Post by Hayate on Sept 30, 2007 14:38:42 GMT -5
[Written by “username: Dekar”, edited by me]
~ Eternal City of Mac Anu; May 24, 2037 ~
*in the Mercenary District, a regular PC approaches the @home door to enter the @home of his guild*
PC: *whistles*
*as soon as he gets close to the door, the door swings open rapidly and strikes him, knocking into the river; moments later, all of the members of Glaive LeGable except Orion come running out*
Miharu: FREEDOM!!! SWEET FREEDOM!!!
Neon: Okay! Whose bright idea was it to ask Orion about the origins of the Lost Grounds!?
Coolidge: All I said was “Hey, Orion, do you think there are any Lost Grounds that haven’t been discovered?” That’s all! How was I supposed to know that he’d turn my question into a freakin’ discussion?!?
Usa-chan: *slaps back of Coolidge’s head* YOU IDIOT!!!
Izumi: Uh, guys? Don’t you think it’s a bit rude to run away every time Orion gives us a lecture?
Coolidge: DO YOU HEAR YOURSELF, WOMAN?!? Last time Orion lectured us, he talked for 6 hours straight!!! About the Epitaph of Twilight!!! Who the hell talks that long about a stupid poem?!? AM I THE ONLY ONE HERE WHO THINKS THAT’S MADNESS?!?!?
Hayate: *slaps back of Coolidge’s head* Okay, Coolidge! Orion talks a lot! We get it!
Coolidge: *holding head* (Why does everyone keep doing that…?)
: Hey, guys!!!
*the group turns around to see Tsukiyomi running up to them*
Usa-chan: Hey, it’s Yomi-chan!
Tsukiyomi: …“Yomi-chan”? …Oh, whatever! Listen, there’s-- *looks at Miharu* …Who’re you?
Hayate: Oh, sorry. Tsukiyomi, this is the newest member of Glaive LeGable – Miharu.
Miharu: Hi there!
Tsukiyomi: M…Mi…Miha…MIHARU?!?
Neon: You know her?
Tsukiyomi: Any frequent Arena-goer knows the Empress of the Sage Palace!!!
Miharu: Former Empress, but why split hairs? Hah!
Tsukiyomi: Wow…
Izumi: …Uh, Tsukiyomi? Weren’t you gonna tell us something?
Tsukiyomi: …Huh? Oh, yeah! So check it out! There’s this big Tag Team Tournament going on in the Arena today, and they say that there’s a big grand prize for the winning team!
Neon: Prize money!?
Hayate: A new steam bike!?
Miharu: A shot at the title of Crystal Palace Emperor!?
Coolidge: Ren’s member address!?
*everyone looks at Coolidge skeptically*
Coolidge: …What?!?
Izumi: Tell us what the grand prize is, Tsukiyomi, before I rearrange Coolidge’s teeth…
Tsukiyomi: *sweatdrop* A-Anyway, they say that the grand prize is a one-of-a-kind weapon – the Blade Balmung!
All: FOR REAL?!?
Tsukiyomi: Um… Yeah.
Orion: If that’s the case, then it’s our duty as members of Glaive LeGable to win this Tournament and make sure that the Blade Balmung doesn’t fall into Samurai 7’s hands.
Usa-chan: HOLY CRAP!!! Where’d you come from, Orion!?
Orion: Why, I’d been standing here the whole time, Usa-chan.
Usa-chan: *sweatdrop* …Ooooooooooooooooookay…
Tsukiyomi: Actually, there’s another reason why I’m here. I came to ask Hayate to be on my Arena team.
Hayate: Huh? Why me?
Tsukiyomi: Well… I guess out of everyone here, I trust you the most.
Coolidge: …Izumi e-mailed you about Hayate’s “Tempestua Sword”, didn’t she?
Tsukiyomi: …Hehehe…
Hayate: *sigh* (I feel so used right now…) Oh, whatever. I guess I’ll team up with you, Tsukiyomi.
Neon: Should we enter too?
Orion: Indeed. To improve our chances of winning, the rest of us shall enter the Tournament as well. I’ll enter with Izumi and Coolidge. And Neon will enter with Usa-chan and Miharu.
Coolidge: …What if I don’t wanna compete?
Orion: Are you saying you don’t want to?
Coolidge: Well… It’s not that. It’s just that I’ve seen how hectic things can get in the Arena, and I’m wondering whether or not I should get myself involved.
Usa-chan: Aw, that’s too bad, Coolidge. ‘Cuz you know, Ren sent me an e-mail saying that she was gonna be watching the Tournament.
Coolidge: …She is?!? Well, what the hell are we waiting for?!? *grabs Izumi’s hand and Orion’s hand* LET’S GO ALREADY!!! *runs towards the Chaos Gate*
Izumi/Orion: AAAAHHHH!!!!
All: …
Tsukiyomi: …Ren didn’t really send you an e-mail, did she?
Usa-chan: No…but Coolidge doesn’t have to know that! Hahaha!
*…Samurai 7 @home…*
Kyuzo: Alright! I’m sure you all know about the Tag Team Tournament in the Arena today! I’m sure you also know that the Blade Balmung .hack//Arm is up for grabs! We’re gonna enter this Tournament!! And we’re gonna win!! Understood!?
All: Sir, yes, sir!
Piros VIII: VIVA LA ARENA!!! We shall tear out their hearts and gouge out their eyes!
Kyuzo: Piros… Shut up or you’ll be staying in the Pit of Despair all day today!
Piros VIII: …I’ll be good…
Jack: You know something? We send Piros into the Pit all the time, but we don’t actually know what it looks like in there. So…what’s it like?
*Piros VIII glares at Jack Russell with a menacing gaze*
Jack: …Never mind, I don’t wanna know…
Kyuzo: PAY ATTENTION, YOU TWO!!!
Jack/Piros: *gulp*
Kyuzo: Okay! Here’s how it’s gonna go down! We’ll enter the Tournament in two teams of three. In Team 1, we got Haruhi, Jack Russell, and me. In Team 2, we got Claire, Sammy, and Piros.
Claire: …Wait, I gotta team up with the mysterious guy and the idiot?!?
Piros VIII: How dare you call Samekh an idiot!!!
Claire: Shut the f**k up, you mentally-challenged can of tuna!!!
Piros VIII: o.0 *gulp*
Haruhi: *stands up and bows* I promise not to let you down today, Master Kyuzo!
Kyuzo: Glad to hear it, Haruhi. Alright then…Samurai 7, move out!!!
Piros VIII: Alright!!! The time for battle has come!!! TALLYHO!!!!!
Claire: …Hey, Jack! I’ll give you 5,000 GP to switch team spots with me!
Jack: Hell no!
~ Warring City of Lumina Cloth; May 24, 2037 ~
Tsukiyomi: …There! All done registering!
