Post by Hayate on Nov 18, 2007 20:28:57 GMT -5
~ Previously on Infected! ~
Tyson: So, there we were: in the very mouth of an underground volcano!
Lilly: And that’s when we noticed a grimoire sitting on a tiny landmass in the middle of the lava!
Cedric: And while we were contemplating how to reach the grimoire, “IT” appeared before us!!!
All: THE BEAST!!!
~*~*~*~
Kyuzo: Let’s play a little game, Glaive LeGable! You have the treasure -- now let’s see if you can escape with it alive! *snaps fingers*
*the creature emerges from the magma and roars loudly at the group*
All: THE CREATURE!!!!!
~*~*~*~
Neon: Come on… Come on… Almost got it…
Kaga: *gasp* Neon, get away from there!
Neon: Huh!?
*the Data Bug roars as it emerges from the lava*
Neon: *looks up at the Data Bug* …Uh-oh…
Data Bug: *loud roar*
Neon: AAAAAHHHHH!!!!!
*almost everyone shields their eyes at the Data Bug eats Neon alive*
Usa-chan: NEO-NIICHAN!!!!![/i][/b]
~*~*~*~
*little by little, Izumi’s hand begins to slip through Hayate’s fingers*
Izumi: I c-can’t hold on for much longer!
Hayate: Orion, I need some help over here!
*Hayate looks over at Orion, who was trying to reach the .hack//Arm*
Orion: *gazing intently at the .hack//Arm* …So beautiful…
Hayate: Orion!? Orion, can’t you hear me!?
Orion: …I’m…almost…there…
Hayate: ORION!!!!!
*just then, Izumi’s hand completely slips through Hayate’s fingers, and she plummets down; the Data Bug positions itself underneath Izumi and opens its jaws; Izumi falls into the Data Bug’s mouth and is eaten alive*
Hayate: IIIIIZUUUUUMIIIII!!!!!
~ And now…the conclusion of “The Edge of Existence” ~
~ Eternal City of Mac Anu; June 3, 2037 ~
*…Samurai 7 @home, .hack//Arm Storage Chamber…*
*Haruhi places the Magic Helba grimoire in a display container as the others watch*
Kyuzo: Take a good look, my friends… When you look at this grimoire, let it remind you of how badly we trounced Glaive LeGable. Hahaha.
Claire: Sure is a pretty book there, boss…
Piros VIII: …Can I hold it?
Kyuzo: Piros, don’t make me repeat myself!!! If I see you touch any of the .hack//Arms, I’m gonna make the Pit of Despair your permanent home away from home!!!
Jack: So what now, Mr. Boss Man?
Kyuzo: Haruhi?
Haruhi: …We celebrate?
Kyuzo: RIGHT YOU ARE!!! A round of sake on me! What do you say, Sammy?
Sammy: I appreciate the offer, but no. I’m gonna continue my research on the .hack//Arms.
Kyuzo: *shrugs shoulders* Suit yourself. Samurai 7…it’s party time!
*…Glaive LeGable @home…*
*the members of Glaive LeGable are seen sitting around with depressed looks on their faces; Neon and Izumi are shown with new PC bodies (Neon’s PC body looks completely different, but Izumi’s PC body incorporates features from both of her previous PC bodies); Hayate is the only member shown standing up*
Coolidge: Okay, so…what exactly happened yesterday?
Miharu: Yeah, I got a Game Over ‘cuz of that damned Data Bug.
Hayate: *glares at Orion* Why don’t you ask our so-called guildmaster?
Orion: …
*one day earlier…*
Hayate: *falls to knees* …No… This wasn’t supposed to happen…
*Orion runs up to Hayate holding the .hack//Arm*
Orion: Hayate! I got it! I got the--
*all of a sudden, Hayate tackles Orion to the ground and pins him*
Hayate: WHY DIDN’T YOU LISTEN TO ME, ORION!?!? I CALLED OUT TO YOU!!!! WHY!?!? ARE THE .HACK//ARMS MORE IMPORTANT TO YOU THAN YOUR FRIENDS?!?!?
*just then, Hayate begins to emit a faint glow, and strange symbols appear on his PC body*
Orion: …H-Hayate…! What are you…?
Kyuzo: *sigh* I’m not a big fan of domestic disputes… *snaps fingers*
*the Data Bug rises from underneath the lava and roars loudly at Hayate and Orion*
Hayate: …
*Hayate gets off of Orion and looks at the Data Bug*
Hayate: You…killed Izumi…
*just then, a white transparent bracelet appears around Hayate’s right wrist*
Orion: *gasp* Hayate…!?
Kyuzo: End them, my pet!
Data Bug: *roars loudly*
*the Data Bug lunges at Hayate, intending to devour him*
Hayate: No… This ends…NOOOOOOOWWWWWWW!!!!!!!
*just before the Data Bug could eat Hayate, Hayate thrusts his right fist forward and connects it with the Data Bug’s jaw; in a flash of white light, Hayate accidentally fires off a Data Drain blast at close range, destroying the Data Bug in an instant*
Hayate: *panting, faints*
Orion: What…the hell was that…?
Jack: W-W-What the hell just happened?!?
Claire: What kind of skill did that little brat just use!?
Kyuzo: … (That was Data Drain… So, little Hayate… You are also one of the “Chosen”…) *smirk* This war just got a whole lot more interesting…
*moments later, Haruhi walks up to the group holding the Magic Helba .hack//Arm*
Haruhi: I’ve retrieved the .hack//Arm as you requested, Master Kyuzo.
Kyuzo: Good work, Haruhi. I should have expected Piros to screw up such a simple task. Alright, let’s go.
*Kyuzo and the others gate out of the area; meanwhile, Orion tries to shake Hayate awake*
Orion: Hayate! Hayate! Wake up! …What on Earth did you just do…?
*just then, Haseo of the Black Flame appears before Hayate and Orion*
Orion: *gasp* Haseo…!
