Konnichiwa! Argh! I don't even remember when I last updated! But, I have a valid excuse. The whole school system has been down. We couldn't even log into the computers! And so, yeah, that's why it's another late chappy. Also, I was feeling too lazy to type…(typical)

I'm thinking about posting another new fic, go me! I shouldn't really take on more than one story at once – my brain will wear out! Anyways, enough drabble. To the fic!

Chapter 12: The Fire Phoenix

Yume. Dreams…what are they? You close your eyes, and are mysteriously transported to an alternate universe where anything can happen. Good or bad, depending on the movie you watched the night before. But, there are those dreams that you just cannot shake off. The kind that haunt you, like a nightmare. The ones that scare you into waking up panting heavily, beads of sweat dripping down your forehead. What is a dream? Open a dictionary, and there's an explanation right there. A dream – Something a person seems to see while sleeping, something imagined, an ambition or ideal. So, is that a dream then? Something we 'seem to see'. Something we 'imagine'…? I guess many people will take these dictionary definitions as the only meanings of the word. But since I started playing The World, I began to start thinking outside the box (1). I stopped just looking at the literal meanings. I opened my mind. Because from here on, things are just getting weirder…

Flash…

"…" What? What the hell? Where am I now? Where is Maxie? And why does my back hurt? So many questions, so little answers. I am alone. And it's cold. So very cold. At one point in my life, darkness was my only refuge. I could sit in it, feeling peace. All the time. There's something comforting about that. But right now, I feel so cold. My body feels frozen. My ligaments cease to move, and my eyes feel like ice. Every time I blink I shiver. Those little shaky movements keeping me alive. What is wrong with me? Where did everybody go? What happened to The World?

"Kai…"

"Huh?" Someone is calling my name…who is it?

"Kai…" I can move. I hold my arms out in front of me and blink several times. The pain is decreasing.

"…?"

"You can hear me, can't you?" Am I awake? What is going on?

"Y…yes…" My wings! My wings are flashing! What's happening? My back, it hurts a little… There is light emitting from where the wings sprouted. And, despite the soreness, when I gaze into the light I begin to feel warmth. This 'raging fire' is relief to my cold body…

"…Hmm…" The voice is rather silent for a couple of seconds.

"W…who…are you?" I inquire, my fear and shock gradually disappearing.

"I am the Guardian of the Twilight Wings."

"What?" This can't be real…

"But you can call me Dranzer." A bird silhouette appears from my wings and majestically flaps its golden wings in front of me. I can't believe my eyes. It is a Phoenix, a mythical creature.

"Dranzer? So, you're a guardian, huh?" There is an aura of warmth in the air. Despite not even knowing the intentions of this thing, I already feel like I can trust it. Like I know it… "Are you…my guardian?"

"Yes. For you possess the sacred wings."

"So…you're a sacred spirit then?" I ask, finally getting used to the pitch-black location in which I have been placed.

"You could say that. To your kind, I am known as the Fire Phoenix."

"Okay…" This is weird. Too weird. I'm having a conversation with something that doesn't even exist. And I don't even think I'm in The World anymore. I might be unconscious. Yeah, I've probably passed out. Or, the most likely answer is that I'm asleep. Yeah, this is just some crazy dream…it's just my…imagination…

The Earth is always moving, spinning, but it's so slow you cannot feel it…so, why is my head spinning? Why am I dizzy? What happened to the Phoenix? Where am I? What? Help me! I'm falling, falling…the darkness! It's sucking me in! Swallowing me up…help…

"Kai? Master Hiwatari? Are awake?"

"Hmm?" My body jolts and I sit up suddenly, panting heavily. What was that? I can feel sweat tricking down my forehead. Yes. It was one of them dreams. There was another a knock at the door.

"Master Kai? I'm coming in." The voice announced. It took me a couple more seconds to realise that I was back at home, tucked up in bed. And I had just had the strangest dream possible. I imagined a phoenix was talking to me.

"Ah. Kai, how do you feel? Last night you fell asleep at the computer. I logged you out of the game. The World I think it was…"

"Huh? What? I fell asleep?" Come to think of it, I had been rather tired. My restless night before probably wore me out. I guess that's why the dream was so odd and engaging. But it had felt so real…I clasp my hands together as the butler draws my curtains.

"What a beautiful day." He remarks, smiling at me. "Don't worry, I saved your progress before I switched off the machine." He grins at me.

