Post by Hayate on Jul 4, 2007 10:32:01 GMT -5
~ Eternal City of Mac Anu; April 11, 2037 ~
*Hayate logs in*
Hayate: Another day, another treasure hunt! *whistles*
Kyuzo: …So, I hear through the grapevine that you joined Glaive LeGable…
Hayate: Not that it’s any of your business… *smirk* …but yeah. No point in coming after me anymore, is there?
Kyuzo: Hehehe… Don’t bet on it…
Hayate: …
Kyuzo: …Eventually you will join me…by choice…
Hayate: *skeptically* …Yeah… Let me know when you snap back to reality, ‘kay, Kyuzo? *walks off*
Kyuzo: …Tch…
Piros VIII: Aw, tough break, boss! Well, if at first you don’t succeed--
Kyuzo: *grabs Piros’ throat* …Don’t talk to me…
Piros VIII: *choking* …Got it…
*…Glaive LeGable @home…*
Usa-chan: Come OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!!!!
Neon: …You’re really starting to bug me, Usa-chan…
Usa-chan: Come OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!!!!
Neon: …Please go away…
Hayate: *walks in* Hiya!!
Izumi: Welcome back.
Coolidge: ‘Sup?
Usa-chan: Come OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!!!!
Hayate: Uh… Is this a bad time?
Coolidge: It’s nothing major. Neon found a powerful whip in the field, but won’t give it to Usa-chan until she’s strong enough to equip it.
Hayate: Oh.
Neon: …Hayate.
Hayate: Uh, y-yes?
Neon: *takes out blade* …Catch.
Hayate: *gasp* *catches blade barely* *sigh* …What’s this?
Neon: …You’re a Brandier, right? I figured you might need it…
Hayate: Oh… T-Thanks.
Usa-chan: WHAAAAAT?!?!? You give Hayate a present, but not me?!? THAT’S NOT FAIR!!!
Izumi: *sweatdrop* Come now, Usa-chan…
*suddenly, Usa-chan drops to the floor and starts flailing his arms and legs*
Usa-chan: WAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!! NEO-NIICHAN’S BEING MEAN TO ME!!!!!
Coolidge: *eye twitch* (…Dear God in the heavens above, please strike hard and swiftly and deliver me into your holy embrace…)
*Orion walks in*
Orion: Oh, good! You’re all here!
Izumi: What is it, Orion?
Orion: I read on the forum that another Lost Ground’s been discovered! We have to act immediately!
Izumi: Hmph! Understood!
Hayate: Uh… What’s the rush, Orion?
Orion: If there’s any clue at all about the location of a .hack//Arm at this Lost Ground, we have to reach it before Samurai 7 does.
Hayate: Y-You know Samurai 7!?
Neon: Of course. Our guilds have been rivals ever since we were first established.
Hayate: (…So, Kyuzo’s after the .hack//Arms too…) …Where is the Lost Ground?
Orion: D Hidden Forbidden Labyrinth.
Coolidge: Alright! Let’s do it! ROCK THEIR WORLD!!! ROCK THEIR WORLD!!!
All: …
Coolidge: …Um… Sorry. I get excited easily.
All: …Apparently.
*…Samurai 7 @home…*
Haruhi: …Master Kyuzo, I’ve just received word that Glaive LeGable has headed for the newly discovered Lost Ground.
Kyuzo: Pffff! Of course they did!
Haruhi: Master?
Kyuzo: After all… The members of Glaive LeGable are nothing more than pawns on the chessboard that is The World… Everything in this world happens for a reason… Piros!
Piros VIII: Yes!
Kyuzo: Jack!
Jack: Right!
Kyuzo: Haruhi!
Haruhi: Hmm!
Kyuzo: …Samurai 7…move out!
Piros VIII: *readies scythe* WAIT ‘TIL THOSE FOOLS GET A TASTE OF MY COLD, HARD STEEL!!!
Jack: Eww!
Piros: …What? What’d I say?
Kyuzo: Piros… Shut up and move before I rip your lips off!!!