*without saying anything, Haseo points his hand at Hayate and Orion and releases a short pulsating wave, forcing them to gate out of the area*
Haseo: …
*one day later…*
Usa-chan: So, let me get this straight… Hayate uses some weird skill to destroy the Data Bug, Samurai 7 escapes with the .hack//Arm, and Haseo forces Orion and Hayate to gate out, and that’s it?
Neon: What do you mean, “that’s it”!? Because of that damn Kyuzo, I lost all of my PC data! My experience points, my items, my member addresses – everything!!!
Izumi: Well, at least we didn’t fall into comas.
Miharu: And besides, your new PC body looks awesome!
Neon: …It does, doesn’t it? Hahahaha. I guess it’s not all bad!
All: Hahahaha!
Hayate: STOP LAUGHING!!!!!
All: *gasp*
Hayate: My weird skill… Our losing the .hack//Arm… Neon’s new PC body… All of that doesn’t mean squat! The point of all this is that Orion chose the .hack//Arm over the well-being of his friends!
All: …
Hayate: I saw the look in your eyes, Orion! Getting the .hack//Arm was all you cared about! Neon and Izumi could’ve fallen into comas, but you didn’t care! That’s… That’s no different than Kyuzo!!!
Orion: …
Hayate: It’s true, isn’t it!? The .hack//Arms ARE more important to you than anything else!!!
Orion: …
Hayate: SAY SOMETHING, DAMMIT!!!!!
Orion: …
Hayate: …Alright, fine. I get it. You know, I joined this guild because I thought you were different than Kyuzo. I knew that, if I had joined the Samurai 7, Kyuzo would just exploit my strength to no end. I thought it’d be different if I joined Glaive LeGable. But I see everything clearly now…
*Hayate takes out his Glaive LeGable @home Guest Key*
Izumi: Wait… Hayate, you’re not…
Hayate: *tosses Guest Key to the floor* Have fun using the strengths of everyone around you just to fulfill your own selfish goals! As of this moment, I quit!!!
Coolidge: What!?
Neon: You’re not serious!
Miharu: Think about what you’re doing, Hayate!
Usa-chan: I’m sure Orion had a good reason for--
Hayate: How can you all defend Orion after what he did!?
All: …
Hayate: …That’s what I thought. *turns around* I’ll see you guys around, but it won’t be in this @home.
*as Hayate leaves the @home, Izumi walks over and picks up his Guest Key*
Izumi: … *looks at Orion*
Orion: …
Izumi: … (I trust you, Orion… I want to place my trust in you, but…)
*…Raven @home, Serpent of Lore…*
Haseo: What’s the K-Anomaly’s encroachment reading!?
Ovan: It’s still rising! 13%… 19%… 26%… It’s already reached 40%!
Endrance: Infection levels are rising rapidly! It’s never risen this quickly before!
Ovan: Encroachment has reached 50%!
Endrance: K-Anomaly is beginning to emerge!
Haseo: What’s its current position!?
Endrance: Encroachment is currently focused around the vicinity of Hulle Granz Cathedral!
Ovan: Encroachment has reached 60%!
Haseo: Can’t it be stopped!?
Endrance: It’s materializing too fast! At this rate…!
Haseo: No…! Why is this happening now!?
*…Mac Anu, Alchemy District…*
*Hayate looks over the bridge and into the water*
Hayate: …
*suddenly, the graphics of the game become massively distorted for a split second*
Hayate: Huh!? …Where’d that come from?
: BANZAI!!!!
Hayate: WHAT THE HELL?!?
*Yahiko suddenly crashes into Hayate, knocking him over*
Yahiko: Hey, Hayate!
Hayate: …Hey, Yahiko…
*Hayate picks himself up, dusts himself off, and continues to gaze into the water*
Hayate: …
Yahiko: Hey, Hayate, you okay? You don’t look so good.
Hayate: …I quit my guild today.
Yahiko: Huh!? Why’d you do that?
Hayate: Well… Let’s just say that my guildmaster’s finally shown his true colors, and it wasn’t pretty.
Yahiko: Colors…? …Oh! You mean like an ugly painting?
Hayate: *sweatdrop* …Well, kinda. If you put it that way, it’s like my guildmaster was like the Mona Lisa one minute, and the next he’s like a Picasso masterpiece.
Yahiko: Hmm… Well, if you’re ever lookin’ to join a new guild, you can always join Canard. I’ll put in a good word for ya.
Hayate: Thanks, Yahiko, I appreciate that. But I don’t think I’ll be joining another guild any time soon. *walks away*
Yahiko: …
*D Hidden Forbidden Holy Ground ~ Hulle Granz Cathedral*
*Haseo, Endrance, and Ovan face a great white light that surged with electricity*
Haseo: Alright! Begin operation!
*Haseo and Endrance each draw their Lost Weapons*
Endrance: …BEGIN!
*on Endrance’s command, Haseo and Endrance fire thin beams of energy from their Lost Weapons into the white light; little by little, the white light decreases in intensity*
Ovan: Now commencing phase 2 of the operation!
*a blue bracelet instantly appears around Ovan’s right wrist, which he aims at the white light and fires a powerful Data Drain blast; in a condensed explosion, the white light is decreased to about 5 inches in diameter*
Ovan: *generates transparent computer panel* Encroachment level at 18%.
Haseo: Damn! It’s no good!
Endrance: What’s causing the K-Anomaly to emerge so quickly all of a sudden?
Haseo: I don’t know… Ovan, how many of the Gen-2 Factors have awakened?
Ovan: …Three. But what are you planning to--?
Haseo: We have no choice. They’re bound to find out sooner or later. Find them and bring them to Caerleon Medb.
Endrance: Do you really think that plan will--?
Haseo: Like I said, we don’t have a choice. We must stop the K-Anomaly from emerging at all costs.
Ovan/Endrance: …Understood.
*…Mac Anu, Central District…*
Hayate: …There.
: HEY, YOU!!!
Hayate: Aah! *falls over* Dammit, does everyone love to scare the hell out of me!?
*Hayate stands up, turns around, and sees Ciel standing behind him*
Hayate: …Do I know you?
