.hack//SIGN Fan Fiction / .hack//LIMINALITY Fan Fiction / .hack//Legend Of Twilight Bracelet Fan Fiction ❯ Episode Two: .hack//Legacy ❯ Friendly Foes ( Chapter 8 )

Book Two- Inner Darkness

 

Chapter Eight- Friendly Foes? - The Real World

 

Dan and Jas were awoken at seven A.M. by Peg and Bill.

“Dan! Wake UP! There is a man here to see you. He said something about taking you out to lunch with Vanessa.”

“Why?”

“He said he has a few questions to ask.”

“What's his name?”

“He introduced himself as a Mr. Ides.” Dan shot up out of bed.

“Okay. I'll get ready. Does Jas know?”

“Yeah, he's almost ready.”

“Tell him to come here.”

“Okay.”

 

Jas walked into Dan's room just as Dan was lacing up his shoes.

“Mr. Ides. Shit.” Jas said.

“I have no intention of seeing him. It's time to put our escape skills to the test.”

“What?” Dan indicated his balcony. “NO!” Dan nodded.

“It's the only way.” Jas sighed and walked with Dan onto the balcony. Dan smiled.

“It isn't that far. Only eight feet or so. We can jump it.” Jas nodded. “Ready!”

“Steady!” Jas said back at Dan.

“GO!” They both shouted, completing the phrase they said together. They jumped.

 

“If you will excuse me, there is something I must get from my car.” Mr. Ides said. Peg nodded. Mr. Ides walked outside and waited two feet away from where Dan and Jas would exit from the backyard.

Which they did.

And when they saw him, they panicked.

“Don't run. Or else.” Mr. Ides said. “Now, go inside and tell your nice mother that you are going with me.” Dan and Jas went back inside.

“Hey, well, he wants us to go now.” Dan said.

“Um, okay. Now be nice, because he certainly is a gentleman!” She handed Dan an envelope. “This has your emergency money. Just in case something should happen.” He nodded and walked back outside with Jas. Mr. Ides indicated his car.

“Please, get inside.” He said. The two got into the back, and found Vanessa already there, frown in place. That changed when she saw Dan.

“Baby!” She cried, giving him a kiss. Mr. Ides scoffed.

“None of that in my car. Buckle up.” He added as an afterthought as he pealed out of the driveway.

“How rude!” Dan said as he fumbled with his seatbelt. Mr. Ides just turned on some music.

“HEY! I know this song!” Jas said. “It's that one you listen to!” He said to Dan.

“Ah, yes. Rise, by Origa. Good song! I like your style, that being the only thing about you, Ides.” He said icily.

“Listen, just sit still and hang on. We're going to a restaurant, and we are getting a private room. There, I will explain why I kidnapped you three. Okay?” The three just grunted.

 

They disembarked in a family-style restaurant. There Mr. Ides waved his ID, and they were ushered into small room, nestled in the back, with their own private servers. Dan smiled.

“Nice to see that you have SOME class. Now, what is this about?” He indicated the room. “This isn't your style.” Mr. Ides smiled.

“Well, quite the inquisitive one. You would make a good questioner.”

“Dan could never be what you are.” Vanessa said. Mr. Ides laughed.

“Well, I'm not exactly what you three think. Now, normally I would say FOUR, but it appears that one of your team,” he directed at Dan, “has fallen prey to the horsemen.” Dan laughed.

“Well, isn't the Horsemen the topic of the week? It went from a secret to common knowledge! How many other people in CC Corps know?”

“I am it.”

“And Mr. Sides?” Jas asked.

“Is clueless.” Mr. Ides said. “Which leads to another question: how do you know Mr. Sides works with me?”

“I saw you two at his house.” Jas said.

“He's getting sloppy. It's of no matter, at least if you fail.”

“I take it you were listening in to the conversation yesterday?” Dan asked.

