Hey there guys! Here we are with the big Two-O of "Log On!" Chapter 20 is already here, and I'm really excited.

You know what I said about there being around 25 chapters of this story?

Lies.

Big lies.

Huge lies.

We're already on Chapter 20, and the group hasn't even fought ONE Prism Phase. (facefaults). And they're not fighting one this chapter either. And probably not next chapter. I'M SUCH A STUPID LOSER!

Okay! The first fight will be in Chapter 22! I'M LAYING DOWN THE LAW!

…I hope.

Anyway! Enjoy please!

Chapter 20 – A Real Life Shocker

"HYAH!" Iam threw her spear forward, destroying the moth monster in front of her and ending the battle for her party. A little whiles ago, Iam had logged on to find Achean and Tiyra both on, and the three had partied up and headed to a dungeon.

"You're on fire today, Iam!" Tiyra announced, wiping her brow and using a health drink on the battered Achean.

"Of course," Iam nodded. "We've got to keep getting stronger for the fights against the Prism Phases, don't we?"

"Right," Achean said simply.

"All of us have already gotten to Level 30, right?" Tiyra asked the two, and they both nodded. "And I just got a message from that stupid dog-boy."

"Sersen?" Iam asked, looking up. "What did he say?"

"He's with all the others. They've all been going to dungeons too. Can you believe they'd leave us out like that?" she laughed.

"Uhh…didn't we leave them out of our party?" Achean asked, and Tiyra shoved his shoulder.

"Whatever! That stupid mutt doesn't deserve to fight by my side anyway!" Tiyra gave a haughty laugh and flipped her hair.

"Hey Tiyra," Iam spoke, and Tiyra looked up. "I just wanted to ask. Do you and Sersen know each other personally?"

"Huh? Us? No way! Not a chance!" she raised her hands, as if to show how wrong Iam was. "That's like one millionth a chance of happening! You know!"

"I was just wondering," Iam smiled. "You two seem to be really good friends. You're university students right?"

"No."

"But you said," Iam raised an eyebrow, "that first day we met. You guys kept having to leave for class."

"Uhh…yeah!" Tiyra started to sweat. "Uhh, what I meant was, we're graduate students!"

"Oh, I see," Iam nodded. "That must be cool. What do you guys do?"

"Well Sersen is a--" she stopped. "I don't know what Sersen does!" she shrugged. "But I'm a journalist."

"You went to graduate school for journalism?" Achean asked. "Funny, I thought that a four-year degree was enough for that."

"I-I guess…that…" Tiyra paused, and then quickly opened her mouth. "I know! Let's head to Lambda!"

"Lambda?" Iam asked. "You mean the Lambda server?"

"Yep!" Tiyra nodded her white haired head. "Carmina Gadalica! The Cultural city of "The World". It's great!"

"It's nice," Achean shrugged. "A little noisy though."

"And since we're Level 30, we can handle the monsters in that server!" she said. Iam looked at Achean, and the two nodded, turning back to Tiyra. "Great! I'll tell Sersen and the others to meet us there!"

"Woah! This place is great!" Chikoro gasped, running forward, Gabriella hot on her tails. The ten hackers had just arrived in the Lambda server, the city of Carmina Gadalica. The town was huge, filled with tall shining buildings and stone bridges that made up all the streets of the town. Players sat at small cafes, street performers did tricks for spare GP between shops, and the sky was always brilliant painted like velvet dotted with shining pins.

"Carmina Gadalica is amazing," Orizo observed, looking around. "The cities truly do get more and more amazing as you get higher and higher level."

"We've already hung out here, so I guess it's not that great to us," Barai said to Sersen, the two sharing a small smirk. "But these kids are going bonkers."

"I've been here too," Achean muttered, looking at the Bowman and Werewolf, who simply gave small smiles.

"C'mon! Let's go get something to eat!" Tiyra said, pointing to the café tucked into the corner of the city.

"No way, I'm going exploring!" Chikoro's eyes were wide as saucers. "Orizo-sama, let's go exploring together!" she grinned, grabbing the twin blade's arm.

"H-Hey! Wait!" Iam called, following the two. "I'm coming too!"

"Chikoro-sama, I am obliged to follow you wherever you may go!" Zaiten called after the three, also running after them.

"It's so obvious that they're just a bunch of kids," Vizota smiled. "Isn't that right, Barai?"

