.hack//SIGN Fan Fiction / .hack//LIMINALITY Fan Fiction / .hack//Legend Of Twilight Bracelet Fan Fiction ❯ Episode Two: .hack//Legacy ❯ Melodies of Life ( Chapter 21 )

Chapter Twenty One- Melodies of Life- The Real World

 

Four days passed.

It was the day of the contest.

Dan and Vanessa were next up. He looked over at Vanessa. She smiled.

Both of them had dressed up in outfits matching those of their characters in The World. What they were going to do, this was important.

The act finished up, to tumultuous applause. The rapper walked off the stage, his pants almost falling off. Dan offered a belt. The rapper laughed.

“Nah, dawg, it's style!” He walked away with his two scantily clad girl dancers. The MC walked over to the mike.

“Game face on!” Dan whispered to Vanessa. They slid their hands from their forehead to their chin, using a technique they had learned to use doing Drama productions. The MC tapped the mike.

“Okay, for our final two contestants. It is Dan and Vanessa! Show them some LOOOOOVE!” The crowd cheered the two of them on. Dan and Vanessa walked on, holding their mikes. The crowd cheered over their costumes.

“Before we sing, we just want to let you guys know why we're singing what we are.” Dan said.

“This song goes out to our friends and family who are in a comatose state. We just want to let everyone know that it wasn't in vain, their falling. But, enough of that. This song goes out to them, and to the idiots we dance for.” Vanessa said, she and Dan saying the last line together. The music cued up. The crowd cheered slightly.

“Melodies of Life” was shown on the screen behind them. It played a video that Dan and Vanessa made up the night before. It was simple: a slideshow of pictures that they had of everyone together. Dan swallowed before he began to sing.

“Alone, for a while,

I've been searching through the dark

For traces of the love you left

Inside my lonely heart.

To weave by picking up the pieces that remain:

Melodies of Life, love's last refrain.

 

“Our paths they did cross, now I can not say just why.

We met, we laughed, we held on fast, and then we said goodbye!

And who'll hear the echoes of stories never told?

Let them ring out loud till they unfold.

 

“In my dearest memories

I see you reaching out to me.

Though you're gone, I still believe that you can call out my name!” Vanessa joined in.

 

“A voice from the past,

Joining yours and mine-

Adding up the layers of harmony.

And so it goes, on and on:

Melodies of Life, to the sky beyond the flying birds-
Forever and beyond.” Dan took a few steps back during the instrumental break. Vanessa held the mike up, stylizing it to that of a pop star.

 

“So far and away, see the bird as it flies by,

Gliding through the shadows of the clouds up in the sky.

I've laid my memories and dreams upon those wings;

Leave them now, and see what tomorrow brings.

 

“In your dearest memories
Do you remember loving me?

Was it fate, that brought us close and now leaves me behind?” Dan joined in.

 

“A voice from the past,

Joining yours and mine-

Adding up the layers of harmony.

And so it goes, on and on:

Melodies of Life, to the sky beyond the flying birds-

Forever and-

 

“IF I should leave this lonely world behind,

Your voice will still remember our melody.

Now, I know we'll carry on:

Melodies of Life, come circle round and grow deep,

In our hearts!

As long as we remember.” At the last word, a group picture of the Fearsome Foursome, joined with Amanda and Lisa, showed. Dan looked out at the crowd, who had long since gone silent. There weren't many dry eyes. The music ended, and Vanessa and Dan walked off in silence. They passed by the MC, who glanced at them. He wiped away the tears in his eyes as he walked onto the stage.

“I don't think there could have been any better way to have ended this. It is time to vote for the winner!”

The rapper who went on before them came up to them.

“Hey. Your song. It, it touched me. I have a friend who was killed. In a car accident. She, well, the song stirred memories of her in my mind.” He smiled. “Thanks.”

“No problem, man.” Dan said, clapping a hand on the Rapper's shoulder.

“Could all the artists return to the stage?” The MC asked. “May I just say that it was a good competition.” There was applause for all the artists. “However, only one can win. For everyone else, go to Sam Goody to receive a fifty dollar certificate!” There was more applause.

“Now, the winner- I am pleased to announce the winner, well, WINNERS are Dan and Vanessa for their rendition of Melodies of Life!” The crowd went wild.

“ONE MORE!” They shouted continuously. Dan looked at the MC.

“Win the world, and they will support you, no matter what. What's the plan?”

“Sen No Kotoba?” Dan asked Vanessa.

“English Karaoke version. Track Ten.” She instructed the MC. They stepped up to the mikes. The crowd went wild when the music started.

 

“So, we're pretty rich.” Dan said, holding the gift card.

“What will we do now?”

“Well, I can stop chipping out of my Emergency Fund!” Dan said, jokingly, as he put it into his wallet.

“We can get new wardrobes.” Vanessa said. Dan sighed. “What's wrong.”

“I feel, I don't know, guilty, being here. You know, with Jas and all.”

“Dan, I believe you said something about never looking back.”

“Heh. Me and my theme songs.”

“Yes, well, this is one of those times. We can't look back on past failures. In war, casualties are sometimes necessary.”

“But, I mean, I am pretty sure my family has figured out the common factor. I might be banned from The World.”

“That would reek.” Vanessa said.

“In which case, I would have to leave. We are too far into this thing to back out now, I suppose.” He sighed. “I knew losses were going to happen. I just didn't expect two to happen back to back.”

“I wonder what happens to them while they are comatose? I mean, what are they doing in The World? They aren't wandering around. It's just so confusing.” Vanessa said.

“I suppose that's why they call it a `Mystery of The World.'” Dan said. He felt someone grab him by the neck.

“Don't move.” The person said. “There is a gun inside of my pocket.”

“What?”

“Act normal.”

“Babe, what's going on.”

“You will follow us.”

“Who are you.”

“We are the Maroon Knights. You are hereby under arrest for Cyber Crimes.”

“But, we deserve our rights to be read.”

“Oh, don't worry. You have the right to remain silent. That's about it.”

“Wait! The Knight's aren't sanctioned in the real world. You guys are committing kidnapping charges.” Vanessa said.

“True, but we're sure they'll be thrown out. You almost had us, Dan. But, thanks to a tip, we were able to catch up. Now, walk in front of me to the car.” Dan and Vanessa rose.

“What to do?”

“Never look back.” Vanessa said. Dan nodded. He spun around and hit the man. Suddenly three others appeared, knocking him and Vanessa out. Two more popped up, shooting the air, causing everyone to panic, giving them the perfect diversion.

They dragged them to the parking lot, where three cars were waiting. They were thrown into the same car, which took off, carrying them to the unknown. The man that had initiated the conversation got into another vehicle.

“Always have to do things the hard way.”

 

Pandemonium still reigned inside the mall. Except for one girl, Japanese in nature. She wore a green dress, had a shirt with sleeves that went to her hands. Her hair fell down to her chin. She pulled a cell phone out of her purse and dialed a number.

“Junichiro? You were right. Contact the others.”

“Right on it, Mai.”

 

End of Episode Two.