Post by Hayate on Jul 12, 2007 14:44:19 GMT -5
*after checking his mail, Hayate tries to gate into Mac Anu, but accidentally gates into a mysterious foggy area*
Hayate: …Hmm? This isn’t Mac Anu… Where am I?
: Ka…zu…to…
Hayate: Huh? W-Who’s there!? *draws blade*
*suddenly, the mysterious girl emerges from the fog, walking on the water*
Girl: Ka…zu…to…
Hayate: Who…are you?
*the girl walks up to Hayate and takes his hands and cups them in her hands*
Girl: …
Hayate: …Wait… Why do I feel like…I know you?
Girl: …I am…
*suddenly, there’s a data distortion, immediately booting Hayate out of the area and into Mac Anu*
Girl: …Kazuto… I…
~ Eternal City of Mac Anu; April 18, 2037 ~
*Hayate logs in*
Hayate: …What just happened?
: BANZAI!!!
*Hayate steps out of the way just in time for Yahiko to crash into the Chaos Gate*
Hayate: …Hey, Yahiko…
Yahiko: …Hey, Hayate… Good reflexes…
*in the streets of Mac Anu…*
Yahiko: …So, why so down, Hayate?
Hayate: *sigh* …It’s just that…someone I know played a dirty trick on my guild just for a weapon…
Yahiko: Ah… That sucks…
Hayate: Yeah… And if I ever get my hands on that guy, I’m gonna strangle him until his life fades away completely!!!
Yahiko: …Ooooooooooooooooookay…
*Glaive LeGable @home…*
Hayate: *sigh* …Hey, everyone.
Orion: Oh, Hayate. Good, you’re just in time.
Hayate: In time? For what?
Izumi: Orion’s discovered another Lost Ground.
Coolidge: WHAT?!? Another Lost Ground!? Just how many are there in this game!?
Neon: For once, I agree with you, Coolidge. There must be over 20 Lost Grounds by now.
Orion: Actually, including the newly discovered one, there are only 17. There’s Hulle Granz, Arche Koeln, Coite-Bodher--
Usa-chan: Uh-oh! He’s doing it again!
Coolidge: RUN!!!!
*Hayate, Izumi, Coolidge, Neon, and Chibi-Usa all dash out of the @home, leaving Orion behind*
Orion: *sweatdrop* …Why does that always happen…?
*…Mac Anu Dome…*
Izumi: …You know, I don’t think Orion appreciates it when we run out on him like that.
Usa-chan: Then the guy should learn to explain things in shorter sentences!!!
Hayate: *sigh* Alright, whatever. Can we just--
: Hey!
*the group turns around to see Hanabi*
Coolidge: Holy crap, she’s back!!! Duck and cover!!!
Neon: Oh, get a hold of yourself, Coolidge… And let go of my legs!!
Hayate: What is it, Hanabi?
Hanabi: You’re going to the Lost Ground that was just discovered, aren’t you?
Hayate: Uh… Yeah… Why?
Hanabi: I’m coming with you!!
Coolidge: See!? I knew it!!! Bad road, bad road, bad road!!!
Neon: I SAID, LET GO OF MY LEGS!!!!!
Hayate: I dunno, Hanabi… It’s in the Sigma Server. I think it might be out of your league.
Hanabi: C’mon, Hayate! Stop treating me like a little kid! I get enough hassle from Aly-neesan!
Hayate: …
Izumi: …Okay. You can come.
Hanabi: *gasp* You mean it, Izumi?!
Hayate: You sure about this, Izumi…?
Izumi: Yes. I’m sure. Hanabi wants to prove herself, so I say we let her.
Coolidge: That’s it! I’m calling my insurance agent!
Neon: FOR GOD’S SAKE, COOLIDGE, IT’S JUST AN ONLINE GAME!!!!!
*…Samurai 7 @home…*
Haruhi: *enters* Master Kyuzo--
Kyuzo: Let me guess… Glaive LeGable’s heading for the new Lost Ground…
Haruhi: …Yes, Master Kyuzo…
Piros VIII: WOW!!! Are you able to look into the future?!?
