Post by Hayate on Feb 1, 2008 13:48:30 GMT -5
~ Dual City of Breg Epona; June 28, 2037 ~
*a Sonic Duelist with slightly-long brown hair gates in, attracting the gazes of nearby female players*
Girl 1: *gasp* Ooh, look at that guy!
Girl 2: Whoa… So handsome…
Duelist: … *winks at girls*
Girls: *loving sigh*
Duelist: Hehehe… Even in an online game, I’ve still got the ‘touch’…
*Ren gets off the elevator, deep in thought*
Ren: Let’s see… I was supposed to pick up 30 Healing Serums and 20 Fairy Drops… Or was it 20 Healing Serums and 30 Fairy Drops? …Wait, wasn’t I also supposed to get some Antidote Sodas? Ohhhh… Running errands for the guildmaster is so confusing!
*just then, she bumps into a Tu Tribe PC and falls over*
Ren: Aah!
Duelist: *gasp*
*the Sonic Duelist dashes over to catch Ren right before she falls over*
Ren: …Huh? *looks up at Duelist* What the…?
Tu Tribe PC: Watch where you’re walkin’, blue-head!
*the Sonic Duelist sets Ren down and holds the Tu Tribe PC up by his collar*
Duelist: …That is no way to talk to a lady…
Tu Tribe PC: *gulp*
Duelist: I’m gonna put you down now, and when I do, I want your face gone in two seconds…!
Tu Tribe PC: Y-Yes, sir!
*the Sonic Duelist drops the PC, and the PC dashes over to the Chaos Gate, warping to a random field*
Duelist: *looks at Ren* I’m sorry you had to see that. You’re not hurt, are you?
Ren: *blush* N-No, I’m fine.
Duelist: Forgive me for being forward, but might I have your name?
Ren: It’s…Ren. And who are you supposed to be?
Albert: Why, little old me? I’m no one special. Just… *smiles* …your destiny. But you, my dear may call me…Albert.
Ren: …Albert…
*…Glaive LeGable @home…*
Orion: Out of the 21 .hack//Arms, 17 have been discovered.
Izumi: We currently have the Blade Balmung, Blade Orca, Broad BlackRose, Lance Gardenia, Magic Tsukasa, Scythe Ryoko, Spin Moonstone, and Spin Sora…
Neon: …while the Samurai 7 have the Broad Sanjuro, Magic Helba, Magic Mistral, Scythe Piros, Scythe Subaru, Spin Kite, and Spell Elk.
Hayate: Then there’s Gwen’s Lance Usagimaru…
Miharu: …and Kaeion’s Spin Natsume.
Usa-chan: Only 4 .hack//Arms left… It’s kinda hard to believe we’ve come this close, isn’t it?
Orion: I can’t express my gratitude enough to all of you.
Miharu: We told ya, it’s no big deal, Orion.
All: …
Hayate: Hmm… Usually Coolidge would’ve come in with a badly-timed joke at this point.
Neon: Come to think of it, where IS Coolidge?
Usa-chan: Yeah, I almost miss his stupid sense of humor.
Orion: …Hmm?
*the @home entrance door swings open rapidly and Coolidge skids inside*
Coolidge: TROUBLE!!! PROBLEM!!! EMERGENCY!!!
Orion: Samurai 7’s discovered another .hack//Arm!?
Coolidge: WORSE!!![/size]
Hayate: *stands up* Kaeion’s appeared?!?
Coolidge: MUCH WORSE!!!![/size]
Neon: Well, what is it!? Spit it out already!!
Coolidge: I SAW REN IN DOL DONA HANGING OUT WITH ANOTHER GUY!!!!![/size]
All: …
Miharu: …That badly timed enough for ya, Hayate?
Usa-chan: Unbelievable, Coolidge… For a second there, I thought The World was gonna explode!
Coolidge: It might as well be!!! This is a disaster!!!
*Neon stands up and walks over to Coolidge; he grabs Coolidge by the collar and hurls him across the @home*
Coolidge: Aah! *crashes into wall* …Ow…
Neon: *shakes fist* You are the biggest idiot I’ve ever known, Coolidge!
Coolidge: *stands up* Hey, just ‘cuz you’re a Factor User now, that doesn’t mean I’m okay with you throwing me around like a rag doll!
Neon: JUST BE HAPPY I’M NOT GOING ‘MAGUS’ ON YOUR ASS!!!
Coolidge: Don’t you guys get it!? Another guy’s moving in on my girl! I’ve gotta do something about this!
Usa-chan: …Since when was Ren your girl, Coolidge?
Coolidge: Don’t ruin my moment, Usa-chan. …So, who’s gonna help me!?
All: …
Coolidge: …Oh. Okay, fine. I get it. It all makes sense now! You guys don’t care about me! All you care about is getting the .hack//Arms! It’s true, isn’t it!? The .hack//Arms are more important to you than anything else!
All: *sweatdrop*
Coolidge: …What?
*Izumi walks over to Coolidge and harshly connects her fist with the back of his head*
Coolidge: OW!!! …What was that for!?
Izumi: You dumb-ass! Hayate used that same line when he quit the guild!
Coolidge: …Oh, yeah…
Izumi: *groan* But…since you’re so incredibly hopeless, we’ll help you out.
Coolidge: You will!?
All: We will?!?
Izumi: *glares at the group* Yes, we will!
All: *gulp* R-Right… Of course we’ll help…
Izumi: *smiles* Good!
Neon: And to think – that’s the girl Hayate’s gonna marry…
Usa-chan: Hehehe!
Hayate: *blush* I can hear you, you know!
*…Mac Anu, Central District…*
*Albert and Ren are seen walking together*
Albert: Hahaha!
Ren: Hahaha! I’m serious! Three out of every five times I log in, the first thing I hear is “REN-CHAN!!!!” The guy seriously doesn’t know how to take a hint!
Albert: Immaturity certainly has no place when it comes to matters of the heart.
*a young girl PC carrying a bundle of flowers runs by Albert and Ren and drops one of the flowers she was carrying*
Albert: *picks up flower and gives it to Ren* For you.
Ren: *takes flower* Thank you.
*as Albert and Ren walk towards the Alchemy District, Neon is shown to be in hiding; he peeks out of his hiding spot to spy on the two*
Neon: (I still can’t believe I’m doing this…)
*…Mac Anu, Alchemy District…*
*Albert and Ren gaze into the water from the bridge*
Albert: So this…Ayliori. She’s a good friend of yours.
