.Hack// Shadow of Rebirth

High there! This is the next chapter of my story. Enjoy! And please forgive me for any grammatical horrors you may find.

( Azure Flame God Falls)

( Mac Anu: Raven)

Shicksal had finally arrived at Raven home and were discussing a few thing with each other. So far neither of the group had shown a sign of discomfort, in fact they look more relieve seeing that they are working together.

" I see you got your old form back. Alright spill it. What do you know about our lookalikes?" Kite asked Fluegel .

" Not much but a deal is a deal. For starter their appears to be a total of four member." Fluegel inform.

" Four members?! Thats insane! With two it seem impossible but four!" Kite took a deep breath before he continue " Ok, do you know the other two identity?" Fluegel nodded.

" One is this kid right here" he press a button revealing a picture on the wall. " Do any of you know who this is by any chance?" Fluegel asked.

Kite eyes widen " Thats! Cubia!"

The group look startle. " Who?" ask Fluegel.

" Hes a monster from my past that took a human look after many years." he replied still looking at the image.

" But last time we saw him he wasn't part of their group. They must've came for him after you defeated him badly." Tsukasa said.

" Then who is the other member?" Orca asked the group.

" I think you all know the next one better than anyone in the world" as Fluegel said this he passed the picture to the next slide. What everyone in The Twilight Knight group had wide eyes and were speechless.

" No."

" It can be!"

" How is it possible?!"

" Thats Elk! What the fuck are you trying to pull here! He couldn't be part of them! He...can't!!" Kite was enrage. The picture shown was Elk itself.

" I assure you we are not trying to pull anything. This is a picture taken by CCORP itself when he was on a field. Of course he wasn't alone, he was with this Cubia kid along Tsukasa and Kite's lookalike in the field the picture was taken. We only separated the pictures to get a better view of their appearance." Metronome said in their defense.

" Indeed. We were surprise to see him among them. We thought he was with you guys." Fluegel told the group.

" Shit, Shit, Shit ,Shit! How could this had happened? Its all my fault isn't it?!" the members of Shicksal had no idea what he was talking about, but the rest did " if I didn't hurt him and told him all those things he wouldn't even be there! This is all my fault!"

" Could Elk be there because he wanted revenge?" Balmung said to no one in particular.

" No, Elk, better known to us as Endrance to us, isn't the type of person to get revenge. One of the members must have comforted him and convince him to join. The player simply took advantage of the situation." Ovan stated.

" Dammit! It's all my fault!" Kite said punching the wall.

" Calmed down Kite! We'll think of something. So what other information do you have?" Orca asked trying to change the subject.

" Well" Cello began " we think that we might not be dealing with players here. You see, we search for information on the user of the two lookalikes and found nothing. Either they guys are really good at hidding their identities or we are dealing here with vagrants A.I."

" A.I.?! Are you sure" Atoli asked.

" Its a possibility. Thats all we are saying." Cello told her.

" Elk.......what have I done" Kite was miserable. Because of him the other group got a hold on his friend. When Haseo knows, he was not going to be happy.

" Man Kite, Haseo is totally going to eviscerate you" Shugo said out loud.

" Thanks for reminding me" Kite said glaring at Shugo.

( New Moon Castle)

Elk was once again looking for Shadow Kite. He wanted to find him and ask him something, like he always do. ' I think I ask him way too many questions.' Elk thought as he kept on walking ' Well I don't think he would mind. I mean he hasn't been annoyed by my questions, or at least I hope not.'. He kept looking when all of a sudden a voice stop him on his tracks. " Hey Elk! Wait up a moment will you." Elk turned around to see who was calling him. It was Cubia jogging to catch up to him. " Um....Hey Cubia, whats up?" he asked.

" Dark wanted to talked to you about something. He said it was about Shadow." he said.

" Oh....ok I'll go and find him" Elk said as he went his way and Cubia went his before he heard Cubia talking.

" Well see ya." with that said he went his way.

Elk stopped for a moment "That was odd!" he ponder this but simply shrug and went on his way to find Dar. It took a while to find Dark because unlike Shadow, that stayed in one or two places, he had many places where he could be.

" Hey Dark, you wanted to see me?" Elk said approaching the black Wasvemaster.

" Yeah." was his replied. "Shadow Kite says he's going away exploring and maintaining in check the dark realm. So hes going to be out for a while. Shadow knew you would come looking for him to ask him something, so he wanted you to know. So he told me to tell you guys to stay alert in case a treasure appears."

