Post by Hayate on Oct 6, 2007 14:55:16 GMT -5
[Written by “username: Dekar”, edited by me]
~ Previously on Infected! ~
Orion: 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.
~*~*~*~
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…
~*~*~*~
Announcer: Welcome, one and all, to the Azure Campaign!! And look at this, ladies and gentlemen!! Nearly 1,000 teams have signed up to take part in today’s Tournament!! Unfortunately for them, only TWENTY teams will be moving on to the semifinals!!!
~*~*~*~
Hayate: YES! We all made it to the top 100!
Hanabi: Hah! As if there was any doubt!
~*~*~*~
Announcer: 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!!!!!
~ And now…“An Ominous Overture” continues… ~
~ Warring City of Lumina Cloth; May 24, 2037 ~
*…Azure Campaign, Flame Stage…*
Hayate: HYAAAAAAH!!!!
*from midair, Hayate swings his blade swords down onto Silabus, who leaps out of the way to dodge the attack*
Silabus: Heh! I didn’t expect you to be this strong! You’re really good!
Hayate: Thanks, Silabus! That means a lot coming from you!
Kaga: Go, Hayate!!!
Tsukiyomi: Show Silabus who’s boss!!!
Alkaid: Come on, Silabus!!!
Atoli: We believe in you!!!
Silabus: Hehehe… Boy, this takes me back…
Hayate: Feeling nostalgic?
Silabus: Yeah. But I know now’s not the time to reminisce! As guildmaster and representative of Canard, I plan to go all out!
Hayate: *readies blade swords* Same here!
Both: …
*just then, Hayate and Silabus leap at each other*
Hayate/Silabus: Rengeki: Devil Sword!!!
*…Sky Stage…*
Ayliori: *panting, falls to knees*
Kyuzo: *puts away blade sword* Ayliori… You don’t have to keep doing this…
Ayliori: I… I want to…
Kyuzo: Hmm?
Ayliori: …Kyu-chan, I know family doesn’t mean anything to you as long as you have power… *stands up and readies staff* But…I’m going to prove you wrong! I’m going to show you…that family’s the most important thing in the world! And to that end… I refuse…to lose this fight…!
Ren: Yeah!! That’s tellin’ him, Ayliori!!
Hanabi: WHOO!!! YOU GO, GIRL!!!
Kyuzo: …Ayliori…
*…Sea Stage…*
Coolidge: *firing bullets* YAAAAAAH!!!!
*Miharu flies around the Arena, avoiding Coolidge’s bullets*
Miharu: You’ll have to do better than that to beat me, Coolidge!!!
Coolidge: *reloads dual pistols* I plan to! Now…TAKE THIS!!! GATLING!!!!!
*Coolidge fires off ten bullets at Miharu…*
Miharu: Uh-oh!
*…who shields herself with her black wings; a cloud of smoke is left around Miharu*
Coolidge: …
*just then, seven spears of light are seen flying from the smoke and towards Coolidge*
Coolidge: Oh, jeez!
*Coolidge jumps into the air to dodge the spears; suddenly, Miharu appears next to him…*
Miharu: Surprise!!!
Coolidge: *gasp*
*…and strikes him physically with her staff; Coolidge lands on the ground near Orion and Izumi*
Izumi: Do you need some help?
Coolidge: Shut up!!! I can take care of myself!!!
Orion: …If you say so.
Coolidge: *jumps to feet* Okay! No more Mr. Nice Guy! HERE GOES!!!!!
*minutes later, Coolidge is back on the ground near Orion and Izumi*
Orion: How about now?
Coolidge: *jumps to feet* Leave me alone! I have her right where I want her!
Izumi: *sigh*
*minutes later, Coolidge is once again on the ground near Orion and Izumi*
Coolidge: …
Orion: …
Izumi: …
Coolidge: … *looks up at Izumi* The hell are you waiting for?!? Tag me already!!!
Izumi/Orion: *sweatdrop* Hehehe…
*…Flame Stage…*
*Tsukiyomi and Alkaid clash dual swords with chakrams, none of their attacks touching the each other*
Alkaid: Hahaha! I can’t remember the last time I had this much fun!
Tsukiyomi: Neither can I!
*Tsukiyomi eventually backs away from Alkaid and turns to Kaga, tagging him*
Tsukiyomi: Good luck!
Kaga: Heh… In my line of business, you don’t need luck…
*Kaga jumps into the battle as Tsukiyomi jumps out; Kaga draws energy chakrams*
Alkaid: A Templar, eh? Haven’t gone up against one of those…
Kaga: Well… *readies chakrams* …there’s a first time for everything!
*…Sky Stage…*
Ayliori: *panting*
Haruhi: *pointing crossbow at Ayliori* …Do you surrender?
Ayliori: Not…on…your…life…!
Haruhi: … *loads crossbow* …Very well.