*D Hidden Forbidden Labyrinth ~ The Cursed Maze of Xerxes Vale*
Coolidge: …A maze… Ohhh… I hate mazes…
Izumi: Look alive, guys. Samurai 7 may have already come here. We need to be prepared for anything.
Neon: Right.
Usa-chan: Roger that!
*suddenly, a tiny orb floats by Hayate’s face*
Hayate: Hmm? Hey… This Aura Sphere… It’s red!
Izumi: A red Aura Sphere!?
*the Aura Sphere floats down into the tunnel*
Neon: …Maybe it wants us to follow…
Usa-chan: Quick! After it! *trips* AAAHHH!!! *falls flat on face* WAAAAAH!!!!
Neon: You see?!? This is exactly why I didn’t give you that whip!
*the Aura Sphere leads the group to a chamber where the main path branches off into three paths*
Hayate: The Aura Sphere! It’s gone!
Coolidge: Ugh… I hate mazes so much…
Izumi: It could’ve gone into any of these tunnels… We’ll have to split up…
Usa-chan: S-S-S-Split up?!?
Izumi: Neon and Usa-chan will take the right tunnel. Coolidge will take the left tunnel. Hayate and I will take the middle.
Coolidge: Hey! How come I gotta go alone!?
Izumi: …‘Cuz there’s only five of us here, Coolidge…
Coolidge: …I hate my life…
*the group splits up and goes their separate ways; in the right tunnel…*
Usa-chan: It’s so dark… I can barely see…
Neon: Take my hand, Usa-chan… And whatever you do, don’t let go…
Usa-chan: Okay… *takes Neon’s hand* AAAHHH!!! Neon, your hand’s so cold!
Neon: Okay, first off, how can you even tell temperature in an online game? And second, what are you talking about? …Oh, wait, hold on. I found a torch. Vak Don!
*Neon lights a torch and sees Usa-chan holding a skeleton’s hand*
Usa-chan: …Ske…Ske…
Neon: Oh, no…
Usa-chan: SKELETON!!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! *starts running around in circles*
Neon: *groan*
: Target sighted. About to engage.
Neon: Hmm? Usa-chan, shhhh!
*Neon shines the torch ahead of him and sees Haruhi*
Neon: W-Who are you?!?
Haruhi: My name is of no importance… *draws crossbow* …Prepare to die.
*in the left tunnel…*
Coolidge: …I swear, I get no respect in this guild… No matter what I do, I always gotta go it alone… *kicks a rock*
*the rock suddenly trips a booby trap; there’s a rumbling sound*
Coolidge: …Uh-oh…
*Coolidge looks behind him and sees a giant boulder rolling towards him*
Coolidge: CRAP!!!!
*Coolidge runs away from the boulder and the tunnel eventually leads into a wide-open chamber; he ducks out of the way and the boulder rolls into a wall*
Coolidge: *panting* That…was way…too close… Hmm? Where am I?
: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! Tremble, evildoer, for today you meet your fate!!
*Piros VIII jumps down and strikes several poses*
Coolidge: …Who are you supposed to be?
Piros VIII: I am many names!!! The shining blade!!! The hammer of truth!!! The relentless reaper!!! But all ne’er-do-wells know me by one name only! Behold!!! I am… *imitates fanfare* …Piros VIII!!!
Coolidge: *sweatdrop* …O…kay…
Piros VIII: No doubt you’re speechless at the sight of my great beauty!!!
Coolidge: …Whatever, crazy… I’ll just be going now…
Piros VIII: *draws scythe* I DON’T THINK SO!!!
Coolidge: *gulp*
Piros VIII: Master Kyuzo has given me specific orders not to let anyone pass beyond this point!
Coolidge: Tch! *draws dual pistols* Dude… You picked the wrong time to mess with me!
Piros VIII: Have at thee, evildoer!!!
*in the middle tunnel…*
Hayate: We’ve walked quite a ways in, and still no Aura Sphere… Do you think it went into one of the other tunnels?
