Post by Hayate on Feb 29, 2008 21:02:14 GMT -5
~ Previously on Infected! ~
Usa-chan: The Tanabata festival’s here! It’s finally here! *clasps hands together* The decorations, the yukatas, the fireworks… They’re all so mathis time of year.
Izumi: *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!
~*~*~*~
Vyce: Tanabata festival… I wonder – will you be there?
~*~*~*~
Atoli: For the sake of this world, I’ll do all I can.
Haseo: …Same old Atoli…
~*~*~*~
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…
~*~*~*~
Hayate: So you’re last year’s champ, huh? I hope you’ll give me a good battle!
Gilgamesh: …
~*~*~*~
Vyce: … *looks up into the sky* (If that thing is what I think it is…we’re all in big trouble…)
~ And now…the conclusion of “Tanabata Turmoil” ~
~ Σ Radiant Daybreak’s Ceremony; July 7, 2037 ~
Hayate: *flies towards Gilgamesh* HYAAAAAAAAH!!!!
Gilgamesh: *flies towards Hayate* …
*Hayate’s Chthonian Sword and Gilgamesh’s dual swords meet in a loud clash of blades*
Hayate: Grrrr…
Gilgamesh: …
Snowbell: WOW!!! Things are really heating up now! Hayate and Gilgamesh battle in the skies like a couple of dueling angels!
Jasmine: Indeed. *looks up at the sky* And just look at that moon. The rays of the moon shine with all seven colors of the rainbow for our two Festival Face-Off finalists.
*in the crowd, Haseo looks up at the “moon” as well*
Haseo: Hmph… That’s no moon…
*moments later, Endrance, Ovan, and Pi meet with Haseo in the crowd*
Pi: Haseo! We have a situation!
Haseo: *pointing up to the sky* …It’s because of that…right?
Ovan: I trust you know what this means?
Haseo: Of course I do. …Contact the Factor Users.
Endrance: Understood!
*meanwhile…*
Hayate: REVOLVER IMPACT!!!!!
*as Hayate hovers in midair, the blue-silver blade mounted on his right arm begins to rapidly spin like a drill; Hayate thrusts the drill towards Gilgamesh, who defends with his dual swords*
Hayate: Come on…
Gilgamesh: …
*Gilgamesh shifts the weight of his PC body to the left, causing Hayate to stumble forward…*
Hayate: W-Whoa!
*…giving Gilgamesh ample opening to connect his leg with Hayate’s back, causing Hayate to plunge into the ground*
Hayate: Oof! …D-Dammit…
Lamium: What’s this? Looks like Gilgamesh’s getting ready to deal the final blow!
Hayate: Final…blow? *stands up and looks up at Gilgamesh* …Oh, boy…
*Gilgamesh concentrates his energies, causing both of his black wings to turn white; he then holds his hands up above him and generates a gigantic spear of white light to appear*
Tsubaki: Ooh! Gilgamesh’s never used this move before! How breathtaking!
*Gilgamesh positions himself behind the spear and aims it at Hayate*
Gilgamesh: Nibelung…VALESTI!!!!![/size]
*Gilgamesh connects his fist with the spear’s base, causing the spear of light to shoot down towards Hayate*
Crowd: *gasp*
Firethorn: This might be it!
*as the spear draws closer to Hayate, the earth begins to vibrate*
Hayate: (Only one chance!) *readies Chthonian Sword* Just a little farther…
*the Chthonian Sword begins to spin like a drill again*
Hayate: Almost there… Now!!! REVOLVER IMPACT – FULL POWER!!!!![/i]
*Hayate thrusts the Chthonian Sword forward and forcibly connects it with Nibelung Valesti, causing a chain reaction of energies and triggering a massive explosion; the crowd backs away from the ensuing smoke*
Crowd: *mumbles of uncertainty*
Snowbell: Awww! I can’t see anything through the smoke!
Hozuki: Who could this year’s Festival Face-Off champion be!?
*as the smoke clears, Hayate and Gilgamesh glare at each other on the ground, their weapons returned to subspace*
Hayate: …
Gilgamesh: …
*moments later, the two, exhausted of all energy, collapse onto the ground simultaneously*
Hozuki: It’s over! The match is over!
Jasmine: But…it’s a draw…
Crowd: Awww…
Tsubaki: Your verdict, Lady Atoli?
Atoli: Hmm… Alright! Hayate and Gilgamesh really gave it their all, so I declare…that this year shall have TWO champions of the Festival Face-Off!
Crowd: *cheers loudly*
*moments later, Hayate and Gilgamesh join the Council of Twelve onstage; Atoli, holding a rare accessory, walks up to Hayate*
Atoli: We meet again.
Hayate: Y-Yeah.
Atoli: *presents accessory to Hayate* Congratulations.
Hayate: *takes accessory* Thank you.
Crowd: *cheers*
Karin: WHOO!!!!! …Nice match, eh?
Vyce: Mm-hmm. …Hmm?
*just then, Vyce’s field of vision shifts slightly upward and he sees a figure standing on top of the Orihime/Hikoboshi light display*
Vyce: Hmm! (Target in sight!) …Hey, Karin?
Karin: Huh? What is it, Vyce?
Vyce: I gotta go take care of something really quick. I’ll be right back, alright? *starts walking away*
Karin: Uh… O-Okay, if you say so.
*moments later, Glaive LeGable and the Factor Users all meet with Pi and the Epitaph Knights outside the festival square*
Izumi: …Kaeion is here?!?
Endrance: I’m afraid so.
Ren: Where is he!?
Ovan: I’m afraid it’s impossible for us to pinpoint him with the Serpent of Lore. All we know is that he’s somewhere here and that he hasn’t left the area.
Orion: He must be planning a mass attack.
Haseo: Yes. And with over 200 players all gathered in one place, the data he plans to absorb will be off the scale.