Ren: Mm-hmm. We’ve been best friends since elementary school. Right now, we’re even part of the same guild.
Albert: Which guild is that?
Ren: It’s--
*just then, the two overhear the sound of something splashing into the water*
Ren: What was that?
Albert: Hmm… I’m sure it was nothing. Come on, let’s explore more of the city.
Ren: Sure.
*as Albert and Ren walk away, Chibi-Usa pops up from below the water*
Usa-chan: Whew! That was too close!
*…Mac Anu, Harbor District…*
*Albert and Ren board the ship in the harbor and ride it to Hy Brasail*
Ren: Wow… The view of Hy Brasail from here is so beautiful…
Albert: Indeed it is… *looks at Ren* …but not half as beautiful as you.
Ren: *blush* Oh, stop…! You’re making me blush…!
*as Albert flirts with Ren, Izumi and Miharu spy on them from the crow’s nest*
Miharu: Well, I’ll say this about the guy – at least he’s better at flirting with girls than Kyuzo is! Hah!
Izumi: Hahaha!
*once Albert and Ren reach Hy Brasail, they walk up the stairs until they reach the ocean lookout*
Albert: So, did you have fun today?
Ren: Today was spectacular, Albert.
*during this, Hayate and Coolidge spy on them from the tables*
Coolidge: Look at that guy put his hands all over Ren!
Hayate: Are you sure it’s okay for us to be doing this, Coolidge? I mean, Ren already doesn’t think much of you, but how do you think she’ll see you if she finds you spying on her date?
Coolidge: It’s not a date if it’s not in the real world! Think, Hayate, think!
Hayate: *sweatdrop* …Uh-huh…
*just then, Albert leans in to kiss Ren*
Hayate: *gasp* He’s gonna kiss her!
Coolidge: Over my dead body! *runs out into the open*
Hayate: W-Wait, Coolidge, stop!!! …Oh, boy…
*just before Albert could kiss Ren, he’s hit in the head with a rock*
Albert: Ow! Who threw that!?
*Albert and Ren look towards the base of the steps to see Coolidge*
Coolidge: YOU CAN’T HAVE MY REN-CHAN!!!
Albert: Who are you!?
Ren: Coolidge, what the hell do you think you’re doing?!?
Albert: THIS is Coolidge?
Ren: …Unfortunately…
Coolidge: YOU CAN’T HAVE HER!!! I WON’T LET YOU!!!
Albert: …You’re right, he is obnoxious…
Coolidge: Obnoxious!?
Ren: Coolidge, would you get the hell out of here!? …Wait, what are you even doing here in the first place!?
Coolidge: Uh…um…
Ren: Were you spying on us?!?
Coolidge: I, uh…
Ren: It’s not enough that you have to hound me 24/7, but you have to spy on me too?!? You’re unbelievable!!!
Coolidge: But…Ren-chan…
Ren: And stop calling me that!!! Only my closest friends can call me that!!!
Coolidge: …
Albert: *walks down the stairs* You just don’t get it, do you, Cooly-boy?
Coolidge: Huh?
Albert: *walks up to Coolidge* Hasn’t it sunken in yet? Ren wants nothing more to do with you. You’ve been replaced. You’re…*smiles* …obsolete.
Coolidge: …
Albert: Now, I strongly suggest that you leave this place before you subject yourself to even further humiliation.
Coolidge: … *looks over at Ren*
Ren: *crosses arms and turns away* Hmph.
Coolidge: …Fine. *gates out*
Albert: Heh. *flicks hair* What an embarrassment of a man that Coolidge is.
Hayate: Don’t talk about Coolidge that way!
Albert: Hmm? *looks at Hayate* …And who might you be? Another of Ren’s stalkers?
Hayate: Okay, sure, he can be a little crazy, but at least he tries his hardest to get people to notice and acknowledge him! If that makes him an embarrassment of a man, then I guess that makes me one too!
Albert: …Are you through?
Hayate: *looks at Ren* …
Ren: …
Hayate: …Completely. *gates out*
Ren: …Hey, Albert?
Albert: Yes?
Ren: I think I’m…gonna log out for today.
Albert: Oh, is that so?
Ren: I’m really sorry…
Albert: Hmm… It’s fine. But let me know when you log in again, alright? I have something really special to show you.
Ren: Sure thing. Well…bye. *gates out*
*as soon as Ren logs out, Albert feels a sharp pain in his left shoulder*
Albert: *clenches shoulder* Aah! …What the heck was that?
*when Albert moves his hand away from his shoulder, tiny infected polygons of data are seen covering the area of his shoulder that he couldn’t detect*
*…Raven @home, Serpent of Lore…*
Haseo: Any movement from the K-Anomaly?
Pi: No. He must be hiding out in an area of The World that even the Serpent of Lore can’t analyze.
Ovan: What about the remaining 3 Factor Users?
Pi: No movement from them either.
Endrance: In other words, another slow day…
Pi: …Hmm? What’s this?
Haseo: Did you find something?
Pi: I’m picking up very faint traces of infected data.
Endrance: Can you pinpoint it?
Pi: …Unfortunately, no. It’s too weak – most likely in its budding stage.
Ovan: We’ll just have to be patient and wait for the right time to intercept it.
Haseo: …
~ Eternal City of Mac Anu; June 29, 2037 ~
*…Glaive LeGable @home…*
Orion: Is everyone here?
Miharu: *looks around* …Oh, great! Coolidge’s gone again!
Usa-chan: I bet he’s spying on Ren just like yesterday!
Neon: Hey, come to think of it, he never came back from our “Ren surveillance” yesterday. All he did was send me a short mail saying he was logging out for the day.
Izumi: Really? I got the same short mail.
Hayate: …
*while Coolidge had told everyone else he was logging out for the day, Hayate remembers receiving a slightly different short mail*
To: Hayate
From: Coolidge
Listen, Hayate. I’m gonna log out of The World for today. Could you do me a favor and not tell the others what happened at Hy Brasail? Thanks.
Hayate: … (Coolidge…)
Izumi: Hayate? Something wrong?
Hayate: Huh? N-No, it’s nothing.
Miharu: I know that look! You’re hiding something, aren’t you!?
Hayate: What? Of course not!
Miharu: SPILL IT!!!
Hayate: I’m telling you it’s nothing!!
*just then, the @home entrance creaks open and Coolidge is seen walking in*
Coolidge: Uh… *flashes a fake smile* H-Hey, guys. How’s it goin’?
