Post by Hayate on Feb 23, 2008 21:37:20 GMT -5
~ Eternal City of Mac Anu; July 7, 2037 ~
*Hayate logs in*
Hayate: *stretches arms* Mmm… Ahhh! Alright! Time for some .hack//Arm hunting!
*just then, Hayate hears an approaching scream*
Hayate: *sigh* Not again…
*he takes a single step to the left and Yahiko is seen running straight into the Chaos Gate*
Yahiko: …Ow…
Hayate: …Hey, Yahiko, how’s it going…?
Yahiko: Hehehe… Hey, Hayate.
*moments later, the two walk together through Mac Anu Square*
Hayate: …Huh?
*just then, Hayate notices a flyer with the words “Tanabata Festival” written in large text*
Hayate: Oh, wow. I can’t believe I forgot about the Tanabata festival.
Yahiko: “Ta-na-ba-ta”…? What’s that, Hayate? Some kind of Japanese sex drug?
Hayate: *face-fault* … *hops up and glares at Yahiko* You mean to tell me you’ve never heard of Tanabata, Yahiko!?
Yahiko: No. If it has to do with Japan, it’s obvious I haven’t heard of it ‘cuz I’m American.
Hayate: *blink* You are? …Okay, I get it. In that case, I’ll tell you. *ahem* Tanabata’s about two star-crossed lovers named Orihime and Hikoboshi…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Orihime (Weaving Princess), the daughter of the Tenkou (Sky King), wove beautiful clothes by the bank of the Amanogawa (River of Heaven). Her father loved the cloth that she wove and so she worked very hard everyday to weave it. However, she was sad that, because of her hard work, she could never meet and fall in love with anyone. Concerned about his daughter, Tenkou arranged for her to meet Hikoboshi (Cow Herder) who lived and worked on the other side of the Amanogawa. When the two met, they fell instantly in love with each other and were shortly married. However, once married, Orihime would no longer weave cloth for Tenkou and Hikoboshi allowed his cows to stray all over heaven. In anger, Tenkou separated the two lovers across the Amanogawa and forbade them to meet. Orihime became despondent at the loss of her husband and begged her father to let them meet again. Tenkou was moved by his daughter’s tears and allowed the two to meet on the 7th day of the 7th month (July 7) if Orihime worked hard and finished her weaving. The first time they tried to meet, however, they found that they could not cross the river because there was no bridge. Orihime cried so much that a flock of Kasasagi (magpies) came and promised to make a bridge with their wings so that she could cross the river once every year.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hayate: …So, in honor of Orihime and Hikoboshi, festivals are held every year in the real world. It’s also Tanabata tradition to write wishes on tanzaku, small pieces of paper, and hang them on bamboo trees. It’s possibly the most romantic holiday of the year.
Yahiko: Wow… So it’s like Japanese Valentine’s Day?
Hayate: Hehehe… Yeah, I guess so. So are you gonna go to the festival?
Yahiko: Yeah, maybe.
*…Glaive LeGable @home…*
Usa-chan: *jumping up and down* Yippee! The Tanabata festival’s here! It’s finally here! I’ve been waiting all year for this day to come!
Miharu: *sweatdrop, looks at Neon* Does she always do this…?
Neon: *sigh* Yup. Every year.
Usa-chan: *clasps hands together* The decorations, the yukatas, the fireworks… They’re all so beautiful this time of year.
Dawn Grunty: And at least you’ll be able to this year, Izumi! With Hayate!
Izumi: *blush, covers face* D-Dawn-chan!
All: Hahahaha!
*moments later, Hayate enters while everyone laughs*
Hayate: Okay, I’m here! …Hmm? What’s so funny, you guys?
Miharu: Hehehe… Oh, nothing.
*…Raven @home, Serpent of Lore…*
Pi: *typing on console keyboard* …Hmm…
Endrance: Something the matter, Pi?
Pi: I’ve detected a bit of a pattern with the K-Anomaly and the PC data he’s been collecting.
Ovan: What sort of pattern?
Pi: Whenever Kaeion absorbs the data of PC bodies, he never holds onto that data for long. Soon after absorbing PC data, he’d relocate to any one of the Lost Grounds and release that data…
*Kaeion is seen standing on top of the Hulle Granz Cathedral altar with his arms spread to his sides and his eyes closed*
Kaeion: “…Returns to nothing, this world of shadowless ones… Never to return, the shadowed one, who quests for the Twilight Dragon…”
*his body begins to give off a faint purple aura*
Kaeion: Oh, mighty Althena… I can feel your warmth… Rest assured, I shall awaken you soon…
Pi: Following this, that data would then circulate around The World aimlessly, as if it were searching for something.
Endrance: …Althena…
Pi: Yes, I came to that conclusion as well.
Ovan: As the moment stands, Althena cannot act if Kaeion does not send any more data to her. For the time being, all we can do is hinder Kaeion’s actions and prevent him from Data Draining any more players. …We can’t afford any further casualties.
Pi: Hmm…
Ovan: Is there something else, Pi?
Pi: Well, as a matter of fact… The system’s been detecting a faint phase marker for several days now, but it hasn’t grown at all. I can’t even detect which PC it belongs to. The only way for me to have even a remote chance of identifying it is through a Data Bug attack or movement from the K-Anomaly.
Endrance: Hmm, I see…
*meanwhile, in Mac Anu Dome, a white-haired Lei tribe Wave Templar is seen talking with a female Shinobi Striker PC*
Templar: Well, I’m here. You said you wanted to talk to me about something?
Shinobi: *fiddles with fingers* Um… Well… I wanted to, uh…
Templar: Yes?
Shinobi: *gulp* Will you go to the Tanabata festival with me, Vyce!?
Vyce: …
Shinobi: (Aw, man! I totally blew it! I kept telling myself to ask calmly, but I couldn’t! I mean, he’s just so hot! Any girl would’ve acted the same way, right? Right!?)
