Nextgen Kids: Legend of the Nine Newborn

Operation: AINCRAD, Level 13: The Ruby Palace

I just looked up that Kayaba's canon age is 28. I'm gonna age him up by 15 years because that's a little too young to set his plans in motion.

Both teams returned to the Elevator Tower, with Miko bravely leading the charge. "So, what was your name again?" Goombella asked Kazma.

"Kazma."

"I sort of feel like I've seen you before."

"Really? I don't remember you."

"Hmm..."

"If the eighth Pure Heart is up there, Infinite's bound to be after it, too." Carmine said worriedly. "What if we'll have to face him?"

"Miko is capable of confronting Infinite with her current power." Boly explained.

"But that doesn't make sense." Quill argued. "Infinite dismantled you while you had seven hearts. Even with Miko back with you, you're still only six! And what if Infinite gets your second heart?!"

"Miko's experience with combat, gaming, and friendship has made her stronger, in ways that cannot simply be programmed. This is what President Kayaba decreed."

Miko stopped and glared down at her glove. "You know, if you're a Firstborn, then you couldn't have just been created by Hinobi. They had to have found you somewhere. Where did you come from?"

"I have no memory of my origins. However, my hardware was unearthed by Kayaba 23 years prior. Hinobi was a small company at the time, but by harnessing my data, the quality of their games were able to greatly enhance."

"Where were you 'unearthed'?"

"A planet called Mira. Kayaba supposedly learned of me through ancient documents."

"Mira? That CLU guy mentioned that name." Jenny remembered. "So, you don't remember anything before being discovered?"

"Negative. I mean, positive. Double negatives confuse me."

"We sure have that in common." Miko figured. She sighed as she faced the ceiling. "Alright then..."

"I'm sure we can take him!" Killua beamed confidently. "We already beat Infinite once, and now we got more of us."

"Honestly, I don't think it's our place to interfere this time." Index said. "This is Miko's destiny..."

"Besides, doesn't she have another team?" Goombella asked.

"That's a good point." Miko turned to them. "Could you go up to Floor 70 and tell Sector Hinobi about this?"

"Wouldn't you rather tell them yourself?" Carmine asked.

"I don't really wanna explain or hear it all again. Plus, it'll just waste time. I want to go up and get this over with. And when you tell them, make sure to mention Phil."

"What should we do afterward?" asked Nagisa.

"Actually, there's one more thing we never got to check up on." Quill said. "Boly, weren't the NerveGear supposed to help revive the comatose people? Would those people appear on Level 1, too?"

"If the NerveGear was placed over people with inactive brains, the game is designed to reform their consciousnesses in the Restoration Center of Level 91."

"Sector SA, after you finish with Sector Hinobi, maybe you could head to that floor. Let us know if you find any operatives recovering. Plus, I'm worried Infinite will try to do something to them, too."

"Sure." Nagisa nodded. "Let's get to it, gang. Good luck with your mission."

"You, too, Miko." Index said to the gamer. "I understand why you're worried, but you'll be fine as long as your friends are with you."