In the year 2022, mankind finally built a full virtual environment.

"Hi there time for this weeks MMO Stream," called out the reporter on nearly every television in Japan. "Can you guess what everyone is waiting in line for? You guessed it, Gundam Build Nexus! Not only is it the first VRMMORPG with a full walk around environment, but it's also the first game you can take something with you from the real world! With the platform scanner for your Nerve Gear System, players can bring their plastic Gundam models, or Gunpla, and pilot giant versions of them in epic battles and adventures!

"The beta testers say it's a dream come true! I wish I could've gotten one! But the game company Argus only started out with only ten thousand copies…"

An early teenage boy with pure black hair and grey irises turned off the report on one of his three computers.

"Hey," someone called out from his room. It was a girl, most likely two years younger than him from downstairs. "I'm off to practice now! I'll be home soon okay?" She ran out the house and down the street wearing a school uniform with a satchel and something long in a separate bag.

After watching her leave from out the window he turned to face the wall with three shelves holding books and various products of the aforementioned gunpla models. His attention was focused on one model in particular with blue and white as the majority colors with some red and yellow. On its waist were two swords and attached to its arms was a shield and another smaller shield with what seemed to be a blade and gun attached.

"Exia," the boy said. He then looked to see the time was 12:56 and decided it was time to set up. First he connected a triangular platform with a green see through center to a small monitor system, via a cable, on the head of his bed frame, and then he placed the model he was studying on the platform. Finally he placed a helmet on his head, lay on his bed and looked to the ceiling as the machines began humming and the platform lit up under the model. At the stroke of 13:00 on his visor, he smiled, closed his eyes and said, "Link Start!"

His closed vision turned all white as strings of different colors flew past him. Red, yellow and blue circles appeared that were labeled by the five senses, those labels all changed to 'OK.' They disappeared and a single login screen took their place. As if it read his mind his username and password were automatically filled. One last pop up appeared titled Character Registration, asking him, 'Use beta-test data?'

He chose 'yes' and it disappeared. The teenager found himself floating in a space of a blue ceiling and floor separated by streams of light. Not seeming to mind being naked he was being pulled towards a green triangle that read 'Welcome to GBN.'

The triangle disappeared and was replaced by a white one as he smiled and dove right towards it. Suddenly he was standing in darkness, but then a sliding door opened and he walked out into a lobby. His heart was beating as he blinked and looked down to examine his hands and feet. He tightened a fist and smiled with confidence.

"Hello world," he said, "I'm back." He stood proudly wearing a short sleeve blue jacket, white pants, blue shoes, black fingerless gloves and had a small sword strapped to the back of his belt.

Knowing the area, the teenager ran towards his destination with a confident grin. While running across an upper floor, he managed to catch the eyes of another player that was much older than him with long pink hair decorated with a red and yellow stripped headband.

"Hey bro wait up," the older player called out. The teenager heard him and stopped.

"What's up," he asked as the adult caught up?

"You act like you know your way around here," the man stated. "You were in the beta test weren't you?"

"Uh… yeah," the teenager asked nervously.

"Cool," the man said. "Today's my first day, do you think you give me some pointers?" the younger player was rather nervous to answer at first. "Aw please, I'm begging you! Look my name's Klein, good to meet ya."

"Alright I'm Kirito," the young one finally introduced him self. "Follow me Klein, we first need to head to the Mission Counter." They made their way to another large room in the building; in the center was a giant holographic globe over a round reception desk. Kirito lead Klein toward the desk and confronted a woman with a blank smiling stare.

"Oh, and who is this," Klein asked over interested leaning on the counter?

"Welcome," she said. "Please choose the mission you wish to take on." This smiling command confused Klein for a moment as a holographic monitor popped up next to him.

"Don't get your hopes up," Kirito joked, "It's an NPC, she's not going on any date let alone show interest in any player." Klein jolted up from the counter embarrassed. "This is the Mission Counter where you can take on battles and missions. I'll take you with me on a tutorial battle first to show you the controls then we can go on a beginner mission."

"Alright I can work with that," Klein acknowledged. After Kirito selected a mission then chose 'accept' from the menu on the monitor.

"Now we're off to the hanger to board our machines," Kirito said.

