The Dream Everyone Wants to See...


Being sifted through the wall was... An interesting experience not to say the least for Elie. She had to touch herself again and again to make sure nothing of her was left behind on the other side.

Jin: " is everyone alright?"

They were all checking their avatars before they were satisfied. It was then time to take in their surrounding. Greyish random high walls constructed the whole thing. As Ban placed his hand on them, lines shot from beneath it and traveled all around them.

Lilyan: " what was that?"

Jin: " probably a scanner thing. That means that everything we do is being sent off somewhere."

Ban: " it's all send to Leviathan, that's for sure."

He said stepping ahead of them and taking the lead. With each step, the blue lines of converted data manifested on every spot. Everyone soon caught up with him as he ventured deep into the maze.

Elie: " this place is creeping me out."

She said hastening so to catch up with her brother and Jin. It wasn't something they didn't notice. At a certain point, they came across multiple staircases different in form, size and even direction. Some headed sideway, the others were protruding down from the roof, leaving all four of them dangling upside down without even knowing how they were holding up.

Nothing of that maze made sense at all, not even retracing your footsteps would get you back to where you were a moment before.

Lilyan: " this is driving me nuts."

She told Ban who was climbing another upsidedown stair. Or was she the one upsidedown?

Ban: " no matter where we go we can't reach anywhere."

Jin: " it's like we're turning in circles."

Despite their best efforts, they were drifting apart slowly. Their voices faded away as each ended up on their own way. Before he knew it, Ban exited the staircases area and found himself walking all alone in a long bright white corridor.

Ban: " they managed to separate us."

Uneasy wouldn't begin to describe how he felt about the whole deal. He continued to walk down the corridor, his sole company was the echo of his footsteps. It seemed like an endless journey. The corridor didn't appear to have an end. However, he knew he had to press onward...


Half an hour had elapsed since they lost all contact with Ban and the rest. All they had left was to hope and pray they would be able to find their LBXs and return back.

Mizel was still standing watch over the control pods when the door slid open, letting in Eva.

Evangeline: " how are they?"

Mizel: " so far, there doesn't seem to be any trouble. Their heartbeats, breathing and brain signals are all in the norms. If they were under any dangerous circumstances, the readings would have gone crazy."

Evangeline chanced a glance at the pods then at her brother.

Evangeline : " if it happened, could we force them out of there?"

Mizel: " you know better than anyone that we can't. If we forcefully try to shut their connection, they wouldn't be different from their LBXs right now. And we don't know if it's even possible to reload their conscious back."

The girl pursed her lips.

Evangeline : ' Everyone... Please be careful...'

Suddenly a hologram screen popped up by her side.

Otacross: " Eva-tan, you might want to come deyo~."...


Ban blinked twice as he took in his surrounding. Last he remembered, he was walking through the white corridor. As of now, he was in a place far, far more different than that.

How he reached there or how even it was possible was beyond him. He was in Tokio City Park. Around him were multiple dioramas, each holding a battle. Many kids and adults were battling alike. All with bright smiles on their faces.

Ban: " what... Why..."

" Waaah! It's the legendary LBX player!"

" Really! That Yamano Ban!"

A couple of kids mobbed around him.

" Can you battle me please!"

" Would you teach me how to do maintenance!"

Ban: " eh?! Well... Hold on a second..."

He was befuddled while their number doubled by the moment.

Ban: " I need to get back, there was something I need to do... Something... Very important..."

" Something?"

He racked the back of his mind to recall what he was supposed to be doing.

Ban: " I don't seem to recall it..."

His head hung down at that.

" Ano... Ban-san..."

A boy approached him, cradling something gently in his hands.

" Would you, please, take a look at my LBX?"

He said holding a unit up at him.

Ban: " an Achilles Deed, huh?"

He couldn't help but smile at the boy.

" Yes ! He's my closest partner!"

The boy beamed at him.

" I wonder how to get as strong as you?"

Ban's smile softened at the boy.

Ban: " if you trust your partner, and listen to him carefully, then you both can get stronger together."

The boy's smile broadened once more.

