Post by Hayate on Sept 13, 2007 13:31:57 GMT -5
~ Eternal City of Mac Anu; May 12, 2037 ~
*Hayate logs in*
Hayate: Okay! It’s Friday, all of my homework is done, all of my chores are completed, so now it’s time to…GOOF OFF!!!
*…Glaive LeGable @home…*
Usa-chan: The Job Extension quest is open again!
Hayate: (…Looks like I spoke too soon…)
Usa-chan: Ohhhh! I don’t know what I should choose for my last class! Should I be a Valiant Archer? …Or maybe a Tribal Grappler? …Or how about a Lord Partizan? Waaah!!! I can’t decide!!!
Coolidge: Hey, Usa-chan…
Usa-chan: Yeah?
Coolidge: …SHUT UP!!!
Usa-chan: Hmph!
Izumi: You can’t blame her for getting excited, Coolidge. I’d be excited too if I were an Assault Ace.
Coolidge: Blah, blah, blah…
Neon: Well… *stands up* …There’s no point in sitting around thinking about it. Let’s just get to it!
Hayate: *sigh* …So much for goofing off…
*…Samurai 7 @home…*
Piros VIII: Hark! Yonder Job Extension quest beckons!
Jack: OKAY, PIROS, WE HEARD YOU THE FIRST TIME!!! GAWD!!!
Claire: So, boss… You figure out what class you’re gonna pick?
Kyuzo: …I have some ideas, yeah…
Samekh: *playing cello*
Kyuzo: *stands up* …Okay. Let’s get goin’.
Haruhi: …Uh, M-Master Kyuzo?
Kyuzo: Hmm? Yes, Haruhi?
Haruhi: *twiddling fingers* Um… Well… I was wondering…
Piros VIII: SPIT IT OUT, WOMAN!!!!! *gets punched in the face* …Ow…
Jack: Would you shut the hell up already!?
Haruhi: …May I accompany you during your Job Extension quest?
Kyuzo: Oh…
Haruhi: It’s just that… I haven’t been of much use to you lately, and I’d like to prove myself.
Claire: Hehehe… Go ahead and take her, boss. I’ll just sit this one out.
Kyuzo: …Alright, why not? You can come.
Haruhi: O-Oh! *bows* Thank you, Master Kyuzo!
Piros VIII: Ooh! Ooh! Can I come too, Kyuzo!?
Kyuzo: …How about you, Jackie?
Jack: Nah. Not in the mood.
Piros VIII: Ooh!!! Pick me!!! Pick me!!!
Kyuzo: …Sammy?
Samekh: *playing cello*
Kyuzo: …I’ll take that as a no.
Piros VIII: *flailing arms* C’MON!!! PICK ME ALREADY!!!
Kyuzo: … *sigh* …I just know I’m gonna regret this… Piros, do you--
Haruhi: Master Kyuzo?
Kyuzo: Huh? What is it?
Haruhi: I think I know of a potential third member for our party.
Kyuzo: …
*…Mac Anu Central District…*
Usa-chan: *singing* Job Extension, Job Extension, Job Extension!
Coolidge: Could you quit it already!?
Hayate: Aw, let her have her fun, Coolidge.
Neon: So… Who’s gonna go with Usa-chan this time?
Coolidge: …Rock-Paper-Scissors?
Izumi: …Uh, guys?
Hayate: Okay! Best of 3 wins!
Izumi: …Guys?
Hayate/Coolidge/Neon: ROCK-PAPER--!
Izumi: GUYS!!!
All: WHAT?!?
Izumi: …There’s a bit of a problem about the Job Extension that I think you’ll wanna know…
*everyone looks at the Job Extension quest bill; the quest site says “S Hidden Forbidden Sin Realm”*
Hayate: …Oh…
Neon: …crap…
Coolidge: What? I don’t get it. What’s at S Hidden Forbidden Sin Realm?
*Hayate and Neon glare at Coolidge menacingly*
*S Hidden Forbidden Sin Realm ~ Land of Sins Ran Badhi*
Coolidge: …YOU’VE GOTTA BE KIDDING ME!!!!!
*the group stands on a cliff looking over the Forest of Pain*
Coolidge: WHO THE HELL STAGES A JOB EXTENSION QUEST IN THE FOREST OF FREAKIN’ PAIN?!?
Hayate: …Apparently, CC Corp. does…
Coolidge: …Ohhh, I just remembered! I have to be somewhere that’s…not here! *attempts to run off*
Neon: *grabs Coolidge’s collar* Where do you think you’re going!?
Coolidge: LEMME GO!!!! I AIN’T GOIN’ IN THERE!!!! YOU CAN’T MAKE ME!!!!
Izumi: Oh, come on, Coolidge! You’re being immature!
Coolidge: SANCTUARY!!!!!
Neon: Quit being such a child, Coolidge! It’s just a stupid forest!
Usa-chan: Yeah! A stupid forest…with 100 floors…and powerful monsters…and swinging pendulums covered in blood…
Hayate: …Okay, I’m scared beyond all reason. Let’s call it a day.
Usa-chan: But what about my Job Extension?!?
Coolidge: Sorry, Usa-chan! Some other time maybe! But right now, I’m gettin’ the hell outta here!
Izumi: *sigh* …Hmm?
*Izumi notices two figures gate in from the Chaos Gate*
Ren: …Hmm? What are you all doing here?
Neon: Same reason as you apparently.
Coolidge: REN-CHAN!!!! *runs up and glomps Ren*
Ren: Agh! G-Get off of me!
Izumi: *sigh* Hayate?
Hayate: I’m on it.
*Hayate draws the Vorpal Blade and stabs Coolidge with it, freezing him in solid ice*
Coolidge: This…is cruel…and unusual…punishment!
Hayate: *puts away Vorpal Blade* Hey, Ren.
Ren: Hi, Hayate. You remember Ayliori, right?
Ayliori: Hiya, Hayate-kun!
Hayate: Hehehe… Hey. (Jeez, is this girl happy all the time?)
Izumi: …Hey, are you challenging the Job Extension quest?
Ren: That’s right.
Izumi: But… There’re only two of you.
Ren: Yeah… I would’ve asked Hanabi, but she’s not online at the moment.
Izumi: Oh…
Neon: One of us could go along with you.
Ren: Huh? Oh, no, I wouldn’t want to be a bother.
Neon: It’s no trouble at all. I’ll go with you.
Hayate: And Izumi and I will go with Usa-chan.
Ren: *pointing to Coolidge* …What about him?
All: …He’ll be fine.
Neon: So, you’re Ayliori? Nice to meet you. I’m Neon.
Ayliori: Same here…Neo-kun! Hahaha!
Neon: *eye twitch* …Please don’t call me that…
*just then, a third group consisting of Kyuzo, Haruhi, and Ciel gates in*
Kyuzo: One side, losers! Soon-to-be-complete Assault Ace comin’ through!
