A few hours later, Sora was awakened by someone banging on his door. He bolted upright and opened the door. Hiruma stood there, panting. "Sora-kun! There's a big problem!"

Sora blinked. "In 'The World'? What happened?"

Hiruma clenched his fist. "Leukos made his move. I don't know how he did it, but he targeted every single Twilight Guardians member and warped them all to an AIDA field. They're rallying around Mirage and Akiko for now, but there's no telling how long they can hold out. We've already got confirmed casualties, and Yuki was so badly hurt that Zefie had to take a chance, enter the field herself, and force-warp her out."

Sora's eyes flared. "All right. Hiruma-kun, get in there and evacuate everyone you can. I'm willing to trust Akiko-kun and Mirage-kun against Leukos for a while, but most of the others just aren't strong enough to compete with a Disciple." He spun to his computer and pulled on his FMD. "I'll try and rip open a path out once I get there, so make sure everyone's ready to evacuate once I do."

Hiruma nodded, and ran down the hall to his room. "Everyone…" Sora muttered. "I won't let anyone die!"

Haruko logged in and immediately charged to the Home. "Zefie-chan!" he called, as he entered.

Zefie looked up at him. "There you are. You'd better hurry. I've already locked in the coordinates." She indicated Yuki, who was lying down next to her. "I'll take care of Yuki here, so don't worry."

Yuki sat up slightly and smiled. "Sorry, Guildmaster," she said in a strained voice. "He's stronger than I gave him credit for. I can see how he was able to hurt you so badly."

Haruko laid a hand on her shoulder. "It's okay. I'm here now. And I won't let him lay a finger on the others." He nodded firmly. "Status report?"

Yuki sighed. "Astris got pegged by some kind of spike attack that Leukos was using. But I just contacted her by e-mail; she only lost consciousness for a few minutes. And..."

Haruko blanched. "And… what?"

Yuki shook her head. "Captain Akiko went down just before I was warped out."

Haruko grit his teeth. "Painful… but I know he'll survive it. His heart is just as strong as mine, and I've suffered through even the Data Drain and come out alive."

Yuki smiled. "Good point… and that wasn't even a Data Drain that Leukos hit him with. Those black hands are nasty, though…" She coughed. "And the vines are too."

Haruko stood. "So, he choked you, too?" He turned to Zefie. "Do what you can for Yuki-chan. I'm going to go and end this carnage."

He raised his hand and laid it on one of the computer panels that floated in the air. "The power of 'movement'… Data Warp!" Bright light flared from the panel and the bracelet, and he vanished from sight.

Yuki sighed. "I hope he comes back…"

Zefie shook her head. "Of course he will. The grace of Mommy's bracelet will protect him." She laid a hand on Yuki's forehead. "Haruko is the 'hero', remember?"

With a burst of golden light, Haruko appeared in Leukos' AIDA field, and looked around angrily. He was in a wide clearing, surrounded on all sides by dense jungle. Mirage and Fata stood at the center of a knot of Twilight Guardians members, magic weapons out and grim looks on their faces.

Helio saw him and waved him over. "Haruko!"

Haruko began to run towards them. Suddenly, a loud, mocking voice cut across the area. "I knew it! I knew you would come just for your pathetic followers!"

Haruko whirled just in time to catch Leukos' gauntlets on his own twin blades. "Leukos of the Green Forest… I've been waiting for this moment."

Leukos leapt back and grinned, slipping one foot back into a fighting stance. "You won't defeat me that easily, Haruko of the Emerald Winds!" He raised a hand. "Powers of the darkness… bind his light!"

A ring of black AIDA particles flew out of the ground and wrapped themselves several times around Haruko's torso. He groaned. "Binding my Avatar again, Leukos? You lost before against just Mirage-kun, who has no Avatar. Do you really think you'll beat me?" He leapt nimbly back and sliced the vines that had tried to silently coil themselves around him. "And a sneak attack? Zelkova-sama tries to sneak attack me at least twice a week. He hasn't succeeded yet."