" Ban."

He turned around just to see a certain LBX flying by his side.

Ban: " oh, Odin."

The LBX said nothing, just taking in the area around.

" Ban-san! Can you please battle me!"

Ban: " alright! Let's do it then!"


Evangeline : " what's the meaning of this?"

She stared at the screen which showed the battle between Ban and the kid.

Jun'ichirou: " they're all broadcasted to us by Leviathan."

Otacross: " what does he intend by showing us this deyo~?"

Their focus shifted from Ban's screen...


Little Lilyan sat down, blankly staring at the bouquet of flowers in her hands. She couldn't remember how she ended up sitting there, in the middle of the field.

Lilyan: " I think... I was supposed to give those flowers to someone...?"

" Lily dear, don't stray too far from us!"

A gentle voice called for her and she immediately retorted.

Lilyan: " coming mommy!"

Mommy?

She climbed back on her feet and sprang through the flowers, down the hillock and into the arms of a black haired woman. She tackled her tightly and ruffled her golden locks. The girl laughed childishly.

Lyla: " ho, what a beautiful bouquet. Is it mine?"

Lilyan nodded happily as she passed her the white flowers.

Lyla: " thank you dear, I will prepare a beautiful vase for it when we get back home."

Kenske: " and won't I get a gift too?"

The blond said taking her from his wife. Lilyan giggled.

Lilyan: " Daddy's gift would be..."

She thought about it then happily kissed he cheek.

Lilyan: " a kiss."

Lyla: " not fair, I want a kiss too."

She attempted to take her daughter back but her husband wouldn't allow her.

Lilyan merely laughed loudly as Kenske fled away.

William looked up from his tablet and enjoyed the sight of his mother chasing after their father while Liam stopped kicking his ball at a tree and looked annoyed.

Liam: " what dotting parents."...


The warmth and the smell were familiar somehow. Like if they were from a far away dream. When he came to realize it, he was standing in the entrance of a living room. A very familiar one for that matter.

" You're just in time."

Someone called from behind the counter of the kitchen. A familiar voice, one he almost forgot.

The person had her long wavy white hair held in a low ponytail so it wouldn't trouble her while moving around. When she turned to face him, she was holding a plate in each hand and was smiling joyfully at him. Her red eyes glimmering happily.

Yara: " take a seat, I've made your favorite."

She said making her way to the table and setting down the dishes. At the very end, a man was holding a tablet and was reading through it most attentively.

Yara: " Dear, we've agreed. No more work on the table."

She said pushing the top of the device down, conceding him to lay it . The man rubbed the back of his head with an apologizing smile.

Taiko: " Sorry, I had to check my flying schedule for tomorrow."

And he reached for his plate. Yara took her place before looking up at the young man still standing, staring at them, his face unreadable.

Yara: " what are you waiting for, Jin."

Taiko: " Mama's cooking is too good to be eaten cold, Jin."

Jin: "... a, ah..."

He slowly assumed his seat and looked down at his plate. Beef Stew, it was certainly his favourite back then.

Taiko: " So delicious as usual. Thanks Mama."

Jin took one glance at the older man before grabbing the chopsticks and taking a bite. His eyes widened slightly. He knew that flavor too well. There was no mistaking it.

Jin: " it's, delicious ..."

Yara: " knew you would like it."

Jin's eyes were unfocused for a moment, as if he was driving deep into his memories while still slowly savoring his meal.

On the other end of the table, Zenon stood still, watching both his player and the family.


Elie found herself in their kitchen, her mother busy around and constantly checking the clock on the wall.

Marie: " they will be here any moment now."

Elie: " mom?"

But the woman didn't answer, merely focusing on the casserole with the brewing curry. She didn't even spare her a glance, even by accident.

Elie, feeling something off, went off wandering around the house. The living room and lounge... everything around the first floor was the same, nothing was different. Except for the pictures disposed on the table in the living room. She didn't notice them at first, but upon inspection, she found they lacked one occupant.

She pouted and span around, climbing the stairs to the second floor. One, two, three... there were only three rooms in there, one room missing. The gears at the back of her mind were spinning too fast as she placed everything together when she suddenly heard the front door clicking open.