Ayliori: *closes eyes*
Haruhi: …
Kyuzo: Haruhi, wait!
Haruhi: *lowers crossbow* Hmm?
Kyuzo: Tag me.
Haruhi: …As you wish.
*Haruhi tags Kyuzo and steps out of the battle; Kyuzo enters the battle and approaches Ayliori*
Kyuzo: *sigh* I gotta say, Ayliori, you’re one tough Cleric… Even after both your teammates lost, you keep fighting…
Ayliori: …
Kyuzo: I…might’ve been wrong this whole time. No matter how much power you hold, nothing’s more powerful than family. I guess that’s why you’re still standing, huh? Heh…
Ayliori: Kyu-chan…
Kyuzo: If you weren’t a member of Moon Tree, I’d invite you to join my guild…
Ayliori: If this were 3 months ago, I’d have taken you up on that offer. Hahaha.
Kyuzo: Well… *draws blade* …I think it’s time we finished this.
Ayliori: Go ahead. It’s okay.
Kyuzo: Hmm…?
Ayliori: I’m just glad you finally accept me. As long as I have that, I don’t care if I lose.
Kyuzo: …
*a slashing sound echoes through the Sky Stage*
Announcer: Team Ren has fallen! Team Kyuzo qualifies for the semifinals!
*…Sea Stage…*
Orion: Looks like it’s just you and me, Neon.
Neon: Yup. Looks like it.
Orion: Alright… This is it… It’s all or nothing…
Orion/Neon: YAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
*Orion and Neon dash towards and slash through each other, ending up with their backs facing the other*
Orion: …
Neon: …
*seconds later, Neon’s dual swords drop to the ground and his PC body’s color turns black and white*
Neon: D-Damn… *falls over*
Announcer: That’s it! Team Neon has fallen! Team Orion qualifies for the semifinals!
Orion: You put up a good fight, my friend…
*…Flame Stage…*
Silabus: GAH!!!! *falls over, PC body turns black and white*
Announcer: ASTONISHING!!! Team Tsukiyomi’s taken out both Silabus and Atoli! Now it’s just two against one!
Alkaid: *looks at Hayate and Tsukiyomi* (Hmm… I didn’t think they’d be this strong… To think that they took out Atoli and Silabus… I certainly didn’t foresee this…)
Hayate: *panting*
Tsukiyomi: Hayate, can you keep fighting?
Hayate: Heh…! *readies blade swords* Are you kidding…!? I can…keep this up…all day!
Tsukiyomi: Hmm… Huh? *gasp* Hayate, look!!
Hayate: Huh?
*Hayate and Tsukiyomi look over at Alkaid, who was holding her right hand high up*
Announcer: I… I don’t believe it, ladies and gentlemen!!! Alkaid’s giving the “signal of surrender”!!!
Hayate: “Signal of surrender”?!?
Announcer: I don’t know why, but Alkaid’s given up!!! That means that Team Tsukiyomi has qualified for the semifinals!!!
*Alkaid walks up to Hayate and Tsukiyomi*
Hayate: Uh…
Alkaid: Stop. I already know what you’re gonna say, and trust me, it’s for the best. If you could take out Silabus and Atoli, there’s definitely no way I can beat you.
Tsukiyomi: Alkaid…
Alkaid: And before you get any thoughts about me giving this victory to you, just don’t. You earned this win.
Hayate: …
Alkaid: *extends hand to Hayate* Congratulations. And be sure to knock ‘em dead in the semifinals.
Hayate: …Hmm! *shakes Alkaid’s hand* I will! We will!
Announcer: And that’s all she wrote, folks! All 20 teams have been chosen for the semifinal round! We’ll take a 30-minute break for the teams to relax! But remember – it’s always calmest before the storm!
*…Lumina Cloth Plaza…*
Hayate: Hahaha! I still can’t believe we beat Alkaid’s team!
Tsukiyomi: I know, right!?
Kaga: Certainly was exhilarating, wasn’t it?
Usa-chan: I still can’t believe we LOST!!! I want a rematch!
Neon: Oh, get over it, Usa-chan. We lost fair and square.
Coolidge: *looking around* …Where’s Ren-chan!? I wanted to offer my consolation to her for losing her match!
Hanabi: She left almost immediately after the match ended, but she wanted me to pass a message on to you.
Coolidge: Really!? What is it!?
Hanabi: Just this… *stomps forcefully on Coolidge’s foot*
Coolidge: YEEEEEOOOOOOWWWWWW!!!!! *hopping up and down* Ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-OW!!!!
Hanabi: Was that message clear enough for you?!? Hahahahahaha!!!
Coolidge: …Deranged little she-devil…
Izumi: Only twenty teams left… Do you think we’ll make it to the finals?
Orion: *with a serious look* We have to. We must keep the Blade Balmung out of Samurai 7’s hands at all costs.