Vyce: … *smiles* Sure, Karin, I’d love to go with you.
Karin: *gasp, looks up at Vyce* Really!? You mean it?!?
Vyce: Yeah. It should be fun.
Karin: Haha! Thanks so much, Vyce! I have to go take care of something for my guildmaster, so I’ll meet you at the festival later, ‘kay? *wink*
Vyce: Sure thing.
Karin: Alright then! I’ll be seeing ya! *gates out*
*moments later, Vyce’s smile is replaced with a serious expression*
Vyce: Tanabata festival… I wonder – will you be there?
*Δ Setting Eternity’s Night Moon ~ Moon Tree @home*
*Atoli, the guildmaster of Moon Tree, is seen addressing the newly established Council of Twelve*
Atoli (Unit 1): Has everything been set for the festival tonight, Tsubaki?
Tsubaki (Unit 7): Oh, yes, Lady Atoli! Everything’s perfect!
Atoli: *smile* Glad to hear it. So, are there any developments with next month’s gala at Hy Brasail?
Aster (Unit 5): Lamium and I are currently setting things up. Development’s been moving a little slowly lately, but it should be ready within three weeks.
Lamium (Unit 2): *smells rose in hand* Mmm… Should make for a lovely celebration…
Atoli: Wonderful. What about you, Firethorn?
Firethorn (Unit 3): Preparations for the “Moon Tree Campaign” at Lumina Cloth’s Azure Palace is complete, milady.
Kiri (Unit 6): *cracks knuckles* Hehehe… The Moon Tree Campaign’s gonna be awesome!
Kaya (Unit 6): Kiri, shhhh!
Atoli: Hahaha. It’s alright, Kaya. Kiri’s just anxious.
Kiri: *crosses arms* Hmph!
Jasmine (Unit 4): … *looks at floor spot for Unit 12’s leader* Looks like the absentee’s away again…
Hozuki (Unit 8): *sigh* Fifth meeting in a row…
Atoli: Now, now. I’m sure she has her reasons.
Snowbell (Unit 9): Maybe it’s ‘cuz of her unborn baby! Hahahaha!
Jasmine: Snowbell!
Snowbell: Ooh! I wonder if she decided on a name yet!
Firethorn: *sigh* There she goes again…
*just then, two PC’s gate into the Council’s meeting hall and kneel upon entry*
Nerine (Unit 10): Pardon the intrusion, Atoli-sama.
Phoenix (Unit 11): You have a visitor, milady.
Atoli: Hmm? Who is it?
*moments later, Haseo gates into the hall*
Atoli: *gasp* Haseo! It’s good to see you!
Haseo: Hey, Atoli. It’s been a while.
Atoli: This is a surprise! What brings you to Moon Tree?
Snowbell: Maybe he’s dating her in secret!
All: SNOWBELL!!!
Snowbell: Kidding, kidding!
Hozuki: Good grief…
Atoli: *walks up to Haseo* Hehehe… Sorry about my friend’s rudeness. So what can I do for you?
Haseo: …We need to talk.
Atoli: …
*minutes later, Haseo and Atoli stand side by side near Moon Tree’s Chaos Gate*
Atoli: …I assume this has to do with the Factor Users?
Haseo: Out of all the eight phases, only Innis, Fidchell, and Macha remain hidden from us. We have Endrance working with us, so finding Macha shouldn’t be a problem. And we have absolutely no idea where Yata is, so…
Atoli: …You want me to keep my eyes open for the new Innis PC.
Haseo: I’m sorry. I know that, after we narrowly prevented the 3rd Network Crisis, you didn’t want to involve yourself with the Epitaphs anymore. But even with the Serpent of Lore’s search capabilities, tracking down Innis would be extremely difficult because of its Mirage of Deceit powers.
Atoli: …I understand.
Haseo: *looks at Atoli* Then you’ll help us?
Atoli: Yes. For the sake of this world, I’ll do all I can.
Haseo: …Same old Atoli… *BEEP, BEEP!* Hmm? …Sorry. I need to be going now.
Atoli: Alright. Will you be going to the Tanabata festival tonight?
Haseo: Dunno. Maybe.
Atoli: I see. Well, tell Ovan I said hi, okay?
Haseo: Sure thing. *gates out*
Atoli: *looks up at the moon* …I wonder if the moon shines down on the festival as brightly as it shines here… *giggle*
*hours later, in Breg Epona, Hayate and his friends stand in front of the Chaos Gate*
Hayate: The Tanabata festival… *sweatdrop* Aw, crap. I forgot the area words.
Orion: It’s Radiant Daybreak’s Ceremony.
Hayate: Oh, yeah. Hehehe…
Usa-chan: …
Neon: …Hmm? What’s the matter, Usa-chan?
Usa-chan: Well… I couldn’t help but wonder – Is it alright for us to be having fun while Coolidge’s in a coma?
Izumi: Usa-chan…
Orion: Coolidge wouldn’t want us mourning over him forever, Usa-chan. And besides, once we defeat Kaeion, he and the other comatose victims will all be saved.
Usa-chan: …Yeah, okay…
Miharu: Yeah, what Orion said! Now, c’mon, let’s get going!
*one-by-one, the members of Glaive LeGable gate into Radiant Daybreak’s Ceremony, starting with Hayate; upon gating in, Hayate notices that his PC body had been slightly altered – he was now wearing a bright-red yukata with black obi*
Hayate: Hehe! Not too shabby!
*turning to the Chaos Gate, Hayate watches as his friends gate in one after another; Orion gates in wearing a purple yukata with yellow obi, Neon in a dark-red yukata with white obi, Usa-chan in a pink yukata with black obi, and Miharu in a white yukata with dark-blue obi*
Hayate: Lookin’ good, you guys!