Ciel: Well, that’s rude…
Hayate: …Hey, wait. You’re that girl who helped Kyuzo on his Job Extension quest. …Sheila, right?
Ciel: I’m not a girl; I’m a BOY!!! And it’s not Sheila; it’s CIEL!!!
Hayate: …Whatever. What do you want?
Ciel: You accepted a quest, didn’t you? Let me come with you!
Hayate: And why should I do that?
Ciel: I’m bored! And you’re the only person around I actually recognize!
Hayate: *sarcastically* Yeah, that’s logical… *sigh* Alright, fine. You can come, but try not to make so much noise.
Ciel: Cool!
*in a dungeon-type area…*
Ciel: Okay, so what’s the objective here?
Hayate: Locate the “Stormblade Vulture” and kill it.
Ciel: Stormblade Vulture! Got it! *draws anchor-looking scythe* LET’S ROCK!!!
Hayate: What’d I say about making noise?!?
*about 20 minutes later, Hayate and Ciel reach the dungeon’s final chamber and find the vulture*
Hayate: There it is! Alright, Ciel, you attack from the right and I’ll attack from the left! *draws Flamberge and Vorpal Blade*
Ciel: Roger that!
*5 minutes later, the Stormblade Vulture’s HP is almost depleted*
Ciel: Whew! This thing’s sure gotta lot of endurance!
Hayate: Saku-neechan… Lend me your strength…
*Hayate slams his two blades together and unleashes his Tempestua Sword*
Ciel: HOLY CRAP!!!!! You didn’t tell you could do that!
Hayate: RAPTUROUS CYCLONE!!!!!
*the Tempestua Sword unleashes a great spiraling gust of wind that slices through the Vulture, cutting its body in half right down the middle*
Ciel: …Whoa…
*the Tempestua Sword splits apart into the Flamberge and Vorpal Blade; Hayate puts his blade swords away and proceeds into the Beast Statue room*
Ciel: …Huh? H-Hey, wait for me!
*inside the Beast Statue treasure box, Hayate finds a rare scythe*
Hayate: Tch!
Ciel: Wow! Nice weapon you got there!
Hayate: *tosses the scythe to Ciel* Keep it.
Ciel: W-Whoa! *stumblingly catches scythe and looks at Hayate* …You mean it?
Hayate: I’m a Brandier. You really think I’d have use for a scythe?
Ciel: Hah! Thanks, Hayate!
Hayate: Whatever. Let’s go back to town.
Ciel: Yes, sir! *gates out*
Hayate: …I wonder how everyone else is doing…
*Hayate walks over to the transporter and prepares to gate out; all of the sudden, the Epitaph Knights all appear around him*
Hayate: *gasp*
Haseo: Player Character #F362009. Username – Hayate.
Endrance: The 5th “Chosen”. Codename – The Machinator.
Ovan: We need to have a little talk.
Hayate: …
*q Hidden Forbidden Sacrament ~ Great Temple of Caerleon Medb*
*as Hayate gates into the Lost Ground, he looks around at the eight platforms where the Lost Weapons were once sealed*
Hayate: What is this place…?
Endrance: This is Caerleon Medb. A Lost Ground whose access was prohibited by regular players. This is where you will soon discover your true self, Hayate.
Hayate: My…true self?
Haseo: 7th Chosen!
: I have a name, you know!
Hayate: Hmm?
*from behind the Chaos Gate, a Lord Partizan with white hair and strange clothes reveals herself to the group*
: So, are you gonna tell me why you brought me here or what?
Ovan: Hayate, this is the 7th Chosen One. Player Character #C192275. Username – Gwen.
Hayate: Uh… N-Nice to meet you.
Gwen: Yeah, whatever.
Hayate: …Okay… *looks at Ovan* What did you mean by “Chosen”?
Gwen: What? You mean you don’t know? Tch! Some Factor User you are…
Hayate: Factor…User?
Gwen: *groan* This is a complete waste of my time.
Haseo: Endrance, where’s the 1st Chosen?
Endrance: He’s on his way here as we speak. *notices a player gating in* …Speak of the devil.
*Kyuzo appears before the group*
Hayate: Kyuzo!!!
Kyuzo: Hmm? …Oh, look who it is. How’s it going, little Hayate?
Hayate: Don’t talk to me, you bastard!
Kyuzo: Temper, temper… Hmm? *looks at Gwen* Ooh! Hottie at 2 o’clock! *walks over to Gwen and puts arm around her* Hey there, foxy lady! Wanna join my guild?
Gwen: …Take it off or I’ll break it off…
Kyuzo: Hehehe… I like ‘em when they’re feisty…
Haseo: Ahem!
*Kyuzo, Hayate, and Gwen all stand next to each other*
Haseo: I suppose you’re all wondering why we brought you here.
Gwen: *sarcastically* The thought did cross my mind…
Endrance: You three individuals all possess an extraordinary power. Power that, when used properly, can make you the most powerful players in The World.
Ovan: I take it you’re familiar with the epic poem “Epitaph of Twilight” and the “Eight Phases of Morganna” mentioned in it?
Hayate: Yeah, why?
Haseo: The powers your PC bodies possess are manifestations of those very same phases. Kyuzo, your power is derived from the 1st Phase of Morganna – Skeith, the Terror of Death.
Kyuzo: “Terror of Death”… Heh. I like the sound of that.
Endrance: Hayate, your power is derived from the 5th Phase of Morganna – Gorre, the Machinator.
Hayate: …
Ovan: And Gwen, your power is derived from the 7th Phase of Morganna – Tarvos, the Avenger.
Haseo: The three of you are able to use these powers, or “factors”, to do battle against infections and bugs in the system. You…are Factor Users.
Hayate: Wow…
Gwen: Okay, so we have special PC bodies. What’s the big deal?
Endrance: As of this very moment, we are facing the arrival of an almost unstoppable force of evil known as the “K-Anomaly”. If it completely materializes, this entire world would be in grave danger.
Kyuzo: Huh… Sounds heavy.
