Post by Hayate on Sept 18, 2007 18:43:54 GMT -5
~ Eternal City of Mac Anu; May 18, 2037 ~
*…Glaive LeGable @home…*
*in the rear chamber, Orion looks at the .hack//Arms they’ve collected so far*
Orion: Lance Gardenia… Blade Orca… Scythe Ryoko… And now Spin Moonstone… They’re all so…beautiful…
*Orion reaches up and tries to take a hold of Lance Gardenia as if in a trance; Hayate suddenly walks in*
Hayate: Orion?
Orion: *gasp* H-Hayate! …I d-didn’t hear you come in…
Hayate: …What are you doing back here?
Orion: …I was just contemplating.
Hayate: On what?
Orion: I’ll explain in the main chamber.
*several minutes later…*
Orion: Good. You’re all here. …Hmm? Where’s Usa-chan?
Neon: She said she wanted to go check out some things in town.
Orion: I see. At any rate, I have an announcement to make.
Coolidge: *jumps up* You’re not disbanding the guild, are you?!?
Izumi: *slaps the back of Coolidge’s head* Would you just let him speak!?
Coolidge: Okay, okay, jeez…
Orion: Don’t worry yourself, Coolidge. I have no intention of disbanding Glaive LeGable. I’ve been doing some looking into about the .hack//Arms and I’ve come to a rather shocking conclusion.
Hayate: …
Izumi: …
Coolidge: …
Neon: …
Orion: It would seem that there are more .hack//Arms than I’ve previously believed. But they all share a common trait – they were all wielded by Kite and his .hackers 27 years ago. That can only mean one thing: that there’s one .hack//Arm for each of Kite’s .hackers.
Neon: So…how many .hackers were there?
Orion: …21.
Hayate/Coolidge: 21 .HACK//ARMS?!?!?
Izumi: Let’s see… Spin Kite, Broad BlackRose, Blade Balmung, Spell Elk, Broad Sanjuro, Lance Gardenia, Scythe Ryoko, Spin Natsume, Magic Mistral, Blade Orca, and Spin Moonstone… Only 11 of them have been discovered.
Neon: And out of those 11, only 9 of them are in possession of us, Samurai 7, or a third party.
Hayate: So there are still 10 .hack//Arms left…
Coolidge: *falls back* Wow… 21 .hack//Arms… And all this time, I thought there were only 7… *jumps up* YOU GUYS TRICKED ME!!!!!
Izumi: *slaps the back of Coolidge’s head* Quit being an idiot, Coolidge!
Coolidge: Ow! …Jeez, Izumi, that new PC body changed more than just your appearance!
Izumi: *crosses arms* Hmph!
*just then, Chibi-Usa dashes in*
Usa-chan: GUYS!!! You’re not gonna believe what I just found out!!!
Coolidge: Hey, Usa-chan, guess what!?
Usa-chan: THERE’S ANOTHER PLAYER NAMED HAYATE!!!!!
Coolidge: Turns out there are 21 .hack-- SAY WHAT NOW?!?!?
*moments later, outside the @home…*
Izumi: Okay, Usa-chan, slow down. Now what were you saying before about another Hayate?
Usa-chan: *panting* Okay… Okay… I was checking stuff out on the forum, right? And I came across this topic about Hayate. At first, I thought it was about our Hayate, but I was wrong! When I read it, it said that a player named Hayate had become the Emperor of the Sage Palace!
Coolidge: Well, that’s definitely not our Hayate… Our Hayate can’t even get past the Holy Palace!
Hayate: HEY!!!
Neon: Go on, Usa-chan. What else?
Usa-chan: …Oh, right! Well, I made a post in that topic asking for a picture of the other Hayate, and… Well, check this out!
Hayate: …
Izumi: …
Coolidge: …
Neon: …
All: …IT’S A GIRL!!!!!
Coolidge: And a cute one too!
Neon: *looking closely at the picture* Hmm…
Coolidge: What’re you doing, Neon? *gasp* YOU’RE IMAGINING HER NAKED, AREN’T YOU?!?!?
Neon: …Shut up and look at her weapons…
Izumi: Hmm? …Hey! She has a Harvest Cleric staff in her right hand and a Shadow Warlock grimoire in her left hand! What kind of class is that?
Coolidge: …“Shadow Cleric”? Hehehe…
Hayate: …Usa-chan, did the topic say where she could be found?
Usa-chan: Uh… No, sorry.
Izumi: What’s wrong, Hayate?
Hayate: I want to meet with this other Hayate.
Izumi: …
Usa-chan: Hey, I just thought of something! I thought two players in The World weren’t allowed to have the same name!
Neon: There are two exceptions to that rule. One is if the two players’ names are spelled differently. The other is if the two players are of different genders.
Coolidge: Wow… A boy Hayate and a girl Hayate… I wonder what their kids’ names would be!
All: SHUT UP, COOLIDGE!!!!
Coolidge: What!? What’d I do!?
*hours later, Hayate looks down at the water from the Alchemy District bridge*
Hayate: …
: Well, I wouldn’t have believed it if I didn’t hear it for myself!
Hayate: *gasp*
*Hayate turns around to see Kyuzo*
Hayate: …Oh. It’s just you.
Kyuzo: “Oh, it’s just you”? Oh, Hayate! Your words, they sting like needles!
Hayate: … *groan*
Kyuzo: So, I hear through the grapevine that there’s another you runnin’ around The World. And rumor has it that she’s quite the hottie.
Hayate: …What of it?
Kyuzo: Whatcha gonna do if you find her?
Hayate: That’s none of your business.
Kyuzo: In other words, you don’t know how to find her…
Hayate: Would you just go the hell away?!?
Kyuzo: Ooh… Looks like I touched a nerve… *turns away* …You know…
Hayate: Hmm?
Kyuzo: …there sure are a lot of rumors on the forum lately. The people who put them there must have a lot of free time on their hands. *gates out*
Hayate: … (Was he trying to give me a hint or something…?) …Hmm… *gates out*
~ Eternal City of Mac Anu; May 19, 2037 ~
*Hayate logs in*
Hayate: *sigh* Still no responses…
*moments later, Alkaid and Hanabi log in*
Hanabi: HEY, HAYATE!
