[hider=The Real World][b][u][center]Goodbye, Dark Wraith[/center][/u][/b]
By the time Dark Wraith had successfully logged out of Deep Ground Online, a certain Student President was sitting at the table in her small dorm room alone. A small smile was present on her face as she hummed idly to herself about the day's past events.

There was no doubt in her mind now that the Green Kingdom was no more, and with the sworn loyalty of the Red Guild's King, the powers of the Scarlet Harley's would come to be new allies as well.

And Michael. Yoshino's smile widened a little at the thought of him. Especially Michael.

Retsu had put on her jacket and was already out of her dorm room. If her eyes could produce flames, she would have burned down the dormitory. Using an overlay mode she sent Yoshino a message as she marched out of her house, woke up her chauffer, and stood outside next to her car.

[center][b]Yoshino, what happened with the Red King? Are you okay? It's been almost two hours and I haven't heard back from you. Where are you at right now?[/center][/b]

Retsu didn't want to sound like a nagging mother, but Retsu was worried about Yoshino. She didn't care how happy-go-lucky Michael is, the fact that he was the Red King alone made him an enemy to the Ebony Strykers, and Retsu was not about to let him off simply because Yoshino met him personally. She waited with bated breath for Yoshino to respond as the chauffer started up the car.

Yoshino blinked as a familiar buzzing startled her from her thoughts. Activating her personal interface, she realized with a little dread that it was Retsu. She had forgotten to reply back! Scanning the message, she instantly replied back in the hopes of putting her second-in-command’s mind at ease.

[center][b]I'm at my dorm. Don't worry; the Red King didn't harm me in anyway. Personally, he wasn't exactly in any position to be threatening at all, but that's besides the point. He pledged his Guild's allegiance to the Ebony Strykers. You should probably get here as soon as possible.[/center][/b]

As Retsu sat in her car Yoshino replied to her. The Red King did not threaten Yoshino in anyway, and more surprisingly, actually offered her alliance to the Ebony Stykers. Retsu immediately came up with ideas to take advantage of this, however she had to stop herself. Why had Michael just, out of the blue, decided to join the Ebony Stykers? Even after they declared war on all the guilds? If her intel was also correct, the Red King was even a participant of the battle, only to have escaped at some point during the fight. Was this why he left the battle early? Retsu didn't like this at all. She already knew that Aaron would attempt to play mind games with Yoshino, and Retsu wasn't about to let Michael do the same. 

And shortly after Retsu read Yoshino's message, Retsu appeared in front of her dorm building. Retsu also had a room here, but instead she lived at her own home near Purple Crown Academy. It was much more spacious and there she had her family's men around at her beck and call. Retsu made a beeline strait towards Yoshino's dorm and checked her pockets. She had one of her wallets, just something to carry some cash, her phone which she used solely for communication outside of overlay interface, like on the rare occasions she calls her family, and lastly coil of wire. Retsu was no stranger to having to protect herself, and the simple roll of metal wire could be used to garrote or, if attached to her phone, make an exceptionally deadly flail. Of course, Retsu could also just use her bare hands if she had to; the first obstacle before Retsu could enter the dorm was the front entrance. 

It was locked because it was late, but if she had her Dorm Key she could use that to open the door. She did not. But that wasn't going to stop her. With a show of surprising strength, Retsu simply crushed the door handle with her hand. With the doors effectively unlocked, Retsu continued up to Yoshino's dorm. She sent her a message so Yoshino would be ready to meet her.

[center][b]I'm at your dormitory now. I should be there in a few minutes. I'll knock when I arrive.[/b][/center]

Yoshino didn't reply back to the message, instead getting up and heading towards the front door. Retsu would be here at any give moment, and she had to consider just how to explain her conversation with the Red King. There was one topic that definitely floated around her mind, and she dreaded a little upon facing that reality.

The discussion of her long-term goals. After all, was that not what Stuffed Rabbit had used to draw her attention? Her eyes narrowed. Then again, who had given him that information? This Masked Player was starting to become a bigger nuisance than she had originally anticipated.

Mulling over these new thoughts, she waited at the door patiently to let her friend in.

Retsu came to the door and knocked. Just three raps on the door. Retsu barely waited for more than five seconds before Yoshino allowed her inside. Retsu was a bit surprised with how quickly she answered, but than again Retsu did just show up five minutes right after logging out of Deep Ground. Wasn't really her place to question someone's speed.

Yoshino's dorm was surprisingly humble for the School President. Though she had more possessions and furniture than Retsu had in her dorm, the room was about the same size nonetheless. Retsu took a seat at the couch and waited for Yoshino to join her before Retsu began asking her questions.