Neon: Wait… Would be really be able to absorb the data of this many players with just one attack?
Pi: *points up to the sky* …With that, he can.
*Pi turns everyone’s attention to a giant rainbow-colored sphere in the sky*
Usa-chan: What the hell is that!?
Haseo: Drain Heart. The most powerful form of Data Drain. With it, Kaeion could wipe out every single PC in a solitary space and send them all into a coma in an instant.
Hayate: We can’t let him do that!
Endrance: We know, Hayate! No matter what the cost, we must stop that sphere from dropping! If it falls…!
Ovan: …the results will be catastrophic.
Gwen: Stop it!? Are you crazy!? That thing’s as big as the freakin’ moon! How do you suggest we stop something that big!?
Vyce: …Perhaps I can help.
All: …Hmm?
*the group turns to see a white-haired Lei tribe PC walking towards them*
Miharu: Who are you, whitey?
Endrance: …T-Tetsuro…
Pi: Tetsuro!? Then…Endrance, this is your…!?
Vyce: I had a feeling I’d find you here…father.
*meanwhile, from on top of the Orihime/Hikoboshi light display, Kaeion holds his hands up to the Drain Heart sphere in the sky*
Kaeion: Just a little more… Just a little more, and Mistress Althena will be ever closer to awakening…
*meanwhile (again)…*
All: …MACHA?!?
Endrance: Yes. Tetsuro’s PC body in infused with the factor of the 6th Phase of Morganna – Macha.
Ren: And you knew about this?
Endrance: Tetsuro’s factor awakened shortly before Kaeion gained a physical form. And once Kaeion appeared completely, I knew he’d go after the Factor Users eventually. So I asked Ovan to write up a PC program that could protect Tetsuro from Kaeion’s sights. It worked somewhat similar to a firewall. …All I wanted was to protect my son…
Vyce: You can’t protect me forever, father! If I was chosen to wield this power, I want to use it to fight! Even if it means putting my life on the line!
Endrance: …Tetsuro…
Gwen: *crosses arms* (Great… Another “hero of justice” type…)
Haseo: *looking towards the square* Looks like they’ve begun the final event of the festival: the naming of “Miss Tanabata”.
Usa-chan: The last event?!? *lowers head* Awww… I wanted to be in that event.
Neon: Usa-chan… Try to focus on the task at hand, huh?
Ovan: *looking up at the Drain Heart sphere* Hmm… We don’t have much time. Here’s the plan…
*as Kaeion feeds energy to the Drain Heart sphere in the sky, his body gives off a faint purple glow*
Kaeion: Ahhh… Your warmth is so pleasing, my mistress…
: Kaeion!
Kaeion: …And so, the guests of honor arrive…
*Kaeion turns around to be confronted by the members of Glaive LeGable*
Kaeion: You’re just in time for the festivities. I do hope you’ll stick around for… *smirk* …the grand finale.
Hayate: We’re not gonna let you drop that thing! *draws blade swords*
Kaeion: “Let me”? Since when did I need your approval for anything?
Miharu: You can be smug all you want! We’re still gonna stop you!
Kaeion: *draws Spin Natsume* …Go ahead and try!
Izumi: *generates energy gauntlets* Pink Hammer!
*Izumi generates energy through her fists and attacks Kaeion, who shifts to the right and drives his dual swords into her side as she flies by him*
Izumi: Gah!
*following Izumi, Hayate and Orion double-team Kaeion with a combination attack of blades and lance*
Hayate/Orion: Take this!
Kaeion: Heh!
*Kaeion simply leaps into the air and, as Hayate and Orion pass underfoot, drives the two into the ground with a horizontal Chaotic Strike*
Hayate: Aah!
Orion: G-Gah!
*as soon as Kaeion lands on the ground, he looks over at Miharu, who was gathering dark energy at the tip of her staff*
Miharu: Diabolic Emission![/i]
*she hurls a sphere of darkness at Kaeion which slowly expands as it travels*
Kaeion: Hmph!
*with an upward slash from a single dual sword, Kaeion carves the dark sphere clean in two…*
Kaeion: …Hmm?
*…and sees Chibi-Usa on the other side of the sphere, readying her dual pistols*
Usa-chan: Gatling Gun![/i]
*she fires an incredible volley of bullets at Kaeion, who fends them off by twirling the Spin Natsume at super-high speed*
Kaeion: Is that all you’ve got!?
Hayate: *appears behind Kaeion* No, it’s not!
Kaeion: Huh!?
Hayate: Sonic Fang![/i]
*Hayate thrusts his blade swords forward and pierces Kaeion’s back*
Kaeion: GAH!!!
Hayate: Got ‘im!
*just then, Kaeion leaps forward, grabs Chibi-Usa by her collar…*
Usa-chan: *gulp*
*…spins around, and tosses Chibi-Usa, causing her to collide into Hayate, temporarily incapacitating both of them*
Kaeion: (Just a little more…)
Neon: Forget about me, scumbag?!?
*Neon suddenly plummets down onto Kaeion from above coated in a Ghost Falcon veil of light*
Neon: Ghost Falcon!!![/i]
Kaeion: Heh! Right back at ya! Ghost Falcon!!![/i]
*Kaeion jumps up and meets Neon in the air in a clashing of dual swords; when the dust settles, the two glare at each other at ground level*
Neon: Grrrr…
Kaeion: …Hmm?
*Kaeion leaps to the side just in time to avoid a volley of sharp cards hurled at him*
Kyuzo: *readies more cards* Better count your blessings, K-boy, ‘cuz the next ones won’t miss!
Neon: K-Kyuzo! Where’d you come from!?
Kyuzo: Endrance short-mailed me! What do you think!?
*from below, Pi and the Epitaph Knights watch Kyuzo’s premature entrance*
Ovan: And here I was sure that Kyuzo would rendezvous with us before rushing in… Guess I expected too much.