Elk sighted " Well at least he let me know." with that he walk away.

( Mac Anu: Raven)

" Alright people gather round because we have a plan." Posaune said to the rest of the group.

The group had gather close and sit down to listen to the plan. They were all intrigue to what the plan was going to be and how it was going to work. Once everyone settle down the group began their explanation of their plan.

" After some thinking with Ovan and other we came up with a plan that might work to our favor. You see before joining forces we had try to track down this guys. But by reasons unknown their trace disappeared leaving us at lost. So we decided to capture one of their group and make them tell us where their base is located." Geist explained to the group.

" How? I mean it not like we'll asked one of them to make an appearance. And besides one of them is powerful enough to take on any one of us." Black Rose said.

" Well we decided to go together as in all of us. As for how to lure one of them out.....well we can use this!" Geist took out a stone that look like a treasure of the wave.

" What?! Your going to use one of the treasures of The Wave to lure them out. Thats to risky. Besides, how do we plan on catching them?" Shugo asked .

" For your information it is not a real treasure. Its a decoy that emits almost an exact frequency. And as for capturing him.....well we still don't know that part." Geist said scratching the back of his head.

" Maybe I can help" a voice said drawing everyone attention.

There stood a young boy wearing what it appears to be white Japanese clothing and had a fan tied around the back of his waist and had two oddly looking horns in his head.

" Clad you could make it Zelkova. I thought that you wouldn't be able to join us in in the action." Yata said calmly.

" Are you kidding! I wouldn't miss this for the world." Zelkova said with excitement.

" So where were you?" Ovan asked wanting to know where the kid was this whole time.

Haseo and his party enter at that moment looking exhausted " He got lost in a dungeon until we found him. Then he got us lost with vicious infected monsters attacking us from every direction." Haseo sighted trying not to strangle his fan " So what did we miss?"

" Well........."

-One explanation later-

" WHAT?! ELK IS ONE OF THOSE GUYS! HOW COULD THIS HAD HAPPEN?!" Haseo shouted making the majority of the group deaf. Haseo was so shocked that he simply slump to the ground.

" So are you going to kill Kite now or what?" Shugo asked innocently. Some stare at him wondering if he had any brain cell left. Others, Kite included, wanted to jump on the guy and kick the living day lights out of him.

" N-No. I'm too shocked to do that now. Maybe later." Haseo said still staring into nothing.

" Oooooooooook then. So what plan do you have to capture one of.........." Orca started to change the subject but could remember what their new enemy's were called. Thats because they never revealed it to them.

" The Shadow Knights?" Zelkova said.

" Huh?" some asked.

" The Shadow Knights, the name of their group." the group simply said 'Oh'.

" How do you know that?" Kite asked curious.

" I know a lot of things. And its good to see you again Kite!" Zelkova said cheerfully.

" Do I know you?" Kite was now suspicious.

" Well last time we saw each other I was called Helba." Zelkova explained.

" Helba!" Kite was shocked and so was everyone else " Your a boy?!"

" You could say that. Now lets continue with the plan. To trap one of them we need a specific field, there I shall install a program that will activate once the chest is open. Once that done the program will activate a seal and trap whoever is in the designated area. So we need to keep our distances so we don't get caught with it." he explained.

" Genius! Simple, yet completely cunning." Metronome said.

" Alright then let the preparations begin."

The group went to prepare to put their plans into motion. They choose an area to assemble the trap and everyone went into position. The field was a cloudy field surrounded by trees and mountains and it was raining heavy so the players were all soak.

" Whose idea was it to pick this field again?" Klarinette ask annoyed.

" Balmung." came the answear.

" I said I was sorry. Damn, cut me some slack!" Balmung defended.

" Alright putting aside that. Metronome activate the treasure and put it in the chest." Zelkova instructed Metronome.

She nodded and did as she was told.

" So now we wait for them to take the bait." Fluegel said while taking his position and hiding. The others soon follow and waited.

( New Moon Castle)

The figure in the throne sense another treasure. " Elk come forth. Your mistress summons you." As she said that Elk appeared in the room kneeling before her.

" Y-Yes my mistress." Elk said.

" A new treasure has just appeared. This is gonna be your first solo mission. Retrieve that treasure and bring it here. But their something strange about this."