Hayate: Aah! *falls over* …Why does that keep happening to me!? *stands up and turns around* …Oh. It’s you, Hanabi. And Miss Alkaid too.
Alkaid: Please, call me Alkaid. “Miss” is too formal for my tastes.
Hayate: Uh… Okay, sure.
Alkaid: Is something the matter? You seem downhearted.
Hayate: Yeah, I kind of am… But I’m not sure it’s anything you can help with.
Alkaid: I can try.
Hayate: Well… It turns out there’s another player in The World named Hayate.
Hanabi: Two Hayates…?
Hayate: For some reason, I feel compelled to meet with her. But I don’t know how. Even my forum post has turned up dead.
Alkaid: Hmm… I think I have an idea. Wait here. *gates out*
Hayate: …
Hanabi: Don’t worry, Hayate! If anyone can help you out, Aly-neesan can!
Hayate: *sweatdrop* …Uh-huh…
*moments later, Alkaid logs back in*
Alkaid: There! It’s done!
Hayate: …What’s done?
Alkaid: I made a post in the forum. “A challenge from one Hayate to another!”
Hayate: A challenge?!? B-But I don’t want to fight her!!
Alkaid: Well, it’s the easiest way to get someone’s attention in The World.
Hanabi: Got that right!
Hayate: …Oh, boy…
*hours later…*
Orion: As soon as Hayate gets here, we’ll search this area for-- Hmm?
*Hayate walks in with a serious expression*
Orion: Oh, good. Right on time.
Hayate: …Huh? On time for what?
Neon: Orion thinks a .hack//Arm is at Sepia Lin Rovis.
Hayate: Sepia Lin Rovis… Wait, isn’t that that cloud temple place?
Izumi: Yup. It was where you had your first adventure as a member of Glaive LeGable.
Coolidge: Alright! Let’s get movin’!
Hayate: …I’m sorry, everyone, but… I can’t go.
Usa-chan: Huh? How come?
Hayate: …
Izumi: …Wait. This is about the other Hayate, isn’t it?
Hayate: *gasp* H-How do you know?
Izumi: I was checking out the forum earlier today and came across a thread you posted. You issued a challenge to the other Hayate and got a response, didn’t you?
Hayate: … (Well, she’s half right…)
Coolidge: The two Hayates are gonna fight?!? AWESOME!!! Can I come?!?
Hayate: But… What about the .hack//Arm?
Orion: It’s alright, Hayate. You may go. The rest of us will--
Izumi: Wait! I’m going with him!
Neon: Izumi?
Izumi: An ambush might be lying in wait for Hayate. If that happens, I want to be there to help him.
Orion: …I understand. Hayate and Izumi will go meet with the other Hayate. The rest of us will go investigate Sepia Lin Rovis.
Coolidge: Awww! I wanted to go watch the Hayate VS Hayate fight!
Usa-chan: Let it go, Coolidge…
Hayate: …Thanks, Izumi.
Izumi: No problem. Besides, I have a few questions of my own for the “Harvest Warlock”.
Coolidge: That’s “Shadow Cleric”!!!
All: DOES IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE?!?
Coolidge: Eeeep!
*…Samurai 7 @home…*
Kyuzo: What do you think, Claire? Blue wallpaper? Or red wallpaper?
Claire: …Tell me again why we’re putting up new wallpaper.
Kyuzo: Well, not only does Samurai 7 have 6 members, but it’s also an intermediate guild now thanks to the Job Extension quest last week. We have to make ourselves presentable for the arrival of our final member.
Claire: …Ooooooooooooooooookay…
Piros VIII: I pick red!
Kyuzo: …In that case, I’m choosing blue.
Piros VIII: Aww!
*just then, Haruhi walks in*
Haruhi: Master Kyuzo, Glaive LeGable has split up.
Kyuzo: What!? They disbanded!?
Haruhi: …No, I meant they branched off into two groups. One group is heading for Sepia Lin Rovis, while the other is going to Megin Fi.
Jack: …You think they found 2 .hack//Arms at the same time?
Haruhi: That seems unlikely. The group departing for Megin Fi is smaller in comparison to the group going to Sepia Lin Rovis.
Samekh: …The group that’s going to Megin Fi is going to meet with the other Hayate.
Piros VIII: How do you know that!?
Samekh: You’d do well to read the forums, my dear Piros.
Kyuzo: …
Haruhi: Your orders, Master Kyuzo?
Kyuzo: …Meh. Let ‘em be for now. If they find a .hack//Arm, it doesn’t matter.
Claire: That’s pretty unusual to hear comin’ from you, boss.
Kyuzo: Heh… What can I say? I’m feeling generous today… Besides… *smirk* …in the end, all of the .hack//Arms will be in my possession.
All: …
Kyuzo: …So! All in favor of blue wallpaper?
*…Backtop City Megin Fi…*
*Hayate and Izumi stand in front of a large doorway*
Hayate: …
Izumi: …
Hayate: …Well, here goes nothing.
*Hayate pushes the doors open and the two walk into a wide-open area the moon’s light shines down on*
: …It’s about time you got here.
Hayate: Huh…?
*looking ahead, Hayate and Izumi see a brown-haired PC girl with her hands on her hips*
Hayate: Let me guess… You’re the other Hayate?
Hayate: Hmph! You have a lot of nerve calling me “other”!
Hayate: Uh… S-Sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it.
Hayate: …Hehehe… Ah, relax, I’m just messin’ with ya.
Hayate: *sweatdrop* (…She reminds me of Coolidge…)
Hayate: *walks towards Hayate* …When I read your forum post, I just thought it was someone’s idea of a joke. I mean, really! Two characters with the exact same name? …And yet, here you are.
Hayate: …Is it a problem?
Hayate: You’re damn right it’s a problem!!! Do you know what kind of problems could arise from this?!? Mistaken identity!!! False ID theft!!!