Endrance: *turns to face Haseo* What now?
Haseo: We proceed as planned. *sends wide-range flash mail* All Factor Users, move in!
Pi: Should we start evacuating the crowd?
Haseo: Not just yet. If we move too early, we’ll risk starting a riot. We’ll wait until the final event is complete.
Ovan: Understood.
Ren: *receives Haseo’s flash mail* …There’s the signal! *draws fans* Ready, guys?
Gwen: *draws lance* Heh! I was born ready!
Vyce: Same here!
*on top of the light display, Kyuzo and the members of Glaive LeGable all surround Kaeion*
Kaeion: Why do you insist on defying me!? With the new power given to me by Althena, your fates have all been sealed!
Izumi: Fate can never be sealed! We decide our own fates!
Kaeion: Hmph. An inspiring sentiment. But… *puts Spin Natsume away and draws broadsword* …I’ve had enough sentimentality for one lifetime!
*the party charges in at Kaeion in unison; Kaeion winds back and…*
Kaeion: I don’t think so!!!
*…spins his body around at full speed, creating a massive circular shockwave with the broadsword and sending the entire party flying back onto the ground*
Kaeion: Hehehe! Glorious! Althena’s might is TRULY glorious!
Hayate: D-Dammit all… Each time we face off against this guy, he just gets stronger and stronger!
*just then, Vyce, Gwen, and Ren leap out of the shadows to confront Kaeion*
Ren: Kaeion!!!
Kaeion: Hmm?
Miharu: *sighs while lying on the ground* It’s about time they got here…
Kyuzo: *looks at Vyce* Oh, great… Another white-haired loser of the Lei tribe…
Neon/Usa-chan: WE HEARD THAT!!!!!
Vyce: At long last… *generates energy scythe* I’ve finally found you!
Kaeion: …Do you have some personal vendetta with me…?
Vyce: You’re damn right I do! Once I destroy you, my father will finally acknowledge my strength!
Kaeion: “Destroy me”!? Hah! And what makes you think you can!?
*Vyce holds his energy broadsword with one hand and clenches his other hand into a fist; his PC body begins to give off a violet aura*
Vyce: …Because I’m empowered by Morganna!
Kaeion: *gasp* … *smirk* So, at last we meet. It’s a true pleasure…Macha.
Vyce: *raises broadsword and charges forward* PREPARE YOURSELF!!!
*Vyce and Kaeion meet in a fierce collision of heavy blades, matching each other blow for blow*
Usa-chan: Go, Vyce!
Kyuzo: Hmph… Showoff.
Kaeion: Shell Breaker!!![/i]
*Kaeion swings the broadsword three forceful times at Vyce, who narrowly avoids them and counters with…*
Vyce: Bonecrusher!!![/i]
*…a powerful Punisher Rengeki that sends Kaeion flying back a short distance; Kaeion shortly returns to his feet and substitutes his broadsword for the Spin Natsume*
Kaeion: Hehehe! At last, a challenge!
Vyce: *generates Partizan lance* I wouldn’t get cocky if I were you! *dashes at Kaeion again*
*Vyce and Kaeion meet once again in a fiery collision of weapons while Glaive LeGable and the other Factor Users watch*
Gwen: Shouldn’t we be stepping in by now!?
Ren: No. This is Vyce’s battle. He wants to prove himself to Endrance.
Gwen: *sigh* Great… Guess I got all psyched up for no reason…
Kaeion: Whirlwind!!![/i]
*Kaeion swings the dual swords at Vyce five times, which Vyce avoids; the final strike of Kaeion’s Whirlwind, a short burst of forward wind, throws Vyce off-balance*
Vyce: G-Gah!
Kaeion: Gotcha! Gale Blade!!![/i]
*with Vyce briefly immobilized, Kaeion is given an opening to drive his dual swords into his PC body a successive three times, throwing Vyce back onto the ground*
Vyce: *struggles to stand up* Grrrr…
Izumi: Vyce! *generates Reaper scythe*
Vyce: DON’T INTERFERE!!!
Izumi: *gasp*
Vyce: *stands upright* I’m not…finished yet! *clenches fist* “Give in to temptation!” Macha![/b]
*Vyce emits a powerful violet aura and a violet bracelet appears around his right wrist*
Vyce: *aims bracelet at Kaeion* This is where it ends!
Kaeion: Hmph! *generates black bracelet and aims at Vyce* I couldn’t agree more!
*as Vyce and Kaeion charge their Data Drain blasts, they glare at each other’s faces*
Vyce: …
Kaeion: …DATA[/i][/size]--
Vyce: …LURE[/i][/size]--
Both: --DRAIN!!!!![/i][/size]
*the two fire off Data Drain blasts at the same time; as the two blasts meet, the collision of energies triggers an explosion*
All: AAAAHHHH!!!!
*when the smoke clears, Vyce and Kaeion are seen still staring each other down*
Hayate: …They’re equally matched…
Kaeion: …
Vyce: What’s wrong with you!? I know you have more power than that!
Kaeion: …
*moments later, Kaeion puts the Spin Natsume away and looks up at Vyce*
Vyce: …Hmm?
Kaeion: … *smirk* …Well then… I’d say that’s enough.
Vyce: *gasp*
*just then, Kaeion kneels down a fair amount and, using the sheer power of his legs, leaps an incredible distance into the sky*
Orion: NO!!!
*in the skies above, Kaeion positions himself right above the Drain Heart sphere*
Kaeion: *holds arms out to his sides* DRAIN HEART!!! NOW’S THE TIME!!!
*Kaeion clasps his hands together and, using his clasped hands as a makeshift hammer, slams down onto the sphere, causing it to plummet out of the sky and down to the area below*
Pi: Oh, no!!! We’re too late!!! It’s started to fall!!!