Izumi: Um… O-Okay.
Hayate: …Hey, Orion, what’s with you lately?
Orion: Hmm? What do you mean?
Hayate: I mean, the .hack//Arms are all you care about nowadays. In fact, you’re beginning to seem like Kyuzo--
Orion: Don’t you dare compare me to him!!!
Hayate: *gasp*
Orion: …Sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you, Hayate.
Hayate: It’s…okay, Orion.
Orion: We should probably be getting ready for the semifinals, huh?
Hayate: …Right.
*…Azure Campaign, Center Stage…*
Announcer: At last, it’s time for the semifinal round! Nearly 1,000 teams have registered for the Azure Campaign, and now only 20 are remaining! Well, let’s not waste any time, shall we!? Let the semifinal round begin!!!
Crowd: *cheers loudly*
*Semifinal Match #1 (Flame Stage): Team Tsukiyomi VS. Team Jewel*
Hayate: HYAAAAAAH!!!!
Pearl: GAH!!!
Announcer: Pearl, Ruby, and Lazuli of Team Jewel have fallen!!!
*Semifinal Match #4 (Sky Stage): Team Kyuzo VS. Team Supersonik*
Batsu: AAAAAHHHHH!!!!!
*Batsu falls over; several arrows are seen in his back*
Announcer: Team Supersonik has fallen!
Haruhi: …Hmph.
*Semifinal Match #8 (Sea Stage): Team Orion VS. Team Brawlerz*
Orion: Piercing Heaven!!!
Yuugi: UGGGAAAAHHHH!!!!
Announcer: Team Brawlerz has fallen! Team Orion advances!
Orion: Hmph! Naturally!
*Semifinal Match #13 (Flame Stage): Team Samekh VS. Team Kestrel*
Claire: King Hammer!!!
*Claire swings her fist down at Aquitaine, who jumps out of the way*
Aquitaine: (Damn!! What’s with this girl!? She just keeps coming!!) …Huh!?
*Claire charges at Aquitaine again*
Claire: TIME FOR YOU TO DIE!!!!!
*Claire tackles Aquitaine into the battle fence and unleashes a brutal assault of punches and kicks on her PC body*
Aquitaine: Ugh! Unh! Oof! Aah! Gah!
Piros VIII: What’s gotten into Claire…? She’s starting to scare me…
Samekh: I know I said that mercy and compassion have no place in the Arena, but still…
Claire: Come on!!! Why aren’t you fighting back?!?
Aquitaine: *coughs up blood* You can go to hell, you psycho bitch…!
Claire: Grrrr… GRAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!
*Claire punches Aquitaine one last time, which causes the battle fence behind her to shatter; Claire then holds up Aquitaine’s body outside the fence and threatens to drop her into the abyss*
Claire: I should just waste your sorry ass right now!!!
Aquitaine: Heh… If you wanna waste me, then waste me… I dare you…
Claire: Grrrr…
Samekh: Claire, stop!
Claire: *turns around* Huh!?
Samekh: Settle down! We’ve won this fight already!
Claire: …Tch!
*Claire throws Aquitaine’s battered PC body to the ground and walks towards her teammates in a huff*
Aquitaine: …
Piros VIII: What’s gotten into you, Claire!? I’ve never seen you like this before!
Claire: Let’s just say that pink-hair over there and I have some history…
Samekh: Hmph…
Announcer: *sweatdrop* Uh… T-Team Kestrel has fallen! Team S-Samekh advances!
*…Lumina Cloth Plaza…*
Coolidge: ALRIGHT!!!! Just one more match, and we’ll be in the finals!!! High five!!!
Tsukiyomi: So which teams are left?
Kaga: Ours, Orion’s, Kyuzo’s, and Samekh’s.
Hayate: Hmph. Pretty typical that it’s down to us and Samurai 7.
Coolidge: C’mon!!! High five!!!
Neon: Were you guys watching the match between Samekh’s team and Aquitaine’s team? Claire was acting like a freakin’ psychopath!
Hanabi: I was watching that! That Claire’s completely out of her mind!
Coolidge: HIGH FIVE ALREADY!!!!!
All: SHUT UP ALREADY, COOLIDGE!!!!
Coolidge: …Man, I get no respect at all here…
*at that moment, Aquitaine walks out of the Arena and down into the plaza*
Usa-chan: Hey, there she is!
Hayate: Hey, Aquitaine.
Aquitaine: …Hey.
Ayliori: Any idea why Claire went postal on you in there?
Aquitaine: …I might have an idea.
*…Kestrel HQ, 7 months ago…*
Claire: Hey, you.
Aquitaine: Hmm? *turns around* …What?
Claire: You’re Aquitaine, right?
Aquitaine: …And if I am?
Claire: The name’s Claire. I have a proposition for ya.