"Ooo, look! A blimp in the sky!"

Barai was greeted by a kick to the head from Vizota. "I guess we know who the biggest kid is!" she said, blushing slightly. She gruffly grabbed his collar and dragged him off towards a weapon shop. "C'mon! Now is the perfect time to upgrade our equipment."

"B-but the blimp!"

Achean turned to Tiyra and Sersen and sighed. "I'm going to go follow the others. They might get into trouble or something…"

"That's fine," Tiyra smiled. "Go off with your friends. You don't need an excuse, you know."

Achean blushed slightly and turned around, looking down the street. He walked as quickly as possible without looking eager to get away from the remaining two ring holders. "Well, I want some food!" Tiyra said, nodding to the café. "Care to join me?"

"Are you asking me out on a date?" Sersen teased, and Tiyra sighed, shaking her head.

"You wish, dog boy."

"I would be honored to accompany you," Sersen said, kneeling down and kissing Tiyra's gloved and armored hand. Surprisingly enough, Tiyra didn't stop him or pull her hand away. She lifted him up and held his hand in hers.

"What's up with you today? You're in a good mood," she said.

"I guess those kids put me in a nice state of mind," he said, smiling and walking with the white haired fighter. "It's a nice day, and the sky is beautiful."

"It'll always be that way," Tiyra said, narrowing her eyes.

"I meant the real sky," he said, laughing. "I take off my headset every once in a while, you know."

"Really?" Tiyra paused. "Yeah, you're right. It's a nice day."

"So you still up for that café?" Sersen asked. "This taste bud technology is really great nowadays. And you won't get fat! Good for your thighs!"

"SHUT UP YOU!" Tiyra threw a punch at Sersen, connecting with his head and leaving a large bump rising off his skull. "That's what you get for making fun of me again!"

"Tiyra, Sersen!" Both Tiyra and the beaten Sersen turned to see Iam and the others running towards them. "Someone told me that the café has taste bud sensory technology! Is that true?"

"Yeah, it's true," Tiyra giggled. "Let's go get something to eat, shall we?"

"Oh yeah! I want to try it too!" Chikoro nodded and grabbed Orizo's arm. "C'mon! Let's go!"

"Ch-Chikoro, wait!"

"Where's the fire?" Vizota asked, walking towards them with Barai behind her.

"We're going to the café," Tiyra told her.

"Care to join us?" Sersen asked. "Our treat."

"Why not?" Barai shrugged, smiling at Vizota. "Sound cool to you?"

"I don't know," Vizota sighed. "We did just eat at work."

"You two work together?" Sersen asked. "That's really cool."

"No, it really isn't…" Vizota grumbled. "All he does is screw up and bother me at work and school. How annoying."

"It isn't that bad," Iam laughed. "You two run the store just fine."

"Iam's right," Orizo nodded. "Pops says the store's run just fine with you two working."

"And you guys know them too?" Tiyra asked, pointing to Vizota and Barai. "Man, don't tell me you all know each other in real life?"

"Yep, actually," Iam nodded. "You two are the only ones who we haven't met in real life."

Tiyra and Sersen looked at one another, both looking slightly uncomfortable with the situation. "Umm…yeah, that's weird."

"Maybe we should all meet?" Iam asked, smiling. "I mean, we're not murderers or pedophiles, I assure you that much."

"It's not that!" Tiyra assured her. "Uhh…well…it's just that my apartment is messy and…"

"We can meet somewhere besides your apartment," Achean said dryly, and Tiyra blushed.

"And I bet I don't live anywhere near you guys!" Sersen said. "I live all the way up in Tokyo!"

"Great! We're just an hour or so south of Tokyo!" Iam smiled and Sersen's eyes grew wide. "Isn't that great? You can just take the train down, right?"

"…I…uhh…" Sersen murmured.

"Well, I live about an hour and half south of Tokyo," Tiyra said, sighing. "So it should only take you a half an hour to get to my place. I've got an idea."

"Hmm?"

"Let's meet halfway. There's a cool Chinese restaurant about fifteen minutes north of my apartment," she said. "It's called 'Chow Mein Flavor'. Let's meet there around 12:15 on Sunday okay?"

"I don't know," Iam shrugged. "That means Sersen has to get on the train really early, doesn't it? Let's make it later."

