*Camera turns on.*

*In front of the camera is M3 and Ice, who looks as ready as they can be.*

*But just before M3 can start talking, the camera falls forward into the ground as the only thing it can see is the ground.*

*However, while it was unable to see anything, it was able to pick up audio.*

M3: *Sounding a bit amused.* "I think I lost track of how many camera issues we had since we started these commentary sessions."

IceBite: *annoyed* "And ALL of them were caused by the new cameraman… … …" *turns to Triple-M* "Why'd you hire him, anyways?"

M3: "I hired him because he said he needed a job. That and he's been living here for a while…"

*The camera gets picked up by the cameraman from the front, allowing it to see who he 'really' was…*

*... A Prinny. A small blue penguin creature with a fanny pack and bat wings on its back.*

Prinny: *Looking at the commentators.* "The camera is back standing up with no damage, Doods."

M3: *Looking to the cameraman...er...Prinny.* "You sure it is still fine?"

Prinny: "Yes I am. That camera is pretty sturdy, Dood."


*After the Prinny moves to behind the camera, the two commentators start the intro again.*

M3: "And welcome back, I'm MarkMartinMagmaM3…"

IceBite: "And...if you read this far, you probably know who I am by now…"

M3: "Same with me, actually. But besides that, we'll just get the chapter started."

*Camera switches over.*

*Chapter 9 starts.*


Arc 2: Knights in Training

Chapter 9: INFECTION!

"Daniel, today's the day we've been waiting for! The day we accept our knighthood! It's thanks to Daniel that we've come this far. Aren't you all glad that I conceded commandership to him?" Luke boasted.

Cecil countered, "Oh, Luke... Boisterous 'til the end. But he does have a point. We made it this far because you were here, Daniel…"

"Well, wasn't just me, we did it together…" Daniel replied.

Roderick countered, "But, it was because you, Commander, led us that we were able to succeed. I'm honestly grateful."

"Y-yes. Me too... Daniel, thank you so much…" Ryan added.

"Uhm...well...thanks…I guess…" Daniel nervously replied.

"What, are you embarrassed? You're such a cutie! Right, Katarina?" Cecil commented.

"Huh? Oh, yeah, right…" Katarina replied.

"Katarina? Is...something up?"

"Oh, right, sorry...Nothing, really...just remembering everything we've been through...I'm sorry. It's time, everyone. We should head to the ceremony room. Our induction will be held there," Katarina commented.


"Daniel, to the front," Jagen ordered, once the 7th had gathered in the ceremony room.

"Yes sir…" Daniel replied, nervously.

"In the name of Altea's great ancestor, Anri, and by my name...Daniel, I appoint you a knight. ...And now you are Altean knights. You've done well up until now."

"I'm a knight... To think this day has finally come," Luke boasted.

"Sigh... I almost didn't think we would make it," Roderick commented.

Ryan added, "I-I'm so happy... I think I'm gonna cry…"

Cecil added, "W-well, I'm not going to cry o-or do anything silly like that!"

Connor added, "I see this moment as something I will never forget."

Katarina… … ...was silent, although it seemed as though she was extremely conflicted.

"Katarina? Is something wro-" Daniel began...before…

"S-sire! Sir Jagen!" a soldier shouted.

"What in the world has happened that's important enough for you to interrupt this sacred induction?" Jagen asked, equal parts angry and worried.

"I-it's an attack! Altea Castle is under attack by an enemy force!"

"What?! How...What are their numbers?!" Jagen asked.

"I-I don't know. I just know they're just outside the castle and breaking in…" the soldier replied.

"I will assume command. You lot stay here and protect the prince!" Jagen ordered.

"Yes, sir!" Roderick replied.

Before Jagen left, he turned to Daniel. "We were lucky you came across that dead drop...otherwise we wouldn't have been ready for this...There's a chance some of them might get into here...good luck." With that, Jagen left.

"...Hey, aren't things getting dangerous? Shouldn't we go and help, too?" Luke asked.

"There's no need to be worried. There are plenty of soldiers protecting the castle. If it really is an attack, then…" Roderick trailed off.

