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Kate was officially having a very, very weird day.
It started off normally, waking up, eating breakfast, and logging onto Giant in the Playground to browse for an Adeptus Evangelion campaign. Then she had been digitized, had four of her own past selves forcibly re-inserted, been informed that she was to join some other Playgrounders who'd already set out in trying to fight horrible monstrosities from beyond reality, learned that all of the above was tied to what were known in her world as fictional constructs, and had her body altered to match said past lives slightly better.
As the dizziness had faded, she felt one of the new presences "step forward". "Hello. I am Arturia. Your, um, past self. I....think you know of me." She gave a small, confident nod.
Kate didn't move. She felt her soul grow stronger; her sword was mighty, and she had faced terrible foes before, and come out victorious. What had she to fear?
Another stepped forward and gave an easy smile. "I'm Canaan. I like guns. I think we can make this work."
Kate's soul grew more confident. It was just another fight, a few more bullets to be put in their fated places; she had friends to protect, after all, so it really didn't matter what she was up against.
The third stepped forward and gave a small nod, his otherwise clear face a bit cautious. "I'm Narukami Yu. I think we'll be fine; this isn't anything too new." He gave a small, sardonic smile.
Kate felt her soul grow calmer; calling upon alternate selves to fight eldritch abominations? What else was new?
The last stepped forward, her face almost empty of all emotion or expression. "Greetings. I am Ayanami Rei. I will fight."
Kate felt....
....
....rather less than expected. Cooler. Steadier. But nothing like what she'd felt from the others at the joining of their souls. She moved for the first time, looking questioningly at Rei, who turned her crimson eyes away, looking, very slightly, apologetic. "You are somewhat familiar, I think, with my true nature. I feel it would be in our best interest if I held back for now."
Kate cringed, and nodded, speaking for the first time to her past selves. 'That's probably wise. Thanks. Um.' She stood. 'So. Hi. Uh, I'm Kate. Um....let's get going. I'm not much for intros, and we're well behind the others. But, uh....' She broke into a huge grin. 'Holy crap it's good to meet y'all!' And before they could react, 'Rei, could you do a Dirac thingy to this Sigil place?'
Rei, looking rather surprised at the outburst, nodded nonetheless, and motioned to the floor underneath them....
....which brings us to now. Kate stepped out of the Dirac Sea and looked around the....temple, it looked like. This area was huge, and filled with an incredible variety of items - vehicles, weapons, clothing, at least one contingent of warrior monks glaring at her in sinister fashion....and there, sandwiched between a mountain of scrolls, a giant dead snake and an armored jeep, was an oddly, wonderfully familiar pile of her own equipment.
As she jogged over to it, a UNSC (?!) marine in the black armor and drop-pod logo of a Hell Jumper ran to her; Canaan stepped up and activated her Synesthesia. Her eyes glowed red, and the soldier faltered; "Friendly. Also nervous."
"Ma'am, you're one of the big guys?" the man asked. She nodded hesitantly. The soldier seemed relieved. "There's an atack going on up top. Hurry, please."
She nodded, more firmly, and then caught herself. "Soldier," she called, letting Arturia infuse he voice with authority, "where is the battle? I'm new to this place." But before he could answer, an oddly familiar female voice called out.
"Um, I can get you there!"
Kate and the soldier looked towards her pile in surprise; they saw a girl who looked like...."Rise? Kujikawa Rise?"
The girl nodded shyly. "Um, Senpai?" Kate nodded, making a "kinda" gesture with her hand. Rise stared for a moment, before nodding and continuing, "OK, good. I can get you there, and direct you, just like always." She smiled warmly. "It's good to see you again, Senpai."
Kate nodded, smiling herself. "Good to have you." To the ODST she said "you're good." He nodded and jogged off. Kate turned to Rise and, blushing slightly, motioned for her to wait by the stairs. Then she turned to the pile.
"Good, Excalibur. Like everything else, you shouldn't be able to access its true power yet, let alone Avalon. Oh, and my armor. We can modify it later to fit with the rest, but now's not the time. And yes, you'll have to put it on manually this first time."
"My glasses are not ordinary. They'll be useful. Excalibur's probably better than any of my swords, of course."
"My clothes aren't special; just go for the armor for now. But grab my Beretta, please. Also, normally Synesthesia would tire you out after a while, but with the boost from Miss Army Killer, I think you can just keep it up."
"Armored Plugsuit. Should fit well under the armor. And my lance, as a last resort."
Five minutes later, Kate wore an armored Plugsuit, a left-arm bracer, a shoulder pouch, gunbelt (complete with guns), and swordbelt (complete with Excalibur), weirdly non-restricting, ballgown-like battle armor, and glasses. The Lance of Longinus was across her back. She grabbed Rise and sprinted for the battle.
Kate took a moment to analyze, Rise pointing out her allies. Spotting a group of marines under heavy assault from Storm Troopers (?!), she loosened one gun, drew Excalibur, activated her eyes, allowed herself a small smile, and leapt into the fray.