Orion: Heh. Naturally.
Usa-chan: Hahaha. This yukata looks so cute on me, doesn’t it?
Miharu: *turns to Neon* I, uh…l-like your yukata, Neon.
Neon: Hmm? Oh. Thanks, Miharu. I like yours too.
Hayate: *looks among group* Hmm? Hey, where’s Izumi?
Izumi: *calling over from Chaos Gate* Over here!
*Hayate turns to the Chaos Gate and sees Izumi wearing a bright-blue yukata with white florally-designed obi; additionally, her long blue hair – which usually hung off the left side of her head in a ponytail – was now hanging down in the fashion of her old PC body*
Hayate: …Whoa…
Izumi: *blush* D-Don’t look at me like that, Hayate… It’s embarrassing me…
Hayate: *gulp* S-Sorry.
Neon: I swear, with each passing day, those two look even more perfect for each other.
Usa-chan: Hey, Hayate! Izumi! You two gonna act lovey-dovey with each other all day, or are we gonna go to the festival!?
Hayate/Izumi: O-Oh! The festival!
Miharu: *sigh* Honestly…
*as Hayate and the group enter the festival square of the area, they’re immediately greeted by the sight of hundreds of players*
Neon: Wow… Look at this turnout. There must be over 200 PC’s in this place.
Usa-chan: Looks more like a thousand to me!
Hayate: So, are Tanabata festivals in The World any different from real world Tanabata festivals?
Izumi: You’ll see.
*as the players of The World all assemble in the festival square, Atoli and several members of Moon Tree’s Council of Twelve step onto the stage, all of them rather lavishly dressed*
Atoli: Ladies and gentlemen! I bid you welcome to The World’s 20th Annual Festival of Tanabata! Tsubaki, if you please.
Tsubaki: As you wish, Lady Atoli!
*Tsubaki throws his hands to his sides, triggering a bright wall of lights depicting Orihime and Hikoboshi to light up on the stage*
Crowd: Ooh… *applause*
Jasmine: In accordance to Tanabata tradition, we will first begin with the wish-writing-on-tanzaku segment of the event. If you’ll turn your attention to your item lists, you’ll see that a single piece of tanzaku was placed in your inventory right when you entered the festival square. Covering the outer lining of the festival square, you’ll notice a multitude of bamboo trees. Write your wish on the tanzaku and hang them on the branches of these trees. Have fun, everyone!
*the players around the square wander towards the trees to hang their wishes*
Usa-chan: Hey, Neo-niichan, what are you gonna wish for?
Neon: Hehehe… Oh, nothing special.
*as Neon hangs his tanzaku on a bamboo branch and walks away, Chibi-Usa peeks at his tanzaku*
Usa-chan: *sweatdrop* “I wish for a girlfriend”?
Miharu: *overhears Usa-chan* A girlfriend, huh? *smirk*
“Inner Miharu”: CHA!!! THIS IS MY CHANCE!!! IT WON’T BE LONG BEFORE NEON IS ALL MINE!!!
Miharu: Hehehehe…
Hayate: Hmm… I wonder what I should wish for… Hmm?
*Hayate looks over at Izumi, who was busy hanging her tanzaku; she realizes that Hayate was looking at her, so she waves at him*
Hayate: …Heh!
*Hayate begins writing on his tanzaku; once finished, he looks it over; the tanzaku says “I hope to make Izumi happy”*
Hayate: … *light blush* There!
Usa-chan: *pops up next to Hayate* Hey, Hayate, what’d ya wish for!?
Hayate: U-Usa-chan!!! Where’d you come from!?
Usa-chan: C’mon, tell me!
Hayate: *holds tanzaku away* G-Get away from me!
Usa-chan: C’mon, c’mon, C’MON!!!
Hayate: Neon, a little help here?!?
Neon: *shrugs shoulders* Sorry, Hayate. Once she gets like this, it’s next to impossible to get her to stop.
Hayate: …Oh, great…
Usa-chan: *reaches for Hayate’s tanzaku* Come on, lemme see!!!
Hayate: GET OFF OF ME!!!!!
*while the hundreds of players make their wishes below, Kaeion looks down upon them from atop the Orihime and Hikoboshi light display*
Kaeion: Look at them all down there… All of them fodder for the great Althena… *looks up at object in the sky* And my little gift from Althena up there will make sure of that… Hehehe…
*several moments later, Atoli and the Council of Twelve are seen standing on the stage again*
Firethorn: Next up on the Tanabata festival agenda is the “Festival Face-Off”!
*most of the male players in the crowd begin to cheer*
Hayate: “Festival…Face-Off”…? *looks at Orion* What’s that?
Orion: It’s a tradition for online Tanabata festivals first introduced back in 2024 to appeal more to male players. 16 players are chosen at random to do battle in a short tournament. The previous year’s winner is automatically chosen as one of those 16.
Hayate: A tournament, huh…? *sweatdrop* Seems kinda weird for Tanabata… But sounds like fun! I hope I get to fight!
Hozuki: Including last year’s Festival Face-Off champion, this year’s 15 lucky participants are…
*15 thin lights shine down on the players chosen for this year’s Festival Face-Off; one of the lights shines down on Hayate*
Hayate: Yes! Alright, time to show off my moves!
Miharu: Knock ‘em dead out there, Hayate! Remember… *smirk* …Izumi’s gonna be watching! Hahaha!
*the players standing near the center of the square clear out to make room for the fighting participants; the first two combatants assemble at the center of the square and draw their weapons*
Phoenix: …BEGIN!!!
*in the following 20 minutes, 14 battles come and go, leaving only 2 players left; Hayate walks towards the center of the square and makes eye contact with his opponent, a Twin Blade with a single angel’s wing with black feathers*
Firethorn: Out of the 16 original combatants, only 2 are remaining – Hayate, the Emperor of the Holy Palace, and Gilgamesh, the champion of last year’s Festival Face-Off!
