.hack//PRISONER

Part 2

C H A P T E R // 7

Five days have pasted sense James arrival in the World. He has become a fugitive, running and hiding from the Crimson knights….Driven by an insanity that he knows as " the prisoner of Aura". Which has endowed him with supernatural powers beyond anybody's imagination. He has gained some friends on his quest. Who will help him on his journey on getting rid of Aura out of James body……

'' Its been five days now…we should have found somebody who knows how to get rid of Aura by now.''

'' Relax, BT. We'll find somebody.''

''………..''

'' Hey, I'm doing this as long as I get paid in the end.''

James, BT, Bear and Sora, are sitting around a campfire having dinner in the middle of nowhere. James shook his head, looked up at BT and said.

'' BT is right, we still haven't found anybody who can get rid of Aura from my body.''

James eyes has now changed from sky blue to Aura's dark purple eyes. His body has gotten a little bit muscular and his hair has grown long and changed color from brown to silver. Sora chuckled and said

'' Eh, let's give up. Let James go insane!''

'' shut up, Sora.'' BT said

'' Ooouuuu. Feisty!'' Sora shot back

'' Don't make me hurt you.'' BT said with warning

Bear broke up the fight, and asked James with curiosity

'' James, how did you get chosen?''

'' Like I said, I have no idea.''

'' Was there any other missions that was related to this?''

'' Yeah, there was a resemblance, it was horrible.''

C H A P T E R // 8

A helicopter was flying in the rain on a dark and stormy night. Three miles off the coast of the Bahamas……The real world……The pilot of the helicopter looked back at a group of soldiers and said.

'' Alright team! We are reaching our destination point.''

James, who was the leader of the team, gave the thumbs-up sign and said '' Okay! All troops accounted for!'' The helicopter flew in towards a small island, and in the center was a huge lab. The aircraft began its decent and stopped overhead a few feet from the ground. James released a rope from an overhead rig on the helicopter. He grabbed the rope, and slid down to the ground….his team mates followed. They were all armed with assault rifles, which hung over their necks. They all walked up to the door and busted it open, James signaled his team mates to go inside.

The hallways where practically ruined, with humongous rooms and research facilities. James led his team down the hallway until they reached a huge, ciucular room with a broken glass dome at the top, with rain pouring into the room. As the team walked through the room, there were smashed computers and several VR systems broken on the ground, the team stopped to hear the voice of a little girl giggling. A soldier looked in all directions with a scared look in his eyes

'' W-w-w-w-What the hell is that!''

'' Don't panic!.....stay together.'' James shouted

The team walked through another door to find a little girl dressed in a nightgown with long, flowing blond hair, standing at the other end of the hallway.

James had a puzzled look on his face '' Hey! Are you lost?''

The girl smiled and giggled, then walked away.

'' Hey!!! Come back here! Lets go team!''

The band of troops ran after the girl, James seemed to catch up to the girl, but no matter how hard he tried, the girl was too far away. The team ran up to a door, It opened automatically to reveal a man with white hair and emerald eyes, strapped to a red chair. He looked at James and smiled.

'' Hello, James.''

'' Wha- how did you? Who are you!''

'' Goodbye.''

An explosion erupted out of nowhere and made James fly backwards. After he woke up, he realized that his team were all dead! James looked back into the room, the little girl was standing there smiling. James looked in horror as he got up and took off running.

The girl looked up at the man in the red chair; the man smiled and looked at the girl

'' He has been chosen, he is worthy enough.''

The girl smiled back. '' When will I get to see him again daddy?''

'' Soon……soon.''

C H A P T E R // 9

'' So…that's how it is.'' James said with a sigh.

'' So that's what happened at the lab explosion in the Bahamas!'' BT said.

'' Who was that guy? I can't remember his name, what was it? H-h-h-ha- oh, I don't remember!'' Bear said, shaking his head.

'' BORING!!!! Just another war story to me.'' Sora lay down, and went to sleep.