"Oh! Thanks. Kansha!" I nod. I have decided not to sack him. Besides, Gerard is one of the few butlers that doesn't give me strange looks that imply that I'm a spoilt, anti-social little brat who does what he wants. So what if it's true? I don't need them to remind me!

"So, I suppose since it is the weekend you will be on that machine again?"

"You mean the computer?"

"Hai. I won't get in your way, Master Kai, but I do advise you to complete all your work first." I nod again before getting out of bed.

"Alright. I have some homework to finish. I'll go on the game when I'm done."

"There's a good boy." Gerard chuckles. "Well, I'm going to do the grocery shopping. I know you won't be home alone, but your key is on the desk there just in case…"

"Yes grandma." I groan. As nice as he is, Gerard still treats me as if I'm a little kid.

"Goodbye Master Kai." Bowing, there's a smile on my butler's face as he leaves the room. All is silent again. I decide to get changed and get the dreaded schoolwork over and done with…

XOXOXOXOXOXO

"Password. Login." A tall redhead typed a series of characters into the mainframe computer. He was an administrator, and so he had more access than the players in The World. His pale slender fingers glided over the keyboard, pressing the buttons gently yet efficiently. It was almost an image of beauty watching the boy work so well with the equipment, treating it with such care and affection. "Hmm…what's this?" A small envelope appeared in the bottom corner of the screen, indicating new mail. "I wonder who sent this…" He wondered aloud.

Opening the message, the tall teen saw nothing but numbers and letters in no logical order. It was a big jumble. Someone's idea of a bad joke. Just junk mail. But no. The ice blue eyes of the redhead widened, a smile creeping onto his lips. "Well, well…" He highlighted the message and copied and pasted it to another program. "Let's see how well protected you are…who wrote you? How good is your coding? What are you hiding…?" Talking aloud to the computer made him look mad, but Tala Valkov was good when it came down to computers. He was good with codes, enabling him to write his own programs. He would be good at gate hacking, that much he believed in himself. But there was somebody better. Someone who had already started to read the message and uncover the secrets within. And in this race, she would do anything to win…

XOXOXOXOXOXO

"Pardon my intrusion…" A neko-jin boy, armed with a magic staff, orbed into a desolate looking field within The World. The bells on his hat jangled as the wind picked up, causing the sandy ground to become a blur. Rei's long, loose hair flapped around everywhere, his fluffy ears twitching. "But, I am here to see Sir Kenneth the Great. We must talk, immediately."

"What? How the hell did you get here?" A young man in uniform stepped forwards. He looked down at Rei. "You little shrimp. I don't know how you got here, but you don't see the second in command just by demand, stupid hacker. Why don't you run along home and slurp up some milk, kitty." He yelled angrily, stepping towards the neko-jin with his spear in hand.

"Now, now. No need to be offensive. I would like a word with…"

"I know what you're asking for kid! And I'll answer again. No! You hear? Now, get lost, before I report you! You can lose your avatar if you get caught, idiot. And how in the world did you get here?"

"I teleported." Rei smirked at the hidden joke. "Through a gate, how else?"

"What…?" Slow on the uptake, the older man was getting even more cross. "Alright pal, enough games. You orb out right now, okay?"

"I'm afraid I can't right now. This is very important. If you won't let me see him than I will have to eliminate you. And I really don't want to do that." Rei's staring yellow eyes lost the friendly look of a few seconds ago. "You do not want to make me angry…" He warned, hissing like a cat.

"You dare threaten me! Insolent child!" Running full speed towards the wavemaster, the low ranked knight swung his spear dangerously, hoping to at least wound the smart alec in order to get rid of him.

"Well, I did warn you, my friend…" Twirling his stick around in his hands, Rei began to chant.

"What? Argh! What the hell?" The man was slowing down. He was barely moving. "No!" His hp was ticking down as Rei kept chanting. "I'm poisoned too! No, at this rate he'll kill me and walk away without a scratch! How can this be? I am a Shojiki Knight!"

"Pah! You call yourself a knight. You bring shame to the well-known Vagrant hunters…" Rei hissed in the other man's ear. "You are weak. It won't be long before the poison takes your health points to zero. Or maybe my other spell will take you down first…" Rei smirked, watching the expression of horror develop on the man's face.

"No! Please. Sumimasen! I am so sorry! I will take you to Sir Kenneth. Please! Spare me!" Rei sighed. Waving his stick he used a counter spell and 'La Repth' to heal the knight in training.