Ovan: But by using the power of Morganna’s Eight Phases, you can stop the K-Anomaly from materializing. We had hoped of telling you all this when your Factor powers were more developed, but the K-Anomaly is approaching faster than ever and we are quickly running out of time.
Hayate: So, what do you want us to do?
Haseo: We can halt the K-Anomaly’s encroachment by combating its power with the power of the Eight Phases. You must do exactly as I say.
Kyuzo: Hold on there, chief. What do I get out of doing all this?
Endrance: Kyuzo, now’s not the time to be seeking self-gratification. All of The World is in jeopardy.
Kyuzo: So? It’s just an online game.
Ovan: If we allow the K-Anomaly to blanket The World with infection, all of its players may fall into comas…or worse.
Kyuzo: Then I’ll just stop playing.
Hayate: Dammit, Kyuzo, quit thinking about yourself all the time! You love The World just as much as everyone here!
Kyuzo: “Love”? Tch! Don’t make me laugh. There are hundreds of games just like this one.
Haseo: Fine. If you feel that way… *points hand at Kyuzo* …then I’ll just remove the Morganna factor from your PC body. An individual like you doesn’t even deserve the name of “Terror of Death”.
*a pulsating light appears in Haseo’s hand*
Kyuzo: …
Haseo: …
Kyuzo: …Alright, alright, I’ll do it. Anything to get away from this gaggle of losers…
Hayate/Gwen: Grrrr…
*moments later, Kyuzo stands at the northernmost platform, Hayate stands at the southernmost platform, and Gwen stands at the easternmost platform*
Gwen: Now what?
Haseo: We’ll take it from here.
*Haseo, Endrance, and Ovan all stand around the Chaos Gate at the center of the platforms*
Haseo: “After the stars doth cross the heavens, the sky in the East doth darken and air doth fill with mourning. From the chosen land beyond the forest, a sign of the wave comes. Riding the wave is Skeith, the shadow of death, to drown all that stands.”
*the platform Kyuzo was standing on begins to glow, and red Epitaph symbols appear on his PC body*
Endrance: “Mirage of deceit, Innis, betrays all with the flawed image, and did aid the wave. And by the power of Magus, a drop from the wave doth reach the heavens, and creates a new wave. With the wave, Fidchell, the power to tell the dark future, hope darkens, sadness and despair rule. Gorre schemes when swallowed by the Cursed Wave.”
*the platform Hayate was standing on begins to glow, and white Epitaph symbols appear on his PC body*
Ovan: “Macha seduces with the sweet trap. Wave reaches the pinnacle, and escape none can. Tarvos still remains with more cruelty to punish and destroy.”
*the platform Gwen was standing on begins to glow, and pink Epitaph symbols appear on her PC body*
All: “And with the turbulent destruction after the wave, only a void remains. From deep within the void arrives Corbenik. Perhaps then the wave is just a beginning as well!”
*all eight platforms begin to glow, and all of The World begins to vibrate*
Hayate: W-What’s happening!?
*…Glaive LeGable @home…*
Coolidge: It’s the end of The World! Duck and cover!
Dawn Grunty: I’m scared, Usa-chan!
Usa-chan: Don’t worry, I’m here. We’ll be fine, I promise.
Miharu: Ohhhh… Is now a bad time to mention I have motion sickness?
Neon: Yes, now would qualify as a bad time, Miharu!
*…Samurai 7 @home…*
Piros VIII: ‘Tis the end of The World! Duck and cover!
Claire: Ohhhh… I don’t feel well…
Jack: What the hell is going on!?
Shade Grunty: Whatever’s causing this, I just know Kyuzo’s to blame!
Haruhi: …
*just then, a blinding light engulfs Caerleon Medb and soon vanishes, along with the earthquake*
Gwen: Whoa… What a rush…
Haseo: Ovan?
Ovan: *generates transparent computer panel* Encroachment level at 35% and dropping. The operation was a success.
Haseo: *sigh* Thank goodness.
*moments later, the group gathers at the Chaos Gate*
Endrance: Thousands of players may have been completely oblivious to what just happened, but believe me when I say that you’ve saved all their lives.
Hayate: Hehehe…
Kyuzo: Yeah, yeah, great. Can I go now?
Gwen: Same here. I’ve got things to do.
Ovan: One moment.
All: Huh?
Ovan: There may come a time when we shall require your help once more. When that time comes, I hope that you’ll lend it to us. Not only from you, but from the remaining Factor Users as well.
Hayate: Sure.
Gwen: …I’ll think about it.
*several hours later, in the Mac Anu Alchemy District…*
Hayate: …
: I thought I’d find you here.
Hayate: Hmm? *looks over and sees Izumi* …Oh. Hi, Izumi.
*Izumi stands next to Hayate and gazes into the water with him*
Izumi: …
Hayate: …Well?
Izumi: Well what?
Hayate: Aren’t you here to try and convince me to come back to the guild?
Izumi: Of course not. Don’t you remember what I said to you the first day we met?
Hayate: “No one should be forced to join a guild if they don’t want to…” I remember.
Izumi: I still stand by that statement.
Hayate: …
Izumi: …You forgot this. *hands Guest Key to Hayate*
Hayate: Huh? But…
Izumi: Whether or not you return to Glaive LeGable, I want you to keep that Guest Key. Think of it as…a memento.
Hayate: … *takes Guest Key from Izumi*
Izumi: …I…guess I’ll be going now. *turns around and walks away*
Hayate: …Izumi!
Izumi: *stops walking*
Hayate: …I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you. You know, back at Megin Fi. But I swear I’ll protect you better from now on – even if I don’t go back to Glaive LeGable!
Izumi: … *smile, continues walking*
Hayate: … *looks down at Guest Key*
*D Hidden Forbidden Holy Ground ~ Hulle Granz Cathedral*
*the white light from before is shown slowly shrinking; just before the light vanishes completely, it takes the form of a Player Character and shatters, revealing a PC that emits a faint blue fiery glow; the PC floats down onto the ground and opens its piercing red eyes*
Kaeion: *groan* …Mor…gan…na…
Season Two: Coming Soon![/color]
Tyson: So, there we were: in the very mouth of an underground volcano!