However, in spite of the soldiers, a group managed to reach the room...at their head was… … …

"Ooooowahahahah! WEESES IS HERE!" shouted...the strange masked man from the village…

"...There is no one here by that name, whoever you are. And I suggest you leave or surrender now." Connor replied back.

At that moment, Katarina dropped to her knees, a greatly conflicted expression on her face.

"Is something up, Katarina? What's going on?" asked Cecil.

"Katarina, please respond if you can." Connor said as he focused on the masked man.

Daniel just looked at her, concerned.

"Oh, we's not going anywhere...because...WE'S HERE TO KILL MARTH, ISN'T THAT RIGHT, REESE?!"

"Reese? Who's Reese?" Roderick asked.

"... … …" Katarina was silent, before she whispered… … …"...He means me…My real name is 'Reese'..."

That shocked everyone… … ...except Daniel, who still looked concerned at Katarina...or 'Reese', as she was just outed as.

"Wait...Your name is….Reese?" Connor questioned as he finally turned to the person he knew as 'Katarina'.

"Oh, come on, Reese! Let'sees get a going, and KILL MARTH so we can go home!" the masked man said.

There was silence for a long time, as the knights (barring Daniel again) slowly reached for their weapons… … ...before 'Reese' softly replied, "... … ...no…" Then, she raised her voice. "No...NO! I CAN'T DO IT!" She raised her head, looking up at the others. "... … ...Up until I came here...I was a puppet...not allowed to even cry...but here...here, people accept me, I can laugh...cry...and even when one of you found me out, you gave me this chance...I...I can't do it! I can't kill Marth...Not anymore… … ...I DON'T WANT TO GO BACK!"

That shocked everyone even more...they didn't even know WHAT to make of her now...

"... … … ...Wait...She was...going to kill-" Connor thought to himself before realizing from the rest of what she said. He remains silent as he just mentally readies himself for whatever follows.

Daniel's expression seemed to be a strange mixture of sympathy...and satisfaction. He then turned to Legion. "You heard her… … ...now get out of here…" He then drew...the Gashacon Bugvisor, with his left hand, while he grabbed some kind of handle in his right hand…"...Before things get ugly…"

"Weeses not going anywhere…" the man stated, "Now GETS THEM ALL!"

"I WARNED YOU!" Daniel announced...before pressing the 'A' button on it, the standby music starting. "... … ...Baiyo…"

"Wait… ...Doesn't he normally say Henshin?" Connor mentally noted to himself.

Daniel then mounted the Gashacon Bugvisor on the handle his hand was gripping.

"Infection! Let's Game! Bad Game! Dead Game! What's your name?! The Bugster!"

A bubbly/staticy ripple formed over Daniel, running from the Bugvisor to the rest of his body, turning him into some kind of statically blob...before it coalesced into...a draconic green humanoid, with a dragon's skull on his left shoulder like a pauldron, with the right arm from the elbow down being red instead of green.

"...Graphite...Bugster…" Daniel announced.

Connor didn't respond physically or mentally, until it hit him. He kept to himself as he thought, "...He told me he was a 'Bugster'... ...This must be what he meant."

Graphite drew from his back a dual-bladed polearm, the Graphite Fang. He then held it horizontally in front of him. "I'm the Dragon Warrior from Drago Knight Hunter Z, Graphite! And this is the reason I fight!"

Then...a series of ripples appeared at his sides… … ...as a small force of Bugster Viruses dressed as Magicians and Knights appeared at his side. "... … ...To protect… … ...FORWARD!" Then...the Bugster Viruses charged.

Graphite turned to the 7th. "You guys hang back...make sure none of them get by me and get to Marth… … …"

"Consider it done, Commander Daniel!" Connor replied before he shifted into his Guardian form and cooperated with the others to ensure a defensive position in the room.

With that, Graphite turned back, and charged at the Assassins. The viruses engaged the enemy soldiers, magicians firing fireballs at the barbarians, while the knights charged towards them.

Graphite, meanwhile, effortlessly cut down any barbarian that got in his way, eventually meeting…"So...you are the one called Legion."

"Hehehe...Weeses one of many!" Legion replied, before attacking, his blow blocked by the Graphite Fang.