[b]"What happened with the Red King? Why did he want to ally with the Ebony Strykers? This is just all too convenient to believe Yoshino-san. The Red King may not be a total arse like the Orange King, but he still signed up with the other guilds to fight against the Ebony Stykers. I don't want to think that he's only allying with the Ebony Stykers to betray them when it's most efficient for him."[/b]

As Yoshino took a seat next to Retsu, she waited in silent patience for the other girl to voice her concerns before replying. The smile was still seen, albeit small this time as the gravity of what had commenced did weigh on her heavily to some extent.

"Believe me Retsu, I know quite well the potential dangers we could be putting ourselves in. However...I think we can trust Michael for two reasons. First and foremost...well I'll be honest here, he can't manipulate. At all. If anything, I was directing the poor boy a bit too much."

She said this with a slight tinge to her cheeks, momentarily forgetting that Retsu was literally sitting right there.

"Second, he spoke of Moon Rider's goals. My goals. He claimed to have been told by the Masked Player himself, and that the Masked Man directed Stuffed Rabbit to join our Guild."

She adjusted her glasses in apprehension.

"While it does sound like a generous gesture on his part, we both know that the Masked Man is a solo Player, or at the very least, he likes to watch from the outside. Why would he actively assist us now?"

Retsu's eyes narrowed. This wasn’t' sounding any better even as Yoshino was explaining it. If anything, it was worse. [b]"You mean to tell me... That the Red King knows your goals and decided to join you... Because of the Masked Man? A rumor from Deep Ground? Someone who we don't even know if he exist?"[/b] Yoshino might have thought the Red King and the Masked Man was helping, but Retsu knew a Trojan when she sees one. 

[b]"Yoshino-San, we do not know who this Masked Man is, let alone what his motivations are. Worse still, it seems that this Masked Man knows what your goals are, and then somehow manipulated the Red King to assist you. That might sound good, but to me that sounds like a set up. Something similar just happened at the battle of the Green City as well. A curse in the guise of a blessing."[/b]

Retsu took out her phone and projected a video through it. It was a recording from one of the Mayhem Riders. As the video was shown, Retsu spoke as the events occurred. [b]"Powerful Dissolutions were summoned during the climax of the battle, shortly before I had the Dosh King clear the area with a boosted Roof of All Evil attack. The plan was that after the Mayhem Riders destroyed all the building within the Green City, the Dosh King will use his strongest attack to eliminate as many players as he could, and I would have Crimson Bolt and Shining Ray bring in Dissolutions from the north into the Green City. There I would have changed their respawn location to the city to ensure that the Fanged Rangers could not rebuild. But instead, someone else summoned Dissolutions directly to the city. Worse, the Dissolutions did not attack the Ebony Stykers. This may seem like a good thing, but Dissolutions, chaotic as they are, are not known to show favoritism towards anyone, no matter their affiliations. Even though the Dissolutions were immensely useful in destroying the Green City, it was apparently obvious that they were hacked to give us an unfair advantage. And while I have no problems cheating to win, this was way too blatant. Now everyone would think that the Ebony Strykers are employing hackers, which means we will be under investigation by the System Administrator’s. And no amount of power in Deep Ground will save us if the System Admins discover that the Sweepers employ hackers. This may result in many of the Sweepers and Erasers, myself included, getting banned from Deep Ground. Much like Corpse Collector."[/b]

Retsu let the video continue but changed the subject back to the Red King and the Masked Man. [b]"I would not consider the Red King's sudden understanding and willingness to ally with the Ebony Strykers to be a boon. At best, he's being manipulated by the Masked Man. At worse, this is a pretext to get to you personally, and do something to you that will compromise your ability to lead the Ebony Strykers. Don't trust him Yoshino-san. It doesn't matter what he has told you so far, being so trusting towards the Red King will only end in grief."[/b]

Yoshino tensed up, swallowing hard as she watched the footage and listened to Retsu's logic and reasoning. Of course she knew it was probably some ploy utilized by the Masked Man. That much was certain, and there was a definite possibility that Stuffed Rabbit was only being used.

"Still...I don't think he's doing it to get to me Retsu," she said quietly. She was used by now of betrayal and the severing of fellowships, but this? If this was some sort of trick, then it was just cruel.

"The Masked Man...I [i]know[/i] he's real Retsu. I know because I...I encountered him once."

She turned away from the red-headed girl, fiddling her glasses as shame rolled off of her body in waves.

"I don't know if I ever told you this before, but I saw him...shortly before I opened up the gates to the Black Guild. His status read "Final Boss". I was so excited; that I had finally found the end of the game, the way to end all of this. And then he...he looked at me. He [i]looked[/i] at me Retsu...and I couldn't look at him. It was like...he knew I was afraid of that unblinking stare..."

Yoshino wrapped her arms around herself and fought to suppress a shudder as the memory came back.