Mirage clenched his fist, grinning. "You're done this time! How stupid can you get, summoning every single guild member to fight you all at once?"

Haruko turned to the group. "We're not all fighting here. Astris-san's already gotten hurt, and Akiko-kun hasn't reported back yet." He raised his hand. "Enough loss. Mirage-kun and Fata-chan, stay with me and fight if you want. Everyone else, get out of here." He slammed his hand into the ground. "Unseal!" he yelled.

Blinding light burst out of the ground, and everyone covered their eyes. When it faded, Haruko stood in front of a strange, cryptic-looking symbol on the ground, inscribed in a magic circle. "This will take you all out of here," he said calmly.

Leukos laughed. "Admirable, Haruko! But you've left yourself open!"

Haruko stared down at the Twilight Bracelet as another rope of black dots curled around his wrist. "Sealed?" He looked up at Helio, eyes calm. "My orders stand. Helio-kun, I'm counting on you to get them all out of here." He drew his katana and turned to face Leukos. "I'm not going to lose to you!"

Fata twirled her staff, healing everyone nearby. "Right! The three of us defeated you before, and we'll do it again!"

Mirage smirked, drawing his own blade. "Don't you mean that I beat him, while you two watched?" He laughed. "Don't worry, little sister. If you get caught again, I'll save you like I did last time."

Haruko stood straight. "Mirage-kun. A little less of the bravado, if you please. I was left with barely the strength to move for three days after that little event, and I doubt that Fata-chan fared much better." He darted forward, striking hard at Leukos, who blocked him with one gauntlet and smiled.

Mirage charged into the opening and sliced Leukos across his chest. "I know. Don't worry; I won't let that happen again."

Haruko laughed, and knocked Leukos flying with a Zan Rom spell. "That's my line, Mirage-kun, remember?"

Fata came running up, staff out and whirling. "Let's finish him quickly, everyone! Lei Zas!"

As her light spell blasted through Leukos' body, Mirage smirked. "Good idea. Ani Zot!" He raised his hand, and monstrous insects boiled up from the ground and pierced Leukos in midair.

Haruko grinned, as blue rings swirled around their target. "And here's the finish! Disaster Sword!" He whipped his katana in an arc from his side, and Leukos flew through the air, gasping for breath. He growled as he landed, hard, and shifted into wolf form.

Helio called to Haruko as Leukos fled into the jungle. "Everyone else has gone through, Guildmaster!"

Haruko nodded with approval. "Good work! Now, get through yourself, and make sure nobody else comes through! Not even Akiko-kun, you hear?"

Helio nodded. "We're counting on you three. Go on and get rid of the threat for good!" He stepped into the circle and vanished.

Haruko clenched his fist. "Just what I was planning on doing."

A loud laugh echoed throughout the clearing. "And how will you do that, little knight of the Twilight? No Avatar, and no Data Draining bracelet… how will you possibly defeat a wielder of Lady Morganna's power like me?"

The trees in front of them suddenly crashed to the ground, ripped from their roots by the sheer weight of Leukos' Dark Avatar, Leonine. Haruko clenched his sword tighter. "Not good…"

Mirage raised his grimoire. "Vak Don!" he shouted, raining down fireballs on Leonine's head. "We can still fight it!" he called. "Call Kuhn, and have him come and deliver the final blow!"

Haruko shook his head. "No good. Leukos would just bind his Avatar, too." He raised his hand. "Zan Rom!" A whirlwind assaulted Leonine, who snarled and swatted at him with one massive paw. As he leapt back, he grit his teeth. "First, we have to figure out how to break his binding spells. Then, I can deliver the finish myself."

Mirage nodded. "Good point." He glanced around. "Be careful, though. Leukos isn't the only opponent here."

Haruko blanched. "You mean there's another Disciple here?"