Crowd: *cheers*
Hayate: So you’re last year’s champ, huh? I hope you’ll give me a good battle!
Gilgamesh: …
Hayate: *sweatdrop* …Ooooooooooooooooookay…
Tsubaki: Combatants ready?
Hayate: *draws Caliburn and Vorpal Blade* Ready!
Gilgamesh: *draws dual swords* …
Phoenix: …BEGIN!!!
*Gilgamesh dashes towards Hayate at amazing speed and swings his dual swords*
Hayate: Whoa!!!
*Hayate defends himself with his blade swords just in time to block Gilgamesh’s attack*
Hayate: (S-So fast…!)
*Gilgamesh backs away and leaps into the air, swinging his dual swords onto Hayate vertically downward; Hayate defends with his blade swords again and clashes blades with his opponent*
Hayate: Grrrr…
Gilgamesh: …
*Gilgamesh backs away again and glares at Hayate, grasping his dual swords tightly*
Hayate: Whew… I can see how you got to be last year’s champion. Hehehe.
Gilgamesh: …
*just then, Gilgamesh holds his dual swords a different way and assumes a different attack pose*
Snowbell: Ooh! Looks like Gilgamesh’s entered his signature “Final Stance”!
Hayate: A Rengeki… Hmph! Now it’s my turn to attack! *dashes at Gilgamesh* You ready for this one!? Sonic Fang!!![/i]
*Hayate vanishes in a blur of speed; he reappears behind Gilgamesh and readies his blade swords…*
Hayate: TAKE THIS!!!!!
*…but just then, Gilgamesh spins around and defends against Hayate’s Sonic Fang with one dual sword…*
Hayate: W-What the?!?
*…and swings his other dual sword at Hayate, sending him flying back onto the ground*
Hayate: Okay… That hurt…
Tsubaki: Looks like Hayate didn’t realize that when Gilgamesh is in his Final Stance, his senses of perception increase almost threefold!
Gilgamesh: *assumes normal attack stance* …
Hayate: Okay… Gonna have to step up my game here…
*Hayate dashes towards Gilgamesh again, leaps into the air…*
Hayate: Devil Sword!!![/i]
*…and comes down onto Gilgamesh with a fierce slash combo; Gilgamesh fends most of Hayate’s attacks off, but the Devil Sword’s final strike sends him flying into the crowd*
Crowd: *gasp*
Hozuki: Gilgamesh is down!
Hayate: *lands on the ground* Whew…
*just then, Gilgamesh leaps to his feet and into the air; he now had two wings of black feathers*
Hayate: The hell!?
Jasmine: And it’s Gilgamesh’s infamous “Dark Angel[/i]” technique!
Hayate: Tch! *aims palm at Gilgamesh* Lei Zas!!![/i]
*Hayate fires a continuous wave of white laser beams at the flying Gilgamesh, who dodges them by simply soaring around the festival square*
Hayate: Grrrr… Hold still, damn you!
*as soon as Hayate stops firing his magic, Gilgamesh stays stationary in midair and points the palm of his hand at Hayate…*
Gilgamesh: …Ani Zot[/i]…
*…conjuring a black pit of spikes to open up from underneath Hayate and entrap him up to his ankles*
Hayate: Oh, crap!
*with Hayate immobilized, Gilgamesh tosses both of his dual swords into the sky above; several clouds giving off a faint silver glow begin to gather*
Hayate: What now…?
*just then, millions of rays of silver light rain down upon Hayate, tearing into his PC body*
Hayate: AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!
Firethorn: The “Calamity Smite[/i]” attack! The very technique that earned Gilgamesh victory in last year’s Festival Face-Off!
*as the rain of silver lights subsides and the Ani Zot releases Hayate’s feet, Hayate falls to his knees in pain*
Atoli: What’s this? Has Hayate given up?
Hayate: Hmph…! Not on your life…! *struggles to stand up* I’m not done yet!!! *readies blade swords* (Saku-neechan, lend me your strength…!) …Chthonian Sword!!![/i]
*Hayate slams the Vorpal Sword and Caliburn together to unleash his mighty blue sword*
Crowd: *cheers*
*Hayate raises his sword and flaps his wing, taking off into the air; Hayate and Gilgamesh stare each other down as they hover in midair*
Hayate: Heh… *readies Chthonian Sword* Ready for round 2?
Gilgamesh: … *draws dual swords*
*while Hayate and Gilgamesh clash blades in the air, Vyce and Karin watch in the crowd*
Karin: Yeah! Get ‘im, Gilgamesh! …Good match, huh, Vyce?
Vyce: *looking up …
Karin: …Vyce? …Hello! Earth to Vyce!
Vyce: --Huh? Oh. Sorry, Karin.
Karin: You okay? You were staring into space.
Vyce: *smile* I’m just fine, don’t worry.
Karin: *sigh, blush* I just love that smile of yours, Vyce. If you say you’re okay, that’s fine with me.
Vyce: … *looks up into the sky* (If that thing is what I think it is…we’re all in big trouble…)
TO BE CONTINUED…
~ Next Time on Infected! ~
Pi: We have a situation!
Haseo: *points up to the sky* …Is it because of that?
~*~*~*~
Gilgamesh: Nibelung…VALESTI!!!!! [/size][/i]
~*~*~*~
Endrance: We must stop that thing from dropping at any cost! If we don’t…!
Ovan: …the results will be catastrophic.
Gwen: And how do you suggest we stop something that size!?
Vyce: …Perhaps I can help.
Endrance: …T-Tetsuro…
~*~*~*~
Kaeion: With the new power given to me by Althena, your fates have all been sealed!
34th Phase: Tanabata Turmoil, Part 2![/color]
*Hayate logs in*
Hayate: *stretches arms* Mmm… Ahhh! Alright! Time for some .hack//Arm hunting!