" Strange?" Elk asked " How so?"

" Usually I can sense a guardian along with the treasure. But, this one is not protected by anything it just suddenly appeared. Very confusing"

Dark, who happened to be in the room, heard the conversation " A treasure without a guardian?" He said while raising a brown " That is weird."

" Never the less Elk go there and retrieve it. And be careful just in case."

Elk bow before he disappeared. Dark frown, something was definitely wrong here.

( Dark Void)

Shadow Kite was patrolling the void checking if anything was out of order. He had stabilize the area and fortify it just in case. He was checking on the lost ones when a certain PC caught his attention.

' Hm? That PC was not there before and I didn't sense new arrivals." Shadow flew over the PC to take a look at it.

" Well!" Shadow said intrigued " I never thought Id see you again. Although you change....a lot."

He pick the PC in his hands and once again took flight out of the place.

( Cloudy Field)

The group had been patiently waiting for the arrival of one of the Shadow Knights. It has been only thirty minutes since the operation had started. Some in the group, like Shugo, were starting to get annoyed and tired of waiting.

" When will he come Kite!" Shugo whined.

" Shugo shut up! Be patient one of them will arrive soon." Kite told the brat. Shugo pouted.

" I sure hope so." Haseo sighted.

At the moment a strong wind came out of nowhere. The wind was carrying rose petals along it and swirled in a specific spot in the air. Inside it a figure could be seen emerging from the wind. The wind slowly died down revealing the figure. The group was stunned at the new arrival. Kite and Haseo had wide eyes, seeing who it was from there hiding spot.

" Elk. Thats Elk" Haseo said walking in his direction until a hand stop him. " What the...? Kite ! Let me go. That Elk for goodness sake." he quietly hissed.

" I know but remember he is one of them." Kite told him with remorse.

Haseo bit his lips and waited for Elk to take the bait. Elk floated down until his feet touch the ground. He dusted himself off the invisible dust, like he always do, and walk strait into the treasure. He look around trying to spot the guardian but found nothing. ' Strange. There really is no guardian'. He continue walking until he reach the chest and prepare to open it. Everyone hiding wanted to come out an warned him but it had to be done. Elk opened the chest and pulled what it looked like 'The Eye of Skeith'.

" Huh? What the...?" before he could do anything seals appeared underneath him and above him. Transparent walls began to form and surrounded the unsuspecting Wavemaster. Before he knew it he was trap in a transparent diamond. " What the?" Elk punch the insides with all hes might but only made the crystals shake a little. He try to summoned his wand but notice he couldn't. " Whats going on?"

" Hi Elk!" Zelkova came out of hiding with a sad smile.

" What?! Zelkova?! I should have known you would come up with something like this." Elk sighted.

At that moment everyone came out of their hiding spot.

" Well it look like it work? We finally capture one of The Shadow Knights. Good work everyone." Fluegel said.

Elk looked around and saw that both Shicksal and The Twilight Knights has joined forces. Elk sighted, he couldn't believe he had fallen in a trap. ' Shadow's gonna kill me for this.' A voice snap him out of his thought.

" Elk?"

Elk like in the direction and notice it was none other than Kite.

( New Moon Castle)

Shadow walk toward the castle with the un-conscious PC in his arms. He was half way there when he spotted Dark with a frown on his face. This worries him because Dark never frown unless its serious.

" Whats on your mind Dark?" Shadow asked snapping his friend out of thoughts.

" Well, the mistress has send Elk to a mission to retrieve a treasure and I'm kinda worry."

" Relax. The kid will be fine." Shadow try to assure him.

" Thats not all. The mistress didn't sense any guardian with the treasure and it uneases me." Dark explained.

Shadow frowned at this. ' A treasure with out a guardian? Some thing's not right '. Dark notice he was carrying a PC and his eyes widen.

" Isn't that.....?" Dark started but Shadow cut him off.

" Yeah. Take it to my room. I'm gonna find Elk, something is not right."

He handed the PC to Dark and disappeared in black flames.

( Cloudy Field)

" Elk? Its me Kite." Kite began saying.

Elk frown at him and turn his gaze at another direction avoiding his. Kite saw this a felt like he was stabbed.

" Elk please, we need to talk." Kite pleaded.

" Theres nothing to talk about. You made your point loud and clear the last time I try to help you." Elk hissed.