"Something has to be real to make another human feel that way Retsu. Of course, the only other person I told was Haruka...and she didn't believe me. Heh, imagine that."

Yoshino turned back to Retsu with an unreadable expression now on her face.

"I think we should take this threat very seriously," she warned. "We can assume that the Dissolution behavior was a result from Masked Man, seeing as it was beyond even your control. What I don't understand is what he's trying to accomplish. If he does end up having the Admins shut down the system...I just can't figure it out. But what I can say for sure, is that Michael was not lying," she said with a hint of finality creeping back into her voice.

"Despite my glasses, I'm not blind Retsu. I saw that Michael was listening to my words. When he asked for a reasoning behind my goals, he was listening as intently as you are right now. That's why, I know I can trust him for now. When the Masked Man makes his move...that's when we'll take care of him."

Retsu crossed her arms and closed her eyes. While Yoshino might be taking the thought of the Masked Man being a threat more seriously, Retsu still didn't like how much trust she was putting into Michael, the Red King. In a sense, Retsu was almost... Jealous. She had been with Yoshino for much longer, working at her side for a month, doing everything she can to make sure that the Ebony Stykers were rightfully feared and powerful in Deep Ground. It was hard given Yoshino's aloof personality, but Retsu was glad that her efforts have be rewarded with trust. And than suddenly the Red King shows up and Yoshino automatically puts her faith into him? It irked Retsu severely. And than a thought creeped into Retsu's mind. One that really challenged her ability to temper her emotions.

[b]"Yoshino-san... Do you like Michael?"[/b] Retsu didn't look at Yoshino directly, but even as her eyes were directed down at her feet, Retsu gave off a dangerous aura. Like one filled with a furious wrath.

"D-Do I l-like him?"

The beet red flush on Yoshino's face all but proved it to the stoic Yakuza. The Student President could deny it all she wanted, but it was quite obvious that she had been smitten by the boy.

"I-I mean...well, he did confess to me, and I...he said he liked me before finding out I was Moon Rider, and-"

Yoshino halted in her speech, the slip-up being too blatant for her to take back now. She had just admitted that Michael now knew her real life identity.

[b]"He what!?"[/b] Retsu shot Yoshino a quick glare. It was filled with anger and fear; anger that someone else knew Yoshino's true identity, and the fear that it will be exploited. [b]"This is bad Yoshino-san! It's one thing if the Red King had simply came to offer his alliance, but now he knows your true identity! Who's to say that he does not tell the others? They still think he is their ally, hell, he may still be their ally! And now they know who the Black King really is! You saw what Aaron tried to do today. He came in to hurt you emotionally, to rile you up to make a mistake. I'm sure that Michael plans to do the same, but instead of trying to make you angry, he's going to try to make you fall for him. Those... Those bastards are just trying to hurt you Yoshino-san! They're trying to provoke you, take advantage of you, to make you weak! I won't allow it!"[/b]

By this point Retsu had stood up and was glaring at her own fist. Retsu wanted to protect Yoshino. She didn't want to see her hurt anymore, to lose everything because of a fleeting moment of passion. Retsu didn't want to have opened up to Yoshino only to see her taken away. Retsu couldn't look at Yoshino directly, but her next words held a touch of sadness. She lowed her hand only to grab her other arm, as though she needed to hold onto herself.

[b][i]"<Zettai ni mamoru>[/i]... I will protect you."[/b]

It took all of Yoshino's willpower not to look away from that heated glare. Her eyes widened behind her glasses as she listened to Retsu's declaration of protection towards her. She knew the other girl had seen common ground in her and was even understanding of her situation, but she had never expected Retsu to feel so strongly about their bond. How foolish she was all this time to underestimate their friendship. Or was it just a poisonous possession?

"Retsu...are you jealous?"

Probably not the best thing to say right now, though Yoshino wasn't smiling. Reaching over, she wrapped her arms around her friend and squeezed tightly. She did not let go, instead forcing Retsu into the huge hug.

"I know you're worried," she said softly. "And I know you're scared for me. But you have to realize that I can protect myself too Retsu-chan. I knew the risks when I accepted that invitation...and I knew the risks when I revealed my idenitity too."

With her left hand, she gently patted her friend's back soothingly.

"I think...that it's time I need to start protecting you. You're my friend Retsu. No boy or game is going to change that. Not in the virtual world...and not in the real one either."

Finally pulling away, she smiled brightly.

"So please, calm down Retsu-chan. We'll take on the world...together. If they come after me, I'll cut them down. If they come after you...I'll cut them down and then have them expelled. Ok?"