*just then, Hayate hears an approaching scream*
Hayate: *sigh* Not again…
*he takes a single step to the left and Yahiko is seen running straight into the Chaos Gate*
Yahiko: …Ow…
Hayate: …Hey, Yahiko, how’s it going…?
Yahiko: Hehehe… Hey, Hayate.
*moments later, the two walk together through Mac Anu Square*
Hayate: …Huh?
*just then, Hayate notices a flyer with the words “Tanabata Festival” written in large text*
Hayate: Oh, wow. I can’t believe I forgot about the Tanabata festival.
Yahiko: “Ta-na-ba-ta”…? What’s that, Hayate? Some kind of Japanese sex drug?
Hayate: *face-fault* … *hops up and glares at Yahiko* You mean to tell me you’ve never heard of Tanabata, Yahiko!?
Yahiko: No. If it has to do with Japan, it’s obvious I haven’t heard of it ‘cuz I’m American.
Hayate: *blink* You are? …Okay, I get it. In that case, I’ll tell you. *ahem* Tanabata’s about two star-crossed lovers named Orihime and Hikoboshi…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Orihime (Weaving Princess), the daughter of the Tenkou (Sky King), wove beautiful clothes by the bank of the Amanogawa (River of Heaven). Her father loved the cloth that she wove and so she worked very hard everyday to weave it. However, she was sad that, because of her hard work, she could never meet and fall in love with anyone. Concerned about his daughter, Tenkou arranged for her to meet Hikoboshi (Cow Herder) who lived and worked on the other side of the Amanogawa. When the two met, they fell instantly in love with each other and were shortly married. However, once married, Orihime would no longer weave cloth for Tenkou and Hikoboshi allowed his cows to stray all over heaven. In anger, Tenkou separated the two lovers across the Amanogawa and forbade them to meet. Orihime became despondent at the loss of her husband and begged her father to let them meet again. Tenkou was moved by his daughter’s tears and allowed the two to meet on the 7th day of the 7th month (July 7) if Orihime worked hard and finished her weaving. The first time they tried to meet, however, they found that they could not cross the river because there was no bridge. Orihime cried so much that a flock of Kasasagi (magpies) came and promised to make a bridge with their wings so that she could cross the river once every year.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hayate: …So, in honor of Orihime and Hikoboshi, festivals are held every year in the real world. It’s also Tanabata tradition to write wishes on tanzaku, small pieces of paper, and hang them on bamboo trees. It’s possibly the most romantic holiday of the year.
Yahiko: Wow… So it’s like Japanese Valentine’s Day?
Hayate: Hehehe… Yeah, I guess so. So are you gonna go to the festival?
Yahiko: Yeah, maybe.
*…Glaive LeGable @home…*
Usa-chan: *jumping up and down* Yippee! The Tanabata festival’s here! It’s finally here! I’ve been waiting all year for this day to come!
Miharu: *sweatdrop, looks at Neon* Does she always do this…?
Neon: *sigh* Yup. Every year.
Usa-chan: *clasps hands together* The decorations, the yukatas, the fireworks… They’re all so beautiful this time of year.
(yukata: summer-time kimono)
Izumi: I know how you feel, Usa-chan. *clasps hands together* To walk hand-in-hand with the one you love as the fireworks light up the sky… *sigh* It’s a girl’s dream come true.Dawn Grunty: And at least you’ll be able to this year, Izumi! With Hayate!
Izumi: *blush, covers face* D-Dawn-chan!
All: Hahahaha!
*moments later, Hayate enters while everyone laughs*
Hayate: Okay, I’m here! …Hmm? What’s so funny, you guys?
Miharu: Hehehe… Oh, nothing.
*…Raven @home, Serpent of Lore…*
Pi: *typing on console keyboard* …Hmm…
Endrance: Something the matter, Pi?
Pi: I’ve detected a bit of a pattern with the K-Anomaly and the PC data he’s been collecting.
Ovan: What sort of pattern?
Pi: Whenever Kaeion absorbs the data of PC bodies, he never holds onto that data for long. Soon after absorbing PC data, he’d relocate to any one of the Lost Grounds and release that data…
*Kaeion is seen standing on top of the Hulle Granz Cathedral altar with his arms spread to his sides and his eyes closed*
Kaeion: “…Returns to nothing, this world of shadowless ones… Never to return, the shadowed one, who quests for the Twilight Dragon…”
*his body begins to give off a faint purple aura*
Kaeion: Oh, mighty Althena… I can feel your warmth… Rest assured, I shall awaken you soon…
Pi: Following this, that data would then circulate around The World aimlessly, as if it were searching for something.
Endrance: …Althena…
Pi: Yes, I came to that conclusion as well.
Ovan: As the moment stands, Althena cannot act if Kaeion does not send any more data to her. For the time being, all we can do is hinder Kaeion’s actions and prevent him from Data Draining any more players. …We can’t afford any further casualties.
Pi: Hmm…
Ovan: Is there something else, Pi?
Pi: Well, as a matter of fact… The system’s been detecting a faint phase marker for several days now, but it hasn’t grown at all. I can’t even detect which PC it belongs to. The only way for me to have even a remote chance of identifying it is through a Data Bug attack or movement from the K-Anomaly.
Endrance: Hmm, I see…
*meanwhile, in Mac Anu Dome, a white-haired Lei tribe Wave Templar is seen talking with a female Shinobi Striker PC*
Templar: Well, I’m here. You said you wanted to talk to me about something?
Shinobi: *fiddles with fingers* Um… Well… I wanted to, uh…
Templar: Yes?
Shinobi: *gulp* Will you go to the Tanabata festival with me, Vyce!?
