Post by Hayate on May 25, 2008 20:43:23 GMT -5
*bits and pieces of Hayate’s data float aimlessly in a white pocket of space*
Hayate: …
*Sakuya appears next to him in ghost form*
Sakuya: …Kazu-niichan? …Can you hear me?
Hayate: …
*Hayate slowly opens his eyes*
Sakuya: *gasp* Kazuto! You’re alive! Thank goodness!
Hayate: …Saku…-nee…
Sakuya: *wipes away tears* Yes… I’m here…
Hayate: …Tell me… Was it all…for nothing…?
Sakuya: Huh? What do you mean?
Hayate: …I joined The World…
- Yup! I just created my player a few minutes ago!
- I find it more challenging to play a game you’ve never played before by yourself. That way, you’d get more out of the experience. Haishou?
Hayate: …I made friends…
- A pleasure to meet you.
- How was I supposed to know Ren had a strong backhand!?
- Man, you are too easy!
- …Call me Miharu.
- My name’s Alkaid. And this is my little sister Hanabi.
Hayate: …and enemies…
- I was just about to form a guild… Wanna join?
- Behold! I am the gleaming knight! The bringer of justice! The defender of truth!
- Now… Be a good little boy and give me the dual swords…
- Well! I’m tired of this place and everyone in it! Later, y’all!
- Hhhhhaaaaahhhhh…
Hayate: …I even joined a guild…
- …Hey, Orion…Got any room in your guild for one more member!?
Hayate: …At that point…I thought I was invincible…but I was wrong…
- I don’t care about you OR your half-assed philosophies!! As far as I’m concerned, you and I are enemies!! Haishou!?
- What do I do now? I gave Alkaid my word to look after Hanabi and I let her down…!
- Kyuzo!!! Tricking your own cousin into finding a weapon for you?!? How low are you?!?
- Sakuya! Sakuya! …No… Please don’t go… I’ve only just found you…
- WHY DIDN’T YOU LISTEN TO ME, ORION!?!? I CALLED OUT TO YOU!!!! WHY!?!? ARE THE .HACK//ARMS MORE IMPORTANT TO YOU THAN YOUR FRIENDS?!?!?
Hayate: …The more I played…the more pain I experienced… I even considered…giving it all up…
- This isn’t how I wanted to enjoy this game… Maybe I should just quit…
- Have fun using the strengths of everyone around you just to fulfill your own selfish goals! As of this moment, I quit!!!
- What the hell was I given this power for?!?
- So much hurt… So much pain… So many innocent lives lost… So much meaningless death… *clenches fists* Where and when does it all end!?
Hayate: …So tell me, Saku-nee… Was it…all for nothing…?
Sakuya: Of course it wasn’t. Ever since you joined The World, I’ve watched you grow – physical AND mentally.
- If you want that Aura Sphere, you’ll have to go through me!
- Okay, then! Let’s go! Onward and upward! *marches off*
- Just you wait! When we’re done, I’ll have destroyed a thousand monsters! Haishou!?
- “The strength of the one always outweighs the strength of the all! Haishou?”
- Izumi! …I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you. But I swear I’ll protect you better from now on – even if I don’t go back to Glaive LeGable!
- Stay…away…from my…friends!!!
- My name…is Hayate!!!
Sakuya: And that growth moved everyone around you.
- C’mon, Hayate! Could you and your girlfriend get your asses in gear!?
- I know your heart was in the right place, so…thanks for helping me out…
- …That boy never ceases to amaze me…
- I thought about your offer, and…I decided that I’d like to join Glaive LeGable.
- You’re a very unique person, Hayate. I almost envy you.
Sakuya: *smile* …You even fell in love…
- Hehe… Sorry to worry you.
- *blush* I-I’m not his girlfriend!!!
- To walk hand-in-hand with the one you love as the fireworks light up the sky…
- *blush* D-Don’t look at me like that, Hayate… It’s embarrassing me…
- I’m really glad you came back. Glaive LeGable just wasn’t the same without you.
Sakuya: On top of that, you’re a Factor User!
- The 5th “Chosen”. Codename – The Machinator.
- My…true self?
- You are able to use these powers, or “factors”, to do battle against infections and bugs in the system. You…are Factor Users.
- “Twin moons, shine down!” Gorre![/b]
Sakuya: You’re one of the strongest people I know, Kazu-niichan. That’s why… *sniffle* That’s why you can’t give up! The World will be lost forever if you do!
Hayate: … *closes eyes* …I’m sorry, Saku-nee… But I just…don’t have what it takes…
*Hayate’s data begins to break up even more*
Sakuya: No! Kazuto! Please, you have to fight! …Oh, Kazu… I said I wanted to help you become stronger… *sobs* …but I don’t know what I should do!
*Sakuya cries with her face buried in Hayate’s deteriorating chest*
: …Don’t cry, little one…
Sakuya: …Huh? *wipes tears away* W-Who said that?
*Sakuya picks herself up and looks up to see Aura floating before her*
Sakuya: *gasp* Y-You… You’re…
*Aura kneels down and rests her hand on Hayate’s chest in an attempt to restore his data, but she’s unable to*
Aura: Ohhhh… I’m afraid he’s been tainted by Althena… There’s nothing I can do…
Sakuya: No! There must be something! Please, I don’t want to lose my brother again!
Aura: … *smile* The love between a brother and sister is truly beautiful… There is one way…
Sakuya: There is!?
*Aura extends both of her hands forward; in her left hand appears Hayate’s Vorpal Blade, and in her right hand appears the Book of Twilight*
Sakuya: …This is…
Aura: The Book of Twilight. The power that can bring either salvation or destruction to The World at the whim of its user. …Listen well, little one. If you truly wish for your brother to live…then you must be willing to give your all to him and this power.
Sakuya: I…don’t understand…
Aura: You are the embodiment of the Gorre Factor. Therefore, you are bound to your brother’s data to an extent. But if you integrate your data with him far past that extent…then I will be able to restore his consciousness.
Sakuya: But…if I do that…
Aura: Yes. Once you completely assume the role of the Gorre Factor, you will forever lose the “you” that exists right now. You will no longer be human…but a purely electronic entity.
Sakuya: …Will I…still be able to talk to him?
Aura: Yes, but solely on a telepathic level. He may not be able to see you, but he’ll still be able to hear you.
Sakuya: …That’s more than enough. As long as I can still speak with Kazu-niichan, I will gladly become his sword and shield…!
Aura: Very well.
*Aura hands to Sakuya the Book of Twilight, who holds it closely to her chest; Sakuya closes her eyes and the Book begins to glow brightly*
Sakuya: … (Kazu-niichan…)
~ August 10, 2037 ~
*the city of Mac Anu is overrun by AIDA, Neon and Gwen are seen in the Central District destroying them one-by-one with their Lost Weapons*
Neon: Gale Blade![/i]
*Neon swings his Heaven’s Pulse dual swords three times in quick succession, slaying three AIDA <Helens>*
Gwen: Piercing Heaven![/i]
*Gwen skewers a group of AIDA <Annas> with her Shattered Wing javelin, killing them; moments later, several more <Annas> and <Helens> appear*
Gwen: Dammit, this is pointless! They just keep coming!
Neon: We can’t give up! I refuse to let Mac Anu fall!
Gwen: *groan*
*meanwhile, in Dol Dona, a group of PCs is seen running away from an AIDA <Oswald>*
<Oswald>: *hisses*
PC1: Aah!!!
PC2: Somebody help!!!
: Wicked Strike![/i]
*from out of nowhere leaps Vyce, wielding a scythe generated by his Lord of Roses catalyst; he swings the scythe forcefully, causing <Oswald> to fall back onto the ground; Vyce lands on the ground and turns to face the fleeing PCs*
Vyce: Are you all okay?
PC3: Y-Yeah… Thanks…
Vyce: It’s no trouble. Now log out quickly before--
*just then, <Oswald’s> hiss echoes from behind Vyce…*
Vyce: *gasp, readies scythe*
*…but the hiss is instantly silenced when someone from behind <Oswald> slays it*
Vyce: H-Huh?
*behind the fallen <Oswald>, Zenjiro is seen holding his Clairvoyance fans*
Zenjiro: *straightens glasses* I’m not too late, am I?
Vyce: …Heh…
*in Breg Epona, Ayliori and Ren fight off AIDA <Gatekeepers> near the Chaos Gate*
Ayliori: PhaVak Don![/i]
*Ayliori twirls her Mirage Cross staff and conjures a rainfall of molten fire to drop down onto one of the <Gatekeepers>, slaying it*
Ren: OrLun Zas![/i]
*Ren points her microphone forward and unleashes a powerful beam of lunar energy, killing three <Gatekeepers> in its path*
Ren: *panting* Just…a few more…
Ayliori: MeRue Kruz![/i]
*Ayliori attempts to wash a <Gatekeeper> away with a great wave of water, but the <Gatekeeper> dodges it at the last second and fires a Kobold Bullet at Ayliori*
Ayliori: Gah…!