"No, I can make it in time," Sersen sighed. "I-I….I wake up early anyway."

"Great!" Chikoro cheered. "Then 'Chow Mein Flavor' it is! See you guys on Sunday! It'll be so cool to meet you in person!"

"Yeah," Tiyra sighed.

"Really cool…" Sersen finished.

"So we're meeting Tiyra and Sersen in real life today," Mai sat on a plastic folding chair in the hospital. She was currently sitting in front of a bed, staring at the face of her comatose brother, Shizuma. "It'll be exciting I bet. And it'll also make things easier. Communicating, you know?"

Mai had decided to visit Shizuma before heading over to the restaurant that Sunday morning. She had been visiting regularly, sometimes after school as well. "I can't believe it's almost summer," she sighed. "Just a month more of school, you know. So much has happened this year."

There was a pause.

"Don't worry," she said. "I'll try to defeat the Prism Players before your graduation ceremony. After all, you're in the sixth grade. You've been waiting for this forever."

Another pause. It was as if she was waiting for a response.

"You're going to Ijyuin Middle School right? It'll be tough, being a freshman," she said. "Don't let anyone push you around, okay? And button your collar all the way up on the first day to impress the teachers. But after that, you can leave the jacket open, if you want."

Pause.

"Are you going to join any clubs? You're good at sports, so I think you could join an athletic club. But watch out. Your senpais will probably get up in your face if you're better then them. Maybe you could do baseball or volleyball."

Silence.

"But it's okay if you don't feel like dong athletics. There are lots of other clubs, you know. Like you could be on the student council, or the culture club."

Mai shook her head and stood up. "I'd better get going. You think about it yourself, okay? Just don't join the cheerleading squad, or Ayumi will come over and try to give you lessons, okay?"

I guess I should leave," Mai smiled, standing up. "I mean, I have to be there by 12:15 and it's already," she glanced at her watch. "ACK! OHMIGOSH! It's already 11:50! I'm going to be late! Sorry Shizuma, I've got to run!"

Mai grabbed her bag, looked at her brother, smiled, and then ran out of the room, in a terrible rush.

Mai checked her watch and sighed as she ran along the sidewalk, obviously late. "Crap! It's already noon! I'm supposed to be at the restaurant in fifteen minutes! No way I'm going to make it in time!"

Mai ran up to a red light and sighed. She didn't have time for crosswalks right now! She looked up and down the street and noticed that no cars were coming. "I can go, even if the light's red," she said, starting to run down the crosswalk. "After all, no one's coming anyway."

Mai continued to walk quickly down the street, not bothering to watch out for any cars. She continued to walk until she heard a sound.

She turned and gasped to see a car speeding right towards the crosswalk. Mai was frozen to the spot as she saw the car coming towards her.

"Watch out!"

Mai gasped as she felt a hand reach out and pull her across the crosswalk. The car drove by Mai and her rescuer, honking after her. Mai turned to see that her savior was none other than a boy who looked to be in Junior High. He had black hair and bright silver eyes that held Mai captivated. "Are you okay?"

She blinked and nodded. "Uhh yeah, sorry about that," she said to the boy. Even though he looked younger then her, he still stood taller, and she had to look up to talk to him directly. "I was just in a hurry."

"Well, that was obvious." Mai looked over the boy's shoulder to see a boy and a girl standing on the sidewalk curb. It had been the boy, one with dark brown hair and half moon glasses, who had spoken. "But there's a reason they have red lights, you know."

"Taro, don't be like that," the girl said. She was a pretty girl, a little shorter then Mai, with long brown hair and a blue hair ribbon. She was obviously cute, but seemed to have a sort of spunk about her as well. "After all, you've done worst stuff then crossing the street illegally."

"Look, I'm really sorry," Mai said, looking down at her hand. She gasped to see that the boy's hand was not only holding her armguard, but that on his finger was an ornate ring, colored silver, decorated with a crescent moon design.

"What's with that weird gauntlet?" Taro asked pointing to Mai's hand. Mai shook her hand away and walked over to the sidewalk.

"It's nothing," Mai responded sharply.

"Is it some sort of fashion statement?" Taro asked, looking at the guard. "Cool ring though. Red your favorite color?"

"Taro, stop bothering her already!" the girl snapped. "After all, you don't exactly have amazing taste either."