Hayate: …
Usa-chan: Well, well, well! Look who decides to show up!
Neon: And just where did you go off to yesterday!?
Miharu: Yeah! You just took off without warning!
Izumi: …He sent us short mails, Miharu…
Miharu: NO WARNING AT ALL!!!
Izumi: *sigh*
Coolidge: Hehehe. Sorry, I just…wasn’t feeling too well.
Usa-chan: That’s no excuse!!! I demand a punishment!!!
Neon: How about… No seeing or talking to Ren for one whole month!
Miharu: Ooh! I like that!
Coolidge: *looks down* …Whatever…
*Coolidge walks over and sits down at his usual spot*
Miharu: …What’s up with him?
Usa-chan: Maybe his brain overloaded from the punishment?
Neon: Or maybe he saw Ren and that other guy making out?
Hayate: …
*meanwhile, in Mac Anu Dome, Albert leans against a wall with his hands crossed*
Albert: …
*moments later, Ren logs into the game*
Albert: …Oh!
Ren: Hi, Albert.
Albert: Hello, Ren. I’m glad you could come today.
Ren: *smiles* I promised, didn’t I? …So, what’s this really special thing you wanted to show me?
Albert: *walks up to the Chaos Gate* This way.
*Albert warps to a field-type area with Ren; there were cherry blossom trees everywhere*
Ren: Wow… So pretty…
Albert: Not yet. Wait just a few more seconds.
*a few seconds later, a large gust of wind appears out of nowhere and picks up the cherry blossom petals from the trees, creating a beautiful pink whirlwind*
Ren: Ohhhh… It’s so beautiful…
Albert: This is my most favorite area in the entire game. This ‘sakura blizzard’ happens once every five hours.
*a tear escapes Ren’s eye, which she quickly wipes away*
Ren: *turns to face Albert* Thank you so much for taking me here, Albert.
Albert: My pleasure.
*just then, Ren starts to lean in to kiss Albert; Albert leans in as well…*
Albert: Gah!!!
*…but he suddenly falls to his knees and clenches his left shoulder*
Ren: A-Albert! What’s wrong!?
Albert: I… I-I don’t know! Ever since yesterday, I’ve felt this unbearable pain in my shoulder!
Ren: Let me see.
*Albert moves his hand away and Ren notices infected polygons of data covering his shoulder; they were too small to notice the day before, but today they were considerably large*
Ren: *gasp*
Albert: Gah!!! It burns!!!
Ren: Hold on, Albert! *backs away from Albert* “Be reborn in the--!”
*before Ren could summon Corbenik, Albert screams and the infected polygons of data covering his shoulder instantly spread over his entire PC body; he starts to slowly rise into the air*
Ren: Albert!!!
*Albert’s entire left arm breaks up and deforms into a hideous tentacle; he slowly turns to face Ren*
Albert: R-Ren… R-Run away…
*having lost control over his own PC body, Albert starts to float towards Ren*
Ren: N-No! Don’t come any closer! G-Get away from me!
*…Raven @home, Serpent of Lore…*
Pi: …What the!?
Ovan: What did you find?
Pi: It’s the infected data I detected yesterday! It’s growing! And at an alarming rate! …A Data Bug!
Haseo: Notify Glaive LeGable right away. Magus and Gorre should be more than enough to handle a mere data bug.
Pi: I’m on it!
*…Glaive LeGable @home…*
*Dawn Grunty pounds his hands on Coolidge’s head over and over*
Dawn Grunty: C’mon! Say something already!
Coolidge: …
Hayate: (Okay, this is getting a little out of hand…) *BEEP, BEEP!* Hmm? …Hey, Neon!
Neon: Yeah, I know!
Usa-chan: What’s up, you guys?
Neon: Data Bug attack! And what’s more, it’s attacking Ren!
Coolidge: *gasp*
Izumi: We’d better get moving then!
Hayate: Well…you don’t have to come. I mean, it’s just a Data Bug.
*just then, the @home entrance door swings open rapidly*
Orion: Hmm?
Miharu: …Uh, guys? Coolidge’s gone.
*Coolidge dashes through Mac Anu towards the dome*
Coolidge: …
Albert: Ren wants nothing more to do with you.
Coolidge: …
Albert: You’ve been replaced.
Coolidge: …
Albert: You’re…obsolete.
Coolidge: …Grrrr…
*he dashes into the Mac Anu Dome to find his friends waiting for him in front of the Chaos Gate*
Coolidge: Guys! H-How’d you get here so fast?
Neon: *sweatdrop* …We took the green transporter…
Coolidge: …Oh.
All: *laughs*
Miharu: Dude, we get it. You’re worried about Ren. We are too.
Usa-chan: Come on! Let’s go save your ‘girlfriend’! Hahaha!
Coolidge: You guys…
*moments later, the party gates into the field with cherry blossom trees; they see Ren attempting to get away from the grotesque Data Bug*
Coolidge: Ren!
Ren: Huh!? You guys!?
Hayate: What’s wrong, Ren!? Fight back! Use Corbenik!
Ren: I… I can’t…
Neon: Why not!?
Ren: Because… Because Albert’s in there…!
Data Bug: *loud roar*
Izumi: THAT’S Albert?!?
Miharu: …Somehow I always knew that guy was trouble…
Hayate: *clenches fists* “Twin moons, shine down!”
Neon: *clenches fists* “Born from the tree of mana!”
*Hayate and Neon’s PC body emits their respective Factor glows as they draw their weapons; the Data Bug swings one of its tentacles at Ren…*
Ren: Aah!!!
*…but Hayate and Neon cleave through the tentacles before it could hit its mark*
Data Bug: *pained roar*
Hayate: Get up, Ren! You have to fight!
Ren: I… I just can’t! If I do…!
Neon: Leave her, Hayate! We’ll just have to take this thing on ourselves!
Hayate: Tch… Dammit!
*as the members of Glaive LeGable fight off the Data Bug, Ren simply sits on the grass, too traumatized to move*
Coolidge: Gatling Gun!!![/i]
*Coolidge fires bullets into the Data Bug continuously, but they barely do any damage*
Coolidge: Grrrr… Come on!
Miharu: Hraesvelgr!!![/i]
*Miharu fires from her staff a laser beam that explodes as it comes into contact with the Data Bug; it’s shown to have taken just a bit of damage*
Miharu: Hayate! Neon! You guys ready yet!?