Kyuzo: *sarcastically* Yes, Piros… And I predict you going to the Pit of Despair…
Piros VIII: Really? …When?
Kyuzo: …Now. *pulls lever*
*a trapdoor opens under Piros VIII*
Piros VIII: Oh, not again!!! *falls through* AAAAAGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!
Jack: So, what’s the word, boss? Do we move out or what? ‘Cuz I’ve been craving action ever since I logged in this morning!
Kyuzo: There’s no need… I already sent her to the Lost Ground…
Haruhi: *gasp* …You mean…?
Kyuzo: Yup.
Haruhi: …U-Understood, Master Kyuzo. *leaves*
Kyuzo: … *smirk*
*S Hidden Forbidden Haunting ~ Saumbers Cloude Kingdom*
*Hayate and company gaze at a giant castle’s ruins*
Neon: …Oh, boy…
Izumi: This place looks like a haunted house…
Usa-chan: …Scary…
Hanabi: Okay!!! Let the expedition begin!!! Glaive LeGable… MARCH!!!
Coolidge: …Who died and made her leader?
Hanabi: I heard that, soldier!!! Drop and give me 20!!!
Coolidge: …Don’t get me started, girl…
*the group enters the ruined castle and begin to explore; the door they enter through suddenly slams shut*
Usa-chan: AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!! *glomps Izumi* I’m scared, Izumi-chan!!!
Izumi: D-Don’t worry, Usa-chan…! We’ll b-be fine, I promise…!
Hanabi: Hey, guys! Come take a look at this!
*Hanabi turns everyone’s attention to a picture that hung high above the throne; the picture was of a man and a little girl*
Neon: Must’ve been the owner of the castle…and his daughter maybe?
Hayate: …Hmm…
Coolidge: Uh, guys? We’ve got company…
*the group turns around to see a group of undead knights*
Undead Knight 1: …Kill…them…
Undead Knight 2: …They…murdered…the…king…
Usa-chan: What?!? W-We didn’t murder anyone!!!
Neon: It’s no use talking to them! They’re zombies! *draws dual swords* Take ‘em out!!
Coolidge: Whoo!! *draws dual pistols* I’ve been waiting for this part!!
*the group battles the knights, but as they fight them, more and more knights arrive*
Izumi: T-There’s no end to them!!!
Usa-chan: Grrrr… *emitting a black aura*
Hayate: Huh? Usa-chan?
Neon: …Uh-oh… Hit the dirt!!!
*Neon suddenly drops to the floor and covers his head*
Coolidge: What’s with you, Neon!?
Neon: Trust me!!!
*Hayate, Izumi, Coolidge, and Hanabi all drop to the floor as Usa-chan’s black aura gets thicker*
Usa-chan: Go away…
*Usa-chan’s eyes suddenly glow bright red*
Usa-chan: Go…AWAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!!!!!!
*Usa-chan unleashes a gigantic blast from her PC body that disintegrates all of the knights instantly*
Usa-chan: *panting*
Hayate: What…in the world…was that?
Neon: That was Usa-chan’s most powerful spell. She can only unleash it when she’s really angry. Of course…when it’s all over…
Coolidge: What happens next?
Neon: Usually, she just goes back to normal. But sometimes…
Izumi: …Usa-chan…?
*Chibi-Usa turns around and glares at the group, bearing her teeth*
Usa-chan: Grrrr…
Coolidge: …I’m guessing that’s a bad thing…
*Chibi-Usa suddenly releases black wings on her back and takes off into the air*
Hayate: She can fly too?!?
Neon: Only when she’s in this state of mind.
Hanabi: So… What do we do?
Neon: …Nothing.
All: NOTHING?!?
Neon: Yup. Nothing can be done. She usually just tires herself out by battling monsters or flying around in circles. We just gotta wait it out.
Hayate: …You’ve apparently experienced this before…
Neon: Yup. This is the third time it’s happened.
*Chibi-Usa flies around the room and eventually flies up to the second floor*
Neon: Quick! Follow her!
*the group follows Chibi-Usa to the second floor hallway, where there was a long extending pile of undead knights; Chibi-Usa can be seen punching and kicking a single soldier repeatedly*
Coolidge: …Dude…
Neon: USA-CHAN!!!