" Its not what you think! I wasn't thinking strait! Listen to what I have to say!" Kite try to explain but Elk wouldn't listen.

" No, you listen! I am sick and tire of the way people like you treat me! I'm not some tool to be used as one pleases and then to be toss away! I chose my path, now leave me alone!"

"By Joining with one of our enemies.!Because what, you wanted revenge?!" Kite was now getting angry.

" Heh, like you would understand!" Elk snarled back. Kite became quiet and let the words sink in.

" Alright Elk enough of this! Were is your hide out?" Black Rose went strait to the point.

"What?! What makes you think I'll tell you?!" Elk looked incredulously.

Zelkova sighted " I knew this wouldn't be easy so I assemble a program that will make you tell us. I'm not gonna lie its going to hurt like hell. Will you tell us on your own accords or will I have to use this?"

" You guys must be crazy to think I would betray them! Do your worst." Elk said full of confidence.

Zelkova didn't want to come to this but he had no choice. They had to stop their foes plans before its too late. He then press a button and symbols began to appear on the crystal. Elk didn't know what was happening. Moments later he felt pain, real pain inside of him. He let out a silent scream and his mouth started to move on his own. Elk used all of his will power to stop himself from telling them their location. But trying to control himself and deal with the pain were becoming extremely hard.

The group couldn't believe what they were doing to Elk. Some of them look away while others had sad look on their faces. They couldn't bare to see him in pain especially Haseo. Haseo had to look away to stop himself from coming to his aid. The torture continue for a while until Kite had enough " Alright, that thats enough! Zelkova stop this for now."

" I understand." Zelkova press a button and the process stop. Kite got close to the crystal to see how Elk was doing. He was panting and Kite had to admit he was impress ' The Elk I know would've fainted from all of this. Hes stronger now for some reason.'.

" Elk please, we don't want to do this anymore. Just tell us where those guys are hiding and we'll let you go." Kite try to reason with him.

" Do whatever you like. But I won't betray them. It looks to me your going to have to force the information out useless little old me." Elk said with a soft smirk on his face.

" What do we do Kite?" Black Rose asked. Inside she wanted to stop this and forget about the whole. But both worlds were in danger so she had to be strong.

Kite look at Zelkova " Its up to you if we continue this or not. It will be painful for him but we'll get the information from him, whether he likes to or not." he said with a sad look. Kite for once in his life didn't know what to do. Either he hurt his friend to save "The World" or he let him go and take a game of chance. This was a once in a time opportunity, yet he couldn't decide. Elk saw Kite struggle and was confuse ' What is he waiting for. He has me and can get the information forcefully out of me, so why does he hesitate.'

Before anything happened a blue sphere appeared before them floating in the center of the group. The players were confuse as to what this thing was, minus the exception of Kite, Tsukasa, Haseo, and all Epitaph Users. Then the blue orb expanded releasing blue flames. Out of the flames came a figure all well known to those who had been in his presence before. Azure Kite emerges from the flames and had a look of that of pure hatred.

" What the...? Azure Kite? What are you doing in here? Aren't you suppose to be with Aura?" Haseo asked clearly not getting the picture.

" Shut Up!" he snarled at Haseo. The rouge took a few step back, he had never seen A. Kite mad before. " You!" he pointed at Kite accusingly. Kite took a step back , surprise by the young knight and how he had address him. " Because of you Aura doesn't want to see me anymore! You bastard! I should have kill you the first time we met!" everyone was startled by what they heard.

Kite got his composure back before replying " You did that to yourself! So don't go blaming me for your mistakes."

A. Kite eyes went wide with anger and he unleash a blue fire wave that send everyone in different directions. Zelkova lost hold on the remote during the attack and landed close to the young knights feet. The young warrior pick up the remote and stared at it and then stare at Elk. He smirk at an idea that just pop up in his head. Kite slowly got up and saw that his clone had the remote, fear went by him thinking of what the other might do " You wouldn't dare! Leave Elk out of this!".

A. Kite chuckle " I'm afraid that not going to happen. You see, I see it fitting since took something very important to me then I take something precious from you!". Elk had wide eyes. " You see I know all about Elk, or Endrance, condition and how he is trap in 'The World'. The stress he'll receive will be painful, it might even kill him and what do you think would happen to his body in the real world. By the time you actually catch me it'll already be too late. Lets see how you like it to loose something important in your life!" A. Kite prepare to press the button and Kite was too far to do anything .