Climbing down the stairs to check who was it, she was met by her father and brother entering.

Jun'ichirou: " something smells good."

He made a beeline to the kitchen while the younger male was taking off his shoes.

Elie: " Onii-chan!"

She was relieved, if anyone would know what's happening, it would be him. However, the brunette didn't pay her any mind at all.

Elie: " Onii-chan, something is off. I don't know how we ended up here but-"

Ban: " so, what's for dinner?"

Her eyes widened when he passed her, not giving the slightest attention to what she said. Was it because he was angry? Because she joined in despite everything? Even Elie doubted he would do that when in a situation like this.

She followed after him to the kitchen where he settled next to his father. The pot already on the table and Marie was serving dinner. One, two, three... Only three plates.

Elie stood by the door, watching as they all chatted and joked around joyfully.

Elie: " I think I get it now."

Behind her, stood Beargguy, turning his head feverishly from one side to the other as though he was magically throwing in the middle of the house.


Evangeline : " this..."

She couldn't find any words. She didn't know if she even needed to comment, everyone was watching, everyone was feeling the same.

Runa: " why?"

William narrowed his eyes at the four screens showing their friends.

William: " it's him. Leviathan is materializing their deepest wishes."

Ami: " eh?"

William: " he must have scanned them upon entering the artifact. Using their data against them."

Jun'ichirou: " I see."

He glanced back at the broadcasted videos. At Ban who was battling in the park, little Lilyan who was playing around with her brothers and Jin talking joyfully with his family.

Jun'ichirou: " Ban, who had been through many fights and saw numerous friends get hurt in front of him, wishes for peace above any other thing."

William: " and Lily, who had been struggling since our parents' death and her whole life was send whirling around, wished that nothing changed since those days."

Jun'ichirou: " then Jin-kun, who had lost his parents at a young age, would give anything for another dinner with them."

Evangeline: " hold on, it doesn't make sense? What about Elie? It can't be that her deepest wish is to..."

She glanced back at the fourth screen, where the girl stood still, her eyes fixed upon the rest of her family, having fun, without her. It wasn't the future, it wasn't the past. The lack of any photos of her was a proof.

Evangeline : "... To not exist."

Mizel: " it's not. But a part of her had undoubtedly wondered. ' What would have happened if I didn't exist? Would my family be happier with a less burden to worry about? No one would have to look after me then.' Something along that line."

Hiro: " it can't be that Elie-san was..."

Jessica: " even though, Elie would never wish to despair for real! She would fight to the very end!"

Jessica argued.

William: " true. But that won't help Leviathan here."

" Huh?"

They were rather befuddled with his words.

Hanuka : " didn't you realize it? Leviathan isn't showing them these visions out of concern. It's so he could sway them."

Muraku: " what do you mean?"

William: " don't you think it's familiar. Eternal harmony, nothing changes, nothing is lost and..."

Evangeline : "... the broken doesn't exist! It's exactly the world Leviathan wants to create!"

Otacross: " exactly deyo~. I'm sure Leviathan is standing watch over them while he's showing them all of this deyo~. He's even deliberately send their LBXs there so he can prove his point to them deyo~."

Evangeline : " everyone..."


" You understand it now don't you. Deep down, that's exactly what you're all wishing for. Fighting this is like denying that part of you."

Away from the reach of their eyes, the L mark was glowing above all of them, in the sky, in the ceiling, as it kept watching every single movement of them, listening to every single word they utter or murmur.

" Just give in. Just join the flow, and your wishes will be fulfilled."


Gouda: " I can't stand watching! Professor! Can't we take them out of that illusion?!"

Jun'ichirou: " we can't. We're seeing this right now because Leviathan allowed it."

Rina: " we can't make any contact with them."

Gouda: " damn it!"

He said punched the wall so hard it made some of the younger one jolt in fear.

Otacross however was interested in something else.

Otacross: " what's this?"

He quickly skimmed through the logs once more. The adults closed in on him.