Izumi: It’s possible. But it’s too late to go back now… Hmm? Hey, Hayate, look!
*Hayate and Izumi look ahead to see a faint red glow*
Izumi: That must be it! Quick, we can’t let it get away!
Hayate: H-Hey, Izumi, be careful!
*suddenly, Hayate sees Izumi fall through a hole in the ground*
Izumi: AAAHHH!!!
Hayate: IZUMI!!!!
*Hayate runs up to where Izumi fell*
Hayate: Izumi! Izumi, where are you!?
*no response*
Hayate: Oh, man… Well, here goes nothing… GERONIMO!!!
*Hayate follows Izumi through the hole; he eventually reaches a small dark chamber*
Hayate: Izumi? …Huh? *sees Izumi’s body on the ground* Izumi!
*Hayate runs over and casts Rip Maen on Izumi*
Izumi: Ohhh… That was some fall…
Hayate: I told you to be careful…
Izumi: Hehe… Sorry to worry you. …Where are we?
Hayate: I dunno… Huh? *sees the Aura Sphere*
*the Aura Sphere floats to the center of the room; it suddenly shines a bright red light, brightening the room*
Hayate: Whoa…
Izumi: It looks like some kind of…burial chamber…
*Hayate walks up to what looked like a tomb, where he sees small engraved words*
Hayate: “Here lies the hero of The World… May his soul find peace in the afterlife…” Huh?
*Hayate sees two short blades jutting out from the top of the tomb*
Hayate: …Can it be…?
*Hayate draws the dual swords from the tomb*
Hayate: *gasp* …They are! Kite’s Dual Swords!
: Well, well, well! Look at what we have here!
Hayate: Huh!?
*Hayate turns around and sees Jack Russell holding his scythe to Izumi’s neck*
Izumi: H-Hayate…!
Hayate: Izumi! Grrrr… Let her go!
Jack: First, hand over the dual swords!
Izumi: Don’t do it, Hayate! It’s just an online game! He can’t threaten my life here!
Hayate: Hmph! Looks like you’re nothing but hot air, buddy!
Jack: Oh, am I…? *starts surging dark energy into his scythe* …You see, this ain’t no ordinary scythe. One swing of this, and BAM!!! You’re on a one-way trip to coma-ville!
Hayate: *gulp*
Jack: Now… Be a good little boy and give me the dual swords…
Hayate: …Dammit… *takes out dual swords and walks towards Jack*
Jack: That’s it… Good boy…
*Hayate stops a short distance away from Jack*
Jack: Hmm?
Hayate: …Ha!
*Hayate suddenly throws the dual swords into the air; Jack looks up at them, giving Hayate the opportunity to knock Jack’s scythe out of his hands with his blade*
Jack: Uh!
*Hayate then slashes at Jack, sending him flying into a wall, and catches the dual swords as they fall*
Jack: Ohhh…
Izumi: That was amazing, Hayate!
Hayate: Heh! Nothin’ to it!
Jack: …You’re gonna regret doin’ that, shorty… *draws blade and charges at Hayate*
Hayate: (An Assault Ace…!)
*Hayate clashes blades with Jack*
Hayate: Izumi, take the dual swords and get out of here!
Izumi: But what about you!?
Hayate: Don’t worry about me!! I’ll hold him off while you escape!!
Jack: Tryin’ to play the hero again, huh? You really are just a kid!!!
Hayate: GO, IZUMI!!!
Izumi: … *takes Kite’s Dual Swords from Hayate through “gifting” and runs towards the exit Jack came in through*
Jack: Man… To think I was outwitted by a kid again! But there’s no way I’m leaving here empty-handed! HYAAAAAA!!!
*meanwhile, in the exit tunnel, Izumi looks back to where Hayate was fighting*
Izumi: …Hayate… *turns around and bumps into someone* Oof! …Huh?
Kyuzo: …Well, hello there.
Izumi: *gasp*
Kyuzo: Mumyn Lei!