“I have my sources from inside the Knights. Now, I do have a few questions for all of you. However, some business first. First off, my name is Kyle, not Mr. Ides. I am not that older than you, so it's time we all acted our age. Secondly, I am not your enemy. I am here to help by giving advice. You weren't honest with me last time. Thus I demand your honesty in all matters, and I will reciprocate. Thirdly, we are all in deep shit if we can't fix The World. Lastly, what do you like to drink, and what would you like to eat? The waiter is ready.” Dan's mind was reeling.

“You mean you are an ally?”

“Mostly, yes. I can help you with information. I can't, however, fight with you in The World. These meetings could mean my head!”

“Why so?” Vanessa asked.

“Simple. I am under orders to find you three and arrest you.”

“WHAT!” Jas cried out. The three stood up and moved to the door.

“Relax. Wouldn't you think I would have cuffed you already instead of spending my own money to feed three insatiable teenagers?” Dan stopped moving, turned, and looked at him.

“How do we know this isn't a ploy in order to trap us?” Kyle scratched his chin.

“Clever. Sit and I will tell you.”

“Trust, Kyle, isn't that big of a thing between us and CC Corps sanctioned people.” Jas said.

“Ah. Subtle reference to that bitch Celeste.” He nodded. “Well, I can assure you that I have no intention of harming you. I, I actually have all intentions of helping you. Here, maybe once you read this, you'll understand.” He pulled a sheet of paper from his inside pocket and set it on the table. Dan reached carefully for it.

“Better not be Anthrax!”

“Wow. You are just FULL of surprises!” Kyle said with a laugh. Dan scanned through the page, coughed, and read it more carefully. After he finished he started laughing.

“Well, either way, you're screwed!” Dan said. Kyle waved his hand.

“Hey, it's better than nothing.” Dan passed the paper to Jas, who read it and passed it to Vanessa, who laughed when she read it.

“I can't believe it! Helba has some nerve!” Vanessa started.

“Hacking into a bank, finding your account,” Jas continued.

“And threatening to drain it of all money if you don't cooperate.” Dan finished with a smile. “Likewise, if CC Corps finds out what you're doing, then you'll be out of a job.”

“Hey, I'll be another Junichiro Tokuoka.” Kyle said wistfully, then noticed the blank stares on the others faces. “A hero to The World. Was a CC Corps worker, then was fired. He helped rescue The World during the time of Kite and Blackrose.”

“Sweet. A rebel with a cause.” Dan said.

“Much like us!” Jas said.

“Indubitably!” Vanessa said.

“Will you three stop speaking in rounds?” Kyle asked. “It's starting to get on my nerves!” The three laughed. “Now place your orders!”

 

“So, I understand now.” Kyle said over his meal. “The Horsemen, based in Revelations, perform their functions. You three have gifts, some of which can cause people to pass out in the real world.”

“But only Joker had gained her ability. We have yet to.”

“How do you gain them?”

“That is an unknown. Helba said they would come in times of dire need.”

“I see. So it could be tomorrow, could be next year.”

“It will come. That is all there is to it. Now,” Dan pushed his empty plate away from him, “what else do you need to know?”

“Tell me of how you plan to defeat the Horsemen?”

“Well, we really don't know. We don't know what each one can do, thus we can't plan for the unknown. That is illogical.”

“Sir, are you an Objectivist?” Kyle asked.

“I don't see how this is relevant.”

“I want to know.”

“Dan, are you?” Vanessa asked.

“In the closet, yes. Please don't tell Mom or Dad!” Dan pleaded.

“Don't worry,” Vanessa said. “It's okay.”

“Hey, I'll give you some blackmail on me, just in case.” Jas said with a smile.

“Well, as much as I want to continue this discussion, I am afraid we are out of time.” Kyle said, standing up. “Now, I will take you all home. I do hope we all can do this in the future.”

“Just give us more warning!” Dan pleaded, making the other two laugh.

“Yes, of course. Sorry about that!” Kyle said, placing some bills onto the table. “Well, tally-ho!”

“Um, Kyle?” Vanessa asked.

“Yeah?”

“Never do that again.”

 

Kyle walked into his boss's room.

“Report.” Kyle smiled.

“We have a problem.”