, Mizel interrupted them.

Mizel: " yes yes, all that friendship and emotions. Get inside your control pod already. We don't have time to waste."

Ban and Elie were ushered as far away from each other as possible. And it was then that Ban realized what was different about the place. Instead of three control pods, there were four.

Evangeline : " just make sure you're comfortable. We don't know for how much you will be diving and you wouldn't want your body to feel all achy when you come back."

She said standing by Jin's pod and checking something on her tablet while the man settled in and wore the Nerve Gear.

Lilyan: " but why using the control pod?"

She looked back at her brother by her side, setting up the pod.

William: " we don't know what will happen there. If troubles come to push and you had to fight, your LBXs won't be able to use Hissatsus without the attack Function order from your CCM."

Mizel: " that's why, Eva is now modeling the whole thing to allow you to use it from inside the infinity net. Being inside the control pod is a requirement for this."

He had just finished creating Elie's helmet by then.

Ban: " I see. We won't be able to use the CCM after we dive. That's why."

He set down his CCM and the pod activated.

Otacross: " William."

A hologram screen of Otacross and Sakura appeared.

Sakura : " we're all set here, William-san."

William: " here as well."

He exchanged nods with the duo who had just finished up their tasks.

William: " we're heading there soon."

As the screen dissipated, the pods closed on the players within them.

Evangeline : " don't forget, it's Link Start."

And they walked away to rejoin Otacross and the rest, their footsteps fading away behind the walls of the control pods.

Elie laid down and breathed deeply. The heavy feeling in her chest became worse by the minute just recalling her brother's look. She didn't want to be looked at that way, especially not by him.

Shaking all her feelings away, she finally managed to speak clearly.

Elie: " Link Start!"

It felt like the split second between sleep and awakeness, like her mind had drifted away in a moment. The next second, she was floating in a wide space empty but from bubbles scattered around and intertwined between them with golden huge wires the size of a tunnel for them.

Elie span around, taking in the amazing new place she was thrown into. Her eyes sparkled in away at the sight of data arching above their heads and filtering through one of the bubbles' membrane.

Lilyan: " breathtaking."

Elie: " it's like a world from dreams."

" Everyone, can you hear me deyo~?"

Otacross' voice resounded through their heads and that wasn't a very pleasant experience at first.

Ban: " we do."

Otacross: " listen up, the artifact is right beneath you deyo~."

They all looked beneath their feet and there it was, the huge cubic form.

Lilyan: " it's really huge. That much wasn't obvious from the screen. "

Otacross: " that thing absorbs any data that comes to contact with its exterior. So if you touch it, you're likely to be absorbed inside deyo~."

Elie: " eh?"

Ban: " William, don't tell me the only path that Leviathan had left for us is..."


Back in the briefing room where everyone were watching through the largest screen, William's eyes were blocked off by the shimmer of his lenses.

William: " it's. The only way we have is for you to get absorbed into it."

Hiro: " hold on! Why going as far as sending them then!"

Ami: " that's right, we could have just send any LBX."

Mizel: " it would be useless."

Mizel, who stayed behind to watch over the four players in their pods, opened a direct call.

Mizel: " no matter how many LBXs we send, they will get trapped there with no way of reaching them."

William: " we need a player to go. With Eva-kun's help, we could make it so they could use their Hissatsu and open a way."

Otacross: " still, once you get absorbed, we won't be able to reach you too deyo~."


All four of them considered those words carefully.

Lilyan: " so that means you won't be able to help us from there."

Elie: " we won't be able to get out."

Jin: " it means we'll be on our own."

Ban pouted, his whole attention focused on the black glistening cube.

Ban: " so we go in there, find our LBXs and get out, right. I'm in."

His eyes narrowed in preservation.

Elie: " Onii-chan..."

Ban: " every moment passing by means more strength added to Leviathan."

He glided down. The other three exchanged looks and nods before following his heed. Ban stopped in front of one face, staring at his reflection on the side of the cube. His hand extended and the tips of his fingers touched the artifact. Its surface rippled as if he had touch a water surface. Then, his whole body dissolved into data and got sucked through the crevices.

Elie and Lilyan hesitated for a moment before following his suit and touching the surface all three of them together. They all dissipated into data and were absorbed into the cube...