*Chibi-Usa turns away from the soldier and faces Neon*
Usa-chan: Grrrr…
*spreading her wings, Chibi-Usa charges at Neon at full speed*
Usa-chan: GRAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!
*just milliseconds before Chibi-Usa could strike Neon, Neon slaps her across the face, causing her to come to her senses*
Hanabi: …I guess a good slap works just as well…
Usa-chan: …Neo-niichan… Everyone… *gasp* Did I do all this…?
Hanabi: Damn right… You were out of control!
*Chibi-Usa then runs up to Neon and embraces him while crying*
Neon: There, there… It’s all over now…
Coolidge: (Yeah… Thank God for that…)
: AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!
Hayate: What the hell was that?!?
Izumi: It came from upstairs!!!
*the group runs over to the third floor, leaving Coolidge behind*
Coolidge: *sigh* …It never ends… Wait up!!
*in the third floor foyer, a mysterious Tribal Grappler woman with long white hair is seen; across from him is a blue-haired Assault Ace girl*
Ace: I’m warning you! Don’t come near me or you’ll regret it!
Grappler: …Oh, please… As if I’m gonna be intimidated by an Assault Ace whose only weapon is her voice… Just tell me where it is…
Ace: I’m telling you, I don’t know…!
Grappler: *sigh* …I tried to be nice…
*the white-haired Grappler gets ready to strike, while the blue-haired Assault Ace defends herself*
Izumi: LEAVE HER ALONE!!!
*the Ace and the Grappler look over at the group standing by the door*
Coolidge: Huh? *gasp* Guys!!! D-Do you know who that is?!? It’s Ren!!! In the flesh!!! I think I just crapped my pants!!!
Hayate: Coolidge, now’s not the time for you to be starstruck!!
Grappler: …Glaive LeGable… *smirk* So we finally meet…
Neon: Huh? You know us?
*without saying anything, the Grappler woman runs towards the group*
Grappler: PREPARE YOURSELF!!!
Hayate: *draws blade* Get ready, guys!
*Hayate, Neon, Coolidge, and Hanabi battle the Grappler; Izumi and Usa-chan run over to the ghost girl*
Izumi: Are you alright, Miss Ren?
Ren: …Who are you…?
Izumi: I’m Izumi, and this is Usa-chan.
Usa-chan: Hi there!
Izumi: Why was that woman attacking you, Miss Ren?
Ren: …She said she was looking for something called…“Sanjuro’s Katana”…
Izumi/Usa-chan: *gasp*
*meanwhile…*
Hayate: Lateral Moon!!!
*Hayate slashes upward at the Grappler, but she dodges it*
Neon: Whirlwind!!!
*Neon slashes at the Grappler six times, but she dodges them all*
Hanabi: Sword Flash!!!
*Hanabi slashes at the Grappler, but she dodges again*
Coolidge: Rising Sun!!!
*Coolidge slashes at the Grappler with both dual pistols, but she dodges yet again*
Grappler: King Hammer!!!
*the mystery Grappler appears to split apart into four Grapplers and attacks Hayate, Neon, Coolidge, and Hanabi at the same time*
Hayate: Man…! This girl’s untouchable…!
Coolidge: Dammit!!! She’s making me look bad in front of Ren!!!
Neon: NOT NOW, COOLIDGE!!!!!
Grappler: …Now, then… Where was I…? *turns to Izumi, Chibi-Usa, and Ren*
Ren: …
Izumi: Don’t worry, Ren… We’ll protect you…
Grappler: Hmph… A meaningless effort… *readies gauntlets*
: SCARLET THRUST!!!!!
Grappler: Hmm?
*the Grappler looks over and sees a red needle-like shot heading for her; she jumps out of the way and the shot blasts a hole into the nearby wall*
Hayate: Where’d that come from?
*Orion is seen at the door holding a Partizan lance*
All: ORION!!!
Grappler: (Orion…?)
Orion: …You didn’t think I’d miss out on the party, did you?