Retsu didn't look at Yoshino as she embraced the red head. She just stood there with her eyes closed tightly. She wanted to laugh out of contempt and joy. The idea of Yoshino protecting her... That's what Retsu was suppose to do. What's what her Sweepers were for. Retsu was seeing Yoshino as just a teenage girl in over her head, being led by her emotions and allowing herself to be toyed with. And Retsu wasn't sure how much different she was in that regard. She wanted to keep her head steady and defeat her enemies in a logical, mechanical efficiency, and here she was, about to breakdown because a friend she barely knows might be in danger to something that hasn't even revealed itself yet.

[b]"I... I'm just so worried what would happen... I don't know who our enemy is or what lengths they would go to. I mean... I'm not a kind person, Yoshino-san... I've done horrible things in the past, and I know that one day I'll get what I deserve for it. But I can't stand the thought of those things happening to you. I just can't let that happen. I don't want you to have to fight alone. I want to be able to help you, to save you, and..."[/b] Retsu tentatively reached up and put her hand over Yoshino's. It was so soft and warm, Retsu was afraid that she might actually crush it in her own cold, hard hands.

[b]"I have to be ready for the worse. I don't want to just hope for the best and pray. I need to do something, anything, to make sure that I'm in control. Please... Don't keep secrets from me, okay? If something happens, you'll tell me, alright? Promise me if that if there is anything wrong, or if you ever want something to happen, you'll come to me?"[/b]

Yoshino almost laughed bitterly at Retsu's words; not because they had little meaning to her, but because of how eerily similar they sounded.

"And you think I'm any more innocent than you? If you recall, I'm not exactly the best poster boy in Deep Ground right now. I don't think I ever was...besides, there are things I've done in that game of which I'm not proud of either."

She grimaced, her amber eyes focusing on long past memories from a time long ago. She was only ripped away from those thoughts when she felt Retsu's hands over hers. A small blush crept on the Student President's face. Retsu may have viewed herself as a well-working machine, but Yoshino saw faith and loyalty in her. She wanted to cherish that loyalty and maybe make her friend just a little bit more human.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I hurt you...just like I ended up hurting everyone else due to my actions. I never meant to...and I promise Retsu. I promise I'll rely on you always." 

She gripped the cold girl tighter and looked up at the Sweeper with almost pleading eyes.

"I won't hurt you again. I promise I won't hide anymore secrets from you, ok? Please...can you forgive me?"

The begging was now present in her voice as an arrow of fear pierced Yoshino's heart. She had once lost Haruka in a similar matter; her own stubbornness and enigmatic nature had put them at odds with each other. And when Haruka was found dead in her own bedroom, Yoshino blamed herself for it.

"Retsu, p-please, I don't want to lose you as well. Maybe I am being led on. Maybe I am having my emotions toyed with. But I can't go back to being stoic and strong like you Retsu...at least not outside of Deep Ground. I...It hurts too much to be alone..."

Yet another reason why she despised the program. It had an uncanny ability to twist and distort people's inner personas.

Retsu wanted to be the girl with all the answers, a counter for each move and a plan for every situation, but she was never really prepared for Yoshino's pleading eyes to be staring right at her. For a girl who didn't like to be looked at, her gaze made Retsu shutter. Yoshino begged Retsu for forgiveness so that she wouldn't leave her, but Retsu wanted to laugh and cry. Of course she didn't plan to leave. And it was almost hurtfully hilarious that Yoshino would think that Retsu would do that. But than again, maybe that's what happened with Haruka too. She probably promised to be by Yoshino's side... And now she's in the morgue.

[b]"I won't leave you. I'll protect you Yoshino-san, and I'll make sure to make you happy too. So... So don't worry about it anymore. I'm not going anywhere. I'll be right here, by your side."[/b]

Retsu wondered what had come over her. She's never done this before, but even to manipulate her underlings. Perhaps the power of running the Sweepers and Ebony Strykers were getting to her head. She was starting to get more passionate now, and that scared Retsu. Emotions were powerful things, but she wanted to be in control. She didn't want to lose Yoshino or everything else because Retsu couldn't control herself. So maybe she needs a tether, some one to help her keep a cool head. Yoshino would be the prefect pick, so Retsu thinks.

[b]"It's... It's getting pretty late. Come on Yoshino-san, we have a lot of work to do tomorrow. You should get some sleep! We can't have the school president look like an insomniac!"[/b]

"An insomniac? Heh, well we don't need any more rumors about me I suppose."

Yoshino's words were significantly more laxed than her previous mood just seconds before. Retsu had promised to stay by her side. She had forgiven her for what she had done. Now to see if the Yakuza could keep such a promise. Someone very similar had said the same thing once before.

"Retsu. You have a dorm here, correct? Do you know how far it is from here? As you've said, it's getting late and I don't want to put any strain on your mind. I've done enough of that already for one day."

