Another shorter chapter. Shortly before posting this one I was reviewing the last chapter I uploaded. I accidentally wrote saying that 'I do now own .hack//', which is grammatically horrible for saying I own .hack//. I hope people realized it was a typo and I was trying to type 'I do not own'. It should have been updated, but in the event it isn't, I repeat that I do not own .hack//, the concept of "The World", or anything along those lines. I do however own these characters and this story, that's about it. Anyways, enough of my screw ups, enjoy.

"Unfortunately, if that's the situation we can't provide much support from here,"Azara replied to Code.

"We should be able to manage if you can just keep Twilight within the area. You've been informed of the Deletion Zone so it shouldn't take much to sever the connection of the area after we go through,"Code stated.

"I would, however, like to help prepare. It's in your hands but I should be able to help in some of the smaller aspects. Cloning their accounts for example. After I cut the connection it'll be impossible for any data to cross through, but there's a question that still bugs me,"Azara confessed.

"Continue?"

"It wouldn't be too difficult to just cut the connection and transfer the area to a CD or something, correct? Why couldn't we just do that?"

"I've considered that at a previous point. You've experienced the data corruption caused by Twilight, you should know what would happen. Even if you don't directly come into contact with the files for that area, Twilight within them, during the transfer it'd probably disrupt your computer. No telling what the result would be."

"So it was as I feared. Thank you for confirming my suspicions. I leave this matter in your hands, contact me should the need for my help arise,"Azara said before disconnecting this time.

"So what's the plan?"Kaiyen asked Code, after Code removed his headset.

"Well...there doesn't really seem to be much room for any plan, really. We know where Twilight is, we want to prevent her from retreating, and we need to defeat her. The only way to really stop her is within the game, so we have to attack."

"True, and as we've seen when raided the Deletion Zone, it is possible to defeat an AI."

"Also, we want access to the swords in order to get Jugatsu and Zero out into the real world. I'll have to do quite a bit of work to make them exist in the real world...I suppose however, I could technically use their past information and just update it...Hmm,"Code contemplated.

----------

"So this is really it,"Sakura said, laying on Ryo's bed, next to him.

It was relaxing. With everything that has happened, and with the final battle approaching, he would be able to relax a lot more. The two of them were laying on the bed, staring at the ceiling and nothing else.

"There has been a lot of sacrifices unfortunately,"Ryo responded after awhile.

"I'm glad I've been able to last long enough to be at the end with you,"Sakura stated, smiling.

"Yeah...your injuries weren't major luckily. And after this we can return back to our normal lives."

"With a few differences of course,"Sakura stated, grabbing Ryo's hand.

"Have we ever told the others about us?"

"I don't think so, now that I think about it."

"I'm sure they'll be surprised when they finally recover. It's probably the best 'Get Well' gift we could offer,"Ryo stated.

Returning to normal...It's hard to believe it's been almost four months since I started playing "The World"...Who would've imagined all this would've happened. Even now I can recall that way back then I just pictured me, Dylan, and Suichi as people playing a popular online game. That kind of peaceful life really seems ideal after all of this, no matter how you look at it. This will probably remain as an important memory, but...only after I can go through a peaceful life...

Ryo eyes had closed by this point and he drifted off to sleep. Sakura looked over, discovering him asleep.

"Of course he has to kill the mood he was trying to set,"Sakura complained, closing her eyes as well.

----------

Jugatsu dodged the monster's next slash and managed to finish him off with a final attack of his own.

"There's really nothing that'll help me train against, Twilight, but it's difficult to just sit around doing nothing,"Jugatsu said to himself.

After his revival he already understood things would probably lead to the climax of the event, but now that it was just a day away, he found himself restless and wanting to practice. It was disappointing, despite all the attacks that he had seen from Twilight, and everything he had learned, he had several ideas for new kinds of techniques he could use the bracelet for, all of them would go to waste on normal monsters though, and he wouldn't be able to get any results. Stat building was useless as well so he really didn't have any point in leveling.

"I suppose I'm about to used to my body as I'm going to be for awhile...this training really is kind of pointless...but I want something to do..."

"How about I spar with you for awhile?"a voice said suddenly.

"That's...Zero?"Jugatsu called to the voice.

Zero landed in front of Jugatsu with his weapons out and is usual cat-like grin across his face.

"We both have to be in top shape for the battle tomorrow. I say we fight until we can't stand anymore, not like there any monsters out there that'll give us a challenge anyways,"Zero suggested.