Aquitaine: …
*…Mac Anu, one hour later…*
Aquitaine: …You want me to WHAT?!?
Claire: Quit Kestrel and join the Samurai 7! What are you, deaf!?
Aquitaine: And just why the hell would I do that?!?
Claire: Because my guildmaster specially requested you.
Aquitaine: Tch! Like I give a rat’s ass about your guildmaster!
Claire: …
Aquitaine: …But hey, you caught me in a good mood. I’ll tell you what. If you beat me in a Shade Palace Arena match, I’ll join you. But if you lose, you have to give me all of your items and GP.
Claire: Shade Palace…?
Aquitaine: You’ve never heard of the Shade Palace!? Tch! And you call yourself a PKer!
Claire: Hmph!
Aquitaine: The Shade Palace is a secret Arena branch made exclusively for Player Killers. You have to have a PKing track record of at least 100.
Claire: Shade Palace… Alright! You got a deal!
Aquitaine: Okay then! Meet me in Lumina Cloth in one hour!
*…Lumina Cloth, Shade Palace Arena…*
Claire: GAH!!!!! *gets thrown back*
Aquitaine: Tch! That was way too easy!
Announcer: And it’s all over!!! Claire the White Haze has lost!!! And in only 27 seconds too!!!
Claire: (Dammit…!!! I can’t believe this…!!! I’m the laughingstock of PKers everywhere…!!!)
Aquitaine: Well… *puts fans away* …you know the deal. Hand ‘em over.
Claire: Grrrr…
*Claire angrily throws all of her belongings on the ground*
Claire: Don’t think this is over, you bitch!!! The next time we meet in battle, I’m gonna slaughter you!!! *gates out*
Aquitaine: …
*7 months later…*
Miharu: She’s held a grudge against you for over half a year!?
Tsukiyomi: Someone needs to get a life! Hahahaha!
*meanwhile…*
Claire: *loud sneeze* Ugh… Someone must be talkin’ smack about me somewhere…
Piros VIII: Ah, you’re imagining things! You’re way too superstitious!
Claire: Oh, shut up, you armor-plated retard!
*…Azure Campaign, Center Stage…*
Announcer: This is it, ladies and gentlemen!!! The battle that decides who’ll be facing who in the final match of the Azure Campaign!!! I present to you your 4 remaining semifinalist teams!!! Team Tsukiyomi…
Crowd: *cheers loudly*
Announcer: …Team Orion…
Crowd: *cheers loudly*
Announcer: …Team Samekh…
Crowd: *cheers loudly*
Announcer: …And Team Kyuzo!!!
Crowd: *boos and jeers loudly*
Kyuzo: Thank you! Thank you! You’re too kind!
Jack: *sweatdrop* He actually thinks they’re cheering, doesn’t he…?
Announcer: Since there are only four teams left, the last round of the semifinals, as well as the final round itself, shall be conducted under regular Arena rules! That means three-on-three, no-holds-barred, anything-goes battles!!!
Crowd: *cheers loudly*
Announcer: Now to decide who will be facing who in the final round of the semifinals! Since both Team Tsukiyomi and Team Samekh are placed on the Flame Stage, they are automatically matched up! That means that Team Orion will be facing Team Kyuzo on the Sky Stage!
Coolidge: Well, that figures…
Kaga: So, it’s us against Samekh…
Orion: …and us against Kyuzo.
Izumi: Hayate?
Hayate: Hmm? What is it, Izumi?
Izumi: …Good luck.
Hayate: … *blush* Uh… T-Thanks, Izumi. Good luck to you too.
Coolidge: *snickers* Hayate and Izumi sitting in a tree…
Hayate/Izumi: WE CAN HEAR YOU, YOU KNOW!!!
Announcer: Without further delay, let the last round of the semifinals…BEGIN!!!!!
TO BE CONTINUED…
~ Next Time on Infected! ~
Kaga: Hayate, you take Samekh! Tsukiyomi, you take out Piros then assist Hayate! I’ll take on Claire!
Tsukiyomi: Gotcha! …Hey, wait a second! Why do I have to take on Piros!?
~*~*~*~
Kyuzo: Ha! Nice try!
~*~*~*~
Haruhi: …Target neutralized.
~*~*~*~
Kyuzo: …These three long years have made you soft, Orion…
~*~*~*~
Izumi: …Orion.
Orion: What it is, Izumi?
Izumi: During our match with Kyuzo, you said something to him. You called him…Kurogane…
~*~*~*~
Samekh: At one point in time, I had all of The World wrapped around my little finger…
~*~*~*~
Kaga: Give me the Vorpal Blade.
Hayate: What!? Why!?
Kaga: You want to win this battle, don’t you?
~*~*~*~
Orion: …I have something to tell you all…
~*~*~*~
Announcer: Finalists ready?!? …FIGHT!!!
