Note: References to 'Anonymous Admin' will be explained in the 'true Chapter 1.'

.hack/MIST -- This is actually just a clip. I have the start of the story, but I don't think it's long enough to be worth uploading. If or when I get it drawn out to the main part of the story, I'll put it up. Until then, it may not make sense. Hopefully it does. I've noticed that some of the characters in this story are similar to the ones in .hack/SIGN. It is coincidental. I started writing this after I saw the first episode of SIGN. Sorry. -.-0 Also, one of my readers said my writing was a bit fast-paced, so be prepared for that. I will probably be rewriting everything currently in this story to make it more interesting and understandable, so just consider this a bit of a preview.

The chapters are a bit messed because this starts a short while after the actual first chapter. I'm not sure how long that will be, so for now, we'll start from one. Later they will be changed.

Chapter 1: First Strike

Mist was coming at the edges of the Field (1), and Garou had lost sight of Mali as it obscured her view. The thick vapor was heavy on her crimson cloak, clouding the golden inscriptions at the hems. She shed the robe, casting it off, and it instantly transferred to her inventory. Light, blue armour appeared on her shoulders and knees, a neat contrast to her grey short-sleeved shirt and oceanic pants.

The Heavy Blade called out, deliberately careless to attract noise that would break the silence. "Mali!"

Gigan Don.

Garou shook her head. Was that just my imagination? I could have sworn..

A gentle rumbling triggered her instinctive glance upward, and she soon realized that her prediction was correct. Boulders were pouring down from the sky, spouting sand and dirt and mud. And it was the only patch in the azure sky - above her head. She hesitated, bewildered by this show of power. One thing was certain, however; some Wavemaster didn't know what he was doing, didn't care, or was out player-killing. Garou barely managed to escape, coming away with only a few scratches on her shoulder.

Then she caught a faint glimpse of green in the distance.

"Finally!" She said with relief, and set off at a quick pace. "Mali!"

Her friend came into view, easily identified by her long red hair and her flowery, fluorescent kimono. There was no expression in her face, but her staff was directly lined with Garou. "Yo! Mali! You really just can't see anything in this m--"

A cold tone escaped the Wavemaster's lips. "Gigan Don."

The rocks appeared, and Garou drew her sword and threw it up in defense. The blade was battered for a mere second before it went under - its user with it.

The Heavy Blade coughed and made her way to the top of the pile of rocks from the centre up. "Good thing my level's high.." she muttered darkly. When she broke into the light she dusted off her blade with her sleeve. It was thinner than most two-handed blades, almost like that of a Blademaster, with a pair of sweeping red streaks on each side of the base of the blade, and a small, empty centre. "But I wonder what's up..?"

She stood and jumped down, resting her sword on her shoulder. It didn't take long to find Mali again, who made absolutely no effort to hide. Garou raced toward her as she sheathed her weapon. I don't know if this'll work, but movies always made it real.. I guess it's my second-to-last option, huh.. She managed only one shake of Mali's shoulders before the edge of a staff stabbed her in the gut. "Crap--" She immediately struck out with a kick, knocking Mali off-balance, but not before she could cast a spell. Gigan Don.

Garou got swiftly to her feet. She grabbed the Wavemaster's sleeved arm with one hand, and seized the staff with her other. Then they warped to Cyber Connect Corporation's prison.

Garou shoved Mali into the nearest cell and slammed the door shut. It locked at contact with the iron bars.

"Garou..?"

The Heavy Blade turned, hitting a blue-haired Long Arm in the face with Mali's staff.

"AUUGGH..."

She gave him an irritated sideways glance. "Oh, it's you, Draken."

"Damn, Gare, you don't have to hit so hard. It's not like there are PKers roaming the Admin rooms."

Garou tossed the staff into Draken's red cloth-banded hands, trying to clear her thoughts. Draken's voice was kind and handsomely curious - it was easy to listen to, and it was enchanting. Even if it was edited. And it was getting to her. She closed her eyes, but he did not disappear. The black legging, the blue tee, and.. and the hazel eyes. She grabbed a bar of a cell in frustration.