Hayate: Oh, great… It’s him…
Neon: *looks at Haruhi and Ciel* …Relying on little girls to back you up, eh, Kyuzo? Hehehe…
Ciel: I’M NOT A GIRL; I’M A BOY!!!!
All: …Seriously!?
Ciel: *pulls at his own hair* Arrrgghhh!!! Why does everyone keep doing that?!?
Hayate: Well, in any case, you don’t wanna get involved with Kyuzo, kid. He’s bad news.
Ciel: Who cares about Kyuzo?
Kyuzo: HEY!
Ciel: I’m only doing this ‘cuz Haruhi asked me.
Neon: Hehehe… Got a thing for older girls, kiddo?
Ciel: *blush* S-Shut up!
*just then, another person gates into the area…*
Hayate: Now what!?
*…near the Chaos Gate stands Haseo of the Black Flame*
Usa-chan: *gasp* It’s Haseo!!!
Ciel: …Dad…
Kyuzo: Say WHAT?!? Haseo of the Black Flame is your old man?!?
*Haseo walks past the group and approaches the edge of the cliff*
Haseo: …
Izumi: What are you doing here, Haseo?
Haseo: …I picked up some abnormal data activity in this area. But as soon as I gated in, it vanished. *turns towards the others* …For safety reasons, we’re shortening the Job Extension quest by half. The quest will be completed when you reach the end of the 25th floor. That is all. *walks towards the Chaos Gate*
Ciel: …
Haseo: *stops walking and looks at Ciel* …Be careful.
Ciel: …I will.
Haseo: … *gates out*
Usa-chan: Wow… The son of Haseo of the Black Flame… Who knew?
*eventually, all three groups look down at the forest from the cliff*
Ayliori: …Hey! You know what I heard about this quest?
Ren: What?
Ayliori: If you finish the quest with a perfect score, your guild gets promoted to Intermediate or Advanced Rank!
Neon: What do you mean by “perfect score”?
Ayliori: While you’re questing, you get score points based on how fast you fight, how many items you use, etc. At the end of the quest, your points are tallied, and if you get a perfect score, your guild gets promoted. Isn’t that cool?
Hayate: Actually…it kinda is!
Kyuzo: …Hmph! This is gonna be cake!
*the groups walk up to the transporter and place their hands on it…*
Usa-chan: Alright! Let’s do it to it!
*…and teleport into the Forest of Pain*
Coolidge: …Uh… Hello? …Anyone?
*each group transports to a different region of the 1st floor*
~ Team Chibi-Usa: Chibi-Usa, Hayate, and Izumi ~
Usa-chan: Yeah! Let’s get going!
Izumi: Settle down, Usa-chan! We need to take our time! Who knows what kind of monsters could be waiting for us in this place?
Usa-chan: Didn’t you hear what Ayliori said? The faster we go, the higher our score will be! Don’t you want our guild to be promoted?
Izumi: …
Hayate: I’m with Usa-chan! We’d have better odds of getting promoted if we move as fast as we can! *runs ahead* C’mon, Izumi!
Izumi: … *sigh* Wait for me!
~ Team Ren: Ren, Ayliori, and Neon ~
Ren: Rengeki: Dance of the Dragon!!!
*Ren swings her fans around, mowing down a group of enemies instantly*
Ayliori: Nice goin’, Ren-chan!
Neon: Yeah… Impressive.
Ren: Alright. Let’s keep going.
*walking ahead of the group, Ren trips a trap, causing a pit trap to open up beneath her*
Ren: Aah!
Ayliori/Neon: REN!
*Ayliori and Neon catch Ren just before she plunges into the pit*
Ren: *sigh* Thanks, you guys.
Neon: Glad to be of assistance! Heh!
~ Team Kyuzo: Kyuzo, Haruhi, and Ciel ~
Kyuzo: Rengeki: Lateral Moon!!!
*Kyuzo takes out one enemy…*
Haruhi: Rengeki: Daemon’s Bolt!!!
*…and Haruhi takes out the rest*
Kyuzo: *puts blade away* Hmph! Too easy!
Ciel: Aw, come on, you guys! Save some enemies for me!
Kyuzo: Sorry, kid! You’ll just have to be quicker!
*an enemy sneaks up on Kyuzo…*
Ciel: !!!
Kyuzo: We’re not gonna wait for you to take ‘em out just ‘cuz you’re slow!
*…and pounces on him*
Haruhi: Master Kyuzo, look out!
Kyuzo: What the f**k?!?
Ciel: Rengeki: Arc-en-Ciel!!!
*Ciel jumps up and takes out the enemy that was about to take out Kyuzo*
Kyuzo: …
Ciel: Hmph! Is that quick enough for ya!?
Kyuzo: …Tch!
*…Samurai 7 @home…*
Jack: *loud yawn* …Maybe I should’ve gone with ‘em. At least then I wouldn’t be so bored!
Samekh: *playing cello*
Claire: …Did you get a load of that Ciel kid? I swear, he looked like a total girl!
Jack: Hahaha! I know, right!?
Piros VIII: *pounds on bottom of trapdoor* CAN I COME OUT NOW?!?
Jack/Claire: NO!!!!!
Samekh: *playing cello*
*Forest of Pain ~ Floor 7*
Ciel: Hyaaaaaah!!!!
*Ciel cleaves through enemy after enemy, clearing a path for Kyuzo and Haruhi*
Kyuzo: Damn… The kid must thrive on caffeine or something…
Haruhi: …
Kyuzo: Haruhi? What’s wrong?
Haruhi: …It’s nothing.
Kyuzo: Hmm… Hey, Ciel!
Ciel: *out of breath* Huh? What…do you want?
Kyuzo: When this is all over, how would you like to join the Samurai 7?
Haruhi: *gasp*
Ciel: Hmm… Nah! I’m not really the working-with-others-in-close-quarters type!
Kyuzo: Is that so…?
Ciel: Now hurry up before I leave the two of you behind! *turns around* BANZAI!!!
Haruhi: …
Kyuzo: …Haruhi?
Haruhi: I’m fine. Thank you, Master Kyuzo.
Kyuzo: Anytime.
*Forest of Pain ~ Floor 13*
Hayate: Rengeki: Scissor Slash!!!
*Hayate slashes through a monster swinging his blade swords like scissors*
Hayate: Heh! That makes 54 for me! How about you, Izumi?
Izumi: Rengeki: Tiger Blitz!!!
*Izumi slashes through another monster with an energy broadsword; the broadsword vanishes as soon as the enemy dies*
Izumi: …62!
Hayate: What!? No way!!!
Izumi: Don’t worry, Hayate, you’ll catch up…if you’re lucky! Hahaha!
Hayate: Grrrr… Just you wait! When we’re done, I’ll have destroyed a thousand monsters! Haishou!?