*Kyuzo casts a spell that turns Izumi to stone*
Izumi: …Ha…ya…te…
*Kyuzo then picks up Izumi’s petrified body and carries her out*
Kyuzo: Now this is what I call having a… *snicker* …TROPHY WIFE!!! *laughs*
*in the right chamber…*
Neon: *panting*
Usa-chan: *dizzy* …So…strong…
Haruhi: *points crossbow at Neon’s face* …Do you surrender?
Neon: Grrrr…
Haruhi: …Very well. *BEEP, BEEP!* Hmm? …
Neon: …Huh?
Haruhi: …Understood. *gates out*
Neon: Huh!? Hey, wait!!! Get back here!!!
*in the left chamber…*
Piros VIII: *stands on top of Coolidge* HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Piros VIII is invincible!!!!
Coolidge: …Dammit… How’d he get the better of me like that?!?
Piros VIII: *BEEP, BEEP!* Huh? …Ooh! Looks like the boss was successful on his end! Sorry, but we’ll have to play some other time! *gates out*
Coolidge: I hate mazes… But I hate that guy even more!!!
*in the burial chamber…*
Jack: You give up yet?!?
Hayate: N-Never!!
Jack: Oh, well… I warned you not to play the hero… Prepare to-- *BEEP, BEEP!* Huh? …Hmm!
Hayate: Huh? What are you smiling about?
Jack: Hehehe… Oh, nothing! Well, this has been fun, but I gotta go now!
Hayate: Go!? But we’re not finished yet!
Jack: Don’t worry! I’ll be sure to entertain you more next time! *uses Smoke Screen* Later!
Hayate: Grrrr… Dammit!
*minutes later, Hayate meets with the others in Mac Anu*
Hayate: …Hey.
Coolidge: …Hey.
Neon: Hmm? Hey, Hayate, where’s Izumi?
Hayate: She escaped with the .hack//Arm.
Usa-chan: *gasp* You found one?!?
Hayate: Yeah. She should be back at the @home right now.
Coolidge: Well, what are we waiting for?!? Let’s go!!
*back at the @home…*
Orion: Hmm? Ah! Welcome back!
Hayate: Hey, Orion! …Where’s Izumi?
Orion: Izumi? I thought she was with you.
Hayate: …You mean, she’s not here?!?
Orion: No. Why? Did something happen?
Usa-chan: *gasp* AAAAAHHHHH!!!!
*turning around, everyone sees a battered, injured Izumi limp into the @home*
Izumi: …I…I’m sorry… *collapses*
All: IZUMI!!!
*everyone gathers around Izumi; Hayate picks her up*
Hayate: Who did this to you?!?
Izumi: …Kyuzo…of Samurai 7… I’m sorry, Hayate… Everyone… I…lost the .hack//Arm…
Hayate: (…Kyuzo!!!)
*…Samurai 7 @home…*
*Haruhi places the dual swords in a display container*
Kyuzo: Ohhh… Aren’t they beautiful?
Piros VIII: Ooh… Can I hold them?
Kyuzo: *grabs Piros by the throat* Piros, so help me, if you ever touch these blades, you’ll be spending the rest of your miserable existence in the Pit of Despair!!!!
Piros VIII: *choking* …Gotcha, boss…
Haruhi: What do we do now, Master Kyuzo?
Kyuzo: Heh… What else, my dear Haruhi? …WE CELEBRATE!!!! Let’s meet in the real world and get some drinks!!!
Piros VIII: Ooh! I’m game!
Kyuzo: …You’re not invited…
Piros VIII: WHAT?!?!? …Aww, that’s not fair…
~ Next Time on Infected! ~
Izumi: …I should’ve been more careful…
Orion: What’s done is done. All we can do now is move forward.
~*~*~*~
Hayate: We can’t let Kyuzo get the next .hack//Arm!
~*~*~*~
Yahiko: Hey, take a look at this!
Hayate: A steam bike race?
Coolidge: And check it out! The prize for first place is…
Hayate/Coolidge: …ELK’S STAFF?!?!?