Ren: Ayliori!
*the <Gatekeeper> that had struck Ayliori begins to charge an Algol Mazer attack*
Ren: Oh, no, you don’t!
*Ren puts her microphone away and draws her Last Requiem dual swords*
Ren: Chaotic Strike![/i]
*before the <Gatekeeper> could fire off its Algol Mazer, Ren drives her dual swords into the <Gatekeeper’s> body multiple times at blinding speed, killing it instantly*
Ren: *sigh* Are you okay, Ayliori?
Ayliori: Yeah… I’ll be fine…
*looking in front of them, Ren and Ayliori notice several more <Gatekeepers> approach them*
Ren: Oh, come on… There’s more?
*in Lumina Cloth, Kyuzo is seen fighting off an AIDA <Victorian> on the Arena floor*
<Victorian>: *screech*
Kyuzo: …Heh!
*as it hovers in the air, <Victorian> fires a multitude of Royal Bullets at Kyuzo, who “dodge-rolls” around the Arena to avoid*
Kyuzo: My turn!
*Kyuzo leaps from his standing position and thrusts his blade sword <Victorian>; <Victorian> flies over Kyuzo’s attack and strikes him from the rear with a Royal Tackle, sending him flying into the Arena fence*
Kyuzo: GAH!!!
<Victorian>: *screech*
Kyuzo: *rises to feet* Oh… A wise guy, eh?
*Kyuzo substitutes his blade sword for his Death Bringer guitar*
Kyuzo: Come ‘n’ get it!
*letting out an ear-shattering screech, <Victorian> launches itself at Kyuzo with another Royal Tackle; Kyuzo raises his hand…*
Kyuzo: 1, 2, 3, 4!!!
*…and strums his guitar’s strings harshly; <Victorian> is blown away by a powerful shockwave and perishes*
Kyuzo: Haha! …Huh?
*mere moments later, at least ten more AIDA <Victorians> surround the Arena Kyuzo was standing in*
Kyuzo: … *sigh* I knew I should’ve hired backup singers. Hehehe…
*…Raven @home, Serpent of Lore…*
Pi: This is…utter mayhem! AIDA’s completing flooding the network!
Endrance: Not even the Factor Users can remedy this by themselves!
Haseo: The worst thing that could possibly have occurred… And it’s actually happening… *bites thumb* (We may very well be on the verge of the 4th Network Crisis…!)
Ovan: Yata! Have you located Hayate yet!?
Yata: I can detect the presence of his data signature, but it’s difficult to pinpoint.
Kuhn: What about Althena!? Where’s she!?
Yata: She’s hidden herself from my sights. …Or to be more accurate, the concentration of AIDA is too great to find her. It’s like trying to find a needle in a haystack.
Atoli: …This is scary…
Sakubo: (Hayate… Where the hell are you…!?)
: …Having some trouble?
Haseo: Huh?
*the Epitaph Users all turn to see Dekar standing at the entrance to the Serpent of Lore*
Haseo: Tch! You have the worst timing ever!
Dekar: …Like you said, this situation is far too grave for the Factor Users to handle by themselves. I think they might be in need of some…veteran assistance.
All: …
*meanwhile, Althena floats in a pocket of space that overlooks all of the Root Towns*
Althena: Hahahahahaha!!! This is almost like watching fireworks! In just a matter of hours, the entire network will be under MY control! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
*just then, a bolt of shocking energy passes throughout Althena’s body and she clenches her chest in pain*
Althena: *deep gasp* N-No…! Don’t even try…to resist…! I’M in control…! *panting* …I…have always been in control…
*Σ Hidden Forbidden Fake Sacrament ~ Anti-Existence of Caerleon Medb*
*a mysterious figure appears on the center platform in a gating-in-like fashion; the figure had bright blond hair and was draped in white*
: …
*without saying anything, the figure gates out of the Lost Ground; meanwhile, in Mac Anu, Neon and Gwen fight off wave after wave of AIDA in the Mercenary District*
Neon: Sparrow Counter![/i]
*with an upward/downward slash of his dual swords, Neon destroys another AIDA*
Neon: *panting* How are you holding up, Gwen?
Gwen: Oh, never better! This is EXACTLY how I wanted to spend my last moments alive!
Neon: …Yup, you’re fine…
Gwen: Air Raid![/i]
*Gwen thrusts her lance at an AIDA <Helen>; <Helen> smoothly evades Gwen’s attack and curls itself around her, constricting her*
Gwen: Gah…!!!
Neon: Gwen!
*Neon dashes quickly to Gwen’s location and slays the AIDA that was binding her; Gwen’s body falls limp onto the ground and Neon kneels down next to her*
Neon: Gwen! Are you okay!? Say something!
Gwen: Ohhhh…
*Gwen opens her eyes to realize hers and Neon’s faces were just inches apart*
Gwen: !!! *backs away from Neon* I’m fine, I’m fine! Back off! *blush* Sheesh… Next time, warn a girl before you hover over her like that…
Neon: Hehehe… Sorry…
*just then, a large group of <Annas> and <Helens> surround Neon and Gwen*
Neon: …Well…I guess this is it for us… And I never even got to kiss a girl… *looks at Gwen*
Gwen: …Don’t even think about it…
Neon: Kidding, kidding!
*the AIDA army dashes at Neon and Gwen…*
Neon/Gwen: Aah!
*…only to be eradicated by bullets and wind-based spells; looking ahead, Neon and Gwen notice that Kuhn, Sakubo, and Pi had made their entrance*
Sakubo: Hey, guys!
Pi: Are you two unharmed?
Kuhn: Hehehe… They’re more than unharmed…
Neon/Gwen: …Hmm?
*Neon and Gwen look at each other, realizing that they were sitting rather close; they quickly back away from each other blushing*
Gwen: I-It’s not what you think!
Kuhn: Hehehe… Sure it isn’t…
Gwen: Don’t make me practice my Scarlet Thrust on your face!
Neon/Pi: …*sigh*
*in Lumina Cloth, Kyuzo downs AIDA after AIDA, but for each one he destroys, two more take its place*
Kyuzo: Jeez… Give a guy a minute or two to breathe, why don’t ya?
<Victorian>: *screech*
*an AIDA <Victorian> soars towards Kyuzo; he destroys it with his Death Bringer and falls to one knee due to exhaustion*
Kyuzo: *panting* This is…freakin’ crazy…
*three <Victorians> fly at Kyuzo…*
Kyuzo: *gasp*
*…and are instantly destroyed by a white-garbed PC and his scythe; Haseo lands on the ground near Kyuzo holding his Lost Weapon, the Shadowy Death*
Haseo: …Need a hand?
Kyuzo: …Tch!
*in Dol Dona, Zenjiro is seen being chased down a corridor by a group of AIDA <Oswalds> and AIDA <Grunwalds>*
AIDA: *hisses*
Zenjiro: C’mon now, surely you all can move faster than that!
AIDA: *hisses loudly*
*as Zenjiro reaches the end of the corridor, he sees Vyce aiming at him with an arrow*
Zenjiro: Ready!?
Vyce: Ready!!!
*Zenjiro dashes up to Vyce and leaps over him, giving Vyce an ample opening to fire his arrow; the arrow flies forward and guides through every twist and turn of the corridor Zenjiro was running through; because the corridor was so narrow, the AIDA that were all lined up inside were unable to avoid Vyce’s arrow and are instantly killed*
Vyce: Got ‘em! Nice work, ‘Jiro’!
Zenjiro: You too! …Even though all I did was act as bait…
*just then, a single AIDA <Grunwald> emerges from the corridor, having avoided Vyce’s arrow from the other corridor’s other end, and charges rapidly at Vyce and Zenjiro with its claws raised…*
<Grunwald>: *hisses*
Vyce/Zenjiro: *gasp*
*…but just before it could strike, the AIDA is slain by a fan/blade double-team attack*
Vyce/Zenjiro: *blinks* What the…?
*as the AIDA’s data vanishes, Yata and Endrance are seen standing across from Vyce and Zenjiro with their Lost Weapons drawn*
Vyce: Father…!?
Endrance: Don’t let your guard down!
Vyce: …R-Right!
*in Breg Epona, Ayliori and Ren find themselves cornered by a large group of AIDA <Gatekeepers>*
Ren: *smirk* Well, Ayliori, I must admit… Things don’t look too good for us right now…
Ayliori: *smirk* Yeah… We might be in for it this time…
Ren: …But…!
Ayliori: …We won’t go down without a fight!
*the two Factor Users charge forward to attack…*
Ayliori/Ren: HYAAAAAAH!!!
*…but the AIDA that surround them are killed before they could land a single hit, causing them to stumble forward embarrassingly*
Ayliori: …What just happened…?
*Ayliori and Ren look up to see Ovan and Atoli standing right above them, holding their Lost Weapons*
Ovan: …Honestly… You two are so overdramatic…
Atoli: *giggles*
Ren: *sweatdrop* …Hehehe…
*meanwhile, Dekar monitors everyone’s progress at the Serpent of Lore*
Dekar: Not bad… Not bad at all… Hmm?