Lilly: And that’s when we noticed a grimoire sitting on a tiny landmass in the middle of the lava!
Cedric: And while we were contemplating how to reach the grimoire, “IT” appeared before us!!!
All: THE BEAST!!!
~*~*~*~
Kyuzo: Let’s play a little game, Glaive LeGable! You have the treasure -- now let’s see if you can escape with it alive! *snaps fingers*
*the creature emerges from the magma and roars loudly at the group*
All: THE CREATURE!!!!!
~*~*~*~
Neon: Come on… Come on… Almost got it…
Kaga: *gasp* Neon, get away from there!
Neon: Huh!?
*the Data Bug roars as it emerges from the lava*
Neon: *looks up at the Data Bug* …Uh-oh…
Data Bug: *loud roar*
Neon: AAAAAHHHHH!!!!!
*almost everyone shields their eyes at the Data Bug eats Neon alive*
Usa-chan: NEO-NIICHAN!!!!![/i][/b]
~*~*~*~
*little by little, Izumi’s hand begins to slip through Hayate’s fingers*
Izumi: I c-can’t hold on for much longer!
Hayate: Orion, I need some help over here!
*Hayate looks over at Orion, who was trying to reach the .hack//Arm*
Orion: *gazing intently at the .hack//Arm* …So beautiful…
Hayate: Orion!? Orion, can’t you hear me!?
Orion: …I’m…almost…there…
Hayate: ORION!!!!!
*just then, Izumi’s hand completely slips through Hayate’s fingers, and she plummets down; the Data Bug positions itself underneath Izumi and opens its jaws; Izumi falls into the Data Bug’s mouth and is eaten alive*
Hayate: IIIIIZUUUUUMIIIII!!!!!
~ And now…the conclusion of “The Edge of Existence” ~
~ Eternal City of Mac Anu; June 3, 2037 ~
*…Samurai 7 @home, .hack//Arm Storage Chamber…*
*Haruhi places the Magic Helba grimoire in a display container as the others watch*
Kyuzo: Take a good look, my friends… When you look at this grimoire, let it remind you of how badly we trounced Glaive LeGable. Hahaha.
Claire: Sure is a pretty book there, boss…
Piros VIII: …Can I hold it?
Kyuzo: Piros, don’t make me repeat myself!!! If I see you touch any of the .hack//Arms, I’m gonna make the Pit of Despair your permanent home away from home!!!
Jack: So what now, Mr. Boss Man?
Kyuzo: Haruhi?
Haruhi: …We celebrate?
Kyuzo: RIGHT YOU ARE!!! A round of sake on me! What do you say, Sammy?
Sammy: I appreciate the offer, but no. I’m gonna continue my research on the .hack//Arms.
Kyuzo: *shrugs shoulders* Suit yourself. Samurai 7…it’s party time!
*…Glaive LeGable @home…*
*the members of Glaive LeGable are seen sitting around with depressed looks on their faces; Neon and Izumi are shown with new PC bodies (Neon’s PC body looks completely different, but Izumi’s PC body incorporates features from both of her previous PC bodies); Hayate is the only member shown standing up*
Coolidge: Okay, so…what exactly happened yesterday?
Miharu: Yeah, I got a Game Over ‘cuz of that damned Data Bug.
Hayate: *glares at Orion* Why don’t you ask our so-called guildmaster?
Orion: …
*one day earlier…*
Hayate: *falls to knees* …No… This wasn’t supposed to happen…
*Orion runs up to Hayate holding the .hack//Arm*
Orion: Hayate! I got it! I got the--
*all of a sudden, Hayate tackles Orion to the ground and pins him*
Hayate: WHY DIDN’T YOU LISTEN TO ME, ORION!?!? I CALLED OUT TO YOU!!!! WHY!?!? ARE THE .HACK//ARMS MORE IMPORTANT TO YOU THAN YOUR FRIENDS?!?!?
*just then, Hayate begins to emit a faint glow, and strange symbols appear on his PC body*
Orion: …H-Hayate…! What are you…?
Kyuzo: *sigh* I’m not a big fan of domestic disputes… *snaps fingers*
*the Data Bug rises from underneath the lava and roars loudly at Hayate and Orion*
Hayate: …
*Hayate gets off of Orion and looks at the Data Bug*
Hayate: You…killed Izumi…
*just then, a white transparent bracelet appears around Hayate’s right wrist*
Orion: *gasp* Hayate…!?
Kyuzo: End them, my pet!
Data Bug: *roars loudly*
*the Data Bug lunges at Hayate, intending to devour him*
Hayate: No… This ends…NOOOOOOOWWWWWWW!!!!!!!
*just before the Data Bug could eat Hayate, Hayate thrusts his right fist forward and connects it with the Data Bug’s jaw; in a flash of white light, Hayate accidentally fires off a Data Drain blast at close range, destroying the Data Bug in an instant*
Hayate: *panting, faints*
Orion: What…the hell was that…?
Jack: W-W-What the hell just happened?!?
Claire: What kind of skill did that little brat just use!?
Kyuzo: … (That was Data Drain… So, little Hayate… You are also one of the “Chosen”…) *smirk* This war just got a whole lot more interesting…
*moments later, Haruhi walks up to the group holding the Magic Helba .hack//Arm*
Haruhi: I’ve retrieved the .hack//Arm as you requested, Master Kyuzo.
Kyuzo: Good work, Haruhi. I should have expected Piros to screw up such a simple task. Alright, let’s go.
*Kyuzo and the others gate out of the area; meanwhile, Orion tries to shake Hayate awake*
Orion: Hayate! Hayate! Wake up! …What on Earth did you just do…?
*just then, Haseo of the Black Flame appears before Hayate and Orion*
Orion: *gasp* Haseo…!