Endrance: Ovan, how long until that thing hits?!?
Ovan: … *gasp* …22 seconds!!!
Pi: WHAT?!?[/i][/size] That’s nowhere near enough time to get everyone out!
Haseo: Tch!
Endrance: Your orders, Haseo!?
Haseo: Right! Endrance, get word to the Factor Users and tell them to get out now! Ovan, evacuate Atoli and the Council of 12! Pi, go to the stage and tell everyone to sever their internet connections!
All: UNDERSTOOD!!! *teleports away*
Haseo: *bites down on thumb* (22 seconds… I hope it’s not too late…)
*meanwhile, from on top of the light display, Glaive LeGable and the Factor Users watch as the Drain Heart sphere plummets out of the sky*
Neon: Okay, that’s definitely not good!
Izumi: Can’t we stop it somehow!?
Hayate: It’s way too big! Our Data Drains wouldn’t even be able to slow it down!
Miharu: So we’re just gonna let it fall!?
Hayate: Do you have any ideas?!?
Miharu: …
*just then, Ovan appears before the group*
Ren: O-Ovan!
Ovan: Gate out now!
Vyce: What!? But what about all the--!?
Ovan: THERE’S NO TIME!!! JUST DO AS I SAY!!!
All: …
*two-by-two, the group gates out of the area*
Ovan: *looks up at Drain Heart* …14 seconds left…
*meanwhile, on the far left side of the stage floor, Atoli and the Council of 12 watch as a female player is crowned “Miss Tanabata”*
Snowbell: *sigh* I wish I could be “Miss Tanabata”…just once…
Firethorn: *sweatdrop* Oh, give it a rest already, Snowbell…
Atoli: *giggle*
*just then, Endrance appears before the Council*
Atoli: E-Endrance? What are you--?
Endrance: I’m sorry. I have no time to explain.
*Endrance points his hand at the Council of 12 and releases a short pulsating wave, forcing them to gate out of the area*
Endrance: *looks up at Drain Heart* …8 seconds… Hurry, Pi…!
*finally, Pi rushes onto the stage and shouts out to the crowd of players in the festival square*
Pi: EVERYONE, LISTEN TO ME!!! YOU MUST LOG OUT RIGHT NOW!!!
Boy PC: *looks at Pi* Huh?
Girl PC: What’d she say?
Pi: PLEASE, YOU MUST--!!!
*just then, several female players in the crowd scream as they watch the “moon” fall towards the festival square; the rest of the players notice this and start to panic*
Girl PC: The moon’s falling!!!
Boy PC: It’s the end of The World!!!
*Pi looks up at Drain Heart and notices that it was just 3 seconds away from collision; all of time appeared to be slowing down as it grew closer*
Pi: …God Almighty…
*just then, Haseo appears next to Pi and takes her by the wrist*
Pi: *gasp* H-Haseo! What are you--!?
*without saying anything, Haseo warps Pi and himself out of the area just in time for the Drain Heart to strike; the entire area becomes enveloped in a blinding light…*
*a couple hours later, Vyce is seen gating into of Σ Radiant Daybreak’s Ceremony; the entire area was in ruins due to Kaeion’s Drain Heart*
Vyce: …
*as Vyce explores the devastated festival square, he notices something out of the corner of his eye; he walks over to small area near the stage and kneels down; on the ground, he finds and picks up the bow that his friend Karin used to wear in her hair*
Vyce: …
*a little more later, Pi, the Epitaph Knights, and the Factor Users all meet in the Serpent of Lore*
Haseo: *deep breath, long exhale* …Today…at 7:28 and 25 seconds…there were exactly 297 Player Characters logged into Σ Radiant Daybreak’s Ceremony…
Kyuzo: …
Neon: …
Endrance: At exactly 7:28pm and 31 seconds…264 of those Player Characters were all struck by Kaeion’s Drain Heart…and fell into comas…
Hayate: …
Vyce: …
Ovan: The only survivors of this tragedy were the 6 Factor Users, the 4 members of Glaive LeGable, Haseo, Endrance, Pi, myself, and a mere handful of regular players…
Gwen: …
Ren: …
Pi: We are in a fierce struggle with Kaeion, and because of today, we have reminded Kaeion that he is winning…
Haseo: We have never been defeated as badly as we were this evening. However, all we can do at the moment is learn from this experience…and press forward…
All: …
Epitaph Knights: …Dismissed.
*with the Epitaph Knights’ signal, the Factor Users exit the Serpent of Lore and go about their business*
Pi: *sits down at console and sighs* Man, is CC Corp. gonna have a field day with this one…
Haseo: …Tell me, Ovan – do you think I made a mistake?
Ovan: Hmm?
Haseo: Do you think…that if I had acted sooner, this tragedy could’ve been avoided?
Ovan: …Haseo… For as long as I’ve known you, you’ve been known to make quick and rash decisions. But ever since you’ve accepted the responsibility as an Epitaph Knight, your judgment’s changed drastically. You show exceptional leadership skills everyday.
Haseo: …Thank you, Ovan.
Ovan: *flashes a fake smile* …Of course the way you act around women could use some work.
Haseo: *sweatdrop* …
~ Next Time on Infected! ~
Hayate: Why is one AI so hard to defeat!?
: …It’s because you’re not strong enough…
Hayate: *gasp* Who’s there!?
~*~*~*~
Violet: *readies gauntlets* Hand over all your items!
Hayate: Hmm? …H-Hey! It’s you!
~*~*~*~
Hayate: *deep gasp, falls to knees* Wha… W-What the hell was that!?
~*~*~*~
Violet: *choking* Let…me…go…!
Kaeion: …What a meddlesome girl… *readies bracelet*
Hayate: No! Don’t do it! STOP!!!