5th Phase: Stupendous Skirmish!
*Hayate logs in*
Hayate: Another day, another treasure hunt! *whistles*
Kyuzo: …So, I hear through the grapevine that you joined Glaive LeGable…
Hayate: Not that it’s any of your business… *smirk* …but yeah. No point in coming after me anymore, is there?
Kyuzo: Hehehe… Don’t bet on it…
Hayate: …
Kyuzo: …Eventually you will join me…by choice…
Hayate: *skeptically* …Yeah… Let me know when you snap back to reality, ‘kay, Kyuzo? *walks off*
Kyuzo: …Tch…
Piros VIII: Aw, tough break, boss! Well, if at first you don’t succeed--
Kyuzo: *grabs Piros’ throat* …Don’t talk to me…
Piros VIII: *choking* …Got it…
*…Glaive LeGable @home…*
Usa-chan: Come OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!!!!
Neon: …You’re really starting to bug me, Usa-chan…
Usa-chan: Come OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!!!!
Neon: …Please go away…
Hayate: *walks in* Hiya!!
Izumi: Welcome back.
Coolidge: ‘Sup?
Usa-chan: Come OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!!!!
Hayate: Uh… Is this a bad time?
Coolidge: It’s nothing major. Neon found a powerful whip in the field, but won’t give it to Usa-chan until she’s strong enough to equip it.
Hayate: Oh.
Neon: …Hayate.
Hayate: Uh, y-yes?
Neon: *takes out blade* …Catch.
Hayate: *gasp* *catches blade barely* *sigh* …What’s this?
Neon: …You’re a Brandier, right? I figured you might need it…
Hayate: Oh… T-Thanks.
Usa-chan: WHAAAAAT?!?!? You give Hayate a present, but not me?!? THAT’S NOT FAIR!!!
Izumi: *sweatdrop* Come now, Usa-chan…
*suddenly, Usa-chan drops to the floor and starts flailing his arms and legs*
Usa-chan: WAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!! NEO-NIICHAN’S BEING MEAN TO ME!!!!!
Coolidge: *eye twitch* (…Dear God in the heavens above, please strike hard and swiftly and deliver me into your holy embrace…)
*Orion walks in*
Orion: Oh, good! You’re all here!
Izumi: What is it, Orion?
Orion: I read on the forum that another Lost Ground’s been discovered! We have to act immediately!
Izumi: Hmph! Understood!
Hayate: Uh… What’s the rush, Orion?
Orion: If there’s any clue at all about the location of a .hack//Arm at this Lost Ground, we have to reach it before Samurai 7 does.
Hayate: Y-You know Samurai 7!?
Neon: Of course. Our guilds have been rivals ever since we were first established.
Hayate: (…So, Kyuzo’s after the .hack//Arms too…) …Where is the Lost Ground?
Orion: D Hidden Forbidden Labyrinth.
Coolidge: Alright! Let’s do it! ROCK THEIR WORLD!!! ROCK THEIR WORLD!!!
All: …
Coolidge: …Um… Sorry. I get excited easily.
All: …Apparently.
*…Samurai 7 @home…*
Haruhi: …Master Kyuzo, I’ve just received word that Glaive LeGable has headed for the newly discovered Lost Ground.
Kyuzo: Pffff! Of course they did!
Haruhi: Master?
Kyuzo: After all… The members of Glaive LeGable are nothing more than pawns on the chessboard that is The World… Everything in this world happens for a reason… Piros!
Piros VIII: Yes!
Kyuzo: Jack!
Jack: Right!
Kyuzo: Haruhi!
Haruhi: Hmm!
Kyuzo: …Samurai 7…move out!
Piros VIII: *readies scythe* WAIT ‘TIL THOSE FOOLS GET A TASTE OF MY COLD, HARD STEEL!!!
Jack: Eww!
Piros: …What? What’d I say?
Kyuzo: Piros… Shut up and move before I rip your lips off!!!