23rd Phase: An Ominous Overture, Part 3!
~ Previously on Infected! ~
Orion: 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.
~*~*~*~
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…
~*~*~*~
Announcer: Welcome, one and all, to the Azure Campaign!! And look at this, ladies and gentlemen!! Nearly 1,000 teams have signed up to take part in today’s Tournament!! Unfortunately for them, only TWENTY teams will be moving on to the semifinals!!!
~*~*~*~
Hayate: YES! We all made it to the top 100!
Hanabi: Hah! As if there was any doubt!
~*~*~*~
Announcer: 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!!!!!
~ And now…“An Ominous Overture” continues… ~
~ Warring City of Lumina Cloth; May 24, 2037 ~
*…Azure Campaign, Flame Stage…*
Hayate: HYAAAAAAH!!!!
*from midair, Hayate swings his blade swords down onto Silabus, who leaps out of the way to dodge the attack*
Silabus: Heh! I didn’t expect you to be this strong! You’re really good!
Hayate: Thanks, Silabus! That means a lot coming from you!
Kaga: Go, Hayate!!!
Tsukiyomi: Show Silabus who’s boss!!!
Alkaid: Come on, Silabus!!!
Atoli: We believe in you!!!
Silabus: Hehehe… Boy, this takes me back…
Hayate: Feeling nostalgic?
Silabus: Yeah. But I know now’s not the time to reminisce! As guildmaster and representative of Canard, I plan to go all out!
Hayate: *readies blade swords* Same here!
Both: …
*just then, Hayate and Silabus leap at each other*
Hayate/Silabus: Rengeki: Devil Sword!!!
*…Sky Stage…*
Ayliori: *panting, falls to knees*
Kyuzo: *puts away blade sword* Ayliori… You don’t have to keep doing this…
Ayliori: I… I want to…
Kyuzo: Hmm?
Ayliori: …Kyu-chan, I know family doesn’t mean anything to you as long as you have power… *stands up and readies staff* But…I’m going to prove you wrong! I’m going to show you…that family’s the most important thing in the world! And to that end… I refuse…to lose this fight…!
Ren: Yeah!! That’s tellin’ him, Ayliori!!
Hanabi: WHOO!!! YOU GO, GIRL!!!
Kyuzo: …Ayliori…
*…Sea Stage…*
Coolidge: *firing bullets* YAAAAAAH!!!!
*Miharu flies around the Arena, avoiding Coolidge’s bullets*
Miharu: You’ll have to do better than that to beat me, Coolidge!!!
Coolidge: *reloads dual pistols* I plan to! Now…TAKE THIS!!! GATLING!!!!!
*Coolidge fires off ten bullets at Miharu…*
Miharu: Uh-oh!
*…who shields herself with her black wings; a cloud of smoke is left around Miharu*
Coolidge: …
*just then, seven spears of light are seen flying from the smoke and towards Coolidge*
Coolidge: Oh, jeez!
*Coolidge jumps into the air to dodge the spears; suddenly, Miharu appears next to him…*
Miharu: Surprise!!!
Coolidge: *gasp*
*…and strikes him physically with her staff; Coolidge lands on the ground near Orion and Izumi*
Izumi: Do you need some help?
Coolidge: Shut up!!! I can take care of myself!!!
Orion: …If you say so.
Coolidge: *jumps to feet* Okay! No more Mr. Nice Guy! HERE GOES!!!!!
*minutes later, Coolidge is back on the ground near Orion and Izumi*
Orion: How about now?
Coolidge: *jumps to feet* Leave me alone! I have her right where I want her!
Izumi: *sigh*
*minutes later, Coolidge is once again on the ground near Orion and Izumi*
Coolidge: …
Orion: …
Izumi: …
Coolidge: … *looks up at Izumi* The hell are you waiting for?!? Tag me already!!!
Izumi/Orion: *sweatdrop* Hehehe…
*…Flame Stage…*
*Tsukiyomi and Alkaid clash dual swords with chakrams, none of their attacks touching the each other*
Alkaid: Hahaha! I can’t remember the last time I had this much fun!
Tsukiyomi: Neither can I!
*Tsukiyomi eventually backs away from Alkaid and turns to Kaga, tagging him*
Tsukiyomi: Good luck!
Kaga: Heh… In my line of business, you don’t need luck…
*Kaga jumps into the battle as Tsukiyomi jumps out; Kaga draws energy chakrams*
Alkaid: A Templar, eh? Haven’t gone up against one of those…
Kaga: Well… *readies chakrams* …there’s a first time for everything!
*…Sky Stage…*
Ayliori: *panting*
Haruhi: *pointing crossbow at Ayliori* …Do you surrender?
Ayliori: Not…on…your…life…!
Haruhi: … *loads crossbow* …Very well.