*without saying anything, Haseo points his hand at Hayate and Orion and releases a short pulsating wave, forcing them to gate out of the area*
Haseo: …
*one day later…*
Usa-chan: So, let me get this straight… Hayate uses some weird skill to destroy the Data Bug, Samurai 7 escapes with the .hack//Arm, and Haseo forces Orion and Hayate to gate out, and that’s it?
Neon: What do you mean, “that’s it”!? Because of that damn Kyuzo, I lost all of my PC data! My experience points, my items, my member addresses – everything!!!
Izumi: Well, at least we didn’t fall into comas.
Miharu: And besides, your new PC body looks awesome!
Neon: …It does, doesn’t it? Hahahaha. I guess it’s not all bad!
All: Hahahaha!
Hayate: STOP LAUGHING!!!!!
All: *gasp*
Hayate: My weird skill… Our losing the .hack//Arm… Neon’s new PC body… All of that doesn’t mean squat! The point of all this is that Orion chose the .hack//Arm over the well-being of his friends!
All: …
Hayate: I saw the look in your eyes, Orion! Getting the .hack//Arm was all you cared about! Neon and Izumi could’ve fallen into comas, but you didn’t care! That’s… That’s no different than Kyuzo!!!
Orion: …
Hayate: It’s true, isn’t it!? The .hack//Arms ARE more important to you than anything else!!!
Orion: …
Hayate: SAY SOMETHING, DAMMIT!!!!!
Orion: …
Hayate: …Alright, fine. I get it. You know, I joined this guild because I thought you were different than Kyuzo. I knew that, if I had joined the Samurai 7, Kyuzo would just exploit my strength to no end. I thought it’d be different if I joined Glaive LeGable. But I see everything clearly now…
*Hayate takes out his Glaive LeGable @home Guest Key*
Izumi: Wait… Hayate, you’re not…
Hayate: *tosses Guest Key to the floor* Have fun using the strengths of everyone around you just to fulfill your own selfish goals! As of this moment, I quit!!!
Coolidge: What!?
Neon: You’re not serious!
Miharu: Think about what you’re doing, Hayate!
Usa-chan: I’m sure Orion had a good reason for--
Hayate: How can you all defend Orion after what he did!?
All: …
Hayate: …That’s what I thought. *turns around* I’ll see you guys around, but it won’t be in this @home.
*as Hayate leaves the @home, Izumi walks over and picks up his Guest Key*
Izumi: … *looks at Orion*
Orion: …
Izumi: … (I trust you, Orion… I want to place my trust in you, but…)
*…Raven @home, Serpent of Lore…*
Haseo: What’s the K-Anomaly’s encroachment reading!?
Ovan: It’s still rising! 13%… 19%… 26%… It’s already reached 40%!
Endrance: Infection levels are rising rapidly! It’s never risen this quickly before!
Ovan: Encroachment has reached 50%!
Endrance: K-Anomaly is beginning to emerge!
Haseo: What’s its current position!?
Endrance: Encroachment is currently focused around the vicinity of Hulle Granz Cathedral!
Ovan: Encroachment has reached 60%!
Haseo: Can’t it be stopped!?
Endrance: It’s materializing too fast! At this rate…!
Haseo: No…! Why is this happening now!?
*…Mac Anu, Alchemy District…*
*Hayate looks over the bridge and into the water*
Hayate: …
*suddenly, the graphics of the game become massively distorted for a split second*
Hayate: Huh!? …Where’d that come from?
: BANZAI!!!!Hayate: WHAT THE HELL?!?
*Yahiko suddenly crashes into Hayate, knocking him over*
Yahiko: Hey, Hayate!
Hayate: …Hey, Yahiko…
*Hayate picks himself up, dusts himself off, and continues to gaze into the water*
Hayate: …
Yahiko: Hey, Hayate, you okay? You don’t look so good.
Hayate: …I quit my guild today.
Yahiko: Huh!? Why’d you do that?
Hayate: Well… Let’s just say that my guildmaster’s finally shown his true colors, and it wasn’t pretty.
Yahiko: Colors…? …Oh! You mean like an ugly painting?
Hayate: *sweatdrop* …Well, kinda. If you put it that way, it’s like my guildmaster was like the Mona Lisa one minute, and the next he’s like a Picasso masterpiece.
Yahiko: Hmm… Well, if you’re ever lookin’ to join a new guild, you can always join Canard. I’ll put in a good word for ya.
Hayate: Thanks, Yahiko, I appreciate that. But I don’t think I’ll be joining another guild any time soon. *walks away*
Yahiko: …
*D Hidden Forbidden Holy Ground ~ Hulle Granz Cathedral*
*Haseo, Endrance, and Ovan face a great white light that surged with electricity*
Haseo: Alright! Begin operation!
*Haseo and Endrance each draw their Lost Weapons*
Endrance: …BEGIN!
*on Endrance’s command, Haseo and Endrance fire thin beams of energy from their Lost Weapons into the white light; little by little, the white light decreases in intensity*
Ovan: Now commencing phase 2 of the operation!
*a blue bracelet instantly appears around Ovan’s right wrist, which he aims at the white light and fires a powerful Data Drain blast; in a condensed explosion, the white light is decreased to about 5 inches in diameter*
Ovan: *generates transparent computer panel* Encroachment level at 18%.
Haseo: Damn! It’s no good!
Endrance: What’s causing the K-Anomaly to emerge so quickly all of a sudden?
Haseo: I don’t know… Ovan, how many of the Gen-2 Factors have awakened?
Ovan: …Three. But what are you planning to--?
Haseo: We have no choice. They’re bound to find out sooner or later. Find them and bring them to Caerleon Medb.
Endrance: Do you really think that plan will--?
Haseo: Like I said, we don’t have a choice. We must stop the K-Anomaly from emerging at all costs.
Ovan/Endrance: …Understood.
*…Mac Anu, Central District…*
Hayate: …There.
: HEY, YOU!!!Hayate: Aah! *falls over* Dammit, does everyone love to scare the hell out of me!?
*Hayate stands up, turns around, and sees Ciel standing behind him*
Hayate: …Do I know you?