*he brings up a display of Breg Epona’s Chaos Gate, where someone is seen gating in*
Dekar: …! *smirk* Looks like the final actor in our performance has arrived…
*Ayliori, Ren, Atoli, and Ovan continue fighting off AIDA, but their massive numbers eventually corner them at the end of Breg Epona’s alleyway*
Ayliori: PhaZan Rom![/i]
*Ayliori slays one AIDA…*
Ovan: Plectra Bullet![/i]
*…Ovan slays another…*
Ren: Ghost Falcon![/i]
*…Ren slays another…*
Atoli: MeAni Zot![/i]
*…and Atoli slays a fourth; for the four AIDA the group killed, ten more appear*
Ayliori: *panting* …Just how many of them are there!?
Atoli: …Hey…do you guys hear something?
Ren: Hmm? *closes eyes* …Sounds like…an engine…
Ovan: …*smirk* …A steam bike engine to be exact.
*at the other end of the alley, a white-garbed PC is seen revving up his steam bike; the PC takes off on his steam bike and races down the alleyway, using a blade sword to slay AIDA along the way; as the PC closes in on the alley’s end, he goes full throttle and his steam bike goes flying into the air*
Ayliori/Ren: WHOA!!!
*once positioned just above the party, the PC puts his steam bike away and lands on the ground right in front of the group; after his cool entrance, the PC rises to his feet and slowly turns to face the party*
All: *gasp* HAYATE!!!
*the Player standing in front of the group was indeed Hayate, except his hair was a lighter shade of blond, his eyes a lighter shade of blue, and all of the red parts of his PC body were now as white as snow*
Hayate: Hey, guys. You miss me?
*just then, out of the alleyway emerges a new breed of AIDA: <Rochelle>; <Rochelle>’s body mostly resembled that of a whale and it had several antennae sprouting from its head*
<Rochelle>: *bellows*
Ren: Whoa… That’s one BIG[/i] AIDA…
Hayate: …I’ll handle this…
*Hayate positions his hands behind him and draws from subspace a pair of identical, shimmering blade swords – one black, one white…*
*…this was Hayate’s Lost Weapon, created from his integration with Sakuya and the Book of Twilight: the “Twin Twilight”*
Ayliori: …Wow…
*Hayate assumes a battle stance as <Rochelle> draws closer*
<Rochelle>: *bellows loudly*
Hayate: …
*all of a sudden, Hayate vanishes; rapid blurs of him are seen driving their blade swords into <Rochelle> thousands of times in a matter of seconds; Hayate returns to the party and puts his Lost Weapons away while <Rochelle> disintegrates to its death*
Ovan: …Heh. Well done.
Hayate: Hah! Nothing to it!
Ovan: *BEEP, BEEP!* Hmm?
Atoli: What is it, Ovan?
Ren: A short mail?
Ovan: …It’s Dekar. He wants us to report to the Serpent of Lore immediately.
Ayliori: Gotcha!
*Atoli, Ayliori, and Ren gate out of Breg Epona one by one; Ovan analyzes Hayate’s new PC body*
Hayate: …What?
Ovan: You’ve integrated with Gorre. Just like Haseo did long ago. You’ve gone to great lengths, Hayate.
Hayate: Well, what’d you expect? I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing. Besides…I love The World too much to let it come to an end like this… As long as I have this power…I’ll fight…!
Ovan: *smile* May I ask you something, Hayate?
Hayate: Huh? What is it?
Ovan: Have you ever heard of…the “Key of the Twilight”…?
Hayate: …Yeah. It’s an item that exists somewhere in The World and can take on any form.
Ovan: …That’s only partially correct…
Hayate: What do you mean?
Ovan: It’s true that the Key can take on any form. But no matter what form it may take, it has but one use… The Key of the Twilight…is “a guide to truth”.
Hayate: “A guide…to truth”?
Ovan: When, at any given time, an item is given the power to lead to the truth behind The World…that item is given the name “Key of the Twilight”. At one point in time, it took the form of a bracelet. At another time, it took the form of the Ultimate AI. Hayate…you have the potential…to become that Key.
Hayate: …
Ovan: Be warned – At some point in your future, you will come face-to-face with your greatest enemy…and it will have been you, Hayate, who brought that enemy into existence… *gates out*
Hayate: My…greatest enemy…
*…Raven @home, Serpent of Lore…*
Dekar: …Ah, good. You’re all here. I have some good news. But first, I’d like to take this time to welcome back Hayate, our Factor User of Gorre.
Gwen: Welcome back, blondie!
Neon: *motions a thumbs-up* Lookin’ cool too!
Hayate: *rubs back of head* Hehehe…
Haseo: …Dekar.
Dekar: Yes. *ahem* …I’ve located Althena.
Ayliori: You did!?
Ren: Where is she!?
Dekar: An undiscovered Lost Ground located at Σ Hidden Forbidden Fake Sacrament.
Hayate: She’s there?!?
Kuhn: You know about it, Hayate?
Hayate: …Althena… She was sleeping there.
Pi: Hmm… That explains why we weren’t able to pinpoint her before.
Kyuzo: Okay then! We head to this Lost Ground, we kick Althena’s ass, bada-bing-bada-boom, The World is saved, we go home happy!
Sakubo: …Good luck, everyone.
*a short time later, the eight Factor Users attempt to gate into the Lost Ground, but are unable to*
Gwen: Dammit! We’re locked out!
Ren: Why don’t we try Gate Hacking?
Neon: We need Mom and Dad’s help to do that. And they’re not logged in.
Ayliori: So we’re stuck!?
Hayate: …Not necessarily.
Zenjiro: Hayate?
Hayate: Follow me!
*minutes later, the group of Factor Users gates into Morrigu Barrow*
Kyuzo: …What the hell are we doing here?
Hayate: Hidden Forbidden Fake Sacrament has a back door.
Ayliori: *points at the Tri-Edge sign on the wall* Is it through there?
Hayate: No…
*Hayate slowly walks up to the edge of the cliff and points down at the sea of AIDA in the ravine*
Hayate: …It’s through there.
Gwen: What!? Are you insane!? You expect us to dive straight into the belly of the beast!?
Hayate: Just…trust me.
*Hayate slowly closes his eyes and dives headfirst into the AIDA-infested ravine; the group watches as Hayate disappears into the sea of AIDA*
Ayliori: …You’ve gotta be kidding me…
*Neon steps forward and gazes down at the sea…*
Neon: …Well, I trust him.
*…and follows Hayate into the ravine*
Ren: … *gulp* Y-Yeah. I do too. *jumps into the ravine*
Vyce: …Same here. *jumps into the ravine*
Zenjiro: … *shrug shoulders* Well, he’s a Factor User, so I have no choice BUT to trust him. Heh. *jumps into the ravine*
Ayliori: …Well, we’ve gotten this far without a scratch. Defying death one more time won’t kill us! Hahaha! *jumps into the ravine*
Gwen: …If this kills me, I’m haunting the hell out of that kid. *jumps into the ravine* See ya at the bottom, Kyuzo!
Kyuzo: …This is the last time I do something without personal profit. *jumps into the ravine*
*as Kyuzo leaps off the cliff, Ayliori, Gwen, and he disappear into the sea of AIDA*
*Σ Hidden Forbidden Fake Sacrament ~ Anti-Existence of Caerleon Medb*
*the group gates into the Lost Ground via the Chaos Gate on the southernmost platform; across from them, they notice a woman sitting on a throne placed on the northernmost platform*
Althena: So glad you’re here… Did you come to watch the fireworks with me?
Kyuzo: (This moment has “cliché-final-boss” written all over it…)
Althena: …Hmm? *looks at Hayate* Oh!
*Althena suddenly smiles happily…*
Althena: You’re alive! I’m so happy!
*…but that smile then turns to one of pure evil*
Althena: …Now I can kill you all over again…!
Neon: Kill…?
Hayate: *draws Twin Twilight* Just try it, you black-hearted bitch!
Althena: Good… That’s what I want to see… Your anger… Your rage… *stands up from throne* …It’s delicious…
*with a wave of her arm, Althena conjures a massive amount of black bubbles and turns the Lost Ground into AIDA-covered Avatar Space*
Althena: The entire network is mine!!!!! All, including Aura, will kneel before me!!!!!
Hayate: Okay, guys, this is it! You ready!?
All: YEAH!!!
Kyuzo: “Gaze into the face of death!” SKEITH!!!
Ayliori: “Deception is thy weapon!” INNIS!!!
Neon: “Born from the tree of mana!” MAGUS!!!
Zenjiro: “Thy insight is absolute!” FIDCHELL!!!
Hayate: “Twin moons, shine down!” GORRE!!!
Vyce: “Give in to temptation!” MACHA!!!
Gwen: “Seek thy vengeance!” TARVOS!!!
Ren: “Be reborn in the Earth!” CORBENIK!!!