*Hayate and Neon are shown powering up their bracelets, preparing to fire a double-teamed Data Drain*
Hayate: Almost!
Neon: Just a little longer…!
Usa-chan: Armor Break!!![/i]
Orion: Piercing Heaven!!![/i]
Izumi: Plectra Bullet!!![/i]
*Chibi-Usa, Orion, and Izumi triple-team against the Data Bug, but it still doesn’t take much damage*
Usa-chan: “It’s just a Data Bug”, he says! I thought this would be easy!
Data Bug: *loud roar*
Izumi: Uh-oh!
Hayate: Now!!!
Neon: Right!!!
Both: ALTER/TRANS DRAIN!!!!![/i][/size]
*Hayate and Neon fire their Data Drain blasts simultaneously at the Data Bug, piercing its flesh and altering its data*
Data Bug: *extremely loud roar*
*moments later, the Data Bug – it’s true form being that of a weak monster – separates itself from Albert and retreats; Albert falls to the ground lifeless*
Izumi/Miharu/Usa-chan: Alright!!!
Hayate/Neon: Mission accomplished!!!
*as the party cheers below, Kaeion is seen floating high up in the sky*
Kaeion: That’s it, my prey. Cheer to your hearts’ content, because in just a few moments… You’ll all be dead! And I think I’ll start… *gazes at Ren* …with her!
*Coolidge walks over to Ren and extends a hand towards her*
Coolidge: It’s all over now, Ren…
Ren: *looks up at Coolidge* … *reaches out to Coolidge*
Coolidge: …Hmm?
*Coolidge squints his eyes as something high above him shines brightly; he looks up at the sky to see a single tendril of data heading right for Ren*
Coolidge: *gasp* Ren, look out!!!
*Coolidge shoves Ren out of the way and allows the data tendril to pierce his PC body instead*
Coolidge: GRAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!![/i][/size]
Ren: COOLIDGE!!!!![/i][/size]
*Coolidge falls to the ground with a gaping hole in his chest*
All: COOLIDGE!!!!![/i][/size]
Neon: Where did that blast come from?!?
Izumi: *points to the sky* Guys, look!
*Izumi turns her attention to Kaeion, who was floating among the clouds*
All: KAEION!!!
Kaeion: *slowly floats down* You humans all make me sick to my stomach… You willingly sacrifice your lives to save others… Truly, truly revolting…
Ren: *looks down at Coolidge* Coolidge! Coolidge, hang on!
Coolidge: *cough, wheeze* Ren… You’re not hurt, are you?
Ren: N-No… I’m fine, thanks to you…
Coolidge: That’s good… *cough* …At least…throughout the entire time I’ve played The World, I’ve managed to do ONE thing right…
*Coolidge’s data begins to slowly break up and drift away*
Ren: No!!! Coolidge, don’t go!!!
Coolidge: I don’t know why, but… All of a sudden, I feel…so sleepy…
*Coolidge’s data completely breaks apart, and the data is absorbed by Kaeion*
Kaeion: Well…at least this day wasn’t a total loss.
*all of a sudden, Kaeion is struck in the shoulder by a Lei Zas beam*
Kaeion: Aah! *clenches shoulder* Who…?
*Ren is shown holding Dance Macabre fans*
Ren: Give him back… Give Coolidge back right now!!!!!
Kaeion: …Hmph. *gates out*
Ren: GET BACK HERE!!! … *falls to knees* No…
*the entire party assembles to the spot where Coolidge had fallen; all that was left was his Glaive LeGable @home Guest Key*
Hayate: Dammit… When I nearly lost Neon, I told myself that I’d always protect my friends so I wouldn’t lose any of them a second time… What the hell was I given this power for?!?
Izumi: Hayate…
Usa-chan: *sobs* Oh, Coolidge…
Miharu: …What do we do now?
Orion: *picks up Coolidge’s Guest Key* …Move forward… I’m afraid that’s all we can do at the moment… *looks at Ren*
Ren: …
Orion: …Ren.
Ren: *looks at Orion* Huh?
Orion: Coolidge gave his life so that you could live… I know that you never really liked him, but… *hands Guest Key to her* …the least you could do is honor his sacrifice.
Ren: … *takes Guest Key from Orion* …I will. I promise.
*several hours later, in Mac Anu Dome, Albert is shown leaning against a wall with his hands crossed*
Albert: …
*moments later, Ren gates into Mac Anu*
Albert: …Oh! Hey, Ren!
*ignoring Albert and without speaking, Ren walks into Mac Anu square*
Albert: Huh…?
*meanwhile, in Mac Anu’s Harbor District, Hayate gazes out at Hy Brasail from the pier*
Hayate: …
: …Hey.
Hayate: Huh? *turns around to see Kyuzo* … *turns back around* What do you want?
Kyuzo: I…heard about your friend Coolidge.
Hayate: So?
Kyuzo: …I’m sorry for your loss.
Hayate: Hmph. Coming from you, Kyuzo, that sounds a little insincere.
Kyuzo: Hey, I’m trying to be sympathetic here! The least you could do is ACT grateful!
Hayate: …Sorry. You’re right. Thanks for your concern, Kyuzo.
Kyuzo: Whatever.
Hayate: …Hey, listen.
Kyuzo: What?
Hayate: It’s pretty obvious that we have a common enemy in Kaeion, so…what do you say we call a temporary truce between our guilds?
Kyuzo: Truce? What for?
Hayate: There’s strength in numbers, as they say. And it’s only until we take Kaeion down. So… *extends hand to Kyuzo* …what do you say?
Kyuzo: …
Hayate: …
Kyuzo: … *turns away from Hayate* …I don’t think so.
Hayate: Huh?
Kyuzo: That bastard took away from me the most important person in the world. When we finally corner him…I wanna tear him in half by myself. *walks away*
Hayate: …
~ Next Time on Infected! ~
Kaga: Σ Closed Law’s Gate… The once-majestic Aerial City of Fort Ouph…
~*~*~*~
Kaeion: Factor Users… By the will of Althena, I will eradicate you!
Neon: Just try it, K-boy!!!
~*~*~*~
Dekar: Well, that’s not a very polite way to greet someone, now is it?
~*~*~*~
Orion: Who is this…“Althena”?
Dekar: Sorry. I’m afraid I can’t tell you that. Or…to be more accurate…I don’t want to.
~*~*~*~
Hayate: (Saku-neechan, lend me your strength…!)