"The hangar," asked Klein? "How do we get there?"

"Like this," Kirito answered. Kirito raised his hand and opened his menu screen, selected a set of options and he and Klein were transported to a whole new room. An enormous docking bay with two giant robots, with different designs, was stationed on one side of the wall. Klein gasped in amazement. The model from Kirito's room was now big enough to hold him in its palm.

The model next to it was also mostly white, but instead the top and shoulder pads were colored red. On its left arm had a red and white shield, with a four-point star and the right hand held a machine gun. Connected to its back was a small wingspan with a sword on both sides.

"Oh my, gosh," Klein shrieked with stars in his eyes. "My Sword Impulse Gundam is huge! I can't believe this is actually happening!"

"Yeah," Kirito said. "I thought the same when I first saw my Exia here. But looks aren't everything the hangar is for. Here we check our gunpla for a full inspection to see if its condition and weapons are in working order. Once we finish that it's what you've been waiting for."

Klein opened a menu in front of his machine as Kirito did for his own.

"Alright," Kirito began. "Looks like I'm good to go. How 'bout you?"

"Uh," Klein continued examining, "yeah I think we're ready."

"Alright," Kirito began again. "Then all we need to do is press 'Board Gundam.'" They did as instructed and, starting at the soles of their feet, tiny squares surrounded them and changed their surroundings. Separated from each other they were in chairs inside cockpits.

"Holy cow," Klein shrieked again. "Am I actually inside my model?"

"That's right," Kirito said as he popped up on a screen in Klein's cockpit. "Now grab hold of your controls but don't try moving it yet." At that moment both mecha were raised up by platforms into enormous open trap doors in the ceiling. The platforms stopped and the machines were facing through there own long square tunnels with neon lighting.

"Wow," Klein said. "It's a catapult."

"Yep," Kirito replied. "Now follow my lead and instructions. Kirito, Gundam Exia, Launching!" The platform underneath Exia shot it forward at high speeds screeching the floor. Reaching the end of the tunnel, Exia shot out and began flying with little green particles flowing out of the pointed engine on its back.

Kirito made it fly laps around the tower he had launched from with an excited smile and narrowed eyes. After one last circling, he hovered a mile from the tower facing his former tunnel.

"Oh it feels good to be back," Kirito said. "Hey Klein you coming out?"

"Uh yeah," "Klein answered nervous. "Klein, Sword Impulse Gundam, Launching!" The first steps repeated in the tunnel, but once the machine was out, it began diving straight down and the pilot began screaming.

"Calm down man," Kirito commanded. "Pull back on your controls!" Klein ceased screaming and jerked on his handles, squealing instead. The back of the Sword Impulse ignited is engine with extreme wind pressure and it curved up towards the sky, now with the pilot screaming with joy.

"Oh man," Klein called out. "This is awesome!" He flew Sword Impulse forward as Exia caught up.

"Glad you like it," Kirito said. "But flying is the easiest part of the game. Follow me to the mission zone."

"I'm right behind ya," Klein complied. The two flew for miles until they had in sight an enormous dome of green see through light.

"There it is," Kirito said. "Once we're in, friendly fire won't hurt us, but NPC mobile suits will attack us immediately. Learn fast and don't hold back."

"Roger that," Klein confidently smiled.

"Good," Kirito continued. "Now here's what you need to know." As hey continued instructing and flying, they passed by someone's vision through a target scope, leaving them to smile. They were a mile from the dome as Kirito finished talking. "Can you remember all that?"

"Uh yeah," Klein said, "I think so."

"Alright," said Kirito, "here we go!"

They flew into the dome and a computer voice said, "Mission start." On both their main monitors, three robots were seen flying toward them. Each was colored gray, had one blue light for an eye and two were armed with machine guns and one with a long bazooka.

"Are those Leo's from Gundam Wing," Klein asked?

"Yeah," Kirito answered. "Now let me show you how it's done." His Exia then braked in the air and fired a gun that was mounted to its small shield. The laser shot made contact and the targeted Leo was pushed back and began falling. The blade on the shield unfolded and pointed out as Exia dove down towards the falling enemy.

Kirito released a battle cry as his machine swung the sword across the Leo's waist. The opposing machine exploded and disappeared into digital bits that divided into oblivion.