*one-by-one, the eight Factor Users summon their fully evolved Avatars; Dekar and the Epitaph Users witness this from the Serpent of Lore*
Kuhn: Kinda takes your breath away, doesn’t it…?
Sakubo: I wish I had some popcorn! Hahaha!
*the eight Factor Users, in their Avatar forms, begin to do battle with Althena, soaring around her and firing energy shots; Althena defends against the shots with AIDA bubbles*
Althena: Hahaha! You can’t hope to defeat me!
Neon (Magus): Ayliori! You’re with me!
Ayliori (Innis): Gotcha!
*Innis suddenly takes off to the highest points of Avatar Space…*
Neon (Magus): Unforgiving Bud![/i]
*…while Magus releases from its hands 10 large seeds that shoot forth at Althena; Althena uses AIDA bubbles to fend off the seeds, but fails to anticipate the explosions they set off*
Althena: Gah…!
*with Althena distracted by the explosions, Innis shoots down from above…*
Ayliori (Innis): Confusion Flight![/i]
*…and drives itself into Althena, causing her to fly back*
Althena: Agh! Damn you!
*Althena extends her hand forward and fires a volley of energy blasts infused with AIDA at Innis and Magus…*
Neon/Ayliori: *gasp*
*…when Fidchell suddenly enters, its body glowing bright yellow*
Zenjiro (Fidchell): Reflection![/i]
*upon coming into contact with Fidchell’s glowing body, Althena’s AIDA blasts are reflected back at her; Althena simply swats the reflected blasts aside*
Althena: Grrrr…
*Gorre positions itself behind Althena*
Althena: *looks back* You…!
Hayate (Gorre): Paradise Invite![/i]
*the stone structures that float behind Gorre suddenly duplicate themselves multiple times over and surround Althena*
Althena: What kind of cheap trick is this!?
*Althena destroys the stone structures one by one with AIDA blasts*
Althena: COME OUT AND FACE ME, DAMN YOU!!!
*Gorre suddenly emerges from the ring of structure duplicates and binds Althena from behind…*
Althena: What the!?
*…while a second Gorre emerges from the ring of structure duplicates at Althena’s front, unleashing a multitude of swift punches into her body followed by a powerful uppercut; Althena stops herself mid-flight*
Althena: *panting*
*Skeith positions himself a few yards in front of Althena and outstretches his hands*
Kyuzo (Skeith): Swords of Terror![/i]
*eight giant swords of light appear behind Skeith; with a wave of its arm, Skeith sends the blades flying at Althena*
Althena: Tch!
*Althena fires an endless volley of AIDA blasts to blow the swords away, but only manages to destroy 5 and ends up being struck by the last 3*
Althena: Gah!!!
*with Althena weakened, the 8 Factor Users surround her again*
Vyce (Macha): Give it up, Althena!
Ren (Corbenik): There’s no way you can take on all eight of us at once!
Althena: …You know something? *smirk* …You’re right…!
*Althena curls her arms around her body and concentrates her energy*
Althena: Nnnnnn…
Gwen (Tarvos): Now what’s she doing!?
Althena: YAAAAH!!!!
*a massive amount of AIDA pours out of Althena’s body, which she forms into 7 doppelgangers of herself*
Zenjiro (Fidchell): …That’s what she’s doing…
Kyuzo (Skeith): *glares at Ren* “There’s no way you can take on all eight of us at once!” You just HAD to say it!!!
Ren (Corbenik): Don’t start with me, Kyuzo!
Neon (Magus): …They’re coming!
*Althena and her doppelgangers all fly forth, ensuing 8 simultaneous battles in Avatar Space; Dekar and the Epitaph Users watch this from the Serpent of Lore*
Pi: Is Althena showing signs of weakening yet?
Yata: It’s…difficult to explain.
Endrance: What’s that supposed to mean?
Yata: I’m analyzing Althena’s data, and…it’s as if she has two entities within her that are constantly clashing.
Ovan: …Is it because of AIDA?
Haseo: …Maybe this is what Aura meant by “saving Althena”. She wants us to separate Althena from AIDA.
*each of the 8 Factor Users fights its own battle against an Althena duplicate*
Vyce (Macha): Seductive Voice![/i]
*Macha aims its hands forward and generates a powerful high-pitched vibration of sound, sending “Althena VI” flying back*
“Althena VI”: Aah!!!
Ren (Corbenik): Celestial Wrath![/i]
*Corbenik fires a single shot up at the sky, which explodes into a multitude of falling bullets; “Althena VIII” soars around Avatar Space, evading these bullets, and slowly makes her way towards Corbenik*
“Althena VIII”: Take THIS!!!
*once within range, “Althena VIII” rests the palm of her hand on Corbenik’s chest and releases a powerful shockwave of air*
Corbenik: Gah…!!
“Althena VII”: GRAAAAAH!!!!!
Gwen (Tarvos): Invincible Shield![/i]
*the crown-like structure around Tarvos’ waist begins to rotate at a high speed, projecting a transparent shield around it; “Althena VII” closes in on Tarvos and drives her fists continuously into this shield*
Gwen (Tarvos): Hey, girly, ever hear of a thing called personal space!?
Ayliori (Innis): Haze of Treason![/i]
*Innis’ body suddenly turns transparent as she flies towards “Althena II”*
“Althena II”: *gasp*
*the transparent Innis flies through “Althena II” like a ghost; mere seconds later, a second Innis appears and lets loose a series of slashes into “Althena II’s” body; “Althena II” vanishes*
Ayliori (Innis): Alright! One down!
Atoli: *claps hands together* That’s my girl! Good job, Aylia!
*as time goes on, the number of Althena duplicates dwindles until once again there was just one left*
Kyuzo (Skeith): Well, well… Here we are again.
Hayate (Gorre): Ready to give up now?
Althena: Grrrr… You defiant little vermin! You haven’t the slightest inkling of the forces you defy! I am the most powerful being in The World--!
*a jolt of shocking energy passes throughout Althena’s body again and she clenches her chest in pain*
Althena: *deep gasp* N-No…! Not again…!
*just then, a ghost emerges from Althena – the real Althena*
Zenjiro (Fidchell): *raises eyebrow* Hmm?
Ghost Althena: Everyone, quickly! I can’t hold her back much longer! You must strike now!
Neon (Magus): H-Huh?
Althena: Insolent wretch! Still you resist me!?
Ghost Althena: Please! Hurry!
All: …
*the Factor Users distance themselves from Althena as their bracelets appear*
All: DATA…[/i]
Althena: N-No!!! I refuse…to let this…pass!!!
Ghost Althena: *turns to face Althena* It’s over…! I won’t let you control me any longer…!
All: …DRAIN!!!!![/i][/size]
*eight Data Drain blasts are fired simultaneously and engulf Althena*
Althena: GRRAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!![/i][/size]
*in a great flash of light, Althena is separated from the AIDA that was controlling her: a new breed of AIDA similar to <Victorian> called AIDA <Maxwell>*
<Maxwell>: *loud screech*
*meanwhile, Althena’s lifeless body is seen plummeting down to the deepest reaches of Avatar Space*
Hayate (Gorre): *gasp*
*Gorre zooms down at high speed and catches Althena in its arms*
Hayate (Gorre): *sigh* That was a close one…
*AIDA <Maxwell> flies around Avatar Space, tackling into the Factor Users’ Avatars as it soars*
Vyce (Macha): Gah! …Damn! This thing’s fast!
Ayliori (Innis): Neon, watch out!
*<Maxwell> is seen flying straight at Magus*
Neon (Magus): Hmph! Flash of Green![/i]
*Magus emits from its body a wide-range array of laser beams; as <Maxwell> comes within range, it’s struck by several lasers, stunning it*
Kyuzo (Skeith): There! Attack now!
Zenjiro (Fidchell): Quadra Halo![/i]
Vyce (Macha): Bewitching Wind![/i]
Gwen (Tarvos): Orb of Revenge![/i]
Ren (Corbenik): Clinch Needle![/i]
*<Maxwell> is struck from four angles by golden laser blasts, a gale of rose petals, a pair of large orbs of energy, and a multitude of black needles…*
<Maxwell>: *pained screech*
*…causing a green shell to appear around the AIDA, which shortly shatters; once again, the Factor Users aim their bracelets and fire a joint Data Drain attack, ending the AIDA’s life*
Kuhn: YES!!! They did it!!!
Atoli: Hahahaha! I knew they could do it!
*moments later, the Factor Users exit their Avatar forms and regroup with Hayate, who sets Althena down on the ground*
Kyuzo: So…is she still…?
Hayate: No. Not anymore.
Althena: …Mmm… *slowly opens eyes* …Huh?
Ayliori: She’s waking up!
Althena: Where…am I…?
Zenjiro: A Lost Ground. We freed you from AIDA’s control.
Althena: …Ah…now I remember… The Factor Users… *closes eyes* …My 20-year nightmare’s finally over… Thank you, everyone…from the bottom of my heart…[/color]
Hayate: …
*Sakuya appears next to him in ghost form*
Sakuya: …Kazu-niichan? …Can you hear me?