Mirage shook his head. "No. I mean the entire jungle is on his side."

A low growl sounded, and a massive ocelot leapt out of the jungle. Mirage and Haruko darted forward, slashing across it with their katanas, and it growled and vanished into smoke. Mirage turned to face the grinning Leukos again. "See what I mean?"

A loud scream cut across his words, and both he and Haruko spun to see Fata struggling in the coils of a giant snake. Haruko's eyes went wide. "Fata-chan! Hang on!"

Fata stared up at the creature, trembling. "Snakes… I hate snakes…"

Leukos laughed. "Nice, isn't it? You're the ones in trouble here. You see…" An insane light came into his eyes. "This is my territory! And everything you face is frightfully real!"

The snake hissed, and opened its gaping maw wide. "Shall I demonstrate?" called Leukos. Fata threw up her arms and screamed as the head dove towards her.

A pair of flashes appeared through her closed eyelids, and through slitted eyes she saw the snake's head slip sideways and crash to the ground in two pieces. Haruko came over and gently unwound the snake's coils. "You okay, Fata-chan?" he asked kindly.

Fata trembled, and then darted forward and clung to him. "Master Haruko…"

Haruko held her gently, nodding to Mirage to keep lookout. "It's okay, Fata-chan. We're here now."

Fata shivered. "But… but it was going to… eat me!"

Haruko paused. "Fata-chan… if you're scared, go ahead and get back to base. I don't want to see you hurt. After all, you're still a kid. It's not fair of me to expect you to be strong."

Mirage twitched. "And how about me, huh? I seem to recall two people saving her from that snake."

Haruko looked up. "I'm not 'expecting' you to be strong, Mirage-kun. You already are very strong."

Mirage snorted. "And yet it's you she clings to, and not her brother." He turned to them, fire in his eyes. "Do you have any idea how hard I've fought to keep her safe over these past few months? And not just from AIDA- I've kept dozens of PKers from ever laying a finger on her. But do I get thanked? No! It's 'Master Haruko' this and 'Master Haruko' that…"

Haruko blinked. "Mirage-kun…" He met Mirage's blazing eyes with calm eyes of his own. "Are you doing all that because you want to be thanked?"

Mirage shook his head. "Of course not! But all the same…" He shook his head. "I'm not like you, Haruko. Nobody ever treats me with any respect- except you, of course."

Haruko gently helped Fata to her feet, and looked at Mirage, still aware. But Leukos seemed content for the moment to let Mirage rage. "Mirage-kun, what is it that's troubling you?"

Mirage gnashed his teeth. "Everything! I fight so hard, and do so much to protect Kyoko, but I don't get any respect from anyone! Instead, I'm looked down on and called 'delinquent', even by my own parents! Even my own sister would rather seek protection from you!" He squeezed his eyes shut, thin tears running down his cheeks. "I am not like you. Kapalo Sora-san, Taio University's golden boy, who can do no wrong…" He glared. "What would you know about what I'm suffering through?"

Fata blinked. "Taio… you're a college student, Master Haruko?"

Haruko nodded. Fata sighed in wonder. "To be so young, and yet so strong… amazing…" She smiled. "I'll stay. Being near someone like you makes me feel like I can be strong too!"

Haruko smiled at her. "Really? But I think you should be more amazed by your brother. He's seven years younger than me, and yet he's almost as strong." He patted her shoulder. "Shouldn't you first make him your inspiration?"

Mirage stared. "Haruko…"

Haruko turned. "Mirage-kun… just because I haven't been through what you have, it doesn't mean I can't understand it. I do recognize you."

Mirage sighed. "But nobody else does! Not even my own sister!"

Leukos groaned. "Oh, this is just getting annoying now!" He raised a hand. "Sorry to interrupt your little dialogue, but I'm bored!" Ropes of black particles surged along the ground. "Bind!" he yelled.