I can understand where you're coming from, but everyone from the first incident is quite a few levels past me...actually if I recall they're all max level and most of them have improved even further through stat boosting items they come across, so I can still find challenge in monsters...Ah well...I suppose this would be more effective than monster anyways Jugatsu thought, before accepting Zero's offer.

"Three, two, one, go,"Zero said, launching forwards as he began to say go.

Out of habit, Jugatsu's, by now weak and for the most part useless, daggers changed into his dual sword style. Zero only shot out one of his blades the first time which Jugatsu managed to knock away. He continued forward, until he noticed the chain react to Zero's arms movement. He glanced back and noticed the blade he knocked away swing towards him. Out of reaction, Jugatsu kicked himself in the air, flipping to the side and avoiding the chain. He was even surprised by how much his body was able to react, and how much battle memory remained within his body.

"Nice, but keep your guard up,"Zero said as he landed a slash across Jugatsu's face during his thoughts.

It was unexpected, but appreciated when Zero used a Healing Potion on him afterwards. With the cut across his face now gone he was back up and ready to continue. This time Jugatsu took the offensive, dodging both long-range blade attacks instead of deflecting them. He managed to get up to Zero before his blades could return to him which allowed him to get in an attack with each sword before healing the damage.

The two continued to spar, they quickly grew more energetic and excited during each bout to get in the first hit. It was probably a few hours before they began to decline, growing tired. Gradually the battle became grueling, both of them slowly losing more and more breath with each match, the movements growing more sluggish, and the time between matches growing. Both of them continued to push themselves, refusing to be the first person to stay down. In the end it ended up as a draw, when both were barely able to walk, let alone stand. Jugatsu managed to get in the final blow, both of the fighters dropping to the ground at the same time, their bodies weary and unresponsive.

"It's about time we rest anyways,"Jugatsu stated, face first in the ground, exhausted.

"It'd be sad if we showed up to the battle out of energy anyways...not to mention harmful to the everyone's abilties as a whole,"Zero agreed, sprawled out on the ground, staring upwards.

The cut left by Jugatsu, didn't really hurt that badly anyways. By that point they were both beyond their limits and there wasn't any force behind the attack.

"It was all luck,"Zero said, refusing to let Jugatsu win.

"Whatever you say, but unless you can get back up, I win,"Jugatsu responded, grinning.

"Tough talk for someone whose been in the head of a useless kid for months,"Zero protested.

"Whatever, just go to sleep,"Jugatsu ordered, half falling asleep himself.

----------

"Thanks for coming to meet me,"AnakinseZ said to Momiri and Venus.

"We're friends, you shouldn't have to thank us for coming out,"Venus replied.

"The reason I wanted to talk to you wasn't about Twilight...well not, directly. I appreciate the fact you trusted me enough and let me put up this organization. I also appreciate all the help I was able to get from the Elite Rogue Squad and the sub-leaders of October, but it was wrong of me to get them involved,"AnakinseZ stated.

"What's this about? With you in charge, October has been efficient in helping "The World" remain in order. If it wasn't for your group, there's no telling what state "The World" would be in,"Momiri responded.

"Even so, I think it's about time I stepped down from October. Thanks to me, the ERS project has been on hold with over half the team missing, plus October is hinging on disorganization with its leaders missing and me constantly preoccupied with other matters. It's not that I want October disbanded, I do however want to someone else to take charge,"AnakinseZ explained.

"Very well, if you wish. What will you do after Twilight is defeated?" Momiri asked.

"Not sure, but either way, the ground work has been laid, anyone should be able to run October, I'm not all that important anymore,"AnakinseZ answered.

A silence followed before Venus spoke at last. With tomorrow's event overshadowing everything else, the topic was expected to be either Twilight or the past incident. It was the second one.

"Do you think Jugatsu will end up doing it alone in the end? Like last time?"

"Unfortunately we can't assist with these characters,"Momiri replied.

"I think this time...everyone will have to work together. Twilight has all the powers of Dusk and Dawn, but even with the limits Dawn had put on herself and transfered to Twilight as a result, Twilight is still strong...too strong for anyone to take on alone. Jugatsu, even with the bracelet, will need help. But this time there are lot's of people willing to help,"AnakinseZ answered.

Another silenced followed.

"Well, we should probably get back to our duties...We'll be sure to grant your request,"Momiri said excusing herself and Venus.

The two of them warped away, leaving AnakinseZ alone in their dead-end spot.