Hayate: …
*Hayate slowly opens his eyes*
Sakuya: *gasp* Kazuto! You’re alive! Thank goodness!
Hayate: …Saku…-nee…
Sakuya: *wipes away tears* Yes… I’m here…
Hayate: …Tell me… Was it all…for nothing…?
Sakuya: Huh? What do you mean?
Hayate: …I joined The World…
- Yup! I just created my player a few minutes ago!
- I find it more challenging to play a game you’ve never played before by yourself. That way, you’d get more out of the experience. Haishou?
Hayate: …I made friends…
- A pleasure to meet you.
- How was I supposed to know Ren had a strong backhand!?
- Man, you are too easy!
- …Call me Miharu.
- My name’s Alkaid. And this is my little sister Hanabi.
Hayate: …and enemies…
- I was just about to form a guild… Wanna join?
- Behold! I am the gleaming knight! The bringer of justice! The defender of truth!
- Now… Be a good little boy and give me the dual swords…
- Well! I’m tired of this place and everyone in it! Later, y’all!
- Hhhhhaaaaahhhhh…
Hayate: …I even joined a guild…
- …Hey, Orion…Got any room in your guild for one more member!?
Hayate: …At that point…I thought I was invincible…but I was wrong…
- I don’t care about you OR your half-assed philosophies!! As far as I’m concerned, you and I are enemies!! Haishou!?
- What do I do now? I gave Alkaid my word to look after Hanabi and I let her down…!
- Kyuzo!!! Tricking your own cousin into finding a weapon for you?!? How low are you?!?
- Sakuya! Sakuya! …No… Please don’t go… I’ve only just found you…
- WHY DIDN’T YOU LISTEN TO ME, ORION!?!? I CALLED OUT TO YOU!!!! WHY!?!? ARE THE .HACK//ARMS MORE IMPORTANT TO YOU THAN YOUR FRIENDS?!?!?
Hayate: …The more I played…the more pain I experienced… I even considered…giving it all up…
- This isn’t how I wanted to enjoy this game… Maybe I should just quit…
- Have fun using the strengths of everyone around you just to fulfill your own selfish goals! As of this moment, I quit!!!
- What the hell was I given this power for?!?
- So much hurt… So much pain… So many innocent lives lost… So much meaningless death… *clenches fists* Where and when does it all end!?
Hayate: …So tell me, Saku-nee… Was it…all for nothing…?
Sakuya: Of course it wasn’t. Ever since you joined The World, I’ve watched you grow – physical AND mentally.
- If you want that Aura Sphere, you’ll have to go through me!
- Okay, then! Let’s go! Onward and upward! *marches off*
- Just you wait! When we’re done, I’ll have destroyed a thousand monsters! Haishou!?
- “The strength of the one always outweighs the strength of the all! Haishou?”
- Izumi! …I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you. But I swear I’ll protect you better from now on – even if I don’t go back to Glaive LeGable!
- Stay…away…from my…friends!!!
- My name…is Hayate!!!
Sakuya: And that growth moved everyone around you.
- C’mon, Hayate! Could you and your girlfriend get your asses in gear!?
- I know your heart was in the right place, so…thanks for helping me out…
- …That boy never ceases to amaze me…
- I thought about your offer, and…I decided that I’d like to join Glaive LeGable.
- You’re a very unique person, Hayate. I almost envy you.
Sakuya: *smile* …You even fell in love…
- Hehe… Sorry to worry you.
- *blush* I-I’m not his girlfriend!!!
- To walk hand-in-hand with the one you love as the fireworks light up the sky…
- *blush* D-Don’t look at me like that, Hayate… It’s embarrassing me…
- I’m really glad you came back. Glaive LeGable just wasn’t the same without you.
Sakuya: On top of that, you’re a Factor User!
- The 5th “Chosen”. Codename – The Machinator.
- My…true self?
- You are able to use these powers, or “factors”, to do battle against infections and bugs in the system. You…are Factor Users.
- “Twin moons, shine down!” Gorre![/b]
Sakuya: You’re one of the strongest people I know, Kazu-niichan. That’s why… *sniffle* That’s why you can’t give up! The World will be lost forever if you do!
Hayate: … *closes eyes* …I’m sorry, Saku-nee… But I just…don’t have what it takes…
*Hayate’s data begins to break up even more*
Sakuya: No! Kazuto! Please, you have to fight! …Oh, Kazu… I said I wanted to help you become stronger… *sobs* …but I don’t know what I should do!
*Sakuya cries with her face buried in Hayate’s deteriorating chest*
: …Don’t cry, little one…Sakuya: …Huh? *wipes tears away* W-Who said that?
*Sakuya picks herself up and looks up to see Aura floating before her*
Sakuya: *gasp* Y-You… You’re…
*Aura kneels down and rests her hand on Hayate’s chest in an attempt to restore his data, but she’s unable to*
Aura: Ohhhh… I’m afraid he’s been tainted by Althena… There’s nothing I can do…
Sakuya: No! There must be something! Please, I don’t want to lose my brother again!
Aura: … *smile* The love between a brother and sister is truly beautiful… There is one way…
Sakuya: There is!?
*Aura extends both of her hands forward; in her left hand appears Hayate’s Vorpal Blade, and in her right hand appears the Book of Twilight*
Sakuya: …This is…
Aura: The Book of Twilight. The power that can bring either salvation or destruction to The World at the whim of its user. …Listen well, little one. If you truly wish for your brother to live…then you must be willing to give your all to him and this power.
Sakuya: I…don’t understand…
Aura: You are the embodiment of the Gorre Factor. Therefore, you are bound to your brother’s data to an extent. But if you integrate your data with him far past that extent…then I will be able to restore his consciousness.
Sakuya: But…if I do that…
Aura: Yes. Once you completely assume the role of the Gorre Factor, you will forever lose the “you” that exists right now. You will no longer be human…but a purely electronic entity.
Sakuya: …Will I…still be able to talk to him?
Aura: Yes, but solely on a telepathic level. He may not be able to see you, but he’ll still be able to hear you.
Sakuya: …That’s more than enough. As long as I can still speak with Kazu-niichan, I will gladly become his sword and shield…!
Aura: Very well.
*Aura hands to Sakuya the Book of Twilight, who holds it closely to her chest; Sakuya closes her eyes and the Book begins to glow brightly*
Sakuya: … (Kazu-niichan…)
~ Infected! ~
Final Phase: “Now or Never”
[/i]Final Phase: “Now or Never”
~ August 10, 2037 ~
*the city of Mac Anu is overrun by AIDA, Neon and Gwen are seen in the Central District destroying them one-by-one with their Lost Weapons*
Neon: Gale Blade![/i]
*Neon swings his Heaven’s Pulse dual swords three times in quick succession, slaying three AIDA <Helens>*
Gwen: Piercing Heaven![/i]
*Gwen skewers a group of AIDA <Annas> with her Shattered Wing javelin, killing them; moments later, several more <Annas> and <Helens> appear*
Gwen: Dammit, this is pointless! They just keep coming!
Neon: We can’t give up! I refuse to let Mac Anu fall!
Gwen: *groan*
*meanwhile, in Dol Dona, a group of PCs is seen running away from an AIDA <Oswald>*
<Oswald>: *hisses*
PC1: Aah!!!
PC2: Somebody help!!!
: Wicked Strike![/i]*from out of nowhere leaps Vyce, wielding a scythe generated by his Lord of Roses catalyst; he swings the scythe forcefully, causing <Oswald> to fall back onto the ground; Vyce lands on the ground and turns to face the fleeing PCs*
Vyce: Are you all okay?
PC3: Y-Yeah… Thanks…
Vyce: It’s no trouble. Now log out quickly before--
*just then, <Oswald’s> hiss echoes from behind Vyce…*
Vyce: *gasp, readies scythe*
*…but the hiss is instantly silenced when someone from behind <Oswald> slays it*
Vyce: H-Huh?
*behind the fallen <Oswald>, Zenjiro is seen holding his Clairvoyance fans*
Zenjiro: *straightens glasses* I’m not too late, am I?
Vyce: …Heh…
*in Breg Epona, Ayliori and Ren fight off AIDA <Gatekeepers> near the Chaos Gate*
Ayliori: PhaVak Don![/i]
*Ayliori twirls her Mirage Cross staff and conjures a rainfall of molten fire to drop down onto one of the <Gatekeepers>, slaying it*
Ren: OrLun Zas![/i]
*Ren points her microphone forward and unleashes a powerful beam of lunar energy, killing three <Gatekeepers> in its path*
Ren: *panting* Just…a few more…
Ayliori: MeRue Kruz![/i]
*Ayliori attempts to wash a <Gatekeeper> away with a great wave of water, but the <Gatekeeper> dodges it at the last second and fires a Kobold Bullet at Ayliori*
Ayliori: Gah…!