Hayate: Cool. So…who’s our third party member?
Tsukiyomi: Don’t worry. He’ll be here soon. …Oh! There he is now!
Kaga: Hey, Tsukiyomi. Sorry I’m late. …Oh, Hayate! We meet again!
Hayate: Uh… Kaga, right?
Kaga: That’s correct.
Hayate: *looks at Tsukiyomi with a sly smirk*
Tsukiyomi: …Why are you looking at me like that?
Hayate: Why, Tsukiyomi… I didn’t realize you and Kaga were that close…
Tsukiyomi: *blush* W-We aren’t that close!
Kaga: Huh? We aren’t?
Tsukiyomi: Uh… I mean, we are… B-But, what I mean is…
Hayate: Hahaha! You’re blushing! Hanabi was right! You do have a crush on him!
Tsukiyomi: *deeper blush* S-Shut up, Hayate! Kaga just offered to team up with me when he heard about the Tournament, that’s all!
Hayate: Hehehe… Sure, Yomi, sure…
Tsukiyomi: Grrrr… *turns to the counter, angrily* I’d like to register please!
Arena NPC: Um… You already registered, ma’am.
Tsukiyomi: … *slaps forehead*
Hayate: Hahahahahaha!!!!
Kaga: *sweatdrop*
*just then, several teams gate into Lumina Cloth at the same time – Orion with Izumi and Coolidge, Neon with Usa-chan and Miharu, Kyuzo with Haruhi and Jack Russell, Claire with Samekh and Piros VIII, and Ren with Ayliori and Hanabi*
Coolidge: Wow… Look at this turnout… Glaive LeGable, Samurai 7, Ren-chan… REN-CHAN?!?
Ren: Huh? …Oh, no…
Coolidge: *runs over* B-But I thought you were gonna be watching the Tournament, not competing in it!
Ren: Watching? Who told you that?
Coolidge: …USA-CHAN!!!
Usa-chan: Uh-oh! *runs away*
Coolidge: Get back here! *chases Chibi-Usa through Lumina Cloth*
Neon: …Lord, give me strength…
*just then, another team gates into Lumina Cloth; attracting many stares*
All: *gasp*
Girl PC: Look! It’s the Epitaph Knights!
*Haseo of the Black Flame, Endrance of the Red Roses, and Ovan of the Blue Lightning all walk up to the counter*
Arena NPC: Ah! We’ve been expecting you! Please proceed to the Announcer’s Booth!
*without saying anything, the Epitaph Knights all warp to the Announcer’s Booth*
Jack: *sigh* That’s a relief… For a minute there, I thought those guys were entering the Tournament.
Haruhi: No. But the team that wins the Tournament will be given the chance to fight them in a three-on-three exhibition match. If they win, the leader of that team will be instantly crowned the Emperor of the Azure Palace.
Claire: Whoa…
*moments later, all of the teams that signed up for the Tournament are assembled in the Azure Palace Arena*
Announcer: Welcome, one and all, to the Azure Campaign, a unique Tournament that takes place only once every 7 years!! And look at this, ladies and gentlemen!! In the history of the Azure Campaign, this was our biggest turnout ever!! Nearly 1,000 teams have signed up to take part in today’s Tournament!! And who can blame them!? Unfortunately for them, only TWENTY teams will be moving on to the semifinals!!!
Hayate: Wow… 20 out of 1,000…
Announcer: And now, it is with great pleasure that I turn the mic over to Haseo, Endrance, and Ovan – the “Epitaph Knights” – who will explain the unique rules of today’s Tournament.
*the Announcer steps to the side as Ovan approaches the microphone*
Ovan: The preliminary rounds of the Azure Campaign will be conducted as follows. For this Tournament, the Azure Palace Arena has been divided into three large Arena grounds – the Flame Stage, the Sky Stage, and the Sea Stage. Each team that takes part in this Tournament has been automatically assigned an ID number. If your team’s ID number starts with a 1, 2, or 3, your team will be fighting on the Flame Stage. If your team’s ID number starts with a 4, 5, or 6, you will be fighting on the Sky Stage. If your team’s ID number starts with a 7, 8, or 9, you will be fighting on the Sea Stage. During the prelims, 5 pairs of teams will be fighting on each Stage and will continue as such until 20 teams are remaining.
*Ovan steps to the side and Endrance approaches the microphone*
Endrance: The battles that take place during the preliminaries will be conducted as follows. In each battle, the leader of each battle will fight a one-on-one battle. During this, either combatant is able to “tag” one of their teammates and switch places with them. The battle continues like this until all three members of either team are defeated. For this kind of battle, several rules are to be enforced. Rule #1 – You are not able to tag one of your teammates if your HP bar is full. Rule #2 – You will automatically be switched with a randomly chosen teammate if you do not attack your opponent in under 30 seconds. Rule #3 – If your teammate heals you from the outside while you are battling, you and your team will be instantly disqualified.
*Endrance steps to the side and Haseo approaches the microphone*
Haseo: Contrary to popular belief, Endrance, Ovan, and I will not be participating in the Azure Campaign. At least, not in the Campaign itself. Instead, we will be giving the winners of today’s Tournament a chance to face off against us in a 3-on-3 exhibition match. Naturally, we will not be using our full Epitaph powers during said match. If the winning team of today’s Tournament happens to defeat us in battle, the leader of that team will be instantly crowned the Emperor of the Azure Palace. Please bear in mind that losing the exhibition match will in no way affect the prizes you are awarded at the end of the Tournament. Thank you, and fight to the fullest of your ability.
*as Haseo steps away from the microphone, the players give the Epitaph Knights a round of applause*
Announcer: Now then! Without further ado, I hereby declare the Azure Campaign…OPEN!!!
Crowd: *cheers loudly*
Announcer: In just a few short moments, the first 15 teams will begin battling! Good luck to you all!
*in Lumina Cloth Plaza, Hayate, Tsukiyomi, Kaga, Orion, Izumi, Coolidge, Neon, Chibi-Usa, Miharu, Ren, Ayliori, and Hanabi all meet up*
Hayate: Quite a speech back there, huh?
Usa-chan: *loving sigh* That Haseo’s so dreamy…
Hanabi: Oh, please! Haseo’s got nothing on Endrance!
Usa-chan: What was that?!?
Hanabi: You heard me!!!
*Neon and Ren hold Chibi-Usa and Hanabi back to keep them from beating each other up*
Neon/Ren: *sigh*
Izumi: So, where are you guys fighting?
Tsukiyomi: We’re on the Flame Stage! What about you?
Orion: Sea Stage.
Miharu: Really!? We’re on the Sea Stage too!
Coolidge: I guess that means we might be facing each other in the prelims. If we do, don’t expect us to go easy on you!
Miharu: I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Hayate: What about you, Ayliori?