Vyce: …
Shinobi: (Aw, man! I totally blew it! I kept telling myself to ask calmly, but I couldn’t! I mean, he’s just so hot! Any girl would’ve acted the same way, right? Right!?)
Vyce: … *smiles* Sure, Karin, I’d love to go with you.
Karin: *gasp, looks up at Vyce* Really!? You mean it?!?
Vyce: Yeah. It should be fun.
Karin: Haha! Thanks so much, Vyce! I have to go take care of something for my guildmaster, so I’ll meet you at the festival later, ‘kay? *wink*
Vyce: Sure thing.
Karin: Alright then! I’ll be seeing ya! *gates out*
*moments later, Vyce’s smile is replaced with a serious expression*
Vyce: Tanabata festival… I wonder – will you be there?
*Δ Setting Eternity’s Night Moon ~ Moon Tree @home*
*Atoli, the guildmaster of Moon Tree, is seen addressing the newly established Council of Twelve*
Atoli (Unit 1): Has everything been set for the festival tonight, Tsubaki?
Tsubaki (Unit 7): Oh, yes, Lady Atoli! Everything’s perfect!
Atoli: *smile* Glad to hear it. So, are there any developments with next month’s gala at Hy Brasail?
Aster (Unit 5): Lamium and I are currently setting things up. Development’s been moving a little slowly lately, but it should be ready within three weeks.
Lamium (Unit 2): *smells rose in hand* Mmm… Should make for a lovely celebration…
Atoli: Wonderful. What about you, Firethorn?
Firethorn (Unit 3): Preparations for the “Moon Tree Campaign” at Lumina Cloth’s Azure Palace is complete, milady.
Kiri (Unit 6): *cracks knuckles* Hehehe… The Moon Tree Campaign’s gonna be awesome!
Kaya (Unit 6): Kiri, shhhh!
Atoli: Hahaha. It’s alright, Kaya. Kiri’s just anxious.
Kiri: *crosses arms* Hmph!
Jasmine (Unit 4): … *looks at floor spot for Unit 12’s leader* Looks like the absentee’s away again…
Hozuki (Unit 8): *sigh* Fifth meeting in a row…
Atoli: Now, now. I’m sure she has her reasons.
Snowbell (Unit 9): Maybe it’s ‘cuz of her unborn baby! Hahahaha!
Jasmine: Snowbell!
Snowbell: Ooh! I wonder if she decided on a name yet!
Firethorn: *sigh* There she goes again…
*just then, two PC’s gate into the Council’s meeting hall and kneel upon entry*
Nerine (Unit 10): Pardon the intrusion, Atoli-sama.
Phoenix (Unit 11): You have a visitor, milady.
Atoli: Hmm? Who is it?
*moments later, Haseo gates into the hall*
Atoli: *gasp* Haseo! It’s good to see you!
Haseo: Hey, Atoli. It’s been a while.
Atoli: This is a surprise! What brings you to Moon Tree?
Snowbell: Maybe he’s dating her in secret!
All: SNOWBELL!!!
Snowbell: Kidding, kidding!
Hozuki: Good grief…
Atoli: *walks up to Haseo* Hehehe… Sorry about my friend’s rudeness. So what can I do for you?
Haseo: …We need to talk.
Atoli: …
*minutes later, Haseo and Atoli stand side by side near Moon Tree’s Chaos Gate*
Atoli: …I assume this has to do with the Factor Users?
Haseo: Out of all the eight phases, only Innis, Fidchell, and Macha remain hidden from us. We have Endrance working with us, so finding Macha shouldn’t be a problem. And we have absolutely no idea where Yata is, so…
Atoli: …You want me to keep my eyes open for the new Innis PC.
Haseo: I’m sorry. I know that, after we narrowly prevented the 3rd Network Crisis, you didn’t want to involve yourself with the Epitaphs anymore. But even with the Serpent of Lore’s search capabilities, tracking down Innis would be extremely difficult because of its Mirage of Deceit powers.
Atoli: …I understand.
Haseo: *looks at Atoli* Then you’ll help us?
Atoli: Yes. For the sake of this world, I’ll do all I can.
Haseo: …Same old Atoli… *BEEP, BEEP!* Hmm? …Sorry. I need to be going now.
Atoli: Alright. Will you be going to the Tanabata festival tonight?
Haseo: Dunno. Maybe.
Atoli: I see. Well, tell Ovan I said hi, okay?
Haseo: Sure thing. *gates out*
Atoli: *looks up at the moon* …I wonder if the moon shines down on the festival as brightly as it shines here… *giggle*
*hours later, in Breg Epona, Hayate and his friends stand in front of the Chaos Gate*
Hayate: The Tanabata festival… *sweatdrop* Aw, crap. I forgot the area words.
Orion: It’s Radiant Daybreak’s Ceremony.
Hayate: Oh, yeah. Hehehe…
Usa-chan: …
Neon: …Hmm? What’s the matter, Usa-chan?
Usa-chan: Well… I couldn’t help but wonder – Is it alright for us to be having fun while Coolidge’s in a coma?
Izumi: Usa-chan…
Orion: Coolidge wouldn’t want us mourning over him forever, Usa-chan. And besides, once we defeat Kaeion, he and the other comatose victims will all be saved.
Usa-chan: …Yeah, okay…
Miharu: Yeah, what Orion said! Now, c’mon, let’s get going!
*one-by-one, the members of Glaive LeGable gate into Radiant Daybreak’s Ceremony, starting with Hayate; upon gating in, Hayate notices that his PC body had been slightly altered – he was now wearing a bright-red yukata with black obi*
Hayate: Hehe! Not too shabby!
*turning to the Chaos Gate, Hayate watches as his friends gate in one after another; Orion gates in wearing a purple yukata with yellow obi, Neon in a dark-red yukata with white obi, Usa-chan in a pink yukata with black obi, and Miharu in a white yukata with dark-blue obi*
Hayate: Lookin’ good, you guys!