Haruko leapt back. "Everyone, watch out! He's using another binding spell!"

Mirage snorted. "Thanks for the heads-up, Captain Obvious. Shall I fetch your trophy now or later?"

Haruko laughed. "Even in the heat of battle, you're able to be sarcastic. I'm frankly amazed. Just don't lose your focus, all right?"

Mirage nodded. "I'm on it. OrRue Kruz!" A giant blast of water leapt up from underground, taking the form of two dragons that sliced through Leonine and made it stumble backwards.

Leukos laughed. "Oh, my… I think you might have scratched the paint job."

Haruko grinned. "Oh, we haven't even gotten started yet." He leapt into the air and wall-jumped off of a tree, flying straight at Leonine. "Here I come! Whirlwind!" Six slashes cut through the creature's back, and then Haruko landed behind it, grinning. He darted around back to the front, dodging black ropes, and struck with another Lei Zas spell.

Leukos growled. "I'm getting tired of this!" He raised his paw to swipe at Haruko, but suddenly a blur of motion crashed into his other foot- Fata, swinging wildly and shouting a battle-cry.

Haruko blinked. "Fata-chan!"

Fata yelled and attacked the foot again. "Master Haruko, get back out of range!"

Haruko nodded, and leapt back, followed by Fata. Leukos growled. "Little insects! I'll squash you!" he shouted. Leonine growled along with him, and slammed its paw down on Fata, who gasped as she was crushed to the ground.

Mirage's eyes flared. "You piece of garbage! Get away from Kyoko!" He darted forward, sword raised high, and yelled wildly.

Leukos laughed, and raised his hand. "Too easy!" A string of AIDA particles lashed out and curled around Mirage's legs. He grunted and fell to the ground, his legs suddenly bound together.

Haruko turned. "Mirage-kun!"

Leukos laughed wildly. "Got you!"

Before Haruko could react, dozens of black ropes leapt up from the ground and bound him fast, wrapping all around his body. Mirage stared. "Sora-kun!"

Haruko grit his teeth as Leukos raised a hand and turned him to face him. "You dirty…"

Leukos laughed. "Say all you want, Haruko of the Emerald Winds. Soon, you'll be nothing more than an empty shell and a fond memory." He paused. "Now, how should I do this… I know!" He grinned insanely. "First, I'll kill you, Haruko. No sense taking any chances. Then, let's see… my pets could always use feeding…" At his words, another massive snake slithered out of the forest, coiling towards Fata, who shivered again. "Yes… I think the girl would make a wonderful dinner for him. And of course, we'll leave the brother for last." His face turned ugly. "You humiliated me before. Making you watch your sister be eaten by my pet here is the only thing I can think of that will serve as revenge."

Mirage grit his teeth. "Don't you dare… do that to Kyoko…" He struggled, but his legs remained bound fast.

Fata pushed frantically at the paw that was pinning her down. "No… please, don't! Leave us alone!" She stared fearfully at the approaching snake.

Leukos smiled. "Well… I would just let him eat you first, and put an end to your annoying squeaking, but I have no doubt that Haruko here would pull some sort of miraculous escape, save you, and then destroy me, so…" Leonine opened its mouth wide, and a blinding white light built up in its jaws. "I'll start with him first!"

Mirage clenched his fists. "No… Sora-kun comatose, and Kyoko made into some sort of gourmet dinner… I won't let that happen!"

Leukos laughed maniacally. "You have no choice! It will happen, and you will watch! Now, die, Haruko! Data Drain!" A hellish white light leapt forth from Leonine's jaws.

Mirage yelled in fury. "I deny you, Leukos! You will not touch them!" The binding spell on his legs snapped, and he dashed in front of Haruko, throwing his arms out to shield him. An instant later, the light smote through him, and he gasped and collapsed to the ground.

Haruko stared. "Mirage-kun… why…?"