Ayliori: We’re on the Sky Stage. I heard that Kyuzo’s team is on the Sky Stage too.
Kaga: Any word on Samekh’s team?
Usa-chan: I think they’re on the Flame Stage.
Neon: Wow… Pretty nerve-wracking lineup, huh?
Ren: Yeah, tell me about it. Hehehe…
*just then, the two Samurai 7 teams meet with the group*
Kyuzo: Greetings, losers!
Hanabi: Beat it, buster! We don’t want to deal with you right now!
Kyuzo: Aw, don’t be that way… Especially after the little favor I did for you…
Coolidge: Favor…? What kind of favor…?
Kyuzo: Hehehe… Oh, you’ll find out soon enough. On a side note… *looks at Hayate*
Hayate: Hmm?
Kyuzo: …Don’t think I’ve forgotten about how bad you made me look at the racetrack last month, kid.
Hayate: Hmph! What’s the matter, Kyuzo? You hate to lose?
Kyuzo: Damn straight!
Haruhi: *looks at Kaga*
Kaga: Hmm?
Haruhi: …You’re the one who stole the Spin Natsume dual swords from Master Kyuzo, are you not?
Kaga: …Do I know you?
Claire: Haruhi had a different PC body back then.
Kaga: …Ah, now I remember. You’re that Valiant Archer girl.
Kyuzo: Oh, don’t think I’ve forgotten about you either, Kaga! Fake-joining my guild, hurting Haruhi, stealing from me… That’s quite a rap sheet!
Kaga: Hmph! You stole from me first! And no treasure hunter/weapons dealer likes to be hustled!
Miharu: *whistles* You guys have quite a bit of history, huh?
Usa-chan: You have no idea…
*Preliminary Match #107 (Flame Stage): Team Tsukiyomi VS. Team Metallix*
Tsukiyomi: *draws dual swords* Let’s get down to business!!!
Steele: *draws dual swords* Twin Blade versus Twin Blade… This should be entertaining!
Hayate: Go, Tsukiyomi!
Kaga: We’re here if you need us!
Mercuri: WHOO! Go for it, Steele!
Khrome: It’s all you, buddy!
Tsukiyomi/Steele: LET’S GO!!!
*Preliminary Match #215 (Sky Stage): Team Ren VS. Team Triple-X*
Ren: Dance of the Dragon!
*Ren attacks Xenon with a series a dance-like slashes; Xenon dodges them all, backs away, and switches places with Xavier*
Xenon: Go for it!
Xavier: *jumps in and draws shield* Just try getting through my “Absolute Defense”!
Ren: Heh… If you say so! Sui Don!
*Ren conjures frozen rain to rain down on Xavier’s shield, freezing it in solid ice*
Ren: And now… Gan Bolg!
*Ren then conjures razor-sharp boulders to shatter Xavier’s shield into pieces*
Xavier: …Uh-oh…
Ren: *readies fans* What was that about “Absolute Defense”?
Xavier: …AAAHHH!!! Tag me, tag me, tag me!!!
Xylem: Aah! You idiot! You can’t tag someone if you haven’t lost any health!
Ren: Oh, that’s not gonna be a problem! Rengeki: Dance of Blades!
Xavier: AAAAAHHHHH!!!!!
*Preliminary Match #346 (Sea Stage): Team Orion VS. Team Mystify*
Orpheus: *holding grimoire* Surrender now and I shalt spare thee a most humiliating defeat!
Izumi: Hmph! You wish! *readies blade sword* HYAAAAAAAH!!!!!
Orpheus: Very well! Thou hast sealed thy fate! OrVak Don!
*Orpheus fires several fireballs at Izumi, who slashes through all of them as she dashes forward*
Izumi: Time to finish this!!!
Orpheus: W-Wait!!! Can’t we talk about this!?
Izumi: DEVIL SWORD!!!
*Izumi slashes through Orpheus’ PC body dozens of times before slashing him down at the ground*
Orpheus: *dizzily* Is it over…?
Announcer: Team Mystify has fallen! Team Orion qualifies for the next round!
Izumi: Hmph! As if there was any doubt!
*Preliminary Match #504 (Flame Stage): Team Claire VS. Team Powerpuff*
Buttercup: Say your prayers, blondie!!! Rengeki: Graviton Drive!!!
*Buttercup, a Blitz Vanguard, swings her mace down onto the ground, unleashing a great shockwave at Samekh*
Samekh: …
*with just one musical note, Samekh blows Buttercup and her shockwave away, instantly lowering her HP to zero*
Buttercup: G-Gah…!
Samekh: …Pathetic…
Announcer: Remarkable! Samekh has eliminated Team Powerpuff with just one attack to each of its team members! Team Claire qualifies for the next round!
*Samekh walks up to Claire and Piros VIII*
Claire: Nice goin’, partner!
Samekh: Heh. It was nothing. Their strength was so weak, it was laughable.
Piros VIII: Don’t you think you went a bit overboard though? They were just little girls…
Samekh: *with a dark expression* Mercy and compassion have no place in the Arena.
Piros VIII: *sweatdrop* Uh… If you say so…
*Preliminary Match #775 (Sea Stage): Team Neon VS. Team Lightspeed*
Sonic: Rengeki: Lightspeed Dash!
*Sonic, a Shinobi Striker, dashes around the Arena at blinding fast speeds*
Neon: (Damn… So fast…)
Miharu: Don’t let ‘im shake ya, Neon!
Neon: *deep breath* *slow exhale*
Sonic: What’s the matter, Neon!? Can’t keep up!?
Neon: … (…There!) Lei Zas!
*Neon fires a Lei Zas at the wall; it refracts off the wall and bounces around the Arena before it strikes Sonic*
Sonic: Gah!!!
Neon: (Gotcha!) Rengeki: Ghost Falcon!
*Neon assaults Sonic’s PC body with a series of slashes and arcs before slamming his body onto the ground*
Sonic: …Hehehe… I guess the great “Rush Neon” hasn’t lost his touch after all…
*Preliminary Match #863 (Sky Stage): Team Kyuzo VS. Team Nanao*
Nanao: Well, well, well… Isn’t this appropriate? The current #1 Blacklister faces the former #1 Blacklister. It’s like poetry.
Kyuzo: Tch. I’m not a big fan of poetry…
Nanao: Heh. *draws dual pistols* Neither am I. So let’s get started, shall we?
Kyuzo: *smirk, draws cards* Fine by me.
*Nanao begins dashing around the Arena, firing bullets at Kyuzo; Kyuzo defends using overgrown cards with shields*
Kyuzo: Heh!
*as soon as Nanao stops firing, Kyuzo’s card shields shrink and he tosses them at Nanao like projectiles*
Nanao: *gasp*
*Nanao narrowly dodges the cards and continues firing bullets at Kyuzo; several bullets strike Kyuzo’s shoulder and legs*
Kyuzo: G-Gah…!