Orion: Heh. Naturally.
Usa-chan: Hahaha. This yukata looks so cute on me, doesn’t it?
Miharu: *turns to Neon* I, uh…l-like your yukata, Neon.
Neon: Hmm? Oh. Thanks, Miharu. I like yours too.
Hayate: *looks among group* Hmm? Hey, where’s Izumi?
Izumi: *calling over from Chaos Gate* Over here!
*Hayate turns to the Chaos Gate and sees Izumi wearing a bright-blue yukata with white florally-designed obi; additionally, her long blue hair – which usually hung off the left side of her head in a ponytail – was now hanging down in the fashion of her old PC body*
Hayate: …Whoa…
Izumi: *blush* D-Don’t look at me like that, Hayate… It’s embarrassing me…
Hayate: *gulp* S-Sorry.
Neon: I swear, with each passing day, those two look even more perfect for each other.
Usa-chan: Hey, Hayate! Izumi! You two gonna act lovey-dovey with each other all day, or are we gonna go to the festival!?
Hayate/Izumi: O-Oh! The festival!
Miharu: *sigh* Honestly…
*as Hayate and the group enter the festival square of the area, they’re immediately greeted by the sight of hundreds of players*
Neon: Wow… Look at this turnout. There must be over 200 PC’s in this place.
Usa-chan: Looks more like a thousand to me!
Hayate: So, are Tanabata festivals in The World any different from real world Tanabata festivals?
Izumi: You’ll see.
*as the players of The World all assemble in the festival square, Atoli and several members of Moon Tree’s Council of Twelve step onto the stage, all of them rather lavishly dressed*
Atoli: Ladies and gentlemen! I bid you welcome to The World’s 20th Annual Festival of Tanabata! Tsubaki, if you please.
Tsubaki: As you wish, Lady Atoli!
*Tsubaki throws his hands to his sides, triggering a bright wall of lights depicting Orihime and Hikoboshi to light up on the stage*
Crowd: Ooh… *applause*
Jasmine: In accordance to Tanabata tradition, we will first begin with the wish-writing-on-tanzaku segment of the event. If you’ll turn your attention to your item lists, you’ll see that a single piece of tanzaku was placed in your inventory right when you entered the festival square. Covering the outer lining of the festival square, you’ll notice a multitude of bamboo trees. Write your wish on the tanzaku and hang them on the branches of these trees. Have fun, everyone!
*the players around the square wander towards the trees to hang their wishes*
Usa-chan: Hey, Neo-niichan, what are you gonna wish for?
Neon: Hehehe… Oh, nothing special.
*as Neon hangs his tanzaku on a bamboo branch and walks away, Chibi-Usa peeks at his tanzaku*
Usa-chan: *sweatdrop* “I wish for a girlfriend”?
Miharu: *overhears Usa-chan* A girlfriend, huh? *smirk*
“Inner Miharu”: CHA!!! THIS IS MY CHANCE!!! IT WON’T BE LONG BEFORE NEON IS ALL MINE!!!
Miharu: Hehehehe…
Hayate: Hmm… I wonder what I should wish for… Hmm?
*Hayate looks over at Izumi, who was busy hanging her tanzaku; she realizes that Hayate was looking at her, so she waves at him*
Hayate: …Heh!
*Hayate begins writing on his tanzaku; once finished, he looks it over; the tanzaku says “I hope to make Izumi happy”*
Hayate: … *light blush* There!
Usa-chan: *pops up next to Hayate* Hey, Hayate, what’d ya wish for!?
Hayate: U-Usa-chan!!! Where’d you come from!?
Usa-chan: C’mon, tell me!
Hayate: *holds tanzaku away* G-Get away from me!
Usa-chan: C’mon, c’mon, C’MON!!!
Hayate: Neon, a little help here?!?
Neon: *shrugs shoulders* Sorry, Hayate. Once she gets like this, it’s next to impossible to get her to stop.
Hayate: …Oh, great…
Usa-chan: *reaches for Hayate’s tanzaku* Come on, lemme see!!!
Hayate: GET OFF OF ME!!!!!
*while the hundreds of players make their wishes below, Kaeion looks down upon them from atop the Orihime and Hikoboshi light display*
Kaeion: Look at them all down there… All of them fodder for the great Althena… *looks up at object in the sky* And my little gift from Althena up there will make sure of that… Hehehe…
*several moments later, Atoli and the Council of Twelve are seen standing on the stage again*
Firethorn: Next up on the Tanabata festival agenda is the “Festival Face-Off”!
*most of the male players in the crowd begin to cheer*
Hayate: “Festival…Face-Off”…? *looks at Orion* What’s that?
Orion: It’s a tradition for online Tanabata festivals first introduced back in 2024 to appeal more to male players. 16 players are chosen at random to do battle in a short tournament. The previous year’s winner is automatically chosen as one of those 16.
Hayate: A tournament, huh…? *sweatdrop* Seems kinda weird for Tanabata… But sounds like fun! I hope I get to fight!
Hozuki: Including last year’s Festival Face-Off champion, this year’s 15 lucky participants are…
*15 thin lights shine down on the players chosen for this year’s Festival Face-Off; one of the lights shines down on Hayate*
Hayate: Yes! Alright, time to show off my moves!
Miharu: Knock ‘em dead out there, Hayate! Remember… *smirk* …Izumi’s gonna be watching! Hahaha!
*the players standing near the center of the square clear out to make room for the fighting participants; the first two combatants assemble at the center of the square and draw their weapons*
Phoenix: …BEGIN!!!
*in the following 20 minutes, 14 battles come and go, leaving only 2 players left; Hayate walks towards the center of the square and makes eye contact with his opponent, a Twin Blade with a single angel’s wing with black feathers*
Firethorn: Out of the 16 original combatants, only 2 are remaining – Hayate, the Emperor of the Holy Palace, and Gilgamesh, the champion of last year’s Festival Face-Off!