Otacross: " I've certainly seen a strange log slipping with the rest deyo~."

William: " it can't be... I will borrow it for a moment."

He said pushing the older man to the side and run through the logs again, his eyes speeding from one side to the other before they narrowed.

William: " this is..."


Ban: " that was a lot of fun! I'm glad to see so many people enjoying LBX battle!"

He said from his spot underneath a tree's shadow, taking the sight of the dioramas strewn around.

Odin: " ah..."

Odin was looking down, deep in thoughts, wondering how to break the truth to his player.

Ban: " all of those kids will grow to love LBX more and enjoy it. LBX will bring more dreams to the future."

Odin: " that's true."

He wouldn't lie, he liked it there too. But he can't afford to let Ban stay there any longer.

Odin: " Ban..."

Ban: " what's it?"

He said smiling warmly at him. Odin stood to his feet and held both his arms up at their surrounding.

Odin: " this isn't real!"

As he said that, Ban's eyes widened slightly as though he remembered something. The whole scenery around them faded into small pictures floating in the empty white space.

Odin: " these days of peace... Don't exist..."

Suddenly, Ban glimpsed something glittering behind Odin. It was a blue feather, glistening as it caught light and falling down slowly. A soft tinkle was heard.

" Yamano Ban..."

A very gentle voiced called to him. One that was familiar.

" Would you believe in something till the very end?"

Ban stared at the feather...


Liam: " I'm coming to get you!"

He said chasing after the two other blonds.

William: " acting like a demon isn't part of tag as a matter of fact."

He joked.

Liam: " you'll be the first, show off!"

Lilyan laughed as she sped up, trying to avoid him. She stopped suddenly when she saw unicorn blocking her way.

Lilyan: " what's the matter, Unicorn?"

She said kneeling down at him. The robot kept silence for a moment, as though weighing every word.

Unicorn: " didn't you forget someone important, Lilyan?"

Lilyan's eyes widened in fear and she looked back as though to make sure her family won't fade away all of the sudden. They were all there. She smiled as she looked at him.

Lilyan: " we're all here... Right?"

It seemed as if she was asking herself.

Ring

Just a few meters above her, she could see the blue feather.

" Himari Lilyan, is there someone you don't want to lose?"

She stood up, oggling at the feather and struck by realization. Tears slid down her front as she remembered...


Zenon didn't say a thing. He couldn't. He didn't want to wake him yet. He just watched as he occasionally engaged in a discussion with his parents about his father's next flight and the new old man his mother was tending to in the hospital.

Tinkle

The sound rang through the place. It seemed as though Zenon was the only one who heard it and looked for its source. He then saw it, in the living room opening on the kitchen, a blue feather was falling down slowly, swaying with the air.

" Kaidou Jin, would you do anything to be by someone's side?"


Beargguy walked next to the brunette, looking at the family in front of him.

Elie: " they're really happy."

Her head was hanging down as she spoke, making it hard to read her expression. Her voice however, felt distant and cold.

Beargguy: " Elie..."

Elie: " back home you know, I can't really have a dinner like this. I can't enjoy it. I can't look at mom and smile truthfully. I was afraid... Afraid it would all end. Afraid of what will happen if the surgery failed. Afraid of the great pain I will cause. I felt guilt. Most of all I couldn't forgive myself. Because I was afraid, I deliberately made them wait longer, worry more. All I did was bother them, again and again! If I'm just meant to die so why make them suffer along with me!"

She looked up, her eyes shining with tears.

Elie: " don't they deserve to be happy like this! If I just wasn't imposed on them! It would have been better!"

She was wiping her tears on the sleeves of her sweater promptly.

Ring

Beargguy looked back at the feather that was falling right behind them.

" Yamano Elie, will you fight to the very end?"

Elie didn't even look back, she swallowed her gasps and looked back at the kitchen with red puffed eyes. The happy family of three was slipping away slowly.

Elie: " I..."

The whole house was fading out ogfsight as Elie's head hung down even more, her face blocked by the tufts of her brown hair.

Elie: " ... I'm tired..."


