Disclaimer: I do not own .hack and I know I do not have to say it every single time I post something it is now officially a habit.

Warning: This is not the end of the story this is just the end of this one part, please do not kill me. If you are not satisfied with the end then check out the later story with the same title with 'pre-sequel' at the end. That is the real ending with a few made up flashbacks in between and I promise it will not be depressing. For your convenience I have posted chapter 1 at the same time as this, so when this part is done please give it a peek through. Once again, this is not the end . . .

.Hack/G.U. Repose

Chapter 4

By: Gin van Geovanni

It had been three days since Azure Kite's temper explosion. No one could get in contact with him like he had dropped off of the face of The World. All of a sudden, Endrance began to do the same thing; first, he talked less and less, even to Haseo, and then he started to avoid Haseo, and then one day he simply did not show up. He was logged in that was certain, but his location was a mystery. Their disappearances made Haseo uneasy, and he looked all over, giving up both food, sleep, and even a couple of showers so he could have as much time as possible to look. 'This is bad . . .' He panicked 'I just hope that they aren't in the same area . . .'

/// Area Words: ∑Fading Eternity's Lover ///

Little did Haseo know that his guess was correct; Azure Kite sent an e-mail to Endrance sometime during his absence giving nothing more than a set of area words, when Endrance arrived he sealed off the area so no one else could enter . . . or leave for that matter. "I know why you're doing this Kite and I ought to warn you I am in no mood to lose to you over a gross misunderstanding." Endrance called out.

The AI said nothing, his eyes were unbelievably blank.

"Even if you manage to defeat me, you will still be the one who loses, so stop while you are ahead."

The rain in the area poured thickly over both of them. As Azure Kite shook water from his soaked hair thunder sounded. Then he moved. As they fought only blue and violet flashes of light cut through dense fog followed by the sound of swords crashing. The blurs zipped all over the field then back to the center of the field.

Azure Kite slid backward a considerable distance, barely managing to stay upright. Endrance jumped backward to break his fall, and even then his balance wavered. "Kite, I'm serious, if you keep this up you'll only hurt yourself."

Rain highlighted the pale blue of the AI's dead face as he cracked his neck. He was hearing words, and listening, however, a part of him just did not care. He crouched low and lunged forward both blades drawn. He missed by half an inch, rolling onto his back to catch Endrance into a violent back kick. Ricocheting off his opponent, he charged back and missed, Endrance had slid neatly out the way and caught Azure Kite in the back with his blade. It did not look like it at first, and even the AI did not completely register the sensation, but the blow hit heavily. The full reality came down the minute Azure Kite swung his right arm; it almost flew clean off in addition to that, a long crack ran down his spine.

The AI held his arm up at the shoulder resisting the urge to scream and limped backward. 'I could use Drain Heart, but I could still lose my arm . . . crap . . .'

Endrance could see the conflict in the latter's eyes he wanted that. 'Now, he ought to think twice . . . would he risk his arm, or is he truly as stubborn as Haseo said?' He mused.

/// Root Town: Breg Epona ///

Machines whirred in the back alley, but Haseo was so wrapped up in worry he could not hear it. He had just exited yet another empty Outer Dungeon and his heart rate matched his ragged breathing. 'Dammit where are they?!' No matter how much he tried to think otherwise the fact was set in stone; not only were Azure Kite and Endrance in the same area but they were definitely fighting.

He needed to stop them, but first he had to find them. All of a sudden he heard a faint sound, one that he was well acquainted with from his search for 'Tri-Edge'. "Kite . . ." He whispered "He must have passed this way . . ." It sounded again 'I think I know the words now . . .'

/// Area Words: ∑Fading Eternity's Lover ///

'I'm done for if I don't do anything . . . I just have to risk it, hopefully this arm will hold up . . .' the normally invisible bracelet on his right arm glowed gold and expanded across the field. The area faded into and endless galaxy with stars and meteors flashing across both fighters.

Azure Kite's eyes glowed bright red as his shoulders, arms, and legs broke out into blue flames. The still visible parts of him elongated and sharpened. A structure similar to the symbol on his hat formed behind him. His own blades had expanded and turned red as well, attaching to his forearms.

'Haseo was right . . . he doesn't give up easily . . .' Endrance thought 'And this must be the Azure Flame God he mentioned. According to what he said, it's similar to an avatar, but still different because in is not a Phase . . . meaning Kite has reconfigured his own data . . . I can see why Haseo tensed that day . . . Still, I'm in no mood to lose myself.' Endrance called his own avatar, Macha. His body took the form of an elegant feline with a rose for a dress. One half of his face was pale white while the other was smooth black; however both eyes were dark violet. Long arms ended in rather large clawed hands, these claws glowed with an almost transparent nature. "Kite, you still have a chance to back away."