31st Phase: The Way of The World![/color]
*a Sonic Duelist with slightly-long brown hair gates in, attracting the gazes of nearby female players*
Girl 1: *gasp* Ooh, look at that guy!
Girl 2: Whoa… So handsome…
Duelist: … *winks at girls*
Girls: *loving sigh*
Duelist: Hehehe… Even in an online game, I’ve still got the ‘touch’…
*Ren gets off the elevator, deep in thought*
Ren: Let’s see… I was supposed to pick up 30 Healing Serums and 20 Fairy Drops… Or was it 20 Healing Serums and 30 Fairy Drops? …Wait, wasn’t I also supposed to get some Antidote Sodas? Ohhhh… Running errands for the guildmaster is so confusing!
*just then, she bumps into a Tu Tribe PC and falls over*
Ren: Aah!
Duelist: *gasp*
*the Sonic Duelist dashes over to catch Ren right before she falls over*
Ren: …Huh? *looks up at Duelist* What the…?
Tu Tribe PC: Watch where you’re walkin’, blue-head!
*the Sonic Duelist sets Ren down and holds the Tu Tribe PC up by his collar*
Duelist: …That is no way to talk to a lady…
Tu Tribe PC: *gulp*
Duelist: I’m gonna put you down now, and when I do, I want your face gone in two seconds…!
Tu Tribe PC: Y-Yes, sir!
*the Sonic Duelist drops the PC, and the PC dashes over to the Chaos Gate, warping to a random field*
Duelist: *looks at Ren* I’m sorry you had to see that. You’re not hurt, are you?
Ren: *blush* N-No, I’m fine.
Duelist: Forgive me for being forward, but might I have your name?
Ren: It’s…Ren. And who are you supposed to be?
Albert: Why, little old me? I’m no one special. Just… *smiles* …your destiny. But you, my dear may call me…Albert.
Ren: …Albert…
*…Glaive LeGable @home…*
Orion: Out of the 21 .hack//Arms, 17 have been discovered.
Izumi: We currently have the Blade Balmung, Blade Orca, Broad BlackRose, Lance Gardenia, Magic Tsukasa, Scythe Ryoko, Spin Moonstone, and Spin Sora…
Neon: …while the Samurai 7 have the Broad Sanjuro, Magic Helba, Magic Mistral, Scythe Piros, Scythe Subaru, Spin Kite, and Spell Elk.
Hayate: Then there’s Gwen’s Lance Usagimaru…
Miharu: …and Kaeion’s Spin Natsume.
Usa-chan: Only 4 .hack//Arms left… It’s kinda hard to believe we’ve come this close, isn’t it?
Orion: I can’t express my gratitude enough to all of you.
Miharu: We told ya, it’s no big deal, Orion.
All: …
Hayate: Hmm… Usually Coolidge would’ve come in with a badly-timed joke at this point.
Neon: Come to think of it, where IS Coolidge?
Usa-chan: Yeah, I almost miss his stupid sense of humor.
Orion: …Hmm?
*the @home entrance door swings open rapidly and Coolidge skids inside*
Coolidge: TROUBLE!!! PROBLEM!!! EMERGENCY!!!
Orion: Samurai 7’s discovered another .hack//Arm!?
Coolidge: WORSE!!![/size]
Hayate: *stands up* Kaeion’s appeared?!?
Coolidge: MUCH WORSE!!!![/size]
Neon: Well, what is it!? Spit it out already!!
Coolidge: I SAW REN IN DOL DONA HANGING OUT WITH ANOTHER GUY!!!!![/size]
All: …
Miharu: …That badly timed enough for ya, Hayate?
Usa-chan: Unbelievable, Coolidge… For a second there, I thought The World was gonna explode!
Coolidge: It might as well be!!! This is a disaster!!!
*Neon stands up and walks over to Coolidge; he grabs Coolidge by the collar and hurls him across the @home*
Coolidge: Aah! *crashes into wall* …Ow…
Neon: *shakes fist* You are the biggest idiot I’ve ever known, Coolidge!
Coolidge: *stands up* Hey, just ‘cuz you’re a Factor User now, that doesn’t mean I’m okay with you throwing me around like a rag doll!
Neon: JUST BE HAPPY I’M NOT GOING ‘MAGUS’ ON YOUR ASS!!!
Coolidge: Don’t you guys get it!? Another guy’s moving in on my girl! I’ve gotta do something about this!
Usa-chan: …Since when was Ren your girl, Coolidge?
Coolidge: Don’t ruin my moment, Usa-chan. …So, who’s gonna help me!?
All: …
Coolidge: …Oh. Okay, fine. I get it. It all makes sense now! You guys don’t care about me! All you care about is getting the .hack//Arms! It’s true, isn’t it!? The .hack//Arms are more important to you than anything else!
All: *sweatdrop*
Coolidge: …What?
*Izumi walks over to Coolidge and harshly connects her fist with the back of his head*
Coolidge: OW!!! …What was that for!?
Izumi: You dumb-ass! Hayate used that same line when he quit the guild!
Coolidge: …Oh, yeah…
Izumi: *groan* But…since you’re so incredibly hopeless, we’ll help you out.
Coolidge: You will!?
All: We will?!?
Izumi: *glares at the group* Yes, we will!
All: *gulp* R-Right… Of course we’ll help…
Izumi: *smiles* Good!
Neon: And to think – that’s the girl Hayate’s gonna marry…
Usa-chan: Hehehe!
Hayate: *blush* I can hear you, you know!
*…Mac Anu, Central District…*
*Albert and Ren are seen walking together*
Albert: Hahaha!
Ren: Hahaha! I’m serious! Three out of every five times I log in, the first thing I hear is “REN-CHAN!!!!” The guy seriously doesn’t know how to take a hint!
Albert: Immaturity certainly has no place when it comes to matters of the heart.
*a young girl PC carrying a bundle of flowers runs by Albert and Ren and drops one of the flowers she was carrying*
Albert: *picks up flower and gives it to Ren* For you.
Ren: *takes flower* Thank you.
*as Albert and Ren walk towards the Alchemy District, Neon is shown to be in hiding; he peeks out of his hiding spot to spy on the two*
Neon: (I still can’t believe I’m doing this…)
*…Mac Anu, Alchemy District…*
*Albert and Ren gaze into the water from the bridge*
Albert: So this…Ayliori. She’s a good friend of yours.