Jun'ichirou: " William, is this.''

The blond had the lenses of his glasses shadow his eyes as they reflected the light of the computer.

William: " certainly it's Minerva who had slipped through our logs and to that artifact. She is trying to free them."

The lot of the them gathered around the screens, not daring to look away, waiting impatiently for their friends to break out.

Kirito: " come on, you're not stupid enough to be trapped in that delusion."

He was the only one who didn't approach the screens, but that didn't mean he couldn't take his eyes off too.

Arata: " Ban-san... Everyone... Come back, please..."


Ban: " all of it is a lie huh?"

He said taking a look at the photos around him.

Ban: " it seemed so real."

Odin: " Ban..."

Ban: " you know..."

He looked back, his smile not yet dissipating.

Ban: " it's still possible."

If Odin's eyes could go any wider, they would be the size of saucers by now.

Ban: " LBXs will still be mistreated, used to hurt others and bring destruction. It will be a long way before this will become true. But, that's what we're fighting for after all."

His smile broadened even more.

Ban: " because I believe in that."

Odin: " Ban!"

[ ~Insert Song: Roots of Happiness]

The brunette nodded at him and looked back at the blue feather shining brightly.

Ban: " let's go."

And he extended his hand through the blinding white light.


Lilyan: " Ban-kun..."

She muttered through her tears.

Liam: " gotcha! First rule, no stopping!"

He said slapping her on the back but she didn't retort, solely mopping her eyes.

Liam: " oi, what's wrong?!"

William: " you made her cry again?"

Asked the boy with an annoyed disappointed look at his brother.

Liam: " no, I swear I didn't!"

He argued.

Lilyan: " ...it's not true..."

Liam: " you hear!"

Lilyan shook her head.

Lilyan: " nothing of this is true. I can't play anymore."

Liam: " what do you mean?"

William: " we can play as much as you want!"

Liam: " we're not leaving your side!"

Lilyan: " that's a lie!"

They backed as she snapped.

Lilyan: " This is the past! Nothing of this stayed the same! things changed... Our parents died... Nii-san distanced himself... Onii-sama left on his own..."

Liam: " what are you talking about?!"

Lyla: " boys..."

The two of them looked back at their parents.

Kenske: " leave her alone."

Lilyan sniffed and turned to face them, though she shifted to her adult form mid turn. Her mother smiled at her softly.

Lyla: " you've really taking your looks after me."

Lilyan: " I no longer live this day. I live in the present. Things may have been tough, but, I've made friends I don't want to lose."

Slowly, all four of them were fading into small specs of light.

Liam: " tsk, you're always a fun ruiner."

William merely smiled at her.

William: " whatever is the future you're talking about, I hope you will be fine there."

They both disappeared. Lilyan was facing her parents.

Kenske: " you've found a reason to live and move on."

Lyla: " the future won't be easy dear. Always stay strong and don't let yourself be dragged down. Changes will always occur. Some may bring you down, but some are rather pleasant."

Lilyan: " I know."

With those words she send them off. As the scenery faded away as well, Lilyan mopped her eyes once again.

Unicorn: " Lilyan..."

Lilyan: " I'm fine."

She said with a smile as she turned back where a certain brunette was standing. She stepped forward, walking to him.

Lilyan: ' I'm alright now...'

Then her tread quickened and she finally threw herself in his arms, hugging him tightly.

Lilyan: ' because I found you...'

He returned it before looking down at her with a gentle smile.

Ban: " shall we go."

She nodded. Hand in hand, they both stepped through the light.


Zenon: " Ji-"

When he finally gathered enough courage to speak, the black and white haired male laid down his chopsticks.

Yara: " what's the matter Jin, you hardly ate anything."

Taiko: " did something happen? You seemed disturbed the whole time. Bad day or something."

Yara: " or maybe he is got a girlfriend who keeps his mind busy."

The man closed his eyes as though carefully picking his words.

Jin: " ... ah,I have a girl I love. And would have loved nothing more than to introduce her. You would have liked her too. I made a lot of friends, ones who would fight for my sake, who would cry for me. I've made mistakes in my life, still learning from them. I've been focusing on my studies, and manged to graduate college at 17. I still don't like fish..."