Mai looked up to see that Taro also had a strange jewelry piece on. It was a large bracelet, bronze in color and decorated with the mercury symbol. The girl also had a golden ring on, decorated with a sun design. "What's that supposed to mean, Natsume?"

"Oh crud!" Mai gasped, looking at her watch. "I'm late! I'm really sorry, but I have to be somewhere soo--" A bouncy ringtone began playing and Mai turned slightly pink as she noticed it was her cellphone.

"One second," Mai laughed slightly and opened her bag, pulling out her cellphone and realizing it was Hiromi on the other line. "Hiromi? What's up?"

There was a pause. "No…I didn't get a text message. I turned my message ringtone off." Another pause. "Are you frickin' serious?" Mai asked, her eyebrows knotting together. "Not for another three hours? But I'm halfway there!"

"Looks like her boyfriend blew her off for a date," Taro murmured to Natsume, and Natsume frowned, rolling her eyes.

"Whatever," she sighed. "Maybe I'll just go home and wait or something. Thanks for the heads up Hiromi. Yeah. Don't worry about it. See you." With that, Mai closed her phone and put it in her bag.

"So he blew you off?" Taro asked.

"For your information," Mai narrowed her eyes. "That was not my boyfriend, and he was just telling me that the time was changed. I was meeting my friends today."

"Well, if you're going to be alone for awhile, you can hang out with us," said the boy who had saved Mai. "Oh, I'm Akira by the way. Akira Hayabusa. And this is Natsume Ichiya, my girlfriend. And this guy is Taro Kishinuma."

"You guys look like Junior High students," Mai said, looking at them. "Third years?"

"Second years," Akira corrected. "We're in the eighth grade."

(Okay, time for a bit of culture here. In Japan, Junior High goes from grades 7-9 and High School goes grades 10-12. So, Akira and company are in eighth grade, so they are Juniors, or second years, in Junior High. Mai and her friends are tenth graders, so they are Freshmen, or first years, in High School. Shizuma is in 6th grade, so next year, he'll be entering Junior High as a first year.)

"I'm a first year at Makuchei High School," Mai said. "Mai Yanagi."

"Well, Yanagi-san," Akira smiled. "We were going to get something to eat, since it was Sunday and all. Want to come with us?"

"Sure, why not?" Mai smiled. "And call me Mai. Where do you guys go to school?"

"Nakama Academy," Natsume said, smiling at Mai as the four began to walk down the sidewalk. "It's in Murakami."

"Never heard of it," Mai said. "Is it near here?"

"About a half an hour away," Akira said. "We took the train down here to get a bite to eat at a restaurant Taro knows."

"Nakama Academy, huh?" Mai asked. "Sounds pretty prestigious. Are you guys super geniuses or something?"

"Hardly," Taro laughed. "Most people just play video games. But we're guilty of that, too. Do you play 'The World', Mai?"

"Actually, yeah," Mai nodded, smiling. "I'm a Long Arm."

"Hey, so is Akira," Taro pointed to Akira. "But he's still a newbie."

"We're all still pretty low level," Natsume reminded Taro. "Including you Taro."

"I actually got this from 'The World'," Mai said, lifting up her arm and showing off her arm guard to the three of them. "An…even present, if you will."

Taro looked at her with a slightly jealous expression. "Well, we got these from the game too. They're limited edition, the only ones of their kind!" he said, lifting his arm and pointing to Akira and Natsume's rings with his other hand.

"Only one?" Mai asked, her curiosity rising. "Do…they have special powers?"

"Taro," Akira looked at Taro with a dark expression. "Maybe we should stop talking now."

"So they do," Mai smiled. She paused, knowing that her next statement would basically be her jumping on thin ice, but she ignored her qualms and asked anyway. "Did you happen to get them from an NPC named Prisma?"

"Prisma?" Akira asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It's nothing," Mai immediately said. "Just an event. I was curious if you had done it yet. But it was limited, I think it's gone now…"

"Do you…" Akira said, interrupting Mai and turning the question on her. "Do you know a woman named Celestia?"

Mai looked up at Akira and shook her head. "No…I…don't," she said slowly, and the four stopped walking. "But something tells me…"

"That your gauntlet…" Akira murmured.

"And our rings and bracelet have something to do with each other," Natsume said. "Tell me, can you data drain monsters with that ring?"

"Yeah…I can," Mai nodded, looking extremely surprised. "But I'm not the only one."