Mirage laughed hoarsely. "Because… you're the leader. You have to go on. And besides… more importantly, you're my friend. I'm not going to let you die." He let out a yell of pain as data began to burst out of him, flowing into Leonine's mouth.

Leukos stared, confused. "I don't get it…" he mused. "Haruko, certainly, but how could this little brat break out of my binding spell?"

Fata took advantage of his confusion to sever Leonine's paw- "Not again!" Leukos groaned- and dash to Mirage's side. "Oniisan!" she yelled.

Mirage chuckled softly. "Sorry… Kyoko. I won't be able to protect you anymore…"

Kyoko wept, clutching his hand to her. "No… please don't go away…"

Haruko clenched his teeth, and with a single convulsive motion broke his bonds. Leukos groaned. "I knew it. Attack his friends and he pulls out a miracle."

Haruko ignored him, and knelt by Mirage's side. "Mirage-kun… thank you. You saved me again."

Mirage grinned. "That's two… you owe me…" His body began to glow a bright blue. "Darn it… I can feel my mind slipping away." He focused his eyes on Haruko's suddenly serious. "Master Haruko… When they find me, I'll be… taken to Kyoto Municipal. Please… be sure to come and… visit sometimes, okay?"

Haruko nodded firmly, clasping his hand. "Of course. I'll ditch class and come first thing tomorrow, Yuuji-kun."

Mirage laughed. "Don't do that… Classes are important… Besides, visiting hours don't start until 2…" His eyes began to dim. "And, one more thing…"

Haruko blinked, tears beginning to fill his eyes. "Yuuji-kun…"

Mirage smiled calmly. "Keep an eye on my sister, would you? I may… act like a pain in the butt… sometimes…" He snickered. "Okay… more than sometimes… But I do love her…"

Fata sniffled. "Oniichan… don't leave me… I love you too!"

Mirage sighed. "Weird… I can feel… your hand, Sora-kun…" He turned to Fata, as his body began to shimmer and dissolve. "Or is that… yours, Kyoko?"

Both in the game and in real life, she hugged her brother tightly to her, sobbing. "I do appreciate what you do for me. You're strong… and I'm sorry I never acted like it…"

Mirage gently hugged her back. "Kyoko… Don't worry about it… Love you…"

He faded from sight, and was gone. Fata burst into tears. "Oniichan! No!"

Haruko gently laid a hand on her shoulder. "Kyoko-chan…"

Fata tensed. "You're right… I can't cry now. I have to be strong, like him."

Haruko stood, tears running down his face. "When did I say that?"

Leukos grumbled. "This is turning into a soap opera! Just die already!" He loosed another blast from Leonine's mouth.

Haruko turned, eyes red from crying but still blazing with green fire. "Kyoko-chan, you're his sister." He thrust out his arm, and the Bracelet glowed golden. "It's all right to cry." The binding spell shattered like glass, and a wall of golden light intercepted Leonine's attack. Leukos stared as Haruko strode forward in the smoky wake of the blast. "Cry all you want, Kyoko-chan."

Leukos grit his teeth. "So what? You've still got no Avatar!"

Haruko turned to Kyoko. "I'll be there soon, to hold you as you cry. But for now… the one who must be strong…" He turned to face Leonine, golden energy streaming around him. "Is me!"

Fata looked at him with awe. "Master Haruko…"

Haruko roared and charged forward, tears still running down his face. "I'm crying, too, for Yuuji-kun. But I'll honor his sacrifice, and continue to fight!"

Author's Notes: Yeah, Leukos is pretty dang creepy, eh? And of course there's the obligatory self-parody on anime- why DO villains sit and watch the good guys monologue anyway? They're completely open to attack, after all...

And we also get to see my first actual "death" scene for one of my characters. Although "death" isn't exactly the right term to use when we're talking about .hack...

The fight scene compiled together is almost 8,000 words, so I decided to put a break down here. Hey, at least I didn't write "To Be Continued..." :D