*Orion glares at the white-haired Grappler woman*
Orion: …Well, this is a surprise… I didn’t think Samurai 7 would’ve thought this far ahead…
Hayate: Samurai 7…?
Coolidge: Then that woman is…?
Orion: Yes… The third member of Samurai 7… The second-most wanted Blacklister… Claire the White Haze!
Claire: *sigh* …It’s hard being popular…
Orion: …You’re here for the .hack//Arm, aren’t you?
Claire: Naturally.
Orion: Well, if you want it… You’ll have to go through me!!!
Claire: Oh, please, Orion… If you know me as well as I think you do, you know very well how this will end…
Orion: …Try me…
*Orion and Claire clash gauntlet with lance, each trying to land one hit on the other*
Coolidge: This would be so cool if I didn’t know we were gonna die…
*Orion and Claire back away from each other temporarily*
Claire: Hmm… You’ve gotten better, Orion… Before, you couldn’t even stand against me for longer than 10 seconds…
Orion: Hmph.
Claire: …Well, it’s been fun, but I have a katana to find! Ciao! *disappears in a puff of white smoke*
Hayate: Let me guess… That’s how she got the nickname “White Haze”?
Orion: …Bingo.
*eventually…*
Ren: …I came here with a friend of mine but we got separated. Ever since, I’d been trying to find her. Eventually, I came to this room where I met Claire.
Coolidge: (O-M-G… I can’t believe I’m only two feet away from THE Ren!!! I could totally touch her right now!!!)
Izumi: You said Claire was looking for Sanjuro’s Katana…?
Coolidge: (Forget touching!!! I could totally get away with pinching her ass!!!)
Ren: Yes. I told her I didn’t know where it was, but she didn’t believe me.
Hanabi: Why don’t you come with us, Ren? Maybe we’ll even find your friend.
Coolidge: (OH, GOD, PLEASE SAY YES!!!!)
Ren: Hmm… *BEEP, BEEP!* Hmm? …Oh! My friend just sent me a short mail saying that she went back to Mac Anu! I’m gonna go join her now!
Coolidge: (NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!)
Orion: Hmm… Very well, but maybe one of us should escort you to the Chaos Gate.
Coolidge: Ooh!! Me!! Pick me!!!
All: …
Neon: …Oh, for the love of god, just go already…
Coolidge: YES!!!
*Coolidge exits the room with Ren and escorts her to the Chaos Gate*
Hanabi: *sigh* So, what now?
Orion: Let’s find Claire. If we’re not too late, maybe we can get to Sanjuro’s Katana before her.
All: Right!!!
*the group races up to the top room and finds Claire in the royal treasure room, holding a rusted katana*
Orion: Claire!!!
Claire: Hmm? …You all got here pretty quick. I’m impressed.
Usa-chan: *gasp* Is that…?
Claire: This isn’t Sanjuro’s Katana. It’s just a rusty piece of junk. *throws blade to the ground* …Looks like we both came here for nothing… Well! I’m tired of this place and everyone in it! Later, y’all! *disappears in a puff of white smoke*
Orion: Damn… A dead end…
Hayate: Orion…
Orion: …Let’s head back.
All: Right.
*all of a sudden, a loud echoing slap can be heard coming from outside*
Coolidge: OW!!! What’d I do?!?
All: *sweatdrop* …
*…Samurai 7 @home…*
Claire: *sigh* Yo.
Kyuzo: Well, you sure took your sweet time… Did you find anything?
Claire: Nope. Just a bunch of useless junk.
Kyuzo: …You seem more depressed about it than I thought you’d be.
Claire: ……………Orion was there.
Kyuzo: Orion? Ah… That explains it. Didn’t you two used to--?
Claire: Shut up. *leaves*
Kyuzo: Hehehe… Think I struck a nerve…
~ Next Time on Infected! ~
Ren: …I have a favor to ask…
Coolidge: I’LL DO IT!!!
Ren: …I haven’t even told you what it was yet…
~*~*~*~
Hayate: This area…feels weird…
Izumi: Yeah, I know what you mean. I’m pretty sure it’s not a Lost Ground.
~*~*~*~
: HELLO, BITCHES!!!