"Well obviously not!" Taro interrupted. "Because we can do it too!"

There was a pause, and Iam looked at the three students in front of her. "You…can data drain as well?"

Taro sighed and shook his head. "We'd better order the economy sized plate of sushi," he said, "because this is going to take awhile."

"So Celestia is the name of the girl who gave you those things?" Mai asked, biting into a piece of sushi. The four had found their way to Taro's favorite sushi restaurant, and were currently sitting at one of the low tables, helping themselves to a large circular box of the food. "And now you can data drain?"

"And Prisma is the name of the girl who gave you and your nine friends those gauntlets," Taro said. "And you've also got ten enemies? I thought we were in trouble with three."

"They're called the 'Prism Players'?" Natsume asked. "And they've tried to kill you multiple times? That sounds really scary…"

"They're still after us," Mai said. "In fact…their leader…she killed one of my closest friends on the game."

"Oh my gosh!" Natsume gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. "Is…is…are they…?"

"He's alive," Mai said. "But barely. He's comatose right now. I was visiting him before I came. That's why I was late."

"That sounds awful," Akira murmured. "I can't believe that something like that could actually happen…"

"He wasn't just my friend," Mai muttered. "He's my…he's my little brother."

Akira flinched slightly, and Natsume and Taro both looked down into their food. "I'm so sorry Mai," Natsume said, looking up across the table to where Mai and Taro were sitting. "It's difficult to think about something like that actually happening…"

"The worst thing about it was that Prisma was behind it," Mai said sharply, and the three looked up.

"Wait, I thought she was a good guy!" Taro interjected.

"So did we," Mai muttered. "But she's such a mystery, we're not really sure. Kalen isn't either…"

"Wait, you know Kalen?" Akira asked, looking up. Mai looked at him, and they exchanged confused glances. "He's the hacker that contacted me, remember guys?"

"Kalen's been working with us for awhile," Mai told him. "He's one of the reasons we got out of that jam with the Prism Players last time."

"Then maybe he can explain to us exactly what Celestia is," Akira said. "He seems pretty mysterious though."

"The Black Hacker," Mai nodded. "He seems suspicious at times, but he's all right. I can talk to him next time I see him."

"And you say that this other woman," Natsume continued, "Liesel Wearing, is trying to destroy 'The World' using Prisma?"

"Wiseman's theory is that Prisma is a virus put into the system by Liesel," Mai said. "And that Prisma was originally going to use us, the Prism Knights, to destroy 'The World'. But now…the Prism Players have taken that role over, using the Epitaph as a blueprint for their revenge on 'The World'."

"That sounds heavy," Taro sighed. "We still don't know what those three are after. Haruko, Atemis, and Zoisius. But they're weird customers with some weird Data Bugs."

"I can't believe that there are more hackers that can create data bugs," Mai murmured. "I wonder if Moyotu knows them."

"And what's this about the Prism Phases?" Akira asked. "Are those going to be made by the Prism Players as well?"

"The Prism Wave is coming soon," Mai murmured. "And it's up to us to stop it. If we do, then everyone will be cured from their comatose state. Including Shizuma…"

"Your brother?" Natsume asked and Mai nodded. "How old is he?"

"Twelve…" Mai said. "He'll be a first year in Junior High next year."

"We'll help too," Akira said suddenly, and Mai looked up. "We'll help stop the Prism Wave any way we can. After all, we have powers too, don't we guys?"

"I'm not sure Akira," Taro said, biting another piece of food. "We're still pretty fragmented, wouldn't you say?"

"Taro's right," Natsume said. "We don't have enough power to help right now…"

"Well, I can't just sit here and do nothing," Akira muttered, looking down at his lap. Natsume put her hand on his and he looked up at Mai. "Mai, my online name is Yamano. Just call me up whenever you need my help."

Taro sighed, "I'm Roat. I guess that goes for me too."

"Nabuko," Natsume pointed to herself. "And I'll help too Mai."

"I'm Iam," Mai said, smiling at the three of them. "You guys are great." She glanced up at the clock and sighed. "Well, I won't have much room for Chinese, but it's almost three. I should get going."

"Right, we should get back too," Akira nodded, standing up. "And we finished the food anyway. Let's get going guys."

"Thanks again you guys," Mai said. "See you again, okay?"