~*~*~*~
Dekar: So…you were the first to discover your factor’s true potential…
35th Phase: Lullaby of Longing![/color]
Usa-chan: The Tanabata festival’s here! It’s finally here! *clasps hands together* The decorations, the yukatas, the fireworks… They’re all so mathis time of year.
Izumi: *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!
~*~*~*~
Vyce: Tanabata festival… I wonder – will you be there?
~*~*~*~
Atoli: For the sake of this world, I’ll do all I can.
Haseo: …Same old Atoli…
~*~*~*~
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…
~*~*~*~
Hayate: So you’re last year’s champ, huh? I hope you’ll give me a good battle!
Gilgamesh: …
~*~*~*~
Vyce: … *looks up into the sky* (If that thing is what I think it is…we’re all in big trouble…)
~ And now…the conclusion of “Tanabata Turmoil” ~
~ Σ Radiant Daybreak’s Ceremony; July 7, 2037 ~
Hayate: *flies towards Gilgamesh* HYAAAAAAAAH!!!!
Gilgamesh: *flies towards Hayate* …
*Hayate’s Chthonian Sword and Gilgamesh’s dual swords meet in a loud clash of blades*
Hayate: Grrrr…
Gilgamesh: …
Snowbell: WOW!!! Things are really heating up now! Hayate and Gilgamesh battle in the skies like a couple of dueling angels!
Jasmine: Indeed. *looks up at the sky* And just look at that moon. The rays of the moon shine with all seven colors of the rainbow for our two Festival Face-Off finalists.
*in the crowd, Haseo looks up at the “moon” as well*
Haseo: Hmph… That’s no moon…
*moments later, Endrance, Ovan, and Pi meet with Haseo in the crowd*
Pi: Haseo! We have a situation!
Haseo: *pointing up to the sky* …It’s because of that…right?
Ovan: I trust you know what this means?
Haseo: Of course I do. …Contact the Factor Users.
Endrance: Understood!
*meanwhile…*
Hayate: REVOLVER IMPACT!!!!!
*as Hayate hovers in midair, the blue-silver blade mounted on his right arm begins to rapidly spin like a drill; Hayate thrusts the drill towards Gilgamesh, who defends with his dual swords*
Hayate: Come on…
Gilgamesh: …
*Gilgamesh shifts the weight of his PC body to the left, causing Hayate to stumble forward…*
Hayate: W-Whoa!
*…giving Gilgamesh ample opening to connect his leg with Hayate’s back, causing Hayate to plunge into the ground*
Hayate: Oof! …D-Dammit…
Lamium: What’s this? Looks like Gilgamesh’s getting ready to deal the final blow!
Hayate: Final…blow? *stands up and looks up at Gilgamesh* …Oh, boy…
*Gilgamesh concentrates his energies, causing both of his black wings to turn white; he then holds his hands up above him and generates a gigantic spear of white light to appear*
Tsubaki: Ooh! Gilgamesh’s never used this move before! How breathtaking!
*Gilgamesh positions himself behind the spear and aims it at Hayate*
Gilgamesh: Nibelung…VALESTI!!!!![/size]
*Gilgamesh connects his fist with the spear’s base, causing the spear of light to shoot down towards Hayate*
Crowd: *gasp*
Firethorn: This might be it!
*as the spear draws closer to Hayate, the earth begins to vibrate*
Hayate: (Only one chance!) *readies Chthonian Sword* Just a little farther…
*the Chthonian Sword begins to spin like a drill again*
Hayate: Almost there… Now!!! REVOLVER IMPACT – FULL POWER!!!!![/i]
*Hayate thrusts the Chthonian Sword forward and forcibly connects it with Nibelung Valesti, causing a chain reaction of energies and triggering a massive explosion; the crowd backs away from the ensuing smoke*
Crowd: *mumbles of uncertainty*
Snowbell: Awww! I can’t see anything through the smoke!
Hozuki: Who could this year’s Festival Face-Off champion be!?
*as the smoke clears, Hayate and Gilgamesh glare at each other on the ground, their weapons returned to subspace*
Hayate: …
Gilgamesh: …
*moments later, the two, exhausted of all energy, collapse onto the ground simultaneously*
Hozuki: It’s over! The match is over!
Jasmine: But…it’s a draw…
Crowd: Awww…
Tsubaki: Your verdict, Lady Atoli?
Atoli: Hmm… Alright! Hayate and Gilgamesh really gave it their all, so I declare…that this year shall have TWO champions of the Festival Face-Off!
Crowd: *cheers loudly*
*moments later, Hayate and Gilgamesh join the Council of Twelve onstage; Atoli, holding a rare accessory, walks up to Hayate*
Atoli: We meet again.
Hayate: Y-Yeah.
Atoli: *presents accessory to Hayate* Congratulations.
Hayate: *takes accessory* Thank you.
Crowd: *cheers*
Karin: WHOO!!!!! …Nice match, eh?
Vyce: Mm-hmm. …Hmm?
*just then, Vyce’s field of vision shifts slightly upward and he sees a figure standing on top of the Orihime/Hikoboshi light display*
Vyce: Hmm! (Target in sight!) …Hey, Karin?
Karin: Huh? What is it, Vyce?
Vyce: I gotta go take care of something really quick. I’ll be right back, alright? *starts walking away*
Karin: Uh… O-Okay, if you say so.
*moments later, Glaive LeGable and the Factor Users all meet with Pi and the Epitaph Knights outside the festival square*
Izumi: …Kaeion is here?!?
Endrance: I’m afraid so.
Ren: Where is he!?
Ovan: I’m afraid it’s impossible for us to pinpoint him with the Serpent of Lore. All we know is that he’s somewhere here and that he hasn’t left the area.
Orion: He must be planning a mass attack.
Haseo: Yes. And with over 200 players all gathered in one place, the data he plans to absorb will be off the scale.
Neon: Wait… Would be really be able to absorb the data of this many players with just one attack?