"I say he'll need everyone...but I really wonder. And as for Coinchii..When I look back at him, I can't help but remember what we had to go through. We managed to stop the problem quickly so it didn't effect us much...but four months...he must have gone through so much by now,"AnakinseZ said to himself.

That's a good one...stop the problem..we did nothing but delay it...AnakinseZ thought, after finishing his statement.

He took a deep breath before logging off. Tomorrow was the last day, hopefully. With CC Corp and a legendary hacker in charge of the operation this time it would surely be finished this time, right?

----------

"Hulle Granz Cathedral, that's what this was known as in the game that first incorporated "The World". Everytime we seem to visit something new seems to happen,"Skyld said to himself, standing at the end of the walkway that led to the large cathedral.

Maybe...Just maybe, this area will have something to say regarding this final battle... Skyld thought.

That entire thought being the reason he entered this area. He shoved away the second thoughts as he began walking towards the gigantic door. Up to date, Skyld knew of two the of three predictions stated by the cathedral. The first one was predicted years ago, during Jugatsu's second visit to the area. The second was more recent, when Ryo started using Oblivion, Skyld stumbled upon it before it changed to the third one. The third one was the one that was still in place when Skyld entered it.

The statue was impossible to get used to. It was unsettling, the half demon-half child that stared at the door. Skyld found himself stepping to the side subconsciously to avoid it's gaze. The riddle from before was still there undisturbed. 'When a vessel cannot contain what it's holding it, then the contents will go to waste unless a new vessel is chosen. One can modify the vessel but it is up to the one who can modify the vessel to do so.' it read.

Every prediction it makes is like a riddle, it's usually difficult to grasp what the riddle is about until its prediction has passed...so even if it does make a new prediction, will anything come of it? Skyld asked himself as he approached the rail, blocking the statue from the rest of the open room.

Skyld gulped and took a deep breath. No telling what would happen. He hopped over the railing and placed a hand on the base of the statue, too unsettled to actually touch it directly. After a moment passed, nothing happened, however, so Skyld found himself touching the statue itself. Another moment passed and nothing happened. Skyld closed his eyes and prepared to remove his hand when there was a sudden light. The statue slowly began dissolving into the air. Skyld quickly drew his hand back and turned around. The pedestal that would usually hold the writing was blank as bits of light vanished into the air above it. The statue by this point was quickly dissipating into the air. By the time Skyld turned around an empty base stood alone, with an empty pedestal behind him.

"Everything is gone,"Skyld said aloud, climbing back over the railing,"What could it mean?"

He walked over the pedestal, taking a last look before walking towards the entrance. He thought he heard something so he turned around, but still found nothing but an empty cathedral full off broken benches, a blank pedestal, and the lack of a statue. He stepped outside of the cathedral and looked around at the empty lake bed the cathedral was in the middle of.

"I can only predict what is certain...create your own future,"Skyld repeated what he thought he heard. He took a last look at the cathedral and warped out.

----------

"Here's the list of who we have for the final confrontation,"Kaiyen said, handing Code a clip board with the following on it.

----------

Twilight Fight Warrior List

This list will include those who are no longer able to fight as well those who will be fighting in what has been determined as the 'Final Match'. The names of those participating in the Final Match shall be listed first. Those who are unable to fight will have an X before their number.

1)AnakinseZ

2)Coinchii

3)Jugatsu

4)Miryo

5)Orion

6)Skyld

7)Zero

X8)Ace

X9)AlphaWave

X10)Cuoka

X11)Demon

X12)Gyuni

X13)Hedrei

X14)Junhi

X15)Mohi

X16)Serene

X17)Shadow

X18)Shot

----------

"You want to fight as well?"Code asked, upon reading Orion on the list.

"I haven't really done that much that would be considered helpful in the long run, I want to at least participate in the last fight,"Kaiyen answered.

"Alright,"Code replied, flipping through the rest of the pages in the clipboard which contained information on each person on the list.

Kaiyen continued to stand there, awaiting Code's next order.

"Go train in preparation, you'll need to be in complete sync with your character, so practice already,"Code said, figuring Kaiyen was awaiting his order before doing what was obvious.

----------

"Hey, love birds, you might wanna get some food,"Data said, opening Ryo's door and waking him up.

"What time is it?"Ryo asked, sitting up.

"Well you have about thirty minutes before they stop serving dinner in the cafeteria,"Data replied, checking his watch.

"Minus breakfast I haven't really eaten anything, now that I think about it,"Ryo said, standing up and stretching.

"Might wanna wake Sakura up as well,"Data said walking off.