"Our pleasure," Natsume smiled, waving at Mai. "You're a nice person Mai. I hope that your brother gets better."

"Thanks Natsume," Mai smiled. "Bye Akira, bye Taro."

"Bye," Taro gave a short wave. "See you around."

"Yeah," Akira smiled warmly at Mai and she returned the smile. "See you again."

"Bye for now," Mai said as she walked out of the restaurant, leaving the three standing in the middle of the restaurant.

"Hey guys! I'm here!" Mai gasped, running into the Chinese restaurant to see her seven friends sitting at a table. "Sorry I'm late, I ran into someone on the way."

"No big deal," Hiromi smiled. "We were early anyway."

"Sit down Mai," Fuko said, pointing to the seat next to Hiromi at the large table. Mai sat down and looked over at the table. "Tiyra and Sersen aren't here yet."

"You never know, they could be here and we wouldn't have recognized them," Sota said, shrugging. "Did we arrange some sort of signal?"

"Tiyra told me in her text message that she'd be wearing a white sweater," Ayumi piped up, showing off the message on her cell phone. "So we'll just have to wait for a woman in a white sweater."

"Ayumi, did it ever occur to you that we'd recognize them because they both had huge gloves on?" Sean asked, and Ayumi turned a bright red.

"I hope they won't mind we already help ourselves to food!" Sota grinned, slurping a bit of soup. "Man, this stuff is great! Try some, Fuko!"

"I'd rather not drink soup that full of your saliva, thanks," Fuko frowned, narrowing her eyebrows.

"Guys, look!" Ayumi stood up and looked at the door of the restaurant. The group immediately turned their heads and almost gasped as they saw two people walk into the restaurant.

The first was a woman with extremely long white hair. Mai raised an eyebrow at the woman's already shock white hair, especially since she looked to be only in her twenties or early thirties. But Mai then realized the brown roots that showed ever so slightly under her now obviously dyed hair. The woman kept her long white mane in a pink ponytail holder, and the locks fells to her knee caps. She wore a white sweater and a long pale pink skirt along with pink slip on shoes.

The man behind her looked about her age and had black hair in a shaggy cut style with grayish highlights throughout it. He had a piercing in his left ear, and he was wearing a black tee-shirt with band "Miasma"' logo on it, and a pair of baggy black jeans along with black sneakers. They both had on arm guards and…

"The rings!" Ayumi shouted. "Tiyra! Sersen, over here!"

The two turned their heads and smiled at the sight of the eight people waiting for them. The two people nodded to one another and sat down at the two remaining seats at the table, sitting next to each other.

"Wow! It's great to meet you guys!" Mai said.

"Damn straight!" Ryoko nodded. "Let me guess…Tiyra," she pointed to the woman, "and Sersen?" she pointed to the man.

"How'd you guess?" Sersen laughed. It was now obvious, from his voice, that he was the player of their werewolf friend.

"Nice to meet you too," Tiyra smiled, leaning on the table with her elbow. "I see some of us already ordered," she looked at Sota, who then choked on his soup, making everyone laugh as Fuko hit his back as he coughed. "Anyway, introductions?"

"I'm Iam," Mai said. "My real name is Mai Yanagi."

"Hiromi Mimura," Hiromi said, pointing to himself. "I'm Orizo."

"Chikoro here!" Ayumi grinned. "Ayumi Kanzaki at your service!"

"The proud and valiant Zaiten," said Souchirou. "Souchirou Hibiki, in real life."

"And I'm Ryoko Watanabe," Ryoko said, throwing her dark hair over her shoulder. "Gabriella in game."

"Sean McGuire," Sean said. "Achean."

"American?" Tiyra asked, raising an eyebrow. "Or Irish?"

"Do you hear an accent?" Sean asked rudely.

"Yeah, but not an Irish one," Sersen laughed and Sean blushed slightly at the teasing. "Your pronunciation sucks."

Sean frowned, "No it doesn't…"

"Your brain sucks," Tiyra laughed, punching Sersen in the arm. "So it's a wonder you can even talk."

"Enough, children," Fuko laughed. "I'm Fuko Ikibana, Vizota."

"And I'm Sota Kaji," Sota introduced himself, winking. "Pleased to meet you two."

"I guess it's our turn, huh?" Tiyra sighed and looked at Sersen. "Well, I'm Tiyra, as you all know. Tokiko Kiriyama is my real name, age twenty-seven. I'm a journalist."