Ren: Mm-hmm. We’ve been best friends since elementary school. Right now, we’re even part of the same guild.
Albert: Which guild is that?
Ren: It’s--
*just then, the two overhear the sound of something splashing into the water*
Ren: What was that?
Albert: Hmm… I’m sure it was nothing. Come on, let’s explore more of the city.
Ren: Sure.
*as Albert and Ren walk away, Chibi-Usa pops up from below the water*
Usa-chan: Whew! That was too close!
*…Mac Anu, Harbor District…*
*Albert and Ren board the ship in the harbor and ride it to Hy Brasail*
Ren: Wow… The view of Hy Brasail from here is so beautiful…
Albert: Indeed it is… *looks at Ren* …but not half as beautiful as you.
Ren: *blush* Oh, stop…! You’re making me blush…!
*as Albert flirts with Ren, Izumi and Miharu spy on them from the crow’s nest*
Miharu: Well, I’ll say this about the guy – at least he’s better at flirting with girls than Kyuzo is! Hah!
Izumi: Hahaha!
*once Albert and Ren reach Hy Brasail, they walk up the stairs until they reach the ocean lookout*
Albert: So, did you have fun today?
Ren: Today was spectacular, Albert.
*during this, Hayate and Coolidge spy on them from the tables*
Coolidge: Look at that guy put his hands all over Ren!
Hayate: Are you sure it’s okay for us to be doing this, Coolidge? I mean, Ren already doesn’t think much of you, but how do you think she’ll see you if she finds you spying on her date?
Coolidge: It’s not a date if it’s not in the real world! Think, Hayate, think!
Hayate: *sweatdrop* …Uh-huh…
*just then, Albert leans in to kiss Ren*
Hayate: *gasp* He’s gonna kiss her!
Coolidge: Over my dead body! *runs out into the open*
Hayate: W-Wait, Coolidge, stop!!! …Oh, boy…
*just before Albert could kiss Ren, he’s hit in the head with a rock*
Albert: Ow! Who threw that!?
*Albert and Ren look towards the base of the steps to see Coolidge*
Coolidge: YOU CAN’T HAVE MY REN-CHAN!!!
Albert: Who are you!?
Ren: Coolidge, what the hell do you think you’re doing?!?
Albert: THIS is Coolidge?
Ren: …Unfortunately…
Coolidge: YOU CAN’T HAVE HER!!! I WON’T LET YOU!!!
Albert: …You’re right, he is obnoxious…
Coolidge: Obnoxious!?
Ren: Coolidge, would you get the hell out of here!? …Wait, what are you even doing here in the first place!?
Coolidge: Uh…um…
Ren: Were you spying on us?!?
Coolidge: I, uh…
Ren: It’s not enough that you have to hound me 24/7, but you have to spy on me too?!? You’re unbelievable!!!
Coolidge: But…Ren-chan…
Ren: And stop calling me that!!! Only my closest friends can call me that!!!
Coolidge: …
Albert: *walks down the stairs* You just don’t get it, do you, Cooly-boy?
Coolidge: Huh?
Albert: *walks up to Coolidge* Hasn’t it sunken in yet? Ren wants nothing more to do with you. You’ve been replaced. You’re…*smiles* …obsolete.
Coolidge: …
Albert: Now, I strongly suggest that you leave this place before you subject yourself to even further humiliation.
Coolidge: … *looks over at Ren*
Ren: *crosses arms and turns away* Hmph.
Coolidge: …Fine. *gates out*
Albert: Heh. *flicks hair* What an embarrassment of a man that Coolidge is.
Hayate: Don’t talk about Coolidge that way!
Albert: Hmm? *looks at Hayate* …And who might you be? Another of Ren’s stalkers?
Hayate: Okay, sure, he can be a little crazy, but at least he tries his hardest to get people to notice and acknowledge him! If that makes him an embarrassment of a man, then I guess that makes me one too!
Albert: …Are you through?
Hayate: *looks at Ren* …
Ren: …
Hayate: …Completely. *gates out*
Ren: …Hey, Albert?
Albert: Yes?
Ren: I think I’m…gonna log out for today.
Albert: Oh, is that so?
Ren: I’m really sorry…
Albert: Hmm… It’s fine. But let me know when you log in again, alright? I have something really special to show you.
Ren: Sure thing. Well…bye. *gates out*
*as soon as Ren logs out, Albert feels a sharp pain in his left shoulder*
Albert: *clenches shoulder* Aah! …What the heck was that?
*when Albert moves his hand away from his shoulder, tiny infected polygons of data are seen covering the area of his shoulder that he couldn’t detect*
*…Raven @home, Serpent of Lore…*
Haseo: Any movement from the K-Anomaly?
Pi: No. He must be hiding out in an area of The World that even the Serpent of Lore can’t analyze.
Ovan: What about the remaining 3 Factor Users?
Pi: No movement from them either.
Endrance: In other words, another slow day…
Pi: …Hmm? What’s this?
Haseo: Did you find something?
Pi: I’m picking up very faint traces of infected data.
Endrance: Can you pinpoint it?
Pi: …Unfortunately, no. It’s too weak – most likely in its budding stage.
Ovan: We’ll just have to be patient and wait for the right time to intercept it.
Haseo: …
~ Eternal City of Mac Anu; June 29, 2037 ~
*…Glaive LeGable @home…*
Orion: Is everyone here?
Miharu: *looks around* …Oh, great! Coolidge’s gone again!
Usa-chan: I bet he’s spying on Ren just like yesterday!
Neon: Hey, come to think of it, he never came back from our “Ren surveillance” yesterday. All he did was send me a short mail saying he was logging out for the day.
Izumi: Really? I got the same short mail.
Hayate: …
*while Coolidge had told everyone else he was logging out for the day, Hayate remembers receiving a slightly different short mail*
To: Hayate
From: Coolidge
Listen, Hayate. I’m gonna log out of The World for today. Could you do me a favor and not tell the others what happened at Hy Brasail? Thanks.
Hayate: … (Coolidge…)
Izumi: Hayate? Something wrong?
Hayate: Huh? N-No, it’s nothing.
Miharu: I know that look! You’re hiding something, aren’t you!?
Hayate: What? Of course not!
Miharu: SPILL IT!!!
Hayate: I’m telling you it’s nothing!!
*just then, the @home entrance creaks open and Coolidge is seen walking in*
Coolidge: Uh… *flashes a fake smile* H-Hey, guys. How’s it goin’?
