Disclaimer: I do own the 3-volume set, .hack/legend of the twilight, on which much of this story is based, and I am watching the anime, .hack/SIGN. I don't own the 4 .hack PS2 games (they're almost impossible to buy right now); but, I did rent and play some of the third one. This story is simply my imagination taking a small journey...

.hack/DAWN

by: theoaktree

"I have bookmarked the computer I found the decryption key on for you, Magi," said Zephyr. "You may find it useful."

Magi did some entries on her screen. "Useful indeed. Kamui, look at this."

Kamui came over. "Well, well. We've been watching him for some time. I even recommended dismissal to management because of some of the stunts he's pulled. He must have gotten wind of it."

"Kamui! Magi!" shouted Mike from the entrance to the cave. "Come here! I think you need to see this." He waved at them to come over. Everyone headed inside.

A banner was strung across the alcove inside that read: 'CC Corp – Crush and Consume Corp!' On the wall, a large sign screamed: 'The end is near! We will destroy the world-wide intermess! Freedom from Big Brother!"

"How quaint," said Kamui sarcastically. "A political agenda."

Zephyr approached Mike and took his hand. "What does this mean, Mike127? I don't understand."

Mike looked at the sign again and sighed unhappily. "I think they want to take out the internet."

"Mommy! Why do they want to hurt her?"

"Huh?" Mike was confused.

Kamui spun around. "Is that what Aura is?"

Zephyr nodded. "Yes. She is the world-wide internet and all connected networks, for she now lives in the Altimit operating system."

"Holy crap!" shouted Mike. "They're gonna attack your mother? What can we do?"

"Let us go back outside, Mike127," said Zephyr, "and you can touch one of the cookie arrows to this dungeon for Mommy. It might give her some clues."

"Alright," answered Mike, and they went back out the entrance. The dungeon disappeared as soon as the arrow point contacted the wall.

"Magi," said Kamui, "please contact the knights and get a squad down here to make sure this field is clear and secure. Then check the Gate to ensure people can enter and exit properly. As soon as you're finished, log out and meet me at my office. We've got to take this to the top brass." She beamed out.

"You guys might as well get going," said Magi to Mike and Freddy. "The fun's over."

"Yeah," said Mike, and he turned to Freddy. "I'm gonna log off. It's gotta be bedtime."

"Probably," replied Freddy. "Let's go."

Once the boys had gone, Zephyr went and sat down on the side of the hill where the remains of the wolf pack lay. After a minute, she stood back up and went around deleting the wolves. When she was done, she was standing on the top of the hill looking down at the knights busily verifying the data integrity of the field. "Mommy, what will happen?"

Aura appeared in front of her, floating in the air. "I am sorry, my child, I don't know. That is why I look for heroes to serve me. I cannot yet communicate with the outside world as they do so easily. It is their world and we are not yet a part of it even though we live within it through their computers."

"But they attack us like enemies. What is wrong?"

"From what you saw in that dungeon that I just deleted and from information I have been watching, they don't know that they are attacking us. They see only those who program and operate the computers and the networks, such as CC Corp."

"Perhaps if they knew that we were here, they would stop."

"Yes, perhaps. Talk to Mike127 tomorrow and ask him about how the outsiders deal with each other. That might help us."

"I'll send him a PM now so that he will find it when he next logs on."

"Good. I must go now and study the nature of these recent attacks so that I can learn how to neutralize them in the future."

"Yes. And I will study these outsiders that you've chosen, Mike127 and his companion."

From: Zephyr

Subject: Come and visit me

Mike127, come to Theta Hidden Solitary Holy Ground Field. It is locked right now. I am waiting for you; so, when you select it, I will let you enter.

From: Mike127

Subject: I got to visit

Hey Freddy, Zephyr wants me to go & visit her today. PM me as soon as you can. Maybe you can come along.

Mike --- the Green Arrow :-D

From: MercedesX

Subject: re: I got a visit

Hi Mike, where you at?

F the X

From: Mike127

Subject: re: I got a visit

Theta root town Dun Loireag. I'm at the Gate. Hurry.

Mike was getting a bit tired of watching people come and go through the Gate as he waited for Freddy; but, finally, he appeared.

"What does Zephyr want?" asked Freddy.

"No clue. She just said she wanted me to visit her. Let's get to the field." He called up the field listing and selected. A lockout notice then popped up.

"You are Mike127?" Zephyr's voice seemed to be right by Mike's ear.

"Yeah, and I brought MercedesX too."

"He may enter. Come."

Zephyr was waiting for them at the beam-in point. "Come and sit with me, Mike127 and MercedesX." She led the way to a small hillock and sat down on it, and the boys sat down on the ground in front of her expectantly. "Aura and I wish to be able to deal with those who wish to damage the internet; but, we don't know how it is done. You are outsiders. Do you know how to deal with other outsiders?"

"What do you mean, 'outsiders'?" asked Mike.

"They are those, like yourselves, who live outside the computers."

"Oh, people! Sure, everybody has to learn to deal with other people. I guess it's part of growing up," answered Mike.

"Why can't Aura and Zephyr be people too?" broke in Freddy. "I mean, I know they aren't human; but, like, they're alive, kinda. Aren't they?"

"How does one become a person?" she asked. Mike and Freddy looked at each other blankly for a moment. "How did you two become people?"

"Right," said Mike. "Babies start off not knowing anything, then they grow and learn that they can do some things and they're not allowed to do other things. Like, sometimes Fr... MercedesX and I have fights because we both wanna do something different and we can't do both."

"Why must you fight? I don't see why that is necessary."

"Yeah, well," said Freddy. "We gotta stand up for ourselves sometimes, like when it's important. And part of fighting is learning that, if I don't get my turn this time, I'll make sure I get it the next time."

"Aura and I don't fight. We talk about things until we come to an agreement."

"Yeah, but you're not dealing with people... um... no... I mean outsiders. That'd be great if everybody could work like that; but, lots of us really want our own way. Maybe you two have to learn to fight for what you want too. Cause, with us outsiders, if you won't fight for what you want, you don't get anything and everybody thinks you're just a nothing."

"We are not nothing, MercedesX."

"I know that; but, the other outsiders don't. Maybe you gotta find a way to fight back, so you can be accepted as a person too."

"Acceptance. Self-acceptance. I have seen much on these topics in many places on the internet. They are very important then?"

"I guess," said Mike.

"You have been of much help, Mike127 and MercedesX. Thank you." She stood up. "I have much to think about. I will go; but, you may play this field if you wish." She disappeared.

Freddy jumped up. "This I gotta see! 'The Internet Strikes Back'!" Mike laughed as he got up too.