Hayate: …So then, why don’t you just change your name?
Hayate: Change my name?!? Why should I do that?!? You copied mine, so you should change yours!!
Hayate: What!? I didn’t copy anyone’s name!!!
Hayate: Tch! When did you start playing The World?
Hayate: Uh… Last month, why?
Hayate: There, you see?!? I’ve been playing since January!!! So, the way I see it, I was Hayate first!!!
Hayate: Grrrr…
Hayate: …Alright! You wanna play rough? Okay! *jumps away from Hayate* We’ll settle this with a one-on-one fight! Whoever loses has to change their name! There’s only room in this world for one Hayate!!!
Hayate: Tch! I guess there’s no way around it! *draws Flamberge and Vorpal Blade*
Hayate: Hehehe… Well, isn’t this ironic? Two Hayates with special PC bodies!
*at that moment, Hayate’s hair turns from brown to blond as she draws her staff and grimoire, and six black wings sprout on her back*
Izumi: A Harvest Cleric staff and Shadow Warlock grimoire… Just like in the picture… If you don’t mind my asking, where’d you acquire that PC body?
Hayate: I won it in a special characters campaign. Cool, isn’t it? All of the healing expertise of a Cleric and magical prowess of a Warlock in one PC body! I even get a series of exclusive magic spells! …So, what’s the story on your character?
Hayate: …I…
*Hayate looks down at Sakuya, who’s almost completely vanished*
Sakuya: *smiles* …Kazu-niichan…
*just before Sakuya disappears completely, she emanates a blinding light*
Izumi: Huh!? What’s going on!?
*the light dies down, and Sakuya is gone; in her place, a blade as cold as ice appears in Hayate’s left hand to match the fiery-red blade in his right hand*
Izumi: Wow… Hayate, you’re wielding two blade swords at the same time!
Hayate: …It was a gift by someone close to me.
Hayate: Ah, whatever. Let’s get to it, “Twin Brandier”!
*the two Hayates stare each other down, holding their weapons*
Hayate: …
Hayate: …
Izumi: …
Hayate/Hayate: LET’S GO!!!!!
*D Hidden Forbidden Sky Gate ~ Aerial Temple of Sepia Lin Rovis*
Neon: …Whoa. Did you guys just feel that?
Usa-chan: Feel what, Neo-niichan?
Neon: …I don’t know, like…a tiny tremor or something.
Coolidge: I bet Hayate and the other Hayate are fighting right now. OH, MAN!!! The fight of a century is going down, and I’m stuck looking for .hack//Arms!
Orion: Hehehe… I thought you liked treasure hunting, Coolidge.
Coolidge: Don’t start with me, Orion!
Orion: …So tell me, Neon, did you find anything here last time?
Neon: Other than the yellow Aura Sphere, no, we didn’t.
Orion: I see… I understand that you searched all around this temple and found nothing… Did you search inside the temple?
Neon: No. We were unable to. The temple entrance is sealed by strange magic.
*the group walks up to the temple entrance; the door glows in a mixture of pink and purple*
Orion: Hmm…
*Orion puts his hand to the magic seal, but pulls away when he receives a small electric shock*
Orion: Ah! …Dammit…
Usa-chan: …What do we do now?
Orion: …I think Hayate should be able to open it.
Coolidge: But…he wasn’t able to get it open either.
Orion: …I wasn’t talking about our Hayate…
All: …
*meanwhile…*
Hayate: Twin Catastrophe!!!
*Hayate attacks with a double Disaster Sword Rengeki; Hayate dodges his swings and leaps away from Hayate, hovering in the air*
Hayate: Heh! You surprise me! I didn’t think you’d be this strong!
Hayate: Likewise…!
Hayate: Alright! Let’s try special spell number one! Atem des Eis!!!
*Hayate opens her book and starts twirling her staff; moments later, four giant ice cubes appear around her; she swings her staff and the ice cubes fall down onto Hayate*
Hayate: Oh, crap!
*Hayate moves around the area, dodging the cubes as they crash; the fourth cube strikes him, though, freezing his left leg in ice*
Hayate: Gah!
Hayate: Ha! Gotcha now!
Izumi: Hayate!!!
Hayate: Lei Zas!
*Hayate fires a wide beam of light down at Hayate; Hayate melts the ice around his leg with the Flamberge and rolls out of the way of the beam*
Hayate: *panting* That was too close…!
Hayate: Hehehe… Pretty clever… But let’s see you take on special spell number two! Diabolic Emission!!!
*Hayate raises her staff high above her; a dark sphere of energy appears on top of the staff and begins to increase in size*
Hayate: TAKE THIS!!!!!
*she swings her staff, firing the giant sphere at Hayate below*
Hayate: …Oh, boy…
*Hayate uses his blade swords to defend against the sphere; as soon as the sphere hits the blades, Hayate’s feet are slowly pushed back by the sphere’s power*
Hayate: Aah!!! Can’t…hold it!!!
Izumi: *clasps hands together* (Come on, Hayate… I know you can do it…)
*suddenly, the rest of Glaive LeGable enter*
Usa-chan: Izumi-chan!
Izumi: *turns around* Usa-chan! Everyone! What’re you all doing here?
Orion: We’ll explain later. Where’s Hayate?
Izumi: *points to the battlefield*
Coolidge: Sweet! The battle isn’t over yet!
Neon: …Who’s winning?
Izumi: It’s…kinda hard to tell.
Hayate: (Come on… Come on… Come on!!!)
*just then, Hayate’s feet stop moving back…*
Hayate: Hmm?
*…and Hayate starts to push the sphere back as he slowly walks forward*
Hayate: No way!!! No freakin’ way!!!
Hayate: GRAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!
*Hayate pushes his blades forward, slashing through the energy sphere and dissipating it*
Hayate: *panting*
Hayate: …It’s impossible…
Usa-chan: Alright, Hayate! Show that name-copier who’s boss!
Hayate: Saku-neechan… Lend me your strength!