"Oh that was awesome," Klein exclaimed. "Alright time for me to try." He had his Gundam fire at one of the two enemies but they both avoided the launched ammunition. The two then fired their own machine guns at him but he managed to block them with his shield. "Crap!"

"Calm down," Kirito commanded. "Watch their movement and wait for the right time to strike."

"Right," Klein acknowledged. Both Leo's stopped firing but he kept his shield up as he tossed aside his gun and pulled out one of his sword latched to his back. He dashed forward as one of the Leo's began to fly away. But Klein noticed that the other maintained coarse. Klein gave out his own battle cry and rushed the enemy as it began shooting at him.

The bullets hit the shield again as the Sword Impulse charged ahead until it slashed down its sword cutting the Leo in half from the head and down. Searching for the last opponent, Klein found the Leo with the bazooka on the ground. He landed and it fired missile after missile. The Sword Impulse charged ahead as Klein roared again and avoided contact with the deadly rockets. Reaching the perfect point, Klein slashed down the barrel of the weapon then cut across diagonally up the Leo's chest. It collapsed on its back as Klein caught his breath and began to smile widely.

"Alright," he shouted as his Gundam jumped and raised its sword up in the air.

"Nice job," Kirito said as his Exia walked up to them. Their mobile suits high fived as the pilots laughed. "All we have to do now is return to base and we clear the mission."

"Cool," Klein said. "Then let's go!" But before they could start their propulsion systems, the collapsed Leo's one eye lit up and it jumped at them with a beam saber. Klein and Kirito gasped in surprise, but the younger and experienced player regained focus and pulled out a small white stick that unleashed a small pink beam. Easily he threw it in the Leo's eye and it exploded into oblivion like the others.

"What was that," Klein asked still freaked?

"A bug in the system," Kirito answered scowling.

"That is a serious bug," Klein said. "But it is the first day of the game, there are probably dozens of glitches."

"Yeah," Kirito still scowled where the Leo blew.

"So," Klein began, "back to base was it?"

"Uh huh," Kirito nodded. "Let's go." They flew out of the dome and over the long forest.

"Oh man," Klein said looking out his main monitor. "When I look at this view I can't believe it, we're inside a game bro! Whoever made it's a genius! This is amazing. Makes me glad I was born when I was ya know?"

"It's not that big a deal," Kirito said with his smile back.

"Cut me some slack it' my first full dive," Klein said.

"You've never used a Nerve Gear before today huh," Kirito asked? "This is your first time ever? The way you fought back there I would've second guessed about you being a rookie."

"Well it's not my first video game ever," Klein said. "I've had my share of first person shooters. As soon as I got all the money together I rushed out and bought all the gear to play GBN. Stood in line and scored one of the ten thousand hard copies. Guess you can say I was pretty lucky.

"Although you sir were ten times as lucky getting to beta test it. Dude only a thousand people got the chance."

"Yeah I guess I was lucky," Kirito said.

"Hey," Klein began again, "mind if I ask how far you got in the beta?"

"Two months and I barley broke my first rank," Kirito answered honestly. "But now I bet I'll make it to B Rank within a month, easy."

"Sounds to me you're really into this," Klein observed nervously.

"Yeah you could say that," Kirito replied. "During the beta test, GBN was the only thought on my mind, day and night. In this world, a toy you build with your own two hands can be your giant partner and take you anywhere you want to go. And even if it's a virtual world, I feel more alive in here than I ever have in the real one." Kirito smiled and blushed realizing how cheesy he was sounding.

"Anyway," Kirito began again. But before continuing his sentence a warning displayed on his dashboard. From within the trees a beam of pink light burst towards them. Kirito gasped with closed teeth at he sight of the attack. "Klein move!"

Exia turned and tackled Sword Impulse avoiding the beam.

"What was that," Klein asked freaked out again?

"Sniper," Kirito answered. Shots were fired again at them over and over as they maneuvered around them. The lasers ceased firing, but something else emerged from the forest. Rocketing out of the trees was a barrage of missiles that they also began to avoid and try shooting down. "We need to land!"

"Right," Klein acknowledged. They landed their gunpla in the trees for cover as the remaining missiles impacted the ground and exploded.