Coolidge: What the hell?!?!?
9th Phase: Nightmarish Nostalgia!
Hayate: …Hmm? This isn’t Mac Anu… Where am I?
: Ka…zu…to…Hayate: Huh? W-Who’s there!? *draws blade*
*suddenly, the mysterious girl emerges from the fog, walking on the water*
Girl: Ka…zu…to…
Hayate: Who…are you?
*the girl walks up to Hayate and takes his hands and cups them in her hands*
Girl: …
Hayate: …Wait… Why do I feel like…I know you?
Girl: …I am…
*suddenly, there’s a data distortion, immediately booting Hayate out of the area and into Mac Anu*
Girl: …Kazuto… I…
~ Eternal City of Mac Anu; April 18, 2037 ~
*Hayate logs in*
Hayate: …What just happened?
: BANZAI!!!*Hayate steps out of the way just in time for Yahiko to crash into the Chaos Gate*
Hayate: …Hey, Yahiko…
Yahiko: …Hey, Hayate… Good reflexes…
*in the streets of Mac Anu…*
Yahiko: …So, why so down, Hayate?
Hayate: *sigh* …It’s just that…someone I know played a dirty trick on my guild just for a weapon…
Yahiko: Ah… That sucks…
Hayate: Yeah… And if I ever get my hands on that guy, I’m gonna strangle him until his life fades away completely!!!
Yahiko: …Ooooooooooooooooookay…
*Glaive LeGable @home…*
Hayate: *sigh* …Hey, everyone.
Orion: Oh, Hayate. Good, you’re just in time.
Hayate: In time? For what?
Izumi: Orion’s discovered another Lost Ground.
Coolidge: WHAT?!? Another Lost Ground!? Just how many are there in this game!?
Neon: For once, I agree with you, Coolidge. There must be over 20 Lost Grounds by now.
Orion: Actually, including the newly discovered one, there are only 17. There’s Hulle Granz, Arche Koeln, Coite-Bodher--
Usa-chan: Uh-oh! He’s doing it again!
Coolidge: RUN!!!!
*Hayate, Izumi, Coolidge, Neon, and Chibi-Usa all dash out of the @home, leaving Orion behind*
Orion: *sweatdrop* …Why does that always happen…?
*…Mac Anu Dome…*
Izumi: …You know, I don’t think Orion appreciates it when we run out on him like that.
Usa-chan: Then the guy should learn to explain things in shorter sentences!!!
Hayate: *sigh* Alright, whatever. Can we just--
: Hey!*the group turns around to see Hanabi*
Coolidge: Holy crap, she’s back!!! Duck and cover!!!
Neon: Oh, get a hold of yourself, Coolidge… And let go of my legs!!
Hayate: What is it, Hanabi?
Hanabi: You’re going to the Lost Ground that was just discovered, aren’t you?
Hayate: Uh… Yeah… Why?
Hanabi: I’m coming with you!!
Coolidge: See!? I knew it!!! Bad road, bad road, bad road!!!
Neon: I SAID, LET GO OF MY LEGS!!!!!
Hayate: I dunno, Hanabi… It’s in the Sigma Server. I think it might be out of your league.
Hanabi: C’mon, Hayate! Stop treating me like a little kid! I get enough hassle from Aly-neesan!
Hayate: …
Izumi: …Okay. You can come.
Hanabi: *gasp* You mean it, Izumi?!
Hayate: You sure about this, Izumi…?
Izumi: Yes. I’m sure. Hanabi wants to prove herself, so I say we let her.
Coolidge: That’s it! I’m calling my insurance agent!
Neon: FOR GOD’S SAKE, COOLIDGE, IT’S JUST AN ONLINE GAME!!!!!
*…Samurai 7 @home…*
Haruhi: *enters* Master Kyuzo--
Kyuzo: Let me guess… Glaive LeGable’s heading for the new Lost Ground…
Haruhi: …Yes, Master Kyuzo…
Piros VIII: WOW!!! Are you able to look into the future?!?
Kyuzo: *sarcastically* Yes, Piros… And I predict you going to the Pit of Despair…
Piros VIII: Really? …When?