*D Hidden Forbidden Labyrinth ~ The Cursed Maze of Xerxes Vale*
Coolidge: …A maze… Ohhh… I hate mazes…
Izumi: Look alive, guys. Samurai 7 may have already come here. We need to be prepared for anything.
Neon: Right.
Usa-chan: Roger that!
*suddenly, a tiny orb floats by Hayate’s face*
Hayate: Hmm? Hey… This Aura Sphere… It’s red!
Izumi: A red Aura Sphere!?
*the Aura Sphere floats down into the tunnel*
Neon: …Maybe it wants us to follow…
Usa-chan: Quick! After it! *trips* AAAHHH!!! *falls flat on face* WAAAAAH!!!!
Neon: You see?!? This is exactly why I didn’t give you that whip!
*the Aura Sphere leads the group to a chamber where the main path branches off into three paths*
Hayate: The Aura Sphere! It’s gone!
Coolidge: Ugh… I hate mazes so much…
Izumi: It could’ve gone into any of these tunnels… We’ll have to split up…
Usa-chan: S-S-S-Split up?!?
Izumi: Neon and Usa-chan will take the right tunnel. Coolidge will take the left tunnel. Hayate and I will take the middle.
Coolidge: Hey! How come I gotta go alone!?
Izumi: …‘Cuz there’s only five of us here, Coolidge…
Coolidge: …I hate my life…
*the group splits up and goes their separate ways; in the right tunnel…*
Usa-chan: It’s so dark… I can barely see…
Neon: Take my hand, Usa-chan… And whatever you do, don’t let go…
Usa-chan: Okay… *takes Neon’s hand* AAAHHH!!! Neon, your hand’s so cold!
Neon: Okay, first off, how can you even tell temperature in an online game? And second, what are you talking about? …Oh, wait, hold on. I found a torch. Vak Don!
*Neon lights a torch and sees Usa-chan holding a skeleton’s hand*
Usa-chan: …Ske…Ske…
Neon: Oh, no…
Usa-chan: SKELETON!!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! *starts running around in circles*
Neon: *groan*
: Target sighted. About to engage.Neon: Hmm? Usa-chan, shhhh!
*Neon shines the torch ahead of him and sees Haruhi*
Neon: W-Who are you?!?
Haruhi: My name is of no importance… *draws crossbow* …Prepare to die.
*in the left tunnel…*
Coolidge: …I swear, I get no respect in this guild… No matter what I do, I always gotta go it alone… *kicks a rock*
*the rock suddenly trips a booby trap; there’s a rumbling sound*
Coolidge: …Uh-oh…
*Coolidge looks behind him and sees a giant boulder rolling towards him*
Coolidge: CRAP!!!!
*Coolidge runs away from the boulder and the tunnel eventually leads into a wide-open chamber; he ducks out of the way and the boulder rolls into a wall*
Coolidge: *panting* That…was way…too close… Hmm? Where am I?
: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! Tremble, evildoer, for today you meet your fate!!*Piros VIII jumps down and strikes several poses*
Coolidge: …Who are you supposed to be?
Piros VIII: I am many names!!! The shining blade!!! The hammer of truth!!! The relentless reaper!!! But all ne’er-do-wells know me by one name only! Behold!!! I am… *imitates fanfare* …Piros VIII!!!
Coolidge: *sweatdrop* …O…kay…
Piros VIII: No doubt you’re speechless at the sight of my great beauty!!!
Coolidge: …Whatever, crazy… I’ll just be going now…
Piros VIII: *draws scythe* I DON’T THINK SO!!!
Coolidge: *gulp*
Piros VIII: Master Kyuzo has given me specific orders not to let anyone pass beyond this point!
Coolidge: Tch! *draws dual pistols* Dude… You picked the wrong time to mess with me!
Piros VIII: Have at thee, evildoer!!!
*in the middle tunnel…*
Hayate: We’ve walked quite a ways in, and still no Aura Sphere… Do you think it went into one of the other tunnels?
Izumi: It’s possible. But it’s too late to go back now… Hmm? Hey, Hayate, look!