*just then, Hayate slams his two blades together, releasing a great blinding light*
Hayate: *shielding eyes* Oh, now what?!?
Usa-chan: Aah!! Can’t see!!
Coolidge: What’s happening?!?
*the light soon disappears, leaving a cloud of smoke; a large blade can be seen cutting through the smoke*
Neon: Whoa! What was that!?
*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!!!
Orion: …That boy never ceases to amaze me…
Hayate: …
Hayate: …Heh… You like it? I call it my “Tempestua Sword”…
*Hayate spins around and swings his arm blade, unleashing a great arc of wind up at Hayate*
Hayate: *gasp*
*Hayate is pushed back by the wind arc and falls down to the ground*
Hayate: Ready to give up yet!?
Hayate: *stands up* This fight…isn’t over…until I’ve won!!!
*Hayate slams the base of her staff on the ground and starts to absorb magic energy from the atmosphere into it*
Hayate: I’ve taken it easy on you long enough!!! Time for my ultimate magic spell!!!
Hayate: *gasp*
Coolidge: I don’t like where this is going…
Hayate: “Converge thee now, forces of light and darkness, and drip thy waterless blood into the cesspool of my soul…”
Neon: This is gonna be big…!
Hayate: “To this wretched existence that yearns for death, I grant eternal silence…”
Usa-chan: I’m scared…
Hayate: “The wise eagle flies straight into the sun, the flapping of its wings resounding in the stillness of night…”
Orion: …
Hayate: “…Let me be crucified in the blue sky; I shall stand where heaven meets the earth!” RAGNAROK!!!!!
*after drawing in enough magic power, Hayate’s staff unleashes a gigantic blast of light at Hayate*
Coolidge: He’s dead!!!
Neon: There’s no way he can counter that!!!
Izumi: HAYATE!!!!!
Hayate: …
*Hayate raises the Tempestua Sword and closes his eyes*
Hayate: (Saku-neechan… I can hear your heartbeat…)
*just then, he opens his eyes and swings the Tempestua Sword*
Hayate: RAPTUROUS CYCLONE!!!!!
*the Tempestua Sword unleashes a great spiraling gust of wind that slices through Hayate’s Ragnarok spell*
Hayate: NO!!! IT CAN’T BE!!!
*Hayate is carried into the air by the hurricane and her PC body is slashed into by the wind over a million times*
Hayate: AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!
*as the hurricane dissipates, Hayate falls to the ground lifeless*
Hayate: *panting*
*exhausted, Hayate falls to his knees and the Tempestua Sword splits apart into the Flamberge and Vorpal Blade*
Coolidge: …Wow…
Neon: …I can’t believe how strong Hayate’s become…
Usa-chan: …I’ll say…
Izumi: … *gasp* Hayate!
*Izumi and the others run up to Hayate to help him*
Izumi: Are you alright?
Hayate: Yeah… A little winded, but I’ll be okay…
*the group looks over at Hayate*
Hayate: …I…can’t believe…I lost…
Hayate: … *walks up to Hayate*
Orion: Hayate?
Hayate: …
Hayate: *looks up at Hayate* …What? If you’re gonna gloat, then do it now.
Hayate: …I’m not going to gloat. *kneels down* Listen, I know the loser agreed to change their PC name, but I don’t see any reason why we can’t both be Hayate. Haishou?
Hayate: Tch! You don’t remember a single word of what I said earlier, do you!?
Hayate: I remember. And even though I won this fight, you were Hayate before me, so…if it makes you feel any better, I’ll change my name.
Hayate: …You idiot… That defeats the entire purpose of this battle…
Hayate: Well then, what do you want to do? I’m not gonna make you change your name if you don’t want to.
Hayate: …
Hayate: *extends hand to Hayate* You need some help getting up?
Hayate: … *smiles, takes Hayate’s hand and stands up* …Don’t rub it in, okay? The Emperor of the Sage Palace has a reputation to uphold, you know?
Hayate: I’ll do my best.
Both: Hahahahahaha!
Orion: Well… Not that that’s taken care of… We were wondering if we could use your help with something, Hayate…
Hayate: Sure. Just one thing first – Who the hell are you guys?
*D Hidden Forbidden Sky Gate ~ Aerial Temple of Sepia Lin Rovis*
*the group stands in front of the temple’s sealed entrance*
Hayate: Hmm… Yup, definitely a Class 3 Necronomic seal. It can only be opened by a Harvest Cleric or Shadow Warlock over level 100. …Stand back.
*the group moves away from Hayate as she raises her staff*
Hayate: …Unlock!
*the seal on the temple entrance instantly becomes undone*
Hayate: Ha! Nothin’ to it!
Coolidge: Wow…She’s awesome… I wonder if she has a boyfriend…
Neon: Try to stay focused, Coolidge.
*the group walks into the temple and find a setup similar to that of Hulle Granz; a treasure chest sits at the base of the altar*
Usa-chan: Looks like we hit the jackpot!
*Izumi walks up and opens the chest; inside she finds a magic staff with a crescent moon shape at the top*
Izumi: …“Magic Tsukasa”…
*Orion walks up and swiftly takes the staff from Izumi*
Izumi: *gasp*
Orion: … *smirk* Yes… This is definitely a .hack//Arm…
Coolidge: Sweet! We finally one-upped Samurai 7!
Hayate: *turns to Hayate* Thanks a lot of your help, Hayate.
Hayate: …Call me Miharu.
Hayate: Miharu…? *smirk* …As in “Yuuki Miharu”, right?
Miharu: You’re not the only fan of “Karibu no Kaizoku”, you know. …Well, my work here’s done. I’ll be goin’ now.
Usa-chan: Hey, Haya-- I mean, Miharu! Wait!
Miharu: Hmm?
Usa-chan: Why don’t you join our guild?
Orion: I agree with Usa-chan. Our ambitions are only going to get harder from this point on, so we could use all the help we can get.
Miharu: …I’ll think about it. *walks out*
Coolidge: …Am I the only one here who’s psyched at the fact that we finally one-upped Samurai 7!?
