.hack//SIGN Fan Fiction / .hack//LIMINALITY Fan Fiction / .hack//Legend Of Twilight Bracelet Fan Fiction ❯ Episode Two: .hack//Legacy ❯ The First Annual Dothackers Convention ( Chapter 10 )

Chapter ten- The First Annual Net Slum Dothacker Conference- The World

 

The three gated into Net Slum. There they saw everyone who had fought the knights alongside them. Sircosgi waved at them, receiving many welcomes.

“It is good to see everyone again!” A new face said.

“That's Elk. And this is Mia,” Bear said. “She was a phase.”

“WHAT?!” Badger exclaimed. “Then why isn't she dead?” Mia waved her hands.

“Just because one WAS evil doesn't mean they wanted to be. I wanted to be free from the grasp of MorgannaModeGone. I failed. However, Kite and his group was able to find and resurrect me in my Player form. I hopefully can never be changed back into my phase: Macha, the Temptress.” Sircosgi nodded.

“Pleased to meet both of you. I am Sircosgi, and they are Badger and Pai.” They bowed. Meanwhile, a large green man made his way towards Sircosgi.

“I am Orca. With Balmung, we make up the Descendents of Fianna.”

“Right. One Sin?”

“You got it. That's why Balmung has wings.”

“Uber-Cool!” Vanessa said.

“You know, according to the data, none of you have been on since Aura came to power, except for three or four of you. What's caused this sudden interest in The World?” Sircosgi asked.

“Shouldn't that be obvious?” Helba, who had just appeared, asked. The group sat down in a circle.

“Is it the Horsemen?”

“Correct. They pose a major threat. I asked all of them to return, in order to assist you three in any way possible. Now,” she set her staff into the ground, causing a gavel sound file to play, “the First Annual Net Slum Dothacker Conference has begun. Welcome to Paradise, all of you, for hell is about to break loose elsewhere.”

“We know,” Sircosgi said, “for Chaos has already risen. We have also lost one of our team, Joker.”

“Yes,” Aura said, “I am sorry to hear that. I have put much time and effort into finding her. However, she, along with many others, are behind a barrier that I can't breach without fear of loosing the rest of the Horsemen onto The World.”

“Can Helba help?”

“I would only make matters worse. You must cut your losses, and continue. Isn't it one of your themes, little boy, to never look back?”

“How do you know that?” Sircosgi asked.

“Who knows. Practice what you preach.” Helba said with a smirk. “Now, to business. Everyone, your member lists have been updated to have everyone's member addresses. Make sure you are familiar with everyone. ANYONE, and I mean anyone,” she looked at Sircosgi, Pai, and Badger, “could be called at a moment's notice in order to give assistance. However, the main priority is to assist these three. If they call, you'd better answer. The only excuse is not being present in The World. Am I clear?” Everyone nodded. “Now, Sircosgi, if you and your team would like to stand up and give everyone an introduction to what the hell is up, do so now.” Sircosgi nodded, stood and walked to the center, followed by the other two.

“Well, first, I recount to all how I set up the other day. When I read the e-mail concerning the Twilight Dragon, I immediately contacted Helba. She said to go, and expect trouble. She also said to expect help. Now, I wasn't expecting TWENTY people, but oh well! Now, on that day, Joker, one of my team, was lost. What has happened to her in that time is unknown, but I am sure she played an unwilling part in raising Chaos, due to something the false-Knight said. Thus, we must now be on guard. Chaos is risen. Chaos is able to cloak herself, and by bending the light rays around her, she is able to appear invisible.”

“She?” Kamui asked.

“It is possible. When I heard the voice, it sounded like, like Joker's voice. Thus, we must assume that her body is being used to further spread the chaos. However, that is only one of our concerns. Another is that, in the aftermath of killing the regiment of knights, they have branded us as outlaws. There is a bounty on our head.”

“How much?” Sora asked.

“Enough to make the capture of just one of us worthwhile, and the person who does it a very rich person.”

“Sounds like fun!” Sora said.

“Don't try it, child.” Crim said, “or I will beat you. Again.” Sora sighed.

“Party Pooper.” He stuck his tongue out at Crim.

“Focus. Now, I have no idea what we are going to do. I have in my possession a document, one that probably led to Joker's demise. She left it in my trust. Helba, I am sure you already have it.”

“I do. Furthermore, I am intrigued. This is reminiscent of the Epitaph of Twilight, yet with a more darker theme. In fact, it IS the Epitaph, same writing scheme, same breaks. It just has some different words.”

“I am keeping all further knowledge of this document private until I am certain of what it says. For now, know this much: we are in deep shit.”

“Watch your mouth!”

“Sorry Subaru!” Sircosgi said with a laugh. “Now, I do not mean to underplay your skills. All of you have had experience in a matter similar to this. However, this is our burden to deal with. I will not be asking for help every time we get into a bind. However, I will phrase my next question like this: We are down a member in my team, two members if you count Casper, who I am getting to. Are there two who wish to take their places?” There was speculating between everyone. Finally, four stepped forward.

“Sora, Mistral, Mirelle, and Ouka? Jeez. I think we might have to have all of you. This could be interesting!” Pai said. Helba laughed.

“Indeed.”

“Okay, if you four could come up here, please? Great, now, I will touch on why Casper is no longer here. It is my suspicion that she is allied with the Horsemen. In the document, Epitaph of Ragnarok we will call it, it has a line that basically says that one of our own will betray us all. Well, she has done a good job of it so far. Thus, if you see her, eliminate her. Use extreme prejudice. She is the enemy.”

“You said that it was merely a suspicion.” Mimiru said.

“Yes.”

“Then it wouldn't be fair to just kill her. How mean!” Tsukasa said.

“All is fair in love and war. Let me tell you something: this isn't playtime, this is war. And do you know the first rule of combat? Strike first.”

“What if you're wrong?” Rena asked.

“Then I will feel like an ass- SORRY Subaru- and apologize when she revives. But she fits the profile of what the Epitaph states. Okay?”

“Right-O!” Shugo said.

“Now is the time for any questions for us.” Sircosgi said, opening the floor. “Yes, Bear.”

“How old are you?”

“Irrelevant, but I will answer. I am seventeen, Pai is fifteen, and Badger is seventeen as well. Yes?”

“Can I have Badger's member address?” Sora asked.

“You already do and she is my girlfriend. Next?”

“What happens if you fail?” BT asked.

“The World ends, and all playing is die. Thus, this is important, so this side will not lose. If we fall, there will always be someone to take up the burden. Next?”

“Yes, are you in debate?” Crim asked, “Because you would be good in it.”

“Yes I am. I am also a thespian, and several other things. Relevant questions? None? Okay. I will close with this: We may not be perfect. Hel-heck, we don't even know how we're going to win this thing. But we do know one thing: we won't give up. Helba mentioned something earlier: one of my theme songs is Ready Steady Go! By a group called L'Arc-En-Ciel, who isn't French but Japanese. The song states, and I quote-

“Ready Steady Can't Hold Me Back

Ready Steady Give Me Good Luck

Ready Steady Never Look Back

Let's Get Started Ready Steady Go!

“Now, if you can't see why I love that song so much, there you are. It is about no regrets, going on, and not letting anything hold you away from what you need to do. Ladies, Gentlemen, Hackers, Player Killers, Dothackers and Assorted AI's all, we have a world to save. Let's stop dawdling, and let's get some action. I rest.” He walked back to his spot in the circle, and slowly but surely, he gained a standing ovation. He merely nodded. Helba floated over to his side and bent over.

“Good job. There may be hope yet.” She waved her hand, the gavel sounding again. The meeting was over.