Yoshino adjusted her glasses, the familiar habit further calming her down.

"If you want, I don't mind you staying over here for the night. After all, we [i]do[/i] need to formulate our next plan of action. And...we have to decide on what to do with the Red King."

Struggling to fight back tears, Retsu put on a strong smile for Yoshino. She offered to allow Retsu to stay at her dorm for the night, which would likely be for the best. There was a lot she needed to inform Yoshino of, and besides that her Dorm was likely barren and dusty. She hasn't been in there for months at least. [b]"I don't mind staying here. I'll have someone drop off some new clothes for me tomorrow though."[/b] As it stood, Retsu was in her pajamas, with a thick jacket over it to keep herself warm. 

The Student President nodded, leaving Retsu with some short words of assurance to wait for her while she entered her bedroom to change into her own sleep attire. Upon entering out of her room, Retsu would see her precious Student President dressed in simple black pajama pants with a matching t-shirt.

And then, something impossible occurred.

Without thinking and realizing that Retsu was still sitting right there on her couch, Yoshino had taken the time to remove her glasses and leave them on the nightstand next to her bed. Noticing the other girl looking at her strangely, Yoshino raised an eyebrow.

"Yes? Is there something wrong?"

[b]"Ah... It's nothing. Just... Deep in thought."[/b] True enough. What strange feelings which had overcame Retsu that moment. It was... New. New and needed to be thoroughly looked into. Retsu adverted her gaze and thoughtlessly fluffed one of the soda cushions. She didn't want to tell Yoshino, but she looked rather... Cute. [i]"That's forbidden love~"[/i] The meme went off in her head. If she could strangle thoughts she could, but instead she simply kept to herself and tried not to look flustered.

[b]"I guess I'll be sleeping on the couch, right? I mean... [url=http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ThereIsOnlyOneBed]There is only one bed.[/url]"[/b] 

Yoshino didn't think much of her friend's flustered answer and only shrugged. Soon after, a yawn overtook her sense and she walked back into her bedroom...only to walk out with a futon and an extra pillow.

"Do you mind if we discuss our plans tomorrow morning? With all of the drama in Deep Ground, I doubt they'd let early classes carry on for quite some time. Also, I'll be sleeping on the futon in here with you tonight."

At once, the Black King's gaze darkened significantly, and it looked to be a mixture of both grief and a contemplative rage.

"I tend to sleep uneasily in the bedroom these days," she said flatly.

[b]"Oh... Of course."[/b] Retsu decided it would be best not to pry a reasoning from Yoshino, since Retsu likely already knew. Retsu actually wondered why Yoshino would still sleep here after Hakura's.... End, but perhaps that was because Yoshino did not have anywhere else to go. [i]"Hmm... When the time is right... I should offer her to move into my place..."[/i] Retsu pondered this thought, and made a mental note to prepare some space for Yoshino first before she would pop the question.

Retsu helped Yoshino set up the futons and pillows, making the living space much more comfortable. [b]"You have a very comfortable couch Yoshino-san. I would take the futa if you'd like. After all, this is your dorm, you should have the best spot."[/b]

Yoshino paused in fixing the futon, staring at its blankets in silence. Futa. The term in itself was enough to trigger one specific memory as the Black King clenched her fists shut repeatedly. She had made that same little slip-up, futon not futa, before. Except, White Terror had been there to promptly tease her about it.

The White King....

 After what seemed like an eternity, she slowly turned to fix her gaze on Retsu. It was strange seeing her without her traditional and ever present glasses as well as witnessing her not flinching away without them.

"Haruka died in my bed," she said with no emotion. "I slept in the futon that night...I need to sleep here."

Retsu didn't have anything to say about that. She knew already, so she tried not to bring it up. Seemed like Yoshino didn't think the same. Getting herself comfortable, Retsu took a deep breath. Time to test their bonds. [b]"Yoshini-san... Tell me about Hakura. I... I don't know anything about her, aside that she was the White King and that... When she lead the Ivory Mask, I knew they were the strongest guild before the Ebony Strykers showed up. But I want to know more about Hakura. What was she like?"[/b] Retsu may never have the same feelings for the fallen white king like Yoshino did, but maybe, just maybe, Retsu could help Yoshino get over Hakura if someone else knew her like Yoshino did.

Yoshino sat on the edge of the futon, the small light in the living room being the only source of illumination. She continued to stare blankly at the other girl for a while before letting out a sigh she wasn't even aware of.

"Haruka was my opposite in every way," she said quietly. "I'm sorry if this sounds repetitive, but she was my first friend. We were both popular, or at least I was supposed to be. I was the one actually running the day's events as Student President. Haruka gained followers by her extroverted nature. And...well, she found me to be the first of her long line of friends."