Neon: Seriously, Coolidge, you need to work on your timing…
*…Glaive LeGable @home…*
*in the rear chamber, Orion looks at the .hack//Arms they’ve collected so far*
Orion: Lance Gardenia… Blade Orca… Scythe Ryoko… And now Spin Moonstone… They’re all so…beautiful…
*Orion reaches up and tries to take a hold of Lance Gardenia as if in a trance; Hayate suddenly walks in*
Hayate: Orion?
Orion: *gasp* H-Hayate! …I d-didn’t hear you come in…
Hayate: …What are you doing back here?
Orion: …I was just contemplating.
Hayate: On what?
Orion: I’ll explain in the main chamber.
*several minutes later…*
Orion: Good. You’re all here. …Hmm? Where’s Usa-chan?
Neon: She said she wanted to go check out some things in town.
Orion: I see. At any rate, I have an announcement to make.
Coolidge: *jumps up* You’re not disbanding the guild, are you?!?
Izumi: *slaps the back of Coolidge’s head* Would you just let him speak!?
Coolidge: Okay, okay, jeez…
Orion: Don’t worry yourself, Coolidge. I have no intention of disbanding Glaive LeGable. I’ve been doing some looking into about the .hack//Arms and I’ve come to a rather shocking conclusion.
Hayate: …
Izumi: …
Coolidge: …
Neon: …
Orion: It would seem that there are more .hack//Arms than I’ve previously believed. But they all share a common trait – they were all wielded by Kite and his .hackers 27 years ago. That can only mean one thing: that there’s one .hack//Arm for each of Kite’s .hackers.
Neon: So…how many .hackers were there?
Orion: …21.
Hayate/Coolidge: 21 .HACK//ARMS?!?!?
Izumi: Let’s see… Spin Kite, Broad BlackRose, Blade Balmung, Spell Elk, Broad Sanjuro, Lance Gardenia, Scythe Ryoko, Spin Natsume, Magic Mistral, Blade Orca, and Spin Moonstone… Only 11 of them have been discovered.
Neon: And out of those 11, only 9 of them are in possession of us, Samurai 7, or a third party.
Hayate: So there are still 10 .hack//Arms left…
Coolidge: *falls back* Wow… 21 .hack//Arms… And all this time, I thought there were only 7… *jumps up* YOU GUYS TRICKED ME!!!!!
Izumi: *slaps the back of Coolidge’s head* Quit being an idiot, Coolidge!
Coolidge: Ow! …Jeez, Izumi, that new PC body changed more than just your appearance!
Izumi: *crosses arms* Hmph!
*just then, Chibi-Usa dashes in*
Usa-chan: GUYS!!! You’re not gonna believe what I just found out!!!
Coolidge: Hey, Usa-chan, guess what!?
Usa-chan: THERE’S ANOTHER PLAYER NAMED HAYATE!!!!!
Coolidge: Turns out there are 21 .hack-- SAY WHAT NOW?!?!?
*moments later, outside the @home…*
Izumi: Okay, Usa-chan, slow down. Now what were you saying before about another Hayate?
Usa-chan: *panting* Okay… Okay… I was checking stuff out on the forum, right? And I came across this topic about Hayate. At first, I thought it was about our Hayate, but I was wrong! When I read it, it said that a player named Hayate had become the Emperor of the Sage Palace!
Coolidge: Well, that’s definitely not our Hayate… Our Hayate can’t even get past the Holy Palace!
Hayate: HEY!!!
Neon: Go on, Usa-chan. What else?
Usa-chan: …Oh, right! Well, I made a post in that topic asking for a picture of the other Hayate, and… Well, check this out!
Hayate: …
Izumi: …
Coolidge: …
Neon: …
All: …IT’S A GIRL!!!!!
Coolidge: And a cute one too!
Neon: *looking closely at the picture* Hmm…
Coolidge: What’re you doing, Neon? *gasp* YOU’RE IMAGINING HER NAKED, AREN’T YOU?!?!?
Neon: …Shut up and look at her weapons…
Izumi: Hmm? …Hey! She has a Harvest Cleric staff in her right hand and a Shadow Warlock grimoire in her left hand! What kind of class is that?
Coolidge: …“Shadow Cleric”? Hehehe…
Hayate: …Usa-chan, did the topic say where she could be found?
Usa-chan: Uh… No, sorry.
Izumi: What’s wrong, Hayate?
Hayate: I want to meet with this other Hayate.
Izumi: …
Usa-chan: Hey, I just thought of something! I thought two players in The World weren’t allowed to have the same name!
Neon: There are two exceptions to that rule. One is if the two players’ names are spelled differently. The other is if the two players are of different genders.
Coolidge: Wow… A boy Hayate and a girl Hayate… I wonder what their kids’ names would be!
All: SHUT UP, COOLIDGE!!!!
Coolidge: What!? What’d I do!?
*hours later, Hayate looks down at the water from the Alchemy District bridge*
Hayate: …
: Well, I wouldn’t have believed it if I didn’t hear it for myself!Hayate: *gasp*
*Hayate turns around to see Kyuzo*
Hayate: …Oh. It’s just you.
Kyuzo: “Oh, it’s just you”? Oh, Hayate! Your words, they sting like needles!
Hayate: … *groan*
Kyuzo: So, I hear through the grapevine that there’s another you runnin’ around The World. And rumor has it that she’s quite the hottie.
Hayate: …What of it?
Kyuzo: Whatcha gonna do if you find her?
Hayate: That’s none of your business.
Kyuzo: In other words, you don’t know how to find her…
Hayate: Would you just go the hell away?!?
Kyuzo: Ooh… Looks like I touched a nerve… *turns away* …You know…
Hayate: Hmm?
Kyuzo: …there sure are a lot of rumors on the forum lately. The people who put them there must have a lot of free time on their hands. *gates out*
Hayate: … (Was he trying to give me a hint or something…?) …Hmm… *gates out*
~ Eternal City of Mac Anu; May 19, 2037 ~
*Hayate logs in*
Hayate: *sigh* Still no responses…
*moments later, Alkaid and Hanabi log in*
Hanabi: HEY, HAYATE!