"Hit the brakes," Kirito shouted. They stooped their robots as there feet dragged over the dirt.

"What's going on," Klein asked?

"We're being hunted," Kirito answered. "Now that were out in the open, other players can target us and earn points by destroying us."

"Seriously," Klein asked? "Don't they have to challenge us or something?"

"Not always," Kirito answered. "Official challenges are more of a formality. Outside of mission zones you're in free battle mode, you can fight anyone regardless of rank. This hunter tactic was something some of the other beta testers came up with and shared online as a tip."

"So how many are after us," Klein asked? "My radar's not showing me anything."

"I count two so far but there's no way to be certain until we're safe," Kirito explained.

"So what do we do," Klein asked? "We can't just walk out of here, and we can't log out or we lose our mission progress right?"

"You're right," Kirito said. "But walking out of here is our best option, so we need to be careful in case they laid any traps."

"Okay," Klein complied. "I'm in your hands Kirito." They began walking forward step by step with their shields raised to their necks. In there cockpits they eye bounced from the main monitor to their radar and back again. They noticed one of the red dots was now honing in on them.

"Here it comes," Kirito said and they stopped walking. Bursting through the trees and bushes was a beast with a green metal head with three horns and a long skinny upper body with two long arms and claws. On its back was a lengthy wingspan and its legs were connected to an enormous hip with a tail. The beast flew towards them but they dived to different sides to avoid the attack. "It's a Danazine from Gundam AGE!"

Kirito's Exia and Klein's Sword Impulse landed. The new gunpla then roared as it flew up out of the trees. Flying from above the forest it shot out from a machine gun that was mounted to its head. The Gundams took some damage since their shields could only protect so much. But the Danazine was not finished from the gem on its pelvis shot out a long yellow beam that started marking a ditch as it cut through the leaves and branches.

"Roll to the side," Kirito shouted. And the two Gundams did, missing contact with the laser by mere inches. The two players were on opposite sides of the ditch as they stood back up.

'So there's a sniper and an attack dog…' Kirito thought, 'what're they using to shoot missiles?'

"Give up you two," said a new voice on the radio. Kirito and Klein were surprised to hear someone that hacked into their frequency. The speakers face appeared on a new monitor that popped up in front of them. Although he was sitting down it seemed the pilot was not exactly tall. His menacing grin seemed to match his orange spiked hair and shaggy soul patch.

"Who the heck are you," asked Klein?

"The name's Kibaou," the new pilot answered. "And my crew and I have already had a busy day collecting points. So go ahead and make this easy for everyone and stand still to die."

"That offer's not exactly tempting…" Klein joked nervously.

"No way," Kirito said. "I'm not losing my first battle on the game's debut! Now stay off my dash!" Kirito swatted the holo screen and it shattered to pieces. "Klein, listen up!"

"Uh yeah," Klein said still nervous.

"Well I tried giving him mercy," Kibaou said in his own cockpit. "Wait and see for them to try anything you guys."

"Copy," said two other voices on his speakers. Kibaou continued looking through his main monitor as he flew over the threes in his Danazine.

"Now where are you now," Kibaou asked himself? As if on queue, Exia plowed through the forest toward the beast machine with its sword unfolded. Kirito cried fiercely as he flew forward and swung it down. But the Danazine released beam sabers from its palms and blocked the attack by forming an x. "Not too bright kid!"

"So you're in this one," Kirito deduced. "I bet your goons will back off once I take you out!"

"You're welcome to try," Kibaou shouted as he spread his swords apart and pushed Exia away. A warning appeared in Kirito's face and he then shifted to the side as a pink beam like before shot passed him. Exia continued assaulting the Danazine with its sword. "Idiot, my sniper's still there. Wait… where's the other guy?"

Klein, still on the ground accelerated through the trees while its feet hovered above the grass. Zooming in on his main screen he finally found the sniper. It was colored green lying on its back aiming its sniper rifle toward the sky. Sword Impulse dropped its machine gun and grabbed one of the swords on its back. Klein screamed with fury as he slashed the gun at the base of the barrel.