"Casual.." she muttered.

A hand lightly touched her shoulder. "Garou? Are you alright?"

One glimpse of Draken's worried expression sent a sudden wave of relief over her. She took his arm in a painful grip, but he didn't so much as blink. "Thanks, but no thanks. Let's banish this problem first."

The Long Arm didn't look convinced, but he nodded his agreement.

Garou turned toward Mali. "Okay, here's the deal. Some mist appeared on Field (1), during my event. She went berserk and attacked me. Does she hate me now or what?"

"I doubt it. I've been talking to the serious players, and they tell me there's a rumour going around about a new virus. Anyway, not since the Twilight, I don't think whatever's affecting Mali's PC is affecting her. It shouldn't, anyway.. Why don't you read your email?"

"Good idea. I'm sure Mali's figured it out," she replied as she opened her inbox and the new email. "Here--"

Yo, it's Mali! Garou, I can't believe you've been an Admin this whole time! And you're Anonymous Admin? Wow! Anyway, I don't know what's wrong with my PC. If you can't figure it out, I think the only cause could be the virus known as The Mist. Not much is known about it except that it randomly corrupts data. I know what you're thinking. I haven't a clue why the Admins hadn't been notified. Well.. Write later - bye - Mali! 0

"Hm.. Maybe Mali should try logging out," Garou suggested, though half-heartedly thinking of the possible consequences.

"No. We can't let her do that. What if she can't log back in?"

"Mh.. You're right."

They stood in silence, studying the odd PC before them, when an odd sound was heard. Draken blinked, then grinned.

"Ah. Had a little party, eh? Heh, heh," the Long Arm said as he scanned through the letter. "Cute."

"What?" Garou growled.

"Have a friend called Darai? Werewolf?"

"Yeah."

"Well, he wanted to report that his two friends Mali and Garou disappeared during an event, and he was unable to send emails to them. He clearly states he knows they are still online."

"Oh, no," Garou complained. "I forgot to come up with an excuse."

"Uh huh. Here, I'll talk to him." Draken touched the screen, opening a chat connection. Darai's voice could be heard.

"Oh?"

"I am an administrator from C. C. Crop - Draken. I received your email, and am here to inform you that your friends are fine. They have been stopped for some random questioning," Draken said calmly. "I understand you are worried, and they will be returned to the game shortly."

"..Thank you, Administrator. Um, since we are speaking now, may I ask you something else?"

"Of course."

"There's this weird mist floating about. It's unnatural, and I'm nervous about it. Is it part of the event?"

The two administrators exchanged glances. Draken paused.

"Yes."

"..That is all I wish to know. Many thanks."

"No problem." He cut the line. "Big problem. Dare I suggest we try killing Mali?"

Garou lounged forward, landing directly in front of the other admin. Her face was close to Draken's. "Don't you dare try!" she cried with a surge of anger. Her hand was on his neck, but he didn't feel it. His voice in The World rasped, "Garou.." She didn't appear to hear. Draken grabbed both of her wrists and said more forcefully, "Garou!"

She loosened her grip and pull away, a bit unsteady as he back came against the bars. "I'm.. I'm so sorry, Draken.. I don't know what came over me." She refused to meet his gaze.

"I think it's the mist. It wasn't you." Or.. it couldn't be you. "Listen. I think Darai should know. If he's a Werewolf, he's not stupid, and we may need someone like him."

"Fine.."

"Garou, you should log out and rest a bit. It may be your job, but if you're not well, you can't do anything."

"Um.." Then she logged out.

"Darai?"

"Huh? Administrator Draken?"

"I wasn't being truthful earlier. I'll have to bring you here. I'll meet you first on the Field (1)."

"Okay."

Draken looked up at the ceiling. "I see not pixels, but rock." He sighed and gated out.