" NO!!!" Kite shouted.

Before the button was press and giant black fire ball came hurling toward the knight impacting just a few inches away from him. The explosion send the knight flying in the opposite direction and made him loose the remote. Said remote got destroy during the impact. A. Kite was stunned ' What the hell?' he thought. The others were as well stunned as nobody expected a surprise attack on the knight. Elk look around to see who was his savior. When he look above he spotted a figure and a happiness came toward Elk face. " Shadow!" he said with joy.

Shadow Kite descended from the slowly from the cloudy sky looking seriously at the knight. " That is as far as you go. I will not allow you to harm one of my own just because things didn't go so well for you." he said calmly toward A. Kite.

Shugo eyed him, before his eyes widen ' No. That can't be who I think it is!'

The knight barge his teeth in frustration " Stay out of it!" he snarled.

" I'm afraid I cannot. If you have something against Kite take it out on him not my teammates." Shadow reply calmly.

" What are you?" Kite ask still a little stunned.

" He is an A.I. as well and a powerful one at that. I've been wanting to meet you for a while now." Zelgova said.

Shadow turn around to face Zelkova " Well, well aren't you a smart A.I. So did your sex change once you enter this world ?" Shadow replied.

" What?! Zelkova! Your an A.I.? AND YOU WERE A GIRL?!" Haseo now was having a headache.

" EHHH....hehe. You didn't have to tell them that!" Zelkova glared at Shadow.

Shadow simply shrug. " Shadow? Your an A.I.? No wonder I never saw you log out." Elk said from his prison. Shadow simply nodded.

" I thought it was obvious." he replied. Elk sweat drop.

" What I like to know is how you came to be?" Fluegel asked.

" Why you!! Give Elk back to us!" Kite snarled at his lookalike.

Shadow turned to him " You are in no disposition to tell me what to do." he said without any trace of malice or hatred.

A. Kite had stood still listening but now he had enough. "Shadow, don't interfere! I'm only here to get revenge on Kite. And since you destroy the remote I guess I have kill the guy the old fashion way." he said angrily.

" I'm afraid I cannot let you do that." Shadow said with out worry.

" You don't have a choice in the matter." A. Kite hissed before his body started to glow.

Cubia Omega sense something within the knight ' Heads Up Kid! Something big is coming!'

As soon as he said this blue flames came busting out of some areas of the young knights body. Hes body was beginning to separate when he was completely cover in blue flames. After a few seconds the group was blinded by a light coming from the warrior. When it faded before them was a version of A. Kite but bigger. His arms, legs, and torso were connected by blue flames. He had a huge arc behind him with a circle floating in the middle. In addition he had two pair of blades each with a set of three swords attach together hovering over his upper wrist. The field had disappeared and they where now floating in a very huge space with a blue sphere down below them.

' Dang! I didn't know he had The Azure Flame God avatar with him' Cubia Omega said inside Kite heads.

" See! You don't have a choice in the matter. Now stay back as I finish what I started!" Azure Flames said.

" Oh! But I do." Shadow smirk as he said this. Lines appear over his body as he started to glow. Once again a blinding light appear for a few seconds before fading away. In Shadows place was an black avatar that resemble an armored knight. His shoulders where pointed upward, his cape formed by black flames, and his hand look like little sharp claws. He looked like the Black Knight and like the majority of the avatars his mid section was a bit thinner.

Azure Flame God was startle for a moment before he got mad again " Have it your way then! I'll destroy you and the brat in the crystal!" He charged forward. The black knight avatar summoned two pair of black swords in his hands, witch he held like twin blades, and charged as well. The two clash and exchange sword blows before Shadows avatar went upward follow shortly by the Azure Flame God. While going up the kept exchanging blows and looking for an opening. Then the two gave one final impact before being push back by the force.

The group below were absolutely speechless. They were not seeing the two A.I. anymore, every single one of them could see the avatars by some strange reasons.

" Kite, what are those things?!" Balmung asked still startle.

" What?! You mean you can see them?" Kite was surprised.

" Kid we all can see these....... whatever they are. A huge black knight with two killer swords and a thing being hold together by blue flames. How hard it is to miss?" Fluegel said.

" Those are avatars. Beings of unimaginable powers that only certain players have. The thing is that only people who can see them are those who can summoned them. And a lot of you didn't see them before. I wonder why your all are able to see them now?" Haseo explain.