Pi: *points up to the sky* …With that, he can.
*Pi turns everyone’s attention to a giant rainbow-colored sphere in the sky*
Usa-chan: What the hell is that!?
Haseo: Drain Heart. The most powerful form of Data Drain. With it, Kaeion could wipe out every single PC in a solitary space and send them all into a coma in an instant.
Hayate: We can’t let him do that!
Endrance: We know, Hayate! No matter what the cost, we must stop that sphere from dropping! If it falls…!
Ovan: …the results will be catastrophic.
Gwen: Stop it!? Are you crazy!? That thing’s as big as the freakin’ moon! How do you suggest we stop something that big!?
Vyce: …Perhaps I can help.
All: …Hmm?
*the group turns to see a white-haired Lei tribe PC walking towards them*
Miharu: Who are you, whitey?
Endrance: …T-Tetsuro…
Pi: Tetsuro!? Then…Endrance, this is your…!?
Vyce: I had a feeling I’d find you here…father.
*meanwhile, from on top of the Orihime/Hikoboshi light display, Kaeion holds his hands up to the Drain Heart sphere in the sky*
Kaeion: Just a little more… Just a little more, and Mistress Althena will be ever closer to awakening…
*meanwhile (again)…*
All: …MACHA?!?
Endrance: Yes. Tetsuro’s PC body in infused with the factor of the 6th Phase of Morganna – Macha.
Ren: And you knew about this?
Endrance: Tetsuro’s factor awakened shortly before Kaeion gained a physical form. And once Kaeion appeared completely, I knew he’d go after the Factor Users eventually. So I asked Ovan to write up a PC program that could protect Tetsuro from Kaeion’s sights. It worked somewhat similar to a firewall. …All I wanted was to protect my son…
Vyce: You can’t protect me forever, father! If I was chosen to wield this power, I want to use it to fight! Even if it means putting my life on the line!
Endrance: …Tetsuro…
Gwen: *crosses arms* (Great… Another “hero of justice” type…)
Haseo: *looking towards the square* Looks like they’ve begun the final event of the festival: the naming of “Miss Tanabata”.
Usa-chan: The last event?!? *lowers head* Awww… I wanted to be in that event.
Neon: Usa-chan… Try to focus on the task at hand, huh?
Ovan: *looking up at the Drain Heart sphere* Hmm… We don’t have much time. Here’s the plan…
*as Kaeion feeds energy to the Drain Heart sphere in the sky, his body gives off a faint purple glow*
Kaeion: Ahhh… Your warmth is so pleasing, my mistress…
: Kaeion!Kaeion: …And so, the guests of honor arrive…
*Kaeion turns around to be confronted by the members of Glaive LeGable*
Kaeion: You’re just in time for the festivities. I do hope you’ll stick around for… *smirk* …the grand finale.
Hayate: We’re not gonna let you drop that thing! *draws blade swords*
Kaeion: “Let me”? Since when did I need your approval for anything?
Miharu: You can be smug all you want! We’re still gonna stop you!
Kaeion: *draws Spin Natsume* …Go ahead and try!
Izumi: *generates energy gauntlets* Pink Hammer!
*Izumi generates energy through her fists and attacks Kaeion, who shifts to the right and drives his dual swords into her side as she flies by him*
Izumi: Gah!
*following Izumi, Hayate and Orion double-team Kaeion with a combination attack of blades and lance*
Hayate/Orion: Take this!
Kaeion: Heh!
*Kaeion simply leaps into the air and, as Hayate and Orion pass underfoot, drives the two into the ground with a horizontal Chaotic Strike*
Hayate: Aah!
Orion: G-Gah!
*as soon as Kaeion lands on the ground, he looks over at Miharu, who was gathering dark energy at the tip of her staff*
Miharu: Diabolic Emission![/i]
*she hurls a sphere of darkness at Kaeion which slowly expands as it travels*
Kaeion: Hmph!
*with an upward slash from a single dual sword, Kaeion carves the dark sphere clean in two…*
Kaeion: …Hmm?
*…and sees Chibi-Usa on the other side of the sphere, readying her dual pistols*
Usa-chan: Gatling Gun![/i]
*she fires an incredible volley of bullets at Kaeion, who fends them off by twirling the Spin Natsume at super-high speed*
Kaeion: Is that all you’ve got!?
Hayate: *appears behind Kaeion* No, it’s not!
Kaeion: Huh!?
Hayate: Sonic Fang![/i]
*Hayate thrusts his blade swords forward and pierces Kaeion’s back*
Kaeion: GAH!!!
Hayate: Got ‘im!
*just then, Kaeion leaps forward, grabs Chibi-Usa by her collar…*
Usa-chan: *gulp*
*…spins around, and tosses Chibi-Usa, causing her to collide into Hayate, temporarily incapacitating both of them*
Kaeion: (Just a little more…)
Neon: Forget about me, scumbag?!?
*Neon suddenly plummets down onto Kaeion from above coated in a Ghost Falcon veil of light*
Neon: Ghost Falcon!!![/i]
Kaeion: Heh! Right back at ya! Ghost Falcon!!![/i]
*Kaeion jumps up and meets Neon in the air in a clashing of dual swords; when the dust settles, the two glare at each other at ground level*
Neon: Grrrr…
Kaeion: …Hmm?
*Kaeion leaps to the side just in time to avoid a volley of sharp cards hurled at him*
Kyuzo: *readies more cards* Better count your blessings, K-boy, ‘cuz the next ones won’t miss!
Neon: K-Kyuzo! Where’d you come from!?
Kyuzo: Endrance short-mailed me! What do you think!?
*from below, Pi and the Epitaph Knights watch Kyuzo’s premature entrance*
Ovan: And here I was sure that Kyuzo would rendezvous with us before rushing in… Guess I expected too much.