Hayate: …
Usa-chan: Well, well, well! Look who decides to show up!
Neon: And just where did you go off to yesterday!?
Miharu: Yeah! You just took off without warning!
Izumi: …He sent us short mails, Miharu…
Miharu: NO WARNING AT ALL!!!
Izumi: *sigh*
Coolidge: Hehehe. Sorry, I just…wasn’t feeling too well.
Usa-chan: That’s no excuse!!! I demand a punishment!!!
Neon: How about… No seeing or talking to Ren for one whole month!
Miharu: Ooh! I like that!
Coolidge: *looks down* …Whatever…
*Coolidge walks over and sits down at his usual spot*
Miharu: …What’s up with him?
Usa-chan: Maybe his brain overloaded from the punishment?
Neon: Or maybe he saw Ren and that other guy making out?
Hayate: …
*meanwhile, in Mac Anu Dome, Albert leans against a wall with his hands crossed*
Albert: …
*moments later, Ren logs into the game*
Albert: …Oh!
Ren: Hi, Albert.
Albert: Hello, Ren. I’m glad you could come today.
Ren: *smiles* I promised, didn’t I? …So, what’s this really special thing you wanted to show me?
Albert: *walks up to the Chaos Gate* This way.
*Albert warps to a field-type area with Ren; there were cherry blossom trees everywhere*
Ren: Wow… So pretty…
Albert: Not yet. Wait just a few more seconds.
*a few seconds later, a large gust of wind appears out of nowhere and picks up the cherry blossom petals from the trees, creating a beautiful pink whirlwind*
Ren: Ohhhh… It’s so beautiful…
Albert: This is my most favorite area in the entire game. This ‘sakura blizzard’ happens once every five hours.
*a tear escapes Ren’s eye, which she quickly wipes away*
Ren: *turns to face Albert* Thank you so much for taking me here, Albert.
Albert: My pleasure.
*just then, Ren starts to lean in to kiss Albert; Albert leans in as well…*
Albert: Gah!!!
*…but he suddenly falls to his knees and clenches his left shoulder*
Ren: A-Albert! What’s wrong!?
Albert: I… I-I don’t know! Ever since yesterday, I’ve felt this unbearable pain in my shoulder!
Ren: Let me see.
*Albert moves his hand away and Ren notices infected polygons of data covering his shoulder; they were too small to notice the day before, but today they were considerably large*
Ren: *gasp*
Albert: Gah!!! It burns!!!
Ren: Hold on, Albert! *backs away from Albert* “Be reborn in the--!”
*before Ren could summon Corbenik, Albert screams and the infected polygons of data covering his shoulder instantly spread over his entire PC body; he starts to slowly rise into the air*
Ren: Albert!!!
*Albert’s entire left arm breaks up and deforms into a hideous tentacle; he slowly turns to face Ren*
Albert: R-Ren… R-Run away…
*having lost control over his own PC body, Albert starts to float towards Ren*
Ren: N-No! Don’t come any closer! G-Get away from me!
*…Raven @home, Serpent of Lore…*
Pi: …What the!?
Ovan: What did you find?
Pi: It’s the infected data I detected yesterday! It’s growing! And at an alarming rate! …A Data Bug!
Haseo: Notify Glaive LeGable right away. Magus and Gorre should be more than enough to handle a mere data bug.
Pi: I’m on it!
*…Glaive LeGable @home…*
*Dawn Grunty pounds his hands on Coolidge’s head over and over*
Dawn Grunty: C’mon! Say something already!
Coolidge: …
Hayate: (Okay, this is getting a little out of hand…) *BEEP, BEEP!* Hmm? …Hey, Neon!
Neon: Yeah, I know!
Usa-chan: What’s up, you guys?
Neon: Data Bug attack! And what’s more, it’s attacking Ren!
Coolidge: *gasp*
Izumi: We’d better get moving then!
Hayate: Well…you don’t have to come. I mean, it’s just a Data Bug.
*just then, the @home entrance door swings open rapidly*
Orion: Hmm?
Miharu: …Uh, guys? Coolidge’s gone.
*Coolidge dashes through Mac Anu towards the dome*
Coolidge: …
Albert: Ren wants nothing more to do with you.
Coolidge: …
Albert: You’ve been replaced.
Coolidge: …
Albert: You’re…obsolete.
Coolidge: …Grrrr…
*he dashes into the Mac Anu Dome to find his friends waiting for him in front of the Chaos Gate*
Coolidge: Guys! H-How’d you get here so fast?
Neon: *sweatdrop* …We took the green transporter…
Coolidge: …Oh.
All: *laughs*
Miharu: Dude, we get it. You’re worried about Ren. We are too.
Usa-chan: Come on! Let’s go save your ‘girlfriend’! Hahaha!
Coolidge: You guys…
*moments later, the party gates into the field with cherry blossom trees; they see Ren attempting to get away from the grotesque Data Bug*
Coolidge: Ren!
Ren: Huh!? You guys!?
Hayate: What’s wrong, Ren!? Fight back! Use Corbenik!
Ren: I… I can’t…
Neon: Why not!?
Ren: Because… Because Albert’s in there…!
Data Bug: *loud roar*
Izumi: THAT’S Albert?!?
Miharu: …Somehow I always knew that guy was trouble…
Hayate: *clenches fists* “Twin moons, shine down!”
Neon: *clenches fists* “Born from the tree of mana!”
*Hayate and Neon’s PC body emits their respective Factor glows as they draw their weapons; the Data Bug swings one of its tentacles at Ren…*
Ren: Aah!!!
*…but Hayate and Neon cleave through the tentacles before it could hit its mark*
Data Bug: *pained roar*
Hayate: Get up, Ren! You have to fight!
Ren: I… I just can’t! If I do…!
Neon: Leave her, Hayate! We’ll just have to take this thing on ourselves!
Hayate: Tch… Dammit!
*as the members of Glaive LeGable fight off the Data Bug, Ren simply sits on the grass, too traumatized to move*
Coolidge: Gatling Gun!!![/i]
*Coolidge fires bullets into the Data Bug continuously, but they barely do any damage*
Coolidge: Grrrr… Come on!
Miharu: Hraesvelgr!!![/i]
*Miharu fires from her staff a laser beam that explodes as it comes into contact with the Data Bug; it’s shown to have taken just a bit of damage*
Miharu: Hayate! Neon! You guys ready yet!?