Azure Kite extended his arm, an insane glint in his eyes. /Who do you think you're talking to, Endrance?!/ The words were not quite spoken, but it seemed more like a thought magnified tenfold. Even Endrance was surprised to hear Kite's rasp of a voice form coherent words of any sort. The AI continued /I'm not going to lose, and I'm not giving up understand?!/

With an insane roar, both of his hands glowed blue, two enormous balls of fire formed in each one, when he released they moved slowly then exploded into smaller wilder air bombs. In retaliation, Endrance's claws separated into sharp throwing disks, even though some missed those that that came back nicked Azure Kite. Burning angrily, he began to fire nonstop successfully burning and slowing Endrance's avatar slightly. When had slowed just enough, Azure Kite charged. Endrance barely managed to dodge, and was almost sucked into the shockwave, a sudden pain on his face caught him off guard.

He touched his cheek and felt a warm sensation on his real face. 'His attacks are affecting my real body?' He thought suddenly becoming aware of a throbbing pain in his chest where Azure Kite had kicked him. His hands began to sweat on the controller. He was so distracted that be almost did not see the AI charging with renewed force. He halted the attacked, but risked a few joints in his hands. 'What is this?!' he thought hurriedly 'This battle . . . it's becoming too real! Kite's face it's so close . . . not like I'm seeing it through a screen, but like I'm actually face to face with him.' Even after he forced the latter back, the image of those glinting maniacal eyes did not fade.

/How do you like that, Hm?! Looks like I'm not the only one who needs to watch his back! / He laughed rather insanely.

"Kite . . . you're losing your mind why can't you see that?" Endrance flinched back.

/You're going to lose this bout if you keep rattling off like that, why can't you see that? /

"Listen . . ."

/I'm tired of having to listen to other people, especially you!/ He hugged himself allowing his head to loll from side to side /I'm just one big misconception after another and it's hard to get my point across . . . it always has been . . ./ His body began to sway. /Since my words held little to no value, I've had to rely on violent actions and often unnecessary impulses, but of course that can only go so far . . . all I want is for someone to see me for who I am . . . is that too much to ask?!/ He clutched his head and shut his eyes.

"Kite . . ." Even now; Endrance's heart ached seeing Azure Kite suffer so. "Kite . . ."

The AI's eyes snapped open and the structure behind him blazed. The circle in the center of it fired rapidly. Endrance created a rose barrier that saved him from the damage, but he could still feel the receding heat. In addition, the assault did not stop and eventually it broke through burning both his real self and his avatar. In response he took a deep breath and let out a high intensity shriek that repelled the fire and resonated through Azure Kite's ears. The sound caused him to go limp.

Sore and exhausted, Endrance thought '. . . It's over . . .' His breathing hitched at a sharp jab in his side.

/Gotcha./ Azure Kite growled with one of his blades deep in Endrance's side, he pulled away leaving a deep gash behind.

Through the taste of iron and a blurry eye Endrance managed to slash heavily at Azure Kite's face; the data splattered like blood.

The area had been impossible to get through normally, forcing Haseo to hack through layers of thick data. This only led him an outer dungeon. By the time he arrived, the avatar battle was over, but the two fighters were still standing, but only marginally. He could see Azure Kite bleeding from half of his face and Endrance . . . it was a wonder that Endrance was standing as straight as he was. Haseo yelled as loudly as he could, but to no avail. He had no choice, and dove in between them, guns drawn.

Azure Kite's mind cleared slightly at the sight of them. 'I remember those . . . back from that crazy event . . .'

They were red with gold barrels, a gold ribbon streaked around the barrel, handle, and around Haseo's arms. The muzzle was much longer than any of his other guns and they did not have safety hammers. In addition there were thick spiked blades attached to them.

A sharp stab shot through his eye at the realization that the eye he could see out of was parallel with the muzzle. He fell on all fours. 'So . . . it's come down to this . . .'

The teen dropped his arms, unsurprised at how lead like they felt. 'Kite . . . this is my fault . . . all because of me you're . . .' He reached for him, but the AI flinched back.

'You can't touch me . . . not while I'm like this . . .' he thought and vanished.

"Kite!" Haseo called as loud as he could, but it was no use, the AI was already gone.

A heavy weight fell on his shoulders "Haseo . . ." The teen turned around just in time to catch Endrance before he fell. The aqua haired PC's locks were limp and askew. The rose petals from his cap fell slowly and tumbled down his body, showing a faint resemblance to blood. His character seemed to bleed from the side. "E-Endrance?!" Haseo shook him gently. "C'mon wake up!" He shouted desperately. "Wake up, dammit! I need you!"

Endrance flinched and his eyes slowly fluttered open. "I . . . left . . . for a . . . moment . . ." His voice was barely over a whisper and his words slurred some. "Had t-to call . . ." He coughed roughly "B . . . B-ut . . . I'll . . . b . . . fi . . ." The character froze with wide eyes then faded.

In the real world, a man named Kaoru Ichinose collapsed at his terminal. His M2D lay far from him stained with some of the blood on the floor. The blood stemmed from a deep wound in his side. Haseo's voice echoed from the headset.

.Hack// G.U. Repose: End

A/N: Once again, please don't murder me! Things will start to look up promise . . . just not here in the pre-sequel.