Ayliori: *closes eyes*
Haruhi: …
Kyuzo: Haruhi, wait!
Haruhi: *lowers crossbow* Hmm?
Kyuzo: Tag me.
Haruhi: …As you wish.
*Haruhi tags Kyuzo and steps out of the battle; Kyuzo enters the battle and approaches Ayliori*
Kyuzo: *sigh* I gotta say, Ayliori, you’re one tough Cleric… Even after both your teammates lost, you keep fighting…
Ayliori: …
Kyuzo: I…might’ve been wrong this whole time. No matter how much power you hold, nothing’s more powerful than family. I guess that’s why you’re still standing, huh? Heh…
Ayliori: Kyu-chan…
Kyuzo: If you weren’t a member of Moon Tree, I’d invite you to join my guild…
Ayliori: If this were 3 months ago, I’d have taken you up on that offer. Hahaha.
Kyuzo: Well… *draws blade* …I think it’s time we finished this.
Ayliori: Go ahead. It’s okay.
Kyuzo: Hmm…?
Ayliori: I’m just glad you finally accept me. As long as I have that, I don’t care if I lose.
Kyuzo: …
*a slashing sound echoes through the Sky Stage*
Announcer: Team Ren has fallen! Team Kyuzo qualifies for the semifinals!
*…Sea Stage…*
Orion: Looks like it’s just you and me, Neon.
Neon: Yup. Looks like it.
Orion: Alright… This is it… It’s all or nothing…
Orion/Neon: YAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
*Orion and Neon dash towards and slash through each other, ending up with their backs facing the other*
Orion: …
Neon: …
*seconds later, Neon’s dual swords drop to the ground and his PC body’s color turns black and white*
Neon: D-Damn… *falls over*
Announcer: That’s it! Team Neon has fallen! Team Orion qualifies for the semifinals!
Orion: You put up a good fight, my friend…
*…Flame Stage…*
Silabus: GAH!!!! *falls over, PC body turns black and white*
Announcer: ASTONISHING!!! Team Tsukiyomi’s taken out both Silabus and Atoli! Now it’s just two against one!
Alkaid: *looks at Hayate and Tsukiyomi* (Hmm… I didn’t think they’d be this strong… To think that they took out Atoli and Silabus… I certainly didn’t foresee this…)
Hayate: *panting*
Tsukiyomi: Hayate, can you keep fighting?
Hayate: Heh…! *readies blade swords* Are you kidding…!? I can…keep this up…all day!
Tsukiyomi: Hmm… Huh? *gasp* Hayate, look!!
Hayate: Huh?
*Hayate and Tsukiyomi look over at Alkaid, who was holding her right hand high up*
Announcer: I… I don’t believe it, ladies and gentlemen!!! Alkaid’s giving the “signal of surrender”!!!
Hayate: “Signal of surrender”?!?
Announcer: I don’t know why, but Alkaid’s given up!!! That means that Team Tsukiyomi has qualified for the semifinals!!!
*Alkaid walks up to Hayate and Tsukiyomi*
Hayate: Uh…
Alkaid: Stop. I already know what you’re gonna say, and trust me, it’s for the best. If you could take out Silabus and Atoli, there’s definitely no way I can beat you.
Tsukiyomi: Alkaid…
Alkaid: And before you get any thoughts about me giving this victory to you, just don’t. You earned this win.
Hayate: …
Alkaid: *extends hand to Hayate* Congratulations. And be sure to knock ‘em dead in the semifinals.
Hayate: …Hmm! *shakes Alkaid’s hand* I will! We will!
Announcer: And that’s all she wrote, folks! All 20 teams have been chosen for the semifinal round! We’ll take a 30-minute break for the teams to relax! But remember – it’s always calmest before the storm!
*…Lumina Cloth Plaza…*
Hayate: Hahaha! I still can’t believe we beat Alkaid’s team!
Tsukiyomi: I know, right!?
Kaga: Certainly was exhilarating, wasn’t it?
Usa-chan: I still can’t believe we LOST!!! I want a rematch!
Neon: Oh, get over it, Usa-chan. We lost fair and square.
Coolidge: *looking around* …Where’s Ren-chan!? I wanted to offer my consolation to her for losing her match!
Hanabi: She left almost immediately after the match ended, but she wanted me to pass a message on to you.
Coolidge: Really!? What is it!?
Hanabi: Just this… *stomps forcefully on Coolidge’s foot*
Coolidge: YEEEEEOOOOOOWWWWWW!!!!! *hopping up and down* Ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-OW!!!!
Hanabi: Was that message clear enough for you?!? Hahahahahaha!!!
Coolidge: …Deranged little she-devil…
Izumi: Only twenty teams left… Do you think we’ll make it to the finals?
Orion: *with a serious look* We have to. We must keep the Blade Balmung out of Samurai 7’s hands at all costs.
Izumi: Um… O-Okay.