"Kansha! Oh, thank-you. You are most kind, and so very strong! My name is Bilner…" The older man began to talk more kindly now. "This way. By the way, what is your name, young sir?"

"You may call me White Tiger." Rei purred.

"Excuse me, I do hope you don't take this the wrong way, but you remind me more of a black cat…" Squinting his eyes if expecting a punishment, Bilner was in for a surprise.

"Hai. Perhaps…but, you'll be surprised how many disguises one has. Just as a tiger disappears into the forest, blending in to its surroundings, I blend into The World…" Rei shook his head, his dark hair tousling in a wind that had died down. With a smile on his face, the Career Neko-jin X Wavemaster disappeared with Bilner through an invisible wall…

XOXOXOXOXOXO

"It's so hot in here…" Max sighed, running a hand through his tousled blonde locks. "I'll have to open the window…" Switching the computer on, Max got up and pushed the window open. The cold breeze flowed into his bedroom, but the boy didn't feel any better. "Why am I so tired? Maybe Dad's right. Perhaps I am playing this game too much. But The World is so interesting. When Kenny showed me it, I was so excited, I couldn't wait to give it a go! And now I'm hooked! I mean, even Kai loves it, so this game really is something! And now we've got a challenge on our hands. It's a shame Kai logged out just as it was getting good, but there was no point continuing without him…" Sighing, Max entered in his login number to continue loading the computer. "I should really get some sleep, but I really want to know what will happen next…my amulet helped us get to that field, so it should be saved in the history. Once I find that field again, me and Kai can get sleuthing! And my Aura theory will be proved correct! Airhead or not, I know she's connected somehow. But Rei…? I don't know what to think about him anymore." Max laid back in his chair. "Why didn't he tell us before? Kai doesn't trust him anymore, but I…I can't just…Rei is my friend. I want to hear him out at least. There are still some things he hasn't revealed yet. Until then, I guess I can't just leave him." Contemplating many thoughts, Max rubbed his aching head. Looking in the mirror he saw a pale face flushed with pink stare back groggily. To be honest, he looked terrible. "Oh man. So I look as bad as I feel, eh!" He joked. "Oh well. Better ring Kai and tell him I'm logging in…" Standing up again, Max felt dizzy. His balance abandoned him, and he struggled to stay upright. "W…what…?" Groaning, Max felt himself slowly hit the floor. Determined to grab his cell, Max re-opened his eyes and tried to focus them. The steady rhythmic beats banged inside his head like a stone mason at work. "…"

"Max, you alright?" The boy heard his father ask from the landing. "I heard a thud…"

Max would have replied, if trying to stand up again hadn't worn him out so badly. He was laying on the floor panting for breath, sweat trickling down his forehead. He closed his eyes, and gently lost himself in a dream…

XOXOXOXOXOXO

"Kenneth the Great, Sir, there is someone here to see you." Bilner the soldier informed a knight in silver armour.

"May I ask why I am being disturbed, soldier?" Kenneth answered plainly, sounding a little annoyed. He wore thick armour and a helmet.

"This player, calling himself White Tiger, has come to discuss important information with you."

"White Tiger…" A spark of interest was eminent from the knight's voice. Turning to face the pair, the young man wearing glasses approached them. "I have heard much about you."

"Indeed, I presumed so." Rei grinned, He and Kenneth were around about the same height. The neko-jin guessed that the 'real' person behind this figure couldn't be much different to him in age, despite his older looking avatar.

"You are here to discuss the recent happenings?"

"Hai. And much more." Kenneth looked at Bilner and narrowed his eyes.

"Bilner, I would like you and any other soldiers hanging around to leave us be and search sector B7."

"Yes Sir!" Saluting, the man took his leave.

"We are alone now. What brings you here, hacker?" Sir Kenneth sat down, and indicated a spare seat of which Rei sat on.

"Oh, my hacking days are over now, Sir Kenneth. You know that as well as I do."
"Maybe. But that's only because of a certain player…" The 'older' player seemed quite distant for a while.

"Damn her…" Rei swore, remembering the moment he had lost his virus cores (2) and been beaten by a woman.

"She is quite the hacker."

"The ultimate one if you ask me. It's true she was involved with the .hackers, right?"

"Indeed. Oh, Helba…" Kenneth's words were dripped with love.

"And you're second in command here?" The special wavemaster jeered sarcastically.