Izumi: Hehe… Oh, really? Care to make a little wager then?
Hayate: …I’m listening.
Izumi: Whoever destroys the least amount of monsters by the end of the quest…has to reset their PC body and start back at level 1!
Hayate: W-WHAT?!? Izumi, you know I can’t do that!!! What about Sakuya’s blade!?
Izumi: …Oh, yeah, I forgot… Hmm… Okay, how about this? The loser only has to change their PC body…
Hayate: *sigh*
Izumi: …HOWEVER!!!
Hayate: *gulp*
Izumi: …they have to change it according to the winner’s orders!
Hayate: …I was afraid of that… Hmph! Alright, I accept!
Izumi: Good! I hope you’ve enjoyed playing with that PC body, ‘cuz when I win, you’re gonna starting playing this game dressed up like Naruto Uzumaki! HAHAHAHA!!!!
Hayate: o.0 (Now I have to win this bet!)
Usa-chan: *sweatdrop* (Note to self: Never make bets with Izumi…)
*Forest of Pain ~ Floor 19*
Ayliori: Dammit, not again!!!
*Ayliori hangs from a tree branch in a net trap*
Neon: Goddammit, Ayliori, this is the fifth trap you’ve fallen in for the past 3 floors!
Ren: *sigh*
*Ren flings one of her fans at the net, cutting Ayliori down*
Ayliori: *stands up* Ahhh! Thanks, Ren-chan! Okay, let’s keep going! *runs off*
Neon: …Three…two…one…
Ayliori: *SPROING!* Dammit, not again!!!
Ren/Neon: *long sigh*
*Forest of Pain ~ Floor 24*
*the three parties all reunite on the large dome-like floor*
Kyuzo: Oh, look… It’s the loser parade…
Hayate: You looking for trouble, Kyuzo!?
Neon: Settle down, Hayate. There has to be a reason for this floor to appear here.
Izumi: What do you mean by “appear”? You mean, this floor wasn’t here before?
Neon: No, it wasn’t.
Ciel: …Now, that’s freaky.
*just then, bubbles appear over Chibi-Usa, Kyuzo, and Ren…*
Ren: Hey! W-What’s going on!?
*…and the three Assault Aces all vanish into thin air*
Hayate: Usa-chan!
Haruhi: Master Kyuzo!
Ayliori: Ren!
Izumi: Where’d they go!?
Ciel: …I think we have bigger problems!
Neon: Say what now!?
Ciel: LOOK UP!!!
*the six PCs all look up to see a giant multitude of flying insects coming down*
Hayate: Holy…
Ayliori: There must be a million of those things!!!
Haruhi: …1,035,702.
Neon: *sweatdrop* I think I’d have preferred not knowing that.
Izumi: Well… It looks like we don’t have a choice! We have to fight!
Ciel: Heh! *draws anchor scythe* Fine by me!
*meanwhile, in a strange black space…*
Ren: …Where are we?
Usa-chan: I don’t know…
Kyuzo: Tch! I don’t have time for this! *walks away*
Ren: Kyuzo, wait!
*just then, Kyuzo bumps into an invisible wall*
Kyuzo: …Ow…
Usa-chan: *giggle*
Kyuzo: Grrrr… *draws blade and slashes at wall* Break, damn you!
Ren: Forget it, Kyuzo. Until the others figure out where we are and how to get us out, we’re stuck.
Kyuzo: *kicks wall* Great… Just great… Stuck in a black world with a singing loser and a short loser…
Usa-chan: Hey! That wasn’t very nice!
Kyuzo: I got news for ya, little girl: I’m not nice! DEAL WITH IT!!!
Usa-chan: Grrrr… *emitting a black aura*
Ren: O-Okay, Usa-chan, settle down… Don’t do anything you might regret, okay? Hehehe…
Usa-chan: Hmph! *sits down* Fine!
Ren: Hmm… *knocks on wall* This wall sounds like it’s made of glass…
Kyuzo: *sarcastically* Great deduction there, Sherlock…
Ren: Maybe… *draws microphone and takes a deep breath*
Usa-chan: Uh-oh…! *covers ears*
Kyuzo: “Uh-oh”? What “uh-oh”?
*just then, Ren screams a high-pitched scream into her microphone*
Kyuzo: GAH!!!! MY EARS!!!!
*the scream shatters the glass walls; Ren, Kyuzo, and Chibi-Usa all fall deeper into the black space*
All: AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!
*meanwhile…*
Ciel: Hah! Yah! Hyah! *panting* There’s no end to them!
Haruhi: *firing arrows* No. Their numbers are dwindling.
Neon: You heard the woman! We keep fighting!
Hayate: 103! 104! 105! Heh… At this rate, I’ll come out on top in this bet!
Ayliori: Uh… Hayate? Why are you counting?
Hayate: Hehehe… Oh, it’s nothing!
Ayliori: Oh… Well, why is Izumi counting too?
Izumi: 148! 149! 150!
Hayate: (CRAP!!! I gotta go faster!!) Sorry, Ayliori! Can’t talk now! 106! 107! 108!
Ayliori: …Ooooooooooooooooookay…
*meanwhile, in the black space, Usa-chan flaps her wings furiously to land Kyuzo, Ren, and herself on the ground safely*
Usa-chan: *sigh* How exhausting…
Kyuzo: HOW ABOUT A LITTLE WARNING NEXT TIME?!?
Ren: I got us out of there, didn’t I!?
Kyuzo: WHAT!? I’M SORRY, I CAN’T HEAR YOU ‘CUZ MY EARDRUMS ARE BROKEN!!!
Usa-chan: Oh, just shut up, Kyuzo! Ren and I are trying to get us safely out of this place, but you’re just making things worse!
Kyuzo: …
Usa-chan: Instead of complaining all the time, why don’t you actually help us?!?
Kyuzo: Tch! Helping losers is beneath me!
Usa-chan: *groan* Whatever… *walks away and bumps into an invisible wall* Ow! …Oh, not again!
*Chibi-Usa touches the wall; all of a sudden, a blue square with text in it appears on the wall*
Usa-chan: …What’s this…?
Ren: Hmm… There’s something written here… “Drawn in by an unseen cold hand, I pass even time as it flows to eternity. As your eyes look away into the hazy distance, what is revealed to them I cannot see.” …What’s it mean?
Kyuzo: …They’re song lyrics.
Usa-chan: Huh?
Kyuzo: It’s Tomoyo Mitani’s “Gentle Hands”. Move aside.
*Chibi-Usa and Ren move away as Kyuzo walks up to the blue square*
Kyuzo: “Drawn in by an unseen cold hand, I pass even time as it flows to eternity”… Got it!
Ren/Usa-chan: You do?