Hayate: …Hey, Orion, what’s with you lately?
Orion: Hmm? What do you mean?
Hayate: I mean, the .hack//Arms are all you care about nowadays. In fact, you’re beginning to seem like Kyuzo--
Orion: Don’t you dare compare me to him!!!
Hayate: *gasp*
Orion: …Sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you, Hayate.
Hayate: It’s…okay, Orion.
Orion: We should probably be getting ready for the semifinals, huh?
Hayate: …Right.
*…Azure Campaign, Center Stage…*
Announcer: At last, it’s time for the semifinal round! Nearly 1,000 teams have registered for the Azure Campaign, and now only 20 are remaining! Well, let’s not waste any time, shall we!? Let the semifinal round begin!!!
Crowd: *cheers loudly*
*Semifinal Match #1 (Flame Stage): Team Tsukiyomi VS. Team Jewel*
Hayate: HYAAAAAAH!!!!
Pearl: GAH!!!
Announcer: Pearl, Ruby, and Lazuli of Team Jewel have fallen!!!
*Semifinal Match #4 (Sky Stage): Team Kyuzo VS. Team Supersonik*
Batsu: AAAAAHHHHH!!!!!
*Batsu falls over; several arrows are seen in his back*
Announcer: Team Supersonik has fallen!
Haruhi: …Hmph.
*Semifinal Match #8 (Sea Stage): Team Orion VS. Team Brawlerz*
Orion: Piercing Heaven!!!
Yuugi: UGGGAAAAHHHH!!!!
Announcer: Team Brawlerz has fallen! Team Orion advances!
Orion: Hmph! Naturally!
*Semifinal Match #13 (Flame Stage): Team Samekh VS. Team Kestrel*
Claire: King Hammer!!!
*Claire swings her fist down at Aquitaine, who jumps out of the way*
Aquitaine: (Damn!! What’s with this girl!? She just keeps coming!!) …Huh!?
*Claire charges at Aquitaine again*
Claire: TIME FOR YOU TO DIE!!!!!
*Claire tackles Aquitaine into the battle fence and unleashes a brutal assault of punches and kicks on her PC body*
Aquitaine: Ugh! Unh! Oof! Aah! Gah!
Piros VIII: What’s gotten into Claire…? She’s starting to scare me…
Samekh: I know I said that mercy and compassion have no place in the Arena, but still…
Claire: Come on!!! Why aren’t you fighting back?!?
Aquitaine: *coughs up blood* You can go to hell, you psycho bitch…!
Claire: Grrrr… GRAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!
*Claire punches Aquitaine one last time, which causes the battle fence behind her to shatter; Claire then holds up Aquitaine’s body outside the fence and threatens to drop her into the abyss*
Claire: I should just waste your sorry ass right now!!!
Aquitaine: Heh… If you wanna waste me, then waste me… I dare you…
Claire: Grrrr…
Samekh: Claire, stop!
Claire: *turns around* Huh!?
Samekh: Settle down! We’ve won this fight already!
Claire: …Tch!
*Claire throws Aquitaine’s battered PC body to the ground and walks towards her teammates in a huff*
Aquitaine: …
Piros VIII: What’s gotten into you, Claire!? I’ve never seen you like this before!
Claire: Let’s just say that pink-hair over there and I have some history…
Samekh: Hmph…
Announcer: *sweatdrop* Uh… T-Team Kestrel has fallen! Team S-Samekh advances!
*…Lumina Cloth Plaza…*
Coolidge: ALRIGHT!!!! Just one more match, and we’ll be in the finals!!! High five!!!
Tsukiyomi: So which teams are left?
Kaga: Ours, Orion’s, Kyuzo’s, and Samekh’s.
Hayate: Hmph. Pretty typical that it’s down to us and Samurai 7.
Coolidge: C’mon!!! High five!!!
Neon: Were you guys watching the match between Samekh’s team and Aquitaine’s team? Claire was acting like a freakin’ psychopath!
Hanabi: I was watching that! That Claire’s completely out of her mind!
Coolidge: HIGH FIVE ALREADY!!!!!
All: SHUT UP ALREADY, COOLIDGE!!!!
Coolidge: …Man, I get no respect at all here…
*at that moment, Aquitaine walks out of the Arena and down into the plaza*
Usa-chan: Hey, there she is!
Hayate: Hey, Aquitaine.
Aquitaine: …Hey.
Ayliori: Any idea why Claire went postal on you in there?
Aquitaine: …I might have an idea.
*…Kestrel HQ, 7 months ago…*
Claire: Hey, you.
Aquitaine: Hmm? *turns around* …What?
Claire: You’re Aquitaine, right?
Aquitaine: …And if I am?
Claire: The name’s Claire. I have a proposition for ya.
Aquitaine: …
*…Mac Anu, one hour later…*
Aquitaine: …You want me to WHAT?!?