Ciel: Well, that’s rude…
Hayate: …Hey, wait. You’re that girl who helped Kyuzo on his Job Extension quest. …Sheila, right?
Ciel: I’m not a girl; I’m a BOY!!! And it’s not Sheila; it’s CIEL!!!
Hayate: …Whatever. What do you want?
Ciel: You accepted a quest, didn’t you? Let me come with you!
Hayate: And why should I do that?
Ciel: I’m bored! And you’re the only person around I actually recognize!
Hayate: *sarcastically* Yeah, that’s logical… *sigh* Alright, fine. You can come, but try not to make so much noise.
Ciel: Cool!
*in a dungeon-type area…*
Ciel: Okay, so what’s the objective here?
Hayate: Locate the “Stormblade Vulture” and kill it.
Ciel: Stormblade Vulture! Got it! *draws anchor-looking scythe* LET’S ROCK!!!
Hayate: What’d I say about making noise?!?
*about 20 minutes later, Hayate and Ciel reach the dungeon’s final chamber and find the vulture*
Hayate: There it is! Alright, Ciel, you attack from the right and I’ll attack from the left! *draws Flamberge and Vorpal Blade*
Ciel: Roger that!
*5 minutes later, the Stormblade Vulture’s HP is almost depleted*
Ciel: Whew! This thing’s sure gotta lot of endurance!
Hayate: Saku-neechan… Lend me your strength…
*Hayate slams his two blades together and unleashes his Tempestua Sword*
Ciel: HOLY CRAP!!!!! You didn’t tell you could do that!
Hayate: RAPTUROUS CYCLONE!!!!!
*the Tempestua Sword unleashes a great spiraling gust of wind that slices through the Vulture, cutting its body in half right down the middle*
Ciel: …Whoa…
*the Tempestua Sword splits apart into the Flamberge and Vorpal Blade; Hayate puts his blade swords away and proceeds into the Beast Statue room*
Ciel: …Huh? H-Hey, wait for me!
*inside the Beast Statue treasure box, Hayate finds a rare scythe*
Hayate: Tch!
Ciel: Wow! Nice weapon you got there!
Hayate: *tosses the scythe to Ciel* Keep it.
Ciel: W-Whoa! *stumblingly catches scythe and looks at Hayate* …You mean it?
Hayate: I’m a Brandier. You really think I’d have use for a scythe?
Ciel: Hah! Thanks, Hayate!
Hayate: Whatever. Let’s go back to town.
Ciel: Yes, sir! *gates out*
Hayate: …I wonder how everyone else is doing…
*Hayate walks over to the transporter and prepares to gate out; all of the sudden, the Epitaph Knights all appear around him*
Hayate: *gasp*
Haseo: Player Character #F362009. Username – Hayate.
Endrance: The 5th “Chosen”. Codename – The Machinator.
Ovan: We need to have a little talk.
Hayate: …
*q Hidden Forbidden Sacrament ~ Great Temple of Caerleon Medb*
*as Hayate gates into the Lost Ground, he looks around at the eight platforms where the Lost Weapons were once sealed*
Hayate: What is this place…?
Endrance: This is Caerleon Medb. A Lost Ground whose access was prohibited by regular players. This is where you will soon discover your true self, Hayate.
Hayate: My…true self?
Haseo: 7th Chosen!
: I have a name, you know!Hayate: Hmm?
*from behind the Chaos Gate, a Lord Partizan with white hair and strange clothes reveals herself to the group*
: So, are you gonna tell me why you brought me here or what?Ovan: Hayate, this is the 7th Chosen One. Player Character #C192275. Username – Gwen.
Hayate: Uh… N-Nice to meet you.
Gwen: Yeah, whatever.
Hayate: …Okay… *looks at Ovan* What did you mean by “Chosen”?
Gwen: What? You mean you don’t know? Tch! Some Factor User you are…
Hayate: Factor…User?
Gwen: *groan* This is a complete waste of my time.
Haseo: Endrance, where’s the 1st Chosen?
Endrance: He’s on his way here as we speak. *notices a player gating in* …Speak of the devil.
*Kyuzo appears before the group*
Hayate: Kyuzo!!!
Kyuzo: Hmm? …Oh, look who it is. How’s it going, little Hayate?
Hayate: Don’t talk to me, you bastard!
Kyuzo: Temper, temper… Hmm? *looks at Gwen* Ooh! Hottie at 2 o’clock! *walks over to Gwen and puts arm around her* Hey there, foxy lady! Wanna join my guild?
Gwen: …Take it off or I’ll break it off…
Kyuzo: Hehehe… I like ‘em when they’re feisty…
Haseo: Ahem!
*Kyuzo, Hayate, and Gwen all stand next to each other*
Haseo: I suppose you’re all wondering why we brought you here.
Gwen: *sarcastically* The thought did cross my mind…
Endrance: You three individuals all possess an extraordinary power. Power that, when used properly, can make you the most powerful players in The World.
Ovan: I take it you’re familiar with the epic poem “Epitaph of Twilight” and the “Eight Phases of Morganna” mentioned in it?
Hayate: Yeah, why?
Haseo: The powers your PC bodies possess are manifestations of those very same phases. Kyuzo, your power is derived from the 1st Phase of Morganna – Skeith, the Terror of Death.
Kyuzo: “Terror of Death”… Heh. I like the sound of that.
Endrance: Hayate, your power is derived from the 5th Phase of Morganna – Gorre, the Machinator.
Hayate: …
Ovan: And Gwen, your power is derived from the 7th Phase of Morganna – Tarvos, the Avenger.
Haseo: The three of you are able to use these powers, or “factors”, to do battle against infections and bugs in the system. You…are Factor Users.
Hayate: Wow…
Gwen: Okay, so we have special PC bodies. What’s the big deal?
Endrance: As of this very moment, we are facing the arrival of an almost unstoppable force of evil known as the “K-Anomaly”. If it completely materializes, this entire world would be in grave danger.
Kyuzo: Huh… Sounds heavy.