Hayate: Aah! *falls over* …Why does that keep happening to me!? *stands up and turns around* …Oh. It’s you, Hanabi. And Miss Alkaid too.
Alkaid: Please, call me Alkaid. “Miss” is too formal for my tastes.
Hayate: Uh… Okay, sure.
Alkaid: Is something the matter? You seem downhearted.
Hayate: Yeah, I kind of am… But I’m not sure it’s anything you can help with.
Alkaid: I can try.
Hayate: Well… It turns out there’s another player in The World named Hayate.
Hanabi: Two Hayates…?
Hayate: For some reason, I feel compelled to meet with her. But I don’t know how. Even my forum post has turned up dead.
Alkaid: Hmm… I think I have an idea. Wait here. *gates out*
Hayate: …
Hanabi: Don’t worry, Hayate! If anyone can help you out, Aly-neesan can!
Hayate: *sweatdrop* …Uh-huh…
*moments later, Alkaid logs back in*
Alkaid: There! It’s done!
Hayate: …What’s done?
Alkaid: I made a post in the forum. “A challenge from one Hayate to another!”
Hayate: A challenge?!? B-But I don’t want to fight her!!
Alkaid: Well, it’s the easiest way to get someone’s attention in The World.
Hanabi: Got that right!
Hayate: …Oh, boy…
*hours later…*
Orion: As soon as Hayate gets here, we’ll search this area for-- Hmm?
*Hayate walks in with a serious expression*
Orion: Oh, good. Right on time.
Hayate: …Huh? On time for what?
Neon: Orion thinks a .hack//Arm is at Sepia Lin Rovis.
Hayate: Sepia Lin Rovis… Wait, isn’t that that cloud temple place?
Izumi: Yup. It was where you had your first adventure as a member of Glaive LeGable.
Coolidge: Alright! Let’s get movin’!
Hayate: …I’m sorry, everyone, but… I can’t go.
Usa-chan: Huh? How come?
Hayate: …
Izumi: …Wait. This is about the other Hayate, isn’t it?
Hayate: *gasp* H-How do you know?
Izumi: I was checking out the forum earlier today and came across a thread you posted. You issued a challenge to the other Hayate and got a response, didn’t you?
Hayate: … (Well, she’s half right…)
Coolidge: The two Hayates are gonna fight?!? AWESOME!!! Can I come?!?
Hayate: But… What about the .hack//Arm?
Orion: It’s alright, Hayate. You may go. The rest of us will--
Izumi: Wait! I’m going with him!
Neon: Izumi?
Izumi: An ambush might be lying in wait for Hayate. If that happens, I want to be there to help him.
Orion: …I understand. Hayate and Izumi will go meet with the other Hayate. The rest of us will go investigate Sepia Lin Rovis.
Coolidge: Awww! I wanted to go watch the Hayate VS Hayate fight!
Usa-chan: Let it go, Coolidge…
Hayate: …Thanks, Izumi.
Izumi: No problem. Besides, I have a few questions of my own for the “Harvest Warlock”.
Coolidge: That’s “Shadow Cleric”!!!
All: DOES IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE?!?
Coolidge: Eeeep!
*…Samurai 7 @home…*
Kyuzo: What do you think, Claire? Blue wallpaper? Or red wallpaper?
Claire: …Tell me again why we’re putting up new wallpaper.
Kyuzo: Well, not only does Samurai 7 have 6 members, but it’s also an intermediate guild now thanks to the Job Extension quest last week. We have to make ourselves presentable for the arrival of our final member.
Claire: …Ooooooooooooooooookay…
Piros VIII: I pick red!
Kyuzo: …In that case, I’m choosing blue.
Piros VIII: Aww!
*just then, Haruhi walks in*
Haruhi: Master Kyuzo, Glaive LeGable has split up.
Kyuzo: What!? They disbanded!?
Haruhi: …No, I meant they branched off into two groups. One group is heading for Sepia Lin Rovis, while the other is going to Megin Fi.
Jack: …You think they found 2 .hack//Arms at the same time?
Haruhi: That seems unlikely. The group departing for Megin Fi is smaller in comparison to the group going to Sepia Lin Rovis.
Samekh: …The group that’s going to Megin Fi is going to meet with the other Hayate.
Piros VIII: How do you know that!?
Samekh: You’d do well to read the forums, my dear Piros.
Kyuzo: …
Haruhi: Your orders, Master Kyuzo?
Kyuzo: …Meh. Let ‘em be for now. If they find a .hack//Arm, it doesn’t matter.
Claire: That’s pretty unusual to hear comin’ from you, boss.
Kyuzo: Heh… What can I say? I’m feeling generous today… Besides… *smirk* …in the end, all of the .hack//Arms will be in my possession.
All: …
Kyuzo: …So! All in favor of blue wallpaper?
*…Backtop City Megin Fi…*
*Hayate and Izumi stand in front of a large doorway*
Hayate: …
Izumi: …
Hayate: …Well, here goes nothing.
*Hayate pushes the doors open and the two walk into a wide-open area the moon’s light shines down on*
: …It’s about time you got here.Hayate: Huh…?
*looking ahead, Hayate and Izumi see a brown-haired PC girl with her hands on her hips*
Hayate: Let me guess… You’re the other Hayate?
Hayate: Hmph! You have a lot of nerve calling me “other”!
Hayate: Uh… S-Sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it.
Hayate: …Hehehe… Ah, relax, I’m just messin’ with ya.
Hayate: *sweatdrop* (…She reminds me of Coolidge…)
Hayate: *walks towards Hayate* …When I read your forum post, I just thought it was someone’s idea of a joke. I mean, really! Two characters with the exact same name? …And yet, here you are.
Hayate: …Is it a problem?
Hayate: You’re damn right it’s a problem!!! Do you know what kind of problems could arise from this?!? Mistaken identity!!! False ID theft!!!
Hayate: …So then, why don’t you just change your name?