Zenon stared at his player, it was perhaps the first time he had seen his player speak that much, let alone saying things which he wouldn't have said under normal circumstances.

Jin: " there is a lot I want to tell you. There is a whole lot I want to hear from you. But not now."

He stood up and walked to the side of the table.

Jin: " I have to go. I've got friends who need help. I need to be there for them."

Both his parents listened in utter bewilderment. Yara seemed to have an inward debate, her face kept going back and forth between a smile and frown before finally standing up and walking over to him, staring into his eyes, her expression serious.

Jin: " I-"

He was interrupted when she flung her arms around him and pulled him into a hug.

Yara: " you're already this tall."

She giggled before backing, admiring him with a proud smile.

Yara: " I'm glad you grew up kind and caring. I would never have asked for anything else. That's all that matters to me."

Taiko: " It's a relief to see you've grown to be a fine responsible man, Jin. I'm proud of you."

Jin's lips curved into a smile as he ruffled his hair. One moment later, they were cut off by a knock on the door. It swung open just by a crack, barely divulging the outlines of Ban and Lilyan behind it.

Ban: " Jin, it's time."

The male nodded at him before turning to his parents.

Yara: " don't let them wait. Make sure you're of help to them."

With a soft smile, he turned on his heals and walked to the door. Yet, not before throwing one last look at them half way through the door frame.

Jin: " I'm off."

They waved at him as their forms were steadily evaporating before the door closed on.


Beargguy: " Elie! Come on! Get up!"

He shouted at the girl who had dropped to the floor, not raising her head to face him at all. He tried tagging on her sleeves but she wouldn't budge an inch.

The whole scene had already faded, leaving them in a void white space. The blue feather was floating upward this time, getting out of reach.

Beargguy: " come on Elie! It's getting away!"

No answer.

Beargguy: " is that what you really want! For it to end here! Don't you have something you needed to do!"

She bit on her lips, tears falling off her eyes.

Elie: " it's not... Wait!"

She jumped to her feet, attempting to reach for the feather but she was a few inches short.

Elie: " not now... There is still a lot to do..."

Tears shone as they rolled down her face.

Elie: " I want to cook more meals with mom... I want to battle more with Onii-chan... I want to spend more time with Jessica and the other... I haven't even told him yet, I still need to tell him..."

Her hand was groping around in hope of touching the shining feather but it was getting higher for her.

Elie: " there is a lot I want to do with Onii-chan and the others..."

" Here too!"

Her eyes widened when she was showered with a blinding white light. A hand phased through it and grabbed hers.

Ban: " I know I got angry at you, but wishing to not exist is a hard payback, don't you think!"

Elie: " Onii-chan..."

Ban: " I'm not losing you!"

" It's too early to give up, Elie!"

Elie: " Jin..."

Another hand was extended at her and she reached for it.

Lilyan: " Elie-san, you have a place with us! You do exist among us!"

Elie: " I know... I know but..."

Lilyan: " then come back!"

Jin: " we're taking you home where you belong!"

Ban: " what do you want, Elie?!"

Beargguy: " say it!"

Elie: " I want to stay with everyone... I want to fight with everyone, to the very end!"

The bright light extended, blinding her for a second.

Ban&Jin: " now!"

Both pulled her up through the light. When she opened her eyes again, she could see all three by her side.

Elie: " I'm sorry...!"

She wailed throwing her arms around her brother and Jin. The duo swapped looks and smiles before they helped her to her feet. She was still wiping away her tears when Ban patted her head.

Ban: " it's alright now. Let's go back, to everyone."

She nodded her head, smiling thankfully at him. All four of them then trudged along following the blue feather a it swung in the place. It stopped right in front of a wall and fell down, its glow fading out. They all nodded at each other.

Ban: " Gungunir!"

Jin: " Break Geyser!"

Lilyan: " Grand Wall!"

Elie: " God Knows!"

With all four LBXs attacking at once, they managed to break down the once undestroyable fence...