Endrance: *turns to face Haseo* What now?
Haseo: We proceed as planned. *sends wide-range flash mail* All Factor Users, move in!
Pi: Should we start evacuating the crowd?
Haseo: Not just yet. If we move too early, we’ll risk starting a riot. We’ll wait until the final event is complete.
Ovan: Understood.
Ren: *receives Haseo’s flash mail* …There’s the signal! *draws fans* Ready, guys?
Gwen: *draws lance* Heh! I was born ready!
Vyce: Same here!
*on top of the light display, Kyuzo and the members of Glaive LeGable all surround Kaeion*
Kaeion: Why do you insist on defying me!? With the new power given to me by Althena, your fates have all been sealed!
Izumi: Fate can never be sealed! We decide our own fates!
Kaeion: Hmph. An inspiring sentiment. But… *puts Spin Natsume away and draws broadsword* …I’ve had enough sentimentality for one lifetime!
*the party charges in at Kaeion in unison; Kaeion winds back and…*
Kaeion: I don’t think so!!!
*…spins his body around at full speed, creating a massive circular shockwave with the broadsword and sending the entire party flying back onto the ground*
Kaeion: Hehehe! Glorious! Althena’s might is TRULY glorious!
Hayate: D-Dammit all… Each time we face off against this guy, he just gets stronger and stronger!
*just then, Vyce, Gwen, and Ren leap out of the shadows to confront Kaeion*
Ren: Kaeion!!!
Kaeion: Hmm?
Miharu: *sighs while lying on the ground* It’s about time they got here…
Kyuzo: *looks at Vyce* Oh, great… Another white-haired loser of the Lei tribe…
Neon/Usa-chan: WE HEARD THAT!!!!!
Vyce: At long last… *generates energy scythe* I’ve finally found you!
Kaeion: …Do you have some personal vendetta with me…?
Vyce: You’re damn right I do! Once I destroy you, my father will finally acknowledge my strength!
Kaeion: “Destroy me”!? Hah! And what makes you think you can!?
*Vyce holds his energy broadsword with one hand and clenches his other hand into a fist; his PC body begins to give off a violet aura*
Vyce: …Because I’m empowered by Morganna!
Kaeion: *gasp* … *smirk* So, at last we meet. It’s a true pleasure…Macha.
Vyce: *raises broadsword and charges forward* PREPARE YOURSELF!!!
*Vyce and Kaeion meet in a fierce collision of heavy blades, matching each other blow for blow*
Usa-chan: Go, Vyce!
Kyuzo: Hmph… Showoff.
Kaeion: Shell Breaker!!![/i]
*Kaeion swings the broadsword three forceful times at Vyce, who narrowly avoids them and counters with…*
Vyce: Bonecrusher!!![/i]
*…a powerful Punisher Rengeki that sends Kaeion flying back a short distance; Kaeion shortly returns to his feet and substitutes his broadsword for the Spin Natsume*
Kaeion: Hehehe! At last, a challenge!
Vyce: *generates Partizan lance* I wouldn’t get cocky if I were you! *dashes at Kaeion again*
*Vyce and Kaeion meet once again in a fiery collision of weapons while Glaive LeGable and the other Factor Users watch*
Gwen: Shouldn’t we be stepping in by now!?
Ren: No. This is Vyce’s battle. He wants to prove himself to Endrance.
Gwen: *sigh* Great… Guess I got all psyched up for no reason…
Kaeion: Whirlwind!!![/i]
*Kaeion swings the dual swords at Vyce five times, which Vyce avoids; the final strike of Kaeion’s Whirlwind, a short burst of forward wind, throws Vyce off-balance*
Vyce: G-Gah!
Kaeion: Gotcha! Gale Blade!!![/i]
*with Vyce briefly immobilized, Kaeion is given an opening to drive his dual swords into his PC body a successive three times, throwing Vyce back onto the ground*
Vyce: *struggles to stand up* Grrrr…
Izumi: Vyce! *generates Reaper scythe*
Vyce: DON’T INTERFERE!!!
Izumi: *gasp*
Vyce: *stands upright* I’m not…finished yet! *clenches fist* “Give in to temptation!” Macha![/b]
*Vyce emits a powerful violet aura and a violet bracelet appears around his right wrist*
Vyce: *aims bracelet at Kaeion* This is where it ends!
Kaeion: Hmph! *generates black bracelet and aims at Vyce* I couldn’t agree more!
*as Vyce and Kaeion charge their Data Drain blasts, they glare at each other’s faces*
Vyce: …
Kaeion: …DATA[/i][/size]--
Vyce: …LURE[/i][/size]--
Both: --DRAIN!!!!![/i][/size]
*the two fire off Data Drain blasts at the same time; as the two blasts meet, the collision of energies triggers an explosion*
All: AAAAHHHH!!!!
*when the smoke clears, Vyce and Kaeion are seen still staring each other down*
Hayate: …They’re equally matched…
Kaeion: …
Vyce: What’s wrong with you!? I know you have more power than that!
Kaeion: …
*moments later, Kaeion puts the Spin Natsume away and looks up at Vyce*
Vyce: …Hmm?
Kaeion: … *smirk* …Well then… I’d say that’s enough.
Vyce: *gasp*
*just then, Kaeion kneels down a fair amount and, using the sheer power of his legs, leaps an incredible distance into the sky*
Orion: NO!!!
*in the skies above, Kaeion positions himself right above the Drain Heart sphere*
Kaeion: *holds arms out to his sides* DRAIN HEART!!! NOW’S THE TIME!!!
*Kaeion clasps his hands together and, using his clasped hands as a makeshift hammer, slams down onto the sphere, causing it to plummet out of the sky and down to the area below*
Pi: Oh, no!!! We’re too late!!! It’s started to fall!!!
Endrance: Ovan, how long until that thing hits?!?
