.Hack//WORLD

Cookie Eight: Scavenger Hunt...dot Hack Style!

The afternoon came the next day and Kyari arrived in the Lambda Root Town. Silver HeArT was there as well as Bob, Niche, and Jaga. They all stood around in a loose group formation obviously waiting for the same thing to arrive. Silver HeArT tried to stand alone, but Bob and Niche were sticking to her. Jaga sat off to the side alone. Kyari decided to stand between Silver HeArT and Jaga. Niche noticed her and watched Kyari closely. He shifted a few steps towards Kyari, but is welcomed by a punch to the head.

"Do you mind?" Kyari fumed as Niche backed away from her. "So, are you all here to see Janx as well?" Kyari questioned. Everyone nodded in response, except Niche who was tending to his pain, and Jaga who just stared off in the other direction.

Kyari singled Silver HeArT out since she was the only other female there. She could be her enemy, or friend depending on what happened between the two. "I'm Kyari by the way." Despite her introduction being for everyone it pointed more towards Silver HeArT. "I'm" Silver HeArT stopped with hesitation. "I'm Silver HeArT."

"Where is the boss?" Bob questioned looking around, but never at anyone else. "Jaga!" Flora exclaimed as she ran up to the surprised Long Arm. "Whatcha up to?" Jaga stood from his position. "That guy I told you about called me here. I want to know what he's thinking by calling us all here." Jaga explained as he waved his hand to the side to show the others to Flora. Flora nodded in understanding. "Then I'll join as well." She stated with a smile.

Finally Janx arrived along with Mistral. "Hey guys. Sorry about the wait." Janx began as he walked up. "What's this about? Eight people is a bit much for one party." Jaga asked. "Right. Let me explain this all first. I just e-mailed you all a list with twenty items on it. Whatever team finds the most of those twenty items will win a strong weapon that relates to your character type."

"So." The six besides Janx and Mistral look at one another. "It's a scavenger hunt?" Silver HeArT questioned. "Yep." Janx confirmed with a smile. "So all of you have to do is find all the items and bring them to me and Janx." Mistral cheerfully explained. "We'll be waiting at Delta Hidden Forbidden Holy Ground."

"Now then" Janx cleared his throat. "The six of you will have to split into three teams of two so we get quicker results. You do have only an hour for this by the way. So anyway if you don't come back with two in your party you automatically lose. Of course you can choose your own teams, and you can switch partners if you like as long as you have two in your party. Both member's items will count so you can combine your items if you wish." Janx explained thus confusing half of the rest. "Split into teams now. Mistral let's go." Janx stated as he turned to the Chaos Gate. "Rightie-o!" Mistral expressed and the two left the Root Town.

The others stood around for a few moments in silence, and holding blank stares. "Silver HeArT would you" Niche was hit aside by Kyari. "Wrong. Silver HeArT let's team up." Kyari stated aggressively. "Uh, s-sure." Silver HeArT replied with hesitation. "Okay, let's see the list. Hmm. I got some of these in my storage at the Elf's Haven. Let's go!" Kyari demanded pulling Silver HeArT along into the shop portion of the city.

"Jaga it's you and me right?" Flora questioned nudging Jaga. "Uh, whatever." Jaga replied and went over to the Chaos Gate. "I know where to find a Corona Blade, but it'll be a tough fight." Jaga warned. "Don't worry. Let's go." Flora said without a sign of hesitation. Jaga nodded and the two left.

"So, I guess it's me and you Wavemaster." Bob stated optimistically. "Yeah, sure." Niche reluctantly replied.