"What the," the more plain looking pilot panicked? The Sword Impulse raised its sword and pointed it down at the gunpla. "No! Not my GM Sniper!" Klein impaled the enemy machine remorselessly, then quickly pulled it out and moved back as it exploded and turned into bits that turned into nothing.

"Darn it," Kibaou grunted as his ally's icon disappeared on another monitor. But he quickly regained focus on Exia as it continued swinging its sword at him. "Fire missiles! Get this newb off me!" The projectiles launched on command and flew straight for the blue Gundam.

"I've got you," Kirito said. He allowed the Danazine to break off as he had his Exia fly straight toward the barrage of missiles. He folded his sword back and fired shot after shot one missile at a time while maneuvering around them. Once he was past the missiles he followed the smoke that came from them, but they turned around and started following him.

'Heat seekers,' Kirito thought. He them made his own devious smile. 'Perfect!' Exia changed coarse and dived, and then shot forward again where the smoke originally came from. And from the same spot, the third machine emerged and flew out.

The gunpla was colored a light purple and bipedal with jet engines and wings mounted on it back and connected to its hide was an oversized rocket launcher with thirteen holes.

"A Mobile Bucue," Kirito observed. "I should've known." He pushed his controls further and more green particles erupted from Exia's pointed engine and it flew past the gunpla. Exia flipped over and shot at the Bucue, the heat from the blast attracted the missiles and consumed its originator. "I can't believe that worked."

"No way," Kibaou whispered shaking his eyes.

"Okay," Klein said as his Sword Impulse flew up behind the Danazine, "that was just plain showing off."

"Oh whatever," Kirito said back. "Let's finish it already." From both sides they charged at the last enemy.

"Screw that," Kibaou shouted and fired a long lasting beam from the navel gem and turned to wave it at them both. The Sword Impulse dove down as Exia rose up both avoiding the beam. They changed directions back at the Danazine swinging their swords but they were blocked by the beam sabers from the palms. But the attack was not over, Exia pulled out one of its own beam sabers as the Impulse pulled out its other blade. "Hold on this isn't fair!"

"Did you seriously say that," Klein asked? "Kirito you heard that too right?"

"Kirito," Kibaou asked?

"Yeah I heard it," Kirito answered. "And I'd say he's about to learn the odds of karma!" And they began swinging their second weapons.

"Oh I'll even out these odds," Kibaou shouted. An option popped up on his dashboard that read, 'Break boost is applied.' He slammed his finger on 'Yes' and purple lightning surrounded his Danazine.

"No way," Kirito said. The opposing machine was then engulfed in a purple aura that forced the Gundams away making both drop the swords they held. Klein plummeted back into the trees but Kirito stopped spinning in the air and regained his posture. "A Mass-Diver. I thought there might be players using it."

"Oh so you've heard of this," Kibaou asked with regained confidence? "Come here, I'll give you a taste!" The powered up Danazine transformed into a fighter jet form and charged at the Exia. Kirito tried swinging its sword but it was too quick and rammed him in his Gundams chest. Kirito screamed from the impact as it flew away and circled around to hit him again.

Klein was still on the ground as he watched the Danazine ram his comrade Kirito over and over at high speeds.

"Where did all that power come from," Klein asked? "I don't remember a super mode like this from Gundam AGE." Kirito continued taking the bashings from left and right.

"Alright," Kibaou said. "That's enough venting out." He stopped his gunpla and transformed it and formed his beam sabers again. "Time to collect my first prey!" The Danazine dashed at Exia prepared to swing its blades.

"Then your friend is next!" Kirito growled at Kibaou and pressed a button on his own console.

"Trans Am," Kirito shouted. And the colors of his Exia and emitted particles changed to shades of red as it dashed toward to counter the attacker while grabbing and activating another beam saber. All four swords clashed in a game of mercy as only Kirito continued to growl. "I knew there were going to be plenty of scumbags when this game aired but do you have to be a cheater? How could you resort to a cheap move like Mass-Diving?"

"Mass-Diving," Klein overheard?

"You dweeb," Kibaou taunted. "I'm not cheating I'm being resourceful!"

"What," Kirito asked as his opponent broke apart the collided weapons?

"Everyone knows the truth about Gunpla Battle," Kibaou began as they swung and parried swords. "Only the strong survive! To survive I need the best options! And this Mass-Diving is definitely the best!" The Danazine swung its two beam sabers down as Kirito attempted a block but he managed to force the teenager back.