"More like a fact checker," Sersen corrected, and Tokiko sighed. "But hey, she's great. I've read her stuff."

"I'm still pretty on the lower rung," Tokiko said. "But I'll get my own beat soon enough."

"So you're not a student after all…" Sean said, eager to get back at the two for their teasing of his accent.

"Sorry, I lied," Tiyra shrugged. "I'm a little…protective about my personal life."

"Well, my turn," Sersen said. "I'm Sersen, and my real name is Keita Kiriyama, age twenty-eight. I'm a lighting designer, and I mostly do band gigs and night club stuff."

"Wow! You two have really cool jobs!" Ayumi smiled. "Can you interview us for your stories, Kiriyama-san? And Kiriyama-san, you have to let us into one of your night clubs! And--" Ayumi stopped.

Everyone turned to the two, their eyes as wide as dinner plates as they stared at the two with wide eyes. "Y-your…last names are the same," Sota muttered.

"Don't tell me…you're…" Ryoko began, and then gulped. "BROTHER AND SISTER!"

"NO!" Both Tokiko and Keita screamed and slammed their left arms on the table, showing off their fingers. The gang looked at the hands of the two. Keita's hand, covered with a guard and his signature black ring on his ring finger, also had a silver band right above his black ring. Tokiko's hand was bare of a guard or ring, and on her left ring finger was a beautiful white gold ring with a rose colored diamond encrusted into it.

"N-no way…" Ayumi murmured, her jaw resting comfortably on the table. "You two are…"

"You're…" said Hiromi.

"You're…" Sean muttered.

"You're…" Fuko continued.

"Married?" Mai finished, looking at the two.

"Ding, ding, ding," Tokiko muttered sarcastically. Her expression made it obvious why she hadn't wanted to meet the others in person. "We have a winner."

"You were so beautiful at your wedding, Kiriyama-san!" Ayumi cooed as the girls flipped through Keita and Tokiko's wedding album.

"Call me Tokiko," Tokiko said, sighing as she poured tea for the guests. After the restaurant, they had all returned to Tokiko's and Keita's spacious apartment. Keita was currently showing the guys his huge TV and small lighting studio while the girls ooed and aaahed over the two's wedding pictures. "The "san" thing makes me feel old."

"You look so beautiful," Mai said, pointing to the picture of Tokiko in a long strapless dress, her hair gathered into a bun at the top of her head with the rest falling down. "Why's your hair white?"

"Well, Keita and I were pretty punkish in our youth," Tokiko joked. "Actually, I just thought it would be cool. Do you think it's weird?"

"No, it suits you!" Mai shook her head. "White hair suits you!"

"And it's so long," Ayumi commented.

"I've never cut my hair," Tokiko grinned. "I guess I'm afraid to do so."

"Afraid of cutting you hair?" Fuko asked. "Whatever for?"

"Well, if I cut it, and I don't like it, it'll take forever to grow back," Tokiko shrugged. "I like it like this, but I'll have to cut it sooner or later. Hey boys! The tea's ready!"

"I must say, Keita-san, this is a very impressive studio," Souchirou said as the men sat in the next room, a mini-lighting studio filled with hanging lights and a board. "I could talk to my father and have you do the lighting for the next Hibiki sponsored charity performance."

"Thanks kid, but Tokiko's got the tea ready," Keita said, grabbing Hiromi before he touched a large light. "That one's on."

"Oh! Sorry!" Hiromi laughed. "There are so many different types."

"That there's a source-four," he said, pointing to the light. "And I keep my six by nines over there, and my six by twelves are in that corner. Want to hang some?"

"Keita! Get your butt in here!" Tokiko snapped. "And stop endangering the lives of those innocent children with your crazy lights!"

"Oh c'mon, it's perfectly safe!" Keita laughed, walking through the door, the other boys following him. "Don't be such a worry-wart. Hey, do you guys want a tour of the apartment?"

"The tea's gonna get cold," Tokiko reminded him.

"That's why I bought a microwave!" Keita laughed, only to be greeted by a punch to the head from Tokiko.

"You don't microwave Japanese tea, idiot! Fine, a tour. But when we come back to cold tea, you'll have to drink every last cup!" she snapped.

"C'mon Tokiko!" Keita laughed, but Tokiko had already started the tour.