*Kyuzo positions himself at the center of the space and kneels down; he rests his hands on the ground; just then, a blinding light from underneath his hands reveals a lit path in the darkness*
Ren: Kyuzo, you did it!
Usa-chan: Alright! Let’s get the heck of here--
Kyuzo: Hold it.
Usa-chan: Huh?
Kyuzo: …That’s not the way out.
Usa-chan: It’s…not?
Kyuzo: “As your eyes look away into the hazy distance, what is revealed to them I cannot see”…
*Kyuzo turns away from the lit path and gazes deep into the black space*
Kyuzo: …It’s this way.
Ren: But…there’s nothing but darkness that way.
*as Kyuzo steps forward, another lit path appears under his feet*
Usa-chan: *gasp*
*as Kyuzo walks, the path lights up under him*
Ren: Heh… I guess even you’re useful for some things, Kyuzo!
Kyuzo: Shut up and follow me!
Usa-chan: Hehehe…
*at the end of the path, the group comes to a door*
Ren: …
Usa-chan: …
Kyuzo: …
*Kyuzo slowly opens the door; behind the door is a blinding light*
Usa-chan: Aah! Too bright!
Ren: This must be the way out.
*meanwhile…*
Neon: *panting*
Ayliori: *panting*
Ciel: *panting*
Haruhi: *panting*
Hayate: *panting* Just…one…enemy…left…
Izumi: *panting* Yeah… And it’s…all mine!
Hayate: Over…my…dead body!
*Hayate and Izumi leap onto the last enemy, but collide with each other in midair and fall onto the ground*
Hayate/Izumi: …Ow…
Neon: *groan* You two are pathetic…
*Haruhi fires an arrow at the last enemy, extinguishing it*
Ciel: Great! That just leaves the issue of where Kyuzo and the others are…
*suddenly, a blinding light appears at the center of the dome; the light fades to reveal Kyuzo, Ren, and Usa-chan*
Hayate/Izumi: Usa-chan!
Haruhi/Ciel: Kyuzo!
Neon/Ayliori: Ren!
All: You’re back!
Kyuzo: Well, we’d have gotten here earlier if “Shortbread” and “Deep-Throat” over here didn’t slow me down!
Usa-chan: SHORTBREAD?!?
Ren: DEEP-THROAT?!?
*Usa-chan and Ren suddenly tackle Kyuzo to the ground and start stomping on his PC body*
Kyuzo: Aah! Ow! S-Stop it! Ow! Aah! Cut it out, dammit! OW!
All: *sweatdrop*
*Forest of Pain ~ Floor 25*
*the three groups all dash down the final forested corridor, eradicating any enemies they come across; at the end, they meet with Haseo*
Ayliori: How the hell did you get down here so fast!?!?
Haseo: …Assault Aces, step forth.
*Chibi-Usa, Ren, and Kyuzo all step ahead of the group*
Haseo: You’ve done well to make it here. But now, the true test of your judgment begins.
Kyuzo: …
Ren: …
Usa-chan: … *gulp*
*Haseo suddenly draws a set of three cards*
Haseo: You will each choose one card. The job class written on the other side will be the class designated to you for your Job Extension.
Kyuzo: Say what!?
Usa-chan: B-But I thought we get to choose our own class!
Haseo: Not this time.
Ren: …Well, this sucks.
Haseo: …Choose.
*Chibi-Usa, Ren, and Kyuzo each take a card from Haseo’s hand and slowly turn it over*
All: *gasp*
Haseo: … *smirk*
Kyuzo: Fortune Croupier!
Ren: Twin Blade!
Usa-chan: Sonic Duelist!
All: This is the class I wanted!!!
Haseo: Of course it is.
All: Huh?
Haseo: Before you took the cards from my hand, the written sides of the cards are completely blank. When I told you that they already had writing on them, your hearts wavered. This was a test of your judgment to see if you could choose the job class you truly wanted while, at the same time, feeling a high level of uncertainty.
Usa-chan: So…we passed?
Haseo: That depends. Did you want Sonic Duelist?
Usa-chan: …Yeah.
Haseo: Then yes, you passed.
Usa-chan: Sweet!
*Haseo spreads his arms to his sides, altering the appearance of the floor, turning it into an ornate four-way corridor; Chibi-Usa, Ren, and Kyuzo all rise up into the air, their PC bodies changing little by little*
Ayliori: Ooh…
Ciel: Awesome…
*when it was over, the PC bodies of the three were all different and cooler-looking*
Usa-chan: Cool!
Ren: Wow…!
Kyuzo: Heh… Not bad!
*the four-way corridor turns back into the 25th floor of the Forest of Pain*
Haseo: You’ve all succeeded in attaining your final Assault Ace forms. Congratulations.
Ren: Thank you, Haseo.
Haseo: … *gates out*
Kyuzo: Well, I’m done here. Later, losers. Let’s go, Haruhi. *gates out*
Haruhi: Yes, Master Kyuzo. *gates out*
Ciel: See ya, guys! Let’s play again sometime! *gates out*
Ayliori: *glomps Ren* Oh, Ren-chan! Your new form looks so COOL!!!
Ren: T-Thanks, Ayliori, but you don’t have to hug me so tightly! *gates out with Ayliori*
Neon: Well… I guess that’s it for this place. You coming, Usa-chan? *gates out*
Usa-chan: Coming, Neo-niichan! *gates out*
Hayate: Okay, Izumi! How much you got?
Izumi: …286! How about you?
Hayate: …286…
Izumi: WHAT?!? IT’S A TIE?!? *lowers head* …Now what do we do?
Hayate: We could always call it a draw…
*just then, Coolidge runs up to the two*
Coolidge: Okay, guys! I’m here! …Huh? Is it over already?
Hayate: …
Izumi: …
Coolidge: …Why are you guys looking at me like that?
Hayate/Izumi: …First one to take Coolidge out wins!
Coolidge: SAY WHAT NOW?!?!?
Hayate/Izumi: Hyaaaaaah!!!!
Coolidge: AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!
~ Next Time on Infected! ~
Usa-chan: GUYS!!! You’re not gonna believe what I just found out!!! THERE’S ANOTHER PLAYER NAMED HAYATE!!!!!
~*~*~*~
Kyuzo: So, I hear that there’s another you runnin’ around The World.
Hayate: …What of it?
Kyuzo: What do you plan to do about it?
Hayate: That’s none of your business.
~*~*~*~
: …It’s about time you got here.
Hayate: Let me guess… You’re the other Hayate?
Hayate 2: Hmph! “Other”!? You’ve got some nerve!
~*~*~*~
Hayate: Saku-neechan… Lend me your strength!
*Hayate slams his two blades together, releasing a great blinding light; the light soon disappears, leaving a cloud of smoke; a large blade can be seen cutting through the smoke; the smoke completely disappears and Hayate can be seen holding not two blades, but one large turquoise blade mounted on his right arm*
All: HOLY CRAP!!!
