Author's Notes: Something just occurred to me, but for those of you who aren't familiar with Japanese I wanted to present to you the correct pronunciation of "Sasuke." Basically, you don't pronounce the 'u', making it end up something like "Sauce-kay".

Alright that's all from Berry-sensei today. Enjoy the chapter. ;)

PS. You're REALLY going to hate me for the cliffhanger.

Wonderland of My Own Making

Chapter Nine

Kazu walked along the last hallway in the bottom floor of the dungeon with no amount of hesitation, seemingly intent on the open doorway to the Gott Statue chamber as any other player would be. He didn't bother to glance at his companion, having had ample time to take his measure of one of the tyrannical Moderators. His conclusion was thus: Dagger was not Brill.

If any word could be applied to him it would have to be "lazy", surprising since he had chosen the Twin Blade class, it's characters known for their swiftness. Kazu would have been shocked to see Dagger move faster than a walk, the man's wry smile and nonchalant way of looking at things completely at odds with his reputation. If a portal activated, Dagger would come to a standstill and simply wait for the emerging monster to reach him before attacking, his battle tactics fluid but lacking the sharp focus Kazu had seen Kite display on the field.

All in all, Kazu wasn't that impressed.

Later, of course, he would realize his mistake. Dagger's calm was not due to laziness. It was due to confidence, something that became readily apparent when the attack began.

At the specified moment, Kazu stepped aside as one Sin of Hades went sailing through the spot he had previously occupied, heading straight for Dagger's unprotected neck in a flash of light.

Dagger lifted one of his own daggers and knocked the blade out of the air almost whimsically, sinking into a battle stance as Kite flew at him, somehow making his single Sin of Hades seem like a whirlwind of razor blades.

"It's you," Dagger said, stopping a thrust to his ribs with his left hand and slashing at Kite's face with his right, forcing the brightly-garbed Twin Blade into a back handspring to avoid it. "What are you doing here? Don't you know we're looking for you?"

"And now you've found me," Kite answered, falling into a crouch and swinging out his right leg in a sweep that knocked his opponent's legs out from under him. Dagger hit the ground hard but Kazu saw him gather his energy, intent on flipping to his feet.

The tip of a massive sword under his jaw stopped him.

"Hello there," BlackRose said easily, holding her weapon one-handed as if it weighed nothing. Her eyes flickered to her partner who was picking up his discarded blade. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, just nicked me," he replied, rubbing his tattooed cheek self-consciously. His cobalt eyes found Kazu. "Good job, Kazu. We were beginning to wonder if you would make it."

The Wave Master crossed her arms. "You could have picked an easier dungeon," he muttered good-naturedly, "Did it have to have seven levels?"

Dagger coughed. "Uhm, excuse me— "

BlackRose twitched her blade, snapping the Mod's jaw shut. "Did I say you could talk?"

Dagger glared at her but was forced to redirect his attention as Kite came to stand before him, watching him evenly.

"You may think we've come to PK you, but that's not the case. We could have done that the moment you entered the dungeon, BlackRose could even do it now if she wished. Unfortunately, our solution is not so simple as that."

Dagger eyed the Heavy Blade warily before attempted to speak. "What solution?"

"My partner and I are being hunted by you and the other Mods, and Users are being deleted just for standing up to you." Kite's voice hardened. "We have questions we'd like answered. If you agree to speak with us, I promise you won't be harmed. Refuse…" He trailed off and Dagger's eyes widened fractionally as if already imagining what horrible things awaited him.

"You…" Dagger licked his lips nervously. "If they find out I talked to you…" He closed his eyes briefly. "It could get very bad for me."

Kite tilted his head. "Then I suggest you cooperate. The less trouble you make, the quicker you can leave."

BlackRose leaned forward, a hard smile on her face as light shivered down the steel of her blade. The edge grazed Dagger's neck.

"Well, what do you say?"

The Moderator smiled ruefully. "Looks like I don't have a choice." He sighed. "What do you want to know?"

To: BlackRose
From: Sasuke

I have something I need to tell you. Please come to Lambda Nameless Forbidden Holy Ground as soon as possible.

Still holding Dagger at bay, BlackRose blinked as the FlashMail dinged in her ear. Reading it through quickly, she closed the window and looked to Kite who was already watching her, waiting for her to tell him what was going on.

"It's Sasuke," she answered, "He wants to meet me." She glanced down at the subdued Moderator. "Will you be alright if I…?"

Kite nodded. "Go ahead. Kazu and I can finish here."

Gracefully, BlackRose stepped back just as Kazu took her place, the end of his wand pushed against Dagger's throat. The captured Twin Blade managed to look disgruntled.

"I shouldn't be very long," she told them, and disappeared as she teleported to the doorway of the dungeon, then out of the field altogether.

It took only moment to transfer to the Theta Server, inputting her keywords as quickly as possible to avoid detection and feeling the familiar rush as the Chaos Gate propelled her into the field.

The sky was darkly overcast when she arrived, lightning crackling in the distance. It was a pitiful field to meet in and she wondered why Sasuke had chosen it. She wouldn't be surprised if it started pouring any minute.