Claire: Quit Kestrel and join the Samurai 7! What are you, deaf!?
Aquitaine: And just why the hell would I do that?!?
Claire: Because my guildmaster specially requested you.
Aquitaine: Tch! Like I give a rat’s ass about your guildmaster!
Claire: …
Aquitaine: …But hey, you caught me in a good mood. I’ll tell you what. If you beat me in a Shade Palace Arena match, I’ll join you. But if you lose, you have to give me all of your items and GP.
Claire: Shade Palace…?
Aquitaine: You’ve never heard of the Shade Palace!? Tch! And you call yourself a PKer!
Claire: Hmph!
Aquitaine: The Shade Palace is a secret Arena branch made exclusively for Player Killers. You have to have a PKing track record of at least 100.
Claire: Shade Palace… Alright! You got a deal!
Aquitaine: Okay then! Meet me in Lumina Cloth in one hour!
*…Lumina Cloth, Shade Palace Arena…*
Claire: GAH!!!!! *gets thrown back*
Aquitaine: Tch! That was way too easy!
Announcer: And it’s all over!!! Claire the White Haze has lost!!! And in only 27 seconds too!!!
Claire: (Dammit…!!! I can’t believe this…!!! I’m the laughingstock of PKers everywhere…!!!)
Aquitaine: Well… *puts fans away* …you know the deal. Hand ‘em over.
Claire: Grrrr…
*Claire angrily throws all of her belongings on the ground*
Claire: Don’t think this is over, you bitch!!! The next time we meet in battle, I’m gonna slaughter you!!! *gates out*
Aquitaine: …
*7 months later…*
Miharu: She’s held a grudge against you for over half a year!?
Tsukiyomi: Someone needs to get a life! Hahahaha!
*meanwhile…*
Claire: *loud sneeze* Ugh… Someone must be talkin’ smack about me somewhere…
Piros VIII: Ah, you’re imagining things! You’re way too superstitious!
Claire: Oh, shut up, you armor-plated retard!
*…Azure Campaign, Center Stage…*
Announcer: This is it, ladies and gentlemen!!! The battle that decides who’ll be facing who in the final match of the Azure Campaign!!! I present to you your 4 remaining semifinalist teams!!! Team Tsukiyomi…
Crowd: *cheers loudly*
Announcer: …Team Orion…
Crowd: *cheers loudly*
Announcer: …Team Samekh…
Crowd: *cheers loudly*
Announcer: …And Team Kyuzo!!!
Crowd: *boos and jeers loudly*
Kyuzo: Thank you! Thank you! You’re too kind!
Jack: *sweatdrop* He actually thinks they’re cheering, doesn’t he…?
Announcer: Since there are only four teams left, the last round of the semifinals, as well as the final round itself, shall be conducted under regular Arena rules! That means three-on-three, no-holds-barred, anything-goes battles!!!
Crowd: *cheers loudly*
Announcer: Now to decide who will be facing who in the final round of the semifinals! Since both Team Tsukiyomi and Team Samekh are placed on the Flame Stage, they are automatically matched up! That means that Team Orion will be facing Team Kyuzo on the Sky Stage!
Coolidge: Well, that figures…
Kaga: So, it’s us against Samekh…
Orion: …and us against Kyuzo.
Izumi: Hayate?
Hayate: Hmm? What is it, Izumi?
Izumi: …Good luck.
Hayate: … *blush* Uh… T-Thanks, Izumi. Good luck to you too.
Coolidge: *snickers* Hayate and Izumi sitting in a tree…
Hayate/Izumi: WE CAN HEAR YOU, YOU KNOW!!!
Announcer: Without further delay, let the last round of the semifinals…BEGIN!!!!!
TO BE CONTINUED…
~ Next Time on Infected! ~
Kaga: Hayate, you take Samekh! Tsukiyomi, you take out Piros then assist Hayate! I’ll take on Claire!
Tsukiyomi: Gotcha! …Hey, wait a second! Why do I have to take on Piros!?
~*~*~*~
Kyuzo: Ha! Nice try!
~*~*~*~
Haruhi: …Target neutralized.
~*~*~*~
Kyuzo: …These three long years have made you soft, Orion…
~*~*~*~
Izumi: …Orion.
Orion: What it is, Izumi?
Izumi: During our match with Kyuzo, you said something to him. You called him…Kurogane…
~*~*~*~
Samekh: At one point in time, I had all of The World wrapped around my little finger…
~*~*~*~
Kaga: Give me the Vorpal Blade.
Hayate: What!? Why!?
Kaga: You want to win this battle, don’t you?
~*~*~*~
Orion: …I have something to tell you all…
~*~*~*~
Announcer: Finalists ready?!? …FIGHT!!!
23rd Phase: An Ominous Overture, Part 3!