"Now I'll finish you," Kibaou finished with a shout. The gem on his pelvis began glowing at it absorbed purple light fragments. "You're dead!" He pulled a trigger to fire but the Danazine's gem cracked and the entire ball that connected the body and legs began having smoke erupt.

"What?"

"Now," Kirito shouted. His Exia dashed forward at almost light speed, leaving afterimages behind as it pulled back its shield blade and swung it down diagonally on the Danazine's pelvis.

"No way…" Kibaou muttered as the lights in his cockpit went red. Exia's colors returned to blue and white, as it folded is sword and deactivated and sheathed the beam saber.

"That's what happens," Kirito began, "when you cheat at Gunpla Battle."

"That guy," Kibaou spoke again. "He said your name was Kirito right?"

"Yeah," Kirito answered, "that's me."

"Kirito," Kibaou began, "I wont forget this! I'll hunt you down and make you pay! "I'll destroy you, Kirito!" And the Danazine blew an immense spread as its digitization and erasure followed.

"Whoa," Klein said as all became quiet. The silence continued as they recollected their weapons and finished flying back to the tower. "That was awesome," Klein told Kirito in the hanger. Their Gundams were stationed where they were originally at with projected messages displaying, 'Repairing.' "I don't think my hearts ever raced so fast before!"

"Glad I could help with your experience," Kirito smiled.

"Yeah thanks for everything," Klein appreciated. "I was able to get a hang of the game and win my first battle! I can't wait to tell the guys!"

"You dived in with some friends," Kirito asked?

"Yeah," Klein answered. "We waited in line all night to buy this game, and we agreed to meet up later after learning the basics."

"Well I feel like I've definitely taught you more than that," Kirito said. "I hope you guys have as much fun as we just did."

"Oh well," Klein started talking again, "I don't know what you're up to now after all that so if you want you can friend them and hand with us." Kirito was not certain what to answer and looked down rather discouraged. "No, it's cool if you don't want to know pressure. But, until you do feel like being part of a group…" Klein opened up his menu and sent to Kirito's menu, which popped up as a response, a friend request.

Kirito's eyes opened as a first response but then made a calm smile as he looked to Klein then back at the menu and pressed accept.

"Thanks man," Kirito said. "Good luck to you and your buds."

"We will and thank you," Klein said as he walked away. But then he realized the question he had and stopped in his tracks. "Oh hey, what was that Mass-Diving thing you and that jerk were talking about?" Kirito narrowed his eyes at the question.

"Well for starters it's not supposed to be in this game," Kirito answered and confused Klein further. "During the Beta test, one of the beta testers created a device that's programed to manipulate the gunplas data to increase its performance. Meaning it's an illegal power up. What's worse is that it come with a side effect of infecting GBN with bugs."

"Seriously," Klein asked? "Then what happened with that Leo…?"

"Yeah," Kirito nodded. "It might've been a bug caused by players Mass-Diving."

"So that ex-beta tester is sharing or selling that illegal program," Klein asked?

"No way," Kirito assured. "The original Mass-Diver swore to never touch that program ever again… or play GBN."

"Dang," Klein replied. "So someone else got their hands on the program after, whatever happened in the beta?"

"Yeah," Kirito answered. "I was hoping to have fun as much as possible, but now I won't rest until I find out who's been giving the Mass-Dive program away."

"Anything I can do to help," Klein asked? Kirito was surprised as he looked to Klein's' serious face.

"Seriously," Kirito asked?

"Sure," Klein answered. "Can't leave a buddy hanging on a heroic quest."

"Alright," Kirito chuckled. "Don't tell your friends or anyone else about this program, not yet anyway. But if you see anyone use it message me their username."

"You got it," Klein said and they shook hands to seal the deal. Klein turned to walk away again. "Oh and Kirito, try to remember that it's still a game, so have all the fun you want."

"Yeah," Kirito complied, "Thanks Klein." And he officially left Kirito alone with his Gundam. "If we're gonna be the best," Kirito began, "and find out who's giving the Mass-Dive program, then we need to get stronger. Right Exia?"

Next Time: Kitbash