Kyuzo: …Now. *pulls lever*
*a trapdoor opens under Piros VIII*
Piros VIII: Oh, not again!!! *falls through* AAAAAGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!
Jack: So, what’s the word, boss? Do we move out or what? ‘Cuz I’ve been craving action ever since I logged in this morning!
Kyuzo: There’s no need… I already sent her to the Lost Ground…
Haruhi: *gasp* …You mean…?
Kyuzo: Yup.
Haruhi: …U-Understood, Master Kyuzo. *leaves*
Kyuzo: … *smirk*
*S Hidden Forbidden Haunting ~ Saumbers Cloude Kingdom*
*Hayate and company gaze at a giant castle’s ruins*
Neon: …Oh, boy…
Izumi: This place looks like a haunted house…
Usa-chan: …Scary…
Hanabi: Okay!!! Let the expedition begin!!! Glaive LeGable… MARCH!!!
Coolidge: …Who died and made her leader?
Hanabi: I heard that, soldier!!! Drop and give me 20!!!
Coolidge: …Don’t get me started, girl…
*the group enters the ruined castle and begin to explore; the door they enter through suddenly slams shut*
Usa-chan: AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!! *glomps Izumi* I’m scared, Izumi-chan!!!
Izumi: D-Don’t worry, Usa-chan…! We’ll b-be fine, I promise…!
Hanabi: Hey, guys! Come take a look at this!
*Hanabi turns everyone’s attention to a picture that hung high above the throne; the picture was of a man and a little girl*
Neon: Must’ve been the owner of the castle…and his daughter maybe?
Hayate: …Hmm…
Coolidge: Uh, guys? We’ve got company…
*the group turns around to see a group of undead knights*
Undead Knight 1: …Kill…them…
Undead Knight 2: …They…murdered…the…king…
Usa-chan: What?!? W-We didn’t murder anyone!!!
Neon: It’s no use talking to them! They’re zombies! *draws dual swords* Take ‘em out!!
Coolidge: Whoo!! *draws dual pistols* I’ve been waiting for this part!!
*the group battles the knights, but as they fight them, more and more knights arrive*
Izumi: T-There’s no end to them!!!
Usa-chan: Grrrr… *emitting a black aura*
Hayate: Huh? Usa-chan?
Neon: …Uh-oh… Hit the dirt!!!
*Neon suddenly drops to the floor and covers his head*
Coolidge: What’s with you, Neon!?
Neon: Trust me!!!
*Hayate, Izumi, Coolidge, and Hanabi all drop to the floor as Usa-chan’s black aura gets thicker*
Usa-chan: Go away…
*Usa-chan’s eyes suddenly glow bright red*
Usa-chan: Go…AWAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!!!!!!
*Usa-chan unleashes a gigantic blast from her PC body that disintegrates all of the knights instantly*
Usa-chan: *panting*
Hayate: What…in the world…was that?
Neon: That was Usa-chan’s most powerful spell. She can only unleash it when she’s really angry. Of course…when it’s all over…
Coolidge: What happens next?
Neon: Usually, she just goes back to normal. But sometimes…
Izumi: …Usa-chan…?
*Chibi-Usa turns around and glares at the group, bearing her teeth*
Usa-chan: Grrrr…
Coolidge: …I’m guessing that’s a bad thing…
*Chibi-Usa suddenly releases black wings on her back and takes off into the air*
Hayate: She can fly too?!?
Neon: Only when she’s in this state of mind.
Hanabi: So… What do we do?
Neon: …Nothing.
All: NOTHING?!?
Neon: Yup. Nothing can be done. She usually just tires herself out by battling monsters or flying around in circles. We just gotta wait it out.
Hayate: …You’ve apparently experienced this before…
Neon: Yup. This is the third time it’s happened.
*Chibi-Usa flies around the room and eventually flies up to the second floor*
Neon: Quick! Follow her!
*the group follows Chibi-Usa to the second floor hallway, where there was a long extending pile of undead knights; Chibi-Usa can be seen punching and kicking a single soldier repeatedly*
Coolidge: …Dude…
Neon: USA-CHAN!!!