Meanwhile, a small force of thieves managed to get past the Bugster Viruses, and charged towards Marth… … ...and Katarina…

Connor told some of the others to make sure to intercept the enemy heading to Marth, as he himself rushed over to intervene against the ones heading to Katarina.

Channeling ice energy, Connor launched a freezing blast that entirely froze a thief in their tracks, diverting the remaining attackers to focus on the Guardian.

More freezing blasts landed on the remaining foes, ending their charge to attack Connor. However, one thief ended up still going for Katarina after seeing his comrades get frozen over.

The thief continued charging towards his target, leaving Connor no choice but to send a aimed freeze blast to the thief's legs. The blast connected, stopping the attacker in his tracks as he struggles to free himself.

The Guardian then rushed over to land another freezing blast, completely coating the thief in ice. And given how close he was to Katarina, he took a moment to look at her.

"Katarina..I mean ...Reese...Whoever you really are, I promise that no harm will come from me or any enemy that intends to inflict on you." Connor just said calmly, loud enough that she would hear it.

Katarina just looked up at him...before looking down again, obviously still feeling ashamed.

Connor didn't say anything else, but made sure to keep his promise as he moved away a bit and kept his eyes peeled, ready to defend her if he needed to.

Meanwhile, the battle between Legion and Graphite continued, one blow blocked by another.

Soon, Graphite decided, "Let's end this!" He leapt back and charged red lightning into the Graphite Fang. "Gekido Ryūga!"

He slashed an X into the air, before thrusting at it, causing the X to fly at Legion… … ...where it exploded, knocking the assassin back. "Hehehehe...yous will not be left alone...weeses...will...be...back… … …" And with that, Legion...or one of them...perished.

Graphite straightened out and turned around, seeing his Bugster Viruses and the knights finishing off the rest of the enemies. With that, he made his way back to them...


When Jagen returned and learned what happened, he insisted on Katarina being put in irons, even after being told what happened. Katarina accepted it without a fight.

"What in the world...? The girl was working as an assassin...? Sire. This is all my fault. I am prepared to receive any kind of punishment."

"No, it's not your fault, Jagen. Who among us could possibly have known, anyway? As we learned, she was forced into this life...It was of no fault of her's…" Marth stated.

Katarina looked up at him surprised: she was sent to kill him originally, but now, he was sparing her?

"Sire... My goodness... To think you would be concerned for the very assassin who made an attempt on your life... With the Shadow Dragon gone, and the world supposedly heading towards a path of peace and prosperity... Who in the world would try to assassinate you, sire...? At this rate, you will likely be targeted by assassins time and time again. We must prepare a guard who will defend you, sire, with his or her life…" Jagen commented.

"Then I'd like to delegate that role to Daniel… … ...and one more…" Marth then turned to Katarina, who had lowered her head again in shame and guilt. "Katarina...If you truly regret what you've done, then live. I want you to atone with your life. Until now, you've only followed orders, never thinking for yourself. But that's going to change now. You will think for yourself, and find your own answer. That is my punishment to you."

"Prince Marth…"

"Although...I have one suggestion...it was Daniel who protected you, even in spite of this betrayal...I would look to him for your chance at atonement…" Marth suggested.

"Are you certain about this?" Jagen asked, surprised by this. Marth nodded. "...Understood, sire. I'll...make the necessary arrangements."

Marth turned to Daniel and Connor. "I...apologize for forcing this decision onto you-"

"It's ok...I was contemplating saying 'yes' anyways…" Daniel replied.

"I already gave it enough thought before now. My answer is 'yes' as well." Connor retorted.

"That's good...takes a bit of the weight off my shoulders…" Marth replied, before turning to talk solely to Daniel. "... … ...Try and help Katarina...she may be facing a LOT of scrutiny in the near future...so give her someone to support her…"

Daniel nodded. "Was planning on it…"

"Good...now...I believe you and your platoon should discuss things back in your chambers...Dismissed…"


The group was back in their quarters, after having said goodbye to the people that had joined them non-permanently in their trials. Currently, everyone was staring at Katarina, who was looking away, guilt in her eyes.