The Black King craned her neck to stare at the cold and barren bedroom before turning back to finish her story.

"Haruka was my inspiration in a way. She was my rival...but she could be stubborn sometimes. Actually, alot. Heh, she worse than me sometimes," she said with a smile at the fond memories.

"Even when that bastard Orange King-no. No, I shouldn't be insulting the dead like that...the previous Orange King. Even when he planned to turn us into enemies, we both yearned to be friends again one day. That's why on the day I opened up the Ebony Strykers, she was one of the very first ones to come to me, claiming that she would pledge her Guild to mine. And she meant it too. We spoke in the real world after so long and...she promised she would help me that night...I should have stopped her. I dunno, maybe find some way to predict it. I told her about the Masked Man, and she just thought it was a glitch. I thought that too, but now I can't even tell her how wrong that thick-headed skull of hers was now..."

Retsu sat quietly listening. Already she could gauge what Haruka was like, but she also noticed that Yoshino was still beating herself up about Haruka’s death. Though it did make Retsu feel a bit bad that she was now manipulating the remnants of the Ivory Mask to become a puppet guild for the Ebony Strykers. The Ivory Masks were the name that Harua gave them... Simply assimilating the remnants into the Ebony Stykers would be the simplest thing to do in the short term, but to ensure a wider range of options in the future Retsu wanted to leave the Ivory Masks independent.

[b]"It's not your fault Yoshino. No one knows how they died... You can't believe that you had anything to do with it."[/b]

"Of course I know that," Yoshino said, a little more dismissive than she had intended. "I know that...but that doesn't bring her back. And that doesn't make mistakes I [i]did[/i] cause any less forgivable. Now...I suggest we get some sleep now Retsu."

It was obvious that Yoshino would say no more for tonight as she promptly turned off the lights before settling herself onto the futon. That should have been the end of it, but Yoshino said one last thing aloud.

"...sorry."

Closing her eyes, it wasn't long before sleep and exhaustion of the day's events finally took a hold of Yoshino's mind and soon the inky blackness of dreams filled her vision. Or, it should have. Instead, the hours waned on as small mutters of slurred words began to fill up the room. Soon, it sounded like Yoshino was even twisting in bed covers as she weakly called out the names of those who had perished. The names of the Kings...and Haruka.

It was clear to any observer; Yoshino was having a nightmare. And by the sound and intensity of her whimpering, it looked as if these night terrors had at least become a part of her lifestyle since one month prior.

A light sigh broke the relative silence.

Retsu had no problems simply falling asleep right after Yoshino told her too, but many times during the night she woke up to Yoshino talking in her sleep or generally making more noise than she really needed to. Retsu tried to ignore it at first, but after the fifth time she laid on the couch and listened. Yoshino seemed to be whispering names of the Kings, but mostly about Hakura. [i]"She never really did tell me much about Hakura..."[/i]

Retsu actually counted the seconds. She tried to count to a thousand in her head, and hope that before she'd reach even five hundred she'd fall asleep, but by the time she hit 1654, enough was enough. Yoshino seemed to be having some sort of nightmare disturbing both their sleep, so Retsu sat up, got off the couch, threw down a pillow next to Yoshino's head, and laid down on top of the futon. Retsu slept on top of the blanket and only had her jacket to cover herself.

"Nggnh...?"

The sudden rustle of motion was enough to force one amber eye open as Yoshino turned around with a sleep-drenched gaze. Retsu was now on her futon, apparently there to stay.

"Retsu, what are you doing?"

She was much too tired to argue if the other girl refused to leave her and so didn't even bother to formulate a rebuttal to her actions in her mind.

[b]"You're making too much noise..."[/b] Retsu whisper drowsily. If she was fully awake she might have thought her actions through more, but this seemed to be the simplest and quickest solution. Indeed if she was awake she should have taken the time to go find herself a blanket; her jacket didn't cover her legs, and though she was slowly falling asleep now that Yoshino wasn't stirring, Retsu shivered underneath her coat.

Yoshino stared back at her second-in-command, sighing to herself.

"As always, you seem to place too much concern for your King," she said with an air of amusement. "Still, I'd be lying to say I don't appreciate it." Reaching out, she carefully lifted her own blanket up and drenched it over Retsu's shoulders in a small attempt to keep her warm.

"Now go to sleep my Violet Moon," she muttered to no one in particular, her own eyes dropping into unconsciousness. She did not stir after that.
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[b][center][u]The Following Day[/b][/center][/u]
Anger. Frustration. Rage. Those were the emotions that were most prominent in Student President Yoshino Tsugumi's mind as she read the message once, twice, and five more other times. Impossible...unthinkable...this was...