19th Phase: Cradle to a Cataclysm!
*Hayate logs in*
Hayate: Okay! It’s Friday, all of my homework is done, all of my chores are completed, so now it’s time to…GOOF OFF!!!
*…Glaive LeGable @home…*
Usa-chan: The Job Extension quest is open again!
Hayate: (…Looks like I spoke too soon…)
Usa-chan: Ohhhh! I don’t know what I should choose for my last class! Should I be a Valiant Archer? …Or maybe a Tribal Grappler? …Or how about a Lord Partizan? Waaah!!! I can’t decide!!!
Coolidge: Hey, Usa-chan…
Usa-chan: Yeah?
Coolidge: …SHUT UP!!!
Usa-chan: Hmph!
Izumi: You can’t blame her for getting excited, Coolidge. I’d be excited too if I were an Assault Ace.
Coolidge: Blah, blah, blah…
Neon: Well… *stands up* …There’s no point in sitting around thinking about it. Let’s just get to it!
Hayate: *sigh* …So much for goofing off…
*…Samurai 7 @home…*
Piros VIII: Hark! Yonder Job Extension quest beckons!
Jack: OKAY, PIROS, WE HEARD YOU THE FIRST TIME!!! GAWD!!!
Claire: So, boss… You figure out what class you’re gonna pick?
Kyuzo: …I have some ideas, yeah…
Samekh: *playing cello*
Kyuzo: *stands up* …Okay. Let’s get goin’.
Haruhi: …Uh, M-Master Kyuzo?
Kyuzo: Hmm? Yes, Haruhi?
Haruhi: *twiddling fingers* Um… Well… I was wondering…
Piros VIII: SPIT IT OUT, WOMAN!!!!! *gets punched in the face* …Ow…
Jack: Would you shut the hell up already!?
Haruhi: …May I accompany you during your Job Extension quest?
Kyuzo: Oh…
Haruhi: It’s just that… I haven’t been of much use to you lately, and I’d like to prove myself.
Claire: Hehehe… Go ahead and take her, boss. I’ll just sit this one out.
Kyuzo: …Alright, why not? You can come.
Haruhi: O-Oh! *bows* Thank you, Master Kyuzo!
Piros VIII: Ooh! Ooh! Can I come too, Kyuzo!?
Kyuzo: …How about you, Jackie?
Jack: Nah. Not in the mood.
Piros VIII: Ooh!!! Pick me!!! Pick me!!!
Kyuzo: …Sammy?
Samekh: *playing cello*
Kyuzo: …I’ll take that as a no.
Piros VIII: *flailing arms* C’MON!!! PICK ME ALREADY!!!
Kyuzo: … *sigh* …I just know I’m gonna regret this… Piros, do you--
Haruhi: Master Kyuzo?
Kyuzo: Huh? What is it?
Haruhi: I think I know of a potential third member for our party.
Kyuzo: …
*…Mac Anu Central District…*
Usa-chan: *singing* Job Extension, Job Extension, Job Extension!
Coolidge: Could you quit it already!?
Hayate: Aw, let her have her fun, Coolidge.
Neon: So… Who’s gonna go with Usa-chan this time?
Coolidge: …Rock-Paper-Scissors?
Izumi: …Uh, guys?
Hayate: Okay! Best of 3 wins!
Izumi: …Guys?
Hayate/Coolidge/Neon: ROCK-PAPER--!
Izumi: GUYS!!!
All: WHAT?!?
Izumi: …There’s a bit of a problem about the Job Extension that I think you’ll wanna know…
*everyone looks at the Job Extension quest bill; the quest site says “S Hidden Forbidden Sin Realm”*
Hayate: …Oh…
Neon: …crap…
Coolidge: What? I don’t get it. What’s at S Hidden Forbidden Sin Realm?
*Hayate and Neon glare at Coolidge menacingly*
*S Hidden Forbidden Sin Realm ~ Land of Sins Ran Badhi*
Coolidge: …YOU’VE GOTTA BE KIDDING ME!!!!!
*the group stands on a cliff looking over the Forest of Pain*
Coolidge: WHO THE HELL STAGES A JOB EXTENSION QUEST IN THE FOREST OF FREAKIN’ PAIN?!?
Hayate: …Apparently, CC Corp. does…
Coolidge: …Ohhh, I just remembered! I have to be somewhere that’s…not here! *attempts to run off*
Neon: *grabs Coolidge’s collar* Where do you think you’re going!?
Coolidge: LEMME GO!!!! I AIN’T GOIN’ IN THERE!!!! YOU CAN’T MAKE ME!!!!
Izumi: Oh, come on, Coolidge! You’re being immature!
Coolidge: SANCTUARY!!!!!
Neon: Quit being such a child, Coolidge! It’s just a stupid forest!
Usa-chan: Yeah! A stupid forest…with 100 floors…and powerful monsters…and swinging pendulums covered in blood…
Hayate: …Okay, I’m scared beyond all reason. Let’s call it a day.
Usa-chan: But what about my Job Extension?!?
Coolidge: Sorry, Usa-chan! Some other time maybe! But right now, I’m gettin’ the hell outta here!
Izumi: *sigh* …Hmm?
*Izumi notices two figures gate in from the Chaos Gate*
Ren: …Hmm? What are you all doing here?
Neon: Same reason as you apparently.
Coolidge: REN-CHAN!!!! *runs up and glomps Ren*
Ren: Agh! G-Get off of me!
Izumi: *sigh* Hayate?
Hayate: I’m on it.
*Hayate draws the Vorpal Blade and stabs Coolidge with it, freezing him in solid ice*
Coolidge: This…is cruel…and unusual…punishment!
Hayate: *puts away Vorpal Blade* Hey, Ren.
Ren: Hi, Hayate. You remember Ayliori, right?
Ayliori: Hiya, Hayate-kun!
Hayate: Hehehe… Hey. (Jeez, is this girl happy all the time?)
Izumi: …Hey, are you challenging the Job Extension quest?
Ren: That’s right.
Izumi: But… There’re only two of you.
Ren: Yeah… I would’ve asked Hanabi, but she’s not online at the moment.
Izumi: Oh…
Neon: One of us could go along with you.
Ren: Huh? Oh, no, I wouldn’t want to be a bother.
Neon: It’s no trouble at all. I’ll go with you.
Hayate: And Izumi and I will go with Usa-chan.
Ren: *pointing to Coolidge* …What about him?
All: …He’ll be fine.
Neon: So, you’re Ayliori? Nice to meet you. I’m Neon.
Ayliori: Same here…Neo-kun! Hahaha!
Neon: *eye twitch* …Please don’t call me that…
*just then, a third group consisting of Kyuzo, Haruhi, and Ciel gates in*
Kyuzo: One side, losers! Soon-to-be-complete Assault Ace comin’ through!