After a length of silence..."...So...how much of all that you've said to us was a lie?" Cecil demanded.

Before Daniel could chastise Cecil, Katarina replied, "...I would have said all of it, but… … ...I would have been lying if I said EVERYTHING was COMPLETELY a lie… … …"

"Then perhaps it may be good to start with everything that is true, assuming you intend to do so…" Connor retorted, though not as demanding in tone.

Katarina replied, "... … ...At first...everything I did was for the mission...but...as the group grew closer… … ...I just...I...it was the first time I felt such...companionship… … ...and then… … ...Daniel met with me last night and we talked… … ...I...it was there that...I truly felt I couldn't go through with the mission… … …"

"You mean that you saw your fellow platoon members as more than teammates, but also as friends?" Connor asked. "Even someone such as myself?"

Katarina nodded, and some of the others, while still suspicious, had their expressions softened. Katarina then looked at Daniel, as though silently asking him something. When he didn't seem to get it, she asked aloud, "Should I tell them what I told you last night?"

Daniel took a moment before getting it. "Oh, right… … ...It...might help your case…What might also help your case is explaining how it factors into this whole 'assassin' business..."

Katarina sighed, before retelling the story she told Daniel the previous night, including the part after Daniel outed her (except she made it seem like he was also hearing this for the first time).

"... ...So you were raised like that? I... can't fathom what the point was to have you go through that." Connor commented after listening to Katarina.

Katarina looked away from the others, who, while still suspicious, did feel some sympathy for her.

Daniel then said, "I...think we should pack it in for the day… … ...It's getting late and we've had a LOT of dire revelations, so… … ...yeah…"

The group took Daniel's suggestion, with only Connor telling her among the others to get a good rest and to see tomorrow as the start of a new life before he departed.


*Camera switches over.*

M3: "And that was the chapter…"

IceBite: "Yup...and there was a LOT of stuff in it…"

M3: "The 7th Platoon were just done being made into Altean Knights when the attack commenced…"

IceBite: "And thanks to Daniel, canon hath been derailed-ith…"

M3: "Which he managed to do so by causing Katarina to sway away from following her mission…"

IceBite: "Yup, and FINALLY revealed he's the Graphite Bugster...and if he's anything like the canon one, he's DESTINED to become one of the most powerful Bugsters EVER…"

M3: *Not exactly convinced.* "I take it you're not exaggerating?"

IceBite: "The ONLY Bugster more powerful than Graphite was at the time of his death was Gamedeus, a Bugster designed to be of near-godly power...And since Gamedeus didn't exist PHYSICALLY before Graphite's death...he was technically the most powerful Bugster IN EXISTENCE at the time of his death…"

M3: "...You could have just said you weren't exaggerating, you know."


M3: *Getting back on topic.*"Moving on from that, Legion...Or one of them, ended up defeated in the end of the battle. Thus leaving what to do about Katarina…"

IceBite: "And it looks as though she's staying with the group…"

M3: "Of course, not without what Marth told her that she should be doing from that point onwards…"

IceBite: "Yup...earning her atonement by thinking for herself...something she'd never done before… … ...In retrospect, that has to be a horrifying prospect for her…"

M3: "At least Daniel is there to help her achieve that...Compared to everyone else who may not want to help her at the moment."

IceBite: "I can understand why they wouldn't… … ...but I'm still glad she DOES have SOMEONE to help her… … …"


M3: "And of course, the other major thing that happened...Daniel and Connor took Marth's offer to become part of the Royal Guard."

IceBite: "Where they will likely confront Katarina's former comrades in the future… … ...unless canon is COMPLETELY derailed and some of them join too… … …"

M3: "At least both of them will make sure Marth is safe if they are around. After all, I imagine having a Guardian and Bugster loyal to you is good..."

IceBite: "Yeah, sounds like a solid defense: a digital viral monster that can revive when killed, barring certain circumstances, and a… … ...What would you describe Guardians as?"

M3: "I'd describe them as like thin-limbed alien creatures with insectoid digits and faces that may look human like. Also, they got that mysterious angelic protector vibe going on whenever they are protecting something important."