Yoshino had woken up early as always to make breakfast for both her and her guest while also preparing for another tedious and stressful day at Purple Crown Academy. Of course, what she wasn't expecting was a message sent to her at the first crack of dawn. Actually, the message had been sent to every single Deep Ground Player that was currently enrolled in the program.

That fact alone was enough to make one question the validity of such a message, but one could not ignore the sheer persistence in which it was made. And the contents...
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[b]From:[/b] Silver Jester the Masked Man
[b]To:[/b] The Players of Deep Ground Online
[b]Subject:[/b] Your Final Vengeance

[u]Greetings Players of Deep Ground Online. As you may or may not know, I have come forward to reveal my presence to all of you in light of this dire situation. Some of you may claim me to be a Hacker, or even a myth. I assure you that my abilities are the least of your worries and that I am very much real.[/u]

[u]After a whole month of living in constant fear and under the scrutiny of lowly threats, I stand before you as a brave brother at arms. I was there when it happened. I saw it all. How the Black King struck down the players in game...only for their real life bodies to subsequently perish soon after. There is no doubt; Moon Rider is the King murderer.[/u]

[u]I would have revealed this information sooner had it not been for the efforts of the Ebony Strkyers to repeatedly silence my knowledge forever. As you all may know, the Ebony Strykers have now utilized the illegal method of Hacking themselves, the most blatant example being the taming of Dissolutions witnessed by yesterday's battle.[/u]

[u]It sickens me deeply...the time has come Deep Ground to finally purge ourselves of this disease that plagues our lives and our futures. I will give you the tool to end this chaos and strife for the sakes of the innocent...and the Kings. Thus, I hereby state.[/u]

[u]The real life identity of Moon Rider, the Black King...is none other than Michael Faye. Do what you must to maintain justice in our ever changing world.[/u]
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Disgusted. That's how Yoshino felt. Absolutely disgusting. The message was obviously crafted with the intention to draw her out of the real world and escape to Deep Ground. The true Black King narrowed her eyes.

Michael...the bastard was using Michael and directing all of the blame to him. Every Player now had their mission; to hunt him down and force him to pay for his sins. Yoshino would not allow them to lay a finger on him.

Without thinking, she leaned back on her kitchen table chair and closed her eyes, her mind slowly beginning the familiar process of logging into Deep Ground Online.

[b]"Yoshino-san!"[/b]

A loud thud hit the table just as Yoshino closed her eyes. Retsu had been awake all this morning with urgent messages coming from her Sweepers, Erasers, Ebony Strykers, and just about everyone else who knew who she was. Sweepers who have taken it upon themselves to find Michael and protect him, or those who sought to attack him. The Erasers at least knew better than to believe this "Silver Jester", since most of them knew who the true Red King was, and they knew him as Michael. But even so, some of those same Erasers became suggesting conspiracy theories that Michael may have the very rare and next-to-impossible ability to have more than one Avatar Character. No one could do that, not since your Avatar was derived from the chip in your head, and even changing to a new one still made you use the old Avatar. But that's only because Retsu thinks that this isn't possible. Frankly, with all that's happened so far, she could not leave anything out simply because of how absurd it may sound.

And that was just one of her problems. While most people rightfully had a tentative belief of this Silver Jester Character, she already received word that System Admins were investigating the Ebony Strykers. Retsu made sure to cover her tracks well enough that they won't be able to link any form of hacking to her, but she couldn't say for sure for any other Eraser, nor if this Silver Jester character might have tried to plant false evidence against the Ebony Strykers. And she had no doubts that the other guilds would approve of this, or even attempt to plant their own evidence just to counter act the advantage the Sweepers would normally have.

So at a time of crisis like this, Retsu needed to keep a cool head. And she needed to make sure Yoshino did not jump the gun either. [b]"Don't let the Silver Jester provoke you. You and I both know what sort of bullshit he's trying to spread, but we can't be hasty. An immediate reaction from the Black King herself will only serve to show that have something to hide. I've sent some Sweepers to find Michael and protect him, but we have to plan our actions carefully. First what we need to do is secure Michael and get his side of the story. If I'm right, he's just a tool, but if he does have more involvement in this, than we need to make sure we stop him before this spirals out of control. The second thing we need to do is find out who this Silver Jester is, who his player is. For all we know this could just be a scare campaign to take advantage of everyone's hatred for the Ebony Strykers. What I need you to do is stick with me. I'm sure that everyone is going to mob you at school demanding answer, but I'll make sure that no one gets close to you. I'll handle Deep Ground; make sure there are no dissenters or allow the chaos to be taken advantage of by the other guilds. As the spokesperson of the Black King, you cannot directly prove the Silver Jester wrong, but he's no more correct than any other conspiracy nut. We have to play this cool and just treat it as another loudmouth trying to rile everyone up and get attention."[/b]

Initially, Yoshino was fully prepared to yell at the girl and try to justify her reasons for doing what she wanted to do. However, her viewpoints soon changed as she listened to her words. The Black King breathed a sigh of relief and was grateful at how Retsu had handled the situation. Michael would at least be protected in some way out in the real world. She had promised to protect him as well...funny how that all worked out.