*Hayate and Izumi look ahead to see a faint red glow*
Izumi: That must be it! Quick, we can’t let it get away!
Hayate: H-Hey, Izumi, be careful!
*suddenly, Hayate sees Izumi fall through a hole in the ground*
Izumi: AAAHHH!!!
Hayate: IZUMI!!!!
*Hayate runs up to where Izumi fell*
Hayate: Izumi! Izumi, where are you!?
*no response*
Hayate: Oh, man… Well, here goes nothing… GERONIMO!!!
*Hayate follows Izumi through the hole; he eventually reaches a small dark chamber*
Hayate: Izumi? …Huh? *sees Izumi’s body on the ground* Izumi!
*Hayate runs over and casts Rip Maen on Izumi*
Izumi: Ohhh… That was some fall…
Hayate: I told you to be careful…
Izumi: Hehe… Sorry to worry you. …Where are we?
Hayate: I dunno… Huh? *sees the Aura Sphere*
*the Aura Sphere floats to the center of the room; it suddenly shines a bright red light, brightening the room*
Hayate: Whoa…
Izumi: It looks like some kind of…burial chamber…
*Hayate walks up to what looked like a tomb, where he sees small engraved words*
Hayate: “Here lies the hero of The World… May his soul find peace in the afterlife…” Huh?
*Hayate sees two short blades jutting out from the top of the tomb*
Hayate: …Can it be…?
*Hayate draws the dual swords from the tomb*
Hayate: *gasp* …They are! Kite’s Dual Swords!
: Well, well, well! Look at what we have here!Hayate: Huh!?
*Hayate turns around and sees Jack Russell holding his scythe to Izumi’s neck*
Izumi: H-Hayate…!
Hayate: Izumi! Grrrr… Let her go!
Jack: First, hand over the dual swords!
Izumi: Don’t do it, Hayate! It’s just an online game! He can’t threaten my life here!
Hayate: Hmph! Looks like you’re nothing but hot air, buddy!
Jack: Oh, am I…? *starts surging dark energy into his scythe* …You see, this ain’t no ordinary scythe. One swing of this, and BAM!!! You’re on a one-way trip to coma-ville!
Hayate: *gulp*
Jack: Now… Be a good little boy and give me the dual swords…
Hayate: …Dammit… *takes out dual swords and walks towards Jack*
Jack: That’s it… Good boy…
*Hayate stops a short distance away from Jack*
Jack: Hmm?
Hayate: …Ha!
*Hayate suddenly throws the dual swords into the air; Jack looks up at them, giving Hayate the opportunity to knock Jack’s scythe out of his hands with his blade*
Jack: Uh!
*Hayate then slashes at Jack, sending him flying into a wall, and catches the dual swords as they fall*
Jack: Ohhh…
Izumi: That was amazing, Hayate!
Hayate: Heh! Nothin’ to it!
Jack: …You’re gonna regret doin’ that, shorty… *draws blade and charges at Hayate*
Hayate: (An Assault Ace…!)
*Hayate clashes blades with Jack*
Hayate: Izumi, take the dual swords and get out of here!
Izumi: But what about you!?
Hayate: Don’t worry about me!! I’ll hold him off while you escape!!
Jack: Tryin’ to play the hero again, huh? You really are just a kid!!!
Hayate: GO, IZUMI!!!
Izumi: … *takes Kite’s Dual Swords from Hayate through “gifting” and runs towards the exit Jack came in through*
Jack: Man… To think I was outwitted by a kid again! But there’s no way I’m leaving here empty-handed! HYAAAAAA!!!
*meanwhile, in the exit tunnel, Izumi looks back to where Hayate was fighting*
Izumi: …Hayate… *turns around and bumps into someone* Oof! …Huh?
Kyuzo: …Well, hello there.
Izumi: *gasp*
Kyuzo: Mumyn Lei!