Ren: Ayliori!
*the <Gatekeeper> that had struck Ayliori begins to charge an Algol Mazer attack*
Ren: Oh, no, you don’t!
*Ren puts her microphone away and draws her Last Requiem dual swords*
Ren: Chaotic Strike![/i]
*before the <Gatekeeper> could fire off its Algol Mazer, Ren drives her dual swords into the <Gatekeeper’s> body multiple times at blinding speed, killing it instantly*
Ren: *sigh* Are you okay, Ayliori?
Ayliori: Yeah… I’ll be fine…
*looking in front of them, Ren and Ayliori notice several more <Gatekeepers> approach them*
Ren: Oh, come on… There’s more?
*in Lumina Cloth, Kyuzo is seen fighting off an AIDA <Victorian> on the Arena floor*
<Victorian>: *screech*
Kyuzo: …Heh!
*as it hovers in the air, <Victorian> fires a multitude of Royal Bullets at Kyuzo, who “dodge-rolls” around the Arena to avoid*
Kyuzo: My turn!
*Kyuzo leaps from his standing position and thrusts his blade sword <Victorian>; <Victorian> flies over Kyuzo’s attack and strikes him from the rear with a Royal Tackle, sending him flying into the Arena fence*
Kyuzo: GAH!!!
<Victorian>: *screech*
Kyuzo: *rises to feet* Oh… A wise guy, eh?
*Kyuzo substitutes his blade sword for his Death Bringer guitar*
Kyuzo: Come ‘n’ get it!
*letting out an ear-shattering screech, <Victorian> launches itself at Kyuzo with another Royal Tackle; Kyuzo raises his hand…*
Kyuzo: 1, 2, 3, 4!!!
*…and strums his guitar’s strings harshly; <Victorian> is blown away by a powerful shockwave and perishes*
Kyuzo: Haha! …Huh?
*mere moments later, at least ten more AIDA <Victorians> surround the Arena Kyuzo was standing in*
Kyuzo: … *sigh* I knew I should’ve hired backup singers. Hehehe…
*…Raven @home, Serpent of Lore…*
Pi: This is…utter mayhem! AIDA’s completing flooding the network!
Endrance: Not even the Factor Users can remedy this by themselves!
Haseo: The worst thing that could possibly have occurred… And it’s actually happening… *bites thumb* (We may very well be on the verge of the 4th Network Crisis…!)
Ovan: Yata! Have you located Hayate yet!?
Yata: I can detect the presence of his data signature, but it’s difficult to pinpoint.
Kuhn: What about Althena!? Where’s she!?
Yata: She’s hidden herself from my sights. …Or to be more accurate, the concentration of AIDA is too great to find her. It’s like trying to find a needle in a haystack.
Atoli: …This is scary…
Sakubo: (Hayate… Where the hell are you…!?)
: …Having some trouble?Haseo: Huh?
*the Epitaph Users all turn to see Dekar standing at the entrance to the Serpent of Lore*
Haseo: Tch! You have the worst timing ever!
Dekar: …Like you said, this situation is far too grave for the Factor Users to handle by themselves. I think they might be in need of some…veteran assistance.
All: …
*meanwhile, Althena floats in a pocket of space that overlooks all of the Root Towns*
Althena: Hahahahahaha!!! This is almost like watching fireworks! In just a matter of hours, the entire network will be under MY control! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
*just then, a bolt of shocking energy passes throughout Althena’s body and she clenches her chest in pain*
Althena: *deep gasp* N-No…! Don’t even try…to resist…! I’M in control…! *panting* …I…have always been in control…
*Σ Hidden Forbidden Fake Sacrament ~ Anti-Existence of Caerleon Medb*
*a mysterious figure appears on the center platform in a gating-in-like fashion; the figure had bright blond hair and was draped in white*
: …*without saying anything, the figure gates out of the Lost Ground; meanwhile, in Mac Anu, Neon and Gwen fight off wave after wave of AIDA in the Mercenary District*
Neon: Sparrow Counter![/i]
*with an upward/downward slash of his dual swords, Neon destroys another AIDA*
Neon: *panting* How are you holding up, Gwen?
Gwen: Oh, never better! This is EXACTLY how I wanted to spend my last moments alive!
Neon: …Yup, you’re fine…
Gwen: Air Raid![/i]
*Gwen thrusts her lance at an AIDA <Helen>; <Helen> smoothly evades Gwen’s attack and curls itself around her, constricting her*
Gwen: Gah…!!!
Neon: Gwen!
*Neon dashes quickly to Gwen’s location and slays the AIDA that was binding her; Gwen’s body falls limp onto the ground and Neon kneels down next to her*
Neon: Gwen! Are you okay!? Say something!
Gwen: Ohhhh…
*Gwen opens her eyes to realize hers and Neon’s faces were just inches apart*
Gwen: !!! *backs away from Neon* I’m fine, I’m fine! Back off! *blush* Sheesh… Next time, warn a girl before you hover over her like that…
Neon: Hehehe… Sorry…
*just then, a large group of <Annas> and <Helens> surround Neon and Gwen*
Neon: …Well…I guess this is it for us… And I never even got to kiss a girl… *looks at Gwen*
Gwen: …Don’t even think about it…
Neon: Kidding, kidding!
*the AIDA army dashes at Neon and Gwen…*
Neon/Gwen: Aah!
*…only to be eradicated by bullets and wind-based spells; looking ahead, Neon and Gwen notice that Kuhn, Sakubo, and Pi had made their entrance*
Sakubo: Hey, guys!
Pi: Are you two unharmed?
Kuhn: Hehehe… They’re more than unharmed…
Neon/Gwen: …Hmm?
*Neon and Gwen look at each other, realizing that they were sitting rather close; they quickly back away from each other blushing*
Gwen: I-It’s not what you think!
Kuhn: Hehehe… Sure it isn’t…
Gwen: Don’t make me practice my Scarlet Thrust on your face!
Neon/Pi: …*sigh*
*in Lumina Cloth, Kyuzo downs AIDA after AIDA, but for each one he destroys, two more take its place*
Kyuzo: Jeez… Give a guy a minute or two to breathe, why don’t ya?
<Victorian>: *screech*
*an AIDA <Victorian> soars towards Kyuzo; he destroys it with his Death Bringer and falls to one knee due to exhaustion*
Kyuzo: *panting* This is…freakin’ crazy…
*three <Victorians> fly at Kyuzo…*
Kyuzo: *gasp*
*…and are instantly destroyed by a white-garbed PC and his scythe; Haseo lands on the ground near Kyuzo holding his Lost Weapon, the Shadowy Death*
Haseo: …Need a hand?
Kyuzo: …Tch!
*in Dol Dona, Zenjiro is seen being chased down a corridor by a group of AIDA <Oswalds> and AIDA <Grunwalds>*
AIDA: *hisses*
Zenjiro: C’mon now, surely you all can move faster than that!
AIDA: *hisses loudly*
*as Zenjiro reaches the end of the corridor, he sees Vyce aiming at him with an arrow*
Zenjiro: Ready!?
Vyce: Ready!!!
*Zenjiro dashes up to Vyce and leaps over him, giving Vyce an ample opening to fire his arrow; the arrow flies forward and guides through every twist and turn of the corridor Zenjiro was running through; because the corridor was so narrow, the AIDA that were all lined up inside were unable to avoid Vyce’s arrow and are instantly killed*
Vyce: Got ‘em! Nice work, ‘Jiro’!
Zenjiro: You too! …Even though all I did was act as bait…
*just then, a single AIDA <Grunwald> emerges from the corridor, having avoided Vyce’s arrow from the other corridor’s other end, and charges rapidly at Vyce and Zenjiro with its claws raised…*
<Grunwald>: *hisses*
Vyce/Zenjiro: *gasp*
*…but just before it could strike, the AIDA is slain by a fan/blade double-team attack*
Vyce/Zenjiro: *blinks* What the…?
*as the AIDA’s data vanishes, Yata and Endrance are seen standing across from Vyce and Zenjiro with their Lost Weapons drawn*
Vyce: Father…!?
Endrance: Don’t let your guard down!
Vyce: …R-Right!
*in Breg Epona, Ayliori and Ren find themselves cornered by a large group of AIDA <Gatekeepers>*
Ren: *smirk* Well, Ayliori, I must admit… Things don’t look too good for us right now…
Ayliori: *smirk* Yeah… We might be in for it this time…
Ren: …But…!
Ayliori: …We won’t go down without a fight!
*the two Factor Users charge forward to attack…*
Ayliori/Ren: HYAAAAAAH!!!
*…but the AIDA that surround them are killed before they could land a single hit, causing them to stumble forward embarrassingly*
Ayliori: …What just happened…?
*Ayliori and Ren look up to see Ovan and Atoli standing right above them, holding their Lost Weapons*
Ovan: …Honestly… You two are so overdramatic…
Atoli: *giggles*
Ren: *sweatdrop* …Hehehe…
*meanwhile, Dekar monitors everyone’s progress at the Serpent of Lore*
Dekar: Not bad… Not bad at all… Hmm?