" I bet it has something to do with Shadow Kite. I think he is letting all of us see them for some reason." Zelkova said to the stunned group.

Azure Flame God was trembling with anger " So you can summoned an avatar too, big deal! I'll still kill you and the kid."

The black knight avatar shook his head " Don't take your frustration on him Azure Flame God. I warned you this might have happened, but you ignored my words and still went through it."

He was now even more angry and frustrated than before " So you warned me big deal! You know my avatars name too so mind telling me yours?"

" Its Alvatros. Thats all you need to know." Alvatros said.

" Well Alvatros, thats all I need to know when I bury you!" he made the three blades close up and come together to form one thick sword in each hand. With a cry he charge at the black avatar full speed. Alvatros sighted and shook his head. He tighten his hold on one of the blades and waited for the right moment to strike. When he thought it was right he struck the blade forward, so did Azure and their blades contact each other, blocking each other. The force of the impact was strong and they stayed holding each other off for awhile. The struggle continue for a while and Alvatros took the chance to speak " Did it hurt? When she said those words to you. Are they killing you on the inside? I can practically see your depression. But I did try to warned ya." he teased the already anger avatar.

" Shut up!" Azure shouted his replied.

They push each other away before charging at each other crossing their weapons. This continue for awhile crossing path in every direction and angle until after one cross Alvatros was over Azure. The black avatar took advantage of this and came down with force and strike with his left blade at the other. Azure was barely able to cross his blades to block Alvatros attack. Alvatros was pushing hard against the others blade, giving Azure a hard time to hold him off. The force was so great it made one of Azure's blade crack and Azure was beginning to tired out. ' No! I refuse to loose again! I Refuse!'. His eyes glowed and uncross his blade effectively repelling and disarming the left blade form the black avatars hand. Azure then move at top speed toward a direction. Alvatros was startle, he wasn't expecting this to happened. He turned around to look for the blue avatar when suddenly he was grab by his mid section, which startle him more but he didn't have time to do anything because he was pull at top speed. Azure speed off and flew in an upper direction, once he reach a certain height he came down a top speed toward a blue sphere. Once close, he ram the black avatar against the blue orb making it explode right at contact while he got away safely.

Alvatros was once again stunned ' Damn! Thats what I get for taking it easy on the brat.' he thought, he then slowly started to get up.

Azure was panting at this point, he saw the other was starting to get up ' I have to finish this now!' he thought and prepared to used Data Drain. Alvatras was in a kneeling position preparing to stand up.

Elk was in a panic, he was powerless to do anything to help his leader. ' Come on Shadow! Get up! Before its too late!' he thought with worry. The rest of the group were too stunned to say anything.

" Farewell!" Azure shouted and fired the Data Drain at the black avatar.

At this point Alvatros had gotten up, he heard something and look up to see what to see a sphere coming down right on top of him. 'Crap.' it was all he was able to think before the Data Drain made impact creating a large explosion in the area.

The group was speechless. " Well that takes care of their leader." Fluegel said.

" Yeah but whose gonna take care of anger management here!" Rena said.

Elk had wide eyes, he just couldn't believe " No!"

There was a huge ball of smoke covering the area were Azure had just fire the Data Drain. Nothing could be seen at the moment and he smirked " Looks like I win! Sorry Shadow but you just didn't cut it. Now for my price." he turned and look below toward the group. Suddenly Alvatros came out of the smoke and headed strait for Azure.

" Shadow!" Elk said surprised.

Azure quickly turned around but it was too late Alvatros was already too close to him. With the blade he hadn't lost he he cross Azure slashing him in that moment breaking his data- protection shield and stunning him. While he passed the young knight he notice he had a look of disbelieve on his face. Alvatros made a little distance before he prepared to use his Data Drain at the Flame God. He charged and pointed " I am sorry for this, you know." he said and fired.

Azure stared at the orb heading strait for him ' I.......lost' was all he thought before it made contact with him and exploded.

After the explosion A. Kite, after returning to his original form, fell from his position because now he was too weak to fly. He was heading for a black abyss were he knew if he fall in that thing he was done for. But his falling stop and felt someone carrying him in bride style, so he opened his eyes to see who. It was Shadow, he had just spare him from his fate and was looking at the falling knight. " why...?" he asked weakly.