Nanao: Hah!
Kyuzo: Tch!
*Kyuzo tags Haruhi and switches places with her*
Haruhi: *draws crossbow*
Nanao: Hmm…
*without saying anything, Haruhi fires a multitude of arrows at Nanao*
Nanao: Oh, jeez!
*Nanao runs around the Arena, dodging the arrows; as soon as Haruhi stops to reload, Nanao begins to fire bullets at her*
Nanao: Gotcha now!
*in an instant, Haruhi vanishes into thin air*
Nanao: W-What!? Where’d she go!?
Tamao: NANAO!!! ABOVE YOU!!!
Nanao: What?!?
*looking up, Nanao sees Haruhi in midair aiming her crossbow down at Nanao*
Haruhi: Say goodbye…
*Haruhi fires a single arrow, which creates a great explosion; when the smoke clears, Haruhi is seen standing next to Nanao’s grayscale PC body*
IYOTEN: Nanao!
Jack: WHOO-HOO!!! Way to go, Haruhi!!!
Haruhi: … *motions victory sign with her fingers*
*minutes later…*
Announcer: Well, needless to say, things are really heating up, everyone! It’s been almost 3 hours since the Azure Campaign started, and over 80% of the teams have been eliminated already! And we’re also seeing quite a bit of action from Glaive LeGable and Samurai 7! Now that there are only 100 teams remaining, we’ll take a short 15-minute break for the teams to take a breather!
*…Lumina Cloth Plaza…*
Hayate: YES! We all made it to the top 100!
Hanabi: Hah! As if there was any doubt!
Orion: Hmm…
Usa-chan: Something wrong, Orion?
Orion: Well… Considering that my team and Neon’s team were on the same stage, there must’ve been at least a 30% chance that we’d face each other. The same can be said about Tsukiyomi’s team against Samekh’s team, and Ren’s team against Kyuzo’s team. And yet we made it to the top 100 without doing so.
Coolidge: Maybe we’re just lucky? I always feel lucky whenever Ren’s around!
Ren: …Ugh…
Orion: I don’t think luck has anything to do with it…
Neon: You mean…Kyuzo’s “favor”…
Tsukiyomi: You think Kyuzo would actually sink so low as to tamper with the team match-ups?
Miharu: Hmph! I wouldn’t put it past him!
Ayliori: …Kyu-chan…
*meanwhile…*
Claire: So, boss, you gonna hack the team selections again?
Kyuzo: … *smirk* …Well, I’ve certainly got a few ideas…
*just then, a loud siren echoes through Lumina Cloth*
Tsukiyomi: Looks like it’s time! You guys ready?
Miharu: *gasp* Guys, look!!!
*Miharu turns everyone’s attention to the team match-up board; on the Sky Stage, it’s “Team Ren VS. Team Kyuzo” and on the Sea Stage, it’s “Team Orion VS. Team Neon*
Izumi: We have to face Neon’s team!?
Neon: Tch! This has Kyuzo written all over it!
Ayliori: I…have to fight…Kyu-chan…?
Ren: Ayliori… *puts hand on Ayliori’s shoulder* …You don’t have to fight if you don’t want to.
Ayliori: …
Kyuzo: …That’s the way it is in this world! Survival of the fittest! Every man for himself! Family relations have nothing to do with it! If you don’t try to shove your way to the top, you’ll always come out on bottom!
Ayliori: …Ren-chan?
Ren: Hmm?
Ayliori: If it’s okay with you… I want to fight Kyuzo first.
Hanabi: Huh!? But Ayliori, you’re a Harvest Cleric! You can’t possibly take Kyuzo on alone!
Ayliori: I know. But…I want to show Kyuzo that family relations are important, and that they’re nothing to be tossed aside so lightly.
Ren: …Alright. If that’s what you want.
Ayliori: Thank you…Ren-chan.
*Preliminary Match #903 (Flame Stage): Team Tsukiyomi VS. Team Alkaid*
Hayate: Alkaid!? You entered the Azure Campaign too!?
Alkaid: Yup! It’s been a while since I’ve been in the Arena, so I figured, “What the hell?”
Kaga: I see… And who are they?
Alkaid: I decided to invite a couple of old friends to fight with me.
*Silabus, the guildmaster of Canard, and Atoli, the guildmaster of Moon Tree, step forward*
Silabus: Hey, everyone!
Atoli: *bows* It’s good to be here!
Tsukiyomi: …This might be harder than I thought…
*Preliminary Match #907 (Sky Stage): Team Ren VS. Team Kyuzo*
Kyuzo: Greetings, losers!
Ren: …
Ayliori: …
Hanabi: Grrrr…
Kyuzo: Got nothin’ to say? Well, that just makes things easier for me!
*Ayliori steps forward to confront Kyuzo*
Kyuzo: …A-Ayliori? You’re fighting first?
Ayliori: … *draws staff* …Yes, I am!
Kyuzo: …You realize that I won’t be holding back, right?
Ayliori: …
Kyuzo: *sigh* Family against family can be so frustrating sometimes…
*Preliminary Match #912 (Sea Stage): Team Orion VS. Team Neon*
Orion: As of this point, we’re no longer fellow guild members! Now… *draws lance* …we are opponents!
Neon: Heh… *draws dual swords* I always thought about what it’d be like to fight you, Orion. Now that I’ve gotten the chance, I won’t show you any mercy!
Announcer: ALRIGHT!!! It’s time to begin the final round of the preliminaries!! By the end of the day, only 20 teams will be left standing!! Who will make it to the semifinals!? Who will take home the Blade Balmung!? Who will be given the opportunity to face off against the legendary Knights of the Epitaph!? …Okay, that’s enough commentating for now!! Let’s get right to the action!! Are all participants ready!?
Tsukiyomi: …
Hayate: …
Kaga: …
Alkaid: …
Silabus: …
Atoli: …
Ren: …
Ayliori: …
Hanabi: …
Kyuzo: …
Haruhi: …
Jack: …
Orion: …
Izumi: …
Coolidge: …
Neon: …
Usa-chan: …
Miharu: …
Announcer: Ready?!? …BEGIN!!!!!
TO BE CONTINUED…
~ Next Time on Infected! ~
Hayate/Silabus: Devil Sword!!!
~*~*~*~
Ayliori: I…refuse…to lose…!
Kyuzo: …Ayliori…
~*~*~*~
Coolidge: TAKE THIS!!!
~*~*~*~
Announcer: At last, it’s time for the semifinal round!!!
~*~*~*~
Orion: This is it… It’s all or nothing…
~*~*~*~
Claire: TIME FOR YOU TO DIE!!!!!
~*~*~*~
Announcer: Finalists ready?!? …FIGHT!!!