*he brings up a display of Breg Epona’s Chaos Gate, where someone is seen gating in*
Dekar: …! *smirk* Looks like the final actor in our performance has arrived…
*Ayliori, Ren, Atoli, and Ovan continue fighting off AIDA, but their massive numbers eventually corner them at the end of Breg Epona’s alleyway*
Ayliori: PhaZan Rom![/i]
*Ayliori slays one AIDA…*
Ovan: Plectra Bullet![/i]
*…Ovan slays another…*
Ren: Ghost Falcon![/i]
*…Ren slays another…*
Atoli: MeAni Zot![/i]
*…and Atoli slays a fourth; for the four AIDA the group killed, ten more appear*
Ayliori: *panting* …Just how many of them are there!?
Atoli: …Hey…do you guys hear something?
Ren: Hmm? *closes eyes* …Sounds like…an engine…
Ovan: …*smirk* …A steam bike engine to be exact.
*at the other end of the alley, a white-garbed PC is seen revving up his steam bike; the PC takes off on his steam bike and races down the alleyway, using a blade sword to slay AIDA along the way; as the PC closes in on the alley’s end, he goes full throttle and his steam bike goes flying into the air*
Ayliori/Ren: WHOA!!!
*once positioned just above the party, the PC puts his steam bike away and lands on the ground right in front of the group; after his cool entrance, the PC rises to his feet and slowly turns to face the party*
All: *gasp* HAYATE!!!
*the Player standing in front of the group was indeed Hayate, except his hair was a lighter shade of blond, his eyes a lighter shade of blue, and all of the red parts of his PC body were now as white as snow*
Hayate: Hey, guys. You miss me?
*just then, out of the alleyway emerges a new breed of AIDA: <Rochelle>; <Rochelle>’s body mostly resembled that of a whale and it had several antennae sprouting from its head*
<Rochelle>: *bellows*
Ren: Whoa… That’s one BIG[/i] AIDA…
Hayate: …I’ll handle this…
*Hayate positions his hands behind him and draws from subspace a pair of identical, shimmering blade swords – one black, one white…*
*…this was Hayate’s Lost Weapon, created from his integration with Sakuya and the Book of Twilight: the “Twin Twilight”*
Ayliori: …Wow…
*Hayate assumes a battle stance as <Rochelle> draws closer*
<Rochelle>: *bellows loudly*
Hayate: …
*all of a sudden, Hayate vanishes; rapid blurs of him are seen driving their blade swords into <Rochelle> thousands of times in a matter of seconds; Hayate returns to the party and puts his Lost Weapons away while <Rochelle> disintegrates to its death*
Ovan: …Heh. Well done.
Hayate: Hah! Nothing to it!
Ovan: *BEEP, BEEP!* Hmm?
Atoli: What is it, Ovan?
Ren: A short mail?
Ovan: …It’s Dekar. He wants us to report to the Serpent of Lore immediately.
Ayliori: Gotcha!
*Atoli, Ayliori, and Ren gate out of Breg Epona one by one; Ovan analyzes Hayate’s new PC body*
Hayate: …What?
Ovan: You’ve integrated with Gorre. Just like Haseo did long ago. You’ve gone to great lengths, Hayate.
Hayate: Well, what’d you expect? I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing. Besides…I love The World too much to let it come to an end like this… As long as I have this power…I’ll fight…!
Ovan: *smile* May I ask you something, Hayate?
Hayate: Huh? What is it?
Ovan: Have you ever heard of…the “Key of the Twilight”…?
Hayate: …Yeah. It’s an item that exists somewhere in The World and can take on any form.
Ovan: …That’s only partially correct…
Hayate: What do you mean?
Ovan: It’s true that the Key can take on any form. But no matter what form it may take, it has but one use… The Key of the Twilight…is “a guide to truth”.
Hayate: “A guide…to truth”?
Ovan: When, at any given time, an item is given the power to lead to the truth behind The World…that item is given the name “Key of the Twilight”. At one point in time, it took the form of a bracelet. At another time, it took the form of the Ultimate AI. Hayate…you have the potential…to become that Key.
Hayate: …
Ovan: Be warned – At some point in your future, you will come face-to-face with your greatest enemy…and it will have been you, Hayate, who brought that enemy into existence… *gates out*
Hayate: My…greatest enemy…
*…Raven @home, Serpent of Lore…*
Dekar: …Ah, good. You’re all here. I have some good news. But first, I’d like to take this time to welcome back Hayate, our Factor User of Gorre.
Gwen: Welcome back, blondie!
Neon: *motions a thumbs-up* Lookin’ cool too!
Hayate: *rubs back of head* Hehehe…
Haseo: …Dekar.
Dekar: Yes. *ahem* …I’ve located Althena.
Ayliori: You did!?
Ren: Where is she!?
Dekar: An undiscovered Lost Ground located at Σ Hidden Forbidden Fake Sacrament.
Hayate: She’s there?!?
Kuhn: You know about it, Hayate?
Hayate: …Althena… She was sleeping there.
Pi: Hmm… That explains why we weren’t able to pinpoint her before.
Kyuzo: Okay then! We head to this Lost Ground, we kick Althena’s ass, bada-bing-bada-boom, The World is saved, we go home happy!
Sakubo: …Good luck, everyone.
*a short time later, the eight Factor Users attempt to gate into the Lost Ground, but are unable to*
Gwen: Dammit! We’re locked out!
Ren: Why don’t we try Gate Hacking?
Neon: We need Mom and Dad’s help to do that. And they’re not logged in.
Ayliori: So we’re stuck!?
Hayate: …Not necessarily.
Zenjiro: Hayate?
Hayate: Follow me!
*minutes later, the group of Factor Users gates into Morrigu Barrow*
Kyuzo: …What the hell are we doing here?
Hayate: Hidden Forbidden Fake Sacrament has a back door.
Ayliori: *points at the Tri-Edge sign on the wall* Is it through there?
Hayate: No…
*Hayate slowly walks up to the edge of the cliff and points down at the sea of AIDA in the ravine*
Hayate: …It’s through there.
Gwen: What!? Are you insane!? You expect us to dive straight into the belly of the beast!?
Hayate: Just…trust me.
*Hayate slowly closes his eyes and dives headfirst into the AIDA-infested ravine; the group watches as Hayate disappears into the sea of AIDA*
Ayliori: …You’ve gotta be kidding me…
*Neon steps forward and gazes down at the sea…*
Neon: …Well, I trust him.
*…and follows Hayate into the ravine*
Ren: … *gulp* Y-Yeah. I do too. *jumps into the ravine*
Vyce: …Same here. *jumps into the ravine*
Zenjiro: … *shrug shoulders* Well, he’s a Factor User, so I have no choice BUT to trust him. Heh. *jumps into the ravine*
Ayliori: …Well, we’ve gotten this far without a scratch. Defying death one more time won’t kill us! Hahaha! *jumps into the ravine*
Gwen: …If this kills me, I’m haunting the hell out of that kid. *jumps into the ravine* See ya at the bottom, Kyuzo!
Kyuzo: …This is the last time I do something without personal profit. *jumps into the ravine*
*as Kyuzo leaps off the cliff, Ayliori, Gwen, and he disappear into the sea of AIDA*
~*~*~*~
*Σ Hidden Forbidden Fake Sacrament ~ Anti-Existence of Caerleon Medb*
*the group gates into the Lost Ground via the Chaos Gate on the southernmost platform; across from them, they notice a woman sitting on a throne placed on the northernmost platform*
Althena: So glad you’re here… Did you come to watch the fireworks with me?
Kyuzo: (This moment has “cliché-final-boss” written all over it…)
Althena: …Hmm? *looks at Hayate* Oh!
*Althena suddenly smiles happily…*
Althena: You’re alive! I’m so happy!
*…but that smile then turns to one of pure evil*
Althena: …Now I can kill you all over again…!
Neon: Kill…?
Hayate: *draws Twin Twilight* Just try it, you black-hearted bitch!
Althena: Good… That’s what I want to see… Your anger… Your rage… *stands up from throne* …It’s delicious…
*with a wave of her arm, Althena conjures a massive amount of black bubbles and turns the Lost Ground into AIDA-covered Avatar Space*
Althena: The entire network is mine!!!!! All, including Aura, will kneel before me!!!!!
Hayate: Okay, guys, this is it! You ready!?
All: YEAH!!!
Kyuzo: “Gaze into the face of death!” SKEITH!!!
Ayliori: “Deception is thy weapon!” INNIS!!!
Neon: “Born from the tree of mana!” MAGUS!!!
Zenjiro: “Thy insight is absolute!” FIDCHELL!!!
Hayate: “Twin moons, shine down!” GORRE!!!
Vyce: “Give in to temptation!” MACHA!!!
Gwen: “Seek thy vengeance!” TARVOS!!!
Ren: “Be reborn in the Earth!” CORBENIK!!!