"Retsu."

Yoshino had since put on her glasses and stared right at her deputy. Her voice was low but commanding. Yoshino Tsugumi was gone now, at least for the time being. The girl that sat before Retsu was Moon Rider, commanding in the waking world .

"Can you cover a Player's trace from entering Deep Ground Online?"

It was clear what she was suggesting...and that it was now impossible to sway her decision. 

Retsu's eyes widen at Yoshino's request. Her mind blazed with nearly thousands of questions and responses, but there was only one that she could give. [b]"Yes... Yes, I can, but why? I mean, if you're going to enter Deep Ground, the best I can do is erase the log in data, and maybe mask Moon Rider's identity. You'll still be playing as Moon Rider, but you'll be doing so under a different alias, and even so nothing else changes. If anyone recognizes your abilities, or if they have anything like my Cherry Hunter system, even what I can do won't be enough."[/b] Retsu kept trying to think of other ways she could help, but she couldn't do any of it just standing here or even at school. She'd need to head to the Deep Ground HQ to alter the data right at the severs themselves. She could do more if she had her laptop, but she'd need to focus her entire attention to it, which isn't good since there are a lot of battles that need to be fought right now.

Retsu took a deep breath and recollected her thoughts. There was something else she could do. [b]"Alternatively... I could give you moderator privileges. They actions and arrival are recorded differently than regular players. They're strictly suppose to only be used to play test new features, potential bugs and glitches, and other general Deep Ground maintenance stuff, however I can log you in as a moderator and change you back to a normal player. You won't be logged in as a player but you'll more or less still function as one, and when you log out I'll make sure it's also as a moderator. It'll be under one of my names, so no one will know that Moon Rider entered the game unless they personally see you. However! You also must make sure you don't die in the game, or kill anyone! I can't alter your KDR without tipping off the System Admins, since they will be looking for Moon Rider and checking for your arrival."[/b]

Retsu took a seat and rubbed her forehead. So much to do and she hasn't even gotten a chance to brush her teeth yet.

"Alright then. That should be good enough for me," Yoshino said with finality. "Judging from how bold he's acting, I'm sure he has some way of countering Player death anyway so killing him wouldn't be an option anyway. However, I need to know if we can still fight with moderator privileges."

She looked at Retsu expectedly. 

[b]"It's.... Complicated. You can still fight, but for the purpose of hiding that you've logged in, I'll give your moderator privilege so that next time you enter Deep Ground it doesn't really count as you logging in as Moon Rider. However, I basically take away your moderator privilege once you are inside, thus turning you into a regular player, albeit one that isn't "Logged" in. It's something of a glitch that no one has actually fixed due to how rare something like this happens. Still, if you kill anyone, or if you die, it'll still be counted into your KDR, which may give the System Admins an alert that your active and they might start investigating, which could interfere with whatever you're doing. And I can't change it due to my own connections to the Ebony Strykers; none of my Erasers, fellow hackers, would dare do anything to alter the game while the System Admins are looking for us. So..."[/b]

Retsu stood up and looked at Yoshino. [b]"I'm coming with you. You might not be able to enter Deep Ground conventionally, but there's nothing stopping me. I can log in as I normally would need to, and since I'm a System Admin I'll just make up an excuse for what I'm doing. This should allow me to operate alone without them watching over me, and I can help you fight the Silver Jester. I'll have to be the one to land the killing blow, if that's even possible, in order to keep your presence in Deep Ground a secret."[/b]

Yoshino looked over Restu closely, searching for any signs of disloyalty. This girl...was willing to go this far to serve her?

"I can see there won't be any luck convincing you to stay away," she observed. "Still, it's probably for the best. School doesn't start for another hour or so, and I can personally afford to miss a few classes. I don't want to kill the Jester; under your explanation of the Moderator's Privileges, I can't. However, I [i]will[/i] make sure his existence in the game never interferes with our goals again."

With a silent look of grim determination, Yoshino closed her eyes for the second time and focused closely. Soon, her mind felt the familiar slip from reality to the virtual world, and she opened her eyes as the one and true Black King.
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[u][center][b]Welcome Back Moderator[/center][/b][/u]
Frowning, Moon Rider realized that they had been placed within the very heart of Faded City, at the intersection where all the Guilds met at a crossroads. How fitting. Time was growing short. Moon Rider turned to the spot that would eventually spawn Dark Wraith.

"Right then. Let's find our Masked Bastard."[/hider]