22nd Phase: An Ominous Overture, Part 2!
~ Eternal City of Mac Anu; May 24, 2037 ~
*in the Mercenary District, a regular PC approaches the @home door to enter the @home of his guild*
PC: *whistles*
*as soon as he gets close to the door, the door swings open rapidly and strikes him, knocking into the river; moments later, all of the members of Glaive LeGable except Orion come running out*
Miharu: FREEDOM!!! SWEET FREEDOM!!!
Neon: Okay! Whose bright idea was it to ask Orion about the origins of the Lost Grounds!?
Coolidge: All I said was “Hey, Orion, do you think there are any Lost Grounds that haven’t been discovered?” That’s all! How was I supposed to know that he’d turn my question into a freakin’ discussion?!?
Usa-chan: *slaps back of Coolidge’s head* YOU IDIOT!!!
Izumi: Uh, guys? Don’t you think it’s a bit rude to run away every time Orion gives us a lecture?
Coolidge: DO YOU HEAR YOURSELF, WOMAN?!? Last time Orion lectured us, he talked for 6 hours straight!!! About the Epitaph of Twilight!!! Who the hell talks that long about a stupid poem?!? AM I THE ONLY ONE HERE WHO THINKS THAT’S MADNESS?!?!?
Hayate: *slaps back of Coolidge’s head* Okay, Coolidge! Orion talks a lot! We get it!
Coolidge: *holding head* (Why does everyone keep doing that…?)
: Hey, guys!!!*the group turns around to see Tsukiyomi running up to them*
Usa-chan: Hey, it’s Yomi-chan!
Tsukiyomi: …“Yomi-chan”? …Oh, whatever! Listen, there’s-- *looks at Miharu* …Who’re you?
Hayate: Oh, sorry. Tsukiyomi, this is the newest member of Glaive LeGable – Miharu.
Miharu: Hi there!
Tsukiyomi: M…Mi…Miha…MIHARU?!?
Neon: You know her?
Tsukiyomi: Any frequent Arena-goer knows the Empress of the Sage Palace!!!
Miharu: Former Empress, but why split hairs? Hah!
Tsukiyomi: Wow…
Izumi: …Uh, Tsukiyomi? Weren’t you gonna tell us something?
Tsukiyomi: …Huh? Oh, yeah! So check it out! There’s this big Tag Team Tournament going on in the Arena today, and they say that there’s a big grand prize for the winning team!
Neon: Prize money!?
Hayate: A new steam bike!?
Miharu: A shot at the title of Crystal Palace Emperor!?
Coolidge: Ren’s member address!?
*everyone looks at Coolidge skeptically*
Coolidge: …What?!?
Izumi: Tell us what the grand prize is, Tsukiyomi, before I rearrange Coolidge’s teeth…
Tsukiyomi: *sweatdrop* A-Anyway, they say that the grand prize is a one-of-a-kind weapon – the Blade Balmung!
All: FOR REAL?!?
Tsukiyomi: Um… Yeah.
Orion: If that’s the case, then it’s our duty as members of Glaive LeGable to win this Tournament and make sure that the Blade Balmung doesn’t fall into Samurai 7’s hands.
Usa-chan: HOLY CRAP!!! Where’d you come from, Orion!?
Orion: Why, I’d been standing here the whole time, Usa-chan.
Usa-chan: *sweatdrop* …Ooooooooooooooooookay…
Tsukiyomi: Actually, there’s another reason why I’m here. I came to ask Hayate to be on my Arena team.
Hayate: Huh? Why me?
Tsukiyomi: Well… I guess out of everyone here, I trust you the most.
Coolidge: …Izumi e-mailed you about Hayate’s “Tempestua Sword”, didn’t she?
Tsukiyomi: …Hehehe…
Hayate: *sigh* (I feel so used right now…) Oh, whatever. I guess I’ll team up with you, Tsukiyomi.
Neon: Should we enter too?
Orion: Indeed. To improve our chances of winning, the rest of us shall enter the Tournament as well. I’ll enter with Izumi and Coolidge. And Neon will enter with Usa-chan and Miharu.
Coolidge: …What if I don’t wanna compete?
Orion: Are you saying you don’t want to?
Coolidge: Well… It’s not that. It’s just that I’ve seen how hectic things can get in the Arena, and I’m wondering whether or not I should get myself involved.
Usa-chan: Aw, that’s too bad, Coolidge. ‘Cuz you know, Ren sent me an e-mail saying that she was gonna be watching the Tournament.
Coolidge: …She is?!? Well, what the hell are we waiting for?!? *grabs Izumi’s hand and Orion’s hand* LET’S GO ALREADY!!! *runs towards the Chaos Gate*
Izumi/Orion: AAAAHHHH!!!!
All: …
Tsukiyomi: …Ren didn’t really send you an e-mail, did she?
Usa-chan: No…but Coolidge doesn’t have to know that! Hahaha!
*…Samurai 7 @home…*
Kyuzo: Alright! I’m sure you all know about the Tag Team Tournament in the Arena today! I’m sure you also know that the Blade Balmung .hack//Arm is up for grabs! We’re gonna enter this Tournament!! And we’re gonna win!! Understood!?
All: Sir, yes, sir!
Piros VIII: VIVA LA ARENA!!! We shall tear out their hearts and gouge out their eyes!
Kyuzo: Piros… Shut up or you’ll be staying in the Pit of Despair all day today!
Piros VIII: …I’ll be good…
Jack: You know something? We send Piros into the Pit all the time, but we don’t actually know what it looks like in there. So…what’s it like?
*Piros VIII glares at Jack Russell with a menacing gaze*
Jack: …Never mind, I don’t wanna know…
Kyuzo: PAY ATTENTION, YOU TWO!!!
Jack/Piros: *gulp*
Kyuzo: Okay! Here’s how it’s gonna go down! We’ll enter the Tournament in two teams of three. In Team 1, we got Haruhi, Jack Russell, and me. In Team 2, we got Claire, Sammy, and Piros.
Claire: …Wait, I gotta team up with the mysterious guy and the idiot?!?
Piros VIII: How dare you call Samekh an idiot!!!
Claire: Shut the f**k up, you mentally-challenged can of tuna!!!
Piros VIII: o.0 *gulp*
Haruhi: *stands up and bows* I promise not to let you down today, Master Kyuzo!
Kyuzo: Glad to hear it, Haruhi. Alright then…Samurai 7, move out!!!
Piros VIII: Alright!!! The time for battle has come!!! TALLYHO!!!!!
Claire: …Hey, Jack! I’ll give you 5,000 GP to switch team spots with me!
Jack: Hell no!
~ Warring City of Lumina Cloth; May 24, 2037 ~
Tsukiyomi: …There! All done registering!
Hayate: Cool. So…who’s our third party member?