" I have my reasons. Now rest." he order the tired knight. Azure Kite was too tired to opposed and fell asleep in his arms. Shadow then look at the trap Elk, he shifted the young warrior a little so he could fire at the crystal and freed Elk. Elk quickly flew by his side wondering why he had save the one trying to eliminate them. Zelkova looked stunned that he was able to destroy the crystal and Shadow saw him and decided to answer.

" I knew the crystal was indestructible form the inside, but the outside was not"

" How did you know?" Zelkova asked with a frown.

" What?! Just because I'm Kite's shadow doesn't mean I'm clueless" he replied.

" Hey!" Kite said in a whinnying tone.

" I read and stuff, and I'm pretty smart too. Looks like you don't know me very well without me telling you. We're off then." with that black flames started to surround them. Right then a small crystal orb fell from Shadow's pocket before they vanish.

" NO! Now were never gonna get Elk back! Dammit all! DAMMIT ALL!" Kite scream his frustration while the group look at him with sadness. Zelkova remain silent the whole time. His eyes landed on the small crystal orb that fell from Shadow. He picked it up and he stared at it in wonder.

" Hey I know what this is!" he said excitedly.

The group looked at him and then at the orb he had in his hand. " What is that Zelkova?" Pi asked for the group.

He grinned before " It's a twilight orb. This thing can record anything a certain individual has done, been and among others. Sorta like a brief history of whoever have them. And since it fell from Shadow himself, this must contain his memory, emotions and among other things. You name it. Thing about all the information we can get from this!" he said practically jumping with joy.

Kite's hope rosed " You mean we can find where they are? And how to undo this mess?"

" Lets hope so! Alright! Everyone back to our headquarters." Zelkova order and the rest follow and left except for Shugo. He looked at the area one last time where everything took place.

" What happened to you?" he asked sadly before he too left the area.

( New Moon Castle)

Shadow returned along with Elk and the defeated knight in is arms and made their way to the castle. They were greeted by their two other team members.

" So! Tell what happened and why do you have one of the Azure Knights in your arms!? Dark asked curious. Cubia was just as curious to know.

Shadow sighted and told them the hold ordeal. " So they know who we are and you actually let them see your avatar?" Dark sighted " Well it was bound to happened sooner or later."

" So Shadow, where did you come from? Since you're an A.I. like us you must have an origin." Cubia asked.

Dark looked worry for a second. Shadow sighted " I'll tell you later ok? I need some rest." Cubia nodded in understanding " Oh and Elk I have a surprise for you. Its the PC woken up yet?" Shadow asked Dark.

Dark smiled but before he could answer a female voice was heard " My, this are some very interesting looking artefact's. Pretty impressive castle too."

The group look in the voice direction. Elk had wide eyes and he let his staff fall to the ground. He recognized that voice anywhere, he just couldn't believe it " M-Mia?" Said figure came out of of where it was to see who called her. Once out everyone could see it was a humanoid cat with armor on. Her fur was purple and white, and had yellow eyes.

" Elk? Is that you? Why hey they're squirt long time no see." she said happily.

" Mia! It is you!" Elk ran toward the cat and gave her a hug " I thought I lost you" he said with happiness in his voice.

" Well I do remember does guys destroying me to get that thing within me. How did I.....?" She asked but was cut off.

" Good question. I found you floating in the dark abyss. You appeared out of nowhere so I took you out of there." Shadow said.

Mia looked at him and wave " Thanks Kite." Shadow simply blink.

Elk giggled " Mia that's not Kite."

Mia blinked a few times " Of course he is! Can't you see the bracelet." She looked at Elk and blink " Say Elk, since when do you have a bracelet. And those two over there have them too. And the kid that looks like Kite in Kites arm has one too! What the....?"

Elk chuckled at Mia's confusion " Lets go to the garden with the white flowers. I have a lot of explaining to do." Before he left he ran toward Shadow and gave him a quick hug " Thank you! This is the best present anyone has given me." Elk said quietly and left. Shadow was stunned, he wasn't used to hugs or people thank him before, except for Dark. He sighted and smiled.

" So what are you going to do with him?" Dark pointed at the young lad.

" I'll heal him and try to make him one of us. With him and Mia on our side, those guys are as good a gone." Shadow smirked and so did Dark and Cubia.

" We'll be that much closer to destroy this world and make a new." Dark said.

" And then things will go our way." with that said Shadow left.

Review if you like. Flames are not welcome and blah, blah, blah. Till next time.