Hayate: Oh, great… It’s him…
Neon: *looks at Haruhi and Ciel* …Relying on little girls to back you up, eh, Kyuzo? Hehehe…
Ciel: I’M NOT A GIRL; I’M A BOY!!!!
All: …Seriously!?
Ciel: *pulls at his own hair* Arrrgghhh!!! Why does everyone keep doing that?!?
Hayate: Well, in any case, you don’t wanna get involved with Kyuzo, kid. He’s bad news.
Ciel: Who cares about Kyuzo?
Kyuzo: HEY!
Ciel: I’m only doing this ‘cuz Haruhi asked me.
Neon: Hehehe… Got a thing for older girls, kiddo?
Ciel: *blush* S-Shut up!
*just then, another person gates into the area…*
Hayate: Now what!?
*…near the Chaos Gate stands Haseo of the Black Flame*
Usa-chan: *gasp* It’s Haseo!!!
Ciel: …Dad…
Kyuzo: Say WHAT?!? Haseo of the Black Flame is your old man?!?
*Haseo walks past the group and approaches the edge of the cliff*
Haseo: …
Izumi: What are you doing here, Haseo?
Haseo: …I picked up some abnormal data activity in this area. But as soon as I gated in, it vanished. *turns towards the others* …For safety reasons, we’re shortening the Job Extension quest by half. The quest will be completed when you reach the end of the 25th floor. That is all. *walks towards the Chaos Gate*
Ciel: …
Haseo: *stops walking and looks at Ciel* …Be careful.
Ciel: …I will.
Haseo: … *gates out*
Usa-chan: Wow… The son of Haseo of the Black Flame… Who knew?
*eventually, all three groups look down at the forest from the cliff*
Ayliori: …Hey! You know what I heard about this quest?
Ren: What?
Ayliori: If you finish the quest with a perfect score, your guild gets promoted to Intermediate or Advanced Rank!
Neon: What do you mean by “perfect score”?
Ayliori: While you’re questing, you get score points based on how fast you fight, how many items you use, etc. At the end of the quest, your points are tallied, and if you get a perfect score, your guild gets promoted. Isn’t that cool?
Hayate: Actually…it kinda is!
Kyuzo: …Hmph! This is gonna be cake!
*the groups walk up to the transporter and place their hands on it…*
Usa-chan: Alright! Let’s do it to it!
*…and teleport into the Forest of Pain*
Coolidge: …Uh… Hello? …Anyone?
*each group transports to a different region of the 1st floor*
~ Team Chibi-Usa: Chibi-Usa, Hayate, and Izumi ~
Usa-chan: Yeah! Let’s get going!
Izumi: Settle down, Usa-chan! We need to take our time! Who knows what kind of monsters could be waiting for us in this place?
Usa-chan: Didn’t you hear what Ayliori said? The faster we go, the higher our score will be! Don’t you want our guild to be promoted?
Izumi: …
Hayate: I’m with Usa-chan! We’d have better odds of getting promoted if we move as fast as we can! *runs ahead* C’mon, Izumi!
Izumi: … *sigh* Wait for me!
~ Team Ren: Ren, Ayliori, and Neon ~
Ren: Rengeki: Dance of the Dragon!!!
*Ren swings her fans around, mowing down a group of enemies instantly*
Ayliori: Nice goin’, Ren-chan!
Neon: Yeah… Impressive.
Ren: Alright. Let’s keep going.
*walking ahead of the group, Ren trips a trap, causing a pit trap to open up beneath her*
Ren: Aah!
Ayliori/Neon: REN!
*Ayliori and Neon catch Ren just before she plunges into the pit*
Ren: *sigh* Thanks, you guys.
Neon: Glad to be of assistance! Heh!
~ Team Kyuzo: Kyuzo, Haruhi, and Ciel ~
Kyuzo: Rengeki: Lateral Moon!!!
*Kyuzo takes out one enemy…*
Haruhi: Rengeki: Daemon’s Bolt!!!
*…and Haruhi takes out the rest*
Kyuzo: *puts blade away* Hmph! Too easy!
Ciel: Aw, come on, you guys! Save some enemies for me!
Kyuzo: Sorry, kid! You’ll just have to be quicker!
*an enemy sneaks up on Kyuzo…*
Ciel: !!!
Kyuzo: We’re not gonna wait for you to take ‘em out just ‘cuz you’re slow!
*…and pounces on him*
Haruhi: Master Kyuzo, look out!
Kyuzo: What the f**k?!?
Ciel: Rengeki: Arc-en-Ciel!!!
*Ciel jumps up and takes out the enemy that was about to take out Kyuzo*
Kyuzo: …
Ciel: Hmph! Is that quick enough for ya!?
Kyuzo: …Tch!
*…Samurai 7 @home…*
Jack: *loud yawn* …Maybe I should’ve gone with ‘em. At least then I wouldn’t be so bored!
Samekh: *playing cello*
Claire: …Did you get a load of that Ciel kid? I swear, he looked like a total girl!
Jack: Hahaha! I know, right!?
Piros VIII: *pounds on bottom of trapdoor* CAN I COME OUT NOW?!?
Jack/Claire: NO!!!!!
Samekh: *playing cello*
*Forest of Pain ~ Floor 7*
Ciel: Hyaaaaaah!!!!
*Ciel cleaves through enemy after enemy, clearing a path for Kyuzo and Haruhi*
Kyuzo: Damn… The kid must thrive on caffeine or something…
Haruhi: …
Kyuzo: Haruhi? What’s wrong?
Haruhi: …It’s nothing.
Kyuzo: Hmm… Hey, Ciel!
Ciel: *out of breath* Huh? What…do you want?
Kyuzo: When this is all over, how would you like to join the Samurai 7?
Haruhi: *gasp*
Ciel: Hmm… Nah! I’m not really the working-with-others-in-close-quarters type!
Kyuzo: Is that so…?
Ciel: Now hurry up before I leave the two of you behind! *turns around* BANZAI!!!
Haruhi: …
Kyuzo: …Haruhi?
Haruhi: I’m fine. Thank you, Master Kyuzo.
Kyuzo: Anytime.
*Forest of Pain ~ Floor 13*
Hayate: Rengeki: Scissor Slash!!!
*Hayate slashes through a monster swinging his blade swords like scissors*
Hayate: Heh! That makes 54 for me! How about you, Izumi?
Izumi: Rengeki: Tiger Blitz!!!
*Izumi slashes through another monster with an energy broadsword; the broadsword vanishes as soon as the enemy dies*
Izumi: …62!
Hayate: What!? No way!!!
Izumi: Don’t worry, Hayate, you’ll catch up…if you’re lucky! Hahaha!
Hayate: Grrrr… Just you wait! When we’re done, I’ll have destroyed a thousand monsters! Haishou!?
Izumi: Hehe… Oh, really? Care to make a little wager then?