Tsukiyomi: Don’t worry. He’ll be here soon. …Oh! There he is now!
Kaga: Hey, Tsukiyomi. Sorry I’m late. …Oh, Hayate! We meet again!
Hayate: Uh… Kaga, right?
Kaga: That’s correct.
Hayate: *looks at Tsukiyomi with a sly smirk*
Tsukiyomi: …Why are you looking at me like that?
Hayate: Why, Tsukiyomi… I didn’t realize you and Kaga were that close…
Tsukiyomi: *blush* W-We aren’t that close!
Kaga: Huh? We aren’t?
Tsukiyomi: Uh… I mean, we are… B-But, what I mean is…
Hayate: Hahaha! You’re blushing! Hanabi was right! You do have a crush on him!
Tsukiyomi: *deeper blush* S-Shut up, Hayate! Kaga just offered to team up with me when he heard about the Tournament, that’s all!
Hayate: Hehehe… Sure, Yomi, sure…
Tsukiyomi: Grrrr… *turns to the counter, angrily* I’d like to register please!
Arena NPC: Um… You already registered, ma’am.
Tsukiyomi: … *slaps forehead*
Hayate: Hahahahahaha!!!!
Kaga: *sweatdrop*
*just then, several teams gate into Lumina Cloth at the same time – Orion with Izumi and Coolidge, Neon with Usa-chan and Miharu, Kyuzo with Haruhi and Jack Russell, Claire with Samekh and Piros VIII, and Ren with Ayliori and Hanabi*
Coolidge: Wow… Look at this turnout… Glaive LeGable, Samurai 7, Ren-chan… REN-CHAN?!?
Ren: Huh? …Oh, no…
Coolidge: *runs over* B-But I thought you were gonna be watching the Tournament, not competing in it!
Ren: Watching? Who told you that?
Coolidge: …USA-CHAN!!!
Usa-chan: Uh-oh! *runs away*
Coolidge: Get back here! *chases Chibi-Usa through Lumina Cloth*
Neon: …Lord, give me strength…
*just then, another team gates into Lumina Cloth; attracting many stares*
All: *gasp*
Girl PC: Look! It’s the Epitaph Knights!
*Haseo of the Black Flame, Endrance of the Red Roses, and Ovan of the Blue Lightning all walk up to the counter*
Arena NPC: Ah! We’ve been expecting you! Please proceed to the Announcer’s Booth!
*without saying anything, the Epitaph Knights all warp to the Announcer’s Booth*
Jack: *sigh* That’s a relief… For a minute there, I thought those guys were entering the Tournament.
Haruhi: No. But the team that wins the Tournament will be given the chance to fight them in a three-on-three exhibition match. If they win, the leader of that team will be instantly crowned the Emperor of the Azure Palace.
Claire: Whoa…
*moments later, all of the teams that signed up for the Tournament are assembled in the Azure Palace Arena*
Announcer: Welcome, one and all, to the Azure Campaign, a unique Tournament that takes place only once every 7 years!! And look at this, ladies and gentlemen!! In the history of the Azure Campaign, this was our biggest turnout ever!! Nearly 1,000 teams have signed up to take part in today’s Tournament!! And who can blame them!? Unfortunately for them, only TWENTY teams will be moving on to the semifinals!!!
Hayate: Wow… 20 out of 1,000…
Announcer: And now, it is with great pleasure that I turn the mic over to Haseo, Endrance, and Ovan – the “Epitaph Knights” – who will explain the unique rules of today’s Tournament.
*the Announcer steps to the side as Ovan approaches the microphone*
Ovan: The preliminary rounds of the Azure Campaign will be conducted as follows. For this Tournament, the Azure Palace Arena has been divided into three large Arena grounds – the Flame Stage, the Sky Stage, and the Sea Stage. Each team that takes part in this Tournament has been automatically assigned an ID number. If your team’s ID number starts with a 1, 2, or 3, your team will be fighting on the Flame Stage. If your team’s ID number starts with a 4, 5, or 6, you will be fighting on the Sky Stage. If your team’s ID number starts with a 7, 8, or 9, you will be fighting on the Sea Stage. During the prelims, 5 pairs of teams will be fighting on each Stage and will continue as such until 20 teams are remaining.
*Ovan steps to the side and Endrance approaches the microphone*
Endrance: The battles that take place during the preliminaries will be conducted as follows. In each battle, the leader of each battle will fight a one-on-one battle. During this, either combatant is able to “tag” one of their teammates and switch places with them. The battle continues like this until all three members of either team are defeated. For this kind of battle, several rules are to be enforced. Rule #1 – You are not able to tag one of your teammates if your HP bar is full. Rule #2 – You will automatically be switched with a randomly chosen teammate if you do not attack your opponent in under 30 seconds. Rule #3 – If your teammate heals you from the outside while you are battling, you and your team will be instantly disqualified.
*Endrance steps to the side and Haseo approaches the microphone*
Haseo: Contrary to popular belief, Endrance, Ovan, and I will not be participating in the Azure Campaign. At least, not in the Campaign itself. Instead, we will be giving the winners of today’s Tournament a chance to face off against us in a 3-on-3 exhibition match. Naturally, we will not be using our full Epitaph powers during said match. If the winning team of today’s Tournament happens to defeat us in battle, the leader of that team will be instantly crowned the Emperor of the Azure Palace. Please bear in mind that losing the exhibition match will in no way affect the prizes you are awarded at the end of the Tournament. Thank you, and fight to the fullest of your ability.
*as Haseo steps away from the microphone, the players give the Epitaph Knights a round of applause*
Announcer: Now then! Without further ado, I hereby declare the Azure Campaign…OPEN!!!
Crowd: *cheers loudly*
Announcer: In just a few short moments, the first 15 teams will begin battling! Good luck to you all!
*in Lumina Cloth Plaza, Hayate, Tsukiyomi, Kaga, Orion, Izumi, Coolidge, Neon, Chibi-Usa, Miharu, Ren, Ayliori, and Hanabi all meet up*
Hayate: Quite a speech back there, huh?
Usa-chan: *loving sigh* That Haseo’s so dreamy…
Hanabi: Oh, please! Haseo’s got nothing on Endrance!
Usa-chan: What was that?!?
Hanabi: You heard me!!!
*Neon and Ren hold Chibi-Usa and Hanabi back to keep them from beating each other up*
Neon/Ren: *sigh*
Izumi: So, where are you guys fighting?
Tsukiyomi: We’re on the Flame Stage! What about you?
Orion: Sea Stage.
Miharu: Really!? We’re on the Sea Stage too!
Coolidge: I guess that means we might be facing each other in the prelims. If we do, don’t expect us to go easy on you!
Miharu: I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Hayate: What about you, Ayliori?
Ayliori: We’re on the Sky Stage. I heard that Kyuzo’s team is on the Sky Stage too.