*Chibi-Usa turns away from the soldier and faces Neon*
Usa-chan: Grrrr…
*spreading her wings, Chibi-Usa charges at Neon at full speed*
Usa-chan: GRAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!
*just milliseconds before Chibi-Usa could strike Neon, Neon slaps her across the face, causing her to come to her senses*
Hanabi: …I guess a good slap works just as well…
Usa-chan: …Neo-niichan… Everyone… *gasp* Did I do all this…?
Hanabi: Damn right… You were out of control!
*Chibi-Usa then runs up to Neon and embraces him while crying*
Neon: There, there… It’s all over now…
Coolidge: (Yeah… Thank God for that…)
: AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!Hayate: What the hell was that?!?
Izumi: It came from upstairs!!!
*the group runs over to the third floor, leaving Coolidge behind*
Coolidge: *sigh* …It never ends… Wait up!!
*in the third floor foyer, a mysterious Tribal Grappler woman with long white hair is seen; across from him is a blue-haired Assault Ace girl*
Ace: I’m warning you! Don’t come near me or you’ll regret it!
Grappler: …Oh, please… As if I’m gonna be intimidated by an Assault Ace whose only weapon is her voice… Just tell me where it is…
Ace: I’m telling you, I don’t know…!
Grappler: *sigh* …I tried to be nice…
*the white-haired Grappler gets ready to strike, while the blue-haired Assault Ace defends herself*
Izumi: LEAVE HER ALONE!!!
*the Ace and the Grappler look over at the group standing by the door*
Coolidge: Huh? *gasp* Guys!!! D-Do you know who that is?!? It’s Ren!!! In the flesh!!! I think I just crapped my pants!!!
Hayate: Coolidge, now’s not the time for you to be starstruck!!
Grappler: …Glaive LeGable… *smirk* So we finally meet…
Neon: Huh? You know us?
*without saying anything, the Grappler woman runs towards the group*
Grappler: PREPARE YOURSELF!!!
Hayate: *draws blade* Get ready, guys!
*Hayate, Neon, Coolidge, and Hanabi battle the Grappler; Izumi and Usa-chan run over to the ghost girl*
Izumi: Are you alright, Miss Ren?
Ren: …Who are you…?
Izumi: I’m Izumi, and this is Usa-chan.
Usa-chan: Hi there!
Izumi: Why was that woman attacking you, Miss Ren?
Ren: …She said she was looking for something called…“Sanjuro’s Katana”…
Izumi/Usa-chan: *gasp*
*meanwhile…*
Hayate: Lateral Moon!!!
*Hayate slashes upward at the Grappler, but she dodges it*
Neon: Whirlwind!!!
*Neon slashes at the Grappler six times, but she dodges them all*
Hanabi: Sword Flash!!!
*Hanabi slashes at the Grappler, but she dodges again*
Coolidge: Rising Sun!!!
*Coolidge slashes at the Grappler with both dual pistols, but she dodges yet again*
Grappler: King Hammer!!!
*the mystery Grappler appears to split apart into four Grapplers and attacks Hayate, Neon, Coolidge, and Hanabi at the same time*
Hayate: Man…! This girl’s untouchable…!
Coolidge: Dammit!!! She’s making me look bad in front of Ren!!!
Neon: NOT NOW, COOLIDGE!!!!!
Grappler: …Now, then… Where was I…? *turns to Izumi, Chibi-Usa, and Ren*
Ren: …
Izumi: Don’t worry, Ren… We’ll protect you…
Grappler: Hmph… A meaningless effort… *readies gauntlets*
: SCARLET THRUST!!!!!Grappler: Hmm?
*the Grappler looks over and sees a red needle-like shot heading for her; she jumps out of the way and the shot blasts a hole into the nearby wall*
Hayate: Where’d that come from?
*Orion is seen at the door holding a Partizan lance*
All: ORION!!!
Grappler: (Orion…?)
Orion: …You didn’t think I’d miss out on the party, did you?
*Orion glares at the white-haired Grappler woman*
Orion: …Well, this is a surprise… I didn’t think Samurai 7 would’ve thought this far ahead…
Hayate: Samurai 7…?