"Hmf. Why are you really here, White Tiger? Is Pink Rose getting to you? She's been earning virus cores aplenty these last few days…Are you going to be beaten by a woman again?"

"Shut up. I thought you would be expecting me! Perhaps it is you who's losing your touch! Then again, you are second to a woman yourself!" The pair suddenly stopped shouting. Silence filled the almost empty room for a matter of minutes.

"I am sorry. My behaviour has been unacceptable. I do apologise." It was almost amusing to see such a highly looked upon figure apologising to the neko-jin. However, the boy nodded in return.

"Sumimasen. I too apologise. I came to tell you about Aura…"

"Yes. And her return no doubt."

"What? You knew?" Rei was genuinely shocked.

"Word gets round quickly when you're in the Shojiki Knights. Don't forget that."

"I do hope you aren't mocking me…"

"No, certainly not. But I will say this. Aura is none of my concern. I will stick to my duty here, searching for the Vagrant A.I's…"

"You're loyalty sickens me."

"Why, don't you and your boss have a nice, cosy relationship? Or are you actually trying to make friends with players other than Pink Rose?"

"Look, I am glad you take your position seriously Kenneth. But I don't think you understand what this means. Aura is back, and I have no idea what the future holds for The World!"

"Don't you like surprises…?" Kenneth asked, rising from the chair.

"What?"

"White Tiger, I appreciate you coming to find me, but…it seems you want to control what happens here. You cannot control this video game."

"Who says I wanted to? We both know that CC Corp is responsible for everything. But Aura…"

"Don't worry too much. I am staying with the Shojiki Knights. Nothing you say can persuade me to do otherwise. But if I was you, White Tiger, I would get more information first. Learn from your friends. Keep close to the one's who are destined for greatness. I will watch from afar. Maybe, when the time is right, I will find the Twilight Hackers."

"The Twilight Hackers? You!"

"But for now, I will just do my duty. That is what is expected of me. You should do what is expected of you. Besides, you aren't the only one interested in the newbies…"

"You know who…"

"Don't under-estimate the Shojiki Knights." And with that, the Knight pulled a trinket out of his pocket and grasped it inside his fist. "Farewell for now, White Tiger…" He said, before disappearing, leaving a confused neko-jin to stare in awe.

XOXOXOXOXOXO

"Moshi moshi? Oh, hello Kai." Mr. Mizuahara said, picking up the ringing phone.

"Is Max there please?" Kai asked, ringing the right number at last.

"I'm sorry, Max is resting right now. He passed out half an hour ago. I put him to bed, he has a terrible fever."

"Oh. I'm sorry. It doesn't matter then. I'm just logging on into The World. Tell Max I said hi and I hope he gets better soon."

"Will do. Thanks for calling. Sayonara."

"Bye." I hung up the phone and sighed. Poor Maxie. I guess it would be rather selfish of me to log into The World alone, but maybe I can find some answers and stock up on supplies. Still, I can't help but feel a little freaked out by my dream. But that's all it was, right? A dream. Something we 'seem to see'. Something we 'imagine'…

Yume. Dreams…

TBC…

Okies. I hope this was worth the wait! I think this chapter was written a little differently to the others. My characters seemed way more OOC than usual, although that's probably due to my lack of writing skills! Anyway, I think the next chapter will be more like a part two to this one. Like I mentioned before, I had a few probs updating! Also, my computer kinda went all slow when I was typing out the end of this chappy, and then it sorta froze. I decided to copy the words out again in another program and paste them in. I was really worried about losing my chapter and the whole story (I have it saved on a floppy disk btw). Then I'd have been stuffed! But, yeah, kansha for sticking through with this mess for so long! It is very much appreciated! Hopefully I can squeeze out a few more chapters, but perhaps the end is nigh…or not! I still have no idea seen as tho I never planned it. Anyways, enough of me going on. I never shut up! Hopefully my review count will go up (wink, wink – gawd I hate obvious, desperate hints!)

Till next time then,

Byezies!

Minako Angel out xxx

(1)- There is something about 'thinking outside the box' that I really don't like. Maybe it's cos my mom hates it…? But, I wanted it in the story, so there it is.

(2)- For those of you who are unfamiliar with The World, virus cores are what you get after defeating a monster using 'data drain', although you won't always get them. They are used to hack open gates that are not meant to be used by players, due to data corruption and perhaps because they hold the games' deeper secrets…