*Kyuzo casts a spell that turns Izumi to stone*
Izumi: …Ha…ya…te…
*Kyuzo then picks up Izumi’s petrified body and carries her out*
Kyuzo: Now this is what I call having a… *snicker* …TROPHY WIFE!!! *laughs*
*in the right chamber…*
Neon: *panting*
Usa-chan: *dizzy* …So…strong…
Haruhi: *points crossbow at Neon’s face* …Do you surrender?
Neon: Grrrr…
Haruhi: …Very well. *BEEP, BEEP!* Hmm? …
Neon: …Huh?
Haruhi: …Understood. *gates out*
Neon: Huh!? Hey, wait!!! Get back here!!!
*in the left chamber…*
Piros VIII: *stands on top of Coolidge* HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Piros VIII is invincible!!!!
Coolidge: …Dammit… How’d he get the better of me like that?!?
Piros VIII: *BEEP, BEEP!* Huh? …Ooh! Looks like the boss was successful on his end! Sorry, but we’ll have to play some other time! *gates out*
Coolidge: I hate mazes… But I hate that guy even more!!!
*in the burial chamber…*
Jack: You give up yet?!?
Hayate: N-Never!!
Jack: Oh, well… I warned you not to play the hero… Prepare to-- *BEEP, BEEP!* Huh? …Hmm!
Hayate: Huh? What are you smiling about?
Jack: Hehehe… Oh, nothing! Well, this has been fun, but I gotta go now!
Hayate: Go!? But we’re not finished yet!
Jack: Don’t worry! I’ll be sure to entertain you more next time! *uses Smoke Screen* Later!
Hayate: Grrrr… Dammit!
*minutes later, Hayate meets with the others in Mac Anu*
Hayate: …Hey.
Coolidge: …Hey.
Neon: Hmm? Hey, Hayate, where’s Izumi?
Hayate: She escaped with the .hack//Arm.
Usa-chan: *gasp* You found one?!?
Hayate: Yeah. She should be back at the @home right now.
Coolidge: Well, what are we waiting for?!? Let’s go!!
*back at the @home…*
Orion: Hmm? Ah! Welcome back!
Hayate: Hey, Orion! …Where’s Izumi?
Orion: Izumi? I thought she was with you.
Hayate: …You mean, she’s not here?!?
Orion: No. Why? Did something happen?
Usa-chan: *gasp* AAAAAHHHHH!!!!
*turning around, everyone sees a battered, injured Izumi limp into the @home*
Izumi: …I…I’m sorry… *collapses*
All: IZUMI!!!
*everyone gathers around Izumi; Hayate picks her up*
Hayate: Who did this to you?!?
Izumi: …Kyuzo…of Samurai 7… I’m sorry, Hayate… Everyone… I…lost the .hack//Arm…
Hayate: (…Kyuzo!!!)
*…Samurai 7 @home…*
*Haruhi places the dual swords in a display container*
Kyuzo: Ohhh… Aren’t they beautiful?
Piros VIII: Ooh… Can I hold them?
Kyuzo: *grabs Piros by the throat* Piros, so help me, if you ever touch these blades, you’ll be spending the rest of your miserable existence in the Pit of Despair!!!!
Piros VIII: *choking* …Gotcha, boss…
Haruhi: What do we do now, Master Kyuzo?
Kyuzo: Heh… What else, my dear Haruhi? …WE CELEBRATE!!!! Let’s meet in the real world and get some drinks!!!
Piros VIII: Ooh! I’m game!
Kyuzo: …You’re not invited…
Piros VIII: WHAT?!?!? …Aww, that’s not fair…
~ Next Time on Infected! ~
Izumi: …I should’ve been more careful…
Orion: What’s done is done. All we can do now is move forward.
~*~*~*~
Hayate: We can’t let Kyuzo get the next .hack//Arm!
~*~*~*~
Yahiko: Hey, take a look at this!
Hayate: A steam bike race?
Coolidge: And check it out! The prize for first place is…
Hayate/Coolidge: …ELK’S STAFF?!?!?
5th Phase: Stupendous Skirmish!