Everybody went to sleep except James. His dark purple eyes glowing in the darkness, he looked up at the dark sky and closed his eyes. James could remember that horrible day when he became prisoner to Aura. He could feel Aura still inside him, living, growing and striving. It was hell for James, but also heaven…He could feel a warmth that he can not explain…..like being hugged by a loved one….He could still remember the lullaby, he hummed it to himself. Breaking the silence in the dark……

'' Come to me, my sweet little angel,'' '' Come to me, my little star,'' '' Come to me, and rest your head,'' '' Come to me, and go to sleep.''

James looked all around him, until his eyes rested on Aura….standing in front of him; she was holding an old teddy bear in her arms, her long blond hair swaying in the wind. James tried to scream, but they where choked back by fear, fascination and wonder. Aura held out her hand, reaching out to James. He went ahead and held her hand. Aura started walking and taking James out of the campsite.

'' Wha- where are you taking me?''

Aura led James to a bush, Aura let go of James's hand and walked over behind the bush. James followed, there he found Aura sitting next to a young man wearing a huge hat, with brown overalls decorated with yellow markings and a white t-shirt. He had teal hair with blue eyes; he was laying on the ground, badly wounded and blood stained all over his body. James quickly walked over to the boy and knelt down…

'' Holy shit! What the hell happened to you?''

The boy spoke wearily '' I-I-I- was attacked, by a force *cough* of terrible power…..It plans to- it plans to…''

'' What's your name? And tell me about this "Force".''

'' My name is Kite. You-you cannot save me…..my lungs are cut…. This force is evil, it is so powerful that you…..*cough* you may not be able to defeat it.''

'' No! I-I- can save you! Please don't die on me….''

'' I cannot describe the monster……I don't even know if it's a monster or not, all I know is that you have to try to stop him…….farewell.''

'' No! You are not gonna die on me!''

James put his hand on Kites chest, where he had been cut….then there was a bright silver glow. When James removed his hands off of Kites chest the wound was gone…But it was too late…….Kite was dead. James clenched his hand into a fist and yelled out into the night

''nooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!''

Bear heard the yell, he ran over to where James was…..He looked at Kite, then at James…..Bear looked at James with a furious look, he raised his sword and roared

'' YOU SON OF A BITCH!!!!!''

Bear slammed his heavy blade into the ground, barely missing James. He winced in pain as blood trickled down his leg, James couldn't see the cut on his leg, but he knew it was bad….Bear pointed his finger at the desert.

'' You deserved to be wounded, now GET OUT OF HERE!!!!''

James got up and started to run out towards the wastelands, wincing in pain with each step he took. Sora walked up alongside Bear

''Shall we get him and bring him to Subaru?''

'' No, the desert will take him…he will be buzzard food in three days.'' C H A P T E R // 10

James ran with all his might, grunting with pain with each step….He was now beginning to feel the affects of blood loss…he felt so guilty, letting a innocent person die….In a way, he felt that *he* should die…..James hated being the prisoner, he hated this stinkin ass mission, at that moment he gave up all hope….

James didn't know how long he was running…he was now staggering now, half-unconscious. He couldn't bare it anymore…..he fell….he fell forever, into the inky black world of unconsciousness……

Mimiru was walking along the wastelands, looking for a good dungeon to explore. She walked about a half a mile when she saw James, She slowly walked towards the unconscious body.

'' Is that?.....who I think it is!?''

Mimiru ran over to James and turned him over. She checked for a pulse. Then she took out a glow crystal and scanned it over James body until it came over his wound….Mimiru gasped and said in disgust.

'' Who could have done this!''

Mimiru stood up and took out a small bag then shouted

'' Tent!''

She threw the bag against the ground, and in a flash of bright light….a tent appeared. Mimiru smiled

'' Unfornltlny, I come prepared.''

