"Like the legend of the phoenix, all ends with beginnings."

~Daft Punk, Get Lucky

Prologue

The world was still and silent.

Seconds ticked by, soundless as night, but for Jack, they pulsed loud as his heart itself. His entire being was immersed in the tiny digital numbers flashing on his LED light clock, a tiny green glow perched on the edge of his nightstand.

The world slept now, but Jack had never felt more alive.

12:51, his clock told him. The numbers reassured him; maybe everything in his real life was messed up, but numbers didn't lie. And besides, he'd have a new life soon.

12:53. Seven minutes, and Jack could start anew. No one would recognize him. Jack would have a new face, a new body, a new identity. He could fight with a sword; battle, hold his own in a fight. He'd level up, beat the dungeons, become stronger than anyone else.

Then Jack would beat the game, and maybe then, he'd be able to face his father.

12:56. Four minutes. Jack sprang into action, powering up the console, throwing off the bedcovers and dragging his slick black NerveGear out from underneath his bed, where he'd stowed it away in secrecy.

12:58. Jack slid the NerveGear over his head, falling back onto his bed and blinking to adjust to the film of black over his eyes. The time blinked in cerulean blue in the corner of his vision, and Jack clenched his fists in anticipation, adrenaline flowing through his body and waking up every cell, every molecule inside him.

12:59. One minute. Fifty nine seconds. Fifty eight. Jack counted down the seconds in his head, each moment like a mantra he hung onto with every fiber of his being. Jack let out a breath, closing his eyes and giving in to the tugging sensation of the NerveGear luring him into virtual reality.

Two words. Two words, and he'd be free of this world.

"Link Start."

One o'clock.

A/N: Okay, so just to clarify, this is a rewrite of Shadowed Sparks. The original Shadowed Sparks was pretty derpy, to be honest, so I've decided to rewrite it from scratch. I know the prologue was short, but it was meant to be. The chapters themselves will be much longer, I promise.

So how do you like it so far? Reviews brighten up my day; all feedback is appreciated!