*one-by-one, the eight Factor Users summon their fully evolved Avatars; Dekar and the Epitaph Users witness this from the Serpent of Lore*
Kuhn: Kinda takes your breath away, doesn’t it…?
Sakubo: I wish I had some popcorn! Hahaha!
*the eight Factor Users, in their Avatar forms, begin to do battle with Althena, soaring around her and firing energy shots; Althena defends against the shots with AIDA bubbles*
Althena: Hahaha! You can’t hope to defeat me!
Neon (Magus): Ayliori! You’re with me!
Ayliori (Innis): Gotcha!
*Innis suddenly takes off to the highest points of Avatar Space…*
Neon (Magus): Unforgiving Bud![/i]
*…while Magus releases from its hands 10 large seeds that shoot forth at Althena; Althena uses AIDA bubbles to fend off the seeds, but fails to anticipate the explosions they set off*
Althena: Gah…!
*with Althena distracted by the explosions, Innis shoots down from above…*
Ayliori (Innis): Confusion Flight![/i]
*…and drives itself into Althena, causing her to fly back*
Althena: Agh! Damn you!
*Althena extends her hand forward and fires a volley of energy blasts infused with AIDA at Innis and Magus…*
Neon/Ayliori: *gasp*
*…when Fidchell suddenly enters, its body glowing bright yellow*
Zenjiro (Fidchell): Reflection![/i]
*upon coming into contact with Fidchell’s glowing body, Althena’s AIDA blasts are reflected back at her; Althena simply swats the reflected blasts aside*
Althena: Grrrr…
*Gorre positions itself behind Althena*
Althena: *looks back* You…!
Hayate (Gorre): Paradise Invite![/i]
*the stone structures that float behind Gorre suddenly duplicate themselves multiple times over and surround Althena*
Althena: What kind of cheap trick is this!?
*Althena destroys the stone structures one by one with AIDA blasts*
Althena: COME OUT AND FACE ME, DAMN YOU!!!
*Gorre suddenly emerges from the ring of structure duplicates and binds Althena from behind…*
Althena: What the!?
*…while a second Gorre emerges from the ring of structure duplicates at Althena’s front, unleashing a multitude of swift punches into her body followed by a powerful uppercut; Althena stops herself mid-flight*
Althena: *panting*
*Skeith positions himself a few yards in front of Althena and outstretches his hands*
Kyuzo (Skeith): Swords of Terror![/i]
*eight giant swords of light appear behind Skeith; with a wave of its arm, Skeith sends the blades flying at Althena*
Althena: Tch!
*Althena fires an endless volley of AIDA blasts to blow the swords away, but only manages to destroy 5 and ends up being struck by the last 3*
Althena: Gah!!!
*with Althena weakened, the 8 Factor Users surround her again*
Vyce (Macha): Give it up, Althena!
Ren (Corbenik): There’s no way you can take on all eight of us at once!
Althena: …You know something? *smirk* …You’re right…!
*Althena curls her arms around her body and concentrates her energy*
Althena: Nnnnnn…
Gwen (Tarvos): Now what’s she doing!?
Althena: YAAAAH!!!!
*a massive amount of AIDA pours out of Althena’s body, which she forms into 7 doppelgangers of herself*
Zenjiro (Fidchell): …That’s what she’s doing…
Kyuzo (Skeith): *glares at Ren* “There’s no way you can take on all eight of us at once!” You just HAD to say it!!!
Ren (Corbenik): Don’t start with me, Kyuzo!
Neon (Magus): …They’re coming!
*Althena and her doppelgangers all fly forth, ensuing 8 simultaneous battles in Avatar Space; Dekar and the Epitaph Users watch this from the Serpent of Lore*
Pi: Is Althena showing signs of weakening yet?
Yata: It’s…difficult to explain.
Endrance: What’s that supposed to mean?
Yata: I’m analyzing Althena’s data, and…it’s as if she has two entities within her that are constantly clashing.
Ovan: …Is it because of AIDA?
Haseo: …Maybe this is what Aura meant by “saving Althena”. She wants us to separate Althena from AIDA.
*each of the 8 Factor Users fights its own battle against an Althena duplicate*
Vyce (Macha): Seductive Voice![/i]
*Macha aims its hands forward and generates a powerful high-pitched vibration of sound, sending “Althena VI” flying back*
“Althena VI”: Aah!!!
Ren (Corbenik): Celestial Wrath![/i]
*Corbenik fires a single shot up at the sky, which explodes into a multitude of falling bullets; “Althena VIII” soars around Avatar Space, evading these bullets, and slowly makes her way towards Corbenik*
“Althena VIII”: Take THIS!!!
*once within range, “Althena VIII” rests the palm of her hand on Corbenik’s chest and releases a powerful shockwave of air*
Corbenik: Gah…!!
“Althena VII”: GRAAAAAH!!!!!
Gwen (Tarvos): Invincible Shield![/i]
*the crown-like structure around Tarvos’ waist begins to rotate at a high speed, projecting a transparent shield around it; “Althena VII” closes in on Tarvos and drives her fists continuously into this shield*
Gwen (Tarvos): Hey, girly, ever hear of a thing called personal space!?
Ayliori (Innis): Haze of Treason![/i]
*Innis’ body suddenly turns transparent as she flies towards “Althena II”*
“Althena II”: *gasp*
*the transparent Innis flies through “Althena II” like a ghost; mere seconds later, a second Innis appears and lets loose a series of slashes into “Althena II’s” body; “Althena II” vanishes*
Ayliori (Innis): Alright! One down!
Atoli: *claps hands together* That’s my girl! Good job, Aylia!
*as time goes on, the number of Althena duplicates dwindles until once again there was just one left*
Kyuzo (Skeith): Well, well… Here we are again.
Hayate (Gorre): Ready to give up now?
Althena: Grrrr… You defiant little vermin! You haven’t the slightest inkling of the forces you defy! I am the most powerful being in The World--!
*a jolt of shocking energy passes throughout Althena’s body again and she clenches her chest in pain*
Althena: *deep gasp* N-No…! Not again…!
*just then, a ghost emerges from Althena – the real Althena*
Zenjiro (Fidchell): *raises eyebrow* Hmm?
Ghost Althena: Everyone, quickly! I can’t hold her back much longer! You must strike now!
Neon (Magus): H-Huh?
Althena: Insolent wretch! Still you resist me!?
Ghost Althena: Please! Hurry!
All: …
*the Factor Users distance themselves from Althena as their bracelets appear*
All: DATA…[/i]
Althena: N-No!!! I refuse…to let this…pass!!!
Ghost Althena: *turns to face Althena* It’s over…! I won’t let you control me any longer…!
All: …DRAIN!!!!![/i][/size]
*eight Data Drain blasts are fired simultaneously and engulf Althena*
Althena: GRRAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!![/i][/size]
*in a great flash of light, Althena is separated from the AIDA that was controlling her: a new breed of AIDA similar to <Victorian> called AIDA <Maxwell>*
<Maxwell>: *loud screech*
*meanwhile, Althena’s lifeless body is seen plummeting down to the deepest reaches of Avatar Space*
Hayate (Gorre): *gasp*
*Gorre zooms down at high speed and catches Althena in its arms*
Hayate (Gorre): *sigh* That was a close one…
*AIDA <Maxwell> flies around Avatar Space, tackling into the Factor Users’ Avatars as it soars*
Vyce (Macha): Gah! …Damn! This thing’s fast!
Ayliori (Innis): Neon, watch out!
*<Maxwell> is seen flying straight at Magus*
Neon (Magus): Hmph! Flash of Green![/i]
*Magus emits from its body a wide-range array of laser beams; as <Maxwell> comes within range, it’s struck by several lasers, stunning it*
Kyuzo (Skeith): There! Attack now!
Zenjiro (Fidchell): Quadra Halo![/i]
Vyce (Macha): Bewitching Wind![/i]
Gwen (Tarvos): Orb of Revenge![/i]
Ren (Corbenik): Clinch Needle![/i]
*<Maxwell> is struck from four angles by golden laser blasts, a gale of rose petals, a pair of large orbs of energy, and a multitude of black needles…*
<Maxwell>: *pained screech*
*…causing a green shell to appear around the AIDA, which shortly shatters; once again, the Factor Users aim their bracelets and fire a joint Data Drain attack, ending the AIDA’s life*
Kuhn: YES!!! They did it!!!
Atoli: Hahahaha! I knew they could do it!
*moments later, the Factor Users exit their Avatar forms and regroup with Hayate, who sets Althena down on the ground*
Kyuzo: So…is she still…?
Hayate: No. Not anymore.
Althena: …Mmm… *slowly opens eyes* …Huh?
Ayliori: She’s waking up!
Althena: Where…am I…?
Zenjiro: A Lost Ground. We freed you from AIDA’s control.
Althena: …Ah…now I remember… The Factor Users… *closes eyes* …My 20-year nightmare’s finally over… Thank you, everyone…from the bottom of my heart…[/color]