She dragged James into the tent, She lit a lamp and set it down beside James. Mimiru knelt down beside James ad inspected his wound

'' Damn! A few cut open blood vessels, blood loss, bits and pieces of flesh torn off…yeah this guy got it all.''

She opened James's flight suit and ripped off the top part of the suit, only leaving the bottom half of the suit and an undershirt to clothe him. She took the top half of the suit and tore it into long strips, and then she wrapped it around James wound, tying it tight so no more blood could leak out. Mimiru wiped her forehead and sighed

'' There….I guess I'll just stay here till he wakes up.''

Mimiru looked at James, she looked at his silver hair, then at his entire body, she saw a changing man…..it was somehow….frightening. Mimiru searched James pockets to find a handgun, matches, bullets, and a badge of recognition.

Mimiru looked at James some more, she couldn't help but think *Damn, he's cute!* by that time James started to wake up, he slowly sat up. Then looked at Mimiru, James jumped at the sight of her, he sighed

'' Well…aren't you going to take me in?''

'' Take you in where?''

'' To the Crimson knights.''

Mimiru had a surprised look on her face '' No, why?''

'' I thought you were working for Subaru and them.''

Mimiru laughed '' I'm not working for them!''

'' It's not funny! I have been running…running away from all these people, they have all turned against me….It's driving me insane! This…this hell…And I can't escape until I get rid of Aura!''

Mimiru put a hand on his shoulder; she could feel his heart racing….Mimiru spoke in a gentle voice. ''Calm down, don't blow a gasket. K?''

But James ignored her, his eyes started glowing, and his fists where clenched so tightly, it could crush a walnut….James couldn't take it anymore, at that moment…he lost control, He grabbed Mimiru by the neck and started squeezing it, choking her, Mimiru gasped and tried to breathe, but couldn't. James cried out as if he was in pain.

'' AURA….IS…..TAKING…CONTROL OF….MEEEEE! AHHHHHHH!!!!''

James punched himself in the stomach, he let go of Mimiru, She scooted a good distance away from James….She look dazed, yet astonished. She yelled at James.

'' WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT *cough, cough*''

James grasped his stomach and sat down…his words where only but a whisper.

'' It was Aura….I-I-I use too much of her power or-or when I get angry, she takes over…attempting to take over my body completely…It's…It's like a game to say the least….Use too much of her power….Game over, that's it.''

'' Wow, must be hard….you poor thing.''

'' HARD-……It's like hell, Mimiru! I can't control it that well….And that's why I need your help!''

'' What happens if I don't?''

'' Aura takes over my body, her power is unleashed…..It's the end of the 'world' as we know it''

'' Okay, now I'm officially scared now….''

'' That's what all the people say.''

'' Well….Get some sleep, you need your strength. Good night.''

'' Good night….''

James and Mimiru said nothing as they got in their sleeping bags and drifted off to sleep

C H A P T E R// 11

James and Mimiru walked along the vast wasteland. The heat was unforgiving, James looked back at Mimiru. She was looking at James, thinking about what horrible things and the amazing things he can do. While they where walking, James keeps seeing strange ruins and sealed doorways embedded in the ground. He couldn't help but ask….

'' Mimiru, what are these strange structures?''

'' There dungeons, for players who want to level up.''

'' Interesting.''

Mimiru and James walked towards a huge canyon. James had a strange feeling, he looked at Mimiru.

'' Something is not right……stay on guard.''

Mimiru and James walked into the canyon; there was a strange noise up at the top. James looked up to see a small army of Crimson Knights standing at the edge of the cliff, waiting for them to make a move….until two more Crimson Knights popped up from under the ground in front of them. But something was different about them….Their eyes where glowing red and there helmets were off….Ginkan was one of the two….He looked at James and smiled evilly

'' James……ComE JOin Us…..''

'' What trickery is this? No, I will NOT join you.''

Then all of the Knights who where waiting up on the cliff jumped down in front of the two. There where about fifteen of them, and then….Subaru walked out of the crowd of knights and towards James, the only difference was that she was wearing a black version of her dress and her eyes where glowing red she smiled at him evilly.