Kaga: Any word on Samekh’s team?
Usa-chan: I think they’re on the Flame Stage.
Neon: Wow… Pretty nerve-wracking lineup, huh?
Ren: Yeah, tell me about it. Hehehe…
*just then, the two Samurai 7 teams meet with the group*
Kyuzo: Greetings, losers!
Hanabi: Beat it, buster! We don’t want to deal with you right now!
Kyuzo: Aw, don’t be that way… Especially after the little favor I did for you…
Coolidge: Favor…? What kind of favor…?
Kyuzo: Hehehe… Oh, you’ll find out soon enough. On a side note… *looks at Hayate*
Hayate: Hmm?
Kyuzo: …Don’t think I’ve forgotten about how bad you made me look at the racetrack last month, kid.
Hayate: Hmph! What’s the matter, Kyuzo? You hate to lose?
Kyuzo: Damn straight!
Haruhi: *looks at Kaga*
Kaga: Hmm?
Haruhi: …You’re the one who stole the Spin Natsume dual swords from Master Kyuzo, are you not?
Kaga: …Do I know you?
Claire: Haruhi had a different PC body back then.
Kaga: …Ah, now I remember. You’re that Valiant Archer girl.
Kyuzo: Oh, don’t think I’ve forgotten about you either, Kaga! Fake-joining my guild, hurting Haruhi, stealing from me… That’s quite a rap sheet!
Kaga: Hmph! You stole from me first! And no treasure hunter/weapons dealer likes to be hustled!
Miharu: *whistles* You guys have quite a bit of history, huh?
Usa-chan: You have no idea…
*Preliminary Match #107 (Flame Stage): Team Tsukiyomi VS. Team Metallix*
Tsukiyomi: *draws dual swords* Let’s get down to business!!!
Steele: *draws dual swords* Twin Blade versus Twin Blade… This should be entertaining!
Hayate: Go, Tsukiyomi!
Kaga: We’re here if you need us!
Mercuri: WHOO! Go for it, Steele!
Khrome: It’s all you, buddy!
Tsukiyomi/Steele: LET’S GO!!!
*Preliminary Match #215 (Sky Stage): Team Ren VS. Team Triple-X*
Ren: Dance of the Dragon!
*Ren attacks Xenon with a series a dance-like slashes; Xenon dodges them all, backs away, and switches places with Xavier*
Xenon: Go for it!
Xavier: *jumps in and draws shield* Just try getting through my “Absolute Defense”!
Ren: Heh… If you say so! Sui Don!
*Ren conjures frozen rain to rain down on Xavier’s shield, freezing it in solid ice*
Ren: And now… Gan Bolg!
*Ren then conjures razor-sharp boulders to shatter Xavier’s shield into pieces*
Xavier: …Uh-oh…
Ren: *readies fans* What was that about “Absolute Defense”?
Xavier: …AAAHHH!!! Tag me, tag me, tag me!!!
Xylem: Aah! You idiot! You can’t tag someone if you haven’t lost any health!
Ren: Oh, that’s not gonna be a problem! Rengeki: Dance of Blades!
Xavier: AAAAAHHHHH!!!!!
*Preliminary Match #346 (Sea Stage): Team Orion VS. Team Mystify*
Orpheus: *holding grimoire* Surrender now and I shalt spare thee a most humiliating defeat!
Izumi: Hmph! You wish! *readies blade sword* HYAAAAAAAH!!!!!
Orpheus: Very well! Thou hast sealed thy fate! OrVak Don!
*Orpheus fires several fireballs at Izumi, who slashes through all of them as she dashes forward*
Izumi: Time to finish this!!!
Orpheus: W-Wait!!! Can’t we talk about this!?
Izumi: DEVIL SWORD!!!
*Izumi slashes through Orpheus’ PC body dozens of times before slashing him down at the ground*
Orpheus: *dizzily* Is it over…?
Announcer: Team Mystify has fallen! Team Orion qualifies for the next round!
Izumi: Hmph! As if there was any doubt!
*Preliminary Match #504 (Flame Stage): Team Claire VS. Team Powerpuff*
Buttercup: Say your prayers, blondie!!! Rengeki: Graviton Drive!!!
*Buttercup, a Blitz Vanguard, swings her mace down onto the ground, unleashing a great shockwave at Samekh*
Samekh: …
*with just one musical note, Samekh blows Buttercup and her shockwave away, instantly lowering her HP to zero*
Buttercup: G-Gah…!
Samekh: …Pathetic…
Announcer: Remarkable! Samekh has eliminated Team Powerpuff with just one attack to each of its team members! Team Claire qualifies for the next round!
*Samekh walks up to Claire and Piros VIII*
Claire: Nice goin’, partner!
Samekh: Heh. It was nothing. Their strength was so weak, it was laughable.
Piros VIII: Don’t you think you went a bit overboard though? They were just little girls…
Samekh: *with a dark expression* Mercy and compassion have no place in the Arena.
Piros VIII: *sweatdrop* Uh… If you say so…
*Preliminary Match #775 (Sea Stage): Team Neon VS. Team Lightspeed*
Sonic: Rengeki: Lightspeed Dash!
*Sonic, a Shinobi Striker, dashes around the Arena at blinding fast speeds*
Neon: (Damn… So fast…)
Miharu: Don’t let ‘im shake ya, Neon!
Neon: *deep breath* *slow exhale*
Sonic: What’s the matter, Neon!? Can’t keep up!?
Neon: … (…There!) Lei Zas!
*Neon fires a Lei Zas at the wall; it refracts off the wall and bounces around the Arena before it strikes Sonic*
Sonic: Gah!!!
Neon: (Gotcha!) Rengeki: Ghost Falcon!
*Neon assaults Sonic’s PC body with a series of slashes and arcs before slamming his body onto the ground*
Sonic: …Hehehe… I guess the great “Rush Neon” hasn’t lost his touch after all…
*Preliminary Match #863 (Sky Stage): Team Kyuzo VS. Team Nanao*
Nanao: Well, well, well… Isn’t this appropriate? The current #1 Blacklister faces the former #1 Blacklister. It’s like poetry.
Kyuzo: Tch. I’m not a big fan of poetry…
Nanao: Heh. *draws dual pistols* Neither am I. So let’s get started, shall we?
Kyuzo: *smirk, draws cards* Fine by me.
*Nanao begins dashing around the Arena, firing bullets at Kyuzo; Kyuzo defends using overgrown cards with shields*
Kyuzo: Heh!
*as soon as Nanao stops firing, Kyuzo’s card shields shrink and he tosses them at Nanao like projectiles*
Nanao: *gasp*
*Nanao narrowly dodges the cards and continues firing bullets at Kyuzo; several bullets strike Kyuzo’s shoulder and legs*
Kyuzo: G-Gah…!