Ovan: But by using the power of Morganna’s Eight Phases, you can stop the K-Anomaly from materializing. We had hoped of telling you all this when your Factor powers were more developed, but the K-Anomaly is approaching faster than ever and we are quickly running out of time.
Hayate: So, what do you want us to do?
Haseo: We can halt the K-Anomaly’s encroachment by combating its power with the power of the Eight Phases. You must do exactly as I say.
Kyuzo: Hold on there, chief. What do I get out of doing all this?
Endrance: Kyuzo, now’s not the time to be seeking self-gratification. All of The World is in jeopardy.
Kyuzo: So? It’s just an online game.
Ovan: If we allow the K-Anomaly to blanket The World with infection, all of its players may fall into comas…or worse.
Kyuzo: Then I’ll just stop playing.
Hayate: Dammit, Kyuzo, quit thinking about yourself all the time! You love The World just as much as everyone here!
Kyuzo: “Love”? Tch! Don’t make me laugh. There are hundreds of games just like this one.
Haseo: Fine. If you feel that way… *points hand at Kyuzo* …then I’ll just remove the Morganna factor from your PC body. An individual like you doesn’t even deserve the name of “Terror of Death”.
*a pulsating light appears in Haseo’s hand*
Kyuzo: …
Haseo: …
Kyuzo: …Alright, alright, I’ll do it. Anything to get away from this gaggle of losers…
Hayate/Gwen: Grrrr…
*moments later, Kyuzo stands at the northernmost platform, Hayate stands at the southernmost platform, and Gwen stands at the easternmost platform*
Gwen: Now what?
Haseo: We’ll take it from here.
*Haseo, Endrance, and Ovan all stand around the Chaos Gate at the center of the platforms*
Haseo: “After the stars doth cross the heavens, the sky in the East doth darken and air doth fill with mourning. From the chosen land beyond the forest, a sign of the wave comes. Riding the wave is Skeith, the shadow of death, to drown all that stands.”
*the platform Kyuzo was standing on begins to glow, and red Epitaph symbols appear on his PC body*
Endrance: “Mirage of deceit, Innis, betrays all with the flawed image, and did aid the wave. And by the power of Magus, a drop from the wave doth reach the heavens, and creates a new wave. With the wave, Fidchell, the power to tell the dark future, hope darkens, sadness and despair rule. Gorre schemes when swallowed by the Cursed Wave.”
*the platform Hayate was standing on begins to glow, and white Epitaph symbols appear on his PC body*
Ovan: “Macha seduces with the sweet trap. Wave reaches the pinnacle, and escape none can. Tarvos still remains with more cruelty to punish and destroy.”
*the platform Gwen was standing on begins to glow, and pink Epitaph symbols appear on her PC body*
All: “And with the turbulent destruction after the wave, only a void remains. From deep within the void arrives Corbenik. Perhaps then the wave is just a beginning as well!”
*all eight platforms begin to glow, and all of The World begins to vibrate*
Hayate: W-What’s happening!?
*…Glaive LeGable @home…*
Coolidge: It’s the end of The World! Duck and cover!
Dawn Grunty: I’m scared, Usa-chan!
Usa-chan: Don’t worry, I’m here. We’ll be fine, I promise.
Miharu: Ohhhh… Is now a bad time to mention I have motion sickness?
Neon: Yes, now would qualify as a bad time, Miharu!
*…Samurai 7 @home…*
Piros VIII: ‘Tis the end of The World! Duck and cover!
Claire: Ohhhh… I don’t feel well…
Jack: What the hell is going on!?
Shade Grunty: Whatever’s causing this, I just know Kyuzo’s to blame!
Haruhi: …
*just then, a blinding light engulfs Caerleon Medb and soon vanishes, along with the earthquake*
Gwen: Whoa… What a rush…
Haseo: Ovan?
Ovan: *generates transparent computer panel* Encroachment level at 35% and dropping. The operation was a success.
Haseo: *sigh* Thank goodness.
*moments later, the group gathers at the Chaos Gate*
Endrance: Thousands of players may have been completely oblivious to what just happened, but believe me when I say that you’ve saved all their lives.
Hayate: Hehehe…
Kyuzo: Yeah, yeah, great. Can I go now?
Gwen: Same here. I’ve got things to do.
Ovan: One moment.
All: Huh?
Ovan: There may come a time when we shall require your help once more. When that time comes, I hope that you’ll lend it to us. Not only from you, but from the remaining Factor Users as well.
Hayate: Sure.
Gwen: …I’ll think about it.
*several hours later, in the Mac Anu Alchemy District…*
Hayate: …
: I thought I’d find you here.Hayate: Hmm? *looks over and sees Izumi* …Oh. Hi, Izumi.
*Izumi stands next to Hayate and gazes into the water with him*
Izumi: …
Hayate: …Well?
Izumi: Well what?
Hayate: Aren’t you here to try and convince me to come back to the guild?
Izumi: Of course not. Don’t you remember what I said to you the first day we met?
Hayate: “No one should be forced to join a guild if they don’t want to…” I remember.
Izumi: I still stand by that statement.
Hayate: …
Izumi: …You forgot this. *hands Guest Key to Hayate*
Hayate: Huh? But…
Izumi: Whether or not you return to Glaive LeGable, I want you to keep that Guest Key. Think of it as…a memento.
Hayate: … *takes Guest Key from Izumi*
Izumi: …I…guess I’ll be going now. *turns around and walks away*
Hayate: …Izumi!
Izumi: *stops walking*
Hayate: …I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you. You know, back at Megin Fi. But I swear I’ll protect you better from now on – even if I don’t go back to Glaive LeGable!
Izumi: … *smile, continues walking*
Hayate: … *looks down at Guest Key*
*D Hidden Forbidden Holy Ground ~ Hulle Granz Cathedral*
*the white light from before is shown slowly shrinking; just before the light vanishes completely, it takes the form of a Player Character and shatters, revealing a PC that emits a faint blue fiery glow; the PC floats down onto the ground and opens its piercing red eyes*
Kaeion: *groan* …Mor…gan…na…
Season Two: Coming Soon![/color]