Coolidge: Then that woman is…?
Orion: Yes… The third member of Samurai 7… The second-most wanted Blacklister… Claire the White Haze!
Claire: *sigh* …It’s hard being popular…
Orion: …You’re here for the .hack//Arm, aren’t you?
Claire: Naturally.
Orion: Well, if you want it… You’ll have to go through me!!!
Claire: Oh, please, Orion… If you know me as well as I think you do, you know very well how this will end…
Orion: …Try me…
*Orion and Claire clash gauntlet with lance, each trying to land one hit on the other*
Coolidge: This would be so cool if I didn’t know we were gonna die…
*Orion and Claire back away from each other temporarily*
Claire: Hmm… You’ve gotten better, Orion… Before, you couldn’t even stand against me for longer than 10 seconds…
Orion: Hmph.
Claire: …Well, it’s been fun, but I have a katana to find! Ciao! *disappears in a puff of white smoke*
Hayate: Let me guess… That’s how she got the nickname “White Haze”?
Orion: …Bingo.
*eventually…*
Ren: …I came here with a friend of mine but we got separated. Ever since, I’d been trying to find her. Eventually, I came to this room where I met Claire.
Coolidge: (O-M-G… I can’t believe I’m only two feet away from THE Ren!!! I could totally touch her right now!!!)
Izumi: You said Claire was looking for Sanjuro’s Katana…?
Coolidge: (Forget touching!!! I could totally get away with pinching her ass!!!)
Ren: Yes. I told her I didn’t know where it was, but she didn’t believe me.
Hanabi: Why don’t you come with us, Ren? Maybe we’ll even find your friend.
Coolidge: (OH, GOD, PLEASE SAY YES!!!!)
Ren: Hmm… *BEEP, BEEP!* Hmm? …Oh! My friend just sent me a short mail saying that she went back to Mac Anu! I’m gonna go join her now!
Coolidge: (NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!)
Orion: Hmm… Very well, but maybe one of us should escort you to the Chaos Gate.
Coolidge: Ooh!! Me!! Pick me!!!
All: …
Neon: …Oh, for the love of god, just go already…
Coolidge: YES!!!
*Coolidge exits the room with Ren and escorts her to the Chaos Gate*
Hanabi: *sigh* So, what now?
Orion: Let’s find Claire. If we’re not too late, maybe we can get to Sanjuro’s Katana before her.
All: Right!!!
*the group races up to the top room and finds Claire in the royal treasure room, holding a rusted katana*
Orion: Claire!!!
Claire: Hmm? …You all got here pretty quick. I’m impressed.
Usa-chan: *gasp* Is that…?
Claire: This isn’t Sanjuro’s Katana. It’s just a rusty piece of junk. *throws blade to the ground* …Looks like we both came here for nothing… Well! I’m tired of this place and everyone in it! Later, y’all! *disappears in a puff of white smoke*
Orion: Damn… A dead end…
Hayate: Orion…
Orion: …Let’s head back.
All: Right.
*all of a sudden, a loud echoing slap can be heard coming from outside*
Coolidge: OW!!! What’d I do?!?
All: *sweatdrop* …
*…Samurai 7 @home…*
Claire: *sigh* Yo.
Kyuzo: Well, you sure took your sweet time… Did you find anything?
Claire: Nope. Just a bunch of useless junk.
Kyuzo: …You seem more depressed about it than I thought you’d be.
Claire: ……………Orion was there.
Kyuzo: Orion? Ah… That explains it. Didn’t you two used to--?
Claire: Shut up. *leaves*
Kyuzo: Hehehe… Think I struck a nerve…
~ Next Time on Infected! ~
Ren: …I have a favor to ask…
Coolidge: I’LL DO IT!!!
Ren: …I haven’t even told you what it was yet…
~*~*~*~
Hayate: This area…feels weird…
Izumi: Yeah, I know what you mean. I’m pretty sure it’s not a Lost Ground.
~*~*~*~
: HELLO, BITCHES!!!Coolidge: What the hell?!?!?
9th Phase: Nightmarish Nostalgia!