'' James….You don't know what you've been missing….the felling of power!''

James took a step back. '' I don't need any of your power! Have you gone insane!''

Subaru chuckled '' Yes….Insane for POWER! GLITCH POWER!''

Mimiru took a step forward '' James….Lets get out of here….I don't like this.''

'' Glitch power!? What the hell are you talking about?!''

'' I'm talking about the greatest creator who gave us this power, Harold Hyuek!''

James had a shocked look on his face '' What? Harold? The professor from the lab!?''

Subaru smiled '' Yes, but you won't live long enough to uncover the truth….KNIGHTS ATTACK!''

'' Shit! Mimiru get somewhere safe!''

Mimiru rand to the entrance of the canyon and squatted behind some rocks. James nodded his head and looked at the small army.

'' This will only take a minute….''

Two Knights came running towards him. When they where about to punch him….James jumped and kicked the two soldiers. Three more came to take out James but James ceased them with one hand, grabbed their wrists and spun around and around and around until he let go. The three Knights went flying over the desert, and landed far away, away from where they were. James screamed with rage as he turned around and saw a couple more Knights chasing after him. He put his hands out in front of him, concentrated on his energy…..and then…in a brilliant flash of light, a humongous wave of purple energy shot out of his hand and hit the Knights…..But there was no explosion, instead, the Knights where raised up in the air and then, blew up in a horrifying display of blood and gore. James shot a furious look at Subaru. He yelled at her with hate rid

'' YOU WANT ME!? COME AND GET ME! RAAAAAAAAGH!''

Subaru looked behind her and realized that she had no more Knights to protect her. She had a worried look on her face, then she smiled as she faded out, and then faded in beside Mimiru. Subaru took her by the neck in a chokehold and smiled triumphantly.

'' What are you going to do now hero!? Or should I say PRISONER! Use your stupid powers against me!? And let your little girlfriend get caught in the blast!?

James hesitated a bit. Then he pointed his finger at Subaru's head….Then he sighed as a tear formed in his eye.

'' Sorry that I have to do this but-''

BOOM!

A loud bang filled the air. Mimiru shut her eyes tight, after a few moments, she felt a hand touch her hand. She opened her eyes to find James smiling down at her. She grabbed his hand and James helped her up, suddenly they found themselves very close to each other. Then Mimiru quickly stepped away from him and blushed.

'' Thanks…..What happened to Subaru?''

James pointed behind her, she spun around and gasped. Subaru was lying on the ground; blood streaming from her forehead with a small hole in her head….She was dead….

Mimiru put a hand over her mouth and looked at the body. James stepped up to her and said.

'' S-sorry…..It was the only way…..''

Mimiru turned to face James, then hugged him and started to cry…..James looked at the spot where Subaru was…She was gone….Tears welled up in James eyes and hugged back, his expression changed from sadness to anger……Harold Hyuek was going to pay….

C H A P T E R//12

Mimiru and James walked through the cold desert night. The moon was shining brightly and the sand was cold. Mimiru walked close to James and said in a whisper

'' Lets take a break….Sit down and watch the moon.''

What James can only do was nod, they sat down in front of the rock slab. They stared at the moon for a moment, and then Mimiru turned her head towards James and said.

'' What will we do next?''

'' We head back to Mac Anu. And end this.''

Mimiru nodded, they both looked at the moon for a few more minutes, and then Mimiru looked at James again.

'' James.''

'' What?''

'' Whenever I'm In trouble and I'm totally helpless……..You'll come and protect me……right.''

''…..Sure.''

'' Thanks.''

Mimiru leaned over and put her head on his shoulder. Jams looked at her surprised for a moment, then he just smiled and looked at the moon some more….. Tomorrow was a big day…..And tomorrow was going to be a fight like there was no tomorrow…….

……to be continued.