Hayate: Change my name?!? Why should I do that?!? You copied mine, so you should change yours!!
Hayate: What!? I didn’t copy anyone’s name!!!
Hayate: Tch! When did you start playing The World?
Hayate: Uh… Last month, why?
Hayate: There, you see?!? I’ve been playing since January!!! So, the way I see it, I was Hayate first!!!
Hayate: Grrrr…
Hayate: …Alright! You wanna play rough? Okay! *jumps away from Hayate* We’ll settle this with a one-on-one fight! Whoever loses has to change their name! There’s only room in this world for one Hayate!!!
Hayate: Tch! I guess there’s no way around it! *draws Flamberge and Vorpal Blade*
Hayate: Hehehe… Well, isn’t this ironic? Two Hayates with special PC bodies!
*at that moment, Hayate’s hair turns from brown to blond as she draws her staff and grimoire, and six black wings sprout on her back*
Izumi: A Harvest Cleric staff and Shadow Warlock grimoire… Just like in the picture… If you don’t mind my asking, where’d you acquire that PC body?
Hayate: I won it in a special characters campaign. Cool, isn’t it? All of the healing expertise of a Cleric and magical prowess of a Warlock in one PC body! I even get a series of exclusive magic spells! …So, what’s the story on your character?
Hayate: …I…
*Hayate looks down at Sakuya, who’s almost completely vanished*
Sakuya: *smiles* …Kazu-niichan…
*just before Sakuya disappears completely, she emanates a blinding light*
Izumi: Huh!? What’s going on!?
*the light dies down, and Sakuya is gone; in her place, a blade as cold as ice appears in Hayate’s left hand to match the fiery-red blade in his right hand*
Izumi: Wow… Hayate, you’re wielding two blade swords at the same time!
Hayate: …It was a gift by someone close to me.
Hayate: Ah, whatever. Let’s get to it, “Twin Brandier”!
*the two Hayates stare each other down, holding their weapons*
Hayate: …
Hayate: …
Izumi: …
Hayate/Hayate: LET’S GO!!!!!
*D Hidden Forbidden Sky Gate ~ Aerial Temple of Sepia Lin Rovis*
Neon: …Whoa. Did you guys just feel that?
Usa-chan: Feel what, Neo-niichan?
Neon: …I don’t know, like…a tiny tremor or something.
Coolidge: I bet Hayate and the other Hayate are fighting right now. OH, MAN!!! The fight of a century is going down, and I’m stuck looking for .hack//Arms!
Orion: Hehehe… I thought you liked treasure hunting, Coolidge.
Coolidge: Don’t start with me, Orion!
Orion: …So tell me, Neon, did you find anything here last time?
Neon: Other than the yellow Aura Sphere, no, we didn’t.
Orion: I see… I understand that you searched all around this temple and found nothing… Did you search inside the temple?
Neon: No. We were unable to. The temple entrance is sealed by strange magic.
*the group walks up to the temple entrance; the door glows in a mixture of pink and purple*
Orion: Hmm…
*Orion puts his hand to the magic seal, but pulls away when he receives a small electric shock*
Orion: Ah! …Dammit…
Usa-chan: …What do we do now?
Orion: …I think Hayate should be able to open it.
Coolidge: But…he wasn’t able to get it open either.
Orion: …I wasn’t talking about our Hayate…
All: …
*meanwhile…*
Hayate: Twin Catastrophe!!!
*Hayate attacks with a double Disaster Sword Rengeki; Hayate dodges his swings and leaps away from Hayate, hovering in the air*
Hayate: Heh! You surprise me! I didn’t think you’d be this strong!
Hayate: Likewise…!
Hayate: Alright! Let’s try special spell number one! Atem des Eis!!!
*Hayate opens her book and starts twirling her staff; moments later, four giant ice cubes appear around her; she swings her staff and the ice cubes fall down onto Hayate*
Hayate: Oh, crap!
*Hayate moves around the area, dodging the cubes as they crash; the fourth cube strikes him, though, freezing his left leg in ice*
Hayate: Gah!
Hayate: Ha! Gotcha now!
Izumi: Hayate!!!
Hayate: Lei Zas!
*Hayate fires a wide beam of light down at Hayate; Hayate melts the ice around his leg with the Flamberge and rolls out of the way of the beam*
Hayate: *panting* That was too close…!
Hayate: Hehehe… Pretty clever… But let’s see you take on special spell number two! Diabolic Emission!!!
*Hayate raises her staff high above her; a dark sphere of energy appears on top of the staff and begins to increase in size*
Hayate: TAKE THIS!!!!!
*she swings her staff, firing the giant sphere at Hayate below*
Hayate: …Oh, boy…
*Hayate uses his blade swords to defend against the sphere; as soon as the sphere hits the blades, Hayate’s feet are slowly pushed back by the sphere’s power*
Hayate: Aah!!! Can’t…hold it!!!
Izumi: *clasps hands together* (Come on, Hayate… I know you can do it…)
*suddenly, the rest of Glaive LeGable enter*
Usa-chan: Izumi-chan!
Izumi: *turns around* Usa-chan! Everyone! What’re you all doing here?
Orion: We’ll explain later. Where’s Hayate?
Izumi: *points to the battlefield*
Coolidge: Sweet! The battle isn’t over yet!
Neon: …Who’s winning?
Izumi: It’s…kinda hard to tell.
Hayate: (Come on… Come on… Come on!!!)
*just then, Hayate’s feet stop moving back…*
Hayate: Hmm?
*…and Hayate starts to push the sphere back as he slowly walks forward*
Hayate: No way!!! No freakin’ way!!!
Hayate: GRAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!
*Hayate pushes his blades forward, slashing through the energy sphere and dissipating it*
Hayate: *panting*
Hayate: …It’s impossible…
Usa-chan: Alright, Hayate! Show that name-copier who’s boss!
Hayate: Saku-neechan… Lend me your strength!
*just then, Hayate slams his two blades together, releasing a great blinding light*
Hayate: *shielding eyes* Oh, now what?!?