Hayate: …I’m listening.
Izumi: Whoever destroys the least amount of monsters by the end of the quest…has to reset their PC body and start back at level 1!
Hayate: W-WHAT?!? Izumi, you know I can’t do that!!! What about Sakuya’s blade!?
Izumi: …Oh, yeah, I forgot… Hmm… Okay, how about this? The loser only has to change their PC body…
Hayate: *sigh*
Izumi: …HOWEVER!!!
Hayate: *gulp*
Izumi: …they have to change it according to the winner’s orders!
Hayate: …I was afraid of that… Hmph! Alright, I accept!
Izumi: Good! I hope you’ve enjoyed playing with that PC body, ‘cuz when I win, you’re gonna starting playing this game dressed up like Naruto Uzumaki! HAHAHAHA!!!!
Hayate: o.0 (Now I have to win this bet!)
Usa-chan: *sweatdrop* (Note to self: Never make bets with Izumi…)
*Forest of Pain ~ Floor 19*
Ayliori: Dammit, not again!!!
*Ayliori hangs from a tree branch in a net trap*
Neon: Goddammit, Ayliori, this is the fifth trap you’ve fallen in for the past 3 floors!
Ren: *sigh*
*Ren flings one of her fans at the net, cutting Ayliori down*
Ayliori: *stands up* Ahhh! Thanks, Ren-chan! Okay, let’s keep going! *runs off*
Neon: …Three…two…one…
Ayliori: *SPROING!* Dammit, not again!!!
Ren/Neon: *long sigh*
*Forest of Pain ~ Floor 24*
*the three parties all reunite on the large dome-like floor*
Kyuzo: Oh, look… It’s the loser parade…
Hayate: You looking for trouble, Kyuzo!?
Neon: Settle down, Hayate. There has to be a reason for this floor to appear here.
Izumi: What do you mean by “appear”? You mean, this floor wasn’t here before?
Neon: No, it wasn’t.
Ciel: …Now, that’s freaky.
*just then, bubbles appear over Chibi-Usa, Kyuzo, and Ren…*
Ren: Hey! W-What’s going on!?
*…and the three Assault Aces all vanish into thin air*
Hayate: Usa-chan!
Haruhi: Master Kyuzo!
Ayliori: Ren!
Izumi: Where’d they go!?
Ciel: …I think we have bigger problems!
Neon: Say what now!?
Ciel: LOOK UP!!!
*the six PCs all look up to see a giant multitude of flying insects coming down*
Hayate: Holy…
Ayliori: There must be a million of those things!!!
Haruhi: …1,035,702.
Neon: *sweatdrop* I think I’d have preferred not knowing that.
Izumi: Well… It looks like we don’t have a choice! We have to fight!
Ciel: Heh! *draws anchor scythe* Fine by me!
*meanwhile, in a strange black space…*
Ren: …Where are we?
Usa-chan: I don’t know…
Kyuzo: Tch! I don’t have time for this! *walks away*
Ren: Kyuzo, wait!
*just then, Kyuzo bumps into an invisible wall*
Kyuzo: …Ow…
Usa-chan: *giggle*
Kyuzo: Grrrr… *draws blade and slashes at wall* Break, damn you!
Ren: Forget it, Kyuzo. Until the others figure out where we are and how to get us out, we’re stuck.
Kyuzo: *kicks wall* Great… Just great… Stuck in a black world with a singing loser and a short loser…
Usa-chan: Hey! That wasn’t very nice!
Kyuzo: I got news for ya, little girl: I’m not nice! DEAL WITH IT!!!
Usa-chan: Grrrr… *emitting a black aura*
Ren: O-Okay, Usa-chan, settle down… Don’t do anything you might regret, okay? Hehehe…
Usa-chan: Hmph! *sits down* Fine!
Ren: Hmm… *knocks on wall* This wall sounds like it’s made of glass…
Kyuzo: *sarcastically* Great deduction there, Sherlock…
Ren: Maybe… *draws microphone and takes a deep breath*
Usa-chan: Uh-oh…! *covers ears*
Kyuzo: “Uh-oh”? What “uh-oh”?
*just then, Ren screams a high-pitched scream into her microphone*
Kyuzo: GAH!!!! MY EARS!!!!
*the scream shatters the glass walls; Ren, Kyuzo, and Chibi-Usa all fall deeper into the black space*
All: AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!
*meanwhile…*
Ciel: Hah! Yah! Hyah! *panting* There’s no end to them!
Haruhi: *firing arrows* No. Their numbers are dwindling.
Neon: You heard the woman! We keep fighting!
Hayate: 103! 104! 105! Heh… At this rate, I’ll come out on top in this bet!
Ayliori: Uh… Hayate? Why are you counting?
Hayate: Hehehe… Oh, it’s nothing!
Ayliori: Oh… Well, why is Izumi counting too?
Izumi: 148! 149! 150!
Hayate: (CRAP!!! I gotta go faster!!) Sorry, Ayliori! Can’t talk now! 106! 107! 108!
Ayliori: …Ooooooooooooooooookay…
*meanwhile, in the black space, Usa-chan flaps her wings furiously to land Kyuzo, Ren, and herself on the ground safely*
Usa-chan: *sigh* How exhausting…
Kyuzo: HOW ABOUT A LITTLE WARNING NEXT TIME?!?
Ren: I got us out of there, didn’t I!?
Kyuzo: WHAT!? I’M SORRY, I CAN’T HEAR YOU ‘CUZ MY EARDRUMS ARE BROKEN!!!
Usa-chan: Oh, just shut up, Kyuzo! Ren and I are trying to get us safely out of this place, but you’re just making things worse!
Kyuzo: …
Usa-chan: Instead of complaining all the time, why don’t you actually help us?!?
Kyuzo: Tch! Helping losers is beneath me!
Usa-chan: *groan* Whatever… *walks away and bumps into an invisible wall* Ow! …Oh, not again!
*Chibi-Usa touches the wall; all of a sudden, a blue square with text in it appears on the wall*
Usa-chan: …What’s this…?
Ren: Hmm… There’s something written here… “Drawn in by an unseen cold hand, I pass even time as it flows to eternity. As your eyes look away into the hazy distance, what is revealed to them I cannot see.” …What’s it mean?
Kyuzo: …They’re song lyrics.
Usa-chan: Huh?
Kyuzo: It’s Tomoyo Mitani’s “Gentle Hands”. Move aside.
*Chibi-Usa and Ren move away as Kyuzo walks up to the blue square*
Kyuzo: “Drawn in by an unseen cold hand, I pass even time as it flows to eternity”… Got it!
Ren/Usa-chan: You do?
*Kyuzo positions himself at the center of the space and kneels down; he rests his hands on the ground; just then, a blinding light from underneath his hands reveals a lit path in the darkness*
Ren: Kyuzo, you did it!