IceBite: "So...reviving physical Computer Virus and mysterious Bug People… … ...ok then…"


M3: "Is there anything else you want to bring up, Ice?"

IceBite: "Hmmm...not really, other than I would believe this ends the arc…"

M3: "Yeah, and that means a new pair of commentators are going to be taking over starting with the next chapter."

IceBite: "And that means Guardian Connor and Bugster Daniel will finally be taking on the role…"

M3: "So their commentary on the story to look forward in addition to the next chapter."


*Just as M3 was going to end the commentary, a portal that looks like just like Lindsey's portal opens up near him and Ice.*

M3: *Calls out just in case.* "Lindsey, can you please stop whatever you're doing and get this portal out of here? We're recording at the moment!"

Lindsey: *calls from another room* "What're you talking about? I'm not making any po-" *walks in and sees the portal* "... … …I can see the resemblance...but that ain't one of mine…"

M3: *Confused* "Wait, how-"

*The portal flared...before throwing through a semi-familiar figure...*

IceBite: *blank expression* "... … ...Well...now we got two of 'em…"

M3: *Neutral expression* "I'm more concerned if this one is alright…"

?.?.?.: *groans* "Ow...wha-what's going on?"

M3: *Quickly looks to Lindsey* "Can you go get Guardian Connor and Bugster Daniel and bring them here?"

Lindsey: *nods and teleports out*

M3: *Looks back to the figure* "Pardon, are you hurt in any way?"

?.?.?.: "...Yeah...I guess… … …" *looks up* "Uhm...why do you two look like Connor and Daniel?"

M3: *Looks at Ice* "Uhm…"

IceBite: *about to say something…*

Lindsey: *teleports back in with Guardian Connor and Bugster Daniel* "Here they are!"

M3: *To the figure* "I'll let them explain what's going on…"

*The portal that showed up finally closes and disappears as quickly as it appeared following that.*


*M3 and Ice move away as Guardian Connor and Bugster Daniel get to see who the figure was.*

Guardian Connor: *Pauses for a few seconds.* "Daniel, this is who I think it is, right?"

Bugster Daniel: "I think so...Katarina?"

Mysteries Katarina: "Daniel? What's going on?"

Bugster Daniel: "We're… … ...in another world…"

Guardian Connor: "And you must have been brought here by the portal that disappeared…"

Mysteries Katarina: "..." *takes a bit to take it in*

Guardian Connor: *Calmly* "Thankfully, we ended up in a safe and accommodating location...And so did you, Katarina."

Bugster Daniel: "...Come on...let's go see if we can find you a room…" *helps her up*

Mysteries Katarina: "... … ...Right…"

*Both Bugster Daniel and Mysteries Katarina leave the room*

Guardian Connor: *Looks to M3 and Lindsey.* "I sincerely thank you two for allowing us to meet Katarina. I'll be taking my leave now to assist them in finding a room."

M3: *Responds with, "Just doing what I felt needed to get her help..."

Lindsey: "No problem!"

*Guardian Connor then departs from the room, as the camera gets turned off and then back on by accident still recording.*


M3: *Looks to Lindsey and asks, "You want to go play a co-op video game with me, Lindsey?"*

Lindsey: *smiles brightly* "Alright!"

M3: *Looks to Ice* "I'll see you later, Ice. Oh, and make sure to check the camera with the cameraman in case anything is going on with it, okay?"

*M3 and Lindsey leave the room after that together, leaving Ice and the cameraman to be the only ones left.*

Prinny: *Walks in front of the camera, looking it over as he ends up saying, "Hey Dood, you mind helping me out?"

IceBite: *sighs* "Alright…"

Prinny: *Keeps looking at the camera for a bit, not seeing that the red light was on.* "Okay, you see anything wrong with it or something we need to turn off, Dood?"

IceBite: "Yeah...the camera itself…"

Prinny: *Pauses* "Wait, you mean its still on, Dood?"

IceBite: "... … ...Yes… … …"

Prinny: *Finally sees the red light.* "Well, sorry about forgetting that. I'll handle it, Dood."

*The Prinny moves to behind the camera and finally shuts it off.*