Usa-chan: Aah!! Can’t see!!
Coolidge: What’s happening?!?
*the light soon disappears, leaving a cloud of smoke; a large blade can be seen cutting through the smoke*
Neon: Whoa! What was that!?
*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!!!
Orion: …That boy never ceases to amaze me…
Hayate: …
Hayate: …Heh… You like it? I call it my “Tempestua Sword”…
*Hayate spins around and swings his arm blade, unleashing a great arc of wind up at Hayate*
Hayate: *gasp*
*Hayate is pushed back by the wind arc and falls down to the ground*
Hayate: Ready to give up yet!?
Hayate: *stands up* This fight…isn’t over…until I’ve won!!!
*Hayate slams the base of her staff on the ground and starts to absorb magic energy from the atmosphere into it*
Hayate: I’ve taken it easy on you long enough!!! Time for my ultimate magic spell!!!
Hayate: *gasp*
Coolidge: I don’t like where this is going…
Hayate: “Converge thee now, forces of light and darkness, and drip thy waterless blood into the cesspool of my soul…”
Neon: This is gonna be big…!
Hayate: “To this wretched existence that yearns for death, I grant eternal silence…”
Usa-chan: I’m scared…
Hayate: “The wise eagle flies straight into the sun, the flapping of its wings resounding in the stillness of night…”
Orion: …
Hayate: “…Let me be crucified in the blue sky; I shall stand where heaven meets the earth!” RAGNAROK!!!!!
*after drawing in enough magic power, Hayate’s staff unleashes a gigantic blast of light at Hayate*
Coolidge: He’s dead!!!
Neon: There’s no way he can counter that!!!
Izumi: HAYATE!!!!!
Hayate: …
*Hayate raises the Tempestua Sword and closes his eyes*
Hayate: (Saku-neechan… I can hear your heartbeat…)
*just then, he opens his eyes and swings the Tempestua Sword*
Hayate: RAPTUROUS CYCLONE!!!!!
*the Tempestua Sword unleashes a great spiraling gust of wind that slices through Hayate’s Ragnarok spell*
Hayate: NO!!! IT CAN’T BE!!!
*Hayate is carried into the air by the hurricane and her PC body is slashed into by the wind over a million times*
Hayate: AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!
*as the hurricane dissipates, Hayate falls to the ground lifeless*
Hayate: *panting*
*exhausted, Hayate falls to his knees and the Tempestua Sword splits apart into the Flamberge and Vorpal Blade*
Coolidge: …Wow…
Neon: …I can’t believe how strong Hayate’s become…
Usa-chan: …I’ll say…
Izumi: … *gasp* Hayate!
*Izumi and the others run up to Hayate to help him*
Izumi: Are you alright?
Hayate: Yeah… A little winded, but I’ll be okay…
*the group looks over at Hayate*
Hayate: …I…can’t believe…I lost…
Hayate: … *walks up to Hayate*
Orion: Hayate?
Hayate: …
Hayate: *looks up at Hayate* …What? If you’re gonna gloat, then do it now.
Hayate: …I’m not going to gloat. *kneels down* Listen, I know the loser agreed to change their PC name, but I don’t see any reason why we can’t both be Hayate. Haishou?
Hayate: Tch! You don’t remember a single word of what I said earlier, do you!?
Hayate: I remember. And even though I won this fight, you were Hayate before me, so…if it makes you feel any better, I’ll change my name.
Hayate: …You idiot… That defeats the entire purpose of this battle…
Hayate: Well then, what do you want to do? I’m not gonna make you change your name if you don’t want to.
Hayate: …
Hayate: *extends hand to Hayate* You need some help getting up?
Hayate: … *smiles, takes Hayate’s hand and stands up* …Don’t rub it in, okay? The Emperor of the Sage Palace has a reputation to uphold, you know?
Hayate: I’ll do my best.
Both: Hahahahahaha!
Orion: Well… Not that that’s taken care of… We were wondering if we could use your help with something, Hayate…
Hayate: Sure. Just one thing first – Who the hell are you guys?
*D Hidden Forbidden Sky Gate ~ Aerial Temple of Sepia Lin Rovis*
*the group stands in front of the temple’s sealed entrance*
Hayate: Hmm… Yup, definitely a Class 3 Necronomic seal. It can only be opened by a Harvest Cleric or Shadow Warlock over level 100. …Stand back.
*the group moves away from Hayate as she raises her staff*
Hayate: …Unlock!
*the seal on the temple entrance instantly becomes undone*
Hayate: Ha! Nothin’ to it!
Coolidge: Wow…She’s awesome… I wonder if she has a boyfriend…
Neon: Try to stay focused, Coolidge.
*the group walks into the temple and find a setup similar to that of Hulle Granz; a treasure chest sits at the base of the altar*
Usa-chan: Looks like we hit the jackpot!
*Izumi walks up and opens the chest; inside she finds a magic staff with a crescent moon shape at the top*
Izumi: …“Magic Tsukasa”…
*Orion walks up and swiftly takes the staff from Izumi*
Izumi: *gasp*
Orion: … *smirk* Yes… This is definitely a .hack//Arm…
Coolidge: Sweet! We finally one-upped Samurai 7!
Hayate: *turns to Hayate* Thanks a lot of your help, Hayate.
Hayate: …Call me Miharu.
Hayate: Miharu…? *smirk* …As in “Yuuki Miharu”, right?
Miharu: You’re not the only fan of “Karibu no Kaizoku”, you know. …Well, my work here’s done. I’ll be goin’ now.
Usa-chan: Hey, Haya-- I mean, Miharu! Wait!
Miharu: Hmm?
Usa-chan: Why don’t you join our guild?
Orion: I agree with Usa-chan. Our ambitions are only going to get harder from this point on, so we could use all the help we can get.
Miharu: …I’ll think about it. *walks out*
Coolidge: …Am I the only one here who’s psyched at the fact that we finally one-upped Samurai 7!?
Neon: Seriously, Coolidge, you need to work on your timing…