Ryo looked back and found Sakura still asleep on his bed. He wondered why it took him so long to realize that Sakura was cute in the way her innocence. Even when she acted less than innocent, there was always that sense of innocence in her. It was almost a shame for him to wake her up, but it would've been bad for everyone if she wasn't in good shape for tomorrow's battle.

Ryo shook the bed while calling for her the first time, but she didn't respond.

"She usually doesn't sleep this hard,"Ryo commented, getting on the bed and shaking her this time.

Sakura smacked his hand away and rolled over.

"Are you acting or something?"Ryo asked, as he made her sit-up only to find her still sleeping.

Ryo gave up and let her lay back down. After putting her under the covers he decided he would just pick up two dinners and keep hers for later. It couldn't hurt to be a nice guy. He stepped out into the hallway and began walking to the cafeteria. Despite how often he had been hearing it today, it still felt like a dream, the final fight and the end of everything.

"It'll be hard returning to school everyday, I kind of enjoyed this style of school, with the once a week test and homework only,"Ryo said to himself.

----------

Momiri appeared in familiar dead-end of Mac Anu, due to her location of living she was unable to work in the main building of CC Corp, but due to her position she had to attend this meeting between Azara and Code. Azara was already waiting in her old administration character who now stood, leaning against the stone wall, eyes closed. Momiri took a seat in the boat.

"I've decided on whose fighting, since you offered to clone the accounts of some. Where we originally had 18 people to fight whenever needed, due to the Quad C invasion of the Deletion Zone we were reduced quite a bit. At the moment we have Jugatsu, Coinchii, Skyld, AnakinseZ, Zero, Orion, and Miryo."

"Out of those people, the only accounts I could actually clone would be Skyld, Coinchii, Miryo, and AnakinseZ. Zero and Jugatsu are both players within a character and Orion is only permitted to exist until this battle finishes,"Azara responded.

"I've decided to send in everyone except Miryo. From all of the information we've been gathering about battles, wavemasters only work well as support and even then, the spells do little to nothing against AIs. Zero, Skyld, and AnakinseZ have developed decent fighting abilities naturally from this game. Coinchii has been in training under a special style of martial arts and sword training. Orion has already graduated from that training. Jugatsu has the bracelet and therefore has to take part, but even without the bracelet he'd probably end up going. From the data he seems to be a better fighter than Coinchii,"Code explained.

"Very well, I will make a clone account for Coinchii, Skyld, and AnakinseZ to use during the battle in order to preserve their original accounts,"Azara stated before logging out.

"Now, Momiri,"Code said suddenly.

"Yes?"Momiri replied, slightly startled.

"During this attack, we'll be fighting in an area that shouldn't exist within "The World","Code began, before being cut-off.

"I'm aware. You'll be going through the Deletion Zone to get into a map."

"Yes, because the computer doesn't recognize the area as existing in any server, or linked to any server, I feel relieved, but because it is, however, linked through the Deletion Zone, I believe there might be a possibility of escaping through that link. I was told by Jugatsu that during the last battle, Remial prepared a grid of some sort to block exit or entry to the map?"

"He did, but Jugatsu managed to warp everyone out using his bracelet, so it wasn't really that effective, which is why he had Remial disconnect the map,"Momiri explained.

"If he still happens to have the program somewhere, could I see it? I'd like to give it a shot and create a special barrier."

"I believe it's the same barrier being used in the towns now, but I can't say for sure, still I'll talk to him,"Momiri answered.

"Thank you, I'll give you a place to send it to, from there they'll send it to me,"Code explained, before stating where he wanted the data sent.

Momiri nodded and logged out.

"If we can get that program, I'm sure I can perfect that barrier, no offense to Remial," Code said to himself, taking off his headset.

"Sir, me and a few of the others have been curious, with this over, what will we be doing? Ever since you learned of that boy and about these AIs, we've been doing constant computer work,"someone from the data phase said, standing down the stairs next to Code's computer.

"Afterwards, you can return to your normal studies, but I'm sure you'll find it simple after doing well on this. I'm probably going to need some more people in the data phase after all of this,"Code said, most of which was him commenting to himself.

Well, expect the next chapter sooner than later. How soon, depends on when A) I can get around to it and B)When I feel like uploading the next chapter. And as of this upload, I'm a chapter and a half away from finishing AIC. So in other words, I have two chapters complete ahead of this, and as of this moment, I have a chapter half written out. So I'll see if I can get around to uploading a bit more often since more than likely I'll be finished with it soon.