Nanao: Hah!
Kyuzo: Tch!
*Kyuzo tags Haruhi and switches places with her*
Haruhi: *draws crossbow*
Nanao: Hmm…
*without saying anything, Haruhi fires a multitude of arrows at Nanao*
Nanao: Oh, jeez!
*Nanao runs around the Arena, dodging the arrows; as soon as Haruhi stops to reload, Nanao begins to fire bullets at her*
Nanao: Gotcha now!
*in an instant, Haruhi vanishes into thin air*
Nanao: W-What!? Where’d she go!?
Tamao: NANAO!!! ABOVE YOU!!!
Nanao: What?!?
*looking up, Nanao sees Haruhi in midair aiming her crossbow down at Nanao*
Haruhi: Say goodbye…
*Haruhi fires a single arrow, which creates a great explosion; when the smoke clears, Haruhi is seen standing next to Nanao’s grayscale PC body*
IYOTEN: Nanao!
Jack: WHOO-HOO!!! Way to go, Haruhi!!!
Haruhi: … *motions victory sign with her fingers*
*minutes later…*
Announcer: Well, needless to say, things are really heating up, everyone! It’s been almost 3 hours since the Azure Campaign started, and over 80% of the teams have been eliminated already! And we’re also seeing quite a bit of action from Glaive LeGable and Samurai 7! Now that there are only 100 teams remaining, we’ll take a short 15-minute break for the teams to take a breather!
*…Lumina Cloth Plaza…*
Hayate: YES! We all made it to the top 100!
Hanabi: Hah! As if there was any doubt!
Orion: Hmm…
Usa-chan: Something wrong, Orion?
Orion: Well… Considering that my team and Neon’s team were on the same stage, there must’ve been at least a 30% chance that we’d face each other. The same can be said about Tsukiyomi’s team against Samekh’s team, and Ren’s team against Kyuzo’s team. And yet we made it to the top 100 without doing so.
Coolidge: Maybe we’re just lucky? I always feel lucky whenever Ren’s around!
Ren: …Ugh…
Orion: I don’t think luck has anything to do with it…
Neon: You mean…Kyuzo’s “favor”…
Tsukiyomi: You think Kyuzo would actually sink so low as to tamper with the team match-ups?
Miharu: Hmph! I wouldn’t put it past him!
Ayliori: …Kyu-chan…
*meanwhile…*
Claire: So, boss, you gonna hack the team selections again?
Kyuzo: … *smirk* …Well, I’ve certainly got a few ideas…
*just then, a loud siren echoes through Lumina Cloth*
Tsukiyomi: Looks like it’s time! You guys ready?
Miharu: *gasp* Guys, look!!!
*Miharu turns everyone’s attention to the team match-up board; on the Sky Stage, it’s “Team Ren VS. Team Kyuzo” and on the Sea Stage, it’s “Team Orion VS. Team Neon*
Izumi: We have to face Neon’s team!?
Neon: Tch! This has Kyuzo written all over it!
Ayliori: I…have to fight…Kyu-chan…?
Ren: Ayliori… *puts hand on Ayliori’s shoulder* …You don’t have to fight if you don’t want to.
Ayliori: …
Kyuzo: …That’s the way it is in this world! Survival of the fittest! Every man for himself! Family relations have nothing to do with it! If you don’t try to shove your way to the top, you’ll always come out on bottom!
Ayliori: …Ren-chan?
Ren: Hmm?
Ayliori: If it’s okay with you… I want to fight Kyuzo first.
Hanabi: Huh!? But Ayliori, you’re a Harvest Cleric! You can’t possibly take Kyuzo on alone!
Ayliori: I know. But…I want to show Kyuzo that family relations are important, and that they’re nothing to be tossed aside so lightly.
Ren: …Alright. If that’s what you want.
Ayliori: Thank you…Ren-chan.
*Preliminary Match #903 (Flame Stage): Team Tsukiyomi VS. Team Alkaid*
Hayate: Alkaid!? You entered the Azure Campaign too!?
Alkaid: Yup! It’s been a while since I’ve been in the Arena, so I figured, “What the hell?”
Kaga: I see… And who are they?
Alkaid: I decided to invite a couple of old friends to fight with me.
*Silabus, the guildmaster of Canard, and Atoli, the guildmaster of Moon Tree, step forward*
Silabus: Hey, everyone!
Atoli: *bows* It’s good to be here!
Tsukiyomi: …This might be harder than I thought…
*Preliminary Match #907 (Sky Stage): Team Ren VS. Team Kyuzo*
Kyuzo: Greetings, losers!
Ren: …
Ayliori: …
Hanabi: Grrrr…
Kyuzo: Got nothin’ to say? Well, that just makes things easier for me!
*Ayliori steps forward to confront Kyuzo*
Kyuzo: …A-Ayliori? You’re fighting first?
Ayliori: … *draws staff* …Yes, I am!
Kyuzo: …You realize that I won’t be holding back, right?
Ayliori: …
Kyuzo: *sigh* Family against family can be so frustrating sometimes…
*Preliminary Match #912 (Sea Stage): Team Orion VS. Team Neon*
Orion: As of this point, we’re no longer fellow guild members! Now… *draws lance* …we are opponents!
Neon: Heh… *draws dual swords* I always thought about what it’d be like to fight you, Orion. Now that I’ve gotten the chance, I won’t show you any mercy!
Announcer: ALRIGHT!!! It’s time to begin the final round of the preliminaries!! By the end of the day, only 20 teams will be left standing!! Who will make it to the semifinals!? Who will take home the Blade Balmung!? Who will be given the opportunity to face off against the legendary Knights of the Epitaph!? …Okay, that’s enough commentating for now!! Let’s get right to the action!! Are all participants ready!?
Tsukiyomi: …
Hayate: …
Kaga: …
Alkaid: …
Silabus: …
Atoli: …
Ren: …
Ayliori: …
Hanabi: …
Kyuzo: …
Haruhi: …
Jack: …
Orion: …
Izumi: …
Coolidge: …
Neon: …
Usa-chan: …
Miharu: …
Announcer: Ready?!? …BEGIN!!!!!
TO BE CONTINUED…
~ Next Time on Infected! ~
Hayate/Silabus: Devil Sword!!!
~*~*~*~
Ayliori: I…refuse…to lose…!
Kyuzo: …Ayliori…
~*~*~*~
Coolidge: TAKE THIS!!!
~*~*~*~
Announcer: At last, it’s time for the semifinal round!!!
~*~*~*~
Orion: This is it… It’s all or nothing…
~*~*~*~
Claire: TIME FOR YOU TO DIE!!!!!
~*~*~*~
Announcer: Finalists ready?!? …FIGHT!!!
22nd Phase: An Ominous Overture, Part 2!