"This is our living room," she said, "and through there is Keita's studio. The next room is our bedroom, and through there is the bathroom and next to the bedroom is my office. The kitchen is right through that door," she pointed to the door frame that led to a small kitchen.

"You call that a tour?" Keita joked. "Oh yeah, the tea's so cold, I bet."

"Well, sir, maybe you would like to give them a more extensive tour?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.

"We're fine," Mai laughed, picking up her tea cup and taking a sip. "And the tea's delicious Tokiko."

"Thanks cutie," Tokiko smiled, sitting next to Mai and taking a sip.

"No offense, but you two don't really act like a married couple," Ayumi brought up shyly. "I mean, all you ever do is pick on each other and act violent…"

"Well, we've got a different way of expressing love I guess," Keita shrugged.

"Hey, I'm more than happy that you guys aren't going all kissy-face on us," Ryoko muttered, drinking her tea and putting one arm on the back of the couch.

"Do you two have any children?" Mai asked. Tokiko paused and set down her cup.

"No…no children," she shook her head. "We've…been talking…about it though."

"Yeah," Keita laughed. "But can you imagine me a father?"

"Oh man, it's almost six!" Ayumi looked at a clock and gasped. "I should be home soon. I've still got homework."

"Putting it off for the last minute, as usual," Mai narrowed her eyes. "But we should get going soon."

"We'll see you to the door," Tokiko told them, smiling as the others stood up. "Thanks for coming to visit. Don't hesitate to come by, you know?"

"See you in-game guys!" Mai told them. "It was great to meet you two."

"Great to meet you kids too," Keita smiled as the ring holders began to file out their apartment door. "See you around, you know? Don't be strangers."

"We won't be," Hiromi assured them. "Goodbye!"

The last of the group filed out of the door, and Tokiko shut it behind them, turning to Keita. "Cute kids, right?"

"Right," Keita smiled, slipping his arms around her waist. "Real cute kids. Nice to meet our friends."

"I can't believe this day," Mai sighed as she and Hiromi walked home together. "First I meet Akira and his friends, and then we find out that Tiyra and Sersen are actually married, of all things!"

"Those three you met," Hiromi murmured. "I'm positive that they have something to do with Prisma and Aura. Or at least with 'The World''s mysteries."

"I'm sure too," Mai nodded. "And we've got a new mystery on our hands. This weird 'Celestia'."

"We have enough mysteries on our hands," Hiromi sighed. "One more is the last thing we need."

"Well, I 'can't just sit here and do nothing'," Mai smiled, quoting Akira. Hiromi turned to her and smiled back.

"Yeah, I guess you're right," he said. "We can't just sit here and do nothing."

"Keita?"

"Mmhmm?"

"I love you."

"Love you too…"

"Are you even awake?"

"Mmhmm…"

Tokiko grabbed her pillow and thwacked her husband with it, making him open his eyes and frown at her. "I told you I was awake! Why'd you have to hit me?"

"You were so sleeping," she grinned, putting her pillow back. "Do you think we should have told them?"

"Told them what?" he asked, slipping his arms around her waist.

"The reason why we followed Iam? The attack from that Data Bug? The reason why we're ring holders?"

Keita paused. "It wouldn't have made a difference, you know. And they wouldn't understand anyway…"

"Perhaps not," Tokiko murmured. "But they still deserved to know."

"You're going to get pregnant Tokiko," Keita said, turning her head to face him. "We're going to have children. And what happened was not your fault. It was that Data Bug's fault, you got that?"

"Yeah, I know," Tokiko murmured, stretching her arms around her husband's back and holding him. "I guess I know at least…"

"Good…"

"Hey Keita?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you like my hair white?" she asked, smiling up at him. He smiled back down.

"It makes you look badass," he said in a husky whisper before catching her lips in his own and kissing her softly.

Yay! The first kiss of the entire fic! (I think) And also TWO steady relationships in this chapter! Akira/Natsume and Tokiko/Keita! It's a MIRACLE I tell you!

So, were you guys surprised by Tokiko and Keita's relationship? Or were you all like "omfg, I totally knew that…" (sweatdrops) I hope you didn't think that…

Anway, Akira, Natsume, Celestia and Taro all belong to megafan505 and the fanfic "Dot hack: Chosen" which is an excellent fic! Check it out!

Okay, please leave a review! Thanks again!