* * *

Bob and Niche were soon inside another of those dungeons designed to look like the innards of something. They stood before the floating Gott Statue, with Bob in celebration. "That was quick. I knew going to a low level dungeon would work in our favor." Bob stated as he approached the statue. He opened the chest causing the statue to fall slowly and crumple into the pit below it. "Good. That's a Rainbow Card, and Ivory Barrette. What's left? Read me the list." Niche said as if he were uninterested in the whole matter. He just wanted to play this game with a hot babe, and not this Blademaster before him. "Okay here's what his e-mail says:

Cooked Bile Well Water Green Gale Summon Fire

Mandragaras Secret: Reason Speed Charm The Lovers

Cordyceps Rainbow Card Warrior's Bane Death

Health Drink Ivory Barrette Aromatic Grass Fairy's Orb

Corona Blade Leather Armor Noble Wine Summon Night

"That's some list." Niche replied with a sigh. "I only have so little of those items." He lamented. "I got that much as well." Bob agreed. "Janx is crazy. I bet that weird Wavemaster was the one who made the list for him." Niche retorted throwing his clenched fist to the air. "Come to think of it" Niche stopped his thrashing and began to think. "That Wavemaster looked awfully familiar." He shrugged. "Oh well. Let's hurry up."

* * *

"Stop slacking off Silver HeArT!" Kyari demanded. The two were locked in evil stares as fire built up between the two. They were just peacefully traversing a tower dungeon when they just stopped and tension broke causing this showdown. "I'm not slacking off." Silver HeArT replied as nice as she could despite the anger being held back. "It certainly seems like you are." Kyari accused. "That's it! What's your problem?" Silver HeArT demanded letting her anger surface. "Me? I have no problem. Pheh. Forget you. I'm going to prove to Janx just how good I am without you." Kyari grumbled as she ran for the other end of the room. "Wait!" Silver HeArT roared causing the other girl to turn in response.

"I'm better than you at this. I will return to Janx with all the items mentioned and get a strong wand from him, and at the same time his respect." Silver HeArT declared as she turned sharply. "You" Kyari began with a stutter. "What is Janx to you?" Kyari asked. "What?" Silver HeArT expressed pivoted on her heels. "I am his friend." Silver HeArT replied quickly. Kyari let loose a breath of relief and stood straight up. "I will make him my own you hear." Kyari warned. "So don't get in my way." She demanded running into the next room. Silver HeArT stood lost in thought regarding Kyari's words. "Make him her own? What does that mean?"

* * *

"Hyah!" Jaga stabs a Spark Maiden killing the monster just before getting hit by her lightning attack. "That's another one down." Jaga said as the Battle Mode ended and Flora joined him. "So how many more items do we need?" She asked in a polite tone. "Huh?" Jaga stopped and counted up the items in the real world. "I'd say about six or seven maybe. I think there's a Ivory Barrette at the end of this dungeon so let's hurry." Jaga replied in his grumpy tone. He darted off for the other room as Flora sighed and followed close behind.

* * *

"Do you think they'll actually get a lot?" Janx questioned as he sat on the floor at the front of the cathedral. "Yep. Just remember I get to keep some of those items." Mistral chimed. Janx nodded. "Yeah, yeah. You've told me that almost twenty times now. I told you that for helping me with the list, and supplying the weapons for the winners I'd repay you with some items of your own." Janx stood up to meet the standing Mistral. "I have this Rod of Gales that you may like. It's a strong one." Janx said with a smirk on his face. Mistral's face became enlightened and she jumped onto him trying to swipe the rod away as Janx tried to get her off. "Hey get off!" He yelled. "Rod first!" Mistral demanded. "Get off and then I'll give you the blasted rod!" Janx yelped.

"Wow. You two must like each other." Janx and Mistral stopped and turned their attention to the female Twin Blade who stood at the end of the aisle. Janx pushed Mistral aside and stood up in a tense state. In the real world he was totally red and embarrassed. "I didn't mean to interrupt you Janx. You did say for me to show up here though." The female Twin Blade replied. She was the equivalent of A-20, or Natsume in her looks except that her hair was a dark blue, and her outfit was a fiery red color. "I-It's not what it looks like Kyoko!" Janx pointed out. "Yoink!" Mistral quickly drew the Rod of Gales from Janx's loose hands and began to hug the staff in admiration. "Is that so?" Kyoko questioned playfully.

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Thanks to all who read and reviewed like CrazyMan! And Kioke678