(This is a revised first chapter. So don't be surprised if the writing level goes down in the second one. The revised version of the next few chapters will be up soon! -DT)
Keitaro Levels Up!
By Dark Twilight of the Dark Icon Writers
-Okay, it's a new fic! I know it's been a while since I've had a new story and I wanted it to be about my FAVORITE manga, Love Hina! I really thought that Keitaro was pathetic and invincible so I thought that somebody could use that to their advantage. In this case, an evil corporation bent on taking over the world with nanotechnology. Really, a lot of the story elements I thought of resembled Project Arms, so read it... or be DOOMED!
Note: This is a parallel reality version of when Keitaro goes to America and what happens in Book 11 and onward.
Keitaro had left Hinata House behind just 10 months ago to go on an archaeology trip with his boss of sorts, Seta. He leaned over the balconey and stared out across the ocean at the sunset, its colors painting red, yellow, and purple across the twilight. He leaned his elbows on the railing and placed his hand on his chin.
He sighed, "Wow, I wish Naru was here..."
Seta walked out onto the balconey and clapped Keitaro on the shoulder, "Hey, part-timer. Dinner's almost ready."
Keitaro glanced over at him lazily, looking back at the sunset.
The archaeologist looked out over the water as well, taking out a cigarette and lighting up. He took a drag, "Man, Keitaro... There's nothing that beats these West Coast sunrises, y'know?"
Keitaro sighed, "Yeah..."
"You miss Naru, huh?"
"...Do you miss Haruka?"
"Touché, Keitaro, Touché."
They both looked out dreamily at the receding sun, both obviously fantasizing about their love interests.
Thousands of miles away, a meeting was being held. A shadowy board room with several men cloacked in shadow is seen.
"...Number 4, this had better be good."
"Of course it is, Mr. Director. I believe I've found a new candidate for our Enhancement project."
The first man sounded indignant, "Oh, really? Well, don't keep us in suspense."
Number 4 clicked a remote and a montage video played, showing Keitaro numerous beatings. "This boy... His name is Keitaro Urashima, age 23, 171 centimeters tall and our best testing indicated he is the closest we can find to an actual Immortal.
Another voice piped up, "Oh? What makes him so special? All our other subjects were supposedly "immortal"! Fat lot of good that did us."
"Number 2, please allow me to finish," he responded curtly. "He is the best candidate we have at the moment. All of us know about our failure three years ago at inserting the Orb of Salminus into one of the test subjects..."
Number 2 interrupted again, "Of course we remember it! That kid drained its power and tried to kill us all! What the hell does that have to do with this!"
The Director intejected this time, "Silence, Number 2!"
Immediately there was a murmur of conversation.
"As of this morning, Project 00-721 has escaped his holding pen and we have been unable to track him. If we do nothing... Well, gentlemen, I hope your wills are up-to-date."
Another voice exclaimed, "Is that a threat, Number 4!"
Number 4's voice grew cold, "Yes, Number 3, it is."
There was a collective grumble for a few seconds until Number 4 posed, "So, gentlemen, shall we put it to a vote? All those in favor need only say 'I'."
There was a long silence until a single 'I' was heard, then the rest followed.
Number 4 clapped his hands together in anticipation, "Excellent. With your permission, Director, I will begin the preparations for extraction at 1000 hours tonight."
Back in the apartment
Keitaro was typing away at his laptop waiting for Seta to come back with some takeout. He glanced up at the clock, 'Hmm... almost 10. ...Why does it take Seta three hours to get takeout? I mean, you'd think he'd be hungry too after he burned dinner to a crisp...'
He heard the whirring blades of a helicopter outside but ignored it, trying to finish his blog. 'Hmmm, I think I should skip over that part...'
The doors suddenly burst open and several commandos rushed in, gun trained on our luckless archaeologist-in-training.
He threw up his hands, screaming, "OH MY GOD! ARE YOU THE F.B.I!"
A tranquilizer dart hit him in the neck and he slumped over onto the computer desk. A commando picked him up firefighter-style and carried him outside. "Target extracted," he reported into his radio.
Seta opened the door with a grin on his face that quickly faded, "Hey, Keitaro! I've got... the... WHAT THE HELL!"
Another dart hit him in the chest and he fell onto the floor, dumping the food on the floor.
The commandos filed out of the apartment and Seta tried to crawl after them, cursing and grunting.
He made it out to the balconey as the helicopter was flying away, and with his fading vision he made out the letters 'GAVI' with a circle around it and passed out whispering, "Damn it..."