*Hayate and Neon are shown powering up their bracelets, preparing to fire a double-teamed Data Drain*
Hayate: Almost!
Neon: Just a little longer…!
Usa-chan: Armor Break!!![/i]
Orion: Piercing Heaven!!![/i]
Izumi: Plectra Bullet!!![/i]
*Chibi-Usa, Orion, and Izumi triple-team against the Data Bug, but it still doesn’t take much damage*
Usa-chan: “It’s just a Data Bug”, he says! I thought this would be easy!
Data Bug: *loud roar*
Izumi: Uh-oh!
Hayate: Now!!!
Neon: Right!!!
Both: ALTER/TRANS DRAIN!!!!![/i][/size]
*Hayate and Neon fire their Data Drain blasts simultaneously at the Data Bug, piercing its flesh and altering its data*
Data Bug: *extremely loud roar*
*moments later, the Data Bug – it’s true form being that of a weak monster – separates itself from Albert and retreats; Albert falls to the ground lifeless*
Izumi/Miharu/Usa-chan: Alright!!!
Hayate/Neon: Mission accomplished!!!
*as the party cheers below, Kaeion is seen floating high up in the sky*
Kaeion: That’s it, my prey. Cheer to your hearts’ content, because in just a few moments… You’ll all be dead! And I think I’ll start… *gazes at Ren* …with her!
*Coolidge walks over to Ren and extends a hand towards her*
Coolidge: It’s all over now, Ren…
Ren: *looks up at Coolidge* … *reaches out to Coolidge*
Coolidge: …Hmm?
*Coolidge squints his eyes as something high above him shines brightly; he looks up at the sky to see a single tendril of data heading right for Ren*
Coolidge: *gasp* Ren, look out!!!
*Coolidge shoves Ren out of the way and allows the data tendril to pierce his PC body instead*
Coolidge: GRAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!![/i][/size]
Ren: COOLIDGE!!!!![/i][/size]
*Coolidge falls to the ground with a gaping hole in his chest*
All: COOLIDGE!!!!![/i][/size]
Neon: Where did that blast come from?!?
Izumi: *points to the sky* Guys, look!
*Izumi turns her attention to Kaeion, who was floating among the clouds*
All: KAEION!!!
Kaeion: *slowly floats down* You humans all make me sick to my stomach… You willingly sacrifice your lives to save others… Truly, truly revolting…
Ren: *looks down at Coolidge* Coolidge! Coolidge, hang on!
Coolidge: *cough, wheeze* Ren… You’re not hurt, are you?
Ren: N-No… I’m fine, thanks to you…
Coolidge: That’s good… *cough* …At least…throughout the entire time I’ve played The World, I’ve managed to do ONE thing right…
*Coolidge’s data begins to slowly break up and drift away*
Ren: No!!! Coolidge, don’t go!!!
Coolidge: I don’t know why, but… All of a sudden, I feel…so sleepy…
*Coolidge’s data completely breaks apart, and the data is absorbed by Kaeion*
Kaeion: Well…at least this day wasn’t a total loss.
*all of a sudden, Kaeion is struck in the shoulder by a Lei Zas beam*
Kaeion: Aah! *clenches shoulder* Who…?
*Ren is shown holding Dance Macabre fans*
Ren: Give him back… Give Coolidge back right now!!!!!
Kaeion: …Hmph. *gates out*
Ren: GET BACK HERE!!! … *falls to knees* No…
*the entire party assembles to the spot where Coolidge had fallen; all that was left was his Glaive LeGable @home Guest Key*
Hayate: Dammit… When I nearly lost Neon, I told myself that I’d always protect my friends so I wouldn’t lose any of them a second time… What the hell was I given this power for?!?
Izumi: Hayate…
Usa-chan: *sobs* Oh, Coolidge…
Miharu: …What do we do now?
Orion: *picks up Coolidge’s Guest Key* …Move forward… I’m afraid that’s all we can do at the moment… *looks at Ren*
Ren: …
Orion: …Ren.
Ren: *looks at Orion* Huh?
Orion: Coolidge gave his life so that you could live… I know that you never really liked him, but… *hands Guest Key to her* …the least you could do is honor his sacrifice.
Ren: … *takes Guest Key from Orion* …I will. I promise.
*several hours later, in Mac Anu Dome, Albert is shown leaning against a wall with his hands crossed*
Albert: …
*moments later, Ren gates into Mac Anu*
Albert: …Oh! Hey, Ren!
*ignoring Albert and without speaking, Ren walks into Mac Anu square*
Albert: Huh…?
*meanwhile, in Mac Anu’s Harbor District, Hayate gazes out at Hy Brasail from the pier*
Hayate: …
: …Hey.Hayate: Huh? *turns around to see Kyuzo* … *turns back around* What do you want?
Kyuzo: I…heard about your friend Coolidge.
Hayate: So?
Kyuzo: …I’m sorry for your loss.
Hayate: Hmph. Coming from you, Kyuzo, that sounds a little insincere.
Kyuzo: Hey, I’m trying to be sympathetic here! The least you could do is ACT grateful!
Hayate: …Sorry. You’re right. Thanks for your concern, Kyuzo.
Kyuzo: Whatever.
Hayate: …Hey, listen.
Kyuzo: What?
Hayate: It’s pretty obvious that we have a common enemy in Kaeion, so…what do you say we call a temporary truce between our guilds?
Kyuzo: Truce? What for?
Hayate: There’s strength in numbers, as they say. And it’s only until we take Kaeion down. So… *extends hand to Kyuzo* …what do you say?
Kyuzo: …
Hayate: …
Kyuzo: … *turns away from Hayate* …I don’t think so.
Hayate: Huh?
Kyuzo: That bastard took away from me the most important person in the world. When we finally corner him…I wanna tear him in half by myself. *walks away*
Hayate: …
~ Next Time on Infected! ~
Kaga: Σ Closed Law’s Gate… The once-majestic Aerial City of Fort Ouph…
~*~*~*~
Kaeion: Factor Users… By the will of Althena, I will eradicate you!
Neon: Just try it, K-boy!!!
~*~*~*~
Dekar: Well, that’s not a very polite way to greet someone, now is it?
~*~*~*~
Orion: Who is this…“Althena”?
Dekar: Sorry. I’m afraid I can’t tell you that. Or…to be more accurate…I don’t want to.
~*~*~*~
Hayate: (Saku-neechan, lend me your strength…!)
31st Phase: The Way of The World![/color]