Crowd: *cheers*
Hayate: So you’re last year’s champ, huh? I hope you’ll give me a good battle!
Gilgamesh: …
Hayate: *sweatdrop* …Ooooooooooooooooookay…
Tsubaki: Combatants ready?
Hayate: *draws Caliburn and Vorpal Blade* Ready!
Gilgamesh: *draws dual swords* …
Phoenix: …BEGIN!!!
*Gilgamesh dashes towards Hayate at amazing speed and swings his dual swords*
Hayate: Whoa!!!
*Hayate defends himself with his blade swords just in time to block Gilgamesh’s attack*
Hayate: (S-So fast…!)
*Gilgamesh backs away and leaps into the air, swinging his dual swords onto Hayate vertically downward; Hayate defends with his blade swords again and clashes blades with his opponent*
Hayate: Grrrr…
Gilgamesh: …
*Gilgamesh backs away again and glares at Hayate, grasping his dual swords tightly*
Hayate: Whew… I can see how you got to be last year’s champion. Hehehe.
Gilgamesh: …
*just then, Gilgamesh holds his dual swords a different way and assumes a different attack pose*
Snowbell: Ooh! Looks like Gilgamesh’s entered his signature “Final Stance”!
Hayate: A Rengeki… Hmph! Now it’s my turn to attack! *dashes at Gilgamesh* You ready for this one!? Sonic Fang!!![/i]
*Hayate vanishes in a blur of speed; he reappears behind Gilgamesh and readies his blade swords…*
Hayate: TAKE THIS!!!!!
*…but just then, Gilgamesh spins around and defends against Hayate’s Sonic Fang with one dual sword…*
Hayate: W-What the?!?
*…and swings his other dual sword at Hayate, sending him flying back onto the ground*
Hayate: Okay… That hurt…
Tsubaki: Looks like Hayate didn’t realize that when Gilgamesh is in his Final Stance, his senses of perception increase almost threefold!
Gilgamesh: *assumes normal attack stance* …
Hayate: Okay… Gonna have to step up my game here…
*Hayate dashes towards Gilgamesh again, leaps into the air…*
Hayate: Devil Sword!!![/i]
*…and comes down onto Gilgamesh with a fierce slash combo; Gilgamesh fends most of Hayate’s attacks off, but the Devil Sword’s final strike sends him flying into the crowd*
Crowd: *gasp*
Hozuki: Gilgamesh is down!
Hayate: *lands on the ground* Whew…
*just then, Gilgamesh leaps to his feet and into the air; he now had two wings of black feathers*
Hayate: The hell!?
Jasmine: And it’s Gilgamesh’s infamous “Dark Angel[/i]” technique!
Hayate: Tch! *aims palm at Gilgamesh* Lei Zas!!![/i]
*Hayate fires a continuous wave of white laser beams at the flying Gilgamesh, who dodges them by simply soaring around the festival square*
Hayate: Grrrr… Hold still, damn you!
*as soon as Hayate stops firing his magic, Gilgamesh stays stationary in midair and points the palm of his hand at Hayate…*
Gilgamesh: …Ani Zot[/i]…
*…conjuring a black pit of spikes to open up from underneath Hayate and entrap him up to his ankles*
Hayate: Oh, crap!
*with Hayate immobilized, Gilgamesh tosses both of his dual swords into the sky above; several clouds giving off a faint silver glow begin to gather*
Hayate: What now…?
*just then, millions of rays of silver light rain down upon Hayate, tearing into his PC body*
Hayate: AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!
Firethorn: The “Calamity Smite[/i]” attack! The very technique that earned Gilgamesh victory in last year’s Festival Face-Off!
*as the rain of silver lights subsides and the Ani Zot releases Hayate’s feet, Hayate falls to his knees in pain*
Atoli: What’s this? Has Hayate given up?
Hayate: Hmph…! Not on your life…! *struggles to stand up* I’m not done yet!!! *readies blade swords* (Saku-neechan, lend me your strength…!) …Chthonian Sword!!![/i]
*Hayate slams the Vorpal Sword and Caliburn together to unleash his mighty blue sword*
Crowd: *cheers*
*Hayate raises his sword and flaps his wing, taking off into the air; Hayate and Gilgamesh stare each other down as they hover in midair*
Hayate: Heh… *readies Chthonian Sword* Ready for round 2?
Gilgamesh: … *draws dual swords*
*while Hayate and Gilgamesh clash blades in the air, Vyce and Karin watch in the crowd*
Karin: Yeah! Get ‘im, Gilgamesh! …Good match, huh, Vyce?
Vyce: *looking up …
Karin: …Vyce? …Hello! Earth to Vyce!
Vyce: --Huh? Oh. Sorry, Karin.
Karin: You okay? You were staring into space.
Vyce: *smile* I’m just fine, don’t worry.
Karin: *sigh, blush* I just love that smile of yours, Vyce. If you say you’re okay, that’s fine with me.
Vyce: … *looks up into the sky* (If that thing is what I think it is…we’re all in big trouble…)
TO BE CONTINUED…
~ Next Time on Infected! ~
Pi: We have a situation!
Haseo: *points up to the sky* …Is it because of that?
~*~*~*~
Gilgamesh: Nibelung…VALESTI!!!!! [/size][/i]
~*~*~*~
Endrance: We must stop that thing from dropping at any cost! If we don’t…!
Ovan: …the results will be catastrophic.
Gwen: And how do you suggest we stop something that size!?
Vyce: …Perhaps I can help.
Endrance: …T-Tetsuro…
~*~*~*~
Kaeion: With the new power given to me by Althena, your fates have all been sealed!
34th Phase: Tanabata Turmoil, Part 2![/color]
