Hi everyone! Erm…it has been a while hasn't it!? Well, thanks for reading The World so far, I appreciate the fact that you bothered to take the time to read my fiction. To my reviewers anon and signed in, I owe you many thanks for boosting my moral and motivating my lazy self to actually get writing! Before I start, I have to say I actually related myself to Shinji Ikari (NGE) today, episode 15, when he's playing the cello and tells Asuka why he started and never stopped. It was…weird. So yeah, here's the very overdue next chapter. Happy reading!

Chapter 17: Death and Discovery

Sparks flew as metal hit metal. Panted breaths mused together as puffy white clouds as two figures reacted swiftly. One, the shorter of the two, started the attack. His twin blades were raised in attack position. The other with silver grey bangs held his blade almost diagonally in a defensive position.

…

"Max, it's me!" I cry, holding off his attack.

"Kai? Oh, Kai! It is you! I'm so sorry! It's great to see you again!" My blonde companion puts his weapons away and flings his arms around my neck. "How did you get here?"

"The chaos gate sent me to a random field. I've been stuck here, unable to orb out."

"What? That's strange. But I guess I feel better knowing I'm stuck here with you and not alone…" Max grins stupidly at me, before staring at his bracelet.

"Moron." I sigh. "So, instead of one us being stuck, there's two. That doesn't really help the situation does it?"

"Sorry, Kai. I really missed it here though. Even though this game is corrupted and we're stuck in a lousy field, I still feel happy and excited. There's something so addictive about playing The World, isn't there? I know you feel the same way Kai. We can work through this, I know we can!" Max, somehow more un-phased than I am, for once has a point.

"Hmm…" Time to put our, I mean 'my', thinking cap on.

"One thing's for sure, it's cold here. I wish there was a fire or something…" Max moaned quietly to my right.

Then it hit me! (Not literally of course!) Fire!

"Dranzer…" I call softly into the air. "Can you hear me?" I close my crimson eyes and focus on the pain growing on my back. My wings are glowing, I can feel the energy. Max's bracelet flashes, I can see the spots of light before my closed lids.

"Kai…?" Max's voice is hushed and gentle. It's as if he knows that what I am doing is important.

"The Guardians of the Twilight Wings and Amulet require your assistance. I am calling you, great fire phoenix."

The area is suddenly lit by swirls of red and orange light. My wings have transformed into a spectacle of beauty.

But the most amazing sight of all is flapping its wings in front of me.

"Yes master…" Calls a familiar voice that warms my ears. Max, astonished, chooses to remain silent and gawk.

"Dranzer." The name rolls off my tongue with ease. For the first time in over an hour, I feel powerful, protected and amazed.

XOXOXOXOXOXO

"Kenny was right…he was right…" A voice, broken by discovery and damaged pride, repeated pitifully.

Commander Hiromi flipped through the file for the fifth time. She almost wept at her stupidity.

Only ten minutes ago, a message marked 'Urgent' appeared in her mail box. Opening it immediately, the commander realised it was CC Corp, asking her why her team of elite Vagrant A.I hunters were wasting their time when an issue of great importance had arisen. The issue of Aura.

Kenny, second-in-command, had seen the signs before she had. Despite confronting her on his own view of the situation, he had remained loyal to her command.

It sickened her that she actually had to be asked to help the big league out with the data corruption. At least Kenny had found some useful leads.

Distance Beautiful Silent Star.

The code word for Aura's field.

"I will pay for my mistake. But first, I must obey my new duty. I must not fail."

XOXOXOXOXOXO

Flames of gold, crimson and sunset yellow surrounded dark blue eyes as another figure joined the duo.

He did not smile, and he barely made a sound.

'I've found you at last. I am sorry, old friend. Please, forgive my action. It is for the best. The greater good…'

He walked slowly through the colours that lit the plain sky. The site of the bird did not faze him. He knew, from that trader, what to expect. The new Twilight Hackers were capable of things never before seen in this virtual reality.

"Who's there?" A voice asked, as one figure, the taller one, suddenly turned to face him. The phoenix's eyes blazed into the Blademaster.

"Hello."

XOXOXOXOXOXO

"It's Tyson…" I explain to Max, as I hear footsteps approaching us. I don't know how he got here, but I'm still a little shocked to see him.

"Hello." He calls as he gets nearer.

"Tyson, buddy!" Max runs to greet him.

Slash. Blood trickles down Max's face. A clean gash across his right cheek is visible in the hazy light.

"Maxie, you okay?" I ask, running to his side as he freezes, paralysed.

"Tyson? Why? Why did you do that?" He asks weakly, the blood dripping to the floor like big red teardrops.

"I'm sorry." He lashes out again, but this time I'm prepared. My blade stops his from getting Max again.

"Have you lost it Tyson?" I shout at the seemingly mad Blademaster.

"He has to die. I wish it didn't have to end this way. You two know nothing. Your acts of heroism will kill us all. It will destroy The World. And I can't let that happen, even if I thought of you as friends. Believe me, I really am sorry."

"Stop apologising, you psycho! You don't know what you're saying!" I yell at him, as he swings again. I am barely able to hold him off. I forgot that Tyson was a much higher level than Max and I.

"Get out of my way, Kai, or I'll have to kill you too!" Tyson thrashes wildly, his swings accurate and powerful.

"Stop!" I hear Max cry out. He tries to help me fend Tyson off. The other boys' eyes, wide and dangerous, give us both the creeps. He's not himself, I realise. He is corrupted.

'Use the fire, Kai. Look deep inside yourself. You know what must be done. Save yourselves. Save The World.' Dranzer's voice echoes in my head.

Without thinking I channel Dranzer's power into my blade. (Ha, 'beyblade')

"Dranzer! Fire arrow!" I yell, my blade burning brightly, feeling hot and heavy to hold.

Max, knocked roughly to the floor and winded by Tyson, is about to be sliced in two. I have no time to think, just act on impulse.

Before the silver edge of the weapon could graze Max's pale, frightened face, my own blade surges through Tyson's heart. The fire flickers dangerously, and I suddenly feel that burst of energy ebbing away.

Tiredly, I sink to my knees. I see a pool of blood, and the harsh coughing of a fallen warrior rings in my ears.

"Kai…what have you done…?"

TBC

XOXOXOXOXOXO

I just had to post this today! Monday the thirteenth! I don't know why, but I just had to! Some of you may have noticed the name of this chappy has changed from what I said it would be last time. Actually, to be honest, I typed it incorrectly in chapter 16. Sorry, my bad! I'd really like a few reviews for this instalment. I'd just like to know if I have lost my touch or not, since I haven't updated in a long time! Does Kai still sound like my OOC Kai? Is this story dragging on a bit? Does anyone even know what the heck is going on? (I certainly don't!!!)

See you next time,

Byezies!

Minako Angel xxx