Gauntlet: Dark Legacy

Loosely based on an old video game. Fifteen 'normal' humans are pulled into the Gauntlet world. This is their story. Het and slash warnings. I apologize for any inconsistency between this and the actual game which Idonot own.

Prologue

Los Angeles, April 7 2000

Cole Residence

"-Citizens, be warned, the new hit game, Gauntlet, may be linked to a series of comatose children throughout America. Studies have not shown anything definite, but parents please monitor your chil-"

The reporter's voice was abruptly cut off as Amber jumped from CNN to the Weather Channel. Sean, her younger son, open his mouth to complain. He was rewarded by one of her I'm-running-late-again-and-my-boss-is-going-to-kill-me glares. After doing a quick punishment/reward chart in his head Sean turned toward his brother, Jimmy, and quietly suggested that they behave today.

Chicago, May 26 2000

Kat-Bates Estate

"Emma, darling, all I'm asking is that you at least be civil with him. George is a great guy, you just need to give him a chance to prove himself honey."

"My daddy is a great guy. I don't see why need a new one."

"Emma-" Caitlin was interrupted by Emma streaking out of the room, tears apparent on her face.

"George, darling, I'm sorry. If I'd only known that she'd act like this I'd-"

"Cait, I love you, and I love Emma too. Give her time, she'll come around eventually."

"Maybe you two could find something to do that you both have in common, a favorite game or something?"

Hartford (Connecticut), February 10 2000

Sand's Supermarket

Crash.

Pause.

"MARK, SARA get down here right NOW."

"Hey ma, what'd they break this time?" Jordan asked Allie, his mom, as he slipped behind the counter of his parents' store.

"I'm about to find out." Allie replied calmly. "How'd you enjoy the movie hun?"

"Acting sucked but Nate and I had fun anyway."

"Doing what" Jay, Jordan father, asked, cutting in on the conversation.

"Laughing at the actors onscreen and the couples off screen."

The conversation was interrupted by two, almost completely identical, children appearing, covered from head to toe with dust. Mark and Sara, a.k.a. the Double Trouble Twins, where always getting themselves, and often others as well, into, well, trouble. The twins were as notorious for starting trouble as their brother Jordan was for solving problems. It came as no surprise to the Sand parents to learn that they now owed Mrs. Owen, their next-door neighbor, another new window.

It was days like this that Allie wished that her kids had a relatively painless hobby, like violent video games. She decided to ask Jordan if he'd heard of any good, stress-reliving, video games at school.

Atlanta, May 4 2000

Georgia State Court House

Margaret and Frederic breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, after a horribly long hearing, the judge had pronounced them fit enough parents to adopt the young woman who the couple had come to think of as their own. Caroline was finally, officially, theirs. It mean no more fear that she could be constantly removed from their care.

The decision couldn't have been handed down on a better day; Carol's birthday was the next day. She'd be ecstatic to learn that her only wish had finally come true: she finally had a loving family. Frederic and Carol could finish their game now without the fear that she might be moved the next day. Margaret was in such a good mood that she might even be persuaded to join them.

Denver, May 30 2000

Green High School Cafeteria

"Did you see his pecks? Joey is soo ripped."

"God, Jess, are boys all you think about?"

"No, I also think about you, me, and my credit cards."

Ashleigh sighed and turned away her best friend. Overall, Jessica was a great person and a great friend. Sometimes however, Jess could be a pain-in-the-butt. Today was one of those days. Right now, it appeared as though Jess was about to start on one of her infamous "boy talks". Not willing to sit through another lecture about the male gender, Ashleigh stood up and started for the door.

"I've got to run Jess. Henry got a new game and I promised to play it with him." Ashleigh called back over her shoulder.

Chinatown (Washington D.C.), February 10 2000

Japanese Tea House

"Oka-san?"

"Hai son." Mrs. Midori Kwan replied, turning from the display counter to face her eldest child.

"My friend, Chris, just bought this really cool game and if I do all my chores and homework, can I please spend the weekend with him?"

"Lee, this is one of our most important weekends. We may need you here, especially with-"

"Especially with the baby coming soon. Hai Oka-san. Just please, consider it. Arigato."

Midori hated to say no to her son, but next week was Chinese New Year, and even though they were Japanese, the new year ment lots of customers would come in for "exotic" Asian products. She knew that, in her pregnant state, she was in no position to go without help. Maybe there could be some middle ground. Lee deserved something for all the extra help he'd done to make the pregnancy easier for his mom. Maybe she could buy him his own copy, after the holiday of course.

Pleased with her idea she turned back to the counter. She smiled and laughed softly as her new baby kicked her.

Tuscan, April 23 2000

Ramerez Household

"Papa, I just need ten more minutes. I'm almost a level 70."

"Juan, you and Maria said that an hour ago."

"Well I mean it now, papa."

"Ten is all you get, ok?"

"Ok. Dessert level 3 here we come."

Ramon sighed. His children were becoming obsessed with this game. He was pleased that Juan and Maria were playing together but this was not what he had had in mind.

New York City, June 9 2000

St. Ann University

"Pete, Pete, PETER MORTON" Peter finally turned toward the man who had been calling after him, Darien Pond, his best, and only, friend.

"Darien, good morning."

"Hey, where were you, I've only been calling you for the past five minutes."

"I have been here the whole time, perhaps I did not hear you."

"Nah, you were long gone. Hey, I was just wondering so feel free to say no, but I just got the most awesome game. I just couldn't put it down. It took all night but I'm at level 46, and I think I need some help to get to level 50 or above."

"How do you propose to get that help."

"Simple really, you, Breit, and Jon come over tonight and play with me. I raised most of the other characters up to level 20."

"I should be studying. Midterms are coming up soon."

"One night won't hurt, besides free pizza and beer."

"Alright, when should we meet you?"

"Seven o'clock sharp, thanks."

Summoner's Tower

She already regretted having to resort to this, but he left her no choice. She could not win this battle in the physical world. This place, this virtual battleground of a world, would become the backdrop for the most powerful and risky war to have ever been fought. To save the physical world she must sacrifice the long forgotten Heroes.