Ovan: … *gasp* …22 seconds!!!
Pi: WHAT?!?[/i][/size] That’s nowhere near enough time to get everyone out!
Haseo: Tch!
Endrance: Your orders, Haseo!?
Haseo: Right! Endrance, get word to the Factor Users and tell them to get out now! Ovan, evacuate Atoli and the Council of 12! Pi, go to the stage and tell everyone to sever their internet connections!
All: UNDERSTOOD!!! *teleports away*
Haseo: *bites down on thumb* (22 seconds… I hope it’s not too late…)
*meanwhile, from on top of the light display, Glaive LeGable and the Factor Users watch as the Drain Heart sphere plummets out of the sky*
Neon: Okay, that’s definitely not good!
Izumi: Can’t we stop it somehow!?
Hayate: It’s way too big! Our Data Drains wouldn’t even be able to slow it down!
Miharu: So we’re just gonna let it fall!?
Hayate: Do you have any ideas?!?
Miharu: …
*just then, Ovan appears before the group*
Ren: O-Ovan!
Ovan: Gate out now!
Vyce: What!? But what about all the--!?
Ovan: THERE’S NO TIME!!! JUST DO AS I SAY!!!
All: …
*two-by-two, the group gates out of the area*
Ovan: *looks up at Drain Heart* …14 seconds left…
*meanwhile, on the far left side of the stage floor, Atoli and the Council of 12 watch as a female player is crowned “Miss Tanabata”*
Snowbell: *sigh* I wish I could be “Miss Tanabata”…just once…
Firethorn: *sweatdrop* Oh, give it a rest already, Snowbell…
Atoli: *giggle*
*just then, Endrance appears before the Council*
Atoli: E-Endrance? What are you--?
Endrance: I’m sorry. I have no time to explain.
*Endrance points his hand at the Council of 12 and releases a short pulsating wave, forcing them to gate out of the area*
Endrance: *looks up at Drain Heart* …8 seconds… Hurry, Pi…!
*finally, Pi rushes onto the stage and shouts out to the crowd of players in the festival square*
Pi: EVERYONE, LISTEN TO ME!!! YOU MUST LOG OUT RIGHT NOW!!!
Boy PC: *looks at Pi* Huh?
Girl PC: What’d she say?
Pi: PLEASE, YOU MUST--!!!
*just then, several female players in the crowd scream as they watch the “moon” fall towards the festival square; the rest of the players notice this and start to panic*
Girl PC: The moon’s falling!!!
Boy PC: It’s the end of The World!!!
*Pi looks up at Drain Heart and notices that it was just 3 seconds away from collision; all of time appeared to be slowing down as it grew closer*
Pi: …God Almighty…
*just then, Haseo appears next to Pi and takes her by the wrist*
Pi: *gasp* H-Haseo! What are you--!?
*without saying anything, Haseo warps Pi and himself out of the area just in time for the Drain Heart to strike; the entire area becomes enveloped in a blinding light…*
~*~*~*~
*a couple hours later, Vyce is seen gating into of Σ Radiant Daybreak’s Ceremony; the entire area was in ruins due to Kaeion’s Drain Heart*
Vyce: …
*as Vyce explores the devastated festival square, he notices something out of the corner of his eye; he walks over to small area near the stage and kneels down; on the ground, he finds and picks up the bow that his friend Karin used to wear in her hair*
Vyce: …
*a little more later, Pi, the Epitaph Knights, and the Factor Users all meet in the Serpent of Lore*
Haseo: *deep breath, long exhale* …Today…at 7:28 and 25 seconds…there were exactly 297 Player Characters logged into Σ Radiant Daybreak’s Ceremony…
Kyuzo: …
Neon: …
Endrance: At exactly 7:28pm and 31 seconds…264 of those Player Characters were all struck by Kaeion’s Drain Heart…and fell into comas…
Hayate: …
Vyce: …
Ovan: The only survivors of this tragedy were the 6 Factor Users, the 4 members of Glaive LeGable, Haseo, Endrance, Pi, myself, and a mere handful of regular players…
Gwen: …
Ren: …
Pi: We are in a fierce struggle with Kaeion, and because of today, we have reminded Kaeion that he is winning…
Haseo: We have never been defeated as badly as we were this evening. However, all we can do at the moment is learn from this experience…and press forward…
All: …
Epitaph Knights: …Dismissed.
*with the Epitaph Knights’ signal, the Factor Users exit the Serpent of Lore and go about their business*
Pi: *sits down at console and sighs* Man, is CC Corp. gonna have a field day with this one…
Haseo: …Tell me, Ovan – do you think I made a mistake?
Ovan: Hmm?
Haseo: Do you think…that if I had acted sooner, this tragedy could’ve been avoided?
Ovan: …Haseo… For as long as I’ve known you, you’ve been known to make quick and rash decisions. But ever since you’ve accepted the responsibility as an Epitaph Knight, your judgment’s changed drastically. You show exceptional leadership skills everyday.
Haseo: …Thank you, Ovan.
Ovan: *flashes a fake smile* …Of course the way you act around women could use some work.
Haseo: *sweatdrop* …
~ Next Time on Infected! ~
Hayate: Why is one AI so hard to defeat!?
: …It’s because you’re not strong enough…Hayate: *gasp* Who’s there!?
~*~*~*~
Violet: *readies gauntlets* Hand over all your items!
Hayate: Hmm? …H-Hey! It’s you!
~*~*~*~
Hayate: *deep gasp, falls to knees* Wha… W-What the hell was that!?
~*~*~*~
Violet: *choking* Let…me…go…!
Kaeion: …What a meddlesome girl… *readies bracelet*
Hayate: No! Don’t do it! STOP!!!
~*~*~*~
Dekar: So…you were the first to discover your factor’s true potential…
35th Phase: Lullaby of Longing![/color]