Usa-chan: Alright! Let’s get the heck of here--
Kyuzo: Hold it.
Usa-chan: Huh?
Kyuzo: …That’s not the way out.
Usa-chan: It’s…not?
Kyuzo: “As your eyes look away into the hazy distance, what is revealed to them I cannot see”…
*Kyuzo turns away from the lit path and gazes deep into the black space*
Kyuzo: …It’s this way.
Ren: But…there’s nothing but darkness that way.
*as Kyuzo steps forward, another lit path appears under his feet*
Usa-chan: *gasp*
*as Kyuzo walks, the path lights up under him*
Ren: Heh… I guess even you’re useful for some things, Kyuzo!
Kyuzo: Shut up and follow me!
Usa-chan: Hehehe…
*at the end of the path, the group comes to a door*
Ren: …
Usa-chan: …
Kyuzo: …
*Kyuzo slowly opens the door; behind the door is a blinding light*
Usa-chan: Aah! Too bright!
Ren: This must be the way out.
*meanwhile…*
Neon: *panting*
Ayliori: *panting*
Ciel: *panting*
Haruhi: *panting*
Hayate: *panting* Just…one…enemy…left…
Izumi: *panting* Yeah… And it’s…all mine!
Hayate: Over…my…dead body!
*Hayate and Izumi leap onto the last enemy, but collide with each other in midair and fall onto the ground*
Hayate/Izumi: …Ow…
Neon: *groan* You two are pathetic…
*Haruhi fires an arrow at the last enemy, extinguishing it*
Ciel: Great! That just leaves the issue of where Kyuzo and the others are…
*suddenly, a blinding light appears at the center of the dome; the light fades to reveal Kyuzo, Ren, and Usa-chan*
Hayate/Izumi: Usa-chan!
Haruhi/Ciel: Kyuzo!
Neon/Ayliori: Ren!
All: You’re back!
Kyuzo: Well, we’d have gotten here earlier if “Shortbread” and “Deep-Throat” over here didn’t slow me down!
Usa-chan: SHORTBREAD?!?
Ren: DEEP-THROAT?!?
*Usa-chan and Ren suddenly tackle Kyuzo to the ground and start stomping on his PC body*
Kyuzo: Aah! Ow! S-Stop it! Ow! Aah! Cut it out, dammit! OW!
All: *sweatdrop*
*Forest of Pain ~ Floor 25*
*the three groups all dash down the final forested corridor, eradicating any enemies they come across; at the end, they meet with Haseo*
Ayliori: How the hell did you get down here so fast!?!?
Haseo: …Assault Aces, step forth.
*Chibi-Usa, Ren, and Kyuzo all step ahead of the group*
Haseo: You’ve done well to make it here. But now, the true test of your judgment begins.
Kyuzo: …
Ren: …
Usa-chan: … *gulp*
*Haseo suddenly draws a set of three cards*
Haseo: You will each choose one card. The job class written on the other side will be the class designated to you for your Job Extension.
Kyuzo: Say what!?
Usa-chan: B-But I thought we get to choose our own class!
Haseo: Not this time.
Ren: …Well, this sucks.
Haseo: …Choose.
*Chibi-Usa, Ren, and Kyuzo each take a card from Haseo’s hand and slowly turn it over*
All: *gasp*
Haseo: … *smirk*
Kyuzo: Fortune Croupier!
Ren: Twin Blade!
Usa-chan: Sonic Duelist!
All: This is the class I wanted!!!
Haseo: Of course it is.
All: Huh?
Haseo: Before you took the cards from my hand, the written sides of the cards are completely blank. When I told you that they already had writing on them, your hearts wavered. This was a test of your judgment to see if you could choose the job class you truly wanted while, at the same time, feeling a high level of uncertainty.
Usa-chan: So…we passed?
Haseo: That depends. Did you want Sonic Duelist?
Usa-chan: …Yeah.
Haseo: Then yes, you passed.
Usa-chan: Sweet!
*Haseo spreads his arms to his sides, altering the appearance of the floor, turning it into an ornate four-way corridor; Chibi-Usa, Ren, and Kyuzo all rise up into the air, their PC bodies changing little by little*
Ayliori: Ooh…
Ciel: Awesome…
*when it was over, the PC bodies of the three were all different and cooler-looking*
Usa-chan: Cool!
Ren: Wow…!
Kyuzo: Heh… Not bad!
*the four-way corridor turns back into the 25th floor of the Forest of Pain*
Haseo: You’ve all succeeded in attaining your final Assault Ace forms. Congratulations.
Ren: Thank you, Haseo.
Haseo: … *gates out*
Kyuzo: Well, I’m done here. Later, losers. Let’s go, Haruhi. *gates out*
Haruhi: Yes, Master Kyuzo. *gates out*
Ciel: See ya, guys! Let’s play again sometime! *gates out*
Ayliori: *glomps Ren* Oh, Ren-chan! Your new form looks so COOL!!!
Ren: T-Thanks, Ayliori, but you don’t have to hug me so tightly! *gates out with Ayliori*
Neon: Well… I guess that’s it for this place. You coming, Usa-chan? *gates out*
Usa-chan: Coming, Neo-niichan! *gates out*
Hayate: Okay, Izumi! How much you got?
Izumi: …286! How about you?
Hayate: …286…
Izumi: WHAT?!? IT’S A TIE?!? *lowers head* …Now what do we do?
Hayate: We could always call it a draw…
*just then, Coolidge runs up to the two*
Coolidge: Okay, guys! I’m here! …Huh? Is it over already?
Hayate: …
Izumi: …
Coolidge: …Why are you guys looking at me like that?
Hayate/Izumi: …First one to take Coolidge out wins!
Coolidge: SAY WHAT NOW?!?!?
Hayate/Izumi: Hyaaaaaah!!!!
Coolidge: AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!
~ Next Time on Infected! ~
Usa-chan: GUYS!!! You’re not gonna believe what I just found out!!! THERE’S ANOTHER PLAYER NAMED HAYATE!!!!!
~*~*~*~
Kyuzo: So, I hear that there’s another you runnin’ around The World.
Hayate: …What of it?
Kyuzo: What do you plan to do about it?
Hayate: That’s none of your business.
~*~*~*~
: …It’s about time you got here.Hayate: Let me guess… You’re the other Hayate?
Hayate 2: Hmph! “Other”!? You’ve got some nerve!
~*~*~*~
Hayate: Saku-neechan… Lend me your strength!
*Hayate slams his two blades together, releasing a great blinding light; the light soon disappears, leaving a cloud of smoke; a large blade can be seen cutting through the smoke; the smoke completely disappears and Hayate can be seen holding not two blades, but one large turquoise blade mounted on his right arm*
All: HOLY CRAP!!!
19th Phase: Cradle to a Cataclysm!