Putting her hands on her hips, she looked around for the young Heavy Blade, wondering impatiently why he was making her wait. Perhaps irrationally she was worried about leaving Kite and Kazu to handle Dagger alone. They were both strong players and when Kite was determined, nothing could stop him, but Dagger was a Moderator, and they were nothing if not tricky.

"Hello again, BlackRose," a voice sneered behind her.

She whirled, one hand going to her throat in surprise, her ruby eyes widening as her heartbeat quickened both in the digital world and the real one.

"Brill."

The Moderator smiled harshly, tightening his hold on a very weak and beaten Sasuke, the blade of his spear brushing the boy's throat even as hers had brushed Dagger's only a moment ago.

Forsaken Light came to her hand almost unconsciously, it's red afterimage trailing in the air as she lifted it.

"What do you want?" she asked, trying to keep her voice even, highly aware that Kenji was sitting right next to her in his study, his own voice only a murmur to her as he continued to interrogate Dagger. She had to buy him some time with the captured Mod before calling him to her. They had to have answers.

She had to keep Brill busy.

"I was hoping to bring Kite to me. Unfortunately, this boy only had your Member Address." Brill shook his head, dark hair sliding over his shoulders. "Kids these days."

Sasuke was looking at her with tear-filled eyes, frightened and ashamed and still young enough to cry. Her heart went out to him and she felt herself start to get angry, a good sign if she was forced to fight Brill.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you," she retorted, watching him carefully.

Brill shrugged. "Life's full of disappointments." Sasuke's health points dropped by 20 as Brill's spear pushed against the boy's neck. BlackRose gasped and barely restrained herself from surging forward. Reckless actions would only hurt Sasuke more.

"Stop it!" she whispered furiously, her grip tightening on the hilt of her sword.

Brill smiled icily, the expression sending chills up her spine. "You've been quite troublesome to find, you know that? Your hacker covered your tracks quite well. I guess it's fortunate that we have a hacker of our own."

"You," she said through gritted teeth. "It was you that sent me that email."

Brill acknowledged her words with a nod. "Why, yes, though Ruka did the actual work. She's quite good at ferreting out secrets."

"Not that good or she would have found you Kite's Member Address," she shot back scathingly. Brill's face clouded.

"Enough of this," he snapped. "I came for Kite but I'll be just as glad to get rid of his partner." With a shove, Sasuke was sent flying to the side where he collapsed, and Brill launched himself at BlackRose, spear spinning.

Startled, she raised Forsaken Light defensively and felt Brill's blow slam against her blade, the force of it shivering up her arms, making her bite her lip. Quick as a striking snake, Brill whirled, his spear whipping outwards and then back before she even had time to change her stance, a sharp slash across her forearm making her cry out and move backwards, barely deflecting another viper-fast stab towards her stomach.

In her head, Balmung's words rang through her mind. Let's just say we called a temporary truce. If the great winged Descendant of Fianna only managed to draw a tie against Brill, what could she possibly hope to…

Just a little bit longer, she chanted to herself, keeping half an ear on Kenji's conversation only a few feet away. A little bit longer.

With a low growl, she attacked using all of her strength, her sword a blur of red and silver. Brill countered every move, never letting her blade within an inch of himself, all the way a cold smile on his face.

When he had had enough, he simply blocked her latest attack, spun his lance around and over her sword and pulled down on the shaft, ripping the hilt from her fingers. A choked cry sounded from her but he left her no time to react, slamming the end of his spear into her stomach and watching dispassionately as she fell backwards, unable to breathe.

Yards away, Sasuke called out weakly, his voice hoarse. "Don't! Leave her alone! Don't hurt her!"

Brill ignored him, standing victoriously over the downed Heavy Blade. She looked up at him wearily, breathing heavily, eyes wide as he raised his spear one final time. With a last heave of effort, she drew air into her aching lungs and screamed as steel descended.

"KITE!"

Something blue exploded.

It burst into being above her, curving downwards, it's surface transparent, the color of sky. It was like a flat sphere, a shield almost, and she looked up through at Brill, watching in amazement as his lance came down against it at full speed.

There was a sound like the deep tone of a bell and then The World flashed white for a moment. Forced to look away, BlackRose covered her eyes, squinting through her fingers as Brill flew backwards through the air, his weapon disintegrating into ashes.

He landed hard on his back and didn't move.

The light died and there was a soft whoosh! as something seemed to rush back into her. The blue shield disappeared and she jerked as it zipped back into the rayed star over her heart, the tattoo hot to the touch. In the real world, the baby kicked.

Closing her eyes, she laughed lightly, one hand covering her stomach.

"I see," she murmured, "I see."

And then she was looking into Kenji's terrified eyes as he ripped her goggles away, his hands cupping her face immediately, his fingers shaking. "Kira, Kira, what happened? Tell me, what happened? Are you alright? Are you hurt?" He was frantic.

She reached up to grip his arms, an odd, almost joyful expression on her face. "Kenji, you won't believe this. It was the baby, the baby…"

"Oh God," he whispered, "What do you mean? Is he alright? Are you alright?"

She laughed, so relieved she wasn't sure if she wanted to weep or dance around the room, and threw her arms around her husband's neck.

"We're fine," she answered serenely. "Our son saved my life."

To be continued…

(ducks various sharp objects)